Regional Mnp rebels call total shutdown on Jan 4 boycotting Modis visit Correspondent IMPHAL, JAN 2 | Publish Date: 1/2/2019 11:18:34 AM IST Manipur-based rebel groups have given separate total shutdown-calls on January 4, 2019 while announcing the boycott of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Manipur. The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Imphal on January 4 to inaugurate a host of projects besides laying foundation stones for some new projects. He is also scheduled to address at a public function in Imphal on the same day. Security has already been beefed up in the twin capital districts of the state since the last few days. Besides random frisking and checking operations, security forces were also conducting search operations at various sensitive areas in both the districts. A team of 29 members of Special Protection Group (SPG), who arrived Imphal on December 31, 2018, were also assisting the state security force and police in taking up security measures particularly along the routes where the Prime Minister would travel and the venue (Hapta Kangjeibung) where he would address the people. Another four-member team of SPG arrived Tuesday and joined the earlier team, an official source said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, as part of preventive measure in connection with VVIP visit, the personnel of state police commando and troops of 15 Assam Rifles sanitized the Imphal river bank from Minuthong to Sanjenthong with sniffer-dog. The said area is close to the venue of the public function where the Prime Minister would address. Amidst the tightened security measure being in place, Coordination Committee (CorCom), a conglomerate of some major rebel groups, has announced a total shutdown on January 4. The shutdown will be effective from 1 am of the day till the Prime Minister left the state, CorCom stated in an e-mail statement. The conglomerate body stated that Modis visit to Manipur was a part of visit of Indian colonial leaders to strengthen the colonial rule in the region. CorCom alleged Indian government continuing Britishs divide and rule policy in the region and trying to divide among the people of hill and plain to suppress the people of the region. United Peoples Revolutionary Front of Manipur (UPRFM), another umbrella body of some factions of armed groups has also announced a 12-hour total shutdown on January 4 boycotting the visit of Prime Minister. The shutdown will be enforced from 6am of January 4 till 6 pm of the same day, a statement of the front said. However, the total shutdown will not be imposed if the Prime Minister happened to cancel or postponed his visit in the state, the statement added. Maoist Communist Party Manipur (MCPM) also announced boycott to the visit of the Prime Minister, but stated that it will not impose any kind of strike on the day. Asking the people to stay away from receiving or attending Prime Ministers function, the statement of the MCPM said that the outfit will treat those who come were receiving tips from the BJP. Gov.-elect Ned Lamont tapped Sen. Beth Bye, D-West Hartford, to lead the state Office of Early Childhood. Bye, who succeeds Commissioner David Wilkinson, will resign her post representing the 5th Senate District, which includes Burlington, Farmington, West Hartford and western Bloomfield. Byes appointment also means Senate Democratic leadership must appoint a new co-chair of the legislatures Education Committee. Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill must schedule a special election to fill the 5th Senate District seat. The seat is expected to garner some interest Rep. Derek Slap, D-West Hartford, announced his intention to run and Rep.-elect Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, is also considering a bid. Beth Bye has devoted her entire professional career to helping to build a more progressive and equitable early childhood system in which all children, regardless of their parents socioeconomic status, can grow, learn and develop, said Lamont. Its clear that the formative early childhood years are key to providing children a solid educational base and platform, and I know Beth is the best person to take the helm of this critical agency. Bye, who served in the Senate from 2011 to the present and in the House from 2007 through 2010, will lead an office created in 2013 to coordinate and enhance various early childhood development programs and create a cohesive care system. The West Hartford Democrat has been a long-time advocate for education, early childhood education, economic development and environmental issues in the General Assembly. She was instrumental in strengthening the states partnership with the School for the Young Child in West Hartford, a private pre-school recognized as a national model for quality early childhood developmental programming. Assisted by state subsidies, the school offers financial assistance annually to ensure a portion of the students come from low-income households. Bye is a former director of the school. I am grateful to begin this next chapter in my career, leading an agency I helped to spearhead and create, Bye said. Connecticuts children all of them represent the future of our state, and deserve to have the tools and support necessary to develop, grow and thrive. Im looking forward to working collaboratively with the early childhood community and the K-12 system to assure the readiness of both young children and the schools that serve them alike. I am enthusiastic about passing the reigns of OEC to Senator Beth Bye, a proven leader who has consistently been one of the states most effective and steadfast advocates for young children and their families, said Wilkinson. Bye currently is executive director of Auerfarm in Bloomfield, a community farm that hosts 15,000 student trips annually and partners with the Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School. Prior to that, Bye led Great by 8, a community partnership to develop a program that supports optimal health and educational outcomes for children ages birth to eight. Bye also served as the Early Childhood Director at the Capitol Region Education Council, otherwise known as CREC, where she supervised its birth-to-three program for CREC, and also helped to open two early childhood magnet schools. Earlier in her career, Bye was the director at both the Trinity College Community Child Center and the University of St. Joseph School for Young Children, which was named a State of Connecticut model pre-school. Bye will begin serving as the Commissioner-designate in late January. Her nomination will be sent to the General Assembly for its advice and consent. This story originally appeared on the website of The Connecticut Mirror, www.ctmirror.org. MERIDEN After welcoming the first baby of the year at MidState Medical Center, city couple Alyssa and Charles Johnson are excited to get to know the newest member of their family. Penelope Quinn Johnson was born at 1:24 am Tuesday, weighing 8 pounds, 9 ounces. She is 21 inches tall. We just kind of came upon it, Alyssa Johnson said of the name Penelope. We love the nickname Penny. With Penelope being their first, she said when they go home, the Meriden couple will be focused on getting to know her and discovering the great things about being new parents. There's a lot to learn about each other. With both parents having time off work Alyssa is a childrens librarian at the Wallingford Library and Charles works in the Alumni Department of Central Connecticut State University they have plenty of time to focus on Penelope, though they feel like a lot of it is already coming naturally. "I thought it was really cool that she knows us and we know her already, she said. You don't expect that when a baby has been inside you for nine months...it's like I always knew her. After a late night and a long day, Charles told his wife shes a champ for being so excited for it all. Penelope was originally due on the Dec. 27 and the couple was hoping for a Christmas baby, but theyve found they prefer the idea of celebrating on the first of the year now. I think this is so much better because everyone's celebrating the day before her birthday, Alyssa said. Then when the clock strikes midnight, they can continue the celebration with their daughter. dleithyessian@record-journal.com 203-317-2317 Twitter: @leith_yessian MERIDEN Meriden Commons I developers are in talks to open a deli and a chicken restaurant in the buildings corner commercial space overlooking the Meriden Green. We are finalizing it out, but dont yet have a solid opening date, Charlie Adams, regional vice president of Pennrose Properties, stated in an email Monday. The $25 million Meriden Commons I has 75 mixed-income apartments and 5,400 square feet of commercial space on the first floor. NYC Deli & Krispy Krunchy Chicken would occupy space on the corner of State and Mill streets. According to city plans, Mill Street will be eliminated to expand the Meriden Green. Adams would not name the deli owner, but said its an experienced operator. Construction activity and deli equipment, including showcases, can be seen in the new commercial space. A full-service deli would service tenants and walk-ins from surrounding businesses and the Meriden Green, said David Cooley, of the Making Meriden Business Center. The space has an outdoor patio overlooking the Green. To me its a good sign, Cooley said. According to its website, Krispy Krunchy Chicken was founded in 1989 in Lafayette, Louisiana, and grew to become a convenience-store based quick service restaurant. Business owners pay no royalty fees to prepare and retail KKCs menu of chicken, biscuits, side dishes and breakfast sandwiches at gas station convenience stores or delis. The brand has more than 2,300 retail locations in 41 states, including an operation at the Irving gas station on Broad Street. Meriden Commons I residential units are fully rented, Adams said. There are 80 percent affordable housing units and 20 percent market rate tenants living in one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. A similar development ,called Meriden Commons II, at the corner of State and Cedar streets, will be completed in fall 2019. Pennrose partnered with the Meriden Housing Authority to develop Meriden Commons I and II. With the demolition of the Mills Memorial Apartments complete, the city can begin the park expansion and flood control project near Pratt Street. As a condition of the demolition, the MHA had to replace the 144 units lost when the Mills vacated, although not necessarily with former Mills tenants. Meriden Commons I and II and 64 units at 24 Colony St. helped fulfill that requirement, and Mills residents have first right of refusal to occupy the units, MHA officials have said. Tenants living in affordable units cannot earn more than 60 percent of the average median income for New Haven County, which is about $50,000. The project was paid for through a mix of U.S. Housing and Urban Development funds and $3.2 million in low-income housing tax credits that generated $32 million in equity. mgodin@record-journal.com 203-317-2255 Twitter: @Cconnbiz Chinas new energy vehicle (NEV) industry concluded 2018 with outstanding results. Production and sales of China's NEVs increased to 1.05 and 1.03 million units respectively between January and November 2018, compared with less than 800,000 in the same time period of 2017. How could China deliver such a remarkable achievement, especially when its economy suffered a periodic downturn last year? A joint announcement was released by the countrys four ministries in February 2018, lowering financial subsidies for NEVs by over 30 percent. Subsidies are expected to be cut further in 2019, and may even be canceled altogether. Despite these shrinking subsidies, the production and sales of NEVs still maintained rapid growth this year. Experts explained that supporting policies, such as easier license application, exemption from traffic restrictions, and parking charge discounts have helped to stimulate industry growth. Additionally, a new dual-administration policy dealing with the management of average fuel consumption and new energy vehicles was brought in on April 1, 2018, aiming to promote new energy cars and provide additional compliance flexibility to the existing fuel consumption regulation. If enterprises fail to meet the new policy standards, they will not be qualified to produce products with high fuel consumption, and could be fined. Before these measures were taken, less than half of Chinas 124 enterprises producing or importing passenger vehicles were involved in NEV production. The dual-administration successfully drove up the market share of NEVs. China also continued to open up further in the automotive production sector, including NEV production. In 2018, the country removed foreign investment restrictions in China's auto industry, scrapping caps on foreign shares for new energy vehicle producers. According to He Xiaopeng, Chairman of Chinese electric car start-up Xpeng Motors, Chinas decision to remove the foreign equity limit for automakers was a critical juncture, after which the countrys auto industry would grow stronger. It requested domestic enterprises to invest more and accelerate innovation, which would, in turn, benefit consumers, He added. SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed on Wednesday to continue his government's economic reform drive in 2019 to create jobs and fair economy through innovation and improved industrial structure. Moon made the pledge during his meeting with businessmen to mark the start of the new year. It was held at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) headquarters, attended by about 300 government officials and business leaders. "The way to change our economy is a way that must be walked," said Moon who acknowledged that it would take time and cause controversy because it is the way nobody has ever walked. Moon said the economic model of tracking advanced economies faced limitations under situations that low growth has become a norm, noting that South Korea requires a new industrial policy to overcome its structural limitations and create value through innovation. He emphasized that development can be sustained when each one of the entire population enjoys the benefits of economic growth, vowing to create jobs and a fair economy that would be at the center of his economic reform. The Moon government planned to boost its manufacturing industry through support for research and development (R&D) in leading and promising sectors, according to the 2019 policy report by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to President Moon. The government aimed to raise the percentage of added value, generated in the manufacturing sector, to 35 percent of the total in all industries by 2030, which is equivalent to the level of Germany, from 25.3 percent as of 2017. Moon said innovation will be required in all industries to reintroduce economic momentum and find a breakthrough to overcome low growth, promising to create jobs by innovating the manufacturing sector and pursuing the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Welcome to Morningstar.co.uk! You have been redirected here from Hemscott.com as we are merging our websites to provide you with a one-stop shop for all your investment research needs.To search for a security, type the name or ticker in the search box at the top of the page and select from the dropdown results.Registered Hemscott users can log in to Morningstar using the same login details. Similarly, if you are a Hemscott Premium user, you now have a Morningstar Premium account which you can access using the same login details. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the formal reunification of Taiwan with mainland China as he reiterated the one China principle in a speech on Wednesday. Its a legal fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, and cannot be changed by anyone or any force, Xi said, noting that the reunification is a must for the further development of the Chinese nation. While saying the reunification would safeguard the interests and well-being of the islanders, Xi did not rule out a military option. China reserves the option of taking all necessary measures, he said. Taiwan has become one of the most sensitive issues fueling the US-China spat since US President Donald Trump signaled support to Taiwans President, deepening US ties with the island via The Taiwan Travel Act legislation passed last year. China has denounced the move, warning US against meddling in its internal affairs. to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. Xi says Taiwans reunification with China is a must, does not rule out military option Xi says Taiwans reunification with China is a must, does not rule out military option Source : RT - Daily news Paul Whelan, the US security specialist held in Russia since Friday over an act of espionage, has received a diplomatic delegation from his homeland. Consular access had been demanded by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The visit was separately confirmed to the Russian news agency RIA, and to CNN by foreign ministry officials in Moscow. Read more Earlier, Pompeo said the US needed to have a better understanding of what Whelan has purportedly done, as no details have been made public, and may press for his instant release. Weve made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges, come to understand what it is hes been accused of, and if the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return, said Pompeo while on a trip to Brazil, where he acted as an American representative for the inauguration of President Jair Bolsonaro. Meanwhile, Whelans family has insisted that the innocence of the former marine, who was dismissed from service in 2008 after being convicted of larceny, was undoubted. They say he was in the Russian capital to attend a wedding of a fellow US marine to a local woman, and had previously traveled to the country for over a decade without a single incident. The 48-year-old has recently been working as director of global security at BorgWarner, an international multi-billion auto parts manufacturer headquartered in Michigan. Benjamin Netanyahus Defense Ministry is accused of rewriting history as a memorial to former Israeli leaders contains notable absences, such as the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres time as president. The former home of Israels first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, and the countrys old defense headquarters was recently renovated to remain faithful to the original look while preserving the houses spirit. However, eyebrows have been raised at a number of missing details and curious caption choices, Haaretz reports. A ceremony was held to mark the renovation works at the site in Tel Aviv in September and the building has since opened to the public. A wall dedicated to Israels prime ministers was missing the 12th prime minister, Ehud Olmert. He served from 2006-2009, before resigning over charges of bribery and corruption. Parliamentary elections followed, and Netanyahu became prime minister. There was no mention of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabins assassination, which perhaps comes as no surprise given Netanyahu has been accused of inciting violence against the Labor Party leader before he was killed in 1995 by right-wing extremist Yigal Amir. Amir considered Rabin a traitor for agreeing to the Oslo Accords with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Netanyahu has made one further step in distorting history, shaping it in his own image, said Labor MK Merav Michaeli. He, who led the incitement that resulted in Rabins murder, and who continued doing so against people continuing in Rabins path, is now trying to erase the murder, the peace treaties and Peres presidency. Meanwhile, an official involved in the renovation told Haaretz that the decision to omit Rabins killing was shameful. Its obvious that when you write about Rabin, everyone remembers the assassination, they added. Its not something thats suddenly forgotten. READ MORE: Honest debate needed about legacy of Israels expulsion of the Palestinians Ken Livingstone While Shimon Peres was featured on the wall, his term as president from 2007-2014 was not mentioned but his time as defense minister was. Netanyahu ran against Peres for prime minister in the 1996 general election, winning by just one percent. He became prime minister for the second time in 1999, which was during Peres presidency. Also on rt.com I stopped Netanyahu from catastrophic attack on Iran Peres statement concealed til death Netanyahus caption on the wall described him as being the finance minister who led extensive reforms in Israels economy, with his role as opposition leader featured, whereas other prime ministers cabinet positions didnt receive a mention. Details from Netanyahus own terms were missing, like any mention of the conflicts Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012 and 2014s Operation Protective Edge. READ MORE: We want to play for our country: Gaza amputee footballers aspire to reach the top (VIDEO) RT has contacted the Defense Ministry for comment about the memorial wall. Like this story? Share it with a friend! A targeted attack in which a man aimed at pedestrians with his car in two German cities is reportedly being investigated as terror-related, and may have been caused by a combination of racism and a mental disorder. Investigators are treating the series of assaults which began late Tuesday as an act of terrorism, Der Tagesspiegel has learned. The incident has drawn comparisons to lone wolf attacks carried out by radical Islamists, the newspaper reports, citing security sources. Read more The suspect, known as Andreas N., 50, attempted to ram his Mercedes into pedestrians in the city of Bottrop in west-central Germany, just minutes before midnight on New Years Eve. Having initially missed his target, he went on with his hunt, hitting several people as a result. This included a family of four from Syria, with the mother receiving a life-threatening injury. She was later operated on, and there is now no longer any danger to her life, police say. Another Syrian girl, as well as a 4-year-old boy and his mother, both from Afghanistan, were also injured. Continuing his rampage, the man drove to the neighboring city of Essen where he hit a male with Turkish background. Shortly afterwards, law enforcement managed to apprehend the suspect a German national who made xenophobic remarks during his arrest. The court later approved an arrest warrant for him on suspicion of multiple homicide attempts. According to later reports, when questioned by officers, Andreas N. said that it is unfair that foreign nationals get state unemployment benefits. The suspect himself is said to be unemployed and a welfare recipient. Investigators have not established that the man is a member of right-wing radical circles or has any ties to them. North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul said the perpetrator had a clear intention to kill foreigners. Police also announced earlier that the assault was likely a targeted attack. Andreas N. was previously admitted to a mental facility on at least one occasion and was treated for schizophrenia at one point, according to local media. It is alleged that the assault could have been a combination of racism and schizophrenia. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Fireworks in Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve (Photo by City of Sydney) On the evening of 31 Dec. 2018, revellers celebrated New Year's Eve at Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia. As the earliest city to greet 2019, fireworks went off across Sydney to welcome in the New Year. Inspired by the theme 'pulse of Sydney', the 12-minute spectacle featured new wave-effects and pulsating fireworks, as well as lime and peach colored fireworks in celebration of the Australian summer. More than 8.5 tonnes of fireworks, incorporating more than 100,000 individual effects, 35,000 of them shooting rockets, were fired over the harbour as the clock struck 12 midnight. Fireworks in Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve (Photo by City of Sydney) Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, said around one million people gathered around Sydney Harbour to ring in the New Year, with more than one billion watching around the world. "Sydney New Year's Eve is one of the largest and most technical fireworks displays in the world, she added. "Under the direction of fireworks maestro, Fortunato Foti, our fireworks become more spectacular every year - with new colors and effects. We also use a combination of lighting effects and fireworks manufactured from biodegradable paper, so that we use less power and minimize our environmental impact while putting on a world-class event for our Sydney community and visitors alike." Fireworks in Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve (Photo by City of Sydney) At midnight, more than 65,000 fireworks were launched from seven barges across the harbour, accompanied by lighting effects spanning the whole length of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. According to the organizer, 90 percent of the fireworks used in Sydney's New Years Eve celebration came from China, and 40 percent of the audience were tourists from overseas. The fireworks were made from biodegradable paper and compounds that dissipate after use to minimize the environmental impact. Sydney also used improved technology as well as energy efficient and low wattage lighting to achieve a more eco-friendly celebration. (Peoples Daily Online / Yanyun Li) Unlike the brutal war in Yemen, which has claimed thousands of lives, the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi drew widespread ire from the West. The condemnation, however, might be just for show, while business as usual goes on. The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who vanished without a trace after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in early October has been making headlines for over two months now. As the kingdom reluctantly admitted the journalist was actually killed, Riyadh has received a barrage of criticism from politicians and media alike. Read more However, those words of condemnation from the West might not all be completely sincere. According to British media, the UK continued to actively yet secretly talk arms trade with Saudi Arabia while the Khashoggi affair unfolded. A high-level delegation from the Defence and Security Organisation whose sole task is to promote arms exports was actually in Riyadh on October 2 the day when Khashoggi was slain. The unfolding scandal did not affect the ongoing talks, with the delegation visiting the Saudis on October 14 and 22 just as Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was condemning the murder in the House of Commons. While for some, business has apparently continued as usual, certain politicians such as US Senator Lindsey Graham have given up their previously strong support for the kingdom over the murder. There might be more to it, however, as politicians and the media appeared to use the scandal to bash US President Donald Trump over his approach to it. Trump openly hailed the lucrative arms deals with Saudi Arabia and was not keen to pin the blame on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite multiple reports including some from US intelligence signaling his involvement. The appalling nature of the murder, which violated all principles of diplomacy and international law, has even moved some to finally notice the brutal war in Yemen, waged by the Saudi-led coalition for well over three years. The conflict which has claimed the lives of over 60,000, brought millions to the brink of starvation, and triggered a massive cholera outbreak has been repeatedly called the worlds worst humanitarian crisis by the UN and other human rights watchdogs. Yet it has received little to no media attention in the West over the years, with only the murder of Khashoggi bringing it into the spotlight to a certain extent. For example, MSNBC has aired only one segment on the Yemen war in over a year, while Stormy Daniels the porn star who claimed to have slept with Trump was featured a whopping 455 times. It seems that for some in the media, the bloody, brutal, and lengthy war is no biggie unless it can be used to criticize the president. to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. A mystery attacker unloaded on a car full of children in Texas, killing a seven-year-old girl. The community is shocked, the police puzzled, and an activist has offered $35,000 to anyone who can turn in the suspect. Jazmine Barnes and her mother, 30-year-old LaPorsha Washington, from Houston, Texas, were on their way to a convenience store early Sunday morning, along with Washingtons three other daughters. As their car idled at a red light, gunshots rang out, punching through the packed vehicle. Washington screamed at her children to get down! as bullets ripped through the car, CNN reported. The panicked mother threw herself on her eldest daughter sitting in the passenger seat, but was unable to shield her three daughters in the back seat. When the shooting stopped, a voice cried out from the back seat: Mama, Jazmines not moving...shes not talking. When Washington turned around, seven-year-old Jazmine was dead, shot in the head. Washington herself was wounded. A red pickup truck sped off, and the shooter got away. The killing has police scratching their heads. The suspect, described as a bearded white male in his 40s, was unknown to the young family, and appeared to have chosen his targets at random. It's our belief that it was totally unprovoked, whatever it was, and we're leaving no stone unturned. We're going to leave every motive out there as a possibility, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told reporters on Monday. The local community is shocked by the slaying, and Washington is grief-stricken. Every time I wake up, I want it to be a dream, she told CNN. I want to wake up and see my 7-year-old run through the door and give me a hug and a kiss. Washingtons three other daughters were not shot, but are left traumatized after the tragedy. Police have released photos of the suspects truck, in an attempt to track down the killer. In addition, New York-based activist Shaun King active in the Black Lives Matter movement and civil rights attorney Lee Merritt have offered a $35,000 cash reward to help find the suspect. I have $35,000 in cash for the person who turns in the murderer of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes, King announced on Tuesday. In an earlier tweet, King described the suspect as an evil coward, while Merritt said there exists no rationale for the attack other than hate. Sheriff Gonzalez has vowed to find the gunman, and said he hopes his conscience is eating away at him. With no more leads thus far, closure is still a long way off for Washington and her daughters. He intentionally killed my child for no reason, she told CNN. He didn't even know her. He didn't even know who she was...It was not fair. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! TerraPower, the nuclear energy company founded by Microsoft's Bill Gates, is reportedly looking for a new partner nation to help test its reactor technology as new US regulations bar it from working with China. The company's existing deal with China National Nuclear Corp to build an experimental nuclear reactor has effectively been nullified by new restrictions imposed in October by the US Department of Energy preventing most nuclear business deals with China. Meanwhile, Gates says, US laws are too "restrictive" to allow the prototype to be built at home, meaning a third country must be found, or US laws changed. Read more "We're regrouping," TerraPower CEO Chris Levesque told the Wall Street Journal. "Maybe we can find another partner." TerraPower has been working with China on the project, which would have seen a prototype reactor built south of Beijing, for three years. The new Energy Department regulations don't prohibit all nuclear deals with China, but they do require a solid guarantee that the technology won't be used for unauthorized purposes, specifically military. Energy Secretary Rick Perry claimed at the time that China was not only ramping up efforts to militarize nuclear technology but was also diverting it to other countries. There are few countries that would be suitable partners for developing a prototype reactor, which costs about $1 billion. The nation would have to already be funding nuclear energy development and have a government amenable to a partnership with a US company. Gates plans to lobby for changes to US regulations that would allow him to build the reactor there. Also on rt.com Nuclear power becomes critical to Arctic dominance "The world needs to be working on lots of solutions to stop climate change," he wrote on his website, adding that nuclear power is "the only carbon-free, scalable energy source that's available 24 hours a day" and that the US can only regain its leadership in the nuclear arena if it "commits new funding, updates regulations, and shows investors that it's serious." The "traveling-wave reactor" TerraPower hoped to build south of Beijing is fueled by depleted uranium, which is reportedly much cheaper and safer than the enriched uranium which powers typical nuclear plants. Gates' company has been developing the technology for the last decade. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! While Washington is locked in tough trade talks with Beijing, China is also on the mind of the acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan who reportedly told civilian leaders at the Pentagon to focus on the country . Less than two days on the job, Shanahan previously deputy defense secretary to James Mattis, who departed on Monday told the leaders to remain focused on ongoing operations but remember China, China, China, an anonymous official told Reuters. Read more The official did not elaborate on Shanahans views on China, but said the acting SecDef told the leaders to follow the Pentagons 2018 National Defense Strategy guidance when it comes to Beijing. The strategy, written by Mattis, described China as predatory and a strategic competitor that, along with Russia, wants to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model. Long-term strategic competitions with China and Russia are the principal priorities for the Department, and require both increased and sustained investment, the strategy continued. Shanahans reminder is not a radical shift in priority for the Pentagon. Tension between Washington and Beijing has been steadily ratcheting up in recent years, marked by naval confrontations in the South China Sea and increasingly bellicose rhetoric from US officials. Read more Both Trump and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats have accused China of attempting to meddle with American elections, while then-CIA director Mike Pompeo said in July 2017 that Beijing poses the largest threat to US power, noting that the Chinese see themselves as a rival superpower and are on a mission to reduce the relative power of the United States vis-a-vis their own country. On the Chinese side, the countrys government rubbished claims of election interference last year, but did little to downplay its military ambitions in its immediate region. President Xi Jinping demanded the US Navy cease provocative actions in the South China Sea late last year, and told the countrys military to get prepared for war, without elaborating further. President Xi also said on Wednesday that Taiwan currently an autonomous state must and will be reunited with China, and that his government will take all necessary measures to make this happen. With military threats bandied about, things are not looking much better on the economic front, with China and the US spending much of 2018 locked into a trade war. Trump, however, remains upbeat about resolving the trade dispute. The president told reporters on Wednesday that negotiations with China are coming along very well. Both countries agreed at last months G20 summit to refrain from rolling out new tariffs for 90 days as delegates scramble to reach a deal and end the trade war. Like this story? Share it with a friend! More bodies were recovered from the rubble of a 10-story residential building in Russias Urals, partially destroyed on New Years Eve by an explosion. The official death toll has now jumped to 21. The figure keeps growing as rescue teams attempt to clear all the rubble left by the collapsed structure in the city of Magnitogorsk. Overall, 21 people have been confirmed dead, the Emergencies Ministry said on Wednesday. A three-year-old girl is among the victims, while 20 residents remain missing. The explosion occurred around 6:00am local time on Monday. It partially destroyed the multi-apartment building, completely collapsing one of its sections. Authorities suspect that a gas leak was the cause of the blast. Read more In the aftermath of the tragedy, locals began bringing flowers and toys to makeshift memorials set up near the site, and lighting candles there. Different stories also began emerging. One resident, Yevgeny Yurchenko, said he woke up earlier than usual and left just 15 minutes before the explosion, likely escaping death. I left the house and went straight to my garage. Then the blast happened, Yevgeny told local media. He didnt immediately realize what had happened but quickly noticed how grayish dust began filling the area. I came up and looked at my apartment it was on the 10th floor and it was simply gone. And I understood that if I hadnt left, I would be gone too. Multiple rescue teams have been working day and night to locate and extract people trapped in the debris. Heat cannons were set up to help those who might still be stuck under the debris to withstand the cold, as the temperature fell to -20C at night. The use of heavy equipment was halted due to fears of further collapse. Rescuers are currently clearing the rubble manually, but additional equipment was also deployed to the scene, ready to be used if required. Six people have been rescued so far, including an 11-month-old boy, Vanya, who was miraculously recovered from the rubble alive. Vanyas condition is stable for now but remains very serious, Leonid Roshal, who heads the hospital treating the boy, told Gazeta.ru. He sustained multiple injuries and is struggling with hypothermia. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! The remains of 11 people have been pulled from the debris of the 10-story block that partially collapsed in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk following a gas explosion on December 31. Rescue teams which resumed their large-scale search-and-rescue effort on Tuesday evening found the 11th body early on Wednesday. About 30 people still remain unaccounted for. Six people, including 2 children, are undergoing treatment in hospitals. A day after the apartment block collapsed, rescuers digging into the debris found an 11-month-old boy alive. The miracle baby was rushed to the hospital in grave condition with hypothermia and multiple fractures to his thigh. to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. 11 bodies now recovered from rubble at Russia gas blast collapse site 11 bodies now recovered from rubble at Russia gas blast collapse site Source : RT - Daily news Taiwan question allows no interference from outside: Xi BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said the Taiwan question is China's internal affairs and allows no external interference. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. The Chinese people's affairs should be decided by the Chinese people, Xi said, stressing that the Taiwan question concerns China's core interests and the national bond of the Chinese people. China's reunification does not harm any country's legitimate interests, including their economic interests in Taiwan, Xi said. It will only bring more development opportunities to other countries, inject more positive energy into the prosperity and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for humanity, to world peace and development, and to the cause of human progress, he added. BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Compatriots across the Taiwan Strait should inherit fine traditional Chinese culture together, President Xi Jinping said Wednesday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when delivering a speech at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. There are no problems that cannot be solved between family members, Xi said. "We sincerely hope all the compatriots in Taiwan treasure peace as much as they treasure their own eyes, and pursue national reunification as much as they pursue happiness." Xi urged young people across the Strait to shoulder important tasks with courage, be united and friendly with each other, and strive for a better future hand in hand. "We cordially welcome young people from Taiwan to cherish, pursue and fulfill their dreams on the mainland of our motherland," he said. Silver Price Starts A Breakout Move Higher Watch Silver, folks. This quiet shiny metal is starting a move that could be very foretelling of global market concerns and risks. Early on December 26, 2018, Silver broke through recent resistance, to the upside, with a relatively large 2.8%+ upside move. Why is this so important to traders? Because Silver is the sleeper metal that is typically the last to react to global economic concerns. Once Silver starts to move to the upside with a renewed bullish trend, we believe this move would indicate that bigger players are starting to accumulate Silver as a safe haven for future economic concerns/crisis events. This Daily chart of Silver shows the December 26 upside breakout move. We can clearly see the breakout above $15.00 and the historical resistance just below $15.00. This move is extremely important in the context of the total risk play that has recently played out through the past two months. Take a look as how quiet the Silver market has been over the past few months. Take a look at how Silver reacted only moderately to the recent market selloff and Fed statements. There was no real fear exhibited in the metals markets or in Silver over the past 60+ days. Yet, today, there is some real fear that is playing out in the price of Silver. This next Weekly Silver chart helps us to understand the total scope of this move and what we could expect to see as an immediate upside price target. Our Adaptive Fibonacci Price modeling system is suggesting that $16.00 is an immediate upside price target and is showing us the current trend is bullish and that price volatility is increasing. Overall, we could see a move well above $17.00 on an extended run in the metals. Watch how this sleeper metal plays out over the next few weeks and months. This upside breakout is very important to investors for the simple reason that it indicates a renewed level of fear is entering the markets and we could be starting a very big upside move in the metals markets again. The last time Silver entered a massive bullish phase it shot up over 400%. If a similar move happens again in the near future, Silver could reach a price level near $60~65 per ounce. Want to know how to position your investments to take advantage of these types of moves and learn how to capture greater opportunities in the markets? 2019 is setting up to be an incredible year for traders with the skills and insight to find and execute these types of trades. We have already been positioning our members for this move and we believe 2019 will provide incredible opportunities for all skilled traders. Take a minute to visit www.TheTechnicalTraders.com to learn how we can help you in 2019 and join our other members in finding greater success. Chris Vermeulen www.TheTechnicalTraders.com Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better. His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility. He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect. Chris Vermeulen Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Adviser to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov and Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia Li Hui held a meeting in Moscow. The main focus of the meeting was Chinas planned participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in 2019. Russia has proposed that China serve as a guest country at the Forum. This format involves the attendance of the head of state and, among other things, the construction of a national pavilion within the exhibition space at the Forum, which will serve as the business and cultural centre for the countrys delegation and a venue for negotiations and presentations. The status of a guest country at SPIEF not only provides an opportunity to demonstrate the countrys economic and investment potential, but to also broadly present rich Chinese traditions, including gastronomic and cultural, to the Forums participants and guests. I am certain that the SPIEF platform will contribute to the further development of business ties with China as one of Russias largest trade and economic partners, Kobyakov said. A proposal was made to hold the traditional RussiaChina business dialogue as part of the SPIEF business programme and to also to organize a panel session on Russian-Chinese cooperation on SMEs within the framework of the Russian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Forum on the opening day of SPIEF. In addition, Russia has proposed the status of a Forum partner for one or several major Chinese companies consideration. In 2019, we see excellent prospects for the development of relations between our countries. Next year we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China. This is a landmark event. The leaders of our countries will determine the events that are to be dedicated to this anniversary date. A number of important business events are to be held, such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This is undoubtedly a key event for us, and we are confident that we will ensure there are practical results together with the Russian side, Li Hui said. The two officials also discussed Russias participation in the second Belt and Road Forum to be held in China in April 2019. China expects about 40 heads of state and government to attend the Forum. Russia proposed organizing a Russia House at the forum in Beijing to serve as a platform for the presentation of Russias potential to business representatives taking part in the forum. Barbie will soon be 60and is still going strong She is turning 60 this year and still doesnt have a single wrinkle. Blonde or brunette, slender or curvy, black or white, princess or president, Barbie is a forever favorite for young girls, even if she has caused controversy over the years. The iconic doll has evolved to keep up with the timescheck out her Twitter feed. And despite fierce competition in the toy industry, 58-million Barbies are sold each year in more than 150 countries. In an industry where success today is three to five years, 60 years is a huge deal! said Nathan Baynard, director of global brand marketing for Barbie. Around the world, Barbie is as universally known as Coca-Cola or McDonalds, Baynard said during a recent visit to Mattels design studio in El Segundo, a suburb of Los Angeles. In all, more than one-billion Barbie dolls have been sold since she made her debut at the American Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. She was invented by Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, who was inspired by her own children to create the doll. Her daughter Barbara was limited in the choices of her toysthe only ones were baby dolls, Baynard recounted. The only role she could imagine through that play was caregiver, mother, whereas Handlers son could imagine being an astronaut, cowboy, pilot, surgeon. Barbie is, of course, a shortened version of Barbara. The doll was supposed to teach girls that they had choices, that they could be anything. In 1959, it was a radical idea! Baynard said. Barbie was an instant success. In the first year, 300,000 dolls were sold, he added.From the start, Barbies pinup measurements didnt immediately seem all that feminist, and would spark criticism for decades to come. In 1959, her body structure was exaggerated to match the aesthetics of the time and the fabric available, said Barbie designer Carlyle Nuera. Since the blonde beauty first hit stores, and after a torrent of complaints over what was seen as unrealistic proportions, Mattel has made many changesintroducing multiple body types and dozens of skin tones.MG Lord, author of Forever Barbie, also argued that the original criticisms were unwarranted. She is what the child wants her to be. How a child sees the Barbie doll is often framed by how the mother of that child feels about the idea of femininity, Lord told AFP. The problem here is not an 11.5-inch plastic object. The problem is the larger culture and the idea of femininity. In 1965, four years before Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon, Barbie became an astronaut. In 1968, the first black Barbie doll, a friend named Christie, hit store shelves. Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global general manager for the Barbie brand, said that today, 55 percent of the dolls sold around the world have neither blonde hair nor blue eyes. Mattel has more than 100 people working in the El Segundo design studio, a massive hangar-like building wedged between Los Angeles International Airport and a freeway. Designers begin with a simple sketch. From there on, every bit of a prototype is made by an army of expertsfrom sculpting the doll using state-of-the-art software and 3D printing to painting the face, styling the hair, choosing fabrics and crafting the clothing patterns. The entire design process for a new Barbie can last 12 to 18 months. Then, the prototype is sent from the California workshop to factories in China and Indonesia for mass production. Sometimes, you see her on a shelf and then it gets back to you: oh yes, I designed this one! Nuera said with a smile.Barbie is not only a toy store successshe has a massive social media presence, and is something of an influencer, with millions of followers. She has an actual identity: Barbie Millicent Roberts, who hails from the made-up town of Willows in the Midwest. And now, she speaks directly to girls about her life, and important current topics. In 2018, the brand launched a sweeping campaign to help young girls close the so-called Dream Gap using Barbie to teach them to believe in themselves, and not to buy into sexist gender stereotypes. Barbie has a hair stylist, makeup artist and photographer who travel with her for real in the United States and abroad for Instagram photo sessions (check out @barbiestyle). The account has nearly two million followers. So, does Barbie have it all as she hits 60, but remains forever young, still single and without kids (so far)? The narrative of the Barbie brand is that shes a young woman and shes independent and pursuing careers, McKnight said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, on Tuesday, offered to help people affected by tropical depression Usman. Teco said in a statement it would help typhoon victims overcome the adversities and promptly restore their lives back to normal. Taiwan is willing to cooperate with the Philippines by providing necessities and assistances specifically required by the affected people. It vowed to keep in contact with relevant government agencies of the Philippines to monitor the damage and casualties caused by Usman.Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs also conveyed its goodwill of offering assistance to the Philippine government through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines. The government and people of the Taiwan also expressed their sincere care and condolence to the government of the Philippines and people in the affected areas. Usman hit central islands of the Philippines in the weekend before the New Year, triggering flooding and landslides and causing dozens of casualties. Thiruvananathpuram : Two women below 50 years has entered the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, becoming the first pilgrims of menstruating age to enter the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala. The women, identified as Bindu and Kanakadurga claimed that they climbed the shrine around midnight and reached the temple at 3.45 am for darshan. The video footage of the darshan has been doing rounds on social media. Meanwhile, Kerala police also confirmed that they women entered the Sabarimala temple. The women had last yea also attempted to enter Sannidhanam, but were forced to return due to protests. The State had witnessed massive protests by devotees opposite the entry of girl and women in the 10-50 age group into the shrine. #WATCH Two women devotees Bindu and Kanakdurga entered & offered prayers at Kerala's #SabarimalaTemple at 3.45am today pic.twitter.com/hXDWcUTVXA ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 A model of an FC-31 fighter jet is displayed at Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province. Photo: Yang Sheng/GT China's future aircraft carriers will see stealth warplanes on their decks, likely the medium-sized fighter jet FC-31, said Chinese military experts as the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is procuring stealth parts for China's aircraft carrier-based fighter jet manufacturer. Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute is in need of an integral unit for photoelectric target acquisition that is stealth capable, according to a notice the PLA weapon and equipment procurement website weain.mil.cn released on Thursday. The notice also said that the unit must be able to operate against naval targets and capable of monitoring humidity. Judging from the stated requirements and previous rumors, Chinese military observers said that the parts mentioned in the procurement are very likely to be used on China's new aircraft carrier-based stealth fighter jets although the notice did not specify how the parts will be used. Having already designed China's current aircraft carrier-borne fighter jet J-15, Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute is developing a new carrier-based warplane based on the FC-31, a Chinese military insider, who asked not to be named, told the Global Times. The FC-31 is a fourth generation medium-sized stealth fighter jet originally intended for export. Chinese military experts said that the PLA procurement notice suggests the FC-31 is no longer export-oriented, and is destined for domestic military service. The FC-31 made its public debut flight at Airshow China 2014in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, but went relatively quiet after that. Multiple changes and upgrades are being made to the FC-31 allowing it to be used on an aircraft carrier, the insider said. China's third aircraft carrier, which was confirmed to be under construction by the Xinhua News Agency in November and is widely expected to be equipped with an electromagnetic catapult, will use the stealth fighter jet, predicted Wang Yunfei, a naval expert and retired PLA Navy officer. The single-seat, twin-engine fighter jet will greatly expand Chinese aircraft carrier battle groups' capabilities just as China's most advanced stealth fighter jet the J-20 did for the PLA Air Force, the anonymous insider said. "Only a fourth generation fighter jet can stand up against another fourth generation fighter in an engagement without being at a significant disadvantage," he said. The US-made fourth generation fighter jet F-35B and F-35C are capable of operating on aircraft carriers, and Japan is planning to upgrade its Izumo-class helicopter destroyers into aircraft carriers, equipping them with imported F-35Bs. Newspaper headline: Future carriers stealth-jet operable Parents and children alike got some pet safety tips Friday, thanks to Lee County Domestic Animal Services. The agency held a Pet Safety Program for children of all ages Friday in their conference room at 5600 Banner Drive in Fort Myers. The event was an opportunity for parents to learn along with their children how to safely interact with a dog and read its body language. The program taught things such as socialization, responsible pet ownership, and avoiding risky situations. Throughout the two hour event instructors found interactive ways for the entire family to learn and have fun. According to Karen Fordiani, Lee County Domestic Services spokesperson, this is the first time they have hosted this event at their center. We normally do canine education classes throughout the year at the various schools. We recently hosted a bite prevention summer camp at Florida SouthWestern State College. We had a dog specialist come to teach kids about safety around animals. We realized how important this topic is and were able to open it up to the entire community through a grant we received from South West Florida Community Foundation, said Fordiani. Fordiani pointed out that while its important to teach bite prevention, its also important that children dont become fearful of interacting with dogs. We wanted to this program to be a positive experience, so we named it Pet Safety. Its about being safe around the dogs, said Fordiani. Its important that parents and kids are taught the right thing. Today was about teaching the adults as well as the children. Some parents have never owned a pet before and dont know how to teach their kids proper safety measures. During the program kids and parents learned not go up to a strange dog and always ask permission before petting; how to read a dogs body posture and how to see signals of fear. Following the demonstration, they got a chance to practice what they learned while engaging in fun, interactive games. I came out to the program today, because I want to teach my child how to handle dogs, approach them and know what can happen if you dont do it right before we get a dog, said Jeanette Gainey who attended the program with daughter Emily. All attendees from the event took a Pet Safety pledge and went home with stickers. According to Fordiani, this type of program can go a long way in preventing unfortunate accidents between kids and family pets. Statistics show that the majority of kids get bitten by a dog they know and are usually under the age of 5. Many times a little caution and prevention could have prevented the incident, said Fordiani. For more information call 239-533-7387 (LEE-PETS) or visit www.LeeLostPets.com. Find Lee County Domestic Animal Services social media sites on Facebook or Instagram @leeanimalservices. To hear President Trump tell it, his administration is, at any given moment, nearly ideal in its composition and capabilities. It is, as he tweeted in September, a smooth running machine never mind that, prior to the tweet, 15 senior White House and administration officials had quit or been fired and that, in the months since, another eight have joined them. (Since definitions of senior can vary, were using those officials identified in the Washington Posts timeline of high-profile departures from the White House.) What makes those departures particularly tricky isnt just that those who left undercut the idea that the administration hasnt hit any speed bumps. Its also that, in at least a third of the cases, those who departed have offered words of disagreement with or criticism of Trump or his administration. Below is a review of those who left, the conditions under which they did and what theyve said about the White House since. 1. Brenda Fitzgerald, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who quit Jan. 31. Advertisement Criticisms: None. 2. Rob Porter, staff secretary who was fired Feb. 7. Criticisms: In Bob Woodwards book, Fear, Porter is quoted as saying that [a] third of my job was trying to react to some of the really dangerous ideas that he had and try to give him reasons to believe that maybe they werent such good ideas. 3. Hope Hicks, communications director. Quit on Feb. 28. Criticisms: None. Hicks now works for Fox. 4. Gary Cohn, National Economic Council director. Quit on March 6. Criticisms: Cohn is also quoted in Fear. Its not what we did for the country, he reportedly said. Its what we saved him from doing. In another anecdote, Cohn is described as removing a document from Trumps desk to prevent the presidents signing it. Advertisement Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson with President Trump. (Saul Loeb / AFP/Getty Images) 5. Rex Tillerson, secretary of State. Fired on March 13. Criticisms: It was challenging to go to work for a man who is pretty undisciplined, doesnt like to read, doesnt read briefing reports, doesnt like to get into the details of a lot of things, but rather just kind of says, This is what I believe, Tillerson said in an interview. He also said that Trump would need to be told when proposed actions were potentially illegal. 6. Andrew McCabe, deputy FBI director. Fired on March 16. Advertisement Criticisms: McCabe called Trumps attacks on him unhinged. Working at the FBI, he said, is the best job you will ever have. Even if a president decides to attack you and your family. 7. H.R. McMaster, national security advisor. Fired on March 22. Criticisms: Prior to leaving the White House, McMaster was reported to have said that Trump was a dope who was no smarter than a kindergartner. 8. David Shulkin, secretary of Veterans Affairs. Fired on March 28. Advertisement Criticisms: Shulkin claims he butted heads with advocates for VA privatization who saw me as an obstacle to privatization who had to be removed. 9. Tom Bossert, homeland security advisor. Fired on April 10. Criticisms: None. He is currently employed by ABC News. Its not clear if he signed a nondisclosure agreement when joining the White House. 10. Nadia Schadlow, deputy national security advisor. Quit on April 11. Advertisement Criticisms: None. In a lengthy interview with CBS, Schadlow was complimentary about Trumps involvement in the security teams processes. 11. Ty Cobb, White House lawyer. Quit on May 2. Criticisms: Bob Mueller is an American hero in my view, Cobb said in an interview in October. I dont believe this is a witch hunt. 12. Joe Hagin, deputy chief of staff. Quit on June 19. Advertisement Criticisms: None. 13. Scott Pruitt, EPA administrator. Quit on July 5. Criticisms: None. Pruitts departure followed a remarkable string of questions about his behavior at the Environmental Protection Agency. 14. Marc Short, legislative affairs director. Quit on July 12. Advertisement Criticisms: None. Short is now a CNN contributor. After signing a nondisclosure agreement while working with the campaign, he says he did not sign one at the White House. (The campaign NDA was expansive in its terms.) 15. Donald McGahn, White House counsel. Quit on Aug. 29. Criticisms: People close to McGahn told CNN that, in his last meeting with Trump, the president blamed him for the Mueller appointment. 16. Jeff Pon, Office of Personnel Management director. Fired on Oct. 5. Advertisement Criticisms: None. 17. Nikki Haley, U.N. ambassador. Quit on Oct. 9. Criticisms: Haley described to NBC News how she leveraged Trumps personality: I got the job done by being truthful but also by letting him be unpredictable and not showing our cards. 18. Jeff Sessions, attorney general. Fired on Nov. 7. Advertisement Criticisms: None. Despite ongoing criticism from Trump that ultimately led to his ouster, Sessions told an audience last month that he enjoy[ed] the honor and appreciate[d] the president allowing me to serve almost two years in one of the greatest jobs in the world. 19. Mira Ricardel, deputy national security advisor. Fired on Nov. 14. Criticisms: None. John F. Kelly, former White House chief of staff, with President Trump in the Oval Office. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP/Getty Images) Advertisement 20. John F. Kelly, chief of staff. Fired on Dec. 8. Criticisms: Working as chief of staff was a bone-crushing hard job, Kelly said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. Trump never asked him to do anything illegal because we wouldnt have. 21. Nick Ayers, Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. Quit on Dec. 9. Criticisms: None. Ayers did, however, decline to step up as Trumps chief of staff, a job the president had made very clear he hoped Ayers would accept. Advertisement 22. Ryan Zinke, secretary of the Interior. Quit on Dec. 15. Criticisms: None. 23. James N. Mattis, secretary of Defense. Dec. 20. Criticisms: [O]ur strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnerships, Mattis wrote in his resignation letter. 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, he added, remarking that he was leaving because Trump had the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects. Advertisement Bump writes for the Washington Post. Passengers check in for train K5576 from Shanghai, east China, to Fuyang, east China's Anhui Province, Feb. 4, 2015. The 40-day travel frenzy known as "chunyun", the hectic period through the Chinese lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 19 this year, began on Feb. 4 and will last until March 16. Train K5576 is the first chunyun train from Shanghai. (Xinhua/Pei Xin) A suspect was reportedly detained by Beijing police for leaking the information gathered from more than 4 million users on the official website for booking railway tickets. A team for safeguarding cyber security in Beijing and police from Xicheng district arrested a suspect surnamed Chen, who was reportedly involved in selling the registration information of more than 600,000 people and information from 4.1 million users of the official railway site 12306.cn. China Railway said in a release on December 28 that 12306.cn has not leaked users' information and it reminded users to book tickets on the official website to avoid risks. After investigation, the police found that Chen illegally bought the registration information, and did not steal it. He used the registration information to obtain the information of 4.1 million users via third-party ticket booking platforms. Police found that Chen, who is 25 year-old from North China's Hebei Province, works for a technology company located in Beijing. Chen was detained for violating citizen's information privacy and the case is under investigation. The Russian government said Wednesday it has allowed an American citizen held on espionage charges to have access to U.S. officials seeking answers about his arrest. U.S. consular officials were granted access to Michigan resident Paul Whelan for the first time since his arrest during a visit to the country, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman quoted by the state news agency Tass. Whelan, head of global security for a Michigan auto parts supplier, was arrested Friday. In announcing the arrest three days later, the Russian Federal Security Service said Whelan was caught during an espionage operation, but gave no details. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said earlier Wednesday, while in Brazil, that the U.S. hoped to gain access soon to the former Marine and that if the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return. Advertisement Whelan, 48, was in Moscow to attend a wedding when he disappeared, his brother, David Whelan, said Tuesday. Pompeo said the Trump administration has made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is hes been accused of. Whelans family, in a statement that David Whelan posted on Twitter, said: We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected. The Russian spying charges carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The Marine Corps on Wednesday released details of Whelans service record. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1994 to 2008 and was convicted of larceny in a special court-martial in January 2008. The Marine Corps did not immediately provide details of the court-martial conviction beyond saying it was based on several charges related to larceny. Whelan attained the rank of staff sergeant in December 2004 after the first of two deployments in Iraq. He was an administrative clerk and administrative chief. He was given a bad-conduct discharge in December 2008 at the rank of private. His last place of duty was at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California. David Whelan said in an interview that his brother had been to Russia several times previously, so when a fellow former Marine was planning a wedding in Moscow, he was asked to go along to help out. David Whelan said that it was while searching the internet Monday that he learned of his brothers arrest. Advertisement I was looking for any stories about dead Americans in Moscow, so in a way it was better than finding out that he had died, he said. David Whelan said he has no idea why his brother was targeted by the Russian security services. Paul Whelan had traveled to Russia in the past for work and to visit friends he had met on social networks, his brother said. I dont think theres any chance that hes a spy, David Whelan told CNN. Paul Whelan lives in Novi, Mich., and is director of global security for BorgWarner, where he has worked since early 2017. Advertisement He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Mich., and at other company locations around the world, company spokeswoman Kathy Graham said in a statement. She said BorgWarner does not have any facilities in Russia. Paul Whelan previously worked for Kelly Services, which does maintain offices in Russia, his brother said. Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in Detroit and Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report. After crowds flocked to actor Jimmy Stewarts 1941 Army enlistment, secrecy surrounded the enlistment of actor Clark Gable. The Aug. 13, 1942, Los Angeles Times reported on Gables enlistment: Just as many another American male of proper physical, mental and moral qualifications is doing these days, Clark Gable, he-man of the motion-picture screen, yesterday held up his right hand and repeated the oath of enlistment in the Army of the United States. He's a private. At the end of the ceremony, conducted at 2 p.m. at the Federal Building by Col. Malcolm P. Andruss, Los Angeles Army recruiting officer, Gable mopped his perspiring brow with a large handkerchief and sighed with relief. The time and place for the actor's enlistment were kept secret until the ceremony was over. This precaution was the result of the Army's experience with the enlistment of actor Jimmy Stewart, who lost buttons and even a couple of locks of hair to a horde of Stewart fans. Andrew J. McIntyre, studio cameraman and friend of Gable, also enlisted yesterday as a private. When the pair received their transportation and traveling orders, Col. Andruss put Gable in charge. The actor laughted. "That's good," he said. "Here I'm in the service only half an hour and already I'm in charge of a two-man army." Gable and McIntyre left last night for Miami, Fla., to undergo the Army's recruits' three month basic training. This earlier From the Archive blog post reported on Jimmy Stewart's enlistment in March 1941. During World War II, Gable flew in five bomber missions in Europe and ended the war with the rank of major. Aug. 12, 1942: Col. Malcolm P. Andruss and Clark Gable. This photo appeared on Page 1 of the Aug. 13, 1942, Los Angeles Times. Andrew H. Arnott / Los Angeles Times Aug. 17, 1942: Gable, with Capt. John Burwell in Miami Beach, sacrificed his trademark mustache as part of his enlistment. This photo appeared in the Aug. 18, 1942, Los Angeles Times. Associated Press See more from the Los Angeles Times archives here I am an adventurer looking for treasure, Santiago expressed in Paul Coelhos novel, The Alchemist. His contention is metaphoric, since finding ones treasure is linked to ones destiny. In an era of superficiality when the likes of the Kardashians are granted a voice, its encouraging there are those who search for deeper connections with life. However, were not biologically predisposed to do so. Such a quest is a philosophical inclination initially expressed in Aristotelian ethics. Defined as living life well, Aristotle coined the term eudaimonia, a blueprint for fulfillment through personal development that includes ones ability to appreciate art, beauty and nature. Thoreau provides a more contemporary analysis: live deep. A former student of mine, Teresa Duff, lives such a life. Although she currently resides in Pittsburgh, Penn., Teresa was a resident of our foothills and attended Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and Crescenta Valley High School. She is an architectural conservator. She credits her mother, Suzy Duff, a former vice principal at Flintridge Sacred Heart and a Latin and history teacher, with infusing the magic of antiquity and the appreciation of ancient cultures. I am fascinated by Teresas insightful understanding of those variables that the philosophers have painstakingly attempted to express such as the importance of sublime beauty. I found her keen awareness in understanding the transcendentalists contention that such is the preservation of the world. I was curious as to how Teresa found her passion. I was in art history class, she told me, when a slide came up depicting the Greek sculpture, Nike of Samothrace (Winged Victory). It was a pivotal moment, and I knew, I found it. Whats the rationale? I asked. It was just so beautiful, she answered. To think it was created so long ago. People with their hands and with primitive tools created this masterpiece with intellect and spirit and defined its meaning. Its what they put into this massive stone: blood sweat and tears. What I appreciate about Teresa is that she is motivated by a force the great thinkers could hardly define. Regardless, whatever it is, it elevates humanity and is the summation of what Aristotle spoke of. Teresa holds a masters degree in historic preservation from the University of Pennsylvania and is a specialist in architectural research, art history, historic building materials, ethnographic objects and restoration. I appreciate her meticulous attention to the details of preservation and those philosophical implications that are incidental to each project she works on. She questions, What experience do I hope the viewer receives? Do I restore the work or repair it? Do I recreate it or maintain its antiquity? Teresa was one of the conservators who restored the Maxo Vanka murals at Saint Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church in Pittsburgh. Vanka in 1937 began painting a one-of-a-kind masterpiece on the churchs interior walls, which he called his gift to America. The larger than life murals are representations of faith and family and depict the immigrant experience in America. Teresa was instrumental in bringing this priceless art back to life for future generations to enjoy. I always wanted to travel as a minimalist and seek transformative experiences, Teresa said. In 2001, six days before 9/11, she left on a two-year solo odyssey traveling through Australia, India, Nepal, Burma, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. In China, she learned to speak Mandarin and taught English. I asked her what had been the most poignant moment of her travels. Every moment, she replied. However, volunteering at an orphanage in Nepal enabled me to feel I affected a corner of the world. Today, her adventure is raising her beautiful daughter, Fiona. Yet she remains a free spirit in search of intellectual and spiritual growth. Frost said, Two roads diverged in a wood. Teresa Duff took one and she lives it deeply. Joe Puglia is a practicing counselor, a retired professor of education and a former officer in the Marines. Reach him at doctorjoe@ymail.com. Visit his website at doctorjoe.us. Incoming Republican Sen. Mitt Romney delivered a scathing critique of President Trump in an opinion column, calling his character shortfalls glaring and saying his words and actions have caused dismay around the world. The 2012 Republican presidential nominee and former Massachusetts governor wrote Tuesday in an op-ed in the Washington Post that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office, distancing himself from Trump just two days before he will be sworn into the Senate. Romney won the Utah seat long held by GOP Sen. Orrin G. Hatch in the November midterm election. A president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect, Romney wrote. As a nation, we have been blessed with presidents who have called on the greatness of the American spirit. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbents shortfall has been most glaring. Trump responded with a tweet early Wednesday: Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didnt. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN! Advertisement Romneys pointed criticism of the president suggests he may seek a role as a moral center for the GOP, after the death of Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain left a vacuum. Two of the GOPs most outspoken Senate critics of Trump Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee will also leave the Senate when the new congressional session begins Thursday. If Romney seeks such a role, he may find himself just as alone as those two, who frequently tried to take on Trump over issues including his tariffs against China and allies like Canada. Other Republicans havent been willing to go along, as Trump continues to have a passionate and vocal base of support among a significant segment of Republican voters. But Romneys stature in the party and in his home state may give him wider latitude to act as a counterweight to Trump in the party. In the op-ed, Romney said many of Trumps policies on taxes, deregulation, confronting China on trade, and appointing conservative judges have been longtime Republican goals. But he said setting policy is only part of a presidency. He also blasted Trump actions that he said undermined U.S. leadership and alliances around the world. The world needs American leadership, and it is in Americas interest to provide it, he wrote. A world led by authoritarian regimes is a world and an America with less prosperity, less freedom, less peace. Although Trump endorsed Romney in the 2012 presidential campaign, the relationship took a more bitter direction in 2016. Romney emerged as a leader of the Republican Never Trump movement, attacking Trump as a phony and urging primary voters to pick someone else. Trump retorted by calling Romney a choke artist for losing to Barack Obama. Tensions between the two seemed to relax after the election. Trump even considered Romney for secretary of State, but chose Rex Tillerson instead. Romney made clear in the op-ed that he largely plans to go along with the Republican Party and not seek to challenge Trump at every turn. Advertisement I will support policies that I believe are in the best interest of the country and my state, and oppose those that are not, he wrote. I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. Visit Essential Washington for coverage of the White House and goings on in the nations capital. Welcome to Essential Politics, our in-the-moment look at California political and government news. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsoms budget proposes $3 million for Alzheimers research, brain task force By Melody Gutierrez Amyloid plaques, shown here in human brains, are a hallmark of Alzheimers disease. (UCLA School of Medicine) Gov. Gavin Newsom will call for the creation of a brain health task force and dedicate $3 million annually from the states general fund to Alzheimers disease research in the budget proposal he will release Thursday, a source close to the administration said. The money for Alzheimers research would target the new grants at understanding why the disease is more prevalent in women and people of color. Former California first lady and Alzheimers activist Maria Shriver pushed for the funding to be included in the state budget. Shriver said in a statement Wednesday that the funding would make California the first state to make understanding our brains a priority. The states former first lady, whose late father Sargent Shriver was diagnosed with Alzheimers, founded the Womens Alzheimers Movement, an advocacy group raising awareness about womens increased risk for developing the disease. In 2011, she wrote a comprehensive assessment on the disease, to which Newsom then mayor of San Francisco contributed a portion called What one city is doing. This is personal to me, just like it is to millions of California families, Shriver said. Alzheimers is one of the largest medical, social and economic crises in our state, and of our time. I am so proud that, once again, California is leading the way. Wiping out Alzheimers is going to require bold thinking, and there is no doubt in my mind that California is home to bold thinkers who can make this happen. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Gavin Newsom orders reinvention of troubled California DMV By Patrick McGreevy A line of people stretches around the South L.A. location of a California Department of Motor Vehicles Office on Aug. 7. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered an overhaul of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which has been plagued by hours-long wait times at field offices, computer crashes and voter registration errors involving tens of thousands of customers. Just a few days after taking office, Newsom appointed a top advisor to a new DMV Reinvention Strike Team to revamp the beleaguered agency over the next six months. By any metric, California DMV has been chronically mismanaged and failed in its fundamental mission to the state customers it serves and the state workers it employs, Newsom said in a statement, adding Its time for a reinvention. The governor appointed state Government Operations Agency Secretary Marybel Batjer to lead the strike team with a goal of modernizing the agency and enacting changes that improve customer satisfaction, employee performance and transparency. Newsom also ordered an accelerated review of initial findings of an ongoing audit ordered last year by Gov. Jerry Brown. The action was welcomed by lawmakers who have been critical of the DMV, including Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield). The egregious management failures of the DMV have been self-evident, which is why I have been calling for new leadership and a comprehensive independent audit of this troubled state agency over and over again as the problems grew significantly worse, Fong said. Last summer, Californians seeking new driver licenses complained of wait times of four to six hours at DMV offices, which the agency blamed partly on snafus caused by a rush of people trying to get Real IDs, a new identification card design required for airline passengers starting in late 2020. Delays were also blamed on computer crashes at DMV offices as the agency struggled to update its aging automation systems. The DMV also admitted that there were an estimated 23,000 errors as people either were unknowingly registered to vote or mistakes were made in their registration status as part of the states new motor voter program. The agency registered to vote as many as 1,500 people with legal U.S. residency but no citizenship. Last month, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto retired from the agency. Legislators were angered earlier this week when the DMV said it needed an additional $40 million to prevent the return of long lines at its field offices. In addition, the agency has been under fire for issuing driver licenses in the last year that do not comply with the federal Real ID standards requiring two forms of identification by applicants. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California police unions are preparing to battle new transparency law in the courtroom By Maya Lau Just as a landmark police transparency law is going into effect, some California police agencies are shredding internal affairs documents and law enforcement unions are rushing to block the information from being released. The new law, which begins to unwind Californias strictest-in-the-nation protections over the secrecy of law enforcement records, opens to the public internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. But the lawsuits and records destruction, which began even before the law took effect Jan. 1, could tie up the release of information for months or years, and in some instances, prevent it from ever being disclosed. The fact that police unions are challenging this law is on some level not surprising, said Peter Bibring, director of police practices at the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, one of the principal supporters of the new law. They have a long history of fighting tooth and nail against transparency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Secretary of State Alex Padilla begins second term with challenge to ensure every Californian is counted By Jazmine Ulloa Secretary of State Alex Padilla takes the oath of office as his family stands by his side on Monday in Sacramento. (Jazmine Ulloa / Los Angeles Times) Secretary of State Alex Padilla was sworn in for a second term on Monday, saying he would continue the battle to protect the right to vote at a time when voter suppression efforts, online disinformation campaigns and interference from foreign adversaries have polarized the public and threatened to undermine trust in U.S. elections. I am doubling down on our fight here in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C., to defend our democracy, he said. Working on the front lines with so many of you, I know that our collective resolve has never been stronger. But the loudest applause came when Padilla promised to fight back against the Trump administrations changes to the U.S. census, saying he will ensure every Californian gets counted. Padilla, a former state senator and Los Angeles City Council member from the San Fernando Valley, led the cause for a new motor voter registration law in 2015, and a new system for online business registrations. But the programs have had experienced problems: More than 23,000 Californians were registered to vote incorrectly by the state DMV, the agency reported last year. On Monday, Padilla said he would continue to push back against false claims of voter fraud in California and pointed to the states voter turnout as proof that his office was involving more people in the democratic process, a promise he made when he was first sworn in four years ago. More than 12.7 million voters cast ballots in the Nov. 6 midterm election, representing roughly 65% of the states registered voters, the highest number of any midterm election since 1982, according to state certified results. I made that promise based on a shared belief that we are a stronger democracy and a better California when we hear all voices from all corners of California, and when those voices are not just heard but counted, Padilla said. Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Ricardo Lara, Californias first statewide officeholder to come out as gay, sworn in as insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara on the floor of the state Senate in 2016. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Ricardo Lara took the oath of office as California insurance commissioner on Monday, pledging action to boost healthcare coverage and combat climate change. Lara, a Democrat from Bell Gardens, is the first elected statewide officeholder in California who has come out as gay. He began his speech in downtown Sacramento by thanking LGBTQ leaders who came before him and celebrated the occasion. Today, because of you, weve shattered the pink ceiling, Lara said. In his inaugural speech, Lara announced the creation of an executive position in his office to address climate change. There is no other industry that has the necessary expertise to ensure that California is prepared to mitigate and reduce risk to our communities and our environment, Lara said. Our planet cant wait. Im ready, and I hope you are too. Lara served as a state legislator and in 2017 introduced a bill to create a single-payer healthcare system in the state. He promised to work with new Gov. Gavin Newsom to expand coverage across California. Lara was sworn in by retired U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who declared unconstitutional Californias Proposition 8 gay marriage ban. State Sen. President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) was on hand for the ceremony along with multiple other state lawmakers. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis says she will help expand access to universities in the state New Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, center, is shown in June talking with attendees at the Power to the Polls rally in Sacramento. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) More Californians should be given access to public universities, Eleni Kounalakis said as she took the oath of office Monday to become the states first woman elected lieutenant governor. Kounalakis was given the oath of office by Gov. Gavin Newsom, her predecessor in the job, who pledged they would work together. As lieutenant governor, Kounalakis serves on the University of California Board of Regents and the California State University Board of Trustees, she noted in a speech at her swearing-in ceremony at the main Sacramento Library. In that role, she said, she will be committed to expanding access to affordable public higher education here in our state. Its wise, its smart and it is the best way to address our rapidly changing digital economy. Kounalakis is former president of a development company founded by her father, Angelo Tsakopoulos, and served during the Obama administration as the U.S. ambassador to Hungary. In November, she won her first run for statewide office. Also attending the ceremony were House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California meets Dutch Newsom, who steals the show at his fathers inauguration By Taryn Luna Gov. Gavin Newsom gives his inaugural address while holding his youngest son, Dutch. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) In the California political world, all eyes were on Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday until his 2-year-old son stole the show. Dutch, the youngest of four children in the Newsom brood, climbed onstage in the middle of his fathers inaugural address in a tent outside the Capitol on Monday. The unplanned moment saw the 51-year-old governors big day interrupted by the toddler, bringing levity to the ceremony. Newsom was recounting Gov. Jerry Browns last inaugural speech and reference to the Sermon on the Mount, a biblical story about two men who built separate homes on sand and rock, when Dutch approached his father, a pacifier in his mouth and blanket in hand. Now more than ever we Californians know how much a house matters and children matter, Newsom said, improvising as he scooped the boy into his arms. The governor kissed Dutch on the cheek and held him for several minutes as he continued with the speech. This is exactly how it was scripted, Newsom joked. Newsom eventually put his child down and Dutch walked to the edge of the stage before retreating behind the podium to hide from his mother, First Lady Jennifer Siebel Newsom. The crowd roared. Siebel Newsom was able to briefly divert her son only for him to return to the stage minutes later. She grabbed him again and this time, the crying toddler did not reemerge. When fires strikes, when kids cry and the earth shakes, well be there for each other, Newsom said. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who said the moment humanized Newsom, threw cold water on any theories that Dutchs cameo was planned. No, I know it was not, Garcetti said with a laugh after Newsoms speech concluded. I could see that look of absolute abject terror [on Newsoms face]. Weve all been there. Kids always think its about themselves and theyve proved it. California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) agreed. I worked in early childhood education for 20 years and theres no way you can ever get a child to do anything when you want them to do it, Rendon said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Fiona Ma takes oath as Californias new treasurer By Liam Dillon State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Fiona Ma took the oath of office in Sacramento on Monday as the states 34th treasurer, promising to boost Californias economy. Ma previously served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, in the state Assembly and on the California Board of Equalization. I want to thank everyone for entrusting me with this important job. I understand my role here as your state treasurer is to build that financial wall around California so that we will remain the fifth-largest economy, Ma said in brief remarks. That is my promise to you. California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye administered the oath to Ma. Following the ceremony, Ma held an ice cream social for guests. On Wednesday, she will host a public event in San Francisco to celebrate her swearing-in. State Treasurer Fiona Ma takes the oath of office. (Liam Dillon / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Expectations are high for newly sworn-in state schools chief Tony Thurmond Tony Thurmond shakes hands with retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco after taking the oath of office. (Melody Gutierrez / Los Angeles Times) Tony Thurmond took the oath of office as Californias state superintendent of public schools on Monday, promising a labor-friendly agenda before the teachers, students and Democratic officials who filled an auditorium at McClatchy High School in Sacramento to watch him being sworn in. We cant close the achievement gap without a great teacher at the head of every class, Thurmond said Monday to applause. We have to make sure we provide quality compensation and support to our teachers and our classified staff and all the educators who support our kids. Thurmond, a Bay Area Democrat who served in the state Assembly, won a hotly contested and expensive race with the help of labor leaders against charter school executive Marshall Tuck. The race took several days to sort out after Tuck held an initial lead in early returns on election night before falling behind thereafter. Thurmond was sworn in Monday by retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Gordon Baranco. He was joined on stage by labor rights leader Dolores Huerta and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount). Thurmonds former colleagues in the state Assembly took turns praising him and promising to be an ally in improving schools. Many said they expected Thurmond would be a strong leader focused on improving student outcomes. We know we are going to work hard to give you the money you need and the budget you need to fully fund education and our schools so we can put our money where our mouth is and make sure our children have everything they need, Assemblywoman Connie Leyva (D-Chino Hills) said. As state superintendent, Thurmond will oversee the education of 6.2 million students at 10,000 schools. Thurmond was a member of the West Contra Costa County School Board and a Richmond city councilman before he was elected to the state Assembly. Tony is the right man at the right time to fight the federal, Donald Trump, Betsy DeVos anti-child, anti-education, anti-civil and -human rights agenda, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said. Tony is going to do that for us. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print State Controller Betty Yee takes oath of office with call for more affordable housing and healthcare State Controller Betty Yee California Controller Betty Yee took the oath of office Monday for a second term, saying she still has work to do addressing problems that include a lack of affordability in housing, healthcare and higher education. A San Francisco native, Yee is the chief financial officer of California the fifth-largest economy in the world having first won election to the post in 2014 before winning reelection in November. No region is spared from the widening inequality and increased poverty that plague our state, fueled by the lack of affordable, stable housing, the cost of healthcare and transportation, limited educational opportunities, student loan debt, displacement caused by disasters and more, she said. Yee was administered the oath of office by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento before an overflow crowd that included state Senate leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and San Francisco Mayor London Breed. As a public official it is about governance that delivers results and stays accountable while upholding the underlying value of dignity for all, Yee said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra begins new term promising to fight Trump policies California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra ( (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)) California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on Monday took the oath of office for a new term, saying he would continue his role as a leading challenger to Trump administration actions that he believes are counter to the states interests. Becerra, a former 12-term congressman, has become a national opposition figure to Trump, having sued the federal government 45 times since he was appointed as the states first Latino attorney general in 2017. Weve been a little busy stopping the dysfunction and insanity in Washington, D.C., from infecting California, Becerra told an audience during a swearing-in ceremony at the California Museum in Sacramento. Whether its the criminals on our streets or the conman in the boardrooms or highest office of the land, Becerra said, the California Department of Justice, well, weve got your back. Becerra won his first statewide election as the states top cop in November, two years after he filled the post vacated when predecessor Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate. He has peppered the Trump administration with lawsuits challenging federal policies on healthcare, the U.S. census, the environment and immigration. Our state builds dreams, not walls, he said in a direct criticism of Trumps proposal to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border. Just last week, Becerra led a coalition of 17 Democratic attorneys general in announcing an appeal of a federal judge in Texas that ruled the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. The ACA has been the law for nearly a decade and is the backbone of our healthcare system, Becerra said last week. This case impacts nearly every American workers covered by employers, families, women, children, young adults and seniors so we will lead the ACAs defense as long and far as it takes. Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Democratic Party Vice Chairman Daraka Larimore-Hall announces bid to lead group By Christine Mai-Duc Daraka Larimore-Hall. (Dominic Parisi / Courtesy of Daraka Larimore-Hall) Daraka Larimore-Hall, a top official at the California Democratic Party, said Monday hes running to replace former chairman Eric Bauman, who resigned abruptly in November after being confronted with allegations of sexual misconduct. Larimore-Hall, a longtime state party activist and former chairman of the Democratic Party of Santa Barbara County, was one of the party leaders who urged Bauman to resign following the allegations. In an email to supporters announcing his bid, he urged both structural and cultural change at every level of our Party. He also repeated his call for a top-to-bottom investigation of the allegations, the party and its culture. In a Times investigation, 10 party activists and staff members said Bauman made crude sexual comments and engaged in unwanted touching and physical intimidation in professional settings. In order to be where we need to be for 2020, we have to confront the culture of abuse and fear that allowed someone to behave in such a vile way for so long, Larimore-Hall said in an interview. We cant brush it aside or think that our activists or our candidates or our donors are going to forget about this overnight. Larimore-Hall said his first priority would be to fully investigate the allegations and restore rank-and-file confidence in the partys leadership. The second would be to refocus the party on political priorities as the 2020 presidential election nears. The Bauman episode, Larimore-Hall said, threatens to derail the Democrats plans to help defeat President Trump and keep the seven congressional seats gained in the midterm elections. Its definitely a crisis, Larimore-Hall said. But the component parts the energy, the enthusiasm, the volunteers, the infrastructure its still there. We just need to direct it toward something. Larimore-Hall was elected vice chairman of the state party in February following Baumans razor-thin victory over Bay Area activist Kimberly Ellis. Ellis has announced another bid for the chairmanship and former state Senate leader Kevin de Leon is also mulling a run. The vote will take place at the partys May convention in San Francisco. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom will vow to seize this moment, and swipe at Trump in Monday inaugural address By Melanie Mason Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and his family attend an Inauguration Family Event at the California Railroad Museum in Sacramento on Jan. 6. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Building on the theme of California exceptionalism that defined his campaign, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will depict the state as a guardian of progressive values and a counterweight to President Trump in his inaugural address Monday, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks. What we do today is even more consequential, because of whats happening in our country, read the excerpts obtained by The Times. Peoples lives, freedom, security, the water we drink, the air we breathe they all hang in the balance. The country is watching us. The world is waiting on us. The future depends on us. And we will seize this moment. The speech casts Californias political stakes in a decidedly national scope, promising an agenda that will unify and be an example to the rest of the country. It contrasts the governing goals of Newsom, a Democrat, with that of Trump, the incoming governors perennial foil. We will offer an alternative to the corruption and incompetence in the White House, the excerpts say. Our government will be progressive, principled, and always on the side of the people. Newsom campaigned on an ambitious and wide-ranging platform, promising sweeping solutions on housing, healthcare, education and other issues that rank among Californians top concerns. In the weeks after his election, he struck a more muted tone, taking pains to emphasize his fiscal caution and need for patience in achieving those goals. The inaugural excerpts indicate a return to lofty pledges. While Newsom will vow to prepare for uncertain times ahead by building budgetary reserves and paying down debt, the prepared remarks quickly turn to a vow to be bold. Newsom has already floated several proposals for his first budget that carry significant price tags, including a nearly $2-billion plan to boost early childhood development for low-income families and a dramatic expansion of paid family leave from six weeks to six months. When asked for a preview of his inauguration speech during a news conference Sunday evening, Newsom predicted pundits would criticize his address as short on specifics. Well, of course, Im at an inaugural, Newsom said. But Ill be very detailed in the budget, a few days later. And then we will architect, in much more nuance and detail, in state of the state. I really see this as three opportunities to communicate over the next few weeks our agenda, our vision for the state. Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom-hosted benefit concert raises nearly $5 million for wildfire victims By Taryn Luna Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom speaks at a concert to benefit wildfire victims at the Golden 1 Arena in Sacramento on Jan. 6. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) On the eve of the gubernatorial inauguration, Californias political class rubbed elbows in Sacramento for a benefit concert hosted by Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and headlined by the rapper Pitbull. Newsom told the crowd gathered at the Golden 1 Center on Sunday evening that the fundraiser brought in nearly $5 million for the California Wildfire Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that supports the families of fallen firefighters and communities affected by wildfires. You know, a lot of folks feel anxious about not just politics, but government, Newsom said on stage before introducing the rapper and activist Common. But those firefighters, they are the antidote to the fear and cynicism; they are the manifestation of why government matters and why you should care. Top sponsors, including Salesforce, Kaiser Permanente and other interest groups, paid up to $1 million each to support the cause and curry favor with the new administration. Nathan Click, a spokesman for Newsom, said organizers sold more than 7,000 tickets. Several state lawmakers attended the concert alongside Capitol staff, lobbyists and business types, who mingled on the floor of the arena and offstage in private VIP areas. The rock band X Ambassadors and a duo called the Cold Weather Sons from the town of Paradise, which was destroyed by fire in November, were among several performers who entertained the crowd during the four-hour event. The California Rises concert is the final in a series of festivities held Sunday to celebrate the inauguration of Californias 40th governor. Earlier in the day, Newsom attended a private brunch at Sacramentos Crocker Art Museum and his inaugural committee hosted a free party for families at the California State Railroad Museum at the Old Sacramento Waterfront. Newsoms inauguration is set to begin at 11 a.m. Monday on the steps of the Capitol. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Inauguration fever hits Sacramento as Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom prepares to take office By Phil Willon Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom holds his son, Dutch, as he and his family attend an inaugural event at the at the state Railroad Museum Sunday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Incoming Gov. Gavin Newsom doesnt officially take the oath of office until Monday, but the parties celebrating his inauguration were in full swing all day Sunday. Newsom and his family were mobbed by well-wishers at the California State Railroad Museum at the Old Sacramento Waterfront in the afternoon, where his inaugural committee hosted a free party for families. He just has charisma. Hes able to really connect with people, said Rosielyn Pulmano, an attorney from Elk Grove who came to see Newsom with her husband, two sons and her niece. I think he cares about working Californians and a lot of their issues. Newsom arrived with his wife, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and their four young children, and the governor-elect spent a good deal of his time wading through crowds, taking selfies with supporters and signing autographs as music boomed in the background. As the family toured the inside of the museums locomotives and the bevy of exhibits, Newsoms two-year-old son, Dutch, was wide-eyed, impressed by all the train cars and seemingly a little overwhelmed by the crowd. Newsom said that for his son, all that was missing from the museum was Thomas the Train, popular fictional locomotive in childrens books and cartoons . If theres one thing I can contribute to Sacramento maybe its getting a Thomas the Train exhibit for the two years olds, Newsom joked when talking with reporters afterward. Newsom said he wanted to include such an event in his inaugural festivities to highlight families and children, whose wellbeing will be among the top priorities of his administration. Youll see that not only as a preamble to the inaugural and the budget that well be submitting next week, but I think itll be a big part of the administration, Newsom said. The museum event followed a private, high-dollar brunch at Sacramentos Crocker Art Museum. A steady rain failed to dissuade as many as 200 guests who sipped wine and dined on chicken and salmon while waiting for a photo with Californias new first couple. Seen at the event were representatives of some of the states most powerful political interests, among them organized labor, healthcare companies and tribal gaming interests. A few other high-profile guests attended, too, including Larry Baer, CEO of the San Francisco Giants, and Erika Jayne, a singer and cast member of the reality TV show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Im excited to see someone like Gavin young, vibrant taking over the state and leading us into the future, Jayne said after attending the brunch with her husband, attorney Tom Girardi. Hes got a lot of great plans. Attendees said the event, which was closed to reporters and held under a tent in the museums outdoor atrium, did not include prepared remarks by Newsom. Among those seen leaving the event were representatives of AT&T, the California Medical Assn., Uber, Kaiser Permanente and the State Building and Construction Trades Council. A fundraising invitation obtained by The Times offered bundled tickets to all of the inauguration events, including those on Sunday and the Monday ceremony, ranging in price from $25,000 to $200,000. The money will be collected by a committee specifically organized to pay for Newsoms inaugural weekend. Sundays festivities are scheduled to end with a benefit concert headlined by Pitbull at the Golden 1 Center, home of the NBAs Sacramento Kings, to raise money for the victims of Californias recent deadly wildfires. Among the attendees at @GavinNewsoms pre-inaugural leadership brunch: Real Housewife of Bev Hills @erikajayne. Im excited to see someone like Gavinyoung, vibranttaking over the state and leading us into the future. Hes got a lot of great plans. pic.twitter.com/561NHiy2XQ Melanie Mason (@melmason) January 6, 2019 Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As Newsom inaugural events begin, he unveils more state budget promises on education and paid family leave Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, seen here last April, will propose new state budget efforts on paid family leave and education subsidies. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Californias incoming governor, who must send his first state budget plan to the Legislature this week, has already signaled a significant new focus on programs to help families and children from infancy to college. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom campaigned on a platform that included a number of child-focused efforts specifically aimed at helping lower-income families. The price tag for the initial efforts is expected to approach $2 billion a cost paid out of an unrestricted tax revenue windfall that could be one of the largest in state history. Newsom may also seek help for families through new subsidies paid by California employers. The governor-elect is expected to propose a dramatic expansion of paid parental leave from six weeks to six months according to an internal document provided by a source close to the Newsom transition team, first reported on Sunday by the New York Times. The document doesnt offer a full explanation for how the program will be funded, saying instead that the budget will set a goal of ensuring that all newborns and newly adopted babies can be cared for by a parent or a close family member for the first six months. Employers across the state are currently assessed a payroll tax that helps offer a subsidy to parents who temporarily leave their job to care for a newborn. Newsoms plan, according to the document, would pay for some of the new costs by shrinking the mandated cash reserve of the state fund that administers the program, allowing more of the money to be paid in benefits. The increase in paid leave would not all happen at once but instead be phased in over a multi-year period. A task force to help implement the expanded care plan is also envisioned, according to the document. It would determine whether two parents could split the six months of paid leave and whether an extended family member could be enlisted to help care for the child of a single parent over the six-month period. The incoming administrations focus on young children will also include $1.8 billion in new spending on early childhood education programs, with a particular focus on training childcare workers and pushing for more California schools to offer full-day kindergarten. Those costs, according to an overview memo obtained by the Los Angeles Times, are considered to be a one-time expense while leaving the long-term costs of the effort to be determined later. More community college students would get free tuition under a third initiative expected in the new governors budget plan. Newsom will propose spending $40 million to offer a second year of tuition-free college to California students, according to an outline provided by a transition official, first reported by Politico. Students are already eligible for a single year of paid tuition under a plan agreed to by Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers in 2017. The incoming governor embraced the idea of free community college during the 2018 campaign as part of a broader focus on additional investments in higher education. Education is an economic development strategy, Newsom said at a higher education forum last spring. We need to significantly increase the investment from the general fund of this state on higher education. Theres no greater higher return on investment. Whether the proposal would be targeted to students based on a familys financial need is unclear. Many low-income students are already eligible for fee waivers at community colleges. The new governor must submit his full state budget plan to lawmakers no later than Thursday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gavin Newsom and his family decide Sacramento is the place to be The Old Governors Mansion State Historic Park in Sacramento. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will move his family into the mansion. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and his family will give up the Marin County life and move to the Victorian-style governors mansion in Sacramento after he takes the oath of office Monday. Newsom and his wife, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom, had debated whether or when to relocate to the state capital since his election in November. The couple have four young children and expressed reservations about moving in the middle of a school year. To best serve the people of California while also maximizing family time together, the Newsoms have therefore decided to move to Sacramento, said Newsoms spokesman, Nathan Click. On Monday, they will move into the Governors Mansion along with their four children, their two family dogs, and their family bunny rabbit and reside there for the immediate future. The Newsoms currently live in Marin County. Gov. Jerry Brown and his wife, Ann Gust Brown, moved into the grand house in 2015 after it underwent $4.1 million in renovations to update electrical and plumbing systems, as well as to remove lead-based paint and install a fire sprinkler system and other security features. The mansion was built in 1877 and has been home to 14 governors, but before Brown it had not housed a California governor for nearly half a century. The state bought the mansion from a wealthy Sacramento hardware merchant, Albert Gallatin, in 1903 for $32,500. It was one of the few California homes at that time to have indoor plumbing. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom announces top labor, business liaisons as he prepares to take office Julie Su will be secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency for Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom on Friday named two advisors on issues related to the California economy, each recognized for their expertise on business and labor. The incoming governor will appoint Julie Su as secretary of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and Lenny Mendonca as chief economic and business advisor and director of the Governors Office of Business and Economic Development. Su, 49, has served as state labor commissioner under Gov. Jerry Brown since 2011 and has led an office tasked with the enforcement of Californias labor laws. She won a MacArthur Foundation genius grant in 2001 and previously worked as a civil rights attorney representing low-wage workers. In her new position, Su will be tasked with coordinating the work of several workforce departments in state government, including those that administer unemployment benefits and oversee the relationship between agriculture workers and employers. Mendonca, 57, has been a longtime advocate for rethinking government operations as co-chairman of the nonprofit organization California Forward. Previously, he was partner at McKinsey & Co., a global management consulting firm. While he will be a key advisor to Newsom on the states economy, Mendonca will also lead the office often referred to as Go-Biz, designated as a high-level way to encourage job growth and economic development. In his new role, Mendonca will help ensure that California is rolling out the welcome mat to current and future California businesses and growing a sustainable economy for every Californian, said a statement from the Newsom transition team. Newsom will take the oath of office as governor Monday. He has previously selected key advisors on the state budget, legislative affairs and the executive branchs wide array of agencies and departments. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Joshua Groban, aide to Gov. Jerry Brown, sworn in to California Supreme Court By Taryn Luna California Supreme Court Justice Joshua Groban gives remarks after he is sworn into the court by Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday. (Taryn Luna) California Supreme Court Justice Joshua Groban, a lawyer and longtime aide to Gov. Jerry Brown, was sworn into the states highest court Thursday in Sacramento. The ceremony marked Browns fourth appointment to the state Supreme Court and gave the seven-member bench a Democratic majority. We live in a highly chaotic, ever-changing and ever-confusing world, Groban said in prepared remarks at the Stanley Mosk Library and Courts Building. But Im happy to report that Im joining an institution whose fundamental purpose, at core, is to provide stability and consistency amidst this chaotic place we live. I look forward to doing that with a sense of reflection, respect, fidelity to the law and compassion. None of Browns appointees, Groban included, have judicial experience. Groban served as legal counsel to Browns 2010 gubernatorial campaign and joined the administration as a senior advisor to the governor, overseeing the appointments of some 600 judges over the last eight years. Prior to working with Brown, Groban, 45, practiced law for more than a decade. In perhaps his final public appearance before his successor, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, takes office next week, Brown pushed back on notions that he stacked the court. I dont want this to be known as a Brown court, the governor said before administering the judicial oath of office. First of all, the so-called Brown appointments do not agree with themselves and nor should they. They are individuals. They will differ. Its not anybodys court. The governor called the court a high calling and said Groban possesses the values for the job. Probably, next to my wife, Ive talked to no person as much as Ive talked to Josh Groban, Brown said. I think youve talked to him more, Californias First Lady Anne Gust Brown interjected. I cant tell you what the hell hes going to do, Brown later quipped. I warned him, dont screw up, at least not at first. Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California campaign watchdog agency seeks law barring use of campaign funds to fight harassment claims Former state Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia). ( (Steve Yeater / Associated Press)) Elected officials accused of harassment or discrimination would be barred from using political contributions to cover their legal defense costs under legislation proposed by Californias campaign watchdog agency. The state Fair Political Practices Commission has agreed to pursue a law change to clear up confusion after an attorney for one former state lawmaker argued political funds could be used in such legal defenses. Commission Chairwoman Alice Germond said putting a prohibition into the law would provide some much needed clarity. As chair, I would like to show the public their lawmakers are held to a standard that is above reproach, Germond said in a statement. People dont give money to campaigns for lawmakers to use it to defend their own bad behavior, so lawmakers shouldnt be able to use it in that manner. The issue came up a year ago when an attorney for former Sen. Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) sought a formal opinion from the FPPC after the Senate launched an investigation that later concluded Mendoza likely engaged in a pattern of harassment against female aides. Mendoza resigned in February under threat of expulsion by the Senate. In a Jan. 10, 2018, letter, Cassandra Ferrannini, an attorney for Mendoza, wrote to the FPPC that she believed Mendoza should be allowed to establish a legal defense fund able to defray his legal expenses in defending himself against the allegations. The use of campaign funds for attorneys fees under these circumstances would fall squarely within the scope of legislative matters, since it involves the alleged conduct of a legislator with regard to legislative staff that he supervised, Ferrannini wrote. The commission staff originally issued an advice letter that said Mendoza may use campaign and legal defense funds to defend himself from claims of sexual harassment that arose directly out of his activities or status as a candidate or elected officer. But the panel later rescinded the letter after some members questioned using campaign funds to fight sexual harassment claims. That left uncertainty about what was allowed, which Germond said could be cleared up by a new law. The FPPC is still looking for a legislator to carry the bill, a spokesman said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias landmark police transparency law takes effect after court denies police union effort to block it California Supreme Court building (Eric Risberg / Associated Press) A new state law allowing the public disclosure of internal police shooting investigations has gone into effect after the California Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a bid by a police union to block it. The law opens to the public for the first time internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Employees Benefit Assn. challenged the law last month, asking state Supreme Court justices to decide that the law only apply to incidents that occur in 2019 or later. The court rejected that request Wednesday, allowing members of the public to seek all applicable records held by police departments. Union president Grant Ward said in a statement that his organization was disappointed with the decision and is now seeking other legal options. We feel this is a statewide issue and should be considered accordingly, Ward said. Last month, the city of Inglewood authorized the destruction of more than 100 police shooting investigations and other records in advance of Jan. 1, when the disclosure law was scheduled to take effect. California law requires police departments to keep such records for five years, and Inglewood City Council voted to destroy records older than that. Mayor James T. Butts has said the decision had nothing to do with the new law. In Los Angeles, Police Chief Michel Moore has said that complying with the new disclosure rules could take hundreds of thousands of hours of work. State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), the author of the transparency law, has said she has no immediate plans to propose changes to it. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Few complaints of racial profiling are sustained by police agencies in California, state panel finds CHP Officer J. Nelson stands outside the office of Gov. Jerry Brown as activists in 2015 support requiring the tracking of police stops. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Law enforcement agencies in California sustain few citizen complaints of racial or identity profiling, according to a report Wednesday by a state panel set up to help reduce bias in policing. The states Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board recommended in its annual report that law enforcement agencies improve training and adopt clear guidelines for tracking and reporting data on who is stopped by officers. The panel said that 453 law enforcement agencies in the state received 9,459 civilian complaints in 2017, including 865 complaints alleging racial or identity profiling. Of the racial and identity complaints that reached a disposition that year, 1.5% were sustained, 14.6% resulted in officers being exonerated and 83.9% of complaints were not sustained or were determined to be unfounded, the report said. A clearer picture of the issue is expected from a 2015 law that requires police agencies to report demographic data on all detentions and searches. The first reports by the eight largest agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, are due to be submitted in April. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, whose office oversees the board, said tracking of all detentions and searches will be helpful to understand the scope of the issue. The Boards recommendations will help make our law enforcement agencies more transparent and promote critical steps to enhance, and in some cases, repair the public trust, Becerra said in a statement Wednesday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California housing crisis podcast: What Minneapolis decision to end single-family zoning might mean for California A view of downtown Minneapolis in 2014 (Stephen Maturen / Getty Images) Theres a national movement brewing to roll back zoning rules in cities that only allow one house on a plot of land. The epicenter of that movement is Minneapolis, which passed a plan last month to eliminate single-family zoning citywide and let landowners build duplexes and triplexes on residential property. On this episode of Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast, we talk about the reasons why Minneapolis leaders took this action, including their desire to combat a history of racial exclusion and spur more housing density to fight climate change. We also debate how Minneapolis decision might affect housing politics in California. Our guest is Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender, who helped shepherd the new zoning rules to passage and a former San Francisco city planner. The episode also crowns 2018s Avocado of the Year the most ridiculous story exemplifying Californias housing woes and includes our predictions for the most under-the-radar important themes in housing politics in 2019. Gimme Shelter, a biweekly podcast that looks at why its so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it, features Liam Dillon, who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times Sacramento bureau, and Matt Levin, data and housing reporter for CALmatters. You can subscribe to Gimme Shelter on iTunes, Stitcher, Soundcloud, Google Play and Overcast. Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print How young immigrant Dreamers made flipping control of the House a personal quest By Jazmine Ulloa Gabriela Cruz, who was brought to the U.S. illegally when she was 1, couldnt vote, but in the final hours before the Nov. 6 election, she was making one last run to get people to the polls. The sun was setting in Modesto when she found Ronald Silva, 41, smoking a cigarette on a tattered old couch behind a group home. He politely tried to wave her off until she reminded him he had a right that she as an immigrant without citizenship didnt have. It could really make a change for us, said Cruz, 29. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will propose almost $2 billion for early childhood programs (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Seeking to frame his new administration as one with a firm focus on closing the gap between children from affluent and poor families, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom will propose spending some $1.8 billion on an array of programs designed to boost Californias enrollment in early education and child-care programs. Newsoms plan, which he hinted at in a Fresno event last month, will be a key element in the state budget proposal he will submit to the Legislature shortly after taking office Monday, a source close to the governor-elects transition team said. The spending would boost programs designed to ensure children enter kindergarten prepared to learn, closing what some researchers have called the readiness gap that exists based on a familys income. It would also phase in an expansion of prekindergarten and offer money to help school districts that dont have facilities for full-day kindergarten. The fact that hes making significant investments with his opening budget is really exciting, Ted Lempert, president of the Bay Area-based nonprofit Children Now, said Tuesday. Whats exciting is the comprehensiveness of it, because its saying were going to focus on prenatal through age 5. A broad overview document reviewed by The Times on Tuesday shows that most of the outlay under the plan $1.5 billion would be a one-time expense in the budget year that begins July 1. Those dollars would be a single infusion of cash, an approach favored by Gov. Jerry Brown in recent years. Most of the money would be spent on efforts to expand child-care services and kindergarten classes. By law, a governor must submit a full budget to the Legislature no later than Jan. 10. Lawmakers will spend the winter and spring reviewing the proposal and must send a final budget plan to Newsom by June 15. Though legislative Democrats have pushed for additional early childhood funding in recent years a key demand of the Legislative Womens Caucus those actions have typically come late in the budget-writing season in Sacramento. Quite frankly, to start out with a January proposal that includes that investment in Californias children reflects a new day, state Sen. Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) said. The governor-elect will propose a $750-million boost to kindergarten funding, aimed at expanding facilities to allow full-day programs. A number of school districts offer only partial-day programs, leaving many low-income families to skip enrolling their children because kindergarten classes end in the middle of the workday. Because the money would not count toward meeting Californias three-decades-old education spending guarantee under Proposition 98, which sets a minimum annual funding level for K-12 schools and community colleges, it will not reduce planned spending on other education services. Close behind in total cost is a budget proposal by Newsom to help train child-care workers and expand local facilities already subsidized by the state, as well as those serving parents who attend state colleges and universities. Together, those efforts could cost $747 million, according to the budget overview document. An expansion of prekindergarten programs would be phased in over three years at a cost of $125 million in the first year. The multiyear rollout would, according to the budget overview, ensure the system can plan for the increase in capacity. Lempert said the Newsom proposal is notable for trying to avoid the kinds of battles that in recent years pitted prekindergarten and expanded child care against each other for additional taxpayer dollars. The reality is we need to expand both simultaneously, he said. Another $200 million of the proposal would be earmarked for programs that provide home visits to expectant parents from limited-income families and programs that provide healthcare screenings for young children. Some of the money would come from the states Medi-Cal program, and other money from federal matching dollars. Funding for the home visits program was provided in the budget Brown signed last summer; the Newsom effort would build on that. Emphasizing a policy area with broad appeal in his first state budget could reflect Newsoms political sensibility about the challenges ahead. Democratic lawmakers and interest groups will be especially eager to see how Newsom addresses the demand for an overhaul of healthcare coverage in California especially after a 2017 effort to create a single-payer, universal system fizzled. The path forward on healthcare is complex and costly, making early childhood education a more achievable goal in the governor-elects early tenure. Newsom is likely to face considerable demands for other additional spending. In November, the Legislatures independent analysts projected that continued strength in tax revenues could produce a cash reserve of some $29 billion over the next 18 months. Almost $15 billion of that could be in unrestricted reserves, the kind that can be spent on any number of government programs. Kim Belshe, executive director of the child advocacy organization First 5 LA and a former state health and human services secretary, said the initial Newsom budget proposal suggests the next governor will focus on a comprehensive approach to improving outcomes for children from low-income families. School-ready kids deserve quality early learning, strong and well-supported families, and access to early screening services, Belshe said. Newsom understands the whole child, multifaceted needs of our kids and is clearly ready to lead. Mitchell, the chair of the Senate budget committee, said shes eager to see the details of the governor-elects proposal to determine whether it might signal the beginning of an even broader expansion of early education efforts. Similar efforts have been hindered by a lack of money and ongoing debate over which services to help children 5 and younger need state funding the most. Universal preschool, in particular, has been debated for more than a decade. California voters rejected a ballot measure to fund a full prekindergarten system in 2006. Its clear theres a new movement afoot trying to engage on investment for universal preschool, Mitchell said. How we invest, and how we prioritize that investment, is going to be a great conversation for the coming months. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Politics Podcast: A final conversation with Gov. Jerry Brown No Californian has served longer as governor, signed more laws, granted clemency to more felons or waged more high-profile campaigns than Gov. Jerry Brown. Brown will leave behind a unique legacy when he packs his last belongings for the trip from the governors mansion in Sacramento to his Northern California ranch. His final two terms in office could be his most consequential. The governor reviewed some of the more notable moments from the past eight years in a far-reaching interview with The Times on Dec. 22. This weeks podcast episode includes extended portions of that conversation. Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print A sagging economy could doom a 2020 ballot measure to raise commercial property taxes, Gov. Jerry Brown says Gov. Jerry Brown, at his Colusa County home on Saturday, said a ballot measure to raise commercial property taxes could struggle in 2020. (Randall Benton/For The Times) An effort to remove commercial property in California from the tax limits imposed by the landmark Proposition 13 could be felled by an economic slowdown, Gov. Jerry Brown said. In a Saturday interview with The Times at his Northern California ranch, Brown said liberal activist groups that have successfully placed the proposal on the November 2020 statewide ballot shouldnt read too much into early poll numbers showing support for the plan. That isnt as easy as you think, Brown said. Because youre going to be in a downturn of the business cycle. And youre talking many kinds of business. And the cost of doing business in California is already high. The ballot measure would allow counties to more frequently assess the market value of commercial property in California than allowed under Proposition 13, a 1978 ballot initiative that amended the state constitution to place strict limits on assessing property values and taxation for both homeowners and businesses. An analysis of the new measure, which qualified in October for the 2020 ballot, estimates it could bring in some $10.5 billion a year in new tax revenue. The business community will fight it, Brown said. And the minimum wage, the family leave, the environmental rules business[es] have left California, thats going to be the big argument. And I think thats something you really have to think a lot about. The governor, who leaves office early next month due to term limits, declined to either endorse or oppose the ballot measure. He said Californias economic health in two years time could be a key factor in how voters weigh the proposal. Well be in a recession by then, Brown said. So its anybodys guess. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Inglewood to destroy more than 100 police shooting records that could otherwise become public under new California law By Jack Dolan Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts (Maria Alejandra Cardona / Los Angeles Times) The city of Inglewood has authorized the shredding of more than 100 police shooting and other internal investigation records weeks before a new state law could allow the public to access them for the first time. The decision, made at a City Council meeting earlier this month, has troubled civil liberties advocates who were behind the state legislation, Senate Bill 1421, which takes effect Jan. 1. The law opens to the public internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The legislature passed SB 1421 because communities demanded an end to the secrecy cloaking police misconduct and use of force, Marcus Benigno, a spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said in a statement. Inglewood PDs decision to purge records undermines police accountability and transparency against the will of Californians. California law says police departments must retain records of officer shootings and internal misconduct investigations for five years. The city of Inglewood, however, had kept records longer than that, including case files of police shootings dating to 1991. State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), the author of SB 1421, intended for her bill to allow public access to all qualifying records held by a department, no matter the date of the incident. Inglewood City Council approved the destruction of records that have been in the police departments possession more than 100 cases longer than required by law. The city staff report and council resolution describing the action makes no mention of the new police transparency law. Instead it says the affected records are obsolete, occupy valuable space, and are of no further use to the police department. It added the traditional method of destroying such records is to shred them. It is unclear whether the records have since been destroyed. A spokesman for the Inglewood Police Department along with Inglewoods city manager, attorney, clerk, four council members and Mayor James T. Butts, a former Santa Monica police chief, did not respond to requests for comment. Inglewoods City Hall is closed the last two weeks of December. The Inglewood Police Department has a reputation for secrecy and using excessive force. In 2008, the departments officers fatally shot four men in as many months, three of whom turned out to be unarmed. The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights probe and found significant flaws in the way the department oversaw use-of-force cases and investigated complaints against officers. Civil rights advocates still question why Inglewood police opened fire on a couple found sleeping in a car in 2016, killing them both. California police have a long history of shredding records to avoid scrutiny of their actions. In the 1970s, the LAPD famously destroyed more than four tons of personnel records after defense attorneys began requesting them as part of criminal cases against their clients. The move resulted in the dismissal of more than a hundred criminal complaints. In response, the Legislature demanded that records be preserved but then took other measures, supported by police unions, to ensure the public had very little access to them, making California the most secretive state in the nation when it comes to police misconduct. Skinners legislation begins to unwind those laws, which have been on the books since 1978. No video or audio of the Dec. 11 council action is available on the citys website and neither are meeting minutes or any record of the decision. A city spokeswoman, Courtney Torres, confirmed that the council had voted in favor of the police records purge, and said all the relevant reasons for the decision were included in the city staff report. The Jan. 1 implementation for SB 1421 has prompted other police officials to act. A police union in San Bernardino is asking the state Supreme Court to determine that Skinners bill only applies to incidents that occur in 2019 or later. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore sent a letter to Skinner earlier this month warning that complying with the law in regard to older records in the departments possession could take hundreds of thousands of work hours. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Federal officials question California DMVs process for issuing Real IDs (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has notified the California Department of Motor Vehicles that its process for providing residents with federally recognized identification cards is not adequate. DMV spokesman Armando Botello said Friday that 2.3 million residents who received Real IDs under the current process will have to submit additional documentation when their cards are renewed in five years but will be able to use them in the meantime. The DMV is developing a way for residents to submit more documentation online or via email to comply with the stricter federal requirement, he said. But some state legislators are upset about delays in notifying them of the problem and say Homeland Security could eventually require additional documentation provided by current holders. The DMV has known for a month that millions of Real IDs theyve been dolling out are potentially invalid, Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) said. The DMVs only hope is that the Department of Homeland Security takes pity on California and gives the DMV more time to fix this mess. Real IDs are a new kind of driver license and identification card that federal law will require legal residents to present when boarding domestic flights or visiting military bases and other federal facilities starting Oct. 1, 2020. The DMV has only been requiring one form of documentation, including a current lease or utility bill, to verify the residence of a card applicant. But the federal government said in a Nov. 21 letter to the agency that two such documents are needed. On Friday, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto released a letter defending the current process but said her agency will start requiring a second document to prove residency in April. In order to minimize confusion among our customers, the CADMV will work to inform individuals who have been issued a Real ID under the current process that their card will be accepted for official federal purposes, even if their renewal occurs after the October 1, 2020, final enforcement date for Real ID, Shiomoto wrote to the federal agency. Legislative officials worry there is still a possibility that those issued Real IDs in the past might be required to present a second document to have their cards designated as compliant. The more complex process for obtaining Real IDs has led to hours-long waits for customers at DMV field offices this year, although wait times have been reduced recently by an increase in staffing. Shiomoto last month announced that she is retiring amid problems with the motor voter registration system and after the governor ordered an audit of her agency in response to the long wait times. On Friday, Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron of Escondido blasted the DMV for waiting a month to tell legislators of the problem. This is unacceptable and flies in the face of security for our citizens, which is what Real ID was created for in the first place, she said in a statement. Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom taps Keely Bosler to be his finance director Keely Bosler, the director of the California Department of Finance, will continue in that role under Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom. (California Department of Finance) Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom on Friday appointed Keely Martin Bosler as director of the California Department of Finance, continuing the role she has served under Gov. Jerry Brown since August. Bosler will become Newsoms chief fiscal advisor, and will play a pivotal role in shaping Newsoms spending plan for the state that will lay the foundation for his top policy priorities. Newsom must roll out his first budget plan within days of taking office on Jan. 7. Californias brighter future depends on a strong, stable fiscal foundation, Newsom said in a statement released Friday afternoon. Keely is an accomplished public servant of sound fiscal judgment. She understands that state budgets are more than numbers on a page they are value statements affecting the fate and future of millions of families reaching for the California Dream. We are fortunate to have her on our team. Prior to being appointed finance director, Bosler served as Browns cabinet secretary for two years and, before that, as the chief deputy director for budget in the Finance Department for three years. Earlier this year, Brown picked Bosler to lead an audit of the Department of Motor Vehicles, which had come under fire for long wait times at DMV field offices and numerous computer problems, including errors in the new motor voter program that registered Californians to vote. As we have discussed, long wait times at the Department of Motor Vehicles do not reflect the high standards of service that Californians expect from their state government, Bosler wrote in a letter in September to DMV Director Jean Shiomoto. The audit is still ongoing, but Shiomoto has since announced she will retire at the end of the year. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias legislative analyst, after decades of nonpartisan research for lawmakers, calls it a career Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor, who has led the state research unit since 2008, will retire on Dec. 31. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Only five people have led the independent research office of the California Legislature since its creation in 1941. And each of them has had a pretty simple mantra to live by in reviewing public policy proposals and government programs: Call it like you see it. The job of any analyst, to me, is you maintain that nonpartisanship, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor said. Taylor, 65, will retire from the post at the end of December after a four-decade career with the research team that began, as he likes to tell it, just after the passage of the landmark property tax rollback, Proposition 13, in 1978. He became the leader of the office, with the title of legislative analyst, in October 2008. Two months later, state government found itself in arguably the worst fiscal crisis in its history a projected shortfall that ultimately grew to $42 billion by the following winter. There were forces beyond our control, Taylor said of that time. But dont underestimate the policy changes that were made afterward. Those changes, most notably a boost in taxes paid by high-income earners and a robust state budget cash reserve fund, have helped lead to successive years of fully funded government services. The state is projected to have some $24 billion in reserves by the end of the current fiscal year. Taylor announced his intention earlier to step down this year. Leaders from both houses of the Legislature select the analyst, who leads a staff of almost five dozen researchers. The office provides in-depth reports on pending legislation, as well as on broader policy topics like education and healthcare, and produces an independent analysis for every proposed ballot measure. A succession of lawmakers and governors alike have praised or panned the work of the Legislative Analysts Office based on their own political worldview. Taylor said his staff is mindful that they work for legislators, but try to ignore the rhetoric that follows the release of a major report. People are going to do what theyre going to do with our information, he said. They dont always like it, but they appreciate that we give them our best advice. Taylor oversaw a transformation in the way the Legislative Analysts Office distributes its information, embracing the release of research reports through social media instead of relying on traditional printed copies and journalist roundtable events. But he said the work of the researchers has remained largely unchanged through the decades. Having an independent take on things, I think, is good for the Legislature, he said. No replacement for Taylor has been announced, which means a short transition for his eventual successor before Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom sends his first budget proposal to lawmakers in early January. Taylor, who lives in the Sacramento suburbs, said he will honor the tradition of his predecessors in stepping away from public policy debates in order to give the new analyst space to lead the team as he or she sees fit. He said he hopes to travel in the coming years and spend time with his children who have moved to the East Coast. Forty years in state government, Taylor said in why he was stepping aside now. Isnt that enough? Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Jerry Brown sues to save California sentencing laws By Don Thompson, Associated Press (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Outgoing Gov. Jerry Brown sued Thursday to protect one of his signature actions in office, a voter-approved measure that allows most prison inmates to seek earlier release and participate in rehabilitation programs. His administration filed a lawsuit challenging a pending 2020 initiative that seeks to toughen criminal penalties as part of an effort to roll back reforms adopted by voters within the last decade. Browns lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court contends the measure lacked enough valid signatures to overturn a previously approved constitutional amendment. County officials and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla certified the signatures in July but said they were submitted too late to qualify for last months election. The lawsuit names Padilla and the ballot measures official proponent, Nina Salarno Besselman, president of the advocacy group Crime Victims United. Padilla said the measure exceeded the required roughly 366,000 valid signatures, equal to 5% of votes cast for governor in 2014. Browns lawsuit says he used the wrong threshold. It says changing the state Constitution requires 8%, or more than 585,400 signatures. That makes the pending initiative more than 150,000 signatures short, the lawsuit says. Hes wrong, said Jeff Flint, a spokesman for the campaign backing the measure. He predicted a judge will be reluctant to reject a measure that already has qualified for the ballot. The secretary of state told us how many signatures are required, and thats how many we collected, Flint said. Padillas office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The measure would reverse reforms adopted by voters through Proposition 47 in 2014 and Proposition 57 in 2016. Proposition 57 allows most inmates to seek earlier paroles, and Proposition 47 reduced some drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. The combination has helped keep Californias inmate population below a population cap set by federal judges. Corrections department spokeswoman Vicky Waters said the measure gives corrections and parole officials broad discretion to protect our communities and fashion a rational system of rehabilitation and punishment. This new initiative unlawfully seeks to supplant the departments constitutional authority to implement these critical reforms to our criminal justice system. The pending initiative would shorten the list of crimes that qualify for earlier parole and change some theft crimes from misdemeanors back to felonies. It would also increase the number of crimes for which DNA is collected, a list that was limited when some crimes went from felonies to misdemeanors. Those supporting the tougher penalties say easing criminal penalties has increased the number of dangerous criminals on the streets, but those backing the changes say they have helped reduce mass incarceration and rehabilitate convicted criminals. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California Supreme Court orders records unsealed in pardon of ex-state Sen. Roderick Wright Former state Sen. Roderick Wright (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times) The California Supreme Court has granted a request to unseal court records involving Gov. Jerry Browns decision last month to pardon former state Sen. Roderick Wright for felony convictions involving lying about living in his legislative district, officials said Thursday. The court order was in response to a request by the nonpartisan First Amendment Coalition, which argued that the public has a right to know what information went into the governors decision to grant clemency to Wright. This is an important victory for public access to court files involving the exercise of executive clemency, said coalition spokesman Glen A. Smith. We are gratified the court has recognized that these decisions should be subject to the same public access rules that apply to other judicial records under California law. The court gave Browns office until Jan. 2 to redact confidential material before giving the court documents that can be released to the public. The court files submitted by the governors office include letters of support for a pardon and an internal review of Wrights case. The court denied a motion to unseal the records of all clemency cases but left open consideration of requests on other individual cases. Browns office is currently evaluating the courts decision, said spokesman Brian Ferguson. The governor argued against unsealing records in a recent court filing that said confidentiality is consistent with historical practice and is supported by state law. In pardoning Wright on Nov. 22, the governor wrote: He has shown that since his release from custody, he has lived an honest and upright life, exhibited good moral character, and conducted himself as a law abiding citizen. Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California political watchdog agency fines BART, urges prosecution over using public funds for campaign A Bay Area Rapid Transit train leaves the station in Oakland in this 2013 file photo. (Ben Margot / AP) Californias state political watchdog agency on Thursday imposed a $7,500 fine against the Bay Area Rapid Transit District and called for a possible criminal or civil prosecution over allegations the district used public resources to campaign for a 2016 bond measure. The state Fair Political Practices Commission levied an administrative fine against BART for its failure to disclose spending on YouTube videos, social media posts and text messages to promote Measure RR, which authorized $3.5 billion in general obligation bonds. Though the panel lacks authority to seek criminal charges over the misuse of public funds, it also urged county district attorneys in the BART service area and the state attorney general to pursue possible criminal or civil charges over the spending of taxpayer dollars for campaign purposes, Commission Chairwoman Alice Germond said. It is the concept of misusing public funds that I think we all here are very disturbed about, and we want to send a warning and not create a precedent that is a minor, little slap on the wrist, Germond said, adding that the referral to criminal prosecutors would further send a message that this is wrong. Commissioner Brian Hatch also called for the state Legislature to consider granting the FPPC power to go after public agencies that spend taxpayer money on campaigns. Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) called on the agency to increase the fine to the maximum level of $33,375. The proposed $7,500 fine represents a slap on the wrist for a very serious violation of the law and the publics trust, Glazer said in a letter to the panel. In supporting the fine recommended by the staff, Germond said BART has agreed to pay the penalty. Somebody did something wrong and they have admitted it, she said. A staff report said there were factors in favor of a fine below the maximum. Although the Commission considers BARTs violations to be serious, the absence of any evidence of an intention to conceal, deceive, or mislead; the voluntary filing of the delinquent campaign statement; and the absence of a prior record are mitigating, the report said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print California police union seeks state Supreme Court review of new law disclosing internal investigation records Los Angeles Police Department officers. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A police union is asking the California Supreme Court to block the release of internal officer investigations before a new state law takes effect next year. The San Bernardino County Sheriffs Employees Benefit Assn. filed a petition Tuesday asking justices to rule that only investigations of incidents that occur after Jan. 1 would be available under the law and not those the department has on file from years prior. The litigation comes after this years passage of Senate Bill 1421, which opens to the public for the first time internal investigations of officer shootings and other major uses of force, along with confirmed cases of sexual assault and lying while on duty. The law goes into effect Jan. 1, and the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department has told the union it intends to make available in response to public records requests all the information it has. The union is very concerned about any plans to retroactively apply Senate Bill 1421, Grant Ward, the unions president, said in a statement. We believe retroactive application violates our members rights and we hope the California Supreme Court will consider the serious issues raised by our legal challenge. The bills author, Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), does not agree with the unions interpretation. She has said her legislation should apply to all the records in a police departments possession because the law simply declared that affected records were no longer confidential. If the record exists, its disclosable, Skinner said. A decision on what records will be available under the law is key to how far-reaching it will be. If the court restricts access to incidents that occurred prior to 2019, those cases will not be subject to public scrutiny. The police union in San Bernardino County is not the only one raising concerns about the law. Earlier this month, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore sent a letter to Skinner expressing concern that his agency would be overwhelmed if the law required the department to disclose older incidents. Even if the law only applied to the previous five years, Moore wrote, it could take nearly 300,000 hours of work to comply with its provisions. The LAPD operates with a guiding principle of Reverence for the Law; as such, we will diligently comply with SB 1421, Moore wrote. We maintain, however, that a retroactive implementation of SB 1421 will be exceptionally burdensome and would require significant reallocation of front-line investigative personnel. Skinner said if complying with the law becomes untenable for law enforcement agencies that maintain records for a long time, she would consider modifications. But she said agencies did not raise this concern during discussion over the bill. SB 1421 went through multiple committee hearings, multiple floor debates, extensive opportunity for all parties to weigh in on concerns with its structure, she said. That was not an issue that was raised by law enforcement at the time. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gov. Brown warns of backlash for Republicans in 2020 if Obamacare repeal is upheld Gov. Jerry Brown at the National Press Club in April. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) Gov. Jerry Brown warned Republicans on Tuesday that repeal of the Affordable Care Act would devastate the partys political chances in the 2020 election. Brown, speaking at a Sacramento Press Club event moderated by Los Angeles Times columnist George Skelton and Brown family historian Miriam Pawel, said a federal judges ruling last week to strike down the 2010 law if upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court will build such a backlash that the Democrats will not only take over the Senate, theyll win the presidency and will win with the kind of momentum, particularly on the issue of healthcare, that [the law] will be replaced probably with something even better. The governor, who leaves office in less than three weeks, said he did not believe the ruling by a Texas judge would ultimately prevail. I think the decision will probably be overturned, Brown said. Few states have embraced the law championed by former President Obama more than California, both through its healthcare exchange, Covered California, and by expanding access to government-funded services under Medi-Cal. Some 12 million Californians now receive healthcare through Medi-Cal, and Brown said a final ruling affecting the federal dollars that subsidize that care would be a serious blow. California would not be able to afford it without the subsidy, the governor said. Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bars in Los Angeles, San Francisco could stay open until 4 a.m. under new bill A bar in Sherman Oaks (acuna-hansen) For the third year in a row, a California lawmaker is trying to keep bars open until 4 a.m. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is reintroducing legislation that would allow Los Angeles, San Francisco and seven other cities to extend the sales of alcohol in bars, clubs and restaurants by an additional two hours. Nightlife brings people together, fosters creativity and innovation, supports small businesses, and creates middle-class jobs, Wiener said in a statement. Its time to embrace our nighttime economy and give our cities the tools they need to foster the best nightlife possible. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill by Wiener, writing: I believe we have enough mischief from midnight to 2 without adding two more hours of mayhem. Should this years measure, Senate Bill 58, advance through the Legislature, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom would decide whether to sign it into law. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has endorsed SB 58, saying the city should have more flexibility than it does now. Every community has its own needs, and cities should be able to make informed decisions about what nightlife hours make sense for residents, visitors, and neighborhoods, Garcetti said in a statement. The bill would create a five-year pilot program where Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Coachella, Cathedral City and Palm Springs could decide to allow restaurants and bars within their cities to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. with the approval of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bars in Los Angeles and San Francisco could stay open until 4 a.m. under new bill A bar in Sherman Oaks. (Acuna-Hansen) For the third year in a row, a California lawmaker is trying to keep bars open until 4 a.m. State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is reintroducing legislation that would allow Los Angeles, San Francisco and seven other cities to extend the sales of alcohol in bars, clubs and restaurants by an additional two hours. Nightlife brings people together, fosters creativity and innovation, supports small businesses and creates middle-class jobs, Wiener said in a statement. Its time to embrace our nighttime economy and give our cities the tools they need to foster the best nightlife possible. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a similar bill by Wiener, writing: I believe we have enough mischief from midnight to 2 without adding two more hours of mayhem. Should this years measure, Senate Bill 58, advance through the Legislature, Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom would decide whether to sign it into law. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has endorsed SB 58, saying the city should have more flexibility than it does now. Every community has its own needs, and cities should be able to make informed decisions about what nightlife hours make sense for residents, visitors and neighborhoods, Garcetti said in a statement. The bill would create a five-year pilot program where Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Coachella, Cathedral City and Palm Springs could decide to allow restaurants and bars within their cities to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. with the approval of the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias DMV director announces retirement amid problems with motor voter program (Kent Nishamura/Los Angeles Times) The director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles will retire at years end with a number of questions unanswered about the implementation of a major voter registration system and long wait times experienced by customers for much of the past summer. Jean Shiomoto will not continue in her current role as Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom takes office, and announced to staff several weeks ago her intent to retire at the end of the year after 38 years in state service, spokesman Armando Botello said in an email to The Times on Friday. Newsoms transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment on who might lead the department in 2019. Shiomoto was appointed DMV director by Gov. Jerry Brown in the fall of 2013, having served in prior leadership roles with the department. DMV officials have been sharply criticized by lawmakers in recent months for delays in serving customers at its field offices across the state. Last week, DMV officials revealed errors in registering California voters for the November election mistakes that followed a series of problems in the rollout of the states new motor voter registration system. Secretary of State Alex Padilla last week said he had lost confidence in Shiomotos leadership as a result of the voting registration problems. Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New law could break the stalemate over housing on the site of a near-vacant Cupertino mall By Liam Dillon For more than a decade, developers have tried to build new housing on the site of an all-but-empty mall in Cupertino, a city in the heart of Silicon Valley and home to Apple headquarters. A well-organized group of neighbors, upset about traffic, building heights and the potential loss of the communitys suburban lifestyle, turned away every plan. Now, for the first time, the stalemate might be broken thanks to a decision made in the state Capitol. In an effort to address Californias housing affordability problem, legislators passed a law last year that requires cities and counties to approve housing projects if they comply with local zoning rules and other standards, forcing some resistant communities to agree to new homebuilding. In September, the city of Cupertino, citing the state law, approved developer Sand Hill Property Co.s proposal to build an office park and more than 2,400 homes where the Vallco Shopping Mall sits. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Local government was a last bastion for struggling California Republicans. Not anymore By Mark Z. Barabak Theres no shortage of watery metaphors to describe the disaster that befell California Republicans this midterm election. A blue wave. A Democratic tsunami. But the most apt may be a flood, with the casualties steadily rising as the vote count climbed in the days and weeks following Nov. 6. Eventually half the GOP congressional delegation was washed away, along with the entire slate of statewide Republican candidates. In Sacramento, Democrats claimed 29 of 40 state Senate seats and seized three-quarters of the 80-member Assembly the largest number since 1883, when Chester A. Arthur was serving in the White House. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print For the Republicans left in Californias Legislature, fewer lawmakers will have to do more work By John Myers From January to late summer every year, the California Legislature is a perpetual motion machine. And in the new year, the people most likely to struggle in keeping up will be Republicans, vastly outnumbered but still responsible for representing millions of the states residents. There are 22 standing committees in the state Senate, plus at least a dozen more subcommittees or special committees. And after Novembers election, only 11 Republican senators will be left to divvy up the work. To the victors go the spoils. To the vanquished go the extra assignments. Read More Advertisement Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Californias DMV failed to finish registering 329 new voters before November election (Los Angeles Times) Officials at the California Department of Motor Vehicles said Friday that the agency failed to send information for 329 new voters to state elections officers in time for the November election, the latest revelation in a string of mishaps regarding voter registration. Secretary of State Alex Padilla responded with a blistering letter, calling on Gov. Jerry Brown or Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom to replace Jean Shiomoto, the DMV director. The Director of DMV has lost my confidence and trust, Padilla wrote. In all, the agency revealed that 589 mailed voter registration records that should have been processed under election deadlines werent sent to Californias secretary of state until late November, including forms from 260 drivers who had intended to update their address on existing voter registration records. The DMV had been instructed to not send registration forms that came in after Oct. 22, but the voters in question had forms that were postmarked before the deadline. In some cases, when the postmark wasnt legible, the agency said, documents inside indicated the voter had intended to finish their registration in time for the Nov. 6 election. The DMV recognizes the pause in transmittals was an error and affected the timing of the registration of the 589 individuals referenced above relative to the November election, Shiomoto wrote in a letter to Padilla on Friday. The pause was due to a misunderstanding on the part of the department, for which we take responsibility. Those who were trying to update their address for voter registration would not have been blocked from casting ballots. But officials said its unclear whether any of the 329 new voters were able to participate in the election. Shiomoto said in her letter that DMV will work with elections officials. The errors were not related to previous DMV mistakes about registering voters, problems associated with the rollout of the states new motor voter law. In those cases, multiple registration forms were sent to local elections offices for some voters, some people were assigned the wrong political party preference and others who are noncitizens were incorrectly placed on the list of registered voters. DMV officials have yet to respond to questions posed by The Times over the last several weeks about who knew of those mistakes and when. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Newsom appoints a labor advocate and a former staffer as his chief deputy Cabinet secretaries By Taryn Luna A labor advocate and a San Francisco political operative have accepted positions in Gov.-elect Gavin Newsoms new administration. Angie Wei, a Capitol insider with deep ties to organized labor in California, will serve as a chief deputy Cabinet secretary with a focus on policy development. As a legislative director and chief of staff at the California Labor Federation, Wei has represented more than 1,200 unions and 2.1 million workers in Capitol fights over a host of policy issues, including drug-pricing transparen To the editor: Virginia Heffernans column on the doctors, lawyers and other professionals over many years who have made major ethical compromises in service to Donald Trump was sobering. I am a lawyer, so I am familiar with professional ethical tenets. President Trumps enablers are shameless. Their willingness to abandon their integrity so they can curry favor with Trump is inexcusable. Our current national nightmare may end sooner than the remaining two years of this administration thanks to the professional integrity of Justice Department Special Counsel Robert S. Mueller III. The Trump tragedy also includes some Republican legislators. These people are indeed professionals after all, serving as a lawmaker requires knowledge of the law. All of these enablers must face their own reckoning. Steven A. Ludsin, East Hampton, N.Y. Advertisement .. To the editor: I do not understand how Heffernan can conclude that Trumps grandfather, Friedrich Trump, was guilty of moral cowardice for having fled mandatory military service in the German Imperial Army when he was 16 years old in 1885. I hold no brief for either Trump, but Heffernan could have just as easily concluded that it took moral courage for Friedrich to escape (not slunk off) to North America instead of serving. My grandfather was conscripted into the Imperial Russian Army at the turn of the 20th century. I think it took great moral courage on his part to come to America, bring his young wife and family over as soon as possible and begin a new life here. He died in Pittsburgh of the Spanish flu in 1919 working for his familys future, not on a forsaken battlefield where he was destined to become cannon fodder. His thriving family lives on. Heffernan does not say why she believes Friedrichs act was moral cowardice. Can we then conclude that she believed it was the moral duty of good Germans to serve the kaisers imperial ambitions? Can we extrapolate from this her opinions on the Vietnam War protesters? Michael P. King, Beverly Hills .. To the editor: Heffernan concludes, When our current national nightmare is over, if it ever is, everyone from doctors and lawyers to PR firms and lobbyists who enabled the bad guys must face their own reckoning. Advertisement Why wait? Hold the enablers of Trump accountable now. The path to Trumps reckoning is through theirs. Brian Masson, Harbor City Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Not OK, Google. These three words chanted and splashed on signs during Novembers worldwide walkout of an estimated 20,000 Google employees summed up the newly combative mood emerging from the campuses of Silicon Valley. In November, the tech industrys most cherished assets its employees mobilized with speed and scale to question their companies controversial defense contracts, protest inequities in pay and promotion, and demand better protections for the contractors and part-timers who make up a significant chunk of techs workforce. The pushback presents yet another headache for tech executives, challenging some of the business fundamentals that have made the industry so successful and profitable. Considered in the context of Silicon Valleys longer history, however, this new worker activism is a promising and exciting development and it might end up being one of the best things to happen in the tech world in 2019. Even before the arrival of the silicon chips that gave the valley its name, the regions iconic companies consciously styled themselves as a new breed, one that treated employees well in a distinctive California-casual environment. Tech cant afford to have its talented white-collar workers walk out permanently. Advertisement Hewlett-Packard, founded in 1939 by two engineers who had spent little time in corporate America and had little enthusiasm for emulating it, set the tone from the start. Everyone wore shirtsleeves, enjoyed alfresco lunches at the employee cafeteria and played games of horseshoes out back when they needed a break. Co-founder Bill Hewlett called it management by wandering. When HP went public in the late 1950s, the entire white-collar workforce from founders to secretaries got a chunk of ownership in the company. As electronics and computer industries mushroomed up around Silicon Valley in successive decades, other companies invoked the HP way as their model. It became a land of open-space offices, jogging paths and raucous company happy hours. There was plenty that was problematic about this culture. By the 1980s, employees might have had Ferraris in their driveways, but 80- and 90-hour workweeks were common. One early Microsoft employee cheerfully referred to the company as a velvet sweatshop. The growing number of women in the industry quickly learned that success depended on their willingness to pull long hours and fit into a culture that was a strange mix of high school computer lab and frat house. The industry professed to be a meritocracy but placed a premium on recruiting people from a handful of top schools or, better yet, hired those referred by current employees. In the dot-com boom of the 1990s, Sun Microsystems filled 60% of its jobs through referral; Netscape hung a sign in its headquarters asking, Who is the best person youve ever worked with? How can we hire him/her? While the rest of corporate America diversified, techs culture become more homogeneous. Yet the considerable financial upside not to mention the genuine satisfaction gained from working on world-transforming products curbed employee dissent. Today, techies still work hard and play hard. The pay and perks of full-time employment have become richer than ever. At the same time, contract and temp work proliferates, both as a way for companies to keep costs lean and as a path for employees to step away from the punishing pace. (Not surprisingly, a number of white-collar contractors are mothers of small children.) The surge of worker activism came partly as a result of these long-building disparities. But it also is a sign that the technology industry is growing up. Management by wandering, pingpong tables, and hiring by referral may have worked well when technology was somewhat off to the side of American capitalism. Now, however, these companies and their products are the main event, driving the global economy in ways unimagined in the days of Hewlett and Packard. And the problematic things about current Silicon Valley culture the lack of diversity, the tolerance of bad behavior, the dramatic inequities within its workforce are limiting tech companies ability to continue their remarkable track record of innovation. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion Advertisement Talent is the most precious commodity in Silicon Valley. Our employees, Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page told investors back in 2004, are everything. The climbing walls and free snacks those arent PR gimmicks; theyre signals of a job market that remains fiercely competitive. Here are grounds for optimism. Tech cant afford to have its talented white-collar workers walk out permanently. Lawmakers in Washington may make noise about regulation and antitrust enforcement. Customers may delete their accounts. But, in 2019, sustained worker activism could have the most power of them all to alter the trajectory of where tech could go next. Margaret OMara is a professor of history at the University of Washington. Her next book, The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America, will be published in July. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook As I turned a corner, the animal was suddenly right there in all its furious glory, hissing a warning and baring its teeth. It was the first badger Id ever seen, and I beat a hasty retreat. But after that close encounter at Tejon Ranch 30 years ago, I watched from a distance, fascinated by this fearless little beast. Thats the kind of experience you often have at Tejon, one of Southern Californias most spectacular landscapes. Its vast boundaries extend from the San Joaquin Valley shrub lands to Sierra foothills to the Mojave Desert an ecologically extraordinary mix of Joshua trees, pines and oaks that yield to desert grasslands and stunning wildflower fields. To step onto Tejon (badger in Spanish) is to travel back to a time when much of the state was untrammeled wilderness. This 270,000-acre property, about an hour and half north of Los Angeles, is privately owned, but taxpayers have spent millions to safeguard wild places at Tejon, and the land is supposed to be protected by a conservation agreement. Yet this national treasure is not nearly protected enough. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently approved the 5,800-acre Centennial development on the ranch 19,000 homes and 8.4 million square feet of commercial space that would destroy crucial wildlife habitat. A second similar development, called Grapevine, in the Kern County portion of the ranch, is the subject of a recent lawsuit. Advertisement The conservation agreement allows harmful grazing, oil drilling and mining on portions of the preserved land. And now, the already limited public access to this breathtaking place, where condors soar above fields of wildflowers, has been further curbed by the ranch owners. Tejon is a living laboratory for biological diversity. The current problems at Tejon are rooted in negotiations a decade ago between the ranch owners, who were planning to develop the property, and environmental groups, who were likely to oppose those plans. Tejon offered a deal: It would set aside 90% of the ranch for conservation and fund a conservancy, run by the company and environmental groups, to oversee that land. In return, the organizations would refrain from publicly opposing the developments. To support the conservancy concept, the states Wildlife Conservation Board paid $15.8 million to Tejon for conservation easements agreements restricting damaging activities on 62,000 acres of land within the conservancy. Several environmental groups agreed to the deal: Audubon California, the Endangered Habitats League, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Planning and Conservation League and the Sierra Club. Others, including the Center for Biological Diversity, where I am a biologist, refused. Ten years later, the center has all the more reason to think it made a wise choice. In our estimation, half the land the ranch owners offered for conservation wasnt buildable anyway, and environmental pressures to protect rare and endangered species would have required the other half to be preserved. In other words, much of the same land could have been protected without environmental groups signing away their freedom to protest environmentally problematic developments. There were other problems with the agreement as well. The preserved land continues to be owned by Tejon Ranch rather than a conservancy or a public entity, and the company can dictate who comes on the land and who cant. Advertisement Earlier this year, the company banned botanist Nick Jensen and his organization, the California Native Plant Society, from the ranch, along with other groups associated with the society. As a company vice president said to the Los Angeles Times, the group was banned because of its public opposition to the Centennial development apparently a reference to a letter Jensen cosigned about the projects environmental impacts. Jensen was even banned from the areas covered by the states conservation easement, which is supported with public dollars. Thats a serious blow. Tejon is a living laboratory for biological diversity, including a new buckwheat species discovered on the ranch. All scientists with a legitimate reason to be on the land should have access. Even as the Tejon Ranch Company punishes its critics, there are growing financial concerns about the flawed conservation agreement. The nonprofit conservancy currently runs on loans from the company. The money to repay those loans and fund future operations is supposed to come mostly from fees from three Tejon development projects but none have yet broken ground. Despite the green light from the L.A. County supervisors, Centennial needs additional approvals and may face environmental lawsuits. Advertisement Unlike the groups that entered the agreement, my organization is able to oppose problematic aspects of the developments in court. Earlier this month, in response to a lawsuit filed the center, a judge found the environmental review for Tejons Grapevine inadequate. The judge ordered Kern County to rescind approvals for the development. Whats the solution? For decades, my organizations vision for a majority of the ranchs iconic wilderness has been a publicly accessible park. Indeed, the conservation agreement even specifies a commitment to working together with the Conservancy to establish a California state park, but that hasnt materialized. State and local officials should be stepping up to ensure the preservation of this land, as well as reasonable and fair public access to it. They shouldnt be allowing sprawling development in areas that are of tremendous environmental value. Future generations deserve the opportunity to be enchanted by Tejon Ranch. They should hear the wind whistling through pine needles, enjoy the rich smell of leaves under a massive mother oaks lush canopy, and meet a cantankerous badger in the grasslands. Advertisement Ileene Anderson is a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), said Tuesday that he would push forward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and was ready to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at any time. "I am always ready to sit down again with the U.S. president at any time and will make efforts to produce an outcome that the international community would welcome," Kim said. In his New Year speech broadcast on the state-run television, he stressed his determination to work to build new relations with the United States, establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and seek "complete denuclearization," on the condition that the United States takes corresponding measures. "We could be left with no choice but to seek a new way if the U.S. does not make good on its promises, misjudges our patience, while seeking to force things unilaterally and clinging to sanctions and pressure," Kim warned. The DPRK leader said he was willing to reopen the inter-Korean industrial park in the border city of Kaesong and resume a suspended tour program to Mount Kumgang on the east coast "without any preconditions." Both the Industrial park and Mount Kumgang tourist zone have been closed for a few years. Congress can help atone for the nations horrific past by finally making lynching a federal crime Since the Civil War, Americans have struggled to define what seems to be obvious: What is a lynching? It conjures visions of a mob pulling a man from a jail cell, hauling him to a tree and throwing a rope over a branch. But debates have centered on how how many people must take part in such an extrajudicial killing for it to qualify as a lynching (the NAACP suggested in 1921 at least five). And must the motive be racial? Was the hanging of a suspected white horse thief in the Wild West by ranch hands the same as a white Southern mob, amid taunts, jeers and spit, turning a black man accused of insulting a white woman into strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees, as Billie Holliday once sang? Do the nuances really matter? Its true that not all lynching victims were black, but blacks were overwhelmingly the targets (and many white victims of lynching had defended blacks or opposed lynching). We cannot sever that horrific practice from our disgraceful history of racism. Slavery was abominable, and to this day the nation is influenced by the riches from New England shipowners to New York financiers to Southern farmers and brokers and the evils of our original sin. Lynching became slaverys evil spawn, acts of indefensible extrajudicial brutality meant to scare former slaves and their descendants to hew to their constricted place in a white society. After slavery, these acts of terrorism more than 4,700 documented cases from 1882 to 1968 became the ultimate expression of racism and white supremacy. Rather than being shamed, some whites celebrated racial lynching. Photographers sold pictures and postcards as souvenirs; to this day you can see white faces beam smiles into the camera as bloody bodies dangle gruesomely overhead. Some of the cards collected and posted on the Without Sanctuary site, part of a 1999 book and film project, are shocking in the banality of the notes to friends. Well John, reads the back of one card sent to Dr. John W.F. Williams of Lafayette, Ky. This is a token of a great day we had in Dallas, March 3, a negro was hung for an assault on a three year old girl. I saw this on my noon hour. I was very much in the bunch. You can see the negro hanging on a telephone pole. That photo was dated March 3, 1910 two years after the post office supposedly banned lynching cards from the mails. It is to this nations continuing embarrassment that Congress has, for generations, failed to make lynching a federal crime (Philip Dray documented the history in his At the Hands of Persons Unknown: The Lynching of Black America). It wouldnt act more than a century ago when it might have made a difference, as local prosecutors looked the other way or local juries refused to indict or convict. And it wont act today, even after the laws necessity has faded and its value resides primarily in its symbolism. The old argument against a federal anti-lynching law is that murder is a state crime and not the business of the federal government. States rights and all that. But that argument was fig leaf over the racism that propelled lynching, in which local and state prosecutions of the perpetrators were rare, convictions rarer still. The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection of the laws, and when local communities in numbers small and large come together to use collective violence to repress African Americans, that is clearly a federal interest. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) has co-sponsored a fresh piece of legislation to classify a lynching as a deprivation of civil rights essentially a federal anti-lynching law that she says would give the Justice Department a few more teeth in prosecuting attempted lynching and conspiracy. Yet as Times reporter Jaweed Kaleem wrote this week, the prognosis for its passage isnt much better than the fate of its 200-plus predecessors. Why is unclear. It could be that lynching has moved to an out of sight, out of mind status, even though three white supremacists lynched James Byrd Jr. only 20 years ago in East Texas by beating him then chaining him to a truck while he was still alive and dragging him three miles. All three perpetrators were convicted; one has been executed, a second is on death row and the third is serving a life sentence. Those local authorities, unlike their predecessors elsewhere in the South, did their jobs. So, some question, why bother with a law now? Isnt this just a symbolic gesture? Yes, it is a symbolic gesture. But a necessary one. Lynching served as a powerfully intimidating symbol behave yourselves, lest you meet the same fate that resonates today. Racism in the workplace often surfaces as a noose left in a locker or on a desk. Three years ago two members of the University of Oklahomas Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity were expelled (inappropriately given the right to even hateful speech) and the chapter shut down after a video surfaced of members singing a song including the N-word, You can hang em from a tree / But hell never sign with me / There will never be a ... SAE. Just last year, nooses were left at the African American Museum in Washington, D.C. The symbolic weight of that despicable act is heavy. The U.S. Senate did approve a resolution in 2005 apologizing to lynching victims and their descendants for failing to act in the past. It passed in a late-night voice vote; 11 senators opted not to co-sponsor it. We cannot, of course, turn back the calendar and undo the sins of our forebears. But we also cannot ignore them, or their legacy. In an era in which African Americans take to the streets to protest the killings of unarmed black men by police, when reported hate crimes are on the upswing, when the president uses dog-whistle racism to mobilize his hard-right political base, when minority neighborhoods are over-policed and when African Americans disproportionately are subject to death sentences, Congress standing up now and correcting this historical wrong by making lynching a federal crime would send a powerful symbol to the entire nation. And not passing this measure would also send a message, one that would reflect poorly on Congress, and on the nation. Preliminary numbers indicate that homicides in Chicago fell by about 100 last year compared with 2017, though the total again eclipsed the number of homicides in Los Angeles and New York combined, according to data released Tuesday. Police in Chicago, the nations third-largest city, report that 561 homicides were committed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2018. That compares to 660 homicides in 2017 and more than 770 in 2016, which marked a 19-year high that put a national spotlight on Chicagos persistently dire rates of gun violence. Chicago police credit the decreases in part to the addition of more than 1,000 new officers in recent years. Police also cite the creation of high-tech nerve centers in 20 of 22 police districts, where officers rely on gunshot-detection technology and predictive analytics that help quickly get police to areas where violence is most likely to erupt. Are we where we want to be? Of course not, Police Supt. Eddie Johnson told the Chicago Tribune in a recent interview. But he added: I do think we are taking steps in the right direction. Advertisement Official numbers for 2018 are expected to be released in several weeks, according to the department. Johnson has previously said a reasonable goal would be to one day get the annual number of homicides to below 300. Although the decrease in 2018 is significant, the homicide total is a repeat of 2016 and 2017, when the number of killings in Chicago was higher than the combined total in the countrys two other largest cities. As of about mid-December, New York reported 278 homicides and Los Angeles 243. President Trump has often singled out Chicagos high homicide rate, tweeting in 2017: If Chicago doesnt fix the horrible carnage ... I will send in the Feds! Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has accused Trump of oversimplifying the problem and potential solutions. While homicide numbers dropped in many districts in Chicago in 2018, they went up in several neighborhoods on the citys south and west sides. Those areas have been plagued for years by gun and gang-related violence, including Englewood and West Garfield Park. Victims of gun violence in 2018 included 12-year-old Shenyah OFlynn of Covert, Mich., who was spending time with her father in Chicago over the summer. Police said she probably wasnt an intended victim when she was shot while getting out of a car in West Garfield Park. Police have said most killings in Chicago are tied to street gangs, with members vying for control of territory or simply retaliating for perceived slights by gang rivals, which these days are typically communicated through social media. The number of shootings fell 14% in 2018 compared with the same period last year, and the numbers are down 32% since 2016, when there were more than 3,500 shootings. Through Dec. 31, 2018, there were 2,391 shootings in Chicago. Advertisement More than 9,500 illegal guns were seized in 2018, the most in five years, a police statement on the data said. Closer cooperation between local and federal law enforcement has also led to an increase in federal gun prosecutions in recent years, police said. Overall, crime citywide was down 10% in 2018 compared with the year before. Robberies and carjackings were both down 19%, and car thefts decreased 11%, the department figures show. The addition of more than 200 license-plate reader systems in squad cars, bringing the total number to 240, has aided police in locating stolen vehicles, the department said. The release of the crime data comes as a judge continues to mull whether to approve an over 200-page plan drafted by the city and the Illinois attorney general to reform Chicago police under federal court supervision. Advertisement The Police Department and the mayor have been criticized since the 2014 slaying of black teenager Laquan McDonald by a white police officer. McDonald was shot 16 times by Officer Jason Van Dyke, who was convicted of second-degree murder in October. A video, which showed the teen holding a knife and walking away from officers, prompted an investigation of the Police Department by the Justice Department, which found widespread abuses. Other officers are accused of trying to coordinate false reports to protect Van Dyke. Emanuel and police brass began implementing reforms well before the consent decree was presented to U.S. District Judge Robert Dow for approval. The draft plan stems from a lawsuit filed by Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, one that was not opposed by Emanuel. Emmy Award-winning writer Bob Einstein, who was best known as cocky stuntman Super Dave Osborne and Larry Davids newly devout friend, Marty Funkhouser, on HBOs Curb Your Enthusiasm, has died. He was 76. Einstein died at home in Indian Wells, Calif., on Wednesday, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer, spokesman Michael Hansen confirmed to The Times. The Einstein family did not specify the type of cancer the actor was diagnosed with, but asked that donations be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Hansen said. The raspy-voiced star was born Stewart Robert Einstein in Los Angeles on Nov. 20, 1942. His father was radio comedian Harry Einstein, who was also known as Parkyakarkus, and his mother was actress Thelma Leeds. The actors older brother is retired advertising executive Cliff Einstein, and his younger brother is comedian, writer and director Albert Brooks. Advertisement R.I.P. My dear brother Bob Einstein. A great brother, father and husband. A brilliantly funny man. You will be missed forever, Brooks tweeted on Wednesday. R.I.P. My dear brother Bob Einstein. A great brother, father and husband. A brilliantly funny man. You will be missed forever. Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) January 2, 2019 The comedy veteran got his start in television writing in the 1970s for variety shows such as The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, where he played Officer Judy, who memorably gave Liberace a speeding ticket for playing the piano too fast in a 1969 episode. Tom Smothers made our life by giving us that, Einstein said in a statement released by the family. The quick-witted, physical comedian also wrote and appeared on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and NBCs Van Dyke and Company, the latter of which debuted the goofy daredevil Super Dave Osborne, whose white-and-blue jumpsuit Einstein repeatedly donned in comedy specials throughout the years. Super Daves feats always went wrong, with the stuntman usually ending up crushed, mangled or flattened. The character was popularized on Showtime and late-night talk shows, and one iconic sketch included a reluctant Super Dave falling off of Torontos CN Tower. The whole character of Super Dave is a takeoff on people who pontificate, Einstein told The Times in 1995. So one thing I never want to do is pontificate why this works, why this is funny. I have no idea what the appeal is. All we are trying to do is make people have a good time and laugh. Advertisement He won his two Primetime Emmy Awards in 1969 and 1977 for his work on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and Van Dyke and Company. Einstein most recently appeared in 22 episodes of HBOs Curb Your Enthusiasm, playing Larry Davids devout neighbor Marty Funkhouser from 2004 to 2017, notably appearing in the shows Seinfeld reunion episode in which he recites an off-color joke to the shows star Jerry Seinfeld. Because of his illness, Einstein was unable to complete episodes in the shows upcoming 10th season, which airs this year. Never have I seen an actor enjoy a role the way Bob did playing Marty Funkhouser on Curb, David said in a statement to The Times. It was an amazing, unforgettable experience knowing and working with him. There was no one like him, as he told us again and again. Were all in a state of shock. Curb costar Cheryl Hines and writer and producer David Mandel shared their condolences on social media, along with a slew of other celebrities. Advertisement We lost a friend today. thanks for all of the laughs on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Our love to Bobs family, Hines wrote. The comedy world will miss you. Very sad, Mandel tweeted. Got to work with him on #Curb Had heard he was sick. Will never forget him telling @jerryseinfeld the dirty joke about the newlyweds. Einstein is survived by his wife, Roberta Einstein; his daughter Erin Einstein Dale; son-in-law Andrew Dale; and his grandchildren Ethan and Zoe. He is also survived by his brothers. Officials have announced they are closing sections of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks because of the partial shutdown of the federal government. The announcement, made late Monday, follows a similar closure announced for Joshua Tree National Park. In both cases, park officials said the government shutdown has prevented them from maintaining conditions that are safe for park visitors. In Sequoia and Kings Canyon, about 250 miles north of Los Angeles, furloughed park employees have been unable to maintain the safety of roads and certain walking paths in winter conditions. In Joshua Tree, 130 miles east of Los Angeles, workers have been unable to empty vault toilets, which are near capacity. Advertisement Sequoia and Kings Canyon officials said that as of 6 p.m. Monday they had closed the Generals Highway at Hospital Rock. The closure extends through Giant Forest and Lodgepole, through to Lost Grove. Trash receptacles are overflowing, resulting in litter dispersal throughout the area and a threat to wildlife, the park service said in a news release. Vehicular congestion, motor vehicle accidents, and icy roadways have led to up to three-hour delays on the Generals Highway. Popular walking paths have also become more hazardous: The Grant Tree Trail, normally minimally maintained by sanding, has become extraordinarily slick. The ice and snow has become compressed and glazed due to heavy traffic, causing multiple falls and at least one injury. Officials emphasized the importance of checking current road and weather conditions by calling (559) 565-3341. The park service said some privately operated facilities in these areas would also have to close. It is likely these closures will remain in effect for the duration of the government shutdown, the agency said in a release. To be sure, areas of the parks would be closed anyway because of winter weather conditions. Cedar Grove Lodge and Bearpaw High Sierra Camp fall into this category, as does the mountain road linking the two parks. The lodges that would normally remain open have tried to remain so. Their employees are not directly affected by the government shutdown because they work for a private company. But visitor centers are closed and roadside facilities are not being maintained. Advertisement At the privately run Wuksachi Lodge, a manager of the off-site reservation center said that the park service was allowing guests to stay at the lodge through Tuesday night, but on Wednesday the lodge would close. In the meantime, guests were not allowed to hike on nearby trails. As of Tuesday night, John Muir Lodge and some of the Grant Grove cabins in Kings Canyon were to remain open. The status of all facilities would be reviewed on a day-to-day basis, said the manager, who requested anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak on behalf of the park or the private operator. The partial shutdown is the result of a standoff between President Trump and Congress over the federal budget. The bad political weather in Washington, D.C., has wreaked havoc in the economy surrounding the parks, said Nicky French, owner of Buckaroo Diner and the Ol Buckaroo food truck in nearby Three Rivers. Advertisement She called the situation chaos. All of the services that go into maintaining public land are not being done, French said. Some tourists who were unaware of the shutdown have tried driving into the park on icy roads and quickly turned around. Others are canceling Airbnb reservations and other accommodations. The town has lost thousands and thousands of dollars, French said. Its a very small economy, and its an economy that relies on tourism. Advertisement To the south, in Joshua Tree, campgrounds will close at noon Wednesday. Officials say they are basing the closure on health and safety concerns. The parks vault toilets are near capacity. Also, park visitor centers, flush toilets, water-filling stations and dump stations are all closed because of the shutdown. Some rangers remained to patrol the 1,235-square-mile park, a popular winter destination for hikers and rock climbers, but park officials said Monday that human waste in public areas, off-road driving and other infractions are becoming a problem as the government shutdown drags on. howard.blume@latimes.com Twitter: @howardblume Federal prosecutors said Pacific Gas & Electric Co. may have violated the terms of its probation in a 2010 criminal case for its role in igniting deadly wildfires that ravaged Northern Californias wine country last year. In a court filing Monday, the U.S. attorneys office said state investigators found evidence that the utility violated state law in 11 fires including the Atlas fire that killed six people that broke out in October 2017. These facts, specifically if PG&E started a wildfire by reckless operation or maintenance of its power lines, may serve as a basis for the judge to find that the utility violated probation, federal prosecutors said. They added that they dont have enough information on the utilitys potential role in this years Camp fire in Butte County the deadliest wildfire on record in state history to determine whether it amounted to a probation violation. Advertisement The embattled utility acknowledged in a separate court filing that it could face additional legal trouble if found responsible for igniting the blazes. Its already facing heavy scrutiny and a slew of lawsuits. If it were determined that a wildfire had been started by reckless operation or maintenance of PG&E power lines, that would, if the specific circumstances gave rise to a violation of federal, state or local statutes, implicate the requirements of its probation, the companys lawyers said in the filing. They pointed out the utilitys ongoing cooperation with state investigations probing its role in wildfires, and said that out of the 315 wildfires reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in 2017 in the utilitys service area, 40 of them were allegedly linked to PG&E equipment. The utility has not admitted any wrongdoing in the Camp fire, which started the morning of Nov. 8 and within hours overtook three mountain communities and displaced up to 50,000 people in Butte County. Eighty-six people were killed. While the cause of the Camp fire is still under investigation, state investigators are probing whether problems on a transmission line ignited the blaze and have identified two potential ignition points located near PG&E equipment. The company has said it found bullet-riddled equipment and felled branches on power lines elsewhere within the fires massive footprint. The companys lawyers noted in their filing that a utility worker was one of the first to alert authorities to the blaze. The filings came at the request of U.S. District Judge William Alsup, who is overseeing the utilitys probation in a criminal case stemming from the deadly San Bruno gas pipeline blast, which killed eight people in 2010. PG&E was found guilty of several crimes in that case, including obstructing a National Transportation Safety Board probe, and sentenced to five years probation. It was also ordered to pay a $3-million fine. Under the terms of its probation, the utility was not supposed to commit any other crimes. Advertisement Alsup also asked California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerras office to weigh in on potential criminal charges the utility could face in connection with any wildfire since its sentencing. Becerras office said last week that the utility could be charged with a range of crimes, including murder or involuntary manslaughter, if authorities determine that recent wildfires ignited as a result of the reckless operation or maintenance of power lines. alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek A federal appeals court decided Wednesday that the U.S. government must pay millions of dollars to lawyers for a Muslim woman who was mistakenly classified as a potential terrorist and placed on a no-fly list. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, in an 8-3 ruling, found that federal lawyers engaged in scorched earth litigation for nearly a decade against the former Stanford University graduate student, even though they knew she posed no threat. Once the government discovers that its litigation position is baseless, it may not continue to defend it, Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw, a Clinton appointee, wrote for the majority. The case was brought by Rahinah Ibrahim, who was detained at San Francisco International Airport in 2005 when she attempted to leave the country for a Stanford conference. Advertisement Although she eventually was allowed to depart, she was denied reentry. She challenged the governments denial in a lawsuit. While Dr. Ibrahim stood in limbo, unaware of her status on any list and unable to return to the United States, even to attend the trial of her own case, the government was well aware that her placement on the no-fly list was a mistake from the get-go, Wardlaw wrote. Ibrahim ended up on the no-fly list in 2004 because an FBI agent misread a form, the court said. Ibrahims case was the first to test the no-fly list and provided a legal road map for others to challenge mistaken placements on government watchlists. The government finally admitted that Ibrahim had been placed on the list by mistake two days before trial and eight years after the suit was filed. During those years, the government vigorously contested Ibrahims attempts to discover information about her placement on the list and lodged more than 200 objections during depositions of witnesses, the 9th Circuit said. Although the government knew as early as 2005 of the mistake, its lawyers essentially doubled-down over the course of the litigation with a no-holds-barred defense, the court said. After Ibrahim won her case, a district judge awarded her $419,987.36 in legal fees and $34,768.71 in expenses. She appealed, arguing that the amount was too low, and Wednesdays decision overturned that award. Advertisement The appeals court reversed a finding that the government had not acted in bad faith. A bad-faith finding allows for legal fees to be recovered at market rates instead of at $125 an hour. The 9th Circuit called Ibrahims legal efforts pathbreaking and extraordinary. Dr. Ibrahim was the first person ever to force the government to admit a terrorist watchlisting mistake, the court said. As a result of her efforts, those misplaced on the no-fly list can contest that placement, and, if misplaced, regain their right to flight, the court said. Advertisement Lawyers representing Ibrahim without charge incurred more than $3.6 million in expenses, and the vast majority of that amount should be reimbursed, the 9th Circuit said. Judge Consuelo M. Callahan, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, dissented, joined by Judges N. Randy Smith, also appointed by Bush, and Jacqueline H. Nguyen, an Obama appointee. They disagreed with the majoritys conclusion that the governments position in the case was unjustified. They also disagreed with the majoritys decision to overturn the finding that the government had not acted in bad faith. Advertisement maura.dolan@latimes.com Twitter: @mauradolan Prosecutors have charged a man with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a Central Valley police officer. Gustavo Perez Arriaga, a Mexican national living in the country illegally, was charged Wednesday, according to John Goold, spokesman for the Stanislaus County district attorneys office. At an arraignment that afternoon, Arriagas attorney declared his client incompetent to stand trial. Criminal proceedings were suspended as required by law and a doctor was appointed to examine the defendant and provide a report on whether or not he is legally competent to stand trial, Goold said in an email. In court, Arriaga told the judge his true name is Paulo Virgen Mendoza, according to local news outlets. A criminal complaint includes several aliases. Advertisement His next court date is set for Feb. 7. Authorities arrested Arriaga last week in the death of Newman Police Cpl. Ronil Singh on Dec. 26. The 33-year-old officer stopped Arriaga on suspicion of a probable DUI, authorities said. Arriaga, who had two prior arrests for suspected drunk driving, tried to flee to his native Mexico after the fatal shooting, Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said. After Singhs death, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a statement expressing concern that Californias sanctuary laws continue to undermine public safety and cause preventable crimes by restricting law enforcement cooperation and allowing public safety threats back into the community to reoffend. ICE had had no prior encounters with Arriaga. There have been several arrests in connection with Singhs death, including Arriagas two brothers, his girlfriend and a co-worker, who are facing charges of being accessories after the fact. Last week, President Trump tweeted about the case: Time to get tough on Border Security. Build the Wall! Local news outlets reported that dozens of demonstrators showed up outside the courthouse for Arriagas arraignment, holding signs that read Blue Lives Matter and Make California Safe Again Amend SB-54. Advertisement Im not here to talk about the president of the United States, but I will repeat what I said before, Christianson said in a news conference last week. Border security goes hand in hand with national security, goes hand in hand with public safety, goes hand in hand with the safety of our community. brittny.mejia@latimes.com Twitter: @Brittny_Mejia The city of Malibu and the county of Los Angeles will begin examining the response to and recovery from the Woolsey fire, the fast-moving and most destructive wildfire in recent Southern California history. Citing the new era of threat from wildfires, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously last month to convene a panel to review the cause of the Woolsey fire, the deployment of firefighters, evacuation procedures and the communication among first responders, police and municipalities. For the record: An earlier version of this article said the Malibu City Council had designated two members to a special committee to look at the citys response to the Woolsey fire. The council discussed designating the members. Also, an earlier version said the Woolsey fire was contained on Thanksgiving Day. It was contained Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving. The fire broke out Nov. 8 and quickly spread to more than 96,000 acres, killing three people and destroying more than 1,600 structures before it was contained on Nov. 21. Officials have said thousands of homes were saved, but residents in the flames path have criticized firefighters and authorities for a slow response, a paucity of firefighting resources and conflicting evacuation information. Advertisement Its clear that a comprehensive review of the countys response and recovery procedures will be valuable to ensure that we are increasingly better prepared for the heightened fire risk we now face, as well as to answer questions raised by my constituents, said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, whose district includes several communities in the Santa Monica Mountains directly affected by the blaze. The countys committee will be made up of law enforcement, state and local firefighting agencies, and representatives from cities including Malibu, Calabasas and Agoura Hills. The committee will work with the countys chief executive, who will also hire an outside consultant to study the overall Woolsey fire response. The supervisors will receive progress reports every 90 days detailing strengths and weaknesses of the disaster response and recommendations for handling future catastrophes. In Malibu, where about 440 homes were destroyed in the fire, the City Council unanimously voted last month to create its own special committee to begin looking at the citys response to the fire as well as ways to improve evacuations and prepare for future events. It was a disaster, on every level. It was a total disaster. All of our systems werent up for this because we werent ready, Councilman Mikke Pierson said at the meeting. Im much more interested in how we get ready and how we improve. The scope and structure of Malibus special committee was unclear, but the City Council discussed designating two members Skylar Peak and Rick Mullen to lead the group. Mullen said the pair could propose specific subgroups with narrower tasks, such as reviewing evacuation plans. Evacuations for Malibus eastern end, which was mostly untouched in the Woolsey fire, were a priority. The City Council is expected to finalize the special committee at its Jan. 14 meeting. Meanwhile, Malibu will create a website where residents can submit suggestions for disaster response and recovery. The entire City Council and I are absolutely committed to helping the residents of Malibu rebuild and get back on their feet as quickly and safely as possible, Mayor Jefferson Wagner said in a statement. Advertisement Like so many of you, my house burned down, so I am going through this together with you. Part of the healing process includes understanding what happened and why it happened, and making improvements for the future, which is why the formation of a disaster committee is so important. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno After a 79-year-old woman was raped in her own home, genetic genealogist CeCe Moore had to work fast. The assailant was still out there. Her mind raced. I have got to find him now, before he reoffends, she thought. I felt like it was a life-or-death situation. Police had asked her to identify the rapist in the April attack in St. George, Utah. The idea was to plug his DNA into a public database and find his family tree. Maybe then they could deduce his name. Advertisement I was sweating, Moore said. I felt like I was battling to get to the other side of a dark jungle just to solve that. Moore and her team quickly provided a name. Police soon arrested a suspect. Moore, a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Penasquitos, is one of the biggest names in genetic genealogy, which made national headlines in 2018 as a tool to help identify high-profile rape and murder suspects, most famously the suspected Golden State Killer. Moore is recognizable from the PBS documentary show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr., in which she helps the Harvard scholar dig into the ancestry of celebrities and notables. Shes also become an expert in cases of people trying to identify their birth parents. In 2016, her work was featured on ABCs 20/20, in which she figured out that three people who had been abandoned in Los Angeles as newborns in the 1980s all had the same mother. Moore recently joined Virginia-based Parabon NanoLabs to lead its forensic genealogy unit. In September, the company said in a statement that it had solved 10 cases in the first 100 days of operation. The field of genetic genealogy itself had a breakout year in 2018. The method made its big-stage debut as a crime-solving tool in April with the announcement that it had been used to catch Joseph James DeAngelo, the suspected Golden State Killer, so named for a series of long crimes that included more than 50 rapes and at least 13 slayings throughout California from 1974 to 1986. Advertisement Heres how it works: Police upload DNA from a crime scene into a public repository of DNA profiles and look for a potential match. If there is enough of a family connection between the crime scene sample and a profile in the database, a genetic genealogist like Moore might shake a name out of the family tree. Moore has identified suspects in more than two dozen cases thus far. This is really just the beginning of genetic genealogy and law enforcement, Moore said last month. I knew the potential all along. I knew this was coming for a long time. Moore said that, in all the cases she has worked on, only once did the name she provided to police match someone already on their list of suspects. Advertisement Police dont run out and make arrests based solely on the names genealogists provide. Once they have a name, the investigation continues. Really, we are just giving them a highly scientific tip, Moore said. In Carlsbad, that kind of tip solved a cold case. Finding a Carlsbad killer Barbara Rae-Venter, the genetic genealogist who helped crack the Golden State Killer case, is retired after a career as a patent attorney. This new line of work is a hobby, she told the San Diego Union-Tribune in November. Advertisement Her hobby also provided some answers for a Carlsbad family who lost a daughter to a killer on Valentines Day 2007. Jodine Serrin, 39, was developmentally disabled but highly functioning and lived in an apartment not far from her parents home. Nearly 12 years ago, the Serrins stopped by the apartment and found their daughter naked and beaten to death in her bed. After Rae-Venter identified DeAngelo as the suspect in the Golden State Killer case, Carlsbad police turned to her for help in their case. Rae-Venter took the DNA evidence from the crime scene and traced it to an Oceanside man as the most likely assailant. The suspect, who was 38 at the time of Serrins death, had taken his own life in 2011. Advertisement Before Rae-Venters work on the case, detectives did not have somebody to look at as a potential suspect, Carlsbad police Lt. Greg Koran said in November. Its the first known case in the San Diego area solved using genetic genealogy. Teasing out a killers name Do-it-yourself genetic testing has become popular over the last few years. Companies like Ancestry or 23andMe offer kits that can be ordered online. Users swab the inside of a cheek and seal the swab in a tube, then mail it in to the company for testing. The companies then analyze the samples and provide the customer with a profile of their DNA. Advertisement The consumer sites do not upload DNA information into the public databases, and they do not work with police. But customers, if they choose, can upload their DNA profile to a public database GEDmatch, created by citizen scientists, is the biggest. Once their profiles are uploaded, people can search for relatives who share parts of their profile. GEDmatchs terms of service make it clear that the information is also available to police investigating violent crimes such as rape or murder. Genetic genealogists use DNA evidence to build out family trees, working backward through genealogical records to find ancestors of customers who share genes with a criminal suspect. A third-cousin match, for example, means the two people share a great-grandparent, providing a crucial link that can be used to find other descendants of that shared ancestor. Advertisement What about privacy? For all its fans, genetic genealogy is still very new as a forensic tool. There is no formal training or certification for this job. Its not yet courtroom-tested. Its controversial. And then there are concerns about privacy and civil rights. This year, an ACLU attorney argued in the Washington Post that uploading DNA from a crime scene into a public database might have violated DeAngelos privacy rights. People may not be so troubled by such an intrusion when it comes to a serial killer, attorney Vera Eidelman wrote, but imagine the implications of using this technique for shoplifters or trespassers. Advertisement None of the arrests in DNA genetic genealogy cases throughout the country have made it to trial, but at least one has ended with a guilty plea. In Indiana last month, a man admitted that he abducted, raped and killed an 8-year-old Fort Wayne girl in 1988. John D. Miller was sentenced to 80 years in prison. Moore and the team she leads at Parabon NanoLabs had identified him. There wont be Golden State Killers Moore says she has helped solve more than two dozen cases, including two in which the suspect was still active. Those are the priority. Advertisement They are going to go to the head of the list of the 100 or so cases that we have waiting, Moore said. If we can save a life or keep a woman from being raped, it will be worth it. And that was why she had sleepless nights while working to identify the suspect in the rape of the 79-year-old woman in Utah. If it starts being used earlier in the investigations, there wont be Golden State Killers, Moore said. There wont be long-career criminals, because we are going to catch them much faster. Figueroa writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. For Chinese taxpayers, 2019 kicks off with a big New Year gift a notable decrease in income tax from January 1. Under the new personal income law, taxpayers can claim deductions for expenses on children's education, continuing education, health treatment for serious diseases, housing loan interests, rent and elderly care. The deductible amount under each category ranges from 1,000 yuan per month to 2,000 yuan per month. The move, following the new tax brackets that raised the minimum threshold for personal income tax from 3,500 yuan to 5,000 yuan per month starting last October 1, is the latest by Chinese authorities to relieve the household tax burden in the hope of spurring growth. Finance Minister Liu Kun said the changes will improve the income distribution system and people's livelihoods as well as release consumption potential. To get a clear understanding of how the new regulation works and how much of a tax cut an average taxpayer can enjoy per month, see the following infographic: The average wage in Beijing in the first half of 2018 was 10,531 yuan, according to a report by Zhaopin.com, a leading recruitment website in China. The calculation above shows that under the new regulation, the tax burden for some could be reduced to zero. According to a research report by CITIC Securities, one of China's major investment banks, more than 100 million Chinese people will no longer have to pay taxes from January 1. To make it easy and convenient for taxpayers to handle their income tax deductions, Chinas' State Administration of Taxation has launched an app, through which one can complete a tax form within minutes. An interface of the app launched by China's State Administration of Taxation for taxpayers to claim deductions for six types of expenses. /CGTN Photo Experts said the new tax law would particularly benefit China's low-and-middle-income population, and middle-aged breadwinners who are usually burdened by the cost of renting or buying an apartment, raising children and taking care of the elderly. "With all the deductions from the tax base, I will get about 600 yuan more every month in my pocket, which sums up to over 7,000 yuan in a year. That's a substantial increase," said Sun, a Beijing-based white collar. "I think it's beneficial for the working class. The cost of living in Beijing is quite high, especially the rent. The tax cut, though not too much, will ease my burden. But my rent is much higher than 1,500 yuan, and I hope the deductible amount for rent could be more in the future," said Chen, who's been working in Beijing for last three years. Tax plan for year-end bonus After the release of the draft plan for personal income tax on December 24, many have been wondering how their year-end bonus, which usually comes after January 1, will be impacted. On December 27, China's Ministry of Finance released a new rate schedule for taxes on individual year-end bonus, which also brings good news to the working class as it means less tax on the bonus. Vanessa Redgrave has crafted an impressive career since beginning as a theater actress in the 1960s. Redgrave, 81, has starred in everything from massive blockbusters like Mission: Impossible to period dramas like Howards End, accumulating Oscars, Emmys and Golden Globes along the way. She continues to perform on the stage (shes currently in The Inheritance in London) and is interested in projects that give her the opportunity to work with intelligent directors, a trait she considers of highest importance in her collaborators. Redgraves latest film, The Aspern Papers, opening Jan. 11, is an adaptation of Henry James novella and also stars her daughter Joely Richardson (in the role Redgrave played in a 1984 London stage revival). Being part of the film offered Redgrave an opportunity to revisit the story from a new angle in a new role. I hadnt played the part before, she notes. I didnt know the character before, and its quite a different thing seeing other actresses play a role than playing it yourself. Here Redgrave looks back on some of her most pivotal projects, including Atonement, Howards End and Julia, as well as some of her more fun movies, like Letters to Juliet. The Aspern Papers, Juliana Bordereau (2018) Advertisement I first came across this story when my father [Michael Redgrave] wrote a play [in 1959, based on the novel]. I thought it was a terrific play, and then I convinced some West End producers to do it with me, and I got Christopher Reeve to play the American writer and another wonderful actress called Wendy Hiller. That was a big success here in London, and I always retained a love for that story. Its even more remarkable that its based on true events. This is a huge, rich bed filled with compost and plants of different generations, which Ive been involved with. Joely got me involved with this production, which was directed by Julian Landais, and I was so interested because Id played Miss Tina in two theater productions. So I fell for it, and Im very glad I did. Call the Midwife, Mature Jennifer Worth (2012-2018) Vanessa Redgrave guest stars on the Call the Midwife Holiday Special on KOCE. (Laurence Cendrowicz /) I hugely admire the producers, Pippa Harris and Rosemary Tricklebank. Their attention to detail in the social history of giving birth is terrific. Letters to Juliet, Claire (2010) This studio film is really delightful. Amanda Seyfried is a darling to work with. And I had the good chance to get married [on-screen] to my true-life husband, Franco Nero. Atonement, Older Briony (2007) Ian McEwan is a great writer, and its a great novel. And, as always, the director was important. Saoirse Ronan played the younger version of my character and shes a superb actress. Joe Wright is an extremely remarkable director and young man. It was exciting working with him. Hes very intelligent in his thoughts, about his scenes, how to direct spatially. Theres a lot more to the work of a director at least the great ones than most people who love film think. His choices of rhythms and movements were amazing. When I find a director who is not only extremely aware, I really connect. Advertisement Deep Impact, Robin Lerner (1998) I auditioned for this film at Steven Spielbergs studios. I adored Mimi Leder a very intelligent woman and a very warm-hearted director. I also admired Tea Leoni. It is sad and strange to reflect on the fact that in the year we filmed this story, I thought of the film as belonging to the science-fiction genre of cinema. These last few years, we have seen our abuse of nature and the Earth result in terrifying tidal waves. Mission: Impossible, Max (1996) The reason I wanted to be part of this is very simple and can be answered in one sentence: It showed a British villain. Thats what made me really want to do it. Its fun to play a British villain, because theres a lot of them, but no one makes films about them. Or they werent at that time. Advertisement Howards End, Ruth Wilcox (1992) Vanessa Redgrave in Howards End. (Derrick Santini / Sony Pictures Classics) Its one of the best novels in the English language that has ever been written. That was the first thing. It wasnt the first time I worked with James Ivory the first time was The Bostonians and hes a very intelligent director. I prize intelligence. Its very rare. Apart from the sheer expertise of knowing how to make a film which is very important and something very few directors have James Ivory is an outstanding director. I put him on a pedestal. I look up to him. Hes unerring in his choices, and Ive learned a great deal from him. I feel very lucky that Ive been in more than one of his films. Merchant Ivory were a phenomenon that I weep for, and Howards End was, of course, a Merchant Ivory film. So you had E.M. Forster, the greatest English writer of the 20th century, and Ismail [Merchant] and James and a fantastic cast. This is a bunch of superlatives that was absolutely so real. Julia, Julia (1977) Advertisement I treasure the days I spent with [director] Fred [Zinnemann], both before and during and after we made this film. I could write or speak for a long, long time about Fred as a director and as a man. I will tell you about his words to me and Jane Fonda the evening before we shot our scene in the cafe. The scene was not a long one and it was very, very well written by Alvin Sargent. Fred told both Jane and me to make as many cuts in our individual texts as we could. The next morning, we gave Fred our cuts, which the script supervisor made notes of. As far as I remember, Fred accepted both Janes and my cuts. Then we filmed the scene very little discussion. In his final edit with Walter Murch, Fred cut the scene to something like the barest minimum. All this was and still is for me, a master class in filmmaking. calendar@latimes.com Pete Davidson kicked 2018 to the curb on Monday night with a stand-up set about breakups, tattoos and Louis C.K. The Saturday Night Live star performed in Boston on New Years Eve and had some choice words for the fellow comedian, who recently made headlines for a stand-up set mocking Parkland, Fla., shooting survivors. (C.K. has recently returned to stand-up after admitting to multiple sexual misconduct allegations in November 2017. But first Davidson shared an anecdote about his tattoos. I got a Harry Potter tattoo, Davidson said, according to E! News. Then the next day Alan Rickman, the guy who played Snape, died, and I was like, Oh, what a weird coincidence. Advertisement Strange enough. He went on, Then I got a Willy Wonka tattoo. Next day Gene Wilder dies. Now Im like, All right, thats a coincidence, thats weird. So Im thinking of getting a tattoo of Louis C.K. What do you guys think? Davidson continued, That joke used to be about Aziz Ansari, but Aziz has been nice to me recently. But the comedian came by his ire for C.K. honestly, according to US Weekly. Louis C.K. was the subject in Pete Davidsons recent stand-up comedy gig. (Michael Nagle / For The Times) In his set, Davidson told the audience that in May 2015, when C.K. hosted SNL for the fourth time, the Louie star told all the producers in front of me that all this kid does is smoke weed and hes gonna smoke his career away. Not only that, but Davidson accused C.K. of taking his distaste to the big boss, executive producer Lorne Michaels, saying that Pete smokes so much weed that it makes people uncomfortable. The New Years Eve show was Davidsons first stand-up appearance since a mental health scare last month in which a concerning Instagram post left fans and friends and the NYPD worried about his well-being The comedian, who has been open about his struggle with borderline personality disorder, found himself in the spotlight throughout much of 2018 after a whirlwind romance, engagement and breakup with pop star Ariana Grande. Advertisement Davidson touched on the relationship and its demise during his set, according to the New York Times, saying the breakup showed me how ugly people can get but also how cool. libby.hill@latimes.com @midwestspitfire First Reformed is the script I swore Id never write. As a young film critic, Id written a book about spirituality and cinema (Transcendental Style in Film), but 60s Hollywood came in like a howling wind and hauled me away. I became enamored of psychological realism, action and empathy, sex and violence these are not in the transcendental tool kit. When interviewers would try to connect the films Id made with the Transcendental style I wrote about, Id say, No, no, no. I like spiritual movies, I wrote about them, but Ill never make one. Thats not me. Youll never catch me skating on that thin Bressonian ice. As a young person, I didnt see films for the simple reason no one in my church saw films. They were proscribed by synodical decree. I cant say I felt I was missing much. I came to movies as an adult, as a college student in the 60s, and fell in love with European art cinema: Bergman, Antonioni, Bresson, Resnais, Godard, Fellini, Bunuel. That was the music that was playing when I walked into the corridors of cinema, and Ive loved it ever since. Ethan Hawke in a scene from First Reformed. (A24 via AP) Advertisement FULL COVERAGE: Get the latest on awards season from The Envelope Having left Grand Rapids and Calvin College 50 years ago for UCLA Film School, I assumed that my sacred past and my profane present would never meet. Then, in March of 1969, as a critic for the Los Angeles Free Press, I attended a screening of Bressons Pickpocket at the Los Feliz Theatre. In the 75 minutes it took to watch the film, I realized two things: (1) There was a bridge between my past and present, and it was a bridge of style, not content. Out of that realization came Transcendental Style in Film two years later. (2) I realized there might be a place for me in the world of filmmaking. Out of that came Taxi Driver three years later. Three years ago, I gave Pawel Pawlikowski an award for Ida at the New York Film Critics Circle dinner. He knew my book, I loved his film and we talked about the ways cinema can evoke the spiritual. That night, walking the nine blocks uptown from Tao to my Chelsea condo, I thought to myself, Its time to write the script you swore youd never write. Youll be 70 next year. Do it just like Pawel did it. Black and white. Academy ratio. What can you lose? Its time. It was at heart an intellectual decision, not an emotional one. Could I write and direct such a film? If so, how would I do it? But once I made the intellectual decision, the emotional implications became overwhelming. It was as if a dam broke free and 50 years of thinking about and making movies came bursting in. I re-watched the dozen or so films that had informed my thinking 50 years ago. I then watched the several dozen films made in the intervening years that approached the transcendent with austere and contemplative techniques (Andrei Tarkovsky, Theo Angelopoulos, Bela Tarr). I began to pick and choose, creating my own buffet of story elements, characters and stylistic choices. From this assemblage (no artist actually creates anything new), a script evolved. And it felt like it was mine. Several things surprised me during the writing of the script. First, how of the moment it felt even though my reference films were over 50 years old. Second, how much the ghost of Travis Bickle (the protagonist of Taxi Driver, my first screen character, written in 1972) came to inhabit the body of Rev. Toller, my new character. I had not expected this. When I sensed this happening, I resisted. At first. But Travis was not to be denied. I let him in. Third, although the subject matter was dark and disheartening, the writing felt weightless. Writing could still do that thing it does. The result is a sense of completion. The two seeds that fell into my petri dish that morning in March 1969 had grown tall and finally met. I felt that with First Reformed, Id done whatever Id set out to do 50 years ago, and Im still not sure what that was, but I had done it. calendar@latimes.com The Ditch, a 1987 photograph by Sally Mann at the start of her nearly 35-year retrospective exhibition at the J. Paul Getty Museum, sets the stage for much of what follows. Memory collides with forgetfulness in an image just ambiguous enough to pull viewers in and leave them hanging. Black and white, the entrancing picture shows a young boy lying on his back in a short, shallow, narrow trench that has been clawed into the earth beside a peaceful river. Six more children surround him, silently observing, although all but one of their heads are outside the frame or otherwise obscured. The one that isnt looks directly at the camera and through it at us, as if to see whether we are also closely observing. Another of the children is just emerging, naked or nearly so, from the water at the far end of the ditch. At the near end, a burst of radiant sunlight glows reflected in the watery foreground puddle. The photographs darkly shadowed edges use tonality to focus concentration on the pictorial center. Our viewpoint is almost voyeuristic, as if caught in the act of spying on a furtive event. This image of kids at play on an ordinary summer day unfurls as a multivalent metaphor for birth for the delivery of a child into a world where others have gone before. The topical subject is further layered with a suggested epic that stretches to the dawn of time: We stand atop an evolutionary lineage that began tens of millions of years ago when fish developed limbs and tetrapods first crawled onto land from out of the sea. Here, those evolutionary limbs also play a retrogressive role. The legs and arms of the boy lying in the ditch are bent beneath his torso, hidden from view. Corpse-like, a body with severed limbs and cast into a trench is a discreet echo of renowned wartime photographs that chronicle brutal carnage. Roger Fentons were shot at Sebastopol on the Crimean Peninsula in 1855, Florence Farmboroughs on the Russian Front during World War I. Most immediately for Mann, who was born and has lived most of her 67 years in Lexington, Va., Alexander Gardners famous battlefield pictures date to the aftermath of Gettysburg and Antietam. A quiet shock of recognition unfolds, death entering an otherwise sunny summer picture, its intimations of birth and human evolution now joined by insinuations of the grave. Manns photograph was self-evidently composed (unlike some of Gardners Civil War pictures, which concealed the artists occasional manipulation of the scene). Shes a visual storyteller the shows title, A Thousand Crossings, comes from the Scottish poet John Glenday and her work forthrightly partakes of the romantic, sometimes even Gothic expressionism that often characterizes Southern literary traditions. Her subject is always the legacy of the American South, which includes her family. Sally Mann, "Deep South, Untitled (Fontainebleau)," 1998, gelatin silver print. J. Paul Getty Museum Sally Mann, "Battlefields, Cold Harbor (Battle)," 2003, gelatin silver print. J. Paul Getty Museum The show was jointly organized by the National Gallery of Art and the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass. It is weighted toward photographs made since 2000, which account for roughly two-thirds of 110 works, all but five black-and-white. Mann first came to widespread attention in a less than auspicious way. In 1992, conservative culture warriors attacked the publication of her fourth book, Immediate Family, which includes 13 images (of 65) in which one or more of her three then-young kids is unclothed a not uncommon occurrence at a cabin on isolated land during a humid summer day. A brilliant picture like The Ditch unravels the fearful hysteria that fueled the uproar. The photograph further exposes the role played by landscape in her art, one that became central after 1994. Some of her scenic views are bland and conventional if beautifully composed especially the luminous ruins of a once-grand, now-decayed Mississippi plantation built with the awful labor of chattel slavery. Others attempt, with mixed success, to coax the ghosts of history from the land. Among the most successful are those of Civil War battlefields 10 large-format images, each printed just over 3 feet by 4 feet, their surfaces lush, dense and blackened. Staring into darkness to parse what you see is not a bad way to describe the act of coming to terms with a defining national event, which still churns todays social and political environment. The foreground half of a leafy view of Cold Harbor, where nine days of trench warfare left staggering losses for the Union army, slides downhill from an opaque forest, as if into a grave opening at a viewers feet. When printed, flecks of dust on the photographic negative translated into dozens of horizontal lines of scratchy light, which streak across the surface. Neither fireflies nor bullets, though reminiscent of both, the bright, abrasive smudges upend the stillness of the landscape and render it dynamic. Even the close-up, frame-filling portraits Mann has made during the last decade often have the feel of landscapes. Some are of black men a fraught territory for an artist who is white and female, given a terrible national history while others are of her adult children. The landscapes of Manns intimate yet monumental human heads and bodies are endowed with a fitting gravity, nature being indifferent to our passing vagaries. Sally Mann, "Triptych," 2004, gelatine silver print. J. Paul Getty Museum Sally Mann, "The Turn," 2005, gelatin silver print. J. Paul Getty Museum Perhaps the shows most moving photograph records her husband, Larry, turning away as he strides across a grassy field above a shallow vale. Smoke rises on either side from a controlled burn that he has set to replenish depleted earth. Its drifting vapors echo in the clouds that meander above the hilly distant horizon. You dont need to know the melancholy of Larrys late-onset muscular dystrophy, recorded in other portrait photographs here, to read this as a walk through a valley of the shadow of death. The 23rd Psalm emerges among Manns literary sources. The show is very good in articulating the varied photographic processes that Mann, a largely self-taught artist, has employed since the 1980s many of them technically obsolete. (Death again.) In addition to concise and helpful wall texts, dont miss the illuminating video in an adjacent gallery. With incarnate history as an aesthetic aim, Manns 19th-century techniques often play a material role. The pictures are thrown into high-relief simply by their visual differences, sometimes stark, from todays sleek digital images. The artist is a first-generation Virginian from a comfortable background. Her physician father hailed from Dallas; her mother, who ran the bookstore at Washington and Lee University, from Boston. Maybe thats why, when facing life lived mostly around the rural town of Lexington, shes been a kind of Janus figure. A quasi-outsider, she looks back, trying to parse a regions history as soaked in blood and tragedy as any place on Earth, at the same time as she looks forward into an unknowable tomorrow, sometimes with her growing children as markers of times passages. In Manns photographs, past and future exult in their mysteriousness. Yet, an alert and lucid invitation to engage in scrutiny of the constructed image almost always grounds the experience in the present. Even on the occasion when a picture doesnt finally succeed, the encounter can feel momentous. Sally Mann: A Thousand Crossings Where: J. Paul Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Brentwood When: Through Feb. 10; closed Mondays Admission: Free; parking $15 christopher.knight@latimes.com @KnightLAT ALSO Review: No diamonds but plenty of gems in Jeweled Isle, the first big U.S. museum survey of Sri Lankan art Review: The longer you look at Lee Mullicans marble drawings, the more or less you will see The battle over net neutrality is far from over. Although the Federal Communications Commission last year officially nixed the Obama-era rules governing the conduct of internet service providers such as Verizon and AT&T, the move kicked off a backlash by states, internet activists and other supporters of the regulations. Their legal challenges will play out in 2019. Heres what to expect as the fight over the future of the internet enters its next act. A big federal court case against the FCC Supporters of the Obama-era net neutrality rules which were intended to prevent internet service providers from blocking, slowing or selectively speeding up apps and services have taken the FCC to court in an effort to overturn its repeal decision. That case goes to oral argument in early February. Advertisement On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit revealed the names of the three judges who will be deciding the case: Judith W. Rogers, Patricia A. Millett and Stephen F. Williams. Appointed to the court by President Reagan, Williams served on the three-judge panel that heard the case on net neutrality when the Obama-era rules were challenged by broadband companies. In 2016, he was the only judge who dissented although only to part of the ruling to the decision that upheld those regulations. The two other judges for the February hearing are both Democratic appointees: Rogers was nominated by President Clinton and Millett by President Obama. Millett has argued forcefully for reproductive rights and, according to Slate, is a worthy successor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Rogers is considered a politically moderate judge who is meticulous in her knowledge of the way federal agencies properly make decisions which will be the key issue facing the court when groups such as Mozilla face off against the FCC on Feb. 1. Rogers understated style and mild manner arent likely to give away to the courtroom which arguments she finds more compelling. But convincing her is probably the key to victory, said Andrew Schwartzman, a lecturer in law at Georgetown University. Judge Rogers is the vote that the FCC needs to win, said Schwartzman, who quickly added that few things are ever certain when it comes to speculating about court decisions. States versus the federal government The D.C. Circuits decision is expected to set the tone for other court fights over net neutrality, in particular the Trump administrations legal efforts to block California from enforcing its own net neutrality legislation. The state law, which is regarded as the strongest in the nation because it prohibits some activities by internet service providers that even the FCCs original rules didnt, was passed last year. But moments after it was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, the Justice Department announced it would sue the state. Advertisement A month later, the two sides agreed to a truce: The legislation still took effect Tuesday, but California isnt enforcing the law; the Justice Department is suspending its litigation until the D.C. Circuit case is resolved. That resolution, however, could take more time than anticipated: The partial government shutdown is expected to close the FCCs doors Thursday, forcing the agency to send home all but its most essential support personnel. Meanwhile, the federal court system has enough money to operate through Jan. 11. Though oral arguments at the D.C. Circuit will continue through January, according to the courts website, there is no word on whether the Feb. 1 oral argument on net neutrality will be postponed. If and when the D.C. Circuit hears the case and issues an opinion, expect the battle to continue over whether states can legally establish net neutrality laws independent of the FCC. Beyond the case involving California, internet service providers have sued Vermont over its attempt to implement net neutrality rules using state legislation and an executive order. The state-versus-federal debate could significantly shape the power of state governments on a variety of issues, not just net neutrality. What about legislation? Many experts had hoped Congress would finish the net neutrality fight decisively with clear legislation that lays out how internet service providers can and cannot manipulate internet traffic. Advertisement The broadband industry has pushed particularly hard for a federal bill, concerned about a possible patchwork of state laws. Ultimately, only Congress can provide the certainty consumers and businesses need and must redouble its efforts to pass a permanent, modern and sustainable open internet framework for all Americans, said Jonathan Spalter, president of the industry trade group USTelecom. Thats a challenge in this current atmosphere, but the stakes for connectivity and innovation are too high not to be optimistic that this will be the year. But other analysts say the split partisan control of Capitol Hill isnt likely to lead to much compromise. Its conceivable that Congress will settle net neutrality once and for all in the next 18 months, but Im skeptical, said Paul Gallant, a telecom industry analyst at Cowen Research. Advertisement Surveys show that most average Americans arent that far apart on net neutrality. But Democratic and Republican lawmakers do not share much common ground on the issue. Whats more, there are foreign forces involved. In October, the Justice Department revealed in a 38-page indictment against an accused Russian disinformation operative that foreign attempts to meddle in U.S. elections included efforts to use net neutrality as a wedge. Fung writes for the Washington Post. Apple Inc. announced Wednesday that it would miss its revenue estimate for the quarter that included the holiday season a rare misfire that the company blamed on unexpected challenges in the Chinese economy and the trade war between the United States and China. Months after unveiling two new iPhones, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said in a note to investors that the company had lowered its revenue guidance for its fiscal first quarter which ended Dec. 29 to $84 billion, down from its previous estimate of between $89 billion and $93 billion. The announcement, made after the close of markets, sent Apples stock plunging more than 7% in after-hours trading. In explaining the change, Cook said in his note that Apple did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deterioration in markets including greater China. He said most of the revenue shortfall to the companys initial guidance occurred in greater China across iPhone, Mac and iPad. Along with slowed growth there in the second half of last year, Cook said that the economic environment in China has been further impacted by rising trade tensions with the United States. Advertisement As the climate of mounting uncertainty weighed on financial markets, the effects appeared to reach consumers as well, with traffic to our retail stores and our channel partners in China declining as the quarter progressed, Cook said. Shares of Apple have fallen 32% from an October peak amid growing concerns about the iPhone by far Apples most important product line, comprising more than 60% of the companys 2018 revenue. Although China and other emerging markets accounted for the vast majority of year-over-year iPhone revenue decline, in some developed markets, iPhone upgrades also werent as strong as the company anticipated, Cook said. In November, the company said it would stop reporting unit sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs beginning in fiscal 2019. That sparked concern that Apple wanted to avoid disclosing weak growth numbers. But the move also highlighted the companys desire to become more of a services business. In the letter Wednesday, Cook said Apple generated $10.8 billion in services revenue during the quarter. That would be a 27% increase from a year earlier. Apples announcement is likely to add further volatility to the stock market, where U.S. technology stocks have helped drive a major correction in recent months. It also comes as the Trump administration and the Chinese are trying without success, so far to resolve a trade war in which the two countries have put tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars each others goods. While economists have suspected that the Chinese economy has been slowing, it has not been clear how much that might translate into a decline in global economic growth that would hit the United States. The Apple earnings miss suggests that the effects of the China slowdown could be reaching U.S. shores fairly quickly. The earnings miss also shows how the trade war is enveloping one of the biggest U.S. brands, which had worked hard to get its product exempted from tariff lists released by the Trump administration. Investors will probably be wondering Thursday whether Apples news is a preview of what other technology, retail, auto and manufacturing companies are facing. Advertisement Trump has put tariffs on nearly half the goods China sells to the United States and has threatened to place hefty tariffs on all Chinese products coming into the country including iPhones, which are currently excluded from the additional taxes if Chinas president doesnt make a deal Trump likes by early March. Romm writes for the Washington Post. Bloomberg was used in compiling this report. By the end of this week, Sears Holdings Corp. Chairman Edward Lampert could find out whether his push to keep the bankrupt retailer together and open for business still has a shot. Lamperts hedge fund, ESL Investments, said last week that its prepared to pay $4.4 billion for many of the retailers remaining assets, including about 425 Sears and Kmart stores. Friday was the deadline for parties interested in acquiring Sears assets to submit bids. Transform Holdco, a new entity controlled by Lamperts fund, said in a letter to Sears investment banker that it believes keeping Sears in business is the best way to preserve up to 50,000 jobs and recover money Sears owes. The letter, dated Friday, was released Wednesday in a regulatory filing. If Sears doesnt accept the $4.4-billion bid packaging many of the remaining assets together, Transform Holdco said it also would bid on certain assets individually, including the Sears Home Services business, certain intellectual property and real estate, and the logistics operation. Advertisement Sears has until Friday to notify parties that submitted offers to buy its assets whether they have been accepted as qualifying bids, according to a timeline approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Transform Holdco said that if Sears doesnt accept either proposal as a qualifying bid by Friday, both will be withdrawn. Its unclear how many other offers Sears received or whether any would attempt to rescue the Hoffman Estates, Ill., company rather than liquidate it. Great American Group submitted a bid with Tiger Capital Group but declined to share details of the offer. A subsidiary of Los Angeles-based B. Riley Financial Inc., Great American Group partnered with Tiger Capital Group last year to buy many of bankrupt retailer Bon-Ton Stores assets and liquidate that company. Another firm has since purchased Bon-Tons intellectual property and is working to revive its brands. ESLs $4.4-billion offer for Sears includes $850 million in cash, funded by a new $1.3-billion loan from three financial institutions. It also includes a $1.3-billion credit bid, in which ESL would trade Sears debt it holds for ownership in the new company. Transform Holdco said it wants Sears to confirm it will be able to use the credit bid to finance the purchase. The company also wants Sears to release ESL from liability related to transactions with the retailer before its bankruptcy filing. In the letter, Transform Holdco said it expects to continue employing up to 50,000 Sears employees under the $4.4-billion proposal, depending on any further actions Sears may take between now and closing. Sears said it had 68,000 employees and 687 Sears and Kmart stores when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October. Last week, Sears said it would close 80 stores in March, bringing the total number of closures announced since its bankruptcy filing to 262. Advertisement Zumbach writes for the Chicago Tribune. Cathay Pacific Airways made a mistake selling first- and business-class tickets at a steep discount. Now, the lucky few who made the bookings will travel in style after all. The Hong Kong-based airline said on its Twitter and Facebook pages Wednesday that it would still welcome passengers who bought the business-class tickets from Vietnam to Canada and the U.S. at economy prices earlier this week. The online ticketing foul-up meant fares as low as $675 from Da Nang in Vietnam to New York at the front end of the plane or a small fraction of its original round-trip price of about $16,000. We do not want to go back on our promise to our customers, Cathay said on its Twitter account. We made a mistake but we look forward to welcoming you on board with your ticket issued. Advertisement Happy 2019 all, and to those who bought our good - VERY good surprise special on New Years Day, yes - we made a mistake but we look forward to welcoming you on board with your ticket issued. Hope this will make your 2019 special too! .#promisemadepromisekept #lessonlearnt Cathay Pacific (@cathaypacific) January 2, 2019 While those passengers will be happy, the mistake adds to the embarrassments for the carrier thats struggling to turn its fortunes around while competition intensifies from Chinese and budget airlines. The pricing gaffe comes on the heels of a sophisticated hack on Cathays computer systems last year that exposed the private information of 9.4 million passengers in the worlds biggest airline data breach. Gary Leff, a travel and loyalty-program blogger on View from the Wing, wrote on Dec. 31 that the Cathay business-class round-trip ticket from Da Nang to New York started at $675 for travel in August. On Wednesday, the same journey cost around $16,000 for July and September, according to the airlines website. Prices werent available for August. Hurry: Cathay Pacific Business Class Back to Several US Cities From $675 https://t.co/ldy3wXh01z gary leff (@garyleff) December 31, 2018 Travel from Hanoi to Vancouver and back in a mix of business and first class could cost less than $1,000, according to a post on One Mile at a Time. Other airlines have made similar pricing errors. Singapore Airlines in 2014 and Hong Kong Airlines last year honored business-class tickets mistakenly sold at economy prices. The carriers didnt disclose how many people purchased the cheaper tickets. Cathay had sold tickets to the U.S. and other destinations from Vietnam in a promotional offer that ended Dec. 31, according to its website. Round-trip business tickets to Los Angeles were priced from $2,940. Park writes for Bloomberg. Changchun destroyer of the 17th Chinese escort naval fleet arrives at southern port of Bandar Abbas, Iran, on Sept. 20, 2014. The 17th Chinese escort naval fleet docked in south Iran's Bandar Abbas port on Saturday for a five-day visit. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz) China's naval fleets have escorted 3,400 foreign ships over the past 10 years, around 51.5 percent of the total escorted, according to a Ministry of National Defense statement. Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the ministry, told a press conference that China sent the first naval fleet to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia for escort missions on Dec. 26, 2008. Since then, 31 fleets have escorted more than 6,600 ships from worldwide, and rescued over 70 ships in danger, Wu said. Protection provided by the Chinese naval fleet has been widely praised. Some foreign ships would rather wait several days to be escorted by the fleet, the statement said. The Chinese naval fleet has shouldered its international obligations, offering high-quality public security products for the international community. In 2015, when a civil war broke out in Yemen, a Chinese naval fleet consisting of three vessels helped evacuate 683 overseas Chinese as well as 279 foreign citizens from 15 countries, the statement said. Meanwhile, the Chinese naval fleet has taken efforts to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with other countries to maintain maritime transport safety. It has established information sharing and commander meeting mechanisms with task fleets from the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, organizing over 20 meetings and communications among fleet commanders, the statement said. It has exercised joint drills with more than 20 countries fulfilling escort missions, anti-piracy operations and international humanitarian assistance. The Chinese naval fleet has paid 103 visits to 63 countries so far, according to the spokesperson. In the future, Chinese naval forces will continue their commitment to maintaining world peace and stability, Wu said. As 2018 the year of scooters, stanchions and short-term rentals comes to a close, District 1 City Council member Barbara Bry sat down with La Jolla Light to recap the highs and lows, and outline her priorities for 2019. And while Bry filed a candidacy intention statement earlier this month to run for San Diego Mayor in 2020, a spokesperson said she couldnt discuss that effort until later this year. What were your accomplishments in The Jewel? There were quite a few: Casa de Manana concrete street panel replacement: In September 2017, we got a lot of letters from residents of Casa de Manana expressing concern about the condition of the surrounding street and we alerted City staff and the work got done. Draper Avenue speed humps: In January 2017 (my staffers) Mauricio Medina and Daniel Orloff met with a constituent and looked at motorists speeds on Draper. We worked with the La Jolla Traffic & Transportation board and City staff to come up with a workable solution. In July, the City installed speed humps. La Jolla Scenic Place curb cuts near the YMCA: We had an elderly resident with a walker who used the route to go to the Orthodox temple and it was difficult for her to navigate, so we worked with City staff to get a curb cut. There are a lot of elderly people in that neighborhood, so I think it was a good thing for a lot of people. Torrey Pines Road Corridor Project: Part 1 got done. And I know there were issues with Part 2 about night work, day work, what is done at night, what is done during the day. Weve reached a compromise that everyone seems happy with. Part 2 will be done in the next few months. We used part of our Community Projects, Programs and Services (CPPS) funding which I can use for community organizations to pay the Parks & Rec Department to ensure the gate at Kellogg Park (in La Jolla Shores) is locked at night and opened in the morning. That has been a concern for the community. You said your priorities for 2018 were advocating for Community Choice Energy, increasing compensation for police officers, encouraging companies to offer STEAM-related internships and supporting affordable housing options. What progress has been made? Community Choice Energy: Community Choice Energy, and how it moved forward, was in the hands of the Mayor. There has been appropriate, I dont want to say pressure, but appropriate information that its a good path forward for the City. The Mayor has decided to move forward in the development of a business plan that will eventually come to the City Council. So we are moving forward on that. Pay raises for police: We did approve significant pay raises for our police officers and these went into effect in July. Weve heard from our police chief that its making a difference in recruiting, and in getting some police officers to move laterally from other jurisdictions. STEAM internships: We have anecdotal information that more companies offered them. We wrote about one woman who got an internship at Pfizer through our efforts in one of our newsletters. Affordable housing: We passed the (so-called) granny flats ordinance, which made it easier to build one, and we could build thousands of these all over the City. Weve lowered the fees and loosened the parking requirement. This is one step toward creating more housing and more attainable housing. What are your goals for 2019? Fairness is a value that will be part of how I look at everything, and how were going to deal with everything from short-term rentals to the budget and I am going to focus a lot on (fairness to) small businesses. My team and I recently did a walk with the La Jolla Village Merchants Association, and we talked to merchants about whats on their mind, how business is going and what more the City could be doing to help them. As part of that, were going to look at how to make it easier to do business with the City. I want to make sure all businesses get a fair share of the contracts we give out and are treated fairly in the contracting process. We will be holding community forums with small businesses to learn the good, the bad and the ugly of doing business with the City. I will also focus on short-term rentals and housing affordability, which will include homelessness issues. Well further be looking at climate change impacts particularly sea level rise, which impacts District 1 a lot and fire safety, which impacts everyone in the City. We were spared in the last round of terrible fires, so we need to be thinking about where and how we should be building, and whether we have adequate evacuation routes. My team is compiling a list of questions that we need answers to, and were finding the right people to answer them. We also need a real estate strategy for the City, and to look at increasing sources of new revenue. What do you think of the new Council composition, now that 5 of the 9 members are women? Im serving on a historic council, that is, for the first time, a majority of women. Im very excited. We are a very diverse group the women are diverse, the council nine of us are diverse, and I think we represent San Diego. Its an exciting time and you can just feel that there is an energy on this floor about wanting to get things done. What are your thoughts on how the bike-sharing/electric scooter issue unfolded? Any progress on setting regulations? Oh, I need to add that to my priorities list! Early on, I called for regulation. Council member Lorie Zapf and I wanted a temporary ban on the boardwalks of La Jolla, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach, but we could not get a majority of our colleagues to agree with us. One of my staffers, Raymond Khan, did great research on what other cities were doing. The Mayor came to us with a draft ordinance, but I had some thoughts about how it could be improved. It was then heard at the City Council. Its supposed to come back before the public safety committee. I wish it had come back in December, but it didnt. We have a new chair of public safety and Im confident she will bring it back as soon as possible. We need to do something, we are behind other cities in addressing this. Regarding the Windansea stanchions issue; did anything about the situation surprise you? My goal, when there are disagreements in the community, is to try and bring people together to reach a satisfactory conclusion themselves. That was my goal in bringing everyone together with a moderator (Nov. 27). But the next day, we were surprised that the Mayor put out a memo stating he was going to put the stanchions back to prohibit any parking. Apparently the City Attorney told (the Mayor) there may be some liability issues with the pilot parking program (I launched, which included two, 15-minute parking spaces), but it was not specified exactly what that liability is, so from reading the Mayors memo, that is how he made the decision. My goal is to come up with a design that is OK. Are there days you feel overwhelmed by the job? Every day Im learning something new, and every day there is a new issue that comes to the forefront. I think my background as an entrepreneur has helped, because when you are in a start-up, things come up all the time and you learn to pivot and adapt or your business dies. I accept this as part of the City Council job, and I like that theres always a new challenge to deal with. Do you ever explore downtown San Diego in your off time? I walk at lunch, but I can never walk more than 20 minutes from the building because I always have to get back. My husband and I have season tickets to the San Diego Rep, so we come down every month or so to the theater. We saw Fun Home a few months ago and it was amazing. What is your social media platform of choice? I do Facebook. I have a personal page where I keep up with friends who live all over the country, and even my friends here in San Diego. Its how I find out people got married or had a baby. I use it a lot. In your role as a grandmother, whats your favorite thing to do with your grandchildren? LEGO. They love the blocks, but we have the big blocks. Yesterday, I was at their house and I gave (my grandson) Colton a Jurassic Park Duplo set the one with a little car and a train. We made a Jurassic Park-train. Colton loves dinosaurs and he has little plastic dinosaurs we set up so the train would go through Jurassic Park. He knows the names of all of them Jillian, even though she is only 19 months old, likes putting the bigger blocks together and Colton is teaching her the names of the dinosaurs. State of the District: Bry will delve further into these issues, and issues across District 1, at the 2018 State of the District address, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30 at University City High School Library, 6949 Genesee Ave. For a seat, you must RSVP by Jan. 28 to lfleming@sandiego.gov At least 37 people have been killed in an attack on a village in central Mali, Radio France International (RFI) reported Tuesday, citing local authorities. Children and old people are said to be among the victims of the attack on the village of Koulogon in the Mopti region, Malian communications minister Arouna Modibo Toure said on Twitter. Armed men reportedly made off with livestock from the village, according to RFI. The area has seen tensions between shepherds of the Fulani people and traditional Donzo hunters. Tensions between rival ethnic groups, often spurred on by broader instability in the country, is common the West African state. Several Sunni terrorist groups are also active in northern and central Mali, many of which have sworn allegiance to al-Qaeda. (DPA) Jair Bolsonaro (1st L) and his wife Michelle Bolsonaro attend the inauguration ceremony in Brasilia, capital of Brazil, on Jan. 1, 2019. Army captain-turned-politician Jair Bolsonaro was sworn in as Brazil's president on Tuesday amid heightened security. Xinhua-Yonhap Jair Bolsonaro was sworn in as Brazil's president Tuesday, taking the reins of Latin America's largest and most populous nation with promises to overhaul myriad aspects of daily life and put an end to business-as-usual governing. For the far-right former army captain, the New Year's Day inauguration was the culmination of a journey from a marginalized and even ridiculed congressman to a leader who many Brazilians hope can combat endemic corruption as well as violence that routinely gives the nation the dubious distinction of being world leader in total homicides. A fan of U.S. President Donald Trump, the 63-year-old longtime congressman rose to power on an anti-corruption and pro-gun agenda that has energized conservatives and hard-right supporters after four consecutive presidential election wins by the left-leaning Workers' Party. Bolsonaro was the latest of several far-right leaders around the globe who have come to power by riding waves of anger at the establishment and promising to ditch the status quo. "Congratulations to President (at)jairbolsonaro who just made a great inauguration speech," Trump tweeted. "The U.S.A. is with you!" Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro (L) and wife Michele (2-L) head to the Planalto Palace on a Rolls Royce, for a ceremony in which Bolsonaro received the presidential band from his predecessor, Michel Temer, in Brasilia, Brazil, 01 January 2019. EPA-Yonhap Tuesday's festivities in the capital of Brasilia began with a motorcade procession along the main road leading to Congress and other government buildings. Bolsonaro and his wife, Michelle, stood up in an open-top Rolls-Royce and waved to thousands of onlookers. They were surrounded by dozens of guards on horses and plain-clothes bodyguards who ran beside the car. Once inside Congress, Bolsonaro and his vice president, retired Gen. Hamilton Mourao, took the oath of office. Bolsonaro then read a short speech that included many of the far-right positions he staked out during the campaign. He promised to combat the "ideology of gender" teaching in schools, "respect our Judeo-Christian tradition" and "prepare children for the job market, not political militancy." "I call on all congressmen to help me rescue Brazil from corruption, criminality and ideological submission," he said. Brazil's new President Jair Bolsonaro, left, receives the presidential sash from outgoing President Michel Temer at the Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil January 1, 2019. REUTERS-Yonhap A short time later, Bolsonaro spoke to thousands of supporters outside, promising to "free Brazil" from socialism and political correctness. As he spoke, supporters began to chant "Myth! Myth! Myth!" a nickname that began years ago with internet memes of Bolsonaro and became more common during last year's campaign. Bolsonaro's middle name is Messias, or Messiah in English, and many supporters believe he was chosen by God to lead Brazil, an assertion bolstered after Bolsonaro survived a stabbing during a campaign rally in September. During Tuesday's speech, Bolsonaro stopped at one point, pulled out a Brazilian flag and wildly waved it, prompting roars from the crowd. "Our flag will never be red," Bolsonaro said, a reference to communism. "Our flag will only be red if blood is needed to keep it green and yellow." Brasilia was under tight security, with 3,000 police patrolling the event. Military tanks, fighter jets and even anti-aircraft missiles also were deployed. Journalists were made to arrive at locations seven hours before festivities began, and many complained on Twitter of officials confiscating food they had brought for the wait. With her husband, Brazil's new President Jair Bolsonaro in the background, Brazil's new first lady Michelle Bolsonaro gives a military salute from the Planalto Presidential palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. AP-Yonhap The increased security came at Bolsonaro's request. His intestine was pierced when a knife-wielding man stabbed and nearly killed him, and today Bolsonaro wears a colostomy bag. His sons, politicians themselves, had insisted their father could be targeted by radicals, but security officials have not spoken of threats. Bolsonaro did little moderating since being elected in October, with progressives and liberals decrying stances that they say are homophobic, sexist and racist. The new president, who spent nearly three decades in Congress, has also drawn international criticism for his plans to roll back regulations in the Amazon and his disinterest in social programs in a country that is one of the world's most unequal in terms of income. On the economic front, where Bolsonaro will ultimately lead Latin America's largest economy is unknown, as during the campaign he reversed course from previous statist stances with pledges to lead market-friendly reforms. He also promised to overhaul Brazil's pension system and privatize several state-owned companies, which gave him wide support among financial players. On Tuesday, Bolsonaro reiterated his commitment to fighting crime in a nation that has long led the world in annual homicides. More than 63,000 people were killed last year. Supporters of Brazil's new President Jair Bolsonaro make a military salute during his inauguration in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. AP-Yonhap He wants to tackle the problems in part by shielding police who kill during an operation from criminal prosecution. "We are counting on Congress to provide the judicial support so police can do their jobs," Bolsonaro said, signaling that he may soon submit legislation that would allow police to be tried outside the criminal system. Human rights groups fear that defense of police violence could shield officers from investigations of misconduct and lead to more extrajudicial killings. The most notable foreign leaders who attended were associated with far-right movements: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Leftist Presidents Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba, deemed dictators by Bolsonaro, were uninvited by Bolsonaro's team after the foreign ministry sent them invitations. Leftist President Evo Morales of Bolivia, however, was invited and warmly embraced Bolsonaro after the ceremony. The United States was represented by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Supporters of Brazil's new President Jair Bolsonaro gather outside the Planalto Palace, in Brasilia, Brazil, January 1, 2019. REUTERS-Yonhap By Jung Min-ho A suspected member of a Japanese cult rammed his vehicle into pedestrians in central Tokyo on New Year's Day, injuring eight people, in what he said was "retaliation." According to Tuesday, police have arrested Kazuhiro Kusakabe, 21, on charges of attacking a random crowd on Takeshita Street with his vehicle, "with an intention to kill." "I did that to retaliate against the death penalty," the suspect told police. Police said they are still investigating his motives, but some media reports said the man had linked the attack to the executions in July of 13 members of Aum Shinrikyo, a doomsday cult founded by Shoko Asahara in 1984. NHK World reported that Kusakabe used a rental minivan for the attack, which was aimed at revelers who were celebrating the New Year in the crowded area. He was also carrying a 20-liter tank of kerosene in the van, which he said he had planned to use to burn the vehicle, police said. After the crash, the man fled but was later caught. Aum Shinrikyo is responsible for the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack that killed 13 people, seriously injured 54 and affected nearly 1,000 more. Some estimates claim as many as 6,000 people were injured. A Chinese J-20 stealth fighter performs at the Airshow China 2018 in Zhuhai in southern China's Guangdong province on November 6, 2018. Yonhap By Choi Chi-yuk Strengthening training and preparation for war are among the top priorities for China's military in 2019, its official newspaper said on Tuesday. "Drilling soldiers and war preparations are the fundamental jobs and work focus of our military, and at no time should we allow any slack in these areas," the PLA Daily said in its New Year's Day editorial. "We should be well prepared for all directions of military struggle and comprehensively improve troops' combat response in emergencies to ensure we can meet the challenge and win when there is a situation." Other priorities outlined in the editorial included thorough planning and implementation to develop the military, fostering reform and innovation, and party building within the People's Liberation Army (PLA). President Xi Jinping, who also heads the military, has been pushing the PLA to boost its combat readiness since he took the top job in late 2012. Observers said stepping up drills could be about flexing the PLA's military muscle, but spelling it out at the start of the year also suggested it was a more important part of the plan for 2019. China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, berths at the shipyard of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. in Dalian city, northeast China's Liaoning province, 4 May 2018. Yonhap "During the 20 years I spent in the PLA before I left in 2004, military training to boost combat readiness was always one of our top tasks," said Zeng Zhiping, a retired lieutenant colonel and military analyst based in Nanchang, Jiangxi province. "But this is something different. When training and preparation for war is highlighted at the beginning of a year it means this is a plan for the whole year, although we don't know what the real intention behind the rhetoric is at this stage." Taiwan's former deputy defence minister Lin Chong-Pin said it was about showing the PLA's military strength. "Prioritising military training and preparation for war is nothing more than a move to boost its diplomatic strength, which the PLA has been emphasising over the past four decades though it has never gone into battle with any other country during that time," Lin said. "This comes at a time when the US has increased pressure on China with a series of military operations. But listen, I'm 100 per cent sure that the PLA will not be waging any war, no matter whether it's in the South China Sea or the Taiwan Strait. It will only become more cautious when it starts rising more rapidly." Military personnel start training after Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, issued an order at a mobilization meeting held by the commission on Jan. 3, 2018. Yonhap People in Jinan, capital city of east China's Shandong Province, got one more reason to celebrate the New Year as their first metro line started operation Tuesday. Earlier, Jinan, known as "the City of Springs" due to its large number of natural artesian springs, was one of the last few provincial capitals with no metro service. The springs bring tourists to the city, but also pose a dilemma: to develop underground transportation or to protect groundwater? The launch of the first metro line came three decades after local authorities first proposed to construct the metro system and scrapped construction plans several times amid fears any construction might affect the springs. In 1988, authorities in Jinan first proposed to build the metro system after conducting a survey on residents' commuting options, according to Zhao Yanzhu, an 80-year-old expert in the field of hydrogeology, who has witnessed the ups and downs of the city's metro system development. After years of study and debates, experts finally agreed in 2009 that as long as the metro lines avoid the downtown where the majority of springs are concentrated, the construction would not have an impact on the groundwater system, according to Li Liping, professor with Shandong University and deputy chief engineer of the Jinan Rail Transit Group, one of the constructors. Mainly located in the western part of the city, the first metro line covers a distance of 26.1 km with 11 stations, expected to help ease traffic congestions in the city. "We have waited for a long time, but it is worth waiting for," said local resident Xin An, one of the first passengers of the metro line, construction of which started in 2015. A number of advanced technologies were used in the project, including a groundwater pumping and recharging technology and ground-penetrating laser radar to image the subsurface. "Subsurface imaging is like performing a gastroscopy and building underground tunnels is like threading a needle through blood vessels while avoiding all the arteries," said Li. The metro line was built as close to the ground as possible to reduce impact on the groundwater system to the minimum, he said. The groundwater table along the metro line has been kept almost the same as it was before the construction, said Wei Changlin, an engineering manager of the metro line. The successful experience in building the first metro line will be used in the next metro projects of the city. "Constructors have been paying huge attention to the springs' ecosystem. All the metro lines, including another two under construction, can 'live in harmony' with the springs," said Lu Linhai, assistant general manager of the Jinan Rail Transit Group. By Danny Lee Police have seized a pistol, 700 rounds of ammunition, and a host of imitation firearms during raids targeting organised crime in Hong Kong. Police have seized a pistol, 700 rounds of ammunition, and a host of imitation firearms during raids targeting organised crime in Hong Kong. Seven people were also arrested in Monday's operation, which focused on 13 locations across the city. In total, 19 weapons were seized, while five men and two women aged between 17 and 53 were taken into custody by officers from the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau. A police spokesman said those arrested had been taken in for "unlicensed possession of firearms and ammunition" and the "intention to endangering life and possessing firearms or ammunition". Police said they seized one pistol, 700 rounds of ammunition some of which a police source said were real 11 imitation rifles, seven imitation pistols, two firearm components, and computer equipment. Imitation guns can refer to toy guns, air guns and guns that are used in war games. Police have said they need more time to examine the weapons seized to determine what category they fall into. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun speaks during the group's New Year meeting at its headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group By Nam Hyun-woo Leaders of large business groups stressed the importance of being able to deal with changes in any form in their New Year messages, Wednesday, as uncertainties stemming from the global economic downturn and the U.S.-China trade conflict are expected to pose enormous challenges for them in 2019. They also underscored the importance of new businesses in their portfolios, in the belief they will propel the groups to weather the gloomy outlook for this year. Hyundai Motor Group Executive Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun presided over the group's New Year meeting on Wednesday and said the company should be a "game changer," not a follower that quickly latches onto trends. "The group is faced with a challenge of normalizing businesses in the U.S. and Chinese markets as well as nurturing its future growth driver at the same time," Chung said in his speech. "To that end, we have to pursue innovation in the way of working and even thinking. This year, Hyundai Motor Group will make its first step to becoming a game changer that leads the market with innovative ideas." It was the first time Chung presided over the annual business kick-off meeting and delivered a group-wide message for the New Year. It is interpreted that Chung has consolidated his control over the group, following in the footsteps of his father, CEO and Chairman Chung Mong-koo. Chung stressed clean cars at the year's target segment. He pledged the group will release 44 eco-friendly vehicles and reach 1.67 million annual sales by 2025. Also, the group will invest 8 trillion won for fuel-cell electric vehicles by 2030, to further consolidate the company's leading status in the hydrogen vehicle market. LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo LG Group also kicked off its 2019 business with new chairman's message. In the meeting, Chairman Koo Kwang-mo stressed the importance of customer, reiterating the word for 30 times in his nine-minute speech. "We are faced with fresh needs of the times," Koo said. "New products come out every day but they vanish in a blink if they failed to get the choice of customers. After countless thoughts over the path LG should take, I found the answer lies in customers." It was also the first time that Koo presided over the group's New Year meeting. He took the chairman post in June last year, after his father and former Chairman Koo Bon-moo died in May. Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, who returned to the group's management in October, underscored the group needs to self-scrutinize its existing corporate strategy to seek sustainable growth. "For sustainable growth, we have to review our current strategy and come up with detailed action plans for transformation," Shin said in his New Year message. "Also, we have to apply new technologies to all of our management process and make those technologies as the base for new business model." POSCO Chairman Choi Jeong-woo said the uncertainties stemming from the U.S.-China trade conflict will rise further this year, and the steelmaking group should raise its capabilities to cope with challenges. POSCO Chairman Choi Jeong-woo By Park Jae-hyuk Hyundai Mobis has established research centers around the globe and invested in innovative startups to take the lead in the global competition for new technologies for futuristic cars, the company said Monday. According to the auto part manufacturing unit of Hyundai Motor Group, its first open innovation center named "M.Cube" recently opened in Silicon Valley to discover and invest in startups with strong growth potential in technologies for self-driving and connectivity. The company also plans to convert its research branch in Shenzhen, China, into M.Cube by assigning a role of investment to the center. The Shenzhen M.Cube will specialize in artificial intelligence and big data, according to Hyundai Mobis. The Seoul-based firm said it will expand its investment in startups by collaborating with Hyundai CRADLE in Israel and Europe, areas that don't have M.Cube yet. CRADLE, standing for "the center for robotic-augmented design in living experiences," is the name of another Hyundai Motor Group open innovation center. Over the past few years, Hyundai Mobis has stressed open innovation in order to cope with changes in technologies and improve its R&D capability. In particular, it has cooperated with two German radar sensor makers to develop its own radar sensor. In August, the company also invested in a Korean startup named StradVision which has world-class image recognition technology based on deep learning technology. The company has carried out an M.Start contest as well, to discover and foster startups with growth potential. Currently, Hyundai Mobis runs a technology research institute in Korea and four overseas institutes in the United States, China, Germany and India. It expects notable synergy effects between M.Cube and the five research centers. It also aims to integrate R&D capabilities gained from these research centers and core technologies acquired through investment in startups. Lee Byung-gwon, president of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). Courtesy of KIST By Baek Byung-yeul The year of 2019 will likely become a challenging one for high-tech industries here as China is heavily investing in sectors in which Korea has taken the lead such as semiconductors. In response, Korea needs to develop its own core technologies to get round China's tightening grip on the high-tech industries, said the president of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). "Korea is urged to secure core and fundamental technologies with a long-term perspective in high-tech industries. China is increasingly investing in industries like semiconductors to take the leadership in the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution. This already has become a big threat to Korea's key export industries," Lee Byung-gwon, KIST president, said in an email interview with The Korea Times, Dec. 24. "To secure future growth engines, the country needs to focus more on highly advanced technologies such as nanotechnology, new material technology like graphene or 2D atom-thin sheets of carbon, quantum computing and bionics," Lee said. Stating that Korea is still in the early stage of these fields, Lee said state-run institutes like KIST should play bigger roles in developing core technologies. "Many global firms and advanced countries are rushing to develop their own core technologies in these sectors as they presume the technologies will have a great deal of influence not only on industries but also our everyday life," Lee said. "State-run institutes such as KIST should concentrate on securing more original technologies because it is us to take a long-term strategic approach to the matters rather than private firms." The Korean economy profited from booming exports of semiconductors in 2018. While warning signs of a downturn in the chip business is looming in 2019 due to weakening memory chip prices and stagnating demand, Lee predicted the chip industry will still be an energetic one, saying there will be constant demand for memory chips. "The business cycle of the chip industry will not fluctuate as much as it had in the personal computer era. As the world evolves rapidly into a hyper-connected one, Korea's chip business is still expected to enjoy high demand in 2019," Lee said. To widen the technological gap with China in semiconductors, KIST established the Post-silicon Semiconductor Institute (PSI) in 2015. The subsidiary institute is aiming to develop advanced semiconductors that are faster and consume less energy compared to the current silicon-based semiconductors. "KIST has secured core technologies in next-generation semiconductors. These are hard to be achieved in university labs and companies," Lee said. KIST was established in 1966. As the country's first state-run research institute, KIST has helped pave the way for Korea's economic development. The institute has set up various economic development strategies such as establishing steel mills and shipyards and nurturing the automotive industry. It also played a considerable part in developing its own semiconductor technologies. Lee said its role in the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution is to develop basic technologies that can support private firms. "KIST underpins its role in developing original technology for the Fourth Industrial Revolution while most parts of the industrial era will be led by private firms," Lee said. KIST has been working on applying artificial intelligence (AI), big data and robotic technologies to various fields such as brain science, biotechnology, medical engineering and new materials technology. "Utilizing intelligent robot technologies and big data, we have set a goal to secure core technologies in the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution," he said. The KIST president stressed there should be different views to take the lead in the new industrial era. "Hyper-connectivity, hyper-intelligence and hyper-reality will become keywords for the Fourth Industrial Era. Many people are paying attention to AI, big data and robotics as representative technologies for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. But I see them as generic technologies that can be applied to other technologies," Lee said. Lee also emphasized that technology ought to play a role in solving problems the country and its people are confronting. "Predicting the country's future changes the views of science and technology, the advent of aging society, rise of environmental and energy issues and absence of future growth strategy of the country's economy will become major problems in the future. These are directly related with the country's population structure, lifestyle of people and industrial structure," Lee said. The government increased the budget allocated for R&D to 20.53 trillion won ($18.3 billion) in 2019, up 4.4 percent from 2018's 19.7 trillion won ($17.5 billion). Lee said the increased R&D budget shows growing expectations from the government and society that technology can provide solutions to those issues. Seeking science cooperation with North Korea Amid an amicable mood building on the Korean Peninsula, Lee said KIST is seeking ways to cooperate with North Korean institutes and stressed the need to establish a center for science and technology cooperation operated by both the South and the North. "When the two Germanies were united, state-run science institutes such as Max Planck Society played great roles, promoting cooperation in science and technology between them. For that reason, it is important for the two Koreas to have a center for science and technology cooperation," Lee said. Lee said the proposal to establish the cooperation center is nothing new as the two Koreas agreed to have one during the 2007 inter-Korean summit. However, the plan was scrapped due to political disputes between the two Koreas. To revive the project, KIST has held a series of forums, inviting a couple of experts on North Korean science and technology. "This is to cultivate an agenda on which the South and the North can cooperate and prepare for the post-unification era," Lee said. Lee said the North has high demands for technologies that can increase food production and utilize its natural resources. "The North has been pursuing economic development using scientific technology. It also puts importance on developing technologies that can utilize its natural resources," Lee said. Innovation, deregulation key to sustainable growth South Korea's exports exceeded $600 billion last year, seven years after reaching $500 billion. This figure made the country join the club of big seven traders the U.S., Germany, China, Japan, France and the Netherlands. The nation's per capita income also surpassed $30,000. Yet few people feel they have become better off, despite such outstanding achievements. Many ask why. We can cite two major factors: deepening income inequality and a failure to create new jobs. Since the outbreak of the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, the wealth gap between the haves and have-nots has continued to widen. Job creation has become more difficult because corporations, especially large ones, have reduced their workforce steadily through factory and office automation with the help of rapid advances in technologies. No matter how briskly the economy grows, employers find it unnecessary to hire more workers. Making matters worse, low economic growth has increasingly become the order of the day. This trend has made it harder to offer more job opportunities, particularly for young jobseekers. That's exactly why President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday the country is facing a serious challenge, adding that low growth has now become the norm. "We have come to be better off, but the time when we will all be better off is still far away," he said in a meeting with top business leaders to mark the start of the New Year at the Seoul headquarters of the Korea Federation of SMEs. Moon's remarks apparently reflected the aggravating economic situation that has continued to sap the nation's growth potential, with his much-avowed "income-led" growth policy going nowhere. Moon has yet to scrap his policy of creating more jobs and bringing higher income to the working class. Rather, he has vowed to keep the inclusive growth policy to make the people better off together. But the problem is whether smaller businesses can endure steep hikes in the minimum wage which increase 16.4 percent last year and 10.9 percent this year. No one can deny that higher wages, combined with a shortened 52-hour workweek, have forced businesses to cut down on the number of employees. So it is no surprise that the Moon administration has failed to meet its target of creating 300,000 new jobs in 2018. Opposition lawmakers and Moon's critics are accusing the liberal government of causing a total economic failure. Against this backdrop, President Moon has promised to create a favorable environment for corporations to increase investments. "Both economic growth and job creation come from corporate investments," he said in the meeting. This undoubtedly sounds like music to the ears of businesspeople. Yet what's at stake is how to keep his promise. Moon has called for innovation across all industries, saying the country can make the economy more dynamic and get out of the low-growth trap by promoting innovation. His stress is not new, given that his economic formula is growth led by income and innovation. But the Moon government has done little to implement the innovation-fueled growth policy. So this year, it remains to be seen whether he will put more weight on innovation to speed up economic recovery and ensure sustainable growth. Can he also listen more carefully to rising demand for deregulation? Authorities should set up better security system The government has come under fire for failing to prevent hackers from stealing personal information of nearly 1,000 North Korean defectors. In a word, this data theft was the direct result of a lack of proper information security measures to protect those who escaped from North Korea seeking a better life here. According to the Ministry of Unification, the names, birthdates and addresses of 997 defectors from the North were leaked last month when a personal computer at the Hana Center in North Gyeongsang Province was infected with malware. There are 25 Hana Centers across the country helping North Korean defectors smoothly settle in South Korean society after they complete a three-month re-education program at Hanawon. It goes without saying that Hana Centers should be equipped with watertight security to protect privacy of defectors. The reason is because if their confidential personal information is leaked, they could face a serious threat to their lives, apparently from the brutal North Korean regime, and put their family members still living in the North at risk. For this reason, the government should have paid more attention to cybersecurity measures for Hana Centers affiliated with the unification ministry. However, the authorities have so far failed to establish a proper security framework to safeguard defectors' information. The data leak only demonstrated how poorly the government has managed sensitive information of those who might be vulnerable to possible retaliation by the North for their defection to the South. It is the first such massive information leak involving North Korean defectors. The ministry said it carried out an on-site probe Dec. 19, two days after officials learned of the leak, in cooperation with the center and the provincial government. It immediately notified the affected defectors of the leak. There have been no reports of damage. But the case should be dealt with more seriously and carefully. Most of all, the authorities should conduct a thorough investigation to find the data thieves and whether they are connected with North Korea. And then they need to apply stricter security rules and strengthen oversight to better protect North Korean defectors whose number is estimated at around 30,000. Public health officials in New York and New Jersey are fighting a measles outbreak that has sickened dozens of people since November, most of them unvaccinated members of orthodox Jewish communities. The virus was traced to travelers from Israel, which is dealing with its own measles outbreak at the moment. So far, the outbreak has been relatively small because, despite gaps in what's known as community immunity, the overall national vaccination remains high enough to prevent wide-scale epidemics such as the one that raged through parts of Europe last year. But Americans should be alarmed, nevertheless. The next measles outbreak and there will be one could be much worse. That's because immunization rates among U.S. school-aged children are incredibly declining in certain states, thanks to unreasonably permissive immunization rules. All but three U.S. states allow parents to opt out of vaccination requirements on religious grounds, and 18 of them allow exemptions based on what they call personal belief, which is an even less strict standard. That's become a problem in recent years as the gospel of ignorance being pushed by the "anti-vax" movement has gained traction across the country. Many vaccination opponents believe the medicine in vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella and other real diseases causes autism and various "vaccination injuries." They have no science to back this up, only misinformed anecdotes that serve to scare gullible parents. And they're gaining ground. A study published earlier this year found that nonmedical exemptions have been on the rise in 12 of the 18 states that allow personal belief exemptions. The World Health Organization attributes a global spike in measles in the last two years to the spread of misinformation by those opposed to vaccinations. The opponents of vaccination aren't just pushing bad facts. Organizations such as the National Vaccination Information Center are behind legislative efforts to make it easier for parents to refuse to immunize their children. One example was a proposed bill in New York State that would have barred school officials from asking for supporting information when a parent claims a religious exemption. That bill didn't pass. Happily, California has gone the other way tightening its immunization requirements. California is one of only three states that allow neither religious nor personal belief exemptions. A serious measles outbreak in 2014 that was traced to Disneyland brought attention to the state's declining immunization rates, particularly in communities where the anti-vax fears had taken root. That outbreak was scary, but it served as a wake-up call to California lawmakers, who just months later banned all exemptions for vaccinations except those for medical reasons. Childhood immunization rates immediately rebounded statewide, reaching 95 percent for the first time in decade, including in school districts where rates had dropped the most precipitously. Opposition to mandatory vaccination in California continues, however. When personal belief and religious exemptions were banned, medical exemptions increased. The rise is still too small to impact overall rates of protection, but it is a trend that bears watching. It's frustrating that some parents are more concerned about protecting their children from imaginary threats than from a well-documented killer. Measles is nothing to mess around with; it is extremely contagious, in part because sick people can infect others before they realize they are suffering from more than the sniffles. And it can be particularly deadly for unvaccinated adults. Before a vaccination was developed in the 1960s, about 2.6 million people died from measles every year, according to the World Health Organization. No one has died yet in this particular East Coast outbreak. That's a relief. But it shouldn't take death to wake the public to the fact that the rhetoric behind anti-vaccination arguments has real and terrible consequences. The above editorial appeared in the Los Angeles Times. It was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. By Carl Bildt STOCKHOLM Say what you will against the European Union, but it does not lack ambitions or plans for realizing them. Almost immediately after the June 2016 Brexit referendum, the EU's 27 other member states agreed to the "Bratislava Roadmap," charting the course for a future without the United Kingdom. One year later, EU leaders reconvened in Tallinn and adopted a "Leaders' Agenda" to "guide EU action up until the European Parliament elections in May 2019." And now, the EU is preparing for a summit in Sibiu, Romania, that same month, where these blueprints will be finalized. Still, the EU ultimately will be judged on results, not resolutions. Over the past decade, the bloc has faced two profound challenges, and it is now in the process of confronting a third. The first was the euro crisis, which could have ended with the demise of the common currency. Instead, a series of summits were held, and Europe managed to muddle through. With time, member states' economies started to recover, and new instruments for coordinating economic policy within the eurozone were adopted. But just when the EU was starting to regain the public's trust, it was hit by the 2015 refugee crisis, which affected some countries far more than others, exposing glaring inconsistencies in the application of common rules concerning the movement of people. The number of asylum seekers traveling to Europe has since fallen substantially, but fears of a return to 2015 continue to haunt voters. And, more broadly, there is a growing awareness of how conflicts in the Middle East and demographic trends in Africa could threaten European stability. Now comes the third challenge: the U.K.'s impending withdrawal from the EU. With Prime Minister Theresa May having so far failed to secure parliamentary support for her negotiated exit deal, Britain is in the midst of a full-scale political crisis, and EU leaders have no choice but to watch from the sidelines as the drama unfolds. A country that once led the world now cannot even lead itself. With the European Parliament election fast approaching, this is no time for complacency. After the horrors of the Brexit referendum and Donald Trump's election in 2016 came a renewal of hope with French President Emmanuel Macron's election in 2017. But in 2018, Europe's prospects reverted to a state of deep uncertainty nowhere more so than in France itself. There can be no telling what 2019 will bring. What we do know is that governance across the EU is becoming more challenging as large mainstream political parties lose support to upstart parties and movements of both the left and the right. In this increasingly fragmented and polarized political landscape, the process of forming national governments has become long and arduous; even Sweden is following this unfortunate new pattern. Making matters worse, economic growth across the EU appears to be slowing and that was even before the eruption of mass protests in France and Italy's confrontation with the EU over its proposed budget. Whereas Italy's populist government has sought to blame the country's problems on the EU bureaucracy in Brussels, Macron has responded to public concerns by calling for even stronger EU institutions. But both perspectives elide the fact that change will depend on politically painful domestic reforms. And besides, regardless of how long Chancellor Angela Merkel remains in office, it is already clear that German backing for a "transfer union" is not in the cards. The danger now is that political uncertainty in Germany, France, Italy, and the U.K. will create an opening for populists and self-declared "illiberal" democrats such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to build more walls (physically as well as metaphorically) and mobilize the ghosts of nationalism. Moreover, Europe's external environment has become more dangerous. Though the world's attention is currently fixed on the risks of an escalating Sino-American trade war, the threat of an equally destructive transatlantic conflict cannot be ignored. Trump seems genuinely to believe that German cars on the streets of New York pose a threat to U.S. national security. Should he wake up one morning and decide to impose heavy import tariffs on European cars, things could get very ugly, very fast. Many European policymakers, already convinced that the U.S.-based tech giants are a threat to European security, would welcome the opportunity to pursue stronger actions against them. If the U.S. responded in kind, the casualties would pile up quickly. One also cannot forget the mounting geopolitical and humanitarian challenges on the EU's periphery. Trump, driven by an obsession with Iran, seems intent on aggravating ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. And it would be absurd to think that Russian President Vladimir Putin will refrain from interfering in Ukraine's upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. Russia's blockade of the Kerch Strait the entry point to the strategically important Sea of Azov and military buildup on Crimea indicate that Europe cannot let down its guard. To manage these and future challenges, the EU will have to redefine itself, starting in 2019. In an increasingly dangerous geopolitical environment, the EU can no longer rely solely on soft power. And, as is the case for all governments, it must start preparing for the digital revolution, or risk punishing costs over the near and long term. The Bratislava Roadmap, the Leaders' Agenda, and the upcoming Sibiu summit are all well and good even necessary. But whereas 2018 was a year of confusion, 2019 will be year for decision-making. European leaders must face up to the brutal realities of a changing world. Only then will voters trust them to forge a new path toward a future of peace and prosperity. Carl Bildt is a former prime minister and foreign minister of Sweden. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). By John J. Metzler NEW YORK It's that time of the year again to consult the crystal snow globe and look ahead at what global political crises we may face in the upcoming year. After a tumultuous 2018, it would be nice to have a respite from the political jolts, lurches and surprises of the past months, but that, alas, is unlikely. So let's tour the world and view some of the key challenges facing the U.S. China The relationship increasingly concerns trade tensions and South China Sea/Taiwan status. The Trump administration's commercial cold war with China is hardly over but Beijing may blink. The U.S. has played tough in trade negotiations and it looks like China will tactically concede. Yet massive trade deficits of past decades can't be wished away by a pen stroke nor can long-lost American industrial jobs from the last 30 years be brought back by good wishes. Comprehensive and fair agreements are needed to even the commercial playing field and to tighten the rules regarding China's high-tech and intellectual property theft. The South China Sea presents a more complex geopolitical puzzle. China's territorial maritime ambitions, freedom of navigation issues, as well as continuing threats to democratic Taiwan pose a clear and present danger to East Asian stability. Korean Peninsula We need a comprehensive diplomatic peace settlement for the Korean Peninsula. Just a year ago, armed conflict was a real possibility with North Korea until both the South Korean government and the Trump administration (with China's help) pulled Pyongyang back from the brink. The extraordinary Singapore summit offered positive political optics but as I said then, style over substance. Now what? We stopped the ticking clock in the North's nuclear program but sadly I sense this is a pause in Kim Jong-un's long-term game strategy. Kim won't give up nukes but is trying to swoon and cajole South Korea's President Moon Jae-in away from the U.S. and to accept a poisoned chalice unification deal. While the Winter Olympic thaw worked to defuse dangerous tensions, we are still not yet near signing a formal peace treaty ending the Korean War. Europe The European Union will be challenged by Brexit or rather Brexit will backfire on the British. The United Kingdom stands to lose by leaving Europe especially in the slipshod and shambolic way the process has turned out. Serious political turbulence will affect Europe Britain, France and Germany. Farther east, a stormy relationship with Russia continues largely over Moscow's moves in Ukraine. The festering Ukraine crisis continues to destabilize Russia's relations with the West. Syria/Iraq I have been saying solve Syria now for years. The war has churned on for eight years. More than half million people have died with almost 6 million refugees and millions more displaced inside their own country. Amid the disparate players, it's probably safer that American troops will be drawn down given competing powers (Turkey, Russia, Iran), rival factions (Assad regime, Kurds), and a lethal gaggle of terrorist groups (ISIL, al-Qaida, Al Nusra). The U.S. is better removed from that quagmire. Keeping the commitment to Iraq won by so much blood and treasure remains vital for the U.S. There's a glimmer of hope reinforced by President Trump's Christmas visit to the frontline troops in Baghdad. Don't squander hard-won past gains in Iraq. Iran Last year's massive popular demonstrations rocked Iranian cities protesting the Islamic Republic. Will the smoldering embers of social and political resentment to the Mullah regime resurface given Iran's dire economic situation? Iran could easily spark a Mideast crisis. Yemen and the humanitarian basket The U.N. does humanitarian aid well. But we still must solve root problems, not just treat symptoms. As U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said at the start of his tenure two years ago, preventive diplomacy is key. The problem is stopping ongoing crises such as Syria, Yemen and Congo. Yemen faces a massive humanitarian crisis with a fleeting hope of a U.N.-brokered political settlement. Venezuela While the socialist system has collapsed this once reasonably prosperous and middle class country, the Maduro regime nonetheless endures, backed by Cuban secret police. More than 3 million refugees have fled Venezuela, mostly to neighboring Colombia and Brazil. Wild Card Wishes managing or enduring a tricky relationship with Turkey's increasingly authoritarian President Erdogan. Returning normality to Libya, a country serving as a conduit for massive illegal migrant flows into Italy and a nexus of human trafficking. And for the U.S. to refocus on foreign policy certainty, clarity and dependability. Happy New Year!! John J. Metzler (contact jjmcolumn@earthlink.net) is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of "Divided Dynamism: The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China." By Adam Borowski Millions of people across the world are under pressure to speak "perfect English." You need flawless English to ace a job interview, impress a date, or perhaps you simply want to feel accomplished. Sadly, there are individuals who aren't able to master English for a variety of reasons: age, socio-cultural barriers, etc. Perfectionists want their English to be as smooth as silk; anything other than perfection is shameful. There's a fine line between focus and fixation. Let's examine the four "English mastery fallacies." Plenty of people speak excellent English it's estimated there are 2 billion English speakers in the world today. Some mesmerize others with their English; others butcher the language, with amusing results. I stumbled across a piece of writing on my Asian adventures "cursed magic eternal catwalk." As a fan of the strange and unusual, I was positively perplexed. There are millions of people who speak excellent English. Does that mean we ought to take English fluency for granted? Don't let anyone trivialize your linguistic achievements or any achievements, for that matter; people who dismiss your English skills for no apparent reason are usually green with envy. Don't expect them to ever admit it, of course. If you mastered English, you deserve praise. Not snide remarks. Simple as that. Speaking perfect English as the goal what does "perfect" mean here, exactly? Knowing every word, every pronunciation pattern? Does "perfection" apply to Middle English, as well? Native English speaker level equals "perfect English" to many. The language intuition, what feels right. Natives and native-like English speakers certainly have it. If you invented your own language, you could be considered the perfect speaker of that language. English isn't an artificial language, and as such speaking "perfect English" is a chimerical notion, a narcissistic ego boost for impressing the naive. With the advent of artificial intelligence humans are going to engineer the "perfect English speaker" one day. English is easy to learn If you're a Germanic language speaker, you have an advantage. Even then, the picture isn't rosy. Topsy-turvy pronunciation, spelling, articles, an intimidating lexicon (a word with 20 dictionary definitions is fun). English is a simple language to master? As Sun Tzu supposedly said: don't underestimate your enemy. Accent isn't important, as long as you can communicate imagine the following scenario: a videoconference in a Seoul skyscraper. Seven people (three in Europe, two in the U.S. and two in Gangnam) are discussing crucial business decisions. It turns out one of the businessmen has an accent that makes it difficult for others to understand him. An expert in his field, the businessman keeps mispronouncing all sorts of technical words. Others can barely contain laughter; covering their mouths isn't helping. Refusing to stand such insolence, the expert abruptly logs out. Then, reality sets in for the rest. A heavy accent issue has just jeopardized the entire project. Much to the chagrin of language purists, English doesn't belong to anyone anymore. You've every right to develop your own English learning style. Keep in mind people who casually dismiss your efforts are likely "jacks-of-all languages, masters of none." Adam Borowski (adam.borowski1985@gmail.com) teaches English to students at all levels of advancement. He worked in China. His short novel can be found at: https://existentialtableau.wordpress.com/2018/01/14/existential-tableau/ Soldiers and officers of China's border police and police guards took an oath of becoming members of people's police at ceremonies Tuesday, marking the completion of the institutional reform of the country's public security troops. The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee released a plan on deepening reform of Party and state institutions in March, 2018, including demobilizing the border police, the fire brigade and the police guards from the Armed Police Forces. The fire brigade is now under the administration of the Ministry of Emergency Management. Members of the border police and police guards officially put on uniforms of people's police Tuesday. Thousands of North Koreans gathered on Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang on Tuesday (January 1) to celebrate the new year with musical performances and fireworks. The video provided by the North's official news agency KCNA, which cannot be independently verified by Reuters, showed people dancing and siging as they watched artists perform on stage before a fireworks display. The video also showed people posing for photos at an ice sculpture festival that kicked off on Monday (December 31). (Reuters) In this photo taken on December 31, 2018, revellers gather for a New Year's eve countdown event and fireworks display on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang. AP A New Year performance is held at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Artistes from the Mansudae Art Troupe, the Phibada Opera Troupe, the National Folk Art Troupe, Kim Won Gyun University of Music and the art squad of the Korean People's Internal Security Forces and artistes of the Moranbong Electronic Ensemble gave performance. AP Former North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho speaks during a debate session on prospects of affairs on the Korean Peninsula at the National Assembly, Wednesday. Yonhap By Kim Bo-eun The North Korean leader's stance remains the same in that the regime will keep its nuclear program, former North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho said about Kim Jong-un's New Year address. "Reading the context of this year's address, we can tell there has not been the slightest change in Kim's stance of keeping hold of nuclear weapons," he said at a debate session on prospects of affairs on the Korean Peninsula, hosted by the main opposition Liberty Korea Party's (LKP) Oh Se-hoon, Wednesday. Kim stated in his address a day earlier that it is the stance of the regime to work toward complete denuclearization. Based on the North Korean leader elaborating on the state's ambitions to build its economy, hopes were raised that Pyongyang would make the decision to discard its nuclear program to get sanctions lifted this year. However, Thae said "As a North Korean diplomat, I do not think there is a possibility that the North would engage in such rational thinking or decision-making." Satellite imagery of North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear testing site on Feb. 11, 2018. / 38 North website By Kim Bo-eun Questions are being raised about North Korea's development of nuclear power for energy purposes, after its leader made a reference during his New Year address. Kim Jong-un mentioned nuclear energy, along with others including tidal, wind and hydroelectric power, as a means to boost the country's electricity supply. Regarding the remark, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said "there is a need to focus on what this would mean in denuclearization talks." The remarks came during an interview with local broadcaster KBS. Cho referred to a joint statement issued in September 2005 by six nations that were members of North Korea's denuclearization talks. "There is a part that guarantees North Korea's peaceful use of nuclear energy according to progress on the nuclear issue," he said. "It is (the South Korean government's) stance that we should discuss the issue of the North's nuclear power generation or peaceful use of nukes after progress is made on denuclearization." The statement says "North Korea stated it has the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The other parties expressed their respect and agreed to discuss at an appropriate time the subject of the provision of light-water reactor to North Korea." There is speculation that the North Korean leader's remarks on nuclear energy may be a prelude to possible claims that a light water reactor that is known to be under construction at Yongbyon, and uranium enrichment facilities to supply fuel for the reactor are unrelated to the development of nuclear weapons. There were reports last year of progress on North Korea's experimental light water reactor at Yongbyon. It is known to have been under construction since 2010. The reference to nuclear energy comes at a time denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S. have failed to make progress over the past year, despite the North Korean leader's pledge to work toward this goal. Pyongyang claimed it dismantled facilities at its Punggye-ri nuclear and Tongchang-ri missile testing sites but these measures have yet to be verified. By Kim Jae-heun Childhood poverty leads to lower chances of receiving a good education and finding a good job, resulting eventually in another round of poverty in adulthood. Contrary to this, children from affluent families have better chances of gaining a quality education with private tutoring, followed by decent jobs with high salaries and wealth in adulthood. A 34-year-old man surnamed Park lived in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, for six years until he returned recently to his hometown in the countryside of Mokpo, South Jeolla Province. It was his dream to open a Japanese-style bar in a metropolis and he strived to achieve it by working day and night at several restaurants as a part-timer. However, the reality was far more challenging than he had expected. "Making a living as a part-timer in cities like Anyang is almost impossible, especially if you are not a highly educated person. There are barely regular jobs for high school graduates like me except serving at bars or doing night shifts at convenience stores," Park said during an interview with The Korea Times last week. Park said not all people in his hometown pursue a university education and he wanted to get a job fast so he could start making money and save to get married. "My family was never wealthy enough to send my brothers and me to university. It would cost nearly 10 million won per semester for all three of us. That is too much for my parents and I don't want them to feel that pressure," Park said. But Park did not expect to find such a large wage gap between university graduates and high school graduates and now he is confused about his future. Marriage isn't even an idea he can entertain right now. Park's case is one showing the reality of childhood poverty being an enormous obstacle to social mobility later in life. According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHSA), those who lived in poverty for more than six years during childhood showed a less than 50 percent university enrollment rate. Nearly 70 percent of those who grew up in poor families failed to pursue post-secondary education. Among them, 2.1 percent only graduated from middle school. Some 39 percent of people who suffered poverty for between two to five years in their childhood also finished their academic careers at high school, which is nearly double the number of those who have never experienced poverty. At worst, those who grew up living in poverty for more than six years make up the largest share of the country's irregular workers and unemployed combined. "The experience of poverty in childhood affects one's life of adolescence and we cannot blame the children for their situation. The parents' generation has a bigger responsibility in passing on the poverty to their children," a report by the KIHSA said in November. "Korea has a low child poverty rate at the moment, but it doesn't mean the country should take the issue lightly as it can build up to a serious problem in the long term if the government does not provide them with support." The KIHSA researchers pointed out that child poverty is not the problem of an individual family but a social issue as it passes on from generation to generation. "The government should pay more child allowance for elementary and middle school students and raise the salary level. Proving a secure job that promises a certain amount of regular payment is crucial in dealing with the country's low marriage rate and low birthrate," the researchers said in the report. Poverty does not only affect people's education level and their economic status, but it also influences on their marriage rates. About 86 percent of people earning less than 50 percent of the nation's median income level were unmarried, while the ratio fell to 40 percent for those earning more than 50 percent. Over 82 percent of married people with children were college graduates. "For now, I have to find a proper job first. It gets harder for people my age to find part-time jobs too. If I don't have a regular job, forget about a house, I will never find a woman who will marry me," Park said. Worst economic polarization in 11 years The gap between the rich and poor does not show signs of narrowing, and the country recorded the worst economic polarization in 11 years this year despite the government's income-led growth plan that raised the minimum wage to improve poor families' incomes. Unfortunately, raising the minimum wage took away the jobs of irregular workers and part-timers people from mostly low-income brackets as employers decided to lay them off in order to offset increased labor costs. According to Statistics Korea, the average income of the top 20 percent of earners was 5.5 times higher than the bottom 20 percent's average, in the third quarter of this year. The disparity is the largest in 11 years. The report showed the bottom 20 percent's income has been reduced by 7 percent from the previous year to 1.31 million won per month, while the top 20 percent's income rose by 8.8 percent to 9.73 million won. By Lee Suh-yoon Seoul is not a city best known for preserving its past. Much of the city's dense concrete landscape was formed over the past few decades by top-down industrialization. The lack of historical layers and diversity in the city's contours except for a few restored ancient palaces has earned it the nickname "a city with no soul." The city's recent rise as a tourist destination has made the identity crisis more acute, as it struggles to offer visitors something deeper than mass consumer culture and endless shopping avenues. Faced with the need to present an authentic identity to outsiders as well as Koreans, the city decided to take stock of what it had. In 2012, Seoul started compiling a list of "future heritage" sites that embody the city's recent industrial growth and political turmoil. The sites are rarely aesthetically pleasing and some are restaurants or shops that are still in operation, passed down generations in one family. All represent a part of Seoul that is disappearing quickly with the city's development and the shift to an IT-based service economy. On Dec. 27, the city announced 14 new additions to the list including the city's landmark tower, a bakery, and a few novels bringing the total number of Seoul's future heritages to 461. "Though these future heritage sites seem unremarkable in our present everyday lives, they will be valuable cultural, historical resources for the next generation," Seo Jung-hyup, head of Seoul Metropolitan Government's culture department, said after announcing the new additions. "By preserving and using these future heritages, we will be able to establish the cultural identity of Seoul." Below are some of the new additions. N Seoul Tower Chinese tourists climb to N Seoul Tower in this June photo. / Korea Times file N Seoul Tower, informally known as Namsan Tower, was built in 1975 as the city's first general broadcast tower. Its cylinder-shaped observation deck was added later and opened to the public in 1980. Though only 236 meters tall, the tower's location atop Mount Nam, a mountain standing 243 meters above sea level at the center of Seoul, makes it a perfect city-viewing observatory. This local landmark still provides TV broadcasts to almost half of Seoul's residents. Pai Chai High School Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum Pai Chai High School Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government Pai Chai High School's memorial hall named after the school's founders Methodist missionaries Henry Appenzeller and William Noble has a unique history. Pai Chai High School was one of the famed academic institutions that were relocated to Gangnam, south of the Han River, in the 1980s to draw people away from the overcrowded old downtown above the river. The Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum was rebuilt in the image of its original 1923 building in Jongno, preserving the construction style of that period. Napoleon Bakery Napoleon Bakery (photo taken between 1979 and 1981) / Courtesy of Napoleon Bakery Opened in 1968 and passed down within one family, Napoleon Bakery is considered one of the top three bakeries in Seoul. Though it now has over a dozen branch stores across the country, the original store is located in Seongbuk-gu, northeastern Seoul. Napoleon Bakery is often called "the academy" in the industry, as its kitchens consistently produce the country's top bakers. Though it experiments with different breads and confectionaries, one of its most popular items is still the good old red bean paste bun. Gyeongbokgung Station Inside Gyeongbokgung Station on Seoul Metro Line 3 / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government Unlike others, Gyeongbokgung Station got its own art exhibition hall when it was built in 1985. The station was chosen as a future heritage site for its "harmonizing of traditional aesthetics and advanced construction methods," the review panel said. Lee Chun-sik, 94, the sole surviving wartime forced laborer in the country's first successful compensation suit against Nippon Steel, talks to reporters after his court victory outside the Supreme Court in southern Seoul, Oct. 30. / Korea Times photo by Shin Sang-soon By Lee Suh-yoon Korean wartime forced laborers have asked a local court to seize Nippon Steel's assets, as a last resort against the Japanese steelmaker that is refusing to compensate the victims despite a landmark ruling made two months ago. The legal team representing four victims and bereaved family members of the historical compensation suit one which awarded the first court victory to Korean victims of forced labor in Japanese factories during World War II recently filed for the seizure of Nippon Steel's stock assets in Korea, according to local media reports. Court authorities refused to verify the reports, saying the prior disclosure of asset seizure plans could jeopardize any future steps. On Oct. 30, Korea's Supreme Court ordered Nippon Steel to pay 100 million won ($89,000) to four Koreans who were forced to work in its steel mills. The steelmaker, however, refused to comply with the ruling, turning the plaintiffs' lawyers away at the door when they demanded a face-to-face explanation from its executives at the company's headquarters in Tokyo in December. Lawyers Kim Se-eun, left, and Im Jae-sung, center, accompanied by Kim Young-hwan from the Center for Historical Truth and Justice, present a video message from surviving plaintiff Lee Chun-sik outside the Nippon Steel headquarters in Marunouchi, Tokyo, Dec. 4, calling on the Japanese steelmaker to follow the Korean Supreme Court decision and compensate victims. / Yonhap A suspect in the murder case of a psychiatrist at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital is being escorted by police officers in front of the Jongno Police Station to head for the Seoul Central District Court for an arrest warrant review, Wednesday. / Yonhap By Kim Jae-heun Doctors' groups are seeking to set up a law that ensures a safer work environment, according to the medical industry, Wednesday. The move came after the death of psychiatrist Lim Se-won, Monday, at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in Seoul, who was stabbed to death during a consultation with a 30-year-old patient suffering from bipolar disorder. The Korean NeuroPsychiatric Association (KNPA) will lead the plan according to Lim's family's wishes to come up with measures for preventing potential similar lethal attacks by patients. "It is the bereaved family's wish to create a society where patients with mental problems can receive treatment without prejudice and discrimination under a safe environment," a KNPA official said. "We will collect public opinions too, and currently we are considering making it mandatory to have a backdoor for doctors to escape in an emergency situation. As few lawmakers have already agreed with the purpose of such regulations, we will rush to push for it." The Ministry of Health and Welfare has also announced it would prepare systematic and legal measures to protect medical staffers on duty, especially by taking it into consideration that psychiatrists usually have one-to-one consultation with patients. Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo also expressed his regret over the doctor's death. "It is a terrible accident that a doctor was killed while treating his patient. We will come up with preventive measures to protect medical personnel by law along with the medical industry," he said. The incident came only days after the National Assembly passed a revision bill to give a patient up to 10 years in prison or impose fines between 10 million won ($8,929) and 100 million won if they attack medical staff in an emergency room. Doctors' groups say such measures should be expanded beyond emergency rooms to other treatment rooms. "This incident showed crimes against medical staff can take place not only in emergency rooms but also anywhere in the hospital," the Korean Medical Association said in a statement. "Medical staffers are defenseless when a person approaches with the intent to attack, and this cannot be prevented by individual efforts." The incident also put the nation to shock, with a petition on Cheong Wa Dae's website calling for a safe work environment for doctors collecting more than 37,000 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon. "A hospital is a workplace for various people like doctors, nurses and medical technicians. At the same time, it is a place where many patients receive treatments and fight for their lives. Attacking and threatening a doctor at a hospital is not only an act of violence against an individual doctor, but also an act of putting other patients in danger," a petitioner wrote. According to surveillance camera recordings, Lim first escaped from the patient to another consultation room through a backdoor. He went out to the corridor and told nurses and others to run. As the patient followed with a knife, Lim ran but fell down and the patient stabbed the doctor in the chest multiple times. Lim was rushed to an emergency room for treatment but did not survive. By Celeste Kriel Kontrast, an interactive experience featuring fashion, music and art connecting professional and aspiring creatives, made its debut on Dec. 15 at Paper Street Cafe in Jung-gu, central Seoul, and will be presenting its second episode Saturday, Jan. 26. The creative content collaboration event kicked off episode one featuring a lookbook party, with a photoshoot set up on the first and second floors of the three-story art and cafe space, DJs and an art pop-up showcase on the third floor, with partygoers jamming all around. All three floors were buzzing with creative energy all day and well into the night with music pumping from the speakers on each floor, people mingling, a dance party on the third floor and models posing and cameras clicking in the middle of it all. It was a chance for attendees to immerse themselves in music, fashion and art. The first episode featured popular DJs on the Seoul music scene such as MONIKA and Ligrye, and special guest artist HootnAnnie who showcased her limited edition wearable art collection. Professional and up-and-coming photographers and models had the opportunity to collaborate on photoshoots for popular Seoul streetwear brands Stance Seoul and Flexxion on a professional set. "Our intention is to connect Seoul creatives in a space where they can build new personal and business relationships while developing their craft as part of an exciting, interactive art experience," the organizers told The Korea Times. Paper Street owners and multi-passionate creatives, fashion designer and stylist Sunya Kim, her husband, photographer and designer Loren S. Hutchins, and Kyuwan Kim, who describes himself as a "man of business," teamed up with Scott Fuzion, a creative entrepreneur passionate about lifestyle design, to create the Kontrast collective. They believe in connecting art and people, collaboration and community. "We'd like to create a movement that feeds one another. A platform where all forms of art can collaborate and grow as one through an experience," Sunya Kim said. Aiming for nine more Kontrast episodes over the next nine months, the organizers say they want to push the boundaries for what art events can be while nurturing, strengthening and providing a space for Seoul's burgeoning creative community. "The brands we bring are brands we believe in. They feel good against the skin. And the people bring positive perspectives to the world and together we generate a new online/offline collaboration, a dialogue that is life and lifestyle and living. It's a positive and encouraging environment to help one another get better and make better and be better together than any one of us can do or be alone," Hutchins said. While the events will always be rooted in fashion photoshoots, the concept is evolving continuously and other art forms will be explored over time. The second episode will include Afrobeat dancers, acro-yoga performers, 11 DJs, YouTube content creators and a special guest performance. Visit for more information. Trump welcomes Kim Jong-un's offer for summit By Lee Min-hyung U.S. President Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump has welcomed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's willingness to hold the second Washington-Pyongyang summit, renewing hopes for a possible breakthrough in their stalled denuclearization dialogue. This was in response to Kim's New Year address on Tuesday when he said he is "ready to meet with Trump again anytime." This has raised expectations for the two to meet in the near future and sign a big deal to break the ongoing deadlock in the denuclearization talks. "I also look forward to meeting with Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential," Trump tweeted Tuesday (local time). In recent months, Pyongyang and Washington have expressed their firm determination to have their second leadership meeting at the earliest possible date. Calls have grown for an urgent need to hold the summit, as the two countries have failed to make outstanding progress in negotiations over the specific timeline and methods of the North's denuclearization after their first summit last June. Trump's remark on "the North's economic potential" is seen as part of a bargaining chip to urge the regime's speedy denuclearization. Trump has repeatedly underlined that North Korea will achieve economic prosperity once it continues walking on the right path for complete denuclearization. In his New Year address, Kim also expressed his firm determination to develop the regime's economy this year. "Economy" topped the list of the most frequently mentioned terms in his address. Trump, however, did not address Kim's warning message that the North would seek a "new way" unless Washington takes reciprocal steps in denuclearization negotiations. Warning signal Kim Seok-hyang, director of the Institute of Unification Studies at Ewha Womans University, first from left, makes the opening speech at a forum to discuss North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un's 2019 New Year's speech, Wednesday, at Seoul Global Center. Seated on the stage are eight expert panels including Lee Seog-ki, Senior Research Fellow at Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, Kim Joon-hyung, professor at Handong Global University and Choi Yong-hwan, Senior Research Fellow at Institute for National Security Strategy. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-min By Jung Da-min Although much of the media focus was placed on his warning he would find a "new way" if the U.S. sticks to the sanctions, experts here argued that the New Year address of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un was mainly about the economy. It could indicate the sanctions by the United Nations and the United States are affecting the North, forcing it to go on the defensive. The Korean Sharing Movement and Ewha Womans University's Institute of Unification Studies hosted a forum on Wednesday at the Seoul Global Center to discuss Kim's New Year address the day before. About 300 people gathered to discuss the North Korean leader's annual speech, including a panel of eight experts. "Out of a total of 12,881 characters in Kim Jong-un's New Year speech, more than half, or 8,456 characters, were dedicated to emphasizing the country's economy and people's livelihoods," said Kim Joon-hyung, a professor at Handong Global University. "This is in contrast with last year's speech that emphasized nuclear arms." The North Korean leader mentioned "economy" 38 times and "self-reliant economy" seven times during his speech, indicating Kim's new base of power is now the economy, the professor noted. But the speech did not include specifics, Lee Seog-ki, Senior Research Fellow at Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, pointed out. "No new specific economic strategy was presented in most industrial sectors and expressions of the old days were revived, such as unified guidance by the state and the socialist economic law," Lee said. "It seems international sanctions against the North Korean regime have had a substantial impact on North Korea's economy in 2018, making the strategies for 2019 defensive." North Korea also wants South Korea to help improve the country's economic situation by resuming inter-Korean economic exchanges, professor Kim said, as Kim Jong-un expressed his willingness to reopen the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Geumgang resort without any preconditions in his speech. Professor Kim said South Korea needs to build special zones for sanctions exemptions in Gaeseong, the Mount Geumgang area and other locations related to inter-Korean railway projects. He also pointed out it would be hard for the U.S. and North Korea to reach an agreement at their second summit expected early this year if the U.S. keeps insisting on the principles of complete denuclearization such as final, fully verified denuclearization (FFID) without giving any significant sanctions exemptions to North Korea. South Korea's role as a bridge between the North and the U.S. has become more important, he said, as there is a possibility the U.S.-North Korea talks would not result in a positive outcome. The two Koreas could form a working group, like the South Korea-U.S. working group, to have more concrete discussions to carry on the months-long denuclearization talks while also seeking ways to resume inter-Korean economic projects, Kim said. Shanghai's Pudong New Area, a shining symbol of China's modernization, is likely to have recorded a gross domestic product last year of over 1 trillion yuan ($145.4 billion) the first time the GDP would have broken this key threshold. The special district, which contributed roughly one-third of Shanghai's annual economic output in 2018, will likely break the annual GDP threshold, according to predictions from district officials made during a meeting on Saturday. The area's total fixed-asset investment is set to hit 200 billion yuan in 2018, while overall fiscal revenue is forecast to reach 400 billion yuan. Pudong is eyeing over 2 trillion yuan in foreign trade for 2018. Pudong also put forward a goal to have its 2019 GDP growth rate at 7 percent or above, maintain the size of industrial output beyond 1 trillion yuan and synchronize the growth rate between people's disposable incomes and overall economic expansion, People's Daily cited a report circulated during the meeting as saying. These projections indicate that decades of reform and opening-up have allowed Pudong and Shanghai to be successful examples of the market-driven economic model, said Shen Kaiyan, an economics professor at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. "Apart from its role as a critical industrial base, reform and opening-up successfully helped Shanghai unlock its potential in realms like logistics, port management, and export processing. This is a substantial step toward building up a globally competitive comprehensive value chain," Shen said. The 1,210-square-kilometer Pudong literally meaning "east of Huangpu River" is Shanghai's growth engine. But it started out as ordinary farmland that was once looked down upon compared with the city's thriving Puxi industrial center, said He Jianming, vice-chairman of the China Writers Association and author of Pudong Epic. That all changed in April 1990, when the State Council, China's Cabinet, announced plans to develop Pudong into a dynamic new area through institutional innovation, He said. Today, it is home to the skyscrapers that define the Shanghai skyline, wharves that handle countless containers, industrial clusters that boast high-tech and medical industries, as well as thousands of professionals from around the world. The district accounts for around 20 percent of the city's land and 25 percent of its population, and entered into a new phase of development in 2013, becoming the nation's first free trade zone and helping Shanghai become an international center for finance, shipping, trade, and technological innovation. The area was given a fresh boost last year when President Xi Jinping announced major decisions in November to enlarge the FTZ, conduct experiments in its capital markets and enhance coordination among the Yangtze River Delta region moves interpreted by industry players as highly conducive to business expansion. Pan Jianjun, the spokesman of Shanghai-based Bright Food (Group), said the company is encouraged by the government's decision to set up new areas in the Shanghai FTZ for "better outreach to overseas markets". Liang Jianzhang, co-founder and chairman of online travel agency Ctrip, said Shanghai's tourism sector will be greatly boosted with further opening-up policies. By Kim Yoo-chul K-pop and Korean dramas are gaining popularity steadily in Argentina, one of the largest economies of South America. Korean culture has been charming its way into the hearts of Argentinian fans. The impact of hallyu, or the Korean wave, is already significant there on multiple fronts, as a growing number of Latin American fans are increasingly incorporating K-pop and other types of Korean things into their lives. The South Korean government under the concept of soft power is running various programs to help hallyu fans in Argentina take part in performance competitions. Jang Jin-sang, director of the Korean Cultural Center in Argentina, said hallyu is a "crazy phenomenon" that Argentinian fans have fallen into and added the newly opened Korean Cultural Center will take a central role in spreading hallyu in the South American country. Jang Jin-sang By Nam Hyun-woo Korea is in a dilemma over joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as the Japan-led mega free trade deal is expected to pose long-term challenges to its outbound shipments. Experts said Monday there will likely be no huge immediate impact on Korea's trade with the members of the deal because the country has built respective free trade networks with most of them, but it has to study the feasibility of joining the program, given the expected significance of the CPTPP in terms of global trade. This is an aerial view of a port in Ensenada, Mexico, Dec. 30. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership entered into force on Dec. 30 for its initial six ratifying countries Mexico, Japan, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. / EPA-Yonhap Members of amateur puppet performance group Second Youth Troupe, whose average age is 80, pose for a photo. Provided by Dangjin City By Park Jin-hai DANGJIN, South Chungcheong The Second Youth Troupe is a rare puppet troupe, comprised of eight mostly widowed elderly women with an average age of 80. The ragtag troupe, led by Moon Young-mi, head of local children's educational theater company Naesoong, was formed last January in the small mid-western rural town of Sanseong-ri, South Chungcheong Province, by the voluntary participation of women aged between 72 and 85, who have harbored curiosity of what Moon was up to with the kids. "After learning I am teaching acting to little kids, the whole village has shown a keen interest in my job. Starting with the old woman next door, many others said they too want to try it and I thought why not?" said Moon, who returned to her home town Dangjin 10 years ago, leaving behind her hectic city life. "All the more, I was thinking it might be great to make an all-senior puppetry group, who would tour elementary schools and tell old tales, so that kids could rekindle their warm old memories of listening to Grandma's stories while they rested their head on her lap." Elderly women performing a shadow puppet show are seen behind the stage at Jeongmi Elementary School in South Chungcheong Province, in July 2018. Village stars During the half-hour show, four of them control puppets and another four play with shadows a the separate puppet theater right next to it, telling the repertory of the town's legends related to a large boat-shaped rock using live dialogue colored with the local dialect. The octet began practicing in April last year and every Tuesday they gathered to practice before they stood for their first performance at Jeongmi Elementary School in July. In front of all 27 school students gathered at a hall, they made their successful debut as a senior troupe. In December last year, the troupe traveled neighboring Hongcheon County to participate in the amateur theater festival and won silver among younger rivals. Shim Tae-jin, 85, poses with her puppet. Provided by Moon Young-mi Shim Tae-jin, the oldest member, says she is having the time of her life. "When I was young, I didn't feel free as I do now, living under the same roof with a large family. I had to cook and help the 15 members of my husband's family including grandparents-in-law. I worked hard around the house and the rice field," said Shim, who married at 19 and was widowed at 55. "But I feel like I'm having the best time of my life. I learn new things, I travel to different places to put on a show and perform to cheering crowds. I feel like I became young again like a little kid who just entered elementary school. If my health permits, I want to advance to the second and third grades." Park Jung-shik, 80, a widow living alone in her hometown after her grownup children moved away for work, says joining the puppetry troupe helped her fight loneliness and depression. "When I perform at elementary schools, it is great to spend time with kids. It reminds me of my own childhood memories as well as of my grandchildren living in cities," she said. Missteps make fun Support from her family was another great joy, says Park. "After our story was covered on TV and in newspapers, I received phone calls from my sons and grandchildren saying they are proud to have me as their mother and grandmother and that they cheer for my courage to try something new. Now we are the talk of the town and I can say life begins at 80." Yet the whole process of getting those elderly members ready for the stage was not easy. During the farming season, members' attendance was low and when the competition got near, they had a hard time remembering their lines, so that Moon decided to go with voiceover. "Even after recording, it was not the end of it. Grannies, hearing their recorded voice for the first time, didn't recognize their voices and strongly insisted it is not theirs. All eight unanimously said their voices are not theirs and used to miss their turns," Moon said. "When the group with puppets was performing, all four heads of the other group leaned toward the puppet team, looking at stage like spectators and missing their cues. Later, an elementary school kid who was managing the lighting system came to help by tapping on the grannies' backs to let them know when it's their turn." Although not as skillful as other puppet troupes made of young performers, wherever the amateur puppet troupe goes, happy laughter, applause and chattering follow. "It is not always the great performances that please audiences. They make mistakes and these mistakes are also fun. When I came to see their practice at the community center earlier, it was side-splittingly funny. The lips of the puppets that should have moved didn't move, while the other puppets were way too energetic," said a villager who claims to be the troupe's great fan. Moon, who taught the troupe, says it was more meaningful to teach puppetry to the elderly than to little children. "Working with my older students gives me a more rewarding experience. There are some local culture programs for seniors like craft and yoga classes, but they say they love learning puppetry more. Unlike those classes where the teacher teaches skills and students learn silently, they say they like the atmosphere, they laugh out loud together and chat," she said. "I think they like the attention they receive from people. Many of these old people didn't know how to read Korean and have been living anonymously. But now people recognize them and give them the attention they have longed for, which makes them feel like life is still worth living at 80. "When I first mentioned the amateur theater festival in a neighboring county, I was worried about travel if they might fall or feel fatigued on the move. But now I know travel was not at all a problem but a picnic for them. Like the troupe's name, I wish those old ladies can have more happy laughs in the years ahead and have their second youth as puppeteers." The controversial scene from JTBC drama "SKY Castle," which features a doctor being threatened by a patient. Capture from JTBC By Dong Sun-hwa JTBC's ongoing TV series "SKY Castle" has ignited a controversy for allegedly "inciting" the murder of psychiatrist Lim Se-won. The psychiatrist at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital located in Seoul, was stabbed to death by a psychiatric patient during the consultation on Monday. This incident prompted the Korean Medical Association to issue a press release on the following day, slamming the popular JTBC series. "'SKY Castle,' a drama that centers on the education style of the upper class, recently aired a scene in which a patient chases after a doctor with a knife in his hand due to a grievance over his operation results this scene was ridiculously portrayed in the TV series," wrote the advocacy. Pointing out that Lim's incident took place only a few days after the program was aired, the association added: "The suspect might not have imitated the scene, but it could leave a mistaken impression to the viewers that they could either verbally abuse or commit violence toward physicians as a means to protest against the result of the treatment. This type of material should be rooted out." On the sixth episode of "SKY Castle" aired on Dec. 8, a patient with a lethal weapon threatened the doctor as he found the results of his operation dissatisfactory. The doctor's association sent an official statement to the broadcast channel after its airing of the controversial episode, demanding an apology and rectification. "We would like to express deep remorse for the drama that goes counter to the ongoing campaign, which calls for the eradication of violence against medical institutions," reads the statement. Dozens of online users have also expressed their concerns, with many of them blaming the drama for giving rise to a "copycat crime." Visitors check out dolls after a pair of giant pandas settled at an Atlanta zoo in 1999 in a sign of Sino-US friendship. [Photo/Xinhua] Xi, Trump exchange messages, voice hopes on future growth of relations Relations between China and the United States are "at a vital stage", said President Xi Jinping in describing the current bilateral ties after 40 years of development. As Tuesday marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Washington, both Xi and his US counterpart Donald Trump hailed the tremendous progress that China-US relations have made over the past four decades as they exchanged congratulations on the event. Both leaders expressed the importance they placed on advancing bilateral ties on the basis of cooperation. Xi said in his congratulatory message that history has proved cooperation is the best choice for both sides, adding that he stands ready to work with Trump to develop Sino-US relations and implement their consensus in a joint effort to advance the relationship featuring coordination, cooperation, and stability to better benefit the two peoples and the rest of the world. Trump said in his congratulatory message that he prioritized promoting cooperative and constructive US-China relations, adding that his solid friendship with Xi has laid a firm foundation to help the two countries see great achievements in the coming years. Xi and Trump had a telephone conversation last week, during which both expressed hope that the two countries, which are working hard to implement the consensus reached between them during the leaders' meeting in Argentina on Dec 1, will reach an agreement beneficial to both and the entire world. Observers said the recent interactions between Xi and Trump are positive signs indicating the world's top two economies are trying to manage their differences to bring ties back on track after months of trade frictions. Da Wei, director of the Center for International Strategy and Security Studies at the University of International Relations, said a basic lesson drawn from the 40 years of China-US relations is that the two countries have better ties when they observe things from a strategic height and with a historical perspective. Leaders of the two countries can play important roles in managing bilateral relations, which are critically important to both sides, Da added. Bilateral trade and investment have risen rapidly over the past 40 years. Trade volume between China and the US was less than $2.5 billion 40 years ago. In 2017, it surpassed $580 billion. Two-way investment was almost zero when ties were established, but the total amounted to over $230 billion in 2017. Coupled with rising business links are increasing people-to-people exchanges. Only several thousand visits were made between the two countries 40 years ago, but last year over 5.3 million visits were made between the two sides. Stephen Roach, an economist and senior fellow at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, said that in a mutually dependent relationship such as that between the US and China, both nations should work to address their own economic issues and imbalances to be better able to address issues hampering their ties. Only by strengthening from within will the world's two largest economies be better positioned to transform their relationship to a more constructive interdependency instead of their relationship creating frictions that pose serious impediments to economic growth, Roach said. The US and China must and can align their economic and national security objectives, as this is essential for the two largest economies to peacefully coexist in the current century, said John Milligan-Whyte, chairman of the America-China Partnership Foundation in New York. Washington and Beijing have to be partners, Milligan-Whyte said. "The two largest economies cannot engage in financial or military wars. So in order to coexist economically, they have to align their national security." Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said last week that in developing China-US relations, the two sides should view each other's strategic intentions in a rational and objective manner, step up strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust and avoid misjudgment. Less: Just look at London, Ont. Same: We hear more bad news. More: Canada is on the right path. Vote View Results * New York's Times Square erupted with fireworks and cheers at the stroke of midnight on January 1 (January 1) as thousands of hardy merrymakers braved pouring rain and watched the glowing New Year's Eve ball complete its midnight descent to mark the start of 2019. * More than 100,000 spectators are expected to descend on central London to watch New Year's Eve fireworks display Monday (December 31) night, according to local media reports. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the firework display will celebrate London's relationship with Europe as part of his #LondonIsOpen campaign. * Joint efforts are needed as China faces both opportunities and challenges in 2019, said President Xi Jinping in his New Year speech on December 31. The People's Republic of China will celebrate its 70th birthday in 2019. * Speaking on the occasion of the new year 2019, Myanmar President U Win Myint called on the country people to give more cooperation and assistance to the government's efforts for domestic peace, the establishment of the democratic federal union and development. * Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on December 31 promised "to root out" corruption and bring about a national "rebirth." The president, who took office on Deccember 1, called on Mexicans to welcome 2019 "with optimism." * Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, in his e-mail message for the New Year, stressed the importance of unity among the Greek people to meet national goals. * Seoul's unification ministry said in a statement that the Republic of Korea (RoK) government hailed the New Year's speech by Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), in which the DPRK leader showed his stance that his country will continue efforts for the Korean Peninsula's complete denuclearization, the establishment of permanent peace, and the expanded development in relations with the RoK. * House Democrats have reportedly prepared a plan to end the ongoing partial shutdown of the US federal government, without funding for President Donald Trump's border wall. * British Prime Minister Theresa May has been in contact with European Union (EU) leaders over Christmas holidays in her painstaking efforts to seek the reassurances she hopes will help her Brexit deal pass parliament in mid-January, Downing Street said on December 31. * Chinese President Xi Jinping on December 31 said 10 million people in the country's rural areas were lifted out of poverty in 2018, when delivering a New Year speech. Another 125 counties were removed from the country's list of impoverished counties after going through evaluation this year, he said. * The Italian society should follow the positive values of living together to overcome difficulties and achieve more security, Italian President Sergio Mattarella urged in his New Year speech on December 31. * US President Donald Trump said on December 31 that his country is "slowly" withdrawing troops from Syria, seemingly reversing a previously planned rapid exit. * The rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) on January 1 passed to Romania. It is the first time that Romania holds the rotating presidency of the Council, and it will host a summit in Sibiu, a city in central Romania, in May. * The Republic of Korea's export topped US$600 billion last year for the first time in the country's history, a government report showed Tuesday. It was up 5.5 percent from the previous year, marking the biggest since the country began the outbound shipment in 1948. * The stabbing of three people at Manchester railway station on Monday (December 31) night was being treated as terror related, British police said Tuesday. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the incident shortly before 2100 GMT on Monday. * Naval units from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Djibouti, Yemen and Sudan started on January 1 joint naval drills in the Red Sea, the armed forces reported on its website. * Seven people were killed in a fire at a private residential house in the Ural city of Orsk in Russia's Orenburg region, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said Tuesday. * Nearly 300 newly elected members of Bangladesh's parliament will take oath on January 3, a government official said on January 1. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League gained a stunning majority in the Sunday (December 30)s elections, winning 259 out 298 parliament seats, followed by its key ally, former President HM Ershad's Jatiya Party with 20 seats in the election marred by violence which left at least 17 people dead. * Brazil's President-elect Jair Bolsonaro will be sworn in on January 1 amid tight security, including more than 3,200 civilian and military security personnel, combat aircraft and surface-to-air missiles. * Cambodian authorities arrested 16,232 illicit drug suspects in 8,018 cases in 2018, said an Interior Ministry's anti-drug department report on January 1. * Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), said Tuesday that he would push forward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and was ready to meet with US President Donald Trump at any time. * Iran and Syria on December 31 discussed the ways to facilitate banking transactions between the two countries, Tehran Times daily reported. * The Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) rescued 180 migrants off the coast of Malta on December 31. The rescue carried out during the night involved two separate operations. * The landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the Philippines have caused 75 people dead and 16 others missing, the government disaster agency said on January 1. * A total of 41 villagers were missing after fatal landslides struck Suka Bumi district in Indonesia's West Java province on December 31, a disaster agency official said on January 1. * At least 184 Afghan civilians were killed and 94 injured in clashes and terrorist attacks in December 2018 in the militancy-hit country, a monitor group reported on January 1. Privatisation Commission Islamabad Financial Consultant Jobs Latest Ministry of Privatisation Consultant Posts Islamabad 2021 Privatisation Commission Islamabad, Ministry of Privatisation, Government of Pakistan are requires applications from experienced candidates for the posts of Financial Consultant. Skills Required Finance 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. Company Address: 5-A, ESAC Building Constiotution Avenue Islamabad Telephone: 051-9208510 Official Website: http://privatisation.gov.pk/ Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted. NRSP Hyderabad Jobs 2019 for Community Nutrition Officer Latest National Rural Support Programme NRSP NGO Posts Hyderabad 2021 National Rural Support Programme NRSP Hyderabad, Pakistan are requires applications from energetic candidates for the posts of Community Nutrition Officer, Communication Manager, Documentation Manager. How to Apply on National Rural Support Programme NRSP Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Company Address: P O Box # 227 GPO Hyderabad Official Website: www.nrsp.org.pk/careers.php Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted. Students debate: Should high schools have required courses? BRETT MELLUL: YES! There should be required courses so that students can be well rounded and have access to as many opportunities as possible. When... Students debate: Online school or in-person JAKE RESNICK: School should be online. To start with the obvious, many students come in contact with their grandparents (or even parents) on a regular... TEEN VOICES: Hannah Shaw The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time explores the thought process of Christopher, the protagonist of the book. Christopher is an autistic teenager... Responding to anti-Semitism Weve all experienced acts of hate or ignorance at least once in our lives. You might look back at a situation during which you were... 12th Party Central Committees ninth session held The ninth session of the 12th Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee took place in Hanoi on December 25-26. The committee discussed the personnel planning of the CPV Central Committee for the 2021-2026 tenure and conducted a vote of confidence on members of the Party Central Committees Politburo and Secretariat. The participants also gave comments on a review report on the leadership and instruction of the Politburo and Secretariat in 2018, as well as considering and taking disciplinary measures against officials in line with the Partys regulations. Vietnams economy grows by 7.08% in 2018 Vietnam's economic growth rate in 2018 is 7.08%. The Vietnamese economy grew by 7.08% in 2018, the fastest rate in the past 11 years and beating the target of 6.7%. The countrys GDP in 2018 was estimated at VND5,535 trillion (US$238 billion), doubling the figure in 2011. The GDP per capita in 2018 rose by US$198 from the previous year to US$2,587. CPTPP trade deal officially takes effect The 11-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) officially came into force on December 30. The trade deal was signed by 11 member states, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, in Santiago in March 2018. Bomb attack on bus carrying Vietnamese tourists in Egypt Police officers inspect the scene of a bus blast in Giza (Photo: Reuters) A roadside bomb blast hit a tour bus carrying Vietnamese tourists near the Giza Pyramids in Egypt at 18:15 (local time) (23:15 - Vietnamese time) on December 28, killing three Vietnamese tourists. The bus had 18 people on board including 15 Vietnamese tourists and three Egyptian people. Besides the three Vietnamese victims, one Egyptian guide was also killed. Cold spell hits northern region A cold spell hit many parts of the northern and north-central regions from early December 28 and will last for a week. This is the strongest cold wave to have hit the northern region since the beginning of this years winter. The cold air caused the temperature in Mau Son tourism complex in Loc Binh district, Lang Son province, to drop to minus 0.5C and in other localities decrease by 4 to 6C, accompanied by rains, with rainfall from 2 to 4mm. Localities nationwide flooded with Christmas atmosphere Domestic and international visitors enjoy Christmas celebrations. (Photo: NDO) A happy and warm Christmas atmosphere prevailed over many provinces and cities around the country with sparkling streets, churches and parishes. Millions of parishioners and tourists went out onto the streets and churches to join the Christmas Eve celebrations. Bui Thi Thu Thao named most outstanding athlete in 2018 Track and field athlete Bui Thi Thu Thao, who won a gold medal for Vietnam at the 2018 Asian Games (ASIAD 2018) in Indonesia in August, was voted as the most outstanding athlete of Vietnam in 2018. Footballer Nguyen Quang Hai from the Hanoi FC, who made great contributions to helping Vietnam win the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018, ranked second. He was followed by swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang from the central province of Quang Binh, who secured a silver medal at ASIAD 2018. Image courtesy of Handmade in Germany HANDMADE IN GERMANY An International Touring Exhibition of German Manufactories 2018 2020 The Direktorenhaus, the Museum for Art, Craft & Design, has its own collection, in addition to changing exhibitions. At the center of the exhibitions stand the noticeably increased importance of design and aesthetics in todays life. Thus, the program revolves around current design phenomena and deliberately involves the boundaries of architecture, art and crafts. Since 2010, the Direktorenhaus has been organizing art and design exhibitions and is participating in an international art discourse with thematic exhibitions such as the Illustrative Biennial (Paris, Zurich) or the Handmade in Germany Worldtour. The Deutsche Manufakturenstrae, the leading German manufacturing association, supplements the exhibition on a national level with tourist routes along the most important German manufacturers. The Direktorenhaus is the seat of Deutsche Manufakturenstrae and editor of the art magazine OBJECTS. Journal of Applied Arts. Image courtesy of Handmade in Germany Curated by Pascal Johanssen and Katja Kleiss of Direktorenhaus Berlin, this touring exhibition will span several years and continents to show a concentrated collection of German quality production: design objects and manufacturing products, all hand-made in Germany and stretching across all branches. The exclusive selection of exhibits represents the value and future of premium quality production with a commitment to time and handiwork especially against the backdrop of the current trend of mass production and globalisation. Handmade in Germany is a touring exhibition of German manufacturers around the world, spanning several years. Starting in Berlin, the exhibition first moves to St. Petersburg, then goes on to visit cities in Asia, America and the Middle East before returning to Europe oncemore. The exhibition will be shown in exciting cities and metropolises. For the most part, they will be reached by sea, but also by land. The idea of the tour itself is inspired by the walz or journeyman years the journey taken on by apprentices of German trades after completing their apprenticeship, similar to the Grand Tour of the European nobility. The journeyman years are a German tradition still followed today, at the occasion of which the travelling craftsmen still wear the traditional garb. Image courtesy of Handmade in Germany In May 2018, the Handmade-Worldtour was the special guest at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. With over 800 exhibitors and 35.000 trade visitors from around the world, the ICFF represents the most renowned commercial platform for contemporary design in North America: a true hub for trade, trend spotting and a magnet for hundreds of thousands of design aficionados. For its 30th anniversary the ICFF organizers invited the German design exhibition Handmade in Germany as a highlight for its New York audience. The ICFFs exhibition venue is the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, built in midtown Manhattan in the 1980s. The building with its distinctive space-frame structure replaced the New York Coliseum as the citys main event location. Located on 11th Street in the middle of Hells Kitchen, it is the most frequented convention center in the United States and in many cases plays host to the biggest events of respective sectors. Among them is the ICFF which, with 800 exhibitors and 35.000 trade visitors, is the biggest and most important design fair in North America. In May, the design world meets in New York City as part of NYCx Design: New York Citys Design Week host events, exhibitions and conventions throughout the city. The main event was the International Contemporary Furniture Fair ICFF. For the 30th time the ICFF presented designers and interior architects who showcased contemporary design trends in the areas of interior design, furniture, lighting, lifestyle and accessories as well as textiles. The trade fair allows an insight into the avant-garde of the most exquisite and innovative design products worldwide, all gathered under one roof. The focus of this years 30th anniversary is the Handmade in Germany exhibition showcasing master-pieces and award-winning design objects from Germanys best manufactories and design studios. Image courtesy of Handmade in Germany Germany has many good manufactories producing high-quality products. The reason for this is the historical tradition of German craftsmanship. The training from apprentice to journeyman to master is unique in the world; its purpose is to achieve a broad access to traditional knowledge as well as a great depth in the field, which makes handicrafts one of the most diverse and innovative sectors of the national economy. The Handmade in Germany exhibition uses selected exhibits to show what an important part handicrafts, including the spirit of artistic movements such as the Werkbund and the Bauhaus, play in Germanys cultural heritage. Handmade in Germany is a journey through the objects and people of modern and traditional Germany. Exhibitors include world renowned luxury brands, superb manufactories, individual designers and award-winning art studios, such as the exquisite fountain pens of Graf von Faber-Castell, Pelikan and Lamy, porcelain manufactories Nymphenburg, Rosenthal, Hering Berlin and Furstenberg or interior design brands COR, Wilde+Spieth and lighting designer Ingo Maurer. Image courtesy of Handmade in Germany The label Made in Germany has a worldwide reputation for quality this sign of quality, however, mostly marks industrial production. In contrast, the Handmade in Germany exhibition signifies products which are created through individual master worksmanship by artists, designers and artisans: products which take time to be crafted and require a focus on detail from their creators, that lend them a very special aura. The exhibition Handmade in Germany shows the sensual side to German production. Not efficiency and engineering genius are centre stage here but shape and idea, the poetic, the numinous and the individuality of the world of objects. Objects are arbiters of cultural norms and values. The carefully selected collection demonstrates the relational structure and the fabric of meaning between objects and people. For the curators of the exhibition this relationship is a pivotal endeavour of our times: since the reasoning of our late capitalistic world, shrunken to a means-end rationality, needs alternatives, which dont just reduce material things to being marketable products. They are an important part of our living environment, with all its impact on quality of life, nurturing and ability to judge. more. www.handmade-worldtour.com A new promotion at work is a solid way to start the New Year. Ebro Darden has been working as a Beats 1 host for quite some time, but, as reported by Billboard, he has recently been promoted to a bigger role at Apple Music. According to the publication, Darden is now the Global Editorial Head of Hip-Hop and R&B at the streaming music platform. With the new role, Darden will be tasked with heading the teams in both genres, cultivating editorial content for new releases. Darden will continue to host his Ebro in the Morning radio show on Hot 97 in New York City, which runs between 6:00 A.M. and 10:00 A.M. local time. Darden already has tasks in front of him, saying that hes going to put a major focus on making sure consumers can find the music that they love: First things first is making sure that were firing on all cylinders in the best way possible, helping consumers find the music that they love and also helping artists connect with consumers in a real way. Once I learn about whats needed to achieve that, it will be about looking ahead and figuring out ways to serve the communities where hip-hop and R&B music is made. Black music comes from the community. This is music made by people living real lives and artists speaking on behalf of those real lives. If were doing our job, Darden continues, well be able to get down at the community level and connect with people to not only help artists service their communities but help those communities thrive. This is a global position as well. So, as we build this out, Ill be doing the same thing I want to do in America in the U.K., Africa, India, Japan, Brazil and other countries. Ill be wherever R&B and hip-hop are being consumed and working to create communication amongst communities around the world through Apple Music making sure that black music is getting recognized and developing the next superstars. Apple Musics Global Director of Editorial, Rachel Newman, had this to say on the promotion: Were excited that Ebro is joining us in a full-time capacity. Having dedicated his life and career to hip-hop, R&B and pop music, he has so much to offer. One of Ebros most defining characteristics is that he has great ears for where R&B and hip-hop are transcending and evolving to beyond even the borders of the U.S. Hell obviously take a leadership position for us not just in hip-hop and R&B but also in the communities where the music is made, which is also exciting and something unique to Ebro. Darden has been working with the Apple Music team since 2015, when he joined the inaugural Beats 1 hosting duties alongside Zane Lowe and Julie Adenuga. This is big news for Darden, and a great way to start the New Year. One can only hope that his plan, to help Apple Music subscribers discover music that they love, actually has worthwhile results. Heres a suggestion! Create a playlist for new releases, specifically singles, for artists that users have shown interest in. That would be great! [via Billboard The Office of the Secretary-General to the Parliament announced the passing of the Speaker on December 22. Jiko Fatafehi Luveni visited Vietnam in January 2018 to attend the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-26) in Hanoi. During her meeting with NA Chairwoman Ngan, she expressed her wish that the two countries and their parliaments will increase cooperation and continue with their mutual support at international forums and organisations, while promoting people-to-people exchange. Remember the 17-year old kid Xiao Wang who sold his kidney for around $3,000/RM 13,000 to buy an iPhone 4 and iPad? His parents could not afford to buy an iPhone which prompted him to take this extreme step. Seven years later, things have not gone as planned for Wang. Wang struck a deal with a black market organ dealer to sell his kidney in return for some serious moolah. The operation was performed at an illegal underground hospital in Chenzhou, China. After the operation, Wang was told hed return to his normal life after about a week. Sadly that never happened. The operation theatre and the equipment used were not sanitized properly which led Wang to develop an infection on his wound. Worse, Wang never revealed to his family that he had sold his kidney to buy an iPhone. It was only when he became terribly sick from the infection that his parents came to know about his deeds. Sadly, by the time he was taken to a hospital, it was too late as his kidney function had been severely affected by the infection. Now, Wang is permanently bedridden and requires hemodialysis to survive. The whole ordeal has put his family in a financial crisis due to the expensive medical bills. Thankfully for Wangs parents, the middleman and the underground hospital where the operation was conducted were sued and they have received a lot of money as compensation. Moral of the story? Dont be stupid like Wang and sell your kidney for an iPhone or for just about anything else. Your life is more precious than that. [Via Oriental Daily 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 former Anambra state governor was on Channels TVs Politics Today on Tuesday, lambasting the Buhari government while outlining its failure. He wrote: We want the APC Government to show what they have been doing for the past 3 years. We have millions of Nigerians who dont know where the next meal will come from. For the past two months, our universities are closed. These are the things that should bother us. When the governments talks about the amount of money they spend on infrastructure, the question is, where is the infrastructure? The reason the airport is going on even without delay is because all the counterpart funding that was suppose to be paid, was paid by PDP government. On Borrowing Borrowing is critical. When you borrow for productivity then its allowed. When you borrow for consumption, then you have a crisis. Today, IMF and World Bank are warning Nigeria against its borrowing. If you must borrow, it must be clearly defined, productive and contributive to the economy. What theyll do So that Nigeria can start working again, what we will do is move from policy formulation to program implementation. We will tackle jobs, and issue of poverty. We will see poverty numbers reduce. It will be aggressive and Nigerians will see. Vanguard A non-governmental organisation, Justice Helpline Foundation, has threatened to drag the Nigeria Police to the United Nations over what it described as constant intimidation of Senator Dino Melaye by the Police. Thisday The US embassy in Nigeria has assured that its offices in Abuja and Lagos are open for all consular business, including visa interviews. The Sun President General of traders in the South East and Anambra State Amalgamated Market Traders Association, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo speaks on efforts to forestall fire incidents in the markets during the yuletide while urging traders to take safety measures including switching off their electrical appliances. Daily Trust Alhaji Abdullahi Maiturare Shinkafi is the Zamfara North senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). In this interview, he speaks on APGAs chances in Zamfara among other issues. Excerpts: The Nation Twelve persons have died in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in a Monday night auto crash near Second Gate, New Gbagi International Market, on the new Ife-Ibadan road. Tribune FIERY Enugu Catholic Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka has urged Nigerians to pray hard to overcome what he tagged impending unimaginable difficulty in 2019, urging Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buharis reelection in 2019. The spiritual leader of the Adoration Ministry, Rev Father Ejike Mbaka has endorsed the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari. The controversial priest gave his endorsement in his New year message to Nigerians. It will be recalled that Mbaka, had said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Peter Obi will fail in the coming election, during his Thanksgiving service late 2018, which was attended by Obi. In his message, the priest said A president that is fighting corruption need to be supported. We pray for President Muhammadu Buhari; he is a man who understands the situation. Since Nigeria started, we have never experienced a president that has agricultural programmes like him. For 16 years, the road from Anambra to Enugu was over-grown with weeds but within four years the road is being reconstructed and the same way they are doing it to Umuahia. This one that remembered us may God bless him. Four years doesnt mean eight years; he has finished his four years, I pray for peaceful transition that he may complete his remaining four years. He will hand over to a better person, may the Lord keep him. When he was sick, he was almost dead and we said prayer and God granted him healing. God knows the purpose for allowing him to be alive; if God doesnt want him, he could have died. The roads that were not going has started going. A lot of things are happening now which nobody knows. May the lord protect Buhari; it shall be well with our president. The Defence Headquarters has urged everyone to be wary of fraudulent fund raising by Doctor Perry Brimah to feed Nigerian army troops. In a statement by Sani Kukasheka Usman, Brigadier General Director Army Public Relations, in a statement on Wednesday described the said doctor as a criminal, who was involved in the fraud raising venture ostensibly to defraud unsuspecting members of the public especially the international community to fund subversive activities and personal life style. The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a fraudulent and criminal fund raising by one Doctor Perry Brimah, a Nigerian in diaspora, tagged Global Campaign To Provide Food For Nigerian Soldiers Fighting Boko Haram. The criminal embarked on this fund raising venture ostensibly to defraud unsuspecting members of the public especially the international community to fund subversive activities and personal life style. The criminal is using the following contact points for the fund raising; https://www.gofundme.com/feed-nigerian-soldiers/ info @ ENDS.ng Tel: +1-929-427-5305; Whatsapp: +234-903-420-3031. The army stated clearly that Nigerian military personnel deployed to the Northeast or any where else in the country do not lack logistics nor food. We wish to state that the Nigerian soldiers deployed in the North East or elsewhere, neither lack logistics nor food as the fraudster wants unsuspecting members of the public to believe. The Nigerian Army never faltered in providing necessary logistics to troops to the extent of providing extras especially during festive periods. Therefore, this move by Doctor Brimah is nothing but a scam as there is nowhere in the world where troops were fed through donations by members of the public. The army also noted that theres no form of hunger or starvation among military personnel, as depicted by the said doctor Brimah. We would like to further state that there has never been complaints of lack of food by soldiers talk-less of starvation. The so called Dr Perry Brimah or his agents do not represent the Nigerian Army or her soldiers. Whoever believes and falls victim to this criminal act does so at his or her own risk. In addition, the Nigerian Army in conjunction with the Interpol are working hard to declare him wanted and extradite the International fraudster to face justice. Therefore, we request the general public for any information on the whereabouts of this fraudster. The army therefore urged everyone to disregard such information, and spread this message. The Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre under the Defence Ministry was established in December 2013 and upgraded to become the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations in January 2018. It has facilitated the training of human resources for the mission. Vietnam began joining in UN peacekeeping operations in 2014. In its initial years, the country sent staff and liaison officers and observers to several African nations, including South Sudan and the Central African Republic. In October 2018, Vietnams first level-2 field hospital, the first-ever independent unit of Vietnam to join the UN peacekeeping mission, deployed two groups of 63 personnel to South Sudan. On October 1, the first group with 32 members set off for the African country. The second group with 31 doctors left Ho Chi Minh City for the mission on October 15. In his online speech delivered from the UN headquarters, UN Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Atul Khare said the deployment reflects Vietnams goodwill and responsibility toward the mission as well as its capacity to directly involve in the work, bringing peace and stability to people in difficult areas. To date, the hospital has offered check-ups and treatment to hundreds of patients. On December 13, 2018, the Defence Ministry launched a training course for 70 staff members of the second level-2 field hospital to help them gear up for taking over from the first field hospital. The two hospitals have been designed to be ready to replace each other in peacekeeping operations. With diverse functions, they can also serve as mobile hospitals in emergency cases like disaster search and rescue in Vietnam, and take part in multilateral drills. Los efectos secundarios de una segunda inyeccion de la vacuna COVID-19 son una senal de que esta proporcionando una proteccion mas vigorosa y duradera contra el coronavirus. Amid global and regional uncertainty and unpredictability, Vietnams foreign policy was implemented in a well-prepared and solid manner, said Deputy PM Minh, citing General Secretary Nguyen Phuc Trong as saying that diplomacy was a bright spot in the countrys overall achievements. In his article, the Deputy PM underlined the importance of the Secretariats Directive 25 on promoting multilateral diplomacy until 2030 as a realisation of the 12th Party Congresss guidelines on proactive and active international integration in which Vietnam aims to play a core, guiding and reconciliatory role at multilateral forums and organisations of strategic importance to Vietnam. Building on the success of the APEC Year 2017, Vietnam continued to successfully hosted many important international conferences in 2018, particularly the World Economic Forum on ASEAN in September in Hanoi. In 2018 the international community also placed their confidence in Vietnam by assigning the country with many important responsibilities, notably the nomination of Vietnam as the only Asia-Pacific candidate to the UN Security Councils non-permanent membership and election to the UN Commission on International Trade Law. Amid complex and unpredictable international relations, Vietnam not only reinforced but also expanded relations with key partners. In 2018 Party and State leaders made 28 foreign visits and welcomed 33 foreign high-ranking delegations to Vietnam. The country upgraded its relationship with Australia to a strategic partnership and established a comprehensive partnership with Hungary. In 2018 Vietnam braved the headwinds of protectionism to further deepen its international economic integration. Vietnam signed the CPTPP with ten other economies in the Pacific and was working with the EU towards ratifying the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement. Economic diplomacy played a considerable part in helping to increase Vietnams trade value with major trading partners. Vietnam also made contributions to international security by sending doctors for UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan. The diplomatic sector also worked closely with defence and security forces to firmly safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity in 2018. The land border was properly managed while in the sovereignty over the waters and islands in the East Sea was also firmly protected. The Party Central Committee adopted a resolution that aims for Vietnam to become a strong marine economy. Cultural diplomacy also recorded notable achievements with the UNESCO recognition of an ancient travel document and a geopark. Building on the significant achievements in 2018, Deputy PM Minh expressed his belief that with determination and under the sound leadership of the Party and State, Vietnams diplomatic sector will continue to record further achievements, contributing to national development. iStock/yulenochekk(MOSCOW) -- The family of an American man arrested in Russia on spying charges has said they are certain he is innocent -- and are worried about his well-being. Paul Whelan was arrested Friday by Russia's domestic security service, the FSB, which said he was detained because he was conducting "spying activity." Whelan's family said in a statement Tuesday that they are "deeply concerned about his safety and well-being." "His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," the statement read. Whelan's twin brother, David, told ABC News that Paul Whelan is 48 years old, a former staff sergeant in the U.S. Marines. Service records provided by the Marines show he served two tours in Iraq in 2004 and 2006. According to a statement from his employer, Whelan is currently the director of global security for BorgWarner Inc., a large American auto-parts supplier. David Whelan told ABC News he can't imagine his brother as a spy. "He's got a military background, he's been in corporate security for years. He was former law enforcement. He was going to be very well aware of the risks of traveling in Russia," he said Tuesday morning. "I just don't see him putting himself in a position where he would be considered to break the law by a government like Russia's." The U.S. State Department said on Monday it had been notified by Russia of Whelan's detention but that American diplomats had so far been unable to meet with him. Last week, he was in Russia to attend the wedding of an old friend from the Marines, who was marrying a Russian woman, his family said. He had been staying at the upscale Metropol hotel in central Moscow and had been involved in the wedding party. The group had toured city together, including visiting the Kremlin Friday morning, David Whelan said. That was the same day, Dec. 28, that Paul Whelan was detained. The wedding was that night and his friends become concerned when Paul Whelan never appeared, his brother said. His friends hadn't heard anything from Whelan since 5 p.m. The silence "was very much out of character for him even when he was traveling," the family said of Paul Whelan in the statement. By Sunday, his friend filed a missing person report with the U.S. Embassy, according to David Whelan. The first the family heard of Paul Whelan's whereabouts was when the FSB released its statement Monday announcing he been detained and accused of spying. The FSB, which stands for the Federal Security Service, has not provided any more details about Whelan. The Russian government has not publicly provided any information on what Whelan is accused of or the allegations surrounding his arrest. Whelan's employer, BorgWarner, has collaborated for several years with Kamaz, Russia's largest truck manufacturer, which is part of Rostec, a major state-owned conglomerate of strategic companies that produce defense technologies and armaments, among other products. There is no indication that this connection is related to Whelan's arrest. BorgWarner on Tuesday said it had no facilities in Russia and that Whelan had been on a personal trip. A BorgWarner spokesperson told ABC News that as director of global security Whelan "is responsible for the security of our facilities, assets and people." "The company does not have any facilities in Russia. It's our understanding that this was a personal trip. He was not there on business for BorgWarner," the company said, adding that Whelan has worked there since 2017. U.S. prosecutors accused Butina of trying to infiltrate the Republican Party through American conservative organizations, acting on behalf of a well-connected Russian banking official. The Butina is loosely connected to the sprawling special counsel investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. Robert Mueller's prosecutors are still probing, but have already uncovered a plot by Russian intelligence agencies to influence the election in favor of Donald Trump and to undermine his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Prior to that, Whelan was employed by Kelly Services, a global temporary staffing agency, according to his brother. I can confirm that an individual named Paul Whelan worked for Kelly Services until February 2016. Kelly has yet to confirm whether this former employee is the same individual reported upon in the news stories, Kelly Services told ABC News in a brief statement. David Whelan said as far as he was aware his brother was more involved in physical security of factories and facilities, ensuring things like proper exits and preventing scrap metal from being stolen, rather than private intelligence or cybersecurity activity for the company. He said his brother had visited Russia previously, traveling for personal and work reasons. Paul Whelan gave an interview to a Marine publication about a trip to Moscow in 2007 while he as on R&R leave during one of his tours in Iraq. Paul Whelan was supposed to travel with the wedding party to St. Petersburg, his brother said, and was scheduled to fly back home on Jan. 6. Whelan's arrest follows another high-profile spy case involving the United States and Russia. A young gun rights activist named Maria Butina pleaded guilty last month to illegally acting as a foreign agent. U.S. prosecutors accused Butina of trying to infiltrate the Republican Party through American conservative organizations, acting on behalf of a well-connected Russian banking official. The Butina is loosely connected to the sprawling special counsel investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. Robert Mueller's prosecutors are still probing, but have already uncovered a plot by Russian intelligence agencies to influence the election in favor of Donald Trump and to undermine his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Russia has claimed the Butina case is a fabricated witch hunt and has accused the U.S. of taking her hostage for political reasons. John Sipher, a former veteran CIA officer who once ran the agencys Russia operations, told ABC News he was suspicious of the Kremlins claims. You need to recall that the Russian definition of espionage and spying is extremely flexible and covers all sorts of things that we would not consider illegal in any way," he said. It is a law specifically written to allow [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to define it any way he wishes. "It would be easy for him to arrest almost anybody and accuse them of espionage, Sipher added. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Historians and medical researchers usually hesitate to diagnose historical figures with disabilities and disorders post hoc, but contemporary understanding of human behavior can actually inform our analysis of various Civil War successes and failures. Case in point: Braxton Bragg. By many accounts, Bragg has been recognizedby his contemporaries and oursas possessing extraordinary intelligence, a superior memory, and a talent for drilling and organizing his men, yet almost all of the battles in which he engaged during the war ended in defeat, save for Chickamauga. Indeed, Bragg is often considered among the worst generals of the Civil War, even dubbed the most hated man of the Confederacy by his biographer Earl Hess. It is possible to reconcile Braggs gifts with his failures, if we consider, as some have speculated, that Bragg may have been on what we know today as the autism spectrum. The American Psychological Association definition of autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, in its simplest form describes it as a neuro-cognitive condition that affects behavior, communication, and social functioning. In fact, a list of common behaviors associated with ASD almost reads like a short biography of Bragg: difficulty with peer relationships; difficulty expressing emotions appropriately; failure to read body language and understand others; obsessive habits; inflexible adherence to routines; being prone to unexpected aggression; and seeing everything in terms of black and white. Some of the best-known anecdotes about Bragg seemingly illustrate these characteristics quite well. In his memoirs, Ulysses S. Grant recalls an episode from the old army in which Bragg, stationed at a post of several companies, each commanded by a field officer, was himself commanding one of the companies while also acting as post quartermaster and commissary officer. He was first lieutenant at the time, but his captain was detached on other duty. As commander of the company he made a requisition upon the quartermasterhimselffor something he wanted. As quartermaster he declined to fill the requisition, and endorsed on the back of it his reasons for so doing. As company commander he responded to this, urging that his requisition called for nothing but what he was entitled to, and that it was the duty of the quartermaster to fill it. As quartermaster he still persisted that he was right. In this condition of affairs Bragg referred the whole matter to the commanding officer of the post. The latter, when he saw the nature of the matter referred, exclaimed: My God, Mr. Bragg, you have quarreled with every officer in the army, and now you are quarreling with yourself! Many historians have questioned whether this incident actually occurred, yet even if it is apocryphal, Grant added that the anecdote was very characteristic of [Braggs] nature. He was thoroughly upright, Grant wrote. But he was possessed of an irascible temper, and he was naturally disputatious. A man of the highest moral character and the most correct habits, yet in the old army he was in frequent trouble. As a subordinate he was always on the lookout to catch his commanding officer infringing his prerogatives; as a post commander he was equally vigilant to detect the slightest neglect, even of the most trivial order. Another widely told anecdote supports the portrait of Bragg as obsessively rigid with military rules, even to absurdity. In this instance, during the Mexican War, he and his men were enduring an artillery barrage at Monterrey when Bragg witnessed an American horse driver fall dead from his saddle. Bragg ordered his retreating men to halt, and ordered one of the other horsemen to dismount, turn around, and recover the dead mans sword because it was public property that had been issued by the government. The horseman also took from the corpse a pocket knife, fearing that if he did not, Bragg would send him back for it. Nearly every biographer has deemed Bragg his own worst enemy because of his lack of interpersonal skills, or his unusual obsession with organization and discipline. One of Braggs men, Samuel B. Church, admitted to placing a loaded and fused 12-pounder shell outside Braggs tent on August 26, 1847, attempting to kill him because he was such a strict disciplinarian. The explosion miraculously didnt injure Bragg, which must have frustrated Church, because he tried again in October, only to fail once more. In his 1991 biography Braxton Bragg and Confederate Defeat, Grady McWhiney noted that even at the United States Military Academy, Bragg prided himself on being the ugliest man in the corps and expressed his opinions on all occasions and all subjects in a most tactless manner. This was his way; he would always be outspoken, never able to conceal or moderate his views. As a consequence, some cadets thought him uncouth, brusque, and rude. This sort of social crudeness is emblematic of ASD individuals, likewise the poor personal relationships it breeds with others. The inability to read or understand social cues, also a standard ASD attribute, is evident in Braggs handling of criticism from his commanders after his retreat from the Battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro) in January 1863a move that drew sharp criticism from his subordinates, the press, and even the public. Goaded by such denunciation, McWhiney wrote, Bragg decided to ask his subordinates what they really thought of his military ability. According to McWhiney, on January 10, 1863, Bragg read to his staff an article from the Chattanooga Rebel opining that Bragg had lost the confidence of his Armythat a change was necessary & that the retrograde movement from Murfreesboro was against the advice of his general officers. Bragg asked his staff to consider the charges and informed them that if he had lost the confidence of his Armyhe would retire. The staff met and did, in fact, conclude, to Braggs surprise, that he should ask to be relieved, which he did not. A host of circumstances influenced Braggs campaign failures, and not least among them were his poor relationships with men at all levels of service in the Confederate Army. Indeed, uncooperative subordinates are often cited as contributing to Braggs defeats. Doubtless some of his commanders, such as Leonidas Polk and William Hardee, shared in the blame, but its possible to reexamine their response to Bragg in a new light if we consider him on the spectrum in current parlance. Concluding that Bragg was on the spectrum does make sense. He was obviously quite intelligent; he was an effective administrator; he is even called a good soldier by many respectable contemporaries when you are able to dig into the less-biased records. There were no logical reasons for Bragg to fail in the ways he did given the advantages he should have had. Perhaps lack of charisma was actually impaired social functioning; his obsession with organization actually a desire to maintain comforting routines in response to disability; generals who criticized and quarreled with Bragg were perhaps responding to their own inability to understand him as much as to Braggs inability to communicate effectively and understand them. In other words, he was very likely on the spectrum, and we should consider reinterpreting his critics now since they had little idea with what they were dealing. Perhaps we do. Jack Trammell is professor of sociology, criminal justice, and human services at Mount St. Marys University in Emmitsburg, Md. He specializes in disability and social history. Dale Richey joined the U.S. Army at age 18. After Airborne School, he moved quickly to Ranger training, and then he volunteered for Special Forces. In 22 years of military service, Richey earned many decorations, including the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal with V device and two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters. In addition to three tours in Vietnam, Richeys career took him to 15 other countries. He was a senior NCO, then a commissioned officer, and he finished his career as a command sergeant major. Fluent in Spanish, he taught trainees in South and Central America to be paratroopers and to fight insurgencies. He was a soldiers soldier. Although Richey experienced intense combat, there was something he encountered during one of his training sessions that alarmed him more than anything he ever faced on the battlefield. It was the Fulton Skyhooka system that involved an airplane flying at 450 feet and snagging a nylon rope held in the air by a helium-filled balloon. The system was developed to extract cargo, including humans, from hostile territory using fixed-wing aircraft. A soldier in a harness attached to the bottom end of the rope accelerated from zero to 150 mph in a matter of seconds. Bobbing at the end of the rope, the soldier was then winched up to and inside the airplane. The whole process took about six minutes. It was state-of-the-art until long-range helicopters made the system obsolete. John Wayne fans may recall a captured VC officer being skyhooked in the film The Green Berets. Before human trials, the system was tested on pigs, which have a central nervous system similar to that of people. The problem was that the pig spun uncontrollably in the air, and once inside the aircraft, the enraged porker would attack the crew. Humans, on the other hand, could counter the spinning by holding their arms out horizontal to their bodies. When Richey performed his first Skyhook, he understood how the test pigs must have felt. The Fulton Skyhook test scared me worse than any combat I ever experienced, Richey said. First, youre snatched almost straight up. Then youre being dragged behind the damn airplane going as fast as it is. It scared the hell out of me. And I did it on a dare on a bright, sunshiny day at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in 1964. My wife said I didnt get my color back for 10 weeks! Richeys military career started in 1954. When a recruiter told him paratroopers made $55 extra a month, he immediately signed up. After airborne training, Richey qualified as a Ranger, which included automatic promotion to corporal, just in time to go to Germany with the 11th Airborne Division, he recalled. As a paratrooper with a Ranger tab, Richey was tested and accepted into Special Forces and promoted to sergeant. I went to Bad Tolz and was assigned to the 10th Special Forces, said Richey. I stayed in Europe until 1959, came back to the States and was assigned to the 77th Special Forces under Colonel Arthur Bull Simons. A legend in special operations, Simons led the daring but unsuccessful raid on the Son Tay Prison in North Vietnam to rescue American POWs in November 1970. Ross Perot later hired the then-retired Simons to rescue employees of his company, Electronic Data Systems (EDS), from Iran. Simons got Perots employees out at the height of the Islamic Revolution, during which militants took over the U.S. Embassy, took 63 staff members hostage and held 52 of them for 444 days. I worked for Bull for four years, Richey said. He was a hell of a man. We trained the Laotian army, the Thai army and Montagnards, and set up outposts along major infiltration routes. I was in and out of Laos twice and Vietnam three times. People talk about the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Hell, there were about 100 trails all over the place [leading into South Vietnam]. So we went up along the Cambodian, Laotian and North Vietnamese borders to look for places we could defend. In 1966 Richey was selected for a program to help fill a shortage of platoon leaders and company commanders in Vietnam. The Army took guys with 10 or 12 years service who were E-7s, E-8s or E-9s, and they just commissioned us, he recalled. I got into the replacement stream where you waited to see who lost the most lieutenants that week. The week I went there, it was the 25th Infantry Division. They sent me to 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry. My colonel was Alexander Hunt, a great American. Colonel Hunt told me: Youve got too damn much experience to be a platoon leader. Well probably lose a company commander before long. You just ride with me until something comes open. [One day] Colonel Hunt said, Im firing the Delta Company CO, youre going to be the company commander. [That] was the best damn job I ever had in the service! Richeys first major Vietnam battle took place at Fire Support Base Buell. One night in August 1968, my company and Bravo Company were at Buell, he recalled. We were hit, fought all night long. The next day dead NVA and Viet Cong were everywhere. We lost four people KIA. We stayed in our bunkers and shot em in the wire. Les Knott served as Richeys executive officer. Recalling FSB Buell, Knott said: My first day, when I came in, I think it was on the 22nd [of August, 1968], I looked down and there were bodies strewn all over the field. The base had been hit for several nights, and we got hit several nights after that. According to Knott, Hunt insisted that the men in listening posts wait until the enemy was inside the first or second of three strands of barbed wire before moving back to protective bunkers. We picked them up on ground surveillance radar and called for illumination, said Knott. They had ladders and were coming through the wire. That first night when I saw all of those bodies around the perimeter, I told Dale, Shit, if this is the way it is in Vietnam, Im never going to get out of here alive! Knott called Richey the best company commander in Vietnam, adding that a lot of majors and colonels didnt have the experience Dale had. He wasnt a medal hunter either, he took good care of the men. Richeys Silver Star citation for action on November 27-28, 1968, reads: When Company D was airlifted into an enemy infested area, they immediately were taken under fire. Constantly exposing himself to the withering hostile fire, Lieutenant Richey adjusted artillery and mortar fire on the enemy positions. [He] crawled through the holocaust of hostile fire to aid the wounded and direct their evacuation. His valorous actions were responsible for saving several lives and the success of the mission. After FSB Buell, Hunt ordered Richey to move Delta Company to Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain). The Americans had a communications site there, but it had been overrun. Nui Ba Den was spooky, with rats as big as cats running through the bunkers, and ground apes that would run through our trip flares and scare the shit out of everybody, Knott recalled. They lived in the rocks up there; that was their territory. Tasked with securing Nui Ba Den, Richey ordered Knott and the Delta Company first sergeant to get ready to rumble. We got almost all the ammunition of 25th Infantry Division and took it up to Nui Ba Den, said Knott. Dale ordered us to. They had to send somebody up to bring some of it back. We had all the hand grenades and M-79 rounds. We had a machine gun in every bunker. In some bunkers we had two. We werent about to get overrun. Despite the constant danger of combat, frightening events sometimes turn out to be humorous in retrospect. The Vietnamese used to dig spider holes, little holes in the ground with a cover, Richey recalled. Theyd let our people walk past, then pop up and shoot somebody. We were out walking one day and one of the men said they wanted me on the radio. So I got one radio handset in one hand, and another radio handset in my other hand and Im walking along talking on one and listening on the other when, right at my feet, this guy pops up out of the ground and hes got this AK-47, swinging around toward us. I thought, Oh shit, this is it! This Vietnamese maybe weighed 70 to 80 pounds soaking wet, and 10 pounds of that [was his] AK. So I just dove on top of him. When I dove, I let go the radio handsets and they wrapped around my neck. So, I got these radio cords around my neck, Im down on top of this guy trying to get the gun away, and Im yelling for help. Well, my guys are just rolling on the ground laughing.Im turning blue and they just think thats the funniest damn thing they ever saw. Finally, one of the sergeantsthank God for sergeantswalked up and whacked the guy on the head with the butt of his rifle, then helped me untangle myself and asked me, You all right sir? I said, Hell no, Im not all right, I almost choked to death and that little SOB almost killed me! Richey had several close calls and was wounded three times. But he didnt talk about wounds. Usually, you get wounded when you get careless, he said. Still, Richey sometimes thought about the random nature of combat violence. On one operation, the man in front of me was killed, and the man behind me was killed, but I didnt get hit, he said. Sometimes you wonder about things like that. Authors Note: Command Sergeant Major Richey died shortly before this article was completed. Originally published in the April 2007 issue of Vietnam Magazine. To subscribe, click here. They were lied to, exposed to mustard gas, and told to keep silent or face court-martial and imprisonment. Most were never compensated for their suffering. Congress finally passed legislation in August that will make it easier for World War II veterans to seek recompense for the ordeal of being subjected to their own governments chemical tests. The law came two years after National Public Radio reported that the Veterans Administration (VA) had not lived up to its promise to do right by those veterans. Missouri senators Claire McCaskill, a Democrat, and Roy Blunt, a Republican, had pushed the Arla Harrell Act, named for one of the victims. Harrell joined the army in 1945 at age 18. At Camp Crowder in Neosho, Missouri, he was forced to breathe mustard gas without wearing a mask. He became sick and was hospitalized, and has spent the rest of his life fighting respiratory problems and skin cancer. But the VA repeatedly rejected Harrells requests for benefits. Harrell, 90, who lives in a Missouri nursing home, is one of 60,000 service members who served as human guinea pigs for wartime chemical testing. At least 4,000 were exposed to high levels of mustard gas or the mustard agent Lewisite, which causes skin blisters and damage the eyes and lungs. The tests were meant to determine how men reacted to mustard agents and how well their protective equipment worked. Senator McCaskill believes that 400 of those veterans are still alive. While carrying out the tests, the army told some soldiers that they would be testing summer clothing. Some agreed to the tests in exchange for vacation time. Once they had been testedmany forced to breathe mustard agents in enclosed chambersthey were threatened with dishonorable discharges or imprisonment at Fort Leavenworth if they told anyone what they had been through. The program was declassified in 1975, but the veterans were effectively bound to secrecy until 1991, when the VA announced plans to compensate victimsif they could prove that they had been exposed to mustard agents and suffered from an approved list of maladies. The agency has denied nearly 90 percent of the claims. In a 2016 report, McCaskills office found that the VA did a poor job of notifying veterans that they were eligible for benefits, relied on an overly narrow list of medical conditions and slipshod service records to assess claims, and reached decisions in murky ways. One problem: the veterans paperwork is often incomplete or missing because a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in Saint Louis destroyed at least 16 million personnel files. McCaskills bill would require the VA and Department of Defense to reconsider previously rejected claims and presume the applicant had been exposed to mustard agents unless they could prove otherwise; create new policies for processing claims; and report to Congress every 90 days on claims they reject. Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin specifically said the government would reconsider Arla Harrells case: We believe him and we are going to act as quickly as we can to make sure that he is recognized and gets what he clearly deserves. According to preliminary data of Statistics Canada, Vietnams exports to the North American country rebounded in 2018 to CAD5.35 billion, up 5.2% year on year. Its imports from Canada stayed flat at around CAD1.01 billion. Vietnams major foreign currency earners like textile-garment, footwear and wood products posted good growth. Several new products recorded surges in overseas shipments, including plastic and rubber products (27%), coconut oil (100%), and paper products (50%). In contrast, the export of mobile phones to Canada continued to fall sharply for the second straight year, dropping by 11% from 2017, and was equivalent to only 50% of the export value in 2016. Imports of some big groups of commodities from Canada rose strongly such as coal (up 2.5-fold), wood pulp (up threefold) and leather materials (up 70%), while others posted declines, leading to a stagnant import turnover. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is expected to promote bilateral trade. With Canadas fast tariff reduction roadmap (from 17-18% to zero percent in three years), some Vietnamese items are forecast to witness strong export growth as from 2019 like textile-garment, footwear, handbags, plastics and wood products. For their part, Canadian businesses are interested in Vietnams opening of its market for foreign agricultural products such as pork, beef, chicken, aquatic products and fresh fruits. Aside from the CPTPP, impact of the US-China trade war has also made many Canadian firms plan to move some of their factories and orders from China to Vietnam, which is also a chance for the ASEAN nation to boost shipments to Canada. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Areas of fog early, becoming sunny this afternoon. High 89F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Less than a month later, in the vicinity of the Arc de Triomphe, cars were burning. At the same time, yellow-vested people were on the streets, telling that things were not right for them. Under the Arc de Triomphe, the ostensible unanimity and reconciliation with the past changed into a fierce battle over the life today. Late this autumn, the memorial flame was burning beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. A hundred years had passed since the end of World War I. World leaders joined in silence to commemorate the making of peace that ended a European war. This symbolism forces us to ponder. Europe is the most democratic, equal and free continent in the world. Now it has, however, drifted into divisive quarrels over its very own values. * * * If even the best begins to seem disorderly, the prognosis for the entire world looks bleak indeed. The temptation to choose a different path grows. Exporting European values has changed into defending them on home ground. And are we seeing attempts to import values alien to us? We know what the opposites of democracy, equality and freedom are. We must continue our tireless work to defend the rules-based international order. The UN system is a significant supporting pillar also of Finlands own security and well-being. At the same time, we also have to prepare for the possibility that the current system may not be able to recover to what it once was. The world is rapidly becoming multipolar and the world order is changing its form. China is using its economic power, Russia is rearming and the United States is distancing itself from cooperation. In this transformation, we must remain vigilant. Finland has good connections with Washington, Moscow and Beijing. We need to utilize these contacts in pursuing our global objectives. Foremost in my mind is the danger of the return of nuclear weapons to the everyday life of international politics. If the arms control treaties formulated during the Cold War collapse, we have to strive for the creation of new ones to replace them. Finland stands ready to offer its good services to build contacts for negotiation. We will take this message forward also during the beginning year. Alone, however, our possibilities to influence others are limited. Europe must be brought back to the tables where the decisions about the future are made. An internally weak European Union is not able to do this. Together we must perform better. * * * Europe has a long tradition of representative democracy. There are calls to complement it, or even replace it, with more direct democracy, aiming at immediate and quick impact. Marches, movements and counter-movements demanding change are born. We are living in a transition period. New ideas are eagerly grasped, but they may be abandoned just as quickly. We risk losing something essential to representative democracy: that is the ability to harmonize different viewpoints. And at the same time the ability to listen and try to understand the opinions of others, even when not accepting them. The right to call into question is at the core of democracy. The power of contentment or discontentment belongs to the people. Indeed, all the current political parties were once born out of discontent. Also the energy of these new movements may thus be channeled to the construction of common good. Yet amid the change, there are also disturbing signs of dangerous extremist movements. Anarchists hiding among yellow vests and demonstrators marching openly under Nazi symbols remind us of the cruelties and atrocities of the previous century. In a democracy, there is no room for them. A year ago I expressed my concern about how the will to misunderstand often outweighs the attempt to understand. A heated debate that twists the truth is a maelstrom that easily ends in permanent hostility. This past centenary of the events of 1918 gave food for thought. When hatred takes over, an ordinary person may end up acting with cruelty that he or she would previously have found unimaginable. But from hostility, there is also a way towards a common future. In our case, it opened in lockstep with the increasing trust in democracy. * * * In recent years, migration has been the phenomenon that has divided Europe most. It has been controversial between countries as well as within them. Migration in the world is not about to end on the contrary, the pressure for it is increasing. This is why we have to be able to manage it better, whether it is about work-related migration, refugees or asylum seekers. An asylum application cannot be left unexamined without breaching international law. International agreements were created to protect those in real need of protection. Them we must help. But as we have also experienced, the system can be exploited by people trying to immigrate for other reasons. We have also seen how some people who have sought refuge in Finland, even some who have received it, have created insecurity here with inhumane acts. This is an intolerable situation. Those residing here have to be given the opportunity to be a part of our society. In turn, there is the right to require a willingness to adjust to our society. And to bear responsibility, also by guiding their own. Behaviour contradicting our laws and values increases the risk of stigmatisation of entire groups of people and arouses deep mistrust, even hatred. The EU is looking for solutions to the management of migration. The agreement with Turkey has provided at least a breathing space to agree on terms on who and how can enter Europe and where they will be placed. If the management is successful, many countries, Finland no doubt included, will be ready to increase the amount of quota refugees. They are in need of international protection. We must not forget that we also need migration. Qualified experts and those learning to become ones, to participate in the maintenance of our society. * * * We can with a good conscience say that Finland is the most democratic, equal and free country in the world. Our strength has always been trust, also in authorities: from education to social services, from police to health care. We have traditionally respected these people who provide us security. But today it becomes increasingly evident that they are faced with inappropriate, even aggressive behaviour in their work. Something has gone badly wrong if a person providing societal services has to be afraid of the ones receiving them. The respect for democracy is measured in the everyday interaction, on both sides of the table. * * * We must remember for whom and why we are writing our great story. We do it for our children. In addition to raising them with our words and example, with our actions we also shape the world that we leave behind for them. It is precisely this view that opens for the next generation that makes a person stay or leave, try or give up, or as we have witnessed rebel. Through the window of this room, I can during the spring observe groups of children on their school trips. They are taking steps from their homes to the world, led by their teachers, the smallest ones hand in hand with their friends. And wearing yellow vests. Our population is growing older and the Earths ability to sustain us is reaching its limit. We can no longer be certain that children have a better future ahead of them than their parents had. From all of us, mitigating climate change demands the ability to give up something. The era of material abundance and continuous growth is about to change. It does not have to mean the end of welfare. It must not mean the end of equal opportunities. We have to be able to redefine the elements of the good that we strive for. Humans are adaptable and inventive. The new good can thus be better than the previous one. * * * Not only Finland and Europe, but the entire world is in many ways also doing better than ever. Therefore it is good to end with the words by poet Eeva Kilpi. There is beauty. There is love. There is joy. All those who suffer from the misery of the world, defend them! I wish you all a happy new year and God bless you. WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- A child was injured Tuesday after falling into the rhino exhibit at a zoo in U.S. state of Florida, local authorities said. Brevard County Fire Rescue tweeted Tuesday afternoon that the incident occurred at the Brevard Zoo. A trauma alert was issued for the boy, who was taken to a pediatric hospital, and his mother was transported to an Orlando-area hospital for treatment, said the tweet. It is unclear what kind of injuries the mother and the child were suffering from. "According to witnesses, the child stumbled and fell in between two of the poles and at this point, the snout of at least one of the rhinoceroses made contact with the child," a zoo spokesman said, quoted by local news outlets. The snout is not the horn of the rhino, but below the horn near the rhino's mouth area. [ Editor: WPY ] The suspect is now known as a 30-year old female of Russian nationality, who was dramatically detained at Helsinki Airport following the issuing of an Interpol warrant for her arrest, which came from the agencys office in Washington D.C. THE DISTRICT COURT FOR VANTAA will today consider extending the detention of Mira Terada, a Russian national who was apprehended in Helsinki Airport last month for drug trafficking and money laundering charges. Terada has since been held in Helsinki at the request of US authorities, pending an extradition request. The US has been keen to see Terada tried for her alleged role in an international drug trafficking and money laundering ring. She denies any wrongdoing. Russian news outlets have reported that Terada was travelling from St Petersburg to Spain when the arrest was made. It is also known that the Russian embassy in Finland has been in contact with Finnish authorities over the case. However, no formal extradition request has yet been made, meaning that the Vantaa court must decide whether to extend the suspects detention or to release her. Under current laws, the United States has 45 days after a wanted persons arrest to submit an extradition request. If no such request is made in this time, the detainee must be released. A decision from Vantaa court is expected later this afternoon. Adam Oliver Smith HT Image: Lehtikuva FINLANDS AIR NAVIGATION SERVICES (ANS) HAVE WARNED travellers to be aware of major disruptions to flights across Finland this Friday, following the announcement that air traffic controllers at most airports will be going on strike. The Finnish Air Traffic Controllers union (SLJY), released a statement last week warning of potential disruption after drawn-out negotiations with their employer, ANS, appeared to have stalled. THE JET AIRLINER CRASH DATA EVALUATION CENTRE (JACDEC) which examines safety data from all global airlines, has announced that the Finnish national carrier Finnair was the safest airline to fly with in the world in 2018. The rankings show that Finnair has the lowest number of accidents, safety incidents, and injuries out of the 100 airlines assessed, with Finnair beating last years winner, Emirates, by a considerable margin. WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Patrick Shanahan officially took over the Pentagon on Tuesday as acting U.S. secretary of defense. "Under the direction of President Trump, the Department of Defense remains focused on safeguarding our nation," Shanahan said in a statement released on New Year's Day. "As acting secretary of defense, I now look forward to working with President Trump to carry out his vision alongside strong leaders including the service secretaries, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the combatant commanders, and senior personnel in the Office of the Secretary of Defense," he said. He spokes highly of his predecessor, Jim Mattis, saying that "it has been a privilege to serve as his deputy secretary." Mattis announced resignation on Dec. 20 over policy disagreements with Trump, including whether to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. The 68-year-old former Marine Corps general had planned to leave at the end of February but Trump named Shanahan as the acting Pentagon chief before Christmas, forcing Mattis out earlier. In his farewell memo Monday, Mattis encouraged all Pentagon employees to "keep the faith and hold fast." Shanahan, 56, became deputy secretary of defense in July 2017. The former longtime Boeing executive reportedly has strong relationships with both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence but is set to face questions over his lack of foreign policy or government experience. The Pentagon also has Charles Summers as new spokesperson on Tuesday, a day after spokeswoman Dana White announced her departure. [ Editor: WPY ] RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Army captain-turned-politician Jair Bolsonaro took office as Brazil's 38th president on Tuesday, promising to "restore order" and reduce the state's role in economy. The new president was sworn in at a ceremony in Brasilia amid the highest security ever for a presidential inauguration in the largest and most populous nation in Latin America. Bolsonaro was stabbed and severely injured during the campaign, undergoing surgery, with more surgical intervention planned. Since then, security around him has been significantly increased. Anti-aircraft laser-guided missiles were mobilized and thousands of officers were involved in the security effort. The inauguration crowd, which the government estimated to number some 115,000 people, was not allowed to get too to the presidential palace. Protocol calls for the Brazilian president to make two speeches, one in Congress and one to the people. In his speech to lawmakers, Bolsonaro said he was determined to fight corruption, crime and "ideological submission." "I want to take this opportunity to call on each congress member to help me in the mission to restore and rebuild our nation, freeing it from corruption, crime ... and ideological submission," he said. "The government will not spend more than it takes in," he added. In his speech to the general public, he highlighted his concerns about crime, for which he received applause. Bolsonaro has always taken a pro-gun stance and said last week that he will relax gun laws to allow anyone without a police record to own a gun. "Our concern is the safety of good citizens, and the guarantee of property and self-defense. Our commitment is to value and support the work of all security forces," he said. First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro also addressed the people, delivering her speech in sign language. The first lady, who is involved in a campaign to promote the inclusion of people with hearing disabilities, said deaf people will not be forgotten by her husband's administration. Several foreign leaders attended the presidential inauguration ceremony, including Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the presidents of Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Honduras. [ Editor: WPY ] (TNS) Texas will miss out on millions in revenue from this year's holiday shopping season because it hasn't adopted rules to collect state and local sales tax on Internet purchases.For at least several more months, it also will maintain a decades-old approach to administering the tax that confers a competitive advantage on certain online vendors beyond state lines.Retailers with walk-in stores in Texas long have resented how their online competitors could sell to state residents without charging sales tax. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a huge victory to the "bricks and mortar" stores in a lawsuit, South Dakota v. Wayfair Inc. In a 5-4 decision, the court's majority said states may collect sales tax on Internet shopping, even if sellers don't have a physical presence in the taxing state.Retailers who have buildings and lots of workers in Texas are eager for the state to start slapping its 6-1/4-percent sales tax plus up to 2 percent more in local levies on all e-commerce by Texas consumers, said George Kelemen, the traditional merchants' top lobbyist in Austin."The whole Wayfair decision was a big deal for us," said Kelemen, president and chief executive of the Texas Retail Federation. "It was about creating a level playing field for the industry."Still, grocery company executives and soft goods retailers he represents grasp that the court's decision requires some complex governmental machinery to be set in motion, such as new state regulations and laws, he said."Obviously, if our Legislature had been in session when this came down, it probably would have been easier to move a little quicker," Kelemen said. "Some of these other states have the benefit of more full-time legislatures."Within weeks of the high court's ruling, key state GOP leaders signaled they'd be in no rush.Comptroller Glenn Hegar would confer with affected parties and lawmakers before issuing rules, and legislative leaders would propose needed bills for the 2019 regular session.Kevin Lyons, a Hegar spokesman, acknowledged that Hegar is moving with caution and deliberately so."We do want to get it right," Lyons said.He stressed, though, that Amazon, Wayfair and some other large online sellers already are remitting to Hegar's office the state and local sales taxes due on purchases by Texans."We're obviously missing out on some" revenues, he said. "But we just had a record fiscal year in sales tax revenue. November was a record month, with almost $3 billion that we collected. I wouldn't be surprised if it tops that" for December.In late 2014, then-Comptroller Susan Combs estimated that if Congress passed a proposed federal law to lower barriers to state and local taxation of Internet sales, Texas could gain $840 million annually and its local governments, $200 million.But a settlement reached with online giant Amazon and voluntary compliance by other e-commerce companies means much of the predicted revenue bump already has occurred, Lyons said.Hegar not only chief tax collector, but lead prognosticator of state revenue probably will give next session's budget writers only a modest amount of additional money from ramped-up collections of online sales tax, the spokesman said.Hegar has laid out a timetable to collect sales tax on more Internet retailers' transactions with Texans, beginning Oct. 1.Under a regulation recently proposed by the comptroller's office, "remote sellers" would look at their previous 12 months' worth of sales to Texas residents. If they exceeded $500,000, then they'd have to begin collecting and remitting the state and local levies to Hegar's office.If not, they'd have a "safe harbor." They wouldn't have to pay.Previous language in sales-tax regulations about physical presence or "nexus" the subject of fierce lawsuits nationwide, for decades would be scrapped.According to the retail federation's Kelemen, the $500,000 threshold is "a well-balanced figure."He noted that an out-of-state bookseller might never hit the $500,000 mark, though an online purveyor of jewelry, cameras or computers might hit it and start having to pay in the first few months of the 12-month cycle.South Dakota and a number of states that already have moved to capture more online retailers used a threshold of $100,000 a year, or 200 transactions in the state, as the trigger for having to collect and remit the state's tax.Still, "Texas is a big state. It's a huge economy and retail sales and sales tax remittance is a big part of our state's economy," Kelemen said. "To (state leaders') credit and to the comptroller's credit, they want to get it right."He said the federation "understands" that Hegar intends to make third-party marketplace sellers such as eBay, Amazon and Etsy to pay on their "aggregate sales" from small vendors."If I'm a guy in Arkansas selling comic books into Texas and I'm going through eBay, you as my customer are going to pay sales tax on that because I'm going through eBay, (which) has to remit sales tax" on all third-party transactions, he said.Meanwhile, the Legislature is moving to give remote sellers fewer hassles when it comes to computing how much local tax to remit to the Texas comptroller.Under a bill prefiled by Flower Mound Republican Sen. Jane Nelson, the Senate's chief tax-policy writer, the remote retailers wouldn't have to figure out the local sales tax in each of Texas' nearly 1,500 sales tax jurisdictions. They could opt to pay a flat 1.75 percent of local tax on all sales to Texas residents. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced pardons on Monday for 22 immigrants who were at risk of deportation because of criminal records, taking a swipe at President Trump in the process."While President Trump shuts down the federal government over his obsession with keeping immigrants out, New York stands strong in our support for immigrant communities," Cuomo said in a statement."These actions will help keep immigrant families together and take a critical step toward a more just, more fair and more compassionate New York," he added.Many of the immigrants who received pardons were convicted of drug-related crimes.In addition to the pardons, Cuomo commuted the sentences of seven people currently serving jail time. Housing Help Student Loan Help Visitors to Residents For decades, cities and states have tried to create jobs and boost their economies by luring out-of-state employers. Now some areas are trying to attract workers one worker at a time.Starting in January, programs in Vermont and Tulsa, Oklahoma, will pay people to relocate to those places if they work remotely. Other resident recruitment strategies in Florida, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota and Vermont include weekends that tempt tourists to stay, discounted rent, student loan assistance and free land.Its a departure very much a sharp departure from Vermonts traditional programs, said Joan Goldstein, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic Development. We need people.The shift in strategy marks a recognition that as fewer people are tethered to brick-and-mortar offices, state and local officials can reap the benefits of workers spending and taxes no matter where their employers are based.You need the people to get the businesses to come, and a lot of small places are immediately out of the running because the people arent there. It feeds on itself, said Doug Farquhar, program director for rural development with the National Conference of State Legislatures.Farquhar sees pay to move as somewhat of a desperate plea: We need educated people to come here and stay here. He cautions that little research has been done on the effectiveness or sustainability of the strategy. And in Vermont, some advocates for the poor have criticized state officials for luring tech bros to gentrify our communities.But in a state that is desperate for more people Vermont has about 620,000 residents, with about 45 percent of them retired or about to retire officials are willing to give it a try.The original idea was to give incentives to out-of-state companies to find people who want to live here, said Democratic state Sen. Michael Sirotkin, chairman of the economic development committee. We decided to give the money to the workers and let them find their jobs.Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, signed the Remote Worker Grant Program in May. The legislature provided $500,000 over three years to reimburse expenses of remote workers from other states who relocate.Each worker can receive up to $10,000 in grants over two years. Eligible expenses include computer software and hardware, internet access and membership in a coworking space.Tulsa also is focusing on remote workers. Tulsa Remote will pay workers who pass a stringent online screening process and live in Tulsa for a year $10,000 in cash installments. Workers also will receive free membership in a coworking space and housing discounts. The pilot project is funded and administered by the private George Kaiser Family Foundation. No public funds are involved.Tulsas population, about 400,000, has been flat for decades. The foundation was looking for ways to attract new talent to the city, said Executive Director Ken Levit. The foundation has already brought 50 artists and writers to Tulsa for a year or more through the Tulsa Artist Fellowship, which pays stipends and provides free rent.Theres no fixed budget for Tulsa Remote, Levit said. For now, its a one-year pilot program, but the overwhelming response means it could be extended, he said. More than 8,000 people have completed lengthy online applications.Ben Winchester, a rural demographer at the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality, said people who leave small towns to attend college often want to return to their hometowns when they reach their 30s and 40s. For many of them, the challenge is finding a house.Harmony, Minnesota, is an example. The Great Recession led to a years-long halt of construction in Harmony, population 1,080. In 2014, the local economic development authority started offering incentives of $5,000 to $12,000 to build houses, depending on the expected taxable value of the building.Harmony Mayor Steve Donney acknowledged that the program was very slow to take off. So far, the town has paid out about $62,750 and has committed to paying out another $20,000 for eight buildings. This year, for the first time, the town has collected some new property tax revenue about $2,200.Im a 100 percent believer in the project. So far, its working, Donney said. It has encouraged people to build, and new people are a bonus.One of my questions as mayor is, When do we stop this? Donney said. But, he said, other members of the local economic development authority respond, Why would we stop this?Marquette, in central Kansas, also turned to housing incentives after failing to attract businesses.Every town is looking to bring in jobs to their small town. You might as well beat your head against a wall, said Steve Piper, the former longtime mayor. We took the opposite approach. We thought: Bring the people and tell them to find their own job. Marquette is within commuting distance of the larger cities Salina, McPherson and Hutchinson.But Marquette, population 650, had no buildable lots, so the local economic development commission bought 50 acres in 2002 and started giving lots away. The modern-day homesteading story made national news, and hundreds of people contacted the town.It helped. A lot of people are looking for a little Mayberry, Piper said, referring to the fictional town that was the setting for the Andy Griffith Show.About 30 homes have been built in the Westridge Addition area, almost all by people from out of state, and two newcomers started small businesses in town, Piper said. We still have land to give away, so thats good.Student loan assistance programs, modeled on incentives for medical personnel, teachers and lawyers, may be a more promising strategy for rural areas to grow population, NCSLs Farquhar said.Two years ago, Maine expanded the opportunity tax credit, which had been limited to graduates of in-state schools, to graduates of out-of-state schools who live and work in Maine.Maine Gov.-elect Janet Mills, a Democrat, promised in her campaign to simplify the complicated tax credit system and to invest in a Rural Return Scholarship to give young people from rural Maine incentive to return to their hometowns.In Michigan, the Community Foundation in St. Clair County, about an hour north of Detroit, joined nearby counties to start the Come Home Award, a reverse scholarship that pays up to $15,000 in student loans over three years.The foundation gives out about $300,000 a year in traditional scholarships. But donors said, Were just paying young people to leave, said Randy Maiers, the foundations executive director. We wanted to do something different.Since 2016, only 13 of the more than 50 applicants have been approved, almost all with recent STEAM degrees science, technology, engineering, the arts and math. The ideal candidate is someone who has met someone and wants to settle down and move back home, Maiers said.About $45,000 is currently available for the awards, but Maiers warned, Dont tell us youre going to live with mom and dad or I really dont know what I want to do. This is not for everybody.States and localities also are looking to turn visitors into residents. Vermont hopes more young professionals and working families among its 13 million tourists a year will relocate, while Tallahassee is reaching out to baby boomers nearing retirement.Announcing the Stay-to-Stay initiative in March, Vermonts governor said, We have about 16,000 fewer workers than we did in 2009. Thats why expanding our workforce is one of the top priorities of my administration.Four Vermont communities have sponsored Stay-to-Stay weekends. After a Friday night welcome reception with local leaders, tourists explore the area on their own before meeting Monday morning with entrepreneurs, realtors and potential employers. The Vermont tourism and marketing department is collaborating with local chambers of commerce and young professionals groups on the initiative.We literally put on white-glove service, Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Wendy Knight said. So far, four people have relocated.One is Jacqueline Posley, a 23-year-old from Mississippi. A recent graduate of Mississippi State University, Posley was working in an office in Starkville when she decided she wanted to live somewhere cold and liberal.Posley and her then-fiance came to a Stay-to-Stay weekend. Her first day back at work in Starkville, she gave notice, and moved to Vermont in September. Her ex-fiance moved to New Hampshire.But Posleys story also illustrates some of the challenges that Vermont faces. She is African-American, and Vermont is 93 percent white.Vermont and other New England states are scrambling to find ways to attract more people of color and help them feel at home. The Vermont tourism department highlights the states status as the first to abolish slavery and promotes a trail of African-American historic sites. And the website iamavermonter.org helps people of color connect and tell their stories about moving to and living in Vermont.Posley found a job as a night auditor working the overnight shift at a ski resort, where she balances the days income and expenses and handles the front desk. But she hasnt settled in yet. She finds Vermonts housing costs higher than Mississippis, and her job pays less than what she made there. She loves seeing the stars at night but not the 40-minute drive to the laundromat.And Vermonters are less welcoming than she expected. Someone in a Walmart parking lot yelled at her to go back to where she came from, making her realize that Vermont is not the liberal utopia its portrayed as.I know Vermont wants new people, Posley said. They say they want millennials but Im a millennial and Im not willing to commit long term.These days, shes thinking about San Diego. As more people get vaccinated and states begin to roll back some of the restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic schools, agencies and workplaces are working on a plan on how to safely return to normal. We bid farewell to 2018, a year that was filled with natural disasters, dire warnings about climate change, gun violence and intense political conflict. And yet in this winter of our discontent there are signs of determination and renewal at the state and local level of government. For public officials, known for their resilience, here are some reminders for their new year's leadership resolutions: Communicate clearly and keep your word. Take a look at local governments, where trust is often alive and well. While anti-tax sentiment always runs high, two-thirds of the local government tax referenda on the November ballots passed. Just in California, voters approved more than 300 tax and bond measures to support local services and facilities to improve police and fire services, housing, transportation, parks and schools. Why did so many pass? Because local government leaders clearly communicated both the need and the specific purpose for the funding. Cultivate relationships before you need them. In every disaster, city and county managers talk about the value of the relationships they had developed before the crisis hit. Nowhere was that more in evidence than in the 9/11 attacks, when a commercial airliner crashed into the Pentagon. Arlington County, Va., was the first responder under the leadership of the county fire chief, who was the incident commander. The FBI and the military deferred to the fire chief because they trusted his capabilities and had trained with county staff. When a community experiences the devastation that a hurricane, flood or wildfire can bring, it is essential to know the people who will support the response and recovery effort. That includes all of the key governmental actors as well as those who provide support from the nonprofit and voluntary sectors. Put yourself in the shoes of the people you serve. This is second nature for local government leaders in disaster situations; after all, many of them have also lost their own homes or have had to figure out where their children can go to school. That kind of empathy is just as important, and needs to be cultivated, in every arena in which government actions directly affect people's lives. Engage your residents, staff and other stakeholders in key decisions and planning efforts. In the Dominican Republic, the International City/County Management Association engaged community-based organizations and vulnerable populations in a land-use planning process. By the end of the program, four jurisdictions had climate-adapted land-use plans; three had drafted land-use planning ordinances. Seek feedback, and follow up. Many well run governments routinely ask their employees and residents to provide feedback, sometimes via surveys and sometimes more informally. In a recent report published by the Center for State and Local Government Excellence, researchers found examples of both strategies. The state of Michigan has conducted regular employee-engagement surveys since 2002. In response to employee feedback, the state established an employee recognition program and a leadership development program; more than 2,000 state employees have completed the leadership training. Taking a more personal approach, Minneapolis' human resources department reached out to employees, department heads, unions and elected officials to seek feedback on what the department did well, what opportunities there were to change, and what promising practices might be adopted. Take initiative when it counts. Local and state leaders have taken a wide range of actions to reduce emissions of fossil fuels, such as investing more in renewable energy, reducing transportation choke points and passing anti-idling laws. They are investing more in mitigation to combat rising sea levels and protect areas prone to flooding. Nearly one-third of local governments have adopted sustainability plans, according to a nationwide survey by ICMA Do the right thing and keep focused on the mission. The work that government does makes a difference in people's lives. It is a privilege to serve others, and it is imperative to serve them with honor and integrity. That's just as true for the rank and file in government as it is for leaders. As Mary Biere, the human resources manager for Johnson County, Kan., puts it in a paraphrase of the Athenian Oath , successful candidates are those who understand that "it is our responsibility to leave this community better than we found it" and to be "committed to doing the right thing for the right reason, for the public good." Tourists view black-headed gulls at Haigeng dam in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 1, 2019. Migratory black-headed gulls became an attraction for tourists during the New Year holiday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) 9 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Dublin, Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Capital Raising Catalyst" conference has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Join us for our intensive, fast-paced investor relations and Capital Raising Catalyst Workshop. 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This one-day workshop will teach you exactly how to do it. You will leave with a plan in hand to execute. 7. No Risk: We guarantee that you will love the capital raising workshop and get a ton of value out of your experience. If for any reason you do not, we will refund your admission price. There is no doubt in our minds that you will love this event. The Family Office Club remains the only provider of practical real-world capital raising, investment marketing, and investor lead generation training in the industry. Successful capital raisers are always in demand and can make or break a firm, even more than the ability to invest well. Yet despite the critical importance of this skill set, there is a major gap in education on capital raising. The Family Office Club has been closing this gap in the industry for nearly a decade with live training workshops on capital raising, investor relations, and marketing strategy. For more information about this conference visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/bnckbl/one_day_workshop?w=12 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. The Government of Ghana from October 2018 began the monthly payment of $40 million to ENI Ghana, as a result of the countrys failure to build appropriate infrastructure to off-take gas from Offshore Cape Three Point (OCTP) OCTP, operated by Eni Ghana, commenced operations in mid-2018, and has an agreement to produce the lean gas for onward off-take by the government of Ghana for the use of thermal plants. READ ALSO: Ghanaians descend on Majority Leader Kyei Mensah Bonsu The team that signed Sankofa oil deal with ENI in 2015. Source: Graphic online Source: UGC The OCTP is operated by Eni Ghana as the lead operator with a 44.44 percent interest, along with its partners Vitol Ghana with 35.56 percent, the National Oil Company (GNPC) with 20 percent. Between the operators and Ghana, before the gas hit the shore, it requires infrastructure (pipeline) to transport the gas from the wellhead, through processing units and the delivery of the agreed volume to the off-taker (Ghana) for thermal energy generation. Unlike crude oil and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) which can be stored and could be transported to the international market, lean gas is not. Therefore in developing a natural gas field, the investors (OCTP Partners) had to be assured of a ready off-taker (Ghana), a ready market and guaranteed repayment. Such infrastructure per the industry standard, should have been ready and pre-commissioned one clear year before the completion of the development and production of the Sankofa gas field. READ ALSO: Ghanaians slam Joshua Alabi for asking Nana Addo to leave the Jubilee House after NDCs primaries However, since gas production begun at the Sankofa field, the country has not been able to take the volumes of gas delivered to the shore by the partners, triggering off the Take-or-Pay clause in the OCTP oil contract. The investment of more than $7-billion into the development of OCTP, which is a heavy, gas concentrated field project touted as a great relief-to-be for the countrys challenged power sector, was occasioned by Ghana. In 2015, the Government of Ghana under then President John Dramani Mahama, signed the deal with the Italian oil giant, ENI and partners for the production of about 180 million cubic feet of gas. Ghana was expected to prepare adequately to receive and utilize the gas manufactured by ENI or pay for the agreed volume of gas even when the country is unable to consume it all. As it stands now, Ghana will continue paying $40 million every month until we put in place the necessary pipes and infrastructure to transport the gas to the shore and for usage. READ ALSO: Ghanaians descend on Majority Leader Kyei Mensah Bonsu Click here to get the latest exciting English Premier League news. Get match highlights, reports, photos & videos all in one place. Source: Yen - Saminis latest album, UNTAMED has made its way to Billboards charts - The album is currently enjoying the 8th spot in the Top 10 Billboard Reggae Albums Celebrated reggae/dancehall artiste, Emmanuel Andrew Samini, popularly known as Samini, has chalked another massive success in his career with his latest album making it to the Billboard Top 10 Reggae albums and songs list. Samini recently released his seventh album titled Untamed during Decembers Saminifest held at the Osu Oxford street in Accra. The album is strictly reggae and contains 22 tracks, including hit songs, 'Obaa', 'My Own' and 'Obimbra'. READ ALSO: 5 remedies for sagging breasts However, just 10 days after its release, the Untamed album has broken into the Billboard Top 10 Reggae albums and songs list. The album, which reportedly took three years to produce, debuted at no. 8 on Billboards top 10 Reggae albums. It is a ranking that sees it beat other albums like Reggae Gold 2018: 25th Anniversary by Various artists and Ziggy Marleys Rebellion Rises album. Samini was recently enskinned as a chief in his hometown, Wa in the Upper West Region. READ ALSO: Captain Smart finally marries US borga Cynthia Boamah (Photos) He was made the Pebilii Naa which means King of the Rocks in Wa by the Paramount Chief of Wa. Ghana News Today: Manifesting at Manifestivities| #Yencomgh READ ALSO: Ghanaians descend on Majority Leader Kyei Mensah Bonsu Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page. Source: Yen Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a New Year speech on the eve of the year 2019 in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping delivered a New Year speech Monday evening, calling on the whole nation to strive for "an unprecedented and great cause" in the year 2019, the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Chinese people, who are self-reliant, hardworking and enterprising, have created a China miracle recognized by the world, he said, vowing to rely on the people and push forward the cause step by step. FULFILLING 2018 "In 2018, we had a fulfilling and focused year," Xi said in the speech, summarizing the progress made in 2018, which saw the country's economy stay "within a reasonable range." The campaign to prevent and control pollution of air, water and soil went smoothly while the people's wellbeing and their living standards improved, he said. National strategies including the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the development of Yangtze Economic Belt, and the construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area were steadily implemented. Xi also mentioned the achievements he witnessed during his inspection trips: the improved ecology along the Yangtze River, the agricultural harvest in northeast provinces, the reform and vitality in Shenzhen and Shanghai, as well as the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. China launched Chang'e-4 lunar probe, conducted sea trials of its second aircraft carrier, completed first water takeoff of its independently-developed large amphibious aircraft, and took solid steps in BeiDou Navigation Satellite System's global service, Xi noted in the speech. Around 10 million people in the country's rural areas were lifted out of poverty in 2018, said the president, recollecting his visits to villages in Sichuan, Shandong, Liaoning and Guangdong provinces. In the year marking the 40th anniversary of the country's reform and opening-up, China unveiled a systematic, comprehensive and restructuring reform of both Party and State institutions. More than 100 important reform measures were rolled out, he said. "China's reforms will never stop and its door will only open even wider." Zhang Ruimin, chief executive officer of China's Haier Group, said the company is determined to make its own contributions to making China a manufacturing power. "Just like President Xi said in his speech, we are all 'running at full speed toward the realization of our dreams,'" Zhang said. HOPEFUL, CHALLENGING 2019 Joint efforts are needed as China faces both opportunities and challenges in 2019, Xi noted. In the new year, Xi said, the policies to cut taxes and fees should be well implemented to ease the burden on enterprises. Sincere appreciation should be given to professionals in all areas while efforts be made to motivate responsible and competent grass-roots officials, he said. The goal of lifting 10 million rural residents above the poverty line should be fulfilled as planned, he said, adding that veterans should receive proper attention and care. Xi also extended gratitude to millions of hardworking people, such as deliverymen, sanitation workers and taxi drivers. "President Xi's New Year speech is very touching and inspiring," said Soinam Yangjen, a 35-year-old village official in Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China. With over 16 years of experience in poverty alleviation work, she said that through the speech she and her fellow villagers can see a brighter future, "a future that is created by us together." BETTER WORLD In 2018, China hosted diplomatic events including the annual Boao Forum for Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao summit, and the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. China put forward its proposals and made its voice heard, and enlarged its circle of friends in 2018, Xi said. In a world that is undergoing changes unseen in a century, China will remain confident and resolute in safeguarding its sovereignty and security, and maintain its sincerity and goodwill for safeguarding world peace and promoting common prosperity, he said. China will actively promote the joint construction of the Belt and Road, continue to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and work relentlessly for an even more prosperous and beautiful world, he said. "I think China is demonstrating a greater capacity to perform global leadership roles in an increasingly broad range of fields," said Lucio Blanco Pitlo, a lecturer from the Chinese Studies Program of Philippine Ateneo de Manila University. "I expect this trend to continue in the coming year." China's experience in the past 70 years also proves that every country, especially the developing ones, can carve their own development path based on their unique conditions, Pitlo said. 9 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] General Electric Company operates as a high-tech industrial company worldwide. The company's Power segment offers heavy-duty and aeroderivative gas turbines for utilities, independent power producers, and industrial applications; maintenance, service, and upgrade solutions to plant assets and their operational lifecycle; steam power technology for fossil and nuclear applications, including boilers, generators, steam turbines, and air quality control systems; and advanced reactor technologies solutions comprising reactors, fuels, and support services for boiling water reactors. This segment also applies the science and systems of power conversion to provide motors, generators, automation, and control equipment; and drives for energy intensive industries, such as marine, oil and gas, mining, rail, metals, test systems, and water. Its Renewable Energy segment provides various solutions for its customers through combining onshore and offshore wind, blades, hydro, storage, solar, and grid solutions, as well as hybrid renewables and digital services offerings. The company's Aviation segment designs and produces commercial and military aircraft engines, integrated engine components, electric power, and mechanical aircraft systems; and provides aftermarket services. Its Healthcare segment develops, manufactures, markets, and services magnetic resonance, computed tomography, molecular imaging, x-ray and high-frequency soundwave systems, clinical monitoring and acute care systems, enterprise digital, artificial intelligence applications, consulting and command center, and complementary software and services; and researches, manufactures, and markets imaging agents. The company's Capital segment offers aviation leasing and financing, and working capital services; financial solutions and underwriting capabilities; and insurance and reinsurance for life and health risks, as well as annuity products. The company was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Read More In the first episode of Stories That Inspire for 2019, we have a senior partner sharing her story of transition, from an employee to an entrepreneur. Wed like to present the founder of ZSphere, Catherine Coolena management expert in France and a Zoho enthusiast at heart! Adhya: Hello Catherine, and welcome to Stories That Inspire. Before ZSphere, what was your story? Catherine: Id worked in managerial roles at several IT companies. I have over 20 years of experience in different types of software companies and was involved in various capacities, including that of a project manager, a trainer, a marketing manager, a consultant, and towards the end, I was the CTO of a company. These jobs taught me a lot about building and selling software. Adhya: So what prompted you to make this shift from working for a firm to starting one of your own? Catherine: Entrepreneurship was always at the back of my mind and I knew, deep down, that I would build my own company. This switch got turned on during my last stint, when I was tasked with centralizing the CRM for our ten subsidiaries all over the world. It was at this point that I realized CRM was the thing for me; it provided the right mix of sales, marketing, finance, and IT. And, I started ZSphere from this thought of having my own consulting company. Adhya: Having been a CTO, you would have already mastered the art of managing a firm. How different was it with ZSphere? Catherine: Ive always worked in software, so it was more of that than a consulting company. I wanted to promote a product. Given my history with software, it wasnt easy to put myself across as a consultant. So I made up my mind to work with only one productCRMand give it my undivided attention. Adhya: How did this focus to find the right product culminate with Zoho? Catherine: There were a lot of options for big companies like ERPs. In fact, in France it was getting a bit saturated. On the other hand, for small and medium companies there were fewer affordable options, but there was a huge opportunity in the form of cloud-based CRM. So, I wanted to find a CRM for that target. I started following bloggers in the US and discovered Zoho in a CRM blog. So, I tested the product and was very much convinced that this was the right CRM for the SME market. Adhya: Whats your approach to the implementation of a CRM for a customer? Catherine: The bigger and smaller firms operate very differently. When I implement a CRM, I understand the needs of the customer, how to customize the products to their demands, and how to convince them to adopt the tools that come with it. This was the basis of promoting CRM and marketing tools. Adhya: How has this journey from inception to landing your first client been? Catherine: I started out with traditional marketing. At the start, I wanted to be with the right company, so I bought leads that were in my area of SMEs and started promoting Zoho as a CRM, not only because of my passion for Zoho, but because I was aware of the possibilities of the tool. At that time, Salesforce was one of our biggest competitors, but my first client was very open-minded. Despite having his options, he was willing to discuss the potential of Zoho. This made it easy for me to show him how Zoho can achieve the same functionalities as the rest along with incredible savings of cost and time! Adhya: Traditional marketing is never an easy option, especially at the beginning. How did it work out? Catherine: Traditional marketing was an outdated concept then, but we didnt have the resources to run a huge campaign. So the conventional marketing strategies and email campaigns were all that I had to explore. I knew people and approached them to convince them on the strengths of the product. This was challenging at that time because there were people who objected to the idea of Zoho, due to the bigger names out here. Yet, when a client tested the Zoho product, they were convinced of its potential and the cost savings that would come along, rather than going for the bigger names. Adhya: How has your lead sourcing game changed? Catherine: Now, we work very differently, because the brand is better known in France. We have cold prospects calling in to learn about Zoho and the traffic on the website is also on the rise. Zoho Campaigns is helping us market most of the leads. Since we used Zoho in our company, it makes it easier for us to convince our clients to do the same. Also, Zoho has a lot of products now. Existing customers have been coming in to explore and get trained on the newest additions to the catalogue. Weve opened our Zoho campus in Paris, where we train companies on all the Zoho products. Its been the best place for companies without a budget to have a consultant to get trained and meet new customers. So now, when we get new leads, we nurture them! Adhya: And what are the skills that youre trying to onboard? Catherine: There arent any Zoho consultants in Francewe have to train them all. So, I have a group of consultants who are experts in sales and marketing. This expertise gives them the potential to convince the CEOs of companies. Most of them are senior consultantsold Zoho customers who were impressed by its results and wanted to recommend it to other firms. Another sect of my consultants are students who are just out of school. Zoho keeps coming up with new products and I believe that these fresh minds can master them in no time. Adhya: Wow! So, you had both sides of the spectrum covered. What type of industries do you serve? Catherine: Were not focused on any specific industry because Zoho can be used everywhere. Initially, Zoho was spread across the US and Silicon Valley, but not in France. So, our first few were from the IT, technology, and services background. However, were not restricting ourselves to one domain. Last year, we saw a lot of industries coming in to integrate their ERP with Zoho because Zoho had the perfect package for their marketerswe have a lot of people coming in from the marketing front of companies. Adhya: You started your journey with Zoho when we were hardly present in the French market. How challenging was it? Catherine: We have 2 issues in France. Our first issue is language. Over 50% of the French market doesnt know English, but all the tools and training expertise provided by Zoho are in English. So, we cannot use them directly; we have to translate it all and we didnt have the time for it. The second issue was that, at ZSphere we have a small team of consultants and at times it becomes overwhelming with the number of new products and updates from Zoho. However, being around for 11 years gave us a knack for understanding how things work at Zoho. Adhya: Could you account on any such challenging experiences youve had while serving a client? Catherine: We have very different case studies. One was PackShot Creatoran expert in product photography. We learned that they were using different tools to run the firm: HubSpot for marketing, Sage for invoicing, and Zendesk for after-sales. Spread across 35 nations, they felt disconnected and wanted a single interface to provide for all their services. So, we proposed Zoho One because it had every module that could build a business from scratch and they ended up building their entire business around Zoho! https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=Vq0kOiNQBVI Adhya: How did you celebrate a decade of partnership with Zoho? Catherine: For the 10th year of ZSphere, we travelled to Chennai! I wanted my team to understand and experience the culture at Zoho in Chennaia very friendly environment! In fact, it is my dream that every new entrant in my firm visits your Chennai campus. Partners are from all over the world and I think its important to meet and build relationships. I like the Zoho Community for this! Adhya: Thank you, Catherine. We would love to have you here! So, what are your plans for 2019? Catherine: Were experiencing the same growth as in the past, which is about 40%. This year, we plan to investigate new markets to promote Zoho Recruit. Many recruitment companies are looking out for this, so were planning to work on this dedicated market. Also, theres another market in digital agencies, and were planning to promote Zoho marketing tools here. This will be my way to stay connected with Zoho. Adhya: Weve reached the end of our interview. Is there anything youd like our readers to know? Catherine: I am thrilled to contribute my experience with Zoho; it has been a great journey for my team. Zoho has a very different approach to work. The culture reflects Sridhar Vembus vision for the future. Hes an inventive person who has been many thingsa manager, HR, a technical person, and an entrepreneur. I think the entire Partner network also works with this Zoho spirit! Check out ZSphere at : https://www.zsphere.fr/ Know more about Partners @ Zoho here. 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. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - Last night at about 10:30 p.m., Yuma Police Officers responded to a head-on vehicle collision in the intersection of 8th Street and Avenue A. The initial investigation revealed the driver of a Nissan Altima was travelling Northbound on Avenue A at a high rate of speed and ran the red light at 8th Street colliding with an Eastbound Mitsubishi sedan. A total of 9 occupants from both vehicles were transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Vehicular traffic was restricted at the intersection for approximately three hours. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in this collision. This case is still under investigation. The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please the Yuma Police Department at (928) 373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous. News Brasilia, Brazil - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday in Brasilia, Brazil. They discussed the unacceptable threat that regional aggression and provocation by Iran and its agents poses to Israeli and regional security. The Secretary reiterated the United States commitment to Israels security and unconditional right to self-defense. The Secretary and Prime Minister reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation and look forward to strengthening relationships with Brazil. Venice, FL (34285) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 86F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low near 80F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] As of Dec. 6 last year, it became legal in Michigan to possess and use recreational marijuana within designated guidelines. The new freedom occurred despite 10 of the Upper Peninsulas 15 counties voting no on Proposal 1 during the mid-term elections on Nov. 6. Only Marquette, Houghton, Keweenaw, Chippewa and Alger counties joined many downstate locales in approving the measure. Fifty-six percent of Michigans voters said yes, but county totals were sometimes close, as in Gogebic, where 3,377 said no and 3,163 said yes. Moreover, the new ruling was not delivered with a simple line in the sand. Instead, it has raised ongoing questions regarding what can and cannot be done in the way of using, growing and marketing marijuana. In fact, since state officials are not expected to develop licensing guidelines until the end of this year, many cities and townships have been opting out of allowing any type of marijuana enterprise within their borders. Local Decisions The city of Ironwood already has opted out for the time being, but its commissioners expect to address the matter again by June. Watersmeet Township also has opted out, according to secretary Jill Mansfield. In addition, the cities of Bessemer and Wakefield are leaning toward opting out, although votes on defined rulings are contingent upon mandatory public hearings. Bessemer is perhaps unique in the range of decisions it already has made on the issue of marijuana, which attorneys sometimes spell marihuana, in a nod to the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. For instance, Bessemer council members voted to allow medical marijuana businesses to operate within their industrial park more than a year ago, in September of 2017, but new members joining the council at the start of 2018 reversed that action. Then, on Aug. 6 last year, the council voted to pass a new ordinance on Medical Marijuana as a Home Occupation. It included allowances for city inspections and odor and location restrictions. Finally, after next weeks Jan. 7 public hearing, Bessemers city council members expect to cast final votes on an ordinance that denies recreational marijuana enterprise within the city, while also outlawing public consumption of marijuana. State law already prohibits public consumption, but council members want to underscore that ruling. We can always change it at a future time, said council member Terry Kryshak, who reported in a recent meeting that, although he voted to legalize recreational marijuana, he agrees with other council members that it is prudent to discourage business operations until the state establishes related licensing. Other local cities and townships previously opted out of medical marijuana vending, or they took no related action, which Ironwood Township supervisor Steve Boyd said had the same result. Now, however, they also must decide how to act on recreational marijuana vending. Wakefields city council members already voted to have city attorney Ray ODea draw up an ordinance to prohibit marijuana businesses in their town. During this month, they will have a related public hearing and then vote on the ordinance. In addition, Wakefield Township supervisor John Cox said he expects board members today to join other entities in reinforcing their desire to opt out. He said township attorney Tim Dean already has been asked to draft an ordinance to that effect. Weve always been opposed, said Cox regarding the marijuana business. Besides, he added regarding the areas low population, From an economic standpoint, I dont think theres going to be a lot of business (from marijuana). Id much rather have a hundred new jobs in manufacturing. Meanwhile, Boyd said Ironwood Township voted to create a committee to explore issues relating to the drug, also known medically as cannabis, or colloquially as weed or hash, or by specific brand names such as Maui Wowie. Erwin Township also is waiting to gather more facts before making a decision on recreational marijuana. Were waiting for more information from the Michigan Township Association, said Erwin supervisor Larry Grimsby. In addition, other governmental bodies remain undecided on marijuana commerce. Marenisco Township supervisor Richard Bouvette said its board expects to address the topic at its Jan. 21 meeting. He added that, even if members choose to opt in, there will not be any licenses issued until after the state creates related guidelines. Finally, Bessemer Township supervisor Jeff Randall said his board has not yet set a date to make a decision. Nor, he added, are board members in any hurry to do so. Regarding whether he has any concerns for that region, which includes Ramsay and South Bessemer, he said, Sure I do. Therere so many unknowns now. From a broader perspective, Gogebic County commissioners reported at a Dec. 20 meeting that they will take no action on marijuana issues because the law enacted early that month allows for municipalities (defined as cities, villages or townships) to opt in or out of related enterprise, but does not include counties in its reference. Legal Details Known as the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, the new statewide law allows adults age 21 or older to use marijuana products in their own homes. By association, they also may possess up to 10 ounces of the substance in their homes and may carry up to 2.5 ounces outside of their home (including up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrate). The law does not provide for marijuana sales, but people are allowed to grow up to 12 plants in their homes, within specific restrictions, and may give away marijuana products to adults age 21 or older. Landlords, however, can prohibit the possession or use of marijuana on their property, and persons also may not drive under the influence of the drug. According to a Dec. 3, 2018 article in the Detroit Free Press, state Rep. Sheldon Neeley, D-Flint, already has introduced a bill requiring judges to review requests to expunge records of persons convicted of low-level marijuana crimes prior to Dec. 6. The Detroit paper added that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, an East Lansing Democrat who took office on New Years Day, also has said that she favors clearing up the records of people convicted of crimes that will no longer be offenses under the legalization of marijuana. Local public comment on marijuana use and vending has varied, with some citizens warning that the drug will promote a deterioration of moral values, and others suggesting it will increase tourism and will allow for a greater tax base when the state establishes licensing for related businesses. Area officials also have acknowledged that if they do decide in the future to allow marijuana businesses to operate in this region, it will raise another list of questions in relation to further rules regarding zoning and other procedural issues. As for how 10 of Americas United States now can allow marijuana use when it is still against federal law, americanbar.org reports that attorneys in states allowing legal marijuana not only are free to advise clients in accordance with their state law, but also are free to use marijuana products within the same restrictions noted for other citizens. He was born Dec. 8, 1933 in Kimball to August and Alice (Burkey)Yung. He grew up on a farm South of Kimball. Glen made his commitment to his Heavenly Father Nov. 24, 1946 and started in the ministry Dec. 17, 1952. He labored in Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah sharing the gospel story until September 1964 when he went to New Mexico to have a part in the Spanish work. After spending three years there, he went to Mexico and stayed until 2004. Then he went to the Dominican Republic where he labored until returning to Nebraska in October of this year due to health problems. His love, kindness, and care for others will never be forgotten. U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to change course on Syria on Wednesday, by saying that he would not intervene in any Iranian activity in the country once American troops have left. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter They can do what they want there, frankly, Trump said of Irans presence in Syria. U.S. President Donald Trump (Photo: EPA) Trumps statement comes a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss Syria and Iran. Netanyahu said he was happy to meet Pompeo for the second time in a month, saying they had a lot to discuss about their common aims. Were going to discuss the intense cooperation between Israel and the United States, which will also deal with the questions following the decision, the American decisions on Syria, on how to intensify even further our intelligence and operations cooperation in Syria and elsewhere to block Iranian aggression in the Middle East, Netanyahu said. Meanwhile, a senior Israeli source said after the meeting that Israel got almost everything it asked for when Pompeo granted seven out of eight requests Netanyahu made during their meeting. Pompeo and Netanyahu (Photo: GPO) The prime minister told the press ahead of the meetingheld in Brazils capital after the inauguration of the countrys new president, Jair Bolsonarothe main topics of discussion was to be with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Iranian attempts to establish a military presence in the war-torn country. The source added that Netanyahu came out of the meeting with Pompeo feeling that Israel has the ability to influence certain aspects of U.S. policy, and the two countries are now working on plans to make the American troop pull-out as non-disruptive for Israeli security as possible. Earlier, Trump said the United States would get out of Syria "over a period of time" and wants to protect the U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in the country as Washington draws down troops. Trump did not provide a timetable for the planned military exit from Syria, which he announced last month against the advice of top national security aides and without consulting lawmakers or U.S. allies participating in anti-Islamic State operations. The decision prompted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to resign. During a Cabinet meeting at the White House in front of reporters, Trump said he had never discussed a reported four-month timetable for the withdrawal of 2,000 American troops stationed in Syria amid a battle against Islamic State militants. In recent days, Trump appeared to back off from any hasty pullout and stressed that the operation would be slow. "We're slowly sending our troops back home to be with their families, while at the same time fighting ISIS (Islamic State) remnants," he said on Twitter on Monday. Kurdish fighters (Photo: Tsur Shezaf) Graham told reporters that Trump was committed to making sure Turkey did not clash with the Kurdish YPG forces once U.S. troops leave Syria, and was assuring the NATO ally that it would have a buffer zone in the region to help protect its own interests. Turkey views the YPG as a branch of its own Kurdish separatist movement and is threatening to launch an offensive against the group, igniting fears of significant civilian casualties. U.S. commanders planning the U.S. withdrawal are recommending that YPG fighters battling Islamic State be allowed to keep U.S.-supplied weapons, according to U.S. officials. That proposal would likely anger Turkey, where Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, is expected to hold talks this week. A convoy of Syrian Kurdish fighters has pulled out of the flashpoint area of Manbij in northern Syria, close to territory controlled by Turkey, Syria's defence ministry said on Wednesday. Some 30 km (20 miles) from the Turkish border, the town occupies a critical spot on the map of the Syrian conflict, near the junction of three separate blocks of territory that form spheres of Russian, Turkish andfor nowU.S. influence. A female tourist from the United States who arrived in Israel in October was hospitalized against her will at a closed psychiatric ward for two months because a guardian could not be found to accompany her on a flight home. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The woman, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was placed in the Abarbanel Mental Health Center in Bat Yam in central Israel two days after arriving in the country. Her requests to leave were denied and the hospitalization order was extended until mid-November. Illustration (Photo: shutterstock) In November, the woman was taken to Ben-Gurion International Airport, in order to fly home to California, but the airline refused to allow her to board without a guardian. Given that she did not have one, she was returned to the closed ward at Abarbanel. With the assistance of the Legal Aid Department at the Justice Ministry, the woman filed a lawsuit claiming her detention after returning from the airport was illegal. According to her claim, the professionals at the hospital did not believe that she posed a danger to herself and was only held against her will due to the lack of a guardian. Had she been able to return to the U.S., the patient would have been released, according to the hospital," read the appeal filed against the hospitalization order. "Her hospitalization is without legal grounds, because despite her frustration when she was denied boarding, she was returned to the ward and her hospitalization continued forcibly despite there not being any behavior that justifies this." Tel Aviv District Court Judge Zion Kapach ruled that the woman does not belong in the psychiatric ward but that if she was released without any support network, and unable to fly home, she was vulnerable to falling victim to bad actors. He said that she must be allowed to fly home while acknowledging that she required the accompaniment of a medical worker which necessitates funding. In any case, he ruled, it is unfeasible for her to continue to be held against her will only because of a bureaucratic problem. Following her appeal, a doctor was found to accompany the woman on her flight home, after spending two months in an Israeli hospital. The Health Ministry said in response that the hospital acted within the confines of the law while taking the individual aspects of the case into consideration. Lacking a medical confidentiality waiver by the patient, it is not possible to comment on a specific case. This is part of the duty to uphold the rules of medical confidentiality and privacy protection. An examination of the case shows that the hospitalization process was conducted according to the conditions specified in the law, while conducting periodic psychiatric committees as required, and both the hospital staff and the district psychiatric committee made their decisions based on the patient's condition. "Although it is not the duty of the hospital or regional psychiatric committee to provide care for patients on their flight back to their native country, the hospital stepped up to the task and arranged a medical escort with the immigration authorities All was done in accordance with the courts and its instructions." Dozens of extremist Haredim are demonstrating in Jerusalem against the polices decision to perform an autopsy on a baby who died of suffocation Tuesday. More than half of new immigrants to Israel in 2018 are not recognized as Jewish under Halachic (Jewish) law and the Orthodox rabbinical establishment that controls religious life in the country. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter According to data released by Israels Central Bureau of Statistics, the country's population grew by 173,600 people last year. There was a net surplus of 32,600 new immigrants (deducting emigres). Only 39% of the immigrants are recognized as Jews, compared to 54% who are classified as other. Most were eligible to move to Israel under the Law of return, due to having a Jewish ancestor. The remaining 7% of arrivals were Arab. In comparison, in 2017, 52% of immigrants were recognized as Jewish. New immigrants (: ) Demographic estimates put the number of Israelis within that category at between 300,000 to 400,000, and the number is only increasing due to natural growth and immigration. One of the key implications is that most of the people who find themselves in this situation cannot marry within the confines of the rabbinate as they are not Halachically recognized as Jews and are therefore denied a fundamental right as citizens. Only in the few instances where both partners are listed as lacking a religion are they able to wed in Israel through a civil marriage, in accordance with a 2010 law. But that is contingent, however, on the rabbinate first confirming that both parties are definitely not Jewish. Creating a demographic problem The release of the data comes soon after ultra-Orthodox political parties and the Chief Rabbinate shelved the conclusions of the Nissim Committee , and successfully torpedoed a conversions bill that would have revoked the Orthodox establishments monopoly on conversions. In practice the state encourages immigration, but it does not allow the immigrants to settle and legally marry and even makes it difficult them for to convert and normalize their status. Rabbi Doctor Shaul Farber (: ) Rabbi Shaul Farber is the director of ITIM, an advocacy group which helps people navigate the religious authorities bureaucracy in Israel, and the founder of the private religious court Giyur KHalacha, a non-governmental, conversion court network. Referring to the statistics, he accused the government of creating a demographic problem with its own hands by allowing immigration in accordance with the Law of Return but not allowing many of those immigrants to marry. These are people who serve in the IDF, pay taxes and are an inseparable part of the Jewish-Israeli social fabric, he says. This policy severely harms the acclimatization of the immigrants, harms their Jewish identity and turns a blind eye to their problems. Giyur KHalacha provides an ethical solution for them, but there must be a fundamental treatment of the conversion system. This is our Jewish and democratic duty." Israel got almost everything it asked for when U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo granted seven out of eight requests made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting in Brasilia on Tuesday, according to a senior source in Jerusalem. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The prime minister told the press ahead of the meetingheld in Brazils capital after the inauguration of the countrys new president, Jair Bolsonarothe main topics of discussion was to be with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria and Iranian attempts to establish a military presence in the war-torn country. Netanyahu and Pompeo (Photo: GPO) The source added that Netanyahu came out of the meeting with Pompeo feeling that Israel has the ability to influence certain aspects of U.S. policy, and the two countries are now working on plans to make the American troop pull-out as non-disruptive for Israeli security as possible. The only issue which the secretary of state did not sign off on is the sale of Israels F-16 fighter jets to Croatia, which is said to have irritated the Trump administration due to Israels decision to add its own native technology to the aging aircrafts. Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu in Brazil (Photo: GPO) Netanyahu also met with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez in Brazilt, who according to the source promised to follow in Donald Trumps footsteps and relocate the countrys Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in the coming months. The Central American state is reportedly looking for ways to better its relations with the Trump administration, and sees improving diplomatic ties with Israel as a step to achieve that goal. "Israel wants to help South American countries to solve some of their financial and security problems," the source said. In addition, the prime minister also held a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who informed Netanyahu that Hungary is currently promoting a new program regarding the country's Holocaust Museum. Tzipi Livni said Wednesday that she was "surprised, but not humiliated" by Labor Party leader Avi Gabbay's shock announcement a day earlier that he was dismantling the Zionist Union, unilaterally ending the partnership with her Hatnuah Party. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter LIvni said in an interview to Ynet that she felt liberated by the decision. "It feels like I'm going on an old-new journey. I know it sounds strange to say this, but I'm feeling excellent today," the former foreign minister and peace negotiator said. Gabbay, she said, "allowed me to find my way back to my own path. To do what I believe in, to talk about what I believe in, and at the end of the day leave the decision to the public." Hatnua leader Tzipi Livni at the Ynet studio (Photo: Yaron Brener) The veteran politician joined forces with Labor in late 2014 under the leadership of Gabbay's predecessor, Isaac Herzog, who has since left politics to chair the Jewish Agency. On Tuesday, Gabbay shocked the political system when he announced the end of that partnership with an unaware Livni sitting at his side. Labor leader Avi Gabbay announces end of partnership with Hatnuah leader Tzipi Livni (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg) While she has no qualms about the decision to end the partnership, Livni criticized the way it was done. "You want to end the partnershipthat's your right... (but) at least give me a call, have a meeting, tell me 'Listen, it's not working out; it's not giving us the results we want. You and Bougie (Herzog) got 24 seats, with me at the helm we (are only projected) eight. Let's go on our separate ways.' I'd have said 'Happily,' shaken his hand, and held a press conference in which we'd have stood together and said it didn't work out; with mutual respect for one another," she said. Nevertheless, Livni insisted she was "surprised, not humiliated" by Gabbay's public declaration. "This is the opposite of leadership in my opinion," she contended. "Avi planned a campaign revolving entirely on 'I need to be prime minister'without any substance to it. We knew it was going to be bad, but I felt committed (to the partnership)," she added. Going forward, Livni said she intends to continue her discussions with former Labor leader and prime minister Ehud Barak, as well as former IDF chief Benny Gantz, who recently registered a new party under his leadership, in an effort to create a political bloc that would offer an alternative to the current coalition government. Gabbay, meanwhile, insisted Wednesday that there was no need to feel bad for Livni. "She's a strong woman, not a poor woman," Gabbay told Radio 103 FM. He also rejected criticism that he would not have chosen this manner to end the partnership if Livni was a man. "I've never seen her solely as a woman, but as a colleague," Gabbay said. It is a truism in politics that elections are about the future, and not just about the past. In Israels upcoming election, given the potential of looming indictments, many in Israel will want to consider whether a sitting prime minister can fulfill the responsibilities of the office while also devoting major time and attention to his legal difficulties. Regardless of how that question is answered, there will be other fundamental questions about national security challenges that must be addressed. And, those questions, which have understandably gone to the heart of the Israeli publics concerns historically, should be asked of both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his challengers Avi Gabbay, Benny Gantz, Yair Lapid, and others on the center-left. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter To begin with, while the Trumps administration support for Israel has been important diplomatically and symbolically, it has largely left Israel on its own when it comes to dealing with the challenges of Iran in Syria and Lebanon and managing the Russians. But with the Russians now adopting a tougher policy toward Israels freedom of action in Syria and Lebanon, how do Netanyahu and other candidates propose to deal with them? The challenge is especially acute because the Trump administration with its withdrawal from Syria is signaling to everyone, including the Russians, that it sees no interests in Syria regardless of whether Israel and Jordan are likely to face Iranian-backed threats from there. Historically, there was an understanding between the United States and Israel: Israel handles the threats it faces in the region, the U.S. deals with threats from external powers. That apparently no longer applies with the Trump administration, so Israels leaders have to contend with a new reality in the region in which the U.S. intends to play a diminished role even as Russia becomes more assertive in filling the vacuum. Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin meeting in Moscow True, neither the prime minister nor his challengers are likely to want to acknowledge publicly the reality of a diminished U.S. role, and its implications for Israel. But they can address what Israel may need to be doing on its own, given Russias increased prominence in the region and its new criticism of Israeli actions in Syria and Lebanon. The prime minister may have been the honored guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin last May in Moscow celebrating the victory over the Nazis, but now the Russians are calling the most recent Israeli strike in Syria a provocation and Israeli overflights in Lebanon a violation of UNSC Resolution 1701this even as Israel uncovers the fifth Hezbollah tunnel dug into its territory. So the relationship with Putin looks more problematic and the Russian impulse to exert its leverage is now greater, particularly with it not having to worry about the United States. To be sure, Syria is not the only Iran-related challenge near Israels borders. Amid understandable concerns about Hezbollahs 130,000 rockets, Israel has refrained from attacking its precision-guided facilities in Lebanon that could convert these rockets into missiles with sharp accuracy. And, yet, Israel truly cannot live with Hezbollah having rockets with high accuracy and capable of launching saturation attacks on Israels high-value strategic economic and military targets. So what should Israel do? IDF troops uncovering a Hezbollah tunnel dug from Lebanon into Israel Of course, the main Iran-related issue is the question of whether Tehran will renew its nuclear program. The Trump administration has withdrawn from the nuclear deal of 2015 and its approach of re-imposing sanctions is creating real economic pressures on Iran. But it has not altered any Iranian behaviors as they remain aggressive in the regionso Israel must focus on countering that where it can. But what happens if the Iranians withdraw from the nuclear deal and resume their uranium enrichment, reducing their break-out time to weeks? The Trump approach seems built essentially on sanctions and economic pressure but little more. How will each candidate approach an Iranian withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the possibility that the Trump administration will maintain its current approach? What about Gaza? Does either the prime minister or his challengers have an alternative to the current approach? No one wants to go back into Gaza, but is the reality of periodic flare-ups over the last decade, often driving a million Israelis in the south into shelters, the new normal? Can there be a more durable ceasefire with Hamas without reconstruction of infrastructure in Gaza? It is clear that the Israeli security establishment is looking for stabilizing components like infrastructure that could avert future deterioration. What is the alternative to this approach? If there is not one, why hasnt it gone forward? As for the Palestinian issue, there is no ultimate deal any time soon. While President Trump may be intent on reducing the U.S. role in the Middle East, he still appears to want to present a peace plan. Even if key Arab leaders may be less inclined to be responsive to Trump if they judge him withdrawing from the region, the Administration wants these leaders to acknowledge the seriousness of the plan. And, this is especially true at a time when the Administration has no contact with Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority. Donald Trump and Mahmoud Abbas meeting in New York in 2017 There is, however, little chance of gaining Arab public recognition of the seriousness of the plan without it addressing Palestinian statehood and key Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem. Both Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has said he would like a new coalition much like the current one, and those on the center-left should be asked whether it is possible to respond favorably to the Trump plan without a government capable of making tough decisions? Indeed, if as Nikki Haley said in her farewell address as UN envoy that Israelis and Palestinians are going to like parts of the plan and dislike other parts, is it conceivable that a narrow-based right-wing Israeli government will be able to accept it, even with reservations? Is there more to an Israeli strategy than merely planning on Abbas to say no, so Israel is off the hook? If the Trump plan is presented and goes nowhere, a clear possibility, what is the policy of the prime minister and his challengers toward the Palestinians? If there is no early prospect of a deal, there is the danger of Israel simply drifting toward becoming a binational state. Each candidate should be asked what will they do to ensure that this does not happen. Lastly, what is the policy of each candidate toward preserving not only bipartisan ties with the United States, recognizing that President Trump might be gone in two years, but also with American Jewry. Clearly, the ties of the current coalition are strained both with the Democrats and with key non-Orthodox segments of American Jewry. Both are essential to preserving the relationship with Americawith one factor generally overlooked in Israel. The American Jewish community has played an essential role in ensuring a strong U.S.-Israel relations, including the American commitment of $38 billion in military assistance over the next 10 years. This is a commitment that Trump inherited from his predecessor Barack Obama. So, does each candidate recognize a problem with American Jews and, if so, what will they do about it? Quite apart from domestic issues, these issues deserve an airing and a debate in advance of the election. We hope it takes place. MILAN -- The director of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence is urging Germany to return a Dutch masterpiece stolen by Nazi troops during World War II. Eike Schmidt said in a New Year's appeal on Tuesday that the still-life "Vase of Flowers" by Dutch artist Jan van Huysum is in the hands of a German family who hasn't returned it despite numerous appeals. Instead, intermediaries for the family have demanded payment for its return to Italy. Schmidt said "the painting is already the inalienable property of the Italian State, and thus cannot be 'bought.'" The oil on canvas had been hanging as part of the Pitti Palace collection in Florence from 1824 until the outbreak of World War II. It was moved for safety during the war, then stolen by retreating German troops. A political storm erupted at the Hebrew University on Tuesday when a senior lecturer berated a female student who arrived for class clad in her IDF uniform, the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation reported. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Dr. Carola Hilfrich of the university's Faculty of Humanities was caught on camera lambasting the student after an Arab member of the class said they were offended by her attire. Illustrative: Female IDF soldiers (Photo: IDF) Hilfrich approached the soldier and scolded her after the class was over: "You can't be naive enough to ask to be treated as a civilian when you are in uniform. You are a soldier in the Israeli army and people treat you accordingly." The lecturer's reprimand was videotaped by a fellow student on his cell phone. Protests at the Hebrew University, January 2, 2019 In response to the rebuke, the soldier said she had no interest in discussing politics and emphasized that she is serving in the army to protect the state of Israel. "Does it bother you that I'm wearing uniform in class?" the soldier asked, to which Dr. Hilfrich replied: "There are people whose civil society is as important to them as the army is to you, and you must accept their priorities as tolerantly as they accept yours." "I witnessed the most outrageous scene at the university on Tuesday, and there were plenty to choose from. A student came to Dr. Hilfrich's class wearing an army uniform. A fellow student took offense and kept remarking on her attire throughout class. Instead of reprimanding the student for interrupting the class, the distinguished lecturer chose to rebuke the soldier for coming to class in uniform," said a student who saw the incident. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem The University issued a statement after the incident apologizing for any hurt caused to the student in uniform. "The Hebrew University honors all its students, including those who attend classes during their military service, whether they are drafted soldiers, career soldiers, or reservists," the university said. "The Hebrew University's management condemns disrespectful behavior between fellow students, and between faculty members and students. Both the university and the lecturer apologize to the student who was hurt by the incident." The National Union of Israeli Students also criticized the lecturer's behavior. "It is shameful that students are humiliated because of their uniforms. In recent years, we have been promoting the rights of students who serve as military reservists, to guarantee that their service doesn't interfere with their studies." "It is inconceivable to us that an army uniform offended a member of the faculty. A situation in which students feel unsafe on campus grounds is unacceptable. Despite differences of opinion, we emphasize that both faculty members and students should express their opinions freely in a respectful and dignified manner," the union added. It is entirely possible to understand Avi Gabbay. There was no harmony in the Zionist Union. Gabbay gave Tzipi Livni the position of opposition leader but she did not return the favor or even recognize him as the leader of the left-center bloc. Livni often spoke about bringing the left together, but she never mentioned Gabbay. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter It is possible that Livnis intentions were appropriate. She understood that the Zionist Union is sinking in the polls and sought a way to extricate it from this situation. Gabbay saw what she was doing and was not impressed. As far as he was concerned, Livni showed him only ingratitude. On Tuesday, Gabbay got his payback on live television, when he dropped his political bombshell and dismantled the union, banishing Livni to the political wilderness with no prior warning. He wanted revenge and he got it. Gabbay did not only want revenge, he also wanted to do something that would portray him as leadership material. But moments after his speech, he erred when, in what was clearly not a closed-door meeting, he told Labor Party members that Livni "fed me shit. That was indignation, not leadership. Gabbay also added a sting when he wished Livni well in whichever party she finds herself, a reference to her political zigzags. But how is Gabbay different than Livni? He himself admitted to voting Likud; he then went on to become an MK for the Kulanu Party, finally ending up in Labor. People in glass political homes really should not throw stones. Meretz Chairwoman Tamar Zandberg declared that Livni was too far to the left of Gabbay. It is not clear if she was trying to compliment Livni, but this was the last thing she needed. To the left of Gabbay is Meretz, and such a depiction is precisely what would spook Benny Gantz. Netanyahu has been trying to depict her as a leftist in order to deprive her of votes from centrists who could vote Likud. Tzipi Livni Livni was not ousted because she is a leftist. Indeed, I myself criticized her for making unnecessary statements, but Livni has always been a Zionist. True, she was on the right and changed her stance, but when she headed the country's negotiating team, Livni, more than others, held steadfast to Israels red lines. While other politicians agreed to certain concessions regarding the Palestinian right of return, perhaps allowing in a few thousand or tens of thousands, Livni rejected it outright. Not even one Palestinian refugee. If only we could be so sure that other politicians on the left had her backbone; but to hell with the facts. Across the Israeli political spectrum, Livni is one of the most experienced, articulate and successful people. She led the Kadima Party to 28 Knesset seats in 2009, one more than Netanyahus Likud. When she linked up with the Labor Party in 2013, the party doubled its strength. Livni has plenty to offer. In order for her to overcome the rut she is in she must find a way for her true self to prevail over the negative portrayals. And, assuming she just doesnt give up, she certainly has her work cut out for her. The Iranian-backed Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad has committed to spark an escalation on the southern front if Israel enters a military conflict with Lebanons Hezbollah on the north, said the Palestinian faction's leader, Ziad Nakhala, in an interview to the state-owned Iranian TV channel Al-Alam. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Islamic Jihad is the second largest military organization in Gaza. Although the group normally works in coordination with Hamas, it has recently subjugated itself almost completely to Iran, despite being a Sunni organization, and was the one that initiated a round of fighting on the southern border last October. "In the next confrontation with the occupation, the axis of resistance will operate from the north in Lebanon to the south in Gaza," said Nakhala. Islamic Jihad leader meets with top Iranian officials The interview was conducted Saturday following a series of meetings between Nakhala and Islamic Republics top officials, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Nakhala arrived in Tehran accompanied by the terror groups two senior officials, Khaled Al-Batsh and Mohammed al-Hindi. "Iran's support and its position (on the Palestinian issue) play a major role in defeating the efforts made to dismiss the issue of Palestinian rights, said Nakhala after the meeting with Rouhani. The Palestinian people are being pressured by the U.S. and Israel to accept the so-called 'deal of the century,' which is meant to close the Palestinian cause. The Trump administrations long-delayed peace plan, dubbed deal of the century is yet to be unveiled, but has already drawn criticism from the Palestinians who fear the deal will overwhelmingly favor the Israeli side following President Trumps decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israels capital and relocate there the U.S. embassy. Ziad Nakhala meets with Khamenei Rouhani following the meeting said the only way the Palestinians can defeat the Israeli oppression is by rising up and fighting the Israeli entity. Muslims world-wide must support the struggle of the Palestinian people to realize their right, including the right of return Despite the Madrid protocols and the Oslo agreements, Israel has not fulfilled its obligation to allow the Palestinian refugees to return, the Iranian president said. The Islamic Jihad leader echoed Rouhanis statements during a discussion he held with Supreme Leader Khamenei. "The Palestinian people are capable of subduing the Zionist entity in a way that armies havent been able to do. The great victories of the Palestinian people are coming, Nakhala added. Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif, who also met with Nakhala on Saturday, added that the Islamic Republic will forever stand by the Palestinian people Palestine is one of the most important aspects of Tehran's foreign policy." Former defense minister and Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Lieberman revealed details of Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan to the Palestinians before resigning his ministerial post in November, the London-based pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat reported Wednesday, citing Palestinian officials. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter According to the Saudi-owned paper, the plan calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip. Arabs in the West Bank, meanwhile, would be citizens of the Palestinian state in Gaza, but the Palestinians will not receive control of any land in the territory. Palestinian self-rule would reportedly be limited to Area A of the West Bank, parts of Area B, and a small part of Area C. Under the terms of the Oslo Accords, Area A is land governed entirely by the Palestinians, Area B is under Palestinian civil and Israeli military administration, and Area C is under both Israeli military and civil control. MK Avigdor Lieberman at a Yisrael Beytenu party meeting (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) In addition, the plan includes sweeping economic incentives for the Palestinians, including a provision for large donations from the international community to build the infrastructure for the Palestinian state in Gaza, including an airport and a sea port. Israel, according to the report, would maintain control of the borders and crossings of the West Bank, as well as over security and water in the disputed territory. Israel would also keep the Jordan Valley and maintain control over a large part of East Jerusalem under the plan. Al Hayat noted the plan ensures the survival of Israeli settlements, but gave no details as to whether that meant just major settlement blocs or isolated communties as well. Lieberman's office denied the report, telling Israeli media that the former minister "has never seen the plan, and to the best of his knowledge the Americans havent revealed the details of the plan to any Israeli, and it isnt a sure thing that it has been completed. The report is simply incorrect." Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas dubbed the Trump administration's so-called deal of the century peace plan as "a conspiracy that they are going to be waging from afar." "They say, 'Wait for the deal.' What are we waiting for? Everything is on the table, and nothing is left hidden. What they offer is rejected, rejected, rejected. We will fight to prevent it, because we will not sell our sanctity," Abbas told a meeting of his Fatah movement in the West Bank on Monday. The Shin Bet domestic security service and the Israel Police have questioned over 30 Jewish minors and conducted numerous raids at a yeshiva (Jewish seminary) in the West Bank. The institution was attended by three suspects arrested earlier this week as part of a far-reaching investigation into Jewish terrorism in Israel. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter "They told me I had ticks; they yelled at me; they made fun of me and told me we'd undergo a hard interrogation," recounted one of the teenagers who had been questioned. Jewish Home MK Bezalel Smotrich, who was approached for help by the pedagogical staff at the yeshiva, sent a letter of complaint to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. An Israeli minor arrested in Jewish terrorism investigation (Photo: Shaul Golan) "This persecution includes threats, mass summons of students at the educational institution for intimidating talks, testimonies and questionings, as well as threats and intimidation of various people with ties to the institution, in an attempt to undermine it, its good name and any cooperation with it. This is most likely a form of 'fishing,' the loss of all common sense, firing in all directions without any concrete and specific suspicions," he said. Smotrich conceded that suspicions of Jewish terrorism should be investigated, "but they must do it in a way that is common and acceptable in a democratic and law-abiding country. There must not be collective punishment and manipulation of the yeshiva students and employees based on a general assumption some of the students are involved (in the case)." Settler youth clash with police outside the courtroom holding a hearing in the case of three Jewish terrorism suspects Attorney Adi Kedar of the Honenu NGO, who represents suspects in the case, said he had complained to the police about the matter in early November 2018. "The Shin Bet marked them as targets, and as a result the rights of innocent people are being violated; the daily lives of teens and families are being adversely impacted," he said. "This is a wrong and dangerous practice that should be denounced. We've already seen how such practices can lead to false charges." Attorney Itamar Ben-Gvir, who also represents suspects in the case, added: "Coming to an educational institution and harassing the students there is the lowest thing that can be done. If this were a school in (the East Jerusalem Arab neighborhood of) Silwan or the Bedouin community, the National Council for the Child and all of the other human rights organizations would've protested. But when it's an institution attended by settlers, suddenly children have no rights. It's very serious." With little resistance from a friendly White House, Israel has launched a new settlement push in the West Bank since President Donald Trump took office, laying the groundwork for what could be the largest construction binge in years, according to data obtained by The Associated Press. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The figures, gathered from official government sources by the anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now, show an increase in building in 2018 and a sharp spike in planning for future construction. This trend, highlighted last week when an Israeli committee advanced plans for thousands more settlement homes in the West Bank, has only deepened Palestinian mistrust of the Trump administration as it says it is preparing to roll out a Mideast peace plan. Each new settlement expansion further diminishes the chances of setting up a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Israeli settlement of Asa'el located on Mt. Hebron (Photo: Courtesy of Asa'el) "The feeling of the (Israeli) government is everything is allowed, that the time to do things is now because the (U.S.) administration is the most pro-settlement you can ever have," said Hagit Ofran of Peace Now's Settlement Watch program. Peace Now uses several measurements of settlement activity. These include "plans," or the early bureaucratic stages of preparing a project; "tenders," when bids are solicited from contractors to do the work; and "construction starts," when the building actually begins. Each of these figures tells a different story. While construction starts give a snapshot of the current level of settlement activity, they reflect decisions made years ago. In contrast, the planning and tender stages are seen as forward-looking indicators of a government's intentions. The data compiled by Peace Now showed a drop in construction starts during Trump's first year in office, to 1,643 units in 2017 from 3,066 units the previous year. This drop appears to reflect the lingering effect of reduced planning during the final two years of the Obama administration. But the data for the first nine months of 2018 indicate the beginning of a Trump effect, with construction starts 20 percent higher than the same period a year earlier. These trends are even more evident when looking at the planning process. In 2017, plans were advanced to build 6,712 new settlement homes, roughly 2.5 times the 2016 level. Esh Kodesh outpost in the West Bank (Photo: AFP) In 2018, plans for an additional 5,618 units were advanced, nearly half of which were processed last week alone. Together, these numbers are the highest level of planning seen since 2013. At that time, Israel pushed forward settlement construction to counter criticism of its release of Palestinian prisoners as part of then-Secretary of State John Kerry's peace efforts. The biggest surge in settlement activity during the Trump era is in tendersprojects that are ready to be launched. In 2017, 3,154 tenders were issued, up from just 42 during Obama's final year in office. In 2018, that number rose to over 3,800, the highest number by far since Peace Now started compiling the data in 2002. This sets the stage for a huge jump in construction in the near future. "There's definitely a change of atmosphere. There's definitely a change of winds," said Oded Revivi, mayor of Efrat, a major settlement near Jerusalem, and the chief foreign envoy of the Yesha settlement council. Revivi said that Obama pressured Israel into greatly curtailing settlement activity. Now, he said, Israel is trying to make up for lost time. "Basically what you're seeing now is the statistics are trying to catch up to the needs that were built up during the eight years of the Obama administration, when everything was in a standstill," Revivi said. White House Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt's office declined comment, and State Department officials were not immediately available for comment. Asa'el settlement on Mt. Hebron (Photo: Courtesy of Asa'el) The Palestinians and most of the international community consider Israeli settlements to be illegal and obstacles to peace. Over 400,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank, in addition to 200,000 in East Jerusalem. The Palestinians seek both areas, captured by Israel in 1967, as parts of their state. For decades, a string of U.S. presidents, both Republican and Democrat, condemned settlement construction. Things quickly changed when Trump took office. Trump refused to condemn settlement construction and surrounded himself with advisers including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Ambassador to Israel David Friedmanwho are Orthodox Jews with close ties to settlements. Trump at times has asked Israel to show restraint, but his administration has remained largely silent as Israel has pressed ahead with its construction efforts over the past two years. This has been welcome news to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose outgoing coalition is dominated by religious and nationalist settlement sympathizers. Favored to win re-election in April, Netanyahu has said he expects his next government to look very similar. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump (Photo: Reuters) Israel never annexed the West Bank, meaning the Israeli military remains the sovereign there. Construction in the West Bank requires approval from COGAT, a Defense Ministry body that oversees civilian affairs in the territory. Plans are submitted by the government to COGAT's Higher Planning Council, which decides if they meet legal criteria. COGAT routinely portrays decisions on new settlement activity as a technical matter, playing down the political impact. In a statement, COGAT said it acts in accordance with planning and building laws in the West Bank. Critics say COGAT routinely promotes settlement expansion and development at the expense of Palestinian communities in the 60 percent of the West Bank that is under full Israeli control. Palestinians have varying degrees of autonomy, including over building permits, in the remaining areas of the West Bank, where most Palestinians live. The offices of Avigdor Lieberman, who served as defense minister in 2017 and 2018, and his deputy, Eli Ben Dahan, did not respond to requests for comment. Both are strong supporters of the settlements and settlers themselves. The settlement surge has added to the Palestinians' distrust of the White House. The Palestinians cut off ties with the administration over a year ago after Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital. President Mahmoud Abbas has said he will reject any peace plan the Trump team presents. Abbas' spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said U.S. "silence and lack of condemnation and pressure" have given a "green light" to the Israeli government to step up settlement activity. The Al-Hayat newspaper reported Wednesday that Avigdor Lieberman unveiled the details of the long-delayed Trump administration peace plan to the Palestinian Authoritys senior officials. According to the paper, the plan seeks to establish a Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip, where millions of dollars are expected to be invested. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal team on Tuesday night came out against Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's plans to announce his decision in the three pending corruption cases against the prime minister before the April 9 elections. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Netanyahu last week announced a snap election , seeking a fresh political mandate that could help him weather possible charges in corruption investigations. He is enmeshed in three graft cases and denies any wrongdoing. Should Mandelblit decide to press charges against Netanyahu, he would announce the indictment pending a hearing, after which charges could be filed in court. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit (Photo: Emil Salman, Amit Shabi) Mandelblit and State Attorney Shai Nitzan are working to complete work on the three investigations in the coming weeks and make a decision on whether to indict Netanyahu and on what charges about a month and a half before Israelis head to the polls. Judicial officials estimate there is sufficient evidence against Netanyahu to indict him for fraud and breach of trust in a conflict of interest, and discussions are now focused on whether there is sufficient evidence for a bribery conviction as well. "To declare a hearing during an election campaign without hearing the other side is a distortion of the electorate's wishes and a serious blow to the democratic process," the prime minister's lawyers said in a statement. "It is undemocratic to begin a hearing before the elections when it cannot be concluded before the elections. It cannot be that the public would only hear one side and not the other. There have been many cases in which hearing the other side's responses in the hearing have led to the cases being closed," the statement went on to say. "We believe there will be no hearing, because there was nothing," the prime minister's attorneys insisted. Netanyahu himself said in a press conference in Brazil on Monday that he does not intend to resign or bow out of the election race if charges are filed against him. "According to the law, the prime minister does not have to resign during the hearing process ... The hearing doesn't end until my side is heard," he said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with new Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro at his inauguration (Photo: AFP) "Imagine what would happen if a prime minister is ousted before the hearing is finished, and then after the hearing they decide to close the case. It's absurd. It's a terrible blow to democracy." During an annual meeting that Mandelblit had last week with former attorneys general and state attorneys, most of the attendees contended he must make the effort to conclude work on the cases before the elections, so the public could be informed before placing their ballots. According to a report by the Israel Television News Company, the meeting's attendees stressed that Mandelblit did not consult with them about the case, and the matter came up as part of a general discussion on current events, including the Nation-State Law, the legal advisors bill and the Regulation Law. The Justice Ministry's spokesman said in response to the report that "Every year, the attorney general holds an annual meeting with former attorneys general and state attorneys, with the participation of the state attorney, senior legal and judicial advisors, and the Attorney General's Office. The meeting was scheduled in advanced several months ago and was held for the second year. During the meeting, different legal issues on the agenda came up. "As part of the forum's discussions, the topic of the timing of the decision on the cases against the prime minister came up. The attorney general did not bring up the matter himself, and the meeting was not held to discuss this issue. The attorney general addressed the matter during his comments, explaining that the decision-making process on these cases continues as normal despite the dispersal of the Knesset. The attorney general made no commitment on the timing for his decision." Honduras will hold talks with Israel, joined by the United States, aimed at opening an embassy in Jerusalem, the countries said on Tuesday, as the small Central American nation looks to follow U.S. President Donald Trump's much-criticized move Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez held a meeting in the Brazilian capital on the sidelines of the inauguration of right-wing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro The three agreed to hold meetings in the capitals of each country "to advance the decision process to open embassies in both Tegucigalpa and Jerusalem," as well as "strengthen political relations and coordinate development cooperation in Honduras," the countries said in a joint statement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez (Photo: Reuters) The right-leaning Hernandez is the latest leader to consider following Trump's decision to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the contested city of Jerusalem, which infuriated Palestinians and drew international condemnation. Hernandez told reporters the trilateral talks represented "an important political alliance." Trump has repeatedly threatened to cut off aid to Honduras, a poor nation of less than 10 million people, over caravans of migrants crossing Mexico heading for the U.S. border. Guatemala, another country seeking closer U.S. ties, quickly joined Trump's decision and moved its embassy to Jerusalem just two days after the U.S. opened offices in May. Paraguay also followed, but a new government backtracked in September. Netanyahu said on Sunday that Bolsonaro told him it was a question of "when, not if" Brazil would move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The security forces arrested overnight Wednesday 15 men suspected of being involved in terror activities in the West Bank. The suspects were taken in for questioning. The Islamic State remains highly active in northeastern Syria despite recent claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that the Islamist terror group has been defeated, according to local commanders fighting on the ground. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a predominantly Kurdish and Arab alliance fighting for a secular democratic state, have been battling IS for years. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter ISIS has hundreds of fighters around Hajin and along the Euphrates these are the most dedicated, the most experienced IS fighters in Syria. In local tribes and villages, IS also more active supporters as well, said Havel Ronnie, a top commander in Deir-ez-Zor province in eastern Syria. A Syrian Democratic Forces sniper Islamic States presence in Syria has been severely diminished since they were driven out of their de facto capital of Raqqa, in late 2017 by the SDF. Following this victory, the SDF launched the al-Jazeera Storm" military campaign in mid-2018 against the terrorist group, which aimed at liberating Hajin, Susah, and other IS-controlled villages along the Euphrates in eastern Syria. However, the battle here, in Deir-ez-Zor province, has been particularly difficult. Those are the worst of the worst; they have survived Kobani, Raqqa and other battles. They've had five years to prepare so they've dug tunnels and planted many improvised explosive devices, Ronnie said of IS. American troops in Syria (: AP) An amalgamation of Kurds and local anti-IS tribes backed by the Americans the SDF has recently dealt a blow to the jihadists by capturing Hajin from ISIS. But according to Marwan Qamishli, the media spokesperson for the operation, this came at a heavy cost. We decided to attack Hajin directly, Qamishli said. The fighting was intense like nothing before we liberated the town, but there are still clashes going on nearby. This, according to the spokesman, is contrary to Trumps claim that the US has defeated IS in Syria. Trump says IS has been defeated, but that is not true, Marwan said. Around Hajin they still control a lot of territory they are very active in Northern Syria and we are facing and fighting them every day. According to Ronnie, even if the terror group loses its territory along the Euphrates, it will still pose a threat. Many of these (villagers) in Deir-ez-Zor lived under IS a long time and it is hard to know what is going on in their mind, the commander states, adding, you have to remember ISIS is not like other groups it is an ideology it is Islamic fascism and that cannot be defeated on the battlefield alone. The president's decision to withdrawal of all the U.S. troops in Syria was cited by his outgoing Defense Secretary, James Mattis, as a key reason for his resignation from the administration. US President Trump and Jim Mattis As of now, though, the SDF hasnt seen U.S. troops leaving the country, and Trump has reportedly decided to gradually withdraw over a period of months. At the moment nothing has changed we are still receiving support from the coalition including American air strikes, Qamishli said. However, Trumps announcement has created a lot of confusion, not just with us, but also with other coalition members, as we are not sure yet when, how, or if, the Americans are going to leave, he added. If the American troops stationed in Syria do leave it would have serious implications on finding remaining IS fighters and their supporters inside of Syria. According to Qamishli, IS has not been defeated, and I think the Pentagon with all their military, air and intelligence resources know this. Even if ISIS loses its territory they still have sleeper cells that can attackso vigilance is still needed. Indeed, the SDF believes that dealing with both IS fighters and their supporters is a generational battle. This battle will continue on for years if not decades. Even if IS is defeated, it's not the end. ISIS can recruit more supporters, Qamishli added. Article written by Owen Holdaway 7 day print subscribers enjoy unlimited access to yakimaherald.com Enter the LAST NAME and the 7 DIGIT phone number on your print subscription account to connect your print subscription to your yakimaherald.com account. Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwes President Emmerson Mnangagwa cut short his annual vacation Wednesday to try to resolve an impasse with doctors who have been on strike for a month, a government spokesman said. Hundreds of junior doctors in public hospitals across Zimbabwe withdrew their services in November demanding salaries in US dollars. They have also called for an increase in on-call allowances and improvements to equipment and drug supplies. "The president has had to cut short his annual leave in order to play an oversight role in the negotiations," the Information Ministry Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana told AFP. Negotiations have so far hit a brick wall with the government insisting it has no capacity to pay salaries in US dollars. The government last week said it had suspended 530 striking doctors but later made an about-turn to pave the way for fresh talks. Mangwana said that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who has been in charge while Mnangagwa was on leave, "is in constant contact with the president regarding the negotiations". The doctors have vowed to continue with the strike. "Until our demands are addressed, our position remains the same," Mthabisi Bhebhe, secretary-general of the Hospital Doctors Association told AFP. "The issues remain the same as we presented them to the (health) ministry last year. "We want decent remuneration. With the current salaries ... its very hard to pay rent and it's not enough to buy groceries to last a month." Specialist doctors on Wednesday joined in the strike saying they have been "overwhelmed by the workload" and feared compromising theirs and patients' safety. They said they also shared similar grievances as junior doctors. State hospitals cater for the majority of Zimbabweans who cannot afford private hospitals. Zimbabwes economy has been on a downturn for more than a decade with shortages of cash, high unemployment and the government battling to pay its workers. Story continues Mnangagwa, who took over from long-time ruler Robert Mugabe and won a disputed election in July last year, pledged to revive the countrys moribund economy and mend fences with its former allies in the west following years of international isolation. But the country was thrown into panic after Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube introduced a two percent tax on all electronic transactions as part of new measures to increase revenue. Shortages of basic commodities resurfaced and prices shot up. Pharmacies were also hit, with some running out of essential drugs for chronic conditions such as diabetes. Dubai (AFP) - Yemen's government and its two main allies have written to the UN Security Council accusing rebels of failing to comply with a hard-won ceasefire agreement in the vital port city of Hodeida, an Arab diplomat said Wednesday. UN representatives from Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the UAE wrote that Huthi rebels had launched attacks including sniper fire and medium-range ballistic missiles in Hodeida even after agreeing to a truce, the diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity. The December 31 letter to outgoing UN Security Council head Kacou Houajda Leon Adom also said the Huthis had erected barricades and dug trenches in the flashpoint Red Sea city, according to the diplomat. Both the rebels and pro-government forces agreed in mid-December to a mutual withdrawal from the port, city and wider governorate of Hodeida at UN-brokered negotiations in Sweden. AFP footage from Hodeida on Wednesday showed concrete barricades across the city, where some streets were lined with sandbags and piles of dirt apparently from freshly-dug trenches. The rebels accused the coalition on Wednesday of flying at low altitude over Hodeida. They have regularly accused Saudi Arabia and its allies of attacking areas across the governorate since December 18. Following the ceasefire deal, the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution authorising the deployment of observers to oversee the truce, and a monitoring team led by retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert arrived to Hodeida on December 23. A UN official said the rebels had begun to withdraw from Hodeida last week, and there have been no official UN statements on the military status of Hodeida since. A war between the Iran-backed Huthis and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in March 2015, when Hadi fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led coalition intervened. Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high. The Hodeida port is the entry point for food aid to 14 million Yemenis on the brink of famine, according to UN figures, and a major front in the Yemen war. Cartagena (Colombia) (AFP) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Colombian President Ivan Duque discussed Wednesday how to help restore democratic rule to crisis-wracked Venezuela and reject its "dictatorship." Pompeo followed up a trip to Brazil to meet with new far right President Jair Bolsonaro with a visit to Colombia for talks on the migrant exodus from neighboring Venezuela, and its regime led by President Nicolas Maduro. "Our conversations today covered how we can collaborate with regional and international partners to help those fleeing and help Venezuelans recover their democratic heritage," Pompeo said from the Caribbean city of Cartagena. He described Colombia as "a natural leader on regional efforts to support democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela," its neighbor. Right-wing Duque, who succeeded Juan Manuel Santos in August, said that "all the countries that share the value of democracy should unite to reject the Venezuelan dictatorship and do everything necessary to restore democracy and constitutional order." Pompeo praised Colombia for its support of the one million Venezuelans that have crossed the border and "fled the crisis caused by the Maduro regime's authoritarian misrule." According to the United Nations, 2.3 million Venezuelans have escaped poverty and economic meltdown since 2015 as those who remain face shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicine, as well as failing public services, including water, electricity and transport. Pompeo said the US has dedicated almost $92 million in aid to help Colombia deal with its influx of Venezuelan migrants. During his visit to Brazil, Pompeo agreed with his Peruvian and Brazilian counterparts to increase the pressure on Maduro, with Venezuela's government reacting by decrying interference. Maduro will begin his second mandate as president on January 10, although the result of last year's election was branded a fraud by the US, European Union and Organization of American States. Story continues Relations between Bogota and Caracas have been tense since Duque came to power. Maduro has accused Colombia and Brazil of collaborating with Washington to overthrow and assassinate him, although both neighboring South American countries have dismissed any suggestions of a military intervention. US President Donald Trump has ramped up sanctions against the Maduro regime since succeeding Barack Obama. London (AFP) - Britain is charging young women rescued from forced marriages abroad for the cost of their repatriation, The Times newspaper revealed Wednesday. Four British women who were liberated from a punishment institution in Somalia were each charged A740 ($940, 820 euros), the daily said. Victims are reportedly told they have to fund their flight back to Britain, basic food and shelter costs. Those who are aged over 18 and cannot pay have to sign emergency loan agreements with the Foreign Office. The ministry helped bring back 55 forced marriage victims in 2016 and 27 in 2017. The four young women who were found in a "correctional school" in Somalia had been sent to the religious institution by their families and reported being chained to the walls and whipped with hosepipes. Some had their legs shackled, spent days locked in a small box, were burned with hot sticks and forced to sit in their own urine unless they accepted a forced marriage, The Times said. - Criminal offence - The Foreign Office and the Home Office interior ministry run the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU), which from 2009 to 2017 gave advice or support to nearly 12,800 people. Marriages without consent, or their refusal, have led to suicides and so-called honour killings in Britain, with several cases coming to national prominence. Since 2014, forced marriage has been a crime in Britain carrying a maximum seven-year prison sentence. In the past two years, the Foreign Office has lent A7,765 to at least eight forced marriage victims who could not pay for their repatriation. Around A3,000 has been repaid, although debts of more than A4,500 are outstanding. A 10-percent surcharge is added if an emergency loan is not repaid within six months. "Given these are from public funds, we have an obligation to recover the money," a Foreign Office spokesman said. "The FMU provides funding for safe houses and non-governmental organisations to ensure victims of forced marriage can get a place of safety as soon as possible. Story continues "We do not charge British nationals for this service and work with organisations to support them on their return." Speaking from Singapore, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told BBC radio he had asked for advice from officials in response to the front-page story. "Any interventions that I have had on these consular matters I have always stressed to embassies and posts abroad that they need to use discretion," he said. "Of course we should always behave with compassion and humanity in every situation." - 'Immoral' - News of the charges prompted criticism. Yvette Cooper, who chairs parliament's Home Affairs Committee which scrutinises the interior ministry's work, said she was "completely appalled". "Forced marriage is slavery. For government to make victims pay for their freedom is immoral," said the opposition Labour MP. Tom Tugenhadt, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to Hunt seeking answers "urgently". He said MPs on the panel were "deeply concerned that victims may be forced to pay for their own rescue or, worse, may be dissuaded from asking for help if they have not got the funds". In 2017, the FMU gave advice or support related to a possible forced marriage in 1,196 cases, with 256 (21 percent) concerning men. "Forced marriage is a hidden crime," the unit says, explaining that the figures will not reflect "the full scale of the abuse". In 2017, 37 percent of the cases related to Pakistan, 11 percent to Bangladesh, eight percent to Somalia and seven percent to India. Some 10 percent were entirely internal British cases. The number of cases relating to Somalia has increased 100 percent year on year, the Foreign Office said. By Phil Noble MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - A 25-year-old man suspected of stabbing three people with a kitchen knife at Manchester Victoria train station on New Year's Eve was being held and assessed for mental health issues on Tuesday, police said. Greater Manchester Police were, however, continuing to investigate the attack because of suspected links to terrorism, they said in a statement. A raid of the man's home in the city's Cheetham Hill area was still taking place. Related Video: Police Investigating Stabbings As Terrorist Incident This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The man's name has not yet been released and police did not return requests for further information. A witness, a BBC producer who was at the busy station full of New Year's Eve revelers, said a man stabbed several people at the station, shouting "Allah" and linking his actions to "bombings in other countries." The station is very close to Manchester Arena, where a suicide bomb attack in May 2017 killed 22 people as they left a concert by pop star Ariana Grande. Those wounded, a woman and a man in their 50s, were in a serious but not life-threatening condition, police said. The other, a male police officer in his 30s who sustained a stab wound to his shoulder, was released from hospital earlier. "The Counter Terrorism investigation remains ongoing," police said. "There is nothing to suggest the involvement of other people in this attack, but confirming this remains a main priority for the investigation." Earlier, Chief Constable Ian Hopkins praised officers at the scene for their bravery in arresting the suspect within minutes. Hopkins said many people would have been affected by Monday's attack, particularly since it happened so close to the scene of the 2017 bombing. "I believe that makes it an even more dreadful attack for our city," he told reporters. Britain is on its second-highest threat level of severe, meaning an attack is considered highly likely. Security officials say they are facing record levels of work in countering Islamist militants as well as far-right extremists after four major attacks last year. Story continues Sam Clack, the BBC producer who witnessed the attack, told the broadcaster: "I just heard the guy shout, as part of a sentence, 'Allah'." "I heard the man say, 'As long as you keep bombing these countries this is going to keep happening'," Clack told BBC 5 Live radio in another interview. "It was very, very scary." Prime Minister Theresa May said on Twitter: "My thoughts are with those who were injured in the suspected terrorist attack in Manchester last night. I thank the emergency services for their courageous response." (Reporting by Phil Noble and Elisabeth O'Leary; editing by Leslie Adler, Adrian Croft and Jonathan Oatis) AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) Neither the wind nor a little bit of rust could stop top-seeded Caroline Wozniacki from winning her first match of 2019. The former top-ranked Dane beat lucky loser Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-2 Wednesday in the first round of the ASB Classic. After waiting until the third day of the tournament to play, Wozniacki broke Siegemund in the fourth game of the first set and then opened up a 3-0 lead in the second before becoming frustrated with a swirling wind. "I definitely felt a bit rusty out there, just with that little bit of wind," Wozniacki said. "It wasn't my prettiest match but I just tried to hang in there and tried to serve well and get a lot of balls back. Hopefully tomorrow is going to be better." Wozniacki is playing in Auckland for the fifth time and reached the final last year, losing to Julia Goerges, before going on to win the Australian Open. She found a difficult opponent in Siegemund, who has a wide range of shots. "She's a tricky player," Wozniacki said. "She comes to the net, she fights for the ball, she mixes the pace so it's not easy for sure." Siegemund made it into the tournament as a lucky loser, going down in the final round of qualifying to Bianca Andreescu but winning a place in the main draw after the withdrawal of the injured Margarita Gasparyan. Wozniacki will next face Andreescu in the second round on Thursday. Also, third-seeded Hsieh Su-Wei beat Olympic champion Monica Puig 6-1, 7-6 (3), Sara Sorribes-Tormo of Spain beat seventh-seed Kirsten Flipkens 6-4, 1-6, 6-1, and Eugenie Bouchard defeated Bibiane Schoofs of the Netherlands 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4. ___ More AP Tennis: https://www.apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Beijing (AFP) - Taiwan's unification with the mainland is "inevitable", President Xi Jinping said Wednesday, warning against any efforts to promote the island's independence and saying China would not renounce the option of using military force to bring it into the fold. Xi's comments provoked a swift rebuke from Taipei, where President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan's people would never willingly give up the kind of democratic freedoms unseen on the mainland. China still sees democratic Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949. "China must and will be united... which is an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people in the new era," Xi said in a speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of a message sent to Taiwan in 1979, in which Beijing called for unification and an end to military confrontation. "We make no promise to give up the use of military force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means" against Taiwanese separatist activities and "outside forces" that interfere with reunification, he said. In his speech, Xi described unification under a "one country, two systems" approach that would "safeguard the interests and well-being of Taiwanese compatriots". Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, with its own currency, political and judicial systems, but has never declared formal independence from the mainland. - 'Suspicion' - Relations have been strained since the 2016 election of President Tsai, who has refused to acknowledge Beijing's stance that the island is part of "one China". "Democratic values are cherished by the Taiwanese people, it's their way of life," Tsai told reporters in a press conference arranged in response to Xi's speech. She also accused Beijing of provocations that strained people's "emotional connection" to the mainland such as "buying off" Taiwan's few diplomatic allies and increased military drills near the island. Story continues Taiwan's foreign ministry released a terser response. "If the Chinese government cannot treat its own people kindly, cannot guarantee human rights and will not let its own people vote... then Taiwanese will look at China's intent with suspicion," it said. Though Xi's speech takes a strong stance against Taiwanese separatists and pushes for reunification, it is aimed mostly at domestic audiences, analysts say. "It's rather empty and doesn't have any new points except that cross-strait unification would not affect the interests of other countries," said Fan Shih-ping, political analyst at National Taiwan Normal University, adding that Xi's words may also be intended for the US. In 2018, the US sent multiple ships through the Taiwan Strait - which China considers its territory but the US and others see as international waters open to all -- infuriating Beijing. Washington remains Taipei's most powerful unofficial ally and its main arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. Xi's speech is likely to be "very poorly received," by the US, said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, who studies Chinese foreign policy. -'One country, two systems'- To accommodate differences in Taiwan's political system and civil society, China has proposed adopting the "one country, two systems" policy, which was implemented in Hong Kong after the British handed the city back to China in 1997. But some say the erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong sets a negative precedent for Taiwan. "They (China) are gobbling up Hong Kong, not just politically but culturally and economically too", Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmaker, told AFP. "It's so obvious that they're trying to assimilate Hong Kong into wider mainland China in every way. How would any Taiwanese think that's going to work for them?" Last October, tens of thousands of Taiwan independence campaigners took to the streets in the first large-scale protest calling for an outright independence vote since the island first became a democracy more than 20 years ago. But some in Taiwan say worsening relations with Beijing have harmed business, as cuts to pensions and a reduction in public holidays compound frustrations over a stagnant economy where salaries have not kept up with the rise in cost of living. Last year, President Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party suffered a massive defeat in mid-term polls, causing Tsai to resign as party leader, while the main opposition Kuomintang, which oversaw an unprecedented thaw with Beijing before Tsai took office in 2016, made gains. A record 11 million tourists have visited Taiwan in 2018, the government said Monday, a boon for the island as it courts holidaymakers across Asia to make up for a shortfall from China. The number of Chinese mainlanders visiting Taiwan has dropped dramatically since the 2016 election of president Tsai Ing-wen who has refused to acknowledge Beijing's stance that the island is part of "one China". 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. China has cut off official communication with Tsai's government and stepped up military and diplomatic pressure. Tour group numbers from the mainland took a nosedive, sparking speculation that Beijing was deliberately turning off the taps to punish Taiwan for electing Tsai. In response, Tsai's government went on a charm offensive across Asia, launching advertising campaigns and making it easier for people to visit, particularly from South and Southeast Asia. That strategy -- dubbed the "southbound policy" -- has reaped rewards. The 11 millionth visitor, a Japanese doctor, arrived Sunday in what Taiwan's tourism bureau described as "a new landmark". The island recorded 10.7 million arrivals in 2017 and 10.6 million in 2016. The government has yet to release a full breakdown in nationalities for 2018. Japanese and Chinese tourists still make up the bulk of arrivals. But last year's data showed the number of Chinese nationals coming to Taiwan had dropped from 4.18 million in 2015 to just 2.73 million in 2017. Some 2.46 million people from the mainland visited in the first 11 months of 2018, suggesting that decline has continued. In contrast, arrivals from Southeast Asia rose to 2.1 million in 2017 from 1.4 million in 2015, while Taiwan has also seen increases from across the rest of Asia. Designed to make the island less economically dependent on Beijing, the "southbound policy" is aimed at ramping up business and cultural exchanges with 16 South and Southeast Asian countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Last week 152 Vietnamese who arrived on group tours went missing with authorities suspecting them of coming to work illegally. Around 400 tourists have previously gone missing under the programme, according to the tourism bureau, although it is not clear how many of them have since been found. Beirut (AFP) - Almost eight years into Syria's devastating war, opponents of the regime are watching in dismay as President Bashar al-Assad's government looks set to secure its comeback at home and abroad. Holed up in the last major rebel stronghold or unable to return home after fleeing abroad, they are frustrated to have been abandoned by the international community. "Today, I'm looking for a homeland," activist Shady Matar told AFP from exile in neighbouring Turkey. "I can't go home while the regime is still in power," said the 27-year-old, whose hometown of Daraya near Damascus was retaken by the government in 2016. And "most countries whose governments say they support the Syrian people have closed their borders" to us, he said. Sparked by the brutal repression of anti-Assad protests in 2011, the conflict has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions at home and abroad. But fighting has failed to topple Assad, endless diplomatic efforts have been unable to reach a peaceful transition, and the regime now appears stronger than ever. With backing from Russia and Iran, the government has expelled rebels and jihadists from large parts of Syria, and now controls almost two-thirds of the country. The government also looks set to increase its influence in a large swathe of territory under Kurdish-led control, after the shock announcement last month of a US military pullout. - 'The criminal may win' - On the diplomatic front, efforts seem underway to bring the Damascus regime back into the Arab fold after years of frosty relations. The Arab League suspended Syria's membership in November 2011 as the death toll mounted and several regional powers bet on the demise of the Assad regime. But Sudan's president last month made the first visit by an Arab leader to Damascus since the start of the conflict. The United Arab Emirates last week reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital, and fellow Gulf state Bahrain has followed suit. Story continues Bilal Bayush, a media activist in the last major rebel stronghold of Idlib, said he was not surprised. "Their interests with the opposition have ended, and they now have interests with the Assad regime," he said. Political opposition chief negotiator Nasr al-Hariri was outraged. "While our people are dying of cold in refugee camps drowning in cold winter rain, some of our Arab brothers are racing to open up to the criminal who is responsible," he said last week on Twitter. "Yes, Bashar the criminal may win, he may triumph in the face of the colluding international community," he wrote. "But he has not and will not defeat the will of the free Syrian people." He said a solution in Syria required "a real political transition and holding the criminals to account". Endless rounds of UN-brokered peace talks have failed to stem the bloodshed and have been overtaken by a parallel track led by Moscow, Tehran and rebel backer Ankara. - Revolution 'orphaned' - The armed opposition is faring no better on the ground. In Idlib, rebels and jihadists have been hemmed in by a buffer zone under a September deal between Russia and Turkey to avert a massive regime offensive there. It was the latest agreement to be reached under the Russia-Iran-Turkey negotiations track. Analyst Nawar Oliver said the opposition -- both political and armed -- was in dire straights. "The military opposition has no choice except to follow what is decided on an international level," said the analyst at the Turkey-based Omran Center. It must do this "to preserve what it still has", he said. Naji Mustafa, a spokesman for the Turkey-backed National Liberation Front rebel group in Idlib, said the international community had dropped the Syrian opposition. "The revolution has been orphaned," said the 38-year-old, who defected from the Syrian army in 2012. "The whole world abandoned it." But in the town of Azaz, close to the Turkish border, lawyer and human rights activist Muthana Nasser was determined years of death and destruction would not go to waste. "The sacrifices and suffering of Syrians will not be in vain," he said. Whatever the final outcome, "I will tell my children when they grow up about the greatest revolution in contemporary history," said the father of three. I will recount "how the international community watched the bloodshed of innocents only to denounce it and not intervene to stop the massacres," he said. Madrid (AFP) - Spanish coastguards rescued 401 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean over the first two days of the new year, they said Wednesday. The news comes just days after a charity rescue vessel carrying 311 mainly African migrants plucked off the coast of Libya docked in Spain, ending a traumatic journey which saw them spend Christmas at sea. A spokeswoman for Spain's coastguards told AFP they had rescued 111 migrants on Tuesday in the Strait of Gibraltar and Alboran Sea. She added 290 more were rescued on Wednesday. Spain has become Europe's main entry point for migrants, overtaking Greece and Italy. According to the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) latest figures, more than 56,000 migrants arrived in Spain by sea from January 1 to December 19, 2018, and 769 died attempting to do so. The Spanish Committee for Refugee Aid says the number of victims is the highest since 2006. This sea route to Europe is not the deadliest -- at least 1,278 migrants died in 2018 trying to reach Italy and Malta -- but it is the busiest, according to the IOM. Mogadishu (AFP) - Somalia's government has ordered the UN top envoy to the troubled country to leave, accusing him of "deliberately interfering with the country's sovereignty." The order comes days after the official, Nicholas Haysom, raised concerns at the action of Somalia's UN-backed security services in recent violence that left several people dead. "The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Haysom, is no longer welcome in Somalia and cannot operate in the country," the foreign ministry said in a statement late Tuesday. There was no immediate reaction from the UN mission in Somalia. Somalia's security forces used force to put down three days of demonstrations in the southwestern town of Baidoa on 13-15 December, with at least 15 people killed and 300 people arrested, according to the UN. Protesters were angry at the arrest of Muktar Robow, a former Islamist leader who was vying for post of regional presidency. Robow, who defected from the jihadist Al-Shabaab movement in 2017, was detained by the government accused of seeking to "undermine stability", and flown to the capital Mogadishu. Robow's run for office exposed the tensions between Somalia's federal states, which want greater autonomy from a national administration keen to safeguard its central powers. The UN mission in Somalia is tasked with supporting peace efforts and the strengthening of government institutions in the Horn of Africa nation, which was left ruined by decades of civil war. As part of that, the UN supports police officers, including with stipend salary payments, logistics, uniforms and training. Haysom wrote to the Somali government on December 30, requesting details of the legal basis of the arrest of Robow, as well as calling for investigations into the deaths in the protests following his detention. The UN mission in Somalia faces frequent attacks. On Tuesday, three people were wounded including two UN staff members when gunmen fired a barrage of mortars into the main UN base in Mogadishu. The Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate fighting to overthrow the internationally backed government, claimed responsibility for the attack. Haysom, a South African lawyer and experienced diplomat who was previously the UN special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, was appointed to the post in Somalia September 2018. Moscow (AFP) - The US ambassador to Russia on Wednesday met an American ex-Marine accused of espionage whose detention has sparked the latest rift between the countries. Ambassador Jon Huntsman met Paul Whelan at the Lefortovo prison in Moscow and afterwards spoke to his family by telephone, the US State Department said. "Ambassador Huntsman expressed his support for Mr Whelan and offered the embassy's assistance," a State Department spokesperson said. The United States has been cautious in its public comments on the case, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying earlier Wednesday that Washington was trying to learn more about the situation. "If the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return," Pompeo told reporters while on a visit to Brazil. The consular visit took place five days after the 48-year-old Whelan was detained in Moscow. The Russian foreign ministry also confirmed that the United States was granted consular access. Whelan faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty, according to the ministry. He was arrested "while carrying out an act of espionage", Russia's FSB domestic security service said. His family has denied he is a spy, saying he was visiting Moscow to attend a wedding. Born in Canada, Whelan is director of international security for BorgWarner, a car parts manufacturer headquartered near Detroit, his brother David Whelan has told several US media outlets. His arrest came after President Vladimir Putin accused Western nations of using espionage cases to try to undermine an increasingly powerful Russia. US intelligence services have accused Moscow of interfering in the 2016 presidential election. US Special Counsel Robert Mueller has charged 25 Russians -- including members of the GRU military intelligence service -- and three Russian companies for that alleged interference, but they have not been arrested. In December, Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty in a federal court in Washington to acting as an illegal foreign agent. Butina faces up to six months in prison, followed by likely deportation. By Mary Milliken and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber BRASILIA/MOSCOW (Reuters) - The United States wants an explanation for why Russia detained a former U.S. Marine on spying charges in Moscow and will demand his immediate return if it determines his detention is inappropriate, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday. U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman visited the detained man, Paul Whelan, at a detention facility in Moscow and spoke by phone with his family, the State Department said. The United States had expressed concern through diplomatic channels over delayed access to Whelan, who was detained on Friday, a department spokesman said in a statement. "We've made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges, come to understand what it is he's been accused of and if the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return," Pompeo said in Brasilia, where he attended the inauguration of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday. Russia's FSB state security service opened a criminal case against Whelan but it gave no details of his suspected espionage activities. Under Russian law, espionage can carry a prison sentence of between 10 and 20 years. Whelan's family said on Tuesday that he was visiting Moscow for the wedding of a retired Marine and is innocent of the espionage charges against him. He had been staying with the wedding party at Moscow's Metropol hotel when he went missing, his brother David said. "His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," Whelan's family said in a statement. David Whelan told CNN that his brother, who had served in Iraq, has been to Russia many times in the past for both work and personal trips, and had been serving as a tour guide for some of the wedding guests. His friends filed a missing persons report in Moscow after his disappearance, his brother said. He declined to comment on his brothers work status at the time of his arrest and on Wednesday did not immediately respond to requests for additional information. Paul Whelan is 48 and lives in Novi, Michigan, according to public records. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves from May 10, 1994 to Dec. 2, 2008 and the highest rank he attained was staff sergeant, according to records provided by the Pentagon. Whelan was discharged for bad conduct following his conviction by court martial on charges related to larceny, the Pentagon said. BorgWarner Inc , a Michigan-based automotive parts supplier, said Whelan is the "companys director, global security. He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and at other company locations around the world." BUTINA CASE Daniel Hoffman, a former CIA Moscow station chief, said it was "possible, even likely" that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered Whelans arrest to set up an exchange for Maria Butina, a Russian citizen who pleaded guilty on Dec. 13 to acting as an agent to influence conservative groups in the United States. Russia says Butina was forced to make a false confession about being a Russian agent. Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump in a letter on Sunday that Moscow was ready for dialogue on a "wide-ranging agenda," the Kremlin said, following a series of attempts to schedule a second summit between the leaders. At the end of November, Trump canceled a planned meeting with Putin on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Argentina, citing tensions about Russian forces opening fire on Ukrainian navy boats and then seizing them. Trump's relations with Putin have been under a microscope because of U.S. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into suspected Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign. Moscow has denied interfering in the election. Trump has said there was no collusion and characterized Mueller's probe as a witch hunt. Russia's relations with the United States plummeted when Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Washington and Western allies imposed sanctions on Russian officials, companies and banks. (Reporting by Mary Milliken in Brasilia and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Moscow; Additional reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin in Moscow, Barbara Goldberg in New York, Lesley Wroughton and Idrees Ali in Washington; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Grant McCool and Lisa Shumaker) By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Patrick Shanahan was thrust into the spotlight during his debut as acting U.S. defense secretary on Wednesday, sitting next to President Donald Trump as he publicly disparaged Shanahan's predecessor, lampooned the war in Afghanistan and called Syria a land of "sand" and "death." The former deputy defense secretary officially took office during the New Year's holiday on Tuesday, issuing a statement saying that he looked "forward to working with President Trump to carry out his vision." Trump's vision for the second half of his four-year term in office came into view on Wednesday as he spoke exhaustively during a cabinet meeting about America's wars, and his displeasure with them. Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, sat silently at Trump's side, often expressionless, as television cameras rolled. Trump suggested that former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis - who abruptly resigned last month over policy differences with Trump - had been essentially fired and that Mattis had failed in Afghanistan, where Taliban insurgents are becoming increasingly confident of ending the 17-year-old war on terms favorable to them. "I'm not happy with what he's done in Afghanistan and I shouldn't be happy," Trump said. The remarks put Shanahan in a difficult position from the start of what could be a long tenure at the Pentagon, where many staff were loyal to Mattis. Trump has suggested Shanahan could be acting as defense secretary for an extended period of time. Several candidates previously seen as potential successors to Mattis have recently indicated they don't want the job, officials say. Mattis' public resignation could also make Senate confirmation perilous for any hand-picked successor. Mattis implicitly criticized Trump in his resignation letter for failing to value allies who fight alongside the United States, including in places like Syria. Even Shanahan had been picked by Mattis for the deputy job and held him in high regard, officials say. As deputy, Shanahan often had to fill in for Mattis in meetings, including with members of the cabinet. One reason Mattis resigned was Trump's surprise decision to order the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria. Although Trump has declared victory there, critics warn Islamic State still has a toehold in Syria and could stage a comeback if U.S. forces depart. Trump said during the cabinet meeting that Islamic State militants should be combated by nations in the region, including U.S. adversary Iran. "It's sand and it's death," he said. Shanahan has yet to detail his thoughts on the way forward in Syria, where the Pentagon is planning a gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops over the coming months. He has also not commented on planning for a dramatic drawdown in Afghanistan. Seth Jones at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think-tank in Washington said Shanahan started the job from a somewhat weaker position, since he did not have the mandate that comes with being a Senate-confirmed defense secretary. "Second, the president has made major decisions on a range of these (national security) issues," Jones said. CHINA, CHINA, CHINA In one of his first meetings of the day, Shanahan told civilian leaders of the U.S. military to focus on "China, China, China," even as America fights militants in Syria and Afghanistan, a U.S. defense official said. The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not elaborate on Shanahan's views on China or what other guidance he gave during the meeting. Other officials have described Shanahan as an advocate of the Pentagon's toughening stance toward Beijing. The 2018 National Defense Strategy https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2018-National-Defense-Strategy-Summary.pdf, which Shanahan helped develop, branded China as a strategic competitor. "While we're focused on ongoing operations, acting Secretary Shanahan told the team to remember China, China, China," the official said. Relations between the world's two largest economies have plumbed new depths under Trump, with a trade war and disagreements over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Shanahan, best known for his focus on internal Pentagon reform and his private-sector experience, had spent three decades at Boeing and was general manager for the 787 Dreamliner passenger jet before he joined the Pentagon. During Shanahan's tense Senate confirmation hearing in 2017, the committee's then-chairman, John McCain, voiced deep concern about giving the deputy job to an executive from one of the five corporations accounting for the lion's share of U.S. defense spending. "I have to have confidence that the fox is not going to be put back into the henhouse," said McCain, who died in August. Shanahan has recused himself from participating in Boeing-related issues, a spokesman said. (Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; additional reporting by David Alexander; Editing by David Gregorio and James Dalgleish) TheGrio Police in Ocean City, Maryland have gone viral for aggressively enforcing a ban against vaping on the boardwalk on Saturday evening. In the viral videos of the incident, a Black teenager is seen with his hands up and then drops to the ground after being tasered by an officer, who also repeatedly kneed the teen in the stomach. The incident left four teenagers arrested, including the teen who was tasered and is seen being carried away from the scene hog-tied by officers. By Ursula Scollo LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra said on Tuesday he would ask Congress to declare the public prosecutor's office in a state of emergency after the agency's top official removed two investigators at the heart of the probe into a massive graft scandal triggered by Brazilian builder Odebrecht. Vizcarra, who had been attending the inauguration of President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, cut short his trip to deal with the surprise twist in the Odebrecht case, saying he would return home to fight against "corruption and impunity." Vizcarra said he would personally present a bill to Peru's Congress at 1 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) on Wednesday seeking the state of emergency, and asked for legislative support to usher it through quickly and without conflict. "We will use all the tools our Constitution contemplates to overturn this decision, and we ask that all branches of government do the same," Vizcarra told reporters after meeting with his cabinet and advisers in Lima. A state of emergency would allow Vizcarra to quickly and efficiently make changes to personnel he deems necessary to advance the investigation. His move came just hours after Peru's top prosecutor, Pedro Chavarry, removed prosecutors Jose Perez and Rafael Vela, saying the duo had failed to respect authority at Peru's public prosecutor's office, which has overseen the investigation. Chavarry's move prompted a public outcry in Peru, where there is strong support for Vizcarra's anti-corruption crusade. The two deposed investigators earlier this month announced they would seek fines of about $180 million from local companies, politicians and businessmen for taking part in kickback schemes involving Odebrecht construction projects in Peru. Odebrecht in 2016 admitted in a plea deal with U.S., Brazilian and Swiss authorities that it had bribed officials in a dozen countries, including Peru. The team Perez and Vela helped lead has targeted people at the highest levels of power in the Andean nation. Four former Peruvian presidents, the current opposition leader and several local construction companies are all under investigation in connection with Odebrecht. All have denied wrongdoing. Chavarry's decision to remove Perez and Vela was announced days after Perez accused Chavarry of allegedly obstructing justice in a separate case involving several judges accused of corruption. Perez and Vela had also targeted former Peruvian presidents Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, Ollanta Humala y Alejandro Toledo, all of whom are under investigation in connection with the Odebrecht scandal. Vizcarra said on Monday that Odebrecht should not be able to continue working in Peru because the Brazilian construction company had "contaminated private activity" and admitted bribing public officials. (Reporting by Ursula Scollo; Writing by Dave Sherwood; Editing by Paul Simao) LIMA (Reuters) - Peru Attorney General Pedro Chavarry on Wednesday reappointed two lead prosecutors he had dismissed from a high-profile graft probe after the decision sparked widespread opposition and a threat by President Martin Vizcarra to suspend him. The prosecutors, Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez, had recently drawn up a plea deal with Odebrecht that committed the Brazilian construction company to providing evidence on some $30 million in bribes it says it paid to local politicians. The two are celebrated as anti-graft crusaders by many Peruvians for going after high-profile politicians, including four former presidents and opposition leader Keiko Fujimori. But late on Monday, Chavarry announced he was removing Vela and Perez from the case for exceeding their authority. By Wednesday, after protests and waves of criticism, Chavarry signed a resolution reappointing them to their posts, saying other prosecutors had declined to replace them. The reversal was a fresh win for President Vizcarra, who had promised to do all he could to return the two prosecutors to the case. Earlier on Wednesday Vizcarra sent Congress legislation to suspend Chavarry from his post and declare a state of emergency in the attorney general's office in order to restructure it. Chavarry has denied that he sought to meddle in the Odebrecht probe by dismissing Perez and Vela. Vizcarra, who took office to replace former president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski after his resignation due to a graft scandal last year, has made fighting corruption a core focus of his government. His approval rating at the end of 2018 exceeded 60 percent after reforms he proposed to uproot entrenched corruption cronyism easily passed a national referendum. Vizcarra has repeatedly called for Chavarry to step down, but under Peru's constitution only Congress can force the attorney general from office. Odebrecht is at the center of the "Car Wash" investigation in Brazil, which has rippled across Latin America and which U.S. prosecutors have said is the biggest political graft scheme ever uncovered. In 2016, Odebrecht acknowledged it had paid millions of dollars in bribes to officials in a dozen countries to secure public works contracts dating back over a decade. The company has committed to paying billions of dollars in fines. (Reporting by Mitra Taj; Editing by Phil Berlowitz) Washington (AFP) - Netflix drew fire from human rights activists Wednesday after agreeing to block an episode of a satirical comedy show from its service in Saudi Arabia over comments critical of the kingdom and its crown prince. In the episode of "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj," the American-born Muslim lashed out at the kingdom over the October killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Minhaj specifically criticized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been blamed for the killing, and was also critical of the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. The move by Netflix to block the show was widely denounced by rights groups including Amnesty International, which warned it risks further eroding freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia. Minhaj himself weighed in on Twitter with a jab at Netflix -- and an appeal for humanitarian relief in Yemen, where Saudi bombings have taken a toll in the ongoing civil war. "Clearly, the best way to stop people from watching something is to ban it, make it trend online, and then leave it up on YouTube," the comedian said. "Let's not forget that the world's largest humanitarian crisis is happening in Yemen right now. Please donate." The streaming giant said it was required to take down the episode after Saudi authorities said it violated the country's cybercrime statute. The episode can still be seen in other parts of the world -- and in Saudi Arabia on YouTube. - No free expression - Netflix said the Saudi request was made under Article 6 of the law, which states that "production, preparation, transmission, or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy, through the information network or computers" is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine up to $800,000. "We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request -- and to comply with local law," a Netflix spokeswoman said in a statement Tuesday. Story continues But Samah Hadid, Amnesty's Middle East campaigns director, was scathing. "Saudi Arabia's censorship of Netflix... is further proof of a relentless crackdown on freedom of expression in the kingdom," Hadid said. "By bowing to the Saudi Arabian authorities' demands, Netflix is in danger of facilitating the kingdom's zero-tolerance policy on freedom of expression and assisting the authorities in denying people's right to freely access information." Sarah Leah Whitson of Human Rights Watch likewise warned that "Netflix's claim to support artistic freedom means nothing if it bows to demands of government officials who believe in no freedom for their citizens - not artistic, not political, not comedic." - 'Quite outrageous' - In December, the US Senate approved two symbolic resolutions blaming Prince Mohammed for the killing of Khashoggi, after intelligence reports pointed in that direction, and urging an end to US participation in the Yemen war. In October, the press freedom watchdog group Reporters Without Borders ranked Saudi Arabia as 169th out of 180 countries for press freedom, adding that "it will very probably fall even lower in the 2019 index because of the gravity of the violence and abuses of all kinds against journalists." After releasing its annual study of global internet freedom, another watchdog, Freedom House, said in November that Saudi Arabia was among those employing "troll armies" to manipulate social media and, in many cases, drown out the voices of dissidents. Minhaj, 33, has seen his profile rise steadily in recent years. His routines combine personal history and pointed political commentary wrapped in edgy topical humor. In 2014, he became senior correspondent on Comedy Central's popular "The Daily Show," and in 2017 was the featured speaker at the White House Correspondents' dinner. "Patriot Act" debuted in October 2018. WarIsBoring Security, A U.S. Navy nightmare that never happenned? Meet Russia's (Almost) Super Aircraft Carrier Key point: The Soviets werent dumb, Holmes explained. They wouldnt spend themselves into oblivion to keep up with the Joneses, and as a great land power, they obviously had enormous claims on their resources to fund the army and air force. There was only so much to go around for luxury fleet projects. Had she ever sailed, the Soviet supercarrier Ulyanovsk would have been a naval behemoth more than 1,000 feet long, with an 85,000-ton displacement and enough storage to carry an air group of up to 70 fixed and rotary wing aircraft. With a nuclear-powered engineand working in conjunction with other Soviet surface warfare vessels and submarinesthe supercarrier would have steamed through the oceans with a purpose. Namely, to keep the U.S. Navy away from the Motherlands shores. (This piece first appeared in WarIsBoring here. This first appeared in 2015.) But the Ulyanovsk is a tantalizing almost of history. Moscow never finished the project, because it ran out of money. As the Cold War ended, Russia plunged into years of economic hardship that made building new ships impossible. The Ulyanovsk died in the scrap yards in 1992. But now the Kremlin is spending billions of rubles modernizing its militaryand wants a new supercarrier to rival the United States. (Recommended: Is it Time to Bring Back the Battleships?) Big Goals, Bad Timing: Builders laid the keel for the Ulyanovsk in 1988, just as the Soviet empire began to break apart. The ship was such a large project that builders wouldnt have finished her until the mid 90s. Construction took place at the Black Sea Shipyard in Ukraineoften called Nikolayev South Shipyard 444. Its an old facility, dating back to the 18th century when Prince Grigory Potemkin signed orders in 1789 authorizing new docks to repair Russian naval vessels damaged during the Russo-Turkish War. Story continues The famous Russian battleship Potemkinscene of the famous 1905 naval mutiny and the subject of Sergei Eisensteins classic filmlaunched from the same shipyard. Early in the Soviet period, the shipyard constructed battleships. During the 60s and 70s, workers built Moskva-class helicopter carriers and Kiev-class carriers at South Shipyard 444. But none of these ships came close to the Ulyanovsk. Named after Vladimir Lenins hometown, everything about the supercarrier was huge, even by Russian standards. (Recommended: Russia's 5 Most Dangerous Warplanes) Her propulsion system would have comprised four KN-3 nuclear reactors, a model originally used to power enormous Kirov-class battlecruisers, such as the heavy guided-missile cruiser Frunze. Ulyanovsk could have easily reached 30 knots while under way. The carrier would have carried at least 44 fighters on boarda combination of Su-33 and MiG-29 attack jets configured for carrier operations. Ulyanovsks two steam catapults, ski-jump and four sets of arresting cables would have created a bustling flight deck. The ships designers planned three elevatorseach capable of carrying 50 tonsto move aircraft to and from the cavernous hanger deck. Plus, the carrier would have had helicopters for search-and-rescue work and anti-submarine warfare missions. (Recommended: Europe's 5 Most Lethal Weapons of War) The Soviets planned a complement of 3,400 sailorsroughly half of the crew aboard an American Nimitz-class carrier, but sizable compared to other Soviet vessels. Why Build It?: That the Soviets even wanted a supercarrier was remarkable. The massive ships have never figured significantly in the Soviet or Russian naval inventory. Currently, Russia has only one carrierthe significantly smaller Admiral Kuznetsovlaunched in 1985. Multiple mechanical problems have plagued the ship ever since, and she doesnt go anywhere without an accompanying tug vessel. But there was a logic behind the Ulyanovsk. James Holmes, a professor of strategy at the U.S. Naval War College, explained that the Soviets wanted to create a defensive blue belt in their offshore waters. The blue belt was a combination of land, sea and air power that would work together to thwart U.S. carrier and submarine forces. Russia could defend the homeland while providing safe patrol areas for ballistic-missile subs performing nuclear deterrent missions. Those boomers need to disappear for weeks at a time into safe depths, Holmes said. Soviet supercarriers could have helped out with the air- and surface-warfare components of a blue-belt defense, chasing off U.S. Navy task forces that steamed into Eurasian waters. But pride and national honor also prompted the decision to build the Ulyanovsk. Theres also the keeping-up-with-the-Joneses aspect to carrier development, Holmes continued. If the U.S. is the world superpower and the U.S.S.R. wants to keep pace, then Soviet leaders want the same toys to demonstrate that theyre keeping pace. It sounds childish, but there are basic human motives at work here. Its not all about the roles and missions carriers execute, he said. Its about national destiny and dignity. But by the mid 90s, Russian naval vessels were rusting at their moorings, sailors served without pay and the United States stepped in to help deactivate Soviet-era nuclear submarines and provide security for the Russian nuclear arsenal. The Soviets werent dumb, Holmes explained. They wouldnt spend themselves into oblivion to keep up with the Joneses, and as a great land power, they obviously had enormous claims on their resources to fund the army and air force. There was only so much to go around for luxury fleet projects. Bottom line, if you cant afford to keep the existing fleet at sea, where are you going to get the money to complete your first nuclear-powered supercarrier, a vessel that will demand even more manpower that you cant afford? (This first appeared in 2015.) Moscows Military Rises Againor Not?: But Russia now seems willing to revive its supercarrier dream. The navy will have an aircraft carrier, Russian navy chief Adm. Viktor Chirkov recently said. The research companies are working on it. Other Russian media reports indicate that designers are in the early phases of planning a new carrier class that would be slightly larger than the Nimitz classand capable of holding an air wing of 100 planes. But economic problems including a looming recession and the expense of maintaining and modernizing the rest of the nations aging fleet makes it doubtful whether Russia can build such an expensive ship. Holmes estimates the cost of a new Russian carrier could be as much as $8.5 billion and take up to seven years to complete. But the professor also said the Russian quest for a carrier is serious. Great nations have carriers, Russia considers itself a great nation, and therefore the ship would be a symbol of national revival and destiny. In other words, a new carrier would be one more reason to forget the bad old days when the Soviet Union disintegrated. We think of the Soviet Union as a dreary place, but Russians also remember that it wielded great power, Holmes continued. Thats a potent memory. For Moscows navy, the failure of the Ulyanovsk project is one of the biggest, baddest memories of them all. Read full article Antananarivo (AFP) - Madagascan security forces on Wednesday fired tear gas to break up a protest by supporters of losing presidential candidate Marc Ravalomanana, who claims he was denied victory in last month's election because of fraud. In the run-off vote on December 19, Ravalomanana won 44 percent against the winner Andry Rajoelina on 55 percent, according to official results. Thousands of Ravalomanana's supporters gathered in the centre of the capital Antananarivo but were quickly dispersed by police using tear gas, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. "We came to erect a giant screen projecting anomalies in the second-round election but we were fired at with tear gas," Hanitra Razafimanantsoa, a lawmaker from Ravalomanana's party, told the media. "Respect our choice, we don't reserve a fraudulent election," read protest banners held by Ravalomanana's supporters, who have vowed to hold daily protests. The country's Constitutional Court is reviewing a petition filed by Ravalomanana challenging Rajoelina's victory. It is due to hand down its ruling next week. The two rivals, who are both former presidents, were banned from running in the 2013 election as part of an agreement to end recurring crises that have rocked Madagascar since it gained independence from France in 1960. Credit: Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock.com Credit: Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock.com Amid continuing political and legal battles about the insurance practice known as assignment of benefits, the Florida Supreme Court has agreed to take up a closely watched case stemming from water damage to a St. Lucie County home. The Supreme Courts decision to hear the case could lead to resolving a conflict in lower courts about a restriction that insurers have tried to place on assignment of benefits. In a somewhat unusual circumstance, attorneys on both sides of the St. Lucie County case asked the Supreme Court to take up the case and resolve the conflict. Assignment of benefits, or AOB as it is widely known, has been one of the most-controversial insurance issues in the state Capitol in recent years and is expected to spur a fight during the 2019 legislative session. In assignment of benefits, homeowners in need of repairs sign over benefits to contractors, who ultimately pursue payments from insurance companies. Insurers argue that the process has become riddled with fraud and litigation, driving up insurance rates. On the other side, contractors and trial attorneys contend that assigning benefits helps homeowners hire contractors quickly to repair damage and forces insurers to properly pay claims. Much of the controversy has centered on water-damage claims for homes in South Florida, though it also involves other parts of the state and issues such as claims for damage to car windshields. The St. Lucie County case focuses on a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by the firm Restoration 1 of Port St. Lucie against Ark Royal Insurance Co. Policyholders John and Liza Squitieri sustained water damage to their home, and Liza Squitieri contracted with Restoration 1 of Port St. Lucie to do cleanup work and assigned the benefits to the firm, according to a September ruling by the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Ark Royal, however, refused to pay the full amount requested by the restoration firm, pointing to an insurance contract that required approval from the husband, wife and the Squitieris mortgage company, PNC Bank, for benefits to be assigned to the contractor. Restoration 1 sued the insurer for breach of contract but lost in circuit court and the Fourth District Court of Appeal. The Fourth District Court of Appeal decision, however, conflicted with an earlier ruling by the Fifth District Court of Appeal in a case that also focused on whether an insurer could require approval of mortgage companies and all people insured in policies before benefits could be assigned. Security First Insurance Co. took the case to the Fifth District Court of Appeal after the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation rejected a company proposal to add such AOB restrictions to policies. A panel of the appeals court upheld the position of the Office of Insurance Regulation. The Fifth District Court of Appeal also reached a similar conclusion in a later case involving ASI Preferred Insurance Corp. As is common, the Supreme Court did not explain its reasons for agreeing to take up the St. Lucie County case. But in briefs filed in October, attorneys for Ark Royal and Restoration 1 pointed to a need to resolve the conflicting lower-court rulings. The exact same restrictive assignment language appears in each of the policies issued by Ark Royal, Security First Insurance Company, and ASI Preferred Insurance Corporation, attorneys for Restoration 1 wrote. Therefore, the conflicting decisions impact multiple insurance companies, insureds and assignees throughout the state. Thus, this Supreme Court should resolve the conflict and provide unity among the districts for insureds, insurers, mortgagees and assignees. Jim Saunders reports for the News Service of Florida. Cairo (AFP) - A prominent rights activist appealed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday to pardon his wife, sentenced to two years in jail for posting a video denouncing sexual harassment. "We ask the President of the Republic for pardon," said Mohamed Lotfi, who heads the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms NGO. Former actress and model Amal Fathi was sentenced at an appeal hearing on Sunday for "spreading false news" and "inciting regime change". She had been arrested in May over a video she posted online, criticising sexual harassment in Egypt and alleging that guards at a bank had sexually harassed her. Lotfi, 37, called on Sisi to take into account that his wife is "a victim" of harassment, and is being treated for trauma and depression. "Her condition has worsened during prison," he said. In an interview with AFP, he said an appeal is being lodged against his wife's sentence. Fathi is under house arrest and has to report to a police station every week. Lotfi fears his wife will be taken into full custody during her next scheduled appointment on Saturday. Fathi said she had been harassed by a taxi driver on the same day as the alleged harassment at the bank. She recorded her video in a state of exasperation, her husband said. Sisi came to power in 2014, a year after leading the military's overthrow of president Mohamed Morsi following mass protests against the Islamist's rule. Rights groups say the former defence minister has since installed a repressive and authoritarian regime. Amnesty International has called Fathi's sentence a "scandalous injustice". Harassment on Egypt's streets has been a major topic of activism and campaigns. "We know that the government is trying to fight this phenomenon", Lotfi said. "It's not fair that a female victim of harassment is imprisoned", he said. Lotfi, who holds dual Egyptian-Swiss nationality, believes his own commitment to human rights work is the "true reason" behind the justice system's treatment of his wife. Story continues "In a way, it is pressure on me so that I stop my human rights work", he said. He added that his wife is still fighting another case, in which she is accused of "belonging to a terrorist group". Known for his work against forced disappearances, Lotfi recently received a prestigious Franco-German award for human rights campaigners. By Stanis Bujakera and Fiston Mahamba KINSHASA (Reuters) - Security forces in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo fired live rounds and tear gas on Thursday to scatter demonstrators who burned tyres and ransacked an Ebola center in protest at their exclusion from the presidential election. The electoral commission (CENI) announced on Wednesday that it was cancelling voting in Sunday's election in the opposition strongholds of Beni, Butembo and their surrounding areas due to an ongoing Ebola outbreak and militia violence. In another sign of the government's hardening stance in the run-up to the vote, the foreign ministry announced the expulsion of EU ambassador Bart Ouvry after the European Union renewed sanctions against officials including the ruling coalition's presidential candidate, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary. The EU Commission was not immediately available on Thursday evening to comment on the expulsion. Sunday's vote is meant to pick a successor to President Joseph Kabila, who has ruled since 2001. If successful, it would mark Congo's first democratic transition after decades marked by authoritarian rule, coups and civil war. Politicians in Beni denounced the CENI's decision as an attempt to boost Shadary and they called for protests. "There was a group of demonstrators who wanted to enter the CENI office ... to demand the cancellation of the decision," said Giscard Yere, a Beni resident. "But the police officers and soldiers who were there fired to disperse the demonstrators." Protesters ransacked an Ebola isolation center in Beni, causing 24 patients to flee, health ministry spokeswoman Jessica Ilunga said. Demonstrators also attacked the office of the government agency coordinating the response to the Ebola virus in Beni, said Aruna Abedi, the deputy director of the Ebola response. "Protesters tried to force the door of the center," Abedi told Reuters. "They were chanting songs hostile to the government and demanding elections. They threw projectiles." Colonel Safari Kazingufu, the police commander in Beni, said three policemen were wounded while trying to restore order, including around the Ebola centers. Seventeen protesters were detained in connection with the attack on the center, he said. EBOLA OUTBREAK Beni, Butembo and their rural surroundings have been battling an Ebola outbreak - now the second-deadliest in history - since August. It is believed to have killed more than 350 people so far. But health authorities had repeatedly said the outbreak would not prevent the vote from going ahead, and locals say it is being used as a pretext to disenfranchise them. Returning to eastern Congo on Thursday to a hero's welcome after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, Denis Mukwege, a vocal critic of the government, told a cheering crowd: "The emergency now is to save the electoral process which is deadlocked. The CENI and authorities of our country must fulfill their responsibilities." The CENI has also canceled the vote in the western city of Yumbi because of ethnic violence there last week that killed more than 100 people. The opposition coalition behind presidential candidate Martin Fayulu has called for a nationwide general strike on Friday to protest over the cities' exclusion from the vote. "It's too much, the CENI has crossed a red line," Fayulu campaign director Pierre Lumbi told journalists, calling on the CENI to cancel the decision. The campaign of another popular opposition candidate, Felix Tshisekedi, also denounced the CENI's decision but stopped short of calling for it to be revoked. The election to replace Kabila was meant to take place in 2016 but has been repeatedly delayed. This has triggered violent protests in which security forces killed dozens of people. It has also stoked militia violence in Congo's eastern borderlands with Rwanda and Uganda as armed groups moved to exploit a perceived power vacuum. (Reporting By Stanis Bujakera with additional reporting by Fiston Mahamba in Goma and Juliette Jabkhiro in Dakar; Writing by Aaron Ross and Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Gareth Jones) Vatican City (AFP) - The conditions for a possible visit to Iraq by Pope Francis have not yet been met, the Vatican number two said on Wednesday, citing concerns about the possibility of a terrorist attack targeting the pontiff. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, told the Catholic TV channel TV2000 that "the problem of terrorism has not been resolved". Parolin spoke about the security situation after visiting the troubled country, saying a papal trip to Iraq imposed a "minimum of conditions" that "are not currently met". Discussing terrorism, he said the Iraqi authorities confirmed that "the roots of this phenomenon are still present". Iraq has been a battleground for competing forces, including the jihadist Islamic State group, since the US-led ouster of President Saddam Hussein in 2003. Francis, 81, has made boosting ties between Christianity and Islam a cornerstone of his papacy. He will visit Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates in February and Morocco in March. Parolin told Vatican News on Friday that the pontiff wants to visit Iraq: "It would certainly be a great encouragement to Iraqis in the difficulties they still have to face." The pope has already visited several Muslim countries, including Turkey in 2014, Azerbaijan in 2016 and Egypt in 2017. Pope Francis moved quickly after his election in 2013 to make overtures to Jews and Muslims, inviting two old friends from Buenos Aires -- a rabbi and a Muslim professor -- on a trip to the Middle East where he condemned religious hatred. Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Brazil's new president, Jair Bolsonaro, has promised to radically change the path taken by Latin America's biggest country by trashing decades of center-left policies. But while the far-right politician enjoys sky-high popularity, the challenges to his agenda are formidable. Here are the key issues he faces: - Economy - Brazil is a commodity-exporting powerhouse but it's still limping out of a record-breaking recession that eradicated many gains from the stellar period of prosperity it enjoyed just a decade ago. Bolsonaro has appointed a free-marketeer, Paulo Guedes, as economy minister to push through reforms to bring down Brazil's swelling debt, mainly through privatizations, tax changes and encouraging foreign investment. One of the trickiest problems will be cutting back on Brazil's unsustainable pension system, which requires an overhaul of the constitution. But Bolsonaro's far-right Social Liberal Party does not have a majority in Congress. To pass legislation he will be relying on ad-hoc alliances with backbenchers in various parties who are part of his evangelical, pro-agribusiness, pro-gun base. Eurasia Group, a consulting firm, notes the reforms pose "a real challenge." The big swing in public support behind Bolsonaro could give him the legislative firepower he needs, if he moves early in his term -- but even then "expect a lot of drama" in Congress, it said. - Diplomacy - Brazil's new orientation will quickly be clear to the world through its diplomacy. And a lot of that is inspired by US President Donald Trump, whom Bolsonaro admires. Bolsonaro has already said he will pull his country out a UN global migration pact, and he is deciding whether to do the same with the Paris accord on climate change and on whether to move Brazil's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem -- all measures aligned with Trump. Additionally, he is hostile to greater Chinese investment in Brazil, and he has said he will do all he can to challenge the leftist governments of Cuba and Venezuela. Story continues - Domestic politics - Bolsonaro's two main promises are to crack down on Brazil's rampant crime and extinguish political corruption. The ex-military man wants laws eased so "good" people can own guns to deter armed assailants. Critics fear that could usher in a "Wild West" in a country where there are already nearly 64,000 homicides annually. Police officers -- responsible for some 5,000 deaths a year -- will be given greater impunity under Bolsonaro. The fight against corruption has been under way since 2014, under a sprawling anti-graft probe known as "Car Wash" that has snared many political and corporate chiefs. In a savvy move, Bolsonaro has named the judge who led "Car Wash," Sergio Moro, as his justice minister. But corruption in Brazil has deep roots, and any evidence of it in Bolsonaro's inner circle -- some allegations are already being investigated -- or his party could rapidly damage his image. Another domestic challenge will be protecting Brazil's environment, which includes the Amazon, sometimes called "the lungs of the planet." Bolsonaro has indicated he will put mining and farming interests above conservation. Brasilia (AFP) - Brazil's new president, Jair Bolsonaro, has stripped an agency of the responsibility to demarcate indigenous lands in a move that has unsettled native rights groups and even some farm businesses that will benefit. The decree published late Tuesday marked Bolsonaro's first order since taking office earlier that same day. It stipulates that the FUNAI agency in charge of indigenous affairs will no longer have a say over creating and defining the boundaries of lands occupied by indigenous people in Brazil. Instead, the agriculture ministry will take over those functions. Bolsonaro has said he intends to loosen regulations holding back farming and mining interests in Brazil, including those relating to nature preservation and indigenous land. Part of his proposed reform is to bring FUNAI under the ministry in charge of human rights, instead of the justice ministry where it is currently placed. He had planned to merge to merge the agriculture and environment ministries but backtracked when that provoked an outcry. Bolsonaro, a far-right veteran lawmaker, won election in October by promising a pro-business, anti-crime agenda. To pass legislation, he will rely on lobbies in Congress representing the interests of agribusiness and a burgeoning evangelical movement, instead of reaching out to the leaders of other parties. Indigenous rights groups deplored the new order. "You see? The dismantlement has already started. FUNAI is no longer responsible for the identification, delimitation and demarcation of indigenous lands," a far-left indigenous leader, Sonia Guajajara, tweeted. Agribusiness lobbyists also expressed concern, fearing that trade sanctions could end up being slapped on Brazilian agricultural exports by countries in favor of nature preservation. A Bangladeshi journalist was arrested and another was on the run Wednesday for publishing "false information" about voting irregularities in an election won by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, police said. Hedayet Hossain Mollah, who works for the Dhaka Tribune newspaper, was detained late Tuesday under a controversial digital security law which rights groups say gives authorities broad powers to stifle dissent. Mollah was arrested in the southern Khulna region after he reported that in one constituency 22,419 more ballots than the number of registered voters were cast, local police chief Mahbubur Rahman said. "The actual votes cast were only 80 percent of the total votes," Rahman told AFP, adding that Mollah was accused of "providing false information in an effort to make the election look questionable". If convicted Mollah could face up to 14 years in jail under a draconian anti-press law that was toughed by Hasina last year. The police chief said another journalist was wanted for questioning after a local government administrator filed a case against the two under the the controversial law. Hasina, 71, is accused of creeping authoritarianism, including muzzling the media and jailing prominent journalists such as Shahidul Alam, an award winning photographer, who spent four months in prison recently. Hasina won 98 percent of seats in Sunday's election which opposition politicians claim was rigged by the ruling Awami League to deliver her a record fourth term as Bangladesh's leader. Thousands of opposition activists were arrested during the campaign while voters reported intimidation at polling stations on election day which was overshadowed by the deaths of at least 17 people in clashes between rival supporters. On Tuesday, the European Union urged authorities in Bangladesh to probe violence and obstacles to voting that the EU said had "tainted" the election. The United States also expressed concern about "credible reports of harassment, intimidation and violence". Story continues A State Department statement urged the country's Election Commission to "work constructively with all sides to address claims of irregularities". Opposition parties won only six seats and have demanded a new election under a neutral caretaker government. Hasina has denied allegations of vote-rigging and rejected calls for an election re-run. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Australian officials insisted Wednesday that a suspected militant had not been left stateless after he was stripped of his Australian citizenship over his alleged links to the Islamic State group. Australia announced this past weekend that Australian-born Neil Prakash had become the 12th dual national to lose his Australian citizenship for extremist links. But a newspaper on Wednesday quoted a Fijian government official as saying the 27-year-old was not a citizen of Fiji. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said an Australian board of senior officials had determined Prakash was a dual national before he lost his Australian citizenship. "The advice to the government based on all the intricate detail and fact of this particular matter is that Mr. Prakash is, by operation of law, a citizen of Fiji," Dutton told reporters. "Fiji was notified of this case before it was made public and we will continue to work with the Fijians." Donald Rothwell, an Australian National University expert on international law, said it was up to Fiji to decide who was Fijian. "It cannot be assumed that even though Prakash and his family may have some connections with Fiji, that his Fijian citizenship would be recognized by the Fijian government," Rothwell said. If Fiji did not accept Prakash as its citizen, Rothwell said Australia would breach its obligations under the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness if it made him stateless. Dutton said Prakash was free to appeal his loss of citizenship in the Australian courts. Prakash, who has Fijian and Cambodian parents, has been in a Turkish prison since 2016 when he was arrested near the Syrian border for allegedly attempting to cross with false documents. Australia is demanding Turkey extradite Prakash, who faces allegations of inciting a terror plot in his home state of Victoria. However, the extradition will have to wait until the conclusion of Turkey's criminal proceedings against Prakash. Story continues Prakash has previously admitted being a member of the Islamic State group but has denied having anything to do with the extremists in Australia. Immigration Minister David Coleman said the Australian board made no mistake in determining that Prakash had been a dual national eligible to lose his Australian citizenship over his service to a declared terrorist organization. "This is an evil individual who is determined to kill Australians and the citizenship board in reviewing this matter has done its job," Coleman told reporters. Fiji's Immigration Department Director Nemani Vuniwaqa told the Fiji Sun newspaper that his department had no record of Prakash ever taking out Fijian citizenship. Vuniwaqa did not immediately respond on Wednesday to The Associated Press' request for comment. By Lamine Chikhi ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algeria has barred all Syrians from entering the country via its southern border with Mali and Niger to keep out members of defeated rebel groups from Syria deemed to pose a security risk, a senior official said on Wednesday. Hassen Kacimi, the official in charge of migrants policy at the interior ministry, told Reuters that Syrians seeking refuge in Algeria in this way were suspected to be Islamist militants and were not welcome. Algeria went through years of devastating civil war with hardcore jihadist groups in the 1990s. While violence is now greatly diminished, sporadic attacks continue in isolated areas. "We have hosted 50,000 Syrians in the past few years for humanitarian reasons," Kacimi said, alluding to refugees from Syria's civil war, "but we cannot accept members of armed groups fleeing from Syria when it comes to our security." He said around 100 had reached the southern border with the help of local armed escorts in recent weeks but were intercepted and expelled shortly after they slipped into Algeria. Kacimi said these Syrians had transited Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan and Niger or Mali using fake Sudanese passports. "Definitely this is a criminal network and we must be very vigilant not to allow them get into Algeria," he said. Algeria has kept diplomatic relations with Syria throughout its own civil war, in which President Bashar al-Assad has largely defeated rebels and jihadists trying to topple him. Syrians do not need visas to enter Algeria. Algeria's south and southeast are largely empty desert regions but it has beefed up its security presence there after neighboring Libya and northern Mali and Niger fell into the hands of various militant and rebel factions. Since its 1990s civil war, Algeria has become an important U.S. ally against Islamist militants active in the arid Sahel region of north and west Africa. (Reporting by Lamine Chikhi; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Kris Osborn Security, A future showdown? Air War: B-21 Bomber vs. Russia's S-300 or S-400 Air Defense Systems (Who Wins?) Key point: The B-21 is being engineered to carry existing weapons as well as nuclear bombs and emerging and future weapons, Air Force officials explained. The Air Force has completed a substantial technical critical design review of its next-generation B-21 Raider bomber, an aircraft said by developers to mark a new generation in stealth technology able to elude the most advanced air defenses in the world. The review, described by Air Force officials as a key step prior to formal construction of the aircraft, will assess design specs, technology plans, computing power and weapons integration for the new bomber a platform which service developers say will advance stealth technology itself to new, unprecedented dimensions of technological sophistication. The B-21 program has completed preliminary design review. The next step is critical design review. The Air Force remains confident in the B-21's progress and in delivering this new capability as planned in the mid-2020s, senior Air Force public affairs director Anne Stefanek, told Warrior Maven. Critical reviews of the emerging B-21 design are essential to engineering a platform able to accommodate the most advanced current and anticipated future stealth properties which include stealth coating and configuration, radar cross section reduction and heat signature suppression technologies, among other things. A new generation of stealth technology is being pursued with a sense of urgency, in light of rapid global modernization of new Russian and Chinese-built air defense technologies; advances in computer processing, digital networking technology and targeting systems now enable air defenses to detect even stealth aircraft with much greater effectiveness. Russian built S-300 and S-400 air defense weapons, believed by many to be among the best in the world, are able to use digital technology to network nodes to one another to pass tracking and targeting data across wide swaths of terrain. New air defenses also use advanced command and control technology to detect aircraft across a much wider spectrum of frequencies than previous systems could. Story continues This technical trend has ignited global debates about whether stealth technology itself could become obsolete. Not so fast, says a recent Mitchell Institute essay The Imperative for Stealth, which makes a lengthy case for a continued need for advanced stealth platforms. The essays principle claim, fortified by lengthy analysis, offers a window of substantial detail into comments from Air Force senior leaders that the B-21 will advance stealth technology such that it will be able to hold any target at risk, anywhere in the world, anytime. The US is now developing its fourth generation of stealth aircraft. The computational capabilities that were available to design the F-117 and B-2 are dwarfed by the power now available to design teams, writes the Mitchell Institute essay, by Maj. Gen. Mark Barrett, USAF (Ret.) and Col. Mace Carpenter, USAF (Ret.) Stealth technology works by engineering an aircraft with external contours and heat signatures designed to elude detection from enemy radar systems. The absence of defined edges, noticeable heat emissions, weapons hanging on pylons or other easily detectable aircraft features, means that radar "pings" can have trouble receiving a return electromagnetic signal allowing them to identify an approaching bomber. Since the speed of light (electricity) is known, and the time of travel of electromagnetic signals can be determined as well, computer algorithms are then able to determine the precise distance of an enemy object. However, when it comes to stealth aircraft, the return signal may be either non-existant or of an entirely different character than that of an actual aircraft. A stealth aircraft will, for instance, appear in the shape of a bird or insect to enemy radar. Given the increased threat envelope created by cutting edge air defenses, and the acknowledgement that stealth aircraft are indeed much more vulnerable than when they first emerged, Air Force developers are increasingly viewing stealth capacity as something which includes a variety of key parameters. This includes not only stealth configuration, IR suppression and radar-evading materials but also other important elements such as electronic warfare jamming defenses, operating during adverse weather conditions to lower the acoustic signature and conducting attacks in tandem with other less-stealthy aircraft likely to command attention from enemy air defense systems. Given these factors, Air Force developers often refer to stealth configuration itself as merely one arrow in the quiver of approaches needed to defeat modern air defenses. Mixing stealthy aircraft with conventional aircraft, deception, air defense suppression, and electronic jamming will complicate an enemys defensive problem set by an order of magnitude, the paper writes. The authors of the paper explain that newer stealth technology able to outmatch advanced multi-frequency air defenses must utilize a characteristic known as broadband stealth. Multi-band or broadband stealth, which is designed to elude both lower frequency area surveillance radar as well as high-frequency engagement radar, puts an emphasis upon radar cross section-reducing tailless designs such as that now being envisioned for the B-21. The B-21 image released by the USAF depicts a design that does not use vertical flight control surfaces like tails. Without vertical surfaces to reflect radar from side aspects, the new bomber will have an RCS (Radar Cross Section) that reduces returns not only from the front and rear but also from the sides, making detection from any angle a challenge, the Mitchell Institute writes. Stealth fighter jets, such as the F-22 and F-35, have an entirely different configuration and rely upon some vertical flight control surfaces such as tails and wings. Being more vulnerable to lower frequency surveillance radars due to having a fighter jet configuration, an F-35 or F-22 would depend upon its speed, maneuverability and air-to-air attack systems to fully defend against enemies. Given that fighter jets require tails, wings and other structures necessary to performance, they are naturally inherently less stealthy than a high-altitude bomber. Newer methods of IR or thermal signature reduction are connected to engine and exhaust placement. Internally configured engines, coupled with exhaust pipes on the top of an aircraft can massively lower the heat emissions from an aircraft, such as the structure of the current B-2 - the authors of the essay say. Hot gases from the engine can be further cooled using mixing techniques in the exhaust system, the paper writes. Technical progress in the area of advanced computer simulations are providing developers with an unprecedented advantage in designing the new bomber as well. Simulations of interactions between designs and various threat radars are now far more accurate and realistic, allowing additional refinement of stealth design solutions before any hardware is actually built or tested, the essay writes. The new aircraft will be designed to have global reach, in part by incorporating a large arsenal of long-range weapons. The B-21 is being engineered to carry existing weapons as well as nuclear bombs and emerging and future weapons, Air Force officials explained. If its arsenal is anything like the B-2, it will like have an ability to drop a range of nuclear weapons, GPS-guided Joint Direct Attack Munitions and possibly even the new Air Force nuclear-armed cruise missile now in development called the LRSO - Long Range Stand Off weapon. It is also conceivable, according to Air Force developers, that the new bomber will one day be armed with yet-to-be seen weapons technology Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army - Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has a Masters in Comparative Literature from Columbia University. This first appeared in Warrior Maven here. Read full article KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Afghan special forces launched a new offensive against the Islamic State group in eastern Nangarhar province, killing 27 militants, officials said Tuesday. Meanwhile, Taliban attacks in northern Afghanistan killed 15 members of the country's security forces. According to provincial council member Ajmal Omar, the special forces, backed by helicopter gunships, targeted IS in Achin district of Nangarhar on Monday. The province has been an IS stronghold and the site where the militant group's regional branch first emerged a few years ago. The militants' media arm, the Aamaq news agency, claimed IS repulsed a joint Afghan-U.S. operation in the area. Omar, who could not confirm whether U.S. troops took part in the operation, said two local IS leaders, Sediq Yar and Syed Omar, were among those killed. The remoteness of the area makes it impossible to independently investigate conflicting reports. In the north, the Taliban launched two blistering attacks on police outposts in Sar-e-Pul province on Monday night, killing 15 policemen and wounding 21, the latest in near-daily assaults by the insurgents against Afghanistan's beleaguered security forces. Fierce gunbattles raged for several hours in Sayyad district and outside Sar-e-Pul, the provincial capital. In the attack on the outskirts of the city, heavy artillery fire by Afghan forces trying to repel the Taliban sent local residents fleeing for safety, said provincial council chief Mohammad Noor Rahmani. Taliban spokesman Qari Yousof Ahmadi claimed responsibility for both attacks in Sar-e-Pul province. The Taliban have been carrying out near-daily attacks targeting Afghan forces despite stepped-up efforts by the United States to find a negotiated end to the country's 17-year war. The size and strength of the IS affiliate in Afghanistan, which emerged in 2013, is estimated at anywhere between several hundred and several thousand fighters. The group comprises mostly of disgruntled Taliban fighters and Uzbek militants of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, as well as Pakistani militants who were driven out of Pakistan's tribal region along the border with Afghanistan. Story continues The relentless violence and deteriorating security battering Afghanistan comes as President Donald Trump is expected to order the withdrawal in the summer of 7,000 U.S. soldiers. There are currently about 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, mostly carrying out training and assisting the Afghan forces who took over the defense of their country in 2014. There are also 7,100 soldiers from other NATO and partnering countries still stationed in Afghanistan. ___ Associated Press writers Maamoun Youssef in Cairo and Kathy Gannon in Islamabad contributed to this report. Beirut (AFP) - Syria's nearly eight-year-old conflict saw its lowest annual death toll in 2018 as the regime reasserted its authority over swathes of territory, a war monitor said on Monday. A total of 19,666 people were killed this year as a result of the conflict, which erupted in 2011, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported. "2018 was the lowest annual toll since the start of the conflict," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. The Britain-based monitor relies on a vast network of sources across Syria to document the war that broke out after the brutal repression of nationwide anti-regime protests in 2011. The death toll for 2017 stood at more than 33,000 and the highest annual figure was reached in 2014 -- the year the Islamic State jihadist group proclaimed a "caliphate" over large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq -- when 76,000 people were killed. Among those killed in 2018 were 6,349 civilians, 1,437 of them children, Abdel Rahman said. Ouagadougou (AFP) - Thirteen people died when suspected jihadists attacked a village in central-northern Burkina Faso, triggering a deadly bout of ethnic violence, local sources and a security official said on Wednesday. Gunmen on motorbikes attacked the village of Yirgou in Barsalogo district on Tuesday morning, "killing six people, including the village chief" and his son, the security official said. A Barsalogo resident, reached by phone by AFP from the capital Ouagadougou, said local villagers, who were from the Mossi ethnic group, then attacked a nearby camp of herders from the nomadic Fulani group, "accusing them of being accomplices of the terrorists." "Seven Fulani herders were lynched and their homes were burned down," the security official said. The mayor of Barsalogo district, Abdoulaye Pafadnam, said the 13 dead were buried at nightfall on Tuesday, but added it was possible the toll was even higher. "A precarious calm has returned to the village, thanks to the presence of defence and security reinforcements," he said. "However, there are reports going around of armed groups coming from the Malian border, and these have caused a mobilisation of the koglweogo," Pafadnam said, referring to a self-defence group. "A crisis committee has been set up to get everyone around the table to talk and avoid the worst," he said. Burkina on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in provinces within seven of the country's 13 administrative regions, four days after 10 gendarmes were killed near the border with Mali. A state of emergency gives additional powers to the security forces to carry out searches of homes and to restrict freedom of movement. Burkina Faso lies in the heart of the vast Sahel. The region turned into a hotbed of extremism and lawlessness after chaos engulfed Libya in 2011, followed by an Islamist insurgency in northern Mali and the rise of Boko Haram in northern Nigeria. Story continues Jihadist attacks began in northern Burkina Faso in 2015 but then spread to the east, near the border with Togo and Benin. Most attacks have been attributed to the jihadist group Ansarul Islam, which emerged near the Mali border in December 2016, and to the JNIM (the Group to Support Islam and Muslims), which has sworn allegiance to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Those groups are believed to be responsible for more than 270 deaths since 2015. The capital Ouagadougou has been hit three times with the deaths of almost 60 people. Like a lot of us, Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell is starting 2019 with a look back at 2018. And while she had a lot of highs, many of which she shared on Instagram, she also had some heartbreaking lows, including a miscarriage. In her Instagram stories on Tuesday, January 1, Mitchell recapped some of her most memorable moments from the past year: trips to Arizona, Qatar, Shanghai, Vancouver, and Ibiza; the launch of her bag line, Beis; the premiere of her new show, You; an appearance at the 2018 VMAs; a backyard wedding for her best friend; and the births of several other friends babies. It sounds like an amazing year, but as Mitchell shared in one of her final stories, it didnt come without some hardships. Her next post was a picture of a sonogram with a broken-heart emoji. We all have to deal with various struggles and challenges in life. And sometimes its easier to only showcase the good times on social media, which is what leads many people to criticize it for its lack of authenticity, she explained. Having so many people follow me on Instagram and read my posts is both incredibly humbling and hugely uplifting. The support and affection that so many of you show me lifts me up during even my darkest days, one of which happened last year after I miscarried and lost the child of my hopes and dreams. The You actress didnt go into any further detail, instead choosing to focus on what lies ahead in 2019. In the spirit of the new year, I think that we need to remember that we are all on this journey together in good times and in bad and to remind ourselves that we seldom really know or understand the struggles and hardships that other people are going through, she wrote. So, for 2019, lets all try to be a little more compassionate, empathetic, patient, and thoughtful with each other. This sounds like a great resolution to me. I hope that you agree. Story continues (photo via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for A+E) You Might Also Like A teenager from Missouri has reportedly lost the ability to see after falling ill after a cruise. Heres what may have happened. (Photo: Sina Ettmer/EyeEm) [WARNING: Images may be graphic] Doctors are trying to solve the mystery of a Missouri teenage girl who went on a cruise with her family and ended up with a still-undiagnosed illness that caused her to go blind. Last summer, Jordyn Walker developed stomach pain and bloody stools after she came back from a cruise, local CBS affiliate WDAF reports. It just went haywire from there. Everything started swelling, Jordyn said. Doctors ran a series of tests and eventually sent her home with a diagnosis of a sinus infection. But Walker, 15, ended up losing her sense of taste and smell, and began seeing several specialists who ran more tests. Everything came back normal, said Jordyns mom, Kendyll Walker. Jordyn began to get better and her family was told that it was a one in a million incident that probably would never happen again. But two weeks before Christmas, her illness came back and it was worse than before. My whole face just turned purple and bruised and giant with blood, she said. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. It was terrifying to watch it happen all over again and knowing that we couldnt do anything about it, Kendyll Walker told WDAF. Jordyn went to the emergency room at the University of Kansas Hospital, and ended up in pediatric intensive care. She was hospitalized for 16 days and underwent more tests, took medications and had two surgeries to reduce swelling in her eyes, but doctors still dont know what happened. Theres no answers. Theres nothing they could do, Kendyll said. Jordyn now is permanently blind from her illness. She wont get a chance to drive, Kendyll said. Or see her sisters get married like she wants so much. Still, Jordyn says shes determined to be positive about the experience. Im not going to let this stop me, she said. Theres no obvious answer for what could have caused Jordyns illness, infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Its also possible that its not caused by one single disease, he says. However, he adds, there are systemic infectious diseases that can spread to the eye like a bacterial or fungal infection that can cause endophthalmitis, an inflammation of the inside of the eye. Its possible that she had a bacterial infection that caused the initial GI symptoms and that spread systemically to her eye, Adalja says. But it also could have been an autoimmune process or something entirely different. Story continues Vatinee Bunya, MD, co-director of the Penn Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Center, agrees. Infections can affect any part of the eye and cause a variety of problems such as corneal ulcers, severe inflammation inside the eye, or damage to the retina or optic nerve, Bunya tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Severe infections or inflammation inside the eye can also lead to increased eye pressure or glaucoma. If any of these are severe enough or are difficult to control or treat, they can lead to blindness or loss of the eye. Not only that, Bunya says that bleeding behind the eyes can cause increased eye pressure that can lead to blindness. Someone can go blind from this within hours if the pressure is not released and the eye pressure is not decreased in time, she says. However, she adds, this is usually caused by a trauma, like being punched in the eye or in a car accident, and rarely is seen spontaneously. Symptoms of eye swelling depend on the cause of the eye swelling, Bunya says. Possible symptoms may include redness, swelling over the white part of the eye, swelling of the eyelids or tissues surrounding the eye, pain, or decreased vision, she says. While Jordyns story is terrifying, Adalja says the average person shouldnt be worried about experiencing this. The fact that this defies explanation shows how rare it is and how low of a threat it is to the general public, he says. Norovirus and influenza are the biggest things you need to worry about on cruises, not mysterious illnesses that make people go blind and lose their taste. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Good Morning America Rita Moreno may be best known for her Academy Award-winning role of Anita in 1961's "West Side Story," but she nearly backed out of the role before playing it. The 89-year-old actress told "Good Morning America" on Monday that a verse she deemed "quite disparaging to Puerto Rico" in her character's iconic song, "America," nearly made her call her agent and say she was pulling out of the film entirely. "My character Anita is a person who loves America and wants nothing to do with Puerto Rico," Moreno, who was born in Puerto Rico before moving to the U.S. as a child, said of her role, which she recalled "working very hard to get" after having "screen tests all over the place." 3 stabbed in New Year's Eve 'terrorist' attack in Manchester 3 stabbed in New Year's Eve 'terrorist' attack in Manchester originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A police officer was among three people stabbed on New Year's Eve in Manchester, England, in what authorities are considering a "terrorist incident." The attack happened Monday just before 9 p.m. at the city's Victoria train station, which is close to Manchester Arena. That's where a suicide bomber killed 22 people at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017. (MORE: Ariana Grande opens up about Manchester bombing: 'It's still very painful') "Last night we experienced a horrific attack on people out to simply enjoy the New Year's Eve celebrations in Manchester," said Chief Constable Ian Hopkins. "That the incident happened so close to the scene of the terrorist attack on 22 May 2017 makes it even more dreadful," Hopkins said. (MORE: How the Manchester attack unfolded and what we know about the bombing) The injuries to the victims, who were not identified, were serious but not considered life-threatening, police said. PHOTO: Police officers stand near a cordon at Manchester Victoria Station, in Manchester, England, on Jan. 1, 2019. (Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images) "My thoughts are with the couple, who are still being treated in hospital for their serious injuries, and with the brave British Transport police officer, who was also stabbed during the attack," Hopkins added. The officer has been released from the hospital, police said. Officers tackled and detained a 30-year-old suspect shortly after the attack, police said. PHOTO: Police restrain a man after he allegedly stabbed three people at Victoria Station in Manchester, England, late Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. (Sam Clack/PA via AP) British Prime Minister Theresa May thanked first responders for their courageous response. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The suspect has not been identified or charged and is being held on suspicion of attempted murder. (MORE: 8-year-old among 22 dead in 'sickening' Manchester suicide bombing: UK prime minister) There was not an ongoing threat stemming from the incident, said Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, though extra officers will be visible on the streets and Britain's official threat level is still set at "severe." Potts urged the public to come forward with any additional photos or video of the incident to help with the investigation. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Kevin Spacey will have to attend his arraignment on sexual assault charges in Nantucket, Massachusetts, next week, a judge decided Monday. In papers obtained by PEOPLE, which were filed with the court last week, attorneys for Spacey had asked a Massachusetts judge to waive the Oscar winners mandatory appearance at the Jan. 7, 2019 proceeding. An affidavit from Spacey noted the accused actor lives in a different state and suggested his presence will amplify the negative publicity already generated in connection with this case. In the affidavit, Spacey indicated his lawyers would enter not guilty pleas on his behalf at the arraignment. Supporting documentation from his attorneys claimed that if Spacey attended the hearing, it would only serve to heighten prejudicial media interest in the case and will increase the risk of contamination of the pool of jurors available for the trial. Spacey, 59, has been charged with felony indecent assault and battery for his alleged role in a 2016 incident inside a Nantucket restaurant. RELATED: Kevin Spacey Photographed Smiling, Wearing Retired Since 2017 Hat After Sexual Assault Charge According to the allegations in Massachusetts, Spacey touched an 18-year-old man against his wishes in a sexual manner inside a Nantucket eatery in July 2016. Cape and Islands Assistant District Attorney Michael Giardino had opposed Spaceys request. The charge comes more than a year after former Boston TV news anchor Heather Unruh publicly accused Spacey of assaulting her son in July 2016. In police reports obtained by PEOPLE, Spaceys accuser, now 20, told authorities that he was texting and snapchatting while Spacey reached down his pants and repeatedly touched his genitals over the course of three minutes while they were together at a Nantucket bar, where the accuser worked as a bus boy. RELATED VIDEO: Robin Wright on Kevin Spaceys Sexual Assault Allegations: We Never Socialized Outside of Work The accuser said he initially lied to Spacey by saying he was a 23-year-old college student and also told investigators that he was the one who approached Spacey, wanting a photo, and proceeded to drink heavily before the alleged assault took place some time after midnight, reports in the case show. Story continues Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. He went on to say Spaceys alleged touching went on for about three minutes and that he tried to move away and moved Spaceys hands away, to no avail, the report states. He said that he left when Spacey went to the bathroom. At a probable cause hearing in Nantucket County Court on Dec. 20, Spaceys attorney highlighted the purported incongruities in the accusers story and went as far as to act out the alleged abuse, according to audio of the hearing, which was first published by the Boston Globe. Kevin Spacey RELATED: Kevin Spacey Pushes Back on Sex Assault Allegation in Court: Teen Accuser Didnt Try to Leave On Monday, the same day that Spacey was charged with felony sexual assault, the actor released a video on his social media accounts, in which he seemed to be channeling his deceased House of Cards character, Frank Underwood. Some believed everything and have just been waiting with bated breath to hear me confess it all, Spacey said in the video. 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? he continued. Only you and I both know its never that simple, not in politics and not in life. 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. On Monday, prosecutors filed formal criminal charges against Patrick Frazee, the Colorado man accused of killing his still-missing fiancee and the mother of his 1-year-old daughter. The five charges Frazee faces come nearly a month after 29-year-old Kelsey Berreth disappeared without a trace. Officials believe Berreth was killed, but have yet to find her remains. Frazee faces two counts of murder along with three counts of solicitation to commit murder both first-degree felonies. Patrick Frazee Investigators have yet to confirm the specific allegations that led to the solicitation counts, but it could mean prosecutors believe Frazee allegedly solicited an individual three times or three people on three separate occasions as part of his plot to murder Berreth. The charges against Frazee, 32, indicate that the alleged solicitations occurred between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1. Prosecutors said they filed the two murder counts against Frazee based on two theories about how the alleged killing may have occurred: either Frazee carried out the crime on his own, or he and someone else allegedly tried to rob Berreth before she was killed. RELATED:Fiance of Colo. Mom Who Vanished on Thanksgiving Speaks out via Attorney: Im Praying for Her Return Authorities have said they do not believe Kelsey is still alive and are searching for the body of the flight instructor from Woodland Park, who hasnt been seen in public since Thanksgiving, when surveillance video recorded her and her daughter entering a local market. Frazee, who did not live with Berreth, told police that he and his fiancee met up that same day so that Berreth could hand off their daughter to him. Berreths mother, who lives out of state, reported her missing 10 days later, on Dec. 2. Frazee was arrested on Dec. 21 without incident on suspicion of first-degree murder and solicitation to commit first-degree murder. He remains in police custody without bond. Story continues PEOPLE was unable to determine if Frazee had entered pleas to the charges filed this week, and his attorney could not be reached for comment. Authorities have not discussed a possible motive for the alleged murder. From left: Patrick Frazee and Kelsey Berreth The couples daughter had been staying with Frazee after Berreth disappeared but is now with Berreths family, authorities announced. Three days after Berreth apparently vanished, her mobile phone pinged on a cell tower near Gooding, Idaho, nearly 600 miles from her home, police have said. RELATED:Police Search Property of Missing Colo. Moms Fiance as Her Disappearance Enters 4th Week That same day, texts from the phone of Berreth were sent to her employer, Doss Aviation, saying she would not be at work for the next week. Kelsey Berreth Investigators have said the court has sealed affidavits in the case, which will likely remain sealed for up to 30 days, or until investigative leads can be followed up on. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Questions linger about the exact status of the couples relationship, with relatives saying Berreth had called off the engagement weeks before she went missing. Others have stated the couple split the day of the killing. Frazee will be back in court, Friday, for the next hearing in his case. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment as well as a possible death sentence. They glow in delicate raspberry pink, pistachio green or blueberry violet, and they are decorated with animal faces or flowers the sweet pastries of Dia Kesmarki and Bence Molnar are almost too good to eat. Nevertheless, you should not miss them, because the macarons not only look good but also taste delicious. On 1 September, Kesmarki and Molnar opened the door of their small bakery for the first time and since then they have barely been able to close it, because of the huge demand. "At the very beginning we invited a few bloggers for a tasting tour and it has been crazy ever since," a visibly proud Kesmarki said. It is crazy indeed: during our interview in the first hour of opening the little shop constantly filled with customers queuing up for the colourful almond meringue biscuits, and it did not take long for the shelves of Macaron Heaven Manufaktura to become completely empty. The replenishment comes from a backroom of the shop, where Kesmarki bakes and fills up to 400 macarons a day. "And that's never enough until closing time," she says. A lot of practice and intuition for the perfect pastry She studied to make a living from marketing, but with the opening of Macaron Heaven Manufaktura, Kesmarki turned her hobby into a career. She remembers well how her passion for Franconian pastries began: "About six years ago my mother came home from a conference and raved about the stuffed biscuits she had tried there. Macarons were not so well known in Hungary at the time." She then bought a special recipe book and tried to create her own macarons at home. All beginnings are difficult, but this can be especially so in the case of macarons: the production of the biscuit is not so easy, requiring patience and plenty of practice. It took a year or two before she got the hang of it. Not only did she experiment with different flavours, fillings and colours, but also with new forms: "I saw on Instagram that someone made macarons that looked like little pig heads, and that inspired me. I then started to bake different figures." The proof is in their shop: bunny heads, hedgehogs, tigers, cats, monkeys and even glittering unicorns are on offer. "You can buy the traditional macaroons everywhere in Hungary but we are the only ones who make figure versions," she explains. Classic and seasonal offers This seems to be well received by the customers: almost everyone who enters the small bakery takes one of the figurines. "The hedgehog is especially popular. In the future we want to expand our offer with seasonal motifs, such as pumpkin heads or black macarons for Halloween." But even the traditional macarons in their many different shades are very popular, especially the pistachio-flavoured green ones. In addition to the classic fillings such as Oreo Mix, there are salty peanut butter, cheesecake and honey-lavender available at Macaron Heaven. Molnar, who gave up his job as an engineer to open the store with Kesmarki, has another classic as his favourite: lemon cream. "This is less sweet and the aroma of the fruit is really intensive." The two know each other from primary school. They enjoy the opportunity to work together and take the step into self-employment together. While Molnar was a bit queasy before taking this leap, he does not miss his old job. It all began this summer and a few months were enough for the business to launch. And the business is a success story. They are already thinking about expanding the team and perhaps even outsourcing production to a separate manufacturing facility. Especially be-cause the two not only have to make hundreds of macaroons to sell in their shop, but event planners quickly discovered them and are requesting their pastries for numerous affairs. Conclusion At HUF 350 per piece the macarons are quite expensive, and for the price of two you could get a big slice of cake somewhere. The price though is about on the same level as macarons elsewhere. "It's not just that the production is elaborate and complicated, and I individually paint the macaron figures by hand," Kesmarki explains. "The ingredients are also expensive. For example, we use almond flour." However, anyone who has tried French cookies understands why so many people are not put off by the price: macarons are little bit of heaven on earth. And they are a great gift idea: these sweet cake jewels will undoubtedly delight the heart of every gourmet. Macaron Heaven Manufaktura District II, Margit korut 62 Open: Monday-Saturday noon-8pm Phone (+36) 30 604-7947 or visit www.facebook.com/macaronheavenbp Prices: Classic macarons: HUF 350 Macaron figures and giant macarons: HUF 450-990 The world of monophonic music is one of the first and oldest pieces of human heritage that has belonged to the peoples of world for millennia. Rhythmic accompaniment and the underlying static base tone of a bagpipe enhanced the unisono playing of the melodic instruments. The next step was the emergence of polyphonic music, accompanied by harmonies, the development of which continues to this day. While these two musical worlds differ fundamentally, they continue to wander lost through people's minds in conflict with one another, creating what might be referred to as 'rivalry of worlds' rumbling within us. We look forward to conjuring up an experience of these two striking musical worlds to make it clear that it is less important what tools a musical system uses, but how well it applies them. In the first half of the concert, the world of monophonic music will be revealed to us through the folk music traditions of Eastern Europe. Both Hungarian and Balkan traditions have kept alive the old European ways of hearing music, as well as the world of whistles and drums, hurdy-gurdys, circle dances, lyrical songs and ballads. In the second half of the concert, we will witness an unfurling of the world of polyphony and its phases throughout the history of music, which are preserved to this day by the oral traditions of peoples from various regions of Eastern Europe (Transylvanian Hungarians, Serbs and Ukrainians). By juxtaposing these two worlds, it is as if we are experiencing a journey through time. The dance and music of our ancestors accompanies us from the past into the future, from the old year to the new: the Hungarian Heritage House's New Year's Greeting once again rings in the new year with a two-act performance recalling Hungarian new year's traditions. Date and time: 6 January 2019, Sunday 7:30 pm 9:40 pm - one interval Ticket prices: HUF 1000 / HUF 2300 / HUF 2900 / HUF 3900 / HUF 4900 / HUF 5900 Venue: Bela Bartok National Concert Hall 1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell utca 1. Clarksburg, WV (26301) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 85F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then becoming mostly clear after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 57F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Charleston, WV (25311) Today Partly cloudy. High 87F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Helaine Olen is a contributor to Washington Post Opinions and the author of Pound Foolish: Exposing the Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry. Her work has appeared in Slate, The Nation, The New York Times, The Atlantic and many other publications. She serves on the advisory board of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project. Charleston, WV (25301) Today Cloudy early, becoming mostly sunny this afternoon. High 88F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Steven Keith writes a weekly food column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or by email at wvfoodguy@aol.com. You can also follow him on Facebook as WV Food Guy and on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest as WVFoodGuy. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In . Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In. ABERDEEN, Miss. (WTVA) - The man captured during Mondays manhunt in west Alabama faces several criminal charges in Monroe County. Jacob Conn, 25, is charged with felony fleeing and simple assault on a law enforcement officer, as well as DUI and three counts malicious mischief. On Monday, Dec. 31, deputies attempted to question Conn about a morning fire in Lowndes County. He allegedly rammed a deputys vehicle and fled. The ensuing chase ended in Lamar County, Alabama, after Conn crashed his vehicle and ran into a nearby wooded area. He was captured later that day. RELATED: Subject of manhunt in Lamar County, Alabama, has been captured Lowndes County investigators are trying to see if Conn is connected to several fires at a Lowndes County business. RELATED: Lowndes County fire at P&R Scrap Metal Conn is currently in the Monroe County jail. AMORY, Miss. (WTVA) - With the new year, the Amory hospital has new ownership and name. Tuesday marked the first day the Gilmore Regional Medical Center officially joined the North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC) network and has changed its name to North Mississippi Medical Center Gilmore-Amory. Curae Health, the former owner of the Gilmore Regional Medical Center, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy back in August. North Mississippi Health Services was the only group to bid on the hospital. RELATED: Amory hospital, parent company files for bankruptcy protection RELATED: Potential buyer of Amory hospital stands alone Supporters believe the purchase of the Amory hospital will allow it to work with NMMC, based in Tupelo, to give the best care possible. The goal of the acquisition is to push for long-term stability, according to North Mississippi Health Services board member Guy Mitchell. He added that it is also a "win-win" because it gives NMMC a new location in Amory, and gives Amory residents more stability when it comes to their medical services. "I thought it was wonderful," James Walden, an Amory resident, said. "Amory had to send a lot of work to NMMC anyway," Geoffrey Dilworth, also an Amory resident, said. "Now, all of that will fall under the same umbrella. So it should be very exciting for everybody who comes in." Dilworth said he hoped one of the big companies in the state would take over and believes the future for the Amory hospital is bright. "I really and truly believe that NMMC will bring this hospital up to the code that they want to be known for, which is state of the art surgeries and state of the art facilities," Dilworth said. CALHOUN CITY, Miss. (WTVA) - A dedicated firefighter in Calhoun County passed away Tuesday. Randy Lafayette, 48, passed away on New Years Day. Randy Lafayette | Photo: PryorFuneralHome.com Randy Lafayette | Photo: PryorFuneralHome.com Calhoun County Coroner Jerry Fleming says Lafayette died of a heart attack. The Sabougla Volunteer Fire Department went to social media to express their grief and remember their firefighter. He will be greatly missed in our community! Randy was a true servant. He has been a very active member of the local fire service for many years. Along with being a great firefighter, he was an even better person! He was always willing to help in any situation and offer encouragement to others. According to the volunteer fire department, Lafayette was also a member of the Calhoun City Fire Department. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent the messages to First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee Raul Castro Ruz, and President of the Cuban Council of State and Council of Ministers Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. The messages read that generations of Vietnamese leaders and people are proud to be the witnesses of the achievements that the Cuban people have obtained over the 60 years of defending and constructing the socialist Cuba the symbol of the revolutionary heroism in the western hemisphere. They re-affirmed the Vietnamese State, Government and peoples consistent unity with the glorious and just revolutionary cause of the Cuban people, voicing their belief that the Cuban State, Government and people will continue to attain more successes in the national construction and defence. On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also offered congratulations to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla./. MARSHALL, Ind (WTHI) Becoming one with nature isn't a bad way to start off the new year. News 10 stopped by Turkey Run State Park today that's in Marshall, Indiana. We found people taking part in a new year hike. News 10 spoke with hiker Bill Jankowski. he says he enjoys hiking every year with his wife. he also says today's mild weather was an added bonus. "We did do an excursion down at the Grand Canyon several years ago. That kind of prompted the wife and I both of us to do something together and we did enjoy that. so we're starting to enjoy the outdoors more it seems like as we get a little bit older." State parks across indiana host this event every year. Kenya is the latest country where China is frantically defusing a public relations storm over President Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road megaproject. In a statement Friday, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed as "not true" numerous reports that a key port in Mombasa was at risk of being seized by Beijing over unpaid debts. Africa Asia China Continents and regions East Asia Eastern Africa Kenya Mombasa Nairobi Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade Political Figures - Intl Rail transportation Transportation and warehousing Uhuru Kenyatta Beijing Civil engineering Engineering Manufacturing and engineering Road construction Roads and traffic Transportation infrastructure Xi Jinping Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government departments and authorities International relations International relations and national security State departments and diplomatic services Developing countries Economic development Trade and development Banking, finance and investments Consumer loans and credit Personal finance Speaking to journalists last week, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta also pushed back, dismissing as "pure propaganda" reports based on a leaked letter from the country's Auditor General warning that assets belonging to the Kenya Port Authority -- including Mombasa's massive Kilindini Harbor, the largest port in East Africa -- were listed as collateral for a multi-billion-dollar loan to fund a railway project. "The Chinese government themselves say this (it) is nonsense," Kenyatta said, while the AG's office denied publishing any such letter, copies of which circulated widely online. Despite Beijing and Nairobi's vehement denials, concerns over the loans speak to a growing fear in many developing countries that their governments, in rushing to cash in on China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), have left themselves overextended, with Chinese state-owned companies ready to snap up ports, railways and other key infrastructure across the globe should debtors default. Five years into the BRI, the sheen is also coming off the project in Beijing, amid an ongoing -- though temporarily paused -- trade war with the US, and concerns over future funding and returns on an increasingly unwieldy list of overseas investments. Debt fears For critics of the BRI, Sri Lanka's Hambantota port is the perfect example of the risks developing countries are taking on with their Chinese loans. In December 2017, Beijing acquired a 99-year lease to the port -- located in a key strategic position on the Indian Ocean -- in return for forgiving some of the billions of dollars the South Asian country owed China. The move sparked fears China would use similar defaults in other countries to acquire a host of new infrastructure, with both potential economic and military benefits -- leapfrogging rivals in the region such as India and the US. In mid-2018, the Zambian government had to deny reports it was preparing to hand over control of multiple public assets, including the state broadcaster and Lusaka's Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, to China. Kenya's own issues date to 2014, when Nairobi signed a multi-billion-dollar deal with the state-owned China Road and Bridge Corporation to fund a new rail link between the Kenyan capital and Mombasa, on the Indian Ocean. The train line, known in Kenya as the standard gauge railway (SGR) project, was completed in 2017, slashing the transport time between the country's two largest cities. It is now in its second phase, with the Kenyan government reportedly borrowing a further $1.6 billion from China to fund a line from Nairobi to Naivasha. But while the SGR has been a boon to residents of Nairobi and Mombasa, it has yet to generate half the revenues anticipated in feasibility studies, according to The East African newspaper -- raising fears over the country's ability to repay the loan. It has also been criticized for being vastly overpriced, reportedly costing about three times the international standard. Repayments are due to start in mid-2019, when a five-year grace period expires. On Friday, Kenyatta insisted that "we are ahead of our payment schedule." "We are not tied to any country," he added. 'Land grab' In the first half of 2018, Chinese companies provided overseas loans of about $50 billion, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), adding to the more than $8 trillion of investment previously announced. However, that figure was down on the same period the year before as concerns grew over the BRI both overseas and back in China. "(Late 2018) saw a number of high-profile projects suspended (including in Malaysia) or scaled back (including in Myanmar) amid growing concerns over debt sustainability and transparency," the EIU report said. Many countries that were initially willing to take Beijing's money have expressed concern over what could happen should they default on debt payments, particularly after the Sri Lanka deal. Part of the problem stems from Beijing's "ad hoc approach" to settling debt issues, according to a report by the Center for Global Development (CDG), which pointed to a lack of consistency in dealing with defaulting nations. In the past, China has been willing to write off or restructure debts and extend further lines of credit, while at other times it has demanded assets to service the loans. "Without a guiding multilateral or other framework to define China's approach to debt sustainability problems, we only have anecdotal evidence of ad hoc actions taken by China as the basis for characterizing the country's policy approach," the CDG report said. This creates significant uncertainty, and forces governments borrowing from China to rely on maintaining strong bilateral ties above all else to ensure future lending policies. African leaders heaped praise on President Xi after the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing in September, with Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi telling state media "we admire and hold you in very high regard! Keep the innovation, friendliness and international outlook as bright as the Chinese spirit!" "Your friends in Botswana wish the very best for a successful One China!" he added, an apparent reference to Beijing's policy regarding Taiwan, a key element in its approach to Africa, where numerous countries have dropped diplomatic ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing in recent years. Elsewhere, however, concerns and uncertainty over the BRI have sparked a backlash against China -- particularly in the Maldives and Malaysia, where opposition parties critical of Beijing have recently taken power. In January 2018, former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed accused Beijing of staging a "land grab" in his country. After his Maldivian Democratic Party took power this November, it pledged to end "China's colonialism" and renegotiate loans agreed by former strongman Abdulla Yameen with Beijing. In August, recently elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad shelved two Chinese-funded projects over fears they could "bankrupt" the country. China has vigorously pushed back against such criticism, saying it is subjected to a double standard. "It is unreasonable that money coming out of Western countries is praised as good and sweet, while coming out of China it's sinister and a trap," Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in September. Fork in the road While the loudest criticism of the Belt and Road Initiative has come from overseas, there are also growing doubts over the project within China. Since the BRI was launched, critics have warned the scheme could leave China overextended, with billions of dollars wasted on projects that never pay off. While Beijing may acquire control of certain projects in return for forgiving debts, any strategic wins could be outweighed by a host of white elephant investments that offer little benefit to China. A recent survey conducting by Peking University and the Beijing-based Taihe Insitute found that nearly half of 100 countries evaluated were not a good fit for BRI projects due to weaknesses in financing and infrastructure, adding that the government should "assess and prevent the risks" before pushing ahead with them. The BRI is also facing pressure from Washington -- despite the temporarily paused trade war -- and other rival nations keen to restrain China from supplanting their influence over developing countries, as well as a potential funding shortfall for future projects. While boosters for the BRI remain plentiful, and the project is not on the verge of failing any time soon, there are signs that a shift is underway. The number of contracts signed in 2018 was down on previous years, and country's big development banks have reportedly been told to partner with the World Bank and other international lenders on future projects. The Belt and Road Initiative was supposed to be Xi's signature project, one that would drive China back to its traditional position of power and dominance both in Asia and wider afield. But as the country enters 2019, the plan is looking shakier than in ever -- and appears in need of a rethink. Failure to do so, according to Bloomberg analyst Nisid Hajari, risks that "this plan to project Chinese power, influence and trade across much of the world could undermine all three." Last year Ifeanyi Ugokwe was arrested and locked up for weeks. His crime: he tried to take his own life. After weeks of being hungry and jobless, the 25-year old says he reached breaking point after a security guard pushed him to the ground while he was searching for work at a building site. "I was tired of walking around that day. And I was determined to work there... so I tried to force my way in, then he pushed me, and I fell down flat on the floor," Ugokwe told CNN. "I started begging him because I was tired, I really needed that job because I needed to eat." Humiliated, Ugokwe went to a nearby lagoon and jumped in. After being rescued by passing fishermen, Ugokwe says he was handed over to police officers who arrested him and put him in jail. Attempting suicide is a criminal offense in Nigeria, under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act, and carries a penalty of up to one year in prison. A holdover from when Nigeria was a British colony, the law was abolished in Britain under the Suicide Act of 1961, which happened after Nigeria gained its independence in 1960. Ugokwe says he's speaking out about his attempt to take his own life despite stigma around the subject in Nigeria because he doesn't want people to suffer as he did. When he woke up on the fisherman's boat, Ugokwe says he was angry that his attempt had failed. Following his arrest, Ugokwe was held at a cell near the Lagos lagoon, in the country's economic capital, before being transferred one week later to another cell on the Lagos mainland. Ugokwe says he was unaware that attempted suicide was a crime in Nigeria. "When they put me in the cell, the first thing that came to my mind was what did I do? I didn't kill anybody. I did not steal. What am I doing here? What did I do wrong? It's my life, not (the) government's life," he said. Shortly after his arrest in February, Ugokwe appeared before a magistrate to determine whether he had committed an offense. His case was postponed and he was transferred to another facility on Lagos Island. Read more: Jailed at 15 she dreamed of being a fashion designer. No trial and six years later, she's still missing It was there he met Imanuella Ojeah, a criminal lawyer and a member of the Elevation Church in Lagos, whose volunteer prison unit makes weekly trips to local prisons. "I remember he seemed tired of life. He begged me to get him out of that place. He told me... I am not mad. I am just depressed and don't have money to eat," Ojeah told CNN. Ojeah and her team represented Ugokwe at his next court appearance at Sabo Magistrates Court, a few weeks later, in April 2017. They were asked if someone was willing to act as a guarantor for Ugokwe and look after his welfare if he were released. Ojeah found someone from the Elevation Church who agreed to look after Ugokwe and the magistrate dismissed the case. Although Ugokwe found freedom, the legal process around these types of cases is lengthy and complicated for people suffering from serious mental health issues, says health law expert Cheluchi Onyemelukwe who is campaigning to abolish the suicide law in the country. "What happens in the legal process is the police arrest you, put you in a cell, and then charge the matter to court and you are arraigned before a magistrate who determines whether it appears an offense has been committed," she says. As in Ugokwe's case, the survivor is then remanded to jail to wait for a trial date. If found guilty, they may be imprisoned for a maximum of one year. Although jail terms for suicide survivors are rare, Onyemelukwe says it is the process of arresting and taking them through a legal process that is particularly cruel. "I believe it doesn't reflect who we are as Nigerians... it is inhumane and I know that we can do better than that. I think it is probably the worst possible thing that you could do to somebody who finds themselves in that sort of situation," she said. "People who are thrown into a cell right after... wonder why the suicide wasn't successful. It makes people that I have spoken to feel helpless and feel like there really isn't a reason to go on." Ugokwe says he contemplated suicide again while in jail because of the conditions he was held in. "The worst part of it was not just that they put me in prison, it was that they locked me in a cell with crazy people. I was with mentally disturbed people. Most of the people there were talking to themselves and jumping around." Read more: How a social media movement against police brutality prompted Nigerian government to act In jail, Ugokwe says he and other inmates were forced to take pills. "At first, when they brought the pills to me, I refused... there was nothing wrong with me, but then I was beaten and forced to take the pills. "Those pills had terrible effects on me... all I want to do is sleep and eat." A spokesman for the Lagos division of the Nigerian Prisons Service, which operates prisons in the country, denied Ugokwe's allegations. "Allegations and incidents of force-feeding, beating and or forceful admission of medication on inmates are false and do not occur in any prison within the Lagos Command," Rotimi Oladokun told CNN in an emailed statement. "The Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command has no tolerance for such excesses and will not condone such under his command," he added. The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem told CNN that although attempted suicide is criminalized in the country, the state does not recommend that anyone should be locked up. Suicide rates are usually underreported in Nigeria because of the stigma associated with it. However, the World Health Organization estimates that there are 9.5 suicides per every 100,000 people in the country. Some common causes are depression and anxiety linked to high levels of poverty. A 2017 WHO report found that Nigerians have the highest incidences of depression in Africa, with around 7,079,815 suffering from depression, a figure that represents 3.9% of the population. In 2015, Lagos State amended its law to recommend hospital treatment for those who have attempted suicide. But the law has yet to be changed at a national level and is not currently being considered for review, according to health law expert Onyemelukwe. "We are guided by what the law says," Kazeem says. "But in the hierarchy of offenses, this is a simple offense, and the recommended action is hospitalization. "The law does not say anyone should be incarcerated. Attempted suicide is not a crime. It shows some form of disorder which needs medical attention." Kazeem added: "My office has not prosecuted anyone. The state government does not prosecute attempted suicide victims. We are not aware of any prosecutions, if it was brought to my attention, we would advise against it." Kazeem said police officers do have prosecutorial powers in Lagos State and he could not speak to whether such a trial went ahead in Ugokwe's case. Read more: The #MeToo stories you haven't heard: Meet the women speaking out in Nigeria However, Kazeem acknowledged that more training was needed for police officers. "We are going to do that education process. They are doing the wrong thing if they lock up victims," he said. CNN made several requests for a comment from the Lagos State Police Commissioner but did not receive one. There are frequent reports in local media of survivors being arrested and tried for attempting suicide. In July this year, a 27-year-old man was charged in court with attempting suicide in June. Other African countries like Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Malawi, Gambia, and South Sudan also outlaw suicide. Onyemelukwe says the suicide law, a legacy of the colonial era, has no place in Nigeria today. "I want Nigerians to see real people who have attempted suicide and have survived and realize that these are people who could be our friends, our brothers, our sisters, our mothers, our fathers. "Attempted suicide in itself is a risk factor for contemplating suicide. In fact, it is the predictor of the fact that somebody will commit suicide. We are in a place where all of these laws deserve a second, a third, a fourth look until we change it," she added. She believes police need to be given the power to refer survivors for treatment rather than arrested and put through the legal system. "The person doesn't have to spend any time in prison," she says. Life has started to get better for Ugokwe in recent months. He's found friends he can call on when he's feeling sad but he's still trying to get back on his feet. Thinking back on his time in jail, Ugokwe says he wouldn't want anyone to go through what he experienced. "No one deserves that," he said. "At that time, I needed love. I didn't need to be put in prison and punished for something I don't even understand." Halil Celik, the founder and leader of the Sosyalist Esitlik group, which supports the International Committee of the Fourth International in Turkey, died on December 31, 2018 after a serious illness at the age of 57. The following message was sent by the ICFI to the funeral of the unrelenting revolutionary and fighter for Trotskyism, which took place in Istanbul on Tuesday. To the family of Halil Celik and his comrades in Sosyalist Esitlik: With profound respect, and a sense of deep loss, I extend to you the condolences of the International Committee of the Fourth International on the death of Comrade Halil Celik. Halil was, personally and politically, an extraordinary person. In late 1977, at the age of 16, he engaged in socialist activity and remained a revolutionary fighter to the end of his life. The political course he pursued required political vision, personal courage and inexhaustible energy. Rapidly breaking with the Stalinist milieu, where he began his political activities, Halil developed an intense interest in Trotskyism. In the early 1980s, while still a young man in his twenties, he studied Trotskys Struggle against Fascism in Germany. I started to re-read Marx, Engels and Lenin, and recognized that Stalin was the enemy of Marxism, he later wrote. But in a country where Trotskys writings were difficult to find and the political left was dominated by myriad nationalist and petty-bourgeois tendencies, the path to genuine Marxist internationalism turned out to be a long and arduous one. But Halil was a genuine fighter, determined to establish a revolutionary movement of the working class. He could not be discouraged by prison, repression or his experiences with numerous political charlatans. Comrade Halil first made contact with the International Committee in 2005. This took place in Berlin. It was clear that this was a courageous and deeply principled man. Halil had studied the history of the ICFI and declared his agreement with its defense of Trotskyist principles. After his return to Turkey in 2007, Halil began systematic work on political reorientation and education. With indefatigable energy, he wrote articles, gave classes and undertook translations, both from English into Turkish and vice versa, while at the same time guiding the practical work of Sosyalist Esitlik. Halil was inspired by the long struggle of the International Committee in defense of Trotskyism. As he later wrote, his turn to the International Committee was the outcome of his own bitter experiences with the unprincipled and national opportunist politics of the Pabloite organizations. He understood that the development of the Trotskyist movement in Turkey was possible only on the basis of revolutionary internationalism. This required the education of young revolutionists in the history of the International Committee. This is why he was determined to translate Comrade David Norths The Heritage We Defend, a history of the International Committee, into Turkish. He personally urged Comrade North to write a special introduction to this work for the new Turkish edition, which was published in 2017. Though afflicted with the disease that was to claim his life, Comrade Halil travelled frequently to Europe to consult with the International Committee and attend its meetings. The final years of his life were dedicated to the establishment of a section of the International Committee in Turkey. The founding of Sosyalist Esitlik was a critical milestone in the development of the work of the ICFI in that country. The death of Comrade Halil at the age of 57 is a great loss to his comrades in Turkey, in whose political education he played such an immense role, and to his comrades throughout the world. But Halils life work will continue. Determined to proceed with his unfinished work, the fight to build the Trotskyist movement in Turkey will go forward. There can be no greater tribute to the memory of Comrade Halil than to realize his goal of establishing Sosyalist Esitlik as the Turkish section of the International Committee of the Fourth International. Long Live the Memory of Comrade Halil Celik! Long Live Sosyalist Esitlik! Forward to the founding of the Turkish section of the International Committee of the Fourth International! Peter Schwarz, Secretary of the ICFI Berlin, December 31, 2018 NASHVILLE (WSMV) - Metro Public Health is warning customers of the Outback Steakhouse in Rivergate after an employee was diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Officials say the employee worked while experiencing symptoms at the restaurant, located at 1560 Gallatin Pike N in Madison, on December 22 through December 24. The Metro Public Health Department is opening a FREE special vaccination clinic for customers who dined at the restaurant at the Lentz Public Health Center. The potential exposure occurred ONLY at the Rivergate location. Individuals who dined at the restaurant on the above dates have until January 7 to be vaccinated. Hepatitis A Vaccination Clinic Lentz Public Health Center 2500 Charlotte Ave. Nashville, Tennessee January 3rd 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. January 4th - 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. January 5th from - 10am 2 p.m. January 7th 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention. Metro Public Health Department officials have confirmed 161 cases of Hepatitis A have been reported in Nashville since December 2017. Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. The best ways to prevent hepatitis A infection are to get vaccinated and to practice good handwashing to remove germs. For more information about hepatitis A visit health.nashville.gov. Outback Steakhouse released a statement regarding the incident that follows: NASHVILLE (WSMV) - Former Nashville Judge Casey Moreland, a subject of an extensive News4 I-Team investigation into misconduct who was recently sentenced to serve time in prison has now been disbarred by order of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Moreland was suspended on June 5 based on his guilty plea to obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to retaliate against a witness, conspiracy to commit theft, destruction of records, and tampering with a witness. "The Board of Professional Responsibility instituted a formal proceeding to determine the extent of final discipline to be imposed. Mr. Moreland entered a conditional guilty plea to disbarment and any restitution ordered in United States of America v. Moreland," the court said in a statement. Moreland will now have to comply with requirements of Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Sections 28 and 30.4 regarding the obligations and responsibilities of disbarred attorneys which include paying the Board's costs and expenses and the court costs. Moreland has ninety days to make the payment. Moreland had previously pleaded guilty to corruption charges, violation of the public trust that prosecutors said had gone on for years, skimming money from drug court clients, cutting the sentences for women he had sex with, and trying to hire someone to plant drugs on one of the women to discredit her after she told her story to the News4 I-Team. Moreland admitted he changed the outcome of court cases for two women in exchange for sex. He carried out schemes using a burner phone registered in the name of "Raul Rodriguez" and communicated with someone who eventually became an FBI informant. Moreland was sentenced to 3 years 8 months in jail back on November 30, and was ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution and a forfeiture of $13,500 for obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and stealing money from an orgainzation receiving federal funds. Prosecutors originally wanted Moreland to be sentenced to 5 years. One of the women involved with Moreland, Leigh Terry, later committed suicide. Multimedia Producer Kara is an Emmy Award-winning digital producer. She is a Cincinnati native and an alumna of the University of South Carolina. She previously worked at WRDW-TV in Augusta, Ga., before moving to Nashville five years ago to work at WSMV-TV. Feature Reporter Terry Bulger has been bringing you stories of the people and places that make Tennessee unique and interesting on News4 since 1990. Contact Terry if you have an interesting community story for him to cover. A total of 408 Daesh suspects were remanded in custody while some 3,000 others were arrested for their alleged links to the terror group across Turkey in 2018. Turkish security forces continued its long-running nationwide campaign to thwart Daesh attacks throughout last year. Timeline for Turkeys fight against Daesh in 2018 is as follow: January A total of 93 suspects were remanded in custody during anti-Daesh operations. A Daesh member, identified by the initials S.S., was remanded in custody in Turkeys western Kocaeli province. February A total of 17 suspects were remanded in custody during anti-Daesh operations. A Daesh member, identified by the initials A.A.H., were remanded in custody in Kocaeli, while five others were put behind bars in southern Mersin province. Meanwhile, a local court in central Kirsehir province sentenced a Daesh member to eight-years-and-nine months in prison. A total of 17 Daesh members, who were plotting a terror attack, were nabbed in the capital Ankara. March Police arrested 245 suspects in March operations; 51 out of total were remanded in custody. A Syrian national, known by the initials M.K., and a Daesh suspect, identified by the initials U.H., were remanded in custody after an operation in southeastern Sanliurfa province. April While Turkey continued its fight against Daesh in cross-border operations, the country also conducted anti-terror operations inside the country. A total of 28 members were remanded in custody and a vast amount of ammunition, as well as explosives material, were seized during operations conducted in May. Russian nationals, identified by the initials A.M. and M.M., were arrested in southern Hatay province. May A total of 29 people, including senior Daesh members, were remanded in custody. Four senior members were imprisoned in western Izmir province. Another 10 people were jailed in southeastern Gaziantep province. June Some 210 suspects were arrested, 22 of whom were remanded in custody on charges of membership in Daesh terror group. Security forces arrested 51 foreign nationals in an operation in Istanbul. During simultaneous operations in 11 provinces, 15 people, including Iraqis and Syrians, were remanded in custody. In Ankara, 14 suspected Daesh members, who were preparing a terror attack, were held. July A total of 31 people were remanded in custody. The suspects included a woman identified as Seda D. -- the spouse of Tarkan Batirashvili, a top Daesh operative also known as Abu Omar Al- Shishani who was killed in Iraq -- and an Uzbek national identified only by the initials N.U., who was detained while trying to flee Turkey. Separately, 43 suspects were arrested as part of an Istanbul-based operation. Three people were handed down nine years in prison in the Black Sea province of Kastamonu on charges of terror group membership. August Security forces arrested 94 Daesh suspects; 23 of them were put behind bars for being a terror group member. A total of 52 suspects, including 38 foreigners, were arrested during operations in Istanbul and Kocaeli. September A total of 20 Daesh members, including Eyup. B., reportedly the group's most senior operative in the southern province of Adana province, were remanded in custody. Eyup B. was rounded up in a brief police hunt after he was spotted outside a private hospital in Adana. October Police arrested 223 suspects during operations conducted in October; 42 were remanded in custody. Two terrorists were jailed in southern Kilis province after having arrested near Syrian border. November A total of 37 Daesh members, including foreign nationals, were remanded in custody. A southeastern Diyarbakir court remanded in custody 15 Daesh terrorists. A Daesh member, identified by the initials V.A., was remanded in custody in southern Hatay province. Separately, in the Black Sea province of Trabzon, a so-called senior Daesh member and his wife were arrested. While his wife was released, the husband was remanded in custody. A total of 24 suspects were held during simultaneous operations in 11 provinces as part of an investigation launched by Diyarbakir Prosecutors Office. The suspects are accused of transferring money to the terror group in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Indonesia, and Libya. December A total of 13 people were remanded in custody. A Daesh suspect, known by the initials A.G., was remanded in custody by an Adana court. Investigations revealed A.G. had fought on behalf of the Al-Qaeda terror group in 2011 in Chechnya and came to Turkey in 2013 after being sought with an arrest warrant in his country. Aysenur Inci, a terrorist on the wanted listed of Turkeys Interior Ministry, surrendered to security forces on Dec. 15 at the Habur border gate on the Turkey-Iraq border. Inci had been involved in terrorist activities as a Daesh member in Turkey's southeastern Adiyaman province before she went to Syria to join the terror group's activities there. Guncelleme Tarihi: 02 Ocak 2019, 21:34 Cole Zielinskis death, the man who went missing in the Saginaw Bay and his body was later discovered by a fisherman, has been ruled a drowning following an autopsy, according to Bay County Sheriff Troy Cunningham. December 2018 Summary: Warmer, Drier Than Normal with Below Normal Snowfall.......... Here are the December weather records taken at the television station: The Purdue Airport: Temperatures Anomalies: Precipitation Anomalies: Snowfall Anomalies: After a 12-hour spring on December 1 with t'storms & the Tornado Warning for Warren & Benton counties, the first part of December was cold & winter-like with even some snow (up to 1.5" in the area on the 6th). However, mid-December onward was overall mild & pretty dry. In fact, farmers were doing fieldwork & finishing up some patches of corn & soybean harvest on & just prior to Christmas. The ground was dry enough to work, do strip-tilling & ammonia application. That changed at the end of the month with two rounds of rainfall & the wettest day overall for the viewing area since November 1 on December 31 with mild weather. 13 of the 31 days saw mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, which is not bad for December, which is typically gloomy. Two non-t'storm wind events struck the area within a 5-day period as two powerhouse storms blasted through. One brought a major Plains & western Corn Belt blizzard just after Christmas & the other brought heavy snowfall, then wind chills to -50 in parts of the Plains at the end of the month. December 27 wind event brought gusts as high as 63 mph to the area, while the December 31 event brought gusts as high as 51 mph. The December 27 event caused wind damage in a strip from Montgomery to Clinton to southern Miami counties with shingles blown off roofs & trees, tree limbs & some powerlines downed. A shift from cold phase MJO & negative NAO to AO to warm, wet phase MJO & more positive NAO & AO & negative PNA brought the milder pattern, though nothing was even close to recording-breaking. Top 5 Events of the Month: 1. Two Non-T'Storm Wind Events December 27 Measured Gusts: TIPMONT outages early evening, December 27: December 31 Measured Gusts: 2. Leftovers of Historic Illinois Tornado Outbreak December 1: Several reports of pea-sized hail with thunder & lightning occurred, along with a cell with strong low-level rotation from west of Pine Village in Warren County to southeastern Benton counties, which prompted a Tornado Warning. This was a 12-hour spring (50s to as high as 61), as temperatures cooled quickly afterward. Images courtesy: Iowa State University: 3. Heaviest Daily Rainfall in Two Months December 31: 4. December Fieldwork for Some Around Christmas: The ground was dry enough for fall tillage, late harvesting & strip-tilling for spring planting preparation. I know I was able to work ground in my nursery beds like spring, just prior to Christmas & plant Yellow Birch seeds. The dry stretch allowed farmers to squeeze in late, late season work. It is rare around to be able to do fieldwork around Christmas! This was part of the drier period with multiple days of sunshine & dry winds December 10-26. Image courtesy: Tyne Morgan: Several days mid-month were dry, bright & chilly, but above normal. 5. The Only Snowfall of Any Consequence for the Month: December 6 Snowfall for the month of the December was below normal for the viewing area after above normal snowfall & the greatest number of days in November with snow flakes in nearly 50 years. Snowfall on the 6th amounted to up to 1.5" in the southeast to less than 0.4" in the northwest. Snowfall totals: 1.5" Crawfordsville 1.5" Ladoga 1.2" Southeast of Lafayette 1.2" Covington 1.0" Frankfort 1.0" Burlington 1.0" Kokomo 1.0" Russiaville 0.7" West Lafayette (WLFI) 0.5" Pence 0.5" Pine Village 0.5" Battle Ground Snow pics around the television station & just down the road! Qatar Airways is buying into the one market no major airline can ignore: mainland China. The state-owned Gulf airline said Wednesday that it has acquired 5% of China Southern Airlines (ZNH), the country's largest carrier. US rivals American Airlines (AAL) and Delta (DAL) already have stakes in China Southern and China Eastern (CEA), respectively. Asia Aviation and aerospace industry Business and industry sectors Business, economy and trade China Continents and regions East Asia Middle East Middle East and North Africa Qatar Air transportation Airlines Transportation and warehousing Companies Qatar Airways China Southern Airlines Akbar Al Baker Business figures Qatar Airways said it acquired its stake by purchasing China Southern shares on the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock markets. It's the first major investment in mainland China by Qatar Airways. Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways, said the investment offered "massive potential." "China Southern Airlines is one of the most prestigious airlines in the Chinese domestic market and an important market player in the world," Al Baker said in a statement. China takes off Air travel is growing rapidly in China. The International Air Transport Association expects the country to overtake the United States as the world's largest aviation market by 2023. The surge in air travel is fueled in large part by middle class Chinese who are spending billions on domestic and foreign vacations. Boeing (BA) expects Chinese airlines to purchase 7,690 new airplanes over the next 20 years, at a combined value of $1.2 trillion. Boeing estimates that 75% of the new planes will be single aisle aircraft. Qatar's strategy Qatar Airways has invested in a number of international airlines in recent years. It owns 20% of International Airlines Group (ICAGY), the parent company of British Airways, as well as 10% stakes in Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific (CPCAY) and LATAM Airlines Group (LTM). It owns 49% of Air Italy. The investments took on added importance after Qatar Airways was banned from some Middle East destinations following a breakdown of relations with neighbors such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in 2017. Qatar Airlines operates across 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures. China Southern did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. In all, 704 children staying at the temporary shelter have been reunified since the facility opened. That's an increase of 29 children since June 4 -- a 68% decline from the 91 minors reunited with family or sponsors during the... Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. It manages separate client-focused equity and fixed income portfolios. The firm also launches equity, fixed income, commodity, multi-asset, and balanced mutual funds for its clients. It launches equity, fixed income, multi-asset, and balanced exchange-traded funds. The firm also launches and manages private funds. It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets across the globe. The firm also invests in alternative markets, such as commodities and currencies. For the equity portion of its portfolio, it invests in growth and value stocks of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies. For the fixed income portion of its portfolio, the firm invests in convertibles, government bonds, municipal bonds, treasury securities, and cash. It also invests in short term and intermediate term bonds, investment grade and high yield bonds, taxable and tax-free bonds, senior secured loans, and structured securities such as asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The firm employs absolute return, global macro, and long/short strategies. It employs quantitative analysis to make its investments. The firm was formerly known as Invesco Plc, AMVESCAP plc, Amvesco plc, Invesco PLC, Invesco MIM, and H. Lotery & Co. Ltd. Invesco Ltd. was founded in December 1935 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia with an additional office in Hamilton, Bermuda. Read More Parker-Hannifin Corporation manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. The Diversified Industrial segment offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, coatings, and noise vibration and harshness solutions; filters, systems, and diagnostics solutions to monitor and remove contaminants from fuel, air, oil, water, and other liquids and gases; connectors, which control, transmit, and contain fluid; control solutions for extreme corrosion resistance, temperatures, pressures, and precise flow; and hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical components and systems for builders and users of mobile and industrial machinery and equipment. This segment sells its products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and distributors who serve the replacement markets in manufacturing, packaging, processing, transportation, construction, refrigeration and air conditioning, agricultural, and military machinery and equipment industries. The Aerospace Systems segment offers products for use in commercial and military airframe and engine programs, such as control actuation systems and components, engine build-up ducting, engine exhaust nozzles and assemblies, engine systems and components, fluid conveyance systems and components, fuel systems and components, fuel tank inerting systems, hydraulic systems and components, lubrication components, pilot controls, pneumatic control components, thermal management products, and wheels and brakes, as well as fluid metering, delivery, and atomization devices. This segment markets its products directly to OEMs and end users. It markets its products through direct-sales employees, independent distributors, and sales representatives. The company was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Read More Netflix has confirmed rumors from earlier this week and officially announced that it is hiring Spencer Neumann as its new chief financial officer, just days after he was placed on leave pending firing from that same role at Activision Blizzard. Activision Blizzard announced in a securities filing this week that it was letting Neumann go for reasons unrelated to the companys financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures, though the specific reasons for the firing weren't detailed at the time. Since then, Activision Blizzard has said in a press release that Neumann was "terminated for cause for violating his legal obligations to the company," a violation that in all likelihood looks to be related to his quick jump over to Netflix. That same day, rumors circulated that Neumann was on track to be hired by Netflix as the companys CFO, and, according to Market Watch, the company has since confirmed those early whispers. Neumann joined up with Activision Blizzard in May 2017 after leaving his position at The Walt Disney Company and is now set to start as Netflixs financial chief early on this year, replacing David Wells, Netflixs CFO since 2010. Following Neumanns departure from Activision Blizzard, CCO Dennis Durkin temporarily assumed the responsibilities of CFO, though Activision Blizzard now says that Durkin will once again become the company's CFO now that it's evident that Neumann has left the position for good. National Bank of Canada provides various financial products and services to retail, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services, such as credit, and deposit and investment solutions, as well as international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services. The Wealth Management segment provides investment solutions, trust and estate services, banking services, lending services, guaranteed investment certificates, mutual funds, notes, structured products, and other wealth management solutions through internal and third-party distribution networks. The Financial Markets segment offers risk management products and services; and debt and equity underwriting; advisory services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, and financing. The U.S. Specialty Finance and International segment provides specialty finance expertise; financial products and services to individuals and businesses in Cambodia; and the activities of targeted investments in certain emerging markets. The company also offers credit cards. It provides its services through a network of 483 branches and 1,573 banking machines. The company was founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Read More Charles Kambanda 3 hrs Mr. Kagame, I must call your attention to the inaccuracies in your end of year address to Rwandans: 1. No neighboring country or group of Rwandans ( armed or unarmed) is against Rwanda or Rwandans. You, and your network of terrorists in Rwanda, are the major problem a significant number of Rwandans are set to eliminate. Be advised that you are not Rwanda or Rwandans. Whatever you say or believe, you will be smoked out, probably sooner than anticipated. It's a statement of fact that: ( i) you ruined DRC in general and South & North Kivu in particular, ( ii) you prepared and executed the 2015 failed Coup in Burundi and the subsequent attrocities ( iii) you had plans to assassinated President Kikwete of Tanzania because he recommended that you talk peace with FDLR for the sake of regional stability and sustainable peace in Rwanda and ( iv) your criminal enterprise to ruin Uganda is well documented. THEREFORE, all neighboring countries have reasons to be uncomfortable with your reign of terror in the region. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RWANDANS. 2.Right thinking Rwandan and neighboring countries have an inherent legal and moral right & duty to smoke out your reign of terror, to the extent your terrorists are a threat to regional peace ( per the United Nations Charter) and your reign of terror has made it impossible for a vast majority of Rwandans from exerce their inherent rights and freedoms ( moral duty for rational beings to eliminate evil). 3. You know, as much as I know, that it's nolonger a matter of "if" Rwandans will smoke out your reign of terror. It's a matter of " when". It could be bloody for you and your insane junta. 4. The option to dialogue with Rwandans - armed groups or otherwise - is still possible although practically limited. Kindly make use of this limited offer before it's too late for you, your family and your network of terrorists throughout the country. The contrary is sucidal for you, your family and your insane network of terrorists throughout the country. Be mindful of innocent Rwandans and property that is bound to perish, should you opt of war. May God protect all innocent Rwandans in the process of eliminating your bloody junta. AMEN. Johnson & Johnson researches and develops, manufactures, and sells a range of products in the health care field worldwide. It operates through three segments: Consumer Health, Pharmaceutical, and Medical Devices. The Consumer Health segment offers baby care products under the JOHNSON'S and AVEENO Baby brands; oral care products under the LISTERINE brand; skin health/beauty products under the AVEENO, CLEAN & CLEAR, DR. CI:LABO, NEUTROGENA, and OGX brands; acetaminophen products under the TYLENOL brand; cold, flu, and allergy products under the SUDAFED brand; allergy products under the BENADRYL and ZYRTEC brands; ibuprofen products under the MOTRIN IB brand; smoking cessation products under the NICORETTE brand; and acid reflux products under the PEPCID brand. This segment also provides women's health products, such as sanitary pads and tampons under the STAYFREE, CAREFREE, and o.b. brands; wound care products comprising adhesive bandages under the BAND-AID brand; and first aid products under the NEOSPORIN brand. The Pharmaceutical segment offers products in various therapeutic areas, including immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, oncology, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The Medical Devices segment provides electrophysiology products to treat cardiovascular diseases and neurovascular care products to treat hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke; orthopaedics products in support of hips, knees, trauma, spine, sports, and other; advanced and general surgery solutions that focus on breast aesthetics, ear, nose, and throat procedures; and disposable contact lenses and ophthalmic products related to cataract and laser refractive surgery under the ACUVUE brand. The company markets its products to general public, and retail outlets and distributors, as well as distributes directly to wholesalers, hospitals, and health care professionals for prescription use. Johnson & Johnson was founded in 1886 and is based in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Read More Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. provides home and security products for residential home repair, remodeling, new construction, and security applications. It operates in three segments: Plumbing, Outdoors & Security, and Cabinets. The Plumbing segment manufactures, assembles, and sells faucets, accessories, kitchen sinks, and waste disposals in the United States, China, Canada, Mexico, Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America directly through its own sales force, as well as through independent manufacturers' representatives to wholesalers, home centers, mass merchandisers, and industrial distributors. The Outdoors & Security segment offers fiberglass and steel entry door systems under the Therma-Tru brand; storm, screen, and security doors under the Larson brand; composite decking and railing under the Fiberon brand; and urethane millwork under the Fypon brand. This segment also manufactures, sources, and distributes locks, safety and security devices, and electronic security products under the Master Lock and American Lock brands; and fire resistant safes, security containers, and commercial cabinets under the SentrySafe brand. It serves home centers, hardware and other retailers, millwork building products and wholesale distributors, specialty dealers, and remodeling and renovation markets, as well as locksmiths, industrial and institutional users, and original equipment manufacturers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, Japan, and Australia. The Cabinets segment manufactures custom, semi-custom, and stock cabinetry, as well as vanities for the kitchen, bath, and other parts of the home directly to kitchen and bath dealers, home centers, wholesalers, and builders in North America under the Aristokraft, Diamond Now, Mid-Continent, Homecrest, Kitchen Craft, Omega, EVE, Diamond Reflections, Diamond, Kemper, Schrock, Starmark, Ultracraft, and Mantra brands. The company was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois. Read More AbbVie Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells pharmaceuticals in the worldwide. The company offers HUMIRA, a therapy administered as an injection for autoimmune and intestinal BehAet's diseases; SKYRIZI to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults; RINVOQ, a JAK inhibitor for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients; IMBRUVICA to treat adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), mantle cell lymphoma, waldenstrAm's macroglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma, and chronic graft versus host disease; VENCLEXTA, a BCL-2 inhibitor used to treat adults with CLL or SLL; and MAVYRET to treat patients with chronic HCV genotype 1-6 infection. It also provides CREON, a pancreatic enzyme therapy for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; Synthroid used in the treatment of hypothyroidism; AndroGel for males diagnosed with symptomatic low testosterone; Linzess/Constella to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation; Lupron for the palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis and central precocious puberty, and patients with anemia caused by uterine fibroids; and Botox therapeutic. In addition, the company offers ORILISSA, a nonpeptide small molecule gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist for women with moderate to severe endometriosis pain; Duopa and Duodopa, a levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel to treat Parkinson's disease; Lumigan/Ganfort, a bimatoprost ophthalmic solution for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension; Ubrelvy to treat migraine with or without aura in adults; Alphagan/ Combigan, an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist for the reduction of IOP in patients with OAG; and Restasis, a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant to increase tear production. The company was incorporated in 2012 and is based in North Chicago, Illinois. Read More A STRONG BUY ALERT has been issued for this little known cannabis company that can produce pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis at half the cost of its competitors. According to analysts, its an advantage that could help the company become a world leader in the medical cannabis sector First Data Corporation provides commerce enabled technology and solutions for merchants, financial institutions, and card issuers in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through three segments: Global Business Solutions, Global Financial Solutions, and Network & Security Solutions. The Global Business Solutions segment provides solutions to merchants, such as retail point of sale merchant acquiring, e-commerce, and mobile payment services, as well as cloud based point of sale operating system that include a marketplace for proprietary and third party applications. The Global Finance Solutions segment provides technology solutions for bank and non-bank issuers, such as credit, retail private label, commercial card, and loan processing, as well as licensed financial software systems; suite of account services that include card personalization and embossing, customer communications, and professional services; and call center solutions and back office processing. The Network & Security Solutions segment offers EFT network, stored value network, and security and fraud solutions, as well as other value added solutions to its clients in GBS and GFS segments, smaller financial institutions, and other enterprise clients. First Data Corporation was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More A STRONG BUY ALERT has been issued for this little known cannabis company that can produce pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis at half the cost of its competitors. According to analysts, its an advantage that could help the company become a world leader in the medical cannabis sector Chubb Limited provides insurance and reinsurance products worldwide. The company's North America Commercial P&C Insurance segment offers commercial property, casualty, workers' compensation, package policies, risk management, financial lines, marine, construction, environmental, medical, cyber risk, surety, and excess casualty; and group accident and health insurance to large, middle market, and small commercial businesses. Its North America Personal P&C Insurance segment provides affluent and high net worth individuals and families with homeowners, automobile and collector cars, valuable articles, personal and excess liability, travel insurance, and recreational marine insurance and services. The company's North America Agricultural Insurance segment offers multiple peril crop and crop-hail insurance; and coverage for farm and ranch property, and commercial agriculture products. Its Overseas General Insurance segment provides coverage for traditional commercial property and casualty; specialty categories, such as financial lines, marine, energy, aviation, political risk, and construction risk; and group accident and health, and traditional and specialty personal lines for corporations, middle markets, and small customers through retail brokers, agents, and other channels. The company's Global Reinsurance segment offers traditional and specialty reinsurance under the Chubb Tempest Re brand to property and casualty companies. Its Life Insurance segment provides protection and savings products comprising whole life, endowment plans, individual term life, group term life, medical and health, personal accident, credit life, universal life, and unit linked contracts. Chubb has collaboration with Marsh to secure insurance coverage for the COVAX no-fault compensation program. The company was formerly known as ACE Limited and changed its name to Chubb Limited in January 2016. Chubb Limited was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Read More West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. designs and produces containment and delivery systems for injectable drugs and healthcare products in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Proprietary Products and Contract-Manufactured Products. The Proprietary Products segment offers stoppers and seals for injectable packaging systems; syringe and cartridge components, including custom solutions for the needs of injectable drug applications, as well as administration systems that enhance the safe delivery of drugs through advanced reconstitution, mixing, and transfer technologies; and films, coatings, washing, and vision inspection and sterilization processes and services to enhance the quality of packaging components. It also provides drug containment solutions, including Crystal Zenith, a cyclic olefin polymer in the form of vials, syringes, and cartridges; and self-injection devices, as well as a range of integrated solutions, including analytical lab services, pre-approval primary packaging support and engineering development, regulatory expertise, and after-sales technical support. This segment serves biologic, generic, and pharmaceutical drug companies. The Contract-Manufactured Products segment is involved in the design, manufacture, and automated assembly of devices used in surgical, diagnostic, ophthalmic, injectable, and other drug delivery systems, as well as consumer products. It serves pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and medical device companies. The company distributes its products through its sales force and distribution network, as well as contract sales agents and regional distributors. West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. was incorporated in 1923 and is headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania. Read More CoreLogic, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides property information, insight, analytics, and data-enabled solutions in North America, Western Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in two segments, Property Intelligence & Risk Management Solutions (PIRM) and Underwriting & Workflow Solutions (UWS). The PIRM segment combines property information, mortgage information, and consumer information to deliver housing market and property-level insights, predictive analytics, and risk management capabilities. It also offers proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with decision-making and compliance tools in the real estate and insurance industries. This segment primarily serves commercial banks, mortgage lenders and brokers, investment banks, fixed-income investors, real estate agents, MLS companies, property and casualty insurance companies, title insurance companies, government agencies, and government-sponsored enterprises. The UWS segment combines property, mortgage, and consumer information to provide comprehensive mortgage origination and monitoring solutions, including underwriting-related solutions, and data-enabled valuations and appraisals. This segment also provides proprietary technology and software platforms to access, automate, or track the information and assist its clients with vetting and onboarding prospects, and meeting compliance regulations, as well as understanding, evaluating, monitoring property values. It primarily serves mortgage lenders and servicers, mortgage brokers, credit unions, commercial banks, fixed-income investors, government agencies, and property and casualty insurance companies. The company was formerly known as The First American Corporation and changed its name to CoreLogic, Inc. in June 2010. CoreLogic, Inc. was incorporated in 1894 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of CIT Group: 1143986 Ontario Limited, 1244771 Ontario Limited, 3918041 Canada Inc., 544211 Alberta Ltd., 555565 Alberta Ltd., 555566 Alberta Ltd., Baliardo Limited, C.I.T. Leasing Corporation, C2 Aviation Capital LLC, CBG LJB 21 LLC, CCERU Finance LP, CFHE Funding Company LLC, CIT Aerospace (Australia) Pty Ltd, CIT Aerospace Asia Pte Ltd., CIT Aerospace Belgium Sprl, CIT Aerospace Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, CIT Aerospace Holdings (France) SAS, CIT Aerospace International, CIT Aerospace International (Aruba) A.V.V., CIT Aerospace International (Australia) Pty Ltd., CIT Aerospace International (Bermuda) Limited, CIT Aerospace International (France) Sarl, CIT Aerospace International Leasing II, CIT Aerospace LLC, CIT Aerospace Sweden AB, CIT Asset Management LLC, CIT Aviation Finance I (France) Sarl, CIT Aviation Finance I (Ireland) Limited, CIT Aviation Finance I (UK) Limited, CIT Aviation Finance I Ltd., CIT Aviation Finance II (France) Sarl, CIT Aviation Finance II (Ireland) Limited, CIT Aviation Finance II (UK) Limited, CIT Aviation Finance II Ltd., CIT Aviation Finance III Ltd., CIT Bank N.A., CIT CBK Funding Company LLC, CIT CBK Funding Inc., CIT CLO Holding Corporation, CIT CLO I Blocker Inc., CIT CLO I LLC, CIT CLO I Ltd., CIT Canada Finance LP, CIT Canada Finance ULC, CIT Capital Aviation (UK) Limited, CIT Capital Finance (UK) Limited (in liquidation), CIT Capital Securities LLC, CIT Capital USA Inc., CIT Cayman Coconut Palm Leasing Ltd., CIT Cayman Sandy Keys Leasing Ltd., CIT Communications Finance Corporation, CIT Credit Group USA Inc., CIT Equipment Finance (UK) Limited (in liquidation), CIT FSC Eighteen Ltd., CIT FSC Nineteen Ltd., CIT Finance & Leasing (Tianjin) Corporation, CIT Finance & Leasing Corporation, CIT Finance LLC, CIT Financial (Alberta) ULC / Services Financiers CIT (Alberta) ULC, CIT Financial (Barbados) SRL, CIT Financial (Hong Kong) Limited, CIT Financial II (Barbados) Srl, CIT Financial Ltd./Services Financiers CIT Ltee., CIT Financial USA Inc., CIT Funding (UK) Limited (in liquidation), CIT Funding Company LLC, CIT Funding LLC, CIT Funds LLC, CIT Group (Hungary) Financial Servicing Limited Liability Company "under voluntary dissolution", CIT Group (NFL) Limited (in liquidation), CIT Group (NJ) LLC, CIT Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (In Members' Voluntary Liquidation), CIT Group (UK) Limited (in liquidation), CIT Group Finance (Ireland), CIT Group Holding (Germany) GmbH i.L., CIT Group Holdings (UK) Limited (in liquidation), CIT Group Holdings B.V., CIT Group Inc., CIT Group Italy Srl in liquidazione, CIT Group SF Holding Co. Inc., CIT Healthcare LLC, CIT Holdings (Barbados) SRL, CIT Holdings B.V., CIT Holdings Canada ULC, CIT Home Lending Securitization Company LLC, CIT Insurance Agency Inc., CIT Leasing (Bermuda) Ltd., CIT Leasing (Germany) GmbH i.L., CIT Lending Services Corporation, CIT Lending Services Corporation (Illinois), CIT Loan Corporation, CIT Malaysia One Inc., CIT Maritime Leasing LLC, CIT Mezzanine Partners of Canada Limited, CIT Millbury Inc., CIT Rail Holdings (Europe) SAS, CIT Rail LLC, CIT Railcar Funding Company LLC, CIT Small Business Lending Corporation, CIT Strategic Finance Inc., CIT TRS Funding B.V., CIT TRS Holdings B.V., CIT TRS Subsidiary B.V., CIT Technology Financing Services Inc., CIT Trade Finance Funding Company LLC, CIT Transportation Holdings B.V., CRE CT 21 OTHER LLC, CRE CT 27 OTHER LLC, CRE FFBC LLC, CRE LJ 21 OTHER LLC, CRE LJ 27 OTHER LLC, CRE LJ 4800 Riverside LLC, CRE LJ CA 2 LLC, CRE LJ CA LLC, CRE LJ CP ESCONDIDO LLC, CRE LJ TX LLC, Canadian Income Partners I Limited Partnership, Canadian Income Partners II Limited Partnership, Canadian Income Partners III Limited Partnership, Canadian Income Partners IV Limited Partnership, Canadian Income Partners V Limited Partnership, Canadian Income Partners VI Limited Partnership, Canadian Income Partners VII Limited Partnership, Canadian Income Partners VIII Limited Partnership, Capita Corporation, Capital Direct Group Inc., Centennial Aviation (Bermuda) 1 Ltd., Centennial Aviation (France) 1 SARL, Centennial Aviation (France) 2 SARL, Centennial Aviation (Ireland) 7 Limited, Direct Capital Corporation, Direct Capital Funding III Company LLC, Direct Capital Funding V LLC, Education Loan Servicing Corporation, Emerald Funding (Netherlands) C.V., Emerald Holdings C.V., Financial Freedom Acquisition LLC, IMV 11 PALM LLC, INDYMAC VENTURE LLC, Jessica Leasing Designated Activity Company, MEX CIT SERVICIOS S. de R.L. de C.V., Madeleine Leasing Designation Activity Company, Memphis Peaking Power LLC, Millennium Leasing Company I LLC, Millennium Leasing Company II LLC, NACCO (U.K.) Limited, NACCO GmbH, NACCO Rail Ireland Limited, NACCO S.A.S, Nacco Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Newcourt Financial Espana S.A., North Romeo Storage Corporation, ONEWEST VENTURES HOLDINGS LLC, OWB REO LLC, OneWest Bank N.A, OneWest Investments II LLC, OneWest Investments LLC, OneWest Resources LLC, PL Servicing LLC, Rita Leasing Designated Activity Company, The CIT GP Corporation III, The CIT Group Securitization Corporation II, The CIT Group/Business Credit Inc., The CIT Group/Commercial Services Inc., The CIT Group/Corporate Aviation Inc., The CIT Group/Equipment Financing Inc., The CIT Group/Equity Investments Inc., The Capita Corporation do Brasil Ltda, The Equipment Insurance Company, and Worrell Capital Limited. 2 hours ago | June 14th | 2021 8:51 AM Is influencer marketing really going to die in the next few years? "Influencer Marketing Will Die in 2023!" they made headlines earlier this year. Some worried and others celebrating the end of a trend, which, although it has brought consumers closer to brands, has also made certain lifestyles see unattainable. However, no publication really explained what the possible decline of an industry with millions of followers around the world is happening. 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., 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., 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., Epylon, Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, 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., Global Public Firm S.L., GlobalView SAS, GoodFilm GmbH Filmproduktion Stuttgart, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., 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, 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., 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, 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., SALT Solutions GmbH, SEC Servizi, SEC Servizi S.p.A., SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Sagacious Consultants LLC, 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 AG, SinnerSchrader Commerce GmbH, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., SinnerSchrader Swipe GmbH, Sinnerschrader, 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, 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., Weblinc Pty Ltd, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wire Stone Sarl, Wolox, 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. A STRONG BUY ALERT has been issued for this little known cannabis company that can produce pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis at half the cost of its competitors. According to analysts, its an advantage that could help the company become a world leader in the medical cannabis sector Cantel Medical Corp. provides infection prevention and control products and services for the healthcare market. The company's Medical segment offers automated endoscope reprocessing systems; disinfectants and sterilants; detergents; leak testing and manual cleaning products; storage cabinets and transport systems; manual cleaning products; endoscope process tracking products; other consumables, accessories, and supplies for use in disinfect rigid endoscopes, flexible endoscopes, and other instrumentation; and technical maintenance services. Its Life Sciences segment provides dialysis water purification and bicarbonate mixing systems; hollow fiber filters, and other filtration and separation products; liquid disinfectants and cold sterilization products; dry fog products; room temperature sterilization equipment and services; and clean-room certification and decontamination services for the dialysis and other healthcare, research laboratories, food and beverage, and commercial industrial customers, as well as microbiological testing services. The company's Dental segment offers hand and powered dental instruments, instrument reprocessing and sterility assurance products, towels, bibs, tray liners, sponges, nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation equipment and related single-use disposable nasal masks, face masks, and shields. It also provides hand sanitizers, germicidal wipes, disinfectants, surface disinfectants, waterline treatment products, saliva ejectors, evacuator tips, plastic cups, prophy angles, and prophy paste. The company's Dialysis segment provides hemodialysis concentrates and other ancillary supplies; medical device reprocessing systems; and sterilants and disinfectants. The company sells its products through its direct distribution network in the United States; and directly or under various third-party distribution agreements internationally. Cantel Medical Corp. was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Little Falls, New Jersey. Read More AutoZone, Inc. retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories. The company offers various products for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Its products include A/C compressors, batteries and accessories, bearings, belts and hoses, calipers, chassis, clutches, CV axles, engines, fuel pumps, fuses, ignition and lighting products, mufflers, radiators, starters and alternators, thermostats, and water pumps. The company also offers maintenance products, such as antifreeze and windshield washer fluids; brake drums, rotors, shoes, and pads; brake and power steering fluids, and oil and fuel additives; oil and transmission fluids; oil, cabin, air, fuel, and transmission filters; oxygen sensors; paints and accessories; refrigerants and accessories; shock absorbers and struts; spark plugs and wires; and windshield wipers, as well as air fresheners, cell phone accessories, drinks and snacks, floor mats and seat covers, interior and exterior accessories, mirrors, performance products, protectants and cleaners, sealants and adhesives, steering wheel covers, stereos and radios, tools, and wash and wax products. In addition, it provides a sales program that offers commercial credit and delivery of parts and other products; and towing and tire repair services. Further, it sells automotive diagnostic and repair software under the ALLDATA brand through alldata.com and alldatadiy.com; and automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through autozone.com. As of August 29, 2020, it operated 5,885 stores in the United States; 621 stores in Mexico; and 43 stores in Brazil. AutoZone, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of SYNNEX: 2117974 Ontario Inc., Administrative Services and Technologies to Enterprises Ltda., Afina Peru S.A.C., Afina S.R.L., Afina Sistemas Informaticos Limitada, Afina Sistemas Informaticos S.L, Afina Sistemas Sociedade Ltda., Afina Venezuela C.A., Afinasis S.A. de C.V., Asset Ohio Fourth Street LLC, BPO Holdco Cooperatief U.A., Beijing Jumeng Technology Development Ltd., Brazil HoldCo Limited, CNX Services Jamaica Limited, Chongqing Jumeng Technologies Development Ltd., ComputerLand Corporation, Comstor Colombia S.A.S., Concentrix (Canada) Limited, Concentrix (Suzhou) Information Consulting Co. Limited, Concentrix Beteiligungen GmbH, Concentrix Brazil Outsourcing of Processes , Concentrix Business Services UK Limited, Concentrix CMG Canada ULC, Concentrix CMG Insurance Services LLC, Concentrix CRM Services Germany GmbH, Concentrix CRM Services Germany GmbH Belgium Branch, Concentrix CRM Services Germany GmbH Greece Branch, Concentrix CRM Services Germany GmbH Merkezi Almanya Istanbul Merkez Subesi, Concentrix CRM Services Germany GmbH Netherlands Branch, Concentrix CRM Services Germany GmbH Netherlands Branch , Concentrix CRM Services Germany GmbH Russelsheim Switzerland Branch Zug, Concentrix CRM Services Germany GmbH Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia Oddzia w Polsce, Concentrix CRM Services Germany GmbH Sucursal en Espana, Concentrix CRM Services Hungary Kft, Concentrix CRM Services RO S.R.L., Concentrix CRM Services UK Limited, Concentrix CVG (Mauritius) Ltd, Concentrix CVG Brite Voice Systems LLC, Concentrix CVG CMG UK Limited, Concentrix CVG Contact Tunisie S.A.R.L., Concentrix CVG Corporation, Concentrix CVG Customer Management Australia Pty. Ltd., Concentrix CVG Customer Management Delaware LLC, Concentrix CVG Customer Management Group Inc., Concentrix CVG Customer Management Group Inc. Costa Rica Branch, Concentrix CVG Delaware Inc., Concentrix CVG Delaware International Inc., Concentrix CVG Delaware International Inc. French Branch, Concentrix CVG Egypt Limited Liability Company, Concentrix CVG France S.A.R.L., Concentrix CVG Funding Inc., Concentrix CVG Global Services AZ Inc., Concentrix CVG Global Services El Salvador S.A. de C.V., Concentrix CVG Global Services Honduras S.A., Concentrix CVG Global Services Hong Kong Limited, Concentrix CVG Government Solutions LLC, Concentrix CVG Group Limited, Concentrix CVG Group Servicios de Apoyo Informatico S.L., Concentrix CVG Holding LLC, Concentrix CVG Intelligent Contact Limited, Concentrix CVG International Bulgaria EOOD, Concentrix CVG International Holding Ltd., Concentrix CVG International Holding Ltd. Dominican Republic Branch, Concentrix CVG International Sp. Z.o.o., Concentrix CVG Italy S.R.L., Concentrix CVG LLC, Concentrix CVG Learning Solutions LLC, Concentrix CVG Malaysia (Philippines) SDN. BHD. Philippine Branch, Concentrix CVG Malaysia (Phillipines) Sdn. Bhd., Concentrix CVG Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Concentrix CVG Nicaragua S.A., Concentrix CVG Philippines Inc., Concentrix CVG Pte. Ltd., Concentrix CVG Services Singapore Pte. Ltd., Concentrix CVG Services Singapore Pte. Ltd. ROHQ, Concentrix CVG Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd., Concentrix CVG Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd. ROHQ, Concentrix CVG Tunisie BPO S.A.R.L., Concentrix CVG Tunisie S.A.R.L., Concentrix Coop Holdco Limited, Concentrix Corporation, Concentrix Costa Rica S.A., Concentrix Daksh Services India Private Limited, Concentrix Daksh Services Philippines Corporation, Concentrix Digital Services Limited, Concentrix Duisburg GmbH, Concentrix Dusseldorf GmbH, Concentrix Europe Limited, Concentrix Frankfurt a. M. GmbH, Concentrix Free Trade Zone S.A., Concentrix GBS Limited, Concentrix Gera GmbH, Concentrix Global Holdings Inc., Concentrix Global Services GmbH, Concentrix Gmbh, Concentrix HK Limited, Concentrix Halle GmbH, Concentrix Insurance Administration Solutions Corporation, Concentrix International Europe B.V., Concentrix International GmbH, Concentrix International Services Europe B.V., Concentrix Investment Holdings Corporation, Concentrix Investment Holdings Singapore 1 Pte. Ltd, Concentrix Investment Holdings Singapore 2 Pte. Ltd, Concentrix Investment Holdings Singapore 3 Pte. Ltd, Concentrix Investments Europe B.V., Concentrix Ireland Contact Services Limited, Concentrix Ireland Limited, Concentrix Leipzig GmbH, Concentrix Logistics Corporation, Concentrix Management Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Concentrix Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V, Concentrix Munster GmbH, Concentrix New (BVI) Corporation, Concentrix NewHK Limited, Concentrix Nicaragua S.A., Concentrix Osnabruck GmbH, Concentrix Rechenzentrum GmbH, Concentrix Romania S.R.L., Concentrix Schwerin GmbH, Concentrix Service Hungary KFT, Concentrix Services (Colombia) S.A.S., Concentrix Services (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Concentrix Services (Dalian) Co. Ltd. Beijing Branch, Concentrix Services (Dalian) Co. Ltd. Shanghai Branch, Concentrix Services (Germany) GmbH, Concentrix Services (Ireland) Limited, Concentrix Services (Netherlands) B.V., Concentrix Services (New Zealand) Limited, Concentrix Services (Poland) spolka z o.o., Concentrix Services (Saudi Arabia) Corporation LLC, Concentrix Services (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Concentrix Services (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Concentrix Services (Uruguay) S.A., Concentrix Services Bulgaria EOOD, Concentrix Services Corporation, Concentrix Services Corporation Philippines Branch, Concentrix Services Germany GmbH Sverige filial, Concentrix Services GmbH, Concentrix Services Holdco (Netherlands) B.V., Concentrix Services India Private Limited, Concentrix Services Korea Limited, Concentrix Services Mexico S.A. de C.V., Concentrix Services Philippines Inc., Concentrix Services Portugal Sociedade Unipessoal LDA, Concentrix Services Pty Ltd, Concentrix Services Pty Ltd ROHQ, Concentrix Services Slovakia s.r.o., Concentrix Services Spain S.L.U., Concentrix Services UK Limited, Concentrix Services US Inc., Concentrix Technologies (India) Private Limited, Concentrix Technologies Limited, Concentrix Technologies Services (Canada) Limited, Concentrix Technology FZ-LLC, Concentrix VN Technologies Services Company Limited, Concentrix Verwaltungs GmbH, Concentrix Wismar GmbH, Concentrix Wuppertal GmbH, Convergys, Convergys Customer Management Colombia S.A.S., Convergys Customer Management Group Canada Holding Inc., Convergys Customer Management Group Inc. Philippines Branch, Convergys Customer Management International Inc., Convergys Customer Management International Inc. - Regional Operating Headquarters, Convergys Customer Management Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Convergys France S.A.R.L. (Mauritius Branch), Convergys Holdings (GB) Limited, Convergys Holdings (UK) Limited, Convergys Hungary Kft., Convergys India Services Private Limited, Convergys International Inc., Convergys International Nordic AB, Convergys Netherlands Investments B.V., Convergys Services Denmark ApS, Convergys Software Service (Beijing) Ltd., Convergys South Africa (Pty) Ltd., CyberLogistics Corporation, Dalian Jumeng Information Services Ltd., Dalian Jumeng Technology Development Ltd., EMJ America Inc., Encore Receivable Management Inc., Encore Receivable Management Inc. Philippines Branch, Foshan Jumeng Information Technology Service Co. Ltd, GLS Software S. de R.L., Guiyang Jumeng Technology Development Ltd., Hyve IT Solutions Israel Ltd, Hyve IT Solutions South Africa (PTY) Ltd., Hyve SNX Solutions Ireland Limited, Hyve Solutions (Taiwan) Corporation, Hyve Solutions Canada Limited, Hyve Solutions China Limited, Hyve Solutions Corporation, Hyve Solutions Europe Limited, Hyve Solutions HK Limited, Hyve Solutions Holding Company Limited, Hyve Solutions India LLP, Hyve Solutions Japan K.K., Hyve Solutions Korea Limited, Hyve Solutions Malaysia SDN.BHD., Hyve Solutions New Zealand Limited, Hyve Solutions Singapore Pte. Ltd, Hyve Solutions US Global Holding Corporation, IBM World Wide Customer Care, Intervoice Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., Intervoice Colombia Ltda., Intervoice GP Inc., Intervoice GmbH, Intervoice LLC Canada Branch, Intervoice LP Inc., Intervoice Limited, Intervoice Limited Partnership, Intervoice do Brasil Comercio Servicos e Participacoes Ltda., Jack Of All Games Inc., Japan Concentrix KK, LATAM HoldCo Limited, Lasting Holdings Corporation, License Online Inc, Minacs, Minacs Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PT Concentrix Services Indonesia, PT Convergys Customer Management Indonesia, Pegasus Telecom LLC, SCGS (Malaysia) SDN. BHD., SGS Holdings Inc., SGS Tunisie S.A.R.L., SIT Funding Corporation, SYNNEX Canada Limited, SYNNEX Finance Hybrid II LLC, SYNNEX Information Technologies (Beijing) Ltd., SYNNEX Information Technologies (Chengdu) Ltd., SYNNEX Information Technologies (China) Ltd., SYNNEX Japan Corporation, SYNNEX Japan Holdings K.K., SYNNEX Servicios S.A. de C.V., SYNNEX Software Technologies (HK) Limited, SYNNEX de Mexico S.A. de C.V., SYNNEX-Concentrix UK Limited, Sennex Enterprises Limited, Servicios Afinasis S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Shunrong Telecommunication Technologies Ltd., Shenzhen Shunrong Telecommunication Technologies Ltd. Foshan Branch, Sichuan 86Bridge Information Technology Ltd., Stream Business Process Outsourcing South Africa (Proprietary) Ltd., Stream Florida Inc., Stream Global Services - US Inc., Stream Global Services Danmark ApS, Stream Global Services Inc., Stream Holdings Corporation, Suzhou Ke Wei Xun Information Services Co. Ltd., The Global Email Trustee Limited, Tigerspike Co. Ltd, Tigerspike FZ LLC Rep. Office, Tigerspike FZ-LLC, Tigerspike Holdings Pty Ltd, Tigerspike Inc., Tigerspike Ltd, Tigerspike Products Pte. Ltd., Tigerspike Pte. Ltd., Tigerspike Pty Ltd, Velami Holdings Corporation, Vietnam Concentrix Services Company Limited, VisionMAX, WG-UK Holding Company Limited, WG-US HoldCo Inc, Westcon Brasil Ltda., Westcon CALA Inc., Westcon Canada Systems (WCSI) Inc., Westcon Corporation Ecuador WCE Cia. Ltda, Westcon Group Colombia Limitada, Westcon Group Costa Rica S.A., Westcon Group El Salvador S.A. de C.V., Westcon Group Inc., Westcon Group North America Inc., Westcon Group Panama S.A., Westcon Mexico S.A. de C.V., Westcon-Comstor, Xi'an Jumeng Technologies Development Ltd, and eTelecare Philippines Inc.. As the 116th Congress begins, the Florida delegation should unite to stop offshore drilling off the Gulf coast of Florida and must push Congress to enact legislation to make the moratorium on offshore drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (EGOM), eastward from the Military Mission Line (MML) at Long. 86 deg, 41 min., permanent. The MML was established by the 2006 GOMESA law to delineate the military testing area as being off limits to oil exploration. This moratorium will expire in June 2022 unless extended and it is rumored that the Department of Interior would like to permit seismic testing in this area. There is no rationale for seismic unless they expect to lease for drilling after June 2022. Our Florida economy depends on tourism and a large military presence. Any potential, however remote or speculative, for the kinds of environmental damage we have seen take place in the other areas where drilling and production have been allowed will be devastating for our economy, environment and our future in Florida. There are plenty of places marketing for tourists where there is no risk of offshore drilling and we have to compete with them. Aside from the immediate existential risk of a large, multi-million barrel spill like Deepwater Horizon, there are numerous spills going on right now throughout the middle and western Gulf. One, the Taylor spill, has been discharging oil and chemicals into the Gulf offshore of Louisiana since 2004 and has released between 1.5 to 3.5 million barrels of oil in that period. Additionally, we have a clockwise current in the near offshore Gulf, running right through one of the areas thought to have oil and gas, the Destin Dome. This current assures that any pollutants introduced into the Gulf off our north and west coasts will flow all the way down the coast across Florida Bay to the Keys. Aside from risks to our tourism-based economy, our strong military presence throughout Florida needs the east central Gulf, east of the MML (this is why it was a military demarcation in the first place) for their exclusive use for testing, free of drilling rigs, platforms and supply vessel traffic. As the May 2018 Department of Defense report Preserving Military Readiness in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico clearly shows, the military is planning to increase testing out in the EGOM in the future: (Please see the map at right.) In one of its most poignant references, the Department of Defense called the eastern Gulf of Mexico an irreplaceable national asset for combat force readiness and for accomplishing the goals of the 2018 National Defense Strategy. The MML creates a large-scale, flexible and irreplaceable training ground for our development of our leading defense technologies. The growing threat assessment of security risks in the Arabian Gulf region make this training all the more important. The report notes several times that the proximity to major military bases and its large-scale make the EGOM area a unique asset for national defense that cannot be replicated. It is important to mention the over $70 billion in economic impact Floridas military bases have on our state, according to research by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Lastly, the people of Florida are clearly opposed to offshore drilling. The November 2018 ballot contained a ban on offshore drilling, Amendment 9, which won with over 68 percent in favor. This widespread support should indicate to the entire Florida delegation, members of both parties and both chambers, that voters are overwhelmingly against letting the moratorium expire in 2022. Floridians are well aware that all of our livelihoods depend on a pristine environment, and that offshore drilling in the Gulf threatens our futures. As 2019 begins and the 116th Congress begins, we want to ensure our constituents that we will continue to fight to permanently ban offshore drilling off our coast. Francis Rooney is the U.S. Representative for Floridas 19th congressional district. He is the Vice-Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and serves on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. He previously served as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See under President George W. Bush from 2005 to 2008. Euchre: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Kilbourn Public Library, 620 Elm St., Wisconsin Dells. Tables will be open for all interested Euchre enthusiasts. Dont know how to play, come on in and we will teach you. Euchre afternoons are part of our ongoing adult programming series. These programs are sponsored by our Friends group. Knitting and Crocheting program: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Frank Fischer Senior Center in Lake Delton. Get together to knit and crochet with other yarn lovers and share new ideas. Bring your own yarn project to work on. All skill levels are welcome and beginners can learn from our experts. Preschool Story Hour: 10 a.m. Kilbourn Public Library, 620 Elm St., Wisconsin Dells. Open to preschoolers and caregivers. Enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays and crafts. Wednesday, Jan. 9 Scrabble at the Frank Fischer Center: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Frank Fischer Senior Center, Lake Delton. Play Scrabble with library staff and others. Library staff will be at the Frank Fischer Center to provide library services such as check in, check out, hold pickup and reference assistance on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. She was looking forward to seeing him. The two were inseparable. I was a little concerned but didnt think much of it, Roland said. It was just a bloody nose. At the doctor, they confirmed Raschkas nose had started clotting. They began asking about other symptoms. Had he been fatigued? Yes, Frey said. Her son was always on the go. Besides, he was a teenager. Raschka said hed been having headaches more frequently, and he had these pesky little red bumps that started on his feet and went all the way up his legs. Doctors at UW-Childrens Hospital in Madison began running their own tests. A hematologist stopped by. Raschkas platelets were low, as were his white blood cells and hemoglobin. Raschka was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, a condition that occurs when the body stops producing enough new blood cells. It leaves a person feeling fatigued and with a higher risk of infections and uncontrolled bleeding. Called a rare and serious condition by the Mayo Clinic, aplastic anemia can develop at any age, occurs suddenly or slowly and gets worse over a long period of time. Treatment includes medications, blood transfusions or a stem cell transplant. As a new year starts, the staff of the Star-Times took a look at the stories that generated the most interest and conversation in 2018. This is the second part of the top 10 stories from the last year. Floods strike area Residents here experienced major flooding as the area was pounded with several inches of rain in the early morning hours of Aug. 28. Other municipalities in Juneau County also were impacted. Floodwaters bisected the northern and southern parts of the city as the Baraboo River overflowed. Water spilled out across Franklin Street, Academy Street and other areas in Elroy, all before another round of heavy rains struck the area on the afternoon of Aug. 28. Approximately 25-30 homes have been evacuated, Elroy Police Chief Tony Green said earlier in the day. Elroy experienced major flooding in 2008, but this flood is affecting a greater area than the flood 10 years ago. Its flooding the whole thing, Green said. Emergency personnel and volunteers are working to sandbag the substation on Franklin Street, where water is flowing over the bridge above the Baraboo River. In a Broadway production headed to Baraboo, a young whooping crane gets an education during her first solo migration. Heather Henson hopes spectators learn some things, too. The daughter of famed puppeteer Jim Henson will bring Ajijaak on Turtle Island to the Al. Ringling Theatre this month. Developed by Henson and college classmate Ty Defoe, a Wisconsin native, the spectacle of dances, puppets and kites demonstrates the interconnected nature of all living things. Its the lesson shes learning from these characters along the flyway, Henson said. Two performances will benefit the Ringling Theatre and the International Crane Foundation. Henson sits on ICFs board of directors, and previously brought her production Panther & Crane there. Theyve done such amazing work, she said. The local performances are the only ones to be held in Wisconsin, and Baraboo is one of only four cities that will host Ajijaak. In the production, the crane travels alone and learns the importance of survival and perseverance. When Liz Micheel, professor of biology at Minnesota State College Southeast, presented her proposal for a brand-new degree program to administrators, she thought there would be at least a little resistance. I had an argument for every reason why we needed to do sustainable agriculture here, she said, including her personal motivations for handing students the skills to farm with the environment in mind as well as the unique topography that makes the Winona area ripe for this type of work. But as it turned out, she didnt need any of her arguments. The proposal was OKd almost immediately. I think it just makes sense, said Micheel, who owns a hobby farm and has watched her neighbors farm conventionally for years. The large machinery the farmers in western parts of Minnesota use regularly doesnt work as well in the Driftless region, she explained. And beyond that, her biology background allows her to see common practices in agriculture that might not be producing the effects that are wanted. Its a horrible idea to put 20,000 turkeys in a building together, she gave as an example. Biologically, theyre all going to get sick and youve set it up perfectly for disease. Theres got to be a better way. COPENHAGEN - Six passengers were killed when a Danish train sustained damage while crossing a bridge that was closed to cars because of high wind Wednesday, and authorities investigated if falling cargo from a freight train caused Denmark's deadliest railway accident in 30 years. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/1/2019 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Traiffic is queued up on the approach to the Storebaelt bridge, near Nyborg in Denmark, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019 after a train accident. Danish police say several people have been killed in a train accident on a bridge linking the central islands of Zealand and Funen. Police did not provide further details about those killed or the number of people injured in Wednesday's incident, which took place about 8 a.m. local time. Danish media reported that a tarpaulin on a freight train hit a passenger train going in the opposite direction, prompting it to brake suddenly. (Claus Bech/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) COPENHAGEN - Six passengers were killed when a Danish train sustained damage while crossing a bridge that was closed to cars because of high wind Wednesday, and authorities investigated if falling cargo from a freight train caused Denmark's deadliest railway accident in 30 years. Authorities said the two trains were travelling in opposite directions on the bridge linking s Denmark's islands. Aerial TV footage showed a front side of the passenger train ripped open. Photos showed crates of beer on the freight train and a tarpaulin on top torn in pieces. Jesper Nielsen told Denmark's TV2 he was riding on the passenger train and it "was out on the bridge when there was a huge 'bang' ... very quickly thereafter, the train braked." The rail operator, Danish Railways, told Denmark's TV2 the victims were passengers on a train going from the city of Odense, on the central Danish island of Funen, to the capital of Copenhagen when the accident took place about 8 a.m. Police declined to comment directly on a report from Denmark's TV2 channel that a large freight container had likely fallen off the cargo train. Damaged compartments of a cargo train near the Storebaelt bridge, near Nyborg in Denmark, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. Danish police say several people have been killed in a train accident on a bridge linking the central islands of Zealand and Funen. Police did not provide further details about those killed or the number of people injured in Wednesday's incident, which took place about 8 a.m. local time. Danish media reported that a tarpaulin on a freight train hit a passenger train going in the opposite direction, prompting it to brake suddenly. (Michael Bager/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) "It is much too early to speculate as to what might have caused it," chief police investigator Joergen Andersen told reporters. "It has been a pretty serious accident." The accident, in which 16 people were injured, took place on a road-and-rail bridge, part of the Storebaelt system of bridges and a tunnel that link the Danish islands of Zealand and Funen. The system was closed to cars overnight because of strong winds but trains were allowed to continue using it. Police spokesman Lars Braemhoej said one possible cause of the "considerable damage" on the passenger train was getting struck by cargo from the freight train, but noted that authorities "do not know precisely what caused the accident." Kasper Elbjoern, spokesman for the Danish brewery group Carlsberg, confirmed that a freight train transporting its cargo was involved in the accident. Police urged passengers to contact relatives and tell them if they were safe and urged people not to share photos or videos of the accident. Flemming Jensen, the CEO of state-owned Danish Railways, said police and the Danish Accident Investigation Board were investigating. He said the operator "will contribute everything that we can to the investigation." Bo Haaning of the Danish Accident Investigation Board was quoted as saying it could take months before the cause of the accident could be determined. The government agency responsible for Danish railways said on Twitter that no further trains would cross the Storebaelt link on Wednesday, adding it was aiming to allow train crossings to resume Thursday. Road traffic resumed Wednesday with a 50 kph (31 mph) speed limit. "Ordinary Danes on their way to work or heading home from the Christmas holidays have had their lives smashed," Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen said as he issued his condolences. Denmark's Queen Margrethe said the "terrible accident ... touches me deeply." In 1988, eight people were killed and 72 injured when a train derailed because of high speed near Soroe, west of Copenhagen. Denmark's worst train accident occurred in 1919, when an express train collided with a stopped train in Copenhagen due to a dispatcher error. A total of 40 people were killed and some 60 were injured. This story has been corrected to show that the English spelling of the island is Funen. WASHINGTON - No one budged at President Donald Trump's closed-door meeting with congressional leaders Wednesday, so the partial government shutdown persisted through Day 12 over his demand for billions of dollars to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. They'll all try again Friday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/1/2019 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The U.S. Capitol is seen early in the morning in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, as a partial government shutdown stretches into its third week. A high-stakes move to reopen the government will be the first big battle between Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump as Democrats come into control of the House. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) WASHINGTON - No one budged at President Donald Trump's closed-door meeting with congressional leaders Wednesday, so the partial government shutdown persisted through Day 12 over his demand for billions of dollars to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. They'll all try again Friday. In public, Trump renewed his dire warnings of rapists and others at the border. But when pressed in private by Democrats asking why he wouldn't end the shutdown, he responded at one point, "I would look foolish if I did that." A White House official, one of two people who described that exchange only on condition of anonymity, said the president had been trying to explain that it would be foolish not to pay for border security. In one big shift, the new Congress will convene Thursday with Democrats taking majority control of the House, and Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said they'd quickly pass legislation to re-open the government without funds for the border wall. The Capitol is seen as New Year's Day comes to a close with the partial government shutdown in its second week in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. The new House majority led by Democrat Nancy Pelosi gavels into session this week with legislation ready to end the government shutdown. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) "Nothing for the wall," Pelosi said in an interview with NBC's "Today" show set to air Thursday. "We can go through the back and forth. No. How many more times can we say no?" But the White House has rejected the Democratic package, and Republicans who control the Senate are hesitant to take it up without Trump on board. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called it a "total nonstarter." Trump said ahead of his White House session with the congressional leaders that the partial shutdown will last "as long as it takes" to get the funding he wants. "Could be a long time or could be quickly," Trump said during lengthy public comments at a Cabinet meeting, his first public appearance of the new year. Meanwhile, the shutdown dragged through a second week, closing some parks and leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay. Democrats said they asked Trump directly during Wednesday's private meeting held in the Situation Room why he wouldn't consider their package of bills. One measure would open most of the shuttered government departments at funding levels already agreed to by all sides. The other would provide temporary funding for Homeland Security, through Feb. 8, allowing talks to continue over border security. President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) "I said, Mr. President, Give me one good reason why you should continue your shutdown," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said afterward. "He could not give a good answer." Trump's response about looking foolish was confirmed by a White House official and another person familiar with the exchange, neither of whom was authorized to describe the exchange by name. Trump had campaigned saying Mexico would pay for the wall, but Mexico has refused. At another point Wednesday, Trump told Pelosi that, as a "good Catholic" she should support the wall because Vatican City has a wall, according to a congressional aide. Trump has mentioned the Vatican's centuries-old fortifications before, including at the earlier Cabinet meeting. But Democrats have said they don't want medieval barriers, and Pelosi has called Trump's proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border immoral. "I remain ready and willing to work with Democrats," Trump tweeted after the meeting. "Let's get it done!" House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., left, and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., speak to the media after a meeting with President Donald Trump on border security Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said that there's no need to prolong the shutdown and that he was disappointed the talks did not produce a resolution. He complained that Democrats interrupted Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen as she was trying to describe a dreadful situation at the border. Nielsen, participating in the meeting by teleconference, had data about unaccompanied minors crossing the border and a spike in illegal crossings, and she tried to make the case to the group that current funding levels won't suffice, according to the White House. "We were hopeful that we could get more of a negotiation," said McCarthy. He said the leaders plan to return to the White House Friday to continue negotiations. White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said on Fox that Pelosi will be "more able to negotiate" once she is elected speaker, as expected Thursday. House Democratic leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., walk to speak with reporters after a meeting with President Donald Trump on border security at the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) The two sides have traded offers, but their talks broke down ahead of the holidays. On Wednesday, Trump also rejected his own administration's offer to accept $2.5 billion for the wall. That proposal was made when Vice-President Mike Pence and other top officials met at the start of the shutdown with Schumer, who left saying they remained far apart. On Wednesday Trump repeatedly pushed for the $5.6 billion he has demanded. Making his case ahead of the private afternoon session, Trump said the current border is "like a sieve" and noted the tear gas "flying" overnight to deter arrivals. "If they knew they couldn't come through, they wouldn't even start," he said at the meeting, joined by Cabinet secretaries and top advisers, including Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. With no negotiations over the holidays, Trump complained he had been "lonely " at the White House, having skipped his getaway to Mar-a-Lago in Florida. He claimed his only companions were the "machine-gunners," referring to security personnel, and "they don't wave, they don't smile." He also criticized Pelosi for visiting Hawaii. At the Capitol on Wednesday, Pelosi said she hoped Republicans and the White House "are hearing what we have offered" to end the shutdown. The partial government shutdown began on Dec. 22. Funding for the wall has been the sticking point in passing essential spending bills for several government departments. Pelosi said Tuesday that Democrats would take action to "end the Trump Shutdown" by passing the legislation Thursday to reopen government. "Senate Republicans have already supported this legislation, and if they reject it now, they will be fully complicit in chaos and destruction of the President's third shutdown of his term," she said in a letter to colleagues on Tuesday. "''We are giving the Republicans the opportunity to take yes for an answer," she wrote in a letter to colleagues. Administration officials said Trump was in no rush for a resolution to the impasse, believing he has public opinion and his base of supporters on his side. Trump himself contended it's the Democrats who see the shutdown fight as "an election point." The Democratic package to end the shutdown would include one bill to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels with $1.3 billion for border security, far less than Trump has said he wants for the wall through Feb. 8 as talks would continue. It would also include a separate measure to fund the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Housing and Urban Development and others closed by the partial shutdown. That measure would provide money through the remainder of the fiscal year, to Sept. 30. Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman, Kevin Freking and Jill Colvin contributed to this report. Florida Governor-elect Ron DeSantis has called upon two Lee County community leaders to hold positions on his Transition Advisory Committees as he prepares to take office Jan. 8. Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart has been selected to chair the committee on Government Operations, while Hope Healthcare President and CEO Samira K. Beckwith has been named to the committee on Health and Wellness. Im humbled to be chosen to lead this knowledgeable and accomplished team as we see to it that the most crucial functions of government continue to serve the citizens of Florida, said Hart in a statement. As a fellow military veteran, I know Gov.-elect DeSantis will stay focused when it comes to what matters most to people. Im proud to have his back during this important time. Hart will oversee a collection of nearly three dozen community and business leaders from across the Sunshine State. The committee will focus on finding ways to create an unburdensome regulatory environment and streamlining the process of doing business in Florida, read a release on Harts new role. We will focus on government operation as an advisory committee to provide recommendations to Gov. DeSantis that would be helpful, as we facilitate things in the future, said Hart. He is excited to get to work with various community leaders and bring the community and government closer together. When you put together so many talented people Im wanting to see what I can learn and share with the community, he said. Im most looking forward to seeing how the government can be streamlined and to make sure we can work towards making a connection with people. To make it easier for folks to interact with the government. More public access. More technology driven. His reaction to being tapped by Governor-elect DeSantis? I was totally surprised, he said of being chosen by DeSantis. After having a conversation with the governor, we have a lot of mutual friends, some who even recommended me to him. I am pleased to be serving the state. As we look forward to the future, we have a lot to offer the state of Florida. Hart has a long-standing resume of public service in Lee County and for his country. He is an Air Force veteran, FBI Nation Academy graduate and former police chief of the City of Fort Myers. I have a long history in the community, he said. I have been involved in many non-profit organizations as well. Ive always been someone who has given back to Lee County. The environmental catastrophe our waters took on this past summer is not something DeSantis, or Hart, is taking lightly, he said. I will certainly give my advice on that topic, he said. We depend so much on tourism here. Water quality is a big part of the governors agenda. We have to keep Florida as Florida. Our quality of life and our quality of water needs to continue to improve. I am pleased to serve our new governor. Its great to see him reach across the state and bring everyone together. For Beckwith, she will serve alongside 50 health care experts from a variety of medical fields on the Health and Wellness committee that will be chaired by Alan Levine, the former secretary of Floridas Agency for Health Care Administration, along with Lt. Governor-elect Jeanette Nunez. Its a privilege to work with Governor DeSantis and this group of knowledgeable leaders to help set the course for Floridas future in health care, she said in a statement. The transition teams focus aligns with Hopes vision of transforming the experiences of illness, aging and dying for all Floridians. Beckwith has been with Hope Healthcare for nearly 30 years, focusing on home and community care. She was pleased to be given the opportunity and said she is quite interested in serving on the committee. Her focus will be to help those who have a very serious illness outside of the hospital, and community care. I believe it is important for our legislature and government to understand heath care needs for people, not just in the hospital, but at home, said Beckwith. I feel I can help with that especially for our seniors and people with severe illnesses. Extended care services are not always recognized. Prevention is the name of her game, as she believes that if people are not provided an acceptable level of care in their own home, it may lead to more serious health consequences. We aim to keep people comfortable at home if we can, she said. In speaking with Nunez, Beckwith is encouraged by the Lt. Governor-elects interest on the matter. She (Nunez) has been very receptive, interested and engaged, said Beckwith. She is interested in the well being of Floridians. And that starts with prevention, providing the best care possible and to provide that care at the right time. We want to develop the best prevention program possible. Both Hart and Beckwith also worked with outgoing governor and newly appointed Senator-elect, Rick Scott. -Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj WASHINGTON - U.S. ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman met in Moscow on Wednesday with a Michigan man who has been detained on espionage charges as the American government seeks answers about his arrest. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/1/2019 (895 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. This undated photo provided by the Whelan family shows Paul Whelan in Iceland. Whelan, a former U.S. Marine arrested in Russia on espionage charges, was visiting Moscow over the holidays to attend a wedding when he suddenly disappeared, his brother said Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. (Courtesy of the Whelan Family via AP) WASHINGTON - U.S. ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman met in Moscow on Wednesday with a Michigan man who has been detained on espionage charges as the American government seeks answers about his arrest. Huntsman said he offered support and assistance to Paul Whelan, a corporate security executive and former Marine, and later spoke to the man's family by phone, but he would not discuss the case in detail. The ambassador said the U.S. complained to the Russian government about the length of time it took them to grant consular access to Whelan, who was arrested Friday. Russian Federal Security Service said Whelan was caught "during an espionage operation," but gave no specific information about why he was detained. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier Wednesday, while in Brazil, that the U.S. hoped to gain access soon to the former Marine and that "if the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return." Whelan, 48, was in Moscow to attend a wedding when he disappeared, his brother, David Whelan, said Tuesday. He arrived Dec. 22 and was scheduled to stay through Sunday. Pompeo said the Trump administration has "made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is he's been accused of." Michigan Rep.-elect Haley Stevens, who will represent Whelan's district in Congress, released a statement Wednesday saying: "Paul served our country as a Marine and law enforcement officer and we must ensure that Russia continues to meet its obligations under the Vienna Convention to provide U.S. officials access to Mr. Whelan. I am working with the State Department and will remain vigilant until Paul returns safely to his family in Michigan." Whelan's family, in a statement that David Whelan posted on Twitter, said: "We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected." The Russian spying charges carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. The Marine Corps on Wednesday released details of Whelan's service record. He served in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1994 to 2008 and was convicted of larceny in a special court-martial in January 2008. The Marine Corps did not immediately provide details of the court-martial conviction beyond saying it was based on "several charges related to larceny." Whelan attained the rank of staff sergeant in December 2004 after the first of two deployments in Iraq. He was an administrative clerk and administrative chief. He was given a bad-conduct discharge in December 2008 at the rank of private. His last place of duty was at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California. David Whelan said in an interview that his brother had been to Russia several times previously, so when a fellow former Marine was planning a wedding in Moscow, he was asked to go along to help out. David Whelan said that it was while searching the internet Monday that he learned of his brother's arrest. "I was looking for any stories about dead Americans in Moscow, so in a way it was better than finding out that he had died," he said. David Whelan said he has no idea why his brother was targeted by the Russian security services. Paul Whelan had travelled to Russia in the past for work and to visit friends he had met on social networks, his brother said. "I don't think there's any chance that he's a spy," David Whelan told CNN. Paul Whelan lives in Novi, Michigan, and is director of global security for BorgWarner, where he has worked since early 2017. "He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and at other company locations around the world," company spokeswoman Kathy Graham said in a statement. She said BorgWarner does not have any facilities in Russia. Paul Whelan previously worked for Kelly Services, which does maintain offices in Russia, his brother said. Heintz contributed from Moscow. Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in Detroit and Robert Burns in Washington contributed to this report. We went from a slew of alerts on romaine lettuce last fall to a series of clear-cut recalls affecting various produce items including romaine lettuce and cauliflower when Canadian consumers were at their most vulnerable. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/1/2019 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion We went from a slew of alerts on romaine lettuce last fall to a series of clear-cut recalls affecting various produce items including romaine lettuce and cauliflower when Canadian consumers were at their most vulnerable. At this time of year, the Canadian economy is particularly vulnerable when safety issues arise in imported produce, since our supply channels are limited. Chances are, cauliflower will be very expensive as a result. And lettuce could be hard to get. Unlike other such instances, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was able to execute a recall. This time, they have a company, a name, brands, lot numbers and products they can identify. One farm appears to be responsible for this E .coli outbreak: California-based Adam Bros. Farming Inc., one of several large-scale producers of leafy greens in the state. Many verticals appear to have been affected by the outbreak, including romaine lettuce, cauliflower, red-leaf lettuce and even sandwiches containing products from the same farm. Without knowing the actual cause of the contamination, authorities were able to pinpoint a specific culprit by simple deduction. In 2006, in the aftermath of the deadly E. coli outbreak affecting spinach, Adam Bros., along with more than 115 other producers, signed the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. These signatories represent more than 98 per cent of all leafy green production in California. At least 276 consumer illnesses and three deaths have been attributed to tainted produce from these growers in 2006. Losses for the spinach industry were significant. In Canada during the 2006 episode, it was next to impossible to buy spinach. The industry went along with a rigour-charged voluntary system, vowing to never again go through something like the 2006 E. coli outbreak. The industry-led Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement garnered some impressive results until now. This time, its lettuce. Implications for the industry could be massive losses could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars. As it was with spinach, the entire industry will be affected, not just Adam Bros. Lettuce is one of the big sellers and that will affect the entire supply chain, from farm to retailer. At retail, some of these products have profit margins exceeding 50 per cent, so grocers arent at all pleased. Theyre having to issue many refunds, as well as deal with the fallout from the recall. Protocols and regulations are already in place. Checkpoints, audits, inspections everything was designed to increase compliance across the industry. But in spite of this, some evidence points toward complacency. According to U.S. industry reports, while the number of unannounced audits remained stable at around 80 per year, the number of scheduled audits has been declining steadily since 2010. They went from a peak of 589 in 2010 to less than 380 in 2017. Thats a 47 per cent drop in self-regulated audits, which the industry needs in order to keep things in check. This is a substantial shift. Yet the industry report from the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement offers not a single explanation as to why the number of U.S. audits dropped. The Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement came out of the crisis affecting spinach. This latest recall is telling the industry that the will to implement more rigour has a short lifespan and needs to be resuscitated before another consumer dies. Reports posted on the groups website read more like self-congratulatory remarks than food safety concerns for the consumer. After 12 years, perhaps its time for the industry to revisit some of the fundamental reasons the agreement was set up. This is about mitigating the risks that come with relying on global food supply chains. The very nature of these systems means one mistake will affect many. Rigour cant be compromised. But we also have issues in Canada. Products from Adam Bros. were being sold in at least six provinces. However, the Public Health Agency of Canada sent out alerts related to romaine lettuce covering only three provinces: Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. This went on for weeks. From the start, most observers knew it was almost impossible that the outbreak could only affect three provinces. Many grocers were ahead of the Public Health Agency on this, pulling romaine from their shelves even if the alert hadnt included their province. So during the winter months, we cant blame consumers for avoiding lettuce and cauliflower in order to protect themselves and their loved ones. Turnips, anyone? Sylvain Charlebois is scientific director of the Canadian Agrifood Foresight Institute, a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University and a senior fellow with the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies. Troy Media Since Greyhound drove off, leaving Manitobans in a lurch, three local bus lines have been filling the void and the stomachs of passengers who rely on the service. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/1/2019 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Since Greyhound drove off, leaving Manitobans in a lurch, three local bus lines have been filling the void and the stomachs of passengers who rely on the service. A nondescript brown building a block from Health Sciences Centre where many riders are headed serves as the depot for buses travelling to and from Brandon, The Pas and Thompson. Passengers waiting for the bus heading north can help themselves to a free bowl of stew. "We try to make it homey," Maple Bus Lines owner Lori Mann said. "It's not the Taj Mahal, but everybody likes it." The company services Thompson and shares its 4,000-sq.-ft. depot with Kelsey Bus Lines and Brandon Bus Lines. If you don't know the address of the depot, tucked away at the corner of Sherbrook Street at Pacific Avenue, you'll likely miss it. The familiar red and blue seating inside was salvaged from the bus depot at the Winnipeg airport after Greyhound stopped its service in Western Canada on Oct. 31. Many of its routes have been brought back to life by the bus lines sharing the depot. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Lori Mann, centre, owner of Maple Bus Lines (MBL), and her daughter help customers at their depot on Sherbrook St in Winnipeg Tuesday. MBL now serves northern communities after Greyhound stopped all service last year. "Everybody is so grateful and has embraced us," Mann said. The reviews on Facebook rave about the customer service and driver friendliness. That's what Mann said she was aiming for when she met with Maple's new drivers and staff, many of whom worked for Greyhound. "I wanted it to be their company," she said of the employees, whose loyalty to customers is paying off. "I'm very, very happy," Mann said. "We were full all through Christmas, and I can see return ridership, which is wonderful." Maple stopped bus service for Christmas Day and New Year's Eve and cancelled last Sunday night's run from Thompson because of safety concerns when extreme wind chill was forecast for the northern Manitoba city. "We don't ever have less that 30 people on our bus," she said, meaning they're always more than half full. Business has been good for the other two bus lines operating out of the depot. JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Joy Boucher, a professional driver for over 25 years, chats with passengers at the Maple Bus Lines depot on Tuesday. Brandon Bus Lines' three-days-a-week run to Brandon is often full of passengers and freight. The First Nations-owned Kelsey Bus Lines has been successful on its route from Thompson through The Pas and is moving into Maple's Thompson depot the former Greyhound building. In Winnipeg, the depot near HSC was chosen because of its location, Mann said. Most of Maple's passengers are in Winnipeg for medical appointments. When the Greyhound bus depot was located at the airport, that meant costly cab rides for patients heading to HSC, she said. Greyhound's claim Manitoba routes are not economically viable isn't proving to be true for those taking them over, Mann said. The charter business owner said she took a calculated risk buying a new fleet of buses to run the scheduled bus service. "It was scary," Mann said. But it proved to be a wise bet. The passenger business is steadily growing, and so is the amount of freight being shipped, she said. "Freight is up tremendously," she said. The business that went to trucking firms when Greyhound left is migrating to Kelsey and Maple, who run buses to the north at opposite times of the day. Pretty soon, they are going to need trailers for hauling freight behind their buses, Mann said. "It is viable," she said. carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca Changes are coming to Gunns Bakery that will see someone outside the family tree take over the helm of the Selkirk Avenue mainstay thats been serving up traditional kosher baking for more than 80 years. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/1/2019 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Changes are coming to Gunns Bakery that will see someone outside the family tree take over the helm of the Selkirk Avenue mainstay thats been serving up traditional kosher baking for more than 80 years. Owner-operators Arthur and Bernie Gunn announced earlier this week 2019 will see them initiate a succession plan and finally step back from the day-to-day operations of the business thats been in their family since it opened in 1937. The changes will take effect immediately, the owners said. "As 2018 comes to a close, we want to celebrate the 81 years that the Gunn family has been bringing traditional kosher baking to Winnipeg. It is now time for Bernie & (Arthur) to pass along their knowledge and expertise," a written statement reads. "2019 will be the start of a new chapter in the Gunns Bakery story. After much searching, they have found Jon Hochman, who will be taking over the day-to-day business." The bakery was opened in 1937 by Morris Gunn, the son of a Polish baker who immigrated to Canada in the 1920s. Morris, alongside his wife, found the location at 247 Selkirk Ave. where it has been ever since and opened up a bakery in the front of the property and moved the family into the back. It was an early hit in the area, in large part because of the traditional European-style of baking Morris employed that was familiar to the largely immigrant neighbourhood that surrounded the store. The medium-sized, full-range bakery specializes in serving up ethnic baked goods the same way theyve been made since Day 1: by hand. "(Arthur) will remain at the bakery to help (Hochman) and the Gunns team make the transition. Bernie will be starting a much-deserved retirement," reads the statement. "Business will continue as usual with the same employees you have come to know, the same excellent service you have come to expect and, most importantly, the same delicious products you have come to love." The Free Press reached the owners Monday night, who confirmed the news but said they could not give an interview at that time. Morris died in 1973, and his sons have been involved in running the business ever since. ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @rk_thorpe REGINA - Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer welcomed 2019 with a warning that if Canadians re-elect Justin Trudeau this year, the federal carbon tax that's going to take effect will only climb. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/1/2019 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer speaks with the media following Question Period in Ottawa on December 4, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld REGINA - Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer welcomed 2019 with a warning that if Canadians re-elect Justin Trudeau this year, the federal carbon tax that's going to take effect will only climb. "Canadians know what Justin Trudeau is going to do. Now that his carbon tax is here, it's only going to go up. And if he gets re-elected in 10 months, it will go up even more," Scheer said during a New Year's Day news conference in a Giant Tiger store in Regina. "This time next year I plan on being able to tell Canadians that Justin Trudeau's carbon tax is a thing of the past." The federal government's new carbon pricing system comes into effect in 2019 in provinces that don't have carbon pricing mechanisms of their own. The carbon price outlined by Ottawa starts at a minimum of $20 a tonne and rises $10 annually until 2022. But Scheer told reporters that government officials are saying the tax would need to rise to $100 per tonne for it to be effective at reducing carbon emissions, and he says the federal environment department is planning for a carbon tax of $300 per tonne. "So we know Justin Trudeau will raise the carbon tax higher. His experts are telling him to. His own government departments are telling him to," Scheer said. "At that price home heating bills will rise by more than $1,000 a year and gas prices would go up by more than 60 cents a litre." When asked by a reporter about his own plan to fight climate change, Scheer responded that the Conservatives' plan will help reduce global emissions by capitalizing on Canada's clean technology and cleaner energy, which he said will also keep manufacturing jobs in Canada instead of moving to countries without those things. Canada's former parliamentary budget officer predicted in a report in April that the federal government's carbon tax will cut economic growth by 0.5 per cent or $10 billion dollars when it's fully implemented in 2022, and would generate significant revenues. However, Jean-Denis Frechette's report noted the impact on the economy will depend on how those revenues are used. Trudeau says Ottawa will return 90 per cent of the money it collects from a carbon tax to Canadians. Saskatchewan is asking its Court of Appeal to rule on whether the carbon tax is unconstitutional and has argued its climate change plan is enough to reduce emissions and a carbon tax would hurt the Saskatchewan economy. Scheer, who represents ReginaQu'Appelle in Parliament, said Saskatchewan's fight against the tax gets easier as more provinces elect governments that also oppose it, like Ontario and New Brunswick did in 2018. "Premier (Scott) Moe and Premier (Brad) Wall before him had a bit of a lonely battle but now they've got reinforcements. And my message to Canadians is come 2019, the battle will be won," Scheer said. OAKLAND, Calif. - In California, inmates typically are granted parole by doing good deeds or showing they have been rehabilitated by becoming pastors, drug counsellors or youth advocates. For Walter "Earlonne" Woods, the path to freedom was podcasting. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/1/2019 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this Nov. 30, 2018, photo provided by PRX, Nigel Poor, left, and Earlonne Woods, podcast co-hosts and co-producers for "Ear Hustle," stand outside San Quentin State Prison on Woods' release day in San Quentin, Calif. Woods, 47, was released from the prison after California Gov. Jerry Brown commuted his 31-years-to-life sentence for attempted armed robbery. Brown cited WoodsAo leadership in helping other inmates and his work at AuEar Hustle,Au a podcast he co-hosts and co-produces that documents everyday life inside the prison. (Kesten Migdal/PRX via AP) OAKLAND, Calif. - In California, inmates typically are granted parole by doing good deeds or showing they have been rehabilitated by becoming pastors, drug counsellors or youth advocates. For Walter "Earlonne" Woods, the path to freedom was podcasting. Woods, 47, was recently released from San Quentin State Prison after California Gov. Jerry Brown commuted his 31-years-to-life sentence for attempted armed robbery. Brown cited Woods' leadership in helping other inmates and his work at "Ear Hustle," a podcast he co-hosts and co-produces that documents everyday life inside the prison. Woods has since been hired as a full-time producer for the often funny and at times heart-wrenching podcast, which has been a smashing success since its launch in 2017. The show's roughly 30 episodes have been downloaded 20 million times by fans all over the world. Listeners have praised "Ear Hustle" online as "eye-opening" and "incredibly humanizing." For Woods, one of the most meaningful reviews came from the governor's office when they called with the good news. "The one thing that the lady said, you know, she told me, 'We love the podcast in this office,'" Woods told The Associated Press of the commutation call from Brown's office. "I don't know if the governor listens, but people in his office listen. People really like what we do." During their podcast, Woods and fellow creator and outside co-host, prison volunteer Nigel Poor, give listeners a peek into the hardships and small joys of men incarcerated at the medium-security facility. In interviews with the hosts, inmates discuss struggles such as finding a compatible cellmate to share a 5- by 10-foot (1.5- by 3-meter) cell, share why they take care of frogs or black widow spiders as if they were pets, or describe the impact of solitary confinement or being on death row. Woods, an affable man with a quick smile and a sharp sense of humour, helps listeners understand prison life, while Poor brings an outsider's perspective, asking insightful questions that at times push inmates to reflect on what put them behind bars. The podcast offers listeners an intimate look into lives society doesn't spend much time thinking about, said Woods, who spent 21 years behind bars. "People get to see the car chases. They get to see the trial. But they don't know what happens after you get to prison," Woods said. "We've been able to really humanize people, and people realize that those in prison are just people who made dumb decisions." Brown agreed, and in his commutation letter, issued the day before Thanksgiving, the governor said Woods "has clearly shown that he is no longer the man he was when he committed this crime." "He has set a positive example for his peers and, through his podcast, has shared meaningful stories from those inside prison," Brown wrote. The podcast project started after Poor, a San Francisco Bay Area artist who has volunteered at San Quentin since 2011, approached Woods. In 2016, Poor saw Public Radio Exchange's Radiotopia network was sponsoring a podcast talent contest, and she asked Lt. Sam Robinson, San Quentin's spokesman, for permission to enter. Another co-creator, Antwan Williams, who is serving 15 years for armed robbery, came on board to do its sound design. Their pitch beat more than 1,500 contestants from 53 countries, and they received the backing of a group of radio professionals, Poor said. "Everyone was shocked when we won, especially the prison. Lt. Robinson told me he let us enter because he never thought we would win," she said, laughing. "Ear Hustle," eavesdropping, in prison slang has found international success, with fans sending cards and letters from as far as New Zealand, Qatar in the Middle East, and Mauritius in East Africa. The free show also can be accessed in prisons throughout California and the United Kingdom. New episodes are posted every couple of weeks. Julie Shapiro, Radiotopia executive producer, describes the podcast as a "roller coaster of emotions" that challenges what people understand about life in prison. "People don't expect to have something in common with those telling their stories from prison, but the details of their lives resonate with listeners because they hear these men encounter daily life in some of the same ways that we do," Shapiro said. The outpouring of love and appreciation for the show has grown since Woods announced on a Nov. 24 episode that Brown commuted his sentence. The first thing Woods did after walking through the prison gates on Nov. 30 was take in the view of the San Francisco Bay and of the ocean "as far as the eye can see." An episode featured his first moments as a free man. Since then, he's been noticing new styles, like women everywhere in yoga pants, and people walking through the streets with their heads bowed. He quickly realized they were looking at their smartphones, which didn't exist when he started his sentence in 1997. Woods has also spent time people-watching at a high-end department store, visited Disneyland and recently made eggs for the first time in two decades. The fourth season of "Ear Hustle," which will be released this summer, will feature stories of his re-entry to society and interviews with other inmates released after long sentences. He and Poor also plan to visit maximum-security prisons and tell the stories of prisoners there. "There's a lot of people that's in there that should be out," Woods said. "I created a podcast, but I'm not the exception." Viewed of Take Five - This is your final free article during this 30 day period.Stay in touch with all of the news from Winchester, Frederick and Clarke. Sign up today for complete digital access to The Winchester Star. , , - . , - . : - , . , , . . , ? : . : ? : ... , . ... 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Chance of rain 70%. Time Capsule Offers Glimpse Back to 1930s Wyoming County By Paige Cline Ever since it was revealed that there was a Police said 17-year-old Shuntaye Thomas was handling a handgun, when the weapon fired, subsequently striking the victim. Alejandro Aparicio had just been sworn in as mayor of Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, on Tuesday and was on his way to a meeting at city hall along with some of his colleagues when a man opened fired at them and struck him, the attorney general's office said. At stop lights or freeway on and off ramps, youve probably seen people holding signs and asking for money. It can be tempting to hand over your spare change, but next time you may want to think twice. WESTPORTEd Baer recalls broadcasting from a stadium of screaming fans so loud that he could barely hear the Beatles playing during the bands 1965 show at Shea Stadium. The disc jockey and radio personality as well as longtime Westport resident broadcast as part of New York radio station WMCAs Good Guys. Five decades later, his grandson Kyle Baer spent a summer night in a tent with friends in Denmark to score a front row spot to see Paul McCartney and meet the Beatle. Eds connection to music goes back through his roughly 60 years working in radio, and now his three grandsons have created a small business to sell the collection of records he amassed over his career. Westport Records opened as an online record vendor last month, offering records from the collection of about 6,000. The offerings, also being sold on online music marketplace Discogs, range from small $8 promos to a $1,500 unopened mint condition Elvis Presley record. Weve got everything from the Beatles to Bing Crosby to the Rolling Stones to Jimi Hendrix, Kyle said. And lots of Sinatra. The collection is largely made up of records sent to Ed in the hopes that he would play them on the radio, meaning many are special pressings or promos only sent to stations. The records are largely in good condition because radio play required only one spin, Kyle said. After the first play, stations recorded the songs to replay on the air. Kyle, a rising sophomore and engineering major at Duke University, began the business with his two younger brothers, Ryan and Trevor Baer. Like their father and grandfather, the three brothers were raised in Westport. Kyle and Ryan are both Staples High School alumni like their grandfather. The brothers are working with their father and grandfather to run every step of the business, from cataloguing, valuing and listing records online to packing and shipping orders. When the question of what to do with Eds records arose, Kyle decided to learn more about the collection and found it was well kept, with a number of valuable records, he said. Through the process, he has learned the technical details of record valuation and his interest in vinyls has grown. Before Westport Records, Kyle had some background in music, playing drums through high school and starting an introduction to drumming clinic at after school programs in Fairfield and Norwalk. For his personal taste, he prefers 1960 to 1980s era rock. The popularity of the records and watching some sell for more than $100 after only a couple of days listed online have impressed Kyle. More Information Featured artists Allan Sherman Aretha Franklin Barbra Streisand The Beach Boys The Beatles Billy Joel Bob Dylan Bob B. Soxx & The Blue Jeans Bob Hudson & Ron Landry Bobby (Boris) Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers Carl Reiner & Mel Brooks Chicago Creedence Clearwater Revival Dick Gregory Don McLean The Doors Elton John Elvis Presley Fleetwood Mac George Carlin The Jackson 5ive James Taylor Janis Joplin Jimi Hendrix John F. Kennedy Johnny Cash Jonathan Winters Jose Jimenez Kansas Led Zeppelin Lenny Bruce Manfred Mann Michael Jackson Mike Nichols & Elaine May Moms Mabley The Monkeys Otis Redding Ray Stevens The Rolling Stones Santana Simon & Garfunkel Stephen Stills Stevie Wonder The Strangeloves Talking Heads The Teddy Bears Tom Lehrer Tony Bennett Toto The Who See More Collapse Im a little bit surprised by how much people will pay for a rare record, he said. Eds radio career got its start while he was studying at the University of Connecticut. Planning to major in marketing, he joined the campus radio station. One day in the studio, an announcer suggested Ed do a broadcasting audition in case news had to be broadcast and he was the only person around. By that afternoon, Ed was broadcasting the 4 p.m. news, he said. When his father fell ill, Ed transferred to the University of Bridgeport to be closer to home and help run Desis, his fathers stationary and general corner store in Westport. A customer at the store got him an interview at Bridgeport station WICC, where Ed would get his first music broadcast on Saturday nights. Ed stayed in radio from there on out - including volunteering for the radio station at Fort Dix while he was in the Army and a stretch at a radio station in California. He returned to Westport when his father died and began to work at New York City stations, which led to Eds time as one of the WMCA Good Guys in the 1960s and 1970s, he said. Ed also broadcast for 97 WYNY, WHN 1050, WCBSFM 101.1, 100.7 WHUD and Sirius Radio. Through his career, Ed met a number of the stars whose music Westport Records is now selling. On the wall of his home studio hang photos of Ed with Aretha Franklin and the Monkees, among others. One photo also captures Ed riding atop the shoulder blades of an elephant during a Ringling Brothers Circus. Along with his radio work, Ed had a stint picking race horses for the New York Post, he said. So far, Westport Records has made about $1,000 in revenue over the past month and seen orders from as far away as Greece and Japan. Kyle said he plans to keep the sales going for a continued period of time since the right collector for a specific record might take months or years to come along. The pace of orders has been increasing recently and daily orders have begun to come in, Kyle said. A Led Zeppelin II promotional LP recently sold to a buyer in Japan for $300 the same day that Kyle listed it. For Kyle, the venture has given him more time with family, a deeper connection to music and a chance to hear new stories about his grandfathers radio past. Its great, Kyle said. Hes always been a storyteller. LWeiss@hearstmediact.com; @LauraEWeiss16 A moving story about two refugees is told in Mohsin Hamids award-winning novel, Exit West. The book, which celebrates love, courage and family, is the focus of this years WestportREADS, a monthlong series of related events for all ages from discussions and films to exhibits and dancing. According to the Westport Library, Exit West follows two refugees who, against all odds, find life and love on the run. Forced out of their country by civil war, their story celebrates the fierceness of the human spirit, and will be discussed at the library on Thursday, Jan 24, at 7 p.m. But Exit West isnt the only book residents are encouraged to check out as part of WestportREADS. There are companion books, too, such as Behold the Dreamers, by Imbolo Mbue. That novel, about a young Cameroonian couple trying to making a new life in New York, will be discussed at the library on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 11 a.m. Another event, set for Thursday, Jan. 17, is Migration Today in the Sweep of History. Alex Anvari of the United Nations Association Southwest CT will moderate a conversation with migration experts, senior policy analyst Azrah Karim Rajput and scholar Robert Riggs. The conversation will explore the richness of global culture that migration brings, as well as why people move and how migration affects countries policies and ecosystems. That event takes place at 7 p.m., at the Saugatuck Congregational Church, at 245 Post Road East. All WestportREADS activities are noted on the librarys website, including details on a collaborative exhibit with the Westport Historical Society, plus an event in which members of a Syrian refugee family (sponsored by Westport residents three years ago), will describe their immigrant journey. Learn what emigration is from this family and how their story enriches ours, the library said. The librarys website also shares an interesting Q&A with the author of Exit West. When asked what he hoped readers would take away from his book, Hamid said, The novel will hopefully make people feel things, and when we feel things, we change. Perhaps I am drawn to the idea that everyone is a migrant, and that we need to have more compassion for the migrant within each of us. The Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road. Behold the Dreamers discussion, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 11 a.m. See website for full schedule. 203-291-4800, westportlibrary.org When Thomas John, a renowned psychic medium, was first approached about being the driver on televisions Seatbelt Psychic, he wasnt interested. I basically said, No, that sounds ridiculous. John said he didnt think it would be a good idea to film passengers who opted to receive a reading from him (sharing messages from their deceased loved ones) after theyd used a ride-share app which led him to pick them up. But his friend, comedian/television host James Corden (of Carpool Karaoke fame) won him over. John said Corden and his team, who wanted to do more shows in cars, said it could open peoples minds to connecting with the spirit world, and be a way of sharing stories of the human experience. John decided it could be helpful to people. Sure enough, the Lifetime show debuted in 2018, has an addictive quality to it, and may be returning this year. Catching a ride with The Seatbelt Psychic, as he is sometimes known, isnt the only way to get a reading from John. The Massachusetts native, who has worked with celebrities such as Courteney Cox and Goldie Hawn, will appear at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Sunday, Jan. 13. John, who splits his time between apartments in New York City and Los Angeles, shared more in a phone chat. The author of 2015s Never Argue with a Dead Person: True and Unbelievable Stories from the Other Side, said the show will be very interactive and that 90 percent of it will be him doing readings. Ill talk a little about myself, then get to the main thing of bringing through messages... I will read people in the audience, he said. What he shares will depend on which spirits come through, but John said dont be discouraged if the audience is packed. Many people come in groups with other family members, so there might be seven people wanting to hear from one person (spirit). John opens his mind and spirit, then waits; different things happen. I might hear a message in my head or I will feel pulled somewhere, or I might say, This is the person who is coming through and someone will say, That connects with me. More Information The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge. Sunday, Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m. $45. 203-438-5795, www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org See More Collapse Even if you dont get a reading, its still inspirational, he said. You dont have to prepare, but certainly the most important thing is in days leading up to event, be thinking about your loved ones through prayer or meditation or thoughts. Be sort of asking them to come through. And what about those who dont believe? I feel I am offering something... If people feel inspired and want to come, that is the best way (to experience this). But I encourage people who are skeptical to come, too. There is nothing wrong with being skeptical. Basically, John said it doesnt matter to him if some people dont believe he connects with the spirit world, because his goal is not to convince everyone, it is simply to share his gifts, which he has had since he was a child. When asked what hes learned from his experiences, John said, I have learned that love never dies, that the bond we share with loved ones is there no mater what. lkoonz@newstimes.com; Twitter: @LindaTKoonz SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Going on four days of excessive heat and humidity means most people are staying indoors and out of the sun to stay cool. Wilmington, DE (19810) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 80F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Washington: President Donald Trump invited the top congressional leaders from both parties to a White House briefing on border security on Wednesday and suggested he wants to "make a deal" to end the government shutdown. It's the first sign of a possible opening for negotiations to break the stalemate that's had parts of the government shut for 11 days. Congressional aides said the offer was extended to the eight top leaders from both parties in the new House and Senate that convenes on Thursday and will include a briefing by Homeland Security officials. A closed sign is displayed at The National Archives entrance in Washington. Credit:AP Democratic leaders haven't publicly said whether they'll accept the invitation. Trump in a tweet on Tuesday suggested he was offering an olive branch to House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who's set to become House speaker later this week when her party takes control in the chamber. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt will write to pharmacists and doctors to remind them of their responsibilities, after consumer advocates raised concerns that patients were not being given vital information about medicine interactions and side effects. The Consumers Health Forum of Australia called on Mr Hunt to step in after receiving complaints that patients were not always being given consumer medicine information documents (CMIs), which pharmaceutical companies are required by law to make available. Health advocates say people need to know more about the medicine they're given. Credit:Michelle Mossop In the past CMIs were provided as a leaflet inside prescription medicine boxes but most products now direct patients to read the information online, leaving it to doctors or pharmacists to print off the documents for patients starting new medications. But consumer advocates say this makes the information inaccessible to many, particularly if busy GPs and pharmacists fail to provide the documents which experts say are far too difficult to read and understand. Field Day festivalgoers have slammed heavy-handed policing and a state government that they say is out of touch with young people. Police announced they would target anti-social and criminal behaviour at the annual New Year's Day music festival event Field Day, at which 167 people were charged with drug possession and supply offences in 2018. Police outside Field Day attempt to make a man open his mouth. Credit:The Sydney Morning Herald The possession or supply of prohibited drugs is a serious criminal offence. Those thinking of bringing substances into the event are reminded there will be uniformed and plain-clothed police patrolling the festival, which will include the use of drug-detection dogs, said Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell in a statement released on Monday, two days after 22-year-old Joshua Tam died of a suspected overdose at the Lost Paradise music festival at Gosford on Saturday night. Mr Tam was the fourth person to die of a suspected overdose at a NSW music festival since September last year. In Victoria, a 20-year-old man died on Tuesday from a suspected drug overdose after attending a music festival south-east of Melbourne. Amy Peden, research director of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia, said she expected to see the number of drownings rise in summer as more people cool off in rivers, pools and at the beach. "What has been shocking, though, is the number of multiple fatalities involving families. Any drowning is a horrible thing for any family to endure, but in many cases this summer, members of a family have witnessed the drowning of someone who had gone to the rescue of another," she said. "It is totally devastating and very hard for a family to recover from it," said Ms Peden. Another tragic record has also been broken. Each year about five to six people drown while trying to rescue others. The early data from December shows that in one month alone around five to six perhaps even more of those who died were Good Samaritans trying to save others. Many were poor swimmers or couldn't swim, and many were unfamiliar with the conditions, according to preliminary information compiled by the Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA). Of the 5594 people who drowned in Australia between July 1, 1992 to June 30, 2010, 103 people drowned while attempting to rescue another, a study that reviewed each drowning death found. "This syndrome presents a unique problem because of the paradox of lauding altruism on one hand yet deploring its fatal outcome on the other," wrote Professor John Pearn, the national medical advisor to the Royal Life Saving Society Australia, and fellow drowning expert Dr Richard Franklin from James Cook University in the study published in the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education in 2012. Loading The syndrome of the "rescuer-who-drowns" comprised a neglected and under-identified set of victims where preventive approaches are difficult, they wrote in The Impulse to Rescue. Parents comprised 40 per cent of those who died while trying to save a child. Sometimes they faced the "unthinkably terrible choice" where several children were in trouble, and they had to choose which child to save. The paper found nearly 90 per cent of those who died trying to save others were male, and half the victims were international or interstate and unfamiliar with the water hazard. In a GoFundMe page to raise money for the Williamson family, Ms Williamson was remembered as a "really beautiful person, and a devoted mum". Started by a family friend Karen Sampson whose son Cooper helped the Williamson children to shore, it raised $4100 towards its goal of $5000 in one day. Loading "Rip to Josie [you are] a hero for trying to save your children and they were smart to run to [their] dad to try to save you. My heartfelt condolences to your husband and your children," wrote a friend Sandra. The basic principle of water safety is to teach rescue techniques that don't place the rescuer at risk, wrote Franklin and Pearn. Basic line-throwing skills could help, they said. Only 20 per cent of untrained adults could throw a line within two metres of someone in the water on the first attempt. "In the heat of the moment, 20 per cent do not secure the end of the flung rope." Trained children, though, could accurately throw a rope 10 metres and pull a victim to safety in 23 seconds. Given that altruistic rescuers would always impulsively attempt to save drowning victims, the only solution was to acknowledge their heroism and better train the public in rescue skills. "We believe that such heroism can thus be bought at less than fatal risk by equipping them with the skills to better achieve the purpose of their altruistic acts," they concluded in the 2012 paper. The Royal Life Saving Society encourages the public to learn CPR and water safety skills. "Before entering the water, assess the situation is there something on hand which you could use to reach the person, such as a rope, stick, or towel? Is there something you could throw to the person?" In theory, the RLSSA encouraged people to not exceed their skill level, and try to find someone else instead of attempting to save someone else if they didn't have the swimming or rescue skills, said Ms Peden. Up for debate: Live legislation tracker Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics. The high-speed commuter rail service Brightline connects West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., with plans to expand to Miami and Orlando. Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on. Brian Gregory Robling of Washington, 23, passed away Monday, June 7, 2021. Brian was born July 11, 1997, in Washington, to Amber (Robling) Whiteman and Michael Bernard. He graduated from Washington High School in 2016. Brian is survived by his parents; his son, Zyler Mehrer of Washington; da ZynBit, a Raleigh, North Carolina based provider of a SaaS platform for sales professionals, raised $1m in venture debt funding. River SaaS Capital, a private venture debt fund lending growth capital to Software as a Service (SaaS) companies, provided the non-dilutive capital. The company will use the proceeds to fund its sales intelligence roadmap and scale its sales and marketing teams. Founded in 2015 and led by Phil Dixon, CEO, ZynBit provides sales enablement solutions for Sales Professionals, Sales Leaders, and their companies to collect, track and analyze sales activity data, increase sales productivity and create animproved customer experience. The solution is one of the most popular applications on the Salesforce AppExchange. FinSMEs 02/01/2019 Xage Security, a Palo Alto, CA-based blockchain-protected security platform for IIOT, received an approx. $4m investment. A $3m investment coming from Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures (SAEV), and additional backing from other investors are an addition to the companys Series A round. This brings the total round size to over $16M. The funding will drive Xages continued growth in the energy sector, enabling distributed IIOT deployments across oil and gas, renewables, water, wind, and more. Led by CEO Duncan Greatwood, Xage Security provides a blockchain-protected security platform for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT). Advancing beyond traditional security models, the platform distributes authentication and private data across the network of devices, supporting any-to-any communication, securing access to existing industrial systems, underpinning continuous edge-computing operations even in the face of irregular connectivity, and getting stronger with every device added to the network. Customers include leaders in the largest industries, spanning energy, utilities, transportation and manufacturing. Xage also added Norman Thorlakson to its leadership team as SVP of Sales and Business Development. He will lead expansion of the companys portfolio of customers including organizations across industries such as manufacturing, oil and gas, telecommunications, transportation, and utilities activating IIOT networks with distributed and connected devices. FinSMEs 02/01/2019 As previously reported, Russia recently amended its corporate bribery statute (Article 19.28 of the Code of Administrative Violations) to allow companies to avoid prosecution if they assist in the discovery or investigation of the offense or if they can prove that the bribe was extorted. The same amendment also allowed courts to preliminarily freeze the property of companies under investigation up to the maximum amount of the fine. On December 27, President Putin signed another amendment to 19.28 which will, this time, significantly expand the scope of corporate liability for bribery. Article 19.28 allows for the prosecution of a legal entity for any bribe given by it, or a third party in the interests of such legal entity. The new version, will, in addition to bribes given in the interests of the defendant company, also cover bribes given in the interests of any other affiliated entity (a term not clearly defined in the draft law). It also covers situations where the bribe is given not just to the primary bribe taker (which, under the law, can be a Russian or foreign government official, official of a public international organization or manager of a commercial enterprise) but also to anyone designated to the primary bribe taker receive the bribe. This means that a company, including any foreign company subject to the jurisdiction of 19.28, could be liable for any bribe in the interests of (a term not defined in the law, but clearly much broader than given by) any subsidiary, group company, distributor or any other entity affiliated with the company given to anyone designated by a primary bribe taker regardless of whether it knew, or had reason to know, of such payment. Article 19.28 is already vigorously enforced. According to the recently created register of companies convicted under this statute, there were 429 corporate prosecutions under Article 19.28 in 2017 and 280 in 2018 (based on still incomplete statistics for 2018). The revisions to 19.28 will likely lead to an increase in prosecutions. Moreover, the inclusion of third party liability could result in prosecutions in which Russian companies are prosecuted for and/or admit to paying bribes in the interests of foreign companies. Pursuant to standard Russian practice, such third party foreign companies could be explicitly identified by name in court documents, thus inviting additional scrutiny by foreign enforcement authorities such as DOJ, SEC and SFO. These possibilities, combined with the often arbitrary and unpredictable nature of Russian enforcement practice, make it even more important that companies operating in Russia implement robust compliance programs and conduct thorough third party due diligence. This will help companies avoid situations where they are identified as interested third parties in Russian prosecutions and will also help them avoid prosecution by Russian authorities. Although Russian law does not have a formal adequate procedures defense like the UK Bribery Act, as a practical matter in our experience, a company can defend itself against a 19.28 charge by demonstrating to the satisfaction of courts and prosecutors that it had in place an anti-corruption compliance program which satisfies the elements of Russian law. ____ Tom Firestone, pictured above left, is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Baker McKenzie and also serves as co-chair of the North America Government Enforcement practice and a member of the firms Global Compliance and Investigations Steering Committee. Roman Butenko, above right, is an associate in the firms Moscow office. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. Free opening of Rome's state and city museums for La Befana. Italy's state-run museums and archaeological sites are open free of charge on Sunday 6 January 2019 as part of the Italian culture ministry's Domenica al Museo programme. Rome's municipal-run museums are also free on 6 January - for residents of the capital - for information see Musei in Comune website. The January edition of the popular initiative coincides with the annual celebration of La Befana in Rome. Last summer Rome introduced the 5 MIC card granting the capital's residents unlimited access to municipal museums for one year. Full details of Domenica al Museo can be found on the Beni Culturali website while for comprehensive list of Rome's museums consult Wanted in Rome website. Cover photo: The Boxer at Rest, a bronze Hellenistic Greek sculpture dating from between 330 to 50 BC, on display at Palazzo Massimo alle Terme. Decatur, IL (62521) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 87F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low around 60F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. A one day snow storm on Oct. 14 caused some delays for travelers and activities as well. The Wahoo area received a 3 inch blanket of snow by early afternoon. Then it quickly melted as temperatures began to warm up. More News Election, construction and weather were not the only news events during the year. In August, the Lower Platte North Natural Resources Board of Directors voted to end an operations agreement with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission take over management of Lake Wanahoo recreation area. By the end of the year, a new park permit system was in place and began Jan. 1. Improvements to the recreation area, including an education building and island primitive campsite, were also developed in 2018. The NRD also continued planning for flood control along the upper banks of Wahoo Creek. The Wahoo Watershed Project took several steps forward. Emerald Ash Borer crept closer to Saunders County in 2018. It was announced in September that the beetles that are killing ash trees were detected in Lincoln and Fremont. Pockets of Saunders County were placed in a treatment consideration de- tection zone at that time. By the end of the year, the entire county was placed in a quarantine for transport of ash tree wood. While I dont know all of the facts concerning the case against Jacob Walter Anderson, I am appalled by the plea deal granted him. All that comes from this is a man now walking the streets, confident he can get away with allegedly raping a woman. He has admitted to unlawful restraint, a third-degree felony. What was he doing when he restrained this woman? Prosecutor Hilary LaBorde said she decided not to go to trial because of how another woman handled herself in another rape case earlier this year. She lost that case and didnt want to lose another. Apparently, its more important to have one less loss on your record than to give this woman her day in court. Even worse, LaBorde didnt have the courtesy to communicate this decision to the victim and her family. They instead read about it in the Waco Tribune-Herald. How insensitive. The establishment press, led by The Washington Post and the New York Times, on balance has done a good job covering the Trump scandals. (My Bloomberg Opinion colleague, Timothy L. OBrien, author of a 2005 biography of Trump, has been especially prescient.) In October 2016, with the seeming certainty ahead of a Hillary Clinton victory in the November presidential election, the Times pulled its punches in the way it handled allegations of links between Trump and Russian officials trying to influence the presidential election. Over the past two years it has made up for it with aggressive reporting, with big scoops on the Trump-Russia connections. The Post has been there step-for-step, starting with early articles about Trumps first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions. Flynn has since pleaded guilty of lying about contacts with a Russian official. Sessions was fired after Trump repeatedly complained about his refusal to rein in federal inquiries. One huge void in the Washington press corps is the loss 10 years ago of Tim Russert, the great television journalist; he would have been a nightmare for this president. Seven new laws are now in effect here in Alabama. One of the seven laws is for an income tax irrigation credit. Another will impact the licensing of insurance producers, but when you look at the language used in these laws it is incredibly complicated to understand. Daniel Wright of Huntsville told WAAY 31 he would like to see laws written in a way for everyone to understand, "It's very frustrating, because they write these cloud covered phrases that are very vague and left open to interpretation," said Wright. WAAY 31's Political Analyst Dale Jackson said there is a reason why bills can be confusing for everyday people, "It's not written for your average Joe. It's written for lawyers and things of that nature, because thats the way things have to be done, because that's how it has to be done, because eventually it will end up in front of a court if someone doesn't like what happens and it has to be defended," said Jackson. In Jackson's estimation, all seven new laws that went into effect Tuesday won't have a big impact on the typical Alabamian. That's because it was an election year in 2018 and law makers traditionally pass non-controversial bills to avoid political backlash, "The stuff where there's not rallies and stuff gets done it is done because a lobbyist knocks on a door and says 'here's a problem we had,'" said Jackson. 2019 is the year after the election, so we should expect big new laws to be tackled this year, "This is where you take your big swings. This is where you try to get the furthest, biggest stuff, you possible can," said Jackson. Wright would like to see politicians take those types political risks all the time, "I think if we have people who are paid with tax payer money in Montgomery, and even locally here in Huntsville, they should be taking care of important business all the time and not just trying to watch for their next vote," said Wright. Jackson said big legislation on a possible gas tax increase and on a possible lottery are the two big things people need to pay close attention to this year in the Alabama Legislature. Here is a synopsis of each new law in Alabama: Act 2018-468, HB260, amends Section 40-18-342 of the Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the income tax irrigation credit, to provide that a taxpayer is entitled to claim one credit during tax years 2011 through 2017, and one credit during tax years 2018 through 2022. Act 2018-125, HB72, substantially revises and replaces the Alabama Partnership Act, now appearing as Chapter 1 of Title 10A of the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide that the existing procedures for formation, powers, governance, and dissolution are applicable to limited liability limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, foreign limited liability partnerships, and foreign limited liability limited partnerships that function in the state. The act also repeals Section 10A-1-7.33 and Chapter 8 of Title 10A, comprised of Sections 10A-8-1.01 to 10A-811.04, inclusive, Code of Alabama 1975, and adds Chapter 8A to Title 10A of the Code of Alabama 1975. EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2019. Act 2018-196, HB125, amends Sections 27-8A-1 and 27-8A-2, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the licensing of insurance producers and service representatives by the Department of Insurance, to: (1) specify that insurance producers and service representatives are required to complete any continuing education requirements prior to renewing a license; (2) delete the authority of the Commissioner of Insurance to grant a three-month extension to comply with the continuing education requirement; and (3) authorize the Commissioner of Insurance to assess a fine in lieu of suspension of a license for certain violations. EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2019 Act 2018-402, SB289, amends Sections 37-8-52 and 37-8-53, Code of Alabama 1975, to increase the area where heavy machinery and equipment are prohibited from operating in proximity to high voltage overhead conductors of electricity from six feet to 10 feet away from the conductors of electricity. EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2019. Act 2018-403, SB337, substantially amends Chapter 8A of Title 35, Code of Alabama 1975, the Uniform Condominium Act, to: (1) further provide for the creation, management, and termination of a condominium association; and (2) further specify the rights of a developer and the unit owner with regard to a condominium that is part of a condominium association. EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2019. Act 2018-519, HB163, is the Alabama Uniform Trust Decanting Act. The act: (1) gives the authorized fiduciary of certain trusts decanting power (the power to modify the trust either directly or by distributing assets to another trust while still carrying out the material purposes of the settlor and protecting the beneficiaries of the trust); (2) provides for the fiduciary duties of the authorized fiduciary and provides procedures for an authorized fiduciary who exercises the decanting power; (3) provides notice requirements and circumstances that would involve the Attorney General or the courts with respect to the decanting of certain types of trusts; and (4) provides limitations and restrictions on the exercise of the decanting power and authorizes under certain circumstances the decanting of trusts for the care of an animal. EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2019. Act 2018-549, SB209, amends Sections 40-18-360 and 40-18-361, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to tax credits for private intrastate adoption, to change name of the term private intrastate adoption to private adoption, and revise the definition of the term to provide that the birth mother and baby do not have to reside in the state. EFFECTIVE DATE: For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2019. It was a record breaking number of people who took the plunge in Florence for the New Year and a recording breaking number of rainfall amounts too. High water levels and fast currents on the Tennessee River caused the polar plunge to take place in a different part of McFarland Park. A portion of the park was closed due to flooding. Normally plungers jump in at the beach at McFarland Park but this year the beach was swallowed up by water. Those running had to go down a boat ramp instead, but that didn't stop hundreds from taking part in the event. Joshua Miles, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, started the event a few years ago in memory of a fellow solider who committed suicide. Miles said it's important to get people together and try to fight suicide as one. "22 veterans a day take their own life and it's far beyond veterans. First responders and the population in general, there is a huge suicide epidemic that I wish their was a way to fix," said Miles. Miles told WAAY31 he hopes people will see there is community support for people struggling with hard times and he hopes this will stop someone from taking their life. They broke a record this year with more people taking the plunge. All of the money raised by the event will go to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. On Wednesday, Governor Kay Ivey announced a $59,403 grant awarded to the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts for the education of court officials to "better serve victims of domestic violence." The grant will go to a program that trains officials about domestic violence and protection for victims through abuse laws like the Elder Abuse Protection Order and Enforcement Act. The judicial system can seem daunting and complex, especially when it relates to domestic violence cases," Ivey said in a statement released from her office on Wednesday. "I commend the Administrative Office of Courts for ensuring that judicial employees are given the tools to continue serving the needs of domestic violence victims effectively. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is preparing to bring a populist message to Iowa voters just days after taking her first major step toward launching a campaign for president. The Massachusetts Democrat told reporters on Wednesday that she's planning to visit the state with the nation's first presidential caucuses after being sworn in on Thursday to a second Senate term. Warren said that Washington works great for the wealthy and the well-connected but that it needs to work for everybody else. This is a moment in America where people really want to get the focus back on the points that touch their lives, about things like student loans and what it costs to get a prescription filled, Warren said after a swearing-in ceremony for state lawmakers at the Massachusetts Statehouse. Warren on Monday announced she's launching an exploratory committee for president. She is the most prominent Democrat yet in what is expected to be a crowded field of fellow contenders hoping to retake the White House from Republican President Donald Trump in 2020. The former Harvard law professor made a name for herself a decade ago with calls for greater consumer protections, which led to the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau under former Democratic President Barack Obama. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren steps outside her Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren steps outside her home with her husband Bruce Mann, right, and their retriever Bailey, Dec. 31, 2018, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she confirmed that she is launching an exploratory committee to run for president. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren steps outside her home with her husband Bruce Mann, right, and their retriever Bailey, Dec. 31, 2018, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she confirmed that she is launching an exploratory committee to run for president. Warren said she plans to run on many of those same basic economic issues, which she said have been made even more precarious by Washington politics. I believe that Washington is corrupt, she said. I see it firsthand. Warren was been a favorite target of Trump, who frequently calls her Pocahontas - a reference to Warren's claims of Native American heritage. Warren in October released a DNA test meant to bolster those claims, but the test seemed only to generate more controversy for Warren. The test indicated that Warren likely had Native American in her bloodline, though the ancestor probably lived six to 10 generations ago. Some critics complained that the genetic analysis cheapened the identities of tribal members with deeper ties. Trump told Fox News Channel's All-American New Year in an interview Monday that he hopes Warren runs. We'll see how she does, he said. I wish her well. I hope she does well. I'd love to run against her. Warren plans to start her swing through Iowa on Friday with a stop at an organizing event in Council Bluffs followed by similar events on Saturday in Sioux City and Des Moines and a roundtable discussion in Storm Lake. Warren also defended her decision to host a live Instagram event on New Year's Eve from the kitchen of her home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The live feed showed her drinking a beer, petting her dog and taking questions from viewers an event some derided as awkward. It's one more way to be able just to invite people into your home. I wish I could just open the door and have lots of folks in, but this is a way to do it, she said, adding that her beer of choice is Michelob Ultra, what she called the club soda of beers. Russia has allowed consular access to a retired U.S. Marine who has been detained on espionage charges, the country's foreign ministry said Wednesday. Access was granted just hours after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he expected an explanation about why the American was arrested and demanded his release if the detention is not appropriate. American in Russian Custody Identified as Retired Marine Paul Whelan, the American citizen detained in Moscow on Friday on espionage charges, has been identified as a retired U.S. Marine.Whelan's family posted messages on social media Tuesday, saying they first grew concerned when he did not contact them on Friday.My brother was detained by the Russian government on Friday as an alleged spy. While the law library + info focus will remain, you may see an increase in off-message topics until we get him safely home. Paul Whelan, the American citizen detained in Moscow on Friday on espionage charges, has been identified as a retired U.S. Marine.Whelan's family posted messages on social media Tuesday, saying they first grew concerned when he did not contact them on Friday.My brother was detained by the Russian government on Friday as an alleged spy. While the law library + info focus will remain, you may see an increase in off-message topics until we get him safely home. On Monday, Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officials said the American, who has been identified as 48-year-old Paul Whelan, had been detained Dec. 28 "while carrying out an act of espionage," and a criminal probe has been ordered. They provided no further details, but Russia's state-run TASS news agency said Whelan faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Whelan is employed as director of global security at BorgWarner, an American automotive parts supplier. Russia Launches Criminal Probe of US Citizen Russia has detained an American citizen in Moscow on accusations of spying, according to Russian state media.Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officials issued a statement on Monday saying U.S. citizen Paul Whelan had been detained on December 28 while carrying out an act of espionage, and that they have opened a criminal probe.They provided no further details, but Russias state-run TASS news agency said that Whelan faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.A State Department spokesperson Russia has detained an American citizen in Moscow on accusations of spying, according to Russian state media.Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officials issued a statement on Monday saying U.S. citizen Paul Whelan had been detained on December 28 while carrying out an act of espionage, and that they have opened a criminal probe.They provided no further details, but Russias state-run TASS news agency said that Whelan faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.A State Department spokesperson Whelan's family learned of his arrest only after it was reported by Russian state news outlets, prompting the family to contact congressional representatives and U.S. diplomats. "We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being," the family said. "His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected." Whelan's arrest coincides with several spy scandals that have exacerbated tensions between Russia and the West, including the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain. Russian Spys Guilty Plea Illustrates Danger Facing US Former top U.S. intelligence officials are warning the guilty plea by a former Russian graduate student and self-proclaimed gun-rights advocate should serve as a wake-up call about the Kremlins brazen desire and ability to interfere with the American political system.Maria Butina, a 30-year-old native of Siberia, entered the plea Thursday in Washington, admitting she worked with a top Russian official, and two other Americans, to infiltrate U.S. conservative groups and the Republican Party for Russia Former top U.S. intelligence officials are warning the guilty plea by a former Russian graduate student and self-proclaimed gun-rights advocate should serve as a wake-up call about the Kremlins brazen desire and ability to interfere with the American political system.Maria Butina, a 30-year-old native of Siberia, entered the plea Thursday in Washington, admitting she worked with a top Russian official, and two other Americans, to infiltrate U.S. conservative groups and the Republican Party for Russia Russian citizen Maria Butina was convicted in the U.S. recently for acting as an illegal foreign agent. Butina pleaded guilty to acting under the direction of a Russian official to establish relationships with influential Americans. News of Whelan's detention came less than 24 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a New Year's greeting to U.S. President Donald Trump in which he said Moscow is amenable to a continuing dialogue with Washington on a range of topics. In 2016, Izvestia, a Kremlin-aligned news outlet, reported there were 13 U.S. citizens in Russian jails at the time. The Kremlin has not since published any details on other Americans currently in Russian detention. Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Somalia, has been asked by the Somalia government to leave the country. "The decision came after the highest U.N. diplomat in Somalia violated the agency's standards and the international diplomatic norms by intervening the national sovereignty of Somalia," according to the statement published by the government-controlled media. The statement gave no further details. Human rights a concern On Monday, the U.N. ambassador urged the Somali government to safeguard human rights. In a letter, Haysom urged Somali authorities to "exercise its authority in conformance with the law and provide explanation about the atrocities committed in Baidoa last month and the detention of Mukhtar Robow." Robow, a former al-Shabab leader, was arrest by the Somali government security forces last month. He also was excluded from elections in the South West Region of Somalia. During his arrest, and the protests that followed, allegations came up that U.N.-supported regional police forces were involved in violence that left 15 civilians dead. Analysts believe Haysom's earlier letter and the subsequent Somali government decision to expel him shows the relationship between the two sides has been unstable. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Haysom as Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) in September 2018. UN compound attack On Tuesday, just hours before the Somali government's letter of expulsion was released to the media, two U.N. staff members and a contractor were injured after seven mortars landed inside the U.N. compound in the Somali capital, Mogadishu. The staffers' nationalities were not immediately available, but the officials at the compound said none of the injuries were life-threatening. "Today's indirect fire attack on the main U.N. compound in Mogadishu may amount to a violation of international humanitarian law, and I deplore this unwarranted act of aggression against our personnel," Haysom said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. In a statement posted on a pro-al-Shabab website, the militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack. "No political agenda can be served through violence that deliberately targets staff members of international organizations who are supporting the consolidation of peace and the strengthening of governing institutions in Somalia," Haysom added. British ministers are seeking to rebrand Britain for the countrys exit from the European Union, but theyre divided as their critics are about how the country should see itself and be seen by others post-Brexit. The divisions are revealing a country deep in the throes of an identity crisis. The countrys defense secretary, Gavin Williamson, a candidate to succeed embattled Prime Minister Theresa May, has been invoking Britains imperial past and has called for the opening of new military bases in the Far East and the Caribbean to boost Britains standing on the world stage and to make Britain a true global player. This is our biggest moment as a nation since the end of the Second World War, when we can recast ourselves in a different way, we can actually play the role on the world stage that the World expects us to play, Williamson said in a recent newspaper interview. FILE - Britain's Secretary of State for Defense Ga FILE - Britain's Secretary of State for Defense Gavin Williamson speaks on his mobile phone inside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, Dec. 12, 2018. FILE - Britain's Secretary of State for Defense Gavin Williamson speaks on his mobile phone inside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, Dec. 12, 2018. He was unable to elaborate, though, when pressed to explain what military purpose the new bases would serve or how they would translate into trade deals to compensate for the likely post-Brexit decrease in trade with Europe, Britains largest trading partner. Nor has he explained how the cash-strapped British military, described by a former army chief of staff recently as no longer fit for purpose, could afford the new bases. Other less military-minded ministers in Mays ruling Conservative government say Britain should look to Singapore as a role model and usher in a low-tax, deregulated future for the country. Britains foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, another possible successor when May finally quits or is ousted, wants Britain to mimic Singapore, saying it transformed itself from a tiny territory devoid of natural resources into the world's eighth richest country. Now on a three-day tour of Asia, Hunt says, There could be few better instructions for us as we make our post-Brexit future. FILE - Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt arr FILE - Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt arrives in Downing Street, London, Britain, Dec. 18, 2018. FILE - Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt arrives in Downing Street, London, Britain, Dec. 18, 2018. But the talk of copying the Asian city-state and of pursuing a post-Brexit strategy of lower taxes, reduced public spending and fewer regulations, especially when it comes to the finance industry, in order to clear the way, in theory, for a more competitive and entrepreneurial Britain, has prompted the ire of opposition politicians, rights campaigners and organized labor leaders. They accuse Brexiters of wanting to turn back the clock on labor standards and democratic safeguards, and to dismantle much of the welfare state. Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn argues that following the Singapore example would turn Britain into a bargain basement tax haven for the rich and international elites. Other critics point out that shadowy offshore financiers from the wilder reaches of casino capitalism and hedge-fund managers have been key donors to pro-Brexit campaigns, as well as the UK Independence Party. Since Britons voted by a thin majority in the 2015 Brexit referendum to relinquish their 45-year-long membership of the EU, the May government led by its hardline Brexiters have sought to cast Britains departure as a huge opportunity that will allow Britain to embrace a golden destiny unfettered by EU rules and regulations. FILE - People carry shopping bags in London, Brita FILE - People carry shopping bags in London, Britain, Dec. 27, 2018. FILE - People carry shopping bags in London, Britain, Dec. 27, 2018. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has urged Britons not to be afraid of breaking out of the EU jail and to reach for a great future outside Europe, which he promises will be filled with sunlit uplands. Last month, during a House of Commons debate, he was sharply rebuked by a fellow Conservative lawmaker, Roger Gale, who mocked his breezy rhetoric and in a fiery exchange demanded Johnson reveal in much clearer detail what his big idea means. Taking a leaf from the marketing playbook of Tony Blairs Labor government, which sought to increase national pride by re-branding the country Cool Britannia, a play on the title of the British patriotic song Rule, Britannia, Mays government has come up with its own catchphrase, Global Britain, hoping that will help unite a country bitterly at odds over Brexit. But defining coherently what that means in practice, especially in trade, security and foreign policy terms, is proving a more difficult task. Unappeased Brexit critics charge the catchphrase merely masks a lack of preparedness by Mays government for the highly disruptive consequences of breaking with the EU. Pro and anti Brexit demonstrators wave their placa FILE - Pro- and anti-Brexit demonstrators wave placards and flags outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, Dec. 18, 2018. FILE - Pro- and anti-Brexit demonstrators wave placards and flags outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, Dec. 18, 2018. The Global Britain narrative is meant to meet the British publics great power expectations, Thibaud Harrois, an academic at the Sorbonne University in Paris, argued in a recent paper about Britains role in the world after a scheduled exit from the EU on March 29. This narrative is far from supported by evidence and post-Brexit foreign and defense policy confirms and intensifies Britains already-growing isolation on the international stage, Harrois says. He adds, Mays Global Britain narrative is fraught with nostalgia of a past when Britain could flourish and stand on its own, but today, to misquote U.S. Secretary of State Dean Achesons famous remark in 1962, Britain has lost its role and is unlikely to find an Empire. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he received a "great letter" from Kim Jong Un and will likely meet with the North Korean leader in the near future. "We really established a very good relationship," Trump said at a White House Cabinet meeting. "We'll probably have another meeting." Trump's comments came one day after Kim warned the current goodwill with the U.S. could end if Washington continues to impose sanctions to force his government to denuclearize. Kims New Year Address Signals Hes Willing to Deal or Walk Away Sitting in a leather chair, wearing a western-style suit, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his annual address to the nation January 1. He announced he was ready to meet U.S. President Donald Trump anytime to continue talks on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, but warned Pyongyang may take a new path if U.S. sanctions and pressure against the country continue. Evan Rees, Asia-Pacific analysts with Stratfor, noted the change in optics for Kims 2019 address. It was a lot more intimate. It Sitting in a leather chair, wearing a western-style suit, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his annual address to the nation January 1. He announced he was ready to meet U.S. President Donald Trump anytime to continue talks on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, but warned Pyongyang may take a new path if U.S. sanctions and pressure against the country continue. Evan Rees, Asia-Pacific analysts with Stratfor, noted the change in optics for Kims 2019 address. It was a lot more intimate. It In his annual New Year's Day address, Kim said it was his "firm will" that North Korea will no longer produce or test nuclear weapons, or "use or spread" its arsenal. Kim added he was prepared to hold another meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump this year. But he said his country may have to follow another path unless Washington takes "corresponding measures." Kim called on the U.S. and South Korea to end all joint military drills. Kim and Trump signed a vaguely worded agreement during their historic summit in Singapore last June, but further negotiations have stalled in part over Pyongyang's opposition to Washington's call for complete denuclearization prior to granting any concessions. North Korea Says it Will Change Tactics if US Continues with Sanctions North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is warning that the current goodwill with the United States could end if Washington continues to impose sanctions to force his regime to denuclearize.In his annual New Year's Day address, Kim said it was his "firm will" that North Korea will no longer produce or test nuclear weapons, nor would it "use or spread" its arsenal. He added he was prepared to hold another meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump this year. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is warning that the current goodwill with the United States could end if Washington continues to impose sanctions to force his regime to denuclearize.In his annual New Year's Day address, Kim said it was his "firm will" that North Korea will no longer produce or test nuclear weapons, nor would it "use or spread" its arsenal. He added he was prepared to hold another meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump this year. North Korea is also demanding that the U.S. and South Korea first issue a peace declaration to formally end hostilities and replace the armistice that has been in effect since the Korean War ended in 1953. Critics worry a peace declaration could undermine the justification for the U.S. military presence in South Korea. Despite Kim's warning, South Korea's Unification Ministry welcomed his address, saying it reflected Kim's commitment toward complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean peninsula, and the continued improvement of inter-Korean relations. Tuesday's speech was delivered exactly one year after Kim announced his willingness to send a contingent of North Korean athletes to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea the following month. The speech set off a series of diplomatic breakthroughs, including three summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the meeting with President Trump. U.S. President Donald Trump and Mitt Romney, the losing 2012 Republican presidential candidate, are sparring, just as Romney is set to claim a Senate seat in the Congress that takes office Thursday.? In a Washington Post opinion column, Romney declared Wednesday that Trump "has not risen to the mantle of the office" during the first two years of his presidency. Romney Attacks Trump, Saying He Causes Dismay Around the World Mitt Romney, the former Republican presidential candidate and incoming U.S. senator from Utah, sharply criticized President Donald Trump and suggested the U.S. Mitt Romney, the former Republican presidential candidate and incoming U.S. senator from Utah, sharply criticized President Donald Trump and suggested the U.S. ?"To a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation," Romney wrote. "A president should unite us and inspire us to follow 'our better angels.' A president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect. As a nation, we have been blessed with presidents who have called on the greatness of the American spirit. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. "And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring," Romney concluded. Departure of Trump's GOP Critics in Senate Leaves a Void President Donald Trumps most prominent GOP critics on Capitol Hill are days away from completing their Senate careers, raising the question of who if anyone will take their place as willing to publicly criticize a president who remains popular with nearly 9 in 10 Republican voters.Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee engaged in a war of words with the president on myriad issues over the past 18 months, generating headlines and fiery tweets from a president who generally insists President Donald Trumps most prominent GOP critics on Capitol Hill are days away from completing their Senate careers, raising the question of who if anyone will take their place as willing to publicly criticize a president who remains popular with nearly 9 in 10 Republican voters.Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee engaged in a war of words with the president on myriad issues over the past 18 months, generating headlines and fiery tweets from a president who generally insists Trump reacted hours after the article was published. "Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not," Trump tweeted, referring to another long-time Republican critic, Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, who declined to seek re-election last year. Sen. Jeff Flake speaks with reporters before he an FILE - Sen. Jeff Flake speaks with reporters in Washington, Nov. 14, 2018. FILE - Sen. Jeff Flake speaks with reporters in Washington, Nov. 14, 2018. "Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful," Trump said on Twitter. Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didnt. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2019 ?Later, Trump told his Cabinet that if Romney had fought former President Barack Obama in the 2012 election like he did him, Romney would have won. Romney's attack on Trump also drew a rebuke from the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, Ronna Romney McDaniel, a niece of the new senator. She said Trump "is attacked and obstructed" by the mainstream news media and Democrats on a daily basis. "For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realdonaldtrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive." Romney later told CNN he doesn't always disagree with the president. There "are places where we agree on a whole series of policy fronts, but there are places that I think the president can, if you will, elevate his game." He also didn't say whether he would endorse Trump in 2020. "I'm going to wait and see what the alternatives are," he said. But he did rule out challenging Trump himself. Romney and Trump have carried on a love-hate relationship over the last several years. Romney called Trump a "phony" and a "fraud" during the 2016 presidential campaign, although Trump later briefly considered nominating the one-time Massachusetts governor for secretary of state, as he shaped his new government. Trump bypassed Romney, but last year endorsed his Senate candidacy in the western state of Utah. In the column, Romney, who easily won his election, said as he becomes a senator, "I will act as I would with any president, in or out of my party: I will support policies that I believe are in the best interest of the country and my state, and oppose those that are not. I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions." ISLAMABAD - Taliban insurgents have detonated a powerful bomb near a major military base in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, killing at least five soldiers and wounding six others. The attack happened Tuesday night in the volatile Maiwand district, where Taliban rebels dug a two-kilometer tunnel into the Afghan National Army base and planted the explosives. A security official requesting anonymity confirmed the details to VOA on Wednesday. A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, claimed its "tactical explosion flattened" the army base and killed at least 40 security forces, though insurgent claims are often inflated. Herat province, Afghanistan Insider attack in Herat Separately, a local soldier turned his gun Wednesday morning on fellow Afghan and Italian forces at a military base in western Herat province, injuring an Afghan security personnel, the regional corps commander told VOA. Foreign forces escaped unhurt and Afghan security forces swiftly shot dead the assailant, said Gen. Noorulalh Qadari while giving details of the insider attack. No one took credit for the shooting in Herat, which borders Iran, but the Taliban routinely claims assailants are insurgents who have infiltrated Afghan forces' to carry out such attacks. Italy is part of the NATO-led Resolute Support non-combat mission training and advising Afghan forces. Violence continues in 2019 On Tuesday, Afghan officials confirmed the killing of at least 27 government forces in coordinated Taliban raids in the northern provinces of Sar-e-Pol and Balkh. Afghan Forces Repulse Taliban Attack on Oil Fields The Taliban has killed more than 20 pro-government forces and captured several security outposts in northern Afghanistan.The insurgents staged the deadly offensive to try to take control of oil fields in Sayyad district in Sar-e-Pol province, a local government spokesman told VOA Tuesday.Zabihullah Amani said that Afghan security forces, including police and intelligence operatives, deployed to the facility on the outskirts of the provincial capital, also called Sar-e-Pol, repulsed Monday night's The Taliban has killed more than 20 pro-government forces and captured several security outposts in northern Afghanistan.The insurgents staged the deadly offensive to try to take control of oil fields in Sayyad district in Sar-e-Pol province, a local government spokesman told VOA Tuesday.Zabihullah Amani said that Afghan security forces, including police and intelligence operatives, deployed to the facility on the outskirts of the provincial capital, also called Sar-e-Pol, repulsed Monday night's The attack in Sayyad district of Sar-e-Pol was the deadliest and it was orchestrated to allow the Taliban to take control of the oil wells in the village of Qashqari, a provincial government spokesman told VOA. Zabihullah Amani said Afghan security forces repulsed the insurgent offensive but lost 21 personnel in the process while another 23 were wounded. Taliban fighters also assaulted a security outpost in the Chimtal district of neighboring Balkh, killing six Afghan forces and injuring many more. Officials said the opposition group briefly overran the facility and took away all the weapons as well as related equipment stored there. Afghan peace efforts The Taliban appears to be maintaining battlefield pressure on embattled Afghan forces into 2019 to try to strengthen its bargaining position if and when negotiations begin to end the 17-year-old war, say analysts. The insurgent group stepped up its diplomatic outreach toward the end of 2018 to regional countries and opened direct talks with the United States to discuss ways to end the conflict. Taliban and U.S. negotiators plan to meet again soon but neither side has until now revealed when. The Taliban has ignored repeated calls from neighboring and regional countries to engage in a political dialogue with the government in Kabul to negotiate an end to decades of hostilities in Afghanistan. Chinese President Xi Jinping say the self-governed island of Taiwan should abandon any thoughts of independence and accept that is part of the mainland. President Xi reaffirmed his nation's long-standing policy towards Taiwan in a speech Wednesday marking the 40th anniversary of a landmark speech, Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, that eventually led to diplomatic relations between the rivals. Xi said Beijing is open to creating a vast "space for peaceful reunification" with Taipei, which would occur under a "one country, two systems" framework. But he warned that China will not allow room for any sort of "separatist activities," and repeated its vow to use military action in order to achieve reunification. Xi's speech was delivered a day after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said China must accept Taiwan's status as a self-ruled island. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech during a New Year's day press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Jan. 1, 2019. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech during a New Year's day press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Jan. 1, 2019. ?In a New Year's Day address from her office, President Tsai said China had to "respect the insistence of 23 million people for freedom and democracy," and for both sides to face the reality that there are fundamental differences between their "values and lifestyles" and political systems. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have been strained since Tsai, the leader of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, took office in 2016 and refused to accept the concept of China and Taiwan joined together as "one China." Beijing has since mounted an aggressive posture towards Taipei, such as carrying out numerous military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, blocking Taipei's participation in international organizations, and persuading several nations to switch diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China. China and Taiwan split after the 1949 civil war when Chaing Kai-shek's Nationalist forces were driven off the mainland by Mao Zedong's Communists and sought refuge on Taiwan. BEIRUT - A convoy of Syrian Kurdish fighters has pulled out of the flashpoint area of Manbij in northern Syria, close to territory controlled by Turkey, Syria's defense ministry said on Wednesday. Some 30 km (20 miles) from the Turkish border, the town occupies a critical spot on the map of the Syrian conflict, near the junction of three separate blocks of territory that form spheres of Russian, Turkish and for now U.S. influence. "According to information, approximately 400 Kurdish fighters have left Manbij so far," the Syrian defense ministry said. Their departure was in line with an agreement "for the return of normal life to the area of northern Syria," it said. The ministry showed online a video of dozens of vehicles traveling along an unmade road carrying armed fighters, some waving the flags of the Kurdish-led People's Protection Units (YPG) militia and its female counterpart the YPJ. The YPG is the strongest element in the Syrian Defense Forces (SDF), a coalition of militias that the United States has backed in its campaign against Islamic State, helping it capture swaths of north and east Syria. Fearing an attack by Turkey after a U.S. pull-out from Syria, the YPG asked Syrian government forces to deploy in the area around Manbij. There was no immediate comment from the YPG or the SDF on the withdrawal or on how many fighters might remain in Manbij. Turkey regards the YPG as a terrorist group tied to the PKK inside its own borders, and has staged incursions into Syria in support of Syrian rebels to push it from the Turkish frontier. As a result of one of those incursions, Turkish-backed forces have held an area bordering Manbij since 2016, and Ankara has repeatedly demanded that the YPG leave the area and cross to the east bank of the Euphrates. The YPG previously announced it had pulled its forces out of Manbij and has said fighters still in the area belonged to a local militia allied to the SDF. U.S. forces have underpinned stability in Manbij since Islamic State's defeat there in 2016, and have conducted joint patrols with Turkish forces since November in an effort to allay Ankara's security concerns. LAUREL, MARYLAND - NASA's New Horizons spacecraft pulled off the most distant exploration of another world Tuesday, skimming past a tiny, icy object 4 billion miles from Earth that looks to be shaped like a bowling pin. Flight controllers in Maryland declared success 10 hours after the high-risk, middle-of-the-night encounter at the mysterious body known as Ultima Thule on the frozen fringes of our solar system, an astounding 1 billion miles (1.6 billion kilometers) beyond Pluto. I don't know about all of you, but I'm really liking this 2019 thing so far,'' lead scientist Alan Stern of Southwest Research Institute said to applause. Im here to tell you that last night, overnight, the United States spacecraft New Horizons conducted the farthest exploration in the history of humankind, and did so spectacularly.'' FILE - This illustration provided by NASA shows th FILE - This illustration provided by NASA shows the New Horizons spacecraft. NASA launched the probe in 2006; its about the size of a baby grand piano. FILE - This illustration provided by NASA shows the New Horizons spacecraft. NASA launched the probe in 2006; its about the size of a baby grand piano. 3 years past Pluto The close approach came a half-hour into the new year, and 3 years after New Horizons' unprecedented swing past Pluto. For Ultima Thule which wasn't even known when New Horizons departed Earth in 2006 the endeavor was more difficult. The spacecraft zoomed within 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometers) of it, more than three times closer than the Pluto flyby. Operating on autopilot, New Horizons was out of radio contact with controllers at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory from late Monday afternoon until late Tuesday morning. Scientists wanted the spacecraft staring down Ultima Thule and collecting data, not turning toward Earth to phone home. Mission operations manager Alice Bowman said she was more nervous this time than she was with Pluto in 2015 because of the challenges and distance, so vast that messages take more than six hours, one way, to cross the 4 billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers). When a solid radio link finally was acquired and team members reported that their spacecraft systems were green, or good, she declared with relief: We have a healthy spacecraft.'' Later, she added to more applause: We did it again.'' A new image of Ultima Thule, right, is displayed d A new image of Ultima Thule, right, is displayed during a press conference featuring, from left, principal investigator Alan Stern, operations manager Alice Bowman, systems engineer Chris Hersman, and project scientist Hal Weaver. A new image of Ultima Thule, right, is displayed during a press conference featuring, from left, principal investigator Alan Stern, operations manager Alice Bowman, systems engineer Chris Hersman, and project scientist Hal Weaver. Flyby earns standing ovation Cheers erupted in the control center and in a nearby auditorium, where hundreds more still weary from the double countdowns on New Year's Eve gathered to await word. Scientists and other team members embraced and shared high-fives, while the spillover auditorium crowd gave a standing ovation. Stern, Bowman and other key players soon joined their friends in the auditorium, where the celebration continued and a news conference took place. The speakers took delight in showing off the latest picture of Ultima Thule , taken just several hundred-thousand miles (1 million kilometers) before the 12:33 a.m. close approach. Ultima Thule is finally revealing its secrets to us,'' said project scientist Hal Weaver of Johns Hopkins. Based on the early, rudimentary images, Ultima Thule is highly elongated about 20 miles by 10 miles (32 kilometers by 16 kilometers). It's also spinning end over end, although scientists don't yet know how fast. As for its shape, scientists say there are two possibilities. Ultima Thule is either one object with two connected lobes, sort of like a spinning bowling pin or peanut still in the shell, or two objects orbiting surprisingly close to one another. A single body is more likely, they noted. An answer should be forthcoming Wednesday, once better, closer pictures arrive. By week's end, Ultima Thule is going to be a completely different world, compared to what we're seeing now,'' Weaver noted. In this photo provided by NASA, a NASA scientist c In this photo provided by NASA, a NASA scientist celebrates with school children at the exact moment that the New Horizons spacecraft made the closest approach of Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule, Jan. 1, 2019. In this photo provided by NASA, a NASA scientist celebrates with school children at the exact moment that the New Horizons spacecraft made the closest approach of Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule, Jan. 1, 2019. Color close-ups in February Still, the best color close-ups won't be available until February. Those images should reveal whether Ultima Thule has any rings or moons, or craters on its dark, reddish surface. Altogether, it will take nearly two years for all of New Horizons' data to reach Earth. The observations should help scientists ascertain how deep-freeze objects like Ultima Thule formed, along with the rest of the solar system, 4.5 billion years ago. As a preserved relic from that original time, Ultima Thule also promises to shed light on the so-called Kuiper Belt, or Twilight Zone, in which hundreds of thousands of objects reside well beyond Neptune. This mission's always been about delayed gratification,'' Stern reminded reporters. He noted it took 12 years to sell the project, five years to build it and nine years to reach the first target, Pluto. Its mission now totaling $800 million, the baby grand piano-sized New Horizons will keep hurtling toward the edge of the solar system, observing Kuiper Belt Objects, or KBOs, from afar, and taking cosmic particle measurements. Although NASA's Voyagers crossed the Kuiper Belt on their way to true interstellar space, their 1970s-era instruments were not nearly as sophisticated as those on New Horizons, Weaver noted, and the twin spacecraft did not pass near any objects known at the time. Next flyby 2020 The New Horizons team is already pushing for another flyby in the 2020s, while the nuclear power and other spacecraft systems are still good. Bowman takes comfort and pleasure in knowing that long after New Horizons stops working, it will keep going on and on.'' There's a bit of all of us on that spacecraft,'' she said, and it will continue after we're long gone here on Earth.'' BEIRUT - Lebanon's prime minister-designate, Saad Hariri, warned Tuesday a government needs to be formed as the country faces a tough economic situation after months of political deadlock. "We have fallen behind we must form the government," he told reporters at the presidential palace, after a long meeting with President Michel Aoun. "The president and I are determined to meet again and finish this issue, because the country cannot continue without a government," Hariri said. He called for political factions in the multi-confessional country to cooperate on reviving the political process. FILE - Lebanese President Michel Aoun is seen at t FILE - Lebanese President Michel Aoun is seen at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, Nov. 7, 2017. FILE - Lebanese President Michel Aoun is seen at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, Nov. 7, 2017. Lebanon is governed by a complex system that guarantees a delicate balance between religious communities and their political parties, so decisions are made by consensus, making for protracted bargaining. The country's parliamentary elections in May were the first for nine years but lawmakers have since failed to form a government. In mid-November, Hariri accused his main political rival the Shiite movement Hezbollah of obstructing the formation of a new cabinet. A month later, he promised that Lebanon would have a government "by the end of the year." The slow process has worried observers, as the economy is teetering on the brink of disaster, hit hard by the fallout from the conflict that has ravaged neighboring Syria since 2011. "The economic situation is difficult, but this is not to say it is impossible," Hariri said Tuesday. The international community pledged up to $11.5 billion (10 billion euros) in aid and loans for Lebanon at a conference in Paris in April. But the promised funding is largely destined for infrastructure projects, which cannot be actioned without a new cabinet. SEOUL - Sitting in a leather chair, wearing a western-style suit, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made his annual address to the nation January 1. He announced he was ready to meet U.S. President Donald Trump anytime to continue talks on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, but warned Pyongyang may take a new path if U.S. sanctions and pressure against the country continue. Evan Rees, Asia-Pacific analysts with Stratfor, noted the change in optics for Kims 2019 address. It was a lot more intimate. It was more presidential. It made him seem more like a normal leader, said Rees. There was something for everyone in Kims speech, added Bruce Klinger, Senior Research Fellow for Northeast Asia with the Heritage Foundation, in an email to VOA. There were enough positive statements to affirm in some minds that the North Korean leader is a force for peace on the peninsula and that Washington must offer yet more concessions to maintain diplomatic momentum, said Klinger. But as is characteristic of the North Korean regime, he said, Kim blamed others for the diplomatic impasse, imposed heavy conditions on his seemingly constructive offers, and threatened to seek a new path to protect the sovereignty of the country and the nation's best interests. In short, Kim extended an olive branch, but with very sharp thorns. Denuclearization talks Rees called the most important thing to take away from this years address was Kims announcement that North Korea would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them. The production of nuclear devices was in many ways the big takeaway from the speech last year, Rees said, who called that commitment an expression of the willingness to continue the [diplomatic] outreach to move the process forward. South Korea's presidential office said Kims speech reflected his wish for the further development of inter-Korean ties and better North Korea-United States relations. Chairman Kim's firm commitment is expected to have a positive effect on resolving the Korean Peninsula issue smoothly in the new year, said Presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom. However, Klinger notes this years address revisited several reoccurring themes. Kim reiterated Pyongyangs lengthy list of demands an end to all allied military exercises, a prohibition on any deployment of U.S. strategic weapons platforms to the peninsula as well as South Korean purchases of U.S. weapons, reduction of international sanctions, and a peace treaty to replace the Korean War armistice, he wrote. Furthermore, Klinger said, North Korea did not offer any new denuclearization gestures, such as a data declaration of its nuclear and missile programs as the U.S. has demanded. More ominously, Kim signaled that Pyongyang was losing its patience on garnering benefits and issued a veiled threat of unspecified repercussions if Washington failed to comply with regime demands for reciprocal gestures. Rees's analysis coincides with Klingers in that if the U.S. doesnt make concessions to North Korea, it might have to shift back into it's more belligerent tone. It was a statement Rees called a sort of dire warning that things can go another way. But as you get into the actual brass tacks, and you move towards another Trump-Kim summit, there's gonna be a lot of pressure on U.S. officials to try to pin North Korea down and move them more towards the U.S. position. That's something North Korea has signaled its not willing to do, he said. Inter-Korean relations Kim Jong Uns address highlighted a positive message to his domestic audience, according to Kim Dong-yub, Director of Research at the Institute for Far East Studies at Kyungnam University. He stressed the positive, hopeful future, and despite the limitations and sanctions, [Kim] tried to unite the people, said Kim Dong-yub. Peace was the fundamental message in this years address says Jung Dae-jin, a research professor with the Ajou Institute of Unification. Kim Jong Un gave the current inter-Korean state of affairs positive marks, but attempted to use the improved relationship as a way to reduce the sanctions imposed on North Korea. Under the U.S. sanctions, it is not possible to resume operations at Kaesong, said Jung, referring to the jointly operated industrial complex thats been shuttered since 2016 under the previous Park Geun-hye administration. During his New Years Day address, the North Korean leader spent the majority of his time addressing the economy, calling for economic expansion. Jung theorizes North Korea may ask the United States to lift the sanctions on the industrial complex as part of the requisite corresponding actions Pyongyang is looking for Washington to move denuclearization talks forward and continue the economic prospects for the peninsula promoted through the three inter-Korean summits in 2018. Kim has placed North Korea on the moral high ground and placed both the blame and the onus for future steps on Washingtons doorstep, wrote Klinger, The message to Trump is to come to another summit if he wants to salvage his claimed denuclearization success, but be prepared to deal. Lee Ju-hyun contributed to this report. Laws pertaining to minimum wage, gun use and sexual harassment are some of those that will changed across the country starting Tuesday. Here is a look at what to expect: Minimum wage The National Employment Law Project says 19 states and 21 cities will increase minimum wage, which has remained stagnant at $7.25 per hour since 2009. In Alaska, the minimum wage will increase only pennies, from $9.84 to $9.89 an hour. But eight states, Arizona, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York and Washington, will raise the minimum wage in phases to up to $15 per hour. A man standing with members of Patriot Prayer and A man standing with members of Patriot Prayer and other groups supporting gun rights carries guns during a rally, Aug. 18, 2018, at City Hall in Seattle. A man standing with members of Patriot Prayer and other groups supporting gun rights carries guns during a rally, Aug. 18, 2018, at City Hall in Seattle. Guns and violence California will require gun shops to post signs warning of the rules and dangers of handling guns. It will also increase the minimum age to buy a long gun to 21 years old. Illinois will enforce a mandatory 72-hour waiting period before the purchase of any firearm, not just handguns. It will also will allow police or family members to file an order of protection to prevent a mentally unstable person from having a gun. Oregon will increase the age required to own a semi-automatic weapon to 21 and make firearms safety training mandatory. Sexual harassment California is banning "secret settlements" in any sexual harassment case, requiring the identification of the accused. Delaware, New York and Washington will put in place new requirements on sexual harassment policy. In New York, all state contractors will be required to draft sexual harassment policies and train their workers. A young girl pets a small puppy dog at the Puppy B A young girl pets a small puppy dog at the Puppy Bowl exhibition, part of the Super Bowl Live fan festival in Houston, Texas. (B. Allen/VOA) A young girl pets a small puppy dog at the Puppy Bowl exhibition, part of the Super Bowl Live fan festival in Houston, Texas. (B. Allen/VOA) Pets California will now consider pets as a part of the family in divorce cases, allowing judges to determine who gets custody. It will also ban the sale of privately bred dogs, cats or rabbits. Pet stores will only be able to sell animals from shelters and rescue groups. Residents will still be able to buy pets from private breeders directly. Authorities in Illinois will be able to remove pets from the homes of "reckless owners" for a period of 12 to 36 months for the first violation. In this March 1, 2017, photo, students display som In this March 1, 2017, photo, students display some of their cursive writing work and exercises at P.S. 166 in the Queens borough of New York. In this March 1, 2017, photo, students display some of their cursive writing work and exercises at P.S. 166 in the Queens borough of New York. Cursive writing Ohio will require all students to learn how to write cursive before fifth grade. Medically assisted suicide Hawaii will join six states and Washington, D.C. in allowing doctors to assist terminally ill patients in ending their lives. Media streaming company Netflix has removed from its service in Saudi Arabia an episode of a satirical comedy show that is critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The episode of "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" has been available on the U.S. version of the platform since October, and was taken off the Saudi version last week. "We strongly support artistic freedom and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we received a valid legal request -- and to comply with local law," Netflix said in a statement. The Financial Times reported that Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission had complained about the episode. Amnesty International Middle East Campaigns Director Samah Hadid said the Saudi government's censorship of Netflix is "further proof of a relentless crackdown on freedom of expression." Yet another example of the kingdom%27s crackdown on freedom of expression. https://t.co/3C0nBpZChS Samah Hadid (@samahhadid) January 2, 2019 Minhaj, who appeared on cable television's popular "Daily Show" and hosted the White House Correspondents' Association dinner before launching his own show last year, discussed a number of criticisms about Saudi Arabia and Prince Mohammed. Saudi Arabia Rejects US Senate Position on Khashoggi Saudi Arabia has hit back at a U.S. Senate resolution to end U.S. military support for the war in Yemen and blame the Saudi crown prince for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi."The Kingdom condemns the latest position of the U.S. Senate that was based on unsubstantiated allegations and rejects the blatant interference in its internal affairs," the foreign ministry said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency.The Senate delivered a rare double rebuke to U.S. Saudi Arabia has hit back at a U.S. Senate resolution to end U.S. military support for the war in Yemen and blame the Saudi crown prince for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi."The Kingdom condemns the latest position of the U.S. Senate that was based on unsubstantiated allegations and rejects the blatant interference in its internal affairs," the foreign ministry said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency.The Senate delivered a rare double rebuke to U.S. Those included the October killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Saudi Arabia gave multiple explanations about Khashoggi's death before acknowledging he was killed at the consulate, but it says that was the result of a rogue operation and was not carried out at the order of the crown prince. "Just a few months ago, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aka MBS, was hailed as the reformer the Arab world needed," Minhaj says in the episode. "But the revelations about Khashoggi's killing have shattered that image, and it blows my mind that it took the killing of a Washington Post journalist for everyone to go, 'Oh, I guess he's not really a reformer." Khashoggi's editor at the Washington Post, Karen Attiah, called the decision by Netflix "quite outrageous." She wrote on Twitter that Minhaj "has been a strong, honest and (funny) voice challenging Saudi Arabia and Mohammed bin Salman in the wake of #khashoggi's murder." Thank you to @hasanminhaj who has been using his show @patriotact to keep attention on Saudi Arabia and Jamal #Khashoggis case: https://t.co/8bqjKGUAPI Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) December 15, 2018 Attiah also praised Minhaj for bringing awareness about the war in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has been leading a military campaign that rights groups have criticized as taking a huge toll on civilians. In the episode, Minhaj cites an April donation Saudi Arabia made to the World Health Organization for humanitarian efforts in Yemen. "You know what's free though? Not bombing Yemen," Minhaj says. He also suggests the United States should reassess its close ties with Saudi Arabia. "Suddenly America's marriage of convenience with Saudi Arabia is starting to feel outdated," he says. A NASA spacecraft 4 billion miles from Earth yielded its first close-up pictures Wednesday of the most distant celestial object ever explored, depicting what looks like a reddish snowman. Ultima Thule, as the small, icy object has been dubbed, was found to consist of two fused-together spheres, one of them three times bigger than the other, extending about 21 miles (33 kilometers) in length. NASA's New Horizons, the spacecraft that sent back pictures of Pluto 3-plus years ago, swept past the ancient, mysterious object early on New Year's Day. It is 1 billion miles (1.6 billion kilometers) beyond Pluto. On Tuesday, based on early, fuzzy images taken the day before, scientists said Ultima Thule resembled a bowling pin. But when better, closer pictures arrived, a new consensus emerged Wednesday. "The bowling pin is gone. It's a snowman!" lead scientist Alan Stern informed the world from Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory , home to Mission Control. The bowling pin image is "so 2018," joked Stern, who is with the Southwest Research Institute. The celestial body was nicknamed Ultima Thule meaning "beyond the known world" before scientists could say for sure whether it was one object or two. With the arrival of the photos, they are now calling the bigger sphere Ultima and the smaller one Thule. Thule is estimated to be 9 miles (14 kilometers) across, while Ultima is thought to be 12 miles (19 kilometers). Scientist Jeff Moore of NASA's Ames Research Center said the two spheres formed when icy, pebble-size pieces coalesced in space billions of years ago. Then the spheres slowly spiraled closer to each other until they gently touched as slowly as parking a car here on Earth at just a mile or two per hour and stuck together. Despite the slender connection point, the two lobes are "soundly bound" together, according to Moore. Scientists have ascertained that the object takes about 15 hours to make a full rotation. If it were spinning fast say, one rotation every three or four hours the two spheres would rip apart. Stern noted that the team has received less than 1 percent of all the data stored aboard New Horizons. It will take nearly two years to get it all. The two-lobed object is what is known as a "contact binary." It is the first contact binary NASA has ever explored. Having formed 4.5 billion years ago, when the solar system taking shape, it is also the most primitive object seen up close like this. About the size of a city, Ultima Thule has a mottled appearance and is the color of dull brick, probably because of the effects of radiation bombarding the icy surface, with brighter and darker regions. Both spheres are similarly red, while the barely perceptible neck connecting the two lobes is noticeably less red, probably because of particles falling down the steep slopes into that area. So far, no moons or rings have been detected. And scientists said there were no obvious impact craters in the latest photos but a few apparent "divots" and suggestions of hills and ridges. But better images should yield definitive answers in the days and weeks ahead. Clues about the surface composition of Ultima Thule should start rolling in by Thursday. Scientists believe the icy exterior is probably a mix of water, methane and nitrogen, among other things. The snowman picture was taken a half-hour before the spacecraft's closest approach early Tuesday, from a distance of about 18,000 miles (28,000 kilometers). Ultima Thule is an exquisite time machine the most primitive object ever seen close up that should provide clues to the origins of our solar system. It's neither a comet nor an asteroid, according to Stern, but rather "a primordial planetesimal." Unlike comets and other objects that have been altered by the sun over time, Ultima Thule is in its pure, original state: It's been in the deep-freeze Kuiper Belt on the fringes of our solar system from the beginning. "This thing was born somewhere between 99 percent and 99.9 percent of the way back to T-zero (liftoff) in our solar system, really amazing," Stern said. He added: "We've never seen anything like this before. It's not fish or fowl. It's something that's completely different." Still, he said, when all the data comes in, "there are going to be mysteries of Ultima Thule that we can't figure out." North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is hinting that the goodwill established with the United States in 2018 may not continue into 2019. In his New Year's Day address Tuesday, Kim said he would be willing to hold another summit with President Donald Trump, but demanded sanctions relief. "If the U.S. fails to carry out its promise to the world ... and remains unchanged in its sanctions and pressure upon the DPRK, we might be compelled to explore a new path for defending the sovereignty of our country and supreme interests of our state," Kim warned. Most of his New Year speech focused on the moribund North Korean economy and his desire to improve the lives of its citizens a task that is nearly impossible if trade with North Korea is severely limited. Kim expressed a "firm will" that North Korea will no longer produce or test nuclear weapons or "use or spread" its arsenal. U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's lead FILE - U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during the signing of a document after their summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore, June 12, 2018. FILE - U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during the signing of a document after their summit at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore, June 12, 2018. Negotiations between the United States and North Korea have stalled since the June summit in Singapore. Trump has reportedly questioned why the U.S. has provided the lion's share of the cost of the military alliance and defense of South Korea and has asked Seoul to contribute significantly more. Trump has also questioned the need for U.S. forces on the Korean peninsula. There were several diplomatic breakthroughs between Pyongyang and South Korea in 2018 a sign that the South could be moving away from the U.S. and more toward the North something that would more than please Kim. 'Blackmail' Former U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Evans Revere who has spent many hours negotiating with North Korea says the U.S. is sailing in uncharted and potentially dangerous waters in Korea. "The statement by the North Koreans that they might seek a new path for a new way to defend their country's sovereignty, I think, is a pretty explicit reference to their preparedness to resume nuclear and ballistic missile testing in the coming months if things do not go their way," Revere said. "It's an attempt to blackmail the United States." Revere said the U.S. and North Korea have different definitions of the word "denuclearization." He said Washington applies it to the North while Pyongyang believes it applies to the entire Korean peninsula. He said the North "is tired of hearing Secretary [of State] Pompeo and other members of the administration talk about denuclearization as the U.S. defines it." There has been no official reaction to Kim's speech from the State Department or White House. Laborers milled around an unfinished eight-story building in an expansive field in Konza dotted with zebra and antelope the only visible sign of progress in a decade-old plan to make Kenya into Africa's leading technology hub by 2030. Grandiose plans, red tape and a lack of funding have left Konza Technopolis the $14.5 billion new city to be built some 60 km (37 miles) southeast of Nairobi way behind schedule on its goal of having 20,000 people on site by 2020. Konza, Kenya "It has taken too long and I think people have moved on," said tech entrepreneur Josiah Mugambi, founder of Alba.one, a Nairobi-based software company, who was initially excited by the government's ambitious project. Dubbed the Silicon Savannah, Konza aims to become a smart city using tech to manage water and electricity efficiently and reduce commuting time and a solution to the rapid, unplanned urbanization which has plagued existing cities. About 40 percent of Africa's 1 billion people live in towns and cities and the World Bank predicts the urban population will double over the next 25 years, adding pressure to already stretched infrastructure. Konza's dream is to become a top business process outsourcing hub by 2030, with on-site universities training locals to feed into a 200,000-strong tech-savvy workforce providing IT support and call center services remotely. An artist's rendering shows the concept of a unive An artist's rendering shows the concept of a university area in the Konza Technopolis plan. An artist's rendering shows the concept of a university area in the Konza Technopolis plan. But the first building has yet to be completed on the 5,000-acre former cattle ranch, three years after breaking ground, and business has shifted its focus to other African countries, like Rwanda, with competing visions to become modern tech hubs. "Nobody can wait that long for a city to be built. For a tech entrepreneur, they think about where their startup will be two to three years down the line," said Mugambi. Other smart cities planned across Africa include Nigeria's Eko Atlantic City near Lagos that will house 250,000 people on land reclaimed from the sea, Ghana's Hope City and an Ethiopian city styled as the real Wakanda after the film "Black Panther." Utopian Bringing such utopian schemes to life is no easy task for African governments that are struggling to provide adequate roads, power, water and security to their existing cities. "Upgrading infrastructure in places like Kibera (slum) in Nairobi to provide water and a better sewerage system is equally as important as building a new city such as Konza," said Abdu Muwonge, a senior urban specialist with the World Bank in Kenya. The site for the Konza Technopolis near Nairobi, K The site for the Konza Technopolis near Nairobi, Kenya. The site for the Konza Technopolis near Nairobi, Kenya. Some critics say Konza was ill-conceived from the start. "The vision is wrong; the vision is too big," said Aly-Khan Satchu, a Nairobi-based independent financial analyst. "This is miles from anywhere. There are not leveraging the existing infrastructure ... It is assuming that you can bring in academia, you can bring in venture capital, you can bring in corporates." The first serious hurdle arose in 2012 when the National Land Commission (NLC), which manages public land, introduced a cumbersome land acquisition procedure, said Bitange Ndemo, who led a team that conceived Konza Technopolis in 2008. "The NLC was saying we should follow the processes of acquiring public land, which would take years to complete," Ndemo, now an associate professor of business at the University of Nairobi, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. An artist's rendering shows a main boulevard conce An artist's rendering shows a main boulevard concept of office buildings in the Konza Technopolis. An artist's rendering shows a main boulevard concept of office buildings in the Konza Technopolis. The delays caused at least one deal with a German university to fall through, he said, as the process was much slower than the old one where investors signed deals directly with government ministries which took care of land leases. To resolve this, the government transferred ownership of the site to the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA), set up in 2012 to co-ordinate development of the new city, which now allocates land to investors on 50-year renewable leases. Cold Feet Financing has also proven a major issue. In its strategic plan, the government promised to fund 10 percent of Konza, laying the infrastructure, while the private sector would come in with the rest of the money to build universities, offices, housing and hotels. But the government was slow to contribute its share and has yet to pass a law to create KoTDA as a legal entity which would make it easier to sign contracts with external lenders, said Lawrence Esho, one of Konza's project planners until 2013. An artist's rendering shows the concept of a techn An artist's rendering shows a technology district in Konza, Kenya. An artist's rendering shows a technology district in Konza, Kenya. "They are way behind schedule partly because the government took time to give Konza money," he said, adding that no money came in until 2013. "This stopped any work from starting at the site and investors may have developed cold feet as they waited." KoTDA's chief executive, John Tanui, said the government has committed to invest more than 80 billion shillings ($780 million). "When I say committed does not mean we have absorbed. Our absorption is less than 10 percent of that figure," he said, without elaborating. The government has stepped up funding since 2017, said Abraham Odeng, deputy secretary at Kenya's Information Communications and Technology ministry, without giving figures. Odeng pointed to a 40 billion shilling contract signed in 2017 with an Italian firm to build roads, water and sewerage infrastructure by 2021, funded by the Italian government. "That is a concessional loan, which is a long-term loan that the Kenyan government will pay," he said. Drop in the Ocean But Kenya's growing reliance on loans is causing jitters, with the International Monetary Fund warning of an increased risk of default. The Washington-based lender forecast Kenya's total public debt will reach 63 percent of economic output or GDP for 2018, up from 53 percent in 2016, citing the government's public investment drive and revenue shortfalls. The World Bank's Muwonge said the issue is eliminating challenges for the private sector to do business. "Getting Konza city off the ground will require that we pull in private capital with concessions for them to deliver certain kinds of infrastructure for which the government may not have resources," he said. An artist's rendering shows a concept for the Pavi An artist's rendering shows a concept for the Pavilion area of the Konza Technopolis. An artist's rendering shows a concept for the Pavilion area of the Konza Technopolis. Five local investors, including Nairobi-based software developer Craft Silicon and the state-run Kenya Electricity Transmission Company, are expected to build offices, residential buildings and hotels by 2020, KoTDA head Tanui said. But critics say it is not enough. "What (investors) have allocated so far is still a drop in the ocean," said Ndemo, the former government technocrat. And international interest is shifting elsewhere. Rwanda widely regarded as the least corrupt country in East Africa launched its Kigali Innovation City in 2015, designed to host 50,000 people in universities and tech companies on a 70-hectare site outside the capital. The $2 billion plan, due for completion by 2020, is seven times cheaper than Konza. "All these other (cities) have better proximity, have better density and have better collaborative feedback loops," said financial analyst Satchu. "We are now at a serious disadvantage vis-a-vis these other countries." ($1 = 102.5000 Kenyan shillings) JERUSALEM - With little resistance from a friendly White House, Israel has launched a new settlement push in the West Bank since President Donald Trump took office, laying the groundwork for what could be the largest construction binge in years, according to data obtained by The Associated Press. The figures, gathered from official government sources by the anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now, show an increase in building in 2018 and a sharp spike in planning for future construction. This trend, highlighted last week when an Israeli committee advanced plans for thousands more settlement homes on war-won lands, has only deepened Palestinian mistrust of the Trump administration as it says it is preparing to roll out a Mideast peace plan. Each new settlement expansion further diminishes the chances of setting up a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Both supporters and opponents of settlements confirm a change in atmosphere since early 2017, when Trump took over from Barack Obama, whose administration had tried to rein in construction. "The feeling of the [Israeli] government is everything is allowed, that the time to do things is now because the [U.S.] administration is the most pro-settlement you can ever have," said Hagit Ofran of Peace Now's Settlement Watch program. Peace Now uses several measurements of settlement activity. These include "plans," or the bureaucratic stages of preparing a project, including initial proposals; "tenders," when bids are solicited from contractors to do large projects; and "construction starts," when the building actually begins. Each of these figures tells a different story. While construction starts give a snapshot of the current level of settlement activity, they reflect decisions made years ago. In contrast, the planning and tender stages are seen as forward-looking indicators of a government's intentions. Work is under way on a new housing project in the Work is under way on a new housing project in the West Bank settlement of Modin ilit, Jan. 1, 2019. Work is under way on a new housing project in the West Bank settlement of Modin ilit, Jan. 1, 2019. The data compiled by Peace Now showed a drop in construction starts during Trump's first year in office, to 1,643 units in 2017 from 3,066 units the previous year. This drop appears to reflect the lingering effect of reduced planning during the final two years of the Obama administration. But the data for the first nine months of 2018 indicate the beginning of a Trump effect, with construction starts 20 percent higher than the same period a year earlier. Level of planning jumps These trends are even more evident when looking at the planning process. In 2017, plans were advanced to build 6,712 new settlement homes, roughly 2.5 times the 2016 level. In 2018, plans for an additional 5,618 units were advanced, nearly half of which were processed last week alone. Together, these numbers are the highest level of planning seen since 2013. At that time, Israel pushed forward settlement construction to counter criticism of its release of Palestinian prisoners as part of then-Secretary of State John Kerry's peace efforts. A United Nations spokesman reiterated in response to a question on the topic at a Wednesday news briefing that the world body has called for a halt to all settlement activity. A 2016 U.N. Security Council resolution condemned them as a "flagrant violation" of international law. Surge in tenders The biggest surge in settlement activity during the Trump era is in tenders large projects that are ready to be launched. In 2017, 3,154 tenders were issued, up from just 42 during Obama's final year in office. In 2018, that number rose to over 3,800, the highest number by far since Peace Now started compiling the data in 2002. This sets the stage for a huge jump in construction in the near future. "There's definitely a change of atmosphere. There's definitely a change of winds," said Oded Revivi, mayor of Efrat, a major settlement near Jerusalem, and the chief foreign envoy of the Yesha settlement council. A new housing project is seen in the West Bank set A new housing project is seen in the West Bank settlement of Naale, Jan. 1, 2019. A new housing project is seen in the West Bank settlement of Naale, Jan. 1, 2019. Revivi said that Obama pressured Israel into greatly curtailing settlement activity. Now, he said, Israel is trying to make up for lost time. "Basically what you're seeing now is the statistics are trying to catch up to the needs that were built up during the eight years of the Obama administration, when everything was in a standstill," Revivi said. White House Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt's office declined comment, and State Department officials were not immediately available for comment due to the government shutdown. The Palestinians and most of the international community consider Israeli settlements to be illegal and obstacles to peace. Over 400,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank, in addition to 200,000 in east Jerusalem. The Palestinians seek both areas, captured by Israel in 1967, as parts of their state. Settlement supporters For decades, a string of U.S. presidents, both Republican and Democrat, condemned settlement construction. Things quickly changed when Trump took office. Trump refused to condemn settlement construction and surrounded himself with advisers including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Ambassador to Israel David Friedman who are Orthodox Jews with close ties to settlements. Trump at times has asked Israel to show restraint, but his administration has remained largely silent as Israel has pressed ahead with its construction efforts over the past two years. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli P FILE - President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters, Sept. 26, 2018. FILE - President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters, Sept. 26, 2018. This has been welcome news to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose outgoing coalition is dominated by religious and nationalist settlement sympathizers. Favored to win re-election in April, Netanyahu has said he expects his next government to look very similar. Israel never annexed the West Bank, meaning the Israeli military remains the sovereign there. Construction in the West Bank requires approval from COGAT, a Defense Ministry body that oversees civilian affairs in the territory. Plans are submitted by the government to COGAT's Higher Planning Council, which decides if they meet legal criteria. COGAT routinely portrays decisions on new settlement activity as a technical matter, playing down the political impact. In a statement, COGAT said it acts in accordance with planning and building laws in the West Bank. Critics say COGAT routinely promotes settlement expansion and development at the expense of Palestinian communities in the 60 percent of the West Bank that is under full Israeli control. Palestinians have varying degrees of autonomy, including over building permits, in the remaining areas of the West Bank, where most Palestinians live. The offices of Avigdor Lieberman, who served as defense minister in 2017 and 2018, and his deputy, Eli Ben-Dahan, did not respond to requests for comment. Both are strong supporters of the settlements and settlers themselves. The settlement surge has added to the Palestinians' distrust of the White House. The Palestinians cut off ties with the administration over a year ago after Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israel's capital. President Mahmoud Abbas has said he will reject any peace plan the Trump team presents. Abbas' spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said U.S. "silence and lack of condemnation and pressure" have given a "green light" to the Israeli government to step up settlement activity. NEW DELHI - In southern India, protests erupted after two women entered one of Hinduisms holiest temples defying Hindu devotees that have blocked women from entering the shrine since the Supreme Court overturned a centuries-old ban. Their entry was termed historic, but angry protesters denounced it as a conspiracy, reigniting a controversy that has raged since the top court said women between the age of 10 and 50 must also be allowed to pray at the temple. The women, in their 40s, entered the Sabarimala hilltop temple in Kerala before dawn Wednesday under police escort away from the glare of other devotees or television cameras. Women of menstruating age were not allowed in the shrine because the deity is believed to be a celibate. India Men talk to two women who entered the Sabarimala Temple in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India, Jan. 2, 2019. (Kerala Police/Handout) Men talk to two women who entered the Sabarimala Temple in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India, Jan. 2, 2019. (Kerala Police/Handout) As news of their entry spread, Hindu groups angered by what they called violation of temple customs led street protests across the state. In the capital, Thiruvananthapuram, police used water canons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Meanwhile, priests shut down the temple briefly to conduct purification rituals after their entry. A dozen women who had attempted to enter the temple after the top courts ruling in September could not do so as they were heckled by hundreds of belligerent devotees who had camped on the approach roads to the temple. Policemen stand guard near the state secretariat a Policemen stand guard near the state secretariat anticipating protests following reports of two women entering the Sabarimala temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, Jan. 2, 2019 Policemen stand guard near the state secretariat anticipating protests following reports of two women entering the Sabarimala temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, Jan. 2, 2019 ?The womens entry was facilitated by the states left-wing government, which has said it will implement the court ruling. Chief minister of Kerala state, Pinarayi Vijayan, told reporters, I had earlier made it clear that the government will provide protection if any women come forward to enter the temple. In a show of solidarity against gender discrimination Tuesday, millions of women formed a human chain more than 600 kilometers (375 miles) long, from Kasargod in the northern part of the state to Thiruvananthapuram, the southernmost city and the state capital. Opposition Congress party activists burn an effigy Opposition Congress party activists burn an effigy of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reacting to reports of two women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, Jan. 2, 2018. Opposition Congress party activists burn an effigy of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reacting to reports of two women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, Jan. 2, 2018. An activist leading the fight against the Supreme Court decision, Rahul Easwar, called the entry by the two women a midnight drama carried out by the atheist [state] government. The Sabarimala temple has become a flashpoint since the ruling. While liberals see it as a progressive ruling that ensures gender justice, traditionalists have vowed not to let women enter, saying that courts cannot interfere with matters of faith. In an interview aired on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi weighed in on the Sabarimala issue calling it a matter of tradition and not gender equality. He pointed to one dissenting judge on the five-judge bench who had said in her judgement that courts must not interfere with issues concerning "deep religious sentiments." FILE - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi address Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a political gathering of his Bharatiya Janata Party, in Himachal Pradesh, in Dharmsala, Dec. 27, 2018. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a political gathering of his Bharatiya Janata Party, in Himachal Pradesh, in Dharmsala, Dec. 27, 2018. The Sabarimala controversy is acquiring political overtones as national elections approach and is likely to gain momentum as right-wing Hindu groups vow to intensify protests in the southern state. Political analysts say parties like Modis Bharatiya Janata Party see it is an issue around which to mobilize Hindu sentiment. The partys state president, P.S Sreedharan Pillai, has told reporters the BJP would support the struggles against the destruction of faith." The issue has become deeply polarizing in Kerala, considered to be one of Indias most progressive states. In a rally backed by the state government, thousands of women formed a human chain across the state on Tuesday to demonstrate their support for gender equality. The Supreme Court is due to hear a petition that has challenged its ruling on the temple later this month. ADDIS ABABA - From its hillside overlooking the Ethiopian capital, Berhanu Mengistu's century-old, gabled family home has seen emperors and governments rise and fall. It has withstood economic stagnation and the rapid population growth that replaced its once-patrician neighbors with a rabble of shacks. But it now stands lonely in a field of weeds, the house's corrugated roof and red plaster walls stark against a fast-changing cityscape of cleared slums, tower cranes and glinting high rises. Palatial homes like Berhanu's are scattered throughout Addis Ababa, built for imperial-era courtiers and foreign business moguls, but most have slid into dire neglect as the government focuses on an aspirational building boom. "Nowadays, most of the buildings you see are more of the European architecture," said Berhanu, a supply chain manager whose house has been in his family for seven generations. Across the capital, older, poorer neighborhoods like the one that once surrounded Berhanu's home have been leveled to make way for glass-and-concrete towers, lauded by the government as a symbol of the rapid economic expansion transforming one of Africa's poorest countries. FILE - Berhanu Mengistu walks his dog in front of FILE - Berhanu Mengistu walks his dog in front of his family house which has been protected as a historic house by the tourism bureau in Addis Ababa, Nov. 29, 2018. FILE - Berhanu Mengistu walks his dog in front of his family house which has been protected as a historic house by the tourism bureau in Addis Ababa, Nov. 29, 2018. But preservationists worry that the breakneck development comes at the cost of the capital's architectural heritage. "There are isolated efforts of protecting, saving historic buildings, but it's really very limited," said Fasil Giorghis, a well-known architect. "It is not even a given that you should protect a historic building." A young city Addis Ababa was founded in the late 19th century by Emperor Menelik II as he expanded the Ethiopian empire from the country's northern highlands to its modern boundaries. The young city soon filled with houses belonging to members of Menelik's government, among them Berhanu's ancestor Yemtu Beznash, the family matriarch and administrator of a powerful law court. Menelik, who died in 1913, also hired Armenians as city engineers, while merchants came from India and Yemen. That cosmopolitanism was upended in 1974 with the arrival of the Derg military junta, which dismantled the Ethiopian empire. Fasil recounted how, as foreign traders fled, the communist-leaning Derg handed their former mansions to poor tenants, who could not afford to maintain the earthen walls and wooden floors. 'Ideological shift' The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which evicted the Derg in 1991 and continues to rule today, has presided over an economic boom. FILE - A picture taken on Nov. 1, 2018, shows buil FILE - A picture taken on Nov. 1, 2018, shows buildings under construction in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. FILE - A picture taken on Nov. 1, 2018, shows buildings under construction in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This has seen contractors from China and elsewhere set to work on half-built skyscrapers that give the capital's skyline a jagged, unfinished feel. Maheder Gebremedhin, an architect who hosts a radio show discussing the trade, says the neglect of the old buildings is due to the cost and complexity of renovation, as well as a lingering ambivalence toward the imperial past. "Because of the ideological shift, there is not a real interest to keep these buildings," Maheder said. Heritage abandoned Government and private donors have successfully restored a handful of buildings, including one of Menelik's palaces and the mansion of a former defense minister that's been converted into a museum. But city authorities acknowledge that most of the 440 buildings that have been designated heritage sites are rundown. "Because of our capacity as a developing country, they can't be repaired all the time," said Worku Mengesha, a spokesman for Addis Ababa's tourism office. A decade ago, foreign embassies and Ethiopian preservationists tried to restore the Mohammadali house, once the property of a wealthy Indian businessman featuring prominent Indian and Arabian architectural elements in addition to its imperial-era Ethiopian style. However, bureaucracy and shoddy construction scuppered the effort, Fasil said. As a result, it is padlocked and abandoned, with parked cars sheltering beneath its Indian-inspired arches and a pair of discarded trousers draped across its faded cream staircase. Other historic buildings continue in their Derg-era role of housing for the poor, or in their slow decrepitude. FILE - A man walks past the Sheik Ojele palace, wh FILE - A man walks past the Sheik Ojele palace, which was built in 1890 and influenced by Indo-Islamic architectural design, in Addis Ababa, Nov. 29, 2018. FILE - A man walks past the Sheik Ojele palace, which was built in 1890 and influenced by Indo-Islamic architectural design, in Addis Ababa, Nov. 29, 2018. The expansive former palace of Hojele Al-Hassen, a wealthy traditional ruler during the Menelik era, still houses people from his western region, who spend after-work hours socializing on the wraparound veranda. But it's increasingly dilapidated, with an entire decaying wing that once served as a school classroom sealed off for safety. Family history, city history Three years ago, as city authorities leveled the homes that had mushroomed around Berhanu's house, he kept the bulldozers at bay by having his home designated an historic building. Berhanu now hopes to turn his family history into national history. Standing near a large portrait of the matriarch Yemtu, he spoke of his dream to make a museum of the house whose rooms are filled with family photographs and heirlooms, including a wall-spanning snake skin. "This is not only our property. It belongs to all Ethiopians and people of Addis Ababa," he said. He hopes the city will agree. Across the street in the slum area the government wants cleared, his neighbor Solomon Damana had recently resolved a dispute with city authorities and was following orders to demolish the small family home in which he was born and raised and move to a one-bedroom apartment on the outskirts of town. "I'm happy that one isn't demolished," he said, gesturing at Berhanu's place. "It's an historic house." LOS ANGELES - Many of today's jobs did not exist 10 years ago. And a decade from now, technology's march will likely replace many jobs of today. Jennail Chavez, 25, said it was a mid-life crisis that brought her to a noisy classroom where sounds of hammering and sawing surrounded her. She was working at a warehouse and wanted to do something more rewarding. She found her answer back at school. After completing a two-year program at the Los Angles Trade Technical College, Chavez plans to be a general contractor. As a person who loves working with her hands, choosing a career in a male-dominated profession did not intimidate her. "I need a trade to match my personality and why not come into construction," said Chavez. But Chavez realized what she is learning to do may soon be replaced by machines. "I actually came across a 3-D printer that actually built houses, and I was like 'no, I'm actually in the industry to start building houses. What am I going to do?" "Re-skilling is an essential part of so much of the economy right now," said Laurence Frank, president of the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. He said workers constantly have to learn new skills to keep up with advancing technology. Jacob Portillo is well aware of the need to keep up. He recently graduated from a program that trained him to work on diesel trucks, and already has had to adapt to changes in brake systems. "Every year that passes by it evolves into something different, something new. Just keep learning and keep evolving along with the field," Portillo said, who has found a good paying job working on trucks. Jobs that require critical thinking will be hard to replace with robots. "Plumbers, people that work as electricians, where there has to be constant problem solving, constant decision making - those jobs are pretty secure," Frank said. Soft skills such as communication, time management and teamwork will also help workers stay employed in the future. "So, are we teaching people to be good communicators? Are we teaching people to work in teams? At secondary or post-secondary level? Are we teaching people to synthesize and analyze," asked Jane Oates, president of Working Nation, a campaign to help American workers prepare for future jobs. Oates said many high schools and universities in the United States are not keeping up with the pace of technology to prepare students. "They're teaching things that are antiquated because that's what they have the professors to do," Oates said, suggesting schools hire faculty from industry and develop apprenticeships with industry professionals. "In the 21st century, you are not ever going to be done learning and adapting and figuring out how you fit into the new paradigm," said Oates. After graduating from trade school, Jennail Chavez said she plans on working for a few years before returning to school to learn how to work with electric and solar power. BRASILIA - Honduras on Tuesday discussed with Israel and the United States moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a controversial initiative that follows similar gestures by Washington, officials said. In a meeting with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, "it was agreed to strengthen political relations and coordinate cooperation on development in Honduras," read a joint statement by Honduras, Israel and the U.S. "They also agreed to pursue a plan of action, which includes meetings in their three respective capitals, to advance in the process of the decision to open embassies in both Tegucigalpa and Jerusalem." The meeting took place in Brasilia on the sidelines of the presidential inauguration of new Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Mideast US Embassy To Jerusalem FILE - A sign is posted on a bridge leading to the U.S. Embassy compound ahead the official opening in Jerusalem, May 13, 2018. FILE - A sign is posted on a bridge leading to the U.S. Embassy compound ahead the official opening in Jerusalem, May 13, 2018. Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move its embassy there. Months later, Guatemala followed suit. Bolsonaro said during his presidential campaign that he would switch Brazil's embassy but without offering details. The Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, but Israel asserts that all of Jerusalem is its capital and is keen to see foreign embassies move there to bolster that claim. Most countries, however, back Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to settle Jerusalem's status as part of a wider peace deal. Brazil's meat producers are worried that an embassy move could threaten $1 billion in exports to Arab countries. Sorry, but your browser cannot support embedded video of this type, you can download this video to view it offline. El Salvador's murder rate, still one of the highest in the world, dropped for the third year in a row, authorities said Wednesday. With 3,340 murders in 2018, 15 percent fewer than the previous year, El Salvador's murder rate of 51 per 100,000 inhabitants is now half the figure from 2015. "In three straight years we've obtained gradual and progressive reductions," said Justice and Security Minister Mauricio Ramirez on local television. El Salvador had 6,657 murders in 2015, some 103 per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure which dropped to 81 a year later and 60 in 2017, according to Ramirez. Murder rate in El Salvador The minister said the reduction was due to the "hard battle" against crime, prevention programs in high-risk communities and prison rehabilitation measures that managed to extricate 2,000 members from their gangs. Authorities say most murders are committed by gang members, of which there are around 70,000 in the central American country, although 17,000 are behind bars. Cambodia seeks Japan's help to develop local fish hatcheries Cambodia is seeking Japan's assistance to help develop fish hatcheries in the country, Khmer Times reported in late December last year. The request is part of Cambodia's hope to improve local productions and reduce its reliance on fish imports. During a meeting with a delegation from the Japanese parliament, Cambodian Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon brought up the likelihood of Japan availing expertise to Cambodia's aquaculture industry. "We suggested that the Japanese government could support us [in] improving the operation of a fish hatchery in Preah Sihanouk province, and setting up a freshwater fish hatchery to improve the livelihoods of our farmers and boost fish production," the minister said. In response, the leader of the Japanese delegation, Jun Tsushima, said that he will raise the issue back home and find ways of attracting more Japanese investors to the Cambodian aquaculture sector. Japan could become a very important player in helping Cambodia improve fish production in order to meet local demand, according to Shetty Seetharama Thombathu, chief technical advisor for the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). "There is a huge potential for investment on marine fish seeds, particularly those of high demand marine fish varieties such as shrimp, sea bass, grouper, shrimp and crabs. Domestic demand for seeds is high also for freshwater high-demand fishes, such as tilapia, common carp, Chinese carps, Indian carps and silver barbs," Thombathu commented. He pointed out that Cambodian fish hatcheries lack the capability of making an adequate amount of seeds to meet demand. "...we need more investments in hatcheries both freshwater and marine hatcheries," he added. Rising incomes and the increased number of tourists are pushing the demand for fish in Cambodia. Yet, imports have to make up for fish numbers that the country is not able to provide, Thombathu said. THE HAGUE - The Netherlands announced Wednesday it was prepared to welcome some of the 32 migrants waiting to disembark from a Dutch-flagged vessel in the Mediterranean, if other countries did the same. "The Netherlands has indicated a readiness to possibly take in a proportional number of migrants who are on board Sea-Watch 3, on condition that other European countries do the same," said security and justice ministry spokesman Lennart Wegewijs. Boats allowed to 'take shelter' And late Wednesday, Malta's navy announced that authorities would allow two German NGO ships the Sea-Watch 3 and Sea-Eye carrying migrants to "take shelter" in Maltese waters due to the deteriorating conditions on board. The Dutch had at first joined Italy, Malta and Spain in refusing to accept the migrants who were rescued on December 22 by Sea-Watch 3, which is operated by a German charity. The 32 migrants on the Sea-Watch 3 who were plucked from a makeshift boat in international waters, include three young children, three unaccompanied adolescents and four women from Nigeria, Libya and Ivory Coast. The Sea-Eye has been stranded in the Mediterranean with 17 migrants on board. In Berlin, a government spokesman said Saturday that Germany would only accept some of the migrants if other European countries also agreed to do so. Migrants wait aboard a Spanish coast guard boat up Migrants wait aboard a Spanish coast guard boat upon their arrival at Malaga's harbor on Dec. 10, 2018, after an inflatable boat carrying 118 migrants was rescued by the Spanish coast guard off the Spanish coast. Migrants wait aboard a Spanish coast guard boat upon their arrival at Malaga's harbor on Dec. 10, 2018, after an inflatable boat carrying 118 migrants was rescued by the Spanish coast guard off the Spanish coast. Meanwhile Spanish coast guards reported Wednesday they had rescued 401 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean over the first two days of the new year. The news comes just days after a charity rescue vessel carrying 311 mainly African migrants plucked off the coast of Libya docked in Spain, ending a traumatic journey which saw them spend Christmas at sea. Spain a leading destination With Italian ports closed to migrants by the Rome government since June, Spain has become a leading destination. A spokeswoman for Spain's coastguards told AFP they had rescued 111 migrants on Tuesday. She added 290 more were saved on Wednesday, and coastguards were searching for another boat in distress. More than 1,300 migrants died trying to reach Italy or Malta via the central Mediterranean last year, according to the International Organization for Migration. HAVANA - On the 60th anniversary of Cuba's revolution, ruling Communist Party leader Raul Castro blasted the Trump administration for returning to an outdated path of confrontation with the island nation and of intervening in Latin America. Castro and his late, elder brother Fidel Castro led the rebel band that in 1959 overthrew a U.S.-backed dictator and installed a Communist-run country on the doorstep of the United States, setting the scene for decades of Cold War hostility. At the time, their revolution inspired leftist movements throughout Latin America, but the celebrations on Tuesday came as the region is shifting rightwards, coinciding with the inauguration of Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Brazil's new President Jair Bolsonaro poses with t Brazil's new President Jair Bolsonaro poses with the pen used during the swearing-in ceremony for the minsters at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Jan. 1, 2019, after his own inauguration at the national Congress. Brazil's new President Jair Bolsonaro poses with the pen used during the swearing-in ceremony for the minsters at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Jan. 1, 2019, after his own inauguration at the national Congress. Some of Cuba's closest allies, Venezuela and Nicaragua, are mired in political crises, and U.S. President Donald Trump has tightened the decades-old U.S. embargo on the island, after his predecessor, Barack Obama, had sought to normalize relations. "Once again, the North American government is taking on the path of confrontation with Cuba," Castro said in the southeastern city of Santiago de Cuba where Fidel Castro proclaimed victory six decades ago. The speech by Castro, who stepped down as president in April but remains head of the Communist Party until 2021, was part of a solemn, sunset ceremony in a cemetery where both Fidel Castro and independence hero Jose Marti are buried. "Increasingly, high-ranking officials of this administration are ... trying to blame Cuba for all the region's ills," he said, adding that they stemmed instead from "ruthless neoliberal policies." Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, said in November that Washington would take a tougher line against Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, calling them a "troika of tyranny." Clad in military fatigues and cap, the 87-year old Castro said on Tuesday that Cuba had proven throughout six decades of revolution it could not be intimidated by threats. Instead it remained open, he said, to a peaceful and respectful coexistence. The First Secretary of Cuba's Communist Party Raul The First Secretary of Cuba's Communist Party Raul Castro (C) and President Miguel Diaz-Canel (2nd-L) arrive at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, Jan. 1, 2019, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the revolution. The First Secretary of Cuba's Communist Party Raul Castro (C) and President Miguel Diaz-Canel (2nd-L) arrive at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, Jan. 1, 2019, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the revolution. Cuba's true battle this year was an economic one, he added, reiterating comments made at the national assembly in late December by his successor, President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who announced increased austerity for the fourth year running in 2019 in the face of a cash crunch. "We need first of all to reduce all non-necessary expenses and to save more," said Castro. A decade ago, as president, he introduced a series of reforms to liberalize and boost the centrally planned economy, yet it remains heavily state-dominated and bound in red tape. A series of external shocks such as a decline in aid from Venezuela and devastation wrought by hurricanes have also dented growth, which is sluggish at best. Nonetheless, the Cuban revolution is on a secure footing thanks to the transition to a competent younger generation of leaders such as the 58-year old Diaz-Canel, Castro said. "It is opportune to express the fact that the Cuban Communist Party decidedly backs the words and actions of Diaz-Canel since he took office," Castro said. "The revolution has not aged, it remains young," he said. The works of 32 composers from countries affected by war and other conflicts will be featured in a concert Jan. 24 at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland a suburb of Washington, D.C. Award-winning Israeli-American pianist Yael Weiss curated the concert, "32 Bright Clouds," which she said was inspired by 32 sonatas by famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven. She asked the 32 composers to write new piano pieces, inspired by one of the sonatas, that reflect on a key event or figure from their respective countries. The countries showcased include Ghana, Syria, Bhutan, the Philippines, Iran, Venezuela, Turkey, Jordan and Indonesia. Indonesian pianist Ananda Sukarlan Indonesian pianist Ananda Sukarlan Indonesian pianist Ananda Sukarlan Indonesian pianist Ananda Sukarlan wrote a composition about religious intolerance based on the guilty verdict against former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, who was accused of blasphemy last year. "I connect my composition with Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' since the governor's name is Purnama, or moonlight in English," Ananda told VOA. "I was so devastated when Ahok was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of blasphemy. This case was a test to our religious tolerance, and I think it was the darkest moment in Indonesia history. "No More Moonlight Over Jakarta" by Indonesian pia "No More Moonlight Over Jakarta" by Indonesian pianist Ananda Sukarlan "No More Moonlight Over Jakarta" by Indonesian pianist Ananda Sukarlan "The title of my composition is 'No More Moonlight Over Jakarta,'" he said. Ahok was put on trial in December 2016 over accusations that he insulted Islam while campaigning in the Seribu Islands near the capital of Jakarta. During the campaign event, Ahok quoted a verse in the Quran to prove to his supporters that there were no restrictions on Muslims voting for non-Muslim politicians. His statement was edited and widely spread on social media, triggering charges of blasphemy, as well as protests and threats against him. The previously popular Chinese-Christian governor lost the election and was later jailed. He will be released from prison on Jan. 24 the day of the concert. Among the other composers are Malek Jandali of Syria, whose piece, "The Hunt for Peace," is dedicated to Syrian children, and Ghanaian composer George Mensah Essilfie, who wrote "Hope for the Shackled," dedicated to the people who are physically chained and held at alleged faith-based camps in Ghana and are not being treated for their psychotic disorders. The concert is also a precursor to global events that will be staged around the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth in 2020. TAIPEI - Chinese President Xi Jinping told Taiwan Wednesday its time for the two sides to unify and didnt rule out using force to make that happen. A day earlier, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told China to respect her governments existence and the democratic resolve of her self-ruled islands people. Tsai rejects Beijings claim that both sides fall under one flag. The conflicting speeches, timed one day apart, indicate the division between the two old rivals over unification and the lack of a channel to discuss differences. If acted on, they will extend or worsen 70 years of strained relations, analysts believe. With the current situation between China and Taiwan, I dont think there is that foundation of trust for any kind of in-depth discussion of debate on these issues, said Raymond Wu, managing director of Taipei-based political risk consultancy e-telligence, referring to Tsais ideas. The key is whether there is that foundation of trust. That needs to be first established. China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, when Chiang Kai-sheks Nationalists lost to Mao Zedongs Communists. The fleeing Nationalists re-based their government in Taiwan, but the more militarily powerful China insists that the two sides must eventually unite, by force if necessary. Stern words from Beijing President Xi thundered against past efforts in Taiwan to become legally independent of China and said the two sides should pursue a one country-two systems model of unification that his government applied to Hong Kong in 1997. China said that year it had given the former British local autonomy. FILE - Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) looks on a FILE - Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) looks on as his tea cup is replenished during the second plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on March 9, 2018. FILE - Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) looks on as his tea cup is replenished during the second plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on March 9, 2018. ?Peaceful unification and one country, two systems are the best methods of realizing unification between the two sides, Xi said as cited by Chinas official Xinhua News Agency. This course, he said, gives ample consideration to Taiwans actual situation and will help Taiwans long-term peace and stability after unification. The president suggested more exchanges and did not rule out use of force if needed to fight Taiwan independence. We want to make our biggest effort to achieve peaceful unification because this method is most beneficial, but we dont give up the use of weapons, Xi said. His speech marked the 40th anniversary of the statement from the standing committee of Chinas National Peoples Congress calling for unification with Taiwan. Taiwan leader demands respect Taiwans president demanded in a New Years speech that China recognize her government and respect the resolve of the islands 23 million people. Here I want to appeal to China that it must see correctly the existence of the Republic of China, Taiwan, must respect the 23 million Taiwanese peoples resolve for freedom and democracy and must handle existing agreements equitably and peacefully, Tsai Ing-wen said. It must also be that only organizations authorized by the two governments can sit down for talks. These musts, she said, form the most basic and most key foundation for the positive development of relations between Taiwan and China. The president, elected in 2016, rejects Beijings dialogue condition that both sides talk as parts of one China and on Tuesday warned local officials against exchanges with Beijing based on vague prerequisites. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech during a New Year's day press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Jan. 1, 2019. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech during a New Year's day press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, Jan. 1, 2019. China has responded to her rejection by flying military aircraft near the island, squelching Taiwanese foreign diplomacy and scaling back Taiwan-bound group tourism. Fallout from speeches This weeks speeches could deepen the China-Taiwan gap if Xi pushes ahead or Taiwanese opposition party figures engage him against Tsais will, scholars say. Most Taiwanese say in polls they oppose Xis goal of unification, and the Communist leadership doesnt recognize the autonomy of Taiwan. The demands for unification on the one-China principle violates the will of the Taiwanese people, said Michael Tsai, chairman of the Institute for Taiwan Defense and Strategic Studies. We have freedom, democracy and human rights, so how can we be one country, two systems? he asked. Its impossible. Hong Kong is a great example. Since Hong Kong was returned to China, its freedom and democracy have faced a lot of limitations. Use of force against Taiwan would hurt China by inciting a response from Japan and the United States, Michael Tsai added. Further eroding the chance of dialogue, the Taiwan president probably spoke Tuesday to deter Taiwans opposition party mayors and magistrates from holding their own talks, said Shane Lee, political scientist with Chang Jung Christian University in Taiwan. The opposition Nationalist Party, whose candidates won 15 of 22 local seats in the November midterm elections, takes a more Beijing-friendly view than the ruling party. I think she doesnt want the local officials to have private connections with Xi Jinping or any other PRC officials, Lee said. I think she thinks that thats not only immoral but almost illegal. Two victims of sexual abuse by a Roman Catholic Church priest in Chile launched a fresh attack on the country's bishops Wednesday, accusing them of failing to reform or learn from the crisis. Juan Carlos Cruz and Jose Andres Murillo, two prominent victims of the abuse who gave evidence of their ordeal to Pope Francis in Rome, said the pontiff had also acted too slowly in handling the crisis. Cruz said the Chilean church's leaders, several of whom face criminal investigation for their roles in allegedly covering up abuse, had failed to follow through on their promises to institute reform. "What we have in Chile is a veritable band of criminal bishops," he said. "After visiting the pope, after everything that's happened, that is happening with civil justice, they have learned nothing." Church officials declined to comment. The Chilean Catholic Church was engulfed by scandal after a visit by the pope in January last year that brought to the surface a string of abuse allegations now being investigated by prosecutors. After initially dismissing some claims, the pope later summoned Chile's bishops to Rome for questioning after a Vatican investigation reported that they had been guilty of "grave negligence" in investigating abuse in the church. Measures promised The pope has accepted the resignations of seven Chilean bishops, and the country's episcopal conference has vowed to tighten up child protection measures and work more closely with civil authorities to bring abusers to justice. But the archbishop of Santiago, Ricardo Ezzati, remains in his post despite facing abuse cover-up allegations accusations that he, like most of the Chilean church's senior leadership, denies. Cruz and Murillo, both victims of the now-defrocked Father Fernando Karadima, called for a wholesale overhaul of Chile's church leadership. Murillo called for "more women and lay church workers" to be made bishops in Chile. Cruz said he believed the pope's efforts to uncover abuse in the church were being hampered by powerful forces around him. "I believe the pope's apology to us was sincere, and I think he is trying with all his heart, but not with the speed that the severity of these issues deserves," Cruz said. "It is so much that the pope needs help and people to support him. What has struck me is the number of people working against him in his close circle." While Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is preparing to form a government for a record third consecutive term, her partys landslide win in Sundays general elections has been tainted by violence and allegations of vote-rigging. After reports began piling up of alleged manipulation of votes and voters, as well as reports of opposition party polling agents not being allowed to enter voting centers by ruling party supporters, the Jatiya Oikya Front (JOF), the largest opposition alliance, has called for Sundays election to be declared null and void. JOF chairman Kamal Hossain said a vote robbery had taken place across the country. We reject the reported results of this farcical election and are calling for a fresh election under a nonpartisan government, Hossain said. The election authority, however, rejected the accusation of vote-rigging and said Sundays polling would stand. 'Cannot conduct another...election' Across the country, huge number(s) of people enthusiastically took part in the election in a peaceful environment. The 30 December polling has now made way to the formation of a new government. ... No, we cannot conduct another fresh election now. This is no way possible at all, said Bangladesh's chief election commissioner, Nurul Huda. After the Awami League (AL) and its allies won 288 of the 300 parliamentary seats in Sunday's polling, the election commission said the ruling party would form the government. The main opposition alliance of JOF won six seats. The countrys first contested election in a decade has been marred by weeks of violence, allegedly unleashed by ruling party supporters, a mass arrest of opposition party leaders and activists, and the deaths of at least 17 people on Sunday. An opposition BNP activist is being arrested by po An opposition BNP activist is being arrested by policemen in Dhaka. In 2018, thousands of opposition leaders and activists were arrested in Bangladesh on allegedly trumped up cases of political violence. An opposition BNP activist is being arrested by policemen in Dhaka. In 2018, thousands of opposition leaders and activists were arrested in Bangladesh on allegedly trumped up cases of political violence. ?The government had promised the election would be free, fair and all-inclusive. Weeks before the election, however, opposition party candidates began reporting attacks by supporters of the ruling Awami League party. Opposition candidates filed hundreds of complaints with election authorities, alleging ruling party supporters were not allowing them to carry out their campaigns. Video clips, which claimed to show AL leaders violently threatening opposition party supporters to stay away from polling places, circulated in social media during the run-up to Sunday's election. Allegations of intimidation The opposition alliance alleged tens of thousands of its polling agents, intimidated by ruling party activists, were forced to stay away from polling stations around the country Sunday. The alliance also alleged that in the presence of election and security officials, Awami League polling agents and supporters illegally stuffed ballot boxes at many voting centers. One JOF candidate reported that he witnessed AL activists stuffing ballots at a voting center in his constituency. His claim could not be independently verified. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir claimed Sundays election was massively rigged by the Awami League and the rigging began starting Saturday evening. BNP, the largest opposition party in Bangladesh, is a member of the JOF alliance. We were reported (on Saturday night) that police had entered different voting centers, accompanied by Awami League leaders and activists, before leaving the place after half or one hour. In the presence of the election officials, they stuffed the ballot boxes during the night, Alamgir said. Police in Dhaka arrest a female BNP activist. Afte Police in Dhaka arrest a female BNP activist. After the election schedule was announced in November, about 12,300 opposition party leaders and workers reportedly were arrested. (VOA/Babul Talukder). Police in Dhaka arrest a female BNP activist. After the election schedule was announced in November, about 12,300 opposition party leaders and workers reportedly were arrested. (VOA/Babul Talukder). Senior AL leader Mahbubul Alam Hanif said the charge of rigging was baseless. Can they present any evidence of rigging? Can they show any evidence of any booth being captured by force or some people casting votes fraudulently? They cannot present any evidence in support of their charge. Yet, they are claiming that votes have been rigged, Hanif told VOA. Despite Bangladesh's chief election commissioner saying no to new elections, JOF chairman Hossain said Tuesday that his alliance would submit a memorandum to the election commission Thursday, calling for a fresh election. In a statement Tuesday, the European Union said that "Violence has marred the election day, and significant obstacles to a level playing field remained in place throughout the process and have tainted the electoral campaign and the vote." The EU called for "a proper examination of allegations of irregularities." Forming new government Yet AL is also preparing to form the new government, with winning candidates taking their parliamentary oaths on Thursday. An official noted the process would be completed by January 10. After declaring victory, Hasina said in an address that her aim is to work for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh. (Victory in) this election has given me a chance to work for the country for five more years. ... I am thankful to all for this, she said. Despite the pace of forming a new government, many rights issue groups say the allegations of vote-rigging cannot be ignored. Iftekharuzzaman (who uses one name), executive director of anti-graft watchdog Transparency International Bangladesh, called for a judicial probe over the reported cases of rigging in Sundays election. Conduct of fair probe of such incidents by the EC to determine its deficit and making this public are essential in our view, Iftekharuzzaman told VOA. In addition, ensuring justice through a judicial probe of the allegations of immense value for the credibility, self-confidence and public trust in the government, that is being formed in the wake of an unprecedented outcome of an unprecedented election, he added. Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director of the international rights advocacy group Human Rights Watch, said reports that people were not allowed to vote as they wished is a very serious allegation. Some were told, inside the polling booth, to vote in a particular manner; others were excluded from voting itself. These are all very serious allegations and the opposition is already calling for a re-poll, and the government must address all these concerns as soon as possible, Ganguly told VOA. The international community cannot ignore these allegations and should take them seriously. Australia's government is facing questions over its decision to strip a suspected Australian-born Islamic militant of his citizenship, after it was revealed he might not be a dual citizen of Fiji. Neil Prakash, who has been jailed in Turkey since 2016 when he was arrested trying to enter from Syria with false documents, is accused of recruiting Australians to join the Islamic State terrorist group. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton announced late last month that the Melbourne native was the 12th Australian dual national to lose his Australian citizenship due to being associated with terrorists. Prakash was believed to hold Fijian citizenship because his father is Fijian. But Nemani Vuniwaqa, Fiji's director of immigration, told the Fiji Sun newspaper that Prakash has never applied for citizenship there. Australian law allows the government to strip someone of their citizenship only if that person is a dual citizen. Dutton says the decision to revoke Prakash's citizenship was made after consultation with several other government agencies. Thailand has become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize medical marijuana, but the fine print of the legislation has left advocates of the drug's healing potential with mixed feelings. Since the bill was passed on Christmas Eve, some medical marijuana advocates have expressed disappointment the legislation will effectively exclude the private sector from the lucrative industry, worth tens of billions of dollars globally, in favor of government agencies. Voice of America sat down with Thailand's Office of Narcotics Control Bureau Secretary-General Niyom Termsrisuk to find out who exactly will be able to grow, sell, buy and regulate medical marijuana in a country where it has long been a strictly prohibited substance. Speaking through an interpreter, Termsrisuk told VOA that private firms would be able to cultivate, produce and sell medical marijuana, provided they were two-thirds owned by Thai nationals. "From the cultivation to delivering to the patient, it will be under the law and regulation controlled by the committee. If it fits in the regulation and the qualifications that we have, so (then) yes, they can do it," he said. Authorized government agencies, including those overseeing Thai traditional medicine, individual licensed medical doctors; educational institutions and community farmer cooperatives, would all be permitted to cultivate the crop. "We will designate the process and procedure that is standardized so that if any organization comes to fit into that standard that we set, they will have the authority to do it," Termsrisuk said. "But they need to be authorized and registered under the law. And apart from that, it will be in the consideration of the minister of public health but also approved by the committee," he added. There will be strict controls on cultivation, including a mandate that all medical marijuana is grown indoors which is intended to help prevent illegal practices and ensure quality but that significantly increases the cost of cultivation. Chokwan Kitty Chopaka, an activist with Highlands Network, has enthusiastically welcomed the legalization but said there were numerous caveats in the legislation that made commercial cultivation effectively precluded. "All of those (groups) are allowed, but only if they are working under the control of those that have the license," she said, adding these licenses were restricted to government research institutions and universities. "But it's not really for commercial purposes, I would say, because it strictly said research, and it also said mainly for teaching," she said. Chopaka was also critical of a five-year restriction the law places on any expansion of these licenses, and a two-year mandated review that she says could, in theory, result in a complete reversal of legalization if the impacts are assessed to be negative. Nevertheless, the law represents a dramatic shift in a country where strongly conservative drug politics have been underlined by zero-tolerance policies, harsh sentencing laws and a brutal war on drugs. A perception of all drug use as evil had been reinforced through Thai educational institutions and political messaging, though cannabis had been used traditionally for centuries, Chopaka said. But as countries such as Canada, a member of the G-7, brought in full nationwide legalization, attitudes in Thailand had also begun to slowly shift, she said. "So, I think the way it's being done, it is baby steps and like they just want to test out the water," she said. Keeping tight control Marijuana-based medicines will be permitted for patients suffering chemotherapy side effects and from Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and as a Thai tradition remedy for cancer pain, according to the ONCB. Thailand's Government Pharmaceutical Organization is already working on strain selection, breed improvement, cultivation and harvesting to produce medicines targeting these conditions. Both medical doctors and Thai traditional healers will be able to prescribe these medications under Thailand's Food and Drug Administration and Ministry of Health. But individuals, including patients, will not be permitted to personally grow marijuana at home, and recreational legalization is not on the agenda for the time being, the ONCB said. "It's almost as strict as Australia but probably not that strict, because (in) Australia, the main rule around it was it has to be your last choice. You have to try all the other stuff first before you use cannabis," Chopaka said of the Thai government's legalization model. Dr. Somyot Kittimunkong, who has stood at the forefront of cannabis legalization advocacy in Thailand, is deeply unhappy with restrictions in the law he believes will cut local farmers out of the medical marijuana market. "This is the main issue that if they want to help the people at the grassroots level, like the farmers, I think they should allow the Thai farmers to grow for export for making drugs to treat the people," he said. Somyot also interprets the law as constraining commercial entities to cultivation for research only, which he says is unnecessary given the volume of cannabis studies that have already been conducted worldwide. He said mandated indoor cultivation would increase the cost of production by about five times in a country with very good conditions to grow marijuana outside. Mana Siriphittayawat, director of the Legal Affairs Bureau at the ONCB, said that he understood the law may have fallen short of some expectations but defended tight controls to ensure quality and prevent illicit misuse. "We will monitor and control those two things, the production and cultivation, under the necessity (of) using it for medical purposes within the country," he said. Though not yet fully developed, long term the government was looking to develop Thailand's medical marijuana business for export, he said. "We have a vision in developing the medical cannabis business." PM figures out central tasks for 2019, source: VGP Many international organizations have said Vietnam has taken right steps to overcome difficulties and challenges to become one of the fastest-growing economies in the region and the world, PM Phuc wrote in a recent article. The economy expanded 7.08pc, the highest growth rate since 2008 and the GDP per capita rose to US$2,587 while macroeconomic backgrounds have been increasingly consolidated. Growth was mainly driven by robust expansion of processing and manufacturing (up 12.98pc) and agriculture (up 3.76pc). Export values reached nearly US$245 billion, in which export of domestic sectors soared 15.9pc compared to 12.9pc of the foreign-invested sector. The country has trading ties with more than 200 countries and territories. For the fist time in history, Viet Nams agricultural exports increased to more than US$40 billion. The growth quality has also improved with the total factor productivity (TFP) contributing 43.5pc to the GDP growth in 2018, and averaged 42.18pc between 2016-2018 compared to 33.58% from 2011-2015. In addition, the incremental capital output ratio (ICOR) recdeded from 6.11 in 2017 to around 5.97. Improvements were also recorded in business environment as the purchasing managersindex (PMI) marked the strongest growth among ASEAN markets, which rose to 56.5 in November, up from 53.9 in October and signaling a sharp monthly improvement in the health of the manufacturing sector. A recent survey showed that 85.1pc questioned businesses believe business environment in the first quarter of 2019 will be better and stable. Viet Nams innovation index jumped 2 places to 45th out of 126 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2018, ranking second among low-middle income countries. PM Phuc said the urban unemployment rate dipped to 3.1pc and not many countries of the same development level like Viet Nam reached the healthcare insurance coverage rate of over 86% . Regarding key tasks for 2019, PM Phuc urged inferior levels to focus on economic growth, create significant changes in restructuring public investment, strictly supervise and accelerate equitization and capital divestment. The Government chief called for harmonization of cultural-social and economic development by effective implementation of support policies for vulnerable groups to leave no one behind and mobilization of resources for social and national target programs on sustainable poverty reduction and rural development. He also asked for strengthening management of natural resources and environmental protection, beef up administration reform and e-Government development. Warrick Cleine, chairman and CEO of KPMG in Vietnam and Cambodia While Vietnam is rapidly becoming the manufacturing base for South Korean investors such as LG and Samsung, due to the trade dispute between the US and China, manufacturers from China and Taiwan are starting to explore Vietnam as an alternative. With its lower cost of operations compared to China, Vietnam is an attractive destination for companies from the Greater China region. But does this put Vietnam within striking distance for tariffs from the US? In the short term, Chinese companies exploring relocating manufacturing operations to Vietnam might be a boon for the country, with an influx of foreign direct investment (FDI) in northern Vietnam such as Haiphong, Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh, and Quang Ninh provinces, where South Korean and Chinese companies have already attracted suppliers and subcontractors to house production. However, Chinese companies looking to move manufacturing to Vietnam are focussed in garments and textiles or raw materials, and not hi-tech industries where Vietnam could benefit from technology and knowledge transfer. The competition for labour would also help drive down the capacity for Vietnamese suppliers who already lack resources and now may lose their labour supply to foreign investors who are willing to pay higher wages. This does not contribute to the ambitions of Vietnamese suppliers looking to join the global supply chain and become internationally competitive. In addition, goods from Chinese companies in Vietnam will face increased scrutiny from US regulators to ensure that products labelled as Made in Vietnam are not just materials exported to Vietnamese suppliers to circumvent US-imposed tariffs on Chinese goods. Vietnamese businesses should remain aware of the risks in order to avoid penalties in a protectionist trade environment. KPMG has introduced a Made in Vietnam initiative to assist companies to transfer and expand manufacturing capacity in Vietnam. Vietnamese enterprises should avoid a get-rich-quick approach for engaging with the new investors. Instead, Vietnamese businesses should endeavour to create a long-term strategy to invest in sustainable manufacturing solutions, innovating products, optimising costs, and strengthening the supply chain and labour pool. Taking advantage of regional free trade agreements and improving competitiveness The benefits of the CPTPP According to the World Bank, the CPTPP is expected to stimulate reforms in Vietnam in competition, services (including financial services, telecommunications, and temporary entry of service providers), customs, e-commerce, the environment, government procurement, intellectual property, investment, labour standards, legal issues, market access for goods, rules of origin, non-tariff measures, and trade remedies. The deal includes chapters that go beyond the scope of traditional free trade agreements to include policy issues related to state-owned enterprises, competition, trade-in services, public procurement, transparency and anti-corruption, the environment, labour, the digital economy, gender, and small- and medium-sized enterprises. Recently, HSBC released a comprehensive survey on the CPTPPs impacts on global businesses, including 200 surveyed businesses in Vietnam. Results showed that 63 per cent of businesses in Vietnam believed that the CPTPP will have a positive impact on their business. Meanwhile, 50 per cent said the deal is closely relevant to their business. The 11 CPTPP state members - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam - represent a market of 500 million people, greater than that of the European Union's single market. Over the past 25 years, Vietnam has enjoyed strong economic growth and benefitted from its increasing role in global trade. In recent years, Vietnam has matured as a confident player, negotiating the terms of its participation in bilateral and multilateral trade agreements with key trading partners in the region and internationally, with its entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and more recently, signing the European Union-Vietnam FTA (EVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Taking the most recent examples of regional trade agreements, the EVFTA and the CPTPP, Vietnamese businesses can find substantial opportunities to break into regional markets. However, in order to take advantage, Vietnamese companies will have to step up their production quality to be competitive and comply with international standards. Today, Vietnam is one of the worlds leading exporting countries, both in commodities, such as rice, coffee, pepper, and seafood, and more recently manufactured goods, such as footwear, garments, and electronics. In March 2018, Vietnam signed the CPTPP agreement with 10 other Asia-Pacific countries. Vietnams market is considered as an attractive destination to investors from Japan and South Korea as a result of the CPTPP. Many economists have been stating in recent months that the CPTPP will bring great economic benefits and additional incentives for growth based on investment and exports. The CPTPP will also create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to exchange experience in management as well as promote innovation and science and technology transfer. Currently, CPTPP countries constitute approximately 15.7 per cent of Vietnams export turnover and account for about 16 per cent of import turnover, creating a large market growth for trade in Vietnam. To be competitive in new regional markets, Vietnamese companies should focus on becoming self-sufficient and quality suppliers, and reduce dependence on intermediaries. By directly distributing products in foreign markets, Vietnamese suppliers will see an increasing export value and strengthen the Made in Vietnam brand. Likewise, European governments and multinational corporations (MNCs) are showing they are ready to welcome Vietnamese suppliers who can prove quality control and will support training to enhance a supply chain from Vietnam. The CPTPP is expected to contribute 1.1 per cent of GDP by 2030. The deal will benefit all income groups. FTAs also bring more competition for Vietnamese companies As Vietnam continues to embrace the forces of globalisation, Vietnamese companies will face greater competition from foreign companies, both inside and outside Vietnam. Vietnam is seeing heated mergers and acquisitions growth as Thai, Japanese, and South Korean investors look to acquire local companies to enter the Vietnamese market. There is an important growth of Japanese and South Korean investors in the retail space, and Japanese and Singaporean investors in real estate. National corporations and Vietnamese startups will need to continue to be fiercely independent as they innovate and grow their businesses inside Vietnam and overseas. In conclusion, to mitigate the risks and benefit from the shifting global trade climate in the new year, Vietnamese companies invest in its young and optimistic labour force, in long-term solutions focused on quality control, and stepping up the production standards to export to international markets. Malaysia steps up ban on pork products over swine fever worries The outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has prompted Malaysia to step up the prevention of the disease from entering the country, The Star Online reported in late December. In response to current developments, the Malaysian Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) will expand a temporary ban that prohibits import of pork products from six countries. Such products include canned pork, sausage casings, sliced pork, smoked ham and pork enzymes coming from China, Poland, Russia, Hungary, Moldova and Ukraine. According to Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin, the latest enhancement of the ban came following South Korea's recent discovery of the ASF virus in processed pork products. "[The expansion of the ban] is to further protect our country from ASF and we are monitoring the situation very closely," Sim said. "Processed products are not supposed to have these viruses but somehow, they were detected, so we have to do more." In addition, the DVS is monitoring Vietnam - from where Malaysia gets its supply of suckling pigs - although Sim stated that the country is not an infected area. In September last year, Sim announced the ban on the importation of live pigs and frozen pork from six countries affected ASF outbreaks. "While the virus does not affect humans, authorities here are taking proactive measures to prevent the risk of ASF, which could affect pig farms here," he said, adding that there were no evidence of ASF in Malaysia which remains free from the disease. - The Star Online Leaders of Chinese firms look at birds nest products displayed on the sidelines of the forum on enhancing co-operation to boost the development of Vietnamese birds nest industry in HCM City. Photo baohaiquan.vn Speaking at a HCM City forum about the bird nest sector last Friday, Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien said the swift-bird breeding industry had been developing rapidly in the country, mostly in the south, but unofficial trade resulted in low value and profits. More than 5,000 structures had been built to breed the birds in 36 provinces and cities, producing around 50 tonnes of nests a year. But exports to China accounted for only 8 per cent via unofficial cross-border trade, he said. Zhang Yaqin, president of Guangdong Birds Nest Industry Association, said China was the largest import market for edible birds nest. Official imports of birds nests that have received certificates from the Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine (CAIQ) went up from 81 tonnes in 2017 to 84 tonnes in the first 10 months of last year. Luo Yining, vice chairman of Chinas Medical Pharmaceutical Materials Association, and president of Southeast Yandu (Xiamen) Industrial Development Co., Ltd., said China in 2011 banned imports of birds nests of unclear origin because of a scandal involving the sale of fake birds nests. In 2015, China lifted the ban, replacing it with strict rules aimed at improving safety and traceability. Currently, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand have all completed legal procedures to export birds nests into China. But Viet Nam still cannot export officially into China because of several reasons, including the lack of regulations on management and development of the birds nest industry, quality standards for the product, and export standards, according to Luo. Vietnamese birds nests are considered to have very good quality and suited for direct import to China. But China currently applies very strict regulations on importing birds nests, especially unprocessed birds nest, including regulations that the import must go through ports with adequate equipment, and must be preliminary processed at enterprises designated by the General Administration of Customs of China. He said his company, which specialises in processing raw birds nests and was appointed by the General Administration of Customs, wanted to cooperate with Vietnamese firms in conducting quarantine birds nest before export to China. Tien stressed that his ministry would support the development of the bird nest industry and co-operation with China to directly export birds nests to the market. The recently adopted Law on Animal Husbandry includes a provision on the management of the birds nest industry, an important foundation for the industry to meet the requirements to export to China and other markets in the coming time, he said. At the forum, the Viet Nam Farms and Agricultural Enterprises Association and Yen Quan Company signed strategic cooperation agreements with Chinas Medical Pharmaceutical Materials Association and Southeast Yandu to promote direct exports of Vietnamese birds nests to China. Organised by the Vietnamese Birds Nest Farms Association, the forum saw the participation of leaders of 10 Chinese companies and 30 Vietnamese birds nest farms. Party Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committees Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh, Politburo member, Secretary the Party Central Committee and Head of the Commission for Mass Mobilisation Truong Thi Mai, and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam attended the event. Chairman of Hai Duong provincial Peoples Committee Nguyen Duong Thai said that the event honours the provinces traditional cultural values. The cultural tourism festival is an opportunity for people nationwide to get better understanding the land and people of a province with dynamic, hospitable and rich identity. It showcases local strengths in social economic development, agriculture, services and tourism as well as our finest cultural values. The carnival will feature the provincial revolutionary tradition, dynamism and hospitality, said Mr Thai. During the 3-day event, visitors will have an opportunity to explore typical products of local firms, agricultural industrial and tourism strengths ornamental bonsais, sport activities and street food. A cable manufacturing facility at Dat Do Districts Dat Do 1 Industrial Park. Ba Ria Vung Tau Province is seeing rising interest from investors in the tourism, electricity and manufacturing fields. - VNS Photo Hoang Nhi The Hyosung Corporation, for example, invested about US$1.2 billion in a polypropylene manufacturing factory and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage facility in Cai Mep Industrial Park. The province also signed a commitment certificate with Power Generation Joint Stock Corporation 3 to invest $4.5 billion in a Long Son Power Generator. The end of 2018 also saw a rise of announcements and proposals of property investment in the province because of its developing infrastructure. Allgreen Vuong Thanh Trung Duong Co Ltd recently announced a 23ha, 192-apartment Regency Vung Tau property project, while many other companies such as FLC and Hung Thinh Corp plan to invest in resorts and villas. In 2018 the province approved 44 new FDI projects and additional investment for 14 foreign direct investment projects, totaling $1.9 billion of registered investment. In addition, it also approved 59 new domestic projects with VND18.76 trillion (809 million) of registered investment. The province is focusing on attracting more investment in logistics, tourism, supporting industries, hi-tech agriculture and urban development. In 2019 it will meet with potential investors in large projects such as the Dinh Mountain Tourism Area in Phu My Town, Safari Animal Park in Xuyen Moc District, and in many other tourism and urban areas. The province is one of Viet Nams leaders in FDI attraction. The incident happened as people were celebrating the New Year in Tokyo AFP/JIJI PRESS With an "intent to murder", a man identified as 21-year-old Kazuhiro Kusakabe drove a small vehicle into Takeshita Street in Tokyo's fashion district of Harajuku at 10 minutes past midnight, a police spokesman said. According to national broadcaster NHK, Kusakabe told police he was acting in "retribution for the death penalty" without giving more precise details. NHK footage showed a small box vehicle with a smashed front and paramedics carrying people on stretchers into ambulances. Local media said a container with kerosine inside was found in the rental car, where the attack occurred. The attacker reportedly drove the vehicle from the western region of Osaka. One witness told NHK it was a "ghastly scene". "I saw some guys collapsed on the street. As I walked closer toward the scene, many more people had fallen on the ground. By the time I reached the exact place, paramedics were already there helping people," he said. Another witness who runs a clothing shop in the area said: "I am shocked that something like this happened on Takeshita Street." Police immediately cordoned off the street, which during the day is usually packed with tourists trying to get a taste of Japan's extravagant youth and food culture. One college student suffered serious injuries during the attack and was undergoing surgery, the police spokesman said. Local media reports said the student was in a coma. Kusakabe was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police said. "FIT FOR TRIAL?" According to local media, Kusakabe hit a total of eight people and assaulted another on the street, which was closed to car traffic at the time before visitors would pack the area to celebrate New Year. The vehicle hit its first victim about 30 metres into the narrow street before knocking down seven more over the next 100 metres, according to the Sankei Shimbun newspaper. There is no information so far to suggest foreign tourists were among the injured, the police spokesman said. TV Asahi said officers were investigating whether the suspect is fit for trial. Takeshita Street is packed with small shops and is considered the centre of youth culture and fashion in Japan, attracting tens of thousands of international tourists every day. Unlike in other major cities, New Year in Tokyo is a relatively muted affair. There is no major fireworks display and no central point where drunken revellers gather to see in the New Year. Instead, Japanese people tend to see in the New Year with families and quietly go to the shrine to pray for good fortune in the year to come. By midday Tuesday, hundreds of thousands of tourists had returned to the street filled with bright pink ornaments, although blue tarps covering the scene of the case remained. Pope Francis packed agenda for 2019 includes Apostolic Journeys to the UAE, Panama, Morocco, Bulgaria, and Macedonia, alongside a Vatican summit on sexual abuse, a Synod on the Amazon Basin, and continued reform of the Roman Curia. By Devin Watkins Pope Francis has a busy schedule planned for 2019. Trips to the United Arab Emirates, Panama, Morocco, Bulgaria, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia start off the year. Add in a February meeting in the Vatican on the Churchs response to the sexual abuse crisis and were not even halfway through the year. Then October sees the Pope participate in the Synod of Bishops on the Amazonia. Diplomatic discourse In January, Pope Francis holds his annual meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, an occasion he often uses to issue a strong message to the international community. Last year, the Holy Father used the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a springboard to remind the world that many human rights are violated even now in the third millennium, especially the right to life. WYD in Panama The Pope kicks off his travels in 2019 on 23-28 January, when he makes an Apostolic Journey to Panama for the 34th edition of World Youth Day. In a video message sent in November, he invited young people to get off the couch and to improve the world through their dreams, ideals, and courage. Listen to our report United Arab Emirates February will be particularly busy for the Holy Father. On 3-5 February, Pope Francis becomes the first Pope to visit the United Arab Emirates. The Journeys central theme surrounds interreligious dialogue and solidarity amongst members of different faiths. The leaders of the UAE declared 2019 as a Year of Tolerance with the goal of promoting a culture free of religious fundamentalism. Council of Cardinals and Curial reform On 18-20 February, the 28th meeting of the Council of Cardinals takes place in the Vatican. The focus will be on the revision of the Constitution of the Roman Curia, Pastor Bonus. A new proposal was presented last December to Pope Francis, under the title Praedicate evangelium. Its goal is to help the Vaticans governing body become more responsive to the need of a missionary Church. February meeting against abuse Probably the most-awaited papal event of 2019 takes place in the Vatican on 21-24 February. Pope Francis will meet all Presidents of Bishops Conferences to discuss how to prevent the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. It promises to be a pivotal meeting in the fight against sexual abuse, as well as abuse of power and conscience, which are carried out by some members of the Church. Speaking to the Roman Curia in December 2018, Pope Francis said no excuse for following the path of truth and justice will be tolerated. Journey to Morocco On 30-31 March, Pope Francis travels to Morocco, 33 years after Pope St. John Paul IIs historic visit on 19 August 1985 to Casablanca. The Pope will continue in his predecessors path of promoting mutual comprehension and interreligious dialogue between Christians and Muslims. Bulgaria & Macedonia After a short rest in April, the Holy Father heads across the Adriatic Sea to visit Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 5-7 May. In Bulgaria he will visit the cities of Sofia and Rakovski. Then he travels to the Macedonian city of Skopje, where Mother Teresa of Calcutta, founder of the Missionaries of Charity, was born. Catholics in these two Balkan nations are a tiny minority amidst the Orthodox majority, so promoting ecumenism will be high on the Popes to-do list. Popes wish to visit Japan Though there has been no official confirmation, Pope Francis openly told a group of Japanese visitors to the Vatican that he hopes to travel to Japan in 2019. During the encounter, the Pope recalled that, in 1585, a group of 4 Japanese young people arrived in Rome with several Jesuit missionaries to visit Pope Gregory XIII. Amazonian Synod Later in the year, the Synod of Bishops meets in October to discuss the Pan-Amazonia region. The Pope convoked the special assembly on the theme Amazonia: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology. Many themes, not limited to ecology, form the center-of-attention for the 7 Bishops Conferences and 9 nations involved. Valdosta, GA (31601) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic sent a telegram of condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deadly blast in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk, Vucic's presidential press service said on Wednesday BELGRADE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd January, 2019) Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic sent a telegram of condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deadly blast in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk, Vucic's presidential press service said on Wednesday. Vucic expressed condolences to the families of victims on the behalf of himself and Serbian people as well as wished soon recovery to injured people. "This news shocked Serbia and the Serbian people are expressing condolences to Russians as well as sharing their pain. In such moments it is difficult to find the words of consolation but I know that the Russian leadership and the leadership of the Chelyabinsk Region are providing the families of victims with significant support. If Serbia can provide any assistance, we are to do that," Vucic said in the telegram. The leaders of Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan have already expressed their condolences over the tragedy in Magnitogorsk. On Monday, a natural gas blast hit one of the blocks of a 10-storey residential building in Magnitogorsk, destroying and damaging scores of apartments. The explosion left 21 people dead while the fate of dozens of others remains unknown. Rescue works continue, while they are hindered by the risk of debris collapsing. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Moldovan President Igor Dodon thanked on Wednesday Russian President Vladimir Putin for lifting import duties on a number of Moldovan goods for a period of six months starting on January 1. CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd January, 2019) Moldovan President Igor Dodon thanked on Wednesday Russian President Vladimir Putin for lifting import duties on a number of Moldovan goods for a period of six months starting on January 1. "The government of the Russian Federation adopted a decision to abolish starting on January 1, 2019 import duties on a number of Moldovan goods: vegetables, fruits (apples, wild cherry, plums, nectarines and etc.), canned fruits and vegetables, grape and wine products ... I express my gratitude to Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] for supporting the Moldovan people," Dodon wrote on his Facebook page. The Moldovan president revealed that preferential customs tariff regime for Moldovan goods became possible thanks to agreements reached with Putin. "This decision, for sure, will encourage significant increase of Moldovan goods export to the Russian market, job creation and the increase of budget revenues," Dodon stressed. Since assuming the presidential office in December 2016, Dodon has been seeking to restore strategic partnership with Russia, bring the Moldovan goods back to the Russian market and normalize bilateral cooperation in the energy field. Belarusian border guards have detained two French nationals early on Monday when the latter accidentally illegally crossed from Lithuania, the Belarusian State Border Committee's press service said on Wednesday. MINSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd January, 2019) Belarusian border guards have detained two French nationals early on Monday when the latter accidentally illegally crossed from Lithuania , the Belarusian State Border Committee's press service said on Wednesday. "On the night of 30 to 31 December ... border officers have found with the help of video surveillance systems two unidentified men, who were moving along the secure area. Soon, 24-year old French citizens were detained in the vicinity of the Belarusian-Lithuanian border," the press service said in a statement. According to the State Border Committee, the two French citizens came to Lithuania for holidays and found themselves on Belarusian territory without realizing that they crossed the border. The Belarusian border officers informed Lithuanian counterparts of the accident in accordance with established procedure and handed over the two French nationals to them in the prescribed manner. At least 13 people were killed in armed attack in Burkina Faso, where various Islamist groups have recently intensified their activities, local media reported. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd January, 2019) At least 13 people were killed in armed attack in Burkina Faso , where various Islamist groups have recently intensified their activities, local media reported. According to the Faso online news portal, unidentified men killed six people on Tuesday, including a village chief and his son, after which the villagers retaliated by killing seven Fula people. Increased security measures have been introduced on the ground following the incident in order to stabilize the situation, the news outlet added. In late December, the authorities in Burkina Faso declared a state of emergency in some of the country's northern areas due to the increased activities of various Islamist groups operating in the country. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ISLAMABAD, Jan 1 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Jan, 2019 ) :Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Giligit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur Tuesday said Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) would become Switzerland in terms of tourism in 30 years as three international companies were working to explore tourism sites in the region. Talking to media here, the minister said people of the area would be given their just rights to alleviate the sense of deprivation of 70 years. He said the domain of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) would soon be extended to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) whereas 200 kilometer long tourism corridor project would also soon be initiated. The minister said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would form the next government in AJK and GB. "We want to give rights to the people of AJK," he added. He said the previous government had constructed the Neelam-Jehlum hydropower project without proper planning which had made the life of local people difficult. Gandapur said people of the area would be accommodated on priority basis for their betterment and prosperity during any development project started at local level. "The present government is planning to nominate a Chairman of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Committee who will effectively highlight Kashmir cause at international forums whereas the performance of JUI-F Chief Maulna Fazl ur Rehman is known to everyone," he said responding to a question. The minister highlighted that GB and AJK were the first to receive development funds and the government was committed to serve them without any political bias or discrimination. The Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation, OIC, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, strongly condemned the attack by unidentified armed group on the Niger-Nigeria border, on Saturday 29th December, which killed at least ten Nigerian and Niger soldiers and wounded many others. JEDDAH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 02nd Jan, 2019) The Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation, OIC, Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, strongly condemned the attack by unidentified armed group on the Niger-Nigeria border, on Saturday 29th December, which killed at least ten Nigerian and Niger soldiers and wounded many others. Dr. Al-Othaimeen denounced the armed attack carried out by armed bandits. He also expressed his deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments and peoples of Niger and Nigeria, wishing prompt recovery to the wounded. The OIC Secretary-General reiterated the OICs full solidarity with the Nigerian and Niger authorities in their ongoing struggle against terrorism and armed groups on their common border. He called on the international partners to provide further support and strengthen partnership with the two countries to eliminate the threat that terrorist and armed groups continue to pose to regional peace and security. Milledgeville, GA (31061) Today Sunshine and a few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 95F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. AFTER NINE PEOPLE were shot to death by a public transit worker, who then killed himself in San Jose, the latest mass murder in America, California Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke for many on the eve of this Memorial Day weekend. For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. Germany is once again occupying a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Germany has big plans for the UN Security Council seat it took up on January 1, 2019. The decision to award the Germans a seat on the Council alongside the five permanent members the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom and nine other non-permanent members was a clear one: 184 votes out of a possible 193, Deutsche Welle reported. At the UN General Assembly in September, Foreign Minister Maas advocated strengthening multilateralism, which has come under pressure from, among other things, the "America First" policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. Read alsoTrump commits to $750 billion defense budget - CNN "The United Nations is at the heart of the multilateral system," said Maas before departing for New York earlier this year. "We are living at a time when we need more international order, more reliability, more confidence in our common rules. The United Nations is as strong, just and effective as its members make it." Germany also intends to advocate for a strong UN and a strong role for Europe in its various bodies. Over the next two years, Germany's main concern will be to try and ensure that the European Union as a whole is given a permanent seat. After Brexit, the only EU country represented on the Council will be France. Crisis prevention is also on the agenda. The German presence on the Security Council will aim to ensure that the body gets involved earlier than it has done up to now in crisis regions. Germany also has some ideas about how to foster peace. The German ambassador to the UN, Christoph Heusgen, has announced that he wants to recruit more women for conflict resolution. But peacekeeping should also happen on one's own doorstep. At the end of December, Foreign Minister Maas made it clear that if the 30-year-old INF treaty between Russia and the U.S. that bans medium-range weapons were to collapse, Germany would want to use its seat to oppose the deployment of medium-range missiles. "Any stationing of new medium-range missiles would come up against widespread opposition in Germany," Maas said. Reports that are yet to be confirmed by the defense ministry suggest that the soldier got into militant captivity. Ukraine's 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade deployed in the zone of the Joint Forces Operation in Donbas has reported one of their men has gone missing in the area of hostilities. The soldier could be captured by Russia-backed militants, the Brigade press service wrote on Facebook. "On the night of December 28, 2018, it was discovered that one of the servicemen of our brigade had gone missing," the report says. The search that was launched immediately yielded no results as of January 2, 2019, says the press service. On December 29, 2018, the military prosecutors office launched a criminal investigation into the matter. Read alsoOne Ukrainian soldier killed in action, another two wounded in Donbas in past day At the same time, pro-militant online resources announced the capture of a Ukrainian military serviceman, uploading a picture of his assault rifle. In turn, the press service of the 128th Brigade confirmed that the weapon had been registered with the missing soldier. The press service of the Ministry of Defense noted that they could neither confirm nor deny the incident. In addition, the press service of the JFO Staff reported they were verifying reports. Russian-led military forces violated the ceasefire three times in the past day. One Ukrainian soldier was killed in action, another two were wounded in action in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on January 1, 2019. "In the past day, one soldier of the Joint Forces was killed and two were wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said on Facebook in its morning update as of 07:00 on Kyiv time on January 2. "In connection with the shelling of the Joint Forces' positions by armed formations of the Russian Federation and their mercenaries, the Ukrainian military took adequate measures in response to preserve the life and health of the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine." Russian-led military forces violated the ceasefire three times in the past day. Read alsoRussian-led forces near Luhansk massing weapons, conducting live-fire drills Ukraine in JCCC They used proscribed weapons in one instance. Weapons with calibers exceeding 100mm are banned under the 2015 Minsk II agreement from a 50-kilometer zone running along the front line between Ukrainian and Russian-led forces in Luhansk and Donetsk regions. Ukrainian positions near the village of Hnutove in the Mariupol were struck by 82mm mortar rounds. The enemy used weapons of infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers of various systems and small arms near the villages of Khutir Vilny and Novotoshkivske in the Luhansk sector. According to Ukrainian intelligence reports, one enemy soldier was eliminated and another four were wounded on January 1. "Since Wednesday midnight, the enemy has not opened fire yet. The Ukrainian military continues to reliably control the contact line, while adhering to the conditions of a complete ceasefire," the JFO press center said. On December 31, Russian-led hybrid military forces mounted four attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas. Two Joint Forces soldiers were wounded. The man's condition was very serious, as burns covered 50% of his body's surface area. An Armenian citizen, 50, one of the victims of the December 22 explosion at the Christmas Fair in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, has died in the intensive care ward of the city's 8th Clinical Hospital. Read alsoGas blast in residential building near Kyiv: Two bodies found under rubble "Despite medical assistance, the doctors failed to save the life of a man injured in an explosion at the fair. The man was in the intensive care unit and his condition was serious. Yesterday [December 31], his health check results worsened. The man died today," Lviv City Council said in a statement on its website on January 1. Ihor Stoyanovskyi, a deputy chief physician for the surgical care department at the 8th Clinical Hospital, said that the victim's condition was constantly serious, as burns covered 50% of his body's surface area. As UNIAN reported earlier, at 13:15 Kyiv time on December 22, 2018, a gas cylinder exploded at a booth amid the Christmas Fair near Lviv's Opera Theater building. As a result, three wooden pavilions were destroyed by fire and five people were injured. Four victims were in stable but serious condition. In 2018, the Ukrainian Navy increased the combat capabilities of its maritime, coastal, and air components. In response to Russia's aggressive activities, Ukraine Navy deployed new forces, systematically increasing its grouping in the Sea of Azov, that's according to a Navy Commander, Admiral Ihor Voronchenko. In his New Year's greeting, Admiral Voronchenko recalled that in 2018, the Navy increased its combat capabilities of the maritime, coastal, and air components. Read alsoMerkel, Macron demand Russia immediately free captive Ukrainian sailors Voronchenko also recalled the attack and seizure by Russia of Ukrainian warships and crews off the coast of the occupied Crimea. Earlier, Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak said that in January a group of military personnel of the British Navy would arrive in Ukraine to assess the volume of assistance the Ukrainian military require. He is also banned from entering Ukraine for a period of three years. The Security Service of Ukraine has put a halt to the destructive activities of Pavel Karnazytsky, a Belarus national who spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda while illegally staying in Ukraine. Security officials discovered that a foreigner who lived in Ukraine illegally publicly disseminated fake information. In particular, appearing on certain TV channels, he questioned internationally recognized evidence of the presence of the aggressor troops in the temporarily occupied territories of our state, the SBU press service wrote in a statement Tuesday. Also, security officials say Karnazytsky repeatedly published anti-Ukrainian reports on media resources controlled by DPR and LPR terrorist organizations. Read alsoRussian media aim to destabilize Ukraine ahead of elections SBU chief Vasyl Hrytsak noted that after the introduction of restrictions on the entry of Russian citizens into Ukraine, Russian intelligence agencies have been increasingly attracting foreigners to their provocations. The activities of such propagandists paid by Russia not only pose a threat to the national interests of Ukraine, but also contradict the legislation of their country of origin, Hrytsak noted. Today, January 2, a foreigner is forcibly returned to Belarus with an entry ban imposed on him for a period of three years. The French president has called on his Russian counterpart to release Ukrainian sailors. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron have held a telephone conversation, discussing the Syria issue, the Kremlin press service said in a statement on Wednesday. According to the statement, the two presidents discussed the Syria issue in light of agreements to form a constitutional committee that the leaders of Russia, Turkey, German and France had reached in Istanbul on October 27, 2018, according to TASS. Putin and Macron also exchanged views on Ukraine, in light of the Nov 25 incident in the Kerch Strait where Russia fired upon and seized three Ukrainian navy boats and detained 24 crew members. French President Emmanuel Macron, in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, urged to constantly observe the ceasefire regime in Donbas and release the captured Ukrainian sailors as soon as possible and return the seized ships to Ukraine, that's according to the French president's press service. As UNIAN reported earlier, Russia on November 25 blocked the passage to the Kerch Strait for the Ukrainian tugboat "Yany Kapu" and two armored naval boats "Berdyansk" and "Nikopol," which were on a scheduled re-deployment from the Black Sea port of Odesa to the Azov Sea port of Mariupol. The Ukraine Navy Command noted that the Russian side had been informed of the plans to re-deploy the vessels in advance in accordance with international standards to ensure the safety of navigation. The Russian coast guard ship "Don" rammed the Ukrainian tugboat, damaging the Ukrainian vessel. As the Ukrainian boats were heading back in the Odesa direction after being rejected passage via the Kerch Strait, Russian coast guards opened aimed fire on them. All 24 crew members on board were captured and later remanded in custody for two months, being charged with "illegal border crossing" (the sailors are facing up to six years in prison). Three crewmen were wounded in the attack. Russian-controlled "courts" in occupied Crimea ruled that all 24 detainees should be remanded in custody, after which they were transferred to the Moscow-based Lefortovo and Matrosskaya Tishina detention centers. All the 24 Ukrainian sailors have declared themselves prisoners of war. On Dec 28, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron demanded that Russia release the Ukrainian sailors. "We demand safe, free and unimpeded transit for all ships through the Kerch Strait and the immediate and unconditional release of all illegally detained Ukrainian seafarers," Merkel and Macron said in a joint statement on Friday, December 28, as quoted by Reuters. Access to over 300 websites used by the Russian Federation in the hybrid war against Ukraine was blocked in 2018. The SBU, Ukraine's security service, prevented eight terrorist attacks in 2018. Five of them were solved, the SBU said on Facebook on January 2. During the SBU's counterintelligence activities from 2016 to 2018, it prevented 28 terrorist plots in the country. The recent one was reported in November 2018 when the SBU said it had blocked an arms trafficking channel in Kyiv region. The channel was organized by supporters of the international terrorist organization "Islamic State." Read alsoSBU blocks online network of Russia propagandists acting from three Ukrainian cities SBU agents established that citizens of Central Asian countries, using fake documents, illegally arrived in Ukraine after deportation from another Asian state over ties with ISIS. The SBU documented the sale of two foreign-made guns and ammunition. One of the members of the gang was detained by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. He was notified of a suspicion of committing an offense under Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and was arrested. As UNIAN previously reported, in 2018, the SBU's Department of Counterintelligence Protection of State Interests in the Field of Information Security blocked access to over 300 websites used by the Russian Federation in the hybrid war against Ukraine, as well as international criminal groups to distribute destructive information content. The Embassy says CNN should do better fact-checking. Ukraine's Embassy to the United States has responded to a CNN report in which the Ukrainian city of Simferopol, which is occupied by Russia, was mentioned as part of Russia. "Don't follow Russia's playbook," the Embassy said on Twitter on January 2. "We hope that our friends from CNN will do better fact-checking and content choice. Simferopol is a Ukrainian city on the Crimean peninsula occupied by Russia," it said. A material by U.S.-based CNN about New Year events around the world features a photo of Russian-occupied Simferopol captioned "Fireworks go off over central Simferopol, Russia." We hope that our friends from @CNN will do better fact checking and content choice. Simferopol is a Ukrainian city in Crimean peninsula occupied by Russia. Dont follow Russias playbook.#CrimeaIsUkrainepic.twitter.com/UuBSQp87BA UKR Embassy in USA (@UKRintheUSA) January 2, 2019 In March 2014, after the Russian troops invaded Crimea, Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula, having organized a sham "referendum" on self-determination. The self-proclaimed Crimean government said that 96.77% of participating voters had supported Crimea's accession to Russia. Ukraine designated the Crimean referendum as illegitimate. On March 18, 2014, the Kremlin signed the so-called "Treaty of Accession" regarding Crimea and Sevastopol, Russia's naval base in the Black Sea. Western countries did not recognize the annexation of Crimea and introduced a series of economic sanctions against Russia and Crimea. Romania took over the rotating European Union presidency on January 1. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has greeted Romania with the European Union presidency. "I congratulate Romania on the beginning of the country's first ever presidency of the Council of the European Union!" Poroshenko said on Twitter. "I believe that the ambition and responsibility of our Romanian partners will help the EU go through one of the most difficult periods of its existence, which is connected with the strengthening of Russian confrontation with the West, Brexit and European Parliament elections, and Russian aggression against Ukraine," he said. Read alsoUkraine "testing ground" for Russian military psy-ops unit Romania took over the rotating European Union presidency on January 1 under the motto: "Cohesion, a common European value." Britain's scheduled departure from the bloc on March 29 and EU parliamentary elections scheduled for May will be major challenges during Romania's EU presidency. The U.S. military assistance to Ukraine may include Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center John Herbst says the United States may soon impose new sanctions on Russia and arm Ukraine in response to Russian aggression in the Kerch Strait. As the ex-Ambassador said in an interview to Radio Liberty's Ukrainian Service, the reaction of the United States to the seizure of Ukrainian boats with the crews by Russia was weak, but it may soon change. In two to three months, one may see the U.S. supplying weapons to Kyiv and announcing new sanctions against Russia in connection with that aggression, he said. Read alsoEU's decision to prolong sanctions against Russia enters into force Herbst says that that a much stronger response from the U.S. will be given in next eight to ten, maximum twelve weeks. And, in addition to the sanctions, it will be military assistance to Ukraine, he said. In his words, there are now enough grounds to provide Ukraine with anti-ship missiles, patrol ships, and possibly other military equipment. "Anti-ship missiles would help," he said. According to him, the U.S. has enough Harpoon cruise missiles, based on technologies developed 30 years ago, and this is what the U.S. can already provide. "And, possibly, more modern missiles," Herbst added. Russia captured 24 members of the Ukrainian Navy along with the seizure of their three boats near the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea on November 25, 2018. The Ukrainian sailors are now in detention centers in Moscow. In 2018, the Ukroboronprom State Concern transferred 50 aircraft and helicopters to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, updating the aircraft fleet and strengthening it with modernized aircraft. "In 2018, the Ukrainian army received about 50 aircraft and helicopters, which were upgraded and repaired by the aircraft building companies, including 16 enterprises of Ukraines state concern Ukroboronprom. The Ukrainian pilots received Su-27 and MiG-29 fighters, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-24 strike aircraft, An-26 and Il-76 transport aircraft, L-39 training plane, Mi-24, Mi-14 and Mi-8 helicopters," the press service of Ukroboronprom reported. As noted, the result was made possible thanks to the work of the aircraft building enterprises of Ukroboronprom, which fulfilled the state defense order in 2018. In addition, the aircraft construction companies continued to work on the development of deep modernization of the Ukrainian army aircraft and the development of new models of aviation equipment. Writer and performer Kyle Hernandez of Trinidad is receiving death threats, following a performance he did on local television station WESN, where he seemed to insult not only Tobagonians but the national bird of the island. There are the witnesses, kids who experience wartime-level carnage in math class. We see what that kind of violence did to generations of soldiers. Imagine an 8-year-old going through shell shock. These kids are among at least 220,000 students who have been exposed to gun violence at school since the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado, according to The Posts remarkable series on school shootings. Kids heard screams, the boom of gunfire and experienced the panic of marching with their hands up out of their schools as SWAT teams swarmed the campuses. Then there are the kids who have been in a school during a lockdown, when a gun was found or a threat was made or a shooter was stopped. That number? More than 4.1 million kids lived through at least one lockdown during the 2017-2018 school year. One of these was at Silver Spring International Middle School earlier this year, when the school received a report of a someone who was in the building with a gun. Kathleen Isaacson, whose eighth-grader was in one of the classes, said kids were hunkered down, frightened, texting frantic goodbye messages to their parents. They knew what had just happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Free African Americans in the North celebrated the news. We are all liberated by this proclamation, said the noted orator and former slave Frederick Douglass. Everybody is liberated. The white man is liberated, the black man is liberated, the brave men now fighting the battles of their country against rebels and traitors are now liberated. But Douglass cautioned that the proclamation was only a first step; slaves who celebrated the proclamation risked being beaten or hung. The proclamation was not a surprise. Lincoln had presented his draft of a preliminary order at a Cabinet meeting on July 22, 1862. Secretary of State William Seward suggested the president wait until after the North had scored a fresh win over Southern troops before releasing the document. On Sept. 22, a few days after Union forces claimed victory in the Battle of Antietam, Lincoln issued the preliminary proclamation. It stated that if Southern states did not surrender by Jan. 1, 1863, the president would issue a final order to make their slaves forever free. Marleys Pizzeria, Red Roosters close Marleys Chicago Style Pizzeria and its companion restaurant, Red Roosters, both at 6104 E. 71st St., closed Sunday, Dec. 30. Marleys had been in business for eight years. Red Roosters, a family-style fried chicken spot, had been open only since Nov. 6. Chuys slates annual Elvis tribute Tuesday Chuys restaurants have scheduled their annual tribute to Elvis Presley on Tuesday, Jan. 8, the Kings 84th birthday. Customers who dress as Elvis or Priscilla Presley will receive a free entree of their choice, and diners will receive $1 off the Elvis green chile fried chicken and the Elvis Presley Memorial combo. Chuys also will offer $1 off Grande House Ritas and will be serving Blue Hawaiian cocktails for one day only. Chuys restaurants are at 10808 E. 71st St. and 8120 S. Olympia Ave. Carrabbas sets National Spaghetti Day specials Carrabbas Italian Grill, 11021 E. 71st St., will be offering three entrees for $10 each Friday, Jan. 4 National Spaghetti Day. The dishes are spaghetti pomodoro, penne alfredo and linguine positano. At least seven terrorists have been shot dead by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) during a military operation sanctioned by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Several other suspected al-Shabaal militants were wounded in the deadly fire exchange and nine AK 47 rifles, grenades, rocket propelled grenade launchers and other war paraphernalia seized. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: KDF Kills 51 Suspected Al Shabaab In Somalia Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers on the morning of Wednesday, January 2, 2019, kill seven al-Shabaab militants in the southern Somalia. Photo:UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Al-Shabaab militants raid Amisom camp, dozens feared dead A statement sent to newsrooms from the Ministry of Defense indicated the Kenyan soldiers operating under AMISOM faced off with the militants along the Tabda-Delahola supply route. "Today at around 11am, KDF soldiers operating under AMISOM engaged Al-Shabaab militants at a location along TabdaDelahola supply route. In the ensuing gun fight, seven (7) Al-Shabaab terrorists were killed and an unknown number escaped with injuries," the statement, seen by TUKO.co.ke on Wednesday, January 2, read. The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops are still pursuing the other terrorists who escaped with wounds during the gun fire. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: 33 al-Shabaab militants killed in two operations According to the KDF Spokesman PM Njuguna, two soldiers sustained minor injuries during the Wednesday morning shoot-out. Njuguna assured Kenyans the KDF soldiers will nevertheless remain vigilant and will continue to relentlessly pursue terrorists, to ensure peace and security of Kenya. He added the Kenyan soldiers will also continue to support AMISOM operations to stabilise Somalia. READ ALSO: Gang kills two guards in Eastleigh mall and steals electronics worth millions The terror group al-Shabaab has in the past few years made several attempts to infiltrate Kenya through the porous border between the country and Somalia. The militia group has previously launched several attacks in Kenya mostly in the North Eastern and Coast regions. The militants still control remote areas in southern and southwest areas of Somalia. AMISOM forces with the help of the Somali national army and US forces have been conducting joint military operations to eliminate the terror groups from the areas. 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. Matiang'i Celebrates Christmas at Police Station - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko Kenya - Haji said the ruling by High Court judge Chama Mwita crippled his office and that of DCI - He pointed out several other court orders that were given in favour of the accused litigant - The DPP argued the orders raised serious questions on principle of equality before the law - The suspect is facing charges relating to fraudulent payments he received from Mumias Sugar Company - He was released on cash bail after spending two nights in custody and was arraigned on Monday - Some of Kenya's top lawyers ganged up against Haji to secure their colleague's freedom The decision by the High Court to suspend criminal prosecution of lawyer Tom Ojienda has sparked angry reactions not just from a section of Kenyans but also the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji. The DPP expressed his utmost disappointment in the court's ruling and immediately directed his legal team to pen a complaint letter to the Chief Justice (CJ) and the President of the Supreme Court, David Maraga, for intervention. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: High Court stops intended corruption prosecution of senior counsel Tom Ojienda The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji on Monday, December 31, filed a respense to CJ Maraga following High Court's Decision to stop Tom Ojienda;s prosecution. Photo: UGC. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Court of Appeal judge to testify in corruption case against city lawyer Tom Ojienda In a hard-hitting statement issued on Monday evening, Haji said his office and that of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) were crippled by the High Court ruling that was delivered by Justice Chacha Mwita at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi. "Whereas the judiciary enjoys institutional and operational independence, the prosecution is concerned about these orders, all in favour of a particular litigant, raising serious questions on the principle of equality before the law," the DPP noted and cited several similar court orders that were issued in favour of the senior counsel, Ojienda. READ ALSO: Top lawyer Tom Ojienda arrested over KSh 200 million Mumias Sugar scandal Haji expounded that the High Court order means his office would not be able to pursue any other criminal proceeding against lawyer Ojienda until the matter pending in court is determined. He said he was also very concerned that the ruling could lead interfere with evidence and tamper with witnesses in the high-profile graft case. The DPP warned as much as his office respects the court orders and would abide by them, the trend could erode public confidence in the criminal justice system. "We respect the Court's order and shall give effect to it. However, in light of Article 157 (11) of the Constitution of Kenya, which requires the DPP, in exercising his powers to have regard to public interest, the interest of the administration of justice and the need to prevent and avoid abuse of the legal process, it has become important to make it known to the public, and in particular, the cane farmers who are directly affected by this matter, that Professor Tom Ojienda enjoys similar orders in several other matters before court," he indicated. Lawyer Tom Ojienda (pictured) was arrested on Friday, December 28, by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Top lawyer Tom Ojienda arrested over KSh 200 million Mumias Sugar scandal The criminal prosecution of Ojienda was put on hold after his legal team managed to persuade the court that the DPP could have abused the powers of his office by arresting the suspect over the business dealings he had with Mumias Sugar Company, considered as his client. Justice Mwita consequently stopped all investigations, intended prosecution, arraignment in any court within Kenya and even searches at the suspect's homes and offices until February 18, 2019, when the matter would be determined. Ojienda was accused of filing fake cases in different courts across Kakamega county in which some KSh 89 million was fraudulently paid to him by the cash-strapped sugar miller. He was arrested on Friday, December 28, and locked up at Muthaiga Police Station, Nairobi. READ ALSO: Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen slams DCI over arrest of lawyer Tom Ojienda The accused was, however, released on bail on Sunday, December 30, after spending two nights in police custody. Members of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) reportedly spent the better part of the weekend at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices pushing for the release of their colleague after paying the cash bail. Addressing journalists at the DCI headquarters, Nelson Havi, one of Ojienda's lawyers, described the arrest and detention as an attempt by the Executive to flex its muscles on professional lawyers. READ ALSO: Government starts convening series of crisis meetings to prevent January 2019 teachers' strike Ojienda, who is also a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), is at the same time battling Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) after he was accused of evading taxes. The taxman claimed the senior counsel has not remitted his taxes to the tune of KSh 443 million. 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. Ex-Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero Arraigned in Court Over Corruption Charges - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko Breaking News Fifth grade students at Coronado K-8 School have received telescopes courtesy of the Sun City Oro Valley Astronomy Club for 10 years, an effort intended to foster an interest in science in local students. Brazils new President Jair Bolsonaro attends the handover ceremony for Augusto Heleno, Minister of Institutional Security, Santos Cruz, Government Secretary, Gustavo Bebianno, Presidents Secretary General and Onyx Lorenzoni, Chief of Staff, at the planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil 2 January 2018. Photo: Adriano Machado / REUTERS By Anthony Boadle 2 January 2019 BRASILIA (Reuters) Brazils new President Jair Bolsonaro set to work quickly on Wednesday, with his administration issuing decrees affecting the economy, agriculture and society, while forging closer political ties with the United States. Bolsonaro, a former army captain and seven-term congressman, won elections in October and was sworn in on Tuesday as Brazils first far-right president since a military dictatorship gave way to civilian rule in 1985. Fulfilling a campaign promise to his staunch supporters in the farm sector, Bolsonaro decreed that indigenous land claims, a source of bloody clashes on Brazils agricultural frontier, would be decided by the Agriculture Ministry. The gift to the powerful agribusiness sector enraged environmentalists already worried by Bolsonaros plans to loosen protections of the Amazon rainforest and remove Brazils support for the Paris Agreement on climate change. [] Bolsonaros vow to follow Trumps example and pull Brazil out of the Paris climate change agreement has worried environmentalists. So have his plans to build hydroelectric dams in the Amazon and open up to mining the reservations of indigenous peoples who are seen as the last custodians of the worlds biggest forest. [more] Brazils new far-right government issues decrees across sectors Tucson, AZ (85741) Today Plenty of sunshine. Very hot. High 112F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 82F. NW winds shifting to ESE at 10 to 15 mph. I am repeatedly asked by various stakeholders whether Covid-19 vaccination could be made mandatory, so today I offer some initial thoughts. This is not a clear-cut legal question and there are good arguments on both sides. There is no law, precedent or policy which governs the matter at present. Labour law, public health and human rights issues intermingle and ultimately, what is reasonable and in the majority interest would likely prevail. National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds says theres no secrecy surrounding a small gift of Pfizer vaccines given to the National Security Ministry by the United States government. In a telephone interview with the Express yesterday, the minister said the small vaccine gift of 80 vials of Pfizer amounted to about 400 doses of the vaccine. However, the arrival of these vaccines generated curiosity in the country as to exactly how the batch came to Trinidad and the handover process as well as who exactly will benefit from the shots. By Lynda V. Mapes 25 July 2018 (The Seattle Times) For two days she has grieved, carrying her dead calf on her head, unwilling to let it go.J35, a member of the critically endangered southern resident family of orcas, gave birth to her calf Tuesday only to watch it die within half an hour. All day, and through the night, she carried the calf. She was seen still carrying the calf on Wednesday by Ken Balcomb, founder and principal investigator of the Center for Whale Research.It is unbelievably sad, said Brad Hanson, wildlife biologist with the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, who has witnessed other mother orcas do the same thing with calves that did not survive.Robin Baird, research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective in Olympia, in 2010 watched L72, another of the southern residents, carry her dead newborn in 2010. It reflects the very strong bonds these animals have, and as a parent, you can only imagine what kinds of emotional stress these animals must be under, having these events happen, Baird said.You could see the calf had not been dead very long, the umbilical cord was visible. When we were watching, all the rest of the whales were separated by a distance, and they were just moving very slowly. She would drop the calf every once in a while, and go back and retrieve it.J35 is doing the same thing, carrying her calf by balancing it on her rostrum, just over her nose. She dives to pick it back up every time it slides off.Scientists have documented grieving behavior in other animals with close social bonds in small, tightly knit groups, observed carrying newborns that did not survive. Seven species in seven geographic regions covering three oceans have been documented carrying the body of their deceased young, including Rissos dolphin in the Indian Ocean; the Indo-Pacific bottle-nosed dolphin and the spinner dolphin in the Red Sea; and pilot whales in the North Atlantic. []Deborah Giles, research scientist for University of Washington Center for Conservation Biology and research director for the nonprofit Wild Orca, also watched L72 carry her dead calf, following her at a distance in her research boat until the light faded and it was too dark to see. Same thing, it was hours and hours, she said of that whale. But I have never heard of this, she said of J35. More than 24 hours. It is horrible. This is an animal that is a sentient being. It understands the social bonds that it has with the rest of its family members. She carried the calf in her womb from 17 to 18 months, she is bonded to it and she doesnt want to let it go. It is that simple. She is grieving. []I am on the water collecting poop from animals that are not getting enough to eat, Giles said. I dont know if people understand the magnitude of what we are talking about here. We dont have five years to wait, we really dont. [more] Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has apologised for the vaccine fiasco last week, but said it was just one bad day. After more than a year of managing and attempting to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus in Trinidad and Tobago, Rowley admitted that the Government made a blunder by allowing walk-in vaccinations at health centres across the country. FINANCE Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday that the proposal to increase the retirement age to 65 from the current age of 60 is under active consideration, but he said the Government has not made a firm decision on the matter as yet. One of the methanol plants owned by methanol holdings (trinidad) ltd, the sister company of the oman-based methanol holdings (international) ltd, that is to be monetised to reduce the debt to the government resulting from the 2009 collapse of the insurance company. laxmi@tribune.com BEIJING/TAIPEI, January 2 Talking tough, President Xi Jinping on Wednesday asked Taiwan to reject independence and embrace peaceful reunification with China on a one-country-two systems basis, warning that he would not renounce the option of using military force if Taipei persists with the idea of freedom. Taiwan is Chinas most sensitive issue and is claimed by Beijing as its sacred territory. Xi has stepped up pressure on the democratic island since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party became president in 2016. Tsai rejected Xis call and instead urged China to embrace democracy. Xi has set great personal store in resolving what the Communist Party calls the Taiwan issue, holding a landmark meeting with then Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore in late 2015, just before Tsai was elected. Xi spoke at Beijings Great Hall of the People on the 40th anniversary of a landmark Taiwan policy statement. He said reunification must come under a one-China principle that accepts Taiwan as part of China, anathema to supporters of Taiwan independence, adding that the one country, two systems model of autonomy, with which China governs Hong Kong, was the best way for Taiwan. China translates the word tong yi as reunification, but it can also be translated as unification, a term in English preferred by supporters of Taiwan independence who point out the Communist government has never ruled Taiwan and so it cannot be reunified. The vast majority of Taiwans people are clearly aware that Taiwan independence would lead to a grave disaster, Xi told an audience that included Taiwan business people and senior party officials. Chinese people dont attack other Chinese people. We are willing to use the greatest sincerity and expend the greatest hard work to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification, Xi said. We do not promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option to use all necessary measures to achieve this goal and prevent Taiwan independence, he said. This, though, was aimed at foreign forces who sought to interfere and the tiny minority of Taiwan independence forces and their activities, Xi said without elaborating in what was likely a reference to the United States, Taiwans strongest backer. Speaking to reporters, Tsai said Taiwan would never accept one country, two systems and was proud of its democratic way of life. Xi reiterated that China was willing to talk with any party in Taiwan to push the political process - stalled by China since Tsai took office, as long as they accept the one China principle. Agencies The warring nations Xi was speaking on the anniversary of the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan on January 1, 1979, when China declared an end to what had been routine artillery bombardment of Taiwan-controlled offshore islands and offered to open up communication between the two sides However, the offer was rebuffed by Taiwans then-president Chiang Ching-kuo, who in April that year came out with a three nos policy of no contact, no compromise and no negotiation with China Chiang only relaxed that in 1987, allowing people in Taiwan to visit China for family reunions. His father, Chiang Kai-shek, fled with defeated Nationalist forces to Taiwan in December 1949 after losing a civil war to the Communists "After peaceful reunification, Taiwan will have lasting peace and the people will enjoy good and prosperous lives. With the great motherlands support, Taiwan compatriots welfare will be even better, their development space will be even greater." Xi Jinping, Chinese President "The vast majority in Taiwan resolutely oppose one country, two systems, This is the Taiwan consensus. We call on China to bravely step forward for democracy, for only by doing so can it truly understand the people of Taiwans thinking and insistence" Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan President pardeepdhull@gmail.com Tijuana (Mexico), January 1 US border agents launched tear gas into Mexico early on Tuesday to deter a group of migrants that one official called a violent mob from crossing over from Tijuana, according to a Reuters witness and the US government. Clouds of the noxious gas could be seen wafting up from around the fence at the border. One migrant picked up a canister and threw it back into US territory. US officials said the group had attacked agents with projectiles but a Reuters witness did not see any migrants throwing rocks at US agents. Tijuana has become a flashpoint in the debate over US immigration policy, which has been intensified by the recent deaths of two migrant children in American custody and a partial US government shutdown over US President Donald Trumps demand for $5 billion in funding for a wall along the border with Mexico. A previous incident in November when US agents fired gas into Mexico to disperse migrants triggered a call from Mexicos government for an investigation, as well as international condemnation. Mexico Foreign Ministry spokesman Roberto Velasco said the government regrets the events at the border. He said Mexico advocates respect for migrants human rights, security and integrity, while calling for respect for laws on both sides of the border. More than 150 Central American migrants approached an area of the border in Tijuana in the Playas neighborhood near the beach late on Monday. Migrants said they thought security measures might be relaxed due to the New Years holiday. US security personnel fired tear gas into Mexico after midnight as some migrants prepared to climb a border fence, according to the Reuters witness. During a second attempt, migrants began to pass youths and children over the razor wire along the fencing to the US side. US Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Katie Waldman called the group a violent mob and said they had thrown projectiles at agents who responded with the minimum force necessary to defend themselves. Congress needs to fully fund the border wall, Waldman said in a statement. Cruel, inhumane US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement the gas was aimed upwind of people throwing rocks on the Mexican side who obstructed agents from helping the children being passed over razor wire. The CBP statement said agents had not directly targeted the migrants attempting to cross the fence with tear gas and pepper spray. A Reuters witness documented in one photo where a migrant had been hit by what appeared to be a gas canister. Human rights group Amnesty Internationals deputy director of research Justin Mazzola described the use of tear gas against migrants cruel and inhumane and called for an independent investigation. The Trump administration is defying international law and orchestrating a crisis by deliberately turning asylum-seekers away from ports of entry, endangering families who see no choice but to take desperate measures in their search for protection, he said in a statement. CBP said most of the migrants attempting to cross returned to Mexico while 25 people, including two teenagers, were detained. Thousands of Central American migrants have been camping at shelters in Tijuana since arriving in November after traveling in caravans across Mexico to reach the US border, where many have hoped to request asylum. Mexicos new leftist president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has sought not to antagonize Trump over the US presidents demands for a border wall. He obtained a pledge from the United States to contribute billions of dollars for development in Mexicos poor south and Central America in order to deter migration. Trump has backed away from his campaign pledge to make Mexico pay for a wall, but just last week he threatened to close the border with Mexico unless he gets the money he wants from US lawmakers for a barrier. The United States has also pushed Mexico to house Central American migrants while they seek US asylum. Reuters pardeepdhull@gmail.com Dhaka, January 2 A journalist working with a prominent media house in Bangladesh was arrested for allegedly publishing false information about voting irregularities in the just-concluded parliamentary elections, according to a media report. Hedait Hossain Molla, associated with Bangla Tribune and Probaho, reported that in Khulna 1 constituency, 22,419 more ballots were cast than the number of registered voters, the Dhaka Tribune quoted the police as saying. He was arrested on Tuesday in Khulna under the Digital Security Act following an FIR by Khulnas Assistant Returning Officer Debashish Chowdhury, senior police officer Mahbubur Rahman said. The FIR also named Rashedul Islam, another journalist associated with local daily Manabzamin. He was yet to be arrested. Initial investigations suggest that they were based on false information, Inspector Sarkar Ibrahim Sohel, who is in charge of the investigation, said. He said that the Election Commission was informed before the case was filed. The arrest of the journalist comes two days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League and its allies won the general elections, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls. The jailed ex-premier Khalida Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which won five seats in the 300-member Parliament, has rejected the poll outcome as farcical and demanded fresh election. The election was marred by violence, in which 17 people died. The opposition BNP rejected the poll outcome as farcical and rigged and demanded fresh election, amid allegations of intimidation. The Election Commission (EC) ruled out holding fresh polls. The opposition Jatiya Oikya Front National Unity Front (NUF) comprising the BNP and some smaller parties, criticised the EC and accused its chief of being biased. PTI laxmi@tribune.com Havana, January 2 On the 60th anniversary of Cubas revolution, ruling Communist Party leader Raul Castro blasted the Trump administration for returning to an outdated path of confrontation with the island nation and of intervening in Latin America. Castro and his late elder brother Fidel Castro led the rebel band that in 1959 overthrew a US-backed dictator and installed a Communist-run country on the doorstep of the United States, setting the scene for decades of Cold War hostility. At the time, their revolution inspired leftist movements throughout Latin America, but the celebrations on Tuesday came as the region is shifting rightwards, coinciding with the inauguration of Brazils far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. Some of Cubas closest allies, Venezuela and Nicaragua, are mired in political crises, and US President Donald Trump has tightened the decades-old US embargo on the island, after his predecessor, Barack Obama, had sought to normalise relations. Once again, the North American government is taking on the path of confrontation with Cuba, Castro said in the southeastern city of Santiago de Cuba where Fidel Castro proclaimed victory six decades ago. The speech by Castro, who stepped down as president in April but remains head of the Communist Party until 2021, was part of a solemn, sunset ceremony in a cemetery where both Fidel Castro and independence hero Jose Marti are buried. Increasingly, high-ranking officials of this administration are ... trying to blame Cuba for all the regions ills, he said, adding that they stemmed instead from ruthless neoliberal policies. Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, said in November that Washington would take a tougher line against Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, calling them a troika of tyranny. Cubas true battle this year was an economic one, he added, reiterating comments made at the national assembly in late December by his successor, President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who announced increased austerity for the fourth year running in 2019 in the face of a cash crunch. A decade ago, as president, he introduced a series of reforms to liberalise and boost the centrally planned economy, yet it remains heavily state-dominated and bound in red tape. A series of external shocks such as a decline in aid from Venezuela and devastation wrought by hurricanes have also dented growth, which is sluggish at best. Reuters "Cuba had proven throughout six decades of revolution it could not be intimidated by threats. The revolution has not aged, it remains young" Raul Castro, Communist Party Leader pardeepdhull@gmail.com Beijing, January 2 China is building the first of four most advanced naval warships for its all-weather ally Pakistan as part of a major bilateral arms deal to ensure among other things balance of power in the strategic Indian Ocean, state media reported. Equipped with modern detection and weapon systems, it will be capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine and air-defence operations, China Daily quoted state-owned defence contractor China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) as saying. The under-construction ship is a version of the Chinese Navys most advanced guided missile frigate, it said. The CSSC did not specify the ships type but said it is being constructed at its Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. China, an all-weather ally of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to Pakistan. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a single engine multi-role combat aircraft. The ships class is Type 054AP, which means it is based on the Type 054A of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, the report quoted the Pakistani Navy as saying. The Pakistani Navy previously said four such ships had been ordered, according to the report. Once constructed, the warship will be one of the largest and technologically advanced platforms of the Pakistani Navy and strengthen the countrys capability to respond to future challenges, maintain peace and stability and the balance of power in the Indian Ocean region, the report said. It will also support the Pakistani Navys initiative of securing sea lanes for international shipping by patrolling distant waters, the daily quoted the CSSC as saying. The mention of the Indian Ocean is regarded as significant as China, which has already taken over Pakistans strategic Gwadar port under the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), looks to assist the Pakistani navy to restore the balance of power in Indias backyard. China has acquired the logistical military base in Djibouti and taken over the Hambantota port of Sri Lanka under a 99-year debt swap deal. China recently denied a New York Times report that it finalised a plan to build advanced fighter aircraft under the CPEC in Pakistan, adding a military dimension to it. India protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan became the first country to hook on to Chinas BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, a rival to the US Global Positioning System (GPS) which went global recently. The system was expected to be used for military applications. The report said Type 054A is the best frigate in service with the PLA Navy. Military sources said the ship has a fully loaded displacement of about 4,000 metric tonnes and is equipped with advanced radars and missiles. About 30 Type 054As are in service with the PLA Navy. An insider in Chinas shipbuilding sector with knowledge of the Type 054AP programme told the Daily that the ship is the largest and most powerful combat vessel China has ever exported. Based on pictures circulating on the internet, the ship will have vertical launch cells that can fire Chinese HQ-16 air-defence missiles and other kinds of missiles. Vertical launch cells will bring flexibility to the user in terms of weapons portfolio, thus giving it a stronger fighting capability, he said, adding that the Type 054AP is the best frigate Pakistan can access in the international market. The service of Type 054APs will double the combat power of the Pakistani Navys surface fleet, he said. Commenting on the ships construction, Cao Weidong, a senior researcher at the PLAs Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said in the past, the Pakistani Navy would ask its Chinese contractors to use Western radars or weapons on ships constructed by the Chinese shipbuilders because it believed the Western naval technologies were better than Chinese ones. But it seems that all weapons and radars on the new ship will be Chinese products, which reflects our progress in the industry and the Pakistani Navys confidence in our technology and capability, he said. Cao said there are many nations selling frigates in the market, so Pakistan must have made thorough comparisons in terms of combat capability and costs. I believe the reason they chose our type is that ours is one of the few that can carry out all of the air-defence, anti-ship and anti-submarine tasks, he said, expecting the service of the Chinese frigate to substantially boost Pakistans defence capability. PTI laxmi@tribune.com Rio de Janeiro, January 2 Far-right congressman Jair Bolsonaro has been sworn in as Brazils new President and he promised to build a society without discrimination or division. The 63-year-old former army captain in his inaugural speech on Tuesday talked about a national pact to free Brazil of corruption, crime and economic mismanagement, the BBC reported. After being sworn in in front of the Congress, Bolsonaro went on to the Planalto Palace where the outgoing President, Michel Temer, handed over the presidential sash. Speaking afterwards, he said Brazil would start to free itself of socialism and political correctness. Bolsonaro won the presidential election by a wide margin against Fernando Haddad of the left-wing Workers Party on October 28, 2018. Despite portraying himself as a political outsider during his campaign, Bolsonaro served seven terms in Brazils lower house of Congress, the Chamber of Deputies, before being elected President. IANS laxmi@tribune.com Beijing, January 2 China is building the first of four most advanced naval warships for its all-weather ally Pakistan as part of a major bilateral arms deal to ensure among other things balance of power in the strategic Indian Ocean, state media reported. Equipped with modern detection and weapon systems, it will be capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine and air-defence operations, China Daily quoted state-owned defence contractor China State Shipbuilding Corporation. The under-construction ship is a version of the Chinese navys most advanced guided missile frigate, it said. China is the largest supplier of weapons systems to Pakistan. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder, a single engine multi-role combat aircraft. The ships class is Type 054AP, which means it is based on Type 054A of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy, the report quoted the Pakistani navy as saying. China has acquired the logistical military base in Djibouti and taken over the Hambantota port of Sri Lanka under a debt swap deal. Pakistan became the first country to hook on to Chinas BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, a rival to the US Global Positioning System which went global recently. PTI pardeepdhull@gmail.com Moscow, January 2 Rescuers hunted for survivors on Wednesday in the rubble of a Russian apartment building hit by a New Years Eve gas explosion, but found only bodies as the number of confirmed dead rose to 18. Nearly two dozen people were still missing following the explosion, which destroyed 35 apartments in the high-rise in the city of Magnitogorsk in the Ural mountains. Braving temperatures that fell as low as minus 27 degrees Celsius (minus 16 degrees Fahrenheit), rescue workers were combing through mangled concrete and metal. Their efforts were given a boost on Tuesday when a 10-month-old baby boy was found alive and reunited with his mother. But hope was starting to fade of finding many more survivors. The emergency situations ministry said in a statement that as of 12:15 Moscow time (local time) the bodies of 18 people, including two children, had been recovered from the partly collapsed building. Six people, including two children, had been rescued and 23 people were still missing. Work at the scene is continuing, it said, noting that 800 square metres of debrisloaded into 50 dump truckshad been cleared from the site in the last 24 hours. The explosion, believed to have been caused by a gas leak, tore through the nine-storey building in Magnitogorsk, an industrial town nearly 1,700 kilometres (1,050 miles) east of Moscow, in the early hours of Monday. Witnesses described a wave of fire from the explosion and said the blast was strong enough to shatter windows in nearby buildings. The Soviet-era apartment block was home to about 1,100 people and the blast left dozens homeless over the New Yearthe biggest holiday of the year in Russia. Tuesdays recovery of the infant boy offered a rare moment of hope, with officials describing his rescue as a New Years miracle. The boy was found in his cradle after rescuers heard him crying from within the rubble. He was brought to his mother, who had survived the blast, and then flown to Moscow for treatment. Russian television showed footage of the boy lying in a hospital bed watched by his tearful mother. Medical officials in Moscow said the boy was in serious but stable condition after suffering from severe frostbite, a head injury and multiple fractures. Residents left homeless by the explosion were being housed in a nearby school and helped by a team of psychologists. Wednesday was a day of mourning in the region, with flags lowered and entertainment events cancelled, in a country where New Years Eve celebrations are an annual highlight. Mourners laid flowers and lit candles near the site of the building. We are all grieving, a middle-aged man told Rossiya 24 television. Nearly everyone in the city knew someone caught up in the accident, he said. Investigators have said there is no reason to suspect foul play in the blast. Rumours have swirled on social media of a possible terror link, especially after a minibus explosion on Tuesday that killed three people. No traces of explosives or their components have been found at the scene, the federal Investigative Committee said in a statement. Local authorities have said the minibus explosion was the result of leaking gas tanks and that there was no link between the two blasts. Gas explosions are relatively common in Russia, where much of the infrastructure dates back to the Soviet era and safety requirements are often ignored. Investigative Committee chief Alexander Bastrykin told Russian television that gas equipment in the Magnitogorsk building had not been checked for more than six months prior to the explosion. Located in the mineral-rich southern Urals region, Magnitogorsk, with a population of more than 400,000 people, is home to one of the countrys largest steel producers. AFP shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com Mumbai, January 2 Over 1,000 women formed a human chain in Mumbai to express solidarity with the 'Women's Wall' formed in Kerala as part of an initiative to uphold gender equality amid the row over entry of females of certain ages in the Sabarimala temple. On Tuesday, over 35 lakh women stood shoulder-to- shoulder across the national highways in Kerala, creating a 620 km-long human 'wall' from the northern end of Kasaragod to the state's southern tip. The 'Women's wall' was conceived in the backdrop of frenzied protests witnessed in the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala after the Kerala government decided to implement the Supreme Court verdict, allowing women of all ages to offer prayers at the shrine. Extending support to the campaign, women from several organisations and social activists came together to form a nearly one km-long human chain from Dadar Chowpatty to Shivaji Park in Mumbai on Tuesday evening. Sonya Gill, a member of the committee which organised the Mumbai women's chain, said around 1,000 to 1,200 women from the megapolis and the neighbouring Thane district and Navi Mumbai town gathered at the venue to form the chain. "We gathered to express solidarity for gender equality and what our sisters were doing in Kerala. We are not following our old values and traditions where women used to be given due respect in all fields," she said. A number of Muslim women also took part in the campaign and they carried banners with messages like "neither we are impure nor second rate citizens. Let's unite against all sorts of discrimination." PTI gspannu7@gmail.com Smita Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 2 India continues to engage with the United States to seek extradition of key conspirators, including David Headley, responsible for the 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai. In response to a question in Parliament, Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh on Wednesday said, The United States has expressed its commitment towards working with its international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the December 26, 2008, Mumbai attack. India has been engaged in dialogue to seek extradition of David Headley, one of the key conspirators and Let operative believed to be a double agent lodged in a US jail. Headley was responsible for the reconnaissance mission as he scouted the city nearly half a dozen times between 2007-2008. He was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison in 2013 but entered into a plea bargain with American authorities. His co-accused Tahawwur Rana blamed for providing material support to the Lashkar was however acquitted by court. Government of India has engaged with relevant US authorities, under terms of the India-US Extradition Treaty of 1997, for extradition of US-based individuals for their role in the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai, replied VK Singh. The National Investigation Agency which was provided access to interrogate Headley in 2010, sent a team to the US from 13-15 December to continue discussions. The matter was also discussed during the inaugural India-US 2+2 dialogue in September at the level of defence and foreign ministers, with both sides calling on Pakistan to bring to justice expeditiously perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot and Uri terror attacks. shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com New Delhi, January 2 The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear on Thursday a plea seeking urgent steps to rescue 15 miners trapped inside an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya since December 13. The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a Bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul. The PIL filed by Aditya N Prasad also sought a direction to the Centre and other authorities concerned to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for rescue operations in mining. The rat-hole mine, located on top of a hillock fully covered with trees in East Jaintia Hills district, had got flooded when water from the nearby Lytein river gushed into it, trapping the miners. Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually three-four feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed "rat holes" as each just about fits one person. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had on Thursday contradicted media reports which quoted it as saying the trapped minors were suspected to be dead on the basis of a foul odour that the force's divers had encountered when they went inside the mine. It had said the foul smell could be due to the stagnant water in the mine as pumping had been halted for more than 48 hours. A survivor of the accident said Saturday there was no way the trapped miners would come out alive. Family members of at least seven trapped miners had already given up hope to rescue them alive and requested the government to retrieve the bodies for last rites. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 2 The RSS has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement on the Ram temple calling it a positive one. Endorsing the views expressed by the Prime Minister in his New Year interview on Tuesday, the BJPs ideological fountainhead called it a reiteration of the BJPs Palampur resolution where it had said that the party would try to build the temple through dialogue or legislation. The statement issued by top Sangh leader Dattatreya Hosabale said that the BJPs manifesto for the 2014 general election under Modi had also promised that the BJP would make all attempts to build the temple in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution. The people of the country had trusted him and supported the BJP with majority. That this government keep its promise in its tenure is what the people also wanted, said Hosabale. The carefully-nuanced statement by the RSS is quite different from the rhetoric launched by the affiliate VHP demanding legislation or an ordinance to facilitate the temple. Modi on Tuesday categorically said that the government would await the Supreme Court verdict on the issue as he urged all parties to cooperate to complete the judicial process without any hurdles, while making a distinction in the differentiated approach of the BJP towards the triple talaq and Sabarimala verdicts. Hosabale said the Prime Minister was acting as per the BJPs 1989 Palampur resolution and the manifesto for the 2014 general election. There are speculations in political circles of a breakthrough in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case in Ayodhya ahead of the general election. The VHP has been pushing for an early hearing in order to resolve the issue. On January 4, the Supreme Court is likely to constitute a three-judge Bench for hearing on as many as 14 appeals filed against the Allahabad High Court judgment. rchopra@tribunemail.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 2 After Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ruled out the constitution of a joint parliamentary committee on Rafale jet purchase in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a one-on-one debate on the issue. "The PM does not have guts to face me," the Congress chief said. Addressing the media, Gandhi said, "The Finance Minister himself told Parliament that size of Rafale deal is Rs 58,000 crore, or Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft." He added that former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is effectively blackmailing the Prime Minister on Rafale. "Price of Rafale aircraft has been inflated from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore,"said Gandhi, while asking who raised it. "We will definitely investigate the Rafale deal," said Gandhi, when asked whether there will be a probe into it if the Congress comes to power. "If prices of Rafale deal was brought down as claimed by Jaitley why did we not buy 126 aircraft or more," he asked. Supreme Court never said there should be no investigation, no JPC on Rafale, he added. "Why the PM and the defence minister, who were the decision makers in Rafale deal, cannot defend it in Parliament," he asked, adding that "Jaitley has a habit of repeatedly lying; his defence on Rafale deal in Parliament was hollow". Stating that Rafale aircraft is a good aircraft, the Congress president said, "What we are saying is that the PM has changed the deal to benefit Anil Ambani." For Gandhi, Rafale issue has been top priority considering he has addressed eight press conferences on it before today. In the LS today, Gandhi was on backfoot after Jaitley attacked him and his family for a "legacy of corruption" in defence deals and said when one family gets named in three scams (Bofors, Agusta Westland and National Herald) it "cannot be coincidence; it is conspiracy". Jaitley also questioned Gandhi's "knowledge" saying he and his family only understand the language of money and not of national interest. "How did a Rs 5,000-crore aircraft become a Rs 1,600 cr aircraft is the question being asked. It's sad that the head of the grand old party of India does not understand kindergarten arithmetic," Jaitley said, later again attacking Gandhi saying "Rahul Gandhi's class would have to begin from A, B and C". An aggressive Jaitley also alleged that one family that was a "conspirator in all major defence deals in the past is today pointing fingers at a clean Government". Gandhi had earlier opened the debate on Rafale on the issue and had to step back after citing a purported tape recorded conversation of Goa Health Minister Vishwanath Rane with someone where Rane is heard saying that Goa CM claims to have all Rafale documents in his bedroom. "Do I have your permission to play the tape," Gandhi asked Speaker Sumitra Mahajan earlier in the debate with Jaitley daring the Congress Chief to authenticate the tape and play it. After a brief adjournment on the issue Gandhi returned to the House to say he won't play the tape. While Gandhi attacked PM Narendra Modi demanding a JPC in the matter, Jaitley counter attacked the Gandhi family retorting to Gandhi's reference to industrialist Anil Ambani as AA since the Speaker reminded Gandhi of house rules that don't permit naming of people not present in the house. Jaitley when interjecting in the debate said "now that the other side has set a precedent of using abbreviations instead of names let me ask Rahul Gandhi if he played in red lap of Mr Q?". Jaitley raked up Bofors as he attacked the Gandhis politically. With PTI inputs amansharma@tribunemail.com Smita Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 2 The Ministry of Home Affairs in a written response in Parliament on Wednesday said Pakistani terror groups are preparing to launch operatives through sea routes. As per available inputs, Pakistan-based terrorist organisation had exhorted its cadres for Samundari Jihad against India, MoS for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. The Ministry was responding to a question whether Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has planned a 26/11 kind of terror strike in the port, cargo and oil tankers on high seas. In response Minister of State (MoS) home affairs Hansraj Ahir said there is no specific input about any such plan. However, available inputs indicate that the Pakistan-based terrorist groups continue to train their cadres for underwater strike capabilities in a bid to infiltrate them into India by sea/ water ways, added Ahir in his reply. Ten heavily-armed terrorists of the LeT, including Ajmal Kasab, had taken the Arabian Sea route to enter Mumbai in a dinghy and carried out the bloody terror attacks in the financial capital in 2008 killing 166 people, including foreign nationals. Since then several measures have been announced to plug in the sea route loopholes and strengthen coastal security. All steps are being taken to ensure that terrorists do not enter India through sea routes, said Home Minister Rajnath Singh at a briefing later. This a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first interview of 2019 had said talks with Islamabad is possible but cross-border terrorism must end as any dialogue will be drowned amid the noise of bombs and guns. The ministry also informed the house that of the sanctioned 340 km of fence along the Indo-Pakistan Border at Banaskantha, Patan and Kutch in Gujarat, work has been completed along 280 km of the stretch so far. No ISIS/Taliban in Valley In a separate question on the presence of Islamic State in the Valley, the Ministry has said nothing has been established on the ground that ISIS is operating in any part of Kashmir. However, Ansar Gazwat-Ul-Hind (AGUH) formed and led by Zakir Musa (former Hizbul Mujahideen militant) has posted adverse materials on social media. There are reports that at present, Zakir Musa has support of less than 10 militants. No militant Tanzeem like Taliban is presently operating in any part of the Kashmir Valley, says the Home Ministry. rchopra@tribunemail.com Islamabad, January 2 The Pakistan Army claimed to have shot down an Indian spy quadcopter flying over the Pakistani side of the Line of Control in Bagh sector, a claim strongly rejected by the Indian Army. Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations--the Pakistan Armys media wing--released the picture of the drone in a tweet on Tuesday. Pakistan Army troops shot down Indian spy quadcopter in Bagh sector along Line of Control (LoC), he said in the tweet. Ghafoor said not even a quadcopter would be allowed to cross (the) LoC. In New Delhi, the Indian Army sources strongly rejected the Pakistan Armys claim of shooting down the Indian spy quadcopter, saying no such incident happened along the LoC. According to the Pakistani defence officials, four intruding Indian drones were shot down by Pakistani forces last year. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Lucknow, January 2 The Congress misused the CBI to frame BJP president Amit Shah in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday, demanding Rahul Gandhis apology for his partys actions. The BJP leader was reacting to the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) courts recent decision acquitting Shah and others in the case. The Congress plays with the security of the country for its gains. It has become clear from the CBI courts judgment which acquitted all accused and termed it a political conspiracy, Adityanath told reporters here. Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the country and clear his partys stand on backing a terrorist (Sheikh), he said, adding that the Congress leadership was involved in a conspiracy to send Shah to jail but the courts judgment had exposed them. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and the then PM Manmohan Singh were involved in the conspiracy. The Congress was working in the interest of a terrorist, who was fighting against the country. They did lobbying in his favour and had sent Shah to jail, he said. I express my gratitude to the court for revealing the truth, he said, adding that the way the Congress was discharging its political responsibilities was shameful. The special CBI court in Mumbai had on December 21, 2018 acquitted all 22 accused in the killing of Sheikh, his wife Kausar Bi and his aide Tulsi Prajapati in alleged fake encounters by Gujarat Police between 2005 and 2006 citing insufficient evidence. Shah, who was the minister of state for home in Gujarat at the time, was arrested briefly in 2010 in the case before being discharged in December 2014. Adityanath said that in 2014, the Supreme Court and earlier the Bombay High Court had acquitted the BJP chief but it was clear that the Congress was targeting Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chief Ministers remarks come at a time when the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre is being accused by the Opposition of interfering in CBI affairs. On the AugustaWestland deal, Adityanath alleged, Christian Michel and others were related to Congress top leadership, while he dismissed the claims made by Rahul Gandhi that he had in his possession a purported audio tape of a Goa minister on the Rafale deal. There was no immediate response from the Congress on the allegations made by Yogi. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Jitendra Shrivastava Tribune News Service Patna, January 2 Two youths were lynched after a local RJD activist was shot dead in Bihars Nalanda district on Wednesday. After Indar Paswans murder, the locals went on the rampage and set the accuseds house on fire. The mob also brutally beat up two youths, who later died in hospital in Nalanda, home district of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The Opposition has already been targeting the Nitish-led government over the law and order situation. pardeepdhull@gmail.com New Delhi, January 2 Altogether 140 terrorists were killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir between June and December 2018 during which 426 stone pelting incidents were also reported in the state, Union minister Hansraj Ahir said on Wednesday. Replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha, he said 140 terrorists were killed from June 25 to December 5, 2018, in the state, where 119 terrorist violence took place during the period. The minister of state for home said 426 stone-pelting incidents took place in Jammu and Kashmir in the said period, in which 34 civilians were injured. As many as 171 security personnel were martyred while combating with terrorists in Kashmir and other parts of the country, guarding borders or serving their duty in 2016, 167 troops were martyred in 2017 and 163 personnel in 2018 (till November). PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Shimla, January 2 High and mid hills are likely to be lashed by rain, hailstorm and snow from January 4. According to the Met department, the western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region and plains of North-West India. Precipitation occurred at isolated places over the state during the last 24 hours. The lowest temperature was recorded at Keylong at -4.6C while Kalpa recorded -3.4C and Kufri -1.1C. The higher hills and tribal areas received fresh snowfall. Kothi received 10 cm of snow, Udaipur 3 cm and Kalpa 1 cm, Manali experienced 3 mm of rainfall, Bangatto 2 mm and Chatrari 1 mm. The Met department said the weather was likely to remain dry on Thursday with a warning of rain, hailstorm and snow on January 4 and 5. The department has issued the forecast of rain and hailstorm in the low hills on January 4 and 5 while the mid and high hills could experience rain and snow due to a fresh western disturbance affecting the region. Shimla, which remained cloudy barring a brief sunshine in the afternoon, recorded a minimum temperature of 3.7C and a maximum of 11.0C. The minimum temperature in Sundernagar was 5.5C, Dharamsala 2.8C, Una 7.2C, Nahan 4.9C, Palampur 6C, Solan 3C, Manali 0.6C, Mandi 3.1C, Bilaspur 7.8C , Hamirpur 8.0C and Chamba 6.9C. Meanwhile, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Wednesday said it was fully ready to deal with any eventuality. Special Secretary, Disaster Management, DC Rana said state and district control rooms had been put on a state of readiness to deal with any eventuality in view of the weather advisory. Tourists and the general public had been advised to avoid the higher reaches in the coming days to avoid any untoward incident, he added. editorial@tribune.com Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, January 2 Faced with an uphill task of retaining all four Lok Sabha seats it won in 2014, the ruling BJP could field new faces by replacing at least three of its sitting MPs. Based on the party surveys and feedback collected by the RSS, the BJP is scouting for new faces, who could ensure victory in the elections. Feedback is being taken from various quarters on potential candidates from Kangra, Shimla and Mandi Lok Sabha seats as it is being felt that fielding a new face could help the party. The names of Health Minister Vipin Parmar, Jwalamukhi MLA Ramesh Dhwala and Trilok Kapoor, a Gaddi leader from Baijnath, are doing the rounds from the Kangra seat. However, the possibility of Shanta Kumar finally agreeing to contest is not fully ruled out as it is being felt that under the present political scenario, it will be safer for the party to field him. Despite Mandi being the hometurf of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the declining graph of MP Ramwaroop has been a cause of worry for the party. Even though the feedback from various quarters has clearly indicated that Brig Khushal Thakur (retd), a decorated Kargil war hero, will be a strong candidate, there is resistance to his candidature from within the party. Besides being a war hero, he has fought for the people under the Four-lane Sangharsh Samiti and is a familiar face both in Mandi and Kullu districts, admitted a BJP MLA from Mandi. However, the CM camp is not too inclined towards his candidature. He will be in a position to woo the serving and ex-servicemen votes, besides other sections, he added. The BJP is also contemplating changing its sitting MP Virender Kashyap from the Shimla reserved seat. The name of Suresh Kashyap, the sitting party MLA from Pachhad in Sirmaur district, has been in circulation for long. Being a two-time MLA, he is being considered a strong candidate, who can sway votes in Solan and Sirmaur. The possibility of three-time MP from Hamirpur Anurag Thakur seems bleak, though political circles are rife with reports that his father and former CM PK Dhumal could take the plunge. However, senior party functionaries say it is Anurag who will contest. Shanta may jump into fray The names of Health Minister Vipin Parmar, Jwalamukhi MLA Ramesh Dhwala and Trilok Kapoor, a Gaddi leader from Baijnath, are doing the rounds from the Kangra seat. However, the possibility of Shanta Kumar finally agreeing to contest is not fully ruled out as it is being felt that under the present political scenario, it will be safer for the party to field him. Shah in Hamirpur on Jan 28 The BJP, which has already held Panna Pramukh Sammelans in Mandi and Solan, is all geared up to welcome national president Amit Shah at Hamirpur on January 28. Shah, who could not make it to the earlier two Panna Sammelans for the Mandi and Shimla parliamentary seats, is particular about fielding the best candidate for the 2014 elections, especially after the partys defeat in three big states in the Hindi heartland. editorial@tribune.com Pradeep Sharma Tribune News Service Chandigarh, January 2 Peoples participation in the shape of the Residents Advisory Council (RAC) will be the hallmark of the newly-constituted Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA) for the overall development of the city. The RAC will advise the FMDA and provide guidance on the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions, read the Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority Bill, 2018, which was passed by the Assembly during its one-day winter session on December 28. A distinctive feature of the RAC would be that it would have such persons, not less than 10 and not more than 15, being residents of the notified area, to be nominated amongst residents welfare associations, civil society, labour, industry and real estate developers by the authority. The RAC shall monitor the implementation of the annual plan of action for infrastructure development, mobility management plan and plan for sustainable management of urban environment and make such recommendations as it might decide, read the Bill. The RAC will be headed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will comprise, among others, MC Commissioner, Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner and HUDA Chief Administrator. The FMDA is proposed to developing a vision for continued, sustained and balanced growth of the city through quality of life and reasonable standard of living provided to residents, to provide for integrated and coordinated planning, infrastructure development and provision of urban amenities, mobility management, sustaintable management of urban environment and social, economic and industrial development. It shall endeavour to redefine urban governance and delivery structure in coordination with local authorities in the context of emergence of Faridabad as a rapidly expanding urban agglomeration, CM Manohar Lal Khattar had said while introducing the Bill. The CM would be chairperson of the authority, with certain ministers, senior officers of the state and district and elected representatives of the district being members of the authority. The CEO (Principal Secretary level officer) will be the operational head. After the study of different models of metropolitan development authorities, the Haryana Government had put in place a new legal structure of coordinated and integrated urban governance through the establishment of the FMDA. Radhika Ramaseshan Radhika Ramaseshan Senior journalist AS another new year dawned, Mayawati scored her first tactical win in years. She used her legislative strength in the 230-strong Madhya Pradesh Assembly to browbeat the ruling Congress and accede to a demand she raised once she offered support to the Kamal Nath government that was short by exactly two members the number the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has. Invariably, Mayawatis clout was disproportionate to her partys numerical weight, but her intrinsic worth as the countrys most influential Dalit leader is such that the Congress and the BJP dare not undervalue her. The pressure point was The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 the SC/ST Act in short. It is as much an article of faith for the BSP as the Constitution itself and a tender spot for most other parties, especially the Congress and the BJP. Mayawati demanded that the nascent government drop the cases that were slapped against innocents during the Bharat bandh that Dalit and tribal organisations had called in April 2018 or face withdrawal of support. The Chief Minister promptly acquiesced and said he would recommend to the court to close the bandh-related and similar cases filed by the then Shivraj Singh Chouhan government. In obliging Mayawati, Kamal Nath probably went against his grain. In the run-up to the Assembly elections, he, too, faced the wrath of the upper castes along with the BJP leaders when the Congress endorsed the Centres move in Parliament to restore the original provisions of the Act which the Supreme Court sought to dilute. Act of contention In March 2018, the apex court ruled that the police cannot arrest anybody under the Act just because a case was filed. The ruling was based on an affidavit from the Centre that was in line with the courts stand. The two stances caused an outcry among the Dalits and Adivasis across the country. Under pressure, the Centre abjured its earlier view and introduced amendments, restoring the original provisions to circumvent the courts order. The Lok Sabha unanimously adopted the amendments. In its first form, the Act did not provide for anticipatory bail to an accused and ruled out a preliminary inquiry before registering a criminal case, both of which the court had watered down. Stung by the Centres flip-flop, MPs sizeable upper castes banded themselves into a protest outfit that morphed into a political party called the Samanya Picchada Alpasankhyak Adhikari Karamchari Sanstha (SAPAKS). The outfit contested the polls. It did not win seats, but sliced away the BJPs upper caste/upper class urban votes. What pushed the Congress to bend before Mayawati? First, to convey that she must become part of the proposed mahagathbandhan or grand alliance that remains a job half done because the parties the Congress desperately sought, such as the BSP, Samajwadi Party and the Trinamool Congress, have stayed away so far. Unless these big leaguers come in, the kernel of a coalition, grand or otherwise, will be weak. The country over, the BSP carries the aura of being the true-blue Dalit party. Before the Chhattisgarh polls, Mayawati slighted the Congress and joined hands with Ajit Jogis party. Although the combine hardly dented the Congress base, the party felt Mayawati could have brought value to the table in MP, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Second, the BSPs six legislators are critical in keeping the minority government in Rajasthan afloat. The Congress fell two short of a majority. If the BSP pulls out, the four Independents will be its main source of sustenance. Third, in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress badly needs to be under the SP-BSP umbrella to become even a little relevant and go beyond winning just Raebareli and Amethi, the Gandhis pocket borough. Courting upper castes The MP episode is as much a word to the wise in the Congress as those in the SP and Ajit Singhs Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). The SC/ST Act continues to be a red rag to north Indias upper castes. Remember, when Mayawati was voted with a majority in UP in 2007, she relegated the Act to the background while courting the upper castes, which she successfully managed. Once in power, one of her first decisions was to mitigate its provisions. She had rules inserted to ensure that no innocent person must be framed and if a fake case was called out, the offender must be penalised under Section 182 of the IPC. Her government said action must not be taken based on a complaint and arrests should be made only after an accused was found prima facie guilty following an initial investigation. By the end of her tenure, she had packed the police stations with her handpicked men who allegedly used the Act with impunity. While the veracity of the allegations against the cops were never fully nailed, the Acts abuse was flagged as a major issue by the SPs Akhilesh Yadav in the 2012 elections to win over the upper castes which he did. How the UP coalition itself contains and resolves its inner contradictions will run as a major narrative in the prelude to the Lok Sabha elections. Arithmetic alone cannot underwrite success. On the ground, doubtless the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, tenuous as it was, walked away with wins in the recent Uttar Pradesh byelections. On a larger canvas, the question of these parties being able to mutually transfer their votes remains unanswered. Electoral history shows that Mayawati can ensure the migration of the Dalit votes to other parties. Whether the others can is up in the air. The SPs core Yadav supporters and the RLDs Jats have been traditionally adversarial towards the Dalits. Having said that, caste equations are also fairly fluid and not necessarily frozen in prejudice and time. amansharma@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 2 The Centre on Wednesday approved a proposal of the Union Territory (UT) administration to allot land to Chandigarh Housing Board for construction of apartments for 3,930 allottees under Self-Financing Housing Scheme (SFHS) for its employees. Informing about the decision in this regard at the meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Law & Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "As the scheme was approved by the UT administration, a total land area of 73.3 acre has been earmarked for construction of 3,930 dwelling units for the UT employees." Later in a statement, the government said out of the total land earmarked for the purpose, 11.8 acre is already in possession of Chandigarh Housing Board. "In the instant proposal, 61.5 acre of government land is to be allotted to Chandigarh Housing Board," it added. For the scheme, which was approved by UT administration in 2008, Chandigarh Housing Board was appointed as nodal implementing agency and thus it had advertised a scheme titled as "Self-Financing Housing Scheme" on lease hold basis for 99 years for the employees. Draw of lots for the said scheme was held on November 4, 2010 after following the transparent procedure in which 3,930 eligible applicants out of 7,811 applicants were declared successful. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Sponsored By: Dorsett Automotive Johnstown, PA (15901) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High around 80F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Bennington dominates Memorial weekend play Three Bennington girls soccer teams came away victorious at the Evolution Memorial Day tournament. BENSC Revolution and BENSC Inferno, both U12 teams, won their respective bracket to punch their ticket... Antlers wins Elkhorn South Memorial Championship ELKHORN The Elkhorn High OrthoNebraska Post 211 baseball team got off to a hot start this summer. The Antlers won a very competitive Elkhorn South Memorial Tournament last month.... All-Stars Shine Sorry! An active online subscription is required to access this content. Please login below or Subscribe today! Username Password Remember Me Forgot Password Login Wolves begin inaugural summer season ELKHORN The Elkhorn North Equitable Bank Post 211 baseball team has been busy taking the field for its first summer season. The Wolves have already played 15 games to... Skutt battles back to earn runner-up honors COLUMBUS A phenomenal day two performance at the Class B State Golf Tournament at the Elks Country Club gave the Skutt Catholic boys golf team a shot at a... Irwin is the President of the Stoolmacher Consulting Group, a fundraising and strategic planning consulting firm that works with nonprofit agencies that serve the truly needy among us. @penny_ray on Twitter Penny Ray is an award-winning journalist with more than 17 years experience in print, digital and broadcast media. Prior to working in New Jersey, he served as editor of Homicide Watch D.C. Bear Viewing in Alaska with the assistance of Captain Mel Erickson and his famed boat aptly named the Alaskan Gamefisher can help you to discover the true spirit of the location and its natural inhabitants namely the bears. (TRAVPR.COM) USA - January 2nd, 2019 - Alaska, USA: Bear Viewing in Alaska with the assistance of Captain Mel Erickson and his famed boat aptly named the Alaskan Gamefisher can help you to discover the true spirit of the location and its natural inhabitants namely the bears. You would get the opportunity to watch the beautiful creatures in their own habitat without being threatened in the least. Sure, there are a number of operators who carry out similar ventures by offering Alaska bear viewing trips. Unfortunately, the competitors of Alaskan Gamefisher are no match for the guidance provided by the renowned Captain and his team. Visitors are therefore drawn to the Alaskan brown bear tours that take them on a magnificent journey up to the Chinitna Bay and the Clark National Park Lake by means of a boat. True, you can request Chinitna Bay bear viewing by plane as well but the spellbinding experience of watching the bears up close is something that you would not want to avoid at any cost. You may hope to see one or two of the Grizzlies usually but the Alaskan brown bear viewing with Alaskan Gamefisher will reverse your set notion when you find yourself amidst at least 15 to 20 bears, busily feeding or playing around. You may have heard of the fishing bears for seeing them in action from close quarters is indeed a revelation. The sight of playful cubs and wrestling adults along with a group of females keeping watch over their cubs makes the Chinitna Bay bear tours truly worthwhile. While Alaskan Brown bear viewing might have been your primary objective, the Alaskan Gamefisher enables you to widen your experience by permitting you to fish for the choicest salmon and halibuts in the icy waters of Alaska as well. The proficient guides accompanying you are quick to show you the tips and tricks of digging clams while the astounding sight of five magnificent snow-covered volcanic mountains all around the National Park area is sure to make you wonder at the magic of nature. About the Company Captain Mel Erickson brings the remote and magical Alaska to you courtesy Alaskan Gamefisher, the boat that will provide you with an astounding bear viewing experience. The Captain has been at the helm of organizing Chinitna Bay bear tours since 1989 with all the trips planned meticulously and executed perfectly. The tourists keen to visit Alaska are actually spoilt for choice by booking cost effective trips on the Alaskan Gamefisher. Contact Bear Viewing in Alaska PO Box 1127 Soldotna AK 99669 Phone No: 1-800-320-2980 Mobile No. 907-398-1744 Email: gamefish@alaska.net Website - http://bearviewinginalaska.com/ ### There seems to be growing interest in compact, crossover-based, trucks, at least in Latin America where the Montana has been on sale since 2003. Its, as-of-yet unnamed, replacement will be on sale by 2020 and will follow suit on a trend kick-started by Renault and Fiat , among others . Both now offer four-door pick-up trucks and Chevrolets new unibody offering will boast the same number of doors. Is this a niche worth exploiting on the North-American market? We dont know, and its also unlikely for GM to sell a GEM-based car here. The Chevrolet Montana is getting replaced by a bigger, more practical compact truck that will sit on the Global Emerging Markets (GEM) platform and also share elements with the next-generation Tracker. It will be a direct competitor to the Fiat Toro and the Renault Duster Oroch in South America, but we may never see it sold in the United States. The New Compact Truck from Chevy is a Sign That the Niche is Expanding GM Authority reported, basing its claims on information from "sources familiar with the project," that GM is working on another model that will be underpinned by the GEM platform. It will be a replacement for the old single cabin Montana thats already almost nine years into its second generation model. The new truck won't be based on a hatchback - the Montana is a relative of the Chevy Agile - but on the Tracker compact crossover SUV which will evolve into a model of its own, separate from the Chevrolet Trax. First things first: whats GEM? Well, its a new platform developed by the automotive giant to host a number of models conceived for emerging markets, hence its name. Its the result of a $5 billion investment, and it will be at the core of vehicles on sale in South America and China, among other markets. This new vehicle family will feature advanced customer-facing technologies focused on connectivity, safety, and fuel efficiency, delivered at a compelling value, said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president for global product development, quoted by GM Authority. Maybe the first car to feature this platform is the new-for-2018 Buick Excelle that was initially thought to be just an Opel Astra Sedan derivative for the Chinese market. The new compact truck from Chevy will be joined on the market by a number of other GEM models such as the next-generation Chevrolet Onix and Sail. The truck will sit on a lengthened version of the new Trackers chassis. The truck is being developed by GM Brazil, a clear hint that the car might never be sold in China as GEM-based cars that are meant for the Chinese market are co-developed by a team of local engineers and designers along with engineers and designers from other GM departments. Once ready, it will be built at the Sao Caetano do Sul plant in Brazil with the drivetrain arriving from Argentina. We dont know too much about the specifications of the new model although finding the engine from the current Chevrolet Cruze under the hood of the four-door compact truck would hardly be a surprise. That unit, the 1.4-liter four-pot LE2 that develops 153 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque will probably be mated to an automatic transmission although a manual isnt out of the question. It may seem like an interesting offering for many small business owners, but were worried it will never ever taste the American tarmac. After all, the Montana has been around for a decade and a half, and its never been seen in North-America. Even if there could be a market for the new truck here, dont hold your breath for Chevy to change their minds. There also isnt any sign of the Fiat Toro here or the Renault Duster Oroch in the U.S., so it makes sense in some way. Talking about the Fiat and Renault rivals, theyre quite similar cars. The Fiat is larger with a 6-inch-longer wheelbase than the Renault and 8.6 inches more in total length, but this doesnt mean the Oroch isnt practical. It has a bed size thats 46.25 inches wide and 53.14 inches long for a total cargo space of 24.1 cubic feet. Those should be the target figures for the new GM truck which, if priced competitively (the Oroch costs no more than $18,270 in Brazil), could sell well. For reference, Fiat has shipped 100,000 Jeep Compass-based Toros between 2016 and 2018 although the model is vastly more expensive than the Oroch with a price range between $19,200 and $29,200 in Brazil. Further reading Read our full review on the 2011 Chevrolet Montana. Read our full review on the 2017 Fiat Toro. Source: GM Authority Missouri Republicans' latest attempt to thwart democracy in the name of 'liberty' is part of a much larger pattern Missouri voters who overwhelmingly rejected their state legislature's anti-union "right to work" law in August should know that Eric Burlison is not impressed. "Democracy is not freedom," the soon-to-be GOP state senator opined on Twitter, right after he filed legislation to reinstate the law that voters had just nullified by a two to one margin. Here's The Pitch mistaking political talking points for content and offering up a screed which pretends that "ethics reform" in Jeff City is anything but an elusive dream that mostly serves to power the political consultant class who earn their keep by maneuvering and evading any form of regulation.Checkit: Silicon Valley should've been called Balloon Burg. America's tech industry often seems like it might pop under the slightest pressure. (Remember the dot-com crash from the early aughts?) Now, according to The New York Times, many of these companies are looking at looming U.S. Department of Commerce export restrictions on artificial intelligence like an inflatable animal would look at a porcupine. (Image credit: Tartila / Shutterstock) Here's the problem: Congress voted in August to limit the export of "emerging and foundational technologies" to preserve U.S. national security interests. The New York Times said that a Commerce Department proposal would restrict the export of "several categories of AI-like computer vision, speech recognition, and natural language understanding" to countries the U.S. has sanctioned in the past. Americans can voice their opinions about this proposal until January 10. Then it's up to the Commerce Department to determine what technologies and export destinations it wants to restrict. Naturally, tech companies have asked the government to go lightly on them, because they believe restricting the export of their AI tools would allow companies in affected countries to seize their local markets. This entire back-and-forth is about as obvious as 99 luftballons--whoops, sorry, red balloons--at a wake. Of course, the U.S. wants to restrict AI exports to countries like Russia, Iran, and China. The first two have been repeatedly accused of using tech platforms to influence U.S. politics; the last one is America's enemy in an increasingly hostile trade war that could significantly impact tech products. And of course, Silicon Valley opposes those restrictions. Tech companies often rely on regulatory oversights regarding privacy, competition, and other consumer protections in their quests to make even more money for their shareholders. (See: Facebook's data sharing, ride-hailing companies' flouting of traffic laws, countless anti-monopoly safeguards.) Why should that be any different with AI? But The New York Times notes that AI is a bit different simply because it's such a collaborative effort. Most companies don't work on AI technologies on their own--they partner up with their rivals, advance open source projects, and involve people from around the world in their efforts. The tech is so new and has so much potential for growth that it's easier for competitors to work together. This collaboration actually makes it difficult for the Commerce Department to enforce any export restrictions. You can't put the genie back in the balloon (or however that saying goes) so publicly available information can remain, well, available to the public. It would have to restrict AI in other ways, such as preventing hardware sales to affected countries or blocking their access to information. The former would be bad news for companies that have prioritized the development of AI products in recent years like AMD, Intel, and Nvidia. The latter would further undermine the principle of collaboration upon which the internet was built, which could, in turn, slow the U.S. tech industry's AI research. Both would basically shut off these companies from vital revenue streams and sources of knowledge. So even though this conflict is about as cliche as a balloon animal station at a kid's birthday party, it could still have serious repercussions for U.S. companies. The technologies lumped under "artificial intelligence" are varied, but they're all integral to these companies. Just look at the rise of voice assistants, natural language input, facial recognition, etc. in basically every tech product. Nokias five-camera phone has been given the name of the Nokia 9 PureView, according to new information from unofficial sources. (Image credit: Evan Blass) Leaks from notable tipster Evan Blass and tech website MySmart Price show the finished handset in images and a promotional video. The PureView is notable for one major reason: a five Zeiss-lensed camera array, arranged with a flash and another piece of imaging tech, such as a range finder, in a hexagonal pattern on the back. MORE: CES 2019 Preview: 6 Biggest Trends to Watch The benefits of having this many lenses, the promotional material states, is to take up to five photos simultaneously, capture ten times the standard amount of light in low-light photos, and to use the Google Photos app to refocus images and play with the depth of field settings once youve already taken the shot. (Image credit: Onleaks/91Mobiles) Beneath the phones 5.99-inch 2K HDR10 display, there will be an in-screen fingerprint reader, as well as a Snapdragon 845 chip, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage space. The operating system will be Android Pie, running in its unmodified Android One variant. It also features wireless Qi charging too. HMD Global, owner of the Nokia brand, partnered up with Zeiss last year, with the Nokia 8 smartphone being the first result of their team effort. The PureView name was previously used on Nokias Windows Phone models, but this was retired after the release of the Lumia 950 XL in 2015. The PureView name was bought by HMD in August 2018, but has up to now not been used on any of its products. Previous rumous have indicated that a new Nokia phone may be released between January and February 2019. The Nokia 9 PureView could debut at CES 2019 or the company may wait to show it off in late February at Mobile World Congress. As the CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, with more than 2,200 companies as members, Gary Shapiro needs to have his finger on the pulse of innovation. That's because he oversees CES, the worlds biggest technology event. But he also sees it as his duty to defend against those forces that he believes threaten innovation and the overall health of the technology industry in the U.S. Courtesy of Pinkston Group And during a very candid interview with Tom's Guide, it became clear that while there is much to be excited and optimistic about as we enter 2019, there's also cause for concern. These are just some of the highlights: On China tariffs, President Donald Trump "is just wrong when he says that the Chinese companies are paying. No, the American consumer is paying." 5G and AI are going to be the two biggest themes of CES 2019, and they'll be coming together in autonomous vehicles and health care. Expect big announcements from AT&T, Verizon and others. Shapiro says the word "handheld," so expect 5G phones and not just 5G-enabled hotspots. Shapiro is not pleased with Facebooks multiple privacy scandals, saying "they clearly violated consumer trust." Worse, "they poisoned the water" in the debate over how to best balance privacy and innovation. As we head into CES 2019, which gets underway Jan. 8 in Las Vegas with an expected 180,000 attendees, Shapiro sat down with me to discuss the state of the consumer electronics industry. His new book, Ninja Future: Secrets to Success in the New World of Innovation (William Morrow), goes on sale Dec. 31. CES has evolved a lot over the years. What does this event stand for now? The diversity of groups and people has changed phenomenally. For example, we have a whole bunch of ministers coming from different countries, and the ministers' titles are all different. Some are innovation, some are the economy, some are transportation. Over one-third of our attendees are from outside the U.S. Several years ago we saw convergence in technology, and we went after it...from automobiles to Hollywood, from health care to robotics. We tried to get everyone and serve as an optimistic inspiration starting point. We always think about increasing the value of serendipity, of discovering something you didn't expect, of putting two unrelated ideas together, which is really the essence of innovation. MORE: CES 2019 Preview: 6 Biggest Trends to Watch What are going to be the biggest trends of CES 2019? AI is the huge story of the show, so in a sense, it's one of the key ingredients. You're going to see a lot of continuation of the theme. Everyone from Panasonic to Yamaha to IBM will be talking about it. We're seeing that in health care. We're seeing it in government policy. There'll be a lot of talk about privacy and AI. Augmented and virtual reality will still be here. It's expanding to all sorts of different commercial applications. The one thing you'll see that we didn't talk about much in 2018 will be 5G. We have the top people from AT&T and Verizon giving major keynotes. We'll see it from the chip companies. We'll see it in some of the handheld announcements and products that will be shown. And we're the only event that actually brings the full 5G in mobile ecosystem together. We'll see it with the keynote of AMD's president, Dr. Lisa Su. We'll see it with Verizon's CEO, Hans Vestberg. We'll see it with Ericsson Intel and Sprint, T-Mobile exhibiting. 5G is really big. And then you'll see more of an emphasis on digital health. That's really, really big. There's certainly more exhibitors and more conference programming. For the first time, we're actually giving doctors continuing medical education credits. I don't think that's ever happened before at a technology trade event. 5G is finally becoming real in 2019. What do you think it will enable? It will be one of the core technologies, I believe, behind self-driving vehicles, so it'll save lives. That excites me. Saving lives and preventing injury. 5G will also deliver amazing broadband in crowded congested cities. I think it's easier to deploy, because it's a lot of small little dishes. It's not the answer for rural broadband. I'm really interested in seeing what AT&T and Verizon say about it. It will allow for a lot of the other things we're talking about at CES, like remote monitoring in health care and and telework. You may not have to go to your doctor, if you could get diagnoses remotely thanks to 5G. That's important. "5G will be one of the core technologies behind self-driving vehicles, so it'll save lives." CES has become a much bigger platform for the auto industry. How has the integration of technology changed consumer expectations? For me when I was growing up, it was all about zero-to-60 and horsepower. And then it went to if you had a Bose or a Sony stereo or sound system, it was cool, and they could sell it. When people are getting their new cars now, they're checking all the boxes for technology, including collision avoidance and lane departure. We're a place where the chip companies are showing what they can do for the auto companies who are cutting deals with all sorts of the display people, and then the brand- name people, and they're all coming together. MORE: The Truth About 5G: What's Coming (and What's Not) in 2019 What did you make of the latest revelations around Facebook and their other privacy scandals throughout 2018? I watched how Walt Mossberg, who's Facebook friends of mine, announce he's leaving Facebook. And I understood it. As a user of Facebook, it's, like, "Oh my gosh! They were able to do this? I didn't know that." I'm sure even people at Facebook are disappointed, because they clearly violated consumer trust. I'm a consumer, and I use Facebook, and they're a member of ours, I will disclose, and they participate in CES. Having said that, though, I'm not going to defend the indefensible here. How do we balance privacy and innovation? My job is to protect innovation and how it can proceed. But also, I'm an American, and we're an American organization. We don't allow non-Americans to be members. We allow them to participate in CES. We allow them to join through a U.S. subsidiary. There's a global battle going on in artificial intelligence between us and the Chinese, and even the Europeans. China has no privacy. The government can do anything they want. And they have a focus on AI. And they've got millions of engineers. And they have a strategy. "Facebook clearly violated consumer trust...Im not going to defend the indefensible here." Europe has not done well in artificial intelligence, or let's be honest, in innovation generally in the last 20 or 30 years. They have very few unicorns. And they have clamped down on privacy with the right to be forgotten. So this is like, to me, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. China is too hot, Europe's too cold, and we're in the middle, where I don't want us to do anything stupid. So I want to balance privacy, but 90 percent plus of the applications for artificial intelligence have nothing to do with what everyone is talking about. Factory automation and doing things better in factories. Even self-driving cars. So why do I care about Facebook? In a sense, they've poisoned the water for the debate, because they didn't act responsibly, and it's upsetting to me. MORE: How to Stop Facebook From Sharing Your Data So are you worried about there being an overreaction? My fear is I will fail at my job if we allow our government to, basically, with good intentions, do everything to protect privacy. Ninety-nine percent of other companies have been really focused on their reputation, because they know their future depends upon it. My belief is that people try to do the right thing, and, generally, they do. We are entering a great era of solving the most fundamental human problems with artificial intelligence and robotics, which we need, as we are living longer and we have no one to take care of us. And I don't want us to mess it up as a society, because every time there's been a new technology there's been concerns about privacy, from the invention of the credit card, where privacy was the biggest issue, to video rentals, where privacy was an issue, to using the internet itself, where privacy is an issue. And we've always worked through them, because the greater good of communication, education, better health care, these are good things. So let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. The Trump administration's tariffs on Chinese goods are leading to higher prices for some gadgets and components. Are you worried about the impact on the electronics industry? Well, there's different types of tariffs, and definitely the steel tariffs have a huge impact in the cost of making things, and even making cars and doing things and consumers are seeing the challenge. The Chinese tariffs are starting to be felt, and they'll be felt ... I think a lot of companies shipped a lot of stuff in early to get through the holiday season. Trump is just wrong when he says that the Chinese companies are paying. No, the American consumer is paying. Definitely, many American companies I'm aware of, because my members ... I've spoken with many very upset CEOs. They've absorbed a lot. On their earnings call, iRobot said their stock took a huge hit, because they're a relatively small company, and they absorbed $5 million worth of tariffs that they paid. The good news, in my view, is that President Xi and President Trump agreed to freeze the situation. Because the bad news, frankly, we were dreading, especially with CES in January approaching, was that the 10 percent tariffs was supposed to go to 25 percent. And that would've been devastating. Are you optimistic that the U.S. and China will work things out? There's a 90-day cooling-off period where nothing is going to happen in terms of raising tariffs. And we're pushing them to figure it out, because, you know, when the two largest economies get into a battle the old saying is when elephants fight, the ground gets trampled. Well, the ground would be the American consumer. And the Chinese consumer, frankly. So it's not good for either country. Tariffs are taxes, and consumers pay the taxes, so it's bad. Trump is just wrong when he says that the Chinese companies are paying. No, the American consumer is paying. President Trump is right that the Chinese have been unfair in their treatment of American companies. I advocated that we do to the Chinese exactly what they do to us. I'm not saying we should steal their intellectual property, but we should have property-buying restrictions on them. We should require that they have U.S. partners if they do business here. And they have a lot of ambiguous laws, and they hurt American businesses. It's gotten better, and it's gotten better not because they love us. It's gotten better in part because, especially in intellectual property, because they have now Chinese businesses that are innovating that need intellectual property protection. We have a show in China. We know what it's like. We have to have a partner there. So I understand it. And I don't think Trump's wrong. I just think his tactics are very harmful. If CES 2019 is a success, what will people be talking about? There's a sense of hope for the future, that things will be better. It's kind of what our country was based on. We're an immigrant country, and people came here for a better life, because there's opportunity. There's entrepreneurship. There's the ability to think and do what, in a sense, what you want, and try new things, and that's what CES exemplifies. It's a sense of the future will be better, because we'll be solving fundamental problems. There's some people who will say, "Wow, that's a greater home theater experience I'll have," or "My education will get better," or "My health care will get better." I see solutions for problems in my own life as my parents get older. So I think people take away different things depending on what their personal interest is, but, generally, the common theme is a sense of optimism. It's about bettering mankind. And that's what I hope people take away. [January 02, 2019] Barclays Announces Changes to the CIBC Atlas Select MLP Index Barclays Bank PLC announced today that during the Index rebalance that commences following the close of business on Friday, January 11, 2019, the following index constituent will be added to the CIBC Atlas Select MLP Index (the "Index"): EQGP Holdings LP (NYSE: EQGP) The Barclays ETN+ Select MLP ETNs are linked to the performance of the Volume-Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") of the Index. The ETNs were listed on the NYSE Arca (News - Alert) stock exchange in March 2013 under the ticker symbol ATMP. An investment in the ETNs involves significant risks, including possible loss of principal, and may not be suitable for all investors. The ETNs are riskier than ordinary unsecured debt securities and have no principal protection. The ETNs are speculative and may exhibit high volatility. The ETNs are also subject to certain investor fees, which will have a negative effect on the value of the ETNs. You are not guaranteed to receive coupon payments on the ETNs. You will receive a coupon payment on a coupon payment date only to the extent that the accrued dividend exceeds the accrued investor fee on the relevant coupon valuation date. In accordance with the Index methodology as described in the prospectus relating to the ETNs, the Index is rebalanced quarterly. The Index currently includes 25 constituents and cash. The index constituents will be rebalanced on a capped, float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted basis across four index business days starting on Friday, January 11, 2019. Constituent additions to and deletions from the Index do not reflect an opinion by Barclays Bank PLC on the investment merits of the respective securities. The target weights for the top Limited Partnership ("LP") and General Partnership ("GP") index constituents, effective after the rebalance that commences on Friday, January 11, 2019, are reported in the table below. For more information regarding how an Index constituent is classified as a LP or a GP, please see the prospectus relating to the ETNs. LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS GENERAL PARTNERSHIPS Ticker Company Target (News - Alert) Weight Ticker Company Target Weight EPD Enterprise Products Partners 8.00% ENB Enbridge Inc. 4.00% ET Energy Transfer Partners LP 8.00% KMI Kinder Morgan Inc. 4.00% MMP Magellan (News - Alert) Midstream Partners 8.00% OKE Oneok Inc. 4.00% PAA Plains All American Pipeline LP 8.00% TGE Tallgrass Energy LP 4.00% MPLX MPLX LP 8.00% TRP Transcanada Corp. 4.00% WMB Williams Cos Inc. 4.00% Source (News - Alert) : Barclays The CIBC Atlas Select MLP Index is designed to provide exposure to a basket of midstream US and Canadian master limited partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations (collectively, the "Index Constituents") that trade on major US exchanges, are classified in the GICS Energy Sector or GICS Gas Utilities Industry according to the Global Industry Classification Standard ("GICS") and meet certain eligibility criteria. The Index Constituents are selected for inclusion in the Index using the CIBC Atlas Select Master Limited Partnership Strategy (the "Strategy") developed by CIBC Private Wealth Advisors, Inc. (the "Index Selection Agent"). The Strategy dynamically selects a basket of up to 100 Index Constituents based on their long-term credit rating, the portion of their cash flow driven by mid-stream operations and their size as measured by free-float market capitalization and average daily trading value. The Index Selection Agent provides the Index Constituents selected by the Strategy to Barclays Bank PLC (the "Index Sponsor"). For further information, please contact the Barclays ETN desk at 1-212-528-7990. The prospectus for the ETNs to which this communication relates can be found at: www.etnplus.com/atmpprospectus About CIBC Private Wealth Management CIBC Private Wealth Management serves as a trusted advisor to private clients and select foundations and endowments, with approximately $52 billion in assets under management and administration (as of March 31, 2018) and offices in 19 locations across the U.S. Affluent individuals and families turn to CIBC Private Wealth Management for a long-term, trusted partner that can serve all of their investment, estate, trust and legacy planning, as well as private banking needs met by CIBC Bank USA. For more information, visit us.cibc.com/private-wealth. About CIBC CIBC (NYSE: CM) (TSX: CM) strives to build trusting and enduring relationships by putting our clients at the center of all we do. Through CIBC Bank USA, we offer tailored commercial, wealth management, personal and small business financial solutions. CIBC is a 150-year-old Toronto-based, global financial institution with our U.S. headquarters in Chicago. Visit us at cibc.com/US. About Barclays Barclays is a transatlantic consumer and wholesale bank offering products and services across personal, corporate and investment banking, credit cards and wealth management, with a strong presence in our two home markets of the UK and the US. With over 325 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 40 countries and employs approximately 80,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website home.barclays. Selected Risk Considerations An investment in any ETNs linked to the CIBC Atlas Select MLP Index (the "ETNs") involves risks. Selected risks are summarized here, but we urge you to read the more detailed explanation of risks described under "Risk Factors" in the applicable prospectus supplement and pricing supplement. You May Lose Some or All of Your Principal: The ETNs are exposed to any decrease in the Volume Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") level between the inception date and the applicable valuation date. Additionally, if the VWAP level is insufficient to offset the negative effect of the investor fee and other applicable costs, you will lose some or all of your investment at maturity or upon redemption, even if the VWAP value has increased. Because the ETNs are subject to an investor fee and any other applicable costs, the return on the ETNs will always be lower than the total return on a direct investment in the index components. The ETNs are riskier than ordinary unsecured debt securities and have no principal protection. Credit of Barclays Bank PLC: The ETNs are unsecured debt obligations of the issuer, Barclays Bank PLC, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of or guaranteed by any third party. Any payment to be made on the ETNs, including any payment at maturity or upon redemption, depends on the ability of Barclays Bank PLC to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of Barclays Bank PLC will affect the market value, if any, of the ETNs prior to maturity or redemption. In addition, in the event Barclays Bank PLC were to default on its obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the ETNs. Issuer Redemption: Barclays Bank PLC will have the right to redeem or "call" the ETNs (in whole but not in part) at its sole discretion and without your consent on any trading day on or after the inception date until and including maturity. The Payment on the ETNs is Linked to the VWAP Level, Not to the Closing Level of the Index and Not to the Published Intraday Indicative Value of the ETNs: Your payment at maturity or upon early redemption is linked to the performance of the VWAP level, as compared to the initial VWAP level. Although the VWAP level is intended to track the performance of the Index, the calculation of the VWAP level is different from the calculation of the official closing level of the Index. Therefore, the payment at maturity or early redemption of your ETNs, may be different from the payment you would receive if such payment were determined by reference to the official closing level of the Index. No Guaranteed Coupon Payments: You are not guaranteed to receive coupon payments on the ETNs. You will receive a coupon payment on a coupon payment date only to the extent that the accrued dividend exceeds the accrued investor fee on the relevant coupon valuation date. The amount of the accrued dividend on any coupon valuation date depends in part on the aggregate cash value of distributions that a reference holder would have been entitled to receive in respect of the index constituents prior to the relevant coupon valuation date. Market and Volatility Risk: The return on the ETNs is linked to the performance of the VWAP level of the Index which, in turn, is linked to the performance of the master limited partnerships and other securities that are included as index constituents at any time. The prices of the index constituents may change unpredictably and, as a result, affect the level of the Index and the value of your ETNs in unforeseeable ways. Concentration Risk: The index constituents are companies in the Energy Sector or Gas Utilities Sector, as determined by the GICS classification system. In addition, many of the index constituents are smaller, non-diversified businesses that are exposed to the risks associated with such businesses, including the lack of capital funding to sustain or grow businesses and potential competition from larger, better financed and more diversified businesses. The ETNs are susceptible to general market fluctuations in the energy and gas MLP market and to volatile increases and decreases in value, as market confidence in, and perceptions regarding the index constituents change. Your investment may therefore carry risks similar to a concentrated securities investment in one industry or sector. A Trading Market for the ETNs May Not Develop: Although the ETNs are listed on NYSE Arca, a trading market for the ETNs may not develop and the liquidity of the ETNs may be limited, as we are not required to maintain any listing of the ETNs. Restrictions on the Minimum Number of ETNs and Date Restrictions for Redemptions: You must redeem at least 50,000 ETNs at one time in order to exercise your right to redeem your ETNs on any redemption date. You may only redeem your ETNs on a redemption date if we receive a notice of redemption from you by certain dates and times as set forth in the pricing supplement. Tax Treatment: Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the ETNs may be less favorable than a direct investment in MLPs and are uncertain. You should consult your own tax advisor about your own tax situation. The ETNs may be sold throughout the day on the exchange through any brokerage account. Commissions may apply and there are tax consequences in the event of sale, redemption or maturity of ETNs. CIBC Atlas Select MLP Index is a trademark of Barclays Bank PLC. 2019 Barclays Bank PLC. All rights reserved. All other trademarks, servicemarks or registered trademarks are the property, and used with the permission, of their respective owners. NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005631/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] TEGNA Completes Acquisition of Leading Stations WTOL in Toledo, OH and KWES in Midland-Odessa, TX TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) today announced that it has completed its previously announced acquisition of WTOL, the CBS affiliate in Toledo, OH, and KWES, the NBC affiliate in Midland-Odessa, TX, from Gray Television, Inc. for $105 million in cash. As previously announced, the transaction represents a compelling purchase price multiple of 5.0 times expected average 2017/2018 EBITDA, including run rate synergies and net present value tax savings (or 5.9 times, prior to tax savings). The transaction is accretive to EPS within the first 12 months and immediately accretive to free cash flow. TEGNA is financing the transaction through the use of available cash. "WTOL and KWES are strong local media brands well-positioned in key markets that further enhance our portfolio of Big 4 affiliates," said Dave Lougee, president and CEO, TEGNA. "We have a strong track record of successful acquisitions and continue to pursue opportunities that create value for our shareholders." As a result of the completed sale, TEGNA now owns or operates 49 television stations in 41 markets, covering one-third of U.S. television householders. TEGNA remains the largest NBC affiliate group, the second largest CBS affiliate group and the largest owner of Big 4 affiliates in the top 25 markets. KWES further deepens TEGNA's presence in the hig-growth state of Texas where TEGNA now owns 12 stations, covering 87 percent of television households in the state. WTOL will join TEGNA's WKYC, the NBC affiliate in Cleveland, and WZZM, TEGNA's ABC affiliate in Grand Rapids, in serving Ohio and Michigan, two key political battleground states. About TEGNA TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. With 49 television stations and two radio stations in 41 markets, TEGNA delivers relevant content and information to consumers across platforms. It is the largest owner of top 4 affiliates in the top 25 markets, reaching approximately one-third of all television households nationwide. Each month, TEGNA reaches 50 million adults on-air and approximately 30 million across its digital platforms. TEGNA has been consistently honored with the industry's top awards, including Edward R. Murrow, George Polk, Alfred I. DuPont and Emmy Awards. TEGNA also delivers innovative and unparalleled solutions for advertisers through TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS). TMS is a one-stop shop that helps businesses thrive through an unmatched suite of services and solutions that reach consumers across television, email, social and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA's OTT advertising service. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005621/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Blackboard Inc. Announces Global Headquarters Relocation to Northern Virginia WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackboard Inc., a leading education technology company for teaching, learning and student engagement, today announced plans to relocate its global headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Reston, Virginia in 2019. The new location will combine the company's existing D.C. and Reston offices into a new modern office in the heart of Northern Virginia's tech corridor. "We are excited to bring our Metro D.C. area workforce together into a new global headquarters in the vibrant Northern Virginia tech corridor," said Blackboard Chairman, CEO and President Bill Ballhaus. "The new office space offers a rich and dynamic environment for our employees as well as convenient access to dining and shopping and easy access to major commuter routes, public transportation and Dulles International Airport. We look forward to establishing our new global headquarters as a part of the Northern Virginia tech community." Blackboard's Washington metro area workforce is currently divided between its D.C. and Reston offices. By bringing together the company's local employees in one central tech hub, Blackboard will create a new, exciting and more vibrant work environment that will continue to fuel a culture of creativity, innovation and collaboration. Blackboard evaluated office space options across the region for its global headquarters, considering best value, convenience to public transportation, commuter routes and airports, and "life-style" amenities like dining options and stores. The company selected Reston's Plaza America complex, which is located only six miles from Dulles International Airport, a short distance from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station, adjacent to dining, shopping and other amenities, and less than a mile to the Reston Town Center. Blackboard joins other tech companies who have announced that they are locating their headquarters in Northern Virginia's tech corridor. About Blackboard Our mission is to partner with the global education community to enable learner and institutional success, leveraging innovative technologies and services. With an unmatched understanding of the world of the learner, the most comprehensive student-success solutions, and the greatest capacity for innovation, Blackboard is education's partner in change. For more information about Blackboard, please visit www.blackboard.com or follow @Blackboard on Twitter. Contact D'Anthony White 202-303-9314 danthony.white@blackboard.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blackboard-inc-announces-global-headquarters-relocation-to-northern-virginia-300771886.html SOURCE Blackboard Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] STOLL & The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Collaborate in One of the Works Featured in Architecture Effects Exhibition STOLL, Germany's leading 3D knitting machinery company, co-created and manufactured the textile element of A Tent Without A Signal, a digitally flat-bed knitted tapestry with technical content, as part of an exclusive collaboration with the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in connection with its exhibition Architecture Effects - on view from December 5th, 2018 to April 28th, 2019. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao's co-curators, Troy Conrad Therrien and Manuel Cirauqui, expressed that the exhibition's purpose is to exemplify "the connections between art and architecture at the height of unique 21st century conditions" by highlighting the impact technology has on a time of major digital transformations, social media, artificial intelligence, and climate change. "Braided with metallic fibres, MOS's tent doubles as a Faraday cage for the future, scrambling forthcoming 5G mobile signals," says Therrien. "It embodies a nomadic typology but denies its traditional formless slack in favor of a taught lofting between two archetypal symbols in plan - the cross and the circle - by means of a digitally flat-bed knitted futuristically fluorescent tapestry, completed in collaboration with groundbreaking textile technology maker, STOLL." A Tent Without A Signal, designed by MOS Architects, was uniquely made possible with STOLL machinery and knitting innovation due to the complexities and intricate details of this piece. The artwork was made with STOLL's CMS 530 HP E16 and consisted of twenty-four 1m x 6m knitted panels. The five-colored jacquard with mesh pointelle panels were knitted with high tech Filati Be.Mi.Va, Pinori Filati, and Statex yarns. "We are proud to collaborate with the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao for MOS' project, A Tent Without A Signal. The Architecture Effects exhibition was a natural fit for us as our Knitelligence platform, and its various software solutions, continues to flourish in this Industy 4.0, digital age," says Joerg Hartmann, Head of Fashion & Technology at STOLL. "There are so many capabilities of knitting that tend to go unnoticed, and we are very excited that the community can be witness to STOLL's impact within the architecture industry." A case study of MOS' A Tent Without A Signal and STOLL's contribution will become available to the public and the contemporary artists and architects exhibiting as a part of Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and STOLL's technological collaboration. About STOLL H. Stoll AG & Co. KG is an internationally operating manufacturer of flatbed knitting machines based in Reutlingen, Germany. The world-renowned enterprise was founded in 1873 and has about 1,000 employees worldwide. Stoll exports to more than 70 countries all over the world and offers integrated services through affiliated companies, sales and marketing centers and numerous agencies. The Stoll product portfolio comprises 3D knitting machines and patterning software which are used for the production of fabrics for fashion as well as for technical applications. With innovative technical developments and a modern production environment, Stoll enables a broad spectrum of knitting trends. For more information about Stoll, please visit stoll.com. About Guggenheim Museum Bilbao When it opened in 1997, the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao - a spectacular structure made of titanium, glass, and limestone - was hailed as the most important building of its time. Located in the Basque city of Bilbao in northern Spain, the museum organizes temporary exhibitions as well as presentations from its Permanent Collection and other Guggenheim Collections. About MOS Architects MOS is a New York-based architecture studio, founded by principals Michael Meredith and Hilary Sample in 2007. An internationally recognized architecture practice, MOS was the recipient of the 2015 Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum National Design Award in Architecture and the 2010 American Academy of Arts and Letters Architecture Award. Individual works have similarly received numerous awards and distinctions, most notably the 2015 Global Holcim Award for sustainable construction and the 2014 accession of the firm's modular, off-grid Museum of Outdoor Arts Element House into the MoMA, Architecture and Design Collection. Recent work includes: House No. 10 (House with Courtyard), a recently completed residence in upstate New York; School No. 2, a competition proposal for a new Institute for Advanced Study Commons Building; and the Apan Housing Laboratory, a nine-acre master plan and Welcome Center in Hidalgo, Mexico. Recent and forthcoming publications, both products of and surveys on MOS's work, include Everything All at Once: The Software, Film, and Architecture of MOS (2013), MOS: Selected Works (2016), El Croquis No. 184 (2016), and An Unfinished Encyclopedia of Scale Figures Without Architecture (2019). For more information about MOS please visit: mos.nyc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005553/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] TEKsystems Demonstrates Commitment to Veteran Employees at NatCon 2019 TEKsystems, a provider of IT services that address the pressing strategy, implementation and talent needs for more than 80% of the Fortune 500, will be participating in the annual Student Veterans of America (SVA) National Conference (NatCon). The event will take place from Jan. 3-5, 2019, at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, FL. TEKsystems' (News - Alert) participation is part of its continued dedication to providing employment options to veterans transitioning out of their active military careers. NatCon is the largest annual gathering of student veterans and their supporters in the world. Event participants gather to meet their peers, learn from their leaders and become inspired by powerful keynote speakers, who have in the past included figures like Vice President Joe Biden, President George W. Bush and former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald. TEKsystems is a bronze-level sponsor of the 2019 event. In addition to sponsoring the event, TEKsystems will be part of the expo at booth no. 708. At the booth, student veterans will meet veteran employees and can experience company culture by using virtual reality (VR) goggles to take a tour of TEKsystems' office in New York. On Thursday of the conference, Mike Powers, TEKsystems veterans and disabilities program manager and OIF (News - Alert) veteran, will participate in NatCon's inaugural diversity andinclusion panel. Powers will discuss TEKsystems' inclusion and diversity program as well as his own personal experience as a veteran employee. "TEKsystems is committed to creating opportunities for veterans to continue serving after service and positioning them for successful transition from the military," says Powers. "SVA's vision to support academic success and gain meaningful employment for veterans is also our vision-which is why we're honored to support them and their annual national conference." TEKsystems values veterans of the United States military and is proud to support veterans by offering a range of employment opportunities. Since 2014, TEKsystems has helped over 15,000 veterans transition into careers once they've left active military duty. TEKsystems also works with multiple veteran-owned organizations, veteran advocacy groups and military groups to attract and hire veterans, reservists and service member spouses. Some of these organizations include the Army Career and Alumni Program, the Pat Tillman Foundation, Veterans Jobs Mission, VetsinTech and the Wounded Warrior Project. In recognition of its efforts, TEKsystems has been acknowledged as a top military and military spouse friendly employer by Military Friendly since 2015, and by the Military Spouse Employment partnership since 2017. "Supporting the next generation of veterans is not only the work of TEKsystems, but a personal mission of Mike Powers," says Franklin Reed, director of inclusion and diversity at TEKsystems. "His commitment to seeing their lives enhanced by meaningful careers is second to none because he knows firsthand how important it is to take the skills and experiences from their military career and overlay them into their profession." TEKsystems' Franklin Reed is available for additional commentary on the company's commitment to providing a workplace for veterans. For more information about TEKsystems or to schedule an interview, please contact TEKsystems@teamlewis.com. About TEKsystems We're partners in transformation. We help clients activate ideas and solutions to take advantage of a new world of opportunity. We are a team of 80,000 strong, working with over 6,000 clients, including 80% of the Fortune 500, across North America, Europe and Asia. As an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services and real-world application, we work with progressive leaders to drive change. That's the power of true partnership. TEKsystems is an Allegis Group company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005541/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Tortoise Announces Managing Director and Portfolio Manager Promotions Tortoise today announced the promotions of Jen Ashlock and Stephen Pang to the role of Managing Director. Nick Holmes was also promoted to the role of Portfolio Manager. Ms. Ashlock joined Tortoise in 2014 and leads Tortoise's strategic marketing and branding efforts. She was promoted to the role of Chief Marketing Officer in 2018. Previously, Ms. Ashlock was a managing director at NYSE Euronext in the firm's global marketing and branding group in both Chicago and New York and also held a variety of marketing positions at Morgan Stanley. Ms. Ashlock graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance and earned a Master of Business Administration degree from DePaul University. She served on the Mariner Foundation Board and currently serves as the chairperson for the Tortoise Foundation Board. Mr. Pang is a portfolio manager on the energy investment team and joined Tortoise in 2014. Before joining Tortoise, Mr. Pang was a director in Credit Suisse's Equity Capital Markets Group. Prior to joining Credit Suisse in 2012, he spent eight years in Citigroup's Investment Banking Diision, where he focused on equity underwriting and corporate finance in the energy sector. Mr. Pang earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Richmond. He is a CFA charterholder. Mr. Holmes joined the Tortoise energy investment team in 2010 as an intern. He also serves as vice president of the Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corp. and Tortoise MLP Fund, Inc. closed-end funds. Mr. Holmes earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kansas. He is a CFA charterholder. "We are excited to promote these leaders in recognition of their impact to our firm, their professional accomplishments and their constant commitment to our core values of humility, entrepreneurial spirit and perseverance," said Tortoise Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Birzer. About Tortoise Tortoise specializes in making an impact through essential assets and income investing. Tortoise invests in assets and services that serve essential needs in society and client portfolios, such as diversification and income. Tortoise's expertise spans energy investing across the entire energy value chain, sustainable infrastructure including wind, solar and water infrastructure, credit investing, direct lending to social infrastructure projects and index construction. Through a variety of investment vehicles, Tortoise provides access to a wide range of client solutions, focused on their evolving needs. For more information, please visit www.tortoiseadvisors.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005540/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Discover How to Maximize Intelligent PDU Investments, Explore Infrastructure Solutions at 2019 BICSI Winter Conference Chatsworth Products (News - Alert) (CPI) will present its latest data center, enterprise networking and industrial enclosure solutions at the 2019 BICSI Winter Conference and Exhibition, Jan. 20-24, in Orlando, Fla., at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. An expert presentation on maximizing intelligent power distribution unit (PDU) investment will take place Jan. 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m. in room Sun C. "Make the Most of Your Intelligent PDU Investment," presented by Matt Burkle, CPI's Sales Engineer for Power Solutions, will describe how new data center demands are boosting the market for intelligent PDUs, as well as provide insightful information on how to maximize the return on investments in the short and long term. Additionally, CPI will be at Booth 729 showcasing its latest Information and Communications Technology (ICT) products and solutions, including: CPI Cabinet Ecosystem: Cabinet-Level Containment: CPI's premium data center enclosure, F-Series TeraFrame Gen 3 Cabinet System accessorized with CPI Snap-In Filler Panels and Vertical Exhaust Duct Intelligent Power and Environmental Monitoring: Intelligent eConnect Power Distribution Units (PDUs) and environmental sensors Physical Security: eConnect Electronic Access Control (EAC) and Zwipe Biometric Cards Premise Network Solutions (News - Alert) : CPI Two-Post Rack with Motive Vertical Cable Manager, an award-winning, intuitive and sophisticated vertical cable manager that includes a set of tool-less accessories to provide unlimited adjustability and direct support for cable bundles, while maximizing use of interior space CPI Adjustable Cable Runway, which creates a highly flexible point-to-point pathway solution that features tool-less, movable Cross Members Wire Mesh Tray System, CPI's newest portfolio addition, is UL Classified and features a unique construction with a rounded safety edge along the top of each wire, protecting installers and cables from getting cut Edge and Industrial Solutions: RMR Industrial Enclosures, a line of NEMA-rated enclosures ideal for edge deployments located in harsh indoor and outdoor environments, including a wide variety of cooling, sealing and industrial accessories for a complete solution CUBE-iT Wall-Mount Cabinet, a swing-out cabinet that protects equipment in indoor locations, in public areas where floor space is limited Cabling Skills Challenge As a long-time sponsor of BICSI's (News - Alert) Cabling Skills Challenge, CPI invites you to witness our products in action, Jan. 21-23. Competitors will participate in eight cabling skills events races against their peers-and the clock-to win $5,000 and become BICSI's 2019 BICSI Installer of the Year. Products being used in the challenge include CPI's Two-Post Standard Rack, MCS Master Cabling Section, Universal Cable Runway and the Universal Horizontal Cable Manager. This year, CPI booth attendees will be eligible to participate in a daily drawing for $100 Visa gift cards. Stop by booth 729 at the 2019 BICSI Winter Exhibition to check out CPI's newest product releases and have a chance to win. Register to attend the event here. About Chatsworth Products At Chatsworth Products (CPI), it is our mission to address today's critical IT infrastructure needs with products and services that protect your ever-growing investment in information and communication technology. We act as your business partner and are uniquely prepared to respond to your specific requirements with global availability and rapid product customization that will give you a competitive advantage. At CPI, our passion works for you. With over two decades of engineering innovative IT physical layer solutions for the Fortune 500 and multinational corporations, CPI can respond to your business requirements with unequaled application expertise, customer service and technical support, as well as a global network of industry-leading distributors. Headquartered in the United States, CPI operates from multiple sites worldwide, including offices in Mexico, Canada, China, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. CPI's manufacturing facilities are located in the United States, Asia and Europe. CPI is listed with the General Services Administration ( GSA (News - Alert) ) under Federal Supply Schedule IT 70. Products are also available through GSA Advantage and through Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), including GSA Connections and NITAAC-ECS III (www.chatsworth.com/gov). While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all information, CPI does not accept liability for any errors or omissions and reserves the right to change information and descriptions of listed services and products. 2019 Chatsworth Products, Inc. All rights reserved. Chatsworth Products, Clik-Nut, CPI, CPI Passive Cooling, eConnect, Evolution, GlobalFrame, MegaFrame, Motive, OnTrac, QuadraRack, RMR, Saf-T-Grip, Secure Array, SeismicFrame, SlimFrame, TeraFrame and Velocity are federally registered trademarks of Chatsworth Products. CUBE-iT, EuroFrame and Simply Efficient are trademarks of Chatsworth Products. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005532/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Data443 Targets High-Growth Turkish Market via Partnership with CYNOKS Information Technologies RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LandStar, Inc. (OTCPK: LDSR) (LandStar or the Company), the parent company of Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc. (Data443), a leading data security and privacy company, announced today that Data443 has formed a strategic partnership with leading Turkish technology services company CYNOKS Information Technologies. Experts in risk management and security, CYNOKS serves an array of international and Turkey-based organizations, delivering complex IT security solutions including network, data, and endpoint security, as well as data leak prevention, and more. The partnership comes at a time when Turkeys IT security market is poised for double-digit growth according to a report published by International Data Corporation (IDC) entitled Turkey IT Security Solutions Market 20172021 Forecast and Adoption Trends. As noted in the report, IDC expects Turkeys IT security market to grow at a rate of 11.4 percent through 2021 from $233.2 million in 2017. CYNOKS is well positioned to deliver opportunities for Data443 as demand for IT security solutions expands in Turkey and across the region. Data security has become increasingly important in Turkey and throughout the neighboring areas, said Jason Remillard, CEO of LandStar and founder of Data443. The Turkish government is making huge strides to implement information and communication technologies over the next five years, and while the country is not part of the European Union, the Turkish Data Protection Law and cross-border requirements to adhere to GDPR standards is driving demand. CYNOKS is well established and has proven expertise in delivering future-proof security solutions. We are thrilled to work with them as we extend coverage to this important high-growth market. The Turkish Data Protection Law (DPL) went into force in April and fines are already being imposed for issues such as late notification of data breach, lack of or late response to data subject access requests (DSARs), and unlawful data sharing among others. At the same time, IDC notes that most Turkish organizations have yet to implement solutions to comply with the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which would ensure more effective data management practices overall. Yet the risks are real. The first half of this year saw cyberattacks increase three percent in Turkey, and worldwide, IDC predicts that more than 1.5 billion people will be affected by a data breach by 2020. Data security is no longer confined to a single point such as a database or file, said Mustafa Utku GOKER, General Manager at CYNOKS. Organizations that are faced with multiple compliance regulations such as the DPL and GDPR must now secure and govern data across multiple points, continuously and in real time. This is why we are so excited to work with Data443. The Data443 product portfolio delivers unique capabilities in data compliance, protection, and governance that remove many of the hurdles companies face when confronting these issues. Data443 delivers industry-leading, next-generation cybersecurity products and services including the award-winning data classification and governance technology ClassiDocs and the ARALOC enterprise cloud-based data storage, protection, and workflow automation platform. These solutions are purpose-built to secure data and ensure accurate privacy compliance. ClassiDocs deploys in hours to provide an accurate, up-to-date data inventory across the entire data estate, including all end points, cloud storage, databases, email, structured and unstructured data, and data at rest or in flight. Upon deployment and with no specific training required, ClassiDocs enables users to discover data such as PII, PCI, and HIPAA; report on and remediate security access controls; respond to DSARs and remediation actions; comply with 12 of the most critical GDPR articles. Organizations can further protect their data assets using Data443s ARALOC platform, including Board Meeting Management Software that delivers the industrys highest level security, mobile messaging, and management for agendas, rosters, and meetings, using custom branded and configured applications. To learn more about Data443, ClassiDocs, ARALOC, and the rest of Data443s product portfolio, or to schedule a demonstration, Turkey-based customers may contact CYNOKS at bilgi@cynoks.com or directly schedule a demonstration here: https://www.data443.com/product-demo/ About LandStar, Inc. LandStar, Inc. ( OTCPK: LDSR ), through its wholly owned subsidiary DATA443 Risk Mitigation, Inc., enables secure data across local devices, network, cloud, and databases at rest and in flight. ClassiDocs, the companys award-winning data classification and governance technology, supports CCPA, LGPD and GDPR compliance. The market leading ARALOC platform is a highly secure, cloud-based platform for the management, protection and distribution of digital content to the desktop and mobile devices, which protects an organizations confidential content and intellectual property assets from leakage malicious or accidental without impacting collaboration between all stakeholders. The WordPress GDPR Framework enables organizations of all sizes to comply with the GDPR and other privacy frameworks. ClassiDocs for Blockchain provides an active implementation for the Ripple XRP that protects blockchain transactions from inadvertent disclosure and data leaks. For more information, please visit http://www.data443.com Forward-Looking Statements The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as may, will, could, should, expect, plan, project, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, pursuant, target, continue, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding LandStars plans, objectives, future opportunities for LandStars services, future financial performance and operating results and any other statements regarding LandStars future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, financial conditions, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond LandStars control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the operations of LandStar; results of litigation, settlements and investigations; actions by third parties, including governmental agencies; volatility in customer spending; global economic conditions; ability to hire and retain personnel; loss of, or reduction in business with, key customers; difficulty with growth and in integrating acquisitions; product liability; cybersecurity risk; and, anti-takeover measures in our charter documents. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained, from time-to-time, in LandStars filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and postings on the OTC Markets news and information website. LandStar undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement. Data443, ClassiDocs, ARALOC are registered trademarks of Data443 Risk Mitigation, Inc. All product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement. All other trademarks cited herein are the property of their respective owners. For Further Information Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/data443Risk Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/data443/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/data443-risk-mitigation-inc/ Signup for our Investor Newsletter: https://www.data443.com/investor-relations/ Investor Relations Contact: Matthew Abenante Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc. data443@plrinvest.com 212.564.4700 ///***ClassiDocs Classification: PUBLIC ***/// [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Cheddar Selects MightyHive for Programmatic Advertising Cheddar, the leading post cable networks company today announced that it has selected MightyHive as its partner for programmatic advertising services. Cheddar has tapped MightyHive to extend the reach and impact of select client campaigns programmatically. Cheddar will also partner with MightyHive to implement and leverage Google (News - Alert) Analytics 360 for full end-to-end performance tracking across web, mobile, and connected TV. "Cheddar is a leader and, in some ways, unique in over the top video news broadcasts. Their ad offering is innovative, and advertisers are clearly responding. We are thrilled to be working with Jon and Cheddar," said Martin Sorrell, Chairman of S4 Capital. "Several of our clients asked us to extend the campaigns we were doing for them across the web. We saw an opportunity, need, and in MightyHive, a solution to do and measure this," said Jon Steinberg, founder and CEO of Cheddar. About Cheddar Cheddar is the leading post-cable networks company. Its programming is available on Sling TV, Hulu, YouTube TV, Snapchat, fuboTV, Philo, Amazon, Twitch, Twitter, 60% of smart TVs in the U.S., and Facebook (News - Alert) . Cheddar currently broadcasts two live video news networks: Cheddar, a business news network covering the most innovative executives, founders, products, and technologies transforming our lives and economy, and Cheddar Big News, a fast-paced, youn, non-partisan general news and headline news network. The company broadcasts from the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, its street level studio in the glass corner of the Sprint (News - Alert) Store in the Flatiron Building, WeWork in Los Angeles, and the White House. Cheddar was founded by Jon Steinberg, President and Chief Operating Officer of BuzzFeed from 2010 to 2014. Its investors include Lightspeed Venture Partners, Raine Ventures, Goldman Sachs, Liberty Global, Comcast Ventures, AT&T (News - Alert) , Amazon, Antenna Group, Ribbit Capital, The New York Stock Exchange, Altice USA, 7 Global Capital, and Dentsu Ventures. About MightyHive MightyHive is a new breed of media consultancy that partners with global brands and agencies seeking transformative marketing results in a time of significant disruption and opportunity. Recognized as a global leader in advanced marketing and advertising technologies, MightyHive provides consulting and services in the areas of media operations and training, data strategy, and analytics. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, London, Toronto, Singapore, Stockholm, and Sydney. About S4 Capital S4 Capital plc (SFOR.L) is a new age/new era digital advertising and marketing services company established by Sir Martin Sorrell in 2018. Its strategy is to build a purely digital advertising and marketing services business for global, multi-national, regional, local and millennial-driven influencer brands. This will be achieved initially by merging with leading businesses in three areas: digital content, digital media planning and buying and first party data, along with an emphasis on "faster, better, cheaper" executions in an always-on consumer-led environment. S4 Capital merged with MediaMonks, a creative digital content production company led by Victor Knaap, Wesley ter Haar and Peter Rademaker, in July 2018, and with MightyHive, a market-leading programmatic solutions provider for future thinking marketers and agencies led by Pete Kim and Christopher S. Martin, in December 2018. Victor, Wesley, Peter, Pete and Christopher all joined the S4Capital Board as Directors. The company (SFOR.L) has a market capitalization of approximately $550 million and approximately 1,200 people across North and South America, Europe, the Middle-East and Asia-Pacific. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005447/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Shingle & Gibb Automation Acquires KOM Automation Shingle & Gibb Automation today announced the acquisition of KOM Automation of Amherst, NY. KOM Automation, founded in 1950, is an industrial distributor of high tech factory automation components and solutions. Its rich heritage in industrial automation combined with long standing relationships with world-class manufacturers has provided a market leading proposition in the Upstate New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania regions. This transaction presents an opportunity for Shingle & Gibb to strengthen and expand their geographical reach and provide KOM's customers with a broader product offering, additional engineering expertise and investment in more local inventory. The two organizations share multiple attributes including a focus on similar product lines, namely Banner Engineering and Turck. Both KOM's and Shingle & Gibb's corporate cultures focus on a passion for heroic customer service and both organizations pride themselves on long-term employee tenure, providing stability and expertise to customers. Brian Lepsis, President of Shingle & Gibb Automation, says, "I'm honored to have the opportunity to associate with one of the longest tenured distributors of Banner and Turck and will carry on the Lamb family legacy of combining cutting edge automation solutions with first class customer service. Shingle & Gibb has the capacity to provide all the resources that customers require to be successful, but we are still small and nimble enough to serve customers as they want to be served, with a focus on human to human service." Marilyn Lamb, President of KOM Automation, added,"I am happy to see the company Bob and I started over 40 years ago join forces with another family-owned and family-focused company that shares our values and commitment to service. I'm excited to see so many of our long-term employees have so many new opportunities within Shingle & Gibb." Both Shingle & Gibb and KOM have long standing relationships with premier suppliers Banner Engineering and Turck. Banner's Regional Sales Director, John Cheasick remarks, "We are thrilled to see two of our long-term distributors team up together. We are confident that their combined strengths are going to be a great resource for our customers." Randy Durick, Vice President of Sales at Turck, adds, "We are impressed with Shingle & Gibb's track record of successfully integrating past acquisitions of similar companies and know that in their acquisition of KOM Automation the whole is greater than the sum of the parts." About Shingle & Gibb Automation Shingle & Gibb follows a time-honored commitment of providing the finest Industrial Automation & Networking, Motion Control, Machine Safety and Power Transmission products from world leading manufacturers, including Banner Engineering, Turck and Siemens (News - Alert) . Through strong partnerships with our Suppliers, we can provide innovative and leading-edge products and solutions to our Customers. We also provide many services designed to make your job (and your life) easier, including: An experienced, factory-trained, technically-focused and locally-based sales force to assist you and your entire team with all your automation projects, from conception and specification to completion Knowledgeable and highly trained Customer Service Consultants An in-house Engineering Department to assist in designing, integrating and implementing your most challenging automation projects Several million dollars of local inventory to help support all your automation requirements For more information, please visit www.shingle.com or call 800.989.8500 About KOM Automation KOM Automation is an industrial distributor of high tech factory automation hardware and software. With roots dating back to the beginning of the industrial automation era, and combined experience of more than 100 years, KOM Automation knows what works and what doesn't. They are a leading supplier of non-contact sensors, PLCs, operator interfaces, PC control and HMI software, counters, timers, encoders, temperature and process controllers, and safety devices. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005442/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Nummo's Roi Y. Tavor to Speak at "Fintech Meets Techfin - The Digital Money Forum at CES 2019" Nummo, a personal financial management platform that empowers people to live better by helping them manage, maintain and improve their financial health, today announced its co-founder and CEO, Roi Y. Tavor, will be a featured speaker at the upcoming "Fintech meets Techfin - The Digital Money Forum at CES (News - Alert) 2019" in Las Vegas, Nevada. The panel is to be moderated by Siri Srinivas, Associate at Draper Associates, and includes Tim Hong, Chief Product Officer, Head of Growth at MoneyLion, and Jason Mars, PhD, Co-founder and CEO of Clinc. The conference will examine the role of money today - everything from the impact of AI, AR, and VR on financial technology, to robo advisors, to borderless eCommerce, biometrics and authentication systems, to the rise and current state of crypto currencies, and the blockchain economy. More information on each panel can be found at: https://thedigitalmoneyforum.com/2019-agenda/. When: January 8, 2019 "Fintech Meets Techfin" - 9:00 - 9:35 A.M. PT Where: CES 2019 The Venetian Hotel Level 4, Lando 4302 Las Vegas, Nevada Registration: For more details on the conference and for registration information, please visit: http://thedigitalmoneyforum.com/ About Nummo Nummo is an independent privately held company, with no ties to any financial institution or current product providers in any way. The company provides a personal financial management platform that empowers people to live better by helping them manage, maintain and improve their financial health. Founded in 2016, Nummo is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. For more information, visit www.nummo.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005342/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] DMX University -- Puerto Rico's Newest Training Scholarship Program for Blockchain Technology Dealer Market Exchange has officially launched the formation of DMX University and announced a reported $150,000 scholarship fund to support the training of 100 blockchain developer resources in Puerto Rico. Should DMX University succeed, Puerto Rico may become one of the highest concentrations of blockchain developer talent in the world today. Under the guidance of DMX Foundry, a business blockchain and AI innovation lab under DMX, a new online DMX University program consisting of multiple training levels from "novice" to "expert" is being launched early next year. "We believe Puerto Rico is one of the most unrecognized and overlooked resources for tech talent in America," stated Jason Bennick, CEO and Co-Founder of DMX, University Chairman and Puerto Rico resident since 2016. "Since Hurricane Maria, we've seen many highly qualified resources leave the island for greater opportunities. It is our goal to reverse this by providing a career path for qualified talent to remain here in Puerto Rico, increase their skills, and take advantage of our program to build a local, high-paying career as a blockchain developer." DMX University Program Director, Omar Gonzalez, a native to Puerto Rico and Hyperledger Certified Expert, states the program will consist of 4 levels, with the ultimate goal of having a talented pool of candidates for potential by DMX at reportedly some of the most competitive pay rates found anywhere in the US. Hyperledger is a conglomerate of open source blockchain projects and tools focused on creating efficient and decentralized transactional applications. They have received the backing from leaders in the finance, banking, supply chain, manufacturing, Internet of Things, and technology, ncluding well-known companies Like Intel, IBM, and SAP (News - Alert) , among others. Mr. Gonzalez explains that each training level has been designed as a tiered program to reach "expert" level in Hyperledger software development; one of the most sought after developer skills in blockchain. The training program will accept novice and seasoned candidates alike. The University intends to award 100 qualified applicants with fully funded scholarships to become "Hyperledger Blockchain Certified" by DMX University. Twenty graduates will be selected for an additional training opportunity; up to ten graduates of which are intended to be part of the pool of candidates that may be offered positions within DMX at the conclusion of their studies. All program graduates will be invited to participate in the DMX University Partnership Program, where directional support will be provided for placement with DMX affiliates and partners seeking qualified graduates. "We want to see Puerto Rico stand tall once again. No matter what you do; everyone wants to pitch in. This program is just that, a way to pitch in and provide developers with new skill sets that can benefit developers, DMX and all of Puerto Rico," said Omar Gonzalez. He went on to say "We have great talent here on the island. So if we can combine their creativity with our program, we believe the possibilities are endless." DMX University is scheduled to go live on April 1st, 2019 and will reportedly be the first company-created institution in Puerto Rico providing an affordable new technology training program to benefit both private and governmental sectors. Although space will be limited, DMX University will be open to developers of all industries. More information can be found on their website dmx.io. About DMX Foundry DMX Foundry was formed under DMX as a think-tank and development innovation lab to architect, design and create enterprise-level business mobility solutions for the world's transportation industry in blockchain with AI and machine learning, based in Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Dealer Market Exchange is an enterprise business mobility solutions platform for the automotive industry. DMX provides an intuitive, seamless mobile-web ecosystem of application services to quickly, accurately and economically manage the movement of vehicle assets. DMX is one of the fastest-growing technology startups today, organized and domiciled in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. DMX exports services through the cloud to North America and is expanding worldwide and is a member of MOBI, General Member of Hyperledger, and Silver Member of The Linux Foundation. DMX Foundry operates under DMX as the blockchain and AI innovation lab. For more information, visit dmx.io or connect on Facebook (News - Alert) (@dmx.io) and Twitter (@dmxio). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005375/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Propanc Biopharma Commences Drug Discovery Research Collaboration Propanc Biopharma, Inc. (OTCQB: PPCB) ("Propanc"), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on development of new and proprietary treatments for cancer patients suffering from solid tumors such as pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancers, today announced that a cooperation agreement has been entered into between the University of Jaen and Propanc to commence the POP1 joint drug discovery program to be co-funded by both parties. The agreement coincides with the appointment of research scientist, Mr. Aitor Gonzalez, to lead the drug discovery and research activities over the next 3 to 4 years. The objective of the program is to identify and develop suitable backup compounds to Propanc's lead product candidate, PRP. As part of the agreement, Macarena Peran, Ph.D. and Julian Kenyon, M.D. have been appointed as joint supervisors, representing the University and Propanc, respectively. The program involves advancing new compounds through a drug screening process, followed by preclinical and early stage clinical development. As the drug candidate progresses along the development pathway, the collaboration will also involve the Universities of Granada and Jaen, as well as Granada and Almeria Hospitals, which are members of FIBAO, a Public Health Foundation, based in Granada, Spain, committed to assisting commercial partners with the development and commercialization of innovative technologies designed to benefit humankind. "Identifying and developing back up compounds to our lead product candidate, PRP, is part of our long-term vision to commercialize targeted therapies which treat and prevent the spread of cancer, but without the side effects normally associated with standard treatment approaches," said Dr. Julian Kenyon, Propanc's Chief Scientific Officer. "The world-class facilities and expert scientific researchers at Jaen and Granada Universities are dedicated to helping us achieve our vision, and we look forward to deepening our pipeline through this research collaboration." "Dr. Kenyon's efforts in driving the understanding of the anti-tumor effects of proenzymes continues to be a world first, and we are truly excited to be leading this research collaboration on behalf of Propanc," said Dr. Macarena Peran, lecturer and reader at the University of Jaen, as well as joint supervisor of the POP1 drug discovery program. "Mr. Gonzalez has been working in our laboratory over the past year and has experience in cell culture, nanoparticles, cancer stem cells and in vivo testing methodologies. We are highly confident in his ability o lead this research in the laboratory on behalf of our organizations." About Propanc Biopharma, Inc. Propanc Biopharma, Inc. (the "Company") is a biopharmaceutical company developing new cancer treatments initially for patients suffering from pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancers. The Company has developed a formulation of anti-cancer compounds, which exert a number of effects designed to control or prevent tumors from recurring and spreading throughout the body by targeting and eradicating cancer stem cells. The Company's products involve or employ pancreatic proenzymes, which are inactive precursors of enzymes. In the near term, the Company intends to target patients with limited remaining therapeutic options for the treatment of solid tumors. In the future, the Company intends to develop its lead product candidate, PRP, to treat early stage cancer and pre-cancerous diseases, and as a preventative measure for patients at risk of developing cancer based on genetic screening. PRP is a solution for intravenous administration of a combination of two pancreatic proenzymes trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen. Progressing towards a first-in-human study, PRP seeks to prevent recurrence and metastasis from solid tumors by targeting and eradicating cancer stem cells. Eighty percent of cancers are solid tumors and metastasis is the main cause of patient death from cancer. According to the World Health Organization, 8.2 million people died from cancer in 2012. A report by IMS Health states innovative therapies are driving the global oncology market to meet demand, which is expected to reach $150 billion by 2020. The Company's initial target patient populations are pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancers, representing an estimated combined market segment of $14 billion in 2020, according to GBI Research. To view the Company's "Mechanism of Action" video on anti-cancer product candidate, PRP, please click on the following link: http://www.propanc.com/news-media/video. To be added to the Company's email distribution list, please click on the following link: http://ir.propanc.com/email-alerts and submit the online request form. For more information, visit the Company at www.propanc.com. Forward-Looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements," which may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words as "may," "might," "will," "will likely result," "would," "should," "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "continue," "target" or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These factors include uncertainties as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern absent new debt or equity financings; the Company's current reliance on substantial debt financing that it is unable to repay in cash; the Company's ability to successfully remediate material weaknesses in its internal controls; the Company's ability to reach research and development milestones as planned and within proposed budgets; the Company's ability to control costs; the Company's ability to obtain adequate new financing on reasonable terms; the Company's ability to successfully develop PRP, its lead product candidate; the Company's ability to obtain and maintain patent protection; the Company's ability to recruit employees and directors with accounting and finance expertise; the Company's dependence on third parties for services; the Company's dependence on key executives; the impact of government regulations, including FDA regulations; the impact of any future litigation; the availability of capital; changes in economic conditions, competition; and other risks, including, but not limited to, those described in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) ") on October 17, 2018, and in the Company's other filings and submissions with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligations to update these statements except as may be required by law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005066/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] XY - The Persistent Company Announces Major New Additions to Advisory Board from National Geographic, World Economic Forum XYO Network, the technology bringing blockchain to the real world, continues to augment its Board of Advisors and cement its leadership position by today announcing that parent company XY - The Persistent Company has made new additions to the already-impressive Advisory Board with new and widely-regarded industry experts. Marcus Delano East, Chief Technology Officer, National Geographic; Kai Keller, Project Lead/Global Leadership Fellow, World Economic Forum; and industry expert Ken Au will support XY and XYO Network's aggressive efforts to bridge blockchain and blockchain-based dApps to the physical world as the company builds out its applications, partners, and customer base around the globe and across industries. 2018 was an unprecedented year of successes for the XYO Network team, including growth from 17 to 76 employees; multiple corporate acquisitions; the opening of innovation-focused XY Labs in nearby Carlsbad, CA (News - Alert) ; listings on multiple new exchanges; and powerful partnerships with industry-leading organizations Esri, the FedEx Research Institute, and Spaceflight Industries. Now, XY - The Persistent Company and the XYO team announce the newest Advisory Board members to join the team They are industry leaders, each of whom brings a unique background, skill set, network, and set of strategic insights to the Board: Marcus Delano East East is Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of National Geographic. As a technology executive with a passion for driving change through the use of technology, he has built a global reputation for being a "creative technologist" who enjoys solving difficult problems in innovative ways, whether complex business challenges or life-changing social issues. East spent much of his career working for leading technology companies including Apple (News - Alert) and International Business Machines (IBM) building world-class technology, and the other portion of his career helping brands including Comic Relief, Marks and Spencer, and now National Geographic, to harness the power of technology to drive business value. East is a Fellow of the British Computer Society (BCS) Chartered Institute for Information Technology, and a Member of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI). Kai Keller Keller is currently Project Lead and a Global Leadership Fellow at the World Economic Forum. Keller leads the World Economic Forum's work at the intersection of innovation and financial stability. He works with private and public stakeholders exploring changes in the global financial ecosystem as a result of technology-enabled innovation, while considering the wide range of opportunities and challenges in topics as diverse as the appropriate use of customer data, to the future of cryptocurrency. Before joining the World Economic Forum, Keller led equities activities at Credit Suisse, Macquarie Capital and Daiwa Securities. Ken Au Au currently serves as advisor to multiple global business, luxury brand, and technology companies including Metaverse, China's first public blockchain company. At Metaverse, Au spearheads development of use cases from the ideology stage to product launch, as well as corporate development and partnerships. Au has forged strong relationships in traditional technology and blockchain spaces, and has a thorough understanding of the power and synergy from integrating the two. Additionally, Au is co-founder of the Luxchain Foundation, which provides enterprise-level supply chain verification solutions for the luxury goods market. In addition to his strategic work with XYO Network, he provides high-level advisory services to PLAIR. As an additional development, current Advisory Board member and Smart City expert Paul Hynek will serve the Board in an expanded capacity as Chairman. Hynek holds an MBA from The Wharton School, and is currently a professor of finance at Pepperdine. Hynek also leads the Technology Committee for the $100 million effort to revitalize Pershing Square, the oldest public space in Los Angeles, and is also a member of the global-oriented Smart Cities Council. Hynek will contribute decades of business and technology insight, expertise, and leadership to the overall direction of the Advisory Board as XYO Network continues executing against its aggressive strategy around the globe and in orbit. "These newest additions to our Advisory Board, and Paul Hynek's stepping forward as Chairman are just the beginning of the powerful changes and growth you can expect from XYO Network in 2019," said Scott Scheper, Co-Founder and CMO of XYO Network. "The roadmap and the team we're putting in place to realize our goals are so aggressive and impactful in bridging blockchain, real, and virtual worlds that they're second to none in the world. These new Advisors, and the things you'll see from us this year, will literally blow the industry away, and we're just getting started. A hearty welcome to these newest Advisory Board members." About XYO Network XYO Network is an effort to create a vast, geospatial, blockchain-powered location network currently under development with the goal to provide accurate, certainty-driven location data on everything from cars to smartphones. By combining location beacons with IoT and mobile devices, the XYO Network ecosystem plans to deliver the verified coordinates and data needed to execute smart contracts, run smart cities, foster financial transactions, and power a legion of location-centric applications. For more information, please visit https://xyo.network. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005131/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] EdgeCon 2019 to Present New Opportunities and Strategies for Digital Transformation in Education and the Public Sector NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- EdgeCon 2019, New Jersey's premier technology and leadership event, is expecting a record turnout, approaching 400 attendees from across the country on January 9-11. The annual conference will focus on digital transformation for today's education, government, and healthcare institutions, covering an array of topics from developing an achievable and progressive digital strategy to driving its practical implementation. The internationally acclaimed and award-winning Innovation Strategist and Futurist, Shivvy Jervis, will provide the keynote address. She will be joined by four exceptional digital leaders who will share their domain-specific vision and real-world experiences achieving digital transformation: Dr. Beth Simone Noveck Chief Innovation Officer, State of New Jersey Chief Innovation Officer, Major General Patricia A. Frost Director of Cybersecurity, U.S. Army (Retired) Director of Cybersecurity, U.S. Army (Retired) Dr. Barbara Lockee Professor, Virginia Tech and Vice President of the International Academic Forum Professor, and Vice President of the International Academic Forum Sallie Wright , CISSP CIO & IT Leader "Digital transformation challenges all organizations to identify and adopt technologies that enable the developments required to achieve their desired future states. For example, in the higher education community, it is an opportunity to reconsider how they recruit, engage, and educate students to succeed in this new digital era," said Dr. Samuel Conn, President & CEO at NJEdge. "We are looking forward to bringing our community together at EdgeCon this year to learn about the latest strategies and successes in digital innovation." With 30 breakout sessions that delve into the many facets of digital transformation, attendees will aquire the knowledge and skills required to: Shape digital and IT strategies Deploy new innovations for student learning and success Strengthen cybersecurity and intelligent networking Optimize research and big data initiatives Drive organizational culture to promote change In addition, an exhibit and engagement area featuring 35+ technology solutions firms will serve as the networking hub for the conference, connecting attendees with newest solutions for instructional technologies, networking, security, software tools, and more. Hosted by NJEdge, New Jersey's non-profit technology solutions group which provides consultation and cost-effective contracting vehicles for networking, digital media management, and IT products and services to academic, government, and healthcare institutions, EdgeCon 2019 will be held at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch, NJ on January 9-11. Hands-on professional development workshops are available to attendees on January 9, in advance of the main conference program most at no additional cost to EdgeCon 2019 registrants. Workshop topics include Organizational Change Management, Cybersecurity, Accessibility & Compliance, and Improving the Online Student Experience. Registration is still open. Visit https://njedge.net/edgecon2019/registration/ to secure your place today. About EdgeCon 2019 Now in its tenth year, EdgeCon is the premier annual conference presented by NJEdge. The event brings together a wide variety of professionals from academic, healthcare, IT and government backgrounds to discuss cutting-edge technology and related issues. EdgeCon provides attendees the opportunity to learn how to apply real-world technology solutions to their own institutional challenges. About NJEdge NJEdge is a member-informed, non-profit consortium of academic and research institutions with a dedication to higher education, K-12 education, healthcare, government and nonprofit service members, collaborating partners, and subscribing patrons. NJEdge aims to deliver and sustain a healthy, vibrant and thriving technology ecosystem that is purpose-built for the communities we serve. Through active collaboration, adaptive technology, transformative engagement and defined solutions, we have designed a national model of excellence in research and education networking in New Jersey and beyond. For more information, please visit: www.njedge.net . View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/edgecon-2019-to-present-new-opportunities-and-strategies-for-digital-transformation-in-education-and-the-public-sector-300771616.html SOURCE NJEdge [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Digipath Announces Plans to Expand Cannabis Testing Internationally LAS VEGAS, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Digipath, Inc. (OTCQB: DIGP), a service oriented independent testing laboratory, data acquisition and media firm focused on the developing cannabis and hemp markets, is pleased to announce its plans to expand internationally. Colombia is the first foreign market in which Digipath plans to provide cannabis testing for both local consumers and cannabis exporters. Colombia is projected to be a significant cannabis exporter due to its climate and low cost of production and all cannabis products will need to be tested for potency and safety prior to export to any other country. Colombia formally legalized medical marijuana in 2015. The country has realigned its interests to the export market in its current policy operations and is preparing to produce 40.5 tons of cannabis per year, starting in 2019. Digipath has retained legal representation in Colombia, hired a local operations manager and is evaluating potential locations. "Clearly, international expansion presents a tremendous opportunity for Digipath and its shareholders," stated Todd Denkin, CEO, Digipath, Inc. "A fully-realized presence in South America could significantly increase our customer base. We expect Colombia to be one of the market leaders in cannabis, hemp and CBD production and are excited about the possibilities." Through Digipath's Chief Science Officer Dr. Cindy Orser's work in Nevada, Digipath Labs helped pioneer cannabis lab testing protocols and implement one of the nation's most stringent cannabis safety regulations. This commitment to excellence has now positioned Digipat Labs as a market leader in the cannabis lab testing industry. The Company intends to carry the testing standards it has developed and proven in Nevada into these new international markets. About Digipath, Inc. & Digipath Labs, Inc. Digipath, Inc. supports the cannabis industry's best practices for reliable testing, data acquisition, cannabis education and training, and brings unbiased cannabis news coverage to the cannabis industry. Digipath Labs provides pharmaceutical-grade analysis and testing to the cannabis industry to ensure producers, consumers, and patients know exactly what is in the cannabis they ingest and to help maximize the quality of its client's products through analysis, research, development, and standardization. Digipath Investor Relations & Financial Media info@integrityir.com Toll Free: (888) 216-3595 www.IntegrityIR.com Information about Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that include information relating to future events. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which that performance or those results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time they are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in, or suggested by, the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: the Company's need for additional funding, the demand for the Company's products, governmental regulation of the cannabis industry, the Company's ability to maintain customer and strategic business relationships, the impact of competitive products and pricing, growth in targeted markets, the adequacy of the Company's liquidity and financial strength to support its growth, and other risks that may be detailed from time-to-time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. For a more detailed description of the risk factors and uncertainties affecting Digipath, please refer to the Company's recent Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which are available at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/digipath-announces-plans-to-expand-cannabis-testing-internationally-300771639.html SOURCE Digipath, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] MUFG Investor Services Appoints Julie Jeffers-Flynn as Executive Director of Business Development MUFG Investor Services, the global asset servicing arm of Mitsubishi (News - Alert) UFJ Financial Group, has appointed Julie Jeffers-Flynn as Executive Director of business development. She will be based in New York and report to Michael Rucci, U.S. President and CEO of MUFG Investor Services. Ms. Jeffers-Flynn will support MUFG Investor Services' mutual fund platform, overseeing the management and awareness for MUFG's 40 Act fund services expertise to mutual funds, ETFs, UITs and CITs. Her appointment reinforces MUFG's commitment to growing its investor services business and enhancing client offerings across all investment strategies, asset types and fund structures. "We are thrilled to have Julie come on board, and at a time when clients are looking for a partner to support their growing mutual fund offerings," said Mr. Rucci. "As investors look to diversify their portfolios with new products, including liquid alternatives, Julie will be an ideal partner for mutual fund clients responding to those changing demands. Her extensive experience in the 40 Act fund space will provide long-term value for our clients as alternative investments continues to enter the mainstream." Ms. Jeffers-Flynn joins from Brown Brothers Harriman, where she was senior vice president of relationship management and sales for the investor services unit for 13 years. Before that, she served as client executive of BNY Melon's investment management banking division, managing sales and relationship for U.S.-based financial institutions. "I am excited to work with the professionals at MUFG Investor Services, among the best in the industry wen it comes to quality of service," said Jeffers-Flynn. "I look forward to working with the team's impressive clients and strengthening those relationships, helping MUFG continue to serve as a reliable partner that delivers high quality solutions." About MUFG Investor Services: MUFG Investor Services provides asset servicing solutions to clients globally. Leveraging the financial and intellectual capital of MUFG - one of the largest banks in the world with $2.7 trillion in assets - we provide clients access to a range of leading solutions from fund administration, middle-office outsourcing, custody, foreign exchange, fund of hedge fund financing, trustee services and depository to securities lending and other banking services. MUFG has 90 years of custody experience, 350 years of banking history and has run a global securities lending program for 20 years. MUFG currently provides administration services for over 2,400 funds across all investment strategies, asset types and fund structures. It has over $500bn in assets under administration. Visit: www.mufg-investorservices.com. About MUFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.) (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.) is one of the world's leading financial groups, with total assets of approximately $2.7 trillion as of March 31, 2017. Headquartered in Tokyo and with approximately 350 years of history, MUFG is a global network with more than 2,200 offices in nearly 50 countries. The Group has more than 140,000 employees and about 300 entities, offering services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing. The Group's operating companies include MUFG Bank Ltd, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation (Japan's leading trust bank), and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities Holdings Co., Ltd., one of Japan's largest securities firms. Through close partnerships among our operating companies, the Group aims to "be the world's most trusted financial group," flexibly responding to all of the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (MTU) stock exchanges. Visit www.mufg.jp/english/index.html. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005085/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Semiconductor Memory Market: Key Players and Production Information analysis Semiconductor memory is an essential constituent for todays electronic devices. Its a kind of device in which digital information is maintained by using IC (Integrated Circuit) technology. These memories are classified on the basis of types of data access and types of data storage and these mechanisms can be categorized in two groups that are volatile RAM (Random Access Memory) and non-volatile ROM (Read Only Memory). RAM and ROM can be further classified on the basis of technologies and applications available. RAM includes DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, and MRAM. ROM can be categorized in to PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash memory etc. DRAM, mainstream memory holds a larger market share followed by NAND Flash, 3D ReRAM, NOR Flash. PCRAM is a new technology in the market and possesses better features than conventional memories. It also provides power saving opportunities to customers. Request For Report Brochure https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1214 Growing market for smartphones, tablets and SSD (Solid-state drives) are the major growth drivers for the semiconductor memories market. Government regulations and manufacturing standards might restrict the growth of this market as marketers believe that implementation of these regulations and standards might affect the sourcing of materials and increase the cost of products. Request For Table Of Content https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=121 Some of the notable companies in this market are Toshiba, SanDisk Corporation, Micron Technology, Inc., Intel, IBM, Fujitsu, Cypress Semiconductor, Samsung, Atmel Corporation, Crocus Technology, Everspin Technology among many others. Samsung and Micron Technology are regarded as leading companies in the R&D of PCRAM technology. SanDisk Corporation is engaged in developing the non-volatile technologies such as phase-change memory, charge-trap flash, memristor and other technologies. As a community-building service, TMCnet allows user submitted content which is not always proofed by TMCnet editors. If you feel this entry is of inferior quality or wish to report it for some reason, please forward the URL to "webedit [AT] tmcnet [DOT] com" with your comments. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Leading BioSciences to Present at Biotech Showcase 2019 CARLSBAD, Ca., Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading BioSciences, a drug development company focused on improving human health through therapeutic protection of the Gastrobiome, today announced that its chief executive officer, Tom Hallam, Ph.D., will deliver a corporate presentation at the 11th Annual Biotech Showcase, being held January 7-9, 2019 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square in San Francisco. Details for this presentation are as follows: Biotech Showcase 2019 webcast available Time/Date: 2:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 Location: Hilton San Francisco Union Square Room: Franciscan - D (Ballroom Level) Please use the following link to access the live webcast of Leading BioSciences' presentation: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1226615&tp_key=ca63b4cd09 . A replay of the webcast will be available at the same link following the conference. Additionally, the Leading BioSciences management team will take part in 1-on-1 meetings at the conference and discuss LB1148, the companys lead development rogram. LB1148 is a patent-protected formulation of a broad-spectrum serine protease inhibitor designed to neutralize the activity of potent digestive enzymes that can cause a range of serious complications if they escape the intestines through a compromised mucosal barrier during major surgery. The ability to safely and effectively inhibit the activity of digestive proteases can prevent the damage they cause to gastrointestinal (GI) tissues once they escape the intestines, speed the return of GI function and shorten patients post-surgery stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital. The company previously reported positive interim results from its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of LB1148 in patients undergoing major cardiovascular surgery. Results from the planned interim analysis demonstrated that subjects treated with LB1148 had a decrease in stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) of 1.1 days and an overall decrease in hospital length of stay of 3.2 days, as compared to placebo. Additional findings demonstrated a statistically significant 18-hour improvement in return to normal bowel function for patients treated with LB1148 as compared to placebo (p = 0.044), the studys primary endpoint. The interim study results also suggest that LB1148 was well tolerated with an adverse event profile that was comparable to placebo. To request a meeting with Leading BioSciences at Biotech Showcase 2019, please contact Stephanie Diaz of Vida Strategic Partners at sdiaz@vidasp.com . About Leading BioSciences Leading BioSciences is developing novel therapeutics designed to improve human health through therapeutic protection of the Gastrobiome. Leading BioSciences initial focus is combatting the interruption of GI function (ileus) following major surgery to reduce recovery times and shorten patients length of stay in the hospital. Additionally, the company believes that its programs have the potential to prevent the formation of post-operative adhesions (reducing hospital re-admissions and additional surgeries), as well as to address the myriad of health conditions and complications associated with chronic disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Learn more at: www.leadingbiosciences.com Contacts: Vida Strategic Partners Stephanie Diaz (Investors) 415-675-7401 sdiaz@vidasp.com Tim Brons (Media) 415-675-7402 tbrons@vidasp.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Ra Medical Systems to Present at Biotech Showcase 2019 on January 8 during Annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco Ra Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: RMED), a medical device company focusing on commercializing excimer laser systems to treat tough vascular and dermatological diseases, announces that CEO Dean Irwin will present at the 11th Annual Biotech Showcase on January 8, 2019, in San Francisco. Mr. Irwin will present an overview of Ra Medical's business, technology and strategic growth objectives, including the commercialization of its excimer laser system, DABRA, which is FDA-cleared to cross chronic total occlusions in patients with symptomatic infrainguinal lower extremity vascular disease. DABRA is engineered to photochemically ablate, or dissolve, plaque build-up in the arteries, thereby minimizing downstream debris and creating a channel for blood to flow. Mr. Irwin will also discuss Ra Medical's plans to evaluate the potential for DABRA to treat lesions in coronary vessels. A live webcast and replay of the presentation will be available on the Investors section of the Company's website, https://ir.ramed.com/ir-calendar. Ra Medical's presentation will take place in the Yosemite C room on the Ballroom Level of the Hilton San Francisco at 2:30 p.m. PT on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. Mr. Irwin will be available to participate in one-on-one meetings with members of the financial and media communities. To schedule a meeting, contact LHA Investor Relations at 310-691-7100. About Biotech Showcase The largest international biotech investor conference in the world, Biotech Showcase brings together life sciences decision-makers and investors from across the globe to collaborate and discuss industry trends through panels, workshops and fireside chats. Additional information and registration can be found here: https://ebdgroup.knect365.com/biotech-showcase/. About Ra Medical Systems Ra Medical Systems commercializes excimer lasers and catheters for the treatment of dermatological and vascular diseases. In May 2017, DABRA laser system and disposable DABRA catheter received FDA 510(k) clearance in the U.S. for the intended use of ablating a channel in occlusive peripheral vascular disease. Pharos excimer laser system is FDA-cleared and is used as a tool in the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and leukoderma. DABRA and Pharos are both based on Ra Medical's core excimer laser technology platform and deploy similar mechanisms of action. Independent in vivo and in vitro research studies have demonstrated that 308 nanometer excimer laser light, which is the same wavelength used in DABRA and Pharos, increases T-cell apoptosis, or cell death, which may produce an immunosuppressive effect. We manufacture our DABRA and Pharos excimer lasers and catheters in our approximately 32,000-square-foot facility located in Carlsbad, California. Our vertically integrated facility is ISO 13485 certified and is licensed by the state of California to manufacture our sterile, single-use catheters in our controlled environments. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005070/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Barbados Grand Opening for Ross University School of Medicine With an eye towards the future, Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) and its 1,500 students, faculty and staff are making a new permanent home in Barbados. To celebrate, dignitaries, business leaders and other community stakeholders will gather for the grand opening of RUSM's new campus in Barbados. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005135/en/ In addition to the build-out of the academic facilities at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, RUSM has also completed construction for a living community for students at The Villages at Coverley. With the help of the Barbados government, RUSM has established a busing cooperative with local transportation business owners to transport students between Coverley and the campus. To date, the construction projects have provided work for over 1,000 Bajans, and the annual economic impact of RUSM in Barbados is estimated to be between $55-$60 million. RUSM is part of Adtalem's medical and health care education vertical, which also includes American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine on Sint Maarten, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on St. Kitts, and Chamberlain University, one of the largest providers of nursing education in the United States. What: RUSM Grand Opening Ceremony When: Saturday, Jan. 5, 4 p.m. AST ( Facebook (News - Alert) livestream: http://www.pmo.gov.bb) Where: RUSM Medical Sciences Campus at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, Barbados Speakers include: Feature address by Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P. Adtalem Global Education President and CEO, Lisa Wardell Ross University School of Medicine Dean and Chancellor, William F. Owen, Jr., M.D., FACP Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Hon. Santia Bradshaw, M.P. About Ross University School of Medicine Ross University School of Medicine is a member of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a global education provider headquartered in the United States. The organization's purpose is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Founded in 1978, RUSM has more than 14,000 alumni and is committed to educating a diverse group of skilled physicians. RUSM is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). For more information, please visit www.medical.rossu.edu. About Adtalem Global Education The purpose of Adtalem Global Education is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success, and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE: ATGE; member S&P MidCap 400 Index) is a leading global education provider and the parent organization of Adtalem Educacional do Brasil (IBMEC, Damasio and Wyden institutions) American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, please visit adtalem.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005135/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Troxell Announces Demitrious Emery As Its New Account Executive For The Indiana Territory PHOENIX, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Troxell, a national leader in education technology & collaboration solutions for more than 60 years, is happy to announce Demitrious Emery as the new Account Executive for the Indiana Territory. He will work closely with school districts throughout Indiana in order to provide the best education technology solutions to fit their needs and initiatives. Demitrious is taking over the territory from Jill Perdue, who recently departed the company. "Remembering a quote from John F. Kennedy, 'Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other'," said Demitrious Emery. "I'm genuinely excited that, as a part of the Troxell team, I can directly help Indiana educators leverage the best technology tools to teach and give our students what they need to become leaders." "Demitrious brings over 15 years of experience helping customers successfully solve problems and implement complex solutions," said Dottie Stewart, Troxell's Regional Vice President of the Central and Northeast Territories. "He will be a great asset in woring with schools to find the right tools to meet their technology goals. We are very excited to have Demitrious join our team! " Demitrious recently joined the Troxell team as an Account Executive covering his home state of Indiana. With over 20 years of technology sales experience, he is looking forward to assisting Indiana's education community in leveraging technology to enhance the learning experience and empowering teachers. Demitrious is an advocate of using effective learning technologies such as 1:1 learning and STEM/STEAM curriculum to prepare Indiana students for the future. You may contact Demitrious Emery at his office phone: 317-296-5893, his cell phone: 317-619-4820, and his email demitrious.emery@trox.com. About Troxell Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, Troxell is the nation's leading end-to-end solution provider for technology and collaborative solutions in K-12 and higher ed. With 65 offices nationwide, they combine large-scale purchasing power with the high-touch, consultative approach of a local specialist. Find a location near you. For Press Inquiries Contact: Raigan Irwin-McCabe, VP of Marketing View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/troxell-announces-demitrious-emery-as-its-new-account-executive-for-the-indiana-territory-300771601.html SOURCE Troxell [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] River SaaS Capital Provides $1 Million of Venture Debt Funding to ZynBit WESTLAKE, Ohio, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- River SaaS Capital, a private venture debt fund lending growth capital to Software as a Service (SaaS) companies, announced that it has provided non-dilutive capital to ZynBit, a SaaS provider for Sales Professionals. ZynBit will use the proceeds to help fund its sales intelligence roadmap and scale its sales and marketing teams. Raleigh, North Carolina based ZynBit is one of the most popular applications on the Salesforce AppExchange. It builds intelligent sales automation for the next generation of leaders focused on revenue growth while delivering a superior customer experience. ZynBit helps companies leverage real-time information to out maneuver the competition, acquire and retain their ideal customers and attract top talent. "The River SaaS Capital partnership is strategic for us at this stage, helping ZynBit to manage scale, cashflow and dilution," said Phil Dixon, CEO at ZynBit. "We've been impressed with the River SaaS team's responsiveness, flexibility and knowledge of our needs. We're thrilled to join the River SaaS family." The funding from River SaaS will enale ZynBit's management team to scale the business aggressively without giving up equity in the company. Furthermore, River SaaS has the flexibility to be able to invest additional capital as the company grows. "ZynBit is an impressive organization," said Wendy Jarchow, Chief Investment Officer of River SaaS Capital. "We're thrilled they chose River SaaS as their capital partner and look forward to working with them to accelerate their growth." About ZynBit Founded in 2015 with a mission to provide sales enablement solutions which help Sales Professionals, Sales Leaders, and their companies consume better sales activity data insights and increase Salesforce adoption. ZynBit is a single solution to collect, track and analyze sales activity data, increase sales productivity and create an excellent customer experience. The solution provides insight and foresight to help customers make fast and intelligent decisions to accelerate revenue growth and expose gaps in sales pipeline. For more information visit, www.zynbit.com. About River SaaS Capital River SaaS Capital provides debt financing to growing SaaS businesses that prefer non-dilutive working capital to scale their business and expand the customer base without giving up ownership or board seats. River SaaS Capital offers fast, flexible financing solutions and typically lends between $500K to $1M initially to qualified new borrowers usually as 36-48-month term loans. For more information, check out our funding solutions and follow @riversaascap on Twitter. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/river-saas-capital-provides-1-million-of-venture-debt-funding-to-zynbit-300771536.html SOURCE River SaaS Capital [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] We The People and Allocacoc to Provide Resources to Support Creators in Bringing Crowdfunded Ideas to Market LAS VEGAS, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- We The People (WTP), the world's only multichannel crowdfunding retail chain and community, today announced that it is partnering with Allocacoc , a one-of-a-kind industrial design company, to provide entrepreneurs and creators with a full range of support to bring their ideas and products to consumers. This partnership will enable innovators to access the combined expertise of the two companies to design, fund, manufacture, market, and distribute products directly to consumers worldwide. "We are thrilled to launch this partnership with Allocacoc to help creators find sustainable pathways to bring their products to international retail channels," said Jay Kang, Founder, WTP. "Our mission and values align perfectly with those of Allocacoc, and the combination of our strength in retail, and their knowledge of design and manufacturing will help some exciting startups get off the ground." WTP will work with DesignNest, Allocacoc's end-to-end crowdfunding channel to offer funding, manufacturing, patent registration, and worldwide retail distribution. Many DesignNest products such as DAX wallets, Earbeans, and Levit8 portable standing desk are already featured at WTP stores, and the partnership should result in many more. Executives from WTP will be on hand at Allocacoc's CES booth, #40620, to discuss this first-of-its-kind partnership. CES will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 8-11, 2019. "We look forward to our partnership with We The People and working with them to make a creator's vision a reality," said Arthur Limpens, Co-founder, Allocacoc. "The combined expertise of our two companies will not only assist creators with optimizing their crowdfunded project for mass manufacturing but also with getting their products onto the shelves of stores worldwide." Flipstik founder Akeem Shannon, who already has a product distributed through WTP, will have a booth at CES (#52903), and he can talk about how the WTP/Allocacoc partnership can help makers like him achieve their dreams. "WTP has helped Flipstik connect with consumers who are looking for innovative ideas like ours," said Shannon. "The collective talents of WTP and Allocacoc will help so many entrepreneurs like me navigate every step in the process of bringing an idea to consumers." WTP is also hosting a CES 2019 "For Creators, By Creators" crowdfunding event on January 7, 2019 and Shannon will be one of the speakers. More information is available here - https://bit.ly/CES-2019-creators . For more information about WTP, visit https://wtpstore.co/ . ABOUT WE THE PEOPLE Established in 2016, We The People (WTP) is the world's only multichannel crowdfunding retail chain and community. Since its inception, WTP has gone from 14 brands to more than 160 brands with multiple product lines. WTP has five brick-and-mortar stores in Singapore, a store in Malaysia, an online store available worldwide at wtpstore.co , and is expanding its reach with new stores in 2018-2019. Its first U.S.-based, pop-up store opened in St. Louis, MO in November 2018, with a permanent location opening in Q1 2019. With the goal of bringing together the global creator community, WTP continues to expand internationally in the United States, Australia, Korea, Spain, China, and Indonesia. Founded for creators by creators Ryan Sim, Joel Liew, Nison Chan, and CEO Jay Kang, the company achieved an 800 percent growth in revenue by the end of 2017. Providing education, e-commerce, and brick-and-mortar retail space for entrepreneurs, WTP is quickly becoming the hub of innovation in Asia and around the world. Media Contacts Joshua Milne, PR Specialist, TribalVision, 617-501-1620, 207021@email4pr.com Ryan Sim , Managing Director, Marketing & Business Development, We The People, 207021@email4pr.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/we-the-people-and-allocacoc-to-provide-resources-to-support-creators-in-bringing-crowdfunded-ideas-to-market-300771769.html SOURCE We The People [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Ares Management Closes Oversubscribed Inaugural U.S. Senior Direct Lending Fund with Total Anticipated Capital of $5 Billion Ares Management Corporation (NYSE:ARES) announced today the final closing of its inaugural, commingled U.S. senior direct lending fund, Ares Senior Direct Lending Fund ("SDL" or the "Fund"). SDL was significantly oversubscribed relative to its initial target of $2 billion in L.P. commitments, closing on approximately $3 billion of total commitments. Including anticipated leverage, the total capital for SDL is expected to be approximately $5 billion. The Fund is a natural extension of Ares' longstanding investment strategy of offering institutional and retail investors access to senior secured, directly originated loans to quality North American middle market companies through a variety of vehicles. SDL will leverage Ares' leading, national origination capabilities to provide senior secured loans to defensively positioned companies in a private, commingled fund format. SDL attracted a broad and diverse group of investors, including 21 investors new to Ares. Ares also benefited from 24 existing Ares investors committing to the Fund. The global investor base is comprised of pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, high net worth individuals, family offices, funds-of-funds, endowments and foundations. "We greatly appreciate the strong support from both existing and new investors, and their confidence in Ares' leading direct lending platform," said Kipp deVeer, Partner and Head of the Ares Credit Group. "SDL has already started to benefit from the team's significant investment activity, having committed to more than 20 investments to date representing over $700 million of initial commitments since the first closing in July of 2018." "In today's market environment, we have witnessed incresed demand for a floating rate, senior secured loan fund where investors of various sizes can access this durable and defensively positioned asset class," said Mitch Goldstein, Partner and Co-Head of the Ares Credit Group. "The enthusiasm and demand we received from our investors demonstrates the support for our direct lending team's rigorous investment process and strong track record of performance across various market cycles, including the last recession." Mark Affolter, Partner and Co-Head of U.S. Direct Lending, added, "Based on recent volatility, we are seeing improving market conditions to invest in high-quality, senior secured loans with attractive pricing and terms. Our significant capital availability, deep and longstanding relationships and market-leading position with middle market sponsors and management teams provides significant advantages during times of market uncertainty." As of September 30, 2018, the Ares Credit Group manages $60.4 billion in global direct lending assets under management, with $39.2 billion in the U.S. and $21.2 billion in Europe. Ares has one of the largest global direct lending teams with over 170 investment professionals in 12 offices throughout the United States and Europe. Since inception in 2004 and through September 30, 2018, the U.S. direct lending team has invested over $42 billion in U.S. senior debt investments across more than 960 loans through various market cycles. Ares' broad national coverage and direct origination capabilities enable the team to be highly selective with an average closing rate of between 3-5%. About Ares Management Corporation Ares Management Corporation is a publicly traded, leading global alternative asset manager with approximately $125 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2018 and 18 offices in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. Since its inception in 1997, Ares has adhered to a disciplined investment philosophy that focuses on delivering strong risk-adjusted investment returns throughout market cycles. Ares believes each of its three distinct but complementary investment groups in Credit, Private Equity and Real Estate is a market leader based on assets under management and investment performance. Ares was built upon the fundamental principle that each group benefits from being part of the greater whole. Forward-Looking Statements Statements included herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in Ares' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ares Management Corporation undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005171/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] The City Choir of Washington (TCCW) Extends the Holiday Season with Twelfth Night Celebration The City Choir of Washington: This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005043/en/ Twelfth Night Revelers (Image credit: Courtesy of Folger Shakespeare Library) WHAT: A Twelfth Night Concert including, among other works, Mid-winter by Bob Chilcott, Bethlehem Down by Peter Warlock, and the jubilant Gloria by John Rutter. Also known as the Feast of the Epiphany, Twelfth Night has a long history of varied musical traditions from around the world. Concert will also include a singalong of new and old holiday carols such as We Three Kings and The Twelve Days of Christmas. WHO: Internationally acclaimed, The City Choir of Washington and Chamber Orchestra, led by Artistic Director Robert Shafer. Guest Conductor, maestra Gretchen Kuhrmann. Guest Choir, West Springfield High School Madrigals. WHEN: Twelfth Night, Sunday, January 6, 4:30 PM EST WHERE: National Presbyterian Church 4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20015 Among organizations supporting and or assisting the concert are the Folger Shakespeare Library, the California Choral Directors Association (CCDA), and the West Springfield High School Madrigals. The performance by the Madrigals, under the direction of Dustin Brandt, continues TCCW's tradition of showcasing exceptional, local high school choirs as a Partner in Song. Contributions are being collected and a donation made by TCCW to help choral organizations most severely affected by the Northern California / Camp Fire, especially the choirs at Paradise High School, much of which burned to the ground. This concert event follows on the heels of the choir's recently acclaimed, sold out, Armistice Day concert commemorating the centennial of the end of WWI. For more information or to purchase tickets go to: A Twelfth Night Concert NOTE TO MEDIA: for additional concert information, or to arrange an interview with Artistic Director Robert Shafer, Conductor Gretchen Kuhrmann, or Conductor Dustin Brandt, please contact Michael Darling at (302) 644-7116 or (202) 997-8263 or by email at mdarlingbox@aol.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005043/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Maxar Technologies Completes U.S. Domestication WESTMINSTER, CO, Jan. 2, 2019 /CNW/ - Maxar Technologies Inc. (NYSE:MAXR) (TSX:MAXR) ("Maxar" or the "Company"), a global technology innovator powering the new space economy, today announced the completion of its statutory plan of arrangement, pursuant to which the ultimate parent company of Maxar Technologies Ltd. ("Maxar Canada") became an entity incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in the United States of America (the "U.S. domestication"). The U.S. domestication was overwhelmingly approved by Maxar Canada securityholders at a special meeting held on November 16, 2018 and was subsequently approved by the Supreme Court of British Columbia. The common shares of the new parent company will be listedon both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the same trading symbol, "MAXR." As a result of the the U.S. domestication, each issued and outstanding common shares of Maxar Canada has been exchanged for one share of common stock of Maxar. As previously announced, with the conclusion of the domestication process, Maxar has now completed its transition to U.S. GAAP accounting standards and U.S. domestic securities filings. The Company believes adopting U.S. GAAP accounting standards will make its financial results more transparent to a wider audience of investors and provide increased comparability with U.S. aerospace and defense peer companies. Registered shareholders with questions about receiving their Maxar common stock, including with respect to completing the applicable letter of transmittal, can contact Computershare Investor Services Inc. toll free (North America) at 1-800-564-6253 or by email at corporateactions@computershare.com. About Maxar Technologies As a global leader of advanced space technology solutions, Maxar Technologies (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates) is at the nexus of the new space economy, developing and sustaining the infrastructure and delivering the information, services, systems that unlock the promise of space for commercia and government markets. As a trusted partner, Maxar Technologies provides vertically integrated capabilities and expertise including satellites, Earth imagery, robotics, geospatial data and analytics to help customers anticipate and address their most complex mission-critical challenges with confidence. With more than 6,500 employees in over 30 global locations, the Maxar Technologies portfolio of commercial space brands includes MDA, SSL, DigitalGlobe and Radiant Solutions. Every day, billions of people rely on Maxar to communicate, share information and data, and deliver insights that Build a Better World. Maxar trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange as MAXR. For more information, visit www.maxar.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and other information included in this release constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. Statements including words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "plan", "potential", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate" or "expect" and other words, terms and phrases of similar meaning are often intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions, risks and uncertainties, as well as other statements referring to or including forward-looking information included in this presentation. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this presentation. As a result, although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. The risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, the risk factors and other disclosures about the Company and its business included in the Company's continuous disclosure materials filed from time to time with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities, which are available online under the Company's EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov, under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.maxar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. All such forward-looking statements are based upon data available as of the date of this presentation or other specified date and speak only as of such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this presentation as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable securities legislation. Investor Relations Contact: Jason Gursky Maxar VP Investor Relations 1-303-684-2207 jason.gursky@maxar.com Media Contact: Turner Brinton Maxar Media Relations 1-303-684-4545 turner.brinton@maxar.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maxar-technologies-completes-us-domestication-300771680.html SOURCE Maxar Technologies Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] INT Aims to Transform High-Definition Head-Worn Displays for Robotic Surgery, Military, Industrial, Commercial Markets HSINCHU, Taiwan, Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- INT Tech. , an asset-light advanced technology company with a broad patent portfolio, today announced its first offering, an ultra-high pixel-density display (UHPD) platform that will dramatically improve the user experience with digital devices. The UHPD platform provides the highest-density glass-based RGB Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode (AMOLED) display for robotic surgical devices, military head-mounted displays (HMDs), and virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) headsets. The company also introduced a second platform, smart pixel and IC (SPIC). As a board-level solution that supports the integration of multiple sensors on the same backplane as the display, SPIC allows designers to make an entire display into a live sensing area. INT plans to demonstrate both technologies at Booth 60511, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Plaza during CES 2019 (January 8-11 in Las Vegas, Nevada). Direct Comparison of Pixel Density in INT Techs UHPD AMOLED vs. Commercially Available AMOLED in Smartphones at the Same Magnification We founded INT in 2016 as a change-agent to develop key technologies that enable the coming 5G era, said David Chu, Ph.D., chairman and CEO, INT Tech. When 5G arrives, people will no longer be satisfied with 2D images and video. This will drive new opportunities in VR, and it is a big reason why we are targeting this fast-evolving space as we introduce our first technologies to market. INTs UHPD is especially well-suited to VR and AR because it eliminates the screen door effect that has plagued users. At the same time, it provides exceptionally immersive user experiences, added Chu ore importantly, this technology can dramatically improve the image quality of visually demanding applications such as robotic surgical systems, military HMDs and other specialized industrial applications. Chu, who founded INT after serving as CEO of EDO, a $1.1B AMOLED business, explained that INTs go-to-market strategy is based on a collaborative development model that gives partners access to his companys core knowledge and technologies. We are an asset-light innovation company. Our IP portfolio which ranks INT among Taiwans top 100 patent applicants in 2017 is very comprehensive, giving us the foundation to help our partners operate freely as they become ecosystem leaders, he explained. Our work with UltraChip is a good example. In 2017 we helped UltraChip to enter the AMOLED driver IC market by forming a joint venture called UltraDisplay. UltraDisplay is now an AMOLED driver IC design house, which offers the driver IC in the supply chain to major AMOLED manufacturers. We are also working with several internationally renowned companies on joint development programs with the potential to break through existing design paradigms, spurring new solutions in wide-ranging markets. UHPD Technology INTs UHPD platform is a proprietary glass-based red/green/blue (RGB) AMOLED display that delivers a leap forward in pixel density (> 2200ppi) and achieves 4K resolution. As a high-definition platform enabling greater realism in displays of all sizes, UHPD offers significant benefits to developers of robotic surgical systems, military and industrial HMDs, and other head-worn display applications. UHPD provides: Highest PPI on Glass INTs 2228ppi demo display sets a new pixel-density standard, eliminates screen door effect and dramatically increases image sharpness. Larger Field of View (FOV) INTs glass-based display can be made much larger than silicon-based OLEDs, to provide a larger FOV at lower cost. Smart Pixel IC (SPIC) Technology INTs proprietary SPIC technology enables the integration of multiple sensors, including fingerprint, eye tracking, ambient light, proximity and other sensors, on the same backplane as the display. Based on thin-film transistor (TFT) process and developed on glass or flexible substrate, SPIC is ideal for Internet of Things (IoT) and biosensor applications. SPIC provides: Larger Sensing Area Sensing areas can be as large as the whole display because sensors are developed on glass or flexible substrate and are integrated with the backplane. This contrasts with silicon-based displays, which require a separate layer for the sensors, increasing thickness while limiting potential active sensing areas. Lower Cost Compared to silicon-based sensors, glass- or flexible substrate- based sensors can be developed in flat panel fabs and manufactured at much lower cost. Visit INT at CES INT invites senior executives from qualified companies to private demonstrations of its UHPD and SPIC technologies at its CES 2019 booth in Global Research & Industry Alliance (GLORIA), Booth 60511 at Las Vegas Convention Center, South Plaza. To schedule a private meeting with INT, please email: ling.sun@int-tech.com.tw . About INT Founded in 2016 and based in Hsinchu, Taiwan, INT Tech. is an asset-light advanced technologies innovation firm. INT represents Innovation and Transformation, signifying the companys endeavor to develop market-disruptive technologies through open collaboration within the industry ecosystem. Led by Chairman and CEO David Chu, Ph.D., who previously held chief executive positions at EDO, Dupont Apollo (HK) Ltd. TPO and AUO, INTs leadership team has decades of experience bringing successful technologies to market. For more information, please visit: http://www.int-tech.com.tw/en or email: ling.sun@int-tech.com.tw . The INT logo is a registered trademark, and UHPD is a trademark of INT Tech. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d95afcc3-2085-4661-8254-0dcf01a93e77 Press Contacts: Ling Sun, INT Technologies Email: Ling.Sun@int-tech.com.tw Maria Vetrano, Vetrano Communications Email: maria@vetrano.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AAIH) Sponsoring Panel at Biotech Showcase as Part of Official AAIH Launch The newly formed Alliance for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (AAIH) is sponsoring a panel discussion open to the public, titled "The Future of AI-Powered Healthcare," on Monday, January 7, in association with the Digital and Medtech Medicine Showcase at the Biotech Showcase in San Francisco. Experts will explore not only the potential impact of machine learning on healthcare systems and drug development, but also provide insights on what investors and partners should consider before engaging in financing or co-development wth AI healthcare companies. Preceding the panel, Alex Zhavoronkov, CEO of Insilico Medicine, will provide an introduction, announcing the official launch of AAIH, which will include the organization's inaugural board meeting on Wednesday, January 9, in San Francisco. WHO: Panelists are Alex Lash, National Biotech Editor, Xconomy; Brandon Allgood, CTO and Co-founder of Numerate; John Baldoni, Senior VP of In-Silico Drug Discovery, GSK; Maria Luisa Pineda, CEO and Co-Founder, Envisagenics; Bill Martin, President and COO, BlackThorn Therapeutics; Angeli Moeller, Co-Lead of AI, Head of Research IT Business Partnering, Bayer; and Ben Newton, CDO, GE Healthcare Life Sciences. WHAT: The Future of AI-Powered Healthcare session and reception. WHEN: Monday, January 7, 4 pm WHERE: Parc 55 San Francisco, 55 Cyril Magnin Street; 4th Floor, Cyril Magnin Ballroom All media interested in attending should register here. Media interested in speaking with panelists and AAIH founding members should contact Charles Craig, Opus Biotech Communications, charles.s.craig@gmail.com, 404-245-0591; or Dan Eramian, Opus Biotech Communications, danieleramian@comcast.net, 425-306-8716. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005110/en/ [January 02, 2019] Multimedia Plus Launches First Public Demo of INCITE 5.0 + Introduces Smartphone Version at NRF Booth #4929 Retail technology firm Multimedia Plus (www.multimediaplus.com) will be demonstrating the latest version of its INCITE mobile Associate Communications Platform (mACP) and will be launching its smartphone version at NRF 2019: Retail's Big Show, being held January 13-15, 2019, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. Demonstrations and case studies will be available at booth #4929. A stellar customer experience is essential to a successful in-store experience, with the INCITE 5.0 platform leading he way to measurable results that empower front line associates. INCITE 5.0 upgrades include: a streamlined dashboard with slide out navigation menu, in-app search functionality, and enhanced tools for global communication. Multimedia Plus will also be introducing a smartphone version of the platform to best meet the needs of its current and potential clients who have requested a version for Smartphone form factors. Supporting iOS, Windows or Android handheld devices from PCI (News - Alert) compliant mobile POS to personal devices, INCITE 5.0 can now run everywhere you need it, including desktop computers. "Challenges retailers face today include engaging and retaining talent as well as finding ways to make their training more efficient and cost-effective. INCITE 5.0 empowers front-line sales associates by delivering the information they need at the right time via a sophisticated, highly branded, private broadcast network," says David Harouche, CEO and CTO of Multimedia Plus. INCITE is a fully integrated omnichannel solution that allows employees to learn on the selling floor in bite-sized pieces, with real-time measurement that directly correlates to bottom-line results. The platform boosts key performance indicators by enhancing communication, product knowledge, and selling skills to improve the customer's in-store experience. INCITE features instant-on, non-streaming video; a self-publishing interface; granular targeting; real-time metrics; field accessibility; instant, internal global broadcasting from an iPad or desktop; and a simple dashboard interface. The platform provides up-to-date video-based content that guides associates to what they need to do now, ensuring consistency in training, communication, and results, all while saving on payroll, travel, printing, and distribution costs. Companies relying on INCITE to help turn their employees into brand ambassadors include Brooks Brothers, New York & Company, Kate Spade New York, and Tiffany & Co. For more information or to make an appointment at NRF, please visit MMP's dedicated show landing page (http://www.multimediaplus.com/events/incite5-0/) View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190102005145/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Infosys to Announce Third Quarter Results on January 11, 2019 BENGALURU, India, Jan. 2, 2019 /CNW/ -- Infosys Limited (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, will announce the results for its third quarter ended December 31, 2018 on Friday, January 11, 2019 around 4.15 p.m. Indian Standard Time (IST) (5:45 a.m. US ET; 2:45 a.m. PST; 10:45 a.m. London time; 6:45 p.m. Singapore/Hong Kong time). The results will also be available on www.infosys.com. Common press conference (4:45 p.m. IST; 6:15 a.m. ET) Following the release, the leadership team will be part of a common press conference at 4:45 p.m. IST. The participating executives will address questions from the media during this interaction which will be streamed live on the Investor Relations section of Infosys website, following which it will be archived at www.infosys.com. The archive will be available after 7:00 p.m. IST on January 11, 2019 (after 8:30 a.m. US ET on January 11, 2019). In addition, a transcript of the conference will be available at www.infosys.com. Earnings call (6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. IST; 7:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. ET) The company will conduct a single 60 minute conference call at 6:00 p.m. IST (7:30 a.m. US ET; 4:30 a.m. PST; 12:30 p.m. London time; 8:30 p.m. Singapore/Hong Kong time) on January 11, 2019 (open to investors / analysts in all regions), where the senior management will discuss the company's performance and answer questions from participants. To participate in the conference call, please dial the numbers provided below 10 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of the call. During this time, the operator will provide instructions on how to ask questions. As participation in the call is limited, early registration is encouraged. This event will be webcast live on the Investor Relations section of Infosys website, following which it will be archived at www.infosys.com. The archive will be available after 9:00 p.m. IST on January 11, 2019 (after 10:30 a.m. US ET on January 11, 2019). In addition, a transcript of the conference call will be available at www.infosys.com. Summary of events Event Date and Time Web-site / Channel Telephone / Fax No. Earnings release over the wire services 4:15 p.m. IST 5:45 a.m. ET January 11, 2019 www.infosys.com Live Webcast of common press conference 4:45 p.m. IST 6:15 a.m. ET January 11, 2019 www.infosys.com Earnings conference call (open for questions to investors / analysts in all regions) 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. IST 7:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. ET January 11, 2019 Questions during the call can be addressed to sandeep_mahindroo@infosys.com India Toll, Mumbai: 022-6280-1168 022-7115-8069 Toll, Bangalore: 7045671221 US Toll-free: 1-866-746-2133 Toll-number: +1-323-386-8721 Singapore Toll-free: 800-101-2045 Toll-number: +65-3157-5746 Hong Kong Toll-free: 800-964-448 Toll-number: +852-3018-6877 Japan Toll-free: 0-053-116-1110 Toll-number: +81-3-4589-9421 UK Toll Free: 0-808-101-1573 Toll Number: +44-203-478-5524 Germany Toll-free: 00-8001-424-3444 Canada Toll- free: 011-8001-424-3444 France Toll-free: 0-800-914-745 Replay of conference call Till January 18, 2019 www.infosys.com Toll-free, USA: 1-855-436-0715 International toll: +1-863-949-0105 Toll, Mumbai/India: 022-7194-5757 022-6663-5757 Passcode:4637# About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in 45 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over three decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infosys-to-announce-third-quarter-results-on-january-11-2019-300771686.html SOURCE Infosys [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] As of Today, 1 January 2019, Artprice is Accessible to New Chinese Customers via Artron.net, the Most Visited Art Website in the World PARIS, January 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The year is beginning in excellent circumstances for Artprice and its shareholders! As planned, Artron, our Chinese institutional partner, has posted the artprice.com logo on the principal home page of its Chinese website artron.net, giving immediate access to our high-end subscriptions. https://zh.artprice.com/artron (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/644091/Artprice_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/803315/Artprice_Artron.jpg ) Artprice is currently one of the very few Western companies to be accessible from inside China and its gated Internet system. Artron.net receives more than 5.4 billion visits per year and has 3 million professional members who correspond to Artprice's primary target clientele. "We have overcome all the obstacles, and here we are in China! I thank Artron and President Wan Jie who opened the doors for us," says thierry Ehrmann, Artprice's founder/CEO. And from Artron's side, its founding President Wan Jie says, "We share a common vision and a common sense of perfection. Our nine years of cooperation have resulted in a game changer for the history of the global Art Market and we are both looking forward to exceptional economic results in 2019." Artprice would like to wish its loyal shareholders a very Happy & Prosperous New Year! About Artprice: Founded by thierry Ehrmann (see Who's who certified Biography)(c) https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2018/10/bio-2019-whos-who-thierry-ehrmann.pdf). Artprice is listed on the Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Blomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Dicover Artprice in video: https://www.artprice.com/video Artprice is the global leader in art price and art index databanks. It has over 30 million indices and auction results covering more than 700,000 artists. Artprice Images gives unlimited access to the largest Art Market resource in the world: a library of 126 million images or prints of artworks from the year 1700 to the present day, along with comments by Artprice's art historians. Artprice permanently enriches its databanks with information from 6,300 auctioneers and it publishes a constant flow of art market trends for the world's principal news agencies and approximately 7,200 international press publications. For its 4,500,000 members, Artprice gives access to the world's leading Standardised Marketplace for buying and selling art. Artprice is preparing its blockchain for the Art Market. It is BPI-labelled (scientific national French label) Artprice's Global Art Market Annual Report for 2017 published last March 2018: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2017 Artprice is associated with Artron Group, the Chinese leader in the Art Market, its solid institutional partner. About the Artron Group: "Artron Art Group (Artron), a comprehensive cultural industrial group founded in 1993 by Wan jie, is committed to inheriting, enhancing and spreading art value. Based on abundant art data, Artron provides art industry and art fans with professional service and experience of quality products by integrated application of IT, advanced digital science and innovative crafts and materials. Having produced more than 60,000 books and auction catalogues, Artron is the world's largest art book printer with a total print volume of 300 million a year. It has more than 3 million professional members in the arts sector and an average of 15 million daily visits, making it the world's leading art website. Founded in 1993by Wan Jie, the Artron Art Group is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It is the first choice for art professionals, investors, collectors and art fans in general wishing to discover and/or participate in the art world or the art market. Founded in 1993, Artron Art Group is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year." Artron's Web: http://www.Artron.net Artprice's Contemporary Art Market Annual Report for 2017 - free access at: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2017 Artprice's press releases: http://serveur.serveur.com/Press_Release/pressreleaseen.htm https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom Artmarket News: https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom & https://twitter.com/artmarketdotcom https://www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom 3.4 million subscribers http://artmarketinsight.wordpress.com/ Discover the Alchemy and the universe of Artprice http://web.artprice.com/video, which headquarters are the famous Museum of Contemporary Art, the Abode of Chaos: http://goo.gl/zJssd https://vimeo.com/124643720 The Contemporary Art Museum The Abode of Chaos https://www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 3.4 million subscribers SOURCE Artprice.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 01, 2019] Global Military Battery Market 2018-2022 | Wearable Devices for Military Operations to Drive Growth | Technavio The global military battery market is expected to post a CAGR of over 4% during the period 2018-2022, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190101005055/en/ Technavio has released a new market research report on the global military battery market for the period 2018-2022. (Photo: Business Wire) A key factor driving the growth of the market is the decline in Li-ion battery prices. Lithium is a light metal with high energy density and large electrochemical potential when compared with other metals. The chemical reaction in Li-ion batteries produces electrical energy that is used as backup power for battery-powered applications. This market research report on the global military battery market 2018-2022 also provides an analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the market outlook during the forecast period. Technavio classifies an emerging trend as a major factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or decline. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing In this report, Technavio highlights the wearable devices for military operations as one of the key emerging trends in the global military battery market: Global military battery market: Wearable devices for military operations One of the most important aspects of military operations is communication. Generally, military personnel carries battery-powered equipment to update the activities and progress during their missions. Batteries are specifically designed to power the communication equipment used, and the personnel needs to carry these batteries in bulk at the start of their missions, which adds up to the overall weight. "Technological improvements include the incorporation of communication devices into the body armor worn by the personnel. Companies are currently providing military-grade batteries to power these wearables. Hence, OEMs are designing equipment providing hands-free communication systems instead of hand-held devices. Such advances in military equipment will drive the growth of the military battery market during the forecast period," says a senior analyst at Technavio for research on energy storage. Global military battery market: Segmentation analysis This market research report segments the global military battery market by technology (rechargeable and non-rechargeable) and geographical regions (APAC, EMEA, and the Americas). The rechargeable segment held the largest market share in 2017, accounting for nearly 77% of the market. This technology segment is expected to dominate the global market throughout the forecast period. The Americas led the market in 2017 with a market share of over 39%. This region is expected to dominate the market through 2022. Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Landscape Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market size and forecast Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation Geographical Segmentation Regional comparison Key leading countries Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190101005055/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 01, 2019] MSS Payments Achieves ISO 27001 Certification BANGALORE and SINGAPORE, January 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- MSewa Software Solution (MSS) Payments, one of the emerging leaders in the Financial Technology Services Industry, has announced that it has achieved ISO IEC 20000-1:2011 | ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification for its key products and corporate office in Bangalore and Singapore. The accreditation confirms the usage of supreme standards for Information Security Management Module. This certification reaffirms the commitment to the use of best practices of information security and of its continuous enhancement of systems and processes, that are accepted universally. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/803293/MSS_Payments_Logo.jpg ) "We feel honoured to have obtained this certification. This certification will allow us to establish as the fastest growing Financial Technology Service Company which assures information security throughout the lifecycle of the project. This will position us in the market in such a way that it would open up new avenues and business streams for us," said Pankaj Kumar, CEO - MSS Payments. About ISO 27001 ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world's largest developer and publisher of international standards. Specifically, the ISO 27001 standard is a globally recognized information security management system (ISMS) standard. ISO 27001 specifies the requirements for a business to establish, implement, review, monitor, manage and maintain an effective information security management system. About MSS Payments MSewa Software Solution (MSS) Payments is a one-stop digital payment service available across the globe. The ISO 20000-2011 | 27001-2013 company is a pioneer solutions provider in Digital Payments, Prepaid Cards, Domestic & International Remittance, UPI-based merchant management module, Agency Banking & Corporate Payroll system. For more information visit: http://www.msewa.com | http://www.msspayments.com Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn Media Contact: Ajith Manalath info@msewa.com +91-8025535857 MSewa Software Solutions (MSS) Pvt. Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 01, 2019] China Shanxi-India Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference held in Mumbai MUMBAI, India, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The China Shanxi-India Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference & "2018 Shanxi Brands on Road India" Launching Ceremony, hosted by the Shanxi Provincial Government and jointly organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), was held in Mumbai, India on December 17, 2018. CIEC Overseas Exhibition Co., Ltd. assisted in setting up the event. Officials from both the Chinese and Indian governments as well as representatives from businesses and media organizations took part in the event and engaged in discussions concerning mutual investment and win-win development between the two countries. Chen Hecai, President of the China Counci for the Promotion of International Trade Shanxi Provincial Committee (CCPIT Shanxi) and head of the Shanxi delegation, said Shanxi Province and India foresee mutual benefits in that they complement each other in terms of several sectors, among them equipment manufacturing, information technology, steelmaking, renewable energies, infrastructure construction, new materials and pharmaceuticals. He added that this was the second time that Shanxi has held a promotional event in India since 2016, clearly demonstrating Shanxi's dedication and commitment to deepening exchanges and cooperation with India. Wang Shicai, Commercial Counsellor at the Consulate General of China in Mumbai, said that prospects for cooperation between China and India, which are the world's two biggest developing countries, are promising. After the launching ceremony, the CCPIT Shanxi and the CII inked a cooperation framework agreement, followed by presentations on the investment environment as well as the glass, ceramics, and forging industries by seven representatives of the Shanxi delegation. During the B2B session, executives from over 70 Chinese and Indian businesses held in-depth discussions covering six areas of mutual interest: energy, pharmaceuticals, food processing, construction materials, machinery and chemicals, and signed several MoUs. Mr. Nilesh Vani, a member of the CII, said, given the close trade cooperation between China and India, the event, the main aim of which is to make Indian entrepreneurs aware of the growth potential of Shanxi's economy, will further boost trade ties between the countries. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20181229/2335976-1 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [January 02, 2019] Popular Investment Software Sold BIGFORK, Mont., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dynamic Investor Pro investment software has been purchased by Omega Research & Development, Inc. (a Delaware company). In announcing the purchase, Raymond Dominick said he was asked to continue to manage the software company and lead the customer support team. Dominick has signed a long-term consulting agreement with Omega. John Kyle, key programmer of Dynamic Investor Pro, has also signed a long-term consulting agreement and will lead a team of three other programmers to enhance the popular program. One key projet, according to the company, will be to offer clients a web-based version of Dynamic Investor Pro. CONTACT INFO: Raymond Dominick Dynamic Investor Pro, Omega Research & Development, Inc. PHONE: 877-822-1445 E-mail: 206987@email4pr.com Website: www.dynamicinvestorpro.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/popular-investment-software-sold-300771521.html SOURCE Dynamic Investor Pro Farmington, WV (26555) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 82F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, with mainly clear skies after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 56F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. When Kathleen M. Rutishauser lost her banking job, she had no plan for what would come next. "I remember that day being in complete and utter shock that it happened," she said. After working in the field for 25 years, the last bank she worked at had discontinued the services she provided, which involved small businesses and retirement plans. Her husband had a suggestion a bike ride and he told her everything was going to be OK. They talked about the situation and their concerns, such as a daughter still in college. "I was 52 at the time. I realized I didn't want to go back into something that I could very easily do such as banking, but really didn't get anything personally from. It didn't make my soul feel better to go to work every day. I enjoyed it, but it wasn't something that made me bound out of bed in the morning and want to get to it." She also wondered who would hire a 52-year-old woman. "Well, by the end of that bike ride, I stopped thinking with the negative things and started thinking about, 'What do I really want to do.'" Rutishauser then went to visit her mother in Latham, and she helped her organize the basement. They started talking about what she enjoyed doing: Organizing. They got into a conversation on how Rutishauser spent some of her free time, helping older friends and relatives of friends. "I was regularly bringing meals over to friends that maybe were in the hospital. I took them to procedures, I took people to get MRIs. Made a lot of meals, checked up on a lot of people. And by talking with my mom, I realized that that's really something that made me happy. It was not really work for me to do that kind of thing." Over the next month, she started brainstorming. She figured out how to set up her business, got a website, a name, and researched everything she needed to know to get a business on elder caregiving. "It's amazing when you've got pressure on yourself and you feel like the only distance between where you are now and what will make you happy is going step-by-step to set up this business ... I had just boundless energy." In 2012, she launched Daughter for Hire, a company that assists seniors with daily tasks and nonmedical services. "This is the magical part of the whole thing you start digging for something, you end up with the next thing." She found an incredible need for people needing help with caring for their elderly parents or relatives. The caregivers employed by Daughter for Hire aren't just women. Their tasks can include laundry, meal preparation, housekeeping, making sure bills get paid and rides to medical appointments. They help with holiday tasks and pet care. Sometimes, it's companionship one employee plays cards with a client. "We're looking for polished professional caregivers. It really takes a special kind of person, to go into someone's home, make them feel comfortable and have compassion and patience," she said. The first year, she pulled in close to $90,000. Now the company is poised to have more than a million dollars in revenue with two offices one in Latham and one in Clinton, Oneida County. She brought in a close friend, Denise Flihan, as a partner and they now have 75 employees and are looking to expand. "We're running about as fast as we can run because of the need that's out there. There are so many people that need help. And our goal as a company, our mission statement, is to help people age in place or stay in their home as long as they safely can," she said. "And it's only every once in awhile Denise and I will look at each other and say, wow, this is ... really amazing. It went from absolutely nothing to something." Washington President Donald Trump's most prominent GOP critics on Capitol Hill are close to completing their Senate careers, raising the question of who if anyone will take their place as willing to publicly criticize a president who remains popular with nearly 9 in 10 Republican voters. Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee engaged in a war of words with the president on myriad issues over the past 18 months, generating headlines and fiery tweets from a president who generally insists on getting the last word. Those battles put them on the outs with many in their own party, and they paid a price. Both decided to retire rather than take on a difficult re-election campaign. Flake was Trump's most consistent critic among Senate Republicans. Corker weighed in less often, but his description of the White House as an "adult day care center" rankled the president, who dubbed him "'Liddle' Bob Corker." The feud continued as Corker headed for the exits, with Trump asserting that Corker's promise to serve only two terms was not the real reason he retired. Rather, Corker "wanted to run but poll numbers TANKED when I wouldn't endorse him," Trump tweeted. Corker replied: "Yes, just like Mexico is paying for the wall... #AlertTheDaycareStaff." One possible voice of dissent could come from Utah Sen.-elect Mitt Romney. In a Washington Post op-ed Tuesday, Romney wrote that Trump's "conduct over the past two years ... is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office." Romney praised some of Trump's policy decisions, but added: "With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring." Throughout his Senate campaign, Romney insisted that he would agree with Trump on some issues and not be shy about disagreeing on others. Romney appears to have more room with GOP voters in Utah to take on the president. Most voters in Utah 64 percent would like to see the senator confront the president, according to data from AP VoteCast, a survey of midterm voters. Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska has frequently criticized Trump for what he considers the president's uncivil rhetoric. Sasse has also said he "regularly" considers leaving his party and becoming an independent. He is up for re-election in 2020 and has said he'll decide by the summer whether to seek a second term. It would be tricky terrain for Sasse to publicly battle with Trump, who won the state in 2016 by 25 percentage points. Rory Cooper, a GOP strategist who helped lead the "Never Trump PAC" during the 2016 Republican primary, said, "There is not an incentive structure for senators who disagree with or oppose the president to speak out right now, but that could change if the (Robert) Mueller investigation continues to move in the direction it has been or the economy churns negative." Senate Republicans chafe at the notion they are unwilling to take on a president whose statements and policy positions often run counter to traditional conservative positions. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said he raised his concerns about trade policy privately with the president. "I want results," Rounds said, "instead of hardening positions." Rounds said he rode with Trump after meeting him at the airport when the president visited South Dakota during the midterm election season, telling him the state's soybean farmers were facing losses of some $500 million because of retaliatory tariffs. He said Trump told him: "We're going to have a better deal for them. If they hang with me, we're going to make this better." Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., said that "there's all sorts of active disagreements that go on" with the White House behind the scenes. "I support the president as well as anybody. Behind closed doors, there are things on tariffs and things like that where we've offered a differing opinion. But I support this president in terms of what he's trying to do. This agenda is working." Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said he suspects the 2020 elections will prompt more Republican senators to confront Trump when they disagree with him, and that may already be happening, citing recent actions on Saudi Arabia. The Senate passed a measure that blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and called on Riyadh to "ensure appropriate accountability." Senators also passed a separate measure calling for the end of U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. A 20-year-old accused of cashing coins stolen during a burglary is among the fugitives State Police say they are searching for as part of their Warrant Wednesday effort. Matthew R. Elsbree, 20, is wanted by State Police in Catskill on a possession of stolen property charge that accuses him of receiving coins stolen in a burglary and then cashing them at a Coin Star machine. Troopers said Elsbree was arrested on May 14, 2018 and never returned to court. Sabrina R. Appleby, 20, is wanted by State Police in Colonie on a drug possession charge that stems from an arrest in Albany. Troopers say a warrant was issued for her arrest on March 15, 2018. Jessica Coombs, 38, is wanted by State Police in Bath on a charge of unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine. Davette L. Blout, 28, is wanted by State Police in Syracuse on charges of aggravated driving while intoxicated and child endangerment. Troopers said she was arrested on March 28, 2016 and accused of driving while intoxicated with a child, 1, in the car. Devon Y. Boakye, 30, is wanted by State Police in Wappinger on a grand larceny charge that accuses him of theft. Robbie. Wagner, 44, is wanted by State Police in Machias on charges of grand larceny, weapons possession, menacing and harassment. The charges stem from a Sept. 9, 2018, altercation in the town of Yorkshire. Troopers said Wagner may be armed and should not be approached. Curtis J. Webb, 41, is wanted by State Police in Sidney on a charge of third-degree identity theft that accused him of failing to appear in court after being arrested on accusations she used someone else's credit card at a local gas station. Manfid Duran, 45, is wanted by State Police in Tarrytown on a charge of drunken driving. A warrant was issued for his arrest on April 19, 2015. Troopers say he was arrested after being pulled over in a traffic stop. David M. Lanci, 42, is wanted by State Police in East Meadow on a misdemeanor drug charge that stems from a April 2010 arrest. Washington President Donald Trump Tuesday invited congressional leaders to a White House briefing on border security as the partial government shutdown dragged on over funding for a border wall, with Trump tweeting, "Let's make a deal?" The briefing would happen Wednesday, the day before the Democrats take control of the House, but the exact agenda wasn't clear, according to a person with knowledge of the briefing who was not authorized to speak publicly. Republican leaders will be attending. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, as well as the top incoming House Republicans, Kevin McCarthy of California and Steve Scalise of Louisiana, are planning to be at the briefing, according to aides. Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to take over as House speaker, and top Senate Democrat Charles Schumer are also expected to attend. Pelosi said Democrats would take action to "end the Trump Shutdown" by passing legislation Thursday to reopen government. "We are giving the Republicans the opportunity to take yes for an answer," Pelosi wrote in a letter to colleagues late Tuesday. "Senate Republicans have already supported this legislation, and if they reject it now, they will be fully complicit in chaos and destruction of the President's third shutdown of his term." The White House invitation comes after House Democrats released their plan to reopen the government without approving money for a border wall unveiling two bills to fund shuttered government agencies and put hundreds of thousands of federal workers back on the job. Trump spent the weekend saying Democrats should return to Washington to negotiate, firing off Twitter taunts. He then revised his aides' comments to state that he still wants to build a border wall. On Tuesday, after tweeting a New Year's message to "EVERYONE INCLUDING THE HATERS AND THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA," Trump tweeted: "The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative! The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security." But he seemed to shift tactics later in the day, appealing to Pelosi. "Border Security and the Wall 'thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?" he tweeted. Whether the Republican-led Senate, under McConnell, would consider the Democratic bills or if Trump would sign either into law was unclear. McConnell spokesman Donald Stewart said Senate Republicans would not take action without Trump's backing. Even if only symbolic, the passage of the bills in the House would put fresh pressure on the president. At the same time, administration officials said Trump was in no rush for a resolution to the impasse. Trump believes he has public opinion on his side and, at very least, his base of supporters behind him, the officials said. The Democratic package to end the shutdown would include one bill to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels with $1.3 billion for border security, far less than the $5 billion Trump has said he wants for the wall through Feb. 8 as talks continued. It would also include another measure to fund the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Housing and Urban Development and others closed by the partial shutdown. It would provide money through the remainder of the fiscal year, to Sept. 30. Democrats under Pelosi were all but certain to swiftly approve the package in two separate votes Thursday. They would take place after the election of a new House speaker, a contest Pelosi was expected to win as leader of the new House majority. The White House did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the House proposal. Laurel, Md. Thirty-three minutes after midnight, scientists, engineers and well-wishers here at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory celebrated the moment NASA's New Horizons spacecraft made its closest approach to a small, icy world nicknamed Ultima Thule. Almost 10 hours later, the New Horizons team finally received confirmation that the spacecraft had executed its planned observations flawlessly. In the days and months to come, the mission's scientists expect to receive pictures of Ultima Thule and scientific data that could lead to discoveries about the origins of the sun and the planets. That is the latest triumph in a journey that started in 2006, when the spacecraft launched on a mission to explore Pluto. Thirteen years and more than 4 billion miles later, New Horizons has provided humanity's first glimpse of a distant fragment that could be unchanged from the solar system's earliest days. Ultima Thule, the name the mission team selected for the object from more than 34,000 suggestions from the public, means "beyond the borders of the known world." (Thule is pronounced "TOO-lee.") During the flyby, made at a distance of about 2,200 miles, the spacecraft was out of communication with Earth because it was busy making scientific observations. Only hours later did New Horizons turn its antenna toward home. Then, it sent a 15-minute update, confirming it had survived the flyby. The message took six hours to travel the 4.1 billion miles at the speed of light to Earth. Future transmissions are expected to convey new pictures and readings from the flyby. At 10:31 a.m., the operations center at Johns Hopkins, which runs the mission for NASA, confirmed that a radio dish in Madrid, part of NASA's Deep Space Network, had locked in to the signal from New Horizons. "We have a healthy spacecraft," Alice Bowman, the mission operations manager, announced following a methodical check of the spacecraft's systems. "We've just accomplished the most distant flyby." Clapping and cheering erupted in the room. "I don't know about you, but I'm really liking this 2019 thing so far," S. Alan Stern, the mission's principal investigator, said at a news conference Tuesday. The scientists revealed new images of Ultima Thule, taken when the spacecraft was still a half-million miles away. "Even though it's a pixelated blob still," said Harold A. Weaver, Jr., the project scientist, "it's a better pixelated blob." Ultima Thule looked like a fuzzy bowling pin or a peanut, roughly 22 miles tall and 9 miles wide. The images also solved a mystery: why Ultima Thule's brightness appeared unchanging as the spacecraft approached. Typically, a spinning, irregularly shaped object would rhythmically brighten and dim as it spins. It turns out that the long-distance camera aboard New Horizons was looking down at one of the poles of Ultima Thule, and thus it was always the same side of the object reflecting sunlight. The few fuzzy images so far sent home have not yet cleared up how long it takes for the small world to complete a single revolution. Another question that has not yet been answered is whether Ultima Thule could actually be two small bodies in tight orbit around each other. Stern and Weaver said it was more likely that Ultima was a single object. "If I'm wrong, I'll tell you tomorrow," Stern said. "If it's two separate objects, this would be an unprecedented situation, in terms of how close they're orbiting one another. It'd be spectacular to see, and I'd love to see it, but I think the higher probability is that it's a single body." As additional images are sent back to Earth, the scientists will get a clearer picture of the object. The scientists will begin to start counting craters, mapping the surface, looking for moons and rings around Ultima Thule and identifying materials on the surface. By doing so, they hope to gain a better understanding of the thousands of small bodies in the Kuiper belt, a region beyond Neptune strewn with icy debris. Because the spacecraft is far away, it will take 20 months for all of the data to trickle back. The highest-resolution images taken at closest approach are not scheduled to be sent to Earth until February. The scientists will continue to pore over incoming data this week, but then take a pause when the sun is in between Earth and the spacecraft, blocking communications. They will meet up again in mid-January. On New Year's Eve, revelers at the lab were treated to the debut of a recorded music video by Brian May, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen but also an astrophysicist working with the mission's science team. May's new song, "New Horizons," was written for the occasion at the request of Stern. May said he was initially reluctant when Stern asked. "I thought, 'This is going to be hard, because I can't think of anything that rhymes with Ultima Thule,'" he said. ALBANY Senior citizens who get the enhanced School Tax Relief or STAR benefit face a March 1 deadline to apply to the state if they want to continue to get the reduction after this year. The application deadline is the latest chapter in the seemingly ever-evolving STAR program, which dates to 1997 and has saved homeowners billions in New Yorks highest-in-the-nation school taxes. The plan is also the newest step in what has been a recent shift in the administration of the program from local tax assessors to the state Department of Taxation and Finance. While local assessors have been telling seniors about the deadline for months, the looming March 1 deadline has put efforts into high gear. State officials are also preparing to issue public service announcements explaining the change. Its already causing a little bit of confusion, said Warren Wheeler, an Oswego County-based assessor who is a trainer with the state Assessors' Association. While STAR has a number of categories, they all work by reducing a homes assessed value, which sets the baseline for ones tax bill. "Basic" STAR is open for homeowners with family incomes below $500,000. For seniors with incomes below $86,300, "Enhanced" STAR provides an additional exemption. Some of the Enhanced recipients have already signed up for an Income Verification Program, where they prove to the state that their incomes are below the cutoff. But those who havent done that will have to file a statement about their incomes and Social Security numbers with their local assessors, who will forward that data to the state. The change applies only to seniors 65 or older applying for the Enhanced STAR exemption or those who have the exemption included in their property tax bills, said Acting Taxation and Finance Commissioner Nonie Manion. This doesnt affect those who receive a check for this exemption because we already verify their income eligibility, she said. By giving their income verifications, Taxation and Finance officials can improve the accuracy of the exemptions and eligibility. Since it began, STAR has had some eligibility glitches. Those have included people who have received exemptions for more than one home (its supposed to be for the primary residence only) and inaccuracies about the incomes needed to qualify. By having the state match STAR data with income tax returns in one spot, they hope to cut down on errors. The state wanted to reconcile the procedure for STAR verifications, said Stephen Rooney, the Brunswick town assessor. Like other assessors, he has been reaching out to seniors to get them to come in with tax returns and Social Security cards in order to get them signed up. A lot of us have been proactive and sent out notices earlier this year because we knew there were going to be a lot of questions, added Queensbury Assessor Teri Ross. Colonie Assessor Ron Monfils said his office started sending out notices in October. The number of STAR beneficiaries is substantial. In Colonie, for example, 14,521 homeowners get Basic STAR, which saves them $549 on school taxes. There are 4,029 seniors getting the Enhanced STAR version, saving $1,050. Of those Enhanced recipients, 1,294 also get an additional "Senior" exemption for those with incomes below $37,400. Savings for those people are determined on a sliding scale. The Senior recipients, however will have to continue to sign up for that exemption every year since it is offered as a local option, even though almost all communities across the state offer it. More for you News School tax credits are in the mail rkarlin@timesunion.com @RIckKarlinTU New York For a decade, Barbara Underwood was an apolitical force in New York, quietly serving as solicitor general before scandal thrust her into public view and gave her an unexpected promotion to become the state's first female attorney general. Now, the 74-year-old Democrat is going back to her old job after a nearly eight-month turn in the spotlight. This time she will be serving under another woman, Letitia James, another Democrat who was sworn into the job in Albany late Monday night. Underwood will be able to look back on a record as a leading antagonist of President Donald Trump if only briefly. She sued to put Trump's charitable foundation out of business, accusing him of running it as a wing of his private businesses and political campaign. Underwood also used the courts to challenge his administration on a multitude of policy fronts, including opposing its push to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. Those attacks earned Underwood scorn from Trump. In a tweet, he bristled that she "does little else but rant, rave & politic against me." Underwood, who has never held elected office and declined to run for the attorney general's job, always said that politics had nothing to do with it. And she said she's content to be going back to the lower-profile job of solicitor general. "I like that role, and so I'm happy to go back to doing it," she told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "I have come to like this too. It's not that I'm eager to leave this, but I'm very happy to be going on to something that I know I like." Underwood was appointed attorney general by the state Legislature in May after the surprise resignation of Eric Schneiderman, who quit just hours after The New Yorker posted a story in which four women accused him of slapping or choking them. Schneiderman later apologized to his accusers; the special prosecutor who investigated the allegations declined to bring criminal charges. Underwood said Schneiderman's May 7 resignation came without warning. When the night started, she said, all she and her colleagues knew was that a news article about him was about to be published. "I had no idea that this particular event was going to happen until it happened," Underwood said. They went to a bar to wait for what came next. Schneiderman announced he would resign and a colleague told Underwood: "It looks like you're going to be the next attorney general. Are you ready?" "I thought, 'OK here we go. Let's not lose any time. Let's not lose any morale, any energy," Underwood said. "There was no time lag for me, and I didn't want there to be a time limit for anyone else." She said the big change was having to deal with the media. Underwood didn't seek election to a full term, clearing the way for James, the New York City public advocate, to seek the office. Not facing a campaign likely gave Underwood more flexibility, former state attorney general Dennis Vacco said. "She had an independence and a freedom that wasn't tethered to the will of the people and the ballot box," Vacco, a Republican said. "She leaves a rather stable environment for AG-elect James to come into now." James, who also made history as the first black woman elected to statewide office in New York, praised Underwood for doing an "excellent job." Aside from challenging Trump, Underwood negotiated civil settlements with hospitals that she accused of wrongly billing rape victims for evidence kits; sued Exxon, claiming that it was misleading investors about climate change; and investigated phony public comments submitted to the Federal Communications Commission over internet regulation. The job is the high mark, so far, of a career that Underwood said didn't always "go in a straight line." She has taught law at Yale and was a law clerk for Thurgood Marshall, the first black Supreme Court justice, and for David Bazelon, the former chief judge of the D.C. Court of Appeals. She worked as an assistant district attorney and federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, and was a top deputy to U.S. Solicitor General Seth Waxman during President Bill Clinton's administration. She was also the nation's acting solicitor general for six months in 2001, the first woman in that post. Underwood has argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court 20 times. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who hired Underwood as solicitor general in 2007, praised her "brilliant legal mind" and professionalism. Underwood said it was an honor to have gotten a chance to serve. "It is a special honor to be in that role right now when so many people are looking to this office to protect them and their rights. I feel privileged to hold this role and to do this important work and I'm glad that people appreciate it." ALBANY New York paid the fees for 768 immigrants applying for citizenship in 2018, the third year of the NaturalizeNY program. In 2018, 6,100 New Yorkers applied for a lottery to get a voucher to cover the $725 naturalization application fee, according to a press release from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office Wednesday. The state paid fees for more than half of the 1,400 eligible lottery applicants adding up to more than $550,000 and pointed 4,700 more to the federal fee waiver program. "In New York, we welcome immigrants with open arms to join our communities, help grow our economy and enrich the cultural life of our state," Cuomo said in a release. "The record-breaking number of New Yorkers participating in the NaturalizeNY program (in 2018) sends a clear message to the federal government that while they try to build walls, we will always break down barriers to inclusion and help those who come here looking to achieve the American dream." Cuomo has become more vocal in his pro-immigration stance and his opposition to President Donald J. Trump's policies. On Monday, Cuomo pardoned 22 immigrants facing deportation or barred from citizenship because of criminal convictions. In his inaugural speech Tuesday held on Ellis Island Cuomo reminded the audience that Trump's grandfather was an immigrant. Nearly one in four New Yorkers are foreign-born, according to 2016 data from the Migration Policy Institute. Applicants for NaturalizeNY came from more than 100 countries, with the most from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Colombia. Since the NaturalizeNY program started in 2016, the state has covered naturalization costs for 1,684 low-income immigrants at a total cost of $1.2 million. The program also provides free naturalization eligibility screenings, application assistance, exam preparation, and federal fee waiver application assistance. The governor's press release pitched NaturalizeNY as a boost to the state's economy: Immigrants who become citizens see an almost 9 percent increase in earnings, according to a 2015 Urban Institute study, which leads to higher tax revenue and lower reliance on public benefits. Cindy Schultz A former federal prosecutor turned heroin addict and bank robber was charged with felony drunken driving after being stopped last month on the Northway. Andrew McKenna, 49, of Sand Lake, was stopped around 1 p.m. on Dec. 12. State Police said McKennas blood alcohol level was 0.18 percent, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08, according to police. Using Ellis Island as his backdrop, Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered an inaugural address that took aim at the policies of President Donald Trump, faulting the president's immigration policies and arguing that the nation was in the midst of a "social depression" that New York would lead the way in reversing. "It is New York's duty, it is New York's destiny, once again, to bring the light that leads the way through the darkness," the 61-year-old Democrat said. "To show the nation the way forward and upward." He faulted Trump's divisive rhetoric for fueling anti-Semitism and a white-supremacist in Charlottesville, Va., that ended with a woman's death. "Like looters during a blackout, they didn't cause the darkness, but they exploited it," he said. He argued that the cure for the country's "social depression" was a dose of his "justice agenda," which he outlined in a pseudo state of the state address last month. The third-term governor broadly outlined a progressive agenda planned for the upcoming legislative session, outlining a list of familiar topics that included gun control laws, abortion protections, criminal justice reform, and a "green new deal" he intended to push in the Legislature's upcoming session. But Cuomo opened and closed his speech with shots at the Trump administration. The governor's remarks delivered inside a hall at Ellis Island - a place millions of immigrants came to the United States - largely revolved around the premise that New York - under his stewardship - could and would serve as the alternative to the "failure of leadership and government malfeasance" from Washington D.C. "There is no other nation that can threaten us. America's only threat is from within: It is the growing division amongst us." His remarks were preceded by an introductory video that resembled those that have been used to launch past presidential campaigns. Cuomo, who received 3.6 million votes in November on his way to a third term in office, was sworn in by state Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. He had his family by his side, including partner Sandra Lee. The evening also served as a platform for the newly elected state attorney general, Letitia James, who, without mentioning the president by name, made it clear in a brief speech that she would continue her predecessor's commitment to using the office as a bulwark against the Trump administration. The festivities at Ellis Island were only possible amid the federal shutdown because the state is paying $65,000 a day to keep the site, and the adjacent Statue of Liberty, open to the public. In a deviation from his prepared remarks, Cuomo said he was proud to foot the bill, which New York has done during previous shutdowns, too. This was not the first time the governor has forsaken Albany for his inaugural address, choosing to give speeches in Manhattan and Buffalo four years ago. His father, former-Gov. Mario Cuomo, who was on his deathbed at the time, died during the second speech. His first inaugural address was delivered in 2011 from the Capitol. When the governor returns to Albany he will have a self-imposed 100-day deadline to deliver on a litany of progressive priorities, including some proposals that have languished in the Republican controlled state Senate (voting reforms) and others that would be a first for either house of the state Legislature (legalizing recreational marijuana). Cuomo was optimistic on Tuesday about his chances of accomplishing his legislative goals with one-party control of state government, claiming he felt liberated by the Democratic takeover of the Senate. While the governor has been faulted by his critics for past support of Senate Republicans, he said Tuesday that for the past eight years, "I felt like I was fighting with one arm tied behind my back." He added that they would not repeat the mistakes of the past, an allusion to the scandal-plagued dysfunction of the period a decade ago when Democrats controlled the Legislature and executive mansion. The idea that Democratic state lawmakers were waiting for Cuomo to realize "the most progressive agenda this state has ever seen" appeared to irk the spokesman for Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who skipped the event and has feuded with the governor of late over pay raises for his members. "These are bills the Assembly has already done and our members have long fought for," tweeted Heastie spokesman Mike Whyland. David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87 Moscow Laboring through sub-freezing temperatures, Russian rescue workers were digging into a sprawling heap of jagged rubble from a collapsed apartment building when one heard the faintest sound. It was the sound of life. On Tuesday, to everyone's surprise, they pulled a baby boy out of the rubble alive, nearly 36 hours after the disaster that blew apart his home. His father called it "a New Year's miracle." The building collapse in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk before dawn Monday has killed at least nine people, and officials say 32 people who lived in the building have not been accounted for. The collapse followed an explosion believed to have been caused by a gas leak. The boy, an 11-month-old named Ivan Fokin, was in extremely serious condition, officials said, with fractures and a head injury and suffering from hypothermia and frostbite after his ordeal in temperatures around minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit. He was flown to Moscow late Tuesday in a desperate attempt to save his life. He was in stable condition on arrival, the head of the national public health institute told state news agency Tass. Although Ivan's prospects for survival appeared dire, "it's a New Year's miracle," his father Yevgeny was quoted as saying by the RT satellite TV channel. The father was at work when his wife phoned to say the building had collapsed. She escaped the rubble with a 3-year-old son, Russian news reports said. "I was sleeping on the couch with my older son, hugging him, and the young one was sleeping in his baby bed," mother Olga Fokina said on Russian TV. "I and the older one fell down and quickly got out and I didn't know what happened to the baby bed afterward." Rescue worker Pyotr Gritsenko said on Russian television that the baby's discovery came after one member of the crew heard faint cries. "They stopped all the equipment. He began to cry louder," but the crew couldn't find him, he said. A search dog was brought in and confirmed someone was under the rubble, focusing the rescue effort. The father said he helped rescuers dig in the rubble and "showed them a place where he approximately could be." Regional Gov. Boris Dubrovsky was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying that the child apparently had been protected by being in a crib and being wrapped warmly. The rescue operation, aided by powerful heaters and lights, was continuing overnight into Wednesday in the city about 870 miles southeast of Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the accident site on Monday and went to a local hospital, where he spoke to a 13-year old-boy who had head injuries and frostbite after spending an hour under the rubble. "You will get well soon; you are a fighter," Putin told the boy, one of five people hospitalized from the building collapse. Russian officials say the odds of finding anyone else alive in the debris look increasingly slim, given the extreme weather. Late Tuesday, three people died in Magnitogorsk about 1.2 miles down the same street on which the collapsed building had stood when their passenger van exploded and caught fire. Police said the vehicle was carrying gas canisters. In other Russian holiday disasters, seven people, including a couple and their three children, died in a house fire in Orsk, 900 miles southeast of Moscow, Interfax reported. The fire Tuesday is believed to have been caused by an electrical short-circuit, the report said. In Moscow, the mayor fired the director of the city's renowned Gorky Park after 13 people were injured when a wooden pedestrian bridge packed with New Year's celebrants collapsed. Video on Russian television showed a section of the bridge collapsing early Tuesday as the national anthem played on loudspeakers, marking the beginning of 2019. The park is a popular gathering place for the holiday. Barbara Pozniakas of Rexford and her son Marc of New Hampshire traveled to Tanzania in August. Above, elephants protect their young while moving from the water hole in the Serengeti. Below, two lion cubs rest after a feast. Joan Porco, who survived being maimed by her ax-wielding son in a notorious 2004 attack that took the life of her husband, cannot receive pension credits for a three-month period of time when she was receiving disability at her teaching job, an appeals court ruled Thursday. Porco, who began teaching in public schools in 1974, worked at Jefferson Elementary School in the Schalmont Central School District at the time of the near-fatal attack by her son, Christopher, on Nov. 14, 2004. Now 32, he was convicted in 2006 of second-degree murder and is serving 46 years to life in prison at Clinton Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison. His mother began receiving disability retirement benefits in the aftermath of the crime. She returned to work for three months and collected her salary as well as $6,809 in disability retirement benefits. When she inquired about pension credit, the New York State Teachers Retirement System informed her she could not get pension credit for the three-month period, the decision noted. Porco appealed the decision to acting Supreme Court Justice Richard Platkin who, on Feb. 3, 2015, dismissed her challenge. Porco then brought the matter to the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court, Third Department, where her late husband, Peter, served as law clerk to since-deceased Presiding Justice Anthony V. Cardona. On Thursday, the Appellate Division unanimously upheld Platkin's ruling. The decision, written by Associate Justice William McCarthy, said the retirement system determination was made without a hearing, which meant the Appellate Division's review of it was limited to whether the determination was arbitrary, capricious or without a rational basis. "Furthermore, given that (the retirement system) is charged with administering the retirement statutes at issue, its interpretations are entitled to deference and should be upheld unless they are irrational, unreasonable or inconsistent with the governing law," McCarthy wrote. He found that the retirement system decision was rational and reasonable. "As a general rule, 'retirement on a pension' causes a person's membership in the retirement system to cease," McCarthy stated. He said Porco was entitled to resume working while receiving disability retirement benefits, but her membership in the retirement system ended once she started collecting the benefits. The decision was supported by Justices John Egan, Sharon Aarons, Michael Lynch and Robert Rose. rgavin@timesunion.com 518-434-2403 @RobertGavinTU In the hearty, hale era of Teddy Roosevelt, as the Indian wars were declared done and the frontier tamed, there were many young men who felt nostalgia for what they had missed. And for what was disappearing for good. When the young East Coast illustrator Frank Schoonover set off in 1905 for a demanding trek of over a thousand miles in frigid Canada, he discovered what would define his work: the survival of the individualist spirit in true wilderness. It was admittedly fun to see the absolutely packed, salon-style galleries for "Frank E. Schoonover: American Visions" at the Norman Rockwell Museum. They give us the fullest retrospective of his work possible in a single visit: the original paintings and drawings that led to published versions in over 200 books. If you see this show with some simple naivete, you might get little rushes of nostalgia yourself, channeling your inner pioneer spirit. Schoonover used his skills as a painter to give life to his subjects: a man scowling from a tree with his gun, a drummer boy begging at a log cabin, people huddled in their tent in a snowstorm, and many canoes and boats in action. I had a wry appreciation for the work as something "other" that I could like from a distance. It rarely actually moved me, but maybe it's partly because the works here are divorced from their stories. And the stories, after all, might be a deflating starting point. Illustration, even at a high level, is often held hostage by its literary sources, and many of these books or magazine stories carry little currency today. I tried hard to like it, tapping into my Boy Scout past so that these action-adventure moments might click. They did not. Collecting soggy twigs to make a fire in a Michigan drizzle does not hold a candle to these muscled pioneer swashbucklers in rugged garb racing down a roaring river under a hail of bullets. Schoonover, painting mostly fictional representational dramas with a kind of brown and gray realism, seemed wholly energized by his source material. However, the archetypes of the brave and noble male in the wilderness, while no doubt at times true in the broadest sense, are not given particular depth. Even worse, there might be stereotypes perpetuated that are regrettable for what they don't show, the real complications and the genuine epiphanies of that kind of life. There are some Edward Curtis parallels about Indians (native Americans, whose lives were complicated by assimilation and poverty), Orientalized Arabs (more or less patterned, it seems, on Arabian Nights), and rugged white men in the snowy north (with shades of Jack London). What does a contemporary viewer, especially a lover of fine art, do with this kind of material? Well, for one, gain perspective. The work preserves key attitudes and influences on certain young Americans. To go out on a limb, I'd speculate that famous white men of a whole generation or two, coming to power in midcentury, were informed and guided by these kinds of examples. Seeing this show helps us see, possibly, why some people became what they became. In the fine art realm, Schoonover connects to the Brandywine School from the turn of the last century, a group of illustrators who raised the bar of popular illustration and conventional representation. N.C. Wyeth, father of the more famous Andrew Wyeth, and Violet Oakley both studied there. Maxfield Parrish is clearly linked to these artists through Drexel in Philadelphia, and eventually even Normal Rockwell was to some extent influenced by the style of this group. For me, the best works here are the few that don't seem tied to any story, as with some of the landscapes and a few others. But they are small exceptions. "American Visions" is probably not a soaring artistic experience, but the show is an interesting art historical one, overflowing with illustrations and curiosities. And bits of a slowly receding past. William Jaeger is a frequent contributor to the Times Union. Colonie The state will spend $16.6 million to finish cleaning up PCBs, heavy metals and other pollution from the sprawling former Al Tech Specialty Steel plant at Spring Street Road and Lincoln Avenue. This cleanup, unlike an earlier costly effort that fell short, will be borne by state Superfund program, and ultimately, the taxpayers. Plans call for the removal of more than 1,300 dump truck loads of tainted soil from the plant site and dredged from the Kromma Kill, a stream that flows through the 121-acre property and into the Hudson River, according to an announcement Wednesday from the state Department of Environmental Conservation. This project will come on top of millions of dollars funded and spent by the former plant owners under a 1999 agreement with the state. Since then, that fund has spent about $15.6 million by 2016 on cleanups, including the capping of a 12-acre hazardous waste landfill, according to DEC figures. In January 2016 after testing had found significantly more pollution than initially believed, DEC moved to include the entire 112-acre plant in the state Superfund pollution cleanup program, up from 31 acres that were initially covered under the program starting in 1983. There was about $1 million left in the owners' cleanup fund in May 2016, when the remaining money was transferred to the state "recognizing that the final site remedy would need to be funded by the Superfund program,"according to the DEC cleanup plan. In March 2018, DEC decided to maintain and monitor the capped landfill, after determining that to dig up the site so hazardous material could be disposed up elsewhere could cost more than $138 million. The agency also decided that Superfund would pay about $7.5 million to remove PCB-tainted building structures at the plant for disposal elsewhere. The plant opened in 1910 and at its peak in the 1950s, employed about 5,000 workers. Al Tech filed for bankruptcy protection in 1997 and got a $4.3 million state loan two years later to emerge from bankruptcy. In 1999, DEC and then-Attorney General Eliot Spitzer announced a settlement with plant owners, Chicago-based GATX Corp., to fund a "comprehensive" cleanup of the Colonie plant and another company-owned facility in western New York. At the time, then-DEC Commissioner John Cahill said the settlement would keep Al Tech cleanup costs from being borne by state taxpayers. A new owner, Altx Inc., a subsidiary of Spanish-based Tubacex, closed the Colonie plant in 2002, and it has been vacant since. The property is now owned by Realco Inc., of Windermere, Fla. In November 2017, the town of Colonie Industrial Development Agency announced it would craft potential cleanup and development plans for about 370 acres in and around the former plant. The plant site is the largest piece of the six-parcel Lincoln Avenue Revitalization Plan that is being envisioned by the town for potential use by environmental and technical companies. DEC will hold a public meeting on the Al Tech cleanup plan at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Watervliet Senior Center, 1501 Broadway, Watervliet. DEC is taking public comment on the cleanup plan, which can be publicly examined at the Watervliet Public Library, through Feb. 2 to Project Manager Ruth Curley, NYSDEC, Division of Environmental Remediation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233. Bethlehem Real estate developer Thomas Burke is proposing a four-story, 80,000-square-foot self storage facility in Glenmont on a piece of land located between Route 9W and the New York State Thruway. The project has been shown to the town of Bethlehem planning department but has yet to go to the planning board for official review. The plan would include 18 storage spaces for boats and RVs. Burke has also proposed building an apartment complex in the hamlet of Slingerlands that is under review by the planning board, which was critical of the size and design of that project due to it being located in a national historic district. The self-storage facility planned for Glenmont would be built on 1.8 acres on Chamberlain Street, a dead-end street that is located off the northbound lane of 9W. That area is zoned light industrial and does not include any home just an office building and industrial businesses. "The planning board will certainly be taking a look at this," Bethlehem planning director Rob Leslie told the Bethlehem Industrial Development Agency on Dec. 21. Burke's real estate firm, which is headquartered in Malta, recently started work on building a Hyatt hotel and restaurant on Wolf Road at the former Lazare auto dealership. Malta GlobalFoundries' Fab 8 computer chip factory in Saratoga County may have laid off hundreds of workers recently in an attempt to cut costs, but revenues were way up in 2018. Ron Sampson, the general manager of Fab 8, told the Albany Business Review for a story that ran on Dec. 28 that revenues were up 33 percent compared to 2017. Sampson also said in the same article that Fab 8 now produces one-third of the total revenue at GlobalFoundries, which also has chip factories in Dutchess County, Vermont, Germany and Singapore. "We have become the growth engine of the company," Sampson said. GlobalFoundries spokesman Jason Gorss confirmed the percentages used in the Business Review story but declined to give any supporting dollar figure amounts to the Times Union. "As a private company, we don't provide details on our revenue figures, so I can't give you any further context there," Gorss said. GlobalFoundries announced back in August plans to lay off 424 employee at Fab 8 in a cost-cutting move throughout its operations that coincided with the company discontinuing its push into making chips using 7 nanometer architecture. Another 31 employees were being furloughed at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany. The first GlobalFoundries layoffs were scheduled to begin taking place on Nov. 28. The company now has about 3,000 employees. Today's chips made by GlobalFoundries and others use 14 nanometer designs, although companies like Samsung have started pushing their manufacturing into 7 nanometer architecture, which has transistors that are roughly half the size but are much more costly to manufacture. GlobalFoundries CEO Tom Caulfield said that the company chose to discontinue 7 nanometer development because it was too expensive, costing billions of dollars to install new extreme ultra-violet lithography machines in its factories to etch the smaller designs. As a result of that switch, IBM was forced to switch from GlobalFoundries to Samsung for its next generation server chips. But Caulfield said it would be worth it to GlobalFoundries in the long run not to follow what's known as Moore's Law, which most chip companies use as the reasoning for shrinking chip transistors smaller and smaller. "At its core, Moore's Law is an economic model," Caulfield wrote in a Dec. 19 blog post on GlobalFoundries' web site. "In the semiconductor industry, we have trained ourselves to believe that value creation only comes through transistor scaling. But in fact there are many ways to achieve the net effect of Moore's Law, and they do not all require billions of dollars in annual research and development and capital expenditures." Although GlobalFoundries won't reveal sales figures for Fab 8, there is a way to determine how the company is doing overall between its fabs across the globe since the company is owned by Mubadala Development Co., an Abu Dhabi investment fund. Mubadala reported that through the first six months of 2018, GlobalFoundries had $3.03 billion in revenue, compared to $2.83 billion in the first six months of 2017, an increase of seven percent. GlobalFoundries still lost money $613 million during the first half of 2018. And that is up from the same period during 2017 when it lost $580 million. Gross, the GlobalFoundries spokesman, wouldn't explain how Fab 8's apparent success in 2018 will impact Mubadala's year-end figures. "Fab 8 first began making a really significant contribution to the company's total revenue in 2017 when we transitioned into full-scale volume production of our 14 nanometer technology across a range of customer products," Gorss said. The new truck, built at the Emergency One plant in Ocala, Florida, was specifically designed to navigate Norristowns tight and narrow streets. Dorothy Eleanor Mercer passed away on June 9, 2021 at Archbold Memorial Hospital. She was born on December 18, 1932, in Pavo to the late Early Byrd Wood and to the late Nellie Deen Wood. She was married to Eugene Mercer who precedes her in death. Survivors include her children, Leon David Mc remaining of SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM! 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. CUMBERLAND New Allegany County school board members Deb Frank, Bob Farrell and David Bohn, as well as incumbent Wayne Foote, were sworn in on Wednesday. They join Tammy Fraley - the lone board member whose seat was not up for election. Scores of people were at Wednesday's ceremony including Del. Mike McKay. "I'm just looking forward to getting to work," Frank said afterward, and added that prior to November's election, the campaign included "a lot of distractions." Frank said the board can't elect officers until after its next scheduled meeting on Jan. 8. Allegany school students get chance to earn paycheck while learning Local businesses that want skilled and reliable workers will soon have the chance to partner Part of moving forward will have to address the board's makeup. Former board president Sara-Beth Bittinger, former vice president Tammy Fraley and members Laurie Marchini and Nicholas Hadley on Dec. 21 passed a resolution to ask the Maryland State Board of Education to remove Foote from office. +2 State education official: It's rare for a school board member to be removed CUMBERLAND Many questions surround a recent vote, by four Allegany County school board members, that will ask Maryland officials to remove Wayne Foote from the panel. To add more mystery as to how the situation could play out theres not a lot of case history on the subject. Foote has denied any wrongdoing. The new board is expected to examine the state's process to learn more. Cresaptown, MD (21502) Today Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then becoming mostly clear after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Instant unlimited access to all of our content on tillamookheadlightherald.com. The Headlight Herald E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) This season, Tillamook baseball finished with a record of 7-8, which were more wins than the team had since 2014. The team had three players r Read more A STRONG BUY ALERT has been issued for this little known cannabis company that can produce pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis at half the cost of its competitors. According to analysts, its an advantage that could help the company become a world leader in the medical cannabis sector Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. 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The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, governments, and central banks. Royal Bank of Canada has a strategic partnership with Royal College Of Physicians & Surgeons Of Canada to support the needs of Canada's medical specialists. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of The Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chile , Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Commercial de Cuba S.A., Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent (Beijing) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deuttschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Philippines) Inc., Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company (Europe) BVBA, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Procter & Gamble Hellas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holdings (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership (KKT), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings, Procter & Gamble Indochina Limited Company, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama, Procter & Gamble International Operations Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Investment Company (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment GmbH, Procter & Gamble Italia, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea, Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble Lanka Private Ltd. Sri Lanka, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Marketing and Services doo, Procter & Gamble Maroc SA, Procter & Gamble Mataro, Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Investments B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Nordic, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Private) Limited, Procter & Gamble Partnership LLP, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals France SAS, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo, Procter & Gamble Product Supply (U.K.) Limited U.K., Procter & Gamble Production GmbH, Procter & Gamble Productions, Procter & Gamble Productos de Consumo, Procter & Gamble RHD, Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services BVBA, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Satis ve Dagitim Ltd. Sti., Procter & Gamble Seine S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services (Switzerland) SA, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Share Incentive Plan Trustee Ltd., Procter & Gamble South America Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. (Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc.. A STRONG BUY ALERT has been issued for this little known cannabis company that can produce pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis at half the cost of its competitors. According to analysts, its an advantage that could help the company become a world leader in the medical cannabis sector Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry worldwide. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and offers ProxyEdge, an electronic proxy delivery and voting solution. It also distributes regulatory reports and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions; and provides end-to-end platform for content management, composition, and multi-channel distribution of regulatory, marketing, and transactional information, as well as mutual fund trade processing services. In addition, this segment offers financial reporting document composition and management solutions; SEC disclosure and filing services; registrar, stock transfer, and record-keeping services; customer communication solutions; cloud-based marketing and customer communication tools; customer and account data aggregation and reporting services, as well as creates sales and educational content, including seminars and a library of financial planning topics; and mutual fund trade processing services. The company's Global Technology and Operations segment offers desktop productivity tools, data aggregation, performance reporting, portfolio management, order capture and execution, trade confirmation, margin, cash management, clearance and settlement, asset servicing, reference data management, reconciliations, securities financing and collateral optimization, compliance and regulatory reporting, and accounting. It also provides capital market, wealth management, asset management, and international securities processing solutions; managed services; and customizable advisor Websites, search engine marketing, and electronic and print newsletters. The company was founded in 1962 and is headquartered in Lake Success, New York. Read More The new year has started with a bang for London-listed Ophir Energy. While the UKs stock market swung wildly, paring early losses to close marginally higher, oil and gas exploration business Ophir leapt after confirming a potential buyer was sniffing around. The company told investors that it was in talks with Indonesian energy business Medco, which is considering making a cash offer to acquire the whole firm. Ophir did not give any indication of how much Medco plans to stump up, and the Indonesian firm now has until January 28 to either make a formal bid or step away from the deal. Ophir Energy told investors that it was in talks with Indonesian energy business Medco, which is considering making a cash offer to acquire the whole firm But the announcement did boost Ophirs shares by 28.9 per cent, or 10.3p, to 46p, adding almost 73million to the minnows market value. Before the announcement, Ophir was trading at 252million, making it around a third of the size of Jakarta-listed Medco. If the deal materialises, said Angus Rodger, research director at consultancy Wood Mackenzie, it would create a south-east Asian powerhouse in the sector. Meanwhile investors in the FTSE 100 hoping for a positive start to the New Year were left feeling flat after 2019s first day of trading. The blue-chip index of Britains biggest listed companies recovered some of its sharp early losses to end the day up 0.1 per cent, or 6.1 points, at 6734.23 points. Stock Watch - Matomy Media Troubled online advertising business Matomy Media jumped on announcing a shake-up to allow it to repay worried bondholders. It plans to raise 6million to 8million from shareholders, to buy the remaining 10 per cent of subsidiary Team Internet and help pay back 24million of bonds. Matomy also said it had received two offers for Team Internet, but that it believed it could get a better price if it decided to sell the business. Shares shot up by 36.4 per cent, or 2p, to 7.5p. It was weighed down by heavyweight miners, which were smarting from data which showed that Chinas manufacturing activity had contracted in December for the first time in 19 months. Metal and coal miners are particularly susceptible to any weakness in Chinas manufacturing sector because the country imports so many raw materials. Glencore led the decline, falling 3 per cent, or 8.85p, to 282.5p, while Anglo American was down 2.1 per cent, or 37.4p, at 1710.4p. The FTSE 250 eked out higher gains, ending up 0.5 per cent, or 84.65 points, at 17,586.7 points. Stobart Group, Southend Airports owner, appeared to be putting a torrid year behind it as it became the indexs highest riser. Analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald said that an unrelated deal over the Christmas break, in which Frances Vinci bought a stake in Gatwick Airport, valuing the flight hub at 2.9billion, highlighted the attractiveness of Stobarts own airport assets. Shares climbed 6.5 per cent, or 9.4p, to 153.8p. Last year, the firm was embroiled in a row between its former chief executive Andrew Tinkler and its current management. Tinkler, who had been fired, attempted to oust chairman Iain Ferguson and reinstate him with Edinburgh Woollen Mill owner Philip Day, saying Ferguson was taking the company in the wrong direction. The ensuing legal action between the parties weighed on Stobarts shares, and a High Court judgment is still in the pipeline. Energean Oil and Gas was also a strong gainer. The company, trading on the stock exchange for less than a year, said it had signed an agreement to sell around 5.5bn cubic metres of gas to new Israeli power station IPM Beer Tuvia. The gas will be supplied over an initial 19-year period, from Energeans Karish and Tanin project which is due to produce its first gas in 2021. The deal is expected to rake 708million, and shares rose 4.3 per cent, or 26.7p, to 655p. At the smaller end of the oil and gas sector, Amerisur impressed investors with strong drilling results. The South America-focused company announced an oil discovery in Colombia. Yesterday, it said initial testing showed the well was flowing at over 4,500 barrels per day above expectations. Shares jumped 15.2 per cent, or 2.34p, to 17.7p. Economics is not known as the gloomy science for nothing. The Financial Times annual survey of 80 top forecasters suggests that Brexit uncertainty will stunt investment and growth in 2019 even if there is an orderly UK departure from the EU. Read into the survey closely and what actually is being predicted is that UK output will come in close to the 2018 figure of 1.5 per cent in the current year. That may be well below Trump tax cut-fuelled US growth. But at the tail end of a long UK economic upswing it would be no mean achievement given the stuttering eurozone recovery. Britain's creative industries, from gaming to JK Rowling and Stormzy (pictured), have been the fastest-growing sector since the financial crisis The latest purchasing managers index shows UK manufacturing hit a six-month high in December. The popular explanation for this is that companies are stockpiling in preparation for a no-deal Brexit. Instead of sitting around doing nothing, manufacturers are looking over the March 29 cliff and making sensible decisions. Many of the bigger companies spoken to in recent weeks, such the nations biggest exporter Rolls-Royce, are making long-term strategic decisions including a big investment in next-generation turbines for aircraft. Amid the headline gloom it is worth reflecting on what is going well for the UK. The last year ended with record numbers in employment, real wages rising, unemployment at 4 per cent, its lowest in four decades, and increasing numbers of workers shifting from the gig economy into permanent work. To read the headlines from the High Street one might think all is falling apart. We will learn more of that from Next today. But it is illustrative to note that John Lewis sales climbed 4.5pc in Christmas week and although shop sales may be suffering at Next, it is the retailer most protected by its efficient online sales. Structural changes are causing great damage. The unfair assault on traditional shops by Amazon and online players, which escape upward-only rent reviews and most high street business rates, is hurting. But that doesnt necessarily mean that consumer spending, which takes many forms, is really suffering. What we need to cherish is that so much about the UK is doing well. Our creative industries, from gaming to JK Rowling and Stormzy, have been the fastest-growing sector since the financial crisis. Barely a day passes without encouraging developments from our science-based industries. Glaxos development of the first vaccine for shingles Shingrix has been so successful it cannot produce enough to meet demand. Astrazeneca is the fastest-growing pharma company in China and a pioneer in immunology drugs for cancer. Economists may be fretting about Brexit and its impact on their modelling. The message from the real world of creating wealth and jobs is much more encouraging. Tax terriers HMRC has been successful in clamping down on tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning as comedian Jimmy Carr and the new chief executive of BT Philip Jansen might testify. Since 2010 it has raked in 185billion which otherwise would not have been paid. Indeed, as the Resolution Foundation thinktank points out, there is still much more to go for if, for instance, the Chancellor were to limit entrepreneurs relief where three-quarters of the 3.9billion tax breaks go to 5,000 people. Or it could clamp down on inheritance tax loopholes. If authorities kept their focus on the biggest avoiders, such as Silicon Valley giants, there would be fewer complaints. But when HMRC turns its guns on the Christmas club and sensible shoes for employees at Iceland you want to scream foul. Iceland is in hot water because the requirement that workers wear the right shoes means some buy them off their own bat and that takes their average income below the national living wage. HMRC wants Iceland to repair the damage. That HMRC spends time on such piffle cannot be what Spreadsheet Phil wants. Italian job The first banking casualty of 2019, surprise, surprise, is in Italy. The European Central Bank is calling in administrators at Genoa-based Carige which failed to persuade key investors to pump 360million of equity into the failing 22.5billion institution. Italian banks still hold at least 238billion of bad loans a decade after the financial crisis.It could be another very rocky year there. Seeking Royal approval: Donald Trump will be attending the world economic forum in Davos Donald Trump's permanently put-upon press spokesman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the president will travel to Davos for this month's World Economic Forum, as he did last year. Also attending the self-important Alpine jamboree is Prince William, who avoided meeting Trump during his summer visit to the UK, not unintentionally if the Kensington Palace 'on dit' is to be believed. Trump remains desperate for the regal imprimatur. Weaselly courtiers may need to be at their deftest if diplomatic fall-out is to be averted. Dick Cheney biopic Vice, starring sensitive Welshman Christian Bale as the controversial ex-Halliburton boss and US vice-president, is dismissed as a dud by the Hollywood press. But they reserve praise for habitual cockney scene-stealer Eddie Marsan's performance as Paul Wolfowitz, the ex-World Bank president. Wolfowitz, 75, has been lampooned before. He appeared in the opening montage of Michael Moore's OTT polemic, Fahrenheit 9/11, gormlessly lubricating his hair with saliva before a TV interview. Whitbread chief, and all-round good egg, Alison Brittain received a CBE in the New Year's honours but her feline chairman, City grand formaggio Adam Crozier, remains noticeably gongless. One would have thought Crozier's turnaround job at Royal Mail warranted a 'K'. Or did the Scotsman's ruthless cost cutting some 60,000 jobs were scrapped on his watch rattle crockery in the Royal household? Cryptic ex-Unilever boss, Netherlands-born Paul Polman, pays tribute to his successor Alan Jope, who started in his new role yesterday, tweeting: 'Glad to have you as the new leader. Unilever is blessed with leaders like you. Onwards, upwards.' What's Dutch for 'pass the sickbag'? Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has decreed that Iceland staff should be compensated for any shoes they have bought for work after the frozen food firm offered guidance that 'suitable shoes' should be worn on the job. Is this already the most depressing business story of 2019? Love to know what our brave Iraq veterans who forked out for their own body armour due to the inadequacy of the MoD-provided kit make of it all. MARISSA BERGEL, Wheeler softball, senior: Bergel hit a two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning to lift Wheeler past Holy Cross, 9-7, in the Class S state tournament. The hit was part of a five-run rally in the inning. JOEY GUARNIERI, Westerly track & field, senior: Guarnieri placed first in two sprints at the Southern Division championships. He won the 100 (11.19) and the 200 (22.73). JOSH MOONEY, Stonington track & field, sophomore: Mooney placed first in the 110 hurdles at the Class M state meet in 14.65. He also finished second in the 300 hurdles (39.87) and second in the javelin (160-0). MARGARET WEEDEN, Chariho track & field, junior: Weeden finished first in the high jump at the Southern Division championships. Weeden cleared 5-1 and also placed sixth in the triple jump at 31-5. Vote View Results Chennai, Jan 2 (PTI) A Kerala government-run hotel here was attacked on Wednesday night by unidentified persons in suspected backlash over two women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala temple in the neighbouring state. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation-run facility on the arterial Greams Road was attacked tonight, a police official told PTI, adding a probe was on. According to initial inputs, the outer glass panes in the hotel, including those at a security kiosk, were damaged in the attack, he said. "As soon as we got a call, the local strength (of personnel under Thousand Lights jurisdiction) was rushed there," the official said. Though the attack was suspected to be a fallout of two women entering the Sabarimala temple in neighbouring Kerala, the official said since the probe was at a "very preliminary stage" nothing could be confirmed as of now. Further details are awaited. PTI VGN IND IND Jammu, Jan 2 (PTI) A man died and five others were injured after they fell from an alleged overspeeding train near Jammu Railway Station here, officials said Wednesday. "On Tuesday, some passengers slipped from the special Delhi-bound train from Udhampur after the negligent driver started moving the train fast near Jammu Railway Station," Railway Police officials said. The deceased, Ajay, succumbed to his injuries enroute to the hospital, they said, adding, the other injured were given first aid and their condition is said to be stable. Railway authorities have ordered a probe in the matter, a senior official said. PTI AB MAZ IND IND The show is currently being aired on 'Star Bharat' Chennai, Jan 2 (PTI) The DMK and its allies the Congress and a lone IUML member Wednesday boycotted the customary address of Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on the opening day of the first Assembly session of the year by staging a walkout. As the governor began his address saying 'Vanakkam' and gave a message to the members of the House stressing on 'simple living,' Stalin stood up trying to say something. Though Purohit urged Stalin to resume his seat, saying "with folded hands I request you," the Leader of Opposition continued to speak on issues like the circumstances surrounding the death of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa which could not be heard properly. The governor after telling Stalin that he and the other members could discuss issues later, continued with his address to the House. A smiling Stalin led the walkout of his party members and those from the Congress and the IUML. PTI VGN SA SS SNE SNE Sabarimala, Jan 2 (PTI) The Kerala Police Wednesday was looking into media reports that two women in their forties had entered the Sabarimala temple early Wednesday, sources said. According to TV channels, the two women, Kanakadurga, 42, and Bindu, 44, also claimed that they had entered the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa. They made efforts to enter the shrine in December but had to return due to protests. As per news reports, the women trekked to the hill shrine early early Wednesday. The video showed them entering the shrine, wearing black clothes, with their heads covered. The police sources in Thiruvananthapuram, quoting DGP Loknath Behara, said details were being collected on the issue. Bindu, a college lecturer and CPI(ML) activist from Kozhikode district's Koyilandy, and Kanakadurga, a civil supplies employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram, had come to Sabarimala on December 24 after 11 women activists of a Chennai-based outfit were prevented from reaching the shrine and chased away by devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras. The temple was opened on December 30 for the Makaravillaku festival and there has been a heavy rush of pilgrims. Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President A Padmakumar said he had no information about the two women offering prayers at the temple. TDB officials have been asked to view CCTV footage to verify their claim, he said. The temple had witnessed protests from frenzied devotees over the entry of women in the 10-50 age group in the shrine after the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement a Supreme Court order allowing women of all age to offer prayers there. The main opposition Congress-led UDF and the BJP have been opposing the entry of young women, saying they are with the devotees. PTI UD AAR Jaipur, Jan 2 (PTI) The Rajasthan government issued an order Wednesday to withdraw a December, 2017 circular, in which the previous BJP government in the state had directed all the departments, boards, corporations and self-governance organisations to put a picture of Deendayal Upadhyay as a logo in their letter pads. The newly-elected Congress government in the state, in its first cabinet meeting last week, had decided to remove the picture of Upadhyay from the letter pads and the state printing and stationary department issued the orders to that effect on Wednesday. "The decision has been taken by the cabinet to remove the photo of Deendayal Upadhyay," Ravi Shankar Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary of the department, said in the order. In compliance with the decision of the cabinet, he further ordered to withdraw the December 11, 2017 circular, in which the previous government led by Vasundhara Raje had issued the directions to insert the picture of Upadhyay, an RSS ideologue and a co founder of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in the letter pads. PTI SDA RC New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) Two men were arrested for allegedly robbing over Rs 2 lakh from a trader in Gaffar Market of Karol Bagh area here, police said Wednesday. The accused were identified as Imran (23), a resident of Uttam Nagar, and Kundan (23), a resident of Dwarka, they added. On December 5, mobile repair shop owner Jaan-Ae-Alam filed a police complaint according to which he had gone to Gaffar Market along with his brother to buy mobile accessories and was carrying Rs 2.30 lakh for the same, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Anto ALphonse. On their way to the market, two young men got onto to Alam's e-rickshaw near Mangal Bazar Road in Milap Nagar, Alphonse said. When the complainant reached near DESU Office in the area, the accused snatched Alam's bag of money and ran away, he added. After going through the CCTV cameras, the police identified the accused. Imran was picked up from near Pali Factory in Uttam Nagar, the DCP said. Based on a separate tip-off, the police apprehended Kundan. A total of Rs 19,900 was recovered from the possession of the arrested, officials said. PTI NIT AMP IND IND New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) The government Wednesday gave its ex post facto approval to India's negotiating stand at the recent climate change summit in Poland. The 24th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Katowice in Poland during December 2-15 and the Indian delegation was led by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan. "This is in continuation to the earlier approval dated November 28, 2018," an official statement said. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its ex post facto approval to the Indian delegation's approach. The key focus of the summit was to finalise guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in the post-2020 period. At the summit, negotiators from nearly 200 countries finalised a set of rules that will make the 2015 Paris deal to curb global warming operational in 2020. The outcome of the talks in the mining city of Katowice is to limit the rise of global temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius. The official statement said India's approach was guided by principles and provisions of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, particularly the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capability (CBPR-RC). "India reiterated its commitment to the Paris Agreement and highlighted its leadership during the COP-24 by reuniting its promise to implement the Paris Agreement fully in a collective manner," the statement added. It said that in line with India's traditional ethos of protecting the environment, the government has taken several initiatives to address climate change concerns and these initiatives reflect India's commitment towards climate action. The push for renewable energy leading to achieving about 74 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, including about 24 GW from solar, leading the world in its pursuit of enhanced solar energy capacity through the International Solar Alliance and energy efficiency measures are some of the examples, it said. "It is, however, important to ensure that the actions of developing countries are supported by sustained and adequate means of implementation, including finance, capacity building and technological support, by developed countries. "The adopted guidance operationalises the obligation of developed countries in providing means of implementation to developing countries and requires developed countries to provide detailed information to bring clarity on projected levels of climate finance. Parties have also agreed to initiate the work on setting up the new collective finance goals post-2020 from the floor of USD 100 billion," it added. The statement said the country's long-term interests have been protected but also added that India has, however, expressed reservations on the Global Stocktake (GST) decision regarding the need for considerations of equity in output of GST process as per the mandate of the Paris Agreement to ensure that vulnerabilities, problems and challenges of the poor and marginalised are addressed. PTI TDS IJT Barmer, Jan 2 (PTI) Shale Mohammad, the only Muslim face in Ashok Gehlot's cabinet, offered prayers at a Shiva temple in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer days after taking charge of the minority affairs department. Mohammad, son of Muslim religious leader Gazi Fakir, reached his constituency Pokhran in Jaisalmer on Sunday for the first time after becoming a minister. "Gods and goddesses don't belong to any caste. It is not about Hindus and Muslims. Everyone has his faith. We have Ganga-Jamuni brotherhood which is in itself an example. Hindus and Muslims both have strong faith in Baba Ramdev (a temple in Ramdevra of local deity Baba Ramdev)," Mohammad told reporters after performing puja. The minister said that he visited the temple due to his personal belief. Madhu Changani, priest of the temple, said Mohammad has a long association with the shrine and it was not the first time he performed puja. "He had visited this temple during state assembly election as well. It was not the first time he visited the temple. He has some association with the temple," he said. The minister performed puja for about half-an-hour following Hindu rituals. He also performed ablution and offered honey and milk on lord Shiva's idol, Changani added. Mohammad won the Pokhran seat in the recently-held state elections, defeating BJP's Swami Pratap Puri, a spiritual leader and head of Taratara Math in Barmer district. PTI CORR AG SOM SOM Agra, Jan 2 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a rally here on January 9, SC/ST Commission Chairman and BJP MP Ram Shankar Katheria said on Wednesday. He said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also visit Agra on January 4 to take stock of various projects in the pipeline. Adityanath will be discussing party's preparedness for the gruelling election campaign ahead. PTI CORR SNE SNE \R New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met victims of the 1984 anti-sikh riots here after the Union cabinet meeting on Wednesday and assured them of the government's full support, SAD leaders said. The victims were accompanied by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, party MP Naresh Gujral and heads of Sikh religious bodies SGPC and DSGPC. "It was heart-wrenching to listen to travails of 1984 genocide victims when they met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But it was heartwarming that justice for '84 massacre has become a national priority now. I thank Modi ji for making this happen," Harsimrat Kaur Badal tweeted after the meeting. The minister said Modi commended the victims for their 34-years-long fight for justice. She added that the victims got justice under the Modi government after Sajjan Kumar was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Gujral, who was accompanying the victims, said they all got very emotional after meeting Modi and sought protection from him, which was assured by the prime minister. PTI JTR HMB New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) Pakistan-based terror groups continue to train their cadre for underwater strikes and exhort them for 'Samundari Jihad' (seaborne jihad) against India, Union minister Hansraj Ahir said Wednesday. Replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha, he said as per available information, there is no specific input about any terrorist group planning a 26/11 type Mumbai terror attack on ports, cargo ships and oil tankers in the high seas. "However, available inputs indicate that Pakistan-based terrorist groups continue to train their cadres for underwater strike capabilities in a bid to infiltrate them into India by sea/water ways," the Union Minister of State for Home said. Ahir also said that "as per available inputs, the Pakistan-based terrorist organisation had exhorted its cadres for 'Samundari Jihad' against India". PTI ACB ACB ANB ANB New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) The government on Wednesday said it was it touch with Washington for extradition of the US-based individuals wanted in India in connection with the Mumbai terror attack. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said the government was engaged with the relevant US authorities to bring back the individuals under the provisions of Indo-US extradition treaty of 1997. "Most recently, a team from the National Investigation Agency visited the US on December 13-15, 2018 for discussion with the US authorities," said Singh. Pakistani-American David Headley was allegedly involved in plotting the dastardly attack on November 26, 2008, in which over 166 people including 28 foreigners from 10 nations were killed. Headley, who has been made an approver in the case, is currently serving a 35-year prison term in the US for his role in the attack. Singh said the US has expressed its commitment towards working with its international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the Mumbai attack. "During the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue on September 6, 2018, both sides called on Pakistan to bring to justice expeditiously the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot, Uri and other cross border terrorist attacks," said Singh. The trial of a number of Pakistani terrorists allegedly involved in the attack is going on in Pakistan. India has been seeking quick delivery of justice in the case. PTI MPB RT Lucknow, Jan 2 (PTI) The Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Wednesday slammed the state governments decision to levy a cess to fund temporary shelters for cattle, saying this would burden people. The BJP government decided Tuesday to introduce an additional levy of 0.5 per cent as cow welfare cess on eight profit-making public sector infrastructure companies to fund the construction and maintenance of cow shelters. The cess will also apply on travel on some expressways where motorists already pay a toll. In addition `mandi parishads, which have been giving 1 per cent of their income for cow welfare, will now be asked to pay 2 per cent. The Samajwadi Party and the Congress have criticised the move. "It is the responsibility of the government to protect cows, but I wonder why the people are being burdened," SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said. UP Congress spokesman Anshu Awasthi said, "The BJP is in power in UP for more than 20 months, but nothing concrete has been done for the cows. When the farmers and others are facing immense hardships due to stray cattle, they are now trying to somehow send a message that serious measures are being taken," he said when contacted. He said the Bharatiya Janata Party had sought votes in the name of the cow and now its government is burdening common people, invoking cows. The government will issue a notification within a week on the new cess under its 'gau kalyan' scheme, Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi told PTI, a day after the cabinet approved the scheme to set up the 'gauvansh ashray sthals'. "Details are being worked out, and it will be implemented as early as possible," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told PTI. UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey rubbished the opposition criticism, saying the "historic decision" will go a long way in benefitting farmers. He said it will prove to be the largest scheme in the world to help farmers save crops from stray cattle. At the same time it will help in the conservation of cattle, he added. The sale of byproducts from cattle will also help make the sheds self-dependent, Pandey said. The cowsheds will be opened in all villages, panchayats, municipalities, nagar panchayats and municipal corporations. They will have a capacity to hold at least 1,000 animals, officials said. An official said farmers are abandoning their animals because of increasing mechanisation and the new policy will ensure care for the stray animals. The additional 0.5 per cent cess will be levied along with the toll collected by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and similar agencies. Also, 0.5 per cent of the profits made by some PSUs and construction agencies like UP Rajkiye Nirman Nigam and UP State Bridge Corporation will be used to generate funds for the planned cow shelters. The 'Kanji House' system for holding impounded cattle would also be revived, officials said. A committee will be set up at block, district and tehsil level for the implementation of the plan. The state government has been under some pressure from farmers protesting over stray cattle destroying their crops. Adityanath recently ordered removal of illegal encroachments to pave the way for fresh grazing grounds. Over the past week, people in at least two villages in western Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh and Firozabad districts rounded up stray cattle and locked them up in government schools, refusing to let classes run until the administration did something about the animals. In Aligarh, police stations have started sheltering stray cows after a directive from the district police chief. PTI SMI ASH ASH New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) The government has no plans to extend Assam's National Register of Citizens to other parts of the country, Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday. Replying to a written question, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said the NRC of 1951 in Assam is being updated under the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the applications for preparation of NRC in Assam were invited in May-August, 2015. "The exercise to update NRC 1951 is being conducted under the special provisions in respect of state of Assam under the Citizenship Rules, 2003. At present, there is no proposal to extend the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to states other than Assam," he said. Ahir said after necessary scrutiny and verification, the complete draft NRC was published on July 30 last year. When the draft NRC was published, names of 40 lakh residents of Assam were excluded from it, creating a huge political controversy. The minister said the claims and objections on the draft NRC were invited till December 31 and after the disposal of claims and objections, the NRC is to be finalised as per the time lines approved by the Supreme Court. PTI ACB ACB ANB ANB Guwahati, Jan 2 (PTI) Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Wednesday hailed the Centre's decision to set up a high-level committee to recommend safeguards to protect the identities of the indigenous people of the state. The powerful All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), however, criticised the BJP-led Central government decision and said the forming of another committee was a "gimmick" before the Lok Sabha polls. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday decided that the panel would recommend how to provide constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to the indigenous people of Assam, including by reserving seats in the state Assembly. "The decisions taken today by the Central government are historic steps to safeguard and protect the interest and cultural and linguistic identity of the indigenous people of Assam," Sonowal said in a statement. "This is a New Year's gift to the people of the state from the Central government. The decisions taken by the Union Cabinet will go a long way in securing the future of all indigenous communities of the state," he added. He said the Cabinet decision had secured the interest of indigenous people by resolving the matter, which remained undecided for 35 years due to lack of political will. "The decision taken to set up a high-level committee to implement Clause 6 of Assam Accord will pave way for reserving seats for indigenous people in Assam Legislative Assembly, local bodies and Assam Government jobs," Sonowal said. However, Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya, the chief adviser of AASU, which was a signatory to the Assam Accord, termed the decision an attempt to "assuage the feelings of the Assamese community which was hurt due to the move to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955". In a statement, KMSS Adviser Akhil Gogoi too criticised the Union Cabinet decision and said that the people of Assam needed the implementation of Clause 6, not another committee to study the matter and suggest steps. "The Clause has been discussed many times by the Centre. Forming another committee is nothing but a political gimmick before the elections. They just want to mislead the people by false promises and get votes," he said. The Cabinet decision is also targeted to derail the massive protests by all sections of people in Assam against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Gogoi claimed. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. The AASU, KMSS and other socio-political organisations of the North East are vehemently opposing the Bill. On December 31 last year, all amendments moved by the opposition in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), headed by BJP MP Rajendra Agrawal, of the Bill were defeated. Following this, members of KMSS have sat on an indefinite hunger strike from January 1. The stir entered its second day on Wednesday. The bill is likely to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on January 7 as the Winter Session of Parliament will conclude on January 8. PTI TR RG RHL Washington, Jan 2 (AFP) President Donald Trump warned Wednesday the US federal government may not fully reopen any time soon, as he stood firm on his demand for billions of dollars in funding for a border wall with Mexico. Addressing a cabinet meeting on the 12th day of the partial shutdown, Trump warned it "could be a long time" before the impasse is resolved. "It's too important a subject to walk away from," said the president, who was to meet later with Democratic and Republican lawmakers. "The 5.6 billion is such a small amount and we are talking about national security," Trump added, saying: "I think the people of this country think I am right." Trump is set to meet top Democratic lawmakers Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in a bid to break the long impasse. It will be Trump's first meeting with Pelosi, who will take over as speaker of the House on Thursday, and Schumer, the Senate minority leader, since an acrimonious Oval Office meeting with the pair on December 11. Democrats say the border wall, one of Trump's key campaign promises, is a distraction from more complicated immigration problems and a tool for Trump to whip up support among his conservative base. The standoff resulted in swaths of the federal government being shut down over the Christmas and New Year holidays -- and for the foreseeable future until a deal is reached. (AFP) SMJ SMJ Beijing, Jan 2 (AP) Taiwan's leader has rejected the Chinese president's call for unification under a "one country, two systems" approach. President Tsai Ing-wen said that China must face the fact of the existence of the Republic of Taiwan. She made the statement to news media hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a policy speech on Taiwan that no one can stop the trend toward unification. One country, two systems refers to a framework similar to Hong Kong in which the territory became part of China but retained a degree of autonomy. Taiwan and China split in a civil war that brought the Communist Party to power in China in 1949. The rival Nationalists set up their own government on Taiwan, an island 160 kilometers off the Chinese mainland. (AP) SMJ SMJ Washington, Jan 2 (PTI) US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he looks forward to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a day after Pyongyang warned of considering a change of approach if Washington maintains pressure. Trump's response comes after Kim said in his New Year Speech that he wants good relations with the US but could consider a change of approach if Washington maintains its sanctions. "I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!" Trump said in a tweet wherein he quoted from the New Year speech of the North Korean leader. "Kim Jong Un says North Korea will not make or test nuclear weapons, or give them to others - & he is ready to meet President Trump anytime." PBS News Hour," he wrote on Twitter. Last summer, Trump created history by becoming the first US President to have a summit meeting with a North Korean leader in more than five decades. The two met in Singapore, during which they agreed towards a North Korean denuclearization program. In recent weeks, the two leaders have indicated that they plan to meet again. A date and venue of the second summit meeting between the two have not been decided yet. PTI LKJ CK (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) Bangalore, Karnataka, India (NewsVoir) Laureti DionX is the premiere model of its brand. The new EV brand introduces a full size E-SUV capable of reaching 540 km range on a single charge. DionX is scheduled to demonstrate its performance on the Laureti Endurance Trip in August 2019. The trip involves a challenge to make the journey of 6,000 km in less than 12 charge cycles. The starting point of the journey is set from Leh, Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu covering 7 major cities in between which are Delhi, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai. Laureti will display the live dashboard data, drive status and highlights of the journey in real time on all major online networks as well as specially built digital display-boards in various city centers. The live dashboard data will publish vehicle location, mileage, battery status and charging performance. Using a combination of specific battery technology and power systems gave us the key breakthrough results to bring forth DionX. This enables Laureti to produce highly efficient long range EVs that come with battery life guarantee up to 100,000 km, Emmanuel Laurent, Managing Director of Laureti says. Featuring quintessentially British design and luxurious interiors, DionX brings together futuristic advancements of technology with timeless coveted looks. Laureti has confirmed that the production plant will be set up in the state of Puducherry. Laureti will also be known for its safety aspect especially in the Indian market. We sourced a lot of data and research on road conditions and traffic behavior in building our technology solutions to achieve top mark in safety standards. We are looking forward to publishing further test results and demonstrating them live in the Endurance Trip this year, says Marcus Paleti, CEO of Laureti Automotive Corporation. Most of the break through technologies used in making DionX sourced from cooperation and joint ventures with leading innovative companies in France who I think will be major contributor for the success of Laureti, he added. Laureti has executed several joint ventures that secured necessary technology, funding and infrastructure to deploy 100,000 charging points across all major cities in India. It projects the network to become operational by 2020. With robust charging infrastructure and highly efficient EVs, Laureti is believed to be a game-changer to enable mass adoption to electric mobility in India. Image 1: Laureti - E-SUV - Takes You Beyond All Reach Image 2: Laureti - E-SUV - Some Dream of The Future. We Drive it PWR PWR (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with PR Newswire. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) BANGALORE, January 2, 2019/PRNewswire/ -- Prof. P R Mukund, Founder, DecaTrait to address the community; Former ISRO Chairman, Padma Shri A S Kiran Kumar to preside Namdhari's Fresh, the renowned grower of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, in association with DecaTrait, the flagship social transformation program by Tara Prakashana has announced a one-of-its-kind workshop for farmers on Jan 05, 2019. This workshop will be conducted by Prof. P R Mukund, founder of DecaTrait, and will be held at Bidadi, Karnataka at Namdhari's Fresh. Padma Shri A S Kiran Kumar, former Chairperson of ISRO will be the chief guest. Speaking about the workshop, Prof. P R Mukund said, "It has been our endeavour to take DecaTrait to different sections of the society. While we are addressing the corporate and the academia, farmers are one of the most important communities. Farmers today need internal awakening to cope with the external changes and I am excited to share my scientifically researched insights in this regard." Commenting on the initiative, Padma Shri A S Kiran Kumar said, "The workshop comes at a time when the farmers in the country are facing several issues. We ought to remember that if farmers rise, the nation will. I congratulate Namdhari's for this initiative. Prof. P R Mukund is a person who can bring his research and analysis of ancient science and apply it to modern day farming. I look forward to this day." Talking about the farmer's program, Mr. Sunil G Awari , General Manager, Namdhari's Fresh said, "We are honoured to be associating with Prof. P R Mukund. His knowledge and application of ancient wisdom to different sections of the society has been a revelation for many. We are thankful to A S Kiran Kumar, who agreed to be part of this event. Two eminent science-minded luminaries are slated to address today's farmers, which makes the event all the more exciting." Among other things, the workshop will highlight ways of applying universal energy, coping with change and increasing productivity to make farming a far more endearing activity. About Prof. P R Mukund Prof. P R Mukund is an educator, researcher, and entrepreneur. He is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York. He was an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer and Past General Chair of many IEEE international conferences. His professional expertise include Analog and RF I.C. Design. He received his BSEE, MS and Phd in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has published extensively in refereed journals and conferences. He is also a keen student and teacher of the Vedic way of life. His speciality is connecting the worlds of modern science and ancient spirituality in an easily understandable way. About DecaTrait Founded by Prof. P R Mukund, DecaTrait is a proprietary workshop derived out of programmed research on science and ancient Indian wisdom. It focuses on ten unique qualities needed to achieve, sustain, and repeat success. Focusing on social transformation, the workshop has been successfully conducted at different corporate houses, academic institutions. It has also been hailed by renowned media around the world as a unique method of nurturing growth and success across different sections in the society. About A S Kiran Kumar A S Kiran Kumar is a renowned Indian space scientist and former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. He is credited with the development of key scientific instruments aboard the Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan space crafts. In 2014, he was awarded the Padma Shri, for his contributions to the fields of science and technology. Kiran Kumar previously served as Chairman ISRO. About Namdhari's Fresh Namdhari's Fresh is one of the leading growers and grocery store chains in India. The chain was set up in 2001 with the objective of filling the segment of premium green grocers. The company offers fruits and vegetables for retail purchase grown at its own production centers. Besides the domestic market, the produce is also meant for export to Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Source: DecaTrait PWR PWR (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India(NewsVoir) All India Federation of Master Printing (AIFMP) representing 250,000 printers is the worlds largest printers association. AIFMP supports, participates in and organizes a number of regional and international events with the aim of lobbying for the interests of the Indian Printers, showcasing the Indian printing Industrys achievements and holding technical seminars for educating the printers about global trends and technologies. AIFMP is also a member of World Print Congress Forum (WPCF). It brings together, on one common platform, printers associations from all around the world to meet, discuss, debate, exchange and agrees on matters related to the printing industry in diverse areas. AIFMP organizes the National Awards for Excellence in Printing (NAEP) every year to motivate and recognize the printers quality and achievements. This year Madras Security Printers Private Limited has won 5 Awards from 13th National Awards for Excellence in Printing (NAEP 2018) on Saturday the 22nd of December 2018 at Hotel Courtyard by Marriot, Madurai the awards that are handed out to Indian printers who achieve excellence in varied areas of printing. Hailed as the nations biggest print award event, NAEP is the only of its kind that is recognized by the Government of India. It is an incredible platform that enables small, medium and large-sized organizations to explore the print segment and showcase their talent. Madras Security Printers Pvt. Ltd. has won the following Awards: 1. Gold Award in the Group Security Printing 2. Gold Award in the Group Web Offset 3. Gold Award in the Group Digital 4. Gold Award in the Group Offset Large 5. Silver Award in the Group Offset Large Madras Security Printers Pvt. Ltd., (MSP) is a 42-year-old company specializing in Security Printing, Smart Cards and e-governance solutions. Madras Security Printers Private Limited (MSP) has operations in India, Kenya, Nepal and Several other countries across the Globe. Image: MSP Wins 5 Awards in "National Awards for Excellence in Printing" from AIFMP PWR PWR By Abhishek Anshu, Manohar Lal & Ranjit Kumar Sinha New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) Corporate legal battle involving big business houses like ArcelorMittal and Nmetal on taking over of Essar Steel and tough stand against the automobile industry on emission norms kept the Supreme Court busy in 2018 during which it also gave a body blow to real estate honchos. Be it real estate majors Unitech Ltd, Jaypee Group and Amrapali or others, all had to bear the brunt of the apex court for taking for ride ordinary citizens whose hard earned money was at stake. The year gone by saw Unitech promoters -- Sanjay and Ajay Chandra -- failing to get relief from the top court in coming out of Tihar Jail and Amrapali boss Anil Sharma and two directors being put under police surveillance away from their homes. The Jaypee Group also had a tough time throughout the year as investors kept up the pressure for possession of their flats which have been delayed in many cases for more than five years. Amid the legal developments in the real estate sector, a big corporate battle was seen in the top court when steel and mining major ArcelorMittal approached it challenging the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order which had held that Numetal's Rs 37,000 crore offer in second-round bid for Essar Steel was valid. The top court granted one more opportunity to ArcelorMittal and Russia's VTB Bank-promoted Numetal to bid for Essar Steel, provided the two pay off the non-performing assets of their related corporate debtors within two weeks. Another embattled corporate house, Sahara Group, was also in the news in the top court throughout the year over the issue of depositing money in the SEBI-SAHARA account for which it has been facing tough time for over six years. The ongoing litigation on air pollution took a new turn in the 2018 when the top court hit hard the automobile industry by ordering that no Bharat Stage-IV vehicle would be sold or registered in India from April 1, 2020. A tough stand was also taken by the top court to regulate the firecrackers and the industry involved in it got a rude shock before Diwali that only "green crackers" would be allowed to burst across the country for two hours only. The order was not limited to Diwali but for other festivals and occasions in which people burst crackers. The year gone by also saw the apex court delivering a significant verdict when it held that courts can scrutinise the rates of interest being charged by banks from farmers in states where debt relief laws are in place to deal with rural indebtedness. In a judgement having far-reaching consequences, the top court held that foreign lawyers, law firms and companies cannot practice legal profession in India. In the aviation sector, the apex court disposed of a plea filed by no-frill carrier IndiGo, challenging a Delhi High Court order to shift its operations partially from Terminal-1 (T-1) of the IGI Airport here to Terminal 2. Dealing with a matter related to pharma sector, the top court dismissed an appeal filed against the Delhi High Court verdict upholding an international arbitral award of Rs 3,500 crore passed in favour of Japanese pharma major Daiichi Sankyo. The pharma major has alleged that the former promoters of India's Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd had concealed information about proceedings against them by American food and drug department. PTI ABA MNL RKS ZMN AAR New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) The government Wednesday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha that will allow individuals to voluntary offer biometric ID Aadhaar as a means of identity verification for obtaining services like opening a bank account and getting a mobile phone connection. The bill, which seeks to amend three separate laws governing Aadhaar, telecom sector, and banking regulation, also gives a minor an option to opt out of the 12-digit identity scheme on attaining the age of 18 years. It also provides for stiff penalties for violation of norms set for the use of Aadhaar. The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill 2018, moved by Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in the Lok Sabha, bans storing of core biometric information as well as Aadhaar number by service providers in cases of individuals who have voluntarily offered the national ID as a means of authentication. It also makes it clear that anyone not offering Aadhaar cannot be denied any service, be it a bank account or a SIM card. The bill seeks to amend the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002. The legislation proposes telecom service providers, apart from using Aadhaar for authentication, can also leverage offline verification, use of passport, or any other officially valid document or modes of identification as notified by the central Government. The amendments, according to the objects and reasons for the Bill, will "provide for 12-digit Aadhaar number and its alternate numbers to be generated" in a manner so as to conceal the actual Aadhaar number. It would also "permit the entities performing authentication only when they are compliant with the standards of privacy and security," it said. The Bill also seeks to lay down the procedure for offline verification of an Aadhaar number holder, and confers enhanced regulator-like power on Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to give directions as it may consider necessary to any entity in the Aadhaar ecosystem. It says that every requesting entity to whom an authentication request is made, will inform the Aadhaar number holder of alternate and viable means of identification and shall not deny any service to them for refusing to, or being unable to undergo authentication. Mandatory authentication of an Aadhaar holder for the provision of any service will take place if such authentication is required by a law made by Parliament. The bill proposes a civil penalty of up to Rs 1 crore on entities that violate the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, with an additional fine of up to Rs 10 lakh per day in case of continuous non-compliance. Unauthorised use of identity information by a requesting entity or offline verification seeking entity would be punishable with imprisonment of up to three years with a fine that may extend to Rs 10,000 or in case of a company with a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh. Punishment for unauthorised access to the Central Identities Data Repository as well as data tampering is proposed to be extended to 10 years each from the current three years. The bill also seeks to omit Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act relating to the use of Aadhaar by private entities. There will be a provision to file an appeal before the TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal), and against the orders of TDSAT an appeal can be made in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, in a landmark verdict in September last year, had upheld the constitutional validity of 'Aadhaar' but limited the scope of the controversial biometric identity project, ruling it is not mandatory for bank accounts, mobile connections or school admissions. Holding there was nothing in the Aadhaar Act that violates right to privacy of an individual, the SC had cleared the use of Aadhaar (world's largest biometric ID programme) for welfare schemes. The court had held that Aadhaar will remain mandatory for filing of Income Tax (IT) returns and allotment of Permanent Account Number (PAN) but struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 that permitted private entities like telecom companies or other corporate to avail of the biometric Aadhaar data. Following this, the Cabinet last month approved amendments to Aadhaar Act, the Indian Telegraph Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The bill says that "every Aadhaar number holder to establish his identity, may voluntarily use his Aadhaar number in physical or electronic form by way of authentication or offline verification or in such other form as may be notified..." It also says offline verification can be performed only with the consent of Aadhaar number holder. PTI MBI ANZ MR Had a letter meant for former prime minister Indira Gandhi reached her hands, it could have resulted in a very different sequence of events, and declaration of Emergency may not have happened, reveals veteran jurist Shanti Bhushan. The former Union Law Minister, in his book My Second Innings, reveals that an undelivered letter, which carried a crucial piece of advice for Gandhi, had the potential of averting a situation that led to the Emergency. Bhushan, who had argued against Gandhi in the Allahabad High Court in the case for the setting aside of her election in 1975, writes that a wrong advice given to the former PM by her counsel S.C. Khare, who is the uncle of former Chief Justice of India V. N. Khare, led to the Emergency. The wrong counsel given by lawyer Khare, according to Bhushan, was that Gandhi should stand in the witness box. Khare had felt that if such a powerful prime minister decided to appear before a junior judge of the high court, he would be so overwhelmed by her presence that he would not have had the courage to decide the case against her. However, it was a case of misjudging Justice Sinha, who stood up to the pressure and set aside Gandhi's election, which ultimately led to the imposition of Emergency. Bhushan reveals that Gandhi's previous lawyer, the eminent advocate Kanhaiya Lal Misra, who had to step back because of failing health, had upon learning that she planned to appear in the witness box, written a letter to her asking her not to do so. He had sent the letter, on the morning of her court appearance, through his youngest son, but he was not allowed to meet her and the letter remained undelivered. He had written to her not to make the mistake of appearing in the witness box and that even at this eleventh hour she should make some excuse for not appearing, Bhushan writes. The veteran lawyer also writes about his tryst with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The decision to form the party was taken at his Noida residence, and he had provided the AAP with seed funding of Rs one crore. Bhushan, who along with his son, senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, had a bitter fallout with Kejriwal, resulting in their exit from the party, says he made a grievous mistake in judging the character of the AAP convenor. He notes that Kejriwal is intelligent and sharp, and most importantly, understands the public mind, and he had in the beginning felt that he was a selfless person devoted to good causes. He, however, writes, It has now become clear that although he has some qualities, he lacks integrity... In plain English Arvind Kejriwal betrayed all the core principles of AAP. Bhushan feels that Kejriwal made two colossal mistakes when he decided to contest against Narendra Modi from Varanasi. The first was that he resigned as chief minister of Delhi, and the second was to stick to Varanasi alone rather than going to other states also to campaign for at least a couple of days in each state. He says the impulsive decisions cost the party big time. Later, he came to my house and apologised for his mistake of resigning. He also reveals that in the Varanasi election, while Yogendra Yadav, who was also one of the founding members of AAP before he too parted ways, was clear that Kejriwal was losing by a couple of lakh votes to Modi. Kejriwal was somehow convinced that he was winning hands down. ...he, therefore, decided to visit Varanasi at the time of counting with the intention of celebrating his victory by a huge victory procession. My Second Innings by Shanti Bhushan Published by Rupa 208 pages; Rs 595 Even as the BJP continues to oppose entry of women in menstrual age to the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala, a legislator from the party has caused embarassment by opposing his party's stance. Udit Raj, the Lok Sabha MP from North-West Delhi, elected on BJP ticket, voiced his support for women entry into the famous shrine in Kerala. In my personal capacity & chairman of Parisangh I support the entry of women in ayyappa temple. How woman can be impure when man is born from her.God is omnipresent means he is out of temple too. In the eyes of constitution both genders are equal Dr. Udit Raj, MP (@Dr_Uditraj) January 2, 2019 "In my personal capacity and (as) chairman of Parisangh, I support the entry of women in Ayyappa temple. How woman can be impure when man is born from her? God is omnipresent means he is out of temple too. In the eyes of constitution both genders are equal," Udit Raj tweeted on Wednesday. READ: Sabarimala: Two women below 50 years of age enter temple? A UP-born legislator and former officer at the Indian Revenue Service, Raj had served as a deputy commissioner, joint commissioner and additional commissioner in the Income Tax department before becoming a politician. A dalit activist, Udit Raj is also the National Chairman of the All India Confederation of SC/ST organisations. His comments came on a day when the BJP has publicly called for protests against the Pinarayi Vijayan government of Kerala for facilitating the entry of two women into Sabarimala. Earlier in the day, the nation woke up to the news of two women who had defied public protests to complete their pilgrimage to Sabarimala in Kerala. The Kerala police ensured their safety and accompanied them to the holy shrine in the wee hours of Wednesday. Later in the day, the Lord Ayyappa temple was briefly shut for a one-hour cleansing ritual following the entry of the women. Women in the menstrual age group of 10 to 50 years were traditionally barred from visiting the Sabarimala temple. However, the Supreme Court had, on September 28, lifted the ban on entry of women in the barred age group. J&K Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh ruled out the possibility of a large scale presence of Islamic State in Kashmir. At a press conference in Srinagar, Singh said that the IS ideology was radicalising youth in Kashmir. He said that carrying IS flags and displaying them publicly were to promote the impression that there was a large presence of such elements in Kashmir. While we reiterate that the presence is not that significant, the fact remains that people are being radicalised on those lines, Singh said at a press conference in Srinagar. He said the civil society in Kashmir was very open and secular, and all places of worship were respected. Efforts [to radicalise] have been made from various quarters, and it can be seen in the kind of activities we saw the other day [at Jamia Masjid], the DGP said. On December 29, a few masked men had barged into Jamia Masjid, waved IS flags, and shouted slogan in its favour from the pulpit. The incident evoked a torrent of condemnation from separatists and political parties, dubbing the action as desecration. The incident happened after the Friday congregation prayers. At the time, the mosque was largely empty. Singh said in 2018 that the police and other forces carried out 97 anti-militancy operations, of which 83 resulted in no collateral damage. He said in some operations, lives [civilians] were lost. I once again appeal to the youth that life is very precious and it should not be lost like this, he said. Killings are very painful for the force. He will next be seen in The Big Bull The year 2018 saw the rise of some good content-driven, small budget films. Last year also witnessed audience welcoming actors and character roles beyond the Khans of Bollywood. This year, too, looks promising for Bollywood with a range of upcoming releases, both small budget and large-scale. While there are biopics and political dramas in the lineup, watch out for some great historical films, too. Here's a look at some of the most anticipated Bollywood films of 2019: Uri: The Surgical Strike (Release: Jan 11) Vicky Kaushal ruled hearts in 2018 with his performances in films like Raazi, Sanju and Manmarziyaan. This year he is set to woo audiences with his portrayal of an army officer in the film that is inspired from the surgical strikes on Pakistan in 2016 after the Uri base camp in Jammu was attacked. The film which also features Yami Gautam is directed by debutant Aditya Dhar. The Accidental Prime Minister (Release: Jan 11) Based on the book by the same name by Sanjaya Baru, adviser to former prime minister Manmohan Singh, the film chronicles Singh's political journey. With Anupam Kher essaying Manmohan Singh, the first look posters had garnered widespread attention due to Kher's uncanny resemblance to Singh. One of the highly anticipated releases of 2019, the political drama is expected to ruffle some feathers. Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (Release: January 25) This much-awaited historical drama will see Kangana Ranaut essaying Rani Laxmibhai of Jhnasi who takes on a fight against the British East India Company. The big-budget film has been creating controversies since its launch with a fringe outfit demanding a ban on the film. The film was back in the news again after actor Sonu Sood walked out of the film following disagreements with Kangana who had steeped into the director's shoes. Manikarnika also features Ankita Lokhande, Danny Denzongappa, Atul Kulkarni and Zeeshan Ayub among others. Super 30 (Release: January 25) In this biopic, Hrithik Roshan portrays Bihar-based mathematician and teacher Anand Kumar. Anand Kumar's Super 30 institute is famous for picking 30 meritorious students from economically backward families every year and training them for the IIT-JEE. Directed by Vikas Bahl who was caught in the recent #MeToo storm, Super 30 is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Films. Ek Ladki ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (Release: February 11) The film will see father-daughter duo Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor sharing screen space for the first time. The trailer sends the impression the film revolves around family, and same sex love. The subject makes it a much awaited film this year. Also featuring Juhi Chawla and Rajkummar Rao, the film is directed by Shelly Chopra. Gully Boy (Release: February 14) This musical drama directed by Zoya Akhtar features Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles. The film is inspired by the real life stories of Mumbai-based street rappers Vivian Fernandes aka Divine and Naved Shaikh aka Naezy, known for their song Mere Gully Mein. Kalank (Release: April 19) Produced by Karan Johar, this big budget epic drama is said to be one of Johar's dream projects. According to reports, the film which is set against partition and the independence struggle, was conceptualised by Johar and his father Yash Johar 15 years ago. Helmed by director Abhishek Varman, this could be one of the biggest releases this year. The ensemble cast with Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit, Sonakshi Sinha and Aditya Roy Kapur makes this another anticipated film. Timothy Seth Bryant Pennington was born on January 30, 1988 in Corbin, Ky. He departed this life on June 3, 2021 to be with his Lord and Savior, whom he accepted as a young boy at his church, West Corbin Baptist. Seth was assured of his salvation and knew where he would spend his eternity. S The Christmas season doesnt end until Epiphany/Twelfth Night. Each of the twelve days of Christmas has a special significance in the liturgical calendars of the Roman Catholic and Episcopal denominations. December 26 is the feast of St. Stephen, who is mentioned in the beginning of the Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas. Stephen, whose death by stoning is recounted in Acts 7: 57-60, is regarded as the first Christian martyr. December 27 is the feast of St. John the apostle. Im writing these words on December 28, which is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. This day commemorates King Herods murder of all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under (Matthew 2:16). Herod was attempting to murder Jesus, whom the Wise Men had told him was born to be the king of the Jews. Unsure which child was the young Jesus, Herod ordered his men to slay all Jewish children who would have been his age. He was unaware that Joseph, Mary and Jesus had been warned about Herods plan and fled to Egypt. Many contemporary American Christians insist that refugees are criminals and terrorists, who must be kept out of our nation by any means necessary. They have conveniently forgotten that their savior was once a refugee. Joseph, Mary and Jesus entered Egypt because they were fleeing persecution, not because they were seeking new territory for expanding their criminal enterprises. The death of children, while always a heartbreaking tragedy, is especially agonizing during the Christmas season. The festive decorations, family gatherings and Nativity scenes that celebrate the birth of an infant make the pain of losing a child even more horrendous. Felipe Gomez Alonzo, an 8-year-old Guatamalan migrant, died on Christmas Eve while in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. This boy, who had been detained with his father, was placed in an Alamogordo, New Mexico hospital after a Border Patrol agent noticed that he seemed to be ill. The hospital staff thought that he had a common cold and released him on Christmas Eve afternoon with prescriptions for amoxicillin and Ibuprofen. That evening, however, Felipe began vomiting and was readmitted to the hospital. He died just before midnight on Christmas Eve, when Christians worldwide celebrated the birth of the Christ child. An autopsy revealed that Felipe tested positive for Influenza B. Felipe is the second child this year to die while in U.S. custody. Jakelin Caal Maquin jumped up and down in excitement upon being told that she would be walking with her father to the United States from Guatemala. She and her family lived in a straw-thatched house with dirt floors. They scraped by on just $5 a day. Even at age seven, this girl realized that trekking to our nation would mean a much better life for her. Against all odds, Jakelin and her father completed the journey. This father and daughter were taken into custody. On December 7, Jakelins father told security officers that his daughter wasnt breathing. She was taken to Providence Childrens Hospital in El Paso, Texas. Her brain became swollen and her liver failed. Jakelin died of sepsis shock on December 8, which the Catholic Church celebrates as the Feast of the immaculate Conception. Jakelin and Felipe are the Holy Innocents of our day. Herod murdered children because he saw the Christ child as a threat. Too many Americans remain untroubled by the deaths of these refugee children because Trump has convinced them that asylum-seekers comprise a threat to our nation. As you take down your homes decorations, think of Jakelin and Felipe: two children who didnt live long enough to enjoy an American Christmas. 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. NEW ORLEANS (AP) Few experiences capture old New Orleans and the Mississippi River quite like a paddlewheel riverboat coming round the muddy bend with its tooting whistle horn, towering smoke stacks and water-churning propeller. This month the first new riverboat in more than a decade is set to launch in this Louisiana port city. A plunge in tourism after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 forced the New Orleans Steamboat Company to sell off one of its two boats, but the arrival of the City of New Orleans is a sign of the steadily rising tide of tourists each year to this Southern city of Mardi Gras fame. People come from all over the world. It is astonishing. They really want to see the river, said Adrienne Thomas, marketing director for the company, which also owns another riverboat, the Natchez. A century ago, countless paddlewheel riverboats plied the Mississippi and its tributaries. Today, New Orleans has two: the Natchez and the Creole Queen, which is operated by New Orleans Paddlewheels. Now the City of New Orleans is coming full circle, back to the state where it was built in 1991. For years it operated as a casino boat in Rock Island, Illinois, until the mid-1990s. But after that state legalized onshore casinos, the boat became obsolete, said Matthew Dow, project manager heading the vessels renovation. The then-named Casino Rock Island sat unused for years until it was purchased by the New Orleans Steamboat Company in 2016. We instantly fell in love with the boat, Dow said. We saw the potential in her and knew that we could do her justice and bring her back not only to her former glory but well beyond that. Dow said the vessel already looked the part of a New Orleans riverboat, with its curved decks, plentiful windows, decorative fleurs de lis and giant paddlewheel. Initially it was brought to a dry dock for hull repairs, then towed to New Orleans for a makeover. We had to rip all of the walls out, all the ceilings, a lot of the insulation, Dow said. Basically, we had to strip this boat down to the superstructure, to bare bones, and everything had to go back new. There were additions, too. A dumb waiter was added to connect the galley to all three decks for food transport, along with passenger elevators and handicapped-accessible restrooms. The Associated Press was given the first look at the new riverboat recently. Dow says the company is aiming to have the boat ready for tours by Jan. 21, when the Natchez goes into its annual service and maintenance layup. After that, both boats will operate simultaneously. The two riverboats look similar, both painted red and white with giant red paddlewheels and exterior deck space for close-up views by passengers of the giant propeller. But the new boat has more indoor space. The Natchez was built in the 1970s for sightseeing with a lot of open deck space, and its main deck is occupied mostly by the boats vintage 1925 steam engines, an attraction for passengers. The Natchez is one of only six commercially-operated steamboats left in the U.S. The new boat is run with a modern diesel-electric system. It takes up less room, allowing for more indoor space for dinner seating, jazz brunches and special events. Even though we dont have the steam engines, we do have the working paddlewheel, and we want to show that off, Dow said. As with the Natchez, cruises on the City of New Orleans will include narration about the city and shoreline sights such as the port, historic Jackson Square and the Chalmette battlefield, a significant Civil War landmark downriver. And there will be plenty of live band music as the boat plies the Mississippi. Cyndi Gruenberg of Houston, Texas, rode the Natchez with her husband and two daughters recently and said they learned much about the city. It was a great trip, a little bit of history along the river and just a fun ride, said Gruenberg. Its pretty cool. It brings nostalgia back. Tourism officials say they dont expect a shortage of passengers, as the number of visitors to New Orleans has surpassed pre-Katrina levels in recent years. Stephen Perry, head of New Orleans & Co., which promotes tourism, says the city is back in every way with increased hotel and restaurant bookings. Riding a paddlewheel is part of the New Orleans experience, he noted. This is one of the most eclectic, authentic places left in America, Perry said. People dont come here only for food and music. What they like is other experiences. A paddlewheeler is just one of the great added attractions of imagining yourself in a time gone by. ALTON Louis Finley was at work Monday, less than a week after a Christmas Day apartment fire displaced him and several other Alton residents. A fire late Dec. 25 left Finley without all of his belongings except the uniform on his back. When I saw the black smoke coming I just grabbed my work uniform and ran out, Finley said. Alton Fire officials told local media the cause of the fire was likely electrical. Eight people were able to escape the building, in the 2000 block of Brown Street, unharmed, save for one individual who was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. In the days following, the Alton community rallied to come to Finleys aid. A GoFundMe account was set up by family friend Kyndra Wehrle to help the friendly Alton Schnucks employee get back on his feet. Finley was originally skeptical about the potential impact of the fundraiser. She asked me if she could make me page and I told her, Dont bother, no one is going to give me money, Finley said. She called me not too long after it went up and told me, You arent going to believe this. The GoFundMe was put up at 8 p.m. on Saturday and by 4 p.m. the next day it was closed due to overwhelming support. The fundraising account raised $9,535, more than three times its $3,000 goal. One anonymous donor even gave $500. Finley says he is still shocked about the outpouring of love he has received. Others were less surprised. I saw Louis several times a week for over 30 years. He knew me, my kids, and their kids, wrote Nancy Landry on the GoFundMe page. When I went through the store, even when he was busy, he made eye contact, and gave a smile and a nod. I moved to Ohio and years later popped into the store. I got a hug, a smile and a Where have you been?! He is an Alton treasure and I hope the Schnucks family realizes what an ambassador he has been these many years. Coworker Lea Ann Rowan said Finley is a popular figure at the Homer Adams Parkway store. He hugs everyone he knows. Hes just great to customers here. People know him, Rowan said. We just heard a story about a woman whose daughter moved to California 20 years ago, and she called her mom up and said, Mom you have to donate to Louis. Thats just the effect he has on people. Kinley says that he plans to use to the funding to get find a new apartment as well as furnish it, due to the fact that he lost all of his belongings in the Christmas blaze. Reach reporter Riley Newton at (618) 208-6460. Adam McKay performed quite a trick in 2015. He made a funny, touching, and dramatically thrilling movie about the 2008 economic downturn and mortgage crisis called The Big Short. It was a highlight of that years entire slate, and Ive re-watched it a few times since and it remains a cautionary hoot. The ensemble cast featured a bunch of heavyweights that he clearly impressed in a big way (for the his new film several stars return; Will Ferrell and Brad Pitt produce). McKay went on to win the Oscar for his Best Original Screenplay, which usually comes with carte blanche to get your next picture green-lighted. That picture is called Vice and it opened the week of Christmas. Its subject matter is Richard Bruce Cheney, our nations 46th Vice President and, some say, its most ruthless/powerful/significant. As a biopic, Vice has the familiar flavor that covers a whole life. We meet Cheney (Christian Bale) as a hard-partying Yale flunkout, see his early days hanging telephone wire in his native Wyoming, and finally taking the pledge for the sake of his marriage to Lynne (Amy Adams). Shes his motivator and relentless taskmaster and stalwart backstop. Nothing, were led to believe, got Dick Cheney to the highest levels of government more than his wifes nagging ability to never accept less than the very best. To keep his life together and protect his family, Dick makes the leap into politics by becoming first an intern for Illinois Rep. Donald Rumsfeld (Steve Carell), riding Rummys coattails to an advisory position (and eventual Chief of Staff) in the White House during Nixons and Gerald Fords tenures. The Dixiecrat years led Dick to his own time in Congress before coming back to the fold as G.H.W. Bushs Secretary of Defense. Where the movie really focuses its meatiest parts of the story are, appropriately, during Cheneys days in the George W. Bush (Sam Rockwell) administration, where he flouted powers never previously allocated to the Veep. Scholars will debate the validity of the post-9/11 invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq for years to come. Suffice it to say, this movie paints them with a liberal brush. This stance isnt done so much to give an impression of right or wrong, but purely to show that Cheney accepted whatever mantle of power that he was able to squirrel away from whomever else had it. Rockwells W. is a milquetoast pushover, only trying to stand independently of his dads shadow (though not for lack of love as recent eulogies have highlighted). Bales Cheney is quiet and subtle, as befits the movies opening premise that he operated more or less like a ghost while making decisions that literally affected the entire world. Vice is wall-to-wall with great actors in really nicely matched roles. Tyler Perry portrays Colin Powell in a way that probably dredges up the worst days of his life for the former Secretary of State. Adams is definitely the loudest and most flashy of all the performers. Her Lynne is well-coiffed, but pushy and manipulative in a great Lady Macbeth kind of way. Carells Rumsfeld, for me, was the most interesting role. This might be because of my infatuation for Steves dramatic conversion. Like him, McKay has branched out from where his comedy roots launched him. Trademark flashes of that funnyman show through the darkness of this movie, making it all the more celebrated. Like The Big Short, Vice breaks the fourth wall. Its characters speak directly to the action on-screen. This is particularly creepy when Cheney does it right at the shows end. An Everyman narrator named Kurt (Jesse Plemmons) provides periodic asides to keep the story moving in a way that prevents the exposition from becoming drudgery. His ultimate role is rather unexpected (even if I did ultimately guess it). If you can still stomach another movie about politics, check this one out. As a sophomore effort, its safely designed by a talented filmmaker. Vice runs 132 minutes and is rated R for language and some violent images. I give this film three stars out of four. EAST CHICAGO, Ind. (AP) Heather Wesley, a steelworker who handles personnel scheduling at ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor No. 4 Steel Producing in East Chicago, has premonitions when the phone rings that its Jason Reyes. I have twin telepathy. I know when my kidney is about to call me, she said. Were kidney twins now. Hes the annoying brother Im stuck with for the rest of my life so we can drive each other crazy. On Dec. 27, 2017, Wesley donated her kidney to Reyes, a colleague and fellow United Steel Worker Local 1010 member she barely knew. The surgery was pushed back from Dec. 22 because he knew how much she loved to host Christmas with her family and didnt want her to be stuck in a hospital bed, not realizing Dec. 27 was her birthday. She agreed to reschedule but told him, Ill gladly give up one Christmas for you to have another lifetime of Christmases. A year after her lifesaving kidney donation, theyve gone from being passing acquaintances at work to a tight-knit family. And Reyes has been slowly recuperating and taken some big steps forward in his life despite a few early scares. Its definitely exciting to see another holiday, Reyes said. It puts perspective on things and reminds you of whats more important. Reyes has suffered from kidney disease for nearly a decade and was put on dialysis after a debilitating sickness befell him while visiting his family in California in 2017. His kidneys had failed. He began a three-day-a-week regimen of grueling dialysis treatments. Doctors warned him he likely would be hooked to a catheter for eight to 10 years before he could finally get a transplant. Wesley learned Reyes was sick when he called in to take a leave of absence from his job making slag pots in the steel foundry at the former Inland Steel mill. She volunteered to get tested to see if her kidney was a match, which he initially thought was a considerate gesture made in passing and nothing more. But Wesley was serious, having had a close friend with lupus who endured dialysis a year before dying, orphaning a child she was raising alone. She also thought of him as a generous person, knowing him mainly through his volunteerism as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children and to feed needy families across Northwest Indiana through The Peoples Turkey Drive he co-founded. I would do it again in a heartbeat, she said. It was a quick recovery that only took six weeks. Heres how I see it: its just a surgery that took me a few weeks to recover from. Its a lifetime for him. It means everything in the world to see him doing well, living life and not hooked up to those machines. It was a rough year, especially in the first few months. His body rejected the new kidney in February and again in June. Doctors at the University of Illinois in Chicago had to do biopsies both times to figure out what was going on and adjust his anti-rejection medications. Hes now taking a cocktail of three different drugs to trick his immune system into accepting the foreign object it wants to expel. Early on, intravenous infusions of anti-rejection drugs left his body feeling out of whack and his right arm swollen and bruised. It was scary because you dont know whats happening or why its happening, he said. I feared I might end up back on dialysis. I felt like I was walking on thin ice and didnt want to do anything to cause harm to the kidney. It was a nerve-wracking time for him and his family. When I was told my body was rejecting the kidney, it was definitely a sinking feeling, he said. The repeated surgeries were rough on his body and he has not yet been able to return to work at the steel mill. Hes been trying to eat healthily, get exercise and do everything he can to baby this kidney. The hardest part is trying to be normal and live a normal life, he said. As time goes on, it gets a little easier. Doctors have told him the first year is the most critical, when the body is most likely to reject a foreign organ. He will, however, have to remain on the anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life. But hes been given a second lease on life, enjoying more time with his son, volunteering at a horse ranch for autistic children in Michigan City and giving his longtime girlfriend Susan Jorden the something sparkly she had been asking for. We had been dating for a while, quite a while, he said. She definitely had a huge, huge role in physically and mentally taking care of me after the surgery. He waited until her family was in town to run the rose booth at the Western Days Festival in Griffith so she could celebrate with her sisters. He brought her a Pandora charm for her Pandora bracelet and told her, Its you and me forever. She chuckled it wasnt official until she had something sparkly, and then he surprised her with an engagement ring. They are now searching for a house and will then start to plan their wedding. Thats another thing I might not have been able to achieve in life if not for the transplant, he said. I wouldnt have all this without Heather doing what she did. I constantly think about how grateful I am. As news of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death rippled across the world, an assassination that the CIA concluded was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comedian Hasan Minhaj spent the majority of an episode of his Netflix talk show "Patriot Act" examining the United States' relationship to Saudi Arabia, and Mohammed's touted reputation as a reformer. "The only thing he's modernizing," Minhaj says in the episode, "is Saudi dictatorship." Now, the Financial Times first reported, that episode is no longer available to view on Netflix in Saudi Arabia. The streaming service pulled it after the country's Communications and Information Technology Commission said that the episode violated a law there banning "production, preparation, transmission, or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy, through the information network or computers." The episode had been available in Saudi Arabia for several weeks before the request. Article 6 of the country's anti-cybercrime law is punishable by up to five years in prison, and it has been used in the past to charge activists for organizing or sharing photos of protests online, and to crack down on satire. Netflix said in a statement to The Washington Post that it has a policy of complying with local laws, like many tech companies. "We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request," Netflix said. The episode is still available domestically on Netflix, and on YouTube. "It took the killing of a Washington Post journalist for everyone to go, 'Oh, I guess he's really not a reformer,' " Minhaj said of Mohammed. Khashoggi was a contributing columnist for The Post's opinion section. "Meanwhile, every Muslim person you know was like, 'Yeah.' " Minhaj added, using an expletive for emphasis. The majority of the monologue, first released in late 2018, argues that it's time to "reassess" the U.S.-Saudi relationship - one Minhaj likens to a "marriage of convenience." Minhaj also looks at Saudi funding of major tech companies. Saudi Arabia, through a huge donation to SoftBank and other funds, has invested billions of dollars in Silicon Valley companies. This isn't the first time this particular episode of "Patriot Act" has created news. A segment that highlighted a U.S. Central Command training manual that says Saudi people have "Negro blood" prompted an apology from Centcom in November and a promise to revise the manual. Editor: Michael Dell, CPA On Oct. 1, 2018, President Donald Trump announced a preliminary agreement with Canada to revise the terms of the existing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States, Mexico, and Canada (see "President Donald J. Trump Secures a Modern, Rebalanced Trade Agreement With Canada and Mexico," White House Fact Sheet (Oct. 1, 2018), available at www.whitehouse.gov. The proposed agreement with Canada follows seven rounds of NAFTA renegotiations among the three nations that took place over the course of 13 months and comes roughly 30 days after the United States and Mexico announced a similar "preliminary agreement in principle" to modernize the rules of NAFTA (see U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Fact Sheets, "Strengthening North American Trade in Agriculture," "Modernizing NAFTA Into a 21st Century Trade Agreement," and "Rebalancing Trade to Support Manufacturing" (Aug. 31, 2018), available at ustr.gov. The USTR subsequently published the full text of the proposed agreement on Oct. 1, 2018 (available at ustr.gov, which is named the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), and released details on how the USMCA will achieve stated objectives to modernize previous commitments made under NAFTA, including major changes to trade in agricultural products, automobiles and automotive parts, and textiles; increased thresholds for low-value (de minimis) shipments subject to informal entry procedures; enhanced data protection for biologic drugs; and other provisions as discussed below (see USTR, "United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Fact Sheets" (Oct. 1, 2018), available at ustr.gov. The proposed USMCA has 34 chapters, which exceeds the 22 chapters in NAFTA, and covers new areas such as labor, the environment, anti-corruption, and regulatory policy, among others. Notably, it also includes 11 annexes and 12 side letters. Four of those side letters specifically grant Canada and Mexico important concessions pertaining to the ongoing U.S. investigation into imported automobiles and automotive parts (see United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Text, U.S.-Canada 232 Side Letter, U.S.-Mexico 232 Side Letter, U.S.-Canada 232 Process Side Letter, and U.S.-Mexico 232 Process Side Letter). A similar agreement, however, was not reached on the punitive duties currently being imposed on imported Mexican and Canadian steel and aluminum. As discussed below, the preliminary agreement requires ratification by all three countries. Ratification is likely, and publication of the text provides businesses with a critical opportunity to now analyze the proposed text in advance, assess its impact on their operations, and evaluate necessary changes to business to take advantage of the new rules. Rules of origin (Chapter 4) The USMCA proposes major changes to the way automobiles and automotive parts qualify for preferential treatment. The USMCA raises the regional value content (RVC) threshold for automobiles from 62.5% to 75% (USMCA Chapter 4). RVC requirements vary based on the type of vehicle or parts under consideration. For example, while light vehicles would require 75% RVC, heavy vehicles would require 70%. The RVC for auto parts, on the other hand, would range from 65%-75% depending on whether these are considered "core," "principal," or "complementary." While tariff shift rules (where applicable) remain in the proposed USMCA, the tracing list is eliminated. (For origin qualification purposes, the tracing provision allows certain components to be deemed originating, notwithstanding their country of origin.) The USMCA also adds a new labor value content rule requiring that 40%-45% of auto content be produced by workers earning at least $16 per hour. The specific calculation of the labor value content considers manufacturing costs, technology, and assembly expenditures. Lastly, finished vehicle producers will be required to purchase 70% North American steel and aluminum. Seventy percent of an original equipment manufacturer's annual purchases of aluminum and steel would have to be from the United States, Mexico, or Canada. The USMCA also includes stricter rules of origin for other industrial products such as chemicals, steel-intensive products, glass, and optical fiber. For textiles and apparel, the USMCA limits rules in NAFTA that permitted the use of certain non-NAFTA inputs. For a textile or apparel finished product to qualify for preferential treatment, the USMCA requires that certain inputs incorporated into the finished product, such as sewing thread, pocketing fabric, narrow elastic bands, and coated fabric, also be made in the same region as the finished product. For example, if a finished blouse is manufactured in Mexico, these inputs must originate in Canada, Mexico, and/or the United States. Trade in agriculture: Market access (Chapter 3) Under the proposed USMCA, Canada has agreed to provide limited market access to U.S. exports of dairy, poultry (turkey and chicken), and eggs. Likewise, the United States has agreed to provide limited market access to Canada exports of dairy products, peanuts and peanut products, and sugar and sugar products. New tariff rate quotas will be introduced by both nations to facilitate these concessions. Canada also agreed to eliminate milk price classes 6 and 7 and adopt measures to limit the impact of its surplus skim milk production on external markets such as the introduction of export surcharges. Other significant provisions The USMCA includes the following key provisions: Establishes procedures that streamline certification and verification of rules of origin. A certification of origin is now allowed to be made by the exporter, producer, or importer of the goods. Maintains duty-free treatment for originating goods, prohibition of export duties and other charges, and waiver of customs processing fees. Adds transparency to import and export licensing procedures. Increases de minimis shipment values for Canada and Mexico (Chapter 7): Mexico will provide duty-free entry for shipments valued at or below $100, while maintaining duty-free and tax-free treatment for shipments at or below $50. Shipments at or below $100 will be subject to minimal formal entry procedures. Canada will provide duty-free entry for shipments up to CAD 150 and raise its de minimis level from CAD 20 to CAD 40 for shipments eligible for nontaxable importation under federal taxation regimes (e.g., imported free of import goods-and-services tax). However, provincial taxes, which may apply in the case of business-to-consumer import transactions, are not covered by the negotiated outcomes. Shipments at or below CAD 150 will be subject to minimal formal entry procedures, assuming they otherwise qualify for informal line clearance options. shipment values for Canada and Mexico (Chapter 7): Incorporates NAFTA's Article 303 restrictions on duty deferral and duty drawback into Chapter 2 of the USMCA. Includes in Chapter 20, 10 years of data protection for biologic drugs and a robust scope of products eligible for protection. Incorporates NAFTA Chapter 19's dispute settlement provisions into the USMCA. Section 232 relief for Mexico and Canada: Two side letters provide Mexico and Canada with relief in the event that the United States imposes punitive tariffs on imports of automobiles and automotive parts under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, P.L. 87-794. Exclusion from Section 232 duties for the first 2.6 million passenger vehicles imported from Canada and for the first 2.6 million passenger vehicles imported from Mexico. Exclusion from Section 232 duties for light trucks imported from Canada and Mexico. Exclusion from Section 232 duties for the first $32 billion worth of auto parts imported from Canada and the first $108 billion worth of parts imported from Mexico. Two side letters establish a mandatory consultation process in the event that the United States imposes Section 232 measures: The United States must provide a 60-day grace period from the date of imposition of any Section 232 duties before they take effect, to allow for consultations. Mexico and Canada have the right to take measures of equivalent commercial effect, including World Trade Organization rights to challenge a Section 232 measure. Importantly, nothing in the USMCA addresses the existing punitive tariffs imposed by the United States under Sec. 232 on Canada- and Mexico-origin steel and aluminum products. Cultural institution exemptions Cultural institution exemptions currently in NAFTA are preserved in the USMCA. Entry into force, expiration, renewal, and withdrawal Entry into force, expiration, renewal, and withdrawal are described in Chapter 34: The agreement will enter into force on the first day of the third month following the notification of the last country to complete its domestic processes required for implementation of the agreement. The agreement will automatically terminate after 16 years of entry into force unless each country agrees to extend it for another 16 years. The agreement will be reviewed by the countries every six years to determine whether changes are needed. Countries may withdraw from the agreement with a six-month written notice. In the event that one country withdraws, the agreement remains in effect for the other countries. What to expect next? Once signed by the presidents of the United States and Mexico and the prime minister of Canada, the USMCA must be subsequently ratified by those countries' legislatures before it enters into force. In the United States, under Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, the president must provide Congress with 90 days' notice before signing a trade agreement and provide the legal text of the agreement 60 days before signing. Trump provided Congress with the requisite notice on Sept. 1, 2018, and the release of the text meets the second requirement. While the president is authorized to negotiate trade agreements, only Congress has the authority to implement them. Prior to a vote in Congress, the TPA legislation requires a series of actions, including an assessment of the agreement by the International Trade Commission, a description of the legal changes that would be required to comply with the provisions of the agreement, and submission of the final text of the agreement to Congress. Accordingly, once the president signs the agreement, an implementing bill must be submitted for congressional approval. Once the implementing bill is introduced, Congress has a maximum of 90 days in session in which to enact it. Under TPA rules, the bill is subject to a simple yes or no majority vote, which means that amendments are not allowed to the agreement's text. Until Congress passes implementing legislation for the USMCA, NAFTA will remain in effect. Final congressional action was expected before the end of 2018. A similar process is required under the laws of Mexico and Canada. In Mexico, the USMCA must be submitted to the Senate and for revision by the Foreign Relations Ordinary Commission to be considered and ratified. A two-thirds majority of the Mexican Senate must vote in favor of the agreement to ratify it. Notice of an agreement to terms between the United States and Mexico was provided on Aug. 27, 2018, which is significant, because it gave Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's administration enough time to sign the USMCA, which was a priority of his administration, before he was to leave office on Dec. 1, 2018. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico's president-elect, supported the revised agreement but said he might seek to renegotiate its terms if it was not signed before he took office. Pena Nieto, along with Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, signed the agreement on Nov. 30, 2018. In Canada, after being introduced in the form of an implementing bill by the government, the USMCA must first be put to a vote in the House of Commons and Senate after a full review by Parliament pursuant to parliamentary subcommittees' reports and debate. This process will likely take several months. Supplemental legislation would then need to be drafted and passed where required, although much of this would already exist under the NAFTA or CUSFTA (Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement) legislation. Once the agreement is signed by the leaders of all three nations and then ratified by the respective legislatures, the USMCA will enter into force no sooner than three months from the date of the last country's notice. The ratification process was therefore likely to continue into 2019 before becoming effective. Actions for businesses With publication of the text of the new USMCA, businesses can begin to model the impact of the proposed changes on their operations. For those in the automotive, textile, and other industries, changes announced to the existing rules of origin will make qualification for benefits under the agreement more difficult. On the other hand, e-commerce retailers and consumers and intellectual property rights holders such as drug manufacturers, among others, likely stand to benefit under the terms of the preliminary agreement. Based on the above, companies should further evaluate their current NAFTA footprint to quantify benefits presently recognized under the existing agreement and assess qualification benefits anticipated under the USMCA. By leveraging their customs data, companies can determine whether they are adversely impacted by the proposed changes. Specifically, companies should understand how their products satisfy existing RVC requirements and then explore potential changes or alternatives to sourcing that may be required to preserve originating status under the terms of the proposed USMCA. Also, products subject to an increase of RVC, changes to the applicability of qualification by tariff shift, and, for the auto industry, the elimination of the tracing requirement all merit a closer look at origin qualification options and special methodologies. For example, use of the self-produced (intermediate) materials rules to aid NAFTA qualification has been effective in industries that have been subject to similar rules under NAFTA. The following key actions should be considered: Assemble relevant data from Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Identify the company's most significant products manufactured in North America, considering: Customs data to determine categories, amounts, and highest duty savings. Sales data to determine highest volumes, values, and sales forecasts. Products that do not currently qualify. Bills of material (e.g., product-specific data necessary for determining eligibility for trade benefits). Identify applicable rules of origin (set forth in NAFTA Annex 401), how the existing rule is currently met, and how it will change under the proposed USMCA (USMCA Chapter 4). Model the impact of proposed changes (per product) and explore solutions: Would your company need to replace nonoriginating components to comply with a stricter tariff shift rule or an increased RVC requirement? How close are you to reaching the current RVC rule? Would you need to use a special provision, such as the self-produced (intermediate) materials rule, to assist in meeting qualification requirements? Be prepared for increased enforcement such as free trade agreement audits by local customs authorities. Review your company's import transactions into Canada to reevaluate taxable importation status with respect to both federal and provincial regimes and to further determine any contingent requirements with respect to registration of your business in Canada, including any obsolescence of currently held registrations under the new de minimis value rules. value rules. Continue to monitor the impact of the Section 232 U.S. tariffs and Canadian and Mexican retaliatory tariffs and surtaxes and take advantage of drawbacks or remissions of such tariffs or surtaxes where applicable. EditorNotes Michael Dell is a partner at Ernst & Young LLP in Washington. For additional information about these items, contact Mr. Dell at 202-327-8788 or michael.dell@ey.com. Unless otherwise noted, contributors are members of or associated with Ernst & Young LLP. Ernst & Young previously published versions of these items as Tax Alerts. VANCOUVER Australias statement of concern issued Sunday over the detention of two Canadians in China points to growing global anxiety over Beijings seeming willingness to detain foreign nationals as a political tactic, experts say. Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Paynes first official comments on the issue followed an open letter signed by dozens of Australian scholars and analysts requesting Canberras support in Canadian-led calls for the release of the detainees. The Australian government is concerned about the recent detention of two Canadian citizens in China, Payne said in the statement carried by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The Australian government has conveyed this position to Chinese counterparts and we have been in regular contact with Canadian officials. Ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig and entrepreneur Michael Spavor were detained in China following the arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver. The detentions of the two Canadians have been widely condemned as political retaliation by China. According to Brock University associate professor of political science Charles Burton, the broad lobbying from prominent Australian academics partly reflects fear that Australians in China could face the same fate as the Canadian detainees. Read more: Chinas detention of Canadians part of bid to challenge Western democratic norms, experts say The forgotten Canadians detained in China China levels national security accusations against two detained Canadians The implication is Australia could indeed face a similar circumstance in time ahead, Burton said in an interview. So aside from the overall humanitarian concern and desire to promote democratic values worldwide, theres a self-interested element in this. However, Minister Payne stopped short of explicitly calling for the release of the two Canadians. Australias former foreign minister, Gareth Evans, countered with a statement on New Years Day calling on the Canberra government to step up its protest to Beijing. The Canadian arrests are deeply troubling, and its time for the Australian government to join those others in the international community saying so loudly and clearly. In the case of Michael Kovrig, whom I know personally, I am totally confident that it is only about retaliation against Canada for the Meng case and in reality has nothing to do with his or Crisis Groups foreign policy analysis and advocacy activities in China, Evans said. Evans had served as chief executive of the International Crisis Group think tank. Kovrig acts as its senior adviser for North-East Asia. Australia in many ways bears striking similarities to Canada, said Howard W. French, former China correspondent for the New York Times and author of Everything Under the Heavens: How the Past Helps Shape Chinas Push for Global Power. Despite being colossal in size, both countries have only moderate populations and power on the international stage. Both have a long history of migration and cultural exchange with China. And it turns out that theyre incredibly well-endowed with natural resources, French said in an interview. Precisely the kinds of resources China needs. Chinas apparent willingness to detain Canadians for political gain despite such deep-seated cultural and economic ties represents a troubling paradigm for Australians. With unequivocal remarks emerging from non-governmental corners and even some official voices, such as the United Kingdoms foreign secretary the question remains: Why have the heads of more Canadian-allied nations not issued explicit condemnations of the detentions or called for the detainees release? According to Danielle Cave, deputy head of the International Cyber Policy Centre at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, this is partly because little international consensus exists regarding the potential peril represented by Chinas rise. It had been difficult in the past for China scholars to agree on much but its telling that they have come together to advocate on this issue, she told StarMetro. And, as with other democratic nations, the gap between Australian and Chinese societal values, strategic interests and commitment to a rules-based international order continues to widen. And this deep complexity hasnt yet been adequately publicly discussed by both the government and in the media, Cave said. But in recent years and months, Australia has begun to make moves that suggest a recalculation of its priorities around domestic and foreign policy. While Australia has long welcomed trade with Beijing as well as both Chinese investors and immigrants, the island nation has become increasingly wary of the influence of its heavyweight economic associate in recent years. In June 2018, Australia passed far-reaching national-security legislation designed to ban foreign interference in politics. The overhaul added 38 new crimes to Australian law, including theft of trade secrets on behalf of foreign states and engaging in covert activity at the behest of a foreign power aimed at influencing the Australian political process. The legislation aligned closely with the vision of members of the Australian security apparatus but was decried by civil-rights activists who protested its overreach and pointed to the possibility of its exploitation by Australian officials who might wish to clamp down on domestic dissent. After extensive redrafting, the new laws enjoyed bipartisan support from Australian parliament, suggesting heightened vigilance has become a permanent feature of Australias stance toward Beijing and other foreign powers. Kevin Carrico, senior lecturer of Chinese Studies at Monash University and one of the signatories of the open letter to the Australian government, said the issue goes beyond the idea of medium-sized powers like Canada and Australia standing against Chinas actions. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The issues at hand are far more fundamental than that. Any country that cares about basic human rights and rule of law should be outraged by these detentions. This is the type of thing Pyongyang does, not a rising power portraying itself as the standard bearer of globalization, Carrico told StarMetro. Burton, of Brock University, said the degree to which a countrys economy is tied to trade with Beijing cannot help but have a profound effect on its readiness to castigate the ascendant superpower for guerrilla diplomacy or human-rights abuses. In Canada, for instance, the current furor over whether Huaweis involvement in building 5G infrastructure represents a surveillance opportunity for the Chinese security apparatus can only be seen through the lens of the billions of dollars it would cost companies like Bell or Telus to switch partners and make their installations compatible with another firm like Ericsson, Burton said. The question is always, in doing business with China, to what extent do we have to compromise our Canadian values, our commitment to the rule of law (and) democracy ... to satisfy the Chinese governments demands (and) to get the benefits of Chinas economic rise, he said. Andrew Chubb, a fellow at the Columbia-Harvard China and the World Program and a signatory to the open letter to the Australian government, said Australias case is further complicated by the way Chinas current trade conflict with the United States could benefit its own prospects with Beijing. Australia is essentially not all-in on Donald Trumps trade war, Chubb said in an interview. And in fact, theres a sort of a structural ballast that mitigates against that possibility, which is that the worse the trade war gets between the U.S. and China, the more incentive China has to want to maintain its trade relationship with Australia and other countries. At the heart of it all, however, are the lives of average people who are being used as political tools, and that reality is unlikely to change anytime soon, said Pamela Kilpadi, director of the Boston, Mass.-based global policy research firm International Policy Fellowships Network. Theres a trend, in some countries around the world, to target specifically individuals who are working journalists or working for ... magazines or non-governmental organizations, Kilpadi said in an interview. Lower-level diplomats and civil servants make especially useful pawns with which to extract political ends, she said. Trumped-up charges are easily levelled against such individuals due to their wide-ranging contact with all sectors, and their detentions arent complicated by the fury that might attend the arrest of a higher-profile politician or military leader. Drawing from her own past experience as a family representative for an individual imprisoned in Iran, Kilpadi said the breakdown of relations between two countries at the level of leadership because of an overarching economic dispute, for instance means the detention of foreign nationals can be seen as a way to open up a kind of backhanded diplomacy. So sometimes it almost seems like (people like Kovrig) are targeted because of their potential to open up back-channels of communication, she said. The most recent detentions, however, might be a game-changer, according to Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University College of Asia and the Pacific. As recently as six months ago, he said, the Australian expert community of scholars, academics and think-tankers who study China and the rest of Asia was divided into two camps: those who prioritized security and took a hard-line on China and those who tended to advocate for diplomacy and engagement. But that divide has broken down, he said. The open letter to the Australian government protesting the detentions to which Medcalf himself was a signatory was co-signed largely by members of the so-called engagement camp. I think the key point is that there are many people who can identify with (Kovrig) and can look at this situation and realize it could just as easily have been them in his shoes. There are thousands of international professionals and businesspeople whove made their careers engaging with China, just as Kovrig and Spavor have done. This worrying development will be enough to give any of those people reason to think twice before pursuing further engagement with China, he said. In theory, any one of them could be subject to similar arbitrary punishment in some future situation if their own country found itself having differences with China, he said. Sooner or later, I think, every democracy is going to find it has its own differences with China. Read more about: OTTAWACanadas military is aware of some 30 personnel known to be part of hate groups or who hold discriminatory views, the Star has learned. Gen. Jonathan Vance, the chief of defence staff, said the number of people who harbour such beliefs is likely higher but insists it is still a fraction of the 95,000 personnel in uniform. The numbers are very small. We do investigate and track. We have a fairly good system to do that, Vance told the Star in a year-end interview. Faced with questions about potential right-wing extremists in its ranks, the military police criminal intelligence section did an assessment last fall to better understand the scale of the problem. That review found that between 2013 and 2018, about 55 members of the military were part of hate groups or had made statements and taken actions that could be viewed as discriminatory. That would cover a range of activities, from an inappropriate comment in a barracks to espousing views on social media or in a chat room. Read more: Rise of right-wing extremists presents new challenge for Canadian law enforcement agencies CSIS sees significant jump in far-right activity online Right-wing extremism not welcome in Canadian Armed Forces but clearly, its in here, says top soldier Thirty are still in the military. Vance said that estimate is probably low but adds, thats what we can see. If one keeps it completely secret and it doesnt have an impact on your workplace ... were not going to detect it, he said. But there are many who, outside of working hours, they get themselves on social media and they can be found out that way, he said. On average we detect about five instances a year where somebody expresses an opinion or does an act that would, on a range of extremist behaviour, trip our ethics wire, Vance said. Vance first spoke with the Star on the issue in October, when he acknowledged that while people with such views arent welcome in the Armed Forces, some still get past pre-recruitment screening and are able to enlist. In recent years, several high-profile incidents of military personnel associated with far-right groups have forced the Canadian Armed Forces to confront the problem. In the most prominent of the cases, five Canadian Forces members each of them members of the Proud Boys movement who proclaim their Western chauvinism disrupted an Indigenous protest in Halifax. A navy commander is apologizing to Indigenous people after video emerged showing Canadian Forces members disrupting a Mikmaq ceremony in Halifax. Rear Admiral John Newton says the navy is taking the Canada Day incident very seriously. (The Canadian Press) An investigation last year by Radio-Canada found about 75 Armed Forces members were part of a private Facebook group associated with anti-immigration and anti-Islam views. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... But Vance again stressed that good militaries arent racist. Once detected, the Armed Forces is faced with the question of what action it should take against personnel found to have acted inappropriately. Vance admits that many advocate a heavy-handed approach to drum offenders out of uniform. You have to remember that we are also an employer that follows due process. So opportunities for rehabilitation are important. We also have all sorts of administrative measures from counselling to probation that are intended to allow some to recover, he said. The Queens Regulations and Orders sets out expectations for those in uniform. In the section on personal conduct, it makes clear that officers and non-commissioned members are barred from saying or doing anything in public that might reflect discredit on the Canadian Forces or on any of its members. Vance was careful to make the distinction around any acts that could be considered criminal. If its criminal, we would take action instantly. But he said education has proven effective in countering such views and that some of those already identified have been counselled. I think sometimes people just dont know what is really crossing the line, he said. Vance stressed that the small number doesnt diminish his concern for the problem and its potential impact on the military. Its a huge concern for us for a variety of reasons but the reputation of the Armed Forces as a symbol of what the country stands for is important. This country doesnt stand for that extremist view. We dont, Vance said. He said extremist views are corrosive and undermine the militarys warrior ethos that is designed to ensure cohesiveness and morale in combat. Were warriors. Were designed to work in teams where everyone around you you can trust. Thats a warrior ethos that I hold dearly and most people in Armed Forces do, he said. We have to reinforce that. Its a very, very powerful thing, he said. Still, Vance said the issue has sparked discussions in defence headquarters about more robust training for new recruits to better instill values that will help stamp out not only what he called dangerous extremist views but sexual misconduct and harassment, another problem the military has been grappling with. We do it now. We may need to add some more to our training, Vance said. As we bring in people to the Armed Forces, Im actively considering right now for the future perhaps a more robust beginning period, that before we teach you the military arts and virtues, we need to have a period of baseline acceptable behaviour, not just from the perspective of the Armed Forces, but just acceptable behaviour, he said. China under President Xi Jinping is turning into an international bully. Canada has felt its sting, with the arbitrary detention of two Canadians in the Huawei extradition case. Now, much more ominously, democratic Taiwan faces a new threat of military force from Beijing. By one generous interpretation, there wasnt much new in Xis message to Taiwan on Wednesday. China has always insisted Taiwan is an integral part of the country, that it opposes any moves toward independence, and it wont rule out using armed force to achieve eventual unification. But emphasis and tone are everything in this decades-old dispute, and Xis decision to issue such a blunt, public warning speaks volumes. He is the voice of a new, more assertive and increasingly authoritarian China that is flexing its muscles all over the world, including further isolating Taiwan. There were once hopes that China and Taiwan might grow together, as trade between the two flourished and China gradually liberalized to the point that Taiwanese might trust that their freedoms would be respected in a unified country. Thats pretty much dead now. Taiwan, with its 23 million people, has grown into a vibrant democracy since it liberalized in the 1990s, but China has taken another path. Under Xis rule, in particular, it has clamped down on all kinds of political dissent and reaffirmed its determination to maintain a one-party system. That, of course, makes it a lot less likely that Taiwanese people will support any kind of unification in the foreseeable future. And when China insists on the formula of one country, two systems, they can see how that has worked out in Hong Kong, where Beijing has steadily stifled democracy. If China seriously wants to promote unification, it should stop the bullying. And it should stop threatening force to solve a political and diplomatic issue. Read more about: In late December I stepped off of the plane to come home to Thunder Bay. As I was waiting for my bags I couldnt help but overhear other passengers and their loved ones chatter about news in the city. I think that girl deserved it, one woman said about the young girl who was seen on video being hit by a police officer while restrained to a gurney. Did you hear it was another native that killed that kid? So much for racism hey? another man said about the death of Braiden Jacob. All before I could get out the airport door. These days, its hard to miss some sort of headline about Thunder Bay. The attention seemed to start when Tanya Talaga released her bestselling book Seven Fallen Feathers about the city and the stories of seven Indigenous high school students who suffered tragic deaths from 2000-2011. Seven deaths which, with the passing of 17-year-old Braiden Jacob, have now increased to 10. In October, Ryan McMahon and the CANADALAND team released their hit podcast series called Thunder Bay; bringing the citys corruption, racism, and colonial violence to listeners everywhere. Read more: Watchdog to release long-awaited report on police investigations of Indigenous deaths in Thunder Bay Opinion | Max Fineday; All Canadians must work toward reconciliation Opinion | Star Editorial Board; Tanya Talagas Massey Lectures are an urgent call to save lives More recently, the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) released a scathing report of the Thunder Bay Police Service, and Senator Murray Sinclair released a second report citing systemic discrimination in the citys policing system. This is just a glimpse of what is coming out of this city. All of this news and attention feels bittersweet. Sweet, because finally all of the silenced realities Indigenous communities have long known and lived with, the racism, death, and corruption, have been validated. Bitter, however, because the attention has arguably resulted in further emboldened violence in the everyday lives of Indigenous people. Indigenous groups in the city, like the Bear Clan Patrol, have been responding to calls from community-members non-stop who need their support, holding community walks, and covering white-supremacist and anti-Indigenous messages that have been spray painted around the city. The problem is especially pervasive online. Hidden behind their screens, hordes of Canadians have taken to Facebook and Twitter to defend the police and the mayor while also subjecting the Indigenous population to endless hate. Strangers make violent assumptions or pose egregiously racist questions under the guise of ignorance or curiosity: wondering what young Braiden Jacob was doing in the park ... I suspect it had something to do with obtaining drugs or alcohol, writes one Twitter user. There is no space to grieve, no pause to mourn Canadian society and the city of Thunder Bay wont let us. TOP STORIES. IN YOUR INBOX: For the days top news from the Stars award-winning journalists, sign up for our daily headlines newsletter. Its easy to count visibility as a win, and in some ways it is, but we must all try to remember that with visibility comes vulnerability, and in this city, and indeed, all of Canada, its the Indigenous people who are already the most vulnerable. The thing about Thunder Bay is that it doesnt matter how many facts you present it with, how many reports are prepared, or how many Indigenous kids wind up dead the city, in many ways, cannot be reasoned with; it must be forced to change. Until the city can admit the truth, and tangible progress starts to be made, things will continue to be hard, if not harder for the Indigenous community in Thunder Bay. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... So be outraged that the mayor thinks Thunder Bay has a reputation problem rather than a racism problem, be infuriated by the headlines and the news that never seem to be good, be happy that with any luck, positive changes will be seen in the police service, but more than anything look beyond the stories and remember the actual Indigenous people who live in Thunder Bay and cities like it all across Canada, every day. Even when its not fresh news anymore, and youre finished listening to CANADALAND or reading Seven Fallen Feathers, Indigenous people will still be here and they will still need your solidarity. Demand answers, demand justice, and send love to the Indigenous community in Thunder Bay, Braiden Jacobs family, and to Webequie First Nation. TIJUANA, MEXICO Just after people raised their glasses to ring in the New Year, about 150 migrants gathered at a section of border wall in Tijuana to try to cross into the United States, many of them asylum seekers fed up with the long wait to have their claims processed. On the other side, U.S. Border Patrol agents wearing camouflage and night-vision goggles and carrying assault-style rifles yelled, Dont jump. Its dangerous. Get back! in Spanish. American activists accompanying the migrants shouted at agents in English not to fire tear gas because children were present. Several migrants tried to climb the metal wall, prompting agents to fire the first volley of tear gas. When migrants approached the wall again, authorities fired a second round and then a third. The migrants fled, screaming, crying and coughing. One mother was hysterical after briefly losing her children in the thick smoke and darkness. The children were crying, said Jose Fajardo Anariba, 16, from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. They couldnt tolerate it. Tuesdays confrontation was at least the second time in a little over a month that U.S. authorities have fired tear gas into Tijuana. The action drew sharp criticism from politicians and activists on both sides of the border and raised questions about the use of force against migrants. Read more: Lawmakers to hear wall plea at White House Mitt Romney says Trump has not risen to the mantle of the office Human feces, trash piling up in U.S. national parks as shutdown rolls on Instead of offering the asylum seekers protection, border agents are firing tear gas at vulnerable families with children, Andrea Guerrero, head of the advocacy group, Alliance San Diego, said in a statement. At a Cabinet meeting Wednesday at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said the clash showed that people tried to charge the border and couldnt. With a complete wall, no one could enter unless that person was a champion pole vaulter. He described the border as being like a sieve and noted that the tear gas was flying to deter the migrants and added that its very tough to keep immigrants out. Trump was making his case for $5.6 billion from Congress for a wall at the border and vowing that the partial government shutdown now in its 12th day will last as long as it takes to get the money. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said tear gas, pepper spray and smoke were used to target rock throwers, not the migrants who were trying to cross. The agency said it could not help small children who were being passed over the concertina wire from getting hurt because of the rocks being thrown. Several teenagers, wrapped in heavy jackets, blankets and rubber mats, were also put over the concertina wire. An Associated Press photographer saw rocks thrown only after U.S. agents fired the tear gas. Customs and Border Protection said the incident would be reviewed to ensure compliance with the agencys use-of-force policy. The agency said 25 migrants were detained while others crawled back into Mexico through a hole under the fence. An AP photographer saw migrants put their hands up or behind their heads once they crossed the border as agents approached. Anariba said he would try to climb the border wall again. His mother was killed in Honduras, and he has nothing in his homeland, he said. Since a caravan of Central Americans arrived in Tijuana last month after walking, hitchhiking and taking buses across Mexico, daily apprehensions in the San Diego sector have jumped about 45 per cent. Agents are now detaining about 150 migrants a day, compared with about 105 daily in 2018, authorities said. Many of the migrants are waiting in Tijuana for a chance to apply for asylum in the U.S., but there was a backlog of more than 3,000 names at the San Diego crossing before the caravans arrival. A few have found jobs in Mexico and tried to settle there. But thousands are still camped in a concert hall in Tijuana, growing increasingly frustrated at the long wait to apply for asylum. On Nov. 26, U.S. agents launched tear gas across the border after some migrants tried to breach the border following a peaceful march in Tijuana. The march was to demand U.S. authorities accelerate the asylum process. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... U.S. officials are processing fewer than 100 claims a day at the San Diego crossing, the nations busiest. Use of force by Customs and Border Protection has declined from a high during the 2013 budget year, when firearms were used 45 times compared with 14 times during the first 11 months of 2018, government statistics show. Since then officers have been trained to use less lethal methods such as batons, pepper spray and tear gas. The data includes Border Patrol agents who patrol between the ports of entry and officers who police border crossings. The latest figures, which do not include this months incidents, also show a dramatic drop in the use of less-lethal methods compared with 2013. Read more about: NAIROBI, KENYASomalias government has ordered the United Nations envoy to the country to leave, amid questions over the arrest of the al-Shabab extremist groups former deputy leader who had run for a regional presidency. A foreign ministry statement late Tuesday accuses Nicholas Haysom of diplomatic overreach that violated the Horn of Africa nations sovereignty, declaring him persona non grata. He arrived as envoy a few months ago. Haysom had questioned the legal basis used in the arrest last month of Mukhtar Robow, a former al-Shabab spokesman who defected from the group in 2017, and whether U.N.-funded regional police in the Southwest were involved. Ethiopian troops who are part of the African Union force in Somalia and Somali police arrested Robow days before the regional election in which Robow had been a leading candidate. Deadly protests followed. Ethiopia has not commented. Robow was flown to Somalias capital, Mogadishu, and has been held in a prison run by Somalias intelligence agency. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the U.N. was looking into the matter before determining what steps to take. Haysom, who was outside Somalia, did not respond to a request for comment. Instead, he and the spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general late Tuesday issued statements strongly condemning a mortar attack that hit the main U.N. compound in Mogadishu earlier in the day. Seven mortars landed inside the compound, leaving two U.N. staffers and a contractor with non-life-threatening injuries, Haysoms statement said. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility. Robows arrest has been seen as a high-profile test of Somalias treatment of defectors from the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, Africas most active extremist group. Somalias government welcomed his defection but not his popular candidacy to lead Southwest state, which took some officials by surprise. In confirming Robows arrest, Somalias security ministry cited the federal governments ban on his candidacy, which said he had not completed the defection process. The ministry also alleged that Robow had failed to renounce extremist ideology, and accused him of mobilizing armed forces. A joint statement by the United States, more than a dozen countries, the AU mission and the United Nations expressed concern after the arrest and protests. Haysoms letter to Somali authorities, seen by The Associated Press, questioned the legal framework of Somalias defection process and asked how Somali authorities were able to detain Robow beyond the normal 48 hours. The letter also questions the circumstances around civilian deaths during the protests and urges that they be thoroughly and promptly investigated. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Read more about: WASHINGTONA 20-year-old U.S. Marine from Minnesota was killed in a shooting at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., his mother said Wednesday. Markelle Kuznia told The Associated Press that the military notified her late Tuesday that her son, Riley Kuznia, died early that morning. Kuznia said the military has not provided her with details of her sons death. The U.S. Marine Corps said in a statement that the shooting was under investigation and that there was no danger to local residents as the event transpired within the grounds of Marine Barracks 8th and I. Marine Corps spokesperson Chief Gunnery Sgt. John Jackson said the wound was not self-inflicted. Through her tears, Kuznia said her son felt it was his duty to serve. He just wanted to serve. Ever since he was little, he talked about being a solider, Kuznia said from her home in Karlstad, a community of about 800 people in northwestern Minnesota. Kuznia joined the Marines after graduating from Tri-County High School in 2017, she said. Riley Kuznia had his life planned out, his mother said. When he got out (of the military), he was going to start his own construction business. He said he wanted to give five years to his country, she said. He planned to marry his high school girlfriend, she added. He loved to hunt and fish. He always wanted a cabin on a lake with a boat, his mother said. He was just a good kid. Minnesota Gov.-elect Tim Walz tweeted his sympathies to the Marines family Wednesday. We are forever grateful for your service to our state and our country, Walz said. May your family find peace and strength in outpouring of love and support from the community. NEW YORKThe number of traffic deaths in New York City dropped in 2018 to the lowest level in more than a century, a sign of progress for Mayor Bill de Blasios plan to eliminate fatalities on the citys streets. The news, however, was not all promising: Although overall deaths declined, the number of pedestrians killed in traffic increased last year, city officials said Tuesday. De Blasio has implemented a number of safety improvements in his aim to eliminate all traffic deaths by 2024, a program he named Vision Zero after a Swedish plan. The total number of people killed in traffic crashes in New York City fell to 200 last year, down from 222 deaths in 2017 and the lowest level since the city began tracking such deaths in 1910, according to preliminary data from the city. The reduction is part of a five-year decline from 299 deaths in 2013, the year before Vision Zero began and the speed limit on most streets was lowered to 25 mph (40 km/h). Vision Zero is clearly working, de Blasio said, calling the drop since 2013 stunning. Read more: In New York, where street safety is a $1.6-billion investment, a neighbourhood is hiring crossing guards for grown-ups Mayor Tory says hes still committed to Vision Zero Toronto appears to have hit a one-year high in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities. Over 40 per cent of those deaths happened in Scarborough But pedestrian deaths, which account for the largest share of traffic fatalities, increased last year to 114, from 107 in 2017 a troubling sign that the citys streets remain dangerous for many New Yorkers. De Blasio, a Democrat who began his second term a year ago, called the rise in pedestrian deaths disappointing. He said the city would do more to redesign streets to make them safer and to enforce laws requiring vehicles to yield to pedestrians. Drivers havent taken their responsibility to yield very seriously, de Blasio said. There has been a lot of enforcement, and there will be more. The number of bicyclist deaths dropped last year to 10, from 24 in 2017, according to the city. The number of people who died in vehicles also fell to 37, from 58 in 2017. But the number of motorcyclist deaths increased to 39, from 33 in 2017. Nationally, more than 37,000 people died in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2017, according to federal transportation data that is not available yet for 2018. The number of traffic fatalities in the United States fell by about 2 per cent in 2017, but that followed increases in deaths in 2016 and 2015. In New York, safety advocates have pressed de Blasio to move faster to improve streets. Marco Conner, deputy director of Transportation Alternatives, an advocacy group, said there were still too many deaths and injuries. Its an achievement, and it should be celebrated, Conner said of the drop last year. But I think the big question is: Why arent we doing more against the enormity of the epidemic? Were only really taking baby steps. The people who lost their lives represent a cross section of New Yorkers: A 5-year-old girl, Abigail Blumenstein, and a 1-year-old boy, Joshua Lew, were killed by a driver in Brooklyn while crossing the street with their mothers; an 89-year-old woman, Beatrice Kahn, was hit by a car in the Bronx; and a 9-year-old boy, Giovanni Ampuero, was struck by a driver who fled the scene in Queens. In August, a 23-year-old Australian woman died after she was hit by a garbage truck while riding a bicycle near Central Park. She was cut off by a livery cab that entered a bike lane. Her death led to calls for better bike infrastructure, such as protected lanes with a physical barrier. The citys transportation commissioner, Polly Trottenberg, said that her agency completed 138 street improvement projects last year and added more than 20 miles of protected bike lanes. She called the 2018 figures encouraging results unparalleled among American cities. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... New York City was once plagued by a huge number of traffic fatalities, which reached a peak of 1,360 deaths in 1929, even though there were far fewer cars than there are today. As recently as 1990, there were 701 traffic deaths, making the current lower figures even more notable. The citys Vision Zero program faced a major hurdle last summer when state lawmakers failed to reauthorize speed cameras posted at 140 school zones a policy the city said reduced speeding during school hours by as much as 63 per cent. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the City Council speaker, Corey Johnson, intervened to keep the cameras on. Johnson recently won the Vision Zero Hero of the Year award from Streetsblog, a website that reports on street safety, besting de Blasio for the top honour. The website praised Johnson for his support of speed cameras and congestion pricing, a proposal to collect tolls from cars entering Manhattan that de Blasio has resisted. Conner, of Transportation Alternatives, said Johnson had become a strong advocate for prioritizing street safety above cars a leadership role that de Blasio had failed to achieve. The mayor is still tied up in somewhat of a windshield perspective, Conner said in reference to de Blasios reliance on cars to travel across the city. De Blasio dismissed the criticism that Johnson had taken the lead on Vision Zero, calling the safety program one of the central missions of his administration. Theres plenty of credit to be shared, de Blasio said. New York is spending $1.6 billion (U.S.) over five years for its Vision Zero plan, significantly more even on a per-capita basis than Torontos investment in its version. New York spends about $185 per resident each year, Toronto about $26. According to statistics compiled by the Star using police and media reports, 47 pedestrians and cyclists were been killed on Toronto streets in 2018. That number is higher than any single year in a police database that goes back to 2007. Its unclear if the total is an all-time record, as the Star does not have independent data on pedestrian and cyclist deaths before that year. Thirteen motorists and 10 motorcyclists were also killed on Toronto streets in 2018, according to Star data. Mayor John Tory last week said he remains committed to Vision Zero. He had received criticism for earlier saying the plan is not working in a year-end interview with the CBC. With files from Ben Spurr Read more about: JERUSALEMWith little resistance from a friendly White House, Israel has launched a new settlement push in the West Bank since President Donald Trump took office, laying the groundwork for what could be the largest construction binge in years, according to data obtained by The Associated Press. The figures, gathered from official government sources by the anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now, show an increase in building in 2018 and a sharp spike in planning for future construction. This trend, highlighted last week when an Israeli committee advanced plans for thousands more settlement homes on war-won lands, has only deepened Palestinian mistrust of the Trump administration as it says it is preparing to roll out a Mideast peace plan. Each new settlement expansion further diminishes the chances of setting up a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Both supporters and opponents of settlements confirm a change in atmosphere since early 2017, when Trump took over from Barack Obama, whose administration had tried to rein in construction. The feeling of the (Israeli) government is everything is allowed, that the time to do things is now because the (U.S.) administration is the most pro-settlement you can ever have, said Hagit Ofran of Peace Nows Settlement Watch program. Peace Now uses several measurements of settlement activity. These include plans, or the bureaucratic stages of preparing a project, including initial proposals; tenders, when bids are solicited from contractors to do large projects; and construction starts, when the building actually begins. Each of these figures tells a different story. While construction starts give a snapshot of the current level of settlement activity, they reflect decisions made years ago. In contrast, the planning and tender stages are seen as forward-looking indicators of a governments intentions. The data compiled by Peace Now showed a drop in construction starts during Trumps first year in office, to 1,643 units in 2017 from 3,066 units the previous year. This drop appears to reflect the lingering effect of reduced planning during the final two years of the Obama administration. But the data for the first nine months of 2018 indicate the beginning of a Trump effect, with construction starts 20 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier. These trends are even more evident when looking at the planning process. In 2017, plans were advanced to build 6,712 new settlement homes, roughly 2.5 times the 2016 level. In 2018, plans for an additional 5,618 units were advanced, nearly half of which were processed last week alone. Together, these numbers are the highest level of planning seen since 2013. At that time, Israel pushed forward settlement construction to counter criticism of its release of Palestinian prisoners as part of then-Secretary of State John Kerrys peace efforts. A United Nations spokesman reiterated in response to a question on the topic at a Wednesday news briefing that the world body has called for a halt to all settlement activity. A 2016 U.N. Security Council Resolution condemned them as a flagrant violation of international law. The biggest surge in settlement activity during the Trump era is in tenders large projects that are ready to be launched. In 2017, 3,154 tenders were issued, up from just 42 during Obamas final year in office. In 2018, that number rose to over 3,800, the highest number by far since Peace Now started compiling the data in 2002. This sets the stage for a huge jump in construction in the near future. Theres definitely a change of atmosphere. Theres definitely a change of winds, said Oded Revivi, mayor of Efrat, a major settlement near Jerusalem, and the chief foreign envoy of the Yesha settlement council. Revivi said that Obama pressured Israel into greatly curtailing settlement activity. Now, he said, Israel is trying to make up for lost time. Basically what youre seeing now is the statistics are trying to catch up to the needs that were built up during the eight years of the Obama administration, when everything was in a standstill, Revivi said. White House Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatts office declined to comment, and State Department officials were not immediately available for comment due to the government shutdown. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... The Palestinians and most of the international community consider Israeli settlements to be illegal and obstacles to peace. Over 400,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank, in addition to 200,000 in East Jerusalem. The Palestinians seek both areas, captured by Israel in 1967, as parts of their state. For decades, a string of U.S. presidents, both Republican and Democrat, condemned settlement construction. Things quickly changed when Trump took office. Trump refused to condemn settlement construction and surrounded himself with advisers including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Ambassador to Israel David Friedman who are Orthodox Jews with close ties to settlements. Trump at times has asked Israel to show restraint, but his administration has remained largely silent as Israel has pressed ahead with its construction efforts over the past two years. This has been welcome news to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose outgoing coalition is dominated by religious and nationalist settlement sympathizers. Favoured to win re-election in April, Netanyahu has said he expects his next government to look very similar. Israel never annexed the West Bank, meaning the Israeli military remains the sovereign there. Construction in the West Bank requires approval from COGAT, a Defence Ministry body that oversees civilian affairs in the territory. Plans are submitted by the government to COGATs Higher Planning Council, which decides if they meet legal criteria. COGAT routinely portrays decisions on new settlement activity as a technical matter, playing down the political impact. In a statement, COGAT said it acts in accordance with planning and building laws in the West Bank. Critics say COGAT routinely promotes settlement expansion and development at the expense of Palestinian communities in the 60 per cent of the West Bank that is under full Israeli control. Palestinians have varying degrees of autonomy, including over building permits, in the remaining areas of the West Bank, where most Palestinians live. The offices of Avigdor Lieberman, who served as defence minister in 2017 and 2018, and his deputy, Eli Ben-Dahan, did not respond to requests for comment. Both are strong supporters of the settlements and settlers themselves. The settlement surge has added to the Palestinians distrust of the White House. The Palestinians cut off ties with the administration over a year ago after Trump recognized contested Jerusalem as Israels capital. President Mahmoud Abbas has said he will reject any peace plan the Trump team presents. Abbas spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said U.S. silence and lack of condemnation and pressure have given a green light to the Israeli government to step up settlement activity. Read more about: BEIJINGChinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged both sides to reach an early consensus on the unification of China and Taiwan and not leave the issue for future generations. No one or no party can stop the trend toward unification, the Chinese leader said in a speech devoted to Taiwan, calling independence for the self-governing island against history and a dead-end. We are willing to create a vast space for peaceful unification, but we will never leave any room for any sort of Taiwan independence separatist activities, he said. Taiwan and China split in a civil war that brought the Communists to power in China in 1949. The rival Nationalists set up their own government on the island about 160 kilometres (100 miles) off the Chinese mainland. Xi proposed talks between the two sides to work out a systematic arrangement for the peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship. While Xi said that people on both sides want peaceful reunification, its unclear how his message will be received on the other side of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen said Tuesday that its people want to maintain their self-rule and autonomy. Xi pledged that unification would be under a one-country, two-system framework that would respect the Taiwanese social system and way of life and guarantee their property rights, religious beliefs and other rights. The political disputes that have existed for a long time ... affect the healthy and continuous development of the cross-strait relationship and cannot be passed from generation to generation, he said. Read more: President Tsai says Taiwanese want to maintain self-rule Air Canada move to list Taiwan as part of China sees backlash, threat of boycott Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Chinas detention of Canadians part of bid to challenge Western democratic norms, experts say Thousands of pro-independence demonstrators rally in Taiwan Read more about: BRASILIA, BRAZILJair Bolsonaro was sworn in as Brazils president Tuesday, taking the reins of Latin Americas largest and most populous nation with promises to overhaul myriad aspects of daily life and put an end to business-as-usual governing. For the far-right former army captain, the New Years Day inauguration was the culmination of a journey from a marginalized and even ridiculed congressman to a leader who many Brazilians hope can combat endemic corruption as well as violence that routinely gives the nation the dubious distinction of being world leader in total homicides. A fan of U.S. President Donald Trump, the 63-year-old longtime congressman rose to power on an anti-corruption and pro-gun agenda that has energized conservatives and hard-right supporters after four consecutive presidential election wins by the left-leaning Workers Party. Bolsonaro was the latest of several far-right leaders around the globe who have come to power by riding waves of anger at the establishment and promising to ditch the status quo. Congratulations to President @jairbolsonaro who just made a great inauguration speech, Trump tweeted. The U.S.A. is with you! Tuesdays festivities in the capital of Brasilia began with a motorcade procession along the main road leading to Congress and other government buildings. Bolsonaro and his wife, Michelle, stood up in an open-top Rolls-Royce and waved to thousands of onlookers. They were surrounded by dozens of guards on horses and plain-clothes bodyguards who ran beside the car. Once inside Congress, Bolsonaro and his vice-president, retired Gen. Hamilton Mourao, took the oath of office. Bolsonaro then read a short speech that included many of the far-right positions he staked out during the campaign. He promised to combat the ideology of gender teaching in schools, respect our Judeo-Christian tradition and prepare children for the job market, not political militancy. I call on all congressmen to help me rescue Brazil from corruption, criminality and ideological submission, he said. A short time later, Bolsonaro spoke to thousands of supporters outside, promising to free Brazil from socialism and political correctness. As he spoke, supporters began to chant Myth! Myth! Myth! a nickname that began years ago with internet memes of Bolsonaro and became more common during last years campaign. Bolsonaros middle name is Messias, or Messiah in English, and many supporters believe he was chosen by God to lead Brazil, an assertion bolstered after Bolsonaro survived a stabbing during a campaign rally in September. During Tuesdays speech, Bolsonaro stopped at one point, pulled out a Brazilian flag and wildly waved it, prompting roars from the crowd. Our flag will never be red, Bolsonaro said, a reference to communism. Our flag will only be red if blood is needed to keep it green and yellow. Brasilia was under tight security, with 3,000 police patrolling the event. Military tanks, fighter jets and even anti-aircraft missiles also were deployed. Journalists were made to arrive at locations seven hours before festivities began, and many complained on Twitter of officials confiscating food they had brought for the wait. The increased security came at Bolsonaros request. His intestine was pierced when a knife-wielding man stabbed and nearly killed him, and today Bolsonaro wears a colostomy bag. His sons, politicians themselves, had insisted their father could be targeted by radicals, but security officials have not spoken of threats. Bolsonaro did little moderating since being elected in October, with progressives and liberals decrying stances that they say are homophobic, sexist and racist. The new president, who spent nearly three decades in Congress, has also drawn international criticism for his plans to roll back regulations in the Amazon and his disinterest in social programs in a country that is one of the worlds most unequal in terms of income. On the economic front, where Bolsonaro will ultimately lead Latin Americas largest economy is unknown, as during the campaign he reversed course from previous statist stances with pledges to lead market-friendly reforms. He also promised to overhaul Brazils pension system and privatize several state-owned companies, which gave him wide support among financial players. On Tuesday, Bolsonaro reiterated his commitment to fighting crime in a nation that has long led the world in annual homicides. More than 63,000 people were killed last year. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... He wants to tackle the problems in part by shielding police who kill during an operation from criminal prosecution. We are counting on Congress to provide the judicial support so police can do their jobs, Bolsonaro said, signalling that he may soon submit legislation that would allow police to be tried outside the criminal system. Human rights groups fear that defence of police violence could shield officers from investigations of misconduct and lead to more extrajudicial killings. The most notable foreign leaders who attended were associated with far-right movements: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Leftist Presidents Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua and Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba, deemed dictators by Bolsonaro, were uninvited by Bolsonaros team after the foreign ministry sent them invitations. Leftist President Evo Morales of Bolivia, however, was invited and warmly embraced Bolsonaro after the ceremony. The United States was represented by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Seven of Bolsonaros 22 Cabinet ministers are former military personnel, more than in any administration during Brazils 1964-1985 dictatorship. That has sparked fears among his adversaries of a return to autocratic rule, but Bolsonaro insists he will respect the countrys constitution. Riordan Roett, a professor and director emeritus of Latin American Studies at Johns Hopkins University, noted that generals have administration skills that can be useful in government. The danger is that as a former low-ranking military officer, (Bolsonaro) will be swayed by some of the generals to come down hard on criminality, drug dealers, etc., and that may cause a backlash and many innocent people could be caught in the crossfire, Roett said. Bolsonaros Liberal and Social Party will have 52 seats in Brazils 513-member lower house, the second largest bloc behind the Workers Party. Gary Hufbauer of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a Washington-based think tank, said a central challenge for Bolsonaro will be curbing spending and entitlements, no easy task given the makeup of Congress and entrenched interests. Bolsonaro needs some quick successes to get off on the right foot with the public and the political elites, said Hufbauer, adding that a failure to do that would likely reduce Bolsonaros honeymoon period to six months. ___ Associated Press video journalist Yesica Fisch reported this story in Brasilia, AP writer Mauricio Savarese reported from Sao Paulo and AP writer Peter Prengaman reported from Rio de Janeiro. AP writer Stan Lehman in Sao Paulo contributed to this report. Read more about: REGINAConservative Leader Andrew Scheer welcomed 2019 with a warning that if Canadians re-elect Justin Trudeau this year, the federal carbon tax thats going to take effect will only climb. Canadians know what Justin Trudeau is going to do. Now that his carbon tax is here, its only going to go up. And if he gets re-elected in 10 months, it will go up even more, Scheer said during a New Years Day news conference in a Giant Tiger store in Regina. This time next year, I plan on being able to tell Canadians that Justin Trudeaus carbon tax is a thing of the past. The federal governments new carbon pricing system affects provinces that dont have carbon pricing mechanisms of their own. The carbon price outlined by Ottawa starts at a minimum of $20 a tonne and rises $10 annually until 2022. But Scheer told reporters that government officials are saying the tax would need to rise to $100 per tonne for it to be effective at reducing carbon emissions, and he says the federal environment department is planning for a carbon tax of $300 per tonne. So we know Justin Trudeau will raise the carbon tax higher. His experts are telling him to. His own government departments are telling him to, Scheer said. Read more: The year in carbon politics (and what to expect in 2019) Trudeau says its worth pointing out similarities between Scheer and Harper Opinion | Chantal Hebert: Demand for action on climate change shatters Scheers hopes in Quebec At that price home heating bills will rise by more than $1,000 a year and gas prices would go up by more than 60 cents a litre. When asked by a reporter about his own plan to fight climate change, Scheer responded that the Conservatives plan will help reduce global emissions by capitalizing on Canadas clean technology and cleaner energy, which he said will also keep manufacturing jobs in Canada instead of moving to countries without those things. Canadas former parliamentary budget officer predicted in a report in April that the federal governments carbon tax will cut economic growth by 0.5 per cent or $10 billion dollars when its fully implemented in 2022, and would generate significant revenues. However, Jean-Denis Frechettes report noted the impact on the economy will depend on how those revenues are used. Trudeau says Ottawa will return 90 per cent of the money it collects from a carbon tax to Canadians. Saskatchewan is asking its Court of Appeal to rule on whether the carbon tax is unconstitutional and has argued its climate change plan is enough to reduce emissions and a carbon tax would hurt the Saskatchewan economy. Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Scheer, who represents ReginaQuAppelle in Parliament, said Saskatchewans fight against the tax gets easier as more provinces elect governments that also oppose it, like Ontario and New Brunswick did in 2018. Premier (Scott) Moe and Premier (Brad) Wall before him had a bit of a lonely battle but now theyve got reinforcements. And my message to Canadians is come 2019, the battle will be won, Scheer said. Read more about: Dan Crisler Public Opinion Staff Writer Could 2019 be a redux of 2015 for Watertowns commercial airline service? City officials are doing what they can to avoid the possibility. Troubled by the spate of recent flight cancellations by California Pacific Airlines, which operates an Essential Air Service route between Watertown, Pierre and Denver, Watertown Mayor Sarah Caron and Pierre Mayor Steve Harding jointly submitted a letter dated Dec. 21 and revised Dec. 27 to Joel Szabat, deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportations office of aviation and international affairs, detailing the complaints of canceled flights while also highlighting concerns about CPA being more than six months behind on lease agreement payments with the two cities. According to the letter, since Nov. 17, CPA has canceled 26 flights at Watertown, which accounted for about 25 percent of scheduled flights. Over the same time period, Pierre experienced 28 flight cancellations, which accounted for about 30 percent. While some flights were canceled for weather safety reasons, even the flights that were flown havent consistently adhered to the schedule. The letter states that only about 50 percent of flights have operated on time at Watertown and Pierre. From Watertowns perspective, the letter, which was also sent to U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., as well as CPA, essentially serves as a shot across the bow for CPA to restore its level of satisfactory service the cities enjoyed under the Aerodynamics, Inc. brand before the Georgia-based airline was rebranded to CPA, which bought ADI, on Sept. 1. We have had a fairly short period of poor service by CPA. We just sent the letter telling CPA to please resolve it quickly, Caron told the Public Opinion Wednesday. Caron indicated most of the canceled flights occurred in November and early December. While Caron said things have improved, they havent substantially improved to the point to ward off the mayors sending the letter with the blessings of their respective airport managers and airport boards. While adverse weather played a significant role in flight cancellations, Caron said the cities were more disturbed by the lack of a reserve plane that coincided when each of the two main 50-seat airplanes were temporarily taken out of commission at various points due to mechanical issues. According to the Capital Journal in Pierre, the reserve plane was taken out of commission for repairs when its wing hit a piece of construction equipment while taxiing in Pierre. The confluence of events led to several days where at least one, and sometimes both, flights were canceled. (The weather-related cancellations) werent CPAs fault. Not having a backup plane is CPAs fault. Thats the part we didnt like, Caron said. According to Caron, the issues stem from CPA operating more routes using the same pool of planes that have been dedicated to the Watertown-Pierre-Denver connection under ADI. Thats not illegal for them to do that. But it decreased the level of service we were getting, she said. For both cities, CPAs recent performance represents the first major bump in what has otherwise been a lucrative and friendly arrangement. The airlines previous reliability under the ADI brand allowed both cities to reach the 10,000-passenger enplanement milestone in 2017, triggering $1 million in federal grants for each airport. Watertown also reached the milestone in 2018. By sending the letter expressing the cities concerns, Caron said Watertown hopes to avoid a repeat scenario from 2015, when the city asked the USDOT to cancel the EAS contract the city had with Great Lakes Airlines after the regional airline, which suspended operations across its network last year, canceled 25 percent of its departing flights from Watertown from December 2014 to May 2015 and thus led to a significant passenger drop off at Watertown Regional Airport. The city was eventually successful in getting the USDOT to cancel the EAS contract with Great Lakes Airlines. But Caron said the prolonged nature of that process contributed to Watertowns 11-month period the city did not have commercial air service until ADI began flights on Aug. 15, 2016. Were nowhere near there (right now), Caron said in comparing the current relationship with CPA with the citys past relationship with Great Lakes Airlines. But were seeing the signs and we dont like them. The mayors also are disturbed by CPA not being able to make payments over the past six months for facility rentals and other fees it has agreed to pay Watertown and Pierre. We think they have the resources to pay the bills and run their flights on time and theyre just choosing not to. Were not OK with that, Caron said. Were doing what we can. By submitting the letter at the early signs of trouble, Caron said the hope is that CPA addresses the problems before they take significant root. If it goes on and on, people will lose faith and stop using the airline service. Thats bad for our community, she said. We just to make sure that CPA realizes were not happy and they take swift action and not just wait for it to completely disintegrate. As for the cities relationship with CPA, Caron said, I think this is salvageable if they turn it around right now. We know theyre capable of providing the service because they did it for a nice long stretch. It didnt change until it got a new owner. If CPA doesnt improve its recent service, Caron said Watertown and Pierre would ask the USDOT to cancel the EAS contract locking the cities with CPA until mid-2020. If that were to occur, the cities would look to negotiate new EAS contracts with other airlines. Were not going to wait around and tolerate this endlessly. We want action fast. But there is only so much we can control, she said. Were trying to do this with as minimal impact to the public as possible. A request for comment to a CPA representative was not immediately returned Wednesday. Shannon Marvel Dakota Media Group Outgoing Day County Sheriff Barry Hillestad has been appointed the interim Roberts County sheriff after Sheriff-Elect Korey Wares license was temporarily suspended. The Roberts County Commission appointed Hillestad during a meeting last week. The South Dakota Law Enforcement Standards and Training Commission decided in December to temporarily suspend Roberts County Sheriff-Elect Wares license after Ware was charged with assault. The assault charge stems from a reported fight Oct. 6 in the 1000 block of South Main Street in Aberdeen. Ware, 28, was arrested Oct. 25 in Britton, according to court documents. He faces alternate counts of aggravated assault and simple assault, according to the paperwork. Aggravated assault is a felony. Simple assault is a misdemeanor. With alternate counts, a person charged can only be found guilty of one of the charges. Hillestad will be sworn in on Jan. 7 by Roberts County States Attorney Kerry Cameron, according to the Roberts County Auditors Office. Ware won a Republican primary in June and was unopposed in Novembers general election. Phuket New Year leaves four dead in five days PHUKET: Phukets road-accident tally for the New Year holidays stands at four** dead and 32 injured in just five days since the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign for New Year 2019 began on Thursday (Dec 27). Tuesday 1 January 2019, 10:34AM Phuket police reported issuing 1,228 fines for moving violations during the 24-hour period for Dec 31. Photo: The Phuket News The 24-hour period for Dec 31 left one person dead and eight injured in seven accidents, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket) reported this morning (Jan 1). The inclusion of the death of Thisadee Kankasikam, 44, early yesterday morning (Dec 31) brings the death and injury tally for the campaign to four** dead and 31 injured in 33 accidents. Mr Thisadee died from severe head trauma after the motorbike he was riding collided head-on with a pickup truck in Soi Pa-niang, Rassada, north of Samkong, just before 1am yesterday. He was not wearing a helmet at the time. (See story here.) Meanwhile, Phuket police reported inspecting 5,581 vehicles during the 24-hour period for Dec 31, resulting in 1,275 people being fined for traffic violations, with 10 cases resulting in legal prosecution. Phuket police reported issuing 1,228 fines for moving violations during the 24-hour period for Dec 31, as follows: 27 fined for operating an unsafe/illegally modified motorcycle 92 fined for not wearing seatbelts 355 fined for driving without a licence 21 fined for speeding 49 fined for running a red light 61 fined for ghost driving (driving opposite traffic flow) 33 fined for dangerously cutting off other motorists in traffic 35 fined for using mobile phones while driving. 28 people were arrested for drunk driving during the period. 527 people fined for not wearing helmets Of the 5,961 people reported as fined for moving violations so far during the first five days of the campaign, 1,623 were caught driving without a licence, 2,518 were caught not wearing helmets while riding on a motorbike, and 457 were caught not wearing seatbelts. The others were caught as follows: Operating an unsafe/illegally modified motorcycle 188 Speeding 125 Running a red light / ignoring traffic signals 272 Ghost driving (driving opposite traffic flow) 277 Dangerously cutting off other motorists in traffic 157 Using mobile phones while driving. 205 Drunk driving 139 ** CORRECTION: The total number of people killed so far during the Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign for New Year 2019 was incorrectly reported as The Phuket News had erroneously accounted for Patarapon Sakkeaw, 14, dying as the result of his motorbike accident near Saphan Hin on Dec 29. He did not die as a result of his injuries. See correction here. The error is sincerely regretted. Phuket heavy rain warning for the weekend PHUKET: Phuket and other provinces along the Andaman Coast have been issued a weather warning, with torrential downpours and waves reaching up to three metres high forecast from tomorrow (Jan 3) through Saturday (Jan 5) with up to 70% of the island expected to be hit with heavy rain. weathertourismmarineSafety By The Phuket News Wednesday 2 January 2019, 01:18PM All small boats are banned from leaving shore during the heavy warning period, from tomorrow through Saturday (Jan 3-5). Image: TMD Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) Director-General Phuwieng Prakhammintara issued the warning for Phuket this morning, following a general warning for all of Southern Thailand yesterday. All small boats are banned from leaving shore during the heavy warning period, Phuket Marine Office Acting Chief Wiwat Chitchertwong confirmed with a written notice today (Jan 2). Regarding reports of Tropical Storm Pabuk, small boats must not leave port on Jan 3-5, Mr wiwat said in his notice. All things for (marine) safety must be in order. Boat captains must check their boats and the safety equipment on board, including life jackets, for any emergency. Also, all boat operators must follow weather reports closely, he added. Tropical storm Pabuk is over the lower South China Sea, located at latitude 6.0 degrees north, longitude 108.0 degrees east, with maximum sustained winds of 65km/h, the TMD noted in its warning this morning. The storm was moving west at a speed of 10km/h through the tip of Indochina and expected to reach the lower Gulf by 2-3 January 2019. By 3-5 January 2019, it will affect the South with more rain and some torrential downpours. People should beware of the severe conditions, the warning noted. The areas expected to be affected were given as: 3-4 January: Isolated torrential downpours with strong wind in Surat Thani, Nakhon Sri Thammarart, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang and Satun. 4-5 January: Isolated torrential downpours with strong wind in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Sri Thammarart, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. The strong winds are forecast for both the Gulf and the Andaman Sea with waves up to 3-5 meters high in the Gulf and 2-3 meters high in the Andaman Sea. People in the Gulf should be aware of inshore surges. All ships should keep ashore lasting 5 January 2019, the TMD warned. The TMD urged people to keep close watch on the weather warning updates at the TMD website (click here) or by calling the TMD 24-hour call centre on 1182. Latvian woman dies after fall from Phuket hotel balcony PHUKET: A 29-year-old tourist from Latvia has died after falling from the hotel room balcony on the sixth floor in Karon yesterday (Jan 1). tourismdeathpolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Wednesday 2 January 2019, 12:39PM Police inspect the balcony where Ms Resetnikova fell. Photo: Tourist Police Capt Channarong Prakongkue of the Karon Police was notified of the incident and reported arriving at the scene with rescue workers and fellow police to find the body of the woman on the ground. The woman was identified as Kristina Resetnikova. Capt Channarong declined to identify the hotel where the incident occurred. Capt Channarong noted that Ms Resetnikova had arrived in Thailand with her husband and son on Dec 24 to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. The family of three were to depart Thailand next Tuesday (Jan 8), he added. Karon Police Chief Col Prasarn Hankotha told The Phuket News this morning, The husband (Andrejs Resetnikovs) came back to the hotel after celebrating the New Year at about 3:30am. The husband was sitting in front of the hotel before going up to their room, he added. He saw her climb over the balcony rail and was walking on the outside of the balcony when she slipped and fell. The husband believes it was accident, Col Prasarn said. The husbands description of events was corroborated by CCTV footage from the area, he noted. Col Prasarn said that Ms Resetnikova had been drinking some alcohol, but believes that she was not overly drunk at the time of the accident. We have no idea what would have prompted her to do this, Col Prasarn said. The baby, a 19-month-old boy named Marats, was still in the room, he added. We could see that the baby was being well cared for. He was healthy and even well dressed, he said. There were no signs of a fight or anything unusual in the room, Col Prasarn added. Everything seems to have been normal, but we are still continuing our investigation, he said. Additional reporting Tanyaluk Sakoot The first baby of the new year born at Beaumont Hospital was Chloe Jean Catanzaro, born at 12:13 a.m. in the group's Troy hospital. She weighe The executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme against Aids (UNAIDS), Michel Sidibe, will retire in June, six months before his term ends, after that an independent panel said that its "leadership malfunction" tolerated "a culture of harassment, including sexual harassment, intimidation and abuse of power." Sidibe has announced the decision Thursday after a meeting of the board of directors of UNAIDS three days that he studied the report of the panel, as noted by the agency in a statement. The four-member panel, in a report of 70 pages published last Friday, said that a "patriarchal culture of favoritism and christianity," had allowed "the impunity and the retaliation". Sidibe, nationality mali, has been executive director of the agency since 2009 with headquarters in Geneva and has around 670 employees throughout the world. "Reported to the board of UNAIDS that its meeting in June 2019 will be his last meeting and that would complete their tasks by the end of June 2019", has indicated, this Thursday, UNAIDS. "I Hope a dialogue and a collaborative, inclusive, transparent and open with the personal to give way to a new UNAIDS," said Sidibe. "I will work to ensure a smooth transition, and will commit myself to maintain my focus on our staff and deliver results for the people we serve," he asserted. the United Nations has sought to increase transparency and to strengthen the way in which they try the serious allegations in the past few years, after that they pay charges of sexual exploitation and abuse against personnel of peacekeeping of the UN in central African Republic. "The UNAIDS secretariat is in crisis. A crisis that threatens their vital work," said in a report to the panel, citing the results of surveys of the staff that "painted a disturbing organizational culture of UNAIDS that cries out for an urgent change". According to the criteria of Updated Date: 02 January 2019, 08:01 Learn more A Parents Social for those who have children with special needs in the Waterford School District is coming up this month. A 52-year-old West Bloomfield woman faces charges after allegedly spitting into two police officers faces while being arrested on suspicion o Stirling Boothe-Curcio, a college freshman studying Global and International Studies at Western Michigan University, was presented with a $5,000 scholarship from bds Mongolian Grill in Novi. Home >Police Enforcement > Checkpoints and Stops > Indiana Court Upholds One More Question Police Searches Instant unlimited access to all of our content on thenewsguard.com. The News Guard E-Edition Newsletter emailed to you each week, the night before the paper hits the street! This subscription is for NEW or RENEWING online subscribers. (The charge will appear as "Country Media Inc." on your credit card statement) Sami and Kasey Richards talk to nurses as they hold their new baby, Karter David-Joseph Richards, at MidMichigan Medical Center in Alma on Jan. 2, 2019. Karter was born at 11:54 p.m. on New Year's Day. Wall Street analysts have given Invesco DB Gold Fund a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but Invesco DB Gold Fund wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. 1 hour ago | June 14th | 2021 8:51 AM Is influencer marketing really going to die in the next few years? "Influencer Marketing Will Die in 2023!" they made headlines earlier this year. Some worried and others celebrating the end of a trend, which, although it has brought consumers closer to brands, has also made certain lifestyles see unattainable. However, no publication really explained what the possible decline of an industry with millions of followers around the world is happening. The weather in Edinburgh, Scotland, is much colder than in London, which is just a four-and-a-half-hour train ride away, but the local whisky is definitely a warmer. One of the most interesting places to see in the city is the whisky distillery. At Glenturret Distillery, situated in Crieff an hour from the city center, a tour of the distillery is available every hour for 10 pounds (US$12.7) per person, with instructions given before the tour starts. Taking pictures is not allowed in the tour areas. The first part of the tour takes us to the origins of whisky. John and Hugh Drummond founded the Glenturret Distillery, but it was the Gloag that who founded the Famous Grouse brand. Mathew Gloag originally blended the Famous Grouse Brand whisky in 1896 in Perth, located about 50 kilometers to the north. Mathew named his special blend after Scotlands national game bird, the red grouse. The Edrington Company now owns the Glenturret and the Famous Grouse. Shona the tour guide then explains the three main ingredients of whisky: malted barley, water and yeast. The barley is soaked in water for 18 to 24 hours, after which it goes through a germination process where it is spread on a malted floor for four to five days. The next process is kilning, where the malt (barley) is dried in a kiln for 20 to 22 hours to stop the germination, an important process to convert the barley grain into soluble starch, which can be converted to fermented sugar. The malted barley is grinded in grist, which resembles coarse flour. The grist is made of three parts: grit, husk and flour. The grist is then boiled in a vessel filled with water. The boiling process goes through three different batches of water. The water drained out of the grist is a hot sweet liquid called the wort. The leftover grist, known as Draff, is fed to the cows. In this area the owners of the distillery keep a cat to fend off mice. The most famous cat amongst all of them was named Towser, who started her career at the distillery in 1963 and lived to 24 years of age. It had killed a Guinness World Record of 28,899 mice, Shona says. A bronze statue has been made for her at The Famous Grouse experience. The wort is then cooled down and transferred to large vessels called wash backs. Yeast is added to the wort and the two are fermented for 90 to 100 hours, after which they are transferred into a pot still for the first distillation. The wash (combination of the wort and yeast) is heated and vaporized, and the resulting liquid is called low wine with an average of 25 percent (alcohol by volume) ABV. The next step is the second distillation, which increases the alcohol level to a target of 75 percent ABV. Only the best spirit will be selected for the casks. Three cuts are made through the sample safe. These cuts are Head [fore shots], the Heart [middle cut] and the Tall [feints], explained Shona. The stillmen then use hydrometers and thermometers to select the finest spirit for cask maturation. Glenturrets slow distillation helps create a sweet and light spirit compared to larger distilleries, where processing is quicker to meet high demand. The casks are padlocked by the customs, as once they are bottled, the distilleries will be charged duties. The spirits are then transferred from the still house to the filling store, and Loch Turret water is added before it is filled into the cask. This is to reduce the strength of the spirit to 69 percent ABV. The kind of oak cask used for maturing whiskies plays a big role in achieving a flavor, Shona says. The quality of whisky will depend on the quality of the oak cask used the casks can only be used around three to six times before they are repurposed or recycled. Glenturret Distilleries use casks that have been used to store American Bourbon or Spanish Sherry to produce the kind of flavor desired by the distillery. Each oak cask costs a minimum of 80 to 100 pounds. Once the spirit has matured, it is sent to Glasgow for bottling. When the spirit is bottled, the alcohol content is brought down to 40 to 45 percent. The Famous Grouse is a full golden in appearance, with an aroma of sherry and a touch of citrus. The taste is of a medium flavor, with speyside fruitiness. The Famous Grouse boasts its own famous master blender named Kirsteen Campbell, who has been with the company for 17 years. Campbell sits in the 106-sample room in the headquarters in Glasgow with 11,000 samples of single malt. She blends using her nose, which has been highly insured for 20 million pounds by the company. Campbell never gets a cold, because of nosing different whiskies every day, Shona says. As Shona ends the tour, she says that when drinking whisky, there are four flavors one must look for, namely the smoky, sweet, spicy and citrus notes. Edinburgh: A city for royalty Much more laid-back than London, Edinburgh offers so much to look forward to. The hop-on-hop-off tourist bus is a must, as it takes tourists to places worth visiting inside the city. There are many stops to board these buses, but the most popular one is near Edinburgh Castle, the citys main tourist spot, which is a worthwhile walk. The chambers inside the castle have beautiful historic interiors. Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the Queen in Scotland, and many of its rooms and halls are open to visitors most of the year. Each room has an exquisite interior with beautiful paintings and furniture. The palace also has a gallery of paintings worth viewing. Carlton Hill affords a view Edinburghs skyline and is also the place where the National Monument is also located. Although the hill, a UNESCO world heritage site, requires a number of steep stairs to climb, the picturesque view of the whole city is an adrenalin booster. The facade of St. Giles Cathedral is an eye-catcher and makes for a good photo background. Its shape looks enthralling, especially against a blue sky. The interior is simple compared to other cathedrals in Europe, but the serenity is pleasing. Look out for the Balmoral Hotel, a luxurious five-star property that opened more than 100 years ago, and the place where J.K. Rowling wrote some chapters of the Deathly Hallows, the seventh book of the Harry Potter series. There are many more places to see inside the city depending on ones preferences. If one likes shopping, the Scottish shawls, biscuits in boxes inside beautifully printed cans are sold all over the city. Princess Street and the Grassmarket streets are convenient places for shopping. Designer brands are also available at some shopping centers. If there is one thing unique about the city, it is that it is filled with Indian restaurants, each boasting of their own specialty. The newest Indian restaurant in the city is Dishoom, which offers fast food in a posh interior. If you are very hungry and cant wait long, this is the place to go to, as your order is served within 10 minutes. There is a line up though, but the food reaches you fast anyways. Other restaurants serve delicious items of Japanese or Italian cuisine. One thing though, the food prices in Edinburgh are higher than in London but cheer up, the whisky is about 20 percent cheaper. Dome Bar and Restaurant is also worth visiting. It wont be easy to get a table, but just sit by the bar and enjoy the places beautiful interior, which has a nice dome inside. Edinburgh is a small city. When we ordered an Uber driver to take us to our next stop after having dinner, it was the same driver who had brought us to the restaurant. China began to implement its 144-hour visa-free transit policy in five more cities on Tuesday for travelers from 53 countries. These cities are Qingdao, a major port city in Shandong Province; Xiamen, a coastal city in Fujian Province; Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province; Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province; and Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province. The visa-free transit policy approved by the State Council, applies to people from 53 countries including Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, France, Germany, Russia and the United States. Passengers are required to carry effective international travel certificates and have definite onward travel within 144 hours, when entering those five cities. Read also: China: One foot in the past and both eyes on the future Previously, a 72-hour visa-free transit policy was adopted in the cities. In the new move, passengers can enter and exit Qingdao and Xiamen through their air and sea ports. Those who transit through Qingdao are allowed to stay elsewhere in Shandong during the 144-hour period, according to Li Zhuqun, deputy head of the Shandong Provincial Public Security Department. Since 2013, the State Council has approved the 72-hour visa-free transit for eligible international travelers across 18 cities and later extended the period to 144 hours in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Shanghai and the neighboring provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu, as well as the cities of Shenyang and Dalian in Liaoning Province, according to the National Immigration Administration. China hosts the arrival of about 43 million foreigners annually. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Dian Septiari and Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, January 3 2019 The government has asked Taiwanese authorities to explain allegations of forced labor involving Indonesian students enrolled in its New Southbound Policy (NSP) scholarship program. The NSP is an initiative of the Taiwanese administration under leader Tsai Ing-wen. It aims to enhance cooperation and exchanges with 18 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia and Australasia. According to Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, the Foreign Ministrys director for the protection of Indonesian citizens and legal entities abroad, his office had asked the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office (IETO) in Taiwan to follow up on complaints by students regarding the circumstances of their college internships that started in 2017, alleging they were placed in forced labor schemes. The government, through the Trade Ministry, has asked the IETO to further investigate the wellbeing of the studen... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hor Nam Bora (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, January 3 2019 As Cambodia and Indonesia mark the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, the two countries will together explore new possibilities to unlock the potential for shared interests and to further deepen their friendship and cooperation. With a population of 259 million people, Indonesia accounts for about 41 percent of Southeast Asias total population of 635 million. Its gross domestic product (GDP) stood at US$932 billion in 2016, or 39 percent of Southeast Asias GDP. Indonesia occupies a strategic location that links the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. Since the resignation of president Soeharto in 1998 amid an economic crisis, democracy has taken root in Indonesia. Four general elections and three direct presidential elections have been conducted without violence since 1999, and the upcoming elections for the president and the national assem... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Bambang Muryanto (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta Wed, January 2 2019 Solidarity: Gadjah Mada University students rally at the campus on Nov. 29, 2018, demanding justice for Agni, the pseudonym of an alleged sexual assault victim.(JP/Bambang Muryanto) The Yogyakarta Police have opened an investigation into a sexual assault case after an official at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), the school of both an alleged victim and a perpetrator, reported the case to the police against the victims wishes. Catur Udi Handayani, the lawyer of the victim, who goes by the pseudonym Agni, said the victim had been summoned by the police and had undergone 12 hours of questioning. Catur said Agni underwent the questioning at Rifka Annisa Women Crisis Center, not at the police station, to take into account Agnis psychological comfort. At the time [of questioning], Agni was under pressure and very tired because she was questioned for 12 hours... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Washington, United States Wed, January 2, 2019 07:37 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e4fa0ea 2 World #USA,#politics,Donald-Trump,talks,Democrat,leaders,government,shut-down Free President Donald Trump on Tuesday invited Republican and Democratic leaders from Congress for a meeting to seek an end to the federal government shutdown now in its second week. The two sides have appeared at an impasse, with Trump's Democratic foes seeking a vote on spending bills to keep the government open -- without addressing the hot-button issue of border wall funding -- as soon as they take control of the House of Representatives, on Thursday. But the legislation's future appears uncertain, as it does not contain funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border, as demanded by Trump. But Trump appeared to strike a more conciliatory tone seeking to bring Democrats to the table after acerbic remarks over the weekend. "Border Security and the Wall 'thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?" he tweeted. Pelosi is set to become House speaker on Thursday. At the same time, Trump characterized their opposition to the wall as embracing "Open Borders and all of the crime and drugs that Open Borders bring!" US media reported the lawmakers were invited to a session at the White House, though it was unclear who would attend, and whether any Democrats would be present. Democrats say the wall idea -- one of the president's key election campaign platforms -- is a distraction from more complicated immigration problems and a tool for Trump to whip up support among his conservative base. They are proposing to pass most administrative budgets lasting through September 30, while only financing until February 8 the thornier budget of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees border security. Trump expressed outrage at the idea. "The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative! The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security - and our Country must finally have a Strong and Secure Southern Border!" he wrote on Twitter. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 2 2019 While some residents opt to spend their year-end holidays outside of Jakarta, others choose to tour around the city on Jakartas very own free double-decker buses. It was a scorching Sunday afternoon when dozens of passengers waited at a bus stop in front of the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta. Standing under the sun, the passengers mostly families with children looked enthusiastic when they saw a bus approach the bus stop. Wahyu, a tourist from Bekasi, West Java, who wanted to travel to Kota Tua in West Jakarta with his family, had his eyes on the double-decker bus that was flooded with other passengers who had lined up before him. Actually, we could have gone straight to the Kota Tua with the train from Bekasi, but our kids are happy about it, so Im okay with it, Wahyu told The Jakarta Post on Sunday. He added that his child... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 2, 2019 15:24 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e50e9e0 1 National #Indonesia,#separatism,TNI,police,take-over,KNPB,headquarter,Papua Free The Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police have taken over the West Papua National Committee headquarters in Timika, Mimika Baru district, Papua to use it as a joint military-police post. "The headquarters is not allowed to operate anymore and was taken over as a TNI and police post from now on, Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Agung Marlianto said in a statement on Tuesday. He said 80 TNI personnel and police officers went to monitor an anniversary and new year celebration at the headquarters on Monday morning. Agung said the officers ordered the Free West Papua activists in the headquarters to remove all of the movements insignia and to not to shout any freedom slogans. "They refused at first, but finally we could remove all the insignia," he said, adding that officers had painted a wall red and white and knocked down another wall that bore the committees symbol. Beginning on Monday, he said, Papuans were not allowed to use any Free West Papua insignia or anything with the morning star symbol. The committee spokesperson Ones Suhuniap said the takeover was immoral and unethical. He said the committee had informed the police they were holding an event on Dec. 31. Unless the land and buildings belonged to them and they retook it from us," Suhuniap said in a statement on Tuesday, explaining why the seizure of the property was improper. "It was built by the Papuans on their own land. They had given this to us. (ggq) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Copenhagen, Denmark Wed, January 2, 2019 17:23 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e515a43 2 World #Denmark,#accident,train-accident,killing Free Six people were killed Wednesday in a train accident on a bridge connecting two islands in Denmark, rail operator DSB said. "We can confirm that six people are dead," a duty officer told AFP, as media reports said the roof of a cargo train blew off in heavy winds and hit a passenger train that was travelling in the opposite direction. The accident occurred on the Great Belt Bridge connecting the islands of Zealand, where Copenhagen is located, and Funen. A Funen police spokesman told reporters he could not provide details of the accident, but added: "We know that an object hit the train." There were 131 passengers and three crew on board. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung Wed, January 2, 2019 09:40 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e4ff6e6 4 National sukabumi,landslide,rainy-season,natural-disaster,death-toll,search-and-rescue,#landslide Free Rescuers are still combing through the site of a landslide in Sirnaresmi village of Sukabumi regency, West Java, in an effort to find 24 people who are still missing after 66 were saved, including three with serious injuries. Joshua Banjarnahor, the spokesman for the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) in West Java, said on Tuesday that 32 households, or 101 people, had been affected by the landslide triggered by torrential rain on Monday afternoon. At least 15 people have been killed and 34 houses buried by the landslide. Two people were killed on Dec. 31 and eight on Jan. 1, [including] one baby that was seriously injured and died later on, he said in a statement, adding that the rescue team had identified 11 bodies so far and that the search would continue on Wednesday. Banjarnahor said the joint search and rescue (SAR) team of 850 people consisted of personnel from the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian Military, the National Police and Basarnas. We have deployed two excavators that are already in operation on site, he said, adding that the team had initially relied only on manual efforts in the search for survivors, which was halted overnight but continued on Tuesday morning. However, the team was still facing challenges because of the steep and rocky road that destabilized the land. The disaster spot was also hard to reach, located approximately three hours by car from Sukabumi. Sukabumi military commander Col. Mohamad Hasan explained that his personnels efforts to retrieve the victims were hampered by bad weather. We have not been able to locate around 20 people who are reported to be missing, he said. Kasbani, the head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG), said he had deployed the land movement response team to the site to conduct disaster evaluations, assess the risk of secondary landslides and provide technical advice for the rescue effort. The area is still very vulnerable to land and hill movements, given its slope with an angle of more than 30 degrees, he said. Kasbani concluded that the cause of the landslide was a combination of high-intensity rainfall, the steepness of the slope and the porous ground that easily absorbed water. The landslide occurred on a hill at an altitude of more than 650 meters above sea level. There is a small river next to it, Kasbani said. He added that the disaster area had been marked as a zone prone to landslides on a map showing land movement risks in Sukabumi, which meant land movement could occur amid strong rainfall, especially in areas near river valleys and precipices or on cliff roads. In recent days, seasonal rain and high tides caused landslides and flooding across much of the country. On Sunday, a landslide struck two bridges on the Siantar-Parapat crossing in Simalungun regency, North Sumatra, and major flooding occurred in dozens of residential areas along the river in Southeast Aceh. BNPB head Willem Rampangilei said hydrometeorological hazards accounted for 97 percent of disasters in Indonesia this year, with tropical cyclones and floods being the most common, which were caused by a damaged environment, such as shallow rivers. Central authorities have forecast that hydrometeorological hazards would remain the most likely natural disasters to happen this year, as the rainy season is expected to peak in January, although the El Nino and La Nina weather pattern might not be too pronounced. With the legislative and presidential elections slated for April, Willem said, the disaster mitigation agency was prepared to minimize the impact of any natural events, particularly during key dates. According to the agencys records, 14.1 million hectares of the watershed have been damaged, which would trigger flooding due to rapid surface changes, including in mountainous areas that were turning into residential areas. The agencys spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, said according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, the peak of the rainy season would be from January to February, and this would increase the risk of disasters in landslide-prone points in Central Java, Bandung, Sumedang, Cianjur, Bogor and Sukabumi. (ggq) This article was originally published in The Jakarta Post's print edition on Jan. 2, 2019, with the title "Search for missing goes on after Sukabumi landslide". Five pleasure craft went missing from the eastern beach of Untung Jawa Island in South Thousand Islands on Monday -- an occurrence police say is common on the island. The craft, consisting of three banana boats and two donut boats, belonged to residents who run tourism businesses. South Thousand Islands Police chief Adj. Comr. Budi Hastono said such occurrences were common in the area. "We are still looking for the perpetrators. However, we think the perpetrators are in a group as boat theft is common in Thousand Islands," Budi said on Tuesday, as quoted by kompas.com Agung, who was in charge of managing banana boats on the beach, reported the theft of two banana boats and one donut boat to police when he found they were not in their storage room. Another victim, Yusran, found his banana boat and donut boat had been deflated in their storage room. As a result, the victims suffered Rp 150 million (US$10,366) in losses. Police chief Budi alleged the perpetrators were residents who made use of small illegal ports in the area. He said they might use traditional boats when stealing. "I suspect there are four to six perpetrators who are residents of the area. They are working together with Tanjung Kait residents, as the boats disembark there," he said. (ars) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 2, 2019 09:34 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e4fec23 1 Business Pertamina-EP,drilling-activity,Langkat,North-Sumatra Free PT Pertamina EP, an upstream business subsidiary of state-owned oil and gas holding company Pertamina, has announced that the company had started drilling at the new oil and gas field Radius Meter -001 (RDM-001) in Langkat regency, North Sumatra. Pertamina EP exploration and discovery project director Achmad Alfian Husein said the company aimed to reach a depth of 2,125 meters with a production target of 10.8 million barrels of oil and 62.8 billion cubic feet of natural gas, or 22 million barrels of oil equivalent. We cant confirm the length of exploration yet because we still have some stages left, Alfian said on Monday as quoted by kontan.co.id. Alfian estimated that exploration would cost up to US$13 million. Drilling at RDM-001 involves a Rig N110/59 with 1,500 HP capacity owned by PT Pertamina Drilling Services Indonesia (PDSI), which is also a subsidiary of Pertamina. Pertamina EP president director Nanang Abdul Manaf expressed hope that drilling would produce positive results to increase oil and gas production in Langkat, which has been declining. Previously, Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arcandra Tahar said Indonesia needed to intensify exploration because the countrys proven oil reserves would last only about 12 years. He said Indonesias proven oil reserves were only 0.2 percent of global proven oil reserves, while the countrys reserve replacement ratio was only 50 percent. (das/bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 2, 2019 13:08 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e50b167 1 National 2019,election,Jokowi,Prabowo-Subianto,politics,political-party Free Indonesia is preparing for a presidential election in April that will see a rematch of Joko Jokowi Widodo and Prabowo Subianto, who had competed for the countrys top post in the previous election, but the race will not be the same. Despite offering the same two candidates that voters had seen five years ago, shifting support and new election regulations have altered the political landscape. Jokowi, who has received credit and criticism for his administration and benefited from his status as the incumbent, has become the stronger candidate, with more support from political parties. Aside from ongoing support from the parties that had supported him in 2014, Jokowi has now secured support from the Golkar Party and the United Development Party (PPP), which were allies of Prabowo in the previous election. The Gerindra Party chairman, who faced financial issues for his presidential bid and infighting in his camp among political parties vying for the vice-presidential candidacy, eventually picked as his running mate his own party cadre Sandiaga Uno, a former venture capital businessman who was serving as Jakarta deputy governor. While the move secured his presidential bid, the Prabowo campaign has been struggling since the campaigns kicked off in September with a lack of commitment from his supporting parties, some of which have chosen to focus their energy on campaigns for their own candidates in the legislative elections. The legislative polls that will be held on the same day as the presidential election forced the political parties on the challengers side to think about their own fate should Prabowos weak standing result in his defeat. In December, the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) recorded the electability of Jokowi, who is running with prominent cleric Maruf Amin, at 53 percent, while that of the Prabowo-Sandiaga duo was seen at 31 percent. The figures were barely changed from the results of surveys conducted months earlier. Given Jokowis strong position, observers have predicted that the incumbent would have a smooth ride toward his reelection, but it is worth noting that Prabowo can still turn the tables by exploiting the discontent of conservative Muslims in the country. In December, thousands of protesters calling themselves the alumni of the 212 rally that jailed former Jakarta governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, a close ally of Jokowi, held a reunion gathering at the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, and Prabowo was invited and addressed the crowd. The gathering, which was supported by the #2019GantiPresiden ( 2019ChangePresident ) movement, drew a large crowd, despite Jokowis decision to pick Maruf, a strong supporter of Ahoks prosecution, as his running mate. Prabowo and his camp have been strongly criticized for politicizing Islam, a strategy that granted his party victory in the Jakarta election, in which the party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) supported former education minister Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga as governor and deputy governor. The maneuver, which started in the 2014 presidential election, has been condemned for causing division and polarization in the country, in fundamental contradiction to Prabowos patriotic image. Prabowos campaign team chairman Djoko Santoso denied that his team would focus on sectarian issues, saying it would instead focus on economic issues. What we truly face now is a social gap between the rich and the poor, massive drug trafficking and globalization. Those all are the real threats for this nation, Djoko said. Maruf said he and Jokowi would not use sectarian issues in their own campaign, but would clarify issues about religion that were politicized by the rival camp. We wont use identity politics, but we have to make clarifications when [some parties] try to politicize religion, Maruf said. Political analyst Ari Nurcahyo from think tank ParaSyndicate said identity politics would still be a dominant issue ahead of the voting day on April 17, yet both campaigns would not directly use it as their platforms. There will be certain groups behind them that will play up the issue. Political engines [formally and informally affiliated with] the two camps, including volunteers, will show their real strength, Ari said. Throughout 2018, including the first three months of the campaign, candidate supporters have used social media to provoke and influence people. Cofounded by PKS executive Mardani Ali Sera, the #2019GantiPresiden movement had already gained traction before Prabowos nomination. The 212 rally in late 2016 was propelled by outrage of conservative Muslims upon seeing a doctored video of Ahoks speech in front of Thousands Island residents, which later went viral and was captioned with accusations that the former governor had blasphemed against Quran. State Islamic University (UIN) political expert Adi Prayitno said that, without no proper handling by the authorities, any spat or movement in social media could turn into a real conflict. He cited a recent conflict between Jokowi and Prabowo supporters in Sampang, Madura, which left one person dead. The incident started with the victim commenting on the perpetrators Facebook status. There is always a risk of [social media disputes turning into] real conflicts, because many Indonesians are still irrational and tend to be emotional when it comes to different opinions in politics, Adi said. He said many still considered politics a one way to heaven issue or a fight between good and evil. Ari expressed hope that the presidential debates that will begin this month would be a moment for both candidates to explain their vision and mission and avoid sectarian issues. In such debates, he said, both camps could have healthy discussions on government programs and ways to improve peoples welfare. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Panca Nugraha, Syamsul Huda M. Suhari and Syofiardi Bachyul Jb (The Jakarta Post) Palu/Gorontalo/Padang Wed, January 2 2019 Daredevil: A young visitor rides the Flying Fox at the National Monument (Monas) complex in Central Jakarta on Tuesday. The new attraction was provided by the Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency.(Antara/Galih Pradipta) Indonesia saw rather somber New Years Eve (NYE) celebrations in most regions across the archipelago following deadly disasters that struck different parts of the nation in the last months of 2018. The country saw its deadliest year in little over a decade last year with more than 4,200 people dead, mostly in powerful earthquakes in West Nusa Tenggara in August and tsunamis in Central Sulawesi and the Sunda Strait in September and December, respectively. The figure does not include the 189 people who died in a Lion Air crash in October. President Joko Jokowi Widodo, who celebrated NYE at the Bogor Palace with his family and staffers, conveyed an ... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Louis Genot with Marc Burleigh in Rio de Janeiro (Agence France-Presse) Brasilia, Brazil Wed, January 2, 2019 08:08 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e4fa4ee 2 World #Brazil,#politics,president,Jair-Bolsonaro,target,crime,left-wing,ideology Free Brazil's new far-right President Jair Bolsonaro declared a crusade against crime, corruption and leftwing ideology as he took office Tuesday for a four-year term at the helm of Latin America's biggest nation. In his first public speech wearing the presidential sash, Boslonaro said Brazil will "start to free itself of socialism" and "political correctness," breaking with policies brought in under decades of leftist rule. The 63-year-old former paratrooper and veteran lawmaker received swift congratulations via Twitter from US President Donald Trump, with whom he shares a similar, brash style and outlook. "Congratulations to President @jairbolsonaro who just made a great inauguration speech - the U.S.A. is with you!" Trump wrote. Bolsonaro responded by saying: "I truly appreciate your words of encouragement. Together, under God's protection, we shall bring prosperity and progress to our people!" In his inauguration speech before Brazil's Congress, Bolsonaro called for "a true national pact" to restore his country's lackluster economy, "without ideological bias." While Bolsonaro enjoys sky-high approval ratings, many in Brazil fear his nostalgia for the military dictatorship that reigned from 1964 to 1985, his hardline approach to fighting crime and his record of disparaging women and minorities could herald a harsh shake-up. Even before being sworn in, Bolsonaro tweeted he would issue a decree easing gun laws to let "good" citizens own firearms to counter armed criminals -- a measure opposed by 61 percent of Brazilians, according to a Datafolha survey. His promise to extend immunity to security forces who use lethal force against suspected wrongdoers has also sparked unease in a country where some 5,000 people a year are already killed by police. Embracing US, Israel In his speech to Congress, Bolsonaro repeatedly hammered leftwing "ideology" that he said had brought Brazil low. His past remarks made it clear he was referring to policies implemented by the Workers Party, which governed between 2003 and 2016 but ended up reviled for a string of corruption scandals. Brazil "will return to be a country free of ideological bonds," he said. He later told a crowd of supporters in front of the presidential palace: "We will re-establish order." Bolsonaro has already said he will do all he can to challenge the leftist governments of Venezuela and Cuba. In a sign of his leanings and alliances, Bolsonaro warmly welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Brazil for his inauguration, and both leaders spoke of their "brotherhood." Netanyahu said Bolsonaro had assured him Brazil's embassy will be moved to Jerusalem. Bolsonaro also admires Trump, with whom he shares nationalist instincts and a disdain of multilateral organizations. He has vowed to pull Brazil out of a UN global migration pact, and is considering doing the same with the Paris climate accord. The new leader's open hostility to the left prompted leftwing deputies to spurn his investiture. Bolsonaro took over the presidency from a center-right figure, Michel Temer, who succeeded the Workers Party Dilma Rousseff -- impeached in 2016 -- but who made little headway with needed fiscal reforms. Temer, Brazil's most unpopular leader ever, faces a number of corruption accusation on leaving office. Bolsonaro supporters hope their man will do better, politically and economically. He has promised to govern for all of the country's 210 million Brazilians, though his initial declaration suggests it will be on his terms, as he seeks to remake the country around his agenda. 'Change' While his government, which takes over on Wednesday, features a US-trained free market advocate as economy minister, and a star anti-corruption judge as justice minister, nearly a third of the 22 ministerial posts are held by ex-military men. There are also concerns for Brazil's extensive and diverse natural environment, with Bolsonaro's pro-business push sidelining preservation -- especially in the Amazon, sometimes called "the lungs of the planet," which is at risk from increasing deforestation. Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has said his education ministry will stop "Marxist trash" being taught in schools and universities -- another swipe at the Workers Party, which greatly boosted access to education for the poor and blacks. Tens of thousands of people attended Bolsonaro's inauguration ceremony in Brasilia, which was held under tight security that included warplane patrols, anti-drone technology and multiple crowd barriers. Precautions were more stringent than in years past, in part because Bolsonaro survived a stabbing attack by a mentally unstable man when he was campaigning for the presidency in September. "This inauguration is a turning point," said one in the crowd, 36-year-old teacher Mauro Penna. "We are very optimistic -- this time our country is going to change." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Palu Wed, January 2 2019 Two police officers were shot at while attempting to move the body of a beheaded person at the village of Salubanga in Sausu, Parigi Moutong, Central Sulawesi, on Monday. Parigi Moutong Police chief Zulham Efendi Lubis suspected members of East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) in Poso, Central Sulawesi, to be behind both the shooting of the officers and the murder. The MIT is a terrorist group led by Ali Kalora. The wounded officers are being treated at Bhayangkara Hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi. The shooting happened as a team of investigators was heading to the scene to retrieve the headless corpse. Two of the four bullets that were shot hit chief Brig. Andrew Maha Putra, an officer with the Mobile Brigade Task Force 3 for Operation Tinombala, while the two others hit Brig. Dua Baso, an intelligence unit officer from the Parigi Moutong Police. ... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 2, 2019 16:07 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e510b86 4 Business IDX,first-trading-day,2019 Free The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) on Wednesday kicked off the first day trading of 2019 as the bourse's management and investors continued to look at the impact of adverse global sentiments caused by economic uncertainty. They saw the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI), which closed at 6,194, was in line with expectations, although it was lower than in 2017, when it was at 6,355. In a speech during the event, Financial Services Authority (OJK) head Wimboh Santoso stressed that the global economy would be still under pressure in 2019. We will strengthen synergy [with other parties] to increase the number of share issuers. The companies do not need to be big in terms of capital, Wimboh said at an event attended also by Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution. Both Darmin and Wimboh said that although the index still corrected in 2018, the performance was better than in the bourses in other emerging countries. In 2018, 57 new companies listed in the IDX, making the total 619. Wimboh said the OJK would expand investment instruments to invite more to invest their funds in the bourse. Meanwhile, Darmin added that the IDX had managed to mitigate the effects of the global economic fluctuation triggered by a trade war between the United States and China and the decline of the prices of commodities. The main challenge is how to increase the demand side. We need a certain strategy to convince people to invest in the bourse, he added. The JCI strengthened by 0.17 percent to 6,204 when trading opened. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Brasilia, Brazil Wed, January 2, 2019 10:08 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e4ff878 2 World #Israel,#Honduras,embassy,move,Jerusalem,talks,US Free Honduras on Tuesday discussed with Israel and the United States moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a controversial initiative that follows similar gestures by Washington, officials said. In a meeting with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, "it was agreed to strengthen political relations and coordinate cooperation on development in Honduras," read a joint statement by Honduras, Israel and the US. "They also agreed to pursue a plan of action, which includes meetings in their three respective capitals, to advance in the process of the decision to open embassies in both Tegucigalpa and Jerusalem." The meeting took place in Brasilia on the sidelines of the presidential inauguration of new Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Last year, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move its embassy there. Months later, Guatemala followed suit. Bolsonaro said during his presidential campaign that he would switch Brazil's embassy but without offering details. The Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, but Israel asserts that all of Jerusalem is its capital and is keen to see foreign embassies move there to bolster that claim. Most countries, however, back Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to settle Jerusalem's status as part of a wider peace deal. Brazil's meat producers are worried that an embassy move could threaten $1 billion in exports to Arab countries. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 2 2019 The Supreme Court has rejected a request to reassess a two-year long case known as the cyanide coffee murder case. Otto Hasibuan, the former lawyer for the convicted, Jessica Kumala Wongso, confirmed the decision. Yes, it is a judicial decision I have to respect, Otto said on Monday as quoted by tribunnews.com. Jessica was found guilty of premeditated murder for poisoning her former friend, Wayan Mirna Salihin, with a cup of cyanide-laced coffee. Upon hearing about the courts decision to deny the request for a case review, which had been proposed by Jessicas previous legal advisors, Otto expressed sadness, saying he still believed his client was not guilty. Yes, I am sad, even though I did not personally handle the [proposal] for the case review. But I am still sad, and my belief remains the same, he added. Jes... Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karina M. Tehusijarana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Wed, January 2, 2019 15:38 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e51041e 1 National environmental-damage,critical-land,BNPB,BMKG,Volcano,disaster,natural-disaster,flood,landslides Free Flooding and landslides will remain the predominant type of disasters in Indonesia in 2019, a repeat of what happened in 2018 when thousands of natural disasters happened, a government disaster office has projected. The last day of 2018 saw a fatal landslide in Sukabumi, West Java, which killed at least 15 as of the first day of 2019. "We predict that in 2019, over 2,500 natural disaster will occur across Indonesia," National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told reporters on Monday. "Hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides and puting beliung [small tornadoes] will continue to dominate and make up about 95 percent of total disasters." Hydrometeorological disasters are among the three major types of disaster across the world. The other two according to a 2013 paper written by AW Jayawardena from the University of Hong Kong are geological (earthquakes) and biological (such as those caused by pathogenic microorganisms). Jayawardena wrote in his conference paper that hydrometeorological disasters, which are primarily caused by water and wind, account for more than 75 percent in terms of damage, including casualties and economic loss, in the world. Critical land Sutopo said deforestation and damage to watersheds had contributed to the increasing number of hydrometeorological disasters over the years. The high level of critical land, which the Forestry and Environment Ministry defines as land that has ecologically reduced function, was also a contributing factor. He added that Indonesia was unlikely to be affected by the El Nino or La Nina phenomena in 2019, which means that the dry and rainy seasons are not expected to increase in intensity. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that the rainy season will peak in January 2019, posing a high potential for floods, landslides and tornadoes across the country. "Almost all of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan and Nusa Tenggara is vulnerable," he said. But while geological disasters like earthquakes and subsequent tsunamis made up only 3.2 percent of the natural disasters that hit the country last year, they were responsible for 92.9 percent of the total death toll of 3,349 people. The earthquakes that hit West Nusa Tenggara in August, the quake and ensuing tsunami that hit Central Sulawesi in September and the volcano-triggered tsunami that struck Banten and Lampung in December accounted for most of the deaths and damage that occurred in 2018. Sutopo said that on average, about 500 earthquakes occurred in Indonesia every month, although only a few were strong enough to cause significant damage. He said that while that the locations, timing and strength of earthquakes were unpredictable, the eastern parts of Indonesia could be more prone to strong tremors. "We should be alert to earthquakes in the eastern part of Indonesia because its seismic and geological conditions are more complicated, making it more vulnerable," he said. Indonesia is also home to 127 active volcanoes, the eruptions of which are similarly unpredictable. According to the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG), one volcano is on the highest alert level (Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra), while four are on the second highest, including Mt. Anak Krakatau, the eruption of which is suspected to have caused the tsunami that hit Banten and Lampung in December. Sixteen other volcanoes are at alert level II (advisory), while the remaining 106 are at alert level I (normal). Sutopo said that most regional administrations and Indonesians in general were not yet equipped to face major natural disasters. "A 2012 study on the readiness index of every regency and city in Indonesia shows that every region has a very low readiness level," he said. "Knowledge about disasters has increased since then, but policies, emergency response plans, early warnings and resource mobilization remain minimal." He added that the early warning system in particular had to be designed from "end-to-end" in order to increase its effectiveness. "The early warning system has to be comprehensive," he said. "A comprehensive system that consists of a group of subsystems including equipment, familiarization, education, local wisdom, public participation, local politics, public policies and so on." "This is what many people do not understand so that when a disaster strikes, [institutions] start blaming each other because they feel that they have installed early warning tools, but they are not connected in a comprehensive system." (evi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin David Harding (Agence France-Presse) Doha, Qatar Wed, January 2, 2019 10:30 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e503506 2 Sports #sports,#tennis,Novak-Djokovic,opening-act,Qatar Free Novak Djokovic took just 55 minutes to claim his first win of 2019, brushing aside Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-2 in the Qatar Open first round on Tuesday. The world number one showed he was intent on taking his form from last season into the new year with a totally dominant display against the Bosnian world number 47. "It's fantastic to be back and to start off the tournament like I have done makes me very confident and very happy," said the Serb. He added: "Results-wise and time-wise it did look quite comfortable (but) I don't think it's nice and fair to say it's easy because I have respect for Dzumhur." Djokovic, who has won the last two Grand Slams -- at Wimbledon and the US Open to take his majors total to 14 -- completed the match in under an hour by predictably converting his first match point. The 31-year-old, who has made it clear he wants to match or better Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slams, was untroubled throughout. Djokovic said he hoped that news of his comfortable victory in Doha "travels" to his rivals around the world. "You do follow, especially what your top rivals are doing, who are they playing, watch highlights," he said. Djokovic's record in Doha is now 13 wins and just one defeat and his path to a potential third title in four years -- playing in Qatar is an established part of his warm-up for the Australian Open -- was helped by results elsewhere as the two other highest ranking seeds were defeated at the first hurdle. Austria's Dominic Thiem, the number two seed, was surprisingly beaten by the world number 55, France's Pierre Hugues-Herbert, 6-3, 7-5 in the last match on Tuesday. And Djokovic's Doha stroll on centre court followed a high quality match between veteran Stan Wawrinka and rising star Karen Khachanov. The Swiss three-time Grand Slam winner won 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 to claim a notable scalp against the powerful Russian. Khachanov, the third seed, finished last season ranked at a career-time high of number 11 and was the man who ended Djokovic's 22-match winning streak in Paris. He is many people's tip to push through and challenge the established stars. However, Khachanov had no answer to an inspired Wawrinka, currently ranked 66th in the world, as he returns from a serious knee injury. "Today was a great match, a great level," said Wawrinka, who has suffered an injury-plagued last two seasons. Wawrinka and Djokovic could meet at the semi-final stage in Doha. Another player returning from injury, Belgium's David Goffin, the sixth seed, was beaten by Lithuanian qualifier Ricardis Berankis, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kyunghee Park (Bloomberg) Wed, January 2, 2019 13:18 894 75e76da2d15e495661b6357e2e50bcf7 2 Business #Asia,#AviationIndustry,Cathay-Pacific,sells,premium,seats,blunder Free All eyes are on Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. as it decides what to do with the tickets that it appeared to have sold in error at a fraction of their prices. Asias biggest international carrier sold business-class tickets from Vietnam to Canada and the US at economy prices earlier this week, according to bloggers. Return fares in the premium cabin from Da Nang to New York started at $675 for travel in August, Gary Leff, a travel and loyalty-program blogger on View from the Wing, wrote on Dec. 31. Travel from Hanoi to Vancouver and back in a mix of business and first class could cost less than $1,000, according to a post on One Mile at a Time. While Cathay didnt immediately say whether it would honor the bookings, the mistake adds to the embarrassments for the Hong Kong carrier thats struggling to turn its fortunes around while competition intensifies from Chinese and budget airlines. The pricing gaffe comes on the heels of a sophisticated hack on Cathays computer systems last year that exposed private information of 9.4 million passengers in the worlds biggest airline data breach. Cathay is aware of the pricing issue and will provide more details later, a spokeswoman for the carrier said by phone. A business-class return ticket to New York from Vietnams Da Nang costs around $16,000 for travel in July and September, according Cathays website Wednesday. Ticket prices werent available for August on the website. Other airlines have made similar pricing errors. Singapore Airlines Ltd. in 2014 and Hong Kong Airlines Ltd. last year honored business-class tickets mistakenly sold at economy fares. Both carriers didnt disclose how many people purchased the cheaper tickets. Cathay had sold tickets to the US and other destinations from Vietnam in a promotional offer that ended Dec. 31, according to its website. Round trip business tickets to Los Angeles were sold from $2,940. NASA rang in the New Year on Tuesday with a historic flyby of the farthest, and quite possibly the oldest, cosmic body ever explored by humankind -- a tiny, distant world called Ultima Thule -- in the hopes of learning more about how planets took shape. A series of anxiously awaited "phone home" signals arrived after 10:30 am (1530 GMT), indicating that the spacecraft had made it, intact, through the risky, high-speed encounter. "We have a healthy spacecraft," said mission operations manager Alice Bowman, as cheers erupted in the control rooms at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland. About 10 hours earlier, NASA celebrated the New Year's flyby, as mission managers -- alongside kids dressed in space costumes -- blew party horns to mark the moment at 12:33 am (0533 GMT) when the New Horizons spacecraft aimed its cameras at the space rock four billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) away in a dark and frigid region of space known as the Kuiper Belt. More images and data will start arriving later Tuesday, offering scientists the first up-close look at an ancient building block of planets, Bowman said. The flyby took place about a billion miles beyond Pluto, which was until now the most faraway world ever visited up close by a spacecraft. Hurtling through space at a speed of 32,000 miles per hour, the spacecraft made its closest approach within 2,200 miles of the surface of Ultima Thule. "This is a night none of us are going to forget," said Queen guitarist Brian May -- who also holds an advanced degree in astrophysics -- and who recorded a solo track to honor the spacecraft and its spirit of exploration. Lead planetary scientist for New Horizons, Alan Stern, said Ultima Thule is unique because it is a relic from the early days of the solar system and could provide answers about the origins of other planets. "The object is in such a deep freeze that it is perfectly preserved from its original formation," he said. "Everything we are going to learn about Ultima -- from its composition to its geology to how it was originally assembled, whether it has satellites and an atmosphere and those kinds of things -- are going to teach us about the original formation conditions of objects in the solar system." Coming into focus Scientists are not sure exactly what Ultima Thule (pronounced TOO-lee) looks like -- whether it is cratered or smooth, or even if it is a single object or a cluster. But a new, though still blurry image released Tuesday showed its oblong shape resembles something like a bowling pin or a peanut, and its dimensions are about 22 miles long and nine miles wide (35 by 15 kilometers). Stern said his bet is that the object is a single body, not two pieces orbiting each other, but he would wait until more, clearer images arrive Wednesday to say for sure. The highest resolution images are expected in February, Stern said. Read also: NASA responds to Avengers fans' requests to save Tony Stark Ultima Thule was discovered in 2014 with the help of the Hubble Space Telescope. Scientists decided to study Ultima Thule with New Horizons after the spaceship, which launched in 2006, completed its main mission of flying by Pluto in 2015, returning the most detailed images ever taken of the dwarf planet. Stern said the goal was to take images of Ultima that are three times the resolution the team had for Pluto. Frontier of planetary science Ultima Thule is named for a mythical, far-northern island in medieval literature and cartography, according to NASA. Project scientist Hal Weaver of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory said humans didn't even know the Kuiper Belt -- a vast ring of relics from the formation days of the solar system -- existed until the 1990s. "This is the frontier of planetary science," said Weaver. Another NASA spacecraft, OSIRIS-REx, also set a new record on Monday by entering orbit around the asteroid Bennu, the smallest cosmic object -- about 1,600 feet (500 meters) in diameter -- ever circled by a spacecraft. NASA said the orbit some 70 million miles (110 million kilometers) away marks "a leap for humankind" because no spacecraft has ever "circled so close to such a small space object -- one with barely enough gravity to keep a vehicle in a stable orbit." The twin planetary feats coincided with the 50th anniversary of the first time humans ever explored another world, when US astronauts orbited the Moon aboard Apollo 8 in December, 1968. "As you celebrate New Year's Day, cast an eye upward and think for a moment about the amazing things our country and our species can do when we set our minds to it," Stern wrote in the New York Times on Monday. Whether you prefer rollers, microneedlers or smart devices, there is a skincare tool for every beauty fan on the market right now. We take a look at some of the devices that gained traction this year. Facial rollers Facial rolling exploded in popularity in 2018, with myriad versions of the hand-held tools launching in rose quartz, jade or metal. New versions keep on coming BeautyBio has just unveiled a new Contouring + De-Puffing Rose Quartz Roller that claims to de-puff the complexion, while Sephora recently added a Rose Quartz facial roller to its Sephora Collection portfolio. Read also: Three Bali-based organic skincare brands to try Sonic devices Smart beauty devices just keep getting smarter. This summer, Clarisonic launched two new smart beauty devices, including the Mia Smart, which claims to remove long-wear makeup 89 percent better than beauty wipes. It works with the brands Sonic Awakening Eye Massager Brush Head to boost micro-circulation and improve skin texture and luminosity in the under-eye area and features three customizable programs for cleansing, firming and eye massage, functioning with Bluetooth connectivity via smartphone app for a highly personalized experience. Earlier in the year, the beauty startup Foreo launched a UFO Smart Mask that uses patented T-Sonic technology to enhance the traditional facial mask experience. Microneedling Microneedling the act of pricking the complexion with miniature needles to encourage the production of collagen to plump up the skin has taken off recently as an at-home procedure. A slew of devices such as BeautyBios GloPro which is designed to be used for just 60 seconds daily, and Swiss Clinics Skin Roller, which features 540 micro-needles, have made it easier than ever to benefit from the DIY version of the beauty treatment. The Uffizi Gallery in Florence on Tuesday appealed to Berlin for help in retrieving a stolen 18th century Dutch painting from a German family. An appeal to Germany for 2019: We wish that the famous Vase of Flowers by Dutch painter Jan van Huysum that was stolen by Nazi soldiers be returned to the Uffizi Gallery, the museums German director Eike Schmidt said. According to Schmidt, the oil painting is currently held by a German family who, after all this time, has still not returned it to the museum despite many requests by the Italian state. Before it was stolen during World War II, the still-life, which measures 4735 cm, was part of a collection owned by another well-known Florence museum, the Palazzo Pitti. After being shipped to Germany the works whereabouts remained unknown until 1991, after Germany was reunified, Schmidt said. Read also: The top 10 art exhibitions to see in 2019 Van Huysum was a well-known specialist of still-life paintings, and until this one is returned, the wounds of the Second World War and Nazi terror will not be healed, the museum director claimed. Schmidt, who is also an art historian, urged Germany to abolish the statute of limitations for works stolen during the conflict and ensure they can be returned to their rightful owners. In the meantime, a black and white copy of Flower Vase was hung Tuesday at the Uffizi Gallery, with the word stolen in English, German, and Italian on it. A brief explanation tells visitors that the work was stolen by Nazi soldiers in 1944 and is now in a German private collection. The city council has a good plan. The narrower lanes will slow traffic. Narrower vehicle lanes will make it too difficult for larger vehicles. A separate pedestrian solution should be constructed away from any vehicular traffic. Widening the sidewalk could work best if a barrier is put up between the sidewalk and vehicular traffic. Vote View Results The tsunami that took the lives of over 400 people in the Sunda Strait is just one of 2,426 natural disasters in Indonesia in 2018. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has declared 4,231 people dead or missing as a result of natural disasters, making 2018 the most tumultuous year Indonesia has faced since 2007. The 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Palu, Central Sulawesi in September and the eruptions of Anak Krakatau are some of the most notorious examples of the earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions Indonesia fell victim to this year. Willem Rampangilei of the BNPB stated that despite the fact that geological hazards accounted for only 3 percent of natural disasters in 2018, they claimed the most lives. Inflicting over 4,000 people, these casualties are sobering reminders of the importance of disaster risk reduction and preparation. While the BNPB was founded with the intention of legislating on key risk reduction policies and allocating a budget to improve research and early warning tools, the events of 2018 prove that it is falling short. In a series of tweets, BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho revealed that the tsunami early warning system had not been working since 2012 due to vandalism. According to AP, while decentralization of risk-reduction is shared among local governments, their negligence left the buoys unrepaired. Video surveillance also shows that victims of tsunamis did not seek higher ground -- an immediate response to such calamities -- proving that people were not informed on what to do in such emergencies. The result speaks for itself: hundreds of victims losing their lives without a warning when a siren could have been in place, or education could have been instilled. Moreover, the collapse of infrastructure and homes not only have plummeting economic costs, they are a testament of the governments failure to sufficiently mitigate risks by enforcing stricter construction laws to build stronger structures. Located in the Ring of Fire, Indonesia is prone to natural disasters. Entering 2019, the resolve to become more disaster-resilient should be stronger than ever; such circumstances should motivate preparedness, not prolong neglect. As a signatory of the Sendai Framework -- the worlds first voluntary agreement on disaster risk reduction after the 2015 Agenda -- and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Indonesia needs to strengthen its commitment not only to the international community but to its people. In a paper written by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), the link between disaster risk reduction and development is symbiotic. Indonesias turmoil this year is a paradigm case study, highlighting SDGs 4, 9 and 11. Improved infrastructure that can anticipate, absorb, adapt to and or rapidly recover from hazards (Target 9.1)and enforcing stricter regulations to ensure sustainable, resilient urban development (Target 11.3, 11.5, 11.B, 11.C)are the backbone to durable communities. Developing advanced technology and infrastructure against natural disasters demands a budget that Indonesia struggles to meet, but there are simple techniques builders can adopt which can build stronger foundations, making structures less vulnerable to instant collapse. Japan is a leading example of disaster-risk reduction and readiness. One of their key missions includes raising awareness on natural disasters to educate people to better protect their lives (Target 4.7). As the focal point, schools implement courses which educates people on disaster causes, consequences and how to prepare for and respond to the impacts of hazards. By making this information readily available and easy to understand, communication becomes smoother, and individuals increase their chances of survival. Read also: [UPDATED] Sunda Strait tsunami: What we know so far It is crucial to know that change is accessible and can be advocated for at multiple levels. While it is the government who must right its wrongs, both individuals and communities can do their part. A symposium conducted by the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP) emphasized the importance of psychological support for victims of disasters and their loved ones by the community. Counseling those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or including victims in the rebuilding process are two examples of motivating the community and assisting the coping process of those affected. Monetary donations are a tried and tested approach to best support disaster relief. Organizations providing immediate aid and resources are essential for smoother recovery, but several non-profits are specifically committed to education and infrastructure, placing the question of long-term recovery on the spotlight. Here are some organizations working in disaster mitigation and relief: Mercy Corps Indonesia is working to provide medical assistance to victims of hazards, specifically in hard-to-reach areas. While the community has an important role in locating and retrieving victims trapped under collapsed structures, medical expertise and proper tools are necessary, invaluable assets to treat those affected. Send your donations here. is working to provide medical assistance to victims of hazards, specifically in hard-to-reach areas. While the community has an important role in locating and retrieving victims trapped under collapsed structures, medical expertise and proper tools are necessary, invaluable assets to treat those affected. Send your donations here. Red Cross Indonesia (PMI) actively works on disaster reports and provides medical assistance in affected areas, particularly where infrastructure is weak or damaged. Their disaster report for instance, in the Sunda Strait, is being updated on a daily basis on their twitter feed. PMI has various donation campaigns which you can contribute to here. (PMI) actively works on disaster reports and provides medical assistance in affected areas, particularly where infrastructure is weak or damaged. Their disaster report for instance, in the Sunda Strait, is being updated on a daily basis on their twitter feed. PMI has various donation campaigns which you can contribute to here. Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) provides humanitarian assistance in situations which demand emergency response. In addition, ACT also gives victims a voice by reporting the catastrophes endured by survivors. Focusing on humanitarian aid and development, ACT is involved in missions ranging in a variety of issues, both national and global. To find out how you can help, visit their page here. (ACT) provides humanitarian assistance in situations which demand emergency response. In addition, ACT also gives victims a voice by reporting the catastrophes endured by survivors. Focusing on humanitarian aid and development, ACT is involved in missions ranging in a variety of issues, both national and global. To find out how you can help, visit their page here. Wahana Visi Indonesia (WHI), World Visions local partner, has deployed an emergency response team to the Sunda Strait to assess the damages of the tsunami. Margarettha Siregar, HEA Director of Wahana Visi Indonesia,states the team will establish the kind of support that is needed including determining if the government and emergency responders have the capacity to handle operations without additional requested support. In 2017-2018, WHI has worked in 14 provinces in 60 service areas across Indonesia, focusing on emergency situations, basic needs, and child welfare. If you have emergency response experience, apply to be a part of the emergency response team here, or visit their page to make a donation. (WHI), World Visions local partner, has deployed an emergency response team to the Sunda Strait to assess the damages of the tsunami. Margarettha Siregar, HEA Director of Wahana Visi Indonesia,states the team will establish the kind of support that is needed including determining if the government and emergency responders have the capacity to handle operations without additional requested support. In 2017-2018, WHI has worked in 14 provinces in 60 service areas across Indonesia, focusing on emergency situations, basic needs, and child welfare. If you have emergency response experience, apply to be a part of the emergency response team here, or visit their page to make a donation. Yayasan Plan International Indonesia , as part of the wider Plan International organization, is a humanitarian organization focusing on childrens rights and gender equality. In face of natural disasters, the organization sends emergency response teams (ERTs) to evaluate disaster zones and supports those inflicted through non-food supplies such as temporary shelters, school supplies, and cleaning tools. By acting as a channel for such supplies, your donations are guaranteed to reach victims of disasters; contribute your donations here. as part of the wider Plan International organization, is a humanitarian organization focusing on childrens rights and gender equality. In face of natural disasters, the organization sends emergency response teams (ERTs) to evaluate disaster zones and supports those inflicted through non-food supplies such as temporary shelters, school supplies, and cleaning tools. By acting as a channel for such supplies, your donations are guaranteed to reach victims of disasters; contribute your donations here. Build Change has been working in Indonesia since 2005 with a focus on building earthquake resistant structures. The organization focuses on rectifying the long-term consequences of natural disasters through reconstruction and transferring skills. As part of the Build Better Materials project, local brickmakers, for instance, are supported by working together to produce higher quality materials through improved techniques. In collaboration with technical experts, these improved techniques have redesigned homes and schools in earthquake-inflicted zones in their Build Back Better projects. During these turbulent times, it is more vital than ever that we stand in solidarity. The spark of a new year is a reflective period for us all, it is up to the collective efforts of individuals at all levels to advance a more resilient Indonesia in 2019. (kes) *** Paxia Ksatryo is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in European-Asian affairs and law at Sciences Po Paris. Her experience in a UN think tank and a start-up PR agency encapsulates her desire to reach the masses. In her spare time she enjoys brunching, debating and reading architecture magazines. She can be reached on Instagram as @paxionfruit and LinkedIn. There is never a good time for a phone battery to die. Many of us tend to do anything to keep a phone battery alive all day. But when a phone gets damaged, we may regret a few things we did in an attempt to keep the battery alive. Is the regret really necessary? Readers Digest spoke to tech experts to unveil the truth. Having the phone plugged overnight is harmful Sergio Flores, electronics engineer for Samsung told Readers Digest that smart technology stopped phone batteries from charging after they were full. Even if you are charging your phone overnight, the phone battery is only being charged when its necessary, Flores was quoted as saying. Public charging ports might not be that safe Any data that your phone holds, including emails, text, photos and more are at risk of theft when the phone is charged using public port. People dont realize theyre not just a power source, CEO and president of Identity Theft Resource Center Eva Velasquez told Readers Digest, noting that cords at restaurants and airports might enable data transfer. She went on to say that if you really have to charge in public, portable chargers are a lot less risky. Read also: Beware, smartphone hackers may be lurking in public ports Phone batteries need to totally drain before charging The truth is, always charge before the phone battery reaches zero. Flores said that lithium-ion batteries were likely to forget their full capacity level. So when [the batteries are] recharged, they do not recharge to the same level as they were at the beginning, Flores told Readers Digest. While major brands have now addressed the problems, users are advised to be more careful with recharging older phone models. Close apps that consumes high energy Yes, it only takes one app to eat up a big chunk of battery life. Among those apps are Facebook, unfortunately. A lot of [apps], like the Facebook app, do things in the background, even when youre not running it, Brad Nichols, a technician with technology repair service company Staymobile told Readers Digest. He went on to say Facebook constantly checks for messages and updates and refreshes feeds in the background. Nichols suggested deleting the app and checking Facebook from a web browser instead, to slow down battery drain. Theres no need to turn the phone off On the contrary, giving your phone total rest once in a while helps conserve its battery. Especially for those with the habit of leaving apps up. If you turn your phone off completely, its processing zero tasks as opposed to 20 tasks every ten minutes, said Nichols, adding that restarting a phone takes only a couple minutes, but it makes a difference. He suggests to turn the phone off before long meetings or when catching a movie, if you feel that shutting it down before bed feels unrealistic. Leave the phone untouched while its charging Sure, if youre on a smartphone detox. But it is actually fine to open apps or answer calls while the phone is plugged in. Nichols said that opening apps take power while the phone battery is charging, resulting the device to charge longer to get the battery full, thats all. Stick to original chargers Knockoff chargers have the capability of knocking out your phone battery. Nichols said cheaper chargers did not meet the required standard to fill a phone consistently with the correct voltage. The fluctuation of voltage can damage the charger port, and even damage your battery, Nichols was quoted as saying. (mut) GLEN CARBON Mongolia: Big Changes from Communism to a Democratic Society will take place at the Glen Carbon Library on Feb. 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Luke Snell is the speaker. Snell is a senior materials engineer at Western Technologies in Phoenix, Arizona. He and his wife made their first trip to Mongolia in 2002 to set up a local chapter of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) in Ulaanbataar, Mongolias capital. ALTON An old bakery and a former law office make events pop in settings that will surely WOW guests. No two events look the same at either WOW Event Center or WOW On Broadway the event center, a larger space, is THE wedding venue, at 513 E. Third St., and WOW On Broadway, a smaller venue, is perfect for more intimate affairs, such as showers, retirement parties or New Years Eve bashes. WOW On Broadway, at 630 E. Broadway, recently opened and both WOW venues are literally within walking distance of each other, approximately one-quarter of a mile apart, in Alton, Illinois. Brides, moms, bachelorettes and party throwers bring their Pinterest boards to life against WOWs backdrop of vintage and barn wood touches. Thats what we say, said Barbie Brynildsen, of Godfrey, Illinois, who, along with her husband, Bryan, owns the WOW event destinations. Both venues can be for your guests, with your vision and ideas. From cozy family affairs to festive rollicking holiday parties to lavish wedding receptions, any occasion seems to fit with WOWs aesthetic. The event business organically grew out of the Brynildsens upcycled furnishings adventure. The couple opened a home furnishings business more than three years ago, which now is a smaller part of what they do since the newer business took off. We bought the WOW On Broadway building because we were mainly having weddings and receptions at the main event center building, but we had more and more interest in wanting smaller events, Barbie said. When we have a wedding event, its an all-day affair, and its hard to host two events when theres a wedding. So, we wanted to accommodate those who want to have smaller events, even if we are hosting a wedding and reception the day someone else wants their event. Some of those occasions have since included an 80th birthday party, a retirement celebration and various showers, both bridal and baby. Were finding people dont want to have parties in their home due to space, and we do all the clean up afterward, Barbie noted. We are doing more and more smaller events and theres a real need for nicer venues for smaller occasions. The Brynildsens opened WOWs second space, WOW On Broadway, this past spring in the former home of Talbert and Associates law firm. The couple purchased the historic building from Jeannine Kelly. WOW Event Center also is in a historic building, formerly the home of Nolls Bakery, which became Colonial. We have the same farmhouse tables, Chiavari chairs (in both venues) and the buildings lend themselves so people dont have to do a lot of decorating, Barbie said. A chalkboard adorns the brick wall at WOW On Broadway, so people can display photos or write special messages. We have lanterns to put on tables. WOW On Broadway even has a pool table, that if not rented for use, can be converted into an additional usable farmhouse table. When the Brynildsens purchased the Talbert building last April, Kelly already had the walls torn down to the brick and new hardwood flooring. WOW On Broadway already is booking showers for next fall. The character of the WOW buildings is evident, each featuring exposed brick walls and other special touches, such as a massive, cherry-color winding wood staircase at On Broadway. Wall-to-wall law books still line floor-to-ceiling, built-in shelves, from the law offices distant past, making a perfect setting for photographs and for guests with finger foods and cocktails. While WOW Event Center has an inherent old-fashioned industrial feel, with exposed round heating ducts beautifully blended with shabby chic accents added by the Brynildsens, the Talbert building has a Victorian vibe, featuring an arched doorway seamlessly built into an exposed brick wall, which leads to the foyer with the staircase and library. One of the Brynildsens five sons, Stephen, 30, who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a contractor/entrepreneur who does much of the renovation work at the WOW buildings, including extensive reconstruction within the Talbert building. The buildings upgrades are incorporated into its past with newly created rooms, such as an updated kitchen and completely renovated guest bathrooms. The rest of the Brynildsens sons are Jared Brynildsen, 33, stationed in Hawaii with the U.S. Army, and owner of Altons Germania Brew Haus, also on Broadway, practically across the street from WOW On Broadway; Ben Brynildsen, 24, who manages Germania, his brothers gourmet coffee shop and beer tasting business; Daniel, 31, who is the information technology manager for TD Ameritrade in St. Louis; and, Matthew, 27, of St. Louis, who works for Edward Jones. Ben actually met and proposed to his fiance, Maggie Day, of OFallon, Missouri, at the furnishings shop before it became exclusively WOW Event Center, where the couple married this year. WOW Event Centers Nolls Bakery building has the capacity for 293 people; On Broadway has the capacity for up to 100. Nolls Bakery occupied the Third Street building, later Colonial, which eventually moved to Landmarks Boulevard where now the Old Bakery Beer Co. is located. Discreetly tucked inside of WOW Event Center is a grooms room and brides parlor. We have five sons in the family, so its important, to us, to have a grooms room. The groom needs his dedicated space, too, Barbie noted. Customized furniture pieces, which started the Brynildsens on an entrepreneurial path, are scattered around the venue, giving it an ambiance of home, with farmhouse tables and repurposed decor. Yet, the brides parlor feels quite majestic with ivory-color gilt-like framed mirrors, a crystal chandelier, full-length gold-frame mirror and ornate vanity, for the bride and her party to get ready for the big day. The grooms room has a rustic feel, featuring modern amenities that grooms and their buddies have thoroughly enjoyed an Xbox and a big screen television screen. During one reception, groomsmen were in here playing with the Xbox, Barbie recalled. The Brynildsens moved to St. Louis in 1986 when their first son was born. They moved to Alton about 24 years ago and now live in Godfrey. Because of WOWs success, Barbie retired early, this past October, from a full-time job at American Water Co. Bryan is a U.S. Air Force veteran, now working full-time with the family-owned business. Barbie is originally from Peoria, Illinois, and Bryan is from New Jersey. Shes the brains, Im the brawn, he said. Happenstance led the couple to embark on renting event space. The Brynildsens held their son Matthews rehearsal dinner at their furniture business nearly three years ago, on Third Street, and everyone loved it, suggesting they allow people to rent space for similar events, Barbie recalled. She and her husband took that to heart. We feel the reason the Lord gave us five kids, and running all those years with them, was great conditioning for working the many hours that we do now. So, were still very busy, just in a different way, Barbie said. Those who rent WOW On Broadway can choose their own caterer or bring their own food. It allows clients to stay in their budgets. Thats a big benefit, Barbie noted. Both WOW venues provide gold Chiavari chairs and handcrafted farmhouse tables, included in the rental fee. Most places you have to rent chairs and tables, thats really a helpful savings, Barbie said. You can move the tables and we work with clients to coordinate. Both venues have spacious outside features that add to usable space. Visit WOW Furnishings and Event Centers Facebook page or call 618-444-7969 for more information. Reach Jill Moon at 618-208-6448 and Twitter @jill_moon A kiwi is no ordinary fruit from the way it looks to its nutrition content. The kiwi is native to China but spread to New Zealand in the early 20th century. Those who tasted the fruit thought it had a gooseberry flavor and began to call it the Chinese Gooseberry. The fruit finally received its current name in 1959 when it was became a popular commercial product and an export company from New Zealand named it after the national bird, the kiwi. In North America, it is commonly known as kiwi, but it is marketed to the rest of the world as kiwifruit. Kiwi grown in the United States is available from November through May. From June through October, the fruit is coming from outside the United States and may be more expensive. Kiwi are small and round shaped. They are fuzzy brown on the outside and usually bright green with black seeds on the inside. Some varieties have a golden flesh. The skin can be eaten or it can be peeled. Kiwi grow on vines, similar to grapes. Either way, the green fruit is a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamins E and C. The small black seeds are edible too. Some describe its flavor as similar to a blend between strawberry and pineapple. Kiwi has an enzyme called actinidin that works to break apart proteins. Because of this, kiwi is a great natural meat tenderizer. WILTON January marks a new year and, police hope, a fresh start in the battle against a rising trend in car-related crimes in town. Last year marked the third straight year Wilton saw an uptick in burglaries from cars. In 2018, police recorded 70 instances of motor vehicle burglaries the highest such total since at least 2005, according to Capt. Robert Cipolla, a police spokesman. Lt. Rob Kluk, the towns public information officer, said that number could likely be closer to around 75 or 80 incidents, since some cases included multiple vehicles broken into at the same location. The town also saw nearly triple the number of stolen cars in 2018 with 16 stolen vehicles, up from six in 2016 and in 2017. It is a concern for residents and police when you see this sort of activity in the community, Cipolla said. Cipolla said the troubling rise in thefts from cars began around December 2016. That year, the department saw 19 car burglaries, followed by 44 such instances in 2017. For comparison, the Wilton Police Department responded to only 32 total burglaries, including non-car-related thefts, combined over 2014 and 2015. While Wilton has been slammed by car-related crimes over recent years, Cipolla said the suburb isnt alone. This has been a statewide issue in terms of these thefts from vehicles and stolen vehicles, so were certainly not immune to it, he said. Police attributed the rise to a multitude of factors. Technological advancements, Cipolla said, have been one contributor. As key fobs have replaced old-fashioned keys, owners have taken to leaving them inside of their cars making it easier for prospective thieves. You dont even need to locate the keys in the vehicle; all you have to do is get in the car, put your foot on the brake and push a button, Cipolla said. Police officers from all affected communities have pointed to an even larger culprit, though: the negligence of car owners. Cipolla said the vast majority of car burglary and theft incidences can be traced back to owners leaving their cars unlocked with valuables inside. Cipolla said the department is doing everything it can, outside of increasing the patrol size, to address the issue. Like other police departments around the state, Wilton has taken to social media and other outlets to try and educate residents on the importance of locking their cars and taking their valuables inside. In December, the department teamed up with community activists to post public service messages on electronic roadside signs. That month, the town reported zero instances of car burglaries or stolen vehicles. The Wilton Police Department also has patrols performing intermittent deterrent runs in locations around town that are known to be targeted by car thieves. It has also been working increasingly with other towns departments and state police to track down thieves after incidents take place. Theres a lot of intelligence sharing and weve actually seen a lot of success because of it. Obviously, theres been a lot of activity, but weve also seen more arrests with these types of incidents, Cipolla said. Parisa Tafti became a lawyer because a college friend was wrongly found guilty of rape, a conviction that was overturned five years later. Over the past two decades she has sought to get other innocent people out of prison by challenging the work of prosecutors. Now she wants to become one. In Virginia, Tafti has launched a Democratic primary campaign to unseat Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney Theo Stamos, a prosecutor for the past 30 years. The clash is part of a national criminal justice reform movement that has come to Northern Virginia and could radically reshape law and order in Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun. In all three counties, liberal challengers are taking on prosecutors whose views they see as retrograde and excessively punitive. "I think there's a lot of frustration with the lack of progress on criminal justice reform both in the country and in the commonwealth," said state Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax. "A lot of people in the reform community think prosecutors should exercise their discretion in cases more." Unlike the incumbents, the challengers are promising to stop prosecuting simple marijuana possession, to refuse to request cash bond for defendants awaiting trial and to not seek the death penalty. "The American criminal justice system is now a mass incarceration machine set on auto-pilot," Tafti said in a statement announcing her run. "As a public defender, I know all too well how this machine dismantles communities, destroys families, uses bad science, and wastes money." She pointed to statistics showing black people make up less than 10 percent of Arlington's population but two-thirds of its jail inmates. In neighboring Fairfax County, incumbent top prosecutor Raymond Morrogh, a Democrat, who ran unopposed in the past two elections, faces a challenge from a former federal prosecutor and Army helicopter pilot. Steve Descano calls his run a "values campaign." "The most important thing is we have to bring Fairfax County values to office," Descano said. "I don't think we have that in Fairfax County right now." Like Tafti, he criticized his opponent for signing on to a 2016 brief that denounced the move by then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, to restore voting rights to more than 200,000 felons as too broad. Both challengers want to expand alternatives to prosecution for drug addicts, the mentally ill and teens. Morrogh and Stamos say they are reformers - within a complex system where victims also have rights. "It's interesting that she describes herself as an 'Innocence Protection Attorney,' as that is what I've been engaged in for more than thirty years," Stamos said of Tafti in a statement. While Stamos recently announced that she will no longer seek cash bail for most minor misdemeanors, she argued that it is an important tool to ensure people show up for court in more-serious cases. On that and other issues, she argued that state law prevents the kind of dramatic change Tafti and other challengers seek. "If she wants to decriminalize marijuana, she should go to Richmond," Stamos said in an interview. "Unless and until these laws on the books are repealed, I don't think it's the appropriate exercise of prosecutorial discretion to usurp the will of the legislature." Morrogh, who has also been a prosecutor for over 30 years, said he was "progressive before progressive was cool." He noted that he worked to help establish a veterans court, drug court and mental-health court in Fairfax County, as well as efforts to divert the mentally ill charged with crimes into treatment instead of jail. He said he heavily uses a program that places defendants in pretrial supervision rather than asking for bond. But he also said those concerns should be balanced with victims' rights. "I have a vast amount of experience trying the most complicated criminal cases," Morrogh said. The race for commonwealth's attorney in Loudoun County will pit incumbent Republican Jim Plowman against a Democratic challenger in November. Buta Biberaj is the only Democrat to have entered the race. Plowman, who is in his fourth term, swept into office in 2003 promising a traditional tough-on-crime approach. He said crime in Loudoun County has dropped each of the past five years, making it one of the safest communities in the area. "During my tenure we've continued to hold violent and repeat offenders accountable, seeking fair and just resolutions for victims and the community," Plowman wrote in an email. Biberaj, a 25-year trial lawyer and former substitute judge, said on her campaign website that she would take the office in a different direction, focusing on bond reform and pushing treatment for the addicted and mentally ill instead of jail. She did not respond to requests for comment. Lawyers and political watchers are also waiting to hear whether Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Paul B. Ebert (D) runs again. Ebert, who has held office for 50 years and has sent more people to death row than any prosecutor in Virginia's history, would be seeking his 14th term. Ebert is an institution in Prince William but has faced criticism in recent years after a federal judge overturned one of his high-profile capital convictions and death-penalty sentences, saying his office had withheld key evidence from the defense. Ebert is expected to face a challenger if he runs. He did not respond to requests for comment. Rick Conway, Ebert's chief deputy, said his boss and other incumbents are "open to discussion concerning criminal justice reform" and have advocated for some changes. But "when you're talking about your head prosecutor of your jurisdiction," he said, "you want somebody who believes in law and order and understands that we don't make the laws - we're charged with enforcing them." It is too early to say whether the challengers will be competitive, but they may take heart from the surprise November victory of Democrat Scott Miles who beat the chief deputy Commonwealth's Attorney. Republican John Pridley had been endorsed by the longtime Republican incumbent, who retired over the summer. Across the country, groups associated with George Soros, the liberal philanthropist, and members of the Black Lives Matter movement have spent millions in dozens of local races, helping elect progressive prosecutors in Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis and other cities. Tafti and Descano said they had not received similar funding to date. At 12:33 a.m. EST on New Years Day, NASAs New Horizons spacecraft performed the most distant flyby by any spacecraft ever. The mission was to capture images of Ultima Thule, an icy minor planet in the Kuiper belt, which is believed to date back to the beginning of the solar system. Ultima Thule is a nickname for the world -- its technically classified as 2014 MU69 -- which aptly means distant places beyond the known world. It is 20 miles wide, and based on the photos the spacecraft has transmitted back 4 billion miles to us here on Earth, is kind of shaped like a giant jelly bean or a bowling pin. First image of #UltimaThule! At left is a composite of two images taken by @NASANewHorizons, which provides the best indication of Ultima Thule's size and shape so far (artists impression on right). More photos to come on Jan 2nd! https://t.co/m9ys0VhmLA pic.twitter.com/qZu0KL8uJB Johns Hopkins APL (@JHUAPL) January 1, 2019 New Horizons completed its first mission back in 2015 -- nine years after its launch in 2006 -- when it became the first spacecraft to fly past Pluto. And this successful trip, headed up by a team from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, to Ultima Thule fell on a major space exploration milestone, the week of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8s historic first orbit of the moon. In The New York Times, Dr. Alan Stern, the planetary scientist at NASA that leads the project, meditated about the significance of both. Related: The 10 Things You Must Do to Achieve Your Goals Ultima Thule is 17,000 times as far away as the giant leap of Apollos lunar missions. The exploration at Ultima Thule is a fitting way to honor the brash exploration and boldness that was Apollo, Stern wrote. Cast an eye upward and think for a moment about the amazing things our country and our species can do when we set our minds to it." As you begin to work on making your 2019 goals a reality, get inspired by New Horizons. Remember that youre not going to be able to do it alone -- Stern noted that it took 2,500 people to design and build Horizons. You might have to play the long game and even then, the first step might not look like much. As project scientist Hal Weaver commented at the press conference following the flyby, "Even though it's a pixelated blob still, it's a better pixelated blob. If you keep going, who knows what you could learn or what could be possible. Related: Take the Energy of NASA's Record-Breaking Mission With You Into 2019 How to Set New Year's Resolutions the Right Way 19 Reasons You Did Not Achieve Any of Your Goals This Year Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Reading is essential if you want to be successful in business. It will expose you to new ideas and modes of thinking, and will give you access to diverse knowledge. Whatever form of business youre in, the knowledge you glean from books will be a bedrock to sustain you through trials and failures, and can help you boost your successes. As we enter 2019, here are 19 books to spark ideas and creative thought, and put you on solid footing to achieve your goals. 1. The Execution Factor: The One Skill That Drives Success by Kim Perell The Execution Factor offers a straightforward approach to success by identifying 5 traits shared by people who know how to effectively accomplish their dreams and achieve their goals. Kim Perell is a highly successful startup entrepreneur, executive and angel investor. She shows that the ability to achieve success isnt entirely based on having a great idea, an advanced degree or a high IQ. Perell believes the ability to execute is the difference between success and failure. 2. Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin In a typical farmyard setting, nothing would get your attention quite like a purple cow. According to Seth Godins book Purple Cow, this is the secret to successful marketing strategies -- be different and exciting, generate interest and be remembered. Run-of-the-mill tactics are bland and leave your business faceless and characterless. If you want to be remarkable and get ahead of competitors, you have to make people do a double take. Related: What Seth Godin Wants You To Know About Marketing in 2019 3. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell In Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell examines people who have achieved success so extraordinary that it lies outside the realm of normal experiences. He explores the factors that make the difference between successful and unsuccessful people. Filled with anecdotes that identify common misconceptions, Gladwells book shows that success is not just a matter of IQ, but a combination of hard work and opportunity. 4. You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero You Are a Badass at Making Money crystallizes the concept that financial abundance begins with your mindset. Jen Sincero combines hilarious personal narratives with aha concepts to help you grasp your earning potential and get real results. Channeling the sass and wit that made her first You Are a Badass book a bestseller, Sincero helps readers identify and overcome their limiting beliefs surrounding money. 5. How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by John C. Maxwell The world's most successful people have one thing in common: they think differently from everyone else. In How Successful People Think, John C. Maxwell lays out 11 specific ways of thinking you can practice to live a better, happier, more successful life. The book treats thinking as a discipline: the more you work at developing these skills, the better at them youll be. Related: 11 Ways Successful People Think Differently Than You 6. Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life by Gary John Bishop In this straightforward handbook, author Gary John Bishop gives readers the tools and advice to break through the crap thats weighing them down. Bishop wants you to become the best version of yourself that you can be. First, though, you need to stop getting in your own way by filling your head with negative self-talk. Unfu*k Yourself will help silence that hateful inner critic and get you feeling more positive about yourself and your life. 7. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink Timing is of the utmost importance in our lives. According to Daniel Pink, time of day can have a huge impact on our decision making, how well we learn and our ability to be effective and productive. Drawing from research in psychology, biology and economics, Pink reveals in When how we can best time our lives to succeed. He offers strategies for self-improvement and shows how we can we use hidden patterns of the day to build the ideal schedule. 8. Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio In Principles, author Ray Dalio shares the unconventional principles that hes developed, refined and used over the past 40 years to create unique results in both life and business. Through these principles, Dalio shows that any person or organization can achieve their goals. Dalio founded the investment firm Bridgewater Associates in 1975, which has become one of the largest and best performing hedge funds in the world. Related: Billionaire Ray Dalio Reveals The Secrets to His Success 9. Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life by Daymond John and Daniel Paisner Daymond John knows that a killer work ethic can pay off. He founded a clothing line on a $40 budget by hand-sewing hats between his shifts at Red Lobster. His brand FUBU now has over $6 billion in sales. Rise and Grind is the highly anticipated follow-up to Johns bestselling The Power of Broke. He shows how grit and persistence helped him overcome the obstacles and fueled his success. He delves into the hard-charging routines and winning secrets of those who have ground their way to the top. 10. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins How is it that some companies defy the gravity that seems to hold so many other businesses down and achieve long-term success and superiority? In Good to Great, Collins identifies and evaluates the factors that allow elite companies to make the transition from merely good to truly great. Using metrics on businesses financial performance, Collins and his research team identified companies that fulfilled their criteria for greatness and analyzed how they achieved success. 11. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by William H. McRaven Inspired by a powerful commencement speech that Naval Admiral William H. McRaven delivered to the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin, Make Your Bed presents 10 life lessons McRaven gleaned during his military career. Building on the core tenets of his original speech, which went viral with over 10 million views, McRaven recounts tales from his own life and from those he encountered during his military service who dealt with hardship and made tough decisions with determination, compassion, honor and courage. Related: 50 Ways Entrepreneurship Will Change Your Life 12. The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson M.D. For decades, The One Minute Manager has helped people achieve success in their professional and personal lives. This book, which offers a classic parable of a young man looking for an effective manager, is more relevant and useful than ever. And while the principles it lays out are timeless, this new edition has been updated to help readers succeed more quickly in a rapidly changing world. 13. Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller Whether youre the marketing director of a multibillion dollar company or the owner of a small business, Building a StoryBrand will forever transform the unique value you bring to your customers. The StoryBrand process is author Donald Millers solution to help businesses clarify their marketing messages and connect with customers. Miller focuses on 7 universal story points that all people respond to and that will drive customer purchases. 14. See You at the Top: 25th Anniversary Edition by Zig Ziglar See You at the Top is a perennial best seller that has changed the lives of countless people. It teaches the value of a building a healthy self-image, clarifies why goals are important and how to set them, and then motivates you to reach them. This revised edition stresses the importance of honesty, loyalty, faith, integrity and strong personal character. It provides step-by-step instructions on how to change the way you think about yourself and your surroundings. Related: 12 Powerfully Inspiring Quotes From Zig Ziglar 15. The Lean Start-Up by Eric Ries Before you create any sort of business youll want to read The Lean Start-Up, as it can save you time and money youd likely have wasted otherwise. Eric Ries looks at why most startups fail, and how those failures are preventable. His approach builds companies that are both more efficient and leverage human creativity more effectively. His methods rely on validated learning, rapid experimentation and specific practices that shorten product development cycles. 16. The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss Solo entrepreneurs can learn a lot from Tim Ferriss, who made lifestyle design popular. This is a must read for anyone with an entrepreneurial itch, or anyone who dreams of escaping the rat race to live their life the way they want. Ferriss details smart strategies like outsourcing, following the 80/20 rule and automating processes. Forget the concept of working decades for retirement. The 4-Hour Work Week is a blueprint for how to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and frequent mini-retirements. 17. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Dale Carnegies groundbreaking and enduring best-selling book has carried countless people up the ladder of success. How to Win Friends and Influence People offers simple advice than can help you build popularity points and expand your network. Among the important lessons it offers: 6 ways to make people like you, 12 ways to win people over to your way of thinking and 9 ways to change people without arousing resentment. 18. Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk If youd like to turn your hobbies and passions into internet gold, Crush It! is a great playbook. Gary Vaynerchuk explains the why and how of creating irresistible personal brands and how to turn your interests into a real business. Vaynerchuk provides readers with step-by-step advice on how to harness the power of the Internet to make their entrepreneurial dreams come true. 19. Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington There's more to being successful than an impressive salary and title. Media mogul Arianna Huffington shows readers how to create a lifestyle where success is measured by something more meaningful and personal than just money and power. The Huffington Post founder shares personal anecdotes and insight on leading a happy and successful life, in and out of the office. Thrive is an excellent guide for those aspiring to elevate employee morale and well-being. Related: 19 Books to Read to Be Successful in 2019 5 Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur Why Only Those Who Embrace Change Become Champions in Business Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved DANBURY A man arrested for a hate crime and assaulting police has been identified as the person shot and killed by a Danbury police officer over the weekend. Paul Arbitelle was shot when investigators say he charged at the officer with a knife during a brief confrontation at the Glen Apartments, a senior housing complex near Rogers Park. Arbitelles mother, Linda, was wounded by the gunfire outside her apartment and was transported to Danbury Hospital, neighbors and law enforcement officials have said. Paul Arbitelle who has a number of tattoos, including a dragon and a screaming skull on his face and white power on his back has had several brushes with the law over the years. His most high-profile arrest was in 2011 in a racially motivated assault of a black man on State Street that sent him to prison. State police are investigating the incident and have yet to release the names of the victims or the officer who fired the shots, but public records, neighbors and law enforcement sources indicated Linda Arbitelle lived at the apartment where officers responded Saturday and that Paul Arbitelle is her son. The medical examiners office confirmed Wednesday that a man named Paul Arbitelle died of gunshot wounds to the torso and extremities. State police refused to release more information about the incident or confirm the Arbitelles names when contacted Wednesday. The Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad is investigating at the request of the states attorneys office, which will determine whether the shooting was justified. Mayor Mark Boughton, who was at the scene Saturday night, and law enforcement sources contend the investigation will find the shooting was justified. Local officials, including City Council President Joe Cavo and Councilman Ben Chianese, expect the state police and attorneys investigation to conclude within the next two weeks or even within a few days. Extensive record Danbury police officers were called to the senior housing complex on Memorial Drive around 9:30 p.m. Saturday for a report of a suspicious man, police said. Officers encountered Paul Arbitelle who they believed might have been intoxicated and attempted to use a Taser on him, but it was ineffective. When he charged while holding a knife, the officer fired multiple rounds, according to police. Linda Arbitelle was struck either by one of those bullets or a bullet fragment, either in the hip or the stomach, officials and neighbors have said. Hospital and police officials refused to comment on her condition, although Boughton had said she was expected to recover. Neither Boughton nor neighbors have been updated on her condition as of Wednesday afternoon and attempts to reach members of the Arbitelle family have been unsuccessful. State and local police not yet identified the police officer who fired the shots, although it is not unusual for investigators to withhold names for days or even more than a week. Although investigators have not released Paul Arbitelles name, law enforcement sources indicated he was known to officers and has an extensive record with the law. Paul Arbitelle was found guilty of interfering with an officer in 2010, driving while under the influence in 2011 for a 2009 incident, and assaulting a public safety officer in 2012 and in 2016, court records show. Arbitelle pleaded guilty to charges of third-degree assault and interfering with the duties of a police officer and was sentenced to a year in prison in connection with the assault on State Street. Five pops Neighbors recalled a noisy commotion shortly before the shots were fired Saturday night. Alberta Peterson, who lives in the building directly across from Linda Arbitelles, heard yelling from the grassy area between the two buildings before a series of pops that she knew were not firecrackers. I heard five pops right in a row, so fast that I could tell it wasnt fireworks and it wasnt New Years Eve yet, she said. She peered out her back window and saw two officers standing at the corner of another building with their weapons drawn. She could not see who had been shot, but she saw more officers converging on the scene from the other direction when she looked out her front window. Peterson watched from inside her apartment as two people were wheeled away on gurneys. The incident happened quickly all within about 10 minutes, she said. Several neighbors recalled the same series of events, although most did not directly witness the aftermath as Peterson had and did not want to be identified. Another half-dozen neighbors who answered their door Wednesday refused to answer a reporters questions or said they didnt know anything about what happened. Peterson insists she heard five shots, but other neighbors and officials have suggested it was only three shots. Stephen Klein, whose living room windows look out on the lawn where the shooting took place, did not see the incident unfold but distinctly heard three shots, he said. Boughton and housing authority staff hosted a community meeting on Monday morning for the residents and crisis counselors spoke with residents who needed help. Staff writer Rob Ryser contributed to this report. Connecticut ranks third from last nationally on United Van Lines annual study of outbound moves, with New Jersey dead bottom. In Connecticut, 62 percent of moves handled by United Van Lines were by families moving elsewhere, with job considerations preeminent in 34 percent of those cases, just ahead of retirement at 30 percent. Phase one of Summit View Business Park was completed this year and has secured two tenants, including Stik-Pak Solutions, a contract packaging firm. The company is set to invest $14.3 million on a 100,000-square-foot facility and create 50 to 60 new jobs within six years. The new site will be completed in two phases on 5-acres. Phase one is expected be completed by late 2019 with the second phase scheduled to be completed by 2023. ValleyStar Credit Union was the first client to secure space at Summit View and is set to invest $5.25 million on its new facility. Initially, 10 new jobs that will pay an average of $70,000 in salary and benefits will be created as a result of the new administrative campus for the credit union, with at least 20 more jobs coming available over the next few years. A new president took the helm at Ferrum College. Dr. David Johns employed several changes over the past year as he began his role Jan. 1. Conversations with students led to renovations to one residence hall, campus store and cafe. Johns also aimed to increase Ferrums academic degree level in two of the more in-demand areas of study forensic investigation and education while still calling upon students to gain real-life experience in their areas of study. Anyone who has spent enough time at Smith Mountain Lake likely has spotted military aircraft passing overhead. These fast-moving fighter jets are based out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. F-15E Strike Eagles pass directly over Smith Mountain Lake while traveling along the military training route known as VR42, one of several used by the Air Force base, said Maj. Christopher Weed with the 4th Operations Support Squadron. The jets take off from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and travel north to Virginia near the North Carolina border where they descend to 500 feet and travel east. The route includes passing over Philpott Lake and heading to Mount Rogers before turning east and flying over Smith Mountain Lake toward eastern Virginia. From there, the jets climb back up to 15,000 feet and make their way back to base. Pilots are trained to stay at or near 500 feet from the ground while traveling along the route. While the jets reach speeds as high as 550 mph, its nowhere near their top speed of 1,875 mph. Its kind of like flying a race car, Weed said. Weed, a pilot of the F-15E for 11 years who also has traveled the route, said the lake is a significant landmark and the dam sometimes is used as a marker for simulated bombings. Jeanne Calment, the world's oldest woman according to the Guinness Book of Records celebrates her 119 birthday in France, Feb. 21, 1994. (Eric Cabanis/AFP/Getty Images) Worlds Oldest Person Jeanne Calment Might Have Been a Fraud Famous for holding the title as the worlds oldest person, the French woman Jeanne Calment, may have been a fraud, according to a new theory by Russian researchers. Calment died in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days. However, Nikolai Zak, a mathematician and member of the Society of Naturalists of Moscow University, wrote in his study Jeanne Calment: The Secret of Longevity that he believed the French woman took the identity of her mother. Zak told the Agence France Press (AFP) that he analyzed biographies, photos, and archives from Arles, the city in southern France where Calment lived and drew his conclusion. The analysis of these documents led me to the conclusion that the daughter of Jeanne Calment, Yvonne, took the identity of her mother, Zak told the AFP. His paper is supported by gerontologist Valery Novoselov and states that the real Jeanne Calment died in 1934 at the age of 59. The phenomenon of Jeanne Calment could be used as an example of the vulnerability of seemingly well-established facts, it reads. The paper is not peer-reviewed and relies exclusively on circumstantial evidence, reports the National Post. For instance, one of the papers key evidentiary points is a Facebook poll of 224 people reporting that Calment did not look like a supercentenarian. Novoselov told the AFP he always had doubts about Calments age. He said Calment was sitting without support and had no signs of dementia. Fact or Fake However, Zak does provide evidence to show that Calment seemed to bear a closer resemblance to Yvonne than supposed photos of herself as a young woman. The paper cites reports from witnesses, including a former mayor of Arles, saying that she looked and acted younger than her purported age. In the paper, Zak also shows that in interviews, Calment often made several tiny inconsistencies regarding age factors, such as confusing her husband and father or saying that she was accompanied to school by a family maid who would have actually been 10 years her junior, reported the National Post. Another curious factor is that Calment had most of her personal papers destroyed rather than turning them over to the local Arles archive. Intentional, remote destruction of photos and family archives after moving to the nursing home suggests that Jeanne had something to hide, the paper states. However, it also acknowledges that destroying personal records is not out of the ordinary for people, especially centenarians, who have outlived their friends and family. These theories have been dismissed by Jean-Marie Robine, a French demographer and gerontologist who helped validate Calments extreme age in the 1990s for the Guinness Book of World Records. He said he never had any doubt about the authenticity of the documents. All this is incredibly shaky and rests on nothing, he told Le Parisien. He said that he and a colleague made sure to ask Calment questions that only she would know the answers to, such as the name of her math teacher. Her daughter couldnt have known that, he said. On the other hand, Nicolas Brouard, the director of research at the French Institute of Demographic Studies, told AFP he thinks Zaks paper is very good work and said the only way to truly know is to have the bodies of Jeanne and Yvonne Calment exhumed in order to determine how old they were. If Calments record is canceled, the American Sarah Knauss will be named the worlds oldest person. Knauss died in 1999 at the age of 119. An ambulance drives near University Hospital of Newark in Newark, N.J. on Oct. 27, 2014. (Mel Evans/AP Photo) US Hospitals Begin Posting Prices Online in Transparency Push by Trump Administration U.S. hospitals are now required to list the prices of medical services online and update them annually, under a rule change that went into effect Jan. 1. Previously, hospitals only needed to provide standard pricing to people and to make it available upon request. The updated guidelines, announced in August, require hospitals to list their prices online in a machine-readable format, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The rule also mandates that they update the information at least once a year, or more often if the prices change. This is part of the Trump administrations push to increase transparency in the health care industry and drive patient involvement in health care decisions. We know today people are not necessarily satisfied with the experience that theyre having because its not always clear what their costs are, what the value of their care is, CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a Nov. 27 speech at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). This is a small step towards providing our beneficiaries with price transparency, but our work in this area is only just beginning, she said in a speech in July at the Commonwealth Club of California. Critics argue that these prices wont mean much to patients because it doesnt reflect what they will be paying after insurance. Price transparency has been a longstanding issue for uninsured patients, but growing enrollment in plans with higher levels of deductibles and coinsurance is creating a greater demand for meaningful price information for insured patients as well, the American Hospital Association (AHA) said in a statement. The AHA also says that because hospital care is specifically tailored to the needs of each patient, prices vary widely for the same service. And even Verma acknowledged that price transparency isnt that useful as the end goal. Having data doesnt necessarily mean that its going to be actionable, she said at AEI. Our challenge at CMS is first of all putting data out there the real challenge will be to make sure its actionable. AHA did say it supports the administrations goal of making costs more readily available to patients, and that its members would stand ready to work with policymakers on innovative ways to build on efforts already occurring at the state level. A 2017 study from Duke University found that most people searching online for how much theyd pay for a medical procedure couldnt find accurate pricing. Researchers using Google and Bing to find the prices of four non-emergency medical procedures, including a cholesterol panel lab test, in eight cities werent able to find full pricing information. Our findings really underline how difficult it can be to find the information patients need to be informed consumers, fourth-year medical student Allison Kratka, the first author on the study, said in a press release. It is labor intensive to find the sites, many require subscriptions, and the reliability of the pricing information contained in the sites is difficult to assess. There is a disconnect between policies that seek to encourage people to be smarter consumers and the availability of information that allows them to make the most cost-effective decisions, added Peter Ubel, a professor at Duke Universitys Fuqua School of Business. Policymakers who want consumers to participate in controlling costs need to ensure that prices are available to the average person. The study was published as a research letter in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine in December 2017. Holly Kellum Epoch Times staff member contributed to this report. US Demands Details on American Citizen Detained in Russia for Alleged Spying The United States is demanding more details and an explanation about the detainment in Russia of an American citizen, who the Kremlin has accused of spying in Moscow. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters in Brazil on Jan. 2 the U.S. hopes to make contact soon with Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine. Whelan is the director of global security at BorgWarner, a Michigan-based automotive parts supplier, according to a company statement. We are hopeful, within the next hours, we will get consular access to see him and get a chance to learn more, Pompeo said. Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) said Dec. 31 that it had opened a criminal case into Whelan about the alleged espionage, without providing any further details. Under Russian law, Whelan could face 10 to 20 years in prison if found guilty. Pompeo confirmed the U.S. will take further action, depending on what information they receive from Russia. Weve made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges, come to understand what it is hes been accused of, Pompeo said. And if the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return. The U.S. State Department didnt respond to an emailed request for comment. A representative told Reuters that Moscow is expected to allow consular access for the department to meet with Whelan. Russias obligations under the Vienna Convention require them to provide consular access. We have requested this access and expect Russian authorities to provide it, the representative said, without providing details of the Americans identity or the reasons behind his detention. Family Rejects Accusations Whelans twin brother said he was in Moscow attending a wedding before he was arrested. His family rejects the espionage accusations by Russian authorities. We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected, Whelans brother, David Whelan, said in a public statement. David Whelan said his family had contacted U.S. authorities after they learned of the arrest. We noticed that he was not in communication on the 28th, which was very much out of character for him, even when he was traveling, the statement said. We learned of his arrest on Monday morning after his detention was picked up on [the] newswires. David said his brother had traveled to Russia on numerous occasions, either for work or personal business. Paul was with the bride and groom at the wedding he attended but failed to arrive later in the day, prompting the couple to file a missing-person report with Russian authorities. Knowing that hes not dead, it weirdly really helps, David told CNN. When we couldnt get a hold of him initially, we were worried. We are still worried now, but at least we know he is alive. Paul Whelan served multiple tours with the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq and was born in Canada to British parents, but lives in Michigan, his brother said. The State Department confirmed that Whelan is a U.S. citizen. I think theres really just one goal, which is to get Paul back home, David said. Butina Case The arrest of Whelan comes weeks after Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy in U.S. federal court, for acting as an agent for the Kremlin without registering in the United States. Daniel Hoffman, a former CIA Moscow station chief, said it was possible, even likely that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered Whelans arrest to set up an exchange for Butina. Russia says Butina was forced to make a false confession about being a Russian agent. Putin told U.S. President Donald Trump in a letter on Dec. 30 that Moscow was ready for dialogue on a wide-ranging agenda, the Kremlin said, following a series of attempts to schedule a second summit between the leaders. At the end of November, Trump canceled a planned meeting with Putin on the sidelines of a G-20 summit in Argentina, citing tensions over Russian forces opening fire on Ukrainian navy boats and then seizing the vessels and their crews. Trumps relations with Putin have been under a microscope because of U.S. special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into suspected Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign. Moscow has denied interfering in the election. Trump has said there was no collusion and has characterized Muellers probe as a witch hunt. Russias relations with the United States have grown testy since Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014. Washington and Western allies have since imposed sanctions on Russian officials, companies, and banks. Reuters contributed to this report. A passenger ferry sails across the English Channel towards the Port of Dover, United Kingdom, on Jan 9, 2016. (Reuters/Toby Melville) UK Awards $18 Million Brexit Shipping Contract to Company With No Ships LONDONBritains transport minister has defended awarding an $18 million contract for shipping goods after Brexit to a new ferry company that owns no ships. The government last week awarded three contracts to charter extra ferries to ease congestion if the United Kingdom fails to secure a trade deal before leaving the European Union in March. The smallest contract was won by Seaborne Freight, a British business that has never previously operated a ferry route, raising concerns about whether the new service would be ready. I make no apologies for supporting a new British business, Transport Minister Chris Grayling told BBC radio Jan. 2. We have looked very carefully at this business. We have put in place a tight contract to make sure they can deliver for us. He added that he believes channel ports would be able to operate normally in all Brexit circumstances. But the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU on March 29, and the risk of a no-deal Brexit is growinga nightmarish prospect for many businesses, which are now planning for an economic shock. Extra ships will be needed to work new routes across the Channel if the main terminals of Calais in France and Dover and Folkestone in Britain are clogged by customs checks. Currently, Britains membership in the EU means that trucks drive smoothly through border checks within the bloc. But in a no-deal Brexit, even a few minutes of delay at customs for each truck might mean vehicles backed up at ports and queued on feeder roads on both sides of the Channel. To ease a potential backlog, the government has awarded Seaborne Freight a contract to operate freight ferries from Ramsgate to the Belgian port of Ostend. Unforeseeable Events Asked how the government knows the company could run an effective service, Grayling said officials had conducted due diligence on the company. The decision to use the port of Ramsgate, he said, wasnt something that we have plucked from thin air. Grayling, who campaigned for Brexit before Britains EU referendum, also said that Britain would be able to cope with a no-deal Brexit, saying he was confident that it wouldnt cause problems at British ports. I am expecting the channel ports to operate normally in all Brexit circumstances, Grayling said. I am confident that will happen. The other two contracts awarded comprise one worth $60 million with the French firm Brittany Ferries, and a $60 million deal with the Danish shipping company DFDS. The contracts werent put out to tender. The Department for Transport said it was responding to a situation of extreme urgency brought about by unforeseeable events. By Andrew MacAskill The USS Nimitz CVN 68, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, arrives at a naval base in the South Korean port city of Busan, some 450 kms southeast of Seoul on Feb. 28, 2008. The Nimitz and its associated strike group completed exercises with two other aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific on Nov. 14 2017, adding to the military posture aimed at pressuring Kim Jong Un to come to the negotiating table. (Kim Jae-Hwan/AFP/Getty Images) US Navy Pursuing Block Buy of Two Aircraft Carriers: Senator WASHINGTONThe U.S. Navy has informed lawmakers of its intent to pursue a block purchase of two Ford-class aircraft carriers, Senator Tim Kaines office said on Dec. 31, a step officials have said could save billions of dollars as the Trump administration tries to expand the size of the fleet. The decision comes nine months after the Navy expressed interest in a block buy and asked shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries for detailed pricing on the cost of two aircraft carriers as it considered doubling its order for the most expensive ship in the U.S. fleet in a bid to save money. The Navy commissioned the first Ford-class aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, in July 2017, three years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget. The Ford cost about $13 billion. The Navy has said it would spend about $43 billion in total to build the first three ships in the Ford class. Huntington Ingalls Chief Executive Mike Petters has said multi-ship purchases are the best way to reduce costs. Kaine, of Virginia and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said a block buy would save billions and provide more stability to the Hampton Roads shipbuilding community in southeastern Virginia. This smart move will save taxpayer dollars and help ensure the shipyards can maintain a skilled workforce to get the job done, he said in a statement. The Navy released a force structure goal in 2016 that calls for a 355-ship fleet. Previously it had a goal of 308 ships, and the actual size of the Navy had generally been between 270 and 290 ships, according to the Congressional Research Service. A 355-ship fleet would include 12 aircraft carriers, one more than the previous goal. The United States currently operates 11 aircraft carriers, several times more than any other country. By David Alexander. From Reuters. President Donald Trump speaks to the press on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Nov. 2, 2018. Trump has said he looks forward to a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after Kim said Jan. 1, 2019, he was ready to meet with Trump "anytime." (Holly Kellum/NTD) Trump Welcomes Second Meeting with North Koreas Kim Jong Un President Donald Trump said in a Jan. 1 tweet that he looks forward to meeting again with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, after Kim said hes always ready to sit together with the U.S. president. Trump referenced a PBS News Hour report that said Kim had promised not to make, test or give away nuclear weapons, and that he is looking forward to meeting with his U.S. counterpart. I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential! Trump said in his tweet. Kim Jong Un says North Korea will not make or test nuclear weapons, or give them to others & he is ready to meet President Trump anytime. PBS News Hour. I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019 At their landmark summit in Singapore in June, Kim and Trump vowed to work toward denuclearization and build lasting and stable peace. During a Jan. 2 cabinet meeting, Trump said that if he hadnt sat down with Kim, there would have been a war in Asia. In a nationally televised New Years address, Kim emphasized achieving their common goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, but warned he may have to take an alternative path if U.S. sanctions and pressure against the country continue. Kim said denuclearization is his firm will and that North Korea declared at home and abroad that we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them. Kim added that Pyongyang had taken various practical measures and if Washington responded with trustworthy measures and corresponding practical actions bilateral relations will develop wonderfully at a fast pace. I am always ready to sit together with the U.S. president anytime in the future, and will work hard to produce results welcomed by the international community without fail, he said. However, he warned that North Korea might be compelled to explore a new path to defend its sovereignty if the United States seeks to force something upon us unilaterally and remains unchanged in its sanctions and pressure. It wasnt clear what Kim meant by a new path. Asked for a reaction, a U.S. State Department official declined to comment. South Koreas presidential office, however, welcomed Kims speech, saying it carried his firm will to advance relations with Seoul and Washington. Trump has said a second summit with Kim is likely this month or in February, although he wrote on Twitter last month that he was in no hurry. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made several trips to Pyongyang last year, but the two sides have yet to reschedule a meeting between him and senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol after an abrupt cancellation in November. Pyongyang has demanded that Washington lift sanctions and declare an official end to the 1950-1953 Korean War, in response to its initial, unilateral steps toward denuclearization, including dismantling its only known nuclear testing site and a key missile engine facility. Sanctions U.S. officials have said the extent of initial North Korean steps werent confirmed and could be easily reversed. Washington has halted some large-scale military exercises with Seoul to aid negotiations, but has called for strict global sanctions enforcement on impoverished North Korea until its full, verifiable denuclearization. Kims reference to pledges not to make nuclear weapons could indicate a first moratorium on such weapons production, although it wasnt clear if that was conditional. While Pyongyang conducted no nuclear or missile tests last year, satellite images have pointed to continued activity at related facilities. The U.S. special representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, reiterated last month that Washington had no intention of easing sanctions but had agreed to help South Korea send flu medication to North Korea, saying such cooperation could help advance nuclear diplomacy. Analysts said Kims message sent clear signals that North Korea is willing to stay in talks with Washington and Seoul this yearbut on its own terms. North Korea seems determined in 2019 to receive some sort of sanctions relief The challenge, however, is will Team Trump be willing to back away from its position of zero sanctions relief? said Harry Kazianis of the Washington-based Center for the National Interest. Kims remarks seem to suggest his patience with America is wearing thin. After racing toward the goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the United States in 2017, Kim used last years New Year speech to warn that a nuclear button is always on the desk of my office and spoke of focusing on mass producing nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles. But he also offered to send a delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics in the South in February, setting off a flurry of diplomacy that included three summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and the meeting with Trump in June. This year, Kim said inter-Korean relations have entered a completely new phase, and offered to resume key inter-Korean economic projects banned under international and South Korean sanctions, without conditions. Holly Kellum contributed to this report. President Donald Trump in a end-of-year video outside the White House posted to his Twitter account New Year's Eve. (Screenshot via Twitter/@realdonaldtrump) Trump Uses New Years Greetings to Urge Dems to Approve Border Wall Funding President Donald Trump used his New Years tweets, live call-in with Fox News, and his end-of year video to urge Democrats to fund a wall that he says is essential to securing the border. We need border security and everybody knows it, he said in a call-in interview with Fox News as they were live in New York City. Trump has asked for $5 billion to build a wall on the border with Mexico to keep drugs, traffickers, and illegal immigrants from entering the country. He has said he wont sign several appropriation bills until funding for a border wall is included in the package for the Department of Homeland Security. House Minority Leader (and presumptive Speaker of the House) Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have recently been equally adamant that he wont get funding for a wall. To some extent, this may be semantics as the Democrats say they will fund border security, while Trump insists on funding for a wall. This standoff has resulted in a partial government shutdown that started Dec. 22. When asked by Fox Newss Pete Hegseth how long he would hold out for with the shutdown in its tenth day, Trump indicated it could go on indefinitely. We have no choice, we have to have border security, and a wall is part of border security, he said. I hear so much about the wall is old-fashioned. No, the wall is not old-fashioned, the wall is 100 percent fool-proof. Possibly reponding to Pelosis New Years Eve tweet calling the wall expensive & ineffective, he compared the wall to a wheel, the first use of which was documented several thousand years ago. Throughout the ages some things NEVER get better and NEVER change. You have Walls and you have Wheels, he tweeted Jan. 1. Please explain to the Democrats that there can NEVER be a replacement for a good old fashioned WALL. Remember this. Throughout the ages some things NEVER get better and NEVER change. You have Walls and you have Wheels. It was ALWAYS that way and it will ALWAYS be that way! Please explain to the Democrats that there can NEVER be a replacement for a good old fashioned WALL! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019 Its incredible how Democrats can all use their ridiculous sound bite and say that a Wall doesnt work. It does, and properly built, almost 100%! They say its old technology but so is the wheel. They now say it is immoral- but it is far more immoral for people to be dying! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2018 Trump said he expects to resume talks with Pelosi and Schumer when they return to Washington, and said they can come over any time. Both sides have blamed the other for the shutdown and for not being willing to reach a deal. Trump has pointed out that neither Schumer nor Pelosi stayed in Washington over the holidays to work on a resolution, while the Democrats point to Trumps refusal to accept their proposals as proof that he is to blame. Border Security and the Wall thing and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Lets make a deal? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019 On Dec. 31, the Democrats put forward a proposal that included two bills to fund most agencies while pushing a decision on border wall funding forward another month. One is a spending bill that would fund six government agencies through September 2019, and the other is a continuing resolution that would fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels through Feb. 8. House Freedom Caucus Chairman and close Trump ally, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C), called the proposal a non-starter because it didnt include enough funding for the border wall. Nancy Pelosis newest funding proposal doesnt represent any serious attempt to secure our border or find a compromise, he wrote on Twitter. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said he is not willing to put to a vote anything that the president would not sign. Trump also took time in his end-of-year video listing the administrations accomplishments to lobby for a wall. [If] you dont have borders, you dont have a country, he says in the video, shot outside the White House. Our border Patrol, our ICE agents, our militaryweve done great. But you can never do it perfectly unless you have a wall. Trump also speculated in his Fox interview that the Democrats were holding out because they thought it would help them in the 2020 elections. The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative! The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security and our Country must finally have a Strong and Secure Southern Border! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019 In a tweet, Trump also has wished everyone, including the haters and the fake news media, a happy New Year, adding it will be a fantastic year for those not suffering from Trump derangement syndrome. During his live call-in with Fox News, he was asked if he had any New Years resolutions. Success and health and prosperity for our country, he said. President-elect Donald Trump and Mitt Romney leave the clubhouse after their meeting at Trump International Golf Club in Bedminster Township, N.J., on Nov. 19, 2016. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Trump Hopes Romney Will Be a Team Player Following Op-ed President Donald Trump urged incoming Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) to back the presidents agenda after Romney wrote an opinion piece criticizing Trumps governance manner. Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Trump wrote in a Jan. 2 tweet, pointing to the fact that Romney came out bellicose even before taking his oath of office. Question will be, is he a Flake? Trump continued. I hope not. The outgoing Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) openly rallied against Trump and voted against Trumps immigration agenda. Trump took credit for Flakes retirement. I retired him. Im very proud of it. I did the country a great service, he said during a Nov. 7 press conference. He is retired. Id like to call it another word but were going to treat him with great respect. Uncertain Sentiments Romney opposed Trumps run in 2016 but then toned down the rhetoric, especially after Trump endorsed him for the Senate seat. Reportedly, Romney even met with Trump to pitch himself for the State secretary job after the 2016 election. In October, Romney denied he was a leader of the never Trump Republicans, saying Trumps policies have been pretty effective. I support a lot of those policies, he said. In his Jan. 1 Washington Post op-ed, Romney said Trump has not risen to the mantle of the office, lacks in qualities of character, and his words and actions have caused dismay around the world. He backed Trump on cutting taxes, deregulation, confronting Chinas unfair trade practices, criminal justice reform, and conservative judge appointments. Trump called on Romney to get to work on the administrations agenda in Congress. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful, he said. I won big, and he didnt. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN! Vote in Question Republicans increased their Senate majority from 51 to 53 seats in the midterms, promising a smoother ride for Trumps judicial appointments, which mostly need to be confirmed by the chamber. The new Senate will also be more aligned with Trumps agenda. Among his most vocal Republican opponents, Flake and Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) didnt run for reelection, while Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) passed away in August. Democrats, however, gained control of the House of Representatives and are expected to do their utmost to block Trumps agenda. Romney has never fully, publicly committed to Trumps agenda. His choice to write an opinion piece criticizing the president from his own party raises the question of whether Trump can count on his support when the going gets tough. What a miserable start to @MittRomneys time in the Senate, commented Fox News contributor Liz Peek in a tweet. Cannot imagine what he hoped to achieve unless he thinks he can run again for the Oval Office. Not happening. Off Base? Romney ran for president in 2012 against Barack Obama. He was happy to receive Trumps endorsement then, calling himself not quite as successful as this guy, but successful nonetheless, CBS News reported. Yet Romney failed, reaching 206 electoral votes compared to then-President Barack Obamas 332. During a Jan. 2 cabinet meeting, Trump commented that if Romney fought Obama as hard as he fought him he would have won the election. Fox News political analyst Brit Hume suggested Romneys piece was tone deaf to the GOP base, where nearly 90 percent somewhat or strongly approve of Trumps job performance, according to YouGov polling. Because nothing is more appealing to Republican voters than a guy who is happy to have Trumps support in the campaign, then turns on Trump after the election and writes a nasty piece about him for the Washington Post, Hume commented on Twitter. In Utah, Trump had a 51 percent job approval rating (77 percent among Republicans), according to the October Hinckley Institute poll. Trump expressed hope during a cabinet meeting on Jan. 2 that Romney will eventually come about. I think hes going to end up being a team player, he said. Joe Stapleton worked with WBZ NewsRadio for a number of years, working as a radio and television broadcaster, according to his profile on IMDB. (Facebook / Joe Stapleton selfie) Traffic Reporter Who Appeared in Spotlight and Mystic River Movies Dies A veteran traffic reporter in Boston who appeared in several movies died on New Years Day, according to station officials. Joe Stapleton worked with WBZ NewsRadio for a number of years, working as a radio and television broadcaster, according to his profile on IMDB. He appeared in the TV series Castle Rock, according to IMDB. WBZ confirmed his death via social media on Jan. 1, but they didnt provide any more details on his death, including the exact time or cause. A beloved member of the WBZ family has passed away. Longtime traffic reporter Joe Stapleton died unexpectedly today. We offer condolences to Joe's family, and our thoughts are with them as well. WBZ NewsRadio (@wbznewsradio) January 1, 2019 A beloved member of the WBZ family has passed away, a tweet read. We offer condolences to Joes family, and our thoughts are with them as well. Stapleton appeared in the films Spotlight, Manchester By The Sea, and Mystic River. They were filmed around Boston. Several people who knew Stapleton offered their condolences to his family, according to CBS Boston. Traffic reporter who moonlighted as actor dies unexpectedly: station https://t.co/jlgbGrtHhZ pic.twitter.com/r2xBKLgc7z New York Post (@nypost) January 2, 2019 My thoughts are with the family of @WBZTraffic reporter Joe Stapleton who passed away today. Joe had a hearty laugh, big heart & was a pleasure to work with, Jacquelyn Goddard tweeted. Whether or not you realize it, I guarantee youve seen Joe on the big screen. Hes also been reporting the traffic for a long, long time. Big loss, Marshall Hook tweeted. Very sad news to get. Joe was a mentor of mine when I started as a traffic reporter. Great guy to hang out with, who possessed a very Boston sense of humor. He will live on through his roles in pretty much ANY movie that was made in Boston, tweeted George Knight. Our friend Joe Stapleton passed away unexpectedly yesterday. For @WAAF listeners he was Major Dick on the Hill-Man Morning Show for many years. He was a funny and kind gentleman. He was also an actor, said Mike Hsu. In November, Stapleton posted a two-minute reel on Facebook about some of his movie work, including an appearance in The Invention of Lying. This is my new demo reel, hope you like it Joe Stapleton 2018116 Bostons Transportation Department also offered its condolences, tweeting its sincere condolences to his family. Some of his colleagues in Boston, meanwhile, said his loss will be felt for some time. Reporter Deaths Over the past month, several local media personalities died. Jessica Starr, a Fox 2 Detroit meteorologist, died at the age of 35, and according to reports on Dec. 12, her cause of death was suicide. Fox 2 announced Starrs death on the air, saying she leaves behind two children. All of us here at Fox 2 are in deep shock and cannot believe that such a wonderful, bright and intelligent individual will no longer be with us, Fox 2wrote in a statement. And Chris Burrous, a Los Angeles news anchor, was found dead of a suspected drug overdose, according to local reports on Dec. 29. Burrous, 43, appeared on KTLAs Morning News for a number of years. He was found at the Glendale Days Inn after a man he was with called authorities at 1:14 p.m., said Glendale Police in a news release. The Glendale Fire Department responded to the scene and found a man down inside a room suffering from a medical emergency. The man was not breathing and CPR was administered as paramedics prepared to transport him to the hospital. The man was later pronounced dead at the hospital, said the news release. (LR) Maryam (Dahlia Azama) visits with the Iraqi-American family, who include Tareq (Nabil Elouahabi), his wife Noura (Heather Raffo), and their son Yazen (Liam Campora), as well as the familys friend Rafa'a (Matthew David), in Noura. (Joan Marcus) Theater Review: Noura Caught between two worlds NEW YORKActor and playwright Heather Raffo has created an Iraqi family that has come to New York and put down roots. Or, after eight years of residence, at least theyre still working on it. Apparently quite successful, judging from what Andrew Liebermans simple set implies, Noura (Raffo) works as an architect in New York, and her husband Tareq (Nabil Elouahabi) is caring and supportive. What then is the problem? Noura is torn between two cultures. Should she forget her Iraqi roots and throw herself into the American way and its standards? Its a delicate balancing act, as she tries to straddle both worlds. The play is set at Christmastime, which gives Noura the opportunity to display her cooking skills with traditional Iraqi fare, seen onstage. A Christmas tree also looms in the background. Nouras teenage son Yazen (Liam Campora) is quick to adjust to anything and enjoys current American games, such as a PlayStation. Noura fusses over him, as does a caring mother anywhere, particularly in one scene where she helps him into a traditional Iraqi costume. It is Tareq who has struggled more than Noura, for he was a surgeon in his own land and here must settle for a status at the lower level of the medical profession. But he is determined to be assimilated. He has renamed the family with American names: Nora for Noura, Alex for his son Yazen, and Tim for himself. Also present much of the time is old family friend Rafaa (Matthew David), whos been able to become an obstetrician here. Though in conflict, Noura retains her composure until the family is visited by a young Iraqi woman, Maryam (Dahlia Azama), whom Noura has been sponsoring in her studies in America. Tareq is offended by what he considers Maryams loose ways: She is pregnant but unmarried. But Noura defends the young woman. Just why Noura is so passionate about Maryam is revealed late in the play, and leads for the first time to real friction between Noura and her husband. Now we see elements that refer to Ibsens A Dolls House, in which the central character is torn between her loyalties (and where the central character is also named Nora). We are treated to a rich performance by Heather Raffo, whose own personal background echoes Nouras. Under Joanna Settles detailed direction, performances are uniformly excellent, and the play has interest and power. In fact, it sometimes seems that too much complexity is packed into its brief, 90-minute playing time. But Noura gives an interesting and novel view of an often-overlooked segment of Americas mixed culture. Actor and playwright Heather Raffo has created an Iraqi family assimilating to American life, but the lead character Noura feels torn between the old and new ways. Noura Playwrights Horizons 416 W. 42nd St. New York Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes (no intermission) Tickets: 212-279-4200 Closes: Dec. 30 Larry Ellison prepares to enter the court for a court trial against SAP in this file photo. Mr. Ellison was a prominent part of the legal proceedings in the more recent Google-Oracle lawsuit over the popular Android operating system. (Getty Images) Tesla Names Close Musk Friend Larry Ellison to Board Tesla Inc. has named Oracle Corp. co-founder Larry Ellison, a shareholder and self-described close friend of Chief Executive Elon Musk, to its board to provide the independent oversight demanded by U.S. regulators after Musk tweeted about taking the electric carmaker private. The move is meant to usher Tesla past months of turbulence following Musks Aug. 7 tweet that he was considering taking the company private and had secured funding. The fallout, which included the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission subsequently filing fraud charges against Musk for what it said were his false and misleading tweets, led some investors to call for stronger board oversight of Musk. The inclusion of Ellison puts one of the worlds richest people with experience building a startup into a successful company on Teslas board. He served as a director at Apple at a critical time for that companyin the five years after Steve Jobs returned to the helm of the then struggling computer maker in 1997, helping oversee one the greatest turnarounds in corporate history. Joining Ellison on the board, effective Dec. 27, was Walgreens Boots Alliances global head of human resources, Kathleen Wilson-Thompson. Charles Elson, director of the corporate governance center at the University of Delaware, questioned adding a friend of Musks and another director with no experience at an industrial company like Tesla. Why would you put a friend (on the board) if the idea of the two independent directors were to be objective, Elson said. Investors who were hoping for two newly objective directors who could stand up to Mr. Musk would be rather disappointed by the choice. Under a court-approved agreement with the SEC, Musk agreed to pay a $20 million fine and step aside as Teslas chairman for three years to settle charges that could have forced his exit. Tesla also agreed to name the independent directors and a board committee to control Musks communications. SEC officials could not be reached to comment, but Harvey Pitt, the agencys former chairman, called the addition of Ellison a positive step. His personal investment in Tesla stocksaid to be his largest personal investment outside of Oraclemeans he will be focused on ensuring that Tesla develops profitable strategies, Pitt said. He also has the stature to stand up to Mr. Musk, should that become necessary. Tigress Financial Partners analyst Ivan Feinseth said Ellisons maverick type CEO traits match Musks. Ellison bought 3 million shares of Tesla earlier last year. Through a spokeswoman, he declined to comment. Musk recently tweeted his welcome: Excited to have Larry Ellison & Kathleen Wilson-Thompson join the Tesla board! In November, Tesla named director Robyn Denholm as board chair, fulfilling one of the SECs demands. Denholm, who joined Tesla as an independent director in 2014 and agreed to step down as finance chief of Australian telecoms firm Telstra Corp. Ltd., spent 11 years as a senior vice president at Sun Microsystems, a unit of Oracle. Tesla said it conducted a thorough, expansive search process for the directors, calling Ellison a preeminent entrepreneur and Wilson-Thompson a human resources leader and said both had a passion for sustainable energy. They bring the Tesla board count to 11 people. The larger-than-life Ellison, like Musk, is known for making bombastic, brash public comments. He went on a diatribe attacking cloud computing at a 2008 analyst conference, which only served to highlight Oracles slow move into the space. He undermined Oracles business relationship with Hewlett Packard in 2010 in an email to the New York Times that chastised the board for firing its CEO and his friend, Mark Hurd, after a sexual harassment inquiry. He rarely interacts with journalists or blogs, and has only tweeted oncea 2012 message promoting Oracles cloud products. Very Close Friends Ellison, said by Forbes magazine to be worth $55 billion, has in the past defended Musk. Im very close friends with Elon Musk, and Im a big investor in Tesla, Ellison, 74, said on a Oct. 26 conference call with analysts. This guy is landing rockets, Ellison added about Musk, referring to his leadership of SpaceX. Hes landing rockets on robot drone rafts in the ocean, and youre saying he doesnt know what hes doing. Well, who else is landing a rocket? Wilson-Thompson, who could not be immediately reached for comment, spent 17 years at Kellogg Co before joining Walgreens, and serves on the boards of two U.S.-based manufacturing companies. Musk has gained fans for his bold approach to business and technology, using his almost 24 million Twitter followers to promote Tesla, SpaceX and tunnel venture Boring Co. But the August claim that he had the funding to take Tesla private, and a subsequent U-turn, stunned Wall Street. It all came as Musk was filmed briefly smoking marijuana during a live Web show and as he called a British diver in the Thai cave rescue a pedo. Teslas market cap exceeds that of traditional, established U.S. automakers that make millions of vehicles and billions of dollars in profits annually, and the company has garnered legions of fans despite repeated production issues. By Sonam Rai & Ben Klayman South Carolina Mother Killed in Front of Daughters Trying to Push Car Off the Road A South Carolina mother was killed in front of her daughters while trying to push her SUV off the road after it broke down. Leisa Bunni Johnson, 29, was pinned under her vehicle when it rolled over her. Police in Spartanburg responded to a report of a person pinned under a vehicle around 1 a.m. on New Years Eve. One of the victims daughters told police officers that the SUV broke down and her mother was trying to push it off the road when she was pinned. One of the daughters used her mothers phone to call for help. By the time officers arrived, Johnson was unresponsive, trapped under the vehicle off the roadway in the grass. One of the children told officers, My momma died, according to WYFF. Family members said that the death was a tragic accident. Its just one of those thingsan accident, Johnsons uncle Brian Johnson told WSPA. I hate it. The daughters are five and three. Family members said that Johnson took good care of her daughters and that the girls saw their mother under the car. Its going to be a struggle, you know, from the beginning, especially with them kids seeing that with (their) mom and stuff, Johnsons aunt Sheila Rookard said. Yall just pray for us. A victims advocate was called to the scene to assist the children, WYFF reported. The Spartanburg County Coroners office and Spartanburg Police were investigating the death and an autopsy was planned. Mother Arrested After 8-Year-Old Girl Dies Californian authorities have arrested a mother suspected of forcing her 8-year-old daughter to crawl under a freight train so that the family could catch a bus. Joy France Collins, 44, was arrested on Dec. 17, Fresno police said, after her daughter, Joyanna ( also written as Joy Anna) Harris was killed when she crawled under the idling train. Joyannas 9-year-old brother had already successfully crawled under the train, police chief Jerry Dyer said, according to Fox, adding that Joyanna was hesitant to go. Collins shouted, Hurry up! Dyer said. Upon being encouraged by the mother to cross the track, she too made her way underneath the rail car and attempted to get to the other side, Dyer said. The mile-long train had stopped for 12 seconds and was reportedly blocking the familys route to a bus that Collins wanted the family to catch. She had made the children take such measures in the past, authorities said. But as Joyanna was trying to cross the tracks, the train suddenly lurched forward, the girl was trapped underneath and dragged 500 feet before her mother was able to free her. The 8-year-old died at the scene from her injuries. Fresno resident David Hunt told ABC30, There was nothing that could prepare me for what Ive seen. He added, My head is still spinning trying to grasp what was going on. Other than that Im thanking God that my kids all made it home tonight. Epoch Times reporter John Smithies contributed to this report. From NTD News Small Oceanside Brewery Develops Edible Packaging for Beer Amidst the plastic waste that is harming the marine ecosystem and its inhabitants, one brewery in Florida is doing its part to help reduce the amount of plastic waste in an attempt to turn the tide against the mucky monster polluting our oceans. The brewery came up with a package design that will change the environmental impact of their products. The brewery came up with an idea to package six-pack beers with biodegradable materials instead of the plastic version that adds on to the volume of plastic waste. The Saltwater Brewery, a craft beer brand, has a following among surfers, fishermen, as well as ocean lovers. It was the first brewery to implement the biodegradable six-pack ringstogether with advertising agency We Believers, the Growler reported. That idea was later named E6PR (Eco Six Pack Rings) in 2017, which was created by three groupsWe Believers; Entelequia, a leading biodegradables supplier in Mexico; and private investors, which includes Saltwater Brewery and a number of other breweries around the world, according to its website. The E6PR was developed by Francisco Garcia, co-founder of Entelequia, and now, COO and engineer at E6PR. Garcia had to make different reiterations of the prototype in order to make sure they figured out how to make, design, and produce a sturdy but quickly biodegradable material out of edible barley and wheat. So, technically, you can eat itbecause its ediblebut it might not be a good idea considering that it doesnt taste good, according to Fast Company. On the plus side, it is very sturdy and resembles that of a very stale cookie, but it works. According to the Growler, Garcia said that the response to the product has been overwhelmingly positive, and they hope that they will be able to persuade more companies and people to come on board for the idea so that they would be more environmentally aware and responsible. In the video provided by We Believers, some customers said that they dont mind paying more for the beer if it means the product has a big positive effect on the ocean. Currently, a number of different breweries around the world have come aboard with the idea, and are suppliers of the E6PR, including in the United States, South Africa, Australia, Solomon Islands, Poland, Scotland, and Mexico. If larger breweries are to take notice and implement the technology required to make the product, it could save a lot of marine inhabitants, because that would mean theyd be utilizing the biodegradable, unharmful six-pack rings as opposed to the plastic versions, and it would keep that much more plastic waste out of the ocean. Plastic pollution in the oceans is a big problem for marine life. The ocean is filling up with floating plastic garbage that is being dumped in from all around the world. These pieces of plastic float about, polluting the oceans where they wait to either be consumed by marine life or to harm them in some way. Much of the plastic that clutters the oceans are often non-biodegradable one-time-use plastic products that dont break down for hundreds of years. Such products range from plastic bags to packaging with a harder plastic lining to plastic straws and bottles. According to the National Geographic, 91 percent of all the plastic manufactured is not recycled, with much of this ending up in the oceans. Research teams discovered in 2015 that every year, 8 metric tons of plastic ends up in the oceans. That is the equivalent of five plastic grocery bags for every foot of coastline around the world. For the creatures that venture into the ocean, they will eventually come across the non-biodegradable waste. Some will eat the waste believing it is food, while others will become bound by it in some way. Plastic waste often tangles itself on marine life in the ocean with deadly outcomes. Plastic in the oceans has been found to cause unforgettable instances of suffering. Turtles have been found gagging on straws and bound in six-pack plastic rings. According to National Geographic, marine animals sometimes consume plastic waste because it resembles like their preyif the plastic waste has been in the water long enough, its translucent looks mimics that of the jellyfish, which is a type of marine animal that turtles eat. Not only that, little fish consume pieces of microplastic, as birds consume plastic because of the similarities in the smell that the plastic emits. In the face of the staggering numbers and cases of marine animals suffering because of plastic waste, companies around the world are trying to find ways to make everything a little better for the ocean and reduce the amount of non-biodegradable plastic that ends up in the ocean. Reports: Kim Kardashian, Kanye West Expecting Their Fourth Child Kanye West and Kim Kardashian announced they are expecting their fourth child via a surrogate, according to two reports. The child will join children North, 5, Saint, 3, and Chicago, 11 months, according to People magazine and Us Magazine. The child is a boy and is due at the start of May 2019, according to Us. They have absolutely talked about trying for another baby with the help of a surrogate, but nothing seems decided for sure, said a person close to Kardashian and West. The person added: Chicago is still little, and they have time. They dont seem to be in a huge rush, the source also said about having more children. They would use the same surrogate if she agrees to help them again. Kim cant say enough kind words about the surrogate. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star said she might have another baby earlier in 2018. I would have maybe one more. I would maybe try for one more, Kardashian said, according to the New York Daily News. I really, really enjoyed the surrogacy process. I will say, when it came to the breastfeeding time, I was like, OK, this is the best decision I ever made. Its a game changer. Having to not go through that every few hours, breastfeeding, I can spend so much more time with the older kids and getting them all used to the baby, she continued. She also spoke about having a surrogate in January 2018. Although I never would have expected to go through something like this, the agency was so helpful and made me feel at ease about the whole process. Kanye and I were so blessed to have found the most amazing gestational carrier. We have a great relationship with her and trusted her completely throughout the entire process, she wrote. But in August, Kardashian and West said they didnt have plans to have more children, according to E! News. We start filming season 16 next week, so if I think about it more and its gonna happen, youll definitely see it on the show, she said at the time. But as of now, no. West Reaffirms Support for Trump Meanwhile, West on Jan. 1 reaffirmed his support for President Donald Trump, saying Trump all day. A few minutes later, he tweeted an emoji of what appears to be a dragon, meaning dragon energy. Later, he wrote: Just so in 2019 you know where I stand. He continued tweeting on New Years Day, saying, They will not program me, he wrote. Blacks are 90% Democrats, he added. That sounds like control to me. He also stated: From now on Im performing with my [expletive] hat on, in reference to the Make America Great Again hat associated with Trump. Sometime later, he tweeted 2024 and also wrote, in part, I am a tax payer. I am myself. God is with us. One of my favorite of many things about what the Trump hat represents to me is that people cant tell me what to do because Im black, he wrote. U.S. President Donald Trump (L) listens next to Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan during a Cabinet meeting on day 12 of the partial U.S. government shutdown at the White House in Washington, U.S., on Jan. 2, 2019. (Jim Young/Reuters) Remember China, China, China: Acting US Defense Chief Says WASHINGTONActing U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told civilian leaders of the U.S. military on Jan. 2 to focus on China, China, China, even as America fights militants in Syria and Afghanistan, a U.S. defense official said. The comments came during Shanahans first meeting with secretaries of the U.S. military branches since taking over for Jim Mattis, who left office on Dec. 31 after resigning as defense secretary over policy differences with President Donald Trump. The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, did not elaborate on Shanahans views on China or what other guidance he gave during the meeting. Other officials have described Shanahan as an advocate of the Pentagons toughening stance toward Beijing. The 2018 National Defense Strategy document branded China as a strategic competitor. The Pentagon has said he played a critical role in developing the strategy, which singled out China and Russia as top threats, saying they wanted to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model. The document said: Long-term strategic competitions with China and Russia are the principal priorities for the Department, and require both increased and sustained investment. The defense official said Shanahan told Pentagon leadership to follow the documents guidance, particularly regarding China. While were focused on ongoing operations, acting Secretary Shanahan told the team to remember, China, China, China,' the official said. Relations between the worlds two largest economies have plumbed new depths, with a trade war and disagreements over Taiwan and the South China Sea. The United States is Taiwans top weapons supplier, something that has long irked China, which claims the self-ruled island as its own. Earlier on Jan. 2, Chinese leader Xi Jingping warned that China reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control but will strive to achieve peaceful reunification. Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, had been Mattis deputy and it was unclear how long he will remain acting secretary. Trump acknowledged that Shanahan could be in the job for a long time. The Pentagon appeared to be taking steps to prepare for an extended tenure. This included naming David Norquist, the Pentagons comptroller, to perform deputy defense secretary duties provisionally as well as retaining his current title. Shanahan sat next to Trump during a cabinet meeting on Jan. 2. In a statement on Jan. 1, shortly after taking over the job, Shanahan said he looked forward to working with President Trump to carry out his vision. Shanahan, best known for his focus on internal Pentagon reform and his private-sector experience, had spent three decades at Boeing and was general manager for the 787 Dreamliner passenger jet before he joined the Pentagon last year. By Phil Stewart & Idrees Ali United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a press conference following the United Nations Security Council meeting on Iran at the United Nations on Dec. 12, 2018 in New York City. (Kevin Hagen/Getty Images) Pompeo Says Cooperation With Israel Over Syria and Iran to Continue BRASILIAU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Jan. 1 that the United States would continue to cooperate with Israel over Syria and in countering Iran in the Middle East, even as President Donald Trump plans to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said as he met with Pompeo in the Brazilian capital that he planned to discuss how to intensify intelligence and operations cooperation in Syria and elsewhere to block Iranian aggression. In his first public comments on Trumps decision, Pompeo said it in no way changes anything that this administration is working on alongside Israel. The counter-ISIS campaign continues, our efforts to counter Iranian aggression continue, and our commitment to Middle East stability and the protection of Israel continues in the same way it did before that decision was made, he said. Trump announced last month that he planned to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, declaring that they had succeeded in their mission to defeat the Islamic State and were no longer needed in the country. We have a lot to discuss, said Netanyahu, who like Pompeo was in the Brazilian capital for the inauguration of Jair Bolsonaro as Brazils new president. Were going to be discussing our, the intense cooperation between Israel and the United States which will also deal with the questions following the decision, the American decision, on Syria and how to intensify even further our intelligence and operational cooperation in Syria and elsewhere to block Iranian aggression in the Middle East. Netanyahu said Israel was very appreciative of the strong unequivocal support Pompeo gave Israels efforts at self defense against Syria in the past few days. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said Pompeo and Netanyahu discussed the unacceptable threat that regional aggression and provocation by Iran and its agents poses to Israeli and regional security, and Pompeo reiterated the U.S. commitment to Israels security and right to self-defense. Netanyahu said last month after Trumps announcement that Israel would escalate its fight against Iranian-aligned forces in Syria after the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Israel sees the spread of Irans influence in the Middle East as a growing threat and has carried out scores of air strikes in civil war-torn Syria against suspected military deployments and arms deliveries by Iranian forces supporting Damascus. By Mary Milliken. From Reuters. Police Release Dashcam of Baby Rescue During Suicide Standoff Intense footage of officers rescuing a baby from a car during a standoff with a suicidal armed man has been released by Arkansas police. Little Rock Police Department released the dashcam footage on Dec. 28they talk down a suicidal father as they rescue his 1-year-old baby from the passenger seat. Farris Deloney, 43, had fired shots following an argument with the mother and had driven off with their daughter, sparking a police pursuit that culminated in the standoff on Dec. 19. Deloney was charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, according to KATV. The video shows a female officer climbing into the passenger seat mid-standoff, as officers tell Deloney, Dont do it! The officer emerges a few seconds later with the baby dressed in pink. According to Little Rock Police, the 13-minute video has been trimmed for time constraints. The total time elapsed is not clear, but at one edit point, just before Deloney emerges, the direction of the clouds jumps by around 60 degrees, suggesting a significant length of time. Local reports said that the incident lasted two hours in totalfrom the time the shots were fired in the parking lot to Deloneys arrest. The standoff lasted one hour, according to Arkansas Online. The latest police statement, released along with the video, only refers to one child being in the vehicle. Earlier media reports, however, mentioned two children. Police had chased Deloney to a highway exit ramp, following an incident at a nearby Walmart on the morning of Dec. 19. The mother of the rescued baby said that Deloney had been acting strangely during a child visitation exchange, reported KATV, and had been brandishing a pistol. Afraid for her safety, she began running toward the Walmart entrance. Citing a police report, KATV said that Deloney fired at least one shot at her, before getting into his vehiclethe Mazda CX-9 seen in the video. At that point, the baby was in the womans Toyota nearby. He drove over to the Toyota, took the baby out, put her in his car, and drove off. Can I Please Get the Baby Out of the Car, Sir? After a short pursuit, police pulled over the vehicle. As they approached, Deloney threatened suicide. One female officer repeatedly asks Deloney, Can I please get the baby out of the car, sir? As the other officers continue to talk Deloney down, she eventually opens the door, climbs in, and then takes the baby out. The officers can be then heard pleading with him not to take his life, encouraging him to think of his daughter, who they call Olivia, and how she will need her father. Eventually, Deloney gives in, backing out of the car and slowly walking backward toward the officers under their instruction with his hands in the air. Through de-escalation tactics and negotiation with the subject, officers were able to remove the child from the vehicle safely and take the subject into custody, said a Little Rock Police statement. The subject was later transported to an area hospital for a medical evaluation. During the video, one officer can be heard repeatedly shouting to his fellow officers about crossfire problems; something picked up by some commentators on social media. So many officer safety issues in this video, they wrote on YouTube. Crossfire, female officer kept walking between patrol vehicle and suspect vehicle. Everyone needs to be on one side of the vehicle in case the crap does hit the fan. Not Monday morning QBing but hopefully it was a learning situation. I was cringing the whole first 3 mins of the stop. But the majority of comments on the Little Rock Police Department Facebook post were in praise of the police and their actions. People walk through the snow during a winter nor'easter storm in Times Square in New York City, U.S., Mar. 21, 2018. NYCs 2018 Homicide Tally May Be Lowest in Several Decades NEW YORKNew York City may register the fewest homicides in several decades in 2018, as the city continues its long battle against violent crime. As of Dec. 30, the city had recorded five fewer killings than the 292 investigated in 2017, according to preliminary police data provided to The Associated Press. That figure was itself the lowest in decades. The New York Police Department said it also had seen a modest decline in shooting incidents in 2018 and an 8 percent drop in robberies. Figures for other categories of crime were not immediately available. In the past two years, the citys homicide rate has plunged to levels that were unthinkable a generation ago, when New York became known as the murder capital of the country and recorded an eye-popping 2,245 homicides in 1990. Not all that long ago, people had given up on New York City, said David Kennedy, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice who has worked with police departments around the country to reduce killings. Now, its the safest big city in the worldand that is not an accident. Its the result of decades of steady, meaningful attention to community public safety. The city has recorded fewer homicides in 2018 than Philadelphia, a city with a fraction of New Yorks population, where police had investigated 351 killings through Dec. 30. This years data included the lowest number of homicides in Brooklyn since record-keeping began. District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said last week that trend has coincided with efforts by local authorities to reduce incarceration and to increase diversion for nonviolent offenders. Prosecutors in Brooklyn said the most significant declines were seen in Coney Island, where not a single killing occurred in 2018, compared to eight slayings in 2017. The tally also plummeted in the 75th Precinct, in East New York, an area once considered among the nations most violent places. There were six killings in that precinct in 2018, Gonzalez said, compared to 126 in 1993. Our city is on track to yet again be the safest big city in America, thanks to the work our NYPD officers and community leaders are doing block by block across our five boroughs, Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement to the AP. Neighborhood policing in New York City has defied the naysayers to become the model for 21st-century American law enforcement. Criminal justice experts attributed the citys progress to several factors, including its massive police force of 36,000 officers, and a practice known as precision policing, in which the authorities focus resources on the most likely offenders. The conventional wisdom was that you couldnt do anything about crime except maybe reduce it for a while in some areas, said Tom Repetto, the author of several books on policing in New York. That has been disproved, and its amazing that the rate is so low in a city of this size and composition. Repetto said he believes the number of killings in New York is approaching what he calls an irreducible minimum, suggesting it could be implausible for the number of killings in a city of 8.6 million residents to fall any further. Richard Aborn, president of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City, credited the NYPDs unrelenting focus on removing illegal guns from the streets, including the prosecution of some weapons charges in federal court. He also pointed to neighborhood policing efforts and re-entry initiatives aimed at rehabilitating prisoners returning to the community. I think the broader story is that the city has understood that the fight against violent crime doesnt reside solely with the police, Aborn said. Its not because the air is better in New York. Its because of things the city has done, and its making a huge difference. By Jim Mustian. From the Associated Press. Michael "Mikey" Stewart, 40, was last seen on Dec. 20, 2018, in the Staten Island borough of New York City. Police officials are reportedly treating the missing person case as a homicide as of Dec. 30, 2018. (Help us find Mikey/GoFundMe) NY Woman Makes Chilling Admission While Being Questioned About a Missing Dad A woman being questioned by the New York City Police Department over the disappearance of a Staten Island father made a chilling admission to police, according to a report. The woman told detectives that her boyfriend killed somebodyand he made me go with him to get rid of the body in New Jersey, a source told the New York Post. Law enforcement sources said that Stewart had a relationship with the couple but the details of the relationship werent immediately clear. The NYPD has started treating the case as a homicide versus a missing person case. The source told the Post that the man and woman are the main suspects. Investigators are trying to flip the girl on the guy so they get one of them to admit to stabbing the victim to death. Theyre trying to get them to admit where they dumped the body, the source said. An NYPD spokesman said two people are in custody over Stewarts disappearance but didnt confirm further details. The couple was named as Angelo Nesimi and Zammara Sanchez by the New York Daily News. Nesimis lawyer Mario Gallucci said that his client was being investigated for the disappearance and suspected murder of Stewart. I think theyre going to hit him with domestic violence while they try to get him on murder, Gallucci said, noting his belief that his clients girlfriend would receive similar charges. Law enforcement sources told the News that the couple are drug addicts and that Sanchez called 911 regarding a car accident over the weekend but when emergency responders arrived, there was no accident and she began ranting about how her boyfriend had killed a man. When detectives arrived and tried to question Nesimi, he swallowed cocaine and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Stewart Vanishes Michael Mikey Stewart, 40, the missing man, was last seen leaving ONeills Irish Pub on Forest Avenue at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 20 in the Staten Island borough of New York City. Surveillance footage captured him arguing with two men outside a nearby barbershop. Then, around 2 a.m. the next day, he sent his mother the message asking for help, his aunt told the New York Post. Detectives are telling us he was hurt, Roxanne B., the aunt, said. Police officials told the family that the missing person case is now being treated as a suspected homicide. He loves his daughter. Shes been crying every night for him. Shes starting to see that somethings wrong, Stewarts aunt said of his 4-year-old daughter. Me and his mother both feel he has been murdered, the aunt added to the NY Daily News. Law enforcement sources and witnesses who last saw Stewart said that he was dealing with financial and domestic issues, according to the Staten Island Advance. Prior to being at the pub, Stewart had a fight with his ex-girlfriend over visitation of his daughter, sources told the Advance. In addition, he apparently was having financial troubles as he asked relatives for money. After leaving the pub, Stewart was seen at two different barbershops. The second was EZ Does It. A man who was working that night said Stewart told him he was in a dispute with a male acquaintance of his ex-girlfriend. He told me he got into a fight. . I told him Go home bro, said the worker. From NTD News A Border Patrol agent guards the area near the U.S.Mexico border west of Nogales, Ariz., on May 23, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) North Carolina Sheriffs, Dealing With Cartel Violence, Call for Congress to Fund Wall More than 1,400 miles north of the southwest border, sheriffs are battling drug trafficking, overdoses, gang and cartel violence, and human trafficking. If something gets through the border, within a few days, two or three days, its across this country, said Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. Sheriffs in North Carolina are calling on Congress to approve funding for a border wall and better border security. North Carolina has become a major hub for the transport and distribution of wholesale cocaine and other drugs throughout the northeastern corridor, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Page said he does what he can to support the sheriffs situated in counties along the southwest border. If we can support them, it prevents a lot of those drugs from coming in and getting into our communities here in the interior United States, Page said. If we fail to secure our borders, every sheriff in America will become a border sheriff. Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson said his county has huge problems with the Sinaloa cartel and its drug trafficking operations. Alamance is right on the intersection of two major interstates, I-40 and I-95, and nearby city Greensboro has become the drug trafficking hub for the southeastern United States, Johnson said. In March, 35 members and associates of the Nine Trey Gangsters, a set of the United Blood Nation gang, pled guilty in North Carolina to racketeering conspiracy and related charges of drug trafficking, wire fraud, and firearm possession, according to a 2018 DEA report. The gangs leaders were also directingfrom both inside the prisons and in communitiesthe gangs assaults, robberies, and drug trafficking up and down the Eastern United States, the report said. Johnson said drug-related deaths are increasing in his area, and the cocaine is big time coming in here, along with the heroin laced with fentanyl. In December, he said the department arrested 22 local drug dealers. The opioids and the heroin traffic, cocaine traffic is really taking its toll on our people here in Alamance County, Johnson said. People are not paying, in my opinion, close enough attention to what the major cause isand that is the drugs coming across the border. He said robberies are up, as well as shootings between rival gangs that are vying for the local drug distribution jobs. The violent MS-13 gang also has a foothold in North Carolina. A known MS-13 gang member was arrested in Wayne County, North Carolina, in December after a half-pound of methamphetamine was discovered during a traffic stop. Were also having problems here with human trafficking, Johnson said. If we could stop the drugs at the border, then we in local law enforcement could extend our personnel to dealing with the quality of life issues that are causing us the major problems in our counties and cities. In November, illegal alien Hector Rodriguez Noyola was sentenced to a minimum of 14 years in prison for trafficking cocaine and possession with the intent to sell and deliver cocaine in Forsyth County, North Carolina. We Need to Know Whos Coming In Page said President Donald Trump is doing what he can to secure the border, but Congress needs to step up, by funding the wall and fixing immigration loopholes. I think the president is making a lot of good efforts, trying to do the right thing to protect the citizens in this country, but theres a lot of resistance in Congress, Page said. To me, I just dont understand itwhy were not putting the American people first. And why public safety, homeland security, and national security are not a priority for them. He said, aside from border security, Congress needs to look at the legal loopholes that are allowing bogus asylum claims and illegal aliens to enter the country and stay without being vetted. In fiscal 2018, almost 400,000 illegal aliens were apprehended by Border Patrol at the southwest border. Many of them claimed asylum and were released into the country to await a court hearing years down the road. We need to know whos coming in and whos coming through our borders. Just like when someone gets arrested and comes into our jailI need to know whos coming in and going out of our jail and being released back out into the community, Page said. [Congress] may not agree with everything the president says, but on border security and national security, hes got it. And they need to listen and they need to work with him. In March, 380 sheriffs from 40 states wrote a letter to Congress supporting Trumps plan for a border wall, while also urging lawmakers to take action against sanctuary policies. Because Congress has failed to enact the necessary reforms, our citizens and legal residents face even greater dangers, our national security is more vulnerable, and our enforcement efforts have been seriously compromised, the letter states. Johnson had a dire warning for law enforcement and politicians. If we dont open our eyesand Im talking about law enforcement nationwide. Im also talking about our politicians in the state and in Washington, D.C.were going to be a drug culture that we can never turn back and get away from. Its getting that bad, he said. And when you have a tremendous amount of money being made off of the drug traffic, I can tell you this, law enforcement and politicians can be bought off. And thats going to be a terrible thing for this nation. Our law enforcement and the President agree: securing our border makes Americas communities safer. They want Congress do its job and fund a border wall. Republicans have a plan and a fair offer has been made. Build the wall. Open the government.https://t.co/j9CH2lBqie Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) January 2, 2019 Missing Georgia Fathers SUV Found, Case Has Red Flags: Police The vehicle of a missing Georgia father who hasnt been seen since Dec. 28, was found abandoned on Jan. 1, in a case that police officials said has a lot of red flags. Roderick Crawford was driving to his workplace, Craft Flower Mill, to check his schedule as a truck driver for J & M Tank Lines. The mill is only about four miles from his house in Barnesville. When he left he told the boysthey have three boyshe said Im gonna be right back. Im going to check the work schedule,' family member Gloria Baker told Fox 5. He left the house at 7 p.m. He tried calling his wife about 10 minutes after he left but she missed the call. Investigators then found his phone pinged in Thomason, about 15 miles from Barnesville, within 30 minutes of the call. Then authorities found Crawfords SUV abandoned in Clayton County on Tuesday. Lamar County Sheriff Brad White said Crawfords phone was deactivated soon after the ping, meaning the phone was turned off and the batteries were taken out, or the phone was crushed. The abandoned car and the phone situation have investigators concerned, in addition to the fact that no family members have heard from the missing father. He always stays in contact with his close friends and family, he said. Theres a lot of red flags in this case. A missing person alert was shared with other agencies, including the Spalding County Sheriffs Office, reported 11 Alive. Anyone with information on the missing mans location is asked to call the Lamar County Sheriffs Office at 770-358-5159. Trump Signs Ashanti Alert Act Into Law With just hours left in 2018, President Donald Trump signed into law the Ashanti Alert in New Years Eve, which will serve as a national alert system for those too old for an Amber Alert but too young for a Silver Alert. The new law, formally known as H.R. 5075, will require the Department of Justice to set up a federal alert system for notifications regarding missing or endangered adults between ages 18 to 64. It will function in a similar manner as the Amber or Silver Alert in notifying the public about missing or endangered individuals. The Ashanti Alert is named after Ashanti Billie who was abducted after heading to her work at a Blimpie restaurant at a military baseJoint Expeditionary Base Little Creekin Norfolk, Virginia, on Sept. 18, 2017. At 19 years old, Ashanti was too old for an Amber Alert and too young for a Silver Alert. Billie was found dead about 300 miles away behind a church in Charlotte, North Carolina, 11 days after she was reported missing. A landscaping crew discovered her remains behind some boulders in the back of the property. In a statement released late Dec. 31, Senator Mark R. Warner (D-Va) said he hopes the Ashanti Alert Act can help save countless lives. Despite the tragic loss of Ashanti Billie, with the love and support of [her parents] Meltony and Brandy Billie along with the Hampton Roads community, the Ashanti Alert Act is now law of the land, Warner said in the statement. NTD reporter Mimi Nguyen Ly contributed to this report. From NTD News Missing 16-Year-Old on New Years Eve Found and Reunited With Family A teenager who went missing for about 24 hours after he was last seen on New Years Eve has been found. The family of 16-year-old Jack Pocock said hes been found safe and well, according to Wales Online. The teenagers mom, Sharon, launched a desperate appeal to locate her son on Jan. 1 after he was last seen at around 2 p.m. in the Pentwyn area of Cardiff on New Years Eve. Jack Pocock had told his family he would be meeting up with friends and going into town but his mother said she had been beside herself after none of them had heard from him. When he couldnt be found anywhere, his mother Sharon said, I am beside myselfhe could be anywhere. I am obviously very worried and just want him home safely. Jack Pocock told his family he was meeting friends but nobody has heard from him since. Wales Online 201911 At about 5:30 p.m. on New Years Day, the teenagers uncle Alan Pocock, 38, said he had been located in the Adamsdown area of the city. Its positive news, Alan said. Hes been found safe and well. Other Missing Teens Last year, North Wales Police (NWP) were searching for two missing teens, 15-year-old Callum Wright from Towyn and 16-year-old Scot Turner from Bangor, according to Rhyl Journal. By the new year, Wright hadnt been seen since Dec. 17. The NWP sent out an appeal stating: [Wright] was last seen wearing a black Nike jacket with a t-shirt underneath and grey Armani tracksuit bottoms. He has links to the Rhyl and Bangor areas. Meanwhile Turner went missing on New Years Eve. The NWP also sent out an appeal for him, stating: Scot Terrance Turner 16from Bangor, 5 ft 5 inches tall, slim, short mousey hair, clean shaven, wearing black puffer jacket and black waterproof trousers. After Wright had been missing for over two weeks and Turner had been missing a day, a NWP spokesperson said, Missing teens Callum Wright and Scot Turner were found safe and sound yesterday. These were cases that turned out well in the end, despite the worry and fear the parents felt while they were missing. However, not all cases have a happy ending. Found Dead Some arent as lucky as the above missing teens. One such unfortunate boy was 16-year-old Paddy Dear who went missing on a geography school trip. Police made the heartbreaking discovery after searching cliffs at the remote Dale Fort study center, which is visited by thousands of students each year, reported the Mirror. Paddy Dear was a pupil and keen sportsman at Campion School, a top Catholic science academy in Horncurch, Essex. Paddy was a wonderful young man who was fully involved in the life of the school, Headteacher Keith Williams said in a statement. He was a popular, very friendly, and caring young man who had the whole world ahead of him. Nobody had a bad word to say about him and he never had a bad word for anyone else. He was a typical Campion student who gave everything he could to the school community. Williams also emailed parents informing them of the students tragic death. I am emailing to inform you of the tragic death of one of our Year 12 students, Paddy Dear who was on the Geography field trip to West Wales. Your son/daughter has been told of his death at assembly this morning following confirmation provided by the police. As you can imagine, this has had a devastating effect upon the school community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends who have been devastated by this news. A special mass was held to remember Paddy and to pray for his family and friends. Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov speaks with journalists in the Kremlin in Moscow on April 15, 2013, after his meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images) Migrant Workers Struggles Push Uzbekistan to Open Up SAMARKAND, UzbekistanMaksud Mahmudov was among millions of Uzbeks who left their impoverished homeland as soon as they finished school to find work in Russia. In 2014, he and others came back as the Russian economy floundered, but it took two more years to find work. The 27-year-old now runs teams of builders for hire, taking advantage of a construction boom in his home city of Samarkand following a 2016 change of leadership in the Central Asian state, one of the worlds most tightly controlled countries. I used to earn around $500 a month doing construction work, but then the treatment of migrants worsened, we were paid less, it became harder to obtain a work permit, so I had to return to my home country in 2014, he said, recalling a year in which falling oil prices hit Russias energy-dependent economy. That change is now encouraging Uzbek leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev to open up the economy of ex-Soviet Uzbekistan, which for nearly three decades rejected market reforms, leaving it largely isolated and with mass unemployment. Uzbekistan was able to ignore the issue as long as Russia was absorbing millions of migrants, but plummeting oil prices sent Russia into recession in 2015 and many migrants had to leave. Russian central bank data shows Uzbeks have sent home 42 percent less money on average in 2015-17 than in 2011-14. Volumes picked up somewhat over the last couple of yearswhen the Russian economy and the rouble stabilizedbut are still well below those seen before the oil price crash and sanctions. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, who have re-engaged with Tashkent under Mirziyoyev, say implementing market reforms such as privatization are the only way to revive the economy and create new jobs. Failing to do so could prompt Central Asias own equivalent of the Arab Spring, a senior World Bank economist warned in 2017, referring to a series of uprisings in 2011 that toppled longstanding leaders in Egypt, Yemen, and Libya. The Tashkent government has not commented on that warning and there has been no serious unrest in Uzbekistan since 2005, when security forces crushed protests in Andijan in the impoverished Ferghana valley. But Mirziyoyev, who took over when his predecessor Islam Karimov died in 2016 after 25 years in office, is now treating unemployment as a priority. They (migrants) are abroad for a reason. We could not create jobs for them, thats why they are abroad. All the problems start here, Mirziyoyev said at a meeting with officials earlier last year. In its first major move to make hiring easier, the government will cut payroll taxes from the beginning of the year, making it cheaper for companies to hire workers. The government estimates the measure will cost the state budget $570 million this year. Wage Differential A long-standing lieutenant to Karimov, Mirziyoyev showed little appetite for change before becoming president. The country, long closed off from the outside world, has taken a first step by liberalizing its foreign exchange market, bringing a surge in machinery and equipment imports for industries that are still state-owned and centrally planned. The government has signed memorandums of understanding with large energy companies such as Frances Total and Indias ONGC and hosts financiers representing Western and Asian companies keen to discover how far change will go. The experiences of Uzbekistans migrant labor force and their relatives shows the pressing need for reform, suggesting that, while political controls remain tight, the governments new openness to investment is more than a fad. Uzbekistan is rich in natural resources such as gas, gold, and other metals and is one of the worlds leading exporters of cotton. But between two and three million of Uzbekistans more than 33 million people work abroad, mostly in Russia, to provide for their families back home. One in three young males is a migrant, according to a recent World Bank survey. Sixty-two-year-old Ruqiyakhon has three children working in Russia. Her youngest son was able to stay at home and train as a doctor only thanks to his elder brothers earnings. Now he works at a local hospital but still tries to earn extra money by running his own small business, she said, declining to give her full name for fear of the authorities. I wish they all could work here and get the same wages, but it is not possible there is a big difference between wages here and there. She lives in the small Uzbek town of Uchkuprik in the Ferghana valley, Central Asias most densely populated area, where even breeding livestock for extra income is difficult due to a shortage of land. While some Uzbeks can only find seasonal or short-term jobs abroad, others settle. Many go to Kazakhstan and South Korea, but Russia is the default choice because of Soviet-era ties. Fictitious Figures One of Mirziyoyevs first moves was to dismiss as fiction official statistics which have long put unemployment at about five percent. Under Karimov, for example, officials would record anyone who owned a cow as a self-employed farmer. In the month of November, the labor ministry reported unemployment for the first half of 2018 at 9.3 percent, up from 5.2 percent a year earlier, and cited a new methodology as the reason for the sharp increase. Some Uzbeks have complained about abuse at the hands of employers who could act with impunity because they knew employees were unlikely to walk away with jobs so scarce. Under Karimov, some Uzbeks, for example, had to hand over part of their salaries to superiors in order to retain their jobs. Shakhnoza Ishankulova, who used to work as a teacher in her home town of Marjonbuloq in the Jizzakh region, was fired in 2011 after failing to pay up she had just undergone chemotherapy and was the only breadwinner in the family. After many attempts to get her job back or find work in another school, she moved to Moscow in 2013, where she began working as a cleaner. Why did I bother getting a degree? she said. I went to university, and to a lycee. But despite all that, I am holding a broom. In Samarkand, former migrant Mahmudov now leads a 40-strong construction team. He makes about $250 a month in the winter, when snow makes work difficult, but takes home about $500 per month in the summeralmost as much as he used to in Russia. By Polina Ivanova Remembering that you are not immortal can help you live your life to the fullest every day. (Na Inho/Unsplash) Memento Mori: Embracing a Life of Consequence Commentary The author Chuck Palahniuk once wrote: We all die. The goal isnt to live forever; the goal is to create something that will. Now, as a Catholic, I would argue that the ultimate goal is, indeed, to actually live eternally, but there can be no argument that everyone who is born will eventually shed their mortal bodies and leave all they have ever known behind. It doesnt matter how much you rage against it, death will one day come and bear you away. Rich or poor, man or woman, you too must die. Or, to quote Palahniuk again, On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero. So gird your loins and light your lamps, its time to contemplate Memento Mori: Remember that one day, you too will die. The practice of meditating upon ones inevitable death dates back to at least the days of Plato, who wrote that the ultimate point of philosophy was about nothing more than dying and being dead. In the medieval era, Christianity elevated Memento Mori to a literal lifestyle, from art to literature to architecture to music to fashion. Memento Mori is a Latin phrase that, literally translated, means Remember you will die. Today, this may seem a little macabre, but only because we find reflecting upon the inevitable end of our lives morbid, rather than a brutal form of honesty and radical self-care. So often in our Western culture, we separate the world of the living completely from the process of dying. Its now normal for non-accidental and violent deaths to occur almost exclusively in hospitals or other dedicated health care facilities, rather than in our homes. Our funeral rites have now incorporated technologies and sciences that do their very best to make the deceased appear as if they are only sleeping at open-casket funerals that can be conveniently scheduled long after the person you know became the person you knew. Weve separated ourselves from the truth that one day, all of us will have our last day on Earth. Weve forgotten the art of dying well. Familiarity With Death Its unusual for most people to witness the death of their fellow man, or even to see the aftermath of violence and accidents. Combat veterans, law enforcement, and first responders have a very different insight into this reality than the average American. Our economic and technological privilege means that we no longer have to deal with the realities of death in the places where we live out our lives. We have erected our own opaque veil between the land of the living and the realm of the dead; we have closed our eyes and plugged our ears to the truth. However, there are men and women among us who have not only surrendered that privileged comfort, but often find themselves running into situations where they will not only confront the death of others, but the very real possibility of their own demise. In recent generations past, the sorts of experiences that create an awareness of ones mortality were limited almost exclusively to medical professionals, firefighters, and police officers. Wars would flare up every generation or so, and suddenly it wasnt just priests and nuns meditating on their eventual and inevitable deaths. There is quite a difference between having a vague understanding that life is finite and truly knowing that you are indeed going to die, perhaps sooner rather than later. And, like it or not, when you are gone, the land of the living is going to continue moving forward without a single hesitation. The Earth will keep rotating on its axis as it flies through space in orbit around the sun. Empowering Awareness There is something sobering about living with an awareness that death is not only inevitable, but that you have no guarantee it will occur at a point in your distant future. Truth is, you might not live to finish this article. At any given moment, you stand ready to topple over the edge, from the land of the living to whatever world comes next. You can ignore this fact or embrace the beauty of this knowledge and live a life of consequence; you can choose to drift through life listlessly, until your life ends like a becalmed ship, or you can choose to embrace every minute and steer into the wind. This sort of awareness shouldnt cripple you with anxiety and despair, but, instead, motivate you to move from inaction to action. I want you to read this next phrase out loud: Someday, I will die. Death doesnt care if you try to avoid it, or even if you deny its reality. One day, you will draw your last breath. It doesnt matter if it is painful or easy, violent or peaceful. We all get the same thing: a lifetime. My time in the military stripped away any illusions I had about my fragile and finite status as a living being in our vast universe. My faith removed the sting of death. Reflecting upon it removed the fear. By keeping death daily before your eyes, there is a freedom that comes to you. I dont waste excessive time on things that dont matter, and I appreciate the small moments and opportunities more. Dont wait for a terminal diagnosis to decide to live your remaining days to their fullest. Say it out loud again, Someday, I will die. Now, think about that. You already have a terminal diagnosis, you just dont know how many days you have left. How do you want to live your life? What do you need to do so that when you are closing your eyes that final time, you feel no regret? Figure that out and start doing it. The clock is ticking. Chris Erickson is a combat veteran and former Green Beret with extensive experience deployed to various locations across the world. He now works in the communications industry. You can follow him on Twitter @EricksonPrime Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Cook County Board Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia speaks with reporters in Chicago, Illinois, on Nov. 28, 2017, after U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) (R) announced his retirement from Congress at the end of his current term and his endorsement of Garcia for the seat. Garcia went on to be elected to Congress in the November 2018 elections. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Meet Representative-Elect Chuy Garcia: A Longtime Friend of Communists Commentary The new crop of Democratic members of Congress elected in 2018 is so far left, its difficult to single out the most extreme socialists. In most election cycles, a hard-core radical like Chicagos Jesus Chuy Garcia, the former Cook County Board Commissioner, would send conservative journalists and bloggers into a keyboard frenzy. However, so much column space has focused on newbies Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, and Ilhan Omar that Garcia has managed to avoid scrutiny. Elected to fill the shoes of the ultra-left Luis Gutierrez in Chicagos heavily Hispanic South West side, Garcia is every bit as radical as his predecessor. Gutierrez, a once-member of the MarxistLeninist Puerto Rican Socialist Party, is leaving Congress to work with the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) coalition, which reportedly brings together 37 pro-immigrant and refugee groups in 31 states to mobilize the Puerto Rican and Hispanic vote. While announcing his decision not to run for re-election, Gutierrez assured his supporters that Garcia was a suitable replacement. I want to make absolutely clear that Id be a candidate in the congressional district if Jesus Garcia had not volunteered to run, Gutierrez declared in November 2017. Like Gutierrez, one of Garcias main pet policy issues is illegal immigration. Garcia supports a blanket amnesty for recipients of former President Barack Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, which will presumably eventually extend to their parents. Garcia has been a supporter of so-called comprehensive immigration reform, and a vocal critic of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Garcia wrote in a tweet that ICE is targeting anyone they can for the most frivolous reasons, and also stated, We need a nationwide commitment to stand up to ICEs cruelty. As reported in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-aligned In These Times in 2014, Garcia was well-known for championing, as commissioner, a successful 2011 ordinance to require Cook Countys sheriff to decline requests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain [illegal] immigrants, unless the federal government would pay the detention costs. Garcia has already joined the communist/socialist-aligned Congressional Progressive Caucus. There he will work alongside old Chicago comrades such as Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Rep. Danny Davis. For years, all three have moved in the same communist and socialist circles. Early Influences Born in a small village in Durango, Mexico, Garcias father was an illegal alien who brought 10-year-old Chuy to Chicago when he was able to secure permanent residency, according to a profile in the Chicago Reader. Garcia earned a bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago, then a masters degree in Urban Planning. Garcia was radicalized in college, falling under the influence of Lola Navarro, a veteran Latino activist and disciple of the infamous father of community organizing, Saul Alinsky. Following Navarros example, Garcia and his comrades targeted a local theater, forcing its owner to refurbish the rundown facility. In his sophomore year, Garcia and fellow comrades occupied the chancellors office at University Hall. The university caved to the radicals demands and created a left-leaning Latin American Cultural Center, which still operates today. About that time, Garcia befriended a man who would have a profound influence on his politics and his career: the late Chicago activist Rudy Lozano. A few years older than Garcia, Lozano was organizing factory workers in Pilsen and Little Village. He was also advocating for unconditional amnesty for illegal aliens, a cause dear to Garcias heart. Lozano was associated with the Communist Party USA and drew Garcia into those circles. Beyond his labor union work, Lozano was heavily involved in local politics. Lozano and Garcia both became close allies of far-left South Side Congressman Harold Washington, who would serve as Chicagos first black mayor from 1983 until his sudden death in 1987. In 1983, as part of a multi-racial team with Washington, Lozano ran for 22nd ward alderman. Garcia managed his campaign, but Lozano came second in a five-man field. A few weeks later, in June 1983, Lozano was fatally shot in the kitchen of his home. A teen gang member was arrested and later convicted of the murder, the Chicago Reader reported. The Soviet newspaper Pravda, which ran several articles on Lozano, claimed the hit was a political assassination. The police maintained it was a gang-related murder. Running for Office His friends death motivated Garcia to get more directly involved in politics. In 1984, Garcia successfully ran for 22nd Democratic ward committeeman. In 1986, he ran for alderman against conservative Democrat Guadalupe Martinez. According to a Chicago Tribune report at the time, Martinez said that her opponent Garcia was 100 percent communist, if not 110 percent. The newspaper also claimed that Garcia so hero-worshiped the late Lozano that he emulated him to the point of shaving off his goatee to increase his resemblance to the neighborhood folk hero slain by an 18-year-old gang member in 1983. Garcia won the election and soon became the ranking Latino in Mayor Washingtons racially organized council coalition. Racial politics became Garcias stock in trade. Garcias campaign manager in 1984, black Communist Party USA member Ronelle Mustin, claimed that Garcia made sure the wards few black residents got our fair share of everythingstreets repaired, sidewalks done, garbage picked up. Garcia was reelected in 1987, and again in 1991. After Mayor Washington died, the multi-racial communistsocialist coalition he had brought into office disintegrated as the Democratic machine forged under former Mayor Richard Daley re-conquered the city government. Garcia left the City Council and was elected to the Illinois state Senate in 1992. He served two terms until his defeat in 1998. Garcia went on to found and lead Enlace Chicago, a leftist nonprofit community development organization in Little Village. In 10 years, Garcia built Enlace into an organization with a $2.9 million budget and a staff of more than a hundredmany of them leftist activists. Rudy Lozano, Jr., a Communist Party USA supporter and son of Garcias old comrade, serves on the Enlace board. Communist Party USA member Docia Buffington serves on the Enlace leadership team. Upon leaving Enlace in 2009, Garcia served as a fellow at De Paul University and as adjunct professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Political Science and Latino and Latin American Studies Departments. He also served on the boards of several leftist non-profits, including the Latino Policy Forum and the Woods Fund of Chicago. Communist Party Connections Throughout his political career, Garcia maintained close connections to the Maoist, pro-Soviet Communist Party USA and democratic socialist strands of the Chicago left. Additional examples of Garcias radical bona fides include his contribution to Unity, the journal of the pro-China League of Revolutionary Struggle, on April 30, 1990, and his attendance at various Communist Party USA functions. A year later, Garcia gave a tribute to Illinois Communist Party USA leader Ishmael Flory, who was honored at Malcolm X College in Chicago on Sept. 29, 1991, by more than 100 guests. According to the Oct. 12, 1991, issue of the Communist Party USA newspaper Peoples Weekly World: Ishmael Flory is a man for all seasons. He never gives up, said State Senator Alice Palmer. Alderman Jesus Chuy Garcia of Chicagos 22nd ward cited Florys role in fostering African-American and Latino unity, and in building multi-racial coalitions for social progress. Tributes came from Communist Party USA chairman Gus Hall and Illinois Communist Party organizational secretary Mark Almberg. Other speakers included Communist Party USA members Jack Spiegel of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union, the aforementioned Ronelle Mustin, peace activist Sarah Staggs, and Carl Bloice, the former Moscow correspondent for the Peoples Weekly World, the predecessor of Peoples World. Shortly after that event, the Communist Party USA split, and many Chicago members joined the breakaway Committees of Correspondence (CoC). The Chicago branch of the CoC held a tribute banquet to 88-year-old member Jack Spiegel on Oct. 3, 1993, with 250 people in attendance. According to an OctoberDecember 1993 CoC newsletter, special guests included then-state Sen. Garcia, Alderman Helen Shiller, Bernice Bild from the hard-left Coalition for New Priorities, Camille Odeh from the Coalition of Palestinian Women, and Meca Sorrentini from the pro-Cuban Puerto Rican Socialist Party, whichas mentioned aboveonce boasted former congressman Luis Gutierrez as a member. The keynote speaker was CoC co-chair Manning Marable, who served as director at the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University. Illinois CoC co-chairs Sandy Patrinos and Mildred Williamson (both veterans of the Communist Party USA) presented the awards. In 1998, Garcia and Bild addressed a joint Chicago DSA and Illinois CoC forum on the 1998 elections. Senator Garcia gave a technical, electoral perspective on the outcome. Bernice Bild provided a look at the outcome from more of a policy perspective, according to DSA publication New Ground. In the mid-1990s, Garcia was a close supporter of pro-Soviet Illinois state Sen. Alice Palmer. The Hon. Jesus Garcia served as a member of the Friends of Alice Palmer, alongside future congressman and DSA member Danny Davis, Timuel Black of the DSA and CoC, and future President Barack Obama. A few years later, Garcia was firmly back in the Communist Party USA orbit. The Peoples Weekly World banquet held on Oct. 28, 2000, at the House of Fortune restaurant featured Congressman Davis as guest speaker. Local honorees included octogenarian Communist Party USA member Bea Lumpkin and Jesus Chuy Garcia, former member of the Illinois State Legislature and presently director of the Little Village Community Development Center, according to the Oct. 7, 2000, issue of Peoples Weekly World. A special award went to Communist Party USA member Evelina Alarcon, coordinator to the Cesar E. Chavez Holiday Campaign. Long-time Communist Party USA/CoC front group Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights organized a Celebration of the Dynamic Life of Frank Wilkinson (19142006) on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006. Wilkinson had been a leader of the Communist Party USA, the New American Movement, and the DSA. Garcia was named as an Honoring Committee member. Back in Politics On Nov. 3, 2009, Garcia announced his candidacy as a Cook County Commissioner for the 7th District to usher in a new era of reform, accountability, transparency, and efficiency in government for the benefit of working people, according to his campaign page. His running mate, Communist Party USA supporter Lozano, Jr., ran for state representative in the 23rd District. Garcia won his race; Lozano narrowly lost his. In a report of the Communist Party USAs Mexican American Equality Commission, prepared as part of the discussion leading up to the Communist Party USAs 29th National Convention on May 2123, 2010, the commission wrote of several electoral victories featuring people obviously associated with the party: Mexican Americans are strong supporters of the Obama administrations efforts to move away from the right wing policies of the past and to move for progressive reform as evidenced by the 76% approval rating of California Latinos for Obama, in the January 2010 poll by the California Public Policy Institute. These developments are reflected in the strong races of Rudy Lozano (Jr.) for Illinois legislature, Rick Nagin for the Cleveland City Council and the big victory of Jesus Chuy Garcia as Cook County Commissioner in Illinois. In 2015, Garcia ran for mayor of Chicago against former Obama chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel. It was a last-minute insurgency campaign, and like his friend Mayor Washington 30 years earlier, Garcia was backed by the far-left. Bernie Sanders came to town to rally with Garcia. Mega-wealthy, far-left San Francisco lawyer Steve Phillips endorsed and funded Garcia through his PowerPAC+. The Lozano family got on board. Lozano, Jr. joined the campaign, as did his Communist Party USA member brother Pepe Lozano. Communist Party USA National Committee member and Steelworkers Active Organized Retirees leader Scott Marshall also played a prominent role. Key black DSA members Cornel West, Congressman Davis, and Timuel Black all endorsed Garcias progressive agenda. It was a valiant effort, but Garcia entered the race too late. He forced Emanuel into a run-off election but couldnt pull off the final victory. Many thought the loss would be the end of Garcias political career. Then Garcias old friend Gutierrez announced he was leaving Congress. Garcia jumped into the race. He easily won the primary and smashed his Republican opponent 86.5 percent to 13.5 percent in the general election. However, the prospect of soon entering Congress was not enough to steer Garcia away from his Communist Party USA comrades. On Aug. 3, 2018, more than 300 people gathered at the Chicago Teachers Union Center to celebrate the 100th birthday of Chicagos longest-serving communist Bea Lumpkin. According to Peoples World: Seasoned trade unionists, politicians, labor lawyers, and labor historians rubbed shoulders with young people from INTERGEN, the activist intergenerational and multiracial alliance that Bea helped found in 2016. The young people were there to pay homage to a woman who understands all too well the struggles of organizing during difficult times. Guest speakers including congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, congressman-elect Garcia, and communist Scott Marshall of the steelworkers union who spoke about the enormous impact Bea had had on their own lives as she organized for worker power, racial justice, peace, and gender equality. Peoples World also reported, The formal part of the dinner ended with the reading of a letter from President Barack Obama, thanking her for her many years of service in support of the movement. If Garcia is not a secret Communist Party USA member, he is certainly a close party sympathizer. There is no doubt that Garcia will loyally follow the Communist Party USA agenda throughout his time in Congress. This begs the question: How could Garcia pledge an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution? Trevor Loudon is an author, filmmaker, and public speaker from New Zealand. For more than 30 years, he has researched radical left, Marxist, and terrorist movements and their covert influence on mainstream politics. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. U.S. Marines take part in the dedication ceremony of the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, on May 14, 2018. (Ronen Zvulun/Reuters) Marine Shot and Killed on Duty at Marine Barracks in Washington A U.S. Marine was shot and killed in a Washington barracks on New Years Day, it was reported. Marine Corps officials confirmed the Marine died while on duty at Marine Barracks Washington, according to the corpss website. It happened at 5 a.m. on Jan. 1. The Marines name has not yet been released pending the notification of family. The shooting is currently under investigation by Washington D.C. police, officials said. The commands priorities are to take care of the Marines family and friends, Col. Don Tomich, commanding officer of Marine Barracks, said in a statement. We want to ensure these personnel are being provided for during this challenging time. Capt. Colleen McFadden, a Marine Barracks Washington spokeswoman, didnt reveal whether any foul play was involved in the Marines death. She also didnt disclose if it was an accidental discharge. Meanwhile, she didnt elaborate on whether other Marines were injured, according to Military.com. But Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Jackson told CNN the shooting wasnt self-inflicted. The command and the Marines here are cooperating with the investigation team, which is the Metropolitan Police Department, at the time, McFadden said, according to Miliary.com. No suspects have been arrested in the shooting, and there is no threat to the public, Fox5 reported. Following the shooting, officials stated that due to an unforeseen tragedy at Marine Barracks Washington this morning, todays New Years Serenade is canceled, according to WJLA-TV. Other details about the shooting are not clear. The barracks is located at Eighth and I Street in Washington. Its the oldest active post in the entire Marine Corps. On June 15, 2018, another Marine was shot at Marine Barracks Washington, suffering nonlife-threatening injuries from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Violent Crime Down Across US The FBI said that both violent crime and property crime decreased in 2017 compared to 2016. Overall violent crime decreased 0.2 percent from 2016 to last year, while property crime decreased 3 percent during that time, the agency said in September, releasing data from the previous year. There were more than 1.2 million violent crimes reported to UCR nationwide in 2017. There was a 0.7 percent decrease in murders and a 4 percent decrease in robberies from 2016 to 2017. Aggravated assaults increased 1 percent in 2017. The FBI began collecting data solely on an updated rape definition last year, and 135,755 rapes were reported to law enforcement in 2017, the FBI said in its report. The report also showed there were more than 7.7 million property crimes last year. Burglaries decreased 7.6 percent and larceny-thefts decreased 2.2 percent. Motor vehicle thefts increased 0.8 percent from 2016 to 2017. These figures were compiled from more than 13,000 law enforcement agencies around the United States that submitted their crime data to the FBI. In Florida, the FBI said that Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Hialeah, Tallahassee, and St. Petersburg are the most violent cities, according to WTXL. Jacksonville recorded 106 murders in 2016, the last available data, Orlando had 84 murders, and Miami saw 55 murders. Meanwhile, Tallahassee is considered the 10th-worst city in the United States when it comes to property crime rates, the FBI said, reported FloridaPolitics in June 2018. There were 52 property crimes per 1,000 residents in the states capital city. Riley Kuznia, in an undated file photo, was identified by his mother as the Marine who died at a Washington barracks on Jan. 1, 2019. (Markelle Kuznia/Facebook) Marine Killed at Barracks Identified as Riley Kuznia, Shooting Investigated as Accidental A U.S. Marine shot to death in his Washington barracks was identified by his mother as Riley Kuznia, 20, of Minnesota. With broken hearts we lost a loving son, cherished brother and dedicated Marine. We appreciate everyones thoughts and prayer during this difficult time! wrote Markelle Kuznia in a Facebook post. Please use his Facebook account to share all the amazing memories you shared with this goofy kid. Semper fidelis! Kuznia appeared to join the Marine Corps in 2017, according to pictures on his Facebook profile, after graduating from Tri-County High School in rural Minnesota in his hometown of Karlstad. District Superintendent Ryan Baron told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Kuznia, who he taught when he was a math teacher, was an amazing and very friendly guy. He remembered when Kuznia was talking about going into the Marines. Baron added, His mom was really excited too. Counselors were called in to the barracks for any staff or students who needed counseling. Everybody is friends with everybody, the superintendent said. There are still kids here who know him, and he has a sister who is still in school in sixth grade. Markelle Kuznia told the Associated Press that her son joined the Marines because he felt it was his duty. The shooting took place inside the Marine compound, known as Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., and 8th and I, in the nations capital on Jan. 1. A source told Fox 5 that the shooting that left Kuznia dead was accidental and not self-inflicted. Kuznia was rushed to a nearby hospital but was soon pronounced dead. The source said that the incident happened during a shift change when weapons are supposed to be unloaded before being passed to the next shift. With broken hearts we lost a loving son, cherished brother and dedicated Marine. We appreciate everyones thoughts and Markelle Kuznia 201911 Marine Corps spokesman Chief Gunnery Sgt. John Jackson confirmed to the Associated Press that the shooting was not self-inflicted. A police report obtained by USA Today stated that officers arrived at the scene to find one person who had been handling a firearm and another who was shot. The Marine Corps has not officially identified Kuznia as the shooting victim. The commands priorities are to take care of the Marines family and friends, said Col. Don Tomich, the barracks commanding officer, in a statement. We want to ensure these personnel are being provided for during this challenging time. The Marine Corps stressed that there was no threat to the public and that the event transpired within the grounds of the barracks. The Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. is the oldest active post in the Marines. It was founded by President Thomas Jefferson and Lt. Col. William Ward Burrows. Located on the corners of 8th & I Streets in southeast Washington, D.C., the Barracks supports both ceremonial and security missions in the nations capital, according to the barracks website. The Barracks is home to many nationally recognized units, including the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Band, the official Marine Corps Color Guard, and the Marine Corps Body Bearers. It is also the site of the Home of the Commandants, which, along with the Barracks, is a registered national historic landmark. From NTD News Then-House Intelligence Committee ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) arrives for a Democratic caucus meeting in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center in Washington on Nov. 14, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Look Who Donates to Trumps Top 5 House Democratic Adversaries Wall Streeters, lawyers, and the insurance industry are the biggest group-donors to the five incoming Democratic committee chairmen in the House of Representatives who will likely be deeply lodged thorns in President Donald Trumps side in 2019. Topping the list of group-givers are lawyers and law firms, both in terms of total contributions to the five in the 2018 campaign ($810,910) and as the leading donor group to two particular Democrats who are expected to give Trump endless headaches in the 116th Congress. The two include incoming House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), the soon-to-be House Judiciary Committee chairman. Trump has intensely personal problems with both men. The president has referred to Schiff as Little Adam Schitt, after the California Democrat criticized Trumps appointment of acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker. Schiff has also been an unrelenting critic of the president on the Russia probe. Trump and Nadler go way back in New York politics, making the Manhattan Democrat probably the last person the president would want to see leading the judiciary panel. Nadler has opposed major Trump development projects, which may account for the presidents referring to him as one of the most egregious hacks in contemporary politics. Having lawyers and law firmsincluding many trial attorneys filing big-ticket class-action litigation against Fortune 500 corporations and deep-pocketed, high-profile individualsso prominent among donors to these two committee chairmen could pour salt on such wounds. Contributions to Schiff from lawyers and law firms, according to OpenSecrets.org, totaled $542,231, or 13 percent of the almost $4.2 million he spent in his 2018 campaign. Meanwhile, lawyers and law firms pumped $150,548 into Nadlers re-election coffers, accounting for almost 10 percent of his campaign expenditures. The insurance industry is the contributor group (third-highest overall at $575,754) that led donors for two other incoming committee chairs: House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.). Watersamong the earliest House Democrat to use the I-word of impeachment against Trumpgot $139,854 from the insurance industry, equaling 10 percent of her $1,383,640 in 2018 campaign spending, according to opensecrets.org. Neal received $435,900 from the insurance industry, an amount equal to almost 12 percent of the $3.73 million spent by the new Ways and Means boss to keep his seat in 2018. The Massachusetts Democrat represents headaches on multiple fronts for Trump, most prominently with Neals promise to go after the presidents tax returns in 2019. Neals position at the helm of the powerful House tax-writing committee gives him legislative and political leverage that could be devastating for Trump. Heres how: One figure jumps out from a scan of Neals 2018 campaign contributors76 percent of his contributions came from political action committees (PACs), including dozens representing his fellow House Democrats. They helped Neal because its never good politics to be on the bad side of the Ways and means Panel chief. Thus, Neal could deploy an outsized influence on fence-sitting Democrats in the event of crucial votes on the House floor. And Neal will have leverage in pressuring his partisan colleagues on other committees to take actions that can then become bargaining chips for Trumps tax returns or other sensitive documents. Thus, Schiff, Nadler, and Waters will grab lots of heated headlines against Trump, but dont be surprised if Neal proves to be the behind-the-scenes power creating the presidents biggest problems. As for the Wall Streeters, the securities and investment industry group wasnt the top giver to any of the five, but it provided the second-highest contribution total at $622,659. This group ranked fourth on the lists for Nadler, Neal and Schiff, and third for Waters. Finally, theres incoming House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.). Judging by his campaign donors, Cummings might seem less of a threat to Trump. Cummings is one of the key voices in Congress for organized labor, especially including federal worker unions, for whom the oversight panel is their most important tool to keep their power. Public-sector unions were Cummingss biggest group donor, contributing $98,500. Other unions made up three of the remaining slots in Cummings top five, with lawyers and law firms being the fourth. The oversight panel has a uniquely broad swath of authority, meaning Cummings can insert himself into pretty much whatever assault against Trump he chooses. And the 10-term Democrat can do so with little fear of upsetting his constituents in Baltimore, because he got almost 77 percent of the vote in 2018. Ivanka Trump, the daughter of President Donald Trump, arrives for a ceremony to pardon the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Ivanka Trump Plans Global Womens Economic Development Push Ivanka Trump is set to launch a White House effort aimed at womens global economic empowerment in early 2019. A formal launch for the initiative was planned for next week but has been postponed amid uncertainty about the government shutdown, the White House said Monday. The original plan for the event included remarks from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton, as well as from officials from a host of government agencies, financial organizations and private businesses, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, Walmart and Bank of America. The initiative, which is backed by the State Department and the National Security Council, seeks to align government agencies behind the mission of supporting womens economic development around the world. It will also include private-sector investment. First daughter Ivanka Trump, a White House adviser who has made supporting women in business part of her portfolio, led the policy process over the past year and a half. I look forward to continuing to work with the interagency and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to advance womens access to vocational training, fuel female entrepreneurship and lift legal and social barriers that restrict our full and free economic participation, Ivanka Trump said in a statement to The Associated Press. Bolton said in a statement that the initiative directly supports President Trumps National Security Strategy. Ivanka Trump previously led an effort to launch a World Bank fund to help drive womens entrepreneurship. She recently advocated for the Womens Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act, which has passed Congress. That legislation bolsters efforts focused on women by the United States Agency for International Development. Workers wearing protective gear rest on a road at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan on Nov. 12, 2014. (Shizuo Kambayashi/AFP/Getty Images) In Japan, a Scramble for New Workers Disrupts Traditional Hiring TOKYOIts a rite of spring in Japan: Major corporations hire fresh university graduates en masse every April, starting them all at the same salary with assurances of rising pay and lifetime employment. But lately, some companies, including Rakuten, SoftBank and Line Corp., are breaking with that tradition, signing up new employees with coveted technical skills months earlierand paying them more than other new recruits. As competition for workers grows in Japans shrinking labor pool, traditional seniority and group dynamics are giving ground to the more individualized, merit-based employment system found in the West. It is a welcome sign for Prime Minister Shinzo Abes government and the central bank, which have been pushing for a more flexible labor market that would boost wages and revive consumption. Takashi Murakami, a 23-year-old producer at Mercari, which developed a popular flea market app, says seniority-based pay and lifetime employment are relics. Im grateful that the company seems to value me with pretty good pay, he said. I already got a pay hike after joining the company, which motivated me to work even harder. Merit-based pay is more fitting to the times. In recent years, Mercari said, it has been hiring college students throughout the year to grab workers with needed skills. The company even offers jobs to some second-year or third-year students. Mercari also has a program called Mergrads to provide internships and training to improve new graduates skills. And since April, it started offering higher pay to some job candidates with skills in information technology engineering and computer programming, said Ayano Okuda of Mercari, who is in charge of hiring new graduates. She declined to discuss the companys pay scale. The competition is surely heating up, she said. We judge each individuals ability and offer them attractive salaries reflecting their skills. Mass Hiring For decades, Japans traditional spring hirings underpinned the economy and provided a clear corporate and social ladder, grounded inand reinforcingthe cultural emphasis on loyalty and conformity. Under Japans often choreographed business practices, the Keidanren, the largest business lobby, had a voluntary timetable that many companies followed: Start recruiting new employees on March 1, begin job interviews with fourth-year students on June 1 and informally offer jobs on Oct. 1six months before graduation. Labour ministry data show the entry-level salary stands at about 200,000 yen ($1,775) a month, compared with roughly 30,000 yen in 1968, or 130,000 yen in todays money. Demand for workers is stronger now than it has been in decades; there are 1.62 jobs available per applicant, nearly a 44-year high. In response, the Keidanren decided to ditch its timetable guidelines by spring 2021, meaning member companies are expected to follow them until then. But more companies, particularly in new economy industries such as technology and e-commerce, have adopted much more flexible hiring practices, including offering select employees higher pay. Disparity Internet advertising firm CyberAgent Inc. scrapped its uniform starting pay scale in April. Now it offers annual starting salaries ranging from 4.5 million yen ($40,000) to 7.2 million yen ($64,000) or more for IT engineers, who account for about 40 percent of its 5,000-person workforce. We face stiff competition in securing able workers, said Yuko Ishida of CyberAgent. That means some young, incoming employees are paid more than their older co-workers. CyberAgent pays exclusively based on ability without taking seniority into account, Ishida said. Our competitors are also offering better salaries for high-quality workers, so we believe we can attract able workers by offering appropriate salaries, she said. Although some say Japan is long overdue for a shift toward a more flexible, merit-based employment system, it could upset long-standing social order. If it spreads throughout corporate Japan, it would mean a collapse of Japans employment system, said Hisashi Yamada, a senior economist at Japan Research Institute and an expert on labor issues. That would cause a disparity among workers, causing uneven distribution of work and loss of motivation among those who feel left behind, he said. To sustain long-term growth, he said, companies will need to balance maintaining in-house order with rewarding performance and valued skills, while the government must step up efforts to make Japans job market more flexible. By Tetsushi Kajimoto Heavily Intoxicated Man Enters Wrong Home in Wisconsin, Falls Asleep With Dog A Wisconsin man entered the wrong house on New Years Day and fell asleep with a dog, according to authorities. The female homeowner found the stranger sleeping on her dogs bed in the living room and called 911. The Waukesha Police Department said the man may have entered the house through an unlocked side door. He was described as heavily intoxicated after celebrating New Years Eve, reported Fox 6. A 150-pound Mastiff was also sleeping on the dog bed. The man was described as cooperative when he awoke and the homeowner declined to press charges. He was returned to his own residence a few houses away. The man entered the house around 5:20 a.m. on Tuesday, police told CBS 58. The house was on Cardinal Drive. Intruder sleeps with dog Waukesha intruder crawls into bed with dog: https://on.wisn.com/2CI2ZIb A Waukesha woman had a shocking start to the new year: she found a stranger in her house, sleeping with Benton in his dog bed! WISN 12 NEWS 201911 Woman Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver In Texas, a woman was killed after being hit by a suspected drunk driver on New Years Day. The two-car crash took place near Northline around 1:30 a.m., reported the Houston Chronicle. Its not clear exactly how the wreck happened, but afterward police said the man behind the wheel of one car was intoxicated. The woman driving the other vehicle was transported to the hospital, where she later died, according to police, the outlet reported. Officials didnt say what charges the man might be facing. US Military Deletes Strange New Years Eve Tweet The arm of the U.S. military responsible for Americas nuclear strike capabilities apologized for a Twitter message saying it was prepared to drop something much, much bigger than the New Years Eve ball in New York after the tweet sparked an outcry. The tweet, which was posted as revelers around the country were preparing to usher in 2019 was deleted three hours later. The United States Strategic Command said the nation was ready to drop something much, much bigger than the famous New Years Eve ball, and showed a clip of an aircraft releasing bombs. The attached video showed a B-2 stealth bomber streaking through the sky before dropping two bombs, according to The New York Times. The footage was accompanied by driving music and the words STEALTH, READY and LETHAL flashed across the screen. The tweet moved some to voice their outrage. I did not believe this could be real, said Joe Cirincione, president of the Ploughshares Fund and author of Nuclear Nightmares: Securing the World Before It Is Too Late. It is an industry ad doubling as a sick, bragging joke by our Strategic Command, Cirincione added. Disgraceful. I think its very tacky, Arizona Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told CNN. We dont need to be acting this way. The offending tweet was subsequently deleted. The Twitter account of the U.S. Strategic Command then posted an apology, saying the message was in poor taste. A representative for the Strategic Command told the Times that the post was part of our Year in Review series meant to feature our command priorities: strategic deterrence, decisive response, and combat-ready force. Epoch Times reporter Tom Ozimek contributed to this report Girl Injured After Falling Into Rhino Exhibit at Floridas Brevard Zoo A 2-year-old girl was injured after falling into the rhino exhibit at a Florida Zoo on Jan. 1. The girl was participating in a hands-on experience with the rhinos called Rhino Encounter when she fell between two poles and into the animals yard. The incident happened at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne. According to witnesses, the child stumbled and fell in between two of the poles and at this point, the snout of at least one of the rhinoceroses made contact with the child, zoo spokesman Elliot Zirulni said in a statement (pdf). He clarified that the snout is below the rhinos horn near its mouth. The girls parents rescued her from the exhibit and rushed her to the front of the zoo, reported WKMG. She was then flown to Arnold Palmer Childrens Hospital in Orlando for treatment. The girls mother was also rushed to a different hospital for treatment. The specific injuries of the girl werent detailed but officials told WESH that the mother hurt her arm while pulling the girl out of the enclosure. The Brevard County Fire Rescue confirmed that it responded to the zoo on Tuesday. The child was trauma alerted to a pediatric hospital & mother was ground transported to an Orlando hospital for treatment, it said in a statement. Officials said that the rhino that came into contact with the girl will not be punished. Officials did not specify which rhino that was. According to the zoos website, the Rhino Encounter lets people meet our magnificent, massive rhinos up close and personal in a zookeeper-led experience. The experience is available twice daily. It has taken place since 2009 without incident before Tuesday, the zoo said in the statement. But after the incident, the encounter will be put on pause as officials review how it works. Zoo officials: 2-year old fell through these bars during a rhino encounter. pic.twitter.com/0aewuPM2uc Dan Billow (@DanBillowWESH) January 1, 2019 Our number one concern is the safety and welfare of our guests and our hearts go out to the family, said Keith Winsten, the zoos executive director, in the statement. Safety has always been of paramount importance to us and we are suspending these encounters until we have thoroughly reviewed our processes and procedures to ensure this cannot happen again. He said that children younger than 3 years old shouldnt participate in the experience unless theyre being held by a parent or guardian. Since the injured girl stumbled, she apparently wasnt being held by one of her parents. The encounter costs $25 a person for nonmembers and $15 a person for members. Admission to the zoo itself costs $20 for adults, $15 for children, and is free for children under 3. The zoo has several southern white rhinoceros, according to a page on the site, which hails from central and southern Africa. There are four of the rhinos, two males named Frankie and Howard and two females named Uzuri and Kibibi. The newest addition, Frankie, who weighs 5,300 pounds, joined the group in October. Fully grown white rhinos can weigh up to 6,000 pounds, according to the International Rhino Foundation. In contrast to the nearly extinct northern white rhino, the southern white rhino is still viable with approximately 20,000 still alive worldwide, according to the foundation. Rhinos are grazers who typically live in savannahs and live up to 50 years of age. From NTD News Girl, 15, Arrested After Leaving Baby in Philadelphia Dumpster: Officials A 15-year-old girl was arrested after she allegedly left her newborn baby in a dumpster on New Years Eve, Philadelphia police have said. The baby later died after it was found around 10:30 p.m. local time on Dec. 31, 2018, according to The Associated Press. A 40-year-old woman approached police officers, telling them her daughters friend placed a baby in a dumpster near Kensington. The woman said she took the baby from the dumpster and reported the incident to police officers, AP reported. The child was taken to Temple University Hospital and was later pronounced dead, ABC6 reported. The teen, who was not named, was found at home with her mother. Officials believe thats where the girl gave birth. Now, homicide detectives are investigating the matter. The teen has been arrested, AP reported. #BREAKING: Police say a 15-year-old girl has been arrested after her baby was found in a North Philadelphia dumpster.The child was pronounced dead at the hospital 6abc Action News 201911 The teen was hospitalized for precautionary medical treatment, said police, reported NBC Philadelphia. Other details about the incident were not disclosed by officials. Meanwhile, nine minutes after midnight on New Years Day, Philadelphia recorded its first homicide. Officers from the police forces 25th District responded to a hospital case/person with a gun in the Kensington neighborhood, reported Philly.com. Thats when they found an unresponsive man who was shot. Officials pronounced him dead two minutes later at 12:09 a.m. ET on Jan. 1. Anyone with information is urged to call the homicide unit at 215-686-3334 or call 911. A $20,000 reward is being offered information leading to an arrest and conviction in the Jan. 1 homicide. Philly Murder Rate Rises Philadelphia saw a sharp increase in the number of murders in 2018 with 353 in total. Thats the worst since more than a decade ago when 391 people were killed in 2007. President Trump in 2017 noted that the murder rate has been steadyI mean just terribly increasing in Philadelphia. When 2017 ended, Philadelphia saw more homicides than it had since 2012. The city had 314 murders as of Dec. 28 of 2017, an increase of about 13 percent over the previous year, according to an Associated Press report at the time. Philadelphia Police Captain John Ryan lamented the citys burgeoning murder rate. We did have a very violent August. We recorded 41 murders in August and there were 19 murders in August last year, he told ABC6 last year. Some said the city has a severe drugparticularly an opioidproblem. Territorial disputes and people that are on drugs. They gotta go out and start robbing people so you have all this violence, violence, violence, John Appledorn of the Citizens Crime Commission said in the ABC affiliate report. A small group of people are committing most of the crimes, police said. Its a very small minority committing most of the havoc, Philadelphia Police Capt. Sekou Kinebrew told the AP. These groups, he said, use violence as a means to accomplish their goals. A lot of times, it is the young people pulling the trigger. Many of them will end up feeling cynical and feeling jaded, and feeling hopeless and they harden themselves to this reality, Scott Charles, trauma outreach coordinator at Temple University Hospital, told KYW. It really is a consequence of young people who have given up on hope, young people who have been exposed to high levels of violence, who have been hardened, where there isnt the sense of compassion for others. On Dec. 31, police identified the slain girl as Jazmine Barnes. Her mother, LaPorsha Washington, was injured in the shooting on Sunday (Harris County Sheriff's Office) Father Pleads for Help in Finding Gunman Who Killed 7-Year-Old Girl in Texas The father of a 7-year-old girl who was shot and killed in a Houston-area Walmart parking lot is pleading for help in finding the suspect after police released a photo of the assailants truck. I just want anybody, whoever, out there that knows anything about the murder of my daughter, to just please step up as if it was your own, the father, Christopher Cevilla, told reporters on Monday, according to CNN Wire. Just put yourself in my shoes, in my familys shoes. On Dec. 31, police identified the slain girl as Jazmine Barnes. Her mother, LaPorsha Washington, was injured in the shooting on Sunday. Cevilla described his daughter as loving, caring, very passionate with people, very sweet, just an innocent young girl, very smart in school. He explained, Its just a lot of things thats been robbed of me and my family at this moment that we will never be able to get back. The Sheldon Independent School District said the girl was a second-grader at Monahan Elementary. The Harris County Sherrifs Office on Jan. 1 released a photo of the suspects red, four-door pickup truck. Reward offered in search for gunman who shot into family car, killing 7-year-old Texas girl https://t.co/7HzYg8rFW2 pic.twitter.com/XXzRaJOvXw Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 2, 2019 Washington also spoke out from her hospital bed, describing the shooting. She reportedly was about to exit the Walmart parking lot when someone pulled up next to her vehicle and opened fire. As I turned around and looked back at the street, I heard shots start firing and they came through my window, broke my glass, and hit me in my arm, she told ABC13. They sped off in front of us and the truck slowed down and continued to fire as he was in front of us. It was not fair. It was not fair. He intentionally killed my child for no reason. He didnt even know her, he didnt know who she was, Washington added. Following the attack, Washington and her other daughters noticed Jazmine wasnt responsive. She said, Momma, Jazmines not moving. Shes not talking. I turned around and my 7-year-old was shot in the head, she recalled. Sheriffs officials described the suspect as a bearded white man in his 40s, wearing a red hoodie, and driving a red pickup truck. Authorities are hunting for a man who shot into a car as it left a Houston-area Walmart Sunday, killing 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes. The suspect is described as a white male in his 40s who fled the scene in a red truck. https://t.co/DyFvROo12U pic.twitter.com/a0kIN1MCDG CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) December 31, 2018 Were going to use all resources available to bring this killer to justice, sheriffs office spokesman Jesse Razo said. And I urge you, whoever did this, you know who you are, please turn yourself in now because we will be looking for you, we will locate you, we will find you. Its not clear what prompted the shooting. The motive is unknown right now, Senior Deputy Thomas Gilliland told CNN. Please keep this family in your prayers, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez wrote on Twitter Dec. 30 following the shooting. A total of 5 occupants in the car witnessed this innocent child, their loved one, shot and killed before their eyes. So senseless. Its never easy, and extra hard during the holiday season. The sheriffs office called on anyone with information to call 911, tweet at @CrimeStopHOU, or call 713-222-TIPS. President Donald Trump (2R) argues about border security with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (R) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi as Vice President Mike Pence sits nearby in the Oval Office on Dec. 11, 2018. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Democrats Seek Temporary DHS Bill, Take Hard Line Against Wall Funding Bill would fund Department of Homeland Security until Feb. 8 without funding for a border wall Democratic leaders have proposed to end the partial government shutdown and delay a decision on border wall funding until February. Democrats have offered two bills which separate the arguments over the wall from the government shutdown, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader (and presumptive Speaker of the House) Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said in a joint statement on Dec. 31. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is keeping an open invitation for the Democrats to negotiate the issue. About a quarter of the federal government ran out of money Dec. 22 after Democrats refused to give Trump $5 billion for border wall constructionhis core campaign promiseand he has refused to sign a funding bill without it. Democrats now offer one bill that would fund everything except for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for border security, and another bill that would fund the DHS through Feb. 8 without wall construction funds. Republican lawmakers have previously backed the DHS stop-gap measure, but Trump has pushed them to reverse course and make a stand on the wall funding. Democrats have called the wall project ineffective and expensive, despite previously backing construction of 700 miles of border fencing as part of a 2013 bill that also included a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Trump asked for 500 to 550 miles of a wall or a steel slat fence, saying other parts of the border already have natural barriers, such as mountains. Border Patrol officials have repeatedly called for a wall in certain areas. Trump seemed less than enthused by the Democrats proposition. The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative! he said in a Jan. 1 tweet. The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security and our Country must finally have a Strong and Secure Southern Border! Negotiations Schumer and Pelosi complained that Trump didnt offer any plan that can pass both chambers of Congress. Trump, meanwhile, repeatedly called on the Democrats to come negotiate on a way out of the shutdown. Border Security and the Wall thing and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Lets make a deal? he said in a Jan. 1 tweet. On Jan. 1, Trump invited Schumer and Pelosi to a bipartisan briefing on border security at the White House, unidentified congressional sources told Reuters, saying the event isnt a negotiating session and, according to one source, was set for Jan. 2. It wasnt clear if Schumer and Pelosi would attend the briefing. The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on the briefings specifics. As for what the wall should look like, Trump clarified in a Dec. 31 tweet that some areas will be all concrete but the experts at Border Patrol prefer a Wall that is see-through (thereby making it possible to see what is happening on both sides). Trump previously said hed accept steel slat fencing, which already exists in some parts of the border. On Dec. 28, Trump said he will close the southern border altogether if Congress doesnt approve the wall funding and deliver immigration reform. That would hurt business on both sides, though more on the Mexican one, since the country runs a trade surplus with the United States. The influx of illegal border crossers, especially from Central America, has intensified in recent months. The Border Patrol apprehended more than 123,000 people trying to cross the southeast border illegally in October and November combined, compared to less than 100,000 over the two months before. Graham Plan Trump is open to offer Democrats something in return for approving funds for a border wall, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said after lunching with the president on Dec. 31. Graham told media he proposed to Trump a plan where he gets the wall money, while Democrats would get temporary protection from deportation for illegal immigrants that came to the United States as children. I think thats in the realm of possibility, he said. The president didnt commit. But I think hes very open minded. The temporary protections would extend to about 700,000 who can already apply for protection and work permits under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program set up by an executive action of Trumps predecessor Barack Obama. Trump nixed the program, which was broadly regarded by Republicans as an executive overreach. But a federal judge put Trumps action on hold. Grahams proposal would protect those eligible for DACA for three years, a measure previously backed by Schumer. The White House didnt immediately respond to a request to comment on Grahams proposal. Graham also proposed to include in the deal a reform of the Temporary Protected Status program, which lets nationals of certain countries stay in the United States if they left their homes to escape wars, disasters, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. Nearly 440,000 have come to the United States under the program since its inception in 1990 (pdf). Trump ended the program for Sudan, Nicaragua, Haiti, and El Salvador, but again, a federal judge put his decision on hold. In July, the administration extended the program for Somalia and Yemen. But its scheduled to expire in 2019 for Nepal, South Sudan, and Syria. Theres a lot of sympathy for this population in the Congress, Graham said. Trump called the proposal interesting, Graham said. Hopefully we can get some serious discussion started, maybe as soon as next week. Yet Graham also took off the table any deal that wouldnt include at least border security/wall/fencingwhatever you want to call itin areas that make sense. Therell never be a deal, at the end of this year, the beginning of the next, that doesnt have money for the physical barriers that we all have in the past agreed we need, he said. The President is not asking for too much. The question is, can we stop hating each other enough up here to find a way forward thatd be a win-win. Reuters contributed to this report. Cuomo Takes Swipe at Trump With Pardons for Criminal Immigrants New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo granted clemency to 22 people on New Years Eve, all of whom will now benefit from some type of immigration-related relief, including being spared deportation. The governor also commuted the sentences of seven others. Cuomo, a Democrat, took a swipe at President Donald Trump when announcing the pardons, saying the president is waging a war on our border against immigrant communities. Trump has been clear that he wants to secure the Southwest border against illegal immigration, and is currently at an impasse with congressional Democrats who refuse to support wall funding in a new spending bill. Most of Cuomos pardons were for immigrants convicted of drug crimes, but also include assault, attempted arson, and trademark counterfeiting. Legal immigrants who commit crimes are subject to deportation. In a further shift toward becoming more of a sanctuary for illegal aliens, the New York state legislature will consider allowing illegal aliens to apply for a drivers license this year. Cuomo has also earmarked an additional $10 million in the fiscal 2019 budget for the Liberty Defense Project, which helps immigrantslegal and illegalwith legal defense in their immigration cases, as well as health care and social workers. The project was launched in 2017 with $11.4 million from the state budget. The fund is also set up to provide for executive actions to prohibit state agencies and law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status and to limit ICE access to state buildings, according to Cuomo. Sanctuary Policies Under New York Citys 2014 sanctuary policies, ICE agents were ejected from Rikers Island Correctional Facility, where they previously held an office. Now, ICE agents are allowed access to the jail to interview illegal aliens, but only if the interview subject consents, while detainers are only honored if an individual has been convicted of any of 170 crimes listed by the mayors office. A detainer asks jails to notify ICE when an alien in custody will be released, so that the agency can assume custody. During the first three months of 2018, almost 40 convicted criminals who are in the country illegally were released by New York City jails, despite detainers, and subsequently reoffended, according to ICE. One of the reoffenders is a 28-year-old Salvadoran man who was arrested for assault in March, released by the jail, and then arrested for robbery in April. A 20-year-old from Guatemala was arrested in January for a felony assault on an person over 65 years of age. He was released, and then was arrested in February for felony grand larceny, and again in March for resisting arrest. ICE said it had placed detainers on all of those criminals, as well as 400 other illegal aliens who were in NYPD or Department of Corrections custody. In fiscal 2018, ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations removed from New York 3,476 aliens who were either convicted criminals, charged with a crime, or repeat immigration violators. The Trump administration has pushed back against sanctuary policies, with the Justice Department suing jurisdictions and threatening to withhold funding. Cuomo called ICE agents a bunch of thugs during a gubernatorial debate on Aug. 29 last year. He also sent ICE a cease-and-desist letter in April. The letter demanded an immediate halt to ICEs reckless and unconstitutional enforcement actions, or Cuomo said he would take legal action. Then-head of ICE, Tom Homan, accused Cuomo of political grandstanding, calling the governors comments inaccurate and an insult. ICE cannot and will not cease and desist from fulfilling our agencys congressionally mandated mission of enforcing federal law, Homan said in a statement on April 25, 2018. Homan said ICE arrested almost 5,000 criminal aliens from the streets of New York in 2017. So rather than a cease-and-desist letter, a letter of thank you would be appreciated, Homan said at an event on June 5. When you release a criminal alien from a jail, that criminal alien is going to return to his community and victimize the very community in which he liveswhich are immigrant communities, Homan said. This whole thing about sanctuaries protecting immigrant communitiesits false, its inaccurate, its just putting politics over public safety. Thats all it is. In 2018, California became a sanctuary state, under its SB54 legislation that means local and state law enforcement are restricted from cooperating with immigration agents, even within jails. The policies were highlighted Dec. 26 when police officer Cpl. Ronil Singh was fatally shot by an illegal alien during a traffic stop in Newman, California. Singh, a legal immigrant, was a 33-year-old native of Fiji. His alleged killer, Gustavo Arriaga, 32, is a native of Mexico and had been arrested previously for DUI, but wasnt referred to ICE. Seven of Arriagas cohorts were also arrested in connection with the case. Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said in a press conference Dec. 28 that Arriaga shouldnt have even been in the country. Why are we providing sanctuary for criminals, gang members? he said. Arriaga also had ties to the Sureno Street Gang. ICE spokeswoman Liz Johnson said in a statement that ICE has lodged detainers on all of the arrested suspectstwo of whom are convicted criminals and illegal aliens. We remain deeply concerned that Californias sanctuary laws continue to undermine public safety and cause preventable crimes by restricting law enforcement cooperation and allowing public safety threats back into the community to re-offend, Johnson said. Tourists take pictures at the entrance of an exhibition marking the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, at the National Museum of China in Beijing on Nov. 16, 2018. (Fred Dufou/AFP/Getty Images) Chinese Intellectuals Commemorate Anniversary of Economic Reforms by Calling for Real Reform As 2018 drew to a close, more than 100 academics and commentators in China shared their candid reflections on the 40 years since the countrys economic reforms, in an article posted on social media. However, the post was met with swift censorship by the communist regime. In one- to two-sentence statements, intellectuals and public figures gave their assessment of Chinas progress since its economic policies were opened up in 1978, and shared their views on the meaning of true reform. Their statements were published on Dec. 29 in an article titled One Hundred Chinese Public Intellectuals Issue Reflections on the 40th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up. While quickly taken down by censors, the article was widely shared among Chinese netizens. Many of the intellectuals called for freedom of speech and expression, greater economic liberalization, and free elections, while others spoke of the death of reform in China. Those that made statements were professors from Chinas top universities such as Beijing University and Tsinghua University, former judges, and figures in the media industry. What Is Real Reform? While Chinese leader Xi Jinping championed development along socialist lines in a Dec. 18 speech marking the 40th anniversary of economic reforms, the academics and commentators offered alternative perspectives on the paths to real reform. Freedom of speech and economic liberalization were emphasized by several commentators. Reform is not only about ensuring the people do not go hungry, people also have to dare to speak, and not be afraid to speak out! said Beijing political commentator Cai Shenkun. Reform is also about ensuring everyone enjoys the fruit of economic progress, rather than wealth being plundered by a small group of individuals. Chen Baochen, who works in media in Shandong Province, said, If there is no freedom of speech or thought, the reforms and opening up would have little meaning. Reform is about policies that protect private property rights and foster a free market economy. Reforms should lead to an increase in peoples freedoms, said former judge and lawyer Chen Tianhua of Zhejiang Province. Other intellectuals highlighted the need for rule by law and free elections. We need an end to the so-called reforms that have produced anti-market and anti-rule of law policies, and establish a country with real market economy and rule of law. To do this, we need to develop a new liberalized intellectual movement to create a new reform and opening up,' said Hu Xingdou, a professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology. Zhang Qianfan, a constitutional law professor at Beijing University, said: Every problem in Chinese society, particularly the erosion of human rights and rule of law in recent years, is fundamentally a result of the lack of real elections. If we dont institute elections, we wont have true reform. For some academics, the only solution to Chinas problems is to revamp the political system. The only real reform is reform of the political system. The only real opening up is an opening up of ideological culture, said Zhang Shuguang, a professor at Beijing Normal University. The future of China will always lie in limiting the power of government and a strong civil society. Reform is dead, it is time for constitutional government, said Zhao Guojun, a scholar from Beijing. The article came one day ahead of Xis new year address, in which he again pledged the continuation of the countrys reform policies. Our pace of reforms will not stagnate, and the door to opening up will widen further, Xi said on Dec. 31. The address did not include concrete details of any future reforms. Chinese Health Company Quanjian Faces Second Suit in Cancer Death of Young Girl Quanjian Group, one of Chinas biggest health companies, is under fire again relating to allegedly unscrupulous practices in the death of a 7-year-old cancer patient. Zhou Yang died of cancer in late 2015. Zhou Erli, the girls father and a farmer from Inner Mongolia, told Beijing News on Dec. 27 that he will file a new lawsuit against the company after the New Year. He says that anti-cancer products supplied by Quanjin caused Yangs death, and he also accuses the company of false advertising. Quanjian has rejected Zhous claims. Zhou filed a lawsuit in 2013 while Yang was alive, but lost at trial in 2015. He was unable to continue the lawsuit as Yangs health deteriorated. After three years, Zhou has shared his familys bitter story with several media outlets, and is preparing for the new lawsuit. In 2012, Yang was diagnosed with a sacrococcygeal malignant germ cell tumor, and was brought to Beijing Children Hospital for treatment. Over the course of six months, she had four operations and 23 rounds of chemotherapy. In December 2012, when Yangs situation had become stable, Quanjian contacted her family and said that they could heal the then-4-year-old girl completely. So Zhou brought Yang to Quanjians headquarters in Tianjin city, and met with Shu Yuhui, the founder and chairman of Quanjian, which has almost 20 billion yuan in annual revenue. Zhou said that because he was convinced that Quanjian could heal Yang, he spent 5,000 yuan ($730) to buy three different herbal medicines. Shu said that Yang didnt need any other medicines or treatments, according to Beijing News. The representatives of Quanjian also claimed they had paid for some of Yangs medicines. Zhous family took a photo with Shu the day that they visited Quanjians headquarters. The photo was then used in an ad that claimed the company had healed a 4-year-old patient with sacrococcygeal malignant germ cell tumor. Zhou said his daughters health got worse after the treatment by Quanjian. After four months, Yang became very ill, and after some time in the hospitals intensive care unit, she died Dec. 12, 2015. While Yang was still in the hospital, Zhous family saw her picture in the Quanjian ad. It was a very popular ad online, and the family received many phone calls from friends and strangers who asked for the truth. They were told that Yangs story was also in a Quanjian brochure. Zhou called Quanjian and asked them to pull the ad, but they refused, leading Zhou to file a lawsuit in 2013. In April 2015, the Songshan district court of Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, decided there was insufficient evidence, and the ads were published by Quanjians dealersand not by the company. Shoddy Treatment Many lawsuits have been filed against Quanjian for its signature fire treatment. The treatment involves using a special alcohol to burn a patients skin, then the doctor wipes away the flame after several seconds. Quanjian doesnt do the fire treatment itself, but licenses physiotherapy parlors to carry out the procedure. In December, Quanjian has more than 7,000 licensed physiotherapy parlors in China. The Paper reported Dec. 27 that a patient named Bai from Shangluo city in Shaanxi Province died after receiving a fire treatment on April 17, 2015, due to alcohol allergy. The operator took responsibility, but not Quanjian. On March 7, 2016, a fire treatment patient named Xiao was burned by alcohol in Shenzhen city, Guangdong Province. In May 2018, the Shenzhen Intermediate Peoples Court sentenced Huang Yali, the owner of the physiotherapy parlor; Zhang Baoli, the operator; and ordered Quanjian to pay 272,000 yuan ($39,600) to Xiao as compensation. Quanjian continues to have many followers because the company uses multi-level marketing (MLM) as its business model, a quick and easy way to make money, Sohu reported on Dec. 26. There are very few people who join Quanjian for promoting health. In general, people join to make money, Huxiu on Dec. 27 cited a Quanjian dealer as saying. Complaints against Quanjian in recent years are said to be ignored because the Chinese regime benefits from the taxes paid by the company each year. China Fund News reported Dec. 26 that Quanjians 2017 revenue was 17.6 billion yuan. Staff working in a factory that produces fiber optic cable in Nantong, in China's eastern Jiangsu province on Nov. 27, 2018 (-/AFP/Getty Images) Chinese Economy Coming Under Greater Downward Pressure in 2019 Trade war is now taking its toll on China's domestic demand Chinas manufacturing activity contracted for the first time in 19 months in December, as the worlds second-largest economy has suffered from weak domestic demand and trade frictions with the United States. Beijing needs to roll out immediate stimulus to prevent the continued weakening of the economy, say experts. The Caixin Manufacturing Purchasing Managers index (PMI) missed market estimates, falling below 50, the mark that separates expansion from contraction. The gauge of nationwide manufacturing activity fell from 50.2 in November to 49.7 last month, the lowest level since May 2017. Sluggish trade and domestic demand growth weighed on the Chinese manufacturing sector. And the most eye-catching news was the decline in new orders, which happened for the first time since June 2016. The data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Dec. 31, also revealed a similar trend. The official manufacturing PMI unexpectedly fell to 49.4 in December, its lowest level in nearly three years. The Caixin survey focuses on small and medium-sized private companies, while the official PMI measure tracks large companies and state-owned enterprises. In general, Chinas manufacturing sector faced weakening domestic demand and subdued external demand in December, wrote Zhengsheng Zhong, director of macroeconomic analysis at CEBM Group, a subsidiary of Caixin. Companies had a stronger intention to destock and prices of industrial products were declining, which could further drag on production, he added in the press release. It is looking increasingly likely that the Chinese economy may come under greater downward pressure. Stock Market Woes Continue Chinese stock markets tumbled after the announcement, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down 1.15 percent and the Shenzhen Component Index closing 1.25 percent lower on Jan. 2. Chinas stock market woes may continue into 2019. Last year, China was the worst performing major stock market in the world, with both Shanghai and Shenzhen indexes falling more than 24 percent. The trade war with Washington and the Chinese economic slowdown intensified investor worries resulting in a nearly $2.3 trillion loss in market value. Beijings deleveraging efforts in the financial system also played a huge role in the stock market crash, according to experts. Weak economic growth prompted the Chinese regime to launch a series of stimulus measures since last summer. Chinese leaders pledged recently further tax cuts, infrastructure spending, and monetary loosening to boost the economy. We continue to expect more loosening measures to be announced by the government to support economic growth, Goldman Sachs stated in a report. Trade War Affects Domestic Demand Recent economic data have indicated strong downward pressures. Industrial profits fell in November for the first time in nearly three years. Retail sales growth, a closely watched indicator of consumption, also weakened in November, recording the slowest pace in 15 years. According to Iris Pang, greater China economist at ING, recent manufacturing data shows the economy is weak and that stimulus needs to arrive quickly. We believe that the data reflect that not only has the trade war damaged growth in the export sector. It has also hurt export-related supply chain companies and in turn, domestic demand, she wrote in a note. If domestic demand is not supported by fiscal stimulus quickly, then further weakening will pose a risk to job security. That could create a vicious downward cycle. In an effort to control sensitive economic data, the Chinese regime recently banned regional authorities from producing manufacturing activity data. The news came after the countrys export hub Guangdong province stopped releasing PMI data. Government officials said all future manufacturing activity data would be issued by the National Bureau of Statistics. The move came as Beijing looked to control the dissemination of economic news amid a weakening economy and the trade conflict with the United States. The Chinese regime's People's Liberation Army holds an opening ceremony of China's new military base in the African nation of Djibouti on Aug. 1. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) Chinas Marines Prepare for Power Projection Commentary At the very end of 2018, on Dec. 28, the Peoples Liberation Army Navy launched its seventh 20,000-ton Type 071 landing platform dock amphibious assault ship, capping a year of growth for Chinas maritime power-projection ambitions. Following the early 2017 revelations that the Peoples Liberation Army Marine Corps (PLAMC) would be absorbing former Peoples Liberation Army Ground Force amphibious units to reach a force level of 100,000, Chinese sources also revealed new vehicles that mechanize the PLAMC for power projection. For example, in September 2018, the first images appeared of a new 8X8 assault vehicle, likely armed with a 105 mm cannon, which is unique in that its based on China North Industries Corporations (Norinco) second-generation VP10 armored personnel carrier (APC). First seen in the blue-grey digital camouflage pattern of the PLAMC, this is the first example of the 13-ton VP10 to enter the formal service of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). Previously, the main PLAMC mission was to carry out amphibious assaults to secure beachheads or capture ports, and enable follow-on inland attacks by PLA Ground Force units. This mission was reflected in its main armor system, the ZBD-05 third-generation family of amphibious tracked armored vehicles. Built primarily for transport from amphibious assault ships to the shore, the ZBD-05s large but lightly armored buoyant hull and relatively slow speed indicate that it isnt expected to carry the fight very far beyond a landing zone. However, since the major PLA reorganization and reforms of late 2015, the PLAMC has been slated to take on a new mission: global power projection. Consequently, since early 2017, the PLAMC has been acquiring new wheeled and tracked medium-weight armored vehicles to project power beyond the beachhead. New Vehicles First, the PLAMC acquired the Norinco ZTL-11a 20- to 25-ton, 105 mm assault vehicle development of the 20-ton ZBL-09 8X8 APCand also the infantry fighting vehicle version of the ZBL-09 (called the ZBD-09). Both vehicles are amphibious, and the ZTL-11 can fire Norincos 2.5-mile-range gun-fired guided anti-tank missile. They are now deployed at Chinas first formal overseas base, arming the regiment-size PLAMC unit at the Djibouti Logistics Support Base. Both vehicles were also featured in live-fire exercises in September 2017 in Djibouti. The ZTL-11 and ZBD-09 combat vehicles outgun the armored Humvee protection vehicles assigned to the U.S. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, about seven miles from the PLA base. In March 2018, the first images emerged of the 25-ton, 122-mm howitzer-armed PLL-09 in PLAMC colors. Again, based on the ZBL-09 8X8 chassis, the PLL-09 for the first time adds a rapid road-mobile artillery capability to the PLAMC. Its 122 mm cannon can fire shells up to 11 miles, or as far as 20 miles with base-bleed ammunition. Norinco also markets a laser-guided 122 mm shell, indicating that the PLAMCs PLL-09s could have a precision strike capability. Then, in July 2018, the first image emerged of a new ZTQ-15 105 mm cannon-armed light tank in PLAMC digital camouflage, an indication that its also entering PLAMC service. At about 30 to 35 tons, the ZTQ-15 isnt amphibious like the ZTL-11, but its medium weight means it is easier to transport on formal PLA Navy amphibious assault ships, and also on the informal civilian ferries and barges the PLA may use for regional amphibious projection missions. Two can be carried on the Type 726 Yuyi class ship-to-shore hovercraft. But, due to its tracked propulsion system, the ZTQ-15 has much better off-road mobility than wheeled fighting vehicles, adding that flexibility to offensive operations beyond the shore. In the not-too-distant future, the PLAMCs power-projection capabilities could expand. In late October 2018, Chinese publications revealed for the first time that Norinco has developed a new 36-ton, 155-mm, 8X8 artillery system thats also based on the ZBL-09 chassis. For now, this artillery system has the export designator SH 11, but that could change if it enters PLAMC or PLA Ground Force service. This cannon has a potential range of almost 25 miles with rocket-assisted rounds, and Norinco markets a 155 mm round that can deploy deadly anti-armor sensor-fused munitions. Threat to Taiwan and US New medium-weight and mechanized PLAMC units first pose a serious threat to Taiwan, especially if the PLAMC can quickly capture ports such as Taichung and Keelung. PLA Maritime Militia-controlled large roll-on, roll-off ferries could offload large numbers of these wheeled combat vehicles and their support vehicles. Exploiting Taiwans well-built highway network to mount rapid offensive strikes, such medium-weight vehicles might be able to isolate the greater capital region of Taipei, creating greater political pressure for capitulation. The ability of the ZTL-11, the PLL-09, and a potential future version of the SH 11 to employ guided munitions heightens their offensive potential. Their lighter armor, however, makes them vulnerable to the Taiwan Armys large numbers of Raytheon Javelin guided anti-tank missiles, and perhaps in the future, to the U.S. 60-ton and 120-mm gun armed M1A2 main battle tank that Taiwan would like to purchase. In the future, Chinas medium-weight armored vehicles might also have greater survivability. The PLAMC VP10 assault vehicle may have the PLAs first active-protection system (APS) mounted on its turret, most likely using a millimeter wave radar and small rocket to take down small and larger incoming anti-tank missiles. In 2017, Norinco revealed its GL-5 APS, but the VP10s system is configured differently. Recent Chinese reports also indicate an interest in developing titanium-based armor to improve the protection of light combat vehicles. Today, PLAMC medium-weight armored vehicles pose a potential real threat to U.S. forces in Djibouti, which have already seen the PLAs use of lasers to damage the eyesight of U.S. pilots landing transport aircraft at Camp Lemonier. Should increasing Chinese influence be decisive in maneuvering the government of Djibouti to expel U.S. forces, that potential decision could be enforced by the PLAMCs medium-weight armored vehicles in Djibouti, with the ZTL-11 wheeled tank at the sharp edge. After having spent decades building economic and political influence throughout Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America, China is now reaping strategic rewards in the form of military access and future bases for PLA power projection. Its likely that in the next decade, and beyond, Chinese and U.S. amphibious forces could be racing to occupy the same shore of an unstable littoral state critical to their respective national interests. China is clearly equipping its PLAMC not just to secure the beachhead, but to be able to exploit its landing zone to rapidly launch offensive operations into the interior. As the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) revives its expeditionary warfare capabilities, it has correctly decided to seek new lightweight Future Fires artillery. As the PLAMC currently lacks heavy vertical airlift for its medium-weight armored vehicles, the USMCs 15-ton-capable CH-53K helicopter has a potential advantage of being able to secure better positioning with which to outflank the PLAMC. However, China and Russia are developing a 15-ton payload advanced heavy-lift helicopter that might move heavier combat vehicles. Rick Fisher is a senior fellow with the International Assessment and Strategy Center and the author of Chinas Military Modernization: Building for Regional and Global Reach. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) shakes hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping (R) before the G20 leaders' family photo in Hangzhou on Sept. 4, 2016. (Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images) China Sets Its Economic Sights on Japan as Trade Slows with US Amid the U.S.-China trade war, Beijing is attempting to curry favor with one of the United States partners in the PacificJapan. Chinese tourism and investment are both up in Japan, according to the Hong Kong Economic Journal, and trade talks between Japan and Chinese leadership may occur after March or April, according to the South China Morning Post. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses tourism and investment as a diplomatic method to influence other countries and regions. While a country favored by the CCP may enjoy economic boonin this case, Japanone that falls out of favor can be quickly cast aside, as happened with South Korea in 2018. Japan and the United States have traditionally had favorable diplomatic relations. As the trade war pressures the Chinese economy, the CCP is seeking new partners, and may be taking advantage of Japans economic situation in searching for cracks in the U.S.-Japan relationship. Despite territorial stand-offs, such as the eight-year feud over the Senkaku Islands (also called the Diaoyu Islands), China began warming to Japan in 2018. Also in 2018, Chinese tourism to Japan increased by more than 15 percent, with more than 7.16 million Chinese tourists traveling to Japan, according to the Economic Journal. Chinese graduates from more than 1,000 universities will also be allowed easier access to visiting Japan, and will no longer be required to provide bank statements showing sufficient tourism funds. Frequent tourists will also be allowed to obtain a five-year, multiple-entry visa. In October 2018, Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke optimistically about China-Japan relations, according to the Economic Journal. Chinese investors are already moving toward Japan, buying both real estate and businesses. The South Korean Experience One of Chinas methods of diplomatic influence is tourism. Since the CCP controls media within China, it can decide which countries are allowed to advertise, and even which countries are attractive to tourists. A recent example is South Korea, the pop culture of which is popular with younger Chinese. On Sept. 20, 2017, the Chinese Foreign Minister made a demand that South Korea remove a U.S.-deployed THAAD missile defense system, according to Chinese state-run media Xinhua. The CCP claimed that the missile-defense system is used for spying into Chinese airspace. On Sept. 28, 2017, The Epoch Times reported that Chinese media was inciting boycotts of South Korean products. This method is one concept in Chinas Three Warfares: media warfare. One example of propaganda used during this time was on Chinas main social-media platform Weibo, which is comparable to Twitter, and included an article from Oct. 8, 2017, (Chinese) titled, Even Japanese People are Laughing, South Korea is Unexpectedly Bragging that Korean Food is More Rich than Chinese Food, How Embarrassing! Chinese tourists to South Korea have significantly decreased since then. South Korean supermarket Lotte Market had 110 markets across China as of 2017, according to The Epoch Times. In mid-2018, the CCP ordered Lotte to close 87 stores in Mainland China, leading to heavy financial losses, and by the end of July 2018, Lotte had closed all of its stores in China. Chicago Police Officer Commits Suicide on New Years Day A Chicago police officer committed suicide on Jan. 1, the Chicago Police Department said. Officer Dane Anthony Smith, 36, shot himself at his house in the Jefferson Park neighborhood in the northwest part of the city, according to CBS. He was off-duty at the time. Smith worked at the Chicago Police Department headquarters. Smiths death on Tuesday came after four Chicago officers were killed in the line of duty in 2018, and at least three committed suicide in the final six months of the year. According to Massachusetts-based Blue H.E.L.P, which advocates for mental help for law enforcement, the Chicago police officers suicide was the first among law enforcement this year. The organization said that it verified 159 suicides in 2018 and 159 suicides in 2017. In a statement, the Fraternal Order of Police said it was devastated to report that another Chicago police officer has taken his life. We ask that everyone keep this officer and his family in your prayers, the organization added. The organization posted a link on its Facebook page to an employee assistance program available to police officers that provides free and confidential programs to all active and retired department members and their families. This unit was established in order to assist department members in the management of the demands of their job, and its impact on their family and professional life, according to the description of the program. While Chicago is still crime-ridden, the murder rate went down for the second straight year, according to data from the Chicago Police Department. There were nearly 100 fewer murders in 2018 compared to 2017a 15 percent drop. Meanwhile, since 2016, murders as a result of a shooting have declined 31 percent in total. This double-digit reduction was the greatest drop in homicides of any major American city, outpacing New York (0.37 percent drop), Los Angeles (9.2 percent drop) and Houston (6.64 percent drop), according to the data published Dec. 31. Shootings, in general, are down by 32 percent in the city since 2016. But Chicago, the third largest city in the United States still had more murders than the combined total in New York City and Los Angeles, the No. 1 and No. 2 largest U.S. cities, respectively. Suicide Statistics and Prevention According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and in 2017, 47,173 Americans died by suicide while 1.3 million people attempted suicide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report Vital Signs: Trends in State Suicide Rates on June 8, 2018, revealing that suicide rates have increased by 30 percent since 1999. However, the report points out that there were a variety of factors other than mental health conditions that lead to suicide. Suicide rates increased significantly across most states during 19992016. Various circumstances contributed to suicides among persons with and without known mental health conditions, the report stated. If you or someone you know is showing signs that they might be suicidal, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 800-273-TALK. You can also text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Epoch Times reporter Bowen Xiao contributed to this report. From NTD News Chicago police officers attend a graduation and promotion ceremony in the Grand Ballroom on Navy Pier in Chicago, Ill., on June 15, 2017. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Chicago Murder Rate Down for Second Straight Year Authorities in Chicago stated that the citys murder rate declined in 2018, marking the second year in a row in which fewer people were killed in the Windy City than in the year before. Chicago, sometimes described as the nations murder capital saw nearly 100 fewer murders in 2018 compared to 2017a 15 percent drop, according to data from the Chicago Police Departments end-of-year crime summary. Meanwhile, since 2016, murders as a result of a shooting have declined 31 percent in total. This double-digit reduction was the greatest drop in homicides of any major American city, outpacing New York (0.37 percent drop), Los Angeles (9.2 percent drop) and Houston (6.64 percent drop), according to the data published Dec. 31. Shootings, in general, are down by 32 percent in the city since 2016. But Chicago, the third largest city in the United States still had more murders than the combined total in New York City and Los Angeles, the No. 1 and No. 2 largest U.S. cities, respectively. Other crimes such as burglaries and motor vehicle thefts and carjackings all decreased in 2018, compared to 2017. Combined Effort The continued decline of violent crime in Chicago was credited to a number of different key themes as part of the departments efforts in creating a safer Chicago. Community partnerships, investments in data-driven policing, and the creation of strategic decision support centers (SDSC) all helped reduce crimes. The centers have been proven to aid officers in responding more quickly to incidents, leading to more arrests, according to the summary. The SDSC centers created technology-based nerve centers for detectives and have been rolled out to 20 out of the 22 police districts. The centers rely on mobile technology, crime cameras, and gunshot detection systems. The manpower of the Chicagos police department also improved significantly. The city achieved its goal of adding over 1000 new officers in just under two years. In 2017 President Donald Trump ordered federal law enforcement to send dozens more prosecutors and agents to Chicago. Trump said the killings in the city reached epidemic proportions and said that he would be sending federal help to combat the violence. During 2018, Chicago also saw one of the highest levels of collaboration and partnership of local and federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; and the U.S. Attorneys Office, according to the summary. Last year also had the highest number of federal gun prosecutions in recent history. Officers took in nine percent more guns off the street in 2018 than 2017. In total, the department seized over 9,500 illegal guns, the highest number taken in five yearsmore than one illegal gun seized every hour of the year. Nearly 200 assault-style rifles were also recovered in 2018, including AK-47 and AR-15 rifles, the summary said. And while there is still work to be done, the reduction is believed to have contributed to the overall drop in shootings. In one joint investigation by the Chicago Police department with other local and federal agencies, they seized 445 grams of heroin, 230 grams of cocaine and $97,770 in illegal drug proceeds within the citys Little Village neighborhood. U.S. Attorney John Lausch helped authorities with the federal charging of 20 individuals involved in the September 2018 case. Cellist Alex Pancheri saw Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston on Jan. 1, 2019. (Sally Sun/The Epoch Times) HOUSTONAlex Pancheri is a lifelong musician. He has taught cello for 55 years in schools, led orchestras, conducted, and still performs cello himself in a local orchestra. So when he saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on Jan. 1 at the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts in Houston, he had special praise for the unique orchestra accompanying the dances. When I see things like this, I understand exactly what they had to put in, Pancheri said. Its just hours and hours and days and years. New York-based Shen Yuns orchestra performs completely original pieces to go along with the 20 vignettes of classical Chinese dance, ethnic and folk dances, and story-based dances the artists perform on stage. Between the live music and the animated backdrop that makes it seem as if the artists are jumping from stage to sky, the synchronicity is something to be behold. To get everything synchronized with the music and getting it jumping down and going back and all that, it is just an amazing amount of time, Pancheri said. It absorbs your life. But it is what they love, and it is why they do it. The passion of Shen Yuns artists came through on stage, he said. They would not do that otherwise. Shen Yun was formed in 2006 by a group of award-winning artists, many who had left China, to revive the authentic traditional Chinese culture and share it with the world through the arts. To do this, the artists use classical Chinese dance, which has been passed down and refined over thousands of years through each dynasty. It is with this expressive art form that Shen Yun takes audiences on a journey through 5,000 years of history and culture, myths and legends. The music not only enhances this, but does its own work in painting the picture of the story, according to Pancheri. Whether it is the Mongolian grasslands or the Tang Dynasty palaces, the music would make that image come to life. Though the instruments in the orchestra pit were largely the same you would find in any classical Western orchestra, the sonic world was immediately recognizable as something Chinese. Its just beautifully done, Pancheri said. There were also instruments like the Chinese lute, or two-stringed erhu, blended right into the woodwinds and strings despite being very different types of instruments, and Pancheri said the combination with the orchestra fits beautifully. It was something he hoped his fellow musicians would be able to experience first hand, as there is no replacement for hearing something with your own ears. I think its special, Pancheri said. This is the first time Ive been here, and Im likely to come back. With reporting by Sally Sun and Catherine Yang. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. Bob Einstein arrives to the Premiere Of HBO's "Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind" at TCL Chinese 6 Theatres in Hollywood, Calif., on June 27, 2018. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images) Bob Einstein of Curb Your Enthusiasm Dies at 76: Reports Bob Einstein, who appeared on Larry Davids Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development, died at the age of 76, according to reports. Deadline Hollywood on Jan. 2 confirmed Einsteins death, reporting that he died in Indian Wells, California. He was recently diagnosed with cancer. His younger brother, actor Albert Brooks, tweeted: R.I.P. My dear brother Bob Einstein. A great brother, father and husband. A brilliantly funny man. You will be missed forever. Hes best known for his role as Marty Funkhouser on Davids Curb Your Enthusiasm. Comedian Richard Lewis, his co-star on Curb, offered his condolences. I knew him forever, Lewis wrote on Twitter. His long career is hard to match. His role on #curbyourenthusiasm was excruciatingly brilliant! Our cast and crew will be devastated. He was so loved. He told me how much he loved LD and Curb. RIP buddy. Veep showrunner David Mandel tweeted about his death, saying he heard he was sick and that he will never forget his joke about the newlyweds. Mandel worked with Einstein for the original run of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Einstein, who won two Emmy Awards, wrote for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, which included comedian Steve Martin. He also appeared on the show. Later, he wrote for The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour in 1972 and 1974 before writing for the Van Dyke and Company show. Im in shock. I knew him forever. to his loved ones. His long career is hard to match. His role on #curbyourenthusiasm was excruciatingly brilliant! Our cast and crew will be devastated. He was so loved. He told me how much he loved LD and Curb. RIP buddy. @HBO pic.twitter.com/G8f5PoffuF Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) January 2, 2019 Hes also known for creating the stuntman character of Super Dave Osborne. Einstein is survived by wife Roberta Einstein, daughter Erin Einstein Dale, son-in-law Andrew Dale, and grandchildren Ethan and Zoe. He is also survived by two brothers. Celebrities Who Died in 2018 Penny Marshall Penny Marshall, the actress and director famed for her role in Laverne & Shirley, died at age 75. Marshall died in her home in Hollywood Hills on Dec. 17, after suffering from complications from diabetes, TMZ reported on Dec. 18. George HW Bush Former President George H.W. Bush died on Nov. 30, 2018, a family spokesman confirmed. He was 94. His son, President George W. Bush, released a statement on Twitter, saying, Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our dear dad has died. George H.W. Bush was a man of the highest character and the best dad a son or daughter could ask for. Stephen Hillenburg Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of the Nickelodeon cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants, died on Nov. 26. He was 57. Hillenburgs cause of death was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, according to reports. In March 2017, he announced his diagnosis. Stephen Hawking Stephen Hawking, who sought to explain some of the most complicated questions of life while he himself worked under the shadow of a likely premature death, died at 76. He died peacefully at his home in the British university city of Cambridge in the early hours earlier this year. Anthony Bourdain U.S. celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, host of CNNs food-and-travel-focused Parts Unknown television series, died at the age of 61, the network said on June 8. The cause of death was suicide, the network said in a statement. He was found dead in a hotel room in France where he had been working on an upcoming episode of his program, the network said. Avicii Avicii, born Tim Bergling in Sweden, was found dead in Oman. Police said there was no evidence of foul play, but the official cause of death was not revealed by officials. His family indicated that he killed himself. The Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Waller (SSG 75), a Collins-class diesel-electric submarine, in Sydney Harbour on Nov. 2, 2016. Australia, in April 2016, awarded French contractor DCNS the main contract to design and build its next generation of submarines to replace its current fleet of six Collins-class vessels. The new submarines will be a scaled-down, conventionally powered version of France's 4,700-tonne nuclear-fuelled Barracuda. (Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images) Australias New Submarines Set To Protect Region Australia is responding to Chinas increasing threat in the South Pacific Ocean by finalising a deal with European manufacturers to build 12 new submarines. The deal, which is worth $50 billion (US$36 billion), was confirmed by Australian Defence Minister Christopher Pyne at an event held at the site of the Future Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne in South Australia. The strategic planning agreement (SPA) will be signed in February next year (2019) and we can continue to get on with the submarine project, which has been under the design and mobilisation contract for the last two years. I congratulate everyone involved in achieving this significant milestone, Pyne said in a statement. The new set of future submarines will be known as the Attack class and the first submarine is expected to be delivered to the Australian Navy in the early 2030s. Construction will also extend into the late 2040s to 2050s, according to the Department of Defence. The new fleet of submarines will replace the current Collins-Class submarines that are scheduled to leave service in the 2030s. This is the largest defence procurement program in Australias history, according to the Department of Defence. Very proud to announce our future submarines will be known as the #AttackClass. The name represents the inherent stealth, long-range endurance and lethality of a #submarine. The first submarine, HMAS Attack, is expected in the early 2030s. #neverwaver #AusNavy #ThinkFightWinNavy pic.twitter.com/G30BlEqO8y Chief of Navy Australia (@CN_Australia) December 13, 2018 The Navy chief, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, said the Attack class will provide Australia with a regionally superior submarine. The Attack class will meet the Navys capability needs and help protect our security and prosperity for decades to come, said Vice Admiral Noonan. Negotiations Concluded After Delay Initial negotiations between the Australian Department of Defence, French shipbuilder Naval Group (Formerly DCNS), and Lockheed Martin were expected to be completed between 2017 and 2018, under the Design and Mobilisation Contract that was signed on Sept. 30, 2016. The delay in reaching an agreement were due to issues that involved the length of warranty periods to cover potential defects, and the implications on high-level co-operation and technology transfer in the event of a merger between Naval Group and Italys Fincantieri, according to the Australian Defence website. Higher costs and a delay in the submarines delivery date were also concerns, as reported by the ABC. After a stall in negotiations for approximately one-year, Defence Minister Pyne said on Dec. 10 that negotiations were officially concluded. Suffice to say the Australian governments interests, the Australian taxpayers interests, have been taken care of, Pyne said at an Australian Government National Security Committee meeting in Melbourne. Naval Group Australia will deliver 12 regionally-superior submarines on time and on budget, he said. The Most Advanced Submarine In The World Naval Group was selected to design the submarine after its Shortfin Barracuda design won a competitive evaluation process in 2015 against German and Japanese designs. The submarine will benefit from sensitive and protected technology from France that has been described as the crown jewels of French submarine design. This is reported to be the first time this technology has been offered to another country. Australias new future submarines will be known as the Attack class. The first submarine will be called HMAS Attack and will be delivered to @Australian_Navy in the early 2030s https://t.co/F5f77oNFV0 #auspol #ausdef pic.twitter.com/P6qLYwtUwE Christopher Pyne (@cpyne) December 13, 2018 The submarine will also incorporate an advanced combat control system used for analysing and tracking, ship contacts, providing situational awareness, and the ability to deploy torpedoes and missiles. The building of combat control system is contracted to Lockheed Martin Australia who use the same technology as the U.S. Navy. The combat system is the eyes and ears of the submarine, it enables the vessel to gather data above and below the waves, it allows them to gather intelligence, conduct surveillance and guide offensive combat operations if needed, said Mike Oliver, program director, future submarine combat systems integration from Lockheed Martin. Protection of Australias Sovereignty According to the Defence White Paper (pdf), maintaining Australias technological edge and capability superiority over potential adversaries is essential to protecting Australias sovereignty. The modernisation of regional forces, where countries can operate at a greater range and with more precision, will be one of many defence challenges facing Australia over the next 20 years. The growth in the capability of Chinas military forces is the most significant example of regional military modernisation, the White Paper reads. Instability in our immediate region could have strategic consequences for Australia. Newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Arthur Culvahouse has voiced concerns over the Chinese regimes growing influence in the Pacific region. Culvahouse told the U.S. Senate on Dec. 3 that Australia may have given the Chinese regime an outsized influence and the opportunity to press its agenda. I know that from my commercial experience representing U.S. companies in Asia and the Pacific, Culvahouse told a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Dec. 3. Culvahouse intends to press ahead with a quad initiativea group comprising of the United States, Australia, Japan, and Indiato counter the Chinese regimes influence in the region according to the Australian Financial Review. The building of the 12 submarines under the Futures Submarine Program is part of the Australian governments plan to produce a more capable, agile and potent future force. The full range of other activities required to deliver this major program, including the development of the submarine construction yard, and the ongoing engagement of Australian industry to achieve Australian sovereignty, are also continuing, Defence Minister Pyne said in a press release. How Google Shifts Votes: A Go Vote Reminder Is Not Always What You Think It Is Commentary If you accessed the Google search engine on Election Day in 2018, you were probably amused and delighted to see the words Go Vote where the word Google usually is. Perhaps you even said to yourself, What a great public service Google is performing! I, on the other hand, was deeply concerned, because over the six years Ive been studying Google, Ive learned that virtually nothing the company shows you is what it seems. The free services it provides arent free at all. Theyre just gussied-up surveillance tools, making you feel good while you give up massive amounts of information the company uses to generate nearly $100 billion a year in advertising revenue. The information you supply is also shared with Googles business partners and government agencies, both in the United States and other countries. Worse still, the more information you give up, the less freedom you actually have. More and more, Google is using the information they have about you to influence your thinking, decision-making, behavior, beliefs, attitudes, and purchases. As any con artist will tell you, and as Googles leaders know full well, the more you know about people, the easier it is to manipulate them, and Google is currently tracking more than 2 billion people worldwide over more than 200 surveillance platforms. Worse still, it is using manipulation techniques that have never existed before in human history and that are largely invisible to people. Its those techniques that Ive been discovering, studying, and quantifying in my scientific work, and the more Ive learned, the more concerned Ive becomeespecially about the possible impact of these manipulations on our children (Im the father of five). Im going to introduce you to a subtle, yet powerful, vote manipulation that Google used on Election Day (Nov. 6) in 2018. I call this technique the differential demographics effect, or DDE. Thats a mouthful, I know, but dont worry; Im not going to get too technical. Im just going to give you a few basicsenough, I hope, to help you understand how brilliantly deceptive Google is. In other words, to help you get a feel for what were up against. Strength, Resources, and Reach I have sometimes imagined that Googles top executives keep a copy of Machiavellis classic The Prince on their nightstands. Written in the 1500s, Machiavellis timeless guidebook for people obsessed with power advises the ambitious leader to appear, always, to be benevolent in the eyes of the public while always being ruthless behind the scenes. Thats exactly how Googles surveillance tools workthe search engine, Gmail, Chrome, YouTube, Android, Google Home, and othersand thats how DDE works too. On the surface, the Go Vote reminder looks like a public service, but if youve followed any of the recent leaks of emails and videos from Google, you know how staunchly liberal Googles leaders and employees are. More than 90 percent of political donations from Google employees have gone to Democrats since 2004, and Googles leaders were distraught following Trumps win. At a company-wide meeting on Nov. 11, 2016, Ruth Porat, Googles chief financial officer, was unequivocal in her response. After acknowledging her strong support for Hillary Clinton (whom I also supported, by the way), she added: Our values are strong. We will fight to protect them, and we will use the great strength and resources and reach we have to continue to advance really important values. Would Google display a Go Vote reminder to its U.S. users on Election Daya reminder that would be seen by Americans more than 500 million times that dayif there was the slightest chance that doing so would give more votes to Republicans than to Democrats? It seems unlikely, but how could an apparently benign reminder like this help Democrats? To understand how this works, you need to look at demographics. As youll see, no matter how you cut this cake, Googles Go Vote reminder generates more votes for Democrats than for Republicans. Whats more, the precise number of votes can be calculated in advance. The Net Gain for Democrats As of Oct. 28, 2018, 35 percent of voters in the U.S. identified themselves as Democrats, 29 percent as Republicans, and 36 percent as independents. Among independents, 53 percent leaned Democrat and 42 percent leaned Republican. Given this breakdown, what impact would Googles Go Vote reminder have had on the election? When Facebook sent Go Vote reminders to 60.1 million of its users during the 2010 election, that caused an additional 340,000 people to vote that day0.57 percent of the number of people to whom the reminder was sent. Because Google is a highly trusted information source, a similar reminder from Google is likely to have a much larger effect than a reminder from Facebook, but lets be conservative here (so to speak) and assume that Googles prompt was no more effective than Facebooks. A total of 118.5 million people voted in the midterm elections, but Google couldnt reach them all. Taking age and other factors into account, I estimate that Google would have reached 87.7 million of those voters. Of that number, its likely that just under 87.2 million people would have voted without Googles prompt. In other words, Googles Go Vote message probably sent about 497,000 people to the polls (0.57 percent of 87.2 million) who otherwise would have stayed home. Of these, about 174,000 would have voted for Democratic candidates (35 percent of 497,000), and about 144,000 would have voted Republican (29 percent of 497,000). The demographics differential herethe net gain for Democratswas just over 29,800. The net gain for Democrats among independents gives us an additional 19,700 people, so the total net gain for Democrats was 49,500. That might not sound like much, but remember that Trumps Electoral College win was made possible by a total margin of only 77,744 votes in three states. Anyway, Im just getting started. On average, ballots contain about 17 races. That number is from a 2010 study, but I checked it by sampling recent ballots in 13 states; the average number of races I found per ballot was 17.9fairly close to the 2010 number. If our extra 49,500 Democrat-leaning voters voted a straight or nearly straight Democratic ticket, that would have given Democratic candidates upwards of 841,000 additional votes (17 times 49,500). Thats upwards of 841,000 more votes than Republican candidates would have received. Google Users Lean Left To save spaceand to keep from boring you to deathIve left out a couple of details here, the main one being that my calculations reflect the fact that Google users tend, on average, to lean slightly left. In other words, the Go Vote prompt didnt actually reach a cross-section of American voters; it reached Google users, and that boosted the net gain for Democrats. To see how this works, imagine you are dropping Go Vote pamphlets from a helicopter over random locations in a large city in which half the people are Democrats and half are Republicans. Your pamphlets will probably prompt an equal number of people from each party to vote, right? (So why are you even bothering to drop them? Think about that when youre looking at Googles Go Vote reminder.) But what if you drop more pamphlets into neighborhoods where people are more likely to favor Democratsinto neighborhoods, say, where more young people live? The more frequently your pamphlets reach demographic groups in which Democrats dominate, the higher the proportion of Democrats you will cause to vote. Thats likely what happened with Googles Go Vote prompt. According to a 2013 study of how Google usage varies by state, usage is significantly higher in states often considered to be blue (66.5 percent, according to my calculations) than in states often considered to be red (60.1 percent), so Googles prompt may have reached more people in blue states than in red states. Of greater concern, exit polls conducted on Election Day in 2018 suggested that young voters (1829) favored Democratic candidates by a whopping 35 percent (67 to 32 percent) and that somewhat older voters (3044) favored Democratic candidates by 19 percent (58 to 39 percent). Does Google reach more younger people than older people? Probably so. According to a 2015 study, as well as data Ive collected in my own studies over the years, nearly everyone under 45 uses Google, whereas older users lean a bit more toward Bing and Yahoo. Messing With Republicans? Everything Ive told you so far assumes that Google is both cautious and honestthat it never, ever distorts its content to advance its own interests. The European Union, which has levied massive fines against Google for, among other things, biasing its search results to favor its own products and services, would beg to differ, and so would our own Federal Trade Commission. Leaked emails from the company also show that Google employees talk to each other about burying conservative content; why would they talk about doing so unless they actually could? In the present instance, a cautious and honest Google would have displayed the Go Vote reminder to all U.S. Google users on every search they conducted. But what if the company showed the prompt mainly to Democrats, or what if it showed the prompt more frequently to Democratsor both? If Google hid the prompt from a few Republicans, the net gain to Democrats would have been larger than the numbers Ive shown youpossibly much larger. In this case, the company would have combined DDE with another powerful manipulation Ive been studying called the targeted messaging effect (TME). In the most extreme form of this manipulation, Google would have displayed the Go Vote prompt exclusively to people who were likely to vote for Democrats. Thanks to our sheep-like willingness to allow the company to track everything we do, Google knows exactly what our voting preferences are. Whats more, in order to better serve our needs (or so they say), the company shows us search results that are customized just for us. The bottom line: Google could easily have sent Go Vote reminders mainly or exclusively to Democrats, and my research suggests that had they done so, virtually no one would have noticed. Even if a handful of people caught on, anecdotal observations arent taken seriously. To document targeted messaging of this sort, large-scale monitoring systems would have to be in place, and such systems dont yet exist. A highly targeted Go Vote prompt wouldnt have produced a measly net gain of 49,500 Democratic voters; rather, it would have produced a net gain of more than 273,000 Democratic voters, and they, in turn, might have cast more than 4.6 million votes for Democratic candidates (17 times 273,000). If I can perform calculations like this, so can data analysts at Googlefar more accurately than I can. Would Googlequite possibly the most skillful number-cruncher in historypost a Go Vote prompt without first running the numbers? Not likely. Googles Creepy Line The most extraordinary thing about this kind of manipulation is how little it costs. Google spent nothing on the Go Vote manipulation. It took a salaried programmer no more than a few minutes to change the logo and, perhaps, a bit longer to alter a few parameters to change how the logo was targetedno cost at all to generate upwards of 4.6 million votes for the political party the company supports. In the world of politics, it doesnt get sweeter than that. If you think that Google would never be so rash as to hide a Go Vote prompt from a few Republicans, think again. Googles former CEO, Eric Schmidt, took pride in the fact that the company frequently operated close to the creepy line. In 2014, he offered to run Hillary Clintons tech team, and in 2015, he set up a secretive company called The Groundwork for exactly that purpose. We learned recently, moreover, that Google encouraged the Hispanic vote in 2016 for the express purpose of driving votes to Clinton. At times, Googles search suggestions have also shown blatant political bias. Consider the suggestions the company showed users who typed Hillary Clinton is into the Google search box in August 2016. Bing and Yahoo displayed what people were actually searching formainly negative things about Clintonbut Google displayed only Hillary Clinton is winning and Hillary Clinton is awesome, even though the companys own data (on Google Trends) revealed that virtually no one was searching for either phrase. Even Googles screw-ups tend to favor Democrats. Consider the image the company showed people in July 2016 when they typed presidential candidates into the Google search box: Notice anyone missing? (Hint: Hes our current president.) I could give you dozens of examples such as this, along with analyses of tens of thousands of election-related search results I preserved in the 2016 and 2018 elections, each analysis showing significant bias favoring Democrats. (I expect to release some of my 2018 findings in March 2019 after they have been through a process of peer review.) Without whistleblowers, warrants, or large-scale monitoring systems, however, no one can prove that Google displayed the Go Vote prompt to help Democrats. Google executives can simply repeat their preposterous claim that the political bias that is rampant at the company has no impact on what Google shows its users. Sadly, most left-leaning politicians and media sources will mindlessly accept the denial no matter how outrageous the numbers and images they see. In sworn testimony before the House Judiciary Committee a few weeks ago, Sundar Pichai, Googles CEO, did exactly that. He swept aside the entire bias issue with the carefully worded sentence, Im confident we dont approach our work with any political bias. Based on emails and videos that have leaked from Google in recent months, as well as on statistical analyses Ive performed, controlled studies Ive conducted, and a large amount of data Ive gathered in two monitoring projects, I have some doubts about the genuineness of Pichais testimony. I suspect, in fact, that Google personnel have long been using a number of powerful methodssome far more powerful than DDEto shift votes and opinions for political purposes. If Google did admit the obvious, would it even matter? Existing regulations and laws dont prohibit companies like Google from using invisible manipulations like DDE and TMEquite the contrary, in fact. Courts have consistently ruled that Google can show users anything at all. The company has, it seems, a First Amendment right to free speech, just as you and I have. You could conceivably argue that DDE violates campaign contribution laws, but you would probably be laughed out of court if you tried to convince a judge that Google was doing something wrong by patriotically displaying Go Vote reminders to millions of people. To me, the numbers speak for themselves, and they say that Googles Go Vote prompt was a subtle yet powerful vote manipulation, displayed with the express purpose of helping Democratic candidates win their races. If you continue to believe that the prompt was a public service, I suggest, respectfully, that Google has achieved its most ambitious goal: to rob you of your ability to think independently. Benevolent on the surface, ruthless beneath, Google is rapidly undermining both democracy and human autonomy. Meanwhile, our leaders sit idly by, trapped in partisan prisons of their own making. Robert Epstein is a senior research psychologist at the American Institute for Behavioral Research and Technology in California. With a doctorate from Harvard University, Epstein is the former editor-in-chief of Psychology Today and has published 15 books and more than 300 articles on internet influence and other topics. He is currently working on a book called Technoslavery: Invisible Influence in the Internet Age and Beyond. His research is featured in a new documentary called The Creepy Line. Follow him on Twitter @DrREpstein. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Activists demonstrate on the campus of The University of Virginia one-year after the violent white nationalist rally that left one person dead and dozens injured, in Charlottesville, Virginia on Aug. 11, 2018. (Logan Cyrus/AFP/Getty Images) Americas Ministry of Truth Part VI: Tenet 3 Commentary Our previous treatment of Americas Ministry of Truth discussed tenets that have such an iron grip on progressive minds as to make them impervious to examination. Tenet Ones prohibition of questions bursts into the public sphere whenever progressive policies are scrutinized. Of the hundreds of cases that can be cited, the experiences of Michael Rectenwald, Amy Wax, Scott Yenor, and Lisa Littman are particularly instructive. Turning a critical eye to Tenet Twothe fanatical commitment to a fictitious worldis especially provocative to Americas Minitrue laborers. For instance, how dare anyone doubt the 97 percentactually, the figure is less than 1 percentof scientists who believe that human activity generates global climate change? For shame! Shame is one thing that Minitrue commissars never sense lurking in their questionable consciencesshame about admitting mistakes, promoting a national socialism death-wish, or establishing their preferred state on a foundation of lies, as Alexander Solzhenitsyn might have said. Minitrue scribblers and talking heads never look back, they only look forward. That being the case, what do they see on the horizon? Exactly what their mentors in the universities have been conjuring during the past generation or so: a witchs brew of grotesqueries that Americans outside the academy can scarcely believe. It is only a matter of time before Tenet Three becomes as widely disseminated in our national conversation as climate change and politically incorrect tweets. Tenet Three: Whites Are Objective Enemy of Humanity When Joseph Stalin ruled the Soviet Union, a state security official outlined this principle to guide government prosecutors: Do not look for evidence that the accused rose up against Soviet power with arms or with words. The first thing you should ask is to which class he belongs, his social origin, his education, and his profession. It is these questions that should decide his fate. In other words, guilt clings to persons on the basis of who they are and not what theyve done, which is usually nothing. Further, accusation equals guilt; once someone is accused, he or she is presumed guilty (why else make the accusation?) and is consigned to the hellish purgatory of non-existence in a concentration camp before death mercifully makes its final claim. In short, specified categories of humanity are declared objective enemies on the basis of an officially dictated creedin this case, Soviet Marxism (or Stalinism). Of course, death camps dont exist in America, in spite of many leftists bizarre analogies, but their guiding principle manifested in Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia strongly resembles assumptions that justify hundreds of administrative Diversity and Inclusion offices throughout the land. Thus, forums on ending whiteness, or courses on White Supremacism litter conference activities and course schedules at colleges and universities, indoctrinating impressionable teenagers to believe the essence of whiteness is evil. Whites are inhuman [expletive], states a college professor, and blacks should let them [expletive] die! Hard not to see where that thought leads. Further, Whites must be excluded from social justice activities, which should involve only blacks or other peoples of colorseparate dorms, separate facilities, separate meeting places. Notions as meritocracy and objectivity are merely the detritus of white thinking, and are social constructs that have no universal applicability. In fact, diversity of thought is white supremacist [expletive], according to a conference attendee at a Critical Race Studies in Education Association conference in 2017, organized by Indiana University and Purdue. Throw in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), and our survey of whites as the objective enemy is complete. Whats New? The temptation, of course, is to dismiss all this as old news, boring and familiar; weve been living with an insane academy for decades and the country is still functioning. So, one might ask, what else is new? Well, creeping totalitarianism in America, thats what new. These plagues of the mind are contaminating every major institution in Americaespecially the profession responsible for explaining to Americans who they are, what theyre doing, what is happening in their country, and what it all means. Dehumanizing opponents in political speeches and media broadcasts has become more frequent, such as Hillary Clintons familiar dismissal of President Donald Trumps supporters as deplorables. Don Lemons laughable non-sequitur perhaps should win some sort of prize: We have to stop demonizing people and realize the biggest terror threat in this country is white men, most of them radicalized to the right. Thanks, Don and CNN, for that profound thought. Does he consider conservative white men somehow less human? conservative commentator Tyler ONeil asked. Perhaps he does. Many others do, especially if racism is equated with whiteness and whiteness is associated with voting for Trump, a connection made by otherwise sensible CNN contributor Kirsten Powers; perhaps she had a bad day when she uttered this thought. Michael Moore, who seems to have nothing but bad days, looks forward to the time when white people are in the minority, since that will produce a better America. Individuals on investigative reporter Matthew Vadums recently tabulated list of Top 10 Black Racists, similarly to Powers, associate whiteness with nearly every outrage in Americas history, the most recent of which is voting for Trump. This is the problem, in terms of the facile assumption about the supposed ingrained racism of whites, transforming them into objective enemies, making it all the easier to revile these Americans and the person many of them voted for. Consider, for instance, former ESPN host Jemele Hill calling Trump a white supremacist: I thought I was saying water is wet, she said. I didnt even think it was controversial I was just talking casually with somebody. It wasnt even original. Talking casually with someone about something that wasnt even original exposed thoughts that, in her view, and presumably many others, as well, didnt seem shocking. Thats just the way things are. Hill isnt unique; years of indoctrination in totalitarian societies produced citizens who reasoned exactly as she did, assuming, for instance, that Americans were mongrels, their leader Franklin Roosevelt a Zionist puppet, and Jews the scourge of humanity. Thats just the way things are. Is this hyperbole on steroids? Lets hope so. Lets also hope that several other casual lunatic notions infesting the academy dont become additional tenets of Minitrue, such as efforts to expunge independent thought, excoriate American history, or celebrate barbaric cultures for the sake of diversity and inclusionthe list goes on. If they do, then this last best hope of Earth will succumb to a new dark age, dutifully monitored by practitioners working for Americas Ministry of Truth. Marvin Folkertsma is a retired professor of political science and a fellow for American studies with The Center for Vision and Values at Grove City College. The author of several books, his latest release is a novel titled The Thirteenth Commandment. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. 6-Year-Old Hit by Stray Bullet From Celebratory Gunfire in Oakland A 6-year-old girl was hit in the head by a stray bullet during celebratory gunfire in Oakland, California, on New Years Eve, according to police. The girl, whose name has not been released, was playing in her backyard on Thermal Street, near Cherokee Avenue, when someone in the area fired a celebratory shot before 2 a.m., police said, KGO reported. A family member drove her to a hospital where, after initial treatment, she was then transferred to UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland, reported EBT. Based on the location of the girls wound and other evidence found at the scene, investigators believe she was struck by celebratory gunfire and are trying to determine exactly where the shot was fired from, police said at a press conference. No other injuries were reported in the area. It is very unfortunate that a child was shot during her familys New Years celebration, Officer Johnna Watson said Tuesday, Jan. 1. This is a tragic incident and shows the danger of celebratory gunfire. The Incident The man who threw the party, and who asked to remain anonymous, told KTVU that the shooting occurred just after midnight, reported Fox News. He said everyone was giving each other hugs when suddenly, the girl, who is friends with his daughter, collapsed in the backyard. Her father picked her up and realized she was bleeding. However, he thought it was from falling on the ground. He didnt realize it was from a bullet. He took her to the hospital where he first learned that she had been shot. The man said the girl was crying but was alert and conscious. Police were notified about the shooting at 2 a.m., when the girl arrived at the hospital. Other neighbors heard the pop-pop-pop of the gunfire echoing in the neighborhood, Fox News reported. You could hear all the kids across the street and they were going 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, added Roxana Perez, a neighbor. There was screaming and tons of gunshots. I told my husband, Luckily we wont get hit. Im thinking it came down on her, she added. The gunshots were not coming from the house where the girl was playing, Perez said. The Warning Ahead of New Years Eve, police around the country urged members of the public not to shoot off guns to celebrate the New Year, especially in densely populated areas. Police in Kansas City, Missouri, say celebrating with gunshots at midnight is stupid, illegal, and it endangers life and property. In Ohios capital city, Columbus police had a similar message, urging that no one needs to be a victim of falling or inappropriately aimed bullets. Such warnings are being echoed by police agencies around the country, including in Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and Tampa, Florida. In Baltimore, a 14-year-old girl was grazed by a stray bullet during celebratory gunfire and in Atlanta, a 9-year-old boy was shot in the stomach as a result of celebratory gunfire, Fox News Atlanta reported. This reinforces why Chief Anne E. Kirkpatrick will be focusing in 2019 on reducing gun violence in the city, Watson said. The girl is now in a stable condition. The investigation is still ongoing. Police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering up to $5,000 in reward money for information leading to the shooters arrest. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A 14-year-old male was charged with murder after he ran a red light and slammed into a truck in Houston, Texas, killing a 45-year-old woman, deputies said on Jan. 1, 2019. (Harris County Sheriff's Office) 14-Year-Old Texas Driver Charged With Murder After He Caused Deadly Crash A 14-year-old teenager who was behind the wheel of a vehicle in Texas and ultimately caused a deadly crash after a series of events on Jan. 1, has been charged with murder. The incident started when the teen driver and his two passengers, both teenagers, began chucking eggs at other cars, according to the Harris County Sheriffs Office. Another driver started to chase the vehicle the teen was driving, and the teenager ran a red light at a high rate of speed, slamming into a truck going through the intersection. The woman driving the truck died. She was identified as Silvia Zavala, a Hispanic female who was 45 years old. The deadly crash took place along Aldine Mail Route Road in north Houston. A Harris County Sheriffs Department spokeswoman told KPRC that the teenager was driving at least 60 mph when he t-boned Zavalas truck. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez shared a picture of Zavalas vehicle prior to her being publicly identified, saying: The deceased female was totally innocent; seems she had just gone shopping based on some debris strewn at scene. Because his actions led to Zavala dying, the 14-year-old was charged with murder on Wednesday, the sheriff said. The teen, who has not been identified as of yet, was booked into the countys juvenile detention center. The teen sustained a broken ankle in the crash, Gonzalez said. The driver of the vehicle that was chasing him has been identified and efforts are being made to interview him, the sheriff added. A 14-yr-old driver t-bones a woman in her maroon truck, after running a red light on Aldine Mail Route rd. She later died. HCSO confirms the teen and friends were throwing eggs at cars, when one car chased them through the light. You can still see eggs in the backseat.#KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/QT6yXMNzgZ Levi Ismail (@LeviIsmailKHOU) January 1, 2019 The sheriff said that the vehicle that was chasing the teen was described as an older model gold/yellow Lincoln with a white top and elbow rims. The driver of that vehicle flashed a gun at the teens, deputies told KTRK. The driver was described as a Hispanic male in his late 20s with a tattoo on his left forearm and elbow. Officials planned to interview the teens parents to see how he got access to the vehicle. A 14-year-old classmate and neighbor of the teen told KPRC that she was shocked that the boy even attempted to drive his fathers vehicle. Whenever I saw this, I was like wow! I was like, oh my God, he is so young, why did he even drive that car like he is, the teenage girl said. Fatal Car Crash Statistics According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, analyzing data from the Department of Transportation, there were 37,461 deaths from car accidents in 2016, the last year full data is available for. The deaths occurred across 34,439 fatal motor vehicle accidents. The number means 11.6 deaths per 100,000 people and 1.16 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, although those numbers can vary widely across states. In Texas, which has a population of approximately 27.8 million, there were 3,407 fatal crashes and 3,776 deaths that year, which equaled 13.6 deaths per 100,000 population or 1.43 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Those numbers were towards the middle; the highest deaths per 100,000 population was in Mississippi, which saw 23.1 such deaths, and the most deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled was in South Carolina, which saw 1.88 such deaths. The majority of fatal accidents are single-vehicle crashes, the institute noted. From NTD News The poster features Mike and Eleven aka Jane ~holding hands~ with the rest of the crew in the background. Of course, people are losing it... A bill filed by state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and state Rep. Ben Leman would require public universities in Texas to accept all high school valedictorians. The "Top of The Class" bill filed in the Legislature last month by Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, and Leman, R-Anderson, "puts a stop to rural Texas schools being unfairly discriminated against," according to a joint release from their offices, which specifically points to graduating classes with fewer than 10 students. Currently, any student who graduates in the top 10 percent of his or her high school's graduating class receives automatic admission to any public university in the state except the University of Texas at Austin, where the threshold is 6 percent. For valedictorians of small schools where there are fewer than 10 students in their graduating class -- or for UT-Austin hopefuls, fewer than 6 -- it is mathematically impossible for them to meet the automatic admission requirements. "Texas is quickly becoming home to more and more of the biggest companies in the world; however, every year we lose some of our top talent to universities out of state," Leman said in the release. "And quite often, these bright minds end up staying in or around those communities. In order to remain competitive, we must continue to find ways to attract and retain the best and brightest. This bill is just the first step." Melanie joined The Daily Times in the early 90s and has served as the Life section editor since 1993. A William Blount and UT alum, Melanie is generally the early arriver who turns on the lights in the newsroom. Follow Melanie Tucker Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Oneonta, NY (13820) Today Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon hours. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 74F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening with a few showers possible late. Low 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Towanda, PA (18848) Today Mostly sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 79F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 56F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. New York: Nearly two years into his presidency and more than six months after his historic meeting with Kim Jong-un of North Korea, President Donald Trump finds himself essentially back where he was at the beginning in achieving the ambitious goal of getting Kim to relinquish his nuclear arsenal. That was the essential message of Kim's annual New Year's televised speech, where he restated that the lifting of international sanctions must begin before North Korea will give up a single weapon, dismantle a single missile site or stop producing nuclear material. In fact, the list of recent North Korean demands that all joint military training between the United States and South Korea stop, that US nuclear and military capability within easy reach of the North be withdrawn, and that a peace treaty ending the Korean War be completed was a clear indicator of how the Singapore summit in June altered the optics of the relationship more than the reality. "It's fair to say that not much has changed, although we now have more clarity regarding North Korea's bottom line," Evans J.R. Revere, a veteran US diplomat and former president of the Korea Society, wrote in an email. Passers-by heard a man shouting death threats and a toddler screaming. But, when police arrived at a Perth home on Wednesday morning, they found the only injuries were to a spider. Multiple police units responded with lights and sirens after a caller walking past a home heard a man repeatedly shout: "Why don't you die?" It's not clear what breed of spider caused the Perth man to scream in fear. Credit:Gary Cranitch The caller, who did not know the family living at the house but had seen them a few times, told Wanneroo police they could not hear the female occupant. A 24-year-old man will face court charged with armed robbery after allegedly robbing a Tuart Hill store while armed with a knife. Police say the man entered the deli about 10.40am on Tuesday, with a staff member fleeing the store when they saw he was carrying a knife. The man is alleged to have stolen several items from the shop before leaving on foot out the rear dor. Police later arrested and charged the Osborne Park man, he is due to face Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Toxic waste was being stored at this Epping building. Credit:Simon Schluter Initial searches have detected common solvent acetone in the 1.2 million litres of chemical waste uncovered in industrial-sized bins and drums found in factories across Melbourne's north. But what could acetone, which is most commonly known as the main ingredient in nail-polish remover, be used for in such enormous quantities? Acetone is a clear, colourless liquid which is extremely flammable and has a number of everyday uses, including in the manufacturing industry, science labs and in household products. A study completed in 2010 found 6.7 million tonnes are produced each year, mostly in the United States, with roughly a third used as a solvent for various types of cleaning. A well-known obstetrician who allegedly worked alongside a notorious fake gynaecologist is being sued by more than a dozen former patients who were duped and exploited in their desperate attempts to conceive babies. Retired Hawthorn doctor Bruce Sutherland is facing legal action in the Supreme Court after a group of 15 victims of IVF fraudster Raffaele Di Paolo, some of them couples, filed claims against him late last year. The obstetrician is being sued by a group of former patients. Credit:Tanya Lake The group of plaintiffs, men and women aged between 37 and 54, are seeking damages from Dr Sutherland, alleging that he was negligent for failing to warn them that Di Paolo was not qualified or registered to provide medical advice. Di Paolo was jailed for 9 years after being found guilty of 51 fraud, indecent assault and sexual penetration charges during a trial in April. He was set a non-parole period of 6 years. Building management had not covered hole in the balustrade more than a week after the incident. A glass balustrade on the 10th floor of a luxury apartment building in Melbourne's inner-east spontaneously shattered on Christmas Day. It is the second reported "exploding glass" incident at the Eden building in the Acacia Place complex on Victoria Street, Abbotsford, since it opened in 2013. A resident heard a loud bang from his balcony while he was in his bedroom on Christmas Day, and upon inspection found the glass panels on the balcony had shattered. Glass from the explosion fell onto the balcony of the apartment below, with the resident there claiming debris ricocheted so hard it left glass embedded in the railing and had chipped ceramic pots. A teenager who got his finger stuck in a toilet roll holder has been freed by Melbourne firefighters. Fire crews were called to Pascoe Avenue in Croydon just after 12.30pm on Wednesday to find the boy with a finger stuck in a metal hole within the toilet roll holder. Firefighters used an angle grinder to release his finger. Paramedics were also on scene. AAP Queensland police have been unable to explain an increase in accustations of officers "hacking" into sensitive databases in the past month. Three male police officers were stood down or suspended in December for allegedly accessing the confidential police database QPRIME. Three officers were accused of hacking into confidential police databases in December. Credit:Jessica Hromas Only one other was suspended in the past year, a 30-year-old male detective senior constable from Brisbane region in August. When asked to explain the jump in accusations, a police spokeswoman would only say police took information privacy very seriously. An accused north Queensland molester has been recaptured after breaking free from police and running into nearby bushland at the weekend. The man, 25, arrested for serious sexual assault offences and taken to Ravenshoe police station, was being transferred to a vehicle bound for Mareeba watchhouse on Saturday when he escaped, police said. The man will face Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday after his charge list was extended following the escape. Credit:Google Maps He was still handcuffed when he ran from officers. Officers chased him, set up cordons and called in the dog squad, but their search was hampered by heavy rain and the fugitive got away. Interpol have issued an alert to international authorities about a woman working in a Sydney medical centre who Philippines authorities say twice tried to murder her own daughter. Filipino national Maria Mountney, who also goes by Maria Cabrera and Maria Catton, was charged with two counts of attempted parricide in her homeland in 2016 after her daughter and husband filed affidavits with local police claiming she tried to twice murder the girl. Maria Mountney has been charged with two counts of attempted parricide in the Philippines, but is living in Sydney. Credit:Facebook According to police charge sheets seen by the Herald, Ms Mountney threatened to throw her then-infant daughter off a bridge. On another occasion when the girl was four-years-old, her mother allegedly held a butcher's knife to her stomach and yelled she was going to kill her. Further documents state Ms Mountney "physically tortured" the girl by striking her, twisting her ears and screaming at her "on a daily basis". Serious bikie and criminal gang violence in Canberra is increasing, with police arresting nine people for gang-related assaults last year. Police also charged 16 gang members with a total of 39 offences against good order, the highest number in four years. Large gatherings of bikie gang members are permitted within the ACT. Credit:Fairfax Media Curiously, gang-related drug offences and arrests were well down on previous years, with just five drug offences reported to police in 10 months last year. This was half the rate reported in 2017, and well down on preceding years. However, this does not include a November raid on a Monash home in which the police anti-bikie task force seized cocaine with a street value of $100,000, and a later search of an Isabella Plains home which resulted in the seizure of 130 grams of crystal meth worth $52,000. Arrests were made after the execution of both search warrants. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (PG) 104 minutes This was always an oddball among the animated franchises. The hero is a boy called Hiccup with a prosthetic leg, courtesy of a mishap with a dragon, who has reversed the culture of his Viking forebears by learning how to befriend dragons, rather than kill them. The relationship between Toothless and Hiccup is the primary emotional well of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. In one of the earlier films, the boy's father, known by the memorable name of Stoick the Vast, disowned him for his dragon-loving tendencies. Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) rides Toothless, a rare Night Fury dragon, like he's piloting a star-fighter and in a sense, he is, because nearly all movies for children since 1977 are to some extent the spawn of George Lucas' imagination. The original novels by English children's writer Cressida Cowell were heavily influenced by the summers she spent as a child on a private Scottish island. Turning them into a successful franchise at DreamWorks has inevitably curdled that cream: the characters mostly speak in broad Scottish accents or general American ones, like Baruchel uses for Hiccup. The aural geography is more than somewhat mixed-up, given that they are supposed to be Vikings. A scene from How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Dean DeBlois was co-writer and co-director on the first film, but has since flown solo as writer and director. He cites two crucial references that help to explain how the series became so odd: The Empire Strikes Back and My Neighbour Totoro. From the first, he took the idea that flight would be a crucial part of the thrill for audiences. The animated settings are supremely beautiful in themselves rich northern forests, dramatic cliffs and seascapes but when you add a squadron of multi-coloured dragons zooming around with leather-clad teenage pilots, you get a sort of Star Wars-Lord of the Rings mash-up. The borrowing from Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbour Totoro is more subtle. That superb 1988 movie was about a sad little girl who meets a mysterious spirit in the forest outside her new home. That's why the Night Fury that Hiccup befriends here has large eyes, in the style of Japanese anime, and rounded contours like Totoro. More than that, the relationship between Toothless and Hiccup is the film's primary emotional well. Toothless is like a pony with wings; or a dog that breathes fire. Some of the most beautiful moments in the first film were those in which a boy with a sense of his own inadequacy learned how to communicate with a creature that was large and dangerous, but also playful and brave. The sense of innocence carried the first two films along, assembling a large fortune for DreamWorks. The third film is less innocent. The dialogue is more wise-cracking and knowing, geared to appeal to young teenage boys rather than children. The technical aspects are as good as ever: indeed, the technology advances with each film, so that each looks richer than the last. In this one, Hiccup and Toothless try to find the mythical Hidden World where dragons can live in peace. Grimmel, an old-school dragon killer who looks like Billy Idol, tries to hunt them down. F. Murray Abraham gives him a memorable voice. Cate Blanchett returns as Hiccup's silky-voiced mother, Valka, along with the wonderfully named sidekicks Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Gobber the Belch and Snotlout. Romance rears its head as Toothless loses his heart to a female Fury. Sydney and Melbourne were the worst performing real estate markets in the country last year with house prices falls of 10 per cent and 9 per cent respectively, but economists warn there are more declines to come. The two largest capital cities in the country have dragged down national dwelling values 4.8 per cent over the year in the worst national result since the December quarter of 2008, data from housing research firm CoreLogic shows. Sydneys dwelling prices have fallen back to the same level in August 2016, before the peak of the real estate boom, while Melbournes prices are now at February 2017 levels. Some commentators, such as AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver, have warned further falls of up to 10 per cent in property prices are expected in 2019. Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt has shared a photo with Melania Trump after attending the annual New Year's Eve Mar-a-Lago party at Mr Trump's lavish Florida resort. Mr Pratt, who is Australia's richest person, uploaded a photo of himself and the first lady chatting at the ticketed event to his personal Instagram page, writing "the very warm Melania Trump". The President, who normally spends the holidays at the resort, did not attend this year's event due to the government shutdown. It's not the first time Mr Pratt has met Mrs Trump, who he sat next to during the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea event in New York in May 2017, where he pledged another $2 billion into creating manufacturing jobs in the US Midwest over the next 10 years. Worldwide tourism is about 5 per cent of the global economy, while hotel supply is about 1 per cent, which has given heart to owners and operators that the sector has good growth potential. Simon McGrath, chief operating officer at AccorHotels Pacific, says the statistics speak for themselves, at a time when the Australian market, particularly the eastern seaboard, has a plethora of new properties under construction and also due to open in 2019. ''Whilst there is some supply coming on in the new year, remember in Sydney, alone there was nothing from 2000 to about 2014, so we are playing catch up,'' Mr McGrath said. Sofitel Darling Harbour, one of the first to open in 18 years. Credit:James Brickwood ''The arrival of the International Convention Centre in Sydney, more sporting events in Melbourne and the new airlines routes to regional Australia, has seen an explosion in demand for hotels. American discount giant Costco has taken a bigger bite out of the Australian retail market, reporting double-digit sales and profit growth last year and putting pressure on major players like Coles and Woolworths. And the company plans to grow further over the next year by potentially opening two more stores and rolling out an online store. Costco Australia boss Patrick Noone said the discount chain could open two new stores in the next year and was looking at an online rollout. Credit:Ben Rushton The US company opened its first Australian store in Melbourne's Docklands in 2009, and now has 10 warehouses selling everything from fresh food and groceries to discount televisions, diamonds, hearing aids and even coffins. "We keep the prices low, and we keep bringing in brand name merchandise, and consumer seems to like that," said Costco country manager Patrick Noone. NEW ORLEANS (AP) Nearly $17 million in Deepwater Horizon oil spill money would rebuild a barrier island bird rookery off Louisiana to more than seven times its current size under a recently released plan. The group tasked with allocating $5 billion from the 2010 spill is taking public comment through Jan. 22 on the proposal . The Louisiana arm of that group will also hold a public hearing Jan. 3 at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters in Baton Rouge. With about $2 million already spent on planning and design, authorities say construction, monitoring and management would cost another $16.7 million. Most of the work would be done in 2020. Queen Bess Island was the first spot where brown pelicans were returned to Louisiana after the pesticide DDT wiped them out in the 1960s. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries counted 11 nests there in 1971, marking the first successful recolonization. The number of nests there peaked at 4,000 in 2008. Despite restoration projects over the years, its usable nesting area is now down to about 5 acres (2 hectares). It also was heavily hit by oil from the 2010 spill, but has been cleaned, and birds are back. It currently hosts Louisiana's third-largest brown pelican breeding site, with 15 to 20 percent of all nests in the state. Plans call for 30 acres (12 hectares) of pelican nesting habitat and 7 acres (3 hectares) for smaller terns and skimmers. The island's southernmost area is now only an outline in the water. This would be filled in with river sand to as much as 5 feet (1.5 meters) above sea level. About 7 acres of that area would be covered with geotextile fabric and topped with a 6-inch (15-centimeter) layer of crushed limestone for terns and skimmers, which like to nest on gravel least terns have been found nesting on gravel roofs. The sand would slope gradually down to the island's northern tip, with black mangroves and other plants added to create nesting habitats and hold the sand. Up to 21 "bird ramps" pads of crushed limestone or other material to make easy walkways for nesting birds would be created every 250 feet (76 meters) or so around the reconstructed island. Breakwaters would be created all along the southwest side to slow erosion from waves and provide calm water for young water birds. A smaller breakwater area would reduce erosion from an area designed to let fish in and out of the lowest part of the island. All of the work would be done outside the breeding season, but might temporarily displace some birds, including plovers, sandpipers, dowitchers and other birds that forage on the islands during the winter, the proposal said. "These birds may need to find other areas to forage and loaf," it said. A pastor whose wife was killed in a carjacking in Gentilly in November has been found more than 24 hours after his disappearance on New Years Day raised alarms, a relative said Wednesday evening. The stepdaughter of David Plessy, 53, said he was found in good condition on Wednesday, more than a day after he was spotted leaving his Havana Street home and stopped returning calls. Hes safe and will be with us, his family, shortly, Nadia Sanchez said on Facebook. Thank you to everyone who got his name and face out. Im once again blown away by the love and support of the community that surrounds us. New Orleans police also confirmed that Plessy had been found and was safe. Can't see post below? Click here. Plessys wife Jeannot, 49, was killed when a carjacker ran over her with her own car in the 2400 block of Prentiss Avenue on Nov. 27, police said. Relatives said they last exchanged text messages with Plessy about 9:30 p.m. on New Years Eve after he visited his wife's grave. He sent a text message saying that he was on his way to meet with the family that night, Sanchez said. But Plessy apparently went to his house on Havana Street instead. Relatives fears grew on New Years Day, when construction workers next door spotted him leaving the house about 8 a.m., police said. That night, police found Plessys car and cell phone in the 1400 block of North Claiborne Avenue, near Esplanade Avenue. Police said that a man matching Plessy's description was spotted leaving Claiborne Avenue on foot in the company of a woman about 6 p.m. Tuesday. Family members were so concerned that they addressed television cameras with a plea for help from the public and Plessy himself on Wednesday afternoon. "I think the most important thing for us to tell him is that we're not upset, we're not mad. We're just worried," Sanchez said through tears outside a family member's house in Metairie. "We just want you to come home. We love and we need you, and the kids need you." 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 Can't see video below? Click here. Although Plessy was overwhelmed by his spur of the moment trip to his wifes grave on New Years Eve, Nadia Sanchez said, at the end of my conversation, it sounded like he was fine. Plessy told WWL-TV in early December that he initially felt lost after his wifes death. But he said that reading the Bible made him realize he had to place faith in God. He also preached forgiveness for the carjackers. Plessy suffered another emotional blow when a pastor in South Carolina who had served as his mentor died last week, said Nadia Sanchezs husband, Kristian Sanchez. Two teenagers, Jontrell Robinson and Edwin Cottrell, were arrested in connection with the carjacking. Police said Robinson admitted to pulling Jeannot Plessy out of her car and then running into her when he put the car in reverse, leaving her dead. Teen confesses to deadly carjacking that killed pastor's wife, implicates 2 others, NOPD says Facing questioning from homicide investigators, a teenager confessed that he stole a pastors wifes car and then fatally injured her by backi Robinson and Cottrell remain in custody at the New Orleans jail in lieu of $600,000 bail each. Plessy had recently told Nadia Sanchez that he was looking forward to attending their trial to secure justice for his wife, with whom he had two children aged 11 and 12. Sanchez said she and her stepfather have leaned on each other for support since Jeannot Plessy's death. We lost Mom, and he and I were just together in that loss, she said. Despite a bloody Christmas holiday, New Orleans in 2018 registered its lowest number of murders in nearly half a century, and other key gun violence statistics also saw important drops, a sign of modest progress in the city's most intractable crisis. When the clock struck midnight early Tuesday to usher in the new year, there had been 146 people murdered in New Orleans in 2018, with three additional killings having been deemed justifiable, according to unofficial statistics provided by police. It marked the lowest annual murder toll since 1971, when there were 116 slayings. And it was the second year in a row the number of murders had fallen in New Orleans, which recorded 157 in 2017, down from 174 in 2016. In past years, skeptics of New Orleans violence-reduction efforts have downplayed the importance of such trends by pointing out that other violent crimes had not seen similar decreases. A prime example of that was in 2014, when officials were restrained in touting a dip to 150 homicides because the number of nonfatal shootings that same year spiked by 24 percent. In 2018, though, the 47-year low in murders was accompanied by a drop of about 28 percent in the number of non-deadly shooting incidents from 2017. Moreover, armed robberies fell for the third year in a row, and the number of carjackings came down as well in 2018, according to statistics kept by the New Orleans City Councils Criminal Justice Committee. New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison has said none of that is by accident. He said he tasked a specialized team of tactical officers and detectives with removing repeat violent offenders from the streets over the past two years, no matter how long the cases took to build, and theyve delivered results. Another tool to which the NOPD has increasingly resorted is an expanding network of street surveillance cameras, which in some cases have produced high-definition images of criminal suspects. Police frequently receive tips about those cases after the images are distributed to the public. Crime analyst Jeff Asher, now a City Council consultant, said it is reasonable to credit the NOPDs efforts as a meaningful contributor to the improved numbers. But he said other factors have almost certainly also driven the numbers down. Violent crime is trending downward nationally, and communities frequently see cooler periods in the wake of a spike in violence, which New Orleans endured when there were about two shootings daily for a year beginning in the middle of 2016. We dont necessarily know what the drivers of gun violence (rates) are from day to day, month to month, or year to year, Asher said. More than likely, its not a single explanation, but it would be logical to say one of those things could be (the NOPDs) enforcement. The drop in homicides will ensure New Orleans was not America's most murderous city in 2018 on a per-capita basis, an unwanted title the city has held several times since Hurricane Katrina. 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 But the 2018 rate of about 37 murders per 100,000 residents ranks among the top four in the U.S. and one of the highest in North America. Asher said that St. Louis and Baltimore will hold down the top two spots, and Detroit and New Orleans will be No. 3 and No. 4, though it's not certain in which order. It would take a further significant reduction in illegal killings for New Orleans to fall to No. 5 on the list, a spot now held by Newark, New Jersey, Asher said. Asher also noted that while 2018 saw the fewest murders in New Orleans since 1971, the city actually had a lower murder rate in 1985, when there were 152 slayings and more than 500,000 residents. Though New Orleans was significantly more peaceful than usual in 2018, it still saw intense spasms of gun violence erupt periodically, such as when at least five people were reported shot two fatally on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Meanwhile, arguably the highest-profile murder case in 2018 the 10-victim shooting that left three dead outside a Central City strip mall in July remains unsolved. In an interview recently, Harrison declined to say if detectives had identified any suspects or whether any may have been jailed in connection with unrelated incidents, citing his desire to protect the integrity of the investigation. Remarks by the mother of one of the slaying victims in that case, Kurshaw Jackson, illustrate how improved public-safety statistics are of little consolation to the loved ones of those killed. People say it was his time, (but) aint no such thing (as) Its your time when someone pulls a trigger and kills you, Robin Jackson said at a Night Out Against Crime event in October. No, it wasnt his time. He was murdered. Stop the killing. Harrison concedes that plenty of work remains to be done. When discussing the topic of violent crime, he always makes it a point to note that one murder is too many to him and his colleagues, not just to victims survivors. Nonetheless, Harrison said he is optimistic the gains of 2018 can be carried over into future years. One reason is that his agency is closing in on substantial compliance with a seven-year-old federal reform pact that has improved the departments performance, most notably by drastically reducing how often its 1,200 officers resort to using force. The whole city needs to know it was the 1,200 officers who executed (the NOPDs various strategies) and willingly transformed the agency, Harrison said. They should recognize its the officers who made the culture change, and Im honored its under my leadership. Editor's note: This story was changed Jan. 1 to correct the number of killings. Police had originally said there were 145 murders, but the number increased by one after a woman who was wounded in a shooting Dec. 30 died from her injuries. WWL-TV's Paul Murphy contributed to this report. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Theres nothing like coming across a cache of old home movies to wistfully remind you of days gone by, and that kind of nostalgia tugs at view How do we begin to understand two men so void of virtue they would kidnap a 16-year-old girl, drug her, beat her, repeatedly rape her and then sell her for sex against her will? Its a degree of evil so reprehensible you would hope the suspects, once caught, would never walk free again. And yet when 26-year-old Elbert Riascos and 24-year-old Jovan Martin stood before New Orleans magistrate Harry Cantrell, they were given a bail so low you would have thought they were arrested for shoplifting. Riascos and Martin were booked for resisting arrest, child sex trafficking, first-degree rape, felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, false imprisonment, cruelty to a juvenile, production and possession of child pornography and distribution of cocaine when Cantrell set their bail at only $90,000 and $20,000 respectively. Typically, defendants only pay ten percent of their bail to get out. Riascos and Martin were already out on probation for other crimes, and yet Cantrell still gave them a low bond. You would think getting arrested for raping, beating, and sex-trafficking a 16-year-old girl would violate the suspects parole and send them directly back to jail. In fact, the very day before the arrest, Martin bonded out of jail in connection to a different case a weapons charge according to court records. Two men arrested for alleged sex trafficking in New Orleans Troopers assigned to the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations Special Victims Unit on Wednesday arrested two men suspected of sex t Riascos and Martin should be considered a clear and present danger to the public and held without bail for allegedly committing such horrid acts. Imagine their 16-year-old victim knowing her tormentors are walking free. Shes got to be scared to death. How do you let evil back out on the street? Whose daughter is this? Whose grandchild is it? This isnt just some faceless person, Jim Kelly, executive director of the nonprofit Covenant House, told nola.com. Covenant House is the lead agency in New Orleans dealing with sex trafficking victims. Cantrells low bail also caught the attention of several on the New Orleans City Council. Its unconscionable to me that this happened, and this judge should be held accountable on why he made this decision, Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer told nola.com. She was forced onto other men. Shes a child. How does a child that went through that now have to stand up and face accusers that are free? These are horrible crimes, charges of raping a minor, kidnapping her and trafficking her, and for these low bonds to be set it's completely egregious, said Councilwoman Helena Moreno. Police rescued the 16-year old at the 600 block of Canal Street in mid-December after someone called the National Human Trafficking Hotline saying they knew of a girl who was being held against her will, repeatedly raped, drugged and beaten. Judge Cantrell is not the only one setting low bonds for serious crimes. WWL television recently reported that in many cases New Orleans judges and magistrates are setting bail on felony arrests as low as $100. The station reports Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration wants lower bail to reduce the citys jail population. Its working. The city's jail population now stands at a 40-year low. Tulane professor: New Orleans bail rules are bad law and bad policy New Orleanians have seen a recent barrage of print and television media critical of reforms to Orleans Criminal District Courts long-term mis The district attorneys office recently issued the following statement critical of the new bail setting policies: We have for months expressed our concern to the Criminal District Court over the disturbing recent trends in the setting of bail amounts and the granting of unwarranted or illegal recognizance bonds. Although city officials advocate for reducing New Orleans' jail population, that goal must be achieved through fewer people committing crimes, not by our courts disregarding state law and public safety. Some judges and commissioners are making police arrests inconsequential and putting our community at risk in their zeal to grant absurdly low bonds or release orders for dangerous repeat offenders. Clarification: An earlier version of this column did not attribute the source of quotes from Jim Kelly, who heads Covenant House, and New Orleans City Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer. The quotes were from a story reported by nola.com. Email Dan Fagan at faganshow@gmail.com. Twitter: @FaganShow. Louisiana is getting nearly $8 million to improve the quality of early childhood education, officials said Wednesday. All but $800,000 is coming from the federal government and is called a preschool development grant. The rest of the funds are from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. "In recent years Louisiana has worked diligently to create an integrated, efficient early childhood education system through policies that better serve our children and families," state Superintendent of Education John White said in a statement. "This award is a validation of the state's approach and sets us up to take ambitious next steps," White said. The money, which has to be spent by December 2019, cannot be used to finance new slots for children from birth to age 4. It will be used to help local communities make informed decisions on setting up early childhood education sites, aid families who do early childhood education at home and finance professional development for early childhood teachers, according to the state Department of Education. The money will also help the state launch a program aimed at helping child care sites share resources, including substitute teachers. While Louisiana serves nearly all four-year-olds, it only serves 7 percent of those from birth to age 3 and 33 percent of three-year-olds in need. About 3,100 children are on a waiting list for services. Affordable child care top need, outgoing state official says Louisiana's most pressing child care challenge is trimming the waiting list of working families seeking affordable care for more than 5,000 ch A state program that offers child care for parents who work or attend school has also suffered from funding problems. That effort, called the Child Care Assistance Program, used to serve about 39,000 children compared to about 15,000 last year. However, a waiting list of about 5,200 children was trimmed by about 4,000 last year, also though an injection of $40 million in federal dollars. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up After years of cuts, Louisiana's child care waiting list about to shrink dramatically Louisiana's waiting list for child care while parents work or attend school is about to drop by nearly 80 percent after a long-awaited injecti Melanie Bronfin, executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, praised the latest announcement. "This will provide us supports to enhance the quality of our early care and education programs," Bronfin said, also in a statement. Bronfin said only 15 percent of children in need from birth to age 3 are being served. Budget trouble spells problems for Louisiana early education With little fanfare, state aid for Louisiana's youngest children was sliced by state policymakers amid persistent budget problems. "We look forward to future opportunities to increase the publicly-funded seats for our hardworking families who desperately need access to reliable, affordable, quality care for their young children," she said. The nearly $8 million will also help with changes stemming from child care legislation approved last year. That measure is paving the way for pilot projects overseen by the state that could serve as models, with the pilots including input from local providers and others on needs and possible public and private funding sources. The bill was sponsored by state Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, R-Metairie. The changes are being overseen by a 38-member panel. The state in 2012 launched a push to improve early childhood education, in part by reducing the overlap and confusion that plagued earlier efforts. Louisiana is one of 13 states awarded money to expand on earlier efforts that began in 2014. ExxonMobil, which is currently seeking several controversial tax breaks for its Baton Rouge-area plants, has filed preliminary paperwork on a new round of potential tax exemptions in 2019. Exxon said it sent the documents only to notify the state that work is planned and may be included in an application for tax exemptions in the future. The documents, called advance notifications, represent the first step a company must take to receive a property tax exemption through the states Industrial Tax Exemption Program. At this time, it has not been decided whether an ITEP application will be pursued for all or some of these investments and facilities, Exxon spokeswoman Megan Manchester said in an email. Manchester also said Exxon is being "singled out by The Advocate" for using ITEP, a long-standing tax break program for manufacturers. If Exxon does move forward with seeking the tax breaks, it would likely set up another battle between the company and critics of ITEP later this year, in addition to the existing fight over exemptions it is already seeking. In recent months, Exxons property taxes have been at the center of a contentious debate over ITEP reform, economic development and whether the company is paying its fair share of property taxes. The city-parish parks and recreation department at one point even challenged Exxons property tax assessment. A group of educators later sued East Baton Rouge Parish Assessor Brian Wilson over the companys assessed value, and that case is pending. The oil and gas giant filed five advance notifications with Louisiana Economic Development in late December on potential new tax exemptions. Exxon plans to spend a collective $422.2 million at its refinery, chemical plant, plastics plant, polyolefins plant and Port Allen lubricants plant, according to the documents. Exxon said some of the amount specifically for work done to meet environmental rules would be deemed ineligible for tax exemptions, in accordance with state rules, and therefore would not be exempted. The tax breaks for the total amount would be worth a collective $42.5 million over 10 years, according to an estimate from the advocacy group Together Baton Rouge, the foremost critic of ITEP. The actual figure would be lower because it could not receive exemptions on "restricted amounts" like the environmental work. Companies must file more complete applications after sending the advance notifications if they choose to pursue the exemptions. "These most recent requests like all but one of the fourteen others that have made in the last eighteen months are requests for public subsidies, not for a new plant or for an expansion, but for the company's ordinary annual capital expenditures part of the regular cost of doing business," Together Baton Rouge organizer Broderick Bagert said in an email. Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Exxon has filed similar paperwork each December on yearly spending at its plants for at least the past 10 years, according to LED data, and the state Board of Commerce and Industry granted most of them. ITEP has come under scrutiny in recent years, and Gov. John Bel Edwards issued an executive order requiring local authorities to approve the exemptions, and curtailing them. The program previously gave 100 percent exemptions over 10 years, which was revised to 100 percent for five years and 80 percent for three additional years. But LED revised the rules in 2018, and the program currently offers an 80 percent exemption over 10 years. The program exempts manufacturers from paying property taxes on new facilities and additions to existing facilities. Exxons new advance notifications include zero new jobs, but the company said thats because it will not try to estimate new jobs for each site until headcounts can be verified. We believe this is a conservative approach since many of our employees are being considered for potential growth projects across the Gulf Coast, Manchester said. We will be able to provide factual headcount data when and if associated ITEP applications are filed. Exxon in 2018 won approval for an exemption on a potential expansion at its polyolefins plant. The company said the project would involve more than $500 million in spending at the Baton Rouge site. Separately, the company had previously been seeking five separate ITEP exemptions for work done in 2017, but recently dropped two of those applications. In mid-December, the state Board of Commerce and Industry, over objections from schoolteachers and organizers with Together Baton Rouge, gave Exxon approval for the remaining three exemptions. Now, Exxon must win approval from the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board, Metro Council and sheriff. Those tax breaks would collectively cost the city-parish around $6.6 million. The Louisiana Police Department was able to convince people to voluntarily surrender the crystal meth in their possession to be tested for possible Zika virus. Local Police Department's Clever Plan To Seize Illegal Substances In a now-viral Facebook post, the authorities warned that the illegal substance being sold in the Louisiana area might have been tainted with the disease. They urged the public to contact their local police department to book an appointment with an officer and test their drugs for free at the comfort of their own homes. The announcement has racked up over 1,000 reactions and comments on social media and has shared by 7,000 people since it was posted on Saturday, Dec. 29. So far, no one has actually surrendered their crystal meth for testing, but the authorities said that the post was meant to highlight the problem of drug abuse in the area. "Folks, the drug epidemic is real...praying 2019 brings solutions to a real national epidemic," stated Harahan Police Officer Keith Moody in his own post on Facebook via Fox News. "We will continue to aggressively enforce drug laws and work with fellow agencies to combat the illegal enterprises that are literally killing more than 100 people a day with illicit drugs." In a conversation with The Advocate, Harahan Police Chief Tim Walker admitted that the idea came from other law enforcement agencies that tried the same tactic over the past year. Although the announcement was a joke, he hopes that the post will make anyone pause and rethink the consequences of their actions. Zika Virus In Louisiana Meth Is the crystal meth in Louisiana contaminated with Zika Virus? The answer is no. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Zika Virus is often transmitted through mosquito bites. Although not confirmed, people can likely get infected through sex and blood transfusion as well. Since 2018, no mosquito-borne Zika transmission has been reported in the United States. However, it remains a threat to the people who are traveling to countries where the virus has previously been found. Symptoms of Zika virus infection include fever, rashes, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, and red eyes. There currently is no vaccine available to prevent Zika. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A number of people have been complaining about performance issues on the Pixel Slate, particularly when the device is in tablet mode. Users claim they encounter lagging issues often while in the said mode, apart from having a janky experience overall. That and the fact there's no clear recourse makes this $599 tablet a sour sell. Google seems to have taken notice, at least. Since the Pixel Slate's sluggish and stuttery user interface is becoming a deal breaker for most consumers, Google is reportedly planning to roll out an update that will improve the performance of its flagship tablet. Chrome Unboxed has uncovered that Google aims to address performance problems present on the Pixel Slate, particularly issues with lag. What's more, the fix might actually be a simple one. Pixel Slate Lag Issues Developers have noticed that much of the performance issues stems from the performance-intensive way the tablet draws rounded corners, and they especially persist when dragging down to reveal the overview mode. "A lot of animation jank seems to be coming from the use of Mask Layers to create rounded corners. This combined with background blur adds a lot of additional steps in the paint/rendering pipeline," according per the bug's description. When rounded corners are disabled, the performance allegedly improves, even on the Celeron-based Pixel Slate, which is the entry-level model of the lineup. "The performance (fps increase) and memory improvement (tiles don't get discarded and we actually see the content) is quite significant on Nocturne Celeron when rounded corners are removed." Of course, turning off rounded corners likely won't solve every lag and performance issue present on the device, but it's an easy and uncomplicated start, and should significantly increase performance for users who enter overview mode on a regular basis. When Will Google Release This Fix? As to when Google plans to release the fix is another story. The company has labeled the bug as high priority, at least, but bear in mind that the discussion dates back to November 2018, which suggests a solution might not be around the corner. Also, Google hasn't formally acknowledged the Pixel Slate's performance issues, making it harder to predict if and when the fix is coming. That's quite unfortunate since a number of reviewers liken the Pixel Slate as a successful attempt from Google to reinvigorate the tablet landscape, apart from being a worthy competitor to the Apple iPad. Clearly, Google has quite a room for improvement on the software side of things and definitely on the hardware as well. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Federal Communications Commission has granted Alphabet, the parent company of Google, to deploy a radar-based motion sensing device known as Project Soli. In an order made on Dec. 31, the FCC said it would grant Google to operate Soli sensors at higher power levels than currently allowed. The commissions also said these sensors may be operated aboard aircraft. The decision "will serve the public interest by providing for innovative device control features using touchless hand gesture technology." Project Soli According to Google, Soli are advanced sensors that allow users to press an imaginary button between their thumb and index finger, or rub them together to turn or twist a virtual dial. The controls are all virtual, Google makes clear, but the interactions feel "physical and responsive," in large part because even though there are no physical controls available, feedback is generated by the haptic sensation of the fingers touching. Google offers a number of potential implementations for Project Soli. For example, they can be used to approximate the precision of natural human hand motion. What's more, the Soli sensors can be integrated into wearable devices, smartphones, computers, and even vehicles, as Reuters reports. Facebook Comes Into The Picture In March, the search company approached the commission to allow its motion sensing radars to operate in the 57 to 64 GHz frequency band at power levels in line with the European Telecommunications Standards Institute's standards. At one point, Facebook raised concerns over the sensors potentially affecting other technologies present. Following discussions, both companies eventually told the FCC months later that the initial concerns were negligible, and Soli can operate without interfering but at lower levels than those Google had proposed originally. It's not just Google that stands to benefit from Soli sensors. Other companies, such as Facebook itself, might see a ton of potential for the radars, and the social media company said in September that it's looking at a variety of use cases involving Soli. That being said, Google still needs to follow Federal Aviation Administration rules during Soli's aircraft operations. Not much about Soli is known in the public, however. This should perhaps come as no surprise since the project is certainly less marketable than, say, Google's consumer-facing products. It's likely a foundation for what would become mainstream products in the future, not something to be sold standalone. In any case, make sure to check back with Tech Times as we learn more. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tesla's cars are some of the most popular electric vehicles out there, but there's no denying that they are also pretty expensive. The Model 3 might be the most affordable option, but its $35,000 still puts it slightly out of reach for the masses. To soften the blow of their cars' high price tags, Tesla has always offered federal EV tax credits to US residents; usually amounting to around $7500 in total savings. Though not quite the same as a direct discount, these incentives have made Tesla's cars much more appealing to budget-conscious EV enthusiasts over the years. Unfortunately, due to the company surpassing 200,000 EVs sold in 2018, those incentives are on their way out. The $7500 incentive has already been halved to $3750 as of the start of 2019, and it will be halved again during Q2 2019. In 2020, it will disappear entirely. Tesla recognizes that these incentives are major selling points for their vehicles - that's why the company formed the "EV Drive Coalition" with other prominent EV makers in late 2018. The Coalition's sole purpose is to convince regulators to preserve EV tax incentives for as long as possible. Now, Tesla has taken things a step further, opting to slash the price of its Model 3, Model S, and Model X vehicles by $2,000 across the board. That still doesn't quite make up for the $7500 incentive's loss (combined with the new $3750 tax credit, customers now save around $5750), but it's certainly better than nothing. It's unclear how long these discounts will last, though, so now might be a good time to snag one of Tesla's cars if you've been holding off. In context: Due to regulations created by the Obama administration that took effect in 2017, US political appointees cannot use their personal social media accounts in an official capacity. If they do, they must give up the accounts to the State Department for archival purposes. United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley was forced to relinquish her personal Twitter account due to Obama-era regulations that took effect in January 2017. The State Department rules state that political appointees cannot take their social media accounts with them when they leave their post. Instead, these accounts are to be archived. Haley, who stepped down from her position at the first of the year, seemed disappointed to have to relinquish her account, which she had long before being appointed ambassador to the UN. Due to State Dept rules that were changed by the outgoing administration, I have had to clear my personal Twitter account that I have had for years. The followers, the history, the pictures, and all other content. Please refollow and retweet this to your friends. Heres to 2019! Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) January 1, 2019 As stated, it sounded like she was required to delete her account, which caused some confusion. However, it is still available; she just cannot use it anymore. Former Obama appointee Eric Columbus cleared this up in a tweet of his own on Tuesday. "Perhaps Haley caused the confusion by saying she had to 'clear' her old account rather than just relinquish control of it for archiving," said Columbus. "Indeed, the @AmbNikkiHaley is still there with a note that she can now be found elsewhere." According to the rules (10 FAM 181) set forth in the Foreign Affairs Manual appointees are supposed to use accounts created by the State Department for official government communications. If they use their own personal accounts for any public-record related posts, they must surrender it upon leaving office. Senior officials and other employees whose positions make it appropriate for them to engage in official communications on behalf of the Department over social media must not use personal social media accounts to do so. They must use official social media accounts, created and owned by the Department. All accounts that have been used for official communications are considered Department accounts, and are either retained by the Department for use by the next incumbent or retired in accordance with applicable records disposition schedules, as appropriate. Haleys account had 1.67 million followers when she gave it up. Her new personal account already has gained 157,000 followers in less than two days. Her archived tweets can still be viewed on Twitter. Why it matters: Theres a lot of excitement surrounding this years smartphones, and one of the dark horses could be Sonys Xperia XZ4. Judging from a leaked AnTuTu benchmarking score, the handset is going to be quite the powerhouse. Spotted by GizChina, the Snapdragon 855-sporting Xperia XZ4 scored 395,721 on the popular benchmarking platform. Whats interesting is that other phones using the same upcoming chip have averaged around 360,000 points on Antutu. Back in November, more leaked numbers put the Snapdragon 855then thought to be called the 8150ahead of Apples A12 Bionic chip (around 355,596 in the iPhone XS) and Huaweis Kirin 980 found in the Mate 20 Pro (305,437). All three chips are built on the 7nm FinFET process. In addition to featuring the Snapdragon 855, the Xperia XZ4 is expected to come with a 4000mAh battery, up to 256GB of expandable storage, 6GB/8GB of RAM, a 21:9 aspect ratio, and Android 9.1 Pie. It appears that we can expect three camera lenses on the back, and this will be one Android phone that doesnt have any form of a notch. It might also boast an in-display fingerprint reader. Having the highest benchmark doesnt guarantee the Xperia XZ4 will be a fantastic device, and the final version might not score so high, but itll certainly be interesting to see how it stacks up against the rest of 2019s flagships. Sony will be hosting a press conference at CES on January 7, so we might see the Xperia XZ4, along with some mid- and lower-end handsets, unveiled next Monday. In brief: AI and machine learning offer humanity a number of benefits, but they can also be used for more nefarious purposes. One of these is deepfake videos, which involve someones face being edited onto the faces of actresses who appear in pornographic videos. One of the most popular Hollywood stars to be digitally added to these clips in Scarlett Johansson, but she says trying to stop them is a lost cause. Back in December 2017, Motherboard highlighted the work of a Redditor called deepfakes who was creating these videos, which can appear quite realistic. Theyve since been banned by the likes of Discord, Twitter, and GIF-hosting platform Gfycat. Pornhub was supposed to have done the same thing, but they're still easily found on site. Moreover, theyve now become more realistic while the software behind them is easier to use. Speaking to the Washington Post, Johansson, who is Hollywoods highest-paid actress, spoke out about the practice. The Avengers star appears in many of the videos, including one that has been viewed over 1.5 million times. Nothing can stop someone from cutting and pasting my image or anyone elses onto a different body and making it look as eerily realistic as desired, she said. The fact is that trying to protect yourself from the Internet and its depravity is basically a lost cause [...] The Internet is a vast wormhole of darkness that eats itself. While most deepfake clips use images of stars such as Maisie Williams, Taylor Swift, Aubrey Plaza, and Gal Gadot, not every victim is a celebrity. A Washington Post story highlighted a woman in her 40s whos likeness appears in a video, though its unclear why she was targeted. While forensic tools have been developed by the Defense Department for catching deepfake videos and fake news created using the same techniques, it's still a legal grey area. Unlike The Fappening, which saw explicit photos of celebs including Johansson posted online, no personal data is stolen when creating the clips. Johansson also noted that different countries have different copyright laws, further complicating the matter. A Brand's Guide to Digital Shelf Analytics | eBook What can you do to improve your digital commerce game? The first rule of the digital shelf is to make sure your products can be found. Some might say its mission impossible. Unless, of course, you use digital shelf analytics (DSA). Get the eBook Today! The borderless promise of e-commerce doesn't mean one size fits all. Your business can have customers from around the globe, but if you want to keep them and grow, it is crucial to understand local shopper preferences and behaviors, and be able to respond to them. Without localization, you won't have an effective go-to-market strategy, and your opportunity for growth will stall. Sure, the advent of selling online means that conventional borders no longer exist. Consumers are expected to spend US$1 trillion on cross-border e-commerce by 2020, according to a report by McKinsey. Also, online buyers are not afraid to purchase goods from foreign merchants, as a recent KPMG study confirms, with international sales making up more than 40 percent of the total for the countries located in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. However, selling across borders is not the same as selling at home. If you can't create a localized, trusted and customized experience for shoppers, you definitely will suffer from low conversion rates -- or even worse, fail to win their business at all. Shoppers may be willing to browse an offshore merchant, but the quality of the buying experience and how much the vendor is trusted factor heavily into consumers' decision-making. Localization is critical, as it contributes to the trust that is so important to global buyers. Vendors need to start by crafting a localization strategy. However, many don't understand what the minimum requirements need to be and where to begin. Following are a few things to consider. Audit Your Local Audience, Markets and Resources Once you have prioritized your markets and determined which ones you want to optimize, focus on auditing the unique aspects of those markets that will impact buying behavior the most. Any strategy that doesn't consider the language, culture, preferences, needs and even idiosyncrasies of the local market is doomed to fail. Connecting with global buyers requires an approach that treats each market differently. This means localizing each aspect of the buying experience, which includes everything from the payment method, currency, prices, text, labels and messages, to date and time, phone number, graphics, formatting, punctuation and addresses. Creating an audit of the market will help you determine the must-haves to be successful in the region. Translating Your Site Is Not Enough Many sellers still believe that translating a site into the local language solves the localization issue. It doesn't. English is the language of the digital world, but the reality is that in most countries, 80 percent of transactions occur in the local language. However, translation is only a small piece of the puzzle. Localizing content, product, all documents, pricing, communication and onboarding also should be considered. Ultimately, support must be offered in the local language, too. Consider a Different Layout, Flow and Shopping Cart Besides language translation, there are many localization elements to consider. The design of a website for China should differ greatly from one for Japan -- even if you're selling the same product. Likewise, user experiences that work in Europe don't always have the same impact for shoppers in North America or other regions. As with website content layout and flow, buyers expect your shopping cart to reflect their local preferences and norms. Conversion rates for non-localized shopping carts are significantly lower. This involves localizing every aspect of the cart -- which means text, labels, messages, dates, times, phone numbers, prices, graphics, formatting, number of steps in the ordering process, length of forms, information that is prefilled and more. It's essential that you research the best layout and flow that will work in each region, and then fine-tune them by testing different versions and comparing their conversion rates. Online shoppers in France, for example, prefer carts with a blue and white color scheme and a more formal tone to their text. French customers also react better to positive language versus negative -- such as "what to do" instead of "what not to do." Plus, in France, they are very fond of the Carte Bancaire payment method. On the other hand, in China you need to offer Alipay as a payment method or WeChat Pay. In our experience, businesses that sell in the Chinese market conduct more than 50 percent of their transactions via Alipay alone. It's not just payment or colors schemes either. Cultural and societal considerations are critical. In China, it is recommended that you avoid the number four, which is considered unlucky. In some countries, selling online can be more difficult for foreign companies. For example, Latin American countries such as Brazil, Chile and Argentina have stringent currency laws that make it illegal even to publish prices in currencies other than the local one. In addition, it's a prerequisite that customers have a nationally issued bank card for any payment purposes. You need to know the lay of the land in every country you want to have a presence in. The Price Needs to Be Right An important deciding factor when buying online is the price. While some aspects may be beyond your control, such as shipping and handling or fulfillment, many others are not, such as regional-appropriate pricing. Just because your product is priced competitively in one market, that doesn't mean the same is true in another. Transparency can be accomplished by giving shoppers the option to view the price in their local currency. However, a better practice is to use GeoIP detection technology, which identifies the shopper's location and displays the local currency automatically. Being able to set the pricing by location allows you to adjust your strategy to the economic reality of each market, and to the costs that you incur by doing business in that particular geography. Payments Change Everything Payment localization isn't just a matter of convenience. It's a determining factor in the buying decision, and it's a good way to establish a level of trust and comfort that no amount of marketing or promotion can provide. In addition to increased conversions, card purchases transacted with the combination of a local payment method, gateway and merchant bank have a much higher chance of being approved than any type of foreign payment. However, creating the necessary infrastructure to localize payments is neither cheap nor easy. The typical payment processor will be able to provide coverage only for a single country or region. That means you'll need to source and sign a processor for every region or country in which you intend to sell, as well as set aside time and resources to integrate and maintain them. If your plans include expansion into multiple markets, finding an e-commerce platform that can help you scale is the best option. To be successful on a global scale requires payment capabilities that involve more than just completing transactions. Advanced payments can be an invaluable tool to increase conversion or renewal rates, reduce churn, and improve the customer experience. Among them are solutions such as credit card updating services, which ensure that recurring billing remains intact by updating a customer's card expiration date automatically, or intelligent payment routing, which redirects the payment through to the most appropriate gateway or processor, and configurable retry logic, which recovers up to 20 percent of failed transactions due to soft declines. Local Customer Support Is a Must Seventy-eight percent of consumers have abandoned a transaction because of a bad service interaction, according to American Express. Hence, it's critical to your localization strategy to provide good shopper support -- from providing a local phone number, a localized email system (sent in local languages and during business hours) and even a toll-free number. Additionally, email follow-ups, order recovery, lead management, and even marketing messages all need to be localized for an optimal experience. The Certainties in Life Are Death and Taxes OK, let's not get too gloomy here. Even taxes can be manageable. Regardless of where your company is based, you're legally required to properly manage and collect sales and value-added taxes levied on each transaction. The amount, the authority responsible for collecting it, and the rules governing it can differ from country to country. You need to know how much tax to charge and which entities and businesses are exempt. Many of these details can be automated with templates that support pan-regional commerce and have GeoIP location detection to identify the shopper's country of origin. Other details, such as how and where to distribute the tax proceeds, must be handled by the seller (as the merchant of record) or its proxy. Companies wanting to accelerate sales can leverage a digital commerce provider to act as a merchant of record in each country. In addition to tax handling, such providers can manage all the financial aspects of the transactions, leaving you with just the proceeds. Data Protection Compliance: A Reality We're increasingly seeing more regulation to protect citizens' personal information across multiple borders. In the case of GDPR, any company that interacts or does business with EU citizens or EU-based companies must comply. New laws in the U.S., such as in California and Vermont, have similar mandates protecting local citizens and businesses. Compliance is essential as a result, because the failure to comply can result in crippling fines. Hence, it makes business sense for merchants to work with an e-commerce partner that has an established governance structure that supports broad compliance, and that conducts regular compliance assessments and audits. Where Do We Go From Here? E-commerce continues to represent a huge opportunity for businesses, with no signs of slowing down. However, the companies that capitalize on this growth the best will be the ones that have comprehensive strategies in place to deal with optimizing sales in prioritized markets. This includes plans for international growth in which localization plays a critical role. However, as we've seen, global e-commerce isn't one size fits all. It requires careful consideration of the marketplace you are entering, and it may seem truly beyond the scope of most companies. Before expanding, businesses need to arm themselves with knowledge about where to prioritize their efforts. They also need to choose a partner with the right combination of skills to get them there: expertise in global e-commerce capabilities, relationships, even access to local affiliates and resellers that can help any merchant penetrate into a local market quickly, effectively, and with the right knowledge and marketing power behind them. Erich Litch is president and chief operating officer of 2Checkout. Seminole, FL (33772) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 78F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. The U.S. military command responsible for the nations nuclear weapons tweeted a New Years Eve message Monday afternoon: It is always ready to drop something much, much bigger than Manhattans iconic Time Square ball. The post and accompanying video went live as the country readied to ring in the new year by watching the famous New York City ball descend at midnight. The U.S. Strategic Command has since deleted and apologized for the tweet. "We admittedly erred in connecting it to New Year's Eve festivities, and we apologize," said Meghan M. Liemburg-Archer, a U.S. Strategic Command spokeswoman. "We remain dedicated to the security of America and our allies." "#TimesSquare tradition rings in the #NewYear by dropping the big ball ... if ever needed, we are #ready to drop something much, much bigger," the original post read. "Watch to the end! @AFGlobalStrike @Whiteman_AFB #Deterrence #Assurance #CombatReadyForce #PeacelsOurProfession" The embedded video showed footage of a B-2 stealth bomber. As the words "STEALTH," "READY," and "LETHAL" flashed across the screen, the aircraft released bombs. They fall to the ground and crash with a fiery explosion. It also tagged the Whiteman Air Force Base and the Air Force Global Strike Command, which is responsible for nuclear and nonnuclear strategic bomber fleets. The post was deleted within hours and replaced with a subsequent apology from the Strategic Command's official account. The New Year's Eve post drew confusion and criticism on the social media platform. Walter Shaub, former director of the Office of Government Ethics, reposted the now-deleted tweet and asked, "What kind of maniacs are running this country?" Many were unnerved by the flippant-natured comment, which came from the very command that controls American nuclear capabilities. "This is really disturbing coming from US Strategic Command. It isn't amusing. It is terrifying," wrote one user. Another questioned whether the military planned a bomb strike for midnight. The original post came hours before outgoing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis ended his two years as Pentagon chief. This post, which has since been deleted, was part of our Year in Review series meant to feature our command priorities: strategic deterrence, decisive response and combat-ready force. It was a repost from earlier in the year, dropping a pair of conventional Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOP) at a test range in the United States, a U.S. Strategic Command spokesman told The Washington Post. A threatening text message sent by a Durgee Jr. High school student in the Baldwinsville school district has been investigated by the district and police and is "not credible,'' said Superintendent Matthew J. McDonald. In a recorded message to parents, McDonald said the text message, which was sent prior to the districts holiday break, was investigated by Onondaga County sheriffs deputies and district officials and found not to be a credible threat. McDonald said there have been persistent rumors about the text message, and thats why hes telling people about the results of the investigation. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump and top Democrats are girding for a clash later Wednesday as both sides dig in over the White Houses demand for $5.6 billion to build 200 miles of wall along the Mexico border. With the shutdown lumbering through its second week, Trump made a number of false claims about the wall in the hours leading up to the meeting, and Democrats sought to preempt the White House gathering by saying they had no plans to be lectured with inaccurate information. "The United States needs a physical barrier," Trump said at a meeting with his cabinet on Wednesday. In a Twitter post Wednesday morning, Trump made two false claims about the wall, and during the cabinet meeting he made at least one more. He wrote that Mexico would be paying for the wall along the U.S. border under the parameters of a trade deal he has tentatively inked with Mexico and Canada. This is not true. That deal has not been approved by Congress, which means the parameters of the pact are not in effect. And even if the trade agreement is approved, it would not in any way create a stream of money designated for the construction of a border wall. The second false point in Trump's Twitter post Wednesday is his statement that "much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built." This is also not true. Mexico is paying for the Wall through the new USMCA Trade Deal. Much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built. We have done a lot of work. $5.6 Billion Dollars that House has approved is very little in comparison to the benefits of National Security. Quick payback! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2019 The U.S.-Mexico border is roughly 2,000 miles long. Trump's demand for $5.6 billion to build new sections of wall would finance 200 miles of wall, and less than 100 miles has already been constructed or renovated, according to Department of Homeland Security officials. The shutdown began after Trump rejected bipartisan congressional efforts to fund many operations through Feb. 8, insisting that any deal must contain money for the construction of a border wall. His demand infuriated many Republicans who had been working to avoid a shutdown, but most have followed his lead and are insisting Democrats broker some sort of compromise. As the partial shutdown entered its 12th day on Wednesday, hundreds of thousands of government workers remained home on furlough, while hundreds of thousands of others deemed "essential" were reporting to work but without any certainty of getting paid. The impacts were multiplying, as the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington shuttered its gates to visitors, and chaotic scenes unfolded at national parks around the country as the shutdown left them unsupervised, their restrooms locked and trash cans overflowing. The growing impacts of the shutdown could create pressure on all sides to reach a resolution. But Trump's false claims could lead the senior Democrats attending a White House briefing Wednesday afternoon to approach the gathering with more apprehension and skepticism that they're already promising, in part because the White House said the meeting was supposed to serve as a way for Democrats to learn more about the situation on the U.S.-Mexico border. "It's not often the president gets to hear people tell him when he's wrong. Democrats intend to do that today," Justin Goodman, spokesman for Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday morning. Schumer and incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., are set to visit Trump at the White House Wednesday afternoon as Democrats remain unified in their opposition to extending additional taxpayer money to finance a wall on the Mexico border. The meeting is taking place one day before Democrats retake control of the House at noon on Thursday, heralding a massive power shift in Washington after two years of unified Republican control. Democratic aides downplayed expectations for the 3 p.m. encounter at the White House, saying that since it was being billed by the White House as a "briefing" and not a meeting they were prepared for a one-sided and non-factual presentation. Democrats have noted Trump repeatedly promised during his campaign and earlier in his presidency that Mexico would pay for the wall, not U.S. taxpayers. But every proposal the White House and Republicans have sought to construct the wall has relied on federal money, and they have not offered any scenario that would see that money repaid by the Mexican government. Last week, Trump wrote in a Twitter post that he had personally approved a contract to build 115 additional miles of wall along the Mexico border, but the White House has not provided any more details or explained what he is talking about. The last time Schumer and Pelosi met Trump at the White House, on Dec. 11, it turned into a bizarre televised squabble during which Trump claimed he would be "proud" to shut down the government over the wall, and insisted he would take ownership of any shutdown. Since the partial shutdown began on Dec. 22, though, Trump has sought to brand it the "Schumer Shutdown." The gathering Wednesday afternoon should be different, at least publicly. It is being held in the White House's secure "Situation Room," and the media will not be invited for any portion of it, according to guidance sent from the White House. The meeting between Trump and congressional leaders was to follow Trump's first Cabinet meeting of the year. Traditionally, senior administration officials have used these gatherings to review their agenda for the year, though Trump is likely to steer discussion towards immigration and his fight with Democrats about the border wall, based on his comments in recent days. Throughout the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump told voters that drugs, criminals, and terrorists were flooding into the U.S. across the Mexico border. He said he would build a concrete wall, 30-feet tall in most places, to keep people out. He also promised voters, again and again, the Mexico would pay for the wall. Since becoming president, though, he has shifted this promise, saying the money must come from U.S. taxpayers. Democrats have signaled a willingness to approve $1.3 billion in funds for border security in an extension of existing spending levels, a portion of which can be used to replace and repair existing sections of wall and fencing. But they have drawn the line at the use of any taxpayer money for the erection of a new wall. Despite the far-reaching impacts of the shutdown, much of the federal government has not been touched. Major agencies like the Pentagon and the Health and Human Services Department have already been funded through the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30, thanks to spending bills passed by Congress earlier in the year and signed by Trump. The agencies that are unfunded and in shutdown mode include the Homeland Security Department that pays for the wall, as well as the Agriculture, Justice, Interior, Transportation, State and Housing departments. NASA is also partially shut down, along with the National Park Service and an array of smaller agencies. Some 800,000 federal workers are impacted, including around 350,000 who have been furloughed while the rest stay on the job wondering whether they will end up getting paid. In past shutdowns, Congress has approved retroactive pay once the impasse has been resolved. But the many government contractors who are affected may never recoup their lost paychecks. House Democrats plan to pass legislation aimed at quickly ending the shutdown - but without offering the $5 billion Trump wants for his wall - as soon as they assume control Thursday afternoon. They plan to pass two bills: one to fund the Homeland Security department at current levels through Feb. 8, which would continue $1.3 billion in border barrier funding; and the other to fund the rest of the government through Sept. 30, at levels negotiated on a bipartisan basis in the Senate. That would make it possible for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to send Trump a bill to reopen most of the government, while setting aside the fight over the wall. But it's uncertain how Trump would respond, and McConnell's current stance is that he will not send the president any legislation he will not sign. The current shutdown is the longest since a 16-day partial shutdown in 2013 over the Affordable Care Act. More people are continuing to move out of New York state than in, according to the 42nd annual National Movers Study. United Van Lines, which has tracked customers' state-to-state migration patterns since 1977, says New York had the fourth highest rate of residents moving to other states in 2018. The Empire State previously ranked in the top three outbound states for eight years in a row, but improved slightly to No. 4 as New Jersey, Illinois and Connecticut saw higher rates of exodus this past year. The study found the majority of moves to and from New York state -- 61.5 percent -- were outbound last year. The figures are based on household moves handled by United within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C. United also conducts surveys to compare reasons for moving out of state. In 2018, jobs were the No. 1 reason people left New York (44 percent) but employment was also the top reason people said they were moving to New York (61 percent) from other states. Other reasons for leaving New York included retirement (26 percent), health reasons (6 percent), family (19 percent) and lifestyle changes (17 percent). More than half of NY residents leaving the state are 55 or older, while the largest age group moving into the state is adults ages 18 to 34 (29 percent of inbound New York residents). United Van Lines' most inbound customers were in the Mountain West and South, moving to states like Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and the Carolinas. The data collected by United Van Lines aligns with longer-term migration patterns to southern and western states, trends driven by factors like job growth, lower costs of living, state budgetary challenges and more temperate climates, Michael Stoll, economist and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, said in a press release. Unlike a few decades ago, retirees are leaving California, instead choosing other states in the Pacific West and Mountain West. Were also seeing young professionals migrating to vibrant, metropolitan economies, like Washington, D.C. and Seattle. United Van Lines has tracked moving trends since 1977. In that time, New York only had four years-- 1999, 2000, 2009 and 2010-- where it did not rank as one of the major outbound states. Moving In -- The top inbound states of 2018 were: 1. Vermont 2. Oregon 3. Idaho 4. Nevada 5. Arizona 6. South Carolina 7. Washington 8. North Carolina 9. South Dakota 10. District of Columbia Moving out: The top outbound states for 2018 were: 1. New Jersey 2. Illinois 3. Connecticut 4. New York 5. Kansas 6. Ohio 7. Massachusetts 8. Iowa 9. Montana 10. Michigan SYRACUSE, N.Y. A nurse who took prescription painkillers without authorization from Crouse Hospital has turned in his nursing license. Robert A. Mulpagano, 56, of Baldwinsville, agreed to surrender his licensed practical nurse and registered nurse licenses as part of a plea deal, according to Syracuse City Court records. Court records show he fraudulently obtained 12 syringes of fentanyl, a highly addictive opioid drug, without a doctors order from the hospital in 2017. Mulpagano was arrested after staff at Crouse noticed abnormalities in drug dispensing records. Mulpagano was originally charged with falsifying business records in the first degree and other felony charges. He pleaded guilty in July to the reduced charge of fraud and deceit related to controlled substances, a misdemeanor, and received a one-year conditional discharge. He entered treatment at a drug rehab facility, court records show. The state Education Department automatically charges nurses and other health professionals with professional misconduct when they are convicted of crimes. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Nashwan Hamood, a Syracuse business owner, fatally shot a 16-year-old boy in the head last month over an alleged theft at his corner store on the citys North Side, according to a prosecutor. Antonio Gullotto, a ninth-grade student enrolled at Henninger High School, was shot at about 10:30 p.m. Dec. 17 inside 165 John St. When officers arrived at Apt. 3, the teen was dead. Hamood, 30, was arrested Dec. 19 by Syracuse police and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Ameer H. Homran, 20, faces the same charges. Syracuse police at the time didnt say what roles the men played in the shooting. In Onondaga County Court Wednesday morning, Senior Assistant District Attorney Melinda McGunnigle said Hamood was the shooter. Hamood was in Judge Gordon Cuffys court for a bail review. McGunnigle said Hamood was angry over an alleged theft that occurred at his store and had been ranting about Gullotto. Hamood is the owner of Top One Market, 835 Park St., across the street from where Gullotto was killed. Homran is a clerk at the store. Gullottos mother told Syracuse.com that her son was shot by the two men because he stole $100 in cash from the store about a month before the shooting. She said her son didnt deserve what happened, and neither did her family, which is devastated by his death. McGunnigle said Gullotto was shot once in the head as he opened the apartment door where he was visiting a friend. Hamood faces 25 years to life in prison, McGunnigle said during his bail review. Cuffy set bail for $1 million bond or $500,000 cash. The judge said Hamood, who is not an American citizen, was a flight risk due to his ties to another state and another country. WOLCOTT, N.Y. -- A man died Wednesday morning after his car hit a parked garbage truck in Wayne County. The 77-year-old man was driving on East Port Bay Road in Wolcott around 7:25 a.m. when his car rear-ended a parked garbage truck, according to the New York State Police. The accident happened between Furnace and Wheeler roads, less than 10 miles west of Cayuga County. The driver was pronounced dead at Newark-Wayne Community Hospital. Troopers said his name will be released after his family is notified. East Port Bay Road is expected to remain closed for hours while troopers investigate the deadly crash. Interstate plow trucks were also making loops between the Virginia/Tennessee state line to the backup, clearing southbound lanes, and clearing ramps where trucks were not blocking ramps, Earl said. VDOTs Safety Service Patrol was also used during the backup. There was originally one patrol, which provides assistance to stranded drivers, then two patrols were added in the afternoon, according to Earl. Later in the evening on Dec. 9, the city of Bristol became involved. Fire Chief Mike Armstrong, who coordinates emergency management efforts in the city, said people in the traffic jam had been calling 911 for help and posting on social media. The fire chief, police chief and city manager met to discuss what the city could do to help drivers. They ultimately used ATVs and went out on foot to assist drivers and direct them off the interstate to U.S. Highway 11. At one point, Armstrong said the city considered opening a shelter along the interstate to help the drivers, who had been stuck for hours. But they decided against it because it would have resulted in abandoned vehicles on the highway, which would have continued the backup. It was really fun, even though my house kept falling apart until we got a different kind of icing, and that worked. I think the community should get together to help others through fundraisers for Habitat for Humanity. Though the event raised less than $100, Kayton said fundraising projects like this one serve as a reminder of the role of Habitat for Humanity in the community. Upcoming fundraising events include a Lego build in February, a Crossfit competition in April and a mud run in August. The nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry builds simple, decent, affordable homes in Washington County, Virginia, for those in need. Currently, the Washington County affiliate is focusing on critical home repairs. Some of the repairs offered include exterior and interior painting, roof repair, installation of handicapped-accessible entrances and structural repairs. Our mission is to serve those in need with a decent place to live. We couldnt do this work without the help of people in the community who care. Volunteers are always needed for office work and construction, as well. To learn more about volunteer positions, email Kayton at kkayton@helphabitat.org or call 276-791-0622. Visit the website at www.helphabitat.org or follow the organization on Facebook. Carolyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer in Glade Spring, Virginia. Contact her at news@washconews.com. Local law enforcement officers nabbed a Pulaski man Wednesday who had been on the run for four days. They arrested 26-year-old Cody Ryan Drain on Reed Creek Drive near Barren Springs about 1 p.m. after he ran from deputies and jumped into the creek, said Maj. Anthony Cline of the Wythe County Sheriffs Office. Drain had eluded law enforcement officers since Sunday after he was arrested and escaped custody in Montgomery County. A Volvo he is believed to have stolen was found unoccupied in Rural Retreat on Monday. Working on a tip, deputies executed a search warrant at daybreak Wednesday for a residence at 2106 Reed Creek Drive. We got a tip he was there, Cline said. Inside, deputies found two fugitives, but no Drain, who ran off before deputies arrived. Deputies stayed in the area and received a tip that Drain was walking nearby. As deputies moved to arrest him, he jumped into nearby Reed Creek. Deputies pulled him from the water and cuffed him, Cline said. Drains troubles started about 1:30 a.m. Sunday when a Montgomery County Sheriffs Office deputy noticed a vehicle that had been reported stolen from Pulaski County near the Radford Travel Center on Tyler Road. The house passed from Robert Craig to his widowed son in-law William Smith, who inherited the property in 1834. It was later purchased by Robert Carmichel in 1847. A decade later, it became the home of Samuel Vance Fulkerson, and, during the late 1800s, it was owned by the Hurt family. Paul and Rose Dunn owned the home beginning in 1955. The couple made some changes to the property, with additions of an upstairs bathroom and a kitchen on the back. The town purchased the property in 2007 from the Dunn couples daughter, Paula Hoskins, with the intent to preserve the house and grounds because of its prominence to the recently established trailhead on the Overmountain Victory Historic Trail. Even so, the house has essentially just been sitting for a decade awaiting renovations. So, whats next? Conditioning, said Boswell, saying a heating and cooling system needs to be installed to prevent paint from peeling from walls and ceilings. We definitely think that we have an opportunity here to put some money into it and bring it back to its former glory and let the public enjoy it, Boswell said. As for long-term use, that remains up in the air, at least for now, said interim Town Manager Ken Vittum. The town is looking at funding sources, looking at putting money in their budget and coming up with a plan for what to do with some of the properties that they own. Do you already have a paid subscription to any of the SWNewsMedia newspapers? If so, you can Activate your Premium online account by clicking here. Activation will allow you to view unlimited online articles each month. To activate your Premium online account, the email address and phone number provided with your paid newspaper subscription needs to match the information you use in setting up your online user account. If you are having trouble or want to confirm what email address and phone number is listed on your subscription account, please call 952-345-6682 or email circulation@swpub.com and we'll be happy to assist. LINCOLN A selective new academy for aspiring teachers will allow up to 40 education students to live and learn together at the University of NebraskaLincoln, with graduates positioned to become teaching innovators for the 21st century. It is one of three academies to be established at three institutions in the University of Nebraska system. The academies are funded through a gift from the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation. Establishing the Teachers Scholars Academy is yet another example of the University of NebraskaLincolns significant contributions to the teacher corps in the state and beyond, Chancellor Ronnie Green said. Nebraska took a major step toward professionalizing its educators when the former Teachers College was established here in 1908. As the university celebrates its 150th anniversary, it is both exciting and gratifying to launch a new teacher education initiative to meet the changing needs of coming generations. I want to express my sincere thanks to the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation for making this academy possible. To launch in fall 2019, the Teachers Scholars Academy at Nebraska is open to incoming first-year students who have chosen early education, elementary or secondary education majors in an array of programs. Students selected for the program will receive four-year scholarships to cover up to 30 credit hours per academic year and up to $8,000 toward the cost of housing, meals, books and fees. Our program aim is to prepare the teachers who will be the backbone of school transformation, reflective thinkers who will continue to grow and develop beyond their degree, said Beth Doll, interim dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences. We intend that teachers who emerge from the academy will be engaged in ways that reduce premature exits from the teaching profession. Guy Trainin, director of the new program, said it will leverage the strengths of the states leading public research institution to educate teachers with the ability to help all children acquire the skills needed to thrive in the information economy. This is a chance to do something different, he said. We have school models that were developed in the 19th and 20th centuries trying to prepare the students of the future. New teachers who want to be part of solving this problem will need to be adept in research, innovation and community involvement. First-year students participating in the Teachers Scholars Academy will have the opportunity to live together on a single floor in the Abel Residence Hall. Participating students will receive mentoring and specialized student support, participate in service learning and research projects, engage in cutting-edge teaching activities and gain meaningful experience in Nebraska schools and communities. The residential component is critical, Trainin said, because the program will be challenging, academically and personally. Its going to take grit this program is going to be more challenging than ordinary teacher education, he said. Nevertheless, academy students will live and study in a supportive community with a diverse, dynamic and vibrant group of peers. Those one-to-one connections will not only fuel creative collisions and new ideas, they will provide a bedrock of support as each student discovers and stretches their strengths. The deadline for applications is Feb. 1, with members of the first cohort to be announced in March. For more information, visit https://cehs.unl.edu/cehs/teachers-scholars-academy. American Legion Post 17 Commander Les Larson shakes the hand of new Eagle Scout Owen Kurz. Joining the ceremony were Legion members Dale Dickinson (far left), Al Jung, and Scoutmaster Brian Kurz, far right. A Sidney teen has been recognized for earning the highest achievement in the Boy Scouts. At just 15 years old, Owen Kurz joins a group of high performing Boy Scouts from the area who have successfully met the requirements of Eagle Scout. Kurz was recognized for the award just before Christmas in a ceremony held by Legion Post 17, which sponsors Sidney's Troop 90. In receiving the award, Kurz joins the top five percent of scouts. The award was presented at Camp Hubert Fuller west of Sidney. The camp has long been set aside for youth and their activities. The site was significant as Kurz performed extensive work at the camp as his Eagle Project - owned by the Ciity of Sidney. Kurz made a number of improvements to the site, among them building benches and a fire ring, repainting the camp's sign, and re-doing the on-site outhouse. To qualify for Eagle, scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges, awarded for learning skills taught in scouting. They range from physical skills, like knot tying, to learning and practicing citizenship. Presenting an American flag to the young scout was Legion Post 17 Commander Les Larson. In making the presentation, Larson read part of a letter penned by a veteran. It read: "Our flag is known as the stars and stripes. The union consists of white stars on a blue field, symbolic of a new constellation. Each star represents one individual state and together they stand indivisible. the Stripes represent the original 13 colonies that declared their independence from Great Britian in 1776. "Though unofficial, Red is symbolic for the blood of those who have given their lives to defend and protect the great nation from all of her enemies, both foreign and domestic. White represents purity, innocence and hope. Blue is for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. "But in out hearts the flag stands for many things, evident in the Declaration of Independence where all men are created equal with rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The right of the people to abolish any form of government becomes destructive. Our flag stands for the Constitution of the United States of America. Freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of speech. It provides for security to all of her citizens; it also provides for a fair and swift trial. It abolished slavery, and it gives each and every individual of age the right to participate in our voting process. To have a say in his or her future. Our flag is a beacon, recognized around the world to represent freedom during times of peace during times of war." In addition to Larson, the ceremony was witnessed by Legion members Al Jung, Dale Dickinson, and Brian Kurz, Scoutmaster for Troop 90 and Owen's father. Also attending were long-time scouting supporter Bob Pohl and his wife Judi. Click the image above to watch the video In todays weather forecast we are expecting a fine and sunny day with westerly breezes. Its a one-clothing layer day today with a high of 28 and an overnight low of 18 degrees. Humidity is 73 per cent. Low tide is at 11.30am and high tide at 5.40pm (Tay St). Theres a sea swell of 1.1m and sea temperature is 20 degrees. Sunset tonight is at 8.36pm. If youre going fishing the next best fish bite time is between 10am and 12pm. On this day in NZ history in 1930 the first New Zealand-made 'talkie' was screened. Coubray-tone News, the work of the inventive Ted Coubray, had its first public screening at Auckland's Plaza Theatre. On this day in world history in 1521 Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. In 1910 the Social Democratic Congress in Germany demanded universal suffrage. In 1924 King Tutankhamuns sarcophagus was uncovered. In 1959 Fidel Castro took command of the Cuban army. In 1961 the United States broke diplomatic relations with Cuba. In 1977 Apple Computers incorporated. In 1993 George H. W. Bush and Boris Yeltsin signed the second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). In 1994 more than 7 million people received South African citizenship that had previously been denied under Apartheid policies. In 1996 the first mobile flip phone, the Motorola StarTAC, went on sale. In 1999 the Mars Polar Lander was launched. Today is the birthday of Lucretia Coffin Mott, womens rights advocate and founder of the first Womens Rights Convention. Born in 1793, she once said Let our lives be in accordance with our convictions of right, each striving to carry out our principles. To get involved in activities around the Bay of Plenty, please check out our Whats on page. Have a great day! Bay of Plenty Our client has plenty of work in the pipeline and as such they are in need of hammerhands for an immediate start.The successful... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Polyglycolic acid is a thermoplastic polymer, widely used to produce absorbable sutures owing to superior characteristics such as high tensile strength, tissue reactivity, and hydrolytic stability. Two manufacturing processes namely polycondensation and ring-opening polymerization of glycolide are used for producing low and high weight molecular products respectively. Segmentation Analysis: The global polyglycolic acid market is segmented based on application and region. By the application, this market is segmented into bio-medical, packaging, and shale gas extraction. Geographically, the market is divided into five regions namely Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Get the Sample Report: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5749 Top Key Players: Some of the key players in the global polyglycolic acid market are Toray Industries, Inc (Japan), BASF SE (Germany), SK Chemicals (South Korea), Shenzhen Polymtek Biomaterial Co., Ltd (China), Teleflex Incorporated (U.S.), Huizhou Foryou Medical Devices Co., Ltd (China), DemeTech Sutures (U.S.); DowDuPont (U.S.), Corbion (Netherlands), Kureha Corporation (U.S.), Focus Technology Co., Ltd ( China), and Foosin Medical Supplies Inc Ltd (China). Regional Analysis: Asia Pacific is expected to drive the demand for polyglycolic acid owing to its usage in biomedical application and packaging industry in developing economies such as India, China, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia among others. The Indian healthcare industry is growing at a considerable rate due to excellent services and increasing disposable income of the consumers. For instance, according to India Brand Equity Foundation, Indias healthcare industry is expected to reach USD 275 billion over the forecast period. Market Scope: Rising innovation in food packaging application in the European region is likely to drive the growth of the Polyglycolic Acid Market. A new Refucoat project has started in Spain to develop fully-recyclable food packaging and to improve the preservation of food. Rising demand for polyglycolic acid in medical application is projected to propel the growth of this market in other regions. In Latin America, Argentina is driving the boost the markets growth due to the existence of huge wells in the Neuquen Basin. Browse the market data and information spread across 140 pages with 24 data tables and 09 figures of the report Polyglycolic Acid Market Research Report - Forecast to 2023 in-depth alongside table of content (TOC) at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/polyglycolic-acid-market-5749 Industry News: March 22, 2018 Market Research Future Published a Half-Cooked Research Report on Global Polyglycolic Acid Research Report. About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), & Consulting Services. To stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members. Contact: Market Research Future Phone: +16468459312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com UPDATE 2.10pm - One person is reported to have received third degree burns after a motorbike caught fire in a crash near Mount Maunganui. A police media spokesperson says the crash happened shortly before 1.30pm. Police were called to a crash on Marine Parade, Mount Maunganui at 1.23pm. The crash involved a car and motorcycle. Ambulance and Fire were also called to the incident. Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern communications shift manager Scott Osmond says the motorcycle caught fire during the crash. Police say one person has been reported as injured. One person is reported to have received third degree burns. Earlier: Reports are coming in about a crash between a motorbike and a car in Mount Maunganui. A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says the crash has happened near Tay Street. "Emergency services are at the scene." SunLive is working on getting more information and will update this story soon. At the scene? Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz The man killed in a crash near Colville, Thames-Coromandel District has been named. Police have released the name of the man who died in a crash on Monday 31 December. He was Mickey Tarahuirangi Albert, aged 41, of Auckland. The crash occurred on Port Jackson Road when the car Mickey was driving went down a cliff and into the rocks below. Another person received critical injuries during the incident while two other passengers were seriously injured. "Police extend their sympathies to his whanau and loved ones, as well as the injured children who were with him in the vehicle, who remain in Starship hospital," says police in a statement. "The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing and Police urge everyone to drive safely this summer." Mickey's death is one of nine among this year's holiday road toll. The official holiday period started on Christmas Eve and runs to 6am on Thursday. Ministry of Transport figures show that last year's holiday period claimed the lives of 12 people, 90 people were seriously injured and 379 people suffered minor injuries. The latest death in the holiday toll has involved a teenage pedestrian being hit by a car near Gore. Provisional figures show that 380 people were killed on New Zealand roads in 2018. Police Minister Stuart Nash says he's devastated at the figures and says many of the crashes are preventable. There are far too many families who are missing a loved one these holidays after road accidents this year. It is devastating to know that many of these deaths were preventable, he says. The summer holidays are not over, and I encourage everyone to remain patient, courteous, and pay attention behind the wheel to ensure you and your loved ones get where youre going safe and well." Wellington We are looking for labourers to help with kerbside pick ups for our client! Ideally you will be fit, safety concious and... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Mathew Z. Rosiere, 37, of Fond du Lac, unexpectedly passed away on Friday, June 4, 2021. He was born on May 18, 1984, in Pawnee, OK, the son of Michael Z. Rosiere and Sandra K. Kennedy. While he was in high school, he was active in football and wrestling. Mathew loved hard rock music, played Islamic terrorism no longer dominates the news now that ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) has been crushed (but not destroyed). Global Islamic terrorism related deaths have fallen by over 50 percent since 2014, when there were 35,000. Global deaths hit 19,000 in 2017 and under 14,000 for 2018. Since 2014 five nations (Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria and Pakistan) have accounted for most of these deaths. The largest source of Islamic terror deaths during that period was ISIL, a more radical faction of al Qaeda that currently is where the most radical practitioners of Islamic terrorism are found. Islamic terrorists continues to be, as it has been since the 1990s, the main source of terrorism related deaths, accounting for about 90 percent of the fatalities. The remainder of the terrorist related deaths are ethnic (often tribal) conflicts in Africa and Asia. Purely political terrorism accounts for a fraction of one percent of all terrorist related deaths and are outnumbered by terrorism deaths inflicted by common (often organized) criminals. Islamic terrorism is also a component of some efforts to revive ancient empires and dealing (peacekeeping) with all the mayhem both of these malignant movements creates. The number of refugees created by all this mayhem has reached numbers not seen since the aftermath of World War II. Reviving empires is a common thread with all the major troublemakers in the early 21st century (and most of the 20th). This is an ancient curse that has reappeared recently in multiple forms. Some of these efforts are more media friendly than others but all share the same characteristics; mobilizing popular support for rebuilding lost empires and, especially in the West, how to deal with all those refugees. Most Moslem majority nations refuse to accept refugees, especially Moslem refugees. This is connected to the reasons for the outbreaks of Islamic terrorism but that connection is understood better in Moslem nations than in the West, where many actively deny that there is a terrorism problem inherent with Islam. The most obvious one example of all this (the Islamic caliphate) grabbed most of the headlines after 2014 because Islamic terrorism has been a common symptom of desperate, longshot efforts to restore the caliphate for over a thousand years. As a religion based empire (Islam literally means submission) that has been hostile to any kind of progress (especially technology, economic or religious) past revival efforts have been unsuccessful. Thus the quick and brutal demise of ISIL was largely because it also tried to use self-righteous fanaticism as its primary weapon and motivation in a world that was largely hostile to such a brutal and simplistic ideology. ISIL was one of the few Islamic radical movements that mobilized nearly all Moslems to unite and violently oppose it. Yet even with ISIL suppressed there are plenty of other Islamic empire revivalists who all seek to not just make Islam great again but to do it on a global scale. ISIL is still around as are the religious beliefs that have kept Islamic terrorism flaring up periodically for over a thousand years. ISIL was not the only major Moslem effort to revive a religion-based empire. There are two others underway and causing lots of problems because they are more about nationalism and ethnicity than religion. First, there is Iran, which has been a regional superpower for thousands of years but fell on hard times after the 7th century because of a succession of damaging visits by invaders. First came conquest by the Arab revival (the initial wars of conquest by newly converted Moslem Arabs). This was humiliating because Persians never thought such a thing possible. That was followed by a devastating visit by the Mongols after which came a series of exhausting wars with the Ottoman Turks and finally the Western nations and all their new tech and ideas. Even before the largely secular Iranian monarchy was replaced by a religious dictatorship in the 1980s Iranian imperial ambitions, financed by all that new and unexpected oil wealth, were seen as a problem. This may be a problem that resolves itself because since late 2017 nationwide anti-government protests broke out in Iran and continue throughout 2018. Young (born after the 1980s) Iranians are now the majority and want an end to corruption, theocracy and expensive foreign misadventures. The operation in Syria was seen as particularly wasteful and expensive, especially with Israel threatening to use whatever it takes (including their nukes) to prevent Iran from creating a military presence on their northern border. In another unexpected development, Turks got interested in religion and empire building again. In the 1990s the Turks, who had gone secular after their centuries old Ottoman Empire collapsed in the 1920s, decided to give Islam another chance as an elected ruler (Recep Erdogan) tries, with some success, to revive the Ottoman empire using a combination of Islam, technology and creative diplomacy to make Turkey great again. This comes into conflict (as it has in the past) with Iranian efforts to restore their imperial past. The new Turkish empire builder (called Sultan Erdogan I behind his back) is not that much interested in taking lack lost real estate but is eager to regain the Turkish leadership of the Islamic world. That was lost a century ago when Turkish secular reformers renounced the title of caliph the Turkish Sultan (emperor) has long held. Sultan Erdogan has a lot of opposition at home and not much support in the region for an Ottoman revival. But Erdogan is a resourceful and ruthless politician and in early 2018 won re-election as president. This keeps him in power until 2023 as an elected official. Meanwhile, Eurasia finds itself beset by several major imperial revival efforts. In the east, there is China, where the current dynasty is actually a bunch of communist party leaders trying to stay in power using the appeal of lost (centuries earlier) imperial glories. The neighbors and the rest of the world are more alarmed than inclined to submit. Two potential victims (Russia and India) have nukes. This was something earlier Chinese empire builders never had to face. To the west there is Russia, where former communist era secret police officers are trying to use imperial nostalgia and the more familiar (to these former KGB professionals) police state tactics to at least stay in power and, if possible, Make Russia Imperial Again. West of the Russian revival is the EU (European Union) that many Europeans see as an effort to revive a European empire that never really existed, although Charlemagne came close for a short time in the 9th century and a thousand years before that the Romans were a contender for a while. There isnt much nostalgia for these traditional empires but many Europeans back a kinder and gentler empire that is based more on voluntary cooperation than coercion. The EU has run into problems because too many Europeans see the EU developing an unelected bureaucracy that can make all sorts of new rules and even foreign policy without any regard for what their constituents (and, technically, employers) the European voters think. A growing number of Europeans think this EU empire sucks and are demanding that their local politicians (who are still responsible to the voters, at least more so than the EU officials) fix this problem or get their country out of the EU. The imperial officials are not pleased with this ignorance and ingratitude by their subjects and are fighting back in an effort to Make Europe Great Again. Meanwhile the United States, where millions of people fled to over the last four centuries trying to escape all these old world empires are now dealing with a movement by some of the descendants of these imperial refugees to revive imperial links with the rest of the world. But there are so many to choose from. The EU and Islam seem to be favorites although all the imperial revival movements have some fans in the United States. But many Americans dont want to Make America Imperial. There are still a lot of new arrivals who have recent personal experience with this stuff and will tell anyone who will listen that all this empire building does not end well. Those painful memories tend to be forgotten after a few generations, with an assist by those who seek to reinterpret history to better serve their current goals rather than to rectify past mistakes. So Americans seek to Make Reality Great Again, at least once they agree on which interpretation of reality to use. Despite Everything Peace Breaks Out Meanwhile, there are positive developments to consider. These are not popular with the news media because, well, good news isnt news. Since the end of the Cold War in 1991 overall deaths from wars and large-scale civil disorder (which is often recorded as some kind of war) has led to a sharp (over 20 percent so far) drop in violence worldwide. This occurred despite increasingly active and lethal Islamic terrorists. While the terror attacks themselves were news the current and historical causes of the Islamic terrorism were not. Examining that would have revealed that Islamic radicalism has a large anti-technology component, which is why Islamic terrorist violence tends to be low tech and disorganized. Thus most war deaths are not caused by terrorists and even in 2014 (a peak year for Islamic death cults) terrorism related deaths (mostly Islamic terrorism) accounted for 20 percent of all war-related deaths. Islamic terrorism gets the most publicity but less glamorous disputes do most of the killing. Nuclear Peacekeeping Goes Gangster Despite the growing military power of China, and the saber-rattling from Russia, the major military powers continue the Great Nuclear Truce (GNT) that began in the 1950s, when Russia got nuclear weapons, and suddenly realized they could not afford to use them without risking more destruction than past foes like the Nazis, French or Mongols inflicted. As more countries got nukes, the "we can't afford to use them, but they're nice to have" attitude, and the unprecedented truce, persisted. There have been wars, but not between the big players (who have the largest and most destructive conventional forces). Because of the GNT a historical record was broken in 1986, as there had never before (since the modern state system developed in the 16th century) been so long a period without a war between a major powers (the kind that could afford, these days, to get nukes). Since the Cold War ended in 1991 there have been fewer wars, at least in the traditional sense, and the GNT holds. Not only have there been fewer wars since the 1950s but there has been a lot less poverty, especially since the Cold War, and so many communist governments, ended in 1990. At the end of the Cold War (late 1980s) 40 percent of the world population lived in destitution (extreme poverty) but three decades later that poverty rate is down to ten percent. Most of the remaining extreme poverty occur in badly governed areas of the Middle East (Syria, Yemen) and Africa (Libya, Congo, the Sudans) that are also the scene of wars or general disorder. The downside is a lot more low-level conflicts (rebellions, civil wars) but overall a lot less death, destruction and extreme poverty. Most people are unaware of this situation because the mass media never made a lot of the GNT, it was something that was just there and not worth reporting. Besides, "nukes (bombs, power plants, medicine) are evil" sells if you are in the news business. Calling any incident, with a lot of gunfire and a few dead bodies, a "war" has also been misleading. The fact is, worldwide violence has been declining since the end of the Cold War and the elimination of Russian subsidies and encouragement for pro-communist (or simply pro-Russia or just anti-West) rebels and terrorists. The media also has a hard time keeping score. If you step back and take a look at all the wars going on, a more accurate picture emerges. So take sensational reporting of the Chinese threat with a bit of skepticism. Most current wars are basically uprisings against inefficient, corrupt and oppressive police states or feudal societies which are seen as out-of-step with the modern world. The Internet and widespread adoption of smartphones made most people on the planet aware that a better life was not only a possibility but that many people (especially in the West) had lived the good life for generations. Yet many revolutions are led by radicals preaching failed dogmas (Islamic conservatism, Maoism and other forms of radical socialism) that still resonate among people who don't know about the dismal track records of these creeds. Iran has replaced some of the lost Soviet terrorist support efforts. That keeps Hezbollah, Hamas, and a few smaller groups going, and that's it. Terrorists, in general, miss the Soviets, who really knew how to treat bad boys right. No one has yet replaced the Soviets in that respect, an accomplishment even most Russians would rather not dwell on. Current Wars Listed in alphabetical order. Text underneath briefly describes current status. Click on country name for more details. AFGHANISTAN The drugs are winning as they usually do wherever they get established. There are not too many narco-states because they all follow the same script. Eventually, locals get fed up with the violence and local addicts and the drug gangs get crushed. But eventually can take a long time and such is the case with Afghanistan. Look at how that worked in Colombia and Burma. The only thing that nearly everyone in Afghanistan can agree on is that the opium and heroin are bad. Nearly ten percent of the population is addicted to drugs (mostly opiates) and another ten percent (there is some overlap) make a better living or gets rich from the drug trade. Most Afghans consider the biggest threat to be the drug gangs, which are largely run and staffed (like the Taliban) by Pushtun tribesmen. Pakistan backed Afghan Taliban want to create a heroin producing Islamic terrorist and gangster sanctuary in Afghanistan. If you want to know how that works, look at Chechnya in the late 1990s and Somalia or Yemen in the early 21st century. No one has come up with any cheap, fast or easy solution for that. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's core problem is that there is no Afghanistan, merely a collection of tribes more concerned about tribal issues than anything else. Ten percent of the population, mostly living in the cities and often working with the foreigners, believes in Afghanistan the country. But beyond the city limits, it's a very different Afghanistan that is currently motivated by growing prosperity brought on by a decade relative peace and the persistent traditional violence. By Afghan standards, an unprecedented amount of cash has come into the country since late 2001. Between economic growth, growing heroin sales, and foreign aid, plus lower losses from violence, it's been something of a Golden Age. This despite decades of war since the 1970s. For example, it's often forgotten that the 1990s civil war was still active on September 11, 2001. The Taliban have been trying to make a comeback ever since, mainly because of support from Pakistan. The key Taliban financial resource; heroin in Helmand and Kandahar provinces, remains the primary fuel to keep this war going. Even many Pushtun do not like this development and more Taliban factions are negotiating some kind of settlement with the government. Pakistan is trying to prevent peace from breaking out, at least a peace that Pakistan does not control. In other words, everything is pretty normal by Afghan standards. Afghanistan has become politically unpopular in the West and the easiest way to deal with this (for Western politicians) is to get out and let their successors deal with the aftermath. Afghanistan has become another can foreign leaders are kicking down the road. The historical local strongmen have noticed and Iran, China, Russia, Pakistan and India are all trying to have some influence with their wild and erratic neighbor. There have been complications. The Afghan Taliban believed that the Afghan security forces would fall apart in 2015 because most of the foreign troops were gone and those that were left were not fighting. The expected Taliban victory did not happen but there was a lot more Taliban violence. The Afghan soldiers and police stood and fought, but took heavy casualties and many began to take the money and stand aside. The biggest losses are from so many young Afghans with some savings (and often education and useful skills) want to get out of Afghanistan and go to somewhere less lethal than where they grew up. For more and more Afghans Afghanistan isnt a place you fight for but a place you fight to get out of. ALGERIA The 2011 Arab Spring made a slight impact here and Islamic terrorists are few and very much on the defensive. Despite a slight increase after 2011 Islamic terrorist violence has declined since 2014. By 2018 Islamic terror incidents were quite rare. Most Algerians are more concerned with corruption and bad government. The popular rejection of Islamic terrorists was largely because many Algerians are still traumatized by the 1990s war against Islamic terrorists that leftover 200,000 dead. With so many civilians hostile to Islamic radicalism and willing to phone in a tip via the growing cell phone network, Algeria has become a very dangerous place for Islamic terrorists. Most Algerians attracted to Islamic terrorism have been killed, fled the country or accepted amnesty. Algerian Islamic radicals tried to capitalize on the Arab Spring unrest in neighboring Tunisia and Libya. But in both those countries, the popular uprising was against the local dictators and for democracy, not for an Islamic religious dictatorship. Islamic political parties were popular, but not Islamic radicals. The uprisings in Tunisia and Libya weakened the local security forces and made it easier for Islamic radicals to move around and recruit. Algeria was able to insulate itself from this. Many expect another, and larger, Arab Spring in Algeria eventually but so far the geriatric government is making concessions and trying to reform itself. This is delaying another revolution rather than preventing it. Meanwhile, Tunisia next door, the first Arab state to rebel in 2011, is so far the only one to do so successfully and has done it despite all the Islamic terror groups that thrived in Libya after 2011. BALKANS This area has become quieter since the peacekeeping efforts of the 1990s and we are no longer covering it regularly as a separate category. There will still be coverage as needed in other sections. There is some Islamic terrorist activity there and the usual border disputes and crippling corruption. One ominous development is the growing number of mosques and religious schools being built and maintained by Saudi Arabia. These facilities teach a very hostile (to non-Moslems and any Moslems who do not agree) form of Islam that has been the source of so many Islamic terrorists since the 1980s. The locals are increasingly hostile to the Saudis for this and the Balkans did not become the Islamic terrorist sanctuary many feared. CENTRAL ASIA This area has become quieter since the 1990s and we are no longer covering it regularly. There will still be coverage as needed. Efforts to get some serious Islamic terrorist activity going has failed so far. Most of the nations involved used to be part of the Soviet Union and still have effective secret police and local dictators to encourage ruthless suppression of any dissent. People are putting up with it so far but popular anger at the corruption and inefficient government is growing. The region has become an economic and diplomatic battleground for Russia and China and China is winning. This is something Russia doesnt like to discuss, but among Russians, the real threat is from the east, not the west. CHAD This area has become quieter since 2010 and we are no longer covering it regularly as a separate category. Chad has even become a major supplier of peacekeepers throughout Africa, especially in Nigeria against Boko Haram. There will still be coverage as needed in other sections or in its own section if unrest reappears inside Chad. CHINA China continues its post-Cold War policy of aggressive territorial claims and risking (but not to) war with its neighbors. This has more to do with internal politics and the need to distract an increasingly wealthy and concerned population from local problems with corruption, pollution and ineffective government. The corruption has created a lot of bad loans and these, plus a dysfunctional equities (stocks and bonds) market creates a threat that makes far fewer headlines than foreign adventures. China has been helpful in persuading North Korea to give up its nukes and engage in some needed economic reforms. This is more self-interest than anything else because a nuclear North Korea has become a threat to China more than anyone else (except South Korea). The South China Sea has been declared, by China, to be part of China despite international agreements on such matters. Same situation in other coastal waters bordering South Korea and Japan. Old territorial claims on India have been revived, but are not pursued as aggressively because India has modern nukes, ballistic missiles to deliver them and a large military. China continues its long-range plan to become a military superpower. That means world-class weapons designed and built in China require long-term efforts but the Chinese believe they will get there during the 2020s and 2030s. Every year China offers new weapons to the world market that are visibly more advanced. The actual performance of Chinese military technology is suspect as much of it is based on Russian stuff. During the Cold War Russian weapons always seemed to be what the losers used. But China keeps trying to improve and is making more progress than the Soviets ever did. The world is seeing more Chinese troops in peacekeeping missions as well as growing Chinese threats to peace. The bottom line, however, is keeping the communist dictatorship in power and that may be the ultimate reason for China avoiding war or at least one they are not certain they will win. Thus China pursues an ancient, and often quite successful, Chinese strategy that emphasizes high-risk policies and instead uses long-range efforts to wear down the opposition and eventually assume control of the objective with little risk or cost to China. COLOMBIA This area has become quieter since the peacekeeping efforts of the 1990s and we are no longer covering it regularly as a separate category. There will still be coverage in other sections as needed. We were also covering neighboring Venezuela because the situation there was quite different. After more than a decade of corruption and inept government, most Venezuelans were done with ideas of a radical populist movement that promised to make everything better but instead made everything much worse. For a while it seemed there might be a civil war. That does not appear to be an option because Venezuela has the largest oil reserves on the planet and if the current socialist government can pump enough oil it can finance its continued existence if nothing else. Even that is not working so the failed socialist government borrowed a lot of money from China. Earlier the government hired Cuba to provide technical advisors available to show the Venezuelan socialists how to establish and maintain a long-term dictatorship. That did not work out because there was no money for it. China, Cuba, Iran and Russia are all present in Venezuela and with all that oil as collateral the Venezuelan socialists can probably buy their way out of a bloody rebellion. Unfortunately, the inept socialist government also mismanaged their oil industry to the extent that production is falling rapidly and the country is literally bankrupt and unable to pump and ship enough oil to pay for food and other essential imports. If Venezuela does explode into widespread violence we will cover it regularly. CONGO The UN and local church leaders managed to persuade the current president (Kabila) to stop trying to become president-for-life. Kabila wants to revive the one-party dictatorship based on corruption and exploiting ethnic divisions. The current (since 2001) president and his father (president from 1997 until his assassination in 2001) had grown up opposing that sort of thing but here it was again. At the end of 2018, the country is again facing widespread chaos and civil war that is made worse by all the corruption and exploitable ethnic divisions. Solutions have been sought since the 1960s and in 2013 the UN tried something novel, for the UN. To deal with all domestic and foreign rebel groups the UN finally authorized a special combat brigade of peacemakers. This brigade was given a license to kill and kill as often as needed to eliminate the last few rogue militias operating in the east. This solved many of the peacekeeping problems out there temporarily. Despite that multiple tribal and political militias, plus an increasing number of bandits, continue to roam the eastern border area, perpetuating the bloodiest (and least reported) war of the 21st century (about six million dead). There is similar, but less intense unrest in other parts of the country (especially the separatist minded southwest). The Congolese government finds it cannot (and to a certain extent, will not) cope with the continuing corruption and lack of order in the east and southwest. The reason is money, the millions of dollars available each year to whoever has gunmen controlling the mines that extract valuable ores and allow the stuff out of the country. Congo remains mired in deadly chaos. Elsewhere in Central Africa, the Burundi civil war threatens to reignite because the current president is trying to defy the constitution and become president-for-life. In the Central African Republic years of chaos (following the overthrow of a corrupt and incompetent dictator) has evolved into another Moslem versus Christian (and non-Moslems in general) conflict. ETHIOPIA This area has become quieter over the last decade and we are no longer covering it regularly as a separate category. There will still be coverage as needed in other sections, mainly Somalia. In 2016 there was more political unrest in Ethiopia which led to the withdrawal of some Ethiopian peacekeepers from Somalia. INDIA-PAKISTAN India is largely at peace and prospering while neighboring Pakistan continues struggling with the Islamic terror groups it created and supported for so long. Pakistan also has a problem unique to the region; armed forces that have long (since the 1950s) dominated the political process. Islamic terrorist violence inside Pakistan has sharply declined since 2014 when public outrage forced the military to shut down the last sanctuary for Islamic terrorists that were not under the control of the military. The rogue Islamic terrorists in North Waziristan were seeking to turn Pakistan into an Islamic dictatorship. Islamic terrorist violence did not completely disappear in Pakistan and the military blamed that on outsiders (like India, Afghanistan and the United States) and continued sheltering and supporting Islamic terror groups that only attacked foreign nations (like Afghanistan and India). This contributed to growing hostility towards the military within Pakistan and escalating international criticism. In 2018 the U.S. became more public about the fact that Pakistan was dishonest and unreliable (The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit). This backlash began in 2011 when a U.S. raid into Pakistan killed Osama bin Laden. This angered many Pakistanis because it showed that the generals had lied about their involvement with sheltering bin Laden. That raid also made it clear that the military was unable to detect or stop the "invading Americans", or stop local Islamic radicals from later carrying out "revenge attacks" that left hundreds of Pakistani civilians dead. Then came another series of confrontations between the Pakistani military and the civilian government which, by 2018, the military had clearly won (by gaining control of key judges and a newly elected president). That was because old scams still worked. The generals created more confrontations with India and declared that Islamic terrorism was no longer (since 2013) the major threat to Pakistan. The main threat was once again India. This merely increased Indian (and American and Afghan) anger at Pakistani support of Islamic terrorism and the inability of the Pakistani politicians to control their generals. Meanwhile, India further diminished the Pakistani military by continuing to consider China the main security threat to South Asia. India has to deal with some internal unrest, which does far less damage than what Pakistan has to deal with. In fact, Islamic terrorist violence (mainly in Indian Kashmir) is less of a problem than tribal rebels in the northeast and Maoist (communist) ones in eastern India. Both these threats are being slowly diminished while Pakistan continues to make unofficial war on its neighbors. Another problem is that the Pakistani economy is becoming more dependent on Chinese investment as well as Chinese diplomatic support and arms exports. The Pakistani pro-Islamic terrorist attitudes have left it with few allies besides China, Iran and North Korea. Pakistan needs help, but mostly from Pakistanis as the ills that torment Pakistan can only be resolved from within. INDONESIA This area has become quieter over the last decade and we are no longer covering it regularly. There will still be coverage as needed, mostly about counter-terrorism efforts (quite successful so far). Islamic radicals remain active and the government apparently does not want to provoke them. So the Islamic terrorist threat remains as does ethnic unrest. IRAN In late 2017 Iran suffered another nationwide outburst against the religious dictatorship running the country. There was one in 2009 that called for fair elections. It was put down with force. What started in late 2017 was different, with the protestors calling for the corrupt religious rulers to be removed, killed if necessary. Some protestors call for a return of the constitutional monarchy the religious leaders replaced in the 1980s (after first promising true democracy). Even more disturbing is that some of the protestors are calling for Islam to be banned and replaced with something else, like Zoroastrianism, the ancient Persian religion that Islam replaced, violently and sometimes incompletely in the 7th and 8th centuries. Right before the late 2017 unrest, the religious rulers saw Iran on the way to some major victories in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. The optimism turned out to be premature. The good times were supposed to begin in the wake of a July 2015 treaty that would lift the many sanctions Iran operated under. That did not, as many financial experts pointed out, solve the immediate cash crises because oil prices were still low. This was because Saudi Arabia refused to cut production to keep oil prices high. This was made worse by the continued use of fracking in North America which triggered a massive (more than 70 percent) drop of the price of oil in 2013. Iran has been trying to avoid complying with the 2015 treaty while still getting most of the sanctions lifted and for a while, that seemed to be working. That deception turned out badly as the U.S. accused Iran of violating the 2015 deal and by the terms of that agreement the American could and did withdraw. That means the many of the sanctions returned in 2018. Even before the American action foreign economists believed the Iranian economy wouldnt get moving again until the 2020s. Now it is going to take even longer and Iranians, in general, are not pleased with that at all. The popular protests continue because there are so many unresolved problems that anger Iranians. At the core of all this is an Islamic conservative minority with veto power over any attempts at reform from within. Independent reformers are considered enemies of the state by the ruling clerics. Most Iranians just want a better life. There are some more complications. Half the population consists of ethnic minorities (mainly Turks, Kurds and Arabs), and some of these groups (Arabs, Kurds and Baluchis) are getting more restive and violent (for different reasons). Yet the Islamic conservatives are determined to support terrorism overseas and build nuclear weapons at home, rather than concentrating on improving the economy and living standards and addressing the corruption within their ranks. Expensive efforts to aid pro-Iran groups in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon made some progress and are presented as examples of the ancient Iranian empire being reborn. The government sees these foreign adventures as a way to distract an unhappy population. This ultimately had the opposite effect as Iranians did the math and realized their poverty was the result of all the billions spent on these overseas adventures. At home, the nukes are still important because Iranian religious leaders have been increasingly vocal about how Iran should be the leader of the Islamic world and the guardian of the major Islamic shrines (Mecca and Medina) in Saudi Arabia. Iranians understand that having nukes would motivate the Arabs, and many others, to bow down. But at what cost to Iran and Iranians in general. The Arabs have been kicked around by the Iranians for thousands of years and take this latest threat very seriously. That has led to a major reform effort in Saudi Arabia with a new generation of leaders willing to take on corruption and which alliances really benefit the Saudis. That has resulted in openly working with Israel to deal with Iranian aggression. It has also led to another major uprising in Iran as unrest spreads throughout the country and the government is unsure that the security forces are willing to use sufficient violence to shut it down. IRAQ At the end of 2017, the Iraqis declared ISIL defeated in Iraq. That turned out to be a little exaggerated but it was true that ISIL no longer controlled large areas of Iraq. In effect, it took four years, several hundred billion dollars (military expenses, battle damage, economic losses) and over 100,000 Iraqi lives (plus over 20,000 foreign Islamic terrorists) to drive ISIL out of Iraq. That effort created other problems, and opportunities. Iran offered help and was allowed to organize, train and often lead in combat over a 100,000 Iraqi (largely Shia) militiamen in what was and still is the PMF (Peoples Mobilization Forces). Most Iraqis, including most Iraqi Shia (about 60 percent of the population) feared an Iran inspired coup but by early 2018 senior Shia clerics in Iraq and Iran agreed that the militias should stay out of politics. Iran was not consulted on this decision and a minority of pro-Iran Iraqis still wanted an Iran style religious dictatorship. In an effort to prove their usefulness the pro-Iran PMF militias took on dangerous, or just daring missions during 2016-17. That left a lot of ISIL dead and it contributed to a government recovery (using force) of Kirkuk province from the Iraqi Kurds in late 2017. ISIL is still a problem as terrorists but the major woes are widespread corruption and mismanagement. The root cause of the continuing terrorist violence is diehard Sunni Arabs who refuse to accept democracy and Shia domination (60 percent of Iraqis are Shia and 20 percent Kurd). Despite all that, there was enough unity to push back ISIL and keep the Iranians from getting too ambitious. Yet radical Sunnis, separatist Kurds and meddling Iranians remain a problem, along with corruption and unstable neighbors. ISRAEL Finally, after more than a century of increasing anti-Semitism, most of Israels Arab neighbors are realizing that Israel would be a valuable economic, diplomatic and military ally against common enemies like Shia Iran and Islamic terrorism in general. Israel is also the only nation in the region with nukes and reliable ballistic missiles (which are also used to put Israeli spy satellites into orbit). The nukes are important because Iran has been increasingly vocal about how it should be the leader of the Islamic world and the guardian of the major Islamic shrines (Mecca and Medina) in Saudi Arabia. Iranians believe that having nukes would motivate the Arabs to comply. That threat has led to Gulf Arab states openly working with Israel to deal with Iranian aggression. That, plus a more pro-Israel American government and growing dissatisfaction (in the West and the Middle East) with the Palestinian leadership failures and rampant corruption has created a radical change in Middle Eastern politics. That played a role in the outbreak of popular unrests throughout Iran at the end of 2017. Young Iranians have also noted the success of Israel (a former ally, before the current religious dictatorship, took over in the 1980s) and are now demanding changes that involve less foreign trouble making. The cost, in terms of money (billions) and Iranian lives (thousands) of operations in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, South America, Africa and elsewhere does most Iranians no good at all and make the people on the receiving end hostile to Iran. Closer to home Israel has growing problems with Palestinians who are convinced that Israel has no right to exist and pretending to negotiate a peace deal is useful for obtaining foreign aid and not much else. Arabs, in general, are now telling the Palestinians to take whatever peace deal they can because cash and other aid from Arab nations has been, and will remain, sharply reduced until the Palestinians shape up. KOREA In mid-2018 North Korea agreed to negotiate the continued existence of its nuclear weapons program in return for economic benefits. This would keep the corrupt communist police state and the murderous Kim dynasty in power but only if North Korea dropped its foreign policy based on threats and extortion. This change began at the end of 2017 when the North Korean leader decided to give a somber New Year speech on TV offering to negotiate. That may be the result of China demonstrating it had lost patience with its unruly neighbor. This is very important because China is, literally, North Koreas economic lifeline. China is the primary or only source for essentials like petroleum, food and all sorts of smuggled (past a long list of international sanctions) goods. China will tolerate a lot of bad behavior in return for obedience and maintaining. North Korea is doing neither and China also wants South Korea to pay more attention Chinese needs. China wants fewer problems with North Korea, which has long been sending thousands of legal and illegal visitors a year to China, some of them armed and dangerous. Most of those illegals just want out of North Korea but as the economic situation in North Korea gets worse the possibility of government collapse increases. That would be disastrous for China because their border with North Korea is relatively open while the border with South Korea is heavily fortified. In early 2016 China showed it was out of patience and did the unthinkable and began enforcing the many trade sanctions North Korea is under. This caused an economic crisis in North Korea but so far the North Korean leadership has not changed its mind about its nukes and openly boasts that they will have combat ready (reliable ballistic missiles and warheads) nukes in 2017. That did not happen and is unlikely to happen any time soon given the North Korean track record. Then again the North Koreans continue to say the right things (we want peace and Korean unification), which pleases the mass media worldwide and continues to annoy all the neighbors. At the same time, North Korea has not actually done anything in response to its public pledges to support denuclearization. At this point, everyone looks to China because Korea has traditionally been a Chinese responsibility and, most of the time, a difficult one. The traditional solution has been for China to quietly (as possible) support a change of government inside a troublesome Korea. That sort of thing can be expensive and messy and the Chinese would prefer to wait for the right moment to act. China does not publicize plans for this sort of thing but it is obvious, from what China has done openly (including allowing Chinese Internet users to freely express their criticisms of North Korean misbehavior) North Korean leaders should pay attention. These Chinese hints were noted by the North Korean leaders and leader Kim Jong Un has obediently gone to China several times in 2018 to receive advice. Kim also met with the leaders of South Korea and the United States. So far lots of the right words but little action. China and everyone else fears that North Korea is going to try and scam its way out of another tight situation and risk the very real wrath of China while doing it. KURDISH WAR This area had become quieter after 2003 and we no longer cover it regularly as a separate category. There will still be coverage as needed in other sections like Iraq, Israel and Syria. The 2011 Arab Spring movement shook things up a bit and by 2015 the Kurds were once more at war with Turkey, Syria and Iran. Turkey was particularly outraged at the establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq and the impact that is having on Kurdish minorities in Syria (where an autonomous region is already a reality, for the moment), Turkey (where there is again continuous violence by Kurdish separatists) and Iran. The Kurds remain under attack in Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Iran while also suffering from internal feuds between those who are willing to fight for a unified Kurdish state and those who are willing to make deals with local governments to obtain benefits for local Kurds (like less economic and cultural discrimination and persecution). The Syrian Kurds thought the Americans might stick around after ISIL was defeated and take on Turkish and Iranian forces in Syria to guarantee Syrian Kurds their autonomy. The U.S. was not interested as Iranian forces in Syria are an Israeli and Arab problem while Turkey is still a NATO ally. LIBYA Elections were to be held at the end of 2018 so that the two rival governments could merge and rebuild the country and its infrastructure. That did not happen, even though it would mark an end to the chaos Libya endured as it was torn apart by the aftereffects of the 2011 revolution. The problem, as always, was the extreme factionalism Libya suffered after their dictatorial government was overthrown in 2011. In 2015 that violence went from a two-way (Islamic radical groups versus more moderate ones) to three-way (with the addition of the ultra-radical ISIL). By the end of 2015, the UN had gotten the two (Tripoli and Tobruk) major coalitions to agree to a merger that was supposed to take place in early 2016. That merger has been delayed by continuing factional infighting and the more pressing need to shut down the ISIL presence. That was accomplished in late 2016 but the rival Tripoli (UN approved but ineffective) and Tobruk (more effective and based in eastern Libya) governments were still trying to work out how to create a unified government. Through all this, oil exports have shrunk and then recovered while the Central Bank cash reserves did not and are nearly gone. If peace and unity were not achieved soon it would no longer be possible to pay for and import food and other essentials. That is persuading more factions to make peace. Even by Middle Eastern standards, Libya is setting a new record in self-destructive behavior. By 2017 more Libyans were agreeing that the situation was indeed becoming desperate and more compromise was the only solution. But tribal and religious differences (Islamic radicals versus everyone else) plus epic levels of corruption and entitlement keep peace and prosperity out of reach. Finally, in 2018 the major factions agreed to disagree and unite. While that did not happen the factions hope to settle matters in 2019 because if not, a nationwide famine and economic collapse comes next. MALI High levels of corruption, ethnic rivalries and Islamic terrorism keep Mali from achieving peace and prosperity. An example of how this works can be seen in the north, where a final peace deal with the rebellious Tuareg was signed in early 2015 and is largely holding through 2018. This is despite the government refusing to do what is agreed to. Despite that Islamic terrorism is spreading to the more populous south but not to the extent that it threatens government control. The Tuareg peace deal was stalled for over a year because the black majority in the south did not want to grant as much autonomy as the Tuareg demanded. The two groups have always been at odds but were only united in the same country by the colonial French in the 19th century. Like most African countries, dividing the nation is not an acceptable option and the colonial borders are considered sacrosanct. The current mess began when France took swift action in January 2013 by leading a military operation to clear Islamic terrorists out of northern Mali. Aided by Chad and several other African peacekeeping contingents, this operation is still at work and is expected to continue for years. The French acted because in 2012 Tuareg tribal rebels (with the help of al Qaeda affiliated Islamic terrorists) in northern Mali chased out government forces and declared a separate Tuareg state. The Mali army mutinied (because of lack of support from the corrupt government) down south and took control of the capital. The army soon backed off when neighboring nations threatened to intervene. The thinly populated northern two-thirds of the country has a population of less than two million, out of 15 million for all of Mali. The north was very poor in the best of times, and over a year of violence there has halted tourism (a major source of income, especially in the three major cities up there) and the movement of many goods. Mali still has internal problems (mainly corruption and ethnic conflicts) as well as continued unrest in the north. A lot depends on whether the majority in the south can reduce corruption and deal fairly with the Tuareg and other minorities (like Arabs) in the north. There is not much progress with this. The elected Mali government is back in power but appears to be as corrupt as ever and under growing pressure from donor nations to either clean up the corruption or see most of the aid disappear. The neighbors of Mali have formed a five-nation anti-terrorism alliance (The G5) that has provided 5,000 troops that can be sent to any of the five member nations. Western money and military advisors help equip and improve the skills of the 5,000 troops. Because Mali is part of a lucrative route for smugglers (of illegal drugs, weapons, people) Islamic terror groups can afford to remain in northern Mali. These groups (including an ISIL affiliate) divide their time between smuggling and Islamic radical activities. MEXICO This area has become quieter since the peacekeeping efforts of the 1990s and we are no longer covering it regularly as a separate category. There will still be coverage as needed in other sections as needed. MYANMAR (Burma) The expected big changes because of the return of democracy in 2010 are slow to appear and have caused some problems that are generating a lot of anti-Burma headlines worldwide. In late 2015 the first nationwide elections since 1990 (when the generals refused to accept the results and banned any more voting) were held. The anti-military coalition won enough votes to change the constitution and the military said it would accept the vote. Despite the return to democracy the most corrupt institution in Burma is still the military and that can be seen in how the 2010 constitution that returned democracy also explicitly granted military leaders (including all the retired officers) immunity from prosecution for past crimes. The military was also given control of the defense ministry and a fixed number (25 percent) of seats in parliament. In effect, the military leaders who once ran the country are still in charge of the defense budget and immune from prosecution for all the crimes they committed in the past. The 2015 elections meant that real reform, like changing this pro-military constitution, was a possibility. Even before the late 2015 elections reforms were slowly being made despite the fact that the 2010 elections replaced the military dictatorship with many of the same people, out of uniform and trying to hide the fact that they rigged the vote. Since 2016 these reforms have been sidetracked by internal unrest. Part of this is the continuing rebellions of the rural tribes along the borders, especially in the north. Since 2015 China has been threatening to intervene if Chinese investments in the tribal north were not protected and allowed to resume operating. In response, Burma began depending more on India to help with security in the north and some protection from Chinese threats. Temporary peace deals were made but the tribal rebels are still producing major quantities of methamphetamine, and increasing amounts of heroin, to support continued fighting. China is not happy with many of these drugs (particularly heroin and meth) coming into China. That is difficult to change because the tribes are poor and the drug money is very attractive. China is also concerned with the popular opposition to major Chinese economic projects (dams and pipeline) in the north but the fundamentals remain the same. To the outside world, the major problem is anti-Moslem violence. The government has not been able to completely suppress a 2013 outbreak in anti-Moslem violence which has driven over a million Moslems into Bangladesh. For decades the military dictatorship had suppressed potential anti-Moslem violence. But once democracy returned the radical Buddhist clergy led a campaign to terrorize the Bengali (Rohingya) Moslems. This problem has not been solved. Overall, economic and political progress is slow but there has been regular progress despite the continued problems with the military. NIGERIA By late 2016 the outbreak of Islamic terrorism in the north was largely extinguished, but not before several years of fighting had destroyed the economy in much of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria. That has caused lingering Islamic terrorism problems two years later. All this was caused by a group of Taliban wannabes (Boko Haram) in the north whose activity grew rapidly for a decade until in 2014 it seemed unstoppable. It took over a year for the government to finally muster sufficient military strength to cripple but not destroy the Boko Haram threat. This did not get much media attention outside Africa, even though in 2014 Boko Haram killed more people than ISIL did in Syria and Iraq. The main cause of Boko Haram gains in 2014 and 2015 was corruption in the army, which severely crippled army effectiveness. By itself, Boko Haram was too small to have much impact on a national scale but the inability to deal with this problem put a spotlight on the corruption that has hobbled all progress in Nigeria for decades. A new president (a former general who is Moslem) was elected in early 2015 and made progress in changing the corrupt army culture but it is still a work in progress. Now he is up for reelection in early 2019 and the outcome is uncertain. More bad news is expected because of too many tribal feuds, not enough oil money and too much corruption create growing unrest throughout the country. This is especially bad down south in the oil producing region (the Niger River Delta). There a 2009 amnesty deal that reduced violence against oil facilities has fallen apart and in early 2016 the violence returned. Worse, local politicians and business leaders had taken over the oil theft business from the disarmed tribal rebels, and the former rebels wanted that business back. A new peace deal was arranged and that calmed things down for the moment. Meanwhile, the northern Moslems want more control over the federal government (and the oil money). In central Nigeria you have increasing violence as nomadic Moslem herders move south and clash with largely Christian farmers over land use and water supplies. The situation is still capable of sliding into regional civil wars, over money and political power. Corruption and ethnic/tribal/religious rivalries threaten to trigger, at worse, another civil war and, at least, more street violence and public anger. PHILIPPINES While decades of effort have finally reduced the internal threat of leftist and religious rebellions, most Filipinos are more concerned about endemic corruption and the resulting economic stagnation. There is also the Chinese threat, with more Chinese warships showing up in what had been, until recently, unquestionably Filipino coastal waters. Most Filipinos see China as a threat but not as crucial as the internal problems with corruption, Islamic terrorism and unemployment. A new president (Rodrigo Duterte) took power in mid-2016 pledging to do what most Filipinos wanted, not what the local politicians or foreign critics wanted. Duterte had been doing this locally (as mayor of a major southern city) since the 1990s and was ready to try and make it happen nationally. This has led to condoning vigilante tactics by the police to suppress the drug gangs as well as an unexpected adoption of an anti-American foreign policy and a willingness to make deals with China. This weakened the existing coalition with Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the United States to oppose the Chinese threat. Duterte told the Americans he would not risk war with China over it but by 2018 was more willing to agree that the Chinese could not be trusted. Duterte told the Islamic minority in the south (led by MILF) that he would get behind the 2015 peace deal (that gave it more autonomy but not its own country and the expulsion of non-Moslems) and help get it approved by the legislature if MILF helped destroy Abu Sayyaf (the ultra-radical Islamic terrorist group in the south that is responsible for most of the kidnappings and terror bombings down there) and MILF factions that refused to accept the peace deal and had, along with Abu Sayyaf, aligned themselves with ISIL. Abu Sayyaf has integrated itself with the clan culture down there and become very difficult to eliminate. The Moslems have, as always, lots of clan feuds and internal violence which will survive the autonomy deal with the government. A major ISIL effort to take over a southern city in late 2017 failed spectacularly and by the end of the year, the various Islamic terror groups in the south were trying to rebuild and avoid extinction. The MILF autonomy deal is closer to implementation. Duterte may not be the solution to the many problems the country faces but he is the most radical, and promising, one to come along in decades. RUSSIA Since 2014 Russia has been making a lot of headlines but not much else. The economy is a mess (stagnant or shrinking), the country has fewer allies and the future looks dim. Invading Ukraine and Syria has not helped solve any of the fundamental problems but have made for great propaganda. What went wrong? Russia entered the 21st century with a newly elected government dominated by former secret police (KGB) officers who promised to restore economic and civil order. They did so but in the process turned Russia into a police state with less political and economic freedom. Many Russians opposed this and the government responded by appealing to nationalism. Russia has returned to police state ways and the traditional threatening attitude towards neighbors. Rather than being run by corrupt communist bureaucrats, the country is now dominated by corrupt businessmen, gangsters and self-serving government officials that characterized the last czarist government of a century ago. The semi-free economy is more productive than the centrally controlled communist one but that just provides more money to steal. A rebellion against the new dictatorship has been derailed by astute propaganda depicting Russia as under siege by the West and NATO. Yet opinion polls that show wide popular support for this paranoid fantasy has left enough Russians with democratic impulses to continue leading the struggle for better government and beneficial reforms. That paid off by late 2018 as opinion polls turned against the former KGB officials running the country and that is just one of several bits of bad news. For now, most Russians want economic and personal security and are willing to tolerate a police state to get it. But the invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions did more damage than the ruling politicians expected. That atmosphere, plus the anxiety generated by having troops fighting in Syria and Ukraine has scared away a lot of foreign investors and many Russian ones as well. Russia can downplay this in the state-controlled media but without all that foreign and Russian capital the economy cannot grow. Four years later most Russians can see daily that they are worse off than before. Meanwhile China, the only real threat to Russia, quietly makes progress in the east. There China has claims on much of the Russian Far East and is openly replacing Russia as the primary economic, military and political force in Central Asia. RWANDA & BURUNDI This area has become quieter over the last decade and we are no longer covering it regularly as a separate category. There will still be coverage as needed in the Congo section when there are details of the new civil wars brewing here. SOMALIA Al Shabaab, a local Islamic radical group, was defeated and driven from cities and towns in 2011 but is still around. Organized crime and banditry are ancient Somali traditions and al Shabaab survives by reverting to that and becoming the major criminal organizations in some parts of the country. Extortion, smuggling, ransoms and so on have sustained the Islamic terrorist group. Another factor in the survival of al Shabaab is the corruption and factionalism that have always defined and defiled Somali culture. By 2013 Al Shabaab had been driven out of most of the territory it controlled for years. Al Shabaab remnants fought on in thinly populated areas of central Somalia, the far north (Puntland border) and far south (Kenyan border). Despite the organizational and financial resourcefulness of the Islamic terror group it also fell prey to another Somali custom; factionalism. Initially, this was between those who wanted al Shabaab to remain a local (Somali) group versus those who wanted be go international (pro-al Qaeda) and accept foreigners. After 2014 there was, and still is, an ISIL faction. Currently, the al Qaeda faction is dominant with a small but persistent ISIL faction. One of the most lucrative sources of plunder is the elected Somali government, propped up by foreign aid (most of which gets stolen) that showed up after 2012. Despite all that Somalia is still a failed state that defies every attempt at nation-building. The situation is worse than it appears because Somalia was never a country, but a collection of clans and tribes that fight each other constantly over economic issues (land and water). The country remains an economic and political mess, a black hole on the map. Not much hope in sight. The pirates became a major problem after 2006 and in response the major trading nations launched a counter-piracy effort that, by 2012 reduced pirate success (captured ships) considerably. In fact, no large ships have been captured in since early 2012. The northern statelet of Puntland was persuaded (and subsidized) by wealthy seafaring nations to attack the pirate bases. There are not many pirate gangs left because of the lack of multi-million dollar ransoms (from large ships). In the far south (where the second major port, Kismayo is) a third statelet (after Puntland and Somaliland in the north) is trying to exist as Jubaland. The UN backed government in the center is trying to regain these statelets but the problem remains the independent minded clans. There is not a lot of enthusiasm among local leaders for a national government, but all that foreign aid is welcome because it can be taken without risking another clan feud. SUDAN An unofficial state of war developed after the south became an independent "South Sudan" in 2011. Although Sudan officially accepted the results of the vote that created South Sudan the battles over disputed border areas continued. Sudan quietly sent troops and pro-government militias to seize disputed border areas. That fighting continues and has been complicated after 2014 by the outbreak of civil war between the two major tribal factions in South Sudan. That conflict appeared to end in early 2016 but the tribal rivalries continued tearing South Sudan apart until the UN, foreign aid groups and major foreign donors all told both Sudans to make peace or else aid and peacekeepers would be withdrawn and sent to other parts of the world where they could do more good. This threat seemed to work in South Sudan because by the end of 2018 both factions agreed to another peace deal with the understanding the failure would have catastrophic consequences. There still remained the ancient problems of Moslems in Sudan continuing to suppress separatist tendencies among Christians in the south while also dealing with Moslem rebels along the eastern coast and western (non-Arab Darfur) deserts. The oil money in South Sudan will remain a major cause of the current civil strife along with the continuing conflict with Sudan because the oil fields are near the border with Sudan. Battles over land in western Sudan (Darfur) continue to pit Arab herders against black Sudanese farmers. Both sides are Moslem, but the government has long backed the Arabs. The government uses Arab nationalism and economic ties with Russia and China to defy the world and get away with driving non-Arab tribes from Darfur. Sudan was also an ally of Iran and recipient of Iranian weapons for a while. That aid included useful advice on how to best terrorize a population into submission. The government believes that time is on its side and that the West will never try anything bold and effective to halt the violence. So far, the government has been proven right but keeps losing control of Sudan, bit by bit. South Sudan is falling into the same cycle of internal disorder and fragmentation. SYRIA The rebellion of the Sunni majority against the Shia minority Assad dictatorship that began in 2011 is just about over by late 2018. The rebels lost because of factionalism. So far over 500,000 have died and a third of the population has fled (mainly to Turkey and Lebanon). Meanwhile, the Assads received massive assistance from Iran (over $16 billion worth since 2012), Russia (2015) and Turkey (2016). The civil war also morphed into a proxy war between Iran and the Sunni Arab states (and their Western allies). The major factor in the rebel defeat was ISIL which began as one of many Sunni Arab Islamic terror groups (mainly al Qaeda and ISIL) who wanted to turn Syria into a religious dictatorship while most Syrians just wanted peace and some prosperity. The Islamic terror groups, as is their custom, put a priority on determining which of them was; the true savior of Islam. ISIL was definitely the most ruthless and best organized and many groups submitted to ISIL, if only temporarily, but that weakened the rebel effort sufficiently for the Assads to hang on and become part of a larger anti-ISIL coalition. One thing everyone could agree on was that ISIL had to be destroyed first. After two years the anti-ISIL coalition did that, but at the cost of destroying any chance of the Syrian rebels overthrowing the Assads. While Assad allies like Iran, Russia and Turkey did fight ISIL, most of the damage to ISIL was done by the pro-rebel foreign powers (led by Saudi Arabia and the United States). Meanwhile, the Assads and their allies concentrated on non-ISIL rebels. By late 2017, when ISIL had lost nearly all its territory in Syria and the remaining rebels were still not united. At the time ISIL was crushed the rebels controlled about a third of the country but were outnumbered by the Assad forces and most Syrians were increasingly war weary. Most of those who died did so after 2013. The killing diminished a bit in 2015 because of sheer exhaustion and picked up again in 2016 because of the Russian air (and other) support. The stubborn Assad dictatorship, because of reinforcements supplied by Iran (mainly in the form of over 60,000 Shia mercenaries from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Shia volunteers from all over) and Russia had a chance to win after early 2016, something some Western nations saw as preferable to Islamic terrorists taking over and requiring a Western invasion to remove such a threat. Russia and Iran are quite pleased with the way they have played the situation, especially the 2014 deal to remove Syrian chemical weapons (which the Syrians could, and did, rebuild later) in return for the Americans not entering the Civil War (attacking Assad forces for using chemical weapons). After 2014 the only rebels getting air support were the Syrian Kurds because, like their Iraqi kinsmen, they can be trusted and were active in fighting ISIL in Syria. Western warplanes were over Syria since late 2014, but they were bombing Islamic terrorist rebels, not Assad forces. In August 2016 Turkish ground forces entered northern Syria to seal the border (to ISIL and Turkish separatist PKK Kurds) and weaken the Syrian Kurds. The Turks were basically helping the Assads and hurting ISIL and all that made an Assad victory more likely. Before the Assads can resume control of the country they have to deal with the fact that Israel, Jordan and the Sunni Arab oil states are opposed to the Iranian effort to establish a permanent military presence in Syria. The Assads are not happy with Iranian domination but have to keep quiet about that. Turkey is opposed to any autonomous Syrian Kurdish area in the north as well as a permanent Iranian presence. Turkey and Russia are technically allies of Iran in Syria and the reality is that no one trusts Iran. The Russians have quietly made it clear they would side with Israel if it came down to that. The Turks are NATO members and traditional foes of Russia and Iran. But the current Turkish government is unstable and increasingly unpopular with Turks as well as the neighbors. At the end of 2017 many Iranians took to the streets to demand a withdrawal from Syria and using the billions saved to fix the crippled Iranian economy. That unrest was still growing at the end of 2018 and in Syria, Israel has told everyone that Israel will fight Iranian efforts to increase its forces in Syria. This is especially important as the Americans are withdrawing the 2,000 troops they had supporting the Syrian Kurds. The unrest in Iran and growing financial problems have reduced Iranian efforts in Syria. If Iran withdraws from Syria Russia is too broke to pick up the slack and the Turks are only interested in the Kurds and dont really care if the Assads stay or go. So the Syrian rebellion is not over yet and may not end in 2019 either. THAILAND Islamic terrorism in the south and continuing struggles between democrats and royalists nationwide hamper economic growth and much else. The years of civil disorder in the capital triggered yet another military coup in 2014 and the aftereffects of that are still being felt. The 2014 coup ended the low-level civil war over military control of the government. The anti-democracy minority (royalists and many educated urbanites) had used large demonstrations and persuasive appeals to the military to stage another coup. The new military government kept delaying new elections because opinion polls indicated military rule was unpopular with most Thais and, as in the past, there will be reprisals against the military once elections are held in early 2019. The royalists and military expect to survive the return of democracy because they managed to change the constitution while in power and that gave the king and the military more political power. Those additional powers may not survive the return of democracy but reversing those changes wont be easy. Meanwhile ethnic Malay Moslems in the south (three percent of the population) continue to cause problems. Since 2013 the government has had someone down there to negotiate with and these talks were soon stalled and remain so. Most Thais are ethnic Thais and Buddhist while the southerners are Moslem and ethnic Malays. In the south Islamic radicalism arrived after 2001 along with an armed effort to create a separate Islamic state in the three southern provinces. Islamic terrorists grew more powerful month by month for several years and refused to negotiate. Security forces persisted and made progress in identifying and rounding up the most active terrorists. But there is no quick victory in sight. Even the death of the beloved Thai king in late 2016 (October) did not change anything and his much younger successor will be a work-in-progress for a while. UGANDA This area has become quieter over the last decade and we are no longer covering it regularly as a separate category. There will still be coverage as needed in other sections (mostly Congo and Somalia) because of Ugandan participation in a growing number of peacekeeping operations in Africa. YEMEN Until late 2017 there was not much progress here, a development that favored Iran. But by early 2018 the Shia rebels were at war with each other and Iran suddenly had its own domestic uprising to deal with. Worse, the U.S. government had changed in early 2017 and was much more aggressive dealing with Iran. Moreover, there was a radical (for Arabia) new government in Saudi Arabia with a young Crown Prince in charge and organizing more effective resistance to Iranian aggression. That played a role in Yemen unrest becoming a full-scale civil war in 2015 when Shia rebels sought to take control of the entire country. Neighboring Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, quickly formed a military coalition to halt that. The Arab coalition appears to be a success because by 2016 pro-government forces were close enough to launch a major assault on the rebel-held capital, but held off because of the expected heavy casualties and property damage in the capital. Instead, the coalition concentrated on rebuilding the Yemeni armed forces, recruiting allies from the Sunni tribes in the south and eliminating al Qaeda and ISIL groups that had grown stronger as the Shia rebels gained more power. As the fighting intensified in early 2015 Iran admitted it had been quietly supporting the Shia rebels for a long time but now was doing so openly, or at least trying. The Arabs, with U.S. support, blockaded air and sea access to Yemen. The U.S. refused to send in ground troops but the Arabs eventually did. The Arab troops made a big difference despite suffering some embarrassing defeats along the way. This was an impressive display of Arab military capabilities, which benefitted from all the money spent on high-tech weapons since the 1990s. Meanwhile, the basic problem, that Yemen has been a mess for decades, is unresolved. Because of the 2015 war, Yemen is truly broke, disorganized and desperate. The Arab Spring hit Yemen hard and upset the "arrangement" that left one group of tribal, criminal and business leaders in charge for over three decades. The country is fragmented again, just like it has always been. Many Yemenis trace the current crisis back to the civil war that ended, sort of, in 1994. That war was caused by the fact that, when the British left Yemen in 1967, their former colony in Aden became one of two countries called Yemen. The two Yemens finally united in 1990 but another civil war in 1994 was needed to seal the deal. That fix didn't really take and the north and south have always been pulling apart ever since. This comes back to the fact that Yemen has always been a region, not a country. Like most of the rest of the Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa region, the normal form of government until the 20th century was wealthier coastal city-states nervously coexisting with interior tribes that got by on herding or farming (or a little of both) plus smuggling and other illicit sidelines. This whole "nation" idea is still looked on with some suspicion by many in the region. This is why the most common forms of government are the more familiar ones of antiquity (kingdom, emirate or modern variation in the form of a hereditary secular dictatorship.) For a long time, the most active Yemeni rebels were the Shia Islamic militants in the north. They have always wanted to restore local Shia rule in the traditional Shia tribal territories, led by the local imam (religious leader). This arrangement, after surviving more than a thousand years, was ended by the central government in 1962. Yemen also became the new headquarters of AQAP (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) when Saudi Arabia was no longer safe for the terrorists after 2007. Now there is ISIL and an invading army composed of troops from oil-rich neighbors. By late 2017 the rebels were slowly losing ground to government forces who, despite Arab coalition air support and about five thousand ground troops, were still dependent on Yemeni Sunni tribal militias to fight the Shia tribes. While the Shia are only a third of the population they are united while the Sunni tribes are divided over the issue of again splitting the country in two (with no agreement on who would get the few oil fields in central Yemen). Many of the Sunni tribes tolerate or even support AQAP and ISIL. Then came the break. Former president (Saleh), who was deposed in 2012 and later sided with the rebels, was killed by the rebels at the end of 2017 when he tried to make peace with the Arab coalition. Saleh had made the Shia rebellion a success by organizing his remaining loyalists, especially those in the army, to get many Sunnis to join the rebels. But that did not last once Iranian involvement increased and it was made known that Iran has been quietly encouraging the Shia rebels for a long time. But this all fell apart in 2018 as other factions followed the example of the Saleh faction and turned against the rebels. By late 2018 the rebels were losing the major Red Sea port of Hodeida. The government forces have taken the airport there and are closing in on the vital docks area of the port. This port city is currently the only way for the rebels to accept legitimate imports. Those aid shipments contain a lot of smuggled items, usually weapons from Iran. Yemen is not an expensive operation for Iran to finance and support and it makes the Arabian Sunni governments look bad. But the Shia rebels are losing and that is likely to become final in 2019. The full-court press on Iran that President Donald Trump has put into play has not yet resulted in changes to Tehrans regional strategy. Iran's influence in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen is growing, and now Tehran intends to outplay Trump in Afghanistan. Admiral Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (NSC), spoke in this vein during his visit to Kabul on Dec. 26 for talks with his Afghan counterpart, Hamdullah Mohib, the Afghan president's national security advisor. Ali Shamkhani was the first Iranian leader to publicly confirm the fact that Tehran is conducting negotiations with the Taliban and teaming up with Kabul to do so. According to Admiral Ali Shamkhani, the partial pullout of American troops from Afghanistan announced by President Trump opens up a "wonderful opportunity" to achieve peace, "based on internal and regional opportunities." Shamkhani urged the US finalize the complete withdrawal of its troops, the presence of which is not helping to end the civil war. The Iranian admiral suggested peacefully resolving historical problems by negotiating with "those who are ready to lay down their arms and be with the people of Afghanistan" as an alternative to the American military presence. This is the general idea behind Irans policy toward Afghanistan, which is aimed at expanding inter-Afghan dialog and constructive interaction between the groups in conflict in this country that has been torn apart by civil war and is under foreign occupation. The American intervention is only making things more difficult here. US and NATO troops entered Afghanistan 17 years ago, in 2001, and it is now past time to recognize the fact that the Western military coalition will never crush the Talibans armed resistance. The Afghan government currently controls no more than 50% of the country's regions the lowest level on record since 2015. The Taliban movement continues to seize control of new areas, and the foreign troops present in Afghanistan are not able to prevent this. President Trumps plans call for the withdrawal of about 7,000 troops from Afghanistan (about half of the US contingent that still remains there). The Pentagon also has 25,000 quasi-military personnel in Afghanistan who are employed by various private military companies (PMCs). About 16,000 other troops from 39 countries supporting the United States remain in the country as well. At the NATO summit in July 2018, the decision was made to extend the North Atlantic bloc's financial commitments toward the Afghan army until 2024, but this is not enough to successfully fight the Taliban. The situation is complicated by the fact that the American forces, which have broad powers to act independently of the Afghan army, have been unable to cut off the money flowing in to the Taliban from the cultivation, production, and trafficking of drugs. In November 2018, the UN reported that a total of 263,000 hectares in Afghanistan were being used to cultivate opium poppies in 2018. This is 20% less than in 2017, when the amount of land devoted to the poppy harvest reached a record high, but the drop is due to nothing more than the drought in the northern and western parts of the country. Reporting about the situation in Afghanistan has revealed that US diplomats are unprepared to begin peace negotiations. Afghanistans leaders are being torn apart by ethnic and political rivalries. The decision made in Washington in 2014 to create a national unity government led by the president's rival, Ashraf Ghani, and head of the government, Abdullah Abdullah, only furthered the fragmentation of the Afghan leadership. Prior to his dismissal, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis criticized the Trump administrations Afghan policy, emphasizing that the US should not leave Afghanistan before the diplomats have won the peace. However, at a US-sponsored meeting in the UAE in November 2018, the Taliban refused to speak to the delegation from the Afghan government. They are insisting on negotiating directly with the US government, and only afterward will they agree to a dialog with officials from Kabul. What bargaining chips can the Iranian leaders hold under these conditions? Media reports about the results of Shamkhanis visit to Kabul do not suggest that rapid changes are possible. Nevertheless, the secretary of the Iranian National Security Council, who is also the deputy to Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was received by President Ghani, and Irans initiatives to reconcile with the Taliban were discussed at that meeting. The Iranians, who stay in touch with the leadership of the Taliban movement, have a good idea of what conditions the Taliban are proposing. Time will tell how satisfied the Afghan government will be with these conditions and what the White House will think of them. After the US invasion of Afghanistan, Iran initially cooperated with the Americans in order to create a new Afghan government independent of the Taliban. But when the US and NATO forces remained in Afghanistan, Irans relationship with the Taliban changed. Tehran began to view the Taliban as an important force to be used to counter the US influence on Irans borders. A relationship with the Taliban also improves Tehran's ability to curb the influence of the Islamic State (IS) terrorists. Iran is inclined to view the Taliban as one of the few forces in Afghanistan that can stand up to the IS. Illegal drug trafficking is also a serious problem on the Iranian-Afghan border; most of these drugs make their way into other countries via Iran. Tehran has accused Kabul of being unable to rein in opium production or to prevent the cross-border smuggling of narcotic elixirs. This is a big problem for Iran: more than 2.5 million Iranians abuse drugs on a regular basis, especially Afghan opium. Iran wants stability next door. It is building up its levers of influence in Afghanistan by investing in proxies from politicians to military leaders, from Hazaras to groups affiliated with the Northern Alliance. Cooperation with the Taliban could be part of this multilateral strategy. As such, Tehran is increasingly coming to the conclusion that the US is keeping its troops in Afghanistan in order to use them against Iran. Never in recent times has the Fourth World the 370 million indigenous peoples who have no states of their own been under assault, as it is now, from a combination of proto-fascist governments and resource-grabbing corporations. The basic tenets of the 2007 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) are being undermined by governments that are serving the interests of mining and drilling companies eager to displace indigenous peoples from their natural resources, much of which are found on sacred ancestral lands. In 2016, Bears Ears National Monument in Utah and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument were designated protected areas under the Antiquities Act. On December 4, 2017, Donald Trump ordered a large portion of the monuments seized and turned over to uranium and other mining companies in violation of the US Constitution and international treaties signed between the US government and the five native tribes Hopi Nation, Navajo Nation, Ute Indian Tribe, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and Zuni Pueblo Nation that consider the monument areas as sacred and inviolable by miners, drillers, and other despoilers of the land. Mr. Trump has opposed the sovereign immunity of the Native American tribes ever since the advent of casino gambling on tribal reservations. Trump, fearful of competition for his three Mafia-infused casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, did what he always does project his worst traits on to others. In the late 1990s, using a fake pro-family front group, the New York Institute for Law and Society, Trump accused the St. Regis Mohawk tribe, which planned to open a casino in the New York Catskills, of being violent criminals and drug dealers. Running the dirty tricks campaign against the Mohawk tribe was Trumps longtime dark propagandist, Roger Stone. Stone commissioned media advertisements that falsely accused the Mohawk Nation, which sits astride the US-Canadian border, of smuggling liquor and cigarettes and dealing with mobsters. Stone is currently and unsurprisingly under investigation by the Department of Justices special counsel, Robert Mueller, for 2016 political campaign and criminal conspiracy violations. Trumps demonization of Native Americans does not stop with ancestral lands and Indian gaming. Trump who racially slurs US Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts by calling her Pocahontas and his supporters constant criticism of political refugees seeking asylum from violence in their native Guatemala omits any knowledge of who they are and why they want to live in safety in the United States. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are so ignorant about the human rights situation in Central America, they employ Spanish-speakers to deal with the asylum seekers. Yet, these unfortunate souls speak neither Spanish nor English. Many of them only speak Ixil, a Mayan language. Others speak different Mayan languages K'iche', Qeqchi, Achi, Xinca, Mam, Kaqchekel, Yucatec Maya, Awakatek, Akateko, Jakaltek, and Qanjobal, among others for which there are few interpreters in government or even academia. Without adequate language skills, US immigration agents and judges are unable to communicate with the asylum seekers. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen showed her total ignorance about the refugee situation at the border by stating at a White House briefing, All US Border Patrol personnel in the Southwest border are bilingual every last one of them. What Nielsen failed to mention, either by design or because she is inept at her job, is that personnel bilingual in English and Spanish are not what is required at the border to deal with asylum seekers. Why the Mayan people risk such a long journey to the US southern border requires a quick course in US policy in Central America over several decades. For years, US military and intelligence instructors, including those at the infamous School of the Americas, where America trains future Latin American dictators, have commanded national military and local paramilitary forces intent on committing genocide against the Mayans and other Native American peoples. And, as a willing accomplice to the slaughter of the descendants of the original peoples of Central America, the Israeli state and its military-intelligence contractors have provided the governments of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador with the technical ability to track and hunt down, like prey, indigenous peoples to carry out a genocide that would have been the envy of Heinrich Himmler and Arthur Seyss-Inquart. Trumps policy of separating Mayan and other families at the border is a direct violation of UNDRIP, which guarantees that Indigenous people, whether or not they are refugees, have an inherent right to remain in their family unit. Native American tribes, which have already endured the racist policies of the Trump administration, stood with their brethren from south of the US border. Leaders of the Cherokee Nation, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the Kiowa Tribe, the Blackfeet Nation, the Chickasaw Nation, and Lakota Sioux Nation condemned the policy of separating children from their parents. For many Native Americans, the scene of families being ripped apart was reminiscent of the one-time US government policy of seizing Native American children from their parents and shipping them off to Indian boarding schools and foster care by white European households. Guatemalas treatment of its Mayan population is linked to the Christian evangelism of its comedian-turned-politician president, Jimmy Morales, a Baptist seminary graduate who once amused his audiences by appearing in black face. Not only was this an affront to Afro-Central Americans of the region, but also to Guatemalas darker-skinned Mayans. In return for Morales recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital and moving Guatemalas embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Israel has bestowed weapons, ammunition, population tracking software, drones, and other surveillance technology to the Morales government in order to keep the Mayan minority in check. In 2013, former Guatemalan president, retired General Efrain Rios Montt, was found guilty by a Guatemalan court of genocide and crimes against humanity. For two years, from 1982 to 1983, Rios Montts army killed entire families and wiped out their villages. Some 5.5 percent of the Ixil Mayans were killed, alone. This genocide was carried out with the assistance of the US Central Intelligence Agency, US Special Forces, and Israels Mossad. Ironically, while fleeing the evangelical piety of thugs like Morales and Guatemalas US-trained military officers, many of the countrys refugee indigenous children separated at the US border by the Trump administration have ended up in the care of dubious evangelical Christian organizations, some with sordid histories of child sex and physical abuse. Christian piety was not on the mind of another American evangelical interloper, missionary John Chau, who attempted to land on the protected North Sentinel Island in the Indian-controlled Andaman and Nicobar Islands to convert virtual stone age tribal people to Christianity. The North Sentinelese are known to be hostile toward outsiders and often throw spears and fire arrows at interlopers and trespassers. Rather than welcome Chau, who was representing an evangelical outfit in Kansas City called All Nations, the North Sentinelese made an example out the unwanted stranger by, reportedly, killing him. Little did the island tribe know, but Chau may have been carrying germs for which the isolated islanders have no bio-immunity defenses. There is a belief that the North Sentinelese have another reason to drive off strangers. During World War II, the imperial and very racist Japanese armed forces occupied the Andamans and Nicobars for use as naval bases. The Japanese may have landed on North Sentinel and killed off many tribespeople before the survivors escaped into more remote parts of the island. If this is true, the North Sentinelese, if they were able to comprehend the recent action of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would be extremely upset. Modi recently demonstrated his fealty to Indian nationalist leader Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who was allied with Imperial Japan and Nazi Germany during World War II. Modi's renamed three of the islands in the Andaman Islands Ross Island, Neil Island and Havelock Island as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, Shahid Dweep, and Swaraj Dweep, respectively, in honor of Bose. Ruling over the Japanese puppet state, the Provisional Government of Free India, based in the Japanese-occupied Andamans and Nicobars, Bose would also lead, under the command of the Nazi Waffen SS, the Indian Legion later the Azad Hind Legion which saw action against the Soviet Union. The North Sentinelese, without even knowing it, have as much to fear from Modis proto-fascist Hindu nationalists as they do from interloping evangelical missionaries from the US Midwest. With people like Trump and his evangelical allies some of whom called for US military action against the spear-throwing and arrow-shooting North Sentinelese to recover Chau or his body Modi, and the anti-indigenous new president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, the Fourth World is under an existential siege unseen in recent times. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 67,265 Americans died from drug-induced causes, six times the number of people that died from gun violence in the same year. The opioid crisis also creates a significant economic hindrance. In Missouri alone, opioid use disorder and overdose deaths cost the state $34.5 million each day or $12.6 billion per year. This was 4.2 percent of the states GDP in 2016. There are steps being taken to combat this public health epidemic. At a forum Dec. 6, Gov. Mike Parson, along with St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, proposed a statewide prescription drug monitoring program through a database that tracks controlled substance prescriptions. We are currently the only state in the U.S. without one despite the CDCs belief that they are among the most promising state-level interventions to improve opioid prescribing, inform clinical practice, and protect patients at risk. I commend the governor and Mayor Krewson, and am in full support of their proposal. Additionally, I hope we can take our efforts a few steps further. A problem of this magnitude requires a diversity of solutions, and taking on such a massive public health crisis requires a deep and intimate knowledge of opioid use, misuse and abuse across Missouri. Support staff, such as IT workers, necessary to support those whose work is essential will also be called in. When would federal workers see the effects? The holiday season is likely the worst time for federal workers at the nine departments. While they will be paid for work performed before the shutdown, paychecks will not be cut while government agencies are closed. In past government shutdowns, Congress has often passed a bill to back-pay furloughed federal employees for the time they were not paid during the shutdown, but that is never a guarantee. Congress would have to pass a similar measure for furloughed federal employees to receive money lost during this shutdown. Contractors who work for the federal government may not be so lucky. Office of Management and Budget guidelines also call for canceling paid vacation time that was scheduled over the holidays -- meaning many federal workers who took time off may see smaller paychecks. The government would still process employee paychecks for the pay period ending on Saturday, although it wouldn't include pay for that day, because of the shutdown on Friday night. Employees' next paychecks would come after the government reopens. Other government services may not be available, though. Her mother wrote on a crowdfunding site that Jordyn had dealt with 10 days of severe stomach pain and vomiting. "My whole face just turned purple and giant with blood," Jordyn Walker told KDAF. While waiting at the emergency room, the swelling returned, and this time, the illness took Jordyn's vision. During a 16-day stay at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Jordyn had two surgeries in an attempt to reduce the swelling behind her eyes. "There's no answers, nothing you can do," Kendyll Walker told WDAF. Surgeons removed part of her orbital bones to relieve the swelling, but doctors say Jordyn is now permanently blind, and still, doctors can't pin down a diagnosis. "I just want an answer. I just want to know why it happened," Jordyn told KMBC. According to the crowdfunding site, Jordyn returned home on Dec. 29, but the family plans to visit the Mayo Clinic soon in hopes of getting answers. JEFFERSON CITY Missouri ethics regulators fined St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner $63,009 after officials said she used campaign funds for personal expenses and failed to accurately report numerous contributions and expenditures. Gardner will have to pay only $6,314 to the agency if she cuts a check within 45 days, however, according to a consent order she signed on Dec. 28 with the Missouri Ethics Commission. Gardner, a Democrat, said Wednesday in a news release that she had already paid the fine and blamed the commissions interest on a Republican political operative who filed a complaint earlier this year. From 2013 to 2017, Gardner was a state representative. She became St. Louis circuit attorney in 2017. Last year, she prosecuted then-Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, on charges of felony invasion of privacy and computer tampering. Updated with new information. ST. LOUIS COUNTY A 17-year-old was charged Tuesday for allegedly shooting a 16-year-old while playing with a gun, St. Louis County prosecutors said. Tawan Smith, 17, of the 10400 block of Baron Drive in the Castle Point neighborhood, was charged with first-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. He allegedly shot and killed Maurtrell Wilkes, 16, at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday. The shooting happened in the 10400 block of Baron, police said. Investigators first thought the death was a suicide or accident. Charging documents say a witness told police that Smith and Wilkes were "playing" while Smith had a gun in his hand. Smith fled after the shooting, charges say. Smith is being held on a $100,000 cash only bond. This article was corrected to show shooting happened in St. Louis County. A message from David Nicklaus Want to stay smart about what's happening in St. Louis? Make a modest investment in a Post-Dispatch subscription and I'll tell you how developments around the world affect local businesses big and small. Intro subscription rate: Just $1 for 6 months UPDATED with man charged and identification of man killed. ST. LOUIS COUNTY A nursing home resident was charged Wednesday in the apparent beating death of his roommate. St. Louis County officers found the body of Larry Harris, 69, with apparent physical injuries just after 7 a.m. at The Estates of Spanish Lake Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility, 610 Prigge Road in Spanish Lake. Harris was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Another resident, Willie Clemons, 72, was charged with second-degree murder in the death. Clemons is being held in the St. Louis County Justice Center in lieu of $250,000 bail. Court documents say that Clemons and Harris were roommates at the nursing facility. A nurse found Harris lying in his bed and not breathing. Harris had visible injuries to his head consistent with being struck multiple times, court documents say. Clemons had what looked like blood on his hands when he was arrested. Clemons admitted punching Harris multiple times while he was on top of him on a bed, authorities said. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. The Global Seismic Vessels Market report is encompassed of unique market dynamics that support the industry growth along with the various market issues such as trends, growth path, revenue, prediction, and market size analysis which directly impact the market dynamic. The information is obtained and analysed from the past and current year to forecast the market covering in the next coming years. The Seismic Vessels industry experts were interviewed across the globe to gather the data which is then validated based on the secondary data. In-depth study of market segmentation and active major players involved in the Market has been outlined in the report. The report also discloses the demand consumption along with the current and future market environment. Besides, it also throws light on the various regional market scenario which gives important information to gain a competitive edge. Moreover, the report also throws light on a strategy adopted by the top players followed by the wide range of service with the recent statistical data that help to understand the Market scenario. Also, this report gives an idea about the potential consumer in the market across the various industry which will definitely help to cater the consumer needs and expectations. Access the Report and Full TOC @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/ip/36607-seismic-vessels-industry-market-report The following manufacturers are covered in this report: Ulstein Group Drydocks World Factorias Vulcano Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Niestern Sander ASL Marine Holdings Besiktas Shipyard Fosen Yard Cemre Shipyard ST Engineering Seismic Vessels Breakdown Data by Type 2D Vessels 3D Vessels 4D Vessels Other Seismic Vessels Breakdown Data by Application Shallow Water Deep Water Seismic Vessels Production by Region United States Europe China Japan Other Regions Download Free Sample Report @ https://www.decisiondatabases.com/contact/download-sample-36607 Table of Contents-Snapshot 1 Study Coverage 2 Executive Summary 3 Market Size by Manufacturers 4 Double Winding Transformers Production by Regions 5 Double Winding Transformers Consumption by Regions 6 Market Size by Type 7 Market Size by Application 8 Manufacturers Profiles 9 Production Forecasts 10 Consumption Forecast 11 Value Chain and Sales Channels Analysis 12 Market Opportunities & Challenges, Risks and Influences Factors Analysis 13 Key Findings in the Global Double Winding Transformers Study 14 Appendix About Us: DecisionDatabases.com is a Global business research reports provider, enriching decision makers and strategists with qualitative statistics. DecisionDatabases.com is proficient in providing syndicated research Report, customized research reports, company profiles and industry databases across multiple domains. Our expert research analysts have been trained to map clients research requirements to the correct research resource leading to a distinctive edge over its competitors. We provide intellectual, precise and meaningful data at a lightning speed. For More Details: DecisionDatabases.com E-Mail: sales@decisiondatabases.com Phone: +91-90-28-057900 Web: https://www.decisiondatabases.com/ Paula Neely dialed a phone number in March 2017 that she now says saved her sons life. She had gone to police for help after a gunman targeting her son, then 23, shot at him from a passing car while he was walking in north St. Louis. Her son escaped unhurt by jumping over a fence and running away. Witnessing the scratches on my sons hand and legs from jumping the fence, the fear in his eyes, the shakiness in his voice, I knew the threat was real, said Neely, 42, of St. Louis. In the car, Neely and her mother heard a radio advertisement about a program to intervene in ongoing conflicts a program that is inspiring copycats nationwide. It was spearheaded by James Clark, with the nonprofit group Better Family Life. It was everything that related to my situation, Neely said. That was God speaking to me. She called the phone number in the ad and met with Clark that same day. She showed him threatening messages her son had exchanged with the gunman and told him how to contact her son. Better Family Life helped pay to move Neelys son out of Missouri while Clark and his team tried to convince the other man to drop the fight. No. No. A thousand times, no. I am speaking, of course, about a food trend for 2019 that has been predicted by more than one culinary prognosticator. I am speaking, of course, about kelp. Kelp, kelp and more kelp, said Marc Murphy, a New York-based chef, cookbook author and judge on the cooking-competition show Chopped. Its a sustainable option thats good for diners and the oceans, so youll see a lot more of it, he said to Food & Wine. No. Just no. No, no and more no. Just because kelp is sustainable and its good for oceans, that does not mean kelp is good for diners. Its kelp. Its algae. Its seaweed. It is a punchline. It is not a meal. There may be a lot of it, but we dont have to eat it. Do you know what else there are a lot of? Insects. A few years ago, trend-spotters everywhere were predicting wed soon be munching away on fricasseed grasshopper and sauteed cockroaches. How did that turn out for you? Some of the most accurate gauges of economic health are pricing in lower Fed rates for the first time in more than a decade. The little-known near-term forward spread, which reflects the difference between the forward rate implied by Treasury bills six quarters from now and the current three-month yield, fell into negative territory on Wednesday for the first time since March 2008. Two-year yields dipped below those on one-year paper in December. "This is a crystal ball, it's telling you about the future and what the market thinks of the Fed and what it will do with its policy rate," Tony Crescenzi, market strategist and portfolio manager at Pimco, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. "The market is predicting a rate cut at the beginning part of next year." Federal Reserve economists said looking at forward rates relative to those on current Treasury bills has served traders well in the past. "When market participants expected and priced in a monetary policy easing over the next 18 months, their fears were validated more often than not," Eric C. Engstrom and Steven A. Sharpe wrote in a research paper dated July 2018. The number of people living in U.S. residential care facilities has grown by over 10 percent to 812,000 between 2010 and 2016, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As the industry gears up for the arrival of the graying baby boom generation, 74 million strong, senior living facilities have grown even faster. The number of rooms in those centers has risen up by a fifth since 2013, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, which collects data for the 99 largest U.S. metro areas. While aging is a global phenomenon and the U.S. society is relatively younger than those in Europe and north Asia, its greater dependence on senior centers confronts it with challenges other nations may yet have to grapple with. More so than previous U.S. generations, todays elderly often live far from their children. In Europe, seniors tend to live much closer to their relatives or in communities that provide generous government services for the elderly. In many Asian and African communities, multiple generations commonly live together. Not only do more people move into retirement communities, but they tend to do it later than they used to, resulting in more frequent and severe injuries, insurance professionals say. David Nicklaus David Nicklaus is a business columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow David Nicklaus Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Zoltek, a carbon fiber manufacturer based in Bridgeton, has agreed to pay $7.77 million to settle allegations that it violated U.S. sanctions against Belarus. The settlement was announced Dec. 20 by the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. The agency said Zoltek made 26 purchases of acrylonitrile, a chemical used in producing carbon fiber, from a state-owned Belarussian company between 2012 and 2015. The purchases, totaling more than $18 million, were made by Zoltek's Hungarian subsidiary but approved by senior U.S. executives. Some of the 2015 violations were "egregious," the Treasury said, because "multiple senior managers in Zoltek U.S. engaged in conversations about and demonstrated actual knowledge of" the sanctions. The settlement agreement says Zoltek routed purchases through a third-party trading company even after a February 2015 email from a Zoltek executive vice president expressed "concerns that the trading company was a shell company." Its impossible to say whether these self-inflicted problems have cost St. Louis any deals, but we certainly havent shown our best face to the outside world. Both organizations need to fix that, and we need to put regional infighting behind us. 2. How resilient is the St. Louis economy? The metro areas unemployment rate is near a record low, but most economists expect economic growth to slow in 2019. St. Louis is unlikely to buck the national trend. The regions business-services sector, which tends to be a bellwether, stalled late in the year. Whether it starts growing again may depend on the answer to our third question. 3. How will the big mergers play out? European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu welcomed on Tuesday the fact that the cohesion policy represents a priority for the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, adding that this thing "proves the clear impact that this policy of solidarity had over the past years in Romania, contributing essentially to improving the Romanians' lives." "For the first time since joining the European Union, Romania holds today [Tuesday] the Presidency of the EU Council. Our country is part of the trio of rotating presidencies of the EU Council, next to Finland and Croatia," Commissioner Cretu wrote on Facebook. "This six-month mandate take place in a moment full of challenges, which represents an additional reason for Romania to use all the opportunities to advance in the negotiation of priority files, including in respect to the cohesion policy for 2021-2027 period," she added."As European Commissioner for Regional Policy, I'm glad to see that this cohesion policy represents a priority for the Romanian Presidency, which will also be carried out under the motto 'Cohesion, a common European value,'" Corina Cretu wrote, adding that this thing "proves the clear impact which this policy of solidarity had over the past years in Romania, contributing essentially to improving Romanians' lives.""Just as before, both I personally and the European Commission are ready to support the Romanian authorities with all that we can in view of having a successful Presidency, that will contribute to the strengthening of the European project and to the drawing-up of a better future of the European Union" she added, concluding her message by wishing Romania 'much success.'Between 1 January and 30 June, Romania will exercise, for the first time, the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the background of a European agenda marked by political developments and files with a decisive impact on the future of the community block, including the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, the negotiation of the future European budget or the elections to the European Parliament in May. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Global Carpet Washer Market Research Report is brief overview on Carpet Washer industry having detailed focus on major factors of worldwide market for future prospective which elaborates major factors and overall perspective towards business growth. This Carpet Washer market report offers detailed perceptions on the market dynamic forces to enable informed business decision making and development strategy formulation supported on the opportunities present in the market. The report provides the most up-to-date industry data on the actual and potential market situation, and future outlook. Get Sample Copy at https://www.orianresearch.com/request-sample/716194 Market Overview Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and market shares for each company. Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global market of Router industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and import/export. Revenue and gross margin by regions (North America, EU, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India) and other regions can be added. Inquire more or share questions if any before the purchase on this report @ https://www.orianresearch.com/enquiry-before-buying/716194 All Key Regions Covered in Report: North America: US, Canada, Mexico Europe: Germany Spain France, Italy, UK, Rest of Europe Asia Pacific: Japan, China, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Rest of Asia Pacific South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Rest of South America Middle East & Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa No. Of Pages: 115 The key Companies Analyzed in this Report are: BISSELL Royal Appliance HAAN TTI Mytee Powr-Flite Reliable Rug Doctor SharkNinja Steamfast Vapor Clean Vax Appliances Key Stakeholders Carpet Washer Manufacturers Carpet Washer Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Carpet Washer Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream Vendors The report focuses on Global Carpet Washer Market major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. What's more, the Carpet Washer industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed. Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered. In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market. On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into Canister Handheld Steam Mop Upright Market size by End User Home Usage Commercial Usage Industry Usage Order a copy of Global Carpet Washer Market Report @ https://www.orianresearch.com/checkout/716194 Major Points Covered in Table of Contents: 1 Carpet Washer Market Overview 2 Global Carpet Washer Market Competition by Manufacturers 3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Complementary DNA Microarrays (cDNA 4 Global Carpet Washer Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018) 5 Global Carpet Washer Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type 6 Global Carpet Washer Market Analysis by Application 7 Global Carpet Washer Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis 8 Carpet Washer Manufacturing Cost Analysis 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis 12 Global Carpet Washer Market Forecast (2018-2026) 13 Research Findings and Conclusion 14 Appendix About Us Orian Research is one of the most comprehensive collections of market intelligence reports on the World Wide Web. Our reports repository boasts of over 500000+ industry and country research reports from over 100 top publishers. We continuously update our repository so as to provide our clients easy access to the world's most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, and products. We also specialize in custom research in situations where our syndicate research offerings do not meet the specific requirements of our esteemed clients. Contact Us Ruwin Mendez Vice President Global Sales & Partner Relations Orian Research Consultants US: +1 (832) 380-8827 | UK: +44 0161-818-8027 Email: info@orianresearch.com Website: www.orianresearch.com/ Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/13281002/ Justice Minister Tudorel Toader said in an interview broadcast on Tuesday by Antena 3 private television station that, for now, he wasn't called to offer counseling regarding the complaint for high treason against President Klaus Iohannis, however, he added that he wouldn't mind if this thing didn't happen. "Of course, I know it's not hard to throw an anathema like that about somebody, but I will respect my limits of competence, my limits as Minister of Justice. It was said there that X and Y shall drawn-up the draft and then turn to me for counseling. So far, they didn't turn to me. I wouldn't mind if they didn't turn to me. I haven't seen such a draft," Toader stated, when asked about this complaint. On the other hand, Toader stated that President Klaus Iohannis is not as well advised in matters concerning justice as former President Traian Basescu. "The president back then was better advised than the current president. The president back then - don't you think that he is one of my weaknesses - he had a flair, he felt things and presented them in a least credible manner. The President today, I have nothing against him, but he does not have this flair, this social skill - he harshly tells you 'I do not agree with ... but I'm going to do some research.' Well, you must do research when making statements and giving a solution," Toader said.Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Liviu Dragnea stated on 20 December that the complaint for high treason against President Klaus Iohannis will be lodged in the beginning of 2019."Yes, next year [the complaint will be lodged]. (...) In the beginning of next year, we'll see if it gets done during the parliamentary holiday or after the beginning of the parliamentary session. We are going to have a response these days," Dragnea said at the Palace of Parliament.Dragnea requested, at the National Council of the PSD, to Social-Democrat deputies Florin Iordache and Mircea Draghici to file a criminal complaint for high treason against President Klaus Iohannis."Some Romanian MEPs traitors voted near the Greater Union Centennial against our country, against Romania, continuously lying and presenting a totally and completely different reality about what is going on in Romania. They had no hesitation, they didn't flinch. And they further insist to hurt Romania. Because they say 'that's the way it has to be.' The CVM [the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism] should further be maintained, don't put us in Schengen, as many punishments as possible be applied to Romania until we come to power, because when we come to power, namely the government of technocrats (...) you do not need to do anything, because we will give you everything, anyway. (...) Above all these actions of these Romanian MEPs, Romanian citizens, above all, there is Iohannis, who says for a very long time, in a manner which betrays Romania's interests, that the Government of Romania, Romania is not ready to take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This is an act of national treason, of the national interests of this country practiced by Klaus Werner Iohannis," Dragnea stated at the PSD's National Council meeting. 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He made 23 parachute jumps during that time, served as a Military Police and played for the division football team. He married Bernice Irene Hartmann on September 18, 1955 and they were married for 54 years until her passing in August of 2010. They had three children together- Chris (1956), Gary (1959) and Berlyn (1965). Frank attended Chadron State College and played for the Eagles football team and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and then earned his Masters in Education from Chadron State in 1960. In 1958, Frank began teaching Math and Physical Education at Gering High School and coached football, basketball, track and golf. In 1964 he became principal of Gering Junior High and held that position for 29 years until his retirement in 1993. He oversaw the construction of the new Junior High building and was a member of the Nebraska Schoolmasters Association. Karla Niedan-Streeks, executive director of the Gering Visitors Bureau, said they used the service to lodge many of the visitors during the total solar eclipse in August 2017. It was beneficial for people coming from outside the area to stay for an extended period of time, Niedan-Streeks said. Some homeowners who have never thought of sharing their homes or apartments tried it out and it was very successful. She said the lodging tax is essential for the state to market its tourism industry. I think there will be legislation in the future so those lodging stays will be assessed and collected for each countys lodging taxes, Niedan-Streeks said. Its a user tax and visitors are used to paying it. As Airbnb services become more popular, Im sure there will be more discussion about that. She said there will continue to be changes in the travel and tourism industry and visitors will continue to seek a variety of amenities. Any community that wants to remain competitive in the tourism market will need to provide the services visitors are seeking. Brenda Leisy, director of the Scotts Bluff Area Visitors Bureau, said Airbnb options in the county are still low, but that could change. One of the high points was during the 2017 solar eclipse. Ogden jazz icon Joe McQueen may be gone, but his memory and legacy live on. One physical reminder of his life, McQueen's lifelong home at 3158 Grant Ave., has now become available for sale. The house received extensive remodeling, but as investor Richard Casperson has said, "Joe's energy is O livia Newton-Johns management have rubbished reports that she is dying with weeks to live after reports regarding her ill health circulated. Media outlets in Australia and the US claimed that the 70-year-old Grease star was incredibly unwell, just months after being diagnosed with cancer for the third time, but her management have slammed them as laughable. Last week, an unnamed source told Radar Online that her bodily functions were shutting down. They added: She refuses to let go until she makes it through [her daughter] Chloe's wedding day. The reports were followed by an Australian site Now To Love who claimed that Newton-John had weeks not months to live. Happy together: Olivia Newton-John with her husband John / Isaac Brekken/Getty However, her US-based manager Michael Caprio dismissed the reports his the actress was at deaths door as hilarious. He told news.com.au: No she has not [only got weeks to live]. You might want to get better sources versus reading tabloids. Meanwhile, Newton-Johns social media manager Randy Slovacek also spoke out about the reports to The Herald Sun. He said: We have stated over and over again publicly shes feeling better. People just seem to want to believe some dramatic turn. Newton-John first beat breast cancer in 1992 before falling ill again in 2013. In September 2017, she spoke out about her third occurrence of the illness. Starring role: Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in Grease The star told Australias Channel 7: My husbands always there, and hes always there to support me, and I believe I will win over it and thats my goal. Im treating it naturally. And doing really well. In California, its legal to grow a certain amount of plants for your own medicinal purposes. Im very lucky that I live in a state where its legal and that I have a husband that is a plant-medicine man. K atie Price has been targeted by an anonymous Twitter account that is threatening to release photos of her plastic surgery procedures. An account with the username thedarkoverlord claims to have gained access to private photos of the former glamour model undergoing cosmetic surgery, and is threatening to make the previously unseen photos public. The anonymous user implied that they have hacked client records from London Bridge Plastic Surgery, and also targeted The Only Way Is Essex stars Frankie Essex and Chloe Sims in a series of messages posted on New Years Day. We hacked @LBPSPlasticsurg previously, they tweeted. Clients @FrankieEssex and @Chloe_Sims contact us before your surgery photos become public. Bad timing for you now. Fresh-faced: Katie Price pictured in 2000 before undergoing facial surgery (William Conran/PA ) / William Conran/PA LBPS client @KatiePrice youre not excluded from this #hacking #cybercrime, they continued. Standard Online has reached out to Price's representatives for comment. Price was criticised by her fans last year when she shared a horrific video of herself talking while undergoing a facelift. The clip showed the star, who was sedated but awake, as she chatted with her plastic surgeon Frank Plovier as he pulled a flap of skin away from her cheek during the procedure. Katie Price and Kris Boyson get back together Katie Price and Kris Boyson get back together "So here I am and I'm absolutely not in pain at all, she said. Even though my mouth is numb, I cant feel a thing, its brilliant even though Im talking too much. So all you women out there who are afraid of being put to sleep and want your face done, this is perfect, she continued. Fans slammed the video as really disturbing and vile, with others voicing their concerns about the safety of the procedure. T ear gas was fired by US agents towards migrants trying to cross the border from Mexico amid a row about immigration that has paralysed Washington. Some migrants threw rocks while others attempted to climb over or crawl under a border fence near San Diego, California. The US customs and border protection agency said guards were forced to act after several teenagers in heavy jackets tried to get past razor-edge wire using blankets and rubber mats. It added that some toddler-sized children were passed over the fence. A US Border Protection officer grabs a migrant as he goes down the border fence to get into the US / AP Tear gas, pepper spray and smoke was used to prevent about 150 migrants from entering the US illegally. Twenty-five people were arrested during the confrontation yesterday. A migrant, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America trying to reach the United States, throws back a tear gas bomb / REUTERS A spokeswoman for the US department of homeland security said: Once again we have had a violent mob of migrants attempt to enter the United States illegally by attacking our agents with projectiles. As has happened before in this and previous administrations our personnel used the minimum force necessary to defend themselves, defend our border, and restore order. A migrant, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America trying to reach the United States, covers his face after tear gas is thrown / REUTERS In a similar clash just over a month ago border guards used tear gas to disperse migrants, including mothers and children, who had gathered at the border after joining a caravan of asylum seekers from Central America. In Washington, a stand-off between Donald Trump and Congress over funding for a border wall has led to a partial shutdown of the government. President Trump has refused to sign off on a budget deal that does not include $5 billion ($3.9 billion) to build the wall and Democrats will not agree to fund it. Donald Trump has been fighting for funding for his proposed border wall / AFP/Getty Images The shutdown, which started on December 22, means that a quarter of federal government employees began 2019 either out of work or working without pay. Californias Joshua Tree National Park was forced to close campgrounds today amid health concerns about over-full toilets. Joshua Tree, along with other national parks such as Yosemite, remain open but with services severely reduced due to lack of staff. The US departments of homeland security, justice, interior, state and housing and urban development have also been affected. Some workers are suing the government in protest against a requirement that essential employees must report to work without pay. Last night Mr Trump suggested he wanted to do deal with House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi. Border Security and the Wall thing and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! he tweeted. Lets make a deal? N ew Yorkers can now register as a third gender, under laws that came into effect yesterday. The reform, designed for transgender people and those who are gender non-conforming, means parents can choose X instead of male or female for their newborns birth certificate. Adults born in New York can also change their recorded gender if they feel that the one they were given at birth does not reflect who they are now. The law was among a raft of measures that came into effect on New Years Day which show how New York is more progressive than London on some social issues. New York state and New York City were able to make these changes themselves, whereas London often has to rely on central government. "It will allow transgender New Yorkers to live with the dignity and respect they deserve" The laws about gender were approved by the New York City Council and Board of Health last year after a campaign by InterACT, a group that supports intersex youth and those with an anatomy or chromosomes that are not male or female. New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, said at the time that it would allow transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers to live with the dignity and respect they deserve. Gretchen Van Wye, an assistant commissioner in the health departments statistics bureau, said that it was trying to differentiate between sex, which is more biological, and gender, which is more subjective. She said: We conflate those on the birth certificate, and were trying to serve the needs of the most while accommodating the requests that were getting. New York is not the first place to make such a change California, Oregon and Washington State began offering similar measures at the start of last year but it is one of the most important. London and the UK officially recognise only two genders, although the title Mx is widely accepted for intersex people. The Ministry of Justice announced in July 2017 that it would begin consulting the public on introducing a third option but nothing came of it. A third gender has also been introduced on official documents in Germany. Intersex people can choose diverse on paperwork such as birth certificates. The German government voted for the move after the Federal Constitutional Court called on lawmakers to introduce a third category or dispense with gender altogether. Intersex people are those who do not fit the biological definition of male or female. N etflix has been slammed after removing an episode of a comedy show which criticised Saudi Arabia from its website. It took down the second episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj from its Saudia Arabia site after the countrys Communications and Information Technology Commission allegedly asked them to. During the satirical episode, Mr Minhaj discussed the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and criticised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In the episode, the comedian also said he feels Saudi Arabia does not represent our values as Muslims and urged Silicon Valley to stop taking money from the kingdom. Roasting: Comedian Hasan Minhaj Mr Minhaj quipped: The Saudis were struggling to explain his disappearance: they said he left the consulate safely, then they used a body double to make it seem like he was alive. At one point they were saying he died in a fist fight, Jackie Chan-style. They went through so many explanations. But Netflix defended its decision and said they received a valid legal request to take down the episode, according to the Financial Times. A spokesperson said: We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request and to comply with local law. The episode is still available to watch on YouTube. Mr Minhaj criticised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the episode / REUTERS Mr Minhaj, 33, was senior correspondent on The Daily Show from 2014 to 2018 before landing his own spot on Netflix. The Indian American was also the featured speaker at the 2017 White House Correspondents Dinner, branding Donald Trump liar in chief. Human Rights Watch said artists whose work is on Netflix should be outraged. A spokesman told The Guardian: Every artist whose work appears on Netflix should be outraged that the company has agreed to censor a comedy show because the thin-skinned royals in Saudi complained about it. F ormer presidential candidate Mitt Romney has hit out at Donald Trump, accusing him of failing to lead a "divided" nation. The former Republican candidate and Utah senator sharply criticised the US President and suggested the leader had caused dismay around the world. Mr Romney penned an essay for the Washington Post on Tuesday, where he blasted a number of Mr Trumps actions. He wrote: The appointment of senior persons of lesser experience, the abandonment of allies who fight beside us, and the Presidents thoughtless claim that America has long been a sucker in world affairs all defined his presidency down. Mr Trump has previously endorsed Mr Romney / AP He added: Trumps words and actions have caused dismay around the world. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mr Romney explained that it was well-known Mr Trump was not his choice for the Republican presidential nomination, but added he hoped the 72-year-old would rise to the occasion once elected. Mitt Romney was the Republican presidential nominee in 2012 / AP He said: His early appointments of Rex Tillerson, Jeff Sessions, Nikki Haley, Gary Cohn, H.R. McMaster, Kelly and Mattis were encouraging. But, on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office. Mr Romney also accused the president of failing to unite the nation at a time when it is so divided. M eghan Markles estranged sister has branded claims she is on a police fixated persons list a big lie. Samantha Markle posted a series of denials on Twitter after reports she had been placed on a police list of people who pose a risk to the Royal Familys reputation. It comes after she visited the UK to try to visit the Duchess to attempt to heal the family rift and sent a Christmas card calling for a truce. Reports claimed Scotland Yard's Fixated Threat Assessment Centre had detectives briefed to monitor the situation. The Duchess of Sussex and her sister Samantha are estranged from each other (Getty) / Getty Images Commenting on the allegation, she said: Scotland Yard does not mention names unless they been charged they clearly said I have not been charged. She added that the reports were "a big lie" and expressed anger at those who had "labelled me a security risk or crazy." Samantha Markle appeared on Jeremy Vine on 5 when she visited the UK to try to contact Meghan / Jeremy Vine on 5 A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said it does not confirm the identity of any person who may or may not be of interest to police unless that person has been charged with an offence. Thomas Markle has spoken of his lack of communication with his daughter / PA/Reuters Samantha has been a longstanding critic of her sister Meghan, regularly vocalising her anger over the treatment of their father, Thomas. Mr Markle, 74, has spoken of the lack of contact he has had with his daughter, claiming he attempts to speak to her but receives no response when he texts. Samantha, 54, previously visited London in an apparent attempt to see the Duchess in person, claiming to have exhausted other contact methods. Ahead of Christmas she penned a letter to Meghan, who married Prince Harry in 2018, begging her to resolve her relationship with their father. S mug Scots mocked the rest of the UK on Wednesday as they celebrated having a second New Year bank holiday. People in Scotland enjoying another lie in took to social media as everyone else returned to work on January 2. Many joked about partying so hard for Hogmanay - the Scots word for the last day of the year - that they needed an extra day off. Others poked fun at English colleagues who were forced to head into the office. One person tweeted: Twitter-South! Youre ruining my 2nd Jan Bank Holiday with all your 'Back to Work' tweets. "Where's the compassion for us still celebrating or nursing hangovers up here! Ssshhhh...Keep it doon! Madihah Ansari said: I love that in #Scotland we get the 2nd off because they know we need an extra day of rest after Hogmanay. A technique is being trialled by London surgeons to reduce the risk of men losing their sexual potency from prostate cancer surgery. The NeuroSAFE procedure aims to minimise the chance of having to remove the nerves around the prostate gland, thereby preserving a mans ability to have sex. Surgeons hope this will encourage younger men with prostate cancer to agree to an attempted cure with surgery. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with almost 50,000 new cases diagnosed annually.It kills about 12,000 a year but if caught early the chances of a cure are very good. The trial is being led by consultant urological surgeon Greg Shaw at University College London Hospitals in Marylebone. The procedure originated in Germany and has been performed during robotic prostate surgery for the past five or six years. Mr Shaw, who uses a surgical robot to remove a prostate, said he had launched the trial after seeing two young patients decline surgery only for their cancer to become untreatable. Black men in their forties and fifties are at higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Mr Shaw said: They chose not to have surgery because they were so scared of the side-effects. But the cancer spread, meaning it was no longer curable. They are going to die of that cancer. That was the impetus for the trial. The new procedure involves the surgeon leaving behind the potency nerves in the outer covering of the prostate whilst removing the walnut-sized gland itself. The removed prostate is analysed under a microscope by a pathologist while the patient remains under anaesthetic on the operating table. If no cancer is detected in the area adjoining the nerves, the all clear is given and the operation is completed. If cancer is found, then the surgeon removes the nerves. The tendency is to not spare the nerves if there is thought to be a risk of leaving cancer behind, Mr Shaw said. There is a strong rationale to do everything we can to spare the nerves when safe to do so, particularly where patients are so young and have got a lot to lose. "We know that nerve-sparing works. The more nerve tissue is left behind, the greater a mans chances of being potent after surgery. If we cant leave the nerves at all, theyre extremely unlikely to be potent, even with Viagra. About 50 men have taken part in the first stage of the trial. Half have undergone the NeuroSAFE technique, and only a handful of them have required removal of their nerve bundles. E -cigarette users are seeking help in increasing numbers to quit vaping, according to Londons biggest stop-smoking clinic. Allen Carrs Easyway centre said the number of vapers trying to give up the devices has risen by 50 per cent compared with last year. It follows advice from Public Health England that says e-cigarettes are 95 per cent less harmful than smoking and have helped three million smokers to quit or reduce their cigarette use. The clinic, in Raynes Park, said the UK has among the highest levels of e-cigarette use in Europe and while vaping is helping get smokers off cigarettes, it still keeps them hooked on nicotine, although the lowest strength e-liquids are nicotine-free. John Dicey, the companys global chief executive and a former 80-a-day smoker, said the centre sees the UKs largest proportion of e-cigarette users and dual-use smokers and vapers. He said several hundred sought help in the first three quarters of last year, making up 12 per cent of clients and representing a 50 per cent increase on the same period in 2017. The ages of people trying to quit vaping ranges from 24 to 50. The clinic is expecting a further surge as people attempt to give up as a New Years resolution. Mr Dicey said: The number of smokers attending our centres who have tried vaping in the past has also been increasing sharply. Most of the vapers who attend our seminars are dual-users who smoke when they can and vape when they cant. The profile for vapers is the same as our smoking clients, from someone who might consider themselves a light smoker of five to 10 a day, to the equivalent of 60, 70 or 80 cigarettes. Some spend 30 or 40 a week on vaping. At the moment the emphasis from Public Health England is on harm reduction; theyd rather people vape instead of smoke. T he transport secretary has described a ferry company that will receive a multi-million pound contract in the event of a no-deal Brexit as a "start-up business". The Government has faced a backlash for awarding the 13.8m contract to Seaborne Freight after a Tory councillor in Ramsgate told the BBC it has "no ships and no trading history". Chris Grayling said the Government looked carefully at taking on the services of Seaborne Freight, which has never run a service over the Channel, in the event of a no-deal. The business would carry goods between Britain and mainland Europe if the former leaves the bloc without an agreement, as part of a 13.8million agreement. Mr Grayling, speaking to Radio 4 Today, defended the decision following a raft of criticism. The ferry contract for Ramsgate is supposed to ease the pressure on Dover / Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images He said: "It's a new start-up business, Government is supporting new business and there is nothing wrong with that. "We have looked very carefully at this business and have put in place a tight contract that makes sure they can deliver for us. "I make no apologies for supporting a new British business." Seaborne Freight would run a route between Ramsgate and Ostend in Belgium, beginning at the end of March should there be no Brexit agreement between the UK and the EU27. It was awarded the contract as one of three deals worth a total of 108 million contracts last week, creating additional crossings to ease the pressure on Dover. Lorries queued on the A20 in Dover, Kent / PA Archive/PA Images Seaborne was established two years ago but currently has no services running. Mr Grayling added: "This has been looked at very carefully by a team of civil servants who have done due diligence. "We believe they are on track to run services from April, yes." The Department for Transport previously said "the extra capacity and vessels would be provided as part of its first services". "As with all contracts, we carefully vetted the company's commercial, technical and financial position in detail before making the award," it said, according to the BBC. A general view of the harbour in Ramsgate, Kent / Gareth Fuller/PA This came after numerous detractors questioned how a proper process had been carried out to decide upon the contract. Paul Messenger, a councillor for Ramsgate, questioned whether the government had carried out sufficient checks on the firm. He told the BBC: "It has no ships and no trading history so how can due diligence be done?" While Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, a supporter of the Best for Britain campaign for a second referendum, also lambasted the plans. She said: "Never has it been clearer that our Government is selling us down the river over Brexit. A firm that has never run a ferry service before has been awarded a multi-million pound contract and they don't even have any ships." "We know our ports aren't ready for a no-deal disaster, but is hiring a firm that's never dealt with this kind of thing before really going to help? This idea should have been sunk before it saw the light of day." The new preparations come as MPs prepare to vote on Theresa May's much-maligned Brexit deal. The vote, which was delayed in December, will allow Parliament to decide on whether to back the agreement confirmed with the European Union. B rexit will reduce Britains ability to send asylum seekers who cross the Channel in unsafe dinghies back to France, a former head of immigration enforcement warned today. Amid claims that the dangerous sea crossings will multiply unless migrants are seen being returned, the ex-senior Home Office official said leaving the EU would end current agreements designed to deter such attempts. David Wood, former deputy chief executive of the Border Agency and ex-director general of immigration enforcement at the Home Office, said Britain may lose protections currently given under the Dublin Agreement, which says asylum seekers should claim refuge in the first safe country they arrive in. Brexit may affect all of this, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. Once we are out of the EU we are not, I suspect, part of Dublin. Currently if people come here and claim asylum and it is found they claimed asylum in another EU country they can be returned to that EU country. If we are out of the Dublin Agreement we would be out of that. Sajid Javid visited Dover on Wednesday morning / PA Mr Wood said that although the numbers crossing were currently low, they could escalate into far more. A Government minister told the Standard that returning migrants was key to reducing the number of crossings. The priority has to be to get them back to France as soon as possible, the minister said. If it is advertised that people can get safely here and remain, then the people traffickers will benefit. But if it becomes known that they cannot land here without being returned then nobody will pay them. Home Secretary Sajid Javid this week announced two Border Force cutters will be redeployed from the Med to patrol the Channel. But it was unclear whether they would mainly pick migrants out of the water and bring them to safety in the UK, or try to stop boats making the crossing. Sajid Javid this week announced two Border Force cutters will be redeployed from the Med to patrol the channel (PA ) / PA The Home Office said it is working with the National Crime Agency and French counterparts to target organised crime gangs behind these dangerous attempts and stop boats before they leave French waters. Some 230 migrants tried to cross the Channel in December, with half prevented from getting across by French authorities. T heresa May has launched a fresh charm offensive against EU leaders ahead of the fight of her political life to get her Brexit deal over the line. The Prime Minister is reportedly approaching EU leaders for assurances the Irish backstop plan will be time-limited. The Financial Times reported Mrs May will speak to European Council president Donald Tusk, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Leaders have so far refused to offer concessions on her much-criticised Withdrawal Agreement, partly leading to the deadlock in Parliament just weeks before Brexit day on March 29. Theresa May is reportedly approaching EU leaders for assurances the Irish backstop plan will be time-limited / Eddie Keogh/Reuters The Irish backstop, aimed at avoiding a hard border, is one of the major sticking points of Mrs Mays deal. Brexiteers in her own party, such as Boris Johnson, claim the EU would use the backstop to "blackmail" the UK to get what they want out of the future trade negotiations. And the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which is propping up Mrs Mays minority government, also reiterated its opposition to the backstop plans on Wednesday evening. Key Brexit moments of 2018: in pictures 1 /23 Key Brexit moments of 2018: in pictures Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Chequers in July PA The Cabinet thrashed out a Brexit blue print PA The away day meeting PA Boris Johnson leaves Carlton House Terrace in Westminster after he resigned as Foreign Secretary PA David Davis pictured after quitting the government, resigning his post as Brexit Secretary AFP/Getty Images New role: Jeremy Hunt was appointed as Foreign Secretary in July Getty Images Dominic Raab took over the role of Brexit Secretary in July AP/Matt Dunham Exotic spresm: Liberal Democrats Leader Sir Vince Cable following his speech at the party conference PA More than half a million protesters descended on London for the People's Vote March in October Sky News Demonstrators called for a People's Vote on Brexit during a march in Liverpool earlier this year Getty Images Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, presented the red Budget Box as he revealed the government's financial plans in October Getty Images It was the last Budget before Brexit AFP/Getty Images Mr McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn listen as Chancellor Philip Hammond delivers his Budget statement AFP/Getty Images New Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay after Dominic Raab quit the post in November Getty Images Esther McVey also resigned as Work and Pensions Secretary Sir Keir Starmer opened the debate on a motion to hold the Government in contempt of Parliament on December 4 AFP/Getty Images Sir Graham Brady (centre), chairman of the 1922 Committee, announces that Theresa May has survived a confidence vote on December 12 PA Theresa May in Downing Street after winning the confidence vote Jeremy Selwyn The Prime Minister confronts Jean-Claude Juncker at an EU summit in December 'You called me nebulous' Philip Sime/Twitter Jeremy Corbyn was accused of mouthing the words "stupid woman" during the last PMQs of the year Jeremy Corbyn responds in the Commons amid the row PA Jeremy Corbyn denied reports he muttered the words "stupid woman" AFP/Getty Images Deputy leader Nigel Dodds was in Downing Street on Wednesday to warn the Prime Minister the party would hold her to her word over securing changes to the deal. The party is heavily critical of a measure that would see Northern Ireland adhere to an EU framework if a wider trade deal between the UK and EU proves elusive. Mr Dodds' meeting at the Chief Whip's Office came ahead of this month's vital Westminster vote on the deal Mrs May has struck with the EU. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds / PA After Mrs May called off the vote last month, the debate is set to be renewed next week, with the vote taking place the week after. In other Brexit news, Jeremy Corbyn refused to back a second EU referendum despite a poll suggesting almost three-quarters of Labour members want one. A survey of more than 1,000 party members found that 72 per cent would like to see Mr Corbyn throw his weight behind a so-called People's Vote. But the veteran MP has long resisted such calls and, asked on Wednesday if he would change his stance, he said: "What we will do is vote against having no deal, we'll vote against Theresa May's deal. "And at that point she should go back to Brussels and say this is not acceptable to Britain and renegotiate a customs union, form a customs union with the European Union to secure trade." J eremy Corbyn is facing further pressure to back a second Brexit referendum after polling showed clear support among Labour members for another vote. A study of more than 1,000 members found 72 per cent want Mr Corbyn to throw his weight behind a so-called People's Vote. The Labour leader, a known Eurosceptic during his 36 years as an MP, has resisted calls within the party to back another referendum. Instead, he has called for a general election and promised to strike his own Brexit deal with Brussels. Outside the membership, the study also found backing for a second vote among Labour supporters. A study of more than 1,000 party members found 72 per cent want Mr Corbyn to throw his weight behind a so-called People's Vote / Mario Cruz/EPA Some 57 per cent of current Labour voters, and 61 per cent of those who backed the party at the 2017 general election, want Mr Corbyn to "fully support" a fresh referendum. The study also suggests tens of thousands of Labour members could be prepared to quit the party over the leadership's approach to Brexit. TODO: define component type apester Almost a quarter 23 per cent of Labour members put Mr Corbyn's failure to back a second referendum down to a belief that he supports Brexit. Key Brexit moments of 2018: in pictures 1 /23 Key Brexit moments of 2018: in pictures Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Chequers in July PA The Cabinet thrashed out a Brexit blue print PA The away day meeting PA Boris Johnson leaves Carlton House Terrace in Westminster after he resigned as Foreign Secretary PA David Davis pictured after quitting the government, resigning his post as Brexit Secretary AFP/Getty Images New role: Jeremy Hunt was appointed as Foreign Secretary in July Getty Images Dominic Raab took over the role of Brexit Secretary in July AP/Matt Dunham Exotic spresm: Liberal Democrats Leader Sir Vince Cable following his speech at the party conference PA More than half a million protesters descended on London for the People's Vote March in October Sky News Demonstrators called for a People's Vote on Brexit during a march in Liverpool earlier this year Getty Images Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, presented the red Budget Box as he revealed the government's financial plans in October Getty Images It was the last Budget before Brexit AFP/Getty Images Mr McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn listen as Chancellor Philip Hammond delivers his Budget statement AFP/Getty Images New Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay after Dominic Raab quit the post in November Getty Images Esther McVey also resigned as Work and Pensions Secretary Sir Keir Starmer opened the debate on a motion to hold the Government in contempt of Parliament on December 4 AFP/Getty Images Sir Graham Brady (centre), chairman of the 1922 Committee, announces that Theresa May has survived a confidence vote on December 12 PA Theresa May in Downing Street after winning the confidence vote Jeremy Selwyn The Prime Minister confronts Jean-Claude Juncker at an EU summit in December 'You called me nebulous' Philip Sime/Twitter Jeremy Corbyn was accused of mouthing the words "stupid woman" during the last PMQs of the year Jeremy Corbyn responds in the Commons amid the row PA Jeremy Corbyn denied reports he muttered the words "stupid woman" AFP/Getty Images The work was carried out by YouGov for the Economic and Social Research Council-funded Party Members Project. Prof Tim Bale, of Queen Mary University London, said: "Our survey of Labour's grassroots clearly shows that Corbyn's apparent willingness to see the UK leave the EU - a stance he has recently reiterated - is seriously at odds with what the overwhelming majority of Labour's members want, and it doesn't reflect the views of most Labour voters either." Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's New Year's message Labour MP Phil Wilson said: "An overwhelming majority of Labour's voters, as well as its members, want the public to have the final say on Brexit and to stay in the European Union. "But the leadership has too often hidden behind myths that Labour is almost evenly divided on this issue when the clear evidence from this and other polls shows that it is the leadership which is increasingly out of step with its supporters. "I urge Jeremy to seize this chance to change the course of history, before it's too late." YouGov surveyed 1,034 Labour members for the study, as well as a sample of 1,675 British adults. A council has launched a major crackdown on litter louts in a bid to become Londons cleanliness capital. Barking and Dagenham has created a 10-strong team of officers to patrol the streets and issue 75 on-the-spot fines to offenders. The borough has also launched a grime crime YouTube series, aimed at identifying fly-tippers caught on CCTV. In the first week of the operation, which launched in the last week of November, the enforcement team issued 45 fines. Offenders who do not pay within two weeks will be named on the council website and threatened with court action, where they could be fined up to 2,500. Barking and Dagenham councillor Darren Rodwell told the Standard: We want to be the cleanliness capital of London. As part of the scheme, officers are tasked with sifting through illegally dumped rubbish looking for clues which will identify fly-tippers. They will also post CCTV of wanted offenders on the council websites wall of shame. Although the council previously used on-the-spot fines, it is the first time it has employed a dedicated team. Mr Rodwell said: If we are going to catch the culprits we need people to work with us. That is why our wall of shame asks residents to tell us who the individuals caught on camera are. But some residents are not convinced the plan is working and say the borough does not have enough public bins or a good enough refuse collection. Dave Sheldon said: I agree if you are caught littering you should be fined. However, I would like to see how they are planning to make the borough the cleanest [in London] when they are struggling to do the basics like actually taking peoples bins when they are due. L uxury hotels ripped off by a disgraced City insurance broker nicknamed The Pirate of the Caribbean are trying to sue his ex-employers for $10 million. Charles OSullivan, a former managing director at two Lloyds of London brokerages, masterminded a grossing up scam, which saw clients charged twice for six-figure fees and premiums. OSullivan, 60, of Chingford, swindled one hotel out of of $150,000 (118,000) by wrongly charging a concealed fixed fee on top of $406,000 (321,000) in brokerage. The SuperClubs consortium of 14 top hoteliers in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Bahamas and Florida, who say they were defrauded out of millions, will join forces in a legal battle against OSullivans ex-employers Besso Limited, at the High Court in February. They claim they are entitled to $10 million (8 million). Lennox Lewis, Rod Stewart, Harrison Ford and Janet Jackson are among celebrities who have stayed at the all-inclusive hotels owned by SuperClubs. Besso has launched its own action to have the matter thrown out, saying it has no merit and is out of time. A SuperClubs resort in Jamaica / travelandleisure.com In March 2017, OSullivan was found guilty by a Lloyds tribunal on three counts of discreditable conduct. The married father of one was declared unfit and unsuitable, banned and ordered to pay 138,698 in costs, cut by 10,000 on appeal. But he was spared a fine because of the impact of being suspended from his 350,000-a-year job. Lloyds said in a market bulletin: Mr OSullivan knew the deception would enable his company to retain far more by way of remuneration than the assured were prepared to allow dishonestly obtaining remuneration by deception. OSullivan ran the scam at Lloyds brokerages Besso, where he worked from 2004 to 2011, and at Bennett Gould & Partners until he was fired for gross misconduct in 2012. In July 2018, a High Court judgment laid bare his dishonesty. He declared himself bankrupt and flew to Spain before a judge awarded BG&P 1.2 million in damages against him for misrepresentation. Judge David Waksman ruled OSullivan had acted dishonestly and his conduct amounted to fraud leaving BG&P in a financial crisis. He said: It is plain there was serial and knowing misrepresentations by Mr OSullivan concerning the income and client representations. He obviously knew what he had done previously amounted to being dishonest, although he purports to deny that now. Stamford Bridge, where Charles O'Sullivan racked up 40,000 expenses on Chelsea tickets and entertaining / Getty Images The judge also criticised OSullivan for missing parts of the court case after claiming he was too ill, adding: The reality was there was no good medical reason why he could not attend taking such medication for depression as he had been prescribed would not have stopped him from attending court, and from being cross-examined, and from making final submissions. Clients in Jamaica described OSullivan as The Pirate of the Caribbean, while Lloyds colleagues widely called him Charlie ODangerous. He racked up 40,000 in expenses on Chelsea tickets and entertaining at Stamford Bridge. Paul Vincent, director of SuperClubs Bloody Bay Hotel in Jamaica, said in a High Court submission last month: Charles OSullivan operated a fraudulent system without knowledge or consent of SuperClubs. Brokerage was wrongfully and fraudulently received and retained Broadly speaking, this was achieved by grossing up or by taking undisclosed commission from underwriters (concealed brokerage), or by similar means. He alleged that Besso had received the secret profit. A security guard who was knifed to death in central London as he tried to stop gatecrashers forcing their way into a party was not meant to be working the night he died, according to reports. Sky News said on Wednesday that Simionov was not supposed to be working that night but had agreed to cover a shift for a colleague who could not make it to work. The 33-year-old and his colleagues were attacked by a group of men who were trying to gain entry to a party at Fountain House, a 12.5 million townhouse in Londons West End. Victim: Security guard Tudor Simionov Mr Simionov died at the scene after police were called to reports of trouble in the street at 80 Park Lane at about 5.30am. Two of his colleagues, aged 29 and 37, were also stabbed during the fight on Tuesday morning, as was a 29-year-old woman. Their injuries were not life-threatening. A 26-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody at a police station in central London. Woman passes crime scene in Park Lane / Nigel Howard Speaking after the arrest on Wednesday, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge, said: "This shocking attack has left one man dead and three others with significant injuries. The fact this takes place during the New Year celebrations has rightly captured a lot of attention. "Whilst my team have already spoken to a number of witnesses, others are yet to be traced. It is understandable that some people may have left the scene immediately after having witnessed the attack, possibly not knowing how serious it was at the time. But now, knowing this has resulted in murder of Mr Simionov and the serious injuries inflicted upon the three other victims, they should come forward and assist the investigation. "Mr Simionov and the two injured men were working as security staff for the private party when they were attacked by a group of males who were outside trying to enter." Victim: Tudor Simionov with girlfriend Madalina Anghel. She said the couple moved to London for a better life and had planned to marry Speaking to the Standard, Mr Simionovs girlfriend Madalina Anghel revealed earlier that they moved to London for a better life and had planned to marry. She said: Right now I cant think about him in the past. He was my future husband and we came to London from Romania for a better life. I cant explain in words how much pain I am in. He was a really good man. We were happily and excitedly talking about having children together. Mr Simionov, who lived in Ilford, was the second person to die in the capital in 2019, after mother-of-one Charlotte Huggins, 33, was stabbed in Camberwell, south-east London. A security guard knifed as he tried to stop gatecrashers forcing their way into an exclusive Mayfair party and a mother were today revealed as Londons first murder victims of 2019. Tudor Simionov and Charlotte Huggins, both 33, were killed in separate incidents within the first six hours of the new year. Their deaths come after the capital recorded the highest number of homicides in a decade last year. Mr Simionov was hailed a hero for protecting colleagues who were attacked by a group of men trying to gain entry to the party at a 12.5 million townhouse in Park Lane. Just over an hour earlier, Ms Huggins was knifed multiple times at her home in Camberwell after celebrating the arrival of the new year. Slaughtered: Security guard Tudor Simionov Mr Simionovs girlfriend revealed today that they moved to London for a better life and had planned to marry. Madalina Anghel told the Evening Standard: Right now I cant think about him in the past. He was my future husband and we came to London from Romania for a better life. I cant explain in words how much pain I am in. He was a really good man. We were happily and excitedly talking about having children together. Mr Simionov died at the scene after police were called to reports of trouble in the street at 80 Park Lane at about 5.30am yesterday. Two other security staff, both men aged 37 and 29, and a woman, 29, were also taken to hospital after being stabbed. Their injuries are not life-threatening. Violence: images from a mobile phone show the fight outside the party Club promoter Leroy Rose, 25, who gave Mr Simionov first aid, said the bouncer was a hero who died protecting his colleagues. He told the Standard: I saw him come back inside. He was in a suit and it was covered in blood. He didnt have a protective vest or anything. I saw blood coming from his chest. Stabbed to death in Camberwell: Charlotte Huggins I pulled him into the back and grabbed a towel and held the wound. He never said a word, he was in a shock. He only survived for a minute. He was stabbed in the middle of the chest. He is a hero, he died trying to save his colleagues. He beat up about nine guys by himself. The party was being held at a luxury three-bedroom house with views of Hyde Park, glass floors and a rooftop which is thought to be regularly hired out as a party venue. Video footage seen by the Standard shows a group of at least 10 men brawling outside the building before the knife attack. Police officers at a cordon in Park Lane / Nigel Howard A woman who was at the party told the Standard: Someone ran inside and said theres a stabbing upstairs and to hold the door. Some people started to hide, others held the door while some people tried to get in. There were broken glasses everywhere it was chaos. Detectives said some of the party revellers might have filmed the murder on their mobile phones and appealed for them to come forward. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge added: The area was particularly busy with people out celebrating and making their way home from various parties and organised events. Thursanth Kanapathi, 33, manager of the Esso petrol station in Park Lane, said he had called police two hours earlier. Images captured at the scene showed a man with a stab wound to his arm and large groups of men and women in their 20s on the forecourt. He said: They were all dressed in Gucci and designer labels. They were fighting among themselves and threatening my customers. I called the police at about 3am who came and then went. I also called the council who sent an official down. He was there with me when the guy got stabbed. It was so scary. There were young men and women everywhere and screaming and shouting. In a further incident early today, a man in his early 30s was stabbed in the stomach at an address in Corelli Road, Blackheath. He is said to be critically ill in hospital. A total of 134 people died violent deaths in London in 2018, the highest total since 2008 when 154 people were killed. A police sergeant stabbed at Manchester Victoria station said "instinct took over" when he was faced with the "frenzied" knife attack on New Year's Eve. Sergeant Lee Valentine was among three police officers first at the scene of Monday's attack, which left three people with stab injuries. In a statement, Sergeant Valentine said he and the other officers had no idea what they were running towards when they heard screams at the station. The past 48 hours have been so overwhelming, he said. Police officers stand at a platform following the stabbing at Victoria station in Manchester on New Year's Eve. / Phil Noble/Reuters My team and I are grateful to everyone who sent in messages of support, it really does mean the world to us. We had no idea what we were running towards when we heard the screams on New Years Eve. When we saw a man wielding a knife, instinct took over and we were able to, in company with Travel Safe Officers from Metrolink, successfully detain the male. Two commuters, a woman and man in their 50s, were also among those injured in the stabbing spree, which prompted Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to launch a counter-terrorism investigation. Police patrol Manchester's Piccadilly Station during heightened security after the stabbing on Monday / Getty Images The family of the 25-year-old man who was arrested and detained under the Mental Health Act on Wednesday expressed their eternal gratitude for the quick response of emergency services. A statement said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were seriously injured, their families and friends. "We are also eternally grateful for the swift response from the emergency services and the comfort given to those affected by fellow Mancunians and citizens. The GMP has informed us that our family member is currently detained under the Mental Health Act and is being treated by specialist medical staff." Armed police patrol Manchester's Piccadilly Station after the New Year's Eve stabbing / Getty Images They added: We are acutely aware that many, including within the media, may well have many questions to ask us. "However, we have been informed by the GMP that there is an active, ongoing terrorist investigation and as such we are limited in what we can say at this stage. A police spokesman said the suspect, who is being held on suspicion of attempted murder, has been assessed by specialist medical staff and police have searched his Cheetham Hill home. BTPs Chief Constable Paul Crowther said: This horrific incident underlines the bravery of our officers, who selflessly ran towards danger to help keep the public safe. As the first officers on the scene, their quick-thinking and outstanding response helped to prevent more passengers being hurt and stands as a testament to the Force. Whilst this incident is an example of policing at its finest it also serves as a dark reminder of policing at its most dangerous. In their efforts to detain the suspect, one of our officers suffered a stab injury to his shoulder. I have met with the officer today, along with his colleagues, and I am both humbled and full of admiration at their tenacity and dedication. He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any concerns to police. P olice have launched a murder probe after a woman and two men were found dead following a ferocious house fire on New Years Day. Officers said two more bodies were found on Wednesday, after initially saying on Tuesday that one person had died. The victims of the fire which happened in a detached house on a residential street in Kirton, near Boston were a 27-year-old woman and two men aged 24 and 32. All three were British, police said, though they have not been named. The scene after a house fire in Peartree Road, Kirton, near Boston / PA Lincolnshire Police said it was treating the fire as a domestic-related murder investigation. Officers said they knew the identities of the deceased, and were not seeking anyone else in connection with the deadly blaze. At the home on Wednesday afternoon, officers and fire investigators could be seen sifting through the wreckage. The only part of the roof remaining were two brick gable ends, while every window on the upper floor had been shattered. Part of the first floor wall had collapsed completely. Two other people who were taken to hospital following the fire have since been discharged. David Danby, a parish councillor who lives nearby, told the Press Association: We'd seen in the New Year, and then gone to bed. "Then at about 3am, the dog kicked off a bit and my partner thought he just wanted to go out to the toilet. "When we got downstairs, you could see the reflections of the light, from the fire. He continued: "It was the ferocity of it. "We just could not believe how quickly it had got from one side of the upstairs to the other. "It was like a tinderbox. A n aspiring Bollywood actor staged a crash-for-cash scam in which his girlfriend lied about being pregnant and had to be cut free by firefighters. Nasir Ghaffar, 34, and Shabina Kassim, 35, admitted trying to swindle 15,554 from insurers. An innocent motorist told how a Vauxhall Vectra suddenly changed lanes in front of him at traffic lights and slammed on its brakes, causing him to crash into the back. Kassim was seen by a witness moving into the drivers seat and later told police she was pregnant. Paramedics were called over fears she had fractured her spine and firefighters had to cut the Vectras roof off to get her out. Emergency services remained at the scene in Hillingdon for three hours. Actor and model Nasir Ghaffar (Facebook ) / Facebook Ghaffar and Kassim were initially passengers in the Vectra being driven by a third man, who ran off and was never identified. Ghaffar, who has appeared as an extra in seven Indian movies, said he was forced to take part after he lost 5,000 on a failed visa application. He once played a police officer and proudly posted a picture on Facebook. Ghaffar, of Penge, told the Standard: I was working as a barman, then an actor and model. Im not a criminal, I wasnt born a criminal. Kassim claimed: We were influenced by someone else who told us why dont you do this, and hes destroyed our lives. Hes done a runner, and hes left the country and given us criminal records. I had a feeling I was pregnant. The hospital did do a pregnancy test. I mustve had a miscarriage. Im not a criminal, I made a mistake. The couple were initially passengers in the Vectra being driven by a third man, who ran off and was never identified (ES local feed ) / ES local feed Ghaffar and Kassim tried to make personal injury claims, repair and legal costs but were convicted of fraud at Inner London crown court after an investigation by City of London Police and insurers LV=. They were both sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay 100 each in court costs. Ghaffar was also ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work. Detective constable Agnew, who led the investigation, said: Ghaffar and Kassim went to great lengths to carry out their crash-for-cash plan and try and claim as much money as they could. A man is fighting for life in hospital after being stabbed repeatedly in the stomach on a quiet south-east London road. Police and paramedics, including Londons Air Ambulance, were scrambled to Corelli Road in Blackheath just before 6am on Wednesday. The victim, aged in his late 30s, was rushed to hospital with serious stab wounds. He is in a critical condition, Scotland Yard said. No arrests have been made and a crime scene remains in place. L aura Jacksons quintessential new year dinner party features a DIY cocktail station, plentiful sharing platters and friends singing merrily to Dirty Dancing until the early hours. All of which might seem a little out of sync with the diktats of Dry January. But this is her point: just because youre off (or cutting back on) the hard stuff for a few weeks, doesnt mean hosting has to be boring. In fact, the new year is the perfect time to throw a feast you just have to know which rules to tweak. Its all about good music, good people and abundant, plentiful food, explains Jackson, 32. The TV presenter is also one of the capitals hostesses with the mostest: besides being the co-author of cookbook Round to Ours which she penned with her friend, Radio 1 presenter Alice Levine shes also the star of the London supperclub circuit, and the woman who brands call when they want to curate a chic dinner and then get the party started. Recently, shes hosted bashes with cult Clapton florist Worm and collaborated with cool ceramicist Matilda Goad. Now shes on a mission to make January fun again, without the need for lashings of wine and copious cocktails. The answer, she says, isnt to ban booze, but put new flavours in the spotlight. Drinking is one of those things thats led by example, so if a few people arent drinking youll find the rest of the table probably arent that bothered, she insists. To make it feel inclusive, set up a non-alcoholic drinks station. Blood oranges are in season so lay them out with fresh grapefruit, coriander, juniper, sage and cardamom. Then add flavours like vanilla, coconut, raspberry and citron so guests can mix their own drinks. Food. Bars. Going out. Delivered weekly Email Sign up Sign up I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice {{message}} {{permutiveUid}} {{message}} For Jackson, this years hero tonics will be cordials. She says the offerings are getting better and swears by chic French brand Teisseire, which costs 4 a bottle and is what the professionals use. Start your Dry January dinner party with Teisseires elderflower cordial, Jackons go-to and the perfect palate- cleanser. Having that with lots of fresh mint and ice and sparkling water in a highball glass always feels really special. Afterwards, move on to something fruity. Pair the mocktails with what youre eating and mix up a couple of jugs to have on the table she recommends pink grapefruit with coriander, and elderflower or citron garnished with fresh herbs and fruit. Dessert is where the fun really starts. Raspberry and chocolate are a match made in heaven, so make up a raspberry mocktail if youre having something chocolatey; if not, experiment and pour the cordials over ice cream. For a liquid dessert, Jackson suggests mixing up a batch of booze-free pina coladas a fun way to make use of Teisseires coconut flavour. When it comes to feasting, January is the perfect time to practise recipes from new cookbooks. Jackson is obsessed with Yotam Ottolenghis book Simple and recommends his meatballs with polenta rather than pasta for a lighter new year dish. Get your meat from a butcher to cut down on waste, or for a really feel-good feast go meat-free. Veggie options will be a welcome treat after a meat-filled December, says Jackson, and itll save pennies too. If you have a dinner party and you dont cook meat or drink alcohol, youll be so surprised how small the bill is. Which means you can be more generous with other things: make a napkin and tablecloth set with fabric from the January sales and keep things stripped back with simple low lighting, candles and good music. You can still wear your sequins, though, says Jackson. Its not about drinking; its about actually seeing everyone, catching up after Christmas and having interesting conversations which only happen until about 9pm when youre drinking. Having interesting conversations with a bit of clarity is always a good thing. Londons best mocktails by Caroline Bellingan Pink lemonade at Heads + Tails. Raspberry at Knights Bar A raspberry, Seedlip spice and cranberry infusion. 8.50, Simpsons in the Strand, WC2, simpsonsinthestrand.co.uk Retox Tonic at Kultured Ginger kombucha with tonic and manuka honey syrup. 7, 21 Great Windmill Street, W1, kultured.co.uk Pink Lemonade at Heads + Tails Lillet Rose with lemon sherbet and soda (pictured). 6, 175 West End Lane, NW6, headsandtails.bar Glacier Dark at Every Cloud Liquorice, sage and blackcurrant. 3.50, 11 Morning Lane, E9, everycloudbar.com Nearly Negroni at The American Bar O n the look out for some arts inspiration for the new year? These are the people to look out for in the most exciting theatre, comedy, dance and art projects of 2019. Theatre Fisayo Akinade, actor Johan Persson It takes an actor of real and rare talent to stand out in heavyweight ensembles featuring some of the greatest names in the profession, and thats a feat Fisayo Akinade, 31, managed not once but twice last year. He was lively fop Witwoud in Restoration comedy The Way of the World at the Donmar Warehouse, and in the Nationals current production of Antony and Cleopatra he makes a poignant and loyal Eros to Ralph Fienness great Roman soldier. Next month, Akinade opens in experimental American drama Shipwreck, directed by Rupert Goold, at the Almeida. Rebecca Frecknall, director Sometimes a director can make their name with a single production, and that is what happened in 2018 to Rebecca Frecknall, whose striking vision, featuring a ring of nine pianos, of the sultry Tennessee Williams drama Summer and Smoke served notice of a bold new talent. Frecknall, 32, is the latest protegee of Almeida artistic director Rupert Goold, whose talent-spotting capabilities are unrivalled; hes the man who nurtured Ben Power and Robert Icke. In April, Frecknall, a newly appointed associate director at the Almeida, reunites with Summer and Smoke star Patsy Ferran for Chekhovs masterpiece Three Sisters. Lynette Linton, director Helen Maybanks What a time this promises to be for 28-year-old Lynette Linton, who this month takes over from Madani Younis as artistic director of the going-places Bush Theatre. This will crown 12 months of hurtling achievement for this energetic writer/director, who at the beginning of 2018 was resident assistant director at the Donmar Warehouse. Linton is currently juggling projects aplenty: her superlative five-star production of Sweat is now playing at the Donmar, and in February her co-production of Richard II opens at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeares Globe, marking the first-ever company of women of colour in a Shakespeare production on a major UK stage. Faith Omole, actress Its quite a thing to make a sparkling West End debut opposite masterful father-and-son duo Edward and Freddie Fox, but thats what Faith Omole achieved in Jonathan Churchs production of An Ideal Husband. Omoles Mable Chiltern proved a more than equal match for Fox Junior and her performance confirmed the potential she has already shown across a range of other theatre roles, including Viola in Twelfth Night at Manchesters Royal Exchange Theatre. In March, the 26-year-old will star in Richard Hawleys new musical Standing at the Skys Edge at Sheffield Crucible. Comedy Desiree Burch, comedian When you are a comedian it helps if you have a little bit of hinterland to draw on. Desiree Burch has lots. For a while the Los Angeles-born storyteller, who comes from a born-again Christian background, worked as a dominatrix. Onstage this London-based powerhouse storyteller is frank and funny about her previous career as well as other topics including race and body image. She has recently been a breath of fresh air on BBC Twos The Mash Report and Frankie Boyles New World Order. Articulate, opinionated and uncensored, it is only a matter of time before Burch gets her own show. It will definitely air after the watershed. Kiri Pritchard-McLean, comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is known in stand-up circles for having a dark, macabre sensibility thanks to her work with twisted sketch group Geins Family Gift Shop. She also has an acclaimed podcast, All Killa No Filla, with Rachel Fairburn, in which she talks about serial killers. But the formidable Welsh comic is moving inexorably from cult towards the mainstream. She made a splash on Have I Got News For You last autumn and has recently been announced as the new host of Radio 4 Extras topical show Newsjack, where Romesh Ranganathan and Nish Kumar cut their broadcasting teeth. Dance Benoit Swan Pouffer, dancer and director Pierre Tappon Meet the man with the best name in dance. The Paris-born choreographer has just been picked as Ramberts new artistic director quite a coup. A former principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York, he spent 10 years as head of the citys Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, cultivating early collaborations with choreographers such as Crystal Pite and Hofesh Shechter. As well as overseeing the main Rambert company, the 43-year-old will also be in charge of its new junior troupe Rambert2. New works for next year include a piece by Marion Motin, whos heavily influenced by hip hop. Cathy Marston, choreographer At a time when most choreographers seem to be gravitating towards the abstract, Cathy Marston relishes a big, bold narrative in the English tradition of Ashton and MacMillan. The 44-year-old has already taken on everything from Ibsens Ghosts and Wuthering Heights; this year shell tackle the life of Queen Victoria. In June, ABT, one of the worlds great ballet companies, will take her Jane Eyre into its repertoire, while The Suit, created for Ballet Black, will be performed in the Royal Opera Houses Linbury Theatre on June 13-15. And did we mention shes up for a best classical choreography award at the National Dance Awards, too? Art Mandy El-Sayegh, artist Born in 1985 in Selangor, Malaysia, and now a Londoner, Mandy El-Sayeghs work is rich and intriguing in both form and content, prompting a much deserved solo show at the Chisenhale Gallery in April. She moves fluidly from drawing and painting to writing and using found objects and images. The body is a constant presence in her figurative drawings and in the sculptural textures of other elements, but equally abundant is the written word, whether it is El-Sayeghs handwriting or printed materials such as newspapers. El-Sayeghs work is a distinctly personal navigation through a complex world. Anne Imhof, artist At every Venice Biennale, one artist gets the art world all abuzz, and at the most recent, in 2017, it was Anne Imhof. The German, born in 1978, won the Biennales prestigious Golden Lion with Faust, her work involving glass floors, under which performers lurked, making choreographed movements. Now, Tate Modern has offered the entirety of its subterranean space, The Tanks, for a new project by Imhof for the BMW Tate Live series, with an open installation during the day and performances on six evenings. The installation will feature music, painting and sculpture, and will, like her Venice opus, explore isolation, technology, proximity and identity. Rachel Rossin, artist C risis, what crisis? It is a commonplace of political punditry that Jim Callaghan never actually uttered these notorious words. Returning from a summit in Guadeloupe in January 1979, the Labour prime minister was asked at Heathrow how he would tackle the mounting chaos in the country at the moment. To which Callaghan breezily replied: I dont think that other people in the world would share the view that there is mounting chaos. This was translated by The Sun into its famous front-page headline and, in less than four months, Margaret Thatcher was in No 10. In the 40 years since, Callaghans dangerous non-chalance has informed thousands of ministerial decisions, becoming the basis of an almost superstitious assumption that it is always better to over-react than do too little. Witness, then, Sajid Javid racing back from a family holiday safari in South Africa to tackle what he called a major incident of unauthorised cross-Channel migration. To which one can only respond: if the Home Secretary thinks a bedraggled and intermittent flow of tiny vessels constitutes a major incident, how would he describe, say, food riots or other civil unrest resulting hypothetically, of course from a huge disruption in the UKs commercial and constitutional relationship with its continental neighbours in the very near future? Just asking. In the hair-trigger culture of modern politics, there should be extra points awarded to those who have the courage to apply perspective to a problem and not simply to respond to immediate political imperatives. The numbers of migrants that are reaching UK shores in their boats remain very small: 12 were intercepted at Greatstone, Kent, on Monday, bringing the total since November to 239. Matthew d'Ancona By any standard this is no crisis. It is simply one of many challenges that face ministers seeking to reconcile border control policy with the pressures of refugee mobility, the ethical obligations of a decent society to assist those in need, and the administrative requirements of a viable asylum system. This is a nuanced question. It should not be reduced to an exercise in video game machismo Call of Duty: Seaborne Scrounger Menace. To put the major incident in context: the level of asylum applications to the UK is low compared with Germany, Italy and France, and is nothing compared with the number of refugees crossing the Mediterranean to southern Europe. It is true that the enforced removal of failed asylum seekers remains legally difficult. But the suggestion that the sporadic landing of small dinghies is the first wave of a migrant armada threatening the southern coast of England is wildly irresponsible. Under pressure from his own backbenchers, Javid has now announced the deployment of two extra Border Force cutters to stamp out the problem. I want to send a very strong signal, he said, to people who do think about making this journey we will do everything we can to make sure it is not a success. I am reminded of the brilliant political satire movie Wag the Dog, in which the strategist Conrad Brean, played by Robert De Niro, aided by Dustin Hoffman as a veteran Hollywood producer, creates a fictional war with Albania to distract media attention from a presidential scandal. I gotta protect the Canadian border, Brean muses, adding the pretence that Albanian agents are in Canada with a nuclear suitcase bomb. What matters, he says repeatedly, is not what is actually happening but what the voters see on their screens. "There are so many more pressing challenges on which modern government should be concentrating" In 2019, as Brexit approaches and the race to succeed Theresa May gathers pace, you will see many similar examples. But since the start of a new year is at least meant to involve a clean slate, this is as good a moment as any to make a plea for some proportionality and statesmanship. Whether or not he eventually gets to No 10, Javid already occupies one of the great offices of state and should be mindful of demeaning it. The role of Home Secretary is famously burden-some: indeed, there have been times in the history of the Home Office when officials have wheeled trollies full of papers past ministers offices so that they could be said, technically, to have seen them. Creating a hostile environment for the soaked and shivering occupants of inflatable boats generates easy red-top headlines but is in no credible sense a priority for a busy Cabinet minister. As Jacob Rees-Moggs wiser father, William, wrote in a famous Times editorial in 1967 about the prison sentence passed against Mick Jagger for drug possession, quoting Alexander Pope: Who breaks a butterfly on a wheel? The answer, a half-century later, is: anyone who can get away with it. Contemporary politics is full of wheels and butterflies, especially when migration, race and refugees are involved. There are so many more pressing challenges on which modern government should be concentrating its efforts: automation and its implications for work, longevity, climate change, social care, globalisation to name but a few. Yet migration continues to mesmerise and stultify our politicians: they have conspired to encourage an ugly nativism in policy and public opinion that will not be applauded by historians. In Alan Bennetts recent play Allelujah! a migrant doctor facing deportation addresses the meanness creeping into the nations soul: Unwelcome on these grudging shores, I must leave the burden of being English to others and become what I have felt, a displaced person Open your arms before its too late. K evin Spaceys Christmas address wasnt on my wish list but there it was anyway. Eyes fixed on the camera, he delivered a bizarre three-minute monologue on Twitter, entitled Let Me be Frank, in the manner of his House of Cards character Frank Underwood. (It was not signed off by Netflix, which had fired him from the show in 2017 after allegations of sexual assault first surfaced). Were not done, no matter what anyone says, he drawls in his faux Southern, dressed in a Christmas apron. Its a sad act. It reminded me of a line in Sam Byerss excellent 2018 satire, Perfidious Albion, in which one character comforts a disgraced politician. Ride this out, big guy. Few years, youll be back. Everyone loves the redemption narrative. You do the public apology, you do the rehabilitation. You go on some kind of health kick, maybe do yoga. What part was Spacey playing? If fighting to clear your name in the public crucible, theatrics clearly arent the answer. Was it a cry for help? An effort to reset the clock, or to take the audience back to his better times? Hours later, new charges of sexual assault were filed in Massachusetts. Its unlikely he sees the narrative as about anyone but himself. When once you were adored by masses (House of Cards pulled in 8.4 million viewers per episode in its prime), ostracism must be hard to accept. When I worked at the Old Vic as an usher in my late teens, during Richard III, I watched him own rooms singlehandedly. Once, before a performance, he made my name the subject of his vocal warm up, shouting to the back of the auditorium Sam, Saam, Saam before walking down to make small talk about my day. Spaceys undeniable charisma, now so problematic, is a muscle he trained for years. If only he would learn to stop flexing it. Where does a redemption narrative leave the stories of #MeToo and the accusers? There is a risk too that it undermines the important work done in the wake of previous allegations. The Old Vic has established a Guardians programme to allow theatre staff a confidential outlet to share concerns about behaviour at work. It is now in place at 20 other art organisations. No one is beyond redemption but it takes sacrifice not stepping back onto centre stage. The end. Or not. You choose... Bandersnatch, the latest feature-length Black Mirror film, hoovered up three hours of my life on New Years Eve. A throwback to the Choose Your Own Adventure books of the Eighties, it requires the viewer to pick between different decisions: from which cereal to eat, to whether to take LSD and jump off a balcony. I tried to find every ending, which is the point. Is this the end of single endings or endings altogether? Forget Star Wars, Toy Story, the Marvel franchise, Harry Potter the modern world is retold as serials that refuse to finish. Its not good for us. As Frank Kermode wrote in The Sense Of An Ending, conclusions give shape to the chaos of the universe. 2018 was a year of stasis. My resolution for 2019 is more of a request: more actual resolution, please. Drone heading from the West Kanye West / SAUL LOEB/AP/Getty Images Amateur drone pilots dominated the Christmas silly season. Sightings over Gatwick closed the airport, although police now say some of the publics sightings may have been their own drones, looking for illegal drones. Sigh. But who was behind them? My dad got me a drone for Christmas, tweeted Kanye West on December 30. Probably unconnected. Fire renews hope in flood-hit India I spent a very happy Christmas fortnight in India with my family as part of my parents 60th birthday present to themselves, barrelling around Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Happy birthday, mum and dad. A s we bid farewell to a turbulent 2018, I am looking forward to 2019 with hope. Divisions within our society have exposed themselves in recent years. Inequalities are deepening. As an imam in London, the impact of this is clear to me every time I hear from anxious people in our community who tell me about the abuse they face and their fears for their childrens futures. While gaps between us widen, a political elite seems too often to be distracted from or unbothered by the issues ordinary people face. Yet I know of another story that is being written too: by determined and selfless people pulling us together every day. The New Years Honours list in many ways speaks to this story. It is indicative of a countrys people working together in spite of all were up against. It is heartwarming for me to see the example of young Muslims, especially women, who are writing this story. Take, for example, Jamila Kossar, awarded an MBE for the exciting work she leads in feeding homeless people in Manchester. Or Shabnam Sabir, awarded a BEM for doing the same in Oxford. Aamer Naeem, CEO of Penny Appeal, has been awarded an OBE for the innovative and much-needed projects his charity has carried out in recent years, not just with people abroad but here at home in the UK. His award demonstrates that the trend of Muslim charitable work in the UK is starting to take hold. I certainly hope that stories such as these pause the next wave of hysterical outrage at Britains diverse communities and their willingness to integrate, and instead prompt reflection for the contributions they make to our country. In many ways the parable of the Good Samaritan is apt to recall. The Gospel of Luke tells of a Jewish person beaten, bruised, and left for dead, with only a Samaritan someone from whom assistance would not normally be expected providing the much sought-after help. I cannot but feel buoyed seeing so many Muslims recognised with an honour this new year. They reflect the efforts of countless others ready to help one another hand in hand with their neighbours. But I cannot also help but feel frustrated that this is not the story being told by many sections of the media and senior politicians. Muslim Samaritans across the country challenge this stereotyping to live the most basic tenet of their faith: to love for others what you love for yourself. The awards given this year are indicative of an honours system that reflects, and an Establishment which is increasingly realising, that Britains diversity is not a hindrance but an advantage. They show a society that has people ready to work together, to pull together, just when we need one another the most. Because of them, because of this increasing recognition, join me in looking forward to 2019 with renewed optimism. S tock markets gave little sign of a happy new year today as the first trading session of 2019 saw further market turmoil amid growing economic fears. Last year was the worst in a decade for equities across the globe, and the early signs are that the next 12 months are unlikely to be much better. As traders returned to dealing screens in earnest, the FTSE-100 Index fell almost 2%, off 101.99 points at 6626.14. Only two shares from the premier index retailer Next and tobacco firm Imperial Brands were in positive territory. Overnight, shares fell across the board. The Shanghai Composite was down more than 1%, Hong Kongs Hang Seng fell 2.4%, and Australias ASX 200 lost 1.6%. Poor economic news against the backdrop of continuing trade tensions spooked investors as Germanys powerhouse manufacturing sector slowed again in December, according to financial data firm IHS Markit. Its purchasing managers index fell from 51.8 to 51.5, a near three-year low. More worryingly still, China suffered its first outright decline in manufacturing for 19 months, the index falling from 50.2 to 49.7. Any number below 50 shows a fall in factory activity. Economists forecast that UK growth this year will hold steady at 1.5% but are nervous over Brexit as a potential no-deal looms. While Markits data on UK manufacturers showed activity at a six-month high, it was put down to companies stockpiling in December in readiness for border delays when Britain leaves the EU. The IHS Markit/CIPS activity index rose to 54.2 last month from 53.6 in November. IHS Markit director Rob Dobson said: Any positive impact on the PMI is likely to be short-lived, however, as any gains in the near-terms are reversed later in 2019 when safety stocks are eroded or become obsolete. With bank shares wobbling almost everywhere, the European Central Bank appointed administrators to oversee Italys Carige. The chief executive of the bank, whose roots go back to 1483, quit today after the firm failed to shore up its financial position. The ECB said it would take charge of the lender. F oreign buyers have invested 144.3 billion in London commercial property over the past two decades and are still buying despite Brexit, new research showed on Wednesday. Agent CBRE revealed its office property data as industry experts insisted Brexit will not have a material impact on future appetite to spend here. The firm said overseas investment into central London has increased steadily since 1999 (see data below). Buyers from Germany and the US were dominant in the Noughties, followed by Middle Eastern companies between 2009 and 2013. Between 2014 and Q3 2018, international buyers spent 56.5 billion, with Asian companies featuring heavily. There have been recent concerns that Britain leaving the EU will lead businesses to scrap office moves and leave landlords with fewer rental growth prospects. But senior industry figures were bullish today. CBREs James Beckham said: Brexit isnt likely to have a material impact on the appetite to invest in Europes only truly global gateway city. Alisa Zotimova, boss of AZ Real Estate, said: This year will prove that Londons fundamentals such as legal stability, cultural diversity and being a English-speaking business hub are too strong to be beaten for too long. Julian Sandbach at JLL said the capitals commercial properties are still viewed as a secure investment and as offering "a relatively attractive yield in a low interest environment". SPEND ON LONDON OFFICES Last 20 years Dominant overseas geography Overseas spend I n comes the New Year, much like the old year. For those returning to the markets today it was as if the festive holidays had never happened. Asia was still falling, retailers still going bust, Chinas dominance of global telecoms still terrifying everyone. Oh yes, and rail fares still rising. Yep, 2019 began just as 2018 ended. Contrarians point out that the continued lack of confidence around the world makes this a once-in-a-lifetime stock-buying opportunity. Particularly in the UK, currently the Western worlds most uninvestable market. It would be jolly to join these bravehearts. Sadly, though, to be buying big positions in UK stocks now would seem little short of madness. At a time when so much depends on our incompetent politicians Brexit negotiations, UK equities are Russian roulette, but with five bullets in the chamber, not one. Far better, surely, to wait a few months and smell the breeze then. We could be set for a relatively painless, soft Brexit or even dare we dream? a second referendum with a Remain victory. The markets could surge and the contrarians be proved right. But just as likely is the prospect of a messy No Deal keeping UK stocks depressed for years. So, having beaten the FTSE-AllShare by 8% and the FTSE-100 by 13% in 2018, we thought long and hard about making any stock recommendations at all this January. In truth, you could be wiser sticking your money under the mattress until March at the earliest. But, if youve a chunk of change you can afford to lose, our pundits have some canny-looking punts to kick off the year on Page 46. Thomas Cook, MicroFocus and my pick, Melrose, look good for the bottom-fishers, while HSBC is never going to lose you too much. If the stars align, they could bring you an very prosperous new year. But please, only risk what you can afford to lose. How to let firms like HMV play on Im told HMVs managers thought theyd have another year before their backer, Hilco, pulled the plug. But even they knew the music had to stop some time. The death of the CD was signalled when car-makers took disc players out of their stereos. For DVDs, it was when retailers like John Lewis stopped selling DVD machines. HMV made 40%-50% of its sales from DVDs, and sales had fallen 30% on a year ago. That was always going to be terminal. But for the staff, suppliers and landlords now suffering from HMVs demise, it seems wrong that Hilco could extract 48 million of fees from the business during its five years of ownership. F aroe Petroleum said on Wednesday that a hostile takeover bid from Norwegian energy firm DNO undervalued the companys assets by up to 48% despite a recent slump in the oil price. The company, led by Graham Stewart, said an independent asset valuation by oil consultants Gaffney, Cline & Associates valued its assets at between 186p and 225p, or $879 million (690 million) and $1.1 billion, at the end of December. That was lower than a $1 billion to $1.2 billion valuation at the end of September when oil was around $80 a barrel. Faroe chairman John Bentley said GCAs analysis clearly supports our view that DNOs offer substantially undervalues the company. DNO, which owns just under 30% of Faroe, has tabled a 152p-a-share offer in cash for the company, which has been rebuffed by the board. The Norwegian business bought its stake in April and bid on November 27. It is set to reveal how many Faroe shareholders have accepted the offer tomorrow after a deadline of 1pm today. It can then decide to extend the deadline or let the offer lapse if it fails to clinch enough support for the takeover. On Friday, DNO urged shareholders to accept the offer. It labelled the bid full, fair and even generous and questioned whether it was self-serving for the Faroe board to reject the deal. Faroe, which is advised by Rothschild, Stifel Nicolaus and BMO, was founded 20 years ago and has assets in Britain, Ireland and Norway. T he key to ending the HIV epidemic lies in cities like ours. In an increasingly angry world, cities are beacons of openness and tolerance, places of refuge for the threatened. Tolerance and honesty are our greatest weapons as we strive to create an Aids-free world. But it is also within our cities that HIV continues to spread. Globally, 940,000 died of Aids-related illnesses last year, and another 1.8 million were infected. We have the knowledge and the drugs to stop this disease: no more need die or be infected, and yet the epidemic grows. Thousands of Londoners have already donated to the Evening Standards Make the World AIDSfree Christmas appeal. Their support will fund HIV programmes in six cities across the world: programmes that will be the difference between life with dignity or death without it for those living with HIV. From the bottom of my heart, I thank those who have donated already. But we still have a month to go and we need your help. If you can, please donate and start your year by saving a life. In the Evening Standard over the past few weeks, we have read extraordinary, inspiring stories of those living with HIV. These are people like Andrew Williams, who I met in Atlanta, Georgia: a wonderful man whose story I will never forget. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with HIV. Like many others, he believed his diagnosis was a death sentence. Today he is a changed man: healthy and happy. Within months of treatment, his HIV was suppressed, undetectable in his blood and unable to be passed to others. His life was saved and he found a higher purpose for it: to show others like him there is a full life to be lived after diagnosis. Andrews story shows how far we have come. When I first joined the fight against Aids, we understood very little about a disease that was taking so many of those we loved. Today, if you are on medication, you have no risk of infecting others, can have children, can live a full, fulfilling life. Sadly, Andrews is not the only story. In the weeks before we met at a treatment centre in Atlanta, three others we were trying to help there died. They reached us too late. Their memory reminds us of what we still must do. Too much stigma surrounds HIV, too much fear, too much misunderstanding, too many suffer in silence and do not seek help until too late. At the end of this month, we will hold our AIDSfree forum here in London, hosted by the Secretaries of State for Health and International Development, and bringing together leaders, doctors, NGOs and activists from across our AIDSfree cities. This is our chance to influence how each of these cities will turn the tide and end this epidemic. With your support, we can show them that the people of this great city are already doing so. TODO: define component type apester K ey figures in the battle against Aids will descend on London for a unique global forum which aims to drive down HIV rates and achieve the target of ending the epidemic. Following the Evening Standards AIDSfree campaign, representatives from six key cities are to meet in the capital this month with one goal in mind to fight a disease that has claimed some 36 million lives. Government ministers and mayors will be joined by leading medical experts to begin discussions and form a plan of action on tackling HIV together and creating an Aids-free future. Those living with HIV will also have a voice, to share the real-life impact of the public health gains already made, and the need for more to be done. Globally, 37 million people are living with HIV and this is rising by 1.8 million annually. In Britain 15 people are infected every day. The AIDSfree Cities Global Forum, on January 30, will focus on the UNs 90-90-90 targets. These aim to ensure that at least 90 per cent of people with HIV know their status; 90 per cent of these are on treatment; and 90 per cent have an undetectable viral load where the level of virus in blood is so low it cannot be passed on. London has already reached these goals but experts say more can be done in both the capital and in the five other cities our campaign is focusing on, which are yet to achieve the targets: Delhi in India, Nairobi in Kenya, Maputo in Mozambique, Kiev in Ukraine, and Atlanta in the USA. The ideas, plans and proposals from the one-day forum will feed into the Fast-Track Cities Global Summit due to be held in London in September. The summit is part of an initiative launched in Paris on World AIDS Day 2014, when mayors from cities across the world convened to sign the declaration committing them to achieving the UNs 90-90-90 goals and ending stigma associated with HIV and Aids. Delegates from more than 275 cities are due to attend this conference, which is being co-ordinated by the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) and its partners. Triggered by our campaign in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, The AIDSfree Cities Global Forum will be hosted by the charity along with Health Secretary Matt Hancock and International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt. We know our work is not done until we can say we have eliminated Aids off the face of the globe and for some cities, there is still some way to go Mr Hancock said: The UK recently celebrated an extraordinary feat by be-coming one of the first countries to meet global control targets for HIV. But we know our work is not done until we can say we have eliminated Aids off the face of the globe and for some cities, there is still some way to go. As a world leader in health, we have a duty to share what weve learned. I am delighted the UK will be hosting this forum to bring together leaders, experts and stakeholders to accelerate action on HIV and save lives. The forums experts will work to speed up HIV-prevention programmes and save the lives of some of the worlds most vulnerable people Ms Mordaunt said: We are proud the Government is co-hosting the AIDS-free Global Forum. The forums experts will work to speed up HIV-prevention programmes and save the lives of some of the worlds most vulnerable people. Through UK Aid Match, the Government is matching donations from the great British public, up to 2 million, to the Evening Standards AIDSfree campaign. With this vital public support the Elton John AIDS Foundation will work to increase HIV testing and care in both Nairobi and Maputo. IAPAC president Jose Zuniga said: The insights and commitments stemming from the forum will inform the Fast-Track Cities 2019 conference and Global Mayors Summit, where we will feature progress made and opportunities to further accelerate local HIV responses in more than 275 cities worldwide. IAPAC president Jose Zuniga / YouTube The event, sponsored by Johnson and Johnson, will be hosted in partnership with EJAF by the Conduit in Mayfair. Paul van Zyl, co-founder and CCO of the Conduit, said: We are delighted to host the AIDSFree Cities Global Forum and help facilitate meaningful, impactful partnerships in the fight against HIV/Aids. TODO: define component type apester The number of Medicaid-insured children treated in Connecticut emergency rooms for behavioral health crises rose 20 percent between 2014 and 2016, mirroring a national trend - despite efforts to provide non-ER treatments, according to a study released Thursday. In 2014, Connecticut ERs recorded 12,100 Medicaid-insured youth visits compared to 14,448 in 2016, according to a study of Medicaid-eligible patients ages 18 and younger commissioned by the Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut. Most of the children who go to emergency rooms with behavioral health issues go to one of five hospitals, according to data collected by consultant Beacon Health Options, which manages behavioral health care for the states Medicaid population. Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in Hartford saw the most behavioral health-related ER visits, with 3,962 visits by Medicaid-insured youth in 2016. Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital had a combined total of 2,263 visits, followed by St. Marys Hospital in Waterbury with 1,185 and William Backus Hospital in Norwich with 1,203. Charlotte Hungerford in Torrington saw 263 visits; Middlesex Hospital in Middletown saw 332; and Griffin Hospital in Derby saw 111 visits. After those 2016 ER visits, the study reported, 10.4 percent of youths were readmitted to the ER within seven days, and 25.6 percent were readmitted within 30 days. The studys authors said this indicates that youth and/or family needs were not met at the visit or by the services utilized after discharge. Hospital emergency departments are often ill-equipped to handle children experiencing behavioral health crises. Those children may benefit more from treatment at community mental health centers, schools or a pediatricians office, the reports authors wrote. Emergency departments are not really set up from physical standpoint or from a staffing standpoint to be a primary care behavioral health treatment center, said Jeff Vanderploeg, the president and CEO of CHDI. Many of the children did not have a follow-up appointment within a month of their initial trip to the emergency room, the study reported. The reports authors reviewed several studies of both nationwide trends and the data from individual hospitals, including one that showed emergency room visits for publicly insured patients under age 18 experiencing psychiatric problems rose 26 percent from 2001 to 2010. A 2014 national study cited in the report showed the numbers of psychiatric emergency room visits for children covered by private insurance declined during the same period. In Connecticut, the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting prompted state officials to try to reduce behavioral health emergency room visits with initiatives to increase the number of crisis-stabilization beds, create Behavioral Health Assessment Centers and redirect children with autism spectrum disorders to specialized services. The reports authors said some of those efforts have been effective, singling out the states Mobile Crisis Intervention Service hotline as a critical alternative to the ER that parents, guardians and teachers can call to request a clinician who will treat the child at their home or school. We have one of the best behavioral health systems for children in the country ... and were still seeing a large number of children showing up to emergency departments for treatment, Vanderploeg said. The report said nearly 1,300 Medicaid-insured children in 2016 were stuck in the emergency room after a behavioral health crisis, staying in the hospital for days or weeks before they were discharged, according to the data. And about 35 percent of those children did not have a follow-up appointment to see a behavioral or mental health professional in the month after they went to the emergency room. Vanderploeg said that number could indicate poverty, lack of transportation or poor coordination between behavioral health providers are preventing parents and guardians from taking children to mental health appointments. A CHDI working group that produced the report concluded that the state should try to alleviate pressure on emergency rooms by promoting collaboration between the hospitals, the states mobile crisis program and schools, and try to promote follow-up care at community health organizations for children who have been to the emergency room. If someone is coming to the ED and the questions are really about how to manage or treat the individual in an ongoing way ... the staff are not necessarily trained or focused on addressing those questions, said Michael Hoge, the director of Yale Behavioral Health at the Yale Department of Psychiatry and a consultant on the working group. It raised the question of where else they would go. Family members of children with behavioral health concerns said they relied on emergency rooms when the childs behavior was out of control or when the child had suicidal thoughts, often to get a diagnosis or guidance about how to cope, according to the report. The working group delivered recommendations for state agencies to lessen emergency room visits and improve access to community-based mental health care, including: Allowing the Mobile Crisis Performance Improvement Center to focus efforts on increasing collaboration among the mobile crisis programs, the emergency departments, and schools. Fund the placement of care coordinators and family support specialists in high-volume emergency rooms. Provide telepsychiatry services connecting behavioral health specialists to emergency room staff, a service already available to pediatricians in Connecticut. Appropriate funds for the state Department of Children and Families to create Behavioral Health Assessment Centers that would provide evaluation during behavioral health crises, as well as treatment and referral, for children, youth, and families. This story was reported under a partnership with the Connecticut Health I-Team, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to health reporting. ( c-hit.org ) STAMFORD A man trying to park in his driveway was left with a bloody nose and forehead on New Years Day. The man, accompanied by his wife, attempted to park his car in the driveway of his Fairfield Avenue home, but discovered a car parked in his usual spot around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. Energizer Holdings completed its $2 billion acquisition of the Rayovac business of Spectrum Brands, bolstering its head-to-head rivalry with Duracell which has its main research and development lab in Bethel. Spectrum is separately in the process of divesting a Danbury-based automotive division to Energizer in a deal valued at nearly $1.3 billion, with brands changing hands including Armor All car cleansers and STP fuel additive. Wilaya de El Aaiun, Jan 1, 2019 (SPS) - The Union of Education and Vocational Training Workers affirmed, on the occasion of the closing of the activities of the National Day of the Teacher, that the celebration of this event is a continuation of the first meeting held on the 31st of 1975 in Egleibat El-Fula. a national occasion to evaluate the achievements and objectives achieved in the field of education. The Trade Union of Education and Vocational Training Workers appreciated the efforts made by the Education Workers to train men and women, as a step in the construction of Sahrawi institutions. In the same context, the Sahrawi Union praised, in its statement, the resistance of the Saharawi people in the occupied areas of Western Sahara despite the tortures, mistreatment and humiliation exercised by the Moroccan occupation police that does not respect the basic rights of the Sahrawi citizens. It continues Deaf to the demands of the international community. SPS 125/090/TRA We now know what Ultima Thule looks like, and it's not a bowling pin. The first resolved photos of Ultima Thule have come in from NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, which zoomed past the frigid faraway object just after midnight yesterday (Jan. 1). The historic imagery reveals that the 21-mile-long (33 kilometers) Ultima is a "contact binary" composed of two roughly spherical lobes. Photos taken by New Horizons over the previous week or so had suggested that these two lobes are connected by a relatively narrow neck. But the new imagery shows they're glommed tightly together, dashing earlier analogies. [New Horizons at Ultima Thule: Full Coverage] "That bowling pin is gone," New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern, of the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in Boulder, Colorado, said during a news conference today (Jan. 2). "It's a snowman, if it's anything at all." This first color photo of the Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule reveals the object's red color as seen by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft from a distance of 85,000 miles (137,000 kilometers) during a Jan. 1, 2019 flyby. From left to right: an enhanced color image, a higher-resolution black and white image, and an overlay that combines both into a more detailed view. (Image credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute) The two lobes dubbed, appropriately enough, "Ultima" (the larger lobe) and "Thule" are red, their icy surface material likely discolored by deep-space radiation, mission team members said. Similar processes are responsible for the reddish hue of much of Pluto's surface, as well as the northern reaches of that dwarf planet's largest moon, Charon (which apparently got this reddish material from Pluto). Ultima and Thule were once separate, free-flying objects; they coalesced long ago, just after the solar system's birth, mission team members said. This union was not violent; the two bodies came together at about walking speed, in a meetup more akin to a spacecraft docking than to a collision, said Jeff Moore of NASA's Ames Research Center, the leader of New Horizons' geology and geophysics team. Countless objects like Ultima Thule which is officially known as 2014 MU69 eventually built up our solar system's planets. But that didn't happen with Ultima Thule, which has remained pristine for eons in a cosmic deep-freeze, more than 4 billion miles (6.4 billion km) from the sun. The surface features of Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule (2014 MU69) are coming into focus in these images taken by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft during its historic flyby on Jan. 1, 2019. These images, released Jan. 2, were taken a day earlier from a distance of 18,000 miles (28,000 kilometers) with a scale of 730 feet (140 meters) per pixels. (Image credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute) That's why New Horizons team members were so keen to fly by the object, and why they're so excited by the early science returns from the epic New Year's Day encounter. "We think what we're looking at it is perhaps the most primitive object that has yet been seen by any spacecraft, and may represent a class of objects which are the oldest and most primitive objects that can be seen anywhere in the present solar system," Moore said during today's news conference. The new imagery, dramatic though it may be, is just the tip of the Ultima Thule iceberg. The photos unveiled by the New Horizons team today were taken before closest approach, from distances of about 85,000 miles (137,000 km) and 18,000 miles (28,000 km). At the peak of the encounter, New Horizons got within a mere 2,200 miles (3,500 km) of Ultima Thule. So, prepared to be wowed by higher-resolution photos in the coming days and weeks. "It's just going to get better and better," Stern said. The $700 million New Horizons mission launched in January 2006, tasked with performing the first-ever flyby of Pluto. The probe aced this objective in July 2015, showing the dwarf planet to be a world of surprisingly complex and varied landscapes. The Ultima Thule encounter the most-distant planetary flyby in history is the centerpiece of New Horizons' extended mission, which runs through 2021. The spacecraft has enough power and fuel left to potentially perform a flyby of yet another distant object, if NASA ends up approving another mission extension, Stern said. Mike Wall's book about the search for alien life, "Out There" (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate) is out now. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us @Spacedotcom or Facebook. Originally published on Space.com. Paul Shearon, formerly a Boeing engineer, was elected in the summer of 2018 as the president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers. Across the nation, IFPTE represents 80,000 highly-skilled, workers in both the public and private sectors, including 8,000 scientists and technical workers at NASA. The union is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. Shearon contributed this article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. "Houston, we have a problem." Remember back when NASA missions, such as Apollo 13, were scrubbed due to mechanical issues? Today, NASA's missions are being delayed and the space agency is being damaged for the long-term not by equipment failure, but by the failure of our elected leaders to reach a budget agreement. On Dec. 22, 95 percent of NASA's scientists, technical workers and other employees were furloughed for the third time in the past year. The appropriation process is broken and has been broken for a while, but the White House is making a bad situation worse. The current shutdown is longer than the previous two combined. It's also different, because this lockout may be the straw that breaks the camel's back for the NASA workforce. [NASA's 10 Greatest Science Missions] As the president of a union that represents 80,000 highly skilled professionals in the public and private sector, including 25,000 Boeing engineers and 8,000 rocket scientists and technical workers at NASA, I understand how much demand there is for professionals with advanced degrees in science and engineering. I also understand the frustration dedicated NASA scientists have when they're given two hours on Dec. 26 to remove their personal possessions from their labs and offices because after that the gates to their research center will be padlocked. I understand their frustration when not only will wages possibly remain stagnant after the first of the year because of President Trumps recommended 2019 pay freeze through an executive order, a paycheck won't even come. Furthermore, when the President of the United States, the top administrator for federal workers, seemingly couldn't care less if government operations such as NASA are operating, I completely understand why some scientists, engineers and others with technical skills may seek employment elsewhere. And make no mistake, the president is absolutely wrong with his claim that "many" federal workers support the shutdown and have told him to "stay out." I don't know where he gets his information. I have heard from only one member who supports the president's inaction. Most are extremely frustrated and view this as an act of ineptitude. Oh, and by the way, our membership includes significant numbers of Republicans and independents, as well as Democrats. The president seems to think all federal workers are of the opposing party. Paul Shearon, president of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers. (Image credit: Paul Shearon) As the head of the administrative branch of government, as the nation's top administrator, President Trump should be deeply concerned about the morale of his employees, the productivity of government agencies and the ability of the government to attract and retain the best and the brightest. Instead, he is literally tweeting the words "poor me" while holding dedicated professionals hostage, creating unnecessary stress and financial hardships for their families, undermining their work product and treating them as a chip on a giant poker table. [In Photos: President Donald Trump and NASA] "You can't build something someone's never built before sitting on your ass doing nothing," Paul Greenberg, a research scientist and physicist at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and an active member of my union, recently told The Washington Post. "Everything just stops." He also told The Post that "retirement's looking more attractive all the time." Greenberg, who is working on a project funded by Homeland Security to build sensor packages that first responders and firefighters can wear to monitor their exposure to airborne substances, as well as a telescope to send data back from deep space, has spent 30 years at NASA. Younger scientists and engineers are also looking at the exit signs, and that should concern everyone who wants to see a vibrant space program. Younger workers see NASA TV being mostly shut down during the furlough, the agency's website not being updated and no one keeping tabs on their projects. They feel devalued and expendable. They believe that they're being treated as poker chips in a dispute that should be settled by overhauling the budget process, debating a wall as part of an infrastructure spending package, or as part of a grand bargain on immigration involving the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy. NASA workers aren't poker chips, and they don't want to be treated that way. If the president wants to gamble, perhaps he should go back to running casinos. A casino is where it's commonplace for chips to be tossed around. Gambling with the lives of NASA workers is not acceptable and not in the best interest of the future of the space program. Follow us @Spacedotcom or Facebook. Originally published on Space.com. New Horizons' flyby of the distant object Ultima Thule now has its own soundtrack. Astrophysicist Brian May, lead guitarist for the band Queen, released a new single called "New Horizons" just after midnight EST (0500 GMT) on New Year's Day to highlight the flyby, which peaked about 30 minutes later when the NASA spacecraft zoomed within 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometers) of Ultima Thule. Ultima lies about 4 billion miles (6.4 billion km) from Earth and is now the farthest-flung celestial body ever to be visited by a spacecraft. [New Horizons at Ultima Thule: Full Coverage] "This project made music in my head, and that's what you're hearing," May told reporters on Monday (Dec. 31). "This mission is about human curiosity," he added. "It's about the need of humankind to go out and explore." A brand-new single After its famous flyby of Pluto in July 2015, New Horizons began an extended mission to visit another object in the Kuiper Belt, a band of icy rocks beyond Neptune's orbit. That second target is officially known as 2014 MU69, and has been nicknamed Ultima Thule by the mission team. In visiting one of the most primitive and pristine objects in the solar system's dark outer reaches, New Horizons is probing the building blocks of planets, and the solar system's earliest history. The 22-mile-wide (35 km) Ultima Thule is the first small Kuiper Belt object ever visited. This makes the encounter incredibly intriguing, because "there is nothing more exciting in a world of exploration than going to a place about which you know nothing," May said. "The sky's the limit for what we could find out." Astrophysicist Brian May, lead guitarist for the rock band Queen, speaks with reporters ahead of the Jan. 1, 2019, flyby of the Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft. May composed a special song just for the flyby. (Image credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA) According to May, New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado, called him up to request he write a song for the mission. May said he initially had some reservations. "I thought this was going to be hard, because I can't think of anything that rhymes with Ultima Thule," he said. May said that, as he considered the mission's goals, he began to hear in his head "the music of an object plummeting through space faster than anything before." He realized that, rather than trying to focus on the specifics of the mission itself, he should instead work to incorporate the spirit of exploration embodied by the spacecraft. [Destination Pluto: NASA's New Horizons Mission in Pictures] May sat down with English lyricist Don Black, who penned iconic songs such as "Born Free," which May described as "a very forward-looking song." The next morning, May woke up with what he described as two simple verses in his inbox from Black verses that inspired him and kicked him into action. Tucked into the new single are quotes from the late cosmologist Stephen Hawking. The song both begins and concludes with those quotes, while a third is tucked in the middle. May played his new single just after midnight on New Year's Day, when it became available on iTunes and various streaming platforms. A YouTube video that May said he and his colleagues made on a "shoestring budget" will also be available, and will also tell the story of the mission team. "This became a song which is an anthem to human endeavor," May said. "The human race explores because it needs to know." New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern poses with astrophysicist and Queen lead guitarist Brian May on Dec. 31, 2018 at Johns Hopkins' Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland just before New Horizons flew by Ultima Thule. (Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls) Art and science Astronomy isn't a new field for May, who is a full member of the New Horizons team. Before he began his career with the classic-rock band Queen, May spent four years working in a postgraduate physics program. He said he left science because he didn't think he was good enough, and so turned his attention more to music. But his success with Queen didn't quite rid him of his childhood desire to become an astronomer. "I always had that thing in me, that unfinished circle," he said. May returned to London's Imperial College andreceived his Ph.D. in 2007. Since then, he has worked with stereoscopic images, helping to make three-dimensional scientific photographs. He was introduced as a New Horizons team member during the Pluto flyby in 2015. One of the biggest boundaries May said he struggles with is the forced dichotomy between art and science. "I was brought up in school to believe that if you were a scientist, you could not be an artist," he said. "I've kind of fought [against] that all my life." May has found many astronomers and astronauts to be musicians and artists. "It feels as though [human]kind is coming back around and putting the two halves of its existence back together," he said. May said he feels as though his spirit is anchored in Victorian times, when people made no distinction between science and art. He compared the scientific process explored as part of the New Horizons team to the musical creation process, with everyone bringing something to the table. "The greatest things happen when you're interacting with people," May said. Previously, May had composed only one science-related song "39," the story of a group of space explorers who return home to find that, during their one year of travel, a century had passed on Earth. However, after creating "New Horizons," he said that he feels ready to consider creating other science-related music. "I think my head has moved," May said. "I think I'm in a place where I am ready to make space music now." As for the new song, did he ever find something to rhyme with Ultima Thule? "Do you think I would make such a foolie of myself?" May laughed. Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd. Follow uson Twitter@Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. LAUREL, Md. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft has completed its epic flyby of the most distant object ever explored, the recently-unveiled fossil from the beginning of the solar system, Ultima Thule. So what's next? Although the Jan. 1 encounter is over, the mission is far from finished. New Horizons still has images of Ultima Thule to send back, more of the Kuiper Belt to study, and the hope of one day leaving the solar system completely. With the spacecraft safely past its target, a primary concern is its condition. After all, it can't send home data if it isn't functioning. Fortunately, health doesn't currently appear to be an issue. [New Horizons at Ultima Thule: Full Coverage] "Everything looks great," Mission Operation Manager Alice Bowman told the press after the flyby. "We're definitely looking forward to getting down the science data so all of our scientistsand the world can see what the origins of our solar system has to hold for us." An extensive process Ultima Thule, a Kuiper Belt object 4 billion miles from Earth, is seen by NASA's New Horizons spacecraft on Dec. 31, 2018, just hours before the probe's flyby closest approach on Jan. 1, 2019. It is the most distant object ever visited by a spacecraft. (Image credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute) During its fleeting pass over Ultima Thule, New Horizons filled its hard drive with about 7 gigabytes of data about the tiny Kuiper Belt Object (KBO). With the observations complete, it must begin the arduous task of sending that data back home. [Ultima Thule in Photos: Images from the Kuiper Belt] But before New Horizons can dig into the process, the spacecraft will be temporarily silenced by the sun. For a few brief days, from Jan. 4 to 9, the sun's atmosphere will block transmissions from New Horizons back to Earth. During that time, the science team will disperse, returning to their homes for a few days of downtime. As soon as spacecraft clears the sun, the researchers will return to consuming each day's new data, working remotely in several small teams and meeting back together again at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL) in Maryland on Jan. 15. They won't be hanging around Maryland the whole time, however. At about 1,000 bits per second, it will take roughly 20 months to send home all of the newly-collected data about Ultima Thule. Eventually, they'll head home again, meeting remotely and occasionally in person to discuss their discoveries. The arrival of the images and information is highly prioritized, according to principle investigator Alan Stern, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in Colorado. "Even though the spacecraft has performed perfectly now for almost 13 years, there's always the chance that something could go amiss," Stern told the press after the flyby. Information about the highest priority objectives, such as the geology and composition, as well as the potential for rings or moons, will be beamed home first. Secondary goals pertaining to dust escape, craters, and physical surface properties will take second string. Only once that information has been sent back will the lowest-priority and bonus objectives related to more detailed properties of any rings and moons, information about the mass and density, and extra compositional studies return to Earth. The first few downlinks will contain a little bit of everything. "We want to get data sets from each of the instruments on the ground," Bowman said. According to Bowman, although Ultima Thule is much smaller, New Horizons is collecting roughly the same amount of data as it retrieved at Pluto. But Ultima Thule is more than a billion miles farther from Earth than Pluto, so it takes even longer for the information to travel home. All of it is relayed by a 15-watt radio transmitter whose weak signal is directed at Earth. "I am in awe that we can even do this," Stern said about the communication process. Extending the mission New Horizons and Ultima Thule will be 4.1 billion miles away when it visits the Kuiper Belt object. This chart shows the path of New Horizons compared to other probes that have left the solar system. (Image credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory) After buzzing Pluto in 2015, New Horizons began an extended mission, the highlight being the Ultima Thule flyby. But that's not the only goal of the spacecraft's next phase. It will continue to study the Kuiper Belt, the band of ice and rocks that makes up the third zone of the solar system, until at least April 2021 when its current mission funding ends. The team is already looking towards a hyperextended mission. "We expect to have plenty of fuel left when we finish Ultima Thule," Project Scientist Hal Weaver said before the flyby. "We'd like to try to find another KBO along the way." The Kuiper Belt stretches from about 30 to about 55 astronomical units (AU), and Ultima Thule is smack in the middle of it. [An AU is the distance between Earth and the sun]. According to Stern, New Horizons will be in the Kuiper Belt until 2027 or 2028. "It would be silly not to look for another target," Stern said. The hunt might prove to be more difficult than originally anticipated. While New Horizons was on its way to Pluto, the researchers spent years combing the sky with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope before finally finding three potential targets, finally selecting Ultima Thule because it was the closest. The lonely object lies in the most heavily populated region of the Kuiper Belt. According to Weaver, Ultima Thule is the faintest KBO ever observed, in part because it lies so far away. The next target will orbit even farther out, making it potentially even fainter and harder to see from Earth. The best telescope for discovering the next target might be New Horizons itself. Weaver said that it might be possible to modify the flight software so that the Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI), the spacecraft's camera, could be used as a discovery device for finding KBOs along New Horizons' path. LORRI could take hundreds or even thousands of photographs of the stars around the spacecraft. Rather than send those images back to Earth, it might be possible to program the computer to search for the best targets and only send home those images. Weaver said that such plans are still on the drawing board. But the team won't immediately begin stressing about their next mission. According to Stern, they won't submit a proposal for the next extended mission until the summer of 2020. In the meantime, they will hunt for New Horizons next target. "I'm relatively optimistic," Stern said. Say goodbye When New Horizons flew past Ultima Thule, it zoomed by at 32,000 mph (14 km/s). With these speeds, the spacecraft will be able to break free from the sun's gravitational pull and travel beyond the solar system, like NASA's Voyager and Pioneer spacecraft. When that will happen remains a mystery. The boundary between the heliosphere, the region that surrounds the sun, and the interstellar medium (ISM), the region between the stars, changes with the 11-year solar cycle. That makes it difficult to predict where it will be in 20 years, Stern told Space.com in the weeks before the flyby. New Horizons should hold onto power until around the late 2030s, Stern said, when it will be just past 100 AUs from the sun. The boundary could be anywhere from 70 to 130 AUs in the most extreme cases. "No model can predict whether we can see interstellar space before we run out of power," Stern said. But he thinks there's a good chance that the spacecraft will still have power when it crosses the ever-changing boundary. That would be an excellent thing for science. Although both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 have instruments that have been measuring ISM particles, Stern said that New Horizon carries not one but two more powerful instruments. With these instruments, the spacecraft could make more accurate measurements than its predecessors. In addition, New Horizons has the Student Dust Counter, which currently holds the record for the most distant working dust detector in space. "Putting a dust detector in the ISM would be a very valuable experience," Stern said. New Horizons will leave the solar system whether it targets another KBO or remains on its present course, he said. Whether New Horizons extends its mission or continues straight on from Ultima Thule, its scientists are excited to see the new images the spacecraft will be delivering down the road. "It just keeps getting better and better," Weaver said. Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. Humans are preparing to punch the solar system but in self-defense, not anger. It's all part of a NASA mission in development called the Double Asteroid Redirection Test, or DART. Unlike most spacecraft the agency has launched to date, DART isn't about gathering scientific data and learning more about how the universe works. Instead, it's NASA's first planetary-defense mission. "That's one of the big differences, is a lot of the science-driven missions seem to be focused on understanding the past of the solar system, the early solar system, how it all formed," Nancy Chabot, a planetary scientist at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory and project scientist for DART, told Space.com earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. "Planetary defense is really about the present solar system and what are we going to do in the present." [The Greatest Asteroid Encounters of All Time!] Specifically, planetary defense is about largish asteroids that could theoretically collide with Earth, and what humans could do to protect ourselves. Slam into an asteroid hard enough while it's sufficiently far away from Earth, and you can bump it off course. But if you've never slammed into an asteroid before, it's difficult to know precisely the best way to do it. And that's where DART comes in. Its target isn't a threat to Earth, but by studying it carefully and then colliding with it, Chabot and the rest of the DART team will create the data humans will need if they ever want to redirect a truly threatening asteroid. It's a very different type of mission from the other asteroid visits that have drawn headlines this year, such as those of NASA's OSIRIS-REx and Japan's Hayabusa2, which each made strides toward tapping near-Earth asteroids to collect samples to bring home. Scientists hope those samples will help them understand the solar system's earliest days. This NASA graphic shows how the Double Asteroid Rendezvous Test (DART) will crash into a moonlet of the asteroid Didymos in 2022. (Image credit: NASA) DART's target Didymos was chosen based on very different criteria. It's a binary asteroid, which means DART can slam into the smaller object of the pair. But scientists can gather robust data about the bodies and their locations from Earth, which will help them track where to target the car-size spacecraft as well as how much the collision knocked the object off course. "It's interesting, because it's a space mission, but the telescopes are such a huge, important part of the mission succeeding," Chabot said. "We have to know where this moon is in order to impact it, to make this maximum deflection. We kind of take for granted that we know where everything is at all times. We understand where the system is as a whole, but specifically where that moon's gonna be [requires tracking] because we want to try to hit it head-on." These 14 radar images show the near-Earth asteroid Didymos (65803) and its moonlet as seen by the Arecibo Observatory radio telescope in Puerto Rico in November 2003. (Image credit: NASA) Then, there's the impact itself, with the spacecraft slamming itself into the space rock at a speed of nearly 13,500 mph (6 kilometers per second). If the mission launches as currently planned in June 2021, that collision will come in October 2022. And while ground telescopes will track how the tango of Didymos' two parts changes after the impact, scientists may be able to rely on two eyewitnesses as well. [7 Great Movies Featuring Earth-Threatening Asteroids] The first is a cubesat, called Light Italian Cubesat for Imaging of Asteroids, which the Italian space agency has proposed to send with DART. The second is a European Space Agency mission called Hera, which it is considering launching in time for it to arrive at Didymos in 2026. That spacecraft would be able to study the binary asteroid in more detail and measure the crater DART creates. A simulation of what asteroid Didymos and its moonlet Didymoon may look like. (Image credit: NASA) Chabot said that so far, people seem excited and on board with the idea of hurling a spacecraft into an asteroid, just in case we ever need to do it for real. But she also said that we can learn only so much from the experiment, and that if an asteroid really does loom, we'll need a heads-up so continuing to observe and identify asteroids is crucial. "To do something like this, we'd also need a really long warning time; the idea of a kinetic impactor is definitely not like [the movie] 'Armageddon,' where you go up at the last hour and you know, save the Earth," Chabot said. "This is something that you would do five, 10, 15, 20 years in advance gently nudge the asteroid so it just sails merrily on its way and doesn't impact the Earth." Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com. Cosmic radiation can come from clusters of huge, hot stars like NGC 3603, found surrounded by this colorful nebula 20,000 light-years away in the constellation Carina. Paul M. Sutter is an astrophysicist at The Ohio State University, host of Ask a Spaceman and Space Radio, and author of "Your Place in the Universe" (Prometheus Books, 2018). Sutter contributed this article to Space.com's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights. We're all familiar with light, in some form or another. Some light we can see, like the relatively narrow visible spectrum incorporating the colors of the rainbow. Other light we can't see but we can feel: For instance, the heat we sense from the sun on a warm summer day is from the invisible infrared radiation pouring out from our parent star. And there's even light we can only detect through extreme doses: the ultraviolet burn from a long day at the beach or the hazardous effects of gamma-rays from a radioactive object. It's this extreme light that has the most exotic sources in the universe. While most forms of radiation come from the trillions upon trillions of relatively serene stars or the ultracool background of leftover light from the Big Bang itself (the cosmic microwave background), the cosmos is full of some fantastically energetic events. And in those events we find some truly out-this-world methods of manufacturing radiation. [Inside NASA's Radiation Belt Storm Probes Mission (Infographic)] Round and round we go Imagine a typical radio antenna, which generates radiation (in the form of radio waves for you to tune into on your car stereo) by waving electrons up and down its length. Back-and-forth, forth-and-back, those accelerating, charged particles send out sloshing radio signals from the antenna. Imagine cranking up the speed of the bouncing electrons, sending them frantically traveling up and down the antenna, in the process generating stronger radio waves. That would quickly get exhausting, so to make things more efficient, you bend the antenna into the path of a circle and use something like superpowerful magnets to send those charges screaming along at close to the speed of light. Now, "acceleration" can mean stopping and starting, as in the case of a linear radio antenna, but it can also mean changing direction, like following the path of a circle, as in the case of our new contraption. So those whirling electrons still manage to send out radiation and are now capable of emitting high-energy ultraviolet and X-rays. And instead of spreading that radiation around in a broad splash, it's concentrated into a narrow beam, looking more like the headlights of a car turning a fast corner. This radiation was first observed in a synchrotron (a device for doing exactly as described above), hence the name synchrotron radiation, but nature is able to make this in abundance: Anytime strong magnetic fields get together with electrons, like the jets blasting out of active galactic nuclei, the synchrotron party can get started. Warp speed We all know that the speed of light is the speed of light the fastest speed of all. Nothing can ever beat a beam of light in a one-on-one drag race in pure vacuum. But when traveling through a material, the speed of light can slow down considerably. In water, for example, radiation travels at only three-quarters of its usual blistering pace. And with light so hobbled, there's nothing stopping a swift-footed particle from beating it in the speed game. If an object travels faster than the speed of sound through a medium, like a supersonic jet blasting through the atmosphere, it creates a pileup of sound waves called sonic boom. By analogy and analogies are the best way to go here, since the physics gets really tricky to describe a charged particle going faster than light through a medium creates a pileup of light waves aka radiation. This ultraviolet light, known as Cherenkov radiation in honor of its discover, Pavel Cherenkov, is typically seen in nuclear reactors and high-energy physics experiments, where fast-moving particles zip through baths of water. They're not just a byproduct of Big Science, either they're used in cutting-edge experiments to track the origins of superhigh-energy particles raining down like cosmic bullets from outer space. Take a brake The last example has a fantastically German name: "bremsstrahlung," which translates roughly as "braking radiation." Once again, this form of radiation requires high energies and charged particles. In this case, if you have a potent combo of light, fast-moving particles (like electrons) and heavy, slow-moving particles (like protons or atomic nuclei), you get a lot of light with a cool name. As electrons zip around, sometimes they come close to the nuclei, and they get more chances to do so if they have a lot of energy. If the temperatures are high enough, they won't get trapped and form atoms. Instead, they'll just feel a brief mutual attraction (being opposite charges and all), slightly tugging on the electron and nudging it into a slightly different direction than it originally was headed toward. And since a change of direction is an acceleration, and accelerating charged particles emit light, light is emitted. This can only happen in very energetic environments, so typically bremsstrahlung comes in the form of X-rays. And there's one particular environment in the universe that's just wonderful at making bremsstrahlung: the largest gravitationally-bound structures in the universe. Clusters of galaxies are home to a thousand galaxies or more, all zipping around inside a volume millions of light-years on a side. But the galaxies aren't alone; they're swimming through a hot but extremely thin soup of plasma known as the intracluster medium. This medium is made of you guessed it light electrons and heavy nucleons, and when we look at these clusters with X-ray telescopes, we see gigantic glowing blobs of high-energy X-ray radiation: bremsstrahlung. Learn more by listening to the episode "What happens when galaxies collide?" on the Ask A Spaceman podcast, available on iTunes and on the Web at http://www.askaspaceman.com. Thanks to Rick B. and Either L. for the questions that led to this piece! Ask your own question on Twitter using #AskASpaceman or by following Paul @PaulMattSutter and facebook.com/PaulMattSutter. Follow us on Twitter @SpacedotcomFacebook. Original article on Space.com. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 88F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. SPEAK OUT The Tribune invites readers to express their views in the Voice of the People column and in Viewpoint. Letters to the Voice of the People are limited to 200 words. Viewpoint columns should be no more than 700 words. Both Viewpoint and Voice of the People submissions are subject to editing. All submissions must include the writer's full name, which will be printed. Letters, including e-mail, which do not include the writer's street address and telephone number will not be considered for publication. This information is kept confidential but is necessary for verification purposes. Letters may be mailed to the Editorial Department, South Bend Tribune, 635 S. Lafayette Blvd., Suite 138, South Bend IN 46601; emailed to vop@sbtinfo.com, faxed to 574-236-1765, or submitted through our online form here. Due to volume, it is not possible to print all submissions. Except in special circumstances, we do not print poetry or thank-you letters. We do not print letters announcing events to come, extensive quotations from other material, open letters or form letters. Success! An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup. Secure access control is helping to shape the post-pandemic world With the continued rolling back of COVID restrictions in the UK, there is a palpable sense of relief. A mixture of mass vaccinations, widespread testing, and track and tracing of the infection is helping to enable a healthy bounce back for businesses with secure access control taking an important role in facilitating this. However, rather than just being a reaction to the wake of the pandemic, there is every sign that the economy, and consequently the security sector as well, are both rebuilding and reshaping for the long-term new normal. Prioritising Safety Already deemed an essential service even during the first wave of the pandemic, the security industry has of course taken a vital role in protecting people and property throughout the crisis. Now that venues in the UK are starting to reopen again, our services are key to occupancy management and ensuring that disease transmission is limited as far as possible. Access control is also key in reassuring people that their safety is a priority. Making the upgrade Its all been about choosing the most suitable components and technology that already existed with a few tweaks Businesses and organisations have a duty of care to their employees and the safety of visitors so controlling access, employing lateral flow testing, and deploying suitable Track & Trace mechanisms are all key components. I think those outside our industry are surprised to learn that most of the technology being deployed and used hasnt just magically developed since COVID appeared its all been about choosing the most suitable components and technology that already existed albeit with a few development tweaks or adjustments for the situation at hand. This includes using or installing facial recognition readers rather than using fingerprint or contact tokens, it is swapping to automatic request to exit sensors instead of buttons; it is using powered secure doors rather than having people all grab the same handle. Using mobile credentials is also a key technology choice why not use the highly secure, easy to manage, cost-effective, and of course contact-free benefits of this approach? Touchless solutions We have seen a clear shift in organisations looking to protect their staff and visitors. For instance, we have a big utility customer in Southeast Asia that has just replaced close to 200 sites using fingerprint readers with an additional facial recognition capability. We have also seen a big rise in demand for touchless request to exit sensors and Bluetooth Low Energy Readers for use with smartphone authentication. Working together Integration of security systems is of course nothing new, but in the post-pandemic or endemic age, it has perhaps never been more important. Installations need to be simple, straightforward, and rapid to help maintain safe distancing but also to ensure systems can be deployed as soon as they are needed. The world is changing and developing rapidly and there is simply no place for systems that dont work with others or cause the end-user considerable cost and inconvenience to upgrade. This flexible delivery of security solutions perfectly matches the evolving and increasing demands of the market. Its clear that end-users want systems that work well and can easily integrate with their existing systems not only security but all the other business components which work in unison with each other over a shared network. Great opportunities ahead The recent work-from-home trend is also clearly changing the way organisations and businesses interact with the built environment. Lots of companies are downsizing, offices are being split up, there is lots of revitalisation and reuse of existing office space all of which creates considerable opportunities for security providers. UK inflation more than doubled in April 2021 with unemployment figures dropping and the Pound rising in value There are also, in the UK at least, clear signs that the construction industry is rapidly growing again -with a forecast of 8% rebound and growth this year. UK inflation more than doubled in April 2021 with unemployment figures dropping and the Pound rising in value all positive signs for UK-based security providers. Undoubtedly the highly successful UK vaccination rollout has helped considerably, but there are signs that the Eurozone looks set to improve considerably over the next few months as well. Using integrated access control Undoubtedly the pandemic has made security markets around the world more aware of the benefits of integrated access control in managing the needs of the new normal COVID endemic environment. For example, as a business, we have always had keen interest from the UK healthcare sector, but over the last 12 months, we have seen a big growth in previously modest international markets including Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand all of which are very keen to adopt improved access control solutions. Learning the lessons Nobody would deny the last year or so has been unprecedentedly tough on everyone, as a society we have had to make huge changes and sacrifices. Governments, organisations, and businesses all need to be better prepared in the future, to understand the things that went wrong and those that were successful. However, there is a world beyond the immediate pandemic and its effects. Flexible working practices and the changes these will have to the way we live and work will undoubtedly present great opportunities for the security sector in helping the world evolve. The pandemic has been a wake-up call for many organisations with regards to their duty of care to employees particularly when it comes to mental health and providing a sensible work/life balance. Where we work and the safety of these facilities has received far more scrutiny than before. Flexible security systems Integrated security solutions have a vital role to play in not only protecting the safety of people during the post-lockdown return to work but also in the evolution of the built environment and move towards smart cities - which inevitably will now need to consider greater flexibility in securing home working spaces rather than just traditional places of work. Importantly, powerful access control and integrated security systems need to be flexible to the uncertainties ahead. The COVID pandemic has shown that nothing can be considered certain, except the need for greater flexibility and resilience in the way we operate our professional and personal interactions. Edward Snowdens name entered the cultural lexicon in 2013, after he leaked thousands of classified National Security Agency documents to journalists. Hes been variously called a traitor, a patriot, a revolutionary, a dissident and a whistleblower, but however you personally feel about him, theres one way to categorise him that no one can dispute: Hes a thief. Theres no doubt about it: Snowdens information didnt belong to him, and the scary truth is that he is neither the first nor the last employee to attempt to smuggle secrets out of a building and we need to learn from his success to try to prevent it from happening again. Since the dawn of the digital age, weve fought cyber pirates with tools like firewalls, encryption, strong passwords, antivirus software and white-hat hackers. But with so much attention on protecting against cyber risks, we sometimes forget about the other side of the coin: the risk that data will be physically removed from the building. Douglas Miorandi, director of federal programs, counter-terrorism and physical data security for Metrasens, recently discussed the major risks to physical data security with SourceSecurity.com. Q: What do you believe are the main physical threats to data? The biggest threats I have seen in the physical data security space have varied over the years, but there are four specific risks that remain the same across the board for any organisation, which are: Every organisation is at risk of having data walk out the building with that employee The Insider Threat The Outsider Threat The Seemingly Innocent Personal Item Poor or Nonexistent Screening To beginning with, every company or government agency has at least one disgruntled employee working for them, whether they know it or not, and that means every organisation is at risk of having data walk out the building with that employee. That is what security experts call the insider threat. Q: What do you think influences employees to steal data from their own organisation? People steal data from their workplaces because they see some means to an end, whether its to expose something embarrassing or damaging due to a personal vendetta, or because they can sell it to a competitor or the media and benefit financially meaning they dont even need to be disgruntled; they might just want a quick way to make a buck. Financial data, too, is attractive, both for insider trading and selling to the competition. People steal data from their workplaces because they see some means to an end, whether its to expose something embarrassing or damaging due to a personal vendetta, or because they can sell it to a competitor or the media and benefit financially This can happen to both private companies as well as government agencies. Take Natalie Mayflower Sours Edwards for example, a Treasury Department employee who was caught in the act just last month, when she disclosed sensitive government information about figures connected to the Russia investigation to a reporter. She didnt hack the system, she simply used a flash drive. And lets not forget that Snowden was a contractor working for the NSA. Q: Many of us think of security threats coming from an outsider, do companies still face these type of threats? Yes. Unfortunately, organisations do not only need to worry about their own employees companies and government agencies need to be wary of threats from outsiders. COTS devices include SD cards, external hard drives, audio recorders and even smart phones They can come in the form of the corporate spy someone specifically hired to pose as a legitimate employee or private contractor in order to extract information or the opportunistic thief a contractor hired to work on a server or in sensitive areas who sees an opening and seizes it. Either one is equally damaging to sensitive data because of the physical access they have. Q: Whether it be an insider threat or an outsider threat, what are ways these individuals can steal sensitive data? There are two types of personal items that can be used to steal data: the commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) variety, and the intentionally disguised variety. This is considered risk number three the seemingly innocent personal item. COTS devices include SD cards, external hard drives, audio recorders and even smart phones, any of which can be used to transport audio, video and computer data in and out of a building. Intentionally disguised devices are straight out of the spy novel; they could be a recording device that looks like a car key fob, or a coffee mug with a USB drive hidden in a false bottom. Intentionally disguised devices are straight out of the spy novel; they could be a recording device that looks like a car key fob, or a coffee mug with a USB drive hidden in a false bottom Q: What is the difference between COTS and disguised devices? The difference between COTS and disguised devices is that if someone gets caught with a COTS device, security will know what it is and can confiscate it. The disguised device looks like a security-approved item anyone could be carrying into the workplace, making it especially devious. Sometimes these devices dont just function to bring information out of a building; they are used to damage a server or hard drive once its plugged in to a computer or the network. Some are both a recording device that extracts data and then destroys the hard drive. Companies with airtight cyber security protocols can sometimes fall down when it comes to physically screening peopleQ: With these types of discrete items, can security personnel still catch individuals in the act? For example, through security screenings? Poor or nonexistent screening is the most substantial security threat to any organisation when it comes to sensitive data. Whether its an employee, an outside contractor or a device, the physical security risks are real, and everyone and everything entering and leaving a building needs to be screened. Unfortunately, screening often isnt occurring at all, or is ineffective or inconsistent when it does occur. Even companies with airtight cyber security protocols can sometimes fall down when it comes to physically screening people and stopping them from stealing data through recording devices. Q: Its surprising that so many organisations would neglect physical security when protecting their data. Its a huge mistake, and the consequences can be dire. They range from loss of customer trust, exorbitant lawsuits and tanking stock prices in the private sector; and risks to national security in the public sector. Costs and resource allocation increase as well during efforts to reactively fix or mitigate the effects of physically stolen data. For both the private and public sectors, the risk for data to be physically removed from a building has never been greater. Years ago, it was much harder for the average Joe to figure out where they could sell stolen data. Now, with the Deep Web, anyone with Tor can access forums requesting specific information from competing spy agencies, with instructions on how to deliver it, greatly reducing the risk of getting caught and increasing the likelihood people will try it. Although its getting easier to sell data, the good news is that all of these threats are avoidable with the right measures. Physical data security and cybersecurity must be considered the yin and yang of an airtight policy that effectively protects sensitive or confidential assets from a malicious attack Q: So how can an organisation protect against these risks? There are a number of ways and the first one requires a change of mindset. Not long ago, the building/physical security department and the IT/cybersecurity department were considered two different entities within an organisation, with little overlap or communication. Organisations now are realising that, because of the level of risk they face from both internal and external threats, they must take a holistic approach to data security. Physical data security and cybersecurity must be considered the yin and yang of an airtight policy that effectively protects sensitive or confidential assets from a malicious attack. Q: How can companies and government agencies combine both physical data security and cybersecurity initiatives? Physical security managers can advise cybersecurity managers on ways to reinforce their protocols perhaps by implementing the newest surveillance cameras in sensitive areas, or removing ports on servers so that external drives cannot be used. Organisations need to create an effective program and ensure it stays effective so people know its not worth the hassle to try In turn, the cybersecurity team can let the physical security team know that they have outside contractors coming in to work on the server, and the physical security team can escort the contractors in and stand guard as they work. Constant communication and a symbiotic relationship between the two departments are crucial to creating an effective holistic security protocol and, once youve got the momentum going, dont let it slow down. Sometimes efforts start off strong and then peter out if priorities change. When guards are down, its an excellent time for a malicious actor to strike. Organisations need to create an effective program and ensure it stays effective so people know its not worth the hassle to try. Its not just about the mentality, though. Using the right technology is just as important. Q: What type of technology can you use to protect physical data? Many problems can be avoided by simply using the right technology to detect devices that bring threats in and carry proprietary information out. Electronics such as hard drives, cell phones, smart watches, SD cards and recording devices have a magnetic signature because of the ferrous metals inside them. Using a ferromagnetic detection system (FMDS) as people enter and exit a building or restricted area means that anything down to a small microSD card triggers an alert, allowing confiscation or further action as needed. Electronics such as hard drives, cell phones, smart watches, SD cards and recording devices have a magnetic signature because of the ferrous metals inside them Q: How does FMDS work? In the most basic terms, FMDS uses passive sensors that evaluate disturbances in the earths magnetic field made by something magnetic moving through its detection zone. Nothing can be used to shield the threat, because FMDS doesnt detect metallic mass; it detects the magnetic signature, down to a millionth of the earths magnetic field. FMDS is the most reliable method of finding small electronics items and should be part of the trust, but verify model Although it is a passive technology, it is more effective and reliable than using hand wands or the walk-through metal detectors typically seen in an airport, which cannot detect very small ferrous metal objects. FMDS can see through body tissue and liquids, so items cannot be concealed anywhere on a person or with their belongings. Whether or not the items are turned on doesnt matter; FMDS doesnt work by detecting a signal, but rather by spotting the magnetic signature that electronics contain. This is ideal, because most recording devices do not emit any signal whatsoever. In my experience, FMDS is the most reliable method of finding small electronics items (as well as other ferrous metal objects, like weapons), and should be part of the trust, but verify model, in which companies assume the best of their employees and anyone else entering the building, but still take necessary precautions. Q: What are the key takeaways for organisations looking to enhance data security? The toughest challenge in the security sector whether its cyber or physical is remembering that the bad guys are constantly looking for ways to slip in through the cracks, and security departments need to stay one step ahead to ward off both internal and external threats. Recognising the existing threats, putting together a holistic security strategy, and using the right technology to detect illicit devices comprises an effective three-pronged approach to protecting an organisations data. Organisations cannot afford to be passive about security and assume employees wont steal data and spies wont sneak in. Strong countermeasures are necessary because data loss can come from both inside and outside, in both private and public sectors, from places not everyone thinks of and with technology like FMDS acting as a backup to the human element, organisations can lock down their data and keep the wolves in sheeps clothing from getting through the door. Tommy Ashley, 36, of Eubank, passed away Friday, June 11, 2021 at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. Arrangements are pending and will be announced later by Morris & Hislope Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at: www.morrisandhislope.com. PHILIPSBURG/ WILLEMSTAD:--- On 20 December Wladimir Alberto died after a traffic accident on the Julianabrug in Curacao. After that accident, the press officer for the Public Prosecutors Office (OM), responded inappropriately to the death of Alberto on his personal Facebook account. On the same day, Serphos indicated that he had not placed that reaction himself. That his Facebook account had been hacked and that third parties had placed the reaction under his name. Serphos then filed a report with the police of the hacking his Facebook account. However, shortly before the turn of the year, it became clear that Serphos himself had placed the reaction on the Facebook page of Alberto. The Public Prosecutor regrets the course of events to a large extent, for the relatives of Alberto, but also because of the resulting commotion in society. As an employer, the Public Prosecutors Office supports its employees if they are wronged and this seemed to be the case here in the first instance. High demands are placed on the employees, daily work is constantly under pressure and, unfortunately, personally they are sometimes infringed. On the other hand, employees are expected to be honest and transparent. Unfortunately, this was not the case with Serphos. Today Serphos has been denied access to the buildings and systems of the Public Prosecutors Office by the Attorney General and has indicated that the Public Prosecutors Office Service will request his dismissal from the Minister of Justice and the Governor. In the coming period, the criminal investigation into the behavior of Serphos will be completed. This investigation will be conducted by the Public Prosecutors Office in Aruba. The relatives of Wladimir Alberto also filed a complaint against Serphos. On December 28, 2018, when it was not known that Serphos had posted the message himself, they had a conversation with the chief officer of Curacao. This complaint will be assessed as soon as possible and the conclusion will be shared with the next of kin. From now on Roderick Gouverneur will be the spokesperson for the Prosecutors Office. Prosecutor's Office Press Release (CURACAO) PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday morning January 2nd police was sent Wellington road at the home of the former police officer Jermain Arrindell where he was found not giving any signs of life. On the scene, the doctor stated that the victim had died of natural causes. An investigation done by police on the scene did not indicate any signs of foul play. The police management and staff extend sincere words of condolences to the family and friends of Jermain Arrindell. KPSM Press Release. PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI), announces that maintenance works will be carried out on the Causeway Bridge in Simpson Bay. These works will be carried out during the evening hours of Thursday, January 3rdstarting from 8.00pm until they have been completed. The aforementioned closure is related to the Causeway Bridge roadways. Motorists are requested to be observant of road closure signs and to use alternate routes to get to their destination. The restoration works entail the repairs of road and sidewalk lights on the Causeway Bridge. Ministry VROMI apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. Posted Wednesday, January 2, 2019 1:44 pm Heads up, teachers. And school-bus drivers and principals and attendance clerks and well, just about anyone who works for a public school in Washington state. Big changes are coming to your health benefits once the state takes control of them starting January of 2019. But a lot of behind-the-scenes work needs to happen before those workers and their families as many as 300,000 individuals even know what monthly premiums they can expect to pay once open enrollment starts this fall. Individual changes in health-care costs will depend on how much employees pay right now in their district-run plan and whether they cover any dependents. In general, however, public-school employees with a family can expect their monthly premiums to come down while single employees may pay more, according the state teachers union, the Washington Education Association (WEA), which lobbied against the state takeover of educator health benefits. If everything goes as planned, open enrollment for school employees would run from Oct. 1-Nov. 15, 2019, with subscribers choosing from plans depending on budget and need. Dental, vision and other benefits, such as long-term disability insurance, will also be available. But nothing is set in stone. Perhaps the biggest hurdle: The Washington Legislature first must approve $900 million to fund a new single state-run health exchange for educators, known as the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). For at least two decades, the state has doled out a flat rate to each of its 295 school districts to pay for employee benefits, including health care, but districts individually purchase separate health benefits and bargain benefits packages locally. Once established, the new statewide board will manage those plans centrally and operate similar to the Public Employees Benefits Board that adopts the health-insurance plans, establishes eligibility criteria and sets the premium rates for 370,000 state workers and their dependents. "This is actually pretty huge," said Doug Nelson, who as government relations director for the Public School Employees of Washington, the union representing secretaries, security officers and other classified staff in public schools, has fought for a statewide health-insurance program like the SEBB since the early 1990s. "It's not the most exciting topic but will impact hundreds of thousands of people. " The SEBB won't approve specific employee premiums until after lawmakers convene for the 2019 legislative session and approve a final 2019-21 budget. After that happens, workers will see changes. "Somebody who's covering their family, the law requires that they only pay three times as much as a (single) individual will pay. That's actually a reduction for that family's premiums," said WEA spokesman Rich Wood. "For an individual without any dependents," he added, "out-of-pocket costs might go up a bit in premiums." Nelson and Wood also noted that the state will now offer full coverage to part-time employees who work at least 630 hours a year, or an average of 3.5 hours a day. Previously, the state only offered a prorated amount based on how many hours part-time employees worked. The new program isn't cheap. As they draft a new two-year state budget in the coming months, lawmakers will have to provide $900 million to fund the SEBB and its policy changes, according to the state Office of Financial Management (OFM). Roughly $643 million of that pays for the expanded coverage, which could add 9,000 new employees and their roughly 30,000 dependents to the insurance rolls. While drafting the budget, it would be difficult for lawmakers to make changes to the program. Legislators would have to vote to reject the negotiated contract, and also change the language of the law, according to David Schumacher, director of the OFM. "It's not as easy as saying, 'we don't want to do that,'" said Schumacher. Still, some lawmakers have grumbled about the $900 million price tag, said Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, who spent a decade working to pass the state takeover of educator health benefits. "Lots of people are saying, 'I thought this was supposed to save us money.' Well, yes and no," Hobbs said. He explained that, on the whole, negotiating health benefits for a larger pool of employees rather than 295 individual districts doing so will save money. But the state board will cost more in the short-term as it takes on more financial responsibility for insurance plans from districts and employees. "We shirked our responsibility for years," Hobbs said. "This new system will be a bit painful because it's completely new, (but) this is what the price tag is." Washington: US President Donald Trump summed up Syria in just two words yesterday "sand and death" as he tried to justify his decision to withdraw troops, while remaining vague about the timing. "So Syria was lost long ago. It was lost long ago. And besides that, we're talking about sand and death. That's what we're talking about," Trump said during a cabinet meeting. "We're not talking about vast wealth. We're talking about sand and death." Trump used the first Cabinet meeting of the year, in front of reporters, to disparage just-departed Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, to criticise the management of the Afghanistan war and to claim he "essentially" fired the retired four-star general, who abruptly resigned last month. Jakarta: A landslide that crashed on to a hilly village on Indonesia's main island of Java buried 30 houses and killed at least 15 people, officials say. The landslide plunged down surrounding hills just before sunset on Monday in Sirnaresmi village in West Java's Sukabumi district. Rescuers carry the body of a landslide victim in Sirnaresmi, West Java. Credit:AP Sixty people who lost their homes were forced to move to a temporary shelter, said National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. Television images showed relatives wailing as they watched rescuers pull a mud-caked body from a devastated hamlet. It was placed in a blue bag and taken away for burial. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton insists the revocation of terrorist Neil Prakashs Australian citizenship is legally sound because he is also a Fijian national but has refused to detail the supporting advice from the governments lawyers. The stripping of Prakashs citizenship was thrown into doubt on Tuesday after a senior Fijian immigration official said the Islamic State member was not a national of Fiji. Australian terrorists can have their citizenship revoked under a 2015 law but only if they have a second citizenship and therefore would not be rendered stateless. The legal advice available to the government based on all the intricate detail and fact of this particular matter is that Mr Prakash is by operation of law a citizen of Fiji, Mr Dutton said. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has ruled out privatising or outsourcing the next national census as the agency faces real funding cuts and a 16 per cent cut in ongoing staff numbers over the past two years. Pressed by the Labor Party about the next census in 2021, following major technical troubles with the 2016 national headcount, the ABS has categorically rejected any suggestions that it will outsource its pinnacle data collection event. ABS says it will not outsource or privatise the 2021 census. But it has confirmed ongoing budget pressures, including a $36 million shortfall in the last financial year, mean it will continue to review its statistical collections. ABS data has never been in more demand. Epping business owner John Christou said he was concerned the toxic chemicals stockpiled in the warehouses neighbouring his transport company on Devon Court could explode. "I've got trucks in there, I run a business. If that catches fire or blows up, destroys all my trucks and everything, I'm gone, I'm broke," Mr Christou said. The West Footscray factory fire in August 2018. Credit:ABC He said he saw a semi-trailer regularly making deliveries to the warehouse directly next door. "Same truck, same trailer, same everything, same driver," he said. "At the peak, they were bringing it in once a week - that was six months ago. "I haven't seen anything go out. They pull the [roller] door up, go in, pull the door down, pull it up and drive out." He said fire crews were called to mop up a chemical spill at one of the warehouses about 12 months ago and found dead birds and other animals inside. "We had a real smell of acid, hydraulic acid ... I went home and then I got a call from my mate and he said 'get over here' and again there were fire brigades, CFA, the whole lot here again. "It was a hell of a strong smell. "Originally we were told there was an explosion, that's what really made me panic. I've always been concerned, but [there was] nothing I could do about it." One of the warehouses, filled with toxic chemicals, in Epping. Credit:Simon Schluter Mr Christou said he had not seen any activity at the warehouses in the past six months, until EPA officers and police detectives tried to get inside two days before Christmas. He said he had seen 1000-litre plastic containers stacked inside. "I don't know what's in them, but I know they're stacked ... on top of each other." Mr Christou said he was also concerned about the proximity of the warehouses to a karate school across the road. Emergency services and the EPA have been on high alert in the wake of one of the states worst industrial blazes in decades at a West Footscray warehouse, an illegal chemical dump site that is suspected to have been deliberately set alight in August 2018. That fire burned for three days, spewed a plume of toxic smoke across the western suburbs and led to the widespread contamination of nearby Stony Creek, including the death of hundreds of fish and other wildlife. The former warehouse site and waterway remain contaminated, a problem aggravated by run off following rain. Burnt-out chemical drums after the fire at the West Footscray factory last year. Credit:Justin McManus Business operators around the Campbellfield warehouses were surprised to learn about the massive chemical stockpiles nearby, most saying they saw little if any activity at the three properties. "I wouldnt have a clue what they are doing there. This could get nasty," one said. Loading John, the manager of a local furniture company, said he never worked out what the business on the property was supposed to be doing. "We havent seen them in months. Theyd come by maybe once or twice a month. There was a chemical smell sometimes coming from the place." Some reported receiving visits from WorkSafe officials on Wednesday morning. Will, who runs a cafe servicing the local businesses, said the Worksafe officials were surprisingly frank about the situation. "They said to me, 'It doesnt look good. Its badder than we thought'." Kon Samaro, operator of tyre and truck repair business Arrow Industries, said he was told by the MFB to leave the area if there were any signs of trouble at the property. "The [fire fighters] told me, if you see or smell smoke or fire just get the f--- out," Mr Samaro said. Michael Coffey, head of hazardous industries at WorkSafe, said inspectors have issued several compliance notices. We are working strongly with the site occupiers to make the site safe, Mr Coffey said. Inspectors from the EPA and CFA have been struggling to access two of the warehouses on Devon Court and Yale Drive in Epping because of the number of containers and the presence of strong, potentially toxic vapours. "It is not safe," Mr Wells said. "This is at the extreme end of offending in terms of what we allege and theres a complete disregard for community safety, complete shirking of responsibility. Properties used as illegal chemical dumps in Melbournes north and the West Footscray factory packed with drums of chemicals before it burned down last year are linked to the same person, a Wallan-based businessman who recently had a serious run in with police. The Age understands authorities are investigating several connections between Graham Leslie White and the illicit stockpiling of potentially millions of litres of toxic waste in Epping, Campbellfield and West Footscray. It can also be revealed the 57-year-old - who is the registered owner of a hazardous waste business and a transport and logistics company - pleaded guilty to firearms offences after he was arrested by police in July last year. WorkSafe and EPA officials enter a warehouse in Devon Court, Epping on January 02, 2018. Credit:Darrian Traynor On Wednesday, the EPA announced the seven stockpiles in Epping and Campbellfield uncovered last week were found as a result of linkages to the warehouse in West Footscray that burned down last year, one of the worst industrial blazes in decades. Five deaths at music festivals in less than five months. And, if I listen to some critics, the one thing stopping pill testing is that it is seen as people like me giving the green light to drug use. I need to get my head around this. Me a 33-year police practitioner and former federal police commissioner giving the green light to drug use? Pill testing could stop deaths at music festivals. Credit:Wolter Peeters The reality could not be further divorced from this view. When it comes to drugs Im about the straightest guy in town. Ive never taken any illicit drugs and would love to live in a drug-free world. Of course that has never been the case and never will be. I would also love to support a Just Say No campaign, if it had any chance of success. The reality is, of course, that it never has and never will. A Cairns councillor has described the terrifying moments he helped a young Victorian woman swim to safety after she drove into a flooded causeway. On Saturday, councillor Brett Moller's wife, Beth, had an "inkling of something not right" and walked outside about 7.45pm to see lights in the creek behind their house. The Behana Creek causeway on Sunday morning, where councillor Brett Moller rescued a woman who drove into the flooded causeway. Credit:Brett Moller A Victorian woman was travelling to Cairns on the Bruce Highway before she became lost, ending up on a country road among the cane fields. She hit the water at the flooded Behana Creek causeway and aquaplaned, with her car floating into the current. A man who drowned in Gippsland on New Year's Day is being remembered as a religious man with a "joyful soul" and "bright heart". Family members have said Bairnsdale man Max Tavai, 34, suffered heart failure while swimming at Sunset Cove in Paynesville, east of Melbourne, about 4.50pm on Tuesday. Max Tavai, who suffered heart failure while swimming on New Year's Day. Credit:Facebook "He was a joyful man who loved to bring joy to others. He was always smiling," his brother Aquila Momo Tavai said. "He was caring, he was kind. He just helped out whenever he saw a need." A 92-year-old woman was left in a serious condition after she was allegedly stabbed and bashed by her house cleaner on Wednesday. Emergency crews were called to the elderly woman's home on Holden Street in Ashbury about 10.45am after she activated her body-worn panic button, which police say was vital in saving her life. Superintendent David Johnson of Burwood Police Area Command said police arrived to find the woman, who was conscious at the time, bleeding heavily from her scalp and abdomen. "The detectives involved did an excellent job in not only locating the offender but taking that person into custody without incident," he said. A Sydney councillor wants all NSW politicians to lead by example and be drug tested on the job as debate rages about pill testing at music festivals. Liberal Pat Daley will move a motion at Northern Beaches council's next meeting in February to introduce drug tests for all councillors and staff. Should politicians be subjected to drug testing at work? Credit:The Canberra Times The former NSW Police officer and Salvation Army campaigner is calling on Premier Gladys Berejiklian to do the same at NSW Parliament House. While applauding her tough stance against drugs and opposition to pill testing following several deaths at music festivals, he wants her take it further. Bathers hoping to cool off with a coastal swim in recent days might have got more than they'd bargained for, with inshore water temperatures well below average for mid-summer Sydney. Temperatures at Bondi have been just 16.5-17 degrees for the past few days, said Bruce Hopkins, head lifeguard at the city's most popular beach. That's well shy of the average for this time of year for Sydney's beaches of about 23 degrees, according to Beachwatch NSW. Swimmers make a splash off Coogee's Giles Baths on New Year's Day. Credit:Janie Barrett What's at play is the so-called "Ekman transport" effect - identified in 1902 by Swedish oceanographer Vagn Walfrid Ekman - with wind-driven processes drawing up colder waters along the coast. Best known for presenting The Hotel Inspector, British hotelier Alex Polizzi concludes her north-to-south journey through her Italian heritage with a visit to the Puglia region in the country's south-east (the heel on Italy's "boot"). The sun ripened romanticism is apparent Polizzi starts in the city of Lecce, where she once honeymooned but the geography and culture have a touch of realism; one vineyard she visits is a co-operative on land previously confiscated from organised crime figures. You get a sense of regional differences, such as the trullo, a beehive-shaped house that is unique to the region, and the change that has come to locales such as Matera, a city carved out of rock and now remade for a modern new Italy and its many visitors. ABC, 8pm The property-hunting reality show is a staple of commercial television: hopeful buyers, knowledgeable hosts, multiple locales, and queries over lifestyle and price are all a familiar format. The question is: does the ABC need to duplicate it? Adapted from a long-running British format, Escape from the City does its best to put a cultured spin on the tree change experience. This episode is warmly guided by veteran ABC Radio broadcaster Simon Marnie, one of five five! revolving hosts, who brings a wide knowledge of rural Australia to what is essentially a real estate search. The target area is the Southern Highlands of NSW, and the show gets a good sense of the region and its attractions, but it's also a deeply expensive proposition. Farm kids turned Sydney professionals Adrian and Kerby have a budget of about $2million to buy a family home on eight hectares with space for a paddock-to-plate restaurant and accommodation. Is this really going to play with viewers in 2019? The Good Place ABC Comedy, Monday, 9.30pm There are few better uses of catch-up summer viewing this year than this masterful metaphysical comedy from Parks and Recreation creator Mike Schur. Following her death, selfish Arizona misanthrope Eleanor Shellstrop (the terrific Kristen Bell) finds herself welcomed into "the Good Place" by the utopia's architect, Michael (Ted Danson). Her karmic reward is a sham, putting Eleanor in a bind and forcing her to act out, and once she forges a bond with some fellow travellers she's pitched into a screwball farce that provides a punchline primer in philosophical thought and a reminder that the comic range of characters can encompass their best and their worst acts. There are three episodes in this night's batch, so dive in. Eleven-year-old Max is about to make the biggest decision of his life; whether to live with the gender birth has assigned him, or to take steps to change it. If that piques your attention, you can only imagine the tumultuous emotions his parents, sister and extended family are about to wrestle with in this surprisingly adroit and emotional British miniseries. Anna Friel and Callum Booth-Ford in Butterfly. Credit:Ben Blackall Writer Tony Marchant (Public Enemies, Secret Agent) can never be accused of backing away from subject matter that is both topical and rich. And it's a credit to him and his cast that he pulls it off with such aplomb, mastery and even-handedness. Separated from her husband, Vicky Duffy (Anna Friel) raises Max (Callum Booth-Ford) and his sister Lily (Millie Gibson) as well as she can manage. Faultlessly doting and sympathetic, she wants to protect Max from the bullying and harassment that his effeminate demeanour and habits elicit at school. She naively believes the situation can be contained by allowing Max to wear female clothes and make-up at home. But the onset of puberty leads to a crisis (which viewers may find confronting and disturbing), prompting Vicky to realise the situation can no longer be contained within the confines of a perfectly loving and supportive family home. Something fascinating happened with the arrival of New Year's Day. For the first time in more than 20 years, tens of thousands of copyrighted works published in the US in the early 20th century entered the public domain around the world. This means everything from early incarnations of Felix the Cat to Robert Frost's famous poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening have shed their legal protections. The quirky development will also result in English teachers no longer having to worry about photocopying too many copies of Agatha Christie's novel The Murder on the Links or to use another example Winston Churchill's account of the First World War. At the Atlas cafe in Gunghalin, you will be told politely that no straw is available for your milkshake. You may choose to get grumpy and walk out - and a few do - or you may accept a freshly cleaned stainless-steel straw. Or you may just drink the drink out of the glass like lots of people do anyway. Proprietor Tristan Morthorpe says there's been no noticeable effect on trade since his ban on single-use straws. Some have objected but he thinks others are drawn to the place because of its policy. Tristan Morthorpe holding the steel straws at the Atlas cafe in Gungahlin. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos It has had no impact on cost. The cafe saves a few dollars a week by not buying batches of plastic straws but, on the other hand, there is a cost to the steel substitutes of about $20 for a pack of eight, and they have to be cleaned with a pipe cleaner every time they're used and that's a time consuming chore. Loyalty schemes used to be relatively simple. Customers would present one of their many loyalty cards at a checkout to be rewarded with points or other inducements to shop again. But these schemes are now being used in a far more powerful and effective ways, by tapping into the data collected on each individual customer to understand their behaviour and what they want. Major retailers are investing heavily in making sense of the customer data they collect. Credit:Nic Walker In sign of how significant the potential upside is for both traders and data crunchers, one of the industry's global pioneers, dunnhumby, has now set up shop in Australia with the hope of working with local retailers. The group, which opened an office in Sydney in November, is owned by British company Tesco, and set up a loyalty scheme at that supermarket in 1994 which has been replicated worldwide. 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. 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! STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- New details are emerging in a bizarre and potentially gory series of events involving a missing Westerleigh man, including multiple suspects, crime scene investigations, a West Brighton home and a dumpster in New Jersey. Michael Stewart, 40, was last seen Dec. 20 in the Port Richmond area, where he was captured in video surveillance footage conversing with one of the NYPDs primary suspects inside Back 2 Life barber shop on Morningstar Road, sources said. The suspect, 33-year-old Angelo Nesimi, has been in police custody since Saturday, according to sources. Nesimi has a rap sheet that includes a guilty plea in a 2017 shooting inside a Clifton apartment. Angelo completely denies the allegations," said defense attorney Mario Gallucci. At this point, at best, its a circumstantial murder case without a body." Police have not filed any charges in connection with the homicide case, though Nesimi and his girlfriend were detained, following what sources have called a drug-related, domestic violence incident. TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN WEST BRIGHTON More than a week after Stewart was reported missing, police were called to a home at 86 N. Mada Ave. in West Brighton where Nesimi and his girlfriend were taken into custody. Police sources on scene said the incident was drug-related, while a K-9 unit detected traces of blood inside a vehicle. Police said officers initially responded to a report of an emotionally disturbed person at the address. According to the Daily News, the girlfriend was making references of a possible murder involving Nesimi. In an ongoing effort to track down Stewart, investigators have spent time both at the West Brighton home and an area of Perth Amboy, N.J. Surveillance video captured suspicious activity near a dumpster outside an apartment building in Perth Amboy, N.J., the Daily News reported. Authorities were seen investigating the grounds of Formica Construction in Port Richmond on Tuesday, as police believe a member of the Formica family might have helped with the cleanup, according to the Daily News. HOURS LEADING UP TO DISAPPEARANCE Police sources said Stewart was in financial trouble and looking for money or work from family and acquaintances in the hours leading up to his disappearance. Multiple witnesses who spoke with him that evening said he appeared intoxicated. When Stewart failed to collect a benefits check or visit his two children on Christmas, family knew the union carpenter who had helped rebuild at Ground Zero was in serious danger. This is a really tough time, said Stewarts brother, Richard, in a recent interview with the Advance. All of his friends and family just want to know what happened to him. Said Stewarts lifelong friend, Jaclyn Tantao: Its hard to sit here day by day and be in limbo about things. About the Company Headquartered in Mumbai, EduBridge was incorporated by a group of IIM Alumni and professors with the vision to transform the lives of the unemployed youth in rural and semi-urban India. Established in 2009, the firm aspired to fulfill the skill gap that exists currently between the semi-urban economically backward youth and the skill requirements of the high-performing companies and government organizations. EduBridges foundation isintended at teaching skills which would be essential in any workplace ensuring that the candidates hits the ground running and stand-out as good performers against their peers at work.The organization empowers the youth to impact Indias future by walking with them towards a better life by being the first choice provider of high-quality skill and career development in every corner of the country. Current Market Landscape One of the major focuses of the Skill India Mission, (the Government initiative on skilling the Indian youth), is to prepare 500 mn skilled workers by 2022 since India has and will have the required workforce in the working age to become the Skill Capital of the world. Vocational training is a significant element in the countrys current education landscape to achieve these target numbers. For it to be effectively playing a role in altering this context, vocational training needs to be redefined to be more flexible, have a more contemporary approach, be relevant and up-to-date with industry needs, be able to inculcate inclusive mentalities and imbibe creativity in the process of transformation. The government is well aware of this need and has provided support towards the mentioned cause through its Skill India Mission Framework. As less as 2.5 mn vocational training seats are available in the country while more than 7 million people are said to enter the workforce per year. It is expected that by 2020, more than eight percent of total manpower employed globally will be Indian and so it should be considered as the most opportune time to embrace and enhance the vocational training landscape across India. Advanced training institutes like the ITIs, Skill Development Academies, are already being setup across India. This is further enhanced by Government policy of mandatory participation from Corporates through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies to be a part of this initiative. Over 90 percent of the employment opportunities need vocational skills while only 20 percent of the youth get employed upon Graduation. The youth had started to feel this gap and hence, enrolled for various stand-alone courses like Basics in Computers, Tally, English-speaking courses and more that lead us to believe that the youth was always interested in undertaking Skill Development or Vocational training programmes apart from the sector-specific knowledge they received through the education system. With the world looking to India for fulfilling its workforce requirements, the Indian youth also sees the Skill Development Initiatives and Vocational Training landscape as an opportunity to get better jobs, lead better lives and have a better future with job opportunities in India and around the world. Services Built with a vision To be the first choice provider of high-quality skill and career development in every corner of India, EduBridge offers a quire range of serviceswhich involve Training and Employment of Unemployed Youth Through Career Academies: Provide short term vocational training programs (custom developed for leading recruiters) to unemployed youth followed by employment with these recruiters. The trained youth are assessed and certified jointly by leading EduBridge, NSDC, Sector Skill Council and recruiters/corporate,. Each youth enrolling for the program is guaranteed placement opportunities with leading recruiters along with internship options Training and Employment of College Students: Provide short term vocational training programs (custom developed for leading recruiters) to youth studying in schools/colleges followed by employment with these recruiters. Along with their main stream curriculum, the students are provided with vocational training to give them several employment opportunities immediately after graduation Recruitment and Training For Corporates: Work with leading corporate clients to solve their recruitment and training needs by providing them customised recruitment, training and other human capital related solutions through our Career Academies Each of the courses offered by EduBridge adhere to Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) Qualification Pack (QP) National Occupation Standards (NOS). The courses all follow a 60:30:10 rule i.e. 60 percent life skills, 30 percent sector specific skills and 10 percent interview skills. EduBridge believes in life skills such as maintaining a positive attitude, working with people in team, professional communication skills, grooming and working with integrity are most important in any job. Differentiating Factors EduBridge delivers best in class training experience for the youth through experienced facilitators assisted by the EduBridge Learning Integrated Training Environment (ELITE). The company has also created its own Learning Management System (LMS) to create a better user experience. The firms(LMS) is a software embedded in our MIS platform, which provides training support to trainers, students and other stakeholders at the career academies. The LMS maximizes trainers productivity by providing tools to assist the trainers on several counts: Organizes all learning content in one secure location fully protected from any piracy Ensures delivery of training as per the desired sequence and flow as the system does not allowing trainers to skip any module or move ahead without completing the previous module Tracks the delivery of each module with time stamps to ensure adherence to time schedules and discipline of beginning and completing on time Tracks the progress of each learner through online assessments and feedback modules Capable of delivering self-learning modules for the learners Provides real time intelligent feedback to the development team to continuously improve the development and delivery of our training modules Organizational Culture EduBridge brings the friendly environment into existence where employees get appreciated and rewarded for achievements. The firm has set up an employment equality culture where each one is welcome to put their innovative thoughts and ideas in front of management and allowed to apply them. Regular training programmes are conducted for personal grooming, development technologies and updated information. Some of the unique features of EduBridge include High Quality training Trainers and LMS EduBridge recruits high quality mostly SSC certified trainers who undergo a 10-15 day fully residential TTT (with 12-14 hr sessions per day) before they are put up for training others. Additionally, the firm also has training managers in every region, whose core responsibility is to work with the trainer and improve the quality of training at each center. EduBridge also has created a proprietary Learning Management System (LMS) that helps to track the quality of training across all the 80+ centers. As a result of all of the above interventions, the company can confidently state that the overall output is far superior to competition. SOPs & Process Driven Approach The entire organization is completely driven by SOPs and Processes in every aspect, for which the firm has also received ISO certification. EduBridge also has an online system ELITE where all data and processes are captured on a daily basis. Additionally, the organization also conducts audits at each of the EduBridge Career Academies every month. Quality Placements & Student Welfare Today, EduBridge has tie-ups with over 300 companies, many of which hire exclusively from EduBridge. Additionally, the organization also has a Student Welfare team that counsels students from day one of training till six months after joining job. Hence, this ensures that candidates needs are placed first in everything that is done training, counseling, placement and post placement support. Growth and Go to Market Plans EduBridges growth has been steady over the years. Some of the key stages include: 2009-2011 During this stage, EduBridge finalized its product and business model. the firm pivoted 2-3 business models and then arrived at a combination of government and corporate partnered centers. EduBridge ran five centers during this period with a team of less than 30 employees. EduBridge also partnered with NSDC in 2010. 2011 2015 EduBridge grew to 20 centers in West, South and North East. Working with more than 10 government partners and about 100 recruitment partners, EduBridge has established itself as a recognized name which has been recognized as The Best Startup from NSDC in 2012, Best Training Organization (Livelihoods category) from ICICI Foundation, CNBC TV18 in 2014 and VC funding from Acumen Fund, a social investor. The team also expanded to about 150 employees and during the latter part of this period, EduBridge also became profitable. 2015 2018 Launched DevelopmentBridge, EduBridgesproduct to deploy CSR funds from Corporates; today EduBridge works with over 20 companies here. Launched TeamBridge to recruit and train in large numbers for exclusive corporate; today EduBridge works with over 10 companies here Received second round of funds from Insitor Impact Fund Recently launched Guruschool, a premier Train-the-trainer School in partnership with Capgemini, HSBC and Tata Strive. Grew to over 60 centers across 14 states Also launched Sahicareer.com, an online counseling portal for the 1000s of college graduates across the country, helping them with important career decisions. Started working with Governments DDUGKY scheme with 2 centers in West Bengal and 1 center in Rajasthan. For the coming years, EduBridge has launched an ambitious Vision 2020 with which the organization plans to grow to over 100 centers, transform lives of 50,000 students per year. The firm has also launched sahicareeer.com, an online counseling platform and yet to launch a product aimed to help corporate recruit in all parts of the country via an online portal. In the coming years,EduBridge will also expand theTeamBridge program and DDUGKY footprint. The firm is confident of achieving their vision of being the first choice provider of high quality skill and career development in every corner of the country. Quick Facts: Year of Inception 2009 Founding Member GirishSinghania Office Headquarter Mumbai Total Headcount 400+ Website edubridgeindia.com Empronc About the company Empronc Solutions, headquartered in Mumbai, India was incorporated in 2004 by a group of IT professionals with the aim to develop apps for segments such as business intelligence, travel management, and payment controls. Their vision was to build an organization that would compete with the leading business solution product companies globally. With a strong foothold in the spend management technology, today, Empronc Solutions empowers businesses by addressing their operations, processes, compliance and workflows related requirements. Being a customer focused, process centered and reliable organization, Empronc delivers sustainable and innovative solutions to primarily enhance financial productivity, compliance and cost savings across client businesses. Current market landscape A large number of enterprises still have traditional processing of routine transactions, which consumes lot of time and efforts. Moreover, these manual calculations are often misread or misinterpreted. Enterprises with huge headcounts have multiple categories and processes where spend management becomes a challenge. They look forward to a solution that can allow mobility based transaction to be seamlessly integrated within their corporate app framework while ensuring transparency in spend management and spend compliance. This surging demand is attracting huge investments in mobile application development space. Addressing the market needs Empronc provides a robust framework to ensure visible excellence and progressive agility. Company has varied products which compliment for non banking and core banking, as well. Their offerings have been templatized thereby enabling organizations to achieve 90 percent of the targeted benefits within a period of 3-4 months. Services Empronc Solutions flagship product, a real time Enterprise Spend Governance solution, BAZ, incorporates a robust spend management framework. BAZ is a complete solution for internal financial control, accounts table, operation procurement processes and effectively streamlines the entire spend process from initiation to payment. The solution seamlessly integrates with any existing financial system and works well with or without an ERP deployment. Advantage of having a solution like BAZ is that it compliments standard ERPs of standard core banking. The solution eliminates the pre-processes that exist and get those assets incorporated into the processes quickly. With BAZ, the category definition gets streamlined across the acquisition of the assets. The vendor resources also get trimmed down, thus increasing synergies and benefitting companies immensely. Differentiating Factors For more than a decade now, the company has been emphasizing on efficient and on time product and service deliveries thereby assuring that they operate on near six sigma quality standard. The solution facilitates optimization of the chain management process depending upon the scope and requirements of the clients. Empronc has core expertise with customer experience allowing them to treat their processes in a manner that will enable them to use their software more effectively. Implementation of BAZ, reduces the probability of implementing outsourcing. This module is very useful for asset acquiring companies. Manufacturing plants too, initiate their invoices in Emproncs systems. Moreover, Emproncs whole query management solution is standardized, controlled and auditable, adding the whole turnaround time analysis. This is arguably the first manufacturing implementation which allows geographically spread manufacturing plants to have a centralized payment services solution with only one scanning and indexing resource available at each plant. Security challenges are often cited as a reason that banking sector is hesitant to move their computing to the cloud. Adhering to this, Empronc has built BAZ on private cloud to make sure that the data is secured, accurate and streamlined. While rendering organization wise on-line visibility and integrity of their budgets, spend and financial data, the solution also ensures anytime- anywhere accessibility. Being an AI enabler, Empronc has also designed spend control and spend analysis software. Growth Figures With its deep rooted domain knowledge, Empronc has successfully deployed solutions across various industry verticals. Their core focus is to help customers increase employee centricity, Vendor partner relationships, productivity, Governance, compliance and efficiencies around these processes while reducing risk, wastage and fraud. Company has successfully deployed the solution complementing CBS for Banks, ERPs for non-banking customers in Logistics, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Insurance (Life/Health/General) and others. Recently, Empronc Solutions has successfully integrated the Ratnakar banks processes in a corporate app that allows mobile based approval for all pending items vendor empanelment process or expense approval processes etc. Successful implementation usage statistics: More than 4800 physical locations Over 200,000 Users Around 27.5 lakhs Transactions/Annum About Rs. 6,500 crores Transaction value / Annum Horizontal across industry verticals Future Plans Empronc already has a web app developed for mobility and right now, they are working to develop a new framework which will be more tablet oriented delivery. The company has plans underway to expand their margin, volume, and horizontal growth. Having geographically spread across 2000 plus locations, Empronc aims to become a key provider of productized service. Quick Facts 1) Year of founding: 2004 2) Founding members: Manish Bazari, Director 3) Office locations: Mumbai 4) Company strength: 201-500 employees 5) Website: empronc.com South Korean mobile phone major Samsung Mobile is the most attractive brand, said a TRA Research report on Thursday. Reliance Jio, the major disruptor in the the Indian telecom sector, ranked fourth among the top 20 attractive brands, the report said. Speaking on the popularity of Samsung Mobile, N. Chandramouli, CEO of TRA Research, said: "Samsung offers mobile phones with prices ranging from Rs 8,000-75,000 and this very variety sets it aside from other mobile manufacturers." He also noted that the company has come out well after instances of the Samsung Note 7 model bursting and catching fire in 2016 hurt the brand significantly. On Reliance Jio, Chandramouli said that the internet penetration achieved by Jio and the data availability it has ensured have helped in its popularity. Following Samsung Mobile, on the second position is Tata Motors, while Apple iPhone ranked third in the list. The fifth position was held by Maruti Suzuki. TRA said it conducted the survey among 2,474 consumer-influencers across 16 cities in the country. Read More News: Elon Musk unveils underground tunnel prototype Google denies it altered YouTube code to slow down Microsoft Edge Page Content When inclement weather hits, HR professionals and managers need to know what the Fair Labor Standards Act requires for paying employees who may or may not be able to make it in to work. And the FLSA isn't the only relevant law. The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act and state and local statutes have requirements that also may have to be fulfilled, so HR should provide managers with a complete overview. FLSA Rules Most winter storm closures last only a few days. The Department of Labor (DOL) has stated that exempt employees must be paid their entire weekly salary for any week in which they work, regardless of how many days or hours they work in that week. This general rule is subject to a few exceptions that allow limited deductions from exempt employees' pay. An employer may deduct a full day from an exempt employee's pay when that employee is absent for a personal reason other than sickness or disability, for example. If an employer remains open but an exempt employee chooses to stay home and not work for personal reasons, such as a fear of driving on bad roads, an employer could deduct a full day from the employee's pay. "But you do so at your own peril," cautioned Laura Elkayam and Matthew Feery, attorneys with Much Shelist in Chicago. "Apart from risking an incorrect application of the law, employers risk ruining morale." The FLSA permits employers to require exempt and nonexempt employees to use accrued leave for absences, even when employers are closed during a snowstorm. "This perhaps is an area where the question is not so much whether you can, but whether you should" make this a requirement, they said. "Forcing employees to use accrued leave when they otherwise were able and willing to come in to work risks hurting morale and perceptions of fairness, and it is a quick way to anger at least part of your employee population." It may control costs in the short run, "but in the long run, the savings may not be worth the hassle." Nevertheless, Keith Kopplin, an attorney with Ogletree Deakins in Milwaukee, pointed out that unlike exempt employees, nonexempt employees get paid only for the hours they work. "This can create financial pressure for them to report for work on days their place of employment remains open despite inclement weather," he said. "Allowing nonexempt employees to use paid time off on bad weather days can alleviate the financial concerns that could prompt risky travel." The DOL has stated that partial-day deductions from the salary of an exempt employee who is absent due to inclement weather aren't allowed. It nevertheless has confirmed that employers may deduct from available paid time off in partial-day increments, provided the employee receives the full weekly salary. "This is one way that employers can dissuade exempt employees from reporting late or leaving early due to inclement weather," Kopplin said. "Employers can also require exempt employees to make up time they choose to miss due to inclement weather on other workdays." But Michelle Marks, an attorney with Epstein Becker Green in Chicago, noted that while leave time may be deducted for missed timeso long as this is permitted by state lawsuch a policy would likely be unpopular among exempt employees who could telecommute rather than use vacation time. Telecommuting can help some employees stay productive, but train nonexempt employees to record their time accurately so they can be paid for all hours worked. "If employers prefer [that] their nonexempt employees never telecommute, even during a snowstorm, they should have clearly written policies prohibiting nonexempt employees from performing work outside of regular business hours or away from the office without approval," Elkayam and Feery stated. If nonexempt employees telecommute anyway, they must be paid but may be disciplined for violating the policy. OSH Act The OSH Act requires employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace for its employees. "This includes protecting workers from expected threats like winter weather and cold-weather exposure," said Curtis Moore, an attorney at Fisher Phillips in Columbus, Ohio. "It also includes ridding the workplace of weather-related hazards," such as ice on sidewalks or parking lots. He said that employers should educate employees who work outside on the dangers of weather-related exposure and cold-induced injuries, and how to identify symptoms. [SHRM members-only how-to guide: How to Determine Regulatory Requirements for Safety] State and Local Laws Reporting-time regulations require an employer to pay an employee who shows up for work at the company's request but isn't needed for the completion of the assigned shift. Depending on state and local laws, the business may have to pay the worker at a regular rate for a set number of hours established by statute or for the number of hours scheduled for his or her shift, stated Steven Suflas and Elliot Griffin, attorneys with Ballard Spahr in Denver and Philadelphia, respectively. Jurisdictions with such regulations include California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon (minors only), Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C., noted Sal Simao and Joanna Rich, attorneys with FordHarrison in Berkeley Heights, N.J. Predictive scheduling laws require employers covered by the law, such as those in retail and food services industries, to provide employees minimum notice of changes to their work schedules. Jurisdictions with such laws include Emeryville, Calif.; New York; New York City; Oregon; San Francisco; San Jose, Calif.; Seattle; and Washington, D.C. "Some of these laws have exceptions where a change in schedule was occasioned by natural disaster or potentially extreme weather," they stated. But Elkayam and Feery cautioned that unless the applicable law contains an exception for inclement weather, employers generally need to compensate employees under these laws. Sharon, PA (16146) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High around 75F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. BUCHAREST, Romania The government of Romania is on a collision course with the European Union at the very moment it is scheduled to take a leadership role in the organization. The presidency of the Council of the European Union the body through which the blocs 28 member states help guide legislation and coordinate policy moves from one country to another every six months. On Tuesday, it will be Romanias turn for the first time since it joined the union 12 years ago. At the same time, however, the government in Bucharest is pressing ahead with changes to its justice system that have been strongly criticized in Brussels, and top officials in the country are defending the governments position with increasingly Euroskeptic language. The left-wing government has moved assertively to rein in the independence of the judiciary setting off street protests and political upheaval and is now considering a decree granting amnesty to people convicted of corruption. Romanias justice minister recently requested the dismissal of the countrys top prosecutor, an outspoken critic of the governments moves. The European Union is another critic. Romania has not only stalled its reform process, but also reopened and backtracked on issues where progress was made over the past 10 years, said Frans Timmermans, the first vice president of the European Commission, the blocs executive arm, which issued a harsh report in November. The criticism has not gone down well in Bucharest. Liviu Dragnea, leader of Romanias governing Social Democratic Party, accused the bloc in December of discriminatory treatment, telling party members, Romania will no longer accept being treated as a second-rate country. The prime minister, Viorica Dancila, said it had been rebuked in the past simply because we are an Eastern European country. The European Union council presidency is responsible for leading meetings, determining agendas and fostering dialogue. For a country like Romania, one of the EUs newest members, holding the presidency has important symbolic and practical value. Romanias presidency comes at a crucial moment for the future of the EU, according to Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission. That includes the handling of Britains scheduled exit from the bloc on March 29 and addressing the rise of authoritarian governments. Juncker told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag in an interview that he believed Romania was technically well-prepared for the presidency, but added: I think the government in Bucharest hasnt yet fully grasped what it means to take the chair over the EU countries. Kit Gillet is a New York Times writer. BEIRUT Two days of fighting in rebel-held parts of northern Syria killed dozens of people as al Qaeda-linked militants press their offensive against Turkey-backed rebels, a war monitor and activists said Wednesday. The new wave of fighting comes after President Trumps abrupt announcement in mid-December that he was withdrawing 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria and Turkish threats to carry out a military operation against Kurdish fighters. BEIJING China reached a milestone in space exploration on Thursday, landing a vehicle on the far side of the moon for the first time in history, Chinas state media announced. The landing of the probe, called Change-4 after the moon goddess in Chinese mythology, is one in a coming series of missions that underscore the countrys ambitions to join and even lead the space race. WASHINGTON Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine arrested in Russia on espionage charges, was visiting Moscow over the holidays to attend a wedding when he suddenly disappeared, his brother said Tuesday. Whelan, 48, who is head of global security for a Michigan-based auto parts supplier, was arrested Friday. In announcing the arrest three days later, the Russian Federal Security Service said he was caught during an espionage operation, but gave no details. We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being, his family said in a statement that his brother David Whelan posted on Twitter. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected. The Russian spying charges carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. David Whelan said in an interview that his brother had been to Russia several times previously, so when a fellow former Marine was planning a wedding in Moscow with a Russian woman he was asked to come along to help out. The morning of his arrest, he had taken a group of wedding guests on a tour of the Kremlin museums. The last time anyone heard from him was at about 5 p.m. and then he failed to show up that evening for the wedding, his brother said. It was extraordinarily out of character, he said. The family feared he had been mugged or was in a car accident, David Whelan said, and it was when searching the internet on Monday that he learned of the arrest. I was looking for any stories about dead Americans in Moscow, so in a way it was better than finding out that he had died, he said. The State Department said Monday it had received formal notification from the Russian Foreign Ministry of the arrest and was pushing for consular access. David Whelan said the family was told by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow they have not been able to speak to Paul Whelan. David Whelan said he has no idea why his brother was targeted by the Russian security services. Paul Whelan had traveled to Russia in the past for work and to visit friends he had met on social networks, his brother said. Paul Whelan did multiple tours in Iraq with the Marine Corps, his brother said. He now lives in Novi, Mich., and is director of global security for BorgWarner, where he has worked since early 2017. He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Mich. and at other company locations around the world, company spokeswoman Kathy Graham said in a statement. She said BorgWarner does not have any facilities in Russia. He previously worked for Kelly Services, which does maintain offices in Russia, his brother said. The arrest comes as U.S.-Russian ties are severely strained, in part over Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. A Russian gun-rights activist, Maria Butina, is in U.S. custody after admitting she acted as a secret agent for the Kremlin in trying to infiltrate conservative U.S. political groups as Donald Trump was seeking the presidency. She pleaded guilty in December to a conspiracy charge as part of a deal with federal prosecutors. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed the case is fabricated and that Butina entered the guilty plea because of the threat of a long prison sentence. While it is not yet clear what prompted Whelans arrest, Russia has been known to arrest foreigners with an eye toward trading them for Russians held abroad. Lynn Berry is an Associated Press writer. KABUL Afghan special forces launched a new offensive against the Islamic State in eastern Nangarhar province, killing 27 militants, officials said Tuesday. Meanwhile, Taliban attacks in northern Afghanistan killed 15 members of the countrys security forces. According to provincial council member Ajmal Omar, the special forces, backed by helicopter gunships, targeted Islamic State in Achin district of Nangarhar on Monday. The province has been an Islamic State stronghold. The militants media arm, the Aamaq news agency, claimed Islamic State repulsed a joint Afghan-U.S. operation in the area. The remoteness of the area makes it impossible to independently investigate conflicting reports. In the north, the Taliban launched two blistering attacks on police outposts in Sar-e-Pul province on Monday night, killing 15 policemen and wounding 21, the latest in near-daily assaults by the insurgents against Afghanistans beleaguered security forces. Fierce gunbattles raged for several hours in Sayyad district and outside Sar-e-Pul, the provincial capital. In the attack on the outskirts of the city, heavy artillery fire by Afghan forces trying to repel the Taliban sent local residents fleeing for safety, said provincial council chief Mohammad Noor Rahmani. Taliban spokesman Qari Yousof Ahmadi claimed responsibility for both attacks in Sar-e-Pul province. The Taliban have been carrying out near-daily attacks targeting Afghan forces despite stepped-up efforts by the United States to find a negotiated end to the countrys 17-year war. The size and strength of the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan, which emerged in 2013, is estimated at anywhere between several hundred and several thousand fighters. Amir Shah is an Associated Press writer. About eight years ago, then-16-year-old Abby Sunderland attempted to become the youngest person to sail around the world solo. Four months into her record-setting voyage, Sunderland was rescued by Australian authorities after rough winds dismasted her 40-foot vessel. Authorities left the sloop, named "Wild Eyes," in the waters of the Indian Ocean some 2,000 miles west of Australia. ALSO READ: They only dated for 6 months, then they quit their jobs to travel on a catamaran Just as 2018 came to an end, "Wild Eyes" made headlines once again, almost a decade since its captain's ill-fated voyage. According to South Australian police, the vessel was found off the coast of Kangaroo Island on New Year's Eve. A tuna-spotting plane noticed the yellow sloop while scouting fish. A police helicopter and two commercial fishing vessels investigated the wreck, which was floating upside down and covered in barnacles, and later determined it was "Wild Eyes," authorities said. MORE SAILING NEWS: Carnival cruises into SF Sunderland, a native of Thousand Oaks, Calif., abandoned her attempts to circumnavigate the globe solo in a sailboat after her rescue. She revealed in 2011 that she was taking flying lessons and planned to fly around the world. In May 2010, then-16-year-old Jessica Watson, of Australia, became the youngest person to sail around the world solo. She completed the 22,000-nautical-mile voyage two days before her 17th birthday having disembarked from Sydney Harbor seven months earlier. Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com. Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. It was year of mixed emotions for San Franciscans. Some must have feared 1919 came in with an ill harbinger. The city thought it was finally free of the brutal influenza epidemic, but just a few weeks after the start of the year, the deadly virus returned for its third sweep of San Francisco. On a single day in January, 600 new cases were reported. By Jan. 17, the city had reinstated its mask law, requiring all citizens to wear face masks when congregating in groups of two or more except during meals. By February, though, the outbreak had slowed. And good news was on the horizon: Troops were coming home. In April, San Francisco hosted one of the most joyous parties ever seen on Market Street as thousands of soldiers returned from World War I. The 91st Division, nicknamed the Wild West Division, had been in France for more than a year, fighting in the Ypres-Lys and Meuse-Argonne offensives, among others. ALSO: What did your street used to look like? Views of San Francisco's Noe Valley, then and now It was a good time to celebrate. The prohibition of alcohol was less than a year away. But lest you think San Francisco went totally dry, rest assured; the party thundered on throughout the 1920s. After being feted by the city, the 91st was inactivated at the Presidio. The division returned to duty in World War II and fought primarily in Italy. To see how San Francisco looked 100 years ago, click through the gallery above. On the outside, this dark-brown, tile-roofed home in Perris, CA, looks no different from the thousands of other stucco abodes in Southern California. But on the inside, the house comes with something else: a history. A tragic one. The California home where David and Louise Turpin allegedly tortured 12 of their 13 children is currently for sale on auction site Hudson & Marshall, which is accepting bids through Wednesday. This home, which became known far and wide as the "house of horrors," is where the Turpins reportedly shackled their children to furniture with ropes and chains and starved them to the brink of death. Last January, the Turpins were arrested after their 17-year-old daughter managed to escape captivity and call 911. In November, the four-bedroom, three-bathroom house went into foreclosure. The last appraisal of the property valued the home at $353,138, but real estate experts predict that it will sell for much less now. The auction site fails to mention the home's stomach-churning background, but real estate appraiser Orell Andersonwho valued the residences where Nicole Brown Simpson and JonBenet Ramsey were murderedthinks most buyers will have heard of this home's grim past, and lowball accordingly. As of Monday, the most recent bid comes in at $280,001. Anderson is not surprised. As he puts it, "Whos going to want to live there?" Will anyone buy this 'house of horrors'? Home buyers unfazed by grim crimes are a rare breed. Anderson anticipates that buyers with children will not go near this abode, and most likely, it will be purchased just to be razed. "A redevelopment agency or the homeowners association will want to tear this house down," says Anderson. "Hopefully, they'll put a plaque or a monument in its place." Anderson compares the tragedy of the Turpin home with the site of the apartment complex where cannibal and serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer resided until his arrest in 1991. After Dahmer was sentenced to life in prison for killing 17 boys and young men, the entire apartment complex was sold to a redevelopment agency and demolished the following year. "Just like Dahmer, it will sell for the land value," says Anderson. "This 'house of horrors' is located in a new subdivision. It wouldn't look out of place to tear it down and put something else in that spot." Another possibility? An investor could buy it, fix it up, and rent it out, notes Anderson. "There are multiple homes in this neighborhood that are for lease," he says. "Short-term occupants have a willingness to pay a low rent and tend to not care as much about the tragic history of the actual home." So perhaps there's hope that this house of horrors might be able to make a fresh start after all. The post Turpins' 'House of Horrors' Is Up for Salebut Who'd Buy It? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. John Denvers newly renovated Rocky Mountain paradise is back on the market for $11 million, according to the Denver Post. The performer, who died in 1997, left behind a legacy of both music and real estate. This multimillion-dollar Aspen, CO, mansion on 2.6 acres inspired the iconic songwriter to write Starwood in Aspen. It's easy to see why. Located in the exclusive Starwood neighborhood, high in the mountains, it really does have the Rocky Mountain views that would inspire you to break into song. Denver built the home in 1972, and it became his legacy and refuge, according to the listing. The property first came on the market in August 2014 for $10.75 million. By October 2016, the price had fallen to $3.3 million. The current owners picked it up for a relative song$2.75 millionin December 2016. Entrance to John Denver's former estate realtor.com Open living space realtor.com Sitting area realtor.com Dining space realtor.com Kitchen with vaulted ceiling realtor.com Master suite realtor.com Rec room with billiard table and media space realtor.com The couple renovated and modernized the 7,735-square-foot home while retaining some vintage features, including the wood-burning fireplaces and stained-glass windows. Updates include a new roof, electrical and plumbing, and new windows and flooring. The layout now features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two half-baths. The kitchen now has a vaulted ceiling, and the open layout features windows affording views of the scenic mountains. The kitchen is adjacent to the spacious living and dining areas. Theres also a rec room with a billiard table and media area, and three wet bars and a workout room. Outside, the home is surrounded by multiple decks with jaw-dropping views. Denver sold about 33 million records, and his song Rocky Mountain High was adopted as one of Colorados two state songs. The state also named him as its poet laureate in 1974. Denver died when the experimental plane he was piloting crashed off the coast of California in 1997. He was 53. The Bineau Team with Coldwell Banker Mason Morse-Aspen holds the listing. The post Renovated Rocky Mountain High! John Denver's Former Estate Is Listed for $11M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Siebel Newsom started acting at age 28, and said her agent told her not to mention the fact that she received an MBA from Stanford. "I was told by my male agent at the time to take my MBA off of my resume because I didn't want to seem too smart, and to lie about my age," she said . "I didn't do either but I started to question myself, the industry, what's going on here, our culture." less On Jan. 7, Jennifer Siebel Newsom will become the 37th first lady of California, although she would prefer the title of first partner. "We're going to have a female governor someday soon," Siebel Newsom explained to POLITICO during the campaign. "I think that partner is kind of cool because also it opens the opportunity for any couple to step in and that's exciting to me." A blurry photo of a red pickup truck taken moments before the pre-dawn slaying of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes near a Walmart in east Harris County is one of the few clues detectives hope will lead to her killers capture. A security camera from a nearby business spied the unidentified gunman cruising south along the feeder road near Wallisville Road on Sunday morning. He seemingly targeted the girls family her mother and three siblings, ages 6, 13 and 15 at random during their shopping trip, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said during a news conference Monday. The family never made it to the store, Gonzalez said. As far as investigators know, the family did nothing to spark the gunmans ire and he made no attempt to communicate before opening fire around 6:50 a.m. from the next lane over. One of the detectives handling the investigation, Lt. Christopher Sandoval, said the eldest girl in the car managed to get a look at her sisters assailant. She described him as a bearded man in his 40s wearing a red hoodie. The man is believed responsible for killing the little girl in the backseat and striking her 30-year-old mother, LaPorsha Washington, in the arm, according to police. CLOVERLEAF: 1 dead, 1 injured in possible gang-related shooting The mother managed to flee the gunfire toward Beltway 8, police said. She pulled over to the shoulder to call 911 when she realized Jazmine wasnt breathing. Her daughter died in the vehicle. First responders at the scene were especially distraught by the girls death, Sandoval recalled.Nobody deserves to die, especially not a 7-year-old girl. If you could have been on that scene yesterday and seen her lifeless body being pulled from the car, you would be absolutely upset. The youngest sibling in the car was hurt by shattered glass, the sheriff said, adding that Washington remained hospitalized in stable condition as of Monday afternoon. The shooting death capped the end of 2018 with heartbreak as Jazmines father, Christopher Cevilla, issued a tearful plea at the press conference for help in finding the suspect responsible for taking the life of his daughter. She was a second-grader at Monahan Elementary School in east Houston and was slated to turn 8 in February, according to officials. My daughter was 7 years old, Cevilla said, describing her as loving, caring, very passionate with people, very sweet, innocent. Just a lot of things that have been robbed of me and my family that we will never get back, Cevilla said, as two photos of Jazmine were displayed on TV monitors. What if that was your daughter, he asked. Help me and my family get justice for my baby girl. MISSING MAN: County worker found dead in Buffalo Bayou identified Sheldon ISD officials identified Jazmine as one of their students and asked parents of her classmates to break the news to their children now and comfort them while they are still on break. Authorities have not narrowed down the motive for the attack. It is our belief that it was totally unprovoked, whatever it was. Were leaving no stone unturned. Were going to leave every motive out there as a possibility, Gonzalez said. Authorities acknowledged that tracking down a killer on the vague description of a pickup truck will be a challenge in a sprawling metropolis teeming with similar vehicles. Yes, we know were in Texas. Yes, we know we have a lot of pickup trucks out there, Gonzalez said. But when you put the pieces together, consider that were looking for a bearded man, possibly in his 40s, driving a red pickup truck. This could be your neighbor. This could be your co-worker. He appealed for the publics help, especially those with security cameras attached to their homes and businesses, to look for any sign of the man in the red truck. And to the killer, should he be listening, Gonzalez had sharp words. I would suggest that you do the right thing and turn yourself in. Theres no need for anyone else to get harmed, he said. Keri Blakinger contributed to this report. A man died when he ran across State Highway 1 in Santa Cruz north of 41st Avenue and was hit by a car Monday evening, the California Highway Patrol said. The 38-year-old Watsonville man's vehicle had become disabled and was partially blocking a lane of southbound Highway 1 around 5:45 p.m., according to the CHP. An officer responded and spoke with the man, noticing signs of intoxication, the CHP said. The man started to walk into the traffic lanes, and the officer tried to pull him back, according to the CHP. The man jerked out of the officer's grasp and ran across both lanes of southbound Highway 1, jumped the guardrail and started running across the northbound lanes - directly in the path of a Subaru in the fast lane, the CHP said. The Subaru hit the man, and the driver stopped on the left median, according to the CHP. The officer, a passerby and other arriving officers began CPR on the man who had been hit, but around 6 p.m., medics pronounced him dead. While alcohol or drugs are suspected in the case of the man who died, use of these substances is not suspected on the part of the driver of the Subaru, a 46-year-old woman from San Jose, the CHP said. Clad in bikinis, Speedos and sunglasses, ice skaters of all skill levels are expected to participate in the annual Polar Bear Skate competition Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco's Union Square. The annual New Year's Day competition at the Safeway Holiday Ice Rink, a fixture since 2008, runs from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with prizes including a night's stay at the Hilton Union Square Hotel. Skaters participate in beach attire, a tradition that supposedly began in Canada. A six-year-old girl is in the hospital Tuesday with a gunshot wound police believe was caused by celebratory Oakland New Year's Eve gunfire, a police spokeswoman said. The girl was playing in the back yard of her home in the 9600 block of Thermal Street in East Oakland sometime before 2 a.m. when she was hit by a stray bullet, according to a police investigation, Officer Johnna Watson said. A family member took the child to the hospital and she was treated and then transferred to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, according to Watson. "Due to the injury to the child and evidence observed at the scene, at this time it is believed the child was struck by celebratory gunfire," Watson said in an email. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department's Felony Assault Unit at (510) 238-3426. The police and Crime Stoppers of Oakland are offering a reward up to $5,000 for any information leading to an arrest. Vallejo firefighters battled a two-alarm house fire in the south-central part of the city early Tuesday morning, the department said. The fire, reported at about 3:40 a.m., was at a house in the 400 block of Idora Avenue, a few blocks north on Interstate Highway 780 and east of Interstate 80. A fire on Schooner Way in Pittsburg Tuesday morning caused damage to the outside of a house, but there were no injuries, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said. The single-alarm fire was reported at 4:51 a.m., said fire Capt. Steve Aubert. The outside of the house sustained damage, but the flames didn't spread, Aubert said. It took firefighters about 10 minutes to control the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Aubert said. Two Santa Rosa men were arrested on suspicion of battery in connection with a brutal assault in downtown Petaluma early Tuesday, police officials said. The case began when a man hit a Windsor man from behind, slamming his fist into the man's head as he stood on the sidewalk in the 100 block of Kentucky Street around 2 a.m., according to police. The blow struck the man to the ground, and another man kicked him in the face as he lay there, punching him in the head, witnesses told police. The initial attack was captured on video, police said. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SANTA ROSA (BCN) A Santa Rosa police officer and a juvenile suspect were injured in a struggle Tuesday afternoon, police said. Officers responded at 1 p.m. to a disturbance between the suspect and her neighbor in the 1400 block of Hogrefe Way. The first officer there encountered the neighbor and the girl who allegedly was physically and verbally combative with the officer. Police said the officer used a departmental approved takedown on the girl to detain her. She continued to resist and the officer handcuffed her. Police said the officer suffered abrasions to a hand and injured a finger. He was treated at a hospital and released. Police said the girl suffered abrasions to a hand and her face and received care at a hospital before being taken to juvenile hall. The girl allegedly had brandished a box cutter-type knife and threatened to kill her neighbor. Police said the girl was arrested on suspicion of criminal threats, battery on an officer and brandishing a weapon. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. OAKLAND (BCN) Alameda County Superior Court Judge Trina Thompson was formally assigned today to preside over the trial for Ghost Ship master tenant Derick Almena and creative director Max Harris for the fire at the warehouse in December 2016 that killed 36 people. Thompson, a former defense attorney who became a judge in 2002, immediately scheduled a hearing for Jan. 18 on two defense motions in the high-profile case. One defense motion is a request by lawyers for Almena, 48, and Harris, 28, who are charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter, that the building's owners and Oakland firefighters and police officers be arrested and prosecuted along with Almena and Harris. The second is a motion to dismiss the charges against Almena and Harris that alleges that potentially exonerating evidence was destroyed, lost or altered under the watch of the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. The fire during a music party at the warehouse at 1309 31st Ave. on Dec. 2, 2016, killed 36 people. Prosecutors allege that Almena and Harris are criminally responsible for the blaze because guests and residents at the warehouse were endangered by its makeshift electrical system and floor-to-ceiling load of pianos, wooden sculptures, pallets, motor campers, rugs, benches, tree limbs and tapestries. O'Malley also said the warehouse had no city permits for residency or for the concerts and shows that were held there and allege that Almena and Harris knowingly created a fire trap with inadequate means of escape. But defense lawyers allege that the people most responsible for the fire are the warehouse's owners and Oakland firefighters and police officers who knew about the dangers there and didn't take action to remedy those dangers. Thompson said today that she expects that the trial, which is scheduled to begin on April 2 with jury selection, to last between two months and six months. In a sign that the trial will be bitter and hard fought, defense attorney Curtis Briggs, who represents Harris, alleged that Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley is "corrupt" because she's only prosecuting Almena and Harris and isn't prosecuting the building's owners and police officers and firefighters. Tony Serra, who represents Almena, said, "They (prosecutors) wanted a trial and they're getting a trial." Serra said he expects that Almena, who has given frequent interviews to television stations and newspapers, will testify during the trial "because he's been waiting to have his side of the story shown." Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A professor at the University of California at Berkeley and a former chair at the Federal Reserve will be honored in February by the University of California at Santa Cruz, university officials said. Janet Yellen, who's been teaching at UC Berkeley since 1980, and currently teaches at the Haas School of Business there, will be honored with the UC Santa Cruz 2019 Foundation Medal. The medal recognizes people whose achievements have been extraordinary and that exemplify the ideals and vision of UC Santa Cruz. Yellen is the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve and she has held other posts such as vice chair of the Federal Reserve, CEO and president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisors under President Bill Clinton. According to university officials, Yellen is also a fellow of the Brookings Institution, which conducts research and makes policy recommendations to solve problems in the world. University of California President Janet Napolitano will make remarks at the presentation that starts at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Hotel Nia in Menlo Park. People who want to attend must register by Jan. 18. Tickets are $100 per person. Copyright 2019 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) Two people suffered critical injuries in a fire at a vacant building in San Francisco's Potrero Hill neighborhood on Wednesday morning, fire officials said. San Francisco fire officials reported the blaze on Twitter at 8:25 a.m. and said it was on the second floor of a three-story building in the 1100 block of Connecticut Street. One of the victims was rescued by construction workers while firefighters located and rescued the second victim, fire officials said. The fire has been extinguished and its cause is under investigation, fire officials said. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. WASHINGTON On his first working day as acting defense secretary, Pat Shanahan made clear that his focus is on China. The former Boeing executive, who moved up from the No. 2 job after Pentagon chief Jim Mattis left Monday, gathered civilian leaders of the military services and other top civilian officials at the Defense Department on Wednesday before going to the White House for a Cabinet meeting. A defense official said Shanahan told the Pentagon gathering that he is focused on the strategy as developed and put in place under Mattis. It emphasizes the importance of great power competition with Russia and China, after Americas many years of fighting insurgent wars in the Middle East. In that context, Shanahan said the Pentagon leaders should remember, China, China, China, according to the official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss internal defense meetings and spoke on condition of anonymity. The Trump administration has had a rocky relationship with China. Like the Obama administration, President Trumps government is concerned by what it calls Chinas militarization of disputed areas in the South China Sea and by its advances in certain high-tech weaponry. With Shanahan moving up from deputy secretary to acting secretary, at least temporarily, the Pentagons budget chief, David Norquist, has been chosen to fill in as the deputy, according to Pentagon spokesman Tom Crosson. As acting secretary, Shanahan has all the authorities of a permanent secretary. Its unclear whether Trump will nominate Shanahan as Mattis successor or will choose someone else. Shanahan had been the deputy secretary since July 2017. He had spent his entire career with the Boeing Co. and had no prior government experience. Mattis, a retired Marine general, submitted his resignation on Dec. 20 after a series of policy disagreements with Trump, including the presidents decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Mattis said he would stay until the end of February, but on Dec. 23 Trump announced that Shanahan would take over Jan. 1, speeding up Mattis departure. Shanahan, a native of Washington state, had worked for Boeing since 1986. His views on strategic issues such as U.S. alliances and the wars in Afghanistan and Syria are largely unknown to the public. During his Senate confirmation hearing in June 2017, Shanahan drew the ire of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for equivocating on whether he favored providing defensive weaponry to Ukraine in response to Russian military intervention. Robert Burns is an Associated Press writer. WASHINGTON Ivanka Trump is set to launch a White House effort aimed at womens global economic empowerment in early 2019. A formal launch for the initiative was planned for next week but has been postponed amid uncertainty about the government shutdown, the White House said this week. The original plan for the event included remarks from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton, as well as from officials from a host of government agencies, financial organizations and private businesses, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, Walmart and Bank of America. The initiative, which is backed by the State Department and the National Security Council, seeks to align government agencies behind the mission of supporting womens economic development around the world. It will also include private-sector investment. First daughter Ivanka Trump, a White House adviser who has made supporting women in business part of her portfolio, led the policy process over the past year and a half. I look forward to continuing to work with the inter-agency and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to advance womens access to vocational training, fuel female entrepreneurship and lift legal and social barriers that restrict our full and free economic participation, Ivanka Trump said in a statement to The Associated Press. Ivanka Trump previously led an effort to launch a World Bank fund to help drive womens entrepreneurship. Catherine Lucey is an Associated Press writer. RALEIGH, N.C. It took three tranquilizer darts and eight gunshots to subdue a lion that fatally attacked an intern at a North Carolina wildlife center, according to a sheriffs incident report released Wednesday. The Caswell County Sheriffs Office report includes details from the time deputies arrived Sunday at the Conservators Center near Burlington but does not explain how the animal broke free while its enclosure was being cleaned. Alexandra Black, 22, was cleaning with staff members when the lion apparently escaped a separate locked holding area and fatally mauled her, authorities said. Are you ready to escape the hectic pace of the Bay Area but reluctant to give up that cushy salary of yours? There's no need to flee to Austin or even Sacramento. Your dream job may have just opened up in the middle of the San Pablo Bay. East Brother Light Station which sits on the small island just north of the RichmondSan Rafael Bridge now operates as an inn, and after April, there will be nobody to run it. The current operators, Che Rodgers and Jillian Meeker, will be handing over the keys to the 1874 lighthouse turned bed and breakfast to the right couple. Applicants should be prepared to do everything it takes to keep the place running, including ferrying the guests to the .7 acre outpost on the water. "The successful candidates will be a couple, one of whom must possess a Coast Guard commercial boat operator's license," the not-for-profit which operates the location wrote in a press release. "They will operate the five-room inn, serving both dinner and breakfast, as well as providing ferry service for guests and all other tasks from chef to maid. High quality culinary experience and capability will be a critical qualification. The inn is open four days a week, and the island is also available for day use and special events. The new keepers will start in mid-April 2019, allowing two weeks for training." ALSO: Fog catcher and beer historian - Jobs you'll only find in the Bay Area As The Chronicle reported when the job opened up a decade ago, the island is now on the state and federal lists of historic places. In 1980, a group of preservationists won permission to renovate the lighthouse and take over its maintenance. The group was led by Oakland mechanical engineer Walter Fanning, whose grandparents had been lighthouse keepers on East Brother decades earlier. The inn is open four days a week and hosts a number of special events. The couple will be paid around $130,000 annually, and provided room and board on the island, according to East Brother Lighthouse Inc., which operates the Coast Guard-owned island. Richmond Mayor Tom Butt is also president of the non-profit. He says the salary is a revenue split which incentives the operators to keep the inn fully occupied. "If they work hard to market and book the inn and operate efficiently, there is potentially more income for them. Over the last couple of years, the innkeepers income has been about $130,000. It is split between them. The corporation's share is used for insurance, maintenance, capital improvements, etc. We also have lots of volunteers who do maintenance and management," said Butt. The portion of the revenue that is not spent on the operation of the inn goes to the the upkeep of the lighthouse and other island structures. Anyone interested in applying should confirm that valid Coast Guard license and then download the application here. "We typically receive about a dozen qualified applicants (with USCG licenses). We get a lot more unqualified applicants," said Butt. SEATTLE Washington on Tuesday joined a handful of other states that ban anyone under 21 from buying a semiautomatic assault rifle after voters passed a sweeping firearms measure in November that has drawn a court challenge from gun rights advocates. The ballot initiative seeks to curb gun violence by toughening background checks for people buying assault rifles, increasing the age limit to buy those firearms and requiring the safe storage of all guns. Only the age-limit portion of the measure goes into effect on Jan. 1; the rest becomes law on July 1. Kristen Ellingboe, a spokeswoman for the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, said the initiative was one of the most comprehensive gun-violence prevention measures to pass in the United States. It specifically targeted semi-automatic assault rifles in response to mass shootings across the country, she said. Weve seen that assault rifles are the weapon of choice for mass shootings, and when theyre used, more people are killed and injured, Ellingboe said. Fifty-nine percent of Washington voters approved Initiative 1639 in the Nov. 6 general election. Weve see time and again that Washington voters want action to prevent gun violence in our state, Ellingboe said. They showed that again by supporting 1639 by a wide margin. Opponents have sued to block it. Starting today, young adults between the ages of 18 to 20 will have their rights to purchase semi-automatic rifles stripped away, said Dave Workman, a spokesman for the Bellevue, Washington-based Second Amendment Foundation. The federal lawsuit says the measure violates the Second and 14th amendments of the Constitution as well as gun sellers rights under the Commerce Clause. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are firearms dealers in Spokane and Vancouver, a 19-year-old competitive shooter, a 19-year-old in the Army Reserves, a 20-year-old recreational shooter, the Second Amendment Foundation and the National Rifle Association. The full measure, when it goes into effect later this year, will expand the background check process to ensure that vetting for rifle purchases is the same as for buying pistols. Now, people in Washington who buy long guns are run through the FBIs National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS. Background checks for handgun sales are done by local law enforcement agencies that can access NICS as well as more detailed records that might expose mental health issues or harder-to-find criminal records. And you must be 21 to purchase a pistol. Nikolas Cruz was 18 when he legally bought the assault rifle he used to kill 17 people at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., last February. Four other states Hawaii, Illinois, Vermont and New York also prohibit anyone under 21 from buying all firearms. Martha Bellisle is an Associated Press writer. Bill Hutchinson / Two people were severely burned Wednesday in a morning fire at a three-story Potrero Hill housing development, authorities said. The blaze also displaced a family of five. Firefighters responded to the 2500 block of Connecticut Street at 8:15 a.m. after reports that a fire had broken out on the second floor. The development was partially under construction, said Lt. Jonathan Baxter, a spokesman for the San Francisco Fire Department. Silicon Valley ended 2018 somewhere it had never been: embattled. Lawmakers across the political spectrum say Big Tech, for so long the exalted embodiment of American genius, has too much power. Once seen as a force for making our lives better and our brains smarter, tech is now accused of inflaming, radicalizing, dumbing down and squeezing the masses. Tech company stocks have been pummeled from their highs. Regulation looms. Even tech executives are calling for it. In the face of such a sustained assault, this might be a good moment for Big Tech to lie low. It could devote some of its mountains of cash Cupertinos Apple alone has $237 billion in the bank to genuine good works, and allay widespread fears it wants to control your data and your destiny. That is not the path the companies are taking. The tech companies are not flinching, said consultant Bob Staedler. Nothing has hit them on the nose hard enough to tell them to cut back. Instead, they are expanding. Theyre going around the country acquiring the best human capital so they can create the next whiz-bang thing. There is so much of life that remains undisrupted. The companies are competing to own the cloud to become, in essence, the internets landlord. They have designs on cities: Google made a deal in 2017 to reimagine a chunk of waterfront Toronto from the ground up. Amazon is reworking the definition of community from the inside, as warehouses in rural areas provide the urban middle class with everything they want to stay home all weekend. These changes are only beginning to redefine society. When every home has an Amazon Echo, Google Home, an Apple HomePod or some other smart speaker, the companies are already signaling, all human and metaphysical needs will be fulfilled. For those who insist on venturing out, there will be driverless cars operated by Big Tech. And the companies are plunging further into artificial intelligence, with consequences unclear even to them. To accomplish all this, Big Tech needs hundreds of thousands of new employees, which means it needs somewhere to put them. This isnt a matter of reconfiguring a floor or two at corporate headquarters. It means building new campuses around the country. Big Techs push into New York City and the Washington area has been well-documented in recent months, with Mountain Views Google bulking up in the first and Seattles Amazon planning satellite offices in both. But even in its Bay Area backyard, which is a mess of traffic congestion and housing prices at levels even well-paid engineers can scarcely afford, there is a boom that, if anything, is accelerating. Anyone who wants to believe Big Tech is chastened should visit a section of San Jose just west of downtown, a jumble of car washes and auto-body shops with a sprinkling of modern apartments. On a short street there is a house nearly a century old, a tiny thing with only one bath. Google bought it and another house last month in a package deal for $4 million, according to county documents reviewed by the San Jose Mercury News. Multiply that real estate transaction by dozens, big parcels and small, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars to date. Google is planning very long-term here. The buses, light rail, Caltrain and Amtrak trains that converge on the Diridon Station transit center will give the company an opportunity to embed mass transit into its growth. The eventual result will be a new Google campus of 8 million square feet with offices for 20,000 workers, a figure that is more than the companys total employment in 2009. But Diridon Station is just a part of Googles expansion. A week before the company got the two houses, it bought a 100,000-square-foot building in Palo Alto for $70 million. Facebook keeps growing beyond its Menlo Park headquarters, too. In the spring, it leased 1 million square feet in Sunnyvale for its fast-growing community operations team, which deals with safety and security issues confronting users. And this year, it will move into 750,000 square feet in a San Francisco tower, making it the third-biggest tech tenant in the city, after Salesforce and Uber. In total, Googles employment increased 21 percent in the last year. Facebooks workforce rose by 45 percent in that time, to 34,000, and it is advertising 2,700 additional jobs. Amazon tripled its worker count over the last three years, thanks to its warehouses and the acquisition of Whole Foods. It is only the second company in the United States to employ more than 500,000 people and that is not counting its contractors. The expansion underlines the dizzying truth of Big Tech: It is barely getting started. For all intents and purposes, were only 35 years into a 75- or 80-year process of moving from analog to digital, said Tim Bajarin, a longtime tech consultant. The image of Silicon Valley as Nirvana has certainly taken a hit, but the reality is that we the consumers are constantly voting for them. Thats evident in how robust Big Techs businesses remain. In March 2018, research firm eMarketer said Facebook, including its less controversial photo-sharing site, Instagram, would earn $21 billion this year from digital ads in the United States. In September, it raised that forecast to $22.87 billion. It also revised its forecasts of Googles digital ad revenues in the United States for 2018, 2019 and 2020. The third big digital advertising recipient is Amazon, which is far behind the leaders but gaining ground fast. The contradiction is becoming increasingly obvious. One important way Big Tech serves its customers is by tracking their movements and purchases, which is beginning to unnerve at least some of us. In a Pew Research Center survey in June, 42 percent of adult Facebook users said they had taken a break of several weeks from the site. But even as we say we trust tech less, we invite it deeper into our lives. Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Alphabet, Googles parent company, together generated $166.9 billion in revenue in the third quarter of 2018 alone up 24 percent from a year earlier, when the four companies hauled in $134.4 billion. Much as people are now wary or even unhappy with the outsize power held by Facebook, Google, Amazon, etc., they are simultaneously quite dependent on the services they provide, said David Autor, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Big Tech needs to be regulated, many are beginning to argue, and yet there are worries about giving that power to the government. The government doesnt have a good clue, Bajarin said. Theyre not even asking the kind of questions that would drive to regulation. Which leaves regulation up to the companies themselves, always a dubious proposition. For Facebook to have a better year in 2019, it needs to be more up-front and transparent, said Debra Aho Williamson, an analyst at eMarketer. This was also the advice Facebook got for 2018, to little avail. All this could change if the anti-tech mood continues to swell or the economy hits a really rough patch. On the other hand, the last recession tended to work in Big Techs favor by giving smaller competitors even more to worry about. During the 2008 financial crisis, Amazons North American media sales increased 20 percent. Borders, one of its biggest book-selling competitors, saw revenue drop 9 percent, reported a record loss and was soon defunct. With so little to really worry about, Big Tech is planning for a future far beyond any present-day turmoil. Google, which has 3,500 job openings, says it is too early to say what the thousands of Diridon employees will do. But Jonathan Taplin, director emeritus of the Annenberg Innovation Lab at the University of Southern California, has a good idea: everything. Theyre in the transportation business, the medical business, every business, said Taplin, a frequent critic of how Big Tech took over a decentralized, independent internet. There is no aspect of your life that they will not be involved in. David Streitfeld is a New York Times writer. Netflix faced criticism Wednesday from human rights groups for pulling an episode in Saudi Arabia of comedian Hasan Minhajs Patriot Act series that criticized the kingdoms powerful crown prince. The American comedian used his second episode, released Oct. 28, to criticize Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi and the Saudi-led coalition at war in Yemen. Human rights group Amnesty International said Saudi Arabias censorship of Netflix is further proof of a relentless crackdown on freedom of expression. Netflix said it was simply complying with a local law. Khashoggi, who wrote critically of the crown prince in columns for the newspaper, was killed and dismembered by Saudi agents inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last year. The U.S. Senate has said it believes the crown prince is responsible for the grisly killing, despite insistence by the kingdom that he had no knowledge of the operation. It blows my mind that it took the killing of a Washington Post journalist for everyone to go: Oh I guess hes not really a reformer, Minhaj said in the episode. Netflix said Wednesday that the episode was removed from the kingdom as a result of a legal request from authorities and not due to its content. We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal demand from the government and to comply with local law, the Los Gatos streaming giant said. Minhaj, a former correspondent with The Daily Show on Comedy Central, said this summer that his Netflix show would fuse his personal narrative as a first-generation Indian American with the current political and social backdrop to examine deep issues confronting the world. In the roughly 18-minute now-censored Patriot Act monologue, Minhaj also mentions the ruling Al Saud family and its vast wealth, saying: Saudi Arabia is crazy. One giant family controls everything. In a tweet, Minhaj mocked the censorship attempt, pointing out that the episode banned from the kingdom is available elsewhere online. Clearly, the best way to stop people from watching something is to ban it, make it trend online, and then leave it up on YouTube, he tweeted. The Saudi-led coalitions air strikes in Yemen have also come under intense scrutiny since Khashoggis killing. The war, which began in March 2015, has killed thousands of civilians and pushed millions to the brink of famine. The Financial Times initially reported that Netflix yanked the episode. The episode had been available in Saudi Arabia since late October but was pulled in December after the legal request. Only the second episode has been pulled and it is available to subscribers elsewhere. The kingdoms Communication and Information Technology Commission said the episode was in violation of Article 6, Paragraph 1 of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law in Saudi Arabia. Officials at the commission could not be immediately reached for comment. But Samah Hadid at Amnesty International said Netflix is in danger of facilitating the kingdoms zero-tolerance policy on freedom of expression and assisting the authorities in denying peoples right to freely access information. The Saudi cybercrime law states that production, preparation, transmission, or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy, through the information network or computers is a crime punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine, according to rights group Amnesty International. Saudi prosecutors have used the broadly worded law to imprison rights activists, poets and others who have expressed views deemed critical of the government or its policies on social media. Since Prince Mohammed was named heir to the throne in mid-2017, dozens of writers, activists and moderate clerics have been jailed. Among those detained since May of last year are womens rights activists who had long pushed for more freedoms, including the right to drive before it became legal in June. Several people with knowledge of their arrest have told the Associated Press that some of the women detained have been subjected to caning, electrocution, and others were also sexually assaulted. Netflixs streaming service expanded into Saudi Arabia three years ago. The company doesnt give subscriber numbers for any country besides the U.S., but the number of customers it has in Saudi Arabia accounts for a very small fraction of its 137 million worldwide subscribers. Mark Kennedy is an Associated Press writer. Netflix has blocked an episode of its show Patriot Act With Hasan Minhaj from streaming in Saudi Arabia after the Saudi government complained that the episode which is critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman violated its cybercrime laws. In the episode, first shown in October, Minhaj critiques the United States long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia after the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Now would be a good time to reassess our relationship with Saudi Arabia, Minhaj said, and I mean that as a Muslim and an American. According to a report in The Financial Times, Netflix removed the episode from viewing in Saudi Arabia last week after the Saudi governments Communications and Information Technology Commission sent a request asking for it to be taken down. Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday, but the Financial Times report quoted a statement from the company defending its decision. We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request and to comply with local law, the streaming service said in the statement. The episode remains available to Netflix customers elsewhere in the world, and it can also be seen by viewers in Saudi Arabia through the shows YouTube channel, according to The Financial Times. YouTube did not immediately respond Tuesday to an email asking whether it had received a complaint from the Saudi government. Minhaj has not commented publicly on the removal of the episode. But in an interview published in The Atlantic last month, Minhaj spoke of the fear he felt after creating it. There was a lot of discussion in my family about not doing it, he said in the interview. Ive just come to personal and spiritual terms with what the repercussions are. Article 6 of the Saudi anti-cybercrime law prohibits the production, preparation, transmission or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals and privacy on the internet. Journalism advocates call it a powerful and all-encompassing instrument for the Saudi government to censor virtually any speech online. The Committee to Project Journalists, which rates Saudi Arabia the third most censored country in the world, has documented the growing crackdown on journalists since the appointment last year of Crown Prince Mohammed, who was first promoted as an agent of modernization and reform. Under Crown Prince Mohammeds rule, authorities have wielded state mechanisms ostensibly focused on terrorism to silence journalists, according to a blog post published in September by the Committee to Project Journalists. The Communications and Information Technology Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It is not unheard of for Western news organizations to have critical reports censored in authoritarian countries. But that action is often taken by local partners, and sometimes without notice. In 2014, for example, a report about Pakistans relationship to al-Qaida was deleted from thousands of print copies of the International New York Times in Pakistan resulting in a blank spot on the front page without our knowledge or agreement, a representative of The Times said at the time. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. A retail store and members-only dog daycare will soon open its doors on a slice of 24th Street in Noe Valley that has struggled with waning foot traffic and empty storefronts. It's called Doggy Style, Inc. Billed as an "innovative dog experience," it's difficult to discern from the website what exactly Doggy Style is, though the cheeky name has already begun raising eyebrows. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that Doggy Style is many things, including a dog daycare, retail shop, gallery, community events space, private day club and co-working space, according to co-owners and dog lovers Cameron Silva and Rachel Swann. Silva is the founder and CEO of Chateau De Noir Holdings, a San Francisco-based real-estate investing firm, and Swann is the managing director of real-estate brokerage The Agency, as well as president of the board of the Noe Valley Merchants and Professionals Association. Both live near the Doggy Style storefront at 3927 24th St. "We call it our pet project," said Silva with a laugh, speaking by phone with SFGATE on Friday. The concept was inspired by Silva and Swann's own experiences balancing busy careers and attention-seeking pets. Silva owns three dogs, Swann has four. In a city where co-working spaces abound and dogs outnumber children, Swann and Silva think they're treading upon untouched territory. "I always felt like there was this big struggle between working and caring for my dogs," Swann explained. She wanted to create a space where fellow dog owners could work and mingle and not feel guilty about leaving their fur balls at home all day. In addition to its other stated goals, Doggy Style will have a community-based mission. Swann and Silva plan to host adoption events, open the space free-of-charge to nonprofit groups, and to donate some of their revenue to charities that support animals. "We feel like there's a couple crises in San Francisco: a homelessness crisis and a homeless dog crisis," said Swann, who adopted her dogs from regional shelters. Besides fostering a social club sort of atmosphere, the membership model was instituted largely as a matter of safety, Swann said. Members including their dogs will be vetted for temperament and "community mindedness" by application and an in-person meeting. "It's not based on status or wealth or social anything," Silva stressed. "It's really based on behavior of the animal and the ability of the human to connect." The owners of Doggy Style hope dog moms and dads can feel comfortable leaving their pups for the day, without having to worry about nippy, persnickety pooches. Members also have access to wifi, complimentary coffee brewed fresh by a barista, an elegant workspace designed by William Adams Design and exclusive events, like movie nights, a speaker series and "Signature Yappy Hour" with champagne and cocktails (for the humans). The online application opens in January Doggy Style will likely have a soft opening at the end of the month but Silva says the waitlist already has over 250 names. Memberships range in price from $250 a month to the top-tier $1,500-a-month membership, available to those who pay an additional $7,500 annual fee. At the lowest level, called "The Noe-sy Neighbor," members get one dog daycare visit per week, a guest pass, and invitations to basic programming and events. The highest level features egregious perks like a hand-painted mural of your dog on the Doggy Style "Wall of Fame," a seven-days-a-week pup concierge service (pickup and drop-off), one complimentary grooming session per month and a private doggy birthday party for 12 pups and 24 humans. The middle tiers range in price from $500 to $1,000 a month. Members will also receive discounts on retail goods in the gallery-cum-retail-store at the front of the business. The store is "kind of for dogs, kind of for humans," Swann said. She described its products as a mix between "Neiman Marcus and West Elm" but for your pet. Currently, there is only one product for sale on the Doggy Style website: a 55-inch-long puppy plush that costs $249. Silva says the pricing structure is comparable to other dog daycares in the city. At the $250 membership level, each Doggy Style stay costs about $58, while the $500 tier with three visits works out to about $38 per stay. At the nearby Wag Hotel in the Mission District, a single daily visit costs $46, while a monthly unlimited membership costs $630. Wag also offers overnight boarding and in-house training and grooming services Doggy Style may incorporate down the road. They plan to outsource such perks to local groomers and dog walkers, in the meantime, "to support people in the community" who are already operating these types of businesses, Swann said. She hopes Doggy Style drives more foot traffic to 24th Street, a corridor that's been struggling to attract enough customers to meet the high rents. An article published this summer in The Noe Valley Voice reported that the outcropping of vacant storefronts and the high turnover rate on 24th Street can be attributed to the "changing demographics and tastes" in Noe Valley, as well as the growth of online shopping and high rents. One of the merchants quoted in the story is Tej Greenhill, who opened an arts, craft and jewelry store called Artisana in the space currently occupied by Doggy Style last year. Greenhill, who is also a painter, was quoted saying she hoped for "stronger sales," and was trying to attract customers through art receptions, outdoor events and performances. Greenhill closed the Noe Valley shop in September. She owns another Artisana outpost in Sebastopol. Greenhill could not be reached for comment. In response to a comment on her Facebook post announcing the store's closure, she cited "no money & the lease is up" as reasons for the closure. "Things just didn't pan out financially in SF," she wrote in another comment. "It's a lot to manage right now but it will be for the best in the long run." The manager of the Sebastopol location would not comment for this story. Swann foresees Doggy Style as a gathering space with events for non-members, too that compel locals to interact with their neighbors and to get out onto the streets. Said Silva, "It's not a country club for dogs." Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com. Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. Apple acknowledged that demand for iPhones is waning, fulfilling the worst fears of investors concerned that the companys most profitable product has lost some of its luster. The reckoning came in the form of a warning that Apple CEO Tim Cook delivered to the companys shareholders in a letter released after the stock market closed Wednesday. Cook said Apples revenue for the quarter including the crucial holiday shopping season will fall well below the Cupertino companys earlier projections and those of analysts, whose estimates sway the stock market. Apple now expects revenue of $84 billion for the quarter spanning from October through December. Analysts had expected Apples revenue to be about 9 percent higher $91.3 billion. Cook traced most of the revenue drop to China, where the economy has been slowing and Apple has faced tougher competition from smartphone makers in that country including Huawei and Xiaomi. President Trump has also raised new tensions between the U.S. and China by imposing tariffs on more than $200 billion in goods, although the iPhone hasnt been affected directly. Chinas economy began to slow there for the second half, Cook said during an interview with CNBC on Wednesday afternoon. The trade tensions between the United States and China put additional pressure on their economy. Cook also acknowledged that customers in other markets arent buying as many of the latest iPhones, released last fall, as Apple had anticipated. Apples stock plunged 7 percent to $146.40 in after-hours trading. The shares had already fallen 32 percent from their peak in early October when investors still had high hopes for the new iPhone models. Michael Liedtke is an Associated Press writer. A new year is an opportunity to cleanse oneself, leaping headfirst into the unknown promise of the calendar's turn. For some Bay Area denizens, this truism was made literal during the annual Ocean Plunge, where hundreds of individuals ran into the frigid Ocean Beach waters to ring in the start of 2019. The water, indeed, was chilly the temperature at Ocean Beach is around 55 degrees this time of year, a figure at which surfers are advised to wear a quality wetsuit, at the very least. A 6-year-old girl was hit by a stray bullet during a New Years Eve gathering in Oakland, a victim of what appears to have been celebratory gunfire, police said Tuesday. Hospital staffers reported the shooting at about 2 a.m. The child was playing in the backyard of her home on the 9600 block of Thermal Street during a New Years Eve family party when she suffered a single gunshot wound, according to police. ShotSpotter technology determined that shots were fired within the vicinity and at the approximate time of the shooting, said Johnna Watson, a police spokeswoman. Police were dispatched to the area at the time, and investigators will be returning to the locations where the shots were fired, but finding the shooter wont be an easy task, she said. Depending on the type of weapon, a bullet could travel close to a mile, Watson said. Its very difficult, because we had multiple gunshots at this time, she said, adding if a suspect is found, conviction of the offense would mean prison time. This is a very serious crime that occurred. This is a very serious injury. The girl reportedly collapsed at the house and a family member drove her to a hospital. The child was transported to UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland, where she is listed in stable condition. She is expected to recover, Watson said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Oakland Police Departments Felony Assault Unit at (510) 238-3426. Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker Its time to call in the Marines, and also the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard to respond to the growing number of climate-linked natural disasters. When it comes to national security, no threat compares to our changing climate and its intensification of hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves and other natural disasters. If the rise of Nazi Germany and the nuclear balance of terror with the Soviet Union were the major strategic threats to overcome in the last century, climate change is the major challenge of this one. Response and coordination could be provided with a Disaster Response Command, which would be the Pentagons 11th unified combatant command. Each of the Department of Defenses 10 existing commands is made up of at least two military services working together on a common mission. Their missions are defined as regional (Africa, Europe), functional (special operations, transportation) or threat-specific (the U.S. Cyber Command was stood up in 2017 in recognition of the threat cyberwarfare represents to the security of the United States). Global warming is now affecting the United States and poses a profound threat that could cost thousands of lives and $500 billion a year before the end of the century, according to the most recent U.S. National Climate Assessment, a report produced by 13 federal agencies including the Department of Defense. In 2015, the Department of Defense released its own assessment focused on the security implications of climate change which it found to be grave and directed its combatant commands to integrate climate-related impacts into their planning cycles. The results have been a mixed bag, including a small-army deployment to North Carolina during Hurricane Florence. Army Sgt. Demetri Robinson recalled rescuing three men and a cat. They were so glad we also saved the cat. Designed for war fighting, the Pentagon has always been challenged in its efforts at projecting soft power. I first witnessed military soft power when the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima docked at the New Orleans waterfront after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, its deck acting as a mobile emergency airfield while also providing dry berthing, air conditioning, showers and meals for thousands of National Guard personnel and relief workers. Unfortunately, the Department of Defense had not deployed its full resources until day four of that disaster. Years later, the Iwo Jima joined the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln off the badly impacted Florida Keys for several days during the 2017 hurricane season to little effect while a naval hospital ship, the 250-bed Comfort, deployed late to Puerto Rico, and admitted only six patients a day because of a lack of coordination with other response forces. The Federal Emergency Management Agency can call on some 6,000 members of 28 National Urban Search & Rescue Response task forces within local fire departments around the nation just as Cal Fire can mobilize more than 10,000 firefighters, hundreds of fire engines and dozens of aircraft. With increased deployments straining state and municipal budgets, there is a growing need for larger, more integrated (and well-financed) forces. The Department of Defenses National Guard Bureau is well-positioned to staff and direct a Disaster Response Command. Disaster relief has long been a key mission for the National Guard. A new combatant command could also tap the capabilities of the only branch of the military located outside the Department of Defense, the U.S. Coast Guard, with its depth of experience in search and rescue, incident command and surge response (it rescued 33,000 people during Hurricane Katrina, another 16,000 during 2017s hurricanes). One option might see the Coast Guard transferred into the Department of Defense from its berth at the Department of Homeland Security (this would also guarantee its people got paid during government shutdowns). This new combatant command is unlikely to be stood up during the term of our climate-denier-in-chief, but planning and debate is needed today if we have any hope of responding to the crisis thats already upon us. David Helvarg is executive director of Blue Frontier, an ocean conservation group. He is the author of Rescue Warriors The U.S. Coast Guard, Americas Forgotten Heroes. President Trumps promise to do away with birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants drew predictable scorn from some prominent Californians. State Attorney General Xavier Becerra said the presidents scapegoating and fear-mongering was reckless and unconstitutional, while House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, appearing on Stephen Colberts Late Show, said the plan announced last fall was in keeping with Trumps policy of taking babies out of the arms of their moms. But there was a time when leading Californians were on the other side of the same issue when it came before the federal courts. And one of them was Earl Warren, then the states attorney general and now regarded as a civil rights pioneer. It happened during World War II, months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. An organization called Native Sons of the Golden West sued San Franciscos voter registrar for refusing to remove U.S.-born Japanese Americans from the voter rolls. The groups lawyer was Ulysses S. Webb, who had served as Californias attorney general from 1902 until his retirement in 1939. At a hearing in a Bay Area federal court, Webb argued that nonwhite children of immigrant parents specifically, Americans of Japanese descent were not entitled to birthright citizenship because the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were created by and for white people. The state was not a party to the suit. But it was endorsed by Warren, Webbs successor as attorney general, and later the states governor and the nations chief justice. The Native Sons challenge was rejected by federal courts, including the Supreme Court the same court that upheld the governments wartime displacement and imprisonment of 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of them U.S. citizens. Judges relied on a ruling by the Supreme Court in a San Francisco case in 1898 that said contrary to Trumps recent pronouncement that the Constitution guarantees U.S. citizenship to anyone born in the United States. But the proceedings offer a stark portrayal of a time of racial and ethnic hostility. Webbs argument that Japanese Americans were unfit for citizenship because of racial characteristics of dishonesty, deceit and hypocrisy reflected not only wartime paranoia but also longtime disparagement of Asians living in the U.S., dating back at least to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. That law, which prohibited immigration of Chinese laborers, stayed on the books until 1952. Warren, a member of Native Sons of the Golden West since 1919, said national security, not racism, motivated him to endorse the suit and a proposed constitutional amendment to deny U.S. citizenship to anyone of Japanese ancestry. He also became an ardent supporter of expelling Japanese Americans from California during World War II, even before President Franklin D. Roosevelts June 1942 internment order. Warren said Californias Japanese population was in position to carry out a tremendous program of sabotage. As governor, first elected in 1942, Warren signed bills approved by the Legislature to deny fishing licenses to Japanese Americans who were noncitizens and to take away some of their property. But later, as Supreme Court chief justice, he became a champion of minority rights, writing the epic 1954 ruling that outlawed racial segregation in public schools and presiding over a court that expanded the rights of voters and criminal defendants. But it was only in a letter published after his death in 1974 that Warren said he deeply regretted his support of the wartime Japanese removal. Californias current political role as a supporter of immigrants rights is a very new development, said Sam Erman, an assistant law professor at the University of Southern California and a legal history scholar. For a long time, one of the central drivers of immigration policy in the U.S. was anti-Chinese sentiment, and California was the center of that. The state has been the port of entry for Asians entering the United States, and for many years its labor unions saw low-cost overseas labor as a threat, Erman observed. In 1943, the California State Federation of Labor endorsed a constitutional amendment that would have denied citizenship to Americans of Japanese or Chinese descent. And Warren, Erman said, illustrated how people running for elected office are mirrors of public opinion. The landmark court case on birthright citizenship began in the late 19th century in San Francisco, where Wong Kim Ark was born in 1873 to Chinese immigrant parents. His parents returned to China in 1890, eight years after passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act. Wong went to visit them twice, and after the second visit, in 1894, customs officials in San Francisco refused to let him leave the steamship and said he was not a U.S. citizen. He remained confined for five months until a federal judge decided in his favor. The government appealed directly to the Supreme Court, which ruled 6-2 in 1898 that Wong was protected by the 14th Amendment, guaranteeing U.S. citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. The court reaffirmed the ruling in later cases, and most, though not all, legal analysts have concluded that it applies to U.S.-born children of all immigrants. Opponents of birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, including California Gov. Pete Wilson in 1993, have periodically proposed amending the Constitution, which would require approval by two-thirds of each house of Congress and legislatures in three-quarters of the states. Trump, however, said in an interview that aired two days before the Nov. 6 election that he had been assured he could repeal birthright citizenship by executive order and planned to do so. He hasnt said who assured him and hasnt issued any such orders since the election. Republicans in Congress have regularly introduced bills along the same lines, but those have gone nowhere. The 1942 suit by Native Sons of the Golden West was one of the last serious challenges to the Supreme Courts ruling. Webb, arguing in federal court, noted that the countrys first Nationality Act, passed in 1790, authorized naturalization only for free white persons. The 14th Amendment, he said, was intended to allow former slaves to become citizens, but not to apply to children of all races or ethnicities, including Japanese, who happened to be born in the United States. San Franciscos lawyer replied that the Supreme Court had already settled the issue. Attorneys from the leftist National Lawyers Guild, arguing on the citys side, accused Webb of advocating fascist principles. A week later, U.S. District Judge Adolphus St. Sure appointed in 1925 by President Calvin Coolidge issued a brief ruling saying the issue has been definitely decided, in favor of birthright citizenship, by the Supreme Court in 1898. Webb turned to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, which heard his arguments in February 1943, then halted the hearing as the citys lawyer was preparing to respond. According to accounts of the proceedings, the judges briefly whispered among themselves, then announced that they were upholding St. Sures ruling without the need for further arguments. The Supreme Court denied review of Webbs appeal in May 1943, and the case was over. The issue has not disappeared, however. Some conservative legal scholars have argued that the 1898 ruling did not resolve the question of whether undocumented immigrants U.S.-born children are entitled to citizenship, because Wong Kim Arks parents entered legally. Whether through an order by Trump or an act of Congress, the scope of birthright citizenship could wind up before a Supreme Court with a solidly conservative majority and two current Trump appointees. Greg Robinson, a history professor at Quebec University who has written extensively on the 1942 case and applauded its conclusion, says the ultimate outcome is uncertain. While the political system proved weak in 1942 the Native Sons got the California political leadership on board or at least silent even at the height of the wartime period, the courts rejected the position quite decisively, Robinson said. I dont know whether we will be so fortunate in the future. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter:@BobEgelko A defendant charged with murder in the killing of a Stanislaus County police officer was ordered to undergo a mental evaluation at his first court appearance Wednesday in the high-profile case. Gustavo Perez Arriaga, who also uses the name Paulo Virgen Mendoza, did not enter a plea at the afternoon hearing in Stanislaus County Superior Court in Modesto. He will be evaluated by a doctor to determine whether he is mentally competent to stand trial before the case can proceed. Arriaga, 32, was arrested Friday in the Dec. 26 fatal shooting of Newman police Cpl. Ronil Singh. The killing set off a statewide manhunt and provoked criticism of Californias sanctuary policies for undocumented immigrants. Dozens of pro-law-enforcement demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse on Wednesday holding signs reading All Lives Matter, Justice for Cpl. Singh and Back the Blue. The murder charge carries a special circumstance because Singh was a police officer, making Arriaga eligible for the death penalty. Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek capital punishment. Arriaga was captured at a family members home outside Bakersfield as he attempted to flee to Mexico, authorities said. He was in the country illegally after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona and had previously been arrested for DUI in Chowchilla (Madera County) in 2014. At a news conference announcing Arriagas arrest Friday, Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson blamed the killing in part on state sanctuary laws. We were prohibited, law enforcement was prohibited because of sanctuary laws, and that led to the encounter with Officer Singh, Christianson said. But Californias SB54 which prohibits local law enforcement from notifying or sharing detained immigrants information with federal immigration agents, when they are not accused of serious criminal charges didnt become law until 2018. Arriaga had not been arrested since the law went into effect, officials with the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department said. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said they had no encounters with the defendant prior to his arrest Friday. President Trump has seized on the case in his fight for tougher border security, tweeting Build the Wall after it was revealed Arriaga was in the country illegally. Seven other people were arrested on suspicion of aiding Arriagas escape to Mexico. Six of them are in the country illegally, officials said. Arriaga is accused of shooting Singh, 33, around 1 a.m. after the officer pulled him over for a DUI stop while working the Christmas night shift. He is being held in Stanislaus County Jail without bail. Arriaga is due back in court on Feb. 7. Singh was a husband and father of a 5-month-old son and legally immigrated to the United States from Fiji. Singhs funeral is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday at CrossPoint Community Church in Modesto before he is laid to rest at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky Today, Fishermans Wharf is a popular (and sometimes mocked) tourist destination. But the fisherman isnt just a marketing slogan. A trip to The Chronicles archive helped trace the long history of commercial fishing at the wharf. One of the earlier Chronicle stories about Fishermans Wharf was a big Sunday feature from Sept. 28, 1902. San Francisco had become the premier fishing city in the U.S., Chronicle writer Jack Foisie reported, and San Franciscans were consuming $3.5 million worth of fresh fish a year. At the wharf, an army of 3,000 workers gathered, marketed and distributed much of the catch. Dig deep into Chronicle Vault Like what you're reading? Subscribe to the Chronicle Vault newsletter and get classic archive stories in your in-box twice a week. Read hundreds of historical stories, see thousands of archive photos, and sort through 153 years of classic Chronicle front pages at SFChronicle.com/vault. See More Collapse Foisies story also detailed how Fishermans Wharf came to be. In 1900, California set aside the waterfront between Taylor and Leavenworth streets for commercial fishing boats and wholesale fish sales modeled after the Fulton Street Wharf in New York City. In 1958, writer Hal Gilliam saluted Tom Castagnola as the fisherman who first set up a rough board outdoor counter and began to sell Crab Louis. Mike Geraldi is credited with selling the first complete seafood dinner. By the late 1950s, when the article was written, restaurants were shoe-horned into every available space on the wharf. In the early 1960s, tourist shops and attractions appeared at the wharf. The first Cost Plus opened there in 1958. A wax museum opened in 1963, signaling the destinations future. It was gangbusters business there was a line out the door and around the block, The Chronicle quoted employee Ronald Fong as saying. In 1967, Robert Ripley, whose Odditorium had been a big hit at the 1939-40 Golden Gate International Exposition, added a Believe it or Not museum at Fishermans Wharf. Tourist magnet Pier 39 opened in 1978. By the mid-1980s, the commercial fishing area was falling apart. Facilities are so bad down here, it is pathetic, Pat Flanagan, owner of Standard Fisheries, was quoted as saying. The port seems to spend all its time worrying about the big container ships, not us. Bad conditions meant a lack of growth at the wharf. Its not an inviting port to go to, because the conditions are medieval, San Francisco fisheries consultant Erik Norgaard said in 1987. It took 10 years of plans, meetings and the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, but by 1996 Pier 45 had seen $7.6 million in repairs. Pier 45 was a real rathole, and now you probably have the most modern fish facility on the West Coast, said Bob Miller, the president of the Crab Boat Owners Association. The earthquake did some good. Today, the fresh seafood options remain, with tourists piling off buses and sea lions barking after hunting for their dinner. Clem Albers / The Chronicle 1971 More from Chronicle Vault Watch this: In this video thats part of our Regulars series, commercial fisherman Erik Sandquist tells tales of the real Fishermans Wharf. More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond. Lets go back: Heres a story about the return of straight-from-the-boat fish sales at the wharf. Dive in: Decades ago, this was San Franciscos most-hated boat. Learn about the Fort Sutter, a retired riverboat that entrepreneur Barney Gould planned to turn into a floating restaurant and theater showcase. More nautical tales: Learn about San Franciscos Balclutha as we trace the 130-year voyage of a landmark ship. One more vessel: The Zaca was a storied yacht born in the Bay Area whose 20th century voyage was filled with more tales than most fleets see in a lifetime and whose exploits were covered in great depth in The Chronicle. From the Archive is a weekly column by Bill Van Niekerken, the library director of The Chronicle, exploring the depths of the newspapers archive. Its part of Chronicle Vault, a twice-weekly newsletter highlighting more than 150 years of San Francisco stories. It is edited by Tim ORourke, The Chronicles assistant managing editor and executive producer of SFChronicle.com. Sign up for the newsletter here, and follow Chronicle Vault on Instagram. Contact Bill at bvanniekerken@sfchronicle.com and Tim at torourke@sfchronicle.com. Thank you for reading! You have reached your 30-day limit of free access to SentinelSource.com, The Keene Sentinels website. If you would like to read two more articles for free at this time, please register for an account by clicking the sign up button below. We hope you find The Sentinels coverage of the Monadnock Region valuable. We rely on our subscribers to bring you strong local journalism and hope you will consider supporting our work by taking advantage of this special subscription offer here. Kenneth Gill, age 65, husband of 47 years of Marsha Gill of Lily, Kentucky went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at his residence. He was the father of Kenneth E. Gill, Jr., of Hamilton, Ohio and Jessica Bowman and husband Terry of London, Kentucky; the brother of Vic Gill Posted Tuesday, January 1, 2019 6:00 pm Man overturns in Moniteau County A man is in serious condition after overturning in Moniteau County at 2:26 p.m. Friday. Kasey D. Crisman, 30, of Bowling Green, was driving north on Route O when he traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. His vehicle came to a rest on its top. Crisman wasnt wearing a seat belt during the accident. The Mid-MO Ambulance District took him to St. Marys Hospital in Jefferson City with serious injuries. Woman, child hurt on U.S. 65 Two people were hurt in a single-vehicle crash at 6:40 p.m. Friday in Pettis County. Stephanie S. Crain, 37, of Warsaw, was northbound on U.S. Route 65 when she traveled off the roadway at Route F, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Her vehicle went into the median and struck a fence. Crain and a passenger, Rhamasa Crain, 13, of Warsaw, were wearing seat belts and sustained minor injuries. The Pettis County Ambulance District took both to Bothwell Regional Health Center. Four injured in Morgan wreck A collision in Morgan County left four people injured at 11:57 a.m. Saturday. The accident occurred as Aishik Chakraborty, 28, of Lawrence, Kansas, was making a left turn onto state Route 52 just east of the state Route 135 West junction, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. David J. Prater, 62, of Eldon, was driving west and struck Chakrabortys vehicle. Prater skidded off the south side of the roadway and overturned. His vehicle then struck a road side, a fence and a tree before coming to a rest. Chakraborty traveled off the south side of the highway and struck a sign. Chakraborty suffered moderate injuries while a passenger in his vehicle, Subhradweep Patra, 22, of Lawrence, Kansas, sustained minor injuries. The Mid-MO Ambulance District took both to Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach. Prater had minor wounds, and a passenger, Iva L. Prater, 57, of Eldon, suffered moderate injuries. Prater refused medical attention. A Mid-MO ambulance took Iva Prater to Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City. Two cars collide in Henry County A two-vehicle collision caused injuries at 8:55 p.m. Sunday in Henry County. Tommy G. Russell, 30, of Macks Creek, was southbound on state Route 7 when he swerved to avoid debris in the roadway at Northwest 501st Road, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. He struck Lacy J. Burgin, 35, of Deepwater, on the passenger side of her vehicle. Russell wasnt wearing a seat belt and suffered minor injuries. A passenger in his vehicle, Heather M. Russell, 37, of Barnett, was wearing a seat belt and had minor injuries, as well. Both went to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton by ambulance. One hurt in rear-end collision A Clinton man was hurt in a rear-end collision Sunday in Henry County. Michael M. Hazen, 34, of Clinton, was driving south on state Route 7 at 8:55 p.m. when he overtook and struck the rear of Richard D. Brooks, 75, of Clinton, at Northwest 501st Road, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. Hazen was wearing a seat belt and had minor injuries. He went in a private vehicle to Golden Valley Memorial Hospital. Sedalia man crashes on McVey Road A Sedalia man was injured in a Pettis County crash at 7:48 a.m. Tuesday. Jeffrey L. Inlow, 40, traveled off the right side of eastbound McVey Road at Southwood Drive, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report. His vehicle struck a mailbox and a driveway before coming to a rest in a ditch. Inlow was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. He suffered moderate injuries and took a private vehicle to Bothwell Regional Health Center. Information is taken from preliminary Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, which do not necessarily contain statements from all parties involved. When Mohammed Kilani secured a permit in SeaTac to secure the rights for thousands of people to protest the Trump Administration's separation of immigrant children from their families at the United States-Mexico border, he didn't expect that the gathering would be cost-prohibitive. Kilani sought the permit as a representative of the Washington coalition of Families Belong Together, a collection of immigrant rights groups that organized a national day of action June 30 and launched protests across the United States to decry the family separation policy. The Washington protest occurred outside the Federal Detention Center on South 200th Street in SeaTac, where some mothers separated from their children were held. RELATED: Connelly: 10,000 rally, register, write letters at feds' SeaTac detention center The city of SeaTac lists some costs: $203.86 for a right-of-way permit in a non-residential zone and $101.93 for every hour staff spends reviewing the permit application. Then a city municipal statute says that it will impose a charge for the "the actual cost to compensate for its time and expenses" on the event, including, if applicable: street crews, signal crews, police, property damage or any expense for a city employee's assistance. But two days after the event, which drew nearly 10,000 people, Kilani was hit with a bill for more than $37,000. That bill is now the subject of a federal lawsuit Kilani and Families Belong Together filed Dec. 21 against the city of SeaTac and its director of Department of Community and Economic Development, Jeff Robinson. RELATED: Class-action lawsuit: Bellevue-based Expedia overcharges customers on taxes The complaint said that the fee imposes the effect of "impermissibly chilling constitutionally protected free speech and assembly rights." Plaintiffs hope the lawsuit will let them off the hook for the costs associated with the rally and stop SeaTac from charging fees for public safety services at public gatherings. The invoice from the city allegedly claimed that Kilani owed the city $30,847.49 for "crowd control - police services" and an additional $5,810.20 for "crowd control - police services," with the remainder allocated to "permit and technology fees," amounting to $37,075.61, according to the lawsuit. Kilani received a "past due" notice for the amount in September. RELATED: Lawsuit challenges Seattle rental inspections that defy tenants' consent He and Families Belong Together claimed they never received verbal or written notice of a cost estimate and that if they had, Kilani would not have sought a permit and the coalition's First Amendment rights would have been violated, according to court documents. The fees are calculated "based on the City's own assessment of how the public will respond to the event," the lawsuit said, and administrators have "unfettered discretion" to determine the costs. Attorneys for the plaintiffs have not responded to requests for comment, nor have city officials. The city has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit. SeattlePI reporter Lynsi Burton can be reached at lynsiburton@seattlepi.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LynsiBurton_PI. Find more from Lynsi here. From rock shows to a Finnish musical performance, there's plenty to enjoy in Seattle this week. Read on for a rundown of ideas for how to fill your calendar. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. SPACE OWL (EP Release) with Fresh Track, HopSol Stop by the Nectar Lounge this Thursday for the debut release of psychedelic rock band Space Owl's newest EP. The band will play a variety of rock covers and original tracks. Show-goers must be 21 or older to attend. When: Thursday, January 3, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Where: Nectar Lounge, 412 N. 36th St. Admission: $7 (General Advance); $10 (Day of Show) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets NAPPY ROOTS with The Bad Tenants, Hold in Fyah, New Track City, DJ Indica Jones NAPPY ROOTS, a four-man musical group from Kentucky, who address "alienable rights, reason and truth" in their five studio albums and 10 mix tapes, will be performing this Friday at the Nectar Lounge. Attendees must be at least 21 years old. When: Friday, January 4, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Where: Nectar Lounge, 412 N. 36th St. Admission: $15 (General Advance); $18 (Day of Show) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets LDW (Talking Heads) with TIGER TIGER (Duran Duran) The Nectar Lounge will also be featuring LDW with TIGER TIGER, whose musical stylings are influenced by the Talking Heads and Duran Duran, respectively. You must be at least 21 to attend. When: Saturday, January 5, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Where: Nectar Lounge, 412 N. 36th St. Admission: $15 (General Advance); $20 (Day of Show) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Mostly Nordic 2019 - Finland "Finnish Crossroads" Musical trio Soittorasia will be performing Finnish classical and traditional music as part of the 2019 Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series. They will play a variety of instruments, like the kantele, along with woodwinds, percussion and string instruments. When: Sunday, January 6, 4-6 p.m. Where: Nordic Museum, 2655 N.W. Market St. Admission: $25 (Member); $30 (General Admission) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Washington will stick to the strictest limits of carbon dioxide emissions for vehicles purchased in the state, even as the Trump administration tries to relax fuel standards, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday. Under a new rule from the Department of Ecology, all new vehicles licensed in Washington will continue meeting California's fuel emission standards, progressively reducing the release of greenhouse gases through 2025. "The Trump administration has indicated it intends to roll back progress at the national level, which makes the collective action of states all the more critical," Inslee said. Vehicles are the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. RELATED: Carbon tax, Inslee's climate centerpiece, dies in Legislature Under the 1970 Clean Air Act, signed into law by a Republican president, Richard Nixon, smog-hit California was allowed to enact stricter air pollution rules. Other states were given the option of adopting rules set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or the stricter California standards. A dozen states, including Washington, have followed California. The Obama administration, in 2012, announced a plan to bring federal standards and those of California into harmony. But the "big three" automakers appealed to Washington, D.C., and a political climate more friendly to polluters. The Trump administration has taken their side and wants to freeze federal emission standards at 2021 levels. With California in the lead, several states have already filed suit against the Trump administration. Washington is included in the lawsuit, as are New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Oregon. RELATED: Inslee fundraiser wants money: 'Failure is not an option' "This is about health: It is about life and death," outgoing California Gov. Jerry Brown said in announcing the lawsuit. "Rolling back the national standards could add 500 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere," Inslee said in a tweet. "This makes the actions of states all that much more critical," Inslee tweeted. "Reducing vehicle emissions is absolutely critical to clean our air and combat climate change." Initiative promoter Tim Eyman, when last heard from last month, was headed for divorce and filing for bankruptcy to shield his assets from a $1.8 million civil corruption suit brought by Attorney General Bob Ferguson. But reports of his political demise, given bad tidings and a hiatus of Eyman ballot initiatives, have always been premature. Eyman will be back in business on Thursday, and back in the limelight he loves. He is returning to the cause that launched him in 1999. On Thursday morning, Eyman and a supporting cast will file signatures on an initiative that would restore $30 car tabs and gut financing for Sound Transit and local transit. RELATED: Cerebral Tim Eyman evokes Rousseau in ballot lawsuit "They (sic) will be plenty of bright orange T-shirts and smiling faces," he said in a message to the media. Eyman already filed 289,000 signatures for Initiative 976 last November. The initiative needs 259,622 valid voter signatures, but the Secretary of State has advised a cushion of 325,000 signatures. It is Eyman's fourth try in three years to repeal vehicle fees. I-976 would cap annual vehicle registration fees at $30, roll back vehicle weight fees set by the Legislature and repeal voter-approved car tab taxes to pay for Sound Transit 3, the $34 billion expansion designed to take light rail from Everett to Tacoma, to West Seattle and Ballard, and east to Redmond. I-976 is an initiative to the Legislature. It would first go to a hostile House and Senate controlled by Democrats. They would have the choice of passing it into law, taking no action and allowing it to move onto the November 2019, ballot, or passing an alternative which would go on the ballot with Eyman's measure. Andrew Villeneuve, who heads the Northwest Progressive Institute, has been organizing opposition to Eyman for a decade. Although an active Democrat, Villeneuve is hoping to field bipartisan opposition to I-976. "The impacts are rather grave," said Villeneuve. "Amtrak Cascades and freight mobility projects would be gutted. Dozens of cities would lose money for road resurfacing and maintenance. Seattle's $80 fee for Metro would go away. "And, of course, Sound Transit would lose an important source of funding for its voter-approved projects." Eyman has a mixed record on initiatives. He has carried the day -- only to be thwarted by the Washington State Supreme Court -- with measures to require a two-thirds majority of both houses in the Legislature to raise revenue or close tax loopholes. He has been less successful in attacks on Sound Transit, and was decisively defeated in a measure that would have blocked light rail across Western Washington. In email exchanges with SeattlePI on Wednesday, Eyman declined to discuss specific impacts of I-976 on Sound Transit and Metro. Instead, he sent a fundraising broadside to his followers claiming that "they're" (government agencies) "sitting on a whopping $3.23 billion tax surplus." The I-976 effort takes place against a backdrop of legal problems and allegations of money laundering by for-profit Eyman front groups. RELATED: Wash. GOP celebrates initiative victories Acting on a 76-page investigative report by the state Public Disclosure Commission, Attorney General Bob Ferguson has charged that Eyman illegally and secretly move donations between two of his 2012 initiative campaigns. The AG has accused Eyman of taking $308,000 in kickbacks from the firm he hired to collect signatures. Ferguson has filed a civil suit seeking $1.8 million in penalties, and reimbursement of the money Eyman took from the signature firm. He has relentlessly pursued Eyman for not fully disclosing his financial records. The bankruptcy action has put a temporary halt to Ferguson's legal pursuit. The filing by Eyman, under federal law, prompts an automatic stay of civil proceedings. Eyman has also launched an online petition against pay hikes for Gov. Jay Inslee -- he once called Inslee "a lying whore" -- AG Ferguson and State Supreme Court justices. The "GiveThemNothing.com" petition features a cartoon showing a politician shoving money into his mouth. The pay hikes have been proposed by the state's Citizen Salary Commission. Eyman has said he will launch a referendum campaign to roll them back. Rush is a student at South Florence High School. She has excelled in the arts for many years in the areas of music, theatre and dance. She has served as a cast member of the Florence Little Theaters 2016 production of "The King and I ." She has studied for more than four years under the instruction of Shantella Harris and has been an exceptional member of several dance teams in the Florence area. She has performed at various events such as the Pecan Festival, Sankofa Festival and the FMU International Festival. Rush has served as dance captain for the SMS Dance Falcons and the Senior Performance Team of Driven by Dance Studio in Quinby. She has danced competitively in the SC Southern Council Dance Masters Association and received a High Silver rating. Rush is currently a dance team assistant and dancer for South Florence High Schools Bruin Elite Dance Squad and the Driven By Dance Senior Performance Team. As Bottle Talkbegins its seventh year, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on our journey through the world of wine and spirits. Weve covered numerous topics, appellations and styles of beverages all in the hopes of expanding your tasting profile and perhaps even learning a little along the way. My hopes as a teacher of sorts was to create a curiosity for these subjects and build confidence to trust your palate and not rely solely on what those so-called experts tell you. With that, I ask you to buckle up and continue to ride along, because this year promises the best of the old with some new flair and, of course, some great wines. As the New Year approaches, I take this time of year to scope out the shelves and talk to importers and wholesalers to see whats new and interesting. Although the depth and breadth of the answers received could fill many articles, I did the field research for you and sorted out a few to begin your year in a unique and interesting way. Arguably, one of the world's most famous insects, the monarch butterfly, is currently experiencing dire problems with its migration in eastern North America. Fewer and fewer monarchs are successfully reaching their overwintering destinations, and scientists aren't sure why. Because of this, the need for research on the migration has never been more urgent. New research published in De Gruyter's Open Access journal Animal Migration, aims to help with this effort. The dwindling numbers of overwintering monarchs in the mountains of central Mexico have been the subject of debate among researchers, with some arguing it reflects a large-scale drop in numbers of breeding adults, while others point to increasingly perilous migration as the cause. Now, a new research study "Alternate migration strategies of eastern monarch butterflies revealed by stable isotopes" led by Dr. Hannah Vander Zanden, from the University of Florida, throws another potential explanation into the mix -- maybe the monarchs are simply travelling elsewhere to overwinter, like to the balmy coast of southern Florida. Dr. Vander Zanden and her team captured and examined monarchs that wintered in South Florida, using a special analytical technique that can pinpoint where the monarchs came from based on a sample of their wing or body tissue. Amazingly, they discovered that half of the monarchs sampled appeared to originate from the American Midwest, which is typically thought to represent the core breeding range of the eastern population. For years, researchers assumed that monarchs from this region only travel to the mountainous region of Mexico each fall. But, this new discovery means that at least some of the Midwestern monarchs are choosing not to fly to Mexico after all, and instead they appear to fly in nearly the opposite direction until they reach southern Florida. "Previous research had suggested that some migrating monarchs may wind up in southern Florida if they become waylaid by strong westerly winds, but this evidence makes it seem like they purposely travelled to this location," says Andy Davis, noted expert in monarch migration from University of Georgia and editor of the journal. This discovery could bear on the issue of the shrinking overwintering population in Mexico, especially if more of these "alternative" overwintering locations are found. This research was recently published along with four other studies that focused on monarch migration, in a themed collection in the journal. "Collectively, these studies demonstrate that we still have so much to learn about this phase of the monarch life cycle in North America. And, given the issues facing the migration itself, this work couldn't come at a better time," said Davis. A group of Florida Museum of Natural History scientists has issued a "call to action" to use big data to tackle longstanding questions about plant diversity and evolution and forecast how plant life will fare on an increasingly human-dominated planet. In a commentary published today in Nature Plants, the scientists urged their colleagues to take advantage of massive, open-access data resources in their research and help grow these resources by filling in remaining data gaps. "Using big data to address major biodiversity issues at the global scale has enormous practical implications, ranging from conservation efforts to predicting and buffering the impacts of climate change," said study author Doug Soltis, a Florida Museum curator and distinguished professor in the University of Florida department of biology. "The links between big data resources we see now were unimaginable just a decade ago. The time is ripe to leverage these tools and applications, not just for plants but for all groups of organisms." Over several centuries, natural history museums have built collections of billions of specimens and their associated data, much of which is now available online. New technologies such as remote sensors and drones allow scientists to monitor plants and animals and transmit data in real time. And citizen scientists are contributing biological data by recording and reporting their observations via digital tools such as iNaturalist. Together, these data resources provide scientists and conservationists with a wealth of information about the past, present and future of life on Earth. As these databases have grown, so have the computational tools needed not only to analyze but also link immense data sets. Studies that previously focused on a handful of species or a single plant community can now expand to a global level, thanks to the development of databases such as GenBank, which stores DNA sequences, iDigBio, a University of Florida-led effort to digitize U.S. natural history collections, and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, a repository of species' location information. advertisement These resources can be valuable to a wide range of users, from scientists in pursuit of fundamental insights into plant evolution and ecology to land managers and policymakers looking to identify the regions most in need of conservation, said Julie Allen, co-lead author and an assistant professor in the University of Nevada-Reno department of biology. If Earth's plant life were a medical patient, small-scale studies might examine the plant equivalent of a cold sore or an ingrown toenail. With big data, scientists can gain a clearer understanding of global plant health as a whole, make timely diagnoses and prescribe the right treatment plans. Such plans are urgently needed, Allen said. "We're in this exciting and terrifying time in which the unprecedented amount of data available to us intersects with global threats to biodiversity such as habitat loss and climate change," said Allen, a former Florida Museum postdoctoral researcher and UF doctoral graduate. "Understanding the processes that have shaped our world -- how plants are doing, where they are now and why -- can help us get a handle on how they might respond to future changes." Why is it so vital to track these regional and global changes? "We can't survive without plants," said co-lead author and museum research associate Ryan Folk. "A lot of groups evolved in the shadow of flowering plants. As these plants spread and diversified, so did ants, beetles, ferns and other organisms. They are the base layer to the diversity of life we see on the planet today." In addition to using and growing plant data resources, the authors hope the scientific community will address one of the toughest remaining obstacles to using biological big data: getting databases to work smoothly with each other. "This is still a huge limitation," Allen said. "The data in each system are often collected in completely different ways. Integrating these to connect in seamless ways is a major challenge." Using observations from the ALMA radio observatory in Chile, researchers have observed, for the first time, a warped disk around an infant protostar that formed just several tens of thousands of years ago. This implies that the misalignment of planetary orbits in many planetary systems -- including our own -- may be caused by distortions in the planet-forming disk early in their existence. The planets in our solar system orbit the sun in planes that are at most about seven degrees offset from the equator of the sun itself. It has been known for some time that many extrasolar systems have planets that are not lined up in a single plane or with the equator of the star. One explanation for this is that some of the planets might have been affected by collisions with other objects in the system or by stars passing by the system, ejecting them from their initial orbital plane. However, the possibility remained that the formation of planets out of the normal plane was actually caused by a warping of the star-forming cloud out of which the planets were born. Recently, images of protoplanetary disks -- rotating disks where planets form around a star -- have in fact showed such warping. But it was still unclear how early this happened. In the latest findings, published in Nature, the group from the RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR) and Chiba University in Japan have discovered that L1527; an infant protostar still embedded within a cloud, has a disk that has two parts -- an inner one rotating in one plane, and an outer one in a different plane. The disk is very young and still growing. L1527, which is about 450 light years away in the Taurus Molecular Cloud, is a good object for study as it has a disk that is nearly edge-on to our view. According to Nami Sakai, who led the research group, "This observation shows that it is conceivable that the misalignment of planetary orbits can be caused by a warp structure formed in the earliest stages of planetary formation. We will have to investigate more systems to find out if this is a common phenomenon or not." The remaining question is what caused the warping of the disk. Sakai suggests two reasonable explanations. "One possibility," she says, "is that irregularities in the flow of gas and dust in the protostellar cloud are still preserved and manifest themselves as the warped disk. A second possibility is that the magnetic field of the protostar is in a different plane from the rotational plane of the disk, and that the inner disk is being pulled into a different plane from the rest of the disk by the magnetic field." She says they plan further work to determine which is responsible for the warping of the disk. The ALMA observatory in Chile is managed by an international consortium including the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). The critically endangered Grauer's gorilla has recently lost genetic diversity and has experienced an increase in harmful mutations. These conclusions were reached by an international team of researchers who sequenced eleven genomes from eastern gorilla specimens collected up to 100 years ago, and compared these with genomes from present-day individuals. The results are now published in Current Biology. Many wild animals have declined in numbers over the past century, and scientists have long worried that these declines have resulted in losses of genetic diversity, increased inbreeding and an accumulation of harmful mutations. Although this could lead to an even higher risk of extinction in threatened species, investigating recent changes in genetic viability has been difficult. In a new study, a team led by scientists from Uppsala University and the Swedish Museum of Natural History has used specimens stored in museum collections to analyse changes in eastern gorilla genomes over the past 100 years. "We found that the genetic diversity in Grauer's gorilla has declined significantly in just a few generations," says Tom van der Valk, a PhD student at Uppsala University in Sweden. Grauer's gorillas are found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and have declined by 80 per cent in recent decades due to poaching and habitat destruction. The results from the comparison of historical and modern genomes show that this decline has led to increased inbreeding and a loss of genetic variation. This in turn means that Grauer's gorillas have likely become less able to adapt to future disease outbreaks and changes in their environment. In addition, the scientists identified several mutations that are probably harmful and that have increased in frequency over the past 4-5 generations as a consequence of the decline in population size. In the closely related mountain gorilla, however, the scientists did not discover any significant genetic changes, suggesting that its genetic viability has remained stable over the past 100 years. "This recent increase in harmful mutations really emphasises the need to reverse the ongoing population decline in Grauer's gorillas," says Love Dalen at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Some of the potentially harmful mutations that have increased in frequency were found in genes that affect disease resistance and male fertility. In addition, the researchers identified mutations leading to loss of function in genes associated with finger and toe development, which likely explains why present-day gorillas sometimes have fused digits. "Our study highlights that historical museum specimens constitute a unique resource for monitoring recent changes in the genetic status of endangered species," says Katerina Guschanski at Uppsala University. Interestingly, the reason why Grauer's gorillas have been more severely affected than mountain gorillas may lie in their deeper history. While Grauer's gorillas went through a major increase in numbers between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago, mountain gorillas have been rare for several thousands of years. This long-term small population size may have enabled natural selection to remove harmful mutations before mountain gorilla numbers started to decline in the 20th century. Danvers, MA (01923) Today A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 73F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. New Delhi : BJP ally Shiv Sena Wednesday supported the Opposition demand in Lok Sabha for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale issue and drew a parallel with the alleged Bofors scam, claiming that people say Rafale aircraft is good but the deal is bad. Speaking in a discussion on the Rafale issue, Arvind Sawant (SS) said the government speaks of transparency, then why it is rejecting the demand for a JPC probe. "We are transparent. Why we should be scared. Our government is good, it is not corrupt, then why should we be scared? Let there be a JPC probe and the truth come out," he said. Shiv Sena, a feuding partner of the saffron party, has been attacking the Narendra Modi government over a host of issues, including the Rafale controversy. Making a reference to the Bofors deal, which had happened during the period of Rajiv Gandhi government and was marred by allegations of corruption, Sawant said Bofors was a good gun but the deal was bad. Same kind of allegations are being levelled now, he added. "People say Rafale is good (aircraft) but deal is bad," Sawant said. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has spoken on the matter but confusion remains, he said, adding that the Supreme Court in its judgement never said there should not be a JPC probe. In an apparent reference to Anil Ambani's defence firm, the Sena member also asked why the offset deal was given to a company that "existed only on paper" Rambur Charolais is located just south of Sidney, Montana and was founded more than 30 years ago by Howard Rambur. When he started in the ranching industry, Howard wanted to work with a breed of cattle distinctly different from any other breeds in eastern Montana, so he chose the Charolais. At the time, the Charolais was a relatively new breed to the area and was still able to retain its full French heritage. Even though the breed grew quite large as adults, Howard had a goal to modify the Charolais not only to suit his customers, but also to ensure that the animals fit the Montana environment. The Charolais put on pounds quickly, which led to calving problems. Rambur then bred the animal down to a smaller frame, which led to calving ease. For decades, Rambur Charolais perfected its breed and now has customers all over the country that use the Charolais bull on their first calf heifers. They have sold bulls from West Virginia to Hawaii, and they back every bull they sell. Rambur's cattle have done well at the Denver Stock Show, have won top honors three times, and have even received Reserve Champion on several other occasions. A Rambur Charolais cow's profile will have smooth shoulders for calving ease, sound feet and legs, and a good carcass structure. Cows are bred to be tough on the ranch, and they have to be able to calve easily, flesh easily and have fertility and structural soundness in the rough Montana climate. Rambur runs 300 Charolais cows as well as 150 head of Angus cows. The ranch also offers Angus bulls along with its famous Charolais bull program. The operation farms about 600 acres of corn and hay each and includes an on-site feedlot. Rambur Charolais holds various sales throughout the year and hosts an Annual Bull Sale every April. They have a focus on raising cattle that are balanced in all traits, with smooth shoulders for calving ease, sound feet and legs so the animals can travel the country and a good carcass structure. Customer service is a priority at Rambur Charolais, they provide delivery, and if a customer wants to leave their bulls at Rambur Charolais feedlot until turn-out time, they will feed and take care of them. Stop by and visit or call them at 406-482-3255. JB Angus is a family owned and operated ranch located in Western North Dakota. The ranch is located near Belfield, ND and is operated by Bobby and Erika Kubas along with their four children: Conner, Jaden, Matthew, and Kasey. The JB Angus annual production sale will be at Stockmen's Livestock in Dickinson, ND at 1:00 pm mountain time Wednesday, January 30th. Bobby and Erika Kubas will be selling 30 select yearlings and two-year-old bulls. Sires represented at the sale will be RB Tour of Duty 177, PA Fortitude 5104, Connealy Thunder 587, and JBA Infusion 419. The Kubas family has been farming and ranching in the area for five generations. In 2013 Bobby and Erika Kubas took over Tuhy Angus and established JB Angus. Their primary focus is raising seed stock for commercial cattlemen. The registered cows receive no special treatment and must maintain their place in the herd, making them structurally sound and acclimated to hard winters. Good maternal genetics are essential, and a lot of selection pressure is placed on the bulls. Cattle must have structural correctness, a calm disposition, and "real world genetics," such as promoting a live calf at birth, producing a calf that gains well on grass and milk, and one that will become a top replacement female. Profitability is a huge factor in a successful operation and our genetic selection, as well as 40 years of genetic selection from Tuhy Angus, will provide producers the genetics they need to maximize their investment. "The foundation of our herd is our well-rounded mother cows. These females have been selected over many years for a moderate frame, calving ease, calm disposition, and a quality udder. We make our cows work for us; they must calve on their own and raise a calf on the North Dakota prairie without any creep feed. If they cannot raise a nice calf, they are down the road. One of the most prominent traits we emphasize in our cow herd is docility. Calm cattle are easier and safer to handle, especially when children or outside help is on the farm. We strive to handle our cattle in a way that will provide a docile disposition not only in our herd but in all of our customer's herds. Our females are backed by some of the best sires in the breed. Many of their pedigrees include sires such as Sitz Upward 307R, SAV Traveler 004, Kesslers Frontman R001, Connealy Final Product, GDAR Game Day 449, HA Image Maker 0415, and Mytty IN Focus." "In our business, we try to focus especially hard on customer service; 100% satisfied customers after every breeding season is our main goal. If a problem arises before, during, or after our sale, we will do whatever we can to make sure that the customer has had a positive experience with JB Angus," said Bobby. JB Angus looks forward to establishing long-lasting relationships with their customers, one that will last long after the stock trailer gate closes. For more information, visit their website at http://www.jbangus.com or call 701-590-9814. Three miles east of White Earth, ND, you can find Feiring Angus Ranch. Doug and Ceylon Feiring own Feiring Angus Ranch, along with sons, Brett and Brady, and daughter Shambre. One of their major philosophies is, "To never overstock pastures with more animals than the land can handle." Generation after generation of Feiring Angus have all received the same lecture. Feiring Angus does not use popular genetics in their breeding program, for they believe that cattle should adapt to mother nature the way that mother nature intended it. They strive to produce cattle that will return the most profit with the least input and labor. Ash Coulee Ranch was started in 1967 by Anthony Davis with the purchase of 13 heifer calves from the Bob Joyce dispersion. They calve from 100 to 140 registered Angus cows a year depending on weather and the hay supply. As with Feiring Angus, Ash Coulee has always tried to raise cattle in touch with mother nature and the environment that northern North Dakota will allow with very little extra supplement. Scott Davis bought the ranch from his father in 1980, and with help from his family and his brother, Davis has continued the progress that his father started. Ash Coulee has selection pressure developed a cow herd that is very easy calving with excellent maternal traits, and has never been creep fed. The Ash Coulee cow must calve unassisted, raise a big calf, and breed back in time with what mother nature will allow. No exceptions. Feiring Angus and Ash Coulee will be selling top quality bulls that fit their environment, calve easy and grow on Saturday, April 20th. Visitors are always welcome. The scene of the blaze on Strauss Crescent, Maltby. A WOMAN has been charged with arson and harassment after a fire ripped through a Maltby home. Laura Mallett (25), of Thornton Terrace, Kimberworth, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the blaze at Strauss Crescent on New Year's Eve. She is also charged with harassment on the same day. Mallett entered no pleas and the case was sent to Sheffield Crown Court where she will next appear on January 29. She was remanded into custody. A man in his 60s was treated for smoke inhalation at the scene and taken to hospital where he remained today (Wednesday). Four fire crews from Maltby, Aston, Rotherham and Edlington stations attended the scene at 6.40am, said a fire service spokeswoman. "On arrival, crews found the living room of the semi-detached property well alight. The fire had also spread to the kitchen and upper floor of the property," she added. "By around 8.15am, the fire had been extinguished by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using hose reel jets." The majority of Virginias electricity is based on burning fossil fuels, mainly natural gas and coal. The burning of fossil fuels produces heat-trapping greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The air we breath, the water we drink, and overall human health have already been negatively impacted and major damage to property and infrastructure has already occurred. In the absence of substantial greenhouse gas reduction, future consequences may well be catastrophic, as made clear in the recent National Climate Assessment ( https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/ ). The burning of fossil fuels also contributes to other types of air pollution, including ground level ozone. This is a public health problem across the world, including Virginia (for example, Fairfax Countys air quality received the letter grade F from the American Lung Association). Renewable energy is extracted from resources that are naturally replenished. Practically this refers to converting wind and sunlight to electricity; neither process produces heat-trapping gases or air pollution. So far, renewables have played a negligible role in Virginias energy mix, in contrast to our neighbors to the north and south. For example, North Carolina harvests almost ten times as much energy from the sun as Virginia. Virginia has been a laggard because state subsidies have gone to fossil fuels, rather than renewable energy. Fortunately, Virginia is in an excellent position to become a leader in renewable energy. Virginia has plenty of sunlight. In addition, the costs of photovoltaics (PV), the devices that convert sunlight into electricity, are dropping rapidly. According to Dominion Energy, Virginias largest monopoly utility, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is cost-competitive with other more traditional forms of generation, such as natural gas. Virginia also has outstanding conditions for off-shore wind farms. These are windmills that harvest energy from the high wind speeds on the oceans. Again according to Dominion, Virginia has a unique offshore wind opportunity due to its shallow continental shelf ..., proximity to load centers, availability of local supply chain infrastructure, and world class port facilities. As the Associated Press reported, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would not cover state jails and prisons, (but) would reduce the federal inmate population by about 53,000 people in one year. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, seemed to acknowledge that current sentencing guidelines are not good for either the offender or the public when he said the legislation is about being smart on crime and getting the best results. Quovadis Marshall, 38, lobbied Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, for reform. Marshall served more than seven years in prison for robbing a Waterloo convenience store. In a telephone interview, Marshall told me the bill not only restores to judges more leeway in sentencing, but it also allows for the convicted to be sent to prisons closer to their homes, preserving family ties. Marshall believes intact families are the key to keeping people from returning to prison. One out of 28 children has a parent or relative in prison, he says, but that in the black community, it is one out of nine. LYNCHBURG Eight months after the April 15 tornado tore through Amherst County, Teresa Bartholomew often spots curious onlookers driving by her home on Nottaway Drive in Elon to see the damage. The Bartholomews home was one of the dozens of structures damaged by the storm, requiring months of repairs in a remodel. The family returned to the home on Oct. 15. Its good to be back in the neighborhood, said Bartholomew. Some families have moved back since she and her family returned in October, but others have not, she said. The street feels half empty, she said, and much of the landscape has changed. Where debris and large piles of rubble scattered the neighborhood in the immediate aftermath of the twister, the street and other parts of Elon now have newly constructed or repaired homes. The wooded area along Virginia 130, which had many household items and other swept-away materials in the tree line this past spring, is mostly back to normal with torn tree limbs placed into piles. Barry Tucker, the pastor of Elon Presbyterian Church who has volunteered with recovery efforts, said he recently drove by the neighborhood. Some scars of tornado damage remain, he said, but the area has come a long way in returning back to normal. State Sen. Richard Black, R-Loudoun, who faced a tough re-election race this year, has opted to retire, he announced Wednesday on Twitter. What started out as a fight to filter porn on library computers turned into serving for 20 years in Richmond. Im proud of what we accomplished over the years. Thanks to everyone who fought along side me in these many battles! Black, 74, wrote on Twitter. More than 75 percent of Senate District 13 is in Loudoun County, a leader in population growth in Virginia and home to many federal workers. In 2017, Democrat Ralph Northam easily won in Senate District 13 in his successful run for governor, beating Republican Ed Gillespie by 11 points, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Last year, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., won in Blacks district by about 19 points over Republican Corey Stewart. Disapproval of President Donald Trump could make the district difficult for any Republican candidate in November, when all 100 seats in the House of Delegates and all 40 seats in the state Senate are up for election. Republicans control each chamber by one seat. Travis Calloway, 24, said he struggled to find a job after racking up too many criminal charges. Calloway said he hopes the program can help him get employed, the first step toward his goal of becoming a youth counselor. I feel like I can relate a lot with the youth. I have real stories, real experiences, stuff like that, he said. Because the program just started, Calloway said he was unsure how to characterize it, but he described classes as very laid-back at the moment, but at the same time you can tell that theyre devoted and motivated to do their job. He added, They want to help us. You can tell that for sure. Andrew Wyrick, 20, works as a stocker at Walmart. He heard about the program from his aunt and thought the customer service certification could prove beneficial. Its going to help me later on in life, because right now Im living paycheck to paycheck, and I want to go somewhere, Wyrick said. Theyre helping me get my high school diploma, which I was going through a rough time and wasnt able to get it, and this is my second chance. Botetourt County Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle has announced he will not seek re-election for a sixth term in November. Sprinkle, 59, will finish out his current term before retiring at the end of the year. He was first elected in 1999 after working for 15 years in law enforcement as a Botetourt County deputy and a Salem police officer. Its just time for me to retire, he said. Thirty-five years, I believe, is enough in this business. Wednesday was the first day to register as a candidate in the 2019 election, but the county voter registrars office said no one had filed yet to run for sheriff. Mike Vineyard, a retired Roanoke police officer, announced his candidacy for sheriff in November 2017 on Facebook. He said Wednesday that he was collecting the 125 signatures needed to be put on the ballot. Vineyard worked for the Roanoke Police Department for 25 years before he retired in 2011. Since then, he has been completing investigations for the state. Ive got a lot of experience and I think I can make a difference, he said. Athens will always be a special place to me, Hiss said. However, my wife and I really love Virginia, and knew we wanted to move back here someday. Hiss was among 40 applicants for the position vetted by Cincinnati-based Novak Consulting Group, which was contracted in July to conduct the search for Boggess replacement. We were really excited about hiring Mr. Hiss, District 4 Supervisor John Sharp said. I really liked his enthusiasm about wanting to come to Bedford County, and he had some great ideas in regards to economic development. Sharp said he was impressed with Hiss municipal government experience. He has worked in Virginia before, which I think is a definite positive, Sharp said. But he has also worked in some other areas and has some new ideas that he is bringing with him. Hiss said he is impressed with what Bedford County offers . Bedford County has a lot of qualities, he said. The administration here is very well organized, and the county has some wonderful elected officials. I love the fact that Bedford County has a rural setting with the mountains and the lake but at the same time still is a growing community. It is rare when an area is both. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, which had been searching for Drain since Sunday when he was briefly in custody before allegedly driving away in a deputys car put the time of his capture Wednesday at just before 1 p.m. Earlier news releases from the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office and accounts from authorities in Pulaski and Wythe counties outlined a string of drug and vehicle theft charges that stretched back to last spring. Pulaski County Commonwealths Attorney Mike Fleenor wrote in an email that Drain was charged with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it, related to an April 2018 incident. On Aug. 16, Drain was admitted to Pulaski Countys Drug Court, where he could have resolved the charge. However, he started violating the rules in October and then failed to appear in November and has been a fugitive from Pulaski County since then, Fleenor wrote. In Wythe County, officers have been looking for Drain since Dec. 18, when a 2016 Toyota Tacoma pickup was reported stolen, Clines statement said. Authorities searched the home and social media accounts of a former James River High School teacher in an investigation of inappropriate relationships with students. A Botetourt County Sheriffs Office detective confiscated a laptop, nine flash drives, an iPod and an external hard drive from the teachers home in Buchanan, according to search warrant that recently became available to the public. Deputies also accessed account information from Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, which authorities believe he used to communicate with multiple students. Deputies executed these search warrants between Dec. 7 and 18. The sheriffs office said the Botetourt County Department of Social Services told the office Dec. 6 there was an allegation of inappropriate behavior. A detective spoke to a student at James River High School that day, according to search warrants. The student said the teacher requested several photos of the student in little or no clothing, according to the search warrant affidavit. The Roanoke Times is not naming the former teacher in this article because he has not been charged with a crime. Puerto Morelos breaks visitor record, awarded Best Partner by Expedia Puerto Morelos, Q.R. With the official close of 2018, authorities with the municipality of Puerto Morelos say they have broken previous tourist records with nearly one million over the past year. In a report by Puerto Morelos City Council, they say the seaside town hosted nearly one million visitors in 2018, a historic figure which according to Mayor Laura Fernandez Pina, is the result of strategically implemented tourism promotions. She says the town has not only seen an increase in visitors, but also in the length of their stay. Puerto Morelos has become a tourist preference for many reasons, not only for its natural, gastronomic, historical and cultural beauties, but also for the tranquility that this corner of the Mexican Caribbean offers to visitors, she said. Laura Fernandez said that at the end of 2016, when the promotion of the municipality began at tourist fairs, the destination received about 700,000 vacationers. It is an increase of more than 40 percent, which we hope is a trend that will continue in the coming years, along with the growth of the hotel supply, she added. Puerto Morelos is a destination that attracts floods of people year after year, and in which the percentage of repetitive tourism increases more and more because those who visit us for the first time fall in love with everything we offer here, she noted. Photo: Ayuntamiento de Puerto Morelos The mayor also noted an extended congratulations to the hotel, Excellence Riviera Cancun, which is located in Puerto Morelos, for their recent achievement as one of the Best in the World hotels by Tripadvisor travelers. Hector Tamayo Sanchez, director of Tourism, pointed out that the village of Puerto Morelos was also chosen by Expedia as one of the Best Destinations for Vacations in Mexico in 2018. We are very motivated to continue promoting our destiny and to work more to provide the best image and better services to those who visit us. Ranked as the second top story of 2018 by The Register, the two men accused in the November 2015 death of Richmond Police Officer Daniel Ellis While the issue of conformity is not new, this year it is even more urgent because of federal tax reform that was passed in 2017. There are a lot of larger tax policy discussions to be had on the state level, and there has been a lack of guidance from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. This has made assessing the impact of the federal tax reform difficult and last year, the Virginia General Assembly did not address changes beyond those affecting 2017 returns. Its important to understand that conformity is not the sole reason for projected new revenue for the commonwealth. In fact, due to the federal tax law changes, there will be significant new revenues whether or not Virginia conforms. Conformity is about order and clarity and the ability of taxpayers to know when they can file, simplicity in compliance, and much-needed clarity for 2018 tax positions. Conformity affects taxpayers 2018 tax filings and the absence of emergency legislation creates significant uncertainty for many Virginians. The words of an in-law have never been more true, or frightening, than those we heard on Christmas morning. Youll never see me coming because I look like you, he said over breakfast, presumably in jest. Were not particularly worried about him: Hes more likely to avoid a crowd than to try blending in. Hes just good with the phrases is all. But three days later, his words came to mind while we were reading a story in The New York Times about a new strand of far-right nationalism in Germany. Long the domain of skinheads, neo-Nazis, and others prone to self-identifying behaviors and costumes, the new generation on the fringe has figured out how to better avoid easy detection. Part hippie, part hipster, the activists are one result of a broad image makeover the far right has tried to give itself in recent years, the story reported. Better dressed, better educated and less angry than the skinheads of old at least in public they see themselves on the front line of a counterrevolution fought by a loose but increasingly well-networked web of actors in politics, publishing, civil society and business who call themselves the new right. Their aim: to bring down liberalism and rid Europe of non-European immigrants. Its horrible, Bowden said. Ive seen grown men bawl like babies when we have to put a horse down. It would be hard to overstate the cultural and economic role the horses have played here for centuries. They are long-feral descendants of domesticated livestock, and local legend has it that they first swam ashore as refugees from a foundering Spanish ship in the 1600s. Biologists, though, say they are more likely remnants of animals introduced by mainland settlers. Whatever the origin story, they have long been a defining feature of island life, cared for by folks, like Bowden, who grew up with them and beloved by visitors from around the world, including many entranced by the 1947 childrens classic Misty of Chincoteague. With about 1.3 million visitors a year, the herd keeps the refuge near the top of Virginias most popular tourist destinations. The geography of the ponies can be confusing. Chincoteague is an island of motels and houses. But the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge, where the horses spend most of their time grazing, is actually on Assateague, an undeveloped island just across a narrow saltwater channel. (The flip-flop comes from a tradition of naming such federal facilities after the nearest post office.) State Sen. Dick Black, R-Loudoun, who faced a tough re-election race this year, has opted to retire, he announced Wednesday on Twitter. What started out as a fight to filter porn on library computers turned into serving for 20 years in Richmond. Im proud of what we accomplished over the years. Thanks to everyone who fought along side me in these many battles! Black, 74, wrote on Twitter. More than 75 percent of Senate District 13 is in Loudoun County, a leader in population growth in Virginia and home to many federal workers. In 2017, Democrat Ralph Northam easily won in Senate District 13 in his successful run for governor, beating Republican Ed Gillespie by 11 points, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. Last year, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., won in Blacks district by about 19 points over Republican Corey Stewart. The third big issue for officers is the climate in the community, which Brackney said has been toxic since before the Unite the Right rally. Officers in our community are routinely verbally assaulted, theyre cursed at. Theres a lot of not feeling as though theyre appreciated, Brackney said. We have it on video where people are cursing our officers, calling them names for no other reason than walking down the street. Brackney said officers see an opportunity for a better environment in other departments. They can go to other communities and that will not occur, she said. Theyre not being confronted like that in Albemarle or even on UVas campus. The fourth top reason officers leave, according to Brackney, is how vocal and biased members of the initial Police Civilian Review Board have been toward officers. The board is tasked with creating bylaws for a future board that will provide civilian oversight of the department. Brackney said board members are on radio and TV and at marches saying officers days are numbered and that theyre coming after them. Outgoing Richmond-area U.S. Rep. Dave Brat has a new job in higher education. Brat on Wednesday was announced as dean of Liberty Universitys School of Business in Lynchburg. He assumed the position the same day. Theyre doing a phenomenal job preparing students for business and I wanted to be a part of that and give students the best possible business preparation to meet the markets in front of them as they go off for their careers, all in a Christian environment, he said in a phone interview Wednesday.Its just a great fit. Brat, an ally of President Donald Trump, as is Liberty President Jerry Falwell Jr., lost his re-election bid in November to Abigail Spanberger, flipping Virginias 7th District from Republican to Democratic. Trump endorsed Brat in the race. Democrats flipped three Virginia U.S. House seats in the November election as their party took the majority in the House of Representatives. Spanberger will be sworn in as a member of Congress on Thursday, the day after her former opponent took his new job. If drinking craft beer in Richmond after 9 p.m. while eating something other than standard bar fare is on the short list of your New Years resolutions, youre in luck. ShipLock Brewing opened a few weeks ago at 115 S. 15th St., the newest venue from the restaurant group that oversees the neighboring Southern Railway Taphouse, plus District 5 on West Main Street in the Fan District and Great American Ranch in Midlothian. With a hybrid atmosphere thats both brewpub and restaurant, ShipLock brings something new to Shockoe Bottom: a space for those who love craft beer but also want an extensive menu both day and late night, said General Manager Branden Otto. In-house brews with a German influence (11 so far, with more debuting in January) plus house-made sodas (root beer and orange cream) are on tap, along with a full cocktail bar. The menu, created by chef Ed Blase, features hearty chicken tacos and giant soft pretzels, specialty pizzas and burgers, but also a few surprises that have become customer favorites already, Otto said. The Cajun Salmon BLT is popular, featuring fontina cheese melted on grilled salmon with bacon, lettuce and tomato, as well as a foot-long hot dog piled high with the works. Oh, and to kick off 2019 with a bang, ShipLock is offering $2 flights throughout January. (Flights are normally $10 pass it on.) Television station WWBT in Richmond has a new owner. Raycom Media Inc., the employee-owned company that owned NBC12, has been acquired by Atlanta-based Gray Television Inc. for $3.65 billion, creating the nations third-largest television broadcast group. The deal, announced in June, was completed Wednesday. It combines Grays 91 television stations with Raycom Medias 65 stations. The company agreed to sell 10 stations in nine markets where the two owners had overlapping stations. The Federal Communications Commission had approved Gray Televisions deal last month. This marks the second major deal among broadcast-station owners in recent months. In early December, Nexstar Media Group Inc. agreed to buy Tribune Media Co. for about $6.4 billion including debt assumption, creating the largest owner of local-TV stations in the U.S. Nexstar, which has 174 stations, including WRIC in Richmond, is buying Chicago-based Tribune Media, which owns and operates 42 local stations, including WTVR in Richmond. The Troutman Sanders law firm has a new managing partner for its Richmond office. The Atlanta-based firm named Brooks Smith, a veteran environmental and natural resources attorney, to oversee its Richmond office. Smith succeeds John West, who has led the Richmond office since 2011 and will now chair the firms business litigation department. The change is effective Wednesday. We are confident that Brooks will help drive the firm to new heights in the region and beyond, Steve Lewis, firm-wide managing partner, said in a statement. We are grateful for the strategic leadership that John has provided in Richmond and believe him well-suited to lead the firms business litigation team. Smith joined Troutman Sanders in 2013 and is involved in some of Virginias largest energy and infrastructure projects. Prior to joining Troutman Sanders, he co-chaired the global environmental practice at Hunton & Williams. MANSFIELD -- When Sheila and Chad Schrack wanted to start a creative fundraiser towards cancer research, they wondered: would people jump into a lake? It turns out, they will. And with that, the Polar Bear Dip: Cold for the Cure was born. Now 13 years later, dozens of people jump in Charles Mill Lake every year on Jan. 1 to support the American Cancer Society and the LISA fund for Colorectal Cancer Research. The cause is personal for Sheila, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2006. "You have to turn your pain into passion," she said. The Polar Bear Dip originated with Chad, who used to jump into Charles Mill Lake on New Year's Day just for fun. Since Sheila's diagnosis, the two have participated in Relay For Life and travel to Washington D.C. every year to advocate for more funding for cancer research. Chad even walked across the country this summer as part of Cancer Stroll to Fight Colorectal Cancer. "We do extreme fundraising," Sheila said with a laugh. "Everyone does a 5k." This year, 160 people jumped into Charles Mill Lake on New Year's Day for the cause. It was double the amount of jumpers from last year, when snow was on the ground versus a balmy 40-degree jump on Tuesday. "Some people have jumped every year, but the numbers change each year depending on who is affected," Sheila said. "For some people it's a bucket list item. For others, not very many people haven't been affected by cancer in some way, if not themselves then a relative or friend." Richland Source's own Tracy Geibel jumped in the lake on Tuesday as part of a fundraising initiative for the Source. For every new member who joins by the end of the day Jan. 1, Richland Source will donate $20 to the American Cancer Society, one of the two organizations that this event benefits. Geibel said she jumped to support several family members who have been affected by cancer; her mother beat thyroid cancer while Geibel was in high school, and her father is currently battling bladder cancer. "It was so cold, my legs are numb," Geibel said immediately after jumping. "I feel like the only way I got back out was because (my fiance) Nick dragged me back." Karlie Baker and Gary Utt of Mansfield are both veterans of the Polar Bear Dip. Baker said this year's jump wasn't nearly as brutal as years past. "We didn't do it last year because it was so cold; the year before that, they had to break the ice before we could jump in," Baker said. "It's something fun to do, and for a good cause." Utt said the water was definitely shocking, and colder than it originally seemed. "It's a tradition, and it's something special we do here in Richland County," Utt said. Sheila Schrack said after 13 years, she hopes to see the Polar Bear Dip continue. "I'm shocked that we're still doing this but I'm excited," she said. "It's a pretty powerful thing." Welcome back from the holidays. I hope that you enjoyed at least a few restful hours with family and friends. It's that time of year, so I want to share a few things that brought the Source to where we are today, and what you should expect from us in 2019. 2018 - A critical transition Looking back, 2018 was the year Richland Source and our sister sites in Ashland and Mount Vernon began to consistently deliver high-quality local news coverage that: kept visitors informed and engaged elevated the tone of civic conversation re-imagined our relationship with readers focused on the future of mid-Ohio discovered newsroom partners big and small had some fun while we were at it Our marketing team spun off into its own division, Source Brand Solutions, and now delivers a complete digital marketing solution to clients all over Ohio. You could say we found our stride. The results -- many linked below -- grabbed the attention of national heavyweights and in some cases, brought them here to Mansfield. Predictably, success and attention ratchets up the pressure to deliver. 2019 - The year of the membership This part's simple. 2019 is about you. It's about the experience you have with us in person and on every digital platform. It's about listening to what you want, while paying attention to what you're reading and delivering on both. It's about doubling-down on Solutions Journalism in ways that go beyond words and pictures. It's about creating groundbreaking partnerships like Thrive!, which launches in February in partnership with OhioHealth. And here's the other thing to expect in 2019. We're going to ask you to join us. We will create fantastic reasons to do so, but we're gonna ask. In person and online. Through the mail and maybe with smoke signals. We are going to ask for your support. Everybody hates a paywall. Together we will create a thriving membership program that keeps the wall down and makes innovative local news available for everyone. Here's to a great 2019, Jay Highlights from 2018 We couldn't believe it either when when Facebook called When the Facebook Journalism Project invites you to be one of only 17 news organizations in the world participating in a Local News Membership Accelerator, you take that call. It has been a great experience to learn from such smart colleagues. Grant from Lenfest Institute powers OpenSource platform This competitive grant helped us take our audience engagement efforts to the next level. It powered the technology that runs our OpenSource listening platform. The platform resulted in reader-powered stories that were among our best read this year. Floored by nearly $70k in support for Solutions Journalism If you need evidence of how much a city might value local journalism that looks forward, outward, and upward in its storytelling, look no further than Mansfield, Ohio. Our Newsroom Partners took Mansfield into the national spotlight again and again. Mansfield Rising re-imagines Mansfield from the inside out We collaborated with 15 citizen bloggers and the Richland County Foundation to chronicle their fact-finding trip to SXSW in Austin, TX. The trip was the first step in the creation of the Mansfield Rising plan for Mansfield's downtown. Gray Matters begins a yearlong examination of aging in Ohio A Solutions Journalism project focusing on the aging population and their caregivers in North Central Ohio. This project has gained audience steadily, and is forming a growing community around the work of Courtney McNaull, Noah Jones, and Emily Dech. Rising from Rust looks for ways back to the future In March, we launched a project titled Rising from Rust, detailing the community's turn from its rust belt past to a 21st century future. The work of Brittany Schock and Tracy Geibel has garnered national attention and surfaced real-world solutions. Sellout crowd fills Ren for "A Murder in Mansfield" If there were more people in the Renaissance Theater this summer, we're not sure when that would be. A collaboration with the Ren brought 2,400 people together over two days to celebrate the courage of Collier Landry and welcome him home. The Richland Source Podcast Network Podcasts by Richland Source reporters and community members, including "The Open Mic Podcast," "Why the Hell Am I Here?" "West 4th and Goal," and "The Gray Q&A" made our team a leader in the medium and created great partnership opportunities. People are talking about Mansfield's local news leader LION Publishers: The Source finds way to millennials' hearts North Central Ohio's Richland Source has seen a 35-percent increase in readership among millennials over the past 2 years, in large part through a concerted effort involving free music shows with food and drinks included. The winners of Hearken's 2018 Champions of Curiosity Awards Tracy Geibel's multi-part Open Source story on the Westinghouse property was one of only a few chosen our of 1,700 submissions as a Champion of Curiosity. Tracy led our team in the implementation of the Open Source listening platform. Case Study: The Richland Source "Healing Hope" Series How a small newspaper took on the issue of infant mortality, and united the town around solutions with a community baby shower Brittany Schock didn't set out to become the baby expert of Richland County. Media Shift examined the success of Newsroom After Hours Sometimes Jay Allred feels like a concert dad in his newsroom. For the last two years, the publisher of Richland Source - a local news site based in Mansfield, Ohio - has let his reporters throw house-parties. And they're working. In Conversation With: Tracy Geibel - The Whole Story Every month, the Solutions Journalism Network highlights a journalist doing excellent solutions-focused reporting. This month, we're featuring Tracey Geibel of Richland Source as our Member of the Month. American Press Institute: How the Source threw a baby shower Brittany Schock was tapped by the American Press Institute to help other newsrooms learn how she led us in pulling off a community baby shower that served over 500 people in one day in collaboration with nearly two dozen service provider. The American Red Cross encourages people to help meet the urgent need for blood and platelets by resolving to give blood this January National Blood Donor Month. Donating blood or platelets is a way to make a lifesaving impact in the new year for patients like Judy Janssen, who was diagnosed with end-stage autoimmune liver disease in 2016. Janssen received frequent blood transfusions sometimes multiple times a week until she underwent a liver transplant last January. Blood donors make a really big difference with very little effort, said Janssen, who received dozens of transfusions before and during her transplant surgery. I wouldnt be here if it wasnt for blood donations. The critical role of blood and platelet donors has been celebrated each January for nearly 50 years during National Blood Donor Month, which coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients. Busy holiday schedules, extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses often impact donor turnout this time of year. The Red Cross encourages eligible donors to resolve to give blood or platelets regularly, beginning in January. To encourage donations immediately, all those who come to donate by Jan. 6 will get a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Another way to help keep the blood supply strong in the new year is to host a Red Cross blood drive. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive. Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 2-31: Crawford County Bucyrus 1/4/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bucyrus Community Hospital, 629 N. Sandusky Street 1/14/2019: 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Bucyrus Elementary School, 245 Woodlawn Ave 1/15/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hord Livestock, 911 St RT 98 1/16/2019: 7:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Wynford High School, 3288 Holmes Center Road 1/16/2019: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., First Alliance Church, 1955 Hopley Ave 1/24/2019: 6:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., General Electric, 1250 Walnut Street 1/30/2019: 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m., Bucyrus High School, 900 W. Perry Street Chatfield 1/6/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Chatfield Evangelical Pietist Church, 3535 Chatfield Center Road Crestline 1/29/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Crestline High School, 7854 Oldfield Road Galion 1/8/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Galion Alliance Church, 430 Portland Way N Knox County Fredericktown 1/7/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fredericktown High School, 111 Stadium Drive 1/10/2019: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 17 South Main 1/15/2019: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Batemantown Methodist Church, 7669 Yankee Street Gambier 1/29/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Kenyon College, Gund Commons-Gaskin Ave Howard 1/17/2019: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., East Knox High School, 23227 Coshocton Road 1/17/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., East Knox High School, 23227 Coshocton Road Mount Vernon 1/2/2019: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., The Living Center, 201 North Main Street 1/16/2019: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Knox County Career Center, 306 Martinsburg Rd 1/17/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Moose Lodge, 417 W. High Street 1/22/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Gay Street United Methodist Church, 18 N. Gay Street 1/24/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Glenn A. Gallagher Centre, 1451 Gambier Rd. Richland County Mansfield 1/2/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street 1/3/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mansfield Engineered Components, 1776 Harrington Memorial 1/7/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street 1/7/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Waterford at Mansfield, 2196 South Trimble Road 1/9/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street 1/14/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street 1/16/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street 1/17/2019: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Schmidt Security Pro, 241 Mansfield Industrial Parkway 1/18/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., First Church of God, 1756 Park Avenue West 1/20/2019: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Richland Mall, 2209 Richland Mall 1/20/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St. Mary's Church, 1630 Ashland Road 1/21/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street 1/22/2019: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Crossroads Community Church, 1188 Park Ave West 1/23/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street 1/28/2019: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street 1/30/2019: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland Blood Donation Center, 39 N Park Street 1/31/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., OSU Mansfield - NC State - Eisenhower Center, 1760 University Drive Shelby 1/4/2019: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., OhioHealth, 199 West Main Street 1/9/2019: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., VFW Post 291, 238 North Gamble (Rt. 61) Shiloh 1/18/2019: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Blooming Grove Twp Community Blood Drive, 466 Ohio 603 How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. Volunteers needed Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver. About the American Red Cross The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nations blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. MANSFIELD -- At the Special Board Meeting on Dec. 27, 2018, the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center Board of Governors completed a contract for Interim Superintendent Ed Swartz. Swartz will begin interim superintendent duties on Jan. 1, 2019. Linda T. Keller, current Superintendent at Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, announced her upcoming retirement to be effective on December 31, 2018. Keller is looking forward to retirement and new opportunities after being in education over 36 years. Keller says, I am very pleased with Mr. Swartzs willingness to step into the Interim Superintendent position at Mid-Ohio ESC. He has vast leadership position experiences in this region, and he has served as the previous Interim Superintendent at Mid-Ohio ESC. Swartz shares, I am looking forward to working with the area school districts and with the Board of Governors as we carry forward with the proud work of Mid-Ohio ESC. MANSFIELD -- A few months ago, a father and son from Crestline opened Chad's Country Meats at 518 Mansfield-Lucas Road. Formerly Stover Farms Custom Meats, the business was purchased by Chad Rank Sr. in mid-October and has since been managed by his son, Chad Rank Jr. "I didnt personally think I'd own a meat shop, but I knew Chad probably would someday," Chad Rank Sr. said. He intends to eventually turn over the business to his son and only child, who is 27 years old. "Itll be his, down the road, no matter what," Rank Sr. said. He was quick to recall the date he bought the business, Oct. 12, and went on to explain that the shop only closed for three days before it could reopen under the new name. "We were about three days closed for the state to approve the name change, and we had a grand opening about two weeks later," Rank Sr. said. He purchased the business at the request of the former owners, partly because his son was already working there. Since then, Rank Sr. says he's been busy. In addition to the meat shop, he owns Blue Ribbon Custom Concrete in Crestline. "Im pretty busy with two businesses, running them," Rank Sr. said. "Ive been in the concrete business all my life, but Blue Ribbon, I started it around 2007." And so far, he's enjoyed the experience. "I just enjoy being around people -- Im kind of a people person," he said, mentioning how he's liked talking with customers at Chad's Country Meats. The shop sells deli meats and cheeses and a variety of fresh meat, including chicken, beef and pork. Meat is smoked on-site. "Plus, some of the regular stuff you might need to pick up, like bread, buns, chips and eggs, things like that," Rank Sr. said. Further, Chad's Country Meats offers custom butchering and deer processing. Rank Sr. hopes that the business will continue growing in the new year, and within a few years, he'd like to open a retail store in Ontario or somewhere nearby with "more traffic." "If things go well, Id like to have a retail storefront. That way we could supply the meat," he said. Hours at Chad's Country Meats are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The business is closed Sunday and Monday. MANSFIELD -- The Holden Agency is proud to announce the addition of Brett Miller to its expanding team of real estate agents. A native of Ashland County, Brett grew up in the Hayesville and Jeromesville area where he enjoyed the small-town rural life. Brett enjoys working with and helping people and enjoys building lasting relationships. He is very enthusiastic and friendly and takes pride in working hard for his clients. As well as working for The Holden Agency, Brett works full-time for the Air National Guard. In 2009, he started Green Ohio Lawncare & Landscape LLC, which he still operates currently. Brett is an Ohio licensed auctioneer and has wanted to join the real estate industry for years, before finally being able to do so. He notes that the positive environment and placing client satisfaction as a top priority is what attracted him to The Holden Agency. Brett has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Franklin University. He is also a graduate of Hillsdale High School, Missouri Auction School, and Hondros Real Estate School. He brings a broad range of education and business experience with him and is, therefore, able to provide the utmost quality service to his clients. Brett says, I have been very blessed to meet a lot of great people in my lifetime. I have traveled all over this great state and country, and have built many long-lasting relationships. He is very excited to jump in with both feet to assist buyers and sellers in what could be the largest and most exciting experience of their lives. A real estate transaction can be a very scary and exciting time for buyers and sellers, so my goal is to make the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible for my clients. Jerry Holden, owner of The Holden Agency, expressed his excitement for his teams newest addition. Brett is a great example of integrity, leadership and work ethic. He serves our country and has worked his way to Officer rank, and we look forward to his entrepreneurism and his leadership with our team. Brett and his wife currently reside in the Loudonville area. He enjoys camping, hiking, hunting, and spending time with family. He is ready to work hard for you. The Holden Agency, an independent, locally owned & operated real estate brokerage, serves clients throughout the entire state of Ohio. The nationally recognized agency cultivates an industry disrupting atmosphere by taking a team approach to real estate, where the needs of the clients are met and cared for by the entire Holden staff. The Holden Agency leverages the latest technology to best represent their clients and delivers real estate transactions with integrity and honesty. The continued success of the agency is attributed to dedicated and knowledgeable agents, determined to be the leaders in real estate in North Central Ohio. The entire team is at the forefront of the latest industry trends, with weekly training for everyone, to supply represented clients with the tools they need to be informed and comfortable. Many of The Holden Agency agents have always called North Central Ohio home, and are committed to help their clients find the place they can call home. Editor's Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles by author Paul Lintern. It is set in 1831 and tells the story of Richland County through the eyes of a young girl. Among the guests that entered the Oakland Inn each night were some rather unusual characters, as Amelia saw them. Women dressed in buckskin coats and pants. Men as big as a bear and just as furry, some with beards as long as their arms. Indians dressed in suit coats and breechcloths. People speaking English with every twang and twist imaginable. She had heard a variety of speaking styles while growing up in Boston, but when they were placed in the middle of the woods, it sounded to her like so many coyotes. However, nothing had prepared her for the person she was about to encounter. His pants were frayed just below the shins, held up by a piece of rope. A muslin coffee bag was his shirt. The arm and neck holes were cut in shapes that almost made it seem like he had been running somewhere while he cut them. His dark straight hair hung over his shoulders, and, was that a tin pan on his head? His name was John Chapman, but many around here called him Appleseed John. His feet were bare, not unusual for this time of year, but Amelia noticed that his toes were rather grey and as leathery as she had ever seen. This was someone her mother would have pulled her away from if she had seen him walking toward her, but here everyone seemed to be running up to him -- Autumn, Elizabeth, Isaac, a couple of the guests outside. What news have you? Elizabeth asked. News straight from Heaven, John replied. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God. Where have you been? Isaac asked. We havent seen you since autumn. Thats right, since me, Autumn smiled. Ive been to paradise, to the gates of Heaven, to the glories of Gods creation, but mostly to Ft. Wayne, to visit my sister, he said with a smile. And to tend my trees. How many do you have now? Isaac asked. None, they all belong to God. Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed, Elizabeth said. John looked at her. Sister Elizabeth, that is profound. I will carry that with me and pass it along. Elizabeth blushed. To Amelia it seemed funny that a woman would fuss over this strange character. Still, she was inviting him to sit for supper, and he was happy to accept. Soon, several of the guests had stepped out to greet John. These seemed to be people who knew him from somewhere, and as Amelia listened she heard them recounting for John when they had met in the past. You sold me some saplings down in Licking County, back in 15. Great producers, all. We met you at the Miller place over in Galion, when you passed through about 10 years back. Those herbs you planted for us over in Upper Sandusky have really helped us fight the winter diseases. One fellow, older than John, said, I was in one of the houses you stopped at in 12, on your way from Mansfield to Mt. Vernon, when you thought the Indians were hostile. You may have saved our family. Amelia looked at this Appleseed John. Who is he that people speak so well of him? John noticed Amelia. And you, child, I dont recognize you. Did Zeiters graft another daughter? I am Amelia, Pendergast, from Boston. Boston? I was born not far from there, in Leominster. My father was one of the Minutemen, at Concord and Lexington. How did you get here? God sent me to plant seeds of the Word of God, and to plant trees of the apples of God. Look in an apple blossom and you will see a sermon. Now, Amelia, how did you get here? My parents sent me. And what seeds will you plant in Ohio? he asked. Me? Amelia had no answer. Seeds of music, Elizabeth said, playing an imaginary fiddle. Seeds of wisdom, Katherine said, opening an imaginary book. Seeds of swimming, Isaac said, making an imaginary dive. Autumn smacked him with a towel. Sounds like a fine start. And perhaps after supper we shall regale each other with stories of our journeys, John said, reaching for the plate of potatoes, carrots and strawberries Elizabeth had prepared for him. He doesnt eat meat, Autumn explained quietly, before Amelia could ask about the missing beef. He doesnt ride horses, he doesnt believe in hurting any animal, even a mosquito or a rattlesnake. I heard he once put out a campfire because bugs were flying into the flame and dying, Isaac said. And once a rattlesnake bit him, and he killed it without thinking, then felt bad for weeks, Autumn said. Everyone feels bad after a rattler bites them, Isaac said. You know what I mean, Autumn said. Is he really that poor, Amelia asked. Are you kidding? He has hundreds of acres of apple orchards all over Ohio and Indiana, Isaac said. But he gives a lot of it away. He often buys lame horses to keep them from slaughter, he doesnt think shoes are necessary, and he wont sleep in a bed, Autumn said. Why wont he sleep in a bed? Amelia asked, apparently a bit too loudly, because John stopped his conversation with Elizabeth and turned his attention to the children. Amelia, child, there are no beds in Heaven, and so I dont want to be tempted by the comfort of a bed here. It might let my eyes stray from my journey to Heaven, he said. Why are there no beds? Because there is no reason to sleep in Heaven, he said, eyes sparkling. As Amelia lay down in her bed, that night, Johnny was lying on the floor of the tavern, reading aloud from the old worn books he carried in his shirt. His eloquent, deep voice sent the words drifting through the shelter, to everyones benefit. Maybe I should not be sleeping in a bed, if there are no beds in Heaven, Amelia thought to herself, but she didnt stay awake long enough to decide. U.S. President Donald Trump has said U.S. forces will withdraw from Syria "over a period of time," insisting he wants to protect U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters battling the Islamic State (IS) extremist group. Trump did not provide a timetable for the planned withdrawal of roughly 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, which he announced last month against the advice of many top security advisers and reportedly without consulting lawmakers or U.S. allies involved in operations against IS militants. During a Cabinet meeting at the White House in front of reporters on January 2, Trump said he had never discussed a reported four-month timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. In recent days, Trump has backed down from a rushed pullout and said that the withdrawal would be gradual. "We're slowly sending our troops back home to be with their families, while at the same time fighting Isis [Islamic State] remnants," he said on Twitter on December 31. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters that Trump was committed to making sure Turkey did not clash with the U.S.-backed Kurdish YPG forces once U.S. troops leave Syria. Graham also said Trump had assured Ankara that it would have a buffer zone inside Syria to help protect its own interests. Ankara sees the YPG as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Turkey and has vowed to crush it. U.S. commanders planning the military withdrawal have recommended that YPG fighters battling IS militants be permitted to keep U.S.-supplied weapons, according to U.S. officials. That proposal would likely anger Turkey, where Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, is expected to visit for talks this week. With reporting by Reuters and AP Ukraine says one of its soldiers has been killed and two others wounded in clashes in the countrys east despite a fresh cease-fire agreement between Kyiv and Russia-backed separatists. The Defense Ministry said on January 2 that separatist fighters violated a cease-fire three times on January 1 by firing guns, grenade launchers, and mortars. It said Ukrainian government forces returned fire, killing one separatist and wounding four others. The separatists accused Kyivs forces of violating the truce. Since April 2014, more than 10,300 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and the separatists who control parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Fighting persists despite cease-fire deals reached as part of the September 2014 and February 2015 Minsk accords, and implementation of other measures set out in the deals has been slow. A new truce between Ukrainian forces and the separatists took effect at midnight on December 29. With reporting by Interfax and TASS In Romania's capital, a new children's cancer hospital is under construction that has been funded entirely from private donations. The founders of the NGO behind the project, Give Life, say they're doing the work the state should be doing. Pakistan's military claims it has shot down a second Indian "spy drone" in two days flying in Pakistani airspace over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. In a statement, Major General Asif Ghafoor, an army spokesman, said Pakistani troops downed the drone on January 2 along the Line of Control that divides the Pakistani and Indian-controlled portions of Kashmir. Ghafoor tweeted a photo purportedly showing the wreckage, but did not provide further details. Pakistan's military also reported shooting down an Indian drone on January 1. There has been no comment from New Delhi. Kashmir is split between Pakistan and India, both of which claim the territory in its entirety and have fought two wars over it since their independence from British rule in 1947. Based on reporting by AP and Dawn KEMEROVO, Russia A Russian activist who helped organize protests against plans to raise the retirement age has been severely beaten by unknown attackers. Valery Kazantsev was assaulted in the hall of his apartment block in the Siberian city of Kemerovo at 7 a.m. on January 1 when he was returning home after celebrating New Year's, a coordinator of the opposition Protesting Kuzbass movement told RFE/RL. The coordinator, Lev Gyammer, quoted the two assailants as calling Kazantsev a pedophile" and warning the activist that the attack was "just a warning." An article published in a local government-controlled newspaper had earlier called Kazantsev a pedophile, according to Gyammer. The attack was most likely ordered by local authorities, he also said. The highly unpopular plan to raise the retirement age by five years triggered angry protests across Russia last year. Kazantsev, a member of the unregistered Libertarian Party of Russia, was one of the organizers of the protest rallies in Kemerovo. Sixteen national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) have called on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to take immediate action following Russia's failure to meet a December 31 deadline to hand over data from its anti-doping laboratory. "NADO leaders now call on WADA to acknowledge the gravity of this missed deadline and call for an immediate review and recommendation from the international anti-doping watchdogs Compliance and Review Committee (CRC), said a January 2 statement supported by the NADOs of the United States and 15 other countries. "After more than three years of review, indecision and compromise in response to the worst doping scandal in the history of sport, the time has come to demonstrate that no individual [or] nation is exempt from compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code," the statement said. The call comes the day after WADA President Craig Reedie said he was "bitterly disappointed" that the year-end deadline was missed by Russian officials. He said the CRC will meet on January 14 to review the situation and make a recommendation on how RUSADA's failure should be handled. But the NADO statement said: "The importance of this situation does not warrant providing a further two weeks for Russia to comply." "With the interest of clean sport hanging in the balance, WADA must call for CRC to convene and consider this matter without further delay," it added. RUSADA was stripped of its accreditation in 2015 after a WADA-commissioned report found evidence of widespread state-sponsored doping in Russian track and field and other sports. The Russian agency was conditionally reinstated in September, a move that was widely criticized by members of the anti-doping movement. If RUSADA loses its accreditation again it could lead to Russian athletes being kept from participating in the next Olympic Games and the continuation of the ban on the country's track-and-field athletes from participating in international competitions. There are signs of disagreements within Russia over the issue. Moscow missed the December 31 deadline despite repeated pleas from the head of RUSADA, Yury Ganus, who asked President Vladimir Putin for help in getting the data -- which is reportedly in the hands of the federal Investigative Committee -- released to WADA. With reporting by AFP and dpa Tajikistan's once thriving Jewish population has dwindled to an estimated 50 people. Most left for Israel in the 1990s to escape the country's civil war. But one woman has returned to the city of her birth, Dushanbe, where she is keeping her faith and community alive with music. ASTANA -- A Kazakh police officer who proudly called the Central Asian nation's police forces a "gang" in a New Year's greeting has been sacked. A Kazakh Interior Ministry spokesman, Almas Sadubaev, said on Facebook on January 3 that the officer, identified as A.R. Tastaibekov, had been fired and his supervisors officially reprimanded. Sadubaev said Tastaibekov, the deputy chief in charge of first-year cadets at the Police Academy in the central city of Qaraghandy, was fired for "committing an action that discredits state services." In a video that went viral on social networks, the officer used criminal jargon in reference to the police and hints at corrupt ties within law enforcement. He wishes for "prosperity to Kazakhstan, so that our bratva" -- a term that means criminal gang, band, or brotherhood -- "and our successors in the seventh generation can continue using our connections." He then says he supports a statement by Antibiotik, a fictional criminal in a 1990s Russian television show, stating: "Let our friendship be selfless.... Our deeds have been unconditional, because we are a bratva -- to put it simply, we are a band." "Let Kazakhstan and our families flourish," he says. "Hurrah, comrades!" Dozens of men in police uniform on the video greet the statement by chanting "Hurrah!" "The video was shot on December 31, 2018," Sadubaev told reporters earlier. Corruption within law-enforcement structures and police brutality have been a focus of rights activists for decades in Kazakhstan, where authoritarian President Nursultan Nazarbaev has held power since before the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. Iran's former hard-line President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has reportedly said that the United States is working to arrest the Hidden Imam, who according to Shi'ite belief went into hiding in the 10th century and will reappear to bring justice to Earth. Ahmadinejad made the comments in a speech to a group of clerics marking the start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, according to a transcript posted on June 21 on the website Dolatebahar.com, which is run by his supporters. Ahmadinejad is quoted as saying that the West has been building a case against the Hidden Imam to prevent his reappearance, a claim that the Islamic republic's main reformist daily newspaper, Shargh, described as "strange." "They've done so much research about the Hidden Imam in the human science universities of the United States that I am not exaggerating by saying that it is a thousand times more than all the work done in the seminaries of Qom, Najaf, and Mashhad," he reportedly said, referring to three Shi'ite holy cities. Ahmadinejad, who is known for his controversial statements and his devotion to the Hidden Imam, added that U.S. universities have debriefed numerous individuals who have been in touch with the disappeared spiritual leader. "To quote a friend, they've completed a case against the Hidden Imam, and closed it also for his arrest," he was quoted as saying. "The only [evidence] they lack is his picture." Ahmadinejad suggested that the West -- and particularly the United States -- sees the return of the Hidden Imam as a threat to its "empire," adding that the U.S. administration is "evil." "It is really a government established by Satan to prevent reaching God and the Hidden Imam," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying. " This evil government knows that its end will come if the Hidden Imam reappears." He reportedly acknowledged that "some in Iran laugh about these comments." Ahmadinejad, who served as Iran's president from 2005 to 2013, has previously suggested that the United States is attempting to thwart the Hidden Imam's return. The launch of his website and Instagram account earlier this year was seen by some as sign that the former president may be attempting a political comeback ahead of next year's parliamentary elections. Ahmadinejad kept a low profile after his successor, self-proclaimed moderate cleric Hassan Rohani, came to power in 2013. He has become more visible in recent months thanks to his attendance at several public events -- and because of the arrest of two of his former aides. Hamid Baghaei, who served as Ahmadinejad's vice president for executive affairs, was arrested on June 8. The charges have not been made public, though Baghaei's arrest has fueled speculation that they may involve alleged financial improprieties. In January, another former deputy to Ahmadinejad, Mohammad Reza Rahimi, was jailed for five years after being convicted of corruption and embezzlement. Ahmadinejad has sought to distance his presidency from widespread allegations of corruption and mismanagement. A senior Iranian official has said the country is prepared to block Instagram once authorities sign off, a move that would deny 24 million users -- including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rohani -- access to the popular social-media platform. "We are waiting for consensus regarding the filtering of Instagram, but if waiting proves to be pointless then the prosecutor will take the necessary decision," Javad Javidnia, secretary of Iran's state committee on online censorship and deputy state prosecutor in charge of cyber affairs, was quoted by Iranian media on January 1 as telling Peyvast magazine. Javidnia has in past weeks spoken about the alleged dangers of Instagram, saying it has become a "slaughterhouse" for the youth and claiming that "many scholars, professors, and students were demanding it be blocked. In July, a deputy prosecutor-general warned against the dangers of fraud on Instagram, and said that the filtering of the platform was up for consideration. Iranian media have taken the comments as an indication that blocking Instagram -- which Iranians not only use to share photos, news, and information, but also to debate politics and other issues -- is a mere formality. "It appears that the decision to filter Instagram is gradually nearing [the finish line]," the reformist Shargh daily wrote on January 2. Instagram, as well as the widely used messaging app Telegram, were briefly filtered in January 2018 amid antiestablishment protests in the country. At the time authorities claimed that the move was aimed at maintaining peace during the protests, which spread to more than 80 cities and towns. In May, Iran filtered Telegram, claiming the communications tool endangered national security. Brief Thaw The move was opposed by the government of President Hassan Rohani, who entered office in 2013 on the promise of allowing Iranians more freedom and less censorship. Rohani, who has largely failed to fulfil his early campaign promises, publicly criticized the ban, saying it was "the opposite of democracy." Rohani's communications minister, Javad Azari Jahromi, told reporters in July that Instagram would not be blocked. The reports of renewed Instagram scrutiny come as hard-line conservatives appear determined to push for even tougher online censorship in Iran, where tens of thousands of websites, including news sites and social-networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, are already blocked. Many Iranians access blocked sites by using antifiltering tools. In a December interview with the semiofficial news agency ISNA, Javidnia suggested that as an Islamic republic official he could not just sit back and watch the "disasters" allegedly taking place on Instagram. "Will God and the martyrs accept it from me?" he asked. The reformist newspaper Shargh said Javidnia appeared to be following the footsteps of his predecessor, Abdolsamad Khoramabadi, a staunch defender of state filtering who was blacklisted by the United States for engaging in state censorship. Amid the speculation, a lawmaker said that Instagram was supposed to have been blocked by the end of the Iranian month of Azar (which ends on December 21). "It didn't happen in due time and it is not clear when the filtering of Instagram will take place," Ahmad Salek, a member of the parliaments Cultural Committee was quoted as saying last week. He didnt provide more details. In recent months Iran has arrested a number of individuals over "immoral" and "anti-Islamic" pictures and videos shared on Instagram. In July, Irans state-controlled television caused outrage by airing what appeared to be the forced confession of a young woman who had been arrested for posting dance videos on her Instagram page. Several other individuals had been reportedly detained on charges related to their Instagram activities. An Afghan official says at least five government soldiers were killed after Taliban militants attacked a military base in the country's south. Mohammad Ashraf Watandost, the police spokesman for Kandahar Province, said six soldiers were also wounded in the January 2 attack in the Maiwand district. Watandost said the militants entered the base through an underground tunnel. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement. Separately, Afghan border security forces foiled an attack on Italian military advisers at a base in the western province of Herat on January 2. Noorullah Qadri, the commander of 207 Zafar military corps, said two attackers who had infiltrated the border security forces fired on the Italian advisers. Qadri said the advisers escaped uninjured and one attacker was gunned down immediately while the other was arrested. Nearly 900 Italian soldiers are part of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission focused on training, advising, and assisting the Afghan forces in four western provinces. Based on reporting by Reuters and Tolo News No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. A Russian businessman gives refuge to exotic wild animals which have been lost or abandoned by their owners. The death toll in a New Year's Eve apartment-building collapse rose to 37 as rescuers working in frigid temperatures pulled bodies from the rubble in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk and speculation about the cause of the disaster swirled. "The bodies of two more women and a man were recovered," a spokesperson for the Emergency Situations Ministry said on January 3 after the death toll was raised from 33. The ministry said that four people remained unaccounted for more than 48 hours after an explosion sent part of a 10-story building crashing to the ground. Six children were among those confirmed dead, the ministry said. Six people -- including an infant whose rescue has been called a miracle -- have been pulled alive from the rubble of the building in the southern Urals city and hospitalized. Russian authorities have said since shortly after the December 31 collapse that a natural-gas explosion was the most likely cause. But in a statement issued on January 1, the federal Investigative Committee said the authorities were looking into "all possible causes" and added that no signs of a bomb blast have been found. "In connection with various reports that have appeared in the media, it must be noted that at the present moment...no traces of explosives or their components have been found," the statement said. The committee issued the statement after two media outlets cited unnamed sources as saying that possible traces of explosives were found at the site and that the blast that caused the collapse could have been a terrorist act. The reports in znak.com and regional news site 74.ru, which could not be independently verified, also linked the building collapse with an incident late on January 1 in which a van caught fire some 3 kilometers from the site, killing three people. The site 74.ru cited unnamed law enforcement sources as saying that the occupants of the vehicle were suspects who were being sought by police, possibly in connection with the building blast and collapse. The Federal Security Service (FSB) said that there were two gas canisters in the vehicle, and the regional Interior Ministry branch said that the fire may have been caused by a gas-canister explosion. Speculation was stoked by Internet-posted footage of the burning van in which a series of loud bangs that sound like gunfire can be heard. Several deadly apartment-building explosions in Russia in the past 25 years have been blamed on militants from the North Caucasus, the site of two wars between federal forces and Chechen separatists as well as an Islamist insurgency rooted in those conflicts. But household-gas blasts have also been blamed for many such disasters, and when part of an apartment building collapses, there is frequently speculation about the cause. Investigative Committee Director Aleksandr Bastrykin has set up an investigative group of some 100 officials to work on the case. January 2 was an official day of mourning in Chelyabinsk Oblast, where Magnitogorsk -- an industrial city of some 400,000 people some 1,700 kilometers southeast of Moscow -- is located. On January 1, an infant found by rescuers alive in the rubble some 35 hours after the explosion was flown to Moscow for medical treatment. Russian officials said the infant was found lying in his crib wrapped in layers of blankets, which likely saved his life. The child -- identified as Ivan Fokin -- suffered frostbite, broken bones, and a head injury. His mother and father survived the explosion and subsequent collapse of their apartment. The father, Yevgeny, has called his son's rescue "a New Year's miracle." Authorities had been forced to temporarily halt most of the rescue operations because of fears the efforts would dangerously shift rubble. PHOTO GALLERY: Suspected Gas Explosion Devastates High-Rise In Russia's Magnitogorsk (CLICK TO VIEW) "There is a real risk that more sections of the building will collapse," Russian Emergency Situations Minister Yevgeny Zinichev said on January 1. Later, rescuers removed some dangerous segments of the building and resumed their operations. Rescuers had braved temperatures as low as minus 17 degree Celsius through the night in an effort to locate victims. Large heaters were brought in to try to keep any possible survivors from freezing to death as the rescue operations continue. "We must work as quickly as we can since temperatures do not give us any time to linger," Deputy Emergency Situations Minister Pavel Baryshev told journalists. President Vladimir Putin traveled to the site on December 31 and met with local officials before visiting some of the injured at a nearby hospital. According to the regional government, the explosion took place at 6:10 a.m. local time on December 31 in a complex of apartment buildings that was built in 1973 and houses some 1,100 people. The Emergency Situations Ministry said on its website that, in all, 48 apartments from the third to the 10th floor in the building's central part were damaged by the explosion. Magnitogorsk, an industrial city of some 400,000 people, is located some 1,700 kilometers southeast of Moscow. With reporting by Current Time TV, AP, Reuters, TASS, Interfax, RIA Novosti, AFP, znak.com, and 74.ru Myanmar civilians displaced by fighting between government troops and the Arakan Army take shelter at a displacement camp in Kyauktaw township, western Myanmar's Rakhine state, Dec. 23, 2018. Myanmar government troops opened 2019 with exchanges of gunfire with an ethnic armed organization in Rakhine states Buthidaung township, while police accused the same rebel group of attacking a convoy transporting the region's chief minister. The Myanmar Army engaged in clashes with the Arakan Army (AA) all day Tuesday in northern Rakhines Buthidaung, with local residents reporting that blasts from heavy weapons hit areas inhabited by civilians. Fighting occurred between Setaung and Kan Pyin villages in Buthidaung and in Thalu Chaung village in Kyauktaw township, said Tun Aung Thein, a Rakhine state legislator from the Arakan National Party (ANP), who represents the Buthidaung township constituency. A policeman was critically injured when border guard police were attacked by about 30 men with small and heavy arms on Tuesday near Setaung, the official Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported. More than 200 people from Setaung and Kanpyin villages have fled to Buthidaungs Hsin Khon Taung, Sedi Taung, and Sapahtar villages, local sources said. People from the three villages are helping the displaced civilians because government organizations do not have plans to provide assistance, Tun Aung Thein said. We cant go to the places right now because the fighting is still going on, but lawmakers and members of the ANP will go to help these people once the situation becomes calm, he said. Wataung village in Kyauktaw township now houses more than 900 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled their homes after government troops prevented food supplies from entering their areas. RFA could not reach Colonel Win Zaw Oo of the Western Regional Military Command to comment on the New Years Day fighting. Violation of international rules AA spokesman Khine Thukha told RFAs Myanmar Service that Arakan soldiers engaged in hostilities in both Buthidaung and Kyauktaw townships after government troops attacked villages with heavy weapons on Tuesday. The two sides also engaged in serious hostilities on Wednesday in Buithidaungs Nwayon Taung village, though there was no news of any casualties or injuries, he said. Khine Thukha also said that the actions of the Myanmar Army toward civilians violated international treaties. When the government armys troops enter local villages, they turn buildings such as monasteries and schools into encampments, he said. We can say it is like they are using humans as shields, and this is a violation of international rules, he said, adding that the Myanmar Armys actions are a violation of the Geneva Conventions, a series of treaties that establish standards of international law for humanitarian treatment of civilians and prisoners of war during conflict. The military has also brought police and security guards into the conflict zone and asked them to cut off food supplies from flowing into areas where fighting is underway, Khine Thukha said. This means that the military is employing the four cuts strategy to complicate the situation, he added, referring to a counter-insurgency strategy to cut off food, funds, intelligence, and popular support of rebel groups, which government forces have used against other ethnic armies in conflict areas around Myanmar. Khine Thukha also said that the AA believes that a recent announcement by the military that it will transfer the General Administration Department (GAD) under the armed forces-controlled Ministry of Home Affairs to the civilian-led government is related to ongoing attacks in Rakhine state. The GAD acts as the civil service for Myanmars 14 state and regional governments and provides the administration for their districts and townships. Some Myanmar lawmakers believe the transfer will advance administrative reform in the ethnically diverse country by reducing the GADs centralized control of government bureaucracy in keeping with a pledge by Win Myint earlier this year to reinvent the government and prepare Myanmar for a federal system. A vehicle in a convoy transporting Rakhine state's chief minister pulls to the side of the road after a mine blast on the outskirts of Mrauk-U township, western Myanmar's Rakhine State, Jan. 1, 2019. Credit: Photo courtesy of Aung Thein Hlaing/Facebook Mine attack targets convoy Local police meanwhile have accused AA troops of attacking a convoy transporting Rakhine Chief Minister Nyi Pu in northern Rakhine state on Tuesday, though the insurgent group denies the claim. Three mines were remotely detonated in northern Rakhine state Tuesday evening as a vehicle with the chief minister inside drove by. A report by the Myanmar News Agency said no one was injured in the explosion, but the windshield of one car and the side glass of another vehicle had been shattered. The convoy was traveling from Kyaukphyu township to the state capital Sittwe when the attack occurred near a village on the outskirts of Mrauk-U township. Its difficult to say who carried out this attack on the chief ministers convoy, because it occurred on a public road, said Police Colonel Tin Min Oo of the Mrauk-U district police force. But its certain that an armed insurgent group did it because civilians dont have any explosive devices and weapons, he said, adding that no one had been injured in the blasts. The blasts were the second attempted attack on Nyi Pu. In December 2017, three roadside mines exploded as a Myanmar Army convoy passed thorough Rakhines Myebon township, injuring four soldiers, about an hour after the chief minister and government officials traveled through the same area. AA spokesman Khine Thukha said the ethnic army did not carry out the attack. Only the authorities and security organizations knew about the chief ministers trip; thats why we assume that an organization related to the [government] military did it, he told RFA. The military wants more fighting fronts in Rakhine, he said. Its fighting is targeting the democratic government with the intention of complicating politics. State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has made ending seven decades of civil war in Myanmar a key policy goal of the ruling civilian-led National League for Democracy (NLD) government. While 10 ethnic armies have signed a nationwide cease-fire accord, nearly a dozen others, including the AA, have not. On Dec. 21, the Myanmar military agreed to a four-month unilateral cease-fire in war-torn Kachin and Shan states in a bid to reignite the stalled peace process by enticing separatist ethnic armies to join talks with the central government. But the cease-fire, in effect until April 30, excludes the western state of Rakhine, where an army crackdown in 2017 forced more than 725,000 Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh and where the military has been engaged in fighting the Rakhine Buddhist AA. Reported by Kyaw Thu for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. UPDATED at 1:45 P.M. EST on 2019-01-04 A handful of cases of sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Myanmar that have been covered up for decades with victims choosing not to report the crime in the countrys culturally closed society have come to light, a respected priest said on Wednesday. We didn't have a significant number of cases in Myanmar," said Rev. Soe Naing. "We only heard one or two old cases that happened about 10, 15 years." He did not provide any details about the two cases or about any other findings of abuse. He said the victims were laypersons. Like similar allegations that came out around the world, some have accused the senior leaders of not taking action, protecting those who committed the abuses, he told RFAs Myanmar Service. The cases came to light after so many years and the accused had given pledges not to make the same mistakes. The priest also acknowledged that some accusations of sexual abuse have been difficult to investigate. Soe Naing, who served as spokesman for the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar during a visit by Pope Francis in late 2017, said the church's had "weaknesses" in addressing the issue. Theres a lack of knowledge in Myanmar about how to address such issues, he said. Some cases were resolved in old traditional ways. But now the Vatican has instructed us how to address the issue and we will follow a zero-tolerance policy to take actions against those responsible, he said. Women in general remain unequal to men by way of tradition, custom, and religion in conservative Buddhist-majority Myanmar, as they do in many other Asian countries. As a result, many women who are abused refrain from speaking out or challenging authority. An unwillingness to come forward with abuse accusations also underscores the second-class status of nuns in the Roman Catholic Church, not only in Myanmar, but elsewhere around the world. Some fear that if they do break their silence, they will not be believed or that they themselves will be punished by their superiors. But the #MeToo movement and disclosures of widespread sexual abuse among priests in other countries have emboldened some nuns to speak out about the unwanted touching and kissing, and in some cases rape, that they have endured. Soe Naing said that the Catholic Church in Myanmar is now addressing all forms of abuse. We have been instructed to draft a child protection policy like in other countries and for Myanmar, a policy not just for children but also for vulnerable adults, he said. We now have ways to protect them," he added. In recent years, we held several workshops and gave guidelines to address such abuses among the priests as well as the nuns, he said. The Pope himself will instruct senior Church leaders around the world about maintaining a child protection policy during a four-day event that begins on Feb. 21. Pope Francis has called for a summit of all the presidents of the Catholic bishops' conference worldwide to convene at the Vatican on Feb. 21-24 to discuss the issue of the sexual abuse of minors. Churchs culture of silence The Associated Press, a U.S. news agency, has reported on instances of priests and bishops abusing nuns in Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, underlining how sisters have been mistreated with near impunity because of the Catholic Churchs power imbalance between female and male clergy. The reports indicated that the Vatican knew about problem of priests abusing nuns for decades, but did hardly anything to stop it or to hold perpetrators accountable. In November, the Rome-based International Union of Superiors General, which represents more than half a million nuns globally, issued a declaration condemning the verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse of nuns and pledging to help those who had been victimized seek justice. We condemn those who support the culture of silence and secrecy, often under the guise of protection of an institutions reputation or naming it part of ones culture, the statement said. We advocate for transparent civil and criminal reporting of abuse whether within religious congregations, at the parish or diocesan levels, or in any public arena. The AP published a report on Wednesday detailing the sexual assault and abuse of nuns in the Catholic Church in Kerala, India, with some cases dating to the 1990s. It cites the account of a senior nun who defied the culture of silence and accused an influential Catholic bishop of raping her 13 times during a two-year period. When the bishop denounced the allegation and claimed the nun was blackmailing him, other sisters held public protests calling for his arrest. He was jailed for more than three weeks in October before being released on bail. Reported and translated by Nandar Chann for RFAs Myanmar Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report contained incorrect English translations of Rev. Soe Naing's comments on the extent of past cases of abuse in the church. He said that the Catholic Church in Myanmar "didn't have a significant number of cases." Soe Naing also clarified that he is no longer a spokesman for the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar and that the victims of the abuse cases were laypersons, not nuns, as originally reported. Seven Lao Christians arrested at the weekend for conducting an illegal church service have been released and allowed by police to return to their homes, a Lao source said. Yes, they were arrested, but today theyve all gone home, an official in the Phin district of the southern province of Savannakhet told RFAs Lao Service on Wednesday. The official, who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity, declined to discuss details of the arrests or comment further on the case. The seven detainees were arrested on Dec. 29 by police in the districts Nakanong village, according to a Jan. 2 report by the Hungary-based BosNewsLife, citing information provided by the Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF). Police first took into custody three church leaders identified as Akeo, Kert, and Somwang, and then returned to take away four other church members named Boulai, Champee, Agae, and Ayoung, BosNewsLife said. Authorities also demolished the [churchs] stage, cut off the power line, destroyed the sound system, and seized three mobile phones, HRWLRF told BosNewsLife. In a statement, HRWLRF called on the Lao government to respect the rights to religious freedom of Lao citizens as guaranteed by U.N. conventions and the countrys own constitution, BosNewsLife said. Harassed, expelled Though Christian services are allowed in some parts of Laos with state officials present to check for anti-government messaging, Christians living in remote areas of the country are frequently harassed and expelled from their homes by local officials. Four Lao Christians arrested in November in the Keovilai village of Savannakhet provinces Vilabouly district were held in custody for a week for conducting religious services without permission from authorities, sources told RFA in earlier reports. They were detained because they had held services according to our religion, one Lao Christian leader said. But the [local] authorities dont want to have Christians here in our village, so they stopped the service. Appeals to higher levels of authority in the central government prompted district and village officials eventually to free the detainees, but only after community members were questioned and one elderly woman named Bounlam fell ill and was sent to a hospital, he said. Conflicts between Christians and local authorities often flare up because believers assert the right to freedom of worship guaranteed by the countrys constitution, while authorities call Christianity a foreign religion and say that Christians must move out of their villages, RFAs source said. In a 2017 report, the U.S. State Department said that Lao local authorities in the largely Buddhist country often arrested or detained members of minority religions during the year, with a district-level official in Houaphan province expelling 26 Hmong Christians from their village, advising them they could return only if they renounced their faith. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Richard Finney. This picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivering an address to mark the New Year at an undisclosed location on January 1, 2019. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his New Years address said that his regime is committed to denuclearization, but only if the United States lives up to its end of the bargain and drops economic sanctions a stance U.S. experts said left room for more negotiations. During the 30-minute speech on Tuesday, an annual affair that draws comparisons with the U.S. presidents State of the Union address, Kim said that he was ready to meet with President Trump at any time, and that relations with the U.S. could progress quickly. If the United States does not keep its promises, and persists in imposing sanctions and pressure against our Republic, we might be compelled to find a new path to defend the sovereignty of the country, Kim said during the address. Kim did not elaborate on what he meant by new path but the phrasing raised fears of a return to missile and nuclear tests that raised tensions on the Korean peninsula in 2017 before giving way to a series of summits last year. Its more like a diplomatic gambit rather than a signal that North Korea is going to resume [nuclear program-related] testing, said the Heritage Foundations senior research fellow Bruce Klingner, in an interview with RFAs Korean Service. I think its trying to keep things in the diplomatic lane at least for some time rather than it being a signal that they see the negotiation has failed and [they are] walking away from them, added Klingner. Robert Carlin, a nonresident fellow at the Stimson Center, said it was critical to special attention to the specific wording of the new path statement. Kim warned that, quote, We might be compelled to explore a new path. Notice, might be, not will be, said Carlin during a press call for the U.S.-based North Korea analysis website 38 North. Thats not really a threat; its a soft formulation, very deliberately, because Kim did not want to overshadow all the positive things that he said, and it was, in my mind, quite extraordinary, all the attention he paid to the question of negotiations with the United States, said Carlin. One particular section of Kims address dealt with joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea, which the Trump administration halted in 2018. We maintain that the joint military exercises with foreign forces, which constitute the source of aggravating the situation on the Korean peninsula, should no longer be permitted, Kim said. Former White House Coordinator for Arms Control and Weapons of Mass Destruction Gary Samore told RFA, I think as long as Kim Jong Un continues to observe the moratorium on nuclear and missile testing, Trump will continue to suspend major exercises. Arms Control Association Executive Director Daryl Kimball agreed, saying, If two sides take action-for-action steps in the direction of denuclearization and a peace regime, it becomes more likely that we can get to the point where North Korea will remove nuclear weapons and its production capacity and the U.S. and South Korea will no longer consider it necessary to hold major joint military exercises and send strategic assets into the region close to North Korea. RAND Corporation Senior Defense Researcher Bruce Bennett was not as optimistic. I think at this stage, the U.S. attitude is we will try to make every effort to get negotiations settled with North Korea, Bennet said. But he suggested the U.S. stance would change if it became clear Pyongyang was not interested in serious disarmament talks. 38 North noted in their press call that Kims promise to denuclearize was worded in such a way that there is little room for ambiguity. We declared at home and abroad that we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them, and we have taken various practical measures, said Kim. Almost everyone seems to miss the significance of the fact that Kim is saying that the North has proclaimed it would not produce nuclear weapons, said Carlin, adding, As far as I know, they havent said anything like that since January, 1992. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies' senior fellow David Maxwell warned against being too eager to believe Kims words, telling RFA, He still wants to keep [nuclear weapons], I dont see any intention of giving them up. The U.S is not going to accept North Korea as a nuclear weapon state, like Pakistan, Maxwell added. Additional reporting by Sangmin Lee, Soyoung Kim and Yewon Ji. Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen on rejected calls from Chinese President Xi Jinping for the democratic island to "unify" with the People's Republic, saying its people have no wish to give up their sovereignty. In a Jan. 2 "Letter to our Taiwan compatriots," Xi swapped the Chinese Communist Party's previous insistence on the idea that Taiwan is part of a divided "One China" for a new theme: "unification." "It has been a historical and unavoidable duty of the Chinese Communist Party, Chinese government and the Chinese people to resolve the matter of Taiwan and unify the motherland ever since 1949," Xi said in the statement. But he made scant reference to public opinion among the 23 million inhabitants of Taiwan, which his party has never ruled. "We are prepared to work for peaceful unification with the greatest sincerity, because a unification that is accomplished peacefully will benefit all of our compatriots, and people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait," Xi said. But he warned: "We make no promise to renounce the use of military force, and reserve the right to take all necessary measures to deal with hostile foreign forces and a tiny minority of separatists and their splittist activities." Armed forces under the Chinese Communist Party "continued to develop and deploy increasingly advanced military capabilities intended to coerce Taiwan, signal Chinese resolve, and gradually improve capabilities for an invasion," the U.S. Department of Defense said in an annual report on China's military capabilities in 2018. Xi urged Taiwan to work towards "unification" under the "one country, two systems" model that was promised to Hong Kong after its 1997 handover to China, rather than the direct imposition of Communist Party rule. However, that city's autonomy has been eroded in recent years by a series of high-profile interventions from Beijing, according to U.S. and U.K. officials, Hong Kong's Bar Association, and international rights groups. Tsai Ing-wen responded on by asserting the right of Taiwan's 23 million inhabitants to decide their own fate. "I want to reiterate that Taiwan absolutely will not accept 'one country, two systems,'" Tsai said. "The vast majority of public opinion in Taiwan is also resolutely opposed to 'one country, two systems.'" Hong Kong's fate not desired in Taiwan DPP lawmaker Wang Ding-yu said Xi's "letter" shows a distinct shift in Beijing's stance. "But Hong Kong is already proof-positive that one country, two systems is a sham; a marriage entered into as a result of fraud," Wang said. "Now they want to come and snatch Taiwan away." "They probably can't see that the one country, two systems model is already bankrupt: otherwise they wouldn't think the people of Taiwan would fall for it," he said. "Taiwan needs to hang onto its right to choose its own fate, because Hong Kong can't decide anything for itself," he said. Wang Dan, former student leader of the 1989 democracy movement on Beijing's Tiananmen Square, agreed. "What we see in Hong Kong , we will see in Taiwan ," he said of the "one country, two systems" plan. "Looks like the 2020 presidential election [in Taiwan] will turn into a referendum on 'one country, two systems'," Wang Dan wrote via his Twitter account on . In her statement, Tsai also offered to start talks with China, but under conditions that Beijing is unlikely to agree to. "As a democratic country, all political consultations and negotiations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait must be authorized and monitored by the people of Taiwan, and conducted on a government-to-government basis by both sides," Tsai said. Beijing has never accepted the status of Taiwan as a sovereign power, although the Republic of China government established by the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) fled there in 1949 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's communists. China urged to 'bravely move towards democracy' Officially, Taiwan is still known as the Republic of China, which controls the four islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu. But Beijing has refused diplomatic ties with any country that also recognizes the Republic of China, and actively encourages Taiwan's partners to switch recognition. Instead, China insists that Taiwan is a breakaway province of the People's Republic of China, and refuses to engage in government-to-government talks. Tsai called on Beijing to handle negotiations on an equal basis "instead of using suppression and intimidation to get Taiwanese to submit." "Any political consultations that are not authorized and monitored by the people cannot be called democratic consultations," she said, and hit out at Beijing's use of financial support for outsourced supporter groups in Taiwan, under the Communist Party's United Front Work Department. Tsai, whose ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered losses to the KMT in elections last November, said the results shouldn't be taken as a sign that Taiwan is willing to give up its freedom. "The results of the ... elections absolutely do not mean that grassroots public opinion in Taiwan favors abandoning our sovereignty, nor do they mean that the people want to make concessions regarding Taiwanese identity," she said. "Democratic values are the values and way of life that Taiwanese cherish, and we call upon China to bravely move towards democracy," Tsai said. Taiwan was ruled as a Japanese colony in the 50 years prior to the end of World War II, but was handed back to the 1911 Republic of China under the nationalist Kuomintang government as part of Tokyo's post-war reparation deal. When the Kuomintang regime fled to Taiwan in 1947 after losing a civil war to Mao Zedong's communist troops, the Republic of China government ceased to control most of China, though it continues to be the official name of the Taiwan government. The island began a transition to democracy following the death of Chiang's son, President Chiang Ching-kuo, in , starting with direct elections to the legislature in the early 1990s and culminating in the first direct election of a president, Lee Teng-hui, in 1996. Recent opinion polls indicate that there is broad political support for continued self-rule in Taiwan, where the majority of voters identify as Taiwanese rather than Chinese. Reported by Chung Kuang-cheng and Wen Yuqing for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Hwang Chun-mei and Qiao Long for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. A group of Hong Kong independence supporters display flags during the annual New Year's Day pro-democracy rally in Hong Kong, Jan. 1, 2019. Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong on Wednesday hit out at the city's government for condemning the appearance of placards advocating independence during a new-year protest march, saying that freedom of speech is enshrined in the territory's mini-constitution, the Basic Law. The protesters had "ignored the advice of security guards" and carried the banners into Civic Square outside the east wing of government headquarters at the end of the march, the government said in a statement after the march. Scuffles around the placards had caused "confusing and two security guards falling on the ground," it said, banning any "activities advocating or promoting" independence for Hong Kong from the area. It said a pro-independence activist had later addressed the rally, "undermining the constitutional order of [Hong Kong]" and expressed "deep regret" that the Civil Human Rights Front, which organized the traditional Jan. 1 protest march to government headquarters, hadn't prevented this from happening. But Jimmy Sham of the Civil Human Rights Front said it wasn't the group's job to police the content of demonstrations. "The Civil Human Rights Front won't become an accomplice in the government's suppression of human rights," Sham said, calling on chief executive Carrie Lam to remember her negative popularity ratings in opinion polls. "The people [of Hong Kong] don't recognize her as chief executive, and the Jan. 1 march was just the start," he said. "We will be doing everything we can in future to encourage people to break out of their feelings of helplessness, and to stand up together for Hong Kong people's values." Sham's response was echoed by one participant at Tuesday's march. "Independence for Hong Kong is an entirely legal, reasonable and acceptable position," the protester said. And pro-independence student activist Wayne Chan said the placards weren't obviously pro-independence, however, and that the security guards had done nothing to prevent people waving the British colonial-era flag of Hong Kong from entering Civic Square. "They never said why the two [contested] placards were pro-independence," Chan told RFA. "The way they approached it was extremely inappropriate, and the whole rally could have finished up smoothly and peacefully if they hadn't placed those barriers there, which made no sense." Hong Kong was promised the continuation of its existing freedoms of press, publication and association, as well as a separate and independent judiciary, under the terms of its 1997 return to Chinese rule, within the "one country, two systems" framework agreed between British and Chinese officials and enshrined in its mini-constitution, the Basic Law. But the city's freedom and autonomy are now being eroded in the wake of repeated interventions in the citys political life by Beijing, according to overseas governments and human rights organizations. Nine Hong Kong politicians have been barred from candidacy in elections in the city in recent years, while six pro-democracy LegCo members were stripped of their seats when Beijing's parliament ruled their oaths of allegiance invalid. Reported by Lee Wang-yam for RFA's Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email please call (208) 542-6777 for help. We get it. You don't want to see the ads. We'd just ask you to understand that those ads help us pay the bills and our reporters. Please, consider white-listing the Standard Journal in your ad-blocker or, even better, purchase a subscription so that you can help support quality local journalism. LITCHFIELD If an anthropologist were to examine the New Years Day ritual of Litchfield residents dressing up in outlandish, colorful costumes and acting in humorous skits to raise money, the studier of hunting-and-gathering societies would discover the towns longtime Possum Queen Contest. The 29th annual Possum Queen Contest attracted an estimated 300 visitors at the Litchfield Inn at 432 Bantam Road on Tuesday afternoon. The event was expected to raise $60,000 to $80,000 to go toward medical expenses for local residents in need, said greeter and ticket seller Joe DiChillo. More for you News Annual Possum Queen Festival raises $60,000 for residents... Longtime co-organizer Brent Hawk Hawkins, who is also Litchfields Parks and Recreation Director, took a break from participating this year, said DiChillo, who was dressed as Sully Hudson, or Sully Sullenberger, a retired American airline captain who successfully landed a disabled jet in the Hudson River in 2009. We have had overwhelming support from the community and volunteers, DiChillo said, adding that 25 volunteers worked the event. Sunny Roper of Litchfield, dressed as the DC Universe superhero Supergirl, also sold tickets. Ive been doing this festival for 15 years. It is even better than last year but not as good as next year, she said. Every year it just grows as a fundraiser. For almost 30 years it has built community, Roper said. Longtime co-organizer and Possum Queen Foundation Board of Directors President Bill Neller kept the show going, and accepted bids from guests who received stickers reading, I Bribed Billy. A silent auction was held in one of the inns conference rooms, featuring items such as a Les Paul American Flag guitar at an estimate opening bid of $250; a massage session from licensed therapist Tracy Armstrong, valued at $80; and an American DJ Copter Sphere party light at $200. Food and beverages were offered buffet-style by the inns restaurant, Tavern Off the Green. The 2019 show was inaugurated by the Mattatuck Drum Band kicking off with renditions of Yankee Doodle Dandy and Soldiers on Parade while marching into the Inns main ballroom. Emcee and DJ John Bongiorno assisted in auctioning off various items donated by local businesses. Live auction items included a party with music entertainers Ian Campbell and Jeff Conlon; two tickets to all events at the Warner Theatre in Torrington; Rolling Stones band memorabilia; and a barbeque for 24 by Woods Pit BBQ & Mexican Cafe in Bantam. Of course, the events signature can of Possum Soup is offered each year, signed, and returned for the following year. DiChillo also put his Scottsdale, Arizona, condominium-stay (good through 2019) on auction. Bidding started at $900 and was sold at $3,000. Local businesses and luminaries were parodied by local actors in an alcohol-themed skit of the movie musical Grease. The aforementioned Ian Campbell played the character Danny Puko while Jenny Matthews as Sandy sang Hopelessly Devoted to Booze, a parody of the famous Grease song. Darren Murphy played Doody of the PBirds and Lori Stickney was Marty of the PinQ Ladies. Meanwhile, festival regular DJ Murphy gathered bids from audience members while dressed as a Dalmatian from 101 Dalmatians. Money was also raised by performers and audience members bribing Possum Queen judges with donations, which are then donated to local charities. According to previous comments by Hawkins, he started the Possum Queen Contest years ago originally as a joke. Hawkins had been driving a beaten-up black truck for town business. Someone joked that all he needed to complete the vehicles look was a sign reading Possum Queen. The moniker stuck, while Hawkins, who was dismayed at the areas scarcity of New Years Day activities, began inviting friends and neighbors to the spontaneous event. The first Possum Queen Contest was inaugurated at The Village on the green in Litchfield, eventually outgrowing the venue and moving to the Litchfield Inn. It then became an official 501c-3 non-profit organization which, over the years, has donated more than $300,000 to local charities. Grease cast member Darren Murphy commented prior to the skit: This is the greatest day of the year for the community and for such a good cause. Anyone interested in learning more about the Possum Queen Foundation can visit www.possumqueenfoundation.org or find them on Facebook. LAKEVILLE The Tremaine Art Gallery at tyhe Hotchkiss School presents an artist panel Thursday at 7 p.m. with photographers from the exhibit Outspoken: Seven Women Photographers. The exhibit, on view through Jan. 13, features the work of Nadine Boughton, Blake Fitch, Nancy Grace Horton, Marky Kauffmann (who is also curator), Tira Khan, Rania Matar and Emily Schiffer. Five of the participating artists will be present for the panel in Walker Auditorium to talk about their work, with a Q & A period afterward. Panel participants are Nadine Boughton, Blake Fitch, Nancy Grace Horton, Marky Kauffmann and Emily Schiffer. The exhibit has traveled extensively to galleries throughout the Northeast, including Nesto Gallery at Milton Academy, Cornelius Ayer Wood 13 Gallery at Middlesex School, De Menil Gallery at Groton School, Hess Gallery at Pine Manor College, and Providence Center for Photographic Arts. The award-winning photographers gathered for the exhibit depict a range of cultural experiences, ages and settings in their portrayal of the lives of women and girls, from early childhood to advanced age, from refugee camp to backyard clothesline all with the aim to amplify the voices of women and girls. In the words of curator- photographer Marky Kauffmann, The images in this show ask the viewer to question assumptions about what is fair, right or possible for women and girls. What do girls get to do or be before the cultural onslaught inevitably comes? If growing up is in part about gaining power over our lives, then what do girls gain or lose as they navigate the hurdles with which they are confronted? What happens to the search for identity in a patriarchal world? As a female, do I dare stand out, shout out, be outspoken? Walker Auditorium and the Tremaine Art Gallery are located in the main building of the Hotchkiss School, 11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville. For more information about this and other events at the school, phone 860-435-4423 or visit www.hotchkiss.org/arts. The Tremaine Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Walker Auditorium is handicapped accessible. [br]ANSTED [ndash] Family and friends mourn the passing of Romie A. "Pete" Hobbs of Ansted, West Virginia. Who was succumbed to a long cancer related illness. He is survived by his wife, Sharon R. Hobbs (Fox) of Ansted; daughter, Stephanie (David) Thornburg, of South Carolina; granddaughter, Source: Last updated on: January 02, 2019 23:48 IST IMAGE: AIADMK members stage a protest against construction of new dams over Cauvery River during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, on Monday. Photograph: Atul Yadav/PTI Photo As many as 24 All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members were suspended by Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday for the next five consecutive sittings for protesting and creating ruckus continuously in the House over the Cauvery issue. Soon after the House reconvened after adjournment, AIADMK members trooped into the Well with placards and some flinging torn pieces of papers towards the table where Lok Sabha secretariat officials sit during proceedings. A visibly peeved Mahajan suspended 24 members of AIADMK under rule 374 (A) that allows Lok Sabha speaker to suspend members in the event of grave disorder occasioned by a member coming into the Well of the House or abusing the rules of the House, among other things. The Members suspended included K Ashok Kumar, R K Bharathi Mohan, M Chandrakasi, Jayakumar Jayavardhan, K Parasuraman, Dr K Kamraj, P Kumar, M Vasanti, C Mahendram, K Margatham and P Nagarajan. The AIADMK has 37 members in Lok Sabha. Earlier, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu ordered members of AIDMK and DMK to leave the House for the day when they continued to protest in the Well over the Cauvery issue. The protesting Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and AIADMK lawmakers have said they are ready to face action for disrupting proceedings of the Rajya Sabha over the Cauvery issue, however, the government is holding hectic parleys to find a solution, sources said on Wednesday. With the upper house failing to transact any business, Chairman Naidu on Wednesday held meetings with protesting members of various parties and asked the government to find a solution to the Mekedatu dam issue over which AIADMK and DMK members are protesting. Sources said, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel has told the protesting lawmakers of the two parties that Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari will discuss the issue with them. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will also talk to them along with Gadkari to reach an amicable solution and meet their demands. The Tamil Nadu parties are protesting in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha against the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka on the Cauvery river, claiming that it will affect farmers in their state. With the Upper House failing to transact any significant business since the start of the Winter Session on December 11, the chairman has warned of action against the protesting members of the Tamil Nadu parties if they seek to disrupt Rajya Sabha proceedings any further. Tamil Nadu has been protesting the project after the Centre recently asked the Karnataka government to prepare a detailed report for the Mekedatu dam project. The state government has also appealed in the Supreme Court on the matter. The sources said initially the protesting AIADMK and DMK members had agreed to allow the House to function on the government's assurance over the issue. However, they later said their leadership in Tamil Nadu did not agree to mere assurances, they said. Thereafter, the protesting members told Naidu they were ready to face action, including naming by the Chair, the sources said. However, the Leader of Opposition and other senior leaders said it would not be proper to remove the protesting members from the House with the use of marshals after they are named by the Chair, they said. They have asked for one more chance to be given to the protesting members from the AIADMK and the DMK to resolve their issues, the sources said. Naidu had earlier in the House expressed anguish that the image of the Rajya Sabha was 'taking a beating' and warned that action could be taken against members protesting in the Well. He had 'earnestly' requested members to cooperate in clearing bills and taking up discussions on issues such as those related to the Rafale deal, agrarian crisis, price rise and effect of cyclones in some states. Naidu said action would be taken against members protesting in the Well, if there is consensus in the House. However, he added that action would be against all members who troop into the Well. "It cannot be selective," Naidu said. The sources said Naidu held two rounds of meetings with leaders of various parties in the Rajya Sabha to ensure the smooth functioning of the house. He also asked the government to find an amicable solution to the Mekedatu issue, they said. The first meeting between Naidu and political parties was held before he released the Rajya Sabha Calendar for 2019, while the second round was held later in the day. Naidu reminded the leaders that only four sittings of the House were left while substantial legislative agenda and issues of public importance awaited consideration of the House. He said these issues included some constitutional matter pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir and some bills on which there was a clear understanding among parties. Some senior leaders of various parties urged MPs from Tamil Nadu to stop disrupting proceedings of the House and assured them that the government will adequately respond to their concerns regarding construction of the proposed Mekadatu dam, the Rajya Sabha chairman said. Source: Last updated on: January 02, 2019 21:58 IST The debate on the Rafale jet fighter deal saw a head-on collision between the government and the Congress in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The Opposition and the government were involved in a bitter war of words on the Rafale issue in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, with Rahul Gandhi saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not have guts to face questions in Parliament and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accusing the Congress chief of peddling 'lies' and 'falsehood'. The lower house witnessed frequent adjournments as barbs flew from both sides and Opposition Members tried to disrupt speeches of rival leaders during a near three hour debate. The discussions ended abruptly midway after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspended 24 All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members for five days due to the grave disorder they caused with their protests in the Well of the House. In an embarrassment to the Narendra Modi government, its ally Shiv Sena also supported the Opposition's demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) into the Rafale deal, claiming that people say the aircraft is good but the deal is bad. Following Gandhi's hard-hitting attack on the government, Jaitley led the government's charge in a scathing counter-attack as he referred to alleged defence scams during the Congress rule and said 'conspirators' of past defence scams had the 'audacity' to target the Modi dispensation. He also ruled out a JPC probe -- a demand made by most opposition leaders, including Gandhi -- saying there was no need for it as the Supreme Court has already satisfied its conscience on the issue. Targeting Gandhi, the BJP leader said he would have played in the lap of 'Q', an apparent reference to Ottavio Quattrocchi allegedly involved in the Bofors case. Jaitley also mentioned the recent disclosure allegedly made by AgustaWestland accused Christian Michel and referred to terms like Mrs G and the Italian lady and her son to attack the Congress leadership. Attacking the Congress president, he said, "There are some people who have a natural dislike for truth. Every word spoken for the last six months on this subject, including in this House (by them) are false....He has a legacy of speaking falsehood. The House also witnessed high drama after Gandhi sought the Speaker's permission to play an audio tape, purportedly of a Goa minister, on the Rafale deal. Jaitley said the tape is false and fabricated, asking Gandhi if he can authenticate it. He may have to face privilege motion and even expulsion in case it turns out to be fabricated, the BJP leader added. Amid an uproar, which caused brief adjournment of the House proceedings, Gandhi said he would not play it and authenticate it, prompting Jaitley to say that he was scared as he knew it was false. "This man lies and lies repeatedly," Jaitley said. The Speaker also disallowed Gandhi's request to play the clip. Gandhi claimed BJP members were terrified of the clip in which Goa minister Vishwajit Rane purportedly told somebody that the former defence minister Manohar Parrikar had a Rafale file in his bedroom. Rane has already termed the tape fabricated, Jaitley said. Parrikar on his part termed the audio clip cited by the Congress on the Rafale deal as a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after the Supreme Court exposed the lies of the opposition party. No such discussion as cited in the audio clip ever came up during the Cabinet or any other meeting, said Parrikar, who was the defence minister when India and France signed a deal for the purchase of fighter aircraft from France. In his speech, Gandhi referred to Modi's comments in an interview that no personal allegation was levelled against him in the matter and said this was not true as the entire nation is asking him a direct question on the contract for purchase of fighter aircraft. "He (Modi) spoke for 90 minutes in a staged interview but still did not answer questions on the Rafale issue... He does not have the guts to come to Parliament and confront questions (on Rafale) and hides in his room," Gandhi said. "We demand a JPC probe into matter. There is no reason for BJP leaders to feel afraid. The country will get to know that Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in the pockets of 'double A'. The contract was snatched from HAL (a government-run unit)," Gandhi said, alleging corruption in the contract. 'Double A' was an apparent reference to Anil Ambani, whom Gandhi repeatedly referred to in his speech before Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked him not to name him as he is not a member of the House. The Congress leader described Ambani as a dear friend of Modi and a failed businessman. His defence firm was registered only 10 days before it got the offset contract from Rafale, a French firm, Gandhi said, alleging corruption in the Rs 58,000-crore deal. Hitting back, Jaitley said, "It is a tragedy that the grand old party which was headed by the legends in the past is now headed by a gentleman who doesn't have basic understanding of combat aircraft." Jaitley's speech was disrupted by continuous protests from the Congress members, some of whom were seen throwing paper planes, drawing the Speaker's admonition. "Are you still kids", an angry Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said. Jaitley said perhaps the Congress members were throwing paper planes in the memory of Euro Fighter, which was also in the race along with Rafale. The Congress felt that since its hands are already soaked in corruption, it decided to manufacture a lie to defame the Modi government which has a clean record. "Remember the JPC on Bofors ... it said the kickback were winding up charges ... it whitewashed corruption," Jaitley said, rejecting the JPC probe demand. The JPC often works on partisan lines and cannot investigate fairly, he added. The finance minister noted that the price of 'bare aircraft' has been revealed and that the price of 'weaponised' version cannot be told as it would help India's adversaries. He also asserted that the bare aircraft was nine per cent cheaper than the one negotiated by the UPA and the weaponised version was 20 per cent cheaper. Mentioning alleged defence scams during the Congress rule, Jaitley in a repartee, quoted from a James Bond movie which, he added, the Congress president must have seen. "In the movie, Bond says if it happens for the first time then it is happenstance, if it happens twice it is coincidence and if it is thrice then it is conspiracy. Congress president is doing the same," he said. Saugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress was quick to take a dig at Jaitley for what she said was wrongly quoting Bond, saying the movie's hero had said that if it happens for the third time, then it is enemy action, and not conspiracy as the BJP leader claimed. "Jaitley is losing his touch and his memory is failing him," Roy said. Several other members also spoke during the debate, which is likely to continue on Thursday. Photograph: PTI Photo Source: Last updated on: January 02, 2019 22:16 IST IMAGE: Congress president Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference at AICC headquarters in New Delhi, on Wednesday. Photograph: Ravi Choudhary/PTI Photo Stepping up attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale issue, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday used a purported audio clip to allege that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is 'blackmailing' Modi with a file on the Rs 58,000 crore jet deal 'lying in his bedroom'. Citing an audio clip of a conversation purportedly of Goa minister Vishwajit Rane, Gandhi said he can be heard clearly as saying that Parrikar told his cabinet during a meeting that all documents relating to the Rafale deal were with him. Asserting that the audio was authentic, Gandhi indicated there may be more such tapes and dismissed denials by Parrikar and his minister. Addressing a press conference hours after he spoke on the issue in Lok Sabha, Gandhi also dared Modi to have a one-on-one debate of just 20 minutes on the Rafale matter, saying the truth will come out. He also alleged that the prime minister does not have guts to face questions. Demanding answers from the prime minister on Parrikar's purported claim, Gandhi asked if this was the reason why a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe was not being ordered. He said the entire country wants Modi to answer these questions. "The Goa minister is saying clearly that Parrikar ji said in a cabinet meeting that he has a complete file on Rafale deal with all details and therefore, he can't be disturbed. There may be other such audio tapes," said the Congress chief. The Congress along with other opposition parties are demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the Rs 58,000 crore deal. "What Parrikar is doing is threatening the Prime Minister and blackmailing him in a way. We have been raising this for a long time. "The question is what information is there in Parrikar's bedroom and what files are there and what could be the impact on Narendra Modi," Gandhi alleged. Asked whether a probe would be ordered in the Rafale matter if Congress comes to power, Gandhi said it would be done cent per cent. He also asked who raised the price of Rafale aircraft from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. The Congress chief also attacked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and alleged that there were 'inconsistencies' in statements by him and others in the government. Asked about Jaitley's claim that his knowledge about aircraft is limited, Gandhi said he was a pilot even though his licence was not current. "Jaitley has himself said this is a Rs 58000 crore deal and if we divide it by 36, it will be Rs 1600 crore. That's how the figure of Rs 526 crore (for price of one aircraft) comes. It is not our (Congress's) number but yours (the government's)," Gandhi said. He said that Modi should also answer what objections were raised by the Indian Air Force or by the Defence Ministry, if there were any, on the inflated price of the aircraft. Also if the government was getting a lower price than what was negotiated by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, then why the number of planes were reduced from 126 to 36, he added. "Now Parrikar says all details are in his bedroom. Truth can't be kept hidden The more you try to hide the truth, new facts will come out," Gandhi said. "The person who went to France with all pomp and show, he can't reply and stand in Parliament, but it is the finance minister who is standing in defence and that too is hollow," the Congress chief said while referring to Modi's France visit in 2015 when he announced the deal. Repeating his allegation that 'chowkidar chor hai', Gandhi said a JPC probe would clear throw two names -- Anil Ambani and Narendra Modi -- and will also bring out the fact that Ambani, who is under debt of Rs 45,000 crore, has been given a contract of Rs 30,000 crore. He said Jaitley told Parliament that the Congress does not understand the difference between a fully loaded aircraft and a bare one, but the 2007 'request for proposal' shows that additional installations were included. The country knows that Modi changed the contract and he can go home during a debate (in Parliament), but he cannot hide, the Congress chief said. On the government's claim that the Supreme Court had put to rest all objections raised by the Congress, Gandhi said the court has observed that this was not in its jurisdiction to investigate, but has not ruled that there should not be any probe, including the JPC into the alleged corruption in the deal. "The Supreme Court is not saying there is no corruption in the Rafale deal," he said. Asked why he did not authenticate the audio clip in Lok Sabha, he said when the Speaker did not allow him to play the tape, the question of its authenticity did not arise. Asked how he could say this tape was authentic when it was being dismissed as fake and fabricated, he said, "Do you think that Parrikar or Rane won't deny it?" Asserting that the Rafale jet is a good aircraft, he said the biggest issue is that the deal for the aircraft, which was to be made in India to boost the country's manufacturing and defence capabilities, was changed to benefit 'Modi's friend'. Gandhi said former french president Francois Hollande had also talked about the Indian prime minister directly wanting to have Ambani and keeping HAL aside, and asked whether the French leader was lying. Modi should answer who other than him took this decision, Gandhi added. "All these questions are being asked by the nation. I want that Modi replies all these questions and if he can give a credible answer, that's good," he said. Source: Last updated on: January 02, 2019 14:56 IST The Congress on Wednesday demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikars purported claim that he had a file on Rafale lying in his bedroom and asked if this was the reason why a joint parliamentary committee probe was not being ordered. Photograph: PTI Photo Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala came out with a conversation purportedly between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and another person. Rane purportedly can be heard saying that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week Parrikar stated he had an entire file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom, Surjewala claimed, playing the conversation for the media outside Parliament. He quoted Rane as saying, The chief minister made a very interesting statement, that I have all the information of Rafale in my bedroom....thats means he is holding them to ransom. He said it is in my bedroom here only in my flat, each and every document on Rafale. However, there was no confirmation on whether it was the voice of Rane in the audio. The identity of the other person was also not ascertained. The Bharatiya Janata Party has alleged that the Congress is only peddling lies on the Rafale issue. Now it is clear that the chowkidaar is chor (the watchman is a thief), Surjewala told reporters in an apparent reference to Modi. Now the prime minister should answer. The country is demanding answers as to what secrets in the Rafale scam are lying inside Manohar Parrikars flat and bedroom, he claimed, asking why is the chowkidaar fearing Parrikar. Now the prime minister has to answer. He only does captive interviews and is not used to answering questions from the media. What is the hitch in making public all the documents, he asked. Surjewala claimed the skeletons were tumbling out of the Rafale scam cupboard. New evidence busts chowkidars worst kept secrets. What is Modi government hiding... Is this the reason why a JPC probe is not being ordered, he asked. Training his guns on Modi, Surjewala said, This is a personal charge against you. There was corruption and wrongdoing in the Rafale scam and it is all recorded in the files. Those files are with Mr Parrikar. Why are they being hidden? If Mr Modi has nothing to hide, then why is Mr Parrikar keeping those files in his bedroom and threatening everybody that nobody can do anything against him, for he has the Rafale files, he alleged. Because, secrets are all recorded in the files and the day those files are out, as stated by and threatened by Parrikar himself, then what we have always said will be proved. That Rafale is the biggest scam of India and the person accountable for it is the prime minister himself, he told reporters He said it has now become necessary that the files of Rafale with Parrikar need to come out in public domain. Rane says audio clip played by Congress doctored, seeks probe Goa minister Vishwajit Rane has termed an audio clip, cited by the Congress to attack the Centre on the Rafale issue, as doctored and told Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Wednesday that he has asked the state government to order an inquiry into the matter. In a letter to Shah, Rane said he never had any conversation with anyone on this Rafale issue. According to BJP sources, Rane has said that I have also sent a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar asking for an immediate police inquiry and criminal investigation to expose the mischievous elements. In his letter to Shah, Rane also said, This is a doctored audio and have never had any discussion with this regard on this subject with anyone. I would like to inform the chief minister that there is someone playing mischief and there should be inquiry in this matter and such mischievous elements need to be brought to the books, Rane said in the letter to Parrikar. The response from Rane, a BJP leader, came after the Congress demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Parrikars alleged claim that he had a file on Rafale and asked if this was the reason why a joint parliamentary committee probe was not being ordered. Desperate bid by Congress to fabricate facts: Parrikar Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar termed the audio clip cited by the Congress on the Rafale deal as a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after the Supreme Court exposed the lies of the opposition party. Hitting back, Parrikar said in a tweet: The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale deal. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting. Parrikar was the defence minister when the Rafale deal was signed between India and France for purchase of fighter aircraft. January 02, 2019 08:50 IST 'The banking sector appears to be on course to recovery,' declares the RBI governor. Anup Roy reports. IMAGE: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters The bad assets problem of the banking sector in the country is receding for the first time since 2015, according to the bi-annual financial stability report for December, published by the Reserve Bank of India on Monday. But the non-performing assets are still too high for comfort. The banks showed an overall improvement with their gross NPA (GNPA) ratio declining from 11.5% in March 2018 to 10.8% in September 2018. However, stress was still on the rise in mining, food processing, and the construction sectors. 'The banking sector appears to be on course to recovery as the load of impaired assets recedes. The first half-yearly decline in the gross NPA ratio since September 2015 and the improving provision coverage ratio, being positive signals,' RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said in the foreword to the report. Stress-test results showed banks had liquidity and should be able to withstand pressure, while there appeared to be greater discipline in credit assessment, higher sensitivity to market risk, and better appreciation of operational risks, Das said. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code had brought a paradigm shift and had helped bringing in the much-needed discipline in the credit culture of the country, even as some of the resolutions lag behind the envisaged timelines. 'A time-bound resolution of impaired assets will go a long way in unclogging the credit pipeline, thus improving the allocative efficiency in the economy,' Das said. While the system seemed healthy at present, there were risks nevertheless. 'Among the institutional risks, the asset quality deterioration of banks, risk on account of additional capital requirement, and cyber risk continued to be perceived as high-risk factors,' the report said. On day-to-day liquidity requirements, 49 out of the 54 banks were found to be resilient in a scenario of assumed sudden and unexpected withdrawals of around 10% of deposits along with the utilisation of 75% of their committed credit lines. However, banks under the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework needed capital to protect themselves from severe shocks. For example, if the gross NPA ratio of 54 banks moves up from 10.9% to 14.9%, the system-level capital adequacy ratio (CAR) will decline from 13.4% to 11.1% and the core capital will decline from 11.2% to 9% for these banks. However, 18 banks, including all 11 under the PCA framework, 'might fail to maintain the required CRAR (capital to risk weighted assets ratio)', if the gross NPA ratio increased by 4 percentage points. These 18 banks had a share of 31.7% of total assets of all banks. 'As many as eight public sector banks under the PCA framework may have a CRAR below the minimum regulatory level of 9 per cent by March 2019 without taking into account any further planned recapitalisation by the government,' the report noted. The banks under the PCA are now less risky, as the restricted framework had managed to reduce their systemic footprint. 'Lending and other restrictions imposed on the banks under the PCA framework have led to a reduced impact on the system through connectivity. This has reduced the contagion losses incurred by the banking system in case of the PCA banks' failure,' the report said, justifying the RBI's resolve to continue with the restrictive PCA framework. Nevertheless, there was capital infusion in banks, leading to an improved credit expansion in September 2018, driven largely by private sector banks. Non-banking financial companies (NBFC) had also increased their lending activities while 'the relative proportion of domestic bank and non-bank resources was almost evenly matched.' Mutual funds had emerged as one of the largest financial intermediaries in providing funds. However, the FSR sounded caution on the sector, considering the risk of credit concentration, as was evident from the recent Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services saga. MFs had about Rs 6,500 crore of the IL&FS group's exposure out of a total debt of around Rs 90,000 crore. The degree of interconnectedness in the banking system had been declining slowly over the past five years. MFs were the largest provider of liquidity in the system, with their gross receivables being around 36.5 per cent of their average asset under management. The gross receivables were around Rs 8.34 trillion. The top three recipients of their funds were banks, followed by NBFCs and housing finance companies. Banks asset quality might improve in 2019 Nikhat Hetavkar reports. Photograph: Shailesh Andrade/Reuters The quality of assets in the banking sector may improve in 2019, show stress tests conducted by the RBI. Under the baseline scenario, the gross non-performing assets ratio (GNPA) ratio of all banks may come down from 10.8% in September 2018 to 10.3% by March 2019. This could further fall to 10.2% in September, said the RBI's financial stability report. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the stress test results suggested further improvement in the NPA ratio though its current level remained still high. The asset quality of public sector banks (PSBs), which have the highest concentration of non performing assets, at 14.8% in September 2018, may also see an improvement. PSBs's GNPA ratio may decline to 14.6% by March 2019 under baseline scenario, whereas private banks's GNPA ratio may decline from 3.8% to 3.3% in March 2019. The GNPA ratio of foreign banks under baseline scenario might also decline from 3.6% to 3.1% in March 2019. Under the assumed baseline macro scenario, system level capital adequacy ratio (CRAR) is projected to come down to 12.9% in March 2019 from 13.4% in September 2018. Further deterioration of CRAR to 12.1% is projected under severe stress scenario, according to the central bank. If the GNPA ratio in the banking system increases by four percentage points, the system-level CRAR will decline to 11.1% while Tier-1 CRAR will decline from 11.2% to 9%. Stress hit of this magnitude will mean that 18 banks, having a share of 31.7% of the banking systems's total assets might fail to maintain the required CRAR. PSBs were found to be severely impacted with the CRAR of 16 of the 21 PSBs likely to go down below 9% in case of such a shock, said RBI. Stress test on banks's concentration risk showed that if top three individual borrowers according to their stressed advances fail to meet their revised payment commitments, the impact was significant for 14 banks. The same scenario with top three individual borrowers according to their exposures would severely impact 12 banks. Stress tests on group borrowers reveal that as many as 14 banks will not be able to maintain their CRAR level at 9% if top three group borrowers fail to meet their payment commitments, the RBI report said. The losses could be around 7.6% and 13.6% of the capital at the system level under the assumed scenarios of default by the top group borrower and by the top two group borrowers respectively. A sector-wise stress test revealed that telecom will register the highest growth in NPAs followed by cement sector, said the RBI's stress test. Institution scanning necessary after IL&FS crisis Jash Kriplani reports. Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters Taking stock of the contagion risks posed by the Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) crisis, the RBI's financial stability report underlined the need for fine-tuning the oversight framework related to financial conglomerates (FCs) for more timely action. 'A risk-sensitive FC oversight regime where the intrusiveness of oversight of FCs is proportionate to a combination of the size of the entity and the likelihood of an adverse event (say, over a one-year horizon), may make possible remedial measures more timely,' the report said. 'Some of the suggestive trigger events for conducting an FC's assessment may be adverse rating action, unutilised credit lines falling below a certain threshold and bunching of maturing liabilities,' the report pointed out. While the current Financial Conglomerate Returns (FINCON) submitted by FCs has an exhaustive list of information set, rhe report added such data is 'backward looking and may not capture emerging risks and vulnerabilities adequately.; The IL&FS crisis posed serious ramifications for the financial sector with the group having as many as 301 subsidiaries. Financial intermediaries such as banks, insurers and mutual funds were directly or indirectly exposed to the group. The complex structure added to the opaque nature of the group's financials. The report highlighted the need to closely monitor conglomerates with such complex inter-group links. 'Complex and camouflaged inter-group linkages through credit support and potency of spillover effects in times of turmoil (through banking sector linkages) are thus becoming important considerations for identifying FCs in the Indian context,' the report said. 'In addition, it is also important to have an oversight of groups which are engaged in financial intermediation with significant spillover potential and yet have a significant part of their group revenue coming from non-financial businesses,' the report added. The central bank also welcomed the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India's decision on enhanced disclosure norms for rating agencies. 'Sebi has recently overhauled the disclosures by Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs). The enhanced disclosures pertain to parent/group/government support, liquidity position (including forward looking measures for nonbanks like unutilised credit lines and adequacy of cash flows for servicing maturing debt obligation),' the report said. 'Incorporation of such disclosures in the analysis as also periodic discussions with the rating agencies will significantly enrich the quality of the quarterly analysis,' the report added. Besides highlighting the need for closely watching FCs, the report underscored the risk of concentrated exposures for financial intermediaries such as mutual funds. 'Concentration of exposure in any portfolio has implications for the market stability. A diversified portfolio will be less risky compared to a concentrated portfolio of similar credit,' the report said. While acknowledging the various safeguards put in place by Sebi, the report said it might be appropriate to consider investor-level concentration limit on the issuer of the debt papers as well. Sebi, the report, added could consider putting in place a mandatory liquidity limit for the money market and liquid funds. The RBI reiterated the need for further inter-regulatory co-ordination to 'identify possible regulatory arbitrage opportunities on account of regulatory gaps or perceived and real informational asymmetries amongst the regulators.' Recapitalisation helps banks' credit flow increase in FY18 Subrata Panda reports. Photograph: Reuters Following the recapitalisation of banks undertaken by the government, the banking sector's share in the flow of credit increased sharply in FY18. However, in FY19 (till mid-November), the relative proportion of domestic banks' share in the flow of credit and that of non-bank resources was almost evenly matched, the RBI's financial stability report stated. Moreover, the report mentions that with regard to the flow of resources from domestic non-bank sources, the share of net credit of housing finance companies (HFCs) in the total flow of credit nearly doubled from 6.2% in FY14 to 11.7% in FY18. The share of foreign resources in the total flow of credit to the commercial sector was between 16% and 19% with foreign direct investment (FDI) being the dominant contributor. However, in the financial system, asset management companies-mutual funds (AMC-MFs) have been the largest provider of funds with gross receivables of Rs 8.34 trillion in the period ending September 2018 followed by the insurance companies which have gross receivables to the tune of Rs 5.09 trillion. Schedule commercial banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and HFCs have been the top recipients of funds from AMC-MFs and insurance companies, the report mentions. NBFCs, on the other hand, were net borrowers of funds from the financial system with gross payables to the tune of Rs 7.45 trillion and gross receivables amounted to Rs 56,000 crore till the period ending September, 2018. 'A break up of gross payables indicates that the highest amount of funds were received from the schedule commercial banks (SCBs) followed by AMC-MFs and insurance companies. The share of SCBs has been growing for the last few quarters,' the report said. Moreover, housing finance companies were the second largest borrowers of funds from the financial system with gross payables around Rs 5.68 trillion and gross receivables of Rs 41,200 crore at the end of September 2018. In the case of NBFCs and HFCs, long-term loans, long-term debt and commercial papers were the top three instruments through which they raised funds from the financial markets. Also, following global cues of replacing unsecured inter-bank markets with secure funding line, size of the Indian inter-bank market has seen a continuous decline over the last few years as a proportion of total assets of the banking system. Fund-based inter-bank exposures have declined from 4.6% to 3.8% of the total bank assets. However, on the contrary, banks which were big lenders in the inter-bank market, are now lending a greater proportion to NBFCs and HFCs, the report further mentioned. Public sector banks continued to be the biggest player as a group in the inter-bank market with a share of 53.1%, followed by private sector banks at 31.1% and foreign banks at 15.8% at the end of September 2018. New Year, New Me: residents weigh in on resolutions Traverse City, MI (49684) Today Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 73F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 54F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. This article originally appeared in RECOIL Issue 40 Sure, one could just put whatever 30-caliber silencer on the end of a long range rig, but thats not what this article is about.. At the base level, it seems that the main use of a suppressor is to well, suppress sound. However, when it comes to long range specifically, you may find sound suppression to be further down on the list than youd expect. Ryan Hey, professional Precision Rifle Series (PRS) shooter and MagnetoSpeed rep broke it down for us like this: The first thing I care about is accuracy. If a silencer decreases accuracy, its gotta go. Next up is repeatability. Can I take it off, then put it back on without any major degradation? Reduction in recoil is next on the list; I have to be able to spot my own hits at longer distances. Last up is sound. If I dont need to wear earpro, all the better. Yes, sound is the very last thing Hey cares about. He still cares about itit just isnt the first priority. Some of your vanilla 30-caliber cans will do some of those things, but a quality long-range silencer will do all of those things. Remember that these are generalities, though we make some recommendations at the end of the article. RECOIL AND SIGHT TRACKING One reason we have seen some PRS and long range shooters switch back to muzzle brakes from silencers over the past couple of years is due to the more effective recoil control some brakes offer. The ability to see and spot your own impact is vitally important to long-range success. Not every silencer will reduce your recoil, but we found Leviathan Suppressors particularly excelled in this role. Using both 6 Creedmoor and 260 Remington we were able to spot our own hits from 400 to 900 yards with no issue. Lets just say that we didnt want to take the Leviathan off our rifle at the end of the day. POINT OF IMPACT SHIFT Weve come across many claims that XYZ brand silencer has, zero point of impact shift.. If there were actual truth in advertising the claim would be more along the lines of, POI shift is small enough you probably wont notice. Probably. Maybe. Many factors come into play when were talking about POI shift with a silencer on vs. silencer off. The weight of the silencer, the length and profile of the barrel, the change in harmonics, and the shift in velocity allow add up to at least some amount of shift. Theres going to be some shiftwhat we really care about is if the shift is repeatable. In an ideal world, youd re-zero every time you took a silencer on or off, but we dont live in a world of strawberry rainbows and marshmallow clouds. Our best advice is to never take a silencer off, but if you think youll be hot-swapping, take note of any shift. TO QD OR NOT? THAT IS THE QUESTION The argument between direct-thread (DT) and quick-disconnect (QD) for silencers in general has long been the subject of debate; and its no different regarding long range shooting. While a QD allows a user to rapidly remove a silencer (usually for transportation), not all QD systems are created equally. For example, the bi-lock mount used by Gemtech, GSL, CMMG, and NEMO reciprocates on the mount when firedperfectly fine for most AR-15 shooters, but it doesnt aid those shooting long range. Currently the most repeatable locking QD mounts are those that only mount one way and dont rely on ratcheting teeth or similar mechanisms on the muzzle device itself to ensure they lock in place. Standouts here include SureFire and Dead Air. Direct-Thread mounting should be considered a semi-permanent affair; while you can take it off, a direct-threaded can is really meant to live on the muzzle most of the time sans some cleaning or maintenance. As such, this option is more popular for those with folding stocks and chassis systems, because, generally, they can be transported with a suppressor mounted. DT also usually comes with a lower price tag, and more internal volume because theres no muzzle device taking up space in the blast baffle. But, there is a third option. We call it a hybrid, though some others refer to it as a non-locking QD. With a hybrid system, the silencer is still threaded on, but on a specialized muzzle device rather than the barrel itself. The best ones have a taper mount, which actually align a suppressor better than their DT brethren. The advantage of these systems is that youre able to remove a muzzle device (albeit with more time than a QD) while retaining decent repeatability. BLAST MITIGATION If you shoot a brake very close to the ground, youre likely to get dust, rocks, and dirt thrown everywhere. The same cant be said of a rifle equipped with a silencer. Since most of the blast is contained inside the suppressor itself, there isnt much energy left over to kick up debris around the muzzle. This makes a shooters position much harder to track from an observers or targets position. This is particularly useful for military and police snipers, but really no one wants all that sh*t thrown in their face regardless of their role. SOUND No matter how you cut it, if youre shooting a precision rifle at any sort of range its gonna have a supersonic crack. This isnt to say that the effective decibels do not matter, just that they generally fall below everything else on this list of priorities for some long-range shooters. Area 419 Muzzle Devices Something we hate, but silencer manufacturers absolutely love, are proprietary muzzle devices and its not hard to see why. If you buy a silencer from Company X, chances are youll buy multiple muzzle devices also from Company X (most at more than $100 each), so you can use it on multiple guns. When it comes time to purchasing silencer #2, just who do you think youll more likely be buying a silencer from? Its like voluntary DRM for your guns. A company looking to help people break out of this is Ohio-based Area 419. While theyre not well known outside of the precision crowd, they should be. Their patent-pending Hellfire modular system doesnt have the same limits as other proprietary mounts. This is one of the so-called hybrid systems we talked about. First and foremost, you can use the easy-to-align Hellfire brake. But it only gets better from there. All with the same Hellfire muzzle device, you can get adapters for a number of precision rifle silencers. One muzzle attachment gives you the ability to directly attach a Hellfire brake, and, through the use of Area 419s suppressor mounts you can attach TBAC, Crux, SAS Tomb, SilencerCo Omega (and therefore Dead Air Nomad), SilencerCo Harvester, Saker, and universal 5/8-24 direct threaded suppressors with more coming. Area 419 offers the same functionality for calibers up to .375 with its Sidewinder muzzle attachment system. Make: Area 419 Model: Hellfire Universal Adapter MSRP: $40 plus $55-$165 for silencer adapters or Hellfire brake URL: area419.com Leviathan 30 Cal Reaper MSRP: $1,195 URL: leviathansuppressors.com NOTES Of all the long-range silencers we used, the Leviathan cans had the best recoil mitigation. Theres no free lunch, however. Using the Leviathan on a gas gun, which they specifically dont recommend, had the opposite effect due to increased back pressure. Keep this one on a bolty and watch how little your reticle moves. Crux Ark Neo MSRP: $1,103 URL: cruxsuppressors.com NOTES The Crux (pronounced crow) Ark Neo has proven to be a versatile titanium little beast. Working well on both gas and bolt guns, what impressed us the most was the repeatability using both the factory Precision Mounting System (PMS) and the aftermarket Area 419 adapter. SureFire SOCOM 260-Ti MSRP: $1,349 URL: surefire.com NOTES Were pretty sure someone had to hold SureFires Barry Dueck at gunpoint to get him to design a silencer that wont live on a belt-fed, but he did it. The SOCOM260-Ti is the first silencer from SureFire entirely designed with accuracy in mind. , We're sorry, this article is not currently available By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/02/2019 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Kim Kardashian and husband Kanye West are reportedly expanding their family!Kim and Kanye are expecting their fourth child together via surrogate, People reported The couple's newborn will join big siblings Chicago, 11 months, Saint, 3, and North, 5.The news may come as a surprise to fans since a insider told the magazine in August that Kim, 38, and Kanye, 41, weren't "in a huge rush" to have another baby."They have absolutely talked about trying for another baby with the help of a surrogate, but nothing seems decided for sure," said the insider. "Chicago is still little, and they have time."Chicago is the couple's only child thus far to be born via gestational surrogate."They would use the same surrogate if she agrees to help them again. Kim can't say enough kind words about the surrogate," added the insider.A second source told People, "Kim and Kanye were already talking about baby No. 4 when Chicago was just a couple of days old. And they absolutely would use the surrogate again. They love her."That same month, Kim told E! News she and her rapper husband weren't sure whether they were ready to welcome a fourth child into their family."I don't know... But I've been really open about it and talked about it on our show... so if I think about it more and it's going to happen, you'll definitely see it on the show. But as of now, no," Kim said at the time.But Kim reportedly had a wonderful experience with the surrogate she had hired, especially when taking into account all of the free time she had since she could not breastfeed.Kim felt it was necessary to work with a surrogate for Baby No. 3 because she had been told by doctors it would be too dangerous for her to conceive and attempt to carry another child after North and Saint.The reality TV star underwent two surgeries after delivering North in order to have her second child. She suffered from placenta accreta -- a condition in which the placenta stays attached to the inside of the uterus -- both times.During an April 2017 episode of , Kim underwent a procedure to hopefully enable her body to carry a third baby with Kanye.She had explained to her family that the operation was designed to repair her uterus and remove scar tissue, but there were complications during the procedure and it didn't work out as planned."[I feel] surrogacy is the only option for me," Kim said at the time. "I'm definitely leaning towards I want to try [surrogacy]. I always knew surrogacy was an option, now it's my reality. Whatever is meant to be will be." By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/02/2019 ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Fernanda Flores doesn't want to talk about Jonathan Rivera 's recent social-media comments that the couple has separated and he is done with their marriage.After Jonathan posted several dozen comments about the status of his relationship with his wife in response to a photo he had shared of his New Year's Eve celebration with his mother, Fernanda did a live Instagram chat with her followers on New Year's Day."I don't want to talk anything about Jonathan again. Please don't ask questions about him," Fernanda said in the video."He's talking a lot; he can say whatever he wants. I'm not going to talk about it until I'm ready. And today and right now is not the moment. So, let's enjoy the rest of this day."Fernanda was responding to Jonathan's comments that the couple's relationship is over "Everything we had was real. Eventually she hated where we lived. I tried many time to give her everything she ever wanted but it wasn't enough. She decided to leave..left me on the airplane in Chicago amongst many other things," Jonathan told fans in his comments on his New Year's Eve posting."I decided to spend the rest of the time with my family. When she realized her lifestyle was going to be different she wanted to apologize and asked me to forgive her. I haven't."Of the split rumors, a source told E! News, "Right now it's hard to tell if the split will be permanent. They are in touch and communicating. And they are legally married."As fans saw on the finale of 's sixth season, Jonathan and Fernanda tied the knot and they couldn't wait to spend the rest of their lives together."No one has made a move to do anything official like file for separation or divorce. It's definitely a wait and see situation," the source continued."Both of them have been having a really hard time. Fernanda, especially, because she is so young. She's been going back and forth between Chicago and Houston, where she has some family, for support."Rumors swirled the weekend before Christmas that Jonathan and Fernanda's relationship was falling apart and they may have split because Fernanda was "airing our issues," as Jonathan had put it.On December 22, Fernanda posted a heated message on Instagram that seemingly pointed fingers at her husband."He stripped away my self-worth, layer by layer until there was nothing left of my personality. Yet I never forgot about the girl who I used to be. She lived inside, my caged soul, waiting for the day I would set her free. Casting her light into my dark mind, hoping that I would see, flashes of a better life, glimpses of possibility. I was never alone because she believed in me," Fernanda wrote, although she deleted the post shortly afterwards.'s sixth-season reunion special is set to air Sunday, January 6 at 8PM ET/PT on TLC.However, given it was filmed in November, it remains unclear whether it will address Jonathan and Fernanda's current status. Property details: Dahlia 6 Building, Chetola Resort, Blowing Rock, North Carolina Timeshare for Sale, Annual Usage beginning in 2020 NOTE: This timeshare is current through 2019, no back maintenance due, etc. Walk to town and outlet mall shops from this beautifully decorated 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in Blowing Rock. This is an upstairs unit with only one stair to climb. Inside you will find a large jacuzzi tub in the master bath, private porch, large stone fireplace in the living room, full kitchen, free WiFi inte... Price: $ 875 Seller State of Residence: North Carolina State/Province: North Carolina Number of Bedrooms: 2 Property Address: Blowing Rock, North Carolina Type: Mountain Resort Number of Bathrooms: 2 City: Blowing Rock Location: 280**, Concord, North Carolina You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Blowing Rock 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 Flash Beijing on Wednesday strongly criticized Washington's "gross interference" in its domestic affairs after US President Donald Trump signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018 on Monday. The section of the law on Taiwan reiterates the US commitment "to counter efforts to change the status quo and to support peaceful resolution acceptable to both sides of the Taiwan Strait" and calls on the US president to encourage the travel of high-level officials, as well as regular arms sales, to Taiwan. "China is strongly unsatisfied with and firmly opposed to the US for insisting on signing the act into law," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, adding that it seriously violated the one-China principle and stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques. "China has lodged solemn representations to the US side," he told a regular press conference in Beijing, urging Washington not to implement the law. The US should prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues to avoid undermining China-US relations as well as the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, the spokesman said. Also on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping stressed that the Taiwan question is a domestic affair that concerns China's core interests and the national bond of the Chinese people, and it allows no interference from the outside. Xi made the remarks when delivering a speech at a gathering held in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the issuing of the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. The statement, issued by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on the first day of 1979, proclaims major policies and principles of the peaceful reunification of China. WASHINGTON -- So here we are at 2019. In the two years since Donald Trump's unexpected victory, everyone seems to have developed a strong theory about what's wrong with modern politics. It could be the economic decline of the white working class -- or maybe, less charitably, the problem is the white working class' incorrigible racism. Others prefer to blame immigration, political correctness or simply the overweening arrogance of America's self-appointed mandarin class. Proponents of these explanations can point to compelling evidence. But that evidence conceals the same fatal flaw in each story: the attempt to explain a novel phenomenon by way of some long-term factor that hasn't changed, or else to explain a global phenomenon in terms of some local peeve. American racism, for example, is the left's favorite explanation for the rise of Trump. Columbia University sociologist Musa Al-Gharbi has pointed out a number of flaws in this thesis, the most glaring of which is that the United States has been racist for a long time and much more racist in the past than now -- but now is when America elected Trump. You might argue that it took a novel event to fan the embers of the nation's latent racism -- something like, say, the presidency of Barack Obama. But that argument only briefly satisfies, because Trumpish leaders seem increasingly popular throughout the world. Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines, Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Viktor Orban in Hungary -- it's hard to argue that all those voters, of different races, languages and cultures, were identically unnerved by the sight of Obama in the Oval Office. In fact, it's hard to argue that any flavor of American identity politics can explain what has become a global phenomenon: the collapse of the formerly liberal left into two wings, one increasingly socialist, the other increasingly identity-focused; and the displacement of the formerly liberal right by unapologetically nativist, protectionist and populist upstarts. Trying to detect a hidden order behind the rise of Trumpish figures around the world might be as pointless as a child's search for faces in the clouds. But there's a good chance that they really are linked. To find out how that happened will require letting go of local grievances and starting to look for the global thread that ties together such distant, disparate characters. The most obvious candidate is the global financial crisis of 2008, which was certainly widespread, and offers eerie parallels with 1930s Europe. But that explanation doesn't quite work, because the crisis wasn't the same everywhere -- World Bank statistics on per-capita gross domestic product show that Brazil and the Philippines were relatively unscathed. Perhaps the most compelling answer is that the internet, and particularly social media, is disrupting politics the way it has disrupted everything else -- nearly everywhere, and all at once. No, I'm not talking about Russians buying Facebook ads. I'm talking about something much deeper and more pervasive. It's striking that two of the 20th century's periods of greatest political upheaval followed the arrival of a revolutionary communications technology -- the 1930s were preceded by the spread of radio, the 1960s by the arrival of television. Both mediums fundamentally changed people's relationship with information, and in the process, radio and television necessarily altered politics. Many of the explanations for what's going on in politics ultimately describe a product of this sort of technological change. Take mass immigration, which conservatives love to blame for inflaming a populist revolt. By making it easier to stay in touch with family back home, the internet and cellphones have dramatically lowered the emotional cost of migration. They've also made it easy to disseminate successful strategies for evading border controls or to recruit new migrants, as the recent migrant caravan from Central America reportedly did, on Facebook and WhatsApp. The internet also let candidates such as Trump rail against those migrants. He has no trouble finding a platform now, but it's hard to see how he could have gotten there without social media to turn him into a one-man broadcasting station. One can't really imagine him writing a serious book such as Barry Goldwater's "The Conscience of a Conservative"; devoting a substantial portion of his own fortune to a political campaign, a la Ross Perot; or spending patient decades building up a grass-roots organization, as Ronald Reagan did. The nice thing about this theory of the internet's influence in politics is that it offers a global explanation. What's less nice is that it probably means more convulsions until societies have fully processed the technological shift: 2019 is apt to look like 2018, only more so. (c) 2019, Washington Post Writers Group "Assad must go, Obama says." So read the headline in The Washington Post, Aug. 18, 2011. The story quoted President Barack Obama directly: "The future of Syria must be determined by its people, but President Bashar al-Assad is standing in their way. ... the time has come for President Assad to step aside." France's Nicolas Sarkozy and Britain's David Cameron signed on to the Obama ultimatum: Assad must go! Seven years and 500,000 dead Syrians later, it is Obama, Sarkozy and Cameron who are gone. Assad still rules in Damascus, and the 2,000 Americans in Syria are coming home. Soon, says President Donald Trump. But we cannot "leave now," insists Sen. Lindsey Graham, or "the Kurds are going to get slaughtered." Question: Who plunged us into a Syrian civil war, and so managed our intervention that were we to go home after seven years our enemies will be victorious and our allies will "get slaughtered"? Seventeen years ago, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan to oust the Taliban for granting sanctuary to al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden. U.S. diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad is today negotiating for peace talks with that same Taliban. Yet, according to former CIA director Mike Morell, writing in The Washington Post today, the "remnants of al-Qaeda work closely" with today's Taliban. It would appear that 17 years of fighting in Afghanistan has left us with these alternatives: Stay there, and fight a forever war to keep the Taliban out of Kabul, or withdraw and let the Taliban overrun the place. Who got us into this debacle? After Trump flew into Iraq over Christmas but failed to meet with its president, the Iraqi Parliament, calling this a "U.S. disregard for other nations' sovereignty" and a national insult, began debating whether to expel the 5,000 U.S. troops still in their country. George W. Bush launched Operation Iraq Freedom to strip Saddam Hussein of WMD he did not have and to convert Iraq into a democracy and Western bastion in the Arab and Islamic world. Fifteen years later, Iraqis are debating our expulsion. Muqtada al-Sadr, the cleric with American blood on his hands from the fighting of a decade ago, is leading the charge to have us booted out. He heads the party with the largest number of members in the parliament. Consider Yemen. For three years, the U.S. has supported with planes, precision-guided munitions, air-to-air refueling and targeting information, a Saudi war on Houthi rebels that degenerated into one of the worst humanitarian disasters of the 21st century. Belatedly, Congress is moving to cut off U.S. support for this war. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, its architect, has been condemned by Congress for complicity in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the consulate in Istanbul. And the U.S. is seeking a truce in the fighting. Who got us into this war? And what have years of killing Yemenis, in which we have been collaborators, done to make Americans safer? Consider Libya. In 2011, the U.S. attacked the forces of dictator Moammar Gadhafi and helped to effect his ouster, which led to his murder. Told of news reports of Gadhafi's death, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton joked, "We came, we saw, he died." The Libyan conflict has since produced tens of thousands of dead. The output of Libya's crucial oil industry has collapsed to a fraction of what it was. In 2016, Obama said that not preparing for a post-Gadhafi Libya was probably the "worst mistake" of his presidency. The price of all these interventions for the United States? Some 7,000 dead, 40,000 wounded and trillions of dollars. For the Arab and Muslim world, the cost has been far greater. Hundreds of thousands of dead in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Libya, civilian and soldier alike, pogroms against Christians, massacres, and millions uprooted and driven from their homes. How has all this invading, bombing and killing made the Middle East a better place or Americans more secure? One May 2018 poll of young people in the Middle East and North Africa found that more of them felt that Russia was a closer partner than was the United States of America. The fruits of American intervention? We are told ISIS is not dead but alive in the hearts of tens of thousands of Muslims, that if we leave Syria and Afghanistan, our enemies will take over and our friends will be massacred, and that if we stop helping Saudis and Emiratis kill Houthis in Yemen, Iran will notch a victory. In his decision to leave Syria and withdraw half of the 14,000 troops in Afghanistan, Trump enraged our foreign policy elites, though millions of Americans cannot get out of there soon enough. In Monday's editorial celebrating major figures of foreign policy in the past half-century, The New York Times wrote, "As these leaders pass from the scene, it will be left to a new generation to find a way forward from the wreckage Mr. Trump has already created." Correction: Make that "the wreckage Mr. Trump inherited." COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM The first two government shutdowns of 2018 were brief affairs. As the third one extends into its second week, how is the media framing the impasse? Is it a war between Democrats and Republicans or is it Trumps shutdown? Glance at CNNs website and the shutdown would appear to be the sole fault of President Trump and the Republicans. CNN also made sure its viewers knew that Ivanka Trump took time off in Florida: Top aide Jared Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, they're not in Washington this week. They're in Florida. Along with their Secret Service detail, by the way, which is not being paid right now. As the shutdown wore on, CNN sharpened its tone, with one of its guests offering, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are down in Palm Beach at Mar-a-Lago, frolicking around Florida. Missing from CNNs criticism of the First Daughter is any mention that Nancy Pelosi similarly jetted off for a Hawaiian vacation instead of remaining in D.C. to negotiate an end to the deadlock. In contrast, Fox Newss website made certain to report on Pelosis luxury holiday but appears to have said little about Ivankas getaway. Across the pond, the Daily Mail took no sides, reporting on both vacations, along with Lara Trumps. Beyond criticizing each sides holiday plans, how have media outlets been framing the shutdown narrative? The timeline below shows the combined percentage of airtime on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC since Dec. 1 that mentioned Republican or Republicans, Democrat or Democrats or Trump within 15 seconds of shutdown. From the moment the shutdown became increasingly likely through the day before it actually happened, coverage was fairly balanced, mentioning both parties fairly equally. However, once the government actually shut down, coverage has centered on Trump and the Democrats, with Republicans an afterthought. Turning to worldwide online news coverage, the timeline below shows the percentage of coverage in the 65 languages monitored by the GDELT Project that matched the same searches. Here Trump dominates by far, with the overwhelming majority of coverage mentioning him. Unlike televisions coverage, Democrats were not mentioned more often until Dec. 24 and Republicans have been steadily gaining ground in mentions even as mentions of the shutdown as a whole fall. Notably, as the shutdown has worn on and overlapped with the holidays, total mentions have decreased over time on both television and in online news coverage. The media appear to be running out of things to say about it. Is the public growing tired of the story as well? The timeline below shows the total U.S. search volume on Google about the shutdown since Dec. 1. Google does not report the actual number of searches, instead treating the day with the highest number of searches as 100 percent and reporting the other days as percentages of that peak. As with media coverage, search interest has rapidly declined, showing that both the media and the general public are less and less fixated on the shutdown. Putting this all together, across both television and online media, Trump has dominated coverage of the shutdown. The overarching narrative has been one of Trump versus the Democrats, with Republicans an afterthought. As the shutdown has stretched onward, both media coverage and public interest have sharply declined, suggesting neither side may see urgency to resolve an impasse that no one seems to care greatly about. WASHINGTON (AP) Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Monday took the first major step toward launching a widely anticipated campaign for the presidency, hoping her reputation as a populist fighter can help her navigate a Democratic field that could include nearly two dozen candidates. No matter what our differences, most of us want the same thing, the 69-year-old Massachusetts Democrat said in a video that highlights her familys history in Oklahoma. To be able to work hard, play by the same set of rules and take care of the people we love. Thats what Im fighting for and thats why today Im launching an exploratory committee for president. Warren burst onto the national scene a decade ago during the financial crisis with calls for greater consumer protections. She quickly became one of the partys more prominent liberals even as she sometimes fought with Obama administration officials over their response to the market turmoil. Now, as a likely presidential contender, she is making an appeal to the partys base. Her video notes the economic challenges facing people of color along with images of a womens march and Warrens participation at an LGBT event. In an email to supporters, Warren said shed more formally announce a campaign plan early in 2019. Warren is the most prominent Democrat yet to make a move toward a presidential bid and has long been a favorite target of President Donald Trump. In mid-December, former Obama housing chief Julian Castro also announced a presidential exploratory committee, which legally allows potential candidates to begin raising money. Outgoing Maryland Rep. John Delaney is the only Democrat so far to have formally announced a presidential campaign. But thats likely to change quickly in the new year as other leading Democrats take steps toward White House runs. Warren enters a Democratic field thats shaping up as the most crowded in decades, with many of her Senate colleagues openly weighing their own campaigns, as well as governors, mayors and other prominent citizens. One of her most significant competitors could be Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who is eyeing another presidential run harnessing the same populist rhetoric. She must also move past a widely panned October release of a DNA test meant to bolster her claim to Native American heritage. The move was intended to rebut Trumps taunts of Warren as Pocahontas. Instead, her use of a genetic test to prove ethnicity spurred controversy that seemed to blunt any argument she sought to make. There was no direct mention of it in the video released Monday. Speaking to reporters Monday outside her Cambridge, Massachusetts, home, Warren largely danced around a question on whether she wishes she had handled the DNA test release any differently. I have put it all out there. Its there for anyone to see, Warren said. But at the end of the day ... this election going forward is going to be about the tens of millions of families across this country who work hard, who play to the rules and who just time after time take one body blow after another. Trump told Fox News Channels All-American New Year in an interview to be broadcast Monday night that he hopes Warren does run for president. Well see how she does, he said. I wish her well. I hope she does well. Id love to run against her. Warren has the benefit of higher name recognition than many others in the Democratic mix for 2020, thanks to her years as a prominent critic of Wall Street who originally conceived of what became the governments Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She now faces an arduous battle to raise money and capture Democratic primary voters attention before Iowa casts its first vote in more than a year. She has an advantage in the $12.5 million left over from her 2018 re-election campaign that she could use for a presidential run. Warrens campaign is likely to revolve around the same theme shes woven into speeches and policy proposals in recent years: battling special interests, paying mind to the nexus between racial and economic inequities. I run for office because Im grateful down to my toes for the opportunities that were given to me, and Im determined that we will give those same opportunities to not just some of our kids but to all of our kids, Warren said. ___ Associated Press writers Juana Summers in Washington, Alanna Durkin Richer in Cambridge, Mass., and Steve LeBlanc in Boston contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump and Democrats are trading blame for the partial government shutdown but doing little substantive talking with each other as the disruption in federal services and public employees pay slogs into another weekend. Trump upped the brinkmanship by threatening anew to close the border with Mexico to press Congress to cave to his demand for money to pay for a wall. Democrats vowed to pass legislation restoring the government as soon as they take control of the House on Thursday, but that wont accomplish anything unless Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate go along with it. The effects to the public of the impasse grew as the Environmental Protection Agency, which had the money to function a week longer than some agencies, implemented its shutdown plan at midnight Friday night. EPA spokeswoman Molly Block said many of the agencys 14,000 employees were being furloughed while disaster-response teams and certain other employees deemed essential would stay on the job. Also running short on money: the Smithsonian Institution, which said its museums and galleries popular with visitors and locals in the capital will close starting midweek if the partial shutdown drags on. But federal flood insurance policies will continue to be issued and renewed, in a reversal prompted by pressure from lawmakers, said Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. Trump appeared no closer to securing money for his signature border wall, which he vowed during the campaign that he would make Mexico pay for. Hes failed to do so. Now Democratic leaders are adamant that they will not authorize money for the project, calling it wasteful and ineffective. They show no signs of bending, either. We are far apart, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told CBS on Friday. Trump tweeted: We will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely if the Obstructionist Democrats do not give us the money to finish the Wall & also change the ridiculous immigration laws that our Country is saddled with. He also threatened to cut off U.S. aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, among countries he deems have not done enough to combat illegal immigration. Hes made similar threats in the past without following through, and it is Congress, not the president, that appropriates aid money. The shutdown is forcing hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors to stay home or work without pay. Trumps incoming chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, said Democrats are no longer negotiating with the administration over an earlier offer by the White House to accept less than the $5 billion Trump wants for the wall. Democrats said the White House offered to accept $2.5 billion for border security, but that Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told Vice President Mike Pence that it wasnt acceptable. It was also not guaranteed that Trump would settle for that amount. Theres not a single Democrat talking to the president of the United States about this deal, Mulvaney said Friday Speaking on Fox News and later to reporters, he tried to drive a wedge between Democrats, pinning the blame on House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi. Mulvaney said Schumer was really interested in doing a deal and coming to some sort of compromise but he understood that Pelosi was at risk of losing the speakership of the House if she went along. So were in this for the long haul, he said. In fact, Pelosi has all but locked up the support she needs to win the speakers gavel Thursday and there has been no sign that she and Schumer are in conflict. For the White House to try and blame anyone but the president for this shutdown doesnt pass the laugh test, said Justin Goodman, a spokesman for Schumer. Pelosi has vowed to pass legislation to reopen the nine shuttered departments and dozens of agencies now hit by the partial shutdown as soon as she takes the gavel, which is expected when the new Congress convenes. But that alone wont solve the shutdown, absent Senate approval and Trumps signature. Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill added that Democrats united against the wall and wont seriously consider any White House offer unless Trump backs it publicly because he has changed his position so many times. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reacted cautiously to Trumps threat to close the border, calling it an internal affair of the U.S. government. We are always seeking a good relationship with the United States. We do not want to be rash, he said. As for EPA, workers needed for preventing immediate public health threats at more than 800 Superfund hazardous-waste sites will remain on the job as well as emergency response workers for disasters. ___ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Juliet Linderman in Washington contributed to this report. HGTVs has launched an exclusive behind-the-scenes digital hub for following along with the renovation of the classic Brady Bunch house. The network has launched Brady Renovation Central , where fans can find in-depth articles, video content, photo galleries, show updates and more.The site also offers a first look at The Brady Bunch home renovation in a digital video series, Building Brady. New installments will be uploaded weeklyas well as to the A Very Brady Renovation Facebook Watch pageand will offer a glimpse of the full series which premieres in 2019.The digital series will document the special moments between the Brady TV siblings Barry Williams (Greg), Maureen McCormick (Marcia), Christopher Knight (Peter), Eve Plumb (Jan), Mike Lookinland (Bobby) and Susan Olsen (Cindy) and HGTV stars Jonathan and Drew Scott (Property Brothers), Mina Starsiak and Karen E Laine (Good Bones), siblings Leanne and Steve Ford (Restored by the Fords), Jasmine Roth (Hidden Potential) and Lara Spencer (Flea Market Flip). In addition to Building Brady, more digital series will launch throughout the year leading up to the television premiere.On the A Very Brady Renovation Facebook Watch page, HGTV will share 70s-inspired decorating tips and entertaining videos. The dedicated Brady Bunch Instagram account, @verybradyrenovation, will spotlight talent takeovers, bonus clips, bloopers, boomerangs and more from the cutting room floor.Drew and Jonathan Scott took over HGTVs Instagram Stories with Maureen McCormick and Christopher Knight as they worked on the renovation together, said Abbi McCollum, vice president of convergence and social media for HGTV . It was so exciting for our social media fanbase to see our stars join forces in real time to recreate the iconic spaces from The Brady Bunch set that we all know so well. Back in September, the first ever official count of homeless people in Auckland was carried out with an army of volunteers who took to the streets overnight. Any people found sleeping on the street and in cars were counted as officially homeless.Liz Gunn talks with Raymond Vogt from Auckland Action Against Poverty https://vimeo.com/229933031 You are here: World Flash British murder detectives are investigating after a woman in her early 30s was stabbed to death in south London on New Year's Day. The woman's death is the first knife killing of 2019 in Britain, after the British capital saw the highest rate of homicides in nearly a decade last year. London police and ambulance service rushed to John Ruskin Street, in Camberwell, at about 0420 GMT on Tuesday to reports of a stabbing. Officers said paramedics battled to save the woman once they arrived, but she died at the property. The tragedy took place just some seven hours after three people were injured on Monday night in a terrorist stabbing at Victoria Railway Station in Manchester. The knifeman was arrested at the scene which is close to the Manchester Arena, where terrorist Salman Abedi murdered over 20 people in a suicide bomb attack in May 2017. iStock/Bill Chizek(WASHINGTON) -- President Trump has invited congressional leaders to a briefing Wednesday on "border security" at the White House, congressional sources confirm. The meeting will be the first sit-down between Trump and Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in 22 days since their contentious sit down in the Oval Office last month. The meeting will include the top two leaders in each party and each chamber. The White House has not provided any information on the meeting or the administration officials who will be present. After 11 days of no progress, the president signaled on Twitter that he's ready to make a deal. "Border Security and the Wall 'thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?" he tweeted. The president has continued to blame Democrats for the shutdown, labeling it the "Schumer Shutdown." However at that Oval Office meeting in December the president told Schumer he would take the blame. "I will be the one to shut it down. I'm not going to blame you for it. The last time you shut it down, it didn't work. I will take the mantle of shutting it down." House Democrats have prepared two bills aimed at ending the partial government shutdown but neither includes any new money for President Trump's border wall. The bills were made public Monday afternoon and House Democrats hope to vote on them by Thursday. The measures include a mix of short-term and long-term funding plans to re-open the government agencies that have been closed for 10 days, after a dispute over funding the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. The first bill includes year-long funding plans for every government agency currently closed, with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security. The second bill would reopen and fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) only on a short-term basis. The so-called Continuing Resolution funding bill would keep the lights on at DHS only until Feb. 8, 2019, and continue current funding of $1.3 billion for border security. The president signaled he'd reject their proposal, saying in a tweet Monday: "The Democrats will probably submit a Bill, being cute as always, which gives everything away but gives NOTHING to Border Security, namely the Wall." "Please explain to the Democrats that there can NEVER be a replacement for a good old fashioned WALL!" he tweeted. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. No one told me how fiercely handguns could kick. But when I pulled the trigger of the .40-caliber Glock, it sent me reeling back toward the concrete floor. I might have cracked my skull if an extra-large policeman had not caught me just in time. The kick was my first shock that afternoon at the rifle range. As a congenital pacifist, I was the last person anyone would expect to find there, but I was doing research. Id written novels about a golden retriever and a yellow Lab, and Id been looking for a story line for my next booka novel about Justice, a K-9 German shepherd. What better way to learn about police dogs than to sign up with 19 other people for the police departments Citizens Academy in Bainbridge Island, Wash., where I live? For 10 weeks we attended classes and learned about narcotics, traffic tickets, and crime scenes. We visited the county jail and morgue. The Saturday when I fired the Glock was a workshop to teach hands-on tactics for police work. Armed with a laser gun that projected two red-dot lights, each of us donned a bulletproof vest and, one by one, left the ranges clubhouse and pretended to be an on-duty officer. That led to my second shock. Another policeman, his face stern as stone, pointed to a shed in a wooded area up the hill from the rifle range and told me, An intruder just broke into that house. The owner called for help. Go take care of it. My hand tight around the laser gun, I started the lonely walk up the hill. Though still shaken from the Glocks kick, I felt confident at first. Still, the closer I got to the shed, the more wary I felt. No one was in sight to back me up in this isolated place. Who knew what intruder Id meet? I reminded myself, Youre role-playing! Yet, rational or not, fear nibbled my stomach. I planned first to walk around the house and look into windows; if the intruder were hiding, Id marshal my grit and go inside. Just as I started my search, however, a man burst out from behind the house and ran at me, brandishing a handgun. I heard him scream, Im going to kill you! Im going to kill you! I froze. My heart pounded. As the man lumbered toward me, he seemed to grow eight feet tall before my eyes, and his handgun looked like an Uzi. I had no choice. I wanted to live. With trembling hands, I shot himtwo lethal blood-red laser dots straight to his heart. I, who shooed flies out the window instead of swatting them, had killed someone. You might think that the man was my last shock for the day. He wasnt. Later, my class learned that every single one of us had shot him to defend ourselves. I thought, Well, of course, we did. We didnt want to die. Then came the biggest shock of all: the man whod run toward us had been the homeowner. Hed not yelled, Im going to kill you, but, Thank God youre here! The enormous gun wed all been sure would shoot us had only been a flashlight. When youre afraid, adrenaline blurs reality, you see with tunnel vision, and your only thought is to survive. If wed been real police whod used deadly force, every one of us would face a criminal homicide investigation. Isolated on administrative leave, wed wait to learn if our shot would be ruled justified. We might be shunned in our community and vilified in the press. Our one-second decision to shoot could cause us months of soul-searching, guilt, legal agonyand possibly jail time. That Saturday of shocks gave me a crash course in empathy. Though Id be the last to defend a trigger-happy cop, I understood that a well-meaning one could make a mistake, as I had. And that insight provided the story for my new novel, A Healing Justice, about a female police officer who uses force and is sustained through the ensuing crisis by her K-9 partner named Justice. After that day, I saw the risks of the job, and I understood fear and a desperate urge to live, as my officer does. Kristin von Kreislers new novel, A Healing Justice, was published in September by Kensington. The Teratology Society Every 4 minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States. Simply put it doesnt have to be that common. Every 4 minutes a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States. Simply put it doesnt have to be that common, said Dana Shuey, PhD, DABT, Teratology Society President. Thats why the Teratology Society is joining with leading prenatal health experts from the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, the March of Dimes and MotherToBaby this month to increase awareness of 5 critical tips to reduce the chances of having a baby with a birth defect. The Teratology Society is an international and multidisciplinary group of scientists including researchers, clinicians, epidemiologists, and public health professionals from academia, government and industry who study birth defects, reproduction, and disorders of developmental origin. It recently published its third edition of the Teratology Primer, a free birth defects research introductory textbook for basic scientists, clinician scientists, healthcare professionals, trainees, policy makers, and anyone who has an interest in the field of teratology. The chapters can be read online at http://www.Teratology.org/primer. Additionally, the Society is co-sponsoring a Human Teratogens Course at the University of South Florida for health care providers February 24 26, 2019 in Tampa. The course will provide up-to-date information on common exposures and critical public health issues such as Zika and opioids and is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit. The National Birth Defects Prevention Month campaign theme, Best for You. Best for Baby. aims to raise awareness of preventing birth defects, which are a leading cause of death in the first year of a babys life. While we cant prevent all birth defects, the following steps increase a womans chance of having a healthy baby, explained Dr. Shuey. 1. Be sure to take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day. Folic acid is very important because it can help prevent some major birth defects of the babys brain and spine. 2. Book a visit with your healthcare provider before stopping or starting any medicine. There are often benefits to continuing treatment throughout pregnancy. Discussing a treatment plan before a pregnancy allows a woman and her health care provider to weigh the pros and cons of all options to keep mom and baby as healthy as possible. 3. Become up-to-date with all vaccines, including the flu shot. Having the right vaccinations, like the flu and Tdap vaccines, at the right time can help keep a woman and her baby healthy. 4. Before you get pregnant, try to reach a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk for several serious birth defects and other pregnancy complications. 5. Boost your health by avoiding harmful substances during pregnancy, such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy and its exposure can cause major birth defects. Smoking during pregnancy can cause dangerous chemicals to damage the placenta and/or reach babys bloodstream. The opioid addiction epidemic has led to a sharp increase in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), premature birth and drug withdrawal in developing babies. Birth defects are a common cause of death in the first year of a babys life, but change happens through awareness, added Jason L. Salemi, PhD, MPH, NBDPN President. Were thrilled the Teratology Society is doing its part to positively change the outcome for babies across the United States. How You Can Help The Teratology Society encourages health advocates as well as the general public to be active participants in National Birth Defects Prevention Month. Follow and share #Best4YouBest4Baby messages on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn just a couple of ways that birth defects can be prevented through education. In addition, the complete 2019 NBDPN Birth Defects Prevention Month information packet, including this years primary tips for birth defects prevention, Best for You. Best for Baby. 5 Tips for Preventing Birth Defects, is available online at: h p. All materials can be printed, electronically conveyed, or added to websites for distribution as needed. Additional Resources to Support Healthy Pregnancies The Teratology Society An international and multidisciplinary group of scientists including researchers, clinicians, epidemiologists, and public health professionals from academia, government and industry who study birth defects, reproduction, and disorders of developmental origin. http://www.Teratology.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The CDCs National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) strives to advance the health and well-being of our nations most vulnerable populations. http://www.CDC.gov/ncbddd American Academy of Pediatrics Dedicated to the health of all children, providing age-specific health information. http://www.healthychildren.org MotherToBaby, a free service of the non-profit Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS) Communicate directly with experts about exposures, like medications, vaccines and more, during pregnancy and breastfeeding by calling toll-free (866) 626-6847, texting questions to (855) 999-3525, live chatting or emailing at http://www.MotherToBaby.org March of Dimes An organization aiming to make sure babies get the strongest start possible as well as reducing the rate of prematurity. http://www.marchofdimes.org Media Contact: Nicole Chavez 619-368-3259 or nchavez(at)teratology.org Azanechiller 2.0 The team have worked really hard re-engineering the next generation of Azanechiller to ensure increased efficiency, lower charge and lower capital as well as operational costs. The ACR Journal have announced the shortlist for its highly anticipated 2019 awards ceremony, recognising the revolutionary Azanechiller 2.0 for its impressive environmental benefits. The premier awards ceremony for the air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump industry is due to take place on 24th January at the Midland Hotel, Manchester. The triple nomination for Star Refrigeration include Best Refrigeration Project of the Year, Environmental Initiative of the Year, and the highly coveted Refrigeration Product of the Year for the Azanechiller 2.0, which is designed and manufactured in Glasgow. Star won the Refrigeration Product of the Year accolade at the ACRHP Awards 2018 and the team are hoping to be triumphant for a second time. Dr Rob Lamb, Group Sales and Marketing Director Star Refrigeration said of the announcement, Once again were really excited to be shortlisted among some of the best names in the business for the National ACR and Heat Pump Awards 2019. The team have worked really hard re-engineering the next generation of Azanechiller to ensure increased efficiency, lower refrigerant charge and lower total cost of ownership. Its fantastic to see this high performing technology recognised by the industry. The Azanechiller 2.0 is an innovative, future proof cooling solution. As a pre-packaged low charge ammonia chiller, the Azanechiller 2.0, sets a new benchmark in chiller performance with efficiency figures that are up to 146% higher than the European EcoDesign Directive requirement for medium temperature chillers, up to 100% higher for comfort cooling chillers and up to 74% higher for high temperature chillers. With a 20+ year life expectancy, it is designed to withstand any future legislation surrounding the environmental impact of refrigerants, and has been used in data centre cooling, food manufacturing, process cooling, ice and leisure facilities and temperature controlled storage. Stars Azanechiller 2.0 installation at Snozone Milton Keynes has been nominated for the accolade of Best Refrigeration Project of the Year. Star Refrigeration replaced the facilitys inefficient R404A chillers with two Azanechillers 2.0, transforming the operational side of the business. The new cooling equipment is significantly more efficient, and resulted in a 56% savings on energy costs. The shortlisted project for Environmental Initiative of the Year award is Stars partnership with logistics company Gist. Thanks to the installation of two brand new Azanechillers by Star, Gist owns one of the most energy efficient cooling plants in Europe energy usage is one tenth of the good practice guidelines and cooling demands for similar cold stores. This translates to Gist Chesterfield reducing their carbon footprint by removing 117 tonnes of CO2 per year in emissions, compared to similar sized refrigeration plants across the continent. The ACR and Heat Pump Awards is one of the most significant events in the industry calendar, attracting over 300 engineering professionals. The awards ceremony is due to take place on 24th January 2019 at 6.30pm in Manchester, and is a great opportunity for networking and celebrating sector-wide success. Star will be seeking at least one win for the engineering feat of the Azanechiller 2.0. For more information about attending the National ACR and Heat Pump Awards 2019 visit: http://www.acrheatpumpawards.uk/ To find out more about the revolutionary ammonia Azanechiller go to: http://www.star-ref.co.uk/our-products/azanechiller.aspx San Francisco News by SFist With a deep-seeded commitment to San Francisco and the likely return of some of the expert content producers from the original SFist, Impress3 is poised to relaunch the renowned local news site in early 2019. The news industry has been in flux for the past decade. Local news has been losing its foothold as a staple of American society as thousands of regional publications have closed or merged in recent years. Impress3 Media seems to have found a model that bucks this trend. A company founded in San Francisco by S.F. natives, Impress3 has been using an advanced software to help its writers, editors, podcasters, and video producers create widely appreciated digital media across the internet. It is with this strategy that the Impress3 team intends to relaunch SFist, a popular local news site for the San Francisco Bay Area. In an additional announcement, Impress3 has set a goal to reinstate a number of the members of the original team behind the SFist to generate content for the relaunched platform. The founders of Impress3, all of whom have expressed a deep, personal dedication to bringing SFist back to life, have put out an invitation to any previous SFist writers who have an interest in once again contributing to the news organization. We hope to hear from a lot of the old writers of SFist, and weve already been speaking with one of the editors from the past team, says an Impress3 spokesperson. With a deep-seeded commitment to San Francisco and the likely return of some of the expert content producers from the original SFist, Impress3 is poised to relaunch the renowned local news site in early 2019. Impress3 has been the driving force behind its parent companys recognition as one of the top 50 best entrepreneurial ventures of 2018 by Entrepreneur, the #20 fastest growing software company of 2017 on Inc 5000, an appearance on the San Francisco Fast 100 on Business Journals, and its founders acceptance on the Forbes Technology Council. Globalization and the expansion of connected commerce provides unparalleled opportunities for retailers to automate their operations to ensure awesome customer experiences. RetailOps is excited to welcome Liam Williams as the companys Director of Customer Operations. Liam will be responsible for ensuring the technical support, customer success and professional services teams provide phenomenal value throughout the customers life cycle. Liam joins RetailOps from Apple Inc., where he was responsible for the highest-volume retail location in San Diego, managing a team of 200+ employees and providing exceptional retail experiences for consumers. Liam was major contributor to numerous projects with Apple, blending online and offline experiences into a unified omni-channel experience as the retail atmosphere evolved. Liam oversaw the full scope of the operations including sales, support, training, scheduling, staffing, and inventory management. Liam said, Globalization and the expansion of connected commerce provides unparalleled opportunities for retailers to automate their operations to ensure awesome customer experiences. The opportunity to blend my passion for technology with my desire to provide world-class experiences for customers made joining the RetailOps team an easy choice. Sam Moses, CEO of RetailOps said, I am thrilled at what Liam brings to the team, our culture, and our mission to enable seamless consumer experiences through software and automation. His front-line involvement building a customer-first retail experience at Apple will be a valuable asset to RetailOps supporting the evolving needs of SME retailers. RetailOps is an innovative SaaS product uniquely designed for direct to consumer retail online, brick-and-mortar, and everything in between. RetailOps provides a full suite of tools to run back-office operations from the C-suite to the warehouse floor purchasing, receiving, inventory, product management, fulfillment and shipping, reporting and now point-of-sale in a single cohesive system. San Francisco-based accounting and consulting firm Novogradac & Company LLP, welcomes Roy Chou and Alvin Lee of the San Francisco office and Rebecca Darling of the metro Atlanta office to the partnership. Novogradac, which specializes in affordable housing, community development, historic preservation, renewable energy and opportunity zones, has 59 partners in 28 cities nationwide. I am excited to announce that Roy, Rebecca and Alvin have been promoted to partner, said Michael J. Novogradac, the firms managing partner. Their dedication to their clients and peers and knowledge in their respective areas of practice is a big part of the firms success. I look forward to their continued growth within the firm. Mr. Chou has experience in real estate, affordable housing and community development, including new markets tax credit (NMTC), historic rehabilitation tax credit (HTC) and opportunity zones incentive transactions. He has worked extensively on financial projections models and forecasts, financial statement audits and tax return preparation. He also advises on accounting, tax, transaction structuring, compliance and regulatory matters. He is also a frequent speaker at the firms NMTC and HTC conferences and pre-conference workshops. Mr. Chou has contributed articles to various publications, including the Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits. He received a bachelors degree in business administration with concentrations in accounting and finance from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Mr. Chou is licensed in California as a certified public accountant. Ms. Darling has experience in all areas of real estate accounting, with an emphasis in the NMTC, HTC and affordable housing sectors. She specializes in audit and taxation of NMTC and low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) partnerships, including those subject to the auditing requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She has extensive experience in assisting in the facilitation, review and preparation of NMTC allocation applications. Ms. Darling works closely with the Novogradac NMTC Working Group, a membership organization that is highly regarded for its effort in addressing technical programmatic issues surrounding the NMTC. She is a contributor to the Novogradac New Markets Tax Credit Handbook and Novogradac Introduction to New Markets Tax Credit booklet. Additionally, she is a frequent speaker at industry events. Ms. Darling earned a bachelors degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from Kennesaw State University. She is licensed in Georgia as a certified public accountant. Mr. Lee specializes in real estate and renewable energy transactions by providing audit, tax and consulting services for developers, syndicators and investors. He has extensive experience with financial modeling and financial statement reporting for renewable energy tax credit and LIHTC transactions with emphasis on investment accounting and partnership taxation. He earned his bachelors degree in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley. He is licensed in California as a certified public accountant. About Novogradac & Company LLP Novogradac began operations in 1989 and has grown to more than 700 employees and partners with offices in 28 cities. Tax, audit and consulting specialty practice areas for Novogradac include affordable housing, community development, historic rehabilitation and renewable energy. At the beginning of 2017, the firm launched a new practice focused on the opportunity zones incentive. For additional information on Novogradacs personnel and areas of expertise, visit http://www.novoco.com or call (415) 356-8000. Learn more about these partners at https://www.novoco.com/newpartners2019. San Francisco-based accounting and consulting firm Novogradac & Company LLP, elevated four managersKelly Gorman of the Iselin, N.J., office; Ryan Goyal of the Austin, Texas, office; Tonya Johnson of the Dover, Ohio, office; and Steven Varady of the San Francisco officeto principal. Novogradac, which specializes in affordable housing, community development, historic preservation, renewable energy and opportunity zones, has 34 principals in 28 cities nationwide. I am excited to announce that Kelly, Ryan, Tonya and Steven have been promoted to principal, said Michael J. Novogradac, the firms managing partner. These promotions are not only evidence of how well theyve done in their careers, but provide a higher level of service for our clients. Ms. Gorman works in the firms Valuation Group and has more than 20 years of professional experience in affordable housing. Ms. Gorman has extensive experience performing appraisals, market studies, rent comparability studies and consulting services for a broad cross-section of clients in the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) and supportive housing industries, including developers, lenders, syndicators, property managers and state agencies. Specialty work includes market study and appraisal review work and valuations of partnership interests. Her previous experience includes working as an asset manager with the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, Md., managing a portfolio of multifamily properties. Ms. Gorman received her degree in urban affairs and planning from Virginia Tech and is licensed as a certified general real estate appraiser in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Mr. Goyal specializes in low-income housing and historic rehabilitation tax credits. Mr. Goyal has worked extensively with numerous real estate investors, syndicators and developers. He is experienced in financial statement audits, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development audits, tax return preparation, final cost certifications and agreed-upon procedures engagements. He also specializes in commercial and residential development projects. Mr. Goyal received his bachelors degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University and is licensed as a certified public accountant in Texas and Illinois. Ms. Johnson specializes in affordable housing and community development, including the LIHTC and new markets tax credit (NMTC) transactions. She has extensive experience in a wide range of services, including financial statement audits, tax return preparation, final cost certification audits and consulting on LIHTC and NMTC compliance. She also works with upper-tier tax credit equity funds and tax credit syndicators. Ms. Johnson holds a bachelors degree from Kent State University. She is licensed as a certified public accountant in Ohio. Mr. Varady formerly provided primarily audit and tax services to affordable housing partnerships and equity funds. More recently, he has been involved extensively in the renewable energy industry, providing forecasting, consulting and tax services for renewable energy transaction investment tax credit, production tax credit transactions, working extensively on the preparation of tax-basis, project and fund-level financial projections for a variety of clients, including developers, sponsors, financial institutions and investors. Mr. Varady also has experience in community development, including the affordable housing and historic tax credit transactions. Additionally, Mr. Varady is active within the newly established opportunity zones industry, which was established as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. He was also a technical editor of Novogradacs initial Renewable Energy Tax Credit Handbook in 2010, contributor to various articles in the Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits and a frequent speaker at Novogradac & Companys Financing Renewable Energy Tax Credit Conference and Structured Finance Primer. He received degrees in accounting and finance from California State University, Chico, and is licensed in California as a certified public accountant. About Novogradac & Company LLP Novogradac began operations in 1989 and has grown to more than 700 employees and partners with offices in 28 cities. Tax, audit and consulting specialty practice areas for Novogradac include affordable housing, community development, historic rehabilitation and renewable energy. At the beginning of 2017, the firm launched a new practice focused on the opportunity zones incentive. For additional information on Novogradacs personnel and areas of expertise, visit http://www.novoco.com or call (415) 356-8000. #### You are here: World Flash A man drove his car into a group of pedestrians in western Germany town of Bottrop in the early hours of Tuesday, injuring five people, according to local police. The incident happened shortly after midnight as the 50-year-old driver intentionally slammed his silver Mercedes in Bottrop center and afterwards fled to the nearby city of Essen, where he was caught by the police. The injured include a 46-year-old woman and a child. Some of the injured are in critical conditions. The suspect is a German and his targets were believed to be foreign groups, German newspaper Welt reported, quoting the local authorities. The driver also made some xenophobic comments during his arrest, and local police said there were indications he had mental illness. Karun Philip, CEO of Tranquilmoney, highlights the effects of unexpected turnover in medical personnel and how it interrupts back office processes. "If they are handling billing on their own, each unexpected shift in personnel threatens the billing cycle and therefore imperils office revenue. Physicians need an uninterrupted back office process that will continue regardless of personnel changes. Physicians offices usually have lean staffs so changes such as resignations, vacations and serious illness as well as difficulty filling empty positions with qualified staff has a serious effect on accounts receivable and therefore the revenue cycle. Staff turnover is rampant and increasing. Tranquilmoney co-founder, Dr. Karun Philip suggests how physicians can manage their practice uninterrupted by staff changes. Staff Turnover on the Rise The healthcare job market has never been more supply-driven. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare unemployment rate hit 2.5% in April 2017 the lowest level in more than 10 years. The result is a restless workforce that can go anywhere it pleases at any time. Healthcare organizations have tried many initiatives to keep employees in place, all with little or no impact on turnover. (1) In a northeastern Ohio study of 762 staff in 77 community family practices, over a 2-year period, practices averaged a 53% staff turnover rate. Longevity varied by position, with a mean duration of only 3.4 years for business employees. The study concluded that the potentially disruptive effect of personnel turnover on practice functioning, finances, and longitudinal relationships with patients deserved further study.(2) Revenue Cycle Challenges Lead to Physicians Selling Practices Healthcare revenue cycle challenges put more pressure on providers in private practices. Unlike providers employed by hospitals or health systems, physicians in small practices may take on multiple hats. With limited staff and capital resources, these providers may have to handle many things from patient access to medical practice management. As a result, small practice owners are increasingly selling practices to larger healthcare organizations to shoulder the financial and clinical burdens. For the first time in 2016, more physicians were employed than owned their practices. Approximately 47 percent of patient care providers had a full or part ownership stake that year versus 53.2 percent in 2012.(3) For those who would like to remain independent, small medical practice leaders should address the following healthcare revenue cycle management pain points: 1) Many small and independent practices still use manual healthcare revenue cycle processes. A recent survey uncovered that 95 percent of practices with less than five physicians identified their facilities as not tech savvy. 2) Consider revenue cycle management outsourcing. In light of falling revenues, 59 percent of medical providers and 86 percent of hospitals said that their organizations planned to eliminate medical billing processes that are resource-intensive, error-prone, manual, and back-end by the third quarter of 2017. 3) Approximately 90 percent of small, independent physician practices also stated they are not prepared financially or technically for the challenges of transitioning to value-based reimbursement arrangements.(4) Dr. Karun Philip, Co-Founder and President of Tranquilmoney explains, Most private physician offices operate with lean staff, especially in back office billing and insurance management. If they are handling billing on their own, each unexpected shift in personnel threatens the billing cycle and therefore imperils office revenue. Physicians need an uninterrupted back office process that will continue regardless of personnel changes. Dr. Philip continues, To remain in private practice, modern medical practice management requires a high degree of accuracy, especially in billing and financial management. Often, physicians can manage their practice more simply by engaging a cloud-based healthcare financial management service. Tranquilmoney handles the flow of physician offices without the added weight of personnel issues on the doctors back. Tranquilmoney offers more than just software to aid a physicians back office in insurance claims; they reinforce the flow of processes to keep the practice running uninterrupted by personnel changes. With reliable technology managing processes, unexpected changes in staff would not affect revenue.(5) About Tranquilmoney Tranquilmoney was incorporated in 1995 to provide solutions aimed at reversing the trend of doctors in independent practices feeling at a loss with the increased complexity of the business and regulatory side of the healthcare industry. The pattern of physicians selling their practices to large hospitals is one that is avoidable. Tranquilmoney has the tools in place to provide physician practices with financial management services, such as physician receivables management, pharmacy receivables management, healthcare insurance forms processing, and data capture services. In short, doctors can focus on patient care knowing that their practices are in order. The company is based in South Orange, New Jersey with back office facilities in Chennai, India. Tranquilmoney Inc. operates as a subsidiary of MM Group For more information, visit http://www.TranquilMoney.com. Sources: 1) Rosenbaum, Michael. Will 2018 Be the Year Healthcare Addresses Its Turnover Problem? Becker's Hospital Review, 16 Jan. 2018. 2) Ruhe, M, et al. Physician and Staff Turnover in Community Primary Care Practice. Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, Cited by U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 2004. 3) LaPointe, Jacqueline. Healthcare Employment Shifting to Hospital-Employed Providers. RevCycleIntelligence, RevCycleIntelligence, 6 June 2017. 4) LaPointe, Jacqueline. 3 Pain Points Affecting Small Practice Healthcare Revenue Cycle. RevCycleIntelligence, RevCycleIntelligence, 7 July 2017. 5) PRACTICETRACKER, EHR and Practice management software.Tranquilmoney.com. 2018. Web. Most people want to train the dog, but they dont have the knowledge .... The student is only as good as the teacher, Mediaplanet announces the launch of this Decembers edition of Pet Wellness. This campaign will serve as a 360 guide for pet owners on pet wellness while also advocating for the adoption of shelter animals. The print component of Pet Wellness was distributed within LA Times in Los Angeles with a circulation of approximately 261,000 copies and an estimated readership of 783,000. The digital component is distributed nationally, through a vast social media strategy, and across a network of top news sites and partner outlets. To explore the digital version of the campaign, visit: http://www.modernwellnessguide.com/topic/pet-wellness Dog Behavior expert Cesar Milan graces the cover of the print publication. Through an exclusive interview on the interior, Cesar reveals how humans must first train themselves before training their dogs. Most people want to train the dog, but they dont have the knowledge .... The student is only as good as the teacher, said Millan. My clients love their dogs, but their dogs dont respect my clients, Millan said. Trust and respect is an activity you do separate from love, and eventually they merge. Emma Kenney, star of Showtimes Shameless and ABCs The Conners is also featured in the publication. In the exclusive interview Emma shares the importance of adopting pets from Shelters and how she uses her social media platforms to help shelter pets find forever homes. This campaign was made possible with the support of the ASPCA, American Kennel Club, Cesar Millan, Emma Kenney, Zoetis, Embark Vet, Canine Companions for Independence, Spectrum Pet Brands, Pet King Brands, Ace Hotels, Halo Pets, Whitebridge Pet Brands, CBD Dog Health, Michaelson Found Animal Foundation, American Humane, LilBub, Hamlett the Piggy, Manny the Frenchie, and Lilly the Morkie. About Mediaplanet Mediaplanet specializes in the creation of content marketing campaigns covering a variety of industries. We tell meaningful stories that educate our audience and position our clients as solution providers. Our unique ability to pair the right leaders with the right readers, through the right platforms, has made Mediaplanet a global content marketing powerhouse. Our award-winning stories have won the hearts of countless readers while serving as a valuable platform for brands and their missions. Just call us storytellers with a purpose. Please visit http://www.mediaplanet.com for more on who we are and what we do. Press Contact: Amanda Deutch amanda.deutch(at)mediaplanet.com (646) 755-7964 By swiftly taking actionbrands can take the first step in rebuilding trust and demonstrating that security is a priority." Mediaplanet is proud to announce the launch of this Decembers edition of Internet of Everything. This campaign will act as an educational guidebook for modern business owners and IT decision makers. It educates people on the areas that IoT is having the biggest impact and advises key decision makers on how to implement IoT and build upon relevant applications in their existing business ecosystem. Advocating that IoT technology can seamlessly sync together with their daily processes in order to save time, money, and assist in making better decisions across the organization. "IoT" is the term used to describe the internet of things: the connection via the internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data. Installation of smart IoT devices gives your business and its occupant's numerous benefits, the same benefits that technology and personal computing have brought to us over the past 30 years: convenience and the savings of time, money and energy. The internet of things is an essential driver for customer-facing innovation, data-driven optimization and automation, and digital transformation, as well as entirely new applications, business models and revenue streams across all sectors. At the same time, challenges regarding regulation, security and data, and even a universal understanding of what IoT is and how it can be applied are still being tackled. The print component of Internet of Everything was distributed within San Francisco Chronicle with a circulation of approximately 163,000 copies and an estimated readership of 1.4 million people. The digital component is distributed nationally, through a vast social media strategy, and across a network of top news sites and partner outlets. To explore the digital version of the campaign, visit: http://www.futureofbusinessandtech.com/topic/internet-of-everything. Robert Herjavec, entrepreneur and star of CNBCs Shark Tank, is featured on the cover of the print publication. Through an exclusive interview, Robert discusses how cybersecurity can help businesses grow. Security isnt an IT issue, its a board-level issue for organizations globally. To speak more broadly, its a global citizen issue. says Herjavec. He believes that cybersecurity is integral to building and maintaining customer experience as well: By swiftly taking actionbrands can take the first step in rebuilding trust and demonstrating that security is a priority." The campaign features several notable IoT and industry thought leaders, from Robert Herjavec, Jeff Gordon, the NSA, Cloud Security Alliance, the American Farm Bureau, Industrial Internet Consortium, National Association of Manufacturers and more. This campaign was made possible with the support of Sprint, Arable, Crop One Holdings, UL, CB Technologies, PTC, Blackberry and Spinlister. About Mediaplanet Mediaplanet specializes in the creation of content marketing campaigns covering a variety of industries. We tell meaningful stories that educate our audience and position our clients as solution providers. Our unique ability to pair the right leaders with the right readers, through the right platforms, has made Mediaplanet a global content marketing powerhouse. Our award-winning stories have won the hearts of countless readers while serving as a valuable platform for brands and their missions. Just call us storytellers with a purpose. Please visit http://www.mediaplanet.com for more on who we are and what we do. Press Contact: Mitch Gross mitch.gross@mediaplanet.com (646) 619-0209 Learn Basic Blockchain Freemium Courses The blockchain revolution is here, and professionals need to take a closer look into how this groundbreaking technology will affect their jobs and businesses, said Clough, CMO of JWRX. JWRX a Business Consulting and Marketing Content Firm that solves complex business problems by leveraging content and technology announces the freemium model to Learn Basic Blockchain courses. Learn Basic Blockchain courses and information came together while Clough, the CMO of JWRX was working with several blockchain companies who were marketing their company brands and products to onboard new customers and clients. The biggest struggle was the gap in an educational process on how blockchain works in relation to the real life use cases it can solve. A step-by-step solution was needed. The need to bridge language and complex concepts into a 101 type format became the number one reason new customers began to onboard. Learn Basic Blockchain is an educational hub to explore the basics of blockchain and existing uses. It is intended for a nontechnical audience with limited knowledge of blockchain and cryptocurrency and shows professionals how they can apply blockchain concepts to real world situations. JWRX has opened the paid for membership to a freemium model. With the onset of blockchain infrastructure in companies from FedX, Walmart, Mastercard and Bank of America, Amazon and Facebook to name the tip of the iceberg, JWRX has opened up the basic courses to all who sign up on the platform at no charge. The blockchain revolution is here, and professionals need to take a closer look into how this groundbreaking technology will affect their jobs and businesses, said Clough, CMO of JWRX. These courses will arm blockchain beginners with a better understanding of how to use this game-changing technology. Early Learn Basic Blockchain course completers have remarked that the course structure, concise format and nontechnical subject matter made learning easier and helped them view blockchain differently. Enrollment in the Learn Basic Blockchain freemium courses, can be found at https://www.learnbasicblockchain.com/begin JWRX a Business Consulting and Marketing Content Firm that solves complex business problems by leveraging content and technology. JWRX develops educational platforms delivered in easily consumed format to help C-Level Executives, small businesses and solopreneurs move forward. There are different intentions when people search such as learning something, finding a place to go, finding something to do, or looking for something to buy. Lounge Lizard is a Long Island SEO Company that is globally recognized as a top website design company within the web design and development industry. Lounge Lizard's brandtenders are creative, tech-savvy, and passionate in developing innovative strategies that drive conversion for both startup and established clients of all industries, making them the "best of breed since 1998." When Google Web Search first launched 21 years ago the engine was a bit limited using primarily text data and backlinks for search ranking along with only focusing on matching search terms to available data. Along with modifying and improving how they crawl websites and rank content, Google has also used the massive amount of data they have to better understand how phrases, search history, and other search aspects relate to user priorities and needs. The result is an optimized search ranking algorithm to provide a better user experience which is based on understanding the search intent so that the results provide users with the data they really want. Google has taken the time, aided by an enormous amount of user data, to better understand the priorities of both specific and general users based on all available information at the time. There are different intentions when people search such as learning something, finding a place to go, finding something to do, or looking for something to buy. It has become critical to follow Googles lead and look at Search Intent and not just keywords when considering Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Today the Internet Marketing Company, Lounge Lizard, explains how focusing on Search Intent will lead to Higher Rankings. Understand Mirco-Moments - Google has crafted micro-moments which are search intent profiles based on the reasons why people turn to a device such as a desktop or smartphone for something. These intent-driven moments are often shaped by preferences but still boil down to basic ideas. Googles perspective is that when users need something, they can pull out a pocket computer (smartphone) and find exactly what they want almost instantly. The idea of micro-moments is to segment those various needs with the expectation that brands will understand and meet users needs in that moment. The four moments are: I want to buy, I want to know, I want to go, and I want to do. Each moment often uses a distinctive style of search input such as, what happened in Turkey today? versus how do I bake a cake? The different linguistic triggers are considered in the algorithm. Information searches will continue to have the most volume which provides ample opportunities for nearly all businesses. Keywords are still important - Keywords are still going to drive SEO but it is important to think about keywords differently in relation to intent and the content being created. For example, Best Taco Shop would be a nice keyword string for a local taco shop, but what kind of content should relate to that? An article that lists the 10 Best Taco Shops would be an excellent choice because Google will think of the intent of the person searching for the best taco shop. If a person enters this search then Google is going to provide a map and snippets of the Google Business listings for taco shops near the user, however beyond that the results will include qualitative information for the user to consider. Consider how questions are phrased - When looking at user search intent, a business needs to consider what they have to offer and then how questions related to that might be phrased by users. This concept will help explore keyword usage for a particular micro-moment which can lead to more marketing opportunities as well as tailoring content for a better response. Customer journeys should be re-evaluated The concept of a customer journey is often thought of as a straight-line process, but over the past year or two it has become apparent that they truly are not. Now more than ever customers are dropping into the journey at different points and bouncing around rather than going from A to B to C. Due to our ability to access the internet easily at virtually any time, it makes sense that people are going to interact with search at various times with varying levels of intent. Journeys need to consider the person lying in bed shopping at midnight just as much as the person sitting at work shopping on their lunch. Include responses to intent - Marketers should take the time to expand concepts beyond just keywords and also include responses to intent. How will users type or speak searches? What do searchers really want? Once that is considered then content can be created in response to these queries that will be search-friendly and thus will rank well. This involves being flexible and going with the flow of the search to create content that is properly titled, uses the correct keywords, and provides the value people are looking for. Be alert to ambiguous search words as they can end up with divided user intent. Lounge Lizard Digital Marketing Agency is an award-winning, high-end design boutique specializing in website and mobile app development, UX/UI, branding, and marketing. Lounge Lizard excels in creating the ultimate brand strategy, fully loaded with expertly crafted visuals that work together to increase sales and effectively communicate a client's unique personality. Media Contact: Ken Braun, Lounge Lizard, 631-581-1000, ken.braun@loungelizard.com I push my chosen art style with every painting I do. Some are more successful than others. But Im not afraid to challenge either the viewer or myself. If I can use color and form in an eclectic way and still maintain some semblance of continuity, then I am accomplishing my goal. Gene Sasse the Founder and Director of The Inland Empire Museum of Art (IEMA) is starting 2019 with an innovative new exhibition. The solo exhibit entitled Discovering Receptive Abstract Patternism features the paintings of Rod Jones artist. This is an important exhibit and a first for the Southern California art museum because the show title was chosen from the artists own interpretation of his painting style. Rod Jones is a Southern California Artist. After spending a good part of his career as a Commercial Advertising Photographer, he shifted his energy to operating his own creative services and marketing company. Approximately 18 years ago he started to develop his painting style. Rod often states because he committed to painting later in life, he knew he did not have the luxury of spending many years creating his own unique vision for his art. The style he embraced is one that initially evolved from painting in the Impressionist style. Today his art is considered by many to be especially authentic. When viewed, the body of his art has a common theme yet each piece clearly stands on its own. Collectors with a sensitive eye appreciate that his work is constantly evolving and that the style that he has created is open-ended and has no restrictions. I push my chosen art style with every painting I do. Some are more successful than others. But Im not afraid to challenge either the viewer or myself. If I can use color and form in an eclectic way and still maintain some semblance of continuity, then I am accomplishing my goal. His style has been intelligently named Receptive Abstract Patternism, a term coined by his daughter. She determined that the style revolves around the artist receiving conscious and subconscious signals and stimuli to create an image independent of common form, held together by the continuity and comfort of a pattern. Jones paints an image in an unorthodox manner, while maintaining a common thread through the comfort of distinct patterns. Each original painting has interconnected elements that speak distinctly to each observer. Rods paintings are interpreted individually by his audience for example some spark a soothing and meditative reflection while others see the same painting as energetic and modern. Rod explains, While most people understand the word abstract because it certainly is. Most of my work is non-representational and non-objective. So its easy to conclude that my artwork is abstract. The word Patternism is pretty obviouswe often say that the paintings are held together by the continuity and comfort of pattern. As the work has progressed some of these patterns are quite complex. Others are simple. But if you view the vast number of paintings I have created, you will quickly see the style and many-faceted uses of patterns. Now is the part of the term I am particularly partial to, the word Receptive. You have to be pretty open in your thinking to be receptive, open to being creative. Plus you cant be overly objective. Of course, you can be receptive to outside influences, many representational artists are, and they interpret subject matter with their own unique styles. My Receptive style requires the stimulation to percolate up from my own non-objective thinking. Gene Sasse states, As the museum Director during the past five years, I have been host to many wonderful exhibits and have curated many of these shows. For me this exhibit was fresh and innovative, and I believe it will be very well received by our museum audience and patrons. And a great start to the 2019 art season. Discovering Receptive Abstract Patternism exhibit will be on display from January 6- February 10, 2019. The Opening Reception will be January 6, 2019 from 2 - 5 pm. Art Talk will be on January 19, 2019, 6-8 pm Inland Empire Museum of Art (IEMA) The Inland Empire Museum of Art is positioned to be one of the leading arts venues in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. Incorporated in 2013, IEMA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, public benefit corporation that not only compliments, but enhances the artistic endeavors in the region. The museum is helping to create strong bonds in the community, while addressing the need for cultural enhancement and educational support. IEMA is working to develop public/private partnerships, with the museum playing host to enriching the Inland Empire. Art museums play a constructive role in society by enhancing the quality of life in the community. The goal of the Inland Empire Museum of Art is to become an arts destination, free to the public, where art, education and connections come alive. Our mission is to enrich cultural life in the Inland Empire and beyond, to foster and promote the study, appreciation and understanding of art through exhibits, education and publications. IMEA is located at 1334 North Benson Avenue, Unit D, Upland, California 91786. The European Fund Formation team at global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has been shortlisted for 2018 Law Firm of the Year (Fund Formation), Europe at the PERE Global Awards. Winners will be announced in March 2019. According to the publication, the Global Awards recognize the firms, individuals, and deals that best represent the private real estate asset class in the past year. Our team is committed to understanding our clients needs and providing a high-level and entrepreneurial approach to our services, said Steven Cowins, a Real Estate Funds shareholder in the firms London office. This nomination demonstrates our teams ability to work seamlessly across Europe, Asia, and the U.S. on real estate equity and real estate debt funds. Since January 2017, the firm has advanced one of its core strategies through the London offices real estate sector growth with the addition of several highly regarded practitioners, earning the firm an additional boost to its already high profile international real estate practice. The firms leading real estate team in the United States has earned the Chambers USA Award of Excellence four times, most recently in 2018. In Europe, the group has been recognized as Top Tier in Legal 500 UK and Germany, as Law Firm of the Year in Real Estate in Germany by JUVE Magazine, and received the Chambers Europe Award for Excellence in Real Estate in Poland. Greenberg Traurigs vast global network allows our European Real Estate team to strengthen our client offerings in this key real estate market, with a particular emphasis on value add and opportunistic funds, said Real Estate Practice Co-Chairs Robert J. Ivanhoe, Corey E. Light, and Richard J. Giusto. The Real Estate Practice at Greenberg Traurig now fields more than 160 real estate professionals outside of the U.S. covering Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Globally, the team is comprised of more than 400 attorneys serving clients from more than two dozen markets around the globe. About Greenberg Traurig's Real Estate Practice: The Greenberg Traurig Real Estate Practice is a cornerstone of the firm and recognized leader in the industry. The firms real estate attorneys deliver diversified and comprehensive counsel for property acquisition and investment, development, management and leasing, financing, restructuring, and disposition of all asset classes of real estate. The team draws upon the knowledge and experience of more than 400 real estate lawyers from around the world, serving clients from key markets in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia. The groups clientele includes a broad range of property developers, lenders, investment managers, private equity funds, REITs, and private owners. The firms real estate team advises clients on a variety of matters across a broad spectrum of commercial, recreational, and residential real estate, including structured equity and debt and the hybrids. About Greenberg Traurig, LLP: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and is among the Top 20 on the 2018 Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law. Encore has successfully drilled and completed its first horizontal Berea oil well in Lawrence County that is currently awaiting production. The Company is already moving equipment, excavating the location and making other preparations to drill its 2nd horizontal Berea well in Lawrence County, and is now making plans to potentially drill multiple horizontal Berea oil wells in northern Lawrence County as well. The company currently controls nearly ~7000 lease acres in Lawrence County. Tier I Horizontal Berea oil wells in the productive oil window(s) of Lawrence County have reportedly averaged in the range of ~100 - 150 BOPD over the initial 90 days of production where the well development costs are significantly lower, as compared to other plays across the US. Berea oil production from Lawrence County, Kentucky represented nearly 25% of the state's total annual oil production in 2014. Per the Kentucky Oil and Gas Association, the Berea Oil play is a Game Changer for Kentuckys oil and gas industry. Although no assurances can be made and risk still does exist, we are extremely excited about the opportunity to diversify our horizontal projects across multiple, proven and productive oil producing areas of the Berea play, said Steve Stengell, Encores President and CEO. We are also proud of the fact that we are making plans to drill to the north and immediately off-set to one of, if not the most, proven and experienced publicly traded operator in this area of Appalachia, added Stengell. SEC Defined Accredited investors can deduct 100% of their investment against all forms of income with the potential for years of monthly income from production, said Joseph Hooper, Encores Executive Vice President. This one-of-a-kind tax benefit further mitigates the risk associated with oil and gas projects, added Hooper. Qualified SEC defined accredited investors can deduct 100% of their investment against all forms of income (for the current 2018 tax year) with years of potential income from oil production. Oil and gas investments involve a high degree of risk, uncertainty and are suitable for only SEC defined Accredited investors who can afford the loss of their entire investment. The information herein may include forward-looking statement, and actual results may vary. The SEC definition of accredited investors can be viewed at https://www.investor.gov/additional-resources/news-alerts/alerts-bulletins/investor-bulletin-accredited-investors. For more information regarding this project, please contact Joseph Hooper at (270) 745-0132 or via e-mail at joseph.hooper@encore-energy.com. Assumptions, Disclaimer and Cautionary Statement: The information herein may contain forward-looking statements, and actual results may vary. Words such as "estimate", "will," "intend," "continue," "target," "expect," "achieve," "strategy," "future," "may," "goal," or other comparable words or phrases or the negative of those words, and other words of similar meaning indicate forward-looking statements and important factors which could affect actual results. Forward-looking statements are made based upon Management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon Encore Energy, Inc. Oil and gas investments involve a high degree of risk, uncertainty and are only suitable for qualified Accredited (SEC Definition) investors who are sophisticated in making business decisions and can bear the financial loss of their entire investment, while delivering a turnkey profit to the Company for proving the prospect development, lease acquisition, drilling, completion, engineering and ongoing production operations. Many risks may not even be known at this time. The Company does not provide tax advice and investors should seek the advice of their tax professional. Any tax and/or other information herein is provided for illustration purposes only and may include estimates that are uncertain and subject to change. It is impossible to accurately forecast profitability, production, reserves, income, expenses and timelines for any project. No assurances can be made as it relates to reserves, production, income, profit, prices, timelines and/or other estimates. Actual production and results are beyond the control of management. In the event that commercial production is achieved, it may take many years for the investor to recoup his or her investment. The Company's lease acreage position under is subject to change and includes acreage under lease, Farmout agreement, verbal agreement, renewals, expired terms and any other prospective acreage in which the Company has communicated and/or negotiated with the landowner the leasing of oil and gas rights, now or in the future, and the lease / mineral owner has leased or communicated their intent to lease there mineral lease rights to the Company. It is important for qualified investors to acknowledge the fact that the US government provides them with tax savings (100% IDC tax deduction) to mitigate or at least off-set some of the financial risk associated with domestic oil and gas investments. This is not an offer to sell or buy a security. An offer shall only be made pursuant to SEC Regulation D, Rule 506(c) by a private placement offering memorandum, and this is not a private placement offering memorandum. Oil and gas investments are not suitable for all investors. Registration is open for the second annual Cyber:Secured Forum, a conference connecting the worlds of cybersecurity, physical security and systems integration. This cybersecurity educational summit hosted by ISC Security Events, PSA Security Network and the Security Industry Association (SIA) will be held July 29-31 in Dallas, Texas. Cyber:Secured Forum 2019 will feature an evening welcome reception on July 29 followed by two days of in-depth content on cybersecurity trends and best practices related to the delivery of physical security systems and other integrated systems. Attendees will enjoy sessions featuring top cybersecurity leaders and sponsor exhibits showcasing solutions related to cybersecurity, integrated systems and physical security solutions. Topics to be addressed in the 2019 summit include: Global cybercrime trends How to make your business cyber resilient Tools and technology for better cybersecurity of physical security systems Standards for cybersecurity Emerging threat vectors Cyber-hardening of security systems Monetizing cybersecurity services Chief information security officers expectations for physical security Leaders in the IT and physical security industries will gather at Cyber:Secured Forum to connect and share information on risks and liabilities, responding to cybersecurity threats and establishing security control standards across IT systems, particularly when integrating physical security solutions and devices on IT networks. This event is designed for security systems integrators, IT and cybersecurity leaders, integration engineers, product developers and manufacturers, senior technology business executives, security specifiers and engineers, security consultants, top security leadership and anyone responsible for the cybersecurity of integrated security systems. Cyber:Secured Forum 2019 will be held at the Westin Dallas Park Central; conference registrants will have access to a special room rate at this hotel conveniently located just north of the citys downtown district. A call for speakers for Cyber:Secured Forum 2019 will be issued in January. To learn more about Cyber:Secured Forum and register to attend, visit cybersecuredforum.com. The conference is offering an early bird registration discount through Feb. 28. SIA members, PSA members and members of the ISC Executives Club receive additional discounts off registration rates. About SIA SIA (securityindustry.org) is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with more than 900 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As a proud sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA Government Summit, which brings together private industry with government decision makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industrys top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking. About PSA Security Network PSA Security Network is the worlds largest systems integrator consortium made up of the most progressive security and audio-visual systems integrators in North America. Combined, PSA members boast over 400 branch locations, employ over 7,500 industry professionals and are responsible for over $4.5 billion annually in security, fire, life safety and pro audio-visual installations. PSAs mission is to empower its owners to become the most successful systems integrators in the markets they serve. PSA brings this mission to life by partnering with industry leading product and solution providers, delivering unparalleled education and training programs and by offering a variety of distinctive services that can enhance any companys operations. Learn more at psasecurity.com. About the ISC Security Events The ISC Security Events are owned and operated by Reed Exhibitions, the worlds leading event organizer with over 500 events in over 30 countries. The ISC Security Events include ISC West, ISC East, ISC Brazil and Expo Seguridad Mexico powered by ISC, in addition to the Unmanned Security Expo New York. ISC West is the portfolios flagship event with over 1,000 security exhibitors and brands participating, and 30,000 industry professionals in attendance. ISC West takes place annually in April at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada; the 2019 event will be held April 9-12. John Kearney, CEO of Advanced Training Systems, advocates for total compensation for truckers in order to attract and employ new recruits. Truck driving isand should bea solid, well-paid occupation, says Kearney. Long-haul truckers are essential to commerce in this country and help support the nations economic well-being. In October, the U.S. District Court in the Western Division of Arkansas ruled that truck drivers should receive at least minimum wage for their work time. While drivers who are paid by the mile may continue to be paid in that fashion, their overall pay, according to the ruling, must meet the federal requirement for minimum wage.1 Truck drivers, says John Kearney, CEO, Advanced Training Systems LLC, have historically had to deal with delays beyond their control that detract from their productive over-the-road hours. Kearney, whose company is a leading designer and manufacturer of virtual simulators and driver training on them, adds, If we push to attract drivers who will choose this as a profession, total compensation which depends on miles driven is the overall key to attracting and keeping drivers. And future drivers, Kearney notes, are urgently needed. According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), about 51,000 more drivers are needed than are available to meet demand from direct-to-consumer retailers like Amazon and Walmart. The driver shortage is already leading to delayed deliveries and higher prices, and the ATA predicts that the driver shortage will worsen in the coming years.2 A complicating factor in establishing truckers salaries is that most truck drivers are paid not by the hour but by the mile. The average driver is expected to travel between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week; according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a majority of trucking companies pay between $0.28 and $0.40 per mile3 at 2016 rates. At the low end, on a 70-hour week, this would net out to $8.00 per hour. At the high end, it would yield $17 per hourboth above the federal minimum wage of $7.50 per hour. During the last two years average annual compensation has risen dramatically as a result of the shortage of drivers and the average annual compensation can often reach the level of $45,000 to over $50,000 according to Kearney. Compensation problems arise when drivers are forced to spend excessive amounts of time sitting out bad weather or in detention, i.e. waiting at a dock for a shipper to finish loading and release the shipment. This waiting time, for which not all drivers are paid, counts against the maximum 10 hours per day that, by federal safety regulations, drivers are allowed to be on duty whether moving or not.4 Some industry observers see a partial solution in the recent mandate that truckers use an electronic logging device (EDT) to track their total hours of service, including detention time, rather than the paper logbooks that were heretofore employed.5 The existence of this electronic record, Kearney notes, has reduced a tendency on the part of shippers to understate the amount of detention time they require of their carriers. Truck driving isand should bea solid, well-paid occupation, says Kearney. Long-haul truckers are essential to commerce in this country and help support the nations economic well-being. Better control of detention and greater awareness of attracting people to this professionand retaining themshould quickly make the issue of minimum-wage regulations irrelevant. As to payment methods, the best course is to pay drivers for miles traveled and also for waiting time. About Advanced Training Systems LLC: Advanced Training Systems (ATS) is a high-tech simulator technology and engineering firm that has revolutionized the design and manufacture of advanced training systems to improve training and create safer drivers. ATS, the holder of multiple patents in high-tech training simulation, has as its mission to provide this cutting-edge adaptive training to all involved in the transportation industry at an affordable cost, resulting in safer drivers/operators. For more information, visit http://www.atstrainingsystems.com 1. Kahaner, Larry, Court: Drivers entitled to a minimum wage for time, American Trucker, December 3, 2018. 2. Long, Heather, America has a massive truck driver shortage. Heres why few want an $80,000 job, Washington Post, May 28, 2018. 3. Truck Driving Per Mile Salary, http://www.alltrucking.com, 2016. 4. Boblett, Chad, Detention Policies Need to Change in 2018, DAT blogpost, January 29, 2018. 5. ELD Implementation, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, June 21, 2018. Flash Army captain-turned-politician Jair Bolsonaro took office as Brazil's 38th president on Tuesday, promising to "restore order" and reduce the state's role in economy. The new president was sworn in at a ceremony in Brasilia amid the highest security ever for a presidential inauguration in the largest and most populous nation in Latin America. Bolsonaro was stabbed and severely injured during the campaign, undergoing surgery, with more surgical intervention planned. Since then, security around him has been significantly increased. Anti-aircraft laser-guided missiles were mobilized and thousands of officers were involved in the security effort. The inauguration crowd, which the government estimated to number some 115,000 people, was not allowed to get too close to the presidential palace. Protocol calls for the Brazilian president to make two speeches, one in Congress and one to the people. In his speech to lawmakers, Bolsonaro said he was determined to fight corruption, crime and "ideological submission." "I want to take this opportunity to call on each congress member to help me in the mission to restore and rebuild our nation, freeing it from corruption, crime ... and ideological submission," he said. "The government will not spend more than it takes in," he added. In his speech to the general public, he highlighted his concerns about crime, for which he received applause. Bolsonaro has always taken a pro-gun stance and said last week that he will relax gun laws to allow anyone without a police record to own a gun. "Our concern is the safety of good citizens, and the guarantee of property and self-defense. Our commitment is to value and support the work of all security forces," he said. First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro also addressed the people, delivering her speech in sign language. The first lady, who is involved in a campaign to promote the inclusion of people with hearing disabilities, said deaf people will not be forgotten by her husband's administration. Several foreign leaders attended the presidential inauguration ceremony, including Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the presidents of Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Honduras. Akonni Biosystems, a molecular diagnostics (MDx) company that develops, manufactures, and intends to market advanced MDx systems, today announced that its senior management team will host institutional investor and partnering meetings at the LifeSci Advisors Corporate Access Event taking place in San Francisco, January 7-9, 2019. To schedule a meeting with Akonni, investors can register on the online system managed by the Companys US investor relations firm, LifeSci Advisors, LLC, or make a request via e-mail at Access@LifeSciAdvisors.com. About Akonni Biosystems Akonni Biosystems was founded in 2003 and has been issued 21 US and 37 International patents primarily covering sample preparation, microfluidic devices, bioinstrumentation, and integrated systems. Product development has been supported by a series of government grants and contracts from NIH, CDC, DOE, DOD, NIJ, and NSF. The company significantly advanced the original technology by improving the systems capabilities from sample preparation to test result. Commercial products in Akonnis near-term pipeline include rapid sample preparation technologies for nucleic acid extraction and multiplex panel assays for detecting clinically relevant genotypes for pharmacogenomics, human chronic diseases, and genotypes for infectious diseases such as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), upper respiratory infections, viral encephalitis, and hospital-acquired infections (MRSA). Based on its recent analysis of microarray-based applications in the molecular diagnostics (MDx) market, Frost & Sullivan recognized Akonni Biosystems with the prestigious 2017 North American New Product Innovation Award. Perth values dropped 4.7 percent over the year, led by its decline in the unit market. Unit values declined a further one percent in December, bringing their total decline over 2018 to 6.5 percent. House values, which also saw a one percent drop over the month, dropped 4.3 percent, bringing the median house price values to $431,000. Perth's median unit value sits at $370,000. Click here to enlarge. The Ryde district ranked as Sydney's weakest 2018 housing market, according to CoreLogic. Ryde values were down by 13.3 percent over the year to December 31. Sydney's inner south west was the next weakest with values down 10.9 percent. Melbourne's inner east was the worst performing area of 2018, seeing declines of 13.4 percent. There was a late year deterioration in values as Ryde's decline was put at 9.4 percent in August (below). Recent Ryde sales included a one-bedroom apartment at 4 Devlin Street (above), which sold for $565,000, some $115,000 less than its 2014 off the plan purchase price. Ryde district vendors were having to adjust their expectations with losses emerging for some. Ryde went backwards recently. Another off the plan purchase inwent backwards recently. The apartment was bought for $713,000. The Belmore Street two bedroom apartment recently sold for $691,000. A two bedroom Macquarie Park apartment recently sold for $808,000, just $8,000 more than than two years ago. The sale fell well short of its initial $870,000 guide, and would have meant a loss after costs including stamp duty and estate agent commission. A four bedroom house in Marsfield recently went backwards on its 2015 price. The 1975 built home sold for $1,791,000 in three years ago, and has just resold for $1.75 million, a $41,000 loss. A unit at 21-31 Porter Street fetched $66,000 less, while a unit at 2D Porter Street sold for $38,000 less than four years ago. Click here to enlarge: A three bedroom house in Ryde sold for $1.65 million (pictured below) bucked the trend selling in under three weeks. Set on a 550sqm block, the house at 1 Cosimo Place offered three large bedrooms, modern Caesarstone kitchen, formal living and second living area. Other features include LED-lit stairs, alfresco, generous laundry and study nook. It sits a short stroll to buses and parklands, and delivers immediate access to schools, retails and Macquarie business precinct. A one bedroom unit in the heart of Ryde sold for $430,000 (pictured below). It first sold at $281,000 in 2012. The unit situated at 1/688 Victoria Rd consists of one bedroom with built-in, spacious lounge/dining area, modern kitchen and private courtyard. It is situated only a short walk away from Top Ryde Shopping Centre, Putney Shopping Village, Local Transport, Schools and Riverside Parklands. A Curzon Street two-bedroom unit priced between $580,000 to $630,000 (pictured below) fetched $568,000 in October. The unit at 7/15 Curzon Street comprises of large living area with balcony, newly renovated kitchen, two large bedrooms and lock-up storage room. It situated within seconds to Top Ryde City Shopping Centre, city buses, restaurants and cafes. Melbourne's house value decline accelerated to 9.1 percent in late 2018, according to CoreLogic. Melbournes top quartile housing market led the way with dwelling values down 11.2 percent over the year, while the lower quartile of the market has remained in subtle growth territory over the year (+0.5%). Melbourne values are down 7.2% since peaking in November 2017. At the end of 2018, Melbourne values are back to February 2017 levels, Tim Lawless, the head of research at CoreLogic said. The 7.2 percent Melbourne decline from its peak 13 months ago compares with Sydney's 6.9 percent dip when it was 13 months into its downturn. Click here to enlarge. Melbourne's inner east was the nation's worst performing housing market in 2018, according to CoreLogic. The region saw declines of 13.4 percent. The worst performing list, dominated by Sydney suburbs, only had one other Melbourne suburb, the inner south, which saw 10.5 percent decline. Click here to enlarge. Melbourne's inner east comprising of the likes of Doncaster, Hawthorn, Surrey Hills and Park Orchards. Click here to enlarge. This time last year, at the end of 2017 Tim Lawless noted that the 2017 shift to falling national dwelling values was being driven by the capital cities, with the combined capitals tracking half a percent lower over the December quarter, while across the combined regional areas of Australia, values were half a percent higher over the quarter. Amongst the capitals, the weakest end of 2017 year conditions were concentrated in Sydney and Darwin. At December 31, 2017 Sydney dwelling values remained 70.8 percent higher than their cyclical low point in February 2012. The best performing capital city over the 2017 calendar year was Hobart, where dwelling values rose by 12.3 percent: almost five times higher than Hobarts decade average annual rate of capital gain (2.5 percent). New Delhi, Jan 2 : Calling for a one-on-one debate with the Prime Minister on Rafale case, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday dismissed governments defence of the deal and demanded Modi to answer who inflated the price of the jets. After targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal in Lok Sabha, Gandhi later at a media conference questioned him over an audio clip purportedly featuring Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane claiming that Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had all the files on the Rafale deal. "I would like to debate with the Prime Minister one-on-one on Rafale, on anything on combat aircraft. Just give me 20 minutes," said Gandhi demanding Modi to answer "credibly" questions raised by him about the deal to procure 36 fighter jets from France. "The cost per aircraft was inflated from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. Was it Modi's decision or the Indian Air Force's? If the decision was not of IAF, then did they not object to the inflated price -- yes or know? "Why was a private entity which never made an aircraft chosen and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited bypassed, and who took the decision not to manufacture the Rafale jets in India?" asked Gandhi. Referring to former French President Francois Hollande's remarks that the private entity was a condition precedent for the Rafale deal, Gandhi also asked Modi if Hollande was "lying" or "telling the truth". He also accused Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of "lying." Dismissing his defence of the deal in Lok Sabha, he questioned: "Why was the decision maker of the deal, Modi himself, not giving the answers?" "The decision is on Rafale and the decision maker who announced the deal with pomp is not answering and Jaitley is trying to defend Modi and his actions. "Modi can run away from debate, but the truth cannot be hidden. The entire country knows that Modi changed the deal to help his industrialist crony pocket Rs 30,000 crore," alleged Gandhi. Jaitley questions us about the figure Rs 1,600 crore, but he himself told Parliament that the size of the Rafale deal is Rs 58,000 crore, or Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft," said Gandhi said, playing a video clip of Jaitley's earlier address in Parliament. Punching holes in Jaitley's assertions that the cost of the jets was enhanced due to new weapons, Gandhi said the Modi government's defence of the deal was inconsistent. "The 2007 request for proposal (RFP) documents clearly states that direct flyaway aircraft be delivered with full compliments of weapons and the weapons package was integral to the flyaway aircraft," said Gandhi reading out the RFP and also enumerated some of the weapon and equipment annexed with it. "Jaitley has a habit of telling lies one after the other, but the reality is Rafale deal was made to steal from the exchequer," said Gandhi adding "chowkidar chor hai" (watchman is a thief). About the audio clip featuring Rane, Gandhi alleged Parrikar was "blackmailing and threatening" because of the files that he possessed. "The question is: what is the information on those files with Parrikar, what is the impact on Modi?" asked Gandhi referring to the audio clip which Rane claimed to be "doctored". On the other hand, Parrikar has called the clip Congress' "desperate attempt to fabricate facts". "The audio clip released by Congress is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting," tweeted Parrikar. Gandhi, however, insisted the Supreme Court verdict was not a clean chit to Modi and reiterated the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the deal. "The Supreme Court did not say there was no corruption in the deal nor did it say that there can be no investigation into the deal. There are issues with the court verdict and that is why we demanding a JPC, which will bring out all the truth. Guwahati, Jan 2 : The Assam police have started the process to deport five Myanmarese languishing in detention camps of Assam, police said on Wednesday. Sonitpur Superintendent of Police Prithipal Singh said details are being worked out on how to deport the persons. Another senior official of border wing of Assam police, however, said the five will be sent to Manipur and would be deported through the Indo-Myanmar border at Moreh later this week. "The Myanmar nationals are being sent to Silchar from a detention camp in Tezpur where Manipur police will receive them. They are likely to be deported by this weekend," said the official. The Assam police had in October last year deported about seven Myanmar nationals through Moreh in Manipur. Pune, Jan 2 : Way back on January 3, 2012, when a young Pune gynaecologist, Dr Ganesh Rakh, first announced plans for "free delivery" of all infant girls born in his hospital, he was promptly labeled 'Mad Doc' by the fraternity and the community. However, seven years later, he has the last and loudest laugh at his hospital founded in 2007, the campaign coinciding with the birth anniversary of social reformer Savitribai Jyotirao Phule. "Not only has my campaign proved to be a super success, it has attracted voluntary participation of over 200,000 private Indian doctors in the 'Beti Bachao Jan Andolan', across the country," an elated Rakh told IANS, which first highlighted his initiative in 2014. The campaign, unique on a global scale, entailed all deliveries of female babies at Rakh's Medicare Hospital, a celebration, free medical treatment and follow-ups. In the past seven years, the Medicare Hospital, Pune (owned by Rakh), has carried out 1,476-plus free deliveries of female child, whether normal or caesarian or even complicated cases, besides other treatment, medication and follow-ups. "We consider the girl child a 'Goddess Laxmi' avatarA So we celebrate her arrival by playing music, distributing cakes-sweets to all in the hospital and even outsideA In my early days, everybody called me a 'Mad Doctor'," chuckles Rakh. The expenditure on these are recovered from the routine out-patient-department consultation fees or hospital bills of male child births, leaving thin profit margins but a wide smile of satisfaction on Rakh's face. It can cost around Rs 15,000 for normal deliveries or more than Rs 30,000 for complicated cases, which is waived off if a female birth is notched, irrespective of the financial status of the patient. Over 200,000 medicos in the country have joined the cause. Thousands of small private clinics, some corporate hospitals and others have joined the BBJA, giving their own free or subsidised deliveries, discounts, propagating the cause through wedding invites, calendars, diaries, processions in different states, and other measures, he said. "This is indeed a far cry from the situation we faced just a few years ago when the birth of a female child was abhorred and the mothers faced humiliation from the family or communityA Now, more than 1.60 million volunteers are directly-indirectly involved in espousing BBJA," said Rakh. The volunteers include para-medicos, lawyers, professors, teachers, jewelers, hair-dressers, travel-and-tour companies, wedding planners and even autorickshaw drivers, all contributing their mite and thumbing a nose at the socio-economic norms that made a female birth taboo. This has already resulted in a sea change in attitude of many, especially the poor and middle-class sections of society who previously were not prepared to even foot the medical bills if a female child was born, he recalls. "We have witnessed instances of the woman being abused and assaulted even inside the hospital if a she delivered a baby girl, many abandoning the newborn female baby in garbage bins or gutters where they were devoured by stray dogs and pigs," Rakh revealed. Today, the situation has changed. Many families go happily after begetting a female child, some decline the Medicare Hospital's 'free service' or instead, offer to sponsor the delivery of some male child born to poor parents. Rakh says that once the IANS story grabbed public attention in India and abroad, thousands contacted him for advice and launched similar BBJAs in their areas in Gujarat, Karnataka, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Punjab. "For us the biggest compliment is international doctors are now requesting us to launch similar 'Save Girl Child' campaign in different countries. We shall go to Africa, Middle East, Nepal and other countries over the next few weeks to help them," Rakh said. Despite all this, the spectre of female infanticide continues to haunt mothers in India. According to the Economic Survey of India (2017-18), a whopping 63 million female fetuses were killed in the past 10 years, which Rakh terms as "the biggest female genocide in the world". According to the Lancet Medical Journal 2018, gender bias killed 2.40 million girls in the 0-5 age group in past years, or 240,000 per annum, and all these deaths were "avoidable, but parents were simply not interested to save them as they were girls". In India, Rakh blames the prevalent, though changing - social and economic circumstances, family ethos, other factors like pliable medicos and illegal sex determination tests for the death of crores of girls, creating a grave demographic imbalance. The son of a humble labourer Adinath and domestic help Sindu, hailing from Solapur, the intelligent young boy Ganesh Rakh managed to finance all his education winning scholarships. Now, he says is 'repaying' his debts to society through the BBJA, with rock-solid support from his wife Trupti and daughter Tanisha. (Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in) New Delhi, Jan 2 : The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the setting up of a high-level committee to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord which obligates the Centre to provide constitutional, legislative and administrative measures to protect, preserve and promote cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the indigenous communities of Assam. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the committee will hold discussions with all stakeholders and assess the required quantum of reservation of seats in Assam Assembly and local bodies for Assamese people. The Committee will also assess the requirement of measures to be taken to protect Assamese and other indigenous languages of Assam, quantum of reservation in employment under Government of Assam and other measures to protect, preserve and promote cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of Assamese people, he said. The composition and terms of reference of the committee will be issued separately by the Ministry of Home Affairs at a later date. "The setting up of the committee will pave the way for the implementation of the Assam Accord in letter and spirit and will help fulfil longstanding expectations of the Assamese people," said Singh. The Cabinet has also approved the establishment of a Bodo Museum-cum-language and cultural study center, modernisation of existing All India Radio station and Doordarshan Kendra at Kokrajhar. A superfast train named "Aronai Express" has also been approved that will run through the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts (BTAD). Relevant Ministries will take the required actions to implement these decisions. The state government will also take necessary measures related to appropriate land policy and land laws, besides setting up of institutions for research and documentation of customs, traditions and languages of indigenous communities," added the minister. Srinagar, Jan 2 : The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to look after the infant saved just in time on Tuesday from being buried alive by his father in Srinagar. Farooq Ahmad Lone, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, said on Wednesday the Srinagar Child Welfare Committee would take care of the abandoned infant. People in old city Nowhatta area on Tuesday reportedly saw Manzoor Hussain Banyari of Shopian district trying to bury his infant child alive. Banyari was handed over to police while the authorities shifted the child for treatment to a children's hospital in the city. The father said the child was suffering from a congenital deformity and that he had no means to treat the child. Banyari was arrested and later released on bail. New Delhi, Jan 1 : A yellow band, tied to the arms of visitors and organisers of the 15-day Dastkari Haat Crafts Bazaar that opened here on Tuesday, represents the silent protest of Indian craftspeople against substitution of the hand-made, and their demand for a dedicated bazaar in the capital. The 33rd edition of the Bazaar, which hosts traditional hand-made crafts, art and textiles by over 180 artisans from the country, is taking place in Dilli Haat here -- a space long-contended for its occupants and sellers. Jaya Jaitly, former Samata Party president, handicrafts curator, and founder of the Bazaar's organiser Dastkari Haat Samiti, reiterated the demand that Dilli Haat be retained as a "genuine marketplace for craftspeople". "There are many layers of attack on the handmade sector, not just by the mills but also digital technology. Craftspeople need spaces like Dilli Haat to protect themselves. "Malls are branded places. There are all kinds of bazaars and mandis. Why not one genuine bazaar for craftspeople, in the face of so much mechanisation, globalisation, synthetics, and imitation?" the 76-year-old Jaitly asked, while speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the Bazaar. The fortnight-long event has given out 158 stalls to artisans and craftspeople from many states of India, who are selling a diverse set of merchandise. A strip of yellow cloth demarcates the Bazaar from the Haat's other sellers -- often traders. On sale are carpets, durries and pashmina shawls from Kashmir, Kalamkaari works from Andhra Pradesh, ceramics from Mumbai and Himachal Pradesh's Andretta, Madhubani paintings from Bihar, Gond art and khajur (date) crafts from Madhya Pradesh, and handwoven textiles from Gujarat and Rajasthan. While they occupy a significant number of stalls, Jaitly lamented the presence of traders in the Haat, who serve as big competitors to actual craftspeople. Highlighting Delhi Tourism's "strange policies", Jaitly pointed to 62 stalls that undergo an e-bidding process and are taken up by Delhi-based traders. "They have 62 of what they call brand promotion stalls, where you have to bid online. It starts at minimum Rs. 1 lakh, and goes up till Rs. 3.4 lakh. Craftspeople don't know what online bidding is. They don't own laptops. They come here with their bundles with great difficulty. "Stalls are given to traders who sit here permanently breaking the rule of rotational occupancy," she explained. "There are 162 stalls which are handled by the Ministry of Textiles. As such, there should be only those many stalls. But over the years, Delhi Tourism added more stalls, first at the same rent as the MoT ones, but it increased by two, three, even 20 times of the original rent." She underlined the need for Dilli Haat remaining a marketplace for just craftspeople. "The infrastructure was built more than 25 years ago, it's more than paid for. The craftspeople pay rent, pay for their travel, pay for decor. What they need is a level playing field," she argued, while "appealing to the conscience of governments -- state and central, and all agencies responsible for job creation and skill development". "We talk of job creation. These are not jobs, but livelihoods. They are not asking for jobs, but for places to promote their livelihoods," the politician-activist said, her yellow band gleaming in the winter sun as a silent symbol of craftspersons' rights. The decision of President Donald Trump to pull U.S. troops out of Syria has generated much heated debate. The ones disagreeing including Defense Secretary James Mattis who resigned in protest believe the mission in Syria has not yet been accomplished because the Islamic State remains undefeated. By contrast, supporters of Trump believe he is merely keeping his campaign promise of troop withdrawal. It is true he wanted to announce the withdrawal for a long time but gave on several occasions more time to U.S. generals following their advice. In a speech to members of the military at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq on December 26, 2019, he explained that now "it's time to bring them [the troops] back." At the time of writing, it is unclear when the withdrawal will start and finish. Following the announcement, the U.S.-led coalition has continued airstrikes in Syria. An official statement on the website of Operation Inherent Resolve published on the day of Christmas confirms this. It cannot be necessarily taken for granted American troops have completed their task. Talking at the Al Asad Air Base Trump referred to Syria and said the U.S. "can do things from Iraq that can take over some of the slack." This suggests U.S. forces remain open to the possibility of re-entering Syria from Iraq. Although several questions cannot be answered due to lack of information, the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria signals Washington's acceptance of Moscow's leading role in the country. This had become evident from the last years of Barack Obama's presidency but the stationing of U.S. troops in Syria still underlined the importance of Washington's presence. President Vladimir Putin said in the annual press conference that Trump's decision was the right one. According to Trump, Russia and other players will have to take more responsibilities in fighting against the Islamic State and additional terror organizations. However, this contradicts his original reason for withdrawal being that the mission of defeating IS militants had been accomplished. Furthermore, the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad is winning the conflict. Along with several military victories against the rebels, it is currently regaining some political support in the Arab world. The most significant example has been the re-opening of the UAE embassy in Damascus. Saudi Arabia might follow, especially if it decides to invest in the reconstruction of Eastern Syria, as Trump has encouraged it to do. Turkey is another country which can benefit from the pullout of American troops. As President Tayip Erdogan attempts to stabilize the national economy, the rapprochement between Ankara and Washington functions as an unexpected gift. The latter now needs the former to guarantee the smooth withdrawal of American troops. Subsequently, Turkish military operations could soon expand towards the eastern part of the Euphrates River. Ankara says it will fight against the Islamic State, but it is no secret that it will largely target Kurdish military forces. The Kurds who fought alongside the U.S. against IS feel abandoned by both their former backer and Russia. Their choice now is between a difficult fight with Turkey or a bargain with Damascus about control of Eastern Syria. Israel too is highly concerned about recent developments. According to its position, the pullout of American forces from Syria vindicates Iran's policies and paves the way for a closer collaboration between Damascus and Tehran that could threaten its national security. Israel publicly comments it is able to defend itself despite Trump's decision. But what is imperative for it is to consolidate its security understanding with Russia over southern Syria to prevent a regional conflagration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Putin generally enjoy a good working relationship in spite of frequent disagreements. Recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria, for example, were condemned by Russia that has also delivered S-300 missiles in the country to bolster its air-defense systems. For almost seven years, Syria has been a battlefield seeing millions of people killed, injured and displaced. Great powers and regional players have rolled out their strategies either successfully or unsuccessfully. Trump's decision to withdraw American troops is a new and important development. It is also time for more attention to be placed towards a political settlement. George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. New Delhi : Given the limited fiscal space to increase the expenditure on social services, such as education and health, it is essential for the governments of developing countries like India to enhance their public spending efficiency by generating the maximum potential benefit for its population within the given budgetary resources. With India spending about 2.7 per cent of its GDP on education (Budget Estimates for 2017-18), small changes in the efficiency of public spending can result in better education outcomes and income of the country. Cross-country comparison of efficiencies of public spending in Asia shows that while countries such as South Korea, China and Kazakhstan are the most efficient in terms of education outcomes, the less efficient countries comprise Bangladesh, Pakistan and India, among others. To evaluate the efficiency of public spending on education, various indicators can be used: For instance, percentage of population enrolled in primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary schools, along with a few quality-based indicators, such as Youth Literacy Rate and the World Economic Forum (WEF) indicators for the quality of the education system. Looking at the performance of educational outcomes in India vis-A -vis other lower middle-income countries in Asia, it is more efficient in public spending than Bangladesh and Pakistan. However, Sri Lanka benefits from strong enrollment rates and also the quality of its primary education as well as the youth literacy rate. Bangladesh and Pakistan display insufficient enrollment rates and also poor-quality primary schools. India, on the other hand, has been able to show marked improvements in its enrollment rates, but its Youth Literacy Rate is still below the lower middle-income group's average. Further, in terms of the quality of the education system, India was ranked 27th in the WEF Global Human Capital Index, reflecting highly efficient government spending in training students to the skill levels required in a competitive economy. In fact, the most efficient of the Asian economies, such as China and South Korea, also lag behind India in terms of the overall quality of the education system. Having said that, China has shown a rapid expansion of educational attainment across its younger generation, which is also reflected in its high government spending efficiency score with regard to the Youth Literacy Rate. Further, China also shows high public spending efficiency with respect to primary and secondary school enrollments. However, looking at the education completion rates for tertiary education, the performance is very dismal for both China and India, with only 10 per cent and eight per cent of the population holding a tertiary degree. The low education attainment rates at the tertiary education level is also a reflection of low government spending efficiencies in the tertiary education sector in these countries. High income countries, such as South Korea have invested heavily in education at all levels -- primary, secondary and tertiary -- which is greater than the OECD average of 6.3 percent of GDP, with higher than average level of funding coming from the private sources. Being a fast-aging country, the high investment in the education sector has resulted in notable educational attainment for its older generations. The country is also at the second position in the Global Human Capital Index on the enrollment rate in tertiary education. The majority of tertiary education institutes in South Korea are privately owned, with some central regulations, including admission and enrollment policies, which could have scaled up the efficiency of public spending in education in the country. The regional disparity in the efficiency of government education expenditure across different Asian countries can be explained by a multitude of factors, one of them being the level of government spending. Various studies have been conducted to show that countries where the extent of government spending is greater, the efficiency of the expenditure is less. Another factor influencing the public spending efficiency is the share of public spending in the provision of the service. The greater is the share of government education expenditure in the total expenditure (public plus private) the lower is the efficiency of the expenditure. This means that increasing the share of private sector activities in the economy will help in reducing inefficiencies of government spending. In India, the public sector is the main provider of social infrastructure and accounts for more than half of the total investment in both advanced economies and emerging economies in education. Increasing the share of private investment in education in India can improve the productivity of government spending in the sector. Further, efficiency of the government spending can improve with better institutions, greater transparency and lesser corruption. The World Bank Governance Indicators for 2017 rank India ahead of Bangladesh and Pakistan in the terms of political stability and violence, quality of government services and also extent of corruption, explaining to some extent differences in the efficiency of public spending in these countries. Developed countries such as South Korea not only invest a greater proportion of their GDP on education but also have good governance, which has led it to efficient government spending in education and better educational outcomes. (Amit Kapoor is chair, Institute for Competitiveness, India. He can be contacted at amit.kapoor@competitiveness.in and tweets @kautiliya. Deepti Mathur, senior researcher at large, Institute for Competitiveness has contributed to the article) The press conference was attended by hundreds of members of the press to discuss the reasons behind the tremendous success of Zhuyeqing Tea and the direction in which the brand will develop in the future. Among the attendees were several industry leaders, such as academician Chen Zongmao, Jiang Nanchun, the president of Focus Media, the largest media group in China, financial writer Wu Xiaobo, and writer Cai Lan. According to data released by the China Tea Circulation Association, in the period 2007-2017, Zhuyeqing Tea was at the forefront of premium Chinese green tea sales, boasting a leading position in global market share. Ten years on, Zhuyeqing Tea still remains a high quality brand and market leader. Zhuyeqing Tea is produced in the Emei Mountain dual-listed heritage site, situated 30 degrees above the equator in the Alpine Tree area, 600-1,500m above sea level. These two geographical factors render this area the most ecologically suitable environment for the production of premium green tea. According to a report released by the Zhejiang Tea Research Institute, Chinese green tea is currently in the bottleneck period of production and the market has inverted, yet Zhuyeqing green tea remains at the forefront of the luxury tea market. In the words of Wu Xiaobo, "production of Zhuyeqing tea began as early as twenty years ago, and yet its enormous success in such a short period of time represents just one of many development paths for the broader production of Chinese luxury goods." Moreover, President Wang Qing of the Chinese Tea Circulation Association, affirmed that "Zhuyeqing is not only a representative product of Sichuan, but is also representative of the collective desire of the Chinese people to enjoy luxury green tea." In addition to the excellent geographical conditions that foster its quality, Zhuyeqing Tea contains only the hearts of the buds and is picked before the Tomb-Sweeping Festival, which is believed to be the best time to harvest green tea. Furthermore, Zhuyeqing has invested nearly one hundred million yuan to develop a customized tea production line in order to cement their position as a leader in digital production, academician Chen Zongmao referred to it as "laying the technological foundation for the entry of Chinese green tea into the global market." Behind this advanced technology are more than fifty benchmarks for testing the quality of the product, along with a comprehensive quality inspection process with more than thirty eight steps to ensure the quality that has ensured ten consecutive years of high-volume sales and market leadership. At the same time, Zhuyeqing has also won the World Green Tea Congress Special Gold Award. Zhuyeqing has been recognized by the Chinese government as an ideal representative of Chinese goods to the world. China is the world's largest tea-producing country. According to the International Tea Commission, the total export volume of green tea in 2017 was 294,000 tons, the second largest tea export market in the world. When it comes to green tea, China has always been the most important player in the market. As the first brand of Chinese green tea, Zhuyeqing is one of the most sought-after products in the global luxury tea market. Wu Xiaobo has pointed that under the conditions of China's staggering economic growth, Chinese green tea is shaping the global market via its huge production. Zhuyeqing Tea, with its excellent added value performs exceptionally well in global markets, representing the luxury goods that China has to offer the world. Wu Xiaobo stressed that Chinese green tea urgently needs to adopt the approach that Zhuyeqing Tea has taken, using brand strength to promote the growth of added value in the production process breakthrough to international markets. Wang Yuefei agrees, that "brand strength and product quality complement each other" and that through this approach Chinese green tea can break through to international markets. Emei mountain green tea has been presented to two Russian presidents as national gifts. Zhuyeqing Green Tea, as a brand, has lead the development of the green tea industry, into the international luxury tea market. SOURCE Zhuyeqing SANTA ROSA, Calif., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Vintage Wine Estates has appointed Jeff Nicholson to the new role of Chief Operating Officer. Most recently, Nicholson was an Operating Partner at AGR partners. AGR Partners is an investment firm dedicated to food and agribusiness who acquired a minority equity stake in Vintage Wine Estates in April, 2018. Jeff will continue to be on the Advisory Board for AGR Partners. "We are pleased to have Jeff join us at Vintage Wine Estates," commented Pat Roney, Chief Executive Officer. "We are growing rapidly and welcome his expertise in mergers and acquisitions, extensive value chain experience and entrepreneurial spirit." Nicholson joined AGR in 2017 with a focus on identifying and developing new investment opportunities. Prior to that, he founded and operated companies within the food and agriculture value chain. He was co-founder and president of Animal Supply Logistics, a preferred distribution company to independent pet supply retailers (subsequently merged with Animal Supply Company). Before Animal Supply Logistics, Nicholson co-founded Link Logistics, working alongside companies such as Starbucks to reduce procurement costs and improve distribution and transportation. In addition, Nicholson has over 12 years' experience in sales and marketing with Ralston Purina and Pacific Cartage and Warehousing. Jeff will have all VWE Operations reporting to him including Winemaking, Production, Warehouse, Supply Chain, Purchasing and IT. "I look forward to applying my knowledge to the wine industry and leading Vintage Wine Estates' operations side as the company continues to grow," said Nicholson. Jeff Nicholson joins the Vintage Wine Estates Senior Leadership team which includes Pat Roney, CEO, Terry Wheatley, President, Kathy DeVillers, Chief Financial Officer, Marco DiGiulio, Chief Winemaker and Marty Peterson, Vice President of Operations. About Vintage Wine Estates Vintage Wine Estates is a privately held wine company owned by a group of vintner families with deep roots in the wine business. The families own a collection of winery estates and brands including Clos Pegase Winery, Girard Winery, B.R. Cohn Winery, Swanson Vineyards, Cosentino Winery, Game of Thrones wines, Viansa Sonoma, Windsor Vineyards, Cameron Hughes, Firesteed, Sonoma Coast Vineyards, Clayhouse, Tamarack Cellars, Layer Cake, Cherry Pie, Splinter Group Spirits, Middle Sister, Bar Dog, Girl & Dragon, Purple Cowboy and a number of exclusive wine brands. An industry leader across all sales channels and dedicated to providing wine consumers with a range of wines from $10 to $100 dollars and at many price points in between, Vintage Wine Estates produces outstanding wines from Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino, Paso Robles, Washington State and Oregon. www.vintagewineestates.com Contact: Mary Ann Vangrin, Vintage Wine Estates, [email protected], 707-738-0338 SOURCE Vintage Wine Estates Related Links http://www.vintagewineestates.com Lamelas has performed more than 16,000 cardiac surgeries throughout his 28-year career; 7,000 of which have employed a minimally invasive approach. "Dr. Lamelas is internationally recognized for his outstanding skills, outcomes, and innovation in cardiac surgery. His arrival at the University of Miami strengthens our luminary program in cardiovascular disease," said Edward Abraham, M.D., executive vice president for health affairs and CEO of the University of Miami Health System. "Having Dr. Lamelas as our chief of cardiothoracic surgery solidifies UHealth as the preeminent center for cardiovascular disease in South Florida, and one of the truly elite institutions in the country." Lamelas returns to Miami, the city where he spent 26 years perfecting his minimally invasive techniques, after spending two years in Houston as the associate chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, CHI St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Texas Heart Institute. Prior to that, he served as the chief of cardiac surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida where he single handedly rebuilt their cardiac surgery program and consistently achieved some of the best cardiac surgery survival rates in the nation. When practicing in Miami, cardiac surgery outcomes for Dr. Lamelas were consistently among the best in Florida, and he performed the highest volume of cardiac surgery in the state with more than 700 cases annually, on average. "Miami is very personal to me so I am very excited to return and be a part of South Florida's only truly academic medical center," said Lamelas. "Cardiac surgery is the pillar of any health care institution, especially in the academic setting which allows you to fully commit to innovation." While Lamelas offers patients every cardiac surgical procedure except heart transplant, he is renowned for pioneering and perfecting a minimally invasive approach to cardiac surgery. The techniques he developed and the surgical instruments he invented to facilitate intricate procedures he now applies to almost all cardiac surgeries including aortic and mitral valve replacement, double-valve replacement, triple-valve replacement, repair of congenital cardiac defects, removal of cardiac tumors, bypass surgery, and a minimally invasive approach to replacement of the ascending aorta, a procedure Lamelas himself developed. Lamelas' minimally invasive approach, which he named "The Miami Method," involves a less than 2-inch incision on the right side of the chest that does not require opening the breastbone. "I realized in 2004 that I needed to do something to differentiate myself and advance the field of cardiac surgery," stated Lamelas. "I began working on a minimally invasive technique and saw the necessity to create new instruments that would help me perform these operations." Lamelas has since trained more than 1,000 surgeons from around the world in this approach. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery results in less physical pain and trauma, less blood loss, reduced risk of infection, shorter hospital stays, quicker recuperation, and better long-term outcomes than more traditional cardiac surgical procedures. In addition, research conducted by Lamelas demonstrates high-risk patients including the elderly, obese, those with chronic lung diseases, such as COPD, and kidney disease who are too frail for traditional open-chest operations are better able to withstand a minimally invasive cardiac surgery. "We are delighted that Dr. Lamelas will be joining the University of Miami. He brings innovative cardiac surgery skills that will benefit our patients tremendously," said Jeffrey Goldberger, M.D., chief of the University of Miami Health System Cardiovascular Division. "His arrival gives us a unique opportunity to further enhance the spectrum of cardiovascular services offered at UHealth and to continue to innovate and set the future standards of cardiovascular care. We are excited to work collaboratively to achieve the highest quality care and best outcomes." SOURCE University of Miami Health System - SoftBank Group's early venture arm has been renamed as SoftBank Ventures Asia - SoftBank Ventures Asia will focus on finding AI related startups with US$1.1B in funds under management - SoftBank Ventures Asia will expand teams globally with an emphasis on Asia SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SoftBank Ventures Asia, which will be renamed from SoftBank Ventures Korea, will increase early stage investments globally with an emphasis on Asia. SoftBank Ventures Asia is the early-stage investment vehicle of the SoftBank Group and will act as the bridge to the SoftBank ecosystem by sourcing and funding the best startups and entrepreneurs. Currently operating teams in Seoul, Beijing, San Francisco, and Tel Aviv, SoftBank Ventures Asia is now looking to expand its presence by opening offices and hiring investment professionals in Singapore and Shanghai. "I am excited by the opportunity to enhance our presence in the early stage and look forward to backing passionate entrepreneurs with the boldest, most life-changing ideas. Our vision is to support promising young entrepreneurs by offering unparalleled access to SoftBank's community, resources, and network," said JP Lee, CEO and Managing Partner of SoftBank Ventures Asia. "SoftBank Ventures Asia invests to accelerate the Information Revolution and is increasingly interested in the application of artificial intelligence across different industries." SoftBank Ventures Asia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. and was established as SoftBank Ventures Korea in 2000. While initially focused on the Korean market, starting in 2011 it has expanded to make investments in startups globally. With over US$1.1B under management, SoftBank Ventures Asia has invested in over 250 companies across 10 countries with a focus on AI, IoT, and robotics startups. Notable investments globally include Tokopedia, the leading technology company in Indonesia focused on commerce, logistics, payments and financial services; Mythic, a fast-growing AI chip company based in Silicon Valley; Hyperconnect, operator of video communication service "Azar" with over 200M downloads across 230 countries; and SNOW China, an augmented reality camera app that is #1 in terms of users in Asia. "The SoftBank Ventures Asia team first invested in Tokopedia in 2013 and were an early believer in our mission to democratize commerce through technology. They have been supportive shareholders and partners, and we continue to build a close relationship with them," said William Tanuwijaya, CEO and Co-Founder of Tokopedia. The new name is effective immediately and SoftBank Ventures Asia is already actively investing in the US, China, EU, Israel, Southeast Asia, and Korea. SOURCE SoftBank Ventures Asia "The SME Education Foundation is the philanthropic jewel of SME's portfolio," said Sandra Bouckley, Interim CEO of SME. "Rob's experience and leadership are the right match for the Foundation and its mission to provide opportunity to young people through scholarships and our unique PRIME (Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) schools initiative." Luce formerly served as Executive Director of the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corporation. He has also been Director of MICHauto and Automotive Retention & Growth at the Detroit Regional Chamber. Prior to joining the Chamber, Luce was a legislative aide in the Michigan State Senate and served as fundraising director for a State Senate Campaign. Luce holds degrees from Eastern Michigan University and Adrian College as well as certificates in public budget management and local government management. "The role and mission of the SME Education Foundation has never been more important or more urgent," said Luce. "I am eager to work with the Foundation Board and to team with the staff to further the Foundation's reach, impact and success in support of students and young people." Luce assumes his new role immediately, starting on January 2. About the SME Education Foundation The SME Education Foundation is committed to inspiring, preparing and supporting the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists. Since its creation by SME in 1979, the SME Education Foundation has provided scholarships and awards through its partnerships with corporations, organizations, foundations and individual donors. Each year, the Foundation awards several hundred scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering and technology disciplines closely related to manufacturing. The organization also administers scholarship awards on behalf of major corporations connected to manufacturing. Additionally, the Foundation's PRIME schools initiative was created to provide high school students with a tailored advanced manufacturing /STEM education. Visit the SME Education Foundation at smeeducationfoundation.org. Follow @mfgeducation on Twitter or facebook.com/SME.Education.Foundation. SOURCE SME Education Foundation Related Links https://www.smeef.org SECAUCUS, N.J., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, announced that it is scheduled to speak at the 37th Annual J. P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco. Stephen Rusckowski, Chairman, President and CEO and Mark Guinan, Executive Vice President and CFO will discuss the company's vision, goals and two-point strategy to accelerate growth and drive operational excellence. The presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Mr. Rusckowski and Mr. Guinan also will participate in a Q&A session moderated by the host analyst. The presentation and Q&A session will be webcast live during the conference and will be available on the company's investor relations page which can be accessed at ir.QuestDiagnostics.com. In addition, the archived webcast will be available within 24 hours after the conclusion of the live event and will remain available until February 7, 2019. About Quest Diagnostics Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our 45,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com. SOURCE Quest Diagnostics Related Links http://www.questdiagnostics.com RENTON, Wash., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Disruptive trends that have been building for several years, including momentum around new health care coalitions, will bring significant change to the U.S. health care system in 2019, according to president and CEO Rod Hochman, M.D., and other executives at Providence St. Joseph Health (PSJH), the nation's third largest health system. "The formation of new coalitions will make 2019 an inflection point in health care. We expect many diverse organizations to come together to collaborate on key issues," said Dr. Hochman. "We've been talking about 'disruption' in health care for some time, but 2019 will be the year we see real change that measurably improves health, affordability and transparency." PSJH has a track record of accurate predictions for the health care industry. Last year's top predictions, issued in a news release in January 2018, anticipated a trend in "non-traditional partnerships." Later that month, Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase announced the formation of an independent health care company for their employees. What will be the major health care trends in 2019? Here are PSJH's top 10 predictions for the year. 1. Diverse coalitions will form to tackle the toughest issues in health care. When seven major health care systems, including PSJH, banded together in 2018 to form Civica Rx, a not-for-profit generic drug company to address the national crisis around surging drug prices and shortages, it was a sign of things to come. Watch more nontraditional coalitions among health care organizations and others lift off in 2019 as providers, in particular, assert stronger leadership in areas such as big data, digital innovation and advocacy. 2. Health system mega-mergers will cool down in 2019. After several years of high-profile mega-mergers among health systems, there will be a slowdown in 2019 as newly merged organizations focus on integration and delivering quality and value across scale. Smaller alliances, such as the recent partnership between PSJH and Adventist Health in Northern California, will continue to form at the local level, where community partnerships remain critical. 3. A potential recession will have a significant impact on health care. If warnings of an economic downturn are realized, the impact on health care will be significant. Hospitals already operate on very narrow margins, and a recession could decrease revenue even further. Downgrades by the ratings agencies are likely, and more hospitals may be forced to close, especially smaller, rural facilities. 4. In the move to the cloud, data security will be the top concern for providers. Cloud computing will make it easier for providers to aggregate and leverage data to support more informed clinical decision making and enable predictive analytics in medicine. This fundamental shift will require new partnerships between providers and big tech companies. In these new relationships, providers will serve as leading advocates for ensuring patient data is secure and confidential. 5. More tech industry talent will join health care. More tech experts will choose to make the leap to health care to help develop innovative solutions that will improve health and the delivery of care. PSJH has been a leader in recruiting talent from outside industry, including the recent hiring of Microsoft's B.J. Moore to serve as PSJH's new chief information officer. Expect more personnel movement from tech to health care in the year ahead. 6. Traditional provider roles will blur as drugstores, insurers offer direct patient care. The recent mergers between CVS and Aetna, as well as Cigna and the retail pharmacy Express Scripts, are the latest examples of nontraditional partners coming together to deliver direct patient care. While some consider this a threat to traditional providers, close observers will notice disruption happening in both directions. Providers are also reinventing themselves for the future by expanding into retail, and health and wellness. 7. The pharmaceutical industry will come under heightened public scrutiny. With soaring drug prices and frequent shortages, pharmaceutical companies will feel the heat from consumers, legislators and regulators in 2019. They will be scrutinized, oftentimes publicly and aggressively, on the efficacy of new, high cost medications and biologics the industry is promoting and will face tough questions on the role of Big Pharma in the proliferation of opioids. 8. Homelessness, suicide and opioids will be strategic priorities for improving health. The social factors that affect health will take on greater strategic significance for the major health systems. Expect providers to ramp up community partnerships that address the nation's mental health and addiction crisis, which led to an alarming 117,000 deaths in 2017 due to suicide and opioid misuse. Providers will also partner with communities to tackle homelessness with more urgency and invest in affordable long-term housing options, especially for complex patient populations. 9. Improving quality and reducing costs in the Medicaid program will be a key focus. Medicaid is a critical program and vital safety net for one in five Americans. Recognizing the important role this program plays for a large population, not-for-profit providers will continue to be a strong voice for preserving Medicaid expansion. Providers will also make it a strategic priority to improve the health of the Medicaid population, which will also help reduce the cost of the program. 10. Uncertainty and volatility in health care policy and regulation will continue. After a federal judge in Texas ruled the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional, the law will continue to be a hot topic of debate as the case makes its way through the appeals process. Meanwhile, providers will be faced with uncertainty about the future of the ACA, programs like 340B drug pricing, Medicaid and Medicare. About Providence St. Joseph Health Providence St. Joseph Health is a national, not-for-profit Catholic health system comprising a diverse family of organizations and driven by a belief that health is a human right. With 51 hospitals, 829 physician clinics, senior services, supportive housing and many other health and educational services, the health system and its partners employ more than 119,000 caregivers serving communities across seven states Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington, with system offices based in Renton, Wash. and Irvine, Calif. SOURCE Providence St. Joseph Health Related Links https://www.psjhealth.org SAN MATEO, Calif., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Applitools ( applitools.com ), the leader in Application Visual Management, today released the first of several 2019 courses for Test Automation University - a community-driven collection of educational training courses to help improve test automation skill sets ( https://testautomationu.applitools.com/setting-a-foundation-for-successful-test-automation/ ). Course education materials help improve results from the test automation efforts critical to app release velocity and quality in today's global business climate. Provided free of charge, these online courses help address the lack of accessibility to an industry-vetted collective of training resources. Instructors include leading test automation experts Angie Jones , Dave Haeffner , Jonathan Lipps , Joe Colantonio , Amber Race , Elisabeth Hocke , Manoj Kumar , Jason Arbon , Raja Rao , and Gil Tayar with many more to be announced throughout 2019. Every course includes several chapters with video tutorials, transcripts, additional resources, and quizzes to confirm and reinforce learning. Students who successfully complete courses are rewarded with credits that accumulate and count towards their overall ranking, as well as profile badges to celebrate progress and learning. Anyone who completes the first Test Automation University course by January 15, 2019, will receive an exclusive New Year's Resolution badge and an additional 500 credits. Sign-up to participate at https://testautomationu.com . Setting the Foundation for Successful Test Automation The first course in the curriculum is now available and contains the following chapters to help students learn about: Designing a Test Automation Strategy Creating a Culture for Test Automation Success Developing for Test Automatability Tooling for Test Automation Future-proofing Your Test Automation Efforts Scaling Your Test Automation Measuring the Value of Your Test Automation "At Test Automation U, we don't want to limit learning to any one particular school of thought, which is why we are providing a wealth of training materials from a variety of industry veteran instructors all in one centralized location," said Angie Jones, senior developer advocate at Applitools. "Our first course, meant for all stages of skill sets and career paths, helps students set a foundation for test automation success by thinking through and identifying the core elements of good test automation and applying them before starting a project." In the face of digital transformation, as well as continuous integration and continuous deployment initiatives (CI-CD), the shortage of test automation skills is being further exacerbated. Numerous reports from analysts across the globe estimate this gap in skills and talent to reach the hundreds of thousands within only a few years' time. Test Automation University is a program committed to helping address this challenge. As an open, community-driven educational training program, the community is responsible for identifying, aggregating, and amplifying techniques that will help automation professionals succeed more often. In particular, those responsible for QA (test automation engineers, QA teams, and developers) can take advantage of these offerings immediately. To learn more about Test Automation University, take the demo course at ( https://testautomationu.applitools.com/demo-course/ ). Additional Test Automation University courses will be released every few weeks throughout 2019 with the following instructors and courses already scheduled: January 1, 2019 : Setting a Foundation for Successful Test Automation from Angie Jones January 18, 2019 : Design Patterns for Test Automation from Eran Barlev February 1, 2019 : Exploring Tools for API Test Automation from Amber Race February 8, 2019 : Scaling Automated Tests with Docker from Carlos Kidman February 15, 2019 : Automated Visual Testing: A Fast Path To Test Automation Success from Angie Jones March 1, 2019 : Incredibly Fast Front-end Testing with Cypress from Gil Tayar March 1, 2019 : Codeless Test Automation using the new Selenium IDE from Dave Haeffner March 15, 2019 : The Whole Team Approach to Continuous Testing from Elisabeth Hocke March 15, 2019 : Advanced Topics in Automated Visual Testing from Raja Rao March 29, 2019 : Performance Testing Tools and Techniques: Preparing For The Masses from Amber Race April 12, 2019 : Automated Visual Testing of Mobile Apps Using Appium from Jonathan Lipps About Applitools Applitools is the creator of Application Visual Management (AVM) to help companies release, test and monitor flawless mobile, web, and native apps in a fully automated way. Founded in 2013, Applitools uses sophisticated AI-powered image processing technology to ensure that an application appears correctly and functions properly on all mobile devices, browsers, operating systems, and screen sizes. Applitools' Visual AI engine mimics the human eye and brain to avoid undetected visual bugs, minimizing false positive bug alerts. Applitools Eyes can instantly validate entire application pages and detect layout issues on even the most complex and dynamic pages. When development teams are confident they can fix visual bugs faster, they are unleashed to push more high-quality code than ever before. Applitools has customers from a range of verticals, including Fortune 100 companies in software, banking, online retail, insurance, and pharmaceuticals. Applitools is headquartered in San Mateo, California, with an R&D center in Tel Aviv, Israel. For more information, please visit applitools.com . Media Contact: Jeremy Douglas Catapult PR-IR 303-581-7760, ext. 16 [email protected] SOURCE Applitools GRAND HAVEN, Mich., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- My Homework Help has gained prominence in assisting students with their services of online tutoring. The organization also helps scholars with their schoolwork and assignments. The CEO of the company, Abhishek Kapuria recently said in an interview, "We believe that learning can be enjoyable as well as effective when students are not burdened by impending deadlines. That's why we have a house of experts handling our customers' assignments so that they get abundant time to concentrate on their academics. Students can contact us by filling out the inquiry form on our website." He is confident that lifting the burden of assignments off the students' shoulders helps them partake and concentrate on other fields of interest like music or sports. Further, company researches have shown that students experience family and health issues as well as isolation from society because of too much homework pressure. Hence, they started providing their amenities keeping in mind the well-being of students, as said by one its senior employees. Their services are majorly available in the United States, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and Canada. With 982 part-time tutors with expertise in specific subjects and 676 full-time teachers, My Homework Help is able to reach the students of those regions effectively. Parents and students can enroll at myhomeworkhelp.com This certified organization for homework help chooses its educators through a stringent procedure of recruitment. It involves a sequence of arduous screen tests that include credential checks, assessment of writing samples, work history inquiry, and personal interviews. Consequently, this company has been able to reach more than one million students who associate with them and trust them for over seven years now. It was possible because of the combination of their 100 percent privacy assured policies and a team of experienced teachers holding advanced degrees such as MS, BS, CPA, Ph.D., MBA, and CA. Privacy Policies can be directed here. Also, the organization ensures all its employees have experience concerning homework solutions as well as tutoring services for a minimum of five years. According to its website, the teachers provide help in numerous subject areas of science like Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, etc. The tutors are also expert in fields of commerce and arts, like Finance, Management, English, Business Plan, and Economics among many other subjects. One of its clients seeking the company's help for four years now has commented, "My Homework Help has assisted with my studies during my high school years and continue to do so during my college years too. The tutors have been an excellent help in my academic life." About the Company My homework help is a recognized organization providing help and homework solutions to school as well as college students. Click here to know about us. It has a team of qualified and efficient teachers holding various professional degrees. They guarantee the clients 100 percent plagiarism-free and accurate solutions along with copyright website content that can be used for non-commercial purposes. One can find these details on their website's terms and conditions page. The company offers services concerning assignments, research papers, articles, technical designs, drafting, etc. Contact details: E-mail: [email protected] USA: +1-585-535-1023 UK: +44-208-133-5697 AUS: +61-280-07-5697 Related Images my-homework-help.jpg My Homework Help My homework help has been doing homework assistance for years. how-can-we-help-you.jpeg How Can We Help You? 24x7 customer support available for your assistance e-learning.jpg E learning E learning will improve your grades avail-the-benefits-of-homework.jpg Avail the benefits of Homework Help offers Get a good grades in exams. Related Links Myhomeworkhelp My homework help Reviews Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txPGFp9UFVc SOURCE My Homework Help Related Links https://myhomeworkhelp.com CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --The MIT Sloan School of Management recently announced the creation of the Ambition, Innovation & Motivation (AIM) Scholarship for graduates of the MIT Sloan Fellows MBA Program. The scholarship has been funded and instituted by current MIT Sloan Fellow, Shweta Aprameya, SFMBA '19, to support Sloan Fellows conducting social impact projects in India. "The goal of the fund is to support entrepreneurship and innovation among MIT Sloan Fellows and solve some of the world's most critical issues," says Aprameya, who is a career professional turned social entrepreneur, and current founder and director of ArthUdgam Welfare Foundation in Lucknow, India. The scholarship will be available to MIT Sloan Fellows to set up a social impact project in India for six to nine months after graduation. Candidates will be entrepreneurs who want to test and implement their ideas and solutions that are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. Preference will be given to action-oriented candidates eager to execute their idea on the ground in India. Scholars will be awarded $10,000 upon arriving in India and $1,000 per month to cover living expenses. The scholarship will provide logistical support and access to industry experts who will serve as advisors. The first recipient will be selected by a five-person selection committee comprised of MIT Sloan faculty, administrators, and a student. The MIT Sloan Fellows MBA Program is a one-year program that attracts high-potential leaders enthusiastic to discover new possibilities for innovationand action. MIT Sloan Fellows are experienced leaders and mid-career professionals with a minimum of 10 years of work experience. They come from 30+ countries seeking an MBA or MS in Management or Management of Technology. The MIT Sloan School of Management is where smart, independent leaders come together to solve problems, create new organizations, and improve the world. Learn more at mitsloan.mit.edu. For further information, contact: Paul Denning or Patricia Favreau Director of Media Relations Associate Director of Media Relations (617) 253-0576 617-253-3492 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE MIT Sloan School of Management Related Links http://www.mitsloan.mit.edu MCLEAN, Va., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. military saw an eventful year in 2018, from the announcement of a new military branch dedicated to space, to approval of the largest pay raise in years, to the less serious but much discussed scandals around pilots and inappropriate imagery in the sky. "In past years, we've seen one or two issues emerge as the most impactful, but that's just not true with 2018. This year has been a roller coaster of policy changes, leadership changes, discipline issues, and major changes to veterans' services," said Amy Bushatz, Military.com's Executive Editor. The Military.com Top Military Stories of 2018 are: Bonus: Mattis Resigns as SecDef amid Trump-Ordered Troop Pullouts Bushatz said it's hard to pick just 10 stories each year but 2018 proved harder than most, particularly with late-breaking news coming at the end of December. "We had a lot of discussions internally on our team about what stories to include. This list reflects the themes and issues we felt best encapsulated the past year." Bushatz said 2019 will have no shortage of headlines, "Who will be the next Secretary of Defense is certainly going to be the major story in early 2019. I also think more detail around the development of the Space Force will be in the news and any changes to pay, benefits and uniforms are always of interest to our readers," said Bushatz. "We are eager to see what 2019 will bring." About Military.com Military.com is the nation's largest military and veteran online news and membership organization serving active duty personnel, reservists, guard members, retirees, veterans, family members, defense workers and those considering military careers. Military.com enables Americans with military affinity to access their benefits, advance their careers, enjoy military discounts, and stay connected for life. Military.com is a business unit of Monster Worldwide Inc. More information is available at www.military.com. Links: Military.com Facebook Military.com Twitter Military.com Press Center SOURCE Military.com Related Links http://www.military.com PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- McKean Defense Group, LLC announced today that it was awarded a NAVSEA PMS 339 contract valued at more than $56M. The award is a Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee contract with a five-year period of performance. The award includes support to NAVSEA PMS 339 for Fleet Introduction support services for new construction and in-service ships. Tasks spans administrative, logistics, engineering, combat systems, deck and aviation technical support, training, commissioning support and information technology/network support. McKean personnel provide this support in Bath, ME, Virginia Beach, VA, Norfolk, VA, Millington, TN, Mayport, FL, Mobile, AL, Marinette, WI, San Diego, CA, Pascagoula, MS, and Washington, DC. The team will be supporting engineering, logistics and commissioning tasks for 30 fleet introduction efforts in 2019 alone. "This work is dynamic, and touches many important aspects associated with launching new ships or returning others to the Fleet after major overhauls," said Joseph Carlini, Chief Executive Officer of McKean Defense. "We appreciate the Navy's confidence in McKean continuing to support this effort, and to assist them as they employ enhanced technology to support their infrastructure and the commissioning events." This is the McKean's second time being awarded this important contract for PMS 339. Additional Information: McKean Defense is an employee-owned Life Cycle Management, Engineering, Enterprise Transformation, and Program Management business headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. McKean Defense's engineers, developers, technical staff, programmers, analysts, and program managers identify and deploy new shipboard technologies, integrate information technology across shipboard platforms, and develop strategies to support the Warfighter. McKean Defense's employees create strategic solutions to help customers reach new levels of mission support and transform their organizations. More information can be found at www.mckean-defense.com. SOURCE McKean Defense Group, LLC Related Links http://www.mckean-defense.com WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Democrats plan to officially introduce legislation to reopen the federal government at the start of the 116th Congress. The funding measure funds six of the seven remaining appropriations bills through the remainder of fiscal year 2019. The legislative package also includes a Continuing Resolution (CR) until February 8 for the Department of Homeland Security and a 1.9% pay adjustment for federal workers. Since the third government shutdown of 2018 began at midnight on December 22, more than 380,000 federal employees have been locked out of their jobs. Another 420,000 have been required to report to work and none of them received any pay throughout this holiday season. "We fully support the House Democrats' plan to end the shutdown and reopen the government," said American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox, "I urge the Senate to follow suit and immediately put this plan on President Trump's desk for signature." "The American people want their government to function, and government employees want to do their jobs and receive their paychecks. This shutdown was entirely unnecessary and needs to end right away." Since the third government shutdown of 2018 began at midnight on December 22, more than 380,000 federal employees have been locked out of their jobs. Another 420,000 have been required to report to work and none of them received any pay throughout this holiday season. Thousands of federal workers took to social media over the holiday season to share stories about the financial hardships being caused by this shutdown using the hashtag #ShutdownStories. "Our members take home an average of around $500 each week. Any interruption in their pay has a devastating impact on them, their families, and their communities," said Cox. "AFGE thanks Speaker-Designate Pelosi and Leader Schumer for their leadership and working together to draft this legislation and ensuring that the 1.9% pay raise for federal workers was included in this legislation." The House plan provides a 1.9% pay adjustment for 2019 passed the Senate last year and won strong bipartisan support in the House. Federal employees lost $200 billion in pay and benefits through legislation passed since 2011, and they are earning nearly 5% less today than they did at the start of the decade. "This funding measure, as well as the provision of the modest 1.9% adjustment in salaries, needs to pass immediately," said Cox. "I call on President Trump to take this opportunity to show hard-working and devoted federal employees, including federal law enforcement officers, that he values their work. Please sign this bill, end this shutdown, and stand up for America's workforce by agreeing to this small pay adjustment that federal employees have earned." The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees Related Links http://www.afge.org OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Labor Commissioner today posted a list of port trucking companies with unsatisfied final court judgments, tax assessments or tax liens. Retailers and other businesses that hire companies on the list are jointly and severally liable for future labor and employment law violations committed by these companies. The listed companies have committed wage theft against their employees and failed to come into compliance or pay wages owed. The trucking companies listed refused to pay truck drivers' wages, overtime or expenses, failed to maintain workers' compensation insurance, or intentionally misclassified employees as independent contractors to increase profit margins. "Companies are on notice that if they contract with a known wage thief, they will be held responsible for the exploitation of the drivers who carry their goods," said California Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su. "This new law incentivizes trucking companies to pay up on judgments and put earned wages into drivers' pockets." Since 2011, the Labor Commissioner's Office has received more than 1,000 port trucking wage claims and issued 448 decisions in favor of the truck drivers with more than $50 million in wages owed. Under SB 1402 (Lara), customers who contract with the listed motor carriers will now share civil legal responsibility and civil liability for the full amount found due for unpaid wages, unreimbursed expenses, damages, penalties and applicable interest owed to a driver. The Labor Commissioner's Office gave at least 15 business days' advance notice to the port trucking companies on the list before its posting. The list will be updated at least once a month, and the Labor Commissioner's Office will remove companies from the list within 15 days after receiving confirmation of payment of monies owed, or an approved settlement agreement. The Labor Commissioner's Office, officially known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, is a division of DIR. Among its wide-ranging enforcement responsibilities, the Labor Commissioner's Office adjudicates wage claims, inspects workplaces for wage and hour violations, investigates retaliation complaints and educates the public on labor laws. Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR's Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). Members of the press may contact Jeanne-Mairie Duval or Erika Monterroza at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR's press releases or other departmental updates. The California Department of Industrial Relations , established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency . For general inquiries, contact DIR's Communications Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department. https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR https://twitter.com/CA_DIR http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1 SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations; California Labor Commissioners Office Related Links http://www.dir.ca.gov NEW YORK, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- New York Fashion Week participating fashion brand, HIROMI ASAI, unveils the brand-new jacket and suit lineup for 2019-20 Autumn/Winter menswear collection at Pitti Uomo 95 in Florence, Italy on January 8-11, 2019. The theme of the collection is "Savile Row," representing the traditional British style impregnated with modern tastes. Jacket British Style, Made of Kimono Silk Stextile, HIROMI ASAI 19AW Collection Tailoring by Mr. Hirokawa, HIROMI ASAI 19AW Collection HIROMI ASAI develops new textile suitable for suits and jackets with craftsmen in Japan, who usually manufacture textiles for Kimono by traditional techniques. HIROMI ASAI would like to propose "slow fashion and slow lifestyle" with sophisticated design and comfort though this 2019-20 Autumn/Winter collection. HIROMI ASAI 2019-20 Autumn/Winter collection features British-styled jackets and double-breasted suits. The double-breasted suits made of Kimono silk textiles look formal, but stylish with the outstanding character of Kimono silk textiles. The Jackets are created in collaboration with one of the Japanese greatest authorities on handmade bespoke, Mr. Teruo Hirokawa, whose works were provided to the British Royal Families. Japanese Kimono silk textiles manufactured by traditional craftsmanship and British traditional bespoke style are beautifully integrated in the collection. "We have always been challenging new to revive the essence of Japanese Kimono for modern fashion. We presented premium cotton shirts and jackets for the last season, while we are focusing on more formal British style for this season. I am honored to work with Mr. Hirokawa for completing this wonderful collection," Ms. Asai, a designer of HIROMI ASAI said. "The year 2019 is going to be a major turning point on our brand. We are planning to return to the runway during New York Fashion Week in September. The presentation at the upcoming Pitti Uomo will be the first showcase in our memorable year." After the presentation at Pitti Uomo, HIROMI ASAI 2019-20 Autumn/Winter collection appears at Flying Solo in SoHo, New York during New York Fashion Week in February, 2019. DETAILED INFORMATION Exhibitor Brand Name: HIROMI ASAI Exhibition Name: Pitti Imagine Uomo 95 Location: Fortezza da Basso, Florence, Italy Section: MAKE, in the Sala del Rondino Booth No: Stand 16 Duration: January 8-11, 2019 HP: http://www.hiromiasainy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiromi.asai Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modeandclassic Pitti Uomo: http://www.pittimmagine.com/en/corporate/fairs/uomo/specials/make91/hitomiasai.html ABOUT HIROMI ASAI Hiromi Asai is a New York-based fashion designer. Hiromi Asai established New York based fashion brand, HIROMI ASAI, in 2016. HIROMI ASAI creates simple and sophisticated men's styles, all made by finest Japanese textiles, which are produced by traditional Kimono manufacturing techniques. HIROMI ASAI first presented a womenswear collection on the runway at 2016-17 autumn/winter New York Fashion Week in February, 2016. HIROMI ASAI expanded her collection to menswear and debuted the first menswear collection at Pitti Uomo in January, 2017. Then, HIROMI ASAI presented men's collections at Pitti Uomo, Capsule Show New York Men's, Liberty Fair New York, and Liberty Fair Las Vegas in 2017 and 2018. HIROMI ASAI collections were covered by international media including NBC News, Newsweek, The Independent, AFP, and SOMA Magazine. The collection can be available in US retailors, including Amazon.com. Media contact: Hiromi Asai [email protected] 646-242-4156 SOURCE HIROMI ASAI - MODE & CLASSIC LLC Related Links http://www.hiromiasainy.com NEW YORK, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP (www.kaplanfox.com) has been investigating claims on behalf of investors who purchased Perrigo Company plc ("Perrigo") (NYSE: PRGO) securities. Perrigo is a global healthcare company that is headquartered in Ireland, and sells its products primarily in North America and Europe, as well as in other markets, including Australia, Israel and China. In April 2013, Elan Pharma International Limited ("Elan Pharma") (n/k/a Perrigo Pharma International) sold certain intellectual property for the drug Tysabri and related assets to Biogen Inc. ("Biogen"). The consideration paid by Biogen took the form of an upfront payment and future contingent payments. Perrigo acquired Elan Pharma through a December 2013 business combination between Perrigo's predecessor and Elan Corporation, plc. On December 20, 2018, Perrigo filed a report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that disclosed that Perrigo Pharma International received a Notice of Amended Assessment ("NOA") issued by the Irish Office of the Revenue Commissions that assesses a tax liability against Elan Pharma in the amount of approximately 1.64 billion (approximately $1.86 billion), not including interest or penalties. The Irish Office of the Revenue Commissioners found that Elan Pharma had paid an incorrect tax rate - 12.5% instead of 33% - on proceeds from the 2013 sale of intellectual property to Biogen. On December 20, 2018, Perrigo shares declined $15.33 per share, or approximately 30%, to close at $37.03 per share. If you are an investor in Perrigo and would like to discuss our investigation, please contact us by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-290-1952. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and New Jersey, has many years of experience in prosecuting investor class actions. For more information about Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP, you may visit our website at www.kaplanfox.com. If you have any questions about this Notice, the action, your rights, or your interests, please contact: Jeffrey P. Campisi KAPLAN FOX & KILSHEIMER LLP 850 Third Avenue, 14th Floor New York, New York 10022 (800) 290-1952 (212) 687-1980 Fax: (212) 687-7714 E-mail: [email protected] Laurence D. King KAPLAN FOX & KILSHEIMER LLP 350 Sansome Street, Suite 400 San Francisco, California 94104 (415) 772-4700 Fax: (415) 772-4707 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Kaplan Fox & Kilsheimer LLP Related Links http://www.kaplanfox.com OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As the largest class of women in the nation's history prepare to take the oath as members of the United States Congress on January 3, 2019 and as women throughout the country prepare for national Women's March on January 19th, IGNITE is building on the momentum to harness the energy, ambition and participation of young women -- specifically Millennials and Gen Z women of color. IGNITE is the largest nonpartisan political organization that works with young women ages 14 - 22. Seventy-six percent of IGNITE's participants are young women of color. IGNITE's largest membership is comprised of Latinas (33%), followed closely by African American girls and women (22%). Participation in the IGNITE program has tripled since the 2016 election, with more than 10,000 young women across party lines being trained by the end of this academic year. Leading up to 2020, IGNITE will train 100,000 young women across the country. IGNITE will kick off 2019 with a series of Young Women Run events to bring together hundreds of young women who share political and leadership ambition. The conferences will be held New York, NY (January 26, 2019); Dallas-Fort-Worth, TX (February 9, 2019); Atlanta, GA (February 9, 2019); Oakland, CA (March 2, 2019); Seattle, WA (April 27,2019); Houston, TX (Date to be announced) and Washington, D.C. (June 24-26, 2019). "The youth movement is stirring the nation," said Dr. Anne Moses, IGNITE's founder and president. "From March for Our Lives to United We Dream, young people in this country are speaking truth to power," she said. "The campaigns and elections of younger women such as Representatives-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Katie Hill, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley are powerful symbols to young women that they too can aspire to political leadership and win," Dr. Moses said. "With their numbers and their power at the ballot box, younger women will shape our future. And IGNITE is uniquely poised to train and mobilize them," said Dr. Moses. Dr. Moses has been training and organizing young women since 2010, when she launched IGNITE after seeing an acute gap in the recruitment and training efforts younger women. IGNITE women were active in the 2018 midterms, putting in more than 10,000 volunteer hours on campaigns to mobilize voters, including the victory of Ocasio-Cortez to Congress, the groundbreaking campaign of Stacey Abrams for Governor and national, local and state races throughout the country. The young women of IGNITE say the campaigns and elections of 2018 have had a significant impact upon them: "I am so excited to see what the new women of Congress will do," said Andrea Duarte-Alonso, 22 and a college student from Saint Paul, Minnesota. "Their platforms continue to be inspirational to many womxn across the nation because they are authentic and passionate about justice that needs to be done in their communities. Social media is widely used by politicians but there is an educational and community focused way that the younger women use. For example, Ocasio-Cortez uses her Instagram to help educate those who don't know how government works or use it in different ways that keep her followers captivated in politics. I aspire to use my social media platform like these women, and continue to educate others about my interests in social justice," said Duarte-Alonso, who joined IGNITE as a sophomore in college and now serves as IGNITE's Twin City Fellow. "Seeing people in leadership roles who look like you do shows that the dream is attainable. They did it, so if you work hard then you could do it as well," said Jessica Rosario, 20, a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Queens, New York. "Volunteering recently on the campaign trail, I learned a lot about politics but also about myself. One thing I learned would be that it is a lot of work, especially being a woman. You are constantly being picked apart and a lot of the judgment comes from gender roles. You will be questioned about your views and tested by everyone about everything. You are working to gain someone's faith in you and your abilities," said Rosario, who joined IGNITE last year. IGNITE's model is unique: IGNITE works with young women ages 14 - 22. The organization provides curricula for youth in K through 12th grade teaches young women how government works and why it matters, as well as discussion guides for parents to talk with their daughters about how to help build their civic and political leadership. IGNITE's programs operate in schools and communities where low-income young women of color live and work. The program is the only one in the country that provides sustained political leadership training and engagement to high school, college, graduate school women in their home communities. IGNITE also recruits college-age Fellows who are on the path to becoming the next generation of political leaders. The Fellows create regional college councils on their campuses, now on 80 campuses throughout the country. IGNITE also works to shift culture around young women and political ambition through social action campaigns such as the 2018 #VoteTwice campaign, a partnership with Cosmopolitan Magazine and Rock the Vote to mobilize tens of thousands of first-time voters across the country. Data collected by IGNITE on the program shows it is having an impact: According to an internal poll, 99% of eligible IGNITE women voted in the 2018 midterms, compared to 59% nationally in the 2016 elections, as reported by the Center for American Women in Politics 37% of IGNITE women ran for office on their campus, and 79% of those who ran for office won their elections 93% of IGNITE women feel driven to run for office Eleven IGNITE alumna ran for office for the first time, five won their campaigns this past fall and dozens more are planning campaigns in 2019 and 2020. While there is much to celebrate from the recent gains of women's leadership, IGNITE will continue to train and mobilize young women until there is political parity in America. "We want to make sure every year is a Year of Women," said Dr. Moses. "Even with the recent wins in the 2018 midterm election, women only gained 2% of seats. Women are half the population but hold only 24% of the 520,000 elected offices in the United States. Research shows that at the rate we are electing women we will not reach parity for at least 100 years. This is unacceptable," she said. About IGNITE: IGNITE is a national movement of young women who are ready and eager to become the next generation of political leaders. As a nonpartisan 501c3, IGNITE builds political ambition in high school and college-aged young women in their own communities. IGNITE provides civic education, exposure to women in political leadership, hands on training, work opportunities, and a peer network of women who support and nurture each other's aspirations for civic and political leadership. www.ignitenational.org SOURCE IGNITE Related Links http://www.ignitenational.org "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Jeff for his leadership over his successful 35-year career with Hensel Phelps," said Mr. Choutka. "Under Jeff's leadership, Hensel Phelps has grown into the successful company it is today and I look forward to building upon his achievements. We are deeply grateful to Jeff for his innumerable contributions to Hensel Phelps and for positioning the company to continue to plan, build, and manage into the future." "At Hensel Phelps, our people are our greatest assets," commented Jeff Wenaas, outgoing CEO of Hensel Phelps. "I am proud of what we have accomplished, and I am confident that under Mike's leadership we will continue to serve our clients, grow the company and continue to honor the 80 plus years of history of Hensel Phelps." Mike Choutka most recently served as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Hensel Phelps. Mike began his career with Hensel Phelps, rising through the ranks from Field Engineer, Office Engineer, Project Engineer, Project Manager, Operations Manager, District Manager / Vice President, and Executive Vice President before being appointed President and Chief Operating Officer. About Hensel Phelps Founded in 1937, Hensel Phelps specializes in building development, construction and facility services. As one of the largest employee-owned general contractors in the United States, Hensel Phelps has built their company on four pillars: people, process, partnership and technology. This Hensel Phelps Way brings clients' vision to life with a comprehensive approach that begins with innovative planning and extends throughout the entire life of the property. For more information on the Hensel Phelps Way visit www.henselphelps.com Contact: Heather Ward Hensel Phelps 420 Sixth Avenue Greeley, Colorado 80631 [email protected] Phone: 303-829-1731 SOURCE Hensel Phelps Related Links http://www.henselphelps.com NORTH CANTON, Ohio, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Compassion Network is opening a clinical site in North Canton for local patients to establish with a Certified to Recommend (CTR) physician. The Green Compassion Network expands from Athens to Cleveland, where their Amherst location can be found, to their new clinic in North Canton. Ohio's medical marijuana regulators opened the registry for patients on December 3rd, while cautioning the first supplies will be scant. "The opening of the online patient registry indicates the Pharmacy Board believes product will be available within 60 days. In an effort to meet the demand, we are excited to bring our services to North Canton, Ohio," stated Julia Appleby, Green Compassion Network Founder. "Ohio legalized Medical Marijuana in September 2016. There have been many false starts with Ohio's Medical Marijuana Program," Green Compassion Network Chief Marketing Officer Ted Shingleton said. "But we've been working diligently to empower our patients through education and process automation, so they may receive their medical marijuana recommendation and hit the ground running." Ohio law states, "before medical marijuana may be dispensed to or for, a prospective patient, the prospective patient must be placed on the registry established by the state board of pharmacy. To qualify for placement on the registry, a prospective patient must establish and maintain a bona fide physician-patient relationship with a recommending physician and receive a diagnosis or confirmation of a qualifying condition from the recommending physician." Green Compassion Network streamlines this process, by assisting patients hoping to receive their medical marijuana card. Their HIPAA compliant online portal allows patients to register with a CTR physician with ease and confidence. Their North Canton doctor is currently accepting new patients. ABOUT GREEN COMPASSION NETWORK Green Compassion Network has state-certified doctors throughout Ohio who specialize in recommending medical marijuana for qualifying patients. Customers can call Green Compassion Network toll free at 1-833-426-4673 or visit www.greencompassionnetwork.com to book an appointment online or discover how medical marijuana can help. Media Contact: Ted Shingleton Chief Marketing Officer Email: [email protected] SOURCE Green Compassion Network Related Links http://www.greencompassionnetwork.com DUBLIN, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Influenza Vaccines Market, Persons Vaccinated, Brand Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Major Deals - Forecast to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global influenza vaccines market is anticipated to exceed US$ 5.8 Billion mark by 2024, and is presenting ample opportunities to the industry's players. Influenza viruses are considered as a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The vast population base together with significantly low vaccination coverage in emerging markets, introduction of new vaccines, rising government support for immunization and growing awareness of the value of influenza vaccine in preventing disease are the prominent factors that will drive the influenza vaccines market. However, shortage of vaccine supply due to genetic assortment of the viral strains is surging the need for updating vaccines each year by the manufacturers. This is a major factor restraining market growth. Global Influenza Vaccines Market - Regional Analysis Geographically, North America is the largest market for influenza vaccines capturing over 48% market share in 2017. is the largest market for influenza vaccines capturing over 48% market share in 2017. Asia is the second largest market for influenza vaccines. is the second largest market for influenza vaccines. Europe is the third largest market for influenza vaccines, followed by Latin America . is the third largest market for influenza vaccines, followed by . Australasia accounted for least share of the influenza vaccines market in 2017. Global Influenza Vaccines Market - Country Wise Analysis On the basis of country, United States captures majority of the influenza vaccines market. captures majority of the influenza vaccines market. Japan is the second largest market for influenza vaccines. is the second largest market for influenza vaccines. China , Brazil and India are the third, fourth and fifth leading market for influenza vaccines respectively. , and are the third, fourth and fifth leading market for influenza vaccines respectively. Canada , Germany , France , UK, Italy , Spain and South Korea are the other leading market for influenza vaccines. Global Influenza Vaccines Market - Brands Analysis In the influenza vaccines brand sales segment, Sanofi's Fluzone holds the maximum share of the market being followed by Fluvirin/Flucelvax. In May 2016 , the cell-based Flucelvax quadrivalent shot was approved by the FDA. , the cell-based Flucelvax quadrivalent shot was approved by the FDA. GSK's Fluarix/FluLaval accounts for the third highest share of the influenza vaccines market. Fluad is the first and only adjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccine in the US for adults aged 65 and older. Flublok has captured least share of the influenza vaccines market. In October 2016 , Protein Sciences received approval from the FDA for the quadrivalent version of Flublok vaccine. , Protein Sciences received approval from the FDA for the quadrivalent version of Flublok vaccine. On August 28, 2017 - Sanofi announced that it has completed the acquisition of Protein Sciences. - Sanofi announced that it has completed the acquisition of Protein Sciences. In February 2018 , SK Chemicals Co. signed a US$ 155 Million deal to license cell culture technology to Sanofi Pasteur Inc. for development of a universal influenza vaccine. Global Influenza Vaccines Market, Persons Vaccinated, Brand Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Major Deals - Forecast to 2024 provides a comprehensive assessment of the fast-evolving, high-growth influenza vaccines market landscape. This 224 Page report with 139 Figures and 12 Tables has been analyzed from 5 viewpoints: 1. Influenza Vaccines Market, Persons Vaccinated and Forecast - By Region (2011 - 2024) 2. Influenza Vaccines Market, Persons Vaccinated and Forecast - Country Wise Distribution (2011 - 2024) 3. Global - Influenza Vaccines Brand Sales and Forecast to 2024 4. Global Influenza Vaccines Market - Major Deals 5. Global Influenza Vaccines Market - Driving Factors and Challenges Influenza Vaccines Market, Persons Vaccinated and Forecast - Country Wise Distribution (25 Countries Covered) 1. United States 2. Canada 3. Brazil 4. Mexico 5. Germany 6. France 7. Italy 8. Spain 9. United Kingdom 10. Netherlands 11. Ireland 12. Denmark 13. Luxembourg 14. Sweden 15. Australia 16. New Zealand 17. Japan 18. China 19. India 20. South Korea 21. Singapore 22. Hong Kong 23. Malaysia 24. Thailand 25. Indonesia Influenza Vaccines Brand Sales and Forecast - 8 Brands Analyzed 1. Fluarix/FluLaval 2. Fluzone 3. Fluvirin/Flucelvax 4. Influvac 5. Afluria/Fluvax 6. FluMist/Fluenz 7. Flublok 8. Fluad Companies Mentioned bioCSL GSK Novartis Protein Sciences Sanofi Pasteur Seqirus For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/lswmfn/global_influenza?w=5 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortis Solutions Group LLC, a portfolio company of Main Post Partners, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Infinite Packaging Group, Inc., a portfolio company of Svoboda Capital Partners LLC. Infinite, with facilities in Lewisville, TX and Catoosa, OK, is a full-service converter of label products, including pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves and complementary products and services. Infinite serves a diverse group of clients in several consumer vertical markets including consumer products, retail, food and beverage, nutraceuticals and health and beauty. In addition, the Company has developed a specialized line of products and solutions for e-commerce sales. Fortis President and CEO John O. Wynne, Jr. commented, "I have long admired the Infinite organization and it's go-to-market strategies. We are excited to partner with Infinite CEO Lynn Higgs to continue building upon their success. This acquisition is a wonderful opportunity to grow our presence in the Texas market and establish a presence in Oklahoma. In addition, we will be bolstering our strength across product offerings and key vertical markets. We welcome the Infinite employees and customers to the Fortis organization." Infinite CEO G. Lynn Higgs added, "We are thrilled to join forces with Fortis CEO, John Wynne, and the entire Fortis team. This will be a powerful business combination that will provide access to a national footprint and allow us to bring added capabilities to our customers. The customer-focused approach of Fortis is a great cultural fit with what we have been building over the years." Employing over 550 employees across 12 sites, the company intends to continue its pursuit of attractive acquisitions to further the breadth of product offerings and locations which can serve its customer base. For more information, or to contact a sales representative to learn more about how Fortis can make a difference for you, please call 1-844-FSG-LBLS or visit www.FortisSolutionsGroup.com. About Fortis Solutions Group At Fortis Solutions Group, we provide a differentiated approach giving our customers a powerful advantage in the marketplace through industry leading lead times, quality control, color management and solutions-oriented approaches. We deliver a breadth of product offerings utilizing our outstanding flexographic, offset and digital printing capabilities. These offerings include pressure sensitive and shrink sleeve labels, extended booklet printing, folding cartons, variable data printing, multi-ply coupon printing and flexible packaging printing. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, the company also has manufacturing and sales offices in Austin, TX, Catoosa, OK, Ellington, CT, Flowery Branch, GA, Fort Worth, TX, High Point, NC, Kansas City, MO, Lewisville, TX, Memphis, TN, West Chester, OH and Wixom, MI. About Main Post Partners Main Post Partners is a private equity investment firm focused on investing in proven growth companies across the consumer value chain. Main Post Partners invests in both majority and minority positions primarily in first institutional capital situations where founders, entrepreneurs and management teams are looking for an experienced partner to help build their companies to full potential. With a "Partnership, not Ownership" approach, Main Post Partners works closely with a network of successful executives to provide operational and strategic support to its management partners. About Svoboda Capital Partners LLC Svoboda Capital Partners LLC is a Chicago-based private equity firm that invests in leading middle market growth companies. Svoboda Capital focuses on companies in the value-added distribution, business services, and consumer products and services sectors typically valued between $25 million to $150 million. Svoboda Capital seeks to partner with and empower outstanding management teams with a track record of success and a desire to execute on well-defined growth initiatives. Founded in 1998, Svoboda Capital has more than 70 years of collective private equity experience, extensive industry contacts and a culture of honesty, integrity and hard work. For more information on Svoboda Capital, please visit www.svoco.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC | Chris Tofalli (914)834-4334 | [email protected] SOURCE Fortis Solutions Group GUANGZHOU, China, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 26th, Fen Chiew Group, a leading Chinese liquor brand, held the global distributors conference of 2018 in Chimelong, Guangzhou. Li Qiuxi, chairman of Fen Chiew Group, directors and various regional managers, distributors from all over the world, as well as media attended the conference. This was the first global distributors conference of Fen Chiew Group. Distributors from Russia, Spain, Thailand and other countries attended the conference, several foreign distributors spoke at the conference. Fen Chiew, as a representative of Chinese mild flavor liquor, is one of the top ten Chinese liquors. In 2018, Fen Chiew achieved double improvement of brand and performance, and in the same year, Fen Chiew Group completed the construction of four major product lines. The series of four Fen Chiew products include Fen Chiew with a simple package, Panama gold prize, blue and white, and old white Fen covering different customer groups in high-, mid- and low-market. The domestic and international sales volumes improved over 2017 sales volumes. 2018 was also a year for the global expansion of Fen Chiew including diplomatic envoys in early spring in Beijing, the "American trilogy", the "voice of Europe", the establishment of a mild flavor winery in Canada and the agreement with Georgia Winery in Europe. In 2018, Fen Chiew's increased efforts in overseas markets, included increased overseas publicity, the establishment of overseas official social media accounts (Fen Chiew) on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, providing updates to the brand across the globe. Fen Chiew appeared in Times Square during Christmas, sending greetings to all. In 2019, in the face of new opportunities and challenges, Fen Chiew Group will consider long-term development and the realization of its goals; dare to innovate and make bold breakthroughs; without following the traditionally prescribed order. It will continue to integrate marketing, so as to ensure healthy and rapid growth and business performance. Fen Chiew will focus on its core advantages, improve brand retention, implement precise positioning to achieve future collaborations. It will also optimize resource allocation and stimulate brand vitality, so as to become a truly international brand. SOURCE Fen Chiew Group Feeding America ( https://www.feedingamerica.org/ ) is the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, providing food to people in need for almost 40 years. Its charitable donors are affluent, educated and proven supporters of numerous causes across all sectors. In addition to offering a universe of responsive donors for use by other non-profits, the donor file includes demographics that make these prospects extremely attractive for high-end commercial marketers. ALC will offer access to data enhancement, custom modeling and access to participating cooperative data (if permitted for use by the client) to develop a prime prospect audience for nearly every marketer. "We are excited to be partnering with ALC on List Management because of their excellent reputation and proven ability to help their clients maximize revenue and support overall marketing goals," said Allison Morris, Manager of Donor Acquisition at Feeding America. "We're looking forward to new opportunities to leverage our file both inside and outside of the non-profit space." To learn more about the Feeding America Donor file, please contact: Marissa Spinelli-Riario at 914-524-5229 or [email protected] or view the data card at: http://datacards.alc.com/market?page=research/datacard&id=525138 About ALC Founded in 1978, ALC has grown to become one of the industry's leading privately-held direct and digital data marketing services providers. Headquartered in Princeton, New Jerseyand with offices across the United States the company enables its roster of blue-chip clients including the leaders in virtually every business sector to grow and improve bottom-line profitability through the innovative use of marketing information. SOURCE ALC Related Links www.alc.com SAN DIEGO, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- EVOTEK (www.evotek.com), the nation's premier enabler of digital business, announced today, veteran sales leader, Jason Myers joined as EVOTEK's first ever Vice President of Sales. In his new post, Myers will lead the sales team through the next phase of growth. He'll be working with the regional leaders to expand coverage and to build high-value programs to support customers. EVOTEK Announces Jason Myers to join as Vice President of Sales "The transformation EVOTEK has made from a boutique integrator to the fastest growing, most innovative solutions provider in the country gives me an indescribable feeling of pride. The incredible talent that we have assembled, continues to make massive impact on our customers. Adding senior leadership underscores our commitment to serve," said Jeff Klenner, President of EVOTEK. "I am super-excited that Jason has decided to join us. His leadership style and personality are perfect complements for our fast-paced, rapidly growing organization." Prior to joining EVOTEK, Myers was the Vice President of Strategic Sales at Fusionstorm, where he grew this segment from $19 million to over $300 million in 7 years. Before Fusionstorm, Jason held various sales leadership roles over a 17-year period at AT&T. Myers also served on partner advisory boards in a senior executive capacity for both Dell and Juniper. Jason holds a Bachelor's of Science from Oakland University, and is married with 3 children residing in Southern California. Founded in 2014, EVOTEK is purpose-built to assist enterprise customers with the changing IT landscape. EVOTEK is unique in its ability to support the hybrid space between traditional IT and a secure multi-cloud. EVOTEK has been focused on delivering world-class services in DevOps, Mobility and Security. "The digital wave has introduced a constant rate of change that the traditional VAR cannot service with the velocity and predictability needed to survive," said Myers. "EVOTEK has built a model that attracts and retains the most elite talent, which is the key differentiator in serving the evolving client. It's a great time to be joining a company that solely focus' on serving their clients to create their own digital future." About EVOTEK EVOTEK is North America's premier enabler of digital business with a focus on innovation. With technology offerings in both data center and cloud, EVOTEK is uniquely equipped to enable customers with the industry shift from traditional IT computing to multi-cloud. With services practices in security, mobility, and DevOps, EVOTEK is moving up the value chain, closer to the part of digital business that matters most. EVOTEK was named to Inc Magazine's Best Places to work in 2018. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, EVOTEK was named to The San Diego Business Journal's Best Places to work and recognized in CRN's Solution Provider 500 list, CRN's Next-Generation 250 list, CRN's Triple Crown and highlighted as CRN's Top 150 Growth Companies, holding the #1 spot in 2017, as the fastest growing system integrator in the country. To learn more about how EVOTEK can enable your digital business, visit http://www.EVOTEK.com/. Follow EVOTEK: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook Contact: Tawny Malouf EVOTEK Marketing Email: [email protected] Number: 858-362-5083 SOURCE EVOTEK Related Links http://www.evotek.com NEW YORK, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- eAssist ( https://dentalbilling.com/ ) recently announced that they placed in this year's MountainWest Capital Network Utah 100 Award lineup ( https://www.mwcn.org/utah-100/ ), scoring a place at number 11 in the coveted top 15 overall. The Utah 100 designation was created to acknowledge the most important companies and job creators in the state of Utah. eAssist Dental Solutions is proud to receive the designation as assurance of their continued value as a prominent Utah-based company. The MountainWest Capital Network's Utah 100 Award Event is the first of its kind in Utah. The associated gala specifically celebrated the top 15 members of Utah's 100 list. eAssist Dental Solutions took part in this year's celebration to honor all of the top 15 recipients. "The Utah 100 placement is a great honor for us, and I'm proud that eAssist has received another distinction which validate our team's hard work. Such dedication is always the reason for our company's continued success. This award motivates us to continue moving forward, doing what we've always done best: provide an important and vital service to an ever-growing dental industry," said CEO Dr. James Anderson. Utilizing a combination of smart technology and deep experience with the dental industry, eAssist Dental Solutions has helped many dental clients raise their collection rates to nearly 100 percent. eAssist combines a unique software suite that was created to address the complicated process of insurance claims reimbursement with a devoted staff who are dedicated to insurance collections. eAssist also works hard on unpaid and delinquent claims to streamline the reimbursement process and increase its effectiveness. Claims are continually reviewed by eAssist staff, who carefully fix errors and fill out patient information wherever it is necessary. When and if claims are rejected, eAssist also personally works with the appeal process, generally ensuring a significantly higher success rate for winning such appeals. The primary goal of eAssist is helping dental offices collect all of the insurance money that is rightfully owed to them, regardless of lengthy and complicated insurance claims filing. Two programs offered by eAssist are specifically geared toward accounts receivables: the Dental Insurance Billing Service and the Patient Accounts Receivable Management add-on service. The Dental Insurance Billing Service includes: EOBs that are posted daily. The review of all denied claims. Verification of all unsent procedures. Daily submission of primary and secondary claims. The use of electronic attachments whenever available. Gathering and collation of any needed but missing information. eAssist can also provide clients' offices with a dedicated phone number for patients to call whenever they have account balance questions. And the Patient Accounts Receivable Management add-on service allows practices to completely outsource their billing, leaving offices more time to focus on patient care. The add-on service includes: Patient ledger audits. Customized letters that request payment. Phone calls to patients with outstanding balances. Bad debts are always sent to collections agencies. Electronic statements. Daily summary emails and weekly accountability reports. These are the core services offered by eAssist that have made the company an undisputed part of the modern dental practice. Contact eAssist today for more information. About eAssist Dental Solutions eAssist Dental Solutions is the provider of an electronic billing service for dental offices. The company's end-to-end solution eases the burden on office staff, while optimizing the claims payment and appeals process. eAssist ultimately helps practices become more efficient, profitable and customer-focused. Contact: Jaycee Brown, Director of Communications (385) 204-3546 [email protected] SOURCE eAssist Dental Solutions SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Douglas Borthwick (https://www.borthwicklawyer.com/) was recently honored with recognition as an AV Preeminent lawyer in the September 2018 issue of National Law Journal & Legal Times. In addition, Mr. Borthwick was noted by the American Lawyer and Corporate Counsel magazines, both prominent American Lawyer Media (ALM) affiliate publications. AV Preeminent status is only given to an elite group of approximately 10 percent of lawyers nationwide. Douglas Borthwick Acknowledged by Prestigious National Law Journal & Legal Times as AV Preeminent West Coast Attorney Douglas Borthwick's AV Preeminent designation was originally awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, which sets specific and rigorous standards of excellence and integrity before granting a Top-Rated Lawyer status to a limited number of attorneys each year. This industry standard has become the watermark for legal ability and ethical standards. It is used as an assurance of experience, trust and excellence from any attorney bearing the designation. Attorney Douglas Borthwick garnered attention from three of America's top legal publications based on his two decades of legal expertise. Mr. Borthwick blends his background in civil litigation with personal experience in insurance defense, medical malpractice defense, family law and plaintiff personal injury. He has created a legal practice that is consistently effective and reflects his commitment to personal and professional integrity. Mr. Borthwick is admitted to practice before all courts in the state of California and in the United States Supreme Court. He received his undergrad at Muskingum University, graduating magnum cum laude in 1988, before earning his juris doctorate from Capital University Law School in 1991, consistently placing on the Dean's List. Published by ALM, the American Lawyer magazine offers annual "Am Law 100" and "Am Law 200" surveys which rank U.S. law firms by the number of attorneys working, profits earned per partner, as well as overall revenue. Corporate Counsel magazine is the leading industry news publication of in-house counsel at global companies. It offers predictive reporting, trend analysis, peer guidance and a practical playbook to help general counsels and staff succeed in high-stakes roles as risk managers and corporate strategists. About the National Law Journal & Legal Times The National Law Journal was founded in 1978 and reports on legal information of national concern to attorneys regarding legal news, federal circuit court decisions, legal trends, verdicts and other information of specific interest to both private and business legal sectors. The National Law Journal also works closely with Martindale-Hubbell to compile lists that help prospective clients differentiate the best practicing attorneys in the United States. About the Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick President and owner, Douglas Borthwick is an AV Preeminent attorney who maintains a boutique litigation and transactional law firm in Santa Ana, California, with additional branch offices in Riverside and Rancho Cucamonga. Douglas Borthwick offers more than two decades of experience helping both individual and corporate clients with personal injury law, workers' compensation, family law, estate planning and wage disputes. Learn more at: www.BorthwickLawyer.com. Contact: Douglas Borthwick 714-654-6742 [email protected] SOURCE Law Offices of Douglas Borthwick Related Links http://www.BorthwickLawyer.com RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominion Energy (NYSE: D) today announced the promotions of James R. "Jim" Chapman, senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer; P. Rodney Blevins, senior vice president and chief information officer; and Carlos M. Brown, vice president and general counsel. On Jan. 1, 2019, Chapman became executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer; and Brown assumed the role of senior vice president and general counsel. These promotions recognize their accomplishments as leaders and the increasing complexities of their roles, including the addition of a new operating segment resulting from Dominion Energy's combination with SCANA Corporation Effective upon completion of the merger on Jan. 1, 2019, Blevins was promoted to president and chief executive officer of the Southeast Energy Group, an operating segment containing SCANA's operating and services companies. The three officers report directly to Thomas F. Farrell, II, chairman president and chief executive officer. "Jim, Rodney and Carlos have represented Dominion Energy well during their tenures with Dominion Energy," said Farrell. "They will continue to work toward a brighter future for our company's customers, communities, employees and shareholders." Chapman came to Dominion Energy in 2013 after more than 20 years in investment banking and corporate finance, principally related to the utility and energy sector, and became Dominion Energy's senior vice president-Mergers & Acquisitions and treasurer in February 2016. He assumed his duties as senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer in November 2018. Chapman has been managing director and head of Asia Pacific Power & Utilities Investment Banking at Barclays plc, and held similar senior roles at Barclays and its predecessor firm, Lehman Brothers in New York and overseas. He earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Auburn University and an MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. Blevins joined Dominion Energy in 1987 as an engineer in electric distribution. His duties have included oversight of the Dominion Energy Virginia storm center, where he was involved in every major storm that affected the company's electric service area in North Carolina and Virginia between 1999 and 2013. He was named vice president-Distribution Operations in 2006 and assumed his post as senior vice president and chief information officer in 2014. Blevins earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech and completed the advanced management program at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Brown joined the company in 2007 after years of private law practice. He has served in various capacities at Dominion Energy, including in the Law Department, Alternative Energy Solutions group and Power Generation unit including senior counsel, director-Alternative Energy Solutions Business Development & Commercialization and director-Power Generation Station II at Power Generation. Immediately prior to being named vice president and general counsel in January 2017, Brown served as deputy general counsel-Litigation, Labor and Employment. He holds bachelor's and J.D. degrees from the University of Virginia. Nearly 7.5 million customers in 18 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable, and safe energy and is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy with about $100 billion of assets providing electric generation, transmission and distribution, as well as natural gas storage, transmission, distribution, and import/export services. As one of the nation's leading solar operators, the company intends to reduce its carbon intensity 60 percent by 2030. Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed more than $30 million in 2018 to community causes throughout its footprint and beyond. Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com, to learn more. SOURCE Dominion Energy Related Links http://www.DominionEnergy.com COLUMBIA, S.C., Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A coalition of solar industry groups, conservation organizations, and clean energy advocates announced today the release of a 100 Day Clean Energy Agenda, calling on state lawmakers to pass a suite of policies in the first 100 Days of 2019 that will inject competition into South Carolina's energy sector. The campaign will include over 750,000 contacts across key legislative districts in every region of the state in order to stress the need for legislative action by April 10 the 100th day of 2019. The groups stressed the urgency to act stating that millions of dollars of private investment for large scale solar projects lack the certainty needed to bring them to completion. Solar net metering programs are due to expire in mid-March in the Upstate and in mid-2019 for most other areas of the state, eliminating the ability of customers to reduce their energy bills by going solar, and putting hundreds of jobs at risk. The 100 Day Clean Energy Agenda includes the following policies: eliminating the net metering cap for residential solar; ensuring fair and transparent rates for both residential and large-scale solar; allowing businesses to contract directly with independent clean power providers; ensuring fair and timely contracts for large-scale solar providers; and making solar available and accessible to all South Carolinians, regardless of income. "South Carolina cannot afford to wait any longer for clear and decisive action on clean energy," said Representative Peter McCoy, one of the House's strongest clean energy supporters. "Over 3,000 well-paying South Carolina solar jobs and billions in private investment rely on addressing the near-term threats to solar growth," said McCoy. "Utility monopolies have written South Carolina's energy policy for too long," said Senator Tom Davis, a stalwart champion of free-market competition in the energy sector. "It is time to break the utility stranglehold and allow energy competition in the residential and corporate sectors while allowing large-scale solar providers to compete to put low-cost energy on the grid. More competition means lower costs, which means lower bills. It just makes sense," said Davis. With the rollout of the 100 Day Clean Energy Agenda, the solar industry groups, conservation organizations, and clean energy advocates announced an aggressive campaign to support their call to action. The integrated campaign includes a collective 750,000 direct mail, digital, and door-to-door contacts to educate South Carolinians on the bill-reducing benefits of solar, the number of jobs created by the solar industry, the benefits of competition in the energy market, and the need for quick legislative action. Groups supporting the 100 Day Clean Energy Agenda include Conservation Voters of South Carolina, the Solar Energy Industries Association, Coastal Conservation League, SC Solar Business Alliance, Southern Environmental Law Center, Southern Current, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Sunrun, Vote Solar, EDP Renewables, Upstate Forever, The Alliance for Solar Choice, Audubon South Carolina and National Audubon Society, Palmetto Clean Tech, the SC Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Cypress Creek Renewables. More groups are anticipated to join the effort as the campaign gets underway. More information on the 100 Day Clean Energy Agenda can be found at www.cleanenergysc.com. QUOTES "South Carolinians have demanded access to clean energy both in recent polling and at the ballot box this past election cycle. It is time for lawmakers to listen, inject competition in the energy marketplace, and deliver results in the first 100 days of 2019." John Tynan, CVSC Executive Director "These companies and organizations represent tens of thousands of South Carolina voters who care about clean energy and nearly 3,000 solar industry workers who make a living because of our clean energy economy. By working together, we can advance this 100 Day Agenda for the benefit of both ratepayers and the South Carolina economy." Sean Gallagher, Vice President of State Affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) "South Carolina came within inches of passing transformative clean energy legislation last year. For our economy and environment, we need legislators to finish the job when they return to Columbia this month. Adopting this 100 Day Agenda would do just that." Alan Hancock, Energy and Climate Advocacy Director, Coastal Conservation League "More competition in the energy sector drives down energy costs, reduces bills for ratepayers, and creates jobs and investments in South Carolina. By acting on the 100 Day Agenda, lawmakers can help ratepayers, create jobs, and continue to grow our economy a win-win-win scenario." Steffanie Dohn, Director of Marketing & Communications, SC Solar Business Alliance SOURCE Solar Energy Industries Association Related Links http://www.seia.org Comiskey brings to SomerCor more than 20 years of experience delivering financing solutions to small and lower-middle market businesses, including 11 years at SomerCor from 1995-2006. Most recently, Comiskey was Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager at Growth Corp where he originated and underwrote more than 400 new loan commitments during his tenure there. "Brian's extensive loan origination experience and SBA 504 expertise will significantly contribute to our growth plan," said Manny Flores, President and CEO, SomerCor. "Our focus is the excellent delivery of financing options to small businesses in close and trusted collaboration with lenders and the Small Business Administration. Brian is a strong leader with influence and credibility. His passion for building client relationships and serving small businesses along with his SBA knowledge will shine through in his new role as we continue our mission to be an outstanding CDC." The addition of Comiskey to the SomerCor team will support Flores' vision to realize the firm's full potential to become a premier CDC partner of choice for entrepreneurs, SBA lenders and economic development organizations. This new appointment will directly impact the firm's ability to expand and diversify the firm's overall loan referral network and enhance existing banking relationships. "I am honored to be leading the effort to transform SomerCor's lending programs to provide the highest level of service to our clients and to extend our outreach in the markets we serve," said Comiskey. In addition to his past roles at Growth Corp and SomerCor, Comiskey has held roles at The Money Store Investment Corporation and the First National Bank of Chicago. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Arizona State University. Comiskey received an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in finance, strategic management, and entrepreneurship. Comiskey is a Certified Public Accountant and he served as Co-Chair of the Economic Development Advisory Board in the Village of Orland Park from 1999-2017. About SomerCor SomerCor is a Certified Development Company (CDC), a nonprofit corporation certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Founded in 1992, SomerCor provides capital to entrepreneurs throughout Illinois with a mission of business growth and job creation by offering SBA 504 loans in partnership with banks, credit unions and other lending institutions. In addition to SBA 504 loans, SomerCor also facilitates and processes SBA 7(a) Community Advantage loans, City of Chicago's Small Business Improvement Fund grants, and City of Chicago's Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants. SomerCor is committed to growing economic development opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, employees and communities through partnerships with lending institutions and economic development agencies. SomerCor is ranked a Top 25 National CDC for SBA 504 loans and is Chicago's largest 504 loan provider. It holds and services a loan portfolio in excess of $487 million, comprised of more than 965 loans to Illinois entrepreneurs. For more information visit www.somercor.com. About the SBA 504 Loan Program The Small Business Administration (SBA) developed the Certified Development Company/504 Loan Program (504 loan program) to promote economic development, create and retain jobs and meet certain additional public policy goals including providing capital to women, veteran and minority-owned businesses. The program helps lenders, such as national banks and federal savings associations provide eligible small businesses with long-term financing to acquire and improve major fixed assets for owner-occupied commercial real estate and heavy machinery. The program helps businesses by giving them access to long-term, fixed-rate financing with as little as 10 percent owner equity. For media inquiries, please contact: Contact: Renata Pasmanik Phone: +1 773 750 2902 Email: [email protected] SOURCE SomerCor Related Links http://www.somercor.com HANGZHOU, China and SHAOXING, China, Jan. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascletis Pharma Inc. (1672.HK), a commercial-stage biotechnology company addressing unmet medical needs in therapeutic areas including anti-viral, cancer and fatty liver diseases, announces today that Ganovo (Danoprevir) has been enrolled in the Basic Medical Insurance of Chengdu, Sichuan Province. This is another important milestone for patient access to Ganovo after its recent enrollment in Tianjin Basic Medical Insurance Program under capped-reimbursement per patient pilot program and Shaoxing government funding subsidy program. Ganovo is the first direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) developed and commercialized by a domestic company in China. Ganovo inhibits the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease that is critical to HCV replication. In the phase III clinical trial conducted in Mainland China, Ganovo regimen (Ganovo in combination with PEGylated interferon and ribavirin) demonstrated a cure rate of 97% (SVR12) in HCV genotype 1 non-cirrhotic patients with a 12-week treatment duration. Ganovo, in combination with Ravidasvir, an NDA accepted HCV NS5A inhibitor, and ribavirin, forms an all-oral, interferon-free HCV therapy (RDV/DNV Regimen), which offers a cure rate of 99% (SVR12) in the phase II/III clinical trial of HCV genotype 1 non-cirrhotic patients with 12-week treatment duration. In the same phase II/III clinical trial, RDV/DNV Regimen demonstrated a cure rate of 100% (SVR12) for patients with baseline NS5A resistance mutations. Jinzi J. Wu, Ph.D., Ascletis' Founder, Chairman and CEO commented, "I'm very glad that Ganovo has gained yet another endorsement from the medical insurance authorities and is well-recognized in the clinical community for its efficacy and safety. We anticipate Ganovo will gain additional reimbursement access and further benefit hepatitis C patients in China." SOURCE Ascletis Pharma Inc. "Every year, we look forward to taking the collector vehicles on a trip back to the spiritual home for the American automobile Detroit," said AAT Vice Chairman David Madeira. "This year, we thought that bringing out vintage trucks and hosting enthusiast gatherings along the route would be a great way to once again share America's love for vintage vehicles with people across the country." TDH IV participating trucks include: LeMay America's Car Museum 1955 Chevrolet 3600 RPM Foundation 1965 Ford F100 Hagerty & Club Auto 1962 International Travelette The NB Center for American Automotive Heritage & Concours Club 1957 Ford Ranchero "The Drive Home Series has held a special resonance for car and truck collectors worldwide since the first cross-country road trip in 2015," says NAIAS Executive Director Rod Alberts. "We're honored to see the nostalgia and pride this rally has inspired across the U.S. and we're looking forward to welcoming the vintage trucks home to the Motor City for the North American International Auto Show." TDH IV's presenting sponsor State Farm and supporting sponsors Shell, Plycar, Quicken Loans, Hagerty and Montecristo have committed to this year's rally and will host a number of special events, enthusiast gatherings and promotions during the trip. As the group makes their way to Detroit, they will be making stops in Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; Little Rock, AR; Sewanee, TN; Greenville, SC; Charlotte, NC; Asheville, NC; Louisville, KY; Auburn, IN; Hickory Corners, MI; Birmingham, MI; Troy, MI; Detroit, MI. For more information on The Drive Home IV, visit americascarmuseum.org/TheDriveHome. About America's Automotive Trust America's Automotive Trust (AAT), headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, is a not-for-profit corporation that seeks to secure America's automotive heritage and to transfer the skills and knowledge necessary for the future of collector vehicles and the enthusiast community for generations to come. AAT is made up of four founding members: LeMay America's Car Museum, the RPM Foundation, Club Auto and the Concours Club. For more information on AAT, visit americasautomotivetrust.org . About the North American International Auto Show In its 31st year as an international event, the NAIAS is the most influential annual automotive event in the world. NAIAS is where future mobility innovations meet the pavement. With the largest concentration of the world's top automotive and technology executives, designers, engineers and thought leaders, NAIAS serves as the global stage for companies to debut brand-defining vehicles and industry-shaping announcements. NAIAS is unmatched in the industry in presenting six unique shows in one, including: The Gallery, an ultra-luxury automotive event, AutoMobili-D, an inside look at future mobility platforms, Press Preview, Industry Preview, Charity Preview and then concluding with a nine-day Public Show. For more information, visit naias.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for highlights and updates. SOURCE North American International Auto Show Related Links http://naias.com TEL AVIV, Israel and BEIJING, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading global crop protection company ADAMA Ltd. (the "Company") (SZSE 000553) today reported that it is making significant progress towards the potential cash acquisition of Jiangsu Anpon Electrochemical Co., Ltd. ("Anpon"). With 2017 sales of RMB 1,643 million (approximately $234 million) and located in Huai'An City, Jiangsu Province, Anpon is a fully backward-integrated manufacturer of key active ingredients used in crop protection markets worldwide, most notably Ethephon, Pymetrozine and Buprofezin, as well as intermediates such as chlor-alkali and other products, with advanced membrane production technology. Anpon is wholly-owned by ChemChina, ADAMA's controlling shareholder. In recent years, ADAMA benefited from Anpon's strong manufacturing position, enhancing its portfolio with products and differentiated mixtures based on Anpon's molecules. The Company has been able to build market-leading positions in major markets such as the US, India and Australia. In China, Anpon brings a portfolio of product registrations to the ADAMA product offering, as well as a domestic sales force. Anpon is fast becoming a key part of ADAMA's global operations, adding significant synthesis and formulation capabilities to the Company's China operational hub. Anpon is located adjacent to ADAMA's new global formulation facility, facilitating robust and continuous exchange of expertise and knowledge-sharing between the teams. Work at ADAMA's state-of-the art R&D facility in Nanjing is resulting in major process improvements in the Anpon production processes. The parties have reached initial understandings on the intended transaction and are now working towards signing of a definitive purchase agreement. Any such agreement will be subject to the requisite corporate approval procedures as well as customary closing conditions, including the receipt of all required regulatory approvals. No financial details have been disclosed at this stage. About ADAMA Ltd.: ADAMA is one of the world's leading crop protection companies. We strive to Create Simplicity in Agriculture offering farmers effective products and services that simplify their lives and help them grow. With one of the most comprehensive and diversified portfolios of differentiated, quality products, our 6,600-strong team reaches farmers in over 100 countries, providing them with solutions to control weeds, insects and disease, and improve their yields. For more information, visit us at www.ADAMA.com and follow us on Twitter at @ADAMAAgri. Contact: Ben Cohen Investor and Public Relations E-mail: [email protected] Zhujun Wang China Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Adama Agricultural Solutions Ltd Related Links http://www.ADAMA.com DENVER, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver is kicking off 2019 with several annual favorite events alongside new exhibitions, performances and more. In addition to Denver's year-round renowned arts and cultural offerings, thriving culinary scene and urban adventure, there are hundreds of exciting events that encourage people to visit The Mile High City and reclaim the weekend. Below are several events taking place during January weekends; for more, visit DenverWeekends.com. Weekend of January 4 Colorado Avalanche vs. New York Rangers (January 4) Denver's own Colorado Avalanche will take on the Rangers at Pepsi Center. Movie at the Symphony: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Concert (January 4-6) The Harry Potter Film Concert Series continues with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The unforgettable score will be performed by the Colorado Symphony as the film is projected simultaneously on the big screen at Boettcher Concert Hall. Final Weekend of Rembrandt: Painter As Printmaker (through January 6) Denver Art Museum is the sole venue for Rembrandt: Painter as Printmaker, which showcases more than 100 prints, drawings, and paintings from Rembrandt van Rijn's career spanning from 1625 to 1665. Unforgettable images of biblical, portrait, allegory, still life, landscape and genre artworks of the time demonstrate the mastery that cemented Rembrandt as one of the greatest artists in history. The exhibition shows how Rembrandt used his view of the world around him to fuel his artistic journey and gives a deeper understanding of his working habits as an artist, and moreover, as a printmaker. Visit DenverWeekends.com for more to do this weekend including Pride and Swagger's Hot Mess Brunch and Brew You Yoga at Burns Family Artisan Ales. Weekend of January 11 International Sportsmen's Expo (January 10-13) Several generations of outdoor enthusiasts from Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region attend this annual exposition at the Colorado Convention Center, which features product offerings, destinations, activities and more. The Youth Fair, hosted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, educates and inspires thousands of future outdoor enthusiasts. Rhapsody in Brass (January 12) Join Denver Brass at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House as they welcome New York pianist Steven Mayer and the acclaimed Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, who will bring to life the great American sounds of Gershwin, Bernstein, Copland and more. Final Weekend of Above and Beyond (through January 13) Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum is hosting Above and Beyond, an exhibit that celebrates the power of innovation to make dreams take flight. This traveling aerospace exhibition features immersive simulations, interactive design challenges, iconic historical touchstones, visionary concepts for the future and inspiring stories from game-changing innovators, past and present. Visit DenverWeekends.com for more to do this weekend including the Resolution Brew Run with Resolute Brewing and City, O' City's Beat Brunch with DJ Jonny D. Weekend of January 18 National Western Stock Show & Rodeo (January 12-27) Held every January at the National Western Complex, the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo is the world's largest stock show; and each year is bigger and better than the last, with more than 15,000 animals, rodeos, bull riders, horse shows, livestock competitions, auctions and booths selling everything from cowboy boots to Native American jewelry. A Bronx Tale (January 8-20) Performed at the Buell Theatre, Broadway's hit crowd-pleaser takes audiences to the stoops of the Bronx in the 1960s where a young man is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he would love to be. Bursting with high-energy dance numbers and original doo-wop tunes, A Bronx Tale is an unforgettable story of loyalty and family. Final Weekend of CUBA! (through January 20) CUBA!, the latest major exhibition at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, explores the dynamic culture and abundant biodiversity of the Caribbean's largest island. Although its complex politics and vibrant music have primarily attracted the attention of the world, Cuba is also home to the unexpected. It is a place of stunning contrasts: mysterious caves and bright boulevards, sweltering fields and cool forests, hard challenges and high energy. This lively experiencepresented in English and Spanishtakes a look at the people, landscapes, unique species and daily life of this intriguing country. Visit DenverWeekends.com for more to do this weekend including Denver Museum of Nature & Science's Dinner and a Movie, screening Oceans: Our Blue Planet 3D in IMAX, Saturday's Backstage Pass! At Black Shirt Brewing Co. and more. Weekend of January 25 Rock of Ages (January 25-27) Featuring the music of iconic bands such as Styx, Poison, Twisted Sister and Whitesnake among many others, this 10th Anniversary production performed at the Buell Theatre features a dynamic new cast revisiting the larger than life characters and exhilarating story that turned Rock of Ages into a global phenomenon. Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers (January 26) The NBA's Philadelphia 76ers visit Pepsi Center for a game against the Denver Nuggets. Winter Brew Fest (January 25-26) Established in 2004, the Denver Winter Brew Fest celebrates craft beverages from around Colorado and beyond and features live music, food, and other vendors at the beautiful and intimate Mile High Station. Visit DenverWeekends.com for more to do this weekend including Wanda Sykes' Oh Well Tour stop at Paramount Theatre and the Bourbon & Bacon Fest at the McNichols Civic Center Building. About VISIT DENVER, the Convention & Visitors Bureau Celebrating 110 years of promoting The Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs and generating taxes. A record 17.4 million visitors stayed overnight in Denver in 2017, generating $6.5 billion in spending, while supporting nearly 59,300 jobs, making Tourism one of the largest industries in Denver. Learn more about Denver on the VISITDENVER website and at TOURISMPAYSDENVER or by phone at 800 2 Denver. Denver International Airport (DEN; flydenver.com) connects The Mile High City to more than 200 destinations worldwide. Follow Denver's social media channels for up-to-the-minute updates at: Facebook.com/visitdenver; Twitter.com/visitdenver; Instagram.com/visitdenver; and YouTube.com/visitdenver. With press or photo inquiries, please contact: Jesse Davis: (303) 571-9450 or [email protected] Ashley Geisheker: (303) 571-9451 or [email protected] Rochelle Jones: (303) 571-9418 or [email protected] SOURCE VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau Related Links http://www.visitdenver.com NEW YORK, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Employment law firm Outten & Golden LLP announced today the promotion of Deirdre A. Aaron, Nicholas Sikon, and Menaka N. Fernando to partnership, and the promotion of Michael J. Scimone to Counsel, effective January 1, 2019. Deirdre A. Aaron is a member of the firm's Class Action Practice Group and the Family Responsibilities & Disability Discrimination Practice Group. She is based in the New York office. Before joining the firm in 2012, Ms. Aaron worked as a Staff Attorney for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Ms. Aaron received her B.A. from Northwestern University in 2004, and her J.D., magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, from Washington University in St. Louis in 2010. Ms. Aaron is admitted to practice in New York and Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of New York and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Menaka N. Fernando represents individual employees in litigation and negotiation in all areas of employment law. She is based in the San Francisco office. Before joining the firm in 2015, Ms. Fernando worked as an associate at the Dolan Law Firm focusing on plaintiff-side employment litigation, including wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Previously, Ms. Fernando worked as an associate at Schonbrun DeSimone Seplow Harris & Hoffman, LLP where she litigated employment and police excessive force cases. Ms. Fernando works actively on legislative campaigns on behalf of workers' rights through the California Employment Lawyers Association and has testified several times before the California State Legislature. Ms. Fernando received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2005 and her J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law in 2010. Ms. Fernando is admitted to practice in California and in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California. Michael J. Scimone represents employees in class and collective actions, focusing primarily on wage-and-hour litigation. He is based in the New York office. During law school, Mr. Scimone participated in CUNY's Immigrant and Refugee Rights Clinic, representing employees in wage-and-hour cases. He also worked for the National Labor Relations Board, Region 2, the legal department of UNITE HERE, Make the Road by Walking, and the Legal Aid Society's Employment Law Project. Mr. Scimone received his B.A. from Vassar College in 2001 and received his J.D. from the City University of New York School of Law in 2009. Mr. Scimone is admitted to practice in New York and in the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Districts of New York. Nicholas H. Sikon represents employees in litigation and negotiation in all areas of employment law. Mr. Sikon focuses his practice on matters involving compensation and professional contracts, whistleblowers, and individual discrimination and harassment claims. He also advises employees with respect to disability and family and medical leave-related issues. Mr. Sikon is active in the firm's Financial Services Practice Group and its Whistleblower and Retaliation Practice Group. He is also a member of the firm's Executives and Professionals and Discrimination and Retaliation Practice Groups. He is based in the New York office. Before joining the firm in 2015, Mr. Sikon was an associate with a large defense firm, where he represented employers across a wide-spectrum of industries in all aspects of employment law. In this role, he worked with employers across the country, counseling them with respect to complex employment transactions and defending them in litigation in federal and state court. Mr. Sikon also has significant experience representing clients in arbitration matters before FINRA, AAA, and JAMS concerning employment and general commercial litigation disputes. Mr. Sikon received his B.A. from Macalester College in 2004 and his J.D. from the George Washington University Law School in 2009. He is admitted to practice in New York and Maryland and in the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. "We are delighted to promote these four talented attorneys to senior positions in our growing firm," said Adam T. Klein, managing partner. Outten & Golden LLP focuses on advising and representing individuals in employment, partnership, and related workplace matters both domestically and internationally. The firm counsels individuals on employment and severance agreements; handles complex compensation and benefits issues (including bonuses, commissions, and stock/ option agreements); and advises professionals (including doctors and lawyers) on contractual issues. It also represents employees with a wide variety of claims, including discrimination and harassment based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, disability, national origin, religion, and age, as well as retaliation, whistleblower, and contract claims. The firm handles class actions involving a wide range of employment issues, including economic exploitation, gender- and race-based discrimination, wage-and-hour violations, violations of the WARN Act, and other systemic workers' rights issues. Outten & Golden has nine practice groups: Executives & Professionals, Financial Services, Sex Discrimination & Sexual Harassment, Family Responsibilities & Disabilities Discrimination, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Workplace Rights, Discrimination & Retaliation, Whistleblower Retaliation, Class & Collective Actions, and WARN Act. Outten & Golden has offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For media inquiries, contact Managing Partner Adam T. Klein at (212) 245-1000. www.outtengolden.com SOURCE Outten & Golden LLP Related Links http://www.outtengolden.com Welcome to the world of President Rand Paul Steve Watson Prison Planet.com January 2, 2019 Leftists in the mainstream media and deranged detractors in general are worried that Senator Rand Paul, who has a staunch anti-war constitution, has become President Trumps senior advisor on foreign policy. Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin declared a Welcome to the world of President Rand Paul, in a piece that slammed Trump for paying too much attention to Pauls worldview. Several U.S. officials and people who have spoken directly to Trump since his Syria decision tell me they believe that Pauls frequent phone conversations with Trump, wholly outside the policy process, are having an outsize influence on the presidents recent foreign policy decisions, a worried Rogin writes. Officials told me that, throughout the national security bureaucracy, everyone is aware that Pauls voice is one to which the president is paying increasing attention. the writer adds. How frightening. Trump is listening to perhaps the only person in Washington who isnt thirsty for more illegal and wasteful war in the Middle East. If anybody but Donald Trump did what I did in Syria, which was an ISIS loaded mess when I became President, they would be a national hero. ISIS is mostly gone, were slowly sending our troops back home to be with their families, while at the same time fighting ISIS remnants Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2018 I campaigned on getting out of Syria and other places. Now when I start getting out the Fake News Media, or some failed Generals who were unable to do the job before I arrived, like to complain about me & my tactics, which are working. Just doing what I said I was going to do! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2018 ..Except the results are FAR BETTER than I ever said they were going to be! I campaigned against the NEVER ENDING WARS, remember! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2018 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE HATERS AND THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA! 2019 WILL BE A FANTASTIC YEAR FOR THOSE NOT SUFFERING FROM TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME. JUST CALM DOWN AND ENJOY THE RIDE, GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING FOR OUR COUNTRY! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019 Paul has a history of pushing false claims and theories, Rogin claims, not realizing the horrible irony in that statement given the years of lies and subterfuge used by so called foreign policy experts in misadventures such as the Iraq and Libya invasions. A d v e r t i s e m e n t The existing concern over Pauls influence on Russia policy has now boiled over with respect to Syria, Rogin further whines. He continues that In the run-up to 2020, Trump should realize that most Republicansand most Americansfavor a robust U.S. foreign policy. Apparently, for this deranged leftist, robust equates to never ending occupation of foreign countries to the detriment of the military and the economy of the U.S. Most Americans do not actually support this robust position, and they havnt for years. Ideally, Trump will soon realize that adopting Pauls vision for the future of U.S. foreign policy is not only dangerous for our national security but bad politics as well, Rogin continues to blather, showing just how far removed from reality he is. Rogin and his ilk were all for limiting American militarism when Obama campaigned on it. When the former President failed to deliver on those promises it suddenly became OK to support never ending war. Trump has already decided to slash the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan, which Paul has long pushed. Is South Korea next? Rogin frets. God Forbid! Trump often says he wants to bring U.S. troops there home, too. Pauls idea is to swap out U.S. soldiers with Chinese troops, which would be a huge blow to U.S. leadership in Asia. the writer claims. By taking the position that U.S. leadership about having thousands of troops stationed all over the planet, this fake news pushing leftist is taking the exact same position as the lunatic neocon warmongers that lurk in the Washington shadows. This article was posted: Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 7:10 am Print this page. Infowars.com Videos: Comment on this article G7: Leaders to unveil global anti-pandemic action plan G7 leaders are to commit to using all their resources in an effort to ensure A/R: Police arrest suspected highway robbers Police in the Ashanti region have arrested four suspects in connection with a G7: Leaders to unveil global anti-pandemic action plan G7 leaders are to commit to using all their resources in an effort to ensure Virgin Atlantic explores 'flying taxi' partnership Virgin Atlantic is exploring whether it could launch a flying taxi service as #Fixthecountry case adjourned to June 21 An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey has adjourned a case B-Heck Africa Sanitation Challenge launched B-HeCK Africa NGOs Alliance has launched their novel sanitation campaign Kidnap suspect arrested at Abeka Lapaz The Police have rescued a kidnap victim (name withheld) and arrested suspects TUTAG begins strike today The leadership of the Technical Universities Teachers Association of Ghana #Fixthecountry case adjourned to June 21 An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey has adjourned a case G7: Leaders to unveil global anti-pandemic action plan G7 leaders are to commit to using all their resources in an effort to ensure Analysis: Why Ghanaians love European football than local leagues Football is the most favourite sport in the world and the nations most popular Plattsburgh, NY (12901) Today Scattered thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 56F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Now that COVID-19 cases are declining and the majority of Minnesotans have received vaccinations, what activities are you most looking forward to resuming this summer? You voted: Democrats push for pot is destructive madness I thought people agreed that drugs should be kept from kids, that the drug crisis wastes productive lives and kills thousands, that smoking is bad and costly to all. Yet voters elected Democrats, Gov. Phil Murphy and legislators, who are hell-bent on legalizing pot, sending kids the message that recreational drug use is just fine. Government approval would open the gates for a new generation of addicts, with untold cost to society in wasted lives, reduced concentration, drivers under the influence, wasted household income, crimes committed to support the drug habit, and more taxpayer burden to pay for law enforcement and rehab. If this passes, New Jersey will have the shame of being among the few states influencing the rest of the nation to infect its youth with drug use. Murphy says this will correct social injustice. Excuse me? No one forces anyone to break the law with illegal drug use. Getting caught is the chance you take if you choose to break the law. Correcting social injustice by adding to the detrimental effects of drug use is about as twisted as it gets. Now, 15 years later, the Murphy administration has filed what it considers the states first environmental justice lawsuits. Despite the designation, though, the lawsuits look much like the lawsuits it filed in August to try to recover cleanup costs and damages for sites already identified and being cleaned up. The environmental justice lawsuit pollution sites are in Newark, Camden, Pennsauken, Flemington, Trenton, Palmyra and Phillipsburg, and the administration made sure to note the low median incomes of the municipalities. Augusts lawsuits included sites in Atlantic City, Newark and Woodbridge, but no mention of their low median incomes was made then. All of the sites already were being cleaned up and the state was seeking to recover money it had spent on them plus awards for damages to the states natural resources. In the current lawsuits, the same costs and damages are sought and all but one already are being cleaned up. Cleaning up polluted sites in New Jersey is good. Holding accountable the businesses and companies that caused the pollution (or more frequently the unfortunate subsequent owners) is also good. That part could be called taxpayer justice. The Amalfitano family, of Brigantine, dressed up as symbols of their hometown, such as a red fox, a giant greenhead fly, a tourist and even lifeguards who handed out paper beach tags. Its just a great tradition for the island to have, and to be able to do it for the veterans is a great way to bring it together, Vaughn Amalfitano said. Longtime Atlantic City Polar Bear Plunge organizers Patricia and Mike Kahlenburg, creators of the Atlantic City Polar Bear Club, passed the baton this year to new organizers Equity Communications and WZXL-FM 100.7 for the citys 28th annual plunge. The event draws hundreds of plungers from the tri-state area and beyond while raising money for various organizations. This years fundraising beneficiary was the Atlantic City Boys & Girls Club. Its been wonderful, said Mike Kahlenburg, of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, who attended with his wife, Pat. It was time to pass it on, and now it has some young blood. Shannon Wray Norris, director of marketing and promotions for Equity Communications, said her company was happy to take over and continue the tradition. This year, organizers added a bonfire on the beach to help warm up plungers and observers. Rachel Buckchetsky rang in the new year on Shore Medical Centers maternity floor by giving birth to one of the first babies of 2019 in the region. Her birthday will be fun, Buckchetsky said Tuesday afternoon. Several South Jersey hospitals in Atlantic and Cumberland counties saw New Years Day babies, with some busier than others. Shore labor and delivery registered nurse Sarah Harrison was with Buckchetsky, 31, of Ocean View, as she gave birth to Delilah, a 7-pound, 1-ounce girl at 8:48 a.m. Harrison said two other births followed that afternoon. Buckchetsky, a new mother, said she didnt think it would happen on the holiday, but it did come close to her due date of Jan. 2. Delilah, whom Buckchetsky named after her maternal grandmother, was swaddled in a pink blanket and slept quietly in a bassinet beside her bed. This is the second grandchild for Julie Buckchetsky, who was at the hospital with her daughter. Im just trying not to take her out (of the bassinet), she said, smiling. MANAHAWKIN A Little Egg Harbor Township man found dead recently in the Ohio River in western Pennsylvania was a Southern Regional school district educator, school officials confirmed. Authorities said 48-year-old Drew Camoosa was pulled from the river near the Emsworth Locks and Dams about 10:30 a.m. Monday. Emergency responders had gone to the scene after a 911 caller reported seeing the body face down in the river. Superintendent Craig Henry said Tuesday that Camoosa was a Southern Regional Middle School special education teacher in Stafford Township, which serves seventh through 12th grade students from the township as well as Long Beach Island and Ocean Township. Camoosa had been out on medical leave since January 2018, Henry said. The Southern Family is deeply saddened by Drews passing. Our focus is now on supporting his wife and children during this most difficult of times, Henry said in an email late Tuesday. The Southern Family extends appreciation for everyones respect for Drews familys privacy. Camoosa was pronounced dead at the scene, but its not yet known how he died or how he ended up in the Ohio River. Allegheny County police are leading the investigation. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. MAYS LANDING The mother of a 7-month-old girl who suffered from an accidental drug overdose has been arrested. Shannon Devine, 37, of Atlantic City, was arrested Dec. 21 following an extensive investigation into the babys overdose, police said. Officers responded at 10:30 p.m. July 8 to a house on Oakmont Drive for a report of an unresponsive baby girl, police said. She was treated at the scene by members of the Township of Hamilton Rescue Squad and AtlantiCare paramedics. The infant was then transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Centers City Campus and later to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia for further treatment. The baby made a full recovery and is no longer living with Devine, according to police. An investigation by township police and the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office determined the baby suffered a drug overdose. The state Division of Child Protection and Permanency assisted in the investigation. Devine was charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. She is in the Atlantic County jail pending a court appearance. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The state depends on the publics honesty when it automatically registers to vote anyone applying for a drivers license or non-driver identification card through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Prospective New Jersey voters must verify that they are U.S. citizens and eligible to vote prior to NJ MVC transmitting their voter registration to the Division of Elections, said Department of State spokeswoman Trudi Gilfillian in an emailed response to questions. That is also the case when someone registers by any other method, said Elizabeth Matto, associate research professor at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. But it is backed up with an identification requirement. Voter registration now automatic at NJ Motor Vehicle Commission Automatic voter registration is now a reality at motor vehicle agencies throughout New Jerse Voter registration forms require people to either provide their full drivers license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number, said Matto. If people cannot provide either number, they must supply identification when they show up to vote the first time, Matto said. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law in April requiring automatic registration be available by Nov. 1, and the MVC had the new system up and running on time. ADVERTISEMENT The management of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), LAUTECH chapter, are currently at loggerheads over the new resumption directive issued to students on Wednesday. The management on Wednesday through its Registrar, Jacob Agoola, issued a statement informing the students of the commencement of academic activities starting from January 3. Mr Agboola in the statement said the decision to commence academic activities was reached by the University Management Committee at its meeting of Wednesday, January 2. The University Management Committee at its meeting of Wednesday, January 2, 2019, directed that all students be notified of the commencement of academic activities (course registration and lectures) on Thursday, January 3, 2019. Students are advised to check the University website for the academic calendar and lecture time-table for 2018/2019 Harmattan Semester. Best wishes, he said. However, ASUU, LAUTECH chapter, has kicked, declaring that the ongoing ASUU strike, which the union was part of, is still in force. ASUU in its statement signed by its chairperson, Biodun Olaniran, and secretary, Toyin Abegunriin, advised parents not to allow their children to go to the school when nobody will attend to them. LAUTECH as a branch of the union is fully involved in the patriotic struggle of ASUU to reposition the public university system in Nigeria. Any information to the contrary should be disregarded by the members of the public. Negotiations are still ongoing to find solutions to issues in contention. Parents are therefore advised not to send their children to school when nobody will attend to them, the statement said. ADVERTISEMENT Asuquo Amba, has assumed office as the new Ekiti State Commissioner of Police. Mr Amba replaces Bello Ahmed who had since proceeded on retirement. Addressing officers and men of the state command on arrival in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Wednesday, the new Commissioner of Police said he would maintain neutrality in handling issues and political parties. Mr Amba said he would ensure that his men and officers operate within the ambit of the law. Under my watch, the police will work within the ambit of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are going to deploy community policing strategy to reduce crimes in the state and this we are going to achieve with honesty, professionalism, transparency and through dedication to duty. I therefore seek the cooperation, collaboration and partnership of the members of the public by giving us useful and timely information to enable the command rid the state of all forms of criminality. Our intention is to achieve the task of making the state crime-free, so as to create enabling environment for business and economic activities to thrive. We are also going to operate an open door policy to all members of the public regardless of religion, ethnicity or political affiliations. Everyone shall be equal and given the same attention in the interest of peace, he stated. Mr Amba, was Commissioner of Police, in charge of Counter Terrorism in Abuja before he was deployed to the state. He was a onetime Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of anti-bomb unit, Explosive Ordinance Department and Commissioner of Police Superintending over Bayelsa state. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The police in Lagos have arrested an Islamic cleric for for allegedly raping a five years old girl. The cleric was caught in a video having anal sex with the girl on December 28 at the Igando area and was reported to the police authority by a concerned individual. According to a statement released by Chike Oti, the police spokesperson, the girl was put in the custody of the cleric so she could learn the way of Islam. Upon receiving and watching the video evidence, Imohimi Edgal, the Lagos state commissioner of police, directed the commands undercover operatives attached to the State Intelligence Bureau to immediately arrest the culprit and hand him over to the Gender Section for detailed investigation, the statement included. The investigation led to the arrest of Abdulsalam Salaudeen, 43, who allegedly admitted to the crime. Mr Edgal urged Lagosians to always report heinous acts to the police once they noticed that. He also warned parents and guardians to keep constant watch over their children and wards in order to avoid cases like this. Nobody should be trusted, he said. Be friends with your children and let them be free to share things with you. Do not cover up any crime, no matter who is involved. Raise the alarm on child molesters in your neighbourhood so they can face the law and others nursing such thoughts can be deterred. ADVERTISEMENT The presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Yabagi Sanni, on Wednesday paid a visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo to seek his support for the February presidential election The candidate, who is also the national chairman of the party arrived the home of Mr Obasanjo located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta and had a meeting with him. Feelers from the meeting indicated the former president emphasised on the unity of the country and good governance. Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the visiting candidate said the visit was to pay homage to Mr Obasanjo and tell him about his ambition. We are here to pay homage, to honour a great citizen of this country; we are here to tell him that we are contesting the number one office of the President of this country, he said. We are doing that because we believe Nigeria needs a departure for what has been happening. He also said Mr Obasanjo is a good example of what Nigeria can be. He is respected all over the world and thats the kind of leadership we want in this country, he said. We know his position on issues of good governance, unity and which is what we represent. We are happy with him because he told us a lot of things, about the fact that the unity of this country is not negotiable. The party flagbearer also noted insecurity is one of the major concerns his administration will handle if elected. Today, Nigerians are living in fear. People can no longer travel from one place to another without the fear of being kidnapped or killed, he said. God did not plan for us to suffer hunger, killings, lack of capacity in governance, lack of direction. This is not the promise of this country. We have something better, he said. The presidential election takes place on February 16. There are over 70 candidates aspiring to unrest President Muhammadu Buhari, who is seeking reelection. Mr Obasanjo already declared his support for the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Adedapo Abiodun, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, has declined to clarify aspects of his academic qualifications that have come under intense public suspicion in recent weeks. Mr Abioduns candidacy faces serious threat of being derailed after he was exposed for downgrading the tertiary academic credentials he claimed to have obtained in the past when he submitted his nomination form to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to run for governor in October 2018. Since the documents were notarised, some interested residents of Ogun State sued Mr Abiodun for perjury, a criminal offense that attracts jail term. PREMIUM TIMES reported the court filings last month, and also published documents showing how Mr Abiodun submitted contradictory academic qualifications between 2015 when he ran for Senate and 2018 when he picked up his partys governorship ticket in Ogun. The documents showed that Mr Abiodun told INEC in 2015 that he had a bachelors degree in accounting in 1989, and was allowed to stand as the APC senatorial candidate for Ogun East in that years general election. Mr Abiodun was born on May 29, 1960, which made him 29 when he graduated in 1989. But when he filled a similar space about his academic credentials in 2018, Mr Abiodun left out his university degree, claiming a high school certificate as his highest academic qualification. Mr Abiodun, a businessman with deep roots in Nigerias oil sector, was immediately accused of suppressing his claims to a tertiary education because he did not honour call-up for national service after graduation, and consequently failed to obtain a certificate from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The politician was accused of expunging the university degree from his credentials because he had taken a serious note of recent scandals involving people who did not participate in the NYSC. Had Mr Abiodun submitted his university degree, he would have been asked to attach his NYSC discharge certificate, or an exemption certificate if for any reason he was unable to participate. But since Mr Abiodun said he finished at age 29, he was mandated by the NYSC Act to take part in the one-year national service. The NYSC law requires any Nigerian who finished first university degree or higher national diploma (HND) before 30 to serve the nation. Only persons who had passed 30 years before obtaining first degree or HND are qualified for exemption, as well as those who served in the military or obtained national honours. It is a criminal offence to not take part in national service after graduation, one which the law recommends up to 12 months in prison. Also, Mr Abiodun did not say which school he graduated from in his 2015 INEC filings seen by PREMIUM TIMES, only saying he had a bachelors in 1989. His profile on the website of Heyden Petroleum, largely considered his most-prolific oil business, also stated that he had degrees in engineering and accounting at the time PREMIUM TIMES first reported the scandal on December 15, 2018. Mr Abioduns apparent reluctance to clarify his academic credentials despite raging controversy has left many, including his supporters, confused about whether the real problem was about his failure to take part in national service or that he did not obtain any university degree at all. Asked about his problematic credentials during an appearance on Channels TV on Sunday evening, Mr Abiodun declined to respond, hiding behind an ongoing litigation that seeks to disqualify him over the scandal. ADVERTISEMENT This matter is in court and I am not at liberty to discuss it, Mr Abiodun said. He similarly dismissed the entire controversy around his INEC filings as being distorted by his political adversary. He clarified that he attended Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), but did not graduate. He, however, insisted on a bachelors degree in accounting, although he did not say what school or which year. I do have a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting and I would like to stop at that, Mr Abiodun stated. There have been articles about Mr Abiodun that described him a graduate of OAU on the Internet, but there is no immediate evidence he ever disclaimed any before this scandal. The ruling APC has declined to comment on Mr Abioduns scandal, but the party is being closely watched and expected to take action that would not lower the standard it already set when it disqualified one of its top members who failed to take part in national service. Adebayo Shittu, the communications ministers, was exposed by PREMIUM TIMES in September 2018 as having failed to take part in NYSC when he obtained a law degree from OAU in 1978. He was 25 at the time. Although he was a front-runner for the partys governorship ticket in Oyo State, prior to PREMIUM TIMES publication, the APC wasted no time to disqualify him from taking part in its primaries. The party said it agreed with PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Shittu had violated Nigerian Constitution by failing to take part in the national service, but President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to keep him in his cabinet, in defiance of both the Constitution and public outcry. Mr Shittus disqualification by the APC came weeks after Kemi Adeosun resigned as Nigerias finance minister, following a PREMIUM TIMES investigation that showed she had forged an exemption certificate of the NYSC to land the top job and others before it. ADVERTISEMENT The Kano State Police Command said at the end of 2018, it recorded 337 major crime cases including 105 rapes and 168 murders. In its end of the year review sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday by the commands Public Relations Officer, Magaji Majiya, it said it also recorded 34 cases of theft of vehicles, among others. According to the report, the state witnessed a low crime rate in 2018 compared with previous years. The police said it recorded 337 cases in 2018; compared to the 601 cases in 2017. It said the command was able to arrest 2487 members of a notorious gang named Yandaba with armed weapons recovered from the group. The year witnessed low crime rate when compared with the previous years. In the year under review, a total of 337 major crimes were reported including 22 cases of armed robbery, 21 cases of kidnapping, 105 cases of rape, 168 cases of homicide, and 34 cases of theft of motor vehicles among others. 2487 members of gang of Yandaba were arrested in the year, 83 different rifles, guns, pistols both English and locally made recovered. 269 different caliber of ammunition and cartridges were recovered, the report said. Its analysis showed a remakable decline in major cases, victims rescue and kidnappings reported in the state in 2018 compared to the previous year. In the case of victims rescued in the state, the police recorded 13 cases while in 2017, 52 cases were recorded. However, 42 kidnapping cases were recorded in 2018 against 21 in 2017. The command recorded 35 cases of armed robbery in 2017 while in 2018, it had only 22 cases. About 334 rape cases were penned down in 2017; 105 in 2018. The report also showed a spike in homicide cases, ammunition recovery and the arrest of miscreants otherwise known as `Yan Daba. The command said it arrested 497 members of the Yandaba gang in 2017 while in 2018 it arrested 2487. Meanwhile, the police said it has set up machinery aimed at sensitising citizens ahead of political activities in 2019. The command had set up machinery aimed at sensitizing and synergizing with the various critical stakeholders and the public to ensure peaceful conduct. Raids of flashpoints are ongoing with a view to flush out criminals. ADVERTISEMENT The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Wednesday extended the tenure of all the 14 local government chairmen in the state by three months. The chairmen, whose three-year tenure expired on January 2, would remain in office till April 2, 2019. The assembly however removed from office the vice-chairmen of Zurmi, Birnin-Magaji and Gummi Local Governments. The extension was confirmed by the Speaker of the House, Sanusi Rikiji, during the house plenary. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the decision followed a request by the state government to that effect. Mr Rikiji said the House accepted and ratified the request in line with Section 15, Sub Section 4 of Zamfara State Local Government Law. According to him, the law grants the state governor the right to appoint local government administrators with the confirmation of the house. Earlier, the House Leader, Isah Abdulmumin, who read the state governments request in a motion, urged the assembly to approve the request, as the tenure of the chairmen had expired on January 2. The lawmaker representing Maru South constituency, Abdullahi Dansadau, had opposed the replacement of the three vice-chairmen, asking the assembly to also allow them continue in office. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Kano State House of Assembly on Wednesday received the N205.2 billion 2019 Appropriation Bill for the 44 Local Governments in the state. The Speaker, Kabiru Rurum, who announced this at the plenary, said the document was signed by Abba Ladan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Mr Rurum said 52 per cent of the budget was for capital projects while 48 per cent was for the recurrent expenditure. According to him, the submission of the appropriation bill for the local governments was in line with the Kano State Local Government Law of 2016. Adequate provision for the development of the 44 Local Government Areas has been made in the proposed 2019 budget. The budget, if approved, will ensure the provision of more rural feeder roads across the 44 local government areas of the state and also other developmental projects, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that shortly after the announcement, the houses Majority Leader, Baffa Danagundi, called for the rejection of the document. According to him, the document should not be accepted until it is duly signed by the Commissioner in the ministry. He recalled that the house had earlier resolved that any document from any establishment in the state to the assembly should be duly signed by the political head of the establishment. But Abubakar Zakari, representing Tarauni Constituency, informed the house that the permanent secretary signed it because the commissioner accompanied Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on an official assignment abroad. He, therefore, urged his colleagues to accept the document which they later did unanimously, after others had contributed to the hot debate. The speaker further referred the bill to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, giving three weeks deadline for the submission of its report to the house for further consideration. Mr Rurum urged the Chairmen of the 44 local governments to get ready to defend the proposed budget for their respective council areas. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, on Wednesday flew into Maiduguri on President Muhammadu Buharis directives to assess situation on ground and report to him following recent attacks in Borno North. Mr Dan-Ali confirmed this to reporters after he held a two-hour crucial closed meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, at the Military Command and Control Centre. Also in attendance were the Chief of Training and Operations, Lamidi Adeosun, Principal Staff Officers at the Army Headquarters and Theatre Commander, Operation Lafia Dole, Benson Akinroluyo. The senior officers in charge of the Air Force and Navy components of the operations, as well as some field commanders attended the meeting. Mr Dan-Ali said: I am here on the instruction of Mr President, to come and see the happenings in the Theatre Command of the Operation Lafia Dole. I have been briefed by the Commander and the Chief of Army Staff. I am here to know what is expected, what the president should do to make things work and I have been briefed. So, I will take home all the briefings by each and every of the commanders here, but declined to give further details. Mr Dan-Ali left for the Republic of Chad after the meeting. He is expected to hold a meeting with his Chadian counterpart in view of recent attacks by the Boko Haram terrorists on areas bordering Chad and Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Boko Haram terrorists attacked troops locations at Baga and Mongonu, all Borno north between December 26 and 28 but were repelled. NAN also reports that the Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar and Chief of Naval Staff, Ibot-Ette Ibas had paid operational visit to the theatre to assess the security situation. They visited on December 22 and 29. (NAN) China must be and will be reunified, President Xi Jinping said Wednesday. "It is a historical conclusion drawn over the 70 years of the development of cross-Strait relations, and a must for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era," he said. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks Wednesday at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. He called on Chinese people across the Taiwan Strait as well as at home and abroad to work together for the Chinese nation's greater good and go with the tide of history, to jointly push forward the peaceful development of the cross-Strait relations and advance the process toward the peaceful reunification of China. Vanuatu turns the Corner LETS USE THIS AS A SPRINGBOARD FOR THE FUTURE ADVERTISEMENT Troops from the 23 Brigade, Yola, deployed to check the sectarian violence between Lunguda and Waja communities in Guyuk and Lamurde local government areas of Adamawa have arrested 71 suspects over the mayhem. The Brigade Commander of 23 Brigade who led the operation, Bello Abdullahi, made this known on Wednesday in Yola while handing over the suspects to police for further investigation. Mr Abdullahi, a brigadier general, said more soldiers had been deployed to the area to contain any further violence, adding that weapons like dane guns, cutlasses, bow and arrows were recovered from the suspects. While stressing the need for peaceful coexistence among the people, Mr Abdullahi reiterated the readiness of the military to deal with trouble makers. He called for support and cooperation of the public to the military and other security agencies in maintaining peace in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that houses and farm produce were destroyed during the violence. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has said that voters would elect candidates on their personal merit in 2019, unlike in 2015 when they voted one party all through. Mr Lawal stated this while speaking with journalists in Yola, the Adamawa State capital on Wednesday. In 2015, voters were asked to vote APC in all elections. That gave the party a massive momentum and all its candidates were returned elected. The situation will be different in 2019. Many governors and senators have not performed. They have not replicated President Muhammadu Buharis performance. Such people will be voted out. The former SGF who was sacked by Mr Buhari after he was indicted by a presidential panel that investigated misuse of funds meant for people displaced by Boko Haram, said voters were now more critical and would only elect people with credible records. He regretted that the one way voting by APC supporters threw up many incredible candidates into offices, saying that such bandwagon would not be available in 2019. Mr Lawal said Nigeria could only move forward if credible people were elected as leaders, saying that no elected leader would be allowed to ride to power on Mr Buharis credible outing. The former SGF accused Adamawa governor Abubakar Bindow of non-performance, and advised APC members and supporters to urgently do the right thing at the right time. There are candidates that are far better than the current governor, he declared. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says it has not been briefed on the alleged payment of N15.9 billion to universities by the federal government, two months after it embarked on strike. The unions National President, Biodun Ogunyemi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos. The unionist was reacting to reports that the federal government had on December 31, 2018, released N15.9 billion to universities. The report stated that the fund was for the payment of shortfall in salaries of universities. Well someone actually drew my attention to that newspaper report. I have not received any formal letter from federal government, conveying such information to us. The only information I got from the Minister of Labour this afternoon when we spoke was that they have done something concerning our demands; what they have done, I do not know. The other thing he told me was that there is going to be a meeting between us (ASUU) and government on Monday. It is only when we get to the meeting that we will be able to know what government has done and if it is okay by us, then we will convey same to our members who will now take the next line of action, he said. The union on November 4, 2018, embarked on what they had described as comprehensive, total and indefinite nationwide strike to press home their demands. The striking lecturers are protesting against alleged non-implementation of agreements they entered into with the federal government in 2013 and 2017. They are also protesting the poor welfare, poor funding, and general decay in education infrastructure, among others. Since the commencement of the strike, members of the union have met with the federal government six times, to find a way forward to the issues, all ending in a deadlock. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The federal government says it will meet with labour unions to prevent the threat of national industrial action over non transmission of the New National Minimum Wage bill to the National Assembly. Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said this in a statement signed by Samuel Olowookere, the Director of Press in the ministry, on Wednesday in Abuja. According to statement, the meeting is to nip in the bud threat of national industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the transmission of the New National Minimum Wage to the National Assembly. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Executives of the Organised Labour Union on Jan. 4, at the Ministers Conference Room by 10:30 am prompt. The National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC had threatened to embark on a nationwide protest on January 8. The threat was to make the federal government to send the tripartite committees report on N30,000 minimum wage to the National Assembly. The NLC, TUC and ULC gave the ultimatum following President Muhammadu Buharis proposal to set up another committee to scrutinise the tripartite committees recommendation. Mr Buhari had said while presenting the 2019 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly in December that a high powered technical committee would be set up to devise ways to ensure that its implementation did not lead to an increase in the level of borrowing. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian Air Force says the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed a building used as a meeting venue by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters near Baga in Northern Borno. NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Ibikunle Daramola,who annouced this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja said the operation was carried out on Tuesday. He explained that the attack was conducted on January 1 after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions confirmed that the building was being used as an assembly point by the terrorists. Consequently, the ATF dispatched a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the building. A direct hit was recorded on the target leading to significant damage to the structure and neutralisation of the occupants, the spokesman said. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa, Aminu Salehs, says a father of three, Samuel Sunday, has been arrested for allegedly poisoning his three children with sniper. Sniper is a deadly substance that is essentially used to kill insects. The police commissioner told reporters st the crime scene in Bayelsa that two of the children died after drinking sniper while the third one survived. The surviving son said their father and his brother gave them the sniper to drink. Our father and his brother tied three of us and gave us sniper to drink. I was told that my brothers are dead, and that I am the only one that survived, the boy said in tears on his hospital bed. He said that suspect and his brother, Aya Preye, were being charged for the murder of the two children. He identified the deceased boys as Miracle (12) and Gods time (10). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that Sunday and his wife had divorced but the three children were living with their grandmother before the incident occurred. The police commissioner said the suspect had alleged that his sons were wizards who were responsible for his sickness. Moses Emeka of Hillem Medical Centre, who attended to the only survivor, said the boy was brought to the hospital unconscious by an NDLEA official. The doctor confirmed that the survivor was responding to treatment and would soon recover. (NAN) The Child Protection Network (CPN) has accused the police in Oyo State of conspiracy to prevent justice in a case of child rape allegedly perpetrated by a man, identified as Mr Adetunji. PREMIUM TIMES gathered a seven-year-old girl (name withheld) was allegedly raped by Mr Adetunji, a taxi driver and neighbour of the victims family, on December 6. The matter was reported at the Ogbere police division. According to sources well briefed about the case, Mr Adetunji paid a sum of money to the girls single parent, Ms Oladipo. He was released on bail and the police decided not to charge the accused to court, with the mothers acquiescence, even though it was reportedly established there was penetration. The mother is also said to be cooperating with police, Mr Adetunji and leaders of the neighbourhoods landlords association to prevent details of the matter from getting to the public. They have threatened everyone to back out of the case and since it is not my child that is affected nor my relative, I had to keep quiet. The mother was on the verge of fighting me after she had struck a deal with the landlords, one source said. Following the release of Mr Adetunji, this reporter confirmed the arrest of Ademola, the half-brother of the victim, on the basis that he attempted violence against the man after police had granted him bail. After signing an undertaking that he would not instigate violence against the accuse, the 18-year-old Ademola was freed by the police. The teenager refused to speak about his ordeal. In a petition titled against gross professional misconduct and Injustice about the case, CPN called on the state commissioner of police, Adekunle Odude, to ensure that the perpetrator is brought to book. The group demanded that similar cases reported at any police station should be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a thorough investigation and subsequent prosecution of the suspects. We appeal to you, Sir to use your good offices in ensuring that the perpetrator of the crime, one Mr. Adetunji is arrested and arraigned before the appropriate court forthwith in the interest of justice, reads the petition. CPN is a coalition of registered Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) established through the instrumentality of UNICEF as a social intervention body under the auspices of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Development and Social Welfare. A copy of the petition dated December 23, 2018, and signed by the Oyo State Coordinator of CPN, Ebunlomo Walker, and other stakeholders, was sent to PREMIUM TIMES. According to CPN, the victims mother had confirmed that the result of the medical examination conducted in two different hospitals indicated that the 65-year-old Mr Adetunji, actually committed the offence of sexual assault on the 7-year-old innocent girl. The group said it was embarrassed by the way the Divisional Police Officer at Ogbere Police Division released the accused on the flimsy excuse that the man did not penetrate. It alleged that the DPO arranged a settlement in which the perpetrator paid the mother of the victim 12,000 to finally settle the case. Thus the mother told the police that she did not want to prosecute the matter anymore, adds the petition. The group, however, noted that a case of rape or sexual assault against a minor is a serious crime under the law and as such Child Sexual Assault (CSA) is a state case and not one that the victims mother can decide to withdraw. Such withdrawal will only encourage more offenders to continue their advancement in crime, the petition further reads. The group also accused the Oyo police spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu, of accusing an activist of crying more than the bereaved. It said such was an unprofessional move by the officer. (It is) A statement which the CPN considered unprofessional and least expected from a Senior Police Officer of PPROs calibre who the society looks to as our hope for redress of societal ills and protection of the rights of children, it wrote. ADVERTISEMENT The Law According to Section 358 and 359 of the Criminal Code Act- part five, anyone who commits the offence of rape is liable to life imprisonment. An attempt to commit the offence is felonious and such offender is liable to fourteen-year imprisonment. Also, the Childs Rights Act, section 31 of part 1 stipulates that a person who commits an offence of defilement is liable on conviction to life imprisonment. Reacting to the petition, the police spokesperson, Mr Ajisebutu, in a conversation with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, narrated how the case was reported to the police and how the reports got to his office. He said: I took up the matter. I called the DPO (of the station where the matter was reported), who sent me the officer that investigated the case. I demanded to see the complainant. They were all in my office. But unfortunately, the suspect, (who was on bail), wasnt around and we could not be waiting for him because he doesnt have foreknowledge of my invitation. On enquiry, it was discovered that a case of defilement could not be proved. Mr Ajisebutu, while justifying the action of the law enforcement agents, said the woman had already withdrawn the case and had sworn to an affidavit in court stating that she is no longer interested in a case because of the future of her child. He, however, denied the arrest of the victims half-brother claiming he was only invited for questioning. The police spokesperson also denied accusing the child right activist of crying more than the bereaved. When asked if an attempt to sexually abuse a child is not a crime and if it is not a case worth investigating even if a complainant withdraws, Mr Ajisebutu evaded the question and reiterated that the complainant is no longer interested in prosecuting the suspect. However, when asked for a doctors report, which is allegedly in the custody of the police, the spokesperson tagged it classified information that cannot be released. Efforts to reach Ms Oladipo for comments and confirm if she actually swore to an affidavit were unsuccessful as she did not pick or return calls to her mobile phone. In a recorded telephone conversation with Kehinde Akinyemi of Child Growth Concern Initiative, shared with our reporter, Ms Oladipo said she was no longer interested in the matter. Mo ni mi o se ejo mo (I said Im no longer interested in a case), she yelled on phone. Commenting on the law regarding of the case, an Osun-based lawyer, Yemi Abiona, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, derided the stance that the complainant is no longer interested in the case. Mr Abiona, who stressed that sexual assault is a criminal offence against the state, explained that a case of such magnitude cannot be withdrawn by a complainant if the state chooses to prosecute it. He added that the mother swearing to an affidavit is not crucial as she is just a nominal complainant, who can be compelled to serve as a witness by the state. That doesnt hold water. it is the state that prosecutes and not individuals. It will be the defence counsel versus state counsel when the case gets to the court, he said Contrary to the police claim on the medical report, the lawyer said the police ought to release such. If they dont want to release such document, that shows theres a conspiracy and that should be exposed, he said. ADVERTISEMENT The United States Embassy in Nigeria has said that ongoing U.S. government shutdown will not affect its consular services in Nigeria. The embassy, in an email sent to PREMIUM TIMES, said reports in the Nigerian media misrepresented its statement on closure of American Centers. In the latest statement on Wednesday, the embassy said the the American Centers that operates libraries and other information services within its consulates in Lagos and Abuja would remain closed. The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will remain open during the U.S. government shutdown. This includes the Consular Sections. Prior reports to the contrary were incorrect. American Centers and EducationUSA offices operating on embassy and consulate grounds that are managed by Mission Public Affairs Sections will remain closed throughout the shutdown. American Spaces, such as American Corners operated by partner institutions and located off embassy or consulate grounds, however, will remain open, the embassy said. The ongoing U.S. government shutdown was based on a decision taken by President Donald Trump to get the U.S. Congress to approve money for his proposed border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. The Democratic Party-controlled House of Representatives has expressed unwillingness to approve any money for such border wall. Mr Trump on Wednesday invited bypartisan leaders of the parliament to a meeting over the issue. ADVERTISEMENT Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West, has finally spoken from his hideout on the reasons why he will not surrender himself to the Nigeria Police Force. Mr Melaye, who had earlier alleged that the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, will inject him to death if he is arrested, compared his challenges to that of Prophet Elijah in the Bible, in a tweet on Tuesday evening. He also maintained that he will continue to remain in his hideout. PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported how the police laid siege to the senators Abuja residence on Friday, ending on an aggravating note, a turbulent year which began with allegations that the lawmaker was involved in multiple armed robbery and murder plots. The siege marks at least the fourth attempt to arrest Mr Melaye by the police in 2018. The police, in a statement by its spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, while speaking on the reason for laying siege to Mr Melayes residence, said the senator, alongside his armed thugs, shot one Danjuma Saliu, a sergeant, in July 2018. Rather than debunk or admit the allegations made by the police, Mr Melaye simply said in his Tuesday tweet that he is being wise and not scared by hiding. Mr Melaye said the Bible records Prophet Elijah to be one of the strongest prophets that lived, but he went to Mount Carmel to hide when King Ahab sought him to kill him because of the way he boldly declared the truth. There is a difference with being scared and being wise, the controversial lawmaker wrote on Twitter. The Bible record prophet Elijah to be among one of the strongest prophets that lived,but he went to mount Carmel to hide when king Ahab sought him to kill him cos of the way he boldly declared the truth. There is a difference with being scared and being wise. Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@dino_melaye) January 1, 2019 Mr Melaye is seeking re-election in Kogi on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is already facing two different trials by the police for alleged attempted suicide and allegedly arming criminals. He was granted bail by the court in both instances. ADVERTISEMENT Following the end of Christmas and New Year holidays, civil servants in the FCT resumed their official duties in Abuja on Wednesday with low activities. The federal government had declared December 25 and December 26, as well as January 1, as public holidays to enable workers celebrate Yuletide festivities. A NAN correspondent, who monitored workers resumption at the Federal Secretariat, reports that few civil servants were seen in their offices. Similarly, the car parks and restaurants at the secretariat were virtually empty. Rakiya Umar, a civil servant, said the scanty staff in offices was due to the fact that many civil servants were yet to resume from the holidays. She also attributed the low activity to the fact that many civil servants take their annual leave in December which runs into the holiday. She expressed optimism that normal activities would pick fully up next week when all workers would have resumed. Bridget Ugwu, another civil servant, said that workers hardly resume fully after the annual Yuletide holidays. She however urged civil servants to be diligent in their duties as they were responsible for implementing government policies. Civil servants should be patriotic in contributing their quota to national development. The holiday was a good opportunity for us to rest and be refreshed, I came to the office to continue work, she said. Sadiq Umar, one of the security personnel at the secretariat car park, said that they were resting today as many cars didnt come to park compared to high activities at the park on normal days. He also attributed the empty car park to low turnout of civil servants at work due to the public holidays. NAN also observed that business at the Coca-cola restaurant at the secretariat was very low as there were no customers to patronise them. Ruth Okon, who owns a restaurant at the secretariat, said business was very poor as workers have not resumed. According to her, many of the workers have travelled for the holidays and are yet to return. (NAN) The number of rural people grappling with extreme poverty was cut by more than 10 million last year, and about 280 counties dropped their impoverished label, according to China's anti-poverty chief. Liu Yongfu, director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, said it is the sixth consecutive year that China has reduced its destitute population by more than 10 million. "The scale is unprecedented," he said, adding that a total of 80 million rural poor had been lifted out of their situation over the past six years. Liu was speaking at a national poverty reduction and development conference held in Beijing. China has pledged to eradicate extreme poverty domestically by the end of 2020, in time for the centenary of the Communist Party of China. The number of rural poor stood at almost 100 million in 2012, when the central leadership ramped up efforts to fight poverty with targeted measures. Last year the task was listed as one of the "three tough battles" that China must win in the next three years, alongside preventing financial risks and tackling pollution. Liu noted that 2018 was "a good start" and that progress is obvious in the country's most underdeveloped regions. The local officials' capability to carry out the task has also improved. Most of the poverty-stricken regions now have access to basic infrastructure, including roads, drinking water, electricity, telecommunications, basic education and healthcare, he said. To win the anti-poverty war, another 10 million people must be lifted up economically in 2019, along with about 300 impoverished counties, Liu said. "Efforts should also be made to avoid those who have been lifted out of poverty from slipping back in." They should be ensured sufficient food and clothing, basic housing and healthcare needs, as well as transporting their children to school for nine years of compulsory free education, he said. More than 700 million farmers were lifted out of dire poverty over the last 40 years, when China adopted its reform and opening-up policy, according to Liu's office. The new direction ended years of domestic turmoil and kick-started decades of rapid economic growth. Over the four decades, the poverty rate in rural areas plunged from 97.5 percent to 3.1 percent at the end of last year, and is expected to drop below 2 percent this year, the office said. ADVERTISEMENT The United States Embassy in Nigeria said its consular section in Abuja and the Consulate General office in Lagos would remain open for Visa applicants, despite a government shutdown. A statement published on the U.S. embassy Facebook page on Tuesday said the shutdown order only affects offices that are managed by the Mission Public Affairs Sections. It urged visa applicants to please attend regularly scheduled interviews. The statement also noted that the shutdown only affected its operating partner institutions located off embassy and others. The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will remain open during the U.S. government shutdown. This includes the Consular Sections. Prior reports to the contrary were incorrect. American Centers and EducationUSA offices operating on embassy and consulate grounds that are managed by Mission Public Affairs Sections will remain closed throughout the shutdown. American Spaces, such as American Corners operated by partner institutions and located off embassy or consulate grounds, however, will remain open. On Monday the US Embassy had announced it was temporarily closing its consular section in Lagos and Abuja in the midst of a government shutdown. The development comes amidst the refusal of the U.S. government led by President Donald Trump to back down on his demand to build an all-concrete wall along the Mexican border. The building of the wall was one of the high points of Mr Trumps presidential campaign promises in 2015. The US President had vowed that not only would he build a big, beautiful wall along the U.S. southern border, Mexico would pay for it. But when the Mexican government refused to fund the wall, Mr Trump approached the US Congress and demanded $5 billion to construct the wall, a request the Congress has rebuffed. On December 11, President Trump held a meeting at the White House with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer over the U.S.-Mexico border wall funding. Following the refusal of Democrats to fund the wall, Mr Trump declared a shutdown of the government. I am proud to shut down the government for border security, he had said. Mr Trump noted that the shutdown would not take effect on Secret Service agents, the Customs, Border Patrol agents and U.S. troops deployed at the border.. ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian Missions in the United States have opened Condolence Registers in honour of late former President Shehu Shagari. Mr Shagari died on December 28, 2018, at the age of 93, and the Federal Government of Nigeria declared a three-day mourning period with effect from December 30, 2018. The condolence registers were opened at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., and the Consulates-General in New York and Atlanta for members of the public wishing to register their condolences. The registers were opened on December 31, 2018, at the Embassy in Washington D.C., and the Consulate in New York till Friday, January 4. Hassan Gambo, Deputy Head of Mission at the embassy, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that the embassy had written to the U.S. Department of State to inform the U.S. Government about Mr Shagaris death. The U.S. Department of State will then send the information to the other embassies in the country about the death of the former president, Mr Gambo said. According to him, ambassadors to the U.S. are also expected to sign the condolence registers on behalf of their governments. The Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Ben Okoyen, said that the condolence register was also opened to members of the public. Mr Okoyen said members of the public had been coming to register their condolences to Nigeria over the loss of its former president. The condolence register for Mr Shagari would open at the Nigerian Consulate in Atlanta on Wednesday, January 2, to Friday, January 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Acting Consul-General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Innocent Iwejuo, announced in a statement. Mr Shagari was the first democratically elected president of Nigeria. He served as president from October 1, 1979, to December 31, 1983. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT About 18 persons were reportedly killed when armed bandits invaded two communities in violence-prone Zamfara State on New Year day, sources have informed PREMIUM TIMES The sources say the gunmen stormed Dutsin kure and Manasa in Tsafe local government on Tuesday leaving deaths and destruction in their trail. Nine persons were reportedly shot dead in Dutsin kure, while another nine were killed in Manasa in the early hours of Tuesday. The attackers stormed the two towns 72 hours after Governor Abdulaziz Yari held a security meeting with security chiefs and traditional chiefs after a similar bloodbath a few days ago. Sources say the attackers stormed the towns in a convoy of motorcycles, armed with assorted weapons including AK 47 rifles. PREMIUM TIMES learnt from a survivor that the bandits operated unchallenged for hours after threatening to deal with anyone who opposed their movement. Many of the survivors have fled the towns for neighbouring places, the survivor said.Those who are close to Katsina have gone there while those who are very close to Sokoto, like the people of Maradun have relocated there. The attackers also destroyed large storages of farm produce, the villagers had kept hidden after the last spate of attacks. Meanwhile, the state police command spokesperson, Shehu Mohammed when contacted said the command is currently making efforts toward bringing the culprits to book. The command is leaving no stone unturned toward arresting the situation, he said. Police have been deployed to not only those places (attacked) but to all other places that are affected. Despite huge deployment of troops and police officers, the state has witnessed sporadic attacks from bandits that have led to the death of hundreds in recent months. A seemingly helpless Mr Yari last week asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara due to the killings. Recalling events in 2018 at the House of Representatives will not be complete without some controversial yet memorable ones. The 8th assembly led by Speaker Yakubu Dogara witnessed a lot of events that ranged from the famous NEMA committee report, faulty microphones and others. Below are some of the events that helped shape 2018 in the lower legislative chamber. 1. Lifting Of Abdulmumin Jibrins Suspension The House of Representatives lifted a suspension it placed on Abdulmumin Jibrin, a lawmaker from Kano. This followed a letter signed by Mr Jibrin, allegedly apologising to the House. Although the letter was not fully read before the parliament, the speaker paraphrased it by saying he has apologised and met all the conditions given to him. House of Representatives, representing Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency of Kano State, Abdulmumin Jibrin, resuming duties. He has fulfilled all the conditions by writing this letter and so he is free to resume his legislative duties whenever he wants if he so wishes. Mr Jibrin was suspended in 2017 for a period of 180 legislative days for unfolding budget padding scandal in the legislature. His suspension, however, lasted for more than the stipulated 180 legislative days which is equivalent to one year, the longest suspension ever meted on a legislator since the return of democracy in 1999. He later resumed his full duties and was appointed as the new chairman of the House Committee on Land Transport during a minor shuffle by the speaker. 2. Vote Of No Confidence On Minister The House of Representatives in March passed a vote of no confidence on the then Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, and the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bawa-Bwari. Mr Fayemi, who is now Ekiti State Governor, and Mr Bawa-Bwari ere absent at a sectoral debate on the steel sector scheduled by the House primarily to find solutions to the troubled Ajaokuta Steel Plant. Dr Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti State [Pic: Pulse.ng] As the plenary began, the Speaker, Mr Dogara, informed members of how he personally wrote Mr Fayemi a letter on February 16, 2018, inviting him to address lawmakers on the state of affairs in the steel sector and on Ajaokuta in particular. He said the minister replied on February 27, just two days to the debate, to say that he would be unavailable, while Mr Bawa-Bwari too had other official engagements. The ministers reply was written on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Abdulkadir Muazu. The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, was scheduled to appear alongside with Fayemi. ADVERTISEMENT However, Mr Dogara said while Mrs Adeosun called to explain that she was in Kaduna and would arrive in Abuja by 4 p.m. to address the House, Mr Fayemi merely said he was unavailable, but wished the House well. The Speaker said he was amazed by the ministers conduct, which he said appeared to give credence to the allegation that some powerful interests in the ministry had concluded arrangements to concession the steel complex. He asked how a nation would toy with a plant that had consumed $5.1bn and was so critical to the survival of its economy. The motion to pass a vote of no confidence on the ministers was moved by the house leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, and unanimously adopted by the house. Mr Fayemi However condemned the lawmakers action, describing it as unwarranted and unfortunate. 3. Summon Of Buhari Sometime in April, the House of Representatives resolved to invite President Muhammadu Buhari to appear before it to explain the actions he had taken to halt killings in the country. The lawmakers, who debated the incessant killings by herdsmen in Benue State and other parts of the country, said the unending attacks had confirmed that the Buhari administration had failed. The House asked the president to deploy full military presence in Benue State within 24 hours to smoke out killer herdsmen for prosecution. It also resolved that the killer herdsmen should be declared as terrorists. In addition, members agreed to shut down legislative duties for three days in protest against the unending killings in the country. The motion to invite Mr Buhari was moved by an All Progressives Congress member from Kano State, Bashir Baballe. It was passed in a unanimous voice vote. President Buhari, however, did not appear before the lawmakers as it was learnt that no communication was made to his office to that regard. 4. Faulty Microphones The House of Representatives adjourned its plenary three times in two weeks over a defective microphone system. This embarrassing development prevented the lawmakers from discussing crucial national issues. Explaining the need for the adjournments, Speaker Dogara said the problem has not been fixed because it can only be done by the manufacturers. Speaker Yakubu Dogara Unfortunately up till now we have been unable to fix the problem because we are not masters of this technology here, he said. I have been told that the microphones on the rows on my right are not working. Only rows seven to 11 are working. Rows one to six are not functioning. He said the House is not ashamed to be criticised because they are the house of the people. The stationary microphones were later substituted with wireless microphones. 5. Defections The House witnessed large defections when 37 members defected mostly from Nigerias ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Of this number, 33 joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while four joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Many members have since cross-carpeted from one political party after the mass defection. Mr Dogara is one of the latter defectors. He left Nigerias ruling APC for the PDP. 6. NEMA Fraud Report One of the major events in the House that dominated the political space in 2018 was the Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness report that indicted Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. It accused him of illegally approving N5.8 billion North-east Intervention Fund which the lawmakers said was mismanaged by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The committee chairman, Ali Isa (PDP, Gombe) while presenting the report said as the then acting president, Mr Osinbajo illegally approved the release of N5.8 billion in June 2017 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account to NEMA. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo He said the authorisation for the release of the fund for emergency food intervention in the Nort-east contravened Section 80(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. The section states that No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly. The lawmakers also stated that the authorisation did not follow due process as taxes and interest accruable to the government were not deducted or remitted to FIRS and no meeting of the Federal Executive Council approved the contracts. The committee said the funds were credited directly to the individual banks of the companies and NEMAs bank account, in violation of the approval limit allowed by law. The committee said out of the N5.8 billion, NEMA got N829 million for logistics and claimed it spent N369.5 million on general logistics; N189 million on branding and packaging; N248.6 million on branding and packaging and N21.9 million on contingency. The House, adopting the recommendations of the report, called for the dismissal and prosecution of the director-general of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja, for fraud, corruption and embezzlement of N33 billion Emergency Intervention Fund, as well as all the government officials involved in the approval, processing, release and diversion of the fund. It also said the Central Bank of Nigeria, being the banker to the federal government, should not have been involved in giving loans to private companies and as such, should be investigated for the N2 billion loan said to have been given to four named companies. The committees investigation of NEMA covered the release of N5.8 billion and N3.1 billion emergency food intervention of food security in the North-east in 2017; the 6,779 metric tonnes of rice donated by the Chinese government to IDPs in the North-east and the payment of about N800 million demurrage on the donated rice. The committee stated that N33 billion was lost by the federal government due to Mr Maihajas mismanagement and outright embezzlement of funds. The House unanimously agreed to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to relieve the director-general of NEMA of his duties and hand him over to relevant authorities for prosecution. The Vice President, however, in a statement by his spokesperson, Laolu Akande, denied the allegations, stating that there was nothing illegal or unconstitutional about the approval of the funds. He said approvals were well within the clear constitutional authority of the Acting President, who needed to take emergency steps to forestall acute food shortages in the affected states. 7. Budget Presentation President Muhammadu Buhari was interrupted and booed intermittently by protesting lawmakers mostly from the House of Representatives while addressing the joint session of the National Assembly. The action by the lawmakers threw the parliament into a rowdy session while the president presented the 2019 Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly. Lawmakers from different political divides booed and cheered the president as he explained the budget details. Mr Buhari had, in his speech, proposed a budget of N8.83 trillion for 2019. The proposal showed that about a quarter of the sum (N2.14 trillion) will be used for debt servicing while capital expenditure is expected to gulp N2.031 trillion. From left: President Muhammadu Buhari; Senate President Bukola Saraki; and Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, during the presentation of 2019 Budget by the President at the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday (19/12/18). 06801/19/12/2018/ Callistus /HB/NAN But as the president mentioned each of his achievements, some lawmakers mostly of the opposition PDP chorused, No!. The development forced the APC lawmakers to clash as the opposition lawmakers booed the President. The protests continued, particularly when Mr Buhari said his administration had made success in its anti-corruption campaign. The presidents response, and composure, was met with applause by other lawmakers mostly of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). As soon as the president concluded his speech, the session turned rowdy again. It was time for Saraki and Dogara to present their speeches but while APC lawmakers chanted four more years, their PDP counterparts screamed, no more years. After several minutes into the drama, the Presidential Guards Brigade band suddenly drew the curtain by playing the National Anthem. The ceremony ended abruptly without speeches from the presiding officers of both houses. Security operatives led the president out of the chamber. ADVERTISEMENT The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, has again condemned the petrol subsidy policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Mr Obi who spoke on Channels TV programme tagged: Politics Today on Tuesday said a serious government would rather divert the funds used for petrol subsidy to the provision of education and health care services for citizens. Go and check the just presented 2019 budget: health is N341 billion and education is about N450 billion. So, if you put health and education which is the most critical component of the development of any economy together, it is N800 billion. So, when you are paying over a trillion in subsidy. It is unacceptable. I have said it categorically, we are paying for inefficiency, he said. Mr Obis mention of a trillion appears to be a reference to cumulative spending by the Buhari administration on petrol subsidy since its assumption of office. President Buhari last month proposed N305 billion as petrol subsidy in the 2019 budget. Mr Obi took a similar stance on the removal of petrol subsidy during the vice presidential debate. While he called for the immediate removal of the subsidy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo agreed the subsidy should be removed, but not now. Mr Osinbajo argued that removing the subsidy now would lead to an increase in fuel price that would make life uncomfortable for many Nigerians. On Tuesday, Mr Obi admitted that removal of subsidy may lead to an initial price increase; but said the price would eventually stabilise. If you remove it (subsidy), I can assure you that within a year of efficient management of that process, the price would be what it is today if not less, he said. Part of what we are paying today is the demurrage they pay at the ports. If a vessel comes into our ports to discharge, it takes weeks. If they have to pay more temporarily, it would come down. When we were talking about the telephone, for example, we know where it started. Today, it is almost free. Of course, when you start it, it might be a little more. But if you follow it through and do the proper thing, I can convince you the price will come down. What we are paying today is for inefficiency, period. It is like that in everything. From left: Umar Gesto of Young Progressives Party (YPP); Peter Obi of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Yemi Osinbajo of All Progressives Congress (APC); Khadija Abdullahi of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN); and Ganiyu Galadima of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), during the 2018 Vice Presidential Debate organise by Nigeria Election Debates Group in Abuja on Friday (14/12/18) 06665/14/12/2018/Hogan Bassey/BJO/NAN Mr Obi, former governor of Anambra State, made reference to the poor management of the ports as one of the reasons for the high cost of petrol, most of which is imported into Nigeria. So, a trailer that will charge you to bring out your goods from Apapa Port, instead of charging you N200,000 will charge you almost a million because it takes him two weeks to go in and about a week to come out. For three years, we couldnt even clear out trailers from Apapa port to Ikorodu. It doesnt make sense. Mr Obi boasted that if his party wins the 2019 election, he would tackle government inefficiency alongside his principal, Atiku Abubakar. The former governor and Mr Abubakar are the major opposition candidates to the President Muhammadu Buhari and Mr Osinbajo of the ruling All Progressives Congress. The presidential election holds on February 16. A Rivers State senator insists he is the governorship candidate of Nigerias ruling party, APC, in Rivers and will emerge governor in 2019. Magnus Abe, who is in court asking to be declared the candidate of the APC, warned the APC headquarters not to recognise anyone else as its governorship candidate. The senator spoke during a crossover church service on Monday in Bera, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. Mr Abe said God asked him to contest the governorship position in the state in 2019. One thing that I will like to share with all of you is that I know that this particular journey that I am on, to run for the governorship of Rivers State in 2019, it is my God that asked me to go and do this. And that is why no machination of men, no work of the hand of man, no artificial obstacle created by men will stop our dream from coming true. The politician said he believes he will win the 2019 governorship election on the APC platform despite not being currently recognised as the candidate of the party. We will not only run for the governorship of Rivers State in 2019, we will be sworn-in as the Governor of Rivers State in 2019, he said. So for me, I am not afraid; we will continue our struggle, he said. The APC in Rivers has two factions: one led by transport minister Rotimi Amaechi and the other by Mr Abe. The faction loyal to Mr Amaechi produced businessman Tonye Cole as its governorship candidate and is recognised by the partys national headquarters. Tonye Cole However, both a high court and the appeal court has nullified the congresses that produced the Ojukaye Flag-Amachree leadership loyal to Mr Amaechi. Mr Abe made reference to the court judgements on Monday, warning the APC not to recognise any primary or candidate produced by Mr Flag-Amachrees faction. You cannot have a situation that a court had said does not exist. The High Court said so, the Court of Appeal had said so and then you still go ahead to pretend it exists. In any contest in a democracy where the rule of law is supreme, any contest between any man and the law, however powerful that man will be, at the end of the day, the laws will prevail. All APC members in Rivers State should remain calm and focused on victory, he said. You focus on what is important, and what is important to all of us here now, is that we have approached the court to declare us as the lawful candidates of the party because we were the product of the lawful congresses that was held by the APC in Rivers State. There was no other one. Despite his optimism, Mr Abe faces a herculean ask in his desire to be Rivers governor in 2019. Although a former ally of Mr Amaechi, his fall out with the miniser, has seen him lose the APC ticket to Mr Cole. Both men, Messrs Amaechi and Abe, have blamed each other for their fallout. However, should Mr Abe even be declared APC governorship candidate, he would have to defeat the incumbent governor, Nyesom Wike of the PDP. Mr Wike, one of the PDPs most influential governors, is seeking re-election. In his New Year message on Monday, Mr Abe described 2019 as a year of hope. ADVERTISEMENT it is the prayer of everybody that this year, will witness an improvement in your own homes. I believe that there is no power on earth that can stop the desire of a people whose time has come and I believe that, this time, our time has come. No power can stop us. Amen. So we put everything in the hands of Almighty God. ADVERTISEMENT Ethiopias Federal Attorney General on Wednesday revealed the arrest of 81 suspects in connection with a deadly violence that killed dozens of innocent civilians on the outskirts of the Capital Addis Ababa. The federal attorney general also announced an arrest warrant on some 28 others who are said to be behind the deadly incident rocking Burayu town that targeted ethnic minorities, state affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported on Wednesday. At least 23 people were confirmed dead by the Ethiopian government during the deadly attack on civilians in September 2018. Thousands of others had left their homes as the attack drove residents to flee and seek refuge in schools, other public facilities across Addis Ababa. The attack had also angered tens of thousands of residents of the capital, who flocked to Ethiopias national palace and the national broadcaster following the incident, calling for protection and security from the Ethiopian government. The arrest on Wednesday as well as the arrest warrant on 28 other suspects who are presently under hiding came amid the Federal Attorney Generals recent revelation on the arrest of 90 suspects in a similar ethnic based attack. The attacks clashed members of the two dominant ethnic groups in southern Ethiopia. The ethnic violence in June in Hawassa city involved ethnic Sidamas, the original inhabitants of the city, and the neighbouring Wolaita ethnic group, leaving 10 people dead, according to the regional police. The violence had also displaced thousands of civilians from the two ethnic groups. (Xinhua/NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Turkish authorities have detained 12 people in the North-western province of Bursa over alleged links to Islamic State extremists in Syria, state news agency reported on Wednesday. Police raided 12 separate addresses in Bursa on Sunday and Monday. According to Anadolu, among the detained are two French citizens sought by France for arrest. The two women were said to be carrying fake Syrian identity cards. The 12 suspects also include French citizens of Algerian origin, it reported. There was no immediate comment from French authorities. One suspect who is believed to be a bodyguard of an IS commander in Syria was formally placed under arrest, it added. Five are expected to be deported while the remaining six will reportedly be referred to court after giving statements to police. On Monday, Anadolu reported that 251 suspected members of Islamic State were detained in Turkey in December alone. Thirteen of them were remanded in custody, including a foreign national with alleged links to the 2017 New Years Eve gun attack, in which 39 people were killed at an Istanbul night club. (dpa/NAN) PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-02 02:40:02 VivaGel Condom Receives Final Regulatory Approval in Japan Rebecca Wilson Mob: +61 417 382 391 rwilson@buchanwe.com.au Starpharma (ASX: SPL, OTCQX: SPHRY) today announced that the VivaGel condom has received final regulatory approval and is now able to be marketed in Japan, following the completion of the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) review of the product's medical device classification and associated data. This final approval follows on from the previously granted regulatory certification, which was attained for the VivaGel condom. Starpharma has worked closely with its commercial partner for Japan, Okamoto Industries (Okamoto), throughout the regulatory process. Okamoto has already commenced key launch preparations, including labelling and manufacturing activities, and plans to launch the VivaGel condom in the first half of 2019. Starpharma will be eligible to receive royalty payments under its licence with Okamoto. Okamoto is Japan's leading marketer of condoms with a majority share of the Japanese condom market, which is one of the world's largest condom markets and estimated to be in the order of US$500 million per annum1. Okamoto has sales revenue of more than US$1.1 billion and around 2,600 employees. In addition to its dominant position in the Japanese condom market, Okamoto also holds strong market positions in several other Asian markets, including Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and China. Starpharma Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jackie Fairley, said, This regulatory achievement marks a key commercial milestone for the VivaGel condom, particularly given the significant value of the Japanese condom market and our partner's leading market position. Okamoto has an outstanding product portfolio and heritage in the successful commercialisation of new products and we're very excited to soon see VivaGel condoms for sale in Japan. Okamoto's senior managing director, Mr. Keiji Ikeda, has noted that condoms with functional coatings and gels represent the next wave of innovation in the Japanese condom market following on from a previous focus on condom thinness. Mr. Ikeda said, We are very pleased to be in a partnership with Starpharma for this innovative product and excited about its upcoming launch. The VivaGel condom is also approved for sale in Australia and Canada, and further regulatory reviews continue in a number of other geographic regions. About the VivaGel condom The VivaGel condom is a world-first product based on innovative Australian technology. It is the only condom of its type, providing barrier protection and incorporating the proprietary compound, astodrimer sodium (SPL7013, VivaGel) in the condom lubricant. VivaGel has been proven in laboratory studies to inactivate up to 99.9% of HIV, HSV and HPV. 1 Market Data Bank (MDB) Report issued February 2009, Condoms: A Global Strategic Business Report and Industry Data View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190101005 Persistence Market Research delivers key insights on the U.K. and Germany bed bugs control services market in its upcoming outlook titled, U.K. and Germany Market Study on Bed Bug Control Services: Chemical Control Service Type Segment Expected to Gain Significant Market Share by 2026 . Persistence Market Research PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-02 14:18:24 Press Information Persistence Market Research Persistence Market Research 305 Broadway 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007, United States, USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353 Yogesh Team Lead 800-961-0353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 677 Words Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Team Lead800-961-0353 Driven by growing popularity across the globe and steady adoption by the F&B industry, global tahini market volumes are estimated to surpass 314 thousand tonnes in 2016, up from nearly 305 thousand tonnes in 2015. According to the latest report published by Persistence Market Research titled Global Market Study on Tahini: Paste and Spreads Product Type Segment Projected to Remain the Largest Segment During the Forecast Period, global volumes are projected to reach 423,854 tonnes in 2025.Besides the availability of myriad flavors, rising adoption by local eateries are most likely to impact the global tahini market. Market Research Expert, Persistence Market ResearchGrowing popularity of authentic Middle Eastern food flavors is expected to escalate the demand for tahini-based products, such as hummus and tahini spread. The surging significance of social media marketing will play a pivotal role in the promotion of tahini and derived products. Emerging tahini applications in hummus, butter and spreads, halva, salads, bakery products, toppings, and traditional Middle Eastern recipes such as Baba Ghanoush will also influence the market favorably.By product type, tahini paste and spreads will witness the highest demandPaste and spreads segment will account for over 55% share in terms of revenues by 2025Desserts and sweets segment, aggravated by growing popularity of halva, will maintain a market share of over 25% during the assessed periodSustained consumption of tahini dips and sauces will fuel the sauces and dips sub-segment, capturing over 18% market value shareBy distribution channel, major tahini sales will be directed through exportsConventional retail will lose its market share over 2015-2025; from over 37% market share in 2015, this sub-segment will settle at around 34% in 2025Modern trade is expected to witness decent growth, accounting for a revenue share of over 29% by 2025 endExports will, however, exhibit the fastest growth in terms of a distribution channel. With over 20% share of the revenues, this sub-segment is anticipated to reach US$ 465.9 Mn with a promising CAGR of 6.1%Considering product size, the tahini market is projected to gain the highest traction in the 50-150 gm size sub-segmentWith over 56% value share in 2025, the 50-150 gm size sub-segment will reportedly reach a consumption of around 243,189 tonnesAbove 150 gm size sub-segment is likely to witness an uptick over the forecast period, capturing a considerable 28% market value share in 2025Below 50 gm product size will be the fastest growing sub-segment at 5.9% CAGRDepending on the production process, industrial production process will remain dominant over conventional processWith a slight setback from 76% share in 2015 to around 73% share estimated by 2025 end, industrial production process will witness moderate growth with a CAGR to the tune of 5.3%Conventional process will experience significant growth over the forecast periodAccording to Persistence Market Researchs regional analysis, Western Asia will continue to be the largest market, whereas GCC will emerge lucrative by 2025 endWest Asia, identified as the most lucrative market for tahini, will predictably cross US$ 608 Mn by 2025 end, accounting for maximum revenues in the global marketGCC countries will exhibit the fastest growth at 5.9% CAGR, primarily driven by Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. GCC tahini market revenues will reach around US$ 202 Mn by 2025 endNorth Africa, followed by the U.K., are projected to grow moderately at respective CAGRs of 5.7% and 5.4%New Production Plants on Key Players AgendaDipasa International S.A., Sunshine International Foods, Inc., Kevala International LLC, Joyva Corp, Premier Organics, Haitoglou Bros S.A., Halwani Bros. Co., Prince Tahina Ltd., El Rashidi El Mizan, Al-Wadi Al-Akhdar S.A.L, Carleys of Cornwell Ltd., Balsam Tahini, Ismail Termurcugil, and Alseedawi Sweets Factories Co. constitute some of the key players in the global market for tahini. While major export opportunities lie in Asia and North America, a majority of leading players are based in the Middle East and North America. Halwani Bros. Co. and Haitoglou Bros. are top Middle East companies, whereas Joyva Corp, Dipasa, and Kevala Int. are the key North American players. Alwadi Al Akhdars new factory in Lebanon is due in 2017 and Sabra Dipping Co. will soon double its tahini hummus production capacity.Request For Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12883 Industrial automation is expected to become a key feature in the Chinese mainland's talent market next year amid rising manufacturing costs, according to global professional recruiting group Hays. "China is relentless in its endeavor to be the leading authority of quality manufacturing, innovation and new technology. This is driving employers to consider the technical expertise of a candidate to be of paramount importance, above other factors such as leadership qualities or salary expectations," said Simon Lance, managing director at Hays China. "Talents who are able to utilize new technologies that contribute to a company's productivity will enjoy better leverage in the employment market. Companies will also continue to invest in product development, quality control and supply chain management, so talents in these areas will also be highly sought after in the coming year," he said. Raising productivity is a key target for businesses in the Chinese mainland. Although productivity growth remains higher than in developed countries, it is starting to level off and requires further investment to gain momentum. Guangzhou-based Guoguang Electric Co, one of the largest audio equipment and device makers in China, plans to recruit mainly middle to senior-level talents with technology backgrounds for its research and development activity in the future, said Lin Wenchun, the company's human resources director. For its manufacturing units, the company will hire engineering-oriented people, and for its frontline workers, it would eye those with technical skills. The hiring plan has been designed to fit its corporate strategy, which includes technological upgrading and phasing out obsolete facilities, as well as strengthening its core technological know-how to maintain its competitiveness, Lin said. Yunzhou Technology, a leading Chinese maker of unmanned surface vessels in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, requires a relatively large number of professionals in the fields of R&D, marketing and management, as well as interdisciplinary talents, as the company has come to a high-growth stage, said the company in a written reply for an interview. As a company in a frontier sector, it requires outstanding professional capabilities and self-motivation, as well as the ability to innovate and execute in its prospective candidates. The strong demand for talents in the artificial intelligence industry has led to a short supply of such professionals, and Yunzhou has been enhancing its cooperation with universities to foster such talents. Hays' research also points to China's shift to domestic consumption as a key driver of economic growth. "Businesses in China will focus on selling within the nation in both business-to-consumer and business-to-business settings. Business development, sales and marketing professionals will be critical in such an endeavor," Lance said. "As China's internet penetration reaches a new high, online marketing and big data activity will only swell. E-commerce and supply chain are also booming sectors, in which there is a dearth of talents to support the bustling commercial activity." "As employers face a challenge in filling an increasing rate of job vacancies, they have been ramping up their efforts in attracting and retaining talents through methods beyond competitive salary packages. This can be seen in the greater emphasis placed on gender diversity in the workplace compared to previous years and the mapping of identifiable career paths for employees," Lance said. Meanwhile, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which is considered the third-largest trading area in the world and an up-and-coming technology hub, is creating opportunities for a highly mobile workforce. Employers from Hong Kong are asking candidates to move to Shenzhen and other parts of Guangdong, and vice versa. The region is becoming a huge investment destination for many organizations across most industries and will remain attractive to top talent through 2019, Hays said. Multilingual candidates who are proficient in Cantonese, Mandarin and English are highly coveted by employers, according to the Hays report. Persistence Market Research (PMR) PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-02 09:04:53 Press Information Persistence Market Research (PMR) 305 Broadway 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007, United States, yogesh sengar Team Lead +1-646-568-7751 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 670 Words 305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,Team Lead+1-646-568-7751 Increasing modernization of the military equipment coupled with the boost in legacy system around the world is expected to fuel the demand of military antenna market. Military antennas provide highly accurate tracking, surveillance, ground mapping, warning against aircrafts, weapons, etc. thereby enhancing the security. Apart from all the above mentioned features, military antenna used in the radars also provide missile guidance for accurate target tracking. The rise in border infiltration, terrorism activities, inter country conflicts, and attack prone borders are expected to drive military antenna market in the near future.On the basis of platform, ground platform is expected to dominate the military antenna market as they help in providing real time information related to ground penetration, unexploded tunnels, etc. during the war. However, the market for space based platform is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. Based on application, homeland security system is estimated to dominate the global military antenna system market over the forecast period. The advancement in the surveillance system such as 3D drones and multifunctional radars is estimated to have high potential to drive the military antenna market globally.Global Military Antenna Market: DriversA major factor driving the growth of the global military antenna market is the rise in military spending. Moreover, escalation in the need for better border security is expected to upsurge the demand for military antenna market. Moreover, technological mushrooming coupled with the need of modern battle equipment is expected to fuel the betterment of military antenna market during the forecast period. Increasing use of military antenna in armored vehicles, naval vessels, aircraft, etc. speed up the expansion and growth of the global military antenna market.Request Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13372 Global Military Antenna Market: RestraintsHigh initial costs coupled with the large spending on R&D activities is expected to hamper the growth of military antenna market. Moreover, economic crisis in the European countries like Germany, Russia, U.K. etc. is expected to restrain the growth of the global military antenna market.Global Military Antenna Market: SegmentationGlobal Military antenna market can be segmented on the basis of platform, product type, frequency, applications, and regions. On the basis of platform, the market can be segmented into airborne, ground, naval, and space. On the basis of product type, the global military antenna market can be segmented into vehicle mount antennas, base station antennas, shipboard antennas, man-pack and portable antennas, and asset tracking antennas. On the basis of frequency, the market can be segmented into High Frequency (HF), Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra-High Frequency (UHF). On the basis of applications, global military antenna market can be segmented into homeland security system, UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and handheld equipment. On the basis of regions, market can be segmented into North America, Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.Global Military Antenna Market: Region wise OutlookBased on regions, North America is expected to be the most prominent revenue generating region in the global military antenna system market. North America spent nearly US$ 596 Bn., which holds nearly 36% of the entire worlds spending on military, in 2015. However, in the U.S., there is a decline in spending on military by 2.4% in 2015. Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The military spending in Asia Pacific increased by 5.6% in 2015. Moreover, APAC and China accounted for nearly 50% share in the total military spending which is nearly four times the spending in military by India. Additionally, increasing border disputes in APAC is expected to drive the growth of military antenna market in this region. Latin America is projected to witness sluggish growth due to severe economic crisis.Visit For TOC@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13372 Global Military Antenna Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the prominent players identified in the global military antenna market are as follows,MTI Wireless EdgeEylex Pty Ltd.Cojot OyAntenna Products CorporationComrod CommunicationsBarker and WilliamsonRohde & SchwarzLockheed Martin CorporationRaytheon CompanyTermaHarris Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-02 12:03:40 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.com abhishek manager +1 03479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 599 Words Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.commanager+1 03479183531 Future Market Insights has recently published an exclusive forecast report on the global market for microbial identification. In the foreseeable future, improvements in techniques adopted by microbiologists for identifying pathogens and examining microbial cultures will factor developments in microbial identification systems. From healthcare to food & beverage, the vital use of microbial identification in applied research projects will continue to boost the growth of the global microbial identification market. By 2022-end, microbial identification systems are pegged to become a global market worth US$ 1.4 billion. During the forecast period, 2017-2022, the global market for microbial identification will be registering a robust growth at 6% CAGR. The report has analysed a slew of factors influencing the dynamics of microbial identification markets across several regions.North America to register steadfast adoption of microbial identificationA key discernment from the regional analysis delivered in the report exhibits the dominance of North America in the global microbial identification market. Considering how healthcare marketplaces in the US and Canada are robust, compared to other developed markets, and taking into account the rising contribution of North American academic institutes in developing research studies of medical microbiology, the adoption of microbial identification systems will be widespread in this region. Towards the end of forecast period, North Americas microbial identification market will be worth around half a billion dollars, soaring robustly at a CAGR of 6.4%. Europe and Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) will also be observed as lucrative markets for expansion of microbial identification.Buy This Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/837 Key Findings from the ReportIn 2017, over two-fifth of revenues anticipated to be procured in the global microbial identification market will be accounted by sales of bacterial identification systemsTowards the end of forecast period, global sales of microbial remuneration systems will procure an estimated US$ 310 million in revenuesThroughout the forecast period, bacterial resistance identification systems will represent the fastest-selling product in the overall microbial identification marketPharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry will remain the largest end-user of microbial identification by 2022The end-use of microbial identification systems in water and environment sector will remain steady in 2017 and the following yearsBetween 2017 and 2022, the end-use of microbial identification across independent research laboratories in the world is anticipated to create an incremental opportunity of more than US$ 50 millionIn 2017 and beyond, the use of microbial identification methods in blood banks will be subparDiagnostics remains to be a key application for microbial identification, revenues from which are anticipated to register above-average growthWhile detection of harmful microbes is viewed as a necessary measure for bolstering quality control in production of food items and drinks, the application of microbial identification in food & beverage testing will register a moderate CAGR in terms of revenues over the forecast periodOn the basis of technologies, phenotypic microbial identification methods are anticipated to remain predominant in terms of adoption, albeit, genotypic technologies will register a marginally high CAGR during the assessment periodClick Here to Request Sample of This Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/REP-GB-5077 The report has further profiled companies that will be actively manufacturing microbial identification systems in the global market. Key players in the global microbial identification market include, Bruker Corporation, Danaher Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Shimadzu Corporation, Siemens Healthineers, QIAGEN N.V., Merck & Co Inc., bioMerieux S.A., Becton, Dickinson and Company, and Biolog, Inc. Many of these companies are expected to focus on developing microbial identification systems that befit the advancements in the field of medical microbiology. Specific requirements of microbiologist working in leading microbial identification projects will also influence the manufacturing techniques exercised by these companies. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-02 12:01:42 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 2, 2019 / International Endeavors Corporation (OTC PINK: IDVV) today announced it has retained counsel to obtain a California cultivation license as part of its expansion into the CBD marketplace.President Trump recently signed the 2018 Farm Bill, a massive piece of legislation renewed once every five years since 1933, outlining regulations on everything from food stamps to environmental land use. This one does something, though, that the previous versions have not. It legalized industrial hemp, including the plants used to produce CBD oil. Currently surging in popularity due to its therapeutic properties, CBD has existed in a confusing legal gray, governed by a mishmash of laws that vary from state to state.CBD topped $350 Million in consumer sales in 2017 and it's expected to rise much higher once the bill goes into law.Company Spokesman Barry Smith stated '"We are making progress in our CBD projects in California and plan to go after Mexico very soon. The signing of the farm bill is a massive step towards growing the Company and upcoming CBD product line." About the OGGL: The OGGL is the first purpose-built, self-contained, off-grid growing laboratory. Built in a low-cost shipping container, the OGGL has integrated solar modules and lithium-phosphate batteries coupled with a generator backup to supply uninterrupted power to the grow room. The OGGL is configurable for the three stages of the growing process, which are: vegetative, flowering, and cloning.About International Endeavors Corporation (OTC stock symbol: IDVV)International Endeavors Corporation focuses on building intellectual property and making equipment sales in the medical marijuana and legal cannabis industry through the creation of off-grid grow labs, biomedical devices, clean-energy solutions, and patented devices. The company is also engaged in locating and acquiring established companies, brands, and technologies. The company's real estate portfolio includes commercial property, agricultural land, and buildings.Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. International Endeavors Corporation (IDVV) is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.Contact:Nate Engel, CEOPhone: 1-951-296-1024Email: nate@ internationalendeavorscorp.com SOURCE: International Endeavors Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-02 09:36:16 Press Information Future Market Insights Future Market Insights U.S. Office 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com NISHANT MISHRA SEO MANAGER 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/specialty-silica-market # 633 Words Future Market InsightsU.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb: https://www.futuremarketinsights.comSEO MANAGER3479183531 According to a market report published by Future Market Insights on Global Specialty Silica market in its latest report titled Specialty Silica Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012 2016 and Opportunity Assessment, 2016 2026 The long-term outlook on the global Specialty Silica market remains a sound one, with market value of specialty silica expected to increase at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period (2016 2026) embarking upon a market size around 10 Bn in 2026.Speciality silica predominantly consists of silica (SiO2) and is produced in the coarse form of round pebbles and sawed or trimmed blocks or fine powder which is used as a key additive in formulation of several products and components fabricated in a wide range of end use industries such as automotive, electronics, inks, coatings, personal care products and others.The Specialty Silica market has been analysed on the basis of product type and application. Among the product type, the precipitated type of specialty silica has been found to contribute over 60% of the overall sales of specialty silica and is further expected to grow at a significant CAGR in terms of value over the forecast period by 2026. On the basis of application, currently the specialty silica mainly finds its use in fabrication of automotive tyres and other elastomeric products. Furthermore, the plastics segment is expected to be another high growth market for specialty silica during the forecast period, owing to its multitude of uses in product design enabled with superior performance characteristics.In terms of the Specialty Silica market outlook and analysis by geographical regions, the Asia Pacific region has been identified as the leading segment in terms of current acquired specialty silica market value share and estimated growth in the future period which has been recorded above global average. The demand of specialty silica is considered to arise mainly from China contributing close to 60% of the global specialty silica market. North America, Japan and Europe are also considered to be the prominent regions of growth in the global specialty silica owing to established manufacturing base with automotive OEMs and ancillaries in particular. The other regions are expected to record moderate growth levels of respective markets of specialty silica in the forecast period.The specialty silica market is susceptible to volatile pricing of raw materials which in turn has also influenced the specialty silica manufacturers to adopt alternative value chain, sales process as well as production technologies of specialty silica reducing production overhead costs, optimizing trade margins and enabling profitability. The specialty silica market has also been governed by regulations based on HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) norms so as to produce specific grades/ forms of specialty silica fully complying with mandatory guidelines.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-577 Specialty Silica Market ParticipantsSome of the market participants identified in the Specialty Silica market are Evonik AG, Akzo Nobel N.V., Cabot Corporation, Wacker Chemie, PPG Industries, Ecolab Inc., and Qindao Makall Group. The market participants of specialty silica market have envisioned two key strategies to fortify their footprint in the target specialty silica market by two methods: 1. Consolidation of market footprint and 2. Vertical/ Horizontal Integration to streamline their business operations in a more efficient manner. The former type has been achieved through setting business in untapped specialty silica market through collaborative tie-ups with regional enterprise or increasing product portfolio of specialty silica, increased spending in research and development, strengthening of sales and distribution network; whereas the latter type has involved mergers and acquisitions of small business units. For e.g. Evonik AG expanded its production capacities of specialty silica at its sites in Thailand and Japan during 2013 and 2014 respectively. In another key development, PPG Industries in 2015, announced a partnership with Goodyear Tire & Rubber company for supply of its Agilon specialty performance silica to produced enhanced tyres to increase fuel efficiency of vehicles. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-02 11:58:27 Press Information Persistence Market Research CONTACT: Persistence Market Research 305 Broadway 7th Floor, New York City, NY 10007, United States, USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353 Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com Web: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com yogesh sengar team lead 800-961-0353 email http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com # 395 Words CONTACT:Persistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.comteam lead800-961-0353 Marketing software and solutions are software tools used by various enterprises to track the performance of marketing initiatives. Marketing software and solution enables marketing managers to evaluate the their marketing initiatives by measuring performance using important business metrics such as return on investment (ROI), marketing attribution, and overall marketing effectiveness.Change in the landscape of information technology industry and advent of social media platforms has created potential market for marketing software and solutions. These software solutions helps marketers to analyze the performance of its products in terms of hits that these products have received on digital platforms and its purchase scenario. In addition to this, marketing software and solutions also measures and analyzes customer lifetime value in the real-time. Although, these software solutions helps enterprise in taking real time decisions, they lack capabilities which can help enterprises to explore root-cause behind the triumph or catastrophe of a particular marketing campaign. To elucidate, these software and solutions can provide predictions and recommendations to a marketing team about a particular marketing campaign, however, does not provide key parameters taken into consideration for these predictions and recommendationsRequest for Sample Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10586 In North America region, marketing software and solution are emerging at a rapid pace and are assisting various technology companies in this region. Business organizations that are based in countries such as United States and Canada are aggressively adopting marketing software and solutions.Cloud based marketing software and solution have witnessed traction in its adoption in the Asia Pacific region. IBM is offering its cloud based social media analytics software in this region which provides information about customers sentiment in social media.With the rise of big data in the Europe region, marketing software and solutions are being adopted from many end-user organizations.In Latin America and Middle East and Africa regions, most of the business organizations are still reluctant to deploy marketing software and solution because of the high cost involved in it. In coming future, with increase in cloud based offerings, the adoption of marketing software and solution will also increase as cost associated with deployment of these will come down from cloud based offerings.IBM Corporation, Adobe Systems Incorporated, Accenture PLC, Oracle Corporation, SAS Institute Inc., Harte-Hanks Inc., and Pega-Systems are some of the major players of the market.Request for view TOC @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/10586 PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-03 00:01:31 LANGLEY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 2, 2019 / DeepRock Minerals Inc. ("DeepRock" or the "Company") (CSE: DEEP) is pleased to announce that Mr. Matthew Reams, a current director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, has been appointed President. Mr. Reams, has 30 years of experience in the information technology industry and extensive experience in business development, project management and customer relations. Mr. Reams has been Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, and a director of several reporting issuers based British Columbia as well as of companies listed on the OTC and TSX.Mr. Reams succeeds Mr. Darrell Woronchak who has resigned to pursue his other business interests. The Company would like to thank Mr. Woronchak for his services to the Company.About DeepRock Minerals Inc.DeepRock is a mineral resource company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties. DeepRock holds an option to acquire a 50% interest in the Ralleau Project located in Quebec. The Ralleau Project covers parts of Ralleau and Wilson townships on NTS map sheet 32F/01, approximately 50 kilometres east of Lebel-sur-Quevillon. The Ralleau Project Property overlies a sequence of Archean volcanic rocks belonging to the Abitibi Greenstone Belt that have the potential to host volcanogenic massive-sulphide (VMS) and lode gold deposits.On behalf of the Board of Directors,DeepRock Minerals Inc.Mr. Richard Shatto(604) 807-6334richard@ pointnexus.ca Reader AdvisoryThis news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: DeepRock Minerals Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2019-01-02 13:00:58 Richard Kromka, Michael Conn, and Kevin Hu Join the Board of DirectorsSANTA MONICA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 2, 2019 / Blockchain Industries, Inc. (OTCPK: BCII) today announced the appointment of three new members to its board of directors. Richard Kromka, Michael Conn, and Kevin Hu will join the board, effective immediately."We are excited to announce the addition of these exemplary industry leaders to our board of directors," said Patrick Moynihan, CEO of Blockchain Industries. "Richard, Michael, and Kevin all have far-reaching blue-chip backgrounds, investing in and advising companies that are stable, profitable, and enduring. Their knowledge and guidance will be instrumental as we continue Blockchain Industries' ongoing growth." Based in Beijing, Richard Kromka is managing director at EC Mergers & Acquisitions, responsible for managing the company's activities in Asia. He was previously a board member of xG Technology, Inc. He was also managing director and a founding partner of Deutsche Bank's Angel Fund LP, a $200 million early-stage private equity fund that invested in PayPal prior to its sale to eBay.Michael Conn is co-founder/former CEO/Director of Ether Capital (NEO:ETHC), President/CIO/Director of BitFinance, founder/Managing Partner of Quail Creek Ventures, and CIO of Corl. Michael was formerly COO of Alliance Bernstein's ($500bn+ in AUM) Alternative Investment Management group where he specialized in hedge funds, private equity, leveraged buy-out, distressed-debt, venture capital and real estate. Prior to AB he was Managing Director & Head of Corporate Development for TCW ($200bn+ in AUM) where he focused on global M&A and strategy, helping to lead them through their MBO process.Kevin Hu is Portfolio Manager and Head of Research at Blockchain Industries. Prior to joining Blockchain Industries, Hu worked at BlackRock's hedge fund solution group where he analyzed start-up hedge funds, complex portfolios, and individual investments. He is a specialist in understanding the value drivers and crypto-economics of tokens.Kromka, Conn, and Hu join existing board members Patrick Moynihan and Max Robbins, rounding out the board of directors to five members.About Blockchain Industries, Inc.Blockchain Industries, Inc. is publicly traded merchant bank focused on the international blockchain and cryptocurrency sectors. The company is comprised of a Blockchain Technology Advisory, an Investment Management arm, and a Global Conference Series (Blockchain Unbound) connecting entrepreneurs and investors.For more information on Blockchain Industries, visit http://www.blockchainind.com Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. Forward looking statements are generally written in the future tense and/or are preceded by words such as "may," "will," "should," "forecast," "could," "expect," "suggest," "believe," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "aim" or similar words, or the negatives of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are just predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual events or results to differ materially. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason.SOURCE: Blockchain Industries, Inc. In this post about Elizabeth Warrens prospects as a presidential candidate, I compared her to Hillary Clinton (without Bill). Like Hillary, Warren has little in her persona thats likely to fire up voters, other than feminists of a certain age. She lacks the common touch. She can scold, but she cant preach. Audiences, if they are well-disposed coming in, may come away impressed, but theyre unlikely to come away inspired. Im not the only one whos comparing Warren to Hillary Clinton. Indeed, the comparison apparently is so widespread that Edward-Issac Dovere has an article in the Atlantic called Elizabeth Warren Doesnt Want to Be Hillary 2.0. Who would want that? Dovere suggests that the comparison stems in part from Warrens status as a frontrunner. But Warren is not a frontrunner. The polls, for what they are worth, say shes a middle tier candidate. Warrens supporters think the comparison stems from sexism. But as Dovere notes, no other female candidate in the projected field is being compared to Hillary. If anything, the comparison may have more to do with age than with gender. The true basis for the comparison probably rests in perceived lack of authenticity. Dovere explains: Operatives working for several other Democratic candidates. . .describe [Warren] as overly cautious and cold, carefully curating her authentic moments and struggling to escape a relatively small issueher claim of American Indian heritagethats threatened to overtake her entire candidacy. Her big speech just after Thanksgiving on a foreign policy that works for all Americans sounded a whole lot like Clintons focus-grouped emphasis on everyday Americans, several operatives argue. You dont have to be working for Warrens opponents to perceive an authenticity gap. The false claim of Indian heritage is Exhibit A. Her reliance on Oklahoma and working class roots also figure in. The claims she makes in this regard are, I assume, true, but she doesnt project Oklahoma or working class. She projects Harvard and academia. She projects lecturing, not listening. Lets be fair to Warren, though. Shes not an ideological phony. Unlike Hillary Clinton, Warren has had a consistent message and a single political persona. She took on the mantle of left-wing populist the moment she entered the publics consciousness at the time of the 2008 economic crisis. She has worn it ever since. Years before Bernie Sanders took the national stage and nearly a decade before Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, and Beto ORourke did, Elizabeth Warren was railing against capitalists and (in effect) capitalism. Anti-capitalism voters a significant cohort among Democratic primary voters and caucus goers may give her points for this. Combine a portion of this bloc with the votes of older feminists, and Warren may have a shot at the nomination. This, says Dovere, is Warrens play: put[] together enough of a coalition between Clinton and Sanders voters to win. But giving Warren points isnt the same thing as voting for her. And being the original anti-capitalist mainstream Democrat isnt the same thing as being the shiniest, most desirable one. I wrote about Concord Managments pending motion in Team Muellers case against Russian entities in Muellers cone of silence. I also embedded a copy of the motion at the bottom of the post. Wanting to check my own perspective against that of a friend who has been following the case professionally, I sought his comment. He wrote me: You just have to love [Concord defense counsel] Eric Dubelier for his feistiness, even if ultimately does not play well with the court. He managed to use the word squinch in this most recent brief, for which he should get bonus points of some sort. I meant to make that point myself. What, you may ask, is a squinch? I didnt know before I checked it out. The dictionary tells us that it is a noun meaning a support (such as an arch, lintel, or corbeling) carried across the corner of a room under a superimposed mass. It also provides the illustration of a squinch at the right. Here is the context of its use at page 2 in the reply memorandum filed by Concord in support of its pending motion: The Court will recall that from the outset the Special Counsel maintained that there was no classified information in this case. In fact, the Special Counsel continues to concede that the discovery in this case contains no classified information. Instead the Special Counsel asks the Court to accept secret ex parte communications from him to support the unprecedented argument that the Defendant itself cannot view millions of pages of non-classified discovery. This request is just another squinch to support the novelty of this entire proceeding. My friend adds: In any case, the latest motion is a continuation of arguments over discovery that have been going on since the summer. Here is Dubeliers memorandum on the question from mid-summer. He also provides a link to this pretty good roundup on the basic issues. My friend also highlights this quotable quote from Dubeliers mid-summer memorandum: [T]heSpecial Counsel seeks to equate this make-believe electioneering case to others involving international terrorism and major drug trafficking, and relies only on irrelevant dicta from inapposite primarily out of circuit cases. In short, fake law, which is much more dangerous than fake news. Eric Dubelier is having way too much fun for a lawyer representing a defendant in a criminal case. His courtroom appearances are full of hijinks and good humor. His memoranda all but taunt the Special Counsel. Who is Eric Dublier and why is he having so much fun? Rowan Scarborough profiles him in Real Justice Department veteran emerges as Muellers top courtroom adversary. Scarboroughs profile covers the ground related to the pending motion. To Scarboroughs profile I would add only that it is easier to have fun representing a client who doesnt care about the ultimate outcome of a given case, but rather seeks to use the case to achieve another objective. That is what is happening here. All in all, I am slightly mystified by the lack of interest in the whole thing. It is extremely difficult to imagine what politics might be like if the mainstream media treated Democrats like it treats Republicans. Timothy Groseclose invited us to try in his invaluable book Left Turn: How Liberal Media Bias Distorts the American Mind but the media ignored the book. The media treatment of Grosecloses book vividly illustrates its thesis. The New York Timess treatment of Rep. Ilhan Omars possible marriage to her brother in Sheryl Gay Stolbergs hagiographic profile of Omar (accessible here on Outline) presents a recent example. It is one that hits me close to home, as Stolberg linked to my City Journal column The curious case of Ilhan Omar. According to Stolberg, the issue has only been raised by conservative bloggers (false) and the marriage was, in any event, brief (dates omitted from the profile it was eight years long). However, at least Stolberg mentioned it. The Star Tribune has barely mentioned it over the past two years. I wrote Stolberg to seek her comment on my criticism of her profile (see here and here). She declines to respond on the record. Oh, well. Byron York presents another example of media bias deriving from his beat covering Washington politics in the tweet below. I wanted to note it before the new Congress convenes and Nancy Pelosi officially resumes her duties as Speaker of the House. Byron asks us to Imagine. Unlike John Lennons stupid utopia, however, its hard to do! New developments are being reported connected to a long-running legal battle between a Dutch man and a village in Fujian over the ownership-rights of a Song-dynasty Buddha statue. Oscar van Overeem now says he hopes to help his one-time legal opponents retrieve their lost relic, despite no longer retaining ownership of the over 1,000-year-old item, reports the Xinhua News Agency. "I have been known as a relentless and ruthless guy who has stolen a Buddha statue from China and refused to return to it," said van Overeem, "The incident has influenced my reputation and career." While saying he is no longer in possession of the relic, van Overeem says he intends to persuade the current owner to return the statue to China. "My only goal is to help the villagers and current owner come to an agreement through an operational plan to return it." The dispute itself dates back nearly 4 years. Villagers from Yangchun were made aware of a TV broadcast in March 2015 which showed an art exhibit in Hungary which appeared to show the Buddha statue fitting the description of one which had been stolen from their village temple years earlier. After a failed appeal to van Overeem directly to return the statue, the villagers came together and filed a suit in Amsterdam to try to claim the relic. However, a court in Amsterdam ruled against the Yangchun villagers in December, 2018. "We will never give up trying until the statue is retrieved," Yangchun villagers are being quoted as saying. The report by the Xinhua News Agency also suggests the villagers intend to continue filing suit. @montcocourtnews on Twitter Carl Hessler Jr. is a multi-media reporter who writes about crime and justice from the Montgomery County Courthouse for 21st Century Media Newspapers Greater Philadelphia area publications. Follow Carl on Twitter: @MontcoCourtNews Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@postregister.com for help creating one. Part of a larger country-wide effort, Rochesters PCC is hosted by the Homeless Community Network of Olmsted County and has been bringing nonprofits and families in need together under one roof for 11 years. "Last year we had 63 organizations attend," said Larry More, family advocacy specialist for Three Rivers Community Action and PCC committee member. "The organizations offer information on everything including housing, mental health, energy assistance, legal resources, taxes, employment and child care. Its an excellent way to find out about and connect to local resources. "The great thing is, if you stop at one table and they dont offer what you need, they can walk you over to the table that does offer what you need," More said. Held in a new location, RCTCs Field House, and in conjunction with HUDs Point-In-Time count to measure homelessness, participants first stop is the check-in table. There, volunteers will conduct a short intake interview to identify each familys needs and the organizations available that can best help meet those needs. "We expect around 300 people to attend. Id suggest planning to spend an hour or more to take full advantage of everything thats there," said More. "Project Community Connect is only held one day a year. Its the only time youll find all of these organizations in the same room ready and able to answer all of your questions. Its the perfect one-stop information-gathering opportunity." Open to family members of all ages (yes, kids can attend), in addition to information participants can get a free flu shot, photo ID, haircut and lunch. "City buses 3 and 3D will provide a free ride to and from the event just tell the driver thats where you are headed. The Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association will be there with interpreters," said More. "Well also have the Shoe Away Hunger Shoe Bus. The bus sells gently worn shoes (kids and adults) for $2 to $5." Ever since I started writing this column several years ago I have attempted to improve my proficiency to write and correctly use the English language. If not for my wife and tolerant editors at the Post Bulletin, I may have been booted out some time ago. My wife corrects my verbal grammar just about every day. She is a member of the loosely organized secret society known to many as The Grammar Police. You might think that would annoy a guy like me, but we have come to an agreement. I dont mind. I have asked for her help to aid me in correcting a few of my flawed speech habits. A couple of years ago I was in an antique store and I couldnt resist buying a set of booklets titled "A New Self-Teaching Course in Practical English and Effective Speech." It was in very good condition and the booklet lessons were stored neatly in a box. I paid $5 for it. The copyright of the course was 1930. The cost of the curriculum at that time was $7.50, according to a flyer in the box. That seemed like a big investment during the beginning of the Great Depression. Throughout this column I will list some of the course statements: Lesson One: Our language today contains six hundred thousand words, of which most of us use only two or three thousand. Im guessing I dont use that many. I certainly remember my high school English teacher. Mr. Nobel MacVey was a caring teacher who passed away many years ago. He took a special interest in students who needed some additional assistance and were open to help. I needed some assistance and he gave it to me. He continued to keep in touch and encouraged me even after I departed high school for college. A couple of times when I returned home from college I would stop in to see him and thank him for his support. Lesson Ten: There is a large group of words that most Americans "torture ten thousand ways" as English poet John Dryden puts it. Guilty, as charged! Can you remember; nouns, pronouns, adjective, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, verbs and even interjections? Can you remember studying for spelling tests? I think I can picture myself diagramming a sentence in front of the class on a chalkboard, oh, maybe around 1968. Im sure I didnt volunteer, so Mr. MacVey must have seen me glancing out the window. Certainly one of the questions we asked in school, as did our children and now our grandchildren was, "Why are we studying this subject?" We felt it was something we would never use. Certainly English was not one of those subjects. We indeed use this subject matter forever. Lesson Twelve: We all know that certain persons spell correctly without seeming to give the matter much thought, while others, in spite of a great deal of effort, find it almost impossible to spell with any degree of accuracy. Im average, I can spell OK. This job as a columnist has been rewarding. I have had the pleasure to tell the story of many extraordinary individuals along with composing accounts of the life and times of the baby boomer generation. I have learned a great deal, improved at this writing gig and have a real purpose to write positive stories. Some of us wish we could talk to a teacher one more time. If I could, I would enter a classroom that I remember well and say with a smile, "Mr. MacVey. Can you believe it? Im a writer." Its possible he would fall right out of his chair. Lesson Fifteen: Keep your dictionary near you, so that you may consult it quickly and easily. Im good with that. I also have a pretty member of the Grammar Police at my side. Paul Bowers is an education reporter and father of three living in North Charleston. He previously worked at the Charleston City Paper, where he was twice named South Carolina Journalist of the Year in the weekly category. More than 100 students shared their family stories at an exhibition at Shanghai Jiao Tong University that celebrates the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening-up. Wang Yan, dean of the School of Marxism at the university, says that the exhibition aims to foster a greater recognition of socialism with Chinese characteristics and encourage students to contribute to the future development of the country. The exhibition at the university's Qian Xuesen Library and Museum ended on Dec 31. It features works based on students' communication with their family members about the times before the reform and how the opening-up initiatives have transformed the country. Exhibits include photos of families, hometowns, stamp collections and memoirs. Yang Hongbo, an undergraduate majoring in electronic information, explains his work at the exhibition: "My grandfather showed me a congratulatory letter he was awarded with when he was an aeronautical doctor at the Lanzhou Military Area Command in northwestern China. "During a military exercise, smoke suddenly appeared in the cabin of a plane after it landed. Only my grandpa noticed the situation immediately. He ran toward the plane, boarded it and dragged the pilot out. "A piece of debris from the plane's explosion left a scar on my grandpa's face, and he called it badge of honor. I am proud of him and will grow up to be a man like him, devoted to the country and its people." Cao Hong from Zhiyuan College also shares a story about his father's generation in his hometown of Zixi in Fujian province. "Before the reform and opening-up, the village mainly relied on growing rice, vegetables and green tea at the foot of the Dagu Mountain," he says. "Farmers had to take a long journey through the rugged landscape of steep, rocky hills and winding roads in the mountains to sell their produce in the county center. Where to get fried clam strips in Charleston, even though they're not from here Get the SC business stories that matter. Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free. Advertising Donald Trumps partial shutdown of the U.S. government is almost two weeks old. One of the effects of the shutdown that Trump probably didnt anticipate is that he has closed most of the countrys immigration courts. His fight for the wall is now making it impossible to deport people, or even hear immigration cases. In a scathing editorial yesterday the Washington Post editorial board mocked the president for this ironic result. They pointed out that he is causing more border problems as he continues his impulsive and childish demands for his ill-conceived border wall. The Post editors wrote: In the name of securing the border and keeping out illegal immigrants, President Trump has opted for a partial government shutdown. Irony of ironies, that shutdown has paralyzed the nations immigration courts, shuttering many of them and allowing several hundred undocumented immigrants to dodge deportation orders each day the shutdown continues. Advertising They are among many hundreds of others whose cases will be postponed for years or, in effect, indefinitely for every day the closure lasts. Those are among the more perverse effects of the Trump shutdown, which has resulted in many of the nations roughly 400 immigration judges receiving furlough orders, barring them from coming to work or hearing cases. Trumps shutdown has already disrupted the daily lives and the personal finances of hundreds of thousands of federal workers, contractors and government-funded researchers and scientists. Most of the news coverage, however, has not mentioned the 400 immigration judges who have been told not to come to work. And, as the Post editors point out, the effects of the shutdown are making a bad situation much worse, and the effects will be felt for many years to come. They pointed out that there is a massive backlog in the immigration courts: The immigration courts are already massively jammed: The backlog is now 1.1 million cases. It means every day that the shutdown persists, thousands of cases arent being heard. Theyll ultimately be rescheduled three or four years from this shutdown, when Trump might not even be president anymore. In fact, the backlog has reached such gargantuan proportions that judges are already double- and triple-booking future court dates, like an airline overbooking flights, meaning that many cases on the docket will inevitably be postponed repeatedly. In some of his juvenile Twitter rants Trump has raged against the immigration courts and judges. He has even gone so far as to say that he wants to eliminate the Constitutions due process guarantee for immigrants. Back in June, during the controversy surrounding his zero tolerance immigration policy, he wrote: We cannot allow all of these people to invade our Country. When somebody comes in, we must immediately, with no Judges or Court Cases, bring them back from where they came. Our system is a mockery to good immigration policy and Law and Order. Most children come without parents.Our Immigration policy, laughed at all over the world, is very unfair to all of those people who have gone through the system legally and are waiting on line for years! Immigration must be based on merit we need people who will help to Make America Great Again! We cannot allow all of these people to invade our Country. When somebody comes in, we must immediately, with no Judges or Court Cases, bring them back from where they came. Our system is a mockery to good immigration policy and Law and Order. Most children come without parents Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 24, 2018 .Our Immigration policy, laughed at all over the world, is very unfair to all of those people who have gone through the system legally and are waiting on line for years! Immigration must be based on merit we need people who will help to Make America Great Again! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 24, 2018 In one of his many lies about U.S. immigration, Trump incorrectly claimed that when courts release immigrants into the United States with a court date, they rarely show up. But the truth is that the vast majority do appear for their court date. What distinguishes the Trump shutdown is that it contravenes the presidents own long-standing insistence on a more rational and efficient immigration system, as he himself defines it, the Post closed. A president who attacks catch and release now embraces a policy that ensures indefinite release. A president hungry for ever more deportations now ensures that thousands of would-be deportees get reprieves. And a president who conjures migrant no-shows in courts manages to close the courts entirely. 114 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising By Ellen Wulfhorst NEW YORK(Thomson Reuters Foundation) U.S. states are jostling for a showdown on abortion rights in 2019, with all eyes on the newly conservative highest court in a nation where passions run high on the issue among religious groups, conservatives and womens rights advocates. A number of states are seeking to prosecute doctors, recognize a fetus as a person and lengthen waiting periods for abortions, while others are eyeing ways to protect abortion access for women if the U.S. Supreme Court does not. At the heart of the controversy is the high courts Roe v Wade decision, which legalized abortion nationwide 45 years ago. Advertising Overturning the landmark ruling the goal of many religious groups could place decision-making powers on abortion in the 50 states. So far the 1973 decision has survived a handful of major legal challenges before the Supreme Court, but the 2018 appointment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, selected by President Donald Trump, has locked in a newly conservative majority. I think 2019 could be pivotal for abortion rights, Elizabeth Nash, senior state issues manager at the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion research group. With the shift at the Supreme Court, state legislators of all stripes are looking to the Court either with anticipation that abortion rights will be rolled back or with trepidation for the same reason, Nash told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. To test Roe v Wade, the Supreme Court can decide to hear a case that has been challenged in lower courts most likely if one court upholds an abortion law but another court elsewhere knocks down a similar law, setting up a showdown, experts say. GLOBAL DEBATE This comes at a time when abortion rights are under scrutiny in other countries around the globe. Voters in Ireland in 2018 decided in a landslide vote to end its strict abortion ban, while the conservative government in Poland pushed to tighten its already restrictive abortion laws. Argentina rejected a measure to legalize abortion, pushing back against a groundswell of support, and the election of a far-right president in Brazil is seen slowing efforts to legalize abortion in the South American nation. Among the conservative U.S. states considering restricting abortion laws in 2019, Texas will look at a measure to revoke medical licenses of physicians who perform abortions. The southern state of Alabama just voted to support giving fetus the same rights as a person, and in the Midwest, Missouri will weigh a law to ban abortion if a heartbeat is detected. There are a number of states that I would say are competing for the race to the bottom, said Andrea Miller, head of the National Institute for Reproductive Health, an abortion rights group. And of course they have an ally in the White House who has not only been shifting the balance on the Supreme Court but has been packing the lower federal courts. In recent weeks, one federal judge in the American South remarked on the states strategy in a ruling that knocked down a restrictive abortion law in Mississippi. The real reason we are here is simple. The state chose to pass a law it knew was unconstitutional to endorse a decades- long campaign, fueled by national interest groups, to ask the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, Judge Carlton Reeves wrote in the ruling, He added that the effort was the disingenuous calculations of the Mississippi Legislature. STATE CONTROL Clarke Forsythe, senior counsel at Americans United for Life, an anti-abortion group, said he believes the abortion issue should have always been left up to individual states. When Roe v Wade is overturned and I am confident it will be and the issue is returned to the states the states hopefully will pass complete limits on abortion except to save the life of the mother, he said. I think there is momentum in the states, and I think there will continue to be in 2019. With more conservative judges throughout the country, restrictions on abortion could be upheld even if Roe v Wade were left untouched, said Julie Rikelman, litigation director at the Center for Reproductive Rights advocacy group. Aware of this, some liberal states are moving to ensure abortions are available, regardless of the fate of Roe v Wade. Massachusetts recently repealed a law dating back to the 1800s that banned abortion and New Mexico is eyeing a similar move in 2019. Both bans were unenforceable under Roe v Wade. Advocates in New York are promoting legislative action to enshrine Roe v Wade protections into state law. I see this as being one of the most fragile moments since Roe that weve ever had in this country, said Miller. But I also see at the same time more public support and more vocal and engaged support on this issue than at any other time since. (Reporting by Ellen Wulfhorst, Editing by Belinda Goldsmith. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, womens and LGBT+ rights, human trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) 1.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising As many government employees are on furlough, the federal prosecutors investigating Russia influence in the 2016 elections continued to make filings and take care of business. The latest news that will cause Donald Trump to lose sleep is that a Joint Status Report Under Seal has been filed in the W. Samuel Patten criminal matter. Interesting. Government just filed a joint status report under seal for Sam Patten, a Manafort/Kilimnik associate who pleaded guilty in August to failing to register as a foreign agent and admitted to steering foreign funds to Trump's inaugural. He's been cooperating ever since. pic.twitter.com/pgedX5KtcE Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) December 31, 2018 Patten is a lobbyist and political consultant who was a close partner of Russian spy Konstantin Kilimnik, as well as working for the parent of Cambridge Analytica and working with Paul Manafort. Advertising According to CNN: Washington lobbyist W. Samuel Patten, who has been one of the most low-profile but potentially significant cooperators in the special counsels office investigation, appears to still be involved with sensitive aspects of Robert Mueller and the Justice Departments work. In a court filing Monday meant to update a judge on his case and whether he should proceed to sentencing, prosecutors revealed nothing. Instead, they filed the entire status update under seal, giving no public reason for keeping details of his case private. In August, Patten pleaded guilty for failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act while representing the Opposition Bloc, a Ukrainian political party. Patten also admitted to lying to the Senate Intelligence Committee. This particular status report might be trouble for Trump because Patten agreed to cooperate with prosecutors after he admitted to laundering a $50,000 contribution from Kilimnik to the Trump Inauguration Committee. The admission included that he had taken money from Kilimnik and transferred it from a Cypriot bank to his company, then used an unnamed American to get it to the committee. Although Trumps lawyers said that Pattens plea does not have a single thing to do with Trump or with collusion, Patten has been cooperating, and the status report was filed under seal in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Like much in the Mueller investigation, we dont know all the details about what was filed but it does not look good for Trump. According to The Hill: Since his plea, Patten has been cooperating with prosecutors, including special counsel Robert Mueller, who referred his case to the U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C.. Government prosecutors were due to file a joint status report with Pattens defense attorneys on Monday, which could have revealed information about the extent of his cooperation in ongoing investigations and his readiness to be sentenced. The governments decision to file the document under seal, which prosecutors acknowledged in a brief notice to the court on Monday, suggests they wanted to keep information shielded from the public. It remains unknown what cases, beyond the Mueller investigation, with which Patten is cooperating. Federal prosecutors in New York City are said to be leading separate investigations into foreign lobbying and Trumps 2017 inaugural committee. In short, despite the New Years holiday, and even though the government is partially shut down, Bob Mueller and other federal prosecutors are hard at work. And that is very bad news for the President of the United States. 957 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising A former GOP member of Congress has predicted that Donald Trump will leave the White House soon in a spectacular political crash-and-burn set to take place during 2019. John LeBoutillier, who was a Republican representative in New York City back in the 1980s, made his prediction in a column for The Hill. LeBoutillier wrote in his op-ed piece: Donald J. Trumps presidency will not survive 2019. The downward trajectory of every aspect of his tenure indicates we are headed for a spectacular political crash-and-burn and fairly soon. Advertising His increasingly erratic and angry behavior, his self-imposed isolation, his inability and refusal to listen to smart advisers that he hired, all are leading him to a precipice. There are many threats to Trumps chaotic and troubled presidency. Perhaps the most significant is the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. But he facing many other lawsuits and investigations also. Just two weeks ago we reported that Donald Trump and his close associates are currently under at least 17 investigations for potential criminal wrongdoing. Federal and state investigators are probing the Trump campaign, the Trump transition, the Trump inauguration committee, the Trump Foundation and all of Trumps businesses. Not only that, but very soon the Democrats in charge of major committees in the U.S. House of Representatives will be launching their own investigations. They may begin publicly televised hearings, sure to capture a national audience. There seems to be plenty of evidence against Trump, including evidence that his campaign violated many laws and colluded with agents of the Russian state to influence the 2016 election. In addition, many of Trumps advisers, associates and allies are also in the crosshairs of Muellers investigation. And most of them have been cooperating with prosecutors who are making the case against Trump, and who may soon bring more criminal charges. Former campaign chairman Paul Manafort may spend the rest of his life in jail after his conviction for fraud and admitting to acting as the unregistered agent of a foreign government, Ukraines corrupt Russian-backed regime. Former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen was sentenced by a judge to three years in prison for fraud and campaign finance violations relating to hush payments made to two women accusing the president of extramarital affairs. Trump ally Roger Stone is facing scrutiny for his relationship with WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange, whose organization published emails stolen from the DNC by Russian hackers. As a result of all of this LeBoutillier predicts the following: The Mueller investigation will unveil evidence of Trump putting himself out to the highest bidder in return for campaign help and financing: Russians, Saudis, Emiratis, Qataris there will be evidence that millions of foreign dollars illegally flowed into the Trump campaign coffers in 2016. In other words, Trump basically said, Im for sale.' With turbulence in Washington because of the Trump shutdown, and turbulence in the economy and the stock markets because of Trump tariffs and other factors, many Trump supporters are getting fed up. In 2019 it is very likely that the people who have been standing beside Trump and protecting him will find that it is no longer in their political best interests to keep doing this. The financial backers of the Republican Party who have supported GOP members of the U.S. Senate are probably going to conclude that supporting Trump has more downsides than upsides. And when these people decide that it is time to cut and run from Donald Trump, it will be the end of the Trump presidency. 1.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Advertising By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives plan to vote on Thursday on a funding package to end the 10-day-old partial U.S. government shutdown, without providing the $5 billion President Donald Trump has demanded for a U.S.-Mexico border wall. The planned vote sets up a Democratic showdown with Trumps fellow Republicans on an issue dear to the president on the first day of divided government in Washington since he took office in January 2017 with a Congress led by his own party. Democrats formally take control of the House from the Republicans after winning a majority of seats in Novembers congressional elections. Advertising The two-part Democratic package filed on Monday in the House includes a bill to keep funding for the Department of Homeland Security at current levels through Feb. 8 with no new wall funding, as well as a bundle of six measures worth nearly $265 billion combined that would fund the other shuttered agencies through the Sept. 30 end of the current fiscal year. The two parts will be voted on separately on the House floor on Thursday, said Democrats, who will hold a 36-seat majority. If approved in the House, the funding package would go to the Republican-led Senate. Its prospects there appear unpromising, although Trumps unpredictability makes it hard to gauge how the shutdown showdown will play out. Its simple: The Senate is not going to send something to the president that he wont sign, said a spokesman for Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. The Democratic legislation will mark the first major battle pitting the incoming Democratic House majority led by Nancy Pelosi against Trump and McConnell. While President Trump drags the nation into Week Two of the Trump Shutdown and sits in the White House and tweets, without offering any plan that can pass both chambers of Congress, Democrats are taking action to lead our country out of this mess, Pelosi and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement. Democrats oppose Trumps demand for wall funding, with Pelosi calling the wall immoral, ineffective and expensive. Democrats hope their two-pronged funding approach will put Senate Republicans in a tough position. If they reject funding for departments unconnected to border security, Republicans could be seen as holding those agencies and their roughly 800,000 affected workers hostage to Trumps wall demand. Then they are complicit with President Trump in continuing the Trump shutdown and in holding the health and safety of the American people and workers paychecks hostage over the wall, Pelosi and Schumer said in their statement. Non-border-related agencies include the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Commerce and Justice. The homeland security piece of the package includes $1.3 billion for border fencing and roughly $300 million more for other border security items including cameras and technology. Democrats said the entire package is based on legislation that has already been passed by either the Senate or Senate committees. The shutdown, which began on Dec. 22 and has idled roughly a quarter of the federal government, was precipitated by Trumps demand, under pressure from conservative commentators, that Congress approve $5 billion to help fund a wall that was a promise made in his 2016 election campaign, although he said at the time it would be paid for by Mexico. Trump has called the wall crucial to combating illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The Senate on Dec. 21 failed to muster the votes needed to pass Republican-backed House legislation that included Trumps wall funding. Passage in the Senate would need at least some Democratic support to reach the 60-vote threshold required. NOT A WALL A central issue in finding a resolution could be the definition of what constitutes a wall, including the idea of steel slats and other types of barriers versus a concrete structure. Trump on Twitter criticized Democratic opposition to the wall project, which carries a total estimated price tag of $23 billion. He also seemed to contradict comments made by outgoing White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. In a Los Angeles Times interview published on Sunday, Kelly said: To be honest, its not a wall. The president still says wall oftentimes frankly hell say barrier or fencing, now hes tended toward steel slats. But we left a solid concrete wall early on in the administration, when we asked people what they needed and where they needed it, Kelly added. Trump wrote on Twitter that border security could not exist without a strong and powerful Wall. An all concrete Wall was NEVER ABANDONED, as has been reported by the media, Trump wrote. Some areas will be all concrete but the experts at Border Patrol prefer a Wall that is see through (thereby making it possible to see what is happening on both sides). Makes sense to me! Trump, who canceled his vacation in Florida and has stayed at the White House during the holiday government shutdown while first lady Melania and their son Barron were at Trumps private estate Mar-a-Lago in Florida for New Years Eve, said Democrats could have come over for talks anytime. Im in Washington. Im ready, willing and able, Trump told Fox News. White House officials did not reply to an email asking whether the president had been in touch directly with Democratic leaders to set up a round of talks. Pelosi has not heard formally from the White House since Dec. 11, when she and Schumer had a contentious Oval Office meeting with the president, Democratic aides said. Schumer has not heard from the White House since he met with Vice President Mike Pence and incoming White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney on Dec. 22, Democratic aides said. (Reporting by David Morgan; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Peter Cooney and Leslie Adler) Cheers everyone for an awesome 2018 season! Farewell to our boys Charlie Harrison and Dean Lucas, they surely are gonna be missed! And also to our Team Manager, Bernat Guardia, good thing is that he will still be involved with us at Intense Cycles. We will keep you updated soon with the 2019 team roster Intense Factory Racing Dean Lucas Charlie Harrison Dean Lucas and Charlie Harrison have both confirmed they will be parting ways with Intense Factory Racing for 2019. The past three years have seen the Californian brand became a a podium force once again with one of the prettiest bikes on the circuit in the M29 but it seems it's time for this era to come to an end.Dean joined the Intense team three years ago from the Devinci Global Racing Team. Despite being struck with injuries a number of times, he finished second at Mont Sainte Anne last year, third at Losinj this year and followed it up with another top ten in Mont Sainte Anne.Dean said: "All good things must come to an end at some point and god this was a good thing! From being on a team with a close mate I grew up racing with since we 14 to being surrounded by young positive America teammates, we had a lot of good things going."It definitely became more of a family than a team and thats why it saddens me to say that 2018 will be my last year with Intense Cycles."Its been one hell of a ride though over the last 3 years with lots of ups and downs through injurys and podiums but theres still not a lot of stuff Id want to change!"Charlie joined the team two years ago and was soon consistently delivering top 20 results. He backed it up this year with his first ever top ten in Mont Sainte Anne and a Crankworx podium in Innsbruck.Charlie said: "Intense Factory Racing has made these last two years unbelievable. My first factory team, my first time racing a full World Cup season, first top 20 overall, first top 10, and tons of other firsts. The people that helped contribute these last two years have given me smiles and laughter to last a life time. The relationships and bonds that we formed will go far beyond the race track. Not only was I blessed with a fantastic staff, but I was lucky enough to call some of the most special people I know on this earth not only teammates, but brothers. We went through ups and downs, individually, and as a team."I wouldnt trade the experiences we got to share for the world. Thanks to Intense, I was able to reach the next level in my racing and progress as an athlete. My gratitude goes beyond words. With that being said, I have decided to move on for 2019 and beyond. Its been one heck of a journey. Im ecstatic to share with you guys within the next few weeks of where Im headed for the future. I honestly couldnt be more confident and excited to see what the future holds with my new team!" Staff reports The Petoskey News-Review To the Editor: So President Donald Trump has shut down the government because he didnt get the $5 billion for his wall. Its not the worst thing he has done. The worst thing is denying, and hence ignoring, global warming. Hes not only ignoring it his administration is taking steps to worsen it by increasing production and use of fossil fuels. Does he not care about his five children and eight grandchildren? I guess not. I guess he only cares about himself. But still, digging in his heels over this wall is bad. We need immigrants. A recent column by Michael Barone on Dec. 25 notes that, American fertility (is) headed to (an) all-time low, Barone said. According to this column, while our population has doubled, the birth rate has declined by 11 percent. The problem is whos going to pay for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as our, scattered, children and grandchildren get older? My brother, Porter Abbott, has lived in Santa Barbara, California, for many years. He says: As someone who has had continued acquaintance with Mexican immigrants over 50 years, I would say they are more ambitious, more honest, harder working and more inclined to live their faith than your average American. And certainly as passionate about family. Sounds good to me. Barbara Abbott Lake Leelanau Theres a lot to like in the new operating rules Pennsylvanias Republican-controlled House of Representatives adopted on Tuesday. As it begins its 2019 session, the 203-member chamber is taking a tougher stance on fighting sexual harassment in its ranks that is long overdue. And its moving to make it easier to banish criminally convicted lawmakers. Both are important steps toward improving accountability and transparency in an institution that is often woefully lacking in both. The Houses 142-58 vote, which came with the support of 32 Democrats, also authorizes the creation of a nine-member Government Oversight Committee thats intended to strengthen oversight of the executive branch. As PennLives Charles Thompson reports, the committee - which will have subpoena power - will be given the task of holding hearings on any matter referred to it by the Speaker, majority leader or minority leader on any executive branch matter that is not already being examined by the Appropriations Committee or assigned by resolution to a separate task force. In theory, this is a good idea: The basis for our republican system of government, after all, rests on each branch of government serving as a check and balance on the other. In practice, at least recently, that hasnt been the case. Republicans in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Michigan have played hardball by approving measures stripping incoming Democratic administrations of their power and authority. Late last year, outgoing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, signed those measures into law. Fears of a GOP power-grab in Michigan were thwarted when Gov. Rick Snyder, also a Republican, vetoed a similar bill. Closer to home, Pennsylvania Democrats justifiably worried that the Republican-controlled state Senate was showing similarly despotic signs when it opened a probe into whether then state Sen.-elect Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, met the residency requirements under state law to hold office. Those fears were allayed when Williams, who won election to a formerly Republican-held district in the Pittsburgh suburbs, was sworn into office on Tuesday. New House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, has sought to allay fears that the new oversight committee would be wielded as a blunt instrument against Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term in November. "It's really an effort by us by which we can follow up to check the effectiveness of laws," Cutler said. "We passed a law that said: 'A, B, and C', but the regulations do one, two and three.... How do you match that up?" Republicans said they were prompted because there were several times in Wolfs first term that they felt frustrated by what they considered a lack of cooperation from the administration on providing information. As an editorial board, we have often criticized the administration for its lack of openness on such key issues as the permitting process for Pennsylvanias new medical marijuana industry. Right now, both House Democrats and the Wolf administration are taking Cutler and his Republican colleagues at his word, though they remain guarded. In a statement, administration spokesman J.J. Abbott said Wolf hoped the Houses vote [does] not reflect a desire to abandon bipartisanship in the House. Governor Wolf has made bringing trust back to state government a top priority." The fact that minority Democrats will have the ability to refer matters to the new panel is reassuring evidence that Cutler is acting in earnest. As they start a new two-year session, Cutler, a Republican in the mode of the consensus-building former GOP floor leader Dave Reed, has a chance to strike a bipartisan tone as the fiscal 2019-20 budget season takes its baby steps in February when Wolf rolls out his spending proposal. Lawmakers and the administration will face plenty of tough choices in that new spending document. House Republicans, who suffered defeats in the November election but still maintain control of both chambers of the General Assembly, should avoid the temptation of using the new panel to even the score. Ma Danna was unhappy when she received the letter accepting her to the local senior high school. Instead of telling her parents about the letter, she hid it in a drawer. She knew they could not pay, and that was that. The school in rural Zhoukou, China's central Henan Province, would be out of bounds. "I knew my family could not afford the tuition," Ma said. Zhoukou is a traditional agricultural prefectural city, deeply impoverished with many families unable to afford to send their children to school. To solve the problem, the city's education bureau has organized more than 12,000 teachers to become "educational village cadres," identifying poor students and offering them financial aid. Xu Jinge is one of the teacher-turned cadres. Xu encouraged Ma to continue her dream of entering college, and contacted the senior high school issuing the admission letter. The school has agreed to exempt tuition and reduce other fees for Ma who has returned to school. "Every child deserves to be educated, and it is our objective to avoid any children dropping out because of poverty," said Zhang Jianliang, head of Zhoukou education bureau. From January to June 2018, the city provided 400 million yuan (58 million U.S. dollars) in assistance to 764,000 students from kindergarten to college. China offers free education from elementary school to junior high, but students have to pay bills other than tuition, such as for accomodation and uniform. Senior high and college students have to pay tuition up to thousands of yuan per year, an amount even more than the annual income of some poor households. Educational village cadres also organize donations to poor families and mobilize farmers to attend training at vocational schools. Zhou Hongtao, a cauliflower farmer in Liansi Township of Fugou County, earned an additional 10,000 yuan after agricultural training enabled him to grow cauliflower with a much higher yield. "With the cauliflower plus the corn I grew, I made income several times more than previous years," Zhou said. Ji Yongyun, a poverty alleviation official with the Zhoukou city education bureau, said the city had earmarked 5 billion yuan to improve teaching facilities, offer better compensation to teachers in rural schools and raise allowance to poor students in the next five years. "Vocational education will also be enchanced so that impoverished people could be properly trained and make fortunes for their families," Ji said. China aims to eradicate absolute poverty by 2020, with some 30 million rural people expected to be lifted out of poverty. Liu Jibiao, Party chief of Zhoukou city, said educational village cadres for poverty alleviation would help poor students back to school and prevent passing poverty from one generation to the next. By E. Fletcher McClellan Divided government in Washington will formally commence Thursday as Democrats take control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Traditionally, split party control of Congress and the White House is commonly associated with stalemate. The partial government shutdown, now in its second week, may well symbolize what life in the nations capital will be like in the coming months. There appears to be no end in sight to the ordeal of 800,000 federal workers, either furloughed or forced to work without pay. President Donald Trump is adamant that Congress provide $5 billion for a border wall. His political base is holding him accountable for his most famous campaign promise, albeit a pledge that Mexico was supposed to pay for. Congressional Democrats see no need for Trumps wall, which they see as ineffective, expensive, and offensive, and plan to pass bills to reopen the government. Democrats believe they have the upper hand, once stories accumulate of citizens unable to access government services, federal contractors going unpaid, and families of federal workers suffering hardships. In addition, Congressional Republicans seem less than enthusiastic about supporting the president. Senate Republican leaders, who have a 53-47 majority, wished that Trump had signed a continuing resolution to prevent a shutdown over the holidays. A big reason for the lack of urgency to settle is that most of the federal government is exempt from the shutdown. The military, US Postal Service, federal student loan agencies, and the Department of Health and Human Services which administers Social Security and Medicare are all on duty. However, the affected agencies administer important programs and services, including SNAP, the National Park Service, meat inspection, and lending programs for homeowners and small businesses. Homeland Security is also unfunded, but border security and airport security employees are working without pay. It is simply not true, as Trump claims, that federal workers prefer to be laid off or will gladly sacrifice their well-being for a wall. Many are Democrats, but border patrol officers were key Trump supporters in 2016. All this is happening as several legal probes close in on the president. Special Counsel Robert Mueller continues to obtain indictments and convictions of persons connected to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Trump is presumably the Individual 1 who directed payments to mistresses and allegedly violated federal campaign finance laws. Furthermore, a lawsuit charging Trump with violating the US Constitutions emoluments clause is going forward in federal court. Investigations of the Trump Organization, his inaugural committee, and charitable foundation are well under way. Expect the president to be more distracted by House investigations of not just collusion with Russia but also improprieties of administration officials, including the recently departed Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke. The Senate will greet Trumps nomination of William Barr to succeed Jeff Sessions as Attorney General with demands for protection of the Mueller inquiry. Aggressive Congressional oversight is another consequence of divided government. In the meantime, turnover in the Trump administration proceeds at a record pace. Secretary of Defense James Mattis resigned in protest over policy differences with the president. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is headed out the door. Trump is isolated, glued to Fox News, and tweeting more frequently. False and misleading statements are also on the rise. According to the Washington Post fact checking team, the president averaged 15 falsehoods a day in 2018. Increasingly, the government shutdown has become a hostage crisis. It doesnt have to be this way. There are many pathways to compromise. Earlier this year, Democrats agreed to border wall funding in return for a pathway to citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants in the US and protected by the DACA program. Trump refused the offer and called for new limits on immigration. Other possible agreements include an extension of DACA and enhancing cyber technology at the border. Aid to Central America to stem the flow of migrants could help. Instead, both sides are posturing for the cameras. Trump says he could accept a barrier with steel slats instead of concrete. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) characterized the reframed proposal as a beaded curtain. Make no mistake, this is a showdown to establish dominance over the new political configuration in Washington. Here again, Democrats may have the advantage. While Republicans are yoked to Trumps obsession with illegal immigration, House leaders have an opportunity to highlight their policy agenda. House Bill 1 focuses on anti-corruption measures, including new ethics codes, disclosure of donors to dark money groups, automatic voter registration, election security, and an end to partisan gerrymandering. Pushed by the large class of Democratic freshmen, Pelosi and the House leadership plan to move swiftly on bills to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and authorize a large infrastructure construction package. Of course, no Democratic initiatives will survive a Republican-controlled Senate and a possible presidential veto. Still, it will be important for House Democratic leaders to pass bills quickly, before Mueller releases his report possibly by the end of February and cries for impeachment intensify. Which is when divided government will make hostages of us all. PennLive Opinion contributor E. Fletcher McClellan is a political science professor at Elizabethtown College. His work appears biweekly. Nearly four years after the murders, a state Superior Court panel has denied what it called the wholly frivolous appeal of a central Pennsylvania man convicted of killing his father and grandmother. The evidence, including DNA found on both victims, amply justifies Johnny T. Branfords convictions and two life prison sentences for the Jan. 26, 2015 homicides in Reading, Judge Victor P. Stabile found in the state courts opinion. Investigators said Branford, now 39, killed his 52-year-old father Johnny M. Branford by stabbing him 30 times. He then strangled his 74-year-old grandmother, Mary Branford, in the home she shared with her son, police said. Officers were called to the scene the day of the murder by a neighbor who heard screaming coming from the Branford home. No one answered the door when an officer knocked, and he couldnt see into the house because black plastic bags had been taped to the windows, Stabile noted. Police revisited the scene five days later when Mary Branfords other son asked for a welfare check after learning his brother had not been showing up for work. The hands and mouths of both victims were found covered in laundry detergent, Stabile wrote. He noted that during the interval between the killings and the discovery of the corpses, Johnny T. Branford had been driving his fathers car and using his grandmothers bank cards to make cash withdrawals and to buy items at stores including Sheetz and Sneaker Villa. Prosecutors presented surveillance camera footage showing Johnny T. Branford using his grandmothers bank cards, Stabile noted. He also cited that fact that Branfords DNA was found under his dead fathers fingernails and on the pants his grandmother was wearing when she was killed. Mary Branfords debit card was found at the scene when her grandson was arrested during an attempted burglary of a row house in Allentown on Feb. 5, 2015, the judge added. So, Stabile concluded, Branfords claim on appeal that the evidence wasnt sufficient to convict him of the slayings is bogus. Our review of the record confirms that the evidence was sufficient to enable the jury to find every element of first- and third-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt, the judge wrote. A 17-year-old New Jersey boy died after falling from a ski lift Tuesday morning at a Carbon County resort, the coroner reports. Connor Golembiewski, of Flemington in Hunterdon County, was on his way up above the slopes at Blue Mountain Resort in Lower Towamensing Township, county Coroner Robert W. Miller Jr. said. A resort official said the incident happened about 11:30 a.m. Golembiewski dropped approximately 20 feet, Miller said. Golembiewski was pronounced dead at St. Lukes Hospital in Palmerton. Golembiewski died Tuesday from multiple blunt force trauma and his death was ruled an accident, the coroner said. Pennsylvania State Police on Wednesday afternoon had no new information to add, a public information officer said. It was the third deadly incident in the past year at the ski resort. Grygoriy Sologub, 53, of Philadelphia died Jan. 21 following a collision with another skier on a slope, authorities had said. Euna Shin, 20, of Piscataway, New Jersey, died from injuries sustained while snowboarding at the resort, authorities said. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. This post was updated at 10:28 p.m. Tuesday with reaction from Gov. Tom Wolf's office to one of today's House rules changes. On an otherwise ceremonial swearing-in day, the Pennsylvania State House passed a new set of operating rules Tuesday that carry new language on sexual harassment, criminal convictions and - in a late surprise - another tool to provide legislative oversight of the executive branch. The changes passed 142-58 with significant bipartisan support, including 32 Democratic votes, after a little-noticed re-write effort headed up by incoming Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster County. Cutler said the work was warranted by some problems in the 2017-18 session the the old rules didn't effectively deal with, and his desire in taking the GOP floor leader post to re-examine some other longstanding proposals. The top changes include: Sexual Harassment. Define sexual harassment in the rules for the first time, assigns the House Ethics Committee the ability to investigate such complaints when filed internally, and bars any member or officer of the House from any act of retaliation for a complaint filed in good faith. Until now, sexual harassment claims have usually been handled by the respective party caucuses. That assignment to Ethics sets out a number of guidelines, including: The committee, if an allegation is proven, would then have the ability under its powers to recommend discipline, including the expulsion of a guilty member from the House in a publicly-considered vote. It could also refer the complaint to law enforcement for potential criminal action. Final findings by the committee would also be made public, Cutler's Chief of Staff Jake Smeltz said, with redactions of all victim-identifiers at the request of the complainant. Similarly, a House member who was cleared of a sexual harassment allegation after an investigation will have the right to make that information public, though they would also be prohibited from identifying the complainant. The changes follow a serious case of member-to-member sexual harassment allegation that emerged last February. In that case, House leaders - after an internal investigation found the charges credible - called for the resignation of former Rep. Nick Miccarelli of Delaware County, but never attempted an expulsion vote. Miccarelli finished his term as the case was referred to Dauphin County prosecutors, and ultimately dropped at the request of the only victim who charges were still within the statute of limitations. Miccarelli did not seek re-election, however, and is not in the House in the new session. Getting criminal convicts out of the House. The new rules would require a vote on a resolution of expulsion for any member convicted of a crime that relates to their office or otherwise triggers Constitutional disqualifications on the next scheduled House session day. This is a response to the case of former Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown of Philadelphia, who was convicted of taking cash bribes and waited until well afte her sentencing to voluntarily resign her seat. "The short answer on that," Cutler said, "is if you are found guilty we have expedited the process by which the House would consider taking action." Governmental Oversight. The new rules create a nine-member Government Oversight Committee in the House that Cutler said is designed to strengthen the House's oversight of the executive branch. "It's really an effort by us by which we can follow up to check the effectiveness of laws," Cutler said. "We passed a law that said: 'A, B, and C', but the regulations do one, two and three.... How do you match that up?" The committee - which will have subpoena power - will be tasked with holding hearings on any matter referred to it by the Speaker, majority leader or minority leader, on any executive branch matter that is not already being examined by the Appropriations Committee, or assigned by resolution to a separate task force. In Gov. Tom Wolf's first term, there were several times that GOP lawmakers felt frustrated by what they considered a lack of cooperation fron the administration on providing information. In one very public example, House State Government Committee Chairman Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler County, slammed the administration for failing to provide information about the number of non-citizens who may have been inadvertantly registered to vote in Pennsylvania between 1995 and 2017 through the state's "motor-voter" system. The new committee's work would result in final reports, adopted by a majority vote. Where the House Ethics Committee look inward at House operations, Cutler said, he sees the new oversight panel as looking outward at state agencies and their performance as regulators and program administrators. "That really has been a function of the legislature that I've always felt like we could do better," Cutler said. But Wolf's office appeared caught off-guard by the move, and voiced some initial concern. "We hope today's actions do not reflect a desire to abandon bipartisanship in the House," Wolf's press secretary J.J. Abbott said via email Tuesday night. "Governor Wolf has made bringing trust back to state government a top priority. "Given the House majority's actions, he hopes they will next take up ethics reform, such as imposing a gift ban and requiring receipts for taxpayer-funded expenses, to follow the lead of the executive branch." Homeowners in two Wisconsin towns started 2019 in oddly similar ways. Both found people filled with the holiday cheer they had consumed in the final hours of 2018 passed out in their homes. And in one case, the drunken reveler was cuddled up with the residents 150-pound mastiff, Fox 6 Now is reporting. One incident occurred in Germantown, where the homeowner called police after finding a young man who had accidentally stumbled, drunk and confused, into the home around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. The homeowner held the man there until the police arrived, and he was eventually taken home by his mother, according to reports. And in nearby Waukesha, another homeowner woke up to find an intoxicated young man asleep on a dog bed, with her mastiff, Benton, according to Fox 6 Now. "I woke up and saw someone over here on this dog bed, homeowner Lynn Sarver told Fox 6 Now. We ran into the kitchen -- grabbed a knife. Then we were scared. She said when the young man came to, he didnt know where he was and couldnt see because his glasses were missing. Seeing someone sleeping with my dog...it's weird, you know?" Sarver said. The young man lives nearby and was apologetic about accidentally entering the wrong home, according to reports. Sarver did not wish to file a complaint. Officials are investigating after an inmate was found dead in his cell at the State Correctional Institution at Pine Grove Tuesday night. Luis A. Santiago, 32, of Reading, died as a result of trauma at the hands of another, according to the preliminary investigation by the Indiana County coroner. Officials are interviewing Santiagos cellmate, according to the Indiana Gazette. He had been in the prison in Indiana, Pa., since June 20, 2018, for a parole violation related to a 2005 conviction for aggravated assault out of Berks County. He was paroled in September, 2017. While he was out on parole, Santiago picked up a series of drug charges in Dauphin County after Harrisburg police arrested him in a sting Feb. 17, 2018. In the Harrisburg case, an informant told police that Santiago would be arriving in Harrisburg from Reading with 30 bundles of heroin. Police arrested Santiago when he met the informant in the parking lot of the Popeyes restaurant in the 1900 block of Cameron Street, according to a suppression motion filed by Santiago last year. Santiago was taken down by a Harrisburg police dog after he ran away from the restaurant across Cameron Street, according to the motion. A judge denied Santiagos motion to suppress evidence in October. His next court appearance was scheduled for Jan. 8. While Santiago was out on bond on the drug charges, he was sent to the Pine Grove prison for violations related to his previous conviction from Berks County. Prison officials did not provide any information about Santiagos cellmate, how long they had been cellmates, or any other details about the incident. Santiago was found unresponsive at 10:05 p.m. Tuesday and was pronounced dead an hour later. The in-custody death was the second that occurred on New Years Day in a Pennsylvania prison. A 24-year-old inmate was found unresponsive and suspended from a top bunk by a bed sheet in Camp Hill. He was pronounced dead at 12:40 a.m. on Jan. 1. Elid Gueits had been at SCI Camp Hill since September serving an 11-month to 4-year sentence for drug charges. Last month, a Dauphin County judge ordered a Harrisburg-based real estate agent and her boyfriend to pay $2.7 million to three immigrant Vietnamese investors who claimed the couple scammed them. Round 2 of that legal battle over the activities of Realtor Luu Dang is scheduled to commence next month. Judge Andrew H. Dowling, the same judge who issued the $2.7 million award, has scheduled a civil trial for February on one investors lawsuit against Century 21 at the Helm, Dangs former employer. Noi The Le claims that firm is liable for Les losses in the investment scam because Century 21 officials did not properly supervise Dang as required by the state Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act. This one is equally severe, Les attorney, James S. Tupitza said, comparing the action against Century 21 at the Helm to the case Dowling decided against Dang in December. Its as serious as a heart attack. The insurer (of Century 21 at the Helm) has offered zero. Les court battle with Century 21 at the Helm has been going on for four years. Dowling earlier rejected a bid by the firms lawyer, Thomas J. Gregory, to have the case dismissed on statute of limitations grounds. Tupitza contends the scam was conducted between 2006 and 2011. He filed the case against the real estate firm the same year he lodged Les separate civil complaint against Dang. In court filings, Gregory has denied Century 21 at the Helm or its insurer should be held responsible for covering Les claim for losses. Dang conducted the scam on her own, not as part of the firms real estate team, Gregory contended. Nor, he insisted, did company officials know of Dangs outside activities. Gregorys contentions dovetail with comments the firms proprietor, state Rep. Sue Helm, made to PennLive after Dowling issued his December ruling against Dang and her paramour An Andy Trong Vo. Helm said no one at the firm had any hint Dang was doing anything improper and that there were no indications of any problems with the real estate work Dang did for her agency. Dowling found in his December ruling that Dang and Vo ran their con through several companies they founded G-7 Investments, G-9 Enterprises, G-21 Properties and LLV Properties Group. Dang convinced Le and another Vietnamese couple, Ba and Lehoang Nguyen, to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy dilapidated Harrisburg properties at tax and sheriffs sales and then renovate them, the judge found. He said money would then be obtained by refinancing and renting the properties. Dang and Vo told the investors they were becoming rich on the deals. Instead, Dowling found the pair were improperly siphoning off the investors money for their own use. The judge concluded, among other things, that Dang and Vo intentionally breached the fiduciary duties they owed the investors and that Dang violated the ethics, disclosure and money handling obligations of her status as a state-licensed Realtor. No appeal of Dowlings December ruling awarding the investors $2.7 million had been filed as of Wednesday. Le and the Nguyens have both filed judgments in county court against Dang, Vo and their companies. 2018 was a wet year for cities across Pennsylvania. Many cities saw record-breaking rain for the year, but National Weather Service in State College indicates that while Harrisburg saw above-average rainfall, it wasnt enough to break the standing record. National Weather Service indicates a total of 67.03 inches of precipitation fell in Harrisburg in 2018. That is just over 26 inches above the average of 40.74 inches. 2011 still holds the record as the wettest year at 73.73 inches of precipitation. Pittsburgh managed to have its wettest year on record. It took until the last day of 2018 for Pittsburgh to join in on the record-setting rainfall, AccuWeather reports. The 0.75 of an inch of rain that fell on New Years Eve pushed the citys yearly total to 57.83 inches, surpassing the previous record of 57.41 inches which was set in 2004. AccuWeather also indicates State College and Lancaster saw record-breaking rainfall in 2018, but Barry Lambert, meteorologist at National Weather Service in State College, said the official rainfall amounts arent yet available. Lambert explained that the data hasnt been confirmed by the National Climate Data Center due to the government shutdown, and wont be made available until the shutdown ends. Mild temperatures and sunny skies are expected in Harrisburg for the rest of the week, but rain is expected to return on Saturday. The butter sculpture first appeared at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in 1991. The sculpture of Benjamin Franklin was made of 600 pounds of butter on metal framework by Raymond Mackintosh of Ontario. The butter was donated by Kellers Creamery of Harleysville. After the show, the butter was donated to local food banks. Subsequent sculptures were: 1992: Sculpture Raymond Mackintosh in 1992 depicted then-reigning state Dairy Princess Robin Wilbur of LeRaysville, Lauren Daubert of Lock Haven and one of Daubert's Brown Swiss calves. 1993: The 1993 sculpture saluted the state's ice cream industry and was made by Raymond Mackintosh. It showed an old-fashioned ice cream vendor scooping ice cream into a cone, a boy licking an ice cream cone and a girl waiting for hers. 1994: Raymond Mackintosh's sculpture in 1994 depicted a University of Tennessee linebacker tackling Penn State wide receiver Bobby Engram just after the Nittany Lions defeated the Volunteers, 31-13. 1995: James Victor of Conshohocken in 1995 sculpted a scene of three World War II soldiers with a carton of rationed butter, cheese and other dairy products. 1996: Edward Shank sculpted former President Eisenhower bottle-feeding a calf. The former World War II general lived on his farm in Gettysburg after his presidency. 1997: Edward Shank celebrated the Amish with a sculpture in 1997 depicting an Amish boy and a cow. 1998: Edward Shank saluted school food service with a sculpture a school cafeteria worker serving lunch to a boy. The little boy originally was sculpted as a little girl. Shortly before the Farm Show opened that year, Shank discovered that the cafeteria woman had slid to the floor and the little girl fell on top of her. He spent 30 hours repairing the damage to both figures and changed the little girl into a boy, because he didn't have enough supplies to rebuild a skirt. 1999: In honor of Miss Commonwealth, Edward Shank re-created "the statue of the beautiful lady on top of the state Capitol." 2000: Edward Shank's sculpture showed two carrousel horses, two children and carrousel framework. 2001: The 2001 butter sculpture by Edward Shank depicted a farmers' market with the theme "Simply Delicious." 2002: The 2002 sculpture by Ed Shank of Swatara Township was dedicated to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. It included a firefighter, police officer and soldier with flags 2003: Jim Victor carved a cow butter sculpture in 2003. 2004: The 2004 butter sculpture by Jim Victor paid tribute to Milton Hershey. 2005: The 2005 butter sculpture by Jim Victor was called "Preserving the Pennsylvania Farm." It shows a girl bottle-feeding a calf. 2006: The 2006 butter sculpture by Jim Victor depicted the past and future of the dairy industry. 2007: The 2007 butter sculpture by Jim Victor depicted Ben Franklin and the Liberty Bell. 2008: The themes of the 2008 butter sculpture by Jim Victor were 'Discover Dairy' and 'Milk: It Does A Student Body Good!' 2009: The 2009 butter sculpture by Jim Victor was a tribute to the Pennsylvania National Guard. A Pennsylvania National Guard soldier salutes a farm family in the sculpture. 2010: The 2010 butter sculpture by Jim Victor paid tribute to dairy farm families. 2011: The 2011 butter sculpture depicted children playing and a farmer giving them some milk. 2012: The 2012 butter sculpture honored the 100th anniversary of the Pennsylvania 4-H and the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs. 2013: The 2013 butter sculpture by Jim Victor of Conshohocken featured 'PA Preferred,' the official brand of agriculture products grown or made in Pennsylvania. 2014: The 2014 sculpture by Jim Victor showed a family enjoying milkshakes at the Farm Show. 2015: The 2015 sculpture by Jim Victor and Marie Pelton celebrated the 'Fill a Glass with Hope' campaign. 2016: The 2016 butter sculpture paid tribute to the event's 100thanniversary. It featured a FFA member exhibiting her dairy cow, a 4-H member with baby chicks and a lady and gentleman showing off blue ribbon apples and pies behind a quilt and spinning wheel. It was made by husband and wife, Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken in Montgomery County. 2017: The butter sculpture at the 2017 Pennsylvania Farm Show paid tribute to environmental stewardship. The sculpture depicts a landscape of a farm with a miniature barn, trees, hay bales and waterfall. It was made by husband and wife, Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken in Montgomery County. 2018: The 2018 butter sculpture centered on the Farm Shows theme Strength in Our Diversity. It depicted the diversity of the states agriculture and features a dairy cow and dairy farmer; an agronomist who helps seeds become the corn that farmers provide to their dairy cows; a milk processor who tests, processes and delivers dairy products to the retailers; and a consumer with a basket full of Pennsylvania products. It was made by husband and wife, Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Conshohocken in Montgomery County. After 89 years, it was finally time for the Peter A. Broomall String Band to say goodbye to the Philadelphia Mummers Parade. The group announced in 2018 that it would disband after the 2019 Philadelphia Mummers Parade. On Jan. 1, the time had come. You can watch their final show in the video at the top of this article. Cant see the video? Click here. The Broomall String Band started in 1930 and, while it started in South Philadelphia, it has called New Jersey home since the 1950s. However, its golden slippers wont go empty for long. A new string band is already being formed to fill them. The Jersey String Band will take on many of the old bands members, reports The Courier Post. Its the first new band to join the Philadelphia String Band Association in 12 years. Pat Walton, a member of the Broomall String Band, will lead the Jersey String Band as both its captain and president. He hopes to have the group ready to perform in 2020, the Courier Post writes. 120 2019 Philadelphia Mummers Parade The Philadelphia Mummers Parade is the longest running traditional folk parade in the country. It has been a New Years Day tradition in the City of Brotherly Love since the late 17th century, although it didnt become official until 1901. You can learn more about the Mummers, including the history of the parade and the various types of mummers, at this link. Want more stories about Philadelphia? Click here for PennLives coverage of the city. Councilwoman Rebecca Wyatt, D-1st, whose district would include the site and says she is eager to have the business locate in her community, said she had concerns that the site has not been abandoned long enough which would put the agreement on questionable legal grounds. Xero simplifies the standard accounting process for small businesses very skillfully. It was built for the web from the ground up, and it supports every major financial element you expect in a double-entry small business accounting solution: sales, purchases, bills and expenses, inventory, and payroll. You can create records for customers, suppliers, employees, and items. You can then use these records in standard customizable transactions, such as invoices, purchase orders, and quotes. Xero also lets you manage fixed assetssomething competitors don't do. The company has added many new features in the last year, including two new business views (Short-Term Cash Flow and Business Snapshot), Stripe integration, and improved setup. It is close competition for Editors' Choice winner QuickBooks Online Plus, but it lags in areas like usability, mobile access, inventory and expense tracking, and reports. How Much Does Xero Cost? The company offers three pricing levels that kick in after a 30-day free trial. Xero Early ($9 per month) has monthly limits of 20 invoices and quotes, five bills, and unlimited reconciliation of bank transactions. Xero Growing ($30 per month) adds unlimited billing and invoicing; quotes; and bills. Xero Established ($60 per month) is the only version to offer multiple currency support. It also supports projects and Xero Expenses. Xero allows for an unlimited number of users per organization. Xero is a more affordable solution than QuickBooks Online; its prices range between $25 and $150 per month. Zoho Books starts at just $9 per organization per month and offers capabilities in line with Xero's more expensive plans. Xero has improved its setup tools. Theyre now some of the best offered by any small business accounting website. Early Activities If you're using another accounting solution (or Microsoft Excel), you may have created a lot of accounting data online already. Xero makes it easy to import records, transactions, and some other data from QuickBooks Online using its direct-conversion tool. If you have files already set up in CSV or TXT format (contacts, inventory items, invoices, and so on), you can import those into Xero, too. If you're starting fresh with Xero, take a look at the dashboard that appears after youve created an account for help. Theres an introductory video that suggests the early actions you should take to set up the site for your own company. You can put that into practice by following the series of steps outlined below that. These include connecting your bank accounts, reviewing Xeros transaction categories, and managing bills. Links take you to the pages where you can accomplish these tasks. This is a great setup tool and better than what most competitors offer. Theres more you should do before you start entering transactions, like creating records for contact and items/services and visiting the companys settings pages, but this initial screen is a great place to start. Appearance and Navigation Xero and QuickBooks Online have very different looks. Where QuickBooks Online sprawls across the entire screen and uses large fonts and graphics, Xero is more compact, taking up only the center of the screen on some pages. Each presents key financial data and links to related activities in different ways on their home pages, otherwise known as dashboards. Both are effective, but I prefer Xero's approach. The tool displays account balances, with links to reconciliation screens; numbers and graphs representing outstanding invoices and unpaid bills; and total cash in and out. Theres also an account watchlist and a list of expense claims. Almost everything on the dashboard is a link that can take you to related pages and actions. Every accounting product I reviewed has its own navigation system, and I have yet to see one that doesn't work. In Xero, tabs run horizontally across the top, dividing the site into logical, functional groupings: Dashboard, Business, Accounting, Projects, and Contacts. Click on your company name in the upper left to access settings and other housekeeping tasks. The Business menu is where you'll spend most of your day-to-day work time. It opens to several subfunctions, such as Invoices, Bills to pay, and Products and services. You can enter bills manually in Xero. But if you forward them through email as attachments to your own personal Xero address, the site will transfer some of the key data into a draft copy of the bill. Once you drill down into the sales overview, for example, you use standard conventions for data entry and navigation. Four buttons at the top open tools for creating sales transactions, sending statements, importing sales invoices, and searching for specific invoices and quotes. Below that is information about your invoices. Big buttons show you the number and dollar total of invoices in draft form, those awaiting approval and payment, and your overdue sales transactions. Quotes work the same way: You can see at a glance which are in draft form, sent, accepted, and expired. Some other accounting sites work similarly, making it easy to see the status of your transactions at a glance. Click on Awaiting Payment under Invoices, and a new window opens displaying a table of the related transactions (this is the same screen you see when you click on the Invoices link under the Business tab). While you're there, you can toggle among tabs representing their different statuses. Buttons at the top of the page take you to screens where you can create new invoices or credit notes; send statements; and import or export invoices in CSV format. Xero uses equally effective navigation schemes throughout the site, providing both access to data and links to related actions. It does an excellent job of providing different views of your financial data and the navigation tools needed to work with them. Who has the best, most effective user experience then? That's a subjective call. Some users will prefer Xero's no-nonsense, economical kind of approach. Others like the more spacious, aesthetically pleasing look of QuickBooks Online and Zoho Books. Making Records The other area where you'll do a lot of workespecially at firstis Contacts. Here, you create records for your customers and suppliers that contain both contact information and thorough financial details. When you click the Contact tab and choose from Customers or Suppliers or All Contacts, you see a list of all that have been created so far, along with totals for what you owe them or what they owe you. Click the Add Contact button, and the empty record template opens. You can enter extensive contact information and financial details like default settings and accounts, currency, and due dates. Xero has added a customer credit limit and blocking tool since my last review. Once customers have reached their credit limit, the blocking tool prevents you from approving or sending invoices until they're within their limit again. Once you've saved a contact record, its own home page displays related activity front and center (pending and historical bills and purchase orders, for example), with the primary contact information to the right (you have to click Edit to view the complete record). You can also create new transactions from this page. In contrast, QuickBooks Online's customer and vendor records are more comprehensive; they let you store more preferences, like preferred payment and delivery method, language to use in forms, and so on. Its record templates also display data more economically, using tabs to access hidden details. Xero also provides record templates for your company's items and services that contain fields for information (price, account, description, and so on) about products you buy and sell. Click the box in front of the I Track This Item field and Xero asks you to choose your Inventory Asset Account. Then, it begins tracking inventory in the background. You can import opening inventory balances or enter them manually and adjust inventory levels. Overall, the tool's inventory management features are not as advanced as those of Zoho Books, and its record templates are not as thorough as QuickBooks Online's. You cant, for example, set a reorder point, though the product records display the number in committed quotes and on order. New Invoice Form If you've built a good supply of contact and item/service records, creating transactions in Xero is a simple process. The site supplies templates for just about every type of transaction that a small business would need: invoices and repeating invoices, quotes, bills (which can be emailed into Xero as PDFs, with some of their details automatically transferred to a draft form), purchase orders, and credit notes. Each contains the standard fields you'd expect, including discount and sales tax status. You can even customize them, for example, by hiding, showing, or renaming fields. But these forms lack QuickBooks Online's and Zoho Books' more prolific custom fields and easy layout changes. Xero is in the process of making the transition to a new invoice form that looks better and is less cluttered than the old one. Xero introduced a new invoice form last year, but it was only in the early development stages. Its more complete now, though the Classic version is still available, and Xero plans to keep adding features to the new one. The new invoice form looks more state-of-the-art and less cluttered, and unlike Classic, it auto-saves your work every few seconds. It contains all of the fields and columns found on the old version, but some of them are hidden. You can add or remove some of the invoice fields in the header by clicking the three vertical dots in the upper right corner to open a menu. One option here is Change invoice fields. Once you select or create a new line item, a small horizontal menu appears below the item description. You can select your account and tax rate here and attach it to a project if youve created any. Click on the three vertical dots at the end of each line to add a discount, edit the inventory items record (or create one if you want to add a new one), or remove the lines contents. Whether your company sells items or services, you can create records for them in Xero. This may sound confusing, but its notonce you know that you have to click the dot configurations to see the hidden options. It would help if Xero had labeled these. But the new invoice form should speed up the customer billing process because of its smart simplicity, besides being more aesthetically pleasing, Expenses and Sales Taxes Xero had just introduced a new expense-tracking system when I reviewed it last year. The Expenses tool provides a better user experience, enhanced functionality, and more flexible user permissions in both the mobile apps (more on that later) and the browser-based version. When you're working on your desktop or laptop, you can create an expense record (even one using a foreign currency), specify an account, assign it to a project or customer, and add labels, or optionally upload an image. Expense forms are less detailed than QuickBooks Online's. They lack fields for payment method and payment account, for instance, and you can't add sales tax to the browser-based form. Tracking the money youve spent is a critical accounting task. Xero helps you record your expenses. There's another option for getting paper expense receipts into Xero. The company acquired HubDoc in 2018 and has maintained its tight integration with it (HubDoc also integrates with QuickBooks Online and Bill.com). The service is just what it sounds like: a central hub for many of your financial documents (statements, invoices, bills, and receipts). You can set up online connections to your financial institutions and suppliers, and HubDoc will automatically pull in documents and read some of their data (like date and amount), entering it on HubDoc forms based on rules you specify. Documents can also be uploaded and emailed into the system, or you can snap photos of them using mobile apps. All data flows into the correct modules in Xero. After a free trial period, HubDoc costs $20 per month. Xero handles sales taxes exceptionally well. You can turn on Sales Tax Lookup in the Advanced Settings menu, and the application will pull in the correct rate based on the physical location of the customer (on most sites, you have to find the rates yourself and enter them). Xero gets these rates from Avalara, one of the leading vendors of sales tax data solutions, so accuracy is assured (QuickBooks Online does not have this relationship). The site also offers two sales tax reports: Sales Tax Summary and Sales Tax Audit report. Tracking Projects You can track projects in Xero, thanks to tools that have been finalized over the last couple of years. This is simple project management, but effective for very small businesses or those with uncomplicated projects. You're required to assign each project to a contact, and you can give it a name and deadline, estimate its budget, and prepare detailed quotes. Each project has its own home page that displays a running tally of time and expenses charged toward the budget estimate, as well as the amounts that have been invoiced and estimated. You can easily create and add tasks that will be used in time entries, as well as document expenses and estimated expenses. If you prefer to bill for the whole project once it's been completed you can do so, but you can also send invoices at any time for specified time and/or expenses. Xero Innovations Xero has been working with machine learning and artificial intelligence to add more automated processes to the site, as well as better connectivity with related financial websites. The company continues to flesh out what was already a very capable, innovative accounting website. For example, the sites online sales transactions allow real-time communication and data sharing between you and your customers. Competitors in this class do not offer a comparable feature. Smart Lists support very sophisticated searches. Tracking categories in Xero are similar to the Class feature in QuickBooks Online; both let you assign categories to your accounting transactions. Over the last year, Xero developed two new tools in response to the financial uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Short-term cash flow screen projects future bank balances (seven or 30 days out) based on bills and invoices. The Business snapshot is a complex but very informative page that displays numerous indicators of your companys financial status. There are charts and tables illustrating profit or loss, income, and expenses. You can also quickly learn about your gross profit margin and largest operating expenses. Your financial position and your overall cash balance also appear here, as does your average days to get paid and to pay suppliers. You can view all of this data within four date ranges: year to date, last financial year, last quarter, and last month. This is a terrific tool. I havent seen a business management feature like this on any other site. Payroll and Reports With Xero Xero had been slowly adding states to its payroll processing for years, but it's now gone in a different direction. The site is now integrated with Gusto, our Editor's Choice winner for payroll, which gives it competent, comprehensive payroll management. There's even a single sign-on option so you don't feel like you're working in two applications (except for the very different user experiences). Reports continue to improve, too. Xero provides templates for the standard financial reports that your accountant will need, as well as dozens more in every area of the site (Sales and Purchases, Inventory, Fixed Assets (unique to Xero), Tax, and Projects). Several reports now offer filters that let you isolate the exact groupings of data that you want more precisely. There have been enhancements to many reports, and one exceptionally notable new one: the Blank Report, which is completely customizable using Xeros layout editor. This kind of flexibility may be daunting to new users, but theres good help content available online. Integrated Apps and Help Resources Xero has built something of a financial ecosystem. It works closely with some of the best third-party app providers to integrate with its own accounting tools. This can help growing companies expand on Xero's features in specific areas. The site and its advisor network continue to grow quickly. QuickBooks Online has hundreds of third-party add-on apps in numerous financial and other productivity categories, but Zoho Books lacks these. Support is critically important for small business accounting website users. These individuals often start with little or no experience with online bookkeeping. Xero's global network of advisors consists of professionals who are experts in the application and can work with small businesses. The sites online documentation is exceptional, offering step-by-step instructions for the product's features. Unless you're working with an advisor, though, your only option for getting questions answered is by email. That may sound fineright up until you have an urgent problem. Zoho Books supplements its email with phone, chat, and online help files. Xero's Mobile Apps Xero offers an Android app and an iOS app, both of which provide abbreviated versions of what is available on the website. You navigate from one area to another by clicking the icons at the bottom of the screen: Dashboard, Sales, Purchases, and Contacts. The Dashboard displays account balances, totals for sales and purchases, monthly profit (new), and a cash in/out chart, Click the Sales icon in the toolbar and you can view existing invoices and quotes and create new ones. Clicking Purchases gives you the option to view and pay bills and create receipts manually. Your list of customers and suppliers is there, but the records only contain basic contact and account details. The Xero apps dont do everything the browser-based version does, but you can conduct some accounting business remotely. Xero offers a second mobile app, Xero Expenses, which is designed for employees who need to submit reimbursable expenses but don't need access to the main site. This companion app allows you to take pictures of receipts with your phone. Xero then pulls some of the key data from them and deposits it on expense forms in the browser-based version. You can now process non-reimbursable expenses on the app, too. A Rapid Evolution Xero began its life in New Zealand, but it has grown rapidly since it entered the US market several years ago. Its usability, features, integration options, and network of advisors make it one of the best small business accounting tools available today. The company has emphasized incorporating machine learning in several areas of the site too, so it gets smarter every year. QuickBooks Online has had more time to grow into a more comprehensive, extensible, and streamlined accounting tool, however, and it retains its Editors' Choice award. The Plus version is the best, most flexible, and usable small business accounting website available today. While you're thinking about your money, you should also check out our stories on the best payroll services and the best tax prep software. Xero 4.0 Check Price Pros Good dashboard Improved setup process New business views Interactive quotes, Smart Lists Thorough reconciliation tools Exceptional online support Project tracking Integrates with Gusto (payroll) View More Cons Lacks phone and chat help New invoice form needs labeled icons Mobile apps not comprehensive Expenses handled in separate mobile app No reorder level in inventory View More The Bottom Line Accounting service Xero has strong account reconciliation, data imports, sales and purchase transactions, and project tracking. Recent improvements to its setup process and new business overviews solidify it as an excellent choice for small businesses. Having just returned to Cairo from Aswan, where our boat was docked opposite Elephantine Island, the subject of this article (which I published in the Deseret News on 26 June 2018) has been in my thoughts: During the fifth century before Christ, Jewish military colonies served at various locations in Persian-occupied Egypt as mercenary garrisons. The most famous of them was located on Elephantine Island, directly opposite the ancient city of Syene (modern Aswan), where it guarded Egypts southern border. (The name Elephantine reflects the importance of Egypts ancient ivory trade with inner Africa.) Most scholars believe that the colony at Elephantine was originally founded around 600 B.C. by Jews fleeing the military expansion of the Babylonian Empire just as their contemporary, the Book of Mormons Lehi, did. Surprisingly, the Aramaic-speaking Jews of Elephantine eventually built their own temple outside of Jerusalem, just as the Nephites had. It was dedicated to Yahu or Yaho, a variant form of the name Yahweh (Jehovah). (See The Lady Sariah of Elephantine published Oct. 26, 2017, on deseretnews.com.) But two other Aramaic-speaking communities also lived in the area, religiously foreign but fairly close culturally: A group from Syria had a temple for Bethel and the Queen of Heaven in Syene and, nearby, a group of Babylonians had built temples for Nabu and Banit. Papyrus Amherst 63 was discovered along the Egyptian Nile at Luxor (ancient Thebes) in the late 19th century, roughly 500 miles south of the Mediterranean. For multiple reasons, although its title isnt particularly gripping, Papyrus Amherst 63 is one of the most interesting documentary finds from the ancient Middle East. The papyrus is made up of about 35 literary texts in the Aramaic language (a near-cousin of Hebrew). They appear in four sections, followed by an appendix in the form of a court novella about the Assyrian king Assurbanipal and his brother. The first three sections contain ritual texts from the Babylonians, the Syrians and the Jews, in that order. The fourth section is surprisingly ecumenical, often equating one god with another (e.g., Yahweh with Bethel), as if the three communities were trying to create common religious ground. (Compare the apostle Pauls use of a pagan poem about Zeus in Acts 17, as if that poem referred to the biblical God; see Gods sheep recognize his voice, published Jan. 27, 2011, on deseretnews.com.)) All five of the gods who had temples at Elephantine and Syene appear in Papyrus Amherst 63; it was almost certainly compiled in that region, by people belonging to those communities. It contains three Israelite psalms, only one of which a variant form of the biblical Psalm 20:2-6 corresponds to anything in the Bible. (A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will think immediately of the teaching of the Book of Mormon that elements of the biblical text would be lost in transmission.) The three psalms clearly belong together, says the Dutch scholar Karel van der Toorn in the Biblical Archaeology Reviews Egyptian Papyrus Sheds New Light on Jewish History in the July/August 2018 edition. Among other things, they seem to have been originally composed in Hebrew and they all celebrate Yaho as the king of the gods. They go back, says van der Toorn, to Hebrew hymns that must have been written in the eighth century at the latest. Curiously, though, the scribes who recorded them in Papyrus Amherst 63, most likely (according to handwriting experts) in the fourth century B.C., did so in Demotic a cursive and relatively late Egyptian script rather than in the customary Aramaic or Hebrew script. This delayed their decipherment for more than 120 years; although the script was clear enough, it seemed to be meaningless gibberish to the Egyptologists who studied it until they realized that the language of the underlying text wasnt Egyptian at all. Many Latter-day Saint scholars believe the Book of Mormon to have been written in Hebrew or something very like it, but in an Egyptian script, and they have long pointed to Papyrus Amherst 63 as evidence of an ancient biblical text recorded in precisely that way. (See, for example, William J. Hamblin, Reformed Egyptian published at publications.mi.byu.edu).) Professor van der Toorn says in the article of the three Amherst psalms that These were songs the Israelites chanted before their religion turned monotheistic. Thus, rather like biblical Psalm 82:1, Yaho is described not as a solitary figure but as the highest of the Gods, the head of a council of heaven. Note: Toorns Egyptian Papyrus Sheds New Light on Jewish History in the Biblical Archaeology Review (July/August 2018, pages 32-39, 66-68), prompted this column, which draws substantially from it. On Yahweh as the head of a heavenly council rather than as the isolated deity of later monotheism, see Daniel C. Peterson, Ye Are Gods: Psalm 82 and John 10 as Witnesses to the Divine Nature of Humankind published online at publications.mi.byu.edu. Posted from Cairo, Egypt After several days of little or no access to the internet, Im going to try to catch up a bit. We began 2019 by rising very, very early to fly down to Abu Simbel, on the shore of Lake Nasser and roughly forty miles from Egypts border with the Sudan. This is the famous boundary-marking temple of Ramses II that was moved when the waters building up behind the new Aswan High Dam threatened to submerge it forever. It was probably intended to warn marauding or mischief-making Nubians that they were entering territory controlled by a very powerful god-king rather like a distinctly less friendly Welcome to Centerville sign. Returning by plane to Aswan, we visited the High Dam itself, took another gander at crocodile-infested Lake Nasser, and then took a short but picturesque boat ride on the Nile out to the beautiful Temple of Isis the beloved Egyptian goddess, not the terrorist group at Philae. On the way back, we stopped off at a factory and sales center for perfumes and essential oils, which are a significant element of the tourist economy in Aswan. I stayed on the bus and chatted with a few like-minded souls. After lunch back on our boat, the Radamis I, we boarded a smaller and more maneuverable boat for a ride up the Nile to a Nubian village a village that was transplanted to its present position when Lake Nasser inundated its former site. This is one of my favorite parts this tour of Egypt. We visit the home of the village chief, stroll up and down the main (dirt) street, fight off aggressive merchants, dodge trotting camels, and enjoy a really, really colorful little settlement. And the evening boat ride is exceptionally pleasant passing by such landmarks as the old Cataract Hotel, where (among others) Churchill and Eisenhower stayed and where Agatha Christie (Im told) wrote Murder on the Orient Express. Heading to the Nubian village and back, we also pass by Elephantine Island, in the middle of the Nile River, which (to me, anyway) is one of the most intriguing places in the Middle East. (Very shortly, Ill post the texts of two of my Deseret News columns relating to it.) Posted from Cairo, Egypt The nation recently learned the full extent to which Russia used social media to manipulate the 2016 presidential election. And it did so by exploiting our own racial, religious and political divisions. The detailed accounting of Russia's malign activity in a pair of reports commissioned by the Senate Intelligence Committee is both astonishing and chilling. It also is definitive: Russia's online warfare is real, sophisticated and unrelenting. It mutates as needed and grows ever more effective. And it continues today. Ignoring or discrediting such reports guarantees the cyber campaign by Vladimir Putin's Kremlin will play an ever-larger role in our electoral process. It also fails to understand that such Russian disruptions continue efforts that began in the 1930s with Soviet Union propaganda campaigns intended to inflame America's racial divisions. Only the methods have changed. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. The 2016 campaign spread misinformation, fake news and conspiracies across social media including Facebook, Google, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr and PayPal. The weaponization of Instagram was particularly extensive. One account, @blackstagram, had more than 300,000 followers. All told, Russian trolls elicited 187 million engagements such as comments and likes on Instagram. The trolls created Facebook pages like "Blacktivist," "Army of Jesus" and "Heart of Texas." They dubbed Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine the "Satan Team"; Donald Trump and Mike Pence were the "Jesus Team." One fake post claimed Clinton had received $20,000 from the Ku Klux Klan. A Tumblr post urged Pokemon Go players to name their Pokemon after victims of police brutality. Remember: Special counsel Robert Mueller has indicted 25 Russians and three companies on charges related to election interference and hacking. The reports conclude that Russia intended to attack Clinton and elect Trump by suppressing Democratic turnout and pushing right-wing voters toward extremism. There might never be a clear conclusion that the interference got Trump elected. But it's worth noting that Russia targeted African-Americans more than any group, urged them to boycott the election or vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein, and dispensed incorrect information about the voting process. And, for the first time in 20 years, turnout among black voters did decline. Trump's victory came via narrow wins in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania where black turnout was lower than expected in Milwaukee, Detroit and Philadelphia. Now Russian trolls target Hispanics with a "Brown Power" campaign that's using stories about deportations and treatment of migrants to inflame tensions. More study is needed to learn how to prevent attempts by Russians or any political operatives to influence future elections. So are tough regulations; Google, Facebook and Twitter did not provide all data requested by Senate investigators. Social media users must become savvy about who provides information online, and cross-check stories. Failing to learn from one's mistakes means repeating them. In this case, that would be a disaster for our democracy. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CARBONDALE The aviation programs at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale will be upgrading their teaching fleet with more than $2 million in new aircraft. The university has approved the purchase of five new Cessna 172 planes, which will replace eight older aircraft that are becoming outdated and expensive to maintain, according to Mike Burgener, the department chair of SIUCs aviation programs. Its just a matter of modernizing the fleet, Burgener said. Some of these planes are over 40 years old, and they have a lot of hours on them. The aviation programs have been planning the $2,139,000 purchase for multiple years, according to Judy Marshall, SIUCs chief budget officer. The planes will be bought outright, no loans necessary, and will be paid for entirely by student flight fees, which aviation students pay to sustain the programs. These planes are really purchased by the students, Burgener said. They pay the fees to have the equipment, and its our duty to provide the best aircraft possible. Flight fees arent cheap. They range from $3,000 to $5,000 for most classes, and can exceed $10,000 for others, according to SIUCs website. But those fees are necessary to keep the program running, Burgener explained, covering fuel, one-on-one flight instruction and constant equipment upgrades, which the aviation programs plan out as much as 10 years in advance. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Were tracking engine replacement timetables, propeller change times; We have a schedule so we can accurately project the funds well need in a particular year, Burgener explained. Once we have these aircraft squared away, well begin upgrading our twin engine fleet, consisting of bigger and even costlier planes. The Cessnas set to be purchased are four-seat, single-engine planes, which cruise at about 140 miles per hour. At SIUC they are used in private pilot certification courses, instrument certifications, and for single-engine time building, Burgener explained. The university hopes to order the planes soon after the new year, and could begin to receive them as soon as early 2020, Burgener said. Cessna builds them as the orders come in, he explained, directly to the universitys specifications, including adding an autopilot feature that should allow the planes to be used in a broader array of classes. Though its a big expenditure in the short term, upgrading planes ultimately allows the university to lower students flight fees, Burgener said, because new planes are much lower maintenance. Interest in SIUCs aviation programs continues to grow, with enrollment up across all three of aviation majors this fall, even as the universitys total enrollment dropped 11.9 percent. Theres unprecedented demand right now for pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians, Burgener said. Airlines are here constantly, recruiting our students. That includes offering SIUC students pathway-to-hire programs that guarantee them a job at an airline upon graduation, Burgener said. SIUC Aviation currently has such programs in place with four airlines, and aviation students' employment rate after graduation is close to 100 percent, he said. There are good careers in high demand, and its important to show students that, Burgener said. If a student wants to be an airline captain, going through a university program and getting a degree is what most airlines require. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The McLean County Health Department is in charge of food inspection in the county. Restaurant inspection scores provide a snapshot of how successfully a business meets food handling, storage, processing and service standards on a given day. Inspections are conducted one to four times each year. Each routine inspection starts out with 100 points. There are 45 items or categories under which violations can be written. Each item has a weight assigned to it that contributes to the score. Critical items are those violations that are more likely to contribute to food contamination, illness or other food safety hazards; they are worth 4 to 5 points. Critical violations include, but are not limited to: improper food temperatures, contaminated foods, cross-contamination and poor personal hygiene. Non-critical violations are worth 1 to 2 points and are unlikely to directly contribute to food-borne illness; however, they do affect the overall sanitation level of the food service establishment. Non-critical violations include, but are not limited to unclean floors, soiled surfaces, and general maintenance and cleanliness of the facility. If a food establishment is found to pose an imminent threat to public health, it is asked to discontinue operation until violations have been corrected. The inspection scores and number of violations found during each inspection are posted on the McLean County website at: http://health.mcleancountyil.gov/582/Food-Establishment-Inspection-Scores. The following are McLean County restaurant inspection scores from November 1-15. Applebees Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 502 N. Veterans Parkway, Bloomington; Nov. 7; score, 90. Bakery and Pickle, 513 N. Main St., Bloomington; Nov. 14; score, 84; Comments: Rinse temperature on chemical dish machine is only reaching 89 F instead of minimum of 120 F. Facility has set up three-compartment sink to wash, rinse and sanitize equipment/dishes. Bloomington Comfort Suites, 310 Greenbriar Drive, Normal; Nov. 13; score, 94. Boba For Life, 502 Prospect Rd., Bloomington; Nov. 9; score, 88. Buffalo Wild Wings, 603 S. Main St., Normal; Nov. 14; score, 90. Burger King, 1617 N. Main St., Normal; Nov. 1; score, 98. Burger King, 1601 Clearwater Ave., Bloomington; Nov. 2; score, 97. Butlers Pantry (The), 224 S. Green St., Chenoa; Nov. 13; score, 100. Cardinal Place, 1608 Northbrook Drive, Normal; Nov. 6; score, 100. Cardinal Place Pizza, 1608 Northbrook Drive, Normal; Nov. 6; score, 100. Caseys General Store, 203 E. Main St., Colfax; Nov. 7; score, 97. Circle K, 309 Landmark Drive, Normal; Nov. 13; score, 93. Circle K, 2412 S. Main St., Bloomington; Nov. 14; score, 96. Circle K, 1606 N. Main St., Normal; Nov. 15; score, 98. Cold Stone Creamery, 301 Veterans Parkway, Normal; Nov. 6; score, 98. Copper Top Lounge, 1107 W. Locust St., Bloomington; Nov. 7; score, 89. Crossroads Cafe, 102 E. Cemetery Ave., Chenoa; Nov. 13; score, 100. Danvers Fast Stop, 100 E. Exchange, Danvers, Nov. 8; score, 97. Dennys Restaurant, 701 Eldorado Road, Bloomington; Nov. 7; score, 96. Dominos Pizza, 305 W. Beaufort St., Normal; Nov. 1; score, 97. Dominos Pizza Bakery Store, 1910 E. College Ave., Normal; Nov. 6; score, 97. DQ Grill & Chill, 411 N. Veterans Parkway, Bloomington; Nov. 15; score, 89. Dunkin Donuts, 1603 N. Main St., Normal; Nov. 8; score, 92. Econolodge Inn & Suites, 401 Brock Drive, Bloomington; Re-inspection; Nov. 1; score, 99. Elroys, 102 W. Washington St., Bloomington; Re-inspection; Nov. 13; score, 96. Emmas Eatery, 1720 Bradford Lane, Normal; Nov. 6; score, 99. Ephesus Restaurant, 1406 E. Empire St., Bloomington; Nov. 5; score, 98. Erics Mini Market & Restaurants & Carniceria, 903 W. Wood St., Bloomington; Nov. 8; score, 84; Comments: Container of TCS food (refried beans) present in three-door cooler without a date label. All TCS foods shall be labeled in some manner to track adherence to seven-day rule. Discarded and corrected. Fat Alberts, 106 E. Gridley Road, Gridley; Nov. 2; score, 89. Fiesta Ranchera, 2103 N. Veterans, Bloomington; Nov. 13; score, 95. First Wok Kiosk at Afni, 1415 N. Main St., Bloomington; Nov. 13; score, 96. Giordanos, 1505 N. Veterans Parkway, Bloomington; Nov. 13; score, 100. Harvest Table Diner, 120 S. Center St., Saybrook; Nov. 9; score, 97. Hucks, 2401 S. Main St., Bloomington; Nov. 2; score, 87. Imperial Buffet, 1950 E. College Ave., Normal; Re-inspection; Nov. 13; score, 88. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Jewel Osco, 901 S. Cottage Ave., Normal; Nov. 8; score, 92. Jewel Osco, 2103 N. Veterans Parkway, Bloomington; Nov. 7; score, 97. Jimmy Johns, 203 W. Market St., Bloomington; Nov. 15; score, 93. Jimmy Johns, 208 Landmark Drive, Normal; Nov. 13; score, 98. Joes Station House Pizza Pub, 305 S. Veterans Parkway, Normal; Nov. 8; score, 91. Kellys On 66, 905 W. Main St., Lexington; Nov. 6; score, 100. La Bamba, 129 E. Beaufort, Normal; Nov. 14; score, 87. La Gondola Spaghetti House, 1501 E. Vernon Ave., Bloomington; Nov. 14; score, 93. Lake Road Inn, 15106 N. 1750 East Road, Hudson; Re-inspection; Nov. 8; score, 96. Lakeside Country Club, 1201 E. Croxton Ave., Bloomington; Nov. 8; score, 79; Comments: Container of coleslaw and ranch salad dressing are dated Oct. 31 and container of cottage cheese and Brittany dressing are dated "Nov. 1" in three-door reach-in cooler is past seven-day hold time. Discarded in garbage and discussed seven-day hold time with person in charge. Lakeside Country Club, 1201 E. Croxton Ave., Bloomington; Re-inspection; Nov. 15; score, 94. Lucca Grill, 116 E. Market St., Bloomington; Nov. 2; score, 96. Lucky Sevens, 1804 S. Hershey Road, Bloomington; Nov. 14; score, 86. McAlisters Deli, 2136 Village Lane, Bloomington; Nov. 1; score, 92. Mickeys Kitchen, 1709 S. Veterans Parkway, Bloomington; Nov. 13; score, 88. Moes Southwestern Grill, 1730 Bradford Lane, Normal; Nov. 13; score, 88. Monicals Pizza, 718 Eldorado Road, Bloomington; Nov. 14; score, 89. Monicals Pizza, 2103 N. Veterans Parkway, Nov. 1; score, 94. Nightshop, 517 N. Main St., Bloomington; Nov. 6; score, 92. Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, 115 Krispy Kreme Drive, Bloomington; Nov. 13; score, 100. Outback Steakhouse, 1409 N. Veterans Parkway, Bloomington; Nov. 7; score, 96. Ovation Theater, 415 Detroit Drive, Bloomington; 415 Detroit Dr., Bloomington; Nov. 9; score, 80. Poblano Burritos, 108 W. Washington St., Bloomington; Nov. 15; score, 95. Portillos Hot Dogs, 202 Landmark Drive, Normal; Re-inspection; Nov. 13; score, 100. Price Rite Food Mart, 706 N. Clinton, Bloomington; Nov. 9; score, 90. Quick Shop, 1744 PJ Keller Highway, Lexington; Nov. 6; score, 98. Radisson Hotel - Normal, 8 Traders Circle, Normal; Nov. 7; score, 83; Comments: Cooked rice in individual portion cups labeled Oct. 17 and Oct. 26 in the prep cooler. Sausage gravy and alfredo sauce in the walk-in cooler labeled Oct. 28. Discarded. Rosatis Pizza of Bloomington; 203 N. Prospect Road, Bloomington; Nov. 1; score, 93. Sandys Place, 504 N. Walnut St., LeRoy, Nov. 2; score, 96. Satio, 306 N. Center St., Bloomington; Nov. 2; score, 98. Sit-N-Bull, 209 Front St., Hudson; Nov. 14; score, 95. Subway, 1005 N. Main St., Bloomington; Nov. 9; score, 97. Sugar Mama Bakery, 116 W. North St., Normal; Nov. 5; score, 96. Taco Bell, 1702 W. Market St., Bloomington; Nov. 14; score, 96. Taco Johns, 1525 S. Main St., Bloomington; Re-inspection; Nov. 6; score, 99. Thorntons Gas & Food Mart, 908 N. Main St., Bloomington; Nov. 2; score, 88. Thorntons Gas & Food Mart, 908 N. Main St., Bloomington; Re-inspection; Nov. 13; score, 97. Vault (The), 101 W. Exchange St., Danvers; Re-inspection; Nov. 8; score, 98. Walmart, 2225 W. Market St., Bloomington; Nov. 13; score, 93. Wendys, 1522 W. Market St., Bloomington; Nov. 14; score, 93. Wendys, 1735 Bradford Lane, Normal; Nov. 7; score, 91. Wendys, 1735 Bradford Lane, Normal; Re-inspection; Nov. 15; score, 98. Wendys, 1600 E. College Ave., Normal; Nov. 5; score, 93. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Police said Marberry left the handgun on the floor under a couch on the morning of the shooting. Marberry is the ex-husband of the grandmother and had been sleeping on the couch. BLOOMINGTON An increase in seasonal influenza and other upper respiratory illnesses has prompted OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington to enact voluntary visitor restrictions. St. Joseph announced the restrictions on Wednesday, effective immediately, to protect patients, their family members and staff. As of Wednesday afternoon, no other Central Illinois hospitals had enacted visitor restrictions because of an increase in flu but are monitoring flu activity and asked people who are sick to avoid visiting patients. St. Joseph is requesting that visitors for patients be at least 18 years old to minimize exposure of patients to children, who are known to be high risk for transmission of viral infections and to protect children from contracting an illness while visiting the hospital. St. Joseph also requests that people who are not feeling well to not visit patients, especially people who have flu-like symptoms, including a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, a cough and sore throat. St. Joseph Infection Preventionist JoAnne Guymon said 19 patients tested positive for flu in the hospital emergency department during December, with most at the end of the month. In addition, 70 patients tested positive for flu in OSF PromptCare and in other OSF outpatient areas in Bloomington-Normal in December, with numbers increasing at the end of the month. Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} "While influenza is not yet widespread in McLean County, we have seen a significant recent uptick in cases identified in our emergency department, PromptCare, ambulatory offices and our new Urgo," said Dr. Paul Pedersen, St. Joseph vice president and chief medical officer. In addition, masking of hospital staff who are unable to receive the vaccine also began Wednesday, said Pedersen, who encouraged people who are eligible to receive a flu shot to do so. "Advocate BroMenn Medical Center (in Normal) and Advocate Eureka Hospital (in Eureka) are currently not under formal visitor restrictions," said Public Affairs Coordinator Lynn Hutley. "However, we always ask that visitors consider our patients' safety and abstain from visiting if they have any signs of a communicable disease, such as cough, cold, fever, body aches, sore throat and nausea. We continually monitor the number of influenza cases to determine if and when formal restrictions should be implemented." At Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Chief Nursing Officer Sharon Norris said the number of flu cases is starting to increase but is not as high as it was a year ago. "Visitors who are sick should not visit the hospital because hospitalized patients are at a higher risk," Norris said. Angela Stoltzenburg, of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, and Susanna Legner, chief nursing officer of Warner Hospital & Health Services in Clinton, said flu activity there is not warranting visitor restrictions. At OSF HealthCare Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac, "we are not yet seeing the number of cases to warrant asking the public to limit visits," community relations coordinator Pam Meiner said. "However, we continue to monitor the numbers daily and will make that decision if and when the situation changes." "As always, though, we ask the public to use good judgement when visiting hospitalized friends and family, such as not visiting when they are ill or symptomatic, and to practice good hand hygiene while visiting," Meiner said. Contact Paul Swiech at (309) 820-3275. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_swiech Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 3 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. BLOOMINGTON Michelle Pazar is the new publisher of The Pantagraph and Central Illinois Group publisher for Lee Enterprises Inc. positions she has held on an interim basis the past four months. "To get to this point from where I started is just incredible for me," said Pazar, 35, following an announcement Wednesday at The Pantagraph, where she has spent her entire career. "I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with such a tremendous team." As a group publisher, Pazar will oversee The Pantagraph, Decatur Herald & Review and Journal Gazette & Times-Courier in Mattoon/Charleston. She succeeds former Publisher Julie Bechtel, who left after five years in Central Illinois in August when she was named executive vice president of Berkshire Hathaway's newspaper division in Omaha, Neb. At that time, Pazar was named interim publisher. Pazar was selected following a nationwide search, said Chris White, a Lee Enterprises vice president and a group publisher. "What I am proud to say is over the past four months, I think the right person to lead this team proved herself by the work she has done over the last quarter," said White. "We've had a tremendous quarter here in the Central Illinois group." Please log in to keep reading. {{featured_button_text}} Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Pazar's "knowledge of the market, her passion and her vision for the future" made her stand out among the other candidates, said White. In June, Berkshire Hathaway hired Lee to manage its portfolio of 30 newspapers operated through BH Media Group. Properties include the Omaha World-Herald, the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia and the Winston-Salem Journal in North Carolina. Bechtel continues to report to Kevin Mowbray, president of Davenport, Iowa-based Lee, in her new role. Pazar sees the upcoming year and beyond "as pivotal," she said on Wednesday. "As the media landscape continues to change, we are going to be at the forefront of that." On the advertising side, one of the big projects for the Central Illinois Group newspapers in the coming year is expanding its digital product offerings to help local businesses grow, said Pazar. "Content-wise, we will be looking at making sure watchdog journalism continues to be a No. 1 priority; that we are keeping our readers and businesses informed," she added. Contact Maria Nagle at (309) 820-3244. Follow her on Twitter: @Pg_Nagle With a network of sirens that have been slowly deteriorating for the past few decades, Midland County is planning to start the process of overhauling its emergency warning system over the next year. The current system within the county has been in place for about 20 years, while the City of Midland's system has been around for about 30 years. Both systems are beginning to show signs of aging, said Jenifier Boyer, Midland County emergency management coordinator. There are 29 sirens altogether in the Midland area, with 14 belonging to Midland County, 13 to the City of Midland and two located on Dow Chemical property. Boyer said the biggest challenge in repairing and maintaining the siren system will be finding business partners that can supply the resources and help with maintenance. "Finding a company that can maintain (the sirens) and provide service to them has been challenging, especially here in the Michigan area," Boyer said. "When you go to the southern part of the nation where they have a lot more severe weather, there's a lot more resources available, but not here in Michigan. We're kinda just looking to see what types of resources are available, and then we're looking at what kind of new technology is available that wasn't available 20 or 30 years ago when the sirens went up." Of the 14 sirens under county jurisdiction, Boyer said only one has aged to the point of not functioning properly. The malfunctioning siren is located on Sasse Road. The siren, which was formerly located on a piece of property belonging to Dow Chemical, had been relocated in the past year to be closer to the road. Through continued maintenance, it was determined the malfunction is due to a worn down part that needs to be replaced, Boyer said. "It was working fine, but after it was relocated, it seems to be having some issues," Boyer said. Boyer said nobody living within the area covered by the malfunctioning siren -- which she said includes less than a dozen homes -- has reached out to the county with concerns about the state of the system. Currently, the county does not have an established timeline for repairs to the sirens. Boyer said the county is planning to spend the spring of 2019 reaching out to vendors that can supply the necessary parts and businesses that can assist in regular maintenance. "A lot of times you can buy the equipment easily, but then you don't have a way to maintain it," Boyer said. "It's about trying to identify those resources locally that can keep (the system) sustainable." The outdoor warning sirens are activated for tornado warnings and chemical emergencies. The sirens are given a full test the first Saturday of each month at 12:45 p.m, with a short "growl" test on other Saturdays, also at 12:45 pm. The sirens have only one signal type, which is to alert the public that an emergency exists, and the public should move indoors and seek additional information. Besides the Emergency Siren System, Midland County Emergency Management also provides other communication devices for emergency information. Boyer encourages all Midland residents to have weather radios in their homes and to sign up for NIXLE alerts and make sure their emergency alerts are enabled on their cell phones. Residents wanting to sign up for emergency alerts can visit the County Emergency Management website at: www.co.midland.mi.us/EmergencyManagement.aspx Goose Creek, SC (29445) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. AGENCY [mdash]MaryAnn Wanner, 75, of Agency, died at 4:45 a.m. June 9, 2021 at Ridgewood Specialty Care. She was born February 18, 1946 in Lake City, IA to Lubbert and Erma DeVries. She married Martin Joseph Wanner and he preceded her in death on March 18, 2021. MaryAnn had worked as a beaut By Max Margolis I admire, respect and support the work of the nonprofit Lines For Life. Their staff and volunteers have helped thousands of people find hope in despair by listening, empathizing and connecting people to resources. Over the past two months, The Oregonian/OregonLive has published two op-eds, It's time to talk about suicide (Sept. 26) and Talk about suicide, end the stigma (Nov. 25) by Lines For Life employees and volunteers. The first explored promising new strategies for the appropriate way to publicly discuss suicide. The most recent was a personal plea urging us to end the stigma. The news rarely reports suicides, fearing a social contagion. Yet there is a bounty of op-eds in The Oregonian and national newspapers urging us to talk about suicide. This mixed message is stifling an honest conversation, obscuring the pervasiveness of suicide and sustaining the stigma. There are many statistics highlighting the impact suicide makes across all demographics. The suicide rate is highest for middle-age adults. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people. Our elderly make up a disproportionately high rate of suicides. The suicide rate among our veterans is twice that of civilians. In 2016, the last year for which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides data, there were nearly 45,000 suicides. Of those, 22,938 were by firearm. For comparison, the federal agency reported 19,236 homicides, 14,415 by firearms. It is an established long-term trend that more Americans die from suicide than homicide, yet aside from the celebrity suicides, there is little reporting on the lives lost. At the end of each year, The Oregonian takes a deep dive and explores the lives and circumstances of murder victims in Portland. Yet there is never an account of those who take their own lives. Could you imagine newspapers refusing to cover murders, because homicide is too stigmatizing? The reticence around suicide must end. There are well-established guidelines for reporting suicides. A key point is to include resources in all articles about suicide. The Oregonian website has an entire subsection dedicated to comprehensively covering Oregons growing marijuana market. Surely there are excellent reporters who can document and report on suicides in an effective and compassionate manner that improves our public health and opens our community dialogue. Shining a light on suicide improves our public health because it reveals a truth about the human condition in America. We prioritize training our children to navigate fires, earthquakes and active shooter situations through regular drills, but we spend too little time guiding them to explore the human condition. Suffering is an essential part of life, and so is hope. Suicide is not a character flaw. It is not heroic act. It is not a stigma. It is a public health crisis. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in our country. By openly reporting, discussing, listening and grieving suicides, we can foster a wiser and more compassionate understanding of our fellow citizens. Max Margolis lives in Portland. Editors note: Lines for Life and several local media outlets, including The Oregonian/OregonLive, have met in recent months to discuss more effective ways to report on and write about suicide. In the coming year, you can expect to see more news articles, commentary and editorials on this public health issue facing Oregonians. Think your 2019 is off to a good start? You've got nothing on these families. Multiple couples welcomed new babies into their lives at Portland-area hospitals Tuesday, beginning the new year in pretty much the best possible way. Plus, their kids get a pretty cool birthday (1/1/2019) and their photos on the news. Not bad. Do you know a family that added one more this New Year's Day? Let us know by emailing newsroom@oregonian.com. And no, pets don't count. Don't Edit Providence Health & Services Harmony Faith Neil with parents Desirey Barry and Andrew Neil Don't Edit Providence Health & Services reported two births at its Portland-area hospitals as of early Tuesday afternoon. The metro area's first baby of 2019 (to the knowledge of the folks at Providence) was born at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center early Tuesday. Her name? Harmony Faith Neil. Don't Edit Providence Health & Services Don't Edit She was born to Hillsboro residents Desirey Barry and Andrew Neil at 12:52 a.m. Harmony weighs 8 pounds and 1 ounce, and she's 21.5 inches long. She's her parents' first child. Her father selected her name because he thought it was beautiful, according to Providence, and her parents' only wish is that she grows up happy and healthy. Don't Edit Don't Edit Providence Health & Services Yu Lin Ma-Yuan Don't Edit Yu Lin Ma-Yuan was born to parents Giaoli and Freddie Ma of Portland shortly before 2 a.m. at Providence Portland Medical Center. She weighs 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and is 19 inches long. She has an older brother, according to Providence. Don't Edit Adventist Health Portland Novella Silmon Don't Edit Novella Silmon was born at 3:04 a.m. at Adventist Health Portland. She weighs 6 pounds and 10 ounces and is 18 1/2 inches long. Katie Watson of Portland, Novella's mother, has two older children. Don't Edit Handout photo/Kaiser Permanente Danielson family Don't Edit Don't Edit Three babies were born Tuesday at Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center. The first, a boy whose name wasn't provided to The Oregonian/OregonLive, was born at 4:34 a.m. The boy was born to parents Stacy Danielson and Wade Danielson. He weighs 6 pounds and 4 ounces and is about 18 inches long. Don't Edit Handout photo/Kaiser Permanente Kyrie Respress Don't Edit Four babies were delivered Tuesday at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center. The first, Kyrie Respress, was born to parents Arlita Bradwell Respress and Trenton Respress at 12:37 p.m. Kyrie weighs 6 pounds and 10 ounces and is 19 inches long. His parents, Portland residents, have two older boys. Don't Edit Meet Gracie. She's Clark County's first baby of 2019. Mom Devan Milliman and her partner Josh Morrow welcomed her into the world at 3:38 a.m. https://t.co/EGdVmRcXxt pic.twitter.com/gjzIeeRzN6 Katie Gillespie (@newsladykatie) January 1, 2019 Don't Edit -- The Oregonian/OregonLive Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Don't Edit After Multnomah County Circuit Judge Xiomara Torres shared her lifes story with The Oregonian/OregonLive in fall 2017, she wondered if she had shared too much. Judges are a famously private bunch. But Torres who entered the country without permission at age 9 and ended up a foster child at age 13 had opened up to show younger people facing similar, trying life circumstances that people like them can and do succeed. The response to Torres story has been overwhelmingly positive, from heartfelt thank-yous from members of the community to an invitation from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to meet. And now, Milagro Theatre a center of Latino arts and culture in Portland will bring Torres astonishing story to the stage later this month through a play titled simply Judge Torres. The play details the inspiring journey of Torres: Her birth and early childhood in El Salvador. Her escape from a 12-year civil war that left more than 75,000 dead. Her entrance into the United States by crossing a river between Mexico and California under the cover of night. Her courage in coming forward about being a victim of child abuse, then her introduction into the U.S. foster care system. Her perseverance in earning a sociology degree from University of California, Berkeley and later a law degree from Lewis & Clark College. Torres ultimately became a U.S. citizen and worked 14 years as a family-law attorney. In spring 2017, Governor Kate Brown appointed Torres as a judge, bringing a diversity to the bench that the state had not previously seen. In the 15 months since The Oregonian published her story, Torres has decided to share another, more personal piece of her history, which will be a part of the play: She was not only abused by a relative, but sexually abused. Torres says brave women -- and some men -- whove told their stories of sexual abuse as the #MeToo movement gained steam have encouraged her to share that she was molested as a child. Its very important for society to see these very strong women speaking out ... to see these women who succeed in their careers, succeed in motherhood, said Torres, 47. It changes the perspective from victim to 'you are someone who has overcome. The real-life Xiomara Torres is pictured here, on the Multnomah County Circuit Court bench. (Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian) Torres said while its uncomfortable to be in the spotlight, she agreed to sign off on the play after learning it also will be performed at some high schools and colleges, where she hopes it helps encourage young people whove also faced daunting challenges in life. The play bills itself as a modern day fairy tale rooted in Salvadoran folklore. It begins in small-town, mountainous El Salvador, where Torres is watched over as a child by a spirit guide, the long-haired La Siguanaba. After Torres confides in a middle-school friend and later a school counselor, police and a judge, the spirit guide takes the form of her Court Appointed Special Advocate. In real life, her volunteer advocate held Torres hand for 3 hours as she testified in court and has remained a pillar of support in Torres life today. The performance weaves in some common aspects of the young immigrant experience: for one, the desire to fit in. Shortly after the theatrical Torres crosses the border, she and her brother enjoy some Coca-Cola and marvel at how its so readily available. Theres so much Coca-Cola here that we can even get it from a machine! exclaims Torres brother. Their sister admonishes them, telling them to act like other American kids. Even if youve never seen a machine like that, you dont act like it, their sister says. Playwright Milta Ortiz says she was drawn to Torres story in part because she can relate to the experience of starting ones life anew. At age 8, Ortiz also fled the civil war in her homeland of El Salvador to the United States. I think its important for our stories to be reflected in the media, especially a triumphant story like this, Ortiz said. Sometimes we are portrayed as delinquents or gangbangers, but there are so many others who are doing wonderful things in the United States. Ortiz said telling stories such as Torres can plant seeds for compassion and understanding in a time of heated political debate about immigrants from Central American countries. Ortiz says Torres story depicts the beauty of human determination. Theres this Salvadoran grit: By hell or high water, were going to make it, Ortiz said. Against all odds, we are going to make the best of ourselves. Torres will attend the opening night performance, along with a group of judges who have shown their support for her. Torres court advocate as well as her middle-school friend in whom she first confided in about being abused will fly up from California to also attend showings. Whats more, a law school friend has bought out all the theaters seats one night. Lewis & Clark Law School will host a reception another night. Although Torres said she has continued to be open about her life because she wants to help others, she has felt so much encouragement in return. Its been very touching, she said. Its surreal. -- Aimee Green agreen@oregonian.com o_aimee ***** Judge Torres When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 10-12 and 17-19; 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13 Where: Milagro Theatre, 525 S.E. Stark St. Tickets: $18-$40, $5 Arts for All tickets available, milagro.org or 503-236-7253 Note: This is a bilingual production, mostly in English with some Spanish. Police arrested a Cornelius man early Tuesday who is accused of shooting his neighbors home in the course of his New Years celebrations. Just after midnight on New Years Day, Washington County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to a call from a Cornelius resident reporting a barrage of gunfire from a neighbors back yard behind their house. The caller said their house had been struck in the third round of gunfire. Deputies arrived at the house in the 200 block of South Cherry Drive and found a large party in progress and dozens of shell casings in the front and back yards. The residents reportedly celebrated the arrival of 2019 by firing handguns in the air, police said. Deputies also located several bullets that hit the neighbors home, at least two of which entered the house. One landed in the living room next to a childs slide. Police seized a handgun and arrested 46-year-old Juan Humberto Garfias-Campos Cornelius on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, recklessly endangering another person and second degree criminal mischief. He was held on $10,000 bail. Male Infertility Market Expected to Hit $301.5 Mn by 2020 Male Infertility Market https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/241 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/241 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com Male Infertility Market Report, published by Allied Market Research, forecasts that the global market is expected to garner $301.5 million by 2020, registering a CAGR of 5% during the period 2014-2020.Infertility in male is characterized by various infertility related problems such as low sperm count, presence of low motile sperm or azoospermia. The various causes of male infertility include stress, consumption of alcohol or drugs, smoking, obesity, environmental toxins, etc. These factors also act as driving factors of the male infertility market. When an individual is diagnosed with infertility, the person undergoes immense stress, embarrassment and guilt, which would further intensify the infertility problem. This is a major limitation of this market. The opportunity for the growth of this market is the increase in awareness levels among men and rising trend in medical tourism.Send Enquiry on this report @The male infertility market is segmented based on techniques, namely DNA fragmentation, oxidative stress analysis, sperm agglutination test, sperm penetration test, microscopic examination, computer assisted semen analysis and others. The DNA fragmentation would be the highest revenue generating market by 2020 and is also expected to have the highest CAGR during the analysis period, when compared to the other segments in the techniques market. This is due to the accuracy level the test provides in identifying the level of infertility by measuring the level of DNA damage.The key companies profiled in the report are ASKA Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, ZydusCadila Healthcare Limited, Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Pantarhei Bioscience B, Cordex Pharma, Inc., Merck Serono, Halotech DNA SL, SCSA diagnostics, Andrology Solutions.Get Access to TOC / Sample Report @Male Infertility Market Segments covered in the report:By Techniques DNA Fragmentation Technique Oxidative Stress Analysis Microscopic Examination Sperm Penetration Assay Sperm Agglutination Computer Assisted Semen Analysis OthersBy Geography North America Europe Asia Pacific RoWAbout usAllied Market Research, a market research and advisory company of Allied Analytics LLP, provides business insights and market research reports to large as well as small & medium enterprises. The company assists its clients to strategize business policies and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.Allied Market Research provides one stop solution from the beginning of data collection to investment advice. The analysts at Allied Market Research dig out factors that help clients to understand the significance and impact of market dynamics. The company amplies clients insight on the factors, such as strategies, future estimations, growth or fall forecasting, opportunity analysis, and consumer surveys among others. As follows, the company offers consistent business intelligent support to aid the clients to turn into prominent business firm.Contact:David Correa5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free (USA/Canada):+1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1(855)550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Catlett is the second defendant to face charges in Pucaliks death. In August, a jury found James Hill, who prosecutors said was the getaway driver, guilty of murder in perpetuation of robbery and attempted robbery. Hill, whose 56th birthday is Jan. 3, was sentenced in October to 47 years in prison. Explosive Growth for Global Fallopian Tube Cancer Market 2023 Top Key players AMGEN, ASTRAZENECA, BAYER, BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB, CELGENE, ELI LILLY AND COMPANY, AND F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG https://marketprognosis.com/sample-request/16983 https://marketprognosis.com/discount-request/16983 https://marketprognosis.com/enquiry/16983 The global fallopian tube cancer market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.2%, during the forecast period, (2018-2023). North America dominates the market, due to high healthcare expenditure in the region.Detailed Sample Copy of Updated Analysis @Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers.Increasing Health Care ExpenditureThere are several governments initiatives in developed nations all over the world to provide insurance to cancer patients, which allow them to opt for expensive surgeries and therapies involved in the treatment. This is owing to the fact that the number of cancer cases is increasing rapidly. According to a survey in 2017, about 609,640 Americans are expected to die of cancer thats more than 1,670 people a day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US, exceeded only by heart disease. The increasing government intervention by increasing healthcare expenditure, for insuring cancer patients will boost the market growth heavily in the forecast period. Also, the rising awareness about this type of cancer may act as a major driver for this market.Key Developments in the MarketMarch 2017: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved niraparib (ZEJULA) of Tesaro, Inc., a poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapyMajor Players:AMGEN INC., ASTRAZENECA, BAYER, BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM GMBH, BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB, CELGENE, ELI LILLY AND COMPANY, AND F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG, amongst others.Get Quality Discount @Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers.Adverse Side Effects of Treatment and Toxicity of DrugsBecause many targeted drugs are still quite new, its hard to say how long you can expect side effects to last. We do know that some of the side effects from standard chemo drugs can last a lifetime, such as when the drug causes long-term damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, or reproductive organs. These side effects along with the high costs of treatment may hinder many patients to seek proper treatment. This, in turn, will affect the overall growth of this market.North America to Dominate the MarketNorth America dominates the global fallopian tube cancer market, owing to high incidence of cancer and its early diagnosis due to availability of advanced technology, and growing popularity of non-invasive radiation therapies for cancer in the region. Asia Pacific is expected to grow during the forecast period, owing to factors, such as high incidence of cancer diseases, less stringent regulatory scenario, and presence of huge population base.Browse Report @Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers.About Market PrognosisWe at Market Prognosis believe in giving a crystal clear view of market dynamics for achieving success in todays complex and competitive marketplace through our quantitative & qualitative research methods.We help our clients identify the best market insights and analysis required for their business thus enabling them to take strategic and intelligent decision.We believe in delivering actionable insights for your business growth and success.Contact us:ProgMarkPvt Ltd,Thane - 421501India.Contact No: +1 973 241 5193Email: sales@marketprognosis.com Fingerprint Sensors Market Size Worth $25.94 Billion By Key Players: APPLE, SYNAPTICS, FINGERPRINT CARDS AB, GOODIX, EGIS TECHNOLOGY, SILEAD, IDEX ASA, SAFRAN IDENTITY & SECURITY, SUPREMA https://marketprognosis.com/sample-request/17337 https://marketprognosis.com/discount-request/17337 https://marketprognosis.com/enquiry/17337 The fingerprint sensors market was valued at USD 9.61 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach a value of USD 25.94 billion by 2023 at a CAGR of 18% over the forecast period of 2018-2023. The scope of the report is limited to solutions offered by major players including providers of swipe sensors and area and touch sensors. The regions considered in the scope of the report include North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world.Detailed Sample Copy of Updated Analysis @Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers.The market for fingerprint sensors is dominated majorly by security and access control devices, and the rising demand from consumer electronics is growing owing to the adoption of biometric systems. While defense, law enforcement, and other government institutions are investing heavily in security upgrading, with focus on access control systems supporting the growth of the market, mobiles phones have been the major contributors with many companies providing these sensors in mobile devices. With increasing mobile shipments, these sensors have witnessed a subsequent rise in their adoption.Key Developments in the Market December 2017: Synaptics Incorporated had announced mass production with a top five OEM of its new Clear ID FS9500 family of optical in-display fingerprint sensors. The new Synaptics Clear ID optical fingerprint sensors deliver one-touch high-resolution scanning through full cover glass and enable sleek, button-free, bezel-free infinity displays. Synaptics high-performance Clear ID FS9500 optical solution excels with wet, dry and cold fingers, and since it is protected by glass, is durable, scratch proof, and waterproof. February 2017: Goodix debuted its innovative biometric solutions for display. This was the worlds first fingerprint sensor integrated into the AMOLED display of mobile devices. The sensors state-of-the-art technology had brought about a new generation of mobile device design. Its fingerprint authentication and touch solutions are already in use in many global device brands, including HUAWEI, OPPO, Vivo, Xiaomi, ZTE, LG, Nokia, and ASUS.The major players include APPLE INC., SYNAPTICS INC., FINGERPRINT CARDS AB, GOODIX LTD, EGIS TECHNOLOGY, INC., SILEAD, INC., IDEX ASA, SAFRAN IDENTITY & SECURITY (MORPHO), SUPREMA, INC., DERMALOG IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMS GMBH, CROSSMATCH, 3M COGENT INC., NEC CORPORATION, and THALES SA, amongst others.Request Discount on this repots @Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers.Moreover, with a drop in the technology cost, vendors are focusing on new applications with integration in locks, remotes, and other consumer electronics and goods to add smart security features. However, factors such as the lack of awareness about the importance of security and complexity of integration of smartphone-like devices with fingerprint sensors can detain the growth of fingerprint sensor market.Increasing Usage of Fingerprint Sensors for Smart Wearable Devices and SmartphonesThe increasing penetration of smartphones has caused an increased demand for advanced biometric locking systems, causing smartphones to be the fastest growing segment of this market during the forecast period. Additionally, smart devices are being used for almost every activity, such as bill payments, purchases, and even banking. Therefore, there is an increased need for secure biometric authentication systems. This has led to the growth in the demand for fingerprint sensors. In 2016, there was a high increase in penetration for smart devices in the United States whereas, in Canada, the penetration rate was relatively lower. Thus, the market for fingerprint sensors is expected to be driven by the growth and penetration of smart devices.Military and Defense Application to Register Significant GrowthOwing to the terrorist attacks and other suspicious activities, many security organizations across the world ramped up their security apparatus to thwart further terrorist attacks. The importance of security and control is guided by the degree of sensitivity, nature, and environment. Some of the applications of the fingerprint sensors systems in the military are military bases authorized perimeter access, personal security systems for military installations, and others. Moreover, there is an increased spending on defense worldwide, which will also offer opportunities for the market to propel. In June 2017, Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan unveiled a 20-year policy review that had been in the works for months. According to this policy, armed forces budget would jump by 73% to CAD 32.7 billion in 2027 from CAD 18.9 billion in 2017, with the biggest increases coming in later years.North America Accounted for the Major ShareThe fingerprint sensing technology is no longer in its infancy in North America, and the advancements in technology have led to its wider adoption in several application segments. Secure access control is the major driver for the growth of fingerprint sensors. Access control for entry is done using biometrics, in which smart touch sensors and smart fingerprint sensors are used. The sensors are further used for employee monitoring, security breaches and intruder alerts in the region. Moreover, in the United States, the penetration rate of smartphones is extremely high, and is expected to cross 85% by 2017. The high replacement rate of smart devices indicates a potential of about more than 80 million devices, in the next two years. All the above factors are expected to drive the market for fingerprint sensors.Enquiry Before Buying @Note: If this link doesnt work in Internet Explorer, kindly try copy pasting it in other browsers.About Market PrognosisWe at Market Prognosis believe in giving a crystal clear view of market dynamics for achieving success in todays complex and competitive marketplace through our quantitative & qualitative research methods.We help our clients identify the best market insights and analysis required for their business thus enabling them to take strategic and intelligent decision.We believe in delivering actionable insights for your business growth and success.Contact us:ProgMark Pvt Ltd,Thane - 421501India.Contact No: +1 973 241 5193Email: sales@marketprognosis.com Fertility and Pregnancy Rapid Test Kits Market Analytical Overview by 2026 | Church & Dwight Co., Inc., Alere Inc., bioMerieux SA, and Quidel Corporation https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-607 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-607 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/fertility-and-pregnancy-rapid-tests-market https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Global demand for fertility and pregnancy rapid test kits market will reach US$ 1,068.4 Mn in 2016, up from US$ 1,029.1 Mn in 2015, witnessing 3.8% growth in 2016 over 2015. Increasing prevalence of gynaecological diseases and infertility will continue to drive demand in 2016, with dual-capability test kits gaining traction among consumers.Pregnancy rapid test kits will continue to witness higher demand than fertility kits, representing US$ 600 Mn in market value in 2016. Line-indicator kits will continue to outsell digital devices, with the latter generating only one-third revenues of the former. Mid-stream and cassettes line indicator pregnancy rapid test kits will witness strong growth rates than strips/dip sticks, however, strips/dip sticks will continue to account for the highest market value, representing US$ 197 Mn in revenues in 2016.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Line indicators will remain the preferred product type in fertility rapid test landscape as well, representing market value worth US$ 329.2 Mn in 2016, up from US$ 317.7 Mn in 2015.hCG urine test will account for the highest market share on the basis of test type, representing nearly 43% revenue share in 2016. Apart from hCG, other test types FSH urine test, hCG blood test, and LH urine test will witness a decline in their market share, suggesting increasing preference for conventional laboratory tests.Drugstores and pharmacies will remain the largest distribution channels for both fertility and pregnancy rapid test kits. Drugstores will sell US$ 286.4 Mn worth of fertility and pregnancy rapid tests kits in 2016, representing nearly 27% revenue share of the market by distribution channel.Request Report for Table of Contents @North America will remain the largest market for fertility and rapid test kits in 2016, accounting for over half of global revenues. Demand for rapid kits will continue to grow in the developing countries of Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. While APEJ fertility and rapid test kits market will reach US$ 267.2 Mn in revenues in 2016, MEA market will be worth US$ 7.5 Mn.Church & Dwight Co., Inc., Alere Inc., bioMerieux SA, and Quidel Corporation are the market leaders in the global fertility and pregnancy rapid test kits landscape. Collaboration with distribution partners and strengthening market position through acquisitions remains the key strategy of these players.View Report Preview @About UsFuture Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customized and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.Contact UsU.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb: Beverage Refrigeration Market 2018-24 Revenue By Regional Manufacturers Dover Corporation, Whirlpool Corporation, GE, Haier, Electrolux. Beverage Refrigeration Market https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/2111 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/2111 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/beverage-refrigeration-market https://www.gminsights.com/ Beverage Refrigeration Market to reach USD 4.5 billion by 2024. Escalating demand for refrigerators to store and serve drinks for social gathering and private events, is a key factor driving beverage refrigeration market growth. Ongoing technological advances to reduce the overall cooling time and consumer demand for distinctive features such as bottom freezer drawer and powerful filtered water will boost beverage refrigeration market.North America Beverage Refrigeration Market is anticipated to surpass USD 1 billion by 2024. This can be credited to escalating consumption of refreshment drinks and technological improvements in refrigeration systems. In addition, government encouraging utilization of energy-efficient and eco-friendly technologies in refrigerators.Request for a sample copy of this report @Manufacturers are anticipated to invest in new product development to comply with new energy standards implemented by the regulatory bodies. Further, increasing penetration of refrigerators that employ specific features such as modifiable shelves to accommodate bottles and cans will boost product sales.Increasing consumer preference for packaged drinks which are convenient to consume at home will support the product demand. According to recent statistics, the global consumption of packaged drinks was estimated more than 1.05 trillion liters in 2016 and Chinese consumption amounted to about 178.6 billion liters.Beverage Refrigeration Market, By Producto Under counter beverage refrigerator Gliding door Swing Dooro Countertop beverage refrigerator Gliding door Swing dooro Storage beverage refrigeratoro Milk coolersMake an Inquiry for purchasing this Report @Under counter beverage refrigerator was valued at over USD 1 billion in 2016. Product offering such as stainless-steel body or custom panel-ready fronts are stimulating the demand. In addition, better shelving and temperature control will support segment penetration over the forecast period.Rising demand to preserve milk in dairy shops will propel coolers demand over the projected timeframe. Diary companies are upgrading their existing capacities, and setting up cold storages along with the processing plant. This will generate the overall revenue over the forecast period.Asia Pacific market holds over 20% of overall industry share in 2016. According to industry estimates, the region is anticipated to account for more than two-thirds of the global beverages consumption by 2020. The region accounts for 60% of the world population and increasing consumption will provide lucrative opportunities for manufacturers.Browse Report Summery @Global Beverage Refrigeration Market is fragmented in nature. Key industry players are Electrolux, Daikin Industries, Avanti, Dover Corporation, KingsBottle, Whirlpool Corporation, Edgestar, Haier, Ford and General Electrics. Other Industry participants are Koolatron, Coca-Cola, Danfoss, Gamko, Liebherr, Marvel, Kegco, Danby, Johnson Controls, U-line, HABCO, Allavino, Kenmore, Marvel, United Technologies Corporation and Illinois Tool Works.About Global Market Insights:Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone:1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb: Global VR In Education Sector Market Size, Status And Forecast To 2025 By Top Key Players Samsung Electronics, ZEISS, EON Reality, Immersive VR Education, Unimersiv . https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2841930?utm_source=op&utm_medium=Srbh https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2841930?utm_source=op&utm_medium=Srbh https://www.bigmarketresearch.com/request-for-discount/2841930?utm_source=op&utm_medium=Srbh This report studies the global VR in Education Sector market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity. This research report categorizes the global VR in Education Sector market by companies, region, type and end-use industry.Get Sample Copy Of This Report @Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation developed using projectors and ingenious computer programming. This helps create a three-dimensional interactive environment for teachers and students.During 2017, the VR gear segment dominated the VR in education sector market and is expected to continue its dominance over the next four years. The easy manufacturing techniques and lower costs of the VR gear are factors that will drive the growth of this segment in the coming years.The higher education segment dominated the global VR in education sector market during 2017 and is foreseen to dominate the market during the forecast period as well. The major contributor to the segments growth is the rising penetration of VR technology in higher education systems in both the emerging and developed countries.In 2017, the global VR in Education Sector market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during 2018-2025.This report focuses on the global top players, coveredOculus VR, Google, Alchemy VR, Discovery Communications, Cinoptics, EPSON, HTC, Sony, FOVE, LG Electronics, Zebronics, Homido, Mattel, Samsung Electronics, ZEISS, EON Reality, Immersive VR Education, UnimersivMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report covers United States Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split into VR Gear VR SoftwareMarket segment by Application, split into Higher Education K-12Get Purchase Inquiry @The study objectives of this report are: To study and forecast the market size of VR in Education Sector in global market. To analyze the global key players, SWOT analysis, value and global market share for top players. To define, describe and forecast the market by type, end use and region. To analyze and compare the market status and forecast between China and major regions, namely, United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Rest of World. To analyze the global key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks. To identify significant trends and factors driving or inhibiting the market growth. To analyze the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments. To strategically analyze each submarket with respect to individual growth trend and their contribution to the market To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.In this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of VR in Education Sector are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2018 Forecast Year 2018 to 2025For the data information by region, company, type and application, 2017 is considered as the base year. Whenever data information was unavailable for the base year, the prior year has been considered.Key Stakeholders VR in Education Sector Manufacturers VR in Education Sector Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers VR in Education Sector Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream VendorsGet Purchase Discount @About Us:Big Market Research has a range of research reports from various publishers across the world. Our database of reports of various market categories and sub-categories would help you find the exact report you may be looking for. We are instrumental in providing quantitative and qualitative insights on your area of interest by bringing reports from various publishers at one place to save your time and money. A lot of organizations across the world are gaining profits and great benefits from information gained through reports sourced by us.5933 NE Win Sivers Drive, #205, Portland,OR 97220 United StatesCall answer Direct: +1-971-202-1575Call answer Toll Free: +1-800-910-6452Email help@bigmarketresearch.com Integrated Cardiology Devices Market Size Expansion with 12.4% CAGR Value by Top Eminent Players as Jude Medical, Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, Johnson and Johnson, Getinge, etc Integrated Cardiology Devices Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1189 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/integrated-cardiology-devices-market-1189 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/1189 The Global Integrated Cardiology Devices Market is growing with a rapid pace. According to a recent study report published by the Market Research Future, the Global Integrated Cardiology Devices Market is booming and expected to gain prominence over the forecast period and is projected to grow a sound pace. The market is projected to demonstrate a sound growth by 2023, surpassing its previous growth records in terms of value with a sound CAGR during the anticipated period (2017-2023).Get Sample PDF Illustration @Integrated cardiology devices are equipment which surgeons use for critical cardiac surgeries. These modern devices are extensively utilised for early diagnosis ensuring better treatment of various cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, growth has been observed in the integrated cardiology devices. Increase prevalence of the cardiovascular diseases is the major driving factor for the market growth. According to World Health Organization, approximately 30% of the deaths across the globe are caused due to heart diseases. Moreover, growing adoption rates of minimally invasive surgeries favoured by continuous developments within the healthcare sector boost the market growth. However, factors such as lack of awareness and expensive treatment is estimated to restrain the market growth during the forecast period.The Global Integrated Cardiology Devices Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.4% during forecasted period 2017-2023.Key Players for Global Integrated Cardiology Devices MarketMarket Research Future (MRFR) recognizes the following companies as the key players in Integrated Cardiology Devices Market: There are plenty of large and small market players which operate in this market all over the globe.Medtronic (US), Boston Scientific Corporation (US), Jude Medical (US), Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (US), Abbott Laboratories (US), Johnson and Johnson (US), Getinge (Sweden), Terumo Corporation (Japan), Lepumedical (Bejing), Acrostak (Switzerland), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands), Athenahealth, Inc. (U.S) and others are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the Global Integrated Cardiology Devices Market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis.Well established players incorporate acquisition, collaboration, partnership, expansion, and product launch in order to gain competitive advantage in this market and to maintain their market position.In August, 2016- Medtronic, the global leader in medical technology, completed their acquisition of HeartWare International, Inc., a leading innovator of less-invasive, miniaturized, mechanical circulatory support technologies (MCS) for treating patients with advanced heart failure. HeartWare became part of the Heart Failure business within the Medtronic Cardiac Rhythm and Heart Failure division. Under the terms of the transaction, each outstanding share of HeartWare common stock was converted into the right to receive USD 58.00 in cash.In January, 2017- Abbott completed the acquisition of St. Jude Medical, Inc., establishing the company as a leader in the medical device arena. The transaction provided Abbott with expanded opportunities for future growth and is an important part of the company's ongoing effort to develop a strong, diverse portfolio of devices, diagnostics, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals.In July, 2016- Boston Scientific Corporation acquired Cosman Medical, Inc., a privately held Burlington, Mass. manufacturer of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) systems. The Cosman Medical team and products became a part of the Boston Scientific Neuromodulation business, which offered a range of Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) systems to treat patients with chronic pain, and Deep Brain Stimulation systems for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, dystonia and essential tremor.In September, 2016- Johnson & Johnson announced that the company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Abbott Medical Optics (AMO), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories, for USD 4.325 billion in cash. AMO reported sales of USD 1.1 billion for 2015. The acquisition included ophthalmic products in three business segments: cataract surgery, laser refractive surgery and consumer eye health.Regional Analysis for Global Integrated Cardiology Devices MarketThe Americas accounts for a significant market share. High healthcare expenditure, rising number of the cardiac services, especially within the U.S. and Canada region are the major drivers for market growth within the region. Europe is the second largest market in the world. Growing medical devices industry and healthcare penetration drives the market within the region. The European market growth is led by countries such as Germany and France. Germany is expected to be the fastest growing market over the assessment period due to its large medical devices industry. Asia Pacific region is expected to grow rapidly. On the other hand, the Middle East and Africa region holds the least market share.Browse Complete Report @Some Brief Table of Contents of ReportChapter 1. Report PrologueChapter 2. Market Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope Of The Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 LimitationsChapter 3. Research Methodology3.1 Introduction3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size EstimationChapter 4. Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restrains4.3 Opportunities4.4 Challenges4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators4.6 Technology Trends & AssessmentChapter 5. Market Factor Analysis5.1 Porters Five Forces Analysis5.1.1 Bargaining Power Of SuppliersTOC ContinuedList Of TablesTABLE 1 GLOBAL INTEGRATED CARDIOLOGY DEVICES MARKET, BY TYPE, 2017-2023 (USD MILLION)TABLE 2 CARDIOLOGY EMR SOFTWARE FOR INTEGRATED CARDIOLOGY DEVICES MARKET, BY REGION, 2017-2023 (USD MILLION)TABLE 3 EHR FOR INTEGRATED CARDIOLOGY DEVICES MARKET, BY REGION 2017-2023 (USDMILLION)TABLE 4 FFR FOR INTEGRATED CARDIOLOGY DEVICES MARKET, BY REGION 2017-2023 (USD MILLION)ContinuedList Of FiguresFIGURE 1 RESEARCH PROCESSFIGURE 2 MARKET DYNAMICS FOR GLOBAL INTEGRATED CARDIOLOGY DEVICES MARKETFIGURE 3 GLOBAL INTEGRATED CARDIOLOGY DEVICES MARKET, BY SEGMENT, 2016FIGURE 4 GLOBAL INTEGRATED CARDIOLOGY DEVICES SUCCESS MARKET, BY REGIONFIGURE 5 GLOBAL INTEGRATED CARDIOLOGY DEVICES MARKET SHARE, BY TYPE 2016ContinuedDo You Have Specific Requirement? Ask To Our Experts@About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Statistical Report, Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Contact Us:Market Research FutureHadapsar, Pune 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPhone: +1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Radiopharmaceuticals Market to 2016-2026: Advanced Accelerator Applications (France), Bayer AG (Germany), IBA Radiopharma Solutions (Belgium) and Eckert & Zeigler (Germany) https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1287878 https://www.researchmoz.us/radiopharmaceuticals-market.html/toc https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=E&repid=1287878 http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG https://marketsizeinfo.blogspot.in/ Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Radiopharmaceuticals Market: Will Japan (Expected to Register an Attractive Growth Rate Throughout the Forecast Period) Beat Current Market Leader North America? - Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026" to its huge collection of research reports.North America is anticipated to be the most attractive regional market in the global radiopharmaceuticals marketNorth America accounted for more than 40% market share in the global radiopharmaceuticals market in 2016 and is expected to witness an increase of more than 100 BPS in its market share over the forecast period. In terms of Y-o-Y growth, North America dominated the global radiopharmaceuticals market and was valued at more than US$ 2,000 Mn in 2015. The market is expected to expand at 6.2% CAGR over the projected period to reach more than US$ 4,000 Mn by the end of 2026. The North America radiopharmaceuticals market is estimated to represent absolute $ opportunity of more than US$ 100 Mn in 2017 over 2016. The growth is stagnant and slow due to major reactors having been shut down in Canada and new reactors installed in place of old ones for better production of radioisotope. North America is expected to be the most lucrative market in the global radiopharmaceuticals market, recording an attractiveness index of 3.6.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Significant growth in the number of cancer and cardiovascular diseases patients in North America is expected to boost the global radiopharmaceuticals marketWidespread availability of SPECT and PET scanning machines will result in a growing number of radio diagnostic and radio therapeutics events in North America. For instance, the number of PET scanning machines installed per head of population in North America are more compared to that installed in Europe, thus leading to increased usage of radiotracers in the region. This growth in North America is expected to continue along with continuous technological improvements in PET scanning devices. The high level of awareness and accessibility to these machines is expected to account for high revenue generation in North America. This factor is boosting the overall growth of the global radiopharmaceuticals market. The other factor impacting the global radiopharmaceuticals market is the rising prevalence of cancer in North America. This has significantly increased the number of nuclear medicine procedures performed in the region and this is the precise reason that the market for radiopharmaceuticals is steadily growing in North America. There has been a rising number of cardiovascular diseases among the people in North America due to aging population, unhealthy food habits and rising obesity. The increasing number of cardiovascular patients is expected to boost the sales of radiopharmaceuticals, which would eventually create growth in the global radiopharmaceuticals market.Gallium-68 and Lutetium 177 sub-segments of the radioisotope segment are likely to dominate the North America radiopharmaceuticals marketGallium-68 and Lutetium 177 are dominant sub-segments of the radioisotope segment in North America. Gallium-68 has gained immense popularity since the last one year in the field of nuclear medicine, especially in the diagnosis and evaluation of prostate cancer. This is in heavy reliance with incorporation of several technological leaps and entry of new radiotracer- 68Ga-PSMA-11, developed by the University of Heidelberg. Additionally, marketing authorisation of the first 68Ge/68Ga generator, manufactured by the German company Eckert & Ziegler, has also positively impacted the penetration of 68Ga-PSMA-11 tracer in the treatment of prostate cancer in North America. Despite a shorter half-life, Gallium-68 has an ideal profile as a PET imaging agent. Several manufacturers in North America are focussing on introducing cold kits for the 68Ga-labeling of tracers (ANMI, Belgium), thus opening the gateways for 68Ga in PET scanning. Iodine-131, a therapeutic radiotracer continues to be the ideal tracer for the treatment of not only thyroid cancer but also other therapeutic indications. However it is being slowly replaced by Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) in North America. Lu-177, low-energy -particle emitter is identified to be one of the emerging radiotracers for the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and neuroendocrine tumors.Get Complete TOC With Tables and Figures @Market share of companies operating in the global radiopharmaceuticals marketThe global radiopharmaceuticals market is highly consolidated with a few companies that offer advanced technology systems and nuclear medicines for treating diseases. However, the global market is dominated by top five players accounting for over 89% share. Siemens Healthineers accounted for the largest share of around 41.2% of the global market in 2015. The company dominated the market owing to its diversified product portfolio, extensive geographical presence, and acquisition strategies. GE Healthcare accounted for the second largest share of around 30.1% and Mallinckrodt plc. accounted for the third largest share of around 9% in the global radiopharmaceuticals market.Make An Enquiry @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.For More Information Kindly Contact:ResearchMozMr. Nachiket Ghumare,Tel: +1-518-621-2074USA-Canada Toll Free: 866-997-4948Email: sales@researchmoz.usFollow us on LinkedIn @Follow me on @ Global Arak Market: Introduction of Unique Flavors Opens New Doors for Players https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=18968 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/arak-market.html https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-arak-market-is-anticipated-to-be-worth-us276-bn-by-2024-introduction-of-unique-flavors-opens-new-doors-for-players-transparency-market-research-612525493.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Prominent players operating in the global arak market include Domaine des Tourelles, Lebanese Fine Wines Ltd., Chateau Ksara, Haddad Distilleries, Lebanese Fine Wines, Eagle Distilleries Co., and Abi Raad Group, finds Transparency Market Research (TMR). A number of top players are likely to consolidate their partnerships to maintain their stronghold in the market. Several leading companies focused on product innovations are launching exotic flavors, in a move to gain a competitive edge over others, observes TMR. In addition, they are exploring a combination of impactful marketing strategies to help them stay ahead of their rivals.Request to view Sample Report:The global arak market stood at US$20.8 mn in 2016 and is projected to reach a valuation of US$27.6 million by 2024 end. The global market is prognosticated to clock a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period of 20162024.Globally, the various distribution channels for the sales of Arak comprise travel retail, supermarket, bar/pub, and liquor shop. Of these, the supermarket segment is expected to rise at a major rate over the assessment period. By the end of 2024, the distribution channel is estimated to hold the dominant share of 66.8% in the global market. The prominence of the channel is attributed to its extensive reach, the availability of a wider range of products, and the provision of in bulk.Read Report Overview @Regionally, the Middle and Africa (MEA) accounted for the leading global share of 64.5% in 2016 and is expected to collect attractive revenues over the forecast period. The regional market is led by countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The MEA is trailed by North America.Rising Popularity of Arak as Flavored Drink among Young Adults to Boost MarketThe global arak market is primarily being driven by the steadily rising demand for arak among young adult populations in developing and developed regions. The widespread popularity of ethnic alcoholic drinks in numerous countries in the Middle East such as Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and Syria is a noteworthy factor propelling the demand for arak. The popular demand for aniseed-flavored spirits across the millennial generation in these countries is bolstering the consumption of arak in major regions.The rising use of arak as an exotic ingredient in making high-quality cocktails and their substantial demand in restaurants in various countries of Middle East is expected to accentuate the growth of the global market. Intense efforts by arak manufacturers in the region to expand their production capacity in recent years is providing a robust impetus to the growth of the market. Furthermore, considered as a part of ethnic drink, a burgeoning hospitality industry in countries such as Lebanon is a crucial factor offering a robust fillip to the demand for arak.Persistently Volatile Political Scenario in Middle East Countries Crippling DemandHowever, the economic uncertainty precipitated by a persistently volatile political scenario in several countries of the Middle East is a critical factor adversely affecting the growth of the global arak market. The ongoing political tensions in Syria and the chaos caused by civil war are unfavorably impacting the growth. The rise in cost of production and sales of arak is severely hindering the demand in the country.Nevertheless, the adoption of innovative mix of marketing strategies by manufacturers, coupled with the rise in disposable incomes, is boosting the global arak market. The launch of arak of premium varieties is a noteworthy trend anticipated to significantly catalyze the growth of the market. The vast changes in lifestyle of younger populations and a rapidly emerging hospitality industry in various parts of the MEA are offering a sustained thrust to the demand for arak. Furthermore, the advent of exotic flavors augurs well for the overall market.Get more Information:About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRas experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.ContactTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: A suspect in the fake beer saga involving South Pacific Brewery canned brand SP Lager has been arrested in Port Moresby.SPB Managing director Stan Joyce confirmed this on Monday, New Years Eve, when the arrest was made on a Chinese national.Police arrested and charged the man for the importation of fake beer, operating within the suburb of Gordons in the capital city.NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Perou NDranou confirmed the arrest, stating that police investigations into the case were continuing.Meanwhile, Mr Joyce stated the company remains confident to get to the bottom of the issue.We remain confident that the criminals involved in this activity will face the full force of the law in due time and we continue to cooperate with relevant Government authorities to ensure the health and safety of our consumers, Mr Joyce said.Mr Joyce reminded customer to be weary of such fake products in the future to report them to the brewery and authorities.I thank the police for their efficient efforts and our confidence that PNG authorities will stamp such illegal practices out, he said.The selling of fake beer under the SP label became public when SP Brewery made public notices on the existence of beer sold in a named retail establishment in the city in November 2018.Fake beer products were being sold in Port Moresby, packaged illegally in similar looking cans to its SP Lager canned brand.The company obtained samples of the product to confirm with its own manufactured green can lager product, citing the details of the can that looks exactly the same, but spotted defining features to confirm the counterfeit.Reports of the illegally canned brew have only so far been reported in Port Moresby alone. Trump attacked Pakistan in first tweet of 2018; in 2019, his chose yet another target International oi-Shubham Ghosh Washington, Jan 2: US President Donald Trump started his New Year in 2018 by posting a tweet targeting Pakistan saying the country had given the US no help in getting rid of terrorism but only "lies and deceit". However, Trump's voice towards Pakistan had changed qualitatively towards the end of the year as he sought cooperation from Prime Minister Imran Khan on the question of Afghanistan, the same country over he which he tweeted. In 2019, Trump tweeted again on the New Year's Day and this time too, there was a target. It was not any country or individual that Trump tweeted but the "haters and fake news media". White House dismisses Democrat plan to end govt shutdown Pakistan hit back at Trump the same day, saying that it had "given free to US: land & air communication, military bases & intel cooperation that decimated Al-Qaeda over last 16yrs, but they have given us nothing but invective & mistrust." HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE HATERS AND THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA! 2019 WILL BE A FANTASTIC YEAR FOR THOSE NOT SUFFERING FROM TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME. JUST CALM DOWN AND ENJOY THE RIDE, GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING FOR OUR COUNTRY! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019 "Happy New Year to everyone, including the haters and the fake news media," he said in his tweet. He also mentioned in the same tweet: "2019 will be a fantastic year for those not suffering from trump derangement syndrome. Just calm down and enjoy the ride, great things are happening for our country!" Why Trump's promise of a wall may not come true The tweet by the 45th president of the US who will complete two years in office on January 20, was retweeted by over 2.2 lakh people and retweeted over 54,000 times. Hours after posting the first tweet of 2019, Trump was back into his attacking mood, targeting a former commander of US and foreign forces in Afghanistan Stanley McChrystal for questioning his integrity and the Democrats over the border wall. He said McChrystal "got fired like a dog by Obama". General McChrystal got fired like a dog by Obama. Last assignment a total bust. Known for big, dumb mouth. Hillary lover! https://t.co/RzOkeHl3KV Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019 Trump had sent out 2,883 tweets in 2018 as against 2,227 in 2017. Of these, while 1,721 were promotional in nature, 1,162 were attacking ones. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 16:46 [IST] Nomophobia crowned as People's word of 2018, but what does it mean? International oi-Madhuri Adnal Los Angeles, Jan 2: 'Nomophobia' has been named as Cambridge Dictionary's word of 2018. According to a blog post by Cambridge Dictionary, fans of online Cambridge Dictionary voted for the word that they believe best sums up the year 2018. Your votes have been counted and the People's Word of 2018 is... nomophobia (noun) fear or worry at the idea of being without your mobile phone or unable to use it Read more on our blog: https://t.co/HF4P3J3otR And then perhaps give yourselves a break from that phone screen pic.twitter.com/LeHocITVu8 Cambridge Dictionary (@CambridgeWords) November 29, 2018 The dictionary defines the word as "a fear or worry at the idea of being without your mobile phones or unable to use it", a phenomenon which all of us can relate to even though we might not have heard the word before. Nomophobia's earliest known use was in 2008 by YouGov researchers, in a report commissioned by the UK Post Office. Eventually, it began to appear in UK media and has since spread around the globe. Earlier this year, it was added to the online Cambridge Dictionary. While nomophobia is not a scientific term, it's one that has become increasingly popular among researchers in recent years as technology addictions are now more prevalent than ever before. The word Nomophobia was selected from the list of three other words, put out by Cambridge dictionary calling for people's vote on social media. It must be noted that Nomophobic is not a scientific term, however, over the years, has gained popularity among researchers due to technological advancement. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 10:08 [IST] Could this be one of the reasons why S-400 makes the United States uncomfortable? No doubts on India's Kashmir approach,S-400 missiles to be delivered to India by 2025: Russian envoy When will delivery of gamechanger' S-400 missiles begin? India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Jan 2: India finalised the S-400 deal with Russia and inked the pact to procure the air defence systems during Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi in October 2018. India will start receiving the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems from Russia from October next year and the deliveries will be completed by April 2023, the government said on Wednesday. India inked an agreement with Russia in October last year to procure a batch of the missile systems at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore. "The deliveries will commence from October 2020 and will be completed by April 2023," Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said in Lok Sabha while replying to a question on the contract. India went ahead to seal the deal with Russia not withstanding the US' warnings against it. "The system will provide a very capable air defence coverage to vulnerable areas/vulnerable points," Bhamre said. [China successfully tests S-400 missile air defence system] The US had announced sanctions against Russia under the stringent law for its alleged meddling in the American presidential election in 2016 CAATSA, which came into effect in January, mandates the Donald Trump administration to punish entities engaging in a significant transaction with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia. Why S-400 missiles are key to India's defence? Defence and strategic affairs expert Major General PK Sehgal told OneIndia that India was virtually defenceless against the incoming aerial attacks. He said that growing proximity between Pakistan and China, especially in defence matters, has emerged as a major concern for India. Maj General Sehgal reiterated what Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa had said about the S-400 systems that it is indeed a gamechanger. "When General VK Singh was chief of the Army staff, he had written an open letter to then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the air defence capability of the country was zero. We were defenceless against air strikes. We needed it to protect against cruise missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, against drones, against UAVs, against helicopters and rockets. We must have a system that is best in the world. It is completely a gamechanger as far as Indian sub-continent is concerned," he told OneIndia. [Why India badly needed S-400 air defence systems and how is it a 'gamechanger' in true sense] The reason why Major General PK Sehgal is calling the deal a game changer is because of the multiple intercept missiles the S-400 system can fire. The S-400 supports four different missiles - the very long range 40N6E-series (400 km), the long-range 48N6 (250 km), the 9M96e2 (120 km) and the short-range 9m96e (40 km). It can prioritise the incoming attacks and take action appropriately. OneIndia News with PTI inputs For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 21:31 [IST] We were surprised to see objections to individuals who had just voted in the election, Richard Polony said. To say those signatures were not registered voters or were forgeries was a surprise. Some of those individuals were our own neighbors. We know them personally and yet their signatures were objected to. India has just one DNA and it is Hindu: RSS leader VHP says will not wait for SC's decision on Ram Mandir, ask govt to bring ordinance India oi-Madhuri Adnal Bengaluru, Jan 2: The RSS and its affiliate, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Wednesday said that the outfit will continue to up the ante for Ram Mandir and a strong decision will be taken after holding consultation with seers. Addressing the media in Delhi, VHP's international working president Alok Kumar said,''Hindu society cannot be expected to wait till eternity for a court decision, only way forward is to enact a legislation clearing the way for the construction of a grand temple at the Ram janmbhoomi.'' After Modi's comment on Ram Temple, RSS says Govt expected to fulfil promise Kumar reminded the BJP that it has promised to find a solution to the dispute in its manifesto. He said that on January 31 and February 1, saints will meet in Prayagraj to discuss the future strategy and the VHP will move ahead under their guidance. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have been pushing for an ordinance on the construction of a Ram temple before the conclusion of the case before the Supreme Court which doesn't appear close to a resolution. The Ayodhya issue has been pushed aggressively by the RSS and VHP, but with hopes of an early ordinance fading, both will have to ponder the next step. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 13:28 [IST] Union Minister Uma Bharti The Union minister's remarks came even as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad insisted that onlya legislationcould pave the way for the construction of the temple and that Hindus could not wait till eternity. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a comprehensive interview, including on the issue of the Ram temple. All devotees of Ram should agree to this," Bharti said in a tweet. PM Modi She added that Modi's remarks did not block the way for building the temple as the option of doing so through dialogue among different groups remained open. Bharti also appealed to opposition Bharti also appealed to opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee to help the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) towards the temple construction. "Building the temple is difficult as well as easy. If all political parties agree to itlikethey did for the construction of Somnath temple, then nothing can be better than this. If the matter is left unresolved, then only Ram knows how it (the matter) will conclude," she tweeted. Modi said judicial process would be followed Modi on Tuesday suggested that any decision on an ordinance on the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh could only be taken after the completion of the judicialprocess,while asserting that the government was ready to make all efforts to fulfil its responsibility. Will enact law to protect Sabarimala Ayyappa temple's customs if voted to power: UDF Sabarimala issue pending in Supreme Court, nothing to be debated now: CM Pinarayi Vijayan Two women make history, enter Sabarimala: A timeline of events India oi-Deepika S Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 2: Scripting history, two women in their 40s entered the Lord Ayyappa temple in Kerala early Wednesday and offered prayers. The women trekked to the hill a day after the state-sponsored 620 km-long human wall of women was formed Tuesday from Kasargode in the northern part of the state till the southernmost district of Thiruvananthapuram. The two women, identified as Kanakadurga and Bindu, wearing the traditional black dress, with their head covered, are said to have climbed the hill shrine at 3.38 am Wednesday. Here's is the timeline of history scripted at Sabarimala 1990: S Mahendran files plea in Kerala High Court seeking ban on women's entry to the temple. April 5, 1991: Kerala High Court upholds the age-old restriction on women of a certain age-group entering the temple. August 4, 2006: Indian Young Lawyers Association files plea in Supreme Court seeking to ensure entry of female devotees between the age group of 10 to 50 at the Lord Ayappa Temple at Sabarimala. November 2007: LDF government of Kerala files affidavit supporting PIL questioning ban on women's entry. January 11, 2016: Two-judge bench of Supreme Court questions practice banning entry of women at the temple. February 6: Congress-led UDF government takes U-turn, tells Supreme Court it is duty bound to "protect the right to practice the religion of these devotees". April 11: Supreme Court says gender justice endangered by a ban on women. April 13: Supreme Court says tradition cannot justify a ban on women's entry. April 21: Hind Navotthana Pratishtan and Narayanashrama Tapovanam files plea in Supreme Court supporting entry of women. November 7: LDF government files a fresh affidavit in Supreme Court saying it favoured the entry of women of all age groups. October 13, 2017: Supreme Court refers the case to Constitution bench. October 27: Plea filed in Supreme Court for gender-equal bench to hear the case. July 17, 2018: Five-judge Constitution bench starts hearing the matter. July 19: Supreme Court says women have a fundamental right to enter the temple and questioned the rationale behind the age group. July 24: Supreme Court made it clear that the ban on entry of women would be tested on "constitutional ethos". July 25: Nair Service Society tells Supreme Court the celibate nature of Sabarimala temple's presiding deity Lord Ayyappa is protected by the Constitution. July 26: Supreme Court observes it can't remain oblivious to ban on entry of women as they were barred on "physiological ground" of menstruation. July 31: Supreme Court says constitutional scheme prohibiting exclusion has "some value" in a "vibrant democracy". August 1: Supreme Court reserves verdict. September 28: Supreme Court, in 4:1 verdict, allows entry of women in Sabarimala temple, says banning females' entry into the shrine is gender discrimination and the practice violates rights of Hindu women. October 15: Shiv Sena in Kerala threatened to stage mass suicide if women in their menstrual age broke the tradition and entered the temple. October 17: Gates of the shrine was opened for devotees. Several women within the age bracket tried to enter the shrine but were forced to return from Pamba after facing protests. October 18: Despite heavy police protection, a New York Times female journalist was forced to return from the halfway point. October 19: Rehana Fathima, a women's rights activist managed to go up to Valiya Nadappandhal but again forced to return owing to violent protests. October 21: Three women who almost made it to the shrine returned after being threatened by the protestors. A third woman, who was above 50 was also hecked and forced to return. Jan 2: Scripting history, two women in their 40s entered the Lord Ayyappa temple in Kerala early Wednesday and offered prayers. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 14:02 [IST] Threat of Mayawati works as MP and Rajasthan get into action to withdraw cases against Dalits India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Jan 2: Effect of the threat of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati has been clearly visible not only in Rajasthan but also in Madhya Pradesh. Within 24 hours of taking over as minister Madhya Pradesh law minister P C Sharma announced that cases against people involved in the caste violence during April 2, 2018 Bharat Bandh will be withdrawn. It is not only the Madhya Pradesh government but also Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot announced withdrawing such cases in his state. This is to recall that recently BSP chief Mayawati warned not only the Madhya Pradesh government but also the Rajasthan government that if cases against people participating in Bharat Bandh on April 2, 2018 for caste and political enmity are not withdrawn, then the BSP will be forced to reconsider its decision of supporting these governments. Sharma had already said that all the political cases registered during the BJP government would be withdrawn that means every such cases lodged in the past 15 year would meet the same fate. Urban naxals: How Dalits were mobilised, misled to destroy democracy Chief minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot said that cases registered against Dalits during the April Bharat Bandh will be assessed and after the assessment is done, the process of withdrawing of cases will start. However, Gehlot targeted Mayawati as well. He said that such message is given by the leaders to their cadre in politics. Let them do their work and the Rajasthan government will do its own work. On support given to the Congress by Mayawati, the Rajasthan CM said that she rendered support without asking for it, the government is thankful to her. Meanwhile, Samanya, Pichda, Alpsankhyak Kalyan Samaj Sanstha (SAPAKS) has expressed its anger over the decision of the Rajasthan government for such move. President of the organisation K L Shahu said that such people who were involved in violent activities, destroyed government properties and harrassed people must not be spared. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 11:18 [IST] List of states, UTs that have extended lockdown-like Covid curbs in India: Check here Trouble for Congress in Bihar? 13 MLAs could soon defect to JD(U) RJD leader shot dead in Bihar's Nalanda, agitators thrash 13-yr old son of suspected shooter India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Nalanda, Jan 2: A local Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader was shot dead in Deepnagar police limits in Nalanda on Tuesday. Police have taken charge of the case and are investigating the matter. According to reports, the deceased RJD leader has been identified as Indal Paswan. Soon after Paswan was killed locals attacked and set fire to the house of the accused. According to news agency ANI, The agitated locals thrashed 13-year-old son of the man accused of shooting dead the local RJD leader. The boy succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Ahead of Kumbh Mela, Centre approves naming of Allahabad as Prayagraj Initial investigation states that the murder took place due to personal enmity. Sub-divisional Police Officer, Nalanda said, "He was shot dead due to personal enmity. We are investigating the matter." Last year, the mutilated body of a Rashtriya Janata Dal leader was found in Bihar's Nalanda district. Kailash Paswan was reportedly abducted on July 6. The police found Paswan's decapitated body from under the bridge. Police attributed Paswan's killing to personal enmity and booked another RJD leader. Ravi Shankar Prasad says, attitude of Congress is same from the time of Shah Bano to Shayara Bano India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Jan 2: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not ready to give up on the issue of triple talaq. Despite the opposition not allowing the bill to be tables in the Rajya Sabha, the government is making every effort to get it tabled and passed. On being asked that what will happen to the triple talaq bill as deadlock in the Rajya Sabha continues, Union law minister Ravi Shanker Prasad said that woes of Muslim women on triple talaq is equally important as Parliament Select Committee is important. Attitude of the Congress has been the same from the time of Shah Bano to Shayara Bano. Moreover, anyone's ego is not important on this issue. Prasad accused the Congress of doing politics on the issue. He said that the most unfortunate part of all this is that despite United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi being a women, still the matter is being dealt like this. These are sensitive issues and the Congress must refrain from doing politics on them by demanding it to send to select committee. By doing this the Congress actually wants to stall it. [BJP entering 'our homes' by bringing Triple Talaq Bill: Mehbooba Mufti] The Supreme Court termed triple talaq illegal still it continued. So the government wants to provide a proper legal aid to Muslim women by passing this bill. The triple talaq has been passed twice from the Lok Sabha but like on previous occasion this time too it is stuck in the Rajya Sabha and opposition political parties are demanding that the matter to be sent to Parliament select committee. But the BJP is not ready to send it to the select committee. Political analyst feel that both the groups are trying to address their vote bank with this issue and deviating from their present stand point may harm them politically in 2019 Lak Sabha elections. So none of these political parties are ready to relent. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, January 3, 2019, 0:58 [IST] PM Modi is working for 18-19 hours, spoke at 1 am to review pandemic situation: Piyush Goyal Railway ministry seeks action against officer for article on Piyush Goyal India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 2: The Railway ministry has decided to take disciplinary action against Union minister Jitendra Singh's OSD or Officer on Special Duty for casting aspersions against its minister Piyush Goyal and questioning the wisdom of senior government officials in an article, according to official documents. Railway Board Secretary Ranjanesh Sahai has written to the Department of Personnel and Training asking for the immediate repatriation of Sanjiv Kumar, a 2005 batch officer of the Indian Railway Personnel Service for "breach of official decorum and misconduct". Piyush Goyal push to expedite suburban railway network in Bengaluru city Kumar is the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Jitendra Singh, who holds multiple portfolios, including minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office and for Development of North Eastern Region. "A case of breach of official decorum and misconduct of Sanjiv Kumar, IRPS, has been brought to the notice of railway board. Sanjiv Kumar has authored an article, published by two websites," Sahai wrote in his letter to the DoPT. "The article, besides being in bad taste, questions the wisdom of senior functionaries of the level of secretary to the government of India and also casts aspersions on the Minister of Railways (Piyush Goyal)," it said. "...it is proposed to take up the officer under the Railway Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1968. You would appreciate that a misconduct of this nature and that too in the public domain would send a wrong message all around and encourage indiscipline in the service," the letter dated December 28, 2018, said. Sahai asked DoPT Secretary C Chandramouli "to consider immediate repatriation of Sanjiv Kumar, IRPS, to this ministry for taking action as deemed appropriate". It added that the issue had the approval of the Railway Board chairman. Ashwani Lohani retired as Railway Board chairman on Monday. New Year Gift: Piyush Goyal announces 13000 jobs in Railways Kumar has been vocal in raising concerns related to the alleged wrong functioning of some wings of the Railway ministry. "The article written by Kumar clearly mentions that all is not good in the Railway ministry. It needs immediate intervention of the Prime Minister's Office," said an officer requesting anonymity. The Railway ministry has internally transferred another officer for allegedly raising concerns on cadre related issues. Chetan Prakash Jain, a 1994 batch IRPS officer, executive director, Establishment (GC) has been appointed executive director, Establishment (G), which officials say is a less significant charge. Anand Singh Khati has been appointed in his post, officials said, citing an order. On December 14, Jain, along with some other officials, presented a memorandum to Singh, who is also minister of state for Personnel, saying the Railway Board has not agreed with the recommendation of Cadre Review Committee (CRC) for keeping the post of 'member staff' exclusively for IRPS officers. IRPS officers and senior Railway Board functionaries were at loggerheads after the letter, officials said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 7:05 [IST] From August 1 your salary will be credited on weekends too, thanks to RBI tweak RBI gives go-ahead for Paytm Payments, resumes KYC for bank, wallet customers India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 2: Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) has said it has resumed Know Your Customer (KYC) process as well as onboarding new customers after receiving a formal nod from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).PPBL in June last year was asked to stop adding new customers after an audit by the RBI that made some observations about the bank's KYC processes. In July last year, its then Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Renu Satti resigned from her position and took on the mandate of heading Paytm's retail initiative. The bank had roped in veteran banker Satish Gupta as its managing director and CEO in October."PPBL has received a formal nod from the RBI to start onboarding new customers while resuming KYC for the bank as well as wallet customers starting from December 31, 2018," PPBL said in its latest statement. Paytm says consumer data safe after founder's personal data stolen The statement added that potential customers would now be able to open their savings or current account with PPBL.Payments banks can accept deposits from individuals and small businesses up to Rs 1 lakh per account.PPBL aims to acquire 100 million additional customers by the end of 2019, the statement said. "PBBL is on a mission to facilitate the last-mile delivery of banking services to each and every Indian. It also envisions catalysing the digital adoption and acquainting more people with the touch-of-a-button experience," Gupta said. Paytm commenced its payments bank operations in 2017. Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma holds the majority share in PPBL, with the rest being held by Alibaba-backed One97 Communications. However, the Chinese entity does not have a direct shareholding in the payments bank. Man held after threatening to hijack planes from MP and take them to Pakistan MP: BJP Yuva Morcha leader fined Rs 10,000 for flouting COVID-19 norms but no case as he expresses 'remorse' MP: Kamal Nath does away with Vande Mataram at Secretariat; BJP asks Congress to restore tradition India oi-Madhuri Adnal Bhopal, Jan 2: The year 2019 started on a controversial note for the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has taken umbrage to the Congress-led government's decision put the order to sing Vande Mataram on the first day of the month in the Secretariat on hold. For past 13 years, there has been a practice where government officials would sing Vande Mataram on the first day of every month before starting the day's work. The practice was started by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP, which is now in the Opposition, criticised the change in rule. Chouhan said his BJP government had decided to bring in the tradition as the song is a mantra that "instils sense of patriotism", reported ANI. Chouhan said, "It is unfortunate that the new Congress government has ended this tradition. I demand that it should be reintroduced." He said if the government fails to restore the practice, he would sing Vande Mataram "with patriots" at the Vallabh Bhavan (Secretariat). "I have decided that I will sing Vande Matram inside the [Secretariat] premises at 11 am on January 6," he told news agency ANI. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Kamal Nath has rubbished the allegations levelled by the BJP. He said the state government has not decided to end the practice of singing Vande Mataram. "The order is on hold and will be reintroduced in a new form," he said. TMC ghar wapsi: Will Rajib Banerjee be the next to ditch BJP? MP: BJP Yuva Morcha leader fined Rs 10,000 for flouting COVID-19 norms but no case as he expresses 'remorse' Is Parrikar blackmailing' PM Modi with a file on Rafale, asks Rahul Gandhi India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Jan 2: Reiterating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed the Rafale deal contract to help Anil Ambani, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said a JPC probe would make things clear. He questioned yet again as to why the BJP-led government is shirking away from JPC probe on Rafale matter. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley keeps asking from where did the Congress party arrive at the cost of Rs 16,00 cr per aircraft, Rahul said, adding, "It was Jaitley who this figure to us." "They keep asking where does Congress get the Rs 1600 crore per aircraft figure, let me tell you from where. Jaitley ji in his speech in Parliament had said the deal is 58000 cr, so divide this by 36, what figure do you get? 1600 cr," Rahul said. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is defending the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister, he said. Rahul also said that a Goa Minister claimed that Manohar Parrikar has a file on Rafale deal, which he has been using to 'blackmail' the PM. "The audio tape is a recording of Goa health minister, where he has claimed that Manohar Parrikar said that he has all the files of Rafale, and none can disturb me (Parrikar)," he said. [Congress claims Rafale Deal files in Parrikar's bedroom, releases audio clip] Congress President Rahul Gandhi: Entire cabinet heard what Mr Parrikar said, essentially what Mr Parrikar is doing is threatening & blackmailing the Prime Minister of India because he (Parrikar) has information of the #RafaleDeal pic.twitter.com/vpwdn3eT43 ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Earlier today in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi sought answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's purported claim of possessing a file on Rafale "lying in his bedroom" and asked if this was the reason why a joint parliamentary committee probe was not being ordered. Jio's New Year gift: Voice calls to other networks in India to be free from January 1 Let us work together towards creating an inclusive society: Kovind's New Year message New Year 2021: As many as 35 drunk drivers caught in Mumbai, number 'lowest' India welcomes 69,944 babies on New Years Day India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 2: India added 69,944 18 babies on New Year's Day, the highest in the world, the UNICEF said on January 1. According to the UNICEF, 69,944 babies were expected to be born on the New Year Day out of 3,95,072 babies likely to be born across the world. As per UNICEF, it was followed by China (44,940), Nigeria (25,685), Pakistan (15,112), Indonesia (13,256), the US (11,086), Democratic Republic of Congo (10,053), and Bangladesh (8,428). Sydney was set to greet an estimated 168 babies, followed by Tokyo (310), Beijing (605), Madrid (166) and finally, New York (317). Fiji in the Pacific was likely to deliver 2019's first baby and the US its last. "This New Year Day, let's all make a resolution to fulfill every right of every girl and boy, starting with the right to survive. We can save millions of babies if we invest in training and equipping local health workers so that every newborn is born into a safe pair of hands," said Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF India Representative, said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 8:49 [IST] Analysing ISIS Voice of Hind: How it is being used to provoke Muslims against the government How the Dammaj Salafis are leading the radicalisation wave in Kerala India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 2: Of all the states in the country, the Islamic State and the Al-Qaeda has found it to be the easiest to make inroads in Kerala. These terrorist groups works in an entirely different manner in Kerala and it is the spread of ideology is what they focus on rather than building modules to strike. The widespread of the jihadi ideology is evident from the fact of how the Saudis have infested the Wahhabi preachers in Kerala in a bid to stop the rise of the Shia Muslims. The Al-Qaeda inclined Base Movement, which carried out the blasts in several courts across South India has its roots in Kerala. The birth of the Indian Mujahideen, one of the deadliest home grown terror outfits took place in Kerala, following a famous meeting called as the Wagamon camp meet. Lastly and more recently, over 20 Indians who joined the ISIS Khorasan in Afghanistan are all from Kerala. After busting ISIS inspired module, NIA digs deeper Stanley Johny's new book, 'The ISIS Caliphate From Syria to the Doorsteps of India,' very aptly says that one of the most affected states by this ISIS influence was India's most socially advanced one. He also wrote that an investigation into the disappearance and subsequent arrests showed how ISIS's online propaganda is radicalising Muslim youth in the state, where Salafism has strong roots. The online radicalisation: Around two years back, when the National Investigation Agency questioned some Keralite youth who were arrested for their alleged ISIS links, it was learnt that they were all inspired by the lectures of Anwar-al-Awlaki, a radical preacher from the Al-Qaeda. Further during the questioning of Subhani Haja Moideen, a resident of Kerala it was learnt that ten from the state who had undergone training in Iraq and Syria returned to Kerala. It was also learnt that Subhani who was in Iraq in the year 2015 was taken to Mosul where he underwent religious training followed by combat training, which also included a course in automated weapons. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind to provide legal aid to people arrested by the NIA for having ISIS link Last week the National Investigation arrested a 25 year old man who was missing in connection with an ISIS case. Habeeb Rahman, from Wayanad in Kerala, was arrested in the two-year old ISIS Kasaragod Module case, the agency said in a statement. "The case relates to the criminal conspiracy hatched by the accused persons from Kasaragod district of Kerala and their associates since Ramadan, 2015, with the intention of joining and furthering the objectives of ISIS Daish," it said. The agency said that as part of the conspiracy, 14 accused from Kasaragod district had left India or their work places in Middle-East Asia between mid-May and early July, 2016, before travelling to Afghanistan or Syria, where they joined the ISIS (Daish). It said that accused Nashidul Hamzafar and Habeeb Rehman remained in touch, over encrypted social media platforms, with other the missing accused in this case like Abdul Rashid Abdulla and Ashfak Majeed. No organisational structure: The agencies say that the problem this time around is immense as there is no organisational network involved. Take the case of the 20 odd persons who left Kerala to join the ISIS in Afghanistan. They were not part of any network and were literally operating as lone wolves. Each of them spread the ideology among each other and after being radicalised left Kerala. Recent actions by the NIA have led to the busting of dedicated ISIS inspired modules. These work like the run of the mill terror groups. However in the Kerala incident no such thing has been found and the intent was to form a group of like minded persons and then support the ISIS ideology. What makes Kerala a hub for radicalisation The police however feel that the driving force was one Abdulla Rashid Abdulla, a 30 year old operative. He is believed to have inspired all these persons to join the Khorasan. He was not part of any organisation in Kerala, but was highly radicalised. Till date he continues to sent out audio messages on Telegram groups and in one of them, he had said that in the next ten years a majority of the people from the state would migrate. The Dammaj Salafis: In another clip Rashid said that the ISIS was being launched in Kerala through the Dammaj Salafis. The Dammaj Salafis are a group of extremist Salafis who are opposed to democracy. He further went on to add that the Dammaj Salafis in Kerala are in touch with the ISIS and are attempting to get many to migrate or Hijra to ISIS controlled areas. He goes on to say that had there been no salafism in Kerala, the state would have continued with the un-Islamic practices of the Sunnis and Sufis. He says that the Salafi group led by one Zakkariya Swalahi is closest to the ideology of the Islamic State. Most of the Keralalites who have joined the ISIS are associated with this group. He also says that they had attended classes of the group that were held in Kannur, Kozhikode and Pappinasseri. Dammaj is a small town in Yemen and the place made it to the news after the youth from Kerala joined the ISIS. After getting attracted to spiritual teachings being taught in Dammaj many have been going there to lead a spiritual life. At the Attikad village near the Neelambur forests in Kerala there are around 150 people who subscribe to the Dammaj Salafi Sect living in seclusion. Back in 2016, the Intelligence Bureau had said that they were looking for a link between this sect and the disappearance of the 21 youth, who finally ended up joining the Islamic State. The agencies are also studying this closely along with the recent audio clip sent out by Rashid. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 6:10 [IST] BJP tally in Rajya Sabha likely to go up by 1 next year Govt likely to press on with triple talaq bill in Rajya Sabha today India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 2: The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, also known as the "triple talaq" bill, is scheduled to be tabled on Wednesday in Rajya Sabha by Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The government had listed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 on Monday but the Rajya Sabha did not take it up amid opposition's reservations over the proposed legislation and its insistence on sending the bill to a select committee. This had led to heated exchanges between the opposition and treasury benches and the House was adjourned for the day amid ruckus. It could be a repeat of the scene on Wednesday. Though the government does not seem to have the numbers on its side -- and is not even sure of support of one of its allies, Janata Dal United (JD-U), on the issue -- it would most likely push for it as it has to replace the ordinance promulgated in September last year. Both opposition and government have been accusing each other of doing politics over the issue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. In the Lok Sabha on Monday, Congress party leader Mallikarjun Kharge had said that since Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had "thrown a challenge", his party is ready for a debate on January 2. The Congress MPs kept staging protests holding placards and shouting slogans near the Chair's podium in the lower House, demanding a JPC probe. Meanwhile, terming triple talaq bill "inhuman, anti-women and barbaric", women's wing of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Tuesday appealed to Rajya Sabha members to press for referring it to a select committee for scrutiny. Asma Zohra, the chief organiser of the women's wing of AIMPLB, told reporters here that if passed, the triple talaq legislation will damage the family and social fabric of the community. "There was no need for this bill after Supreme Court judgment invalidating triple talaq. It is brought with political and communal motives to divide the society," she said. She claimed that Muslims across India oppose and condemn the bill brought in the Rajya Sabha for a second time. The women's wing of AIMPLB believes that if passed the legislation will break marriages rather than empowering women. It termed the bill a direct blow to family system and the institution of marriage. She said the AIMPLB has time and again stated that triple talaq in one sitting is not the standard procedure of divorce and those practicing this shall face social boycott. "Muslim women will not get anything from this bill. Instead, they will be left abandoned and deserted. Her condition will become more miserable," it said. "It is ironic that there is freedom in this country for men and women to have premarital, extramarital and even multiple relationships. Decriminalisation of Section 377 is being cited as an example of freedom in personal and civil matters, then why a Muslim husband is penalised for divorce," asked Asma Zohra. In another related development, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad has moved a motion in the House for referring the "triple talaq" bill to a select committee. The motion is likely to be taken up on Wednesday when the House takes up the the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018. The bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha. In the motion, Azad has also proposed the names of 11 Opposition members to be part of the Select Committee of the House. Anand Sharma of the Congress, Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party, Manoj Kumar Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal are among those whose names have been proposed by the Leader of Opposition. The Opposition members have also given notices for amendments in the bill. AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said he had recommended four amendments in the clauses of the bill. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 8:20 [IST] Nitish Kumar: Masterful craftsman of realpolitick who believes politics is the art of possible Not in favour of laws against conversion for marriage: JDU's KC Tyagi 'We are firmly with NDA': JD(U) amid talks of discord within ruling Bihar alliance Trouble for Congress in Bihar? 13 MLAs could soon defect to JD(U) Former JDU MLA arrested for shooting at woman during new year's celebrations India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Jan 2: Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested former JDU MLA Raju Singh,accused of shooting at a woman during new year's celebrations, from Uttar Pradesh. Police said they have recovered 2 rifles and 800 bullets from a farmhouse in Delhi where the incident took during new year celebrations. The JDU leader fled the place after a 42-year-old woman was injured in suspected celebratory firing on Tuesday. Special Commissioner of Police, (Law and Order) South, RP Upadhyay, said that information regarding the incident was received by authorities at Fortis Hospital in the Vasantjunj area around 1 am. SC dismisses plea seeking FIR against Mulayam Singh Yadav The victim identified as Archana Gupta is an architect, an officer told PTI. In his complaint, the victim's husband alleged they were in the farm house on Monday night to celebrate the new year along with friends. At around 12 am, two-three rounds were reportedly fired by Raju Singh, the senior police officer said. Ms Gupta was taken to the hospital where she was receiving treatment, he added. A case was registered against Raju Singh under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act, a senior police officer said. (With PTI inputs) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 14:22 [IST] Entry of women into Sabarimala "daylight rape of Hindus": Ananth Kumar Hegde India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Jan 2: Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde has yet again made a highly controversial remark over the Sabarimala issue. He described the entry of into women into the Sabarimala Temple as "daylight rape of Hindus". Three months after the Supreme Court allowed women of all ages to worship at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, two women entered the hilltop shrine on Wednesday after dodging eyes of angry devotees. "Because of our CM's prejudice, rather than the leftist prejudice, it is totally creating confusion. Supreme Court has given directions. I agree with that. But since law and order comes under state subject, they have to consider if it is proper of not. How it has to be taken up, how it can be managed, without hurting the faith of the masses. But, Kerala government entirely failed. I would like to say it is totally daylight rape of Hindu people (Sic)," Hegde told news agency ANI. #WATCH Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde on #Sabarimala row says, "Kerala govt entirely failed. Its totally daylight rape on Hindu people." pic.twitter.com/brKdVApSZ8 ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Two women devotees, below the age of 50 years, entered the Sabarimala temple on early Wednesday morning. Bindu, 44, from Perinthalmanna and Kanaka Durga, 42, from Kannur, began their climb towards the abode of Lord Ayyappa at midnight and reached the shrine only after 3.45 am on Wednesday. The shrine was shut down for "purification rituals". Hegde is not new to controversies. He had in 2017 said that his party, the ruling BJP, will "soon change the Constitution," which mentions the word "secular." He was attacking what he called a "new fad where people project themselves as secular." Kerala has been on the edge since the Supreme Court, on September 28, permitted women in the age group of 10-50 to offer prayers at the shrine. Many women have previously attempted to enter the Sabarimala but were forced to give in to the frenzied protests by devotees and right wing outfits. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 22:21 [IST] Three more Rafale jets arrive in India after flying non-stop from France Three more Rafale jets to land in India from France in non-stop flight 6 Rafale fighters to be flagged off by IAF chief from France Congress fabricating facts: Parrikar rubbishes Rafale audio clip claim India oi-Deepika S Panaji, Jan 2: Goa chief minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday denied having any conversation in cabinet meeting regarding Rafale fighter jet deal. Manohar Parrikar said the audio clip released by the Congress was its 'desperate attempt' to fabricate facts after the Supreme Court refused to initiate a probe into the Rafale deal. "The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting," Parrikar tweeted. Congress claims Rafale Deal files in Parrikar's bedroom, releases audio clip The Congress released an audio clip purportedly featuring Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane. Rane purportedly can be heard saying that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week Parrikar stated he had an entire file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom, Surjewala claimed, playing the conversation for the media outside Parliament. Surjewala told reporters: "Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has all the files relating to Rafale jet deal. The fashion in which every procedure was bypassed...it is all recorded in the files. Those files are with Mr Parrikar. Why are those files being hidden? We want the truth." Meanwhile, a discussion on Rafale deal is going on in the parliament today. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 14:31 [IST] Three more Rafale jets arrive in India after flying non-stop from France Three more Rafale jets to land in India from France in non-stop flight 6 Rafale fighters to be flagged off by IAF chief from France Congress claims Rafale Deal files in Parrikar's bedroom, releases audio clip India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 2: Launching a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government over the Rafale deal, Congress on Wednesday released audio clip of Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane claiming Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has "All the files related to Rafale Deal in his bedroom". Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala came out with a conversation purportedly between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and another person. Surjewala told reporters: "Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has all the files relating to Rafale jet deal. The fashion in which every procedure was bypassed...it is all recorded in the files. Those files are with Mr Parrikar. Why are those files being hidden? We want the truth." Rane purportedly can be heard saying that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week Parrikar stated he had an entire file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom, Surjewala claimed, playing the conversation for the media outside Parliament. Rafale judgment: Shourie, Sinha and Prashant Bhushan file review petition However, there was no confirmation on whether it was the voice of Rane in the audio. The identity of the other person was also not ascertained. Following Congress's allegation, Rane said that the audio tapes are doctored. The audio tape is doctored. Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication the cabinet and the chief minister. Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents. Have asked for a criminal investigation into this," Rane was quoted as saying by ANI. The Congress has demanded Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to state in public what "dirty secrets" he had about the Rafale fighter jets deal that he continued to hold the top post despite his ill-health. Manohar Parrikar was Union Defence Minister when the deal for 36 Rafale jets was signed between India and France. He has been chief minister of his native state Goa since March 2017. In recent months, he has been severely unwell, battling a pancreatic condition, which has spurred calls for his replacement. Bank merger in India: What are the pros and cons? Cabinet approves merger of Vijaya Bank, Bank of Baroda and Dena Bank India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Jan 2: The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday approved the first-ever three-way merger in Indian Banking with the amalgamation of Vijaya Bank, Dena Bank and Bank of Baroda. This marks the first-ever three-way merger in the country's banking sector, and will create the country's second largest public sector lender. The government said in a statement that as per the scheme of amalgamation, Bank of Baroda will be the transferee bank while the other two public sector banks will be transferor banks. Congress claims Rafale Deal files in Parrikar's bedroom, releases audio clip Key points of the Scheme of amalgamation: (a) Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank are transferor banks and BoB is transferee bank. (b) The scheme shall come into force on 1.4.2019. (c) Upon commencement of the scheme, the undertakings of the transferor banks as a going concern shall be transferred to and shall vest in the transferee bank, including, inter alia, all business, assets, rights, titles, claims, licenses, approvals and other privileges and all property, all borrowings, liabilities and obligations. (d) Every permanent and regular officer or employee of the transferor banks shall become an officer or employee and shall hold his office or service therein in the transferee bank such that the pay and allowance offered to the employees/officers of transferor banks shall not be less favourable as compared to what they would have drawn in the respective transferor bank. (e)The Board of the transferee bank shall ensure that the interests of all transferring employees and officers of the transferor bank are protected. (f) The transferee bank shall issue shares to the shareholders of transferor banks as per share exchange ratio. Shareholders of the transferee bank and transferor banks shall be entitled to raise their grievances, if any, in relation to the share exchange ratio, through an expert committee. TMC ghar wapsi: Will Rajib Banerjee be the next to ditch BJP? MP: BJP Yuva Morcha leader fined Rs 10,000 for flouting COVID-19 norms but no case as he expresses 'remorse' BJP expert in horse trading, looking to topple govt in Karnatakasays Congress India oi-Madhuri Adnal Bengaluru, Jan 2: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has accused the BJP of making a fresh bid to topple the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state, asserting that it would not succeed. As the war of words between the BJP and Congress over the alleged toppling game intensified, Parameshwara claimed that efforts were underway to arrange a meeting of his party's disgruntled MLAs with BJP president Amit Shah. "BJP is an expert in horse trading. They have already proved it last time. This time also they tried (to unsettle the government) but they failed in their attempt. Again, they are making a fresh bid," the deputy chief minister alleged. Also Read | Siddaramaiah hits out at PM Modi on loan waiver scheme, calls him 'anti-farmer' Speaking to reporters, Parameshwara charged that there were efforts to woo 'some MLAs' from his party, Congress, but he refused to divulge their names. "Some MLAs are there and attempts are being made to arrange their meetings with the BJP national president. "We have information that they are making attempts (to topple the government) but they will not succeed," he said. "Government is safe and there is no need to panic," he asserted. Parameshwara's charge comes amid reports that disgruntled Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi who was dropped from the ministry in the recent reshuffle, has been camping in Delhi. He has remained incommunicado since he was removed from the ministry. His brother Satish Jarkiholi, a minister in Kumaraswamy government, on Tuesday said he too came to know that Ramesh was in Delhi. He did not rule out the possibility of some other miffed MLAs being with him. 'All is well,' says HDK on Karnataka coalition The BJP on Monday had maintained that it was not trying to dislodge the coalition government in Karnataka while the Congress had claimed it has evidence of 'horse trading' of its MLAs, alleging that they were each 'offered' Rs 25 crore to 30 crore. State BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa had demanded that Congress produce proof to substantiate its claim. Congress legislature party leader Siddaramaiah had responded, saying he would produce evidence at the "appropriate time." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 7:12 [IST] Ahead of Kumbh Mela, Centre approves naming of Allahabad as Prayagraj India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 2: A fortnight ahead of the 'Kumbh Mela', the Centre has approved the renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj as sought by the Uttar Pradesh government, officials said Tuesday. The decision came more than two months after the state government, headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, took the decision to rename the historic city as Prayagraj. The central government has given its consent for renaming of Allahabad as Prayagraj about 10 days ago, a home ministry official said. VHP working on its strategy to win over youths by its Shauryagatha documentary at Kumbh The 'Kumbh Mela' in Prayagraj will start on January 15 on 'Makar Sankranti' and will conclude on March 4 on 'Maha Shivaratri'. The central government has given consent to the renaming of at least 25 towns and villages across the country in the past one year. The renaming proposal of UP's Faizabad district as Ayodhya is yet to be received from the state government. A proposal to rename West Bengal as 'Bangla' is pending as the Ministry of External Affairs is understood to have expressed its reservation over the new name, as it sounds similar to Bangladesh. A decision in this regard is expected soon as the general election in the neighbouring country concluded on Sunday. The Union Home Ministry considers the proposals of name change according to the existing guidelines in consultations with agencies concerned. Kumbh Mela 2019 to spread over larger area It gives its approval to the change of name of any place after taking no-objections from the Ministry of Railways, Department of Posts and Survey of India. These organisations have to confirm that there is no such city, town or village in their records with a name similar to the proposed one. For changing the name of a village or town or a city, an executive order is needed. The renaming of a state requires amendment of the Constitution with a simple majority in Parliament. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 6:16 [IST] Ramirez said she lost track of time during labor which lasted about six hours and did not find out her delivery time was mere minutes after midnight until later. Already, family and friends have come to visit or congratulate them from afar, she said. Congress questions Centre as to why people in power scared of naming China After PM's interview, Congress fires 10 "Unanswered Questions" India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Jan 2: Lashing out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interview on New Year's day to news agency ANI, the Congress on Tuesday asserted that the countdown for his exit has begun. "The whole summary of PM Modi's interview was - 'I', 'me', 'mine', and 'myself'," said the Congress' Randeep Singh Surjewala at a Press conference, asserting that the PM should instead have detailed progress on "10 promises that he made," including the one to deposit Rs 15 lakh in every bank account and bringing back black money from abroad. Surjewala described the PM's interview to news agency ANI as a "monologue." Takeaways from PM Modi's first interview in 2019 "The people are with the opposition and the 'gathbandhan of thugs' should start its countdown as only 99 days are left," he said on the prime minister's claim that the 2019 elections are going to be a fight between the people and the 'mahagathbandhan'. "The monologue interview of Modi ji turned out to be much ado about nothing. It was about I, me, mine, myself...Modiji, your 'I's and lies' have destroyed the social fabric and the economy of the country, trampling upon Constitutional institutions as also rights of individuals," Surjewala said at a press conference. Modi on Tuesday talked about a host of issues, including the surgical strikes, the Ram temple's construction and personal attacks on him by the Congress. Modi also accused the Congress leadership of politicising and delaying the legal process in clearance of the Ram temple's construction. "Your demonetisation helped those with black money by letting them convert it to white. It was a 3.5 lakh crore blow for the economy, looted years of savings from lakhs of women and caused the deaths of 120 people who stood in bank queues. Who will account for it?" he said. "In Jammu and Kashmir, 428 jawans have died and 278 civilians have died in the last 55 months. 248 jawans and 378 people killed in Maoist attacks. Why did you imperil national security?" he added. "Is it not true that corruption today has scaled new heights? From the everyday life of the common man to the Rs. 30,000 crore Rafale scam. And if nothing is wrong then why are you dodging a joint parliamentary committee probe?" Ram Temple ordinance only after legal process gets over, says PM Modi On Prime Minister Modi's surgical strikes remarks, Surjewala said the BJP accused the Congress of doing politics over surgical strikes, but both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had praised the armed forces for it. But the BJP discredited the surgical strikes of ther past and "politicised" the bravery of the army, he alleged. Surjewala said, "Bereft of ground reality, 'jumlas' (rhetoric) galore, Modiji's interview looks like a parody." The Congress leader said that "with defeat writ large on the face as also in the arrogant words of 'I, Me, Mine, Myself', the first interview of Modi has put the entire future in perspective that now there are 99 days left for Modi ji for people to say 'bye, bye' to him". He said the prime minister had become so helpless that he was not even making it clear from where he will contest the Lok Sabha polls and whether at all he will contest. "This shows a defeatist prime minister," he said. With PTI inputs For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 10:14 [IST] India has just one DNA and it is Hindu: RSS leader After Modis comment on Ram Temple, RSS says Govt expected to fulfil promise India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Jan 2: The RSS was quick to react to the Prime Minister's comments on the ordinance route and Ram Temple. PM Narendra Modi had said in an interview that an ordinance on the Ram Temple can be brought in only after a Supreme Court ruling. The RSS while reacting to the statement reminded the PM that he was voted in because the BJP had promised to explore all avenues available in the Constitution to build the Ram Temple. "The people expect that this government will fulfil its promise of building the Ram temple within its tenure," said Dattatreya Hosabale, Sangh Joint Secretary. Pending in SC, can government take ordinance route on Ram Temple? In an interview with ANI, Modi had said had said that ordinance on triple talaq was brought after the SC verdict. We have said in our BJP manifesto that a solution would be found to this (Ayodhya) issue under Constitution." The people of Bharat have reposed complete confidence and gave BJP the full mandate. The people of Bharat expect this government to fulfil the same promise during this tenure. - Dattatreya Hosabale, Sah Sarkaryvah (RSS) RSS (@RSSorg) January 1, 2019 The statement came at a time when the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had said that the government should pass a law to authorise the construction of a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The temple must come up rather than testing the patience of the people, Bhagwat had also said. Takeaways from PM Modi's first interview in 2019 The RSS in a tweet said, "The people of Bharat have reposed complete confidence and gave BJP the full mandate. The people of Bharat expect this government to fulfil the same promise during this tenure- Dattatreya Hosabale, Sah Sarkaryvah (RSS)," For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 6:53 [IST] Sabarimala issue pending in Supreme Court, nothing to be debated now: CM Pinarayi Vijayan Sabarimala Updates: Tension grips Kerala after women enter shrine India oi-Deepika S Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 3: Massive prtotests broke out in different parts of Kerala after two women under the age of 50 entered the Sabarimala Shrine on Wednesday. The women, in their 40s, became the first female pilgrims of menstruating age to have achieved the feat after the Supreme Court overturned a traditional ban on women's entry last year. The women Bindu (42), a CPI (ML) activist from Kozhikode district and Kanakadurga (44), said to be a civil supplies employee from Malappuram claimed to have begun their climb around midnight and reached the temple at 3.45 am, according to reports. #WATCH Two women devotees Bindu and Kanakdurga entered & offered prayers at Kerala's #SabarimalaTemple at 3.45am today pic.twitter.com/hXDWcUTVXA ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 The shrine doors were shut for pilgrims and priests began conducting "shuddhi kalasham" (purification ritual). Kerala welcomes New Year with 620 km long 'Women's Wall' Newest First Oldest First "Protests at several locations in Kerala may affect passengers travelling from Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode. Passengers are requested to schedule their travel plans to/from airports accordingly," ANI quoted an Air India statement as saying. "This morning at around 01:30 a.m, Kanaka Durga and I started from Pamba, reached Sannidhanam by around 3:30 a.m. and returned after darshan. We did not face any issues," says Bindu, one of the women who entered Sabarimala Temple. Thiruvananthapuram: Clash between BJP workers and the police during a protest over the entry of two women in Sabarimala temple. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/uaO250ZEl9 ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Clash between BJP workers and the police during a protest over the entry of two women in Sabarimala temple in Thiruvananthapuram. Social activist Trupti Desai Wednesday hailed the entry of two women below 50 years of age into the hill shrine in Kerala's Sabarimala, saying it is a "victory of equality". "This is a big victory for our agitation. It is a victory of equality. This is a good beginning for women in the new year", Desai told PTI from Pune. "Those against women's entry had openly thrown a challenge that no women in the 10-50 age group will be able to reach the 'sannidhanam'. Their agitation has now failed." Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat Wednesday said every woman has the right to worship at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala. "Every woman has the right to worship if they so wish," Karat told PTI, adding that the two women wanted to worship and they were enabled to do so. "They were given the security required (by the Kerala government)," the CPI(M) leader said. There is no need for Violent protests.. we still have Supreme Court legal option and Ordinance Option in front of us. Pls let us not inconvenience vehicles, people and shops ... Peaceful Gandhian protests should be there. No to Violent protests. #SaveSabarimala Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) January 2, 2019 No need for protests, says Rahul Easwar BJP workers waved black flags at Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran in Guruvayur where he had gone to attend a function, PTI reported. Health minister K K Shylaja also had to face the ire of activists of the Yuva Morcha, the party's youth wing at Kannur, who showed black flags, they said. The protesters also took out a protest march in the state capital. In Kasaragod, they blocked traffic on the national highway. The BJP will hold protests across Kerala for the next two days. Sabarimala Karma Samiti has called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Kerala tomorrow to protest entry of two women into Lord Ayyappa shrine on Wednesday. Widespread protests have broken in Kochi, Kottarakara, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. For Lakhs of devotees waiting Sabarimala opens after Parihara kriya. Chief Minister earlier threatened Tantri reg closing of Temple. Let CM see Temple was closed and pariharakriya was done. Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) January 2, 2019 Meanwhile, Rahul Easwer tweets.. Five BJP Mahila Morcha members protesting against two women entering Sabarimala Temple today, stopped from entering the state secretariat by police in Thiruvananthapuram. Malayalam writer NS Madhavan just tweeted that the chief priest of Sabarimala should be removed for "misogyny and serious contempt of court". "Sabarimala closed for purification?" he asked. "Is this Kerala or some place in cow land? Women are new Dalits?" "Have the Communists desecrated the Sabarimala shrine by facilitating the entry of women of restricted age group into the temple? Devastating, if true," said Amit Malviya, the BJP's IT cell head. Kerala is ruled by a Left Democratic Front government. The Bharatiya Janata Party's Kerala president PS Sreedharan Pillai has called for protests after two women entered the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The Sabarimala sanctum has reopened for pilgrims after purification rituals. The women claimed that Kerala police had ensured their security en route to Sabarimala on Wednesday. This is the second time that both the women attempted visiting the Sabarimala hill shrine. Their first attempt was abandoned after protests from Ayyappa devotees. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that the women went inside the sanctum sanctorum. "There were hurdles for women to climb and enter Sabarimala temple. If they have entered the temple today, there must not have been any hurdles. It is true that they have entered. Police had been given instructions to provide protection to any woman who wants to climb, Vijayan said. Ayyappa Dharma Sena leader Rahul Easwar, who spearheaded the protests against the apex court's verdict allowing the entry of women below 50, said the chances of the two women making it inside the shrine are "extremely less" and that they would verify the footage and take appropriate action. Women in the menstrual age group of 10 to 50 years were traditionally barred from visiting the Sabarimala temple. However, the Supreme Court had on September 28 reversed the verdict. This had led to widespread protests across Kerala. Over a dozen women tried but were stopped by a wall of protesters less than a km from the temple's entrance. Women in the menstrual age group of 10 to 50 years were traditionally barred from visiting the Sabarimala temple. However, the Supreme Court had on September 28 reversed the verdict. This had led to widespread protests across Kerala. Over a dozen women tried but were stopped by a wall of protesters less than a km from the temple's entrance. Ayyappa Dharma Sena leader Rahul Easwar, who spearheaded the protests against the apex court's verdict allowing the entry of women below 50, said the chances of the two women making it inside the shrine are "extremely less" and that they would verify the footage and take appropriate action. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that the women went inside the sanctum sanctorum. "There were hurdles for women to climb and enter Sabarimala temple. If they have entered the temple today, there must not have been any hurdles. It is true that they have entered. Police had been given instructions to provide protection to any woman who wants to climb, Vijayan said. The women claimed that Kerala police had ensured their security en route to Sabarimala on Wednesday. This is the second time that both the women attempted visiting the Sabarimala hill shrine. Their first attempt was abandoned after protests from Ayyappa devotees. The Sabarimala sanctum has reopened for pilgrims after purification rituals. The Bharatiya Janata Party's Kerala president PS Sreedharan Pillai has called for protests after two women entered the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. "Have the Communists desecrated the Sabarimala shrine by facilitating the entry of women of restricted age group into the temple? Devastating, if true," said Amit Malviya, the BJP's IT cell head. Kerala is ruled by a Left Democratic Front government. Malayalam writer NS Madhavan just tweeted that the chief priest of Sabarimala should be removed for "misogyny and serious contempt of court". "Sabarimala closed for purification?" he asked. "Is this Kerala or some place in cow land? Women are new Dalits?" Five BJP Mahila Morcha members protesting against two women entering Sabarimala Temple today, stopped from entering the state secretariat by police in Thiruvananthapuram. For Lakhs of devotees waiting Sabarimala opens after Parihara kriya. Chief Minister earlier threatened Tantri reg closing of Temple. Let CM see Temple was closed and pariharakriya was done. Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) January 2, 2019 Meanwhile, Rahul Easwer tweets.. Widespread protests have broken in Kochi, Kottarakara, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram. Sabarimala Karma Samiti has called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Kerala tomorrow to protest entry of two women into Lord Ayyappa shrine on Wednesday. The BJP will hold protests across Kerala for the next two days. BJP workers waved black flags at Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran in Guruvayur where he had gone to attend a function, PTI reported. Health minister K K Shylaja also had to face the ire of activists of the Yuva Morcha, the party's youth wing at Kannur, who showed black flags, they said. The protesters also took out a protest march in the state capital. In Kasaragod, they blocked traffic on the national highway. There is no need for Violent protests.. we still have Supreme Court legal option and Ordinance Option in front of us. Pls let us not inconvenience vehicles, people and shops ... Peaceful Gandhian protests should be there. No to Violent protests. #SaveSabarimala Rahul Easwar (@RahulEaswar) January 2, 2019 No need for protests, says Rahul Easwar Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat Wednesday said every woman has the right to worship at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala. "Every woman has the right to worship if they so wish," Karat told PTI, adding that the two women wanted to worship and they were enabled to do so. "They were given the security required (by the Kerala government)," the CPI(M) leader said. Social activist Trupti Desai Wednesday hailed the entry of two women below 50 years of age into the hill shrine in Kerala's Sabarimala, saying it is a "victory of equality". "This is a big victory for our agitation. It is a victory of equality. This is a good beginning for women in the new year", Desai told PTI from Pune. "Those against women's entry had openly thrown a challenge that no women in the 10-50 age group will be able to reach the 'sannidhanam'. Their agitation has now failed." Thiruvananthapuram: Clash between BJP workers and the police during a protest over the entry of two women in Sabarimala temple. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/uaO250ZEl9 ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Clash between BJP workers and the police during a protest over the entry of two women in Sabarimala temple in Thiruvananthapuram. "This morning at around 01:30 a.m, Kanaka Durga and I started from Pamba, reached Sannidhanam by around 3:30 a.m. and returned after darshan. We did not face any issues," says Bindu, one of the women who entered Sabarimala Temple. "Protests at several locations in Kerala may affect passengers travelling from Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode. Passengers are requested to schedule their travel plans to/from airports accordingly," ANI quoted an Air India statement as saying. We are anguished how things transpired during second wave: Delhi HC A year of corporate legal cases in Delhi High Court India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Jan 2: Corporate legal cases saw companies from various sectors including telecom, aviation, banking and agro knocking on the doors of the Delhi High Court for relief in 2018. In the year gone by, the pharma sector also witnessed an ugly legal fight between the former promoters of healthcare major Ranbaxy -- Malvinder and Shivinder Singh -- and Japanese company Daiichi Sankyo. The high court took tough stands, ranging from freezing of bank accounts, ordering personal appearance in court and partial payment of an arbitration award of Rs 3500 crore, against the brothers, who later split and one of them claimed to be physically thrashed by the other. 10 major judgments by Supreme Court in 2018 The tough times for the pharma sector was best reflected when the high court restrained online sale of medicines -- both on prescription and otherwise -- till a rule comes in place to regulate them. However, the pharma sector had some reason to cheer as the high court set aside the government's ban on private manufacture and sale of Oxytocin drug, used to induce labour and prevent bleeding during child birth. The high court held that confining manufacture of the drug to a state-run entity would result in restricted supply of the potentially life-saving medicine, posing a deleterious effect on pregnant women and young mothers. The decision came on the plea of the private players which were making and selling the drug till now. While the private companies making and selling Oxytocin had a cause for cheer, several pharma majors still await the high court's decision in their pleas challenging the Centre's decision to ban over 300 fixed dose combination drugs. Though the high court ordered that no coercive steps be taken against them for selling their stock already in the market, the companies were directed to stop production till a final order is passed. While it was a mixed bag for the pharma sector, the year was not so good enough for low-cost private carriers Indigo and Spicejet which had to partially shift their operations from Terminal-1 to Terminal-2 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport as the high court did not give any relief to them. The airlines had challenged the decision of the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) to partially shift them to T2 to enable redevelopment of T1. The high court also declined to interfere in LIC's takeover of ailing PSU bank IDBI as well as the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) investigation against agro-major Monsanto for abuse of dominant position. Monsanto received another blow this year, when the high court dismissed its plea to enforce in India the patent for its BT cotton seeds, a genetically modified variant which resists bollworms. However, in telecom major Vodafone's cases, it was a mixed outcome in 2018 as the high court allowed it to continue with its two international arbitration against India in connection with a tax demand of Rs 11,000 crore, but in a separate matter dismissed its plea for tax refund of over Rs 4,759 crore. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Wednesday, January 2, 2019, 9:34 [IST] Curfew in Ahmedabad extended till 6am on May 21; Night curfew to continue in 36 cities for another 3 days Gujarat: Farmers oppose limestone mining, clash with police; Several injured Ahmedabad pti-PTI Ahmedabad, Jan 2: Clashes broke out on Wednesday between the police and farmers protesting against limestone mining by a private firm near a village in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, leaving several policemen and agitators injured, officials and local residents said. While Bhavnagar Superintendent of Police (SP) P L Mall said four policemen were injured in the clashes, local villagers claimed around 15 people, including women and girls, were wounded. The police lobbed 35 teargas shells and resorted to baton charge to control a large group of farmers demanding that limestone mining by UltraTech Cement Ltd near Bambhor village in Talaja taluka be halted, the SP said. Around 30 villagers were detained, he added. The protesting farmers hailed from 13 villages in the taluka, around 180km from Ahmedabad. Local residents said around 15 people were injured and taken to a nearby hospital in Mahuva town. Villagers joined a protest march and reached near Bambhor, where they tried to disrupt the mining activity, leading to clashes, Mall said. "We fired 35 teargas shells and also used batons to prevent the mob from disrupting the mining activity," he said. A team of around 50 police personnel, including a deputy SP and members of the Special Operations Group and Crime Branch, was deployed at the site since Tuesday in anticipation of disruption by local villagers, the officer said. He said the company had paid for the special security arrangement made at the site by the district police. "At least four police personnel sustained injuries, including a constable who suffered head injuries in the clashes," he said. Around 30 villagers were detained from the site and taken to the nearby Datha Police Station, Mall said. [Students in Gujarat to say 'Jai Hind' instead of 'present sir' to mark attendance] "Protesting the detention, a group of villagers went to the police station and gheraoed it. The police again fired teargas shells and used batons to disperse them," he said. "Some more persons were detained there (outside the police station)," Mall said. The villagers claimed they were protesting in a peaceful way when the police used "unnecessary force" to end their agitation. The villagers said the mining activity would adversely impact farming in the region, which lies close to the Arabian Sea, as it would break the ridge that prevents saline water from seeping into agriculture land. "Thousands of farmers from 13 villages were walking towards the mining site in protest. When they reached the site, a large team of police standing guard started firing teargas shells and baton charged them," said Bharatsinh Vala, a member of the Gujarat Khedut Samaj, a farmer body. "Rest of the villagers walked towards the police station to court arrest when the police again fired teargas shells and used baton against them outside the police station," Vala said. "Many villagers, including women and girls, were injured in the clashes," he said. Vala claimed the villagers had opposed limestone mining in the region during public hearings but the state government gave the go-ahead for the project. The mining site has seen protests in the past too. An e-mail query sent to the company by PTI did not elicit an immediate response. PTI John K. Green, Omaha former director, OPPD Board Fine their employers Kenneth Becker was spot-on in his Public Pulse letter of Dec. 21 (Aid to Mexico, Central America), saying Congress seems to have money for a lot of countries except America and what happened to America First? Now if Becker would just tweet that message to President Donald Trump, it might give Trump a reason to ask Congress: Why not money for the wall? You give it to a lot of other countries. Trump should realize we really dont have to spend billions on a wall. We could actually make money if the government would just start fining the people who hire these illegals lets say $500 a day per illegal immigrant. The problem would solve itself. They would just go back home when people cant afford to hire them. R.E. Kistner, Omaha Congressman for life? A Pulse writer is upset that Kara Eastman has announced her candidacy for the 2nd Congressional District in the next election. Doesnt he believe that Rep. Don Bacon will have an opponent in 2020? Has Bacon been appointed for life? The Air Force is taking important steps to boost military satellite capability and to strengthen its defense against jamming by hostile powers. On Dec. 23, the Air Force launched its latest Global Positioning Systems satellite offering much greater data-transmission capability. It joins 30 other U.S. satellites, in stationary orbit, that provide vital communication links for the military and civilian sectors. In addition, the Air Force is speeding up development of software and ground equipment with greater anti-jamming capabilities. First in line to receive the new technology are the Navys aircraft carrier strike groups in the Pacific. These are commendable, crucial steps by the Air Forces to bolster our national security. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A vibrant arts community is an important ingredient for a dynamic, forward-looking city. Fortunately, Omaha is blessed with musicians, actors and visual artists who make important contributions, supported by local performance venues, museums, nonprofits, philanthropic donors and the public. One of our citys central assets on the arts front is Omaha Performing Arts. A good illustration of its work is found on certain weekend afternoons downtown, with the remarkably long lines on 16th Street as people queue up to attend touring Broadway shows at the Orpheum Theater. Other illustrations: the hustle and bustle at the Holland Center at performance time and the row of parked school buses at the center on days when children attend arts education events there. Overseeing Omaha Performing Arts, which manages and coordinates programming for the Holland Center and the Orpheum, is its president of the past 16 years, Joan Squires. Squires has extensive professional experience in arts management and is respected for her many contributions to Omahas growing arts reputation. While speaking to police, the family member received several calls from the same number and at one point took the call and placed it on speaker for investigators to hear. The person on the phone, identified as Individual C, told the family member that Ruebusch needed to get out of Elk Grove Village for a while because it was not safe, the complaint states. Im very troubled that the FBI was investigating a presidential candidate. Usually, if there was some foreign influence, they would tell the candidate so they can get rid of it. Here, they basically started spying on the Trump campaign. I think thats a dangerous precedent, even if youre a liberal Democrat who hates Donald Trump. In 1996, Chuck Hagel spent a million dollars of his own money in the primary. Ben Nelson in 2000 ... I started more than 30 percentage points behind. This was before Obamacare, and Nelson was a very popular governor. We turned that into what is still the closest U.S. Senate race in state history. (In) 2006, I was still ahead after Pete Ricketts spent $4.5 million of his own money (in the primary), but the next $500,000 turned the tide. And then (in the 2012 primary) you had Jon Bruning, who was very well-known, and Deb Fischer, who was a good candidate. It was two men, which worked in her favor. And she had become pretty well-known statewide. I wish I would have won one of those ... when you get outspent by millions of dollars, theres not a whole lot you can do. The secretary of states duties have expanded in other ways during the past 18 years as well. Gale is the chief protocol officer of the state, in charge of greeting foreign dignitaries. He said he gets an especially warm reception from his practice of making them honorary Nebraskans. I always tell them that theyre not entitled to vote, he said. But they dont have to pay taxes either. He also served the public in unofficial ways. Former Gov. Dave Heineman said he consulted with Gale before making judicial appointments. He always discreetly shared his recommendations and experience with various lawyers when they were up for a judicial appointment, and I always appreciated that, Heineman said. In his time, Gale has served on several permanent and temporary committees, including planning the states sesquicentennial celebration and making ethics rulings on the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. But the most life-changing board hes on is the three-member Board of Pardons. Along with the governor and the attorney general, the secretary of state makes decisions about reducing sentences or pardoning those who have been released from jail. Those decisions are final they cant be appealed. WASHINGTON (AP) Congressional auditors say about 30 million people 21 percent of U.S. taxpayers will have to come up with more money to pay their 2018 taxes next year because their employers withheld too little from their paychecks under government tables keyed to the new tax law. New tax withholding tables for employers were put together by the government early this year. About 30 million workers received pay that was "under-withheld" making their paychecks bigger this year but bringing a larger bill at tax time next spring, according to the Government Accountability Office's report. About 27 million taxpayers would have been affected even if the new law hadn't been enacted. The changes, however, added an estimated 3 million to that number. Millions of American workers started getting fatter paychecks early this year, as employers withheld less money in anticipation of lower income taxes under the law. According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, a middle-income household should on average get a $930 tax cut this year, lifting its after-tax income by 1.6 percent. But many taxpayers will end up paying more, because of complications in the new tax law that may not have been taken into account by employers in estimating workers' tax obligations. Law officers from multiple agencies converged in rural Nebraska on Monday after a man exchanged gunfire twice with officers and escaped from a traffic stop by stealing a sheriffs vehicle. The man eventually was caught wounded and suffering from hypothermia through the use of a helicopter, light armored vehicle and police dog. The incident began in the evening hours of New Years Eve, according to Cody Thomas, a spokesman for the Nebraska State Patrol. It occurred about 40 miles north of Grand Island. A Howard County sheriffs deputy was attempting a traffic stop north of the small town of Elba when the driver began firing at him. During the exchange of gunfire, the man gained access to the deputys vehicle and the deputys shotgun. The man spun out the cruiser and exchanged gunfire a second time before running away. At that point, troopers from the Nebraska State Patrol; sheriffs deputies from Howard County, Merrick County, Valley County and Sherman County; and St. Paul and Scotia police officers, among others, arrived and set up a perimeter. A patrol SWAT unit was called in, and the patrols helicopter was deployed. Elba Fire and Rescue and St. Paul Rescue also assisted. Entrepreneurs who cheat on taxes with online stores, beware: The Internal Revenue Service is looking for new ways to catch suspected cheats using social media. The IRS wants a tool to help it check public social media feeds and websites for details on people already suspected of not complying with the tax code, the agency said in a request for information from vendors. Social media could provide investigators with a trove of data, showing where taxpayers live, what they drive and what theyre selling online. That data could be useful to the IRS as it tries to catch people cheating on their taxes if the agency can figure out how to collect and use it without running afoul of its internal rules. The IRS said it doesnt want to comb through every taxpayers social media just those theyre already investigating, according to the request for information. Businesses and individuals increasingly use social media to advertise, promote and sell products and services, the agency said in explaining its desire for the tool. But the IRS currently has no formal tool to access this public information, compile social media feeds, or search multiple social media sites. Dana White Dana White, who was chief Pentagon spokesperson, resigned New Years Eve evening amid charges that she mistreated staffers. The Pentagons inspector general is probing whether White, who was appointed by president Trump in April 2017, punished workers who objected to running her personal errands, such as picking up dry cleaning and prescriptions. Via Twitter, White said she appreciated the opportunity to serve with Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, service members and civilians who support them. White, who used to hold regular TV press briefings, has been off the air since May. Burke Whitman, a major general, has stepped in as uniformed spokesperson for the DoD. Prior to joining the Pentagon, White was an editorial writer for the Wall Street Journal and foreign policy advisor to John McCains 2008 presidential run. Charles Summers, principal deputy assistant to the secretary of defense, has taken over Whites duties on an acting basis. Mattis also resigned Dec. 31 due to policy differences with the president over the withdrawal of US forces from Syria. Former deputy defense secretary Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, is now acting defense secretary. RM Broadcasting, a U.S.-owned company that has leased airtime to Rossiya Segodnya (the Russian Federation government-owned news agency that runs Sputnik) is being pressed by the Department of Justice to register as a foreign agent of the Russian government, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The U.S. government says that a service agreement between RM and Rossiya Segodnya gives the Russian company complete control over the contents" of RMs station, WZHF 1390 AM in Washington, D.C. While RM claims that it has no joint venture relationship whatsoever with Russian interests, the DoJ says that the station is disseminating information to U.S. audiences to promote the interests of the Russian government. The Federal Communications Communication will suspend most of its operations on Jan. 3 if the government shutdown continues. The FCC says that work required for the protection of life and property will continue, but it also lists the services that will be temporarily unavailable, which include the shutdown of consumer complaint and inquiry phone lines, the cease of licensing services and the stoppage of equipment authorizations. The FCCs staff, which numbered 1,442 workers prior to the shutdown, would be reduced to 245, with the remainder on furlough. Fuse, the Latino-oriented TV network owned in part by Jennifer Lopez, is being pulled by Comcast and Verizon FiOS. The Wrap reports that the loss of Comcast could eliminate about a third of Fuses household reach, while Verizons decision will likely result in a low single-digit reduction of the networks distribution. According to Nielsen figures, Fuse reached approximately 74 million cable households a few years ago but dropped to about 60 million as of February 2018. Comcast is silencing yet another independent media company, in this case, one that is devoted to providing a platform for inclusive voices and authentic representation at a uniquely important time in our society, said Fuse president-CEO Michael Schwimmer. The contract between CBS and Nielsen has expired, and plans to renew it are facing considerable headwinds. According to Variety, CBS is considering dropping Nielsen in favor of using a combination of its own data and measurement information from Comscore. Part of the issue is Nielsens dependence on measuring linear TV audiences (those watching TV in real-time). That reliance has become more problematic as consumers increasingly turn to streaming and on-demand services. Nielsen says it is increasing its efforts to measure those viewers. Variety says that Nielsens contract with CBS is estimated at more than $100 million per year. A viral video of a South-African man barking like a dog after allegedly being bit by a canine infected with rabies has sparked a heated debate on African social media. The video went viral after being shared by Instagram influencer and entertainer Tunde Ednut. In it, a young man wearing an oxygen mask and lying on a hospital stretcher can be heard barking incessantly. The man holding the camera states that he is filming a beast like youve never seen before with the permission of the patients father, adding that the barking is caused by the rabies virus. The young patients had allegedly been bit by a rabid dog around two weeks before and, despite getting the anti-rabies vaccine, he stopped talking and started barking instead. The narrator of the video claims that the patients exhibited other bizarre symptoms associated with rabies, like foaming at the mouth. You would expect this sort of video to get dismissed as fake, and Ednut himself captioned it with the phrase I kinda feel like this guy is pretending, but looking at the over 1,500 Instagram comments, you can see that not everyone agrees. In fact, opinions seemed to be split, with some praising the barking man as the pretender of the universe or trying to explain how the rabies virus works, and other posting things like its real, Ive seen this before, or this is real and deres no treatment for itthe poison has spread and has gotten to his heart. View this post on Instagram I kinda feel like this guy is pretending A post shared by Tunde Ednut (@tundeednut) on Dec 15, 2018 at 2:14pm PST The strangest thing about this isnt the barking man who is obviously pretending but the fact that so many people actually believe its true. The video has gotten over 1,500 comments and 9,500 likes on Tunde Ednuts profile as well. It was also picked up by some of the largest media outlets in Africa, like Pulse, which have been promoting it as real. Japanese design studio CWF has created the Backpackers Closet, a backpack so large it can literally be used a closet or even to carry a grown person around. Measuring 100 cm in length by 68 cm in width, the Backpackers Closet features a maximum holding capacity of 180 liters (48 gallons), making it ideal for carrying a young adult. And if youre worried about the shoulder straps snapping under the weight, dont be, as this accessory is not only designed to withstand the advertised maximum weight, but also features padding and an extra middle strap to reduce stress on the wearers back and shoulders. On online retailer Plywoods website, the Backpackers Closet is described as indispensable for outdoors, carrying heavy gears and bringing in a large number of ingredients to the camp site. However, as shown in one of the promotional photos, the giant backpack can also used indoors, as an actual closet. The guys at SoraNews24 actually put it to the test by having one of their writers climb inside and another hoist him up on his back and give him a ride around the office. The Backpackers Closet reportedly held up surprisingly well. The oversized backpack is obviously considerably pricier than most standard backpacks, selling for around 26,000 yen ($230) plus shipping. Nevertheless, theyve been selling like hotcakes, with the sandal beige variant already being sold out. I guess those realistic snake-skin stockings already have some competition for the title of Japans bizarre accessory of 2019. via Plywood Police departments will serve as a starting point to the recovery process. Anyone seeking help with addiction would be able to walk in and residents will be given amnesty if they have drugs that theyd like to turn in. Participants would then be connected with an appropriate outpatient or inpatient program, and police would provide transportation if necessary. The Lion House is a unique rentable property in South Africa that allows tourists to spend their vacation in the middle of a nature reserve, surrounded by 77 adult lions. Imagine going to sleep to the sound of lion roars, knowing that the only thing standing between you and dozens of predators is an electrified fence. If that sounds like the kind of thing youve always dreamed of, youd better start saving for a stay at the Lion House, a special three-bedroom house located in the middle of a wildlife sanctuary in Harrismith, South Africa. It doesnt feature many of the amenities youd expect to find in a place that costs over $100 a night to rent, like TV or air-conditioning, but it does offer something very few, if any, other places around the world have lions, 77 of them to be exact. Photo: Lion House/Airbnb Built by GG Conservation, a non-profit, ethical nature reserve where no lion breeding or public interaction is allowed, the Lion House is one of the most amazing properties listed on Airbnb. It allows visitors to get as close to the over 70 majestic felines that call this place home without interfering with their lives, and feel good about themselves knowing that the whole booking fees directly benefit the lions. Guests can just live among the lions, observing first-hand the majesty of the lion species, Suzanne Scott, conservation director at GG Conservation, told Mail Online. They can watch their natural behaviour, and see the interaction between the lions and their pride mates which is often very interesting, heart-warming and amusing. We are unique in that we are an ethical lion sanctuary with no breeding or public interaction allowed. But people can watch lions being lions very close up, whilst also knowing their booking fees to our non-profit organisation are helping to keep the lions safe and protected. Its a win win! You are never more than 5 metres away from a lion at Lion House!! the Airbnb listing boasts, adding that the rental is perfectly safe thanks to the strong electric fence surrounding the property. Apparently, you can even have a barbecue on the open terrace, with the lions watching you from beyond the fence, although that could be considered cruel, with the intoxicating smell of cooked meat sending their senses into overdrive. You are very close, less than one metre from a lion when stood at the fence. From the step, porch or patio of the house you are two metres away, Suzanne Scott says. It makes you feel that you are almost living among them, as part of the pride. The best part is being able to hear the nightly roars of 77 lions in surround sound, it is truly awe inspiring to listen to. The Lion House can accommodate a total of six people, and can be rented for $104 per night. That honestly sounds like a bargain for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, although I doubt anyone can have a good night sleep to the roars of 77 full-grown lions. Oh, and youd better hope they have a backup generator in case the power goes out. "It was a sad moment to witness that. This is hallowed ground," said Spanberger, who had been at the Women's March on Washington that day and caught footage of the speech on television. But more than anything, she is disturbed by Trump's rejection of the intelligence community's assessments on Russian interference in the presidential election. "I know what goes into collecting intelligence reports," Spanberger said. "And, for him to take the side of a foreign adversary over our country is appalling to me." In Congress, she believes her time handling assets will help her bridge the divide with Republicans. At the CIA, when she tended to informants, she said, "I was responsible for their safety and security, so working with others is about building trust and relationships with people across the aisle who may not otherwise want to work with Democrats," she said. "Whatever bit of commonality I can find with them is the skill." She also said the CIA prepared her to become a quick expert in complicated subjects. As for the statue in Winston-Salem, Weve already had two instances of vandalism and, with the potential for violence, it is (Carmons) belief that the statue does create a public nuisance and therefore we are directing the Daughters of the Confederacy to remove it, and if they dont, were prepared to file legal action to achieve that removal, Joines said after the Emancipation Proclamation ceremony. Carmon sent a letter to representatives of the United Daughters of the Confederacy on Monday afternoon requesting the statues removal, she said. Given the number of incidents involving vandalism, the intensity of the most recent message left by vandals and the concern for public safety, I asked that they look at removing the statue by the end of January, she said. I indicated a concern about potential breaches to the peace and the strong likelihood that, given the intensity of the message, that breaches of peace are likely to occur. In August 2017, black paint was sprayed onto the statue. The vandal or vandals painted words on two sides of the statue near its base. Black paint also partially covered the inscription, Our Confederate Dead. Police cleaned all of the writing and most of the paint from the statue. I dont know about you, but Im really liking 2019 so far, said the missions principal investigator, Alan Stern. Though coincidental, the timing of New Horizons encounter in the early hours of a new year is auspicious, Stern said. At a moment when humanity marks the passage of time, looking forward and thinking back, New Horizons is doing the same. At 4 billion miles from Earth, Ultima Thule is the farthest celestial body scientists have ever viewed up close; it is a door to future exploration in a region that is still almost entirely unknown. But it is also a window to the past a time capsule from the era when the planets formed, which might contain clues about how the Earth came to be. Already, scientists are analyzing early data collected just before the moment of closest approach. An image taken from half a million miles away from Ultima Thule showed a blurry bowling pin-shaped body about 20 miles across. Until New Horizonss fly-by, no person had ever seen a Kuiper belt object as anything but a pinpoint of light in the distance. By Wednesday, the scientists at APL will receive their first high-resolution images of the distant rock, revealing whether it has craters, and whether it is one long object or comprises two small bodies orbiting each other. "It's hugely disappointing," Haroutunian said. The border wall dispute, he said, "is not a priority that deserves to close down the government." At Big Bend National Park in Texas, George Cashman of Milwaukee said he was disappointed by the absence of park rangers. Last year, he said, he took his family - including four kids under the age of 10 - to Yellowstone, where the kids enjoyed the junior ranger program. "There are no rangers to talk to and help the kids out. Last year, one of the rangers in Yellowstone let them take the temperature of one of the geysers. Those memories aren't going to happen this year," Cashman said. Greg Henington, owner of Far Flung Outdoor Center in Terlingua, a town just outside the park, said he voted for Trump but blames the president for the shutdown, which he says creates confusion and uncertainty for local businesses. "If we are going to continue to use the federal government as a weapon for not getting what we want in the sandbox, then this is untenable for small business. We can't make decisions, we layoff employees, we take cancellations," he said. >A 16-year-old juvenile was arrested Tuesday and charged with unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle and fourth-degree theft of property. Opelika Police Department >Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle and second-degree theft of property occurred on Monday in the 800 block of Lake Condy Road. >First-degree theft of property occurred on Monday in the 200 block of Stevens Street. >Jason L. Lovett, 42, of Opelika, was arrested Tuesday and charged with driving under the influence. Lee County Sheriffs Office >Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle, first-degree theft of property and second-degree criminal mischief was reported Tuesday in the 17600 block of U.S. Highway 280 East in Smiths Station. >First-degree theft of property was reported Tuesday on Lee Road 421 in Opelika. >First-degree theft of property was reported Tuesday in the 100 block of Lee Road 504 in Phenix City. >Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) was reported at the intersection of Highway 169 and Lee Road 145 in Opelika. Opelika police are investigating a first-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument that occurred in late December at multiple businesses. On Dec. 24, a suspect used several counterfeit bills at multiple businesses at the USA Town Center, located at 1220 Fox Run Avenue, according to police. The suspect is described as a black male, about 35 to 45 years old. He was last seen wearing a red sweater-vest and a white shirt. The suspect had dreadlocks and a prominent ring on his right ring finger at the time of incident. Police added that the suspect entered a tan-colored passenger vehicle and drove away following the use of the counterfeit bills. Opelika police ask anyone who may recognize the suspect or have any other information on the case to call the Opelika Police Departments Detective Division at 334-705-5220 , or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Callers may choose to remain anonymous. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Prior to Carnegie releasing the 2018 classifications, Auburn was in the R2 high research activity category. The R1 status elevates it to a very high research activity institution. We have been steadily growing our research activity, Kerpelman said. So part of it is just continued growth across the entire university, and engaging faculty and hiring faculty that are very research-focused andfusing research into the student experience, so graduate and undergraduate students (are) getting engaged in research activity. Specifically, Auburn has been growing interdisciplinary team research. Kerpelman referenced a 2015 initiative in which the university established five strategic research areas faculty were engaged in and that showed promise for future growth. Auburn then hired research faculty within those areas: health disparities, pharmaceutical engineering, environment and earth systems, scalable energy and omics and informatics using complex data sets to understand things within areas of biology. The challenge of these interdisciplinary teams is that they have to find a common language, which they do, Kerpelman said. And then theyre able to be successful. Research projects Saudi Arabia denied Wednesday that it had issued American-made weapons to Sudanese soldiers in Yemen, disputing statements made by five of the soldiers and reported last week in The New York Times. In an article about Sudanese soldiers fighting for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, five Sudanese fighters who had returned from the conflict said that at training camps in Saudi Arabia they had been issued modern weapons that were unfamiliar to them and that they believed to be American-made. In a statement on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia said an examination determined that American-made weapons had never been distributed to personnel participating from Sudan as part of the coalitions operations. The kingdom has not disclosed what weapons it distributed to the Sudanese fighters or where those weapons originated. ISTANBUL For 17 years, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won elections by offering voters a vision of restoring the glories of Turkeys Ottoman past. He extended his countrys influence with increased trade and military deployments, and he raised living standards with years of unbroken economic growth. But after a failed 2016 coup, Mr. Erdogan embarked on a sweeping crackdown. Last year, the economy wobbled and the lira plunged soon after he won re-election with even greater powers. As cronyism and authoritarianism seep deeper into his administration, Turks are voting differently this time with their feet. They are leaving the country in droves and taking talent and capital with them in a way that indicates a broad and alarming loss of confidence in Mr. Erdogans vision, according to government statistics and analysts. In the last two to three years, not only have students and academics fled the country, but also entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and thousands of wealthy individuals who are selling everything and moving their families and their money abroad. Italian prosecutors and the Carabinieri, the national military police force, which has a division that investigates art theft, have opened investigations into the paintings movements since it was taken from Italy. They have asked German judicial authorities to cooperate. They are also evaluating whether the familys request for money could be construed as extortion. What belongs to the Italian state has to be returned to the Italian state, said General Fabrizio Parrulli, the commander of the Carabinieris art theft unit. He said his men were working with Florentine prosecutors on the case, but declined to give details, because the investigation is ongoing. In such cases, German officials have said the 30-year statute of limitations means that when property is in private hands, there is simply no legal way to force its return, and no basis for government intervention. For many years, Israel and Jewish groups have lobbied Germany to carve out an exception for items looted in the Nazi era. After the discovery in 2012 of more than 1,000 artworks in a Munich apartment, including some that were taken by the Nazis, the government considered such a change, but it never became law. Mr. Schmidt said that generating publicity about Vase of Flowers should make it harder for the Germans who hold the painting to try to sell it. Thanks to the photo in the Room of the Putti, people will never forget that this work was stolen, Mr. Schmidt said in a telephone interview. And thanks to the accompanying resonance on social media, no one would ever be able to say that I purchased this work in good faith, he said. But some experts say that Italy should examine its own record on stolen art. Italy was recently called out at an international conference on the restitution of art looted during World War II as one of five countries that have been slow to address the issue. The governments repayment policy is an extension of its approach to British tourists or other citizens who get in trouble abroad and need help returning to the United Kingdom. People 18 years or older have to reimburse the government. That age limit came into effect after The Guardian newspaper reported two years ago on a 17-year-old British teenager who sought help at the British embassy in Islamabad to escape a forced marriage in 2014. She had to sign a loan agreement and hand in her British passport before being allowed to return to the United Kingdom, and ultimately was billed more than $1,000, with her passport being held until she paid. After that, 16 and 17 year olds became exempt from the reimbursement policy. The Times of London reported on four British women who were each charged roughly $900 for the governments efforts to free them from a religious institution in Somalia where they said they had been chained, whipped and told they would be held until they married. The womens families sent them there because they thought the women were too independent. Ayaan, 24, who had been at the institution for two years, said she signed a loan agreement on the day she was rescued. I was left to fend for myself, she told The Times of London. The loan has caused so much anxiety. Just as the government would not charge a crime victim for investigating a crime, it should not charge women for bringing them back home, said Alison Gardner, an assistant professor of sociology who studies modern slavery at the University of Nottingham. She said a $1,000 debt could be devastating for a young woman whose family has tried to force her to marry and could disown her if she escaped. Its an example of this general policy of pushing costs onto the people who have incurred the misfortune, which drives a cycle of increased vulnerability, she said. BEIJING President Xi Jinping declared on Wednesday that he wants progress on Chinas decades-long quest to win control of Taiwan. But his proposal appeared unlikely to win over residents of the self-ruled island, who have seen Hong Kongs freedoms in rapid retreat under a similar deal. Mr. Xi stressed how vital unification with Taiwan is to his vision of Chinese national rejuvenation in his first major speech about the disputed island. The Chinese Communist Party regards Taiwan, a lively democracy, as a historical mistake a piece of territory that should never have gained autonomy from China. And as an ardent patriot, Mr. Xi finds Taiwans separate status especially galling. Mr. Xi did not lay down a timetable for absorbing Taiwan, which is something more hawkish voices in Beijing have urged. But as he nears his seventh year as president, he indicated that his patience had limits and that he wanted to bring Taiwan into ever-closer political, economic and cultural orbit around China. That the two sides of the strait are still not fully unified is a wound to the Chinese nation left by history, Mr. Xi said in his direction-setting speech in the Great Hall of the People. The political divisions between China and Taiwan, he added cannot be passed on from generation to generation. RIO DE JANEIRO President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, who has compared indigenous communities living in protected lands to animals in zoos, took a major step toward undermining the rights of indigenous people just hours after taking office on Tuesday. In one of a handful of measures that stand to hurt historically marginalized communities, the incoming government on Tuesday transferred responsibility for certifying indigenous territories as protected lands to the ministry of agriculture. The ministry has traditionally championed the interests of industries that want greater access to protected lands. The certification was previously overseen by the National Indian Foundation, a government agency tasked with safeguarding the rights and welfare of indigenous communities. Mr. Bolsonaro, a far-right former lawmaker and Army captain, presented himself to voters as the polar opposite of the leftist Workers Party, which championed the advancement of poor and disenfranchised communities. The party lost the presidency during impeachment proceedings in 2016 as Brazil was beset by a recession, rising violence and a corruption scandal. Joshua Tree National Park, for example, remained open after the shutdown, but then suffered temporary or partial closings as officials struggled to keep up with the toll visitors had taken. At some parks, volunteers have stepped in to help with cleanup. [Read more on how parks and museums are affected by the shutdown.] Limited staffing has also raised questions about visitor safety. At least three people have died on National Park Service land since the shutdown began, and while it is unclear if the shutdown had any effect on the authorities immediate responses to the accidents, the announcement of at least one of the deaths was reportedly delayed because of the lack of resources. Museums have been affected, too. The National Gallery of Art, all 19 Smithsonian museums, and the National Zoo were closed last week because of the shutdown. (Essential personnel remain on hand at the zoo to care for the animals.) [Though the museum is closed, you may still be able to see the art within. Some paintings have a double life online.] ____ Science, research and public health The scientific community has been affected, too. Some government labs are empty, with scientists having been sent home. Research, some of it time sensitive, has been disrupted. And the flow of grant money may be interrupted, too. Some agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, are largely or entirely unaffected. But others, such as the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service, have sent many workers home. [Read more about the shutdowns toll on science and research.] Inspections of chemical factories, power plants, oil refineries, water treatment plants, and thousands of other industrial sites have also ground to a halt because the Environmental Protection Agency had to furlough most of its employees in charge of inspecting pollution and monitoring compliance. Before her death Saturday, Sister Mary Joseph of the Trinity was perhaps the worlds most unlikely nun. As the world emerges out of quarantine, her extended family celebrates the life of a woman who chose it despite millions of reasons not to. People under 21 are no longer able to buy semiautomatic assault rifles in Washington as of Jan 1. It is the first of several new state measures intended to reduce gun violence. The National Rifle Association has already filed suit. Previously, state law barred the assault weapons sale to those under 18. The new rules, approved by voters in a ballot initiative in November, come alongside dozens of moves by other states to strengthen gun control regulations in the absence of federal action. It is a meaningful step in the right direction, said Christian Heyne, legislative director at the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, on Washingtons initiative. Gun violence on the whole is such a complex problem. We need to have complex solutions, comprehensive solutions. This is a part of that conversation. In addition to the age restrictions, Washingtons new rules state that gun dealers must wait 10 days before delivering semiautomatic assault rifles they sell. That is designed, in part, to prevent impulsive action. The rules also require anyone buying a semiautomatic assault rifle to have completed a gun safety training in the last five years. The measure also imposes criminal penalties for unsafe gun storage, and requires more extensive background checks for purchases of the assault weapons. Voting rights and partisan gerrymandering, traditionally the preoccupation of wonky party strategists and good-government groups, have become major flash points in the debate about the integrity of American elections, signaling high stakes battles over voter suppression and politically engineered districts ahead of the 2020 presidential race. When Democrats take the majority in the House on Thursday, the first bill they plan to introduce will be broad legislation focusing on these issues. Early drafts of their proposals include automatic voter registration, public elections financing and ending gerrymandering by using independent commissions to draw voting districts. But action and anger go far beyond Congress. With voters increasingly aware of the powerful impact of gerrymandering and doubtful about the fairness of elections, voting issues have become central to politics in key states including Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Questions about the health of American democracy are being raised in areas once thought to be wholly nonpartisan, as reflected in a court battle over whether the Trump administration is trying to use a question about citizenship on the 2020 census to undercount Democratic constituencies and limit their political clout. WASHINGTON President Trump and Democratic congressional leaders dug in Wednesday for a lengthy partial shutdown in a newly divided government after a White House meeting the first in 22 days could not break an impasse over Mr. Trumps demands for billions of dollars for a border wall. During the contentious meeting in the Situation Room, Mr. Trump made his case for a wall on the southwestern border and rejected Democrats proposals for reopening the government while the two sides ironed out their differences. I would look foolish if I did that, Mr. Trump responded after Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, posed the question to him directly, according to three officials familiar with the meeting who described it on the condition of anonymity. He said that the wall was why he was elected, one of the officials said. Democrats were equally adamant, according to another official who was present for the discussion. Pressed by Vice President Mike Pence and Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the incoming minority leader, they refused to budge from their offer to devote $1.3 billion to border security. The official also insisted on anonymity to describe the private conversation. Good morning. (Want to get California Today by email? Heres the sign-up.) Happy 2019. Last year was a big one in tech, as the Silicon Valley behemoths that drive large swaths of Californias economy faced mounting scrutiny over the way they handle our personal information and do business with one another. But it felt almost overwhelming trying to get a handle on everything that came to light. So I asked Pui-Wing Tam, our Tech editor, to put the revelations into some context. Jill Cowan: What was the most surprising thing your team uncovered this year and why? Pui-Wing Tam: So much happened in tech in 2018 that its hard to know where to begin. But the story line that emerged that I found the most surprising was the increasing activism of tech workers. Silicon Valley tech employees have historically seemed a docile lot, lured to the corporate campuses in Mountain View, Calif., San Jose and farther north in San Francisco by promises of fat compensation and a comfortable life. In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan signed a law in April that bars pet store operators from selling dogs and cats but allows them to host adoptions. Stores may benefit financially from the adoptions because they can lure potential customers, Mr. ONeill said. The law in Maryland, which takes effect in 2020, has not put a damper on business at Charm City Puppies in Columbia, which has sold about 95 dogs in the past month, said Ashley Lawson, an assistant manager. She said on Wednesday that the store sold only animals from federally licensed breeders across the United States. Today we are actually low on puppies because of the holiday season, she said, although the store was selling a Cavalier King Charles spaniel for $2,499 and a Yorkshire terrier for $1,999. We are still looking forward to fighting it or overturning it, she said, referring to the law. It is all in the beginning stages. Some customers do not have the option to adopt, particularly if they are looking for a certain type of dog, she said. That is why we believe they should be given a choice. In California, the law that took effect on Tuesday was written by two State Assembly members, Patrick ODonnell and Matt Dababneh, both Democrats. The legislations fact sheet said the bill was meant to address extremely minimal federal standards, such as a requirement that says a cage may be only six inches larger than the animal it houses and may be cleaned just once a week. There were also financial considerations, with approximately $250 million a year in taxpayer money used to house animals in local shelters, the fact sheet said. SAN FRANCISCO A billion dollars of tax revenue, the taming of the black market, the convenience of retail cannabis stores throughout the state these were some of the promises made by proponents of marijuana legalization in California. One year after the start of recreational sales, they are still just promises. Californias experiment in legalization is mired by debates over regulation and hamstrung by cities and towns that do not want cannabis businesses on their streets. California was the sixth state to introduce the sale of recreational marijuana Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington paved the way but the enormous size of the market led to predictions of soaring legal cannabis sales. Instead, sales fell. Around $2.5 billion of legal cannabis was sold in California in 2018, half a billion dollars less than in 2017 when only medical marijuana was legal, according to GreenEdge, a sales tracking company. Nancy Pelosi is returning as speaker of the House of Representatives amid a partisan standoff that has made it virtually impossible to move forward on major legislation requiring the support of both Democrats and Republicans. Now, she has a chance to fix at least part of the problem. Prodded by some House Democrats, in late November she agreed to establish a more open process for working on legislation and to allow more votes on amendments supported by both parties. The changes in rules, expected to come to a vote after the House reconvenes Thursday, will help set the parameters for Ms. Pelosis second stint as speaker. Historically, amendment votes have been critical to legislation, allowing in a variety of ideas. They are one way for lawmakers to change a bills contents after it goes through committee, or when it skips that step entirely. They are often used on spending bills to get lawmakers on record on important issues and to build consensus solutions. But since the House began using electronic voting in 1973, minority party members have increasingly adopted the floor amendment one of the few legislative tools available to them as a way to force their opponents to cast politically difficult or symbolic votes. In response, House majority party leaders have clamped down on amendments to shield their members from those electorally risky votes. He was getting over a cold and had a four-month-old at home he and Ms. Kazan, with whom he co-wrote Wildlife, welcomed Alma in August. But he was warm and genial, brightening as he began to report on his fledgling days of fatherhood. I didnt think I would like it so much; I mean, I thought I would like it, but its really quite astonishing, he said. In a crisp, black-and-blue flannel, a nest of light-brown hair and olive librarian glasses he could have passed as an adjunct at the Iowa Writers Workshop. Theres just a sort of I dont know, a hope or something. Seeing something so innocent and pure and unsullied by the world. Mr. Dano, who has self-diagnosed dorky impulses and relishes researching a role, spent that last movie-less year, in 2003, as a New School freshman studying English and Russian literature. To portray the Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson in 2015s Love & Mercy he learned to play piano. But now hes found the ultimate research project. Theres something about being there for the first moments, the fragility, which really begins at conception, he continued. And the heart has this chemical reaction on the first breath the chambers change, because youve switched from breathing amniotic fluid to oxygen. And then that breath just keeps going, and going, and it doesnt stop until we Its just mind-blowing stuff. He was born in Manhattan to a father who was a financial adviser and a mother who raised him and his younger sister (a half brother is 16 years older). Mr. Dano was acting in school plays and community theater as far back as he can remember, a summer activity that ended up gathering steam, and by the time he was 12 he was performing on Broadway, with George C. Scott, in the 1996 production of Inherit the Wind. At 16, he starred in his first feature film (and won an Independent Spirit Award) as a reckless, libidinous teenager coping with his mothers death in the Long Island-based indie L.I.E. I feel like each day is a little like being caught in a batters box without knowing when or where the balls are coming from, and that can be both exhilarating and exhausting. Technology certainly helps. My phone is pretty much everything. Its kind of its own command center, and I can do almost everything on it except edit. For stories, I still need my laptop. Most of the reporters know that if they get a call from me at an odd hour, it usually means theyre on their way to something awful, but the reason we can do what we do is that they are total pros. Nobody ever just hangs up and goes back to sleep. In these cases, our job is to help them produce the best journalism possible in difficult situations and make sure they stay safe, too. Im in awe of the reporters on National who are relentless and often put themselves in danger while covering tough stories with compassion. Unfortunately, weve done enough of them now that we kind of know what to do. Recently, we had a ton of breaking news out of California, where the majority of my reporters are based. The combination of the shooting in Thousand Oaks and the wildfires was a good example of having to be really nimble. One of our California reporters, Jenny Medina, called me in what was the middle of her night to say she and a bunch of F.B.I. agents who were in Thousand Oaks after the shooting had been forced to evacuate their hotel because of the fires. You can never predict whats next, so you just have to be ready to switch gears and work with what you have. In breaking news, I rely on Twitter and Dataminr , which monitors Twitter for newsworthy patterns, to keep track of developments. Were also paying attention to police scanners, local television and all forms of social media and trying to break and confirm our own scoops, too. The trick is being careful and fast at the same time. A lot of bad information gets out in the immediate aftermath, and you never want to get it wrong. When her sixth-grade daughter was sent home from school with a flour-sack baby to look after for a week, Hope Edelman was initially skeptical (Werent sixth graders a little young for this kind of thing? she wondered). But soon she saw the assignment as an opportunity to equip her daughter with the parenting skills her own mother never got the chance to teach her. She might have taken the exercise a little too far. On this weeks Modern Love podcast, the actor Gillian Anderson reads Ms. Edelmans moving and frequently funny essay Maternal Wisdom (5 Pounds Worth). Ms. Edelman is the author of six nonfiction books, including Motherless Daughters, Motherless Mothers and The Possibility of Everything. She teaches writing at Antioch University Los Angeles and lives in Topanga Canyon, Calif., with her husband and two daughters. Ms. Anderson is known for her role as F.B.I. Special Agent Dana Scully in The X-Files. She will appear as sex therapist Jean Thompson in the Netflix series Sex Education, which premieres Jan. 11. Stay tuned after the reading to hear from her, Ms. Edelman and the Modern Love editor Daniel Jones. To read past Modern Love columns, click here. Continue following our fashion and lifestyle coverage on Facebook (Styles and Modern Love), Twitter (Styles, Fashion and Weddings) and Instagram. The kinetic realism of Labaki's close-to-the-ground direction and Christopher Aoun's agile cinematography a hard swerve from the romantic style of her previous two features, the crowd-pleasers "Caramel" and "Where Do We Go Now?" is often a marvel to behold. Even more impressive, perhaps owing to Labaki's parallel career as a sought-after actor (she plays an attorney in the courtroom scenes), is her ability with her untrained stars. She finds a magically resonant space between documentary-like vibe and dramatic performance that honors the characters' inherent humanity while memorably framing the wretched circumstances that dictate their actions. Her direction of children, especially, most notably the increasingly fraught scenes with Zain looking after the wonderfully expressive Yonas a movie toddler for the ages who will agitate your wish for a peaceful outcome to no end are models for capturing the grace and need in beleaguered innocents. There are many, many reasons to take up residence in New York City, but the quality of apartment fixtures does not usually register within the top 5,000. If you are a person who decided to relocate in order to experience the citys constellation of Michelin-starred restaurants or fabulous, award-winning tap water, the odds are high you have given up at least one of the following: proximity to your workplace; the financial ability to live alone; reliable cable television and internet; more than 10 square feet of personal space; and a bathtub that one can vaguely imagine taking a bath in. That is why I have only two criteria for vacation accommodations: The first is a nice bathroom with a tub, and the second is everything else. Is this Airbnb a dusty cow barn with wooden shelves for beds, but it comes with a glorious claw foot tub overlooking a grazing pasture? Great, I love it, I will be there for four nights in the spring; I will plan my whole trip around when I can bathe in that tub, and spend months imagining myself in the bathroom, looking out over the cows, soaking my body in warm eucalyptus salts. The best kinds of vacation tubs, of course, are free-standing, because they indicate a bathroom large enough to accommodate a free-standing tub. The worst kinds of tubs are the afterthoughts: No pasture to look at just some peeling duct tape, an amenity that my grimy Brooklyn bathtub, installed in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, sometime between the settling of New Amsterdam and World War II, already provides me. The good news is, in New York itself, there are special, sacrosanct spaces that the citys perverse and arcane anti-bath magic cannot penetrate: hotels. They are often expensive, but ideal for situations when you are moments away from losing your mind and are desperately seeking space from the anxiety producing effects of ones own metropolis. We have a term for this now: Its staycation, a portmanteau that suggests all of the benefits of a relaxing night away without any of the associated airfare. People who buy shoes for comfort are cops. There is really no other explanation. A sparkling, sublime footwear choice is the most expedient way to demonstrate taste. It achieves more per square inch than any shirt could. Whatever you may have to trade in exchange for a shoe with real personality is almost certainly worth it. I promise, and I have the sore ankles to prove it. The last couple of days, my right outer calf has been throbbing. I am certain this is because of my footwear choices. But though life has crossed me untold times in recent years, I have not yet given up on chasing this particular kind of beauty. Catch me hobbling and styling all the way to retirement in Boca. Determined to prove the viability of this opinion, I skeptically embarked upon a reasonable-footwear doubleheader: Allbirds and Birkenstock, which recently opened a few blocks away from each other on Spring Street. I went on the day of a dreary rainstorm. Deliberately, I wore my least comfortable rain boots and thin, supportless socks. By the time I hit Spring Street, my feet needed succor. This story was updated to reflect 2021s perihelion. Early on Saturday (8:50 a.m. Eastern time, to be exact), Earth made its closest approach to the sun and reached a point in its orbit known as perihelion. Chilly as winter may feel in the Northern Hemisphere, were more than three million miles closer to our fiery star than we were in the dead of summer. The change in distance occurs because our planets orbit is stretched into an ellipse so Earth snuggles up to the Sun every January and dips farther out into the outer solar system every July, at a point known as aphelion. Although three million miles sounds vast, its not much on the scale of our solar system. In fact, despite the planets elliptical path through the heavens, most astronomers say that Earths orbit is basically circular. On a scale of 0 to 100 percent, where 0 is a perfect circle and nearly 100 is a very thin oval, Earth only scores a 1.7. Its a defining trait that keeps our planet at roughly the same distance from our sun, and keeps the climate relatively stable. This has led many astronomers to wonder whether a circular orbit just might be a crucial ingredient in the cocktail of life and a key factor to consider as they search for signs of alien life around the thousands of exoplanets known to be circling other stars within the galaxy. The target of this mass persecution is Chinas Muslim minorities especially the Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking people based in Xinjiang. They follow a mainstream, moderate interpretation of Sunni Islam. But that is enough of a mental illness for Chinese Communists, whose ideology considers all religions, including Christianity, to be backward superstitions that must be diluted and nationalized. That is why they go as far as forbidding people from having beards or fasting during Ramadan, and forcing them to consume pork and alcohol, both of which are forbidden in Islam. Chinese authorities say they are alarmed about extremists among the Uighurs and, in fact, a handful of terrorists have carried out attacks against government targets over the years. But those extremists arose partly in response to a decades-old policy of subjugation, along with ethnic colonialization, that Beijing has pursued against the Uighurs. That history suggests that Beijings current counterterrorism campaign will be only counterproductive deepening a vicious cycle that authoritarian minds are often unable to understand, let alone break. And here is the strangest aspect of this story: Chinas re-education policy is a major attack on Muslim people and their faith, Islam, yet the Muslim world has remained largely silent . While the policy has been condemned by human rights groups and the liberal news media in the West, along with Uighur organizations themselves, only a few Muslim leaders, like the Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim and Pakistans minister of religion, Noorul Haq Qadri, have raised some public concerns. Not until last month did the Organization of Islamic Cooperation finally express concern about the disturbing reports on the treatment of Muslims by China. That is all very meek given how grim the situation is and how it compares to what we would have seen if the same persecution had been carried out by some other country, such as, say, Israel. Why is that? Why are Muslim leaders, especially those who love to be the champions of oppressed Muslims, so lenient toward China? If Mr. Trump would take the time to check in with whats happening in the real world, he might read about the divorced Army veteran whod worked three jobs to survive before getting hired as a paralegal at the Federal Trade Commission and who now has no idea if hell make the rent. He could hear from the single mother who says that shell have enough for rent but not for food. He might be moved by the wife of a corrections officer wondering how her family will handle their mortgage, day care and car payments while her husband is working without pay. Or by the disabled Air Force vet who, having waited more than a year for service-connected surgery, cannot get final approval for her procedure until the shutdown ends. An estimated 800,000 federal workers have had their lives upended by this latest presidential temper tantrum. Some 420,000 of those, deemed essential personnel, are working without pay. This includes upward of 41,000 law enforcement officials, 54,000 Border Patrol agents and 53,000 Transportation Security Administration workers. ( If you flew this holiday season, it was only thanks to these unpaid women and men.) Another 380,000 workers have been furloughed, including 28,800 employees of the Forest Service, 16,000 in the National Park Service and 16,700 at NASA. The longer the stoppage continues, the more people will feel the squeeze. Already, the Small Business A dministration has been shut down, delaying the processing of loans. A growing number of national parks, museums and historic sites will need to close, disrupting tourism for the sites and for surrounding businesses. At some of the parks kept open during the holidays, even as many rangers and other support staff members were furloughed, there were reports of trash piling up, toilets overflowing with human waste and episodes of vandalism. Routine screenings by the Food and Drug Administration are being put on hold, and the Federal Communications Commission is set to halt most of its operations on Thursday. The situation on Indian lands is about to get dire. The list goes on and on. For the workers directly affected, among those facing the greatest economic uncertainty are contractors, who make up more than 40 percent of the government work force. This includes not only white-collar positions, but also thousands of blue-collar jobs, such as janitors and security guards. Unlike regular government employees, many contractors may not be compensated for lost time. They could simply lose the income. Even for regular, non-contract employees, who have eventually been granted back pay after past shutdowns and can reasonably expect the same this time, the grinding anxiety and financial costs of scraping by in the meantime mount with each passing day. Many of these workers live paycheck to paycheck, with little wiggle room. Some of their creditors are more understanding than others, and even one missed payment can carry heavy consequences. The surest way for that to happen is to forge a constructive relationship between our two countries. Absent that, it is imperative that we put our differences aside to tackle these two existential challenges. As the two largest economies, the United States and China can set the tone for a global effort against climate change by investing in clean-energy technology, adopting strict environmental rules and encouraging their trading partners to do the same. (Of course, the current administration does not accept the reality of climate change, but future administrations will hopefully recognize the urgency of action.) Cooperation is also needed to address the spread or possible use of nuclear weapons. North Koreas continued development of fissile materials and missiles is an apparent contravention of its recent agreement with the United States. And North Korea isnt the only concern. Pakistan, for example, has a weak government and uncertain controls over its nuclear arsenal. The arc of human history is one of frequent conflict. Unless you believe human nature is likely to change, that suggests a serious risk that nuclear arms will be used at some point by state or nonstate actors. United States-China cooperation to limit nuclear proliferation among states, the diversion of nuclear material to terrorists and other risks would make us all safer. The most promising prospect for tackling these challenges is to put our countries economic relationship back on steady footing. The tenor of the relationship gets set at the top, so its time for Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping to work out their current trade disputes within a framework that prioritizes cooperation. I have been married to a man for almost 40 years. Hes a good man, but hes not my soul mate. I have wanted to leave him several times. I never did, for the usual reasons: kids, economics, laziness, fear of the unknown. We went on, the kids grew up, and we just settled in. About six years ago, he was diagnosed with dementia. In October 2018, he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. I thought I knew everything about this man but he has surprised me and, moreover, given me a lesson in love. He used to be full of anxieties and anger. Now he has distilled himself down to pure love. Its who he is and how his days go. He tells us how much he loves us, he tells people hes supposed to know but has forgotten how much he loves them. Its not just words, its action; in his eyes, his face, his gestures. He lights up at your presence; he kisses your hand; he tells you how wonderful you look. He dispenses love from a bottomless well. There is no filter, no bargaining for affection. And I stand here, in awe. Mary Carroll, Copake, N.Y. A flicker of hope after a bright light goes out We lost our 6-year old daughter, Nina, to cancer last year. She was funny, bright, and the kindest soul I have ever known. My own life has seemed to stretch out endlessly and pointlessly in front of me while my radiant child lies buried in the ground. To give our 12-year old son a buddy, my husband and I agreed to bring home a puppy in the new year, a ridiculously fluffy, boisterous little Havanese. And suddenly we find that we are all breathing a little easier, smiling at the thought of this energetic new life entering ours. The tiniest flicker of hope is here again. Usha Rao, Philadelphia A return to midwifery I had been serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda through a program that was attached to the Corps. Funding for the program was cut when the Trump administration took over. I am 73 and I know that for three years I made a profound difference. I want to return to my students there in the midwifery program. The work has just begun. Cherie Clark, Broomfield, Colo. Fair and affordable health care My hope for 2019 is that all U.S. citizens will have fair and affordable access to health care services. I worked as an R.N. case manager for years, both on the insurance side and hospital side. Maybe people dont realize the burdens of pre-existing conditions, health care services caps or young people not being able to get insurance. I hope for legislators who see the need to take care of their citizens, and that this country will have the stamina, concern and willpower to provide health care to all. Georgia Stapleton, Shawano, Wis. Moderate weather My hope for 2019 is a return to the bad weather of the good old days, when California was wetter, Texas was dryer and hurricanes were just destructive, not biblical. My hope is that sky rivers revert to rainstorms that simply ruined graduations and picnics, and that snowstorms become a reason to drink hot chocolate under warm blankets again. Bad weather used to be an inconvenience that gave us welcome pauses from routine and bloated schedules. Nature is now a raging, unrelenting, unpredictable force, unsettling and sometimes downright scary. We are at its mercy and there is no help coming. John White, Newport News, Va. Since 1851, obituaries in The New York Times have been dominated by white men. With Overlooked, were adding the stories of remarkable people whose deaths went unreported in The Times. When most scientists were trying to make people use code to talk to computers, Karen Sparck Jones taught computers to understand human language instead. In so doing, her technology established the basis of search engines like Google. A self-taught programmer with a focus on natural language processing, and an advocate for women in the field, Sparck Jones also foreshadowed by decades Silicon Valleys current reckoning, warning about the risks of technology being led by computer scientists who were not attuned to its social implications. A lot of the stuff she was working on until five or 10 years ago seemed like mad nonsense, and now we take it for granted, said John Tait, a longtime friend who works with the British Computer Society. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] A former police commander was acquitted of federal corruption charges on Wednesday after a seven-week trial in which prosecutors contended he had done favors for two businessmen in return for lavish gifts, including a junket to Las Vegas with a prostitute. The jury in Federal District Court in Manhattan found James Grant, who was a deputy inspector in the New York Police Department, not guilty on all charges. Still, jurors decided to convict one of the businessmen, Jeremy Reichberg, on several bribery and conspiracy charges involving other police officials. The jury found Mr. Reichberg not guilty on one count that he had paid bribes to Mr. Grant. After the verdict, Mr. Grant turned to Mr. Reichberg and quietly said: Youre going to be O.K. The case had cast a shadow over the Police Department and had even tarnished the image of the mayor, Bill de Blasio, though he was not accused of wrongdoing. Girl sounds like a film that transgender moviegoers might rally around. It depicts a teenage trans girl, Lara, raised by a single father who supports not only her dreams of becoming a ballerina but also her gender confirmation surgery. Its set in Belgium, so much of Laras health care is paid for and her doctor and therapist are encouraging caregivers. And its a prize winner that is up for a best foreign-language Golden Globe on Sunday. Yet Girl, which has been picked up by Netflix, faces a firestorm, one that pits the director, Lukas Dhont; the trans woman who inspired it, the dancer Nora Monsecour; and the films supporters against trans activists and others who consider its scrutiny of a trans characters body so dangerous that they urge no one to see it. Stuck somewhere in the heated debate are those who say that shunning Girl risks turning off cisgender viewers who might benefit from seeing a young trans character whos as likable as she is complicated. (Cisgender is a term describing someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.) Not long ago, when trans people showed up in movies, if at all, they were victims or predators. As advocates demanded increased visibility, shows like Pose made waves with more truthful depictions written and portrayed by trans performers. Problems persist, for sure. But the days seem to be gone when a movie like Dressed to Kill assumed trans women were psychos in skirts. Girl asks a provocative question: Have we gotten to a place where a film can explore dark aspects of an individual trans character without feeling regressive? No one should have the burden of representing a class of people in a film; real people are complicated. But what happens when a movie is both art and a trigger? The movie had a dead cat problem. As the director Marielle Heller prepared to shoot Can You Ever Forgive Me?, a biopic about the literary forger Lee Israel, she knew that she would need a highly realistic prop to pull off the pivotal scene where Israel finds her beloved pet cat, Jersey, dead. Heller wanted a dead cat with heft. She wanted an inanimate object that her star, Melissa McCarthy, could act against. I was really intense about it, Heller said over the phone recently. We discussed strategy a number of times. So important was the dead cat that Heller sought to secure it even before casting the films real live Jersey. Shed just find a feline that looked like her wonderful prop. How much difference could the real one make, anyway? On her first film, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, she had saved money by tossing her own cat, Willie, in front of the camera. So when the movies animal trainer promised to bring in what she called her highest-performing cat, Heller wasnt sure what that could mean. That it wasnt going to pee everywhere? The cats name was Towne. He was a lanky black and white guy with green eyes and a petal pink nose, and to everyones surprise, he was amazing . Yes, he followed directions hitting his marks with the help of a trainer equipped with a clicker and a laser pointer but he also seemed to do something more. Towne had a very expressive face, Heller said. There is a moment in the film where he gazes toward McCarthy sort of sympathetically, and also judgmentally, and you feel all of that, she added. Heller ended up commissioning a prop modeled after Towne that cost thousands of dollars the most expensive one for the production. Instead, they adapted the facade of a house across the street for the exterior scenes on Tepeji Street. They adapted a second location for the rooftop shots. And for the patio and interior views, they took another house, which was slated for demolition, and essentially remodeled it to replicate Cuarons family home, with attention paid to the smallest details: They hired an artisan to make reproductions of the original tiles, using techniques from the early 20th century. I asked Cuaron why he had been so obsessive in recreating every last detail of even his house, when very few people would have known the difference. He replied flatly: I would know. Mexico City, he said, is a place in constant tension between what it is and what it was. For me, its a place filled with past, he said wistfully. A cleaning woman was sweeping the street and sidewalk in front of the house next to his childhood home, the bristles of her broom scraping the concrete. Thats another sound, Cuaron said excitedly. We have it in the film. Then the woman took a pail of water and started splashing the sidewalk and the facade of the house. That sound! he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. The film opens with Cleo scrubbing the familys driveway using water and a broom, and Cuaron seemed pleased perhaps even reassured by this intersection of life imitating art imitating life. For all that had changed, there were at least some things that remained as he remembered them. Over the past 15 years, the association of moral clarity with a bellicose approach to overseas affairs has faded only slightly. Rarely does international politics present a moment of such moral clarity, Charles Krauthammer wrote in The Washington Post in 2014 defending what others perceived, no less clearly, as an Israeli war of collective punishment that killed more than 2,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly civilians. (Moral clarity has been a euphemism in constant use through this conflict, as in Alan Dershowitzs book The Case for Moral Clarity: Israel, Hamas and Gaza.) After the death of John McCain, a fierce advocate for any and all wars, the senator was praised for his voice of moral clarity by Jennifer Rubin, another conservative columnist at The Post. Rubin contrasted McCains enthusiasm for doing the right thing overseas with the Trump administrations indifference to human rights, but President Trump himself was no stranger to the discourse of clarity regarding Muslims. Anyone who cannot name our enemy is not fit to lead this country, he said during a 2016 campaign speech, adding that anyone who cannot condemn the hatred, oppression and violence of radical Islam lacks the moral clarity to serve as our president. There seemed to be an opening, after Barack Obamas election, for moral clarity to become a liberal watchword. Perhaps the philosopher Susan Neiman, whose 2008 book Moral Clarity: A Guide for Grown-Up Idealists argued for a liberal re-embrace of such language, could have served as its Bennett. Yet by 2011, it had become clear that, regarding foreign policy and economics, the Obama White House would lean instead toward pragmatism and accommodation, not the stubborn force of moral commitment. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs congressional bid was preceded by a decade in which many youthful nonreactionaries despaired of democratic institutions ability to deliver any kind of systemic change and chafed at the obtuse contempt with which older, more established liberals frequently reacted to demands for bolder action. Its only natural that, having been chosen to replace one such established Democrat, Ocasio-Cortez would argue that moral clarity was not the province of radicals or dreamy idealists, but exactly the kind of principled action her constituents had voted for. The weapon of clarity works differently depending on whos wielding it: It tends to be a blessing for insurgent underdogs and a curse for domineering overlords. For those already in power, clarity can be as tragically easy to obtain as the vanity it often resembles a combination of narcissism and hubris thats liable to produce calamitous outcomes. In politics, as in all things, it should be possible to match decisive action with intelligent consideration. Clarity achieves only the first of those two; left to its own devices, taken as a virtue in itself, it tends to generate more problems than it solves. Strategic vision requires something more than narrow intensity. It develops by admitting its limits and working to understand the enemy at a high resolution the kind that only humble relativity can access. Near the end of Moby-Dick, Ahab furiously addresses the clear spirit of clear fire, whom on these seas I as Persian once did worship. If any character in literature is an avatar of moral clarity, its Melvilles maniacal captain, who defies all omens of disaster and single-mindedly pursues revenge upon the being he has named his evil enemy. Such clarity gets him, and all but one of his crew members, killed. With such lessons in mind, its hard to read the recent Foreign Affairs essay by the latest secretary of state, Mike Pompeo in which he presses for regime change in Iran and worshipfully references the power of moral clarity without suppressing a certain shiver. These photographs provided much-needed detail and context for a community all too often defined by stereotypes: the exotic tourist mecca replete with golden dragons and inexpensive restaurants; the booming business district, crowded with shopkeepers hawking ethnic foods, gaudy trinkets and mysterious potions; or the lurid, opium-fueled world of Chinatown Nights, a 1929 gangster film directed by William A. Wellman about a white socialite caught up in San Franciscos Chinese underworld. Beginning in the late-19th century, a series of federal laws built on stereotypes, anxieties about white racial purity, and the fear of lost jobs greatly restricted Chinese immigration to the United States. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, for example, was the first to bar a group on the basis of nationality or race. It placed draconian restrictions on prospective immigrants, including the exclusion of the wives and children of Chinese laborers already living in the country. But the easing of immigration laws and quotas in the 1950s and 1960s precipitated an upsurge in Chinese settlement in the United States, dynamically altering Chinatowns demographics, physical character and geography. Shops and small business were established, shuttered and reborn. Old buildings were demolished and replaced. The neighborhoods boundaries expanded beyond its historical core streets. And Chinese communities arose and flourished in other parts of the city. All communities change, wrote Mr. Glick. However, looking at it now, the incredibly rapid growth and change distinguishes Chinatown from many other communities. What felt big at the time now seems small. Chinatown has expanded tremendously. It seems qualitatively different now. Todays Chinatown is a dynamic community created by a new generation of immigrants. Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter. JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. The children fell ill, one by one, with cancers that few families in this suburban Indianapolis community had ever heard of. An avid swimmer struck down by glioblastoma, which grew a tumor in her brain. Four children with Ewings sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Fifteen children with acute lymphocytic leukemia, including three cases diagnosed in the past year. At first, families put the illnesses down to misfortune. But as cases mounted, parents started to ask: Could it be something in the air or water? Their questions led them to an old industrial site in Franklin, the Johnson County seat, that the federal government had ordered cleaned up decades ago. Recent tests have identified a carcinogenic plume spreading underground, releasing vapors into homes. North Korean leader issues warning to the U.S. Kim Jong-un said on Tuesday that he was willing to hold a second summit meeting with President Trump, but he added that if international sanctions werent lifted, the North would have no choice but to return to nuclear confrontation. We will not make nuclear weapons and we will not proliferate nuclear weapons, Mr. Kim said. But he added that it wont be good if the U.S. didnt make corresponding measures. Details: Progress between the U.S. and North Korea hinges on the definition of denuclearization. For the U.S., that means the North giving up its entire arsenal. For North Korea, it also includes a reciprocal pullback of Americas ability to threaten the country with nuclear weapons. Analysis: Mr. Kim has essentially returned to where things stood when Mr. Trump took office, indicating that their meeting in Singapore in June altered the optics of their relationship more than the reality, writes our national security correspondent. THE WAR BEFORE THE WAR Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for Americas Soul From the Revolution to the Civil War By Andrew Delbanco Illustrated. 453 pp. Penguin Press. $30. The Civil War began over one basic issue: Was slavery, the ownership of human beings, a legitimate national institution, fixed in national law by the United States Constitution? One half of the country said it was, the other said it was not. The ensuing conflict was the chief instigator of Southern secession, as the secessionists themselves proclaimed. It was thus the chief source of the war that led to slaverys abolition in the United States. The struggle over property in slaves focused largely on the fate of the Western territories, but it also inflamed conflicts over the status of fugitive slaves. Pro-slavery Southerners insisted that the federal government was obliged to capture slaves who had escaped to free states and return them to their masters, and thus vindicate the masters absolute property rights in humans. Antislavery Northerners, denying that obligation and those supposed rights, saw the fugitives as heroic refugees from bondage, and resisted federal interference fiercely and sometimes violently. Even more than the fights over the territories, Andrew Delbanco asserts in The War Before the War, the dispute over fugitive slaves launched the final acceleration of sectional estrangement. Delbanco, an eminent and prolific scholar of American literature, is well suited to recounting this history, and not just because fugitive slaves have been a subject of American fiction from Harriet Beecher Stowe to Toni Morrison and beyond. A traditional critic in the historicist mode, Delbanco has always thoughtfully rendered the contexts in which his writers wrote. He has offered fresh interpretations not only of how national politics shaped the writing of, say, Moby-Dick, but also of what Melvilles tragic awareness and moral ambiguities tell us about the temper of a nation hurtling toward civil war. Whitman, Emerson, Thoreau and Hawthorne, as well as Melville, Stowe and numerous lesser artists and thinkers of the time, all had pertinent if sometimes cursory and not always pleasing things to say about fugitive slaves. Delbancos incisive analyses of their observations and, just as important, of their failure to observe form one of his books running themes. The second season of grown-ish debuts on Freeform. And the acclaimed sophomore season of Atlanta is now available to stream on Hulu. Whats on TV GROWN-ISH 8 p.m. on Freeform. When this spinoff of Kenya Barriss black-ish debuted at the beginning of last year, James Poniewozik wrote in his review for The New York Times that the series which follows Yara Shahidis character, Zoey, as she goes off to college just needs a semester or two away from home. The spinoff, like its lead character, was still finding its own voice, a coarser one than its parent program thanks to being on cable and about college students. Zoey returns to school for her sophomore year in the shows second season, which debuts with two new episodes Wednesday night. In the new season, Zoey moves into an off-campus apartment, rekindles a romance and navigates a social sphere defined by hashtags and status updates. MYTHBUSTERS JR. 9 p.m. on Science Channel. Adam Savages rise to fame was marked by explosions. As the bubblier half of the hosting team behind Mythbusters, Savage has been seen testing such questions as whether a bullet fired through a plane window can cause explosive decompression and whether using a cellphone at a gas station can cause a caller to go up in flames. He returns in this spinoff series, which features Savage alongside a panel of children working to test the veracity of yet more myths. This edition of the Carnegie International, organized by Ingrid Schaffner, includes 32 artists and artist collectives and very few unfamiliar names. The upside of this approach is that many of the artists here are midcareer and know, from experience, how to operate within the potentially homogenizing context of a large exhibition and create exceptional displays. Several here are outstanding, activating the Carnegie Museum of Arts collection and making you think differently about art history. On the outside of the museum, El Anatsui, the Ghanaian sculptor who has become one of the most imitated artists in Africa, has draped the upper facade of the entrance with a work made from his signature found bottle caps and printing plates sourced from a Pittsburgh printing press. The work treats the museum like a kind of body to be dressed with a garment. Inside the galleries, Ulrike Muller and Sarah Crowner use bright tiles, enamel, weaving and canvases sewn together to test the line between art and craft. Nearby, a terrific presentation of portraits by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye with cryptic titles suggests painting as a portal into the everyday lives of her characters, while Dayanita Singhs installation with lush silver gelatin images bundled in cloth in India questions how history in the form of images is archived and stored. The boundary between furniture and sculpture is playfully transgressed in Jessi Reavess fantastic full-room installation, where art and design blend. Youre encouraged to sit on the sculpture-furniture. If you make the pilgrimage out to Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wrights cabin masterpiece designed for the family of Edgar J. Kaufmann, you can see Ms. Reavess sculpture on the terrace, made during a residency there: a lanky homemade shelving unit with an iridescent burgundy zip-on mantle that looks like a sadomasochistic vampires cape. Back in the museum, Josiah McElheny, working with the curators John Corbett and Jim Dempsey, shows his MacArthur-award mettle with an expertly researched display. Curious musical instruments and documents relate to maverick composers like Harry Partch, Pauline Oliveros and Lucia Dlugoszewski, who created sculptural wooden instruments that are one of the standouts of the installation. Mr. Xis offer of dialogue appeared unlikely to win over Taiwanese wary of the idea that they could retain autonomy under Chinas principle of one country, two systems, Yun Sun, a researcher on Chinese policy at the Stimson Center in Washington, said by email after the speech. Xi is correct in that differences in political systems are the root of the problem, Ms. Sun said. But one country, two systems is unlikely to be the answer the Taiwanese people embrace. Mr. Xis speech was a sharp reminder that, even amid many other external disputes, Chinese leaders remain preoccupied with Taiwan, especially their concern that the island could defy their demands and embrace formal independence. China is Taiwans biggest trade partner, taking over 30 percent of its exports. Many Taiwanese, though, bridle at Beijing using its growing influence to isolate them from international participation, and to press them toward eventually accepting Chinese sovereignty over the island. Since coming to power in late 2012, Mr. Xi has warned Taiwan against any shift toward independence and repeatedly met with Taiwanese politicians from the Kuomintang, the party that ruled China before the Communist Party and that now favors closer ties with Beijing. But Mr. Xis address was his first major speech as president devoted to Taiwan, said Bonnie S. Glaser, an expert on Chinese foreign policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. My initial impression is that the speech is a reaffirmation of current policy, Ms. Glaser said. She also noted that despite Mr. Xis renewed call for unification, he did not set a deadline. It is notable that there is no mention of a timetable or deadline for reunification it is just a goal, she said. Mr. Xi indicated that Chinas multipronged pressure on Taiwan is likely to persist after Ms. Tsais Democratic Progressive Party, which is wary of moving closer to China, suffered stinging setbacks in local Taiwanese elections in November. The opposition Kuomintang won mayoralties in Taiwans three most populous cities, prompting Ms. Tsai to resign as leader of the Democratic Progressive Party, though she remains Taiwans president. Pritzker, a businessman, may look at these facts on the ground and wonder why Illinois higher ed thinks it deserves a 16.6 percent raise. We scoured the IBHEs news release and found a familiar ratio: lots of words about more taxpayer investment (sorry) and not one word about a sweeping restructuring of Illinois higher ed to develop and market unique academic specialties beyond each schools general education offerings: You want biomedical engineering? Every school offers the basics, but these two universities offer advanced, national-class programs. Nearly two years into his presidency and more than six months after his historic summit meeting with Kim Jong-un of North Korea, President Trump finds himself essentially back where he was at the beginning in achieving the ambitious goal of getting Mr. Kim to relinquish his nuclear arsenal. That was the essential message of Mr. Kims annual New Years televised speech, where he reiterated that international sanctions must be lifted before North Korea will give up a single weapon, dismantle a single missile site or stop producing nuclear material. The list of recent North Korean demands was a clear indicator of how the summit meeting in Singapore last June altered the optics of the relationship more than the reality. Those demands were very familiar from past confrontations: that all joint military training between the United States and South Korea be stopped, that American nuclear and military capability within easy reach of the North be withdrawn, and that a peace treaty ending the Korean War be completed. Its fair to say that not much has changed, although we now have more clarity regarding North Koreas bottom line, Evans J.R. Revere, a veteran American diplomat and former president of the Korea Society, wrote in an email. American border officers sent tear gas into Mexico early Tuesday to drive away about 150 migrants trying to cross the border into the United States, the authorities said. In a statement, the Customs and Border Protection agency said that the migrants tried to climb over and crawl under the border fence near San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico the same area where American officers fired tear gas across the border late last year and where Mexico is struggling to handle thousands of migrants who have fled violence and poverty in Central America. Early Tuesday, as migrants gathered at the border fence there, several teenagers with heavy jackets, blankets and rubber mats tried to cross or cover concertina wire at the barrier. Others began throwing rocks over the fence at the American officers, according to the statement. RIO DE JANEIRO Just over four months ago, Jair Bolsonaro was fighting for his life after being stabbed in the gut during a presidential campaign rally. On Tuesday, after a quick recovery and an unlikely victory, he was sworn in as Brazils president, steering Latin Americas largest nation far to the right in a political shift that was evident even during his inauguration. As he addressed a crowd from the presidential palace amid unusually tight security that underscored his worry about a new assassination attempt, Mr. Bolsonaro waved a Brazilian flag and proclaimed that on that day, Brazilians were being freed from socialism. The countrys flag would never be red again, he said, alluding to the rival Workers Party as he stood next to his wife and Vice President Hamilton Mourao, even if it takes our blood to keep it green and yellow. The Workers Party, which had won the last four presidential elections, was crushed in the October vote after the country slipped into recession, violence soared and corruption scandals tarred much of the elite. It boycotted the swearing-in ceremony, reflecting the lingering bitterness of a presidential race that polarized Brazilians like none other in recent history. Mitt Romney, the incoming senator from Utah and former Republican presidential nominee, revived his rivalry with President Trump on Tuesday with an op-ed essay in The Washington Post in which he said Mr. Trump has not risen to the mantle of the office. Days before joining a Republican-controlled Senate, and as the 2020 presidential race begins to take form, Mr. Romney issued a pointed critique of the presidents character. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable, he wrote ahead of his swearing-in on Thursday. And it is in this province where the incumbents shortfall has been most glaring. [After the essay, Mitt Romney faced counterattacks from the presidents allies. Read more here.] The timing and tone of the piece set off widespread speculation online, with some suggesting that Mr. Romney aimed to position himself as the new Jeff Flake, the departing Republican senator from Arizona who publicly tangled with Mr. Trump. The president has given Democrats a great opportunity to show how we will govern responsibly & quickly pass our plan to end the irresponsible #TrumpShutdown, she said, just the first sign of things to come. Democrats also intend to use their first months in the majority to push for a bipartisan infrastructure bill and legislation to lower prescription drug costs, issues that they believe will have bipartisan appeal. The Democrats plan to pass two bills on Thursday. The first includes six bipartisan spending measures that would fully fund agencies like the Interior Department and the Internal Revenue Service through the end of the fiscal year in September. The second would fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 8, with $1.3 billion for fencing but no money for a wall on the Mexican border. With the plan facing a shaky future in the Senate and an intransigent president, some rank-and-file lawmakers in both parties are suggesting that a deal to revamp the nations immigration laws, pairing border security and protections for some undocumented immigrants, may be the way out of the stalemate. How about comprehensive immigration reform? Representative Debbie Dingell, Democrat of Michigan, said on CNN on Tuesday, when asked how Democrats intend to compromise with Mr. Trump. One of Mr. Trumps closest allies, Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, has revived his long-stalled immigration proposal to marry $5 billion for the wall with immigration law changes that might appeal to Democrats, including three-year renewable work permits for young undocumented immigrants brought to the country as children, known as Dreamers. Mr. Trump has raised the prospects of broader talks on Twitter. We will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely if the Obstructionist Democrats do not give us the money to finish the Wall & also change the ridiculous immigration laws that our Country is saddled with, he said last week. Hard to believe there was a Congress & President who would approve! Im working for my family, and Im working for Jesus. So if I have $5, two for us and three for others. ANTONY FERNANDEZ, an asylum seeker who fled India after a religiously motivated attack, on his salary as a dishwasher and his familys approach to charity. The family received a laptop from Catholic Charities, an organization that receives support from The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund. In it, she argued that parents play less of a role than they think they do in shaping their children. Many of the questions that frazzle new parents and guilt-trip mothers, such as whether the child will be damaged if sent to day care while the mother works outside the home, are essentially meaningless, Ms. Harris suggested, because being in day care or having the mother at home is less important than the childs genes and social group. Her central insight, which she said came to her while reading a psychology paper in 1994, was that adolescents are not trying to be like adults, they are trying to be like other adolescents. If teenagers wanted to be like adults they wouldnt be shoplifting nail polish from drugstores or hanging off overpasses to spray I LOVE YOU LIA on the arch, she wrote. If they really aspired to mature status they would be doing boring adult things like sorting the laundry and figuring out their income taxes. Teenagers arent trying to be like adults: they are trying to distinguish themselves from adults! It was her work as a textbook writer that gave her the broad perspective across disciplines to develop her thesis. Because she was not affiliated with a university, she was in no position to undertake large studies herself. But she was deeply familiar with the literature. And she was so damn smart, Steven Pinker, the Harvard psychologist and author who has championed Ms. Harriss work, said in a phone interview. Her gift was she could understand the technical aspects of behavioral genetics and at the same time was a psychologist and a very sharp observer of human behavior. WEDNESDAY PUZZLE As the mother of two nearly grown human beings, I had a vested interest in making sure that, when they went out into the world to break bread with other human beings, no words like rude or even completely feral would be bandied about. Were not exactly a multiple fork household even under the fanciest of circumstances, but Im proud to say that no one in my immediate family has ever been asked to leave a restaurant. Its the little victories that count. So I was happy to see that these lessons are still being taught to younger generations, at least as far as I could see in the clues of Jacob Stulbergs puzzle. Or so I thought. A theme can zig when you think its going to zag. Sometimes you can even come to a fork in the road, like this one. Image A literal fork in the road. Credit... Deb Amlen This really happened. I was crossing Eighth Avenue on my way to the office, and stepped over this utensil in the street. It was tempting to just keep going, but then I thought, what kind of reporter of wordplay would I be if I didnt capture this living idiom and bring it to the column to show you? So I walked back out into the middle of a busy New York City avenue, with absolutely no regard for my own safety, and snapped a cellphone shot of it. This is the kind of thing I do for my job. Because I care. Also in December, the Federal District Court in Atlanta rejected an effort by Jun Ying, the former chief information officer at Equifax, to dismiss insider trading charges. Mr. Ying exercised all of his vested stock options and sold nearly $1 million in shares a little more than a week before the company disclosed the hack of its database in September 2017, according to the S.E.C. He argued that the government had not shown that he had used confidential information about the hack when he sold the shares. The question of how the government can show a defendant used inside information, even if it can prove the person knew it, can be difficult. In this case, prosecutors are relying on internet searches Mr. Ying conducted into the effect of hacks on other credit reporting companies, like Experian, and the timing of the trades to show that he must have based the trading decision on the inside information he gathered about the hacking at Equifax and not a more benign reason. By selling the shares when he did, the defendant gained $480,000. Thats something a jury is likely to view suspiciously. The stock dropped over 15 percent after news of the data breach was made public. The government often portrays insider trading as motivated by greed, and the opportunity to make money can prove irresistible when the only real victim of the violation is the faceless securities market. The lure of easy profits is apparent in civil charges filed by the S.E.C. against Rajeshwar R. Gannamaneni and his wife and father for trading ahead of 40 deals over four years. Mr. Gannamaneni was an information technology contractor for an investment bank in Singapore, and the three defendants are accused of making almost $600,000 from their trading. Hiding insider trading can be difficult if a person makes outsize profits, which will quickly draw the attention of the stock and options exchanges. But if one can keep the trading profits small, there is a chance that it might fly under the radar, at least for a time. The problem with this approach is that making a little bit of money is not nearly as satisfying as making a lot, so greed starts to take over. The charges against Mr. Gannamaneni and the other two defendants show that they started small, usually making a profit of less than $10,000, and once only $78. But by 2015 and 2016, their profit on trades was as high as $55,000. That is sure to draw the interest of the S.E.C.s market surveillance office, which looks for patterns of successful trading. The lesson from Mr. Gannamanenis case is that confidential information exerts a powerful pull to make more and more easy money, which means that one is much more likely to get caught. So if you think the government will not notice your well-timed trades, increasing your profit means there is a much higher chance that you will be discovered. The Iranian nuclear issue has become the main pillar of the regimes legitimacy, said Mustafa el-Labbad, an Iran expert in Cairo. So Ahmadinejad is putting it in the center of the scene in order to conceal the internal differences and huge domestic challenges they face. It is not at all clear how much uranium has been enriched or whether Iran has the capacity to transform that into either weapons-grade fuel or even into the fuel rods necessary for running the medical research reactor it says it aims to supply. The Obama administration dismissed the idea that Iran had the capacity to enrich uranium to weapons grade. The White House press secretary, Robert Gibbs, said, Iran has made a series of statements that were based on politics, not on physics, The Associated Press reported. Mr. Ahmadinejads speech, delivered from a platform decorated with flowers, was heard by a largely sympathetic crowd that had been bused in from around the country to celebrate the most important political celebration of the year. The day is similar to the Fourth of July in the United States or Bastille Day in France, and like those holidays it is steeped in myth and symbolism. Both the opposition and the government hoped to control the message of the day. The opposition leaders, Mir Hussein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi, had called on their supporters to fill the streets, though they had not offered a clear plan. The government provided little room for the opposition to gain traction. It sent thousands of security officers into Azadi Square the night before to intimidate the opposition and, if necessary, block it from participating. Those who attended the rally disappeared in a sea of government supporters. But when The Hill opened the new year with a rundown titled The Top Ten Democrats for 2020, holding down the No. 1 spot was someone no one had heard of two years ago and whose claim to fame is not losing by much to an unappealing opponent in a blue year Beto ORourke. Betting on him is the equivalent of investing in a tech startup, with a slim shot at a bonanza and a good chance of a complete bust. It was Schwab who, in 2016, launched the idea of the fourth industrial revolution by making it the subject of the forum that year and writing a book on it. The 4IR is the concept that all of science and technology from biology to nanotechnology, from quantum computing to artificial intelligence are coming together with stunning and, at times, frightening visions of the future. A 3D printer may be making a body part while a robot is helping treat Ebola in Africa. New metals are being formulated for specific needs without human input, and farms are operating with few farmers. In that way, with all science melding and communicating, the fourth industrial revolution may have consequences far beyond the previous three: first, mechanical power from water and steam; then electrical power for manufacturing; and followed by computing power and communications. Now, in the age of the Internet of Things, unity of things from artificial intelligence to advanced medicine. Seventeen new oil and natural gas pipelines came on line in 2018, but the country still needs additional energy infrastructure to meet growing energy needs. The question is which types. Energy infrastructure is a broad term, encompassing not only oil and natural gas pipelines, but also power plants, transmission lines, and the other parts of what is generally termed "the grid." As currently designed, the grid has been successful in getting the U.S. even in its most rural areas electrified. Now the challenge is integrating intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, and also trying to better secure the grid against attacks from cyber criminals and foreign adversaries. According to the Energy Information Administration, domestic crude production is expected to average 10.9 million barrels per day in 2018. By next year, this average is predicted to be 12.1 million b/d, while the same agency predicts that "both the level and volume growth of natural gas production" will continue to rise in 2019 after setting new records this year. Getting this oil to market will require a continued expansion of pipeline infrastructure. The situation in Canada, where oil producers are facing three-month waits to ship their product is a clear sign to American businesses about the importance of continuing to expand the pipeline networks. General Motors ignited a firestorm of criticism when it recently announced it will shut down its massive Detroit-Hamtramck factory along with other plants in Ohio, Maryland and Michigan and lay off 14,000 workers across North America. President Donald Trump decried the loss of jobs and called for penalties against GM. Politicians obsession over jobs shows we still havent learned the hard lessons suffered by the residents of Poletown, the neighborhood that was bulldozed for the Detroit-Hamtramck plant in the early 1980s. Supporting economic growth doesnt justify abusing government power. Poletown, named for its original Polish immigrant residents in the late 1800s, was a multi-ethnic, working-class Detroit neighborhood. It was a close-knit community where many people lived and worked their entire lives where ethnic restaurants still sold traditional Polish cuisine on its main street. But that all changed when General Motors decided it needed the land to build a Cadillac factory. To take effect, the ordinance must be voted on at the Jan. 10 meeting of the new Town Council. In addition to Tanis and Cinko, the new Dyer Town Council will include Democrats Steve Kramer and Eric Schultz. Lareau, who was elected St. John Township trustee in the November election, will be replaced by Alan Brooks, selected by the GOP caucus on Dec. 20. The two boards have been having joint meetings since summer and have been getting orientated to each others responsibilities, Town Manager Tom DeGiulio said. The combined board will make unified recommendations on any adjustments to water or sanitary rates. Jeff Zendzian told the council there is some jargon that each board needed to learn about the others roles, but that meeting collectively seemed to be working. Jachim also responded to questions from the council before the vote took place. A lot of work happens at the staff level (and) will be less of a burden on the boards when they meet collectively, he said. It will help developers to go to a single meeting (instead of two). However, Jachim said, having more individuals involved in the boards would present different views. In other business, the town honored outgoing council President Jeff Dekker and Councilwoman Debbie Astor with proclamations for their years of service. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 To upgrade to REAL-ID, all customers must visit a BMV branch and bring the required documents. Only original versions or certified copies of the required documents will be accepted. REAL-ID-compliant licenses and ID cards look the same as previous cards except they have a circle with a star in the top right corner of the credential, while non-compliant licenses and ID cards display federal limits apply on the face of the card. "We're working to get the message out there so people know what to do," Meyer said. Thompson went to the Crown Point BMV office armed with what she thought was the necessary paperwork. She had her birth certificate, Security Security card and two documents proving her residency, all neatly placed inside a manila folder. What she didn't have was a copy of her marriage certificate, issued in 1960 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She could not be issued her REAL-ID when she visited the BMV. Although frustrated and a little stressed by the experience, Thompson was undeterred. Meyer said proving a name change, such as what was experienced by Thompson, is one of the the biggest issues when obtaining the REAL-ID. "It causes the most questions," Meyer said. Substance Abuse Help for Families and Friends will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Counselor Ronald Williams and local author Elvis Slaughter visit the Hammond Public Library to provide resources to individuals and families to promote recovery from substance abuse. Cupcake Decorating 101 with Creativebug is offered at 2 p.m. Jan. 26. Hammond Public Library cardholders now have access to Creativebug, an online resource from JoAnn Fabric with more than 1,000 art and craft video classes taught by recognized experts and artists. Crafters, makers and DIY-ers have unlimited screen time to learn new skills and find projects for every occasion. Learning How to Use Ancestry Library Edition is at 1 p.m. Jan. 26. Amanda Aguilera, of the Hammond Public Library's Suzanne G. Long Local History Room, shows you how to trace your family history with this free online resource. The Hammond Public Library's African American Literature Book Club discusses "Behold the Dreamers" by Imbolo Mbue at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31. At the final board meeting of 2018, on Nov. 26, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana celebrated the service of several board members whose terms ended in December, as well as elected new officers to lead the organization in 2019. Ryan Smiley, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, thanked individuals for their board service: Bonnie Coleman of Hodges & Davis, Jeff Leetz of Indiana Beverage, Leslie Plesac of Purdue University Northwest, Michael Saks of The Performance Companies, Chareice White of Reice Communications and Jeffrey Wolf of Shive-Hattery Inc. The combined service of outgoing board members totaled more than 90 years of dedication toward the youth of Northwest Indiana. Smiley also thanked each board member for their part in merging two strong Club organizations into the new entity of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana at the beginning of the year. In addition, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana Board of Directors elected new officers to serve a one-year term. The 2019 slate of officers includes Chris Campbell of Centier Bank as board chair; Tanya Leetz of Peoples Bank as first vice chair; Michael Simpson of M.E. Simpson Company Inc. as second vice chair; Roosevelt Haywood III of Haywood and Fleming Associates as secretary; Rene Martin of First Merchants Bank as Treasurer; Chris White of The Times Media Co. as immediate past chair. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 0 INDIANAPOLIS Two new state representatives serving Northwest Indiana will propose significant changes to life, business and government in the Hoosier State when the General Assembly convenes Thursday for its four-month session. State Rep. Carolyn Jackson, D-Hammond, and state Rep. Chris Chyung, D-Dyer, both recently said they were elected in November to shake things up at the Statehouse, and that is exactly what they intend to do despite the long odds against success for Democratic-sponsored legislation in the Republican-dominated chamber. "When I first decided to run for this seat, I made it clear that I would use my position in state government to improve the lives of those who sacrifice the most, yet often get the least amount of help from government," Jackson said. To that end, Jackson is preparing to file measures that would boost Indiana's minimum wage, require pay equity for men and women employed in identical positions, increase pre-kindergarten funding and improve social service programs for youth, seniors and veterans. "I am of the belief that families should be our priority in every major piece of legislation that we face in the next session," Jackson said. VALPARAISO Jessica Bailey has what could be the biggest task of any of the incoming elected officials in Porter County: Repair whatever caused all votes from the Nov. 6 election not to be counted for several days. Bailey, a Democrat, was sworn in Tuesday as Porter County clerk by Porter Superior Court 4 Judge David Chidester. "Its her job to fix everything thats been broken. What a job she has in front of her," Chidester told more than 50 onlookers in his courtroom before giving the oath of office to other newly elected officials. Bailey served on the Portage Township School Board and was director of marketing and community development for the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce prior to becoming clerk. She defeated Republican Jon Miller. Former clerk Karen Martin, a Republican, has caught much of the blame for 12 polling places opening late, a shortage of poll workers and mishandled ballots. Bailey described her feelings on taking over as both "exciting and nerve-wracking." She said her early analysis of the election has generated some ideas on what to do to prevent another Election Day disaster. GARY Police said Wednesday a New Year's Eve shooting that left a 22-year-old man dead appears to have been accidental. Kevonte Alfred, of Gary, died early Tuesday at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus after he was shot in the side inside a residence in the 700 block of Kentucky Street, officials said. Alfred's death marked the first homicide of 2019 in Gary, police Cmdr. Jack Hamady said. Police are investigating the case as a possible accidental shooting. A person of interest was taken into custody and later released pending further investigation, he said. Other witnesses also were interviewed by detectives. Police have not ruled out seeking criminal charges. Detectives plan to present the case to the Lake County coroner's office for review, Hamady said. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to Detective Alex Jones at 219-755-3855. To remain anonymous, call 866-CRIME-GP. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. LEBANON, Ind. A Northwest Indiana man has been charged with felony neglect after police say a 3-year-old boy fatally shot his 4-year-old sister with the suspect's gun. Sixty-three-year-old Darrell Marberry, of East Chicago, was arrested last week and is being held in the Lake County Jail pending extradition to Boone County, northwest of Indianapolis. Lebanon police have said Izabella-Marie Helem was being cared for by her grandmother Nov. 29 when her brother found a handgun and shot the girl in the head. She died five days later . Police said Marberry left the handgun on the floor under a couch on the morning of the shooting. Marberry is the ex-husband of the grandmother and had been sleeping on the couch. Online court records don't list an attorney who can comment on Marberry's behalf. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WINCHESTER Standing in his apartment, Darryl Johnson Sr. points to a scar on his arm. It is the result of a heroin needle that broke when he Jonah Goldberg's new book, "Suicide of the West," is now available wherever books are sold. Email: goldbergcolumn@gmail.com AARP has doubled the number of local volunteers from five to 10 who will be offering free tax return preparation from Feb. 2 through April 13. The AARP volunteers will be available at the North Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., then again on Wednesday, Feb. 6, from noon to 3 p.m. and each Saturday and Wednesday through April 13. Many changes to the federal tax laws will have a significant impact on taxpayers, according to AARP. Taxpayers using the AARP service must read and complete an intake/interview booklet this year, which will be available at the North Platte Public Library today. We are asking if you plan to use our service, that you pick up a copy and complete it prior to arriving at the site to have your return completed, said Mike Cook, volunteer local coordinator. This will help in servicing as many taxpayers as possible. One of the changes in tax laws doubled the standard deduction for taxpayers, which in most cases will eliminate the need to itemize deductions. Now Garcia is backing civil engineer Tanya Patino in the race to unseat Burkes powerful brother, Ald. Edward Burke, 14th. Patino is among five candidates vying to defeat the 50-year incumbent, who represents a Latino-majority Southwest Side ward and is facing intense scrutiny amid FBI raids of his City Hall and ward offices. The attempt to defeat Dan Burke was seen as a test of the familys longtime hold of the 14th Ward ahead of his brothers City Council re-election efforts. Grassley needs to break with Trump An open letter to Sen. Charles Grassley: Your persistence at securing the federal criminal justice reform legislation has been commendable. Sadly, the federal law will have only limited impact without governors and state legislatures implementing similar reforms at the state level. More to the point, your successful efforts on this piece of legislation are overshadowed by your continued and inexplicable support of your president. I did not, nor did the majority of Americans, vote for this man. We had the good sense to see what the whole world now sees as the Trump reality. There is no question that this guy is corrupt, utterly incompetent and totally focused on using the presidency to secure his own financial and political advantages at the expense of the American people. His sloganeering of America First makes me want to throw up. Trump is the greatest threat to the security of our republic. That you continue to support this horrible human being, along with those of your Republican colleagues who have not denounced this presidency, make you and them complicit in every deplorable act that this guy perpetrates. Sen. Elizabeth Warren will visit Council Bluffs for an organizing event Friday night. Warren first announced Monday that she was launching an exploratory committee for president. In an email to supporters, Warren said she'd more formally announce a campaign plan early in 2019. The event is "one of the first events for her 2020 exploratory committee" and will be held Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Gathering Room, 1900 Madison Ave. The event was previously scheduled to be at McCoy's Bar Patio and Grill both are located at Thunderbowl. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the event beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is first come, first served and signing up does not guarantee entry, according to information posted in a Facebook event. Warren is the most prominent Democrat yet to make a move toward a presidential bid and has long been a favorite target of President Donald Trump. Warren will also visit Sioux City, Storm Lake and Des Moines this weekend. Longtime Council Bluffs businessman Joseph Joe Ranney Jr. died Dec. 24 in Omaha. He was 95. Ranneys son, Drew Ranney, said his father had moved to Omaha shortly after marrying his second wife, Shirley, in 2005. Born in Council Bluffs on Oct. 1, 1923, he graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1942 and entered Coe College that fall but was drafted into the Army in 1943. After completing infantry training at Camp Roberts, California, Ranney applied for pilot training and was transferred to Amarillo, Texas. He passed training tests for pilot, navigator and bombardiers and was sent to the College Training Detachment at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. However, less than two weeks before finishing his training at UNL, Ranney was tapped for the infantry. He was sent to Europe in the fall of 1944 and landed at Omaha Beach. He spent 90 days in combat and fought in the Battle of the Bulge and at Bastogne and was wounded, ending his combat assignment for the remainder of the war. Another son, Todd Ranney, said his father enrolled at Wheaton College following the war, earning his bachelors degree in business in 1949. CORALVILLE A man convicted in 1980 of killing his infant son has died at an Iowa prison facility. Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} The Iowa Corrections Department said in a news release Wednesday that Kevin Johnson was pronounced dead of natural causes on Monday evening in a hospice room at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville. He'd been housed there because of chronic illness. He was 64. Johnson had been serving a life sentence after being found guilty in Pottawattamie County District Court of first-degree murder. The body of Kevin Johnson Jr. was found July 17, 1979, buried in a wooded area behind the family's home in Council Bluffs, less than three weeks after he'd been killed. An autopsy showed the 2-month-old died of blunt trauma to his head. Bingo 12:15 p.m., The Center, 714 S. Main St. Two to four cards for 25 cents each, plus white elephant gift. Freedom Seekers Al-Anon 7:30 p.m., Broadway Christian Church, 2658 Ave. A. Pickin and Grinnin Country Music Jam 6:30 to 9 p.m., Corn Crib restaurant, 12 East St., Shelby. Musicians and music lovers invited to a weekly jam session. Call the Corn Crib at 712-207-2676. Roller Skating at UMBA Hall Skating every Friday night at the UMBA Hall in Underwood except holiday weekends or if Underwood Schools are cancelled due to weather. Fourth grade and younger may skate from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Fifth grade and older skate from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is $4. No outside skates are allowed. The party room may be reserved for birthday celebrations for $30. Private skating parties are available for two hours of skating for $300. Call 712-566-2222 to reserve a time. The off-street residential parking issue is potentially thorny for Preckwinkle, who also is running for Chicago mayor, as her political opponents seek to portray her as being overly reliant on regressive taxes, such as the countys now-rescinded pop tax. Preckwinkles also likely to face questions over the county in 2016 increasing the sales tax by 1 percentage point, an about-face on the key issue that propelled her into office against Todd Stroger in 2010. She later cast the move as necessary for the countys pensions, debt costs and transportation infrastructure needs. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond is among dozens of Roman Catholic bishops that gathered near Chicago Wednesday (Jan. 2) for the start of a weeklong retreat that organizers say will focus on prayer and spiritual reflection amid the church sexual abuse scandal that reached a crescendo in 2018. The retreat, held at Mundelein Seminary, will not address directly a recent Illinois attorney generals report, claiming the church hid more than 500 alleged cases of priest sex abuse in that state, the Archdiocese of Chicago reported. Organizers said the gathering will be about prayer, not policy-making. A spokeswoman for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan recently called it disappointing and absurd that the bishops will not discuss the states report. Critics have expressed dismay at how long it has taken the church hierarchy to address the years-long, world-wide crisis that has rocked the Catholic Church, which resurfaced early last year with a Pennsylvania grand jury report alleging that hundreds of priests abused at least 1,000 children over seven decades in that state. Two advocacy groups, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) and Ending Clergy Abuse, planned to hold a public demonstration Wednesday in Chicago. The gathering of the bishops will serve as a prelude to a summit of the worlds bishops at the Vatican in February to formulate a comprehensive response to the Catholic Church crisis. The structure of the retreat will emphasize quiet reflection, including silent meal times, and will offer daily Mass, time for personal and communal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, vespers, and an opportunity for confession, according to a news release from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 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 Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the conference, said in a news release that they are convening "to pray on the intense matters before us." The retreat begins a day after The Associated Press reported that the Vatican blocked U.S. bishops from taking measures last year to address the scandal because U.S. church leaders didnt discuss the legally problematic proposals with the Vatican enough beforehand. The directive from Rome was included in a letter from a Vatican official before the USCCBs November meeting. The move shocked abuse survivors and support groups. Aymond, a USCCB officer, said in the Clarion Herald last month that he believes the retreat will be a unique experience for participants. I dont think theres ever been a retreat like this in which the entire group of bishops in the U.S. gathered for a week. Our Holy Father has asked us to come together to reflect on some of the challenges the church is facing in the United States. Pope Francis has dispatched Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, the official papal preacher, to lead the retreat. The Mundelein Seminary at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, about 40 miles north of Chicago, is the largest of its kind in the U.S. and home to roughly 200 seminarians from about 40 dioceses across the country and globe. Mallory Bonie is not new to motherhood. Her eldest daughter is now 7 years old. But when she gave birth to her second daughter Ahdelina, three months ago, she felt like she was relearning everything about caring for an infant. Bonie has breastfed both of her children, but had trouble initially feeding Adhelina. Making an appointment to speak with a lactation consultant at a hospital was challenging while trying to manage a new baby and young child. That was when Bonie decided to find a local support group for other moms in her situation. She discovered the Market Mommas Club, a new program for moms who are Medicaid eligible or receive WIC benefits, created by local non-profit Market Umbrella, which oversees the Crescent City Farmers Market. The program connects moms to local breastfeeding support groups such as the La Leche League, Cafe au Lait, Baby Bistreaux Nutrition Clinic and CHAMPS NOLA Baby Cafe. These groups provide an informal setting for new moms to receive support and ask questions to each other as well as certified lactation consultants who work with the groups. Moms who attend a monthly meeting with one of the support groups additionally receive a loyalty card that gives them $80 in Crescent City Farmers Market tokens each month over the course of six months. The benefits since joining the Market Mommas Club has been two-fold for Bonie and her kids. She said its helped her with food costs and given her the opportunity to buy new food she normally wouldnt be able to try. A lot of her worries about being able to breastfeed Adhelina were also addressed. This is an outing where you can include your child, she said. There are a lot of questions and concerns you have as a new mom and it has felt good to know that are a lot of other people with the same issues. The American Academy of Pediatrics and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that mothers should exclusively breastfeed their infants for about the first six months, saying it is the best source of nutrition for most infants and can reduce the risk of some short and long-term health conditions for both infants and their mothers. 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 However, despite these recommendations the CDC reported that less than 50 percent of infants born in the U.S. were exclusively breastfed through the age of 3 months. Only 25 percent of infants were exclusively breastfed through six months, according to the CDCs Breastfeeding Report Card for the U.S. in 2018. In theory you would think breastfeeding is simple, said Portia L. Williams, a registered nurse and certified lactation consultant. You follow how you were raised. If mom and grandma bottle fed you, you do the same. If you go against that its like saying they were wrong. She added that there are significant disparities between black and white mothers who breastfeed. The CDC reported in 2016 that black mothers are 16 percent less likely to breastfeed than white mothers. About 60 percent of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as theyd like for a variety of reasons according to the CDC. This can include issues with lactation or latching, concerns about the infants weight and nutrition, lack of family support and cultural norms, and unsupportive hospital policies and work policies that dont support breastfeeding. Louisiana was second only to Mississippi with the lowest rate of infants who had ever breastfed, according to a CDC report looking at breastfeeding rates among infants born in 2015. Only about 67 percent of infants born in Louisiana had ever been breastfed. Alaska had the highest breastfeeding rate at 93 percent in 2015. Williams is also the coordinator for the Baby Cafe breastfeeding support group in Louisiana. It is part of a national chain of groups where pregnant and breastfeeding moms can get support from certified lactation consultants and an opportunity to share their concerns and learn from other moms. Providing a support network for mothers who want to breastfeed as well as the added incentive of access to fresh food from the Crescent City Farmers Market is a step toward improving Louisianas standing, Williams said. The goal is to give moms an incentive to breastfeed and provide a safe, non-judgmental space where they can walk in and feel supported, she said. For more information on the Market Mommas Club contact Caryn Blair at caryn@marketumbrella.org or at 504.861.4485. Some local charities received a special Christmas gift this year compliments of Boyd Gaming Corporation and the Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner. Over $15,000 was given to 18 nonprofit organizations through the casinos annual Trees of Hope charity giveaway. Share a Basket Foundation was awarded the top prize of $3,000 to further their mission of providing comprehensive community programs, events and services for women who have been sexually assaulted and battered. The prizes were distributed at the Trees of Hope awards ceremony held recently at the casino. Deborah Oliver, founders and director of Share a Basket Foundation, was excited about receiving the funds. This will allow them (charity recipients) to get pointed in the right direction and obtain their freedom, Oliver said about the impact of the donation on her cause. She was also appreciative of the exposure that the program gives charities. This is a wonderful thing to highlight the small charities in the community. People dont know what is available, Oliver said. Trees of Hope was started by Boyd Gaming in Shreveport 10 years ago as a community service to provide funds to local charities. Participants decorate a Christmas tree at the casino to represent their charity. Casino visitors can vote daily for their favorite charity during the holiday season voting period. Every participating charity receives a cash award with the top vote getters earning more. 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 Since its inception, Trees of Hope has spread to Boyd Gaming properties across the country, including the Treasure Chest. This is the ninth year that the Treasure Chest has participated in the event and as many as 10,000 votes were cast by Treasure Chest B Connected members between the Nov. 28 through Dec. 13 competition period. The American Societys Relay for Life won second place and received $2,000. The third place award of $1,500 was won by the Dawn Busters Kiwanis. The Metropolitan Center for Women and Children won the fourth place prize of $1,000 and the Alzheimers Association LA Chapter won the fifth place prize of $750. Sixth to twelfth place finishers received $500 each. Those charities were Animal Rescue New Orleans, Lupus Foundation of America, ALS Association LA Chapter, Angels Place, American Heart Association, Autism Society of Greater New Orleans and National Kidney Foundation of LA. The 13th to 18th place winners of $300 were Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, LA Organ Procurement Agency, National MS Society LA Chapter, Delivering Hope Nola, Southern Eye Bank and Strengthening Outcome with Autism Resources. Several of the charities also received additional surprise funds at the awards ceremony. Treasure Chest Marketing Director Rodney Miller said the Trees of Hope program is an important part of his organizations commitment to the community. It is part of who Boyd Gaming is. It is part of our mission statement to be part of the community and to give back. Rosalyn Eason writes about people and events in the East Jefferson community. To reach her, email northkennertp@cox.net. For Chalmette High Schools band, 2018 was a memorable year. For the second year in a row, the Louisiana Music Educators Association issued scores of 1s or superior ratings in all four categories being judged at its annual Marching Band Assessment drum major, auxiliary, percussion and band. Band director Jason Rusk said hes proud of the accomplishment. Before last year, the last time the band got straight 1s was back in 1993, and now were two in a row, Rusk said. I think so many things have contributed to our success at the LMEA Marching Band Assessment. Learning what the judges want to see over the years has helped shape and mold how we rehearse and prepare for such a high level of performance. Rusk said organizing the field show requires a great deal of commitment and dedication of the band members and the dance team the CHS Charmers. Members attend summer rehearsals, band camp and practice through the end of October. It takes months of work to make a 10-minute show, Rusk said. When you put that kind of time and effort into something, its one of the greatest feelings in the world to be successful and reach that ultimate goal of all superiors. Rusk added how important parental involvement and commitment are to his programs success. Their help and assistance takes our group to a higher level by taking care of the students and allowing them to focus on their job in the band, Rusk said. In addition to the bands success, several individual band members were honored. Junior Donald Mckinnies won second chair tuba in the LMEA All-State concert band following a rigorous two-round audition process against students from assorted public and private schools in St. Bernard, New Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines parishes. Mckinnies took first place in the first round, earning a spot to compete in Lafayette against all the winners in the entire state of Louisiana. 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 Donald was the highest chair in our district, so he will be the first chair tuba player in the LMEA District 6 Senior High Honor Band in January 2019, Rusk said. Three other students from Chalmette High were also invited to participate in the LMEA District 6 Honor Band Chobie Chan, clarinet; Grace Abba, bass clarinet; and Christopher duBois, French horn. Rusk said the bands focus now shifts to Mardi Gras season, preparing for the five parades it will march in Excalibur, Nemesis, Druids, Centurions and Thoth. The CHS Brass Band will also be featured in the Tucks parade. Rusk said the band has had a history of success during carnival time as well. The marching band has consistently placed in the top two in the Metairie competition parades the past few years, and they are ready for another successful marching season, Rusk said. After marching in Thoth, the band will travel to Orlando, Florida, to march in the Disney Festival of Fantasy parade. Rusk said Chalmette High will lead the daytime parade through the Magic Kingdom, finishing on Main Street USA. Being in the Magic Kingdom with all of our band members and families will be magic for us as well, Rusk said. It will be a great way to kick off another successful year. Barry Lemoine writes about people and events in St. Bernard Parish. To reach him, email barrylemoine@gmail.com. U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise of Old Jefferson, moving from majority whip to minority whip as his Republican Party loses control of the House this week, turned Democrats' words against them Wednesday (Jan. 2) with a Fox News opinion post supporting President Donald Trumps call to secure the Mexican border. Scalise quoted a 2006 speech by then-Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who said The Secure Fence Act would authorize some badly needed funding for better fences and better security along our borders that should help stem some of the tide of illegal immigration in this country. At the time, Scalise said, Obama and 25 other Senate Democrats, including Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer of New York, voted to allocate $50 billion over 25 years for 700 miles of fencing along the border. Now, Scalise said, Schumer and Senate Democrats oppose border money, and have forced part of the federal government to close because of their disagreement with the president. What has changed Democrats recognition that our southern border needs to be secured? Two words: President Trump, Scalise wrote. On First Steps criminal justice overhaul, Louisiana congressmen break 4-2 . . . . . . . Drew Broach covers Jefferson Parish politics and education, plus other odds and ends, for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: dbroach@nola.com. Facebook: Drew Broach TP. Twitter: drewbroach1. Google+: Drew Broach. Oh, the horror. When fire damaged a Krispy Kreme doughnut truck, police in Lexington, Ky., poked fun at a law enforcement stereotype with photographs of officers mourning their loss. The Police Department tweeted three images on Monday (Dec. 31) with the comment, No words. The next day, Krispy Kreme responded: After which, the Police Department expressed optimism with a one-word tweet: Hope. . . . . . . . Drew Broach covers Jefferson Parish politics and education, plus other odds and ends, for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Email: dbroach@nola.com. Facebook: Drew Broach TP. Twitter: drewbroach1. Google+: Drew Broach. Louisiana has been awarded nearly $8 million to increase the quality of early childhood education in communities statewide. Louisiana has received the funding through a federal grant and a private grant. About $7.1 million of the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Educations competitive Preschool Development Grant, according to a Louisiana Department of Education news release on Wednesday (Jan. 2). The remaining $800,000 comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as part of a private match required by the grant process, according to the release. Early childhood education networks statewide will receive subgrants totalling more than $3.75 million to support the rollout of several initiatives this year, the department stated. The one-year funding will expire in December 2019. This grant will help increase parents' knowledge of the early childhood environment and promote their involvement with local centers, which we know is key to a successful future, according to Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education member Tony Davis in a released statement. Louisiana needs tougher child care oversight, audit says The funding will help Louisianas Education Department establish locally-led pilot programs that will create governing structures to guide local plans and funding for early childhood, the department stated. The department will also study education in family home settings, to develop a plan to provide resources and improve learning for children who are not educated in a traditional preschool. 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 The funding will also expand teacher training, and support a study of Louisianas quality rating system. The research will also support a new program designed to share resources across childcare sites, such as shared substitute teacher pools or shared purchasing to maximize funding. Louisiana currently serves nearly all 4-year-old children. However, the state only serves 7 percent of in-need children under the age of 2 and 33 percent of in-need 3-year-olds, according to the state Education Department. An additional 3,130 children are currently on a waiting list for services. The states new Preschool Development Grant will allow Louisiana to apply for future grant dollars to expand access to fully funded seats in early learning centers, the department stated. Melanie Bronfin, the Louisiana Policy Institute for Childrens executive director, praised the state Education Department for their successful application in a released statement. Even so, she pointed out these funds cannot be used for seats. We look forward to future opportunities to increase the publicly funded seats for our hard-working families who desperately need access to reliable, affordable, quality care for their young children, Bronfin stated. Ben Franklin Elementary halts pre-K enrollment to revamp program Wilborn P. Nobles III is an education reporter based in New Orleans. He can be reached at wnobles@nola.com or on Twitter at @WilNobles. Clutching a small purse, six-year-old Leona Tate walked into McDonogh 19 Elementary School here and helped to desegregate the South. Images of that November morning in 1960 are seared into the national memory: Tate and three other little first-grade girls in white dresses and hair ribbons walking into New Orleans schools, flanked by federal marshals and heckled by hateful crowds. From that day forward, Tate, now 64, knew that her lifelong mission was to make the world a more equitable place. Within a few years, Tate will have a new base for that mission, when the nonprofit Leona Tate Foundation for Change finishes its renovation of her former school in New Orleans Lower 9th Ward. Tate is a practical person. Yes, she knows that many schools in New Orleans and across the country have been resegregated. Shes heard some people say that her walk in 1960 led to token integration, at best. Others tout the idea that segregated schools and institutions are inevitable, the inescapable result of bureaucracy, housing patterns, or poverty. Tate listens and disagrees. She believes her walk into McDonogh 19 was important then and she firmly believes that she can help make more strides against racism today. Her plan is to open an educational center on desegregation within her former school. Once an elegant peach-stucco building, McDonogh 19 was flooded in 2005 by Hurricane Katrinas storm surge and by a great wave of water from the Industrial Canal levee, which buckled and broke several blocks away. Disaster cleanup crews sent the first floors sodden contents to a landfill and shuttered the building. Its now been closed for nearly 15 years. Despite the buildings state of disrepair, Tates vision for the space is clear. On a recent visit with developers and museum designers, she stood on the buildings gutted first floor and described her plans for the center. First, shed like visitors to understand the basic facts of those years, she said. Tates parents were able to enroll her in McDonogh 19 because of the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared school segregation unconstitutional. Though many other cities fought desegregation orders, New Orleans, like Little Rock before it, became a national flashpoint for white supremacy during years of vehement court battles, legislative end-runs and family sacrifice. Because schools desegregated so slowly in New Orleans by one grade each year Tates struggles were shared to some degree by thousands of local black schoolchildren: Hers was the desegregation generation. Almost all of Tates years in public school from first grade to high school graduation were spent within the turmoil of newly desegregated schools. Related: How the federal government abandoned the Brown v. Board decision The storys breadth is rarely explained, said Tate, who wants visitors to McDonogh 19 to learn the history, within the very space where history was made. I want people to experience what it was like, what we had to endure once we got to school, she said. I want them to see how hard it was for us to get in there. But she deliberately avoids calling the space a museum, because she doesnt want visitors to be rooted in the past. She prefers to call it an interpretive center. For Tate, the center will allow her to re-open a conversation about racism that she believes has been pushed to the margins for most of her life. She wants the centers visitors to join her in that conversation. To help facilitate discussions, shes enlisted help from the Peoples Institute for Survival and Beyond, a New Orleans organization that has specialized in anti-racism training for nearly 40 years. Peoples Institute trainers are known for breaking racism down into instructional diagrams showing the role of bigotrys more nuanced cousin, structural racism: the institutional policies and practices that perpetuate inequities. The first-floor center was jumpstarted by a $500,000 National Park Service grant awarded to Tates foundation last year, though most of the buildings estimated $14 million renovation will be footed by developers creating apartments for low-income seniors on the buildings top two floors. Tate believes that education about racism is the way to get people to open up. Otherwise, people just dont want to talk about racism, she said. For Tate, the silence on the issue began in 1961, when she and the other three girls entered second grade. Somehow, in a years time, the once-celebrated little girls were no longer treated as special, and their role in the desegregation wars forgotten. Now she realizes that the adults around them may have found the memories too painful. It used to depress me, she said. Nobody ever talked about it. It seemed like they didnt care. For many years after graduating from high school, working in a community clinic across town, Tate didnt talk much about desegregation either. Though she continued to live in the Lower 9, blocks from McDonogh 19, children in the neighborhood knew her mostly as a kindly mother and grandmother, not a civil-rights icon. Her daughter, Cabrini Cooper, 42, first heard about her mothers place in history from a great-aunt. Several years ago, Tates granddaughter, Beatrice Bartholomew became acquainted with her legacy during a Black History Month project. I learned that my grandmother was one of the people who allows me to go to school, basically, said Beatrice, 13, who said her classmates usually respond: For real? They are surprised to hear that schools were desegregated that recently, by a person who is still alive. As he stood outside McDonogh 19 on a recent day, Peoples Institute founder Ron Chishom squinted toward the front stairway that Tate trod on her way to making history. You confronted structural racism here at six years old, Chishom told her. But we dont want people to look at it as something that happened, past tense, in this country. Even the history has largely been forgotten, Chishom said. People prefer to view New Orleans as a place where individuals of all races mix, united by an easygoing mindset thats best illustrated by the local catch phrase, Laissez les bons temps rouler Let the good times roll. Its an age-old misconception, said historian Raphael Cassimere, Jr., 76. People thought that because it was the Big Easy, certain things didnt happen here, that New Orleans was an exception to ultra-racism. Cassimere knows the falsity of that assumption from first-hand observation: A native of the Lower 9th Ward, he was already active in civil rights by 1960, as president of the New Orleans NAACP Youth Council. After the Brown decision, the Orleans Parish School Board made no progress toward desegregation without unprecedented judicial intervention, said Cassimere, who knows the history well. Aware of the fervor it would create, U.S. District Judge J. Skelly Wright even withheld held his first desegregation order until February 16, 1956 Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras when he knew that the town would be sleepy and focused on the start of Lent. Over the next four years, state and local officials repeatedly tried to evade desegregation and Wright ruled their efforts unconstitutional, in 41 different decisions. The Louisiana Legislature did not relent, even as integration seemed inevitable. On the eve of Tates enrollment at McDonogh 19, the legislature made a last-ditch effort to stop the schools from opening, passing a raft of laws and orders during a special Sunday-night session that lasted until 9 p.m. By 9:45 p.m. that night, Wright had responded with a sweeping restraining order that barred hundreds of state and local officials from interfering with the operation of New Orleans public schools. Named within his order were all 140 members of the Louisiana Legislature, the governor and the lieutenant governor. Tates story began the next day, within the peach stucco walls of McDonogh 19. Related: Nearly 750 charters are whiter than the nearby district schools Tate was born in October 1954, five months after the Brown decision. She attended kindergarten several blocks from McDonogh 19 at an all-black elementary school, Joseph A. Hardin, where teachers gave her a little extra push, on academics and penmanship, she said. They wanted to make sure I was on target. The four girls who desegregated New Orleans schools were selected from a pool of 134 black students who applied and were evaluated academically and psychologically by the school board. In 1960, news cameras were focused on two schools: McDonogh 19 and William Frantz Elementary School, two miles away, where first grader Ruby Bridges was also escorted into school by federal marshals. Even from a distance, its easy to identify the so-called McDonogh Three as they walked into McDonogh 19. Tessie Prevost sported cat-eye glasses; Gail Etienne tied her hair with a large white bow. Then there was Tate. Im the one in the front with the purse, Tate says matter-of-factly, whenever anyone asks her about those old photos. Early that morning, a car of federal marshals pulled up to Tates familys home on Delery Street. She climbed in with her mother, knowing only that she was going to attend a new school. 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 White students started classes at 8:30 a.m. that day. At around 9:15 a.m., according to newspapers reports, Tates car reached the crowd gathered in front of the school. New Orleans Police Department officers held back the crowd. Tate had only seen throngs like that during Carnival, and she thought a parade was coming. Even today, Tate can close her eyes and hear the mob. She doesnt remember individual voices, but television news broadcasts from that time show people standing on the street yelling racial epithets and chanting Two four six eight, we dont want to integrate as Tate climbed McDonogh 19s steep front stairway with her skinny six-year-old legs. She can still remember the number of steps 18. It remains a vivid memory: the wall of sound and how it disappeared once she walked through the schools heavy front doors. As her exhibit designers took notes, Tate said that she would like visitors walking up the steps to hear that audio, as she did. On their first school day, the three girls mostly sat on a bench outside the principals office. We waited for hours. We played hopscotch on the squares of tile by the bench, thats how long it took to enroll us in class, said Tate. At Frantz school, Ruby Bridges never made it to class she sat on a chair outside the office the entire first day. For the girls protection, they brought their own lunches from home and werent allowed to drink from the schools water fountains, which were shut off. They were also kept inside during recess, often playing under a stairwell outside their classroom. During the 1960-61 school year, the New Orleans Police Department kept a 24-hour guard on the homes of the four little girls and their parents, along with the few white parents who dared to keep their children in newly desegregated schools. Though any mail sent to the girls families was screened by the NAACP office, others lacked such interventions and ended up moving from place to place all year after receiving serious mailed threats. Many parents were fired from jobs; their names, license plates and home addresses were published in White Citizen Council flyers. Some, including Wright, the judge, found fiery crosses in their yard. Though McDonogh 19 had been quiet during Tates second-grade year, a portion of its funding was deducted by spiteful state officials. Facing shortfalls, school board decided to resegregate McDonogh 19, this time as a school for black children. Local NAACP lawyer A.P. Tureaud consulted with the girls parents and wrote a letter on their behalf to the school board. These parents respectfully request that their children be assigned to the same school to which their white classmates have been assigned, he wrote. Two years later, Tate was again plunged into chaos, this time without federal marshals or any other outside protections. During the 1961-62 school year, the school board had been cautiously desegregating first-grade classes at a handful of other white schools, though it limited the number of black students to 10. In the fall of 1962, the school board allowed the three girls and six additional black students to enroll at T.J. Semmes Elementary, several blocks away from McDonogh 19. Once again, they were desegregating an all-white school. At Semmes, the students hated us. And there were teachers that hated us, Tate said. The small group of black students were spit upon and punched. Two teachers held their noses each time black students passed, implying that they smelled. The girls faced constant insults and physical aggression from white students, who were often egged on by adults within the school. I think that was the worst year of my life, Tate said. After that year, her family moved closer to the Frantz school, where she joined fellow trailblazer Ruby Bridges in class. Six years later, at Francis T. Nicholls High School, they would again find themselves in the midst of racial animus and physical fights amid backlash over an effort to change the schools mascot, the Confederate Army Rebel. 3 ways New Orleans public schools can change the status quo Related: A university grapples with its links to slavery and racism Today, Tate is working with the exhibit designers to re-create her first-grade classroom. Almost certainly, visitors will see three small desks pulled close to the chalkboard in the corner classroom. All the windows will be covered in brown kraft paper, as they were in 1960, so that no one could see in or out. But visitors to her classroom will see no other desks. At Frantz school, a handful of white students braved crowds of hecklers for the entire school year. But McDonogh 19s enrollment quickly plummeted to three. For the rest of the year, it was just me, Gail, Tessie, and Miss Meyer, our teacher, Tate said. At first, people expected the white students would return to New Orleans schools, after a few days or maybe a few weeks. That didnt happen. It was a prime example of structural racism in action, Tate said. Some students from the two desegregated schools in New Orleans transferred to newly built, all-white private academies that used state per-pupil funding to operate. Immediately after desegregation, school buses paid for by segregationists picked up white students from the citys 9th Ward and took them across county lines to neighboring St. Bernard Parish, where the all-white schools took them in, with the state picking up the tab. Tate would like the interpretive center to include perspectives from some of the students who left, she said, but she hasnt yet determined how that will be done. Hoping to find some former classmates, she posted a call-out to her Facebook page, but got no response. Tracking down some of those families was made easier by a list of McDonogh 19 Room Mothers from the school desegregation archives of the Amistad Research Center at Tulane University. The list includes Mrs. Lee Cannizaro of 1210 Caffin St., the mother of Gary Cannizaro, Tates classmate for one day. Reached at his home in St. Bernard Parish, Garys older brother, Steve Cannizaro, said that his mother told him she pulled her sons out of McDonogh 19 because she feared the school would be bombed. For the next year, his family drove him, his brother and his cousins to school in Arabi, in St. Bernard Parish. Then he attended Catholic schools. Like many other white families, the Cannizaros would eventually move from the Lower 9th Ward they moved to New Orleans East in 1971 and later sold their home on Caffin to a red-hot piano player named Antoine Fats Domino, who wanted to enlarge the musical compound he was building in his home neighborhood.* Like many other white families, the Cannizaros soon moved from the city, selling their home on Caffin to a red-hot piano player named Antoine Fats Domino who wanted to return to his home neighborhood. Cannizaro, 66, has long hated to see his former school dark and empty as he drives into New Orleans. He said hed welcome the chance to sit down with Tate to talk about the center and what happened at the school in 1960. First, I would apologize to her, Cannizaro said. I really dont understand why it was such a big deal. Were talking about adding a few black kids in my class. How would it possibly have hurt me to know and get along with them? When Tate heard what Cannizaro had to say, she stayed quiet for a minute. Tate said that when she speaks in public, its not unusual for white people in the audience to tell her that theyre sorry she had to go through what she did. But she hadnt before received an apology from someone who actually was there in the midst of it. Times have really changed, she said quietly. Thank God. Thats all I can really say. Tate anticipates that, as she moves forward with the center, shell encounter others who may have less charitable responses. And shes prepared for that. Thats part of the work, she said. Clarification: This story has been updated to include additional details on the Cannizaro familys move to a different school. This story about racism and public education was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter. A judge on Monday ordered 27-year-old Dangelis Michael Chambers held on a $1 million bail in Sunday's killing of 30-year-old Renese Donte Riley. The Urbana man is charged with four felony counts of first-degree murder and one felony count of possession or use of a firearm by a felon. New Orleans police are still seeking to question a person of interest in connection with the Oct. 29 fatal shooting of New Orleans-born rapper Young Greatness. Donald Reaux, 38, is wanted by police for questioning but is not at this time considered a suspect, NOPD said. Police first named Reaux as a person of interest wanted for questioning in the Oct. 29 homicide on Dec. 11. NOPD issued an update Wednesday (Jan. 2), saying detectives are continuing to search for Reaux to question him as part of their investigation. Department spokesman Aaron Looney reiterated Wednesday that Reaux is not wanted on any charges related to Jones' death. Friends, fans react to fatal shooting of rapper Young Greatness The rapper, whose real name is Theodore Jones, was shot dead at age 34 outside a Waffle House restaurant in the 2900 block of Elysian Fields. Police recovered Jones car that was stolen after the fatal shooting, and had previously released images of a person of interest. It was not clear if the person in those images was Reaux. 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 Young Greatness is best known for his 2015 song, Moolah," which made it to the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Jones was reared in the St. Bernard area of New Orleans, but moved to Houston after Hurricane Katrina, according to media reports. He often mentioned the influence of his hometown on his songs. The video for Moolah was set in New Orleans. Officers responding shortly before 1:40 a.m. that day found Jones lying on Abundance Street, near the edge of the restaurants parking lot, with a gunshot wound to his face, an NOPD report states. The report notes blood splatter started near the entrance of the parking lot and ended near Jones' body. They also recovered spent casings from the Waffle House parking lot, the report states. The restaurant appeared to have multiple surveillance cameras affixed to the building, capturing different angles of the parking lot. Anyone with information on the fatal shooting is asked to call the NOPDs Homicide Unit at 504-658-5300 or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 504-822-1111 and toll-free at 1-877-903-7867. A sweet, kind person: Family mourns slain rapper Young Greatness Police arrested a 17-year-old girl and booked her with theft and possession of cocaine after she was accused of stealing a 16-year-old girls cellphone from her hand in the French Quarter early Wednesday (Jan. 2). The robbery was reported to NOPD at about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of Bourbon Street, according to an initial police report. The 16-year-old girls mother started to chase the 17-year-old after she grabbed her daughters cellphone, police said. The mother got the phone back and called the police. NOPD arrested the 17-year-old girl on the scene. NOPD also reported the following crimes between Tuesday (Jan. 1) and Wednesday (Jan. 2): 57-year-old man robbed in St. Claude After a 57-year-old man entered a backyard in the 3900 block of Marais Street Tuesday, a woman wearing a hot pink hoodie pulled out a white and red spray can and sprayed him in the face, police said. The man fell to the ground and the woman took money and items from his pocket and ran. The woman fled northbound on Alvar Street, police said. Police reported the woman to be riding a white bicycle. The robbery was reported around 5 p.m., according to an initial police report. It was unclear what was inside the spray can. 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 39-year-old woman stabbed with box cutter in Leonidas Around 9: 10 p.m. in the 8200 block of Jeanette Street, a 39-year-old woman was in an altercation with a woman she knew Tuesday, police said. The woman pulled out a box cutter, stabbed the 39-year-old woman and then ran toward Dublin Street. The 39-year-old woman was transported to University Medical Center and was reported to be in stable condition. Man robbed at gunpoint in New Orleans East A 43-year-old man was in the passenger side of a car with another woman in the 7900 block of Chef Menteur Highway around 9 p.m. Wednesday, when she took him to an unknown location and left him inside the car, police said. An unknown man opened the passenger side door, put a gun to the 43-year-old mans head and took his belongings. The 43-year-old fled to a nearby gas station and called for help, police said. Police also reported a shooing in St. Roch Tuesday night. New Orleans police are investigating the shooting of a man in the St. Roch neighborhood on Tuesday evening (Jan. 1). Update: Man accused of shooting brother in St. Roch Police were called to the scene in the 2200 block of North Galvez St. around 8:20 p.m. The man was shot in the abdomen, an NOPD spokesman said. Police arrested the mans brother, Cassius Ware, 20, in connection with the shooting, an NOPD spokesman said. The victim was taken by ambulance to a local hospital and was in stable condition late Tuesday, police said. Stay with NOLA.com for updates. A 20-year-old man is in custody after New Orleans police say he shot his brother Tuesday (Jan. 1) in the St. Roch area. Cassius Ware was booked early Wednesday morning on a charge of aggravated battery, according to online court records. The shooting was reported to police at 8:18 p.m. Tuesday in the 2200 block of North Galvez Street (map). According to preliminary information from NOPD, Ware was fighting with his girlfriend when his 22-year-old brother intervened. The brother tried to break up the fight when, police say, Ware shot him in the stomach. The 22-year-old was taken to an area hospital, where his condition was not available Wednesday morning. Ware was later arrested in the 2100 block of Marigny Street (map), police said. Attorney and bond information was not immediately available. Orleans Parish court records show he was arrested in October 2016 on charges including aggravated assault with a firearm and being a felon in possession of a weapon. He pleaded guilty in January 2018 to amended charges of criminally negligent discharging firearm and attempted possession of a firearm by a felon. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison with credit for time served. NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reporter Jonathan Bullington contributed to this story. Carlie Kollath Wells is a morning reporter at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Have an early-bird tip? Send it to her: cwells@nola.com or Twitter @carlie_kollath. UPDATE: David Plessy was found safe and unharmed Wednesday night, his family said. New Orleans police are seeking the publics help in locating a 53-year-old man last seen Tuesday morning (Jan. 1). David Plessy was last seen around 8 a.m. as he was leaving his home in the 3600 block of Havana Street, police said. Plessys wife, Jeannot Plessy, was killed in a carjacking in Gentilly in November. Both she and her husband served as pastors. Woman killed in carjacking patterned her life after and for the Lord, husband says Police arrested three teens in connection with the fatal carjacking. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of David Plessy is asked to contact NOPD 3rd District Detectives at 504-658-6030. The Orleans Parish coroner on Wednesday (Jan. 2) identified six people murdered in a 9-day stretch in late December. Of those killed from Dec. 20 to Dec. 29, four died from gunshot wounds, one from blunt trauma to the head and one by sharp force injuries. Dec. 20: Devoted Saints fan Donald Adams, 29, was shot and killed around 6:30 p.m. in the Little Woods neighborhood of New Orleans East, authorities said. Police discovered him suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the floor of a bedroom in the 7600 block of Briarwood Drive. The Who Dat had high hopes for the team in the playoffs. New Orleans ends with 146 murders, Donald Ducky Adams Jr. as the 141st victim Dec. 23: Wymann Winesberry, 39, was fatally shot while riding a bike in the 2100 block of Willow Street in Central City just after 9 p.m. A sign posted on a telephone pole at the edge of the crime scene read Thou shall not kill in large black letters. Dec. 25: Russell Every, 36, and Leon Bush, 48, were both fatally shot on a particularly violent Christmas Day. Every was shot five times in the stomach and back around 8:45 a.m. in the 2500 block of Clara Street in Central City, authorities said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Later that day, NOPD discovered Bush with multiple gunshot wounds in the middle of General Meyer Avenue around 5:20 p.m. A woman was also injured in the Algiers shooting. Nearly 100 family members and friends honored Bushs life during an emotional vigil Sunday night (Dec. 30). As one of 12 children, a father to three and a grandfather to seven, Bush was described as the protector of the family. He was the protector of our family, sister says after man fatally shot Christmas night in Algiers Dec. 28: Local music promoter Marla Belin, 55, died Friday (Dec. 28) from injuries sustained in a Dec. 17 beating in the 1700 block of North Dorgenois Street in the 7th Ward. New Orleans police accused Tyrone Fountain, 40, of trying to steal Belins purse and slamming her head on the concrete several times before striking her in the face. The coroner said Belin died from blunt trauma to the head. Police originally arrested Fountain on allegations of battery and robbery, but upgraded the charge to second-degree murder after Belins death. He was jailed on that charge Monday (Dec. 31). Dec. 29: Daniel Ziegler, 29, died of sharp force injuries sustained in an early morning French Quarter stabbing near the intersection of Dauphine and St. Ann streets. Quinten Passantino, 30, was arrested Monday on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing. Hours after the attack, New Orleans police released video showing three unidentified people walking in the 900 block of St. Ann toward Dauphine at 4:06 a.m. NOPD said investigators wanted to talk to the three people, but did not call them suspects in the case. It is not clear if Passantino was one of the three men in the video. Local talent agency owner dies from injuries sustained in 7th Ward robbery A 34-year-old woman killed in a St. Roch shooting Sunday night (Dec. 30) has yet to be identified. She was the last and 146th murder victim of the year. Police arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with a shooting last month in the Milan area of New Orleans. Jacoby Trepagnier was booked Wednesday (Jan. 2) with attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon, according to jail records. Police accused him of shooting a 27-year-old man in the arm and leg on December 26, 2018 in the 2100 block of Foucher Street. Bond information was not immediately available. Anyone with any additional information about this shooting is asked to contact NOPD 6th District detectives at 504-658-6060, or call anonymously to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll free at 1-877-903-786. Person shot in arm and leg in Milan neighborhood: NOPD By Mitt Romney The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December. The departures of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, the appointment of senior persons of lesser experience, the abandonment of allies who fight beside us, and the president's thoughtless claim that America has long been a "sucker" in world affairs all defined his presidency down. It is well known that Donald Trump was not my choice for the Republican presidential nomination. After he became the nominee, I hoped his campaign would refrain from resentment and name-calling. It did not. When he won the election, I hoped he would rise to the occasion. His early appointments of Rex Tillerson, Jeff Sessions, Nikki Haley, Gary Cohn, H.R. McMaster, Kelly and Mattis were encouraging. But, on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this last month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office. It is not that all of the president's policies have been misguided. He was right to align U.S. corporate taxes with those of global competitors, to strip out excessive regulations, to crack down on China's unfair trade practices, to reform criminal justice and to appoint conservative judges. These are policies mainstream Republicans have promoted for years. But policies and appointments are only a part of a presidency. To a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation. A president should unite us and inspire us to follow our better angels. A president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect. As a nation, we have been blessed with presidents who have called on the greatness of the American spirit. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbents shortfall has been most glaring. The world is also watching. America has long been looked to for leadership. Our economic and military strength was part of that, of course, but our enduring commitment to principled conduct in foreign relations, and to the rights of all people to freedom and equal justice, was even more esteemed. Trump's words and actions have caused dismay around the world. In a 2016 Pew Research Center poll, 84 percent of people in Germany, Britain, France, Canada and Sweden believed the American president would "do the right thing in world affairs." One year later, that number had fallen to 16 percent. This comes at a very unfortunate time. Several allies in Europe are experiencing political upheaval. Several former Soviet satellite states are rethinking their commitment to democracy. Some Asian nations, such as the Philippines, lean increasingly toward China, which advances to rival our economy and our military. The alternative to U.S. world leadership offered by China and Russia is autocratic, corrupt and brutal. The world needs American leadership, and it is in America's interest to provide it. A world led by authoritarian regimes is a world - and an America - with less prosperity, less freedom, less peace. To reassume our leadership in world politics, we must repair failings in our politics at home. That project begins, of course, with the highest office once again acting to inspire and unite us. It includes political parties promoting policies that strengthen us rather than promote tribalism by exploiting fear and resentment. Our leaders must defend our vital institutions despite their inevitable failings: a free press, the rule of law, strong churches, and responsible corporations and unions. We must repair our fiscal foundation, setting a course to a balanced budget. We must attract the best talent to America's service and the best innovators to America's economy. America is strongest when our arms are linked with other nations. We want a unified and strong Europe, not a disintegrating union. We want stable relationships with the nations of Asia that strengthen our mutual security and prosperity. I look forward to working on these priorities with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and other senators. Furthermore, I will act as I would with any president, in or out of my party: I will support policies that I believe are in the best interest of the country and my state, and oppose those that are not. I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didnt. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2019 But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions. I remain optimistic about our future. In an innovation age, Americans excel. More importantly, noble instincts live in the hearts of Americans. The people of this great land will eschew the politics of anger and fear if they are summoned to the responsibility by leaders in homes, in churches, in schools, in businesses, in government - who raise our sights and respect the dignity of every child of God - the ideal that is the essence of America. Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah and the partys 2012 nominee for president, will be sworn into the U.S. Senate on Thursday. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. The victim exited the expressway after the shooting and flagged down police in Berkeley, state police said. He was taken to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. A 20-year-old female passenger was not injured. By Nicholas P. Scutari Legalization of marijuana is just around the corner. The impact of legalization will be felt in all corners of the state and it is up to us to ensure the maximum possible benefit for the public. Legalization is coming, but it must be done right. Such as the gambling industry in 1977, we are building these doors of commerce nearly entirely from scratch. Fortunately we have the lessons from Atlantic City to guide us as well as examples from the states around the country that recently legalized adult-use marijuana. Much like the casino industry of the 1970s, the new marijuana industry must be given unique and detailed attention. To promote public trust, private investment and market stability, we need to create a system of accountability, adaptability and full transparency. In the 70s, Gov. Brendan Byrne established the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. The five-member commission brought autonomous regulatory oversight to the gambling industry. The authority of licensing and regulation was vested with the five commissioners and allowed the industry to adjust and operate fluently and efficiently. We would be remiss if we did not recognize the success of the Casino Control Commission as we plan the legalization of marijuana. The establishment of a five member, full-time New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission is the most responsible course of action. It will ensure the success and integrity of the new industry. An independent commission is the best way to protect the industry from outside influences, illegal enterprises, tax evasion or even shifting leadership -- always a concern for initial investors. If a new governor could cripple the industry on a whim, then investor confidence will inevitably suffer. However, if we do the right thing and create the Cannabis Regulatory Commission from the beginning, we will set ourselves up for the greatest possible benefit. Protecting the industry at its inception will help guarantee its future. The commission would have the important and crucial responsibility of establishing the number of licensed retailers and growers during the initial launch. It will also have the authority to approve, deny or suspend licenses throughout the process without needing to be run through the long legislative process. This structure will allow for the application process to be efficient, attracting prospective entrepreneurs and investors without a sluggish approval process. It is imperative the industry has both a strong foundation as well as the ability to grow stronger over time. The authority of regulation in the hands of the Regulatory Commission will give strength to the industry by giving it the ability to swiftly adjust to any hiccups that may occur along the way. With any new industry there will be complications unforeseen before its launch. The flexibility in the regulatory oversight of the commission would be swift and comprehensive, unlike the alternative, bureaucratic oversight of the state government. The tiered checks and balances structure of government, while essential for broad policy work, would impede the growth of the industry. The process of approving regulations through the legislature would be unbearably slow and therefore it would delay the success of the industry and in doing so, the benefits to the public. Regulations that need to be implemented quickly to aid in the adjustment and fluidity of an emerging industry should not be subjected to the same pathways of legislation. After carefully studying the legalization process elsewhere in the country and knowing from our own history how crucial an autonomous regulatory commission is for an evolving industry we can set our state up for the greatest possible success. Hopefully, in the process, becoming a model for the other states to come. There will undoubtedly be obstacles we did not foresee, there will be questions to answer and adjustments will need to be made. With a Cannabis Regulatory Commission, however, we will guarantee the stability, security and integrity of New Jerseys next chapter in legalized marijuana. State Sen. Nicholas P. Scutari, D-Union, is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and sponsor of cannabis legalization legislation. EDITORS NOTE: Are you interested in the N.J. cannabis industry? Subscribe here for exclusive insider information from NJ Cannabis Insider. More marijuana links: Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. The Star-Ledger Editorial Board is taking the pulse of New Jerseys newest members of Congress, as they prepare to take their seats on Jan. 3rd. Today, we speak with Mikie Sherrill of the 11th District. Q. More than half of the new House Democrats are women, and one-third are minorities. Do you think you'll bring a fresh perspective to Congress? A. I've already seen it in action. The House's new schedule was out incredibly early so people with young children could make arrangements at home to make sure we can fight hard for people in our districts while in Washington. It also includes time in our districts because many of us ran campaigns where we were in touch with and accessible to voters. We want to retain that connection in our communities. Women are bringing a breath of experience -- as CIA officers, teachers, healthcare professionals, and veterans -- that will add new voices and perspectives to Congress. The fact that half of the incoming Democratic class in the House is made up of women, and one-third are minorities, means that this Congress is going to look a lot more like our country, and I know it is going to lead to better government. Q. Should lefties be rattled that you joined the "Blue Dog" caucus, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats? A. I promised throughout the district to work hard to represent the interests in New Jersey and to form coalitions that would break through our broken politics. There are issues that unite New Jerseyans, Progressives and Conservative alike. If we don't get the Gateway Tunnel funded, for example, we are going to have an impact on our environment as people begin to commute by car, and it will hurt our economy. With a fifth of the caucus from NJ and NY and a focus on infrastructure, I think the Blue Dogs are going to have a voice in Congress that will watch out for the interests of our community. I'm also excited that Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Florida, a Vietnamese refugee who is pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ, and pro-gun safety, will be leading the caucus. I've joined other caucuses as well, like the New Democrats and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. I will continue to work to engage members of Congress who will focus on issues that help New Jersey. I also want to be a strong voice in criminal justice reform, and I know there are many in the freshman class who agree with me on its importance. Q. As a military veteran, what's your reaction to Defense Secretary James Mattis's angry departure? President Trump's decision to pull American troops from Syria and Afghanistan was reportedly the last straw. A. I think for many months the generals, including Secretary Mattis, worked to make an impact on stabilizing our government and help make good decisions in the sphere of national security. Secretary Mattis seems to feel he is not influencing these decisions, but I hope he continues to advocate for a path forward where we stand with our traditional allies. Acting alone in national affairs is the weakest way for us to promote democracy, freedom, and human rights. Q. What are the top three pieces of advice you'd give Trump? A. It would likely be the same advice I would give to people throughout Washington. We need to put the people of this country first, and the President should work to reach across the aisle and build coalitions that will help families. I would suggest he work harder to strengthen our relationships with our traditional allies to help promote democracy and human rights. We also need to see a plan on the environment and on infrastructure, because we know that these are two areas where we don't have 50 years to come up with a plan -- we need to address it today. Q. What are your first priorities in Washington? A. There are several key issues in Washington, but like I said earlier I want to see the caucus focus on getting things done for families and pass legislation that will impact Americans -- including expanding healthcare access and bringing down costs, universal background checks for gun purchases, getting the Gateway Tunnel funded, and moving towards a clean energy economy. Q. What committees are you seeking to join and why? A. I'd like to serve on the Armed Services Committee. Picatinny Arsenal is the largest employer in the 11th District, and a key national defense installation. Nearly 6,000 soldiers, federal employees, and contractors live on the base and the surrounding towns, contributing $1.3 billion to the economy of North Jersey. I want to be able to ensure Picatinny's continued success. I'm also interested in serving on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Gateway Tunnel is the most critical infrastructure project in the country. Twenty states depend on the East Coast rail corridor, and if the current (100-year-old) tunnel goes down, that could be a catastrophic loss of life and will be huge economic blow to a region of the country that is responsible for 20 percent of our GDP. There needs to be strong voices for infrastructure planning on the committee. Other committees I'm interested in are Small Business, because small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities in New Jersey, or Science, Space, and Technology because we need to move forward on an agenda that grows New Jersey's base as an innovation hub in this country. Q. Are you planning to vote against Nancy Pelosi as Speaker again? Won't that hurt your chances of getting the committee assignments you seek? A. I made a commitment to the people of my district so I wont be voting for Nancy Pelosi as Speaker. I think that we need to find ways to break the cycle of partisanship, and Im happy to see that the caucus is taking those concerns seriously. Recordings on which suspended Englewood Cliffs Police Chief Michael Cioffi allegedly says hed like to kill the former council president should be released to the public, a superior court judge ruled. Englewood Cliffs Police Officer James Tracy filed a lawsuit seeking the release of the tapes, in hopes that they will help his discrimination lawsuit, after he was denied access to the tapes during an Open Public Records Act request. Judge Christine A. Farrington ruled Dec. 21 that although the recordings -- made by Cioffi with a borough-owned digital recorder while going about his work day -- were not produced in the normal course of borough business, they have since become part of the boroughs ordinary business. The recordings were made using a digital recording device owned by the borough. Most of the 120 recordings were made while Cioffi was on duty and in uniform as the boroughs chief and most recordings were of conversations that took place on borough property between borough employees, she said. Although they were not sanctioned or made by the borough, the recordings were made by an agent of the borough, were made using borough property, and recorded conversations of borough employees, Farrington ruled. Tracys attorney, Justin Santagata, said Englewood Cliffs was being disingenuous by claiming the tapes were not government records while simultaneously using them for borough business. The way this was handled by the (town) was a disservice to any employee who happened to be on a recording and didnt know it, he said. They tried to keep them confidential but used them in their own way. Santagata said he is working with the boroughs attorney to determine a date the recordings will be made available. The order says five days ... but that fell over Christmas, he said. It should be soon. Its just not going to be five days. Mayor Mario Kranjac said hes all in favor of releasing the recordings. Its good for transparency and my anti-corruption campaign, he said. The OPRA request from Tracy requesting the recordings was denied by Borough Clerk Lisette Duffy, who herself has been the subject of disciplinary charges. I find it disappointing that someone had to go to court to (get the recordings), Kranjac said. The recordings came to the publics attention in late September when they were played at an Englewood Cliffs council meeting by Former Council President Carrol McMorrow. In one snippet, Cioffi allegedly says of McMorrow, Id like to kill her but I cant. Borough officials learned of the tapes when they were handed over by Cioffi during the discovery phase of a lawsuit the chief filed against the borough. Cioffis attorney, James Patuto, said the tapes are a side issue by now. The voters of the town have rejected the mayor -- all his candidates lost, Patuto said. The Mayor charged the chief criminally and they threw it out. I think everybody is in agreement that this thing should settle, Patuto said. These are old tapes -- going on three years old. The mayor and his people have surreptitiously released anything that might be construed as negative. They were all taken out of context. This has to end. Englewood Cliffs -- a 3.3 square mile town where the median home value is more than $1.2 million -- was Democratically controlled for more than 40 years until Kranjac took office in 2016. Cioffis other adversary, McMorrow, is a former Republican councilwoman and the wife of former deputy police chief Michael McMorrow, who walked away from his $200,000 per year job in 2016 citing a hostile work environment. McMorrow, who has played samples of the tapes that were not covered under a confidentiality agreement pertaining to the federal lawsuit filed by Cioffi, said she is pleased with the ruling to release the tapes. Im happy that the tapes will finally be released to the public, so the public may hear for themselves recordings that include racist, sexually explicit harassing comments, and threats against my life made by Chief Michael Cioffi (and other officers), McMorrow said in a written statement Wednesday. The divided council, following failed attempts and public pressure, suspended Cioffi with pay for 120 days October 11. His mandatory retirement date, because of his age, is the end of this month. He and three other officers also face administrative charges over statements that are contained within the 120 tapes. Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A New Jersey man is searching for the owner of an engraved silver wedding band that was found in a popular Jersey Shore town more than a year ago. Mike Delaney spotted the wedding band on 96th Street in Stone Harbor in 2017, he said. He kept the ring on his dashboard with intentions of following up, but didnt realize it was a wedding ring until he was cleaning out his Jeep on Monday. The simple ring is marked with the date 12-19-53 and the names Marian and Jack. A very simple silver wedding band. Marian and Jack 12-19-53 found on 96th St. Stone Harbor NJ pic.twitter.com/2Ikn44J5E4 Mike Delaney (@JeeponeSH) January 1, 2019 Delaney posted the picture on Twitter hoping the social media boost would help find its rightful owners or a family member, he said. Delaney noted the simplicity of the 65-year-old band caught his eye, adding it showed the importance of the bond, but not the need for extravagant spending, he said. My wife and I understand the sentiment, he tweeted. We spent approximately $200.00 on our ring set forty years ago. While no one has contacted him about the ring, Delaney said he did find one possible lead and is planning to mail them a letter Wednesday. Delaney asked anyone with information to reply to the original tweet. The inside of the band is engraved with a couple's name, Marian and Jack. Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips SECAUCUS -- A teenage boy was arrested on Christmas Eve after police found him in a stolen vehicle with a gun, ammunition and marijuana, authorities said. The 15-year-old Bronx resident was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of ammunition and unlawful possession of a firearm by a minor. He was also charged with receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana and being an unlicensed driver, Secaucus police Capt. Dennis Miller said in a statement. The arrest came after Secaucus police received a report just before 8 p.m. on Dec. 24 of a black Jeep Cherokee with New York license plates driving erratically in the area of the Shell gas station near Route 3 East. When police arrived at the area of Sixth Street, they spotted a vehicle fitting the description. Authorities said the teen tried to leave the SUV when police officers approached him, but he was stopped and questioned. Police then confirmed the vehicle was stolen, and the teenager was placed under arrest -- at which point police found that he had marijuana and the key fob to the stolen vehicle, Miller said. During a search of the stolen vehicle, officers also recovered .32 caliber and 9mm bullets, along with a .32 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, according to Miller. The teenager was taken to Union County Youth House on Dec. 24. On Dec. 26, police returned to the scene and found a loaded 9mm handgun. An investigation is currently underway to determine who discarded that handgun, Miller added. Aya Elamroussi may be reached at aelamroussi@jjournal.com . Follow her on Twitter @aya_elamroussi. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY Iris Beltran was having breakfast with her family in their third-floor apartment at 203 Garfield Ave. when she saw dark smoke coming up the stairwell. I felt so worried, Beltran said. Sometimes you dont think about yourself. The first thing I was thinking was my baby, she said, noting that her 1-year old son, Ronyck, was her priority. A three-alarm blaze Wednesday morning caused heavy damage, including a partial roof collapse, at the six-unit building and spread to 201 Garfield Ave., displacing the residents there as well. Thank God we got out fast, added Beltran, who lives in the apartment with her parents, who have lived there for at least 12 years. Beltran expressed hope that she will rebuild with her family. Keyshawn Jones, 18, who has lived on the first floor for nearly seven months, said none of his family members his mother and two sisters were home at the time of the fire. But he is worried about his pets, a dog and a snake. Right now, I dont know what to think, said Jones, one of 15 people from the two buildings who were displaced. I just need to let know if my dog is alive ... Its crazy. I dont know what to do next. Dorlyne Fleury, who has lived on the second floor for more than three years, was at work when the fire broke out and she received a call from her boyfriend alerting her of the fire. I feel so much pain right now. Imagine what wouldve happened to me if I stayed home today? Fleury said, adding that she contemplated staying home today because she wasnt feeling well. The building manager said he will be providing apartments for the displaced residents. Jersey City Fire Chief Steve McGill said Wednesday that 203 Garfield could come down at any time." One family of five lives at 201 Garfield, but The Jersey Journal didnt spot them at the scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation. JERSEY CITY A Hudson County judge ruled Friday that the Fulop administration must hand over documents requested by Kushner Companies related to the developers stalled Journal Square project, a plan that is at the center of a separate legal proceeding in federal court. Judge Francis B. Schultz five-page decision, which also slaps Jersey City for not devoting enough resources to answering public-records requests, comes as the administration faces renewed criticism over its transparency. The ruling stems from a complaint the Kushner firm and its partner, KABR Group, filed against the city in September after it told them their document requests were overly broad and would have disrupted city government if the city fulfilled them. But Schultz found the city made no real effort to find the requested documents and he ordered the city to deliver them to the developers within 20 days. "None of the three requests required discretion or 'research' on the part of the defendants and these are not the type of documents which would have required a search that would have interrupted agency operations," Schultz said. Because the judge identified the developers as the prevailing party, the city will be on the hook for their legal fees unless the city appeals and wins. Its a sad day when a public official like Mayor Fulop, and the city he controls, is found to have blatantly violated the law, contrary to the oath of office he took," said the developers' attorney, Joseph B. Fiorenzo. We will now find out what the city, and Mayor Fulop, have been hiding concerning the political machinations surrounding the award of tax abatements in Jersey City. City spokeswoman Ashley Manz said the city will likely appeal. Taxpayers should not have to pay for a pointless and futile fishing expedition, she said. The Kushners' sense of entitlement is embarrassing for them as they are so detached from reality that they think they can bully a city into giving them money, Manz said. It is absurd and isnt going to happen in Jersey City. The developers began seeking documents in June, the same month they filed the federal action that accuses Fulop, the city and the Jersey City Redevelopment Agency of putting the brakes on the One Journal Square project because of Fulops animus toward President Trump (Kushner Companies is run by the family of Trump son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner). Fulops May 2017 announcement that he did not support a tax break for One Journal Square was the first public signal that the project was in trouble. According to Schultzs decision, the city and the developers went back and forth for three months about the requests, which asked for a host of documents related to tax abatements granted to another developer who had plans for the same property, emails related to tax abatements granted to dozens of other projects citywide and city policies regarding abatements in general. The developers also sought documents related to the 30-year tax break given in 2014 to the nearby Journal Squared property, a three-tower plan developed by another branch of the warring Kushner family. Kushner Companies and KABR Group are arguing in federal court that Fulop and the city improperly treated the two Kushners unequally by granting one side a 30-year tax abatement and saying he would not support a 30-year tax break for the other side. The Fulop administration has struggled with transparency issues since he became mayor in 2013. The mayor fought to keep his meetings calendar private after this newspaper sought a copy of it. It regularly uses an OPRA exemption to deny access to emails and other documents. Most recently it failed to turn over dozens of documents related to police force to NJ Advance Media. The OPRA lawsuit filed by Kushner Companies and KABR Group led to a hearing that included testimony from a city clerk who handled the requests. Schultz denied to take action against her or any other city clerk who worked on them. "The problem is that Jersey City is not providing enough staff to accommodate the OPRA requests it receives," the judge said. Jersey City received 3,335 OPRA requests in 2018, up 657 from the previous year. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Hoboken police were kept busy on New Years Eve and New Years morning with revelers who partied a little too hard and now have a real story to tell about how they spent the first day of the new year. Five people were arrested between 11:30 p.m. New Years Eve and 2 a.m. New Years morning in the Mile Square City; and police responded to 162 calls, Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante said in a Twitter post. Of the five arrests, three were for disorderly conduct, another for drug possession and another criminal mischief, Lt. Edgardo Cruz said. None of the people arrested are from Hoboken and only one of the five is from Hudson County. At 11:31 p.m Monday, a 22-year-old Rahway man was charged with criminal mischief when police said he kicked a window at Basiles Pizzeria and caused an estimated $1,000 in damage. Police Officers Samuel Flores and Jonathan Lyons responded and met with a New Jersey Transit police officer who said he saw the Rahway man kick the window. At 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, a 23-year-old East Hanover man who was apparently intoxicated was charged with disorderly conduct when he refused to leave the area after he was turned away from a downtown eatery, Cruz said. Police Officer Michael Losurdo and Detective Anthony Hochstadter responded when restaurant staff said the man became abusive and angry about being turned away. Police warned the man to leave, but he refused and he was arrested. A 1:17 a.m. Monday, a 24-year-old Pennington man was charged with disorderly conduct when he got aggressive with police on River Street downtown, Cruz said. Police Officer Michael DePalma was stopped by the man, who requested assistance for his intoxicated girlfriend. The man became aggressive toward his girlfriend, demanding she leave, but due to her intoxication, police sought medical attention for her. The 24-year-old tried to prevent medical technicians from assisting the woman and he was arrested after being warned several times, police said. At 1:39 a.m. Monday, a 22-year-old Oradell man was also charged with disorderly conduct when he yelled and cursed at police officers who were issuing a summons in a different incident at 201 Washington St., Cruz said. Police Officers Tyler Soto and Fabian Quinones asked the 22-year-old to leave the area, but he refused and continued yelling, causing a scene in front of people passing by. Eventually he was arrested. At 1:52 a.m., a 20-year-old Jersey City man was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, driving with a suspended license and drug possession in a motor vehicle after a traffic stop at Third and Washington streets, Cruz said. Police Officer Steven Albert was conducting a random registration check and found the owner of the vehicle had a suspended license. Albert stopped the motor vehicle and detected the odor of burnt marijuana and saw marijuana in plain view inside the vehicle, Cruz said. The 20-year-old was arrested and issued a summons to appear in court. A three-alarm blaze broke out inside a six-unit building in Jersey City Wednesday morning and spread to the building next door, displacing 15 people from their homes. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries in the blaze that was reported at 203 Garfield Ave., a three-story building at the corner of Winfield Ave., at 8:45 a.m., Fire Chief Steven McGill said. All the residents escaped the building unharmed. The fire is believed to have started in the rear of 203 Garfield, on the first floor; and soon after it was reported the blaze spread to 201 Garfield Ave., McGill said. Four of the six apartments at 203 Garfield were occupied at the time of the fire, and the 10 residents are not being allowed back into their homes. About an hour into fighting the blaze, firefighters were evacuated from 203 Garfield because of a roof collapse, said McGill, who warned that 203 Garfield "could come down at any time. The fire was declared under control at about 10:45 a.m., although firefighters remained at the scene to check for hot spots. At 201 Garfield, what appears to be a two-family home, most of the fire damage occurred on the top floor, although the entire building sustained heavy water damage. Five people there have been displaced. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, McGill said. Video by Fred Odom BAYONNE Two New York teens were arrested and charged with stealing personal property from vehicles in the Bergen Point neighborhood, police said. A 17-year-old girl from Brooklyn, and a 14-year-old boy from New York City, were charged on Dec. 31 after officers saw them checking vehicle door handles in the area of Sixth Street and Newman Avenue, police said. When police stopped the two juveniles, the 14-year-old fled and a foot pursuit ensued. He was taken into custody, and was found to have personal property stolen from a nearby car belonging to a Newman Avenue resident, authorities said. Further investigation found the teens had ransacked two cars on Newman Avenue. Both individuals were charged with burglary, theft, possession of burglars tools, while the 14-year-old was additionally charged with obstructing a governmental function, police said. Their names were not released because they are minors. The unions attorneys had argued that the organization didnt seek to intervene until well after Madigan sued in August 2017 because officials in her office assured union leaders that the decree would not infringe on their collective bargaining rights. Union officials only learned late in the process that the decree would contain provisions they view as violating their rights, the unions lawyers contended. For example, the proposed consent decree calls for the Police Department to investigate anonymous complaints, but the FOP contract bans most anonymous complaints. The Devils placed forward Taylor Hall on injured reserve on Tuesday while he continues to recover from a lower body injury that has sidelined him for the past three games. The move is retroactive to Dec. 23, so Hall is eligible to be activated at any time. He remains day-to-day with the same injury that also cost him two games in the middle of December. Forward Blake Pietila and defenseman Egor Yakovlev were recalled from Binghamton in the AHL prior to the Devils' departure for Dallas to start a four-game road trip. While Hall did not travel with the team to Dallas, it is possible the forward joins the team at some point on the trip, which includes stops at Arizona, Vegas and Buffalo. Hall will definitely miss his fourth straight game when the Devils play the Stars at 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Considering this is the second stretch of games Hall has missed due to this injury, the Devils will likely be extra cautious this time, allowing the reigning MVP to get completely past it before returning. When Hall initially went out on Dec. 14, he had trouble bending and flexing on the bench during practice due to soreness. A nagging injury got to the point where he needed to rest it. He returned to play four games after missing two contests, but the injury bothered him again following a 3-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 23. Hall has missed the Devils' three games coming out of the NHLs Christmas break, but the Devils won all three in his absence. Forward Marcus Johansson, who on IR with an upper body injury suffered on Dec. 20, also did not travel with the Devils to Dallas. He has resumed skating on his own, and he could also meet the team on the trip if he is cleared for full practice. Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook. Lianna Bonacorsi of Franklin Township has been named the 2019 New Jersey Agricultural Fair Ambassador. The 17-year-old North Hunterdon Regional High School senior was chosen Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair Ambassador in August, making her eligible to seek the state post. She was selected from among six contestants at the Agricultural Fair Association of New Jersey fall dinner meeting. As ambassador, Bonacorsi will promote agriculture and visit the states 20 fairs in 2019. Her parents, Sam and Laura Bonacorsi, operate Bonacorsi Family Farm, with locations in Franklin and Kingwood townships, where she helps out in the summer, on weekends and after school, especially during u-pick apple and strawberry seasons. The family primarily grows fruits, but also raises goats, rabbits, ducks and chickens. Active in Hunterdon 4-H, Bonacorsi belongs to the Creative Kids Food and Arts Club and the Junior Leaders. She has been photographer, vice president and president in Creative Kids and vice president of Junior Leaders. This year, she joined the No Goats No Glory Club. For the past year, she was a Hunterdon 4-H Ambassador, which includes working with children in the Clover Buds program. Liannas knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for agriculture will make her an ideal spokesperson as she attends our states agricultural fairs next summer, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said. Her passion and dedication will allow her to encourage other young people to pursue their goals and become involved in agricultural youth organizations and explore agriculture-related careers in the future. I was not anticipating this at all, Lianna said on winning the honor. Ive never done anything like this, so I was a little intimated. It will be great to meet the states farmers and I am really interested to see the work they do. She is active in several groups at North Hunterdon Regional High School and plans to go to The College of New Jersey to major in art education or art therapy, but she intends on remaining involved in agriculture as well. I definitely want to come back to agriculture in the future, she said. Growing up I didnt see myself involved in science and math since I am more artistically inclined, but I have definitely learned a whole lot about how agriculture works. It does have a lot do with science and Im glad agriculture has exposed me to that. Bonacorsi said she has enjoyed getting to know people in the community while working on the farms. During the strawberry season Im out there every day and during the apple season, we grow over 70 different types of apples, so I like seeing the reactions when people say, what kind of apple is this? Ive never heard of it. A man suspected of burglarizing a Fair Lawn home Tuesday night struck a police officer with his car before crashing into a tree as police chased him, authorities said. Fair Lawn police were called to a Garwood Road home shortly before 7 p.m. after the homeowner received an alert on his phone that someone was inside his house. The homeowners surveillance video app showed a masked person inside, police were told. As officers arrived, they found a man reclined in a parked car around the corner on Gurney Terrace. As they ordered the (man) sitting in a reclined seat out of the vehicle, he started the vehicle and sped off, striking Detective Brian Rypkema, police Sgt. Brian Metzler said in a statement. Rypkema suffered minor injuries to his hand and arm, Metzler said. An officer in a patrol car saw the car speeding on Franciscan Way in Fair Lawn and chased him through side streets into Glen Rock, where the car struck a tree while turning from Godfrey Terrace onto Gibson Place, Metzler said. The car rolled and landed on its roof on the front lawn of a Gibson Place home, Metzler said. Police say a driver suspected of burglarizing a Fair Lawn home led them on a chase into Glen Rock, where he hit a tree and rolled over onto a lawn. (Photo by Boyd A. Loving) The driver got out and ran, but was captured by an officer in the fenced-in backyard of the home, Metzler said. Corey DeGroat, 42, of Englewood, was taken by ambulance under police guard to Valley Hospital in Ridgewood after complaining of head and chest pain due to the crash, police said. Metzler said DeGroat was charged with burglary, theft, aggravated assault, contempt of court, resisting arrest, reckless driving, failure to wear a seatbelt and driving on a suspended license. DeGroat was held at the Bergen County Jail to await a court hearing. Glen Rock police, Ridgewood police and Bergen County Sheriffs officers assisted with the investigation. A burglary suspect is taken to a hospital in Bergen County after police say he crashed his car during a police pursuit. (Photo by Boyd A. Loving) Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A man who police say was drunk on New Years Day and driving on a suspended license crashed into two New Jersey Transit buses in Bergen County before getting out of his vehicle and running off, police said. Police responded about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday to a report of a crash involving two buses and a car at Broadway East and 27th Street in Fair Lawn, according to police Sgt. Brian Metzler. Officers found Craig Tomlinson, 23 of Paterson, about 20 minutes after the crash on Banta Place and Rosalie Street. He was arrested after failing a roadside sobriety test, Metzler said. Tomlinson was charged with reckless driving, leaving the scene of a motor-vehicle crash, driving while intoxicated and driving on a suspended license, Metzler said. The man was later released ahead of a court hearing. A 37-year-old New Jersey mother has been charged with causing her 7-month-old daughter to overdose on drugs over the summer, authorities said Wednesday. The infant has since recovered after being treated at two hospitals for the overdosing in July. The child no longer lives with Shannon Devine, of Atlantic City, according to police in Hamilton, Atlantic County. Devine was arrested Dec. 21 after an extensive investigation by police. She was charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, police said Wednesday. Police got a 911 call around 10:30 p.m. July 8 and found the infant unresponsive at a residence on Oakmont Drive. The baby was treated by the townships rescue squad and brought to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City. The infant was later moved to the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Authorities didnt reveal the gender of the baby or say what type of narcotics were involved. A Hamilton police spokesman declined to provide additional information. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Niagara Falls, NY (14301) Today Cloudy with rain this morning...then scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 71F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. SEYMOUR When the clock strikes midnight March 29, Fire Marshal Paul Wetowitz will extinguish a career in emergency services that has spanned more than four decades. Wetowitz, 63, submitted his letter of resignation this week to First Selectman Kurt Miller. I have put in over 44 years of both volunteer and paid emergency service with multiple departments in Seymour, said Wetowitz. I have had a fulfilled career and experience in my past public service. While Wetowitz plans to hang up his full-time fire marshal hat that hes worn for nearly 19 years, he has requested that Miller appoint him a volunteer deputy fire marshal. The uncompensated position would enable Wetowitz to maintain his certification, while helping assist the office with employee changes, finish some projects, complete his plan of a regional fire investigation team and continue fire prevention activities and limited inspections. Miller said Wetowitzs request to remain active after retirement speaks volumes. I think it shows how dedicated he is to this community, said Miller. He wants to make sure the office continues to operate at a high level and his offer to stay on and help in a volunteer capacity will certainly allow that to continue. Miller said Wetowitz has been an asset to the town. He has done a fantastic job in working to move the office forward over the past 10 years, Miller said. The experience he brought from the private sector coupled with the experience he has as a longtime volunteer fireman, were the perfect mix. He has dedicated time to promoting workplace safety and training to make our buildings as safe as they possibly can be. Wetowitz got involved in emergency service in 1974 when he joined the towns volunteer ambulance corps. He quickly learned helping people was his niche, and joined Great Hill Hose Fire Co., became a supernumerary police officer and trained to be a volunteer fire inspector, which ultimately led to him becoming fire marshal. I loved serving the citizens of Seymour so much and responding to calls, he said. For Wetowitz, the most important part of the job has been fire code enforcement, which he believes truly saves lives. He recalled a devastating fire in 2011 on Main Street that consumed an apartment building downtown, yet all the occupants escaped safely. The fire brought back memories for Wetowitz as he and his wife of 35 years lived in the apartment on the top floor where the cooking fire started for a time after they got married and it was the exact place where he first proposed to his bride. You wonder if you identified all potential code violations the last time it was inspected, Wetowitz said. You hoped and prayed while responding that everyone got out. And when you arrive and find out that all occupants got out, you are so relieved. In between those countless building inspections and fire investigations, Wetowitz has always made time to promote fire safety. From working with town children on safety posters and giving the winner a ride in a firetruck to distributing free smoke detectors to residents and stressing the importance of having wells tested for contaminants, Wetowitz has dedicated his life to helping others. During retirement, he plans to get active again with Great Hill Hose and possibly pursue a run for the Board of Finance. I still love helping people, he added. It is a great thrill to know I have made a difference in someone's life. Miller plans to post the job and interview candidates over the next few weeks. jean.sos@snet.net ANSONIA When Connecticut Magazines January 2019 edition recently hit newsstands, it was no surprise to many that Crave Restaurant once again had topped a best of list. In business downtown since 2007 at 102 Main St., Crave has nabbed the magazines Readers Choice award for Best Latin American restaurant in Connecticut for a fifth time. For owner Libby Meissner, being recognized again by readers is a wonderful way to kick off the New Year. I found out when one of my regular guests texted me and congratulated me, said Meissner. Of course I was beside myself to have this honor awarded once again. Meissner attributes Craves success story to her team of employees, which she affectionately calls her tribe members. I feel our team of employees that we have is an integral part of our success, Meissner said. They care for our guests and want to offer them rockstar service. Consistency and quality in product, of course, are a must. Readers selected Crave from numerous culinary options around the state, according to a news release from City Hall. Craves eclectic menu offers something for everyone craving something a little different and with a Latin twist, from their Grits Con Queso Y Puerco (cheddar cheese grits with pulled pork) to its Camarones Diablo (tiger shrimp with Cajun spices). Meissner said in addition to Craves unique menu, ambience and warmth is the final key ingredient to having a successful business. Crave offers live music every night, and since 2015 Crave has undergone two major expansions including doubling its indoor dining capacity, adding a piano lounge and opening a large, seasonal outdoor deck. City Economic Development Director Sheila OMalley was not surprised Crave made the cut again. Libby Meissner and Crave are certainly worthy of distinction and definitely deserving of the award, said OMalley. The owner and the restaurant have made Ansonia their home, recently expanding to include an outdoor patio for dining. Their success is Ansonias success. Crave has helped put Ansonia on the map as a dining destination. We now have restaurant row, in part because of the success of Crave. Our hats off to Libby for making Crave and Ansonia the place to be. Connecticut Magazine is a Hearst publication. jean.sos@snet.net A $19 million vacation home? Only a rarefied few can swing that type of transaction. And only a precious few locations are worth it. But billionaire Mark Cuban's recent purchase of a seaside mansion in Laguna Beach, CA, ticks all the boxes. While he's based in the Dallas area, Cuban is frequently on the West Coast shooting episodes of "Shark Tank." It's likely he and his family will get some serious use out of the six-bedroom, 10-bath, contemporary stunner in the elite Montage Residences. Ever the deal-maker, the Dallas Mavericks owner scored the estate for well under its asking price. Located in one of Orange County's most prestigious enclaves, the mansion initially went on the market in January 2018 for $26 million. "The Montage Residences are perfect for the discriminating buyer. All owners have access to multiple amenities from the adjacent Montage Laguna Beach," says listing agent John Stanaland of Villa Real estate. Amenities include housekeeping, access to a posh spa, room service from the hotel's restaurants, and concierge services. There's also engineering support in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong in the house. Homeowners also have access to the Montage's Mosaic Pool, just in case they want to mingle with other folks instead of using their own private pool. "The home has an impressive wine cellar, media room, and a gym," says Stanaland. "There's also a beautiful indoor-outdoor space for enjoying the best of Southern California living with breathtaking ocean views." Cuban founded Broadcast.com, which made him a billionaire when it was acquired in 1999 by Yahoo! for $5.7 billion. Now 60, he's diversified his holdings, investing in companies such as Landmark Theaters and Magnolia Pictures, in addition to the Dallas Mavericks. He's also busy funding new ventures he learns about on the popular entrepreneurial reality show "Shark Tank." The post Mark Cuban Makes a Move and Scores Laguna Beach Beauty for $19M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Im very, very, very excited about the sale, Maldonado said. I think that this will be a great asset for the Humboldt Park community, which, as you know, has been under threats of gentrification for years. This would be one other block to be able to slow down, to divert and to correct the forces of gentrification. (CNN) When Katsunori and Kaori Osaka had their first child, they were living in a cramped flat in Nagoya, a city of more than 2 million people in central Japan. Like many other young couples, they tried to raise their child in the city but found life among the apartment blocks too crowded and expensive, with few child care options. Eventually, they gave up. "When people are in their 20s and 30s, they can't really afford to live in a bigger space in a city," Katsunori said. "We knew that if we wanted to have more kids, we couldn't do it there." Fourteen years later, the Osakas moved to Nagi, where Katsunori grew up. The sleepy agricultural town in western Japan has become a success story in the country's efforts to boost its declining birth rate. With a population of about 6,000, Nagi feels a world away from Nagoya, and residents cite the lack of busy streets and crowds as reasons why it is a great place to bring up children. But they're not the only benefits: Nagi also pays couples who live there to have children. Families receive a one-time 100,000 yen ($879) payment for their first child, 150,000 yen ($1,335) for their second and as much as 400,000 yen ($3,518) for the fifth child born to the same family. Nagi has been ramping up payments since 2004, as well as offering other fertility-boosting parental perks, to turbocharge the town's birth rate and buck Japan's broader trend of aging populations. Perks include subsidized housing, free vaccinations, school allowances and reduced nursery costs. And they appear to be working. In the neighborhood where the Osakas live, most couples have three or more children because they can and they want to. This leaves Nagi in stark contrast to much of Japan. Between 2005 and 2014, the town's fertility rate based on the average number of children a woman has in her lifetime doubled from 1.4 to 2.8, to widespread domestic acclaim. Since then, Nagi's total fertility rate has dipped slightly to 2.39 but is still considerably higher than the national average of 1.46. Shrinking Japan Japan has been on a steady demographic decline since the 1970s. In 2017, fewer than 950,000 babies were born while the number of deaths rose to a postwar high of 1.3 million, according to the Ministry of Health and Labor. The country's total population stands at 127 million, and children make up just 12.3% of the total, compared with 18.9% for the US, 16.8% for China and 30.8% for India, according to government figures. And by 2065, Japan's population is expected to drop to about 88 million. Tokyo, a city of more than 9 million people, has the lowest fertility rate of all the 47 prefectures in Japan, at 1.17. It also has the largest number of children on waiting lists for day care facilities. More than 5,400 children are seeking an elusive spot at day care centers in the city, nearly 30% of the national total. Traditionally, government policies had made it difficult for working men and women to balance their careers with family life, said Hirokazu Kato, a professor of economics at Meiji University in Tokyo. As well as a lack of child care, the country's declining fertility rate is influenced by career demands and the increasing trend among men and women to delay or avoid marriage. The numbers of people still unmarried by age 50 hit a record 23.37% for men and 14.06% for women in 2015, according to a report released by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research. But Kato said another key factor is the steady migration of people from the countryside to expensive smaller apartments in crowded cities. More than 93% of Japan's population lives in urban areas, where having one or more children is just too hard for many couples. "There's a huge gap between the cost of living in Japan's major cities and the less populated areas of the country," Kato added. Couples in the city are often also far from their families, who could otherwise help support them. Is the progress enough? Since the 1990s, Japan has introduced policies to boost its birth rate, such as enhancing child care services and improving housing and public facilities for families with children. Last year resulted in some progress nationally: The number of children on waiting lists for daycare centers nationwide slipped below 20,000 for the first time in 10 years, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Furthermore, that year, the government announced a 2 trillion yen ($18 billion) spending package to expand free preschool for children ages 3 to 5 -- and for children 2 and under from low-income families -- and cut waiting times at daycare centers. As in many places around the world, women in Japan were traditionally expected to leave work to care for their families. But such attitudes are slowly shifting. "The traditional way of thinking, 'men at work and women at home', is a historical relic in Japan," said Yukiko Inoue-Smith, a professor of education psychology at the University of Guam. "Women in Japan want to keep their jobs, and their husbands want them to work so they can have a double income." Government efforts to keep women in the workforce through a plan called womenomics are also paying off. In just three decades, the percentage of Japanese women age 30 to 34 who return to the labor force after becoming mothers has risen from 50% to 75%, according to recent reports. But many of those who go back to work have to accept lower wages or get stuck on the career ladder, according to a report published in 2017 by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Fathers must also play a greater role in child care and the home so women can resume their careers, according to Inoue-Smith. This presents its own difficulties. In Japan, new fathers can take up to one year of non-paid paternity leave -- one of the highest fathers leave periods in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. However, only 3% take this, as they fear the repercussions on their careers and income. A family-friendly future Nestled amid leafy hills, Nagi is famous for its wagyu beef and boasts a small manufacturing center where 19 companies have factories. Life remains fairly traditional; most couples marry in their early to mid-20s and start families soon after. The women who live in or move to the town know it doesn't offer high-flying careers but value the chance to balance work and home life. Up to 70% of women continue their day jobs, often as office workers or teachers, after childbirth. Lengthy commutes, grueling workloads and limited child care aren't a problem here. And for mothers who want to work a few hours a week, a local company offers casual jobs such as data inputting and packaging goods while their children are in daycare. The town also spends a decent proportion of its budget on family services, partly due to extra funds it receives from the government for hosting a Japan Self-Defense Force garrison. In the past, officials here have also accepted lower salaries so they can funnel more money into the town's future. Some large extended families still live under one roof, or at least within the same neighborhood, so grandparents can pitch in with the children while their parents work. "We've really focused on creating a family-friendly environment in Nagi," Nobue Sasaki, a soft-spoken town official, said inside the pastel-tinted walls of the Nagi Child Home, a center dedicated to supporting mothers and people across the age spectrum. Kozue Kobayashi, a mother in her early 30s who moved from Okayama city to Nagi, said she appreciated the camaraderie of the Nagi Child Home, where she gets help looking after her children. She comes most days. "It's better than just staying at home and feeling alone and overwhelmed," Kobayashi said. "If I'd stayed in Okayama, I wouldn't have access to this kind of service." Nagi undertook a large-scale public relations campaign in 2012 to publicize the success of its family planning initiatives -- and word has spread. When CNN visited, a group of smartly dressed senior bureaucrats milled around the entrance to the center's playroom. They were just some of themany people who had come to learn the town's fertility secrets. "Our population has remained stable, but we can take some lessons away from a space like this," said Nagatoshi Ishiura, a bespectacled local politician from the neighboring town of Shouji. "It's nice to see a place where there's still exchange between three different generations." As well as parent-friendly policies, changing attitudes in Japanese society have helped create the right environment for having children in Nagi. Traditional expectations that women give up work after childbirth are breaking down. Choosing to be a stay-at-home mom is gradually becoming a personal choice rather than a societal obligation, said Inoue-Smith, the education psychology professor. Kaori chose parenthood over her career but said she wouldn't necessarily want that for her own children. "I'm not expecting my own daughters to stay in Nagi," she said. "I'd prefer it if they left Nagi and saw more of the world." The presidents rationale, if you can call it that, for refusing to sign a bipartisan government funding bill that does not include money for a border wall is a familiar one. It goes like this: A nation without borders is no nation at all. Donald Trump does not mean we do not have borders. The president means, I think, that our borders are so inadequately controlled that we may as well not have borders. And because controlling the border is in the national interest, not controlling borders, using draconian means, is actually undermining the national interest. Or something like that. Im not sure. And Im not sure Trump understands what hes saying beyond sloganeering (which is probably enough for him). He likely thinks that the national interest is a racially white interest. What I do know is I havent seen a counterpoint to the claim that borders make a country, and that compromise of a countrys borders is a comprise of a countrys national interest. The first step in establishing that counterargument might be in looking to established law. In the years after the Second World War, it was clear that our racist posture with respect to immigration contributed to mass murder by the Germans. We refused to admit enough Jewish refugees. As a result, millions died. So Congress passed a law reflecting our newfound leadership in the global community. It turned America into the worlds safe haven. Here is what the federal statute says: Any alien who is physically present in the U.S. or who arrives in the U.S. (whether or not at a designated port of arrival ...), irrespective of such aliens status, may apply for asylum. ). So the intent of Congress is clear, and because it is, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to allow the Trump administration to block immigrants who enter the country illegally from seeking asylum. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security had previously issued a new rule saying that if you didnt come through an official port of entry you couldnt apply for political asylum. A lower court said no, the statute is crystal clear. In refusing to hear the case, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed that lower courts ruling to stand. Another step is challenging Trumps stated belief that borders make a country. That principle does not appear to apply to Ukraine. Russia invaded its Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Russian forces remains there today. When asked in July if Trump would raise the violation of Ukraines sovereignty with Vladimir Putin, he said, well, Crimea is Russian. They all speak Russian. Getting most of the attention last summer was the fact that Trump was mimicking the Kremlins official line. Getting less attention was the statements subtext: language, and by extension culture, are what make a country, not borders. I dont think the president believes this. If Trump believed that language and culture, not borders, make a country, his administration might not be committing alleged criminal acts and human rights violations on our southern border. My point is to suggest that his nationalist rhetoric is empty. The most conventional and recognized criteria for the creation of a nation-state is whether it has an established institutions. (Im borrowing from Manlio Grazianos What Is a Border?) If you have a constitution, a set of laws, an army, a congress, a government and a border, you have a state. If you dont, you dont. By this definition, America would be America whether our border is closed, open or regulated (as it is now). Borders arent definitive. Theyre one of many traits. But that, too, misses something larger. Institutions typically dont come first in nation-state creation, Graziano writes. A state begins with a struggle of various interests to define the common so-called national interest, around which institutions are then built. Im not a scholar of international affairs, but it seems to me that America figured this out a while ago when the founders agreed to sign the Declaration of Independence. For more than two centuries, our national interests have been rooted in the bedrock principles of equality and the natural rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Wed still be a country even if the southern border were in Trenton, N.J. After the government reopens (whenever that is), the president will likely trot out his vision of the national interest again, which is that without borders, a nation isnt a nation. Thats bosh. America isnt American because of its borders. America is America because of its people. John Stoehr is the publisher of the Editorial Board, a daily newsletter about politics. He lives in Westville. EAST HAVEN - A 23-year-old West Haven man has been arrested for allegedly pistol whipping a person in the parking lot of the Quality Inn on East Frontage Road on New Years Eve. Willie E. Griffin was charged with criminal possession of a pistol, carrying a pistol without a permit, first-degree threatening and second-degree assault. Lt. Joseph M. Murgo said in a release that at 12:13 a.m. on Tuesday, Yale New Haven Hospital security contacted the East Haven Police Department to alert officers of an assault that had occurred at the Quality Inn. The assault victim told hospital security that he was assaulted with a gun while attending a New Years Eve party at the Quality Inn. It was quickly determined that the assault victim had been pistol whipped with a handgun and not shot, Murgo said. Officers responded to the Quality Inn and made contact with several rooms who were having parties. It was learned through the investigation that the occupants of one party crashed another rooms party which created an argument among the two groups. It was also alleged that one group was planning on robbing the other group. A verbal argument escalated into a physical altercation at which point a handgun was pulled out and used to strike the victim on the head. The victims girlfriend then transported him to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Murgo said. Video surveillance of the assault, which took place in the parking lot, was obtained by officers who were then able to determine the aggressor in the fight. Officers detained Griffin, who was seen on surveillance video engaged in the assault. While officers were in Room 122 speaking with Griffin about the assault, a loaded .22 caliber handgun was located in the bathroom. The handgun located was determined to be the instrument used in the assault and was seized. After Griffin was positively identified as being responsible for the assault, he was placed under arrest and transported to the East Haven Police Department where he was charged. He was held on $200,000.00 bond pending arraignment in New Haven Superior Court. Munoz, who was appointed to his seat by then-Mayor Richard M. Daley in 1993, is the citys longest-tenured Hispanic alderman. He announced in July that he would not seek re-election. At the time, he said he was retiring because he was having fun writing the next chapter of my life. Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN The Book Trader Cafe, an independent used bookstore and cafe on Chapel Street, reported a burglary Wednesday morning. Kelly Pyers, a store manager, said the cafes baker arrived around 4:30 a.m. to find the glass side door shattered and the cash register in pieces on the floor. She said a small amount of cash was missing. HAMDEN A town resident and North Branford police officer was arrested after he allegedly was found in possession of more than 1,000 images and videos of child pornography, according to the Hamden Police Department. Anthony DeLuise, 58, of 168 Sebec St. , was arrested Monday at police headquarters and charged with first-degree possession of child pornography, Sgt. Anthony Diaz said in a release. Hamden and Connecticut State Police began the investigation in Jan. 2018 that resulted in DeLuises arrest, Diaz said. A search and seizure warrant was executed at his home in July 2018, at which time officers seized multiple storage media devices, including computers. Upon examining these items, 1,424 still image and movie files of suspected child pornography were found, Diaz said in the release. A warrant for DeLuises arrest was then requested and obtained, Diaz said. Deuise is free on a court-ordered $25,000 bond and scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Meriden Jan. 8, Diaz said. Deluise has been absent from his position as a police officer in North Branford since Feb. 14, 2018, according to a release from Acting Police Chief James Lovelace. The North Branford Police Department has been made aware of the investigation and subsequent arrest of Mr. DeLuise, Lovelace said in the statement. NBPD has taken all necessary steps to ensure that both public safety and the departments operations are not compromised, Lovelace said, also in the statement, The charges against Mr. DeLuise are disturbing and troublesome, however, they are the actions of a single person and do not reflect the behavior of the dedicated men and women of the NBPD. An internal affairs investigation pertaining to the allegations of malfesance has been set into motion, Lovelace said. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com. Chinas space agency said its control center in Beijing would choose a suitable time to try the landing, but the Smithsonian Institution, the American museums and research centers group, reported that the craft was expected to set down on the Von Karman crater landing point between January 1 and 3. The moon lander was launched at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southern China on December 8 on a Long March 3B rocket and entered lunar orbit four days later. The far side of the moon faces away from Earth and it remains comparatively unknown. It has a different composition from sites on the near side where previous missions have landed. China launched a relay satellite, Queqiao, or Magpie Bridge, between Earth and the moon. Operating about 400,000km (250,000 miles) from Earth, Queqiao will pass on signals to the lunar lander and rover of Change 4. Lunar Sample Return Next by 2020 China will launch a returnable spacecraft called Change 5 by 2020. Change 5 will include a lunar lander and a rover that could return to Earth after collecting samples and performing surveys on the planets satellite BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Smoking is now banned inside cars with kids in a western New York county, adding to similar prohibitions in a couple of other places in the state. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz signed the Public Health Protection Act on Friday. Besides prohibiting smoking in cars carrying people under 18 years old, the law also bans smoking at bus shelters and bars pharmacies from selling tobacco products. Drugstores have until the end of February to rid the shelves of tobacco and nicotine products. Violators will be given warnings for the first three months, before facing fines of $50 or more. Smoking in cars with kids is banned in eight states, including Arkansas, Louisiana and California. In New York, its banned in the city of Schenectady and in Rockland County. A Tioga County man is due in court Jan 8 to face a felony manslaughter charge for the death of his neighbor in a deer hunting-related shooting that took place on the last day of the Southern Zone firearms season. An investigation by State Environmental Conservation officers determined that on Dec. 9 Dean Brockoff, 53, of Lockwood, fired a shot from his Winchester bolt-action . 30.06 rifle that stuck and killed David Barton, 73, according to New York Outdoors News. The shooting took place at approximately 7 a.m. as the two were hunting together on private property in a wooded area off of Miller Hollow Road in the town of Barton in Tioga County. According to state deer hunting regulations, hunters are not allowed to shoot before sunrise. Sunrise that day in Tioga County was 7:21 a.m. The Lockwood Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene, and Barton was transferred by ambulance to Gutherie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa., where he later died. No further details were released, such as whether Barton was wearing hunter orange, according to New York Outdoors News. At the direction of the Tioga County District Attorney, Brockoff was arrested by DEC investigators and charged with manslaughter in the second degree, a class C felony. He was processed at New York State Police barracks in Owego and arraigned before Town of Owego Justice Pat Hogan. He was initially taken to Tioga County Jail following his arraignment, with bail set at $20,000 cash/$40,000 bail. He pleaded not guilty to the charge in court on Dec. 11 and was placed on a supervised release, New York Outdoors News reported. Under the terms of his release, Brockoff was ordered not to contact Bardens family and all firearms were removed from his home. New coffee baked goods and sweet beverage treats are available starting today TORONTO, Jan. 2, 2019 /CNW/ - For a limited time only, you can now order your Double Double as delicious bite-sized Timbits. A full line up of new coffee flavoured baked goods and hot beverages have arrived at Tim Hortons and they're sure to warm you up this winter season. "With many cold winter days still ahead, we want to warm Canadians' spirits with exciting new flavours and treats they'll get excited about," said Jorge Zaidan, Head of Marketing, Tim Hortons Canada. "We're excited to bring the beloved Tim Hortons Double Double flavour to Canadians in an entirely new way." Rod Serling was the most famous writer in the world. He was a wonderful writer, but his fame derived not so much from the words he put down on paper as from the fact that, almost by happenstance, he was chosen to be the on-camera host for a TV series he had conceived-a series known as ''The Twilight Zone.'' Like you, when I think of Serling it is in terms of those ''Twilight Zone'' episodes-Serling standing there, reciting elegant, almost formal prose with a chopped, clipped, dramatic inflection that is still widely imitated today, 30 years after the first broadcast: ''There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man`s fear and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.'' I think about this because I have just read the galleys of a forthcoming biography of Serling, written by Joel Engel. Engel makes a case that ''The Twilight Zone''-while making Serling ''the only writer in history whose name, face and voice (were) as recognized as his writing''-ultimately destroyed him. Serling, Engel argues, was an enormously gifted writer who became so cast adrift by his unexpected fame that he ended up as a prisoner in his own Twilight Zone-a sensitive wordsmith trapped by a degree of celebrity and public expectations he never could have imagined when, as a boy, he first sat down at a typewriter. Serling began writing dramas for the networks when live productions such as ''Playhouse 90'' were the most prestigious vehicles a TV scriptwriter could dream of. Serling was still in his 20s when his work was first produced on the networks; his talent was astonishing. Two of his teleplays in particular-''Patterns'' and ''Requiem for a Heavyweight''-are generally considered as among the finest dramas ever broadcast. The medium of TV was new, and so was Serling, and immediately he received more job offers than most writers get in a lifetime. Chronically insecure about his own talent, he seemed unable to say no to any of the offers. He wrote and wrote and wrote; nothing ever earned him the critical acclaim that ''Patterns'' and ''Requiem'' did, but his name was made. He felt private despair that perhaps his best work was already behind him; yet producers were always ready to give him money for just about anything. Then came ''The Twilight Zone.'' Orson Welles was the first choice for narrator, but Welles was too expensive, so the network let Serling do it. Almost instantly, the writer-the boy who used to hide behind his typewriter-was known by every cab driver, grocery shopper, businessman, laundry worker. . .he was known by everyone in America. What Americans did not know was that on one level, Serling despised ''The Twilight Zone.'' He had quit actually writing; the demands for his words were so great that he began to dictate those words to a secretary. Yet, almost against his will, he became addicted to the fame that accrued from those few minutes of weekly narration. When ''The Twilight Zone'' was canceled, he began to do commercials for luggage and toothpaste; he served as the host on a game show; he accepted bit acting parts. In 1970 a new Serling teleplay, titled ''Storm in Summer,'' was broadcast on ''Hallmark Hall of Fame.'' I remember watching it-not knowing who the writer was-and weeping. It was that good. Serling, though, apparently never realized that the talent was still there. Around that time, he said: ''Now I know why people keep scrapbooks-just to prove to themselves it really happened.'' Serling died in 1975 at the age of 50 while undergoing heart surgery. Biographer Engel sums everything up in a paragraph you can imagine Serling delivering to the camera: ''Portrait of a man who realized too late that talent does not alight forever, that money is a poor substitute for greatness, that fame is a prison, and that self-deception can be a deadly vanity. . . .Like an impotent man whose sex drive continues to rage, he will be haunted by memories of his past splendor and tormented by each new mediocrity. The moral, ladies and gentlemen, because all stories have morals, is simply that everything in this universe comes with a price tag. Rod Serling went on a shopping spree. His last stop was the Twilight Zone.'' VICTORIA, Dec. 31, 2018 /CNW/ - IMMUNOPRECISE ANTIBODIES LTD. (the "Company" or "ImmunoPrecise") (TSX VENTURE: IPA) (OTC PINK: IPATF) today reports its financial results for Q2 ended October 31, 2018. The financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") can be viewed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Financial Highlights: Revenue. During the three months ended October 31, 2018 , the Company increased revenues to $2,716,791 (YTD: $5,589,576 ) from $1,316,261 (YTD: $1,907,319 ) in 2017. This represents a 106% (YTD: 193%) increase in revenue from the Company's increased capacity, expanded market share in Europe , increased high margin projects at its B-cell lab and the acquisitions of U-Protein Express and ModiQuest Research. During the three months ended , the Company increased revenues to (YTD: ) from (YTD: ) in 2017. This represents a 106% (YTD: 193%) increase in revenue from the Company's increased capacity, expanded market share in , increased high margin projects at its B-cell lab and the acquisitions of U-Protein Express and ModiQuest Research. Gross Margin . During the three months ended October 31, 2018 , the Company increased its gross margin to $1,401,725 (YTD: $2,969,551 ) from $533,195 (YTD: $566,607 ) in 2017. In percentage terms, the Company's gross margin increased to 52% (YTD: 53%) from 41% (YTD: 30%) in 2017. The Company anticipates that gross margin on a percentage basis will continue to be over 50% for the balance of fiscal 2019. . During the three months ended , the Company increased its gross margin to (YTD: ) from (YTD: ) in 2017. In percentage terms, the Company's gross margin increased to 52% (YTD: 53%) from 41% (YTD: 30%) in 2017. The Company anticipates that gross margin on a percentage basis will continue to be over 50% for the balance of fiscal 2019. Strong Working Capital Position. As at October 31, 2018 , the Company had cash on hand of $8,831,052 and a strong working capital position of $8,188,165 . As at , the Company had cash on hand of and a strong working capital position of . Net Loss. The Company recorded a net loss of $1,485,732 (YTD: $2,588,094 ) during the three months ended October 31, 2018 , compared to net loss of $903,252 (YTD: $1,761,084 ) for three months ended October 31, 2017 . The net loss increased in 2018 primarily as a result of additional staffing for growth initiative projects. Growth Initiatives: European Operations. The acquisitions of U-Protein Express (August, 2017) and ModiQuest Research (April, 2018) have enhanced ImmunoPrecise's position as a leading, full-service antibody CRO, by strengthening its ability to partner with clients across the entire antibody discovery, manufacturing, and engineering continuum. The acquisitions of U-Protein Express (August, 2017) and ModiQuest Research (April, 2018) have enhanced ImmunoPrecise's position as a leading, full-service antibody CRO, by strengthening its ability to partner with clients across the entire antibody discovery, manufacturing, and engineering continuum. High Margin Projects . In the first half of fiscal 2019, the Company has deliberately seeking opportunities to move its antibody production facilities toward higher margin services such as B-cell and transgenic animal antibody discovery. . In the first half of fiscal 2019, the Company has deliberately seeking opportunities to move its antibody production facilities toward higher margin services such as B-cell and transgenic animal antibody discovery. New Antibody Discoveries. The Company has strategically invested in the development of antibody discovery platforms and related intellectual property assets. At a minimal cost, the Company plans to independently identify new therapeutic targets and pursue collaborations, joint ventures and/or licensing agreements related to high value disease targets. "We believe our strong revenue growth reflects our progress toward the goal of aligning our Companies' unique continuum of services, supporting clients from target selection through pre-clinical studies, with an ever-strong and growing, global market. There has been an impressive increase in the scale of services requested by prospects and clients, further confirming the value of investing in our global presence to emerge as a leader in the full-service, antibody discovery and development sector," stated CEO and President, Dr. Jennifer Bath. "We are happy with our second-quarter performance, the integration of our new production sites, and we are optimistic about continued growth in revenue and shareholder value." Grant of Stock Options The Company also announces that it has granted a total of 1,250,000 stock options to its directors and officers. The options are exercisable at a price of $1.00 per share for a period of five years from the date of grant. One-third of the options will vest every six months from the date of grant. About ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd. ImmunoPrecise is a full-service, therapeutic antibody discovery company focused on the next generation of antibody discovery, to deliver the most therapeutically-relevant antibodies, in a shorter period of time, with the highest probability of succeeding to clinical trials. ImmunoPrecise operates from state-of-the-art laboratory facilities located at the Vancouver Island Technology Park in Victoria, British Columbia, in collaboration with its wholly-owned subsidiary operations at U-Protein Express B.V., in the Life Science Incubator, Utrecht, and ModiQuest Research, Oss, both in the Netherlands. The Company operates globally to offer antibody services from target analysis to pre-clinical studies. The services offered to clients include antibody discovery against a broad spectrum of antigens, including challenging targets. Amongst these services, the Company offers hybridoma production, B-cell services, and a variety of phage display platforms. The Company also provides a broad range of supporting services including immunologically-based assays, recombinant protein manufacturing, humanization, optimization, stable cell line development, and advanced solutions to challenges faced by clients in antibody-related research and development. The antibodies produced by ImmunoPrecise target a wide variety of therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications. Forward Looking Information This news release contains statements that, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company uses words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "expect", "believe", "intend" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by ImmunoPrecise in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to ImmunoPrecise's expectations and predictions is subject to any number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Many factors could cause ImmunoPrecise's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Such factors include, among other things, actual revenues and earnings for IPA being lower than anticipated, and those risks and uncertainties described in ImmunoPrecise's annual management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017 which can be accessed at www.sedar.com . The "forward-looking statements" contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release and, unless required by applicable law, ImmunoPrecise undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise such information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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. SOURCE ImmunoPrecise Antibodies Ltd. For further information: For investor relations please contact: Frederick Chabot, Phone: 1-438-863-7071, Email: [email protected], Contact Financial Corp.: 1450 - 701 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5 Related Links www.immunoprecise.com According to a national survey conducted by President's Choice (PC) *, 92 percent of Canadians want to spend more time enjoying a meal with loved ones. However, many are guilty of prioritizing screen time and viewing the incredible moments of others over the incredible moments in front them: almost 1 in 3 Canadians (29 percent) admit to spending more than four hours of their free time engaging with screens each day; while 43 percent say they spend less than one hour each day enjoying a meal with friends and family. "The act of eating together is very simple, yet the positive impacts are significant," says Uwe Stueckmann, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Loblaw Companies Limited. "We know moments and memories are created while sharing meals together, conversations are created with our children, healthier meals are eaten, and we leave the table happier and more connected with the ones we love." To encourage Canadians to recognize the power of sharing a meal, PC has released its third PC Eat Together film a 90-second film inspired by philosopher Alan Watts' The Dream of Life chronicling people who are striving to meet society's standards of what it means to live life to the fullest. The film wraps by underscoring that for most, the greatest moments in life are not those captured in that quest, but the ones that take place around the table with family and friends. With a limited-run in cinema, and airing December 31st, the film is designed to influence New Year's resolution lists and encourage all Canadians to Eat Together. The film is the first in a series of activities that PC will undertake in 2019 to support Eat Together, leading up to the third annual Eat Together Day on June 14, 2019. New this year is the introduction of the PC Eat Together pledge (pc.ca/eattogether), where every time a Canadian commits to Eat Together, $1.00** will be donated to the PC Children's Charity to help children in need eat together with their friends and families. ** For every pledge made on pc.ca/eattogether, $1.00 will be donated to PC Children's Charity to a maximum of $250,000. About Loblaw Companies Limited: Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader and the nation's largest retailer. Loblaw provides Canadians with grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services. With more than 2,400 corporate, franchised and Associate-owned locations, Loblaw, its franchisees, and Associate-owners employ approximately 200,000 full- and part-time employees, making it one of Canada's largest private sector employers. Loblaw's purpose Live Life Well puts first the needs and well-being of Canadians who make one billion transactions annually in the companies' stores. Loblaw is positioned to meet and exceed those needs in many ways: convenient locations; more than 1,050 grocery stores that span the value spectrum from discount to specialty; full-service pharmacies at more than 1,300 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix locations and close to 500 Loblaw locations; PC Financial financial services; affordable Joe Fresh fashion and family apparel; three of Canada's top consumer brands in Life Brand, no name and President's Choice; and Canadas top loyalty program PC Optimum. * A survey commissioned by President's Choice (methodology below) About the President's Choice Survey: From Wednesday, December 12 to Thursday, December 13, 2018, an online survey of 1,510 randomly selected adult Canadians who are Maru Voice Canada panelists was executed by Maru/Blue. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size has an estimated margin of error (which measures sampling variability) of +/- 2.4%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been weighted by education, age, gender and region (and in Quebec, language) to match the population, according to Census data. This is to ensure the sample is representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding. SOURCE Loblaw Companies Limited For further information: please contact: [email protected], 905-459- 2500 Related Links www.presidentschoice.ca Foreign policy was the last thing on voters' minds in the midterm elections, but as we begin 2020, one thing is clear: President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy - or its progressive cousin, retrenchment - is broadly popular in both parties. Trump's recent decision to withdraw all troops from Syria and 7,000 from Afghanistan has been condemned by Democrats and Republicans alike in Washington, D.C. But it is not at all clear that Americans beyond the Beltway are equally outraged. The fact is, whatever tolerance most Americans had for the global role the United States embraced after World War II began to fade with the collapse of the Soviet Union and was shattered by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the 2008 financial crisis. Whoever takes office in 2020 will have a hard time bucking a trend that preceded Trump and will likely survive him. Yet that president is going to face an increasingly dangerous world that looks more like the 1930s than the end of history - with populists, nationalists and demagogues on the rise; autocratic powers growing in strength and increasingly aggressive; Europe mired in division and self-doubt; and democracy under siege and vulnerable to foreign manipulation. Then there are the new challenges of our own century - from cyberwarfare to mass migration to a warming planet - that no one nation can meet alone and no wall can contain. Doubling down on "America First," with its mix of nationalism, unilateralism and xenophobia, will only exacerbate these problems. But so would embracing the alternative offered by thinkers across the ideological spectrum who, concerned that our reach exceeds our means, advise us to pull back without considering the likely consequences, as we did in the 1930s. Back then, the result was an even greater global conflagration. But after World War II, when Americans stayed engaged, built strong alliances with fellow democracies and shaped the rules, norms and institutions for relations among nations, we produced unprecedented global prosperity, democracy and security from which Americans benefited more than anyone. It wasn't a perfect world, but it was far better than the alternative. So here is the challenge: Can we find a foreign policy of responsible global engagement that most Americans support, that draws the right lessons from our past mistakes, that steers between the equally dangerous shoals of confrontation and abdication, and that understands the difference between self-interest and selfishness? Such a policy would rest on four pillars: 1. Preventive diplomacy and deterrence A responsible foreign policy seeks to prevent crises or contain them before they spiral out of control. That requires a combination of active diplomacy and military deterrence. Successive administrations have underfunded and undervalued our diplomacy, none more dangerously than the present one. With a depleted senior diplomatic corps and key posts still unfilled, with cuts to foreign aid, with tariffs targeted at our closest allies and with confidence in American leadership at a nadir, we are depleting one of our greatest assets: the ability to defuse conflicts and mobilize others in collective action. Most Americans do not know the role our diplomats have played over the decades in preventing wars between nuclear-armed nations such as India and Pakistan; between Israel and the Arab states; and between China and Japan in the East China Sea. American diplomacy helped end the Cold War, reunify Germany and build peace in the Balkans. The United States led others to begin addressing climate change, to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, to fight the Ebola epidemic, to confront the Islamic State and to level economic playing fields. Properly empowered, American diplomacy can save trillions of dollars and many thousands of lives that will otherwise be spent responding to crises that explode because we ignored problems while they were still manageable. As geopolitical competition intensifies, we must supplement diplomacy with deterrence. Words alone will not dissuade the Vladimir Putins and Xi Jinpings of this world. Recognizing their traditional imperial "spheres of interest" will only embolden them to expand farther while betraying the sovereign nations that fall under their dominion. Since we face real budget constraints, we have to make tough choices about how best to defend our interests. We'll have to strike the right balance of modernization, readiness, asymmetric capabilities and force structure. Whatever formula we choose, we must convince rivals and adversaries that trying to achieve their objectives by force will fail and that they have more to gain through peaceful cooperation and economic development than through aggression. What about our own use of force? In the 1990s, we drove Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait, removed a drug-dealing dictator in Panama, and brought peace to the Balkans with minimal American casualties; later we killed Osama bin Laden. But the mistakes we made in Iraq and Afghanistan - including bad intelligence, misguided strategy and inadequate planning for the day after - have sapped support for projecting American power. Yet force can be a necessary adjunct to effective diplomacy. In Syria, we rightly sought to avoid another Iraq by not doing too much, but we made the opposite error of doing too little. Without bringing appropriate power to bear, no peace could be negotiated, much less imposed. Today we see the consequences, in hundreds of thousands of civilians dead, in millions of refugees who have destabilized Europe and in the growing influence of Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. If the retreat from Syria announced by Trump proceeds, we will likely see the return of the Islamic State, as well. Going forward, we have to be judicious in our use of force; to focus on the aftermath of war as well as the war itself; to involve allies; to work with Congress and insist that it play its constitutional role. Americans need to know that if we use force, it has been carefully thought out - and by more than just a handful of officials. They deserve to know what our objectives are and to have reasonable confidence that we can achieve them. 2. Trade and technology Trump treats trade as a zero-sum game where "winning" means making more money than the other guy. Some progressive critics see free trade as the source of our greatest inequities. The reality is more complex. It's true that global trade, along with rapid technological change, is profoundly disruptive. Managed improperly, it can increase the gap between rich and poor, and fuel fears that today's jobs will be lost tomorrow. But the fact is, 70 years of free trade also helped lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, many into a global middle class - which in turn helped produce decades of peace and stability. Americans have never backed away from the challenges posed by competition and innovation. Trying to revive the industrial economy of the 1950s is impossible; nor should we embrace the protectionism of the 1930s that helped destroy the global economy and hasten world war. When we pull out of trade agreements, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, we hand a win to countries such as China. If we opt out, they will shape global trade and innovation to their benefit, not ours. We should insist on competing in a rules-based system that protects our people from the aggressive state capitalism of modern autocracies. We should use our market power to set the highest standards for protecting workers, the environment, intellectual property and middle-class wages, while insisting on transparency and basic commercial reciprocity. In other words, we'll treat you the way you treat us. We also need to stay ahead of the competition in new technologies, especially artificial intelligence, which will reshape the future global balance of power. We cannot cede to China or anyone else a technological sphere of influence. To maintain our edge, we must preserve the free flow of ideas and international collaboration that spark innovation, but we also need to crack down on espionage, technology transfer and intellectual property theft. Our tech firms need to take more responsibility for national security, both in preventing foreign efforts to manipulate our political system, and protecting data and privacy. If they won't, government will. Together, government and the private sector must renew investments in our human resources - through affordable education, training, health care, housing, infrastructure, research and development - to help our citizens weather the ups and downs of the global economy and the uneven effects of technological change. We need budget and tax policies that put a higher priority on these national requirements. 3. Allies and institutions The United States doesn't have to address these challenges or bear these costs alone. After World War II we wisely advanced the security and prosperity of countries that shared our interests, values and fears. Enlightened self-interest produced a community of democracies with new markets for our products, new partners to help meet global challenges and new allies to deter aggression. That strategy produced victory in the Cold War. Turning away from it invites defeat in the struggles that lie ahead. It's no coincidence that Russia has launched attacks against two nations that are not members of NATO - but has yet to strike a member of the alliance. Today, the rise of an alternative, techno-authoritarian model of governance is the principal threat to the community of democracies. Autocrats, fearing democracy's strength and appeal, have weaponized the tools of social control they use at home to sow division within and among democracies. To rally and protect ourselves, we must adapt. Our alliances are out of date in one key respect: The United States has European allies and Asian allies, but no institution links the Asian and European democracies. As China's Belt and Road initiative draws Asia, Europe and the Middle East closer together in ways that serve Beijing's interests, the democracies also need a global perspective - and new institutions to forge a common strategic, economic and political vision. Why shouldn't Germany and France work with India and Japan on strategic issues? Such an organization - call it a league of democracies or a democratic cooperative network - would not just address military security but also cybersecurity and other threats that democracies face today, from terrorism to election interference. 4. Immigration and refugees Finally, we have to contend with the most divisive and destabilizing phenomenon in geopolitics: mass migration. There are more people forcibly on the move around the globe - about 70 million - than at any time since World War II. Democracies have a right and obligation to control their borders, humanely. But as conflicts and economic, political and climatic crises drive people from their homes, we are not going to solve the problem with barbed wire and bayonets. With allied democracies struggling to cope with greater flows of migrants and refugees, the United States needs to lead, in our own interests, in addressing the causes and consequences of migration. That means doing more, not less, to prevent conflict and help others to withstand migratory shocks and to build strong and resilient democratic institutions. We must start in our own hemisphere. Today, out of $50 billion in foreign and military assistance, about $20 billion goes to the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. Roughly $12 billion goes to sub-Saharan Africa. Only $2 billion goes to Latin America - and less than half of that to the Northern Triangle countries - El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. That is not proportionate to our interests. The answer is not throwing aid at problems; we need to tie our increased investments to genuine reforms in governance, policing, judicial systems and the economy while combating corruption. We also need to bolster our neighbors' economies by trading with them, just as we did in Europe after World War II. Americans have been given a false choice. Of course, we need to put America first. But what does that mean? Decades ago, we learned that to advance America's interests required building and defending a more peaceful, prosperous and democratic world. Nation-building at home and promoting the stability and success of others go hand-in-hand. We also learned that the world does not govern itself. If the United States abdicates its leading role in shaping international rules and institutions - and mobilizing others to defend them - then one of two things will happen: Either some other power or powers will step in and move the world in ways that advance their interests and values, not ours. Or, more likely, the world will descend into chaos and conflict, and the jungle will overtake us, as it did in the 1930s. We don't need to make that mistake a second time. For all the flaws of the present world and the mistakes of our nation, we should not lose sight of what we have accomplished, and of what the world will look like if the United States, shortsightedly, forfeits the future. --- Blinken served as U.S. deputy secretary of state from 2015 to 2017 and deputy national security adviser from 2013 to 2015. Kagan is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing columnist for The Post. His latest book is "The Jungle Grows Back: America and Our Imperiled World." It appears Connecticuts first baby entered the world just 22 seconds after midnight in Danbury Hospital. Thats when Richard Eugene Ramirez was born to Gerardo and Maria Ramirez, formerly of Bethel and who recently moved to Oakville. We are so happy to have a son, Maria said last night from her bed at the hospital. Up until now my husband was the only man in our house. I tell him hes no longer going to be the king. Richard now joins his sisters Bridgette Nicole, 9 and Ellianne Marie, 2 and half-sister, Hania, 11, as family members. And how are the girls taking to the new man in their house? They love him, Maria said. They cant stay away from him. They are always asking: Baby are you OK. ... I know they will be helping me change him and feed him the bottle. Despite living in Oakville, Maria said she chose to deliver the baby at Danbury Hospital because of the wonderful staff and good treatment and care she received while delivering her two daughters there. The doctor calling the pregnancy was almost right on giving Maria a Dec. 31 birthdate. He only missed it by 22 seconds. As a result, Richard wont be a deduction on the familys 2018 federal income tax return. But thats not a concern for either parent. Im just grateful everyones doing well, said Gerardo, who owns Vickos Landscaping, LLC and serves clients in the Greater Danbury area. The parents say they chose the first name to honor two longtime friends who helped mentor GerardoRichard Margulies, a lawyer who now lives in Georgia and Richard Colonel of Newtown. The middle name Eugene was chosen to honor Gerardos late uncle, Eugene Sanchez. He raised me, said Gerardo, who hopes to receive his pesticide management license soon. And their plans for Richard Eugene? My priority as a parent is to raise my children to be respectful human beings, Gerardo said. I try to teach them everything I can about the business. I want them to do well in school. All my children are involved in the martial arts which teaches them not only how to defend themselves but discipline. Richard Eugene Ramirez wasnt the only baby to arrive in Connecticut New Years Day. Sharleene Russell of Hamden gave birth to a baby boy at 12:54 a.m. The baby weighed 3 lbs., 10 ounces nd is Russells fourth child. Mother and baby are doing well, a hospital spokesperson said. At 1:20 a.m., Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington had its first baby of the new year when Anne Endicott and Joshua Mocaby of Goshen welcomed Corina Scott Mocaby, the couples fourth baby and first daughter. Endicott said her due date for Corina, who weighed 7 lbs., 13 ounces, was Dec. 23, so giving birth to the first baby of 2019 in Torrington was not something she considered. Were just really happy shes finally here, Endicott said. The first baby born this year at Greenwich Hospital came at 4:54 a.m. New parents Melissa and Patrick Lawrence from New Rochelle, NY welcomed baby Nathaniel Jesus Lawrence, weighing 7 lbs., 7 ounces. The hospital said Melissa and Patrick met on Match.com. At Sharon Hospital, Lana Dyani Dean was born to first time parents Jessica and Chad Dean of Canaan at 1:02 a.m. Lana weighed 7 lbs., 7 ounces. According to the hospital, Lanas expected birth date was Dec. 26. Mother Jessica was born at the same hospital. We are so thankful for a happy and healthy baby, and I am looking forward to Jessica being the mom that she has always wanted to be, Chad Dean said in a statement from the hospital. As of 7:45 p.m. Bridgeport Hospital had yet to report its first birth of the year. This is the latest I can remember of us not having a New Years baby, said John Cappiello, a hospital spokesperson. According to Hartford Hospital, its first baby of the year was a boy named Kevin, born at 1:03 a.m. The United States Census Bureau projected in 2017 about 4.08 million births in the country during 2018 and projects 4.1 million births in 2019. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the American general fertility rate reached an all-time low in 2017 60.3 births per 1,000 women of childbearing age, a 3 percent decrease from 2016 and the number of reported births was the lowest since 1987. Pew Research Center researchers said a survey conducted in the summer of 2018 concluded 71 percent of U.S. parents younger than 50 say it is unlikely they will have more children, and 37 percent of childless adults under 50 say they dont expect to ever become parents. Four in 10 parents who cited at least one reason they did not expect to have more children said medical reasons play a role, whereas a quarter said their age was a factor. Pew researchers said the fertility rate experienced dramatic declines during the Great Recession, and fertility rates had not rebounded with the gradually recovering economy over the last decade. Business owners will be able to get one-on-one help with New Milfords community investment officer with the introduction of office hours. Kathy Castagnetta will hold office hours from 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays at the Makery Coworking space, at 20 Bank Street. Former Ridgefield Fire Chief Richard Nagle has died. Nagle, 77, served as chief of the Ridgefield Fire Department for more than a decade, from 1989 through 2000. Born and raised in Tarrytown, N.Y., Nagle served in the Tarrytown, White Plains, Croton-on-Hudson and New York City fire departments. He retired as a lieutenant from New York Fire Department before coming to Ridgefield as chief. He died Dec. 27. First Selectman Rudy Marconi and town Emergency Services Director Dick Aarons attended the wake for Chief Nagle on Saturday in Yorktown. Marconi said he spoke to Chief Nagles wife and children and expressed on behalf of the Town of Ridgefield our thanks for his years of service on behalf of our community, and our sympathy. Fire Chief Jerry Myers spoke of Nagle after returning from funeral services for him on Monday. He was really a great guy and he brought a lot of organization to the department, Myers said. He was one of those guys, as a boss, if you went up there and you had a good argument, hed be willing to listen and change his mind. He said that after retiring, Nagle hadnt forgotten the Ridgefield department. He left here in 2000. Every year we have a Memorial Day service down a the cemetery it lasts maybe half an hour. He came to every single one of them, Myers said. He came to retirement dinners and stuff. Never lost touch with us. He said Nagle had instituted a number of safety practices, including having only the closest engine responding to a routine call such as a fire alarm rather than all of them. Chief Nagle was a safety guy, he said. Everybody does that now, but back in 1989, that was big deal. Nagles career firefighting went side by side with a lifelong love of theater and acting. He was a co-founder of the Mahopac Farm Playhouse and the LaPino Dinner Theater. Among his many theatrical roles were performances of The Guys, a two-person play about a firefighter writing the eulogies of comrades fallen in 9/11. He performed the play at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md., and also at fire-training centers around New York state and the Northeast. Up to a few weeks before his passing, Nagle was in rehearsals for a production of Beauty and the Beast at the White Plains Performing Arts Center. For the past year and a half Ive been worried to death about whats going to happen when Anthony comes out, because what the hell?, what has the state done to this person and then said, All right, go forth? Main asked. So there has to be some acknowledgement and some awareness and some reckoning to address what we, the state of Illinois, 200 years old, are in the process of doing and have done and will continue to do unless there are conversations like this. BROOKFIELD The woman accused of embezzling more than $12,700 from a Brookfield Parent Teacher Organization also faces civil suits on charges that she failed to pay her credit card bills and hit a pedestrian. Monica Bevilacqua, of Brookfield, was arrested late last week after police said she took money from the Center Elementary School PTOs accounts. She is due in court on Jan. 10. Gene Zingaro, Bevilacquas attorney, said his client plans to pay full restitution to the PTO. He has said she has a clean record and wants to make this right. My end goal is to get these charges dismissed, Zingaro said. But court records show Bevilacqua was asked last month to pay $100,000 to settle a civil case with a pedestrian she hit and injured on Main Street in Danbury in 2016. Bevilacqua admitted in court documents to hitting the man. Her attorney for that case did not return a request for comment. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Feb. 5. More News News Danbury educator charged with embezzling from Brookfield PTO An attempt to reach Bevilacqua on Wednesday was unsuccessful. In November, a judge also ordered Bevilacqua to pay almost $17,000 she owed to Citibank for her Mastercard bills. Bevilacqua was treasurer of the Center PTO from November 2016 through July 2018. The PTO believes the embezzlement would have occurred between August 2017 and July 2018. When the new PTO board took over, members noticed discrepancies in their books and contacted the police, the PTO said in a statement. We are deeply saddened and angered that this has happened, and most importantly, hurt by how this impacts our children, the statement said. We look forward to a resolution soon where we can move forward and focus on what matters most making our school the best place for our children. Center PTO members, as well as members of the PTOs at other Brookfield schools, could not be reached for further comment on Wednesday. At the Board of Educations Wednesday night meeting, residents compared this incident to the 2015 arrest of the districts finance chief, who was charged with stealing thousands of dollars from the schools. Residents urged the school board to better oversee the PTOs finances, but board Chair Colette Sturm said the organizations are separate. The PTO has its own treasurer and accounting system apart from the school board, she said. This was not money disappearing from the Board of Education, Sturm said. This is purely a PTO issue. Chief James Purcell said he recommends PTOs follow their bylaws and conduct appropriate audits to prevent similar problems. Good business practices are always designed to prevent this sort of thing from happening, he said. Police said Bevilacqua wrote 11 checks to herself or to cash and forged another persons signature on three of those checks, police said. Bevilacqua was also accused of using the organizations credit to make 139 purchases from Amazon, 19 purchases at other merchants and 24 purchases from DoorDash, an on-demand meal delivery service. Bevilacqua previously acted as chair of the Brookfield Democratic Town Committee and briefly served on the Huckleberry Hill PTO in September. She is on indefinite suspension from her job at the Connecticut Institute For Communities in Danbury, where she led the the regional Head Start program. This is an initiative that helps provide early education to more than 350 low-income preschool children and support for their families. Jim Maloney, CEO of the Connecticut Institute For Communities, said Bevilacqua could not have embezzled from that organization because she did not have signature authority on any bank accounts. Maloney added the organization has very strong internal controls that require financial transactions to be approved by the controller or chief financial officer, the accounts payable clerk, and himself or the chief operating officer. CIFCs finances are also reviewed by an independent auditor each year, Maloney said. There has never been any identification of any problems, he said. BETHEL Bethel High School students got an extended winter break Wednesday when they were dismissed early due to the smell of gas in the school. The smell turned out to be coming from a rooftop HVAC unit, which was emitting the strong odor because of a valve leak, Superintendent Christine Carver said. Carver said the leak should be an easy fix, but that the building needed to be ventilated, so students were dismissed. She said students and teachers noticed the smell almost as soon as they walked into the building, but the odor got stronger as the HVAC system reached full capacity. It was getting worse because the heating systems were getting up to speed, Carver said. She said staff followed protocols and pulled the fire alarm at about 7:30 a.m., around when the school opens. The fire department and Eversource responded, while students were evacuated to Bethel Middle School and Berry Elementary School. The high school students were then dismissed for the rest of the day so the building could be ventilated and repairs could be made, Carver said. She said the fix should not be a big expense. She said school will likely open as normal on Thursday. This Wednesday was the students first day back after the holiday break. Carver said she believes the students will not need to make up the school day, since they technically came into school. Certainly we dont like our students missing the instructional time, but we always air on the side of safety, she said. CORRECTION: This article originally reported that Yankee Gas responded to the school. Yankee Gas is now known as Eversource. The article was corrected at 11:30 a.m. Thursday. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump rejected a plan from Democrats on Wednesday to reopen key parts of the federal government as a meeting of the country's top political leaders disbanded with no sign of progress toward ending the partial shutdown. The president is demanding more than $5 billion to build a new wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. As one of their first acts after they take control of the chamber Thursday, House Democrats plan to advance legislation that would reopen key parts of the government but deny Trump additional money for a wall. But Trump told congressional leaders that he will not sign the measure, said incoming House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who attended the meeting. "The president's not going to sign it. . . . Now's the time to come together, find common ground and solve this problem," McCarthy said. "I didn't find the Democrats were wanting to negotiate today." Trump has invited congressional leaders back to the White House on Friday for more discussions. But neither side offered any indication that a deal was within reach. The jostling from Trump and top Democrats reflects how Washington's new balance of power is unlikely to break the impasse that has shuttered large parts of the government since Dec. 22. And with no obvious path to a compromise, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Wednesday said the shutdown could drag on for "weeks." The 12-day government shutdown has entered a new and unruly phase. Before the meeting, Trump leveled a series of false assertions about immigration and the federal budget. Democrats countered by accusing the president of intransigence and said they would not yield to his demands. "We have given the Republicans a chance to take 'yes' for an answer," Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the expected incoming House speaker, said after the meeting. Earlier, Trump said the shutdown would go on "as long as it takes." The shutdown began Dec. 22, and its effects are spreading, particularly in the Washington region. The Smithsonian Institution closed its museums and the National Zoo on Wednesday. Trash and human waste are piling up at national parks. The District of Columbia has stopped issuing marriage licenses because of cutbacks to its funding, and the IRS, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and a number of other agencies have suspended or scaled back a variety of services for families and businesses. As Trump and Democrats scrap over the wall, both sides have all the power they need to block the other. Democrats can use their House majority - or a Senate filibuster - to stall any legislation that includes additional money for a wall. Trump can veto any bill that doesn't, and Senate Republicans have said they won't advance legislation that lacks the president's blessing. Trump wants $5.6 billion for the construction of 200 miles of wall along the Mexican border. Some Republicans have suggested that he would be willing to accept a lesser amount, but he tried to dismiss this idea Wednesday. He also rejected the negotiating position of his own top advisers. Vice President Mike Pence in December approached Democrats with a compromise offer of $2.5 billion for border security and wall improvements. But Trump on Wednesday said he would never accept that deal. "Somebody said 2.5 (billion dollars)," Trump said to reporters. "No. Look, this is national security we're talking about." Democrats have signaled a willingness to approve $1.3 billion for border security as part of a broader spending bill, and a portion of that money could be used to replace and repair existing sections of wall and fencing. But they have drawn the line at the use of any additional taxpayer money for the construction of a new wall. The president on Wednesday continued to advance falsehoods about where the wall money would come from and why it is needed. He said the wall would be paid for by Mexico through savings to the United States under a new North American trade agreement. But the trade agreement has yet to be approved by Congress, and trade experts said such savings are uncertain. He also wrote in a Twitter post that "Much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built." This is also not true. Some walls and fencing have been replaced during the Trump administration, but there is little evidence that new barriers have been established along the 2,000-mile border. And in remarks to reporters during a televised Cabinet meeting, Trump estimated that there are between 30 million and 35 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. That number is roughly triple the estimate his own Department of Homeland Security offered several weeks ago. Pelosi is under extreme pressure from liberal groups not to give in to White House pressure for any wall funding. McCarthy said Trump wanted to have the next meeting Friday, after leadership elections in Congress, and Trump has suggested that Pelosi is opposing money for the border wall because she is worried about losing support from liberals. But Pelosi has rejected the notion that she is opposing the wall for purely political purposes, and many Democrats have rallied to her defense. Throughout the 2016 presidential campaign and earlier in his presidency, Trump told voters he said he would build a concrete wall, 30 feet tall in most places, to keep people out. He also promised that Mexico would pay for the wall. Since becoming president, though, he has shifted this promise, saying the money must come from U.S. taxpayers. During the shutdown, Trump has offered much different descriptions of the barrier he wants to build along the Mexico border. He has said at times that it would be a traditional wall, but he has also rejected the idea of a wall and described it as a series of "steel slats." He recently offered a picture on Twitter of vertical posts with pointed tips, but other government officials said they were not planning to erect anything that looked like that. The shutdown began after Trump rejected bipartisan congressional efforts to fund many operations through Feb. 8, insisting that any deal must contain wall money. His demand infuriated many Republicans who had been working to avoid a shutdown, but most have followed his lead and are insisting that Democrats broker some sort of compromise. Democrats on Wednesday sought to ramp up pressure on Republicans to reopen the government, even suggesting that they push off a debate about the border wall to a later date. "I said, 'Mr. President, give me one good reason why you should continue your shutdown,' " Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said after the White House meeting. "He could not give a good answer." Two congressional aides briefed on the exchange said Trump told Schumer the president would "look foolish" if he backed down now. White House officials didn't respond to requests for comment on this exchange. Despite the far-reaching impacts of the shutdown, much of the federal government has not been touched. Major agencies such as the Pentagon and the Department of Health and Human Services have been funded through the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30, through spending bills passed by Congress last year. House Democrats on Thursday plan to pass two bills: one to fund the Department of Homeland Security at its current level through Feb. 8, which would continue the $1.3 billion in border barrier funding; and the other to fund the rest of the government through Sept. 30, at levels negotiated on a bipartisan basis in the Senate. That would make it possible for McConnell to send Trump a bill to reopen most of the government, while setting aside the fight over the wall. Trump and some conservative Republicans have said the fight over wall funding is necessary now because it's the best point of leverage, believing Democrats will rush to fund government programs and offer some money in return for GOP votes. That has proved not to be the case. Wednesday's meeting was crafted by the White House as an opportunity for DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to brief Democrats on problems along the Mexico border, but Democrats quickly interjected and said they wanted to talk about efforts to reopen the government. The last time Schumer and Pelosi met Trump at the White House, on Dec. 11, it turned into a bizarre televised squabble during which Trump said that he would be "proud" to shut down the government over the wall and insisted that he would take ownership of any shutdown. The agencies that are unfunded and in shutdown mode include Homeland Security, which would pay for the wall; as well as the Departments of Agriculture, Justice, Interior, Transportation, State, and Housing and Urban Development. NASA is also partially shut down, along with the National Park Service and an array of smaller agencies. Some 800,000 federal workers are affected, including about 350,000 who have been furloughed while the rest stay on the job wondering whether they will end up getting paid. In past shutdowns, Congress has approved retroactive pay once the impasse has been resolved. But the many government contractors affected may never make up their lost paychecks. The current shutdown is the longest since a 16-day partial shutdown in 2013 over the Affordable Care Act. - - - The Washington Post's Sean Sullivan and Josh Dawsey contributed to this report. New Delhi: US President Donald Trump's decision to pull American troops out of Syria "in no way changes anything" in terms of US support and protection of Israel, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday. Pompeo gave the assurance as he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks in Brasilia on the sidelines of the inauguration of Brazil's new president, Jair Bolsonaro. "The decision the president made on Syria in no way changes anything that this administration is working on alongside Israel," Pompeo said. ALSO READ | Turkey 'determined' to take on US-backed Kurdish forces in Syria "The counter-ISIS campaign continues, our efforts to counter Iranian aggression continues, and our commitment to Middle East stability and protection of Israel continues in the same way before that decision was made," he said. ISIS is another term for the radical militant Islamic State group (IS). The fact that the issue was the prime topic of conversation between Pompeo and Netanyahu underlined the uncertainty thrown up by Trump's December 19 decision -- announced on Twitter -- to withdraw US troops from northeast Syria, where they had been battling IS remnants. "We have a lot to discuss. We're going to be discussing our, the intense cooperation between Israel and the United States which will also deal with the questions following the decision, the American decision, on Syria," Netanyahu said. He said the talks would look at "how to intensify even further our intelligence and operational cooperation in Syria and elsewhere to block Iranian aggression in the Middle East." 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. 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. ALSO READ | Trump makes surprise visit to Iraq, defends Syria withdrawal 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. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. The idea that girls should read about and understand boys but that boys dont have to read about girls, that boys arent expected to understand and empathize with the female population of the world, Hale said, this directly leads to a culture that tells boys and men: It doesnt matter how a girl feels or what she wants. You dont have to wonder. She is here to please you. She is here to do what you want. No one expects you to have to empathize with girls and women. As far as you need be concerned, they have no interior life. New Delhi: Netflix has confirmed that it removed an episode of a satirical comedy show that criticises Saudi Arabia, after officials in the kingdom reportedly complained. The move raises new questions about the limits of free online expression. In the episode of "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj," the American-born Muslim lashed Saudi Arabia after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He specifically criticised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and was also critical of the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. "We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request -- and to comply with local law," a Netflix spokeswoman said in a statement. British newspaper the Financial Times said Netflix's action came after the kingdom's Communications and Information Technology Commission said the episode violated the cybercrime law. Also Read | Turkish TV airs sensational CCTV footage showing men transporting 'Jamal Khashoggi body parts' In December, the US Senate approved two symbolic resolutions blaming Prince Mohammed for the killing of Khashoggi, after intelligence reports pointed in that direction, and urging an end to US participation in the Yemen war. Karen Attiah, Khashoggi's editor at The Washington Post, said Netflix's action was "quite outrageous." The Saudi Information Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The episode can still be seen in other parts of the world -- and in Saudi Arabia on YouTube. Online platforms and tech companies face increasing scrutiny and growing public skepticism in the face of controversies about data sharing and the steady erosion of privacy. Also Read | 'I Can't Breathe' were Khashoggi's final words, sounds of saw on tape In October, the press freedom watchdog group Reporters Without Borders ranked Saudi Arabia as 169th out of 180 countries for press freedom, adding that "it will very probably fall even lower in the 2019 index because of the gravity of the violence and abuses of all kinds against journalists." After releasing its annual study of global internet freedom, another watchdog, Freedom House, said in November that Saudi Arabia was among those employing "troll armies" to manipulate social media and in many cases drown out the voices of dissidents. Minhaj, 33, has seen his profile rise steadily. His routines combine personal history and pointed political commentary wrapped in edgy topical humour. In 2014, he became senior correspondent on Comedy Central's popular "The Daily Show," and in 2017 was the featured speaker at the White House Correspondents' dinner. "Patriot Act" debuted in October 2018. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: US authorities fired the gas into Mexico to keep roughly 150 migrants from breaching the border fence in Tijuana. US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement later Tuesday that the gas was used to target rock throwers apart from the migrants who were trying to cross. "No agents witnessed any of the migrants at the fence line, including children, experiencing effects of the chemical agents, which were targeted at the rock throwers further away," the statement said. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three volleys of gas launched onto the Mexican side of the border near Tijuana's beach that affected the migrants, including women and children, as well as journalists. ALSO READ | Yellow Vest Protest: Emmanuel Macron vows to do better for citizens The AP saw rocks thrown only after U.S. agents fired the tear gas. The agency said agents saw "toddler sized children" being passed over concertina wire with difficulty. It said its agents could not assist the children because of the rocks being thrown. Agents responded with smoke, pepper spray and tear gas, it said. The AP journalist also saw plastic pellets fired by US agents. The agency said 25 migrants were detained while others crawled back into Mexico through a hole under the fence. Earlier, Donald Trump threatened to "entirely close" the Southern border with Mexico and change the immigration laws if the opposition Democrats did not agree to his demand of funding for a border wall. The Trump administration is seeking more than US dollar 5 billion for the construction of the border wall. Trump also threatened to end all US aid to three Latin American countries--Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras-- arguing that these nations have done nothing to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into the US. Donald Trump made a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking a key campaign promise in the 2016 election when he said it would be paid for by Mexico. "We will be forced to close the Southern Border entirely if the Obstructionist Democrats do not give us the money to finish the Wall & also change the ridiculous immigration laws that our Country is saddled with. Hard to believe there was a Congress & President who would approve," Trump said in a series of four tweets. ALSO READ | China inducts new-gen lightweight battle tanks for hilly terrain' "The United States looses soooo much money on Trade with Mexico under NAFTA, over 75 Billion Dollars a year (not including Drug Money which would be many times that amount), that I would consider closing the Southern Border a 'profit making operation'," the US President tweeted. "We build a wall or close the Southern Border. Bring our car industry back into the United States where it belongs. Go back to pre-NAFTA, before so many of our companies and jobs were so foolishly sent to Mexico. Either we build (finish) the Wall or we close the Border..," Trump said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: At least 19 people were killed on Tuesday in clashes between jihadists and rebels in northern Syria. "The fighting, pitting Al-Qaeda-linked coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) against an alliance of rebel groups, flared in western Aleppo province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. HTS had on Monday accused rebel group Nureddine al-Zinki of killing five of its fighters, and launched an offensive against rebel positions close to the country's last opposition bastion in the northwestern province of Idlib. Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Britain-based Observatory, said 12 HTS fighters and five from the Zinki group had been killed, along with two civilians. A further 35 people were wounded, he said. ALSO READ | Russia, Turkey agree to coordinate on Syria after US withdrawal Nureddine al-Zinki is a major player in the National Liberation Front (NLF), a Turkish-backed rebel alliance. HTS and other jihadist groups dominate more than half of Idlib province, while the NLF holds most of the rest. Earlier, Last week, Trump surprised the world and his country as well when he suddenly announced that the US is pulling out its troops from Syria. "In Syria, Erdogan said he wants to knock out ISIS, whatever's left, the remnants of ISIS. And Saudi Arabia just came out and said they are going to pay for some economic development. Which is great, that means we don't have to pay. We are spread out all over the world. We are in countries most people haven't even heard about. Frankly, it's ridiculous," Trump added. 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. 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. ALSO READ | Watch: Pervez Musharraf seeks covert US support to regain power 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. New Delhi: NASAs Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft entered orbit around an asteroid, Bennu, the smallest object ever to be circled by a human-made spaceship. The spacecraft, 110 million kilometres away, carried out a single, eight-second burn of its thrusters on Monday. The spacecraft is the first-ever US mission designed to visit an asteroid and return a sample of its dust back to Earth. "Entering orbit around Bennu is an amazing accomplishment that our team has been planning for years," said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator at the University of Arizona, Tucson. The spacecraft is orbiting Bennu about a mile from its centre. ALSO READ | NASA spaceship zooms toward farthest world ever photographed "Bennu has a gravity force only five-millionths as strong as Earth's, NASA said. Each orbit by OSIRIS-REx will take 62 hours. Bennu is also considered potentially dangerous. It poses a slight risk -- a one in 2,700 chance of colliding with Earth in 2135. The spacecraft is aimed to at least collect 60g of dust and gravel. However, Osiris-Rex wont be landing on asteroid Bennu but, rather use 3-metre mechanical arm to vacuum up particles in 2020. The spacecraft will head towards Earth in 2021. On August 17, spacecrafts PolyCam camera obtained the image from a distance of 2.2 million kilometres. At Bennu, the spacecraft spent the first-month performing fly-by of Bennus north pole, equator and south pole, at distances ranging between 11.8 and 4.4 miles (19 and 7 km) from the asteroid. The spacecraft will extensively survey the asteroid before the mission team identifies two possible sample sites, which will allow the team to pick one for sample collection, scheduled for July 2020. After the sample collection, the spacecraft will head back towards Earth before ejecting the Sample Return Capsule for landing in the Utah desert in September 2023. The name of the spacecraft and asteroid come from Egyptian mythology. Osiris is the god of the afterlife, while Bennu represents the heron and creation. ALSO READ | Railways develops AI-powered robot to check for faults in trains In 2010, Japanese space agency JAXAs Hayabusa spacecraft crash-landed into the surface of its target asteroid and managed to return a few micrograms of material. Hence proving sample collection from an asteroid is possible. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is known as a go-getter, who works with set goals and clear targets. On Day 1 of 2019, the Prime Minister set tone for the battle of Lok Sabah Elections and said that it would be janta vs gathbandhan. In an interview to news agency ANI, PM Modi rejected Modi vs everybody narrative and said that it was public that will decide the course of events. He not only rejected the idea of Grand Alliance but also termed the Opposition led by Rahul Gandhi as forces of corruption. In his 95-minute interview, the Prime Minister tackled questions on issues ranging from Ram Mandir to Rafale deal. Interview | PM Modi says surgical strikes a 'big risk', warns Pakistan; reveals why Urjit Patel resigned Talking on Ram Mandir, he turned down the idea of ordinance and said that let the Supreme Court decide and then his government would take required steps. This is seen by many as PM Modi opting for soft-Hindutva approach. Reacting to pm Modis remark, NDA ally Shiv Sena said that it is good that the Prime Minister has made his stand clear on the contentious issue. But the argument didnt go down well with the RSS, which has been aggressively demanding the construction of Ram temple in UPs Ayodhya. Whats interesting is the fact that the Prime Minister has also hinted towards allying with new partners in Lok Sabha elections. On new partnerships, the Prime Minister said that new allies will Continuously join. After 2014, small parties have joined. When asked about BSP chief Mayawati joining the NDA, he said that, I dont think any sensible person will spell out such things on TV, who will join, who cannot. But the public knows it all. Also Read | 'First family' is out on bail for financial irregularities, says PM Narendra Modi PM Modi Modi turned emotional while talking about the surgical strikes. The prime minister revealed he was getting live information about the mission and was keeping a close tab on the risky operation throughout the night. "I knew it was a big risk. I never care about any political risk to me. The biggest consideration for me was the safety of our soldiers," PM Modi said adding that he didnt want any harm to the commandos who were "willing to sacrifice their lives on our word." For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Amid protests at several places following two women's early morning visit to the Sabarimala temple, an umbrella organisation of various pro-Hindutva outfits called for a shutdown across Kerala on Thursday. Cloaked in black veils and shrouded in the early morning darkness, Bindu and Kanaka Durga, both in their early 40s, made history on Wednesday after they stepped into the Lord Ayyappa shrine, breaking a centuries-old tradition of not allowing entry of women from the menstrual age group of 10-50. Soon after the news of two women sneaking into the Sabarimala temple spread, Kerala witnessed a string of protests with agitated right-wing activists blocking highways and forcing the closure of shops and markets. Media personnel reporting from outside the state secretariat were also allegedly attacked by the BJP and Yuva Morcha activists. Police used stun grenades, tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse the protesters. Read | News Nation Exclusive: Priests sprinkle holy water, carry out purification inside Sabarimala temple, watch video Announcing the dawn-to-dusk shutdown on behalf of the Sabarimala Karma Samiti, its leader KP Sasikala said the government has betrayed devotees. The Samiti is spearheading protests against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict allowing women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine in Kerala. Their demands include the resignation of Pinarayi Vijayan as the chief minister of the state. This is the seventh shutdown called by right-wing groups in just three months over the Sabarimala issue. In a veiled attack at the Kerala government, Sasikala further accused them of acting like a "coward" and took the women to the shrine during the early hours. The Antharashtriya Hindu Parishad has also called for a hartal on Thursday. Read | Ravi Shankar Prasad cites Sabarimala case to seek fast-track hearing in Ayodhya title suit On January 22, the Supreme Court will hear a batch of review petitions, challenging its September 28 verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into the hilltop shrine in Kerala. The Nair Service Society, an outfit of Kerala's forward Nair community, which has filed the review plea, has expressed hope that the top court would take a favourable decision in the matter. In case, the Supreme Court rejects the plea seeking review of its earlier verdict, the outfit will approach the Centre for an ordinance in order to continue its legal battle to protect the faith of Ayyappa devotees. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi demanded a JPC in the Rafale combat jet deal during Winter Session proceedings of the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Gandhi opened the Rafale debate in the Lower house and said that a JPC must be formed to look into the multi-billion combat jet deal. Gandhi tried to play the Rafale tapes, which was rejected by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. She asked Gandhi if he was in position to authenticate the tape. She said that if he plays the tape, he will have to take the responsibility. Gandhi replied in negative and did not play the tapes. He raised the concerns over the Rafale demands and questioned the Modi government over the change in the number of fighter jets. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley replied on behalf of the Modi government. Countering Gandhi over Rafale charges, Jaitley said that, When he (Rahul) was a young man, was he playing in the lap of one Q whose name cropped up in the Bofors case. On JPC demand, Jaitley said no House Panel can go against the Supreme Court verdict. Jaitley countered Gandhi and said that, If the fingers point at you in AugustaWestland, National Herald and Bofors, then it is a bit too much. Today, they have the audacity to raise an allegation against us. On Tuesday, PM Modi in hist first interview of 2019 had said that. In Parliament, I have spoken elaborately on this (Rafale) and whichever public forum I got, I spoke about this. The matter has been cleared even by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court scrutinised it threadbare. The French President has spoken. ..The least they should do, the questions you are asking me, media should have the courage to ask where is the evidence for these allegations? Dont throw muck and run away.... They are not able to give any real evidence, just keep talking. Unko yeh bolne ki beemari hai toh mujhe kya baar baar usi me ulajna chahiye kya? (If they have this habit of raising this constantly should I also get embroiled in it) There should be debate in the country, why controversies have been created over defence deals since Independence and our forces weakened. Who is doing it? What is the reason? Also, what is the need for middlemen in the defence deals? Cant defence deal not be done without middlemen? Had Make in India been initiated 70 years back, the malai khane wala raasta from outside would have been closed. My crime is that I am trying to Make In India. My crime is that whatever our defence forces need, that should be made in India, so that dealings outside the country end. I am trying to get technology transfer. Those people who want to weaken the Army are levelling allegations. Should I worry that they are making personal attacks on me, or whether my countrys needs should be met? I decided that whatever abuses are hurled at me, whatever allegations are levelled against me, I will continue on the path of honesty and give primacy to the countrys security. I wont leave my Army jawans to their fate. Whatever be their requirement, I will expedite the procurement processes. I will do it even if false allegations are levelled me. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Rafale fighter jet deal continues to be in the middle of a political slugfest for the last few months. With the Centre and the Opposition Congress engaged in a blame game, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed yet another disrupted session, leading to two consecutive adjournments. As Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, posing a series of allegations, Union Minister Arun Jaitley too ripped into the Congress president, daring him to authenticate his documents. Meanwhile, in a bid to show their disagreement to Jaitley's speech, several Congress MPs have been seen throwing paper planes at the union minister, on which a warning was issued by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in Lok Sabha. Citing a purported audiotape of a Goa minister on the Rafale deal, Rahul Gandhi sought a JPC probe into the matter. Jaitley, on the other hand, accused Gandhi of having a "legacy of lying" and "repeating falsehood" and alleged that "conspirators" of past defence scams are now raising fingers at others. The Congress chief was disallowed from playing the purported audio tape by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan after Jaitley objected to the same unless Gandhi authenticated it and faced expulsion in case it is found to be false and fabricated. Read | What is Rafale audio tape leak controversy? Know in 10 points Why did you give this contract to your dear friend Mr AA and cost the exchequer Rs 30,000 crore... It is very clear that the prime minister does not have the guts to come to Parliament and confront questions. The defence minister hides behind AIADMK members, the prime minister hides in his room, Gandhi alleged in the Lok Sabha. Watch Video where Congress MPs have been seen throwing paper planes towards Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while he was speaking during Rafale deal debate in Lok Sabha: #WATCH Moment when Congress MPs threw paper planes towards FM Arun Jaitley while he was speaking during #Rafaledeal debate in Lok Sabha (Source:LS TV) pic.twitter.com/4LuuBIUSPU ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Jaitley countered those allegations, saying that conspirators of past defence scams are now raising fingers at the Narendra Modi government and quoted the Supreme Court judgement to say that all charges have been negated. Read | Sabarimala LIVE: Lord Ayyappa temple shut down for purification after women entry, high alert in Kerala There are some people who have a natural dislike for truth. Every word spoken for the last six months on this subject, including in this House (by them) are false...He has a legacy of speaking falsehood, the union minister added. He said Gandhi has a natural dislike for truth and had earlier manufactured his conversation with the former French President, which was denied by the French government. We are all utterly disappointed because every word he has said has been denied by the Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court speaks on an issue, it is the last word, the finance minister said. Earlier Gandhi demanded a JPC probe into the matter, adding that "The PM should come to the House and give answers...the entire country is pointing out at you Mr Modi". Read | Rafale Row: Former BJP ministers Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie file review plea in Supreme Court In an apparent reference to the Gandhi family, Jaitley said some people and their families understand the arithmetic of money but cannot comprehend issues of national security. The finance minister also raised the AgustaWestland and the National Herald cases and made a veiled reference to Ottavio Quattrocchi to attack the Congress leadership. Gandhi earlier rejected Prime Minister Modis claim in an interview that there was no personal allegation against him on Rafale, saying this is not true as the entire nation is asking him a direct question. He (Modi) spoke for 90 minutes in a staged interview but still did not answer questions on the Rafale issue, Gandhi said. Read | Lok Sabha Highlights: Shiv Sena demands JPC probe over Rafale deal Gandhi posed several questions to Modi on Rafale and asked if it was not true that defence ministry officials objected to the new price of Rs 1600 crore against Rs 526 crore earlier. He also accused Modi of favouring his dear friend and what he called failed businessman Anil Ambani. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Lok Sabha saw a massive uproar on Wednesday after Congress president Rahul Gandhi sought permission to play a purported audio tape of a Goa minister on the Rafale fighter jets deal but refused to authenticate it. Union Minister Arun Jaitley, however, accused Gandhi of speaking "lies repeatedly". Speaking on the Rafale deal controversy, Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that he "does not have guts" to come to Parliament to confront questions on the issue and "hides" in his room. Heres the Rafale audio tape leak controversy: 1. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala released the audio tape with a conversation purportedly between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and another person, who has not been identified. Rane purportedly is heard saying that during a cabinet meeting last week Manohar Parrikar said he had a file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom and that it needed to be exposed, Surjewala claimed. 2. Parrikar, now Goa Chief Minister, was the defence minister when the deal for the 36 jets was signed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 3. Rubbishing the allegations, Parrikar also tweeted saying he never discussed the Rafale deal with any of his cabinet members. The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during (the) cabinet or any other meeting, Parrikar posted on Wednesday. The audio clip released by the congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting. Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) January 2, 2019 4. While debating on the Rafale deal, Gandhi sought permission to play the audio tape in Lok Sabha. 5. Jaitley demanded if he can authenticate it, but the Congress leader said he would not do so. "He knows it is wrong and hence is scared to authenticate it," Jaitley said, adding "this man lies repeatedly". 6. Vishwajit Rane has termed an audio clip as "doctored" and told BJP president Amit Shah that he has asked the state government to order an inquiry into the matter. 7. Speaking to reporters in Panaji, he accused the Congress of falsely implicating him in the controversy surrounding Rafale deal through the "fake audio". "Today's voice note which is being circulated and talked about is absolutely absurd and illogical," Rane told reporters in Panaji. 8. In the letter, Rane has wrote: "I have also sent a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar asking for an immediate police inquiry and criminal investigation to expose the mischievous elements." Goa Minister Vishwajit P Rane writes to Goa CM Manohar Parrikar in regard with the audio tape released by Congress on Rafale, states, "This is a doctored audio & I have never had any discussion on this subject with anyone. there should be a thorough inquiry in this matter" pic.twitter.com/OVHkYOHtfz ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 9. "I would like to...inform the chief minister that there is someone playing mischief and there should be inquiry in this matter and such mischievous elements need to be brought to the book," he said in the letter to Parrikar. 10. Rane, a former Congress leader who joined the BJP after 2017 assembly elections and was made a minister, said, "From the time I have joined the BJP the Congress has been targeting me." (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday suspended 26 All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) members for 'continuously coming to the well of the house and obstructing proceedings'. The lower house saw repeated adjournments this morning as several AIADMK and DMK members protested over the Cauvery river dam issue while Congress MPs raised slogans for a JPC probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal. Speaking to news agency ANI, AIADMK's M Thambidurai's said, "Now elections are coming, so BJP wants to get some seats there, that is why they gave approval to Karnataka for Mekedatu dam project. Protesting is our democratic right, there has been no response from the government" The AIADMK members trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans demanding justice. The Tamil Nadu parties are protesting against the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka on Cauvery, claiming that it will affect farmers in their state. Later, they were joined by several TDP members who have been demanding special financial assistance for Amravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Read | Rafale Deal: Congress members throw paper planes after Arun Jaitley accused Rahul Gandhi of lying in Lok Sabha 26 AIADMK MPs have been suspended by Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan for 'continuously coming to the well of the house and obstructing house proceedings' pic.twitter.com/j78nCnulCy ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 While the House was adjourned once in the morning, later it was again adjourned till 2 PM during the Question Hour, despite assurances by the government that Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari would make a statement on the Cauvery river issue. As soon as the AIADMK members started their protest, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that their problem would not be solved like this and asked them to discuss the issue with the minister concerned. Read | Cabinet approves merger of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank "I don't think it sends the right message to your state... this unruly behaviour must stop," she told the protesting members. Mahajan has adjourned the proceedings of Lok Sabha till 11 am on January 3. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Gyulai praised Sheerins food and the restaurants staff. Im going to miss the employees tremendously, he said. And spoke to a Tribune reporter about the toll that running the restaurant had taken on him and Patel. It came to a point that we just could not do it anymore, Gyulai said. Both my wife and I have aging parents with health issues, and two babies under 2 years old. It was too much to do. New Delhi: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Rafale issue. Entire nation wants to know your reply on the Rafale deal, Gandhi said. Why not a single Rafale has been delivered to India, Gandhi asked. He repeated the Congress stand that the multi-billion contract was taken away from state-owned HAL and given to Reliance. First pillar is process, second is pricing and the third and most interesting is patronage. Senior officers of the IAF chose Rafale after long negotiations, IAF wanted 126 aircraft, why was the demand changed to 26, Gandhi asked. Here are LIVE updates from the Lok Sabha: 5:20 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 am on January 3, 2019. 5:18 pm: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspends 26 AIADMK members for staging protests during Wednesday's session, reports ANI. 26 AIADMK MPs have been suspended by Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan for 'continuously coming to the well of the house and obstructing house proceedings' pic.twitter.com/j78nCnulCy ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 4:53 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 5 pm. 4:43 pm: Shiv Sena's Arvind Sawant demands JPC probe over Rafale deal in Lok Sabha, asks why the government is afraid of the JPC. 4:33 pm: Govt has engaged with relevant U.S. authorities, under terms of the India-U.S. Extradition Treaty of 1997, for the extradition of U.S based individuals for their role in the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai: MoS MEA VK Singh's reply in Lok Sabha. 4:22 pm: Qatar bought these aircraft at a much cheaper price, propriety and procedure questions still exist, and we have a right to ask questions, says Biju Janta Dal MP Kalikesh Singh Deo in Lok Sabha. Biju Janta Dal MP Kalikesh Singh Deo in Lok Sabha: Qatar bought these aircraft at a much cheaper price, propriety and procedure questions still exist, and we have a right to ask questions. #RafaleDeal pic.twitter.com/XEqUkw1HIG ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 4:10 pm: Reliance has a debt of Rs 8,000 crore, says Saugata Roy of TMC. 4:06 pm: TMC accuses Jaitley of indulging in blame games, says it was a mystery as to why a private firm was made the offset contract partner. 4:03 pm: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy is speaking on the Rafale issue, he asks why defence minister is not speaking on the fighter jet deal. 3:50 pm: Anil Ambani's firm was not favoured by the government, the offset partner was chosen by Dassault, the maker of Rafale jets: Jaitley in Lok Sabha. 3:49 pm: No JPC can go against the Supreme Court verdict, says Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha. 3:45 pm: Jaitley targets Congress over Bofors, National Herald and AgustaWestland scam, says Congress' hands soaked with several scams. 3:40 pm: The terms of the deal were better than the one negotiated by the UPA, says Jaitley, adding that "There were discussions on the cost of basic aircraft and weaponised aircraft. Cost of basic aircraft was 9 per cent less than UPAs time. Cost of weaponised aircraft was 20 per cent less than UPAs time. The time of delivery was 11 years during the UPA regime". 3:38 pm: The price of weaponed jets cannot be revealed, says Jaitley. 3:34 pm: Supreme Court is satisfied with the process of buying Rafale fighter jet deal, Jaitley said. 3:38 pm: As many as 74 meetings were held before Rafale fighter jet deal was inked, says the union minister. 3:36 pm: Nothing has been done on Rafale till 2014, it is all about the national security: Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha. 3:35 pm: Rafale was a consolidate deal: Arun Jaitley. 3:30 pm: Indian Air Force (IAF) has been demanding Rafale since 2001, says Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha. 3:00 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned till 3:30 pm. 2:59 pm: Lok Sabha Speaker admonishes the Congress lawmakers for paper planes, says you wanted a debate, no hear him out. 2:59 pm: Congress lawmakers fly paper planes during Rafale debate. 2:58 pm: "It is a tragedy for country that grand-old Congress party is today headed by a gentleman who doesnt even have basic understanding of what a basic combat aircraft is," says Jaitley during Rafale debate. 2:54 pm: If the fingers point at you in AugustaWestland, National Herald and Bofors, then it is a bit too much. Today, they have the audacity to raise an allegation against us, Jaitley says. 2:53 pm: When he (Rahul) was a young man, was he playing in the lap of one Q whose name cropped up in the Bofors case, says Jaitley. 2:49 pm: You dont understand national security, you only understand paisa, Jaitley attacks Gandhi 2:48 pm: On the last occasion, he (Rahul Gandhi) manufactured a conversation between him and the former French President. Today, he repeats the same. Today, he tried to produce a tap but he is too scared to authenticate it, says Jaitley. 2:47 pm: Every word spoken on Rafale deal is a lie. We demand probe against the Congress for the Rafale tapes, says Jaitley. 2:43 pm: Some people have natural dislike for truth, says Jaitley 2:42 pm: We are utterly disappointed, Finance Minister Jaitly says in a reply to Gandhis Rafale debate remarks. 2:39 pm: The UPA was buying an aircraft at Rs 526 crore, but when (PM) Modi went to France a new deal surfaced at Rs 1600 crore per aircraft, why did the price change, asks Rahul Gandhi. 2:37 pm: The Supreme Court has not said that the JPC cant be formed, says Rahul Gandhi. We demand JPC in the matter, says Gandhi. The Congress chief says that the BJP leaders must not shy away from JPC. 2:36 pm: "Who changed the Indian Air Force's demand," asks Rahul Gandhi. He also questioned that "why the deal is made-in-France." 2:35 pm: The AIADMK is protesting to save PM Modi, alleges Gandhi. 2:34 pm: You have to take responsibility of the Rafale tape in case you play it, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tells Rahul Gandhi 2:32 pm: After 4-minute adjournment, Lok Sabha proceedings resume. 2:26 pm: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley countered rahul Gandhi and said that, last time the MP (Rahul Gandhi) spoke on Rafale, he lied before the nation by concocting a conversation between him and the French President. 2:24 pm: Mahajan says that even if you have to read out the transcripts, you must authenticate. 2:23 pm: Lok Sabha Speakar Sumitra Mahajan refuses Gandhis request. 2:21 pm: Rahul Gandhi tries to play the audio clip in which a Goa minister purportedly said that all Rafale files were in Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikars bedroom. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Chhattisgarh government led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, on Wednesday, ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe in connection to the 2013 Jhiram Ghati Maoist attack in Bastar district of the state. The Jhiram Valley Maoist attack claimed at least 29 lives including state Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel, Vidya Charan Shukla, Mahendra Karma and several other frontline leaders from the party. Thirty-two people, including 20 policemen, who were accompanying the Congress convoy were also injured in the attack. An order issued by Director General of Police DM Awasthi said the 10-member SIT panel will be headed by Inspector General of police, Bastar Range, Vivekanand Sinha. "Chhattisgarh government orders SIT probe in 2013 Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack in which 29 people including Congress leaders had died," the news agency ANI reported. Chhattisgarh government orders SIT probe in 2013 Jhiram ghati Naxal attack in which 29 people including Congress leaders had died. pic.twitter.com/oKYyaVPEVt ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Read | Bhupesh Baghel takes oath as new Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Around 250 Naxals in civilian clothes struck a convoy of Congress leaders during the party's Parivartan Rally in Chhattisgarh's Jagdalpur. The convoy was on its way back from Sukma to Jagdalpur. The development came days after Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took over the office in December 2018. Earlier, Baghel dubbed the attack a "policies conspiracy", adding that the BJP government did not investigate the matter properly. In Chhattisgarh, the Congress alleged that party leaders were not provided adequate security by the BJP dispensation despite Naxal threats. Though the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier probed the attack, it did not cover the conspiracy angle. Read | On 'Gathbandhan' bus, Rahul Gandhi takes Opposition leaders to oath-taking ceremonies Hours after taking oath as the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Baghel announced his three key decisions in the state which include farm loan waiver, MSP hike and the SIT probe in 2013 Jhiram Valley Maoist attack. Hailing from Kurmi OBC community, Baghel became the third chief minister of Chhattisgarh. On December 11, Congress swept the heartland state with wins in 68 out of the 90 Assembly constituencies. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is "blackmailing" Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the former Union defence minister claims that he has the entire Rafale deal file "in his bedroom." Citing a audio clip in which a Goa cabinet minister is quoting Parriker claiming that he has the Rafale deal file, Gandhi said there might be many such "tapes". "The Goa minister is saying clearly that Parrikar ji said in a cabinet meeting that he has a complete file on Rafale deal with all details and therefore, he can't be disturbed. There may be other such audio tapes," said the Congress chief, who attacked the Modi government on the deal in Lok Sabha earlier. The Congress along with other opposition parties are demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the Rs 58,000 crore deal. "What Parrikar is doing is threatening the Prime Minister and blackmailing him in a way. We have been raising this for a long time. Question is what information is there in Parrikar's bedroom and what files are there and what could be the impact on Narendra Modi," Gandhi alleged. Rahul Gandhi press conference highlights: 19:18 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In "The entire Cabinet heard what Mr Parrikar said, essentially what Mr Parrikar is doing is threatening and blackmailing the Prime Minister of India because he (Parrikar) has information of the Rafale deal," says Rahul Gandhi. Congress President Rahul Gandhi: Entire cabinet heard what Mr Parrikar said, essentially what Mr Parrikar is doing is threatening & blackmailing the Prime Minister of India because he (Parrikar) has information of the #RafaleDeal pic.twitter.com/vpwdn3eT43 ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 19:17 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In "I asked the Lok Sabha Speaker can I play the tape, Speaker refused to allow me to play it, so there was no question of authenticity of the tape there. The Congress has already played it. Also, there might be other tapes as well," says Rahul Gandhi. 19:06 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In "I am ready to debate on the Rafale deal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi one-on-one for 20 minutes," says Rahul Gandhi. 19:01 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In "The reality is Rs. 30,000 crore was paid to Anil Ambani, and 'Chowkidaar' is a thief," says Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi: Reality yahi hai ki 30,000 crore Anil Ambani ko diya gaya hai, aur Chowkidaar chor hai #RafaleDeal pic.twitter.com/NqUCnnqzHN ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 18:51 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In "They keep asking where does the Congress get the Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft figure, let me tell you from where. Jaitley ji in his speech in Parliament had said the deal is Rs 58,000 crore, so divide this by 36, what figure do you get? Rs 1,600 crore," Rahul Gandhi says. Rahul Gandhi: They keep asking where does Congress get the 1600 cr per aircraft figure, let me tell you from where. Jaitley ji in his speech in Parliament had said the deal is 58000 cr, so divide this by 36, what figure do you get? 1600 cr #Rafaledeal pic.twitter.com/LAoRRaP6Vq ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Owing to Deepika's global fandom, a restaurant in Austin, Texas in US named a dosa after Deepika Padukone. A fan posted a photo of this interesting menu on the Twitter page and the details of the Deepika Padukone dosa says, 'topped with fiery hot ghost chilli and stuffed with our potato mix'. Deepika Padukone took to her Instagram sharing the picture of the menu captioning, 'Hungry anyone?'. The actress also quote tweeted the fan by saying, What a great way to begin the year...Happy New Year! Touted as Bollywood's leading lady, Deepika Padukone has had a wonderful year with major accomplishments in the month of December. Also Read | Gully Boy posters: Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singhs intense look will leave you intrigued Emerging as the only woman to win a spot in the top 5 list of the richest Indian celebrities by Forbes, Deepika Padukone has set new precedents. Deepika is not only the highest paid actress in Bollywood currently but also the most commercially viable actress. As her film Padmaavat entered the 300 crore club earlier this year, Deepika became the only actress to have shouldered a woman-led film to the coveted club. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh tied the knot in a private ceremony at Lake Como in Italy. The couple hosted three wedding receptions in Bengaluru and Mumbai. The celebrity couple ruled the headlines for the entire 2018. Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone also graced the first magazine after her wedding. The pictures have been soaring the temperatures owing to her oozing sexiness. Earlier in 2018, Deepika Padukone also featured in the TIME Magazine list of 100 most influential people in the world, Variety Magazine's International Womens Impact report amongst other accomplishments. On the work front, Deepika Padukone will be next seen in Meghna Gulzar's next based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Delhi: On the New Years Eve, Sanjay Kapoor and his wife Maheep hosted a party at their Mumbai residence. Rumoured couple Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora were also seen together on the occasion. The much-in-news pair arrived in the same car along with Ittefaq producer Juno Chopra. Later, pictures of them walking hand-in-hand at the venue also surfaced. Sanjay Kapoor shared a picture wherein you can see Arjun, Malaika, Maheep and Karan Johar. Malaika looked stunning in a brown shimmery dress while Arjun Kapoor was casually dressed. Sanjay captioned the post, 'Family' and that leaves little doubt on how important Malaika has become in Arjun's life. Time and again, the two are clicked on several occasions together. Arjun is making sure that Malaika is attending his family functions. Also, rumours of them tying the knot in 2019 have been doing rounds on the internet and we really hope it all comes true real soon. On Koffee With Karan 6, Arjun Kapoor confirmed that he is dating someone but did not reveal her name. "A lot that has happened in the family over the last few months and also with me, which has given perspective for me to answer this. I finally feel like I have a sense of belonging and a family," he had said. Anil Kapoor, who appeared on No Filter Neha Season 3, was asked about the relationship between Arjun and Malaika. To which, he said,"I know Arjun very well and whatever makes him happy, makes me happy. I dont want to comment on anything as thats personal... whatever he does. We all family members have believed that whatever makes the other person happy makes us happy". Talking about their marriage rumours, Malaika said in an interview to Hindustan Times that she does not answer personal questions as she is not comfortable talking about her personal life.Well, we wish all good for both the lovebirds. On the work front, Arjun Kapoor has Ashutosh Gowariker's Panipat, India's Most Wanted and Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar in the pipeline. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Students need to hurry up as the basic registration process for the AIIMS MBBS 2019 entrance exam is scheduled to be concluded on Thursday, January 3, 2019. From this year onwards, the online registration process will be held in two phases - basic and final procedure. AIIMS MBBS is one of the biggest examinations of the country with more than 200,000 aspirants taking it every year for admission to various graduate programmes. The newly introduced two-tier registration procedure by All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) can be completed from the official website of the institution -aiimsexams.org. After completing the basic registration process, the candidates will be informed about the errors in their application and will be given adequate time to make the changes. Thereafter AIIMS will release the candidature of the applicants who can go ahead for the final registration process. The second and final registration process will continue till March 2019. Read | CAT 2018 result to be declared on January 5, says report As per the official notification, students who are appearing for their Class 12th Board Examinations in February, March 2019 or candidates who have already qualified their 10+2 exam are eligible to fill the basic registration form. Candidates ought to have studied English, Physics, Biology and Chemistry in their qualifying examinations. For admissions to the AIIMS, students are required to qualify the AIIMS MBBS 2019 examination as well as score a minimum aggregate of 60% marks in English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology in their Class 12th board exam. The requisite percentage for reserved category candidates is 50% in their 10+2 in the subjects mentioned above. The 2019 AIIMS MBBS will be held on May 25 and May 26 for admission to MBBS courses in New Delhi, Bathinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Deogarh, Gorakhpur, Jodhpur, Kalyani, Mangalagiri, Nagpur, Patna, Raipur, Rae Bareli, Rishikesh and Telangana. The examination will take place in shifts - morning session - 9 am to 12:30 pm and evening session 3 pm to 6:30 pm. Read | Brilliant, Ankur Garg! This 2002 batch IAS topper scored more than full marks at Harvard University Check out the steps of basic registration for AIIMS MBBS 2019 Online Application: Step 1: Visit www.aiimsexams.org and click on "Academic Courses" tab Step 2: Click on Basic Registration for Undergraduate Courses as shown by the purple box and yellow arrow. Step 3: Enter the required details Step 4: After generating Registration ID and password, use them to log in from Applicant Login Zone to complete the next process - uploading sigital images of photograph, signature and thumb impression. Prepare the digital images to avoid rejection of basic registration form. Upload the digital images and click the submit button. The digital images uploaded by you will be scrutinized for the quality and adherence to instructions. It may take up to 7-10 days for this process depending upon the number of applicants. Candidates are advised to regularly check the status in MyPage after login. Step 5: Take a print out of the registration form for future convenience. Read | Students from non-reserved category to get more financial assistance in Gujarat Important dates for AIIMS MBBS 2019 examination: 1. Status of the Basic application process January 7, 2019 2. Correction window for faulty applications January 18, 2019 3. Final status of basic registration January 22, 2019 4. Release of Prospectus January 29, 2019 5. Timeline for Final registration January 29 February 17, 2019 6. Payment of fees February 21 March 12, 2019 7. Release of Admit cards - May 15, 2019. New Delhi: Maruti Suzuiki India Pvt Ltd is aiming to focus majorly on petrol engines and futuristic Hybrid, Electric technologies. Recently, it is was reported that the car manufacturer is planning to shut down its dedicated engine manufacturing facility in Gurgaon. Suzuki Motor Corp. might convert the diesel engine line in Gurgaon plant to produce petrol engines or add an assembly line for petrol engines at Manesar plant. Experts says, the decision is taken after major reduction in demand for diesel cars. But, the company is not planning to discontinue the production of diesel engine vehicles anytime soon. Maruti Suzuki is shifting its focus to produce alternative-fuel powered cars, ahead of the strict BSVI emission norms which will be effective from April 2020. The new emission norms will be a costlier affair in manufacturing of diesel engines. Also read | Hyundai i20 touches 13 lakh mark globally, 8.5 lakh units sold in India alone Maruti Suzuki chairman R.C. Bhargava recently said that the company planned to stop manufacturing Bharat Stage (BS)-IV compliant cars by the end of 2019. The Supreme Court has barred the sale of Bharat Stage IV vehicles from April 1, 2020 when the BS-VI emission norms would come into force. Bhargava observed that the sale of BS-VI compliant diesel vehicles might take a hit as their prices would be significantly higher than BS-VI petrol models. Maruti is looking to sport its in-house developed 1.5-litre diesel engine in most of its diesel cars by 2020. It is also planning to stop producing its 1.3-litre diesel engines and replacing it with 1.5-litre diesel engines. Currently, the 1.3-litre engines boast some highest selling models of Maruti including Baleno, Vitara Brezza and Ertiga. The diesel assembly line in Gurgaon has a capacity of producing around 170,000 engines per annum. Apart from this, it also produce an in-house developed 800cc diesel engines which is used for Marutis Super Carry light truck. Also read | 2019 Suzuki Hayabusa launched in India at Rs 13.74 lakh, know more Marutis Super Carry truck uses the 2-cylinder, 800cc motor which debuted on the Maruti Suzuki Celerio and is built in-house. Shamokin, PA (17872) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 79F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm this evening, then some lingering showers still possible overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 56F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. There's an extremely successful and unexpected New Zealand export that's gone quietly under the radar for the past decade or so - the flat white. The coffee drink was created here and now it's sold in cafes all around the world to rave reviews. Steve Gianoutsos, the owner of Mojo, opened his first cafe in Chicago almost two years ago and has big expansion plans for the brand. 'Just ridiculous': Auckland woman 'dumbfounded' by $7.30 coffee Mojo Coffee: Why we hiked the price of our coffee Most Kiwis would say nothing beats a good flat white and smashed avo but in America, breakfast looks a little different - it's mostly watered down filter coffee and pumpkin spiced lattes. So Mr Gianoutsos is showing them a thing or two about the New Zealand coffee experience. The Kiwi opened his first Mojo cafe in Wellington 15 years ago and has expanded through New Zealand and parts of Asia. In early 2017 Mr Gianoutsos and his wife decided they wanted a part of the US market, so they packed up the kids and traded one windy city for another. "It's really expensive and really risky for a new business to break into the US market so we came to Chicago on a bit of a side trip to see what the market's like here and fell in love with the city, and kind of haven't left," he told Newshub. They initially wanted to set up shop in New York, but retail rents were too high. Mr Gianoutsos said while it wasn't too difficult establishing a store in Chicago, the process took a lot longer. "There's lots of traps you know. On the surface it just seems like you're opening another store in New Zealand but the accents are different." It's been worth it. Business is booming with locals packing into the cafe each day for a taste of Kiwi coffee. "They love it, they really do," Mr Gianoutsos said. "This is one of Mojo's specialties, it's the nitro coffee. It's made with nitrogen and you'll have to come to Chicago to get it because it's so strong it's not legal to sell full servings in New Zealand." Nitro coffee could soon be available in more stores across the US. A few months ago Mojo was on the verge of being sold to a major listed company for $19 million. That sale fell through but Mr Gianoutsos is still hopeful. His dream? To establish at least 30 more cafes in the US. Newshub. Political opposites David Seymour and Hone Harawira have found something in common - they both want a change in tack in how we combat smoking. A 25-pack of cigarettes will now cost close to $40 after the excise tax increased by 10 percent on January 1. It's the latest in many price rises, and TVNZ reports the average tax per cigarette is now 82 cents. The Ministry of Health says 13.8 percent of adults still smoke, down 25 percent from 1996/1997. That's a long way from the under-5 percent the Government is aiming for by 2025. ACT leader David Seymour says the tax increases aren't stopping smoking, but allowing the Government to take more money out of Kiwis' pockets. "You've still got a good 15 percent of New Zealanders, mostly the people who are less able to afford it, now paying these tobacco taxes," he told RadioLIVE. "I don't think you have to be in favour of smoking - you can be opposed to it, you could think that people should pay enough tax to cover any additional healthcare costs that smoking puts on the healthcare system, that's fair too." Mr Seymour says smokers have been joined in their addiction by the Government, which has been taking in $2.2 billion a year in taxes. Mana Party leader Hone Harawira agrees the tax isn't working, and something else needs to be done. "Just raising the price, the poor people are going to keep paying, it's going to have less and less impact on smokers by continuing to raise the tax." Mr Harawira said the Government should work to reduce the points of sale, bring down the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, control the flavour inside cigarettes and tax companies directly. "[The Government] should be saying, 'No more price increases - we are now taxing the companies directly for the impact they're having on the people of New Zealand, and that money will go directly to smoking cessation.'" Newshub. "In three years, I learned to be a great chef," he said. "Here I was, making a mark, I trusted him, and this is where I am now. I'm being erased from something I worked very hard for, and invested my family's money. I believed in what I did; I never thought it would come out this way." New Zealanders love the weather and a Dunedin teenager is taking his passion to the next level. Ben Hawke was inspired by a school project to start his own weather page on Facebook and he now provides detailed forecasts to fans around Otago. "I was just like, hey this is really fun. So I did way more than I was expected to. Then I thought, 'Why don't I start a Facebook page?'" he told Newshub. Now aged 14, his page 'Dunedin Weather, But By a Teenager' is building a big reputation for accurate forecasts of local weather events. Weather stations installed at the front and back of the house are key to his forecasts, along with analysing data from the MetService and global weather models. It's a big responsibility keeping his followers updated. "Because, I don't know, they're just like, 'Wow this kid isn't playing Fortnite and stuff, he's not a burden to society as much'," Ben said. The teenager appeared on the MetService's radar after featuring in an article for the School Journal. MetService meteorologist Lisa Murray invited him up to Wellington to meet the team and see their forecast room. "Ben is really passionate about the weather and really enthusiastic, which we love. We're always trying to encourage people in those stem subjects," Ms Murray said. "We showed him some of the tools that we use, some extra guidance that he didn't know existed so that he could better his forecasting himself." Ben's now considering a career in weather - although he also has an interest in politics. Both will take a back seat these holidays, with Ben planning to enjoy the "above average temperatures" he's forecasting for the summer. Newshub. Two Australian immigration detention facilities that housed New Zealand detainees are shutting down. Melbourne's Maribyrnong centre will close immediately, and Villawood in Sydney later this year. But Australian Lawyers Alliance spokesperson Greg Barns says Kiwis held in the facilities may be sent far away from their families. "Assurances [haven't been] given by the Australian government that New Zealanders who have their visas revoked will not be removed from their families and loved ones and support," he told Newshub. "New Zealanders in Melbourne and Sydney should be rightly quite fearful that if their visas are revoked, they are going to be removed from families and loved ones, and moved to other parts of Australia." Mr Barns says the decision, an economic one, could see detainees could be taken to Western Australia or Queensland. He says Immigration Minister David Coleman has a terrible record of ripping people away from their families: "He's removed a number of young people - including very young people - away from their families in Melbourne and Sydney and put them into Western Australia and Queensland." Mr Barns says assurances have to be given that there are adequate alternative facilities. The Scott Morrison-led government is hailing the closures as a win for its tough border policies, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Mr Coleman said cutting down asylum seekers arriving by boat has allowed the closures, which will save more than AU$500 million. There are presently about 1250 in detention centres, down from more than 10,000 five years ago. Newshub. New Zealand Police celebrated the New Year with the arrival of four fluffy new officers-in-training. Police dog Gear welcomed her four puppies on New Year's Day, the first police pups of 2019. Three are male and one is a female, police wrote on Facebook. The young German shepherds were delivered by caesarean section. "Welcome to the world 'D' litter!" police said. The furry arrivals haven't been named yet but will all be given named starting with a 'D', per police procedure. Already members of the public have become suggesting their own names in the comments, with 'Delta' proving to be a particularly popular suggestion. "This year the main one we've found of concern is a pink pill shaped like a Canadian maple leaf and we estimate that to contain up to three doses of MDMA," Ms Allison said. KnowYourStuff has been testing at some festivals for five years but because of current restrictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act, they can't advertise where they will be. But that could soon change. Police Minister Stuart Nash told Newshub he would like on-site drug testing rolled out at all major New Zealand festivals. "Obviously we don't want drug use at festivals but if there is going to be drug use at festivals - and let's face facts, we're in the 21st century - we want people to be safe." A variety of drugs were confiscated this New Year's Eve at Rhythm and Vines, including MDMA. At Sydney's Field Day festival on New Year's Day, more than 190 people were charged for drug offences. Six of those were for supplying drugs. In Victoria, the fifth festival death in three months has been confirmed. Mr Nash said he'd like to see changes in place here by next summer. "The Minister of Health and I are looking at this, something will go to Cabinet this year," he said. "I would like to think that we can have something rolled out next summer across all our major festivals." Ms Allison is hopeful change is on its way. "We have had consistent data over five years now that says when people find out that their substances are not what they believe them to be, the majority of them will then choose not to take these substances," she said. National police spokesperson Chris Bishop says his party is cautiously supportive in principal to drug checking at festivals. Newshub. Drug testing could be a feature of New Zealand's music festivals next year, Police Minister Stuart Nash says. The news comes after pesticides and other harmful substances were found in batches of an ecstasy-like drug destined for Rhythm and Vines (R&V) over the weekend. Rhythm and Vines organisers stop bad drugs entering festival A man in Australia also died after taking a deadly pill at a festival in New South Wales. Mr Nash said there could be independent tents where the drugs would be tested for harmful substances. "I think they're a fantastic idea and should be installed at all our festivals," he told Stuff. "But I need to see how it works and better understand the implications of it first." He said the 'war on drugs' approach "hasn't worked" and wants to change to "a more compassionate and restorative approach". Mr Nash told Stuff the tents would be independent of police officers, but testers would work closely with the New Zealand Drug Foundation, which welcomed the move. Newshub. Climatologists and forecasters say next week's release of 2018 temperature data might show it was New Zealand's hottest on record. Prof Jim Salinger of the University of Otago told NZME his calculations put the mean temperature on land at 13.5degC - 0.85degC above the average recorded between 1981 and 2010. That would put it 0.1degC hotter than 2016, New Zealand's current record-holder. "January, March, July and December were all at least 1degC above normal," he told NZME, adding that January was a whopping 3.2degC hotter than normal - New Zealand's hottest month on record. Sea surface temperatures were also well above normal, with November's 3degC hotter than usual. Prof Salinger said the oceans around New Zealand were 0.8degC above average overall in 2018, and at the other end of the scale, there was a record loss of ice from the Southern Alps - 9 percent in one year. Chris Brandolino of NIWA predicted 2018's figures would track closely to, if not exceed, 2016's record temperatures. NIWA said on Twitter 2018 it was "very warm", but insisted it hasn't yet been confirmed as the warmest. "The final figure will be released on Tuesday... at NIWA's 2018 Annual Climate Summary conference in Auckland." 2017's average temperature was 13.15degC - the fifth-warmest on record, behind 2016, 2013, 1999 and 1998. Newshub. Prince Harry has already stopped drinking out of respect for his pregnant wife, but royal insiders are claiming caffeine and cigarettes are off the table too. The Duke of Sussex is reported to have given up drinking out of sympathy for Markle, who is pregnant with the couple's first child. On top of that the Duchess convinced him to give up cigarettes in March 2018, and finally caffeine towards the end of the year, the Daily Mail reports. Harry has also taken up yoga and exercise at Chelsea's private members health club KX. It's been reported the 34-year-old is trying to "get his soldier's body back". Insiders in the royal family say it's definitely been noticed. "All she did was show him there's another way to live and he's become a huge fan," a source told the Daily Mail. "He eats well, doesn't poison his body, exercises, does a bit of yoga and is a lot happier." The paper said getting Prince Harry to give up drinking is no mean feat, considering his partying ways when he was younger. In 2012 photos surfaced of the prince completely naked, reportedly after a game of strip billiards. In 2011 he was caught on camera jumping into a pool fully clothed after drinking in Hvar, Croatia. Newshub. Star-Lord: How a '70s D-list Marvel character became one of its biggest stars with Guardians of the Galaxy Co-creator Steve Englehart, actor Chris Pratt, and more talk about the journey of Peter Quill, AKA Star-Lord Laura Josephine (Conrad) Wilson, 94, of New Albany, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Laura was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and the New Albany VFW Posts 1693 and 3281 Ladies' Auxillary. She was born on November 10, 1926 in English, Indiana to the late John and Stella (Un Catch up on local news with our roundup of top 5 headlines of the week, and learn how you can get unlimited access to these stories and more here. Paul Gossett, president of Jewel-Osco. Gossett took the helm of the grocery chain in July after the death of its previous president, Doug Cygan. The transition has not been easy, Gossett said. But Gossett previously worked for Jewels parent company Albertsons and got to know Cygan. They spoke regularly, and that has helped bridge the gap. It makes it a lot more doable to build on what Doug had dedicated his life to, Gossett said. In 2019, Jewel will be weighing expansion of its e-commerce offerings, including its recently introduced Drive Up & Go spots, where customers at some stores can pick up groceries ordered online without getting out of the car. Its also set to open a new store in the citys Woodlawn community area in early 2019. Trump's shortsighted shutdown The first federal employees to be furloughed in a government shutdown should be the pilots of Air Force One. That way the sulking child-president can sit at home and stare into the mirror, rather than fly around the world while others suffer from his intransigence. Thats only fair in my book. I read recently that the president has also frozen federal pay for 2019. This is just another incentive for the best of the federal workers to use their furlough time to seek new employment elsewhere. As the best leave, the government will have a harder time meeting its goals for the common citizen, and the rich will have an easier time plundering it. Have you discovered whom the child-president is really working for? The president is also threatening to close the U.S./Mexican border. Do it, fool! Millions of dollars will be lost each day as plants close for lack of parts and labor. At this rate, when hes done, Russia will have a greater GDP than the United States. Is that the goal? For those of us here that have never prayed for one hour straight we dont want to scare you, Moyer said laughing. We are breaking this down into smaller prayers for areas that affect our community. Mathew said the message for Tuesdays vigil was that challenges for people in Lynchburg can only be overcome by people in Lynchburg coming together to work for the benefit of the whole community. Here in Lynchburg we are still struggling with the highest poverty rate in Virginia, Mathew said. When are we going to say enough is enough? The community is around each of us, Mathew said. Its the streets that we walk on and every person we meet each and every day. We are all part of this community and its going to take all of us to make it better. Dan Ethridge said he brought his three children to Tuesdays vigil to teach them the same message. Im trying to teach my kids that people everywhere are more alike than they could ever be different, Ethridge said. This isnt an issue of what race, denomination or economic class you are. We are all people and should all try to help other people in our communities. Ferrell said a community like that is what she has been looking for. I feel a lot better after coming here today, she said. I feel like something good is going on here and I just may have started 2019 in the right place. After the duo released a video of their visit, CM Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that the devotees prayed at the temple. "There were protests earlier, but today two women entered Sabarimala shrine. We have given a standing order to police to provide all possible protection to any woman who wants to enter the temple," he said. The move, however, did not go down well with the devotees, with Sabarimala head priest Kandaru Rajeevaru ordering that the temple be shut till 11.30am for purification rituals. Pandalam erstwhile royal Shashi Verma said that the women's entry into Sannidhanam was not historic, but against the customs of Sabarimala. "Customs of the temple should be maintained. We are not in the favour of changing rituals, he said, adding that the temple will have to be "purified". Expressing his dissatisfaction with the move, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya questioned if the Kerala government had "desecrated" the shrine. "Have the Communists desecrated Sabarimala shrine by facilitating entry of women of restricted age group into the temple? Devastating, if true," he tweeted. RSS ideologue and BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh hit out at media for terming the devotees' trek as 'historic'. "Remember that Aurangzeb, Genghis Khan, Jai Chand were also part of history. For what do people remember them? Shame on you (media)," he said. Leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala slammed the state government for facilitating the womens entry in Sabarimala, saying the priests were right in closing the temple for purification rituals. The issue also saw some protests, with Devasom Board minister Surendran and minister Shailaja being shown black flags in Guruvayyur and Kannur respectively. Meanwhile, a team of Kerala police has been deployed outside the women's residence, fearing backlash. The women had last year also attempted to trek to Sannidhanam, but were forced to return due to protests. Eleven other women activists of a Chennai-based outfit were prevented from reaching the shrine and chased away by devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras. Kerala had witnessed massive protests by devotees opposing the entry of girls and women in the 10-50 age group into the shrine after the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the apex court verdict allowing all women to offer prayers at the temple. In an editorial published in CNS Spectrums, Jay Avasarala, MD, PhD, takes the research community to task for its lack of minority representation in Phase III clinical trials for drugs to treat Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Noting that the disease course of MS in African American (AA) patients is more aggressive, he urged researchers to make more effort to stave off the persistent slide in minority representation, which he believes skews efficacy and disability data and prevents physicians' ability to extrapolate whether drugs are effective in these populations. "The MS phenotype in the African American patient is an ideal model to study drug efficacy since the disease follows a rapidly disabling course," he wrote. "AA MS patients admitted to US nursing homes are six years younger but more disabled compared to Caucasian American (CA) patients with MS. Since phenotypes between CA and AA can be clinically distinct, it is remarkable that not a single study has compared how drugs perform in such diverse groups." According to Avasarala, a neurologist specializing in Multiple Sclerosis and neuroimmunology at UK HealthCare's Kentucky Neuroscience Institute, minority recruitment for clinical trials for MS drugs has declined from 7.7% in 2002 to about 2% in 2013. In 2014, the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) launched the Drug Trials Snapshots initiative that endeavored to increase minority representation in drug trials and improve public transparency by providing drug trial data online. While Avasarala acknowledges that the initiative was a good first step, he emphasizes that it does not require drug package inserts to include efficacy data from minority populations, making it difficult for prescribing physicians to determine whether the drug will help patients from minority ethnicities. In the editorial, Avasarala proposed several changes to help spur minority recruitment, which will in turn improve the quality of data for minority populations and make it easier for physicians to treat their AA patients. "First, I believe we should require pharmaceutical companies to collect post-marketing data in all minority groups who receive FDA-approved drugs for management of MS and classify responsiveness based on ethnicity," he said, noting that the FDA has required manufacturers to provide post-marketing data on drug safety for many years. Avasarala also advocates for a requirement that package labeling include efficacy data from minority populations and that no publication should accept study data without a clarifying statement that acknowledges the lack of sufficient data to make reasonable conclusions in non-Caucasian minorities. Since the 1970's, science has documented that MS among African Americans is clinically distinct in its progression and presentation, according to Avasarala, but research into treatments that address their particular phenotype has not kept pace. "The scientific community has published reams of data, but all that matters to a patient is, 'OK, doc, how can you treat me?' "What drugs would you recommend?" And we fall short for African Americans, because we simply don't have the data." "I feel powerless to help them. There needs to be a change. And change ought to begin in the form of a policy shift." Avasarala states that his research at UK HealthCare will focus on the translational aspects of MS, data mining, the application of retinal imaging techniques to advance disease diagnosis, and studying in vitro blood-brain barrier models to facilitate drug transportation. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. To subscribe, click here. Already a subscriber? Click here. This is the design of a walking path installed at City Hall Park in Mentor-on-the-Lake in 2018. CLEVELAND One of the first, if not the first, person to purchase medical marijuana in Ohio Looking at our store portfolio and the location of our stores to adapt to changing customer behavior is something that has been part of our business concept for well over 70 years as we constantly optimize and refine our physical store portfolio, Scarlett said in the email. We are continuing to expand and look forward to opening many new locations in 2019, across the U.S., as well as growing our online business. You are the owner of this article. Rebecca Payne's father said he and his wife feel "some measure of relief" now that police have charged two men in connection with the murder of their daughter in her Boston apartment nearly four years ago. A grand jury has indicted convicted crack cocaine dealer Cornell Smith, 30, with the May 20, 2008, murder of the 22-year-old New Milford woman, a New Milford High School graduate and then student at Northeastern University. A second man, Michael Balba of Billerica, Mass., whom police believe was one of Mr. Smith's customers, was indicted for lying to the grand jury. Meanwhile, Mr. Payne and his wife, Virginia, are making plans for "Becca's March for Peace," which will be held May 20 in Boston, the fourth anniversary of the murder. A bus will be available for area residents who want to go to Boston to participate. For information, call the Paynes at 860-350-6625. "We'll be marching from her apartment to downtown," Mr. Payne said. The Paynes were in a Suffolk County, Mass., courtroom in Boston April 30 when Mr. Balba, a 55-year-old long-haul trucker and admitted drug user, was arraigned on four counts of perjury. His bond was set at $100,000 cash, and he is due back in court June 6. Even though investigators said Mr. Balba was an unwitting accomplice to the crime, Mr. Payne said he feels no sympathy for the man whom a prosecutor said delayed a resolution to the case with his lies. More Information "Becca's March for Peace and Justice," a march in memory of Rebecca Payne of New Milford ,will be held May 20 in Boston. A bus will depart from New Milford High School on Route 7 South at 9 a.m. and return by 8 p.m. Miss Payne, a member of the New Milford High School, Class of 2004, was murdered in Boston in 2008. The march will raise awareness of Miss Payne's case and all violence. For more information or to reserve a space on the bus, call 860-350-6625. See More Collapse "Had this defendant not lied during that investigation, Becca's parents might not have had to wait four years to find some measure of accountability in their daughter's death," said District Attorney Daniel Conley. "We know he was the driver, but we have no sympathy for him,"Mr. Payne said. "The penalty for perjury in a murder case can be very severe." The district attorney said Rebecca Payne was "truly an innocent victim" and had no connection to Mr. Smith or Mr. Balba. Authorities said Mr. Balba, the married father of two adult children, drove Mr. Smith and another, as yet unnamed man to Miss Payne's apartment building and waited across the street while Mr. Smith went inside and killed her. Mr. Balba initially told police he made regular trips to Boston to purchase crack from Mr. Smith, who he knew as "Jeff." But when he was questioned during the grand jury hearings about events on the night Miss Payne was killed, Mr. Balba testified "Jeff" never asked him to give anyone else a ride, that he didn't hear any gunshots, and that nothing unusual ever happened on his crack-buying trips, according to Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Ira Polumbaum. "If he has no memory, then he has no memory," defense attorney James Dangora Jr. told Boston.com. "He did testify and he cooperated to his fullest ability." Mr. Payne said the prosecutor called last week to advise him and his wife that a break in the case was near. "We always had hope that they would eventually solve it, and we feel that at least now there is a timetable by which justice will be done," he said. Mr. Payne also said a third person being involved in the case came as news to him. "It was as great a mystery to us as it was to you," he said. Mr. Conley told Boston TV station WHDH more information about the mystery man would be released when Mr. Smith, who is serving a 12-year federal prison sentence in California, is returned to Boston to face the murder charge. Mr. Smith is also accused of armed assault in a dwelling and unlawful possession of a firearm. "There is another individual who was present at the crime scene," Mr. Conley said. "We're not going to identify him today. We'll speak more clearly about him when Cornell Smith is arraigned." But a spokesman for Mr. Conley's office said it could be weeks, or even months, before that occurs. jpirro@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342 KENT The driver in a May accident had several alcoholic drinks in the hours before the crash that killed her friend, a passenger in the car claims in an affidavit. The passenger, Angela Brazzale, describes administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation to her friend, Deanna Lynn Silvernail, before the Lakeville woman died in her arms. Brazzales account led State Police to arrest the driver, Shelby Roger, 26, of Salisbury, days before Christmas, on various charges. She was released on $200,000 bond and was scheduled to appear Friday in state Superior Court in Torrington. Roger was charged with driving under the influence when she collided with another car on Skiff Mountain Road in Kent around 7 p.m. May 4, state police said. Brazzale, 22, said Roger drank at least part of an Itz Spritz hard seltzer after 1 p.m. that day, as well as about three hard seltzers between 4 to 6:30 p.m., while the women were at Sharon Tavern. While at the tavern, Roger went to her car twice to take shots of Deep Eddy lemon, according to the affidavit. Roger had told Brazzale she was O.K. to drive, Brazzale said in the affidavit. David Moraghan, attorney for Roger, said he has not seen the arrest warrant affidavit yet and is still waiting on hospital and autopsy reports. Right now, it is just at the very beginning, he said. Weve known this was going to be coming down the road at some point. It took longer than we thought, which indicates to me that there may be some issues there that are not laid out in the arrest warrant. State police said they found several open and closed containers of alcohol in the car. Brazzale said she gave her attorney several videos depicting the women at the tavern acting drunk. One video was taken minutes before the crash and shows the women dancing and singing in the car, while Shelby was doing the same and not paying attention to the road, Brazzale said in the affidavit. State police said an investigation revealed Rogers blood-alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 and she was driving more than 55 mph in a 30 mph zone. The other driver was going between 33 to 47 mph, according to the arrest warrant. After the crash Roger and Brazzale are cousins, and Brazzale and Silvernail had been friends since they were 4 or 5, according to the affidavit. Silvernail graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School and worked at Patterson Oil Company in Lakeville. After the crash, Brazzale said she shook Roger awake before running out of the car to find Silvernail, 22, face down on a hill, according to the arrest warrant. Silvernail had not been wearing a seat belt and had been ejected from the car, the affidavit said. I asked Deanna, Give me a sign youre still there and she raised her left arm, moved her head to the left and I heard her try to say Ang, Brazzale said in the affidavit. Brazzale rolled Silvernail onto her back and gave her CPR for a minute. She then realized Roger had stopped screaming and ran back to check on her cousin, who Brazzale had to slap and shake awake, according to the affidavit. Roger then shouted at Brazzale for help, but the passenger could not get Roger out of the car. Brazzale rushed back to try to give CPR to Silvernail again. I tried to reposition Deanna but couldnt, so I held her, Brazzale said in the affidavit. I was yelling for help the entire time I held Deanna for about three minutes. I saw Deanna look at me before her eyes rolled back and she stopped breathing. I felt for a pulse on her wrist but couldnt feel one. A neighbor who had heard the crash soon arrived and called police. Brazzale was sent to Danbury Hospital, while Roger was extracted from the car by Kent volunteer firefighters. Roger was first sent to nearby Marvelwood School before being flown to Hartford Hospital. The other driver, Brian Hastings, of Kent, was flown to St. Francis Hospital, where he was treated for 4 1/2 days before being sent to Mt. Sinai, where he stayed for 10 days. He then spent the next month-and-a-half in a hotel while undergoing additional therapy at Mt. Sinai, according to the affidavit. Hastings, the director of student life at Wooster School in Danbury, said in the affidavit that he suffered a traumatic brain injury and other injuries to the left side of his body. He now suffers from sensory anxiety and short-term memory loss, Hastings said. Around 4 p.m. that day, Hastings had appetizers and two beers at Brios Restaurant in Danbury and made several stops before heading home to Kent. State Police said Hastings blood alcohol content was less than 0.01 percent, which is equivalent to a not reported result. Hastings told State Police he drives daily on the windy Skiff Mountain Road. He said all he remembers is an SUV coming at him head on. The next thing I recall was my wife whispering into my ear, Hastings said in the affidavit. I know I was traveling the speed limit on this road. I always do. Silvernails father, Brazzale and Hastings and could not be reached for comment. Makery Coworking in New Milford was recently recognized by The Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. as one of 18 honorees who have contributed to the state's economy. CERC's annual CelebrateCT! event was recently held at Infinity Music Hall & Bistro in Hartford, where over 200 guests attended including municipal and state economic development professionals, government officials, and corporate business leaders. These awards acknowledge key people, programs and projects that are stimulating new jobs and investment in our economy, said CERC President & CEO Robert Santy. They are well earned and well-deserved, and CERC is proud to recognize the 2018 honorees and their noteworthy accomplishments that are having a positive impact on Connecticuts business environment, he said. Honorees were selected by economic development officials in each of nine regions across Connecticut for their contribution to the state's economy such as consistent or growing employment levels, playing a critical role in changing the character of its community of civic engagement, strong public/private collaboration to encourage new investment, or leadership resulting in growth or improvements. It's an incredible honor to be recognized by CERC for our contribution to the local economy, said Tony Vengrove, founder of Makery Coworking. Our mission is purely community based. We want to to provide a home for innovators and startups who need a creative and collaborative work environment to help grow their businesses and create jobs. Since opening its doors in February 2017, Makery Coworking has garnered recognition as Best Space at the 2018 Connecticut Entrepreneur Awards and received the coveted Business Supports the Arts Award from the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut. The Roxbury Land Trust has been presented the Working Land Alliances Outstanding Organization 2018 Pathfinder Award. Recognized for its accomplishment in advancing farmland preservation in the state of Connecticut, the land trust recently developed, under the supervision of the Farm Management Committee and Property and Land Manager James Curren, a lime management program to improve the soil quality on its agricultural lands. The mission of WLAs Pathfinder Program is to increase the productivity of the soil now and for future generations of farmers. The land trust is dedicated to the preservation and sustainability of its working farmlands. Founded in 1970, the land trust has preserved just over 3,700 acres, most of which is within the town of Roxbury. Throughout its history, the land trust has actively sought working farmland properties for preservation. The trust leases its tillable agricultural lands to several local farmers. The total tillable acreage owned by the land trust adds up to approximately 240 acres with an additional 120 acres of tillable acreage protected by a conservation easement. Leases are written to ensure the farmers use sustainable farming practices on the land. Farmers pasture animals, grow hay, corn, pumpkins and variety of vegetables on the properties. In 2017, the Farm Management Committee developed a lime management program to improve the soil for agriculture. The program was intended to increase the productivity of the soil now and for future generations of farmers. In December 2017, the land trust applied more than 300 tons of lime to its agricultural fields through the program to help neutralize soil PH. Farmers were encouraged by the results and reported higher yields in 2018 over previous years due to the lime application. For more information, visit www.roxburylandtrust.org or call 860-350-4148. I t appears Connecticuts first baby entered the world just 22 seconds after midnight on Jan. 1 in Danbury Hospital. Thats when Richard Eugene Ramirez was born to Gerardo and Maria Ramirez, formerly of Bethel and who recently moved to Oakville. We are so happy to have a son, Maria said Tuesday night from her bed at the hospital. Up until now, my husband was the only man in our house. I tell him hes no longer going to be the king. Richard joins his sisters Bridgette Nicole, 9 and Ellianne Marie, 2 and half-sister, Hania, 11. How are the girls taking to the new man in their house? They love him, Maria said. They cant stay away from him. They are always asking: Baby are you OK. ... I know they will be helping me change him and feed him the bottle. Despite living in Oakville, Maria said she chose to deliver the baby at Danbury Hospital because of the wonderful staff and good treatment and care she received while delivering her two daughters there. The doctor determining her due date was almost right on giving Maria Dec. 31. He only missed by 22 seconds. As a result, Richard wont be a deduction on the familys 2018 federal income tax return. But thats not a concern for either parent. Im just grateful everyones doing well, said Gerardo, who owns Vickos Landscaping, and serves clients in the Danbury area. The parents say they chose the first name to honor two longtime friends who helped mentor Gerardo Richard Margulies, a lawyer who now lives in Georgia, and Richard Colonel, of Newtown. The middle name Eugene was chosen to honor Gerardos late uncle, Eugene Sanchez. He raised me, said Gerardo, who hopes to soon receive his pesticide management license. Their plans for Richard Eugene? My priority as a parent is to raise my children to be respectful human beings, Gerardo said. I try to teach them everything I can about the business. I want them to do well in school. All my children are involved in the martial arts, which teaches them not only how to defend themselves, but discipline. Richard Eugene Ramirez wasnt the only baby to arrive in Connecticut New Years Day. Sharleene Russell, of Hamden, gave birth to a boy at 12:54 a.m. at Yale New Haven Hospital. The baby weighed 3 lbs., 10 ounces and is Russells fourth child. Mother and baby are doing well, a hospital spokesperson said. At 1:20 a.m., Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington delivered its first baby of the new year when Anne Endicott and Joshua Mocaby, of Goshen, welcomed Corina Scott Mocaby, the couples fourth baby and first daughter. Endicott said her due date for Corina, who weighed 7 lbs., 13 ounces, was Dec. 23, so giving birth to the first baby of 2019 in Torrington was not something she considered. Were just really happy shes finally here, Endicott said. The first baby born this year at Greenwich Hospital came at 4:54 a.m. New parents Melissa and Patrick Lawrence, of New Rochelle, N.Y., welcomed baby Nathaniel Jesus Lawrence, weighing 7 lbs., 7 ounces. The hospital said Melissa and Patrick met on Match.com. At Sharon Hospital, Lana Dyani Dean was born to first-time parents Jessica and Chad Dean, of Canaan, at 1:02 a.m. Lana weighed 7 lbs., 7 ounces. According to the hospital, Lanas expected birth date was Dec. 26. Mom Jessica was born at the same hospital. We are so thankful for a happy and healthy baby, and I am looking forward to Jessica being the mom that she has always wanted to be, Chad Dean said in a statement from the hospital. As of 7:45 p.m., Bridgeport Hospital had yet to report its first birth of the year. This is the latest I can remember of us not having a New Years baby, said John Cappiello, a hospital spokesman. According to Hartford Hospital, its first baby of the year was a boy named Kevin, born at 1:03 a.m. The United States Census Bureau projected in 2017 about 4.08 million births in the country during 2018 and projects 4.1 million births in 2019. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the American general fertility rate reached an all-time low in 2017 60.3 births per 1,000 women of childbearing age, a 3 percent decrease from 2016 and the number of reported births was the lowest since 1987. Pew Research Center researchers said a survey conducted in the summer of 2018 concluded 71 percent of U.S. parents younger than 50 say it is unlikely they will have more children, and 37 percent of childless adults under 50 say they dont expect to ever become parents. Four in 10 parents who cited at least one reason they did not expect to have more children said medical reasons play a role, whereas a quarter said their age was a factor. Pew researchers said the fertility rate experienced dramatic declines during the Great Recession, and fertility rates had not rebounded with the gradually recovering economy over the last decade. Staff writer Michael P. Mayko contributed to this report. Help support your local hometown newspaper/website. Independent local news reporting matters. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, for as little as $3, so we can continue to provide independent local reporting on our communities. The spin structure in the atoms in the crystal made of light - it is possible to switch between simple and complex states. "Topological materials" are very interesting for technology, but difficult to study. TU Wien (Vienna) and the University of Science and Technology in China are presenting new approaches. Electrons are not just little spheres, bouncing through a material like a rubber ball. The laws of quantum physics tell us that electrons behave like waves. In some materials, these electron waves can take on rather complicated shapes. The so-called "topological materials" produce electron states that can be very interesting for technical applications, but it is extremely difficult to identify these materials and their associated electronic states. TU Wien (Vienna) and several research groups from China have now developed new ideas and implemented them in an experiment. A "crystal made of light waves is created to hold atoms in a very special geometric pattern. These "light crystals", which have been used in different ways for the manipulation of atoms, can now be used to deliberately drive the system out of equilibrium. By switching between simple and complicated states, the system reveals whether or not it has topologically interesting states. Bread Rolls and Donuts The importance of topology can easily be seen if we pack too many things into a shopping bag: a bread roll may be slightly crushed and squeezed into a shape similar to a banana. Bread rolls and bananas have the same basic geometric structure, topologically they are the same. On the other hand, a donut has a hole in the middle - its topology is different. Even if it is slightly squeezed, its shape can still be easily distinguished from that of the bread roll. "It is similar with quantum states," explains Prof. Jorg Schmiedmayer from Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ) at TU Wien. "Quantum states can have a nontrivial topology which protects them with respect to certain perturbations. That's what makes them so interesting for technology, because you always have to deal with perturbations in every experiment and in every real world technological application." In 2016, the Nobel Prize in Physics for research was awarded for research on topological states of matter, but it is still considered extremely difficult to determine whether or not a certain material allows topologically interesting quantum states. "Quantum states that are not in equilibrium, are changing rapidly," says Jorg Schmiedmayer. "This dynamics is notoriously difficult to understand, but as we have shown, it is a great way to obtain extremely interesting information about the system." Schmiedmayer cooperated with research teams from China. "The experiment was led by Prof. Shuai Chen, in the research group of Prof. Jian-Wei Pan. Both were once collaborators in my group in Heidelberg, and ever since their return to China, we have been work closely together," says Schmiedmayer. The TU Vienna and the Chinese University of Science and Technology (USTC, Heifei, China) signed a cooperation agreement in 2016, which strengthened research cooperation, especially in the field of physics. An Imbalance Revealing Material Properties With the help of interfering light waves, atoms can be held in pre-defined places, creating a regular grid of atoms, similar to a crystal, the atoms taking the roles of the electrons in a solid state crystal. By changing the light, the geometry of the atomic arrangement can be switched, in order to examine how the electron states would behave in a real solid state material. "With this change, a massive imbalance is suddenly being generated," says Jorg Schmiedmayer. "The quantum states must rearrange and approach a new equilibrium, much like balls rolling down a hill until they find equilibrium in the valley. And during this process we can see clear signatures that tell us whether topologically interesting states are to be found or not. " This is an important new insight for research on topological materials. One could even adapt the artificial light crystals to simulate certain crystal structures and in order to find new topological materials. Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. Police appeal for witnesses to traumatic incident" A woman was bitten and dragged to the ground by a dog in Thatcham. The 33-year-old was attacked by the loose German Shepherd that was running in the road on the A4. Thames Valley Police said that the woman had approached the dog to prevent it running into traffic. The dog then bit her arm and dragged her to the ground. She was helped by a member of the public. The woman suffered puncture wounds to her arm, which required treatment and stitches at Basingstoke Hospital, and has since been discharged. Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which happened at 12.15pm on Friday, December 21. Investigating Officer, PC Claire Simpson, of Newbury Police Station, said: This was a traumatic incident for the victim, who suffered serious and painful injuries to her arm. We are appealing to any witnesses to this incident to come forward and help us with our investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote 43180389202. Reports can be made online at https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/ or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Marcus Franks was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the end of 2017 A LEADING member of West Berkshire Councils executive committee is stepping down due to illness. Marcus Franks, the councils portfolio holder for community resilience and partnerships, (Con, Speen) made the announcement at a meeting on Thursday, December 20. Mr Franks has served on the executive, the local authoritys body of senior councillors, for nine years. He will be replaced as the lead member for community resilience and partnerships by Richard Somner (Con, Calcot). Announcing his resignation from the executive, Mr Franks said he was proud to have served the residents of West Berkshire in a variety of roles and that his decision to step down had been a difficult one. In a message to residents, Mr Franks, who is in his mid-40s, also stressed the importance of regular bowel checks for under-50s. He said: Following my diagnosis with bowel cancer at the end of last year, I have been receiving treatment and have continued to work. However, I now cannot give the time and energy that is required to be an executive councillor, hence my stepping down from this role. The instances in bowel cancer in those under 50 is fortunately not common, but it is important to consult your doctor early if you have any related symptoms. Bowel Cancer UK has a really good website which provides a lot of information about symptoms, treatments and the support available. Mr Franks added: However, I remain on the council and will continue to support the leader of the council and the executive in continuing the work protecting the vulnerable and making West Berkshire a great place to live and work. Mr Somner will take over from Mr Franks from Wednesday, January 2. Ahead of taking up his new role in the new year, Mr Somner said: As a longstanding and well-respected member of the executive, Marcus is a tough act to follow. Im looking forward to continuing the positive work that hes been engaged in. As the nature of public service changes, closer partnership working becomes ever more important, as does the work helping communities do more for themselves. I am delighted to be taking on this important role and at such a crucial time and cant wait to get started in the new year. Newburyport, MA (01950) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch.. Tonight Showers early, then cloudy overnight. Low 61F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Newburyport, MA (01950) Today Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a half an inch.. Tonight Showers this evening becoming less numerous overnight. Low 61F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Two giant industrials, Bosch and Volkswagen, are among companies that are taking seriously the idea that the Internet of Things (IoT) and decentralized data marketplaces should co-exist. That means a type of "blockchain meets IoT" is likely in our future. Both German organizations have recently teamed up with fellow-country, decentralized transactional platform IOTA on various development projects. IOTAs Tangle is a transactional data transfer and settlement system for connected devices. [Also see our corporate guide to addressing IoT security. ] Bosch announced in November that it intends to use a combination of its XDK (Cross Domain development Kit) product (an IoT prototyping and programmable sensor module used as a come-on to get organizations to work with Bosch on custom mass production and series engineering), and morph XDK with IOTA marketplace along a masked communications channel. It can be said that any use case is feasible where the Bosch XDK measures sensor data, and there are potential buyers for this data, Bosch says in a blog post explaining its goals. An enterprise renting out machinery and billing for the exact time consumed could be a use case, for example. Audit trails are another. People and machines can transfer money and/or data without any transaction fees in a trustless, permissionless, and decentralized environment, the non-profit IOTA says on its website. IOTA also explains that its a mechanism for selling and accessing active data streams and technically not really a mined blockchain. (Non-mined IOTA transactions are issued simultaneously and continuously rather than linearly and in time intervals, as is case with classic blockchain.) But its similar in that it is also decentralized peer-to-peer distributed ledger technology. IOTA is established as the main currency for machines, the organization claims. Automotive uses for blockchain-like ledgers Automaker Volkswagen, too, has been exploring IOTA. Automotive uses for blockchain-like, or alternative-technology distributed ledgers, include authenticating mileage for a lease return, for example. Other uses in that vertical could be in remote, over-the-air software updates where auditing and authentication might be important. And indeed IOTA claims a proof of concept has been established with Volkswagen for that technology. Volkswagens head of digital, Johann Jungwirth, at one time was on the board of IOTA. IOTA isnt the only distributed ledger technology out there thats being aimed at IoT. Hyundai Digital Asset Company (Hdac) is backed by the vehicle manufacturer and owned by the nephew of the car maker's owners, according to Cointelegraph. Hyundais hidden-network, blockchain system allows processing of payments over Bitcoin and integrates other blockchain networks. Some of its industrial IoT pitches will be in reducing fraud in Bill of Lading, introducing serial numbers or unique identifiers for counterfeiting reduction, and better encryption overall of processes and contracts. Blockchain-enabled IoT systems Supply chain and automotive are emerging as focuses for IoT blockchain. Cointelegraph, in its article, also mentions IoT-blockchain combined operations VeChain, Waltonchain, and Streamr. Australia's Ultimo Digital Technologies is another blockchain-enabled IoT system. It wants to get into production-chain fraud reduction. Its aiming for food and other consumables origin verification and protection. Liquor traceability is one example it uses for an IoT/blockchain mix called Ubique Chain of Things. Digitally identified goods in shipment will also be able to be purchased from vendors on the RFID or NB-IoT networks proposed. Each parts information during transaction will be retained in the blockchain, from factory, overseas warehouse, domestic and international main line bonded warehouse, trade and transportation links, until finally signed by consumers, Ultimo says on its website. A Vermont mental health worker who admitted to sexually assaulting a patient at a private psychiatric hospital has been sentenced to four to 15 years in prison. The Brattleboro Reformer reports 49-year-old Robert Havens, of Brattleboro, pleaded guilty last year to sexual assault of a victim under the age of 16, lewd and lascivious conduct with a child and obstruction of justice. As part of a plea agreement, several other charges were dismissed. Also, Havens must undergo treatment and register as a sex offender. Prosecutors say Havens began a sexual relationship with a girl in March 2017 while she was a patient at the Brattleboro Retreat. Authorities say Havens continued the relationship after the girl was released from the center. Havens was placed on leave when he was charged. Police are investigating after a body washed ashore in Hull, Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon. Massachusetts State Police said the body, believed to be a man in his 30s, washed up on a beach off of Main Street near the Hull Ferry Terminal around 12:30 p.m. The investigation remains active, and state police detectives, Hull police and firefighters are all at the scene; however, the initial investigation indicates the incident is not suspicious. The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office is in charge of the investigation. No further information was immediately available. Hull is a small town located on a peninsula at the southern edge of Boston Harbor, near Hingham and Cohasset. The Democratic leader of the Massachusetts Senate promised Wednesday to work for lower prescription drug costs, expanded mental health services and a reform to the state's education funding formula as she laid out an ambitious agenda at the start of the Legislature's new two-year session. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker administered oaths to the 40-member Senate and 160-member House in ceremonies signaling the start of the 191st term for one of America's oldest legislative bodies. Formally known as the General Court, the Legislature traces its roots to the Colonial era. The first order of business in each chamber both firmly controlled by Democrats was the re-election of presiding officers. Rep. Robert DeLeo, of Winthrop, already the longest-serving House speaker in the state's history having first taken the gavel in 2009, returned for another two-year term. Ashland Democrat Karen Spilka will serve her first full term as Senate president after first assuming the post in July. Speaking in the ornate Senate chamber, which reopened Wednesday for the first time in more than 18 months following a $20 million renovation, Spilka called for several "bold" initiatives in response to what she said were demands from Massachusetts residents to move beyond "small ideas and incremental change." Spilka said her priorities would include legislation to better control health care spending by reining in the high cost of prescription drugs and redistribute state education funding to better serve children who live in poorer school districts. Recalling the untreated psychological trauma her father suffered as a result of his military service, the Senate leader also appealed for a broad expansion of mental health services throughout the state. "We simply cannot end the epidemic of addiction or solve the problems of chronic homelessness and unemployment, child abuse and neglect, veteran and first responder PTSD, childhood bullying, or repeated incarceration, without first addressing the underlying issue of mental health," said Spilka. While not specifically calling for tax increases, Spilka said the state would need to "capture new revenues" to support new and existing programs. Spilka, a liberal Democrat, was widely expected to stake out a progressive agenda that could meet resistance in the House, which is also controlled by Democrats but is seen as more conservative than the Senate. Baker, a moderate Republican who remains opposed to any broad-based tax hikes, could also prove a stumbling block. In brief comments following his re-election on Wednesday, DeLeo declared that "no one's rights will be infringed upon in Massachusetts," an apparent swipe at the policies of President Donald Trump and other Republicans in Washington. DeLeo generally waits until a few weeks into a new session before outlining his legislative priorities. Sen. Bruce Tarr, of Gloucester, and Rep. Brad Jones, of North Reading, will again serve as the minority leaders in their respective chambers. There are 32 Republicans in the House and only six in the Senate, with the GOP having lost a handful of legislative seats in the November election. What to Know A deadly car crash sparked a massive fire at a Fall River, Massachusetts apartment building on Tuesday that displaced about 80 people. The 72-year-old driver of the vehicle died at the scene after her car crashed into the building; her passenger died on Wednesday. Firefighters continued to battle hot spots overnight at the scene and the building is being torn down on Wednesday. A second woman who was in the car that crashed into a Massachusetts apartment complex building on Tuesday has died from her injuries, according to the Bristol district attorney's office. The 75-year-old woman, identified as Linda Leahey of Fall River, died at Rhode Island Hospital on Wednesday, where she had been previously listed in critical condition. Authorities say Leahey was a passenger in the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix that was being driven by 72-year-old Judith Mauretti, who died at the scene of the fiery crash. A family member told NBC10 Boston the two women were sisters. Meanwhile, demolition is underway Wednesday to tear down the Fall River apartment complex building as crews continue to battle a massive fire that started Tuesday morning. Fall River Fire Chief John D. Lynch said six firefighters who were treated for exhaustion and smoke inhalation are expected to be OK, and that his department's main concern now is "to make sure no one else is hurt at the scene." He said firefighters could still be on the scene for another 24 hours to douse hot spots. "The only way we're going to be able to put this out is to start to tear it out," Lynch said. "We can't allow anybody in there, so we're basically going to rip this building down." Eighty people have been displaced as a result of the 6-alarm blaze on North Main Street, which was sparked by a ruptured gas line after Mauretti crashed into the apartment building just before 9:40 a.m. Residents of the Four Winds Apartments were able to escape the inferno safely, but not without difficulty. Seven pets were also rescued. "We tried to get out the front but the smoke was so heavy at the time and it happened so quick so we went out the back," Jack Steele said. "Everything we own is in there," resident Nono Nunes said. "The worst part of it is we aren't going to get anything back." "My granddaughter Zoe there, she just wants to go back in her home in her bed and get her toys," resident Debra Degroot said. "That's what bothers me." Witnesses say Mauretti was speeding when her car jumped the curb and slammed into the apartment building. Approximately 100 firefighters responded to the massive blaze. Hours after officials said the initial fire had been doused, the blaze flared up again on Tuesday night. The investigation into the fatal car crash and ensuing inferno continues. Two people were hospitalized Wednesday following a fiery crash involving a tractor-trailer that shut down Route 27 in Belgrade, Maine, according to state police. The truck, driven by 54-year-old Mark Tuttle, of Albion, was carrying 9,500 gallons of fuel oil when it crashed with a GMC Yukon, driven by 74-year-old Robert Engdahl, of Winthrop, near the intersection of Route 135. Police said Engdahl had stopped at a stop sign and then drove in front of the Tuttle's truck. The crash caused the big rig to be fully engulfed in flames. Both vehicles were destroyed. Police said both drivers were rushed to Maine General Medical Center Public Hospital in Augusta for treatment of minor injuries. State Police cited Engdahl for failing to yield the right of way. Multiple fire departments and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection responded to the inferno. Firefighters had to let the fuel oil burn at the scene of the crash. Once crews are able to contain the fire at about noon, Route 27 reopened with a detour around the crash site. The rest of the area was expected to reopen later in the day. The exact cause of the crash is under investigation. The U.S. Coast Guard is searching near Block Island for two missing fishermen. The Coast Guard says it received a distress call after the fishing boat Mistress capsized Tuesday morning off Block Island, Rhode Island. The boat started taking on water near the nation's first offshore wind farm. A nearby fishing boat, Captain Bligh, got to the scene first and rescued one fisherman. The crew reported that two fishermen were still missing. A Coast Guard helicopter crew began searching, but had to turn back due to low visibility and unsafe weather. A Coast Guard boat also had to turn back. The Coast Guard has since sent the Cutter Sanibel and a lifeboat to the scene. The Captain Bligh remained there to help. The Mistress docks in Point Judith, Rhode Island. Authorities say two people on a snowmobile were ejected and injured in a crash on a New Hampshire lake. Police in Wakefield say the snowmobile crashed on Balch Lake near a boat launch early Tuesday. State Fish and Game Department officers said 26-year-old James Leavitt of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and 25-year-old Molly Boen, of Stoughton, Massachusetts, were hurt. Both were unconscious and taken to hospitals. Neither was wearing a helmet. Their conditions weren't immediately known Wednesday. Officers said alcohol, speed and poor weather conditions appear to be contributing factors in the accident. Fire officials say a 17-year-old boy fell 30 feet off a cliff while hiking in a remote area of Massachusetts on New Year's Day. Princeton Fire Chief John Bennett says the teen was hiking in the town around 10:30 a.m. when he fell. Bennett says the boy had grabbed onto a tree branch on top of the cliff and the branch broke, causing the teen to fall and land on his back 30 feet (9 meters) below. Bennett says it took rescuers about 20 minutes to reach the boy, and he was reported responsive at the hospital. The boy's name and current condition have not been released. Bennett is warning hikers to stay away from the cliffs which he says are extremely slippery and lack barriers. A jailed Chinese technology executive will have to wait at least one more day to see if she will be released on bail in a case that has raised U.S.-China tensions and complicated efforts to resolve a trade dispute that has roiled financial markets and threatened global economic growth. Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei and daughter of its founder, was detained at the request of the U.S. during a layover at the Vancouver airport Dec. 1 the same day that Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping of China agreed to a 90-day cease-fire in the trade dispute that threatens to disrupt global commerce. The U.S. has accused Huawei of using a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. It also says Meng and Huawei misled banks about the company's business dealings in Iran. After a second daylong session, Justice William Ehrcke said the bail hearing would continue Tuesday. In urging the court to reject Meng's bail request, prosecutor John Gibb-Carsley noted the Huawei executive has vast resources and a strong incentive to flee as she is facing fraud charges in the United States that could put her in prison for 30 years. Gibb-Carsley later told the judge that if he does decide to grant bail it should include house arrest. David Martin, Meng's lawyer, said Meng was willing to pay for a surveillance company to monitor her and wear an ankle monitor but she wanted to be able to travel around Vancouver and its suburbs. Scot Filer of Lions Gate Risk Management group said his company would make a citizen's arrest if she breached bail conditions. Martin said Meng's husband would put up both of their Vancouver homes plus $1 million Canadian ($750,000) for a total value of $15 million Canadian ($11.2 million) as collateral. The judge cast doubt on that proposal, saying Meng's husband isn't a resident of British Columbia a requirement for him to act as a guarantor that his wife won't flee and his visitor visa expires in February. The prosecutor said her husband has no meaningful connections to Vancouver and spends only two or three weeks a year in the city. Gibb-Carsley also expressed concern about the idea of using a security company paid by Meng. He said later that $15 million Canadian ($11.2 million) would be an appropriate amount if the judge granted bail, but he said half should be in cash. Huawei said in a statement that it had "every confidence that the Canadian and U.S. legal systems will reach a just conclusion." Meng's arrest has fueled U.S.-China trade tensions at a time when the two countries are seeking to resolve a dispute over Beijing's technology and industrial strategy. Both sides have sought to keep the issues separate, at least so far, but the arrest has roiled markets, with stock markets worldwide down again Monday. The hearing has sparked widespread interest, and the courtroom was packed again Monday with media and spectators, including some who came to support Meng. One man in the gallery brought binoculars to have a closer look at Meng, while outside court a man and woman held a sign that read "Free Ms. Meng." Over the weekend, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng summoned Canadian Ambassador John McCallum and U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad. Le warned both countries that Beijing would take steps based on their response. Asked Monday what those steps might be, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said only, "It totally depends on the Canadian side itself." Stocks around the world fell Monday over investor concerns about the continuing U.S.-China trade dispute, as well as the cloud hanging over Brexit negotiations after Britain's prime minister postponed a vote on her deal for Britain to quit the European Union. In the U.S., stocks were volatile, tumbling in the morning and then recovering in the afternoon. The Huawei case complicates efforts to resolve the U.S.-China trade dispute. The United States has slapped tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese imports, charging that China steals American technology and forces U.S. companies to turn over trade secrets. Tariffs on $200 billion of those imports were scheduled to rise from 10 percent to 25 percent on Jan. 1. But over dinner Dec. 1 with Xi in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Trump agreed to delay the increase for 90 days, buying time for more negotiations. Bill Perry, a trade lawyer with Harris Bricken in Seattle, said China's decelerating economy is putting pressure on Xi to make concessions before U.S. tariffs go up. "They need a trade deal. They don't want the tariffs to go up to 25" percent, said Perry, who produces the "US China Trade War" blog. "This is Damocles' sword hanging over the Chinese government." Huawei, the biggest global supplier of network gear for phone and internet companies, has become the target of U.S. security concerns because of its ties to the Chinese government. The U.S. has pressured other countries to limit use of its technology, warning they could be opening themselves up to surveillance and theft of information. Lu, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, accused countries he didn't cite by name of hyping the "so-called" threat. "I must tell you that not a single piece of evidence have they ever presented to back their allegation," he said. "To create obstacles for companies' normal operations based on speculation is quite absurd." Canadian officials have declined to comment on Chinese threats of retaliation, instead emphasizing the independence of Canada's judiciary and the importance of Ottawa's relationship with Beijing. In barely a week's time, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has cemented the authoritarian reputation of his government by shuttering the offices some of the few remaining resonant voices of dissent and expelling the international monitors documenting his government's alleged crimes. The heavy-handed raids on the country's most prominent nongovernmental organizations and the seizure of the offices of the independent news outlets Confidencial and 100% Noticias left a clear message that no one especially former Sandinista comrades was safe from a crackdown on dissent following a wave of protests that increasingly aimed at pushing the 73-year-old president from power. At least 325 people have been killed since protests erupted in mid-April and were violently suppressed. Some 565 people have been jailed, according to the Nicaraguan Human Rights Center, which itself was raided. Many of those held face terrorism charges that carry decades-long sentences. Thousands have fled the country in self-imposed exile. "All Nicaraguans are vulnerable to the possibility that they fabricate charges from the laws they (the government) invented," the founder of Confidencial, Carlos Fernando Chamorro, said in front of Managua's courthouse. "No one is safe here. The law protects no one because in Nicaragua there is not rule of law." Chamorro ran the Sandinistas' newspaper La Barricada for years and his mother Violeta Barrios de Chamorro was initially part of the Sandinista ruling junta when it gained power. But she later split and eventually ran for president, defeating Ortega in 1990. Vice President Rosario Murillo who is Ortega's wife and who also controls the government's communications did not grant a request for an interview with herself or Ortega. But at an event with police last week, she made a thinly veiled reference to Chamorro and other "traitors." "Disgracefully in our country we have known names that repeat throughout history in their eagerness to betray the country," Murillo said. "We are going to strengthen the peace and security every day. Here traitors to the country have no place." The new wave of crackdowns began a little over a week ago when Ortega loyalists in Congress stripped nine organizations of their legal status, alleging they supported what the government has called a coup attempt, a reference to the protests. Police raided the groups' offices the night of Dec. 13, hauling off computers and reams of documents. They returned the following night to occupy their buildings. Police toting rifles could be seen watching television inside the offices of Confidencial while its staff kept its website updated from hotel rooms, their homes and eventually a secret location where they re-established their newsroom. "The issue is that the institutions that he's going after are symbolic of the strength of civil society," said Manuel Orozco, a senior associate at The Inter-American Dialogue in Washington. Ortega thought he could maintain control through the political parties, but this opposition movement has come from civil society. When Chamorro went to police headquarters on Dec. 15 to ask to see what order had allowed the seizure of his offices, he and his staff were pushed away by riot police who punched and kicked at least one of his reporters. Riot police were present again two days later when Chamorro and his wife walked hand-in-hand to the gates of the courthouse to seek judicial relief. "As human beings, obviously we're afraid of being smashed by the regime, which up to now has prevailed through force and terror," Chamorro said. Invoking his father, a journalist and national hero killed in 1978 by the Somoza dictatorship that was later overthrown by the Sandinistas, Chamorro said that each person is the master of his own fear. "All citizens have to learn to manage fear and overcome it and show that you can't kill ideas and ideas can't be killed by killing journalists." Chamorro isn't alone as a former Sandinista now squarely in Ortega's sights. Many of the intellectuals and key figures who participated in early Sandinista governments have split away over the years, accusing Ortega of taking a more authoritarian path. Vilma Nunez, the president of the Nicaraguan Human Rights Center, was a supreme court vice president under Ortega's first Sandinista government in 1979 and dedicated much of her early career to defending Sandinistas persecuted by the Somoza regime. But last week she circulated a panicked audio recording saying that the police had surrounded her offices and she thought they were going to force their way in. They did and now the center, known by its Spanish initials of Cenidh, is reorganizing at a clandestine location. "They believe that by finishing off belligerent organizations that won't be silent about human rights they are going to silence the voices of protest that persist," Nunez said. Cenidh has been documenting abuses by police and paramilitaries since the violence began in April. But in Cenidh's case, it also may be personal. Nunez represented Zoilamerica Narvaez, Murillo's daughter and Ortega's stepdaughter, when she accused Ortega of rape and abuse during her childhood. Efforts to prosecute the case at first were blocked by Ortega's immunity as a member of Nicaragua's congress. He renounced that immunity after his lawyers determined the statute of limitations had expired. "Daniel Ortega, since he thinks that everything belongs to him, believes that everyone who was in the Sandinista Front is his property and that's why he considers everyone traitors," Nunez said. In the streets of Managua, outward appearances suggest some degree of normality. Christmas decorations are spread about the city, more restaurants and bars are staying open after dark and the city's Eastern Market has been humming with shoppers. The sprawling 37-block market, which claims to be the region's largest, holds vendors selling everything from fresh produce to large appliances. But vendors say business has been running 25 to 30 percent below what it was last year, even in the run-up to Christmas. Veronica Guzman Pavon stood at her produce stand bagging fat carrots. She had a big basket of onions on offer but said it now took four days to sell out whereas before it took two. "And they complain because it's expensive," she said. Prices are up because fewer crops were planted because banks were lending less to farmers, she said. That scarcity has driven up costs, which she has to pass on to her customers. Nicaragua's private business umbrella organization COSEP issued a report this month saying that instead of the forecast 5 percentage-point growth in Nicaragua's economy this year, it will finish with a 4-point contraction. Not so visible are people living in fear. A woman who for months has been helping to hide dozens of university students who had occupied campuses in anti-government protests continues to ferry donated food and clothing to them. But she said there's never enough food, and some subsist on rice and ketchup. But their emotional health is the greater concern, she said: These were students on career tracks who suddenly found themselves unable to return to the university or even walk down the street. After police and paramilitaries retook the university campuses last summer, hundreds of students have either fled the country or remain in hiding. "They have imprisoned their future," said the woman, who requested anonymity to protect the students in her care. To get to the Managua home of Carlos Tunnermann, a former university rector, the Sandinistas' first education minister and later Ortega's ambassador to the United States, you have to get through two police checkpoints. Tunnermann, a member of the Civic Alliance formed to negotiate with the government last spring, lives near Ortega's home and falls within his expanded security perimeter. The first checkpoint is easy enough, just a question about where you're going. The second, however, is more challenging. Police took identifications from this reporter and his cab driver. Once an officer established that the cab's passenger was a journalist, an agent dressed as a civilian but carrying a radio followed up with more questions. Who do you work for? What are you reporting on? Where are you staying? Is that the only place you've stayed? When did you arrive? When will you leave? The answers were scribbled into a small notebook. After a half hour, the gate finally swung aside. Half a block away, Tunnermann patiently waited. He apologized for the inconvenience, but such were the times. A young relative recently came to visit and was similarly held up when a police officer remarked that he didn't see the family resemblance. Tunnermann said that the recent aggression toward the NGOs and Chamorro's media outfit could have been a reply to the U.S. government's economic sanctions last month against Murillo and Nestor Moncada, Ortega's national security adviser. Tunnermann said Ortega seemed to not grasp yet that each time he ratchets up the crackdown, the international community will increase the pressure on him. Just a few hours later, Ortega's government would expel teams from two branches of the Organization of American States that were investigating human rights violations. A day after that, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a law ordering sanctions against countries that assist Ortega's government a measure that had stalled in Congress in earlier years. Undeterred, Ortega's police raided the offices of 100% Noticias on Friday night, and the following morning its director was accused in court of inciting "terrorism." In Tunnermann's mind, dialogue and eventually a concession by Ortega to move up presidential elections scheduled for 2021 were the country's best chance for peace. But there was a major obstacle, he said: Ortega and Murillo "have invented a reality that is not the true reality. It's a reality that is only in their minds." Police in Virginia say they've arrested a man who escaped custody while being treated at an area hospital. Fairfax County Police say 27-year-old Jaquan Ross escaped near U.S. Route 1 in Alexandria shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday. He was found and arrested Wednesday morning. Police said Ross was wanted on charges including aggravated assault when he was taken into custody by bail bondsmen Tuesday. They say Ross complained of pain and was taken to a hospital for treatment. A police release said that after Ross received treatment, he broke free from authorities and ran toward Route 1, still wearing a handcuff on his right wrist. Ross is facing charges from Tuesday's incident including possession of marijuana and obstruction of justice. He has additional outstanding charges from Fairfax County, the city of Alexandria and Virginia State Police. It's unclear if he has a lawyer. Sign up to get breaking news, weather forecasts, and more in your email inbox. Sign Up Now What to Know NYPD kicked off the New Year in joking form, coming to the aide of police in Kentucky who tweeted sad pics over the loss of a donut truck "No words," the tweet from cops in Lexington read; it showed photos of three police officers with sad faces, two with their heads in hand Less than 24 hours later, the NYPD responded to the call, replying to the Kentucky cops' tweet with a photo of officers in a helicopter The NYPD came to the rescue of some Lexington, Kentucky, police who were forlorn by the catastrophic loss of a Krispy Kreme truck by fire on New Year's Eve. Lexington cops posted photos of three officers with sad faces, two of them with their heads in a hand, standing outside a burned Krispy Kreme truck. "No words," they quipped in the tweet, which also featured a crying emoji. Less than 24 hours later, the NYPD responded to the call, replying to the Kentucky cops' tweet with a photo of officers in a helicopter over New York City. "Hang tight, we are sending backup forthwith, and these guys came prepared," the tweet said. "We hope you like sprinkles." Hang tight, we are sending backup forthwith, and these guys came prepared. We hope you like sprinkles. pic.twitter.com/S2WIY2ZR38 NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 1, 2019 The pair of joking tweets had more than 91,000 likes on Twitter between them. Then, of course, Krispy Kreme entered the fray, tweeted a praying hands emoji and writing, "We're thinking of you during this difficult time ... and have more doughnuts on the way!" Lexington Police responded simply, "Hope," with an image of a blue heart. The man who is accused of stabbing his girlfriend at least 30 times in Hartford and kidnapping her 6-year-old son on New Years Day has been arrested in New York. Police said they obtained a warrant for the arrest of 23-year-old Edgar Manuel Maldonado and he was arrested at 5:30 a.m. by the members of the New York Police Department, 18th district. Police said they obtained information this morning about his whereabouts in New York and police found Maldonado at a McDonald's in midtown Manhattan. Maldonado is accused of stabbing his 43-year-old girlfriend in a vehicle early on New Year's Day before driving off with her 6-year-old son. The boy was found safe in Worcester, Massachusetts several hours later. Police said Maldonado has previously been arrested for domestic violence allegations over several years and his relationship with the victim was recent. Hartford police dispatchers received a 911 call at 1:55 a.m. Tuesday about a woman who was covered in blood, banging on doors on Natick Street and screaming for help, according to police. "Someone rang my doorbell around 1:30, quarter to 2, this morning, frantic ringing my doorbell," Kathy Cooper told NBC Connecticut. Cooper called the police for help. "I hope that she survives. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help her out, but it's really sad to start 2019 off, you know, begging for your life," Cooper said. Patrol officers, as well as Hartford firefighters and EMS responded, began treating the woman and learned that the victim and her 6-year-old son were in a vehicle with Maldonado and the woman was stabbed several times. The victim was able to get out of the car and Maldonado fled, taking the victims son from a prior relationship with him, according to police. The woman had been stabbed more than 30 times and was transported to Hartford Hospital, where she went through emergency surgery, police said. "When I finally turned on the light in my living room, there was blood inside my screen door and on my front door, right outside my door there was blood and on the there was a pool of blood on my porch so my house was part of a crime scene for two hours this morning," Cooper said Tuesday. Police said a nationwide alert was placed on the vehicle registration, surrounding towns were briefed about the incident and the boy was entered into a nationwide database as missing-endangered. Around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, police in Worcester, Massachusetts contacted Hartford police and said they found the boy and the car after receiving a call about a child wandering on Providence Street, according to Hartford police. Police said they had been in the process of entering an Amber Alert for the missing child Tuesday when he was located. The little boy did not appear to be harmed but he was taken to an area hospital to be evaluated. The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families took temporary custody of the child and have been working with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and the childs family. The mother is listed in critical, but stable condition, police said. Maldonado's last known address is on Nilan Street in Hartford. Police said a cooperating witness who knows Maldonado contacted police about his whereabouts and New York police contacted Hartford police around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday after Maldonado was located the New York McDonalds. Maldonado will be held as a fugitive until proceedings are held, then he will be turned over to members of the Hartford Police Department. A judge of the Superior Court granted a warrant for Maldonado for the charges of attempted murder, assault, kidnapping and risk of injury to a minor, according to police. What to Know The Educational Testing Service, which administers the SAT, told Kamilah Campbell her scores are invalid over answer pattern similarities Campbell calls it an attack on her integrity and character with scores due to her school of choice A South Florida student is speaking out to defend her SAT score after testing officials say a 300-plus point increase could be evidence of cheating. In the span of seven months Dr. Michael Krop Senior High School student Kamilah Campbell took her score of 900 and turned it into a 1230 in hopes of attending Florida State this fall. To her, it's evidence of her hard work, but the Educational Testing Service, which administers the SAT, is skeptical of its validity. The ETS recently wrote Campbell a letter saying her scores are invalid because some of her answer patterns were too similar to those of others who took the test. Campbell challenged the allegation, submitting a letter from her tutor as well as the names of the books and online materials she used to prepare. Campbell says it's not just an attack on her intelligence, but on her integrity and character. "Students go through a lot, you guys may not see it but in high school it's a lot of pressure especially with classes, homework, and then on top of that you have to study for this test on top of your other homework, on top of other tests that you get while you're already in school, so you're putting forth a lot of hours," Campbell said at a news conference Wednesday. "And to have your effort taken away from you and them saying, 'Oh, well we think you cheated.' It's not fair." The timing is important. Florida State's deadline for scores was Tuesday, but Campbell will remain in limbo until the issue is figured out. It's unknown how long the process will take but Campbell said she feels like her shot at school is in jeopardy as most of her friends have submitted their scores. The College Board, which works with ETS to administer the SAT, said they can't comment on the specific facts of an individual student's scores that are under review. "Working with ETS, our test security and administration provider, we place test scores under review when statistical analyses and other factors determine it is necessary," The College Board said in a statement. "When scores are under review, we work directly with students to collect relevant information and make determinations about the validity of the test scores following a comprehensive investigation of the evidence. We do not cancel scores based on a score gain alone; we will only cancel scores after we are confident that there is substantial evidence to do so." Responding to a house fire on a Santa Ana cul-de-sac Tuesday morning, authorities discovered the bodies of two persons inside, and homicide detectives were called to conduct an investigation "because of the suspicious circumstances behind the fire," police said. Police had responded Saturday to an allegation of domestic violence at the same house in the 2300 block of Manly Avenue, according to Cpl. Anthony Bertagna. Both the deceased suffered extensive burns and could not immediately be positively identified, Bertagna said. A man who identified himself as the brother of the home-owner expressed fear that his sister, Thuy Nuygen, 55, perished in her house. The brother believes the other person found dead inside was her estranged husband, and suspects he was responsible for the fire and deaths. The brother, Scott, said the husband had threatened to kill Nguyen and "burn the house down." When Scott went to visit Saturday, he found his sister bruised from an apparent beating, and after the husband ordered him to leave, Scott called police, he said. Police confirmed that officers arrested Ahmad Alassad, 39, and booked him Saturday for domestic violence. Records show he was released from the Orange County Jail on Sunday. A protective order was obtained, ordering him to stay away from the woman, Bertagna said. Tuesday evening, neither Thuy Nguyen nor Alassad had been accounted for as investigators held off entering the house until a search warrant had been obtained. Nguyen had immigrated from Vietnam with her family as a teenager four decades ago, grew up in the Manly Avenue house, and remained there as an adult to care for her parents and another brother until their deaths, according to Scott. In recent years she had taken on boarders to help cover expenses, and that is how she met Alassad in the past 18 months, Scott said. Alassad had told Nguyen he immigrated from Syria, and Scott remembers him speaking of not being able to go back and fearing deportation in the event of being arrested. "He had a temper, a very bad temper," said another neighbor who identified herself as Sue. She felt close to Nguyen as a fellow Vietnamese immigrant, but feared Alassad, she said. After learning Alassad had been released from jail, Scott said he and other family members tried to convince Thuy Nguyen to stay in Scott's home. He recalled her saying she did not see a need to do so. She was last seen alive visiting a sister on New Year's Eve. The latest plunge in oil prices has dealt a heavy blow to Iraq's stagnating economy, threatening the new government's ability to rebuild after the war with the Islamic State group and provide basic services to areas roiled by recent protests. Brent crude oil, used to price international purchases, briefly rose above $85 a barrel in October but has since plummeted to less than $55 a nightmare for a country like Iraq that derives 95 percent of its revenue from oil exports. A $111.9 billion draft budget sent to parliament in October projects crude exports of 3.8 million barrels per day to be sold at $56 per barrel. The bill, which includes a 23 percent increase in spending, would leave a deficit of $22.8 billion. But that won't even begin to address the colossal challenge of reconstruction after years of war. Some 1.8 million people have yet to return to their homes, according to the United Nations. Mosul, the country's second largest city, lies partly in ruins, as do many other cities, towns and villages once held by IS militants. Iraq's Planning Ministry estimates the country needs approximately $88 billion for reconstruction. In February, donors at a Kuwait summit pledged $30 billion in loans and investments to finance a portion of the bill, but little progress has been made to fulfill the pledges. In Iraq's oil-rich south, meanwhile, which was spared from the war's devastation, protests have erupted in recent months over unemployment and poor public services. Rolling power outages have been a nationwide problem going back to the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, and in the south the tap water is undrinkable. "We were surprised by the plunging oil prices and we have fallen into a big problem," said lawmaker Haneen al-Qado, who chairs parliament's Economy Committee. "The government is not in an enviable position." Iraqis elected a new government earlier in 2018, but it is dominated by the same bickering political factions that have governed the country for the last 15 years. Lawmakers have rejected the draft budget, calling for a new one that would estimate an even lower oil price and allocate even more funds for public investments. Qado says they may not be able to approve a budget until sometime in the first quarter of next year. Until then, the government can only spend one-twelfth of the previous year's allocation each month. While international attention has been focused on the devastation in northern and western Iraq, and the protests in the south, the budget crisis has also taken a heavy toll on Iraqis living in more stable areas. Construction projects across Baghdad have been stalled for years, with half-finished buildings turned into neighborhood garbage dumps. Kadhim Nima Khudair's construction company signed contracts in 2014 to build four schools at a cost of $5 million. By the following year, three of them were 80 percent complete, but then public funds dried up as the government launched the costly war against IS. When oil prices started to recover in 2017, the government began paying installments again, but only for the projects that were mostly completed. Now the payments have stopped again pending the budget negotiations. None of the schools have been completed, and Khudair has fallen deeply into debt, forcing him to lay off some 500 workers and sell family homes and cars. "I don't want any profit now, I only want my capital back," Khudair said. "We have been struggling all these years. People are still knocking on my door, asking for their money." Sami al-Araji, the head of the National Investment Commission, told an economic conference in December that hundreds of projects worth an estimated $54 billion are delayed. He called for a major overhaul of the economy that would promote investment and lessen the country's reliance on oil. "We have to think of all alternatives," he said. "The country has promising opportunities." That's easier said than done. Efforts to diversify the economy have been stymied by political infighting and corruption going all the way back to 2003, fueling cycles of war and instability. "Our fate is attached to oil," Khudair said. "When it's down, our blood pressure rises." A $50,000 reward has been offered for any tip leading to an arrest in the fatal shooting of a 7-year-old girl who was killed in Houston when a driver pulled alongside her family's car and fired into it. Investigators continued the search Wednesday for the driver of the red, four-door pickup captured on surveillance video shortly before the shooting Sunday morning in the eastern outskirts of Houston. Jazmine Barnes died at the scene and her mother, LaPorsha Washington, suffered a gunshot wound to the arm. Jazmine's three sisters were also in the car and one of them was hurt by shattered glass. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has declined to speculate on what prompted the shooting, describing it as "totally unprovoked." The sheriff's office has asked people who live nearby to review their surveillance videos. Lee Merritt, a national civil rights attorney with an office in Dallas, and New-York-based activist and writer Shaun King have offered a $50,000 reward for a tip that leads to an arrest. Merritt said Wednesday that he understands his and King's high profiles as activists means they will reach a lot of people with their appeal. Merritt said they will pass on any leads to the sheriff's department. A distraught Washington told KTRK-TV from her hospital bed that the gunman sped up after firing into her car, only to pull in front and slow down before firing again. "He intentionally killed my child for no reason," she said. "He didn't even know her, he didn't know who she was." Gonzalez said the shooting occurred on a service road as the family was heading to a store. The gunman was described as a white bearded man in his 40s wearing a red hoodie. Jazmine's father, Christopher Cevilla, said his daughter was a loving and caring girl who was "very smart in school." The Sheldon Independent School District said in a statement that Jazmine was a second-grader at Monahan Elementary in Houston. The school district said additional counselors will be at the elementary when students return on Tuesday. The district asked parents to tell their children about Jazmine's death. A Carrollton man is dead and two other passengers are injured following an early-morning ATV crash Tuesday in Frisco, police say. John Pasquale, 51, died after the ATV he was riding on crashed into a retaining wall in an alleyway near the 5900 block of Wallis Drive around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Frisco Police Department. Police determined three passengers were riding the ATV, but did not say who was the driver. The ATV crashed after the driver lost control, police said. The two riders injured were 50-year-old Andra Reneau of Frisco and 53-year-old Wayne Vaughn of Little Elm. Frisco Fire Department medics treated Vaughn at the scene, while Reneau was transported to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano with injuries that were not life-threatening. The ATV was the only vehicle involved in the crash and Frisco police are still working to determine its cause. People are moving out of many northeastern states and Connecticut ranks third among the states people are leaving, according to a study from United Van Lines. The suburban St. Louis-based moving company on Wednesday released its 42nd annual National Movers Study, which tracks customers' state-to-state migration patterns. New Jersey had the highest percentage of outbound moves, followed by Illinois, Connecticut, New York and Kansas. The study found that in 2018, more residents were moving out of Connecticut than into the state, with 62 percent of Connecticut moves being outbound. The estimated population in Connecticut dropped from 3,579,125 in 2010 to 3,573,880 in 2017, according to U.S. Census data. The only New England state on the list of top states people are moving to is Vermont. Vermont has the second-smallest population among states, exceeding only Wyoming, yet Vermont saw the highest percentage of inbound moves in 2018. The study showed that Americans continue to move west and south. The Mountain West and South regions saw high percentages of inbound moves. The Northeast and Midwest had high percentages of outbound moves. Connecticut State Police responded to over 300 crashes during New Year's weekend this year. Troopers began their holiday enforcement with extra patrols on December 28, 2018 at 12:01 a.m. and finished it at 11:59 p.m. on January 1, 2019. During that time period, police said they responded to 339 accidents, 54 of which had injuries. None were fatal. There were also 36 DUI arrests. Police responded to assist motorists 286 times. In total, troopers reported 1,516 moving violations including 480 for speeding and 14 for seat belt violations. There were 7,657 total calls for service. Last year during New Year's weekend, police responded to 494 accidents including 54 with injuries and two with fatalities. Troopers responded to 6,885 total calls for service last year including 28 DUI arrests, 1,410 moving violations and 270 motorist assists. According to Connecticut State Police, troopers enforced all motor vehicle laws and focused on reducing the number of DUI crashes and injury-producing accidents on the interstates, state roads and local roadways. Ansonia police have arrested a Hamden man in connection with a crash that killed another man in September. Zachary Mercer, 24, of Hamden, was arrested Monday and has been charged in connection with the crash at Main and Bridge streets on Sept. 23 that killed 78-year-old Garrett Dalton, according to police. Police said three vehicles were involved in the crash and one hit a building. Dalton was taken to a hospital and later died from his injuries, according to police. Ansonia police, along with the Orange and Woodbridge Police Department Accident Reconstruction Teams and the Connecticut State Police Crash Analysis and Reconstruction Squad investigated and detectives learned that Mercers vehicle had been previously listed as a salvage vehicle and did not pass an inspection to be registered in the State of Connecticut, so Mercer registered the vehicle in Texas, according to police. He has been charged with misconduct with a motor vehicle, reckless driving, operating a motor vehicle with out of state plates, violation of totaled vehicle regulations, and failure to obey traffic control. Mercer posted a $10,000 bond and is due in Derby Superior Court on Jan. 14. The Connecticut Bankers Reward Association is offering a reward for information on a suspect wanted in at least five bank robberies across the state. Richard Cable, 37, is wanted in connection with a December 1 robbery at the Peoples United Bank at 240 Chase Ave. in Waterbury, according to Waterbury police. He is also a suspect in four other robberies in Bridgeport, New Haven, Bristol and Farmington, police said. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact police. The Connecticut Bankers Reward Association is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to his capture and arrest. One person is dead and five others suffered minor injuries after a driver in a stolen vehicle fled from North Haven Police and collided with two other vehicles in Hamden early Tuesday morning, authorities said. State Police said 19-year-old Jonathan Garcia, of New Haven, was driving a 2012 Honda Pilot that was reported stolen from New Britain on Saturday and collided with a Chevrolet Silverado and a Nissan Armada that were stopped at a light on Dixwell Avenue at 2:16 a.m. Tuesday. State police said Garcia had fled from North Haven police when they tried to stop him on State Street and led police on a chase. Police said 25-year-old Andrew Basilici, who was in the back seat of the Pilot sustained life-threatening injuries, according to state police. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed that Basilici died of his injuries. State police said everyone involved in the crash was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital to be evaluated and five minor injuries are reported. Rev. David Burgess was one of the drivers involved in the crash. He spoke exclusively with NBC Connecticut. "I see this black SUV coming towards me and it was going at a high rate of speed, and it was careening out of control," Burgess said. Moments later the SUV slammed into his pickup. He's at home Tuesday night recovering from back and neck pain. "It started coming towards my vehicle and at that time I seen it, all I could yell out was Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, by the time I hit the third Jesus the impact hit the back of my truck," he explained. The New Haven States Attorneys Office reached out to state police to investigate the crash. No information was released on whether any charges have been filed. Witnesses are asked to call state police at 203-630-5634. Sujata Jain is a reporter who can be seen weekday mornings and evenings on NBC Connecticut. Sujata is passionate about meeting people and sharing their stories with integrity and compassion. Before joining NBC Connecticut, Sujata was a reporter at WFSB in Rocky Hill. She got her start at WDVM in Hagerstown, Maryland and then spent some time at WCSC in Charleston, South Carolina. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with Bachelors degrees in Biology and French. She earned a Masters degree from Columbia University in Science Education and a Masters degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in Broadcast Journalism. Sujata enjoys physical fitness, cooking, reading, and movies. She can often be found outside, enjoying the states natural beauty, exploring with her husband Jacob, who is a meteorologist, and their daughter. From the hill towns to the shoreline, Sujata loves discovering the hidden gems of Connecticut, which remind her of her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. An Illinois priest under criminal investigation for sexual abuse has gone "absent without leave" from his Augustinian order, according to a church official. Sister Mary Ann Hamer, assistant treasurer for the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, said Friday that the Rev. Richard McGrath moved out of the St. John Stone Friary in Chicago sometime in the last couple of months on his own accord. The 72-year-old McGrath was removed from public ministry in 2017 and assigned to the friary while police investigated "potentially inappropriate material" on his cellphone. The reassignment occurred so the order could supervise McGrath and ensure he didn't have unsupervised access to minors, according to the Rev. Anthony B. Pizzo, prior provincial of the Midwest Augustinians. The investigation closed after McGrath refused to turn in his phone. Another investigation opened in January into allegations that McGrath sexually abused a student in the 1990s at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, which he led for more than 30 years as the principal or president. The Archdiocese of Chicago, which can ultimately control who lives at the friary because it's within the archdiocese, later requested that McGrath no longer reside at the facility after discovering the sexual abuse allegations. The Augustinians began making preparations to relocate McGrath, but McGrath moved to another residence that's not affiliated with the order, Pizzo said. McGrath's absence is illegitimate under Augustinian canon law, which means that while he's still a priest, he's no longer an agent of the order, Pizzo said. McGrath's attorney, Patrick Reardon, didn't comment on where McGrath relocated, but said McGrath left because he felt like "a liability to the Augustinians." He said McGrath believes he's done nothing wrong. A 6-year-old boy has been found safe in Worcester, Massachusetts several hours after his mothers boyfriend drove off with him after stabbing the childs mother in Hartford, Connecticut, according to police. They are still looking for the suspect. Hartford police dispatchers received a 911 call at 1:55 a.m. Tuesday about a woman who was covered in blood on Natick Street and screaming for help, according to police. Patrol officers, as well as Hartford firefighters and EMS responded, began treating the woman and learned that the victim and her 6-year-old son were in a vehicle with the suspect and the woman was stabbed several times. She was able to get out of the car and the man fled, taking the victims son from a prior relationship with him, according to police. The victim had been stabbed more than 30 times and was transported to Hartford Hospital, where she went through emergency surgery, police said. Police said a nationwide alert was placed on the vehicle registration, surrounding towns were briefed on the incident and the boy was entered into a nationwide database as missing-endangered. Around 5:30 a.m., police in Worcester, Massachusetts contacted Hartford police and said they found the boy and the car, according to Hartford police. The little boy did not appear to be harmed, but was taken to and area hospital to be evaluated. Police have not identified the suspect and said they are still looking for him. Authorities said they are working to obtain a warrant. The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families took temporary custody of the child and have been working with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and the childs family. The mother is listed in critical, but stable condition, police said. Two "critical victims" were rescued from a building fire in San Francisco Wednesday morning. One victim was rescued by a construction worker and another was rescued by firefighters from the second floor of a building near 25th Street and Connecticut Street, according to San Francisco fire officials. The second floor of the building was vacant, officials said. It wasn't immediately clear what started the fire. The two victims suffered critical injuries and five people were displaced due to the blaze, the fire department's spokesperson told NBC Bay Area. No other information was immediately available. San Francisco police arrested a man suspected of sexual assaulting an elderly victim on Monday afternoon, according to the department. Police responded to the report of a possible sexual assault at about 12:35 p.m. Monday in the 800 block of Pacifica Avenue in the city's Central District. They had only a suspect description at the time. On Tuesday, the suspect was taken into custody after he was seen by officers walking in the city's Tenderloin district, police said. Anyone with information related to the incident should contact the the SFPD Anonymous Tip Line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message. What to Know All U.S. hospitals must now provide complete price lists on their websites California has required price lists for hospitals since 2006 Listed prices are not necessarily final, and patients can negotiate with hospitals to get a reduced bill A new law now in effect nationwide requires all U.S. hospitals to share complete price lists on their websites. The rule, created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, mirrors a 2006 California law that mandated hospitals share price master lists on a state-run website. However, the law now requires hospitals provide that information in a "machine-readable" format, such as a spreadsheet, and do so on their own websites. A complete, searchable list of California hospital price lists can be viewed at the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Barbara Feder Ostrov, senior correspondent with Kaiser Health News, said the new transparency could benefit patients and taxpayers in the long run. "It allows policymakers to review the prices that are out there," Feder Ostrov said. "[It lets them] say, 'These are starting prices for negotiations with government and with insurers, and maybe you're starting a little too high. Can you really justify this price?'" NBC Bay Area checked a number of local hospital websites on Tuesday, and found all in compliance with the new law. However, it did take some clicking and searching to find the price lists, also known as "chargemasters." The lists can be massive; some hospitals listed more than 40,000 prices for procedures, services, drugs, medical devices, and other items. Prices can vary widely for the same item or procedure from one hospital to the next. For example, we compared the price of an abdominal MRI with contrast -- a common medical test -- and found these costs listed: Good Samaritan Hospital San Jose - $16,826 Stanford Health Care - $9,899 Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital - $8,152 NBC Bay Area reached out to all three hospitals on Tuesday about those varying prices. Perhaps because of the New Year's Day holiday, only one responded to us. A Good Samaritan spokesman told us: The amount patients actually pay for hospital services has more to do with the type of insurance coverage they have, than amounts on the chargemaster. Feder Ostrov with Kaiser Health news said it may be helpful to think of the prices as a research tool and not the firm price you'll definitely pay. "List prices, chargemaster prices -- like a hotel room rate that you might see posted on the door of a hotel room -- hardly anybody ever pays that list price," she said. "Usually, it's negotiated." Health insurance providers negotiate prices, and patients can, too. Feder Ostrov says it helps to be informed. "When you do receive your bill, and your jaw drops, ask for an itemized bill," Feder Ostrov said. "Then, you can try to make sense of your bill, and you can always negotiate." More advice for patients: Always ask the hospital what out-of-pocket costs will be. Talk with a patient advocate about adjusting the bill, especially if you don't have insurance. "They really don't want to take you to collections," Feder Ostrov said, "because they're not going to get as much money." (Natural News) Whole Foods Market, now owned by Amazon, has pulled off an elaborate five-year GMO labeling hoax that deceived its own customers while promoting the ongoing sales of genetically engineered foods. Back in 2013, under intense pressure from honest food advocates who exposed Whole Foods retailing of unlabeled GMOs, the food giant disarmed critics by promising that, by the end of 2018, everything it sells would be accurately labeled with its GMO content. The clean food movement took Whole Foods at its word, backing off from pressuring the retailer, believing a significant victory had been achieved and that Whole Foods would keep its promise. Today, five years later, we now know that Whole Foods betrayed its customers and quietly walked away from its five-year promise to label GMOs on everything it sells. The original promise has now been revealed to be an elaborate corporate hoax that sought to deceive the very same Whole Foods customers who demand honest food labeling. In 2013, Whole Foods promised full GMO transparency but it turned out to be an insulting hoax As Natural News reported in 2013, Whole Foods boldly promised it would require every product it sells to accurately disclose its GMO content in a clear and concise way on the product label. This labeling would be in place by the end of 2018, Whole Foods promised. Our goal at Whole Foods Market is to provide informed consumer choice with regard to genetically engineered ingredients, the company said on its website. Accordingly, we have set a deadline that, by 2018, all products in our U.S. and Canadian stores must be labeled to indicate whether they contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Whole Foods Market is the first national grocery chain to set a deadline for full GMO transparency. Today, nearly five years later, Whole Foods has stealth edited its page and wiped out its previous commitment. Instead of promising to label GMOs, Whole Foods now says, As always, our goal is to provide our customers with information to make informed choices. But how can consumers make informed choices if the foods arent labeled? Laughably, the Whole Foods web page that lies to its own customers features a subhead called, GMO Transparency followed by Our Commitment. But what is Whole Foods commitment to GMO transparency, really? No commitment at all. Nothing but lies. In fact, Whole Foods actually joined efforts with Monsanto to kill GMO labeling laws at the federal level: Flashback: Whole Foods trained its employees to lie to customers about GMOs Around the time that Whole Foods was initiating this elaborate hoax, some stores were also systematically training employees to lie to customers about GMOs. This was exposed through undercover video filmed by a group known as The Organic Spies, whose videos were featured on the Health Ranger YouTube account that was, of course, banned by YouTube / Google as part of its censorship of independent media. We built and launched Brighteon.com because of this, creating a free speech video platform now visited by millions of video viewers each month. YouTube banned the Organic Spies video as early as 2012 in an effort to silence the truth about Whole Foods massive deception and lies. That year, Natural News released the video that recorded Whole Foods employees blatantly lying to customers, falsely claiming that Whole Foods sells no GMOs at all. To this day, there are Whole Foods employees who falsely believe Whole Foods sells no products containing GMOs. In truth, Whole Foods is one of the largest retailers of GMOs in America, selling tens of millions of dollars worth of genetically modified food products each month, almost all of which are unlabeled for their GMO content. (Read GMO.news for more news updates.) Whole Foods proves itself to be a dishonest, deceptive retailer of unlabeled, genetically engineered foods contaminated with glyphosate The conclusion to all this is clear to anyone paying attention: Whole Foods is a dishonest, deceptive retailer of GMO foods that are laced with cancer-causing glyphosate herbicide. The corporation deceptively lies to its own customers about what it sells them, and now people are buying genetically engineered, glyphosate-contaminated food products from Whole Foods while falsely believing they are purchasing clean, organic, non-GMO foods. Not surprisingly, Amazon.com the owner of Whole Foods also retails hundreds of millions of dollars worth of glyphosate-laced, GMO food products each year. While Jeff Bezos generates profits from selling poison, Monsanto (now Bayer) benefits from the ability to continue selling unlabeled GMOs and glyphosate herbicide that contaminates the food supply. In pursuing this, Whole Foods has pulled off what must be the greatest hoax in the history of grocery retailing, and because of the extreme censorship by the tech giants, most Whole Foods customers have no idea theyre still being lied to. This year, Natural News will release glyphosate testing results for Whole Foods products. The media will refuse to cover it, and only people who read Natural News will know the truth about the poison that Whole Foods keeps selling for profit. Once again, Natural News proves to be the only reliable source in the world when it comes to honest, scientifically accurate reporting on what Whole Foods is really selling. Whole Foods is half truths. They lie. They deceive. They plot against their own customers and sell them food products laced with cancer-causing chemicals. Whole Foods is EVIL in the same way Google is evil, Amazon is evil and Facebook is evil. All of these corporate giants exploit and deceive their own customers, usually while claiming to do no evil. Its about time someone put together a class action lawsuit against Whole Foods and went after them like Big Tobacco. Whole Foods represents the worst ethics found in modern food retailing, and the corporation knowingly profits from selling products laced with cancer-causing herbicide chemicals. (Just read the ingredients in the items offered at the Whole Foods food bar, and youll be astonished to find out how much GMO canola oil they sell.) See more real investigations about food and organics at Food.news or CleanFoodWatch.com. (Natural News) When the experts congregate to discuss the topic of biosolids safety, one major issue thats rarely, if ever, brought to the table is the propensity for concentrated sewage sludge which is what biosolids are, by the way to become contaminated with radioactive isotopes. During an exclusive, behind-the-scenes interview with the Brighteon Films team, Texas resident and biosolids expert Craig Monk addressed this very real threat, particularly as it pertains to hospitals and medical facilities where radioactive waste is commonly flushed down the toilet. Whether directly for disposal purposes or through human waste, radioactive byproducts are prevalent in many sewer systems as a result though nothing is currently being done to address the problem. As far as we know, radioactive biosolids are routinely being dumped all across American farms, and neither the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), or any other government authority, is taking notice. There are radioactive isotopes in sewage sludge, Monk revealed during his interview, which you can watch below in its entirety at Brighteon.com. If you think about it, when we say medical waste, were talking about everything flushed down the toilet at a hospital. There are radioactive isotopes that are injected into patients, and your body disposes of them through urine and feces. Nearly HALF of all regulated users of radioactive materials dump their waste into sanitary sewer systems Monk isnt the only one warning about the dangers of radioactive biosolids. Back in 2011, Robert K. Bastian from the EPAs Office of Wastewater Management gave a presentation in which he revealed that biosolids are a common source of radioactive waste. Of the 22,000 regulated users of radioactive materials under the Atomic Energy Act (AEA), he revealed, roughly 9,000 of them have the potential to release radioactive materials [in]to sanitary sewer systems. Some of the examples he presented included medical isotopes released into sewer systems at patients homes; naturally occurring radioactive materials such as radium and uranium that seep into community water supplies; and runoff of global radioactive fallout into storm sewers. All of the above, and more, routinely introduce radioactive materials into municipal wastewater treatment systems, which currently lack the technology to remove them from the treated final product meaning the end product more than likely contains dangerous levels of radioactive isotopes. The fact that this radioactive sludge waste is dumped on farms across America should be more than alarming to Americas food consumers, warned Mike Adams, aka the Health Ranger, food science pioneer and author of Food Forensics. This means millions of Americans are consuming foods that are grown in radioactive waste. It sounds like a dystopian science fiction film, but it happens to accurately describe the state of the food farming industry in America today. For more news about biosolids, be sure to check out Biosolids.news. Scientific paper admits that there are no federal regulations governing radioactive materials in sewage sludge A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality back in 2005 further elucidates the threat of radiation in EPA-approved biosolids. This paper admits that radioactive materials are an ever-present component of the natural environment, and that publicly owned wastewater treatment plants can receive naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) or man-made radionuclides from many sources. While the researchers involved with uncovering these and other dirty details behind radioactive biosolids claim that concentrations arent high enough to cause a public health threat, they simultaneously admit that there are no specific federal regulations that limit the levels of radioactive material in sewage sludge. The solids-associated radionuclides can be even further concentrated in the ash produced by sewage sludge incineration, the paper further admits, revealing that concentrated sewage sludge likely contains more radiation than even the raw sewage waste thats flushed into wastewater treatment plants. This and more is covered in-depth in the new Brighteon Films documentary Biosludged, which you can watch the official trailer for at Brighteon.com. You can also watch Biosludged in its entirety for FREE at Biosludged.com. To keep up with the latest groundbreaking content from Brighteon Films, be sure to visit BrighteonFilms.com. Sources for this article include: BrighteonFilms.com Brighteon.com CWEA.org ResearchGate.net Brighteon.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) As the partial government shutdown enters its second week over a lack of funding for key government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats and POTUS Donald Trump appear to be as far apart on the issue that led to it funding for a border wall as they were when it began. And of course, the predictable Washingtonian blame game over whos fault it is has begun in earnest. POTUS Donald Trump, though he once said he would own the shutdown during a sit-down open meeting with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and likely incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., now when he tweets on the issue he uses the hashtag #SchumerShutdown. Democrats, meanwhile, are placing the blame squarely on the president. Incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., made it clear over New Years weekend that he plans on introducing a bill Jan. 3 when Congress reconvenes that will fund the shuttered government agencies but wall funding is not an option, The National Sentinel reported. Regardless who is to blame, there is one thing that both sides used to agree on and that was what POTUS Trump wants: A physical barrier along as much of the U.S.-Mexico border as possible, and frankly, that point needs to be driven home early and often throughout this debate. In 2006, then-Democratic Sens. Barack Obama (Illinois) and Hillary Clinton (New York), along with Schumer, all voted to support the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which among other things authorized double-layer fencing along 700 miles of the U.S. border, as noted by The Daily Wire. And they werent the only Democrats to vote for it; the legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 80-19. That was the 109th Congress; Republicans controlled the Senate by a 55-45 majority, so the GOP did not have a filibuster-proof margin. In 2009, Schumer praised his vote and talked of supporting border security. At the 6th Annual Immigration Law and Policy Conference at Georgetown University, he discussed the seven principles he said made up a piece of border security legislation he wanted passed that would include construction of hundreds of miles of fencing, making the border far more secure by creating a significant barrier to illegal immigration. Democrats dont want border security The first of these seven principles is that illegal immigration is wrong, plain and simple, Schumer said, going on to criticize the Left-wing verbiage his party now uses frequently. When we use phrases like undocumented workers, we convey a message to the American people that their government is not serious about combating illegal immigration, which the American people overwhelmingly oppose, he continued. People who enter the United States without our permission are illegal aliens, and illegal aliens should not be treated the same as people who entered the United States legally, Schumer continued. Any immigration solution must recognize that we must do as much as we can to gain operational control of our borders as soon as possible. He also bragged about how much border fencing had been added when he talked about the progress made through legislation he and other Democrats supported. This progress includesconstruction of 630 miles of border fence that create a significant barrier to illegal immigration on our southern land border, he said. Watch: Chuck Schumer in 2009: -Americans don't like illegal immigration -"Illegal immigration is wrong" -People illegally in the U.S. are "illegal aliens," not "undocumented" -Border fence made the southern border "far more securecreated a significant barrier to illegal immigration" pic.twitter.com/zoVyEgdrTC Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) December 28, 2018 Now, of course, Schumer is singing a different tune. I want to be crystal clear. There will be no additional appropriations to pay for the border wall. Its done, he said in mid-December, The Hill reported. Because Donald Trump wants it. Just to be crystal clear: Democrats who loathe the president and do not want to see him succeed are now firmly opposed to border security. Theres no other way to spin it. Read more about the invasion along our southern border at BorderSecurity.news. Sources include: TheNationalSentinel.com TheHill.com DailyWire.com (Natural News) One of the problems faced by patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus is that their wounds heal much slower than normal. Malaysian researchers recommend applying an extract made from the leaves of betel (Piper betle) on the wounds to speed up the healing process. Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent diseases around the world. One of its associated conditions is delayed wound healing. This degraded healing process is partly caused by high levels of reactive oxygen species in diabetics. These oxygen radicals are produced by oxidative stress, which, in turn, stems from a disruption of the balance between oxidant and antioxidant enzymes. Diabetes reduces the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase. Conversely, it increases the peroxidation of lipids, which produce reactive oxygen species. It also raises the activity of the stress enzyme 11 beta HSD-1. This enzyme is reportedly linked to delayed wound healing. It can inhibit important parts of the healing process, such as the growth of new cells and the arrival of materials that can help patch up the wound. (Related: These ten foods balance your blood sugar and prevent diabetes.) The healing and oxidant-fighting properties of betel leaves The betel is a medicinal plant that is native to Asia. Its leaves are traditionally used to treat asthma, bad breath, cough, clogged throats, and ozoena. It is also used to stop bleeding and encourage the proper healing of wounds. A 2003 study by the University of Calcutta attributed several therapeutic properties to betel leaves. The study identified anti-diabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. Later, a research team from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) reported that betel leaves could improve the healing of wounds on diabetic rats. The 2010 experiment found that the leaves could increase the total protein content and speed up the contraction of the wound. A new effort by a different UKM team followed up on that earlier experiment. In addition to studying the effect of betel leaf extract as a topical agent to encourage better wound healing, they also evaluated the extracts effects on oxidative stress markers. They constructed an animal model of diabetes using rats. After inflicting wounds on the backs of the animals, they divided the rats into a control group, an untreated group, and two treatment groups. The conventional group was treated with silver nitrate cream treatment, while the extract group received topical ointment made from betel leaf extract. Treatment lasted for seven days. On the third day, half of the animals in each group were sacrificed to analyze their wounds and various biochemical parameters, such as enzyme activity and oxidative stress levels. At the end of the treatment, the rest of the animals were similarly euthanized and evaluated. Diabetic rats healed faster when treated with betel leaf extract The UKM researchers reported that betel leaf extract demonstrated significant beneficial effects for rats with diabetes. By the end of the trial, it greatly increased the levels of hydroxyproline, which helps stabilize protein collagen that makes up the skin. It also increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme responsible for antioxidant activity. At the same time, it decreased the levels of malondialdehyde, a biomarker for oxidative stress produced by lipid peroxidation. The extract also reduced the expression of 11 beta HSD-1. As earlier mentioned, this substance is responsible for slowing down the healing process. Microscopic evaluation of the histological changes in the wound tissues confirmed the results of the chemical analysis. So did the transmission electron microscopic analysis of the changes at the ultrastructural level. The researchers concluded that betel leaf extract possessed antioxidant effects that directly improved wound healing in animals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. For more stories about the therapeutic effects of betel leaves, visit Herbs.news. Sources include: Science.news ScienceDirect.com NOPR.NISCAIR.RES.in [PDF] NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov (Natural News) A commonly used class of pesticides called neonicotinoid damages the ability of honey bee pollinators to fly, a recent study revealed. Previous studies have shown that honey bee pollinators that ingested the said chemical were less likely to return to the colony, which in turn decreased the number of foragers. As part of the new study, a team of researchers from the University of California, San Diego and the University of Bologna in Italy examined the effects of the neonicotinoid-based pesticide thiamethoxam on the flight ability of honey bee pollinators. The research team also built a bee flight-testing instrument called a flight mill from scratch to allow the insects to flu under a controlled and consistent setting. The study revealed that typical neonicotinoid exposure was shown to induce significant damage to the insects flight ability. Our results provide the first demonstration that field-realistic exposure to this pesticide alone, in otherwise healthy colonies, can alter the ability of bees to fly, specifically impairing flight distance, duration and velocity. Honey bee survival depends on its ability to fly, because thats the only way they can collect food. Their flight ability is also crucial to guarantee crop and wild plant pollination, said researcher Simone Tosi in ScienceDaily.com. According to the research team, short-term pesticide exposure was tied to brief increases in the honey bees activity. The study showed that the bees foraged farther, but flew erratically. On the other hand, long-term pesticide exposure of one to two days was tied to reduced flight capacity in honey bees, researchers said. Bees that fly more erratically for greater distances may decrease their probability of returning home. The honey bee is a highly social organism, so the behavior of thousands of bees are essential for the survival of the colony. Weve shown that a sub-lethal dose may lead to a lethal effect on the entire colony, researcher Professor James Nieh added in a separate article in UCSDNews.UCSD.edu. The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports. Pesticide wreaks havoc in the honey bee population Flight damage is only one of the many negative effects of neonicotinoid exposure on honey bees. A study published in 2017 revealed that neonicotinoid pesticides reduced the sperm count of honey bees, which may explain the dwindling bee population across North America and Europe over the last 15 years. As part of the study, researchers at the Institute of Bee Health at the University of Bern, Switzerland examined how two neonicotinoid pesticides thiamethoxam and clothianidin impacted the reproductive health of male honey bees. The research team randomly assigned batches of male honey bees into two groups: the pesticide-exposed group and the controls. The team then collected semen samples from the insects one they had reached maturity. The researchers found that honey bees exposed to pesticides had 39 percent less living sperm, and had significantly higher mortality rates compared with the controls. The research team also noted that the pesticides may cause irreversible DNA damage to the sperm of honey bees. However, the experts noted that the mechanism behind the pesticide-induced damage remained unclear. The process of the queens mating flight is a one-time thing so its really important that she collects plenty of quality sperm. If not, then worker bees in the hive will quickly sense that the queen is ineffective and kill herThe presence of these chemicals could be one reason behind the struggling bee numbers weve seen over the past 15 years in the northern hemisphere. We cant be sure though yet because of the sheer number of different factors that affect bee populations its unlikely just the pesticides at work in the wild, said researcher Lars Straub. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com UCSDNews.UCSD.edu NewScientist.com (Natural News) The relationship between proper nutrition and health has long been established. Unfortunately, many people still suffer from nutritional deficiencies because they fail to acknowledge the role that different nutrients play in different body processes. These conditions increase the risk of many health problems such as rickets, scurvy, anemia, depression, and psychosis. A study, which was spearheaded by The National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) at Western Sydney University, found that nutritional deficiencies contribute to the early stages of psychotic disorders. Psychosis is a symptom experienced by people suffering from serious mental disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This symptom causes a person to have trouble identifying whats real and what theyre just imagining. These often come in the form of delusions or hallucinations, which are two very different symptoms that are often interchanged with each other. One thing that these two have in common is that they seem real to whoever is experiencing them. Delusions are false ideas that a patient with psychosis firmly believes in even if reality states otherwise. There are different forms of delusions. One is paranoia, where the patient believes that other people are out to get them. It can also come in the form of an exaggerated sense of importance called grandiose delusion or somatic delusion, which is the belief that a person is ill even if theyre not. On the other hand, hallucinations trigger the different senses even if there are no stimuli, meaning the patients see, hear, feel, or smell things that arent present. The exact cause of psychosis isnt easy to identify. However, some factors that can contribute to this health problem include dementia, brain tumors, drug use, lack of sleep, and other environmental factors. To treat psychosis, most healthcare professionals recommend taking antipsychotic medications along with therapy. However, these drugs come with side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure, seizures, and a low number of white blood cells, which can increase the risk of infections. Because of these, researchers are constantly looking for alternative treatments and recently, nutritional interventions were observed to have potential for this application. How are nutritional deficiencies associated with psychosis? In a study, published in the Schizophrenia Bulletin, researchers reviewed a total of 28 studies that examined the nutritional profile of 2,612 patients with psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. Six vitamins and 10 minerals were assessed immediately after the psychotic disorder manifested for the first time, prior to antipsychotic treatment, or during the early stages of treatment. Unlike previous studies, which have shown the relationship between nutritional deficiencies and long-term schizophrenia, this research aims to look at nutritional deficiencies present during the first episode of psychosis. From their analysis, the researchers found that during early psychosis, there are low levels of critical nutrients in the blood. This is especially true for vitamin B9, also called folate, and vitamin D. Moreover, they also observed that patients with folate and vitamin D deficiencies during early psychosis had worse mental health. Unfortunately, the small number of studies included in the review limited the results of the study and they were unable to find significant differences for other vitamins and minerals. However, this doesnt mean that they are not involved in early psychosis. It just means that more studies are needed to verify their importance. Although just one of many factors, it is important to recognize that nutritional deficiencies could certainly be contributing to the poor physical and mental health outcomes often observed in young people with psychosis, said Dr. Joseph Firth, a postdoctoral research fellow at NICM and the lead author of the study. From the results of their study, the researchers concluded that there is a possibility of using nutritional interventions as treatments for patients with early psychosis. (Related: Early stages of schizophrenia can be treated with nutrients found in Brussels sprouts, shellfish, and oranges.) For more articles about how nutrition affects mental health, visit Mental.news. Sources include: IntegrativePractitioner.com Healthline.com Even though readers and members of the public often express their outrage as to what banks have gotten away with, theres a good case to be made that PG&E has them beat. How many real companies have been the lead bad guys in a movie? And PG&E has decades of misconduct after the case highlighted in Erin Brockovich, where the chemical discharge from a PG&E plant got into the water table of a neighboring community, and one of the compounds was highly carcinogenic. PG&E lied to the residents, telling them the chemical was beneficial to their health! For starters, the mere threat of an indictment is a death sentence for a financial firm; thats why the conservative press was so outraged when Eliot Spitzer used the threat of filing a criminal case against AIG as the leverage to force the ouster of CEO Hank Greenberg. Many customers are prohibited from doing business with a company that had been found guilty of criminal conduct; a high proportion would flee when an indictment was filed, both to minimize controversy and to avoid being caught in a rush for the exits if a case were to be loss or the alleged perp pleaded guilty in a settlement. Thats why in the rare cases when the US has charged a large financial firm, its been against a subsidiary. But PG&E is even more too big to fail than big banks. The giant utility cant be put out of business because so many communities depend on it. Nevertheless, the murder charges are a new angle. If AG Beccera isnt simply trying to convince the public that he takes PG&Es misdeeds seriously, perhaps he (and this would presumably also mean key power factions in California) have decided that PG&E needs a whole-scale shakeup, which included replacing the CEO and other key executives and much of the board, and the suits are they way to make sure that gets done. One influential CalPERS stakeholder had taken to regularly e-mailing me about PG&E horrors. In sending a November 2018 San Francisco Chronicle article, California regulator lays groundwork for PG&E bailout, he noted: Im reminded of Sheldon Wollins concept of Inverted Totalitarianism; FDR understood fascism first of all as corporatism before mass-murder muddied the waters about the brand (Arbeit macht Frei slave-labor was the original Public-Private Partnership). PG&E CEO Geisha Williams is a Marcie Frost clone. Williams was a mediocre 2007 diversity-hire from Florida responsible for electric infrastructure before becoming CEO. She should be wearing denim at the Womens Prison at Chowchilla; instead shell probably get another $8 Million dollar payday But even so, how long would it take to turn around such a badly mismanaged company? And how would the new leadership stare down demands to maintain profits, which amount to insisting that the current dangerous skimping on maintenance continues? Here again, court orders may be key to forcing behavior changes. By Paola Rosa-Aquino, Grists justice fellow. Originally published at Grist Its been nearly two months since the massive Camp Fire laid waste to the town of Paradise in northern California. It destroyed nearly 14,000 homes and claimed at least 86 lives, making it the deadliest fire in the states history. And now the states largest public utility provider, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. could face murder or manslaughter charges related to the blazes. PG&E is already under investigation for criminal wrongdoing related to Californias deadly wildfires. Though investigators have not determined what officially sparked the fire, PG&E reported an outageon a transmission line in the area where the blaze began around the time the blazes started. If district prosecutors find that reckless operation of its power equipment caused any of the states deadly wildfires in the past two years, the company could be held responsible for not just the resulting property damages but the loss of life as well. PG&Es most important responsibility is public and workforce safety, the utility, which provides electricity to about 16 million Californians, said in a statement. Our focus continues to be on assessing our infrastructure to further enhance safety and helping our customers continue to recover and rebuild. On Friday, Californias Attorney General Xavier Becerra submitted a legal brief to a federal judge who is considering how the wildfires could affect PG&Es probation from a criminal case born out a 2010 explosion at a natural gas pipeline operated by PG&E. The judge will have to gauge PG&Es mental state meaning, its employees degree of negligence and recklessness before determining which charges to bring, if any. Potential charges range from minor misdemeanors related to poor maintenance of trees along power lines to involuntary manslaughter or murder if the company is found to be the cause of the wildfires. In addition to possible criminal charges, PG&E could be found liable for billions of dollars in civil damages. But its not just the company that will bear the burden of any resulting settlements. In September 2018, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill which permitted PG&E to pass on some of the costs related to utilitys role in the 2017 wildfires on to their customers. This post was first published on December 2, 2011 By Andrew Dittmer, who recently finished his PhD in mathematics at Harvard and is currently continuing work on his thesis topic. He also taught mathematics at a local elementary school. Andrew enjoys explaining the recent history of the financial sector to a popular audience. Simulposted at The Distributist Review This is the fourth installment of a six-part interview. For the previous parts, see Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Red indicates exact quotes from Hans-Hermann Hoppes 2001 book Democracy: The God That Failed. ANDREW: The GLOs in your future libertarian society will be continuations of GLOs that exist now basically large corporations and high net worth individuals. And the modern GLOs are continuations of GLOs that existed in the past. CODE NAME CAIN: True GLOs have a long and proud history. ANDREW: In our society and in the past, both GLOs and regular governments have certain legal rights. CNC: Thats right. But the legal rights of the governments are all completely illegitimate, whereas the legal rights of GLOs are all completely legitimate. Thats why I act morally when I hide my assets from the U.S. government. ANDREW: How did it come to happen that the GLOs split into two kinds the good non-government kind and the bad government kind? CNC: As the libertarian Robert Nozick says, Whatever arises from a just situation by just steps is itself just. When rights were first created, the non-government GLOs legitimately claimed them. Since then, theyve handed them down to their heirs and traded them among themselves. All of these transactions were strictly voluntary, and so all of the rights of modern GLOs are legitimate. On the other hand, governments seized all of their rights unjustly, and nothing that has happened since can transform their illegitimate rights into legitimate ones. ANDREW: Maybe you should tell us the whole story. CNC: Prepare to be surprised mainstream sources have mutilated this history almost beyond recognition. A long time ago, everybody lived in a state of liberty. Now, in any society that is not entirely primitive, a few men acquire elite status. Owing to superior achievements of wealth, wisdom, [or] bravery some individuals come to possess natural authority, and their opinions and judgments enjoy widespread respect. Moreover, because of selective mating and marriage and the laws of civil and genetic inheritance, positions of natural authority are more likely than not passed on within a few noble families. . it is these very leaders of the natural elite who typically act as judges and peacemakers, often free of charge, out of a sense of obligation required and expected of a person of authority or even out of a principled concern for civil justice, as a privately produced public good. [71] ANDREW: So the first security GLOs were noblemen, and they got their power because other people recognized their superior leadership qualities. These nobles were basically like little governments, except better because they were non-coercive and respected natural rights. CNC: Exactly. The great philosopher John Locke understood this principle well. Some bonehead living in Lockes time had said that governments had much more authority than GLOs because they sometimes led men into battle. Locke retorted, A Planter in the West Indies has more [than three hundred slaves in his household], and might, if he pleased Muster them up and lead them out against the Indians, to seek Reparation upon any Injury received from them, and all this without [being] a Monarch In other words, GLOs, such as planters in the West Indies, had the same rights that governments did as far as war-making was concerned. ANDREW: This is the first time youve mentioned governments, as opposed to non-government security GLOs. How do governments enter the picture? CNC: In big cities, there end up being many different and independent security GLOs, all exercising their authority in complete harmony. For a government to arise it is necessary that one of these judges, arbitrators, or enforcement agencies succeed in establishing himself as a monopolist. [177] How is this possible? Why would other security GLOs ever allow one organization to obtain a monopoly and to usurp their own rightful powers? Clearly the only way that this can happen is for one of the security GLOs to promise to be more than an impartial judge in matters relating to ones own race, tribe, or clan [178]. You see, in the state of nature a security GLO would treat all of its clients fairly, applying a uniform standard of justice. Governments come about when one security GLO pledges to enforce the law in a way that unfairly favors its own race or tribe this unethical scheme allows such a GLO to seize power over its rivals. If racism stops being effective, the next resort of the rogue GLO is typically an appeal to the universal feeling of envy and egalitarianism, i.e. to social class (the untouchables or the slaves versus the masters, the workers versus the capitalists, the poor versus the rich, etc.) [180]. ANDREW: Noblemen and masters were obeyed because their serfs and slaves recognized that some people were naturally superior to others but then some GLOs came in and started messing everything up by appealing to racism and jealousy. These rogue GLOs are where governments come from. CNC: Thats right. Now let me tell you about the history of territory GLOs. This part of the story is even more important you see, libertarianism is a systematic law code, derived by means of logical deduction from a single principle, the validity of which cannot be disputed without falling prey to contradictions. This axiom is the ancient principle of original appropriation [200]. Now what does original appropriation mean? It means that you find something that no one else owns and you claim it. Whenever you claim rights in this way, it makes some people better off and no one worse off. ANDREW: It does? CNC: Well, it obviously makes you better off. At the same time, [your] action does not make anyone else worse off Others could have appropriated those resources, too, if they had considered them valuable. Yet they did not do so. Indeed, their failure to appropriate them demonstrates their preference for not appropriating them. Thus, they cannot possibly be said to have lost any utility as a result of [the] appropriation. [122] ANDREW: Let me see if I understand the idea. Suppose that I find the only oasis in a desert and claim it as mine. Suppose some refugees flee into the desert and want to drink at my oasis. Can I threaten to gun them down if they come too close, unless they agree to become my effective slaves in a rights-respecting manner? CNC: Of course its your oasis. ANDREW: Can you give me some real historical examples of how GLOs have justly appropriated rights? CNC: [T]he English settlers [in] North America demonstrated how private property originated naturally through a persons original appropriation of previously unused land (wilderness). [267] ANDREW: North America was uninhabited when the English settlers got there? CNC: Opponents of libertarianism love saying What about the Indians? They get excited at the thought that libertarians will be forced to defend the property rights of dispossessed native peoples, which a lot of libertarians would rather not do. What they dont realize is that John Locke solved this problem three hundred years ago. Locke explained that the Benefit Mankind receives from [an acre of land in England], is worth 5 [pounds], [whereas the benefit from an acre of land in America] possibly not worth a Penny, if all the Profit an Indian received from it were to be valued, and sold here; at least, I may truly say, not 1/1000. Tis Labour then which puts the greatest part of Value upon Land, without which it would scarcely be worth any thing ANDREW: Wait. Did Locke just start to suggest that since the Indians did not do efficient agriculture, they did not really own the land? CNC: Exactly. To properly claim land, you have to do real economic work on the land, and the Indians did not do that because they were too primitive. So Locke proved that that the Indians did not own the land. That meant the settlers could treat the land as if it was unclaimed. ANDREW: Are you sure thats what Locke meant? Locke is famous for defending liberty and natural rights. CNC: Why are you surprised? In this example, Locke defended the liberty of settlers to claim unused land, and their natural right to keep that land once they had claimed it. And yes, Im sure thats what Locke meant go read his second Treatise on Government. ANDREW: Were the original territory GLOs in Europe also security GLOs? CNC: Well, you can get wealthy by claiming unused land, and security GLOs were typically wealthy noblemen with long-established records of superior achievement, far-sightedness, and exemplary personal conduct [71]. So there was probably a lot of overlap. ANDREW: Didnt a lot of people in Europe get land because their king or queen liked them and granted them land as a gift? CNC: Well, you have to remember that the king or queen, being a government, did not own the land legitimately. Land can only be justly claimed by individuals or corporations, and so all public property is the result of some form of expropriation [135]. ANDREW: So if you could prove that part of a particular organizations wealth came from inheriting a royal land grant, would that wealth be illegitimate? Would you consider yourself justified in claiming that wealth as unowned, provided that no one could stop you? CNC: Interesting question But you see, sometimes we have to accept that bad things happened a long time ago, and it would be too confusing to try to correct the injustice. Sometimes you have to let bygones be bygones. ANDREW: So governments that were established a long time ago might have rights that we have to respect, because it would be too confusing to correct the injustice? CNC: No. The injustice done to GLOs by forcing them to accept man-made laws (regulations) and to pay taxes must never be forgotten. Every day that governments usurp rights, the debt owed to GLOs grows. The voice of that debt cries out from the ground for redress, and it will be heard. ANDREW: Im not sure why this question just popped into my mind why did you choose Cain as your code name? CNC: The fact that you have to ask that question shows that you have been misled by the conventional description of Cain as a thoughtless psychopath. That view is a caricature, spread by religious intellectuals subservient to modern democracies. A more measured appraisal of Cain leads to the conclusion that he was, in reality, a hero. ANDREW: Maybe youd like to explain further? CNC: In the Cain and Abel story, Cain is a farmer, whereas Abel is a nomadic shepherd. Cain is therefore a representative of civilization and economic progress, while Abel represents a more primitive and superstitious form of society. Cain and Abel go to make sacrifices to God. According to extra-biblical sources, Cain comes up with an idea for making the sacrifice process more efficient instead of sacrificing productive agricultural goods, he will burn thorns and cow dung. The resulting fire and smoke will be just as impressive, and Cain will be able to preserve useful resources. Everyone will be better off. Abel gets angry and says that God will not be pleased. That was obviously a coded threat to go tell their father Adam (the government) and to get Cain in trouble. If Cain hadnt done something, his goods would soon have been confiscated for the sacrifice by governmental authority, i.e. coercion. Cain was forced to take action to protect his property. ANDREW: So you see Cain as as the first strong defender of private property? CNC: And as the original inventor of the concept of a Pareto improvement. But he paid a heavy price for his integrity instead of recognizing that Cain had acted justly, his family kicked him out, destroyed his reputation, and forced him to live life as a trader, moving from place to place. Maybe you can see now why I am proud to take Cain as my code name. In part 5 of this interview, Code Name Cain argues that libertarians who favor a minimal government are deluded. CNC then goes on to explain how the inherent flaws of government compel honorable men to make what are sometimes difficult choices. Notes: Whatever arises from a just situation by just steps is also just. Robert Nozick, Anarchy, State and Utopia, p. 151. A Planter in the West Indies John Locke, Two Treatises on Government, First Treatise, section 130. Suppose that I find the only oasis in the desert and claim it as mine. This example is due to the libertarian Israel Kirzner, Entrepreneurship, Entitlement, and Economic Justice, pp. 405-406 (cited by Widerquist, ibid.). The Benefite Mankind receives from [an acre of land in England] John Locke, Second Treatise, section 43. According to extra-biblical sources e.g., the Cornish Creation of the World by William Jordan, known from a 1611 manuscript. cf. also the Middle English Chester cycle, II, 537-540: Hit weare pittye those fayre eares for to brenne thou of hit gett ought. Lambert here: Sadly, the political class lacks the expertise to translate must into will. At least on this issue. By Matthew Chapman, a video game designer, science fiction author, and political activist from Texas. Originally published at Alternet. The headlines for white-collar crime this year have largely been grabbed by special counsel Robert Mueller, who has uncovered a huge array of financial crimes in President Donald Trumps inner circle. But though Muellers revelations have shocked the American public consciousness, they were probably not the biggest financial scandals of the year. On Monday, David P. Weber, a law professor and certified fraud examiner who reviewed the Panama Papers and blew the whistle on investigative misconduct as an assistant inspector general for the Securities and Exchange Commission, wrote an op-ed for The Hill outlining some of the most significant corporate scandals of 2018 and how they prove Congress needs to ensure greater oversight of the financial system. Weber specifically points to the scandals at 1Malaysia Development Berhad, a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund accused of a $4.2 billion embezzlement and fraud scheme with help from legal and auditing firms and a Department of Justice lawyer; Operation Car Wash, the gigantic Brazilian money laundering scandal that has implicated hundreds of politicians including multiple presidents; and the ongoing revelations about how European banks involved in the Panama Papers scandal helped oligarchs and tax evaders steal money around the world. Though these scandals all occurred overseas, Weber notes, they have all in some way landed on U.S. shores by implicating American businessmen and officials. The 1MDB scandal, for instance, involved three Goldman Sachs bankers, resulting in criminal charges against the U.S. investment banking giant by Malaysian authorities, and according to The Wall Street Journal, a firm linked to the wife of former RNC official Elliott Broidy was allegedly in talks for a $75 million lobbying contract to persuade the Justice Department to back off investigating 1MDB (Broidy and his wife are not mentioned by name in any of the criminal proceedings). In the Operation Car Wash saga, meanwhile a lawsuit alleges that a U.S. law firm improperly held a strategy session with a Brazilian prosecutor. And perhaps most shockingly, in the E.U. banking scandal, multiple legal officials with the federal government, including the former chief of top financial crimes investigation team FinCEN and the former Treasury undersecretary for counterterrorism, are now providing legal counsel to HSBC and Deutsche Bank, two institutions implicated in the scheme. When will Congress act to curtain misconduct by professionals? laments Weber. In general, white-collar crime has gone underinvestigated for years which is arguably why Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen and campaign chair Paul Manafort thought they could get away with bank fraud and tax evasion. But there is likely far more misconduct going on below the surface than we know. This years scandals reveal the need for a strong, serious enforcement regime, for the integrity of the financial system and the confidence of the public. By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Well, here we are in 2019. 2018 was quite a year! I expect continued volatility in all aspects of our political economy. lambert * * * Trade US Trade Agenda for 2019 Is Packed [Industry Week]. The first quarter of 2019 will be pivotal, as the U.S. and China are trying to deescalate a trade war and Trump will have to decide whether to hit car imports with tariffs. And: First half of 2019: Congress may hold an up-or-down vote for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which would replace NAFTA. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said a vote is high on the agenda for the new year, though multiple Democratic lawmakers argue the administration needs to go back to Mexico and Canada to negotiate stronger labor and enforcement provisions. Those demands could significantly delay the vote. Promised tariff relief for farmers uncertain in government shutdown [Supply Chain Dive]. With [USDAs Farm Service Agencies (FSA)] shut down, U.S. farmers have lost their main method of interaction with the federal government. FSA offices were open until Dec. 28, after which they remain closed until a new deal to end the shutdown is reached. With harvests finished now, farmers must decide whether to sell their wares at a historically low prices or store their produce to wait for a more favorable market, assuming that is financially realistic. On top of uncertainty in the promised payouts, the USDAs year-round programs are also suspended including farm lending programs. Plus, many storage facilities and silos are also already full. The Making of a Trade Warriot [The Atlantic]. Lighthizer believes that the shrinking of the American steel industry isnt a mere by-product of technological shifts, but the result of a war China has been waging for decades. He and his allies think the growing superpower will now take the fight to other U.S. interests, threatening the nations economic hegemony. Now hes preparing his own battle plan, refined over a career of lobbying. He plans to bend the rules of the global economy in Americas favoreven if that means breaking the system America itself created. This is a very interesting article, using Lighthizers biography, which spans the neoliberal era, as a lens. Politics But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51 2020 Why Were Not Releasing 2020 Race Ratings Yet [Nathan Gonzales, Inside Elections]. I love elections, particularly congressional races, but Im just not in a hurry to jump to 2020. And Im completely fine with holding off on releasing our race ratings until next year. If I didnt like elections, I would probably need to take a long look at doing something else with my life. Whether its the increased importance of fundraising, the pressure to clear the field of other contenders, or just the constant mandate to win the day every day, our election cycles are constant. But the analysis can wait a few weeks. Hear hear. But since not all agree * * * The most overrated and underrated 2020 Democrats [Ryan Cooper, The Week]. Good fun. Dark horses: 1. Oprah. Cost: 3 cents. Verdict: Buy. If theres anything Trump has taught us, its not to underestimate the power of celebrity. N-o-o-o-o. Axelrod: Why Warren will be such a major player in 2020 [David Axelrod, CNN]. I served in the White House when Warren, then a special House counsel, was pummeling treasury officials over treatment of Wall Street executives who were culpable in the financial crisis. I saw her inaugurate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the government watchdog that saved billions for consumers before the Trump administration relegated it to the sidelines. She has offered a series of serious ideas about government and Wall Street reform, and is one of the most incisive members of the Senate. Warren also has laid the groundwork for her candidacy more assiduously than most, running an extensive, sophisticated operation in 2018 to help Democratic candidates around the country, even as she ran for re-election to the Senate. That last point is important. Sanders did the same, but not at the same level. 2019 PayGo (1): The House needs 18 NO votes to stop PAYGO on Thursday. There are 2 confirmed NO votes so far. @RoKhanna & @AOC Let's stop this fiscal madness in its tracks. We need a flexible budget to rebalance our economy. https://t.co/5UoieCG8xF Stephanie Kelton (@StephanieKelton) January 2, 2019 PayGo (2): If there aren't 18 Dems in the house who vote to block #PayGo, there aren't 18 Dems that really support Medicare4All. #PayGo is the Pelosi plan to stop all progressive goals. https://t.co/1VPrAnMV2S Pat the Berner (@PatTheBerner) January 2, 2019 Democrats Unveil Changes To House Rules On Debt Ceiling, Ethics [NPR]. Democrats are changing the rules regarding motions to vacate the chair, a procedural tool that could be used to force out a sitting House speaker. It is the procedural weapon that conservatives led by Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., were planning to use to try to oust Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in 2015 before he made the decision to step down. Democrats plan to tweak the rules so that a motion to vacate can only be offered on the House floor if a majority of either the House Republican Conference or the House Democratic Caucus agrees to do so. The change limits the ability of any one member to wreak havoc on the floor and ultimately bolsters incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., against potential agitators in either party. Indeed. 2018 Post Mortem 50 Interesting Facts About the 2018 Election [Cook Political Report]. 20. Finally, a point of curiosity: Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts did not air a single television ad in her re-election campaign. Her race wasnt competitive she got 60 percent of the vote. But did she miss an opportunity to make some early gains in her expected 2020 presidential campaign? The Boston media market reaches about one-third of the population in New Hampshire, the home of the first presidential primary. Warren could have aired some positive ads in her re-election campaign that might have had the added benefit of giving her a head start in the first in the nation state. Its possible that Warren decided to save her war chest for later; according to her post-election FEC report, she had about $12.5 million in the bank at the end of November. Realignment and Legitimacy Private Equity Controls the Gatekeepers of American Democracy [Bloomberg]. Devices made by Election Systems & Software LLC, Dominion Voting Systems and Hart InterCivic Inc. will process about nine of every ten ballots next week. Each of the companies is privately held and at least partially controlled by private equity firms. There is no reason for these companies to exist. One wonders what HR1 will do about that. Tar Heel of the Year: The Rev. William Barber activist, advocate and preacher [Charlotte News & Observer]. You cant follow Jesus and not say something when you see injustice, Barber says. Were not allowed to stand down and retreat. The prophetic call demands that we say something.. Dual Power: A Strategy To Build Socialism In Our Time [DSA Libertarian Socialist Caucus]. To accomplish these things as a movement of the working classes in all our variety, we must organize with all who are exploited and oppressed by the capitalist system. That means working together not just in the workplace Just is doing a lot of work in that paragraph. How much DSA organizing is really done in the workplace at all? Stats Watch Purchasing Managers Manufacturing Index, December 2018: Report after report are pointing to tangible easing in manufacturing activity and optimism at year-end, the likely result of falling oil prices but also tough comparisons with prior strength [Econoday]. This report as well as a run of regional data from Richmond, Kansas City and especially Dallas all point to trouble for December as the manufacturing sector appears to have ended a very strong year on a very soft note. Capital Investment: Solid Recovery for Combined U.S. & Canadian Industrial Spending [Industrial Reports]. [C]ombined U.S. and Canadian planned capital spending rebounded in November showing $37.18 billion compared to Octobers $22.81 billion. The research organization reported 204 planned U.S. and Canadian projects in November. Planned U.S. project spending nearly doubled in November with $31.90 billion in planned investment compared to the October total of $17.04 billion. Canadian planned investment showed a small drop in November with $5.28 billion in spending, down from $5.77 billion in October. Projects in both nations ranged in value from $1 million to $10 billion. Data: Why the jobs report will continue to be produced even though it relies on the shutdown Census Bureau [MarketWatch]. To produce the monthly jobs report, the Labor Department relies on the Census Bureau to conduct the survey of households, which is used to derive the unemployment rate and other key facets of whats called the employment situation report. The Labor Department itself conducts a separate survey of business establishments, which reports on job growth, earnings and other data. The Labor Department is fully funded; the Census Bureau, which is part of the Commerce Department, is not, one of a number of agencies shut due to a lapse of funding while Congress and President Donald Trump argue about funding for border protection. Labor Department spokesman assures that is not a problem. The Labor Department has always paid the Census workers. Commodities: The most unexpected prediction is that a sand shortage will grind the gears of the global construction industry [Logistics Management]. Urbanization and infrastructure development are resulting in a global shortage of sand, the second most extracted natural resource after water, states [A.T. Kearneys Global Business Policy Council (GBPC)]. Two-thirds of construction material is concrete, which itself is composed of two-thirds sand. Hmm. Commodities: NYSE warns Wyoming coal producer it could be delisted [Bozeman Daily Chronicle]. The Casper Star-Tribune reports the NYSE notified Gillette-based Cloud Peak Energy that it had six months to remedy its low stock price or it would be delisted. As of September, [the company] employed about 850 miners in Wyoming. Gentleman Prefer Bonds: Should Pensions Own Utilities? Congress Has Considered It Before. [Governing]. This year, a proposed House bill would have cleared the way for pensions to buy municipal assets, such as water and sewer authorities. The idea has advantages for pensions and is likely to be attractive to governments with major pension funding issues. Think: Chicago, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky and New Jersey. For one, it would immediately boost the value of the pension fund because the utilitys worth would be based on its future revenue expectations. New Jersey did something similar by transferring ownership of its lottery to the state pension fund in 2017. At the time, the lottery was valued at $13.5 billion, which helped reduce on paper at least the pensions unfunded liabilities. Proceeds from the lottery also helped lower how much the state had to annually contribute to pensions. Another appealing aspect is the potential benefit to struggling municipalities. Offloading the asset to a pension fund would result in a one-time cash infusion for the local government. Municipal Markets Analytics Matt Fabian warns that the ideas attributes are largely based on accounting gimmicks. Its only really the appearance of better funding on the assumption that the pension fund could sell the asset, he says. The Bezzle: Lost in space: They paid $100,000 to ride on Xcors space plane. Now they want their money back [Los Angeles Times]. The story of Xcor and its ticket holders 282 of them, as of the most recent count is a cautionary tale for the space tourism age. In purchasing tickets for a brief bout of weightlessness at the fringes of space, would-be astronauts are placing the ultimate speculative bet. None of the space vehicles developed by the two major players, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, are fully operational yet. But some tourism firms have collected money upfront; Virgin Galactics price is as much as $250,000. In the case of Xcor, the bet came up snake eyes. And: When Xcor unveiled its plans for the two-seat Lynx space plane in 2008 at a press conference in Beverly Hills, company officials estimated flight tests would begin in 2010. Oopsie. Tech: YouTube faces backlash on Twitter over lifted, uncredited holiday video [The Verge]. When Lily Hevesh opened Twitter and saw YouTubes Christmas video, it looked very familiar. Thats because it was her own. YouTubes tweet doesnt credit Hevesh at all, or mention her YouTube channel. The tweet also cuts Heveshs intro, which acts as a welcome to her channel for those who stumble upon the video. Heveshs original video, uploaded to YouTube on December 23rd, has just over 60,000 views, but YouTubes lifted version boasts more than 250,00o. What a nice Xmas gift from the good folks at Google. Mr. Market: Heres (Almost) Everything Wall Street Expects in 2019 [Bloomberg]. Morgan Stanley called theirs The Turning Point. One Bank of America Merrill Lynch note went with The Big Low. Another from JPMorgan opted for Countering the bears. The titles of Wall Streets 2019 investment outlooks say it all: The worlds largest banks and money managers are gearing up for the last hurrah of one of the longest bull markets in history. This is the readers digest of research notes for the year ahead. Sounds like this is the sort of thing youll like, if this is the sort of thing you like. Honey for the Bears: This month the Econintersect Economic Index (EEI) significantly declined, and is now below territory associated with normal expansions. This is a departure from the previous three months where the indexs growth rate was little changed [Econintersect]. The economic data produced this month has significantly degraded. This is the nearly the largest single month drop in our index this century. Our major worry is the rapid deceleration of growth in rail transport data a usual flag for a slowing economy. And then there is housing growth going negative never a good sign (but this time buyers are not buying because housing is not affordable time will tell if this could be a recession signal). The forward looking leading and coincident data trends are mostly indicating deceleration of the rate of growth..However, the predictive coincident indices are still showing positive rate of growth trends. Rapture Index: Unchanged [Rapture Ready]. Record High, October 10, 2016: 189. Current: 183. Remember that bringing on the rapture is a good thing. > MMT The Minsky Millennium [Jacobin]. From November, still germane. Gaia How an ant colony remembers [The Week]. From day to day, the colonys behavior changes, and what happens on one day affects the next. I conducted a series of perturbation experiments. I put out toothpicks that the workers had to move away, or blocked the trails so that foragers had to work harder, or created a disturbance that the patrollers tried to repel. Each experiment affected only one group of workers directly, but the activity of other groups of workers changed, because workers of one task decide whether to be active depending on their rate of brief encounters with workers of other tasks. After just a few days repeating the experiment, the colonies continued to behave as they did while they were disturbed, even after the perturbations stopped. Ants had switched tasks and positions in the nest, and so the patterns of encounter took a while to shift back to the undisturbed state. No individual ant remembered anything but, in some sense, the colony did. Another aneural biological cognition system. Perhaps when we speak of, say, the liberal Democrat hive mind we are being something more than metaphorical? Root branching toward water involves posttranslational modification of transcription factor ARF7 [Science]. Plant roots grow not in response to architectural blueprints but rather in search of scarce resources in the soil. Cool. Health Care Democrats Winning Key Leadership Jobs Have Taken Millions From Pharma [Kaiser Health News]. Your winnings, sir. The light alternative to Medicare for All [Axios]. Medicare for All is the idea thats been getting attention from progressive Democrats, but Forbes flags another one that could get attention over the next two years: letting people buy into Medicare between the ages of 55 and 64. Between the lines: Its a more incremental, centrist option for Medicare expansion than the sweeping idea thats generating excitement in Democratic circles. (Bill Clinton floated a version of it during his presidency, and moderate House Democrats are its main backers now.) Why 55? Why not 54? Or 53? 52? Why not 0? Medicare for All Gains Favor With Democrats Looking Ahead to 2020 [New York Times]. Asked if his vision of Medicare for all included private Medicare Advantage plans, Adam Green, a founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, an advocacy group, said: No, absolutely not. Why would it? Medicare for all, in the end, means fundamental systemic change. People would no longer be at the mercy of for-profit insurers that make money by denying people care.. Fundamental systemic change is, however, not necessarily attractive in and of itself. Our Famously Free Press Politics in 2019 will have a lot more backbone [Alternet]. This story is vacuous, but it was a placeholder for me to count how many times the word reveal appeared in Alternets front page. Now its four; when I stashed this link, it was seven. Im not sure what this says about the zeitgeist, but nothing good. Class Warfare How intersectionality ought to work: In the 1934 S.F. General Strike, Harry Bridges convinced strikers that full equality for Black longshoremen was necessary. He urged Blacks to join strikers on the picket, saying that when the strike was won, Blacks would work on every dock on the West Coast. He kept his promise. pic.twitter.com/WWc6MyCIpH PandaDog (@R6Rider) December 14, 2018 Q & A with Avner Offer & Gabriel Soderberg [Princeton University Press] (authors of The Nobel Factor The Prize in Economics, Social Democracy, and the Market Turn). Nobel prize-winners provide a high-quality sample of economics. The prize has a halo that makes economics credible to the wider public, for policies which are often inimical to the public interest. It arose out of the long conflict between the interests of the wealthy in stable prices, and of everyone else in social and material improvement. Between the wars, this conflict became focused in central banks, which became a brake on social democracy. After the Second World War, the Swedish Central Bank clashed repeatedly with the social democratic government over financing the welfare state, and extracted the prize as a concession. The prize was then captured by conservative Swedish economists, who used it to provide credibility for sustained resistance to social democracy. This story shows how ideas and arguments work through society and politics, and how the prestige of science has been mobilised for political ends. Princeton, eh? I Was A Cable Guy. I Saw The Worst Of America. [HuffPo]. Hmm. Well written, but Im not sure about that title. News of the Wired A strange museum at the centre of the world' [BBC]. In 1985, the French-born parachuting pioneer [Jacques-Andre Istel] cajoled Californias Imperial County Board of Supervisors into designating a spot on his property as The Official Centre of the World. (Audacious, perhaps, but not necessarily inaccurate, given that anywhere on the Earths surface could be the centre.) Today, 20 granite monuments, arranged at artful angles across the desert floor, collectively make up The Museum of History in Granite, a sort of open-air bank of knowledge for the ages. The monuments remind me of the Watts Towers. There must be a word for life-long idiosyncratic projects like this, but I dont know what it is. Maybe in German? The container for the thing contained: i cant believe yall still doing that 9-5 shit pic.twitter.com/7sU2qE7CPe tara (@internettara11) December 30, 2018 All labor is skilled labor: * * * Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, (c) how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal, and (d) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. Todays plant (CW): CW: Attached is my backyard during one of our heavier down pours. Had over a metre of rain in December, not a new record, but it surprised many of the locals. Time you guys travelled down under, would give you as much perspective as me in your place. Yves has been to Australia; I have not. But rain? Rain? Can any readers send pictures of plants in snow? Its about that time. * * * Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the annual NC fundraiser, now completed. So do feel free to make a contribution today or any day. Here is why: Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for five or ten days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of small donations helps me with expenses, and I factor that trickle in when setting fundraising goals. So if you see something you especially appreciate, do feel free to click below! (The hat is temporarily defunct, so I slapped in some old code.) Or Subscribe to make a monthly payment! FORMER Deputy Minister of Finance, Terence Mukupe has emerged from his political hiatus to propose the axing of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor, John Mangudya as a way of solving the worsening fuel crisis in Zimbabwe. Mangudya is under fire for adamantly introducing the bond note 2016 while insisting the surrogate currency shall remain at par with the US dollar which was the anchor currency at the time. The central bank chief said he was prepared to resign if things went otherwise. The bond note has since tumbled and was now three times weaker than the US dollar, something that has ignited calls from among opposition supporters for him to surrender his job. Fuel queues have become the order of the day as government continues searching for clues on how to remedy the crisis. Mukupe has emerged as a surprise advocate of Mangudyas ouster as the agenda is often linked to opposition loyalists. The current fuel supply chain is unsustainable, Mukupe wrote on twitter. My take is we either need to raise the price of fuel to $4.39 or abandon the bond together with the governor and allow Prof (Finance Minister Ncube) Mthuli space to flourish. Mukupe worked with Mangudya as the Finance ministry supervises the central bank. At no time did he make any attempt to remove Mangudya, who came under the spotlight two months ago when four Reserve Bank bosses were fingered by Zanu PF youth empowerment lobbyist Acie Lumumba in a messy foreign currency scandal. They were later cleared of any wrong doing. NewZimbabwe Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News BILLIONAIRE tycoon and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa has hit back at exiled former information minister Jonathan Moyo as the social media row over the cyber-bullying Econet founders wife continues. The Masiyiwas have lately attracted the wrath of some opposition politicians and supporters after the UK-based entrepreneur suggested that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was sincere in his intentions to fix Zimbabwes economy and should be given a chance. Masiyiwas wife, Tsitsi, was forced to shut down her Twitter account after coming under a barrage of attacks from what her husband described as social media bullies. I would like to thank all those friends like Trevor Ncube, who have stood up for my wife whilst she was being cyber bullied, shouted down and stalked on platforms like Twitter, wrote Masiyiwa on his preferred Facebook platform. Sadly, one of the foremost bullies is a Zimbabwean who works for an international organisation that is highly respected for its work on human rights. Its founder, now 95 is a close family friend. I hope my human rights friend is happy now that he has stopped her from using Twitter. Maybe now he and others like him will stop this pathetic misogyny. The latter reference to the employee of a human rights organisation thought to be Dewa Mavhinga who is Southern Africa Director with the Africa Division at Human Rights Watch attracted the notice of exiled former information minister Prof Moyo. Said Moyo on Twitter; One need not hold a brief for @dewamavhinga to realise how shocking, outrageous & unacceptable it is for Strive Masiyiwa to accuse Dewa of cyberbullying his wife; & top that by peddling his crap accusation on the Internet while name dropping, in the hope of costing Dewa his job! But the Econet founder hit back at Moyo, saying; One former Minister [now champion of democracy] was involved in the shutting down of my newspaper, which was subsequently bombed. Same guy attacking me now! Masiyiwa was referring to the closure of the Daily News by government in 2003 while Prof Moyo was information minister. The publication had been bombed twice prior to its closure. Apart from the social media criticism on his wife, Strive and his Econet business were also the subject attacks by a South Africa-based blogger supported by two Zimbabwean businessmen. The Econet founder said he was not surprised, having been here before. Dont you find it curious that the attacks began after we successfully completed the biggest listing in Zimbabwean history? Hmmm! He was referring to the recent separate listing on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) of Econets fintech operations, Cassava Smartech. He added; It also happened when I listed Econet for the first time, some of the people involved in those attacks back then, are some of the same people attacking me now. The tycoon also revealed that despite being subjected vicious social media attacks, his wife, through her Higher Life Foundation, has played a key role in responding to some of crisis to hit Zimbabwe recently. I have not been to Zimbabwe for 18 and half years, but in all those years my wife insisted she would continue to go there, and was once detained and questioned by Mugabes police for an entire day, he explained. She travels the length and breadth of Zimbabwe every year supporting orphaned and vulnerable children. When the Cholera outbreak began in Zimbabwe a few months ago. It was my wife who showed me the World Health Organisation presentation that predicted that it could kill 10,000 people, if it went unchecked. She demanded that I put up $10m to cover the cost. Subsequently she asked for another $10m. Now she has asked that I commit $60m to help restore water and sewage piping in Harare. She is the one who drafted the letters that I had to sign to donors around the world. NewZimbabwe Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa is cutting short his holiday and returning to work as his deputy admitted failure in his attempts to end the strike by government-employed junior doctors. Mnangagwas decision to return to work was confirmed by the information ministry on Twitter. https://twitter.com/InfoMinZW/status/1080182880838533121 Chiwenga, who is acting president, told reporters Tuesday night that government was gravely concerned with the situation in public hospitals as the strike continues. The former Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) chief was speaking after meetings during the day aimed at resolving the impasse between the doctors and government. government is disturbed by the fact that in spite of the many concessions it made to the striking doctors, and the broad agreement reached on all but two issues, the striking health personnel continue to withhold their labour and negotiate in bad faith even though they are designated as an essential service under the Labour Act, and even though government has bent over backwards to accommodate them, he said. Chiwenga was deployed by Mnangagwa to help end the strike which started on December 1 and has since been joined by radiographers. The vice president, who earlier in 2018 fired striking nurses before the decision was reversed, started by claiming that the junior doctors were yet-to-qualify interns and warned that they could be replaced by other students. The plan hit a brick wall after trainee doctors at the University of Zimbabwe and the National University of Science and Technology declared support for the striking medical practitioners. We are greatly disturbed by the ministrys efforts to undermine the genuine grievances raised by our fellow doctors and the move to try and recruit us to cover the gap created. We want to categorically state that we are in full support of our senior colleagues and believe in dialogue rather than duress, they said. More than 500 of the striking doctors have since been suspended and Chiwenga was adamant Tuesday that they must face disciplinary action after the labour court ruled the job action illegal. The doctors are demanding that the government addresses the shortage of critical medicines in public hospitals as well as surgical and other equipment. No US dollar salaries In addition, they want their salaries increased and paid in the more stable US dollars instead of the local Bond Notes and RTGS currencies. The latter demand has been rejected by the government. For the avoidance of doubt, government will not remunerate any of its work-force in United States dollars, a position it made very clear to the striking doctors. The government does not print United States dollars, said Chiwenga. He added; International best practices which govern doctors and interns, provide that doctors should not abandon patients and posts; and that, instead they should bring forward their grievances while making sure loss of life or unnecessary pain and suffering is avoided. Specialist doctors, meanwhile, gave the government until Monday, December 31 2018 to deal with the impasse or they, too, would down tools. As senior doctors, we feel that health service units work as teams, Zimbabwe Medical Doctors Association secretary-general Sacrifice Chirisa told journalists. Therefore, the absence of the juniors and middle-level doctors, and any other members of the team, critically compromises all aspect of health service delivery to patients, their communities and the public at large. NewZimbabwe Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News HARARE CBD was Monday afternoon reduced into a war zone as police fought running battles with vendors, among them, those selling MDC regalia outside the main oppositions headquarters. This comes after authorities have persisted with their attempt to rid the countrys busiest CBD of traders who ply their trade illegally along city pavements. Police fired teargas around the ZimPost Mall and some surrounding areas including outside the MDC Headquarters, igniting scenes that saw defiant vendors throw broken concrete blocks in retaliation. Business operators around the area were forced to close their shops fearing destruction or looting of their property. The usually busy supermarket chain, OK along First Street, together with prominent shops such as Bata, TV Sales and Hire along Nelson Mandela Avenue were also forced to shut down for long periods as operators took a cautious approach to events unfolding. Police also removed some taxi and commuter omnibus operators found picking passengers from undesignated areas. Deputy national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi referred questions to Harare provincial spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tarirai Dube, whose phone was however not reachable. Relations between police and ordinary citizens took a turn for the worse August 1, 2018 when six people were gunned down by what is suspected to be soldiers and police officers who were deployed in central Harare to quell wild protests by opposition supporters who were not happy about the slow announcement of the July 30 election results. While the army has denied causing any fatalities and taken a back seat, police have remained conspicuous as they are taking part in operations to rid the city centre of illegal vendors. On Christmas Day, a man died during ugly skirmishes between police and some villagers in Chiredzi. Hard pressed Zimbabweans are angry with the Zanu PF led administration for failure to manage the economy and condemning a large majority to abject poverty. NewZimbabwe Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Who sets the rules for government shutdowns? This is so unfair to so many people, when it really is the failure of our politicians to agree on important issues. This is how it should really work: 1. Government employees and contractors should not be impacted in any way. Business as usual for all of them. 2. All politicians pay and benefits stop when the shutdown begins and should not resume until there is an agreement on the issue. This includes the president. 3. There should be no time off during the shutdown and no back pay or delayed benefits after it ends. Maybe this would keep the politicians focused on working together for a change and actually do what they were voted into office to do serve the people they represent. Bill Klaus, Windcrest Coals demise? Re: Breathe easier: CPS closing Dirty Deely, front page, Sunday: If the closing of a coal-fired plant here in the middle of Texas is a sign of coals demise, then what might one make of the more than 1,600 coal plants planned or under construction in at least 62 countries around the world? Im skeptical that the use of fossil fuels is the cause of man-made global warming. I do believe the planet is warming, perhaps due to human activity. Consider the trillions of trees all around the world and how many have disappeared. Man-made urban sprawl creating heated islands, and so on. The Paris climate control goals are destined for failure. President Donald Trump pulling the U.S. out out of the accord makes sense. And, by the way, having Al Gore and Gov. Moonbeam I mean Jerry Brown and other leftists as the faces of global warming politicizes the effort. And so the whole thing becomes deniers vs. Kool-Aid drinkers. To those who had to endure years living in the shadow of dirty, filthy, cloudy, smelly Deely, you can finally put away your surgical masks. Leo Q. Gomez Our best hope may be the weather. For a long time, many people thought that it was a mistake to use the weather as evidence of climate change. Weather patterns contain a lot of randomness. Even as the Earth warms and extreme weather becomes more common, some years are colder and calmer than others. If you argue that climate change is causing some weather trend, a climate denier may respond by making grand claims about a recent snowfall. And yet the weather still has one big advantage over every other argument about the urgency of climate change: We experience the weather. We see it and feel it. It is not a complex data series in an academic study or government report. Its not a measurement of sea level or ice depth in a place youve never been. Its right in front of you. And although weather patterns do have a lot of randomness, they are indeed changing. Thats the thing about climate change: It changes the climate. Amid everything else going on, dont lose sight of what was the most important story of 2018. I know there was a lot of competition for that title, like President Donald Trump and Robert Mueller. But nothing else measures up to the rising toll and enormous dangers of climate change. I worry that our children and grandchildren will one day ask us, bitterly, why we spent so much time distracted by lesser matters. The story of climate change in 2018 was complicated overwhelmingly bad, yet with two reasons for hope. The bad and the good were connected, too: Thanks to the changing weather, more Americans seem to be waking up to the problem. Ill start with the alarming parts of the story. The past year is on pace to be the Earths fourth warmest on record, and the five warmest years have all occurred since 2010. This warming is now starting to cause a lot of damage. In 2018, heat waves killed people in Montreal, Karachi, Tokyo and elsewhere. Extreme rain battered North Carolina and the Indian state of Kerala. The Horn of Africa suffered from drought. Large swaths of the American West burned. When I was in Portland, Ore., this summer, the air quality from nearby wildfires was among the worst in the world. It would have been healthier to be breathing outdoors in Beijing or Mumbai. Amid all of this destruction, Trumps climate agenda consists of making the problem worse. His administration is filled with former corporate lobbyists, and they have been changing federal policy to make it easier for companies to pollute. These officials like to talk about free enterprise and scientific uncertainty, but their real motive is usually money. Sometimes, they dont even wait to return to industry jobs. Both Scott Pruitt and Ryan Zinke, two now-departed pro-pollution Cabinet secretaries, engaged in on-the-job corruption. I often want to ask these officials: Deep down, do you really believe that future generations of your own family will be immune from climate changes damage? Or have you chosen not to think very much about them? As for the two main reasons for hope: The first is that the Trump administration is an outlier. Most major governments are trying to slow climate change. So are many states in this country, as well as some big companies and nonprofit groups. This global coalition is the reason that the recent climate summit in Poland yielded much more, as Nat Keohane of the Environmental Defense Fund said, than many of us had thought might be possible. The second reason for hope is public opinion. No, it isnt changing nearly as rapidly as I wish. Yet it is changing, and the weather seems to be a factor. The growing number of extreme events wildfires, storms, floods and so on are hard to ignore. Only 40 percent of Americans called the quality of environment good or excellent in a Gallup Poll this year, the lowest level in almost a decade. And 61 percent said the environment was getting worse. In an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 66 percent of Americans said they wanted to see action to combat climate change. Some polls even suggest that Republican voters are becoming anxious about the situation. The politics of climate change remains devilishly hard, especially because so many people around the world feel frustrated about their living standards. Frances gilet jaune protests, after all, were sparked by a proposed energy tax. Compared with day-to-day life, the effects of climate change have long felt distant, almost theoretical. But now those effects are becoming real, and they are terrifying. To anyone who worries about making a case for climate action based on the weather, I would simply ask: Do you have a better idea? The San Antonio Fire Department fought five different structure fires late Monday night and early Tuesday morning, according to Joe Arrington, SAFD spokesman. Two of them were likely caused by fireworks, Arrington said, but neither of them can definitively be tied to fireworks. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox About 10 units responded to a fire in the 1600 block of Arbor Place just before 10 p.m. Monday, Arrington said. Crews arrived to find smoke and flames coming out of a shed in between two houses. A captain on scene said the shed burned to the ground and caused minor damage to the house behind it, but no one was injured. The department did not provide an estimate of damages. Arson was called to investigate. Half an hour later, a fire was reported in the 200 block of Yale Avenue. The roof of a home was on fire and firefighters needed about 10 minutes to extinguish it. No injuries were reported and no estimate of damages was available. RELATED: About 25 SAFD units needed to battle North Side apartment fire Tuesday Fireworks are the suspected cause of both the Arbor Place and Yale Avenue fires, Arrington said. S. M. Chavey is a breaking news and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | sarah.chavey@express-news.net | @smchavey There is a potential for heavy rain along and east of Interstate 35 on Wednesday and Wednesday night, but not enough for flood warnings, the National Weather Service said. In a bulletin and on its Twitter feed Tuesday afternoon, the weather bureau said 1 to 2 inches of rainfall are possible for South Central Texas, which could lead to minor flooding. An off-duty Bexar County Sheriffs Office detention corporal, who has been on administrative duty since September 2017 for a domestic disturbance incident, was arrested by her own office Tuesday night for another domestic violence incident. 28-year-old Rachelle Bamez faces charges of assault bodily injury - married. Bamez has been with the Bexar County Sheriffs Office since November 2014, and was arrested at 7:40 p.m. the sheriffs office said in a news release. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox The release said Sheriff Javier Salazar served the corporal with a notice of proposed termination, in accordance with Civil Service rules, for violation of the Texas Penal Code and for a continuing pattern of conduct that seriously impairs job effectiveness, and for the detrimental effect it brings to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office. BCSO Internal Affairs began an administrative investigation into the latest incident, pending further criminal investigation by the Public Integrity Unit. Misconduct will not be tolerated, especially when a clear cut pattern of misbehavior is apparent, Salazar said. Once probable cause was established, I made the determination to immediately arrest this employee and initiate termination proceedings. Update: The 14-year-old driver has been charged with murder. ------ A woman was hit and killed by a car packed with egg-chucking teens who ran a red light Tuesday afternoon, marking unincorporated Harris County's first traffic fatality of 2019. The three teens, including a 14-year-old boy behind the wheel of a GMC Acadia, were fleeing an enraged motorist who gave chase during their alleged egging spree, Harris County Sheriff's Lt. Susan Cotter said. The young driver ignored a red light along Aldine Mail Route Road in north Houston and t-boned a Ford F-150 heading south on Aldine Westfield Road, she said. Both vehicles tumbled into a nearby ditch. The woman was pulled from the mangled pickup truck but could not be saved. She was not identified. POLICE: Photo of pickup truck key in finding 7-year-old girl's killer Two of the boys, including the driver, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The third teenager was not harmed and told authorities what happened. The boy said he and his pals were egging cars when the driver of a gold, 1970s model Lincoln with a white top went after them near Russ Drive, according to authorities. The driver fled the crash site and police are looking for him. It was not yet known if the teens will face any charges. The crash remains under investigation. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the woman had just been shopping. As a large crowd of onlookers watched the crash investigation from a parking lot, a deputy fished a brand new purse still in its packaging out of the ditch. It was believed to have been ejected during the crash. "It's not a good way to start the year," Gonzalez said. A second person was killed west of Channelview within hours of the crash, the sheriff later said. A pedestrian died around 7 p.m. after being hit by a car in an exit ramp along East Freeway. "Unbelievable ... and yet another fatal car crash. It's only the first day of the year," Gonzalez tweeted. Multiple lanes were closed due to the crash investigation, officials said. OUT OF CONTROL: Six hundred-forty people a year die on Houston-area roads, and 2,850 more are injured badly enough to go to a hospital. The carnage, all factors considered, makes the nine-county region the most dangerous major metro area for drivers in the United States, a Houston Chronicle analysis reveals. Deciphering what news is real and what is fake can be tough for anyone these days, but especially difficult for young people who get much of their news from social media and online sources. The nonprofit MediaWise will teach a workshop Jan. 7-10 on fact-checking online for students and teachers at Memorial and Spring Woods High Schools and Spring Forest Middle School. Holly Hartman teaches journalism, yearbook and newspaper at Memorial and attended a conference in October where MediaWise educated student journalists about the subject and knew she wanted to bring that program to her school. I just think its vital to the next generation that we teach them how to look at a story objectively, think about what is the motivation behind this story, she said. Who is posting this story? Why would they be posting this? Is it true? Is it not true? How can I find out if its not true? The Poynter Institute, the Stanford History Education Group, the Local Media Association and the National Association for Media Literacy Education partnered together and launched MediaWise in March 2018. The project is a part of a Google news initiative and is being funded with $3 million from Google.org. MediaWise is aiming to reach 1 million students across the nation by 2020, according to Byron. Katy Byron, editor at The Poynter Institute and MediaWise project manager, said she is looking forward to teaching in the Houston-area schools because they will be showing a student body at large, not just those interested in journalism, how to fact-check. Its the first time that were going into a classroom or into an assembly hall in this case where the students are, which for me, is my dream way, my dream scenario of how to reach a lot of kids because were going to be teaching 600 students in just the sophomore class alone at Memorial High School, Byron said. In total, she said the program is expected to teach more than 1,750 students and teachers live at the events and more than 5,000 if you include those watching through video. MediaWise plans to do the workshops in other schools around the country as well, but most of the 1 million students will be reached through an online curriculum that Byron said will release in the fall. MediaWise has also been teaming up with social media influencers to create original content and with people like popular author John Green, who wrote The Fault in our Stars and has a YouTube channel called CrashCourse. On Jan. 8, a 10-part teaching video series focusing on teens will launch. Its content will be geared toward teachers and students, but Byron said it will be free and available through the SHEG website. Byron said a method called lateral reading is the best way to tell what is fake online. If youre on a bogus website or this bogus story, if you read laterally, you just copy and paste the story headline into another tab, she said. Youre going to discover that theres no other information either to back it up or that the fact-check organizations like PolitiFact, Snopes, FactCheck.org or just additional reliable news sources [are] debunking the information or calling it out. Byron said photos can also be misused and misleading, adding that sometimes photos that are used are years or even a decade old. She cited misinformation caused by images circulating about the recent migrant caravan issue. A reverse Google image search, which just involves right-clicking on an image and selecting Search Google for image, or using the Chrome app on a phone will tell where the photo first originated. MediaWise plans to have at least half of the 1 million students come from low-income or underserved communities, Byron said. We dont want anyone to be left out. This is a problem for everybody, truly. Its not specific to any group of people, she said. During the past two to three years, Hartman has begun cutting some things out of her curriculum at Memorial to carve out more time for teaching about fact-checking because of the political environment and how President Donald Trump has brought out the issue. [Trumps] using it over and over and it becoming such an issue coupled with the internet and the fact that anyone can be a journalist now and anyone can post anything on the internet now, I just have noticed in the past few years that its becoming much more a topic that needs to be taught to students because they of course hear the term fake news and they understand it at its basic level, but I dont think they understand how sophisticated it can be and how subtle it is sometimes, she said. Hartman encouraged parents and teachers to engage with their students about they are seeing online. She also mentioned what she called an echo chamber, where social media outlets are designed to run news or posts into their feeds that agree with what they or their friends like. So she said users should make an effort to have friends and like pages with diverse viewpoints in order to see the other side. Byron said teaching American students how to act like real fact-checkers is important and that the program at the Spring Branch schools is a good place to start. Most people just dont know how to figure it out, and thats really the whole goal of the project, is to give people the tools, teach them how to do it and just using the skills that fact checkers use, she said. For more information, follow MediaWise at www.instagram.com/mediawise. tracy.maness@hcnonline.com San Antonians put on their best burnt orange ensemble for the 2019 Sugar Bowl watch party at The Rustic. The event was held Tuesday, the first day of the new year. The San Antonio chapter of UT's official alumni association the Texas Exes put together to the party for the annual game. Takata Corp. is close to reaching a settlement agreement with the U.S. Justice Department that may be announced as soon as Friday and would include a fine as large as $1 billion and possible criminal charges, people with knowledge of the matter said. The settlement with the Japanese air bag maker, whose devices have been linked to at least 17 deaths worldwide, is said to include a wire fraud charge and a fine ranging from the hundreds of millions of dollars to $1 billion, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the discussions are confidential. Closure with the Justice Department would wrap up the criminal portion of Takatas auto safety recall, which was the largest in history, and allow it to move forward with its hunt for a buyer. The Justice Department started investigating Takata after its air bag inflators were found to degrade over time and sometimes explode with such force that they broke and shot shrapnel at vehicle occupants. The manufacturer also has been accused by government transportation regulators and Honda Motor Co. of manipulating test data and playing down the gravity of the problem after the first victim was reported in 2008. A settlement would help Takata move forward with its search for a buyer because it would give bidders more clarity about the companys legal challenges. Takata has been negotiating with several bidders for months, but the process has been hampered because buyers are trying to gauge exposure to legal risk and costly civil lawsuits. Takata and its financial adviser, Lazard Ltd., have asked prospective buyers to complete their due diligence around February, with a successful bidder targeted to be announced in the quarter ending in March, people familiar with the matter said last month. Takata faces a cascade of recall costs, compensation and penalties after regulators ordered recalls scheduled through at least 2019 that could eventually exceed 100 million air bags used by more than a dozen automakers, including Honda, Volkswagen AG and General Motors Co. The recalls would phase out the use of ammonium nitrate as a propellant, a chemical that other inflator makers dont use. The recall costs alone could amount to more than $8.8 billion, according to Takaki Nakanishi, an analyst at Jefferies Group. Takata, the third-biggest air bag maker in the world, started its search for a buyer last year. Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office and Sonora Police Department View Photos Sonora, CA The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office and Sonora Police Department were selected to receive Tobacco Grant Program money from the states Department of Justice. They are two of 56 California agencies selected for the grant money that is designed to help prevent the use, and illegal sale, of tobacco to minors. Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office spokesperson, Sgt. Andrea Benson, says, Our goal is to utilize these funds to hire a full time School Resource Officer (SRO) for the county of Tuolumne and two part-time SROs for the city of Sonora. These School Resource Officers will provide guidance and mentorship to local youth and will be responsible for educating students on the dangers of tobacco use. Our agencies will be collaborating with the Tuolumne County Public Health Department on outreach and prevention programs. The funding is available via Proposition 56, a state ballot measure that was approved in 2016, entitled, The California Healthcare Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act Of 2016. The grant will provide program funding locally through June of 2021. The grant amount to the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office is $225,207 and the City of Sonora is $198,171. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 2) Tons of garbage smuggled into the country will be shipped back to South Korea this month at Seoul's cost. Customs officials on Wednesday said the 6,500 tons of trash which are now in Misamis Oriental will be returned to Pyeongtaek, South Korea on January 9 at an estimated shipping cost of P2 million. The Philippines and South Korea agreed on this at a meeting held last December 27 to 28. READ: South Korea to take back trash shipment Officials said the consignee, Verde Soko Philippines Industrial Corporation, failed to secure the proper importation permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and also misdeclared the shipment. The firm earlier said the container vans carried soft plastic and not garbage, claiming that the plastics are raw materials for furniture reprocessing. Upon checking, however, authorities said the shipment contained illegal and hazardous waste materials such as used intravenous lines, light bulbs, and old batteries. They arrived at the Mindanao Container Terminal last July 21, but were only reported in November. CNN Philippines' Rex Remitio contributed to this report. There is deliberate attempt to suffocate ... Facebook on Friday announced that it may allow former President Donald Trumps Facebook and Instagram accounts to be reinstated in January 2023. At that time, the social media company will re-evaluate whether the risk to public safety of allowing Trump back onto its services has receded. This two-year suspension will prevent Trump from using Facebook or Instagram to broadcast to his followers until after the 2022 U.S. midterm elections. Do you think tech giants like Facebook are using their power to censor political speech and manipulate U.S. politics? Choices are: You voted: Good Morning: More things change, the more they remain the same Going out with a roar: Revelers in Bisbee celebrate years end in style We'll keep you connected to all the updated local news and information about what's happening in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County! Click Here to Subscribe! Traffic drives in front of a soon-to-open strip mall on Medical Center Parkway recently. Next to it is a site where contractors are preparing a lot for another building. Courtesy Photo Teachers in Midland and Ector counties this year received a total of $200,000 to help with funding classroom projects. Chevron donated the money through its Fuel Your School program. In Midland ISD, the effort benefited 141 teachers at more than 30 schools, according to information provided to the Reporter-Telegram. Fuel Your School also helped 13 teachers at Greenwood ISD campuses. A Midland man was arrested Saturday after he allegedly sexually assaulted a child, according to court documents. Thomas Gutierrez, 34, was being held Thursday on a $100,000 bond for a second-degree felony charge of sexual assault of a child. A Midland police detective was contacted Friday in reference to a sexual assault case. LOCAL CRIME: Man arrested on stalking, arson charges A nurse at Midland Memorial Hospital and an interviewer at the Midland Rape Crisis and Childrens Advocacy Center spoke to a child about an incident allegedly involving Gutierrez. If convicted of the second-degree felony charge, Gutierrez could face up to 20 years imprisonment. Most Read The Many Ways to Be Relieved of Your Timeshare Obligations While it is true that a timeshare contract is a binding legal document, it is often mistakenly thought that such a contract cannot only be cancelled. In fact, most timeshare companies maintain that their contracts are non cancellable. This misconception is perpetuated by timeshare companies and user groups that are funded, maintained and controlled by the timeshare industry. Straight Up with Jocelyn Predovich: The Truth about FHA 203k Loans The FHA 203k loan program provides home buyers the opportunity to buy and fix up a property, without exhausting their personal savings. A Maryland man has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for fraudulently skimming almost half a million dollars from refinanced loans, according to the US Attorneys Office for the District of Maryland. US District Judge Richard Bennett sentenced David Lavine for bank fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud the financial institution where he served and for income tax evasion. The sentence includes two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $892,541.75 in restitution to the financial institution and $365,228.80 in restitution to the IRS and to forfeit $503,378.87. According to Lavines plea agreement, he diverted $100,000 of bank funds to his own benefit while serving as acting president of CFG Community Bank from March 2010 until January 2011. He directed employees to wire funds, mischaracterized as payments to a mortgage broker on bank loan refinances, to a company that belonged to a friend. Lavine later became president of Capital Financial Ventures, a CFG affiliate. In January 2011, he devised a scheme to defraud CFG through the refinance of two bank-owned commercial mortgage loans and the diversion of the loan payoffs to his personal benefit and the benefit of Charles Tobias, his co-defendant. Lavine also diverted insurance premium refunds on one of the commercial loans purchased by the bank to his personal account. In the fall of 2011, Lavine and Tobias as owners of Capital T Partners Brookfield attempted to profit from a group of non-performing mortgages the company had purchased by donating some to a charity and taking a deduction on their income tax returns. As a result of a fraudulent appraisal, Lavine and Tobias claimed tax benefits from the $1,032,722 purported charitable deduction they were claiming. Lavine also admitted that he failed to report income of more than $176,000 in 2010, and failed to report income of $480,289.44, from the loan fraud proceeds and two stolen insurance refunds in 2011. He underpaid his taxes for 2010, 2011, and 2012 by $365,228.80 based on his failure to report fraud proceeds as income and his fraudulent charitable contribution deduction which sheltered reported income. Tobias previously pleaded guilty to willfully subscribing to a false tax return and was sentenced to two years of probation with eight months of home confinement with electronic monitoring and ordered to pay restitution of $154,438 to the IRS. Allan Silber is set to retire from the board of directors at residential mortgage firm Street Capital Group after more than 30 years of service. He will continue to serve on the board of directors as chair until a new chair is appointed this month. Silber has been at the head of seven different companies. In the past Silber was director at Captiva Verde Industries Ltd, chairman for Terra Firma Capital Corp., chairman for C2 Global Technologies, Inc., and chairman of Knight's Bridge Capital Partners, Inc. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto. Street Capital Group is a public company operating through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Street Capital Bank of Canada, a federally regulated Schedule I Bank offering residential mortgage loans. Street Capital Bank of Canada sources its mortgage products primarily through a network of independent mortgage brokers across Canada with whom it has built relationships. Street Capital Bank of Canada offers a broad line-up of high ratio and conventional mortgages to borrowers and either sells the mortgages it underwrites to top tier financial institutions or holds them on balance sheet. Street Capital Bank of Canada lends throughout all of the Provinces of Canada (other than Quebec) and has offices in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The internet will play a bigger part in real estate transactions, as a bevy of apps and online services are set to transform the industry. A recent report by CTV News highlighted the growing adoption of technology by real estate professionals over the past couple of years a trend that is seen to grow as the industry targets increasingly affluent and tech-savvy millennials. Technology used by the real estate industry, known as proptech, include apps like Loom, which allows realtors to remotely show presentation slides. Proptech also includes online services that transfers digitized documents to the cloud, which can then be digitally signed. Now our clients can open their phone up, push a few buttons and the (offer) papers are signed, Shawn Zigelstein, a real estate agent in Ontario, told CTV News. The agents that are not adapting to this change are going to see their business drop considerably because they can't adapt fast enough. The real estate industry has been historically been slow to embrace technology, Frank Magliocco, a partner at PwC Canada who specializes in the housing market, told CTV News. But I think what you're going to see now is a fairly significant ramp up in embracing that technology once it becomes more mainstream. It'll be increasingly important to remain and be competitive in the marketplace. Once you see these technologies prove out, you'll see more and more adoption. As most brokers already know, fixing a mortgage for an Airbnb property is a tall order, but it can be done. Airbnb short-term rentals face a higher level of scrutiny by lenders than typical one-year lease agreement renters, said Laura Martin, COO of Matrix Mortgage Global and director of Private Lending Hub. Brokers can expect B lenders and institutional lenders to lend on a typical one-to-four unit rental property based on the rent roll and lease agreements. Lenders will typically use 50% to 100% of the rental income towards the income qualification and go up to about 70% loan-to-value. If relying heavily on rental income to carry the loan, private channel lenders are prospective Airbnb hosts best bets. The lender will ask for confirmation of deposits, as opposed to lease agreements, said Martin. Airbnb rental properties are even more difficult to secure funds for than student housing because of elevated risk. The asset could become damaged, given the revolving door of short-term tenants, continued Martin. One quiet professional that rents for 10 days could be followed by a rock band that trashes the place next weekend. When you have so many people going in and out, its going to make lenders nervous. In fact, if the borrower has multiple properties, lenders will scrutinous. Brokers should get their clients used to the idea of cross-collateralizing their properties for added security. Kim Gibbons, a Mortgage Intelligence broker based in downtown Toronto, notes that some A lenders provide funds for Airbnbs, but theyre few and far between. The only way some lenders will take a short-term rental is if I could provide a two-year average of short-term rental income, she said. Lenders like to see a long-term lease in order to underwrite it traditionally, but for Airbnbs income has to be consistent year-over-year and not every lender will do that. Only a handful will consider it. One reason for banks reticence in lending on Airbnbs is the fear that they could devolve into rooming houses, says Joe Sammut. I believe the reason theyre somewhat reluctant to use Airbnbs is because individual rooms could be rented out and then theyd essentially be running a rooming house, and banks have frowned upon that for many, many years, said Sammut. Theyre trying to avoid people using rooming houses and renting by the hour and by the night. As usual, that leaves the private channel to eat up share of the market. Max loan-to-value is likely 60-65%, said Martin. I would skip the B lenders altogether and go private. "You don't need to be a millionaire to be a Vermilionaire," according to one new clothing li featured Lorain County Add salt? There's plenty to go around Raquel M. Ortiz, left, and Yarimilka Beavers pose with one of the puppets for the performance of "Sofi and the Magic, Musical Mural." The current generation has very little, if any, interest in volunteering, Brackett said. The first question that a lot of them have is, How much do yall get paid a week or a month or per call? If they dont do it before they get in, then they certainly start asking after they get in." He said that when volunteer services are in such high demand because the government isn't willing to pay firefighters, that its easy for volunteers to be overwhelmed. People, they burn out, Brackett said. You run three calls per day for a year and youre dead. The recruitment and retention issue is so severe that the state has been forced to lower department standards just so departments can continue to operate, Brackett said. Despite all of that, firefighters are still volunteering in departments across the county. Corpening said he got involved with Lake James Fire Department, which was started in 1969 by a mostly minority group of people, because of all of the hard work the founders put into the department. China President Xi Jinping Taiwan independence would lead to "disaster", Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday, pledging efforts for peaceful "reunification" with the self-ruled island but warning China would not renounce the use of force. Speaking at Beijing's Great Hall of the People on the 40th anniversary of a key Taiwan policy statement, Xi said reunification must come under a one-China principle that accepts Taiwan as part of China, anathema to supporters of Taiwan independence. All people in Taiwan must "clearly recognise that Taiwan independence would only bring profound disaster to Taiwan", Xi said. "We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will leave no room for any form of separatist activities," he said. "We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means," he said, adding that the issue is China's internal affair and that it would permit "no external interference". Chinese Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in December of 1949 after losing a civil war to the Communists. While today the two sides have close business, cultural and personal links, proudly democratic Taiwan has shown no interest in being ruled by autocratic Beijing. The US on January expressed concern over "credible" reports of harassment, intimidation, violence and alleged irregularities in the recently concluded parliamentary elections and urged the country's election commission to work constructively with all sides to address the claims of irregularities. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and its allies won the general elections on December 30, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of the jailed ex-premier Khalida Zia won five seats in the 300-member Parliament. "The US commends the tens of millions of Bangladeshis who voted in Bangladesh's 11th parliamentary election on December 30, 2018, as well as the decision of all major opposition political parties to participate, a positive development after the boycotted election of 2014," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said. The Trump administration, in its first reaction to the December 30 parliamentary poll results in Bangladesh, said that the US remains deeply invested in the future of Bangladesh and its democratic development. The election was marred by violence, in which 17 people died. The opposition BNP rejected the poll outcome as "farcical" and rigged and demanded fresh election, amid allegations of intimidation. The Election Commission (EC) ruled out holding fresh polls. The opposition Jatiya Oikya Front - National Unity Front (NUF) - comprising the BNP and some smaller parties, criticised the EC and accused its chief of being biased. Palladino asserted that the US was the Bangladesh's largest foreign investor, largest single-country market for Bangladeshi exports, and a home to a large community of Americans of Bangladeshi origin. "In this light, we note with concern credible reports of harassment, intimidation and violence in the pre-election period that made it difficult for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and campaign freely," Palladino said. Expressing concern that election-day irregularities prevented some people from voting, he said this undermined faith in the electoral process. "We strongly encourage all parties to refrain from violence and request the Election Commission work constructively with all sides to address claims of irregularities," Palladino said. "Bangladesh's impressive record of economic development and respect for democracy and human rights are mutually reinforcing, and we look forward to continue working with the ruling government and opposition towards advancing these interrelated goals," the State Department spokesperson said. A federal judge has dismissed lawsuits seeking to hold Facebook, Google and Twitter liable to victims of the December 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California for letting Islamic State flourish on their social media platforms. In a decision late on December 31, US Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in San Francisco said the attack, which killed 14 people and injured 22 others, was not the direct result of the companies' alleged providing of resources to Islamic State. "A contrary conclusion poses boundless litigation risk and is not tenable given how interconnected communication services are with modern economic and social life," the judge wrote. Beeler also found no liability for aiding and abetting terrorism under the 2016 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), finding allegations only that the companies were "generally aware" that Islamic State used their services. The plaintiffs included victims and relatives of victims of the December 2, 2015 attack at a government building by Syed Farook, 28, a US-born son of Pakistani immigrants, and his wife Tashfeen Malik, 29, a native of Pakistan. Authorities have said the couple was inspired by Islamist militants. Both died soon after the attack in a police shootout. Islamic State said Farook and Malik were two of its followers. Beeler dismissed the lawsuits with prejudice, meaning they cannot be filed again, citing other courts' rejections of similar claims in other cases. US Federal law gives internet companies broad immunity from liability for content posted by users. Keith Altman, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, on January 2 said the decision was "not a surprise," and that issues including the impact of JASTA and what constitutes direct liability should be addressed at the appellate level. Facebook, Google and Twitter did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Altman plans on January 15 to ask the federal appeals court in Cincinnati to revive a similar lawsuit against the three companies over the June 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which killed 49 people. The shooter, New York-born Omar Mateen, who was later killed by police, had pledged allegiance to Islamic State's leader. The cases are Clayborn et al v Twitter Inc et al, US District Court, Northern District of California, No. 17-06894; and Megalla et al v Twitter et al in the same court, No. 18-00543. The Interpol has once again refused to issue an arrest warrant against Pakistan's former envoy to the United States Husain Haqqani, who is wanted by the country's Supreme Court in connection with cases of treason and embezzlement of funds. The Supreme Court had issued warrants to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to produce Haqqani, a prominent critic of Pakistan's military, before it in January last year, but the Interpol had refused to issue an arrest warrant against him in April last. Following, Pakistani authorities once again approached the Interpol, but again they refused to act against the dissident ex-Pakistani envoy. According to Interpol, it has responded to Pakistan's warrants by pointing out that criminal charges have been initiated against Haqqani seven years after he resigned as ambassador and after earlier rejection of political charges. That still reflects political motives, it said. The government of Pakistan is now considering asking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to approach the US government for Haqqani's extradition after second refusal by the Interpol. Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nisar on December 31 held an in-camera hearing of the case so that the embarrassment of international rejection of its warrants is not reported, sources familiar with the matter said. Pakistani authorities have so far not approached US authorities directly but if they do, according to US legal experts, there is no legal basis for the former envoy's extradition. When contacted in Washington DC, Haqqani said he has always been confident that false charges will not hold up outside of Pakistan. "This entire matter has only been for the benefit of Pakistani media from day one and is part of the effort to persecute and harass dissidents," he added. Haqqani also said the attitude of Pakistani authorities towards him was against the international norms. "Governments normally do not hound former ambassadors just because they disagree with their policies," he said, adding that the harassment would not silence him. China is building the first of four "most advanced" naval warships for its "all-weather ally" Pakistan as part of a major bilateral arms deal to ensure among other things "balance of power" in the strategic Indian Ocean, state media reported. Equipped with modern detection and weapon systems, it will be capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine and air-defence operations, China Daily quoted state-owned defence contractor China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) as saying. The under-construction ship is a version of the Chinese Navy's most advanced guided missile frigate, it said. The CSSC did not specify the ship's type but said it is being constructed at its Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. China, an "all-weather ally" of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to Pakistan. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a single engine multi-role combat aircraft. The ship's class is Type 054AP, which means it is based on the Type 054A of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, the report quoted the Pakistani Navy as saying. The Pakistani Navy previously said four such ships had been ordered, according to the report. Once constructed, the warship "will be one of the largest and technologically advanced platforms of the Pakistani Navy and strengthen the country's capability to respond to future challenges, maintain peace and stability and the balance of power in the Indian Ocean region," the report said. It will also support the Pakistani Navy's initiative of securing sea lanes for international shipping by patrolling distant waters, the daily quoted the CSSC as saying. The mention of the Indian Ocean is regarded as significant as China, which has already taken over Pakistan's strategic Gwadar port under the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), looks to assist the Pakistani navy to restore the balance of power in India's backyard. China has acquired the logistical military base in Djibouti and taken over the Hambantota port of Sri Lanka under a 99-year debt swap deal. China recently denied a New York Times report that it finalised a plan to build advanced fighter aircraft under the CPEC in Pakistan, adding a military dimension to it. India protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan became the first country to hook on to China's BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, a rival to the US Global Positioning System (GPS) which went global recently. The system was expected to be used for military applications. The report said Type 054A is the best frigate in service with the PLA Navy. Military sources said the ship has a fully loaded displacement of about 4,000 metric tonnes and is equipped with advanced radars and missiles. About 30 Type 054As are in service with the PLA Navy. An insider in China's shipbuilding sector with knowledge of the Type 054AP programme told the Daily that the ship is the largest and most powerful combat vessel China has ever exported. "Based on pictures circulating on the internet, the ship will have vertical launch cells that can fire Chinese HQ-16 air-defence missiles and other kinds of missiles. Vertical launch cells will bring flexibility to the user in terms of weapons portfolio, thus giving it a stronger fighting capability," he said, adding that the Type 054AP is the best frigate Pakistan can access in the international market. "The service of Type 054APs will double the combat power of the Pakistani Navy's surface fleet," he said. Commenting on the ship's construction, Cao Weidong, a senior researcher at the PLA's Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said in the past, the Pakistani Navy would ask its Chinese contractors to use Western radars or weapons on ships constructed by the Chinese shipbuilders because it believed the Western naval technologies were better than Chinese ones. "But it seems that all weapons and radars on the new ship will be Chinese products, which reflects our progress in the industry and the Pakistani Navy's confidence in our technology and capability," he said. Cao said there are many nations selling frigates in the market, so Pakistan must have made thorough comparisons in terms of combat capability and costs. In 2018, the Supreme Court of India decriminalised homosexuality, overruled its own 2013 decision and partially struck down Section 377. With the Stonewall riots - that triggered the gay rights movement - marking its 50th anniversary next year, we look at how homosexuality is treated across the world. Most of Asia is tolerant towards homosexuality. In some countries like Nepal and Vietnam, the remaining taboos for the same are slowly getting eroded. Taiwan is set to become the first Asian country to legalise gay marriage after its highest court announced that not allowing same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and gave two years to the authorities to legalise same-sex marriages. The Philippines' top court in June started hearing arguments for the legalisation of gay marriage. Indias neighbouring countries like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia have classified homosexuality as a mental illness and it is punishable with imprisonment and/or lashes. The continent is said to be the pioneer in standing up to the rights of homosexuals and supporting gay marriages. In 2001, Netherlands became the first country to legalise same-sex marriages. Austria is set to legalise it next year. In Russia homosexuality was considered a crime up to 1993 and a mental illness until 1999. A 2013 law punishes the promotion of homosexuality among minors. Many Western European countries have allowed same-sex couples to adopt children. 15 European countries including Britain, Germany, Northern Ireland, and France still classify it as a crime. While homosexuality is still considered a crime in several countries in the African continent, Kenyas top court has a hearing in February 2019 for legalising homosexuality. This could pave way for other courts in the continent to take steps in the direction. The United States of America legalised same-sex marriage in the year 2015. Canada did it in 2005. Mexico legalised gay unions in 2007 and legalised marriages in 2009. Following them, South American countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil have legalised gay marriage and adoption. Middle East The countries in the Middle East have the harshest of rules against homosexuality. Lebanon, however, is the most tolerant. Several Arab countries in this conservative region like Saudi Arabia and UAE have strict laws like death-penalty. Israel, on the other hand, has recognised gay marriages elsewhere but has not allowed unions to be established in its own country. Moneycontrol News The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress have been locked in a battle of words and ideologies yet again after the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh announced on January 1 that it was not compulsory to sing 'Vande Mataram' in the Secretariat on the first day of every month, as has been the practice. Reacting to the decision, former MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said "the BJP government had decided to start weekly cabinet meetings with it and it will be sung on the 1st day of every month". Chouhan told news agency ANI that the song "is a mantra that instills a sense of patriotism". "I demand Congress to reintroduce this and if they dont do it, Ill sing Vande Mataram with patriots at Vallabh Bhavan on the premises on January 6," Chouhan said. This is not the first time that the Congress and BJP have clashed over the national song. In June last year, BJP National President Amit Shah had said during a lecture that the Congress had communalised Vande Mataram. Shah had said the song symbolises "geo-cultural nationalism of our country" and that it should not be "treated as a song related to any religion or against someone". "The Congress had made the same mistake by labelling it with a religious colour," Shah said, adding that the Congress had made the song the national song but only the first two stanzas were sung to appease a particular community. In 2017, the two parties had again clashed over the song in Uttarakhand when the state Congress had declared that it would not be singing the song at the party's official programmes for one month. The decision was taken after a minister in Uttarakhand's BJP government had said that those who want to reside in the state will have to sing the national song. Vande Mataram has also featured in a number of TV debates, sometimes causing embarrassment to the BJP. For instance, BJP spokesperson Navin Singh had, in 2017, sung the song wrongly on national television while challenging an opponent to sing it during a debate. During another debate, Minister of State for Minority Welfare, Baldev Singh Aulakh, too, had refused to sing the song on national television while insisting that the song be made mandatory in all schools across the country. Much like the national song, a slogan hailing the 'Bharat Mata' 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' has also been a topic of contention for both the parties. The slogan was dragged into controversy during the recent Assembly elections in five states, when Rahul Gandhi had said that instead of 'Bharat Mata ki jai', Narendra Modi should say 'Anil Ambani ki Jai', referring to the alleged Rafale scam. (Disclaimer: Reliance Defence has denied any wrongdoing in the Rafale deal) Calling it a 'fatwa' against him, Modi had responded by saying he will raise the slogan 10 times in front of lakhs of people. The slogan became a topic of heated discussion three years ago during the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) episode when Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat had said that the new generation needs to be taught to chant slogans hailing mother India. In the same year, Waris Pathan, an AIMIM legislator in Maharashtra, was suspended by a unanimous party vote for not chanting the slogan. The slogan had dominated headlines throughout 2016, with JNU student leaders like Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid being asked to chant the slogan on stage to 'prove' their patriotism. The slogan was also debated on social media recently when a journalist called it 'communal'. A Chennai-based company was slammed after an ad it shared in a local newspaper went viral on social media. According to a report in The NewsMinute, Acor, an interior design firm, had placed an advertisement in Adyar Talk, a hyperlocal newspaper for a position in its firm. The Brahmin Only demand ad went viral on social media where people even contemplated legal action against the company - which termed the incident as a human-error. People on social media are calling it blatant casteism and unconstitutional. A day later, the company posted an apology stating that it meant pure vegetarian and not Brahmins only. The company also posted the clarification on Facebook which read, Hope everyone is understanding! We meant Pure vegetarian and the media guy wrote 'Only Brahmins' so lets get that out of the way. The post was later updated as an apology to say: "Hello, As originally mentioned it was a Human Error. We are an international brand with multiple offices in China, Europe, and India. Actions will be taken against the HR department for this. A request has been put to our CEO, Sorry for the mistake." However, many social media users seemed to be unconvinced as the apology looked like the company wanted to make a specific requirement of a caste for a job position. Users on the social media lashed out calling for a boycott. "You guys are shamelessly discriminating between veg and non-veg. 70% of India is non-vegetarian. Of course, you did casteism first. This is against the constitution and you may face court proceedings, said a user. Another user added, I had no idea how bad institutional racism in India was until I saw your ad. TATA HARRIER | The Harrier will signal Tata Motors revival in the SUV space after a gap of several years. The premium SUV will be launch in January. It is based on the Land Rover platform and tweaked to India conditions. It will be powered a Fiat-developed 2.0 litre diesel engine. Expect starting price to between Rs 13-15 lakh. (Image source: Tata Motors) The automotive industry is one of the biggest employers in the country with over 50 Indian and multinational companies straddling across platforms. Here is a list of all the important developments of 2018 and what can be expected in 2019. What happened in 2018 Arrest of Carlos Ghosn Perhaps the biggest news of the year in the auto industry was the arrest of Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Nissan. Ghosn was charged for underreporting his income by approximately $44 million -- while he was Nissan -- over several years. If found guilty Ghosn, who is credited with Nissan's turnaround, could face a 10-year prison sentence. M&M, Ford sign MOU Mahindra & Mahindra and Ford Motor Company signed agreements to jointly develop two SUVs, share engines, develop a small electric vehicle and share retail footprint to boost market reach in India. M&M is under pressure from competition as it has lost some market share, while Ford has been a fringe player despite more than two decades of operation in India. Companies give auto expo a miss At least 30 automotive brands gave the biennial India Auto Expo held in February a miss. Bajaj Auto, Harley-Davidson, Royal Enfield, Jaguar Land Rover, Eicher Motors, Ford and the entire Volkswagen Group decided to stay clear of the event citing high costs and negligible returns. Customs duty hike (luxury cars) The 2018 budget brought about a 5 percentage point hike in customs duty on knocked down kits imported into India raising it to 15 percent from 10 percent earlier. Companies like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Volvo, Jaguar Land Rover, Harley-Davidson, Triumph who have assembly plants in India were impacted by this. India overtakes UK market Automotive sales in India surged the second fastest in the world in 2017, with total numbers trumping developed markets like UK and France and coming within striking distance of Germany. Closing the last calendar year at 3.61 million units with a growth of 8.8 percent, Indias domestic automobile sales were the fifth highest in the world behind China (25.8 million), the US (17.23 million), Japan (5.16 million) and Germany (3.71 million). Auto sales in the UK were at 2.9 million units, and in France were at 2.54 million units. Here's what to expect in 2019 Surge in prebuying of vehicles Prices of all class of vehicles, which will be upgraded to Bharat Stage VI emission standard will witness a significant increase in 2020 with the switchover. Consumers are thus expected to buy existing BS-IV grade vehicles to beat the hike. The steepest increase will be for commercial vehicles (trucks and buses) followed by diesel cars and SUVs. Companies are expected to ramp up output to meet the added demand. All cars to have airbags, reverse parking sensor India has the highest road mortality rate in the world. It is also the biggest market with the least number of vehicles equipped with safety features like airbags, ABS and reverse parking sensors. This is set to change in 2019 when these life-saving features will be made mandatory on all models. Tata Motors shifts to new gen vehicle architecture Having completely overhauled its product line-up, Tata Motors will shift towards an entirely new vehicle architecture with the launch of the Harrier SUV in January followed by a premium hatchback. The company is phasing out a few models to make way for the new range, some of which will play purely in the premium segment. Kia and MG Motors to debut in India as GM departs India will get two new automotive brands, Kia Motors and MG Motors, which will come after the unceremonious exit of one of General Motors from India market. Both companies highlight the significance of the Indian market on the world map on the back of sustained challenges in the traditional large markets of the world such as China and Europe. Uniform driving license The central government will be coming out with a new rule for issuance of driving license. Instead of each state and union territory issuing its own driving licenses, the central government is believed to be working on a uniform license. By mid-2019, the license will carry the same look, format, colour and security features. Representative image live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Demand for new motorcycles and scooters slowed down significantly in December as three of the top five companies posted flat to negative growth in sales. The four brands that announced their December sales numbers Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor Company, Bajaj Auto, Royal Enfield clocked only two percent growth at 8.77 lakh as against 8.59 lakh sold in the same month a year earlier. These companies control nearly 70 percent of the domestic two-wheeler market. Hike in insurance costs, tightened lending rates, regulatory changes in one state, poor demand from urban pockets and week-long annual maintenance shutdown at the manufacturing plants led to poor demand from dealers during December. Hero MotoCorp, the biggest manufacturer of two-wheelers, reported four percent decline in sales to 4.53 lakh units in December as against 4.72 lakh units sold in the same month last year. "The increased cost of two-wheeler insurance ahead of the Diwali festive season and the prevailing liquidity crunch in the market impacted the overall momentum of growth in the industry during the entire third quarter," said Pawan Munjal, chairman, Hero Motocorp, in a company release. The drop for Hero has come despite the company launching an all-new 125cc scooter Destini in November which was aimed at reviving Heros fortunes in the scooter segment where it had been struggling since several months. TVS Motor Company, the maker of models such as Apache and Jupiter, clocked just one percent growth in sales in December. Scooters sales slowed down despite the company claiming to have received good response for its first 125cc scooter NTorq. In all the Chennai-based company sold 2.09 lakh units to its dealers in the domestic market during December as against 2.07 lakh sold in the same month last year. Pune-based Bajaj Auto beat the industry yet again by a huge margin clocking a growth of 39 percent in domestic two-wheeler sales. The company clocked 1.57 lakh during December as compared to 1.12 lakh units sold in same month last year. The company has consistently managed to beat growth of the industry since the start of the year when it cut prices of the CT 100, its most affordable motorcycle and on the entry variant of the Pulsar model. The company, however, stated a few months ago that it had restored the prices of the CT 100 model to its earlier level. Leisure bike maker Royal Enfield clocked the worst performance of the lot, reporting a fall of 14 percent in December. The Eicher Motors-controlled brand sold 56,026 units in December 2018 as against 65,367 units sold in December 2017. Sales of Royal Enfield bike has increasingly come under the pressure since the start of the year. The brand has underperformed compared to the industry. Following a surge in demand for Jawa models demand of Royal Enfield bikes is understood to have softened. Both Jawa and Royal Enfield compete in the same segment and are in a similar price band. Narendra Modi In a 95-minute interview to news agency ANI on New Year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about a wide range of topics: from the morale of the BJP cadre after the partys defeat in the assembly polls to the resignation of former RBI governor Urjit Patel, from demonetisation to Pakistan, from the Modi wave to a Congress-mukt Bharat, from the Ram Mandir to triple talaq and Sabarimala, among others. A highlight of the interview was how Modi discredited the mahagathbandhan (or grand alliance of political parties uniting to oppose the BJP in the upcoming general elections) as an opportunistic grouping of parties that loot the nation, speak in different voices and work against the people. The major weakness for the mahagathbandhan is the track record of such alliances. The uncertainty it brings to a government is its biggest setback. Underlining this uncertainty, on December 31, BSP chief Mayawati warned to withdraw support to the Congress governments in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh if the cases against Dalits filed during the April protests were not withdrawn. Given this, and the setback it had in Telangana, the Congress and its President Rahul Gandhi should reconsider its options in a grand alliance. Parliament The stage is set for a stormy day in Parliament with the Lok Sabha likely to debate the Rafale deal and Rajya Sabha set to take up the triple talaq bill. The Congress on December 31, 2018, accepted Finance Minister Arun Jaitleys challenge to debate the Rafale deal in the lower house of Parliament. The government had insisted on a debate in Parliament responding to Congress demands for an investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the defence deal. The Congress had been raising this demand since the Winter Session began on December 11, 2018. Congress Member of Parliament KC Venugopal and Communist Party of India (CPI) MP Shankar Prasad Dutta submitted their discussion on the subject under Rule 193, which does not entail voting. The debate on Rafale deal has been listed in the Lok Sabhas revised list of business for January 2. On January 1, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad moved a motion in the House for referring the triple talaq bill to a select committee. Several opposition parties on December 31, 2018, demanded referral of the bill to a select committee when it was taken up for discussion by the upper house of Parliament. The motion is likely to be taken up on January 2 when the House takes up the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, according to the list of business. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in December 2018. In the motion, Azad also proposed names of 11 Opposition members to be part of the Select Committee of the House. Congress leader and former union minister Anand Sharma, Samajwadi Party (SP)s Ram Gopal Yadav, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)s Sanjay Singh, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)s Manoj Kumar Jha were among those whose names that were proposed by the Leader of Opposition. The Opposition members have also given notices for amendments to the bill. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said he had recommended four amendments in the clauses of the bill. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance, which wants the bill to be passed in the Rajya Sabha, does not command a majority in the upper house. Moreover, BJP ally Nitish Kumars Janata Dal (United) on December 31 decided to vote against the bill, according to reports. BJP and its partners need 123 seats to get the bill passed as the current strength of the House is 244. According to reports, the number of members opposing the bill is around 144. Around 80 members were in favour of the bill and the stand of around 20 MPs was either not declared or unclear. January 09, 2019 / 10:31 PM IST Earlier in the day, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot had introduced The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenth- Four Amendment) Bill 2019 amid slogan shouting by opposition Congress over the citizenship amendment bill. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday and was brought to the Upper House after the sitting of the House was extended by a day. 9 | Chennai | Average annual growth: 8.17% (Image: Reuters) The Madras High Court has dismissed a batch of 40 petitions challenging the land acquisition for the Mass Rapid Transit System project, clearing an eight-year-old roadblock in completion of the final 500 metres of the Velachery-St Thomas Mount extension. However, the court said the petitioners were free to pursue the remedy available to them under the Right to Fair Compensation Act if they were not happy with the compensation awarded for their land. The project, which covers a distance of 5 km, will provide a link to suburban and metro rail services to commuters in the city. About 98 percent of the work covering a distance of 4.5 km has been completed, and what remains is about 0.5 km. The acquisition of private lands for the incomplete portion was challenged in the petitions. Dismissing the petitions, Justice N Seshasayee said, "This controversy is not unfamiliar to this court, neither are the petitioners new visitors in its corridors." "And, it must be recorded that the anxiety of the petitioners to save their land from acquisition has met its match in the attitude of the government authorities, which ranged anywhere from being lackadaisical to being indifferent, if the sporadic acts of seriousness in taking the project forward is ignored," he said. The judge also said as a result, "a dispute that ought to have concluded at least three years ago has become a nursery for litigations. The issue started when the Tamil Nadu government issued a G.O (government order) in connection with the project in 2010. Since then, a number of pleas have been moved challenging the acquisition process." Time and again, the high court has dismissed pleas with directions to the authorities to follow procedures under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, he said. However, as the authorities failed to follow the due process of law, it resulted in a series of litigations, including the present batch of pleas, Justice Seshasayee said. Pointing this out, the judge said there is in display an utter lack of professionalism in ignoring a critical factor that directly affects the discharge of statutory responsibility, namely the commencement of the Right to Fair Compensation Act. What puzzles this court is, why, despite this its direction to issue notices under the Right to Fair Compensation Act, 2014, notices were again wrongly issued under the old Act, he said. It should not be forgotten that this court was informed during the arguments, that there would be an annual cost escalation of about 5 to 6 per cent for every year's delay, the judge said. "Who pays this differential cost occurring due to such escalation? Aren't we, the people of this country who pay? And, are we not called upon to pay for the lapses of the unprofessional authorities," he said. Finally, he noted that the petitioners had gambled on the statute, but this time, their optimism, perhaps founded on their earlier successes, appears to have deserted them as their attitude reflects an over-ambitious pursuit. "Plainly, they appear to be keen to hold the entire project to ransom, and create causes out of their ingenuity to defeat the public purpose behind the project," Justice Seshasayee said. "Now, if they feel aggrieved by the inadequacy of the compensation now awarded, they are free to pursue the remedy available to them under the Act," the judge added. Representative Image India is setting up a satellite tracking and data reception centre in the neighbouring Himalayan state of Bhutan, The Economic Times has reported. The under-construction ground station of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is intended to help the Himalayan state take advantage of the South Asia Satellite, but it would also help the country to counter a similar facility of China in the region, the report has suggested. China has set up an advanced satellite tracking centre and astronomical observatory about 125 kilometres from the Line of Actual Control, the official border between India and China at Ngari in the Tibet Autonomous Region. According to the report, the centre is so advanced that apart from tracking Indian satellites, it can also "blind" them. The development of the ground station is believed to have significant ramifications, especially after the Doklam stand-off. In 2017, China had attempted to construct a road at a tri-junction between India, China, and Bhutan, which had led to a 72-day face-off between the Indian Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army at Doklam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had mentioned the ground station in his media statement on December 28, 2018. PM Modi, after meeting the new Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, said that the station would be completed soon. This, he added, will assist in giving messages related to weather in far-flung areas of Bhutan, facilitate tele-medicines and help in disaster relief. New Delhi: BJP National President Amit Shah addresses a press conference, in New Delhi, Friday, Dec. 07, 2018. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma) (PTI12_7_2018_000035B) Taking a swipe at the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, BJP chief Amit Shah said 'Vande Mataram' was not sung at the state secretariat just to please a "particular community" and asked whether it was done on instructions from party president Rahul Gandhi. In a Facebook post, Shah alleged that Congress is making Madhya Pradesh, the "heart of Hindustan", a centre of its "appeasement" policy. 'Vande Mataram' was not sung at the state secretariat on January 1, the first working day of the month, a tradition followed by the previous BJP government. "I want to ask Congress national president Rahul Gandhi whether the insult of Vande Mataram is his decision. Rahul Gandhi should clear his stand before the people of country on the unfortunate decision by the Congress government," Shah said. The BJP chief said 'Vande Mataram' does not belong to any particular community and instead it is a symbol of the sacrifice of lakhs of warriors who laid down their lives for the freedom of India. "And its insult just to please a particular community is very sad, shameful and disrespect of the country's freedom," Shah said. Earlier in the day, former chief minister Shivraj Chouhan also attacked the Kamal Nath government and said he and all other BJP MLAs will sing 'Vande Mataram' on the first day of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly session, if the Congress government does not restore the practice at the secretariat. Nath, however, said the practice of singing 'Vande Mataram' on the first working day of every month was being discontinued for the time being and that his government has decided to implement it in "naya swaroop" (new form). "We have not taken this decision under any agenda nor are we opposed to singing 'Vande Mataram'. It is deeply rooted in our hearts and we have sung it from time-to-time. We will start it again but in a different form," Nath said in a statement. He also criticised those who were trying to politicise the issue. "I condemn those who do politics in the name of either temple or Vande Mataram. We are bringing it (Vande Mataram) in a new form and I will make an announcement on it within a day or two," the chief minister said. (Image: Reuters) The government on January 2 said it was in touch with Washington for extradition of the US-based individuals wanted in India in connection with the Mumbai terror attack. Pakistani-American David Headley was allegedly involved in plotting the dastardly attack on November 26, 2008, in which over 166 people including 28 foreigners from 10 nations were killed. Headley, who has been made an approver in the case, is currently serving a 35-year prison term in the US for his role in the attack. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said the government was engaged with the relevant US authorities to bring back the individuals under the provisions of Indo-US extradition treaty of 1997. "Most recently, a team from the National Investigation Agency visited the US on December 13-15, 2018 for discussion with the US authorities," said Singh. Singh said the US has expressed its commitment towards working with its international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the Mumbai attack. "During the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue on September 6, 2018, both sides called on Pakistan to bring to justice expeditiously the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot, Uri and other cross border terrorist attacks," said Singh. Zomato Online food delivery platform Zomato is in talks to raise between $500 million and $1 billion in a new financing round to gear up against its rivals, according to a report by The Economic Times. Last month, rival Swiggy raised $1 billion funds, valuing the startup at $3.3 billion. Zomato is reportedly in discussions with Chinese private equity major Primavera Capital, existing backer Ant Financial and other investors for the new round of funding. "Primavera may invest about $200 million in the upcoming round and the remaining could come from Ant Financial. The company is also talking to other investors to syndicate this round," a source told the paper. Reporter's Take | Will a Zomato drone deliver your pizza soon? Valuation for the new round of financing could not be determined, according to the report. However, in the previous round of funding in October, Zomato was valued at $2 billion. "There is a new round and we are talking to potential investors (including Ant Financial) for our new fundraise. This will be at a premium to the last round as the company has more than doubled in size since the last round was finalised," a Zomato representative told the paper. After receiving around $410 million last year from Ant Financial, Zomato has been keen to get an outside backer, another source told the paper. According to the report, Zomato has also been in talks with Ant Financial's parent Alibaba and Ctrip, a travel giant from China, for a long period to raise funds. Read: Swiggy's latest funding blitzkrieg bound to shake up its rivals "The easy option for Zomato is to raise the new funds from Ant Financial, considering they are now the most influential, deep-pocketed investor on the capitalisation (or cap) table. But they have been engaging with a set of new investors and looking to close the deal over the next few months," a source told the paper. Zomato's move comes days after its rival Swiggy raised $1 billion. Swiggy's funding round has given its already envied valuation a massive boost but has created a huge barrier for other players in the market. "Zomato had not anticipated Swiggy to raise $1 billion, it was more on the lines of $600 million in primary money that they thought would come into the firm. This has made them recalibrate their new financing so that they can continue to fight Swiggy," the source told the paper. Read: Zomato to expand food delivery business to 100 cities Industry sources peg the monthly burn rate of the company close to $20-23 million. Both companies are losing $30-40 million each per month because they offer heavy discounts to customers, according to the report. Both Zomato and Swiggy face competition from ride-hailing companies Ola and Uber that are now pushing into the market with their own food delivery platforms. No. 10 | Shapoor Pallonji Mistry | Chairman and MD, Shapoorji Pallonji Group | Net worth: Rs 69,400 crore (Image: Reuters) Diversified firm Shapoorji Pallonji's real estate arm has sold over 700 flats worth around Rs 350 crore in its ongoing residential project in Pune, reflecting better demand for homes offered by big corporate houses and credible players. The 8-acre project 'JoyvilleHinjawadi', launched in May 2018 and is scheduled to be completed by June 2022, is being developed by Joyville Shapoorji Housing -- a USD 200 million platform of Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate (SPRE) along with ADB, IFC and Actis to develop aspirational mid-income housing. The company has launched three projects under this platform in West Bengal, Mumbai and Pune. SPRE said that the company had launched 1,017 flats, of which 720 flats have been sold so far. The units are priced at Rs 40.18-60.22 lakh (including government taxes). The company did not disclose the sale value of these units. However, according to market estimates, the sales value of these 720 units will be around Rs 350 crore. Sriram Mahadevan, MD, Joyville Shapoorji Housing said, the company has got an exciting response to its first project in Hinjawadi, an IT hub. "The mid-income segment is the sweet spot of India's real estate market today with a lot of demand being witnessed in this space," he added. SPRE has constructed several prestigious residential and commercial landmarks in India. The company has nearly 90 million sq ft of development in the pipeline. Out of this, it is launching 35 million sq ft this fiscal and an equal number in the next year and the rest in the third year. The projects would be developed across its product portfolio and in cities like Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Howrah (near Kolkata), Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mohali. Sachin Bansal Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal has deposited Rs 699 crore as advance tax, including his capital gains tax from the Flipkart-Walmart deal, for Q1 FY19, according to a report by The Times of India. His partner Binny Bansal, however, is yet to disclose capital gains made on his stake sale in the e-commerce platform, sources in the Income Tax Department told the paper. Both Bansals held more than five percent stake each in Flipkart. Earlier, the I-T Department had issued notices to Flipkart founders Binny and Sachin Bansal to disclose their total income from the Walmart-Flipkart deal. The department had sent notices to Flipkart's promoters as well as 35 other stakeholders. In May, global retail giant Walmart acquired a 77 percent stake in Bengaluru-based online retailer for $16 billion as it forayed into India's exploding e-commerce market. Read Flipkart-Walmart deal: 10 things you should know In September 2018, US retail giant Walmart paid Rs 7,439 crore tax on payments it made to buy out shares of 10 major shareholders of Flipkart. The retail giant was later asked to furnish details of how much each of 46 shareholders of Flipkart gained from the deal. Flipkart shareholders, including SoftBank, Naspers, venture fund Accel Partners and eBay, had sold their holdings to Walmart. Media reports suggest that Walmart may pay $2 billion (around Rs 13,750 crore) as withholding tax to authorities for the Flipkart deal. Withholding tax, or retention tax, is an income tax to be paid to the government by the payer of the income rather than recipient of the income. The tax is withheld or deducted from the income due to the recipient. Read Walmart-Flipkart deal: Bansals may have to pay 30% capital gains tax on sale proceeds In the case of the Walmart-Flipkart deal, the withholding tax pertains to the capital gains made by shareholders of Flipkart. As per the domestic tax law, long term capital gains is levied at 20 percent on shares sold by foreign investors after 24 months of purchase. However, short term capital gains tax of up to 40 percent may be applicable on SoftBank and about 20 percent on eBay considering the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Singapore, according to media reports. The tax department is yet to calculate the actual tax applicable as it is still investigating some alleged suspicious transactions, particularly by eBay, and investment flow in Flipkart, the report added. eBay is said to have invested in Flipkart Singapore through a network of companies registered in various jurisdictions. It is not just retail investors who put their hard earned money in mutual funds, HNIs or high net worth individuals also prefer investment funds including mutual funds and ETFs over direct equities, AIFs, property and primary business. The recent IIFL Wealth-Wealth X report reveals HNIs reckon the best place to book returns right now is investment funds, followed by equities and fixed income. Investment funds make up one-third of the total assets held by the super wealthy and 84 percent of HNIs hold at least some of their fortune in these funds. Interestingly, one in five HNIs holds over half their wealth in investment funds. Direct equity, cash and fixed income followed investment funds and primary businesses. In terms of wealth allocation, the report shows 16 percent of wealth is held in equities and 13 percent in fixed income. Cash deposits account for 6 percent. In addition, 48 percent of HNIs want to increase their exposure to mutual funds over the next year, according to the report. Moneycontrol spoke exclusively with London-based David Barks, Director, Wealth-X Custom Research who was in India to launch IIFL Wealth Index 2018 report. He shared key insights from the report with Moneycontrol. Q: The report says affluent Indians and their wealth is expected to rise by 87 percent over the next 5 years. Are you seeing this kind of growth in any other region of the world? A: The growth of the Indian affluent has been unique. While there are other regions of the world that are witnessing high growth in affluence, in India, we are seeing a high absolute as well as percentage growth. Also, this growth is coming from a relatively larger base. Our research shows that in the coming five years, both the number and the wealth of Indias wealthy will rise by over 85 percent. India's HNI growth of 40 percent over the past five years has eclipsed that of its rivals in economies elsewhere in the world, placing India in a league of its own. By comparison, the global HNI population and its wealth grew by 3.2 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively, over the same period. India is ranked fourth in the world for the number of newly wealthy individuals joining the ranks of the rich, coming in behind economic behemoths like the US, Japan, and China but ahead of European powerhouse Germany. Q: Key factors that you believe have perpetuated this growth? A: A host of factors, namely openness of the economy, increased ease of doing business, trade has driven reinvestment and unleashing of various economic reforms have conflated to perpetuate this strong growth of wealth in the country. Indias economy is expected to grow at a fast clip as various government initiative with respect to the passing of the GST Bill, the Bankruptcy Code and demonetisation come to bear fruit and add to the growth in the economy. In its biannual publication, India Development Update, the World Bank said Indias GDP growth is projected to reach 6.7 percent in 2017-18 and accelerate to 7.3 percent and 7.5 percent in 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively. This is in comparison with the Chinese economy growing at a projected rate of 6.3 percent in 2019. This strong economic growth is likely to underpin the wealth creation of Indias HNW elite. Q: What role will technology play in this growth? A: Technology is the future and a huge amount of wealth is being generated very quickly due to technology. However, most of the wealth currently is being generated by traditional industries like manufacturing and materials while relatively lesser wealth is being generated by technology. The next wave of wealth generation may perhaps be fuelled by technology. Q: Would you like to briefly discuss the key findings of the report? A: Our survey shows that the Indian wealthy is conscious of risks but also very smart about their investments. They are not afraid of risk but prefer to manage it by adopting a diversified and sophisticated strategy for their financial investments. High net worth individuals seek to achieve growth by spreading their investments across asset classes, the largest of which are investment funds, direct equity holdings, and fixed income. But the very top tier of wealth-holders, the ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWIs), are more heavily invested in their own businesses, usually within India. Another interesting theme that became evident was that money is not the sole motivator for this demographic. They are also getting increasingly inclined towards social impact investing which they view as being on par with philanthropy. There is a deep focus on social impact and how wealth can be used for driving social causes in the country. International property and luxury goods continue to form a part of their investment portfolio. Q: Any surprising trends that were revealed by this research? A: No surprising trends really. The Indian wealthy is on a growth trajectory and continues to focus on building businesses, wealth creation and contributing to the future. They are confident about their wealth and wealth building journey. However, the survey also indicated a clear departure from cliches about the Indian wealthy. The outsider view is one of excesses and bling. This is far from ground reality. Q: Impact on the wealth management industry? A: Trust forms the bedrock of the relationship between an individual and his wealth manager. Indias wealthiest people on average employ two wealth managers and their primary criteria for choosing them are a compelling investment track record and an impressive company reputation. Additionally, transparency in dealings and charges influence an individuals choice of a wealth manager. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More It is the second session of the new year and the benchmark indices are in a downtrend. The S&P BSE Sensex has slipped below its crucial support placed at 36,000 in intraday trade and ended below it. The Nifty50 is not far behind. It has broken below Tuesdays intraday low of 10,807 to hit a fresh low of 10,781 before regaining some strength on Wednesday. The index managed to close with losses of over a percent and below 10,800. The S&P BSE Sensex saw a steep drop of over 500 points in intraday trade while Nifty50 saw a cut of 1 percent to trade below 10,800. Technically, a close below 10,800 could put further pressure on the index, suggest experts. On the downside, index has support at 10,800-10,777 zones. Till it holds above 10,777 zones, overall bias could remain positive to range bound while a decisive move above 10,985 could start the fresh up move towards 11,176 levels, Chandan Taparia, Associate Vice President, Analyst-Derivatives, Motilal Oswal Financial Services told Moneycontrol. Here is a list of top five factors which could be weighing on D-Street: Weak Asian Cues: Overnight, US markets were closed while most of the Asian markets resumed trading on Wednesday after the New Year holiday. The cues were not supportive from the beginning of the session as most of the Asian markets were trading with a negative bias. The Shanghai blue-chip index quickly shed 1.2 percent and South Korea fell 1.5 percent. Japan's Nikkei was closed for a holiday. China Slowdown weigh on metal stocks: The S&P BSE Metal index slipped more than 2 percent in the second half of the trading session weighed down by losses in Vedanta, JSW Steel, Tata Steel, Hindalco on concerns of a slowdown in China. Chinas factory activity contracted for the first time in 19 months in December as domestic and export orders continued to weaken, a private survey showed, pointing to a rocky start for the worlds second-largest economy in 2019, Reuters reported. The Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for December, released on Wednesday, fell to 49.7 from 50.2 in November, marking the first contraction since May 2017. "Aluminium demand growth in 2019 is pegged at 2.5-3.5% YoY. However, weak Chinese demand in H2CY18 and further uncertainties expected in CY19 remain a cause of concern," Edelweiss Securities said in a report. "Driven by an expected deficit of ~2mt (~3% of overall demand), we see limited downside for LME Al prices. If costs dip post Alunorte resuming full production and/or thermal coal prices receding, LME Al prices could come under pressure," it said. CLSA has downgraded the metal sector which is also acting as an overhang for the sector. Deteriorating Chinese demand outlook is likely to weigh on commodity prices, it said. The global investment bank slashed FY20-21 EPS estimates by 9-38 percent factoring in lower commodity prices and a stronger rupee. Tata Steel : Downgraded to Sell from Buy; cut price target to Rs 460 from Rs 855. JSW Steel : Downgraded to Sell from Underperform; cut the price target to Rs 260 from Rs 375. Hindalco: Downgraded to Sell from Underperform; cut price target to Rs 210 from Rs 255. Vedanta : Maintained Buy; cut the price target to Rs 250 from Rs 300. Coal India: Maintained Buy; cut the price target to Rs 310 from Rs 360. Auto stocks under pressure: The S&P BSE Auto index slipped over 2 percent weighed down by losses in Eicher Motors, M&M, TVS Motor, Tata Motors, Hero MotoCorp, as well as Ashok Leyland. For Eicher Motors, December 2018 dispatches decline steeply by 13 percent on a YoY basis to 58,278 units. The numbers are below our estimates of 65,000 units and also sharply below market expectations. Ashok Leyland December 2018 sales at 15,493 units have declined 20 percent YoY and are broadly in-line with our estimates of 15,950 units. Hero MotoCorp December 2018 sales stood at 453,985 units, down 4 percent YoY and marginally below our estimates of 465,000 units. Increased competitive pressures and high channel inventory due to a weak festive season sales lead to the decline. Indian manufacturing growth slows: Indian manufacturing activity expanded at a slower pace in December as growth in new orders and output waned, despite factories cutting their prices, a private survey showed on Wednesday. The Nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, compiled by IHS Markit, declined to 53.2 in December, below Novembers 54.0 reading and a Reuter's poll median of 53.6. December saw the weakest increase in input costs for nearly three years, giving factories room to cut their prices for the first time since July 2017, Reuters reported. GST collections drop for December: Revenue collection from Goods and Services Tax (GST) fell to Rs 94,726 crore in December from Rs 97,637 crore a month ago, as per data released by the Finance Ministry on January 1. Out of the total collection, Central GST (CGST) was Rs 16,442 crore, with states garnering Rs 22,459 crore State GST (SGST). At least Rs 7,888 crore was received as cess, with Rs 47,936 crore collected as Integrated GST (IGST), which is levied on the inter-state supply of goods and services and is divided between states and the Centre. The government has set a target of over Rs 12 lakh crore for the financial year 2018-19, which can be achieved if the average monthly mop up is around Rs 1 lakh crore, as compared with Rs 89,885 crore in 2017-18. Weak global cues, dip in GST collections and fall in auto stocks weighed on equities on Wednesday. Though indices ended off low points, the closing levels reflected a day of negative trade. A depreciating rupee also added to the woes of investors. The currency breached 70 per US dollar and fell around a percent. The day began on a lower note as weak handover from Asian markets dragged indices lower. Apart from that, tumble in auto stocks too added to the selling pressure. Weakness was visible among automobiles, banks, energy, metals and pharmaceuticals. The Nifty Midcap index, too, fell over a percent during the trade. At the close of market hours, the Sensex was down 363.05 points or 1.00% at 35891.52, while the Nifty down 117.60 points or 1.08% at 10792.50. The market breadth was negative as 941 shares advanced, against a decline of 1,577 shares declined, while 169 shares were unchanged. Sun Pharma and TCS were the top gainers, while Vedanta, M&M, Eicher Motors and JSW Steel lost the most. Stocks in the News Shares of NMDC gained nearly 1 percent as Board will consider buyback of shares. Shares of JSW Steel and Tata Steel slipped 4-5 percent after brokerage house CLSA has downgraded the stocks to sell. Shares of Eicher Motors slipped 9 percent after company reported weak motor cycle numbers for the month December 2018. Commercial vehicle makers Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland shares dropped around 2 percent after reporting dismal performance in December sales. Vedanta shares slipped 4 percent after the Tamil Nadu government moved Supreme Court against the order of National Green Tribunal allowing reopening of Sterlite's Tuticorin unit. NCC shares rallied 1 percent after the company received four new orders totalling to Rs 2,890.7 crore in December 2018. Global Markets Shares in Asia were mostly lower. South Korea's Kospi slipped 1.52 percent to close at 2,010.00 European shares fell as negative sentiment took over. Stoxx 600 fell more than 1 percent in morning trade, with all sectors and major bourses in the red. Basic resources stocks were the worst performers, with the sector down almost 2.6 percent on the back of weak Chinese manufacturing data. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More A volatile day for Indian markets. We started the day on a somber note but bulls managed to push the index higher in the second half of the trading sessions. The S&P BSE Sensex closed 186 points higher at 36,254 while the Nifty50 ended 47 points up at 10,910. Both indices managed to reclaim crucial resistance levels towards the close of the trade. For Sensex, it was 36000 while for Nifty, it was 10900. Most experts are of the view that as long as Nifty holds above 10800, bulls should remain in charge of D-Street. On the macro front, govt will unveil manufacturing PMI data for the month of December. The activity improved in November and touched an 11-month high. The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index strengthened to 54.0 in November from 53.1 in October. The Indian rupee strengthened against the US dollar, tracking gains in some Asian currencies. The rupee settled at 69.43, up 34 paise from its previous close of 69.77 on Tuesday. This was the highest close of the rupee since early August, said a report. On the institutional side, FPI were net sellers in Indian markets for about Rs 48 crore while DIIs were net buyers to the tune of Rs 142 crore, according to provisional data. Talking about the big interview of PM Modi to one of the media agency highlighted that the former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Urjit Patel had personally written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about wanting to resign, citing personal reasons, several months before stepping down from the office in December. When asked if there was any political pressure on the governor to resign, Modi denied that was the case. Hence, it might come as a relief to Mint Street as it signals that there may not be any tiff between the government and the Reserve Bank of India. The autonomy of RBI stays intact. Big News: Revenue collection from Goods and Services Tax (GST) fell to Rs 94,726 crore in December from Rs 97,637 crore a month ago, as per data released by the Finance Ministry on January 1. While the December collections are lesser than November and October (where it exceeded 1 lakh crore), overall average collection for 2018-19 has shown marked improvement over 2017-18. "This, coupled with decent growth in income tax collections, gives a clear indication that the tax base is expanding. Next couple of months may also see similar collections and government may want to have a more realistic estimate of GST collection for next year," said a taxation expert with PwC India. The government has set a target of over Rs 12 lakh crore for the financial year 2018-19, which can be achieved if the average monthly mop up is around Rs 1 lakh crore, as compared with Rs 89,885 crore in 2017-18. Technical News: Nifty formed a Hammer-like candle on the daily charts The positive momentum could be possible only if the Nifty holds 10,850 levels in coming sessions, experts said, adding the next target would be 10,985 followed by 11,176 levels. Three levels: 10807, 10,923, 11000 Max Call OI: 11200, 11000 Max Put OI: 10500, 10000 Stocks in news: Private sector lender Karnataka Bank on January 1 said it has revised upward MCLR by 0.15 percent to 9.10 percent for one-year tenor. The revised marginal cost of fund-based lending rate (MCLR). Tata Motors reported an 8 percent decline in domestic sales to 50,440 units in December as compared with 54,627 units in the same month last year. Remember, the stock cracked over 60% in 2018. Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc is recalling 80 lots of tablets used for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure from the American market due to the presence of impurity that may cause cancer in humans, the company said. Technical Recommendations: We spoke to SMC Global Securities and heres what they have to recommend: DCB Bank Limited: Buy| Target: Rs 179| Stop Loss: Rs 156| Return 8% ICICI Bank Limited: Buy| Target: Rs 386| Stop Loss: Rs 345| Return 7% Escorts Ltd: Buy| Target: Rs 785| Stop Loss: Rs 660| Return 10% : The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. A businessman based in Mahim was duped of Rs 1.86 crore on December 27-28 through SIM swapping, the latest con technique used to cheat mobile phone users, Mumbai Mirror reported. The victim, V Shah, received six missed calls on his phone at 2 am, one of which showed the dialling code of the United Kingdom (+44). When he tried to call these numbers back in the morning, he found his SIM was deactivated. Upon enquiring, the mobile service provider informed Shah that his SIM card was blocked upon his own request. He smelt trouble as he had made no such request. When he visited his bank branch, he learnt that Rs 1.86 crore was siphoned out of his company's account. The money was reportedly transferred to 14 accounts through 28 transactions across the country. Upon trying, the bank was able to retrieve Rs 20 lakh of the total sum, but the rest was gone. The SIM replacement request was filed with the company at 11.15 pm on December 27 and the missed calls came at 2 am on December 28. "My company's bank account is linked to my mobile phone, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the cheats will empty my account with such ease," Shah told Mirror. An FIR was filed in the BKC Cyber Crime Police Station. "We suspect the scamsters had access to Shah's unique SIM number and had initiated a SIM swap. To ensure he doesn't suspect anything, they called him late in the night when his phone was on silent mode," a police officer told the paper. The unique SIM number was obtained by the conmen through hacking, as Shah is sure he didn't share this number with anyone, neither did anyone call him asking for that information. "Even when you open a fake version of your bank website, your details are automatically compromised. Your data is accessed by scamsters every time you access unsecured web connections. We suspect Shah may have accessed one such email or app," the officer added. A similar case happened in Ghatkopar, where a firm lost Rs 50 lakh after scamsters swapped the SIM card of the firm's accountant. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed one-time restructuring of MSME loans, provided the total fund and non-fund based exposure to such a borrower does not exceed Rs 25 crore. Anil Gupta, Vice President at ICRA, spoke to CNBC-TV18 about the central bank's move. "Total credit from the banking sector for MSME sector should be close to around Rs 10 lakh crore and apart from that, there should be additional Rs 2 lakh crore from the non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) also," Gupta said on January 2. According to him, "Such a forbearance will definitely spoil the credit culture because earlier the borrowers were sticking to their repayment schedule but now with this forbearance definitely any borrower will try to get a restructuring with a longer repayment schedule. So overall it is not good for the credit culture." Source: CNBC-TV18 live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More India may hold "informal talks" with nine countries, including Saudi Arabia and China, to expand bilateral flying foreign rights during the Global Aviation Summit later this month. As per a report in The Economic Times, the meeting could take place on January 14, a day before the two-day summit would start. "There are about nine countries with which the government will hold informal talks on bilateral flying rights. Some countries like Qatar have requested to be part of those talks, as the current flying rights quota is almost getting exhausted," an official told the paper. Foreign flying rights allows airline operators from both the countries to fly certain number of seats or services between the countries, as per the terms of agreement. Media reports have suggested that while foreign airlines are pushing for expanding the bilateral agreement, domestic players are against the move as it affects their flying opportunities. The government had objected to requests by Qatar, Singapore, China and UAE due to domestic airlines complaining of their international plans being hit by the move. "These countries had sought an increase on the grounds that the existing rights on the routes were utilised by Indian carriers as well," the report said. Thus, the decision to hold informal talks could be a dampener for domestic airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet who are trying to expand their overseas destination. Under the civil aviation policy, flying rights can be increased if domestic carriers "utilise at least 80 percent of the entitlement on those routes". Presently, Indian carriers have utilised 80 percent flying rights for Singapore, close to 90 percent for Qatar and 100 percent for UAE. The GST Council, set to meet on January 10, will decide on bringing under-construction residential properties to 5 percent slab, raising the threshold limit for MSMEs and bringing small service suppliers under the composition scheme. There are heightened expectations that the Council could decide another round of rate cuts including on products like cement with the industry arguing that the product is a critical construction material and needs to be taxed at a lower 18 percent from the current 28 percent. "The GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council will meet on January 10 in New Delhi," said a government official. In the last meeting on December 22, Jaitley had said that based on the report of the fitment and law committee, Council will decide on GST rate of residential properties, which is currently taxed at 12 percent, with a provision for claiming input tax credit (ITC). Currently, homebuyers of real estate properties do not have to pay GST if they purchase a ready-to-move-in property after the issue of completion certificate as it considered as transfer of property and comes under states jurisdiction of stamp duty. This generally makes the under-construction property costlier for the buyers. Jaitley had also said in the next meeting in January, the Council will look at the report submitted by the group of ministers (GoM) headed by MoS Shiv Pratap Shukla on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). One of the proposal is on (increasing) the threshold limit of Rs 20 lakh (annual turnover). Should it be status quo or do we need to alter it, he said. Currently, businesses below annual turnover of Rs 20 lakh are exempted from paying GST. The proposal is to increase to increase this threshold for MSMEs. The Council will also bring small service suppliers under the composition schemean alternate method of taxation that allows small businesses with annual turnover up to Rs 1 crore to pay tax at a concessional rate as well as reduce the compliance cost. An eligible dealer, mainly traders, manufacturers and restaurants, can pay tax at a prescribed percentage of the business turnover every quarter, instead of paying tax at normal rate. However, they are not allowed to claim ITC. A composition scheme will be framed for small service suppliers. Threshold and composition charge will be decided by law and fitment committee, Jaitley had said. Besides, the GoM on Modalities for Revenue Mobilisation in case of Natural Calamities and Disasters headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi, will present its report to the Council next week. The GoM was set up in line with what the Kerala government had asked after the devastating floods swept through the southern state in August, leading to severe loss of life and property. The panel is expected to devise a mechanism to raise additional funds to help states, if they are affected by natural calamities. Rakesh Sharma Moneycontrol Contributor The Republic Day sale coming up on the 26th of January may be the last big sale for both Flipkart and Amazon in India. This comes in the wake of the government tightening norms for e-commerce firms. The new norms are set to come into effect from the 1st of February this year. What these new norms are; how these norms affect e-tailers and offline retailers; what these new guidelines mean for the e-commerce ecosystem, are some of the aspects we will talk about on this episode of Digging Deeper on Moneycontrol. What do the norms say? As Shreya Nandi and Priyanka Sahay reported for Moneycontrol last week, the government has tightened norms for online retailers, making it more difficult for them to use their nearly endless stream of foreign capital to fund high discounts, a move aimed at assuaging offline traders, who form a key part of the ruling BJP's core constituency. A note issued by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) on December 26 said e-commerce entities which operate a marketplace will not be allowed to exercise ownership or control over inventory. Any ownership or control over the inventory will convert the business into an inventory-based model. The rules further state that the inventory of a vendor will be deemed to be controlled by an e-commerce marketplace entity if more than 25 percent of the vendors purchases are made through the marketplace or its group entities. Any outright equity investment in the vendor will also bar the entity from selling on the marketplace. Leading online players own or have invested in companies that procure goods in bulk from companies and sell them to their preferred vendors, which would list the same products at cheap prices. The new rules mean that online marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart and Paytm, which are all funded by FDI, cannot exercise any control over their vendors or pricing strategy. An online marketplace is any e-commerce company that only serves as a platform for buyers and sellers to meet. FDI is not allowed in any inventory-based e-commerce company in India. The previous rule for marketplaces said that they cannot generate more than 25 percent of their sales from any one seller a law that e-commerce firms skirted around by empaneling a slew of preferred vendors. The model would allow e-tailers to exercise greater control on the pricing strategy and offer deep discounts. While the governments new norms are significant, they are unlikely to be foolproof. The Express noted, "The government has said that e-commerce entities will have to maintain a level playing field, and ensure that they do not directly or indirectly influence the sale price of goods and services. The policy mandates that no seller can sell its products exclusively on any marketplace platform, and that all vendors on the e-commerce platform should be provided services in a fair and non-discriminatory manner. Services include fulfilment, logistics, warehousing, advertisement, payments, and financing among others." What that may mean, for example, on cashbacks, is that select sellers on Amazon and Flipkart cannot individually offer cashbacks. As the ET noted, "Online only exclusive deals between any brand and a marketplace has been banned. This means Flipkart-Xiaomi kind of deals, where Xiaomi smartphones were sold at heavy discounts only on Flipkart, will not be possible. Services like Amazon Fulfilled and Flipkart Assured that offer superfast delivery to consumers and are available to sellers only if they meet certain conditions, may also be deemed discriminatory." Hindustan Unilever, for example, has an exclusive Brylcreem store on Amazon where it sells products not available at retail outlets; ITC Foods partnered with Big Basket recently to bring out a new range of Sunfeast noodles. Will such partnerships be allowed to continue? That remains to be figured out. In August, the government had issued a draft policy for e-commerce companies, which garnered criticism for offline retailers. The $20 billion online commerce industry is a fraction of Indias $700 billion offline retail sector. Funded by foreign capital, e-commerce companies have been looking to corner market share with their aggressive pricing strategies even at the cost of incurring deep losses. However, offline retailers still remain unimpressed with the government's year-end move. "Instead of investigating violations by particular companies, the government has whitewashed their past sins and formed a new policy. It will be years before government investigates or penalises them. Now this compliance is conveniently postponed to September 2019," said All India Online Vendors Association (AIOVA) in a statement. E-commerce companies such as Snapdeal welcomed the move. In a tweet, Kunal Bahl, co-founder and chief executive officer said, "Marketplaces are meant for genuine, independent sellers, many of whom are MSMEs. These changes will enable a level playing field for all sellers, helping them leverage the reach of e-commerce." Blow to Flipkart and Amazon The government's move comes after local traders complained that they were being put out of business because of steep discounts that these e-commerce giants offered. 2018 has been a year of milestones in the Indian e-commerce space. In May last year, the world's largest retailer, Walmart, added the Indian e-tailer Flipkart to its shopping cart and spent $16 billion while doing so in what is the biggest e-commerce acquisition in history. 2018 was an extraordinary year, in general, for the M&A sector in India. According to data from the professional services firm EY India, the value of all M&As and private equity deals in the retail and consumer sector (apparel, footwear, online-offline retail, food chains, food aggregators, personal & home care, food and beverages etc) touched a massive $27 billion. This is an almost 700 perecent jump from last years $3.4 billion worth of transactions. The number of M&A deals too rose - from 129 in 2017 to 142 in 2018. It was not just Flipkart. Amazon and private equity firm Samara Capital lapped up the departmental store chain More from the Aditya Birla Group for Rs 4,200 crore. The Walmart-Flipkart and Amazon-More deals are all indicative of India's growing consumer appetite, translating into a $670-billion retail market, and a growing dominance of the e-tailer segment. The new norms issued by the government are set to threaten this ascent, or force these foreign fund-backed megaliths to rethink their strategy of expansion in India. The majority of customers shopping online do it not just because of the comfort of not having to step out to a store but because of the deep discounts and exclusive offerings they stand to get online. The new norms will also impact private labels being sold by e-commerce companies. Over the last few years, Flipkart, Myntra, Amazon India and others have been selling private labels/in-house brands to get more customers through exclusive offerings at lower costs and higher margins, making their path to profitability smoother, and much shorter, than it would be for retail offline outlets. This could take a hit now. Besides, the bar on e-commerce companies from selling products from entities they have a stake in, could affect Amazon as it has a stake in its two major seller entities, Cloudtail and Appario. As the Indian Express noted, "Cloudtail India Pvt Ltd is the biggest retailer operating on Amazon, while WS Retail was the biggest seller on Flipkart. Cloudtails ownership shows a clear link with Amazon. Incorporated in October 2011 as Sparrowhawk Sales and Marketing, its name was changed to Cloudtail India in August 2012. Prione Business Services holds 99.99 percent stake in Cloudtail. Prione is a joint venture between Amazon Inc. and Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthys Catamaran Advisors. Catamaran holds 51 percent stake in Prione, Amazon Asia Pacific Resources owns 48 percent, and the remaining 1 percent is owned by Amazon Eurasia Holdings." Appario is a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontizo Business Services, which is a joint venture between Amazon India and Ashok Patni, the co-founder of Patni Computer Systems. Amazon Asia Pacific Holdings owns 48 percent stake in the company. Sounak Mitra, writing for Moneycontrol, said, "Just before Flipkart and Amazon monopolised the e-commerce market, KPMG had projected that by 2020, the e-tailing ecosystem would create over 10 million jobs, aided by the creation of a seller base of about 1.3 million. Logistics and warehousing alone would have opened up more than a million opportunities. Above all, 70 percent of the online sellers were expected to come from smaller towns. But for Amazon and Flipkart, a large part of the logistics and warehousing businesses are captive operations. They also didnt lead to as many jobs because the companies benefited from economies of scale. If the new policy leads to a revival of homegrown start-ups, we could see more jobs being created. Secondly, unlike in the US, India is heavily dominated by e-commerce marketplaces, where hundreds of thousands of sellers can list their products and sell online. But only a few get the privilege of selling more, especially those who either use the services and infrastructure (such as Amazon Prime or Fulfilled-by-Amazon) or are subsidiaries. Other sellers account for only a fraction of online sales. For companies like Snapdeal, Voonik, Limeroad, ShopClues, among others, which have foreign investment but are controlled by Indian entrepreneurs, the new guidelines will be a welcome change. As the large players sidelined the small players, the Indian-controlled e-commerce companies have had to cut jobs. A revival could see the jobs being restored as they become more competitive. Most e-commerce companies rely on sellers for their catalogue. They didnt have the money to buy inventory through subsidiaries. More e-commerce companies would mean more sellers, and each seller would create new employment." Reactions The new foreign direct investment (FDI) policy could make it difficult for Amazon India and Flipkart to sell inventories worth Rs 2,000-2,500 crore each, according to a report in The Times of India. Just to give you a sense of the marketplace as of now, $19.5 billion worth of e-commerce transactions take place in India. 75 percent of the market share is held by the top two players in the country. 80-100 million online shoppers exist in the market and the number is growing organically. 36 percent growth is projected in the e-commerce space in the next five years. The valuation of the e-commerce retail logistics market in 2018 is $1.35 billion. So clearly, the impact of Modi's Make In India norms are going to be felt in the e-commerce space. The reactions from across the board, indicate the same. As Business Today reported, "Kishore Biyani, the founder of India's biggest offline retail company Future Group, has hailed the government's decision to tighten the FDI norms for e-commerce companies. Biyani said it is now clear that the online marketplaces will have no option but to stick to just linking buyers and sellers on their platforms. Biyani, whose brick-and-mortar group is facing tough competition from e-retail giants like Walmart-backed Flipkart and Amazon India, said that the move could prove to be a game changer for offline retail companies." Kunal Bahl, founder of Snapdeal, the company which got left behind in the battle between Flipkart and Amazon, clearly welcomed this decision. "Marketplaces are meant for genuine, independent sellers, many of whom are MSMEs. These changes will enable a level playing field for all sellers, helping them leverage the reach of e-commerce," he tweeted. Secretary-General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Praveen Khandelwal said e-commerce sites were selling products at unreasonably low prices. They are incurring losses in a bid to get monopoly. Such practices have to stop as there are many small and medium traders whose survival is at stake. We are glad that the government has come out with this notification and it will make a difference, Mr Khandelwal said. Chief Executive Officer of SR Innovation Exchange said, It is high time this large marketplace created a neutral platform and enabled a fair opportunity for smaller vendors. There is a need to avoid monopoly of single vendors. Flipkart, which did not immediately release a statement, has since gone on to say that the new norms will have long term implications and that, "We hope to be able to work with the government to promote fair, pro-growth policies." A spokesperson for Amazon India said, "We remain committed to a long term investment in our vision of transforming how India buys and sells and generating significant direct and indirect employment." The USISPF (US-India Strategic Partnership Forum) has dubbed the new norms "regressive" and said that the changes would harm consumers, create unpredictability and have a negative impact on the growth of online retail in India, while also asserting that "it is not the government's business to micromanage businesses." Small and medium-sized vendors appreciated the norm barring e-commerce firms from discrimination among vendors in any form but questioned the feasibility of its implementation by platforms. "Instead of investigating violations by particular companies in existing Press Note 3/2016, the government has washed their past sins and formed a new policy. It will be years before the government investigates or penalises them. Now this compliance is conveniently postponed to September 2019," a spokesperson of All India Online Vendors Association said. Many small and medium online vendors that media agencies spoke to said the government should rethink on posing restrictions on vendors from selling only 25 percent of products from an e-commerce platform, claiming that the 25 percent sales restriction will be a deterrent for small vendors who work from home and are entirely dependent on sales from a specific category website. Executive summary A related entity can no longer sell on a platform E-commerce portals cannot discriminate among vendors A single vendor cannot sell more than 25 percent to one portal Exclusive launches or sale of products (Xiami, OnePlus phone exclusive availability on certain portals) Benefits such as faster delivery, deeper discounts Cashbacks offered by sites Affiliated sellers like Cloudtail, Appario, etc Customers who may no longer get the deep discounts and exclusive offers and Flipkart/Amazon-assured programmes Big online sales - Big Billion Days, The Great Indian Sale, etc - may be a thing of the past. Brick-and-mortar physical retail stores who get to now operate on a "level playing field" Smaller sellers on e-commerce platforms The government. Retail owners form a large part of the current dispensation's vote bank. In the end, even something as personal as buying talcum powder in bulk on an online platform, is after all political, or at any rate, influenced by the political. Welcome to 2019. The Finance Ministry has proposed setting up a single gold spot exchange at a meeting with exchanges last week, all of which want to set up individual spot exchanges. The Finance Ministry suggested to exchanges they work together to create a single spot exchange in which they could all hold stake, according to a source who was present at the meeting. After NSEL went bust following a Rs 5,600-crore scam, there has not been an operational spot exchange in India. Exchanges such as MCX and BSE have sought to set up their own exchanges. As opposed to a commodity derivatives exchanges, which offer both cash- and delivery-settled contracts, and are used for both hedging and speculation, spot exchanges offer delivery-based mechanism for purchase of commodities. Spot exchanges offer settlement on a T+11 basis. The Finance Ministry thinks that a single exchange will be better placed to create a liquid market, another source present at the meeting told Moneycontrol. The Finance Ministry is keen to take on the dabba market, the illegal system through which off-the-market trades take place. A source also told Moneycontrol that exchanges may not be keen to take up on the Finance Ministrys proposal. A single exchange formula is good but it will not be easy to implement [due to competing interests]. Most exchanges have already done initial work in setting up their own spot exchanges. Exchanges on their part pitched for the abolition of the commodity transaction tax (CTT). CTT was introduced in Budget 2013 but exchanges maintain that any revenue gains through it are not commensurate to the losses incurred due to unofficial trades it encourages. The NITI Aayog in February 2018 submitted a report on Integration of Commodity Spot and Derivatives Market that dealt with benefits and challenges in setting up national spot exchanges. In the report, the NITI Aayog pitched for SEBI to take up regulation of spot exchanges, a role the securities regulator is not keen to take up. Moneycontrol reported in October that the government may accept SEBIs suggestion to appoint a sectoral regulator for a gold spot exchange. In Budget 2018, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government would formulate a comprehensive gold policy to develop gold as an asset class, including establishing a system of consumer-friendly and trade-efficient system of regulated gold exchanges in the country. The proposed gold policy is expected to come out shortly live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Moneycontrol News The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs on January 2 approved merger of Dena Bank, Vijaya Bank with Bank of Baroda (BoB) paving for BoB to be the controlling bank. The Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved amalgamation of the three banks with Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank as transferor banks. "The amalgamation will be the first-ever three - way consolidation of banks in India, with the amalgamated bank being India's second largest public sector bank," a release by the government said. The government had, in September last year, proposed merger of the three banks to make them third largest, globally competitive banks. The scheme of things will come into effect from April 1, 2019. According to the government's estimates, Net non-performing asset (NNPA) ratio of the combined entity will be at 5.71 percent, which will be significantly better than PSB average (12.13 percent). Furthermore, Capital Adequacy Ratio (CRAR) will be at 12.25 percent, which is expected to be "significantly" above the regulatory norm of 10.875 percent. Centre expects the combined business of the banks to stand at Rs 14.82 lakh crore. As per the Centre's plan, all the businesses, assets, rights, titles, claims, licences, approvals and other privileges and all properties, borrowings, liabilities and obligations of Dena and Vijaya Bank will be transferred to BoB. Dena Bank, which is presently under the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) prompt corrective action (PCA) framework is also expected to function as a regular bank after the merger. The government's plan also stated that every "regular and permanent" employee of the transferor bank will work in the same capacity in the post-merger bank as he/she was before the merger. "The board of the transferee bank shall ensure that the interests of all transferring employees and officers of the transferor bank are protected," the release said. The Cabinet also decided that the banks would work out the exchange ratio among themselves as per their own expert committee. According to a release filed with the exchanges, Bank of Baroda said Vijaya Bank shareholders will receive 402 shares of BoB for 1,000 shares held of Vijaya Bank. Dena Banks shareholders will receive 110 shares of BoB for every 1,000 shares. The individual boards of the banks had to approve the proposal after the government's suggestions. While all the banks had approved the merger last year, BoB approved the swap ratios for the merger on January 2nd. Centre had proposed the merger on the back of suggestions made by 'alternative mechanism', set up to consider consolidation in the banking sector. The Modi government had announced the consolidation of public sector banks in 2016 owing to mounting non-performing assets. The plan was to cut down the number of PSBs by half from 21 to about 10-12 banks Centre expects the merged entity to enjoy economies of scale, yield significant synergy, increased customer base, wide market reach, operational efficiency and better customer services due to properly managed subsidiaries, expansive network and low cost of operation. Wall Street analysts have given United States Natural Gas Fund a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but United States Natural Gas Fund wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. 46 minutes ago | June 14th | 2021 8:51 AM Is influencer marketing really going to die in the next few years? "Influencer Marketing Will Die in 2023!" they made headlines earlier this year. Some worried and others celebrating the end of a trend, which, although it has brought consumers closer to brands, has also made certain lifestyles see unattainable. However, no publication really explained what the possible decline of an industry with millions of followers around the world is happening. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 2) Communist rebels are open to resuming peace negotiations in 2019, but overthrowing the Duterte government is their top priority. This is according to communist leader Jose Maria Sison, Chief Political Consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), which represents rebels in talks with the government. "The NDFP is authorized to be open to peace negotiations with the current and prospective regime of the reactionary government but its principal work now is to work for the ouster of the Duterte regime," Sison said in a statement Tuesday. Sison in 1968 founded the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which aims to overthrow the government and replace it with a "national democratic" state. President Rodrigo Duterte, whose administration is the sixth to talk to the CPP in a bid to end its five-decade armed struggle, walked away from the talks in November 2017, after repeatedly accusing rebels of violating their unilateral ceasefire. For Sison, however, this only shows that the government is not really serious in pursuing peace negotiations. "What he wants is the impossible, which is the surrender of the revolutionary movement of the people," he said. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a December 28 briefing said peace talks should resume only if the rebels would renounce their armed struggle. The government also wants to declare the CPP and its armed wing, New People's Army (NPA) as a terrorist group, but this bid is still pending before the court. Sison said rebels anticipate things to get worse under the Duterte leadership. READ: CPP hits 'vast' military powers under Duterte 'regime' "The Filipino people expect that this year, 2019, the socioeconomic and political crisis of the ruling system will worsen and that the Duterte regime will not solve or soften but will even aggravate the crisis by imposing heavier taxes and causing the prices of basic goods and services to rise further," Sison said. He also reiterated that the Duterte government would use a de facto or proclaimed nationwide martial law to control the midterm elections. Meanwhile, the NPA will launch more attacks against government forces, Sison said, in response to the extension of martial law in Mindanao until December 31, 2019. Two Army soldiers and 12 militiamen were taken hostage by the NPA in Agusan del Sur as part of its ramped-up offensives. For the first time in three years, the Duterte government did not reciprocate the NPA's unilateral ceasefire for the holidays, as Lorenzana said a truce would only give rebels a chance to catch government troops off guard. DETROIT Evgeny Svechnikov is maintaining a positive frame of mind during the most trying time of his career. He has started skating lightly by himself while continuing rehab from right ACL surgery in October. He believes he can return in mid-March and says hell be better than before. Im going to be way stronger coming back, Svechnikov said Wednesday. Im going to be a better player, better person. I dont think anybody is going to stop me, not one guy, not two guys, so Im excited. He is eager to return and is confident hell be playing this season. Thats a positive thing Im looking forward to, Svechnikov said. Trainers think Im going to be back, probably middle March, depends on how my knee feels. Svechnikov was injured in the preseason finale Sept. 29 against Toronto at Little Caesars Arena. I was going to forecheck and dumped the puck and I was going for the puck and kind of swing with my stick and then started falling because the guy was pushing, and I fell down and my knee went inside, and I couldnt save myself, Svechnikov said. He was pushing me and leaning on me. It was fast, too. No chance I could save myself. He didnt know the extent of the injury until having an MRI two weeks later when the swelling subsided. The club announced he would be out 5-6 months. Svechnikov said hes gotten advice from Niklas Kronwall, among others. Its huge for sure being around the guys, he said. It helps motivation and just support from them, talk to the guys that went through it already. A few guys I talked to said take your time, no rush, its going to be a while. Its all about mental. Be strong, dont rush yourself. Svechnikov, the clubs top pick in the 2015 draft (19th overall) had a good training camp and preseason and was pushing for a roster spot before the injury. He made a strong impression during his first pro season with the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2016-17, with 20 goals and 51 points in 74 games. He took a step back last season, collecting just seven goals and 23 points in 57 games. But he improved the second half and earned a 14-game stint with the Red Wings (two goals, four points). CASS CITY, MI Emergency personnel have located the body of a Cass City man missing since New Years Day. About 8:35 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, Huron County Sheriffs deputies aboard an airboat found the body of 21-year-old Parker J. Haire in waist-deep water surrounded by phragmites at the Sebewaing River point. Typically in conditions of such, a human being is not able to survive over one hour when in cold water, said Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson. Water temperatures were estimated to be in the mid-30s, not to mention that the air temperatures yesterday and last night were between the teens and mid-20s. Authorities began searching for Haire in the early morning of Jan. 1. About 7:20 a.m., a man believed to be Haire called Tuscola County Central Dispatch to request help, saying he was cold, wet, and could see a factory. Dispatchers lost contact with the man shortly after but plotted the phones location to the point of the Sebewaing River. Deputies, Sebewaing firefighters, and EMS responded to the area, bringing an airboat, an amphibious ATV, and a thermal-imaging drone from the Thumb Drone Works. Crews initially found nothing, not even Haires 2014 Jeep. Deputies then checked the countys west side, as it was believed Haire had attended a party in the Thomas Road area the night or early morning before. The U.S. Coast Guard also responded with a helicopter to assist in the search. Shortly after noon on Tuesday, a Michigan Sugar Co. employee flagged down a Michigan State Police trooper who had also come to the area to assist the search and reported seeing a vehicle out of place and stuck in mud on the other side of the Michigan Sugar treatment ponds fence on the Bay Shore Camp property. Firefighters and police, including the sheriffs offices K-9, responded to the scene and began searching. Crews suspended their search Tuesday as darkness fell and resumed it Wednesday morning. UPDATE: Police find body of missing Cass City man in waist-deep water CASS CITY, MI Authorities are searching for a 21-year-old Cass City man who went missing on New Years Day. About 7:20 a.m. on Jan. 1, Tuscola County Central Dispatch received a cell phone call from a man requesting help. Its believed the man was Parker J. Haire. The caller said he was cold, wet, and could see a factory, reports Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson. Dispatchers lost contact with the man shortly after, but plotted the phones location to be on the point of the Sebewaing River. Deputies, Sebewaing firefighters, and EMS responded to the area, bringing an airboat, an amphibious ATV and a thermal-imaging drone from the Thumb Drone Works. A search of the point and surrounding areas turned up nothing, which included not finding his 2014 Jeep that family believed he was driving, Hanson said in a press release. Deputies began checking the countys west side, as it was believed Haire had attended a party in the Thomas Road area the night or early morning before. The U.S. Coast Guard also responded with a helicopter to assist in the search. Shortly after noon, a Michigan Sugar Co. employee flagged down a Michigan State Police trooper who had also come to the area to assist and reported seeing a vehicle out of place and stuck in mud on the other side of their treatment ponds fence on the Bay Shore Camp property. Firefighters and police, including the sheriffs offices K-9, responded to the scene and began searching. On finding nothing, authorities suspended their search for Haire as darkness fell. The search was to resume Wednesday morning, Jan. 2. Anyone with knowledge of Haires whereabouts is asked to call Huron County Central Dispatch at 989-269-6421. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI The state court of appeals has ordered a Muskegon man to trial on a 13-year-old sexual assault charge. The second-degree criminal sexual assault charge had been dismissed by Muskegon County Circuit Judge Timothy Hicks, who ruled Raymond Polzins right to a speedy trial had been violated. However, a Michigan Court of Appeals panel overturned Hicks decision that had been appealed by the Muskegon County Prosecutors Office. Polzin was arrested in April 2005 as a second-time habitual offender on the charge involving an assault on a minor, according to court documents. Polzin posted a $10,000 bond to get out of jail while awaiting trial. However, the charge was dismissed and reissued in September 2005, around the same time that Polzin moved to Nevada, according to the court of appeals decision. Polzin was arrested on the new charge in April 2017, and five months later moved to dismiss the charge because he alleged his right to a speedy trial was violated. Hicks agreed, the prosecutor appealed and the appeals court panel ruled in late November in favor of the prosecutors office. The panel determined that the clock for a speedy trial did not begin when the charge was originally filed in 2005, but rather when Polzin was arrested in 2017. The prosecutors office had alleged that Polzin fled to Nevada to avoid the charges. However, Polzin claimed he was just seeking a fresh start. Hicks found the prosecutors office was guilty of some degree of negligence for the delay in Polzins arrest. That was because Polzin had been arrested twice in Nevada and even jailed for six months. Furthermore, the alleged victim in the Muskegon County case is a relative of Polzins, making it not unreasonable to conclude that the prosecutor had some means available to discover Polzins location, Hicks wrote in his order to dismiss the case. KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI A stabbing victim is expected to survive after seeking help at a Gull Road restaurant. The suspect was caught after being flushed out of nearby woods by a sheriffs tracking dog. The incident was reported at 10:24 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1. The victim showed up at a restaurant in the 5700 block of Gull Road in Comstock Township after being stabbed. The stabbing occurred in the 5800 block Gull Road. As the victim was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, police set up a perimeter while the sheriffs tracking dog, Roseco, followed the suspects trail into nearby woods. The dog chased the suspect toward the police perimeter. Kalamazoo police, state police and Comstock firefighters assisted sheriffs deputies. The suspect is held on felony charges, police said. PORTAGE, MI Lake Effect medical marijuana dispensary is shut down after the state of Michigan forced it any shops operating without a state license to close. The business, which has operated for more than three years in Portage, closed after its final day of operation on Dec. 31, owner Jevin Weyenberg said. I would just like to thank all of our diligent hard working staff for providing dignified access to medicine and making our patients the number one priority in everything we did, Weyenberg said. We look forward to getting our license and reopening better then ever soon. On Dec. 28, Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Stephen L. Borrello dismissed a pending court case concerning temporary operation of unlicensed medical marijuana facilities, stating the temporary restraining order that prohibited the State of Michigan and Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) from imposing any new deadline for temporary operation had expired, according to LARA. LARA said any unlicensed operation after Dec. 31, 2018, may be considered an impediment to licensure. Lake Effect, the only medical marijuana dispensary in Portage, had applied for a state license, but its application for prequalification was denied. The business requested an appeal that is still pending, Portage Attorney Devin Loker of Loker Law said. The state is still working out how it will handle licensing medical marijuana businesses, and details for the state could impact how the business moves forward, he said. A new attorney general and governor could also lead to changes in the way medical marijuana businesses are handled by the state, he said. Loker said he feels for the business' employees who are out of work. We had a good thing going but for our governments inaction, he said. Lake Effect is gonna pursue any avenue it can to provide for their patients, he said. In recent years, Lake Effect has served as the only medical marijuana dispensary in Kalamazoo County. A new dispensary, Compassionate Care By Design, opened in December in Kalamazoo. KALAMAZOO, MI A Kalamazoo County judge on Wednesday amended a decorum order for the murder trial of Jason Dalton to allow a reporter to sit in on a portion of jury selection, but ruled the courtroom will be closed the first day. Jason Brian Dalton faces six counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and several felony firearms charges for a shooting rampage that crossed Kalamazoo County Feb. 20, 2016. Jury selection starts Thursday, Jan. 3, for the trial. In a decorum order filed Dec. 14, Kalamazoo County Circuit Court Judge Alexander C. Lipsey decided media would not be allowed to be present in the courtroom for jury selection Jan. 3 and Jan. 4. He ruled media would have access to a remote-operated pool video feed on Jan. 4 but decided media would not be allowed in the courtroom Jan. 3, citing space limitations. MLive submitted a letter to the court in November saying it believes strongly in the importance of allowing media access to the courtroom during jury selection since the media acts as a gatherer of information for the public. MLive filed a motion Dec. 19 requesting in-person access to jury selection proceedings Jan. 3 and Jan. 4. In a motion hearing Wednesday, Jan. 2, MLives attorney, Mark Magyar, argued that courts have recognized space constraints can be a legitimate reason to place some limitations on access, but argued that it is not a basis for total closure. Even when theres a legitimate space restriction constraint, a remedy to deal with that legitimate objective always has to be the most narrowly tailored and least restrictive," Magyar said. Lipsey denied MLives motion to have access to the courtroom during the Jan. 3 jury selection, saying a majority of discussions happening during the proceeding will be held in chambers out of the purview of other potential jurors as potential jurors state why being on the jury would be an undue hardship. Individuals who do not claim hardship will be brought back for voir dire on Friday, Lipsey said. He said he sees no apparent benefit to the public for media to be present that day, and denied the motion. Magyar argued it should be up the press, and not the court, to determine the news value of public court proceedings. After being asked to reconsider his ruling by Magyar, Lipsey did say he will allow one member of the media to be present in the courtroom on Friday and said he will make that announcement to the jury pool. We are disappointed the judge has decided to close the first day of jury selection but we are pleased he agreed to allow a reporter to observe voir dire on Friday, said Mickey Ciokajlo, regional news manager for MLive. Open courts are fundamental to our democracy and the ability of the press to report on proceedings serves the public interest. Police say Dalton shot Tiana Carruthers, 25, in the parking lot of the Meadows town home complex, 5066 Meadows Blvd,, just before 6 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2016. Dalton allegedly shot and killed father and son Rich, 53, and Tyler Smith, 17, in the parking lot of Seelye Ford on Stadium Drive just after 10 p.m. that same evening. Police say he then shot four women and a 14-year-old girl in the parking lot of Cracker Barrel, 5581 S. 9th St. in Texas Township. Mary Lou Nye, 62, of Baroda; Mary Jo Nye, 60, Dorothy Judy Brown, 74, and Barbara Hawthorne, 68, all of Battle Creek, were killed and the 14-year-old girl, Abigail Kopf, survived but was critically injured. Dalton allegedly drove erratically that afternoon, picking up Uber fares between the shootings. KALAMAZOO, MI Its been nearly three years since six people died and two people were gravely injured in a bizarre shooting spree that crossed Kalamazoo County. Now the family members of father and son Rich and Tyler Smith, sisters-in-law Mary Jo Nye and Mary Lou Nye and friends Barbara Hawthorne and Dorothy Judy Brown are preparing to face the alleged shooter, an Uber driver from Cooper Township, at his murder trial. The family members of the victims say its an emotional day they have prepared for countless times, ripping open the wounds still fresh from Feb. 20, 2016, as Jason Daltons murder case has wound through appellate courts. Theres something inside of me that has to see this through, said Highland, Illinois, resident Laura Hawthorne, a niece of victim Barbara Hawthorne. Im terrified that something will happen and well walk out of there and wonder what the hell happened and he walks out. Im scared to death to go up there but on the other hand you couldnt keep me away. Its not going to bring her back but on the other hand its the last thing we can do for her. Dalton faces 16 counts -- six counts of murder, two counts of assault with intent to commit murder and eight felony firearm counts. Starting at 5:40 p.m. Feb. 20, Dalton allegedly shot Tiana Carruthers, 25, multiple times at The Meadows town homes in Richland Township. Hours later, just after 10 p.m., police allege he shot and killed 17-year-old Tyler Smith and Tylers father, Rich, 53, in the parking lot of Seelye Auto Group on Stadium Drive. Just minutes later, at 10:26 p.m., police say Dalton shot and killed the Nyes, Hawthorne and Brown in the parking lot of the Cracker Barrel restaurant on South Ninth Street in Texas Township. Abigail Kopf, 14, was wounded during the shooting at the Cracker Barrel. The group was returning to a vehicle they left there when meeting earlier that evening to go see a show at Miller Auditorium. Dalton was arrested at 12:40 a.m. on Feb. 21 during a traffic stop in downtown Kalamazoo by Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Sgt. James Harrison with the help of Kalamazoo Public Safety officers. Between the shootings, police say Dalton continued working as an Uber driver, taking 14 fares in six hours. In an interview with detectives, Dalton said the Uber app literally took over his mind and body on Feb. 20 when the color of the apps symbol changed from red to black. Dalton told the detectives the app symbol changed colors when he spoke the name of the Eastern Star symbol. Daltons trial has been delayed for nearly three years as his defense attorneys appealed a piece of the case, arguing detectives violated his Miranda rights in interviews the day after the shooting. Ultimately, the Michigan Court of Appeals decided the interviews will not be allowed at trial. The trial could last up to two weeks, with jury selection slated to begin Jan. 3. Hawthorne said planning a funeral for a relative while dealing with media requesting interviews and grieving doesnt come with a manual. The family initially declined all immediate media interview requests. My family is part of an exclusive but ever expanding club of people who are left behind and we want answers but were never going to get them, Hawthorne said. Hawthorne said her grief is profound. She quit her job as a teacher, something she and Auntie Barb had in common. She felt she had to eliminate the stress of that job. She was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, which she said she doesnt feel qualified to have because she wasnt involved in the shooting. I changed significantly, Hawthorne said. I was kind of a toughie and Ive become very fragile. I was never scared to be in a parking lot before, and now Im terrified of them. She said she stays connected to families of the other shooting victims through a private Facebook page. She said for a long time she wanted to know why Dalton allegedly went on the seemingly random shooting spree. I feel terrible for his wife and his children because they were also victims of whatever was going on in his head, Hawthorne said. When a shooting happens someplace else I look at those family members who are left behind I think my god I know exactly what they are feeling. Though Hawthorne was close to her Aunt Barb, she also knew well the three women who were killed with Hawthorne. She volunteered in Mary Jo Nyes classroom and knew Brown through a crochet group to which her aunt belonged. I did not know Tiana and she is an absolute treasure to me because she represents what could have been, Hawthorne said. Hawthorne described her aunt as a nice, kind-hearted person who had a wicked sense of humor; someone who could make a person feel like the most important person in the room and a woman who could play a mean game of euchre. Hawthorne said waiting on the trial gives her a feeling that something isnt finished. Its a source of anxiety for her, she said. Its not fair that his four hours of bologna has changed my life, Hawthorne said. It didnt ruin it, it didnt end it, but it has changed my life. Its something that you think about all the time and Im ready to put it to rest. Im ready to put it to bed. Jeff Reynolds, a son of Judy Brown, said he is dreading the trial and listening to evidence and testimony of what happened to his mother and others, but that he plans to be in the courtroom. Reynolds said his mother was a very gentle, non-violent person, and said for her to die in such a horrific way was extremely troubling. It has changed me as a person, Reynolds said. I felt like when it happened it really just sucked the life out of me there for a while. I havent fully recovered. Probably other family members would say the same thing. I dont think any of us will ever be the same again. Reynolds said he also takes extra precautions now, like backing his vehicle into a parking spot in order to make a quick exit, and sitting next to an emergency exit at a movie theater. Reynolds said he was close to his mom, who he called a good listener with good insight, someone who could provide perspective and clarity in times of need. A big part of my life has just been stolen, Reynolds said. The pain is something I cant even describe. The shock of getting that phone call with the bad news, its something nobody ever expects to receive. Its a story that only happens to other people. It took a while to sink in that something as horrible as that had happened to me, to our family. Reynolds said the pain at times can be overwhelming. Weve all had to pick up the pieces and catch our breath and move on a foot in front of the other, Reynolds said. When I think she should still be here if it wasnt for this one person, she would still be here, thats really hard. I cant say Ive found a way to deal with that. Nate Hawthorne, a nephew of Barbara Hawthorne, said his family thought the trial would happen by the end of 2016, then came the delays. The first couple times are hard because theres certain steps you have to take to get through this, first emotionally and legally, Nate Hawthorne said. Until you finish all those steps you dont feel like anything is completed. Not that there will ever be closure but having the trial will definitely be one of those big steps to get past so that you dont have that lurking in the back of your mind. His wife, Shelly Hawthorne, said they have spent time emotionally preparing themselves, but also making sure they have time off of work and care for their children. You know its going to be terrible, Shelly Hawthorne said. You know its going to rip open a lot of wounds, and so its kind of been that roller coaster as court dates keep getting rescheduled, she said. The Hawthornes said they think people will be surprised to see the case in the news again, and said people may not realize the case has not yet been tried. Itll be interesting to see how that affects the community because a lot of people havent been thinking about it, Nate Hawthorne said. To bring back all those memories, around the same time of year, itll be interesting to see the reaction of the community. Itll bring up stuff for us but it was such a traumatic event for all of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area that it could be hard for more than just the families. The Hawthornes said at first they only felt about how their close aunts death affected their family, but then heard from others about how they had felt affected. Its interesting to hear other peoples experiences because theyre so different than ours but I guess (we realized) how it impacted the whole community and changed a lot of their feelings on safety and security, Shelly Hawthorne said. Now the family will have to hear the gruesome details of their aunts death, a woman who was a confidante to their children and a friend to so many. Nate and Shelly Hawthorne said one of their children could have easily been in Abigails place, because Barbara Hawthorne had a custom of taking the children to a show to one of the many area theaters where she was a ticket holder. Hawthorne and her group of friends had seen a show at Western Michigan Universitys Miller Auditorium the night they were shot. Its something they do now with their children to celebrate the woman they lost. I think that in some way weve been able to fortify ourselves or strengthen ourselves and strengthen the supports around us so when we do have to deal with this again, we have the things in place we need to, Shelly Hawthorne said. If we would have had to do this right away it would have felt even more like a blur. The families dont have expectations they will hear a lot of new answers at the trial. I think its more coming to terms with the randomness of life and that this can happen to any of us at any time, Shelly Hawthorne said. I think thats something thats very difficult for people to wrap their head around. JACKSON, MI A Jackson woman arguing that her 35- to 70-year prison sentence for stabbing her boyfriend in the heart on Valentines Day is too harsh will have her case heard by the states highest court later this month. The Michigan Supreme Court announced it will hear arguments, Jan. 23, in the case against Dawn Dixon-Bey, who was convicted Dec. 9, 2015, of the Feb. 14, 2015 death of her boyfriend Gregory Stack. At issue is the 35- to 70-year prison sentence she was given by Circuit Judge John McBain which went beyond recommended sentencing guidelines. Dixon-Bey, 46, was charged with first-degree murder in the slaying, but a jury convicted her of second-degree murder, a lesser offense that does not have a requirement for premeditation. The sentencing guidelines, a point system that considers defendants' criminal histories and variables of their offenses, suggested a minimum sentence of 12 to 20 years. Using a kitchen knife, Dixon-Bey stabbed Stack in the heart on Valentines Day shortly after he returned from work to their new home on Steward Avenue, records show. She told police he was yelling and threw a dog cage at her. Prosecutors said she acted with premeditation, impaling him with the knife while he lay on a couch. In 2017, the Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed Dixon-Beys conviction but ruled that McBain did not adequately explain why her crime warranted more prison time and issued an order for resentencing. "While we do not seek to minimize the victim's death, we cannot conclude on the record before us that the trial court's 15-year upward departure sentence was more reasonable and proportionate than a sentence within the recommended guidelines range would have been," the court ruled in a 2-1 decision. Appellate Judge Mark Boonstra disagreed with the majority, concluding McBains decision reflected a reasoned process and decision. He noted Dixon-Bey's history of other past and threatened stabbings "as supporting (McBain's) conclusion that (Dixon-Bey) had with a depraved heart planned and cold bloodedly carried out the murder. She disposed of the murder weapon, which was never recovered, and her young age necessitated a lengthy sentence to adequately secure the protection of the public, he wrote. (In sentencing) the judge gets to consider the entire picture, Jackson County Chief Appellate Attorney Jerrold Schrotenboer said in the court documents. The sentencing court factually found, by a preponderance, that defendant had committed a first-degree murder. Under any standard, these facts justify the upward deviation. The case will be broadcast live on the Michigan Supreme Court website. FLINT, MI -- Attorney General Dana Nessel expects to make an announcement regarding the future of Flint water prosecutions, including the job security of special prosecutor Todd Flood, in the next several days. Kelly Rossman-McKinney, communications director for Nessel, told MLive-The Flint Journal in an email Wednesday, Jan. 2 that no decisions have been made about the prosecution team in the water cases, but we expect to make an announcement in the next several days. Nessel has been critical of the approach to Flint water criminal cases by her predecessor, Bill Schuette, but has not spoken on the subject since she was elected attorney general Nov. 6. Charges tied to the water crisis are pending against nine current and former state of Michigan and city of Flint employees. Six other cases have been resolved with plea agreements that have resulted in no jail time or fines for those charged. Flood has been the lead attorney in each of the cases and was scheduled to appear in court again Friday, Jan. 4, in the case against Michigan Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon. Lyons attorneys were scheduled to argue a motion to quash the decision by a district court judge to bind Lyon over to trial in circuit court. In late December, Genesee Circuit Judge Joseph Farah rescheduled that motion hearing, moving it to Feb. 1. Flood is a former Wayne County assistant prosecutor and maintains a private law practice. He was appointed by Schuette to handle Flint water crimes in January 2016 and has been on the job in the three years since. On Dec. 18, he told Farah that he anticipated remaining on the job after the transition from Schuette to Nessel. Nessel was an outspoken critic of the Flint water prosecutions during the campaign, calling them politically charged show trials." The Journal could not immediately reach Flood for comment Wednesday. WASHINGTON -- The United States has been granted access to 48-year-old Paul Whelan, a Michigan man accused by the Russian government of espionage. The announcement was made by a Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Wednesday who spoke to state run media. Whelan is the head of global security for Auburn Hills-based BorgWarner, an auto parts supplier where he has worked since early 2017. That company does not have offices in Russia, but a previous employer Kelly Services, does maintain offices there. U.S. consular officials were granted access to Whelan, but details about the conversation between U.S. officials and the Whelan have not been released. Meanwhile, details about Whelans past and service record have been released by the Marine Corps. The Corps confirmed Whelan served in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1994 to 2008 before being discharged in December 2018 at the rank of private. Whelan was was convicted of larceny in a special court-martial in January 2008 for what the Marine Corps described as "several charges related to larceny. Whelan was given a bad-conduct discharge upon leaving the Corps. Russians officials have not presented of the espionage charge yet, but if convicted, Whelan faces up to 20 years in prison. LANSING, MI -- State employees with information about a threat to public health would report it up a chain of command under a new Executive Directive signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday. The people of Michigan deserve to know that their government is working for them, and our government employees deserve to know that they can speak up when they see threats to Michigans health and safety, Whitmer said before signing her first executive order. Asked if the new directive had its roots in the Flint water crisis, Whitmer said that was one such situation but there had been multiple examples. The directive applies to all state agencies, though it was the Department of Environmental Quality that was present at the press conference. Under the new structure, the employee reports to their department or agency director, who determines if it is an imminent threat to public health, safety or welfare. If so, the department director informs the Governors Chief Compliance Officer, Corina Pena Andorfer and either addresses it or requests more assistance. If the department or agency director determines an imminent threat does not exist they must report the reasons for that determination to Pena Andorfer. If a director feels the threat is not being addressed adequately, they must raise those concerns to the governor directly. Whitmer said the directive would help protect the health, safety and welfare of Michigan residents. Among the DEQ officials on stage with Whitmer and new DEQ Director Liesl Eichler Clark was Bob Delaney, a veteran DEQ geologist who has worked for years on the cleanup at and around the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. Delaney co-authored a report in 2012 warning state officials that PFAS threatened Michigans waterways and drinking water supplies. That report was submitted to his supervisors and former DEQ Director Dan Wyant, with no action. By 2017, multiple communities in the state were recognizing high levels of the per- and poly-fluorinated compounds. And in mid-2018, coverage by MLive of that report prompted outrage by community groups and legislators. One other benefit from the directive could be for employee morale. Whitmers Transition Team sent teams into each state department and found several, she said, with low employee morale. And as far as decision paralysis goes -- employees being afraid to make decisions, especially after state employees were charged in the Flint water crisis -- she said the dynamic had shifted. The dynamic with the previous administration and the Attorney General was something that had a huge impact, I think... we dont have that dynamic anymore, Whitmer said. She signed the directive on Jan. 2, her first full day as governor after being inaugurated on Jan. 1. Flint Mayor Karen Weaver issued a statement praising Whitmers action, saying it empowered employees. I am a firm believer in putting people above profit and politics and considering human life in all aspects of policy. This is a great step in protecting Michigan residents. Governor Whitmer should be commended for taking this approach," Weaver said in a statement. Note: This story has been updated with additional information. For the second consecutive year, Detroits homicide rates have fallen with 261 deaths being reported in Michigans biggest city during 2018. This comes after the Detroit Police Department reported 267 criminal homicides in 2017. The Detroit News first reported the news after an interview with Detroit Police Chief James Craig, who also hosted a Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 2 news conference discussing the data. During the press conference, Craig added that violent crime and homicides were down 2 percent, but that rape was up 28 percent to 894 reports. The police chief also added that there were about 2,300 robbery incidents, which also represented a decrease. In all, Craig reported that violent crimes were down in total from 13,769 to 13,474 from 2017 to 2018. Stolen vehicles were also down 23 percent from 8,369 in 2016 to 6,301 in 2018. Check out video of the press conference below, which featured remarks from Craig, department heads and other officials: 2018 Year End Stats Chief Craig talks about 2018 crime trends, including a decrease in homicides Posted by Detroit Police Department on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 I wish they were going down more, Craig told The Detroit News in the aforementioned interview. "Im not flying the flag of success yet. We still have per capita more incidents, but were moving in the right direction. We are exceeding the expectation that I have set. However, Im also conscious that we still have work to do. Just as last years numbers did, 2018s marked the lowest number of homicides in the Motor City since 1966 when there were 214 reported. An important thing to remember is that Detroits population back in 1966 was at about 1.5 million, which is far and away from the 673,104 reported in 2017. According to an FBI report released in September 2018, Detroit is no longer ranked as the most violent city in the U.S. per capita. St. Louis took Detroits No. 1 spot on those unfortunate rankings, and Flint also represented Michigan at the No. 6 spot. In recent years Craig and the police department had disputed FBI statistics due to an outdated and inherently flawed crime reporting system. That alleged inadequate system was replaced with a new $9 million reporting system that police officials ensure is 99 percent accurate. MT. PLEASANT, MI - A dead deer found shot in the middle of a neighborhood, a set of hunting boot tracks, and a strange conversation led DNR officers to a man they say shot a deer in a residential Mt. Pleasant area, using the glow of a nearby streetlight to illuminate his target. The incident occurred early in the recent deer hunting season, when Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers Mike Haas and Dan Robinson received several complaints about a deer that had been shot inside the city limits. They found an antlerless deer lying in the middle of a residential area. Its fatal wounds showed it had been shot with archery equipment, according to a recent DNR law enforcement report. The officers followed the blood trail to a nearby duplex, where they were able to pick out a unique set of hunting boot tracks from all the footprints in the snow. Through interviews, the COs narrowed down their suspects to two different individuals and interviewed both gentlemen however, both men denied any knowledge of the deer, the report said. Later in the day, the COs returned to the scene after receiving additional information from one of the complainants who had found the dead deer. The complainant described a strange interaction with an individual that matched the description of one of the suspects. The officers re-interviewed that suspect, who then admitted hed shot the deer with his bow while standing in his front yard. He showed officers the boots that matched the prints theyd found in the snow near the blood trail. He told officers hed shot the deer about 2:30 a.m., using the glow from the nearby street light. The man did not have a hunting license. Officers also told him that by shooting the deer in the residential area, hed violated the citys projectile ordinance. Criminal charges against the man were pending with the Isabella County Prosecutors Office. WASHINGTON -- A Michigan man who is the head of global security for an auto-parts supplier in Auburn Hills has been arrested and accused of espionage by the Russian government, according to the Associated Press. Paul Whelan, 48, of Novi, disappeared while in Moscow last week for a wedding ceremony. He was arrested Friday, but his arrest was not announced for three days. While announcing the arrest, the Russian Federal Security Service said he was caught during an espionage operation, the AP reports. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is looking into the charges and hopes the U.S. will be granted consular access to Whelan in order to learn more about what happened. (The U.S.) made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is hes been accused of and if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return, Pompeo said. Whelans family released a statement on Twitter saying denying the charges and expressing concern over his treatment. We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," the statement read. Whelan, a former Marine, was in Moscow for the wedding of a fellow former Marine who was marrying a Russian woman. While in Moscow, Whelan allegedly took a small group on a tour of some museums in the city. However, he disappeared during that trip and failed to arrive for the wedding. The State Department did not receive any notification of the arrest until Monday, three days after the apparent arrest. It immediately sought access to Whelan, but that has yet to be granted. Whelan has worked for Aubrun Hills-based BorgWarner, since early 2017. He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan and at other company locations around the world, company spokeswoman Kathy Graham said in a statement. He also worked for Kelly Services, which also maintained an office in Russia, according to Whelens brother David. The charge of spying in Russia carries a sentence of 20 years in prison, according to the AP. LANSING, MI -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday requested an opinion from Attorney General Dana Nessel on whether the recent action to keep Enbridges Line 5 under the Straits of Mackinac and form the new Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority is constitutional. Resolving any legal uncertainty regarding PA 359, the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority and action taken by the authority is necessary to assure that we can take all action necessary to protect the Great Lakes, protect our drinking water and protect Michigan jobs, Whitmer said in a statement. I pledged to take action on the Line 5 pipeline on day one as governor, and I am holding true to that campaign promise. Outgoing Gov. Rick Snyder took action on the pipeline in the final days of his administration, signing into law a plan that created the Mackinac Straits Corridor Authority to take ownership of a utility tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac that will house a replacement for the current Line 5 oil and gas pipeline, which has garnered controversy due to its age and sensitive location. Enbridge Energy, the company that owns Line 5, will pay for the tunnel under the current setup. But Whitmer is questioning whether the new law violates the Michigan Constitution in several different areas, including if it violates the Title-Object clause by embracing more than one object and whether it violates a four-year term-limit for board and commission members (read her letter to Nessel here.) Nessel responded to Whitmers request in a press release, saying it would be a top priority for her office but not naming a specific timeline. "There are serious and significant concerns regarding PA 359, which the previous governor and legislature initiated and passed without the care and caution one would expect for an issue that will have a monumental impact on our state, said Nessel in the press release. Governor Whitmer has rightly and immediately raised important questions about the legality and statutory underpinnings of this Act and my office is prepared to tackle her request for an opinion immediately, Nessel said, encouraging interested parties to forward a brief or legal memo on the questions Whitmer raised. Nessel cautioned against using the act to move forward with any plans related to Line 5, saying Whitmers request raises serious legal concerns. LIVONIA, MI A 36-year-old male was killed when the car he was driving struck a median wall in Livonia. The Livonia Police Department is investigating the incident, which occurred on westbound I-96 west of Newburgh Road around 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 1. The driver, an Ann Arbor man who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, suffered fatal injuries in the collision, police said. Alcohol or drugs are not believed to be a factor in the crash, but road conditions appear to be a factor, police said. The crash is under investigation by the Livonia Police Departments traffic bureau. At least 80 Michigan communities have banned or are moving to ban recreational marijuana retail stores and related businesses. Its a swift response from local governments in the month and a half since voters chose to legalize marijuana in Michigan. The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act took effect Dec. 6. Some of those communities have chosen to impose year-long bans on businesses as they wait to see what rules and regulations will write for the new industry. Officials with the Bureau of Marijuana Regulation have until December 2019 to write the rules and start accepting license applications. Map: Communities that have banned or are considering banning recreational marijuana businesses Communities in red have chosen to ban recreational marijuana businesses, and those in yellow have ordinances pending that would ban businesses. Though there is no official list of communities that have banned businesses, the map is compiled from information from the state and from media reports. Use the plus and minus symbols on the map below to zoom in and see which municipalities near you have taken action. Move the map by using your cursor. Compare the communities that are banning recreational marijuana business to their attitudes towards medical marijuana, seen in the map below. Map: Communities that have opted in and opted out of medical marijuana Communities in green that have opted in have decided to allow medical marijuana businesses, as opposed to those in orange that have opted out and ban medical marijuana businesses. Additionally, communities can choose to opt out of medical marijuana businesses by taking no action at all. Some of Michigans cities, villages and townships have felt pressured to act quickly on the recreational marijuana issue because the new law is written differently than the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act. All those communities have plenty of time to change their mind, said Jamie Lowell, a board member of MILegalize and one of the authors of the recreational marijuana law. Over time, I suspect many of those places that have been opting out now will come online and get with the program. With medical marijuana, a city would have to take a vote to opt-in to the program by passing an enabling ordinance -- otherwise a business could not gain local or state approval for a license. With recreational marijuana, the process is slightly different. There is no need for a city or township to pass an enabling ordinance to opt-in. However, that doesnt mean that businesses can just open up shop there. The MRTMA says a city or township may choose to add local zoning and regulatory ordinances. State officials would also have to issue an all-important state license in order for a recreational marijuana business -- like a grow operation or a retail store -- to open. However, a local ordinance allowing recreational marijuana businesses does not have to be in place in order for the state to issue a business license. Well check to see if there is a local ordinance banning it, said David Harns, spokesman for the states Bureau of Marijuana Regulation. If theres nothing at the local level that would prohibit us from issuing it, then we will. Residents can collect signatures and challenge their local governments decision on recreational marijuana through a ballot petition process. Local governments who choose to allow recreational marijuana businesses -- specifically, retail stores -- would be the recipients of a cut of the tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales. Due to the passage of Proposal 1, a three precent tax on medical marijuana products will be eliminated, as a stipulation of an earlier law. -- Amy Biolchini is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact her with questions, tips or comments at abiolch1@mlive.com. Read more from MLive about recreational marijuana. There are 297,515 card-carrying medical marijuana patients in Michigan -- and nearly 93 percent of them are using medical marijuana to address their severe and chronic pain, according to an MLive analysis of state data. Michigan residents were first able to get medical marijuana for their ailments in 2009. Since then, the program has grown to one of the largest in the country -- and served as the backdrop for the full legalization of recreational marijuana in November 2018. After pain, the most common ailments that people use medical marijuana to address are severe and persistent muscle spasms (22 percent), severe nausea (10 percent) and cancer (five percent), as of 2017. Use the chart below to scroll through the less common ailments that medical marijuana patients have. Sorry, but your browser does not support frames. Sorry, but your browser does not support frames. *In 2014 the state reported the number of HIV and AIDS patients as one figure instead of two. State officials continue to add qualifying conditions for medical marijuana patients. In June, 11 more conditions were added: arthritis; autism; chronic pain; colitis; Inflammatory Bowel Disease; obsessive compulsive disorder; Parkinsons; Rheumatoid arthritis; spinal cord injury; Tourettes syndrome; and ulcerative colitis. The number of medical marijuana patients follows a predictable pattern -- counties with bigger populations have more patients. The same is true for the number of caregivers -- 43,056 in total -- who are allowed to provide up to five patients with their medical marijuana. Readers can use this searchable online database to look up the number of patients and caregivers in each county from 2009 to 2017. Sorry, but your browser does not support frames. However, when you compare the number of patients to caregivers in each county, thats where things start to get interesting. Some counties like Marquette in the U.P. have a low patient to caregiver ratio, which means there are enough caregivers to meet the need. But in some parts of the state, like in Huron , Ottawa and Keweenaw counties, there are far more patients than there are caregivers to legally meet the demand. In Washtenaw and Wayne counties -- which also have a high patient to caregiver ratio, dispensaries are likely filling the gap. Thats reflected in the map below. Remember when looking at the map, that each caregiver is only allowed to provide medicine to five patients. Map of 2017 medical marijuana patient to caregiver ratio Of course, patients can travel outside of the county they live in to find a caregiver -- and they can go to a dispensary to get their medicine. Up until fall 2018, dispensaries in Michigan were being supplied by caregivers -- a practice that regulators have said theyll allow to continue without fear of retribution until Dec. 31, 2018. Compare that map to the results of the Nov. 6 election in the map below, in which voters in Michigan passed Proposal 1 to legalize recreational marijuana with 56 percent of the vote. Map of 2018 marijuana legalization vote by county Whats interesting to note here is some counties on the edge of the state like Ottawa, Huron and Alpena voted against legalizing recreational marijuana -- and yet they have high patient to caregiver ratios. The county-by-county vote on recreational marijuana does not bear any weight on how the recreational or medical programs are implemented. For reference, here is how individual communities have chosen to participate in the commercial medical marijuana program. Map: Communities that have opted in or opted out to the medical marijuana licensing program Communities that have opted out -- or have taken no action -- prohibit commercial grow operations, processing centers and retail stores. Patients and caregivers can still grow their own plants in communities that have opted out. -- Amy Biolchini is the marijuana beat reporter for MLive. Contact her with questions, tips or comments at abiolch1@mlive.com. Read more from MLive about medical marijuana. Photo: Contributed One week from today, Canada's Prime Minister will be in Kamloops. Justin Trudeau is expected to speak at the Liberal Party event on January 9, 2018. The event is billed as an afternoon with Trudeau with tickets going for as a much a $300 per person. "This event is an exciting opportunity to hear from Justin Trudeau and to show your support as we prepare to elect even more Liberal MPs from British Columbia in 2019." The "Afternoon with the Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau" will be held at the Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre. Its too soon to count out a reunion between Bryce Harper and the Nationals, ESPN.coms Jeff Passan writes in his latest column, as Harper has met multiple times with representatives from the team. In a rather surprisingly open interview last month, Nats managing principal owner Mark Lerner said his organization wasnt willing to go beyond the ten-year, $300MM extension it offered Harper after the season, though rumors have continued to swirl that Washington is still at least monitoring Harpers market. It could still be some time before we have an answer about Harpers 2019 destination, as the outfielder (like many Scott Boras clients) is in no rush to sign a contract that doesnt meet his satisfaction. The Phillies and White Sox, Passan reports, are willing to guarantee Harper at least a ten-year deal, indicating that the two teams have at least made some progress in their pursuit of the free agent outfielder, though obviously the gigantic dollar figure Harper is demanding is still a very notable obstacle. Some more hot stove items from Passan. The current climate of our country has us searching long and hard for any shred of silver lining in anything. I heard someone say the United States is, "at its own throat." In some ways, this is a perfect way to describe the state of our country. So what do we do? How do we allow ourselves to accept the joy that we know exists but in military life can be hard to come by? We cannot succumb to the fear, anger and confusion even in scary times. There are plenty of positive and amazing things happening in our military community. We don't need to live in a bubble where we think everything is perfect all the time. But we cannot let the craziness that surrounds us in the military community and the rest of the country rob us of our joy. Looking for a little happy? 3 Ways to Find Joy in Military Life 1. Get Offline. We know you're reading this online. As soon as you're done, shut it down. Social media is a double-edged sword. There are countless benefits and resources online that we use every day. But with those positives are just as many negatives. I have gotten so much great information about a new base I'm moving to, where to find the best resorts that have awesome military discounts, etc. But I also find that social media can bring out the worst in people, including myself. A study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center looked at the correlation between social media sites and depression. It found that those who said that they check social media most often, were about 2.7 times more likely to develop depression than those who are usually offline. Sometimes, putting the phone down and enjoying what is around you is the best way to find your joy. Odds are, you won't find it on your Facebook feed. 2. Comfort zones are boring. You learn so much more about yourself when you get out of your comfort zone. Being military spouses, we are forced out of our comfort zones more often than we would like. But just moving to a new place sometimes is not enough. I have found that I learn most about myself when I am trying something new or scary. It could be as simple as learning how to cook meals you never thought you could or as complex as trying to complete your doctorate while being a parent. While the process can seem difficult at times, the feeling of accomplishment and joy you will receive from putting yourself out there is absolutely worth it. 3. You matter. We can become very wrapped up in our spouses' jobs and lives. Our spouses' choice of employment sometimes leave us feeling like we are living for someone else's career. I encourage those who feel that their own goals and career don't matter to change your mindset. Military spouses contribute so much more to our society than simply being married to someone in the military. The idea that we are only spouses is antiquated and prevents people from reaching their true potential. Know your worth. Know that you can still achieve your own goals despite the curveballs you are thrown courtesy of the military. It is not enough to say, "I'm just going to be happier." While that is a nice sentiment, it takes work to truly make the most out of this military experience. There are going to be times you will want to crawl into bed and hide from the world, but they don't have to last forever. We have so many amazing opportunities to spark joy in our lives and those around us. The military does not always have to be an elephant in the room when we want to live our lives fully. We might need to get creative sometimes, but this life can still bring joy. Just because your vacation may be delayed by COVID doesn't mean it can't be better than in prior years. Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Crofoot still remembers the calls he received as an Army recruiter in the days following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "You got a lot of people who wanted to join to help kill Osama bin Laden or whatever," he said. " ... a guy that's going to come in with his gun, prepared to go to war." Crofoot, the command sergeant major for Raleigh Recruiting Battalion in North Carolina, told Military.com that a lot of those fired-up queries came from people who didn't meet existing Army physical or aptitude standards and didn't result in signed contracts. But the surge in interest in military service, by a larger swath of the population, persisted. While actual enlistment in the armed services saw only a modest and temporary bump, the years following 9/11 saw an increase in average scores on the Armed Forces Qualification Test and the number of high school graduates recruited for the Army, according to a 2006 Congressional Budget Office study. A 2005 Heritage Foundation report found an increase in military recruits from higher-income neighborhoods following the attacks and an increase in overall education levels. Crofoot said he noticed another trend in his own recruitment work. "One thing that was remarkable to me ... some of the females that started calling in, knowing that they would be able to go and serve their nation," he said. "Some of the females I met were either in a college plan already or at school and were giving up that to go a different route because it was the right thing to do. I had not seen that in the past." Now, Crofoot and other recruiters are facing a different challenge. The teens walking into their offices have no memory of the 9/11 attacks. On Sept. 12, the first Americans born after Sept. 11, 2001, officially became eligible to enlist. These prospective recruits have never known their nation in peacetime, and have no direct recollection of the surge in patriotic feeling that took hold of the country as footage of the World Trade Center attacks was broadcast over and over. On top of that, the prospective pool of recruits is cannier and better informed than any previous generation, with unlimited information a finger swipe away at all times. Nearly every recruiter who spoke with Military.com spoke of the challenges that ubiquitous technology poses and the way prospects rely less on their recruiters and more on the internet to compare their options and check facts. These youth also are in high demand: A booming economy and near-record-low unemployment mean the military branches are struggling to make recruitment quotas and attract prospective recruits away from other opportunities in the private sector. Last year, for the first time since 2005, the Army missed its annual recruiting goal, coming up 6,500 accessions short. The shortfall has prompted organizational soul-searching, with service leaders announcing a slate of new initiatives designed to better align recruiting efforts with the needs and interests of the rising generation. Among those initiatives: outreach to metropolitan centers historically overlooked in military recruiting efforts and ramped-up use of social media and technology to connect with the recruitable population. Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Carpio, 33, commander of the Army recruiting station in Evans, Georgia, said he has learned to tailor his message based on what he observes when a prospect walks in the door. A kid wearing a Dale Earnhardt Jr. T-shirt, he said, might be easier to sell on the Army than a hipster teen wearing a beanie. The military uses the term "propensed" to describe how likely someone is to join up and how favorably they view service; one of the strongest indicators of propensity is whether a family member has served. The tendency of military service to be handed down like a legacy through generations may be why the recruiting outlook has not changed more dramatically across nearly two decades of war. A study completed in 2012 and 2013 by the Pentagon's Joint Advertising Market Research & Studies program found that the vast majority of military recruits had a family member who served. The Air Force had the highest proportion of recruits with military family members, 86 percent, while the Marine Corps had the lowest, 77 percent. Across the services, about one-third of all recruits had a parent who served. Of the teens he meets who were born after Sept. 11, 2001, Carpio said the ones with military parents are most likely to identify obligation and service to country as top reasons to sign up. "Not too many kids who were born after 9/11 [and don't have a military background] come in feeling that deep obligation," he said. Carpio, a tank crewman by training who has deployed three times to Iraq and Afghanistan, said he tries to bring the conversation to what he sees as the main point, regardless of the prospective recruit's background or motivations. "We're in the business of fighting the nation's wars," he said. "At the end of the day, war is going to be fought somewhere. I'd rather [be] fighting it in [the enemy's] part of the world than in our part of the world. We help defend the Constitution and the right of the people to do what they want." Army 1st Sgt. Richard Conner was four days into basic training when the twin towers fell. He recalls listening to news coverage of the attacks on his drill sergeant's radio, half thinking in the days that followed that he'd be dispatched to fight in Afghanistan before he had even learned how to march. In the 17 years since Conner graduated basic, military service members have become more firmly established in the American consciousness as heroes, and reports of troops killed in action or returning from deployments with life-altering war wounds have become a fixture of news coverage. For some prospective recruits, the fear of what might happen downrange and the strong likelihood of having to deploy pose their own barriers to enlistment. "What they see on TV about war and soldiers not coming home, it is always a question we get," said Conner, now the first sergeant at Army Recruiting Company Fayetteville, N.C. "They're worried about joining the military, and they know we fight war and there's an inherent risk to that." Petty Officer 3rd Class Darnell Beller, 33, a recruiter at Navy Recruiting District Los Angeles, said the recruiting experience in his area is much different than in many heavily recruited areas, such as the post he previously held in Houston, Texas. In Inglewood, the urban area he canvasses, young people are not likely to be "propensed" by prior family service, and one of the greatest challenges is qualification. Of 20 or 30 youths he talks to each week, Beller said, only three or four meet the education and physical requirements to serve. "They don't really understand the history of the military as some other people might understand it," he said. But, Beller added, they still resonate with authenticity. "I'm first-generation military, and I've always wanted to do something different in life," he said. "It was a challenge for me to go out and do that." On the island of Puerto Rico, some young people are finding the military through connections that have little to do with war. Petty Officer 1st Class Miguel Rivera Perez, 39, a Puerto Rico native who now works as a recruiter, said Hurricane Maria, which devastated the island in 2018 and left 97 percent of homes without power, also called attention to the mission of the U.S. Navy. The hospital ship Comfort spent two months near Puerto Rico treating patients, while sailors on land interacted with locals and offered aid. "I had this kid that came out and saw me out there [in my uniform] and got really interested," Rivera Perez said. "Every time [people] saw the uniform, it brought hope to the people of Puerto Rico." Crofoot, the command sergeant major who served as a recruiter in 2001 and continues to recruit today, said he marvels at the fact that young people who have never known peacetime still step forward to swear the oath of enlistment. "These young men and women are remarkable; they've been at war as a generation longer than any other generation has," he said. "[...] They know a lot more about 9/11 than people would ever believe because we have a media-centric world. They might have been young. It is part of their life, it defines the beginning of their young childhood. They get it." -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Military Wants to Use Rockets to Deliver Cargo Anywhere in the World in Less Than an Hour The Air Force announced that "Rocket Cargo" will be the fourth experiment under its Vanguard program. Elizabeth Dole is a former U.S. senator from North Carolina and former Secretary of Labor and Transportation. She served as president of the American Red Cross and is founder of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, which raises awareness and support for military caregivers. Five-and-a-half-million military and veteran caregivers are dedicating their lives to caring for a veteran at home, usually without any formal training or understanding of the challenges that lie ahead. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and veteran service providers are constantly introducing new resources, but these organizations struggle to connect caregivers with their services. To empower these hidden heroes, it is critical to document the caregiver journey. That's why my Foundation, the VA and Philips just launched an interactive Military and Veteran Caregiver Journey Map to help convey the impact of caregiving on physical, psychological, financial and social well-being. Two years in the making, the Caregiver Journey Map incorporates input from government agencies, non-profits, corporate partners, the faith community, and health care providers. But the most helpful contributions to the map have been from the families -- the spouses, mothers, dads, siblings and other loved ones tending to those who served our country. Their stories have both broken my heart and greatly inspired me. Their experiences have brought into sharp focus the scenarios military caregivers face repeatedly. Among them: Adjusting to the new role. When caring for a loved one, life changes. This process can be gradual or immediate. You might start by running a few extra errands or driving dad to his medical appointments. Then you sleep over a few nights at dad's house or reduce your job to part-time to be more available. The military has a phrase for this: "mission creep." And it happens all the time to caregivers who may remain unaware of the resources available to them. "I finally discovered that the VA has a great adult day care program," said Robert Grier, who cares for his Air Force veteran father in Pennsylvania. "That not only gave him a good social outlet, it also gave me some time to go to the gym." On the other hand, you may be thrust into a caregiving role after a notification that your loved one has been injured. Megan Smith, who cares for her husband, an Army officer who returned to service after losing a leg in an insider attack in Afghanistan, recalls a middle-of-the-night phone call that changed her world. She quickly made the decision to move her family from Florida to Maryland to support her husband's recovery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Navigating the health care system. Whether your loved one suffers from a wound, injury or illness, finding the right care can be confusing and frustrating. For military caregivers, seeking proper care often means navigating the Defense Department and the VA as well as civilian health care systems. "We had 17 medical appointments in 10 business days," said Kathy Stalnaker, a caregiver to her retired Army sergeant husband. "Our VA hospital is almost two hours away. It's hard to get any work done at home because of this schedule." For Kathy and so many other caregivers, the array of appointments and care coordination puts significant stress on work and family responsibilities. Plugging into the Network. Many service organizations eager to extend assistance to military caregivers are frustrated because so many of these hidden heroes are unaware of available services. Caregivers are often left to find services on their own through endless hours of searching online. "Our 'Pray for Kimmy' Facebook group has given me dialogue with thousands of caring friends, family, and concerned acquaintances," said Karee White, who tends to her Army veteran daughter in North Carolina. "We've received thoughtful and heartfelt direction and answers." The Military and Veteran Caregiver Journey Map is a new, digital answer to a long-unanswered question: How do we best marry the needs of military caregivers to the parties that want to help? The map seeks to connect the right resources to the right people at the right time. By mapping key points of interaction, the milestones where the appropriate people, organizations and service providers can step in, we'll achieve far better outcomes for our veterans and their caregivers. These hidden heroes deserve our help, and they should not be left to chart their course alone. -- The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. Too many in China think the United States will cut and run if war breaks out in the Far East, a U.S. defense expert warned Wednesday in response to threats by a Chinese war hawk. "A far larger number of Chinese believe it than I think is healthy," said Brad Glosserman, a China expert and visiting professor at Tokyo's Tama University. Glosserman was responding to comments by Chinese Rear Adm. Lou Yuan, who told an audience in Shenzhen last month that sinking a pair of U.S. aircraft carriers would settle issues of sovereignty in the South China Sea, according to the News Corp Australia network. China has strengthened its grip on the disputed territory in recent years, moving military equipment onto artificial islands and harassing aircraft and ships passing through the area. New anti-ship missiles could take out America's largest warships, Yuan -- deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences -- said in his speech Dec. 20 at the Military Industry List summit. "What the United States fears the most is taking casualties," he said, noting that 5,000 servicemembers would die on each sunken U.S. carrier. "We'll see how frightened America is," he said, according to the Australian report. The comments reflect a widespread belief that America lacks resolve to prevail on the battlefield, Glosserman said. Too many Chinese think "Americans have gone soft [they] no longer have an appetite for sacrifice and at the first sign of genuine trouble they will cut and run," he said. The issues at play in the South China Sea are a core national interest for China; the U.S. sees them as abstractly important, Glosserman said. Lack of democracy in China means the nation's tolerance for combat losses is likely higher than in the U.S., he added. Yuan, who holds only an academic military rank and hasn't commanded Chinese forces, advocated exploiting America's military, financial system, workforce, electoral system and fear of adversaries, News Corp reported. "Attack wherever the enemy is afraid of being hit," he said, "wherever the enemy is weak." Yuan said last month that China should invade Taiwan if the U.S. Navy stopped there, according to comments published by the state-run Global Times newspaper. "Achieving China's complete unity is a necessary requirement," he said. "The achievement of the past 40 years of reform and opening-up has given us the capability and confidence to safeguard our sovereignty. "Those who are trying to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and Taiwan should be careful about their future," he added. Jack Letts, or Gihaddi Jack as he was dubbed by England, was announced by Andrew Scheer in Parliament as a terrorist, but that was refuted by Letts' father as a lie. In Octiober, Scheer declared journalists as the "enemy of the people." Sound like Donald Trump? The trade deal between the U.S., Mexico and Canada was decried by Scheer as bad deal and that he would have made a better one. Yet, he has never said what his deal would be. Trump continuously does the same. Scheer chided the Justin Trudeau for inviting a known criminal to his gathering in India, but the PM was cleared, as Canadian security did not do its job. Trump continuously berates his FBI, blaming them for all his security problems. Scheer blames the PM about the Trans Mountain pipeline failure when it was B.C. and First Nations that stopped it. The Conservative party under Stephen Harper allowed close to 300,000 immigrants into Canada ever year. Canada is a signatory to international law when it comes to refugees, but Scheer would have you believe Canada is allowing in thousands of non-processed refugees, which is a total lie. It appears Andrew Scheer is becoming more like Donald Trump by not telling the truth or skewing the facts to suit his political needs. Not in my Canada, Andrew. Dale Dirks MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- "When I heard my name being called, I knew it was go time," said Airman 1st Class Amari Alexander, one of two first responders after the accident. "I thought to myself, brush off this nervousness because someone's life is in your hands." On Nov. 1, 2018, a civilian skydiver was critically injured at an airdrop zone in Zephyrhills, Florida, when his parachute didn't deploy correctly. Luckily, Airmen from MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, were watching over U.S. Special Operations Command airborne personnel during their requalifying jump training in the area. "My initial thought was: I know what to do... I just have to do it." said Senior Airman Ralecia Ogburn, recounting how she remained calm under pressure. "All of my training has prepared me for this moment." After the skydiver impacted the ground, Ogburn and Alexander, aerospace medical technicians assigned to the 6th Medical Operations Squadron, immediately rushed to the scene and provided urgent, life-saving medical aid. The patient, an England native, sustained a broken neck and back and was stabilized by the two Airmen until an ambulance could arrive to transport him for follow-on care. "Once he verbally responded, Airman Alexander and I performed our rapid trauma assessment, which is basically a head-to-toe examination to figure out possible injuries," Ogburn said. "After the assessment we decided to maintain cervical spine stabilization with a c-collar to prevent further injuries." Because of their quick response and selfless actions Senior Airman Ralecia Ogburn and Airman 1st Class Amari Alexander received the Joint Service Commendation for distinguishing themselves by meritorious achievement, award by Gen. Raymond A. Thomas III, Commander of United States Special Operations Command on MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. "One thing the military teaches is one team, one fight," Ogburn. "We treated him just the same as we would anyone else, whether he wore a uniform or not." The Marine Corps has identified a 20-year-old lance corporal as the Marine who died as the result of a gunshot wound at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., on New Year's Day. Lance Cpl. Riley Kuznia, from Karlstad, Minnesota, was pronounced dead Jan. 1 following a 5 a.m. incident involving a weapon. Kuznia was assigned to Guard Company, where he served as a team leader, according to the service. "We are truly saddened by this terrible loss. Riley was a highly driven and goal-oriented Marine whose positive attitude set the example here at the barracks," said Col. Don Tomich, commanding officer at 8th and I. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Riley's family and friends, and our priority continues to be taking care of them during this tragic time." Marine officials said Tuesday that the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department had responded to the scene and was investigating the incident. A barracks spokeswoman, Capt. Colleen McFadden, told Task & Purpose on Tuesday that the "command and the Marines were cooperating with the investigation team." She declined to say whether foul play is suspected or if the shooting may have been the result of an accidental discharge. In June, a Marine suffered non-threatening injuries as the result of an intentional self-inflicted gunshot while standing guard at the base. Marine Barracks Washington communications chief Gunnery Sgt. John Jackson confirmed Wednesday that Kuznia's fatal wound was not self-inflicted. Kuznia's mother, Markelle Kuznia, announced her son's death on her Facebook page Tuesday evening. "With broken hearts, we lost a loving son, cherished brother and dedicated Marine," she wrote. "Please use his Facebook account to share all the amazing memories you shared with this goofy kid. Semper Fidelis." Riley Kuznia graduated from Tri-County High School in Karlstad in 2017. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime. President Donald Trump struck back at retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, saying the former commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan "got fired like a dog by [former President Barack] Obama." Trump tweeted Tuesday that McChrystal, who on Sunday called the president "immoral," was a supporter of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and called his "last assignment a total bust." "Known for big, dumb mouth. Hillary lover!" Trump wrote. In addition on Twitter, Trump cited Fox News host Laura Ingraham as saying, "Media Didn't Like McChrystal Until He Started Bashing Trump." The diatribe was a response to McChrystal's remarks made Sunday on ABC-TV's "This Week," when he praised former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis for resigning, the day after Trump announced that the estimated 2,000 U.S. troops serving in Syria would be withdrawn. "I don't think he tells the truth," McChrystal said of Trump. When asked by ABC co-anchor Martha Raddatz whether Trump is "immoral in your view," McChrystal replied, "I think he is." McChrystal said that, much like Mattis, he also could not have continued to serve under Trump as commander-in-chief. "If we want to be governed by someone we wouldn't do a business deal with because their -- their background is so shady, if we're willing to do that, then that's in conflict with who I think we are. And so I think it's necessary at those times to take a stand," McChrystal said. Retired Adm. William McRaven, a former Navy SEAL and frequent Trump critic who has been credited with organizing and directing the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in 2011, defended McChrystal against Trump's tweet. In a statement to CNN, McRaven said of McChrystal, "No general I know has given more in the service of this country." McChrystal, who served as the head of the Joint Special Operations Command from 2003 to 2008, is "a deep strategic thinker, tactically brilliant, with unparalleled personal courage," McRaven said. "His leadership of special operations forces in Iraq and Afghanistan unquestionably saved the lives of thousands of American and allied troops, as well as countless civilians," McRaven said. Trump's Twitter statement that McChrystal was fired as Afghanistan commander by Obama was not quite accurate, but it's true that McChrystal in the past has stated his respect for Hillary Clinton in her role as secretary of state. In May 2014, after his retirement from the Army, McChrystal told HuffPost Live that he "deeply respected [Clinton]. I knew her slightly when she was a senator, deeply respected her as secretary of state, really enjoyed the partnership we had. So I think that was one of the relationships that I will value forever, the respect I had for her and she had for me." According to former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, McChrystal was on the verge of being fired in 2010 but submitted his resignation, which was quickly accepted by Obama. In his book "Duty: Memoirs Of A Secretary At War," Gates wrote that he tried unsuccessfully to talk McChrystal out of resigning following publication of a Rolling Stone article titled "The Runaway General" in which members of McChrystal's staff in his presence disparaged then-Vice President Joe Biden and others in the Obama administration. The article by the late Michael Hastings described a night in a Paris bar with McChrystal and his staff at which Biden was mocked, Obama's commitment to the war was questioned and National Security Adviser Jim Jones, a former Marine Corps commandant, was called "a clown." In his own book "My Share Of The Task," McChrystal wrote that an aide woke him at 2 a.m. in Afghanistan to tell him: "Sir, we have a problem. The Rolling Stone article is out, and it's really bad." Gates wrote that McChrystal immediately phoned him, and Gates' first question to McChrystal was, "What the bleep were you thinking?" At a White House meeting the next day, Gates said Obama told him, "I'm leaning toward relieving McChrystal." Instead, McChrystal offered his resignation. "Regardless of how I judged the story for fairness or accuracy, the responsibility was mine," McChrystal wrote in his book. He had already been at odds with the administration over troop deployments to Afghanistan, and he had previously come under criticism over the friendly fire death of Army Cpl. Pat Tillman, the former defensive back for the Arizona Cardinals. As Afghanistan commander, McChrystal had signed off on a Silver Star award for Tillman, with a citation that made no mention of the friendly fire, infuriating the Tillman family. At the time, Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, initially opposed McChrystal's promotion to four-star rank over the Tillman award issue. Eight months after his June 2011 resignation, McChrystal and the White House sought to heal the rift. McChrystal accepted an unpaid advisory role to the White House "Joining Forces" initiative led by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Biden's wife, to help troops and families and aid in their adjustment to civilian life. At the time, Mrs. Obama called McChrystal "a unique and powerful advocate for the millions of Americans who serve our country selflessly." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. WASHINGTON Sen. Chris Murphys online look-back at 2018 didnt have much on weighty topics like his measure to halt U.S. assistance to Saudi Arabias war in Yemen. But it did include a recitation of 210,000 calls, emails and letters answered, the Red Sox series victory, 130 town halls and listening sessions, and two tweets with my favorite boy band. Wait, what? You might have missed it during a busy December, but Murphy offered moral support to famous 90s boy band 98 Degrees after their idling tour buses were kicked out of the Stop & Shop parking lot on Main Avenue in Norwalk. The nearby boutiquey (and ironically named) Hotel Zero Degrees didnt have room to park the buses. Complaints from shoppers got them booted off the property, kind of a bringdown for a group of 40-somethings seeking to recreate their 90s magic. Murphy, who at 45 is about the same age as most of the band members, saw the story in the Norwalk Hour and tweeted: Honestly, this is unacceptable. Whenever 98 Degrees comes to Connecticut they should be treated like the kings they indisputably are. Im sorry Nick. Please come back soon. Nick is Nick Lachey, the bands front man who went on to be a reality TV star in Newlyweds with his then wife, Jessica Simpson. Lachey invited Murphy backstage for tea after their show at the Ridgefield Playhouse. But though he may be an unabashed fan of Lachey (at least his first solo album), Murphy couldnt break away from busy times in Washington to be there. On the high road Rep. Jim Himes offered up some New Years resolutions for 2019. First, obligatory restatement of obvious (if you live in 4th Congressional District): I represent you. That means whatever reservations he has about President Donald Trump theres plenty Himes promises to search for common ground on highways, railways, airports and, who knows, health care? But that doesnt mean Trump gets a free pass from Himes on his many assaults on the press, womens rights, an independent judiciary and, heck, basic human decency. Democrats who now control Congress dont get a free pass either. I have heard the calls to climb into the mud with the president and his attack dogs, Himes said. I get it. But temptation notwithstanding, I know that the way out of our national crisis lies in the insistent and universally felt (if oft-ignored) notion that we are better than this, he said. Nice balance if you can strike it, I guess. Hard lesson learned Elizabeth Estys online coda for her six years on Capitol Hill was a call for more young, sincere activists to run for office. Filmed in leafy season outside a row of Capitol Hill townhouses, Esty tells prospective office-holders America needs you. But there was something vaguely prophetic about Esty saying: Do not worry about whether you know enough. You do and what you dont know, youll learn. Esty was no slouch in the policy department, coming to Washington in early 2013 after Yale law and sojourns on the Cheshire Town Council and the Connecticut General Assembly. But she was less sharp when it came to knowing what was going on under her own office roof. Observers and admirers alike can only wonder how she missed years worth of clues that her chief of staff was abusive not just to one subordinate with whom he had an intimate relationship, but many other Esty staffers as well. Failure to blow the whistle early on her chief of staff, Tony Baker, ultimately cost Esty an otherwise promising political future. She chose not to run for the seat that on Thursday gets occupied by Jahana Hayes, Waterburys own 2016 teacher of the year. Its unknown at this point whether Esty will reappear in public life. To be sure, comebacks are made successfully by those guilty of much more grievous errors in judgment than Esty. Or will she simply remain the answer to a future CT Politics trivia quiz? dan@hearstdc.com CHESTER Christine Palm, state rep. elect for the 36th District (Chester, Deep River, Essex and Haddam) will take the oath of office Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol. Palm is one of 151 members of the House (the lower chamber of the General Assembly), each of whom represents approximately 23,000 people, according to a press release. Palm ran as a progressive Democrat and was cross endorsed by the Working Families Party. Her platform includes economic security for all workers, affordable health care, school excellence, gun safety, enhanced womens rights and environmental protections, the release said. Its very important to me to hear from the residents both those who voted for me and those who did not, Palm said in a prepared statement. Too many people feel government is out of touch with them that its an inaccessible monolith. Thats not the kind of government I want to serve in, and I intend to be as responsive as possible, she said. Not only do our residents deserve a state representative willing to hear their concerns, I need them, too, she said in the statement. Talking with folks is a great source of inspiration for me. Through casual conversations, Ive already gotten some ideas for changes we need to make so that government better represents the people. Palm will begin meeting with constituents in various locations in her district soon after taking office. She intends to hold listening sessions in coffee shops in each of the four towns during January. After that, she will hold at least one meeting per month, rotating times and locations throughout the district, including libraries, assisted living facilities and town halls. Residents of any town are welcome to meetings in other municipalities. January meetings are: Jan. 11, The Villager, downtown Chester, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Jan. 15, The Nook, 1610 Saybrook Road, Tylerville section of Haddam, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 22, Savour, Spencers Corners, Centerbrook section of Essex, 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 23, Whistle Stop Cafe, Main Street, Deep River, noon to 1 p.m. Once Palm is sworn in, her official state of Connecticut email, phone number, website and Facebook page will be made public. For now, residents of any of the towns she serves may call her at 860-836-2145. Connecticut has entered into a landmark agreement with neighboring states to help battle climate change and reduce auto emissions by creating a new system to fund regional transportation improvements. The nine states and Washington D.C. pledged to spend the next year developing a cap-and-invest system in which the worst pollution emitters will pay into a pool thats used to lower overall emissions. Do not be fooled by the climate change deniers in Washington, climate change is real and if we do not take significant action now to reduce carbon emissions the harm to our economy, communities and the planet will be irrevocable, said outgoing Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Claire Coleman, a climate and energy attorney for the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, said the regional approach established by the Transportation & Climate Initiative is a good way to lessen climate change. Transportation is the largest contributor of emissions in Connecticut, and pollutants from dirty cars hurt our residents especially those in low-income communities, Coleman said. The states Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, Virginia, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont agreed to create caps on transportation related emissions and require fuel distributors to buy pollution permits for the carbon they produce. New York and Maine are also expected to join the initiative; its not yet clear if New Hampshire will also join. The initiative runs counter to President Donald Trumps stance on climate change and auto emissions. Trump has questioned whether climate change science is accurate and proposed relaxing auto emission standards nationwide, a move being opposed by Connecticut and other states. Limits and fees The multistate agreement is expected to result in a program similar to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a nine-state cap-and-invest system for power plant emissions. Since 2005, the RGGI has lowered power plant emissions by about 40 percent by requiring companies to pay a fee if they exceed emission limits. That money is used to help fund carbon-free projects such as solar and wind power and upgrades at existing power plants. Applying the concept to auto and transportation emissions could increase costs to motorists by an average of about $6 a month, some experts believe. The states would use the revenue to help fund a variety of transportation projects, including infrastructure for electric vehicles, expanding public transit, carpooling, driverless cars and bike lanes. A cap-and-invest program could unleash billions of dollars to deliver the overdue improvements this region needs, said Jordan Stutt, carbon programs director for the Acadia Center, an environmental advocacy group based in Boston, which is active in Connecticut. A spokesman for Gov-elect Ned Lamont did not respond to a request for comment on the initiative. Lamont so far has been supportive of Malloys environmental moves and is expected to deploy similar policies. His transition group on environment issues called for Connecticut to take the lead in regional carbon-pricing programs and said in its report, Climate change is the most pressing issue of our time. Bruce Ho, a senior advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said transportation emissions are key to combatting climate change. This commitment from Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states to transform and modernize our aging transportation from cleaner cars and trucks to more efficient buses, trains, and walkable and bikeable communities will make us safer and healthier and help meet the transportation needs of all residents, Ho said. Clean energy Malloy announced last week that the state accepted new bids from the Millstone Nuclear Plant to directly sell carbon-free electricity to the states electric distributors. A bid from the Seabrook nuclear plant in New Hampshire was also accepted. Millstone has sought higher priced, clean energy contracts for some time, arguing that the low price it now receives from the commodities market threatens the long-term survival of the facility. Coleman said the Connecticut Fund for the Environment is disappointed the clean energy projects selected by the state are dominated by nuclear plants. The future is off-shore wind, solar, geothermal and smart strategies for efficiency and energy storage but the small investments in these newer resources compared to the heavy investment in nuclear largely dont reflect that, Coleman said. Rob Klee, outgoing commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, defended the decision by stressing the future of Millstone is at stake. We agreed with [electric regulators] that the Millstone nuclear facility is at risk of early retirement, Klee said. We remain committed to keeping this valuable zero-carbon resource, provided that it is affordable. DEEP has directed Eversource and United Illuminating to negotiate a price with Millstone that reflects a reasonable rate of return for its owner, Dominion Energy. bcummings@ctpost.com Photo: Langford Fire Rescue Firefighters performed a high-elevation rescue Wednesday morning in suburban Victoria. Langford Fire Rescue responded when a construction worker had a medical emergency high up on a crane at the Belmont Market construction site, CTV News reports. After initially considering a rope rescue, they called in the Colwood Fire Department to use its 150-foot ladder truck. The man was brought down safely and handed over to waiting paramedics. with files from CTV Vancouver Island A 23-year-old man wanted for stabbing his girlfriend and kidnapping their child was arrested in New York City on Wednesday morning. Edgar Manuel Maldonado faces charges of criminal attempt at murder, first-degree assault, kidnapping and risk of injury to a minor. UPPER THUMB Some of the same technology that made the first orbit of the moon possible 50 years ago recently helped Cass City students talk to an astronaut with local ties. In the Cass City School Districts history-based movie class taught by William Hartzell, students watch movies based on historic events, take virtual field trips, and use Skype. Just before Christmas break, Hartzells students Skyped with the Thumbs only NASA astronaut, Brewster Shaw, who used to live in Cass City. Shaw flew three space shuttle missions as pilot of STS-9 in November 1983, as commander of STS-61B in November 1985, and as commander of STS-28 in August 1989. He also played a key role in returning the shuttle to flight following the Challenger tragedy in 1986. Shaw supported the commission in investigating the accident. He then subsequently led the Space Shuttle Orbiter return-to-flight team that was chartered to enhance the safety of the vehicles operations. During the Skype session, students asked Shaw a variety of questions. I told them to do some research and ask questions they couldnt just look up on the internet, and that they wanted to know more about, said Hartzell. They asked some very good questions. During the interview, Shaw credited his being a cafeteria busboy in college and playing in a rock band that paid for his education helped him reach the moon. When NASA advertised for astronauts, he applied. It was a lengthy process that included a lot of variables. Thats the part where playing in a band helped me, he said. The selection board looked for those who were generalist. They were looking for people who had interesting hobbies and (different) interests, and fun to be around. Being in a rock band helped me get accepted. He joined NASA in 1979. Shaw graduated from Cass City High School in 1963, and like many, he was intrigued with mans first tentative steps to explore space. He studied engineering mechanics at the University of Wisconsin, and graduated in 1968. That was during the height of the Vietnam War. He knew he was going to be drafted so he jointed the U.S. Air Force because being a pilot would be his first step into the sky, and possibly beyond. He did two tours in Vietnam, and is a retired Air Force colonel. Carrying a rifle in a rice field wouldnt get me to the moon, he said on his reason for selecting the Air Force. All of the astronauts then were military pilots. According to Shaw, he has had an amazing career. He earned numerous honors and awards. Some of those included 28 medals in Vietnam, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. The only time he looked back was when he was in space while taking thousands of photographs. The Earth is a beautiful place. It is fragile. When there is talk of global warming and environmental impact, believe them, Shaw stated. Live your life in a way to be friendly to the planet. It is the only one you have. Shaw encouraged the students to pursue a career that interests them, and said there are a wide variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers. He noted only two pilots are needed now on a spacecraft, but mission specialist in a variety of STEM careers are also needed, and can be applied for on a civil service application that is open to citizens. UPPER THUMB Police are searching for a Cass City man who was last believed to have been in the Sebewaing area. The man has been identified as 21-year-old Parker J. Haire. According to a news release from Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson, Tuscola County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 cellular call from a man requesting help. "He referenced being cold, wet and could see a factory," Hanson stated. "Shortly thereafter, dispatch lost contact and plotted his phone location to be out on the point of the Sebewaing River." Sebewaing Fire and EMS were dispatched and further equipment from Huron's sheriff's office including its airboat and Argo, along with Hanson and deputies., responded. A drone with thermal imaging from Thumb Drone Works also responded. "A search of the point and surrounding areas turned up nothing, which included not finding his 2014 Jeep that family believed he was driving," Hanson stated. "Several Tuscola deputies began checking their county's west side, as it was believed the missing man had attended a party in the Thomas Road area the night or early morning before The United States Coast Guard also responded with a helicopter to assist in the search." Shortly after noon on Tuesday, a Michigan Sugar Company employee flagged down a Michigan State trooper who had also come to the area to assist, who reported seeing a vehicle out of place and stuck in mud on the other side of their treatment pond's fence on the Bay Shore Camp property. Responding police and fire, which included Tuscola's K-9, went to scene and began searching. Further man power arrived from Unionville and Cass City, as well as Tuscola's drone. At darkness, the search was suspended. The search will resume Wednesday morning. Hanson has asked media outlets to circulate Haire's photo, in the event he was picked up by a friend or something of that sort. Anyone with information of Haire's whereabouts is asked to call Huron Central Dispatch 989-269-6421. Aside our office, other responding and assisting agencies thus far include Sebewaing Fire, Sebewaing EMS, Tuscola County Sheriff's Office, United States Coast Guard, Cass City Police, Michigan State Police, Unionville Fire, and Cass City Fire. Bay Shore Camp also assisted by allowing use of a heated hall and refreshments. Police report a 21-year-old missing Cass City man has been found in waist deep water surrounded by phragmites down the Sebewaing River point. Huron County Sheriff Kelly J. Hanson confirmed Parker Haire is dead. "Typically in conditions of such, a human being is not able to survive over one hour when in cold water," Hanson said. "Water temperatures were estimated to be in the mid 30s, not to mention that the air temperatures yesterday and last night we're between the teens in mid 20s." Haire's body was recovered shortly after 8:30 this morning. According to a news release, Tuscola County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 cellular call from a man requesting help early Tuesday morning. "He referenced being cold, wet and could see a factory," Hanson stated. "Shortly thereafter, dispatch lost contact and plotted his phone location to be out on the point of the Sebewaing River." Sebewaing Fire and EMS were dispatched and further equipment from Huron's sheriff's office including its airboat and Argo, along with Hanson and deputies., responded. A drone with thermal imaging from Thumb Drone Works also responded. "A search of the point and surrounding areas turned up nothing, which included not finding his 2014 Jeep that family believed he was driving," Hanson stated. "Several Tuscola deputies began checking their county's west side, as it was believed the missing man had attended a party in the Thomas Road area the night or early morning before The United States Coast Guard also responded with a helicopter to assist in the search." Shortly after noon on Tuesday, a Michigan Sugar Company employee flagged down a Michigan State trooper who had also come to the area to assist, who reported seeing a vehicle out of place and stuck in mud on the other side of their treatment pond's fence on the Bay Shore Camp property. Responding police and fire, which included Tuscola's K-9, went to scene and began searching. Further man power arrived from Unionville and Cass City, as well as Tuscola's drone. At darkness, the search was suspended. The search resumed Wednesday morning. Aside from the Huron County Sheriff, other responding and assisting agencies thus far include Sebewaing Fire, Sebewaing EMS, Tuscola County Sheriff's Office, United States Coast Guard, Cass City Police, Michigan State Police, Unionville Fire, and Cass City Fire. Bay Shore Camp also assisted by allowing use of a heated hall and refreshments. Photo: The Canadian Press People walk past the U.S. Capitol on New Year's Day. UPDATE 6:30 p.m. No one budged at President Donald Trump's closed-door meeting with congressional leaders Wednesday, so the partial government shutdown persisted through Day 12 over his demand for billions of dollars to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. They'll all try again Friday. In public, Trump renewed his dire warnings of rapists and others at the border. But when pressed in private by Democrats asking why he wouldn't end the shutdown, he responded at one point, "I would look foolish if I did that." A White House official, one of two people who described that exchange only on condition of anonymity, said the president had been trying to explain that it would be foolish not to pay for border security. In one big shift, the new Congress will convene Thursday with Democrats taking majority control of the House, and Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said they'd quickly pass legislation to re-open the government without funds for the border wall. "Nothing for the wall," Pelosi said in an interview with NBC's "Today" show set to air Thursday. "We can go through the back and forth. No. How many more times can we say no?" But the White House has rejected the Democratic package, and Republicans who control the Senate are hesitant to take it up without Trump on board. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called it a "total nonstarter." Trump said ahead of his White House session with the congressional leaders that the partial shutdown will last "as long as it takes" to get the funding he wants. "Could be a long time or could be quickly," Trump said during lengthy public comments at a Cabinet meeting, his first public appearance of the new year. Meanwhile, the shutdown dragged through a second week, closing some parks and leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay. Democrats said they asked Trump directly during Wednesday's private meeting held in the Situation Room why he wouldn't consider their package of bills. One measure would open most of the shuttered government departments at funding levels already agreed to by all sides. The other would provide temporary funding for Homeland Security, through Feb. 8, allowing talks to continue over border security. "I said, Mr. President, Give me one good reason why you should continue your shutdown," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said afterward. "He could not give a good answer." Trump's response about looking foolish was confirmed by a White House official and another person familiar with the exchange, neither of whom was authorized to describe the exchange by name. Trump had campaigned saying Mexico would pay for the wall, but Mexico has refused. At another point Wednesday, Trump told Pelosi that, as a "good Catholic" she should support the wall because Vatican City has a wall, according to a congressional aide. Trump has mentioned the Vatican's centuries-old fortifications before, including at the earlier Cabinet meeting. But Democrats have said they don't want medieval barriers, and Pelosi has called Trump's proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border immoral. "I remain ready and willing to work with Democrats," Trump tweeted after the meeting. "Let's get it done!" ORIGINAL 10 a.m. President Donald Trump is convening a border security briefing Wednesday for Democratic and Republican congressional leaders as a partial government shutdown over his demand for border wall funding entered its 12th day. The president "wants an agreement that reopens the government AND keeps Americans safe," the White House said on Twitter. But so far, the administration has rejected a proposal from Democrats to re-open government without money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Ahead of the afternoon session, Trump meets with Cabinet secretaries in his first public appearance of the new year. Vice-President Mike Pence was expected to join as the shutdown drags into its second week, shuttering parks and leaving hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay. "Let's make a deal?" Trump asked in a Tuesday tweet. The partial government shutdown began on Dec. 22. Funding for the wall has been the sticking point in passing funding bills for several government departments. The Wednesday afternoon briefing with the congressional leaders is taking place the day before Democrats are to assume control of the House and end the Republican monopoly on government. The session will be held in the high-security Situation Room at the White House, which is typically used to handle sensitive information. The location means that the conversation will not be televised, unlike Trump's volatile sit-down with Democratic leaders last month. The exact agenda, however, was not immediately clear, according to a person with knowledge of the briefing who was not authorized to speak publicly about the issue and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the top incoming House Republicans Kevin McCarthy of California and Steve Scalise of Louisiana planned to attend, according to aides. The departing House speaker, Paul Ryan, was not expected. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to become speaker on Thursday, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer planned to attend. Pelosi said Tuesday that Democrats would take action to "end the Trump Shutdown" by passing legislation Thursday to reopen government. "We are giving the Republicans the opportunity to take yes for an answer," she wrote in a letter to colleagues. "Senate Republicans have already supported this legislation, and if they reject it now, they will be fully complicit in chaos and destruction of the President's third shutdown of his term." The White House invitation came after House Democrats released their plan to reopen the government without approving money for a border wall unveiling two bills to fund shuttered government agencies and put hundreds of thousands of federal workers back on the job. They planned to pass them as soon as the new Congress convenes Thursday. Miami, FL (33127) Today Scattered thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. High around 85F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 77F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Photo: Wikimedia Commons A U.S. Marine has been shot and killed inside of the Marine Barracks in Washington. News outlets, citing police, say the Marine was shot early Tuesday in an apparent accident. Marine Corps spokesman Chief Gunnery Sgt. John Jackson said the man did not shoot himself. Authorities did not immediately release the Marine's name. But a Minnesota woman, Markelle Kuznia of Karlstad, told The Associated Press he was her 20-year-old son, Riley Kuznia. She said the military has not provided details of his death. The mother said her son joined the Marines because "he felt it was his duty, and he said I need to give them some time of my life." The Marine Barracks was founded in 1801 and is the oldest active Marine Corps post. Photo: The Canadian Press The Stingray Group Inc. logo is seen in this undated hanout photo. Stingray Group Inc. has dropped its takeover attempt of Music Choice. Stingray Group Inc. has dropped its takeover attempt of Music Choice. Montreal-based Stingray, which provides music and in-store media, had made the unsoliticited bid for the U.S. company in August last year. The offer was worth US$120 million. Music Choice produces music programming and music-related content for digital cable television, mobile phone and cable modem users. Stingray chief executive Eric Boyko says while the company continues to see benefits in a combination with Music Choice, it's confident in its strategic direction. Stingray announced Monday a distribution agreement with Altice USA, which will bring 50 Stingray music audio channels and hundreds of music videos from its on-demand catalogue to Altice USA's subscribers. Photo: CTV News A Danish passenger train apparently hit falling cargo from a passing freight train Wednesday, an accident that killed six people and injured 16 others as it crossed a bridge linking the country's islands, authorities said. The accident was the worst in Denmark in more than 30 years. The rail operator, Danish Railways, told Denmark's TV2 that the victims were passengers on a train going from the city of Odense, on the central Danish island of Funen, to the capital of Copenhagen when the accident took place about 8 a.m. Authorities said the trains were going past each other in opposite directions. Aerial TV footage showed one side of front of the passenger train had been ripped open. Photos showed that the freight train was carrying crates of beer, and the tarpaulin that covered the cargo train was torn in pieces. Police declined to comment directly on a report from Denmark's TV2 channel that a large freight container had likely fallen off the cargo train. Jesper Nielsen, who was on the passenger train, told Denmark's TV2 the train "was out on the bridge when there was a huge 'bang' .... very quickly thereafter, the train braked." The accident took place on a road-and-rail bridge, part of the Storebaelt system of bridges and a tunnel that link the Danish islands of Zealand and Funen. The transport system was closed to cars overnight because of strong winds but trains could pass. Road traffic resumed Wednesday with a 50 kph (31 mph) speed limit. Police spokesman Lars Braemhoej said while "we do not know precisely what caused the accident," one possible cause was that cargo from the freight train fell off and hit the passenger train. He added there was "considerable damage" on the passenger train. "Ordinary Danes on their way to work or heading home from the Christmas holidays have had their lives smashed," Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen said as he issued his condolences. Police urged passengers to contact relatives and tell them if they were safe and urged people not to share photos or videos of the accident. Flemming Jensen, the CEO of state-owned Danish Railways, said police and the Danish Accident Investigation Board were investigating the damages. He said the operator "will contribute everything that we can to the investigation." In previous train accidents in Denmark, eight people were killed and 72 injured in 1988 when a train derailed because of high speed near Soroe, west of Copenhagen. Denmark's worst train accident occurred in 1919, when an express train collided with a stopped train in Copenhagen due to a dispatcher error. A total of 40 people were killed and some 60 were injured. Meridian, MS (39302) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 94F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A stray thunderstorm is possible throughout the evening. Partly cloudy. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. For years we've heard companies brag about their research and development on foldable or bendable displays. Flexing a display isn't new though; both Samsung and LG had their short stints with slightly bendable displays with the Galaxy Round and G Flex. But, the technology remains new and lacks practical applications right now. Samsung got us all excited again in November by finally showing off a concept phone. It did not detail whether the smartphone will go on sale anytime soon or how much it will cost, but it's sure that we can expect a launch soon in the coming quarters. Samsung Last year, we saw reports stating that even Huawei and LG are working on "foldable" displays. One thing is crystal clear, the future of smartphones is bendable. And, this is the essential reason why every major player wants a piece in the development process. Google is relatively new to the "hardware" part of smartphones with the Pixel series. Even after three generations of launches, the line-up is yet to pick up traction in terms of sales. Now, a fresh rumour is doing the rounds stating Google is also working on foldable phones. YouTube According to Wccf tech, their source "Murtazin" believes Google has a foldable smartphone under the works. The source has a mixed track record, and we wouldn't jump seeing a single report, but there are multiple official announcements that solidify this claim. In August, Google announced native support for foldable phones in Android. And, Google was also awarded a patent for a hinged folding phone, and it looked like it might be working with Motorola on the development. USPTO The United States Patent and Trademark Office published the details of the invention on its website, which shows a two-part handset with a hinged area in the middle. The majority of the text covers the method of displaying on or either side of the hinge, plus the software that would control it. Additionally, the document illustrates the different modes the phone could be used in. Keep in mind, it's normal for companies to patent technology as soon as possible. But, this doesn't guarantee fruition of the project. We are confident about one thing though, Google won't be the "first" one to release this technology. Samsung has been aiming for the throne since years and seems almost ready to grab it. Source: Wccf tech A PSA for everyone - don't get a dog in the first place if one day you're going to abandon them. That's the most heartless thing ever and it makes you the worst kind of human being. Almost every single person agrees with this line of thought and that is why there was so much outrage when recently a video of someone abandoning their dog at the side of a road went viral. The poor dog did not know what was happening, because obviously he thought his owner, the person he trusts the most, will never leave him. But, people suck and the poor dog was left chasing his owner's car alone wondering why he's being left alone. Just a warning, the video is hard to watch. Then, the dog was soon rescued and given the name 'Snoop'. Yep, he's Snoop the dog, no actual relation to Snoop Dogg though. Ever since the CCTV footage went viral, thousands of people have shown interest in adopting the poor pupper. The most notable one out of them is Snoop Dogg, because well, it's meant to be. Just look at their names! Twitter Talking to Daily Star, he said, It is heartbreaking. There is always room for another dog in Casa de Snoop. If he really needed a home then he has one with us. But I don't think there is going to be any shortage of loving homes after all the exposure he has got. Twitter He's right, though, since offers to give Snoop a loving home are pouring in from everywhere but that will have to wait till the investigation is over. The RSPCA said once their investigation is complete, anyone interested in adopting Snoop can make their applications via the the RSPCA's Find a Pet database, where they will also find lots of other dogs - including 70 Staffies like Snoop - looking for new homes. And, look at this guy, he's going to be adopted in no time! Twitter Beating all the odds and going against everyone's expectations, 'Sasural Simar Ka' actress Dipika Kakar Ibrahim took the 'Bigg Boss 12' trophy home. It was a great, but controversial victory for her, as many 'Bigg Boss' fans felt that it was unfair to make her the winner instead of her 'Bhai' Sreesanth. Twitter This season of 'Bigg Boss' was all about 'vichitra jodis', but eventually all the pairs got divided and it was the jodi of 'Sreepika' that turned into the strongest force against everyone. The 'brother-sister' duo became inseparable from there on, as Dipika stood by Sreesanth during crucial times. While their respective fans stand divided on her victory, there are no hard feelings between Dipika and her 'Bhai' Sree and her latest post is proof of the same. Twitter Recently, after getting back on social media, Dipika posted an emotional message for her Sreesanth, thanking him for being with her in this difficult journey. Dipika wrote, "The proudest moment for me!!! As the top two contestants were #sreepika !!! Thank you bhai for being with me in this difficult journey...no matter what we both were together in every situation standing by each other and this was our biggest strength!!! Already missing the Statue...the fights and the meals we had together in the house...I am and will be your sister for life" She even thanked her fans for their love and support, "We did it!!!! Others nothing above being honest to yourself in any and every walk of life... and that is what has made us win hearts and achieve this!!! Dil se thanku to all This trophy is from you all for you all.. lots of love and a happy new year to all. #stayblessed." we did it!!!! Others nothing above being honest to yourself in any and every walk of life... and that is what has made us win hearts and achieve this!!! Dil se thanku to all This trophy is from you all for you all.. lots of love and a happy new year to all #stayblessed pic.twitter.com/jz1jI8fPwj Dipika Kakar Ibrahim (@ms_dipika) January 1, 2019 Dipika, Sreesanth, Romil Chaudhary, Deepak Thakur, Karanvir Bohra were the top five contestants who were competing against each other for the 'Bigg Boss' 12 trophy. Scientists have taken a key step in the pursuit of a cure for diabetes that restores the bodys ability to make insulin. Share on Pinterest Researchers find that a cocktail of two classes of drug can help the body produce insulin. They have created a new drug cocktail that can induce insulin-producing cells to regenerate at a rate that is fast enough to work in human treatments. The recent study by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, NY, reveals how a novel combination of two classes of drug can make adult human beta cells replicate at a rate of 58 percent per day. The team reports the findings in a paper that features in the journal Cell Metabolism. We are very excited about this new observation, says lead author Dr. Andrew F. Stewart, who is director of the Mount Sinai Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, because, for the first time, we are able to see rates of human cell beta cell replication that are sufficient to replenish beta cell mass in human beings. In earlier work, the team had investigated a small molecule that blocks an enzyme called dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A). This molecule led to a beta cell proliferation rate of 1.5 to 3 percent. In the new study, the team demonstrated how adding a small molecule from a different class of drug raised the proliferation rate to an average of 58 percent. The second drug blocks members of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily (TGFSF). However, while the study has taken an important step by showing that the drug combination can regenerate beta cells fast enough for treatment, there is still some work to do. As Dr. Stewart explains, The next big hurdle is figuring out how to deliver them directly to the pancreas. UPDATE 6:45 a.m. Environment Canada has now issued a winter storm warning in effect for the Coquihalla Highway - Hope to Merritt. Hazardous winter conditions are expected. Environment Canada is predicting total snowfall accumulation of upwards of 35 centimetres to fall over the highway by late Thursday as an intense Pacific frontal system stalls over southern British Columbia beginning this afternoon. There exists the potential for freezing rain over sections of the highway Thursday morning and early afternoon as the low makes landfall and the associated warm front moves through the area. The snow will change to rain late Thursday afternoon or Thursday evening as freezing levels rise above the summit in response to the passage of the warm front. The weather warning is in effect through the Rogers Pass on the Trans-Canada Highway as well. Much of the province is covered by warnings for Wednesday including Snowfall warning in effect for: Arrow Lakes - Slocan Lake, where 15 cm of snow is expected. Light snow will become heavy late Wednesday afternoon and into the evening as a Pacific frontal system stalls over southern British Columbia. The most likely communities to receive the 15 centimetres of snow will be areas north of Nakusp towards Galena and higher terrain to the southeast towards New Denver. Snow will continue on Thursday but significant accumulations are not expected. ORIGINAL 5:00 a.m. While the leftovers from the snowstorm that hit the Okanagan last Friday and Saturday remain on the ground, more could be on the way. Periods of snow are forecast for Kelowna Wednesday, up to two centimetres, while Vernon could see up to four cm. There's a 60 per cent chance of flurries in Penticton. Cindy Yu, meteorologist with Environment Canada, says two separate weather systems are heading through the Interior today and tomorrow. The two systems could bring up to 15 centimetres of snow to the Coquihalla Highway Wednesday night. Temperatures are expected to rise at the Valley bottom Thursday, so precipitation could fall as rain instead of snow in Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton. The two systems could be good news for skiers and boarders, with up to 10 cm of snow forecast to hit Big White Wednesday, followed by another four cm Thursday. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 2) The Philippine National Police (PNP) is close to solving the killing of AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe and may announce updates on the case as early as today. "The investigation is progressing quite positively. There are a lot of encouraging results based on this investigation and for sure you'll be hearing good news from the Philippine National Police probably today or tomorrow," PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Bong Durana told CNN Philippines' The Source on Wednesday. Durana said manhunt operations are underway as they interview witnesses to Batocabe's killing, who was shot dead along with his security escort during a gift giving program in his hometown of Daraga, Albay last December 22, 2018. He added that police have two to three credible witnesses to the slay. He said police are looking into the possible involvement of a mayor or the communist New People's Army (NPA) in the fatal shooting. "We are looking to all angles and all suspects and all masterminds at this point," Durana said. READ: Batocabe family willing to forgive 'least guilty' in patriarch's slay Batocabe was a three-term congressman who was running for Daraga mayor in the 2019 polls against the incumbent Mayor Carlwyn Baldo and Vice Mayor Victor Perete. Baldo has denied having a hand in the lawmaker's killing. Likewise, the NPA has denied that it is behind the slay of Batocabe and his aide. But even with this statement, Durana said they are not striking out the possibility that the communist armed group is behind the solon's killing, adding that they have previously recorded some members of the NPA being hired as assassins. He added, quoting PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, that Baldo is not off the hook. Police have identified six persons of interest in Batocabe's killing and have obtained photos of them, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said. Authorities have also released composite sketches of two of the suspects. PHOTOS: Suspects in Rep. Batocabe's slay Batocabe's fellow lawmakers and President Rodrigo Duterte have raised a 50 million reward for anyone who can point to his killers, which Durana said has helped in their probe. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is also considering placing Daraga under its control, which means that the election body would take immediate and direct supervision and control over all national and local officials in the municipality, including exercising control and supervision over all law enforcement agencies. Security councils will also be stationed in the area under Comelec control. Batocabe was laid to rest on New Year's Eve at the Daraga Catholic Cemetery. Netflix just hired Spencer Neumann as its new CFO, the media giant announced Wednesday. Neumann is replacing David Wells, who served as Netflixs CFO from 2010 to August 2018. Neumann is coming from Activision Blizzard, which just announced his termination. In a regulatory filing, the video-game holding company did not offer an explanation for the decision, but sources tell CNBC that it resulted from Neumanns job search. advertisement advertisement In a statement, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said Neumann will help the company provide amazing stories to people all over the world. Neumann had served as Activision Blizzards CFO since May 2017. Previously, he spent a number of years at The Walt Disney Company, ultimately serving as CFO-executive vice president of Global Guest Experience, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, from 2012 until 2017. In Neumanns place, Activision Blizzard just reappointed Dennis Dukin as CFO. Dukin had served that same role at the "Call of Duty" publisher from March 2012 to May 2017. Activision Blizzard stated that it terminated Neumann for cause for violating his legal obligations to the company. Prior to his appointment as CFO, Wells had been with Netflix since 2004. While other technology companies struggled in 2018, Netflix continued to thrive. For the year, the companys stock was up 30% to $261.60. by Fern Siegel , January 2, 2019 MPA The Association of Magazine Media, has named Brigitte Schmidt Gwyn executive vice president, government affairs. She is charged with representing all key issues that impact the magazine media industry, both here and abroad. Gwyn has more than two decades of public policy and legislative experience. Her role is to be the industrys biggest advocate before Congress. She will continue industry leadership on key MPA issues, including First Amendment rights, consumer protection and privacy, and postal and taxation, according to the organization's rep. Previously, she was managing director, government relations, Accenture. Gwyn held similar posts at Kellogg Company and American Express. Linda Thomas Brooks, president-CEO of MPA, called Gwyns background impressive and noted that her broad strategic experience would help drive effective advocacy. advertisement advertisement Based in Washington, D.C., Gwyn replaces James Cregan, who had been with MPA for nearly 25 years. Before joining MPA in 1995 as senior vice president and counsel, Cregan represented MPA in private practice for seven years. Gwyn will continue his work of spearheading coalitions, such as the American Mail Alliance. Other ongoing issues MPA will address in 2019 include GDPR's impact in the U.S., CCPA's influence beyond California, and Facebooks reversal of requiring boosted political editorial content to be tagged in its political ad database, considered akin to whitelisting approved media. Established in 1919, MPA represents more than 150 domestic, associate and international members. Worldwide blood plasma markets are poised to achieve continuing growth as animal and human blood is further fractionated to address more disease treatments and becomes more effective in the research and development aspects of medical care delivery. Blood is for most species the essence of life. Blood plasma provides significant health benefits. The varieties of proteins and other components of blood are in demand worldwide. Blood proves its value by managing a variety of ways to treat disease. The plasma proteins or derivatives in blood are extracted via the fractionation process. A range of valuable products are manufactured from blood plasma through fractionation. Fractionation occurs in tanks at near freezing temperatures. Fractionation is used to maintain the integrity of the proteins in plasma. This process includes a phase of introducing various viral inactivation procedures. Blood plasma offers high value for its volume and weight. One refrigerated container might be worth more than an entire shipload of grain. Blood provides significant health benefits to people. Blood exports boost U.S. exports with minimal carbon emissions. Liver disease is a major cause of illness and death worldwide. In China, 400 million people have liver diseases, primarily viral hepatitis (predominantly hepatitis B virus [HBV]). Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver diseases are also prevalent diagnoses. The blood plasma market is driven in part by China, and by demand from China for high quality blood from the US. Chinese patients consumed 400 metric tons of serum albumin in 2017, half of the global total of that blood protein. The necessary supply could be provided by the Chinese population, but, many of them are afraid to donate blood. The reason is a well-remembered 1990s health scare in which tens of thousands of farmers who had been paid to donate blood acquired HIV from unsanitary needles. The ensuing scandal was covered up by the government. As a result, China has to import about 60% of its serum albuminand the ever-rising demand has driven up prices. American companies have an edge in the Chinese markets because of the quality of the blood collected. The edge is apparent in the fact that three foreign companies account for 88% of Chinas serum albumin imports. The billion-dollar market for blood worldwide has a variety of participants. Thermo Fsher Scientific has the largest market participation. Sales of blood therapeutics were $30.9 billion in 2017. By 2024, these products reach $57.5 billion, reflecting a five-year CAGR of 8.2%. Request Sample Report at https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3511197-blood-plasma Table of Contents Abstract: Biotech Serum (Blood) Markets Respond to Healthcare Needs 1 Blood Executive Summary 24 Blood Market Research Executive Summary 24 Blood Market Shares 25 Blood: Market Description and Market Dynamics 26 Blood Market Shares and Forecasts 32 Serum (Blood) Product Description 114 Blood Research and Technology 127 Serum (Blood) Company Profiles 136 About Us: Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Contact Us: NORAH TRENT sales@wiseguyreports.com Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (US) Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK) If youve been following the news, you know that the U.S. healthcare system has many, many inefficiencies. Some have gone so far as to claim that U.S. healthcare is flat-out broken. While that may be over-dramatization for political purposes, many of the arguments presented are entirely valid. With recent modifications to U.S. legislature, the healthcare market is slowly moving toward outcomes-based pricing, a trend seen in many of the worlds leading health systems. But shifting the entire financial foundation of a decades-old ecosystem of complex institutions is no easy task, requiring quite a bit of innovation. Digipharm is one such innovative company trying to take advantage of blockchain technology to eliminate inefficiencies in the healthcare economy. We recently had a chance to chat with Digipharms Founder and CEO, Ahmed Abdalla. Mohammad Saleh, Medgadget: Can you tell us about your background and how you came to be a part of Digipharm? Ahmed Abdulla, Digipharm: My background is in the healthcare industry namely in health economics. I worked on the payer-side of things, reviewing various submissions from payers to the National Health Service in the UK. I then moved into the pharmaceutical industry, leading the global health economics team for a lung cancer drug at Roche. That was based in Switzerland. In my career so far, I have been involved in or overseeing more than 50 reimbursing submissions internationally from both the payer and manufacturer side. What weve observed is a trend in healthcare towards outcomes-based pricing, outcomes-based contracting, and patient-access schemes. Even though a lot of payers and pharmaceutical companies are proposing these, the infrastructure to support the movement to these types of payments was essentially very limited. There is a huge administrative burden that really nullifies any benefit of moving to this type of payment approach. So, I decided to start Digipharm to essentially solve the problems that we see are keeping the industry from shifting to these different payment structures. We tried to scope out what the best way to do this was. It turns out that blockchain could provide a great vehicle to enable payment for your healthcare based on outcomes, not on the number of times you see a doctor or the number of drugs you take. To do this successfully, we needed to create a medical information infrastructure that all parties would trust. Medgadget: Give our readers an overview on what Digipharm is. What is your mission, and how are working towards achieving it? Abdulla: Our mission is to be the third-party solution provider that sits between all the key stakeholders within the health economy. We want to facilitate innovative pricing solutions and value-based pricing. Weve built our platform in partnership with SwissCOM, the Swiss telecom provider. Were now in discussions with specific organizations who are interested our solution, discussing pilot projects with eight out of the worlds top ten pharmaceutical companies (by revenue). Were also working with more than ten international health authorities and also some of the largest insurers in the world. We understand that this is quite a sensitive area for pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers. Pricing is the thing that they hold most confidentially. Clinical data is all eventually published, but things like pricing strategies and net costs always remain confidential because it really affects their competitiveness. Medgadget: It may be clearer if you walk our readers through how the healthcare economy works right now and what you want it to look like once your job is done. Abdulla: Healthcare spending is currently unsustainable, both for patients and payers. This is having an effect on the whole industry, where innovation is essentially not rewarded because organizations cannot afford to reward them. A lot of money is being wasted on treatments and therapies that are not as effective as they should be. Once they go out into clinical settings, outcomes a very rarely tracked for a given treatment or therapy. So, what were seeing is the maturing concept of value-based healthcare and an increased acceptance over the last couple of years. But there really is no solution, at the moment, that removes the administrative burden and the barriers to its implementation. What we want to do is open the door to seamless contracting by removing the need to input outcomes data manually from the provider side. We also want to remove the transactional inefficiencies, or the need for manual processing of agreements between different parties in the healthcare ecosystem. Typically, different patient groups will have different pricing agreements based on their characteristics. Currently, that requires employees dedicated to looking through outcomes, matching them up to certain agreements, and then process the invoicing and so on. We are using smart contracts to create an automated invoicing system which we hope will remove the administrative and cost burdens associated with this process. Medgadget: What is smart contracting and how are using it to achieve a value-based healthcare model? Abdulla: Smart contracts are essentially digital representations of physical contracts. Once contract conditions are stipulated and coded into the platform, they are then run to interpret the relevant data derived from health information systems that feed into these agreements. When certain criteria are hit, these smart contracts then invoke some sort of invoice, alert or payment that was agreed upon between the parties. This is all on a blockchain platform. And the beauty of using smart contracts is no matter how complex the pricing agreement is, the administrative burden does not change. If youre doing this manually, for a cancer drug for example, you could have a pricing agreement which states that you will only pay full price if the patient survives more than six months. Or you can now have an agreement that has additional conditions based on an adverse event of interest or re-hospitalization rates, and so on. No matter how many conditions you make within this contract, the administrative burden does not change. If such complex contracts were done manually, it just becomes essentially unworkable. Medgadget: What would a hospital without your solution look like, compared to one that has your solution? Abdulla: A hospital that would use our platform would be able to go into these pricing agreements and customize them to the patient cohorts they are dealing with. If they, for example, have a predominantly elderly population and theyre really concerned about some key performance indicators, they can get agreements with manufacturers or local distributors or suppliers that are based partially on these indicators and the problems they face within their patient cohorts. Where they also benefit is by increased savings on manpower and resource use to implement these agreements. Medgadget: How would this solution affect patient lives? Abdulla: So, from the patient side, there are huge benefits. They will be able to get access to high cost drugs without having to worry about the cost of things that do not work. Many people have experienced or witnessed having to worry about how to pay for very expensive drugs that are often not completely effective. Very recently, a family member of mine has had to pay many thousands of dollars to get life-saving treatment because their own insurance company refused to pay for these expensive drugs. This wouldnt be an issue if these drugs were paid for according to performance as risk is shared by manufacturers and payers. Patients will also benefit from an increased competition between manufacturers to create the best drugs and benefit from this business model. Theyll also benefit from an accelerated access to new therapies because well skip this long negotiation process that happens during the health technology assessment process. Thats when you have exhausting debates around pricing, due to uncertainty around data, long-term extrapolation of survival curves, and things like that. By rewarding the best therapies, you can also bring it faster to patients. Medgadget: I understand this being a concern in a broken healthcare system like in the United States. But with other healthcare systems like in Canada or the UK, a lot of the life-saving drugs are not paid for out-of-pocket. Why do think those systems would also benefit from your solution? Abdulla: Those are interesting, but what we observe is that patients dont have access to a lot of the newer therapies. New therapies are often rejected because those decisions are based on the cost-effectiveness of the treatment. Institutions consider the resource use, the price of the drug, and the clinical effectiveness. Clinical trials are increasingly becoming more targeted and based on smaller and smaller patient groups. This leads to increasing uncertainty on therapy cost-effectiveness in real-world settings. So, government agencies cannot justify using public money to reimburse for these expensive therapies and insurers are struggling to manage the risk. However, these limits would not be imposed if these organizations knew that if these therapies dont work, they would not pay for them. Our platform circumvents these current issues by tracking the success of drugs, and pricing the drug based on outcomes. This is essentially happening all over the world, but not as much as everyone would like because of the huge administrative burdens and issues around trust and transparency of outcomes data. Medgadget: To me, it feels like pharmaceutical companies would not want to sign up for this. If youve spent upwards of 10 years developing a drug, you want to sell it at a premium. Why would they agree to the risk of having their product priced down? Abdulla: What we know, having worked in this industry, is that companies themselves are preparing for this path of payment mechanism. Theyre really actually pushing for it themselves. What harms a pharmaceutical company is the lack of market access and time remaining on patents. Theyre counter-balancing the potential drop in price with the potential of having faster access to markets and a generally expanded market presence. Medgadget: Are you building your own blockchain platform or using something that already exists? Abdulla: Were using Hyperledger Fabric, which is an enterprise-level blockchain solution, which provides a lot of the scalability that we need. Its a private permissioned blockchain as well, so users can only join a private network if they receive permission from everybody on the network, as an additional layer of security around the data which is important for confidential pricing agreements. Medgadget: Walk me through why you decided to create your own cryptocurrency. Abdulla: Essentially, we created a utility token as the fuel to power our platform. For the reimbursement platform, payers, manufacturers and providers will be required to use these tokens to initiate or execute smart contracts. They will also be required to enrol individual patients on smart contracts, facilitating the process of annexing patients to pricing and reimbursement agreement. We understand that none of the current stakeholders within the health economy are going to be comfortable using these tokens, so users will essentially pay a license fee thats stipulated in US dollars and that will be converted to a quantity of tokens. We also hope to use tokens as a method of incentivization for stakeholders and patients. Medgadget: Implementing tokens is not essential for the functioning of the smart contracts, though. Right? Abdulla: It isnt. But in the future, we would like to develop our own blockchain network, as well. We understand that there will be inherent volatility of the number of tokens that will be acquired according to the US dollar amount. The tokens obviously help us with the fundraising, as well were not going to hide that fact. We wanted everyone to be able to invest and benefit from a project with high social impact. The way we see these tokens is theyre credits that enable you to use the software. The number of credits you own could be related to how many patients are on these platforms, how many smart contracts are running, or how many treatments are on our platform. Medgadget: How dependent is your platform on the health of other cryptocurrencies? Abdulla: I wouldnt say it is, really. We initially built a federated Etherium layer on top of the Hyperledger platform. However, in the background we are working on other blockchain platforms, as well, so that we have fallback options if anything ever happens to a given network. Medgadget: As weve previously covered at Medgadget, things are picking up in the blockchain healthcare scene. Where do you see this field, and Digipharm, in ten years? Abdulla: I think that we see Digipharm as a pioneer in the value-based contracting space. Ten years is quite a long time, but we hope to be one of the market leaders as adoption of our platform becomes more mainstream. We are in discussion with some of the largest healthcare providers and insurance companies at a global level. Its a very fragmented system everywhere, but its also a really cool challenge. There are a lot of organizations trying to work on integrating healthcare institutions and community care units, and we think those efforts will only aid what we want to do. For more about Digipharm, check out their website or watch this webcast by the CEO Market Research Future has recently share information about global Radiotherapy Market And about the predictions and related market Conditions with the opinion to make better decision for market key players with the SWOT Analysis and path of revenue sources Global Radiotherapy Market Overview Radiotherapy is used for the treatment of various types of cancer. The therapy uses high power X-rays to destroy cancerous cells. According to the National Cancer Institute, about 50% of cancer patients receive some type of radiation therapy during their treatment. The radiotherapy treatment are less painful than the chemotherapy and surgeries. The damaged cells are broken down by the natural process of body. The cancerous cells get destroyed totally and does not show its presence in future. The time required is much less in contrast to the chemotherapy. The side effects of the radiotherapy is also nominal as compared to the chemotherapy. Around 4 out of every 10 people are treated for cancer undergo radiotherapy. Normally together with other types of treatment including chemotherapy and surgery. The market for the radiotherapy is increasing as the treatment is quick and easy. The treatment is more effective than chemotherapy and surgery. Though treatment has some side effects but the therapy is widely preferred by doctors. The Global Radiotherapy Market will grow very rapidly at a rate of 7% CAGR during the forecasted period 2017-2023. Get Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1526 GE Healthcare (UK), Siemens (Germany), Cardinal Health (U.S.), Nordion (CA), View ray (U.S.), Fuji Holdings (Japan), Philips Healthcare (U.S.), Shimadzu Corporation (Japan), Hologic (U.S.), Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (U.S.), Elekta AB (Sweden), Accuray Incorporated (U.S.), Ion Beam Applications (IBA) (Belgium), Nordion, Inc. (Canada), C. R. Bard, Inc. (U.S.), Isoray Medical, Inc. (U.S.), RaySearch Laboratories (Sweden), Mevion Medical Systems, Inc. (U.S.), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), CIVCO Medical Solutions (U.S.), Brainlab AG (Germany), PRECISIS AG (Germany), Technicas Radiofiscas S.L (Spain), Hitachi Ltd. (Japan), Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. (Japan), ProNova Solutions LLC (U.S.), ProTom International (U.S.), and others are some of the prominent players at the forefront of competition in the global radiotherapy market and are profiled in MRFR Analysis. Industry Updates Jan, 2018 Varian Medical Systems signed an agreement to acquire Sirtex Medical Limited. This acquisition expands Varians addressable market into interventional oncology to emerge as a global leader in radio embolization. October, 2017 Varian has launched its radiotherapy device ProBeam Compact single-room proton therapy system. July, 2017 View Ray has recently announced the launch of MRI-guided radiation therapy solution, MRIdian Linac. Global Radiotherapy Market Regional: Geographically, the regional market is segmented into America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. America holds the larger market in the radiotherapy the market increasing due to the increasing advancement in the technology. The US is the largest market for the radiotherapy due to the technological advancement. The adoption of new technology is more in this region as the research and development is also more and developing day by day. There are many companies who have already captured the market and developed new technologies for the imaging. The number of cancer patients are more in this region. Europe is the second largest market owing to the advanced technologies due to increasing R&D. The European region is having its own set of regulations for the medical regulations. The expenditures are also more by the government bodies for the healthcare and adoption for the new and sophisticated technologies. Asia pacific region is growing at a rapid pace owing to the increasing number of patients in the region. The increasing consumptions of tobacco is seen in this region. The growth is increasing as the economies are increasing governments in this regions are showing more interest in improving the healthcare sectors. The R&D in this region is also increasing with the big players operating in this sector. The number of cancer patients in this region are more. The number are maximum for the oral and lung cancer. The cases of thyroid are also more in this region. Middle East and Africa is slow growing segment because of the lack of awareness of the chronic diseases and the treatment facilities are also limited in this region. The regions have slow growth due to the factors like unskilled labors are more, illiteracy is more, and economic development is slow. The lack of awareness among the people is very less. The technological advancement is very less. The distribution network for the companies is very less. The poverty in this region is very high. Treatment are not reached to the needy. The cases of cancer is also increasing in this region but the diagnosis is also less in this region. The treatment for cancer is far behind as compared to developed and developing region. Browse Full Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/radiotherapy-market-1526 Table of Contents 1 Introduction 1.1 Definition 1.2 Scope of Study 1.2.1 Research Objective 1.2.2 Assumptions & Limitations 1.2.2.1 Assumptions 1.2.2.2 Limitations 1.3 Market Structure: 2 Research Methodology 2.1 Research Process: 2.2 Primary Research 2.3 Secondary Research: 3 Market Dynamics 3.1 Drivers 3.2 Restraints 3.3 Opportunities 3.4 Macroeconomic Indicators 4 Market Factor Analysis 4.1 Porters Five Forces Model 4.2 Bargaining Power Of Suppliers 4.3 Bargaining Power Of Buyers 4.4 Threat Of New Entrants 4.5 Threat Of Substitutes 4.6 Intensity Of Rivalry About US: Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Us: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com MRFR is the Leading Brand in The Research Company who Recently Published Global Dental Bone Graft Market Research Reports which includes Study of Growth Overview, Regional Analysis, Top Players, Major Drivers, Upcoming Trends and Foreseen to 2027. Dental Bone Graft Market Overview The Global Dental Bone Graft Market is expected to reach an approximate CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period. Globally the market for dental bone graft is increasing rapidly the main reason for this is the growth is the increase in the aging population. The factors that influence the growth of Dental Bone Graft are the increasing development in technology and the different types of bone graft options such as Autograft, Xenograft, Alloplast/synthetic bone grafts and allograft. According to the British editorial society of bone and joint surgery, bone was the second most common transplanted tissue after blood with an estimated 2.2 million grafting procedures annually worldwide in 2015. However, risk and complications from bone grafting procedures and the high cost of the procedure may hamper the market growth during the forecast period. Request Sample Copy at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/867 Top Players: Some of the major players in this market are Straumann AG,Dentsply Sirona,Zimmer Biomet,Geistlich,Medtronic,BioHorizons IPH, Inc,ACE Surgical Supply Company, Inc.,RTI Surgical, Inc,LifeNet Health,Kerr Dental,Dentium. Dental Bone Graft Market Segmentation: The global dental bone graft market is segmented on the basis of type, product, material form, application, and end-user. The global dental bone graft market by type is segmented into synthetic bone graft, xenograft, allograft, and demineralized allograft. Synthetic bone graft is further segmented into ceramics, tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and others. Demineralized allograft is further segmented bio-reabsorbable and non-bio-reabsorbable. Based on the product segment the market is segmented into bio-oss, osteograf, grafton, and others. On the basis material form, the market is segmented of injectable, granules, and putty. Based on the application the market is segmented into socket preservation, ridge augmentation, periodontal defect regeneration, implant bone regeneration, and sinus lift. On the basis of end-user, the market is categorized into dental clinics, research and dental laboratories, and others. On the basis of region, the global dental bone graft 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 U.K., 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. Dental Bone Graft Market Regional Analysis: The dental bone graft market is dominated by Europe owing to the rising healthcare expenditure that contributes to enhancing the market growth in this region. As there is a transition happening in the use of the types of bone grafts for the various restorative & reconstructive dental procedures, the world is adopting the new technologies leading to the massive growth in the market. Browse Complete 115 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with 50+ Respective Tables and Figures at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/dental-bone-graft-market-867 It is estimated that North America stood second in the global dental bone graft market. As a result of advancement in the dentistry and development of the dental industry in Europe, the dental bone grafts market has grown significantly in the region. Asia-Pacific is likely to witness growth in the dental bone graft market during the forecast period owing to the increasing number of healthcare organizations, growing advantages of the dental bone graft. The rapidly changing technology and growing awareness in the region influence the market growth. China, India, and Japan are the key market players in this region and Asia-Pacific is expected to be the largest market for the dental bone graft. The Middle East and Africa holds the least share in the global dental bone graft market due to the presence of stringent government policies and poor economies. Some Points from TOC of Dental Bone Graft Market Research Report Forecast to 2027: 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 TOC CONTINUED Check Discount at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/867 LOT of Dental Bone Graft Market Research Report Forecast to 2027: Table 1 Global Dental Bone Graft Market Industry Synopsis, 20182027 Table 2 Global Dental Bone Graft Market Estimates & Forecast, 20182027, (USD Million) Table 3 Global Dental Bone Graft Market, By Region, 20182027, (USD Million) Table 4 Global Dental Bone Graft Market, By Type, 20182027, (USD Million) Table 5 Global Dental Bone Graft Market, By Product, 20182027, (USD Million) Table 6 Global Dental Bone Graft Market, By Material Form, 20182027, (USD Million) Table 7 Global Dental Bone Graft Market, By Application, 20182027, (USD Million) LOT CONTINUED About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 When devices like injections and stethoscope entered the world of medical sciences, their roles were limited. Science made progress, and today there are various kinds of machines that are integral to medical sciences. Today, people judge how good, or bad the medical facilities in a region or a hospital are, on the basis of what kind of advanced medical devices are available in that hospital. Some hospitals justify expensive medical treatments as they want money to maintain all the sophisticated devices and big machines that they use for medical diagnosis and treatment. However, due to more advanced devices are coming up every day, costs of devices with obsolete technology goes down. Today, the market for medical devices is rising due to various factors including advancements in connectivity and processing power of devices, cloud integration, demand for early detection and noninvasive therapies (like those for cancer), development of stronger biocompatible materials growth of healthcare mobile applications, growing awareness and spread of information technology (IT). Due to the falling cost of production, some medical devices are available today at nominal prices. Their usage can also boost the Brazil medical devices market. Get Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2869 Brazil Medical Devices Market Key Players Some of the key players in this market are: Johnson & Johnson General Electric Medtronic Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV. Baxter International Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. Cardinal Health Boston Scientific Corporation Jude Medical Inc. Hitachi Medical Corporation Siemens Ltd Latest News: Thubrikar Aortic Valve, Inc., a privately held medical device company is developing a next-generation Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) system. Its licensee, Labcor Laboratorios of Brazil, is set to receive an additional investment of $460,000 cash and a $500,000 promissory note, to widen the reach of TAVI when it gets released. Labcor is a world-renowned company that specializes in the manufacturing of biological prostheses. InspireMD, Inc., a leader in embolic prevention systems (EPS), neurovascular devices, and thrombus management technologies that announced that CGuard EPS was featured at the SBHCI Congress. Sponsored by the Brazilian Society of Hemodynamics and Interventional Cardiology, SBHCI Congress took place in Curitiba, Brazil from June 13-15, 2018. It hosted approximately 1,200 participants including doctors from across Brazil and Central and South America. Brazil Medical Devices Market Segments Brazil Medical Devices Market has been segmented on the basis of product type which comprises monitoring devices, diagnostic devices, diagnostic molecular devices, drug delivery devices, surgical devices, bio implants and stimulation devices, automation and robotics and others. On the basis of therapeutic application; market is segmented into general surgery, diagnostic imaging, respiratory, orthopedics, cardiovascular, dental, neurology, ophthalmology, ear-nose-throat (ENT), nephrology and urology, and others. On the basis of end users; market is segmented hospitals, ambulatory and home. Brazil Medical Devices Market Regional Analysis The healthcare sector of Brazil is divided between private and state with the public healthcare accounting for approximately 45% of total health expenditure in 2014. Local manufacturing represents a poor outlook which is limited to consumables and ordinary articles and there are a handful of high-tech devices manufacturers. Browse Complete 60 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with Tables and Figures @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/medical-devices-market-2869 Another important factor to be considered is the extreme dependency of Brazil on imports which account for approximately 75% of total market for medical devices. U.S. medical device suppliers dominate the scenario with Europe in the second position. China is expected to substitute the western nations especially in low end devices which will be the fastest segment. Among the regions of Brazil, Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro and Parana tops the healthcare expenditure list. The differential healthcare regional availability in Brazil with extreme social and economic differentiation of the Brazilian population are further threats to the market. Brazil also has poor healthcare in its vast rural areas with a few cities dominating the scenario such as Sao Paulo. Major TOC 1 Introduction 1.1 Definition 1.2 Scope of Study 1.3 Research Objective 1.4 Assumptions & Limitations 1.5 Market Structure: 2 Research Methodology 2.1 Research Process 2.2 Primary Research 2.3 Secondary Research 3 Market Dynamics 3.1 Drivers 3.2 Restraints 3.3 Opportunities 3.4 Challenges 3.5 Macroeconomic Indicators 4 Market Factor Analysis List Of Tables Table 1 Brazil Medical Devices Market, 2013-2022 (USD Million) Table 2 Brazil Medical Devices Market, By Product Type, 2013-2022 (USD million) Table 3 Brazil Medical Devices Market, By Therapeutic Application, 2013-2022 (USD million) Table 4 Brazil Medical Devices Market, By End User, 2013-2022 (USD Million) Table 5 Brazil Medical Devices Market, By Region, 2013-2022 (USD Million) List Of Figures Figure 1 Research Process Figure 2 Porters Five Forces Model Figure 3 Brazil Medical Devices Market, By Product Type Figure 4 Brazil Medical Devices Market, By Therapeutic Application Figure 5 Brazil Medical Devices Market, By End User Continued To Know More Enquire @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/2869 . About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members. Contact: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com Meadville, PA (16335) Today Partly to mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 70F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Some passing clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 54F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Hiram, GA (30141) Today Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A stray thunderstorm is possible throughout the evening. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Roswell, GA (30075) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A stray thunderstorm is possible throughout the evening. Partly cloudy skies. Low 68F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Marietta, GA (30060) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A stray thunderstorm is possible throughout the evening. Partly cloudy skies. Low 69F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Missing McDowell County man Domonic Edward Gregory has been located unharmed, the Sheriff's Office said Thursday. ---- Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} McDowell County sheriffs deputies need the publics help locating a missing man. Domonic Edward Gregory, 26, left his Circle Drive residence at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28. His family reported him missing the following afternoon. He was last seen wearing a black Mortal Kombat shirt, khaki pants, tan shoes and glasses. He is possibly driving a red 2010 Toyota Corolla with expired N.C. tag EKM-7164. Anyone with information concerning Gregorys whereabouts is asked to call the McDowell County Sheriffs Office at 652-2235 or the McDowell County 911 communications center at 652-4000. Massachusetts State Police are investigating a violent attack that occurred inside Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston on Wednesday. State police said the stabbing happened on the second floor of the courthouse. The victim, who has not been identified, was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital with injuries described as non-life threatening. The second floor of the courthouse was shut down as authorities investigate the crime scene. No arrests have been made. Joseph Simons, a defense attorney in Boston, said he saw the immediate aftermath of the stabbing. He said he saw officers dash from the elevator toward the scene. He said he was not concerned about safety inside the courthouse, which requires guests go through a metal detector upon entry. Ive been to 90 courthouses, Simons said. Ive never seen anything like this happen before. Simons said he believes it to be an isolated incident that shouldnt be taken a sign of safety inside the building. Massachusetts State Police troopers leaving the court house just before 1 p.m. said they had no comment. When asked if they were pursuing a particular suspect they did not respond. Robert DeLeo, a Democrat from Winthrop, on Wednesday was re-elected to a historic sixth two-year term as speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Some of you may think that after a number of years that just maybe the significance may not be there as much, DeLeo told House Democrats after the caucus chose him as their leader, with no Democrat opposing him. I can tell you I come into this job as speaker ... with the same type of excitement, encouragement and vitality as I did the first day I was elected here to this great body. DeLeo was first elected speaker in January 2009 after then-speaker Sal DiMasi resigned amid a corruption scandal. He is already the longest continuously serving House speaker in Massachusetts. The State House News Service reported that if DeLeo serves through Feb. 9, 2020, he will become the longest-serving House speaker of all time. There were some hints of a challenge to his authority, with eight Democratic representatives voting present for speaker on the House floor, refusing to cast their votes for DeLeo. In the 2018 election, DeLeo lost two top aides Ways and Means Chairman Jeffrey Sanchez and Assistant Majority Leader Byron Rushing, both Boston Democrats who lost re-election. Challengers in both those elections framed them as a referendum on DeLeos top-down leadership style. Nika Elugardo of Boston, who defeated Sanchez, was among those voting present for speaker, as were three other freshmen. In accepting the nomination, DeLeo spoke of the challenges Massachusetts is facing under Republican President Donald Trump, and his commitment to ensuring that lawmakers protect individuals rights. Amid the clamor and discontent of our national discourse, we have a lot of be grateful for in Massachusetts, DeLeo said. You could rest assured that this House, as its always done, will do everything to make sure that those who try to diminish or dilute whatever rights or privileges that we may have, that we will fight that all the way. House Republicans re-elected Minority Leader Brad Jones, R-North Reading, as their leader. Jones, in remarks before the full House, stressed the importance of being stewards of the taxpayers money, making government services more efficient, replenishing the rainy day fund and being careful with government spending. Jones said passing bills to control health care costs and to revamp the education funding formula, both issues where House-Senate negotiations fell apart last year, should be top priorities this session. These are two difficult, contentious issues that should be top of agenda for action this legislative session, Jones said. The House has 127 Democrats, 32 Republicans and one independent. The election also resulted in an influx of new progressive lawmakers, who could try to challenge the Houses reputation under DeLeo as the body that is more centrist and business-friendly than the Senate. In nominating DeLeo during the Democratic caucus, Rep. Ruth Balser, D-Newton, a longtime member of the progressive caucus, said DeLeo is a speaker who has an ability to find common ground with representatives who disagree on him. Rep. Denise Garlick, D-Needham, who seconded the nomination, said the Massachusetts House under DeLeos leadership has been a beacon of hope during Trumps presidency. Balser and Garlick talked about DeLeos work protecting transgender rights and womens rights, increasing the minimum wage, strengthening gun control laws, passing paid family leave, reforming the criminal justice system and instituting automatic voter registration, among other accomplishments. Theres not a day I dont worry about the country and not a night I dont put my head on the pillow and thank God were in Massachusetts, Garlick said. At the caucus, freshman Rep. Maria Robinson, D-Framingham, proposed amending caucus rules to conduct future votes for speaker by secret ballot. Robinson said that would help change the culture of the House. Its very difficult to have independence when you dont have a private ballot for one of the most important votes here for speaker of the House, Robinson said. Rep. Russell Holmes, D-Boston, said a secret ballot would eliminate pressure on members to vote for a particular speaker in order to be rewarded with a committee leadership assignment, which comes with higher pay. Robinson and Holmes both voted present in the House vote for speaker. The motion to have a secret ballot vote for speaker was voted down on an overwhelming voice vote. Its my obligation to vote in public every single time, said Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield. Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick, said having a secret ballot for speaker would be turning the clock back. Its anti-small D democratic and its anti-transparent, Linsky said. Netflix pulled an episode of a satirical comedy show that chided Saudi Arabias involvement in the death of a Washington Post journalist after complaints by the Middle East kingdom. The Financial Times first reported that the streaming giant had taken down the episode of "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj after the kingdoms Communications and Information Technology Commission said it violated Saudi Arabia s cybercrime law. In the episode, Minhaj referenced Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the war in Yemen, and touched upon the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey. Now would be a good time to reassess our relationship with Saudi Arabia, the Patriot Act host said in the pulled episode. And I mean that as a Muslim, and as an American. Netflix has defended its decision, stating, We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request -- and to comply with local law. Violation of Article 6 of Saudi Arabias anti-cybercrime law is punishable by up to five years in prison. The law has been used in the past to charge activists for organizing or sharing photos of protests online, according to Amnesty International. Reporters Without Borders has ranked Saudi Arabia as 169th out of 180 countries for press freedom. This story was updated at 11:31 p.m. to add more details about the crash. HOPKINTON -- A man who attempted to flee police by running across three lanes of I-495 was struck by two vehicles and seriously injured Tuesday night. The man was brought to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester by ambulance after the crash that occurred south of Exit 21, said David Procopio, spokesman for the Massachusetts State Police. A motorist initially reported seeing an erratic driver at about 100 mph driving heading southbound on I-495 in the Marlboro area. Shortly after a State Police trooper spotted the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe and tried to pull over the driver, but he sped away. The trooper chased the car, with approvals by supervisors. The driver, later identified as a 27-year-old from Billerica, soon after lost control of the vehicle, spun out and his car landed in the center median, Procopio said. The driver, who was alone, jumped out of the vehicle, fled through the wooden center median and then attempted to run across the northbound lanes of the highway. He was struck by a 2017 Subaru Impreza driven by a 56-year-old Medway man and then by the side mirror of a 2017 Ford Explorer driven by a 67-year-old Westford man, he said. Preliminary investigation indicates that the trooper was not actively engaged in a foot pursuit with the fleeing operator when he was struck on the northbound side, he said, adding the trooper was still in his vehicle when the man attempted to run across the highway. The State Police Air Wing and a K9 officer responded to the scene immediately. They checked the suspects vehicle to make sure there were no other people inside. They also searched the area to ensure there were no passengers who ran from the Tahoe, Procopio said. The drivers of the vehicles who struck the man remained on scene. The Subaru and the Tahoe were towed from the scene, he said. The State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and Crime Scene Services Section are investigating the incident. Officers from Troop C are also involved with the investigation, he said. Two northbound lanes and one southbound lane of the highway were closed for about 3 1/2 hours. They were re-opened at about 9:20 p.m., he said. This is a breaking story. MassLive will provide updates when more information becomes available. Before ending the legislative session and starting the new year, the Massachusetts Legislature on Monday night revived a bill that would provide residents with free credit freezes, sending it back to Gov. Charlie Bakers desk. After several data breaches at major companies, including the credit monitoring service Equifax, the Legislature passed a bill last July that would give consumers free credit freezes at any time, would require businesses that are breached to provide a period of free credit monitoring and would require customer consent before a company accesses someones credit report. But Baker did not sign the bill, instead returning it to the Legislature with an amendment. While Baker said he supported the idea behind the bill, the amendment related to ensuring that certain state agencies could check peoples credit histories and making sure the rules complied with federal law. A credit freeze prevents someone from opening a line of credit, so it could stop a thief from opening a line of credit in someone else's name. The bill resurfaced in the final weeks of the year with a modified version of Bakers amendment, before finally passing both bodies Monday night. Baker has 10 days to act on the bill. The 23-year-old Hartford man accused of violently stabbing his girlfriend and kidnapping her 6-year-old son has a history of domestic violence arrests, according to Hartford Police. Hartford Police Lieutenant Paul Cicero confirmed in a press conference Wednesday that there have been several domestic violence arrests" of suspect Edgar Maldonado, but did not elaborate on what precipitated those arrests. Maldonado is accused of stabbing his girlfriend at least 30 times in a car at 77 Natick St. in Hartford around 2 a.m. on New Years Day. Police say Maldonado then kidnapped his girlfriends 6-year-old son, who was also in the car during the assault. Cicero said Hartford police reported the child as a missing person to the National Crime Information Center and also identified the wanted vehicle. A few hours later, at about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, police found the boy wandering Providence Street in Worcester. Police said the 6-year-old was near the car tied to the Hartford assault. A bladed weapon was in plain view inside the car, Worcester Police reported. It is unclear exactly how the child was transported from Hartford to Worcester or if any other suspects were involved. Authorities took the child to a hospital for an evaluation. The boy remains in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. In the early hours of Jan. 1, Hartford Police responded to the original scene of the assault after receiving 911 messages that morning, in which callers described a female victim covered in blood yelling and banging on doors, according to Cicero. The suspects girlfriend, a 43-year-old Hartford woman, had defensive wounds on her hands and arms, as well as serious injuries to her body and torso, Cicero said. She was transported to a hospital for emergency surgery and remains in critical but stable condition. The lieutenant noted the victim is very lucky to be alive. A $500,000 warrant was issued for Maldonados arrest on charges of attempted murder, assault, kidnapping and risk of injury to a minor. Maldonado, 23, was captured within 29 hours of the incident, Cicero said. Hartford Police said a cooperating witness helped authorities locate Maldonado in Midtown North in New York City. Police found Maldonado in a McDonalds, where they took him into custody. Cicero described the case as having a lot of moving parts. No investigation is really quite simple. But when you run into three states like this, yeah, theres a lot to go on, Cicero said. It typically takes longer. Maldonado is being held as a fugitive from justice in New York City as he awaits extradition to Connecticut. Edgar Maldonado, the Hartford man accused of stabbing his girlfriend more than 30 times and kidnapping her child, was taken into custody in New York City early Wednesday morning. Hartford Police Lieutenant Paul Cicero confirmed Maldonado, 23, was arrested around 5:30 a.m. at a McDonalds in New York City on Wednesday in connection to the alleged stabbing and kidnapping on New Years Day. Hartford Police had issued a warrant for Maldonados arrest on charges of attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping and the risk of injury to a minor. Maldonado allegedly stabbed his girlfriend repeatedly in a car by Natick Street in Hartford around 2 a.m. on the first morning of 2019. Police say Maldonado then took off by car with the womans 6-year-old son. The child was found on Providence Street later that morning, around 5:30 a.m., near the car allegedly driven by Maldonado. The boy was taken to an area hospital and is currently in the custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. Police said the woman underwent emergency surgery following the alleged violent attack and, as of Tuesday, remained in critical condition. Hartford Police plan to hold a press conference on the arrest sometime Wednesday morning. Today, driving with an open container of alcohol in the car is prohibited under Massachusetts law. Driving with an open bag of marijuana in the car is not. A commission looking at the states drunk driving laws wants to similarly prohibit driving with an open container of marijuana, making it a civil infraction punishable by a $500 fine. John Scheft, an attorney with Bellotti Law Group and a member of a Special Commission on Operating Under the Influence and Impaired Driving, said one survey of Arlington high school students found that students are most likely to smoke marijuana in a car, since they cannot smoke at home or in school. You give out a few $500 tickets, Im not saying people wont do weed, but they wont do it in a car, Scheft said at a recent commission meeting. The OUI commission, formed by the states marijuana legalization law, was tasked with studying a range of issues related to operating under the influence of drugs. This includes looking at the types of drug testing that are available, the civil liberties of drivers, the admissibility of evidence in court, the burden on police, the cost of testing and other topics. The group issued its final report Wednesday. As The Republican/MassLive.com previously reported, the most significant recommendation included in the report is that a driver who refuses to take a roadside drug test should have their license suspended for six months, the same as a driver who refuses a breathalyzer test for alcohol. The commission also voted unanimously to apply the states open container law to marijuana, despite concerns over how it would be implemented. Matt Allen, field director of the Massachusetts ACLU, said the alcohol law defines an open container as one where the seal is broken and the contents are partially consumed. Im not sure how that applies to a bag of cannabis, Allen said at a meeting last Friday. Massachusetts Undersecretary for Law Enforcement Jennifer Queally added, Weve all seen people smoking a joint at the red light next to us, and clearly thats open container, but then the question gets what about the edibles, what about some of the oils? Defense attorney Peter Elikann said someone could leave an open bag of marijuana or chocolate bar in a car for weeks. But Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael responded that if someone wants to keep marijuana in their car, they can put it in the trunk or glove compartment. The commission also recommended providing resources for more training for police officers in identifying and arresting impaired drivers. It recommended training more drug recognition experts, police officers certified in identifying drug-impaired drivers, and allowing drug recognition experts to testify as expert witnesses in court. The commission recommended launching a public awareness campaign about the dangers of impaired driving and about the safe use of cannabis. It also recommended requiring marijuana stores to provide educational material to customers. The commission considered a recommendation to make evidence from saliva tests admissible in court, but decided to continue to study the technology because it is not yet at the point that it can pinpoint when someone used marijuana. The commission also spent time considering how a blood test should be administered if someone is stopped on the side of the road and consents to a blood test. It recommended requiring hospitals to draw blood, while establishing rules where the hospital is compensated and protected from liability. It also recommended allowing the use of electronic warrants to obtain a blood test. Now, Carmichael said, officers have to go to the police station to write a warrant, then go to a clerk. The process can be burdensome, and someones body can process the drugs during that time. Any recommendations made by the commission will go to the state Legislature for consideration. Members of the 191st General Court were sworn in Wednesday amid pomp and circumstance, as freshman lawmakers celebrated with family and friends and learned to navigate Beacon Hill. My major goal is not to get lost, said freshman Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland, as she prepared to follow fellow lawmakers to a Democratic caucus. The new Massachusetts House has 25 new faces, including four from Western Massachusetts. There are 127 Democrats in the House, 32 Republicans and one independent. Gov. Charlie Baker administered the oath of office to the new legislators in a ceremony in the House Chamber that lasted more than three hours. Massachusetts U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, who just announced she was forming an exploratory committee to look at running for president in 2020, both attended the ceremony. Three former House speakers also attended: David Bartley, Thomas Finneran and Sal DiMasi. The House formally re-elected Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, to a sixth term as speaker. House Republicans re-elected Brad Jones as minority leader. House leaders welcomed the new members. Although its nice to have folks with knowledge and seniority and many years of experience, having the new fresh voices come into this House is also important, DeLeo said. House Dean Angelo Scaccia, D-Boston, who has served in the House continuously since 1981, told the newcomers, We want you, we need you, roll up your sleeves, dig into the issues of the day and offer your insights ... trust me; no one has yet cornered the idea market. The Massachusetts House Democratic caucus meets to elect a speaker on Jan. 2, 2019. (Shira Schoenberg / The Republican) Freshman Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton, said she was feeling really exhilarated on her way to the swearing-in. Her 12-year-old daughter planned to sit next to her on the House floor. It feels sort of like Im coming home to the House, and Im really excited to get to work, Sabadosa said. This is the day that starts all of that. Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, said, Im feeling totally excited and in awe and humbled by the support of the 3rd Hampshire District. Domb said she looks forward to continuing to build relationships with her colleagues and to meeting new colleagues. She said she is ready to start making connections and finding common ground on the issues. Rep. Dan Carey, D-Easthampton, whose grandfather served in the same House seat, called it an honor and privilege to be in the House. Day one, Im just trying to find each room and make sure Im where Im supposed to be, Carey said. So, it's 2019 already? And 2020 is just a year away? That's just crazy. The future is already here, and just keeps on coming. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft just visited the most distant target ever, and the agency's InSight lander settles in after making the eighth successful landing on Mars, but there's so much more. Momentous discoveries like an underground lake on Mars, and questions over the nature of an interstellar object passing through the solar system, makes one wonder what we might find this time around. By this time around, I mean another orbit of the sun. Since this time last year, we've come full-circle -- a 584 million mile journey on spaceship Earth. We're all cruising along with it at 67,000 miles per hour in its elliptical -- not circular -- orbit. It just so happens that we are at our closest point to the sun on our ellipse-shaped orbit today, or, more accurately, midnight tonight. This is perihelion -- about 91.4 million miles from the sun. That puts Earth more than 3.1 million miles closer to the sun than at aphelion on July 4. As a result, our planet is getting almost 7% more sunlight now than on Independence Day. So why isn't January warm? We in the northern hemisphere don't feel that increase much because this is also when the north pole is tilted away from the sun. The sun thus stays low in our skies, keeping our days short, and temperatures down. So, it's not hard to see that our seasons come from that, and not our distance from the sun. Less obvious is how Earth's elliptical orbit offsets the earliest sunsets and latest sunrises from the shortest days around the winter solstice in December. Our latest sunrise comes tomorrow morning, about two weeks after solstice. Our latest sunset came two weeks before it. Days have lengthened since the solstice, and after tomorrow, sunrises will come earlier. So, it all balances out in the end. Nature just refuses to make it easy for mere mortal minds like ours. It's complex, but in a fixed way. The complexity of our own civilization however, is increasing dramatically. The unprecedented technology and information explosion we are experiencing creates challenges in every sector. More notable space events occur each year than previous years, making it harder not to be left in the dust. And since 2018 was no exception, I'll leave the "top ten" lists to others. Here instead are a few space-related things that personally come to mind. Mars occupied many of my thoughts in 2018. Our closest encounter with the Red Planet since 2003 came in late July, and that made it a striking sight during those summer nights. We watched it crossing the southern sky glowing a distinct bright fiery orange. Meanwhile, NASA's InSight probe was on its way to that place. It landed on Mars for its two-year mission on Nov. 26 -- a great birthday gift for me. It got there just as Mars's most recent planet-wide dust storm settled down, a storm which appears to have claimed one of the two functioning Mars rovers. The nuclear-powered rover Curiosity survived unscathed, but Opportunity rover's solar panels struggled with the diminished sunlight. After last contact on June 10, 2018, our intrepid little traveler shut down to wait the storm out. As of late December, no signal had been detected, despite almost 500 radio attempts to wake her up. Efforts may continue, and success would be wonderful, but Opportunity is probably gone for good. And what a run it had. Its 14 years of exploration are now legend. Since landing on Jan. 25, 2004, it's put 28.06 miles on its odometer, but now sits motionless on the inside slope of Endeavor Crater, isolated from its creators. Someday, maybe people -- or other robots -- will visit and pay respects. Mars has plenty of activity however, as the InSight lander, Curiosity rover, and half a dozen orbiters toil away. One of those -- the European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter -- made news last summer when Italian scientists using its ground-penetrating radar data reported that a lake of liquid water 12 miles across may exist a mile beneath the Martian surface. That's a truly awesome discovery. The implications for Martian life are hard to ignore, especially given a couple of 2018 studies indicating that Earth itself is teeming with a rich, deep subsurface ecosystem almost twice the size of the world's oceans. Underground here appears to be a relatively safe haven, so why not there. My great wish for last year -- and every year -- is to see scientific proof of extraterrestrial life. I really don't care if its microbes or an extraterrestrial civilization, I just want to know. That brings me to the curious saga of 'Oumuamua, the first interstellar object ever found passing through our solar system. Starting with its discovery in 2017, astronomers had trouble classifying it as either asteroid or comet, but whatever it was, its ramifications for the exchange of materials between star systems were fantastic. Could some forms of life hitch rides on such interstellar interlopers? That would be panspermia -- life-seeds throughout the cosmos. But wait, it gets better. A widely circulated artist's rendition based on light measurements portrayed the object as cigar-shaped, which helped fuel its comparison with the alien spaceship in Arthur C. Clarke's "Rendezvous with Rama." Then last fall, an "artificial origin" theory was set forth in a scientific paper co-authored by Avi Loeb, chairman of Harvard's Astronomy Department. It met with some derision, but also fueled some welcomed new speculation among scientists. 'Oumuamua appears to be accelerating out of the Solar System, and nobody knows why. A cometary body with out-gassing jets could provide the needed push, but no evidence for that has been found. According to Leob, the only other explanation is the force exerted on 'Oumuamua by sunlight. The problem is that to produce the observed acceleration, 'Oumuamua would need to be less than a millimeter thick, and many meters wide, which is why Loeb suggested that "it may be a light-sail produced by an alien civilization." Wow. While I have little expectation that this will turn out to be the Real Deal, it's pretty cool that technology has advanced to a point where we can actually investigate such things. It may even inform us in the ways some great future discoveries could unfold. Maybe this year. The new year starts off with a bang. Right now, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft is sending back images in dribs and drabs from its fly-by of Ultima Thule on New Year's eve and morning. It will take a couple of years to transmit all the data, but maybe by time you read this, we'll know if this object -- most distant ever visited -- has any big surprises in store. Later this month, on the night of Jan. 20, a total lunar eclipse will be visible across North America from start to finish. The total phase comes after midnight, so technically on January 21 -- another example of the messiness of our calendars. * * * Find rise and set times for the sun and moon, and follow ever-changing celestial highlights in the Skywatch section of the Weather Almanac in The Republican and Sunday Republican. Patrick Rowan has written Skywatch for The Republican since 1987 and has been a Weather Almanac contributor since the mid 1990s. A native of Long Island, Rowan graduated from Northampton High School, studied astronomy at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in the '70s and was a research assistant for the Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory. From 1981 to 1994, Rowan worked at the Springfield Science Museum's Seymour Planetarium, most of that time as planetarium manager. Rowan lives in the Florence section of Northampton with his wife, Clara. Friendlys closed two more restaurants in late December both franchisee-owned locations in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and now the former Springfield stalwart is down to just 200 locations. The two closed restaurants are in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and Whitehall Township, near Allentown, in Pennsylvania. Friendlys spokeswoman Alyssa Stevens confirmed the closures. She said the remaining Friendlys restaurants include 101 corporate-owned and 99 franchised. Friendlys owner is private equity firm Sun Capital Partners, based in Florida. Friendlys shut down six corporate-owned restaurants in early December, a list that included the Sumner Avenue location in Springfield, Seekonk, Bennington and Rutland, Vermont; Dover, New Hampshire, and East Greenbush, New York. When Friendlys emerged from bankruptcy protection in 2012, it had 254 restaurants. That bankruptcy process alone saw Friendlys close more than 100 locations and wiped away $297 million in debt, including its pension obligation to retirees. Since then, it has closed restaurants here and there, two and three at a time, mostly it says because business conditions have changed in the neighborhood in which the restaurants were located. Stevens said Wednesday that two other Lehigh Valley restaurants in Easton and Allentown, Pennsylvania reopened in December following remodeling work. Both those locations also are owned by franchisees. Sun Capital Partners has also been buying back Friendlys real estate, including the shuttered restaurant on Sumner Avenue. Soon after getting taken over by Sun, Friendlys in 2007 sold its headquarters campus in Wilbraham and 160 of its restaurants to Realty Income Corp. Thats who is now selling them back to Friendlys. The restaurant chain leases its corporate offices in Wilbraham. Brothers S. Prestley and Curtis Blake founded Friendly in 1935 in Springfields Pine Point neighborhood. The brothers borrowed money from their mother with a plan to create summer jobs for themselves in the Great Depression. They grew Friendly the apostrophe "s" wasnt added until decades later quickly in the years following World War II. The brothers, who are both still living past their 100th year, sold to Hershey Foods in 1979. At its peak in the mid-1980s, Friendlys had more than 700 restaurants and 34,000 employees. After its most recent round of restaurant closings, it had about 7,000 workers. Friendlys sold its retail ice cream and manufacturing business to Dallas, Texas-based Dean Foods Co. in 2016 for $155 million. Dean sells ice cream to supermarkets and Friendlys restaurants. Dean Foods leases the plant in Wilbraham and supplies ice cream to stores and Friendlys restaurants. The 75-year-old woman who was a passenger in the car that crashed into a Fall River apartment building Tuesday causing a fire, has died, authorities said. Linda Leahey, 75, of Fall River, died at Rhode Island Hospital Wednesday, according to the Bristol District Attorneys office. She is the second person to die in the crash and ensuing fire on New Years Day. Fall River police received 911 calls around 9:40 a.m. Tuesday reporting a vehicle crashed into the Four Winds Apartments at 5500 North Main Street, according to the district attorneys office. Judith Mauretti, 72, of Fall River, drove her 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix into building 15 at the complex, authorities said. When crews arrived at the scene, Mauretti was dead inside her car. Leahey was pulled out of the fire by emergency crews. The crash ignited a fire in the building that took firefighters several hours to knock down. By 1 p.m. Tuesday the fire had been extinguished, but crews were called back at 8 p.m. when they flames rekindled. Crews remain at the complex Wednesday and continue to douse the building with water, according to WPRI. Fire officials told the television station that a natural gas line ruptured when the car crashed into a boiler room. The buildings tenants have been accounted for and no injuries are reported, according to the district attorneys office. Seven firefighters were taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries, CBS Boston reports. The incident is under investigation. Slightly more than an hour into the New Year, Glynda Wishnevsky said she was awakened by a series of popping noises somewhere near her home along Clift Street. It sounded like firecrackers, she said. It could have been gunshots. Either way, she didnt get out of bed. As it turns out, it was the culmination of a New Years Eve party that left one man fatally shot and another man hospitalized with a pair of gunshot wounds. I hate how something enjoyable turned into tragedy, Martinsville Deputy Police Chief Rob Fincher said. A couple of individuals got in an argument. Responding police report finding Rasheem Oshea Hairston, 24, of Eden, North Carolina, dead at the scene, on 313 Clift Street shortly after the call came in at 1:20 a.m. Shortly afterward, police were called to the hospital for a man who had been shot at the scene. That man, Devontae Lee Massey, 23, of Martinsville, was treated at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for a two non life-threatening gunshot wounds, police report. Massey is charged with second-degree murder and such firearms-related charges as use of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and discharging a firearm in the city. Comprised not of a brotherhood or sisterhoodthis is a warriorhood. Marines represent the face of our Nation because they come from all parts of it, contributing different backgrounds and walks of life into the fight that defends America's way of life. Driven by an innate desire to answer our Nation's call, an unwavering commitment to emerge victorious, and a collective purpose that defines our unbreakable bond, Marines win the battles in front of them with an inner fight running through them. A longtime security adviser's account of rampant abuses in the security-clearance process at the Trump White House provides a case study of th St. Peter Lutheran Church and School is collecting new school book bags for donation to the Macomb Charitable Foundation in early August. Ensure you get a print copy of the Loudoun Times-Mirror delivered weekly to your home or business! Complete online access is included with all print subscriptions purchased online. Plus, up to four other members of your household can share online access through this subscription with their own, individual linked accounts at no additional charge. (Are you a current advertiser? Ask your sales rep for our special advertiser rate code!) Local News, Crime, Business & Finance, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: January 02 2019 The program has resulted in 105 incarcerated individuals finding gainful employment after their release. Suffolk County, NY - January 2, 2019 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced the successful completion of the Suffolk Fresh Start program in local jails to help incarcerated and soon to be released individuals prepare for post-release employment. The two-year program was administered by the Suffolk County Department of Labor and resulted in 105 incarcerated individuals finding gainful employment after their release. Suffolk has created a successful criminal justice model to reduce recidivism and protect taxpayers, said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. This program is giving people a second chance to become productive members of society, strengthening families and saving Suffolk taxpayers millions. Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. said: Programs like Fresh Start give county inmates opportunity and hope following incarceration. Having gainful employment is one of the factors that can reduce recidivism, and we are fortunate to have Department of Labor staff working with us to improve outcomes for those transitioning from jail to our communities. Frank Nardelli, Commissioner of Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs, said: Securing long term sustainable employment is difficult for an individual with a prior conviction. Fresh Start proves that with a cooperative community approach, recently released offenders can successfully reenter the workforce and remain gainfully employed. Working with the Suffolk County Workforce Development Board, the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer Affairs successfully applied for and received $489,901 from the U.S. Department of Labor Linking to Employment Activities Pre-Release program, which is designed to reduce recidivism through gainful, long-term employment. Over the past two years, the Suffolk County Department of Labor has administered Suffolks Fresh Start program in partnership with the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office and Eastern Suffolk BOCES to provide employability skills and vocational training to incarcerated individuals. In total, 355 individuals were screened by DOL One-Stop Employment Center staff and enrolled in the Fresh Start program where they received resources and training to address any possible barriers to employment. Suffolk County DOL staff worked with participants pre-release to ensure they were registered as customers with the One Stop Employment Center. Suffolk DOL also assigned jail-based staff to conduct pre-release comprehensive assessments, vocational counseling, job search and employability skills training and introduced participants to One-Stop Employment Center case managers. Additionally, DOL staff assisted individuals post-release by providing job placement guidance in Hauppauge, Riverhead, and Patchogue, and at Wyandanch, Huntington, Brentwood and Bellport community resource offices under the countys Community Based Initiative. To increase their marketable skills prior to release, 25 participants also received Occupational Safety and Health Administration training in Yaphank and Riverhead, an important job training component of the joint partnership between the Labor Department and the Sheriffs Office. All Employment Center partners, including the county departments of Social Services, Probation, and Police, and training providers, leveraged their experience and inventory of services to ensure Fresh Start success. The Suffolk County Correctional System possesses the fourth largest local jail in New York State, consisting of facilities in Riverhead and Yaphank operated by the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office, housing a daily average of 1,500 sentenced individuals. All partner staff experienced in dealing those with barriers to employment provided pre and post-release work-related services to this population. Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: January 02 2019 Updated tentative assessed value for every Nassau County property now available online. Mineola, NY - January 2, 2019 - Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and County Assessor David Moog announced today the tentative assessment values for the 2020-2021 tax year for every Nassau County property have been finalized and posted online at: Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and County Assessor David Moog announced today the tentative assessment values for the 2020-2021 tax year for every Nassau County property have been finalized and posted online at: mynassauproperty.com . The values are a result of the first countywide reassessment in nearly a decade as Curran continues to fulfill the promise of fixing the broken and unfair assessment system. Striving for fairness and accuracy, the Department of Assessment has completed the challenging reassessment process and produced updated market values for every property in Nassau County, said County Executive Laura Curran. This was a tremendous effort by the hard-working employees at the Department of Assessment and by our two vendors Standard Valuation Services and Michael Haberman Associates. I congratulate County Assessor David Moog and his team for an outstanding job. Notice of Tentative Assessed Value In addition to being posted online, Nassau County property owners will receive in the mail by January 31, 2019, a Notice of Tentative Assessed Value for the Countys 2020-2021 tentative assessment roll. The notices will contain their propertys: full market value, the level of assessment, tentative assessed valueand for classes two and four, their transitional assessed value. Notices will be mailed out beginning January 7, 2019 in the following order: CLASS 1: Residential and Residential Capped CLASS 2: Condos, Co-ops and Multiple Dwellings CLASS 3: Utility CLASS 4: Commercial Results of Community Feedback: The updated valuations included in the notices are a result of the Department of Assessments 60-day review period, where property owners had the opportunity to review their preliminary new market value, update their property inventory and work with the Countys assessment personnel to identify and account for variables that affect property value. During the 60-day review period, the Countys assessment personnel: met with over 13,500 property owners one-on-one at four satellite locations and at the Department of Assessment in Mineola, to explain the reassessment process, address specific concerns and questions, obtain feedback, address questions about exemptions and adjust property inventory; counseled 1,167 property owners by email; continued to fine tune the data modeling to account for unique factors that influence property value. As a result of this 60-day review period: More than 85,000 values for the 2020-2021 tentative assessment roll were decreased from the preliminary new market values listed in the Assessment Disclosure Notices that were mailed to property owners beginning on November 1, 2018. Of these decreases, 20,000 were for vacant land and 65,000 were a result of various adjustment factors including neighborhood, section, block, topography, inventoryadjustments and other taxpayer inputs. For example,systemwide changes were made for properties with brick facades and fireplaces. The number of Enhanced Star applications for senior citizens doubled and new senior citizen applications increased by 45%. . Verification of the Tentative Assessment Roll County Assessor David Moog will swear an oath verifying the Tentative Assessment Roll on January 2, 2019 at 10:00AM at the Department of Assessment. The posting of the assessment roll begins the challenge period for property owners to grievetheir assessed value and the Notices of Tentative Assessed Value include directions on how to challenge assessments. Curran assures the public that they will always have the right to grieve but they should not have to do so to obtain a correct assessment. Its the Administrations job to get it right. The final step of this process will occur in April 2020 when the tentative assessment roll period ends and the County issues the final roll. It has been an exciting and fast-paced effort to complete the assessment roll. And it is my privilege to verify it under an oath of office. I will be issuing notices to be posted in offices countywide, alerting the public that the tentative assessment values for the 2020-2021 tax year for every Nassau County property have been finalized and posted online, said County Assessor, David Moog. Curran encourages residents with additional questions or in need of further clarification to make an appointment at one of the satellite offices which will remain open until January 31, 2019. Residents can make their appointments at www.AsktheCountyAssessor.com . Approximately 1,160 property owners have appointments scheduled for January and more than 7,000 appointment slots are still available. Backstage theatre is gearing up for a busy Spring with some of the biggest names in the country descending on Longford. The brochure has been making its way through letterboxes across the region and tickets and vouchers are moving fast proving the ideal stocking fillers. Sharon Shannon is kicking off 2019 in style on January 5 and, with limited tickets remaining, already it looks like its going to be a sellout. Music lovers have lots more to look forward to this season with The Swing Cats coming to Longford straight after their Olympia gig. Declan Nerney, Route 66, Jack L in a special concert with Pat McCabe as well as the 90s sensation The 4 Of Us will also be taking to the stage. The countrys leading theatre company, Druid Theatre will bring their latest, critically acclaimed and laugh-out-loud funny show 'Furniture' to Backstage for two nights only, so early booking is advised. Renowned Druid ensemble actor, Aaron Monaghan, directs Irish Times Theatre Award winning actress Clare Monnelly in her award nominated play 'Charlie is a Clepto'. Even more comedy in store with 'Conal Gallen, The Matchmaker' starring Jon Kenny and Mary McEvoy and 'Fly Me To The Moon', another hit from the author of 'Stones in his Pockets' and 'Women on the verge of HRT'. There will be lots of local talent on display with Backstage Theatre Groups much anticipated production of 'The Beauty Queen of Leenane', St Mels musical society perform Dolly Partons hit musical '9to5' and there will be a special fundraising concert 'A Night on Broadway' organised by Evolution Stage School. Seamus Lannon from Rooskey stars in his play 'True Friends' alongside other actors from Rooskey and the students of School of Rock will be showcasing their talents in their 'Legends' concert. Due to demand, the Backstage Theatre Camp is back for a special three day Easter Camp to keep those budding actors busy during the holidays. Full details, tickets and vouchers are available on 043 33 47888, from Farrell Coy or online at backstage.ie. The tragic passing of Mattie Gray on St Stephens night really finished Christmas for the community of Aughnacliffe who were shocked by the road accident that claimed the 62-year-old mans life. The late Mr Gray was walking home at approximately 7pm last Wednesday evening, December 26, when he was struck by a car at Cleenrath, Aughnacliffe. The 44-year-old female driver of the car was uninjured. Local councillor for Granard Municipal District, Cllr PJ Reilly, said that the whole community was saddened by the loss of one of its own at a time when everyone was celebrating the Christmas season. It was a very unfortunate situation on the tragic death of Mattie Gray, he said. I knew Mattie personally through sporting activities. He was a great fisherman and great for a game of shooting. I was very saddened by his death and wish to express my sympathy to all of his family. The Aughnacliffe man was laid to rest on Sunday following funeral mass at St Colmcilles Church. It just shows the importance of awareness of road safety, said Cllr Reilly. The roads are so dangerous, especially with the evenings being so dark and especially in a rural part of the country like Aughnacliffe. Its very sad for the whole community and a few people have said to me that it really finished the Christmas for them. Mr Gray is survived by his daughters Caroline, Alicia, Samantha and Susan, son Patrick, wife Eileen, grandchildren Jamie, Casey, Richie and Jay, brothers Christy (Aughnacliffe), Seamus (Longford) and Jack (London), sister Bridgie Cahill (Ballinalee), son-in-law Richard, brother in law, sisters in law, extended family and a wide circle of friends. Gardai in Granard are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact Granard Garda Station on 043 66 87660, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. Read more: Road tragedy in north Longford as 62-year-old pedestrian dies after being struck by car Flora to bring high speed Internet to town The Town of Flora took a step to bring 5G technology to residents when the Council voted Monday night to... Commissioners take time to think about broadband ordinance Carroll County Commissioners were presented with an ordinance designed to regulate the number of broadband companies allowed to offer services... Logan, WV (25601) Today Areas of patchy fog early. Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 88F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few thunderstorms this evening. Mostly clear skies late. Low near 60F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. It appears that we can finally see the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel and that Amer Lockport, NY (14094) Today Rain this morning. Scattered thunderstorms for the afternoon. High 71F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 57F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. A tragic story first covered by mySA.com of a San Antonio woman who survived more than 15 years of sexual abuse by her adoptive parents was the subject of a recent People magazine article. The victim, Abigail Alvarado, was sexually assaulted by her uncle and adoptive father, Eusebio Castillo, countless times, leading to the birth of three children who were raised to believe their mother was their sister. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has invited congressional leaders to the White House for a briefing on border security, the first face-to-face session involving Republicans and Democrats as the partial government shutdown entered its second week. The briefing will occur one day before Democrats take control of the House and Trump gets his first taste of divided government. It was unclear whether the Wednesday session would break the budget impasse - now in its 11th day - as Trump had demanded billions of dollars for a U.S.-Mexico border wall and Democrats have rejected his request. Trump had campaigned on a pledge to build the wall at Mexico's expense, a proposition Mexican officials called ludicrous. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security will brief the top two leaders in each party in the House and the Senate. "Border Security and the Wall 'thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?" Trump tweeted Tuesday. In a televised White House session on Dec. 11, Trump said he would take responsibility for a shutdown over the wall as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said they would not support wall funding. Pelosi responded to Trump's "let's make a deal" invitation by tweeting that the president had "given Democrats a great opportunity to show how we will govern responsibly & quickly pass our plan to end the irresponsible #TrumpShutdown - just the first sign of things to come in our new Democratic Majority committed to working #ForThePeople." The shutdown began Dec. 22 and there has been no sign of direct negotiations involving Republicans, Democrats and the White House. Members of Congress left Washington while Trump remained at the White House and each side blamed the other. Trump refers to the partial government closure as the "Schumer shutdown." On Thursday, House Democrats plan to use their new majority to vote through measures that would reopen nearly all of the shuttered federal agencies through the end of September, at funding levels Senate Republicans have previously agreed to. Those spending bills contain scores of priorities and pet projects for lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. The Democratic proposal holds out one exception: The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees border security, would keep its current level of funding, with no new money for a border wall. The plan would also extend the department's budget only through Feb. 8, allowing Democrats to revisit funding for key parts of Trump's immigration policy in a month. The president has asked for $5 billion in border money, far beyond the $1.3 billion that Democrats plan to vote through this week. Trump, who tweeted his opposition to the plan on Tuesday, has reiterated that he had no plans to back down. Twitter Word of the White House briefing was first reported by Politico. Trump used Twitter on the first day of 2019 to insult a retired U.S. commander in Afghanistan as a dumb loudmouth, sing the praises of an ultranationalist former aide and tell America to chill and "ENJOY THE RIDE." Trump's cheery tone in an all-caps tweet welcoming the new year did not last the morning. "HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE, INCLUDING THE HATERS AND THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA! 2019 WILL BE A FANTASTIC YEAR FOR THOSE NOT SUFFERING FROM TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME. JUST CALM DOWN AND ENJOY THE RIDE, GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING FOR OUR COUNTRY!" Trump wrote. That may have been before he read all his mail. Trump went on to bash retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal over remarks McChrystal made Sunday, calling the president untruthful and immoral. "General" McChrystal got fired like a dog by Obama. Last assignment a total bust. Known for big, dumb mouth. Hillary lover!" Trump opined. McChrystal was forced to resign in 2010 after making disparaging comments about Obama administration officials in a Rolling Stone article. He had been a rising star in the Army, a decorated expert on counterinsurgency tasked with turning around the stalemated Afghanistan war. Although McChrystal's comments were made on ABC two days prior, Trump did not comment publicly until he responded Tuesday morning to a tweet from conservative commentator Laura Ingraham. Ingraham had tweeted an article Monday titled "Media Didn't Like McChrystal Until He Started Bashing Trump." Catching up to it Tuesday, Trump evidently agreed. The president's very first words of the new year were an endorsement of a pro-Trump book by former White House aide Sebastian Gorka. The former Breitbart writer, a frequent television defender of the president, either quit or was fired in 2017 partly in protest that Trump's first major speech about the U.S. military strategy in Afghanistan made no mention of what Gorka called "Radical Islam." "Dr. Sebastian Gorka, a very good and talented guy, has a great new book just out, "Why We Fight." Lots of insight - Enjoy!" Trump wrote. Trump has been holed up in the White House instead of vacationing at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, as planned, because of the government shutdown now in its second week and his standoff with Democrats over funding for a border wall. "One thing has now been proven. The Democrats do not care about Open Borders and all of the crime and drugs that Open Borders bring!" Trump tweeted Tuesday morning. In a second tweet, he said: "The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative! The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security - and our Country must finally have a Strong and Secure Southern Border!" Trump also tweeted congratulations to newly inaugurated Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a populist conservative who like Trump was elected to shake up the status quo. Somalia's government took the unusually drastic decision of expelling the United Nations' most senior official in the country late Tuesday night after he questioned the detention of a former al-Shabab leader contesting regional elections. Nicholas Haysom, a South African, had only served a few months as the special rapporteur to the U.N.'s secretary general, Antonio Guterres. A statement from Somalia's Foreign Ministry declared him a "persona non grata" and ordered him to leave the country. "The decision came after the highest U.N. diplomat in Somalia violated the agency's standards and the international diplomatic norms by intervening the national sovereignty of Somalia," according to a statement published by state-owned media. His expulsion comes amid a political crisis that has pitted the governments of Somalia's semiautonomous regions against the federal government based in the capital, Mogadishu. The regional governments are in the process of holding elections. In the South West state, the only one that has held its election so far, the favorite candidate to win the top leadership position was Mukhtar Robow, who had served as the deputy leader of the Islamist group al-Shabab for many years before defecting in 2017. Robow was barred by the federal government from running, ostensibly for his failure to formally repudiate al-Shabab. Robow's surrender was originally seen as a major win for the government, which is trying to encourage such defections, but his running for office was clearly not what authorities had in mind. He was then arrested by Somali police days before the election. Subsequent rioting by his supporters in the regional capital, Baidoa, resulted in at least 15 deaths, and scores were detained by security forces. Robow was transferred to a prison run by Somalia's intelligence service in Mogadishu. In a letter to the federal government, Haysom criticized the crackdown and questioned the legal basis for holding Robow without charge beyond the normal 48 hours. The letter also probed civilian deaths during the protests and said they must be "thoroughly and promptly investigated." Haysom wrote that more than 300 people, including minors, were arrested following the demonstrations in Baidoa. A spokesman for the U.N.'s political office in Mogadishu said official comment was forthcoming. The United States is a close backer of Somalia's federal government and has largely refrained from criticizing it, though it did sign on to a letter expressing concern over Robow's arrest and the subsequent crackdown. There are 500 U.S. troops in the country, mostly Special Operations forces, mandated with training Somali soldiers. The United States also carries out frequent airstrikes again al-Shabab, most recently in December, killing 62 fighters. If there is one state that is the most melted in the national melting pot, its Florida. Thats fantastic in many ways, but it also means that many different people have strong opinions on serious issues. This, of course, includes marijuana. As with many conflicts, the debate over the states marijuana system has ended up in court. Florida is still expected to have one of the biggest medical marijuana markets in the country. Its just taking a little bit longer to get off the ground. Court Rulings Florida controversies -- and legal quagmires everywhere -- tend to lean more to the complicated than the straightforward, but here is the broad outline. Voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana in 2016 (although, technically, it greatly expanded the existing law). The state set up a system and began awarding licenses. But then Tampa-based cannabis company Florigrown filed a lawsuit claiming that the system is unfair. A circuit court judge in Leon County (home of the state capital, Tallahassee) ruled in the companys favor. In his order, the judge wrote that how the state fashioned the medical marijuana law did not conform to voters wishes. The judge also issued a temporary injunction on issuing anymore licenses. However, the 1st District Court of Appeals has put a stay on the circuit court ruling until they review the case. Related: A Plea to Our Elders: Consider Medical Marijuana Before Opioids The Underlying Issue In fighting against the system as developed by the state, Florigrown successfully argued that the state had unconstitutionally put caps on issuing licenses that effectively blocked out more companies from entering the potentially lucrative market. They especially focused on a vertical integration system created by the state that requires cannabis companies applying for a license to have the ability to grow, process and sell marijuana. That part of the law effectively kept many businesses from being licensed - including Florigrown - because they cant specialize in just one area of the marijuana business, such as running a grow house or operating a dispensary. A lot of money is at stake. One projection has the Florida marijuana market hitting $1.3 billion as quickly as 2021. Related: Medical Cannabis Finds an Eager Market In Florida Retirees Another Lawsuit Now, the appeals court will consider the Florigrown case, hopefully in early 2019. The main issue will be the fairness of the Florida medical marijuana system and whether it complies with what voters approved in 2016. However, this isnt the only issue surrounding marijuana in Florida. Its not even the only lawsuit. Earlier in 2018, a different Leon County circuit court judge ruled that the states ban on smokable marijuana is unconstitutional. The appeal on the case is still pending. State regulators are still working on rules governing the sale of marijuana edibles in Florida, another potential area of controversy All this is happening against the backdrop of a growing movement to get legalized recreational marijuana on the Florida ballot in 2020. That should prove interesting, to say the least. Follow dispensaries.com on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest cannabis news. Related: Florida Medical Marijuana System Now In Court Federal Cannabis Prohibition Got a Lot Weaker in 2018 What Took So Long? New York Has Many Reasons to Legalize Cannabis Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Laredo welcomed its first two babies of the new year Tuesday. Just after midnight at Doctors Hospital, excited parents Jennyfer Cardenas and Pete Gallegos III greeted their first-born child. Serena Jade Gallegos was born at 12:26 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 8 ounces. READ ALSO: Daniella Rodriguez, Texas celebs share New Year's messages Cardenas began feeling pain at midnight Monday and gave birth 24 hours later. Originally, Serena was scheduled to come into the world Jan. 8. Cardenas said she was happy and glad to finally meet her daughter. "Every year we look forward to welcoming the New Year baby and mom," said Guadalupe Cisneros, labor, delivery and postpartum nurse manager at Doctors Hospital of Laredo. "This year our staff welcomed a girl as the Doctors Hospital's 2019 New Year Baby." Nine hours later at Laredo Medical Center, mother Beatris Martinez greeted her new baby girl. RELATED: Laredo weighs in on 2019 resolutions Giselle Alejandra Martinez was born at 9:57 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces. Both hospitals gave the two babies gifts; Laredo Medical Center gifted Giselle a special basket full of goodies, as well as a complimentary car seat. "It is a joy to present the family with gifts, courtesy of Doctors Hospital auxiliary volunteers, including a baby stroller, car seat, clothing and much more. We wish the Gallegos family and all the babies born this year a happy and healthy life," Cisneros said. A total of nine successful Laredo entrepreneurs who serve as advocates for small businesses and for the Texas A&M International University Small Business Development Center will be recognized at a special reception Jan. 8 at TAMIU. The 2019 Small Business Champions reception will be held at the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library Great Room. Besides the honorees, attending the event will be dignitaries and representatives from TAMIU, Laredo College, local banks and small businesses. The 2019 Small Business Champions honorees and their businesses are: Erika Valdez, Climb at Rio Luis Valdez, Elite Employment Services Elieser Jasso, Food4You Willams Calderon, The Happy Hour Bar Ben Lohmer, Lohmer Commercial Services Gabriela Fernandez, Lolitas Bistro Patricia Mendiola, Aquademy Swim School Carlos Fuentes, Time Square Optical Bernadette Galvan, Rock Fitness Center The TAMIU Small Business Champions event recognizes small business success and small business advocacy, said Michael Gonzalez, TAMIU Small Business Development Center director. It honors local small business owners who go beyond the successful operation of their businesses to contribute to the growth of local small business, the community, and as a result, the local economy, he added. We are pleased to honor this group of small business owners as our 2019 Small Business Champions, Gonzalez said. Each of these individuals and companies have significantly contributed to the growth of the entire economy through their efforts to advocate for the TAMIU Small Business Development Center, the local small business community and various organizations that benefit the entire community. We consider these Small Business Champions to be some of the strongest advocates for our organization. At the TAMIU Small Business Development Center, we understand that small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, accounting for 98 percent of all net new jobs in our state, and we are honored to highlight those small businesses that contribute in a significant way to our continued growth. Since 2011, the TAMIU Small Business Development Center has assisted a total of 4,426 new clients and provided 20,753 counseling hours to new and existing businesses. In 2017, alone, more than 29,000 businesses in the region were served. For more information, contact Gonzalez at 956.326.2827, email michael.gonzalez@tamiu.edu, or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 321. To the editor: The federal government entered a partial shutdown on December 22, 2018, following a failure of the U.S. Congress and the President of the United States to arrive at a compromise on funding for a border wall. A government shutdown simply means that legislation approving funding of federal agencies and operations has failed to pass; thus, payroll and funding for routine activities conducted by federal agencies stops. All indications are that no action will be taken, even for discussing a compromise, before Thursday, January 3, 2019, when new members of the House of Representatives are sworn in. Even then, the impasse may continue, given that the Democratic side of the House now will hold a majority. Whether you agree with the building of a wall on our border or not is not the issue presently. The shutdown affects hundreds of thousands of federal employees across the United States. Among the various agencies affected by the shutdown are the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. Here at home, that means that thousands of our neighbors are being furloughed (given time off without pay) and/or asked to report to work with no assurance that theyll be receiving a paycheck until an agreement is reached in Washington. This, as anyone can imagine, presents a devastating problem for any family. Bills dont stop arriving simply because there is an impasse in Washington. In 2013 we experienced somewhat similar events, first as the government underwent sequestration in the spring and later that year when Congress reached an impasse over passing the Affordable Care Act. Then, our organization reached out to its members and the local business community at large asking them for patience and understanding in dealing with customers who were affected by a delayed federal payroll. Financial institutions, mortgage companies, apartment landlords and many other local businesses responded positively. Once again, we come to you and ask for your support. Federal employees, whether they work for the U.S. Border Patrol, CBP, or any other federal agency, are our friends and our neighbors. They are law enforcement officers who take care of our border and support our local PD and Sheriff's Office. Their children go to our schools. They shop in our stores and buy our products and services. They are Laredo. Please reach out to them and be understanding of their current predicament. It is our hope that our Congress and our President will work out an agreement soon and that this may come to pass. In the meantime, lets work together. Sincerely, Miguel A. Conchas President and CEO of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce At least 12 of Glassdoor's 31 companies 'hiring like crazy' this year have openings in Texas. One company Sony Electronics is looking for employees in Laredo specifically, according to Glassdoor. Sony Electronics is a leading provider of audio/video electronics and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase an affordable subscription to continue accessing our content. The grenade consisted of a hollow iron shell filled with gunpowder, which would have been lit by a fuse that passed through the shell. Ancient hand grenades and cannons from the wreck of a former pirate ship have been found along the coast of Cornwall in the U.K. Divers spotted artifacts from the wreck of the Schiedam, which sank off the coast in 1684, after recent storms disturbed the sand that once covered them on the seafloor. In addition, the two 17th-century hand grenades, each consisting of a hollow iron shell filled with gunpowder, were found nearby, after being washed ashore from the wreck. [See Photos of the Pirate Ship, Grenades and Other Artifacts] Local historian Robert Felce found the second of the two hand grenades late November on a beach near the Schiedam shipwreck site at Dollar Cove, in the coastal Gunwalloe district of Cornwall's Lizard Peninsula. The ancient and encrusted hand grenade washed up from a 17th-century shipwreck filled with military stores. (Image credit: Robert Felce) Felce told Live Science that he often visited the beach, which is exposed to strong waves from the Atlantic, and where several artifacts have washed up over the years he found a similar grenade on the same beach last year. Both objects were heavily encrusted after lying on the seafloor for more than 300 years, and Felce said he at first thought the latest grenade was an ordinary rock until he slipped and dropped it, and it broke open, revealing the two halves of the metal weapon and the explosive powder inside. Although the gunpowder in the grenade was damp and several centuries old, he reported the find to the local police, who called in bomb-disposal experts from the British Army to ensure that it was safe to handle. Felce said that curtains in his quiet coastal village of Mullion were "twitching" when the bomb-disposal vehicle arrived at his house with flashing blue lights; and the army experts quickly made the grenade safe by scraping out the ancient gunpowder inside. Pirate ship In 1683, Barbary pirates captured the Schiedam a Dutch merchant ship as a prize. Subsequently, Britain's Royal Navy seized the ship, using it to transport stores until it sank in a storm near Dollar Cove in April of 1684. [The Most Notorious Pirates Ever] Historian Robert Felce found the artifacts from the 17th-century shipwreck of the Schiedam at Dollar Cove in Cornwall. (Image credit: Robert Felce) The Schiedam was carrying military stores from the English garrisons returning from the city of Tangiers in Morocco when it sank. Those stores included several boxes of grenades, like the ones that washed up at Dollar Cove. Felce, the author of several histories of the Cornish coast, said that the explosive grenades were some of the earliest examples of their kind, and that they were used by English troops who were specially trained to throw them long distances. At a later date, such troops formed the first English regiments of grenadiers a title still used by some British Army regiments today, Felce said.The grenades were detonated by lighting gunpowder in a tube-like fuse that passed through the outer shell. "They may have been used to frighten, but they were certainly intended to kill the enemy," Felce said. "I would like to know more about where and how they were constructed, because it involves early engineering and metallurgical skills." Storms at sea Recent storms have disturbed the sand over the wreck of the Schiedam, revealing several cannons and other debris from the ship that still lie beneath the seafloor. The shipwreck site was rediscovered off the coast about two years ago by two divers from the private research group Cornwall Maritime Archaeology, which keeps watch on several wrecks along the Cornish coast on behalf of the Historic England agency. The former pirate ship Schiedam was wrecked in a storm beside Cornwall's Dollar Cove in 1684. (Image credit: Robert Felce) One of the divers, Mark Milburn, told Live Science that they had returned to the undersea shipwreck site in recent weeks, where they found that the sand had shifted during recent storms, uncovering more debris. He said that the artifacts from the Schiedam wreck documented so far include 11 cannons, a gun carriage wheel, lead musket shot, boxes of hand grenades and several other iron objects. Milburn said that some of the cannons and the few remaining pieces of timber from the wreck had been captured as 3D photogrammetry models by his colleague, the diver and author David Gibbins. They can be viewed on his website. "There is very little of the timber structure left," Milburn said. "Each time the site is exposed, it suffers some damage. We will continue to monitor the site, [and] we have permission to recover any artifacts we deem at risk." Originally published on Live Science. Dark matter, it seems, has been clinging to galaxies for a very long time. Most galaxies that existed 10 billion years ago had about as much dark matter as galaxies do today, contradicting earlier studies that suggested less dark matter lurked around galaxies in the early universe. "Dark matter was similarly abundant in star-forming galaxies in the distant past as it is in the present day," said Alfred Tiley, an astronomer at Durham University in England and lead author on the new study. The research was recently submitted to the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and published Nov. 16 in the preprint journal arXiv. "It wasn't a complete surprise, but in reality, we didn't know whether the observational reality would align with expectations from theory." [The 11 Biggest Unanswered Questions About Dark Matter] Dark matter makes up approximately 85 percent of the total mass in our known universe, but the mysterious substance does not interact with light, leaving scientists in the dark about the its precise nature. So, instead of viewing it, astronomers must rely on dark matter's gravitational pull on the normal matter, called baryonic matter, that makes up the stars, nebulas and planets we see in the night sky, as well as all the trees, rocks and people on Earth. Dark matter tends to clump into halos around galaxies; astronomers discovered this by measuring how fast galaxies rotate. According to Newton's law of gravity, stars on the outskirts of a galaxy should rotate much more slowly than those at the center. But in the 1960s, astronomers found speedy suburban stars on the fringe of the Milky Way that hinted at extra matter hiding out beyond those stars' galactic orbits. Studies have since measured thousands of rotation rates across the universe, confirming the presence of these dark matter halos. In the new study, researchers used data from two surveys of 1,500 star-forming galaxies to calculate rotation rates for galaxies going back 10 billion years. Precisely measuring galactic rotation far in the cosmic past is difficult, because these ancient galaxies are incredibly distant and faint. So, the scientists estimated an average by clumping the galaxies by distance and then combining their light. "Our estimate of the amount of dark matter in galaxies is an average for the whole population at each epoch," Tiley told Live Science. "The amount of dark matter within individual galaxies might vary significantly." Accounting for galaxy mass and density, the researchers found nearly equivalent amounts of dark matter for galaxies that existed long ago in our cosmic past as for galaxies in our local universe. But not everyone is entirely convinced. The findings contradict previous studies that found that galaxies in the early universe had less dark matter than younger galaxies do. Those studies looked at much more massive individual galaxies and used a different model to infer the amount of dark matter. "[The new research] uses only one of the four independent approaches we had used to come to our conclusion," Reinhard Genzel, lead author of one of the previous studies and an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, Germany, told Live Science. Tiley found that his team's results were highly dependant on the model they used. Ultimately, he chose to use a model that he and his colleagues found to be more representative of the low-mass galaxies scientists believe predominated at the early epoch. Computer simulations suggest that very high-mass galaxies, like those studied by Genzel, are rare in the distant universe. "It appears [their] results apply to very massive galaxies at this distant epoch but may not be representative of galaxies with comparatively lower stellar masses, like those that we studied in our work," Tiley told Live Science. The new results match what would be expected from the prevailing "lambda cold dark" matter model describing our universe. This model explains how the universe is structured and why it is expanding at an ever faster rate. Originally published on Live Science. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 2) The Defense secretary said the travel advisory issued by the United Kingdom on Wednesday was not exceptional as it was a natural response given the situation in Cotabato. "The British advisory is an automatic and default warning of governments to their nationals like we also do when these things happen in other countries. It is normal and ordinary. We hear about these advisories all the time," Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement Wednesday. The British government issued a travel alert on Mindanao in the wake of an explosion at a mall in Cotabato City on new year's eve. Two people were killed and several others were injured. "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao (excluding Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao Islands) and to the south of Cebu province, up to and including the municipalities of Dalaguete and Badian, due to the threat of terrorism," the advisory read. In a separate statement, the Department of National Defense said "this is nothing new." "It is the mandate and responsibility of every government in the world to remind its citizens to take precautions when traveling to countries that have a presence of bandits and terrorists, whether their activities or numbers are significant or not," the agency said. In a separate text, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, said it was the UK's "prerogative" to issue warnings. Madrigal also said the military and police are "doing everything to prevent peace spoilers and terror groups to undertake their criminal activities." The Army said threats are still present in Cotabato after the blast. Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana on Wednesday said security forces remain vigilant against violent attacks. "We have been receiving threats even before the blast last December 31. It has been there for several months now and it becomes a norm. But of course we are not lowering our guard. We remain vigilant," he told CNN Philippines. Meanwhile, Lorenzana said there are no indications that other bombings would happen. Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 5:08PM Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote a letter to Apple investors today informing them of adjustments to the company's earnings expectations. Citing fewer iPhone upgrades and headwinds from currency exchange and weak sales in China, the letter aims to clarify investor expectations. "Today we are revising our guidance for Apples fiscal 2019 first quarter, which ended on December 29. We now expect the following: Revenue of approximately $84 billion Gross margin of approximately 38 percent Operating expenses of approximately $8.7 billion Other income/(expense) of approximately $550 million Tax rate of approximately 16.5 percent before discrete items." Cook adds that, "While we anticipated some challenges in key emerging markets, we did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deceleration, particularly in Greater China. In fact, most of our revenue shortfall to our guidance, and over 100 percent of our year-over-year worldwide revenue decline, occurred in Greater China across iPhone, Mac and iPad." Other factors leading to lower earnings are also becaus eof supply constraints for AirPods and recently released products like the iPad Pro, the Apple Watch Series 4 and the all-new MacBook Air. "While Greater China and other emerging markets accounted for the vast majority of the year-over-year iPhone revenue decline, in some developed markets, iPhone upgrades also were not as strong as we thought they would be," the CEO said. Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 1:39AM The second episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj criticized Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi Arabia governments reaction to the death of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. The contradictory claims and denials that surrounded the story drew angry reactions from the public and this is what the episode wanted to center on. Minhaj joked on the show that this was the most unbelievable cover story since Blake Shelton won sexiest man alive. But it seems the Saudi government wasnt in on the joke. The government reportedly told Netflix the episode violated the countrys cybercrime laws and asked for it to be removed. The cited law effectively states that criticizing the Saudi government through any kind of digital medium is a criminal act. The streaming service complied and took it off the service in Saudi Arabia. It is, however, still viewable elsewhere. The clip is also still watchable on the series YouTube channel, even in Saudi Arabia. Its unclear at this point if Google/Alphabet (parent company of YouTube) was also contacted about the clip. As expected, there are negative reactions to this report, Washington Posts global opinions editor, Karen Attiah, calls the move quite outrageous. While Jillian C. York, a director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told the Financial Times, this is an affront to freedom of expression. Netflix, in a statement, said, We strongly support artistic freedom and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal requestand to comply with local law. This isnt the first time Netflix took out episodes to comply to a foreign governments request. According to NPR, Singapore has objected to three Netflix showsDisjointed, Cooking on High, and The Legend of 420because of its supposed positive portrayals of drug use, which is heavily restricted in the city-state. Source: The Verge A JUDGE has been urged not to jail a man who glassed a young student after a row broke out at a house party on the northside of Limerick city. John Lysaght, aged 28, who has an address in Prospect has pleaded guilty to two charges including producing a broken beer bottle during the course of a dispute at and apartment at Thomond Student Village, Old Cratloe Road on January 8, 2014. During a sentencing hearing, Garda Shaun OHagan said the defendant was one of a number of young men who arrived at the house party despite not having been invited. He told John OSullivan BL, prosecuting, that a considerable amount of alcohol was consumed and that sometime during the night a dispute erupted over some money which went missing. He said they took umbrage at the suggestion that one of them had taken a sum of money resulting in a standoff taking place. A fight then broke out at the apartment resulting in two other young men sustaining injuries. One of the victims sustained facial injuries after he was struck twice by Mr Lysaght with a beer bottle he had smashed off a wall. Garda OHagan agreed with barrister Shane OCallaghan who said another person was initially identified as the culprit before the witness later named his client. Judge Tom ODonnell was told there was CCTV or forensic evidence in the case linking the defendant to the assault. Mr OSullivan said the victim, who is now working in Australia, sustained multiple lacerations to his face and scalp but that he has made a good recovery. Urging the court to be lenient, Mr OCallaghan said his client, who has a number of previous convictions, has not been in trouble since the incident as he has avoided associating with certain people. He said Mr Lysaght is apologetic and acknowledges his wrong-doing and is taking measures to address his difficulties. .The barrister said his client a father of two young children is in a stable relationship and has secured part-time employment and had raised 2,500 which he wished to offer as compensation to the victim. His partner told the court Mr Lysaght is a totally different person compared to when the offence took place. Having heard the evidence and legal submissions, Judge ODonnell said he was not going jump into matters. He adjourned the matter to early February for sentence. Two other young men have already been prosecuted and sentenced in relation to the same incident. LIMERICK lady Marianne Griffiths has been made a dame. Ms Griffiths - formerly ORegan - who is chief executive of two NHS hospital trusts in England, has been made a Dame Commander, Order of the British Empire, in the 2019 New Year Honours List. The honour is given for a pre-eminent contribution in any field of activity and is the female equivalent to a knighthood. Originally from Ballynanty, Ms Griffiths went to Salesians in the city before she moved to England to train as a nurse after her leaving certificate, later reading Psychology at the University of Exeter. She is chief executive of Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals and Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I have the privilege to work with so many extraordinary and caring colleagues in the NHS and I am delighted to accept this honour in recognition of everything we achieve together for the people we serve, said Marianne, who lives with her husband in West Sussex. It is truly humbling to share a common purpose with more than 15,000 compassionate, dedicated and talented healthcare professionals at Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals and Western Sussex Hospitals. Every day and night, they do their best for thousands of patients and any success attributed to me is due to their steadfast commitment to always improve the care and services we provide. Working for the NHS can be tough, but there is a generosity of spirit that binds us together and to be awarded this honour for doing my job is a wonderful tribute to all of my colleagues and their endless acts of kindness. Ms Griffiths is currently celebrating her tenth year as chief executive of Western Sussex Hospitals and claims to have the best job in the world. She has led the trust, which includes St Richards Hospital in Chichester, Worthing Hospital and Southlands in Shoreham-by-Sea, since its creation following a merger in 2009. In 2016 she was named Chief Executive of the Year at the industry Health Service Journal Awards and last year became the first woman to take the number one spot in the HSJs annual assessment of NHS trust chief executives. In April 2017, Marianne also became chief executive of Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. Alan McCarthy, chairman of the board at Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals and Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation, said it was a well-deserved recognition. We are all delighted to hear that Marianne was made a Dame in the New Years Honours List. This is a well-deserved recognition of her dedication and service to the NHS and her contribution to improving the quality of patient care. I am sure Marianne would say that her success is built on teamwork and the fantastic commitment and support of colleagues in the Trust and those in the partner organisations we work with, he added. TRAGIC Limerick film star Constance Smith returns to screens this week in a TG4 documentary. The actress, one of Hollywoods shining female stars of the 1950s, is the focus of the documentary Constance SmithTragoid Hollywood, airing once again on TG4 this Thursday at 9.30pm. Smith, born in Ardnacrusha in 1928 and raised in 46 Wolfe Tone Street, was one of Hollywoods leading actresses in the early- to mid-1950s. Headhunted by world-famous producer Darryl Zanuck after featuring in low-budget films in the UK, Smith had quickly forged a career in the United States by her early 20s. However, she experienced a tragic rise and fall in the industry. A determined and independent woman in an industry that welcomed neither, she refused to be pigeonholed and continuously fought for better roles in better movies. When Hollywood cut her loose, it started a downward spiral into drugs and drink and ended in imprisonment and an impoverished death. The documentary charts her tragic life story featuring interviews with her family, fans and contemporaries. Documentary director, Brian Reddin, explained that Smith was her own worst enemy in a way. They wanted her to change her name because they thought Smith was too common; she wouldnt do it. They wanted her to lose her Irish accent; she wouldnt do it, he said. And after being refused desired leading roles in Zanucks films and being forced to have an abortion by the studio, the cards started to tumble for the young actress. Zanuck, who was known to have a reputation for abusing women in the studio, made numerous advances towards young Smith. She wouldnt have any of that either. With all thats happening now with Harvey Weinstein, thats nothing new in Hollywood, that was happening from day one in Hollywood. And it was certainly very prevalent in the 50s, and women like Constance Smith stood up to themand probably to the detriment of their career, Mr Reddin told the Limerick Leader last year when the documentary fired aired in May of 2018. In 1958, Smith attempted suicide before being to rushed to hospital in Italy, where she was living with her partner. In 1960, she and her partner and director Paul Rotha visited Limerick, and did exclusive interviews with both the Limerick Leader and the Limerick Chronicle. However, one year later, Smith was charged in connection with stabbing Rotha in the leg. On a later date, she was arrested in connection with an attempted murder. Mr Reddin said when the inactive actress returned to England, she fell into a tumbling cascade of disaster, suffering from a drink and drug addiction. Constance Smith died in Islington, England, in 2003, aged 75. Mr Reddin said he was able to interview Smiths half-sister and niece, thanks to the assistance of former Limerick Chronicle historian Sharon Slater and archivist Declan McLoughlin, who both feature in the documentary. We spend a lot of time documenting the success stories, and I thought it would be interesting to look at a story that wasnt a success, and thats where it came from, he said. Brian Reddin said Limerick features quite significantly in the documentary. Mr Reddin hosted the well-known The Last Picture Show on RTE and is a regular director of documentaries. BUS Eireann has been accused of flouting the law by not stopping its drivers from travelling along Rosbrien Road where a weight restriction is in place. Cllr Joe Leddin, who raised the issue at a meeting of the Metropolitan District before Christmas, says buses on InterCity and Expressway routes regularly use the road - which is located behind the Peony Court restaurant at Punchs Cross to access Edward Street when en route to Colbert Station. He said concerns were first raised some time ago but that the State-owned company continues to flout the law. In addition to the buses being over the three tonne limit, Cllr Leddin said there are also significant health and safety concerns as there are a lot of families including elderly people and young children who are living in the immediate area and who regularly cross the road. Its a narrow road, the speed the buses are travelling at is of enormous concern, he said, adding that cars are often parked on both sides of the road meaning visibility can be restricted. The Labour councillor suggested the council may have to look at some form of traffic calming measures if action is not taken by Bus Eireann to stop its drivers from using the route. The meeting was told local authority management are aware of the issue and share Cllr Leddins concerns. Its understood an official has been in contact with representatives of Bus Eireann in recent months in an effort to resolve the matter but that concerns still exist. The council is also liasing with gardai with a view to enforcing the weight restrictions. Separately, Cllr Leddin has called for the re-opening of access to the southside of the city from the Southern Ring Road. Highlighting the significant increase in traffic volumes at Greenfields Road in particular, he said the decision to close the previous slip road a decade ago was one of the worst decisions ever made by the local authority. That allowed motorists travelling from the Adare direction to access Childers Road via the John Carew Link Road rather than exiting having to exit the motorway and travel along Greenfields Road. Cllr Leddin said the amount of heavy goods vehicles using Greenfields Road is just simply appalling and is something the council needs to tackle as a matter of priority. Its understood engineers from Limerick City and County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are examining the possibility of re-opening access from the Southern Ring Road. However, no firm plans have been drawn up and its not clear how such a project would be funded once approved. UNIVERSITY Hospital Limerick had the highest rate of overcrowding in the country in 2018 and for the third year in a row. According to annual figures published by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, there were 11,437 patients treated on trolley in the emergency department and wards at UHL in 2018. This is the first time, since records began in 2006, that a hospital has exceeded 10,000 patients in any hospital around the country. The second highest level overcrowding was at Cork University Hospital, which had 9,135 patients on trolleys, followed by University Hospital Galway with 7,452 patients. UHL also saw a massive 29% increase in trolley patients in 2018 in comparison to the previous year when there were 8,869 patients on trolleys. The lowest ever year for overcrowding at UHL was in 2007 when there were 1,367 patients on trolleys, which was an average of four patients per day. The 2018 figure reflects an average of 32 patients per day. In total, there were 108,227 patients on a trolley nationwide, which was described as the worst year on record. The INMO also published its monthly statistics, which showed that UHL had 790 patients on trolleys in December. Though this was a significant 26% decrease on November overcrowding, when there were 1,071 patients on trolleys, UHL still had the worst rate of overcrowding in the country. It was also the worst December for overcrowding at UHL since records began in 2006. The INMO has said that its executive will meet next week to set dates for strike action. Its general secretary, Phil Ni Sheaghdha said the health service, nationally, does not have enough beds to support the population. More beds means more nurses, but the HSE simply cant hire enough on these wages. Its beyond time for the government to engage proactively with the INMO to resolve the crisis in Irish nursing and midwifery. Patients should be focused on recovering, but instead have to worry about waiting times, understaffing and a lack of beds. 2019 must see real changes in policy and funding to resolve this once and for all. AdnKronos 06 gennaio 2019 a a a - On January 02nd, Croma-Pharma GmbH (Croma) has stated that the company is moving forward in its plan harmonizing the different brands of its aesthetic product portfolio. The previous HA filler brand "Princess" is replaced by the brand "saypha" in a gradual process throughout international markets, focusing on Europe in the first place. First and foremost the rebranding became necessary due to Croma's ongoing globalisation process on the one hand and the advancing approval procedures of Hugel's botulinum toxin product Botulax on the other hand, requiring a more medical HA filler brand, exclusively addressing medical professionals. Croma has licensed the product Botulax from the Korean toxin producer Hugel Inc. for Europe and recently established a joint venture company with Hugel, Inc., in order to develop and commercialize Croma's HA filler and PDO thread products together with Hugel's product Botulax in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Croma's Managing Director, Andreas Prinz, further explained, "By replacing Princess with saypha we actually pursue several different purposes. Primarily, Princess is not a suitable and approvable brand for all our current and future markets. Furthermore the saypha brand is consistent with Croma as the all-encompassing umbrella brand, introduced in 2017, under which every product can be streamlined and marketed with a unifying look and feel around the globe. In the course of our progressing internationalization process this standardized appearance of the company towards our primary target audience, the medical professionals, becomes absolutely essential. Apart from that, all saypha products are easy to distinguish from each other which was a customers' request that we are happy to follow herewith. The saypha brand also reflects medical science and evidence based medicine, values that Croma felt committed to at any time. In short, by introducing saypha we are creating a strong global HA filler brand that stands for comprehensive quality, reliability and medical effectiveness." About saypha The Croma HA filler range consists of six products: saypha RICH, saypha FILLER (with/without lidocaine), saypha VOLUME (with/without lidocaine) and saypha VOLUME PLUS Lidocaine. The products target individual needs of the patients: saypha RICH (CE 0459) replenishes the loss of hyaluronic acid due to aging, improves hydration, tone and elasticity of the skin and corrects small lines. The product is injected into the superficial dermal layer. saypha FILLER (CE 0459) and saypha FILLER Lidocaine (CE 0120) corrects moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds and increases lip volume (only applicable for saypha FILLER Lidocaine). The product is injected into the mid to deep dermis. saypha VOLUME (CE 0459) and saypha VOLUME Lidocaine (CE 0120) is intended for the correction of deeper wrinkles and folds and for building facial volume/remodeling facial contours. The product is injected into a deeper skin layer (deep dermis or subcutis). saypha VOLUME PLUS Lidocaine (CE 0120) is used for facial tissue augmentation in order to correct midface volume deficit and shape the contours of the face as well as for reconstructive purposes in the treatment, for instance, of facial lipoatrophy. The product is injected subcutaneously, supraperiosteally or into the deep dermis. All products are based on non-animal derived hyaluronic acid and are manufactured in accordance with the highest safety and quality standards. About Croma-Pharma GmbH Founded in 1976, Croma-Pharma GmbH (Croma) is an Austrian family-owned company that specializes in the industrial production of hyaluronic acid syringes for the fields of medical aesthetics, ophthalmology and orthopaedics. Croma currently runs 12 international sales companies and distributes its products in more than 70 countries. Within its global sales network, Croma focuses with own branded products on minimally invasive aesthetic medicine. Besides a broad range of HA fillers from the own production site, Croma markets PDO lifting threads, a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) system and a personalized skincare technology in its core strategic markets. Contact CROMA-PHARMA GmbH Mag. Stefanie Hohn Corporate Director Communications Cromazeile 2 A-2100 Leobendorf Phone .: +43-676-846868-190 Mail: [email protected]: http://www.croma.at 108,227 patients went without hospital beds in 2018 a record high, according to new analysis released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. The figures are a 9% increase on 2017, which was itself a record high. This is nearly double the number in 2006 (55,720), when INMO records began. Sligo University Hospital had a total of 4,183, which was almost double the figure of 2017. In Cavan General Hospital in the same period the number of people on trolleys was 619. 2018s months with the highest figures were January (12,201), February (10,772) and March (10,511). The worst-hit hospitals included:Limerick University Hospital 11,437 Cork University Hospital 9,135 Galway University Hospital 7,452 Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore 5,831 Tallaght University Hospital 5,432 Smaller hospitals also saw record overcrowding. South Tipp General Hospital, for example, had 5,201 patients on trolleys this year. The INMO blames the crisis on low capacity and understaffing. The organisation has asked the government to work with the INMO to develop real proposals that will resolve the recruitment and retention crisis in nursing. This has not happened, and 95% of INMO nurses and midwives voted in favour of industrial action. The INMO Executive will meet on the 7th and 8th of January to set dates for strikes. INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha said, Despite the government spin, 2018 was the worst year on record for overcrowding. Negative records were set throughout the year, with over 100,000 admitted patients forced to wait on trolleys and chairs, without a proper bed. We know that this dramatically worsens outcomes for our patients. The health service does not have enough beds to support our population. More beds means more nurses, but the HSE simply cant hire enough on these wages. Its beyond time for the government to engage proactively with the INMO to resolve the crisis in Irish nursing and midwifery. Patients should be focused on recovering, but instead have to worry about waiting times, understaffing and a lack of beds. 2019 must see real changes in policy and funding to resolve this once and for all. Kildare County Council has signed the contract with K & J Townmore Construction Ltd. of Clonminch House, Tullamore for the construction of 18 residential units at Beechgrove in Rathangan. K & J Townmore Construction Ltd is a long established and highly regarded construction firm who has delivered high quality projects in Ireland and the UK. The development will comprise of four one-bed single storey semi-detached units; four two-bed two storey semi-detached units; two three-bed single storey semi-detached units; six three-bed two storey semi-detached units; and two four-bed two storey semi-detached units. Work is due to commence on site this month with an expected completion date for the project in February 2020. The scheme is funded by the Government under the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. Mayor of Kildare, Cllr Sean Power welcomed another signing for the construction of council houses in the Kildare Newbridge Municipal District and looked forward to the delivery of more housing schemes throughout the county over the councils construction programme. Denis Lahart, Construction Director of K & J Townmore Construction Ltd welcomed the opportunity to work with the Council. K & J Townmore Construction Ltd is looking forward to a successful contract and hopes to undertake further work in Kildare in the future. Chief Executive of Kildare County Council, Peter Carey observed that the council was undertaking an extensive construction programme over the coming years and expected that the programme would deliver long awaited social housing for those in most need in the county. Kildare County Council said it is hoping to progress the taking in charge of a Newbridge estate in 2019. At the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District meeting on December 19, Cllr Mark Stafford asked the Council for an update on the taking in charge of Beechmount, Newbridge. In reponse, Kildare County Council said; Development control is hoping to progress taking in charge of this estate in 2019. The section carried out works to address flooding issues previously on this estate, and will be liasing with Irish Water to determine any additional works that may be required. Kildare County Council also gave an update on the taking in charge of Kilbelin Abbey estate in Newbridge. The developer has carried out work to the public lights and will begin remedial work to the pumping station in Spring 2019. Meanwhile, ongoing flood issues at Belmont Green in Newbridge are to be alleviated. Kildare County Council issued an update on the progress report at the Kildare-Newbridge MD meeting in December. Belmont Green is connected to Walshestown Park which is the source of the flooding. Development Control are in the process of tendering out works to alleviate the problem, it said. Cllr Mark Lynch tabled a motion asking that a full road safety design plan be costed and created for the Oaks and Elms in Newbridge to include ramps, to ensure safe school drop off and access for children and residents. In response, Kildare County Council said; Resources are currently assigned to projects within the Department that have funding identified. A road safety plan and associated costing will not be progressed at this time. The same response was issued to a question relating to a design plan for Milltown, Newbridge. Cllr Lynch had asked for the installation of a raised ramp platform and mini roundabout at the T-junction in the centre of the village, as well as a slow down sign at the entrance to Milltown. SEE ALSO: Here is where you can recycle your Christmas Tree for free across Kildare | BY Kim Shaw | Aussie expat Matt Eastwood has been named Global Chief Creative Officer of McCann Health, replacing fellow Aussie expat Jeremy Perrott, who departed the network mid last year. Eastwood, who departed the Worldwide Chief Creative Officer role at J. Walter Thompson in March last year, brings a track record of all-around creative leadership to a growing health and wellness industry sector where both consumer and professional communications are increasingly embracing the global and digital expertise shared by all marketers. Matt is an immense talent, but an even better human. He is exactly the kind of global creative leader we need at this moment to continue McCann Healths growth and commitment to do meaningful work for our brand partners, said Rob Reilly, Global Creative Chairman of McCann Worldgroup. Eastwoods career has spanned numerous agencies, specialties and countries, including Australia, the UK and US. He has been Executive Creative Director at M&C Saatchi both in Melbourne and London before moving to the US as Chief Creative Officer at Y&R New York. He then moved to Sydney as DDBs Vice Chairman and National Creative Director in Australia and then joined DDB New York as Chief Creative Officer before leaving for JWT in 2014. In 2016, he led JWT to an historic year at Cannes, winning a total of 80 Lions, more than the agency had ever won in their 150-year history. In taking on his creative leadership role at McCann Health, Eastwood joins a network that has been recognized as a global creative leader. In 2017, it won an unprecedented total of three Network of the Year titles from the industrys top three creative award shows at the Clio Health awards, at the London International Awards, and for the second year in a row at the Cannes Lions Health Awards. Our health, wellness, and pharma clients across the board are increasingly looking at a changing landscape in which Matts broad background and sterling creative reputation will be of great relevance and value, said John Cahill, Global CEO of McCann Health. The challenges and opportunities they are facing are consistent with those running across all of marketing, including the more empowered health consumer, the evolving health delivery system, and the growing influence of data-led marketing. During his career Eastwood has led his agencies to numerous creative honours, including Clio Health Network of the Year as well as Campaign Brief Agency of the Year, Spikes Network of the Year, and Campaign magazine Network of the Year. Under Eastwood J Walter Thompson moved from 15th in the Gunn Report to 7th for each of the last two years; from 14th most awarded network at Cannes to 7th. The agency won more Lions in 2016 than ever in the 152 year history of the company (80 Lions/122 shortlist); was the 2nd most awarded network at D&AD last year; was network for the year at Dubai Lynx; was Health Network of the Year at Clio and 5th most awarded network overall in 2016. Says Eastwood: Ive been impressed for some time with the creative renaissance that Rob Reilly and his teams have brought to all of McCann Worldgroup. And like many in the business, Ive been especially aware of some of the outstanding and meaningful creative work that McCann Health in particular has been doing around the world befitting their reputation as one of the worlds most awarded global healthcare communications companies. I am so pleased to be joining this winning team. A case against eight men who had been charged in relation to foxes and dogs being made fight to the death was withdrawn by the State at Naas District Court earlier today, Wednesday, January 2. It had been alleged that the eight men were present at a location on the Curragh, on January 22, 2017 where dogs and foxes were made fight each other inside a pipe. All eight men denied the allegations. Today Superintendent Martin Walker informed Judge Desmond Zaidan that by agreement with all parties, he was withdrawing the case against all of the men, and that they would each make a 150 contribution to Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland. "We have difficulty with the proofs (in the case)," he admitted to Judge Zaidan. Lawyers for the eight men, Dylan Costigan (24) with an address at Skenagun, Castledermot, Conor Hughes (36), 24 Oldcourt Avenue, Bray; Graham Curley (38), 6 Doum Height, Leap, County Cork; Simon Enright (48), Sunset View, Corrin, Leap, County Cork; Keith Ownes (31), Ladystown, Rathvilly, Carlow; Kenneth O'Driscoll (24), 9 Convent Court, Clonakilty, County Cork; Michael Molloy (32), 54 Deerpark, Bray, County Wicklow and Richard Molloy (36), 23 Old Court Park, Bray insisted that their clients disputed the allegations and asserted their innocence. Judge Desmond Zaidan entered a nolle prosequi (a withdrawal of charges by the prosecution) in the cases. Traffic lights could be on the way for Mountmellicks busiest junction which looks set to be earmarked for work in coming year. Cllr Paddy Bracken raised the issue with in a motion to the Borris in Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting before Christmas. That this council in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) investigate the provision of traffic lights at Smith's Corner, Mountmellick, he said. Mr Farhan Nasiem replied in writing. This site is included in TII safety improvement works and Laois County Council with TII will be considering all the options to make this junction safer for road users in 2019, he said. Cllr Bracken welcomed the reply saying the junction was very dangerous. Traffic on the Portlaoise to Tullamore stretch of the N80 meets through town traffic at the junction which requires national traffic must yield to town traffic. A resident at the junction has released this photo of a car which drove up beside a turning lorry and got crushed, taken in July 2018. Clelands supermarkets have reiterated their decision not to sell below-cost farm produce. The Laois based retailer, which has stores in Portlaoise and Abbeyleix stated its position in a facebook post on December 15: "In support of the Irish Farming Community, Clelands will not be selling vegetables below farming production costs. We believe each and every farmer needs the support of every retailer and consumer to ensure they survive the recent actions of irresponsible retailers." "Farmers get hammered every year," Alex Cleland told the Leinster Express. "The work they do is hard. We took the decision we would not insult them by selling their produce below what it cost to produce it. It would be disrespectful. "Selling below cost gives consumers a false impression that farmers are charging more than they should. "We know we would lose business doing this, but sometimes you have to act for the greater good. "Where would the country be if not for farmers. They have enough worries at the moment with Brexit. Why compound the issue? "Some customers are delighted with the stance we have taken on it," noted Alex. "It's not all about a short term gain and matching our competition. Anyway, a short term gain often is a long term loss. That does no one any favours. "I know four to five farmers who have gone out of business over the past few years." In a setback to puppy mills, the state of California now allows pet stores to sell dogs, cats and rabbits only if they come from shelters or non-profit rescue organizations. People will still be able to buy animals directly from private breeders, but pet stores are prohibited from doing so and face a $500 fine for each illegal transaction. The states Pet Rescue and Adoption Act was passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in late 2017. It went into effect Tuesday. Maryland recently became the second state to pass such a law. California lawmakers say they want to put puppy mills and kitten factories out of business a type of for-profit practice common in Pennsylvania. California estimates it spent more than $250 million in taxpayer funds last year to care for and euthanize animals in shelters. Pet stores will be required to keep records of their acquisitions and make them available to state inspectors. Animal-rights groups gave been focused on Pennsylvanias pet industry for years. In its annual Horrible Hundred report, the Humane Society of the United States said Pennsylvania ranked fourth in the number of puppy mills in the nation, including nine of the 100 worst cases. The Keystone State is also near the top of the list in complaints about pet stores and brokers selling sick puppies. In 2017, the state Legislature passed and Gov. Tom Wolf signed Libres Law, which authorizes felony criminal charges for aggravated cruelty to animals, and it has led to many prosecutions. Both the House and Senate have introduced bills similar to Californias, but they havent been enacted. New Jersey passed the Pet Purchase Protection Act in 2015 to try to counter the worst puppy mills, but the law became unenforceable when the U.S. Department of Agriculture removed breeders' inspection records from public access. What do you think? Should all pet stores including those in Pennsylvania and New Jersey be limited to selling rescue animals? Have a say in our informal, unscientific poll, and feel free to elaborate in the comment section. Attorney Tom Carroll will launch his campaign for Northampton County district attorney on Thursday, according to a news release. The former assistant district attorney said his candidacy is supported by the 9-12 Project of the Lehigh Valley. He campaigned for President Trump in 2016 in Allentown. Hes the first candidate to throw his hat into the ring now that longtime District Attorney John Morganelli announced he will run for county judge. I have great respect for our law enforcement, having rallied in support of the police many times over the last few years. I respect the rule of law and the United States and Pennsylvania constitutions. Carroll said in the release. Carrolls news release says he has 30 years of experience as a lawyer. He started his career as an assistant district attorney in Montgomery County in 1989 and later became the chief juvenile prosecutor. He was hired in 2005 to be an assistant district attorney in Northampton County, the release says. Hes a sole practitioner criminal defense lawyer who has handled cases in 18 Pennsylvania counties, the release says. Hes handled homicide cases as a prosecutor and a criminal defender, his release says. The role of the district attorney is multifaceted and protecting victims is the most vital function," Carroll said in the news release. "The Rules of Ethics require that the DA has the responsibility of a minister of justice and not simply that of an advocate. This requires a respect for individual rights and the dignity of all citizens including victims, the accused and law enforcement agents. Hell formally launch his campaign at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Fearless Fire Hall, 1220 S. Front Street, Allentown. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. Northampton Countys longtime district attorney announced Wednesday hell run for county judge. John Morganelli has served as district attorney since 1992. The 63-year-old Bethlehem resident is the longest tenured district attorney in Pennsylvania. He announced in November that he wouldnt seek re-election as district attorney. I felt at that time that I had achieved all the goals that I set out to achieve and after 27 years it was time for me to consider some new challenges, he said Wednesday in a news release. He will seek the vacancy left by Judge Emil Giordano, who retired in June. After much thought and despite the opportunity to join a distinguished law firm, I am announcing today that I will run for the currently open judgeship in Northampton County, Morganelli said in the news release. He owned his own law practice for 16 years before his district attorney career and he calls himself one of the most qualified and experienced attorneys to become a judge, his news release says. He prosecuted 25 first degree murder cases before juries in Northampton County, supervised the grand jury, appeared before all the state appellate courts and all federal courts, the release says. It says he tried civil cases as a private attorney, served several municipalities as a solicitor, served as a public defender for four years and taught law courses at Moravian College for 10 years. Quite frankly, there is probably no area of the law in which I do not have some experience, he said. He said he will cross-file on both the Republican and Democratic ballots. Morganelli said he rose from humble beginnings on Bethlehems South Side and dreamed of being a lawyer since he was 12. I have had a love affair with the law for 50 years, he said. The law is what makes all of us equal, or at least should. The law brings order to our society, and protects us. Rich or poor, young or old, highly educated or uneducated, regardless of our race, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity, we are all equal under the law." Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. - A Lagos-based lawyer Omirhobo has asked a federal high court in Abuja to declare Army's declaration of Operation Python Dance as illegal - Omirhobo noted that according to the constitution, the police should maintain internal security and not the army - The lawyer wants the court to also order soldiers back to the barracks ahead of the general elections starting in February A Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to declare as unlawful and unconstitutional, the declaration of Operation Python Dance across the nation by the Nigerian Army. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plea was contained in a suit filed by a Lagos-based rights campaignner, Malcom Omirhobo, on Wednesday, January 2. According to NAN, the applicants in the suit labelled FHC/ABJ/CS/01/2019, are Omirhobo and Board of Incorporated Trustees of Malcom Omirhobo Foundation. READ ALSO: Minimum wage: Peter Obi wants states to determine their workers salaries The complainants joined as respondents to the suit the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Assembly, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Police Council, Police Affairs Commission as well as the various Nigerian Service Chiefs. The applicant is seeking the courts declaration that the commencement of a nationwide Operation Python Dance with effect from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, with the military to tackle internal security challenges during the conduct of the countrys general elections is illegal and undemocratic. According to him, it violates the fundamental rights of the applicant, as well as those of the Nigerian public, to life, dignity of human person, personal liberty, family and private life, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of movement. The applicant wants the court to declare that it is the primary responsibility of the police force to tackle internal security challenges such as kidnapping, terrorism, millitancy and proliferation of arms, and not that of the Armed Forces or military. He seeks a declaration that the use of the military to perform the functions of the Police in the conduct of the 2019 elections is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. The applicant, is therefore, seeking a courts order, compelling the respondents to respect the fundamental rights of the applicant as well as those of Nigerians, by allowing the Police Force to perform its statutory role of enforcement and maintenance of law and order. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda He seeks an order that the respondent clears off the military from the public spheres and stops forthwith, the use of Operation Python Dance in the conduct of the 2019 general elections. Omirhobo also wants an order compelling the police to take charge of the enforcement and maintenance of law and order in their various commands, before, during, and even after the general elections. Besides, the applicant seeks an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the respondents from using the military to perform the duties of the police, in the enforcement and maintenance of law and order, before, during, and after the conduct of the 2019 general elections. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app He seeks an order, for the enforcement of his fundamental rights, and those of the Nigerian public, to life, dignity of human person, personal liberty, as well as private and family life. No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported earlier that the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan advised the federal government to ensure proper use of security agents during the election to avoid intimidation of electorate. Onaiyekan gave the advise in Abuja on Tuesday, January 1 while celebrating the New Year mass at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Nyanya. He said President Muhammadu Buhari had promised to ensure free and fair election and so prayed for Gods intervention to make it come true. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng upgrades to serve you better Biafra: Should operation python dance in southeast be canceled? - on Legit TV Source: Legit - Yerima Shettima has declared that only the PDPs presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar can move Nigeria forward - The leader of the Northern Youth Coalition advised Nigerians not to repeat the mistake of President Muhammadu Buhari in the next elections - According to him, the Buhari's administration is filled with lies and deceit Leader of the Northern Youth Coalition, Yerima Shettima, has declared that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar can move Nigeria forward. Shettima, who stated this in a chat with The Guardian, said the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has nothing to offer Nigerians. He urged Nigerians not to repeat the mistake of voting for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election, stressing that the APC government is filled with 'lies and deceit.' According to him, Atiku would win the election and help in taking Nigeria out of the woods. READ ALSO: 2019: Tinubu meets with loyalists, strategises on PDP's defeat His words: The ruling APC had at all levels indulged in cheap deception, especially in the first two years that it came to power. The year 2018 is one particular moment in the history of Nigeria that I will never forget in a hurry. Elected leaders from local government to the presidency were committing a lot blunders. He expressed concern about the economy, which has been worst hit, as it seems Nigerians will hopelessly move into 2019 with an embarrassingly weak naira. A naira on a free fall for three years has exposed the lies and deceit of the ruling party. For now, it is obvious that the lies and deceit of the past four years have come to an end, he added. Meanwhile, the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization has described President Muhammadu Buharis 2019 New Year speech as ''pathetically empty.'' READ ALSO: 2019 elections will shock entire world - Olumba Olumba The party said the president could not articulate any concrete commitment on any sector of Nigeria during the speech. In a statement sent to Legit.ng on Tuesday, January 1 by its director, media and publicity, Kola Ologbodiyan, the campaign organisation also said the president could not point to any single achievement he made in the out-going year. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have updated to serve you better. Nigeria Latest News: Buhari vs Atiku - 2019 Elections | Legit TV Source: Legit - Maikanti Baru, the managing director of NNPC, says, major rehabilitation works were carried out on three refineries in the country despite some challenges - Baru notes that efforts are in place to get the original builders of the refineries to carry out Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) on them - The NNPC managing director says the corporation imported a total of 15.874, million metric tonnes of petrol in 2018 The group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC), Maikanti Baru, said that the countrys refineries had not undergone Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) for an aggregate of 42 years. Baru disclosed this in his New Year message issued by the corporation spokesman, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja, on Monday, December 31, 2018 He said that in spite of the challenge, major rehabilitation works were carried out in all the three refineries, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. He noted that the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, WRPC, had its Distribution Control System (DCS) successfully upgraded while the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) had major interventions in Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, (FCCU) and Power Plant Unit (PPU) fixed. READ ALSO: 2019: Tinubu meets with loyalists, strategises on PDP's defeat He added that Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) was undergoing major repairs of its FCCU, Catalytic Reforming Unit (CRU) and Crude Distillation Unit 2 (CDU2). According to him, efforts are afoot to get the original builders of the refineries to carry out TAM on them after securing favourable private funding for the exercise. On the downstream sector, he said that although 2018 was riddled with some supply shortages, he was delighted that the corporation rose to the occasion with the support of President Muhammadu Buhari and the resilience and hard work of NNPC staff members. As at today, there is fuel availability in the nooks and crannies of the country, he said. He further disclosed that the NNPC imported a total of 15.874, million metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol through the DSDP and the NFSF arrangement in 2018. This, he said represented 62 per cent increase over the 2017 supplies of 9.807 metric tonnes. As at today, the NNPC has 2.98 billion litres, equivalent to over 59 days sufficiency at 50 million litres daily evacuation, he said He added that the corporations depots had been resuscitated and put to use through decanting of over 140 million litres of PMS nationwide, explaining that systems 2B and 2E pipelines supplying petroleum products to South West, South-South and South East Regions had been resuscitated. On the Industry milestones in the outgone year, Baru disclosed that the Egina project had achieved First Oil at 11.20pm on Dec. 29, 2018 while he noted that the Egina Floating Production Storage and Offloading, FPSO, vessels was currently adding 200,000 barrels of oil per day to the countrys crude oil output. He further stated that Nigerias crude oil daily production recorded an upward swing of about 2.09 million barrels in 2018, translating to a nine per cent increment, compared with the 2017 average daily production of 1.86 million barrels. Compared against the low-level daily crude oil production in 2016 and what obtains now, Baru, said the nation had maintained a line of consistent year-on-year improvement. He explained that the average production from NPDCs operated assets alone grew from an average of 108,000 of oil per day (bod) in 2017 to 165,000bod in 2018. He described the feat as the strongest production growth within the oil Industry in recent times, even as he added that it was worth being celebrated. The GMD said NPDCs equity production share which stands at 172,000bod, representing about eight per cent of national daily production, was no less impressive. He added that the desired results were the outcomes of initiatives his Management team intended, among which, he noted, were the Asset Management Team (AMT) structure, Strategic Financing, Units Autonomy and security architecture framework. Baru promised that NNPC would stick to the Repayment Agreement with the JV Partners while transiting to self-funding IJV modes with the corporations partners. Tiding up the Cash Call issues has led to increased commitment and enthusiasm to invest in Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry even as it has also boosted NNPCs credit profile internationally, he added. READ ALSO: Minimum wage: Peter Obi wants states to determine their workers salaries Baru highlighted the achievements of NNPC in the Upstream sector by listing other milestones achieved by his team to include: reduction in contracting cycle for Upstream Operations to nine months from an average of 24, even as the corporation targeted a six-month cycle. Others include lowering of production cost from 27 dollar per barrel to 22 dollars per barrel; and improving on the security situation in the Niger Delta through constructive engagement and dialogue with relevant stakeholders. Baru revealed that in the frontier basins, NNPC had intensified explorations activities in the Benue Trough, with the expected spudding of Kolmani River Well 2 on Jan. 19, 2019. He explained that activities would resume in the Chad Basin as soon as there was a green light on the security situation in the enclave. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda In the Midstream, the NNPC GMD stated that in 2018, Nigeria achieved an average national daily gas production of 7.90bscf, translating to three per cent above the 2017 average daily gas production of 7.67bscf. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda He said out of the 7.90bscf produced in 2018, an average of 3.32bscfd (42%) was supplied to the Export market, 2.5bscfd (32%) for Reinjection/Fuel Gas, 1.3bscfd (16%) was supplied to the domestic market and about 783mmscfd (10%) was flared. The GMD stated that out of the 1.3bscfd supplied to the domestic market, an average of 71mmscfd went to the Power Sector, while 470mmscfd was supplied to the Industries and the balance of 69mmscf delivered to the West African Market through the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP). Baru said NNPC would bridge the medium-term domestic gas supply deficit by 2020 through the corporations Seven Critical Gas Development Projects (&CGDPS). According to him, a reputable Project Management consulting firm is collaborating with an NNPC team to achieve accelerated implementation of the projects. He assured that full implementation of the project would boost domestic gas supply from about 1.5bscf/d to 5bscf/d by 2020, with a corresponding 500 per cent increase in power generation and stimulation of gas-based industrialization. Baru said all existing power plants in the country now had a permanent gas supply pipeline infrastructure, even as he stressed that the corporation would continue to expand and integrate its gas pipeline network system to meet increasing domestic gas demands. Meanwhile, the federal ministry of power works and housing has reportedly proposed a budget of N167.96m in 2019 for the purchase, maintenance and fuelling of generators at its headquarters and various agencies. Giving a break down on how the sum is to be spent, The Punch, citing analysis of the 2019 budget proposal of the ministry, reports that the headquarters of the power ministry, set aside N26.6m for the maintenance of plants/generators, while plant/generator fuel cost was put at N16.3m. The ministry also made a budget proposal of N50m for the purchase of generators while its national rural electrification agency proposed to spend N488, 000 on the maintenance of plants and generators, while N1.55m was budgeted as fuel cost for its plants and generators. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: We have updated to serve you better! Can Nigeria solve its power problems? Top engineers offer solutions | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has made his thoughts known on the forthcoming elections - Onaiyekan advised the federal government to ensure proper use of security agents during the election - He also prayed that Nigerians would elect good leaders in the coming election that would address the challenges of the country The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan has advised the federal government to ensure proper use of security agents during the election to avoid intimidation of electorate. Onaiyekan gave the advise in Abuja on Tuesday, January 1 while celebrating the New Year mass at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Nyanya. He said President Muhammadu Buhari had promised to ensure free and fair election and so prayed for Gods intervention to make it come true. His words: It is the government that is responsible for free and fair election in any country, the government has all the necessary things to make it free and fair. The use of security agents should be handled properly to ensure that voters are not intimidated during election. PAY ATTENTION: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda He prayed that Nigerians would elect good leaders in the coming election that would address the challenges of the country. Nigeria need leaders that will carry everybody along to make the country a better place, he said. According to him, other African countries have moved ahead leaving the giant Nigeria behind. The Cardinal said that most countries suffer from national disaster while Nigeria was faced with human disasters and urged Nigerians to serve God more than ever before. He further called on Nigerians to pray that peace, progress and unity would pervade the length and breadth of the country. Onaiyekan said that great exploits would only be achieved through unity of purpose, brotherhood and peace. We should do all we can to realise that we are all children of the same God irrespective of our difference in religion, language or ethnic background, he said. He further admonished politicians not to practice do or die politics. He advised those that would eventually emerge winners in the election to have a sincere and honest mind in order to serve the country better.(NAN) PAY ATTENTION: Access your favourite news site Legit.ng instantly in 3 simple steps Meanwhile, American congressman, Christopher Smith, has urged President Donald Trump to use his sanctioning authority to hold accountable any Nigerian official who subverts the 2019 electoral process or foment violence against citizens. Smith who is the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Africa, gave the advise in a statement published on his personal website on Saturday, December 21. I call upon the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that elections will be free and fair, and for the commission to remain impartial, the lawmaker said. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better. Nigeria Latest News: Father Mbaka On Buhari, Atiku In Nigeria Election 2019 | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - A group has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against condemning the proposed nationwide exercise - The group said it was surprised that PDP could make such allegations that the exercise was conceived to intimidate voters at the 2019 polls - According to the group, Operation Python Dance can be credited for flushing out practitioners of kidnap for ransom in the southeast The opposition has been accused of shedding crocodile tears over the Nigerian Army's proposed Operation Python Dance across the country. A Yoruba youth group, Progressive Yoruba Youth, warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against condemning the proposed nationwide exercise. Speaking to journalists, the national president of the group, Kola Salawu, said he was surprised that PDP could make such allegations that the exercise was conceived to intimidate voters during the 2019 polls. Salawu said the reasons given by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, showed that the operation successfully curtailed the separatist elements in that part of the country and was therefore able to keep the country united. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda He said Operation Python Dance can be credited for flushing out practitioners of kidnap for ransom in the southeast, it has reduced armed robbery in the area and even more significantly and has been instrumental in mopping up the small arms that once proliferated the entire area. "In the south-west, we have been dealing with several instances of criminality that have defied the regular police force and we will not allow PDPs tantrum to deny us of the opportunity to be rid of these problems," Salawu said. "We know for a certainty that there has been an upsurge in robberies, cultism and even more pressing are the ritualists that seem to have been on the upsurge. We believe that the nationwide Operation Python Dance, in addition to any other thing that the Army has in mind, would help deal with these issues besetting the southwest. "When the operation takes place simultaneously, we expect it to be even more effective since it will not be possible for the criminal elements threatening the well-being of the country to escape from one part to the other. "If the PDP is unable to come to terms with reality, it only needs to remind itself that a Boko Haram kingpin responsible for crimes in Abuja, Niger, Edo, Ondo and Kogi states was apprehended in Lagos. "This is indicative of the extent to which criminals have spread across the country in their bid to escape from the heat that has been turned on them in the places where they once operated. We understand that the continuation of these crimes work fine for the PDP, which sees them as cheap campaign props. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read best news on Nigerias #1 news app We will not waste time asking if the PDP is responsible for these crimes in order to use them for campaign," Salawu said. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to declare as unlawful and unconstitutional, the declaration of Operation Python Dance across the nation by the Nigerian Army. The plea was contained in a suit filed by a Lagos-based rights campaignner, Malcom Omirhobo, on Wednesday, January 2. The applicants in the suit labelled FHC/ABJ/CS/01/2019, are Omirhobo and Board of Incorporated Trustees of Malcom Omirhobo Foundation. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng upgrades to serve you better Biafra: Should operation python dance in southeast be canceled? - on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng The Freedom From Religion Foundation is demanding Camden County remove two images from the county courthouse. In a letter dated Nov. 9, 2018, the Wisconsin-based group has requested Camden County remove two religious displays from the Camden County Courthouse in recognition that they represent an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion. According to the letter, an unidentified complainant in the community alerted the foundation to the displays. The two images at issue are a 9/11 Memorial Painting and a Bible verse. 1. 9/11 Memorial Painting The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) says the county must remove a wall-length painting of a scene at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. The painting is located on the wall of the second floor of the courthouse, across from the elevator. A local artist painted the mural, which depicts a New York firefighter with a small girl who is pointing to a cross at the 9/11 Memorial. According to Camden County Presiding Commissioner Greg Hasty, the painting is of an actual scene that took place at the 9/11 Memorial. The World Trade Center Cross, also known as Ground Zero Cross, is a formation of 17 ft. steel beams found by rescue workers among the debris of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, New York City, following the September 11, 2001 attacks. The beam formation is so named because it resembles the proportions of a Christian cross. The Ground Zero Cross is displayed in the World Trade Center Museum along with 1,000 artifacts, a staircase workers used to escape the towers, and pictures of approximately 3,000 victims. 2. Bible Verse With Flag Background The second display is a picture on the wall in an employee area of the Camden County Clerks office. That picture includes the Bible verse John 15:13 -- Greater love hath no one than this, that one would lay their life down for another. According to Camden County Clerk Rowland Todd, the picture was added by an employee because it has a red, white and blue stars and stripes background and the office was being decorated in a red, white and blue patriotic theme. Establishment Clause The FFRF cited the Establishment Clause, which they say prohibits government sponsorship of religious messages. In the letter they listed multiple cases where federal courts upheld restrictions on religious displays by employees on government property because such restrictions exist to avoid Establishment Clause violations. The FFRF holds that the county clerks office cannot fulfill its mission of serving all members of the community while also sponsoring a message that excludes minority religious and non-religious citizens. The FFRF requested assurances that the county will provide all citizens with an environment free from religious endorsement by removing the "exclusionary" displays. They ended by requesting the county respond in writing, detailing the actions they will take so that they (FFRF) may notify the complainant. Commissioner Hasty said he contacted the Department of Labor and was told that an employee has a choice to hang whatever they want in their own private work area. Sadly, I have some grave concerns about where our country is headed, Commissioner Hasty said. I am a little frustrated with having this type of thing crammed down my throat over and over again, when the documents used in the founding of this nation clearly referenced directory, or indirectly, our Creator." Hasty mentioned the Declaration of Independence: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." I hate to see something that is such a big part of the foundation of our country be undermined, he said. People have a right to believe, or not to believe, and it is very disappointing that our employees are not afforded the same right. Hasty and Todd had not spoken with county legal counsel as of the writing of this article. If there is something that does not correspond with these individuals rights to not have them exposed to these displays in a governmental setting then we will make any necessary changes to comply with federal law as defined by the department of labor, Hasty said. The county commission has jurisdiction over the courthouse and the courthouse grounds. We have not had an opportunity to get together to discuss this, but I will put it on the agenda, he said. Todd said that this was not the first complaint of this kind that the county has received. Separation of Church and State The U.S. Constitution does not contain the phrase, Separation of Church and State. The American Center for Law and Justice explains the phrase originated after the Constitution was written, in a letter from Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association. The Danbury Baptists wrote to President Jefferson in October of 1801 concerning their fear of government restrictions on their ability to continue as a minority religion in Connecticut (religion was used in the sense of a denomination of Christianity). [1] President Jefferson responded by encouraging their desire for religious liberty. [2] He agreed with them that officially established, government-mandated state denominations were harmful. President Jefferson mentioned a wall of separation between Church and State to protect the church from the coercive power of the government being used to regulate the internal affairs of local congregations. [3] The First Amendment's Establishment Clause forbids the government from establishing an official religion or denomination. The Supreme Court of the United States has interpreted the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to mean that government action is unconstitutional if its primary purpose or effect is to advance or inhibit religion (or a particular religious viewpoint), or if it creates an excessive government entanglement with religion. [4] The Supreme Court noted, in Lee v. Wiseman, that the First Amendments two religion clauses mean that religious beliefs and religious expression are too precious to be either proscribed or prescribed by the State. [5] According to an article in the New York Times, Judge Deborah A. Batts of the Federal District Court in Manhattan, rejected the argument of a nonprofit atheists group which filed a lawsuit against the operators of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in 2011 on Constitutional grounds, contending that the prominent display of the cross constituted an endorsement of Christianity, diminishing the contributions of non-Christian rescuers. Judge Batts wrote that the cross and its accompanying panels of text helped demonstrate how those at ground zero coped with the devastation they witnessed. She called its purpose historical and secular, and noted that it would be in the Finding Meaning at Ground Zero section of the museum, with placards explaining its meaning and the reason for its inclusion. No reasonable observer would view the artifact as endorsing Christianity, the judge said. She added, The cross does not create excessive entanglement between the state and religion. She said the plaintiffs also failed to find any form of intentional discrimination or cite any adverse or unequal treatment on the basis of religious beliefs. Freedom From Religion Foundation's History In The Lake Area: Tipton School District In 2016, the Tipton School District acquiesced to demands made by the Freedom From Religion Foundation to stop praying at board meetings. The school district also agreed to stop including the song "Blest be the Tie That Binds" at future school sponsored events. The song was part of a Tipton High School Candlelight Awards Program in May 2016. A picture of Jesus that had hung in the school for 70 years was also removed. The picture was donated to the school by a local family as a memorial to a son they lost to polio. References Sekulow, Jay, 2018, December 5, Does the Separation of Church and State really exist? Aclj.org [1] Letter from Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association to President Thomas Jefferson (Oct. 7, 1801) (on file with Princeton Universitys collection: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, https://jeffersonpapers.princeton.edu/selected-documents/danbury-baptist-association). Associated Press, 2019, March 9, Judge Dismisses Suit Over Steel Cross at 9/11 Museum, nytimes.com [2] Letter from President Thomas Jefferson to Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, Stephen S. Nelson, & the Danbury Baptist Association (Jan. 1, 1802) (on file with the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html). [3] Jefferson ended his letter with these words: I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem. Id. [4] Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602, 61213 (1971). [5] Lee v. Wiseman, 505 U.S. 577, 589 (1992). Gravois Fire Protection District Fire Chief Ed Hancock is warning citizens to keep an eye on electric space heaters, after a plug-in heater filled a room with smoke and nearly caught fire in a local home the day after Christmas. Firefighters responded to an emergency 911 call to a report of a smoke detector sounding, smoke filling a room and electric arcing at 1:04 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26 to 30891 Ottersway Road. According to Chief Hancock, the homeowner was at home, sitting in a wheelchair in a room separate from the heater, when he heard popping noises, and saw smoke billowing from the room. He called 911. On arrival, firefighters discovered smoke filling a room and a malfunctioning electric space heater arcing. It was the type of electric heater that plugs directly into a wall outlet without a cord, Chief Hancock said. The unit is marketed under the name 'Heat Hero' electric space heater. According to Chief Hancock, the unit did not trip the circuit breaker on the outlet. Firefighters unplugged the unit from the wall to check for damage and fire damage extension into the wall and removed the unit from the home. The case was damaged from the excessive heat. If you have one of these types of heaters, examine it carefully, Chief Hancock advised. It may have been caused by a bad unit or a faulty design. I cannot condemn the product, it was the first of its kind I have seen, and I have not had time to check it out. The unit plugs into an electric outlet in the same way a night light does. We were led to believe the homeowner was heating primarily with space heaters. There was no damage done to the residence, except for the smell of smoke and wires burning. The GFPD responded with five units and seven personnel. Smoke Alarms Save Lives If he had not been home, or if he had been asleep, we would have had a house fire. The house was saved by a smoke alarm, Chief Hancock said. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out. According to the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, 96 percent of American homes have at least one smoke alarm, no smoke alarms were present, or none operated in two out of five (41%) of the reported home fires between 2003-2006. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Electric Space Heater Safety The cold frigid temperatures of the winter months have many homeowners turning to alternate heat sources. Chief Hancock reminds citizens that portable space heaters were not designed to be used unattended. We have responded to multiple house fire where the fire started in a well house where a space heater was being used to stop the water pipes from freezing The worst thing you can do is plug a space heater into a power strip. Power strips were not designed for that kind of electrical load. We had a several million-dollar home burn down in Porto Cima in Sunrise Beach because of a space heater, Chief Hancock said. It was put in an outside cat house that was up against the wall of the home. The cat got in and moved the heater around and the unit caught fire, caught the cat house on fire, and then the fire spread to the home. It was a complete loss. Space Heaters Blamed for 43% of US Home Heating Fires & 85% of Associated Deaths According to NFPA, space heaters account for 43 percent of U.S. home heating fires and 85 percent of associated deaths. Heating equipment is the second-leading cause of U.S. home fires and the third-leading cause of home fire deaths. More than half (53 percent) of all home heating fire deaths resulted from fires that began when heating equipment was too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding. Space heaters can be effective tools for providing added warmth at home, but its critical that people follow basic precautions to ensure that theyre used safely, said Lorraine Carli, Vice President of NFPAs Outreach and Advocacy Division. Carli says space heaters should be placed a minimum of three feet away from anything that can burn and must be turned off when people leave the room or go to sleep. Make sure children and pets are kept well away from space heaters at all times and remember that space heaters should never be left unattended, said Carli. When youre ready to go to sleep, its time to turn off your space heater. The NFPA Recommends the following precautions when using alternate heat sources: The Group Managing Director of Marshalls has been awarded an OBE in the Queens New Years honours list. Chris Harrop (pictured) received the honour for services to the prevention of modern slavery and exploitation. He joined the FTSE 250 hard landscaping manufacturer in 2002, helping the business to qualify for the FTSE4Good Index for the first time in 2006. In 2005 he spearheaded Marshalls efforts to eliminate child labour and bonded labour from its global supply chain - particularly in countries such as India, China and Vietnam - as well improving working conditions. He continues to visit its quarries around the world to meet Marshalls on-the-ground social auditors who are responsible for the monitoring of standards daily. Under Harrops guidance, the business worked with BRE Global, the Building Research Establishments certification arm, to help develop two new industry accreditations: BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products and BES 6002 Ethical Labour Sourcing Standard. He has also pioneered a Find and Fix programme across the Marshalls plc business that educated its employees, customers and suppliers both in the UK and overseas on how to watch out for and report possible cases of modern slavery. Chris Harrop said: Despite this being a huge personal privilege for me, it is sad that slavery remains a scourge on humanity almost twenty years into the 21st century. Even in the UK, there are an estimated 136,000 people trapped in slavery today. One is too many, wherever they are. Rome, January 2 - Palermo's centre-left mayor, Leoluca Orlando, on Wednesday suspended Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's recent security and migrant decree, sparking a row. Orlando suspended the application of a norm banning officials from issuing residency permits to migrants who already have a stay permit. "With all the problems there are in Palermo, the mayor gets it into his head to stage civil disobedience on immigrants," said Salvini. Orlando replied: "It's not civil disobedience on our part nor conscientious objection but the simple application of Constitutional rights that are guaranteed for all those who live in our country." He said the decree was "inhuman" and "turns migrants into criminals". Salvini reminded Orlando and other mayors belonging to the centre-left opposition Democratic Party that the "security decree, a law od good sense and civilisation, was approved by the government and parliament, and signed by the president of the republic." "First we must think of millions of poor and unemployed Italians, defending them from the too many crimes committed by illegal immigrants, and then we will save the rest of the world". Rome, January 2 - A 50-year-old homeless Polish man was found dead in Rome on Wednesday. The man was found dead on a bench in a piazza in the Ardeatino district. He is believed to have suffered a heart attack brought on by the cold weather. Rome, January 2 - Palermo's centre-left mayor, Leoluca Orlando, on Wednesday suspended Interior Minister Matteo Salvini's recent security and migrant decree, sparking a row. Orlando suspended the application of a norm banning officials from issuing residency permits to migrants who already have a stay permit. "With all the problems there are in Palermo, the mayor gets it into his head to stage civil disobedience on immigrants," said Salvini. Orlando replied: "It's not civil disobedience on our part nor conscientious objection but the simple application of Constitutional rights that are guaranteed for all those who live in our country." He said the decree was "inhuman" and "turns migrants into criminals". Rome, January 2 - A rocket propelled grenade (RPG) was fired at an Italian armoured car in Afghanistan on Wednesday but no one was hurt. The missile did not hit the vehicle but exploded close to it, causing slight shrapnel damage to the back of the Lince, sources said. The incident happened during a training exercise about 20 kilometres from Herat in the west of the country. The RPG was reportedly fired by two rogue Afghan border police officers, one of whom was killed and the other arrested. An Afghan police officer was reportedly hurt in the incident. Rome, January 2 - Five hands were blown off as 216 people were hurt by New Year fireworks amid the annual mayhem as revellers ignored bans across Italy, police said Tuesday. Among these, 13 were seriously hurt. In Milan a young man had his hand blown off by a banger that also injured his face and head. In Val di Susa a 19-year-old student lost his right hand and was injured in the leg. In Catania a 43-year-old man's hand was amputated. A banger blew a 15-year-old Romanian boy's hands off near Agrigento. A 36-year-old woman was taken to hospital in serious condition in Benevento after she was hit by a flying fragment. In Rome revellers set fire to rubbish bins. (CNN) Champagne often flows when toasting to the new year but at what age can most young people legally start sipping bubbly? Around the world, the age when it's legal to purchase or be served most alcohol products varies from 13 in Burkina Faso to 25 in Eritrea. Here's a brief look at how not only the legal drinking age but the culture and parenting around alcohol consumption varies across countries. Legal drinking ages around the world In 2016, age limits for on-premise service and off-premise purchases of alcohol did not exist in 11 and 24 countries, respectively, according to the latest data from the World Health Organization. On the other hand, "some countries have a total ban on alcohol, so it's not legal to sell to anyone," said Dag Rekve, a researcher in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at WHO in Geneva, Switzerland. "By far, the bulk of age limits are around 18 and 20, but there are a considerable number of countries that have 21," Rekve said. "So you have everything from a total ban, where nobody can buy or sell, to an age range of limits from 13 to 25, and then there are some countries that don't have any age limits whatsoever. It's legal to sell to anyone," he said. Yet in recent years, more attention has turned to how much alcohol young people are drinking, not necessarily the age at which drinking starts. Research suggests that the greater economic wealth a country has, the more alcohol is consumed and the higher the prevalence of heavy episodic drinking. Where teen drinking is highest and lowest Binge or heavy episodic drinking can be measured as consuming at least 60 grams or more of pure alcohol on at least one occasion in the past 30 days. Worldwide, about 16% of drinkers 15 and older engage in heavy episodic drinking, according to WHO. "Ten grams of alcohol is a standard drink, which is approximately almost a bottle of beer, a glass of wine or a standard drink of spirits," Rekve said. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a standard drink as equal to 14 grams of pure alcohol. In 2016, the country with the highest percentage of 15- to 19-year-olds reporting heavy episodic drinking in the past 30 days was Luxembourg, with 54%, according to WHO. Equatorial Guinea followed with 53.7% and then Lithuania with 53.2%. No other countries had more than half of teens in that age group report heavy episodic drinking in the past 30 days. Countries where no 15- to 19-year-olds reported heavy episodic drinking in the past 30 days were Mauritania, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Libya, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. "Europe usually is really high, both for the adult population and for 15- to 19-year-olds," Rekve said. More than one-fifth of the European population 15 and older has reported heavy episodic drinking at least once a week, according to WHO. He added, however, that many European countries have recently seen a drop in alcohol use that mirrors the number of adolescents abstaining from drinking altogether. One study, published in the journal BMC Public Health in October, found that 29% of 16- to 24-year-olds in England were non-drinkers in 2015, up from 18% in 2005. A WHO report published in September found that, across 15 European countries and regions, more than 1 in 5 15-year-old girls reported weekly drinking in 2002, with the highest prevalence in England, Scotland, Malta and Denmark. But by 2014, only Malta had a prevalence greater than 20%. Among 15-year-old boys, more than 1 in 5 reported weekly drinking across 24 European countries and regions, with the highest prevalence in Malta, Denmark, England, and Wales. But by 2014, only nine countries and regions had a prevalence greater than 20%, with the highest prevalence in Croatia, Malta, and Italy, according to the report. In the United States, rates of binge drinking among teenagers also have been on the decline. In 2018, consuming alcohol in the past month was reported by 8.2%, 18.6% and 30.2% of eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders, respectively, according to a report called Monitoring the Future, released by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research in December. Those percentages were down from 2013, when it was reported by 10.2%, 25.7% and 39.2% of eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders, respectively, according to the report. Overall, the percentage of teenagers in America who reported ever using alcohol dropped as much as 58% from its peak in 1994. "Even parents have a tolerance to alcohol, and in many instances, they maybe even provide the alcohol for parties that they are holding in their house, with the sense that, what harm is there to let teenagers drink when they are home?" said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which funded the report. "So we have a culture about drinking that is very accepted but that is slowly changing. I think changes in attitudes are in part responsible about why we're seeing the decreases," she said. How heavy drinking can affect young people's health Studies have varied, but some researchers say no amount of alcohol is good for your health, and binge drinking can damage the body and brain, especially in a young person. Evidence suggests that heavy exposure to alcohol can be tied to brain impairment and cognitive deficits, including memory problems. During adolescence, neurons in the brain are growing and strengthening, and connections are developing to allow the brain to transmit information faster and allow the brain to process more complex thoughts. Research suggests that, during this time, development occurs in brain regions associated with motivation, impulsivity and addiction. In general, excessive alcohol consumption ranks as the leading risk factor for an early death or disability in 15- to 49-year-olds, Rekve said. In other words, of all the factors that could raise your risk for death or disability such as tobacco use or physical inactivity too much drinking was the leading risk factor globally among that age group in 2016, according to a study published in The Lancet in August. The study, based on an analysis of data for 195 countries and territories, found that alcohol use was associated with 3.8% of deaths in girls and women in that age group and 12.2% of deaths in boys and men in the same age group. "At the same time, we know that almost 60% of the world's population are not currently drinkers who are 15 years and older. That means that there might be a lot of changes in the future that we need to be aware of," Rekve said, referencing how in 2016, 57% of men and women worldwide reported abstaining from drinking alcohol in the past 12 months. In September, WHO launched an initiative called SAFER in an effort to help governments around the world reduce the harmful impacts of excessive alcohol consumption. The initiative features five strategies: enacting and enforcing policies related to alcohol, advancing and enforcing measures to reduce drunken driving, facilitating access to interventions or treatment for alcohol problems, enforcing restrictions around alcohol advertising and considering alcohol taxation and pricing policies. As WHO puts it, in many parts of the world, drinking alcoholic beverages is a big part of social gatherings and celebrations -- but moderation remains key. This story was first published on CNN.com. "The countries where drinking is banned until 25 or allowed at 13." ABC News(SAN DIEGO) -- U.S. border authorities fired tear gas into Mexico on Monday night when a group of roughly 150 migrants attempted to illegally cross the border into San Diego. Customs and Border Protection said the non-lethal measures were not aimed at those who were actively climbing the fence, but at people who were throwing rocks south of the borderline. "These countermeasures successfully suppressed the rock throwers causing them to flee the area," CBP said in a statement. A Homeland Security spokesperson described the group as a violent mob. Multiple children were among the migrants attempting to cross, and officers reported seeing some of them lift toddler-sized children up and over the concertina wire. Border Patrol also used smoke devices and pepper spray on the migrants. Twenty-five people were arrested, including two teenagers who attempted to cross, according to CBP. They were not injured. The incident is undergoing an internal review, a standard practice when agents use non-lethal deterrents, according to CBP guidelines. Border Patrol came under scrutiny in December for using tear gas when a large group of migrants previously attempted to cross into San Diego. Although CBP policy says agents are not allowed to use tear gas on pregnant women and children, several women and children were among the group targeted by the gas used at the time. (MORE: Migrant mother seen fleeing tear gas with children: 'I felt I was going to die') Border Patrol arrested 42 migrants after the November incident, but criminal charges were not filed. The migrants arrested during Monday nights incident will likely face deportation proceedings but will also have the opportunity to apply for asylum. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Required reading: the Winter issue of Brandeis Magazine Warm up this winter with the new issue of Brandeis Magazine. Youll find stories that take you down memory lane on a cold winters evening; bring you up-to-date on university developments, and connect you with fellow Brandeisians. The cover story, Hard Truth-Telling, takes the measure of the university through the lens of the African and African-American Studies department, which celebrates 50 years in 2019. Professor Chad Williams brings to life the former students and faculty who helped build AAAS, starting with the historic 1969 occupation of Ford Hall. Learn the secret to creating brilliant science television programming in an engrossing Q&A with Paula Apsell 69, senior executive producer of PBS Nova. Hint: It starts with a great Brandeis education. Meet Little Larry, one of the motherless infant chimps Amy Hayes, MA11, PhD19, cared for in one of Cameroons remote chimp sanctuaries as field research for her doctoral dissertation. In Turning Points youll find a poignant personal essay by Lew Lorton 60, his wifes primary caregiver as she descended into dementia. As always, check out what your friends are up to in Class Notes, and catch up on university news, including a two-part report on the campus culture. Angola, IN (46703) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 78F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low around 55F. NNW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph. Jack Colwell has been covering politics over five decades for the is a South Bend Tribune columnist. Security forces stand at the site of the headquarters of Libya's foreign ministry after suicide attackers hit in Tripoli, Libya, Dec. 25, 2018. Reuters South Korea has invalidated the passports of three nationals refusing to leave Libya, a government official said Monday. A total of 13 South Koreans are staying in the nation ridden with unstable security conditions. The government has strongly requested that they depart the country for security reasons. A South Korean man remains held hostage by an unidentified armed group there after he was kidnapped in July. "(We) have taken the step of nullifying the passports of three (of the South Koreans), as they have refused to get out of Libya," the foreign ministry official told reporters on the condition of anonymity. The government is trying to persuade the others to follow its advisory, he added. Meanwhile, he confirmed that South Korea will begin a deep-sea search for the ill-fated Stellar Daisy bulk carrier in the coming weeks, nearly two years after it sank off Uruguay. The work is to begin in late January or early February, and the final result is expected to come out before the end of March, he said. The ship sank in the South Atlantic, some 3,700 kilometers off Uruguay, on March 31 last year. Eight South Korean and 14 Filipino crew members remain missing. The government signed a contract with Ocean Infinity, a Texas-based seabed exploration firm, for the search. The deal, made through the Public Procurement Service, is worth 4.84 billion won ($4.35 million). Alexandra Black was killed on Sunday after a lion escaped a locked enclosure during a routine cleaning. Black was an intern at the Conservators Center for the past two week. Russia has detained a US citizen on suspicion of spying, according to the Russian Federal Security Service. Police looking for man who assaulted woman for 70-mile stretch on highway CLAYTON (KMOV.com) - St. Louis County has a new top prosecutor. Wesley Bell was sworn in at midnight as the prosecuting attorney in St. Louis County. Bell ousted Bob McCulloch from the seat that McCulloch held for almost three decades. Wesley Bell looking forward to changes he's planning for STL Co. prosecutor One day after a stunning victory in the Democratic Primary for St. Louis County Prosecutor, Wesley Bell was looking forward to the changes he's planning. News 4's Lauren Trager sat down with Bell to talk about the big issues. I am excited, Bell said. Bell has big plans. Its time for St. Louis to get ahead of the curve and start investing in these programs, investing in our own citizenry, he said. The son of a police officer, a former Ferguson council member, municipal prosecutor and judge, Bell was elected on a platform of reform. His goals are to focus on public safety but to reverse crime trends, in part through diversion programs. For those low level, nonviolent offenders, we want to give them tools so they don't progress to more violent crime and also, first priority is to expand victim services programs, he said. Bell's already announced staffing changes. Former Missouri Supreme Court Justice Michael Wolff and former North County Police Cooperative Chief Tim Swope. Do you have any concerns about his previous employment? Trager asked. No, I don't, Bell replied. Swope resigned from the co-op in September after he'd been suspended. Its very rare that you have someone who understands policing and also the political side, so in some ways, he's a unicorn, so he's a leader and a friend, Bell said, of Swope. In December, the St. Louis County prosecutors voted to join the St. Louis City police officer's union. Bell says while he supports union, the move raised concern. There are some concerns with real conflicts and the perception, the optics, as prosecutors, we are checks on law enforcement, so there needs to be independence there, he said. But he says he believes most staff members will get on board. Nothing will get in the way of implementing the changes and reforms that the residents of St. Louis County voted for, he said. Big tests may be just around the corner. For example, the trial for the man accused of killing St. Louis County officer Blake Snyder is s scheduled to start in about four weeks. My thoughts and prayers are with that family but that's the tough part of his job, and we want to make sure victims families are treated with respect and dignity and they are kept abreast of everything we are doing, Bell said. McCulloch indicated death penalty would be appropriate for the man accused of a horrific attack at the Catholic Supply store. Bell campaigned on the promise that he would never seek the death penalty. Do you stand by that promise, the promise to never seek the death penalty? Trager asked. I have no intention to seek the death penalty. However, one thing I learned in law school, you never want to say never, and its case by case, but I don't intend to seek the death penalty. We will make sure those individuals never see the light of day with no possibility of parole and that's what my stance has been, Bell said. Bell is making history as the countys first African American prosecutor. Its an honor to serve in this role, and so it's not lost on me being the first of anything, particularly the first African American. It probably didn't hit me that it matters to people and I am proud of that, Bell said. The voters, he says, are asking for a movement. I didn't start it, I am joining it, he said. Editor's Note: Kitco News has officially launched Outlook 2019 - Rush To Safety - the definitive reference for precious metals investors for the new year. We chose this year's theme as financial markets face growing uncertainty. With volatility on the rise, how do you protect yourself? Click here daily to see updated content. (Kitco News) - The mining sector appears to be ripe for a black-swan event in 2019 that could bring investors back to the marketplace, according to the one mining sector executive In a telephone interview with Kitco News, Glenn Mullan, president of Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, said that a rise in commodity prices in the final quarter of the year had helped drive momentum within the mining sector ahead of the new year. Glenn Mullan, president of Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada However, he added that the industry needs to see a significant unexpected event to attract more general investors Mullan said that he thinks 2019 could be the year of surprises as a lack of exploration and investment capital over the last few years has created an unknown environment within the mining sector. He added that a significant discovery in the next year could breathe new life in beleaguered miners The market is fairly efficient in discounting expected and current prices, he said. The market wont touch new highs on what it already knows. Its looking for the stories that it doesnt know and that goes back to the lack of financing, lack of exploration and the lack of new major discoveries. Along with the potential for a surprise event, Mullan said that the market is also poised to see a further increase in mergers and acquisitions. He noted that the last significant M&A activity in mining was nearly a decade ago. Mullan added that he expects depleting reserves will continue to be a critical theme for mining companies in 2019 and will drive M&A activity. Some of the best deals are done in the worst markets, he said. And this one is pretty bad, so I am optimistic that something positive will come out of these conditions. Mullan isnt alone in his optimism. The PDAC 2019 conference, the world's largest mining conference, in Toronto is only one month away and he said that is shaping up to be another constructive year. The 2018 conference saw its best attendance in five years. All of the indicators we are watching are all favorable for a positive 2019 convention, he said. Mullans comments come as the mining sector prepares to end the year in the red, the first negative yearly close since 2015. Major precious-metals producers faired the best this past year. VanEck Vectors Gold Miners exchange-traded fund, representing major gold producers, is down almost 1% this year. Meanwhile, the TSX Venture Index, which is heavily weighted with junior explorers, is down almost 35% for the year. Major producers have also outperformed gold prices. Although gold futures are trading near a six-month high, the market is down nearly 2% for the year, heading for its negative annual close in three years. A solo 401(k), also known as an individual 401(k) or a one-participant 401(k), is designed for self-employed people who have no employees other than a spouse. The plan allows these small-business owners to salt away much more for retirement than they could stash in a traditional IRA or even a SEP IRA -- another generous retirement plan designed for the self-employed -- while avoiding the expense and paperwork of setting up a full traditional 401(k) plan. Solo 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2019 The maximum amount a self-employed individual can contribute to a solo 401(k) for 2019 is $56,000 if he or she is younger than age 50. Individuals 50 and older can add an extra $6,000 per year in "catch-up" contributions, bringing the total to $62,000. (Amounts are higher for 2020.) Whether you're permitted to contribute the maximum, though, will be determined by your self-employment income. You are allowed to sock away so much because you can make contributions as both an employee and an employer, though each type of contribution to a solo 401(k) has its own IRS rules. For instance, you can contribute up to $19,000 for 2019 as an employee (or $25,000 if you're 50 or older), even if that is 100% of your self-employed earnings for the year. Contributions are made on a pre-tax basis, although some solo 401(k) providers also offer a Roth 401(k) option that allows you to invest some or all of your contributions on an after-tax basis. Pre-tax contributions and their earnings will be taxed as regular income when withdrawn in retirement; Roth contributions will be tax-free in retirement. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Sunshine and a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. ROCHESTER, Minn.-Many celebrated the new year out at area bars and that kept officers busy keeping the streets safe. Last night Rochester police increased patrol in areas like downtown. Patrol specialist Craig Jacobsen tells KIMT officers responded to 101 calls, most of them being noise complaints. Officer Jacobsen says there were only two drunk driving arrests in the city. So last night they had a lot of calls. A lot of calls downtown with noise and issues downtown at the bars for domestics last night as well as parties throughout the city. So they were rather busy all the way up until 7 o'clock this morning,he said. He adds, there was one incident police were called to after a fight broke out outside a bar. He wasn't able to give much details because that incident is still being investigated ROCHESTER, Minn. Every year, Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center try to see which facility will have the first baby of the year. In 2019, Mayo Clinic Hospital Methodist Campus had the pleasure of welcoming a baby boy. Jackson Zachary Kammueller is the first baby born in Rochester, and the first baby for his mom and dad. He officially made his debut at 12:41 Tuesday morning. Weighing seven pounds and 10 ounces, hes a bundle bound to be born on a holiday. We were planning for a Christmas baby, Bridget Gongora, Jacksons mom, said, and we kept telling everybody 'oh it's going to be Christmas! Oh best present ever!' The Dec. 25 due date quickly came and went. Then it was the day after Christmas and then two and then three and then it's a week later, Gongora said. Each day a baby's overdue you get a little more anxious and just more ready for him to come. A routine check-up on New Years Eve turned out to be Gongora in labor. We thought we were going to have a New Year's Eve baby, but he decided to come at midnight-41, Gongora said. So we had a New Year's Day baby instead, the first one! With his middle name after his dad, Zach Kammueller, the three of them are taking in their first day as a family. Weighing seven pounds and 10 ounces, his parents are thrilled to have their first baby boy. I was bawling, Gongora said. We were both just like 'he's here!' ROCHESTER, Minn. - Two people were found unconscious, including one person who was beat with a shovel, during an early-morning incident on New Years Day, according to police. Rochester Police said two victims, a 30-year-old male and female, were assaulted when they went to pick up her two kids at a residence at 726 9th Ave. SE. Police said when the male went inside to pick up the kids, two people were arguing inside the house so he left. The man was allegedly then attacked with a shovel and was shoved into a car by 29-year-old Maurice Hegwood, of Rochester. Three others, 32-year-old Deusten White, 59-year-old Timothy Poindexter and 50-year-old Saadia Sanders, allegedly joined in and beat the man. The female was allegedly beat after she was alerted to the first assaulted by one of the kids. The male victim was taken by Gold Cross Ambulance after suffering a broken nose and needed stitches for cuts. Hegwood, White, Poindexter and Sanders are facing charges of 2nd, 3rd and 5th-degree assault and disorderly conduct. Abdirizak Mohammoud is facing a charge of obstructing the legal process. Failte Ireland has announced plans to relocate its Tourist Information Centre to the medieval mile in the centre of the city. This is good news on two fronts. Firstly, it will give Failte Ireland a stand on the citys main thoroughfares. Just as importantly it will return the Shee Alms House on Rose Inn Street to the city having been the Failte Ireland office for over 40 years. The relocation of the official tourist office to the heart of the city will provide the National Tourist Development Authority with greater visibility, a higher tourist footfall and the ability to better serve visitors to the city and region. It is planned that the new Centre, to be located on No. 79 High Street, should be open to greet its first tourists in the summer of 2019. Gary Breen, Head of Visitor Engagement at Failte Ireland said the relocation of the Tourist Information Centre was a vote of confidence in the local tourism industry. The importance of tourism to the economy of the region and the city cannot be underestimated, he said. When completed, it will allow visitors to interact with local tourism experts and to discover even more of what Kilkenny has to offer. In 2017, Kilkenny, city and county, welcomed 315,000 overseas visitors spending an estimated 55 million and 298,000 domestic visitors spending an estimated 39 million. Despite all the ways new technology has changed the travel industry, recent Failte Ireland research has found that visitors still turn to people for advice when on holidays with 50% of all international visitors visiting a Tourist Information Centre when in Ireland. Face to face engagement is at the very heart of our service to visitors. Our intention is that the new Tourist Information Centre will be designed to enable such interactions with a very contemporary layout, Mr Breen said. There will be a number of stations where visitors and staff can engage in one to one consultations and be provided with a bespoke personalised itinerary that fits their needs, wants and budget, saving time, effort and doubt. The new Centre, when completed will allow Failte Ireland to better service and welcome many more visitors to Irelands Ancient East and Kilkenny. The Shee Alms House on Rose Inn Street will return to Kilkenny City Council in the summer, when all Failte Ireland staff will relocate to the High Street office. Overcrowding at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny declined in 2018, but remained the second-highest on record, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). INMO figures published today show 4,052 people on trolleys and wards in total across last year, compared to a figure of 4,505 in 2017. Nonetheless, the figure remains the second-highest since records began, in 2010, when it was 140 people. In recent times, the beginning of a new year has been accompanied by a spike in the number of patients without a bed. That appears to be borne out today (January 2), with INMO figures showing 26 people on trolleys and wards at the Kilkenny hospital. Despite the reduction here last year, nationally, 2018 was the worst year on record for hospital overcrowding. Some 108,227 patients went without hospital beds a record high, according to analysis released today by the INMO. The INMO blames the crisis on low capacity and understaffing. The organisation has asked the government to work with the INMO to develop real proposals that will resolve the recruitment and retention crisis in nursing. This has not happened, and 95% of INMO nurses and midwives voted in favour of industrial action. The INMO Executive will meet on January 7 and 8 to set dates for strikes. The health service does not have enough beds to support our population," said INMO General Secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha. "More beds means more nurses, but the HSE simply cant hire enough on these wages. Its beyond time for the government to engage proactively with the INMO to resolve the crisis in Irish nursing and midwifery." I dont do resolutions, Im around long enough to know myself and that they dont work for me. However, I do see the New Year as a clean slate; a fresh start, where you look back at the year, good and bad and let it go. I always get a new notebook in January and love starting to jot down ideas on the lovely clean pages. I am really looking forward to the next year at the Discovery Park, we have three new activities launching in 2019 - axe throwing (yes, you read correctly!), mountain biking and kayaking. It is so rewarding working with a great team of people, and delivering experiences that are healthy for mind and body. I hope we continue to grow the business so that we can meet our objective to create jobs and regenerate the town through rural tourism. Its easy to forget about the world when you work surrounded by so much beauty, but I continue to dream/hope that the craziness of the world will start to uncrazy. I would love to see a complete ban on plastic, it breaks my heart to see what we are doing to our planet, and in particular the animal and sea life. We need to get the manufacturers to come on board with addressing the whole area of packaging. I also despair of the example America is setting with its stance on climate change, but I hope that young voters will come out and make a stand at the next US election. I dream that we have another summer like 2018! It was just bliss to be able to plan days at the beach, evenings sipping wine outside, shorts and t-shirts, salads and generally the good mood that grips Ireland once the sun shines. Heres to a great 2019! Happy New Year! Summer came to an end but the fun and games for Kilkenny continued, in September, with the camogie teams valiant efforts in Croke Park. Despite a one-point loss they ladies got a heros welcome back to Kilkenny. It was a good month for the secondary schools in Kilkenny. A 7 million investment for the Presentation Secondary School will see it more than double in size. All the local secondary schools celebrated debs balls. But there was still an ongoing worry for some local primary school students who were fighting for a place on school busses. The start of the Kells Kings Charity Cycle Kilkenny hit the international sporting headlines when 120 racers from 17 countries came through the city for Ras na mBan. The race was broadcast by Eurosport as far away as Australia. Gastric gold was the big news for Kilkenny city in September as the title National Foodie Destination of the Year was awarded to the city. Celebrations took place in the village of Ballyhale where Billys Tea Rooms was officially opened, bringing with it the first shop in the village for years. Local artist Robert Norwood, who lives with an acquired brain injury, held his first exhibition and it was a great success. As the month progressed the Kilkenny community faced difficulties. More than half of all farmers in Kilkenny reported they wouldnt have enough fodder for the coming winter. Siobhan Armstrong and Luisa Trigilio during the Harp Festival at Colaiste Pobail as part of Heritage Week PICTURE: PAT MOORE The lack of strong, reliable broadband in Castlecomer was putting the brakes on investment, the local Municipal District Council warned. Elsewhere, nursing staff at St Lukes hospital in Kilkenny held a protest at crisis levels of staffing. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said 200 years of nursing experience had been lost from the A&E department alone in six months, with long serving nurses retiring or resigning. The end of the month brought reason to celebrate as Kilkenny city, Inistioge, Tullahought and Windgap all won accolades in the National Tidy Towns Awards. Teresa Parker and her granddaughter Emma (3) meet vikings during Medieval Madness at the Market Cross Shopping Centre PICTURE: PAT MOORE Actor Bob Einstein, also known as Super Dave Osborne, has passed away at the age of 76, according to multiple media outlets. Einstein, who was also a regular on Curb Your Enthusiasm as Marty Funkhouser, had been battling cancer when he passed away in Indian Wells, California on Wednesday. RELATED: Legendary WWE commentator 'Mean Gene' Okerlund passes away at age 76 EUGENE, Ore. A number of people across Lane County were arrested for DUII late Monday night and early Tuesday while celebrating the New Year. Deputies with the Lane County Sheriffs Office said they arrested three people for driving under the influence. RELATED: Oregon officer hurt after DUII suspect hits patrol car Eugene and Springfield police said both departments arrested two people. For the second year in a row, the Coburg Police Department offered free rides home on New Years Eve. READ MORE: Coburg police offering free rides home on New Year's Eve Officers said they gave eight people a ride home, but also arrested one person for DUII. Uber, Lyft and Oregon Taxi also offered a discount for riders this year. CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon man accused of killing his relative during a fight has pleaded not guilty. The Corvallis Gazette-Times reports that 45-year-old Chad Cheever entered the plea Monday in Linn County Circuit Court to charges of murder by abuse and second-degree assault. Cheever was indicted in December in the death of 60-year-old Don Whisenhunt. Court documents say the Tangent-area farm mechanic died in September following massive injuries stemming from a fight with Cheever, who is the nephew of Whisenhunt's ex-wife. Cheever was initially charged with manslaughter and second-degree assault following the death. Judge Daniel Murphy ordered Cheever to be held in the Linn County Jail without bail. Cheever's next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25. 337 Shares Share Part 1 of a series. The battle I walk into my parents home to pick my mom up for a family gathering. And like most days over the past few weeks, palpable sorrow greets me at the door. Our old dog lies sleeping on the couch, heavy with years, shes difficult to rouse. She finally welcomes me with a geriatric tail wag and labored breathing. I glance at the pile of mail on the table, eager to catch a glimpse of a new card or letter of condolence, which have been trickling in at a steady pace. A thick envelope addressed to my father lies at the top of the pile, from the network of hospitals that were home to him during his final months, and where I spent years training and working as a researcher. My eyes scan the front of the envelope: Courage Lives Here. My face contorts reflexively as I ask my mom what they want. Its a survey, she tells me. They want to know how they did. I shake my head in disbelief I guess they didnt get the memo. Dads gone. Courage died there. But before he died, Courage burned fiercely. He braced himself in opposition of doubt and defeat, he forgave numerous medical oversights and missed treatment opportunities, he did laps around the nurses station, greeting the nurses at each turn. He underwent an endless slew of diagnostic tests- colonoscopy, gastroscopy, CT and MRI scans, liver biopsy, and innumerable X-rays and ultrasounds. He endured weeping leg edema, sleepless night after sleepless night, shortness of breath, dizziness, liters of fluid around his lungs and in his abdomen and repeated needle punctures to drain the fluid. Courage lost his appetite for food but ate anyway, lost his tolerance for liquids, but drank nonetheless. Courage fortified his neighbors, asking about their progress, wishing them good luck and good health. He endured a central intravenous catheter, nasogastric feeding tubes, stomach ulcers, relentless nausea and hiccups, constipation and diarrhea. When he developed urinary blockages, Courage tolerated the surgical insertion of kidney drainage tubes and the multiple tube replacements that followed. When he was denied prophylactic antibiotics at the first tube change, only to develop Staphylococcus aureus kidney and blood infections, Courage persevered. Courage waited patiently, then impatiently, for his doctors to round, accepting feelings of uncertainty and neglect when no doctor visited for a week. He suffered through mixed messages, a racing heart, low blood pressure, a blood clot in his leg, pressure ulcers, a single harrowing round of chemotherapy, agonizing mucositis and mouth sores, debilitating weakness and weight loss, and when things were at their bleakest, another walk to the nurses station. Courage accepted the pain of surrendering his role as nurturer and caregiver, of giving up control over his body and life, of watching his family suffer with him and tend to his every waking need. He navigated the landmines of frustration and disappointment in a medical system that had carefully tracked his progress since removing his diseased prostate seven years earlier, only to miss the elephant in the room because of an over-reliance on inadequate protocol. Courage battled demons of despondency, mood disturbances and hot flashes at the hands of hormonal treatment, clinging to optimism and faith despite ongoing setbacks. When his appetite for food failed him, he sustained himself on an appetite for life, his guiding motivation a hunger for more time with family. He managed the household expenses, wrote birthday greetings to his granddaughter, visited with friends young and old, listened to his favorite music, donated to charity, voiced his fear and anger, dreamed about vacations at the beach, kissed my sisters very pregnant belly as he felt his unborn grandson move, sat quietly holding hands with his devoted wife of 52 years, and kept up-to-date on family life in general, all from his hospital bed. Courage stared down a death sentence of weeks, saying, I cannot accept this. Courage fought for hours to swallow medications that would no longer go down because of an untreated mouth and throat virus and an overall weakened swallowing reflex. Courage fought to swallow the bitter reality of the final option for treatment large, uncrushable pills. A new type of hormone therapy that held the promise of shrinking the innumerable tumors that riddled his body, covering at least 30 percent of his liver, and infiltrating his lymph nodes, which were pressing on his various organ systems. Eight pills lost the battle and were swallowed before all food and water were restricted completely. Courage listened as doctors scavenged his last shreds of hope. Theres nothing more we can offer you. The treatments have done nothing for your cancer. As an advocate for my fathers health care, I demanded evidence of treatment failure. How much of my fathers deconditioned state was due to cancer progression and how much of it was a result of the panacea of medical oversights and mismanaged complications, including recurrent infection and long-term poor nutritional status? Courage listened in disbelief when the CT results came back showing significant disease regression, particularly in the liver. To everyones surprise, a single hormone-blocking injection from two months ago had finally kicked in and was doing its job. But by then, another systemic infection had taken hold along with the insidious psychological toll of a medical team that had given up, all too eager to point a finger at the ever-looming specter of metastatic prostate cancer that had taken on an identity of its own. This is the story of a family traumatized twice. Once by witnessing a loved one suffer at the hands of a ruthless, ravaging disease. And a second time by witnessing the medical and psychological mismanagement of a patient whose disease did not fit the typical progression and therefore fell between the cracks of an overburdened medical system designed to treat the statistical norm. As a bystander to my fathers painful journey, I can only approximate the degree to which he suffered. I can only tell the story from my own perspective that of a daughter who committed herself to running the race alongside her father and to making sure that he crossed the finish line to receive his most revered prize: more time with family. Sadly, we lost this race, the finish line assuming a tragically literal meaning. Ultimately, my father passed from septic shock. His cancer was responding to therapy, but his body was too weak and decompensated from malnutrition, immune system compromise, delayed treatment of infections and overall disease burden to cope. Unlike many other patients, he was blessed to have his entire family advocating on his behalf, with someone by his side 24/7 to supervise his medical care, including diagnostic and medical procedures, meetings with doctors, review of test results and treatment plans and administration of medications. My father welcomed our support, particularly when he became too ill to remain vigilant, and even for daily routines such as medication administration. As a result of drug dosage and dispensing errors, he insisted that one of us be present when he took his medications to review the list and doses of drugs with the nurse before administration. Being so intimately involved in my fathers care, we bore witness to an onslaught of preventable errors, a perfect storm of mistaken assumptions, missed opportunities, shortsightedness and overreliance on limited protocol. We were successful at preventing some errors by interceding and advocating in advance. Others we discovered in retrospect after the damage had already been done. Over the course of several months, we encountered mistakes by attending physicians, oncologists, nurses, administrators, and radiologists. In an environment where the cost of errors is so high, does the medical system really understand the agonizing toll that preventable errors have on a single life and family? Admittedly, we came across countless angels within the health care system, who displayed uncompromising compassion, responsibility, and good judgment during my fathers most difficult moments. However, their empathy and dedication could not compensate for the lack of adequate protocols for outliers such as my father. Nor could they compensate for overworked physicians who treat symptoms rather than patients and who are spread so thin that they do not have the time to review the files of patients with complicated cases let alone the scientific literature. Therefore, they miss opportunities for better, timelier care. In an era of patient-centered care, our experience is a sad reminder that the system falls painfully short in addressing the complex needs of patients with multiple comorbidities and complications precisely those patients who are at greater risk for preventable harm and who require more careful assessment. A 2016 report released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute found that 138,000 Canadian patients admitted to hospital during 2014-2015 experienced a harmful event, ranging from hospital-acquired infection to medication errors. Of these patients, 17,300 died during their hospital stay. Vice-president of research and analysis at CIHI, Kathleen Morris, told The Star in 2016 that Those most at risk for hospital-related harms are patients with multiple medical conditions, such as cancer and diabetes, who have several specialists involved in their care. The more complex a patients health status, the higher the rate of harmful incidents. Despite ongoing public campaigns to raise awareness of preventable medical harm, the story from the inside remains very different, at least in our experience. My familys attentive involvement in my fathers care serves as an important example of how self-advocacy can expose the culture of silence surrounding preventable diagnostic and treatment errors. The conditioning of patients to accept what doctors say as gospel perpetuates an environment in which physicians can easily avoid taking responsibility for oversights. Regardless of their level of expertise or rank within the hospital system, physicians are not infallible. If something doesnt seem right, theres a good chance that it isnt. Asking informed and relevant questions and engaging in ongoing and productive communication with the health care team provides opportunities for ourselves and our loved ones to receive better care and holds health care professionals accountable. For the majority of men diagnosed with prostate cancer or managed for recurrence, the standard of care and treatment options are good, provided that diagnoses are made early. For prostate cancer patients with aggressive, atypical forms of the disease, the reality is quite different. In my fathers case, his medical team failed to diagnose recurrence in a timely manner, due to the unusual presentation of his disease, an overreliance on inadequate tests and diagnostic imaging oversights. Cancer patients who fall outside the statistical norm because of uncommon manifestations of the disease are often stigmatized as ill-fated as if somehow their unfortunate biology is responsible for their demise. Assigning a human identity to the outliers who, despite medical intervention do not survive, serves as a reminder of the shortcomings of current standards of care for such patients. My hope is that my familys experience raises awareness of preventable errors in the management of prostate cancer and its recurrence, and encourages patients and their families to self-advocate. My appeal to physicians and other health care professionals is to reexamine practices for patients who require closer follow-up, to identify opportunities for improved, timelier care in patients with complex medical histories, and to honor the concerns of patients and their families. Until we reach a point where no man is left behind, the medical community will not have fulfilled its commitment to do no harm. Iris Kulbatski is a science writer. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Thanks to a combination of term limits, resignations and three incumbents losing their races, there will be 12 new faces and a familiar one among the 49 state senators. Fresh from a term-limited four-year hiatus, Omaha attorney Steve Lathrop, 61, returns to represent District 12 where he defeated incumbent Merv Riepe. Lathrop joins Ernie Chambers as the only other senator (so far) to sit out one term and be re-elected. New senators are Machaela Cavanaugh, 39, the daughter of former Democratic Rep. John Cavanaugh of Omaha. She defeated Thibodeau. Cavanaugh works for the Buffet Early Childhood Institute. Ebke was defeated by Tom Brandt of Plymouth, a farmer and livestock feeder. The 58-year-old also is a Republican. Ricketts appointed Gretna attorney Andrew LaGrone to fill the vacancy created by Sen. John Murantes election as state treasurer. Ricketts re-election campaign press secretary Julie Slama of Peru was chosen to fill District 1 Sen. Dan Watermeiers seat. He was elected to the Nebraska Public Service Commission. Both are Republicans in the officially non-partisan Legislature. The entire campus came together around the strategic enrollment plan, she said. We did it based on our strengths and who we are as an institution. Thats really why we turned the tide. Shes quick to point out that these kinds of results arent caused by just one person. She said the colleges deans, faculty and staff go above and beyond in providing a personal and impactful education. For example, she said, an alumna spoke at a recent event about a college dean who helped her get to class in the middle of a snowstorm. Ive worked at bigger schools, and you dont see that like you do at Wayne State College, Rames said. Our faculty really care about those students, and they know whats going on in their lives. They want to help them be successful, and thats huge. After this notable year, Rames said, the next step for the college is to stabilize numbers moving forward and stay focused on a plan built around excellent academics. Those are big numbers for us, she said. Institutions build, build, build, but you have to start with academic programs, and then you build facilities to match that. Rames believes that her team will help Wayne State see its mission through, both on campus and in the region. Its about surrounding yourself with great people who really care about this institution and our mission, and rallying around what were trying to accomplish and the work we do with students, she said. I really believe in this team and the work were doing for Northeast Nebraska and the state. Instead of continuing on its eastward track, the storm not only slowed to a halt, it doubled back on itself several times, areas of western Nebraska were hit again, while extreme areas of eastern Nebraska were left untouched. The result, as the World-Herald Magazine put it, one of the worst storms in the history of the West, a massive siege that locked down parts of 13 states in a deadly vice of cold, drifting snow, bitter winds and below zero temperatures for seven weeks. Areas of Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada and Utah were now buried under snow drifts as large as one story buildings. The World-Herald Magazine quoted a western Nebraska rancher, Those 1949 blizzards were even worse than the ones in 1888 that killed all those setters. I knew my cattle were in trouble but the drifts were so high around my house I couldnt get out to help them. I lost over 100 head. Some froze standing up, other starved. The blizzard would take the lives of over 100 people, as well as 500,000 head of livestock. The conditions deteriorated so quickly many people were trapped in their vehicles or alone in their homes. A 95 year old woman in Gordon was found frozen to death, alone in her home. GRANTS PASS, Ore.-- A 13-year-old boy is accused of vandalizing multiple buildings and schools around Grants Pass with black paint to apply the words "SUR13", "13SUR", "gang13" and other words and images. The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety said on Saturday, December 22nd, officiers responded to the Seventh Day Adventist School for a report of criminal mischief. Surveillance video from the school showed multiple people on the campus applying graffiti to the building. Through investigation, the teen was identified as a possible suspect and was later arrested on New Year's Eve for several counts of criminal mischief and applying graffiti. He is currently lodged at the Josephine County Juvenile Detention Center. The department said other similar incidents have been reported around the city including one at North Middle School. Officers said those incidents have also been under investigation. The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety said this case is still under active investigation to identify the other people involved at the Seventh Day Adventist School. If anyone has any information, the department asks that you give them a call at (541) 450-6260. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Paul Whelan, the former U.S. Marine detained in Russia on espionage charges: 12 p.m. (ET) __ U.S. officials are seeking answers about Moscow's arrest of a Michigan man on spying charges, and now the Russian government says it's allowed Paul Whelan to have access to U.S. consular representatives. A spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Minister is quoted by state news agency Tass and private agency Interfax as saying access was granted Wednesday. She couldn't immediately be reached for additional details by The Associated Press. Whelan is head of global security for a Michigan-based auto parts supplier. He was arrested Friday. In announcing the arrest three days later, the Russian Federal Security Service said Whelan was caught "during an espionage operation," but gave no details. __ 10:55 a.m. (ET) The Marine Corps says the American detained in Russia on espionage charges was convicted in a 2008 court-martial on charges related to larceny. Michigan resident Paul N. Whelan's service record was released Wednesday by the Marine Corps at the Pentagon and shows he joined the Marine Reserves in 1994 and rose to the rank of staff sergeant in 2004. Whelan was an administrative clerk and administrative chief and deployed for the war against Iraq for several months in 2004 and 2006. He was convicted at a special court-martial in January 2008 and given a bad-conduct discharge in December 2008 at the rank of private. Details of the larceny charges were not released. Whelan's last place of duty was Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California. Whelan was arrested Friday in Moscow, where his brother says he was attending a wedding. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (pahm-PAY'-oh) says the U.S. hopes to soon get access to him. ___ 8 a.m. (ET) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (pahm-PAY'-oh) says the U.S. hopes to soon get access to an American detained in Russia on espionage charges. Pompeo said Wednesday at a news conference in Brazil that the U.S. has "made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is he's been accused of." Paul Whelan was arrested in Moscow on Friday. The Russian Federal Security Service announced the arrest three days later and said Whelan was caught "during an espionage operation," but it gave no details. Whelan is a former Marine from Michigan. His brother says he was in Moscow to attend a wedding. Pompeo says "if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return." ___ 12:05 a.m. (ET) The brother of a U.S. citizen arrested in Russia on espionage charges says he's innocent and was in Moscow to attend a wedding. Paul Whelan was arrested in Moscow on Friday. The Russian Federal Security Service, in announcing the arrest three days later, said Whelan was caught "during an espionage operation," but gave no details. His brother, David Whelan, said in a statement posted Tuesday on Twitter that his brother's "innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected." David Whelan said his brother is a retired Marine and the family is "deeply concerned for his safety and well-being." The Russian spying charges carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. DeAndre Hopkins, a star wide receiver with the Houston Texans, pledged Thursday to donate his playoff paycheck this week to the family of the late Jazmine Barnes, the 7-year-old who was killed in a drive-by shooting in Texas. BLUE SPRINGS, MO (KCTV) -- New details Tuesday night on a business raid KCTV5 told you about two weeks ago. Chopper 5 was overhead while police were at Anderson Equipment Rental. At the time, police were downplaying the role of the owner, but our reporter has since found some compelling evidence against him. We now know what they seized from behind the chain link fence, 43 items including 20 power tools and 18 flatbed or enclosed trailers. But the numbers are only part of the story. The rest is in the search warrant. Law enforcement with three agencies spent seven hours inside the Blue Springs business off 7 Highway. A tip from a theft victim and then an anonymous source, turned into a sting with an undercover detective selling the owner tools made to look stolen via scratched off serial numbers. The detective wrote that the owner said he would, fix them or sell them or do whatever we have to do to them. An electric drill they seized was marked with the name and number of Habitat for Humanity, who told police, people steal from us often, but we dont sell our tools. The rental nature of the business was at the heart of the supposed scheme, something police initially described in defense of the owner. Youre renting that equipment out to different people. A lot of times the equipment could be brought back with the numbers removed from it, said Sgt. Joe Fanara, Blue Springs Police Department. Thats how an owner could call up a manufacturer of a legit tool and say, Hey a serial number off of this has been damaged or lost. Can you send me a new one? then tack that on a similar, stolen item. As for the trailers now sitting in a police evidence lot, one came back as stolen from Lees Summit in 2015, but when they asked the owner and his wife about it, they said they bought it 10 years ago which is tough math to reconcile considering they said its not a rental but for storage. The Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office says a boy who nearly drowned in a pool last weekend is on life support. The sheriff's office say the teen "has no brain activity" and is on life support "until his family takes him off" of it. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Creative ideas Border Wall creative ideas: Build the wall with solar panels; produce solar energy and make a profit. Use the profits to fund the wall and security. Build public housing apartments next to the wall. Give residents permission to protect their domain like the Florida law states. Establish a homestead act and give U.S. citizens federal land so they can build homes and farms. Create a lottery, sell tickets and give away a grand prize of a Chevrolet Impala before they quit making them. Ask each U.S. citizen to donate one dollar. The U.S. Postal Service could collect one dollar just like it collects cans of food. There are so many millionaires who could donate the entire cost. The best idea is to sell bricks with names written on the brick or in memory of a loved one. These bricks could enhance the border wall. Gerald Yates Lexington Personal responsibility Not a word of sympathy here much less remorse on the part of the government over the deaths of a 7-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy while in its custody. Nor does Trump address questions that are being raised about whether the administrations new policy seeking to limit the ability of immigrants to seek asylum protection might be a factor in putting more at risk. Under recent changes, migrants must remain in Mexico as their asylum cases are processed, possibly increasing their willingness to do something reckless to come across the border. Then there was the dissonance: His blast came on a day that Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was visiting Yuma, Ariz., after stopping in El Paso, Texas. Her department has promised more thorough medical screenings and is calling on other agencies to help. The system is clearly overwhelmed and we must work together to address this humanitarian crisis and protect vulnerable populations, Nielsen said in a statement. Right. And if we judge success by things that didn't happen, we should also credit Kelly for avoiding a zombie apocalypse. Kelly served his country honorably for decades. But there's nothing courageous in announcing, on the way out the door, that he didn't agree with many awful things Trump did on his watch. There was, once, a good argument that qualified people, by taking administration jobs, could temper Trump's worst instincts. But it turned out Trump was not to be tempered. Those who disagreed with the madness had an obligation to resign, or at least to speak out -- not to wash their hands of responsibility after the fact. Don't blame Rex Tillerson. The ousted secretary of state recently told Bob Schieffer of CBS News he reined in Trump by saying "you can't do it that way. It violates the law. It violates a treaty." Don't blame Jim Mattis. The former defense secretary waited until resigning to publicly state his disagreements with Trump over NATO, "malign actors" such as Russia and "treating allies with respect." Don't blame Reince Priebus. Trump's first chief of staff spoke up about Trump's chaos after he was ousted, telling author Chris Whipple: "Take everything you've heard and multiply it by 50." Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. A South Carolina woman says she filmed a possible UFO off South Carolinas Kiawah Island on Christmas Eve, and other witnesses are stepping forward on social media to report they saw the same beautiful red sphere. Im not a nut, wrote Debra Thompson in a YouTube post with the video. ...I just wanted to know if anyone has had any experiences in the last few days...It really is quite amazing when you see one that seems to splat out of another dimension and change into a round shape. Kiawah Island is just off the South Carolina coast, about 25 miles south of Charleston. Thompson says in the video that she spotted the object about 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve as she stood on the deck of her home. One five-minute video shows an extraordinarily bright and beautiful red ball as it bounces, stops, fades and then grows brighter. A ceremony marking the 156th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in rebellious Southern states, was charged with politics, as speakers lashed out against gerrymandering, the citys Confederate statue on Fourth Street and President Donald Trump, whom one speaker declined to call by name. Bishop Sherwood T. Davis referred to Trump as 45 because he is the 45th president of the country. I say 45 because his demeanor is not very presidential at all, said Davis, who delivered the ceremonys keynote address. Davis said that people who have been enslaved once before can be enslaved again. Maybe not in the literal sense, but there are a number of ways that power can be stripped of them, he said. One example he used was the 2016 election of Trump as president. Davis said he believes that Russian interference led to Trumps election. If someone can corrupt your voting process, then they can ultimately jeopardize your freedom, he said. North Carolina is making progress toward meeting a U.S. Justice Department requirement for moving 3,000 qualified individuals from adult-care homes into independent housing by July 1, 2021, according to the fifth annual review of the initiative. However, the state could fall just short of meeting the deadline without an uptick in monthly placements and a reduction in the number of people who cant make a successful transition and bow out of the program, according to independent reviewer Marti Knisley. The moves are part of a court settlement spurred by claims made by Disability Rights NC in November 2010 that the state was violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. The integration aspect of the act is intended to provide individuals the opportunity to live their lives like those without disabilities. The agreement, known as the Olmstead settlement, was put into place in August 2011. The transitioning of individuals began in the spring of 2013 with modest progress over the past five years. Knisley said settlement beneficiaries represent at least 25 percent of all adults with serious mental illness getting public services in any given month in North Carolina. Inwood residents Sean McIntire and Brittany Stocker welcome newborn boy, Greyson McIntire, who was born Tuesday at 5:28 a.m. at WVU Medicine-Berkeley Medical Center. Greyson was delivered after 29 hours of labor with the help of Midwife Mary Dunn. Della A. (Kinkade) McGuire, 85, passed away at 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, June 10th, 2021 at the Presbyterian Manor in Parsons, KS, where she had lived for almost three years. On July 28, 1953, Della married Max E. McGuire. He preceded her in death on January 21, 1999. Della is survived by her BORDERLAND BEAT The Most Extensive and Reliable Source of Information Related to the Mexican Drugs Cartels. You will not find this level of coverage anywhere else, join us! Send information, pictures or videos, you remain 100% anonymous. Envia fotos, videos, notas, enlaces o informacion todo 100% Anonimo. General Mail Box: borderlandbeat@gmail.com Want to be a contributor or citizen reporter for Borderland Beat? We love to have you in our team, send us an email! WARNING: Posts may contain strong violent material, discretion is advised. COMMENTS: We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. MiMi-Sandra of Fort Worth, born 7 September 1945 in Jacksonville to Joe Selman Gore and Jeffie Gwendolyn (Lazenby) Gore. Preceded by her parents and five siblings. Survived by her husband, daughters, four siblings, nieces and nephews. Ithaca, NY (14850) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High near 75F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 54F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. On Friday, officials with the Walker County Hospital District board announced that they have finalized a $7.8 million purchase of Huntsville Memorial Hospital. Do you feel like this is a good use of tax dollars, and is this the right direction for the struggling health care facility? You voted: News Thai Man Kills Six Family Members after New Year's PartyPolice Confiscated weapons are displayed on a table during a news conference at Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok on October 28, 2015. / Reuters BANGKOKA Thai man shot and killed six family members, including his two young children, before killing himself after a New Years party, Thai police said on Tuesday. Sucheep Sornsung, 41, came home from the party and started to quarrel with his family before the shootings, the police said. The incident took place in southern Chumphon Province. The victims included his 6-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old, as well as two men and two women aged between 47 and 71, who were family members of Sucheeps wife, who survived. One man was injured and survived the shooting. The (suspect) went to a party with his friends then came home to see his wifes family and they started arguing before he used his gun to shoot them, Police Major General Saharat Saksilapachai, commander of Chumphon provincial police, told Reuters. According to witnesses, the man did not drink a lot and we suspect that his rage came from old problems with his wifes family, Saharat said. The police said Sucheep had a drug-related criminal record and had previously been jailed but there was no history of violence against his family. Thailand has a high rate of gun ownership and gun-related death, but mass shootings are rare. According to 2016 data from the University of Washington, Thailand had the highest reported rate of gun-related deaths out of 10 countries in Asia. It was about 50 percent higher than the Philippines, which was second on the list. According to Thailands Interior Ministry, there are more than 6 million registered firearms in the country of 69 million people. But there are also many unregistered guns in circulation. Asia Thousands March in Hong Kong Against China Repression after Grim 2018 Pro-independence supporters take part in an annual New Year's Day march in Hong Kong on January 1, 2019. / Reuters HONG KONGThousands of demonstrators marched in Hong Kong on Tuesday to demand full democracy, fundamental rights, and even independence from China in the face of what many see as a marked clampdown by the Communist Party on local freedoms. Over the past year, countries such as the United States and Britain have expressed concerns about a number of incidents they say have undermined confidence in Hong Kongs freedoms and autonomy under Chinese rule. These include the jailing of activists, a ban on a pro-independence political party, the de facto expulsion of a Western journalist and barring democracy activists from contesting local elections. The New Years day march included calls to restart stalled democratic reforms and to fight political repression from Beijing. Looking back at the year that passed, it was a very bad year The rule of law in Hong Kong is falling backwards, said Jimmy Sham, one of the organizers. Organizers said the march drew 5,500 people, revised down from an earlier estimate of 5,800, while police said 3,200 people were on the streets at the marchs peak. The former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a one country, two systems formula, with the promise of a high degree of autonomy and universal suffrage as an ultimate aim. While authorities have clamped down hard on the citys fringe, pro-independence movement, that didnt deter around 100 independence activists from joining the march, holding up banners and chanting for the city to split from China. China considers Hong Kong to be an inalienable part of its territory, and denounces separatists as a threat to national sovereignty, even though the movement has not garnered much popular backing in the city. There will be continuous suppression on the Hong Kong independence movement, but the movement will grow stronger and stronger, said Baggio Leung, an independence leader who said several of his members had been harassed by purported triads or gangsters, before the march. Last year, in an unprecedented move, Hong Kong authorities banned a political group, the Hong Kong National Party, for its pro-independence stance on national security grounds. A western journalist, Victor Mallet, was also effectively expelled from Hong Kong, soon after he hosted a talk at a press club by the head of the National Party. Mallets visa denial, which the government has so far refused to explain, was criticized by some foreign governments and the American Chamber of Commerce. Some protesters carried wanted posters of Hong Kongs top legal official, Theresa Cheng, criticizing a decision to drop a corruption investigation into Hong Kongs former pro-Beijing leader Leung Chun-ying, without a satisfactory explanation. Im afraid the pressure will continue, said Joseph Cheng, a veteran rights campaigner and retired professor who was raising money for a justice fund for activists facing hefty legal fees for several trials. Were going to face a few difficult years, but we must stand firm Unlike in mainland China, at least we can still protest. Profile Boat Builder Floats New Business to Tap Island Tourism Boom Ko Thein Zaw Min, managing director of Mergui Dolphins Travel and Tour, at his speedboat workshop in Myeik, Tannitharyi Region on Dec. 29, 2018. / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy With tourism booming in southern Myanmar, residents of Myeik in Tannitharyi Region are finding ways to benefit by filling niches in the industry. Ko Thein Zaw Min, managing director of Mergui Dolphins, one of 40 tour companies in the area, has found a way to do this by opening a boat-making workshop. The number of travel and tour agencies in the Myeik (or Mergui) Archipelago has increased since 2015 as growing numbers of domestic and foreign tourists visit some of the areas more than 800 beautiful islands. Ko Thein Zaw Min, 38, is confident that his new boats, which are created from his own designs with the help of experienced engineers and boat builders, will slowly replace the second-hand vessels that operators are currently using to provide package tours of the islands. He has been repairing old boats since 2016, building several smaller ones himself. His first effort was a wooden cruise boat built for political candidates to use in the by-election campaign in 2012. After that, he gradually got involved in the travel industry after being encouraged to do so by friends. His 18-foot fiberglass boats (those used for fishing are 20 ft) are more expensive than local wooden fishing boats, but Ko Thein Zaw Min claims they last for nearly 30 years, compared to three to four years for the wooden variety. Last year he made his first 27-ft speedboat and he plans to make more. Producing his own boats is more cost-effective than restoring old ones. [When fixing up old boats]we have to buy second-hand boats from Thailand at fixed prices. And we have to pay 25 percent tax to the customs office. They take time to repair. I decided to make my own, so that we could use new boats, and at a lower cost, he explained to The Irrawaddy. Friends and engineers in Yangon and local boat-making experts helped Ko Thein Zaw Min realize his dream. Imported fiberglass is used to make the boats, partly because timber is becoming scarce, he said. All the materials and engines are bought from Thailand and Japan, and as we use good materials, our finished products are of high quality, explained chief boat maker U Soe from Dawei. U Soe, who worked in Thailands fishery industry for nearly two decades as a wage laborer, is leading the team that is building the speedboat. Ko Thein Zaw Mins interest in boats and designing them led him to open this small business, but a lack of capital has limited the scale of his efforts. We have limited capital and hope to get a small and medium-sized enterprise loan from the government, if possible, he added. Ko Thein Zaw Mins first, 27-ft. speedboat is on sale for 35 million kyats (approximately US$22,800), including licenses. He said if there is no buyer, he will use it for his company and make more. In Person A Life Dedicated to Promoting and Preserving Kayan Culture Pascal Khoo Thwe and a Padaung woman in Pan Pet Village, Kayah State in December 2018. / Thazin Hlaing / The Irrawaddy Kayah State in eastern Myanmar is a state lagging behind others in Myanmar in terms of education, health and living standards as a legacy of the flames of civil war which burst along with independence in 1948. Pascal Khoo Thwe, born in Phekon, a small town on the border of Shan State and Kayah State, is famed as the author of From the Land of the Green Ghosts, A Burmese Odyssey. He is a member of the Kayan Padaung ethnic group whose women are known around the world for their tradition of wearing brass coils around their necks. In his autobiography, Pascal Khoo Thwe narrated his life, the customs and traditions of his ethnic group to the backdrop of civil war and amid the social fabric of Myanmar. The book won the 2002 Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize for non-fiction and it has since been translated into many languages. Pascal Khoo Thwe is currently serving as an advisor to the International Trade Centre in the development of all-inclusive tourism in Kayah State. Recently, he spoke with The Irrawaddy reporter Thazin Hlaing about his views on the development of Kayah State and the tourism industry there. When was community-based tourism (CBT) initiated in Kayah State? It started in 2014 as a three-year project funded by the government of the Netherlands. The project provided basic training in tourism to villages and networked tour guides, hotels and tour operators. Training was also provided regarding preparing safe and clean food and in improving the quality of souvenirs. We linked large local tour companies with international companiesmainly those based in London and Berlin. The three-year project has ended now and [a new three-year project is now] being implemented in Tanintharyi Region now but there will be continued support for Kayah while the project is being implemented in Tanintharyi. Providing assistance for the tourism industry doesnt end with giving training. There is a need to provide technical support for sustainability. We especially focus on providing training for villages that want to engage in CBT. We also provide management training for villages that already offer CBT. Have there been any improvements in Kayah States tourism sector compared to previous years? Previously, visitors mostly visited Pan Pet [a village in Loikaw Township] because there are Kayan [women] who wear neck rings. But at that time the villagers didnt get any benefits. [Visitors] took photos and left, and only those who had their photos taken got some [money]. Thanks to the CBT supported by the ITC, villagers can now participate. They can work as tour guides and cook [and sell] meals [to travelers]. They can also sell souvenirs to them. There are direct benefits as well as indirect benefits. What do you mean by indirect benefits? What is good for the villagers is that they can now promote their customs and culture. This greatly benefits them. We cant measure it in terms of financial benefits. As our culture is on the verge of extinction, doing this [CBT] makes [Kayan] youths understand [the importance of maintaining own culture]. Foreigners can also provide greater help and have a deeper understanding thanks to CBT. What should be conserved during tourism development in Myanmar, including in Kayah State? There are many things. Particularly, we need to conserve the natural beauty and we should be careful with littering. We need to conserve the flora and fauna. The most important thing is we need to conserve culture and traditions. We can do this, but it is a long-term commitment. Myanmar is lagging behind other countries in terms of the tourism industry. What is the main cause of this? This can be mainly attributed to the government. The previous government didnt work seriously [on tourism] and the current government cant do it properly. This is the very reason. There are policies in place for tourism development, but no [government] can put them into proper practice. The previous government couldnt and the current government cant, though it tries. It is mainly because of the system. We cant blame the people for this. Places which have real potential for tourism development should be utilized. For example, there are islands but as the government and military have occupied them, they cant be used for tourism purposes. There are many areas where foreigners are restricted from travelling too. Have the villages that engage in CBT seen significant development? Development is not that tangible. They need equitable development rather than financial benefits. For example, because of their educational levels, they cant use the provided facilities properly. But there are certain improvementsroads have become better; locals have access to electricity and better health care services. What are the major hurdles in implementing the CBT projects? It is mainly about technique. There is a need to manage things so visitors are able to come. As villagers lack experience, the most difficult thing is to convince them that they can offer CBT without compromising their culture. Which places are major attractions in Kayah State? Foreign travelers mainly visit Pan Pet and Hta Nee La Leh. Both local and foreign travelers visit Pan Pet, Hta Nee La Leh, Htee Koh, Htee Se Kha, and Kyet Gu Cave. It can be said that places that are allowed for visiting are mostly visited. There are also [potential] tourist spots in southern Kayah State, but they may not be accessed. Do you think the tourism industry will improve further if travel restrictions are lifted? There may be an increase in the number of visitors, however local visitors tend to litter a lot. It is better not to lift restrictions unless local residents can control the situation. Some of the places are very clean and unspoiled. I dont want to see some visitors littering with beer cans and plastic bottles there. It is important that local residents can properly control the places which are allowed for visiting. Otherwise, it is not fair for themit is just like allowing other people to litter at their homes. There are concerns that cultures and traditions will vanish as the tourism sector develops. What can be done to prevent this? Rather than suggesting this or that, it should be accepted that the people will act on their own according to the wish of the majority. It is better that the government doesnt intervene. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. From the Archive Criminals at Large U Khin Nyunt and his former MI minions deserve to face justice for their crimes against Myanmar society. / Photo taken April 2012. / Reuters When Yangon Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein paid respect to former military spy chief ex-general U Khin Nyunt during a ceremony last weekend, his action quickly drew the ire of many politicians, lawmakers and democracy activists who were at some time in their lives detained and interrogated by military intelligence units for their activism. Under his command, nearly 200 people were mistreated and died in torture chambers and prisons across the country, according to the non-profit Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Despite everything, the former general has never pleaded guilty to the crimes. In the wake of the recent flow of criticism, The Irrawaddy revisits a commentary about the spy chiefs arrogance towards atrocities committed by him and his compatriots against Myanmar democracy activists. This story was first published five years ago this month. Who should I apologize to? This was the question that U Khin Nyunt, Myanmars former spy chief, barked at a reporter who asked him if he was responsible for the treatment of thousands of dissidents by units of his Military Intelligence (MI) after the armed forces seized power in 1988. Rather than countering any suggestion that he was guilty of crimes against Myanmars citizens, the ex-general insisted that the real criminals were those opposed to military rule. They were guilty and thats why they were punished according to the law at that time, he said. Who, then, should answer for all those thousands of political activists who spent years languishing behind bars? Who was responsible for their torture in interrogation centers and the deaths of so many who succumbed to mistreatment and neglect in Myanmars primitive prisons? Who was it that created and controlled a vast information-gathering apparatus that made every citizen feel like a prisoner? Of course, the whole system that was in place during the long years of military rule was oppressive. But if we confine ourselves to answering just these few questions, the number of people who can be held culpable will be relatively small. Dozens of MI units harassed, intimidated and detained opposition activists and others regarded with suspicion by the former junta. All of these units reported directly to the Directorate of Defense Services Intelligence (DDSI). And the head of this feared organization was Gen. Khin Nyunt, who rapidly rose to prominence after the 1988 coup, becoming the third-most powerful member of the ruling military council. From 1988 until his purge in 2004, Gen. Khin Nyunt oversaw the arrest of around 10,000 people. Many were subjected to torture and farcical trials that resulted in decades-long prison sentences. Both military and civilian courts were forced to do the bidding of the DDSI. MI units infiltrated almost every organization in the country and maintained networks of spies in almost every neighborhood. Their agents were placed in customs, immigration and police departments, and MI officers even monitored other senior military officials, including top generals. But the main targets of the police state within a state that Gen. Khin Nyunt created were the countrys dissidents. Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt was trying to destroy the [National League for Democracy] by having local authorities intimidate party members, harass their families, and incarcerate those who refused to resign. The intention was to isolate Aung San Suu Kyi and reduce her partys legitimacy, anthropologist Christina Fink wrote in her book Living Silence, published in 2001. Now a civilian who regards himself as a victim of the former regimehe was sentenced to house arrest after his ousting in October 2004, and released in January 2012U Khin Nyunt continues to downplay his former role. Last October, respected dissident U Win Tin met the former general who was once his jailer. Let bygones be bygones, U Khin Nyunt told the NLD cofounder, who spent nearly 20 years behind bars for advocating a peaceful return to democratic rule. Recently, I had a chance to speak with U Win Tin about his experiences in prison. He told me that when he was interrogated in July 1989, his captors put a hood over his head and punched him repeatedly in the face. Even after almost all of his teeth fell out and he had trouble eating, he was denied treatment. Those guys went overboard, said the 84-year-old, who is still active as a senior member of the NLD. Asked what he thought about U Khin Nyunts provocative question, he had no trouble providing an answer: Ill tell you who he should apologize to. He should apologize to former political prisoners, their families and the whole country. Since 1988, at least 160 political detainees have died in custody in Myanmar, including 10 who died while being interrogated, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Among the dead are well-known writer U Thaw Ka, veteran politicians U Sein Win and NLD MP-elect U Tin Maung Win, and student activist Ko Thet Win Aung. U Khin Nyunts refusal to acknowledge his central role in these and other abuses has complicated efforts to move beyond the pain of the past. Some former political prisoners have requested acknowledgement and an apology, but Khin Nyunt has asserted that there is no reason to argue about these cases because all was done according to the laws at the time, said Patrick Pierce of the International Center for Transitional Justice. But it is completely disingenuous for someone who was once one of the top generals in the country to act as if he was just following orders. As U Win Tin noted, Snr-Gen Than Shwe, the leader of the former ruling junta, was not solely responsible for the many abuses committed under military rule. Khin Nyunt and his people were more responsible [for the treatment of dissidents], he said. It was their intention to let us die. Indeed, some have argued that U Khin Nyunt was the most powerful member of the ruling regime, at least in the years immediately after it seized power. As a protege of U Ne Win, [Gen. Khin Nyunt] came out as the most influential figure in the regime, wrote Maung Aung Myoe in his book, Building the Tatmadaw: Myanmar Armed Forces Since 1948. One incident in particular demonstrated the extent of his power: the forced retirement of then regime leader Snr-Gen Saw Maung on April 23, 1992, a move that strengthened [Gen. Khin Nyunts] position significantly, according to Maung Aung Myoe. Although Snr-Gen Than Shwe assumed the leadership of the regime at that time, he still wielded relatively little actual influence. Over time, Gen. Khin Nyunt sought to increase his power behind the scenes by using his position as spy chief to keep the other generals in check. Under his leadership, officers in the MI were feared by those in the infantry, and the normal hierarchy was subverted. A captain in the intelligence corps never cared about a colonel in the infantry. The commanding officer of a local intelligence battalion, a major, behaved as if he was of equal power as the regional commander, a major-general, in that region, wrote Maung Aung Myoe. When he was in power, Gen. Khin Nyunt was incorrectly regarded by some foreign observers and diplomats as a moderate, and when he was eventually sacked, this was seen as confirmation that he was a softliner. Nothing, however, could have been further from the truth. The reality was that he had spread his tentacles into every corner of the regimes affairs, and was a central player in all of its often brutal activities. He victimized not only dissidents but also any group that he saw as a threat to the juntas hold on power. Thus he was instrumental in shutting down the countrys universities, reopening them only after they had been relocated to remote, ill-equipped campuses where students could no longer organize protests, or get a meaningful education. The people of Myanmar suffered terribly under Gen. Ne Win, the dictator who seized power in 1962 and was finally forced to step down in 1988, but many now have worse memories of the years when his protege, Gen. Khin Nyunt, still wore a uniform. For all he has done, U Khin Nyunt and his key subordinates deserve to face justice. Unfortunately, under the current delicate political circumstances in Myanmar, that is unlikely to happen. But until he makes amends to all those whose lives he has ruined, U Khin Nyunt will never find the peace he seeks through meditation and donations to pagodas. If justice doesnt extract its due, karma certainly will. Kyaw Zwa Moe is the editor of the English-language edition of The Irrawaddy. This story was first published in the January 2014 print edition of The Irrawaddy magazine. Until recently, we equated values with religion, but have swapped all that for public opinion, writes Gerard Howlin. THE move-on yesterday to introduce abortion is that we are finally in a matter-of-fact, empirical world. The sacred no longer has a significant public place. A foundational myth of the Irish state was that because it was Gaelic and Catholic, mystically it was a continuation of what had been at the Flight of the Earls. The new State couldnt, however, heal the linguistic and social rupture caused by the Famine, which, by 1922, was two generations old. Gaelic Ireland proved to be a shibboleth. Nearly everyone paid lip service to a language that almost no-one spoke. In Catholic Ireland, nearly everyone practised a religion that, there is reason to suspect, almost no-one really believed in. In shifting our identity, abortion is comparable to the loss of the Irish language after the Famine, and to the rejection of organised religion, as prescribed the Catholic Church, over the past 40 years. I cant think of another instance, in so short a time, when pillars of identity as fundamental as language and religion were as completely cast aside. Ireland is as defined now by what it walked away from as what it stands for. January is called after Janus, the two-faced god, because it looks to the future and the past. The custom of opening doors, letting in the new and out with the old, comes from his rite. In between our loss of language and religion, Irish nationalism provided an interlude. It was based on notional adherence to a language that the new State failed to revive. The States union with a religion that enjoyed overwhelming allegiance excused it from having to develop a social project itself. The aftermath of famine was so traumatic that almost an entire people ceased to speak their own language within a generation. What seemed indelible Irish themes of emigration, depopulation, and economic decline continued almost uninterrupted, with only brief periods of remission, to the end of the 1980s. Economic recovery, in the 1990s, transformed the Irish story from that of emigration to immigration. The 1970s and 1980s had already seen the expansion of second-level education. The 1990s and noughties saw the expansion of third-level. There was a remaking of what Ireland is, to the greatest extent since the Famine. Shock produced profound change. Language and church, one after another, were orphaned by a population which, just before, had held both as central to its identify. What we listened to yesterday was not just the announcements of abortion, but, for those who can remember, the salutation of Hibernia semper fidelis Ireland always faithful by Pope John Paul II in 1979. The lesson of history is that the indomitable Irishry stands for itself, only. Causes come and go, but the alacrity with which they are made redundant here is a particular phenomenon. It hasnt been so much a matter of throwing out the baby with the bathwater as selling the bath as well. If Gaelic Ireland was hardly more than mist after 1922, Catholic Ireland was solidly established. The myth, recited with increasing fervour now, is that it was the creation of that state. Certainly, it developed in its institutional reach and denominational influence. But what we call Catholic Ireland sprang from the dislocation of famine and the gnawing search for security and respectability. It was deeply entrenched by 1922. Lest we are overwhelmed by a sense of change by the introduction of abortion, we must not forget that there were very few unwanted children in Irish homes before. What has changed completely is the power of agency. Curiously, what continues unabated is the sense of righteousness. Everything changes, but, tonally, I imagined I heard the strains of A Nation Once Again, or some such anthem, yesterday. There was bellicose pride on-air. Measuring the distance travelled since 1979, what seemed then the greatest triumph, a monster meeting in the Phoenix Park, to outdo all the Liberators meetings combined, was actually the moment it was already over. So busy were they running vast organisations that not just overlapped the State but outbid it, it is understandable that the clergy had so little time for religion. Bishops were local chieftains. They were, in so far as there was one, the only social project in existence. It was a project, which for so long as it suited, enjoyed the support of the vast majority. Legal abortion is the continuation of that same system, by other means, in other hands. Apparently, its the morals that matter. Actually, what really counts is who gets to tell you what they are. Soon, perhaps in little more than a decade, what we call the church will no longer be here to kick around. Catholicism will continue, but the panoply of the institution will collapse within a decade, under the demographic pressure of an aging clergy. The parish system, indelible with our sense of place, since it was established in the latter half of the 19th century, will simply disappear. The kicking-out from under the roof of a pillar whose foundations are already crumbling will leave a bigger void than indifference to closed churches. The real void opening up is of the centenary of the States foundation. We are a hybrid of church and state, public and private, civic pride and routine aberration of responsibility by citizens in the political choices they purposely make. Irish nationalism, as imagined at independence, was implicitly abandoned in the Good Friday Agreement. Staying in a European Union, even without a United Kingdom, marks a commitment to a deepening pooling of sovereignty in ways that may prove to be partly unpalatable. Apart from speechmaking in small circles, there was never a commitment here to either a social Europe or to its foundational, peace-making narrative from the 1950s. It was small print we didnt read. We are mid-Atlantic, Anglophone, open to immigrants, but deeply desirous to close the door on a recent past in which we are uncomfortably implicated. Until very recently, we equated values with revealed religion, but have now swapped all that for public opinion. That was the move-on yesterday. It is a project that is, I suspect, just beginning, and far from fully defined. It defies definition, because it is about opinion, not principles. It could be the premise of a great Irish revival, based around taking on responsibilities, which, until recently, were subcontracted. There might be an inspiring social project of housing, healthcare, care for children and support for the elderly. It could reimagine the Irish identity. Ironically, this is what religious orders were established to attempt. The appalling vista is that we pay them the compliment of perfectly imitating their failure. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been diagnosed with lung cancer after breaking ribs. If she retired, her replacement would tilt the US Supreme Court to the right, says TP OMahony WHEN Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an associate justice of the US Supreme Court, and a strong voice on its liberal wing, fell on November 7 and cracked three ribs, the news sent a frisson through the political and legal establishments in Washington. Since then, there has been intense public scrutiny of the health of the 85-year-old judge and concern about the future of her tenure on Americas highest court. The news of her fall sparked much interest most notably in Donald Trumps White House while in others (especially where womens rights are a priority) it ignited fear that Ginsburgs forced retirement would provide Trump with the opportunity to name a replacement who would tilt the court even further to the right. A month before Ginsburgs mishap, Read More: The potential impact of her retirement, during the Trump presidency, for the law in America, cannot be overstated, said Joan Biskupic, CNNs legal analyst, who has covered the US Supreme Court for the past 25 years. The public clearly understands that. News of her fall and cracked ribs at least the third such episode in the past six years made immediate headlines. Get well cards circulated digitally. In 1993, Ginsburg became the second woman to be appointed to the court (she had been nominated by then US president Bill Clinton), the first being Sandra Day OConnor, nominated by then US president Ronald Reagan in 1981 (Day OConnor retired in 2006). And now, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the subject of a new biopic, entitled On the Basis of Sex, which opened in cinemas in the USA on Christmas Day and will open worldwide this month. Brett Kavanaugh There was some surprise when English actress Felicity Jones (she was born in Birmingham) was cast to play the Brooklyn-born Ginsburg, and critics who attended previews of the film have said she was miscast. Its not that Jones is necessarily bad, wrote Benjamin Lee in The Guardian. Shes just incredibly miscast, never once justifying why she was picked for a role that was surely in demand. That view, however, isnt shared by the judge herself. Having watched a preview, she told Vanity Fair she was very pleased with Joness performance. That aside, the film, which follows a documentary, RBG, screened earlier this year, focuses on the early phases of Ginsburgs career, and how her progress was hindered by sexist attitudes. She was one of only nine women in a class of 500 at Harvard Law School in the late 1950s yet, despite graduating at the top of her class, she struggled to find work. As we see in a series of powerful and infuriating scenes, no law firm in New York wanted to hire a female lawyer in 1959, because, among other things, she might make the partners wives nervous, said Radhika Jones, the editor of Vanity Fair, in an article on the new biopic. Eventually, she was hired as a professor at Rutgers University in 1963, where she focused on gender discrimination. So began a fight to reform the many federal and state laws that discriminated against women, just as the civil rights movement had already started to take on laws that discriminated on the basis of race. Having co-founded the Womens Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union, she argued several gender-discrimination cases before the Supreme Court, including Reed v Reed (1973), which resulted in the court, for the first time, prohibiting some forms of gender-based discrimination. Having first been appointed to the Court of Appeal for the District of Columbia, by then president Jimmy Carter, in 1980 Bader Ginsburgs advocacy of womens rights, including reproductive rights, and her spirited opposition to legally-sanctioned sexism, meant Bill Clinton was lobbied to name her as a replacement for retiring Judge Byron White on the Supreme Court. One of Ginsburgs most notable constitutional decisions was United States v Virginia Military Academy (VMA) in 1996. This overturned VMAs refusal to admit women, based on its belief that women were not up to its gruelling programme. In the area of sex discrimination, she has continued to lead the court with the zeal of a crusader. according to Karen OConnor, director of the Women and Politics Institute at the American University in Washington DC. The US Supreme Court is unlike any other. Winston Churchill once called it the most esteemed judicial tribunal in the world. This is because of the power it wields. The Supreme Court has the awful responsibility of final power in our system of government, said Anthony Lewis, who covered the court for many years for the New York Times and has written several books about it. The US Supreme Court When it finds in the constitution some limitation on the power of the political branches, that interpretation can be reversed only by a constitutional amendment or through an overruling of the prior decision by the court itself. The difficulty with the American constitutional system is that, unlike here, where Bunreacht na hEireann can be amended by the people, in and through a referendum, amending the US Constitution is notoriously cumbersome. The US Congress may propose an amendment if two-thirds of both Houses deem it necessary, or, on the application of legislatures of two-thirds of the states, can call a convention for proposing amendments. In either case, any proposed amendment must be ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof. The Supreme Courts prestige and special status in the American system of government contributes to the awe with which its decisions are regarded. That status also stems from the fact that the nine judges who sit on the court are appointed for life, and life in the context of the US constitutional system means life (there is no retirement age). The result is that those who are appointed to the court will invariably serve long beyond the term of office of the US presidents who nominated them. Accordingly, the justices may, through their decisions, extend, enhance, reinforce, or unravel crucial aspects of presidential legacies. Most presidents have sought appointees who shared their views on national policy, and, of course, that is a presidents prerogative, said Lewis. But history shows that such efforts have not always worked out as intended. Judges who are appointed do not always, once on the court, perform as the presidents who put them there had expected. In 1953, for instance, then president, Dwight Eisenhower, nominated Earl Warren as chief justice. Warren, who had studied law at the University of California, was elected California governor in 1942, having previously served as the states attorney general. Warren ran as the Republican vice-presidential candidate with Thomas Dewey in 1948 (Harry Truman retained the White House for the Democrats) and he played a key role in securing Dwight Eisenhowers nomination in 1952. Eisenhower, on becoming president, rewarded Warren by nominating him for the post of chief justice. It was a decision that Eisenhower came to regret. When Earl Warren became chief justice, in 1953, few would have predicted that when he retired, 16 years later, the Warren court would be remembered for inaugurating a progressive constitutional revolution that changed the entire landscape of American law and life, according to Morton J Horwitz, professor at Harvard of the history of American law and the author of The Warren Court and the Pursuit of Justice. The Warren courts civil rights and civil liberties decisions thoroughly transformed American constitutional law. For the first time in American history, the Supreme Court demonstrated its concern and support for the weak and the powerless, the marginally and the socially scorned. President Eisenhower Eisenhowers election in 1952 signalled a shift to the right in American politics, during a period that saw the rise of McCarthyism and anti-communist paranoia. Reflecting on his time in office, he would later say that appointing Warren was the greatest goddamn mistake of my presidency. The influence of the Warren court even made its presence felt in Ireland. The Committee on the Constitution acknowledged, in 1967, that the Supreme Court would no longer be bound by earlier decisions, in respect of fundamental rights, suggesting that it might be creative in how these rights could be interpreted, says Brian Girvan, professor of comparative politics at the University of Glasgow, writing in an essay in the 2005 book, The Lemass Era. Indeed, this view may well have originated with Lemass, who told Brian Walsh, when he was appointed to the Supreme Court, in 1961, that he would like the court to operate in a similar fashion to that of the American Supreme Court. Ginsburg has inherited the creative and progressive spirit of the Warren court. She changed the lives of American women, which is why she is so revered, and she has been an inspiration for a new generation of young feminists. These women look to Ginsburg to continue to champion womens reproductive rights, especially at a time when Roe v Wade, the historic 1973 case in which the court legalised abortion in the USA, is under threat of being overturned an outcome that Trump and his supporters on the Christian right earnestly desire. Much to the dismay of the Trump White House, Ginsburg told CNN, days after the appointment of Kavanaugh to the seat on the court vacated on the retirement of Anthony Kennedy, that shed be sticking around for another five years, until shes 90. Meanwhile, marking Ginsburgs 25th year on the Supreme Court, the first full-length biography of her, Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life, which is written by Jane Sherron De Hart with the judges co-operation, has just been published. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is prioritising Manchester Uniteds sloppiness from set pieces as he looks to continue his dream start as caretaker manager. Solskjaer has picked up three impressive wins since taking over from Jose Mourinho, but his side has yet to keep a clean sheet. Notably, the three goals United have conceded have come from set pieces, which is something Solskjaer has worked on in training ahead of their trip to Newcastle this evening. We need to keep clean sheets, Solskjaer said, having watched Nathan Ake head past David De Gea from a Bournemouth corner in Uniteds 4-1 win on Sunday. We have not done that so far, so we know there are loads of things we need to work on, but this is the way we want to see ourselves: Attacking. "Weve conceded three goals from three set pieces. [Bournemouths goal] came from the one chance they had. "We dont concede too many chances in open play and that is great, but we have got to concentrate. We saw it [from the sidelines] that they were going to do that, but its difficult to shout the instructions. It was easier back home [in Norway]; they would hear me there. Solskjaer, who confirmed Alex Ferguson attended training before the Bournemouth game, has given the United supporters something to cheer in the short time he has been in charge. He has the team playing in a way the fans appreciate, which they felt was missing under Mourinhos final months in charge. Solskjaer will be without the suspended Eric Bailly following his red card against Bournemouth. Marcus Rashford should be available after sustaining a slight groin strain against the Cherries. Solskjaer confirmed Alexis Sanchez will return to the side after his hamstring injury, while Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo are close to being available. United go to St James Park eight points behind Chelsea in fourth place and Solskjaer believes his side will continue to pick up points, as long as the players perform the way he wants them to. Its about performances and as long as we play the right way and dominate games, more often than not, we will get enough points in the end, said Solskjaer. The players will enjoy themselves if we keep on winning. We will get tougher tests, like Wednesday against Newcastle. Were away from home and I never enjoyed going there. There was one game maybe, we really enjoyed ourselves with a 6-2 win, but that was more or less it. Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has warned the rest of the Premier League not to write off United just yet. Benitez, is confident they can still cause problems for the main title contenders. The Spaniard said: Do you think the players that they have after spending the money they did are bad players? "They are good players on the pitch, they have performed in the last three games, it is a very good team. It is a team that has to be in the top four, that is very clear. They can compete against anyone, Liverpool, Manchester City, anyone. We are talking about one of the biggest clubs in the world in terms of everything, the players they have, the names they have. One race, one game, one day can only ever add to the information bank. It is never definitive. It being a debut accentuates this truth and the world is full of examples of a first outing offering absolutely no evidence of the splendour that is to come. There is no point repeating the lament about the reduced availability of Irish racing now that it is behind an additional paywall. While the decision to install an extra hurdle to accessibility and confine coverage to an already-decreasing hardcore baffled the majority of those involved and interested in it, it is done. We are now in the era of Racing TV. Of course the negativity surrounding the decision was never a reflection of the erstwhile Racing UK. Its treatment of racing has always been excellent, professional and knowledgeable, and it was obvious that the vital elements of At The Races game-changing coverage would be incorporated. So whatever the consequences long-term will be for Irish racing of the switch, for now, it is only right to give Racing TV a fair shake and judge it from a production standpoint. In truth, a lot of it is the same. Gary OBrien and Kevin ORyan transferred from At The Races and need no introduction. Neither does Donn McClean nor Irish Examiner columnist Ruby Walsh. The latter duo possess considerable television experience with the RUK and RTE. With this quartet, you have expertise to burn, along with incisive analysis, interpretation and interviewing. The fresh blood was provided by Kate Harrington. Her selection was left-field, insomuch as it wasnt flagged but you can see the logic. She is a key cog in one of the most successful training operations in the country as assistant to her mother Jessica, and she still rides successfully. She was entitled to be nervous, given her lack of experience in front of the camera, but is an articulate communicator and impressed prior to racing with her references to relevant form from races she was involved in, and noting important details such as horses using equipment (tongue tie, blinkers etc) for the first time, or more significantly, horses that responded well to additional equipment previously when applied. Ireland was prominent initially. Walsh was in the south east and provided his thoughts on the day. OBrien and Harrington in Tramore, ORyan and McClean at Fairyhouse were very good but once the action got under way, we didnt see them or hear from them for the rest of the afternoon. We knew that the in-depth analysis and debrief we were accustomed to would not be available with a packed programme of six meetings to cover. Still, it was fairly stark when it hit you between the eyes. The David Flynn Building Contractors Maiden Hurdle at 12pm was the landmark contest, the first to be covered under the new arrangement. There was no pre-race discussion, no look at the main contenders. Instead Tom Stanley and Dave Nevison chatted in the studio about some of the days stories, and then Cheltenham. Suddenly, with no trumpets, no bells, no whistles, we got pictures from Tramore, the first race of a new era taking place. And theyre off. It's an easy win for the Gordon Elliott-trained Askari who defies a 9lb rise in the handicap to score under Davy Russell. pic.twitter.com/FycJgOvMBc Tramore Racecourse (@TramoreRaces) January 1, 2019 In contrast, the opener at Prestbury Park was previewed in depth, each horse discussed with footage of them in the parade ring, and an interview with trainer Fergal OBrien. It did little to assuage fears of Irish racing being the poor relation and was inexplicable given the available resources, and the fact that it was D Day. The split screen being deployed when an English race started during an Irish one, but not always when it was the other way around, was noticeable too. Digital viewers could have exclusive access to the teams based at Tramore and Fairyhouse on RTV Extra, but that doesnt cut it if the TV is how you do it and given the age profile of so many racing supporters, this is the case for many. Watching on the television channel from the time the first race started, you would not have known that they had people on the ground. The good news for the TV-only patrons though is that there is a full replay of the Irish coverage later in the evening, and a weekly Irish magazine show as well and these will include the reaction. Seasoned punters will tune into those and in truth, on early showing, this is what RTV is about. Wall-to-wall racing, with no pre-race discussion, interview packages or visits to yards, will not attract new viewers to the sport. Only existing enthusiasts will ever sign up for that. The pictures are in HD, which is nice if youre into that. It would be effective with close-up, slow-motion action jumping a fence, illustrating the majesty of the horse but you dont have time for that. One real positive, though it is hard to know if this is by virtue of the frenetic nature of covering six meetings or policy, is that we werent bombarded by betting odds. It is a significant positive of racing coverage in America that they barely refer to the betting at all, focusing on the human and equine narratives, selling the sport to a wider audience. Those of us that like a bet do not rely on the television coverage to keep us updated. Thus the odds should only be required in TV coverage if they become part of the story or something significant is unfolding. We dont need to go down to the ring every two minutes. What RTV did provide was a graphic that never left the screen until a race got under way, so all the bases were covered. That applied only to English racing. There wasnt enough of a preamble to the Irish races. One other significant positive was not having to switch channels to watch the racing at Cheltenham in particular. That is something to look forward to down the line. There were no new gadgets, the TV angles would not be expected to be any different as the footage providers are the same. But if youre not digital, it could not be more different. The first thing Im asked by an African man when I attend a fundraiser for asylum-seekers in Ireland is: Are you alone? Do you have someone with you? A friend? Will I introduce you to people? The purpose of the fundraiser is threefold: to end direct provision (DP) in Ireland, to include asylum- seekers in normal Irish society, and allow them to live independent lives. Currently, immigrants seeking asylum in Ireland are housed in the direct provision system, in one of 36 centres around the country. Conditions vary widely, and their lives are subjects to a variety of restrictions, from being ineligible to work, to being unable to cook for their own food for years on end. The term direct provision means asylum-seekers are provided for directly, as in their food and shelter is provided for while their application for protection is processed by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), a body set up in 2001. There are 5,848 people living in direct provision in Ireland according to the latest statistics provided to the Irish Examiner by the Department of Justice (DoJ). Of these people, 1,047 have spent between two to three years in a centre waiting to hear about the status of their asylum application. I would prefer to be in jail because I would have a definite sentence, and I would know when I was getting out, is how one asylum-seeker described the waiting process to Judge Bryan McMahon. Judge McMahon was chair a review group which published a landmark report on the system in 2015. Many of the big ticket items of the reports 173 recommendations have yet to be implemented. The latest figures from the DoJ, as provided to the Irish Examiner show that 157 people are spending more than seven years in direct provision as they wait for the application for protection to be processed. A further 748 people are waiting between three and four years, and 1,110 people are spending between one and two years in direct provision. The Irish Examiner asked the DoJ how much has been spent on direct provision this year, and they estimated a spend of 76m. The system had been allocated a budget of 66.44m for 2018. While the State owns seven of the 36 facilities, private contractors run each of the direct provision centres in Ireland. In the first 11 months of 2017, the State paid these private contractors approximately 57.7m to run these centres. The profits that a number of the companies are making from direct provision are beyond public scrutiny as several of the firms have re-registered as unlimited companies where they are not required to file annual accounts. When asked by the Irish Examiner how much the State paid private contractors to run the 36 direct provision centres, commercial sensitivity, was cited. For reasons of commercial sensitivity, details in relation to current contracts are not published, said a spokesman. In 2018, contract values up to 2015 were published on the website. Contract values for 2016 will be published in 2019, and contract values for 2017 will be published in 2020. "It is not appropriate to provide values for current contracts entered into by the department, he added. According to figures from the DoJ, 580.38m has been spent on direct provision from 2010 until 2018. The Irish Examiner asked how many asylum applications the State had received in 2017 and 2018, and how many had been processed in those same years. There were 2,926 applications for asylum/international protection received in 2017. 770 people were granted asylum or international protection in that same year, and 72 people were granted permission to remain (PTR). In 2018, as of October 31, 3,017 applications for asylum/international protection had been received. A total of 859 people had been granted asylum/international protection as of the same date, and 201 people were granted PTR. A common criticism of the system is the indefinite period of time people have to wait to hear about their application. Another criticism of the system is how conditions vary widely from centre to centre. In a total of 30 of the centres, all of the food is provided through a canteen system, meaning there is no independent living. The department said this will change in 2019, a full 18 years after the system was first created. With regard to the availability of self-catering in direct provision six centres can provide independent living facilities (food hall distribution and cooking) to a total of 1,714 residents. "By Q1 (the first quarter of) 2019, the total number of residents with access to independent living (food hall distribution and cooking) facilities will increase to over 2,900. This will mean that access to independent living within the centres will be provided to over half of those availing of accommodation under the direct provision model, said a spokesman for the DoJ. Any business tendering to run one of the centres will need to show they can provide independent living. The requirement to provide independent living will form part of the Request for Tender for Accommodation under the Direct Provision model that will be publically tendered for, he added. Alternatives to the direct provision system have been called for by the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) and those living in direct provision. Asylum-seekers point out that, unlike prisoners, they have no idea when they will get out of direct provision. And a number of children have been born and are being brought up in the system.Picture: Krac Asylum Today The IRC believes that there is an opportunity to end direct provision through shifting away from the current privately-operated, managed emergency model to one that is centred around human rights and dignity, said Nick Henderson of the IRC. For example, the tendering process for accommodation centres should be made more accessible to not-for-profit housing bodies. Social housing funding streams should also be amended. "Proposals to provide accommodation should also be measured against human rights criteria which should be incorporated into the contracts between providers and the Government. Doras Luimni, an independent, non-profit human rights organisation based in Limerick, which has worked to support asylum-seekers since the establishment of direct provision, sees the system as unfit. Progress has been made in recent years, but Doras remains convinced that the existing system is unfit for purpose, said Aideen Roche from the organisation. Meanwhile, MASI, the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland advocates for the abolishment of the system. A spokesman from the DoJ told the Irish Examiner that significant improvements have been made in recent years. Significant improvements to living conditions for applicants for international protection have been made over recent years, in particular with the implementation of the recommendations of the Justice McMahon Report, said a spokesman. Furthermore, on June 30 of this year, the minister for justice and equality signed the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations to transpose the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive into our national law. The directive lays down the standards for the reception of protection applicants and, for the first time, places our reception system on a statutory footing. The Department of Justice also said that procurement of services will be made public in the next 18 months. The Department is currently rolling out a procurement programme in conjunction with the Office for Government Procurement and the Chief State Solicitors Office which will see full open and transparent competitions for the provision of accommodation centres throughout the state within the next 18 months, said a spokesman. Dormitory sleeping quarters allow very little privacy or normality to those in Mount Trenchard. Pictures: Twitter.com/MT9466 A day in the life Set meal times, isolated settings, shared bedrooms, waiting years for an update on their application, and living on a weekly allowance of 21.60, asylum-seekers in Ireland often describe life in direct provision as living in an open prison. For many residents in Direct Provision, life revolves around meal times, explains Aideen Roche of Doras Luimni. Residents frequently describe the monotony, where a typical day is breakfast in the canteen at 7.30am, lunch in the canteen at 12pm, and dinner at 5pm. "The majority of centres are canteen-based. The food ranges (from centre to centre) and the standard and food provided varies widely, adds Ms Roche. According to the Department of Justice, just six of the 36 centres offer independent living, where residents can cook for themselves. Jennifer DeWan of Nasc, a non-profit human rights organisation working with people in direct provision centres in Cork and the rest of Munster, said they hear the same experience from residents. What we hear a lot from residents is: I get up and I go have breakfast. I take the kids to school. I go back to bed. I have lunch. I go back to bed. I collect my child from school and I go back to bed, said Ms DeWan. Groups of residents were interviewed in five direct provision centres about life inside the system for a report by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), UCCs Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights, and Nasc. Also because to wake up in the morning... it has some kind of impact on psychology, you know? You know in the morning, you wake up, you go in the line. "At lunchtime you put... I dont know... Its like... a prison, going for food, said one resident about the routine of queuing for food. We dont have choices here. Its like Im a baby, Im a prisoner, said another in the 2018 report. Vukasin Nedeljkovic, a former resident of direct provision, who was in a centre in Mayo told the Irish Examiner that he had to queue for fruit. We got seven pieces of fruit per person per week. You had to queue every Tuesday. The queuing was very humiliating, he said. In November, the @MT9466 Twitter account posted this photo apparently showing fruit fermenting in bags with the comment: Imagine the level of isolation, depression and poverty that your method of coping with isolation and depression is alcohol but due to being in the system for years without work and facing poverty you end up making your own alcohol. Well this is nothing new in #MountTrenchard. His experience of food was chicken nuggets, sausages, and chips, whereas Nqobizitha Vella, who lives in a centre in Cork, told the Irish Examiner that she and her son regularly eat lasagne and potatoes in their canteen. Another resident said: You begin to see yourself as someone who is not accepted by society. And you have so much to give. "You know your strengths, you know your capabilities. And you are not able to do anything for yourself anything good for yourself. Another interviewee described the experience as living in an institution: Its just, theyre trying to contain us in like an institution, keeping us in this direct provision of a thing. "They (control) when we have breakfast, when we have lunch, when we have dinner, when we go out, when we come in. If you spend five years, how do you now go into society, be able to be part of this society, when youve been contained for so long. I dont think this is an ideal... I have been here just six months, but every day I think Im going down, the resident said. Another core part of life in direct provision is communication with the outside world, in order to contact family or hear about their application for asylum. Asylum-seekers receive a weekly allowance of 21.60, up from 19.10 in 2017. Much of this is spent on communication. On a weekly allowance of 21.60, phone credit is a priority. People use a large part of their allowance on credit and internet access to contact their family members and friends, and to hear about their appeals process. "There is a huge backlog of cases in the High Court. People are waiting up to 20 months for their first interview. "A new system was brought into place in 2015 (to deal with this backlog), but we havent seen a positive impact yet, said Ms Roche from Doras Luimni. In interviews conducted by the IHREC, UCC, and Nasc this year, one resident described using all of their phone credit to contact 50 local councillors in order to access accommodation. They had got their application decision and could stay in Ireland, but could not exit direct provision because of a lack of accommodation in the private rental market. The resident did not hear back from one councillor. On a weekly allowance of 21.60, there is very little opportunity to engage in life outside of direct provision. Its eating, sleeping and waiting for an update on your case, said Ms Roche. Mental Health A number of people have died by suicide in direct provision centres in Ireland. Anxiety, depression, boredom, isolation, fear, and uncertainty really take over peoples lives. This is people who have already suffered tragedy, trauma, and loss before the came here, said Aideen Roche. The key factor appears to be the indefinite amount of time people wait to hear about their asylum application. You know when youve got so much time on your hands, you think a lot. And when you think a lot, the stress just builds up, and at the end of the day, you get depressed, said one resident interviewed for the December 2018 report. Some people are... theyre going in direct provision for one year, two years. Some people, after a few weeks, they are going from direct provision... Like, Im here, (I) can say, one and a half, two years, and Im waiting for the interview. The next guy is coming, and hes going for after two weeks (...) I dont know how they are working... Its so annoying because you know the people that came after you, they got their interviews... they have all your documents back there, they have everything about you, you understand, but they never call you about interview. Its so annoying, said another resident in the same report. The report cites mental health as a key issue. We have seen the sudden rise of deaths in direct provision this year alone. These deaths can be attributed to the results of the frustrations and mental health issues that are not visible and not even spoken about in direct provision. The more we see people still walking, the assumption is that people are well and fine not knowing that they are actually suffering and dying from the inside. Mental health issues need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. The lack of activities and lack of support consistently of residents on issues like education, housing, and social activities is what leads to these mental health issues in direct provision, said Lucky Khambule from MASI, the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland. Jennifer DeWan from Nasc described the sense of demoralisation that sets in when people are living direct provision. There is a sense of demoralisation in direct provision, because of the waiting and not knowing, what status your application is at. You could ring someone and then not hear back. There is no timeframe. Whatever you have fled and having to leave your family and this is system of life in limbo just piles on top of all of that and compounds and compounds and compounds the suffering. It is hugely stressful and not an environment that is conducive to mental wellness, she said. When the family separates, the plan can be to send money home and then reunite, but then none of those things become reality. Housing crisis and direct provision Another issue that has emerged for people living in direct provision in recent times is once their application for asylum has been approved they often find themselves with nowhere to go, because of a lack of rental properties. There are currently more than 600 people who cannot exit the system because of the housing crisis, according to the Irish Refugee Council (IRC). Lovely rooms with 10, 8 or 6 people at a time, you might say "yes people share room in hostels for an overnight or a weekend stay all the time." But in #MountTrenchard you would usually spend around 5+ years and yes the transfer to another centre is usually denied.#EndDP pic.twitter.com/NH8kN6pOMV Passive and Aggressive (@MT9466) November 25, 2018 The number of people with status living in direct provision at the end of October 2018 was 620. The housing crisis, which affects many families and people, means that the most vulnerable in our society are struggling to secure and retain affordable rental accommodation, said Nick Henderson of the IRC. He said the lack of accommodation is made worse by discrimination people face, and also because of an inability to save for a deposit. This is particularly so for people trying to leave direct provision who face huge challenges. These include a lack of any means to save for a deposit and no network that they can rely on; they may also suffer racism and discrimination. Our housing officer gives intense support to people in this situation. This includes helping people find possible rental properties, supporting people to attend viewings, and explaining to landlords about HAP (Housing Assistant Payment), said Mr Henderson. He added that this bottleneck has caused knock-on effects for those trying to enter the system, leaving them destitute. The lack of bed spaces in direct provision is also creating additional pressures and stresses at both ends of the system: when people arrive in Ireland and also when they get status and try to leave. In September, at least 20 people who had just arrived to Ireland and sought asylum were told there were no beds for them. People were not offered alternative accommodation or given any information regarding homeless services or emergency accommodation. They were left destitute to fend for themselves on the streets. This was a clear breach of EU and Irish law, he explained. Another issue is the fact a number of centres closed this year, a result of the Government being reliant on private operators. These closures then resulted in centres opening in remote places in Kerry and Leitrim. A limited right to work Up until 2018, those in direct provision were not allowed to work in the State, meaning they were solely reliant on their weekly social welfare allowance of 21.60. This year though, asylum-seekers won the right to work after a Supreme Court ruling. However, it is restricted. Under the new rules, an asylum-seeker must have been in Ireland for a period of nine months and be awaiting a first decision from the International Protection Office about their case. If they have been waiting for a decision for that period, they are then eligible to apply for a letter of permission to work in Ireland. The letter of permission will allow the person be either employed or self-employed, and it will be valid for six months. The asylum-seeker can then apply for the permission to be renewed every six months until a final decision on their asylum status has been made. An applicant who gets a negative final decision on their refugee status, but who is in the process of appealing the decision, can also apply for their permission to work to be renewed. However, once a final decision after the appeals process is finished is made, their permission to work will stop. The inability to work has caused huge issues for those living in direct provision. Residents have described it as suppressing. Its not just the culture of giving you money... You know, sometimes its suppressing, I dont know the right language to put it. "But if you know you can fend for yourself, you know you can contribute something, you feel more human, said one resident in a 2018 report by UCC and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. You begin to see yourself as someone who is not accepted by society. And you have so much to give. You know your strengths, you know your capabilities. And you are not able to do anything for yourself, anything good for yourself, said another. The Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, MASI, is advocating for the right to work for all. If everyone could be given a proper right to work, somehow this would go a long way to make sure that people do not suffer from boredom, and are not dependent on the State for a very long time. "It is then very hard to get the mindset right when the time to live independently comes, said Lucky Khambule from MASI. The @MT9466 Twitter account posted this picture in November with the following text: Lovely rooms with 10, 8 or 6 people at a time, you might say yes people share room in hostels for an overnight or a weekend stay all the time. But in #MountTrenchard you would usually spend around 5+ years and yes the transfer to another centre is usually denied. #EndDP Mount Trenchard, the Guantanamo of Ireland A single male adult centre called Mount Trenchard in Foynes Co Limerick has been described as the Guantanamo of Ireland because of the living conditions there. It is the Guantanamo of Ireland. Its a single male centre only, said Vukasin Nedeljkovic, a former asylum-seeker who has created a photographic archive of centres around Ireland. Asylum-seekers sent to the direct provision centre in Mount Trenchard 5km from Foynes and 45km from Limerick find themselves highly isolated. Picture: Brian Gavin Press 22 A Twitter account, at @MT9466, posts images allegedly taken of the inside of the centre, showing unhygienic and cramped living spaces. One image also shows bags of water with fruit soaking in them, allegedly in order to make alcohol. Aideen Roche, from Doras Luimni, said their staff have been working with residents since the centre opened. Mount Trenchard centre, we have been working with residents there since it opened 10 years ago. Its 45km from Limerick city and 5km from Foynes itself. Its isolation gives added challenges for accessing support and integrating. And there are concerns over living conditions with eight to 12 people living in a room. In the past its been a challenging place, as an all-male single adult centre. People often describe it as living in a pressure cooker with 100 adults. Small issues would spark challenges. "One person could feel cold and want the heat on and one person could feel hot and want the window open and that could lead to tension and conflict, Ms Roche told the Irish Examiner. The Department of Justice was asked about the allegations that it is like the Guantanamo of Ireland and images coming from the centre. The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) have contracted with Baycaster Ltd for the provision of accommodation and ancillary services in Mount Trenchard, Foynes, Co Limerick. "The centre, which is a former convent and boarding school, has a contracted capacity for 85 persons and there are currently 83 people residing onsite. The centre was inspected by QTS Ltd, an independent inspection company, in January 2018 and by a RIA staff member in June 2018. During these inspections, no hygiene concerns were noted, and no residents raised any concerns regarding their accommodation arrangements while the inspectors were onsite, said a spokesman for the department. RIA held a clinic in the centre in November 2018. In a clinic, RIA staff member visit the centre with the specific purpose of engaging with residents about any problems or issues that they have. "The dates of clinics are notified to residents in advance and four residents met with RIA staff during the November clinic. Their issues related to transport and the right to work. No residents raised any concerns regarding their accommodation arrangements, he added. The Irish Examiner also asked how much the department paid to run the centre this year but an answer was unavailable due to commercial sensitivity. Changes and the future While MASI wants Direct Provision abolished, and the IRC looks to alternatives which include a not-for-profit model, both Nasc and Doras Luimni advocate for other more immediate changes such as a roll-out of national standards and an independent monitoring system, so residents can make complaints comfortably. Progress has been made in recent years, but Doras remains convinced that the existing system is unfit for purpose, said Aideen Roche from Doras Luimni. Grave concerns have been raised about the living conditions and treatment of people living in Direct Provision, but their issues have not come to the fore through a complaints and monitoring system. In the absence of a monitoring system, the reality of living in direct provision and the challenges people have only become known because people have spoken out through the media or through advocacy groups, she said. There is a (complaints) procedure now, but a complaint must first be reported to the centre (in question). People are afraid of the repercussions, she added. Meanwhile Nasc points to lack of a proper and uniform standards procedure as highly problematic. Direct provision is the only residential setting in Ireland that doesnt have national standards. That is a work in progress. "There isnt a body in place yet but the Minister (for Justice, Charlie Flanagan) has committed to doing it. Current inspections are only inspected on health and safety grounds. Inspections are carried out by RIA (the Reception and Integration Agency) themselves and QTS, a private health and safety firm, contracted by RIA. There is a vast disparity from centre to centre, said Jennifer DeWan from Nasc. By Vivienne Clarke The director of Womens Aid is calling for proper training and resources to enforce the coercive control element of the new Domestic Violence Act 2018. Margaret Martin told RTEs Today with Miriam show that training will be important for everyone from the 999 telephone operator, the gardai, the court clerk and the judge. This is a new concept in legislation, it has worked in the UK. We want to see the development of good practices, of good, comprehensive training. For women, the introduction of coercive control into legislation is a good sign, it is affirmative, she said. Theres a way for us all to go on this journey. Implementing the legislation is not going to be easy, she warned. There needs to be follow-through with proper resourcing and specialised training for gardai. Ms Martin said that a lot of services had been hollowed out by austerity. Resources would be very important to ensure that every call to the 24 hour helpline can be answered. That one-to-one support on the helpline was really important, she added. Another aspect of the new legislation she welcomed, was the fact that dating couples will also be included. There is a very significant cohort of young women who can now get that protection. It is important that women get good support from the get go, from the first call, she said. A lot give up, they feel overwhelmed. Thats why the Divisional Protective Units need to be properly resourced, so they are dealing with one person at all times. She pointed out that even if a prosecution cannot go ahead, it is important that a record be established, so that, if necessary, it can be taken into account if a further complaint is made. The Womens Aid helpline is open 24/7 1800 341 900 Justice Minister to introduce emotional abuse offences as part of new domestic violence measures By Daniel McConnell Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has announced his intention to introduce an offence of psychological or emotional abuse as part of new domestic violence measures. The Domestic Violence Act 2018 is seeking to improve the protections available to victims of domestic violence under both the civil and criminal law. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan A new offence of coercive control a pattern of intimidation or humiliation involving psychological or emotional abuse will come into force. This is psychological abuse in an intimate relationship that causes fear of violence, or serious alarm or distress that has a substantial adverse impact on a persons day-to-day activities. Commenting on the new provision, Mr Flanagan said: For too long, domestic violence has been seen primarily as physical abuse. The new offence of coercive control recognises that the effect of non-violent control in an intimate relationship can be as harmful to victims as physical abuse because it is an abuse of the unique trust associated with an intimate relationship. Another important provision will ensure that an intimate relationship between victim and perpetrator must be regarded as an aggravating factor in sentencing for a wide range of offences. This new provision sends a message that society will no longer tolerate the appalling breach of trust committed by one partner against the other in an intimate context, he said. Under the Domestic Violence Act, safety orders will also be available to those who are in intimate relationships but who are not cohabiting. Victims of domestic violence will be able to apply for an emergency barring order, lasting for eight working days, where there is an immediate risk of significant harm. Emergency barring orders can be granted even if the victim has no legal or beneficial interest in the property or has an interest which is less than the perpetrators. Among the main aspects of the new laws include an extensive but non-exhaustive list of factors that courts must consider when dealing with applications for domestic violence orders; Safety orders will also be available to persons who are in intimate relationships but who are not cohabiting. Victims of domestic violence will also be able to apply for an emergency barring order, lasting for 8 working days, where there is an immediate risk of significant harm. Emergency barring orders may be granted even if the victim has no legal or beneficial interest in the property or has an interest which is less than the perpetrators. The law also provides for protection against cross-examination conducted in person of the applicant or respondent by the respondent or the applicant respectively where orders are being sought. Courts will be required to give reasons for decisions relating to applications for orders under the Act. It will be possible for victims to give evidence by live television link both in civil cases and in criminal cases for breaches of orders. Gardai have said it was pure luck that at least one of two workers shot during an armed robbery at a north Dublin takeaway on New Years Day was not killed. The two employees, aged 38 and 28 and from Eastern Europe, underwent surgery and are in stable condition in hospital. The incident took place at Mizzonis takeaway at Edenmore Shopping Centre in Raheny at around 12.20am. Gardai from Coolock station responded speedily to the shooting and, based on intelligence, searched a nearby house, arresting a suspect and his juvenile son. The man, aged 44, and his son, aged 16, were held on firearms offences under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. Searches were continuing yesterday for the firearm used in the robbery. Gardai believe the gunman did not succeed in taking any cash. A garda source confirmed the 38-year-old worker was shot in the chest and that it was pure luck he was not killed as it missed the heart and major arteries. The second worker received a gunshot injury to his abdomen. We could have been looking at one or even two deaths, said the source. Detectives will look to interview the victims once doctors at Beaumont Hospital give the all clear. Gardai said the gunman had entered the takeaway and threw a bag on the counter and told the staff to put cash in it. Garda at Edenmore Shopping Centre where two men were shot as they worked at Mizzoni take away, Two men are being held by Garda in connection with the shooting. Photo Garrett White. Sources said there did not appear to have been any tussle or altercation but that the gunman fired shots, hitting the two staff. It is understood the local superintendent and inspector went to the station and that, based on intelligence, a search was carried out nearby on the home of a suspect. The individual is known to gardai and has previous convictions for robbery. It is thought the 16-year-old would be released overnight. His father is most likely to be released too and a file will be sent to the DPP. Garda experts conducted forensic and ballistic tests at the scene yesterday and are gathering CCTV footage. Gardai are appealing for witnesses or any person with information to contact the incident room at Coolock Garda Station on 01 666 4200, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. From Kinsale and Clonakilty in West Cork to Donegal via Dublin City, gin producers are cropping up across the country eyeing an ever-increasingly popular market, writes Olivia Kelleher. While overall alcohol consumption continues to fall in Ireland, gin has become increasingly popular. According to Nielsen, 2017 saw a 44.3% increase in total gin sales in Ireland (Irish gin and international gin). There was a 40.5% increase in on-trade (bar) gin sales and a 47.2% increase in off-trade gin sales. While the figures for 2018 have yet to be compiled, 2017 was a breakthrough year for Irish gin. Exports more than trebled and 130,000 cases of Irish gin were sold around the world. In response to this growth, the Irish Spirits Association (ISA) created an Irish Gin Working Group to create this strategy for further growth. The new strategy identifies the main target markets for Irish gin. While Ireland will remain the most important market, Irish gin producers have identified the UK, Spain, Germany, US, and Canada as the priority export markets. The industry wants to develop world-leading standards for Irish gin. This involves creating an Irish gin standard for quality and authenticity that will be enforced on a national and international level. The ISA will also work with producers to develop and promote a recognised gold standard logo for Irish distilled gin. Secondly, producers will promote Irish gin worldwide, starting with the five key target markets. Thirdly, the industry aims to help sustain a vibrant home market for gin. For example, the ISA will actively support in the development and expansion of gin fairs and gin trails throughout Ireland. Finally, the industry will support the viability of Irish gin producers. This involves working with state agencies to support the growth of these companies as well as development into new areas such as, for example, the creation of visitor centres. Pat Rigney, chair of the Irish gin working group in the ISA and founder of the Shed Distillery in Leitrim, said the industry is ambitious, and our goals are increasingly global. Irish gin is already regarded as a world leader in terms of quality and authenticity. "As sales begin to increase at home and abroad, we want to ensure that we can take advantage of this positive growth trajectory by developing world-leading, consumer-focused standards, building on Irelands reputation for great food and drink. Export-growth is vital, and we have identified five priority international markets that we wish to target for growth with the support of Government and statutory partners. Export growth will support job creation through Ireland and help deliver on the Governments FoodWise 2025 targets. Michael Scully from Clonakilty Distillery in West Cork said with Irish gin, we are able to offer consumers something different, with products that focus on quality and authenticity. This continued focus on high standards will allow the industry to continue growing. At Clonakilty we are delighted to launch our new Minke Gin which is inspired by the Minke whale, that swims wild off our Atlantic Ocean coastline. "Our lead botanical is Rock samphire, which is sustainably harvested by hand from our West Cork seashore. "The base spirit is derived from whey, produced from our eighth generation family farm. Muff Gin Donegal entrepreneur Laura Bonner says the name of her gin is 100% cheeky and memorable. The name is a stepping stone and now people are remembering it because its really good. We are thrilled. The gin has been on the market for nine months. Laura, who has a business partner, Tom Russell, says that they had been working on the project for a few years but now that it is operational it is non-stop. We have been doing long-haul flights every two to three weeks. We had no idea it was going to take off as well as it did. We were a bit nervous because the gin market is so saturated. There are so many competitors out there that we really werent too sure how it was going to go. Now we are standing on our own. Ms Bonner has a background in property and worked her way up the corporate ladder in the UK. Tom, she laughs, was sick of listening to her talking about her dream of having her very own gin. I packed up everything, gave up everything, and moved home this time last year. The target market is Asia, so I will be out there a lot, she says. Lauras grandfather, Philip McClenaghan, was a potato farmer and poitin-maker. Laura put an illustration of him on the label of her gin. The reason I put my grandfather on was pure respect. Every time we do a bottle, I always think about my grandfather. "When people pick a bottle off the shelf I turn to them straight away and say this is my grandad. "I am super proud and I am sure he would be absolutely delighted with it. Ms Bonner says she has spent all her life savings on trying to build up a brand. When people say I am not too sure I like it I feel like are you saying my child is ugly? It is so great walking in to a bar and seeing my gin behind the shelf. I was home in a pub for my nephews 18th. I went to a nightclub, even though I am far too old. "I went into the toilets and these young girls said Oh my God we know you. You are such an inspiration. It was probably the proudest moment that I have had. Kinsale Gin Kinsale has a reputation for excellence, so when businessmen Ernest Cantillon and Tom Riordan were looking for a name synonymous with all that is good about Cork, the town was their first port of call. Tom Riordan owns The Raven pub in Cork and Ernest is equally busy with his businesses Electric Bar & Restaurant and Sober Lane pub in the city. Colin Ryan of Richmond marketing and Ernest Cantillion from Kinsale gin at the 16th Cork Wine & Craft Beer fair. The pair are long-time friends. Ernest said they noticed the growth in gin sales with Bombay Sapphire. About five years ago, other customers were coming in and saying: Have you any other gins? We could see it was growing. We also did our homework on whiskey, which is something that will come to fruition for us next year. Tom went back to college and got a diploma in food science to help with distilling. He spent a lot of time with a forager in Kinsale to see what ingredients were natural to the area. The pair were interested in using sea wood, but nothing worked in the taste profile. Ernest says it took 67 batches to get the right taste. What he would do every night then is bring it in to the customers in The Raven and say: What about this? "It was good that he had the same focus group. They loved it! Tom and Ernest brought out 100 bottles in Christmas 2015 and it has grown from there. There was great satisfaction for us in making something. We always wanted to make something. "Gin is on-trend now, but if it stops being popular we can export. "That is something you cannot do in a pub. You are at the mercy of a traffic plan with a pub. Or the Beast from the East. Ernest says the Kinsale name resonates with the Irish diaspora. Kinsale delivers. Our dream is to have a distillery in Kinsale. Kinsale has been very good to us. They are delighted to see their name on the shelves. The big thrill for me was when I saw our gin in duty-free. "Or if someone is on holiday in the Canaries or someplace and they send you a picture of it. Thats amazing. Ornabrak Gin Entrepreneur Patrick Shelley of Ornabrak Gin hails from a luxury goods background having held senior positions with LVMH (Moet, Hennessy, Louis Vuitton) in France, UK, Germany, Austria, South East Asia, and Russia. His brief has been representing some of the worlds top wine and spirits brands, where excellence is the only standard. Patrick Shelley, the Irish entrepreneur behind Ornabrak, the latest gin offering. The Tipperary man is the founder of Origin Spirts, which produces the award-winning Kalak vodka range. Earlier this year, he launched Ornabrak single-malt gin. It is four times copper-pot distilled and then distilled a fifth time with five carefully selected botanicals to create a complex and floral single-malt gin. The name Ornabrak is derived from the Irish eorna braiche, meaning malted barley. Patrick said the product was meticulously crafted following 36 distillation trials over 12 months, and with input from some of the worlds best bartenders. Starting with an initial palate of almost 30 botanicals, this was carefully narrowed down to just five which were selected to best complement the complex and unusual Irish single-malt base spirit. It is malted in Cork before being milled, mashed, fermented and copper-pot distilled in Skibbereen, West Cork. Patrick says that many gin brands will argue that as 75% of your G&T is tonic, you should ensure you use only the best. We agree, but like to highlight that if 95% of your gin is made from base spirit, ensure the latter is also the best! "For us, provenance is key, as international consumers are becoming increasingly discerning, particularly with respect to the authenticity and transparency of the brands they consume with more demand for farm to bottle products. Patrick also produces Kalak Peat Cask Single Malt Vodka, having set up his company five years ago. He says he is proud that they have created three products in a handful of years. He says he is particularly thrilled with the Ornabrak gin bottle as it packs a punch. The Ornabrak bottle was inspired by vintage apothecary and perfume bottles, and the label by Victorian botanical illustrations. Each botanical was custom illustrated for Ornabrak by one of Irelands leading botanical artists, Lynn Stringer. Lynn is a former gold medal winner at Bloom, has exhibited her works at the Royal Horticultural Societys botanical art show in London and has provided illustrations to the acclaimed Curtiss Botanical Magazine. Drumshambo Gunpowder Irish Gin The Shed Distillery, founded by Pat Rigney in 2014, is the first facility of its kind in Connacht for more than a century. Creating employment in Leitrim is dear to Pats heart, as he has a family link to the area. Pat Rigney of The Shed Distillery, Co Leitrim, with a bottle of Gunpowder Irish Gin. My parents met in Drumshambo. My dad was a bookkeeper and my mother was the auditor. Hence they met and got married. Pat has created about 20 brands over the years including Sheridan Liqueur, for my sins!. His background is in brand creation and this is his fourth start-up. This year, the distillery launched their own special Sausage Tree Pure Irish Vodka. He says opening the distillery in Drumshanbo was historic. It started with one guy. Today we have 28 working at the distillery and of that, about 21 were on the Live Register. All trained and brilliant people and trained now in a whole set of new skills. We have a fantastic team. It is palpable the difference it has made to the area. Pat maintains there is a major urban/rural divide in Ireland, with Dublin having full employment. Rural Ireland needs things like this, he says. At the moment there is a bit of a split in the country. When you go to rural parts of Ireland, you may as well be going to a different country. We need investment like this. Pat is putting a visitor experience centre out to tender next year. That should bring at least another 20 jobs, but more than that, our aim is to make it a destination to pull people to Drumshambo. "Drumshanbo will benefit, but so will Leitrim. "We are working closely with other attractions in the area. You need to create this thing called a cluster. "We are not on the main drag, so we need to something really special and remarkable. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin was launched to the market in 2015 and was served to 600 dignitaries and guests, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, at a special reception in Washington DC. Pat says the drinks industry is tough and competitive and not for the faint-hearted. Bonac Irish Gin Bonac Irish Gin is run by father and son team Gavin and Michael Clifford with the product being distilled in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow. The duo launched the gin in November 2016 after Michael, who is in his 20s, had spent time working in bars in the Accabonac Harbour in East Hampton. The pair had an interest in developing a product and started visiting distilleries. Gavin says he was inspired by the strength of the craft drinks industry in the States. I emigrated from Ireland after going to college here. I spent a number of years living in the States in New York and I was really spurred on by the whole American craft drinks movement. Obviously they are a little bit ahead of the curve than we are. I was working in bars like all Irish lads do when they go to New York. It kind of inspired me and pushed me on. Gavin called his father weekly and the idea began to germinate for a business of their own. I often had the Sunday evening phone calls with my dad and it was something we talked about for a long time over there. When I moved back we decided to go for it. It took about a year from conception to building out the distillery. I saw that there was potential to make a business out of it. Michael Clifford runs a tax consulting business which Gavin says is handy in terms of looking at the whole excise issue. I look after distillation, sales and marketing and between the two of us we put in the hard labour required to bottle every single bottle ourselves. "We could do with an extra few hours in the day and an extra few days in the week." It took the pair the best part of a year to get the flavour right. Gavin is particularly grateful to Bord Bia stressing that the quality of our food and drink really precedes us. There is great work done by Bord Bia. I would love to sending stuff back to the US where a lot of our ideas were honed. "Its a massive market but there is a lot of red tape and restriction. Dublin City Gin Dublin City Gin founders, husband-and-wife team Sheila Cooney and Jim OConnor, have spent their whole lives using their imaginations. Jim is a former creative director with a CV that includes working for Disney and RTE, while Sheila is a visual merchandiser by profession. Dublin City Gin Company is owned and run by husband-and-wife team Sheila Cooney and Jim OConnor. They have lived in various continents having what Jim terms their duty-free babies along the way. They moved into the gin scene two years ago having returned home to Ireland for family reasons. Jim said that he had a craving for a life outside of Disney. I wanted to do a product outside of Disney. But never alcohol. We didnt deliberately do alcohol. But I always say that Mickey Mouse drove me to drink! Our friends were always asking us every trip home to bring back a Dublin gin. It was as simple as that. "One evening over a cocktail it kind of clicked that there wasnt any Dublin gin. Jim started his career as a production designer serving as Millennium designer for Dublin and then he and Sheila upped and got married and the travelling began. Jim joined Disney in Hong Kong. I was head of Asia Pacific. We got ourselves pregnant again and two chaps emerged. That was great and then with Disney they sent me to Los Angeles to head up creative. He says they say they are essentially a start-up as this is effectively their first year. So it is really me and Sheila knocking on doors trying to get folks to give it a shot. We are in some of the major hotels. Genuine craft industry only produces a small amount. "There is much more love and attention goes into a craft than the big operations. Jim says that it is very important that the founder of a company be accessible. It is very important that you can call the founder, he says. We are very open. A lot of people talk the talk and tell the stories. Everyone has a brand story. They all sound great. But you have to be genuine and authentic. Dingle Whiskey Distillery What began as a three-person start-up in 2012, before the boom in spirit sales, now employs 20 people, producing whiskey, vodka and gin. Dingle Whiskey Distillerys business director, Elliot Hughes, says their gin sales are going up and up because it is huge with every demographic. It is big with women. It is big with men... it is big across all age groups. It is not Jagermeister. People are broadening their palettes. They are happy to have a couple of gins before dinner. You see men who are out for pints changing to a gin. People are changing their drinking habits. Mr Hughes says he doesnt anticipate any massive drop in the gin consumption. I dont think gin sales will plummet. It is still miles behind vodka in overall consumption. There is also talk that vodka will have a resurgence in the next 18-24 months, which I would love to see. Having three products gives us a bit more of a safety net. Dingle Whiskey Distillery is predominantly in the Irish and European market, but they now also have a distributor in the US. Mr Hughes says the whiskey industry was a risky move for them because, on average, you dont see returns for about seven years. With hindsight, what an amazing idea gin was at the time. It is a London dry gin. It is doing a lot better than we could ever have predicted. Hughes says half of their botanicals are ones you would see in the vast majority of gins. They also have six locally grown botanicals. Hughes adds that getting your product in the right places is the key to growth because people want to know what they are drinking before they buy a whole gin. People dont go in a buy gin without having tried it first. It is important to be able to say: Look at that bar, they are stocking our product. "It allows more people to taste it and then you see it on off-licence shelves. It is going very well. Ballyvolane Spirits Berthas Revenge Justin Green, one of the co-founders of Berthas Revenge gin, grew up in Ballyvolane House in Castlelyons, Co Cork. His father was a dairy farmer and he had a great upbringing. Justin and Jenny Green are in business with their friend Antony Jackson producing Berthas Revenge Gin. The couple are pictured at Ballyvolane House, Castlelyons I grew up feeding calves and driving tractors. So I always had a great appreciation for the countryside and food. I worked in hotels in Asia. In the meantime, my parents had opened up Ballyvolane House as a guest house. "I came back in 2003 with my wife and my newborn baby and took over. We operated the house as a guest house. They were very busy in the summer, but the winters were dead. He and business partner Antony Jackson opted to develop a milk gin with distilled whey ethanol. Anthony Jackson (left) and Justin Green (right) at Ballvolane House holding bottles of Berthas Revenge gin. We decided to create something that would reflect really well on the house. We wanted to create something that we could export all over the world. Justin sees plenty of opportunity for growth of their product in the coming years. In America, the gin craze only kicked off six months ago. There are lots of markets that havent really taken off yet South America, India. "There are plenty of opportunities to grow. Being authentic gives us the edge on the big brands. Its going really well for us so far. Farmers have opened up about the agony of suffering silently with Lyme disease, which is notoriously difficult to diagnose. There are around 200 new cases of Lyme Disease every year, but the true incidence is not known, as it can often be overlooked, due to varied symptoms. Pop star Avril Lavigne, actor Richard Gere, and former US president George W Bush are all said to have experienced the horrors of the Borrelia bacteria, which is carried by infected ticks. It can cause a range of debilitating symptoms, from fatigue and joint pain to neurological problems. It is transmitted by tiny ticks that live outside on animals. Farmers are particularly vulnerable to the condition. Jack Lambert, a consultant specialist in infectious disease at Dublins Mater Hospital, believes the disease is more common in Ireland than previously thought. We actually have to open up our mind up to this new disease, which is much more common than we were previously aware of, said Dr Lambert. We need to resource, to educate the GPs on the frontline, who are seeing these patients, to even think about Lyme. We need to educate the specialists, who are seeing these patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and rheumatological conditions and neurological conditions, to even consider Lyme, because its not on their radar screen at present. Not every case of rheumatoid arthritis is going to be Lyme disease, but you should at least think about it and do the test and take a history. In Thursdays episode of RTEs farming series Ear to the Ground, a farmer speaks of the devastation of suffering the symptoms, such as chronic fatigue and joint pain, and the failure to have his condition diagnosed. Charlie Harkin, a part-time farmer from Inishowen, began to feel unwell on Christmas day four years ago. He suffered with Lyme disease for two years before being diagnosed following a blood test. I was jumping for relief that someone was telling me what I had, he said. I wouldnt wish this on my worst enemy. It is savage. It was one of the scariest things I ever went through in my life and I never want to do it again. Dr Lambert said the disease is very treatable. My belief, and my observation from treating patients, is that even if it has been in your system for five or ten years, if you do all the necessary treatment antibiotics, immune supplements, anti-inflammatories, things to fix the immune system it is curable, he said. If you catch it early, within six months, I think, sometimes, even a three- to six-week course of antibiotics does it, or even two to three months of antibiotics does it. Farmers are urged to avoid tick-borne infections by wearing repellent and by checking for ticks at the end of the day, looking out for a bulls-eye rash, flu-like symptoms, and nerve pain. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has enacted domestic violence legislation to include new crimes of coercive control and forced marriage and to incorporate crimes committed during dating. Mr Flanagan said the provisions bring Ireland a step closer to ratifying a European convention to prevent violence against women. Womens Aid has welcomed the enactment of the Domestic Violence Act 2018, but said it must be properly resourced, particularly in relation to the gardai and the courts. The minister said one of the key protections for victims in the act was the creation of a new offence of coercive control, with those convicted on indictment facing up to five years in jail. This is described as psychological abuse in an intimate relationship that causes fear of violence, or serious alarm or distress that has a substantial adverse impact on a persons daily activities. Mr Flanagan said that, for too long, domestic violence was seen primarily as physical abuse and said that non-violent control in an intimate relationship can be as harmful, because it is an abuse of the unique trust associated with an intimate relationship. From today, women must feel change quickly. It must be positive, it must be practical and it must make them and their children safer from abuse. What is promised on paper must be fully resourced to be effective in protecting those affected by domestic violence. #DVAct2018 Women's Aid Ireland (@Womens_Aid) January 1, 2019 He said another important provision would ensure that an intimate relationship between a victim and a perpetrator would be treated as an aggravated factor in sentencing for offences. Provisions in the act, such as applying for a safety order, will also be extended to people who are not living together, but are dating. The act also stipulates that it will be possible for a victim to give evidence by live television link, both in civil cases and criminal cases, in relation to breaches of domestic violence orders. The act also includes a new offence of forced marriage. This is where someone removes a person from the State and subjects them to violence, threats, or any form of coercion, in order to get them to enter into a ceremony of marriage described as religious, civil or secular, whether legally binding or not. Anyone (including those facilitating the removal) convicted on indictment could face up to seven years in jail. Tanaiste Simon Coveney has talked down the chances of Sinn Fein dominating future presidential elections, should overseas Irish people be allowed to vote. Fears have been expressed that by extending the vote to people living in Northern Ireland and North America, the vote would swing in favour of a Sinn Fein candidate. Sinn Fein has fared poorly in the past two presidential elections, with Liadh Ni Riada winning just 6% of the vote in 2018, and the late Martin McGuinness winning 14% of the vote in 2011, but the party has demanded the vote be extended to the North, and elsewhere, in a bid to boost its chances. Mr Coveney, who is also the minister for foreign affairs, said the decision to extend the vote is greater than simple party politics. He also said experience would suggest the numbers in those foreign countries who would bother to vote would be small. In truth, I think quite a small percentage of Irish citizens outside of the island of Ireland Northern Ireland is different will actually go to the trouble of voting. "Thats not just me giving a gut feeling, thats looking at the statistics of other countries that allow citizens abroad to vote. A very small percentage end up doing it, because only a small percentage end up following politics to the extent that they would want to take a role in the election, he said. Mr Coveney said himself and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are both very committed to extending the vote. He said the Cabinet will meet this month to finalise the question, which will be put to the people by way of referendum. We will be having another conversation on this in January, as a cabinet, to finalise decisions and we want to put this to a referendum of the people in 2019, he said. There are different views across the political spectrum, in relation to this issue, but dont forget the groundwork has been laid for this. It was recommended by the Citizens Assembly and it was supported in an Oireachtas committee by all parties and there have been debates on this, particularly in the Seanad, that are consistent with the approach the Government wants to take, he said. Mr Coveney said the proposal is consistent with Ireland looking outwards and taking our citizens abroad seriously, in terms of their connection with Ireland, their interest in Ireland. I have said, for many years, that Irish people abroad should be able to vote in presidential elections. "I believe the president should represent Irish people at home and abroad. We are very unusual, as a country and a people. In many ways, we are a global tribe that has a presence right across the world. Often, the focus is on Australia and the US, but we have big numbers of the diaspora in other parts of the world. I dont think we should be making decisions here on the basis of party political interests. "I think we should make the decision on the basis of reaching out to Irish citizens all over the world and saying to them, you matter, we want to hear what you have to say, we want you to feel represented by the president too, he said. So, I think this is the right thing to do and I hope the Irish people will support it, when we bring it to them in a referendum. "Most importantly, I want to send out to Irish people all over the world that you dont have to wait for St Patricks Day to see how connected Irish people are to Ireland. I think this is a great way of re-enforcing that connection in a way that is very valuable. It will change the nature of the presidency I think, but in a good way and Im very supportive of it, he said. Following Ms Ni Riadas disastrous run for the Aras, Sinn Fein leader, Mary Lou McDonald, said the party stands absolutely over its decision to contest the presidential election. Ms McDonald said she was disappointed with the result and wished they had polled more strongly, but said: I stand absolutely over our decision. Mr Coveney has also revealed details of a 4.8m increase in the budget for embassy expansion across the globe this year. The Government is ramping up its diplomatic footprint across the globe as Brexit looms. Mr Coveney announced the opening of more than a dozen new missions in locations as diverse as Latin America, India, Africa, the Middle East, and New Zealand. Bus and rail drivers want company backing to pull services if there are incidents of violence. A union has written to Bus Eireann and Irish Rail seeking the extension of a protocol that allows Dublin Bus drivers to halt operations following a set number of incidents. Thunder Bay, Ontario - January 2, 2019 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a option to purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (RTEC) whereby RTEC will have the right to earn a 100% interest in Benton's Baril Lake claims located approximately 5km west of Benton's Bark Lake project which is currently under option to RTEC (see Benton PR dated October 25, 2016). Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, RTEC can earn 100% of the Baril project by paying Benton $200,000 over 4 years and should RTEC achieve commercial production at the project, will pay Benton an additional $1,000,000. The Company will also retain a 2% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR), half of which (1%) can be purchased by RTEC for $1,000,000. The Company considers the Baril Lake project to be a favorable setting to potentially host copper-nickel and platinum group metals. Drilling completed by RTEC in 2017 on the Bark Lake project encountered mineralization of 0.31 copper and 0.72gpt (grams per tonne) Platinum + Palladium over 19.2meters (see Benton PR dated May 25, 2017). Benton is also pleased to announce that it will initiate an approximate 1000m diamond drill program on the Panama Lake gold project located in Red Lake Mining district in early January. The Panama project is located approximately 50km along strike of Great Bear Resources Ltd.'s discovery at their Dixie project. The drilling will focus on Benton's new surface sampling discovery from prospecting completed earlier this year grading from trace to 6.17gpt gold located on the north shore of Slate Lake and only approximately 120m north of the area where glacial till sampling survey by the Geological Survey of Canada, 1999 (Open File 3038) identified 107 pristine gold grains in till sampling, the highest count in the survey. A second series of holes will test the Panama Zone where historical diamond drilling completed by Noranda Exploration Ltd. in 1988 yielded results of up to 2.8g/t Au over 4.5m within a 20-30m wide mineralized shear zone. The Company's management views the project as having many geophysical and lithological similarities to that of Great Bear Resources Ltd.'s discovery in the Red Lake district (see Great Bear Resources Ltd. PR dated August 22, 2018). About Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) Benton Resources Inc. is a well-funded Canadian-based project generator with a diversified property portfolio in Gold-Silver, Nickel, Copper, and Platinum group elements. Benton holds multiple high grade projects available for option which can be viewed on the company's web site. Many projects have an up to date NI43-101 report available. Interested parties can contact Stephen Stares from the contact below. Nathan Sims (P.Geo.), Senior Exploration Manager for Benton Resources Inc., is the qualified person responsible for this release and has prepared or supervised the preparation of or reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Inc., "Stephen Stares" Stephen Stares, President THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. For further information contact Stephen Stares @: 684 Squier Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 4A8 Phone (807)475-7474 Cell (807)474-9020 Fax (807)475-7200 www.bentonresources.ca sstares@bentonresources.ca More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Wells Fargo has agreed to pay a $10 million penalty as part of a settlement agreement with the California Department of Insurance. The settlement with the CDI, announced on Wednesday, resolves the departments accusation alleging improper insurance sales practices related to Wells Fargos online insurance referral program. The improper practices reportedly resulted in consumers being signed up and charged for insurance products without their consent. The Department of Insurances investigation found that Wells Fargo was signing up and charging customers for insurance without their consent, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a statement. Wells Fargo has agreed to not transact any new business during the remaining term of its two insurance licenses, which expire in July and September 2020. The company also agreed to not apply for a license for at least two years following the expiration of their current licenses. The $5 million of the penalty is due immediately. If the company ever seeks to return to the California insurance marketplace, it then must pay the remaining $5 million penalty. The CDI may also decline to issue a new license. In November 2017, the CDI served on Wells Fargo an accusation seeking revocation of Wells Fargos insurance license for improper insurance sales practices. The accusation was the result of an investigation opened at the direction of Jones, which found that from 2008 to 2016, Wells Fargo customers were issued roughly 1,500 insurance policies without their knowledge or permission. In some cases, employees told consumers to enter their personal information on a policy application merely to receive a quote, but Wells Fargo employees later submitted the application to the insurer to purchase the policy without the consumers permission. Related: Topics California Strewn in gnarled piles from Floridas Gulf Coast up through South Georgia, the livelihood of timber farmers is on the ground. And, after the ravaging buzz saw of Hurricane Michael in early October, it will be a while until they begin to bounce back to prominence. Michaels path carved though a part of the state where Floridians are most reliant on timber. More than 2.8 million acres of timber were damaged by Michaels powerful 155 mph winds. Almost 347,000 acres in Bay, Calhoun and Gulf counties where Michael made landfall suffered 95 percent damage, categorized as catastrophic in a post-storm report by the Florida Forest Service. Thats $1.289 billion in damage to an industry that contributes $25 billion annually to Floridas economy and accounts for 124,000 jobs. Nestled just inland where the monster storm made landfall as a Category 4 storm, Liberty County is one of four in the state that is classified as critically dependent on the timber industry, where it represents over 20 percent of the workforce, according to a 2017 report by the Florida Forestry Association. Calhoun is one of seven classified as very dependent, with more than 10 percent of total employment, Franklin and Gadsden are moderately dependent with more than 5 percent of the workforce involved in the industry. In all, 516,673 acres were damaged in Liberty County. More than 1.04 million acres suffered severe damage in Bay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Gulf, Jackson and Liberty counties. More than 1,600 people in Liberty County work in timber. It makes up half the workforce. In 2016, 518,714 tons were removed from forests there, totaling more than $322 million. Its a big business and Michaels clear-cutting could continue to hurt peoples livelihoods for years to come. A lot of people are unable to work. A lot of people have lost their jobs. The logging industry looks like it got turned upside down, said Liberty County Commissioner Jim Johnson after finishing lunch at the Apalachee Restaurant. Its just a trickle-down affect that could affect the economy of this county tremendously in the future, he said. Heading out into the desolation of the Apalachicola National Forest, its easy to see what Johnson means. Entire stands of towering pines, that once were prime for lumber, poles and pulpwood, are damaged or toppled. Lumber mills there are three large-scale operations in Liberty and neighboring Calhoun counties are inundated with whatever wood can be salvaged. If the wood is damaged in any way, it loses its market value nearly instantly. Thats for two reasons, said Gadsden-Liberty County Forester David Findley. One, the people that are cutting timber in the wake of the storm are going after large-scale, high dollar hauls and not your everyday growers who may have tracts of less than 100 acres, the majority of the people Findley works with. Second, trees with broken or damaged fibers arent appealing from a quality standpoint. Most of the timber is going to lay on the ground and not be salvaged, said Findley, who is an agent for the Florida Forest Service. Its basically a ticking time bomb to where its not worth it to get it all up. Theyre trying to cherry pick the good stuff. Mills in areas hit hard, like in Panama City Beach, Hosford and Blountstown, may not be in operation until the spring or may already be saturated with wood salvaged immediately after the storm, Findley said. That forces people to try and find other places to take their trees in the hopes of salvaging what they still have. Its a harsh reality for people who may have been banking on their timber for retirement or family investment. Ive got people crying in the passenger seat saying theyre getting ready to retire in the next few years and they dont know what to do anymore, Findley said. Its salvage what you can. Youre going to have 10 years window of no harvesting. Were trying to assist the landowners as best we can, but I dont think there is a silver lining for some of these landowners. The main focus right now is helping people clean up and replant trees. Findley said there is help through the U.S. Department of Agricultures Emergency Forest Restoration Program. Pine reforestation in Florida could cost upwards of $240 million and result in job loss for 15 to 20 years down the road. State Sen. Bill Montford, who himself has a tract of timber land in Liberty County, said the impacts of Michael on the timber industry of North Florida would be felt generationally. Cotton, soy and peanuts, you plant the crop and hopefully you have a good return, he said. Timber takes 20 to 25 years before you begin to have a return on that investment. Peoples livelihoods are on the ground. If theyre lucky enough to be able to salvage the timber, the price at market is at an all-time low, likely half of what it was pre-storm. A lot of timber on the ground is going to the mills for pulp that would have been a far more lucrative product, Montford said. In a lot of cases you have people who were depending on a small stand of timber for their retirement. They wake up the next morning and its gone. Theyre just about at a panic level. What do we do? How do we deal with this? Montford said at the legislative level, there have been discussions with Senate President Bill Galvano who asked lawmakers to devise possible solutions to the financial constraints the storm has put on North Florida. Weve got $3 billion in reserves for a rainy day. Im telling him its raining, Montford said. The sun is shining but its raining. In the long term, more troubling than the downed timber is the impact that disease and insect invasion can have after it moves from easily accessible downed trees to ones that remain healthy. Piles of souring wood make great habitat for Ips beetles, Southern pine beetles and turpentine beetles. Findley suggested that landowners not able to get their trees to market begin to remove them from stands or burn them before spring. He also encouraged thinning and good forest management to make the remaining trees as healthy as possible. Time is of the essence in getting timber off the ground if it is to be salvaged. It doesnt take long for fungi to cause bluing, which makes it less or even undesirable to saw mills. Whats going to happen in the spring time, he said, Is those beetles are going to find these stressed out trees and start feeding on them. If its not stressed, it wont be a good site for them. By the time Michael moved into South Georgia, it was still a major Category 3 storm. Joe Butler Jr.s 1,500-acre timber farm appeared to be right in the crosshairs. It turned out that the trees of Camilla, Ga., were spared the major destruction in neighboring Decatur, Miller and Seminole counties. But not all of them. This is a 175-acre tract and Im guessing, over all, its a 25 percent loss in the whole tract, Butler said on a longleaf pine restoration forest field tour in late November. Near the pecan grove its more like 60 percent. Longleaf pines planted 18 years ago are bent sideways, the first planted on the property since Butlers great great grandfather bought it in 1873 with gold. The stressed trees wont be good for much, so Butler is working to clear the land and replant as soon as possible. Theyll never make poles, theyll never make saw timber, which is the markets that we try to grow for, he said. Its just not economical to keep them at this stage. Might as well sacrifice 20 years of growth and start over. The tour, which included officials from the Georgia Forestry Commission, Southern Company, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, several state agencies and local media, was intended to give a glimpse into a growing movement to return the longleaf pines prominence to its historic range. Prior to the storm, Butler was negotiating sale prices of $48 a ton for saw timber. Now its selling for $7 to $11 a ton. The pulpwood market where trees are ground to make cardboard and other paper products, dipped from about $14 a ton to as little as $2 a ton, not even worth the cost of gas to haul it to the mill. Hell bring in equipment to clean out damaged trees and burn them. Although Butler manages his land for the timber industry, he is keenly aware of the environmental conservation of animals that call pine forests home. Thats just more equipment in the woods, more damage, more gopher tortoise burrows that might be damaged, habitat thats taken away thats been groomed for 18 years to benefit the wildlife, he said. Its devastating from a financial standpoint but also from a conservation standpoint. We have lost several hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of sellable timber. At times it makes me want to cry. Butlers stand is a fraction of the damage recorded across the state. The Peach State sustained damage on 2 million acres of timberland worth close to $762 million. His land is locked in a conservation easement, meaning it can never be sold off and developed. As a money maker, it is useful only as a timber producer. To help, GFC is looking at producing 500 million extra pine seedlings this year to distribute to Georgia farmers. Greg Pate with the American Forest Foundation said over the past 10 years his organization has started to look more closely at conservation work surrounding sustainable forestry and bringing back the longleaf pine ecosystem. Hurricanes often change the timber market. The timber market always kind of crashes after a hurricane of this magnitude, Pate said. Markets always crash, salvage takes place, folks come in like us and federal and state agencies help landowners get forested back and the markets kind of recover. In some places market and growth turnaround may be quick, but along the southwest corner of Georgia, there is likely a long road to industry recovery. Depending on the area, it may be 15 or 20 years before some of those folks can harvest timber again, he said. In the meantime, we go in there and work with them and say lets make this better than it was, lets try to reforest with longleaf pine if its acceptable to you. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Florida Hurricane Agribusiness Georgia An unusually rainy year for most counties in Arkansas has left the states roadways marked with potholes. Eric Petty, the manager of Little Rocks operations division, told The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that 2018 was the citys sixth-rainiest year on record. Water can weaken asphalt by seeping into or bubbling up underneath the material, Petty said. The resulting potholes can damage vehicles by blowing out tires or knocking vehicles out of alignment, he said. Little Rock saw more than 2,800 potholes in 2018 that cost the city more than $380,000 in labor, equipment and materials, Petty said. North Little Rock spent $60,000 in materials to fix the years potholes, compared to $50,000 on materials in 2017, city spokesman Nathan Hamilton said. Jonesboro spent around $100,000 on pothole repairs, according to the citys street director, Steve Tippitt. The rainfall and the winter weather have caused the most damage to streets. Potholes are harder to fix when its raining or cold, said Alan Walter, a construction engineer for the Arkansas Department of Transportations District 10, which covers the Jonesboro area. When its raining every day, you cant go fix the one youve got, and a little one turns into a big one, Walter said. The state Transportation Department doesnt have a specific budget for potholes, but the departments 10 districts each receive between $18 million to $20 million for road repair, said agency spokesman Danny Straessle. The agency plans to ask the state Legislature for $478 million for highway maintenance, he said. There are a lot of (potholes), and we wish we had enough money to take care of them all, Straessle said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Arkansas The almost weekly headlines about insurers and venture capitalists investing in insurtechs and tech-savvy insurance startups sometimes blocked the view of what established big technology firms were doing in insurance. During 2018, giant technology firms Google and Amazon showed renewed interest in insurance and generated speculation about their insurance intentions going forward. Google invested in a major insurance agency technology company and expressed interest in investing in additional insurance enterprises. Amazon teamed with two large employers in an ambitious undertaking to completely reimagine the nations health care and insurance system. Amazon also showed interest in creating an insurance comparison website in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, consumers continued to warm to the notion of buying their insurance from Google or Amazon. For traditionalists, there was one comfort: transportation tech firm Uber signaled it has no interest in getting into the insurance business. However, investor Softbank is interested in new ways to sell insurance to the clients of Uber and similar platforms. Here is a recap of stories from 2018 about big technology courting big insurance: Google Invests in Insurance Agency Software Firm Applied Systems Giant Googles investment arm purchased a minority stake in Applied Systems, a provider of insurance technology and cloud-based software for independent agencies. Applied Systems CEO Reid French confirmed that Google/CapitalG will become minority investor, while adding that Google/CapitalGs financial stake is significant. Its not small, Reid said of the investment. They made a legitimate commitment its real money. Applied Systems reassured its clients, independent insurance agents, that they should welcome, not fear, Googles involvement with the firm. In return for the Alphabet/Google/CapitalG investment, Applied Systems gains access to Google expertise in areas including artificial intelligence, machine learning and digital marketing but, according to French, Google will not b able to tap into any of Applied Systems insurance data residing in the cloud or within various customer applications. There are many agents that have wanted to have greater access to high technology. The vast majority will view this, with the facts, as super-duper positive for Applied and for the industry, French said. Google Definitely Interested in Other Insurtech Investments Following Applied Systems Google is eager to invest in other insurance technology companies well beyond its newly announced minority stake in Applied Systems. We really like the market, said Jesse Wedler, a principal with CapitalG, the growth equity investment fund of Googles parent Alphabet. We will definitely be looking for additional investments in the insurance technology space. Wedler said the search would be for other businesses like Applied. Broadly speaking, the software businesses addressing the insurance market are interesting to us, Wedler said. He emphasized, however, that potential investment targets wont be rivals of Applied. 1-in-5 Consumers Say Theyd Use Amazon or Google for Home Insurance One-in-five consumers say they would use Amazon or Google for their home insurance, a J.D. Power survey showed. And most of those who took the survey (80 percent) already have insurance with a large national carrier. Both Google and Amazon have been previously pegged as potential insurance market entrants despite a Google failure in the space. J.D. Powers believes that wasnt the last of the firms efforts to get into the insurance business. Amazon Weighs Formation of UK Insurance Comparison Website Reuters reported that Amazon is gauging the interest level of Europes top insurance firms in contributing products to a UK price comparison website. While it was not immediately clear what type of insurance would be sold on any Amazon site, home and motor policies are popular sellers on existing UK price comparison sites. As Amazon becomes a larger part of the home, whether its products delivered to the home, security monitoring, home services like Wi-Fi installation, you can make the case that insurance is the next logical step for this company, said Morningstar analyst R.J. Hottovy. Travelers Teams with Amazon to Offer Smart Home Products, Insurance Quotes Speaking of the home product market as an entranceway into insurance, The Travelers Companies Inc. announced it is teaming up with Amazon in selected states to offer smart home kits, insurance quotes and risk management information through a digital storefront: Amazon.com/Travelers. Customers may obtain smart home kits that include security cameras, water sensors, motion detectors and a smart home hub at discounted prices. Consumers interested in a home insurance quote are directed from the Travelers storefront on Amazon to the companys website or to an independent insurance agent. In addition, Travelers independent agents can use Travelers and Amazon co-branded products to market to customers about smart home technology. No Reason for Insurer Panic Over Amazon Yet Should insurers be worried about Amazon disrupting insurance as it has retail? At the S&P Global Ratings insurance conference, analysts said theres no reason to panic. If Amazon does offer home insurance, it would probably start small with simple, bare-bones coverage, said one analyst, who also questioned whether the e-tailer would even take such a step. Does Amazon really want to get regulated? I dont think they do. After Amazon Conquers Banking, Insurance Could be Next Tech companies pose a challenge to banks. Amazon is reported to be in talks with JPMorgan Chase and other big retail banks to create a checking-account-like offering aimed at younger adults and those without checking accounts. This move would build on the companys initial forays into financial products over recent years and be the start of its venturing into lending, mortgages, property/casualty insurance, wealth management and term life insurance, according to consultants at Bain & Co. JPMorgan, Amazon, Berkshire Venture to Target Health Issues Using Data, Technology JPMorgan Chase & Co., Amazon.com Inc., and Berkshire Hathaway will focus on the biggest health issues threatening the U.S. economy in their new joint venture, including aligning healthcare payments with employee health and addressing chronic diseases, CEO Jamie Dimon said. The three giant firms announced in January that they would form a venture that would use technology to try to cut healthcare costs for their employees, and potentially open the venture to other companies. Dimon said the company would focus on using big data, virtual technology, better customer engagement and more consumer choice to address critical problems and issues. Softbank Plans Big Push into Insurance Investments Softbank is not a tech firm itself but it is a major investor in tech-based insurance firms. In the past year, it backed Chinas largest online insurer ZhongAn as well as PolicyBazaar, Indias biggest online insurance seller, as well as U.S. home insurer Lemonade. Softbank sees the insurance sector as ripe for disruption and believes insurtechs can partner with other firms within its portfolio including Uber and office sharing firm WeWork to sell new products and services to their clients. Relax, Ubers Not Interested in Entering Insurance Business While it is weighing providing benefits and insurance to its independent contractor drivers, ride-hailing giant Uber is not interested in getting into the insurance business itself. Rather, the global transportation firm is content to focus on being an intelligent purchaser of insurance, continuing to work with insurance carriers and brokers on any insurance for its drivers. No, to be honest, were trying to get out of the insurance business, Curtis Scott, global head of insurance for Uber, said. I can tell you that Uber doesnt have a desire to. We are good at being a tech company thats in logistics and we want to do that. Thats what were strong at, he said. Insurance companies are good at being insurance companies and thats hard to do, he added. Topics Carriers Agencies InsurTech Tech Homeowners Sharing Economy Ridesharing Uber Amazon Its been another year of relentless artificial-intelligence hype and incremental AI achievement. Machines still beat humans only in carefully constructed environments or at narrow tasks. The good news is that, as the technology progresses, the race for leadership is still wide open, and even Europe, where politicians fret that the continent is lagging behind China and the U.S., is still quite competitive. According to the Artificial Intelligence Index 2018 annual report, whose steering committee includes leading AI scholars such as Yoav Shoham of Stanford University and Erik Brynjolfsson of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, AI has progressed on all the measures tracked. Some of the metrics, from the number of published papers and conference attendance, to mentions on corporate earnings calls and in parliamentary hearings, measure the hype. Others reflect improving performance. This year, AI has gotten more accurate and much faster at image detection. Its also improved at parsing the grammatical structure of sentences, answering multiple-choice questions and translation. Whether this progress brings us closer to truly superhuman AI is a different matter. On the translation front, a measure called Bilingual Evaluation Understudy is used to determine accuracy. It compares machine-translated sentences to those rendered by human experts, and this year almost half the machine translations between English and German news articles measured up to the human ones. This year, Microsoft announced with much fanfare that its AI did just as well as humans in translating news from Chinese into English. But the underlying paper reports much lower scores for the Chinese translations than for the separately published German ones, and accuracy scores from human evaluators of between 50 percent and 70 percent. Machine-translation algorithms still produce plenty of gibberish and are really mostly useful, in a limited way, to humans with some understanding of both languages and the context. Improved image-recognition has worked wonders in some fields of medicine. For example, Google has developed a system for grading prostate cancer that does it more accurately than U.S. pathologists, and a Stanford team has achieved similar success with skin cancer. Where lots of data exist and precision is valued, AI can help humans make better decisions, even though it still messes up regularly when trained on biased data sets or is intentionally tricked. Humans are less prone to misidentifying objects and are better able to correct for their biases. Data-mining and question-answering skills can make AI appear almost human at times. This year, IBM presented the current iteration of its Project Debater, which tries to debate humans hewing to the rules of such competitions. The exercise looks impressive the machine instantaneously gathers and orders information, packs it into grammatically correct sentences and inserts pre-written jokes almost in the correct places. But as an AI expert who was present discovered, it tended merely to repeat its points in response to arguments. While the idea of having a machine, with its superhuman ability to analyze data, take part in brainstorms is exciting, We are most certainly not on the verge of seeing AI systems out-debating their human counterparts, wrote the expert, Chris Reed of the University of Dundee in Scotland. Todays AI technology is as far from these scenarios as the Romans experiments with steam power were from the industrial revolution, he concluded. As often happens with technological advancement, AI gets too much attention too early. But if in previous years some AI scholars grumbled that the hype might impede progress because people would become disappointed in the unfulfilled promise of a shiny toy, attention to AI has become too sustained and the financial and intellectual resources thrown at it too enormous for that to happen. Now, competing in AI is a matter of prestige for major nations. So far, the U.S., Europe and China all have their strengths. Data in the Artificial Intelligence Index report show the U.S. as the runaway leader in patents; along with China, it leads in the number of papers submitted to and accepted by major AI conferences. But it is in Europe where the greatest number of AI papers (28 percent of the total, compared with 25 percent for China and 17 percent for the U.S.) are published. A report published by the European Commissions Joint Research Center this month says that the European Union is home to a quarter of the approximately 35,000 entities working in artificial intelligence today, compared with 28 percent for the U.S. and 23 percent for China. According to McKinsey & Co., Europe also matches competitors when it comes to AI adoption in business, especially in process automation. This is likely to come as a surprise to European leaders, especially German and French ones, who often talk about falling behind. Earlier this month, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier supported the idea of a pan-European state-led corporation, along the lines of Airbus, to compete in AI. Europe doesnt really need massive state interference to catch up, as it did in the 1960s and 1970s when Boeing dominated the aircraft industry. But the EU and governments in North America and China will be pouring more resources into AI in the coming years, and distinct development models are likely to crystallize in the key competing countries as regulation follows the money. The Joint Research Center report names three approaches that are easy to match to their regions of origin: AI for profit, AI for control and AI for society, a discipline it defines as a human-centered, ethical and secure approach. Regardless of how well the technology will eventually work, major nations have already co-opted it for soft power and ideological competition. Its a rerun of last centurys space race, not seen in this pure a form for many decades. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics USA Europe InsurTech China Data Driven Germany New laws in Ohio will benefit Ohio consumers while further strengthening Ohios robust insurance market, according to Ohio Department of Insurance Director Jillian Froment. Among the changes made by Ohios legislature are sweeping cybersecurity reforms that will help to better protect Ohio consumers while providing a level playing field for Ohio insurers. Ohio insurers will implement plans to safeguard business and personal information from cyber-attacks. In addition, insurers will develop response plans in the event that a cyber-attack does occur. As part of that plan, insurers are required to investigate the incident, report the event and other relevant information to the Department of Insurance and also notify those impacted by the event. These changes make Ohio one of the first states in the country to implement cybersecurity reforms specific to insurers. In addition to the cybersecurity provisions included in Senate Bill 273, changes have been made to strengthen Ohios insurance market. One provision will increase competition in Ohio for rating agencies that provide assessments of insurance companies. In addition, insurers based in Ohio will now be able to offer surplus lines insurance products as domestic surplus lines insurers. Prior to these changes, surplus lines insurers based in Ohio were subject to duplicative regulatory requirements that were costly and unnecessary. Products sold through a surplus line insurer often carry different risk than traditional insurance products and may also serve smaller, more specific segments of the market. Insurance continues to be a strong and growing industry in Ohio, Froment added. We must continue to evolve and adapt in order to regulate in a way that protects the consumer while fostering creativity and innovation throughout the industry. Ohio is home to 270 insurers, is the sixth largest insurance state in the country and the 19th largest insurance market in the world with $84 billion in premium volume. In addition, more than 1,600 insurance companies are regulated by the Department of Insurance and there are more than 220,000 insurance agents and 18,000 insurance agencies licensed in Ohio. Topics Carriers Cyber Excess Surplus Market Ohio In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome! Chubb European Group announced it has redomiciled its businesses from London to France, effective Jan. 1, consistent with its previously announced Brexit preparations. The move, which was approved by regulators in July 2018, provides Chubb customers with continuous, uninterrupted service regardless of the outcome of Brexit negotiations between the UK and the European Union, said Chubb in a statement. David Furby, regional president, Chubb European Group, said, Chubb has focused on delivering clarity, continuity of service and certainty for our customers, brokers and other partners, regardless of the final outcome of Brexit. Were pleased that the redomicile of Chubb European Groups businesses to France has been completed as planned. Both Chubb European Group SE and ACE Europe Life SE now operate under the supervision of the French regulator ACPR, and they also operate in the UK until further notice as a passported EEA branch. Both entities are subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK. The new registered address for Chubb European Group SE and ACE Europe Life SE is La Tour Carpe Diem, 31 Place des Corolles, Esplanade Nord, 92400 Courbevoie, France. Further information about Chubbs Brexit plans can found at www.chubb.com/brexit Source: Chubb Related: Topics Europe Uk Chubb Brexit France A warehouse fire in a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C., has caused damage to a business that supplies temporary bleachers and scaffolding. Prince Georges County fire department spokesman Mark E. Brady told the Washington Post that the fire at the Upper Marlboro business caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage. The cause of the fire remained under investigation. Information from: The Washington Post Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Washington Maryland An insurance company investigating the sinking of Nathan Carmans boat in 2016 is suggesting that he may have thrown a gun used to kill his grandfather into the ocean. National Liability & Fire Insurance Company and the Boat Owners Association of the United States sued Nathan Carman in federal court in Rhode Island. Theyre investigating his claim for his boat, which sank during a 2016 trip he took with his mother. She disappeared. The Boston Globe reports the company said in a filing Carman and the rifle were criminally involved in his grandfathers 2013 murder in Connecticut, and the weapon lies at the bottom of the sea. A message seeking comment was sent to Carmans lawyers Monday. Carman denies involvement in the deaths of his grandfather and mother. No ones been charged. Related: Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Carriers Some of the loss estimates for the 2018 wildfire season are quite staggering. Aons Impact Forecasting team recently suggested total aggregated economic losses could exceed $10 billion for the second year in a row. Such sustained and repetitive wildfire losses are causing markets to retract or rescind their coverages in the state, which is creating major disruption in the marketplace, according to Magda. In California, theres about 3.5 million homes that are exposed to wildfire, of which about a million are in really high-risk fire zones. Were starting to see carriers look at how they can pull out of those high-risk zones completely, she said. As a brokerage, when carriers pull out, were left with a few options. We can go to a non-standard, surplus lines market where the pricing is likely to be dramatically higher, and if those carriers wont look at it, the last option is the California Fair Plan, which is dramatically reduced coverage and is still more expensive than the standard markets. At Brown & Brown, were incredibly fortunate that we have a national presence and we have access to just about every insurance carrier out there. The people this market contraction really effects are the smaller independent agents or the direct writers, who perhaps only have access to one or two carriers. The big thing all carriers are looking for before they bind a policy in the wildfire-prone state is risk mitigation. Insureds in California need to be proactive about protecting their homes and businesses by doing things like clearing debris and brush from around their property and clearing defensible space. Weve been looking at how we can use technology to help our insureds with risk mitigation and loss control, Magda added Doing something as simple as videoing the inside or your home or business and keeping photo and video inventories stored in the cloud can make all the difference if you have to make a claim. Its sad and scary to think youre doing that in preparation for your house burning down but being proactive is much more efficient than trying to gather your mind to make a claim at the time of crisis. We cant stop wildfires. Everyone knows that. So now its about preparing people in the best way possible. Part of that preparation includes educating insureds about what their policies will actually cover them for. As Magda pointed out, the last thing they want is to have their home burn down in a total loss, only to find out they were self-insuring 50%. There are also certain coverage gray areas for insureds and brokers to be aware of in relation to fire risk. From the Thomas Fire to the Montecito mudslides, I think what people learned about approximate causation in insurance policies, said Magda. Mudslide coverage isnt readily available in the marketplace, but given it was an approximate loss to the Thomas Fire, the insurance carriers stepped up and paid the mudslide claims. The big question on everyones mind is if this happens again, will the carriers once again determine wildfire as the cause of loss? Theyre saying its something theyre going to have to address at the time, but its a concerning gray area for residents and business owners in California. The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) has announced its support for the enactment of the 2018 Farm Bill, specifically the bills commitment to crop insurance as a key risk management tool for farmers and ranchers. President Donald Trump signed the Farm Bill December 20. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 87-13 and the House by a vote of 369-47. The indictment alleged that Williams filed a fraudulent claim with The Hartford, falsely stating that computer servers were stolen from his place of business. A spokesman for Williams campaign had previously told the media that about $300,000 worth of cryptocurrency mining servers were stolen from Williams Gainesville, Ga., office in May, The Gainesville Times reported. Williams owns LPW Investments, a business with a server farm. Williams campaign drew widespread ridicule for a tour that featured a school bus covered in ant-immigration slogans, The Gainesville Times reported. He garnered less than 5% of the vote in the Georgia Republican primary. Now in its third year, the TAL SpotChecker program will provide TAL customers and the general public with free skin checks from specialist skin cancer doctors this summer. A person can download the Firstcheck app, attach our specialised lens over the smartphone camera, and you can send photos of your skin spots and moles directly to a skin cancer doctor for an assessment, Hayden Laird, Firstcheck founder, told Newshub. New TAL research revealed that 45% of Australians are unaware of the high incidence of skin cancer in Australia, leading to millions not getting regular skin checks this despite the fact that two in three Australians are expected to be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. TAL also noted that only 36% of people have had a check within the past 12 months with 29% never having had a skin check at all. Skin cancer is a bigger issue than many Australians realise, said Sally Phillips, TAL general manager of health services. Our research found that a large proportion of Australians know that skin cancer is easily treated if diagnosed early, yet most people have not had a skin check in the last year. Early detection can literally save a life, so the TAL SpotChecker movement is calling on those whove had a check in the last year to tell two friends to do the same, in order to reach all of Australia. Increased reliance on technology Businesses and governments are increasingly relying on technology to provide a competitive edge in a global market. This heavy reliance on technology has resulted in an explosion of data being generated. It is estimated that 2.5 million terabytes of data are generated each day, of which 90% of that data in the world have been generated in just the last two years alone. It is further estimated that by 2020 data production will increase by 4300% annually. Attack frequency is rising, and criminal organisations appear to be well-funded, as the manifestation of a new strain of Dharma Ransomware is going undetected by security software. In February 2018, the largest next generation Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack occurred operating at an unprecedented level of 1.7 Terabytes per second. Responding to cyber risks Large organisations are aware of the risks associated with the technological reliance, and they have generally adopted or revised their risk management policies to mitigate these new and evolving risks. It also helps that large organisations usually have the institutional depth in their risk departments to implement policy changes, and they have the financial ability to purchase insurance cover against cyber risks. The situation is somewhat different at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with limited resources. As SMEs adopt greater use of technology in their operations, they find themselves unable to address the associated cyber risks. In most instances, SMEs do not have a concrete incident response plan in place, and this leaves them in no mans land following a cyberattack. Such attacks could ultimately deal a fatal blow to small organisations. Limiting exposure to cyberattacks The true extent of cyber risks has yet to be assessed let alone managed; but what SMEs can do is to limit their exposure to these attacks by having the following in place: Staff Computers When using software packages similar to Office 365, activate 2 Factor Authentication Changing passwords frequently with a password of at least eight characters and containing uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols Frequent training of staff on phishing emails Business Operations Reviewing what type of customer information is being stored on the network and eliminating as much personal information on data subjects as possible which is not required in the standard business operation. Storing high risk information such as credit card information, Tax Filing Numbers, proof of identity documents and the like should be avoided. Frequent back-ups of all business information, with back-up drives to be physically separated from the network, ideally. We have seen in recent times ransomware encrypting all data including backup drives plugged into the network. Have a suitably qualified and vetted vendor undertake a vulnerability assessment of the insureds network and systems. Have a response plan for when the business falls victim to an attack addressing the following: contain, remediate and restore The ultimate goal is to make the business a difficult target within a reasonable budget while mitigating the risk to third parties and ensuring the business is being supported by a quality cyber insurance policy which can be called on in the event of the business falling victim to an attack. Dealing with a cyberattack When a business suffers a cyberattack, the focus is on getting an understanding of the business, with the guidance of insurance solutions providers. The insurance solutions provider is therefore at the proverbial coalface, being the first point of contact for an insured following a cyberattack. The insurance solutions provider as the incident manager, will identify the nature of the breach and extent of the crime by extracting information regarding the system. The type of breaches can extend to include network breaches, crypto lockers, ransomware, social engineering, just to name a few. But above all, it is the duty of the incident manager to prevent further escalation of the incident. Once there is a better understanding of the incident, the focus shifts towards determining whether the breach contains personal or potentially harmful information, placing the incident into a category of compulsory reporting as prescribed in the Privacy Act of 1988. This would prompt the incident manager to arrange for the insured to receive appropriate legal advice on how to meet their statutory obligations. With an understanding of the nature of the breach, the incident manager, together with Lloyds underwriters as well as local insurers, along with relevant expertise from leading forensic IT consultants and accountants, solicitors and public relations firms, is responsible for assisting the insured in restoring business operations and to minimise their subsequent impact, and where it would fall within the relevant legislation in terms of compulsory breach notifications. These considerations also require some reflection on the cost implication, which makes the initial information gathering process critical to claim success. Looking to the future, the cyber risk insurance market has come a long way with policies originally being an extension of a D&O (Directors & Officers) type of policy which focus primarily on third party indemnity coverage and defence. They have since developed into standalone policies which provide not only for third party indemnity but also first party coverage for risks such as regulatory notifications, incidence remediation, data restoration, crisis management and public relations. Cyber policies presently operate across several lines including but not limited to financial lines, casualty and crime. Cyber insurance is a very young and exciting insurance line when compared to the more traditional lines. Development and advancements are frequent and as more information is being obtained regarding these attacks the more robust and relevant products can be produced by insurers. Woodbridge, VA (22192) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 87F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. The Barchart Chart of the Day belongs to the software applications company Commvault Systems (NASDAQ: CVLT ). Readers are always asking me how to find stocks that are just beginning to trend before everyone else discovers them. One of the best ways is to look at Barchart's Strong Volume Gains preformatted screener. It identifies... Read More Insurance fraud seems like it might be an easy thing to do. Insurance companies are often so huge, one wonders how they might not even notic... India protesters carry a picture of the Hindu deity Ayyappa at a demonstration following the entry of two women at the Sabarimala temple, in Kochi in southern Kerala state on Jan. 2. Two women secretly entered one of Hinduism's holiest shrines, breaching a blockade around the Sabarimala temple where devotees have been enraged by an Indian Supreme Court decision to overturn a ban on women aged between 10 and 50. (AFP/Getty Images) File photo of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arriving at the San Jose, Calif., International Airport Sept. 26, 2015, and being greeted by hundreds of supporters who had waited more than four hours to meet the premier. (Sunita Sohrabji/India-West photo) Global Tamil Entrepreneurs Network Indian American founder Narasimhan Kasthurirengan said that at the upcoming Jan. 25 GTENChennai2019 event, the network will promote Chennai as the Silicon Bay of Asia. Pictured is a panel from the GTEN Spring 2018 meet. (GTEN/Facebook photo) Chief of Staff John Kelly and his Defense Secretary Jim Mattis have quit, and so has Nikki Haley (above), his United Nations ambassador and the first Indian American to serve in the U.S. cabinet, along with several other officials. (Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images) Two women below 50 walked into the Sabarimala temple on Wednesday, becoming the first women to do so. Bindu and Kanaka Durga went inside the temple dressed in black clothes and became the first menstruating female pilgrims to have entered Sabarimala after the Supreme Courts landmark verdict last year. #SaveSabarimala became the trending hashtag on Twitter after the video showing the two enter the temple went viral. As the news of the women entering was spread, the shrine was shut down for an hour and a half for purification. Kerala Minister EP Jayarajan said that it is a contempt of court saying "untouchability is against the law." #WATCH Two women devotees Bindu and Kanakdurga entered & offered prayers at Kerala's #SabarimalaTemple at 3.45am today pic.twitter.com/hXDWcUTVXA ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Bindu is a college lecturer and an activist and Kanakadurga is a civil supplies employee, according to PTI. While some people are angry about the so-called transgression, others lauded the spirit and bravery of these women. 1. 2019 begins with double cheer in the history of Kerala's progressive movements. When #WomensWall built up on the west of the State, it's entry of women to Sabarimala in the East. We prove the fact right: that"we never stuck in a mobilizing polity, but going forward" #Sabarimala T Sudheesh (@sudheeshdc) January 2, 2019 2. June 16, 1963 : Women entered in space January 2, 2019 : Women on Sabarimala. They were not makers of history. They were made by history. pic.twitter.com/wyRT3rHxjX Jain (@jainszg) January 2, 2019 3. History Created as 2 Women enter Sabarimala . Their effort and bravery despite all protests and strifes is commendable. Anand (@TheCrazy_Freak) January 2, 2019 4. Fantastic Greatest day in the history of india. Two women entered the sabarimala shrine. Sabarimala is for all now... Good start for the year 2019. History made....#RightToPray #Sabarimala pic.twitter.com/7AKqriBRth Manjunath R (@ManjunathTahir) January 2, 2019 5. What an incredible moment in the history of India. Women under 50 enter for the first time in #Sabarimala One small step for women, giant leap for gender equality! Feminists rejoice. What a day. What a year. What a moment to be alive. #Feminism #WomensWall pic.twitter.com/vQSFVYenNj Priyanka (@autumnrainwish) January 2, 2019 6. Banning women at any such places is like those British who banned entry of dogs and Indians at their favorite places! (@AshwinVyas03) January 2, 2019 7. If you are someone who loves adventure, just get on Google maps and trust it for giving you some of the most convoluted directions. That's right, directions on Google maps aren't always accurate and some of the routes suggested by the app are hilariously wild. This is exactly what happened to one Australian guy who just wanted a 15-minute shortcut to a particular place and the maps ended up taking him on the most scenic two-hour drive of his life. The man named Bruce shared the entire journey on Imgur and pictures of Australian back roads are just breathtaking. I dont generally worry as I always travel with at least 20l of water, and a full tank of diesel, so if Im lost its just a matter of time, Bruce told Bored Panda Take a look at his story below: Imgur #1 So I have a reasonably heavily upgraded ford ranger, and when google maps told me that there'd be a quick, 15min savings while doing off road, I thought "yeah sure, lets give it a try". I was meeting mates to go camping for the night." Imgur #2 The road google maps took me down initially... this road hadn't been travelled for a while D: This is in a pine plantation - hence all the felled trees. Imgur #3 After this area, I realised I might have bitten off more than I could chew due to the fact there was very limited space to turn around.... so I kept going anyway. I had about ~1000km of diesel (~550miles) left, a tent, a CB UHF radio and enough water and beer to survive a night. Cell access is available from the top of some hills. This is in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia. Imgur #4 About 500m road leading down a mountain.... These drops are each heavily rutted. No problems. But I did realise that after this it could be troublesome going back... so onwards! #5 More ruts... There was a lot of "controlled" sliding going on, which is where you are literally sliding on the belly of your car, using the steepness to help keep you sliding, without guarantee of wheels touching the ground. Imgur #6 After the sketchyness I ended up in a bit of a rainforest. So took some photos while crossing rivers. Imgur #7 The road turned to more of this which was nice and just a scenic drive. ALSO READ: Police Catches Thief Who Used Google Maps To Find Houses Of The Rich & Took Flights To Loot Them Just two days into the new year and things are already beginning to change. Womens struggle for equality has a long-standing history. No matter what century, what decade, what year you take into account, womens uprisings will feature prominently in every era. Recently and closer to home, Sabarimala has become a burning topic that refuses to die down. Despite the Supreme Courts orders women between the ages of 10 and 50 have been deterred from entering the Sabarimala temple stating that this was against the faith of the people. Two women, however, did enter the temple in the wee hours of January 2, 2018. Post that, the temple was shut down for purification purposes. This is not the first instance of women attempting to reclaim what rightfully belongs to them. Here are 7 instances when brave women led from the front and fought for their rights. 1. When lakhs of women formed a 620-km-long wall of equality in Kerala, in the backdrop of the Sabarimala issue Twitter Lakhs of women from various parts of the state gathered to form a 620-km-long Wall of equality symbolic of upholding renaissance values and demanding gender equality. The human wall stretched from Kasargod in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south of the state. Womens wall in Kerala also saw overwhelming support from London and from Mumbai, where similar versions of the wall were formed 2. When 16 Maharashtra women created history by going for Hajj without male relatives AFP 16 women from Maharashtra undertook the Hajj pilgrimage unaccompanied by male relatives. Women were earlier not allowed to do so. The precedent was set by 16 women after the Haj Committee of India implemented the Saudi government's relaxation which allowed women over the age of 45 to go for Hajj unaccompanied by a male member. 3. When women walked the route that Nirbhaya took, to reclaim the streets Reuters On December 16, 2018 the sixth anniversary of the ill-fated incident of Nirbhayas gangrape, 30 women walked from Saket to Munirka between 12:00 am to 2:00 am. The idea was to reclaim Delhis streets that are generally considered unsafe for women. They marched without posters or slogans, and were constantly followed by policemen who insisted they take an auto. 4. When 13 women rode 3,350 km of Tour De France ahead of men, to push for a similar women's race Twitter While Tour De France was on, over the same mountains on the same 3,351-kilometer (2,082-mile) route, 13 amateur female cyclists rode to make the world proud. Unlike the men, they had to contend with normal traffic as they navigated the route. Dirty air from heavy trucks washed over them as they departed Carcassonne for a 218-kilometre stage. Their goal was to push for a similar race for women because currently, Tour De France is exclusively for men. 5. When thousands of women marched to the parliament to protest against violence and lack of jobs Facebook On September 4, 2018, thousands of women braved heavy rain to march to the parliament to protest the governments growing indifference towards women. The women responded to the call from All India Democratic Womens Association (AIDWA) expressing concern over rising violence against women, especially girl child. The women sang, danced and raised slogans of Narendra Modi Sarkar ab hosh mein aao and they only grew louder. Thousands of working-class women were seen protesting and demanding their basic rights. 6. When, after years of struggle Saudi women finally reclaimed their right to drive Twitter It took years of struggle but finally, women in Saudi reclaimed their right to drive. Now, they are not just driving on roads, but they are also reclaiming the skies and railway tracks. Slowly but surely, women's revolution in Saudi is growing. While the entire world was celebrating the shift from 2018 to 2019, a small group at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland were hard at work on January 1. They were monitoring an even more historic event, taking place billions of miles away. Artist's representation of Ultima Thule - Images courtesy: NASA ALSO READ: On Jan 1 NASA Will Reach The Farthest Object in Our Solar System At 6.35 Billion Km Away The scientists there were busy navigating for NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, an interplanetary space probe launched earlier in 2006. Earlier this week, it was on a course to intercept 2014 MU69, nicknamed Ultima Thule. This is a body on the extreme outer reaches of our solar system further than we've ever explored before. And on January 1, we finally got a look at it. Actual photo of Ultima Thule and data interpretation ALSO READ: Saturn Is Losing Its Magnificent Rings Very Fast, And They May Disappear In 100 Million Years Late into yesterday, the spacecraft sent back a status report indicating the flyby had gone as planned, and that it now has tonnes of data from Ultima Thule. We don't have any of it yet though, given how far away the probe is communicating from. Instead, this will be slowly doled out to us in the coming months. At the very least though, images taken during the approach have now answered one question, that of whether Ultima Thule is just one object or two. As it turns out it is indeed a single body, it's just a strange oblong shape far from spherical. It's rotating too, though the axis was pointed about directly at New Horizons, which is why it wasn't earlier detectable. New Horizons' ground crew after news of the success Even weirder though, the oblong isn't even a smooth ellipse. It consists of two lobes, one smaller than the other, with a thinner neck connecting the two of them, kind of like a bowling pin. We can expect more announcements over the coming week, perhaps especially in the next few days. But in the meantime, perhaps just take a little pride in the wonder humanity can accomplish even from 9.1 billion kilometers away. For the first time ever in its history, the New York Police Department had decided to use drones for surveillance purposes at the Times Square during the new years eve. But all did not go in favour of the much acclaimed police department. Why? Well, it started raining. With previous posts declaring the use of drone technology for surveillance at the Times Square in the midst of the large gathering to celebrate the new year, NYPD soon officially announced that the police departments drones will not be taking to the skies on the day citing rain and wind as the spoiler in the plan. The safety of all those celebrating #NewYearsEve in #TimesSqaure is paramount. Due to the rain and wind tonight, our NYPD drones will NOT be in the air. Chief Terence Monahan (@NYPDChiefofDept) December 31, 2018 Had the weather not been as it was, the drones were supposed to be NYPDs eyes and ears in the air, equipped with high-res cameras for the same. The remote-controlled quadcopters with thermal-imaging and 3D-mapping technology would have been an addition to the existing 1200 fixed cameras. The quadcopters also came with the ability to magnify greatly on a subject, as mentioned by the Associated Press. The plan was not to necessarily fly the drones though. In order to prevent any accidental mishap, the drones were to be flown on cordoned-off area or tethered to a building. Additionally, in order to counter any of those not flown by them, the department had deployed counter-drone technology too as per Bloomberg. NYPD UAS Drones (NYPD) NYPD had first unveiled its new drone program Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) earlier in December 2018, citing several potential uses for the same, like search-and-rescue missions, better accessibility to crime scenes and in hostage situations. Just as surveillance, drones have found increased adoption globally, be it by the state agencies or by individuals. To help maintain their smooth operations once they start crowding the air space, NASA is already working on a traffic management system for these, the research of which is set to be wrapped up within 2019. Read more about NASAs UAS Traffic Management system here. For the first time since his return to Goa in October 2018, after undergoing treatment in New Delhis All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Chief Minister visited the state secretariat on the first day of the new year. Parrikar who is still looking weak made the surprise visit to the Secretariat on the first day of 2019, where he was welcomed by some BJP lawmakers and staff. He was accompanied by a team of medical professionals and was helped up the stairs of the Secretariat by his aides. CMO Goa According to a statement by the chief ministers office, Parrikar was accorded a warm welcome at the secretariat by his cabinet colleagues. The 63-year-old also held meetings with his Cabinet colleagues and officials at the Secretariat, the statement said. 63-year-old Parrikar, who is suffering from a pancreatic cancer was still wearing medical paraphernalia -- a nasogastric tube running from the nasal passage into the stomach when he visited the office. CMO Goa Parrikar who first underwent treatment in the US last year is currently being treated by doctors from AIIMS. Last month, for the first time in months he had made a public appearance, when he was seen inspecting two projects one in Panaji, and the other at the new Zuari bridge in south Goa. Parrikar's first visit to the secretariat comes as the opposition has been demanding his resignation on health grounds. The Goa bench of Bombay High Court is also considering a petition seeking the health status of Parrikar. Jodhpur police have declared a doctor a 'history-sheeter' as he is accused of conducting more than 5,000 sex determination tests in the last seven years. Dr Mohammed Imtiyaz Rangrez, 41, who is a government doctor, was arrested for conducting sex-determination tests for the first time in 2016 when he was in charge of the Balesar community health centre. Sourced He was suspended after the court sent him to judicial custody, but son he came out of jail and again started conducting sex-determination tests. He has been arrested four times till date. Loon Singh Bhati, the SHO, Nagauri Gate police station said deputy Commissioner of police (East) Amandeep Singh Kapoor has order to open the history-sheet, a term used a criminal with a long record of serious crimes. Since the doctor has been arrested many times, he has been declared a history-sheeter. Police said, Dr Imtiyaz was first arrested in October 2016 when was conducting the sex-determination tests at his assistants house. Next, he was arrested in May 2017 when he was doing the same at middlemans house. In January 2018, he was arrested when he was conducting the sex-determination test in a moving vehicle. He was caught last on September 9, 2018 while conducting test at a house in Mahamandir area. During investigation, he has confessed of doing over 5000 tests in the last seven years. Ironically, his father Dr Niaz Rangrez was also caught while conducting sex-determination tests in 2012, 2014 and August 15, 2016. Representational Image Announcing Dr Imitiaz as a history-sheeter by Jodhpur DCP (East) Kapoor is a welcome step. It has been the governments negligence that Dr Imitiaz has not been terminated from his services and even his medical licence has not been cancelled,, social activist Rajan Choudhary who helped bursting several such rackets told Hindustan Times. The 2011 census says the child sex ratio in Rajasthan was 888 girls per 1000 boys which rose to 938 girls per 1000 boys in 2017-18. It was indeed a happy new year for many couples in India. India celebrated the new year with around 70,000 newborn babies, the highest globally UNICEF reported. PTI reported that more than 3,95,000 babies were expected to be born all around the world. Out of these 18 per cent births have taken place in India. Half of the total number of births were expected to take place in eight countries including India, China, Pakistan, United States and Bangladesh. Reportedly, India was expected to give birth to 69,944 of these births, followed by China (44,940), Nigeria (25,685), Pakistan (15,112), Indonesia (13,256), US (11,086), The Democratic Republic of Congo (10,053) and Bangladesh (8,428). Join us in welcoming the beautiful baby girl of Alka and Thakur into this world. The baby girl was born at 12.20 a.m. at a hospital in Delhi. Both the baby and mother are healthy. She is best new year gift and a blessing, say the proud parents.#EveryChildAlive #HappyNewYear pic.twitter.com/OYDg4PMIXF UNICEF India (@UNICEFIndia) January 1, 2019 Sydney, on the other hand, was set to become home to 168 newborns while Tokyo and Beijing gave birth to 310 and 605 babies respectively. Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF India Representative had said that this New Year everyone should make a resolution to fulfil every right of every girl and boy, starting with the right to survive. Fiji in South Pacific was the first country to give birth to new babies while the U.S will be the last country to contribute to the reproduction cycle. However, many babies do not even make it past their first day if they are born too soon, too small and too sick. Specialised care is, therefore, imperative to ensure their survival. Little Vivek was one of the first babies born in #India in 2018 and hes about to turn 1 year old tomorrow! His parents have been counselled well on his health and upbringing. Hes had all his vaccinations and breastfed by his mother and is a bundle of joy.#ForEveryChild, love pic.twitter.com/zeCeOtjBmA UNICEF India (@UNICEFIndia) December 31, 2018 UNICEF reported that around 69,000 babies are born every day. The day of birth is the riskiest day for both the mother and the newborn as nearly half of the maternal deaths and 40 per cent of the newborn deaths occur on the day of birth. Approximately 386,000 babies were born on January 01, 2018. Last year, Vivek was the first baby to be born in India to parents Yashodha and Arvind. The brave delivery boy who saved lives of 10 people during the fire accident at Mumbai's ESIC hospital was given a monetary award of Rs One Lakh. Siddrameshwar Siddharam Humanabade, a food delivery boy pulled off a heroic act saving lives of numerous people at a Mumbai Hospital which was engulfed in flames on December 17, 2018. Labour minister Santosh Gangwar gave him the reward. Also Read: Food Delivery Boy Jumps Into Mumbai Hospital That Caught Fire To Rescue Ten People Twitter The braveheart saved lives of 10 people beyond the call of his duty. "It is also praiseworthy to mention that Siddrameshwar continued his selfless service for rescuing the victims until he started feeling uncomfortable due to inhaling of toxic gases due to the fire. In recognition of his courage, selfless nature and missionary zeal, I am also pleased to reward Siddrameshwar a sum of Rs. 1 lakh," Gangwar told PTI. The minister said that though the boy is not the member of ESIC team working in hospitals and other units, he has set an example for others. The massive fire that broke out at ESIC Kamgar Hospital at Marol in suburban Andheri killed nine people. From books to movies, we have seen everything including dramatic performances getting censored in the nation. In the age of over-the-top media service platforms like Netflix, how can you expect censorship to not apply to the internet? For some, art can be intimidating too. Thats perhaps the reason why an episode of Patriotic Act with Hasan Minhaj, is pulled from streaming in Saudi Arabia after its government complained that it showed the kingdom in a negative light. Twitter The episode apparently focused on journalist Jamal Khashoggis killing inside Turkeys Saudi consulate. It is said that during the act, host Hasan Minhaj referred to Silicon Valley as swimming in Saudi cash. He also criticised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his Kingdom-backed war in Yemen. newscaststudio.com Now would be a good time to reassess our relationship with Saudi Arabia. And I mean that as a Muslim, and as an American, he was quoted as saying in the episode that has now been pulled from Saudi Arabia. Twitter According to the Saudi government, the episode violated the kingdoms anti-crime law. Following a legal request, Netflix decided to pull down the episode. We strongly support artistic freedom and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request - and to comply with local law, Netflixs spokesperson was quoted as saying in a statement. And people are disappointed! #1 A more apt description would be the lack of balls of Netflix executives for pulling the Patriot act episode on Saudi Arabia. You should be ashamed . Arpan Bhattacharya (@ArpanAlterEgo) January 2, 2019 #2 @patriotact #respect! You were pulled from Netflix in Saudi Arabia!! You must be saying the right things, (not like it was ever in question). Keep it up! Honest Prayers (@PrayersHonest) January 2, 2019 #3 Hasan Minhaj criticized the Saudi crown prince on "Patriot Act." Netflix immediately pulled down the episode. pic.twitter.com/8MdjIkGYLc Mohamed (@cyard10) January 2, 2019 #4 We should be really worried that Netflix pulled the Saudi Arabia episode from Patriot Act. Fariha Roisin (@fariharoisin) January 2, 2019 #5 1. Good for @hasanminhaj, what he has said obviously matters and they're afraid of him 2. Disappointed in @netflix but not surprised. 3. Can't wait for the return of @patriotact! Anthony? (@undecidedbeing) January 2, 2019 #6 Anyone for censorship? On his brilliant program @patriotact, @hasanminhaj devoted an episode to Saudi Arabia. Then #Netflix bowed to the kingdom's "request" that the episode be banned in-country. Score another point for profits before principles. https://t.co/rpDmR0a56d Randy B Hecht (@RandyBHecht) January 1, 2019 #7 This is disturbing. Love Patriot Act and Im really bothered that Netflix took this down. https://t.co/5zV55v2NPZ Erin Jean Warde (@erinjeanwarde) January 1, 2019 #8 You should never negotiate with terrorists @netflix. Giving in to the murdering thug Mohammed bin Salman by deleting @hasanminhajs #PatriotAct episode is #UnAmerican. #NeverForget AC (@Abhinary) January 2, 2019 #9 2018 saw the mega #MeToo movement in India. It gained momentum after many Bollywood celebrity names were called out in public. From Alok Nath, Sajid Khan, Nana Patekar and Vikas Bahl among others, the movement was a revolution. Instagram And looks like, it's not going to die down anytime soon. But this was a harassment of a different nature. TV actress Tinaa Datta spoke to Bombay Times and opened up about her abusive relationship. Speaking to Bombay times Tinaa said, "I was in a relationship with a non-industry guy for five years. We had met through common friends. But I called time on it, because he was extremely abusive, verbally and physically. I would get bashed up even in front of my friends. The actress who was always looking to settle down in a love marriage set up was shocked something like this could happen to her. But it did and she dealt with it for five long years. "I went bonkers to an extent that my confidence took a beating. I never wanted to go public with my relationship, but I feel that its time to speak up, added Tinaa. Despite dating a non-industry guy, Tinaa shares she still wants to settle down with someone who is not from the industry. Speaking with the daily, Tinaa says, "I want to settle down and not go about having affairs and then nursing heartbreaks. I have always wanted a love marriage, but God is not sending anyone my way. I dont want to marry someone from the industry, especially an actor, as the relationship will be marred by insecurities. I have seen several failed marriages between actors." More power to Tinaa and hope she has a spectacular 2019. In his career spanning over 45 years, Kader Khan had spread across laughter and happiness. Known for his comic roles in the 90s, Kader Khan passed away at the age of 81 at a hospital in Toronto, after being hospitalised for about four months. BCCL Recently, he had developed breathing issues after which he was transferred from a regular ventilator to BiPAP ventilator. The actor, who was suffering from progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative disease that causes loss of balance, dementia, and difficulty in walking, had slipped into coma. Among other actors who grieved the death of the veteran star was Govinda, who has worked with Kader Khan in many films. They shared an amazing camaraderie and together, they tickled our funny bones too. Bidding him goodbye, Govinda paid a heartfelt tribute to Kader Khan. Heres what he wrote: RIP Kader Khan Saab. He was not just my "ustaad" but a father figure to me, his midas touch and his aura made every actor he worked with a superstar. The entire film industry and my family deeply mourns this loss and we cannot express the sorrow in words.#ripkaderkhansaab pic.twitter.com/NISPM1UMs1 Govinda (@govindaahuja21) January 1, 2019 Fans were left emotional after reading this! #1 One of the Best bollywood Jodi Rip pic.twitter.com/OkGBcR8Ecu (@rakjeshjaisawal) January 1, 2019 #2 kya jodi thi aapdono ki behad sandar pic.twitter.com/cV9JpK4Nb5 AnuragRoopam (@Mohitra39081617) January 1, 2019 #3 This end of an era Govinda sir you two were such great actors together your movies with kader Khan sir will always remain legendary I miss THERI ARE no words to express how I feel he was like your father figure rip kader Khan sir may Allah Grant you the highest place in jannat Syed Mujtaba Safvi (@SafviMujtaba) January 1, 2019 #4 This is most Amazing Pair I Ever Seen #Rip #KaderKhan Sir #RakulPreetFc_10 (@RakulPreetFc_10) January 1, 2019 #5 Govindaji and kadar khansab ki Jodi was one of the best. In all entertainers #1 titled movies it was excellent performance by both legends D K Jain (@D84569572) January 1, 2019 #6 Bahut films aap dono ne sath kiya usme se kuch meri favourite comedy movies dulhe raja Raja babu hero no1 joru ka ghulaam etc Manu Tripathi (@ManuTri29320215) January 1, 2019 #7 Legendary Combo Ashish Sinha (@GabbarBrothers2) January 1, 2019 #8 Thanks for making our childhood awesome as a kid of 90s I enjoyed many mores films of urs, u r great legend of Acting and Comedy this new year first day actually very sadfull due to ur death #ripkaderkhansaab pic.twitter.com/HVUORiTHhx Vicky (@iamVkDC) January 1, 2019 #9 Winecoff Elementary School students had new bikes under their Christmas trees thanks to the generosity of several businesses, organizations and individuals. On Saturday, Dec. 22 families picked up new bicycles in the schools gymnasium. Organizations including Kids First of the Carolinas, Saint James Catholic Church, multiple United Methodist Churches, Hendrick Motorsport, Old Mill Storage U-Haul, private citizens and Winecoff staff made nearly 150 kids wish for a new bike come true. What really happened to Virginia Dare, the first child of English parents born in the New World? The same Virginia Dare whom I suggested recently belonged on The World Almanacs list of famous North Carolinians. A few weeks ago I wrote about Sir Walter Raleighs organization and establishment of the colony on Roanoke Island as described by Andrew Lawler in his book, The Secret Token: Myth, Obsession, and the Search for the Lost Colony of Roanoke. He called the expensive and intricate preparations for the colony the Elizabethan equivalent of the Apollo program. In July, 1587, the colonists arrived on Roanoke Island led by its governor John White whose granddaughter, Virginia Dare was born on August 18. A few days later, White sailed to England for much-needed supplies. When he finally returned in August 1590, the colony had disappeared, leaving only a carving of Croatoan on a tree as a possible clue. There are a lot of answers to the question of what happened to Virginia Dare, her family, and their fellow colonists. Most are legends. Some say Virginia Dare grew up into a lovely young woman and was transformed into a white doe, an animal that still haunts coastal North Carolina. Another story says she and other colonists made their way to Robeson County where some locals will show you her burial site near Red Springs. KANNAPOLIS Rowan-Cabarrus Community College recently announced the graduation of the 100th student from the truck driver training program offered in conjunction with Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. The truck driving program continues to gain ground and is getting noticed among local community members. Graduates from the program can expect to average $50,000 or more their first year and $60,000 or better with one year of experience. Rowan-Cabarrus announced the new truck driving training program back in early 2016, and since then this program is changing the lives of community members for the better. Opening new doors and creating new opportunities for a wonderful life-sustaining career for all who would take advantage. The 100th graduate, Armando Gutierrez, can attest to how great the program is and how life-changing it can be. I selected Rowan-Cabarrus because it was conveniently close to home and very affordable compared to similar training programs. My instructors were very knowledgeable and extremely patient with us trainees. They really created a calm learning environment and made sure we graduates were prepared for our future careers as professional commercial license drivers, said Armando Gutierrez. She currently resides in Midland with her husband and three-year-old twin daughters. Fowler enjoys spending quality time with her family, reading and hiking. Leslie Pullen, the colleges part-time recipient, holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and a Master of Education in Science Instruction from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Pullen has been an adjunct lab instructor at Rowan-Cabarrus for the past 15 years. She currently teaches Anatomy I and II labs. She has also been a science teacher and administrator at North Hills Christian School, where she currently teaches honors chemistry. Science is my passion and I want to ignite a fire in my students to be curious and to investigate the unknown, said Pullen. I encourage my students to also seek a career that they too can be passionate about. Pullen is married with two grown children and one 11-month-old grandson. When she is not teaching or tutoring, Pullen spends time with her grandson, helping him to be curious about the world around him. We are very proud of instructors Jessica Fowler and Leslie Pullen for the commitment they have made to our community and our students, said Spalding. If you need help with your family gingerbread house over the holidays, there are two local children you need to consult. Ryleigh and Stryker Edwards, both students at Cabarrus Charter Academy, are no strangers to the National Gingerbread House Competition hosted at The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The siblings took home top honors in the child category in 2016 and again this year. Their gingerbread owl won them first place in the 5-to-8-year-olds child category. I felt really surprised, Ryleigh, a third grade student, said about winning this year. But I feel confident about myself. Gingerbread artists from across the country came together to showcase their tasty creations for the 26th annual National Gingerbread House Competition at the end of November. Across all categories, 195 entries were received from culinary enthusiasts across North America vying for a chance to win their share of more than $25,000 in cash and prizes. The contest began when community members built a small group of gingerbread houses to display at the inn as another way to celebrate the holiday in 1992. Two decades later The Omni Grove Park Inn National Gingerbread House Competition is one of the nations most celebrated and competitive holiday events. Gov. Roy Cooper has extended the state's COVID-19 emergency management response for another six weeks until July 30 citing it is necessary to keep pivotal state and federal pandemic relief programs in place. Executive Order No. 220 retains the remaining social-distancing and public-health policies that could have expired at 5 p.m. Friday. Policemen stand guard near the state secretariat anticipating protests after two women entered the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, India (RS Iyer/AP) Two women have entered one of Indias largest Hindu pilgrimage sites, which had been forbidden to females between the ages of 10 and 50, sparking protests across a southern state. The Supreme Court lifted a ban in September on women worshipping at Sabarimala temple in Kerala state. The ban was informal for many years but became law in 1972. Despite the ruling, demonstrators including Hindu priests and conservatives continued to block women of menstruating age from entering the centuries-old temple. Expand Close Protesters block traffic and shout slogans in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (RS Iyer/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protesters block traffic and shout slogans in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (RS Iyer/AP) The two women in their forties entered the temple early on Wednesday and worshipped there, said state police spokesman Pramod Kumar. Officers escorted the two women to the hilltop temple because of police responsibility to provide protection to any devotee irrespective of gender, Mr Kumar said. Keralas top elected official, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, told reporters that under the Supreme Court order, police were bound to safeguard worshippers. Earlier, women were not able to enter the temple due to certain hurdles. They were able to enter the shrine today, Mr Vijayan said. Expand Close Opposition party activists protest (RS Iyer/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Opposition party activists protest (RS Iyer/AP) Protests broke out in several places in the state after the women entered the temple, and police fired tear gas to disperse at least one of them. On Tuesday, millions of women formed a human chain more than 600 kilometres (375 miles) long from Kasargod in the northern part of the state to Thiruvananthapuram, the southernmost city and the state capital, to support gender equality. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), the ruling party in Kerala, said about 5.5 million women participated in the protest, called by the state government. Expand Close Part of a womens wall in Thiruvananthapuram, in the southern Indian state of Kerala (RS Iyer/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Part of a womens wall in Thiruvananthapuram, in the southern Indian state of Kerala (RS Iyer/AP) The Supreme Court has agreed to re-examine its decision to lift the ban later this month in response to 49 petitions filed against it. Opponents of the ruling say the celibacy of the temples presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa, is protected by Indias constitution, and that women of all ages can worship at other Hindu temples. Some Hindus consider menstruating women to be impure. The new year did not start well for veteran Israeli leftist politician Tzipi Livni, who was publicly ditched by her opposition partner on television yesterday, as Israel's political drama ramps up ahead of elections. Ms Livni, formerly Israel's foreign minister, sat stony faced and silent next to Avi Gabbay, leader of the left-leaning Zionist Union, as he announced the move in a news conference in the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Mr Gabbay's Labour Party and Ms Livni's Hatnua party have been in an alliance since 2014. "I hoped and believed this alliance would bring about our blossoming," Mr Gabbay said. "But the public is smart, saw this is not the situation and distanced itself from us. "Tzipi, I wish you success in the election, in any party you are in," he said to gasps from the room. Ms Livni takes over the microphone to say she will not respond before leaving the room. The move came as Israel prepares for early elections, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition last month announced would take place in April. The polls predict another win for the incumbent leader's party, despite Mr Netanyahu being investigated in three corruption cases and the police recommending that he be indicted. As Mr Gabbay pointed out in his speech, support for the opposition Zionist Union has slipped away, with polls showing it doing poorly in elections, winning as few as eight seats compared to the 24 it currently holds. His decision to so publicly split with Ms Livni, in a move she later said was a surprise, sets the tone for an ugly election fight. Later explaining his decision, Mr Gabbay said that Ms Livni "didn't have a good word to say about me", the Israeli press reported, using a turn of phrase comparing his action to eating excrement. When later asked about his comments in a news conference, Ms Livni responded: "I didn't look at his plate. I don't know what he ate." At a news conference later in the day, Ms Livni said she would continue to lead Hatnua into the election, although the party has just five MPs in the 120-member parliament, compared with Labour's 19 and Likud's 30. "What is more important than Labour parting ways with Hatnua is to leave the path on which this government is leading us, so we will be able to separate from the Palestinians," she said, referring to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Zionist Union bloc has lagged behind Likud in recent polling, where it was predicted to capture only eight to nine seats, compared with the 24 it holds in the current parliament. ( Washington Post) Jair Bolsonaro, the new president of Brazil, promised to work closely with Donald Trump "under God's -protection" to bring prosperity to both countries as he was sworn in last night. The far-Right nationalist, known as the "Trump of the Tropics", vowed to crack down on corruption and violent crime in a long-awaited speech following his shock election in October. The 63-year-old former Army captain has pledged to tackle street crime by arming civilians and believes police officers who kill suspects should be decorated rather than investigated. "I will work tirelessly so that Brazil reaches its destiny," said Mr Bolsonaro, the latest populist to exploit anti-establishment fury. "My vow is to strengthen Brazil's democracy," he added. Crowds of supporters, many with the Brazilian flag draped around their shoulders and with faces painted -yellow and green, the national colours, gathered before the Planalto palace, where Brazil's new leader was -presented with the presidential sash. Once an outsider mocked by fellow lawmakers for his far-right positions, constant use of expletives and even casual dressing, the 63-year-old long-time congressman rose to power on an anti-corruption and pro-gun agenda that has energised Brazilian conservatives and hard-right supporters after four consecutive presidential election wins by the left-leaning Workers' Party. Mr Bolsonaro is the latest of several far-right leaders around the world who have come to power by riding waves of anger at the establishment and promises to ditch the status quo. "I will cry" upon seeing Bolsonaro inaugurated, said Paulo de Sousa, a teacher from Rio de Janeiro who travelled to the capital of Brasilia for the ceremony. "It will be a wonderful year. We have to help our president to achieve that. There will be jobs, health and peace." Brasilia was under tight security, with 3,000 police patrolling the event. Military tanks, fighter jets and even anti-aircraft missiles were also deployed. The increased security came at Mr Bolsonaro's request. His intestine was pierced when a knife-wielding man stabbed him at a campaign rally in September, and he has to wear a colostomy bag. His sons, politicians themselves, insisted their father could be targeted by radicals, but security officials had not spoken of threats. Mr Bolsonaro is a hugely controversial figure because of his track record for making racist and sexist comments and displaying nostalgia for the former military dictatorship. He has spoken of how he would punch a gay couple if he saw them kissing in public and has -admitted he would "be incapable of loving a homosexual child". Mr Bolsonaro is appealing a fine he received for telling a female politician during a heated row: "I wouldn't rape you because you don't deserve it." In a TV interview in 1999, he said he yearned for the days of the military -dictatorship, which killed hundreds between 1964-85, adding: "I'm in -favour of torture. You know that. And the people are too." The new president hopes to realign Brazilian diplomacy towards the -interests of Mr Trump, who sent Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, to the inauguration ceremony. Mr Trump congratulated Mr Bolsonaro on his "great inauguration speech", adding: "The US is with you!" Responding on social media, which he uses to sidestep the mainstream press, Mr Bolsonaro said: "Dear Mr President, I truly appreciate your words of encouragement. Together, under God's protection, we shall bring prosperity and progress to our people!" Mr Bolsonaro says he will prioritise the fight against crime in a nation that has long led the world in annual homicides. More than 63,000 people were killed last year. Human rights groups fear his defence of police violence could shield officers from investigations of misconduct and lead to more extrajudicial killings. Seven of Bolsonaro's 22 cabinet ministers are former military personnel, more than in any administration during Brazil's 1964-1985 dictatorship. That has sparked fears among his adversaries of a return to autocratic rule. The FTSE 100 got off to a positive start in 2019 (John Stillwell/PA) The FTSE 100 managed to start the new year on the front foot on Wednesday, ending in positive territory after being weighed down early on by disappointing economic data from China. Londons top flight ended the day up 6.1 points, or 0.09%, at 6,734.23. However, it spent most of the day in the red as investors were spooked by a further slowdown in the worlds second largest economy. David Madden, analyst at CMC Markets, said: The FTSE 100 has a relatively large exposure to commodity companies, so the worry that China is cooling has hit mining and energy stocks hard. China is a major importer of minerals and oil, and dealers are wary their appetite for commodities will fall further. Data out overnight showed the Caixin survey of Chinese manufacturing fell to 49.7, its first contraction since May 2017. A reading above 50 indicates growth, a reading below, contraction. It comes amid simmering trade tensions between the US and China, adding to negative sentiment about the global economy. Miners bore the brunt of the pain early in the day, with the likes of Anglo American and Glencore among the biggest fallers, shedding 37.4p to 1,710.4p and 8.85p to 282.5p by the close respectively. But a late surge in oil prices saw Royal Dutch Shell and BP shares benefit, helping drag the FTSE 100 into calmer waters. Also lending a helping hand were retailers following decent figures from John Lewis. A surge in shoppers looking for last-minute gifts helped lift sales at department store chain over the festive period with sales up 4.5% in the week to December 29. The retailer said it was boosted by shoppers buying last-minute Christmas presents, adding it experienced very strong sales on Christmas Eve and a confident start to clearance sales both online and in shops. A bellwether for the sector, it helped catapult Next to the top of the FTSE 100. Shares in the clothing chain, which reports to the market on Thursday, ended the day up 186p, or 4.66%, at 4,177p. Ocado was also up 20.6p to 810.6p by the close. The pound, meanwhile, came under more selling pressure as Brexit fears once again came to the fore. Sterling was down 1.2% versus the US dollar at 1.258. Against the euro it dropped 0.4% to 1.108. It came as fresh data showed that British manufacturers are stockpiling goods at near record rates in preparation for a calamitous no-deal EU exit. The Markit/CIPS UK manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) showed a reading of 54.2 last month, higher than the 53.6 recorded in November, and a six-month high. But rather than being cause to celebrate, IHS Markit said the numbers reflect a build up of safety stocks to mitigate potential Brexit disruption. In Europe, Germanys DAX rose 0.18% while Frances CAC40 was down 0.8%. A barrel of Brent crude was trading at 55 US dollars in a volatile session that saw it rebound from 52.5 US dollars amid oversupply fears. The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Next up 186p at 4,177p, Fresnillo up 28p at 888p, Paddy Power Betfair up 180p at 6,580p and Wood Group up 13.4p at 519.6p. The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Glencore down 8.85p at 282.5p, Johnson Matthey down 76p at 2,723p, Informa down 16p at 614.2p and Rolls Royce down 20.6p at 809.4p. Rescuers work at the site of a partially collapsed apartment block in Magnitogorsk, Russia in this handout photo released by Russian Emergencies Ministry January 2, 2019. As many as 40 people could still be trapped in the rubble of a Russian apartment block that partially collapsed in a gas explosion on Monday, killing at least seven people, news agencies reported. Eighteen dead bodies have been recovered from the debris of an apartment block in Russia that partially collapsed in an apparent explosion, while 23 people remained unaccounted for, the regional emergencies ministry told Reuters on Wednesday. The blast, initially thought to have been caused by a gas leak, damaged 48 apartments in a 10-storey building in the industrial city of Magnitogorsk in the early hours on Monday, 1,700 km (1,050 miles) east of Moscow. The blast, thought to have been caused by a gas leak, damaged 48 apartments in a nine-storey building in Magnitogorsk, an industrial city in the Urals some 1,700 km (1,050 miles) east of Moscow, the emergencies ministry said. President Vladimir Putin flew into Magnitogorsk late on Monday afternoon, visiting the injured in hospital and meeting with local authorities, state television showed. Putin looked on as rescue workers toiled in temperatures of -22 Celsius (-8 Fahrenheit) to locate people trapped under the debris. Emergencies Minister Yevgeny Zinichev said at a meeting with Putin there were presumably between 36 and 40 people under the rubble as of Monday evening, agencies reported. After reporting four casualties earlier in the day, Zinichev said that another three bodies had been discovered. We have found another three bodies but we cannot take them out (from under the rubble), agencies quoted Zinichev as saying. We are working carefully because there is a risk that the building will collapse. Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova told state television that the chances of finding survivors were fading as the day wore on. The blast tore through the building at around 6 a.m. (0100 GMT) when many residents were asleep, RIA news agency reported. Monday was a public holiday in Russia. There have been several similar incidents in Russia in recent years due to aging infrastructure and poor safety regulations regarding gas usage. In 2015, at least five people were killed when a gas explosion damaged an apartment building in the southern city of Volgograd. The director of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence has urged Germany to return a Dutch masterpiece stolen by Nazi troops during the Second World War. Eike Schmidt said the still-life Vase of Flowers by Dutch artist Jan van Huysum is in the hands of a German family who have not returned it despite numerous appeals. Instead, intermediaries for the family have demanded payment for its return to Italy. Mr Schmidt said "the painting is already the inalienable property of the Italian state, and thus cannot be 'bought'". The oil on canvas had been hanging as part of the Pitti Palace collection in Florence from 1824 until the outbreak of the Second World War. It was moved for safety during the war, then stolen by retreating German troops. Fire brigade personnel conduct rescue operations after eight people got stuck high in the air on a giant funfair ride in the Brittany city of Rennes. Photo: ANTOINE AGASSE/AFP/Getty Images However underwhelming your New Year's Eve might have been, it probably wasn't as bad as this. Eight people spent their evening - and the first few hours of 2019 - trapped 50 metres in the air on a broken fairground ride in France. After more than eight hours, firefighters managed to rescue the three adults and five teenagers. Those watching in the city of Rennes told newspaper 'Ouest-France' the pendulum ride had broken down at around 8.30pm, making noises and sparking. The fault left one of the two passenger sections suspended at the highest point. With a helicopter, firefighters handed the passengers harnesses so they could be winched on to a ladder. All eight were safely brought to the ground yesterday morning. The UK's Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has defended awarding a contract for ferry services in the event of a no-deal Brexit to a company that has never run a Channel service. Awarding a 13.8 million contract for no-deal Brexit ferry services to a company with no ships is an example of the Government "supporting new business", Chris Grayling has said. The Transport Secretary defended the decision to do a deal with Seaborne Freight, despite it never having run a Channel service. It was one of three firms awarded contracts totalling 108 million last week to lay on additional crossings to ease the pressure on Dover when Britain pulls out of the EU. Mr Grayling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Seaborne had been properly vetted before being chosen, after concerns were raised over its ability to fulfil the contract. He said: "It's a new start-up business, Government is supporting new business and there is nothing wrong with that. "We have looked very carefully at this business and have put in place a tight contract that makes sure they can deliver for us. "This has been looked at very carefully by a team of civil servants who have done due diligence. "We believe they are on track to run services from April, yes." It comes as British manufacturers are stockpiling goods at near record rates in preparation for a calamitous no-deal Brexit. The Markit/CIPS UK manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) showed a reading of 54.2 last month, higher than the 53.6 recorded in November, and a six-month high. A figure above 50 indicates growth and economists were expecting a reading of 52.5. "Manufacturers linked increases in both domestic and overseas demand to clients purchasing to build up safety stocks to mitigate potential Brexit disruption," IHS said. Businesses importing goods from the EU will face severe disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit, which is looking ever more likely. Brave: Police restrain the man after he stabbed three people at Victoria Station in Manchester. Photo: Sam Clack/PA Wire A police sergeant was stabbed after showing "incredible bravery" to prevent a suspected terrorist from rampaging through a train station just yards from the scene of the Manchester Arena suicide bombing. A couple in their 50s were seriously injured in the "frenzied" and "random" New Year's Eve attack on a platform at Manchester Victoria Metrolink station. The police officer, who is in his 30s, was also wounded as he and three colleagues rushed to the scene after hearing "a blood curdling scream". Last night, Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, said the attack had been deliberately staged close to the site of the Manchester Arena bombing which killed 22 people in 2017. Police chiefs and politicians praised the officers' actions in putting themselves at risk to save the couple and prevent the man, who was dressed in black, marauding through the station just before 9pm. He had been heard shouting Isil-inspired slogans during the attack and after his arrest on suspicion of attempted murder. Asst Chief Constable Sean O'Callaghan from British Transport Police said yesterday: "I am incredibly proud of the four officers who were immediately on scene last night, detaining a man who was wielding a knife. "They were fearless, running towards danger and preventing further harm coming to passengers." The suspect, aged 25, was caught on video shouting "Allahu akbar" - meaning "God is great" in Arabic - as he was ushered into the back of a police van following his arrest. Witnesses said he was heard to scream: "Long live the Caliphate" in possible reference to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil), while another claimed he shouted: "As long as you keep bombing other countries, this sort of s*** is going to keep happening." A house in Cheetham Hill, north Manchester - thought to be his last known address - was searched yesterday by counter-terrorism police. Neighbours suggested the suspect was of Somali-origin and was thought to have lived in the Netherlands before moving to the UK about 10 to 15 years ago. One neighbour said his mother, who has five children, was a nurse while his brother worked at Manchester airport. A police source said the suspect was refusing to cooperate and detectives were working to establish his identity. He is believed to have acted alone and may have been suffering from mental health problems. The attack took place at a tram station that forms part of the complex that includes the Manchester Arena, where in May 2017, Salman Abedi, an Isil supporter, blew himself up killing 23 people, more than half of them children, as they left an Ariana Grande concert. Mr Burnham told reporters: "This attack has brought back some very painful memories, particularly given how close it was to the Manchester Arena, which appears to have been deliberate. But the city is strong, united and resilient and the way the incident was dealt with by the emergency services and others was exemplary." Sam Clack (38), a BBC producer who witnessed the attack, said: "What it looked like was a guy in his 60s with a woman of similar age and another guy all dressed in black," he said. "It looked like they were having a fight, but she was screaming in this blood-curdling way. I saw police in high-viz come towards him. He came towards me. "I looked down and saw he had a kitchen knife with a black handle with a good, 12-inch blade. It was just fear, pure fear." Mr Clack said police officers used a Taser and pepper spray before "six or seven" officers jumped on him. As the suspect was held down, he heard him say: "As long as you keep bombing other countries this sort of s*** is going to keep happening." Video footage from the scene shows the man pinned to the ground by police. He was thought to have carried two knives, one of which appeared to be a foot-long kitchen knife. The woman was stabbed in the face - suffering a "significant injury" to her forehead - while the man was wounded in the stomach. They are expected to remain in hospital for some time while the officer stabbed in the shoulder was discharged yesterday morning. In the days before the New Year's Eve attack, Isil had urged its followers to carry out a knife attack in the UK. Kim Jong-un yesterday renewed a pledge to denuclearise and said he was ready to meet Donald Trump, the US president, for a second time. But the North Korean leader warned Washington not to "misjudge" his patience and said he may reverse course if there was no sanctions relief. He delivered his latest missive in a much-anticipated live New Year's address, dressed in a dark Western suit and looking relaxed as he spoke from a plush leather chair in a stately office lined with books and family portraits. The 30-minute speech was also shown live on South Korean television, in a sign of how much ties have improved between the neighbouring countries after several warm meetings between their two leaders over the past year. Mr Kim spoke of his satisfaction at the positive turn in relations with Seoul, expressing his wish to turn the armistice agreed at the end of the 1950-53 war into a fully-fledged peace deal. But a key message of his speech was reserved for Washington, offering a gesture of peace that he said could equally be withdrawn if the US did not meet Pyongyang's expectations on the nuclear disarmament process. In particular, he demanded an end to South Korea's joint military exercises with the US and to crippling economic sanctions. "I am always ready to sit down again with the US president at any time and will make efforts to produce an outcome that the international community would welcome," Mr Kim said, in comments translated by the Yonhap news agency. "[But] we could be left with no choice but to seek a new way if the US does not make good on its promises, misjudges our patience, while seeking to force things unilaterally and clinging to sanctions and pressure," he said. Ankit Panda, a North Korea expert and editor at 'The Diplomat' magazine, summed up the speech as an opportunity for Mr Kim to "impress on Trump the need for the United States to come through with 'corresponding measures' following [North Korea's] 2018 gestures." He added: "The suggestion is that while they may meet for a second summit, a breaking point lies ahead if the US refuses to budge on sanctions." Mr Kim and Mr Trump met for their first historic summit in Singapore in June, agreeing to work together towards the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, but without clearly defining what that statement meant. In recent months the two sides have reached a diplomatic impasse, each accusing the other of blocking progress. While the US wants North Korea to unilaterally give up its nuclear weapons, Pyongyang has demanded more security guarantees from Washington. It has also accused Washington of failing to take corresponding measures following the North's unilateral dismantlement of a nuclear testing ground and suspension of nuclear and long-range missile tests. "If the US responds to our active and pre-emptive efforts with trustworthy steps and corresponding behaviour, [relations] will move forward at an excellent and fast pace," Mr Kim said in his speech. Some analysts suggested his message was intended to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul, which has been pushing for faster diplomacy with Pyongyang. The North Korean leader appeared to be gearing up to portray the US as the obstacle to progress. "North Korea has always been adept at putting the onus for action on the United States, taking the initiative in a way that forces Washington to either react on Pyongyang's terms or look like the obstacle to progress," said Mintaro Oba, a former US diplomat specialising in the Koreas. "Kim Jong-un drew from that playbook in his speech...by offering to take actions that might be popular in South Korea but would require US consent to lift sanctions. This puts both Seoul and Washington in a bind." The rest of Mr Kim's speech, primarily tailored for a domestic audience, focused on economic and technological progress and the need to develop electricity production. Chinese Politburo Standing Committee member Wang Yang speaks during an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan". Picture: REUTERS/Mark Schiefelbein/Pool The issue of unification between China and Taiwan should not be left for future generations to deal with, Chinese president Xi Jinping has said. He also said that China reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control but will strive to achieve peaceful reunification with the self-ruled island that has a bright future under any future Chinese rule, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday. No one or no party can stop the trend toward unification, the Chinese leader said in a speech devoted to Taiwan, calling independence for the self-governing island against history and a dead-end. "We are willing to create a vast space for peaceful unification, but we will never leave any room for any sort of Taiwan independence separatist activities," he said. Taiwan and China split in a civil war that brought the Communists to power in China in 1949. The rival Nationalists set up their own government on the island about 160 kilometres (100 miles) off the Chinese mainland. Mr Xi proposed talks between the two sides to work out "a systematic arrangement for the peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship". While the president said that people on both sides want peaceful reunification, it is unclear how his message will be received on the other side of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday that its people want to maintain their self-rule and autonomy. Mr Xi pledged that unification would be under a one-country, two-system framework that would respect the Taiwanese social system and way of life and guarantee their property rights, religious beliefs and other rights. "The political disputes that have existed for a long time ... affect the healthy and continuous development of the cross-strait relationship and cannot be passed from generation to generation," he said. A man had a fright when he sat down for breakfast to discover a snake in his cereal box, an animal charity said as it revealed its most surprising rescues of the last year. The three-foot-long snake, which was believed to be an escaped pet, interrupted breakfast in Sheffield before slithering into a dishwasher, where it was later rescued and taken to a specialist centre. It was one of a series of incidents highlighted by the RSPCA as they rounded up their top animal rescues of 2018, including a venomous scorpion, a cat impaled on railings, and a hamster rescued by a hand-crafted ladder after being stuck in a pipe for almost a week. Animal collection officer Katie Hetherington, who responded to the mans call for help in May, said: I think he was expecting to have Cornflakes for breakfast, not Cornsnakes. The poor chap was absolutely terrified, I think it was the last thing he expected to find in his kitchen. Elsewhere, a Birmingham hotel gained an unwanted guest in September when a scorpion was spotted by a resident. Staff at the Hyatt Regency Hotel captured the scorpion in a glass and called the RSPCA. Animal collection officer Vic Hurr, who collected the scorpion and transported him to a specialist, said: The scorpion was only small but he was a feisty little thing. We think he must have come out of some luggage and probably travelled thousands of miles so he certainly had an adventure. In March, a ginger cat found itself impaled after falling onto metal railings in London. Chief Inspector Nicole Broster, who helped rescue the cat in Cricklewood, London, said: In all my years with the RSPCA I have never seen anything like it. This poor cat literally had two metal posts protruding through his body. The London Fire Brigade cut the railings and transported the cat, still impaled on the spikes, to a nearby vets where he was taken for emergency surgery. The railings narrowly missed his vital organs. After his recovery, his owners were found and reunited with Skittles. And on November 15, animal welfare officer Alison Sparkes built a tiny ladder from wire mesh to rescue Jamie the hamster, who had been wedged in a pipe in Bridgwater, Somerset for almost a week. Jamie was being looking after by a friend of his owner when he escaped and went down a 10cm-wide pipe that housed the water pipes, she said. We knew he was OK as theyd been dropping food down and could hear him eating so I went home and cut a one-metre-long ladder from some old wire mesh, then went back, fitted it in the pipe and that evening he emerged. Very thirsty, but OK. Democratic Republic of Congo's government cut internet connections and text messaging services across the country for a second straight day yesterday as the country nervously awaited results from the weekend's chaotic presidential election. Both the opposition and ruling coalition said on Monday they were on track to win after a turbulent election day on Sunday in which many Congolese were unable to vote due to an Ebola outbreak, conflict and logistical problems. Barnabe Kikaya bin Karubi, a senior adviser to President Joseph Kabila, said internet and SMS services were cut to preserve public order after "fictitious results" began circulating on social media. "That could lead us straight toward chaos," Mr Kikaya said, adding the connections would remain cut until the publication of complete results on Sunday. The signal to Radio France Internationale (RFI), one of the most popular news sources in Congo, was also down, and the government withdrew the accreditation of RFI's main correspondent for having aired unofficial results. Crunch time approaches for British politicians on Brexit. Unfortunately, crunch time for them also means crunch time for us in Ireland. The difference is that the Irish Government and officials in Dublin have already done practically everything they can to shape and influence the Brexit outcome. Few choices remain on this side of the Irish Sea. There is only one significant course of action available to the Irish Government by way of influencing the next few crucial weeks in Westminster, and that is to step back by allowing some kind of watering-down of the backstop arrangement in the withdrawal agreement. Despite huge pressure from the British government and possibly closer to Brussels too, this seems highly unlikely. And despite the risks, it would be the wrong course to take. The backstop is necessary. It has been argued by some that the Irish Government hardened its position on the Border backstop when Leo Varadkar became Taoiseach in order to strengthen the hand of the EU negotiating team. It has even been suggested that Dublin is allowing itself to be used by Brussels. The toughening of the stance, namely that a backstop be enshrined in a legally binding way as part of the withdrawal agreement, was a totally necessary step. The backstop is based on a lack of trust. That lack of trust built up steadily in the months after the Brexit referendum as Irish Government officials tried and tried to get the British government to engage on the implications of a hard Brexit for how the Border in Ireland would work. Brexiteers say "we will find a way to keep an open Border which can be worked out as part of the future trading relationship talks". The Irish Government has very good reason to believe not only does such a solution not exist, but when such a reality would become obvious to all sides, we would have no cards left to play in the negotiations. A backstop would still have been necessary if Theresa May had committed to a Brexit based on remaining in the customs union and the single market. Legally binding assurances on an open Border would have been needed until such time as negotiations for that kind of Brexit had been concluded. The Irish Government is not beyond criticism in these negotiations. At times the Taoiseach has come across as someone posturing as a major player in a set of talks we are not actually directly involved in. At times, Irish Government figures have allowed themselves to get sucked into public discourse about a united Ireland at a time when it is important to emphasise to unionists that a united Ireland is an aspiration for nationalists, not a plan. The Government has done little publicly to reflect the negative longer-term implications for Ireland of its soured relationship with the UK. They may well be waiting for us in the long grass on a range of issues from competitive corporation tax to fisheries policy. Despite these shortcomings, the Irish Government had no real alternative to the overall approach it has taken Brexit. One senior Government official told me as far back as October 2016 there would have to be a hard Border of some kind in Ireland or there would have to be an economic border down the Irish Sea. They could see from very early on what Brexit-obsessed Tories could not see, or were not prepared to consider as even relevant. The first academic paper on the implications of Brexit for Ireland was commissioned by an Irish government department back in December 2014. That's how early they were on to this thing. Unfortunately, the complete failure of British politicians to show leadership has left Ireland vulnerable. So what next? Theresa May's doomed Brexit deal would be equivalent to a soft Brexit for Ireland, but a Brexit nonetheless. The backstop, the transition period and the regulatory alignment would all help for a time. It would set the tone for the negotiations on a future trade relationship between the EU and the UK, but uncertainty would remain about how those trade talks would play out. A no-deal Brexit appears unlikely too now, but cannot be dismissed. A majority in the British parliament is opposed to a no-deal Brexit but have to find a mechanism to exercise that view. They cannot really vote down a no-deal Brexit, unless they have something to vote for in its place. We have become all too familiar with the economic implications of a no-deal Brexit, which would hold back job growth and completely undermine entire sectors in Ireland, such as the food industry. A Norwegian-style off-the-shelf deal also looks like a pipedream of some middle-ground Tories. Even the Norwegians wouldn't have it. This points to a second referendum. Such an outcome is far from straightforward for Ireland. It could be pursued by a new Conservative prime minister or it may well only follow a general election of uncertain outcome. A second referendum campaign would be so divisive it would make the 2016 referendum seem like an altar boys' convention. A majority vote to remain would undoubtedly be very welcome in Ireland but it would not be without change. British politics and British society is fractured on this issue. There may be a very left-wing Corbyn government in power with negative implications for the performance of the British economy, the currency, the stock market and disposable incomes in the UK. All of these would have long-term consequences for Ireland. One of the biggest messages to come from this whole Brexit debacle, irrespective of what happens now, is that Ireland is too heavily dependent for its economic welfare on the whims of British politicians. We thought those days were behind us. Irish businesses must look to other markets, especially in the EU. The Government must invest in infrastructure, from ports and shipping routes, to greater funding supports for exporters. Britain is heading for a timeout on Brexit. This breathing space could deliver a general election and/or a second referendum. It appears that more property owners are listing their homes for short-term letting today compared with a year ago in order to make a quick buck before an effective ban comes into force in summer. While unpalatable to those in homeless accommodation, or families struggling to find affordable homes, it's not the fault of these owners that the housing sector is completely unfit for purpose. Their concern is making money until short-term lets are subject to new regulations, and the window to do so is closing. Key to ensuring that people living in cities, and not just visiting, can rent accommodation are the powers and resources that will be granted to local authorities to police the new arrangements. There will also be a need to support officials who refuse permission to let on a short-term basis, and councils should probably prepare themselves for legal battles ahead. People are absolutely correct to fume about the growth of a lucrative short-term letting market as the most profound housing crisis in living memory continues apace. It's true that some who own multiple properties refuse to let to ordinary workers and students, but that's their right. It's not their fault the State has failed to provide housing since the crash. Of course, even if the new regulations restrict the ability of owners to do as they see fit with their properties, it's far from certain that sizeable numbers of additional homes will become available to 'ordinary' workers and families, and what difference they will make. The most recent figures show just under 40,000 households are on social housing waiting lists in our five cities. The AirDNA analysis suggests that just under 5,900 properties are let on a short-term basis in these same locations. Would utilising these units solve the council housing crisis? In a time when any property coming onto the rental market is welcomed, it would certainly make a valuable contribution, but - as the data shows - some of these Airbnb properties are large with five or more bedrooms, entirely unsuitable for most modern household sizes. In addition, many are in areas of high demand in our main cities where rents are at a premium anyway. It's highly likely that the State-imposed limits on rent subsidy would not cover the cost of securing these homes, and if a local authority were to suggest purchasing them for council housing, the price to be paid would probably be criticised and represent poor value for public money. That's not to say that unfettered growth of the sector is a good thing. Clearly, the focus should be on providing good quality, affordable accommodation to those living in a city and not being solely concerned with a tourist market. The Airbnb regulations should have been introduced at least a year ago, but better late than never. The problem is the State has largely ignored this problem until relatively recently. That's not the fault of property owners engaged in short-term lettings. For individuals, the new year is an opportunity to usher in a 'new you'; but it's a case of 'same old' for the Government which will spend 2019 grappling with endemic problems which have bedevilled it for years. Housing will again be to the fore. "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better" - the famous Samuel Beckett quotation could well serve as a mantra for Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy's tenure in office. With one important amendment - the ending changed to: "Fail again. Fail worse." Since this Fine Gael-led Government came to power in 2016, it has yet to meet a single target it has set in relation to the provision of new social houses. Even by its own metrics, the Government's record is one of abject failure. Last year was no exception in this long litany of disappointment. In total, a modest 3,800 new social homes were supposed to be constructed by local authorities and approved housing bodies in 2018. By October, the Department of Housing was writing to local authorities in trenchant terms as it was revealed just 28pc of this target - 1,051 homes - had been delivered in the first six months of the year. Meanwhile, renters around the country continue to be gouged. In Dublin, rents are at an astronomic 500 more every month than the height of the boom - averaging 1,936 per month. Even compared to 2017, renters in Dublin are now spending an additional 150 on rent every month. Clearly, increases of this level are not sustainable - and make living independently in the capital, never mind saving for a deposit, impossible for many thousands of young people. Nevertheless, worst-case-scenario predictions from Daft.ie, that rents would not begin to stabilise until they reached an average of 2,500 per month in Dublin, appear to be on course to be imminently reached. No surprise then that up to 70pc of those presenting as homeless have been evicted from homes in the private rental sector. Currently, nearly 10,000 people are homeless and living in emergency accommodation - a figure which would be close to 12,000 if those reclassified by the Department of Housing in 2018 were still included in official statistics. The State, in its over-reliance on the private sector to solve the social housing and homelessness crisis, with more than 75pc of its social housing 'solutions' coming from the private sector, is primarily responsible for driving up demand and rents to unprecedented levels. The Fine Gael-led Government, in this iteration and the last, has been pleading for time since 2014 to address the housing and homelessness crisis. In 2019, time and patience will have run out. Results will have to be delivered. When it comes to Brexit, the biggest mystery is whether it will ultimately be more tragedy or farce. To date, its harshest effects have been felt by the British, with their glorious independence project costing 500m (550m) per week in lost economic growth, plus the 4bn that has been latterly assigned to pay for no-deal planning. The next three months, for the Irish Government, will be a tense time as it waits to see whether Theresa May can snatch defeat from the jaws of catastrophe by convincing parliament to vote for her Brexit plan and organise a relatively managed withdrawal from the EU. While Mrs May fights, bribes and cajoles her way to attain the least worst of her many bad options, it should be said that Irish priorities are different. The best result for us would be for some antidote to the epidemic of hysteria that has gripped the UK for years to be discovered and the contagion contained before March 29 - with a second referendum cancelling Brexit - before it has a chance to infect us. Still, there are none so blind as those who cannot see - and Brexiteers would prefer to gouge their own eyes out than recognise the folly of their grand scheme. If the British decide to self-immolate, and crash out of the EU with no deal, there is nothing the Irish can do to stop them - but we are in danger of being engulfed in the inferno that will ensue. To date, the Government has managed its Brexit negotiations in the best way possible, but it's now time for 'every man for himself' disaster planning. It has just 12 weeks to ensure that adequate measures are in place to protect Irish businesses and citizens should the British choose the nuclear option - and there is nothing to indicate that timeline is either realistic or achievable. On capital projects, the Government was caught up in a self-inflicted controversy in February when the questionable marketing of its 'Ireland 2040' capital investment plan came under scrutiny. That fiasco ultimately led to the Taoiseach's spin unit, the Strategic Communications Unit, being disbanded. Much worse, however, is the revelation that one of the flagship projects from that scheme, the new national children's hospital, is on course to cost between 1.4bn and 1.7bn - up by at least 450m in just a matter of months and twice its original estimate. While everybody agrees that a new children's hospital is essential, there has to be some explanation for the soaring budget and some curb on costs. Already, the Government has conceded that cost overruns on the children's hospital will necessitate money being taken from other capital projects scheduled to take place next year. So, we have a situation where we are likely to have the most expensive children's hospital in the world, but many of our acute hospitals will be unable to tackle waiting lists due to a lack of sufficient equipment, like CT scanners, or an inability to replace obsolete equipment. The ballooning cost of the national children's hospital also calls into the question the Government's ability to deliver other capital projects that have long been mooted. If the Government is unable to control costs in a single hospital, then what hope of delivering essential infrastructural projects - like a Metro Link connecting Swords and Dublin Airport; a light rail corridor for Cork; a new Atlantic road corridor connecting Cork, Limerick, Galway and Sligo; an additional 2,600 acute hospital beds and 4,500 new beds in community nursing homes - on budget and on time? There are also some significant elections on the horizon. The year will see both local and European elections and, if trends from previous years are repeated, the incumbent Government parties will take a drubbing. Unless the Government has achievements to point to in housing, health and Brexit planning by May, its local and European candidates will bear the brunt of public anger. Six weeks ago world leaders gathered to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I. There were a lot of distractions that day. The US president was afraid of some rain; the Russian president was insouciantly late. Since then, there have been more distractions: the gilets jaunes (yellow vest protesters), US defence secretary Jim Mattis's resignation, the stock-market drop. But as 2018 ends and a new year opens, it's worth pausing to remember the speech made that day (November 11) by the French president, Emmanuel Macron. If nothing else, it might point the way to a better 2019. Ostensibly, Macron's subject was World War I, the brutal moment when "Europe very nearly committed suicide". But the real theme was France - or rather, the two different visions of France that have competed with each other for more than a century. On the one hand, the French president described a nationalist, isolationist, internally focused vision of France; this definition of the nation has been around for a very long time, and it does have a deep, primal appeal: "Our interests first and who cares about the rest," as Macron put it. This is something everyone can understand. The January sales are coming in thick and fast. We've done the digging on this week's best offers to get you started... 99 flights to North America Norwegian's New Year sale is hot off the press, with transatlantic flights from Ireland starting at 99 each-way. The sale is based on departures from January 14 to May 31, and must be booked before midnight on Monday, January 14. Norwegian flies from Cork, Dublin and Shannon to the US and Canada. Book here. Save 200pp on Italy Topflight has a summer sun holiday sale underway, with discounts including 200pp off a seven-night, four-star stay on Lake Garda departing May 11 (reduced from 999pp to 799pp). A January ski sale also sees savings of up to 250pp per holiday (ski hire and lift passes not included). See topflight.ie or book here. 20pc off Intrepid trips Holiday with a difference in 2019? Intrepid Travel says it has 20pc off over 1,000 travel experiences to book up to January 11. Examples include a 10-day tour of Vietnam from 888pp (ex. flights) and an eight-day trip in Cuba from 1,334pp (ex. flights). The offer is valid for travel before August 31. Book on intrepid.com/ie here. Fly to Toronto from 297 return Air Transat has just released spring fares, including Dublin to Toronto from 297 return, and to Montreal from 307 return. The fares are on offer from January 3-14, for selected dates in May and June (book here). Aer Lingus is also offering up to 50pc off European fares to January 15 (aerlingus.com). Save 900pp on 5-star Mauritius Tropical Sky has a luxury worldwide travel sale, with savings of 900pp on a seven-night, five-star holiday in Mauritius. The package, including flights, transfers and accommodation at the LUX* Grand Gaube starts from 1,309pp. Book before January 31 for travel in May/June. 01 664-9999; tropicalsky.ie or see its sale here. PS. 1 holiday deposits Need to book a holiday? Have absolutely no cash? Click&Go allows you to secure holidays with a 1 deposit. It says 100,000 customers have taken up the offer to date, with a second deposit of 150 due four weeks after booking, and the balance due 10 weeks before departure. clickandgo.com. NB: All prices subject to change/availability. Read more: Supermodel-turned-nutritionist Rosemary Ferguson: Forego a bacon sandwich and repair some of the damage with a breakfast full of protein and healthy fats instead Photo: Getty Images If you're planning on partying on into the new year, you don't have to overdo it. Why not try "healthy hedonism" instead? With a few simple tweaks, you can still enjoy yourself, while limiting some of the damage you're doing to you body. And that goes for every party season. Here's how: Be a better drinker "You don't have to avoid alcohol altogether, but you can drink smarter and cleaner," says personal trainer Lee Mullins, who has worked with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Cressida Bonas. "I tell my clients to choose alcohol with the fewest toxins to improve their hangovers and overall health. Go for high-quality vodka or tequila, with fresh lime and soda water. Steer clear of sweetened mixers like cola, which just up the sugar content further (remember, alcohol is incredibly high in sugar). And choose better quality, cleaner wine, with fewer chemicals." "Clean wine" is causing something of a buzz this party season. Simply, it's wine without (or with fewer) chemicals and additives that can exacerbate hangovers. US brand Thrive Market has just launched a range, but in the UK look for wines labelled "organic", containing fewer or no sulphates, or "spontaneously fermented", which means no added yeasts and a more natural fermentation process. Recover well "The morning before a big night out, make a jug of sparkling water, add some mint and lemon and put it in the fridge," says Rosemary Ferguson, the supermodel-turned-nutritionist, who once graced the cover of Vogue with fellow model and friend Kate Moss, before qualifying as a nutritionist in 2009. "When you wake up hung-over, you often crave a cold, fizzy drink that tastes slightly sugary. Expand Close Chef and food writer Melissa Hemsley. Photo: Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Chef and food writer Melissa Hemsley. Photo: Getty Images "But, rather than a cola, which is packed with sugar and leads to an energy slump 20 minutes later, this will perk you up." She also advises ditching the grease. "Forgo a bacon sandwich and repair some of the damage with a breakfast full of protein and healthy fat instead, like poached or scrambled eggs on sourdough toast, or a big bowl of porridge with nut butter and cacao powder." Mullins recommends taking an activated charcoal supplement and having an Epsom salt bath the next day to "absorb some of the toxins". Try Holland & Barrett Activated Charcoal capsules (hollandbarrett.com). Avoid a stress hangover "Forget food and alcohol, stress can be the unhealthiest thing about the festive season," says chef and food writer Melissa Hemsley. "I avoid tiredness crutches like coffee, which can make my anxiety worse. Instead, I take a big saucepan, chop some ginger and let it bubble away for an hour or so. I then put it in the fridge, with some lemon and lime wedges, and the next day fill a water bottle with it before leaving the house. Expand Close Sauna visits will increase your bodys ability to detoxify all the excess. Stock Image / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sauna visits will increase your bodys ability to detoxify all the excess. Stock Image "If you do drink coffee, always make sure you hydrate before you caffeinate. "The other thing I've started doing is going to parties early and leaving early: you make better choices at the start of the night, you can make your way around a room and then head off feeling like you've chatted to everybody, but protecting yourself from a hangover and poor sleep." And if you're hosting? "Make it easy for yourself," advises Hemsley. "I have a huge chopping board, which I top with lots of little deli-bought things like olives, good quality hummus, breads and truffle honey, all displayed beautifully. Then I put the booze out, a massive jug of water, and let everybody get on with it. "Fiddly festive hosting can be overwhelming and the stress hangover - where you come down from the adrenalin high of rushing around - can cause you to crave alcohol and sugar. Take the pressure off and the cravings will disperse." Support your gut Eating and drinking more than usual can put a strain on your digestive system, so it is important to support your gut bacteria. "This helps reduce bloating and research shows a healthy gut bacteria can influence whether your body uses food as fuel, or stores it as fat," says nutritionist Henrietta Norton. Boost your gut health by cutting down on sugar, refined foods and alcohol - tricky in December, but Norton recommends avoiding them on the days in between parties. "A good Chromium supplement reduces sugar cravings and slightly lower your fruit intake, while upping your vegetable one," she says. Try Wild Nutrition GTF Chromium Antioxidants (wildnutrition.com). "Also, eat fermented foods, such as sauerkraut and kimchi (spicy fermented vegetables), which are naturally rich in beneficial bacteria and enzymes." Norton recommends the Biona and Raw brands. Exercise right "One of the biggest mistakes we make in December is forgoing exercise because it's cold or wet," says Ferguson, "but getting outside every single day, even for a 15-minute walk at lunchtime, helps boost your mood and energy." However, you might want to give the HIIT class a miss: "If you're hung-over or tired, your body is chronically inflamed," says Mullins, "So doing anything too strenuous will only add more inflammation. Being tired or hung-over can also make you more prone to injury and dehydration, so don't go spinning, or running the morning after to 'sweat off' the night before. "If you belong to a gym, head to the sauna a couple of times a week, or go to a few hot yoga classes, which will increase your body's ability to detoxify all the excess," he adds. "However, don't go if you're hung-over, as it will dehydrate you further." Cafes have responded by raising the price of a cup of coffee by around ten to 20 cents. Stock photo The price of a cup of coffee has risen in many cafes across Ireland, as the government's increase in VAT on the hospitality sector comes into effect. As of yesterday, the VAT rate rose from 9pc to 13.5pc, and many cafes have responded by raising the price of a cup of coffee by ten to 20 cents. Today, a cup of coffee in independent coffee chain 3FE, which has four cafes in Dublin, rose from 3.50 to 3.65. While in Insomnia, a 12-ounce Americano has risen from 2.70 to 2.80. And while a cappucino was 3.20, now its 3.35 at the same outlet. 3FE owner Colin Harmon, who estimates that the net profit from a cup of coffee is 26 cents, said his business wouldn't have been able to absorb the VAT increase which would have cut his net profit in half. He explained: The increase is the entirety of the VAT increase. So what were trying to say to people is its the governments increase, not our increase, and most people understand that. Coffee is a product that people absorb everyday. Its a nice business to be in, its a very social environment, but it becomes a bit of a political lightning rod at times. When good and bad things happen, people tend to look at the price of a cappucino. They notice it more because they come in every day for coffee. [But the VAT increase is] going to be across the board. People always say coffee is a high margin product, and it is, but its a high gross margin product. A lot of independent coffee owners arent making money, theyre treading water and trying to stay in business. The VAT increase was announced in Finance Minister Paschal Donohoes Budget speech in October. A reduced rate had been introduced in 2011 on a range of goods and services, including accommodation, restaurants and hairdressers, in an attempt to alleviate some of the financial stresses on the tourism sector during the recession. Members of the public who learned of the price hikes while buying their coffee today reacted on social media. "People [are] already complaining in coffee shop due to coffee going up 20c," one Twitter user wrote. Another tweeted Leo Varadkar asking: "Why are you making it harder to buy a cup of coffee at a petrol station?" A spokesperson for Insomnia Coffee told Independent.ie that the decision to increase pricing wasn't made lightly. We would like to reassure you that we dont take the decision to increase pricing lightly and in this case the decision was, in effect, made for us with the increase in VAT from 9pc to 13.5pc and additional cost rises including commercial rents, rates, insurance, and ingredients having a direct impact on the running costs of the business." She added: "Our pricing has been adjusted slightly and only to recoup these additional costs. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Frank and Honest coffee said customers can still get the reusable cup discount of 20c in its cafes. "Frank and Honest is committed to offering the best combination of quality coffee and value in Ireland." "The price increase which came into effect on 1st January 2019 is the change in VAT from 9 to 13.5% being imposed by the Government. It should be noted that we offer a reusable cup discount of 20c in our cafes and for on-the-go coffee, so consumers can still available of cheaper prices by opting for the sustainable option." Young professionals are increasingly presenting with mental health problems and underlying addictions to their mobile phones thanks to a "24-7 'on' culture". Dr Amy Watchorn, senior clinical psychologist at St John of God hospital in Stillorgan, Dublin, said she has spotted a trend of people presenting with depression and anxiety but once she scratches beyond the surface, she sees unhealthy fixations with mobile smartphones. "Some people can't leave it behind them, they're constantly on 24-7 and this affects their mental health," Dr Watchorn told the Irish Independent. "I'm seeing it in professionals, there's a cross pollination with international companies, especially a lot of digital companies, a lot of having to connect with different time zones and workers not being able to turn off. "It's becoming normalised and it's tacitly expected for workers to be on call rather than leave the desk at 5pm and this bleeds into normal life. "For professionals, there's ways of looking at this - they need to use the ability through work or will power, to disconnect, take time off the web, enforce breaks using apps to stop seeing notifications, break free." Dr Watchorn advises professionals to limit the use of their smartphones during the evenings and to adopt the "digital detox concept". 'The Lancet Psychiatry' journal earlier this year published a study by professors at The University of Glasgow. The research which concentrated on more than 91,000 participants, found that being online during the night could increase the likelihood of psychological problems, such as depression, bipolar disorder and neuroticism. But Dr Watchorn said there is a lack of such research in Ireland and on a wider scale. "There are no statistics in the hospital, as smartphone addiction is not clinically diagnosed," she said. "(Problematic smartphone use) is definitely there and it's on the rise, the more we are connected with these phones. "It's 11 years since the first smartphone but in terms of how many people addictive smartphone use affects, all I can say is in my own practice, it's increasingly problematic and particularly with younger people." Though she believes smartphone use is increasingly an issue for mental health, Dr Watchorn said there was no turning the clock back. "We have to embrace this technology as part of our lives and learn ways to manage the difficulties with keeping smartphones for a time and place and utilising practices like mindfulness," the psychologist said. "People used to think smoking was OK but when the research caught up, we realised smoking can kill you. Some people are checking their phones 50 times a day and not everyone can put them down." Dr Watchorn said schools needed to start teaching children how to use smartphones responsibly for their mental health and employers had to start being mindful of the effects the overuse of such technology could be having on their workforce. A teenage girl was in a serious condition in hospital last night after she was in a car accident. The incident happened on Main Street in Ballincollig, Co Cork, at around 7.45pm. The 16-year-old girl was rushed to University Hospital Cork with what were said to be serious injuries. The driver of the car was not injured. The road was closed off as garda forensic collision investigators carried out an examination of the scene. A garda spokesman said: "The collision involving a pedestrian, a teenage girl, and a car happened at 7.45pm. "The female pedestrian has been taken to University Hospital Cork with serious injuries," he added. Gardai appealed for witnesses to the crash or anyone who has any information to contact Gurranabraher garda station on 021 4946200. RTE's south-east correspondent Damien Tiernan has announced he is leaving the station after more than 20 years. He is set to finish up with the State broadcaster at the end of next week, after taking up one of the packages as part of the exit scheme which was announced in 2017. Speaking to the Irish Independent last night, Mr Tiernan confirmed that he is currently looking "at a number of options". "I obviously thought long and hard about it. RTE has been very good to me," he said, speaking about his decision to leave. He was appointed as the south-east correspondent for RTE in December 1996. Mr Tiernan was the second-youngest correspondent ever appointed at the broadcaster at the age of just 26. Journalist Orla Guerin had been the youngest appointee at the age of 23, when she was appointed foreign correspondent. From Wicklow originally, Mr Tiernan began working with RTE in 1995, having previously worked at the 'New Ross Standard', the 'Wicklow People' and the 'Wexford People'. He paid tribute to the people who helped him with stories through the years, and the people who have trusted him with their stories, "particularly in recent years, sex abuse victims". Mr Tiernan announced his departure from RTE on social media yesterday, saying: "To whom it concerns, I am leaving RTE. I have been with the organisation for 23 years. Thank you to everyone with whom I have worked, especially my colleagues in the south east. I will be finishing the end of next week. Thank you and good luck, Damien." Among the many who extended their best wishes as the news of his departure broke was broadcaster Jonathan Healy, who described him as: "One of the finest colleagues I ever had the pleasure of working alongside." His departure marks another high-profile loss to the news team at RTE, following on from the departure of former political correspondent Martina Fitzgerald just two weeks ago. The Bible has been under attack in the western world for over 200 years but never more intensely than today. These attacks have taken different forms and have come from many different corners of the academic world, from philosophers, to scientists, to textual critics. In the specialized world of archaeology the attacks have increased dramatically in the past 50 years. Once a specialization filled with Bible believing individuals, the field of archaeology is now overrun with atheists and skeptics, agnostics and those committed to the destruction of the Bible as a source of true historical information. These attacks on the Bible are a part of a sweeping movement in western culture. Spearheaded by academic elitists in the university and the public educational system, the news and popular media, and the entertainment industry, these revisionists cloak themselves with supposed objectivity, purity of motives, and the superiority of science over the "uninformed", "unscientific", religious community. They regularly mock those who question their world-view and their conclusions by name-calling and the worst forms of anti-Bible and anti-Christian propaganda. They have powerfully infected the church by turning Bible believing Christians against the very Scripture which is the foundation of truth and life in this world. Instead of contending for the Bible, Christian academics, pastors, and lay-persons are making egregious accommodations to these destroyers of faith and truth. In these days of intense spiritual battle, God has called ABR to step into the gap to contend for the truth and to assist the church in this critical hour. ABR is a non-profit ministry dedicated to demonstrating the historical reliability of the Bible and to give answers to questions being asked by believers and non-believers alike. We do this by using original archaeological fieldwork and research along with studies in other apologetic disciplines. We take on the bold claims of skeptics and critics. We challenge the bizarre anti-biblical propaganda that is purveyed upon the public as gospel through television and print media. We uphold the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is God's message for the salvation of all mankind! Former communications minster Denis Naughten formally resigned with a terse, one-line letter shortly before taking an apparent swipe at Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Dail. The hand-written letter reads: "Dear Taoiseach, Further to our discussion today I'm tendering my resignation as minister." Other correspondence show Mr Naughten subsequently lobbied Mr Varadkar on the future of the Rosalie Care Unit in his Roscommon constituency. The letters were released under the Freedom of Information Act. Mr Naughten said his resignation letter was delivered to Mr Varadkar before he publicly announced he was stepping down in the Dail. He had been caught up in a controversy over the contract for the National Broadband Plan (NBP) after it emerged he had meetings and dinners with David McCourt, the businessman leading the last remaining consortium in the bidding process. A later report by the NBP independent auditor Peter Smyth cleared Mr Naughten and Mr McCourt of improperly affecting the State tender process for the giant infrastructure project. Mr Smyth also found that Mr Naughten was correct to resign in order to insulate the process from "apparent bias". Announcing his resignation on October 11, Mr Naughten said that after discussions with Mr Varadkar it was clear the Taoiseach did not have confidence in him. In a veiled swipe at Mr Varadkar, he also said: "If I was a cynic, which I'm not, I believe the outcome is more about opinion polls than telecoms poles." Later that month, the Independent TD wrote to Mr Varadkar raising concern about the future of the Rosalie Unit in Castlerea for people with dementia amid a HSE halt on new admissions. He said there were commitments given in relation to the unit in 2015 and said "it is now imperative that the decision to wind down the service by stealth must be reversed". Mr Varadkar sent the letter to Minister for Older People Jim Daly, who he said would respond to Mr Naughten. Mr Daly replied on December 21 saying that "no decision has yet been made by the HSE in relation to this unit". He said the outcome of an independent review of the unit is due this month. Karen Dempsey and Liam Ecock (centre), Dublin 7, gave birth to baby Roisin yesterday with the help of Gail from Private Midwives (left) and Dublin Fire Brigade. A Dublin mother received an early 2019 gift yesterday after her baby was born almost three weeks early - with the help of Dublin Fire Brigade. Karen Dempsey was about to make breakfast on New Years Day when her waters broke, despite a due date of January 20. "It was a planned home birth with Private Midwives Ireland but happened a lot quicker than expected, Karen told Independent.ie. Our midwife Gail made it in absolute record time with zero notice, but the baby was coming there and then regardless. Expand Close Karen Dempsey gave birth to baby Roisin yesterday with the help of Private Midwives and Dublin Fire Brigade. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Karen Dempsey gave birth to baby Roisin yesterday with the help of Private Midwives and Dublin Fire Brigade. "All I wanted was to boil an egg for breakfast, but I got a baby instead. Karen explained that her partner Liam Ecock stayed on the phone with emergency services before a crew from Dublin Fire Brigade arrived, helping bring baby Roisin Ecock into the world. I thought I was just having practice contractions, and phoned the midwife to let her know there might be movement later in the day, Karen said. As I was talking to her, I began to feel the urge to push so I stood up, and suddenly felt the bag of waters bulge so Gail said she was coming immediately, to get off phone and ring the ambulance. Great way to start the #NewYear. Crews from Phibsborough were on hand to help after an unexpectedly quick arrival. Dad helped mum deliver the baby at home with guidance from our controllers over the 999 phone call. The first #DFBaby of 2019. Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/Oh5zLmwhSv Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 1, 2019 The DFB team arrived very quickly, with the midwife soon after. We stayed home and Gail from Private Midwives helped Liam to cut the cord. The baby was 5lb 7oz, and perfect! The family, from Dublin 7, thanked Private Midwives and the fire service for their quick assistance. Roisin was the first baby to be delivered with the help of Dublin Fire Brigade of 2019, who congratulated the family on the "great way to start the new year. Rural piles: Some of the post-Christmas litter dumped on Irish farms this year Local authorities are being urged to tackle the annual increase in littering of the countryside that takes place in January - with cans, bottles, used wrapping paper and even the leftovers of Christmas dinners being dumped. Thomas Cooney of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has called for more severe sanctions on serial dumpers and changes to legislation so that farmers are no longer held legally responsible for reckless dumping by others. "Recent reports indicate that packaging waste generated from online shopping will increase by 33pc this year to 10,000 tonnes," he said. "The fact is that this will lead to increased dumping by passing motorists who have no regard for our rural countryside. And it's time to get tough with these people." Mr Cooney said the on-the-spot fines for littering introduced this year have not worked. "We need increased enforcement action by local authorities, as well as tougher sentences and penalties for large scale serial dumpers. "Local authorities must begin a post-Christmas anti-littering blitz to ensure Ireland's countryside is no longer used as a dumping ground," he said. In a recent meeting with Environment Minister for State Sean Canney, the IFA also called for changes to existing litter legislation. It wants the removal of the current threat of fines and prosecution of farmers on whose land others dump litter. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, said recently that illegal dumping is a matter of individual responsibility and compliance with the law. He said that while enforcement in this area is a matter for local authorities, his Department is to review its Anti-Dumping Initiative. This review will inform a 2019 anti-dumping work programme that will place an increased emphasis on those who facilitate the unauthorised movement and disposal of waste. The 2017 National Litter Pollution Report showed that the main elements of litter pollution were cigarette-related litter at 56pc, followed by packaging, food-related and sweet-related litter. Passing pedestrians were found to be the main causes of litter, accounting for 42pc, substantially ahead of passing motorists, who were the second largest cause, accounting for 19pc in 2017. Separately Minister Bruton has announced a plan to eradicate single use plastics across the public sector ahead of a Europe-wide clampdown. The ban would apply to all Government departments, State agencies, schools and hospitals - although medical exemptions would apply. Earlier this year the European Parliament backed legislation which will ban single-use plastic items where alternatives exist, including cutlery, plates, drinks stirrers and cotton buds by 2021. A proposed law which will ban the sale and manufacture of plastic micro beads is also expected to be passed in the coming year. Magical memories: Fionn Doyle (7) in a Garda car on his birthday in August. Photo: Daragh McSweeney A seven-year-old boy with leukaemia who received 10,000 birthday cards from all over the world last year has died. The Garda Response Unit and Garda Dog Unit were among the guests at Fionn Doyle's birthday party at his home in Kildorrery, Co Cork, in August. A convoy of Garda cars and a fire engine were also brought to his house to celebrate the big day. Fionn was presented with his own Garda uniform by Fermoy gardai and a medal for being a superhero. He was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of just 18 months. He underwent treatment and went into remission in the summer of 2016. However, he suffered a relapse six months later. A bone marrow transplant in December 2017 failed to stem the cancer. In May of last year, his parents Eimear and Jack Doyle were told to prepare themselves for the worst. But Fionn's condition improved and he returned home from Dublin to north Cork. Fionn received cards for his birthday from America, Australia and South Africa after his mother made an appeal online to make it an occasion to remember. She said she had posted a message on Facebook asking people to send Fionn a birthday card, but she never expected such an enormous response. They received about 2,000 cards daily in the days leading up his birthday and the local postman said he delivered 10,000 cards. Eimear said Fionn's face "lit up" when he saw the Garda cars and the fire engine. "It was magical - memories made that will last forever," Eimear said. It is understood that Fionn's family decided to celebrate Christmas early this year in case his condition worsened. He died, surrounded by his family, on New Year's Eve. He is survived by his parents and his eight-year-old sister Saoirse. The number of homes advertised for short-term letting on Airbnb has risen by more than 1,000 in the last year, despite the housing crisis. Homeowners appear to be cashing in before a summer crackdown, with some earning more than 200,000 in the last year letting their properties. The new figures show 5,855 entire homes were available for hire in Galway, Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford on December 11, up 1,015 on the same month last year a rise of 20pc. Hosts are also earning more. Figures supplied by AirDNA, which analyses market trends across the globe, show the average daily rate for a Dublin property now stands at 143, compared with 126 in December 2017. Average daily rates have also risen in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford, with increases ranging from 6 to 24 a night. Airbnb and other short-term letting websites allow property owners to advertise a home online for holiday stays. There have been crackdowns in other countries amid fears that people living in areas of high demand are squeezed out of the housing market because owners choose the lucrative short-term letting market rather than lease properties long term, but for less money. Some 230,884 has been spent in the last year renting the top-ranked property, described as a boutique townhouse in the heart of Dublin. Nine properties in the capital are listed with an average nightly rate of 1,000 or more, with the most expensive costing 1,517 for a single night. The figures come in advance of a Government crackdown on short-term lettings, which is due to take effect from next June. Under the new regime proposed by Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, homeowners will only be allowed to let their properties for no more than 14 days at a time, and for no more than 90 days a year. For short-term lets above 90 days, planning permission will have to be granted to allow the property be used on a commercial basis. In addition, in areas with a high demand for housing, including the main cities, local authorities will be allowed to refuse permission. The figures also show: :: In Waterford, the number of entire homes listed as available has risen by 56pc to 245 between December this year and December 2017, the largest increase in the five cities; :: Conversely, the number of homes in Limerick has fallen, down 15pc to 85; :: Waterford has also seen the highest increase in daily rates, up 30pc to 104 a night; :: The highest average nightly rate is in Dublin at 143, up 13pc, followed by Galway which rose 10pc to 116; :: Some 63pc of properties listed in Dublin were occupied at some point in the last month, the same rate as a year ago; :: However, they have dropped slightly in Cork and Galway, but risen in Waterford and Limerick; :: In all, 1,604 property owners rent one or more properties on the website. The hospitality sector has also complained of a two-tier holiday letting market emerging, with Airbnb properties not subject to the same regulations as hotels or B&Bs. Anybody letting on Airbnb will also be required to register with the local authority, and provide information about the property, the number of days they intend to let it for, and an annual return setting out how often it was let on a short-term basis. Dublin City Council will be given additional resources to monitor and implement the new system. Owners who are found not to be compliant with the new rules will be subject to prosecution. Meanwhile, St Vincent de Paul (SVP) said it had noted a surge in calls from people struggling to pay high private rental costs in addition to their other bills. The charity said that it expects no slow-down in the calls for help it will receive this year. Help with the costs of food, fuel, education and utility bills remain the highest number of requests from families struggling on inadequate incomes, but the charity has reported that high rents are putting additional pressure on finances. "We are increasingly receiving calls for help from people unable to meet growing costs of private rental accommodation and being forced to make choices about the use of scarce income," said SVP national president Kieran Stafford. Early in November, Mr Stafford predicted that the society would receive about 50,000 calls for help over the winter months. But this figure will now be exceeded in the new year, as the society has already gotten almost that number in November and December alone. Calls for help to SVP are now running at more than 130,000 a year, which is around 11pc more than five years ago. "The improvement in our economy is very welcome, but it has not improved conditions for everyone," he added Mr Stafford. This year is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of SVP in Ireland. During that time it has provided help and support to those most in need through the Famine in the 19th century, two world wars, an uprising, a civil war and cycles of economic austerity. In addition to providing direct assistance to those in need, SVP manages 10 hostels providing emergency beds, provides almost 1,000 units of social housing, operates five holiday homes, seven resource centres, four prison visitor centres, 224 charity shops and other social support activities. It also has an active Young SVP programme in schools and third-level colleges and universities. Eleven years prior to its establishment in Ireland, the society was founded in Paris by Blessed Frederic Ozanam, then a 20-year-old university student. He and six companions set up a 'Conference of Charity' visiting poor people, bringing food, clothing and friendship in a confidential non-judgemental spirit. They adopted St Vincent de Paul as their patron. Doctor Who fans were less than impressed at an apparent Brexit joke being added to the programmes New Years Day special. The one-off episode on Tuesday saw the Time Lord (Jodie Whittaker) call the Unified Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT), which looked into threats to the planet, for help with a Dalek. However, it turned out that operations were on hold following financial disputes and subsequent funding withdrawal by the UKs major international partners, leading the Doctor to exclaim: Were on our own! Many viewers failed to see the funny side of the gag. The fact that they basically wrote out UNIT just for the sake of a Brexit joke is why I hate this current era of #DoctorWho, said one person on Twitter. So tuned into #DoctorWho in time for a presumed dig at Brexit funding withdrawn by International partners. Off you go Well done #BBC. You have additionally ruined New Years Eve with your anti-Brexit bollocks right up until midnight and what I was looking forward to today, fumed another. So tuned into #DoctorWho in time for a presumed dig at Brexit "funding withdrawn by International partners". aai Off you go... Well done #BBC. You have additionally ruined New Years Eve with your anti-Brexit bollocks right up until midnight and what I was looking forward to today. Thomas Evans a (@ThomasEvansAdur) January 1, 2019 One tweeted: #DoctorWho wtf I cant believe they had a dig at brexit during that episode. #DoctorWho wtf I canat believe they had a dig at brexit during that episode. I take it back that is single handedly one of the worst doctor who episodes ever. Frazzles Reviews (@FrazzlesR) January 1, 2019 Another asked: Did we really just lose UNIT for the sake of a Brexit/austerity joke? Bloody hell, #DoctorWho. Because it would have been perfectly consistent for UNIT to have their arses kicked by a Dalek. Its been that way since 1972. Did we really just lose UNIT for the sake of a Brexit/austerity joke? Bloody hell, #DoctorWho. Because it would have been perfectly consistent for UNIT to have their arses kicked by a Dalek. It's been that way since 1972. J.G. Moore (@JGMooreWriter) January 1, 2019 Doctor Who returns for a new series in 2020. Trouble on the horizon: Brexit could inflict deep damage upon agriculture and the agri-foods industries Driving the economy: Google's new apartments under development in Bolands Quay. The tech giant alone currently has a footprint of just under 1.2m square feet sq ft in the Dublin office market. UK Prime Minister Theresa May will be hoping to hammer out a favourable trade deal with US President Donald Trump if Brexit proceeds On the face of it, a cliff-edge Brexit is the biggest risk of 2019. Yet it is a "known unknown" and, while its effects will be severely damaging to some parts of the economy, they will also likely be narrow. A greater risk may be a sharp slowdown in growth in the United States, where the economy has been on a decade-long expansion - set to be the longest in history - thanks to the easy-money policies of the Federal Reserve in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Like it or not, Ireland's fate is more closely tied to the US pharmaceuticals and tech giants that have made their home here over the past decade than to agriculture, which is set to bear the brunt of a Brexit-induced rise in tariffs. Expand Close Pharma over farms: Multinational chemical and pharma exports dwarf Irelands agriculture industrys output / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pharma over farms: Multinational chemical and pharma exports dwarf Irelands agriculture industrys output And for all the talk of a hard Brexit, there looks like an increasing likelihood that some version of Theresa May's deal will pass as most UK MPs are opposed to a no-deal scenario, which means that doom-and-gloom scenarios for Britain's economy and Ireland's exports are likely overdone. As the US economy slows, President Donald Trump may ramp up his trade war rhetoric and action, not only with China, but also with the European Union. Both the EU and Ireland run substantial trade surpluses with the US. Neil Shearing, chief economist at consultancy Capital Economics, is forecasting that growth in the United States will fall sharply from 2.9pc this year to 2.2pc next year and to near-stall speed at 1.2pc in 2020 before rebounding. That is a far more dramatic fall than the consensus - the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is looking for a much more moderate slackening in the pace of US growth to 2.7pc next year and 2.1pc in 2020. "The main point to emphasise is that we expect the global economy to slow next year, and by more than most currently anticipate," Mr Shearing said. "This slowdown will be led by the US, where a combination of tighter monetary policy and the fading effects of this year's fiscal stimulus will start to drag on activity." Expand Close Driving the economy: Google's new apartments under development in Bolands Quay. The tech giant alone currently has a footprint of just under 1.2m square feet sq ft in the Dublin office market. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Driving the economy: Google's new apartments under development in Bolands Quay. The tech giant alone currently has a footprint of just under 1.2m square feet sq ft in the Dublin office market. Mr Shearing forecasts economic growth for the world of 3pc in 2020 which, if it turns out to be correct, would be the slowest growth since 2000. For a highly-globalised economy like Ireland's, that spells trouble. The 7pc-plus growth rates seen here in recent years have been driven by trade and by investment by US multinationals - and there may be worse to come as the 2020 primaries loom and Trump ramps up his anti-trade agenda. The industries affected by trade tensions between the EU and the United States account for a far greater share of exports and growth than the sectors that will be directly hit by Brexit. According to IntertradeIreland, just 2pc of goods produced here will incur tariffs of more than 35pc in the event of a hard Brexit in which Britain moves to trade on the same terms as most of the rest of the world. Much of the direct damage from Brexit will be narrowly focused, although very deep and damaging for those affected, and will be inflicted on agriculture and agri-foods as well as logistics. While important, especially for jobs, these industries are dwarfed in Ireland's overall economic data by just three industries that make up 85pc of exports - chemicals and pharmaceuticals, medical devices and aircraft leasing. Expand Close Trouble on the horizon: Brexit could inflict deep damage upon agriculture and the agri-foods industries / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Trouble on the horizon: Brexit could inflict deep damage upon agriculture and the agri-foods industries In terms of the value of goods and services produced in 2017 - the latest full year for which figures are available - in an economy worth 272bn, agriculture directly accounted for 2.7bn of gross value added and the agri-foods industry a further 9.1bn. Those figures are reflected in tax data and nearly 90pc of trading profits were attributable to five sectors, manufacturing, financial and insurance, information and communications, wholesale and retail, and administrative and support services. Among the top 100 payers of corporation tax, 51 were American and paid 4.25bn into the Exchequer. In contrast, there were fewer than 10 British companies in the top 100 - paying just 128m. Recent research from the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) examined Ireland's dependence on the US and found that a 1pc fall in US economic output led to a 1.01pc decrease in gross value added here. In terms of tax, that would mean a 300m decrease in corporation tax receipts over five years. "When the US economy expands, Ireland expands at a faster rate. Similarly, when the US economy weakens, Ireland's economy again contracts at faster rates," NTMA economist David Purdue wrote. "The results imply that while shocks to the UK economy can impact Ireland - and will assuredly do so in the case of Brexit - thanks to the stronger economic links, shocks from the US can probably have a larger impact on Ireland." Capital Economics forecasts that in the event something close to Mrs May's deal passes, British economic growth would accelerate from a likely 1.3pc this year to 2.2pc in 2019 as uncertainty is the biggest factor in the outlook. Sterling could then recover to 1.21 from 1.11 at present, which means that Irish goods would become more competitive in the UK. Concentration extends to jobs, and Mr Purdue estimates that 11pc of US company jobs here are at just four companies - Amazon, Apple, Google and Facebook - whose shares have plunged since October. They have emerged as major players in commercial property - Google alone has a footprint of just under 1.2m sq ft in the Dublin office market. If President Trump's eye does turn to more protectionist measures, the size of Ireland's trade surplus will not escape his gaze. The country is the EU's 12th-largest economy and is home to just 1.75pc of the bloc's output, but at the end of October it accounted for 17.5pc of the overall trade surplus of 114.8bn that the EU had with the United States. The ballooning of the US trade deficit to a 10-year high in October does not appear to have changed Mr Trump's mind on trade policy. On December 4 last he boasted on his Twitter account: "I am a Tariff Man. When people or countries come in to raid the great wealth of our Nation, I want them to pay for the privilege of doing so." In the background, continued pressure on government finances around the globe is leading to a tightening of the noose around tax havens. The US has advanced its own proposals for global reform in a bid to head off the EU's digital services tax, which may ensnare Ireland. Ireland has benefited the most of any country from profit-shifting by US companies. According to University of California, Berkeley, academic Gabriel Zucman, 80pc of the profits are moved to low-tax countries in the bloc, such as Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands - all characterised elsewhere as tax havens. He estimates that about half of the foreign profits of US multinationals have been booked in tax haven affiliates, with Ireland - which disputes such a description - accounting for 18pc. Mr Zucman also estimated that by 2015 the State had attracted the largest share of shifted profits globally at $100bn. The State's relatively high level of corporation tax receipts as a percentage of overall revenues is indicative of profit-shifting, Mr Zucman says. Ireland collected 11.5pc in 2016, compared with 5.2pc in Germany. A profit-to-wage ratio of the foreign multinational sector here has surged a "truly exceptional" 800pc from levels of around 25-30pc in the 1970s - yet another indicator of profit-shifting. In the October Budget, the Government made a bet that any US slowdown will be short-lived and that countries including France will fail to grab a bigger slice of the tax revenues now paid here by multinationals. It is no accident that the European Commission highlighted these issues over Brexit, in its most recent economic outlook assessment. "Ireland's economic outlook is subject to significant uncertainties related, inter alia, to changes in the international taxation and trade environment. A large degree of unpredictability remains linked to the activities of multinationals, which could drive headline growth either up or down," it said. Minister Heather Humphreys has spoken for the first time of her personal experience of the old hard Border with Northern Ireland and why it must not return post-Brexit. Amid fears that the UK will crash out of the European Union without a deal, threatening jobs, prosperity and even the possibility of renewed violence, Ms Humphreys has laid out in stark terms why there must be no reinstatement of the Border of the past. In an exclusive interview with the Irish Independent, Ms Humphreys also says she believes there will be a united Ireland at some point in the future, but branded Sinn Fein's call for a Border poll in the event of a no-deal Brexit as "inflammatory". British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal with the EU is hanging by a thread due to Westminster opposition to the so-called backstop provision to avoid a hard Border. Ms Humphreys, a Fine Gael Cavan-Monaghan TD, grew up in the Border region and knows the impact of the old customs and security checkpoints, as well as the fear that engulfed communities on both sides during the Troubles. The Business Minister recalled how crossing the Border in her childhood meant visiting relatives and getting treats like Milky Bars and Maltesers that couldn't be bought in the south. It was a more innocent time of butter smuggling and bikes being bought in the North and cycled back across the Border to avoid customs tariffs. "Then of course the Troubles started and I remember distinctly going with my father to see the customs posts that were burned out," she said. "They were the first things to go...and it was a big thing at the time." She said checks on the Border became more burdensome for people going about their daily business. Travelling "a few miles up the road to Newtownbutler" could see waits of anything up to an hour, depending on traffic. She said the Border during the years of violence affected communities, towns had their hinterlands cut off, and businesses declined and closed. "There was a certain fear in communities as well that the Troubles would spread and what was happening in Northern Ireland would be replicated south of the Border," Ms Humphreys added. On occasions this happened. Ms Humphreys said one of her childhood friends lost her father in the appalling 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings for which loyalist paramilitaries later claimed responsibility. Earlier the same year the IRA murdered local Fine Gael Senator Billy Fox. "I remember my father coming in and saying 'Billy Fox was shot. He's been shot dead'." She said it sent "shock waves right across the community". She said there were instances of violence in the south but it was "obviously not to the same extent as what happened in Northern Ireland". Ms Humphreys represented the Government at the Armistice Day commemorations in Enniskillen last year, the scene of the horrific IRA bombing on the same day in 1987. She said that atrocity "really would sicken you to the bottom of your stomach". She said she had a similar feeling when, as culture minister, she visited a museum in Belfast for centenary commemorations surrounding the Home Rule Bill and wandered into an exhibition on the Troubles. "It brings it back to you the awfulness of it and the loss of life and families torn apart. It was a terrible time." At no point in the interview did Ms Humphreys predict a return to the full-scale violence of the Troubles in the event of a no-deal Brexit. But she said that peace is "fragile" and "there are those who will seek at some point to pull it down". She has accompanied EU politicians - including outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel - to the Border to show them first hand the free movement and lack of physical infrastructure. She said at the moment the only way you know you have crossed the Border is that the road signs change from kilometres to miles and your mobile phone changes network. "There's nobody stopping you, they're not asking you where you're coming from, where you're going, what's your name, checking your car, opening the boot. We don't have that anymore. That's gone." Ms Humphreys said visiting dignitaries were told by a former senior PSNI officer how Border infrastructure is the first thing that is targeted for violence. How it "starts with the Border symbol... and then it can escalate" to include attacks on security guards or police brought in to protect cameras or electronic equipment. She said: "We have to ensure that we don't have a hard Border," adding: "We have to work harder and more closely with everybody." She conceded that it's a "worrying time" but said people in Border communities are resilient and she is working with businesses to find solutions to potential Brexit difficulties. What of Sinn Fein's call for a Border poll in the event of a no-deal Brexit? "That's inflammatory language. I don't think that serves any purpose. What we need to do is find ways to work together. "I'd like to see the institutions back up and running in Northern Ireland." In November, Ms Humphreys, a member of the Presbyterian community, reached out to Unionists in a newspaper column seeking to reassure them that efforts to avoid a post-Brexit hard Border will not affect the constitutional position of Northern Ireland in the UK. Ms Humphreys says she believes there will be a united Ireland "at some stage in the future" but said it will be a choice for the people of Northern Ireland at that point. "What I want to see is a united people. I want to see stronger relations built between us and Northern Ireland." An Irish woman who was a "formidable warrior" for transparency in hospital care after she was left with terminal cervical cancer arising out of medical negligence in Holland has passed away at the age of just 58. Adrienne Cullen, who grew up in Limerick, successfully took on the Dutch health system and campaigned for a no gagging clause policy in medical facilities right across Europe. She died at 10.15am Monday at the Netherlands Cancer Institute. Ms Cullen was conferred with an honorary doctorate in Laws at University College Cork earlier this month. Her husband Peter Cluskey issued a statement about her passing via Twitter. He said his lifelong partner was "appallingly treated" and it "made her a formidable warrior." He thanked all those who had been loyal and generous to Adrienne particularly the staff of her former Alma Mater, UCC, where she was so warmly received at an intimate ceremony on December 10th. He said his wife had a "special steel" and had made a huge difference. Professor Padraig G O'Se of UCC said Ms Cullen was "a beautiful resilient and compassionate person." An obituary appeared on Dutch media which simply stated that "Staying silent was not an option for Adrienne Cullen." The respected journalist settled a legal action with a Dutch hospital after it lost scans that showed she had cervical cancer. She first underwent tests in the Netherlands in 2011 after becoming ill. However, she was assured she was healthy. In 2013, a review of old pathology results found that a test for cancerous tissue which Ms Cullen's had conducted two years previously had, in fact, been positive. By 2015 tests showed her cancer had spread and, as a result of delays, was terminal. An independent medical consultant agreed on by both sides, concluded if the test result had not been lost, she would have had a 95% to 98% chance of being cured. Earlier this month in Cork she said that she empathised greatly with those impacted by the cervical check scandal in Ireland. She stated that women such as Emma Mhic Mathuna had had much of their lives stolen from them. "They have been robbed of being able to see their children's birthdays. They have been robbed of Christmas photos, of having family holidays. Of seeing their children grow up. We have all lost so many things like that. Peter (her husband) beside me here is losing me. "The big difference between (Vicky Phelan and Emma Mhic Mathuna ) and me is that I don't have children. The horror of being a parent is the idea that you have to leave your children behind you and not know what is going to happen to them. Or what education they will get. Or what guidance in to the future. Money doesn't compensate them for losing their parents. University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMCU) has admitted liability in the case but Adrienne received compensation of just 545,000. However, this was a huge sum by Dutch standards and represented the biggest pay out for medical negligence in the history of the State. Prior to her death Adrienne insisted that gagging clauses must be banned because they are another injury inflicted on the patient following the traumatic news that their lives are set to end prematurely. She also spoke of her belief that gagging clauses continue to perpetuate a culture of silence which allows medical negligence cases to continue unchecked. "We are handed over to the legal departments of hospitals like we are being thrown to the wolves. I will resist against that happening so no other patients are damaged in the future. What I have achieved in Utrecht isn't nothing but it is only the first step on a very long journey. It has to be Europe wide. There has to be an absolute ban in the EU on using confidentiality clauses which are gagging clauses in contracts between patients and their hospitals because they do not belong there. That would be a very good first step." Cullen convinced the hospital that they had not abided by any of the international norms for what is known as Open Disclosure After Serious Harm.The Open Disclosure protocols that have since been put in place in UMCU are already being adopted by the countrys seven other teaching hospitals. Her book, "Deny, Dismiss, Dehumanize : What Happened When I went to Hospital" will be published in the coming months. Adrienne was a journalist, a best selling author and a highly experienced English language editor. She was a travel writer and lifestyle columnist and an editorial consultant to UNESCO. Her book "Thursday's Child : The Romanian Adoptions story" chronicled the orphanages of post Ceausescu Romania and was a best seller. On December 11th she wrote in the Irish Times about her experiences. She said people like her are always told that it is a "once off." "These are the lies behind medical error. In reality, across the EU each year, almost 100,000 people died as a result of an avoidable mistake made during medical treatment. The unpalatable truth is that hundreds of thousands of patients who die each year, and the many more who are damaged, are not "one off's" -- and too often it seems as though lessons aren't being learned either." Maurice McHugh, who lost his only child in the Stardust nightclub fire tragedy in 1981 (Niall Carson/PA Wire) A couple who lost their only child in Irelands worst fire have said they are still upset they were not allowed to see their daughters body. Caroline McHugh, from Artane, Dublin, was 17 when she died in the fire that killed 48 young people in the popular Stardust nightclub. A chatty and smart teenager, Caroline sang in local choirs and held down two jobs after leaving the prestigious Loreto College in Dublin city. Her parents, Maurice and Phyllis, had travelled to Manchester the day before the fire for a family wedding, leaving Caroline with family friends so she could attend the Valentines Day dance she had been looking forward to. Expand Close Maurice McHugh who lost his only child in the Stardust nightclub fire tragedy in 1981 at his home in Dublin. (Niall Carson/PA Wire) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Maurice McHugh who lost his only child in the Stardust nightclub fire tragedy in 1981 at his home in Dublin. (Niall Carson/PA Wire) When we first got the news, a family member told us there had been a fire and Caroline was missing, Mr McHugh said. There was so many people taken to hospital, no one was sure, we didnt know what to think, we were so upset. We booked a flight and as we were on our way to Liverpool Airport we phoned home and Phylliss uncle told us straight; Carolines dead and shes in the morgue. We were completely devastated. I cant explain what its like losing a child, its an empty feeling. You feel empty. When we got to the morgue they told us they couldnt identify her, a policeman said Weve remains here and we think its your daughter, but she has no hair and her legs are missing. Mrs McHugh added: There was a nun there, she told us we werent to go in, so nobody saw their children. She was very cold, and we were in bits, I cant explain it there was just no feeling. She stood there dismissing us. It was crazy, we were standing in a freezing morgue hallway and these people are saying you cant see your child. Examiners used a damaged tooth to identify Caroline, before giving her parents her watch, chain and a melted comb cut out of her jeans in a plastic bag. Even at the time, it felt rushed, swept under the carpet, Mrs McHugh said. We were so numb and shocked we just went along with everything they said. Investigations into the fire showed that a number of escape routes from the dance hall were blocked as emergency doors were locked by chains. Concerns have also been raised about the investigation of the scene, which allowed politicians and media to walk through the building just days after the fire. The families of victims petitioned the Attorney General last month for a new inquest into the tragedy. The Government has a lot to answer for, Mrs McHugh said. We were told nothing about the fire even in the days after. The couple said in the aftermath of the fire they came home one evening to find the Taoiseach Charlie Haughey in their living room, offering his sympathies, before family asked him to leave. We were told what funeral home to use and graveyard to bury Caroline in, Mrs McHugh added. Shes buried in Sutton, its not near where we live, I dont know why, we never got a choice. We were grieving so much, we just did what we were told. We dont even know where inside Caroline was found, or what happened to her. The couple, now 79, say they have close relations and have watched nieces and nephews grow up without Caroline. You never get over it its the anniversary on Valentines Day, then her birthday, then our birthdays, it never stops, Mr McHugh said. Unfortunately we never had any other children, so we missed out on a lot really, Mrs McHugh added. She was a very good girl, a good child, we never had any trouble with her, what more can we say? We didnt have her that long, just 17 years. It looks like 2019 will be a good year for the villain Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. His fate has rarely looked more predictable or benign. Lets face it. Assad will get away with all the carnage and bloodshed that he and his Russian and Iranian allies have imposed on the Syrian people. Its hardly a surprise. This is how we have come to treat peoples torments in the Middle East. Hundreds of thousands have died in Syria, and millions have escaped the country as their homes and villages were left in ashes. Syria looks half dead, the body beaten raw by friends who wanted the head to keep smiling for them. Now Russia and Iran can keep Assad closer than ever, certain about his loyalty. Vladimir Putin must be thrilled. But the Syrian misery seems endless. Nearly 6 million Syrian refugees and over 5 million displaced have nowhere to go in their own country. Infrastructure has been demolished, whole villages wiped out, and almost all major cities have been razed to the ground. Refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan, and in Syria itself, are starting to look like swanky neighbourhoods next to the shells of cities such as Aleppo, Homs, Hama and Daraa. The West is looking the other way. It is fascinating how quickly Syria occupied the European agenda, and how fast it departed. When Syrian refugees were flooding into Europe, it seemed so important to reach a solution. A swift deal had to be signed with Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan to keep the refugees in check. Recommended Confusion swirls over US policy in Syria after Trump tweets Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel rushed to woo Putin, and put more pressure on the US to step in. But once the flow of refugees started to slow, politicians stopped bothering. It is all rather immoral and shameful. Syrian children look like those in Kosovo. They have faced the same atrocities and fate. However, in the nineties after winning the war, of course the West rushed to rebuild the country which Nato bombers had levelled. In Syria, things are different. Western bombs, by and large, did not flatten Syrian cities. Assads barrel bombs did the work. Even in Raqqa, where the US-led coalition sought to root out Isis fighters with a sustained bombing campaign, the US has accepted no liability for any civilian casualties. That helps to explain why Western countries have escaped the sense of obligation that followed the Iraq invasion or the war on terror in Afghanistan. Of course, Europe itself was rebuilt after the Second World War through the Marshall Plan. Billions of dollars were spent to create a better future for European children in refugee camps. This is not happening now, simply because Syria is not Europe. And there is no lurking threat of Communism to stiffen the resolve of the US. Donald Trumps intentions are now clear. In his decision to pull the American troops out of Syria he has opened the door to others. Last month, the US president tweeted that the defeat of Isis had removed his only reason for staying in Syria. Whether this is an act of delusion or expediency, everyone in the Middle East anticipated the moment. It paves the way for regional Arab powers to sharpen their dull knives, and offers little hope for bright future in Syria. Syria was never strategically important for the West. It was always up to the Arabs to hold Damascus in check. When Hafez al-Assad (the father of the current President) brutally suppressed Muslim Brotherhood opponents in Hama in 1982, the West did not blink. Assad senior left thousands of civilians dead and wounded. Next day, daily life went on as usual. Ring any bells? Now, Arabs are not left to manage this pariah state alone. They have the Russians, Turks and Iranians in the room too. Trump is reported to have told Erdogan: OK, it's all yours. We are done. He has also tweeted: Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States. Giving Syria away to the Turks, then inviting the Saudis to rebuild it, (just a few months on from the Khashoggi affair) shows how US foreign policy under Trump has veered towards the laughable. Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Show all 20 1 /20 Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps This young child hides under the cover of endless white nylon tent sheeting from new visitors entering the camp. The hesitancy to engage soon passes and curiosity follows as he is interested to discover more about Muslim Aid. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps In Enmaa camp, Wardi takes a neighbours child onto her knee. She has 4 children of her own; they left Homs in 2013 after heavy bombardments and a lack of food. They travelled for 4 days to reach the border. Years on they still suffer acute hunger at times. Muslim Aid Food voucher scheme is literally sustaining and changing lives in these camps. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Taima, (Enmaa camp Lebanon) picks the very few flowers with her friends off the perimeter of the camp floor and hands them to a member of the Muslim Aid team. These acts of kindness are so incredibly powerful to see. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Zaynab currently lives in Suleyman camp in Mohamra, Lebanon in a small tent housing 15 people in two rooms. Zaynab fled Syria in 2013 and travelled through fields and mountains to reach the Lebanese border, traumatised by the fear of planes, bombs and grenades. The family are currently in great need of food and gas. Bread has become very expensive and inaffordable. In her tent was a basket of bread that was stale and mouldy. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Sumayya, Murfats youngest sister, peers out from their tent. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps A father attempts to create some normality by teaching his youngest son how to ride his first bike in between the network of tents and alleyways in the camp. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Malik 8 and Hazayfa 5 at Suleyman camp are amongst those fortunate to benefit from schools nearby offering classes after normal hours. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Mothers and wives are left to spend their days in the camps with memories of losing husbands fathers and sons causing in Syria and during their journey to the safety of neighbouring countries such as Lebanon and Jordan. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps It is truly amazing the defiance and resilience these children to show that they refuse to give up smiling regardless of how terrible their journey was that brought them to Enmaa camp. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Suleyman camp, Lebanon - many people have medical issues and cant afford treatment, so cash is desperately needed to provide this support. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Murfat 3, lives with her mother and sister in a shelter provided. Their clothes, damp from the morning showers, left to dry in the porch of the tent by the air which is warm and thick with flies. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Mohammed, 2, Suleyman camp, Lebanon. There are 250,000 Syrian refugees in northern Lebanon alone. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Al Inmar camp, Lebanon. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Malaak, 11, in Suleyman camp, Lebanon. Here children are living in tents which leak in the rain and are too flimsy to shield them from the cold in winter. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps 16 yr old Homam in front of his mobile phone repair business as a result of micro-finance loan from Muslim Aid. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps A young girl looks out across the geography of Enmaa Camp and beyond to the horizon of the coastline. The 250 tents have been squeezed onto a small plot of land amongst a smart residential neighbourhood and acres of poly tunnels growing fruit and vegetables. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Hayaan, just 3 year-old, in Suleyman camp, Lebanon, makes the sign for victory or peace. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps White chalked lines replaced by empty oil drums fashioned into makeshift rubbish bins mark out the perimeter of the pitch. Hamaad, 8 years-old, likes to play football in the wasteland around the tents. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Many of Sulaymans residents had previously been surviving on donated bags of mouldy bread and some even fasting voluntarily long before the start of Ramadan. Paddy Dowling Syrian families waiting in the shadows of Lebanon's refugee camps Sumaha, 10 years-old (Suleyman camp in Lebanon), talks to us with her friends before they leave the camp to attend a class at a nearby school. Photos Paddy Dowling Now, everyone is riding to the rescue. Assads rescue, of course. The UAE and Bahrain announced last month the reopening of their closed embassies in Damascus. Cairo has received Ali Mamlouk, the head of Assads intelligence services, and pressured the Arab League to readmit Syria into its ranks during an upcoming summit in March. But the Arabs are late. Turkey and Iran are both racing to fill the vacuum caused by the Trump withdrawal. The Turks want to force the Kurds out of their historical lands on the other side of the border, and Erdogan has evoked the Ottoman Empire in his rhetoric. Iran has already mastered whole areas in Damascus and Ghouta, and Israel has vowed to resist. In vain, most likely. Russia, too, might prefer to loosen Irans hold over Assad. But as long as he is safe and sound (in power, of course) Putin will be happy to keep things slow and steady. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events And while the Great Game ebbs and flows, no one is paying attention to ordinary Syrians. It has never been about them from the start, and it never will be. The rehabilitation of Syria does not seem to be a realistic outcome for 2019. The rehabilitation of Assad looks rather more likely. In neighbouring Iraq, the western coalition bombed Mosul to rubble in its campaign to recapture the city from Isis. And yet reconstruction is slow, piecemeal and barely funded, and thats in a country where Trump has (for now) decided to keep a military presence. Even the wealthy Arab states show little interest. Their pockets are not as deep as they used to be and the effort to redeem Assad, from warlord to legitimate president, is more pressing. The Syrian people, meanwhile, will never receive the Marshall rescue plan they need. Following a week of shoving copious amounts of food and drink down our throats, suffering difficult relatives and inexplicably consuming hours of the worst that Christmas TV had to offer Bird Box, anyone? most would be forgiven for being more concerned with questions like Are you still watching? after a good old binge, as opposed to Is Netflix compromising its morals? But now, thanks to the companys decision to pull an episode of comedian Hasan Minhajs Patriot Act from the platform in Saudi Arabia for violating the countrys anti-cyber crime law, the conundrum of Netflixs stance on freedom of expression has become a burning issue. Reports say the second episode of the series which heavily criticises the countrys leader Mohammed bin Salman for his alleged role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as Saudi Arabias part in furthering Yemens humanitarian crisis was pulled after the countrys communications and information technology commission issued a complaint to Netflix, leaving it available only on YouTube in Saudi Arabia. G20: Theresa May touches on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi Unsurprisingly, it didnt take long for a backlash. Karen Attiah, Khashoggis former editor at the Washington Post, referred to the decision as quite outrageous, and others called for creatives associated with the streaming service to publicly criticise the decision. Netflix, however, speaking to the Financial Times, insisted its decision didnt affect its dedication to supporting artistic freedom, adding it simply respected Saudi Arabias request because of its validity, and to comply with local law. Of course, many would argue that complying with Saudi Arabias regime under any circumstance is indefensible, especially given the fact Minhaj specifically aimed to use his platform to highlight atrocities run by such oppressive regimes. Its also worth pointing out that failing to stand firmly behind the artists associated with the content it pushes is the last thing Netflix (and companies like it) should be doing. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Given Saudi Arabias reputation for a lack of freedom of press according to Reporters Without Borders, it came 169th out of 180 countries in 2018, and is expected to do even worse this year its not unreasonable to question how digital giants can defend bending to the will of a world superpower with such a disregard for human rights. Nevertheless, there is something to be said about the fact Netflix has found a workaround which allows Saudi citizens access to the episode elsewhere. It does demonstrate how other streaming services could potentially sidestep the constraints of similar regimes if faced with such dilemmas in the future. More importantly, the heightened pressure could potentially force companies to rethink their public policy when it comes to protecting the rights of citizens in countries that push for censorship. Amazon Prime which has been known to self-censor in India for example may think twice about furthering its restrictions on certain content in specific countries in the future after this Netflix backlash. And Google has been fighting a PR battle to regain good optics ever since it cancelled its development of a fully censored search engine called Dragonfly for use in China, following criticism (many of which came from its own engineers). As the New America foundations Rebecca MacKinnon has told the Financial Times, if companies like Netflix and Amazon fail to seriously consider developing more ethical policies, then they are not following established industry best practice for being accountable and responsible in handling government demands to restrict content. In a world where digital companies grapple with issues as they cross borders, the question is: how much restriction is too much? And how neutral can the companies that engage with such different kinds of governments afford ethically and financially to be? News that the suspected perpetrator of a terror attack in Manchester has been detained under the Mental Health Act has unsurprisingly caused a Twitter storm. Three people were injured in the knife attack which took place at Victoria Station in the city on New Years Eve. A 25-year-old man was arrested for attempted murder at the scene, and police confirmed on Tuesday that they were treating it as a terror incident. Understandably, any suspected terror attack creates heightened fears and tensions in the community, and this was no different. But the backlash after the suspect was detained has been particularly strong. By Daniel Kaburu for People Daily in Kenya Elephants truly are amazing. An elephant carries a pregnancy for nearly two years, that's a whopping 660 days. So when an elephant gives birth to twins, it really is a cause for celebration. In August 2018 members of local communities joined conservationists and researchers at Amboseli National Park, in the shadow of Mt Kilimanjaro 95 miles south of Nairobi, in witnessing what they deemed as history in the making. The last time twin elephants were born in this region was 38 years ago. Recommended Uganda launches electric fence project to protect elephants The new 39-year-old mother, fondly named Paru, has settled down in the 151 square-mile park feeding on the the lush green vegetation that feeds one of Kenya's biggest elephant population. Times are good at the Park this time of year. Pasture is plenty making this home to an abundant species of wildlife. Beautiful birds add colour to the skies and to the sounds emitted from the expansive reserve where there are more than 400 species of birds. Back to Paru, and the the Senior Warden at the Park, Kenneth ole Nashuu, knows that Paru is very happy here. She feels safe and explains that elephants are highly social and that a bug part of why Paru is comfortable is because she is part of a larger community of elephants and more importantly cases of poaching have all but come to an end at the Park. This is largely due to the fact that we made the decision to involve the local communities in our conservation efforts...of elephants, other wildlife and even the forest. We also have more that 300 scouts from the local community currently working closely with the wardens to make sure that the elephants are protected says Kenneth. With such a peaceful and safe environment, Paru and her twins who are yet to be given names are guaranteed a long life. Census for the elephants in Amboseli National Park is set to take place later this month to determine, amongst other criteria, the health of the elephant population. This article is reproduced here as part of the Giants Club African Conservation Journalism Fellowships, a programme of the charity Space for Giants and supported by the owner of ESI Media, which includes independent.co.uk. It aims to expand the reach of conservation and environmental journalism in Africa, and bring more African voices into the international conservation debate. Read the original story here By Caroline Chebet for The Standard, Kenya Three rhinos that died in Kenyas Masai Mara are suspected to have succumbed to an infectious disease, close sources have revealed. The death of the three rhinos which occurred between November 12 and 19 within the Mara Triangle Conservancy has sparked fears, with surveillance being stepped up within the entire Mara ecosystem. Mara Triangle Administrator Liaram Molai said close monitoring of the 10 remaining rhinos as well as intensive patrols have been stepped up even as the postmortem results are awaited. Currently, closely monitoring the remaining rhinos after the death of the three. We are yet to know the cause of their deaths but our veterinary officers are on standby to deal with any situation if in case it is an outbreak of a disease, Mr Molai said. Recommended Rhino calf found next to body of dead mother killed by poachers Maasai Mara National Reserve Chief Warden Moses Ole Kuyioni said a crisis meeting was held on Thursday morning to deliberate on stepping up surveillance within the neighbouring national reserve that hosts over 50 rhinos. Even as we await the postmortem results from the Kenya Wildlife Veterinary officers, we have stepped up surveillance and veterinary offices have been dispatched to the ground to look into the condition of other rhinos within the greater Mara, The Mara Triangle and the Maasai Mara Conservancies, Mr Kuyioni said. Mr Molai, however, raised concern that challenges on diagnosing suspected diseases remains key following the governments ban on darting after the death of the eleven translocated rhinos in Tsavo. The government banned darting, barring the extraction of blood from wildlife for testing but we are still waiting for the results from Government Chemist to know the cause of deaths so as to take action, Mr Molai added. He however added that experts can best ascertain the deaths of the disease after taking out samples within six hours after the death of an animal. The carcasses were however discovered after six hours. The first carcass was discovered after five days, the other after three days and the other a day and a half, which might also affect the time it takes to ascertain the cause of death, he said. He said outbreak of a disease cannot be ruled out although other wildlife including scavengers have not died even after feeding on the carcasses. In a press statement released by the Kenya Wildlife Service, the rhinos are suspected to have died between November 12 and 19 at the Mara Triangle although postmortem results are yet to be released form the Government Chemist. The KWS noted that round-theclock monitoring of the remaining rhinos has been stepped up although close sources suspect the rhinos might have died of anthrax, a serious infectious disease. The rotting carcasses were found after several days but with their horns intact, ruling out poaching. The KWS statement noted that one of the rhinos was aged 37 and was first found rotting having possibly died of natural causes attributed to old age. At 37 years of age, it is possible that the rhino could have died of natural causes attributed to old age, the statement read. The discovery of another rhino which was eight-months pregnant not far away from the first one prompted the collection of samples for the Government Chemist for toxicological analysis. Duplicate samples were submitted to university of Nairobi. The death of the rhino appeared sudden and differential diagnosis was consideredgiven that the rhino shared the same territory with first case, environmental samples from the areas of common use were collected and have been submitted to the Government Chemist as well, for analysis, he said. The Mobile Veterinary Unit is yet to release the postmortem results. They said there were no external injuries on the partly scavenged carcasses. In all the three cases, both horns were intact, the KWS noted This article is reproduced here as part of the Giants Club African Conservation Journalism Fellowships, a programme of the charity Space for Giants and supported by the owner of ESI Media, which includes independent.co.uk. It aims to expand the reach of conservation and environmental journalism in Africa, and bring more African voices into the international conservation debate. Read the original story here By Evelyn Makena for People Daily in Kenya Its hardly what you expect to see. Deep in a protected wildlife area beside Kenyas famed Masai Mara National Reserve, cows nonchalantly graze amidst impalas, zebras and gazelles just within easy reach of predators that roam the natural wilderness. When darkness falls, to keep safe, the cows retreat to simple metallic enclosures that are a modern version of the Masai peoples thorn-bush enclosures called bomas. These new fortified bomas adopted by the Mara Conservancy have proved successful in deterring lion attacks on livestock. That deters retaliatory killings of the big cats by the cows owners. The bomas are an improved version of traditional Masai cow pens, usually fenced with acacia thorns and dry twigs. Traditional bomas have spaces in between and are not safe enough to keep lions, hyenas and leopards from preying on livestock. Recommended The wildebeest is king of the Masai Mara When this happens, livestock owners retaliate by killing predators contributing to the decline of the big cats particularly, the lion. Mara North [a neighbouring conservancy], which has a herd of over 200 cows, has set up the fortified bomas to demonstrate to the community that wildlife and livestock can peacefully coexist, says Daniel Ole Muli, the regional coordinator of the Masai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association, the umbrella body of 14 conservancies within the greater Masai Mara ecosystem. Joseph Nabaala, Aitong area chief, says competition for resources between human and wildlife due to rapid population growth and climate change has fueled rampant human-wildlife conflict. Planting chilli fences and beekeeping have particularly proved effective in warding off elephants that stray into nearby farms and destroy crops.Elephants are afraid of bees due to their painful sting and their buzzing sound. They also cannot stand chillies because the irritant causes them to cough and sneeze. Within the greater Masai Mara ecosystem - the area outside the National Reserve - local communities have partnered with wildlife conservationists to protect crucial wildlife habitats. Members of the community lease their land to the conservancies and benefit from a guaranteed monthly income, employment opportunities and improved revenues from tourism. Engaging the communities in activities that help tackle human-wildlife conflict by finding a balance between conservation and supporting livelihoods has been vital in ensuring peaceful coexistence. This community-led conservation model adopted by the Masai Mara conservancies struck a chord with a delegation of Zambian conservation representatives who were in Kenya recently. The delegation of government officials, traditional leaders and conservation representatives was interested in seeing best practices of community conservation. Operational community conservancies in Zambia are few, while others that are there, are in their infant stages, says His Royal Highness Chief Mujimanzovu of the North Western region of Zambia. Unlike in Kenya, where the main land tenures are state and private, in Zambia land is under the state and customary leadership. Traditional leadership is pronounced in Zambia with over 300 chiefdoms across the country under whos the custodian of the biggest chunk of land lies. Although most of the wildlife-protected areas are under customary land, they are controlled by the government, which makes the process of forming conservancies long. Through the support of The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organisation that works in several African countries including Zambia and Kenya, several conservation bodies in Zambia are in the process of forming conservancies around key wildlife habitats, to increase community involvement in wildlife conservation and secure livelihoods. The Nature Conservancy has been working with conservation stakeholders around Kafue National Park, the largest in Zambia, to address threats such as poaching, wildfires and environmental degradation. According to Victor Siamudaala, The Nature Conservancys Zambia country director, the best community conservation practices learnt in Kenya will offer powerful insights that could help inform the process of forming new conservancies in Zambia. This article is reproduced here as part of the Giants Club African Conservation Journalism Fellowships, a programme of the charity Space for Giants and supported by the owner of ESI Media, which includes independent.co.uk. It aims to expand the reach of conservation and environmental journalism in Africa, and bring more African voices into the international conservation debate. Read the original story here Many travellers, I find, are lousy at risk assessment. Judging from the questions (and heckles) that reach me on social media, they will worry deeply about the dangers of terrorism in Egypt or Tunisia, but not fret about the atrocious road safety record in each country (three times as bad as the UK in Egypt, seven times worse in Tunisia). The Ebola virus is a vile scourge for some communities in west and central Africa, but poses almost zero risk for everyone else. Yet tourists cancelled trips to Kenya and South Africa to avoid being in the same continent as the few unfortunate carriers of the disease. And even my close family and friends pay hundreds of pounds extra to avoid airlines they regard as dangerous. The fatality figures for 2018 may intensify that miscalculation. According to figures provided to me by the Dutch aviation safety consultancy To70, 534 passengers died in commercial aircraft accidents last year. If you wish to fuel your fear of flying, you could deduce that aviation became 41 times more dangerous in 2018 than in the year before in which 13 people sadly died in plane crashes. But that would be to draw entirely the wrong conclusion. Traveler discovers she is the only passenger on her flight For a headline, try this instead: Another incredibly safe year for airline passengers. That is not to diminish the tragedy of those 534 lost lives. But please place that number in the context of the 4.34 billion individual journeys that the International Air Transport Association says were undertaken in 2018, giving odds of better than eight million to one. Not all airlines are equally safe. The UK and Ireland are, happily, at the extreme end of air safety: easyJet, Flybe, Jet2, Ryanair, Thomas Cook Airlines and Virgin Atlantic have never experienced a fatal accident, and Aer Lingus and British Airways have had outstanding safety records for decades. I would not for a moment shun other carriers, because accidents are thankfully so rare that it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions. But for nervous passengers anxious to learn something from the statistics, let me drill into the crashes last year with the highest death tolls. The Lion Air crash in which 189 died happened in Indonesia, a country whose safety oversight has been a source of concern for Western governments. Next, Cuba has had a poor safety record over the decades partly attributed to the US economic embargo. But the domestic flight tragedy near Havana airport in which 112 people died involved a jet leased from a small Mexican firm. The plane was a 39-year-old Boeing 737. While aircraft age is no reliable indicator of danger, had I seen the jet from the departure lounge of Jose Marti Airport I might have had second thoughts about stepping aboard. Old age and poor maintenance are not unknown in Iran, again with American sanctions sometimes blamed. So a domestic flight on an elderly prop-jet is, in global terms, high risk as it proved when 66 people lost their lives in the Zagros Mountains. Kathmandu Airport has seen many more than its fair share of accidents, and I would fly in and out of the Nepali capital only on an established international carrier, rather than a small Bangladeshi airline. What did all these calamities have in common? The characteristic that looks clearest to me is: they did not involve the types of airlines that you are ever likely to fly on. Stay safe if you are driving to the airport. Then relax. On the day that rail fares across Britain rose by an average of 3.1 per cent, with some inter-city journeys now costing more than 1 per mile, Jeremy Corbyn has demanded the resignation of the transport secretary Chris Grayling. The Labour leader also called for a fully publicly owned railway system. Speaking at a demonstration against the fares increase outside Kings Cross station in London, he said: We have the highest rail fares in Europe and theyre going up even more. As a result, commuters have to pay more, and as a result some will stop travelling by train and well have an increase in traffic. The Labour plan is public ownership of railways. When asked what hed like to see change, Mr Corbyn answered: Chris Grayling not to be transport secretary. He also described the increase as a disgrace and said Labour would provide free bus travel for everyone under the age of 25. Speaking on Radio 4s Today programme, Chris Grayling said: Im not going to take lessons from a party that in its last year in government put up fares by 10 per cent. Services will improve on the railways, I hope, on the back of the biggest investment since the steam age. The problem with nationalisation is that we ended up with far less investment. The transport secretary said that the government was getting rid of knackered old pacer trains from the British Rail days. (Statista (Statista) Mr Corbyn also said he absolutely supported the RMT union in its campaign to keep guards on trains. Standing next to Mick Cash, the RMTs general secretary, the leader of the opposition told The Independent: Its very much Labour policy that there should be fully staffed trains in all parts of the country at all times. There is a safety issue and to encourage more people to travel late at night, and in the evenings and at weekends, then having staff on trains is very important to give people a sense of security. Likewise, fully staffed stations are very important. Waiting game: the message to applicants for the new 26-30 Railcard (Rail Delivery Group) Meanwhile the waiting time for the new Millennial Railcard rose to over an hour within a minute of the discount card going on sale. It gives train passengers who were born between 3 January 1988 and 2 January 1993 one-third off most train tickets. Prospective buyers are being told: Have something better to do than wait by the screen? Sign up for an email alert when youre first in the queue. The 26-30 Railcard was originally promised in 2017, but went on general sale only today. A group of British MPs and lawyers is calling for access to womens rights activists detained in Saudi Arabia, following allegations that they have been subjected to torture and sexual assault in prison. More than a dozen were imprisoned in a crackdown by authorities in May last year, just ahead of the countrys ban on women driving being lifted. Many of them were prominent in the campaign to remove the ban. Some were later released without charge, but at least eight women and a number of male supporters of the movement remain in custody. Human rights groups have said at least three of the women have suffered torture and sexual assault in Dhahban Prison, where they are being held, and all have been denied access to lawyers. A cross-party panel of British MPs released an open letter on Wednesday addressed to the Saudi ambassador to the UK, Prince Mohammed bin Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz, requesting permission to visit the detained activists to check on their condition. There are credible concerns that the conditions in which the Saudi women activists are being detained may have fallen significantly short of both international and Saudi Arabias own standards, wrote Conservative MP Crispin Blunt, who chairs the panel. Recommended UK sought arms deals with Saudi Arabia in weeks after Khashoggi death No person should be subjected to the type of treatment that has allegedly been inflicted upon these women activists while in detention. The implications of activists being detained and tortured for exercising their freedom of speech and conducting peaceful campaigns is concerning for all individuals seeking to exercise their human rights in Saudi Arabia, he wrote in an open letter. Mr Blunt, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Saudi Arabia, is joined on the panel by Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, and Dr Paul Williams from Labour. The crackdown on women activists came just weeks ahead of the removal of the driving ban on 24 June, seen as a step forward for equality in Saudi Arabia. The arrests were widely interpreted as a message to campaigners that changes in the country would be delivered from the top, and to discourage similar campaigns on other issues. Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Show all 8 1 /8 Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman gestures while driving in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman drives at night in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Saudi women embrace as they celebrate the lift of the female driving ban in Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman straps in Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman drives to work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Fadya Fahad is one of the first female drivers for Careem, a ride sharing company in Saudi Arabia Getty Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman stops at a petrol station while driving to work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman waits for coffee on the commute in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters Among those detained were Loujain al-Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef, Eman al-Nafjan, Nouf Abdelaziz, Mayaa al-Zahrani, Samar Badawi, Nassima al-Saada, and Hatoon al-Fassi, all womens rights activists. Ibrahim al-Modaimeegh, a lawyer; Abdulaziz Meshaal, a philanthropist, and Mohammed Rabea, a social activist, were also detained because of their outspoken support for womens equality. Some of the detained have been charged with suspicious contact with foreign parties, and state media has labelled them traitors. Since being detained without charge in May last year, a number of the activists have been repeatedly tortured by electrocution and flogging, leaving some unable to walk or stand properly, according to a report by Amnesty International in November last year. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events In one reported instance, one of the activists was made to hang from the ceiling, and according to another testimony, one of the detained women was reportedly subjected to sexual harassment, by interrogators wearing face masks, the report added. A Human Rights Watch report said: At least three women were subjected to sexual harassment and assault, including forced hugging and kissing and exposure to sexually suggestive gestures. In December, the UN Committee against Torture called on Saudi Arabia to free the activists, citing allegations of torture, sexual harassment and other forms of ill-treatment during interrogation. Saudi Arabia has denied the allegations of torture, saying: These recent reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are baseless. It added that they were simply wrong. Mr Blunt wrote in the letter that the panel had requested a prison visit to review the conditions under which they are being held along with permission to carry out an independent medical evaluation of their current health. The Saudi ambassador has not yet responded to the open letter. Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank has spiked with Donald Trump in the White House, new data suggests, as campaigners claim a fresh surge in new construction is on the way. Figures compiled from official government sources by the anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now show an increase in building in 2018 while also recording thousands of plans for additional future development. Last week the EU and others criticised Israels approval of more than 2,000 new homes in the West Bank as illegal under international law. Palestinians want the West Bank and East Jerusalem for their own state, along with the Gaza Strip. Both backers and opponents of settlements say they believe the atmosphere around the projects has changed since early 2017, when Mr Trump took office. Under Barack Obama, Washington had attempted to rein in construction. The feeling of the government is everything is allowed, that the time to do things is now because the [Trump] administration is the most pro-settlement you can ever have, said Hagit Ofran, of Peace Nows Settlement Watch programme. Peace Now uses several measurements of settlement activity: plans are the early bureaucratic stages of preparation; tenders describe bids solicited from contractors to carry out the work; and construction starts denotes when the building begins. The planning and tender stages are seen as forward-looking indicators of a governments intentions and, in 2017, plans were advanced to build 6,712 new settlement homes, about 2.5 times the 2016 level. The first nine months of 2018 saw 20 per cent more construction starts than the same period a year earlier. But the most noticeable surge in settlement activity during Mr Trumps tenure so far was in tenders, meaning projects that are ready to begin. In 2017, 3,154 tenders were issued, up from just 42 during Mr Obamas final year in office. In 2018, that number rose to more than 3,800, by far the highest number since Peace Now started compiling the data in 2002. It suggested a significant jump in construction was on the horizon. Oded Revivi, mayor of the Efrato settlement near Jerusalem and the chief foreign envoy of the Yesha settlement council, said: Theres definitely a change of atmosphere. Theres definitely a change of winds. Basically what youre seeing now is the statistics are trying to catch up to the needs that were built up during the eight years of the Obama administration, when everything was in a standstill. The settlement data came as Honduras announced it would hold talks with Israel over plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem. Mr Trump courted controversy when he moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a hotly contested religious site. Guatemala also moved its embassy there. Additional reporting by Reuters The woman widely recognised as the longest-lived human in history may have stolen her identity as part of an elaborate tax evasion scheme, a group of researchers have claimed. At 122 years and 164 days, no other person has come close to breaking the record lifespan Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment set on her death in 1997. However, a new research paper by Russian mathematician Nikolay Zak of the Moscow Society of Naturalists at Moscow State University suggests the supercentenarians story may not be all it seems. In the paper, titled Jeanne Calment: the Secret of Longevity, Mr Zak claims the Ms Calment who garnered worldwide media attention in her later life was in fact her own daughter, Yvonne. He hypothesised Yvonne had assumed her mothers identity in 1934, in a bid to avoid paying inheritance tax and was, crucially, only 99 when she died. Mr Zak offered a number of discrepancies to state his case, including cognitive exams Ms Calment performed in her final years, in which she scored at a similar level to test subjects in their 80s and 90s. He also cited apparent changes to the shape of her ears and forehead compared to photographs of her early life, as well as data showing her height had reduced far less than the shrinking seen in other supercentenarians. Gerontologist Valery Novoselov, who aided Mr Zak in his research, told Agence France-Presse there was good reason to scrutinise Ms Calments record. As a doctor I always had doubts about her age, he said. The state of her muscle system was different from that of her contemporaries. She could sit up without any support. She had no signs of dementia. But some remain sceptical of the new evidence put forward, including Jean-Marie Robine, research director at Frances National Institute of Health and Medical Research and one of the scientists tasked in the mid-1990s with verifying Ms Calments age. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events All this is completely wobbly and is not based on anything, he told French newspaper Le Parisien. We have never done so much to prove the age of a person. We never found anything that allowed us to have the slightest doubt of her age. We had access to information that only she could know, such as the names of her teachers of mathematics or buildings from the past. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty She was asked questions about these topics. Either she did not remember, or she just answered. Her daughter could not have known that. Only one in a thousand people who reach their 100th birthday go on to become a supercentenarian a person who passes 110 years old. The second-longest-lived person behind Ms Calment is Sarah Knauss of the United States, who was 119 years and 97 days old when she died two days short of the turn of the millennium in December 1999. French police have prevented 14 migrants from attempting to cross the Channel in a stolen fishing trawler. Authorities stopped the group, including a mother and two children, after smugglers were seen breaking into a boat at the port of Boulogne. The migrants said they had come from Iraq, according to a local prosecutor. He said those seeking to help them on their way were busy breaking into the trawler to let them aboard when harbour authorities called police. Police are looking for two smuggling suspects involved in the attempted theft. The incident on Tuesday came amid a surge in attempted Channel crossings, an increase that home secretary Sajid Javid has declared a major incident. About 230 migrants tried to sail to England from northern France in December, according to the UK government. Officials warned smugglers with a complete lack of regard for human life were planning to send more migrants across the water on dinghies. Sporadic crossings have been seen since the start of the Mediterranean refugee crisis in 2014, but numbers in the Channel started to increase in November. Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Show all 15 1 /15 Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Syrian migrant Haidar Darwish tries on a head ornament in his flat in Berlin Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Haidar working at Brunos shop in Berlin Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Haidar performing during a show at Silverfuture club Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Haidar performing during a show at Silverfuture club Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Visitors at Silverfuture club cheer during the show Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Haidar performing during a show at Silverfuture club Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Haidar Darwishs passport lies on a shelf in his flat Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Afghan migrant Ali Mohammad Rezaie poses on the motorbike of his German friends Chris and Jochen in Berlin Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Ali attending choir practice organised by the neighbourhood association Kiezspinne in Berlin Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Ali and his German friends Chris and Jochen eat together at his flat Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Joseph Saliba, a Syrian migrant of Christian background, walks to the Berlin Cathedral Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Joseph lacquers a church ambo at the Berlin Cathedral Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Joseph works in a workshop inside the Berlin Cathedral Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Joseph sorts his tools Reuters Clubs and churches helping Berlin to become home for migrants Joseph poses with a cross and his name tag Reuters A group of 12 Iranian migrants, including one child, were the latest detained by UK police after landing on a beach at Lydd-on-Sea, Kent, on Monday. Investigators believe that increased security in Calais, where migrants have previously boarded lorries through the Channel Tunnel, and other French ports may have contributed to the spike in dinghy crossings. Two Border Force cutters are to be called back from abroad to join a third already patrolling the Channel. But lawyers and campaigners have cautioned that the recent rise has been blown out of proportion as the numbers arriving constitute a tiny proportion of people coming to Britain to seek asylum. Government figures show there were an estimated 1,832 clandestine entries to the UK south coast ports including people arriving on small boats as well as in ferries and in the back of lorries in 2017/18. This was a decrease of 23 per cent on the previous year, when it stood at 2,366. The manager of a park in Moscow has been fired after a pedestrian bridge collapsed injuring 13 people during New Year celebrations in the Russian capital. Revellers were preparing to watch the midnight fireworks at Gorky Park, one of the central attractions in Moscow, when a wooden bridge caved in causing dozens of people to fall onto a skating rink below. The incident took place just minutes after the clock struck midnight and although there were no serious injuries, those hurt in the incident were rushed to hospital. Marina Lyulchuk, the parks 36-year-old boss, was fired by the mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, who also announced that everyone who was injured would receive 500,000 Russian Rubles (5,700) in compensation. I visited the victims at the collapse of the bridge in Gorky Park. Thank God, there are no serious injuries, but peoples holidays have been thoroughly spoiled, the mayor wrote on VKontakte, a Russian social media site. We are thoroughly investigating the incident, the perpetrators will be punished. But it is already obvious that the park administration has made a serious flaw. I have commissioned the department of culture to dismiss the park director, although I must say that this decision was not easy for me, he added. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The exact cause of the collapse remains unknown but authorities have launched an investigation. The Moscow city government said they believed it was likely to have been caused by a technical fault in the skating rinks structural elements. German prosecutors have charged a man with attempted murder after he allegedly rammed a car into a crowd of people in what is suspected to be a far-right attack. The 50-year-old was detained after a Mercedes was driven into people celebrating shortly after midnight on New Years Day in the city of Bottrop, western Germany. Several people were injured in the incident, seven of whom were migrants from Syria and Afghanistan, including a 4-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl. An eighth man, who suffered a leg injury in the crash, was identified as a German man of Turkish descent. The suspect made a getaway from the scene, before attempting to mow down pedestrians in the nearby city of Essen shortly after, prosecutors said. Police stopped and arrested a German national later that evening, who they said had made racist remarks as he was being detained. One Syrian woman hurt in the incident suffered life-threatening injuries and is recovering in hospital after an emergency operation, police announced. The man had the clear intention to kill foreigners, interior minister for the state North Rhine-Westphalia, Herbert Reul, told German press agency DPA. Armin Laschet, minister president of the state and a member of the centre-right CDU party, described the attack as an act of right-wing violence. My thoughts are with the victims of the attack in Bottrop, he said in a statement on Twitter on Monday. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty On this New Year's Day, the resolution for 2019 is clearer than ever: we stand together against right-wing violence. We will continue the fight against hatred of other people with all means of the rule of law. Police in the city of Munster said on Wednesday a judge had approved a request by prosecutors to formally charge the man, who has yet to be named, with multiple counts of attempted murder. Authorities had previously said the suspect had no prior record of offending, but preliminary investigations suggested he had been treated for mental health issues in the past. The incident is not the first time a vehicle has been used as an apparent weapon in Germany in recent years. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events In April, a German man drove a van into a crowd in Munster, killing four people and injuring dozens more. The driver, who had sought psychological help in the weeks preceding the attack, then killed himself. In December 2016, a Tunisian man ploughed a truck into a busy Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people, with Isis later claiming responsibility for the attack. The driver, who fled the scene, was later killed in a shootout with police in Italy. Additional reporting by agencies Six people have been killed in a train crash in Denmark, police have said. The crash happened on a bridge linking the islands of Zealand and Fyn, forcing its closure. At a press conference on Wednesday, police also said 16 people had been injured. The crash happened at around 8am local time on the Storebaelt bridge, which is part of the Great Belt bridges and tunnel link between the Danish islands. Danish media reported a tarpaulin on a freight train hit a passenger train going in the opposite direction, prompting it to brake suddenly. The bridge provides road and rail links between islands (AFP/Getty) Denmarks TV2 showed images of a freight train with the tarpaulin that covered the train torn. There was a very, very loud bang and then the train stopped, a witness who had been onboard the train with his daughter told the channel. Danish Railways said the victims were passengers on a train going from the city of Odense to Copenhagen when the accident took place. Police spokesperson Arne Gram said the passenger train hit an unknown object, but did not comment further. Another police spokesperson, Lars Braemhoej, said there was considerable damage on the passenger train, but added: We do not know precisely what caused the accident. Flemming Jensen, the chief executive of the state-owned Danish Railways, said police and the Danish Accident Investigation Board are investigating the damage. He said the operator will contribute everything that we can to the investigations. In a statement, police urged passengers to contact next of kin to inform them of their safety and urged people not to share photos and videos of the accident. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The freight train was carrying packaging for Danish brewer Carlsberg. The company confirmed DB Cargo, the logistics arm of the German railway company Deutsche Bahn, had been involved in the crash. A severe storm has made it difficult for emergency services to reach the train, which had stopped on the bridge. An emergency centre has been established in the town of Nyborg at the western end of the Great Belt Bridge. Fatal accidents are rare on the countrys highly developed rail network. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Terrible train accident on the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark as a result of the storm Alfrida. Our thoughts are with the injured and with the families and relatives of the dead, Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven said in a tweet. Before the accident the bridge was closed to road traffic due to high winds on Wednesday, but was still open to trains. Road traffic resumed later on Wednesday with a 50kph (31mph) speed limit. Agencies contributed to this report Police were unable to find a missing body for 18 months because they used incorrect Google Maps data, an inquiry has found. Darrell Simon went missing in November 2014, 50 miles west of Brisbane, Australia. Authorities were notified that the 46-year-old was missing and searched his rural property in Laidley Creek West. They printed out an image from Google Maps to determine the boundaries but the map in question was incorrect. The error meant that those searching for Simon only covered half of his property as the boundaries online were wrong. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The fact the ground search was conducted over only half the property was very regretful and should not have happened, Queensland deputy state coroner John Lock said, according to the BBC. Mr Lock recommended that future searches use high-quality GPS and mapping data instead of Google Maps. Simons remains were found on the property in May 2016 and it was ruled that he had taken his own life. The delay in finding him resulted in speculation that he had been the victim of a murder. One wonders if Darrells body was found during the first police search ... whether such unhelpful and at times clearly defamatory and untruthful speculation would have even surfaced, the report said. Mr Simons body was hidden under thick vegetation that was present at the property and was found by the propertys new owners. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events They discovered Mr Simon during a drought period when the vegetation had cleared. Queensland police said it would be adopting the recommendations laid out in the report. For confidential support call Samaritans on 116 123 If you have been affected by this story, you can contact the following organisations for support: https://www.mind.org.uk/ https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ Police rushed to a home where a toddler was heard crying as a man repeatedly screamed, Why dont you die? only to find the pair trying to kill a spider. Officers in Australia attended the address in Perth after a concerned passer-by called emergency services. On their arrival, the man at home explained he had a serious fear of spiders and apologised for the inconvenience caused. The Wanneroo Police Twitter account reported the situation by posting a screenshot of its incident log on Wednesday morning. Caller walked past the AA and heard a male screaming out Why dont you die repeatedly, it read. The toddler inside was screaming Caller doesnt know them, but has seen them a few times when walking. Recommended Mother discovers cluster of spiders in a banana she bought from Asda Twenty minutes later, officers now on the scene provided an update. Police spoke with all parties who advised that husband had only been trying to kill a spider (has serious fear of spiders). Apologised for inconvenience to police. No injuries sighted (except to spider). No further police involvement required. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Although the tweet has since been deleted, a spokesperson for Western Australia Police Force said it had only been removed because it was against protocol to include screenshots of police communications. Theres nothing actually wrong with the contents of it, they told The Guardian. There were just some typos in it, things like that. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events It is not the first time a spider has resulted in police in Australia needlessly rushing to a suspected crime scene. In 2015, officers in Sydney attended a home where reports of loud banging had worried neighbours. They found a man throwing his furniture at an arachnid. Governor-elect Ron DeSantis received an unwelcome end-of-year award from MSNBCs Chris Matthews panel, who named him the Biggest Suck-up to Trump of 2018 though hes noticeably toned down the overt Trump mentions since winning in November. DeSantis, who beat out Sean Hannity and the 18 House Republicans who nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize , won Matthews award for his GOP primary ad from July in which he repeats Trump slogans and quotes while playing and reading with his children. Build the wall, DeSantis says as his daughter stacks play blocks. And then Mr. Trump said, Youre Fired! DeSantis says as he reads from Trumps The Art of the Deal to his son, as the words Pit bull Trump defender are shown on screen. I love that part. Big league, so good! DeSantis says to his baby in the crib, wearing a Make America Great Again shirt. The ad, which has been seen over 450,000 times on YouTube, led to puzzled reactions from observers as DeSantis battled state agriculture commissioner Adam Putnam for the Republican nomination for governor. DeSantis told Fox News the ad was meant to be funny and and introduced voters to his family, according to WESH Channel 2. For people that are getting upset about it, it just shows they have no sense of humor, he told Fox News. "And they just totally don't get what we were trying to convey. The message, however joking, of total Trump loyalty was in line with his campaign receiving a huge boost from the endorsement of DeSantis by the big man himself, which completely upended a primary expected to be a walk for Putnam. DeSantis, behind in the polls to Democrat Andrew Gillum for most of the general election campaign, ended up winning that race by a slim 32,000-vote margin, though it was a bigger victory than Gov. Rick Scotts 10,000-vote win over U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson. The governor-elect has gained mostly good reviews for his decisions since the recount, in which he mostly stayed quiet as officials worked to confirm his lead over Gillum. While naming prominent Republicans such as former House Speaker Richard Corcoran to key posts such as education commissioner, DeSantis also named Democratic state Rep. Jared Moskowitz as head of the Division of Emergency Management and Democrat Jim Zingale as head of the Department of Revenue. His choice for Secretary of State, Republican Seminole County elections chief Mike Ertel, has also been notably critical of Trumps false claim that millions voted illegally in the 2016 election and has gained praise from both sides of the aisle. The biggest controversy during the transition is DeSantiss claim that Amendment 4, which grants voting rights to former felons, needs to go before the Legislature before it takes effect, despite language stating it takes effect Jan. 8. slemongello@orlandosentinel.com, 407-418-5920, @stevelemongello, facebook/stevelemongello Millions of women have formed a human chain spanning 620km (400 miles) in support of womens rights in India, as two female worshippers became the first to enter a Hindu temple that has traditionally banned them from entry. The ban on women of menstruating age from the Sabarimala temple in Kerala has become a flashpoint in a national argument over gender equality and religious freedoms. Despite a Supreme Court ruling in September to lift the ban, devotees have amassed in their thousands to keep women out by force. In the most dramatic display of support yet for womens right to worship wherever they choose, millions gathered to form a womens wall stretching from Kasargod in the northern part of Kerala to Thiruvananthapuram, the southernmost city and the state capital. The ruling party in the state, the left-wing Communist Party of India (Marxist), said about 5.5 million participated in the protest, called by the state government on Tuesday. Then, under the cover of darkness in the early hours of Wednesday, two women in their forties made the two-hour trek up to the hilltop Sabarimala temple and prayed there under police guard. Keralas chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed they were the first two women to reach the temple unimpeded by devotees since the lifting of the ban three months ago. The same two women had, like many others, made previous unsuccessful attempts. The temple authorities say women are banned at Sabarimala because they might tempt its primary deity, Lord Ayyappa, from his vow of celibacy. Others see women of menstruating age interpreted as anyone between 10 and 50 as impure, and there were reports that priests shut the temple for two hours to carry out purity rituals once the women had left. Earlier, women were not able to enter the temple due to certain hurdles. They were able to enter the shrine today, Mr Vijayan said. Protestors block traffic and shout slogans after hearing reports of the two women entering the Sabarimala temple (AP) The issue has unusually united Indias two main national political parties Narendra Modis ruling BJP and the opposition Congress which have both called for the temples religious customs to be respected. CPI (Marxist) has stated that it has no choice but to comply with the Supreme Courts orders, which stated that restrictions like those put in place by the Sabarimala temple cant be held as essential religious practice. The then chief justice Dipak Misra said in his ruling that patriarchal beliefs were not more important than equality in devotion. Religion cannot be the cover to deny women the right to worship. To treat women as children of a lesser god is to blink at constitutional morality, he said. Nonetheless, there was a swift backlash on Wednesday to the news that women had prayed at the temple for the first time. Protests were hastily arranged across the state, and police said they fired tear gas to disperse at least one.The possibility of more confrontations was raised by a call from an umbrella group of right-wing Hindu groups in Kerala, the Sabarimala Karma Samithi, which is supported by the BJP, for a state-wide protest strike on Thursday. The BJP called for protesters to be peaceful. Earlier, the partys local leader described the womens visit as a conspiracy by the atheist rulers to destroy the Hindu temples. BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai told TV channels the party would support the struggles against the destruction of faith by the Communists. He said: Let all the devotees come forward and protest this. And K Sudhakaran, vice-president of the local arm of Congress, said: This is treachery ... the [state] government will have to pay the price for the violation of the custom. The two women themselves have been placed in police protection, though they have been identified as Bindu Ammini, 42, and Kanaka Durga, 44. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Ms Ammini told a TV channel how they were able to avoid devotees on a stealthy trek through the night. We reached Pampa, the main entry point to the temple at 1.30am and sought police protection, she said. We walked two hours, entered the temple around 3.30am and did the darshan, she added, referring to a ritual of prayer in front of the temples Hindu image. Religion has become one of the main topics of debate ahead of Indias general election in the spring. In a rare interview with the ANI agency on Tuesday, the prime minister said he believed the temple issue was more about a religious tradition than gender equality. Mr Modi observed that there were also temples where men were barred from entering. Chinas president Xi Jinping has placed renewed pressure on Taiwans government over its pursuit of independence from the mainland. Speaking in a televised address from Beijings Great Hall of the People to mark 40 years of co-operation between the superpower and the breakaway island, Mr Xi insisted: China must and will be united, which is an inevitable requirement for the historical rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era. Complete separation would only bring hardship and represented an adverse current from history and a dead end, he insisted, warning the international community all necessary measures would be taken to fend off interference in the proposed union. What is Taiwans current status? The Republic of China on Taiwan, as it is formally known, has existed in its current political form since 1945, when the territory provided a haven for escaping members of Chiang Kai-sheks nationalist government who assumed power over the island.after being overthrown by Mao Zedongs Communist insurgents. Contemporary China regards the state as a rogue province within its jurisdiction and not a country in its own right. It has repeatedly flexed its muscles to strong-arm other nations out of maintaining separate diplomatic ties with the two entities: administrations can deal with China or Taiwan, not both. It has also recently sought to intimidate Taiwan through demonstrations of military might and to alienate it commercially, insisting foreign companies list the territory as a region of China on their websites as a condition of doing business with the mainland. Many Taiwanese have expressed disquiet about their provinces economic dependence on China and the latters suspected attempts at interfering in its free elections. The Sunflower Movement was duly formed in 2014 to protest Chinese encroachment over its autonomy. Taipeis separatist president, Tsai Ing-wen, said this week China must face squarely the reality of the existence of the Republic of China on Taiwan and respect the insistence of 23m people on freedom and democracy. What is Taiwans history? The first recorded visit of Chinese explorers to the island relates to 239 AD but Taiwan only came to be administered by the mainland when it was annexed by the Qing dynasty in 1683, prior to which it had briefly been a Dutch colony. During the Qing era, Han migrants from Fujian and Guangdong arrived to set up home in Taiwan, crossing the strait to liberate themselves from rural poverty in those provinces. In 1895, China was defeated in the First Sino-Japanese War and control of the island was surrendered to Tokyo. Fifty years later, the fall of Japan in the Second World War in turn allowed China to regain its former authority. When the ousted Chiang and his Kuomintang (KMT) acolytes arrived in 1945, they took control of Taiwan and ran the territory as the Republic of China in exile, an effective dictatorship, provoking deep resentment from the locals. They intended to use it as a base from which to retake their former homeland, a hope dashed after the UN officially recognised Maos Peoples Republic as the true China in 1971. The exiles son, Chiang Cing-kuo, subsequently began the process of democratisation. By the end of the 1970s, relations with China had improved and mutual restrictions on travel and investment were relaxed, even though Taiwan had snubbed the mainlands overtures on reunification. It was at this juncture that Taiwan emerged as an industrial powerhouse, enjoying rapid economic growth and establishing itself as a manufacturing hub, specialising in tech and electronics for global export. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Its first non-KMT leader, Chen Shui-bian, was elected in 2000 and his open support for an independent Taiwan did much to sour the peace. The more moderate Ma Ying-jeos victory eight years later provided Beijing with a more palatable alternative but Ms Tsais assent to power in 2016 as head of the Democratic Progressive Party once more drew the issue of Taiwanese independence into the spotlight. US president Donald Trump called Ms Tsai to congratulate her on her victory, breaking with American foreign policy in place since the Jimmy Carter administration in 1979, risking the ire of Xi Jinping. By making the call, Mr Trump implicitly acknowledged (intentionally or by accident) Taiwans sovereignty and President Tsais status as a head of state and world leader, in defiance of China. The US remains Taiwans biggest ally but walks a difficult tightrope, respecting China by not overtly stating its preference for a free Taiwan while simultaneously honouring the bond forged with the island during the Pacific campaign of the Second World War by offering defensive military support in the event Taipei should come under attack. How serious is President Xis statement? Chinas president stressed his ambitions for Taiwan were in the greater interests of national security and centred around peaceful reunification. China wont attack Chinese people. We are willing to use the greatest sincerity and expend the greatest hard work to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification, he said. But despite the broadly conciliatory tone, he refused to rule out a military conquest: We will leave no room for any form of separatist activities. We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means... The issue of Taiwan is part of Chinas domestic politics and foreign interference is intolerable. Mr Xis proposal for unification is a one-country, two-system framework akin to that seen in Hong Kong since Britain handed over sovereignty to China in 1997. Such a deal would respect the Taiwanese social system and way of life and guarantee their property rights, religious beliefs and other rights, he said. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events But similar pledges concerning the future of Hong Kong have not prevented Beijing tightening its grip on the city, with activists voicing fears about growing pressure on democratic freedoms. For her part, President Tsai responded to her counterparts remarks by rejecting the Hong Kong model, calling on China to respect Taiwanese sovereignty, leaving the matter in its customary stalemate. The death toll across the Philippines is rising following the impact of Storm Usman, triggering landslides and floods which left 85 people dead and 20 still missing. New Year's celebrations were disrupted on Monday night when landslides struck after days of heavy rain in several provinces in the centre of the country. The devastation came less than two weeks after the Anak Krakatau volcano in the Sunda Strait erupted and partially collapsed into the sea, causing a tsunami which killed 437 people on the Java and Sumatra islands. Children, some aged as young as three, were among the dead following the landslide, national disaster agency spokesman Edgar Posada said. Ricardo Jalad, also from the agency, said it was likely people were killed when their homes collapsed in landslides caused by torrential rain. "If we don't recover the missing or we recover them dead, that is 105 deaths, which we hope not," he said. Late on Monday, tons of mud rolled from the surrounding hills and buried 30 houses in the village of Sirnaresmi in West Java's Sukabumi district, where nine people were killed and sixty displaced villagers fled to a temporary shelter, agency spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. An intense operation involving around 500 rescue workers retrieved eight bodies from mounds of mud and pulled out four injured people, including an infant who later died in hospital. The tropical depression, which weakened into a low pressure system before leaving the Philippines on Sunday, brought heavy rain, triggering the landslides and flooding in the Bicol and eastern Visayas regions. Bicol, an area producing rice and corn located southeast of the capital Manila, was worst affected with 57 people dead as well as widespread damage to crops and farmland. Indonesia landslide Show all 3 1 /3 Indonesia landslide Indonesia landslide urn-publicid-ap.org-1cd98620e3af4725b245c92b94f1184f.jpg AP Indonesia landslide urn-publicid-ap.org-4c0928f1eea141638d4e414dd9deeead-0.jpg AP Indonesia landslide urn-publicid-ap.org-356a402686d241658c26923d5909d961.jpg AP Thousands of passengers were also stranded at seaports, airports and bus terminals as dozens of inter-island trips were cancelled. Officials put three provinces under a "state of calamity" to give them access to emergency funds. Rescuers, including the police and military, used heavy-lifting equipment to clear roads leading to landslide sites and entered flooded communities using rubber boats. But agency personnel said rescue operations were hampered due to a "lack of equipment, bad weather and blackout". Ronna Monzon, a member of the operations team at the disaster agency in Bicol, said: "The sun is already out, with occasional light rains. We hope floods will subside." Elsewhere in the region, seasonal rains and high tides in recent days have caused dozens of landslides and widespread flooding across much of Indonesia a chain of 17,000 islands where millions live in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains near rivers. Additional reporting by agencies North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has said that he is ready to meet with Donald Trump for nuclear weapon talks, but that his country will be forced to explore a new path if the US did not ease sanctions. In a nationally televised New Year address, Mr Kim said denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula was his firm will. He said that North Korea had declared at home and abroad that we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them. Kim added that Pyongyang had taken various practical measures and if Washington responded with trustworthy measures and corresponding practical actions ... bilateral relations will develop wonderfully at a fast pace. I am always ready to sit together with the US president anytime in the future, and will work hard to produce results welcomed by the international community without fail, Mr Kim said. However, with negotiations between the US and North Korea having stalled since Mr Trumps and Mr Kims historic summit in Singapore in June scepticism will be rife about Pyongyangs intentions after Mr Kim said he would not abide pressure from Washington. Mr Kim warned that North Korea might be compelled to explore a new path to defend its sovereignty if the United States seeks to force something upon us unilaterally ... and remains unchanged in its sanctions and pressure. Mr Kim's reference to pledges not to make nuclear weapons could indicate a first official reference to actually taking that step, although it was not clear if this would have conditions attached. While Pyongyang conducted no nuclear or missile tests last year, satellite images have pointed to continued activity at related facilities. North Korea has called for the US to lift sanctions and declare an official end to the Korean War of 1950 to 1953 in response to its own moves to dismantle a nuclear testing site and a key engineering facility. After the meeting in June, Mr Trump called off some joint military exercises with South Korea with Mr Trump calling it a show of good faith. However the State Department has kept up pressure with sanctions. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Mr Trump has said a second summit with Mr Kim is likely in January or February, though he wrote on Twitter last month that he was in no hurry. There was no immediate comment from the White House to Mr Kims message and the State Department declined to comment. The state of Washington-Pyongyang relations contrasts with the progress made between the two Koreas in 2018. Having held three summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in the last 12 months, Mr Kim used his New Years address to say inter-Korean relations had entered a completely new phase. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events He also offered to resume key inter-Korean economic projects banned under international and South Korean sanctions, without conditions. Mr Moons presidential office welcomed Mr Kim's speech, saying it carried his firm will to advance relations with Seoul and Washington. Reuters contributed to this report China will not rule out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, Xi Jinping has said. Beijing reserves the option to use all necessary measures to extend its rule to the independent island republic it claims as part of one China, the president said in a speech devoted to the issue on Wednesday. Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwans president, said Mr Xi should use peaceful means to resolve the mainlands differences with Taiwan and respect its democratic values. Mr Xi has made reunification a key policy issue and gave his address on the 40th anniversary of Chinas decision to cease artillery bombardment of Taiwanese islands and open up communication. Taiwan and China split in a civil war that brought the communists to power on the mainland in 1949. The rival nationalists set up another government on the island which lies about 100 miles off Chinas coast. China cancels Christmas Show all 7 1 /7 China cancels Christmas China cancels Christmas A man sells Christmas decorations on a street of Zhangjiakou in northern China's Hebei province (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) China cancels Christmas a promoter dressed as a teddy bear rest along a retail street in Zhangjiakou in northern China's Hebei province (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) China cancels Christmas A family walk past images of Santa Claus in Zhangjiakou in northern China's Hebei province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) China cancels Christmas A worker guards the entrance of a shop decorated with images of Santa Claus in Zhangjiakou in northern China's Hebei province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) China cancels Christmas Sales staff from an apparel shop dance wearing Christmas themed costumes to promote a year end sales in Zhangjiakou in northern China's Hebei province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) China cancels Christmas Sales staff from an apparel shop dance wearing Christmas themed costumes to promote a year end sales in Zhangjiakou in northern China's Hebei province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) China cancels Christmas a sales person waits for customers near a Christmas tree decoration in Zhangjiakou in northern China's Hebei province. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) But the Chinese government has frequently sent military aircraft and warships to circle Taiwan in recent years, with Mr Xi piling pressure on the democratic island since Ms Tsai, from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, became president in 2016. In his speech at Beijings Great Hall of the People, Mr Xi said: China must and will be united, which is an inevitable requirement for the historical rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era. China wont attack Chinese people. We are willing to use the greatest sincerity and expend the greatest hard work to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification. After peaceful reunification, Taiwan will have lasting peace and the people will enjoy good and prosperous lives. With the great motherlands support, Taiwan compatriots welfare will be even better, their development space will be even greater. But he added that we do not promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option to use all necessary measures to achieve reunification and prevent Taiwanese independence. Recommended Fears Hong Kong is losing its freedom as China tightens grip on city The threat of force was aimed at Taiwans own independence forces as well as foreign powers who may seek to interfere, Mr Xi suggested, without elaborating in what was likely a reference to the US, Taiwans strongest supporter. Mr Xi claimed that unification would be under a one-country, two-system framework that would respect the Taiwanese social system and way of life and guarantee their property rights, religious beliefs and other rights. But similar past pledges over the future of Hong Kong have not prevented Beijing tightening its grip on the city, with activists voicing fears about growing pressure on democratic freedoms. Additional reporting by agencies China may have reached a historical turning point after some estimates suggested deaths outstripped births in the worlds most populous nation last year for the first time since records began. Early data from local health departments across the country estimates no more than 15 million children were born in the country in 2018 at least two million fewer than the previous year. Some believe the actual figure may be much lower, with one expert claiming the Chinese population is now in decline despite the abolition of the governments one-child policy in 2015. Yi Fuxian, a scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told the state-owned Global Times newspaper his research suggested just 10.3 million people were born in China last year, while 11.6 million had died. Dr Yi, a long-standing critic of Beijings efforts at population control, warned population could fall drastically in the future without efforts to increase fertility. A new paper, co-authored by the researcher and Peking University economist Su Jian, argues the drop in births during 2018 is likely to form part of a wider trend. The year 2018 will be remembered as a historical turning point for Chinese population, the pair wrote in a copy of the paper sent to the South China Morning Post. The Chinese population has started to fall, the ageing problems has accelerated, and economic vitality has weakened. A great nation, which once upon a time accounted for nearly a third of the worlds total population, is gradually degenerating into a small group of the old and the weak thanks to wrong demographic policies. Local media outlets across China have reported a fall in birth rates throughout the year, most starkly demonstrated in Shandong, where more children were born than in any other province during 2017. In the first 11 months of 2018, authorities reported fewer than 65,000 babies had been born in Liaocheng, a city of more than five million people in Shandong, a fall of 26 per cent on the same period a year earlier. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events In Qingdao, an even larger city in the province home to nine million citizens, births fell to 81,000 between January and November last year, a decline of 21 per cent on the year prior. Following decades in which the state aimed to restrict the number of children that parents gave birth to in order to control population, China is now looking at what measures it can take to boost fertility. With life expectancy increasing, almost a quarter of the countrys population is expected to be over the age of 65 by 2040, a statistic that could prove problematic unless there is a large enough work force to support an ageing society. However, raising the birth rate could prove a difficult task, with the number of Chinese women between the typically child-bearing ages of 20 and 39 expected to drop by more than 39 million over the next decade. China's National Statistics Bureau recorded 17.86m births in 2016, with the country's total population increasing by 1.31 million. A year later saw 17.23m births, a fall of 630,000. A Bangladeshi journalist has been arrested and another is on the run after they wrote about voting irregularities in the countrys general election. Sheikh Hasina will begin her third consecutive term as prime minister following a landslide victory on the 30 December election, which was marred by at least 12 deaths in the run-up, and numerous claims of ballot-rigging. Hedayet Hossain Mollah, a journalist who works for the Dhaka Tribune newspaper, was detained on Tuesday evening under a controversial digital security law, which rights groups say gives the state broad powers to stifle dissent. Mr Mollah was arrested after he reported that in one constituency 22,419 more ballots than the number of registered voters were cast, local police chief Mahbubur Rahman said. The actual votes cast were only 80 per cent of the total votes, Mr Rahman told news agency AFP, adding that Mr Mollah was accused of providing false information in an effort to make the election look questionable. Police said another journalist, who has not been named, was wanted for questioning after a local government administrator filed a case against the two also using the controversial law. The Awami League-led coalition headed by 71-year old Ms Hasina won 288 seats in the 300-seat parliament. The opposition alliance, which won only seven seats, have indicated they may not take up their seats in protest at the electoral process, which would result in the country having practically no opposition party. In the run-up to the election, the opposition had blamed Ms Hasinas government for arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances of thousands of dissenters. The jailing of Shahidul Alam a renowned photographer on charges of spreading propaganda against the government has also sparked criticism in Bangladesh and abroad. The enactment of the digital security law ahead of the election was criticised by journalists and rights groups who said it would inhibit free speech and reporting. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Sheikh Hasinas government during its previous term displayed an increasingly authoritarian streak, deeming all legitimate criticism to be anti-state, Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director for Human Rights Watch, told the AP. The ruling Awami Leagues student and youth groups had free rein to bully and intimidate, while civil society faced pressure to self-censor. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Additional reporting by agencies Donald Trump has claimed that much of his promised border wall to separate the US from Mexico has already been fully renovated or built, even though he has forced a government shutdown over a $5bn funding request for that wall. President Trump said on Twitter that an as-of-yet unratified trade agreement his administration has negotiated with Mexico and Canada is making Mexico pay for the wall he has promised his Republican base. He cited no evidence for that claim and Mexico has disputed it. In that very same tweet, he said that the wall which is the centre of the near-two week long shutdown has already been largely completed. Just over 30 miles (48 kilometres) of border wall has been built since Mr Trump became president. All told, 685 miles (1,046 kilometres) of the 1,954-mile (3,126 kilometre) border has fencing or walls. Much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built. We have done a lot of work," Mr Trump wrote. "$5.6 Billion Dollars that House has approved is very little in comparison to the benefits of National Security. Quick payback! Mexico is paying for the Wall through the new USMCA Trade Deal, the same tweet said, referring to the revised trade agreement he has negotiated with Canada and Mexico. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been forced to work without pay since the partial government shutdown kicked in on 22 December after funding lapsed. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The shutdown came after Mr Trumps administration had indicated just a couple of days before that that it would not let a lack of border wall funding force a government shutdown. However, having seen the reaction from a number of major supporters in the media to the idea of him backing down, Mr Trump's stance hardened. Democrats have shown little appetite for meeting Mr Trumps demands for the over $5bn in wall funding, but have offered up $1.3 billion in border security funding. That is part of two bills aimed at re-starting the government Democrats plan on pushing forward once they take control of the House of Representatives when the new session begins on Thursday. During a meeting with his cabinet on Wednesday, Mr Trump said that he is willing to wait as long as needed to ensure that the border wall he has promised is completed. "The United States needs a physical barrier Mr Trump said during that meeting. It needs a wall. After days of trading barbs with Democrats over the shutdown, Mr Trump has invited both Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress to the White House for a border security briefing on Wednesday afternoon, the 12th day of the government closure. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Department of Homeland Security officials will brief the congressional leaders on the last day that Republicans control both chambers of Congress. The meeting will be held in the White House Situation Room. However, the White House has dismissed the proposed plan from Democrats in the House, who are led by presumptive House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The Pelosi plan is a non-starter because it does not fund our homeland security or keep American families safe from human trafficking, drugs, and crime, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. At a Cabinet meeting early on Wednesday afternoon Mr Trump said that Homeland Security Department officials will make a plea for the border wall when they brief congressional leaders later. "The United States needs a physical barrier," the president told the meeting, saying the use of drones and other technology is not enough. Donald Trump has invited leaders from both parties and chambers of Congress to a White House briefing on border security, a sign he may be looking to end a partial government shutdown that has lasted nearly two weeks. Details of the meetings exact timing or contents are not yet clear other than it will happen Wednesday but having lashed out at Democrats for most of New Years Day over the shutdown, he later tweeted Lets make a deal? Mr Trump has stood firm since the shutdown started in late December over his request for $5bn in specific funding for his promised wall on the US-Mexico border. However, the president had said earlier on Tuesday that he is ready, willing and able to negotiate an end to the partial government shutdown. But he did send a number of tweets as the morning wore on taunting the Democrats and blaming them for the political stalemate. Democrats, who are set to take over control of the House of Representatives on Thursday, have made clear that any spending bill aimed that re-starting the government will not pass if it includes Mr Trumps request for taxpayer funding for the wall. The party is set to introduce two separate bits of legislation to fund the government without the border wall money on Thursday. The two-part package includes a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels until 8 February and provide $1.3 billion for border fencing and $300 million for other border security items including technology and cameras. The second part of the package would fund federal agencies that are now unfunded, such as the Justice, Commerce and Transportation departments, until 30 September, the end of the federal fiscal year. By Tuesday afternoon Mr Trump suggested that Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to be confirmed as the Speaker of the House, and Democrat leadership did not want to start their year this way. Border security and the Wall thing and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Lets make a deal? he said. Even if Democrats pass their spending legislation through the House quickly on Thursday, it will not make it through the Republican-controlled Senate and onto Mr Trumps desk to be signed into law. The spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Donald Stewart, said on Tuesday that Senate Republicans would not take action without Mr Trumps backing. Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Show all 23 1 /23 Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Joe Biden The former vice president - poised to be a frontrunner - has announced his run. He recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Bernie Sanders The 2016 runner-up has announced that he will be running again in 2020 Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Hillary Clinton The 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State says she is still considering whether she will run again. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Pete Buttigieg The Indiana mayor and war veteran will be running for president. If elected, he would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Kamala Harris The former California attorney general will be running for president in 2020. Introduced to the national stage during Jeff Sessions testimony, she has endorsed Medicare-for-all and proposed a major tax-credit for the middle class. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts Senator has formally launched her bid for president in 2020. A progressive Democrat, she is a major supporter of regulating Wall Street. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Beto ORourke The former Texas congressman told Oprah Winfrey that he has been thinking about running for presidency, but stopped short of formally announcing his bid to run in 2020. AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam has announced his bid. He intends to run on a progressive platform against the "broken" federal government. He favours gun regulations and was a signatory to a letter from some 400 mayors condemning President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord. Vice News Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has announced that he will be running for the presidency in 2020. If he secures the nomination he said finding a female vice president would be a priority. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Julian Castro The former San Antonio mayor announced his candidacy in January and said that his running has a special meaning for the Latino community in the US. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but is likely to face tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Andrew Yang The entrepreneur has announced his presidential candidacy, and has pledged that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18. AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual advisor has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? John Kerry The former secretary of state has said he is still thinking about whether to run. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Michael Bloomberg The entrepreneur and former New York mayor with a net worth of around $50bn has said he will decide by the end of February whether to seek the presidency. AFP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Howard Schultz Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has not yet ruled out running for president in 2020, despite criticism that his bid could help re-elect Mr Trump by dividing the Democrat vote. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Eric Holder The former attorney general has said he will decide in the next month or so whether to run as a 2020 presidential candidate. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Eric Swalwell The California congressman said he is ready to do this and will decide before April whether to run. MSNBC Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Terry McAuliffe The former Virginia governor, who worked to elect Democratic governors during 2018 midterms, said there was a 50 per cent chance he would run. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Sherrod Brown The Ohio senator is still undecided about whether to run for president in 2020. Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Mitch Landrieu The former New Orleans mayor said he doesnt think he will run for president, but never say never. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Its simple: The Senate is not going to send something to the president that he wont sign, Mr Stewart said. Even if only symbolic, the passage of the bills in the House would put fresh pressure on the president. At the same time, administration officials said Trump was in no rush for a resolution to the impasse. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Trump had earlier told Fox News in an interview that he was ready to go on a deal. I spent Christmas in the White House, I spent New Years Eve in the White House, he said. Im here, Im ready to go, its important. But a couple of hours later he tweeted his disdain for the Democrats legislation: The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative! The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security. Reuters contributed to this report Cuban Communist Party leader Raul Castro has lambasted the Trump administration for reverting back to an outdated path of confrontation with his country and intervening in Latin American affairs, as the nation celebrates the 60th anniversary of its revolution. In 1959, Mr Castro, and his late elder brother Fidel Castro led rebel fighters to overthrow a US-backed dictator and established a Communist country a stones throw away from the United States at the height of the Cold War. The Cuban Revolution ignited other leftist movements across Latin America for decades to come, but the 60th anniversary comes at a time when the Latin American region has begun to rapidly shift rightwards with far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaros inauguration the latest sign of that. Currently, Venezuela and Nicaraguaboth considered to be Cubas closest alliesare embroiled in political crises, and Mr Trump has sought to toughen the embargo on Cuba after former President Barack Obama made efforts to normalise relations with the island nation. Once again, the North American government is taking on the path of confrontation with Cuba, Mr Castro said in a speech, held in Santiago de Cuba, where his late brother proclaimed victory 60 years ago. Increasingly, high-ranking officials of this administration are [...] trying to blame Cuba for all the regions ills, Mr Castro added, citing that they stemmed instead from ruthless neoliberal policies. In November 2018, Mr Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, said the administration will take a rougher approach against Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, while calling them a troika of tyranny. Cubas true battle this year was an economic one, Mr Castro said, reiterating comments made at the national assembly in late December by his successor, President Miguel Diaz-Canel. We need first of all to reduce all non-necessary expenses and to save more, Mr Castro added. When president, Mr Castro introduced a series of reforms to boost and free-up the economy, yet it remains heavily state-dominated. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has called Donald Trump without question the worst president weve ever had. The Nevada Democrat left the Senate in early 2017 after a fitness-related accident resulted in serious injuries and loss of sight in his right eye. New York Senator Charles Schumer replaced him as Democratic leader. Trump is an interesting person. He is not immoral but is amoral, Mr Reid said. Amoral is when you shoot someone in the head, it doesnt make a difference. No conscience. Mr Reid went on to say that Mr Trump is the worst president in US history. I think he is without question the worst president weve ever had, he told The New York Times. Weve had some bad ones, and theres not even a close second to him. Hell lie. Hell cheat. You cant reason with him. It should be noted that several presidents in the past have slaughtered Native Americans and owned and abused their own slaves. When Mr Reid was asked about comments made by former FBI director James Comey calling Mr Trump a mob boss, Mr Reid disgreed. Organised crime is a business, Mr Reid said, and they are really good with what they do. But they are better off when things are predictable. In my opinion, they do not do well with chaos. And thats what we have going with Trump. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Mr Reid said that he has not communicated with Mr Schumer over the unravelling political relationship between Mr Trump and Congress. I do not call Schumer, Reid said, before later clarifying: I call him once in a while not weekly. Lets say monthly I may call him. He does, however, speak with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi often. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events I talk to Nancy often. I love Nancy Pelosi. We did so many good things, and we still talk about that, Mr Reid continued. The 79-year-old also revealed his declining health might be cutting his life short, saying he does not have long to live. Mr Reid was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 after a colonoscopy exam. As soon as you discover you have something on your pancreas, youre dead, he said. Donald Trumps administration enacted a partial government shutdown at midnight on December 22 2018 after the Senate failed to break an impasse over the presidents demand for more funding to build a wall on the US border with Mexico. With no deal in sight, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell sent senators home that Saturday until Christmas Day, all but guaranteeing the shutdown would last until then. The president cancelled his plans to spend Christmas in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago club due to the shutdown, and the first lady, Melania Trump, flew back to Washington to be with her husband. But as the government shutdown reaches its 13th day on Friday 4 January, congressional leaders are bracing for another meeting with Mr Trump over the government shutdown and border security. Lawmakers described the anticipated meeting as an information session on border security and the impasse causing the shutdown. The White House said that Mr Trump will participate in a border security briefing for congressional leadership held in the Situation Room. Donald Trump on the US Government shutdown: 'Call it a democrat shutdown or whatever' House Democrats pledged to go forth with their own strategy to fund the government and end the shutdown. Mr Trump implied on Twitter that he is willing to negotiate, but any deal must include full funding for his $5 billion pet project. Border Security and the Wall thing and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Mr Trump said. Lets make a deal?. How did the government shutdown start? President Trump has insisted on $5 billion for his project, a cornerstone of his election campaign, but Democrats are fiercely opposed and have rejected his request. Even a temporary measure to keep the government running while negotiations continued seemed out of reach in the run-up to Congress reconvening on 3 January 2019. Financing for about a quarter of federal programmes including the departments of Homeland Security, Justice and Agriculture have expired and will not be renewed until a deal is done. How can the president and Congress end the government shutdown? Any agreement to end the shutdown would require both the support of Democrats and the signature of Mr Trump. Ms Pelosi pledged to pass legislation in the House of Representatives ordering the reopening of government should she return to Congress as speaker and she has but Mr McConnell has called such a bill a total nonstarter. The Republican-controlled Senate does have the power to block her but doing so would see them exposed to criticism and forced to take total responsibility for the hiatus. The president has meanwhile savoured the prospect of a shutdown over his border wall for months, saying last week he would be proud to close the government. He campaigned on a promise to build the wall and also promised Mexico would pay for it a demand Mexico has staunchly refused. Democrat Chuck Schumer met vice president Mike Pence on 29 December 2018 to discuss the issue at the request of the White House, according to the formers office. But the senators spokesman said they remained very far apart on a spending agreement. Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Show all 23 1 /23 Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Joe Biden The former vice president - poised to be a frontrunner - has announced his run. He recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Bernie Sanders The 2016 runner-up has announced that he will be running again in 2020 Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Hillary Clinton The 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State says she is still considering whether she will run again. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Pete Buttigieg The Indiana mayor and war veteran will be running for president. If elected, he would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Kamala Harris The former California attorney general will be running for president in 2020. Introduced to the national stage during Jeff Sessions testimony, she has endorsed Medicare-for-all and proposed a major tax-credit for the middle class. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts Senator has formally launched her bid for president in 2020. A progressive Democrat, she is a major supporter of regulating Wall Street. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Beto ORourke The former Texas congressman told Oprah Winfrey that he has been thinking about running for presidency, but stopped short of formally announcing his bid to run in 2020. AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam has announced his bid. He intends to run on a progressive platform against the "broken" federal government. He favours gun regulations and was a signatory to a letter from some 400 mayors condemning President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord. Vice News Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has announced that he will be running for the presidency in 2020. If he secures the nomination he said finding a female vice president would be a priority. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Julian Castro The former San Antonio mayor announced his candidacy in January and said that his running has a special meaning for the Latino community in the US. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but is likely to face tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Andrew Yang The entrepreneur has announced his presidential candidacy, and has pledged that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18. AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual advisor has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? John Kerry The former secretary of state has said he is still thinking about whether to run. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Michael Bloomberg The entrepreneur and former New York mayor with a net worth of around $50bn has said he will decide by the end of February whether to seek the presidency. AFP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Howard Schultz Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has not yet ruled out running for president in 2020, despite criticism that his bid could help re-elect Mr Trump by dividing the Democrat vote. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Eric Holder The former attorney general has said he will decide in the next month or so whether to run as a 2020 presidential candidate. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Eric Swalwell The California congressman said he is ready to do this and will decide before April whether to run. MSNBC Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Terry McAuliffe The former Virginia governor, who worked to elect Democratic governors during 2018 midterms, said there was a 50 per cent chance he would run. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Sherrod Brown The Ohio senator is still undecided about whether to run for president in 2020. Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Mitch Landrieu The former New Orleans mayor said he doesnt think he will run for president, but never say never. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Mr Schumer said the Trump shutdown could end immediately if the president simply dropped his demand for money. If you want to open the government, you must abandon the wall, he said. Democrats said they were open to other proposals that didnt include the wall, which Mr Schumer said was too costly and ineffective. They have offered to keep spending at existing levels of $1.3bn for border fencing and other security. But Mr Trump, entrenching his position, tweeted about to say the crisis of illegal activity at Americas southern border is real and will not stop until we build a great Steel Barrier or Wall. Which departments and agencies are closed as a result? Virtually every essential government agency, including the FBI, the Border Patrol and the Coast Guard, will remain open. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers will staff airport checkpoints. Social Security cheques will go out and troops will remain at their posts. Doctors and hospitals will receive their Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Democratic senator Mazie Hirono calls out Donald Trumps shutdown on live TV: 'Any efforts on his behalf to blame the Democrats would be such bullsh*t' The US Post Office, as an independent agency, was still delivering mail. Passport services, funded by fees and not government spending, will also continue. The air traffic control system, food inspection, Medicare, veterans health care and many other essential government programmes will run as usual. The Federal Emergency Management Agency can continue to respond to disasters. Nearly 90 per cent of the Department of Homeland Securitys 240,000 employees will be at work because they are considered essential. Special counsel Robert Muellers office, which is investigating potential ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, is unaffected by a shutdown. Fox and Friends attacks Trump over government shutdown But hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be forced off the job and some services will go dark. In the past, the vast majority of national parks were closed to visitors and campers, but beginning with the last government shutdown, in January, the Interior Department has tried to make parks as accessible as possible despite bare bones staffing levels. Some are staying open thanks to funding from states and charitable groups. How many civil servants are barred from working and do they still get paid? More than 420,000 essential federal employees will work without pay until the dispute is resolved. Another 380,000 will be furloughed, meaning they are put on temporary leave. The Senate had already passed legislation ensuring that workers will receive back pay, and the House was likely to follow suit. Federal employees were already granted an extra day of holiday on Christmas Eve under an executive order Mr Trump signed last week. Federal workers are exempted from furloughs if their jobs are related to national security or if they perform essential activities that protect life and property. Chuck Schumer slams Donald Trump for letting government go into shutdown Of the 420,000 employees working without pay, about 41,000 are law enforcement and corrections officers. The Homeland Security employees who will keep working include about 150,000 from the Coast Guard, TSA and Customs and Border Protection. The 380,000 furloughed employees include nearly all of Nasa and Housing and Urban Development and 41,000 from the Commerce Department. About 16,000 National Park Service employees 80 per cent of the agencys workforce will also be put on temporary leave. How many government shutdowns have there been, when was the longest? Shutdowns happened every year when Jimmy Carter was president, averaging 11 days each, while there were six shutdowns during Ronald Reagans two terms, typically lasting just one or two days. Before a three-day gap during Mr Trumps administration in January, when Democrats insisted any budget measure come with protections for young immigrants known as Dreamers, the most significant saw a 16-day partial shutdown in 2013 as Tea Party conservatives tried to block Barack Obamas healthcare law. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Trumps government also shut down for a few hours last February amid a partisan dispute over deficit spending. The longest federal government shutdown, lasting 21 days, occurred in December 1995 and January 1996, triggered by conflicts between Bill Clinton and Republicans in Congress over Medicare funding and government spending. Additional reporting by agencies US border guards have used tear gas to deter a group of migrants attempting to cross from Mexico. Trump administration officials claimed the tactic came in response to a "violent mob" attempting to climb a border fence while attacking agents with projectiles the latter of which has been disputed by eyewitnesses. More than 150 Central American migrants approached an area of the border in Tijuana in the hope that security measures might be relaxed due to the New Year's holiday. Children were passed over the razor wire along the fencing to the US side. Clouds of tear gas could be seen near to the border fence and one migrant picked up a canister and threw it back over the barricade. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement the gas was aimed upwind of people throwing rocks on the Mexican side who obstructed agents from helping children being passed over razor wire. The CBP statement said agents had not directly targeted the migrants attempting to cross the fence with gas and pepper spray. It added that most of the migrants attempting to cross returned to Mexico while 25 people, including two teenagers, were detained. Migrants, part of a caravan of thousands from Central America trying to reach the US, wipe their eyes after tear gas was used (Reuters) US Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Katie Waldman called the group "a violent mob" and said they had thrown projectiles at agents who responded with "the minimum force necessary to defend themselves". She added: "Congress needs to fully fund the border wall." Tijuana, a busy crossing between southern California and Mexico, has become a flashpoint in the debate over US immigration policy. Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Show all 30 1 /30 Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Members of the caravan of Central American migrants climb the border wall in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico EPA Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border US Border Patrol agents seen through the concertina wire where the border meets the Pacific Ocean AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Central American migrants pray at a temporary shelter in Tijuana AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Darwin, a 12 year old migrant boy from Honduras, looks out from under a tarp while taking refuge at a shelter in Tijuana Reuters Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Central American migrants line up for a meal at a shelter in Tijuana AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Angel, a 13-year-old migrant from Honduras looks towards the United States past the border fence in Tijuana Reuters Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Members of the LGBTQ community -who split from a caravan of Central American migrants heading to the US- arrive at the Diversidad Migrante (Migrant Diversity) NGO headquarters, which they will use as shelter, in Tijuana AFP/Getty Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border US military personell install barbed wire fences to stop the passage of Central American migrants EPA Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Young Honduran migrant Daniel Gamez waits with his family in a line for a meal after arriving with the Central America migrant caravan in Tijuana AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Two women, one carrying a child, walk north after crossing illegally into the United States as a Border Patrol agent moves in to detain them AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border EPA Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border A child looks out the window of a bus upon its arrival at a temporary shelter in Tijuana AFP/Getty Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Migrants from Honduras dry their clothes in the sand after washing off in the Pacific Ocean AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Central American migrants at a temporary shelter near the US-Mexico border AFP/Getty Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border US police agents stand guard near the US-Mexico border fence AFP/Getty Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border A migrant, who claimed not to be part of the Central American migrant caravan walks on the US-Mexico border fence AFP/Getty Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Eldin, a migrant man from Honduras, awakes next to his seven year old son Jose while taking refuge at a shelter in Tijuana Reuters Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Migrants line up for food at a shelter AFP/Getty Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border A man installs concertina wire on top of the border structure on the US side AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Central American migrants sit on an overlook in Tijuana AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border A migrant, who is part of a caravan traveling en route to the United States, shouts as he waits to receive food in a shelter in Tijuana REUTERS Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border A man tries to get over a border structure topped with concertina wire AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border People who are part of the Central American migrants caravan arrive at a shelter EPA Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border AFP/Getty Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border EPA Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Migrants pray at a temporary shelter in Tijuana AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border Migrants shower outside a temporary migrant shelter next to the Us-Mexico border fence Getty Images Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border US Border Patrol agents, left, speak with two Central American migrants as they sit atop the border structure AP Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border A Central American migrant looks on through the US-Mexico border fence AFP/Getty Images Migrant caravan reaches Tijuana on US border A migrant stands next to the border fence REUTERS Tensions have intensified by the recent deaths of two migrant children in US custody and a partial US government shutdown over Donald Trump's demand for $5bn (4bn) in funding for a wall along the border with Mexico. A spokesperson for Mexico's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Agencies contributed to this report A Texas teenager has been charged with murder in relation to a fatal crash from a car chase that started because of eggs thrown at other cars. The teenager, a 14-year-old boy, had been in an SUV with other teenagers and was throwing the eggs at other cars before another driver began chasing them, according to the Harris County Sheriffs Office. The 14-year-old driver then smashed into a pickup truck after running a red light. Silvia Zavala, 45, was killed in that crash. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said that Ms Zavala was totally innocent, and that she ha been shopping before the crash that killed her. The teenager has now been taken to a juvenile detention centre. Recommended Police bodycam footage shows man being rescued from burning car Mr Gonzalez has indicated that they plan on interviewing the driver of the vehicle that chased the teenagers after the egg incident. It is not clear what penalties the 14-year-old may face, but the state of Texas is known as one of the most severe in the US when it comes to murder punishments. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The state allows minors as young as 14 to be tried as adults in certain circumstances, especially for the most severe of crimes committed in the state. But, 14-year-olds generally only have their cases transferred from juvenile court jurisdiction in cases of first-degree murder and other major offences. It is not clear if the child in this case will be charged with that level of a crime, or if a lesser murder charge might be used in the case. It was a tweet sent at the height of New Year celebrations but the boss of one of Canadas biggest business networks may be making a resolution to stay off social media after a furious backlash. Rocco Rossi, the CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, posted pictures of champagne and caviar, telling followers: Celebrating New Years the 1-percenter way! Let them eat cake :-) But he was forced into an embarrassing apology the following morning after being inundated with Canadians calling the tweet offensive. Many appeared to feel irked because as leader of the Ontario chamber, Mr Rossi lobbied for and then praised legislation which stopped the provinces minimum wage being raised and prevented other worker-friendly measures from coming into place. The 56-year-old who has previously held senior positions with businesses including Boston Consulting Group and MGI Software deleted the tweet on 1 January and issued an apology saying that he had intended the post to be satirical. Recommended Ontario plans to trial universal basic income I sent a tweet out on New Years Eve that was meant to be satirical but in retrospect was insensitive and caused offense, he wrote. I sincerely apologize for the tweet as it was never intended to offend. But many responded on social media by saying the new post was too little too late. Satirical for who? wrote one user. For all the hard working people who just wanted the extra dollar an hour they deserve to help put a roof over their head and food on their kids plate? Or satirical for you and your rich buds? You baked your cake. Eat it up and resign. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Another, riffing on Mr Rossis use of the infamous Marie Antoinette quote, asked: I wonder [what] happened to the last person who said that... Marie Antoinette was guillotined during the French Revolution. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events But others defended Rossi, calling the criticism out of proportion, recalling his work for charitable causes and drawing attention to the fact he was awarded the Queens Jubilee Medal for his Philanthropic and Community service in 2012. Russia has said it has granted US officials access to the American held in Moscow on spying accusations as Mike Pompeo said Washington will demand his immediate return if the allegations are unfounded. Paul Whelan was arrested on 28 December. In announcing the arrest three days later, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said he was caught during an espionage operation, but it gave no details. Whelan, 48, who is head of global security for a Michigan-based auto parts supplier, was in the city to attend a wedding when he suddenly disappeared, his brother David Whelan has said. Mr Pompeo, the US secretary of state, was speaking in Brazil where he attended the inauguration of new president Jair Bolsonaro. He said Washington has made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is he's been accused of and if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return. Russia granted consular access to Mr Whelan on Wednesday Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. David Whelan said the family was told by the US embassy in Moscow earlier in the week that they have not been able to speak to Paul Whelan. Mr Whelan said he has no idea why his brother, a retired Marine who had done multiple tours in Iraq, was targeted by the Russian security services. Paul Whelan had travelled to Russia in the past for work and to visit friends he had met on social networks, his brother said. I don't think there's any chance that he's a spy, David Whelan told CNN. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The Marine Corps released Mr Whelan's military record on Wednesday, with it showing he was convicted in a 2008 court-martial of charges related to larceny. Mr Whelan joined the Marine Reserves in 1994 and rose to the rank of staff sergeant in 2004. Mr Whelan was an administrative clerk and administrative chief and deployed for the war against Iraq for several months in 2004 and 2006. He was convicted at a special court-martial in January 2008 and given a bad-conduct discharge in December 2008 at the rank of private. Details of the larceny charges were not released. Daniel Hoffman, a former CIA Moscow station chief, told Reuters it was possible, even likely that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered Mr Whelans arrest to set up an exchange for Russian citizen Maria Butina. Ms Butina pleaded guilty last month to acting as an agent of the Russian state tasked with infiltrating US conservative groups to try and influence US policy towards Moscow. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Putin's aim was to make us feel some pain and his family to feel some pain. That's [Moscows] pressure point, Mr Hoffman said. David Whelan said the family is deeply concerned for [Paul's] safety and well-being. Mr Whelan, said in a statement released on Tuesday via Twitter that his brother's innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected. Spying charges carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years in Russia. Associated Press contributed to this report A junior doctor was forced out of her job at a US hospital after she allegedly posted a series of antisemitic messages online over a number of years, including saying she would give Jews the wrong meds. Cleveland Clinic, a medical centre in Ohio, said it was made aware of comments posted to social media by a former employee, identified as Laura Kollab, and that she was no longer employed there. The 27-year-old, who worked as a supervised resident between July and September last year, had a history of posting antisemitic messages, according to local media and The Times of Israel newspaper. In 2012, Ms Kollab allegedly tweeted she would purposely give all the yahood the wrong meds, using the Arabic word for Jews. She also reportedly referred to Jews as dogs, said the Holocaust had been exaggerated and that she had a really hard time feeling bad about it. In 2011, she allegedly tweeted: I blame Israel for everything. Everything that goes wrong, I say Allah will kill the Jews. The messages were uncovered and first published in November by the Canary Mission, a website that publicly outs professionals it considers to be antisemitic or anti-Israel. Ms Kollabs Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts appear to have been since deactivated. Cleveland Clinic said the individual was employed between July and September last year. The Independent understands her exit was related to her social media posts. In no way do these beliefs reflect those of our organisation. We fully embrace diversity, inclusion and a culture of safety and respect across our entire health system, the hospital said in a statement. PewDiePie in fresh antisemitism controversy as he gives a shout out to E;R, an antisemitic channel According to state records, Ms Kollabs medical licence remains active and will not expire until 2021. She could not be reached for comment. When officials at the University of Utah invited Joe Biden to speak there in December, his representatives listed a number of requirements for the appearance. His booking firm, Creative Artists Agency, said the school would need to fly Mr Biden and his aides to Salt Lake City by private plane. It would have to buy 1,000 copies of his recent memoir for distribution to the audience. There would be no insertion of the word former before vice president in social media promotions. And the speaking fee would be $100,000 a reduced rate, it was explained, for colleges and universities. But three days before the event, Mr Bidens aides learned that the public university would be using state funds to pay his fee. They already had a policy against taking tuition dollars, and decided that accepting taxpayer dollars for such a windfall might appear just as politically distasteful. Mr Biden made the trip anyway but declined to take a check. That costly last-minute reversal exposes the complicated balance Mr Biden has attempted since leaving the vice presidency two years ago: between earning substantial wealth for the first time and maintaining viability as a potential 2020 presidential contender. He has done so while building a network of non-profits and academic centres that are staffed by his closest strategists and advisers, many making six figure sums while working on the issues most closely identified with him. It has effectively become a campaign-in-waiting, poised to metamorphose if the 76-year-old announces his third bid for the presidency. Mr Biden is expected to reveal his plans early this year, after consulting with his family over the holidays. Having skipped the 2016 race after the gruelling death of his elder son, Beau, from brain cancer, he would enter the coming Democratic contest as an early front-runner. With his political self-branding as Middle-Class Joe, he is seen by Democratic strategists as well-equipped to make inroads into President Donald Trumps base of blue-collar white voters. So long as a campaign remains possible, Mr Biden has appeared mindful of the political backlash against the last Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, for earning millions by speaking to private interests in the run-up to 2016, and for her family foundations acceptance of huge sums from corporate and foreign donors. He has imposed telling restrictions on his moneymaking and fundraising activities: Mr Biden does not speak for pay to corporate, advocacy or foreign groups and does not consult or sit on boards, said Bill Russo, his spokesman. His nonprofits do not accept contributions from abroad, and the Biden Cancer Initiative does not take money from drug companies, he said. Yet Mr Biden, whose blue-collar roots have been central to his political persona through six terms in the Senate and two as vice president, has accumulated millions of dollars through a lucrative book deal and selective paid speaking. Joe Biden: 'Our leadership is giving license to this prejudice' He also has helped to start three foundations, a political action committee and academic centres at the Universities of Delaware and Pennsylvania. At least 49 staff or board members of the various Biden entities worked previously as aides or advisers to Mr Biden, or held other positions in the Obama-Biden administration or campaigns. Their salaries and stipends consume a substantial share of the budgets of the six groups, including the philanthropic ones. The list includes Bidens sister and longtime campaign manager, Valerie Biden Owens, who is vice chairwoman of both the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware and the Biden Foundation, as well as a paid consultant to the institute; Mike Donilon, his strategist across four decades and now managing director of the institute and a consultant for Mr Bidens PAC; and Steve Ricchetti, his vice-presidential chief of staff and now managing director of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement. Another longtime Biden operative, Joshua Alcorn, has been paid by Mr Bidens PAC while serving as an executive at the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children. The top compensation, as far as can be determined from Internal Revenue Service records, belongs to Gregory C. Simon, who was projected in a tax exemption application to receive $552,500 a year to run the cancer initiative. Biden selected Simon in the final year of the Obama administration to lead the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force for less than 40 percent of that amount. Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Show all 23 1 /23 Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Joe Biden The former vice president - poised to be a frontrunner - has announced his run. He recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Bernie Sanders The 2016 runner-up has announced that he will be running again in 2020 Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Hillary Clinton The 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of State says she is still considering whether she will run again. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Pete Buttigieg The Indiana mayor and war veteran will be running for president. If elected, he would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Kamala Harris The former California attorney general will be running for president in 2020. Introduced to the national stage during Jeff Sessions testimony, she has endorsed Medicare-for-all and proposed a major tax-credit for the middle class. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts Senator has formally launched her bid for president in 2020. A progressive Democrat, she is a major supporter of regulating Wall Street. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Beto ORourke The former Texas congressman told Oprah Winfrey that he has been thinking about running for presidency, but stopped short of formally announcing his bid to run in 2020. AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam has announced his bid. He intends to run on a progressive platform against the "broken" federal government. He favours gun regulations and was a signatory to a letter from some 400 mayors condemning President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord. Vice News Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has announced that he will be running for the presidency in 2020. If he secures the nomination he said finding a female vice president would be a priority. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Julian Castro The former San Antonio mayor announced his candidacy in January and said that his running has a special meaning for the Latino community in the US. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but is likely to face tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Andrew Yang The entrepreneur has announced his presidential candidacy, and has pledged that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18. AFP/Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual advisor has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? John Kerry The former secretary of state has said he is still thinking about whether to run. Getty Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Michael Bloomberg The entrepreneur and former New York mayor with a net worth of around $50bn has said he will decide by the end of February whether to seek the presidency. AFP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Howard Schultz Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has not yet ruled out running for president in 2020, despite criticism that his bid could help re-elect Mr Trump by dividing the Democrat vote. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Eric Holder The former attorney general has said he will decide in the next month or so whether to run as a 2020 presidential candidate. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Eric Swalwell The California congressman said he is ready to do this and will decide before April whether to run. MSNBC Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Terry McAuliffe The former Virginia governor, who worked to elect Democratic governors during 2018 midterms, said there was a 50 per cent chance he would run. AP Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Sherrod Brown The Ohio senator is still undecided about whether to run for president in 2020. Who could be running against Trump in 2020? Mitch Landrieu The former New Orleans mayor said he doesnt think he will run for president, but never say never. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Mr Biden declined through his spokesman to be interviewed about his post-vice-presidency. But several people close to him emphasized that he had built his mini-empire not to prepare for 2020 but to make a continuing contribution on matters of long-standing concern. They planned a lot of this under the assumption that Hillary Clinton would be president of the United States, said Sarah Bianchi, a former Biden policy aide who is now a paid senior adviser to the institute. That said, some top staff members will undoubtedly decamp for a campaign if there is one, several advisers said. Whether all the groups could sustain operations is unclear, given that Mr Biden could face pressure to suspend fundraising to avoid improper influence. During the 2018 cycle, Mr Biden maintained visibility with campaign visits to 24 states and at least 135 other speaking engagements, giving him a platform whenever he wanted. At a book-related talk in Missoula, Montana, in early December, he fueled coast-to-coast speculation about his plans by declaring himself the most qualified person in the country to be president. Barack Obama and Joe Biden have lunch at Dog Tag Bakery Mr Biden has long been self-deprecating about his relative lack of wealth, compared with some politicians. He and his wife, Dr Jill Biden, left office with assets worth between $277,000 and $955,000 (not including their house near Wilmington, Delaware), as well as a mortgage of $500,000 to $1 million and other smaller loans, according to a 2015 federal disclosure. The report gives values in ranges. But they have very likely earned more in the two years since leaving office than in the prior two decades, thanks largely to a three-book deal with Flatiron Books reported to be worth $8 million (a figure unconfirmed by the publisher). Two months after the contract was announced, they bought a six-bedroom vacation house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware off the water for $2.7 million. No mortgage was recorded. Joe Bidens only salaried work, according to Mr Russo, is a University of Pennsylvania professorship that occupies about one day a week. Jill Biden who is writing one of the three books earns $99,398 as an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College, state records show. Joe Biden pictured with Lady Gaga (Getty) Joe Biden, who earned $230,700 a year as vice president, receives a hefty federal pension after 44 years of public service. The couples last public tax return, from 2015, shows they receive about $66,000 a year in Social Security and other pension benefits. Mr Russo said Mr Biden would be transparent about his finances if he ran. He will make available his tax returns, financial interests and other information that used to be and should once again become commonplace, he said, referring to Trumps defiance of a four-decade tradition of voluntary disclosure by presidents and many candidates. Mr Biden has restricted his paid speeches to about 40 ticketed shows and campus appearances, according to Mr Russo. Most of have been shaped around a yearlong tour to promote his 2017 book Promise Me, Dad, a plain-spoken account of the final year of Beau Bidens life. It spent 11 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction best-seller list and has sold more than 300,000 copies, according to NPD PubTrack Digital. Mr Biden did make at least two corporate speeches, to conferences held by a financial services company and by the hedge fund led by Anthony Scaramucci, Trumps brief-tenured communications director. But he donated the fees to charity and passed on future corporate events, said a person close to him who was not authorized to speak by name. Mr Biden has spoken subsequently at events for advocacy and partisan groups or underwritten by corporations health care conferences; a banquet for the Charleston, South Carolina, branch of the NAACP; the Human Rights Campaigns national dinner but not for pay, Mr Russo said. Open records requests to public universities revealed that Mr Biden had appeared at some without charge Rutgers in October 2017 and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, last month. The Nevada school paid $225,000 to the Clinton Foundation for a speech by Hillary Clinton in 2014. Mr Russo and Bidens representatives at Creative Artists declined to disclose his usual fees. But his contract with the University of Utah, obtained through the states Freedom of Information Act, was for $100,000, plus $10,000 for the private plane. In an October email between university officials, one told the other that an agent for Mr Biden had described that as a discount. The book events feature Mr Biden being interviewed for an hour by another prominent figure, like screenwriter Aaron Sorkin or philanthropist Melinda Gates. Tickets for a recent appearance, in Burlington, Vermont, cost $45 to $90, with a meet-and-greet package going for $375. The Bidens pay a staff of five to handle scheduling, media and advance work through a Delaware firm they incorporated called CelticCapri, after his and her Secret Service code names. Nearly all of the former vice presidents closest advisers are attached to one of his centres, full or part time. Ricchetti, who has been gauging donor support for a Biden candidacy, is at the Penn Biden Center, a foreign policy think tank intended to give the university a higher profile in Washington. Others on the staff include Antony J. Blinken, who was Mr Bidens national security adviser, and several regional policy experts. At the Biden Institute at his alma mater, the focus is on domestic issues including strengthening the middle class, gay and civil rights, and violence against women. It is housed within the School of Public Policy, which was recently renamed for him as well. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty Administrators at both universities declined to provide budgets or salaries. Their presidents called Mr Bidens contributions invaluable, particularly in luring dignitaries to their campuses. Among our strategic priorities is bringing Penn to the world and the world to Penn, and who better to do that? said Amy Gutmann, Penns president. Mr Bidens PAC, American Possibilities, is led by Greg Schultz, a political operative who served as his senior White House adviser. The committee paid him $225,000 over 18 months, records show. The PAC raised $2.5 million during the 2018 midterm cycle from contributors who included technology entrepreneur Sean Parker and Hollywood producers Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg. But only 21 percent of its spending was distributed to Democratic candidates and committees more than 120 in all while the rest went to salaries and expenses like Mr Bidens travel. There is modest overlap between Mr Bidens political donors and the benefactors of the Biden Foundation, the only one of his nonprofits that has voluntarily disclosed its donors. Notable is Tim Gill, a Colorado software entrepreneur and influential gay-rights activist, who, with his husband, is listed as giving at least $1 million to the foundation, as well as the maximum $10,000 each to the PAC. The foundation is chaired by Ted Kaufman, Mr Bidens chief of staff in the Senate and appointed successor after the 2008 election. With Mr Bidens help, it raised $6.6 million in its first two years, including seven gifts of at least $500,000. The Bidens pitched in $100,000, according to Kaufman. Staff compensation accounted for 42 percent of the foundations $2.6 million in spending in 2017. That included $256,000 for the executive director, Louisa Terrell, who was deputy chief of Bidens Senate staff. The foundations website now lists 16 staff members, including policy experts in areas like military families and violence against women. These are people who have been with him doing these kinds of things throughout his career, Mr Russo said. Recommended Biden may end up finding the answers to the questions raised by Trump The Biden nonprofits are not traditional grant-makers, and the only one made by the Biden Foundation was nearly $500,000 to spin off the cancer initiative. That group took in $3.9 million in 2017, including three gifts from undisclosed donors worth at least $1 million, according to tax filings. It spent $1.8 million, more than three-fourths of it on salaries and other compensation. That included Simons package and a projected $292,500 for the vice president, Danielle Carnival, who had worked on cancer policy in the Obama White House. At the Beau Biden Foundation, based in Wilmington, Delaware, salaries accounted for 45 percent of spending in 2016 and 2017, while grants accounted for less than 1 percent. Those around Mr Biden would not speculate about what might happen to the groups if he entered the 2020 race. But at least one set of plans has already been shelved. When the Biden Foundation applied to the IRS for tax-exempt status in February 2016, it stated that one mission would be to educate the public regarding Vice President Bidens career in public service by building a first-of-its-kind vice-presidential library and museum for the study of the vice presidency. Then Trump was elected, perversely reviving Mr Bidens three-decade dream of winning the presidency, a job that comes with its own library. Since that time, said Mark Gitenstein, the foundations president, the board of the Biden Foundation determined that was no longer a relevant objective. The New York Times It was the brutal police killing caught on mobile phone video that shocked the world, sparked riots in California and spurred thousands of protesters to take to streets across America. The shooting dead of Oscar Grant by officer Johannes Mehserle 10 years ago did what no similar moment of horror had ever done before: it went viral on social media. The footage in which the 22-year-old is seen being gunned down from behind at an Oakland train station sparked such outrage over institutional racism and police violence it was called Americas most seismic policing moment since the 1991 beating of Rodney King. The incident was later turned into a film, Fruitvale Station, starring Michael B Jordan. Now, a decade on, mourners have gathered to mark the anniversary of the father-of-ones New Years Day death. Some 200 people including family, friends and local officials gathered at the interchange for a four-hour ceremony of prayers, speeches and poetry. When Oscar died, I knew, like thousands of people in this city and millions in the world, that we needed to change structures, said Lateefah Simon, a current board director of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) rail system where the slaying occurred. So I ran for the BART board, and you all elected me. That the shooting of Mr Grant was a defining moment in modern US history, there is little doubt. It was, Pastor Tommy Smith told the crowd, a stimulus point, the beginning of a community effort. Because several onlookers captured the killing on video and posted the footage to YouTube, authorities were unable to dictate perceptions of what had happened. In a way that had never happened before, the police officers involved were held to account by the recordings of ordinary bystanders. Mehserle was charged with second-degree murder and eventually found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. In an age before Black Lives Matter, Mr Grant, from the nearby city of Hayward, became a potent symbol that America remained inherently unequal. Isaiah Martin, 19, attended Tuesdays ceremony because he remembered watching the shooting online at his home, also in Hayward. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty It was eye-opening to think that could happen to me, the computer science student told the San Francisco Chronicle. The killing itself occurred at 2am on 1 January, 2009. BART police officers had been called to reports of a major disturbance, involving 20 men, on a train packed with New Year revellers coming from San Francisco. When the vehicle arrived at Fruitvale Station, officers dragged Mr Grant off. He had, it was later revealed, been fighting with David Horowitch, a then 34-year-old who he had met while serving prison time for a drugs related conviction. As he was forced to the floor by officer Anthony Pirone, Mehserle took his gun out and shot Mr Grant once in the back. The officer whose wife gave birth to their first child later that same day told a court he believed he had pulled his Taser from his holster. He was heard to say: Oh s***, I shot him. Mr Grant died from the single bullet wound. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Speaking at Tuesdays ceremony, his mother, Wanda Johnson who raised Mr Grant alone while his father served a life sentence for murder said: It caused us not to just accept when a person is killed but to really examine what took place. She and other members of the family have applied to rename the station and a small side street after Mr Grant, she told the crowd. Fruitvale Grant Station were claiming that, she said. We believe that, and we will fight. On Monday, CNNs anchors and correspondents engaged in what has become an annual tradition for the network on New Years Eve: drinking on air. CNNs Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, Brooke Baldwin and Randi Kaye spent the night drinking shots, champagne and vodka-sodas and encouraging viewers at home to join them, highlights of which you can see in the video above. While CNN was not the only network to show hosts drinking on air (Fox News hosts mixed drinks on camera during its New Years Eve special), its broadcast centred on alcohol more than other networks according to a Washington Post review of closed captioning records. The on-air drinking was a far cry from the New Years Eve broadcasts of Guy Lombardo and Dick Clark, which focused primarily on music and festivities. In recent years, CNN hosts have had their ears pierced, removed clothes and smoked marijuana on air, none of which happened on Monday night (though Cooper did discuss his mothers relationship history at one point). World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The social media attention paid to the on-air drinking may have overshadowed a key moment at midnight: journalists were invited to the ball drop in Times Square (which marks the new year) to honour press freedom after the number of reporters killed nearly doubled in 2018. The Washington Post Chris Grayling has defended the decision to award a 13.8m contract to charter extra ferries in the event of a no-deal Brexit to a company that has no ships. The transport secretary said he would make no apologies for supporting a new British business after coming under fire for handing out a lucrative contract to Seaborne Freight, a firm that has never previously operated a ferry service. New contracts, published quietly on Christmas Eve, reveal Whitehall officials warned that a situation of extreme urgency exists in roll-on roll-off ferry capacity if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. It then emerged that Seaborne Freight had never run a ferry service, despite being one of the three companies awarded 107.7m agreements to ease pressure on the important freight routes between Dover and Calais. Mr Grayling told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Its a new start-up business, government is supporting new British business and there is nothing wrong with that. We have looked very carefully at this business, we have put in place a tight contract that makes sure they can deliver for us. I dont see any problem with supporting a new British business. Asked how the government knew the firm could run an effective service, he said: The reality is this has been looked at very carefully by a team of civil servants who have done due diligence on the company and reached a view they can deliver. Mr Grayling said the company was on track to run services from April and it would help to provide a bit of extra capacity in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Documents revealed that the Department for Transport had signed 107.7m agreements with French firm Brittany Ferries, Danish company DFDS and the UKs Seaborne to provide additional crossings. These new routes would be equivalent to around 10 per cent of all traffic on the Dover Strait, and will use other ports including Poole, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Immingham and Felixstowe. Seaborne said in a statement it had been working since 2017 on plans to reintroduce ferry sailings from Ramsgate from early 2019 and has been financed by the shareholders during a development phase. The company said this had involved locating suitable vessels, making arrangements with the ports of Ostend [in Belgium] and Ramsgate, building the infrastructure such as bunkering as well as crewing the ferries once they start operating. It added: It was intended to start the service in mid-February but this has now been delayed until late March for operational reasons. This coincides with the Department for Transports (DfT) freight capacity purchase agreement with Seaborne which is part of their preparations to increase ferry capacity in the unlikely event of a no-deal Brexit. Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, a supporter of the Best for Britain campaign, told The Independent: This has descended into farce. Supporting new business is one thing, awarding a multi-million pound ferry contract to a company with no ships is quite another. If Chris Grayling is serious about supporting new British business he might wish to reconsider his position on the damaging Brexit his government is pursuing and give the people the final say. It comes as MPs are gearing up for a Commons showdown over Theresa Mays Brexit deal in the coming weeks, with the prime minister facing intense pressure to win fresh concessions from Brussels. The original meaningful vote was pulled at the last minute in December in the face of near-certain defeat, triggering an unsuccessful no-confidence vote in Ms May from her backbenchers, Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt told the Today programme: We have a clear opportunity to leave the EU on 29 March. It has the vast majority of things that people wanted, not absolutely everything. The question is, can we turn this into something that gives us absolutely everything we wanted, and I believe we can. There will be some tough negotiations to follow in the years ahead but I think getting this clearer language on the backstop will help to get it through parliament. Jeremy Hunt is under fire for claiming Britains close connections with other EU countries will be crucial to the UKs future success, despite his strong support for Brexit. On a visit to Singapore on Wednesday, the foreign secretary will hail the UKs friendship with our neighbours in Europe as a key reason to be optimistic for trade. Speaking days after pointing to low-tax Singapore as a post-Brexit model, Mr Hunt will call for Britain to act as an invisible chain linking together the democracies of the world. And he will say: In a world where it is rarely possible for one country to achieve its ambitions alone, we have some of the best connections of any country whether through the Commonwealth, our alliance with the United States and our friendship with our neighbours in Europe. But the comments were criticised as utterly bizarre and short-sighted, less than three months before Brexit, after Mr Hunt expressed support for crashing out of the EU with no deal if necessary. Stephen Doughty, a Labour supporter of the anti-Brexit Best for Britain group, said leading diplomats, military figures and former foreign secretaries had warned Brexit would weaken the UK on the international stage. At a time when challenges from insecurity and extremism to Russian threats to climate change demand more not less global cooperation, Mr Hunt is leading the charge to break one of our most successful and impactful alliances the one we have as part of the EU, he said. The foreign secretary is embarking on a three-day visit to Asia, beginning with a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore. At the weekend, he hailed the dynamic low-spending, low-regulation country for its transformation from a tiny territory devoid of natural resources into the worlds eighth richest country. Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal Show all 11 1 /11 Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The Independent Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The Daily Mirror Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The Times Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The Daily Express Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The Financial Times Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The Daily Telegraph Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The i Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The Guardian Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The Scotsman Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The Daily Mail Newspapers react to Theresa May pulling the vote on her Brexit deal The Metro While the circumstances of Britains departure from the EU are different, there could be few better instructions for us as we make our post-Brexit future, Mr Hunt wrote in The Mail on Sunday. The visit will see the announcement of a new UK-Singapore strategic partnership, strengthening collaboration in areas including the digital economy, security and education. The British Council and National Arts Council will renew a memorandum of understanding, committing them to greater collaboration between Singapore and the UK. Mr Hunt will say: Britain is already the biggest European investor in southeast Asia, with ASEAN trade of nearly 37bn, and more than 4,000 British companies employing more than 50,000 people in Singapore alone. Those connections are why Britains post-Brexit role should be to act as an invisible chain linking together the democracies of the world, those countries which share our values and support our belief in free trade, the rule of law and open societies. Mr Hunt will confirm the opening of a new UK mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) headquarters in Jakarta, before moving on to Malaysia. Three quarters of Labour Party members want a new referendum on Brexit, according to a YouGov survey published on Wednesday. And the betting markets think there is a 40 per cent chance of it happening. But how could it come about? The first problem is time. There isnt time to hold a referendum on a normal timetable, which would take at least six months. Of course, Greece held a referendum on the 2015 bailout in just eight days, but in Britain simply getting the legislation through a hung parliament would be impossible before exit day, 29 March. Not only would a decision have to be made to hold another referendum, therefore, but also to postpone the UKs departure from the EU. That raises more problems. The UK government could ask for an extension to the two-year notice period set out in Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. That would need the unanimous agreement of the other 27 members. They have all said they would welcome the UK having the chance to change its mind about leaving, but it does also mean that any one of them could block an extension or set conditions, such as Spain on Gibraltar or France on fish. Police have launched a murder investigation after three people died in a house fire in Lincolnshire on New Year's Day. Bodies of the individuals were discovered inside the property, in the village of Kirton near Boston, on Tuesday after a blaze broke out at around 3am in the morning. Officers are investigating the incident as a domestic-related murder, but are not looking for any other suspects in connection with the probe. Superintendent Di Coulson, of Lincolnshire Police, said police had not yet been able to formally identify those who had died, but were confident they knew who the victims were. This is a tragic crime and our thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved, Supt Coulson said in a statement. We are in contact with the families and will ensure that this is a thorough investigation as we try and understand what happened. The investigation into the fire is being conducted by the East Midlands Specialist Operations Unit, which deals with major crime across five counties, alongside local officers in Lincolnshire. Officers said on Tuesday the ferocity of the fire meant it would take several days to establish how it started. Neighbours who witnessed the blaze in Peartree Road described how rapidly it had spread through the house after first igniting. We came out about 3.10am, and by 3.45am the whole of the top floor was ablaze, Councillor David Danby, chairman of Kirton Parish Council told BBC News. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The fire engines were there, the police were there, but I was overwhelmed by how quickly it took from one end of the house to the other to be totally engulfed. Police have appealed for anyone to come forward who has information on the occupants of the house, or anyone who was driving on or near the road just before the fire broke out. Officers said they were in the process of contacting the next of kin of those who they believed had died in the blaze. Nasa has revealed a stunning first photo of the distant world of Ultima Thule, the most distant object that humanity has ever explored. The tiny, icy object looks something like a peanut in the photo, which is just the first of a whole host of data that the space agency hopes to receive back. The picture came after flight controllers said they had had success in the high-risk, middle-of-the-night encounter at the mysterious body known as Ultima Thule on the frozen fringes of our solar system, an astounding 1 billion miles beyond Pluto. Now they will work to download and look through all of the data sent back over that long distance, a process that could take years. "I don't know about all of you, but I'm really liking this 2019 thing so far," lead scientist Alan Stern of Southwest Research Institute said to applause. "I'm here to tell you that last night, overnight, the United States spacecraft New Horizons conducted the farthest exploration in the history of humankind, and did so spectacularly." At left is a composite of two images taken by New Horizons' high-resolution Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI), which provides the best indication of Ultima Thule's size and shape so far. Preliminary measurements of this Kuiper Belt object suggest it is approximately 20 miles long by 10 miles wide (32 kilometers by 16 kilometers). An artist's impression at right illustrates one possible appearance of Ultima Thule, based on the actual image at left. The direction of Ultima's spin axis is indicated by the arrows (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI; sketch courtesy of James Tuttle Keane) (Nasa) The close approach came a half-hour into the new year, and three years after New Horizons' unprecedented swing past Pluto. For Ultima Thule which wasn't even known when New Horizons departed Earth in 2006 the endeavour was more difficult. The spacecraft zoomed within 2,200 miles of it, more than three times closer than the Pluto flyby. Operating on autopilot, New Horizons was out of radio contact with controllers at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory from late Monday afternoon until late Tuesday morning. Scientists wanted the spacecraft staring down Ultima Thule and collecting data, not turning toward Earth to phone home. Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427 more commonly known as WR 124 and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region Mission operations manager Alice Bowman said she was more nervous this time than she was with Pluto in 2015 because of the challenges and distance, so vast that messages take more than six hours, one way, to cross the 4 billion miles. When a solid radio link finally was acquired and team members reported that their spacecraft systems were green, or good, she declared with relief: "We have a healthy spacecraft." Later, she added to more applause: "We did it again." Cheers erupted in the control center and in a nearby auditorium, where hundreds more still weary from the double countdowns on New Year's Eve gathered to await word. Scientists and other team members embraced and shared high-fives, while the spillover auditorium crowd gave a standing ovation. Stern, Bowman and other key players soon joined their friends in the auditorium, where the celebration continued and a news conference took place. The speakers took delight in showing off the latest picture of Ultima Thule , taken just several hundred-thousand miles before the 12:33 a.m. close approach. Recommended Nasa celebrates success of exploratory mission four billion miles away "Ultima Thule is finally revealing its secrets to us," said project scientist Hal Weaver of Johns Hopkins. Based on the early, rudimentary images, Ultima Thule is highly elongated about 20 miles by 10 miles. It's also spinning end over end, although scientists don't yet know how fast. As for its shape, scientists say there are two possibilities. Ultima Thule is either one object with two connected lobes, sort of like a spinning bowling pin or peanut still in the shell, or two objects orbiting surprisingly close to one another. A single body is more likely, they noted. An answer should be forthcoming Wednesday, once better, closer pictures arrive. By week's end, "Ultima Thule is going to be a completely different world, compared to what we're seeing now," Weaver noted. Still, the best color close-ups won't be available until February. Those images should reveal whether Ultima Thule has any rings or moons, or craters on its dark, reddish surface. Altogether, it will take nearly two years for all of New Horizons' data to reach Earth. The observations should help scientists ascertain how deep-freeze objects like Ultima Thule formed, along with the rest of the solar system, 4.5 billion years ago. As a preserved relic from that original time, Ultima Thule also promises to shed light on the so-called Kuiper Belt, or Twilight Zone, in which hundreds of thousands of objects reside well beyond Neptune. "This mission's always been about delayed gratification," Stern reminded reporters. He noted it took 12 years to sell the project, five years to build it and nine years to reach the first target, Pluto. Its mission now totaling $800 million, the baby grand piano-sized New Horizons will keep hurtling toward the edge of the solar system, observing Kuiper Belt Objects, or KBOs, from afar, and taking cosmic particle measurements. Although NASA's Voyagers crossed the Kuiper Belt on their way to true interstellar space, their 1970s-era instruments were not nearly as sophisticated as those on New Horizons, Weaver noted, and the twin spacecraft did not pass near any objects known at the time. The New Horizons team is already pushing for another flyby in the 2020s, while the nuclear power and other spacecraft systems are still good. Bowman takes comfort and pleasure in knowing that long after New Horizons stops working, it "will keep going on and on." "There's a bit of all of us on that spacecraft," she said, "and it will continue after we're long gone here on Earth." Additional reporting by Associated Press China is about to land on the far side of the moon, exploring a place that remains almost entirely unknown to us despite being so close by. The mission will be a pioneering look at the far side of the moon a region that is forever hidden from the Earth, since we see the same side all of the time. Even messages cannot be relayed easily from that distant area, and it has remained unexplored by any rover. And the Chinese robot that will make its way to the surface is almost as mysterious as the world it has explored: China has revealed very little about the process of getting it there, and the exact time and location of the landing remains unknown. Its space agency is likely to announce both after it has successfully happened. State media reports suggest the Chang'e-4 craft will drop onto the surface some time over the next day. Rumours suggest that is likely to happen early on Thursday morning UK time. It has already dropped into the Moon's orbit and engineers will be preparing to land on its surface soon. Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427 more commonly known as WR 124 and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region When it does arrive on the surface, it will be carrying a whole host of instruments ready to explore what it finds there. Those include tools that will help it understand the Moon's geology as well as experiments that will test out the possibility of growing living things there. Recommended China going to dark side of the Moon in mysterious mission China has successfully landed on the Moon before with a predecessor, the Chang'e-3. But this mission will be much more difficult, in large part because it will involve dropping around to an area entirely unexplored by robots like this before. As well as being permanently hidden from view meaning that the distant part of the moon is sometimes known as the "dark side" the area is also thought to be quite different from the part of the Moon we see from the Earth. Scientists will explore those differences, and its unknown geology, with the new lander. The last branches of Woolworths closed a decade ago today. As the shutters clanged down on the chains final 199 shopfronts in market towns across the British Isles on 6 January 2009, a little piece of UK high street history passed away. No longer would we have access to a one-stop shop answering to all of our most disparate needs. Where else could you go when you needed a bag of pick n mix, a comprehensive selection of childrens clothes and a copy of Papa Roachs album Infest on CD at short notice? WHSmith may have you covered for greetings cards and Dean Koontz novels but it's all too rational. You might be able to wander into Aldi in search of a six-pack of Alpine lager and that nice sugary peanut butter and end up stumbling out with a welding mask and a pair of skis but even that has a value-driven internal logic. Poundland is perhaps the true inheritor of the Woolworths model but rarely attempts the same scale of mad ambition. Customers shop in a branch of Woolworths in Camden on 5 December 2008 (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty) Woolworths aisles were lined with affordable impulse items that had no business together school stationary alongside bottles of perfume and fishing tackle. If you were a bored teenager in the late 20th century, there was always Woolworths to loiter in. An American import, Woolworths first arrived in the UK in Edwardian Liverpool. The inaugural penny and sixpence store opened its doors on 5 November 1909 with a ceremony featuring a live orchestra, circus performers and fireworks. Pennsylvanian entrepreneur Frank Winfield Woolworth soon had 40 British branches up and running, proving his doubters within the US head office wrong. They initially feared venturing across the Atlantic might lead them into a commercial bears den. By 1930, the 400th branch of Woolworth was opened in Southport, Lancashire. By the time the brands popularity peaked in the 1960s, the company had 1,141 branches around the country. Woolworth's in the shopping precinct of Kirkby New Town, Lancashire, in 1967 (George W Hales/Fox Photos/Getty) Woolworths began to run into trouble in the 1980s and responded by pulling out of the Irish market and abandoning its out-of-town hypermarket format stores as a failure. It also vacated its big city centre department store premises like Briggate in Leeds in favour of open single-storey shops. At the turn of the millennium, the company tried various means to stay afloat, attempting to rival Argos with a Big Red Book ordering scheme and hiring oddly matched celebrities like Jackie Chan and Kelly Osbourne for their advertising campaigns. By late 2008, administrators Deloitte had been called in and all remaining 807 stores were gradually closed, resulting in 27,000 job losses. Investor Theo Paphitis was among those interested in saving the day before abandoning the project as a lost cause. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The last of the company's stock was being sold off at bargain prices. Asked about the closure, Brixton shopper Lucy Ferguson hit the nail on the head when she said: The problem was, you never really knew what Woolworths sold. Tesla shares fell as much as 9 per cent on Wednesday despite the electric car manufacturer tripling its production numbers. Investors fled after Elon Musks company announced it would cut the price of all of its cars in the US by $2,000 (1,589) to compensate for a reduction in low-emissions vehicle subsidies. The move includes the Model 3, the mass market car seen as Teslas route to profitability. Almost 1,000 cars a day are now rolling of Teslas production lines, slightly less than analysts had forecast. Total production rose 8 per cent to 86,555 vehicles during the final quarter of 2018 including 61,394 Model 3s. That was up from 29,870 a year earlier. The cash-guzzling company is under such pressure to hit targets that even the huge rise in production could not satisfy Wall Street. Recommended Tesla share price plummets after Elon Musk mocks US regulator Elon Musk has reminded potential customers to take advantage of US federal tax breaks which lower the cost of low-emission cars. But under an overhaul of rules introduced by the Republican-controlled Senate the credit has been slashed by half from the start of 2019 and will eventually be cut to zero. That was predicted to prompt a surge in sales for Tesla as consumers cashed in on the subsidy, but actual deliveries numbers fell slightly short. A $2,000 reduction would equate to $700m in lost revenue for Tesla if it continues to sell vehicles at the rate it did in the last quarter. Nicholas Hyett, Equity Analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown said that for most car companies Teslas latest results would be very impressive But unfortunately for Tesla shareholders, the market has come to expect Herculean achievements, and sometimes that means the bar is just that little bit too high. Deliveries have fallen short of what some analysts had expected and the shares are suffering as a result. Longer term we think the price cut is more concerning it suggests Tesla customers are perhaps a bit more price sensitive than you might have thought. You can see why Tesla have made the decision having got the production lines flying the company needs to ensure theres demand for its cutting edge technology when they make it off the conveyor belt. Tesla shares were down 8 per cent at $305.89 on Wednesday afternoon. The firm endured a tumultuous 2018 that included Mr Musk being removed from his position as chairman after tweeting that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private. It came as part of a series of concessions to settle a government lawsuit alleging that he duped investors with the statement which regulators say was misleading. Mr Musk said he had decided on the proposed purchase price of $4.20 because of it's significance in marijuana culture. Shortly after agreeing to pay $20m as part of the settlement, Mr Musk mocked the Securities and exchange commission, labelling it the "shortseller enrichment commission" in reference to those who had bet against his company. Now that Christmas and New Years Eve are both over, it can be all too easy to let the January blues take hold. What can there possibly be to look forward this month? The dropping winter temperatures? The prospect of having to get back into work mode after spending days lounging on the sofa wearing a festive onesie? Luckily for chocolate-loving Brits in need of some excitement, the highly anticipated Cadbury white Creme Egg hunt has returned for a second consecutive year in the lead up to Easter and a mouth-watering 10,000 prize is up for grabs for a few lucky winners. Last year, Cadbury released just 371 white chocolate Creme Eggs across the country, including a top prize egg worth 2,000 that was never found. This year, the brand has raised the stakes by releasing 783 white Creme Eggs in retailers including Sainsburys, Tesco, Co-op, Morrisons, Asda, One Stop, Marks & Spencer and independent retailers. If you thought that sourcing a winning white Creme Egg in the confectionery aisle was going to be an easy task, youd better think again. The limited-edition Creme Eggs will be encased in the normal Creme Egg wrapping, and so difficult to discern from the typical milk chocolate confectionery item. There are a total of eight white Creme Eggs worth 10,000 to be won from the participating retailers. The other cash prizes up for grabs are worth 50, 100 and 1,000. The promotion began on New Year's Day and will continue until 21 April 2019. If you find a winning white Creme Egg, you need to call the phone number printed on the voucher inside the chocolate's foil wrapping. Recommended Cadbury Creme Egg sugar content revealed in shocking Facebook post There will also be a unique code printed on the wrapping, which you'll need to use to verify whether or not you've won. Cadbury advises keeping the voucher and the foil wrapping safe until it's passed the company's verification process. In a new twist, Cadbury is also going to be hiding several white Creme Eggs in adverts, on social media and on websites from 14 January. If you spot any of these concealed white Creme Eggs, you may be in line to win a cash prize if you take a photo of it and upload it to huntthewhitecremeegg.com. Once your picture has been uploaded, the website will reveal whether or not it's white chocolate under the wrapping and if it's won you a cash prize. All claims need to be made before 5pm on 21 May 2019. If a claim is made after the deadline, it won't be counted. A single Creme Egg costs 58p, a pack of five costs 2.85 and a pack of 12 costs 6.68. While it may be difficult to determine whether or not a Creme Egg is white or milk chocolate, there is a sneaky tactic that you can try to get ahead of the competition. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Following the launch of the chocolate egg hunt last year, a spokesperson for Cadbury explained to The Independent that all you need to do is take a peek at the nutritional information on the outside of the wrapping. "All white Cadbury Creme Eggs, whilst wrapped in the same iconic packaging as the classic Creme Egg, will contain nutritional information that is specific to the white chocolate variant," they said. In February 2018, a viral Facebook post illustrated the shocking sugar content of a single Creme Egg, revealing that one contains approximately six teaspoons of sugar. You might think you can get away with wearing your regular shoes in snowy climes, but one quick slip on the ice will have you thinking otherwise. Plus, even the most incredible mountain view cant detract from the misery of having freezing-cold, wet feet. What do you need to think about when buying a snow boot? Warmth and waterproofing are of course key, and good grip on the sole is paramount. After that, it depends on what youll be using your snow boot for. A weeks ski holiday without much walking and you might want a comfy apres ski boot that is really easy to take on and off. But if you plan on winter hiking or just want a boot that is comfortable should you choose to, then youll want something more rugged and technical. Ditto if you live in a mountain town or are planning to do a ski season. Our pick of the best winter snow boots includes a mix of mens and womens models, though most brands offer an equivalent model for the other gender. This winter version of Keens bestselling Terradora hiking boot is a really comfy wear from the beginning. The lining is warm and soft, and it has a super-lightweight feel with good bounce. It felt like a boot you would enjoy walking a long way through snowy landscapes in; its compatible with snow shoes for walking in deeper snow. The grip was seriously impressive on slippery surfaces and the waterproofing proved reliable. This is a solid snow boot choice. Available in sizes 2.5-8.5, also sold in black. Buy now Canadian brand Sorels snow boots are perennially popular and with good reason, as they look great and work exceptionally well in wintry conditions, including deep snow. You always see people wearing them in ski resorts and mountain towns. The Caribou has a warm woolly lining, and rugged rubber at the base and sole, which, as youd expect, has excellent grip. The lace-system means it takes a while to get them on and off, but wed say they are more than worth that minor faff. Available in sizes 8-12; also sold in dark brown. There is a womens equivalent boot on sale. Buy now These fashion-focused boots from The North Face are made from Thermoball, a lightweight synthetic alternative to down. It felt like we were wearing a snug pair of slipper boots. They can be rolled down half way, are super-easy to get on and off and even if they do get a little wet, theyll still retain their warmth well. The grip was good though not the grippiest of the boots on test. Available in sizes 3-9. Buy now The Bugaboot is definitely at the technical rather than apres end of the snow boot spectrum. Recently, it was the boot of choice for a BBC crew filming in Antarctica, yet that functionality comes at a very decent price. Its an incredibly well-insulated boot that will keep your feet warm down to minus 32 degrees, but it was also comfortable with some spring to it, while the tread offered top-level grip. A great choice for winter hiking or for those who spend lots of time being active in frozen settings. Available in sizes 3-9, also sold in grey, and there is an equivalent mens boot. Buy now Danner is a reliable American hiking boot brand, and the Raptor is one of their strongest winter lines. Its well insulated with Primaloft, waterproof for both snow and thaw conditions and the grip works really well. Its comfy enough for everyday use, and popular with locals who live in snowy places. The lacing does take a while though, so avoid the Raptor if youre after an easy on/off ski holiday option. There is a grey version and a womens equivalent line. Buy now On a ski holiday, when youre constantly coming in and out of the chalet and heading to the ski locker room and hire shop, there can be a lot of taking your boots on and off faff to contend with. So, a pair of apres ski boots that are easy to slip on and off should not be sniffed at, such as the Arctic Apres AG Short from Muck Boot. It has excellent traction on snow and even wet ice, the most slippery surface of all, and its fleece-lined for extra comfort and warmth. Available in sizes 3-9. There is no exact mens equivalent boot, but the Arctic Excursion Ankle Boots are fairly close in function. Buy now If you like fast winter hiking with the odd break into running, but dont want to go splat on the ice, this lightweight, mid-height snow boot is the one for you. Salomon has taken their trail running tech and put it in a winter boot, with the addition of a deep grippy tread and good insulation. It has extra protection at the toe and the heel, and this boot felt durable too. Available in sizes 6.5-9, and there is a womens equivalent model. Buy now The Aotea from Bavarian-based Hanwag has one of the most grippy and durable soles on the test, thanks to a research collaboration with Michelin tyres. Its also an extremely sturdy, yet comfortable and flexible boot with decent room around the toes. It would be a good choice if you want to walk a lot in winter weather, and is best worn with a pair of thick socks. A mens equivalent of this boot is the Anvik GTX. Buy now The Ribelle is a snow boot for the serious mountaineer rather those who just need something sturdy and warm to walk home from the pub on a wintry night. Favored by mountain guides, or those who hike or do via ferrata in Alpine environments, its a reliably waterproof and lightweight boot, with great grip and a Sock-Fit to add extra control of movement. Its compatible for use with crampons, and there is a womens equivalent. Buy now Verdict: best snow boots When it comes to comfort, winter hiking function and value we were impressed with the Keen Terradora Wintershell and Columbia Bugaboot for women, while the Sorel Mens Caribou and Salomon X Ultra were both top mens snow boots. IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing. Netflix has apparently changed a description of Avengers: Infinity War that referred to Thanos as a sociopath, drawing complaints from fans. The Marvel movie debuted on the streaming service on 25 December, with a synopsis reading: "Superheroes amass to stop intergalactic sociopath Thanos from acquiring a full set of Infinity Stones and wiping out half of all life in the universe." Viewers complained on social media that the description was inaccurate. "Really take issue with Netflix categorising Thanos as a sociopath," one person wrote. "Hes clearly not." "Sorry, but Thanos is definitely not 'an intergalactic sociopath,'" someone else tweeted. A synopsis for Avengers: Infinity War on Netflix's website refers to Thanos as an "intergalactic sociopath". (Netflix) Sociopaths, according to the American Psychiatric Association, tend to show "a disregard for laws and social mores", "a disregard for the rights of others", "a failure to feel remorse or guilt", and "a tendency to display violent behaviours". Those four traits are listed as commonalities displayed both by sociopaths and psychopaths. Additional behaviours listed as being characteristic of sociopaths include agitation and emotional outbursts. A new description of Avengers: Infinity War later omitted the word "sociopath", indicating the streamer had amended its synopsis. The new summary, according to a screenshot published by Comicbook.com, reads: "Invader. Annihilator. So-called saviour. "As Thanos moves ever closer to omnipotence, the fate of the universe rests with the Avengers." This new description might not be showing up for all Netflix users at the moment and can still vary among accounts. The Independent has reached out to Netflix for more information. The 20 best horror films on Netflix Show all 20 1 /20 The 20 best horror films on Netflix The 20 best horror films on Netflix The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Bram Stokers Dracula (1992) Moviestore Collection/Rex/Shutterstock The 20 best horror films on Netflix Cabin in the Woods (2012) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Carrie (1976) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Christine (1983) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Creep (2014) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Dont Breathe (2016) Stephen Lang and Dylan Minnette in Don't Breathe Moviestore/Rex The 20 best horror films on Netflix February (2015) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Freddy vs Jason (2003) The 20 best horror films on Netflix From Beyond (1986) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Hostel (2005) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Insidious (2010) Patrick Wilson in Insidious Rex The 20 best horror films on Netflix Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Mama (2013) Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in Mama Kobal/Rex The 20 best horror films on Netflix Ravenous (2017) The 20 best horror films on Netflix The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Under the Shadow (2016) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Veronica (2017) The 20 best horror films on Netflix Wake Wood (2009) Avengers: Infinity War, starring a long list of Marvel stars including Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, and Chadwick Boseman, came out in April 2018. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Its sequel, Avengers: Endgame, is scheduled for April 2019. Key figures in the battle against Aids will join in London for a unique global forum which aims to drive down HIV rates and achieve the target of ending the epidemic. Following The Independents AIDSfree campaign, representatives from six key cities are to meet in the capital this month with one goal in mind to fight a disease that has claimed some 36 million lives. Government ministers and mayors will be joined by leading medical experts to begin discussions and form a plan of action on tackling HIV together and creating an Aids-free future. Those living with HIV will also have a voice, to share the real-life impact of the public health gains already made, and the need for more to be done. Globally, 37 million people are living with HIV and this is rising by 1.8 million annually. AIDSfree 12 Days of Christmas: Elton John and David Furnish deliver message for Day 12 In Britain 15 people are infected every day. The AIDSfree Cities Global Forum on 30 January will focus on the UNs 90-90-90 targets. These aim to ensure that at least 90 per cent of people with HIV know their status; 90 per cent of these are in treatment; and 90 per cent have an undetectable viral load where the level of virus in blood is so low it cannot be passed on. London has already reached these goals but experts say more can be done in both the capital and in the five other cities our campaign is focusing on, which are yet to achieve the targets: Delhi in India, Nairobi in Kenya, Maputo in Mozambique, Kiev in Ukraine and Atlanta in the US. The ideas, plans and proposals from the one-day forum will feed into the Fast-Track Cities Global Summit due to be held in London in September. The summit is part of an initiative launched in Paris on World Aids Day 2014, when mayors from cities across the world convened to sign the declaration committing them to achieving the UNs 90-90-90 goals and ending stigma associated with HIV and Aids. Delegates from more than 275 cities are due to attend this conference, which is being co-ordinated by the International Association of Providers of Aids Care (Iapac) and its partners. Triggered by our campaign in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, The AIDSfree Cities Global Forum will be hosted by the charity along with health secretary Matt Hancock and international development secretary Penny Mordaunt. We know our work is not done until we can say we have eliminated Aids off the face of the globe and for some cities, there is still some way to go Health secretary Matt Hancock Mr Hancock said: The UK recently celebrated an extraordinary feat by becoming one of the first countries to meet global control targets for HIV. But we know our work is not done until we can say we have eliminated Aids off the face of the globe and for some cities, there is still some way to go. As a world leader in health, we have a duty to share what weve learned. I am delighted the UK will be hosting this forum to bring together leaders, experts and stakeholders to accelerate action on HIV and save lives. The forums experts will work to speed up HIV-prevention programmes and save the lives of some of the worlds most vulnerable people International development secretary Penny Mordaunt Ms Mordaunt said: We are proud the government is co-hosting the AIDS-free Global Forum. The forums experts will work to speed up HIV-prevention programmes and save the lives of some of the worlds most vulnerable people. Through UK Aid Match, the government is matching donations from the great British public, up to 2m, to the Independent and the Evening Standards AIDSfree campaign. With this vital public support the Elton John AIDS Foundation will work to increase HIV testing and care in both Nairobi and Maputo. Iapac president Jose Zuniga said: The insights and commitments stemming from the forum will inform the Fast-Track Cities 2019 conference and Global Mayors Summit, where we will feature progress made and opportunities to further accelerate local HIV responses in more than 275 cities worldwide. Iapac president Jose Zuniga (YouTube) The event, sponsored by Johnson and Johnson, will be hosted in partnership with EJAF by the Conduit in Mayfair. Paul van Zyl, co-founder and CCO of the Conduit, said: We are delighted to host the AIDSFree Cities Global Forum and help facilitate meaningful, impactful partnerships in the fight against HIV/Aids. Behind every successful company is a leader that has mobilized consumers, colleagues and vendors to adopt and support a shared vision. Often, the most persuasive brands know how to position their offerings against competitors to capture more market share. They also have ways of recruiting and retaining strong talent. And they manage to negotiate deals with suppliers to get higher-quality products at better prices and faster turnaround times. At my company Amerisleep, our team has used the powers of persuasion to create a community of hundreds of thousands of satisfied sleepers across the globe. Over the course of a decade, we were among the first brands to convince customers to shop online for a mattress, we secured supply chain agreements to produce the world's most eco-friendly foam, and we successfully expanded our business to Australia and Asia. By encouraging customers, employees and partners to buy into our vision of delivering better sleep, we've been able to multiply our sales year-over-year. To unlock your business's full potential, it's important that you're able to encourage more of the people around you to help fulfill your long-term goals. And to do that, you'll need to follow the three steps below. 1. Consider whether to apply logic, emotion or compromise. Skilled persuaders know how to craft their argument to appeal to others. By approaching their audience using evidence and rational reasoning, they manage to convince people to overlook other reservations. Of course, it's important to note that these facts should still be presented as part of a cohesive narrative since storytelling is a more effective form of persuasion than merely presenting statistics. When you appeal to the heart, your goal is to elicit an emotional response, which may inspire desired action. Alternatively, business leaders can try to reach a compromise with the other party to create mutually-beneficial outcomes. The exact technique (or combination) you employ will depend on both your argument and your audience, so analyze each carefully and determine which approach will have the greatest impact on your situation. 2. Study the motivations of your colleagues, customers and partners. When a person's motivator is triggered, they have a higher likelihood of becoming engaged in the conversation. Once you understand what motivates the people you are appealing to, you can craft your message to address their concerns and speak directly to their wants and needs. For instance, among employees, some feel more engaged on-the-job when they are offered additional responsibilities. Others respond better to positive feedback from management. When you know what drives them, you can create win-win opportunities by aligning your company needs with their personal expectations. 3. Evaluate whether your arguments complement or conflict with brand values. Persuasion is as much about the audience and the environment as it is about the speaker, and the core values that make up the culture of your company will have a significant impact on your ability to influence individuals in that environment. You're aware that John Kerry was the 68thU.S. Secretary of State--and that before that, Kerry served as Senator from Massachusetts from 1985 until 2013. And you probably recall that Kerry is a decorated Navy veteran who later protested against the Vietnam War. And, of course, Kerry was the Democratic nominee for President in 2004, losing to incumbent George W. Bush. But you may not know that Kerry's experience has helped him develop an effective approach to leadership. In a Harvard Business Review interview, Kerry shared his insights about the best way to lead, which can be summed up in three essential words: 1. Mission. When a leader comes into a new role, the first thing he/she needs to do is listen to his/her team members. But the leader also needs to immediately set clear direction. Leaders must "come in with clearly defined standards and goals that people understand right up front," says Kerry. "One of the greatest deficits of leadership is to not command respect for knowing where you want to go. If people have doubts about what the mission is or how it will be carried out, you've got a problem." 2. Talent. Kerry is serious about hiring talented staff--in fact, he looks for people "who are smarter than I am--and I like to joke that they're not too hard to find." Kerry also looks for people who: "know a lot about one thing or another, and about what we're trying to get done, and are strong-minded. "will not just say what they think I want to hear but will offer creative, exciting, thoughtful approaches to big challenges. "will say no to me. I trust my own judgment, but I want those contrary points of view so that I see all the pluses and minuses before I make the call. Then, when I've made it, I want people who are also ready to go out and be team players and help implement it." 3. Teamwork. Kerry credits military training for teaching him "management skills, leadership, accountability, hierarchy--all things that are critical to any kind of effective organization and team." And that training taught Kerry the importance of teamwork "Each person had a job and knew what he was doing. You learned to take care of each other, move quickly, and exercise command decisions." Bangladesh Election Washington, DC - The United States commends the tens of millions of Bangladeshis who voted in Bangladeshs 11th parliamentary election on December 30, 2018, as well as the decision of all major opposition political parties to participate, a positive development after the boycotted election of 2014. The United States remains deeply invested in the future of Bangladesh and its democratic development. The United States is Bangladeshs largest foreign investor, largest single-country market for Bangladeshi exports, and home to a large community of Americans of Bangladeshi origin. In this light, we note with concern credible reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence in the pre-election period that made it difficult for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and campaign freely. We are also concerned that election-day irregularities prevented some people from voting, which undermined faith in the electoral process. We strongly encourage all parties to refrain from violence and request the Election Commission work constructively with all sides to address claims of irregularities. Bangladeshs impressive record of economic development and respect for democracy and human rights are mutually reinforcing, and we look forward to continue working with the ruling government and opposition towards advancing these interrelated goals. Presidential Message on National Stalking Awareness Month Washington, DC - Stalking endangers the safety and well-being of millions of men and women each year. Too often, this serious crime goes unreported and unaddressed, prolonging feelings of helplessness and anxiety experienced by too many Americans. Stalkers attempt to provoke fear in their victims through repeated and unwanted contact, including explicit and implied threats, following or waiting for the victim, and harassing the victim by misusing social media. These and other threatening actions often cause victims to endure physical and emotional distress. Young women are disproportionately victimized by stalking, but anyone can be affected by it or other forms of harassment. An overwhelming majority of victims are stalked by someone they know, and those recently separated or divorced are the highest at risk. My Administration continues to work with State and local partners to prosecute criminals who violate the privacy and safety of innocent Americans. The Department of Justice, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and others are promoting important strategies that prevent stalking. No one should ever feel unsafe because of unwanted interactions caused by stalkers. During National Stalking Awareness Month, we stand with survivors, law enforcement professionals, and all who continue to combat this serious crime. Together, we must ensure that those who are dealing with undeserved abuse and manipulation know that they are not alone and that there is help. Looking Forward: Food Tank Plans for 2019 Washington, DC - Our plans for 2019 are simply amazing, and we are embarking on our greatest organizational expansion ever. The good food movement demands this as we try to keep up with the explosive growth of the worldwide energy towards building a better food system. If you havent already joined Food Tank as a member, please join HERE. I wont go on and on about the personal benefits of you joining, because I know that you are most interested in us building, convening, and amplifying this amazing food movement. I promise you that every dime you donate (which are all tax-deductible) will be stretched for maximum impactwe survive because of grassroots donors like you. Here are some of the plans we already have up our sleeves for 2019: Building a Permanent Voice for The Good Food Movement in Washington, D.C. Food Tank will start hosting a series of ongoing conversations about bi-partisan food policy opportunities, held right in the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. These luncheon events will have a carefully curated and balanced audience by invitation only (featuring policymakers, advocates, and key staff). Topics will look for solutions around issues where all sides have shared values, such as preventing food waste, eliminating hunger, improving childrens nutrition, protecting family farmers, and much more. Releasing the 1st State of the Food System Annual Publication Food Tank will publish an annual book, State of the Food System, created with Island Press and built for the general publicbut also geared specifically towards food studies programs and incorporation into university curriculum. Bringing together the biggest thinkers in food, I will curate it in short chapters based on the themes. Ill also visit classes as guest lecturer through live video, and Food Tank will survey professors to develop topics/themes. Growing our Investigative Reporting and the Food Talk Podcast Our free podcast, Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, interviews some of the biggest names in food and agriculture twice weekly. The podcast has already charted #3 in the iTunes nonprofit category and appears on Google Play, Spotify, and Stitcher as well as on FoodTank.com. Interviews have included Sam Kass, Michel Nischan, Karen Washington, Spike Mendelsohn, Questlove, Jim Perdue, Tamar Haspel, Hari Pulapaka, and dozens more. Ill be expanding on the podcast to feature video versions of our conversations engaging with food system advocates around the world through regular forums on Instagram Live, Facebook Live, Periscope/Twitter Live, and more. Additionally, we will continue to expand our reporting and do deeper investigations to unearth the stories not being told. Already, we have developed collaborations with freelancers from nearly every continent to help us conduct on-the-ground reporting in some of the most vibrant and remote places on Earth. We plan on publishing more than 400 original articles in 2019 as well as doing a complete overhaul of our website and mobile app. We will also do even more video storytelling and reporting in 2019, taking full advantage of tools like IGTV, Facebook Watch, YouTube, and more. Building Permanent, Year-Round Food Tank Presence in Major Cities This spring, we are launching our first Food Tank city chapter in New York City. It will start as a bi-monthly live event series held in partnership with NYU Steinhardt and the Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center. Ill be hosting several fireside chats with some of the biggest names in food, exploring a different theme at each event. The events will be followed by networking opportunities and delicious food and drinks. Each of the talks will be aired on Facebook Live, posted on our YouTube channel, and released on our Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" podcast. In the fall, we will be launching our second Food Tank city chapter in Boston. This will start a bi-monthly gathering held in partnership with the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. The events will be followed by networking opportunities and delicious food and drinks, provided in partnership with local chefs. Just like in New York City, all of our events will be free worldwide via live-stream. We will also post the videos on FoodTank.com and audio on our podcast. New York City and Boston were chosen because we have more Food Tank members in those cities than any other. Want a Food Tank chapter in your city? Become a member. Once we hit a critical mass, we will unlock your city. We hope to expand to dozens more cities worldwide, including building a training school program, in 2019. Convening Food Tank 2019 Summits Last year, we held incredible and completely sold-out Summits in New York City, D.C., Seattle, and San Diegoso expect more Summits in 2019! Right now, we are pleased to share that New York City will be held in November. The theme is "How Food Businesses Are Pivoting, Shifting, Adapting, and Leadingor Dying, and we will bring together more than 700 attendees at the NYU Skirball Center. The event will be led by dozens of the most innovative CEOs, disruptors, changemakers, activists, policymakers, and leaders from startups, media organizations, large companies, and nonprofits who are leading the shift in how food businesses look at sustainability. We will continue to partner with top media outlets to serve as moderators including from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, and more. More cities and Food Tank Summits are expected to be announced soon! Organizing and Speaking at Several Events at SXSW 2019 Food Tank will be hosting a discussion at the SXSW conference entitled "Cultivating the Next Generation of Food Leaders. We will be curating some incredible speakers as well as speaking at an event called "Vote With Your ForkConsumers & Regenerative Ag, among others. Food Tank has also been invited to speak at more than 100 events on five continents in 2019, including the EAT Stockholm Food Forum, Seeds & Chips, and festival21. Launching Garjana: The First-Ever Fully Immersive, Original Off-Broadway Musical Food Tank is staging the first-ever fully immersive, completely original off-Broadway musical called Garjana, featuring an all-Broadway cast and centered around climate change and food security. Early Garjana workshops received joyous receptions from audiences at sold-out events across NYC (including the Highline Ballroom and Union Square Ballroom), attracting thousands of participants and rave reviews. Playbill Magazine said it was about to be New York Citys hottest trend. The New York Times highlighted the stars from Broadway, music, film, and television [leading] Garjana. Billboard Magazine said, the abundant smiles, encouragement, and laughs left no room to worry. And Broadway World said, several recent studies have found that millennials are now choosing dancing over drinking, clean living over cocktails, and connecting with people over isolation with their iPhones. Garjana is their new outlet. And this is just 1/100th of what we have planned. We do all of the above with only three full-time staff (!) and dozens of volunteers around the world. CDFA announces mid-term vacancy on the Industrial Hemp Advisory Board Sacramento, California - The California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Pest Exclusion Branch is announcing one mid-term vacancy on the Industrial Hemp Advisory Board (IHAB). The board is composed of eleven members, and the current vacancy is for a representative who intends to register as a grower of industrial hemp. The member shall be a representative of at least one of the following functions: seed production, seed conditioning, marketing, and/or seed utilization. The term of office for board members is three years. This position is a mid-term appointment ending on May 31, 2020. Members will meet at least once per year, but may meet more frequently if needed. The members receive no compensation, but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources. This board will advise CDFA and make recommendations on matters including, but not limited to industrial hemp seed law and regulations, enforcement, annual budgets, and the setting of an assessment rate. Individuals interested in being considered for this board appointment should send a brief resume to Michelle Phillips by January 31, 2019 at: California Department of Food and Agriculture Pest Exclusion Branch 1220 N Street, Room 344 Sacramento, CA 95814 Attention: Michelle Phillips For additional information, you may contact the Nursery, Seed, and Cotton Program at (916) 654-0435. Imperial Valley News Center Chung-Hoon seizes drugs in Gulf of Aden Gulf of Aden - The guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) interdicted a shipment of narcotics aboard a stateless vessel while conducting maritime security operations in the international waters of the Gulf of Aden, December 27. Chung-Hoons visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team seized over 11,000 pounds of hashish while conducting a flag verification boarding. We have been conducting maritime security operations along suspected maritime smuggling routes in order to interdict illicit shipments into Yemen and Somalia, said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brent Jackson, commanding officer of Chung-Hoon. It's critical in an effort to curb the ongoing shipments of illicit weapons and narcotics. I am grateful that Chung-Hoon was able to play a small part in an ongoing effort to deter and limit these illicit shipments of contraband." The vessel was determined to be stateless following a flag verification boarding, conducted in accordance with customary international law. The vessel and its crew were allowed to depart once the narcotics were seized. Chung-Hoon is one of the many ships currently conducting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet. Maritime security operations as conducted by the U.S. Navy entail routine patrols to determine pattern of life in the maritime as well as enhance mariner-to-mariner relations. The relationships built as a result allow the U.S. Navy to disrupt the transport of illicit cargo that often funds terrorism and unlawful activities, and also reassures law-abiding mariners in the region. Chung-Hoon is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The region is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab-al-Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen. Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load (The Center Square) Taxes for drivers filling up at the pump in Illinois are going up again July 1, an annual increase one analyst says politicians made to take them off the hook from having to vote for tax increases in the future. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation2@journalnet.com for help creating one. Community Information If you would like to submit an upcoming event or community announcement, please contact our staff at 208-232-4161 or send an email to cjohnson@journalnet.com. We will also accept news from local clubs and engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements. You can post your community or club events on our calendar. Obituaries Submit an obituary/notice All obituaries must be placed by your mortuary or onlineDeadline is 3 p.m. for publication the next day. The ISJ is not responsible for spelling, grammar, or basic mistakes. We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@idahopress.com for help creating one. Japan leaving the International Whaling Commission is a disaster, but not for the reasons you think by Peter Bridgewater (Chair of the IWC from 1995-1998 and now adjunct professor at the University of Canberra) December 31,2018 | Source: ABC The reaction to Japan leaving the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has been predictable, offering nothing new. The Australian Government has said it's "extremely disappointed", while UK Secretary of State for the Environment Michael Gove tweeted that Britain would "continue to fight for the welfare of these majestic mammals". So far, so normal, with all and sundry wanting to show how concerned they are, armed with the froth of publicity and minimal dose of fact. But the annoyance at Japan leaving is partly, one suspects, that outside of IWC there are few ways to frustrate the ambitions of Japan. As chair of the IWC in the 1990s, I witnessed the futility of the international community's approach to the whaling issue. As I noted in 2012: "We need a much saner dialogue, in which Australia puts away its placards and Japan puts away its chopsticks, and we start to discuss the real issues." But this decision is a very serious, if not dangerous, one, on several fronts. Firstly, it's bad for whales As it's no longer part of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), Japan cannot pursue scientific whaling. So, as the Australian ministers note, there will be no more whales killed in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary (by Japan). At present, all populations of whales are recovering, albeit at different rates. Minke whales in the Southern Ocean have never been in danger and were always capable of far greater sustainable take, if that was what the global community wanted. (They didn't, of course.) But the world of whales is dived into different "stocks" or populations. And while most whale species are highly migratory, there are none-the-less genetically distinct stocks around the world. The problem is that for whaling in the Japanese Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the scientific evidence suggests that stock levels are low, and do not show the levels of robust recovery seen elsewhere. So, while there is a gain for whales in the Southern Ocean (where it's least needed), the threat to northern Pacific populations increases. And the one thing that will decrease (despite the usual bluster) is the amount of research done on whales globally. Environmental governance also takes a hit The ICRW was drawn up in the late 1940s as a convention for whalers, with Australia being in at the foundation in 1948. Japan joined in 1951. By remaining in the ICW until now, Japan has faithfully followed international protocol, including the decision by the International Court of Justice in 2014 following the challenge by Australia to Japan's "scientific whaling". The nub of the governance problem is that the ICRW has two main aims: "[To pursue] the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of the whaling industry." The term "conservation" here simply means ensuring there are enough whales to maintain an industry, but that is not how it is interpreted by Australia and other like-minded countries. And "make possible" are the two key words in that statement of aims. To whale anywhere outside of the Japanese EEZ, Japan would need to cooperate with an "appropriate international organisation for [the whales'] conservation, management and study" (UNCLOS Art.65). While regional organisations such as NAMMCO do exist, the north Atlantic is hardly close to the north Pacific. Internally in Japan, the pressure to leave IWC seems to have come from the Fisheries Agency (although with angst from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and with a final political decision pushed by a few pro-whaling politicians. The likely result will be a frustrated Japan, fishing an unsustainable resource, in an increasingly smaller pond. And no-one will be winning. So how has it come to this? As in all human relationships, it is about talking with, not talking to, and, importantly, listening. In my six years as Australian commissioner and three as chair it was alternately exhilarating and depressing to feel we were "winning" on whaling and then to realise that everyone was losing. For example, I witnessed Japan produce volumes of detailed studies on the cultural significance of whales and whaling to key settlements mainly in the north of Honshu all contemptuously dismissed by "like-minded" countries, to the palpable disappointment of the Japanese delegation. It was simple hubris. Where engagement was possible the results were great for whales and people. But if nations are parties to conventions whose texts they embrace when useful and discard when not, then the system is simply broken. What Australia can do, if it really wants to help whales and be globally responsible, is lead a charge to reform the text of the ICRW with Japan. For example, taking parts of ICRW, especially the scientific committee, into the Convention on Migratory Species and using that convention to deal with these global issues. Another positive development would be a greatly enhanced whale research program from Australia, NZ, South Africa, Argentina and the UK, to which Japan could be invited to contribute. This is a moment of breakage and pain for the international system, driven partly by political manoeuvring in Japan, but enabled by rote chanting in the West of "we don't like killing whales" and peddling of the usual emotive nonsense from NGOs. Yet it could have positive results. But, guys, please talk with each other and stop shouting. 2018 ABC Theme(s): Others. Canadian judge rules on challenge over Metis hunting and fishing rights by Charlene Tebbutt December 31,2018 | Source: battlefordsNOW hree men charged with illegally hunting and fishing in northwest Saskatchewan have lost a challenge to government regulations over Metis rights to hunt and fish. The men were charged in three separate incidents going back to 2012. The three went to trial at the same time, arguing their Metis status gives them rights to hunt and fish as Indians under the federal governments Natural Resources Transfer Agreement [NRTA]. In a decision earlier this month from Meadow Lake Provincial Court, Judge Earl Kalenith disagreed, finding Metis peoples are not Indians as described in the NRTA between the province and the federal government. I agree with the Crown that Canada had no express constitutional obligation to the Metis in Saskatchewan from which a fiduciary or any related legal obligation could arise and no power to include the Metis in the NRTA, a negotiated agreement, without Saskatchewans agreement, Kalenith said in the judgment. The case looked at each of the mens historical links to the area, their current Metis status, genealogical history of the Metis in northwest Saskatchewan, and settlement in the area. Warren Boyer was charged with unlawful fishing relating to an incident in March 2014 at Chitek Lake, while another man, Billy Myette, was charged with hunting without a valid license stemming from an incident at Rush Lake in November 2013. A third man, Oliver Poitras, was charged after he was found hunting at Alcott Creek in November 2012. Myette was found not guilty of the charge of hunting without a valid license. He was found hunting on the Rush Lake Fireguard Road, southwest of the southern tip of Green Lake, the court decision notes. While the Crown argued the area was not part of the historic Metis community of northwest Saskatchewan, Kalenith found otherwise. Boyer was convicted of the charge against him and fined a total of $41. Although evidence shows he has an ancestral connection to the area and is currently a member of the local Metis community, Kalenith ruled a Metis community did not exist in the area before European control and was not part of the historic Metis community of northwest Saskatchewan. In the case involving Oliver Poitras, he was convicted of unlawful hunting in relation to an incident near Alcott Creek, about 37 kilometres south of Meadow Lake. Poitras claimed he had a historical right to hunt, arguing that his father was a trapper in the area, but Kalenith disagreed, finding that the area was not part of the historic Metis community. Poitras was fined a total of $580 on the charge. Crown Prosecutor James Fyfe said the case was significant because of the challenge to the NRTA. While other cases of Metis rights have come up before in Saskatchewan, Fyfe said the challenge to the NRTA was a first. Had they won on that question, it would have been groundbreaking, Fyfe said. But, we do have some clarity on it, at least in Saskatchewan. In Saskatchewan, those with constitutionally-protected Treaty rights are exempt from certain provincial hunting and fishing laws. Saskatchewan Environments guide on Treaty and Aboriginal rights states those from certain historic and contemporary Metis communities may exercise Aboriginal rights to hunt, fish and trap for food in some areas of the province, namely within certain areas of northern Saskatchewan. 2019 battlefordsNOW Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. Latest edition of ICSF's newsletter on gender and fisheries, Yemaya No.58, dated December 2018, published December 28,2018 | Source: ICSF Trust | Alert Type(s): Samudra Exclusive The International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) has released the latest edition of Yemaya, its newsletter on gender and fisheries. Yemaya No. 58, dated December 2018, features articles from Kenya, Mexico, India, and an analytical article on gender inequalities in the seafood industry. The editorial comment calls for gender mainstreaming throughout the fisheries sector. The article on Kenya by Irene Ojuok and Philemon Bwanawoy throws light on the new initiatives developing in the context of declining resources in Kenya. Women are entering in new roles along the value chain and they no longer have to engage in jaboya, thanks to new income-generating projects. Carmen Pedroza Gutierrez, in her article, narrates the experience of Alejandra and Maria Elena from Mexico's Lake Chapala and examines how women fishers are excluded from the support net of social security measures or benefits and how vulnerable their life is without any legal recognition. The article from India by Holly Hapke looks at how the mechanization in fishing and retrieving catch using mechanical propulsion led to greater centralization of fish landings and the impact on women fish traders. The centralization of landings has created competition from men fish traders too. Marie Christine Monfort, in her article on a survey among male and female seafood professionals to elicit their view about the situation of women in the fishing industry, argue that situations of inequality have been reported from all parts of the world, with the exception of Scandinavia. The seafood professionals from this region rank Denmark, Iceland and Norway as the top countries closest to gender equality. In her review of the Cambodian film, "Give Woman a Fish", Kyoko Kusakabe describes the challenges women fishers face in Cambodias Tonle Sap Lake. The lake provides 60% of Cambodias annual fish catch and is the source of livelihood for 1.5 mn people. The film describes how a successful project supported by a womens group to upgrade their fish processing techniques, introduced savings and helped to diversify livelihoods. A profile of Sonia Medina Matarrita, a fisherwoman from Isla Venado, Costa Rica, by Vivienne Solis Rivers narrates the story of how under Sonias leadership, the Venado Island fishers association got involved in the implementation of responsible fishing in the Marine Responsible Fishing Area of the island. The Milestones column features a declaration on the urgent need to guarantee the social protection and safety of workers (women and men) in the sector. The declaration calls our attention to provide professional dignity to fishers activity so that it can be considered "decent work", according to the International Labour Organization (ILO) definition. The declaration states that it is necessary to improve the working conditions of women within the sector, to fight against the informality and precariousness of women's work segregation, both horizontally and vertically, and to address the wage gap and barriers that hinder the reconciliation of work, family and personal life. The What's New, Webby? column presents the details of a new women-in-fisheries project which examines how women contribute to the survival of both fishing families and the fishing industry. The current issue of Yemaya also carries the ever-popular cartoon strip, "Yemaya Mama". Yemaya No. 58, dated December 2018, can be accessed at: https://www.icsf.net/en/yemaya/article/EN/58.html?limitstart=0 For more, please visit www.icsf.net 2018 ICSF Theme(s): Others. No #TimesUp For Charlie Walk, Lands New Job Despite Misconduct Claims Because His wife stayed with him Former Republic Group president Charlie Walk, who left the company earlier this year amid multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, has resurfaced as a consultant for UnitedMasters, the new company launched by music industry veteran Steve Stoute. Stoute confirmed Walks position to Rolling Stone after it was first reported by Billboard. UnitedMasters provides premium music distribution services and facilitates unique partnerships between artists and the worlds biggest brands, according to its website. I hired him as a consultant to work on some radio strategy for us, Stoute told Rolling Stone in a statement. I know Charlie and his wife Lauren really well. During the entire crisis, Ive spoken to him. Before I considered bringing him on as a consultant, I sat down with his wife and my rationale was very simple: His wife stayed with him. She believes him. He denied it. Who am I to go any further than that? If there was anything more to it like if his wife left him or whatever I wouldve probably had a different point of view on it. I felt after talking to his wife that I wasnt doing anything that was wrong using him as a consultant. It was fine. Thats what I assumed. Stoute was asked if he read the reports by several women alleging Walks misbehavior. I read some of it, he said. Obviously, there is concern anytime theres womens rights involved or anybodys rights. Im an African-American man. I dont like African-Americans not being treated fairly. I dont like women not being treated fairly. I dont think gays and lesbians should be treated unfairly. I come from struggling to get my voice heard and get fair treatment. So certainly that gave me concern. Any inequality gives me concern. Tristan Coopersmith, Walks former employee at Columbia Records, posted an open letter to Walk in January that led to several women adding their voices to the sentiment: For a year I shuddered at the idea of being called into your office, where you would stealthily close the door and make lewd comments about my body and share your fantasies of having sex with me, she wrote, adding he would put his hand on her thigh and whisper disgusting things into my ear and I had to smile so that no one suspected anything. On multiple occasions your wife was sitting right across from us. Walk was a judge on the Sean Combs-produced singing battle The Four, which had its season two finale on Fox in August. photo: Charlie Walk (John Richard) CelebrityAccess Share on: Universal Scores Win vs ISP In DMCA Safe Harbors Case In the latest development in the case between ISP Grande Communications and Universal Music Group, a judge has ruled that Grande shouldn't be able to use the DMCA's 'safe harbor' defense since the ISP failed to terminate infringers. __________________________ Guest post by Mike Masnick of Techdirt We've written a few times about a key DMCA case in Texas, involving the ISP Grande Communications and Universal Music Group (and, by proxy, the copyright trolling operation Rightscorp). The case has had a lot of up and downs, with the judge tossing UMG's "vicarious infringement" claims, while letting the "contributory infringement" claims move forward. In October, the court rejected UMG's attempt to bring back the vicarious infringement claims which had already been dismissed, with some fairly harsh words directed at UMG for attempting that. The latest, as first noted by Torrentfreak, is that the magistrate judge has recommended rejecting Grande's use of the DMCA safe harbor defense. I still have general issues with the idea that the "repeat infringer" part of the DMCA is being accurately described in these cases (specifically: the courts are now applying it to accusations of infringement, rather than actual infringers, which requires a court adjudication). However, the magistrate basically points out that Grande can't make use of the safe harbors because it had no repeat infringer policy at all. Or, rather, it did, but in 2010 it stopped using it, and then never had a policy through 2016. So, without a policy, they couldn't have reasonably implemented it and thus, no safe harbors. Given the facts of the case, that's perhaps not that surprising. The DMCA requires you to have a reasonably implemented policy (Cox lost its similar lawsuit not because it didn't have a policy, but because it didn't follow its own policy). Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean that UMG is going to win the case. Not having the safe harbor makes it harder for Grande, but not fatal. UMG will still need to prove contributory infringement, which is going to be fairly difficult to show. Earlier in the case, the court had noted "that this is not yet a well-defined area of law, and that there are good arguments on both sides of this issue." Effectively, UMG will need to show that Grande "induced" infringement by its actions, and Grande will claim it did no such thing. But it can't just use the DMCA safe harbors to get the case dismissed, rather it will need to focus specifically on the question of whether it induced people to infringe. 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The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. A free chance to win $1 million or more in lottery Free tickets to sporting events A paid day off work I'm anti-vax and think incentives are a distraction Vote View Results Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is poised to enter what promises to be a huge field of Democrats trying to secure the party's presidential nomination in 2020. FACT CHECK See inaccurate information in this story? Tell us here. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sam Houston State Universitys proposed osteopathic medical college has cleared its initial accreditation hurdle, keeping it on track for a targeted fall 2020 opening. The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation granted candidate status to the SHSU proposal in December, following a hearing early in the month. It must still grant pre-accreditation, a longer process, before Sam Houston can begin admitting students. Full accreditation is only granted after the graduation of the first class. Sam Houston hopes to create a college of osteopathic medicine in Conroe, the third in the state to educate aspiring doctors in the more holistic, hands-on approach to health care. Existing osteopathic colleges are at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth and the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. CONROE SITE: Sam Houston State University to build med school in Conroe's Grand Central Park No one from Sam Houston was available for comment about the new designation this week. News that the university's proposed medical school achieved candidate status in December is shown on a notice posted on the accreditation commissions website. Above Sam Houstons listing, the notice says such status is granted to applicants that demonstrate the planning and resources necessary to be expected to be able to proceed to pre-accreditation status within two years. The listing of candidate status institutions doesnt imply any opinion on the part of the COCA regarding progression into the accreditation process, the notice says. A COCA spokeswoman declined comment on the commission's decision. Sam Houstons pursuit of a medical school is one of two in the area. The University of Houston wants to open a traditional medical school, also targeted for fall 2020, and plans to submit its initial accreditation application to the Liaison Committee for Medical Education in April. It had previously aimed to apply in December. We want to make sure we have the strongest application possible, said Chris Stipes, a UH spokesman. Submitting in April allows us the opportunity to have a more complete infrastructure in place, including staffing and curriculum, without compromising the timeline for a start date. Both schools plan to focus on training primary-care doctors Sam Houston for rural areas in east Texas, UH for underserved areas around Houston and the state. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved SHSUs plan in August and UHs in October. Third Ward Medical School: UH to build medical school on campus The Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation previously turned down Sam Houstons application for new medical school candidacy status at its August meeting because the commission had adopted new standards between the time of Sam Houstons initial submission and coordinating board approval, a prerequisite in the COCA process. It told SHSU to reapply under the new standards. The process for both accrediting bodies includes a site visit, likely not before summer 2019. todd.ackerman@chron.com A man was charged with making a false report earlier this week after he made up claims that a deputy had been shot at a Harris County apartment in the 13900 block of Ella Boulevard, according to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office. Demarcus Pugh, 24, is also under investigation in connection with additional false reports made to local police in 2017 and 2018, police said. As forecasters predict heavy rainfall for the Houston area tonight, local law enforcement agencies are preparing high-water vehicles and reminding residents to stay inside if possible. Houston will be under a flash flood watch until noon Thursday with up to three inches of rainfall possible throughout the city. RELATED: Flooding possible for Houston area with rain in the forecast through Thursday More rain could fall in low lying areas. With ground already saturated from recent rainfall, residents should be especially mindful of runoff from rivers, creeks and bayous, the weather service said. Another 1.2 inches of rain is expected to fall before midnight. "In anticipation of additional rain this evening and heavy rain overnight, all HFD High Water Assets are ready for deployment," the Houston Fire Department said in a tweet. Their rescue fleet includes nine high-water vehicles, 18 evacuation boats, nine rescue boats and three drones. The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office also said they're ready with high-water assets if necessary, including rescue boats, five-ton trucks and a Hummer. "Drive safely and avoid being out tonight if possible," the office said. Another half inch of rainfall is expected before noon Thursday. Morning commuters should check the Houston TranStar map to check for high-water locations on highways. Another map from the city's Office of Emergency Management identifies which roads would be barricaded during a heavy flood. Click through the gallery above to see some of those barricaded locations. Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message A Lowe's employee was hospitalized in stable condition Tuesday morning after an armed shoplifter shot him while stealing a drill from the store at 1000 Gulfgate Center Mall, police said. Chief Deputy Lillian Lozano said shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. when the suspect was about to walk out with the drill. RELATED: Houston ends year with slight uptick in homicides She said the 59-year-old employee met the suspect at the door and was shot in the abdomen. The victim eventually underwent surgery at Memorial Hermann hospital and is expected to be OK, she said. The suspect, meanwhile, fled the scene on foot toward Telephone Road. He wasn't seen getting into a vehicle, she said. She said she didn't know the type of weapon he used, but deputies are asking residents not to approach the man if they see him. "It's very important for the public to contact us if anyone can identify the person of interest," she said. The Harris County Precinct 6 Constable's Office did not provide a detailed description of the suspect pictured in the released surveillance images on Tuesday. Anyone with information can call the office at 713-274-3400. Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Harris County went blue in the 2018 midterm elections, as did Fort Bend County. That has implications for the entire state, given the number of registered voters who live in those two counties, and the fact that Democrats swept the countywide races. There were 15.8 million registered voters in Texas in 2018 and 2.4 million of them live in Harris County, which saw a surge in turnout last year compared to the previous midterm election cycle. But just 51.7 percent of Harris County voters cast ballots in the top-of-the-ticket Senate race, compared to 54.5 percent who did so in the states second-most populous county, Dallas. The difference might have something to do with the fact that Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart, who administered the election, set a notably restrictive schedule for early voting. Educators who work in Houston public schools, for example, would have been hard-pressed to cast a ballot on the first day of early voting. Lines were long all over the state, and in Harris County, the polls opened at 8 a.m. and closed at 4:30 p.m. Read more: Lina Hidalgo sworn in as Harris County judge Next time around, though, Harris County voters will probably be able to stop by the polls on their way home from work. Stanart, a Republican, was unseated by Democrat Diane Trautman. And a modest uptick in Harris Countys turnout rate could prove decisive in a closely contested statewide race; this is, after all, Texass most populous county. But the Democratic sweep of the countywide races in Harris and Fort Bend has more immediate implications for those of us who live in either. And its still too early to be sure what those implications are. On Tuesday, Democrats Lina Hidalgo and KP George were sworn in as Harris County judge and Fort Bend County judge, respectively. Neither was well-known prior to being elected. And the offices are poorly understood. Hidalgo is in a particularly challenging position. Harris County is the largest county in the state. Its also prone to disasters, which means that voters understand the office she holds is an important one. And many observers are skeptical of whether Hidalgo, 27, is up to the job. She defeated Republican Ed Emmett, a longtime incumbent, in a victory that was widely considered an upset and which, for many Harris County voters, felt like a sucker punch. Read more: Hidalgo, surprise victor in Harris County judge race, prepares to lead As Ive written before, however, thats a bit unfair to Hidalgo. She was a beneficiary of the blue wave in Harris County, but it didnt carry her all the way into office. The number of votes cast for Emmett exceeded the number of straight-ticket votes cast for Democrats. And Hidalgo ran a serious campaign for the votes she needed to win the office. Her backers included Julian Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio, who joined her on the campaign trail the weekend before the election, to help get out the vote. With that said, I can understand why Harris County voters would feel some anxiety about Emmetts absence. He was a reassuring presence during Harvey, which was an oddly discombobulating storm. The same could not be said of Gov. Greg Abbott or President Donald Trump. Concerns about how Hidalgo will compare to Emmett cant be easily allayed, because she really is a bit of an unknown quantity. In addition to her youth, and her correspondingly limited work experience, she was a first-time candidate for public office. George, by contrast, was an incumbent member of the Fort Bend ISD school board. And although George and Hidalgo now hold the same office, in adjacent counties, his is actually the easier job. Fort Bend County is smaller than Harris County, and less disaster-prone. Also, its leaders are less likely to be targeted by statewide Republican leaders like Abbott as part of the Texas GOPs war on local control. George is a Democrat, and the chief executive of a major county that went blue. But Fort Bend County isnt exactly a leftist enclave. Its county seat is Richmond, for Petes sake. So as Hidalgo begins her service as chief executive of Texass largest county, we should wish her well. Id encourage Harris County voters to give her a chance and to consider an insight that Castro offered when we met up over the holidays in San Antonio: Hidalgo is an unknown quantity, at this point. But the office she holds is, too. Grieder: Lina Hidalgo earned the right to serve as Harris County judge The Harris County judge isnt a judge, in the traditional sense of the word, and its responsibilities depend on the size of the county and, to some extent, the priorities of the officeholder. Like all county judges in Texas, Hidalgo will preside over the commissioners court and lead the countys response to emergencies. She also has responsibilities related to administering elections, for example, and promoting mental health. And Hidalgo has the latitude, as Emmett did, to focus on the issues she considers most critical for the county. She might prioritize different issues than he did, but she wouldn't necessarily be wrong to do so. Frankly, Harris County has a lot of issues. If its new judge shares her predecessor's commitment to the countys well-being, shell be a reassuring presence, too. erica.grieder@chron.com SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. For one tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigans Upper Peninsula, the government shutdown comes with a price tag: about $100,000, every day, of federal money that does not arrive to keep health clinics staffed, food pantry shelves full and employees paid. The tribe is using its own funds to cover the shortfalls for now. But if the standoff in Washington continues much longer, that stopgap money will be depleted. Later this month, workers could be furloughed and health services could be pared back. Everything, said Aaron Payment, chairman of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe, is on the table. For many Americans who are not federal workers or contractors, a shutdown is a minor inconvenience. A trip to a national park may be canceled. A call to a government office may go unanswered. But for Native American tribes, which rely heavily on federal money to operate, a shutdown can cripple their most basic functions. All across Indian Country, the federal shutdown slices deep. Generations ago, tribes negotiated treaties with the U.S. government guaranteeing funds for services like health care and education in exchange for huge swaths of territory. The federal government owes us this: We prepaid with millions of acres of land, said Payment, who also criticized the shutdown Monday from the stage at his tribes New Years powwow. We dont have the right to take back that land, so we expect the federal government to fulfill its treaty and trust responsibility. On the Navajo Nation, a mostly rural reservation of red rock canyon that spans parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, the government shutdown has already been difficult, said Russell Begaye, the Navajo Nations president. A blanket of snow has covered the region, but roads are unplowed because federal maintenance has stopped. Many people are now trapped in their homes, unable to make the 20- or 50-mile journey to buy water, groceries and medicine, Begaye said. The Interior Departments Indian Affairs bureau provides basic services to about 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, often by funneling funds to the tribes to administer the services themselves or by employing federal workers to run the programs. This means that services from law enforcement to tribal courts, disaster relief and road maintenance are often completed by tribal employees whose salaries rely on federal funding or by federal workers, some of whom are tribal citizens. The Bureau of Indian Affairs was set to furlough 2,662 of 4,490 employees during a shutdown, meaning at least some of those services and salaries will be slowed or stopped. Because the federal government contributes to the salaries of many members of the Navajo Nation, Begaye said, the lack of pay will hurt families on the reservation, where a single salary can support a family of six, 10 or even 12 people. Begaye said loan sharks had started circling, leaving flyers on cars and doorsteps. It just kind of snowballs into our people doing things that they know they shouldnt do and further financially obligating themselves, Begaye said. They have to keep their heater going. They have to keep their water on. On the Bois Forte Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota, tribal officials have instituted a hiring freeze and are planning to meet this week to discuss budget cuts. Cathy Chavers, the tribes chairwoman, said tribal functions were continuing for now, but it will probably come down to minimal, minimal basic services if the shutdown lasts another month. Already, police officers on her reservation, who are employees of the federal government and not the tribe, were being forced to work without pay. These officers are putting their lives on the line, Chavers said, and they dont know if theyre going to get a paycheck or not. Tribes are making plans for how much longer they can operate, while not knowing whether they will be reimbursed for shutdown-related expenses. Officials with the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin said that they had made contingency plans but that they could manage at least another month without any cuts. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho posted on Facebook that they had enough money to operate at full strength through Saturday but would then have to re-evaluate. Things do grind to a halt, said Kevin Washburn, who served as assistant secretary for Indian Affairs under President Barack Obama. Indian Country stops moving forward during a shutdown, Washburn said, and starts moving backward. A spokesman for the Interior Department, reached on New Years Eve, said so many people were out of the office for the holiday, or furloughed, that he had no information about the way the shutdown was playing out in Indian Country. Literally, theres a handful of people that are currently excepted and able to work, said spokesman John Bockmier about his office. I just dont have any details from around the country to give you, he went on, because there is no one out there that is currently able to provide that information for me. For tribes, this has become a familiar, painful scenario. In 2013, during Obamas presidency, a lengthy shutdown forced a California tribe to close its child care program. In Minnesota, a tribe postponed nonemergency medical procedures. And the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa in Michigan lost several employees to layoffs, including hard-to-replace medical workers who did not return after that shutdown ended. With those bad memories in mind, the Sault Chippewa tribal council approved a resolution last month (on the same day President Donald Trump sparred with Democratic leaders about a border wall on television) that allowed leaders to shuffle funds if federal money stopped flowing. That step has delayed the worst of the pain, but it can help only for so long. Already, tribal officials have sent a memo encouraging frugality and canceled the purchase of a new computer server. Were not going to collapse. We may have to decide, What we can do with our own funding?' said Christine McPherson, the Sault Chippewa Tribes executive director. But well never close. There have been some efforts to limit the effects. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., introduced a bill last month that would have maintained funding for the Indian Health Service during a shutdown. His proposal did not make it to a vote, but Mullin, who said I have no read on how long the shutdown would last, said he hoped his idea would gain bipartisan traction if the broader impasse stretches on. This is a true federal obligation to treaties to Native Americans, said Mullin, who is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and who received health care at an Indian Health Service facility while growing up. This is different than really any other government agency. The shutdown also curtailed a Department of Agriculture food program that helped feed about 90,000 Native American people in fiscal year 2017. Chairman Joseph Rupnick of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, headquartered in northeast Kansas, said he feared the effect that this would have on his members. Those stores will be depleted, Rupnick said of the tribes food distribution center. When theyre going through a shutdown, theyre thinking: I need 5 billion for a wall. I need dollars for this or that. The bottom line is it always impacts the neediest people in the country. The shutdown has further eroded many Native Americans confidence in the federal government, which they said had never lived up to lofty promises made in long-ago treaties. I believe very strongly that it adversely affects a population that is already adversely affected by the United States government, said Harry Barnes, a former chairman of Montanas 17,000-member Blackfeet Nation. This article originally appeared in The New York Times George Gershwin had a lot riding on the new piece he planned to debut at Manhattans Aeolian Hall in Feburary 1924. Arguably, Paul Whiteman had even more. One of the decades most popular bandleaders, Whiteman believed that jazz then just moving beyond its infancy was worthy of more respect. Its popularity was exploding everywhere except with the nations more refined arbiters of taste, one of whom memorably dismissed the African-American art form as an unmitigated cacophony, a species of music invented by demons for the torture of imbeciles. Whitemans idea was to organize a concert that, besides showcasing his own Palais Royal Orchestra, would prove how much jazz had outgrown what some at the time thought were vulgar origins. The Aeolian Hall program, which he called An Experiment In Modern Music, was a true hodgepodge of styles, including the music of Babes In Toyland composer Victor Herbert; Jerome Kern; Irving Berlin; and Sir Edward Elgars Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, which actually closed out the evening. As for the 25-year-old Gershwin, a colleague of Whitemans who had lately been scoring Broadway shows like Our Nell, he was beginning to indulge his aspirations of writing music closer to celebrated modern maestros like Stravinsky and Ravel. There was one minor hiccup, however. Gershwin only learned about his involvement in the concert when he overheard his older brother, Ira, and another friend talking about a newspaper ad Whiteman had taken out, announcing Gershwin would be performing a new jazz concerto. That was in early January, only leaving the young composer a few weeks to compose what would become Rhapsody in Blue, which is being performed this weekend by the Houston Symphony Orchestra with conductor Jeffrey Kahane. Because of that newspaper article Gershwin didnt want the bad publicity of announcing a piece and not having it performed, says Carlos Andres Botero, the Houston Symphonys musical ambassador. So as soon as it was announced in the newspaper [he said], OK, I guess I will have to sit down and do it. Time crunch forces creativity Fortunately, the tight deadline wound up paying off in a couple of ways. Short on time, Gershwin was forced to pad his original ideas for the piece with as-yet-unused melodies he basically had left lying around. And since he would already be joining Whitemans group on piano, he was able to leave part of the score blank filling in those measures at the concert with his own improvisations. What could be more appropriate for his so-called jazz concerto? I do not think it was born out of the premeditated development of the themes; its born out of everything that Gershwin knew about music, Botero says. He just tried to condense it quickly so he could have a successful piece. Gershwins Rhapsody in Blue When: Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Where: Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana Details: $59-$155; 713-224-7575; houstonsymphony.org See More Collapse Gershwin originally called his piece American Rhapsody until Ira suggested changing it; even then blue was slang for music unafraid to show its more risque side. It appeared late in a program that stretched a Tuesday afternoon into several hours. Some accounts of the concert have noted attention spans beginning to wander by this point, but they snapped back quickly during Gershwins performance. And if the point was to demonstrate how far jazz had come in the half-decade or so since Livery Stable Blues the corny Dixieland number that opened the concert Gershwin succeeded handsomely. Agrees Botero, The public has always gone wild for it. Indeed, about a year and a half after the Whiteman concert and although it mislabeled the work Symphony in Blue The New Yorker noted that Rhapsody was one of the few phonograph records surviving profitably against the radio invasion. Classicals jazz influence Besides giving short pre-concert lectures at most symphony performances (which begin 45 minutes before showtime), Botero recently began hosting a series of brief audiovisual classical-music tutorials at ourmusicpodcast.com. To him, Gershwins greatest gift was the ease with which his melodies seemed to flow they seem organic, they seem easy to remember, they achieve an emotional impact, he says. A close second, then, is the composers bold and dynamic use of rhythm. The accents, the chords, the main weight is never on the beginning of the measure, which is traditionally what everyone would expect, says Botero. He shifts that weight into the second part or the end of the measure, and it immediately acquires a certain momentum. Besides its exquisite melodies, Rhapsody incorporates a number of key elements from jazz as it was understood in the mid-1920s: the syncopated rhythms; the practice of bending a note, or slightly altering its pitch as the note is played (the wailing clarinet that opens Rhapsody is a textbook example); and a chord progression based around the interval of fourths rather than the fifths favored by many Europeans. Gershwins successful transfusion of jazz into a more classical setting did not go unnoticed by others like Ravel, who later made great use of jazz in works like his Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major. No two pieces by Ravel sound in the same style, Botero explains. [He] is the composer who is actually trying to be different all the time, to be innovative in the sense that he wants each piece to have its own characteristics, its own world. And because of that, hearing Gershwin, he said, This is a world that I want to explore. I want to be able to learn how it is they compose back there, because I need to do this. Botero believes Gershwins influence on Ravels Piano Concerto in G (1931), which the Houston Symphony will perform alongside Rhapsody In Blue this weekend, is unmistakable. I would say it is impossible to ignore, he says. Its sonority is a jazz sonority, so we can say its jazz-influenced. But its not jazz in the sense that Ravel didnt grow up in this tradition. So what he is imitating [are] the colors, giving us a glimpse of what hes hearing. What Gershwin is doing is giving a glimpse of what he is producing, what he is imbued in, adds Botero. In that regard they are fantastic pieces to pair with each other. Though not all of them, many other eminent musical figures of the time were likewise impressed with the young Gershwins abilities. Quite a few Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, violinist Jascha Haifetz, future Houston Symphony music director Leopold Stokowski, marching-band poobah John Phillip Sousa were in the audience at the Whiteman concert. Even Rachmaninoff himself gets some of those ideas and incorporates them in his music, says Botero. Stravinsky, Bartok everyone sees the value, that it has these sonorities that they were not used to, and a way to treat the harmonic progression that was attractive and interesting to them. So they say, OK, lets capitalize on this. After arranging Gershwins score for the Whiteman concert, noted orchestrator Ferde Grofe adapted Rhapsody to a more symphonic setting twice more, in 1926 and 1942. The latter version is still familiar from a longtime United Airlines commercial and the opening scene of Woody Allens Annie Hall. Wait? Is that a banjo? But presenting Grofes 1924 orchestration featuring saxophones, a banjo, and drum kit alongside the more familiar violins, clarinet, and trumpet at this weekends concert gives us an idea of how the composer was actually considering those themes and those melodies, says Botero. Not that its wrong, but when we play on modern instruments we translate it, and there are many things that get lost in that translation, he continues. By performing it in the instrumentation that was originally performed that day, we have a little slice of the past: This is what Gershwin was thinking when he was so young, and he was just looking into the future. Chris Gray is a Houston-based writer. Everyone hates government regulations until they can use them to their advantage. Energy companies are scrambling for ways to ship oil and natural gas out of the Permian Basin, where a lack of pipeline capacity has crude prices averaging $6 to $9 below the national benchmark. Drillers are flaring natural gas because they cant send it to market. The West Texas bottleneck is costing Texas companies, investors and workers millions of dollars a month in lost revenue. Pipeline companies are responding, but their plans will move the bottleneck only from Midland to the Gulf Coast, where crude will again pile up, according to ESAI Energy, an independent energy market analysis firm. On HoustonChronicle.com: More pipelines needed to meet environmental goals The amount of oil reaching Corpus Christi will skyrocket with the addition of three new pipelines in late 2019, but refining capacity will remain unchanged. The amount of surplus oil will double unless someone builds more export terminals, ESAI researchers predict. The most interesting battle over Permian Basin energy production, therefore, is not with environmentalists or among oil companies, but between competing export terminals. Existing Texas ports are too shallow to load the very large crude carriers, or VLCCs, that make exporting Permian crude to the world profitable. There are two options: dredging deeper shipping channels and adding dock space or laying pipe far enough offshore that VLCCs can pull up to a floating terminal. Port of Corpus Christi CEO Sean Strawbridge says his plan to add a $1 billion VLCC facility on Harbor Island, within the city limits of Port Aransas, is the best option. Ships will pull into the estuary and safely fill all the way up at the protected port. Swiss commodity broker Trafigura wants to build a cheaper, quicker alternative: a floating oil terminal 13 miles off the coast. The terminal would be similar to the Louisiana Offshore Oil Project, the only other facility capable of fully loading a VLCC along the Gulf Coast. The competition between the Port of Corpus Christi and Trafigura is becoming a classic example of companies leveraging regulations and political muscle to gain the upper hand, while hindering efficient economic development. The port has filed two objections to the Trafigura terminal with the U.S. Maritime Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard. Strawbridge, knowing the offshore project could cost the port 12 percent of its annual revenue, has launched a PR campaign suggesting that Trafigura is untrustworthy and offshore terminals are environmentally dangerous. I think that will show poorly on the industry if theres an embracing of high-risk solutions when there are alternative solutions that are much more responsible, sustainable, proven, Strawbridge told my colleague Rye Druzin. Strawbridge is far less concerned about objections to his proposal by residents of Port Aransas who worry about 13-story-high ships loaded with 2 million barrels of crude generating huge wakes along the narrow channel next to their town. Theres also the question of how these huge ships will clog waterways. Trafigura, meanwhile, makes the highly debatable claim that there is plenty of business for both terminals. The company has won support from three Texas lawmakers and business leaders in the Permian Basin who dont want to wait for the port to dredge the channel and build a dock. Big money is at stake. A barrel of crude is worth about $8 more on the international market, so getting Texas oil onto a ship can generate much higher profits. On HoustonChronicle.com: President Donald Trumps steel tariffs holding back oil and gas industry growth In the last week of November, U.S. crude exports hit a record 3.2 million barrels a day, constrained only by logistics. If Permian drillers can gain adequate access to the sea, the United States could become a net exporter of oil by 2022. The Corpus Christi and Trafigura projects are not the only new export facilities proposed for the Texas coast. Three more are in the planning stages, including floating terminals offshore of Beaumont, Galveston and Freeport. Not all will come to fruition. They are competing for backing, as one would expect in a free market. Executives have the right, an obligation even, to promote their corporate enterprise. Whats unseemly is when a company, or port, tries to knock out the competition through political or regulatory maneuvers. The export terminal proposals should proceed on their economic and environmental merits. Once the companies complete an objective permitting process, allow the financial markets and potential customers to decide which option deserves their investment and business. Too many business leaders cannot accept defeat and resort to litigation or political lobbying to better their hand, even if it holds back an entire industrial sector and spoils the competition. Chris Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and policy. chris.tomlinson@chron.com twitter.com/cltomlinson "All these niggas got six figures, they won't miss an O," raps Childish Gambino on 21 Savage's single "Monster." It appears that millionaires do care about their missing items though. As reported by TMZ, authorities recently busted a burglar who broke into R&B icon Usher's home in March and stole $800K worth of items. The media site reports that authorities found more than 2,000 items valued at over $2 million in the burglar's possession. The suspect, who had been living large off all his stolen items, told family members that his come up came from doing well in the stock market. Meanwhile, he was sitting on millions in stolen goods. TMZ reports that among the stolen items, authorities recovered possessions that belonged to a Real Housewives star as well. The exact star has yet to be named. The burglar had a method, according to investigators. He would attend open houses for homes that were on the market, and scope out the environment including entrances and floorplans. Then, he would break into the homes later with the knowledge of how to move around in the spot. Touring or travel schedules and social media posts were also used to help the burglar coordinate when celebrities would be out of town. Nike collaborated with Los Angeles-based boutique Undefeated for several special edition Kobe 1 Protros in 2018, which has set the stage for even more Kobe-related projects in 2019. This Spring, Undefeated and Nike will be releasing a collection Kobe 4 Protros, according to multiple reports. It is believed that Undefeated has at least three Nike Kobe 4 Protro colorways in the works, including the following: "Team Orange/Team Orange-Multi-Color," "Sail/Sail-Multi-Color," and "Black/Black-Multi-Color." The Nike Kobe 4, the first of Bryant's long line of low-top silhouette, was originally introduced in 2008 and fans of the Black Mamba's signature line will surely welcome a run of retros. The Undefeated x Nike Kobe 4 Protro collection has not yet been revealed but rumors suggest the kicks will be up for grabs sometime in April. Stay tuned for additional details as they become available. The Punisher is one of the last Marvel shows standing on Netflix. After the streaming giant canceled Iron-Fist, Luke Cage, and Daredevil, fans began to see a trend. The Punisher and Jessica Jones' days on Netflix may be numbered, but a new season of each show is still heading to Netflix. After announcing that the second season of The Punisher would arrive in January, Netflix has touched down with a new teaser for the show. The trailer is brief, and just shows Frank Castle burning the pardon he received at the end of season one. The dramatic scene is symbolic to Frank returning as the vicious vigilante. According to ComicBook, Netflix's Twitter account for the Middle East and North Africa tweeted out a list of release dates for new shows and movies coming out in January. The list included The Punisher season two, which is slated to drop on January 18th. The tweet has since been scrubbed from most America sites, but of course, nothing is truly hidden on the internet. The list does show content that won't be coming to the American version of Netflix, so the date could be incorrect. Still, Marvel fans note that Netflix usually releases its Marvel shows at the same time worldwide. The Saudi Arabian government isn't making the case look any better for themselves when it comes to the suspicious murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi was a Saudi Arabian rebel, who left the country to become a journalist in America after the career placed him in rough waters back home. He was a columnist for the Washington Post who was assassinated at the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, in October by representatives of the Saudi government. According to Financial Times, Netflix was forced to pull an episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj in Saudia Arabia after the government intervened. The episode addressed the murder of Khashoggi, and the apparent involvement of Saudi Arabian Crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Win McNamee/Getty Images Netflix confirmed that it had removed the episode in Saudi Arabia last week, after the countrys Communications and Information Technology Commission made a request to take it down because it allegedly violated the kingdoms anti-cyber crime law, Financial Times reported. "Later in the removed episode, Mr. Minhaj criticized Silicon Valley for swimming in Saudi cash and urged tech companies to stop taking investment from the kingdom." In response, Netflix told Financial Times, "We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal requestand to comply with local law." (Via) Russell Westbrook's second signature performance sneaker, the Jordan Why Not Zer0.2, has finally been revealed in detail along with a January 10th release date. In promotion of the upcoming release, Jordan Brand tapped J.I.D for an upcoming commercial which will be shown during tonight's Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers game at 10:30pm on ESPN. According to Nike, Westbrook's second signature performance sneaker is a reflection of this: The design may seem chaotic, but Westbrook planned every element of it with a specific purpose in mind. The first colorway of the Why Not Zer0.2, dubbed Future History, features a vibrant color-blocking, with each color referencing a uniform that has helped define Westbrook's career. "Every colorway has a meaning behind it that is special to me," says Westbrook. "With the Why Not Zer0.2, I wanted to take that storytelling to the next level with an exposed tag that helps illustrate the meaning behind the colors used." Additionally, Westbrook also used a black block on the midsole to honor late best friend, Khelcey Barrs III. "Its become a tradition for me to honor Khelcey by writing 'KBIII' on my game shoes. Each colorway of the WhyNotZer0.2 will have a designated area for me to write that on. I want people who wear my shoe to understand that playing with a purpose bigger than yourself is important," says Westbrook. The Why Not Zer0.2 releases in mens sizes globally on January 10 and in all sizes later this month. Check out some additional images in the posts embedded below. Cardi B was offered a big greeting when she landed in Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday where she is slated to perform at the Bay Dreams Festival which is the country's largest summer fest. The warm welcome was based around New Zealand's unique culture and when all was said and done, Cardi left with a big grin on her face. Part of the greeting came from a member of the Kai Haka group, otherwise known as a warrior. The warrior embraced Cardi and then went face-to-face with her, giving the rapper what is known as the "hongi" greeting, which involves rubbing noses. Afterward, Cardi got to watch the entire group perform the signature "Haka" dance which Cardi was seemingly amazed by. "Thank you for sharing your culture with me and I hope I can show you some of mine," Cardi told the group according to TMZ. She also said she hopes to show the people of New Zealand a piece of her own culture as well. Cardi posed for a picture with the group before leaving. Before heading over to New Zealand, Cardi B spent New Year's Eve in Australia. 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 Supplier News 3 January 2019 Revinate, the software as a service (SaaS) company that helps hotels transform guest data into revenue, today announced two executive leadership changes; Rani Croshal has been promoted to Vice President of Customer Success and Karen Stephens has been promoted to Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). As Revinate's CRO, Stephens is charged with driving revenue and scaling the business while overseeing all three Go To Market teams, including Sales, Marketing and Customer Success. She began her career at Revinate in 2013 as Sr. Director of Global Accounts, closing some of its largest accounts including IHG, Fairmont and Starwood. When the company launched Revinate Marketing, its now leading CRM and email marketing solution, she led the global roll-out across the Sales team. Stephens then transitioned into the role of Vice President of Customer Success where she oversaw the teams that launch, train, support and ensure the ongoing success of Revinate's customer base. In her new role as Vice President of Customer Success, Croshal is responsible for leading the Professional Services, Training & Support and Customer Success teams, who are focused on providing exceptional support and service to Revinate's thousands of customers in more than 135 countries worldwide. Joining the team in 2012 as Sr. Director of Customer Success, Croshal has managed the customer success management team through two break-through product roll-outs across three regions: North America, EMEA and APAC, all while maintaining the industry's highest levels of customer support. Marc Heyneker, co-founder and CEO says, "We have the best Customer Success team in the industry today, thanks to the leadership of Rani Croshal and Karen Stephens. Both have done exceptional jobs in building and managing a world-class team that support tens of thousands of clients around the world. I am looking forward to working with both of them in their expanded roles as they accelerate the growth and success of Revinate in 2019 and beyond." Press Release 21 December 2018 The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA) signed an advisory agreement with Lausanne Hospitality Consulting (LHC), the advisory services branch of EHL Group, on the 5th of December 2018 at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts campus in Amman, Jordan. Advertisements The partnership aims to develop and expand the course programs offered at RACA, whilst RACA and LHC will be working together towards moving RACA to full EHL Certification. This step aligns with the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts' celebrations of its 10th anniversary; RACA was established in 2008 as one of the initiatives of the King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD) to raise the level of education in the tourism sector and to offer educational paths related to the country's labor market. The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts currently awards a diploma in Culinary Arts. HE Dr. Wajeh Oweis, Chairman of RACA's Board of Trustees and Chef Jacques Rossel, RACA's Director signed on behalf of RACA and Mr. Olivier Roux, Senior Managing Director of LHC and Mr. Jens-Henning Peters, LHC Consultant, signed on behalf of Lausanne Hospitality Consulting. Based on 125 years of experience in training hospitality professionals, EHL provides guidance and support to other hospitality or hotel management schools and helps them reach a level of quality that meets EHL standards in a given program and location. Through its consulting entity, Lausanne Hospitality Consulting (LHC), EHL has developed a network of certified schools through which it transfers knowledge of international hospitality industry standards and trends, management education methods and the latest learning technology with the vision of sharing the Swiss hospitality excellence around the world. EHL Group offers support for hotel management schools worldwide. Thanks to years of experience in launching and developing educational centers, the EHL certification recognizes the best institutions in their categories. These institutions work hand-in-hand with the local industry and show a strong commitment to hospitality education, while students enjoy a higher curriculum quality, personalized infrastructures and opportunities to visit other EHL-certified schools. About EHL Group EHL Group encompasses a portfolio of specialized business units that deliver hospitality management education and innovation worldwide. Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Group includes: Supplier News 19 December 2018 HRS (Hospitality & Retail Systems), Oracle Hospitality's largest partner worldwide, has opened their new Regional Headquarters in the AXA Tower, Singapore. This operations hub, located in the heart of Singapore's business district, heralds the beginning of a new development phase for HRS in the Asia Pacific region. The official office opening ceremony took place on 5th December. Founder and CEO of the company, Joanne Vaughan, together with HRS Managing Director Slava Ovchinnikov, joined the celebrations and wished the APAC team good luck. Steven Lee, HRS Director of Operations in APAC, stated; "In the coming few months, we expect to keep adding to our workforce, and continue with our goal of building a world-class service delivery organization for the hospitality and retail industries". Over the past year the HRS Asia Pacific region has extended its reach to 16 countries, employing over 70 new staff. Founded in 1990, HRS has more than 3000 customers located in 60 countries worldwide. All of these customers are given access to first class IT solutions and the unique customer service that only HRS can provide. Event HOTCO is an international hotel investment conference focusing on the hotspots for hotel development in Europe: Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. It is in the forefront of presenting global trends to help attendees interpret their impact on their local markets. For the third time on 21-22 January 2019, HOTCO will bring together investors, developers, hotel companies and stakeholders from the region. Founding Patron Horwath HTL Hungary will celebrate 30 years in 2019, having successfully completes over 1,000 engagements on four continents. Horwath HTL is the global leader in hospitality consulting with 45 offices across the world providing expert local knowledge and quality solutions. Horwath HTL focuses 100% on hotels, tourism and leisure consulting and globally has successfully completed over 16,000 projects. With over two hundred professionals and membership of a top ten accounting network, Horwath HTL is the number one choice for companies and financial institutions looking to invest and develop in the industry. HOTCO is organized by Pipeline 27 December 2018 Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, represented in China by Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts, has signed a management agreement with Tengchong Zongheng Volcano Tourism Development Co., Ltd, to manage Dusit Devarana Hot Springs Resort Tengchong, Yunnan. Designed to appeal to discerning leisure travellers seeking a distinctive, tranquil retreat amongst nature, the luxury resort will comprise 150 elegantly furnished villas and guest rooms in a picturesque location only 10 minutes by car from Tengchong town centre, and just 30 minutes from Tengchong Tuofeng Airport. The resort's key feature will be the outdoor hot springs experience providing a choice of therapeutic, aromatic, splash and foot reflexology pools. Each villa will also feature its own hot springs pool where guests can enjoy views of the stunning volcanic landscape. Other resort facilities will include an international All-Day-Dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a large ballroom, well-equipped meeting rooms, a swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium, and Dusit's signature Devarana Spa delivering Thai-inspired massage therapies in luxuriously appointed treatment rooms. Situated in the western part of Yunnan Province, Tengchong is a fast-growing destination renowned for its hot springs, volcanoes, ancient buildings, charming villages, vibrant culture and important historical sites. For 2,000 years it served as a vital link on the ancient Southwestern Silk Route. "We are delighted and honoured to bring our unique brand of Thai-inspired, gracious hospitality to this magnificent area," said Mr Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. "Dusit Devarana represents the pinnacle of our brand offerings, providing a truly personalised experience for those who seek a balance of tranquillity, convenience and excellence. We look forward to delivering this and more at this stunning new resort." Mr Zhang Fan, Chairman, Tengchong Zongheng Volcano Tourism Development Co., Ltd, said, "Following our mission to promote tourism in the Yunnan region, we are very happy to partner with Dusit for this special project. The company's vision to uniquely deliver gracious hospitality to the world ensures it always has a positive local impact. We are confident that, under Dusit's management, Dusit Devarana Hot Springs Resort Tengchong, Yunnan will become a must-visit destination, attracting even more tourists to discover this fascinating area to the benefit of the local community." With 28 properties currently in operation across four brands in eight countries, Dusit International is in a significant growth phase which will see the number of Dusit properties surpass 70 within the next three years across key markets worldwide. In China, the company currently operates six hotels and has more than 20 properties in the pipeline. Racial Reconciliation and the National Covenant: A Conference Media Advisory Contact: Chelsen Vicari, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 540-239-2170 cell, cvicari@TheIRD.org WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2019 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Institute on Religion & Democracy and Beeson Divinity School of Samford University's Institute of Anglican Studies will host a unique two-day conference at Samford University on Racial Reconciliation and the National Covenant. Event Details: Who: Institute on Religion and Democracy, Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, Institute of Anglican Studies What: Leading scholars and clergy will examine the United State's racial problem with the conviction that it cannot be solved by politics alone, but by considering the religious roots of the nation and its sins. Where: Samford University, Brock Forum in Dwight Beeson Hall, 800 Lakeshore Dr, Homewood, AL 35229 When: February 12-13, 2019, 8 a.m. (EST) Conference speakers will address the spiritual, moral, and cultural dimensions of America's racial tensions. Topics examined will include racial supremacy and covenantal reconciliation, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the national covenant, the black family, the sanctity of unborn black lives, race and school choice, and black/white churches and the American covenant, among others. Speakers include: Rev. Eugene Rivers (National Ten Point Leadership Foundation), Alveda King (Priests for Life) Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman (Bar-Ilan University), Rabbi Mitchell Rocklin (Tikvah Fund), Gerald R. McDermott (Beeson Divinity School) Joshua Mitchell (Georgetown University), Glenn Loury (Brown University), Jacqueline C. Rivers (Seymour Institute), Derryck Green (National Leadership Network of Black Conservatives), Mark Tooley, (Institute on Religion and Democracy), Dr. Carol Swain (James Madison Society at Princeton), Timothy George (Beeson Divinity School), Robert Smith, Jr. (Beeson Divinity School). Members of the media and those on assignment for news publications, podcasts, and websites are invited to attend free of costs. For interviews with conference speakers, please contact Chelsen Vicari at cvicari@theird.org. Mark Tooley, IRD president, commented: "The IRD is honored to collaborate with Beeson on this very needed initiative for racial reconciliation that uniquely rediscovers a venerable tradition of understanding the nation under both divine judgment and mercy. "This message is unfashionable in much of American Christianity that now rejects or minimizes the providential role of nations. But Christians cannot help our nation heal unless they also understand the nation's purpose under God." Gerald McDermott, director of Beeson's Institute of Anglican Studies, commented: Click here to find out where to get a COVID-19 vaccine or test. To find out how many local residents have been vaccinated for COVID-19, click here. Use the map to find numbers for individual counties. Find detailed statistics about COVID-19 tests, cases and deaths by county and for the state as a whole on the Indiana State Department of Health's online dashboard. Lima, OH (45805) Today Partly sunny and breezy. Stray shower possible. High 83F. Winds SW shifting to NW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Isolated shower or two this evening. Partly cloudy. Low 57F. Winds NW at 5 to 15 mph. Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Contribute Copyright 2018 at Sun Newspapers/ APG Media of East Central Minnesota. Digital dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action. A s the March deadline nears, the London property market is shrouded in Brexit uncertainty. There are pockets of the capital that are thriving but it is erratic at best, with dramatic swings in sales month to month, says Featherstone Leigh estate agent Oscar Doyle. He is expecting a muted first quarter of 2019 an opinion widely shared. Expensive new homes in the very best locations are shifting, at Southbank Place next to the London Eye for example. But mostly it is a bit of a slog selling high-end flats. WHERE DOES THE MARKET STILL HAVE A BUZZ? Hackney remains vibrant and buoyant, measured by economic growth, employment figures, house price and rental rises, according to research exclusive to Homes & Property. Its followed by Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Haringey and the City of London, says property group CBRE, with Islington, Richmond, Southwark and Newham next in line. Other boroughs such as Waltham Forest are highlighted for their high employment levels. START-UPS: ARE THEY A GOOD SIGN FOR BUYERS? Fledgling companies that can afford to pay London business rates and rents are a sign of footfall and an active community for prospective home buyers perusing the neighbourhood. Clusters of small independent businesses are another indicator of prosperity. Haringeys Blue House Yard creative hub: affordable work and events space / Jan Kattein Architects When small businesses thrive, local economies thrive, says Michelle Ovens, director of the government-backed scheme Small Business Saturday UK. Small businesses employ locally, support local supply chains and bring prosperity and life to a community, she adds. It is always great to see lots of independent traders on local high streets, as it can really help increase the appeal of a community, which can often lead to increased house prices as an area becomes more attractive. LOOKING FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH? TRY HACKNEY Hackneys strong economic performance is down to the development of Tech City, the cluster of digital companies that started on Old Street Roundabout and spread, according to CBREs Jennet Siebrits. She predicts growth in local GDP of 18 per cent over the next four years the highest across the capital. Hackney is one of the biggest success stories of the regeneration of the East End of London, she says. The cost of a home there has risen 4.5 per cent over the last year to reach 583,331, while major housing development has also brought jobs to the borough. There are nearly 3,000 new homes under construction. Berkeley Homes demolished the old tower blocks by the West Reservoir they were used in the film Schindlers List to depict the Warsaw ghettos and is building Woodberry Down, with 5,500 homes plus cafes, shops and a community centre. Prices start at 580,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. Call 020 8108 1612. LAUNCHING A SMALL BUSINESS? TRY RICHMOND Richmond has seen 5.7 per cent house price growth over the last 12 months, taking the typical value to 688,578. Average earnings, meanwhile, are second highest in London, behind Westminster. As a result, small independent businesses that develop a loyal local customer base do well while many of the bland chains fold. Rock & Fairy hair salon in nearby St Margarets is a favourite, as is Debraggio Italian deli near Richmond Green. Its also home to personalised stationery start-up Martha Brook. Martha Keith started the business in 2013 after she made her husband a box containing 10 little love notes. Noteworthy: Martha Keith with some of her team at Richmond-based personalised stationery brand Martha Brook / Tom Horna Richmond is a very local market and families moving out of London often skip over it and head down the A3 to Esher and Cobham or the M3 to Wentworth, says local Featherstone Leigh estate agent Oscar Doyle. But if people do land here they seldom move on. I have repeat clients who I see on their way up the ladder and back down again. Surrounded by protected parkland, big new developments are hard to come by in leafy Richmond, while small boutique schemes tend to be expensive, such as the plush apartments at Richmond Brewery Stores, a converted beer bottling factory. Featherstone Leigh is selling one for 1.35 million. LOOKING FOR BIG CHANGE? TRY HARINGEY On the cusp of change, Haringey offers the opportunities that come with transformation. Rents in the borough have climbed seven per cent in 12 months, the highest rise in any London borough, proving Haringey is in demand among young tenants. The local economy is forecast to expand by 14pc by 2022, while the population is set to grow by 11 per cent and the average house price is now 550,415. Its a borough of change, says CBREs Jennet Siebrits. Shes referring to the regeneration of the Upper Lea Valley and the new 56,250-seater stadium for Tottenham Hotspur FC, along with 579 homes. Part of the Haringey Heartlands Regeneration, Clarendon by St William will deliver 1,714 flats plus business and community space, shops and a cultural quarter. From 335,000 for a studio flat. All in the game: Cakes & Ladders, a free community board game cafe and taproom in Haringeys Blue House Yard creative hub (Ben Broomfield) / Ben Broomfield University friends Hywel Sedgwick-Jell and Ruth Knox are the founders of Cakes & Ladders, a free board game community cafe and taproom based in a double-decker bus in Blue House Yard, a creative hub in a former car park and converted disused council building in Haringey. Providing affordable work and events space on the site, Meanwhile Space has set up brightly coloured smart sheds. 'WE UNLOCK UNDERUSED SPACE IN HARINGEY' Emily Berwyn runs Meanwhile Space. Her 740 tenants include a shop that sells fleeces for dogs and a vegan, plastic-free convenience store bringing choice to Londons high streets. Emily Berwyn, 36, runs Meanwhile Space She has helped to transform Blue House Yard, a former car park in Haringey. We unlock underused space for the benefit of the community, finding wasted space, transforming unloved visible, interesting, dilapidated, difficult buildings into something useful, explains Emily, 36. WANT A STRONG JOBS MARKET? TRY WALTHAM FOREST Florist Layla Husseyin, 34, started Bloom of the Block as part of an incubator scheme run by meanwhilespace.com and has recently opened her own shop in Walthamstow, where she also lives. Blooming business: Florist Layla Husseyin has recently opened her own shop in Walthamstow / Adrian Lourie With a background in furniture design, she prides herself on creating bold and modern bouquets, but puts much of her success down to her choice of area. I am writing this in the Thai seaside town of Hua Hin where my mouth has been wracked by a series of bomb blasts. The damage was caused not by explosives --- Thailand is a peaceful nation --- but by chillies. Some of these chillies, so beloved of Thai cooks, have evocative names. The birds eye chilli gets its name from the role that birds play in its dispersal. The mouse shit chilli looks like the droppings of a rat. (Apparently. I am no expert on the subject of rat stool.) The idea of giving unusual and sometimes graphic names to the chilli is a peculiarly Asian one. Even in India we have the Northern Eastern bhoot jolokia, one of the worlds hottest chillis where the word bhoot means what you think it does. The West sticks to more boring names: pimento, padron, piquillo and of course, paprika for what was originally an Indian chilli that Turkish traders transported to Eastern Europe. But frankly, the West doesnt really need too many names because nobody in Europe eats too many chillies. While there are chillies in South America and some in Africa, all the cuisines that depend most on chillies tend to be Asian. This has always puzzled me because it doesnt fit in with the generally accepted version of how the chilli travelled around the world. History tends to be written by Europeans so, for years, we have all been fed the European/official version. According to this, the chilli has been cultivated for centuries in South America. (This is true.) But white people only discovered the chilli after Christopher Columbus and his merry men reached the New World (Also true.) Because they did not know what a chilli was, the Spanish/Italians referred to it as a pepper on the grounds that the pungency of its taste reminded them of Indian pepper. (Yups. This is true. The idiots thought they had landed in India.) It is after that misnaming that the story of the chillis travels around the world gets more complicated. We know that most of the West either rejected the chilli or only cultivated the no-so-hot varieties. There are no chillies in English or French cooking. The Italians make minimal use of the chilli and the Spanish do cook some dishes with it but they use pheeka varieties. The people who really took to the chilli were the Portuguese who made the pimento one of the signature flavours of chorizo and took chilli seeds to Africa. They planted chillies in their colonies in Angola and Mozambique and the best known variety came to be called the peri peri chilli. They brought the same chilli to Goa, giving its name to one of the great Goan masalas. So far as good. European historians accurately record that the Portuguese planted chillies all over their Indian empire and that once chilli cultivation was established in Western and Southern India, our cooks, who had till then relied on black pepper for heat, incorporated the chilli into their recipes. Why did Indians love the chilli so much? Well, say some food scientists, because many compounds in the chilli are suited to people living in hot climates. (Oh yeah? Then why isnt all of African cuisine as chilli-hot as ours?) The problem with all these origin stories is that they only explain how the chilli reached Africa and India. (Indians took to the chilli so well that in no time at all we began exporting it. The Hungarians grew their paprika plants from Indian seeds.) They dont explain the Thai obsession with chillies. The Thai were never colonised. Not by Europeans or anyone else.The Portuguese had no real influence in Thailand. So why is Thai cuisine so dependent on chilli? Well, say European historians, there was a Portuguese presence in Malacca, not far from Thailand and perhaps a Portuguese delegation from there brought some chillies to Thailand. Ok. This is an enormous stretch but it may just be possible. But heres my problem: whenever European colonists travelled with their South American chilli plants, they did not just stop at chillies. The colonists brought many New World foods to India. The potato for instance. Or the tomato. Or the kidney bean (Rajma) They even brought tobacco. When you look at the cuisine of the countries that were influenced by South American foods, all of these ingredients turn up. Everyone in Europe eats potatoes. Italians love tomatoes. The French even adopted the South American kidney bean (there is only one basic bean: lima, haricot, navy, cannellini etc. are descended from it) for use in their famous cassoulet. So why dont the Thais eat much potato? Why are tomatoes not part of traditional Thai cuisine? Why are there no kidney beans? Hell, the Thais dont even have a milk tradition though so much of European cuisine is based on milk and milk products.So where is the evidence of European influence? European historians expect us to believe that a) the Portuguese made a flying visit to Thailand with New World foods and b) that they decided to only give the Thais the chilli but held everything else back. Is this at all credible? Then there is the China problem. Apart from the same objection (why no potatoes, tomatoes, rajma etc.?) there is also very little evidence of European trade with anywhere other than the coastal cities. So how did chillies become to the signature of Sichuan cuisine? How did they reach Hunan? Why is there so little chilli in the cuisine of the coastal areas which were centres of European trade? If the chilli was brought to China by traders, then surely it should have first established itself in the sea ports and then moved inwards? But why look so far? Nobody has been able to explain to me how the bhoot jolokia and the other chillies that the North East of India is famous for reached say, Nagaland. The theory that the Portuguese gave these chillis to the Nagas is clearly not tenable. The Naga hills were cut off from the trading routes. The only white people who got there were some intrepid 20th Century missionaries and I find it hard to believe that they carried a Bible in one hand and a red chilli in the other. You can see where this is leading. I do not dispute that Europeans found the chilli in the New World and took to South Asia and Africa. But I am not convinced that this is how the chilli reached North Eastern India, Thailand or China. It simply does not make sense to advance that argument. Which leaves us with only one real possibility. The chilli developed independently in the area around Thailand and our North East. It either went from there to China or the Chinese had their own native varieties. (Could it be that there were ancient trading links between the Aztecs and Nagas? Nah, I am kidding !) The problem is that I have never read any book that suggests a local origin for the chillis of East Asia, The great historians of Indian food have known nothing about the North East and sadly enough, have had no interest in the cuisine of that region. Perhaps the Chinese have done some research into the origins of the Sichuan chilli but I havent come across it. So I am happy enough to give the Portuguese the credit for taking the chilli halfway around the world. But lets not give them too much credit. I am all praise for the South America chilli. But I do think that there may also have been an Asia chilli. And its time to track down its origins. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter The mild cyclonic shower that hit parts of Bihar and neighbouring Jharkhand in December 2018 has left farmer Balwant Singh, 40, worried for his wheat crop he has grown on his five acres of field at Lakshmipur in Bihars Katihar district. Clad in a lungi, kurta and a saffron turban, he discusses with other farmers of his clan, all in colourful turbans, at a roadside eatery, about the preventive steps to be taken to save the crop from getting damaged. If you are a stranger in the village, a big surprise awaits you here. You find majority of the tall turbaned Sikhs conversing in chaste angika, a language spoken primarily in the Bihar and Jharkhand and the Terai region of Nepal. But for their looks, you find them inheriting all the characteristics of people of Bihar from speaking their dialect to sharing similar food habits and lifestyles. Settled here for around four centuries, the miniscule Sikh population of this northern Bihar district has adopted the local culture while successfully protecting its religious identities. Its a mini Punjab, albeit with a difference. Numbering around 18,000, the Sikh population in this district is spread in over seven villages namely Uchla, Bhandartal, Hussaina, Bhaisdiyara, Marwa, Maheshwa and Lakshmipur, all adjacent to each other under Barari police station. In Lakshmipur, there is a big Gurdwara named after Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth of 10 Gurus of the Sikh religion, about 300 kms from Patna Sahib, the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru. Unlike other communities living in their surroundings, the Sikhs of this area in Katihar do not depend on government schemes for their welfare and development. They claim they believe only in their hard work. The more you depend on government, the more trouble it will bring for you, said Sardar Preetam Singh, 40, a local resident. We thereby arrange and manage everything by ourselves, and believe more in giving rather than taking. The Sikh presence in this northern district dates back to 1666 when Guru Tegh Bahadur, during his visit to Assam, had stayed here. Later, people embraced him and his religion before carrying on the legacy and preaching of the ninth Guru. In 1857, the gurdwara was established and people got a place to offer their daily prayers. The 250-year-old gurdwara is now ready in a new look and shall be formally inaugurated soon, Paramjeet Singh, a local resident said. Dont they ever feel going to Punjab, amongst their community brethren? We have our home and hearth here. Apart from our farmland and other properties, we have our place of worship, community kitchen, dining area and meditation room. We never feel we live outside Punjab, says Ravindra Pal Singh. We Sikh, Ravindra Pal Singh, 44, says, Love our land and hence wherever we live we give our heart and soul in developing the place with our sweat and toil. If you are honest to your land, it has many things to offer to you. Paramjeet Singh, 40, recalls how the community elders and their ancestors toiled hard against odds to make the place, which was cut off the mainstream and ridden with poverty and deprivation, a better place to live. Despite facing several hardships, they did not give up. They converted barren land to cultivable land and brought all basic amenities to the villages without begging from the government. Sab rab di meharbani hai (Everything is due to grace of God), they say. The Sikh farmers here have set example for us and by emulating them we too have brought a change in our lives, a local Hindu farmer, Suraj Mandal of Barari, says. They have taught us a lot in farming, The community, however, has its set of grievances against the government, which has allegedly kept them deprived of their just rights. We are being discriminated when we seek minority certificates. In Bihar, minority means Muslims. Our young men and women are made to run from pillar to post for official documents, Meenu Sodi, 40, says. Sodi is principal of Guru Tegh Bahadur Academy, a private CBSE school at Lakshmipur. Her school provides free education to weaker sections of society irrespective of their caste and religions. Our ancestors have donated land to over a dozen government schools. Our Sikh boys and girls do very well in competitive exams. Many of our students cracked NDA and have made the state proud in games and sports. Srijan Kaur was adjudged Miss Popular and was felicitated at a fashion show in Singapore, she says. A Sikh boy, Sukhvinder Singh, cracked the NDA exam early this year, she says. Katihar figures in 25 most backward districts out of the total 640 in the country. It is one of the 36 districts in Bihar currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF). Local MP Tariq Anwar says, People in Katihars mini-Punjab are extremely hard working and sincere with their work. They never complaint and crib on issues, instead they are ready to extend helping hands to solve problems. Home away from home Around 18,000 Sikhs live in seven villages The area has a 250-yr-old gurdwara, which has now been renovated Sikhs here converse in chaste angika, a language spoken primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand and Terai region of Nepal Mainly engaged in farming Katihar figures in 25 most backward districts in the country, but Sikhs here have done well The celebration of the new year has taken a prominent space in our everyday socio-cultural life, but where do Dalit migrants celebrate their new year in Maharashtra?. The authors visit to Bhima Koregaon on January 1, 2017 and 2018 explored and highlighted an emerging pattern of everyday cultural notion among Dalit migrants. Further, it was found that while the congregation of Dalits from Maharashtra at Bhima Koregaon was frequent, the visit by Dalit migrants demonstrated aspiration of dignity, justice, and fraternity. The name Bhima Koregaon became so popular throughout the country after a clash at the site of the Bhima Koregaon obelisk on January 1, 2018. Many became curious to know about it from other parts of the country since its popularity was limited to Maharashtra and some western part of India. It was January 1, 1818 when the battle of Bhima Koregaon was fought between the British and the Peshwa ruler, and won by the British. Mahar soldiers played a crucial role in winning the war. Thus, British had to pay due respect to them by erecting an obelisk at the war site. For a quite long time, this obelisk was being treated as a great place of pride for Dalits. Even Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar declared it a symbol of Mahar valour. He used to visit this obelisk on January 1 every year since 1927 to pay tribute to the Mahar soldiers. Dalits of Maharashtra used to visit Bhima Koregaon obelisk since Ambedkar visited this place. Over the years, the number of visitors increased drastically. In the last few years, Dalit migrants from the northern part of India to Maharashtra and their engagement with fellow Dalits introduced them about the socio-cultural and political significance of Bhima Koregaon. Caste Identity Dalit migrants did not know much about the political history of Bhima Koregaon and associated pride with it before coming to Mumbai. It is their everyday life in Mumbai and their relationship with fellow Dalits, which introduced them to Bhima Koregaon. They feel that historical studies have done great injustice with them. They have to go through a long process before paying visits to Bhima Koregaon on January 1 each year. The leaders among Dalit migrants, communicate with local Dalits prior one to two month before the congegration of Bhima Koregaon and plan the visit on every January 1. Everything is managed by a group of migrants. Their caste identity plays a crucial role to develop a cordial relationship with native Dalits. HISTORY OF SELF-RESPECT In the words of the organiser of the Bhima Koregaon visits, We are here to remember our forefathers fight against inequality and caste discrimination. Dalit migrant visitors firmly believe Mahar soldiers participated in the battle of Bhima Koregaon to get rid of untouchability and prolonged inequality. The occasion is no less than a festival for Dalit migrants who visit the obelisk with their family members and also buy new clothes for their children in advance. Apart from this, they buy books, photos, pamphlets, bracelets and chain related to Bhima Koregaon and Babasaheb Ambedkar during the visit. They spend enough amounts on visiting this place to get a feel of their history of self-respect. The visit to Bhima Koregaon may be ordinary for Dalits of Maharashtra, but it is a new emerging pattern and could be seen as claiming their history. Interpretation of Dalit migrants about Bhima Koregaon emphasized commemorative as a symbol of fight for equality, justice, pride, and dignity. (The writer is assistant professor, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh) A wildlife conservationist has filed a criminal writ petition in the Bombay high court (HC) asking for an investigation into the rising number of unnatural deaths of tigers, leopards and other schedule-1 animals in Maharashtra and Goa. There have been 21 tiger deaths in Maharashtra in 2018 the highest for the decade and second highest in India. A total of 23 leopards died in road accidents in the state the highest in the country. The public interest litigation (PIL) was admitted in court last month and notices have been issued to all respondents, including the two state governments, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, and Zoological Survey of India. The next hearing has been scheduled for January 7. The PIL wants a special investigation team under HC supervision to probe the causes of deaths of animals listed under schedule 1 (highest grade protection) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, in the states over the past decade. The PIL has asked for the prosecution of government agencies which failed to investigate the deaths by not following the standard operating procedure. HT has a copy of the petition that calls for action against state officials for alleged negligence and dereliction of duties regarding the lack of protective measures along wildlife corridors. The petitioners have mentioned the controversial killing of tigress T-1, suspected to be a man-eater, in Pandharkawada forest in Ralegaon, Yavatmal. They want action against the Maharashtra government following NTCAs report establishing that the tigress killing violated laws. Guidelines issued in 2011 by the Union environment ministry to tackle human-animal conflict, especially with regard to emergency response mechanism, crowd management, capture, handling, and translocation of big cats are not being followed by state governments and there is no evidence to prove such compliance, said Nitin Deshpande, petitioner and member of Thane Environment Committee, which is constituted by the Union environment ministry. The petition mentions statistics from the Wildlife Protection Society of India. Unnatural deaths of leopards in India increased from 118 in 2014 to 159 in 2017 and that of tigers increased from 26 in 2015 to 50 in 2016. This clearly establishes the increase in the unnatural killing of schedule I animals. Our plea seeks a time-bound investigation in cases over 10 years based on judicial discretion and action against negligent officers, said Sujay Kantawala, a senior lawyer who heads the team for the petitioner. With a forest area of 50,650 sq km, Maharashtra has four tiger reserves, six national parks and 35 wildlife sanctuaries administered by 14 forest divisions. Goas forests cover an area of 2,151 sq km. It has one national park and six wildlife sanctuaries. Since the matter is sub judice, we would not like to comment about it. We are making utmost efforts to protect wildlife and will present our defence in the next hearing, said Virendra Tiwari, additional principal chief conservator of forest (Mantralaya), Maharashtra forest department. A subtle shift by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in its approach to the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), without changing its basic features, has allowed more funding of assets owned by small farmers, helping to raise their productivity, but selection of beneficiaries needs more transparency, a government-sponsored study shows. The NREGS, a landmark anti-poverty programme launched by the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, has been more tilted towards asset-creation under the present government, rather than being a purely wage-driven programme. The NREGS offers 100 days employment a year to at least one member of a poor rural family at federally fixed minimum wages and 60% of its funds must go to agriculture and allied activities. The scheme completed 10 years in 2016. More focus on asset creation by the NDA regime, though not without its critics, has resulted in three important gains, says a new study by the New Delhi-based Council for Social Development, which was sponsored by the rural development ministry. One, productivity has shot up in 19 out of 29 crops grown by small farmers due to the funding of privately owned irrigation assets, such as dug wells, which otherwise cost up to ~2 lakh. Wheat productivity was seen increasing by up to 78%. Secondly, there was a gain of 0.41 acre per beneficiary, meaning each farmer was able to utilise additional land that was previously uncultivable. Thirdly, privately held farm assets helped crop diversification, meaning farmers could take in more crops, rather than just foodgrains. That is why the area devoted to foodgrains, as a proportion of total cropped area, showed a decline of one percentage point. The study covered 240 sample beneficiaries across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. Such projects accounted for 37.8% of the total NREGS works. The selection process [of beneficiaries] was not found transparent in many places, the study notes. A change-over from a wage-focused regime of the UPA government to asset-based regime of the current government has both merits and demerits, analysts say. An obsession with private asset creation can distract from the core objective of demand-driven, wage-based jobs and can only benefit land-owning classes. We have always advocated a public investment-oriented approach because NREGS should create public goods. Private goods are often captured by those who have more political capital, said PS Vijayshankar of the Samaj Pragati Sahayog, a Madhya Pradesh NGO that is part of the MNREGA Consortium Public Goods, which are facilities that can be enjoyed by all irrespective of ones ability to pay for them, such as a streetlight. Analysts also say the NDA government was initially sceptical about NREGS, but then reinvented the scheme, realising its potential. In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he would continue the NREGS as a living monument to the Congresss failures. This was then followed by a funds cut during 2014-15 and 2015-16. Former economic adviser to the government, Surjit Bhalla, was especially critical of the scheme. By 2015-16, the scheme got a boost in funding and the NDA government described NREGS as national pride and celebration on its 10th anniversary. Veteran actor Moushumi Chatterjee, who played lead roles in many Hindi and Bengali hit movies in the 1960s and 1970s, joined the BJP in New Delhi on Wednesday. Asserting that she wants to work for the BJP and strengthen it, the 70-year-old actor joined the party in the presence of senior leaders, including BJP national president Amit Shah, general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is also the in-charge for West Bengal, and Mukul Roy. The actress had fought the 2004 Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket from Kolkata northeast seat, but lost. The BJP has been working to win over personalities from different walks of life in the eastern state where it has emerged as a main challenger to the chief minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress. Vijayvargiya expressed hope that Chatterjees presence will boost the party. She may contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Another actor, Rupa Ganguly, had joined the BJP in 2015. She is now a Rajya Sabha member. The first batch of US-built heavy-lift Chinook helicopters and Apache attack helicopters will be delivered to the armed forces in March, moving Indias military capacity and capability to the next level. The first of the Chinook helicopters are already bound for Mundra port in Gujarat from US defence contractor Boeing in containers and expected to arrive next month. India spent $3 billion on 15 Chinook and 22 Apache attack helicopters, with the option to buy six more Apaches already approved by the Donald Trump administration. According to US and Indian diplomats, the aerial platforms will be reassembled by the contractor and flight-tested before being handed over to the Indian armed forces. The Chinook helicopters will be stationed at Chandigarh air base, which supplies to the critical Siachen and Eastern Ladakh sectors. The Apaches with hellfire missiles will be handed over to the Indian forces and stationed at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad. Induction of these two platforms will be a gamechanger for the Indian military which still relies on Russian Mi-17 medium lift helicopters for rapid induction of forces and an obsolete squadron of Russian Mi-26 helicopters. Indian attack capacity is limited to two squadrons of Mi-35 helicopters, which were used by the erstwhile Soviet Union during its occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s. While India is concerned over the departure of Jim Mattis as US defense secretary, the signals from Washington indicate that his successor Patrick M Shanahan will be equally positive towards New Delhi in his attitude and open to a major defence ally of the country acquiring platforms to boost its capacities on land, sea or in air. The next major India-US deal in the works is for the acquisition of Predator-B armed drones by the Indian forces with discussions for this already in the preliminary stages. However, the two sides will have to do serious spadework to sign the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for geospatial cooperation as both the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have concerns over sharing Indian terrain mapping with the US and vice-versa. India has already signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement ( COMCASA). Together, the three, along with the General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), form foundational agreements that the US signs with key defence partners. India signed GSOMIA in 2002, LEMOA in 2016 and COMCASA in 2018. A little under 7,00,000 people have so far been treated free in various empanelled hospitals across India under the Narendra Modi governments flagship health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY), which was launched on September 23. The scheme, billed as worlds biggest public health scheme, provides annual health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family to 107.4 million poor and vulnerable families (around 500 million people) listed in the socio-economic caste census data for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation through a network of empanelled hospitals. In first 100 days, 6,85,000 people have availed of the scheme. To mark the first 100 days of the scheme, finance minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday wrote a post on Facebook in which he described it as a game changer in health care. Many people from weaker sections avoided hospital treatment in order to avoid the burden of an unbearable payment. Today, 40% of Indias poorest are assured of a treatment in a hospital at the cost of public expenditure. This scheme also supports the hospitals as an institution by ensuring patients for them. This will lead to more hospitals (especially in Tier II and III cities), and those with better equipment. Health sector jobs are set to increase. PMJAY will help create an accountable health system because beneficiary feedback is an integral part of its implementation, Jaitley wrote. Those involved in implementation of Ayushman Bharat say that it has been received well, and that the number of beneficiaries is rising rapidly. The outcome has been better than what we expected, even in greenfield states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana that have had no health insurance schemes running in the past. In UP, the number of admissions increased by more than 60% during the past one month that shows the rate of pick-up is remarkable, says Indu Bhushan, chief executive officer, Ayushman Bharat. While the number of hospital admissions under the scheme is rising, its the relatively less expensive medical fields such as obstetrics and gynaecology, general medicine, ophthalmology and oral and maxillofacial surgery (surgery for disorders affecting the facial complex and the skeleton) that have seen the most demand for treatment under the scheme, highlighting the need for more super-speciality hospitals to be empanelled for treatment. One of the major challenges in implementing the scheme has been the reluctance of big corporate hospitals to come on board, largely for financial reasons. The problem here is that in insurance model you cannot have two separate rates for the same procedure. The rates in this scheme are lower than CGHS (central government health scheme) rates that cannot be acceptable. The medical industry proposed CGHS rates plus 10%; and if not that then at least CGHS rates, says Dr KK Aggarwal, ex-national president, Indian Medical Association. Union ministry of health provides comprehensive medical facilities to the current and retired employees of the central government and their dependents in their empaneled hospitals at subsidised rates that are fixed by the ministry. Bhushan says, At least 50% of the hospitals empanelled under the scheme are privately run, but the big ones seem to be reluctant as their cost structure is too high because of the kind of salaries they pay and other costs involved. We are also relooking at our rates and are in discussion with the industry. Fake websites, apps, data safety Another problem that the National Health Agency, the central implementing agency of the scheme, is trying to tackle is the rise of fraud websites and mobile apps that dupe beneficiaries. Ayushman Bharat is a totally cashless scheme and beneficiaries do not have to pay a penny out of their pocket. We have tracked some 69 apps and at least 50 fake websites that have got nothing to do with the schemes implementation but only meant to dupe people, says Bhushan. Preventing fraud or abuse is our concern and we are trying to have more checks and balances in place. We have taken down 62 apps and many of the websites we found are registered outside India. We are getting it fixed. Since the scheme is information technology-enabled, safety of data has also been a concern. We are ensuring that the data is secure and the IT system remains stable and not easily hacked. Also, our analysis shows that our staff needs further training, especially in software and in states that have had no schemes in place earlier, Bhushan adds. The agency is also working with the health research department to frame a standard treatment protocol that can be issued to all empanelled hospitals. This is especially for tertiary care so that all patients are treated in a uniform manner even thought there could be some modifications depending on the case that the treating doctor will take a call on, says Bhushan. The agency also had an offline module developed as internet connectivity was a problem in remote areas like in the northeastern region. We dont encourage its use much as its prone to frauds. But at the same time we dont want anyone to be denied services so it will be used wherever connectivity is an issue. Bhushan is hopeful that in the next three months, the schemes reach will grow exponentially. Our assessment is that the weaker states such as UP, Bihar, MP should catch up in next three months, he says. More than three months after the Supreme Court threw open the doors of the Sabarimala temple to women of all ages, two women in their 40s became the first to worship at the shrine on Wednesday, breaking an ancient taboo, angering traditionalists, and triggering unrest in many parts of Kerala. Sabarimala Karma Samiti, an umbrella organisation of many Hindu groups, called a shutdown strike on Thursday in Kerala after the two women trekked up the hilltop shrine in Pathanamthitta district , escorted by a group of plainclothes police, and offered prayers to the presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa, at around 3.45am. The two women, identified as Bindu Ammini, 42, and Kanakadurga, 44, entered the temple a day after Keralas ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) organised a 620km-long womens wall of equality to fight gender discrimination. Video images of the two women, who made an abortive attempt once before to trek to the temple, showed them dressed in black and with their heads bowed in prayer. It is the responsibility of police to give protection to those who come and we did it. Verifying the age and other details is not our responsibility, said Kerala director general of police, Lokanath Behera. The entry of female devotees of menstruating age into the 800-year-old shrine has been barred in line with the traditional belief that Lord Ayhyappa is a celibate. On September 28, the Supreme Court ruled that the shrine be thrown open to female devotees of all ages, but no one in the 10-50 age group had been able to enter the premises in the face of protests by traditionalists and political groups, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. Following the entry of Ammini and Kanakadurga, the chief priest of Sabarimala, Rajeevaru Kandarau, ordered the doors of the sanctum sanctorum closed for an hour-long purification ritual after vacating pilgrims from the premises. The ceremony includes cleaning the premises with a mix of cow dung and rose water and seeking forgiveness from the presiding deity. Some devotees abandoned their pilgrimage to the shrine, saying its sanctity had been violated. Also read | A dream realised: Woman who offered prayers at Sabarimala The Travancore Dewaswom Board (TDB), which runs the temple, and the state government, distanced themselves from the priests decision. What the tantri [chief priest] did is wrong. It amounts to contempt of court, said ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist ) state secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. The TDB said it will seek an explanation from the chief priest. Initial reports about the entry of the women were dismissed as a rumour until Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed it. It is a fact that two women entered the temple. Earlier, their trekking was foiled due to inadequate security. Police are duty-bound to give them protection, Vijayan said. The development sparked violent protests across Kerala by the BJP and Hindu right groups. The state secretariat turned into a battle zone for nearly five hours as ruling CPI (M) and BJP workers clashed, throwing stones at each other. Police used water canon and burst teargas shells to quell the clashes . Angry protestors blocked roads in many parts of the state. Police caned protestors in Kasargode, Palakkad, Kollam and many other places. A group of women jumped a barricade and came close to the CMs office in the state capital, but were overpowered. Many government buses and vehicles were pelted with stones. Ammini and Kanakadurga entered the temple 97 days after the Supreme Court verdict. We spent a few minutes at the temple and came back after offering prayers. It is a dream come true for us, said Ammini. Ammini said they entered the temple avoiding the 18 holy steps, considered the most sacrosanct part of the Sabarimala pilgrimage. Kanakadurgas brother, O Bharthan, said she left home a week ago saying she had some work in Thiruvananthapuram. An Ayyappa devotee, he distanced himself from his sister, saying their visit to Sabarimala had been planned and executed by senior officers including Kottyayam superintendent of police, S Harishankar. Police tightened security at their houses. The entry of the women into Sabarimala was orchestrated by top police officers to belie claims by saffron groups that despite the best efforts of the police and the state government no woman in the barred age group had been able to enter the temple, people aware of the development said. Both were taken in an ambulance and asked to wear loose clothing and partly cover their faces. News of their entry trickled out only after their return and the release of pictures showing them worshipping inside the temple. The Opposition Congress and BJP termed it an unfortunate incident. Ramesh Chennithala of the Congress said the womens entry was a conspiracy hatched by the chief minister and warned that he will have to pay a heavy price for hurting the religious sentiments of devotees. It is a black day in the history of the state, said BJP state president, PS Sreedharan Pillai. Justice Indu Malhotra, the sole woman judge on the Supreme Court constitution bench that opened the doors of the Sabarimala temple to women of all ages, had dissented against the majority verdict. Judicial review of religious practices ought not to be undertaken, as the court cannot impose its morality or rationality with respect to the form of worship of a deity, she had cautioned. Doing so would negate the freedom to practise ones religion according to ones faith and beliefs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to Malhotras observations in a New Year interview he gave to ANI. There are some temples , which have their own traditions, where men cant go, he said. And men dont go. In this, Sabarimala, a woman judge in the Supreme Court has made some observations. It needs to be read minutely. Also read | Protests after 2 women enter Sabarimala temple, shutdown call for tomorrow Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a face-to-face debate on the controversial Rafale jet fighter deal, escalating his onslaught on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government and refusing to drop demands for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the purchase. Gandhi demanded answers from Modi to four questions he posed at a press conference, after the government on the floor of the Lok Sabha again rejected a JPC probe, saying the Supreme Court had already satisfied its conscience on the deal. Gandhi wanted to know whether any objections had been raised by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to the 2016 contract for 36 Rafale fighter planes that replaced one for 126 aircraft the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) finalised but didnt sign; whose decision it was to sign a new contract , whether it was the prime ministers or the IAFs, and if it wasnt the latters, whether it had objected to a price increase; and why an offset deal had been given to businessman Anil Ambanis Reliance Group, which had never made a plane, at the expense of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which has been building planes for 70 years. Also read | Give me 20 minutes: Rahul Gandhi dares PM to one-on-one debate on Rafale How did Make in India become Make in France? Gandhi asked, referring to the NDA governments decision to buy the 36 planes in a flyaway condition from Dassault Aviation. Under the UPA-era deal, HAL was to manufacture 108 of the 126 planes in India. Just give me 20 minutes with the Prime Minister one-on-one on Rafale and then you decide what is what. But the Prime Minister doesnt have the guts..., Gandhi said. Gandhi said the price of the Rafale aircraft was disclosed by Jaitley himself in the House when he mentioned that the entire deal was worth Rs 58,000 crore. If you divide Rs 58,000 crore by 36, it comes to around Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft, he said. Gandhi described Rafale as a good aircraft and said its capability and quality cant be questioned. The Shiv Sena, an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), backed Gandhis demand for a JPC probe of the deal. Finance minister Arun Jaitley insisted that there was no need for one, citing the Supreme Courts December ruling on the matter. The court said there was no reason to doubt the process of procurement and ruled: There is no reason for interference in the choice of offset partner and perception of individuals cant be the basis for roving inquiry in sensitive issue of defence procurement. Also read | How much does he know?: Jaitleys tweet attack targets Rahul over Rafale Gandhi took on the Prime Minister for his absence on Wednesday from the Lok Sabha, where the Congress partys Sushmita Dev and Rajiv Satav flew paper planes as the debate raged. It is very clear that the Prime Minister does not have the guts to come to Parliament and confront the questions, Gandhi said. The entire nation is asking a direct question about the Prime Minister and the entire nation is asking why the Prime Minister can speak for one-and-a-half-hour in a staged interview and not answer the fundamental questions of Rafale, Gandhi said in an apparent reference to Modis interview aired on news channels on Tuesday. The Congress president sought to dismiss Modis statement in the interview in which he said the allegations over the Rafale deal had not been directed at him personally but were against the government. He [Modi] was looking tired, nervous [in the interview]. He said no one has pointed fingers at me but the whole country is pointing fingers at him, Gandhi said. The House witnessed drama after Gandhi sought speaker Sumitra Mahajans permission to play an audio clip of a purported conversation between Goas health minister Vishwajit Rane and an anonymous person in which he quoted former defence minister and chief minister Manohar Parrikar as having told a cabinet meeting last week that he had Rafale files in his bedroom. While Parrikar said the clip was an attempt to fabricate facts, Rane too dismissed the audio tape as doctored. Jaitley said the audio was false and fabricated and asked Gandhi if he could authenticate it. The finance minister warned Gandhi that he may have to face a privilege motion and even expulsion in case it turned out to be fabricated. Amid uproar, which caused a brief adjournment, Gandhi said he would not play it and authenticate it, prompting Jaitley to say that he was scared as he knew it was false. This man [Gandhi] lies and lies repeatedly, Jaitley said. The Speaker also disallowed Gandhis request to play the audio. The controversy is about the NDA governments decision to enter a $8.7-billion government-to-government deal with France to buy 36 Rafale warplanes made by Dassault was announced in April 2015, with an agreement signed a little over a year later, replacing the UPA-era agreement. The deal has become controversial with the opposition, led by the Congress, claiming that the price at which India is buying Rafale aircraft now is Rs 1,670 crore for each, three times the Rs 526 crore, the initial bid by the company when the UPA was trying to buy the aircraft. It has also claimed the previous deal included a technology transfer agreement with HAL. You may also like | Goa tape spices up Rafale war between BJP and Congress The NDA has not disclosed details of the price, but the UPA deal, struck in 2012, was not a viable one, former defence minister Manohar Parrikar has previously said, implying that it would have never been closed and that, therefore, any comparison is moot. Indeed, the UPA was not able to close the deal till 2014, largely over discussions related to pricing of items not included in the initial bid. The deal has become controversial on account of the fact that one of the offset deals signed by Dassault is with the Reliance Group. The Rafale deal was one of the Congresss main planks in the recent round of state elections in which the Congress deposed the BJP in the key heartland states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. It is likely to keep up the attack on the ruling party in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as well. The BJP has, meanwhile, sought to corner the Congress over charges of wrongdoing in the Rs 3,600 crore deal to buy helicopters from AgustaWestland of Italy. I thought daal me kuch kala hai but puri daal hi kali hai, he said, quoting a Hindi adage. A JPC is needed as it will bring out the truth. Modiji had bypassed processes and the contract was snatched from HAL. Later, at a news conference at Congress headquarters, Gandhi brought up Modi saying in the interview that the charges were not being levelled against him, but his government. Dont know in which world he is living. Narendra Modi-ji, the questions are being raised against you and people are asking you why did you give Rs 30,000 crore to Anil Ambani. So, I found it very interesting that the Prime Minister thinks questions are being raised on someone else. To be sure, the Rs 30,000 crore figure is the money that Dassault would have to spend on offset purchases from Indian component makers as part of the terms of the deal and the French plane maker has said it had chosen several offset partners besides Reliance Group. Countering Jaitleys assertions that the cost of the jets was enhanced due to new weapons, Gandhi said the Modi governments defence of the deal was inconsistent. The 2007 request for proposal (RFP) documents clearly state that direct flyaway aircraft be delivered with full complements of weapons and the weapons package was integral to the flyaway aircraft, he said and read out the RFP that enumerated some of the weapons and equipment annexed with it. Jaitley has a habit of telling lies one after the other, but the reality is Rafale deal was made to steal from the exchequer. Chowkidar chor hai [watchman is a thief], he alleged. The Congress chief continued tweeting questions addressed to the PM till late on Wednesday. Also read | To Rahul Gandhis jab at PM Modi over Rafale, Arun Jaitleys counter punch Hindu outfits call for shutdown on Thursday An umbrella organisation of various pro-Hindutva groups have called for a state-wide shutdown Thursday. Sabarimala Karma Samiti Samiti leader K P Sasikala said the government has betrayed devotees. Traders organisations have said they will not cooperate with the shutdown and sought police protection to open their establishments. Women should enter Sabarimala openly, not secretly Generally, we want womens entry (into the Sabarimala shrine), but we dont want something secretly to be done. It is to be done openly, everybody should accept, thats our view, CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said. Journalists attacked during protests Among the journalists attacked by BJP and Yuva Morcha activists outside the state secretariat were Asianet reporter Prakula, Deccan Chronicle photojournalist Peethambaran Payyeri, Mathrubhumi video-journalist Biju. Camera and equipment of channels like Mathrubhumi and Media One were also damaged. The Kerala Union of Working Journalists flayed the attack on the media personnel and sought stern action. Police, BJP workers clash in Thiruvananthapuram Clash between BJP workers and the police during a protest over the entry of two women in Sabarimala temple. Thiruvananthapuram: Clash between BJP workers and the police during a protest over the entry of two women in Sabarimala temple. #Kerala pic.twitter.com/uaO250ZEl9 ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Minister AK Balan blocked Protesters block minister AK Balan at Palakkad guest house. More police rushed to rescue him. Violence spreads to many areas in Kerala Violence spreads to many areas. Baton charging in Palakkad, Kasargode and Thiruvananthapuram. Every woman has right to worship: CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said Wednesday every woman has the right to worship at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala. Activist Trupti Desai hails young womens entry Social activist Trupti Desai Wednesday hailed the entry of two women in their mid forties into the Lord Aayyappa hill shrine in Keralas Sabarimala, saying it is a victory of equality. Desai was forced to return from the Kochi airport when she arrived to offer prayers at Sabarimala with six young women, following nama japam (chanting of Ayyappa hymns) protests by devotees and right wing outfits for 13 hours on November 16. Sabarimala Karma Samiti calls for Kerala shutdown on Thursday Sabarimala Karma Samiti, an umbrella organisation of many Hindu outfits, has called for a statewide shutdown on Thursday. It has also asked devotees not to contribute any money in Sabarimala and other temples. Will act against priest who shut temple: Travancore Devaswom Board The Travancore Devaswom Board said that it will take action against Tantri for closing the temple for purification rites. We are not aware of the decision to close the temple. We will seek explanation from him said Travancore Devaswom Board member N Vijaykumar. Congress, BJP demand CMs resignation After two women entered the Sabarimala shrine early this morning, there are protests happening across Kerala. Congress, BJP demanded Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayans resignation. Im happy: BJP MP Udit Raj Im happy that two women entered Sabarimala temple, says BJP MP Udit Raj. Protestors force shops to shut down Protestors are forcing shops to close down in Kollam and other places amid widespread protest across the state. BJP Mahila Morcha stopped from entering secretariat Five BJP Mahila Morcha members protesting against two women entering Sabarimala Temple today, were stopped from entering the state secretariat by police in Thiruvananthapuram, according to news agency ANI. Sanctity breached, some devotees call off pilgrimage Some devotees on way to the hilltop temple called off their pilgrimage saying sanctity of the temple breached.` BJP rally turns violent The BJP rally outside Kerala secretariat turned violent. Many temple offices have been closed. There are also reports of roads being blocked in many areas. Black flags shown to Kerala ministers Protests erupted in various parts of Kerala Wednesday against the entry of two women in their forties into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, police said. BJP workers waved black flags at Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran in Guruvayur where he had gone to attend a function. Health minister K K Shylaja also had to face the ire of activists of the Yuva Morcha, the partys youth wing at Kannur, who showed black flags, they said. BJP, RSS workers block road BJP, RSS workers today blocked the busy Kasargode Mangaluru road. Congress-led UDF to observe protest Congress-led UDF will observe protest day today. Providing security is our responsibility, not verifying age: DGP It is the responsibility of police to give protection to those who come and we did it. Verifying the age and other details is not our responsibility, said Kerala DGP Lokanath Behera on 2 women in their 40s offering prayers at Sabarimala Temple. Temple reopens Sabarimala temple reopened after purification rites went on for about an hour. Protest on through democratic means: BJP state prez to devotees BJP state president PS Sreedharan Pillai told devotees not to get carried away and register their protest only through democratic means. BJP calls for two-day protest As two women below 50 years of age entered the Sabarimala temple today and the temple was shut thereafter, BJP in Kerala has called for a two-day protest in the state. CM cheated devotees: Sabarimala Karma Samiti The chief minister has cheated devotees. He is answerable to crores of devotees. He will have to pay a heavy price for hurting sentiments of devotees said Sabarimala Karma Samiti, an umbrella organisation of many Hindu outfits. Tantris decision, a contempt CM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan criticised the tantris decision to close the temple. He said that it a contempt of court. Situation tense The situation at the hilltop shrine as well as the base camp looks tense as the temple has been closed for purification rites. However, the pilgrims have refused to disperse. Pilgrims refuse to disperse Pilgrims who are standing outside the temple in winding queues refuse to disperse, even as the temple has been closed for now. Black day for Kerala: BJP It is a black day for the state, said BJP after as two women below 50 years of age entered the shrine today. Temple doors closed The Sabarimala temple has been shut for purification rituals after two women below 50 entered the shrine. Women entered temple: CM Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that the women entered the Sabarimala temple and added that the police provided them enough protection. It is a fact that two women entered the temple. Earlier their trekking was foiled due to inadequate security. Police are duty-bound to give them protection said the chief minister. Temple likely to be closed for purification rites Temple is likely to be closed for purification rites. All eyes are now on the Tantri, the supreme priest. Avoided 18 holy steps: Bindhu Bindhu, a lawyer who entered the temple today said they entered the temple avoiding 18 holy steps that are considered most sacrosanct as far as Sabarimala pilgrimage is concerned. Police promised help: Bindhu We approached police on Tuesday and they promised all help said Bindhu, a lawyer who entered the Sabarimala shrine this morning. Security tightened As the two women entered the shrine early morning today, police have tightened security High alert sounded A high alert has been sounded throught the state. Women entered at 3:45 am Bindhu, a lawyer, and activist Kanakadurga, both in their early 40s, told a news channel that they offered prayers at the hilltop shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa 3:45 am in the morning and came back to Pambha base camp at 5am. 2 women enter temple Two women below the age of 50 have said they offered prayers at the Sabarimala temple in Keralas Pathanamthitta district early on Wednesday, a claim denied by police. One of the two satellite-tagged female Amur falcons, which flew non-stop for five days covering thousands of kilometres to reach Somalia in November last year, has lost contact after reaching Zambia, a Wildlife Institute of India (WII) official said on Wednesday. Tamenglong has not transmitted (any signal) after 14 December. The last location of Tamenglong was in North Luangwa National Park of Zambia in South Africa, scientist R Suresh Kumar said. Kumar said the reason they are not receiving any signal from the bird, named after a district in Manipur, could be because of a technical failure. But he ruled out that the falcon may have been killed there. There is no document of hunting in the area where Tamenglong was last located, Kumar, who has tagged 10 birds over the last five years, said. Longleng, another satellite radio tagged bird named after Nagalands district, continues to be active and has reached close to its last year roost site, Kumar said. Longleng was radio-tagged in Nagaland in October 2016. Tamenglong and Manipur, a male falcon, were tagged on November 4, 2018, as part of one of the projects to study the flight route of these long-distance migratory birds and environmental patterns along the route. But Manipur was found dead four days later at Keibu Ching area in Tamenglong district. Tamenglong and Longleng started their non-stop migration on November 9 and 19 and reached Somalia in the third week of November 2018. Since then they had been spending their time in African countries. The falcons spend their summers at their breeding grounds in southeast Russia and northeast China. They migrate to their wintering grounds in South Africa, from where they start their return journey in April-May through Afghanistan and East Asia, undertaking a yearly journey of about 20,000 km. In between, they stop in Indias northeast, where they have been killed in large numbers in recent years, and Somalia. In their journey, these pigeon-sized birds arrive in large numbers during October in Nagaland and Manipur besides a few places in northeast India. They leave the region in November after having enough food for their non-stop flight to Africa where they spend their winters. Meanwhile, Manipurs forest department which had been taking up widespread wildlife conservation activities in association with villagers is planning to tag satellite radio transmitters to a few birds in 2019. Body of a 60-year-old priest was found hanging in the Ram Janki temple premises in Unchahar town of Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, police said. The locals alleged that the priest, identified as Baba Prem Das, had been murdered by land mafia who were trying to grab the land of temple trust for the last many years. Locals claimed that the priest had also written to the district magistrate of Rae Bareli citing threat to his life. The priests body has been sent for post-mortem examination. It is yet to be ascertained if the priest has been murdered or he has committed suicide, Sunil Kumar Singh, superintendent of police (SP), said. The SP, however, accepted that there was a dispute over the possession of land. Circle officer (CO) of Dalmau Vineet Singh is in Unchahar with a huge police force to avert any untoward incident. Further investigations are on, he added. CO Vineet Singh said the body was found hanging from the ceiling above the temple gate, which was about 15-feet high. Hundreds of villagers gathered at the spot and alleged foul play. The body could not be brought down for over six hours in view of protest by the residents, he added. Also read | Lucknow cash van loot and murder: Assailant thought Rae Bareli was safe for him, but A local resident, who did not wish to be named, claimed that Panchsheel Mahavidyalaya, owned by the aides of a senior politician, was situated on the land of the temple trust. He said there was a dispute between the trust and the college owners over the possession of land. Recently, the trust got a court order in its favour which directed the district administration to get the illegally occupied land vacated, he added. To mount pressure on the priest, the land grabbers also tried to implicate him in fake cases after which he made another priest, Mauni Baba of Amethi, the head of the trust. Mauni Baba recently visited the temple and staged a protest demanding that the district administration should get the land vacated, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scheduled to inaugurate the 106th edition of the Indian Science Congress at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar on Thursday, will hold an interactive session on Future of Science in India with three Nobel laureates. The Nobel prize winner for chemistry (2004) Avram Hershko, for physics F Duncan M Haldane (2016) and for medicine Thomas Christian Sudhof (2013) are expected to discuss the future of scientific advancements and Indias role in it. The Congress on the theme Future India: Science & Technology is being organised for the first time in Punjab. Over 30,000 delegates comprising scientists, researchers and students from across 40 countries are likely to participate at the event, which will conclude on January 7. According to sources in the administration, the Prime Minister is expected to arrive at LPU at 11.20am. After taking a ride in a driverless solar-powered bus developed by the university students, he will inaugurate the Congress and address the gathering. He is expected to leave for a rally in Gurdaspur after holding an interaction with the Nobel laureates. Union cabinet ministers, including science and technology minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, textiles minister Smriti Irani and human resource development (HRD) minister Prakash Javadekar will also address the event. Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad is also expected to attend the event. KNOW THE LAUREATES The Hungary-born Israeli biochemist AvramHershko won the prestigious award in 2004, along with two others, for his work on the discovery of ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation. He is currently a distinguished professor in the department of biochemistry at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa and an adjunct professor of pathology at the NYU School of Medicine since 2002. British-born American physicist F Duncan M Haldane won the Nobel in 2016, along with two others, for his work on explain- ing properties of one-dimensional chains of atomic magnets and of two-dimensional semiconductors. He is currently the Sherman Fairchild University professor of physics at Princeton University. Thomas Christian Sudhof is a German-American biochemist known for his study of synaptic transmission. Currently, he is a professor at Stanford University. Sudhof won the 2013 Nobel, along with two others, for his work on vesicle trafficking. The back-and-forth between Congresss Rahul Gandhi and finance minister Arun Jaitley spilled over to social media after Gandhi followed up his Rafale attacks in Parliament with a media briefing outside on Wednesday evening. Soon after, Jaitley delivered his comeback on Twitter. How much does he know? When will he know? Arun Jaitley tweeted minutes after Rahul Gandhis press conference where he had sought to counter the finance ministers defence delivered in Parliament. Jaitley reasoned that there were two different prices in the offer made to the UPA government. One of the flyaway aircraft and the offer of the weaponised aircraft, he said, insisting that the Congress president was comparing two unequals and call it a scam. The war of words between the two leaders started in Parliament after Rahul Gandhi targeted the Modi government, questioning the price hike in the Rafale fighter jet deal, claiming it was raised from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft, and alleged corruption in the deal. Jaitley termed Gandhis allegation of price escalation a kindergarten math. He said the Congress president does not have the basic understanding of what a combat aircraft is. Soon enough, Rahul Gandhi was back with another barb, this one aimed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tomorrow, the PM faces an Open Book #RafaleDeal Exam in Parliament, Gandhi tweeted, and put out what he called, were the exam questions in advance. Q1. Why 36 aircraft, instead of the 126 the IAF needed? Q2. Why 1,600 Cr instead of 560 Cr per aircraft. Q4. Why AA instead of HAL? Will he show up? Or send a proxy? he said. Someone did point out that he had missed Question No 3. The Congress promptly shot back and said, Question 3 was for the public to decide. Send in your questions for NaMo & win a #DaroMat T-shirt. #ModiExam, the partys official handle tweeted. At a press conference earlier, Gandhi had sought 20 minutes with the Prime Minister, who he alleged was hiding from uncomfortable questions that he had posed. He had also brushed aside strong denials from Panaji and Jaitley about the audio tape that the party has released today, asserting that it was a conversation between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and another person, in which Rane is heard saying that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week former defence minister Manohar Parrikar stated he had an entire file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom. Rane has denied that he has had this conversation, and along with Parrikar, called the tapes doctored. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Naths decision to discontinue the 13-year-old practice of singing Vande Mataram at the state secretariat on the first working day of every month has had the BJP fuming. There was no official order or word from the chief minister, any minister or official till late on Tuesday night as to why Vande Mataram was not sung at the state secretariat earlier in the day. Only speculations did the rounds among government employees at Vallabh Bhavan that the programme was not held after a verbal order from the general administration department (GAD). An angry Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the former BJP chief minister, in a series of tweets offered his services to Congress to teach it the national song. He also said if Congress felt ashamed about singing it he would sing it along with people at state secretariat premises. Vande Mataram is synonymous with patriotism. It is a mantra which was recited by the hundreds of sons of Mother India who faced Britishs bullets and sacrificed their lives (during the freedom struggle). Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said he will sing Vande Mataram along with other 108 BJP legislators at the state secretariat on the first day of the assembly session on January 7. While BJP spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal called the Congress party anti-national, the district BJP unit in Bhopal said party workers will sing the national song at Vallabh Bhavan on Wednesday morning. Without mentioning Chouhans name but asking the BJP not to play politics on Vande Mataram, chief minister Kamal Nath said on Tuesday night that singing of the song was deferred and a decision taken to implement it in a new form later. Neither has this decision been taken under any agenda nor are we opposed to the singing of Vande Mataram. Vande Mataram is deep-rooted in our hearts and we also sing the song from time to time. We will resume it but in a different form, said Kamal Nath in a statement issued by state Congress media coordinator Narendra Saluja. Singing Vande Mataram just for a day doesnt reflect any persons patriotism. Its wrong to link Vande Mataram singing just for a day with patriotism or nationalism. Are those who dont sing Vande Mataram, not patriots? he asked. The Congress ended the BJPs rule last month in Madhya Pradesh along with two other Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Before that, Chouhan ruled the state for 15 years. Hurriyat leader and chief cleric of Srinagar mosque, Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Wednesday led a rally against the desecration of the mosque by a group of masked youth carrying IS flags. Farooq along with dozens of activists took out a march from Rajouri Kadal to Jamia Masjid in Srinagar after addressing a convention of Awami Action Committee against the desecration. The protesters shouted slogans, saying the mosques desecration wont be tolerated. Mirwaiz along with the people then entered the Jamia Masjid and were seen cleaning the pulpit with their hands. The pulpit was cleaned as the hooligans had violated it by climbing on it with their shoes on, Mirwaiz said. The whole community is saddened and demand that these elements who want to damage the importance of Jamia Masjid be isolated, he said. On Friday, after the noon prayers, some masked men waved Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) flags near the pulpit of Jamia Masjid, climbed on it and shouted slogans. They also made a video of the same and uploaded it on social media. The way our right to self determination is being maligned and attempts are being made to change its direction, it wont be tolerated. The whole community is against these elements, Mirwaiz said. Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik have expressed outrage over the incident. Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have issued the most digital documents to their citizens under the National Democratic Alliances (NDA) flagship paperless governance programme, although the scheme, which provides important documents, including educational degrees, marriage registration testimonies, driving licences and vehicle registration certificates to citizens through digital lockers has received a tepid response from Gujarat, Goa, Rajasthan, West Bangal, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry and the northeastern states. The DigiLocker is an initiative of the NDA government launched in July 2015 as a part of Digital India campaign; it is used by state education boards, revenue departments, transport and district authorities for issuing various documents to citizens including, caste and income certificates. It emerges that government departments of Rajasthan, West Bengal, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland have not yet issued a single paperless certificate to their citizens under the scheme, according to a government document reviewed by Hindustan Times. Read: Transport ministry issues SOP for e-Challans An official in the ministry of electronics and information technology said that it could be possible that some states would have issued digital certificates in their own servers. We are in process of integrating eDistrict services land records services, PDS [public distribution system] etc, said the official who did not wish to be named. State government departments of Goa and Arunachal Pradesh are laggards, having so far issued 12,156 and 4,841 certificates respectively to their citizens, the document shows. Some states have achieved success in issuing e-certificates. Maharashtra tops the list with a 128.5 million documents, including certificates related to birth, death, income, caste, marriage and education, issued by local authorities and school examination boards. Uttar Pradesh is second-best with a little over 100 million digital certificates issued. Also read: Online v/s offline learning: Which option is better for personalised learning PwC India regional managing partner Neel Ratan said the concept would become popular when more and more documents would be enabled to get into digital lockers. It also depends on the usage, that is, number of time the locker is used. This is a unique concept, and time for that has come, he said. The relevance of this digital initiative will increase if government agencies such as traffic police start accepting e-verification of documents. It is safer compared to photocopies of identity proofs submitted to vendors for mobile connections. While digital verification is a one-time process, photocopies of certificates remain with vendors for ever that can be misused, he said. Karnataka has issued 73.8 million certificates. Digital locker, a cloud-based platform, provides free services to the citizen. Citizens can also safely keep all documents and certificates in the digital locker that they access anytime from any location. It provides access to educational documents, Aadhaar, permanent account number (PAN), driving licence, vehicle registration certificate, land records, ration cards and certificates pertaining to income, caste, birth and marriage, officials said. DigiLocker was launched with an objective to enable on demand service delivery to citizens along with a dedicated storage space. Also read: Mapping the growth of digital learning in India To boost the usage of DigiLocker, one of the measures that the government can look at is allowing a provision for state government departments to upload and store certificates/documents. This would ensure that authentic documents and data are available for the respective departments to verify and use as necessary. This is what we call Certificate-Less Governance, wherein requirement of producing a physical certificate by a citizen can be done away with as authentic certificates and documents would be available at a central repository, said Milan Narendra, Partner - Government and Public Sector, Advisory Services, EY India. Also read: Digitally signed land title documents available online in Maharashtra Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspended 24 members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) for next five sittings for repeatedly disturbing the House on Wednesday. In the Rajya Sabha, chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked 13 members of the AIADMK and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) to leave the House for disturbing the house as well. Both houses were disturbed over the Cauvery issue that relates to the distribution of the river water between Karnataka and Tamil Naidu. The Lok Sabha saw at least four adjournments during the day with slogan-shouting AIADMK members protesting in the well of the House. In the evening, placard-carrying AIADMK members again trooped into the well with some flinging torn pieces of papers towards the table where Lok Sabha secretariat officials sit during proceedings. The AIADMK has 37 members in Lok Sabha. A visibly disturbed Mahajan suspended 24 members of AIADMK under rule 374 (A) that allows Lok Sabha speaker to suspend members for disturbing the house and causing disorder by a member coming into the Well of the House or for disregarding the rules. Those suspended include K Ashok Kumar, RK Bharathi Mohan, M Chandrakasi, Jayakumar Jayavardhan, P Nagarajan among others. Earlier, the Rajya Sabha chairman ordered members of AIDMK and DMK to leave the House for the day when they continued to protest in the Well over the Cauvery issue. Naidu invoked Rule 255 that allows the Chairman to direct any member whose conduct, in his opinion, is disorderly. The country is being shamed, Our parliamentary system is being shamed, Naidu said urging members to allow the house to function.Please cooperate to see that this House functions in a meaningful manner for the remaining days and pass some resolutions. Issues cannot be dictated, he said. After repeated disruptions in the morning, water resources minister Nitin Gadkari was asked to assure the house as a means to end the deadlock. Naidu informed the house that the minister had been called to the House. Protesting members of the House, however, continued their protest in the Well, with four DMK members also joining to associate with them.The Upper House that was to consider a motion for imposing President Rule in Jammu and Kashmir was finally adjourned for the day after lunch. And, although Home Minister Rajnath Singh moved the motion to discuss the imposition of Presidents Rule in Jammu and Kashmir it wasnt discussed. Those asked to withdraw from the house include Tiruch Siva, Kanimozhi, TKS Elangovan, A Navaneethakrishnan, Muthukaruppan, N Gokulakrishnan, AK Selvaraj, Dr R Lakshmanan, Vijila Sathyananth among others. Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday responded to Rahul Gandhis Lok Sabha attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale jet deal by bringing up controversial cases, both past and present including the Bofors gun purchase, the AgustaWestland chopper deal, and the National Herald matter and said that the Congress president has a legacy of speaking falsehood. Jaitley also said that the Congress does not understand national security, it only understands money, and likened Rahul Gandhi to someone who has a natural dislike for the truth. During the course of his nearly 40-minute speech interrupted by an adjournment soon after Rahul Gandhi finished speaking, Jaitley quoted a line from the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. If it is once, its a happenstance, it can happen. If it is twice, it is a coincidence. And if it is thrice, its a conspiracy, Jaitley said, to describe the Congress as alleged conspirators in multiple defence scams. Speaking after Jaitley, Trinamool Congresss Saugata Ray said that Jaitley had misquoted Ian Fleming (the creator of James Bond) because the actual dialogue spoke about enemy action, and not conspiracy. In the film, the character Auric Goldfinger, played by Gert Frobe, says: Mr Bond, they have a saying in Chicago: Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time its enemy action. Miami, Sandwich and now Geneva - I propose to wring the truth out of you. Roy also asked why the BJP had asked Jaitley who was neither a member of the Lok Sabha nor the defence minister to spearhead the Rafale response despite having nearly 300 members in the Lower House. Responding to Gandhis charges and questions, Jaitley said: There are some people who have a natural dislike for the truth. Every word spoken for the last six months on this subject, including in this House [by the Congress] is false. He [Gandhi] has a legacy of speaking falsehood. The finance minister questioned Gandhis knowledge of combat aircraft after the Congress chief raised questions about the price of the Rafale jet in the new deal signed by the Modi government. It is a tragedy that the grand old party, which was headed by the legends in the past, is now headed by a gentleman who doesnt have basic understanding of combat aircraft, Jaitley said. He ruled out forming a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and said: Remember the JPC on Bofors. It said the kickbacks were winding up charges. It whitewashed corruption, he said, adding that JPC members usually end up working on partisan lines. He argued that after the apex courts judgment on Rafale, in which it dismissed pleas for a court-monitored probe, any debate over pricing and the process should be over. With Gandhi referring to a businessman in connection with the Rafale deal as double A, Jaitley questioned if the Congress president played in the lap of Q, an apparent reference to a middleman from the Bofors deal. Jaitley contended in his reply to Gandhis speech that the cost of the bare aircraft is less than what the United Progressive Alliance had negotiated, and the weaponised version now costs 20% less than in the UPA-era. He insisted that the price of the bare aircraft has been revealed, but the price of the fully loaded plane cant be disclosed for national security. Slamming Rahul Gandhi for manufacturing a leaked tape attributed to Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who was the Union defence minister when the deal was renegotiated, Jaitley said that senior Congress leaders are out on bail in a National Herald case. He also referred to AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel, who is in ED custody in relation to an alleged VVIP chopper scam from the UPA era. When the AgustaWestland deal was being negotiated, [Michel, in an email] was referring to Mrs Gandhi or Italian lady, son of Italian lady, son will speak to the mother? Shortly after Rahul Gandhi s press conference in the evening to counter his remarks, he tweeted: How much does he know? When will he know? Five nuns of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation, who led a protest against deposed Jalandhar bishop Franco Mullakkal, alleged a deliberate attempt to delay justice in the sexual assault case against him and threatened to take to the streets again. Three months after the bishops arrest, police are yet to file a chargesheet in the case. The state government is also yet to appoint a public prosecutor, they said. Things are moving at a snails pace. We heard the decision to appoint a public prosecutor is pending with the Kerala chief ministers office. We fear a deliberate attempt to weaken the case. If the situation continues like this, we will be forced to hit the streets again, said sister Anupama, who led the protest against Mullakkal. In June 2018, a 43-year-old nun, also a mother superior, had lodged a police complaint that Mullakkal had raped her 13 times between 2014 and 2016. The five nuns staged a protest in Kochi seeking his arrest. The special investigation team arrested him in September after several rounds of questioning. After three weeks in judicial custody, Mullakkal was granted bail. We are leading a secluded life at the convent. We have been kept in the dark about church duties and decisions. A couple of nuns have been transferred from Punjab to our convent to keep a tab on us. There were attempts to force us out of the convent, she said. The deposed bishop is influential and it is evident in every stage of the case. Though we face threat to our lives, we will continue our struggle for justice, she said. Earlier, the convent had sent a letter to the police, saying it did not have funds to continue protection to the victim and five other nuns and they can be shifted to a government-run home. It was seen as a move to push them out of the convent and silence them. But the nuns insisted they will remain with the congregation and wont move out. A key witness in the case, father Kuriakose Kattuthara, was found dead in Jalandhar under mysterious circumstances two months ago. A section of the inmates of the convent is said to be supporting the bishop. The Congress on Wednesday sought answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a purported claim by Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar that the file on the Rafale jet fighter deal is lying in his bedroom and wondered if that was the reason for the government not accepting its demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe of the purchase. Congresss chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala released an audio of a recorded conversation purportedly between Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane and another person whose identity has not been revealed. Rane can be heard saying that during a cabinet meeting in Goa last week, Parrikar stated he had an entire file and all documents related to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom, Surjewala told reporters in the Parliament complex as he played the conversation for the media. Both Parrikar and Rane dismissed the claims. While Parrikar asserted that no such discussion ever took place during a cabinet meeting, Rane claimed that the audio conversation had been doctored. Surjewala quoted Rane as saying, The chief minister made a very interesting statement, that I have all the information of Rafale in my bedroom....that means he is holding them to ransom... Now it is clear that the chowkidaar is a chor (the watchman is a thief), Surjewala said in an apparent reference to Modi. Now the Prime Minister should answer. The country is demanding answers as to what secrets in Rafale are inside Manohar Parrikars flat... Why is chowkidaar fearing Parrikar? he asked. Congresss chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala released an audio of a recorded conversation purportedly between Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane and another person whose identity has not been revealed. Now the Prime Minister has to answer. He only does captive interviews and is not used to answering questions from the media. What is the hitch in making public all the documents, Surjewala said...Is this the reason why a JPC probe is not being ordered?, he asked. He alleged corruption and wrongdoing in the Rafale deal and that it was all recorded in the files. Those files are with Mr Parrikar...If Mr Modi has nothing to hide, then why is Mr Parrikar keeping those files and threatening everybody that nobody can do anything against him, the Congress leader said. Because, secrets are all recorded in files and the day those files are out, as stated and threatened by Parrikar himself, then what we have always said will be proved. That Rafale is the biggest scam of India and the person accountable for it is the Prime Minister himself, he said. Surjewala said it has now become necessary for the Rafale files with Parrikar to come out in the public domain. The files with Parrikar should be made public and Modi should submit to a JPC probe. A JPC probe within 10 days will bring out all the truth about the Rafale deal... he added. Parrikar, who was the defence minister when the deal was signed in 2016, said: The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during cabinet or any other meeting. It was a reference to a court ruling that there was no reason to doubt the process by which India was procuring 36 Rafale warplanes from Frances Dassault Aviation at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore. Rane told reporters in Panaji that the audio clip had been doctored and that he had informed BJP chief Amit Shah about it. Accusing the Congress of falsely implicating him through the fake audio, Rane asked the CM to order a police inquiry and a criminal investigation into the matter to expose the mischievous elements. In a letter to Shah, Rane, a former Congress leader who joined the BJP after the 2017 assembly elections, said he had never had any conversation with anyone on the Rafale issue. From the time I joined the BJP, the Congress has been targeting me... he claimed. Hours after he opened a debate on the Rafale deal in parliament, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to renew the oppositions demand for a joint parliamentary committee probe into the purchase of the 36 aircrafts. Gandhi also challenged PM Modi to a debate on the Rafale row, one-on-one. Give me 20 minutes, he said at a Press conference, the request directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi who the Congress president has more than once today, alleged that he was hiding from the uncomfortable questions that he had posed. WATCH | Rahul Gandhi dares PM Modi for a one-on-one debate on Rafale row The Congress president also brushed aside strong denials from Panaji and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley about the audio tape that the party has released today. The Congress said the audio tape is a conversation between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and another person. In this, Gandhi claimed, the Goa health minister is heard saying that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week Parrikar stated he had an entire file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom. Vishwajit Rane has denied that he has had this conversation and along with Parrikar, called the tapes doctored. Asked, Gandhi shot back: What else do you expect... but a denial. At his evening Press conference, Rahul Gandhi repeated the partys charge about the audio tape and claimed Parrikar is threatening the Prime Minister of India. He is threatening to blackmail the Prime Minister of India because he has the files on Rafale deal. Also read | On Vande Mataram row in MP, Amit Shah takes a swipe at Rahul Gandhi WATCH | Goa minister says that the chief minister said in a cabinet meeting that he has complete information about Rafale. He, in a way, threatened to blackmail the Prime Minister of India, said Rahul Gandhi adding, The question is what information is there in the bedroom of Parrikar and what is its impact on Narendra Modi. There might be other tape of this nature. This is not the only one, he added. He also responded to barbs from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during the debate in parliament; the finance minister had taken a dig at the Congress president for what he described as, his kindergarten math. In his speech, Arun Jaitley asked where the figure of Rs 1,600 crore comes from. Where does the Congress get this number? Jaitley himself said Rafale deal was of Rs 58,000 crore. If you divide Rs 58,000 by 36, the number of Rafale fighter jets to be bought, it comes at Rs 1,600 crore. So you gave us this number. Mr Jaitley, you gave the figure of Rs 526 crore. Bid happened and the lowest bid went to Rafale. Figure of Rs 526 crore comes from that bid only, Rahul Gandhi said adding, Now it is clear that price inflated from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. Rahul Gandhi alleged that Narendra Modi changed the procedure, the air force objected to it. Sill he inflated the price to Rs 1,600 croreTruth cant be masked. Also read | Lok Sabha Rafale debate: James Bond said...: How Jaitley shaped rebuttal to Rahuls Rafale charge Several farmers were injured when police resorted to lathi-charge during a protest against limestone mining by cement firm in Mahuva taluka of Gujarat on Wednesday. Bhavnagar police said a couple of policemen were also injured in stone-pelting by the protesting farmers from 11 villages in the district. Chief minister Vijay Rupani ordered an inquiry into the matter as tension gripped the region. Led by Congress leader Kanu Kalsariya and Congress MLA from Talaja, Kanu Baraiya, the farmers have been demanding that the company suspend limestone mining in their villages. This was the 10th time that mining came to halt since the company began its operations in July 2018. Despite protest by all surrounding 11 villages, the state government gave a nod to the company for mining. The activity has affected the irrigation water supply and the environment in the region, said Bharat Bhill, leader of the protesting group. Today, we have asked the government to make its stand clear whether it will allow the company to function or pay attention to farmers demand, Bhill added. The police said farmers started pelting stones to get their group members released. The police had detained some of the farmers before they could take out a rally and reach Nana Kotda village. Removing country limits for Green Cards will drastically reduce waiting time for those in queue, mostly from India and China, and protect them from exploitative employers, but will also lead to people of these two countries dominating this route to US citizenship, according to a new report. Indian (and to a lesser extent Chinese and Filipino) nationals wait in much longer queues of pending employment-based petitions for Green Card than their counterparts from other countries, and thus, consequently must wait the longest, said the Congressional Research Service, a non-partisan government body that supplies research to US Congress, in a December report. A legislation was before the US Congress at the time to remove the country limit, which lapsed with the previous body and is likely to be reintroduced for passage afresh in the new Congress that takes charge on Thursday. The report summed up for legislators the pros and cons of removing the country limit that have long accompanied the debate. Those in favour have argued, the report said, that the wait periods for a lot of them are excessively long, 150 years for India, by one estimate; discriminates against some foreign workers based on their country of origin; and leaves them vulnerable to potential exploitation by their employers, who sponsor the Green Card application and can withdraw it; and that the US might be driving away talented people to other countries because of the waiting period, specially Indians.. Those against, the report said, have argued, chiefly, that it would substantially reduce the country-of-origin diversity and potentially allow a few countries to dominate all permanent employment-based immigration, such as those from India and China. There are 3,06,601 Indians waiting for their Green Card, which is a step away from US citizenship, accounting for almost 78% of the total 3,95,025 in the category of employment-based immigration a majority of them on H-1B visa for highly skilled foreigners. The Chinese are in the second slot with a count of 67,031, but on a different employment-based immigration route, one meant for investors. At issue is a country limit that prevents people from any one country from accounting for more than 7% of the annual intake in all categories. US grants 6,75,000 permanent residency in all categories (it goes up to 1 million because of flexibility to accommodate family-linked immigrants). Of these, 1,40,000 are set aside for employment-based applicants, those coming in on H-1B, for instance, or those seeking permanent residency on ground of exceptional ability. The pressure in the H-1B-type of employment-based category is the highest because of rising flow of Indians hired by both US companies and US-based Indian companies. The wait for Indians could go up to 150 years because of mounting backlog, according to one estimate. There has been widespread bipartisan recognition of and support for removing the country limit to deal with the backlog. Legislative efforts to that end have not succeeded despite the support and often times, are just short of being passed. A Bill, to that effect, with enough bipartisan support, died in the last Congress during the stalemate over President Donald Trumps wall. Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar has called the release of an audio tape featuring a state minister reportedly quoting him on the Rafale fighter jet deal by Congress as a desperate attempt to fabricate facts. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala released the audio tape with a conversation purportedly between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and another person, who has not been identified. Rane purportedly can be heard saying that during a cabinet meeting last week Manohar Parrikar said he had a file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom and that it needed to be exposed, Surjewala claimed. Manohar Parrikar, who was the defence minister when the deal for the 36 jets was signed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also tweeted saying he never discussed the Rafale deal with any of his cabinet members. The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during [the] cabinet or any other meeting, Parrikar posted on Wednesday. Read more| Rahul Gandhi opens Rafale debate in Lok Sabha, talks aboutleaked phone call Watch | Rane claimed in a press conference earlier in the day the recording made public by the Congress in New Delhi was doctored and that there was no occasion for the chief minister to raised the Rafale issue in a meeting of the state cabinet. There is no question of discussing this subject because we are not related to this subject. Cabinet in Goa or any cabinet minister is not connected with any subject because this subject is a national subject and we have no information about it and there is no reason why we should discuss it, Rane said. He said that he has spoken to the chief minister as well BJP president Amit Shah and has sought a probe into the issue. Today with new innovation and technology anything can be made in any manner. Somebody asked me from the national media. Its like a casual conversation. Till today in my history in politics, Ive not had a casual conversation Follow live updates here: BJP ally Shiv Sena raises questions on aircraft deal, Odishas BJD joins in So one has to be careful and one has to be focused on what one says even casually any conversation cannot take place or even said but this is something to be investigated. And Im ready to give an explanation if asked for, Rane said. The Congress has asked Prime Minister Modi for answers, saying this is a personal charge against you. It also asked if this was the reason why a joint parliamentary committee probe was not being ordered. Congress president Rahul Gandhi opened the debate on Rafale deal in the Lok Sabha with a sharp attack on the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressing that the fundamental questions about the deal to purchase 36 fighter jets in 2016 were based on three pillars, process, pricing and paisa or patronage. Hours before the debate was to start under a rule does not provide for voting, the Congress had upped the ante and released what it called, was a conversation of an unnamed individual with Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane. In this, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, the minister is heard claiming that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told his cabinet colleagues that he had a file on Rafale lying in his bedroom. Rane later told reporters that the tape is doctored and was a desperate attempt by the Congress. Rahul Gandhi sought permission to play this tape but did not agree to authenticate it, a requirement when a document is presented in parliament. In the pandemonium that followed, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan briefly adjourned the house. Earlier, Rahul Gandhi raised three questions pertaining to Rafale deal. He said, Why was the demand for 126 aircarfts changed to 36? Who changed the requirement from 126 jets to 36? Why did the price go from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1600 core?... Why did you give this contract to Anil Ambani that cost the exchequer Rs 13,000 crore? he asked. WATCH | Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who had earlier interjected during Rahul Gandhis speech, objecting to playing of a recorded tape in the House, said every word he uttered was false. There is natural dislike for untruth, Jaitley said of the allegations levelled by Rahul Gandhi over Rafale deal. The manner in which he takes liberty of truth is unprecedented... Today he tried to produce a tape or document that rule does not permit. He refused to authenticate it as he knows that his party manufactured it, he said The finance minister also rejected the allegation that under the new Rafale deal, the cost of each unit of fighter jet increased to Rs 1,600 crore. The Congress party, which was headed by great legends is today headed by a gentleman who does not have the basic understanding of what a combat aircraft is and the reason behind 500 versus 1600 is that some families in the country understand the arithmetic of money but are not concerned the security of the country, Jaitley said. Before agreeing to debate on Rafale deal, the Congress had all along refused to engage in a discussion in Parliament, demanding instead, that the government commit to a probe into the Rafale deal by a joint parliamentary committee, or JPC. But on Friday, the Congress shifted its stance and agreed to the debate after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley taunted them in Lok Sabha for running away from discussion. Click here for Rafale debate LIVE updates The Rafale debate comes up in Parliament a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an interview to news agency ANI, accused the Congress of spreading lies over the India-France defence deal. Modi cited the Supreme Court order of December last year to counter the Congresss allegation of corruption in Rafale deal. On December 14, the Supreme Court had ruled that no commercial favouritism was done in the Rafale deal while dismissing a bunch of petitions seeking probe into the multi-billion dollar defence agreement. Among the petitioners were former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie. They have now moved the Supreme Court seeking review of the order passed by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. India and France signed a deal in 2016 for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets manufactured by French company, the Dassault Aviation. The Congress has alleged corruption in the Rafale deal. An umbrella organisation of Hindu outfits opposing the entry of women into Keralas Sabarimala temple has called a state-wide shutdown on Thursday. The Sabarimala Karma Samiti (SKS) issued the call hours after two women under the age of 50 managed to enter the shrine, sparking protests across the state. The Supreme Court had in September ordered the lifting of the ban on women or girls of menstruating age from entering the temple, which has refused to abide by the ruling. Thousands of devotees have since blocked attempts of menstruating women and girls to visit the shrine, citing the celibate nature of the temples presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa. Two shutdowns have been called in Kerala since the courts September 28 verdict that allowed women of all ages to worship at the shrine. A teacher, Bindu Ammini, and activist Kanakadurga, both in their 40s, prayed at the temple on Wednesday with the police help. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed the two had indeed prayed there. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will go down in the history as a traitor. He hurt religious sentiments of crores of devotees. He used a cheap trick to flout the age-old custom and insulted devotees, SKS leader K P Sasikala said. Sasikala added all Hindu outfits will continue their agitation until Vijayan resigns. Entry of the two women into the temple sparked stir across the state as protesters blocked roads at many places and clashed with police. Police had to resort to baton charge in places like Kasargode, Palakkad, and Kollam to control angry protestors. A group of women protesters jumped a barricade and came close to CMs office in Thiruvananthapuram before they were stopped. Many government offices, buses, and vehicles were stoned. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is trying to make inroads into Kerala ahead of the national polls this year, pledged support to the strike. But Kerala Vyapari Vikasana Ekopana Samiti, a traders organisation, said they were fed up with the repeated shutdowns and added that shops and business establishments will remain open. The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M) justified the entry of the two women saying the government allowed them as it was its constitutional obligation. It was not an unprecedented decision. It was bound to happen, said CPI (M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Opposition Congress leader, Ramesh Chennithala, called the entry of the two women into the shrine Vijayans conspiracy. He warned Vijayan will pay a heavy price for hurting religious sentiments of lakhs of devotees. It seems he was carried away by the women wall, he said, referring to the state-backed protest of thousands of women in support of the entry of women on Tuesday. The women formed a 620 km human chain in support of gender equality and temple access. He [Vijayan] enacted a midnight dirty drama, said Chennithala. BJPs Kerala president, P S Sreedharan Pillai, called Tuesday a black day in the states history. The chief minister will have to pay a heavy price for it. Hindus cannot wait till eternity for court to decide on the Ram Temple, Vishwa Hindu Parishad working president Alok Kumar said on Wednesday. Kumar was reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement in an interview that the government would do whatever is required only after the judicial process gets over. Watch: PM Modi on Ayodhya ordinance - Let judicial process be over The only way forward is to enact a legislation clearing the way for the construction of a grand temple at the Ram janmabhoomi, VHP leader Alok Kumar said while addressing a press conference. The Ayodhya matter has not been listed before the appropriate bench, but its in the CJIs court and the hearing may be far away, Kumar said. Saying that the organisation had sought a meeting with the prime minister, Kumar said that the Ram Temple should be built during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also said that the VHP would hold a dharma sansad between January 31 and February 1 to discuss the matter. In his first interview of the year given to a news agency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the judicial process was being slowed down because Congress lawyers were creating obstacles in the Supreme Court. We have said in our manifesto that a solution would be found to this issue within the ambit of the Constitution, PM Modi said. On whether the government would consider issuing an ordinance on Ram Temple, Modi said, Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process, whatever will be our responsibility as the government, we are ready to make all efforts. The Supreme Court is likely to take up a petition on Wednesday by the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seeking permission to carry out a rath yatra in the state. The state unit of the BJP filed the petition on December 24 and sought an urgent hearing on the same date by the top court, which was denied. The appeal came after a division bench of the Calcutta high court stayed a single judge bench order that allowed the party to hold the rath yatra in the state. Also Read: Supreme Court declines early hearing to BJP plea on stalled Bengal rath yatras The partys state unit vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar said in the petition that the right to protest is recognised as a fundamental right under the constitution and assumptions cannot be the ground to take arbitrary decision on the pretext of reasonable restriction. The petition claimed that there was total lawlessness in West Bengal as a large number of BJP workers have been killed for showing dissent to the state government. The three-phased rath yatra, also being called the Save Democracy Rally, was scheduled to begin on December 7. The BJP has decorated air-conditioned buses as raths or chariots for the yatra covering all the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state to galvanise support ahead of the national elections due this year. The rallies were to be flagged off by BJP president Amit Shah. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee took a stinging jibe at the BJP last Friday, saying such yatras are typically conducted in the name of God, and not meant to indulge in riots. There are yatras for Lord Krishna and Lord Jagannath, we take part in those rath yatras. Those who carry out yatras to kill common people indulge in danga yatras, Banerjee said at a public distribution programme in Sagar Island. We dont insult anybody. We respect everyone irrespective of their religious affinity, she added. The BJP and other groups protested across Kerala on Wednesday after two women in their 40s entered the Sabarimala temple in Pathanamthitta as agitators forced shops to shut and blocked roads in many areas. A rally by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which said it was a black day after the women offered prayers at the temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, outside state secretariat in state capital Thiruvananthapuram turned violent. News agency ANI reported five members of the BJPs Mahila Morcha were stopped from entering the secretariat by police. The BJP has called for a two-day protest against the womens entry in the Sabarimala temple under police protection. Its state unit president PS Sreedharan Pillai had earlier asked devotees not to get carried away and register their protest only through democratic means. Sabarimala live updates Many temple offices closed and some devotees on way to the hilltop temple called off their pilgrimage, saying sanctity of the shrine was breached. WATCH | Bindhu, a lawyer, and activist Kanakadurga are the first women to offer prayers at the temple after the Supreme Court in September last year ordered authorities to lift a ban on women or girls of menstruating age between 10 and 50 from entering the temple. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed Bindhu and Kanakadurga entered the temple. Earlier, their trek was foiled due to inadequate security. Police are duty-bound to give them protection, Vijayan said. The temple administration closed the shrines doors after the chief ministers confirmation of the womens entry to purify the shrine dedicated to celibate Lord Ayyappa. It was reopened after the purification rituals. Hours later, the Travancore Devaswom Board said it will take action against the tantri (priest) for closing the temple. We are not aware of the decision to close the temple. We will seek an explanation from him, TDB member N Vijaykumar said. Meanwhile, the Sabarimala Karma Samiti, an umbrella organisation of many Hindu outfits, has called for a Kerala shutdown on Thursday and has asked devotees not to contribute any money in Sabarimala and other temples. The Sabarimala temple and its base camps have been witnessing protests after the September 28 verdict of the Supreme Court. Traditionalists, who believe the presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa, is celibate, had opposed the court verdict and stopped dozens of women who tried to enter the temple. The Shiv Sena on Wednesday targeted ally BJP saying that people will not forget the Rafale scam just because it is raking up the AugustaWestland case in which alleged middlemen Christian Michel is naming a top Congress leader. The Sena, through its mouthpiece Saamna, rued that various issues facing the country seemed to be taking a backseat. It seems that various problems such as rising prices, unemployment, demonetisation and construction of Ram temple will also be relegated to the background to make way for the Michel issue, said the editorial. It called its editorial Mission Michel-2019, saying the whole episode is aimed at the upcoming Lok Sabha election. The editorial attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that even before the Michels interrogation, Modi had named the Gandhi family. This shows the direction of the investigation. Despite bringing Michel to India, the BJP lost in all the five state elections, it added. The Sena, despite being an ally, is losing no opportunity to target the BJP through Saamna and its public rallies. In 2010, India signed the agreement to buy AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters. In 2013, Italian officials arrested Giuseppe Orsi, the CEO of AgustaWestlands parent company, claiming irregularities in the deal. Soon after, a probe was ordered and the very next year, India scrapped the deal. There were allegations that kickbacks for the deal were as much as Rs 423 crore of which Michel is alleged to have received Rs 225 crore from the firm. Michel was recently extradited from Dubai. In the last few months, the Congress led by its president Rahul Gandhi has been targeting the BJP and PM Modi over alleged irregularities in the Rs 59,000 crore deal to purchase 36 French-made Rafale fighter planes. The most awaited number in 2019 will be the number of seats the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wins in the next Lok Sabha elections. Both arithmetic and chemistry will matter in deciding this number. Attempts are underway to form a pre-poll alliance in as many seats as possible to prevent potential gains to the BJP from fragmentation of opposition votes. The BJP will hope to repeat its 2014 performance by leveraging Narendra Modis charisma. Which of these will matter more? Two sets of numbers can help answer this question. The first is the BJPs vote share in seats where it emerged victorious in 2014. This tells us about the importance of chemistry. For example, in seats where the BJP has a more than 50% vote share, no pre-poll alliance can spoil its chances unless there is an erosion of its existing voter-base. The second is the share of seats won by the BJP where the combined vote share of number two and number three candidates was bigger than the BJPs vote share in 2014. In these seats, a pre-poll alliance will pose a significant risk to the party. To be sure, relying on only 2014 figures for such an analysis could be misleading simply because 2014 was not a normal election in Indias political history. It was after 30 years that a party (BJP) managed to win a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha. One could use this to argue that 2019 will see a restoration of the normal which existed between 1989 and 2009 (although 2009, again, was a unique election in some ways). This may entail a reduction in the BJPs tally. One could also claim that 2014 is the new normal for Indian politics and the BJP will continue to be the dominant force. This debate will remain inconclusive until the 2019 verdict. Also read: From Ram temple to First Family jibe, PM Modi preps for election year on day 1 One way to bring some clarity in this debate is to compare the BJPs performance in the 2014 elections with its electoral performance between 1989 and 2009. Although the BJP was formed in 1980, it first made its mark as a national party in the 1989 elections, when it won 85 seats in the Lok Sabha. The BJP won almost half of its 282 seats in 2014 with a vote share of 50% or more. This is 15 percentage points more than the share of BJP victories with a similar vote share between 1989 and 2009. The share of victories with a vote share of 40% or more in 2014 was also 10 percentage points more than the figure between 1989 and 2009. On the other hand, the share of seats won by the BJP where the party would have lost if the vote share of the number two and number three parties are combined, was 32% in 2014 compared to 49% between 1989 and 2009. These statistics tell us that in comparison to its earlier victories, the BJPs 2014 victory was more a function of the partys chemistry with the masses than the result of a fragmented opposition. Does this mean that the BJP can be assured of its 2019 performance being closer to 2014? Two sets of statistics are worth highlighting here. Although the BJPs vulnerability to a combined opposition went down in 2014 compared to the 1989-2009 phase, it was geographically more concentrated in the former. The share of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand in the number of seats where the BJP could have lost to a combined vote share of first and second runner up was 66% in 2014, compared to just 48% (this also includes Uttarakhand) between 1989 and 2009. These three states account for 134 Lok Sabha seats, of which the BJP won 105 in the 2014 elections. With the prospects of opposition unity in these three states quite high, the BJPs tally might come down. Another factor which helped the BJP make substantive gains in 2014 was its stellar performance in direct contests against the Congress. There were 189 seats in 2014 where the BJP and the Congress were in a direct contest. This means that if the BJP came first, the Congress finished second, or vice versa. The BJP won 88% of these seats. This figure was just 58% for such seats between 1989 and 2009. Also read: Countdown begins: Congress calls PM-led alliance gathbandhan of thugs This is where the results of recently held assembly elections in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will worry the BJP. It lost all three to the Congress in a direct contest. It was the 2013 election cycle involving these three states which marked the beginning of the Modi Wave. A Hindustan Times analysis shows that the BJPs 2018 average vote share in the seats it won in these states (both median and mean) was not only lower than the 2013 figures, but also less than the corresponding values for the period between 1990-2008. This shows that the share of seats where the BJP wins with a bigger margin is coming down. If this trend holds for other Hindi belt states too, the BJP might become vulnerable to a united opposition in seats even where it was ahead of the number two and number three parties put together. To be sure, there is another way of looking at the Hindi belt results. The fact that the Congress was able to defeat the BJP without an alliance in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan shows that chemistry could still score over arithmetic. Also read: 12 things PM Modi said in 95-minute interview, his first in 2019 This also means that the BJP coming up with an attractive enough narrative might tilt the scales in its favour once again. This is why the campaign for 2019 will be as much about narratives as it is about alliances. Pilots flying Air Indias Boeing fleet have opposed the airlines decision to revise their salaries and bring them on par with pilots operating other aircraft. The Indian Pilot Guild (IPG), which represents pilots operating the wide-body Boeing fleet, has sent a notice to Air India. The labour commissioner is expected to call the two sides for a reconciliation meeting next week. Air India is going ahead with its decision to revise our salaries in accordance with an agreement with the narrow-body Airbus pilots of the airline. We consider this a contempt of court, said a senior airline pilot. An Air India spokesperson refused to comment. A government panel in 2012 recommended a revised pay structure for all airline pilots but in 2014, the Bombay high court asked the airline management to maintain the status quo. In June 2016, Air Indias narrow-body pilot guild, Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), agreed to accept the proposed revised wages but the IPG did not, saying it would slash its pilots existing wages by much as 25%. Subsequently, the salaries of narrow-body aircraft pilots were paid as per the 2016 agreement while the wide-body pilots continued receiving the old salary. In 2017, the IPG agreed to the revised structure which was ultimately rejected by the ministry of civil aviation in November 2018. According to IPG, it received a letter from the airline, saying they would henceforth be paid the reduced salary. A senior pilot said, We strongly objected to the package [in 2016] as it entailed a huge reduction. The same package granted a huge increase to the narrow-body aircraft pilots [with a 40% hike]. In October 2017, a revised package was offered to Boeing pilots who accepted them on certain conditions, though it did not lead to a hike. Experts and environmental activists have written an open letter to Union environment minister Harsh Vardhan on January 1, urging him to make prior environmental clearance mandatory for inland waterway projects. Currently, clearances are issued on a case-to-case basis and are not mandatory. The letter, signed by around 50 experts and activists comes after a National Green Tribunal (NGT) order dated November 1 directed the Union environment ministry to clarify whether environmental clearances are needed for inland waterway projects. NGT was hearing a petition filed by Uttarakhand-based activist Bharat Jhunjhunwala and others in 2015 seeking mandatory environmental clearance for national waterway projects, not just for individual components of these projects, such as dredging. The petition also pleaded that NGT direct the government to stop the dredging works on National Waterway 1 (Prayagraj in UP to Haldia in West Bengal). NGT in its final order issued in November said: There is no dispute about the fact that the project of Inland Waterways is, as on date, not included in the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) Notification, 2006. There is no doubt about the fact that such projects are first of its kind and may increase in the coming daystherefore, we consider it appropriate to direct environment ministry to look into the issue in consultation with the experts in the field, as to whether any environmental clearance is required or not and whether environmental impact assessment is to be done in projects relating to Inland Waterways. According to an office memorandum issued by the environment ministry dated December 21, 2017 accessed by Madhya Pradesh based environmental NGO, Manthan Adhyayan Kendra under Right to Information (RTI), the environment ministry stated that inland waterway projects are exempt from EIA and environmental clearances where only maintenance dredging is involved. A joint secretary, environment ministry, said on condition of anonymity that prior environmental clearance is required for inland waterway projects depending on the nature of work required. We will decide on a case by case basis. The EIA Notification 2006 makes EIA and prior environmental clearance mandatory for port, harbour and dredging work but not for inland waterway projects. Sanjay Upadhyay, an advocate who represented the shipping ministry in the NGT case said: Under the law, national waterways dont require environmental clearance. But since NW 1 is a World Bank project, a number of environmental safeguards were taken, including public consultations. Environmental clearance is required only for large dredging projects for ports and harbours, not for maintenance dredging as was the case in NW 1. The experts, including Amita Baviskar from the Institute of Economic Growth, Jagdish Krishnaswamy from the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment and environmentalist Ashish Kothari, highlighted in their letter that inland waterways have massive environmental impact. Waterways involve interventions like dredging the river bed, a highly intrusive activity that can damage the river bed habitats, and river straightening and training works, river protection works, all leading to severe impacts on the river habitat and ecology, they said in the letter. Inland waterways help transport bulk goods which you may not want on your highways. These are goods that dont need speed like coal, steel, cement, sand etc. Sometimes inland waterways are strategic for industries near rivers. But its also true that they cause diesel pollution and impact rivers. There needs to be some balance. We cannot afford to impact water bodies, said Madhav Pai, Director, WRI India Ross Centre for Sustainable Cities. The government on Wednesday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha that permits the individuals to voluntary offer Aadhaar as a means of identity verification for obtaining services such as opening a bank account and getting a mobile phone connection. The bill, which seeks to amend three separate laws governing Aadhaar, telecom sector, and banking regulation, also gives a minor an option to opt out of the 12-digit identity scheme on attaining the age of 18 years. The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill 2018, moved by law and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in the Lok Sabha amid concerns raised by the opposition, also provides for stiff penalties for violation of norms set for the use of Aadhaar. It bans storing of core biometric information as well as Aadhaar number by service providers in cases of individuals who have voluntarily offered the national ID as a means of authentication. The bill also makes it clear that anyone not offering Aadhaar cannot be denied any service, be it a bank account or a SIM card. Prasad said it was not in violation of the Supreme Court judgment and rejected the oppositions concern over privacy. Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy opposed the introduction of the bill, saying it was in contravention of the September 26 Supreme Court judgement that restricted the use of Aadhaar for only such things which have the colour of a subsidy and which are paid out of the Consolidated Fund of India. This Bill is outside the legislative purview of the House, in that it violates the Supreme Court judgement. Hence, this should not be introduced, he said. Congress Shashi Tharoor claimed that the bill enables private organisations to get Aadhaar details, which is in violation of the apex court verdict. As far as the concerns raised about privacy, I would make it clear that privacy is not being invaded... Prasad said. Kerala chief minister confirmed on Wednesday two women below the age of 50 did enter the Sabarimala temple in Pathanamthitta district under police protection, in a first after the Supreme Court lifted the ban on menstruating women inside the shrine, prompting its officials to close its doors to purify it. The temple doors reopened after purification rituals. Bindhu, a lawyer, and activist Kanakadurga are the first women in their 40s to offer prayers the Sabarimala temple after the Supreme Court in September last year allowed women of all ages to enter the shrine breaking the centuries-old ban against those menstruating. (Follow Sabarimala live updates here) Before them, no women between the age of 10 and 50 could enter the temple amid violent protests by devotees in the temple complex and throughout the state. It is a fact that two women entered the temple. Earlier, their trekking was foiled due to inadequate security. Police are duty-bound to give them protection, Vijayan said. The chief minister was referring to their efforts to enter the temple two weeks ago, which was foiled by angry devotees. After that police reportedly advised them not to make their pilgrimage plan public and offered them all help if they come discreetly. The temple administration closed the shrines doors after the chief ministers confirmation of the womens entry and is huddled in a meeting. The temple will be purified and pilgrims have been asked to leave. The devotees standing in winding queues, however, refused to budge. The two said they offered prayers at the hilltop shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa at 3:45am and came back to Pamba, the base camp, at 5am. They claimed they came in mens attire and two dozen police officers in plain clothes accompanied them. Reports said both came in an ambulance and police discreetly made arrangements for them to reach the temple. The women have also released pictures of them worshipping at the temple. Bindhu said they entered the temple avoiding the 18 holy steps, considered most sacrosanct part of the Sabarimala pilgrimage. We approached police on Tuesday and they promised all help, said Bindhu. Kanakadurgas brother Bharthan said she left home a week back saying she was planning to go to Thiruvananthapuram for some work. She is a native Angadipuram in Malappuram. Police have tightened security at their houses after they visited the shrine. The Bharatiya Janata Party said it was a black day in the state. Congress working president K Sudhakaran said the womens entry was conspiracy was hatched by the chief minister and that he will have to pay a heavy price for hurting religious sentiments of lakhs of devotees. The temple and its base camps have been witnessing protests ever since the September 28 verdict of the Supreme Court allowing women of all ages to the worship at the temple. Traditionalists, who believe the presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa, is celibate, had opposed the court verdict and stopped women who tried to enter the temple. The new year brings with it an opportunity to start afresh but it will be a mistake to not learn from the past. Anniversaries are a useful way of internalising the lessons from history and 2019 has a wealth of anniversaries. It was 20 summers ago that India discovered a Pakistani incursion near Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir. This year will also see completion of 50 years since the Sino-Soviet Ussuri clashes of 1969. Incidentally, Kargil and Ussuri are the only two instances of nuclear neighbours indulging in a conventional conflict. The idea of a limited war below nuclear threshold received a great fillip after Kargil the topic will crop up again later this year when the 20th anniversary approaches. While the Sino-Soviet split opened space for the US in 1969, there was another split happening in India. The import of the split in Congress party is often under-appreciated. It did not just set the path for Indira Gandhis ascent, but probably changed the Congress party forever. The post-1969 Congress, many would argue, wasnt a true inheritor of the legacy of Indias freedom movement. Speaking of the freedom movement, it is hard to understate the importance of the Jallianwala Bagh massacrean event that will complete 100 years in 2019. The massacre robbed the British colonial empire of any moral legitimacy it could have claimed to govern India. Indias independence was only a matter of time. The claim to self-rule received a shot in the arm with Indias presence during the signing of the Treaty of Versailles a couple of months after the massacre in Punjab. Indias contribution to World War I earned it a rightful place at that table though it was not yet a self-governing state. The experience of Versailles would also go on to inform Indias decision even after the independence. The victory in 1971 against Pakistan New Delhi in a position of strength. Mrs Gandhis decision not to use it to settle the Kashmir dispute in Indias favour was due to her advisor PN Haksars reading of Versailles. If the 1919 treaty had not imposed humiliating terms on Germany, Mr Haksar believed, everything from the rise of Nazism to World War II could have been avoided. In hindsight, were Mr Haksar and Mrs Gandhi wrong? It is not just important to remember the lessons from history but also to possess the discerning ability to know which lessons to apply and which not to. Last week, the Union government approved Rs10,000 crore for the proposed human spaceflight mission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi first announced on August 15, 2018 his desire to see an Indian in space by 2022. Now he has decided to back the ambition with the money. A three-member crew will be sent to space for seven days. Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), the state agency responsible to fulfil the ambition, believes this mission will be a game-changer for Indias space programme. Isro has already shortlisted 10 experiments that its astronauts will be conducting in the low earth orbit. While these experiments range from testing of medical instruments to monitoring of toxic emissions, the agency is also planning to invite other organisations and institutions to submit their proposed experiments. There have been a few murmurs on why a poor country like India should spend such a hefty sum on human spaceflight. Such scepticism has a long legacy: Steven Weinberg, a Nobel Laureate in physics, has been a longstanding critic of investing in manned spaceflights. It is true that manned spaceflights are expensive and risky. However, investment in science and technology cannot be looked at from a narrow lens of immediate returns. An investment in human spaceflight is an investment in the future. There are tangible rewards, for instance: the invention of the kidney dialysis machine owes to technologies developed for NASAs space missions. There is insurance : scientists such as the late Stephen Hawking have argued that spreading out in space is in human interest as it will help in the survival of the species. And finally, it can inspire an entire generation of students into pursuing science. Other sceptics argue that the government should not spend its valuable resources on such ambitious activities, leaving it to private pursuits. This is specious. There is enough historical evidence to support the proposition that the government is best suited to invest in such programmes. Along with a long gestation period, such programmes have uncertain rewards which are spread out along a diverse spectrum of disciplines. These characteristics make the government an ideal investor for the benefit of mankinds future. The Delhi Police on Wednesday detained former Janata Dal (United) MLA Raju Singh who allegedly shot at a woman in her head in celebratory firing at a south Delhi farmhouse during New Years eve festivities and his bodyguard near Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. The police also recovered two rifles, one pistol and 792 live bullets from Singhs farmhouse in Fatehpur Beri where the shooting happened. Police said the pistol is licenced and they were in the process of checking if the rifles had valid papers. The woman is on life support and is critical. Special commissioner of police (law and order) RP Upadhyay said Raju Singh and bodyguard Hari Singh were detained from Kushi Nagar. We are bringing them to Delhi. If need be, they will be placed under arrest, Upadhyay said. A pistol was recovered from them, police said. The special CP said the police, in an early morning raid, recovered two rifle sand 800 live ammunition from the farm house owned by Singhs mother. On December 31 night, Singh, who was hosting a New Years party at the farmhouse where he lives with his two brothers, allegedly fired 2-3 gun shots amid the celebrations. One bullet hit 42-year-old Archana Gupta, an architect who lives in Gautam Nagar and was a guest at the party with her husband. A police team that visited the farmhouse on Tuesday to question witnesses and recreate the crime scene said there were 60-70 guests at the party. Initial questioning revealed that at least 30 people, including Archana Gupta and her husband Vikas Gupta, were near the dance floor when the incident took place. They said both Raju Singh and his bodyguard Hari Singh were firing. While Hari had a rifle, Raju Singh was firing from his pistol, said an officer privy to the probe. The bullet that hit Gupta may have been fired from the pistol. But forensics experts are yet to confirm it. We are verifying facts with CCTV footage, the officer said. A wounded Gupta was rushed to Fortis Flt Lt Rajan Dhall Hospital in Vasant Kunj where she is under treatment. The patient was brought to the emergency at 00:18 am on January 1, 2019, by her attendant in an extremely critical condition. She was attended by doctors immediately and medical treatment administered as per protocol. Delhi police was informed and medico legal case was registered, a hospital spokesperson said in statement on Wednesday The patient continues to be in critical state and is on life support, the spokesperson said. According to the police, the victims husband said in his complaint that they were in the farmhouse with friends for New Year celebrations. At about 12 am, two-three rounds were fired by Singh. Immediately, the man said he noticed his wife had collapsed. When he checked, he found her bleeding from her head, the special commissioner said. Police are checking if Singhs family destroyed any evidence. Singhs wife, a former Member of Legislative Council from Bihar, and his brothers were questioned on Wednesday. Police have booked Raju Singh for attempting a murder under IPC section 307 and under the Arms Act. The Janata Dal (United) distanced itself from Singh. Sanjay Jha, national general secretary of JDU, said Raju Singh had left the party in 2014. He has no association with our party since then. After quitting JDU, he even fought election in 2015 from Sahebganj in Muzaffarpur against our party but lost, Jha said. Police said Raju Singh, who has five other police cases registered against him, lives at the farmhouse owned by his mother with his two brothers. A 42-year-old woman sustained injuries after a former JDU MLA allegedly fired celebratory gun shots in the air during a New Years Eve party at his farm house in south Delhis Vasant Kunj, police said Tuesday. The accused Raju Singh, a former JDU MLA from Bihar, is absconding, they added. The incident took place on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, they said,. Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, alerted the police about the injury to the womans head purportedly from gun firing, officials said. The victim identified as Archana Gupta is an architect, an officer said,. In his complaint, the victims husband alleged they were in the farm house on Monday night to celebrate the new year along with friends. At around 12 am, two-three rounds were fired by Singh, the senior police officer said. Immediately, the man noticed his wife had fallen down and was bleeding, he said. Gupta was taken to the hospital where she was receiving treatment, he added. A case was registered against Raju under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act, a senior police officer said. The officer said the accused has five cases registered against him. His wife is a former Member of Legislative Council from Bihar. The farm house is owned by Singhs mother where he lives with his family, he said. Singhs two brothers also live with their families at the farm house. The accused is absconding and teams have been formed to nab the accused, police said. Actor Janhvi Kapoor has said that her mother and late actor Sridevis death is still a shock to her. In a recent interview to Filmfare, Janhvi said she has still not been able to process it. The young actor was very close to her mother whose sudden death in February last year shocked the entire nation. I think, I was still in that state of shock, to be very honest. I think I am still in shock. None of it has been processed. Like, I have no memory of three or four months, she said. When asked about how her half-brother Arjun Kapoor and his sister Anshula became pillars of support for Janhvi and her younger sister Khushi, she said, You know at the end of the day, we have the same blood in us. I dont remember anything of those four months but I do remember that one day when we were sitting in Harsh (Harshvardhan Kapoor, Anil Kapoors son and Janvhis cousin) bhaiyas room and Arjun bhaiya and Anshula didi came in, I think that was the one day when I felt like, Ok maybe we might be okay, she said. Janhvi made her Bollywood debut in July opposite Ishaan Khatter in Dhadak. Sridevi had already seen a few minutes of the movie before she left for her nephew Mohit Marwahs wedding in Dubai, where she died of accidental drowning. Janhvi recently said that 2018 was mixed bag for her as she had both the worst and best experience of her life in the same year. Jahnvi said her personal growth has been tremendous and she has emerged stronger in the trying times. Its harder to say anything... When I say growth, I mean personal growth, I dont know about artistic. This year brought me both the worst and the best experience of my life. Its a little strange... Our family is now united, so that is very big thing for me. But whatever happened that too was very heavy (tragedy). We are still in shock, so we havent been able to process it properly. Im really thankful for all the love that we have received and I got a chance to work, which is a big thing for me. I got a chance to make my parents proud, which is most important for me, she said during a session at the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Janhvi will now work with Karan Johar on his movie Takht. It also stars Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Alia Bhatt, Bhumi Pednekar and Anil Kapoor. (With inputs from PTI) Follow @htshowbiz for more Gully Boys lead stars, Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, have shared new posters of the film based on street rappers such as Divine. With the tagline, Apna Time Aaega, the films posters are true to its theme. The Zoya Akhtar film is inspired by the lives of Mumbai street rappers Divine and Naezy. Ranveer and Alia are pairing up on the silver screen for the first time for the film. While one of the photos show Ranveer wearing a hoodie and is similar to what the makers had revealed as the films first looj, another shows Alia and Ranveer sharing earphones as they listen to music while looking in opposite directions. Alia looks demure but determined in the photo. Earlier, videos of Ranveer rapping along with Divine went viral on social media earlier in 2018. Ranveer is the man, Divine said in an interview to Hindustan Times. Hes the best man to do the movie and hes killed it. Gully Boy will be screened at the Berlin International Film Festival. It will be shown in the Berlinale Special section of the prestigious festival, which will be held between February 7 and February 17. Gully Boy turned out to be a really fulfilling creative experience. It getting selected for the Berlin Film Fest came as an awesome piece of news, Ranveer told HT. Gully Boy will release on February 14 this year. A farmer and his family in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh, 402 km north of Bhopal, have been ostracised from their village after the death of a cow in an accident on Tuesday, official sources said. The decision to ostracise the family of Pappu Prajapati (36) was taken by the village panchayat on Tuesday evening. The panchayat members, led by village sarpanch Pancham Singh Chauhan, announced that the family would be allowed to enter the village only when all the members take a dip in the holy Ganga, organise a mass feast after a Kanya and Brahman Bhoj and donate a cow. Prajapati said he was parking his tractor-trolley when it hit a cow that was sitting on the ground behind. The cow died on the spot. The villagers called a panchayat terming death of the cow as a gau-hatya (murder of cow). Prajapati said his pleading before the panchayat went in vain and they pronounced the punishment. One of the members of the panchayat, Om Prakash Gautam said: Since Prajapati has been proved guilty of a gau-hatya, he and his family have to get rid of sin through penance. However, Sheopur district additional collector Rajendra Rai said: We have not received any information in this regard but we will look into this matter and take required action. Prajapati has left the village with his family to take a dip in the Ganga. Right now, as you read this, babies that have just been born here in South Asia are battling for their lives. The lucky ones are in a special newborn care unit with doctors and nurses working hard to keep them alive keeping them warm; giving them oxygen and antibiotics if they need them. For too many, the battle will be lost before their lives even properly begin. South Asia is a dangerous place to be born. In 2018, one million newborn babies died before they reached one month of age. Every one of these deaths is a tragedy for the family. And the sheer number of deaths is an outrage. This number one million newborn baby deaths is 40% of all newborn deaths if we look around the globe. The risk of dying is the same for a South Asian newborn as it is for a baby in Sub-Saharan Africa. The availability of clinics and hospitals is still an issue in some places, as is transport to get to them on time. But this is no longer the main problem. The key issue is how good, or how bad, the care for pregnant mothers and newborns is. When we know that every year, one million babies here in our region will be dead within the first month of being born, we have a strong indication that the quality of care is simply not good enough. The good news that I can share is that mothers and families actually can do a lot themselves to counter the threat of poor care. They are far from powerless and they are crucial to improving this situation. They can start by looking critically at the care they get when a new baby is on its way. There are very visible signs of quality care to look for at their clinic or hospital. It starts with the fundamentals: Is the place clean? Look at the health care workers: are they able and willing to answer your questions? Are they washing their hands before they touch you and the baby? You dont need a medical degree to look for these signs and they will be a good indicator of how well the mother, the birth and child will be handled. What can you do if you do not feel comfortable with the quality? The answer is to speak up! Bring to the attention of the director of the clinic or hospital. Post your concerns about the quality on social media. Or talk to a journalist who might be able to write a story about it. Each one of us may have very little power, but together we are powerful. And if more mothers and families complain about the lack of appropriate care, we have better chances of improving the situation for the next newborn. You really do have a crucial part to play in creating change. At home, mothers and families can also help ensure that a baby has the best chances of survival. Making sure that no girl becomes pregnant before she is 20 years old and her body can sustain a healthy pregnancy and is fully developed to give birth will help improve South Asias grave newborn death statistics. Families can help make sure that an expecting mother gets her first medical check within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. That way, she can be given advice and problems can be detected before too long has passed. And, by choosing to breastfeed and to start breastfeeding right after the baby is born, the mother is giving her newborn the best chances to survive that first month when the new baby girl or boy is extremely vulnerable. So, there is plenty that mothers and families can do to help protect their newborns. It is not all in the hands of doctors, nurses and birth attendants. My wish for 2019 is that we will see many more South Asia babies getting the urgent attention and quality care that they need and deserve. Every child has the right to survive and I wish for joy and happiness in every new family with a healthy and thriving newborn. Jean Gough is regional director, Unicef for South Asia The views expressed are personal 17 minutes ago | June 14th, 2021 8:51 AM Is influencer marketing really going to die in the next few years? "Influencer Marketing Will Die in 2023!" they made headlines earlier this year. Some worried and others celebrating the end of a trend, which, although it has brought consumers closer to brands, has also made certain lifestyles see unattainable. However, no publication really explained what the possible decline of an industry with millions of followers around the world is happening. 1 hour ago | June 14th, 2021 7:57 AM Rough road goes on for Lordstown Motors; CEO and CFO are out Lordstown Motors CEO Steve Burns and Chief Financial Officer Julio Rodriguez have resigned from the startup commercial electric vehicle maker. Shares tumbled more than 11% before the opening bell. The announcement Monday comes less than a week after Lordstown cautioned that it may not be in business a year from now as it tries to secure funding to start full production of an electric pickup truck. 31 minutes ago | June 14th | 2021 8:51 AM Is influencer marketing really going to die in the next few years? "Influencer Marketing Will Die in 2023!" they made headlines earlier this year. Some worried and others celebrating the end of a trend, which, although it has brought consumers closer to brands, has also made certain lifestyles see unattainable. However, no publication really explained what the possible decline of an industry with millions of followers around the world is happening. Uniontown, PA (15401) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning. Thunderstorms likely during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 82F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Jennifer Fitch waynesboro@herald-mail.com Editors note: Franklin County, Pa.s delegation to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 2019 will have a mixture of familiar and new members. Returning lawmakers are Pennsylvania state Sen. Richard Alloway II and state Reps. Robert Kauffman, Paul Schemel and Jesse Topper. Newly elected state Rep. John Hershey will join them, as will state Sen. Judy Ward, who previously served in the House. Herald-Mail Media asked Franklin Countys legislators to share goals for the coming year. The featured lawmaker today is Ward, R-Blair/Fulton/Franklin/Cumberland/Huntingdon. Newly elected Pennsylvania state Sen. Judy Ward lists removing tax obstacles for small businesses as one of her top goals in 2019. Pennsylvanias small-business community is vital to our local economies and to the people they employ. Presently, corporate taxpayers are allowed to deduct net losses from a subsequent tax years total state tax liability, known as a net operating loss deduction. Small businesses should be able to use such a deduction, Ward wrote in an email. Ward also wants mental-health screenings performed in the states schools. She hopes that the screenings could help identify when students are struggling with depression. She noted that schools require other screenings such as medical, dental, vision and hearing. I think the addition of a mental-health screening to identify depression, when we know how many people today are affected with mental health issues, is a wise addition to every childs health care, she said. The senator also wants to help volunteer fire and emergency-medical-services companies. Volunteer departments need to be provided incentives to use when recruiting and retaining members, Ward said. Among her proposals is creating a tuition-credit program for volunteers. Given the crisis that fire and EMS are facing in the commonwealth today, as highlighted in a recent report regarding emergency services, it is incumbent upon us to provide assistance, she said. Ward also hopes that the state will establish appropriate nurse staffing levels at hospitals. Ward, a registered nurse, described how proper nurse staffing is important for safety and quality of care. Studies show that proper staffing levels contribute to better patient outcomes, improved satisfaction among nurses and a decrease in health care costs, she said. Ward also wants to address regulations that stifle businesses. Its time to review the thousands of regulations we now have on the books, many of which only hinder growth in Pennsylvania. We need to make it easier for folks to do business in the state, she said. Joyce F. Nowell jnowell@herald-mail.com GREENCASTLE, Pa. The Greencastle-Antrim School District has a new comprehensive planning document outlining a vision of every student experiencing success and positively impacting the world. The state-required document is in place to maintain that aim, at least during the next three years. Developing the document was a lengthy process, according to Bob Crider, district chief education officer. It included a committee of parents, community leaders, business leaders, teachers and administrators. It was recently approved by the school board. Comprehensive planning has changed in shape and form during the past 20 years Ive been involved in administration, from something that originally really was just a goal-setting process for a district to go through, Crider said. It has morphed into much more than that over the course of the last five or 10 years. There are different mandates and expectations from the state and requirements that we gather together and bring a group of stakeholders together in a formal way to look at processes that are in place, curriculum that is in place, assessments that are in place and many, many different components. The stakeholders developed a mission statement to go with the vision. The mission is viewed as a community invested in empowering our students to strive for excellence to succeed in the future. That is our vision for what we do as a group of educators and support staff and bus drivers, all of the folks that work with kids from kindergarten through 12th grade, Crider said. It would be that every student experience success and that they positively impact the world in some fashion. We dont know what they will be, but we want to make sure that we give them the skills and talents necessary to go on and to impact the world in a positive way. Crider said the planning group developed a collection of shared values. We looked at what we believe as that group of stakeholders and what we will work towards believing as a group of educators throughout the course of this comprehensive plan, Crider said. The beliefs are: All children can learn. Success follows a childs ability to read, write and apply arithmetic. To be successful, a child must develop character. The learning environment must be safe and secure. Educational programs must be individualized and instruction varied to student needs. Seek out and educate the best available staff. The stakeholders analyzed Pennsylvanias core standards, the G-ASD curriculum, the type of instruction, along with assessments and other tools for measuring academic progress. Crider said this plan for the future included more on making sure the district has safe and supportive schools. Crider said the plan looked at patterns to formulate a needs assessment. We found through that analysis and through our stakeholder group that theres a positive culture of high staff and student achievement, the educator said. The expectations that are found across the district are a strong sense of school board and community support those other pieces to our district, transportation, tech maintenance, food services are delivered at a high level. While growth has remained flat for the last few years, we wanted to note that one thing that kept coming up in conversation was that our district is full. Every classroom is full. Every closet is full. Were full to capacity. Crider also noted a pattern that district administration and teaching faculty enjoy a sense of common goals and trust. Four action plans were developed. Establish a district system that fully ensures students who are academically at risk are identified early and are supported by a process that provides interventions based upon student needs and includes procedures for monitoring effectiveness. Establish a district system that fully ensures consistent implementation of standards-aligned curricula across all schools for all students Establish a district system that fully ensures professional development is focused, comprehensive and implemented with fidelity. Increase student achievement. The plan was developed to run through June of 2022. Julie E. Greene julieg@herald-mail.com In August, when school wasnt even in session, an average of 484 citations a day were issued for people caught by Washington Countys speed cameras. Thats almost 35 citations an hour for the cameras that operate 14 hours a day on weekdays. In July, an average of 527 citations were issued a day, or almost 38 an hour. While there were more total citations issued in August, there were fewer days the cameras were operating in July. Perhaps many drivers didnt realize the 26 speed cameras near 16 public schools dont stop operating during the summer school break. Why would we want to stop operating the cameras (during a school break), Sheriff Doug Mullendore emailed Herald-Mail Media. When has it ever been legal to operate 12 mph or more over the speed limit. State law permits speed cameras within a certain distance of schools to operate year-round from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. Citations are issued for drivers exceeding the speed limit by at least 12 mph. During the countys first full year with a speed camera program, 90,981 citations were issued. The cameras are changing driver behavior because citations have dropped dramatically since the program began in December 2017, Mullendore wrote. There were 3,770 citations issued in November, compared to 10,024 in the programs first month, December 2017. Fatal traffic accidents have been significantly reduced on county roads, which I attribute to changing driver behavior because of the cameras, Mullendore wrote. There had been three fatal crashes on county roads since the countys speed-camera program began, he wrote. One vehicle hit a tree, another hit a pedestrian at a slow speed, and the third involved a car pulling in front of another car. Mullendore didnt have the number of fatal crashes for the prior year immediately available, but said it was definitely more. Some cameras werent installed until months later, with the last cameras activated in July. Even though there were fewer citations in November, the number of citations were highest during the warmer months of August, July and May. School Board President Melissa Williams said perhaps some drivers are thinking children arent in school, so whats it matter if they speed a little or maybe they thought the cameras were deactivated during the summer break. There were summer-school programs at schools including at every elementary school, according to Washington County Public Schools. Williams said she hopes the speed cameras are making drivers more aware of their speeding. Its heightened my awareness. ... Ive had my picture taken by a Hagerstown speed camera on Northern Avenue, Williams said. When the notice came in the mail, Williams said it made her stop and reflect. She hopes it has the same effect on others. Washington County, Hagerstown, Smithsburg and Hancock law enforcement agencies have speed cameras in their territories, Mullendore wrote. Funding public safety Through November, the countys speed camera citations had resulted in $3,086,992 so far in revenue, according to information provided by Chief Financial Officer Sara Greaves. That doesnt count citations that havent been paid yet. If every one of those $40 fines had been paid, there would be another $552,248. Some people dont pay their fines until its time to renew their tags and they discover they cant do so until they pay the citation, Mullendore wrote. The countys expenses as of Nov. 30, for Brekford Traffic Safety to lease and maintain the cameras, were $980,461. That left the county with more than $2.1 million to help pay for public-safety initiatives. One big-ticket item speeders will help pay for is the construction of the first phase of the Washington County Public Safety Training Center off Sharpsburg Pike, near Roxbury Road. County Administrator Robert Slocum said construction is expected to begin this summer. Once ready, the campus will help law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel train together, Emergency Services Director R. David Hays said. The money also is helping to pay for a community deputy that began in October to serve Clear Spring, Sharpsburg, Keedysville and Williamsport as well as general public-safety operating expenses, Greaves emailed. By the numbers The cameras are near the following schools: Ruth Ann Monroe Primary School; Cascade, Eastern, Fountain Rock, Greenbrier, Maugansville, Paramount, Old Forge, Rockland Woods, and Sharpsburg elementary schools; and the Clear Spring and Williamsport public schools campuses. By far, the camera that resulted in the most citations is the one for eastbound Longmeadow Road, where the speed limit is 25 mph. The camera in front of Paramount Elementary School resulted in 20,816 citations being issued during its first full year. Thats 11,161 more citations than the next camera that operated that long. It had the highest average of citations per month at 1,735. Three of the four speed cameras by Paramount are in the top 10 when it comes to the monthly average of citations issued. The camera with the second most tickets, 9,655, was the one along northbound Marsh Pike. The other Paramount camera in the top 10 was the one along southbound Marsh Pike. Williams said Paramount is at an intersection that sees a lot of traffic. While the cameras along Shepherdstown Pike, near Sharpsburg Elementary, didnt activate until April, the westbound camera has the second highest monthly average of citations at 984. The cameras resulting in the least citations are the two along Dumbarton Drive near Rockland Woods Elementary south of Hagerstown. Neither camera cracked double digits for citations in a single month since being activated last winter. Between them, they resulted in 62 citations. The only time citations arent issued via the countys speed cameras are on 11 holidays. They are New Years Eve and Day, Martin Luther Kings birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. The Herald-Mail ANNAPOLIS The Maryland Board of Public Works started off the new year by denying access for a gas pipeline proposed for construction under the Potomac River near Hancock. Gov. Larry Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp voted unanimously to deny an easement and permission to install a natural gas pipeline under the Western Maryland Rail Trail. Columbia Gas Transmission LLC, a subsidiary of TransCanada, requested a 50-foot easement to install an 8-inch pipeline to connect existing lines in Fulton County, Pa., with the Mountaineer Gas pipeline being built in West Virginia. Mountaineers line is to stretch from near Berkeley Springs to Martinsburg. The item was originally on the boards Dec. 19 meeting, but was withdrawn. I think the reason that was done was the compelling testimony of people who came down and said that they dont think this is the right thing for the state of Maryland to do that we werent gonna subject our state to all the environmental problems of this pipeline and get none of the economic benefits, Franchot said. Since then, 62 current and soon-to-be legislators signed a letter to the board asking members to deny the easement. Hogan, whod had a conflict during the boards Dec. 19 meeting, said he hadnt realized the issue had been deferred. But he indicated that the board already planned to deny the easement. But the testimony was there; we were always gonna have a three-nothing vote, he said. It had nothing to do with any letter from the legislature, I can assure you of that. But we want to thank everybody for coming out and testifying, and thank you for letting us know how you felt. TransCanada officials called the project critical for the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Todays vote denying our easement request is unfortunate, TransCanada spokesman Scott Castleman said in a statement to Herald-Mail Media. That being said, it does not change the need for, or the companys commitment to, our Eastern Panhandle Expansion Project. It remains critical for West Virginias Eastern Panhandle and the surrounding region, and will provide much-needed additional natural gas supplies for continued business and economic development. For nearly two years, our project has been studied and scrutinized by groups including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, he added. This extensive process has confirmed that, through proper design and construction, our project can be completed in an environmentally responsible and safe manner. We will consider our options over the coming days to keep this project on track. Del. Mike McKay, R-Washington/Allegany, said he was disappointed by the boards decision. I had no idea the governor was going to go in this direction, McKay said. He never contacted me or any other member of the delegation that I know of. Washington County Commissioner Wayne Keefer of Hancock wrote in a text message that the board made the right decision. Keefer cited what he called the perpetual risk of a leak and the dangers that would pose to water supplies. He noted that Maryland seems to be bypassed in terms of access to the natural gas it carries. Without a long-term direct benefit to Washington County in particular, but elsewhere in Maryland, I think the decision was justified, Keefer wrote. Pipeline opponents, whove campaigned against TransCanadas plans for two years, hailed the vote as a victory. This is a stunning but wonderful development, said Brent Walls, Upper Potomac Riverkeeper, part of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. This pipeline is unnecessary and dangerous, he said. It threatens the drinking water source for 6 million residents in this area, would deliver fracked natural gas not produced in Maryland and not to be used in Maryland, and would be the primary energy source for the controversial Rockwool USA insulation plant in West Virginia. A Rockwool spokesman said early Thursday that the company is confident the 460,000-square-foot plant under construction in Ranson, W.Va., won't be impacted. We remain confident that Mountaineer Gas will be able to meet our needs when the facility is up and running, said Michael Zarin, Rockwool's corporate vice president of group communications. Jefferson County Development Authority Executive Director Nic Diehl said he believes the extension of natural gas service to the Rockwool plant by Charleston, W.Va.-based Mountaineer Gas Co. will not be derailed by Marylands action. Mountaineer Gas has said the Eastern Panhandle expansion project came in response to requests from multiple potential customers, as well as government agencies, to expand into underserved and unserved areas of the three-county area and improve its ability to reliably serve existing customers with a second source of gas into the system. At some point, they know theres going to be an issue with redundancy, Diehl said of the gas companys existing distribution system, which currently relies on gas from Virginia. Mountaineer Gas could not be reached for comment on Wednesday about the Board of Public Works vote, but has begun the first segment of its Eastern Panhandle expansion project, which includes installing a 24-mile distribution trunk line from Morgan County, W.Va., to the northern end of the companys distribution system in the Martinsburg area. The second segment of the gas companys expansion project includes extending natural gas service from the vicinity of the Berkeley-Jefferson County line where it currently ends to the Rockwool plant. Mountaineer Gas received approval in December from the West Virginia Public Service Commission to expand and enhance the system statewide, including about $16.5 million worth in the Eastern Panhandle and the extension of gas service to the Rockwool plant. Berkeley County Council attorney Norwood Bentley said Wednesday that Marylands decision probably will be appealed in federal court. It will slow things down, at the very least, he said of the gas companys expansion project. Bentley said he doesnt practice the kind of law that would be involved in such a court case, but suggested that the Board of Public Works decision could be overturned, citing the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. The commerce clause provision authorizes Congress to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with Indian Tribes and has traditionally been interpreted to prohibit actions that interfere with business being conducted across state lines. Brooke Harper, Maryland director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, commended Hogan for his vote. For two years, Maryland has been calling on Governor Hogan to keep his promise and protect Marylanders from the harms of fracking, Harper said. Today, he took a step in the right direction by rejecting a permit for a dangerous fracked-gas pipeline proposed by TransCanada. Hopefully, this signals a reversal of the governors prior policy of promoting fracked gas consumption and pipelines in Maryland. Staff writers Mike Lewis and Matthew Umstead contributed to this report. Hagerstown, MD (21740) Today Partly cloudy. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Showers and a possible thunderstorm during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 61F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Staff reports The Herald-Mail HARRISONBURG, Va. Cheyenne Marzullo of Shippensburg, Pa., completed the Eastern Mennonite University cross-cultural requirement by spending the fall semester studying, living and traveling in China. Students on the trek, led by Professor Mary Sprunger and Myrrl Byler, experienced the diversity of China, from Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Buddhist temples and the Great Wall to villages, rice fields and sacred mountains. While the semester of travel was an introduction to the countrys social, political and environmental challenges and 4,000-year history, it also provided connection to its people. The group of 10 students visited with Chinese Christians and university students, and stayed with host families. The students shared photos and stories of their experiences during a December campus worship service, and wrote blogs throughout the semester. Marzullo went to China, in part, to experience the immensity of the Great Wall, the expansiveness of cities and the adventure of it all. Her favorite moments, she wrote, included riding in a sketchy three-wheeled cart and sitting introspectively on the Great Wall. Julie E. Greene julieg@herald-mail.com Washington County government has settled a dispute including a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claim filed by former employee Sarah Lankford Sprecher for $66,000, according to the settlement agreement. As part of the deal, Sprecher agreed to dismiss her civil suit against former Commissioner LeRoy Myers, whom she alleged sexually harassed her during an October 2016 business trip to South Korea. Neither Sprechers attorney nor Myers could be reached for comment on Wednesday. The civil suit against Myers was dismissed as part of a Nov. 29 general release agreement between Sprecher, Myers and the Washington County Board of Commissioners. That agreement was signed when the previous commissioners board was still in power and signed by then-Vice President Jeff Cline, Myers and Sprecher. Attorneys for Sprecher and Myers electronically filed a notice of dismissal with prejudice on Monday with Washington County Circuit Court regarding the civil suit. With prejudice means the case cannot be refiled. The civil trial was scheduled to begin Feb. 26. The agreement states that the EEOC issued Sprecher a right to sue letter. The civil suit, EEOC claim and complaint Sprecher filed with the county all stem from incidents that began during an October 2016 business trip to South Korea. Sprecher alleges Myers improperly hugged her and kissed her on her face. Sprecher also claimed Myers created a confrontational work environment that was detrimental to her employment with the county, according to legal documents. Sprecher made a complaint against Myers with the county government on March 10, 2017. She filed a lawsuit against Myers in December 2017. Through her lawsuit against Myers, Sprecher sought damages in excess of $225,000 for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation. In his affidavit, Myers disagreed with many of Sprechers allegations, including that I assaulted her, sexually harassed her, or retaliated against her. Speaking about the settlement agreement Wednesday, Myers attorney, Bruce Poole, said his client did not pay any money or make any admissions. If the case had gone to trial, Poole said, Myers most likely would have prevailed. Substantial, burdensome, contrary While Sprecher gets $66,000 from the county, the only out-of-pocket cost to taxpayers is the $25,000 deductible under the countys general liability policy, according to the general release agreement and county spokeswoman Danielle Weaver. Other than the deductible, the county's general liability policy covered the costs, including that of an attorney assigned by the insurance carrier, Weaver emailed on Thursday. The county determined that further costs to defend Sprechers claims would be substantial, burdensome and contrary to the countys fiscal interests. Those costs would probably have exceeded the settlement amount, the agreement states. If we can stop the bleeding on this and Ms. Sprecher is satisfied with those results, its good to spare any more taxpayer money, Commissioner Randy Wagner said. Way too much taxpayer money has been spent, he said. Its important that Sprecher was satisfied with the results, said Wagner, who joined the board after the agreement was settled. Cline, now board president, texted to Herald-Mail Media, At this time I have no comment. The agreement stems from the desire of Sprecher, Myers and the commissioners to to settle, discharge and terminate all claims, controversies and potential claims. Sprecher continues to stand by her allegations against Myers, the agreement states. She only entered the agreement, as requested by the county, because of her inability to continue bearing the legal expenses, or to tolerate the stress that this long legal process has caused her to date. She resigned her position on Sept. 6, 2017. Her attorney, Elias Saboura, said at the time that Sprechers resignation was based on workplace conditions that had become unbearable due to her complaint. In the settlement agreement, Sprecher acknowledges she is not expected to be reinstated or rehired by the county. That does not affect her right to run for public office in the county. The agreement also has a non-disparagement clause in which Myers and Sprecher are not to make any statements or take any actions, directly or indirectly, to disparage, defame, or compromise the name or reputation of the other. Asked about the settlement, County Administrator Robert Slocum said, Just looking forward to welcoming in 2019 and a fresh start and moving forward with plenty of progress ahead. The agreement notes that one of Sprechers claims dealt with the countys failure to timely address her complaint about the alleged assault by Myers when she was a county employee. The county hired outside attorneys to investigate Sprechers complaint and to look into the source of leaked confidential information, including Sprechers complaint. The report for the leaks investigation identified Cline as the source. The county government announced in September 2017, six months after Sprecher filed her complaint with the county, that an independent investigator found no evidence of any unlawful conduct whatsoever regarding her complaint against Myers. Shortly after that, two commissioners, Baker and Cline, said Myers kissed Sprecher. In the wake of those investigative reports, the commissioners approved updates to several human-resources policies. They included the anti-harassment and complaint procedure and the whistleblower policy. Civility training, including anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, confidentiality and a general discussion on workplace culture, was mandated for all county employees and the commissioners. The two investigations cost the county, and taxpayers, $89,359.85. Jennifer Fitch waynesboro@herald-mail.com WAYNESBORO, Pa. The Rev. Ruth Ward joined the Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro in May and quickly could tell the churchs longevity largely was attributable to the way its members support each other. This church is very sensitive to the needs of its members, Ward said. Its the laity that reach out. About 100 people attend services each Sunday at the church at 105 E. Main St. Among them is Mary Kay McCleary, who today is 89 years old. Itll always be where I came as a small child, she said of the church, noting that she enjoys the friendships and fellowship as well as the building itself. Presbyterians started meeting in the area in the 1770s and joined with the German Reformed (ancestors of todays Trinity United Church of Christ) and Lutherans to build a Union Meeting House in 1809. The local Presbyterians organized as a congregation in 1818. The present sanctuary was built in 1867 and later remodeled, and the latest addition and renovation was done in 2003. The church celebrated its anniversary with a restaurant dinner in October. That dinner was attended by former pastors and their families, and members of 50-plus years were recognized. The church service that weekend marked the anniversary, as will a music recital in the spring. The church made bookmarks and ornaments for the occasion. Deloyce Watkins started attending the church in about 1970. I found it very friendly when I first started to come, she said. Our children grew up here, said Martha Swink, who does weekly Bible study with other women. McCleary said the churchs members recognize that changes might need to be made to accommodate the next generation, particularly with message delivery methods. The members are open to new things, Ward said. They also are constantly looking for ways to serve the community, she said. BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. An arrest warrant was obtained Wednesday charging Willie Davis Jr. with aggravated arson and burglary as a result of the fire that authorities said he set Tuesday night when officers and detectives were attempting to take him into custody. Investigators spoke to the owner of the camper Wednesday regarding the fire, the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. The owner stated that he did not give Davis, of Bristol, Tennessee, permission to be in the camper. Davis also confessed to a Johnson County Sheriff's Department investigator that he had set the fire, the release states. A hold for Davis has been placed with the Johnson County Jail on these charges that were placed today. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GLADE SPRING, Va. The Washington County Sheriffs Office is searching for a missing adult man who was last seen working in his garage. According to a press release, deputies were notified by a family member that Floyd K. Hines Jr., 47, of Glade Spring, had been missing since approximately 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29. Hines was working on a vehicle in his garage, where he was last seen after finishing for the night and leaving the garage, the release said. Hines wife attempted to contact him by text at approximately 1:30 a.m., but he did not respond. He was reported missing early Monday morning. A ground search was conducted by the Black Diamond Search and Rescue team, but Hines was not found. A river search was conducted by the Washington County Lifesaving Crew, but that search proved unsuccessful as well. Now police are asking for the publics help. Anyone with information on where Hines may be located is asked to contact WCSO at 276-676-6000. Authorities captured a Bristol, Tennessee, pair on Tuesday wanted in connection with a robbery and kidnapping reported last week in Johnson County. Willie Davis Jr., 41, and Jennifer Lois Jennings, 42, both of Bristol, face charges of aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, aggravated kidnapping and false reports. Warrants for their arrest were issued after the incident, which was reported early Friday in the Cold Springs community near Mountain City. On Tuesday evening, authorities in Sullivan County received information that led them to the 1400 block of Big Hollow Road in Blountville, where a camper was located on the property. Law enforcement officers established a perimeter around the camper, and officers called the couple out of the structure. The couple didnt immediately surrender, according to a news release. Officers soon began to smell smoke, and Davis and Jennings exited the camper. They were both taken into custody and transported from the scene by the Johnson County Sheriffs Office. The camper was on fire, the news release states. It is unknown what caused the fire. The Sullivan County and Avoca volunteer fire departments responded to extinguish the blaze. Canipe informed SCSO in November 2017 she was pregnant. She would utilize sick leave on occasions when she was too ill to come to work because she suffered severe nausea along with severe dehydration and weight loss while pregnant, the lawsuit said. SCSO failed to provide Canipe notice of her rights under FMLA for pregnancy-related absences and did not notify her that she could ask for reasonable accommodations due to her disability or complications from her pregnancy, the lawsuit said. Canipe penned a memo to Chief Deputy Lisa Christian, asking for her schedule to be changed to a set day-shift schedule. My doctor feels that my issues with my migraines will decrease while I am pregnant if I am on a set day-shift schedule, the lawsuit said she wrote. I want to be a help to the department and I feel if I can get my migraines under control while I am pregnant I will be able to help. The suit said no one at the county entered into an interactive process with her to determine whether or not she qualified for a reasonable accommodation. Please log in to keep reading. Enjoy unlimited articles at one of our lowest prices ever. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email customercare@heraldandnews.com for help creating one. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker rang in 2019 from her family's home in Donegal. The Sex And The City star (53) and her husband Matthew Broderick returned to their second home in Ireland to celebrate New Year's in what she described as a "remote but beautiful land far away". The home, on the outskirts of the village of Kilcar, was bought by the Broderick family more than 40 years ago and the Ferris Bueller's Day Off actor (56) shares it with his siblings. The couple visit at least once a year. Beautiful "Happy new year from a remote but beautiful land far away where Wi-Fi often eludes us but 2019 will not," she wrote on Instagram. "Best to one and all in this coming year for good health, adventure, time with loved ones, patience, humour, perseverance, joy, good love and good loving." The couple, who have been married for 21 years, celebrated with their three children, James and twins Marion and Tabitha. It's likely they chose to mark the occasion here not only for their appreciation of the area, but also to check up on the extensive renovation work commissioned earlier this year. The traditional cottage is being extended and modernised to accommodate the growing family and their ever-increasing visits. Broderick has spoken fondly of his appreciation in the past, saying he spent a number of Christmases in the home as a child, a tradition he's carrying on with his own family. "Donegal, it's unbelievable. It gave me a whole new childhood in a way. Most of the people in Donegal knew me long before I was an actor," he said. "But even since then they don't talk that much about it. My wife still gets it, some people's eyes pop out of their head when she walks around, but not our neighbours." Meanwhile, the Divorce star said that if work commitments didn't require her family to live in New York, she'd move in a heartbeat. "It always feels like it's a place that is perhaps foolishly more private to us, and there's a simplicity to the time that we spend there, and the people are so lovely," she said. "At this point it feels a little bit like home, in some way. We would be delighted to decamp to Ireland. Move the children, put them in school there, have tea every day, a proper fry. It's just an exquisite, beautiful, relaxing, wonderful place for ourselves and for our children." A homeless mother alleged that her child was grabbed by the neck by an emergency accommodation staff member, while another said her family had been moved into a room littered with syringe needles. Despite the Government's vow to make homeless accommodation more family-friendly, a Freedom of Information request to the Dublin Homeless Regional Executive (DHRE) has revealed this does not appear to be the experience of some homeless families. A complaint in May alleged a staff member at emergency accommodation had "grabbed a child by the neck", scratching the boy's skin, and swore at the child for playing inside the accommodation with other children. Attitude The allegation also stated the staff member had "left a mark on... neck". "The family are telling me they will no longer live in the house," the complaint, from a representative of the family, added. A March 2018 letter revealed a family had complained there had been a "reluctance to clean illegal substances" - needles - from her room when they moved in. The family stated that the council had "created an amazing facility for families, however they are not welcome to use the space", due to the "attitude of staff" and there being no "facilities for tea or television". In another letter, a representative asked for an exception to the "no-visitor rule," to allow women to socialise. "A family member cannot visit a baby to babysit, resulting in the women residents never being able to go out past 9pm," the complaint said. "This is very isolating and compounds the mental trauma of being homeless for these families." A February letter shows a mother claimed she'd been unable to access a bowl and spoon for her daughter as she was told it was "after breakfast time". Another mother complained she'd been a "resident" since December 2017 and during her stay at a Dublin city hotel, she'd found it not to be "child-friendly". "This is reflected in the fact that in the designated playroom, there are no toys for children to play with," she wrote. Another homeless mother said she did not feel the "hygiene and health and safety standards are adequate" in their emergency accommodation. "In July, there was an outbreak of bedbugs in the hotel," the resident said. "My room was badly affected. When I noticed bites on myself and my children, I brought it to the attention of [a staff member]. He accused me of bringing the bedbugs in myself. I was really upset by this." The woman also said just two days from Christmas in 2017, she'd also seen mice in her room. Another mother claimed a manager had on numerous occasions from January 2018 until March entered her room at midnight "unexpectedly while me and my family are asleep". The woman also claimed that the manager had refused to let her and the children in when it was raining outside. "It was raining terribly. I didn't come late and I was knocking on the door. He didn't let me inside with my children," she wrote. "He left me outside for a good few hours. "He is treating everyone with respect except me and my family. This is not normal. Please help me." Records of complaints from January to November 2018 were requested, but access was only granted to information up to June 2018. The DHRE said it refused this request as it was deemed it could "cause a substantial and unreasonable interference with or disruption of work". "The DHRE and the four Dublin local authorities currently provide emergency accommodation for circa 4,050 adults, which includes circa 1,350 families," it said. The body added that it "pursued all complaints and has a formal complaints policy". Volunteers for the papal visit have been criticised by gardai for "not turning up" - and they claimed that some of those who did were more interested in seeing the Pope than carrying out their duties. Gardai also suggested that a cap should be introduced on the capacity of single-venue events in future, believing the scale of the papal mass was too big for the city. The capacity concern raised by gardai was also endorsed by an official from the Department of An Taoiseach during a second debriefing meeting in October on the event. Trust Expand Close Crowds for the ass in Phoenix Park / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Crowds for the ass in Phoenix Park Also among those in attendance at the debrief were representatives from the World Meeting of Families (WMOF), Dublin City Council, the Office of Public Works (OPW), the National Transport Authority (NTA), Dublin Fire Brigade, the HSE and the Civil Defence. Gardai described volunteer stewards as a "significant issue" on the day and said there was "too much trust and reliance on them". "Only a small percentage of the planned volunteers turned up for duty on the day," gardai said. "Of those that did, a large number appeared to be more interested in the event proceedings within the site than carrying out working capacity duties. "Some volunteers set a bad example by rushing toward barriers within the mass site for viewpoints of the Pope tour. Late-arriving patrons in turn also did the same." The planning timeframe for putting the event together was also described as "not ideal". The notes also record gardai as saying: "Plans were put in place to cater for an audience of up to 500,000. "On reflection, it raises reservations as to whether any one site in the city should host an event of that scale. "It is considered that a cap should be considered for future events in the city." The HSE said that volunteers for medical duties "performed exemplarily" and all staff turned up. However, it did say that some of its volunteers were not treated well "in terms of feeding them and required shelters". "Events of this nature are dependent on volunteers for medical side. They need to be looked after and treated well," the HSE added. Anticipated A representative from the NTA said it would like to see a "plan B" in place for public transport if the event numbers are significantly lower than had been anticipated - so those attending have less distance to walk. The implementation of something like this was considered to be difficult, as organisers did not know of the significantly lower numbers until the day of the event. Meanwhile, there was high praise for the weekend's events from the Vatican, according to WMOF organisers. "The spirit, co-operation, efficiency and flexibility shown was exemplary," it said. "It showed Ireland as a very welcoming host and was felt by some that this was one of the best World Meeting of Families events ever." They also said that "although this event was successful" the mass did not achieve full capacity. Around 150,000 of the expected 500,000 turned up for the event. This was previously blamed on bad weather and "RTE's comprehensive coverage" of the visit, leading to people deciding to follow the events from the comfort of their home instead of making the pilgrimage. Organisers also said that a number of tickets were not taken up for the Croke Park concert on August 25. Around 55,000 were in attendance, though this was some 15,000 fewer than had been anticipated. Bernardus Jozef Scherrenberg (47) of Zoetermeer, Holland pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply at the car park of B&Q, Liffey Valley A serial shoplifter had been stealing to fund buying "whatever drugs he could get his hands on", a court heard. Robert Brogan (34) admitted the theft of meat, alcohol and clothes from shops in Dublin city centre. Judge Paula Murphy gave him a three-month suspended sentence at Dublin District Court. A garda officer said the incidents happened at Spar on Parliament Street, Lidl on Thomas Street and Arnotts, Henry Street, on dates in 2017 and 2018. In the last theft, at Arnotts on February 17 last year, he stole 720 worth of clothing. Saleable The property was recovered in a saleable condition, and Brogan, from Ballymun but with an address at a North Circular Road hostel, was arrested. The accused had 28 previous convictions, including nine for theft. Addiction was the root of his offending and after a personal tragedy in his 20s he developed a reliance on alcohol, followed by a dependence on cocaine, tablets and "whatever drugs he could get his hands on", his lawyer said. Judge Murphy suspended the sentence for nine months subject to probation supervision. Zukas was already banned from driving before the crash A night shift worker may have fallen asleep at the wheel when his car ploughed head-on into a jeep, a court heard. Zydrunas Zukas (30) was already banned from driving when he crossed to the wrong side of the road and crashed into the jeep, leaving it a write- off. Jailing him for five months, Judge David McHugh said it was "remarkable" that both drivers escaped with their lives. Zukas, of Riverside Park, Coolock, pleaded guilty to dangerous and uninsured driving. Blanchardstown District Court heard that the accused's Ford Fiesta hit a Mitsubishi Crew Cab in Clonee Road, Lucan, on May 11, 2017. Zukas gave a false name and was arrested. His girlfriend took a passport to Lucan Garda Station but the accused continued to deny his name. The other driver had been on her way to Dublin Airport when the Fiesta sped toward her on the wrong side of the road at a bridge. She pulled in tight to the side but Zukas crashed into her jeep head-on. Awful She went for an MRI scan on her shoulders and had also hit her knee on the steering column. Her head had to be put in traction and she still suffered pain. It was an "awful accident" and Zukas did not have a very good memory of it, his barrister Jennifer Jackson said. The only work he could get was night shifts and he had been working all night on road maintenance before the crash. "He may have fallen asleep at the wheel," but there was no way of confirming that, Ms Jackson added. Zukas was already banned for uninsured and drink-driving. He got behind the wheel out of financial necessity, and there was no public transport at that time, his barrister said. Zukas gave a false name from "sheer stress and panic". "It's remarkable that this lady and the defendant have escaped with their lives," said Judge McHugh, who also fined Zukas 500. "He should be grateful for his own life and the life of the person he crashed into." Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal. John Mooney (35) tried to punch gardai when they came to investigate complaints about his conduct on board a bus, the court was told A Dublin Bus passenger "lashed out" at gardai who tried to take him off because of his aggressive behaviour. John Mooney (35) tried to punch gardai when they came to investigate complaints about his conduct on board a bus in the city centre, a court heard. Judge Michael Walsh jailed him for three months. Mooney, a father-of-two of The Court, Moyglare Hall, Maynooth, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. Dublin District Court heard the incident happened last September 4. Gardai were called to Westmoreland Street, where it was reported that a passenger was being aggressive on a bus and refused to leave. Severed He would not leave for gardai either and became aggressive toward them, Sergeant Gail Smith said. Mooney had 40 prior convictions, 25 of which were public-order related. The accused had struggled with alcohol over the years and had been drinking on the night, his barrister said. He had suffered a serious injury in 2012 in which an artery in his arm was severed and had done his best to recover from that. The accused was serving a separate prison sentence when he appeared in court. He was engaging with addiction services. Judge Walsh said that Mooney's conduct in lashing out at the officers had been unwarranted. He made the three-month jail term concurrent. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Areas of patchy fog early. Morning clouds will give way to afternoon sunshine. High 89F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 60F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Free access for current print subscribers As a home delivery subscriber, you get free unlimited digital access to premium content on HenryHerald.com, including local news, local sports, obituaries, legal notices, local features, and the e-edition. All you need is your print subscription account number and your last name. Don't know your subscription number? Email access@henryherald.com with your delivery address. Activate your account now. Flat Rock imposes new rules on yard signs The Flat Rock Village Council amended a municipal ordinance to require property owners to remove yard signs once an issue has been decided. FLAT ROCK Aiming to prevent the proliferation of issue-oriented signs in the historic town, the Flat Rock Village Council has adopted new rules on the size of signs and how long they can stay up. The council voted unanimously on Dec. 13 to enact the new regulations on yard signs and other political signs that support or oppose a candidate or an issue that the council may vote on. For starters, the ordinance broadens the definition of a political sign to include not just matters voters are voting on but which members of a public legislative body may vote on. The impetus for the change, Mayor Bob Staton said, was the proliferation of signs by groups and individuals opposed to the Highland Lake Road widening project, which was strongly opposed by Historic Flat Rock Inc. and resulted in the creation of another organization, Cultural Landscape Group Flat Rock, to oppose the widening project. Support for regulating roadside signs came from the public before the Village Council voted last June to endorse the NCDOT project. Weve been trying to get this amended since last May or June when we first started getting complaints but I thought it was premature to attack those signs when there was a legitimate issue that a number of people were concerned about, Staton said. Residents called and wrote the village about the campaign littering our streets with signs that say Keep the big rigs out and all that nonsense from the opposition to the Highland Lake Road improvement project. The Cultural Landscape Group put out signs that said Save Our Scenic Byways. It doesnt go on a scenic byway. It does intersect with one (Greenville Highway), right there in front of the Presbyterian church, and the only thing happening there is an improvement at that intersection to keep buses from going in that big wide open ditch. Although Highland Lake Road abuts the Flat Rock Historic District, NCDOT engineers have designed the project so it doesnt encroach on the district. The only place the road widening affects the historic district is at the corner at Greenville Highway, where the project will make room for right turns from Greenville Highway onto Highland Lake Road. The amended sign ordinance: Reduces the maximum size of political signs from 16 to 4 square feet. Limits the number of signs per lot to one. Requires that signs relating to an issue voted on by the Village Council (or the Board of Commissioners, Congress or any other public legislative body) be removed within three days of a final vote or a motion to table without further consideration action on the issue. Empowers the village administrator to issue notices of violation to the sign owner and owner of property its placed on. It also empowers the village administrator, Pat Christy, to remove signs from the public right of way without notice. The ordinances civil penalties for violations remain unchanged, at $10 a day for 30 days and $100 a day after that. We had more complaints from people about their signs that just proliferated all over all up and down Little River Road, up and down Greenville Highway and of course on Highland Lake Road, Staton said. The complaints increased after the Village Council voted to endorse the project, when people assumed the matter was settled. We got telephone calls, we got letters, he said, from people asking why the village couldnt do something about the signs. So far Village Administrator Pat Christie has not issued a notice of violation or imposed fines, partly because the Dec. 8-9 snowstorm shut down things. Our sign enforcement officer went ahead and took down signs that were actually in the right of way, he said. Staton defended the size reduction. We have no political posters in Flat Rock that size and no other sign permitted in front of someones house that size, he said. Most of the political signs for candidates are less than that. I know there was one humongous sign (on Little River Road) but it was urging voters to vote for photo ID for voters. Annie Coletta, president of the Cultural Landscape Group, said her group is concerned that the new ordinance limits the First Amendment right of residents and homeowners to express their opinion about village issues. I would not say we oppose it. We dont think it meets the criteria for being constitutional, she said. Were just asking the village to take the steps to make sure it does meet that test. We request that they get First Amendment advice. Based on the research that we have done we have serious concerns about the language adopted on Dec. 13. I would say at this point were dealing with the signs that we put up last year. Our concern is that the First Amendment guarantees citizens the right to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their government and anytime thats curtailed its concerning. Staton, an attorney, said all of those concerns have been addressed. They picked the cases that supported their position but there are any number of cases that support the position that as long as were uniform in the way we apply our laws and theres a valid reason for it, including the nonproliferation of signs to protect the historic district and protect the landscape, those are constitutional reasons, he said. Ive done the same research they have and so has (village attorney) Sharon Alexander. It complies with the law and its constitutional. If they want to contest it were prepared to do that. Coletta said the Cultural Landscape Group has not decided whether to sue or take other action against the sign rule changes. At this point, we have not made a final decision, she said. As a board we are in the process of discussing that. Our understanding is that in reading the Supreme Court cases weve looked at there should be no difference in how a sign is treated based on their content and we see differences in the village ordinance based on the content of the signs. Coletta cites the 2015 Reed v. Town of Gilbert Supreme Court case, which barred a city from regulating signs based on content. Since 2015, the law has become a lot more strict as far as what local government can or cannot allow, she said. New Years Eve in Havre was a celebration for many, some celebrating a positive year and others celebrating that the year has come to an end. Megan Obrecht said, while out celebrating the New Year Monday, that 2018 was an exciting year with her purchasing a house and having friends and family visiting or possibly moving back to Havre in 2019. Matthew Emge said he was excited with passing flight school in 2018 and looks forward to moving back to Havre with his wife, Melissa, who added that in 2018 they also had a daughter, Audrey. Jessie Obrecht said some of her highlights of 2018 are that she bought a camper and went on a week-and-a-half hike around Glacier National Park. She added that she looks forward to visiting her sister more in 2019 and also has set a goal of saving money for retirement. Morgan Mooney, who was celebrating her birthday, said 2018 was special because she moved to Havre in April from Texas and since then has met several great people. Mooney said the first week that she was here, she was able to find two full-time jobs. From what I hear, winter is also not as bad as it was last year, so thats a plus, Mooney said. She said she looks forward to new adventures and the new experiences that might come with 2019. Mooney added that she also looks forward to making new connections with people who are coming into Havre and finding out what Montana is all about. Ashley Hofland, who was bartending at Vics Place, said she is looking forward to 2019 because she will be turning 21. She added that 2018 was a fun, exciting time for her because she traveled to Mexico for the first time and was accepted into the education program at the University of Montana. Kambri Bender, also tending bar at Vics, said she is starting in the nursing program at Montana State University-Northern this year and is excited to attend classes in the program. She said she wants to be a nurse because she likes helping people and sees it as a great experience. She added that having her tough stomach helps, too. Hofland and Bender agreed that 2018 also was good because they both got jobs as bartenders at Vics, where they met and became friends. James Carden, Zach Nicholson, Grant Olson and Morgan Lomayesva were celebrating at Havre Eagles Club. They agreed that one of the highlights for Havre this year was the opening of two more breweries and a distillery. Earlier Monday, some local officials said they look back on 2018 positively, with Havre making progress and the future holding many possibilities for the city. Havre Public Works Director Dave Peterson said that in the last year, Havre was able to finish recoating the inside of the two water tanks, to complete some road work around town and to maintain other projects. He added that another accomplishment for the city is settling the legal battle on the Bullhook storm sewer project, opening up 2019 as the year to have the project completed two years after it started. Peterson said work should begin this winter or spring and be completed by the before the end of 2019. Parts of Bullhook, which runs through Havre into the Milk River and is under streets and buildings for much of its route, started collapsing in 2013 and a review of the drainage showed it needed a major upgrade. Kincaid Civil Construction out of Mesa, Arizona, was awarded in 2016 the contract to rebuild the drainage system, but never completed the project and the city went into negotiations about the project, entering into arbitration last year. In October, the arbitrator made a decision favoring Havre, including the city receiving money for attorney fees, and Havre moved to the next phase with Kincaids bonding company, Guaranteed Company of North America, taking over the project. Peterson said the two water tanks that were repainted were in need of the recoating, the last time being in 1985, It was a good project to get done, Peterson said. He added it cost approximately $1.6 million to recoat both tanks. The city also made a couple of equipment purchases including a new vacuum truck. He said the old one was about 11 or 12 years old and the new truck cost the city about $370,000. Keeps up going, keeps us being able to clean our storm sewer system and keeping all that stuff running, Peterson said. There was some stuff we were able to get through this year that we wouldnt have been able to do last year, he added. Bear Paw Development Corp. Executive Director Paul Tuss said one of the big accomplishments in Havre was that the overall economy of the area was very stable in 2018. Tuss added that great things also are happening at Northern with the university utilizing their new diesel tech center. He said there is a level of optimism that is very beneficial at Northern currently. He said Bear Paw also continued to work with government partners to fund critical infrastructure like water, sewer and bridges. We had a healthy year and we look forward to continuing that, Tuss said, adding that 2019 will also be Bear Paws 50th anniversary. He said 2019 will be an interesting year because the Montana Legislature will be in session. Much of the funding for Bear Paw depends on the Legislature investing in infrastructure, Tuss said. He added that they will be very focused for the 90 days that the Legislature is in session in Helena. Infrastructure is a building block of the statewide economy, he said. He said that with the closing of big box stores, such as Herbergers, Sears and Kmart, the negative press overshadowed what was a fairly standard year. Bear Paw Development had many high points this year, Tuss said, with the organization continuing to work with dozens of entrepreneurs who wanted to start businesses or grow their businesses. 2018 was also the year of the brewery, Tuss said, adding that be believes no other community in Montana, approximately the same size as Havre, has three breweries. Two new breweries and a distillery opened in Havre in the past year. Tuss said these businesses become destinations for people who are passing through Havre, which is beneficial to the local economy. Without question, a bright spot in the local economy, he said. Overall, the Havre area had a good year, he said. We are not anything if not resilient, Tuss said. You can go back decades and you can look at the economy of Havre, population of Havre, and weve had our ups and downs but weve been very stable, and, in rural America, Ill take stable any day. Stable is good. Doug Ross points Thursday to some of the different items he has collected over the 50 years he has been with Cavaliers in Havre. He said each item in the store has a story behind it. August of last year, Joe Ross took full possession of Cavaliers from his father, Doug Ross, who worked in the store for 50 years. Cavaliers was originally founded by George Renaker and Joseph Bullinger in the 1950s. One of Bullinger's children who was an artist actually designed the Cavaliers logo before the store ever opened, Joe Ross said, adding he drew it at the kitchen table, writing the name of the store and presented it to his father, saying, " Here is your logo." The logo hasn't changed since, Ross added. Doug Ross said that he started working at Cavaliers in 1968 when he was a college student studying secondary education at Northern Montana College, now Montana State University-Northern, and needed a part-time job. A friend told him to apply at Caveliers. Bullinger retired in 1972, and in 1974, his career changed, Ross said, when George Renaker offered to sell him a share of the business. "They made me an offer I couldn't refuse," Ross said. "I had nothing. I was 24 years old, fresh out of college, no assets of any sorts, but I borrowed everything that I could borrow and put it all together." Ross said that after he bought in, he and Renaker and Renaker's son Tom formed a corporation owning the store. "And the rest is history," he said. Ross said that the store took off like a rocket. He added that when he first began working at Cavaliers, it was still at its original Third Avenue location. In 1981, he said, they found a new location for the store and closed a deal on the property where the store currently sits at 321 Third St. In 1996, Ross said, his partner of 22 years, Tom Renaker, retired. After that, he was the sole owner of Cavaliers before his son Joe bought the store. Joe Ross said he has been back in the store for the past 18 years. Before that, he said, he had left Havre to work for an architecture firm in Las Vegas, but after living there for a while, he decided that the big city was not the place he wanted to raise his daughter. He moved back to Havre, working different jobs around town including working at a computer company. "One day, it clicked in my head that (Cavaliers) is where I should be," Ross said. He recalled that it was over Thanksgiving dinner when his dad asked him when he would come and work for him. Ross said it was funny because he actually had been planning that same day to ask his dad if he could work with him. Ross said they figured it out and he came into work in January 2001. He said he wasn't thinking of buying the business immediately, but now it is time. "It's just time, he's got 50 years in," Ross said, "I think it's probably time for him to have some fun." When he left Havre, Ross said, he had no interest in coming back and working in Cavaliers. He wanted to find is own way, he said. He liked working as an architect, he said, but he actually gets to do sort of the same thing working in Cavaliers, building people's outfits, building people's wardrobes - it is still design but in a different way. Ross added that he can look at what people have bought in the past and can make suggestions accordingly for an outfit. Doug Ross said his favorite thing about the store is its customers, the people who have been coming into Cavaliers for generations as well as the people who more recently have had their first experience in the store. "Havre has been great," Ross said. "It's a place that's kind of off the beaten path, but still, everybody treats everybody so nicely and friendly. Our store, in no way, would have been a success without our customer base." He added that this community customer base is what the store has enjoyed since the time the store first opened. Joe Ross said some of the customers have been coming to the store for generations, with grandparents and great-grandparents coming in at some time in the past. He said the fun part for him is that he grew up in the business. He remembers climbing around the store and playing, past employees, and knows people who have been coming to Cavaliers for generations. People come to Cavaliers because they know him and his father, Ross said. "It's been good for us," Ross said. "The whole Hi-Line is taking care of the store and we try to take care of the Hi-Line" Doug Ross said Cavaliers is special and that there are not many stores like it left in small town communities. "We've maintained the mentality to take a step up," Ross said. "Don't jeopardize quality, we might sell a few less things, but the quality is there and we stand behind everything." Joe Ross said he remembers one of his dad's customers who came to Cavaliers on a regular basis and would call his father his "dresser man." The customer had a shirt that he eventually turned into a quilt, taking it all around the world, Ross said. Doug Ross said that, at one time, when he was in Butte, he ran into the customer. The customer invited him into his house and introduced him to all of his friends. "He wanted everyone to know about Cavaliers," Ross said. Joe Ross added that, over the years, the customer has begun calling him his dresser man. "The quality and reputation you build up over the years is really important to the store, and to maintain that same kind of mentality continuing down the road, you have to be that kind of person," Doug Ross said. He added that he and his wife, Becky, will still be living in Have, being part of the community. He said he still believes in the community and would like to tell everyone thank you for everything that they have provided Cavaliers over the years. Doug and Joe Ross both said some big changes have happened over the years, but what they have seen trending is men's style is currently casual but fitted. "Thank god leisure suits have gone away," Doug Ross said. Joe Ross said he has seen Cavaliers carry everything, from Ocean Pacific style to Levis fashion. Doug Ross said even at one point, with all the variety in jeans, Cavaliers even had an area of the store that was called the Jean Shop, which had designer jeans wall-to-wall. Joe Ross said Cavaliers custom-fits everything for the customer. Doug Ross added that the do about 90 percent of the alterations in store. If they can't do the alteration in store, Ross said, they have a "very talented" lady who helps them. "She does a great job," Ross said. Joe Ross said that people are willing to spend a little more for a custom suit rather than buying suits off the rack. "And once you've done that, that's all you want because nothing fits like that," Ross said. Doug Ross said Cavaliers has access to a wide variety custom suits in practically any price range. Ross said people don't think about it in a small community, but people can find great suits in Havre. Joe Ross said a few customer have asked if they will change. Ross said style will always change but the core of the store will remain the same. Havre Daily News/Ryan Berry Joe Ross smiles while talking with his father Thursday in Cavaliers in Havre. Ross has purchased the clothing store from his father, Doug Ross. "Our whole business isn't driven around fashion, it's driven around the people. We just happen to have nice clothes," Ross said. He said it has been very special working with his dad after the 10 years he was in Las Vegas and not seeing him every day. He added that a downfall of that is they tended to fall into a business relationship, although now that Doug Ross has retired he is excited about doing things with his dad outside of work. "It's been a pleasure for me to watch Joe," Doug Ross said. "He has always been part of the business because he is a part of the family, but to watch him grow in this business and understand the philosophy behind Cavaliers and what it really means and it has been great. Having your son with you doing the same you're doing, being on the same page as you, working as hard as you, he has a future in this business and definitely has a future in Havre, Montana. Cavaliers has a future." A Senate panel voted Wednesday to give themselves and their colleagues a big increase in their allowance and do it as soon as possible. You voted: Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Published on 2019/01/02 | Source Actress Lee Young-ae has decided to join a consortium that wants to buy the cash-strapped Cheil General Hospital & Women's Healthcare Center in Seoul. A staffer at Lee's management agency said Tuesday, "If Cheil General Hospital goes into court receivership, Lee will join the consortium to acquire it". Another source at the consortium said, "We have no specific plans yet". Lee has a soft spot for the hospital because she gave birth to her twins there in 2011 and regularly visits it with her children. She also donated W150 million to it for free medical services for low-income households, single mothers and other needy patients (US$1=W1,114). Cheil hospital opened back in 1963 and was Korea's premier medical center for obstetrics treatment until 2000, but its financial woes have been mounting due to the country's falling birthrate. Read this article in Korean Published on 2018/12/30 | Source Executives and staff at Korean venture companies last year finally outnumbered staff at the country's top five conglomerates, according to a survey released Thursday by the Ministry of SMEs and Start-ups. An estimated 762,000 people worked for the country's 35,187 venture companies, up 4.3 percent from 731,392 in 2016, the survey said, while Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Lotte and SK employed 756,000 people. The average venture company had 21.7 employees. A spokesman for the Korea Venture Business Association said, "The size of staff in struggling big industries like shipbuilding has fallen, but venture companies balanced things out to stabilize overall employment". Venture companies posted a combined sales of W225.2 trillion last year, second only to Samsung (W258 trillion), thanks to a boom in semiconductors. Their average operating profit rose 2.6 percent on-year to W267 million, though they suffered an 8.9 percent drop in net profit to W160 million. Haiti - News : Zapping... "The next President of Haiti should not be a Head of State..." The economist Eddy N. Labossiere believes that "The next President of Haiti should not be a Head of State but a statesman. A people who usually vote with his heart not with his head can it finally choose a true statesman to the size of Paul kagame at least." Happy Independence Day Message : Emir of Abu Dhabi : On Tuesday, January 1, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Emir of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates, sent a congratulatory message to President Jovenel Moses on the occasion of the Independence Day of Haiti celebration . Valerie Plante, Mayor of Montreal : "Every day since the year 1804, Haitians meet with family or relatives. On January 1st, I take this opportunity to wish a Happy Independence Day to all Montrealers of Haitian descent !" Chamber of Deputies : "Happy Independence Day to you all. To celebrate this event that marked our history as a people is to honor the courage and sacrifice of our brave heroes, a loving thought for all our martyrs who were at the forefront of the fight to contribute to the defense of Free Haiti, Honor and glory to all our ancestors ! Long live the Nation ! Long live the Republic of Haiti !" Northern Senator Jean-Marie Ralph Fethiere (PHTK) : "January 1st, reflects the birth of an entire Nation, Haiti our mother". It was in Gonaives, for the first time, that Dessalines delivered his speech of liberty, offering a famous spectacle with our valiant soldiers conquering the bloody battle of Vertieres. After 215 years, with this same ancestral tone, I wish you a happy and successful year 2019 to all of you and Happy Independence Day to you my dear compatriots." 2019 wishes of former Senator Simon Dieuseul Desras "One year passes, another comes and opens before us 365 days of opportunities and a new opportunity to make possible the future, that this year passes with the ambient depression that permeated our hearts, all the beaten paths, the nightmarish mazes and all the wanderings... I join you in this singular moment to experience the novelty of this time and the feeling of eternity reflected in our ablutions and our pious cogitations. I wish you, on this festive and reflexive occasion, to enjoy a 2019 year irradiated with blessing, garlanded by the fingers of God. Stand up and walk ! Have a good and successful year 2019 in prosperity, joy, health and peace." Words of Neil Latortue the Mayor of Gonaives Tuesday, at the commemoration of the 215th anniversary of independence, Neil Latortue the Mayor of Gonaives in his speech, welcomed the ongoing efforts to provide firefighters of Gonaives ways to address the problems and advocated a fair productivity to through multiple efforts to improve the quality of life of the population. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : A deposit of 400 dollars required to Haitians entering the territory of Dominica The United Workers Party (UWP), Dominica's main opposition party, calls on the Savarin-Skerrit government to stop demanding Haitian visitors a [refundable] deposit of US$400 to the Immigration Department upon arrival in Dominica. UWP asserts that this practice is "discriminatory and unforgivable" underlining that such a requirement is apparently not imposed on citizens of other member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). While it is true that this guarantee for Haitians can be questionable, the fact remains that in the agreement of free movement of persons in the CARICOM Member States, formulated at the 29th intersessional meeting in February 2018 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23683-haiti-flash-free-movement-of-haitians-in-the-caricom-countries.html and adopted in Jamaica last July, includes particular restrictions for Haitians. Until measures are taken in the future to allow the free movement of people throughout the Caribbean, Haitians have the right to stay (6 months) WITHOUT VISA, with only their passport, in all CARICOM member countries. However, if entry into a member country automatically entitles you to a maximum of 6 months of stay without a visa, all Haitians wishing to travel to one of the CARICOM countries must prove that they have sufficient financial resources to live during a period of 6 months, without becoming a burden for the country visited. In addition, it should be noted that CARICOM Member States reserve the right to deny entry to all persons whom they consider undesirable without the knowledge of what criteria the concept of undesirable leads to arbitrariness and discrimination... In addition to Haiti, the CARICOM Member States are : Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25982-haiti-flash-free-movement-without-visa-in-the-countries-of-caricom-for-haitians-under-condition.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24859-haiti-flash-caricom-examines-the-free-movement-of-haitians.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24722-haiti-flash-barbados-abolished-visas-for-haitians.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-23683-haiti-flash-free-movement-of-haitians-in-the-caricom-countries.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-16835-haiti-flash-dominica-lifts-temporary-ban-on-visas-for-haitians.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Tourism : Ambitious objectives of Minister Stephenson At the beginning of this new year, the Minister of Tourism, Marie Christine Stephenson, has sent her greetings to the population, in a message that is full of ambition and that we invite you to read : Message from the Minister of Tourism : "I'm happy to tell you that at the Ministry of Tourism we are starting a new year with a lot of ambitions. We are working hard to bring Haiti back to being a leader in Caribbean tourism destinations. Each one at his level can contribute to the construction of this building and together we can ensure that, through tourism development, our country becomes the haven of peace we all need. With the Ministry of Tourism, you can realize your dreams and your hopes. May this new year 2019 be the beginning of a new era for all. That it brings you the audacity to believe in your projects, courage to circumvent the obstacles, to go ahead of the risks and especially to dare. The Ministry of Tourism wishes everyone a happy and joyful year 2019, and a prosperous year in which your expectations will be met." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - 215th Independence : Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada On Tuesday, January 1, 2019, as part of the commemoration of the 215th anniversary of Haiti's independence, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking to Haitians around the world, declared : "Today, we join members of the Haitian community in Canada and around the world to celebrate Haitis Independence Day. Canada and Haiti share a strong relationship, rooted in our shared language and close connections between people in our two countries. Today, more than 165,000 Canadians of Haitian origin call Canada home. Our two countries work together in several international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the International Organization of La Francophonie. This past June, we welcomed Haiti at the G7 Summit Outreach Session https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24634-haiti-news-zapping.html , where countries came together to protect our oceans, seas, and coastal communities. Canada supports Haitis efforts to encourage economic growth and create opportunities for all its citizens. We are also helping to ensure all Haitians have access to the good quality health and education services they need. Today, I invite all Canadians to celebrate the important contributions the Haitian-Canadian community makes to our country. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my best wishes to all those celebrating Haitis Independence Day." See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26552-haiti-215th-independence-we-must-build-another-haiti-at-the-height-of-our-history-dixit-jovenel-moise.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26545-haiti-215th-independence-message-from-the-united-states-embassy-to-haitians.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24634-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24621-haiti-politic-jovenel-moise-at-the-g7-summit.html HL/ HaitiLibre Its the end of an era Nokia Series 40 phones have sent their last messages on WhatsApp as support for the platform expired on December 31. That comes after the Symbian S60 app stopped working in mid-2017. To be clear, this change affects only older Nokia feature phones. The current crop of Nokia-branded feature phones run on a mix of different platforms. Some are Series 30 (or 30+), others run Kai OS (8110 4G), Yun OS (3310 4G) or other (the 3310 3G software is just listed as Smart Feature OS). WhatsApp for Kai OS devices like the JioPhones (and presumable the Nokia 8110 4G) will continue. Next up on the chopping block are Android phones running v2.3.7 Gingerbread or older as well as iPhones running iOS 7 or older. Currently, you cant create new accounts on such devices and services will be stopped altogether on February 1 2020. Support for BlackBerrys the ones running the classic OS as well as Windows Phone 7 handsets was dropped in 2017. The original plan was to stop the service in early 2016, but the deadline was moved to December 31 2017 (at the same time the S40 end-of-life date was pushed back too, but no more extensions). Source Most recent Nokia phones use Gorilla Glass by Corning to protect their screens from scratches and cracks (as do most smartphones out there). The latest Nokia 8.1 skips GG in favor of another brand of strengthened glass Dinorex by NEG. NEG is a Japanese company (Nippon Electric Glass) and uses a similar process to Corning depositing potassium ions on the surface of the glass to toughen the glass. Its already used by several phones including models by ZTE (e.g. the nubia Red Magic Mars), Meizu and BQ. Dinorex is designed for mobile devices How strengthened glass works While Corning is dominant, there is some competition. For example, Sony has used Dragontrail glass by Asahi in the past. There are a few phones from Samsung, TCL (BlackBerry and Alcatel) that use it too. Source Support local journalism We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story. MARTINSVILLE, Va. Police are investigating a homicide that happened shortly into the New Year. Officers responded to a call of shots fired at 313 Cliff St., Martinsville, at 1:20 a.m. They found Rasheen Oshea Hairston, 24, of Eden, dead at the scene. Officers were also called to the hospital for a report of a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Devontae Lee Massey, 23, of Martinsville, suffered non-life-threatening wounds from the same incident that left Hairston dead, police report. Massey has been charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, reckless handling of a firearm, and discharging a firearm in the city, police report. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information related to the incident can contact Sgt. Richard Ratcliffe at 403-5331 or Lt. Sandy Hines at 403-5328. Those with information can also call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 276-63-CRIME. Eden Police report the following incidents and charges: Dec. 3 Michael Dalton of 940 E. Meadow Road, Eden, was charged on a citation for possession of open container. Dalton is scheduled to appear in Wentworth District Court on Jan. 31. Dec. 4 A Craftsman chainsaw and Kobalt tool set were reported stolen from the bed of a truck while the owner was working in the 400 block of E. Meadow Road in Eden. There are no suspects at this time. The investigation continues. Vandalism to a vehicle by someone known to the victim was reported at an apartment complex in the 900 block of Hampton Street in Eden. The investigation continues. The fraudulent use of a womans identity was reported in the 1000 block of Harris Street in Eden. There are no suspects at this time. The investigation continues. Andrea Leigh Haynes of 122 S. Byrd St., Eden, was charged on a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia. Haynes is scheduled to appear in Wentworth District Court on Jan. 30. The more lenient sentencing will not be made available to individuals who were also convicted of violent firearms offenses, sexual exploitation of children or high-level heroin and fentanyl dealing. Given the political polarization that seems to be the norm these days, its somewhat surprising that such diverse groups could come together in agreement. Perhaps the incarceration rate was just too glaring and costly to ignore any longer. The U.S. comprises 5 percent of the worlds population, but its prisons house 21 percent of the worlds inmates, more than 2.2 million, according to the NAACP. Much credit for passing the bill goes to White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, whose father, Charles Kushner, served 14 months in an Alabama federal prison for tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal donations. Jared is committed in a way you can only be when youve seen your daddy hurt, CNN host Van Jones told The New York Times. Despite strong support for the bill the vote was 87-12 in the Senate and 358-36 in the House all of North Carolinas delegation voted in favor. Those few who dissented, both on the left and the right, complained that it goes too far or not far enough. Some liberal advocates for the bill were questioned for cooperating with a president seen by many as racist. Republicans need to do their own job as the first branch of government pass legislation with wide popular support not get permission from Trump for bills they put on the floor. They are not his employees. Republicans who might challenge Trump for the presidential nomination and donors, activists and voters who might support them need the courage to do more than critique Trump from the sidelines (or their Twitter feed or in the pages of a memoir). The Republican Party has eviscerated the tenets of modern conservatism, so its up to a new crop of Republican contenders to lay out their updated vision for a center-right party. Whether successful or not in their primary challenges, theyll provide a road map for the party when and if it comes to its senses and abandons Trump. Finally, voters need to take their responsibility as citizens seriously. If they support unethical, unvetted and unfit candidates, theyll get the government they deserve. Can the United States maintain its national security and governmental stability after the secretary of defense, Jim Mattis, leaves office as the new year begins? Its a good question, but heres a better one: What does it say about our political systems basic health that it was widely believed to depend on continued supervision of the military by a recently retired Marine Corps general a general who could only serve as secretary in the first place because Congress waived provisions of a 1947 law called the National Security Act? Clearly the lines of warmaking authority between the legislative and executive branches, and between the soldier and the state, have not quite developed as the Founding Fathers envisioned. The tangling began long before President Donald Trump and seems likely to get worse before it gets better. Per the Constitution, Congress has the power to declare war, fund the armed forces and establish the rules under which the military will operate. The president is commander in chief and the primary authority in day-to-day diplomacy. This division of labor worked imperfectly in practice, even in the early Republic, but there was always clarity about its goals the rule of law and civilian control of the military. RALEIGH Police in North Carolina are trying to figure out who fired a shot that hit a woman during a New Year's celebration in downtown Raleigh. Police said in a statement Tuesday that the shooting happened just minutes after midnight amid the celebration. Police say 22-year-old Kaitlyn Kong was hit near the intersection of Fayetteville and Davie streets. She was taken to a hospital with injuries that police say are not thought to be life-threatening. The News & Observer reports that Capt. Bill McGregor says the bullet came down from above and hit Kong on the top of her chest, then lodged in her abdomen. McGregor says with all the police that were in the area, it's unlikely the shot was fired there. SHALLOTTE Authorities say a North Carolina trooper fatally shot a man who sped toward him while fleeing a traffic stop. The State Highway Patrol said Wednesday that 28-year-old Brandon Lovell Webster of Shallotte died from a gunshot wound at a hospital in coastal Brunswick County, in the state's southeast corner. The state patrol says in a statement that Trooper Scott Collins fired into Webster's vehicle Tuesday night. The patrol said previously that Collins fired because Webster accelerated toward him while fleeing the scene. State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Chris Knox says Collins is white and Webster was black. The State Bureau of Investigation is handling the probe, and the trooper has been placed on administrative duty. GREENSBORO Police say a man they believe came to the city for the Bassnectar concert on New Years Eve has died of a reported drug overdose. Bassnectar performances have been tied to drug use in the past, police said, and performer Lorin Ashton has called publicly for concertgoers to refrain from using drugs at his events. Bassnectar is a collaborative music project headed by Ashton, an electronic dance music DJ, record producer and performer. It wasnt clear Tuesday if there were any other drug overdoses with possible connections to the concert. Bassnectar hired Paradocs Event Medical Services, which works frequently with Bassnectar, as well as for other shows and festivals. Guilford County EMS said Paradocs was the primary responder for the Greensboro show. Police spokesman Ron Glenn said the death was the only one from an overdose that he is aware of in Greensboro on New Years Eve. Responders were called to a Greensboro hotel about 4 a.m. Tuesday for a reported drug overdose. Glenn did not know what drug may have been involved. Svea Anderson of Greensboro, a sophomore, was named to the fall 2018 Head of School Scholar Honors list at Pomfret School. To achieve this level of distinction, Anderson earned a grade point average of at least 4.00 and received no grade lower than an A-. Q: One of your readers commented that taking MSM helped her hair growth. I bought the supplement and found, to my great surprise, that after six days of use (1 gram three times daily) my sense of smell returned. I have made no other change in my supplements, and I take no medication. The holidays provide me ample time to sample through quite a few selections. Here is a Bakers Dozen Ive really enjoyed and perhaps you might too. 2017 Kim Crawford Pinot Gris ($17): Most consumers associate this brand with its consistently excellent Sauvignon Blanc. But this Pinot Gris, crafted in a creamier style, is worthy of attention. Apple, pear and honey on the nose and palate. 2017 Vermentino di Sardegna Aragosta ($13): From Sardinia, the second largest island in the Med, comes a zippy white with crisp citrus and mineral tones and bracing acidity. 2015 Bogle Petite Sirah ($10): A chewy, brambly red from a reliable California producer. Blackberry, plum and anise. 2017 Trivento Malbec Reserve ($12): A similar fruit profile as the previously mentioned wine. Malbec is Argentinas signature red grape and the best examples come from the Mendoza region as this one does. 2017 Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Albarino ($16): Spains Rias Baixas coastal region produces some amazingly crisp whites with mineral undertones and just a hint of brine. 2016 Kirkland Signature Chardonnay Russian River Valley ($13): This is an automatic pick when Im at Costco. Incredible value from an area of Sonoma County renown for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 2016 Michael David Seven Deadly Red Lodi ($16): From the makers of Seven Deadly Zins Zinfandel, Freak Show and Petite Petit comes this California blend that leverages Zinfandel and Petite Sirah and then adds Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. A spicy fruit-bomb. 2017 Hugel Alsace Gentile ($16): A French blend of Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Muscat, Sylvaner and Pinot Blanc. A riot of white fruit, citrus and honey. 2017 Familie Perrin Cotes du Rhone White ($16): From the southern Rhone region, a white that leans heavily on Viognier and Grenache Blanc. Pear, peach and honeysuckle. 2017 Concha y Toro Carmenere Casillero del Diablo Reserva ($10): Chiles signature red grape that was once the 6th grape that made up French Bordeaux. Carmenere reminds many of a Merlot but with more spice and earthiness. 2016 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Toscana Remole ($11): Dried cherry, pomegranate, raspberry, and herb. An Italian blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. 2016 dArenberg The Stump Jump Shiraz ($14): Australias best-known grape (Syrah) and this style is quintessential Down Under: Blackberry, black cherry, black licorice and cedar. 2017 Hay Maker Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough ($10): New Zealands signature grape, this offers gobs of white grapefruit, kiwi, Fuji apple and tangerine. Ed Williams is Marketing Director at Alamance Community College. This columns appears the first Wednesday of each month. Send wine news to williamsonwine@gmail.com GREENSBORO Starting today, youll see kids at the bus stop earlier as Guilford County Schools begins each day five minutes earlier. The five makeup minutes are added to each school day through the end of the school year. Its a way to help meet state instruction-time requirements despite days missed because of bad weather, district administrators say. Superintendent Sharon Contreras announced the change back in October, following early-in-the-year school cancellations for Tropical Storms Florence and Michael. Since then, the district racked up another five days out of school for a December snow storm. Schools on the traditional calendar will have students in school for makeup days on Jan. 18, Feb. 18, March 28 and June 10. They have already used one makeup day on Nov. 1. Of the five makeup days, two cover days missed for Michael, and three cover days missed in the December storm. The district chose not to make up the two days missed for Florence after the state passed a bill that gave some flexibility for school districts to drop Florence makeup days. Note: We've recently updated our online systems. If you can't login please try resetting your password. You must login with an email address. If you don't have an email associated with your account email circulation@skagitpublishing.com for help creating one. He honed his strategy at the "Road Ahead" conference, an annual gathering for progressive ballot initiative activists in Las Vegas. The Sixteen Thirty Fund, which started shortly after Obama's election to support progressive causes, donated $1.3 million to the campaign. The secretive fund says it has sponsored "over 45 initiatives" but doesn't disclose its donors and didn't return repeated requests to comment. Early polls indicated strong support to move the state's $8.50 minimum wage to $9.25 in January 2019, $10 in January 2020 and $11 in January 2021, a level that would effectively be the highest in the nation after adjusting for the fact that costs and typical pay in Arkansas are far less than places such as California and New York. Republicans in Arkansas have tried to block the effort. Leslie Rutledge, the state's GOP attorney general, initially denied Couch's petition to get the pay increase on the ballot in 2018 but lost a court challenge. Then the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce sued to knock the wage hike off the ballot, arguing that too many signatures were invalid and that the move would cause job losses and force businesses to close. Again, Couch prevailed. "David Couch is a thorn in my side. I no longer underestimate him," said Randy Zook, president of the Arkansas Chamber of Commerce. And Warrens desire to aid allies doesnt preclude her from demanding that U.S. troops be brought home from Afghanistan and Iraq. It would be interesting to find out how she squares this exit strategy with her support for human rights abroad, since a U.S. exit would be a boon to horrific human rights violators such as the Islamic State and the Taliban. But Warren never confronts the obvious contradiction. Nor do Warren and Sanders explain how they can stand up to authoritarian regimes such as China and Russia while cutting defense spending. Like Trump, they engage in wishful thinking by imagining that if the United States does less, our allies will do more. More likely, they will simply accommodate themselves to predatory states such as Iran, Russia and China or else take destabilizing actions such as acquiring nuclear weapons. George Breedlove faithfully shows up for the annual New Years Day prayer on the steps in front of City Hall almost every year. No matter where Im at, I try to be here, Breedlove said during an interview before the event started Tuesday. In 20 years, its my 18th time. About 100 to 150 people attended the multi-denominational prayer held by Bibleway Cathedral. Pastors from churches around the city led prayers for Danvilles city government, youth, families, job growth, education and church unity. A prayer was also said for President Donald Trump and the state of the nation. When you begin [the year] with God, that speaks to success, speaks to opportunities and a lot of positive things, said Bishop Lawrence Campbell Sr., apostle at Bibleway. Attending for the first time was an area motorcycle group, the Danville chapter of the Road Soldiers. Danville City Councilman Sherman Saunders, the chapters vice president, and several other members roared onto Patton Street on their bikes and parked in front of City Hall for the event. Were people of faith, Saunders said just before the prayers began. We wanted to come down to support our city and pray for our city. Gloucester, MA (01930) Today Showers with a possible thunderstorm this morning, then variable clouds during the afternoon with still a chance of showers. High 69F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Cloudy with showers. Low near 60F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Ukraine Fears Breakout Offensive as Russia Breaks 'New Year's Truce' By Jamie Dettmer January 01, 2019 Ukrainian officials are warning that Russia may be about to escalate its conflict with Ukraine, including possibly launching a breakout offensive from Crimea. And they accuse Moscow-backed separatists in Ukraine's Donbas region of violating the latest cease-fire dubbed a "New Year's Truce" by attacking Ukrainian positions with a heavy-caliber weapon banned under the Minsk peace agreements. An increasing number of Russian military convoys have been spotted moving toward the border between Crimea, the peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014, and Ukrainian-held territory, and there have been ominous fighter-jet redeployments to Crimean airfields, according to the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank. "Russia continues to build up and prepare its military forces for possible offensive operations against Ukraine from the Crimean peninsula and the East," the institute has reported. It says Russia could conduct such operations on short notice. Analysts say the movements are threatening, but they are divided over the intent, with some suggesting President Vladimir Putin is keeping the West guessing. "The data suggests that Putin is preparing to attack, although alternative interpretations are possible," the institute said. "The unpredictability is the point," a senior European defense official told VOA. "Putin is testing Ukraine and the West to see if he'll be checked, to see what he can get away with, and maybe with an eye to securing another summit early this year with [U.S. President] Donald Trump," he added. The Russian leader issued New Year greetings to dozens of global leaders on Sunday, including Trump, saying relations between the U.S. and Russia are the key to "ensuring strategic stability and international security." Putin added that Russia is "open to dialogue with the United States on the most extensive agenda." With tensions running high between Ukraine and Russia after Russian coastal forces seized three Ukrainian vessels on Nov. 25 a tugboat and two patrol boats in international waters in the Black Sea near Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimea peninsula, fears are mounting in Kyiv of another major confrontation. The press service of the Joint Forces Operation, the military command structure overseeing Ukraine's defense against the Russian-led military intervention in eastern Ukraine, said Ukrainian positions near Novotashkivsk were struck by 120 millimeter mortar rounds Monday night. Weapons with calibers of more than 100mm are banned under the 2015 Minsk II agreement from a 50-kilometer zone running along the front line between Ukrainian and Russian-led forces in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. Russian-led forces shelled Ukrainian positions also near the port city of Mariupol with 82mm mortars, the press service said. A former adviser to Putin, Andrey Illarionov, now one of the Russian leader's most strident critics, warned last month that Moscow is ready to deploy special forces to seize a vital Communist-era canal that used to provide 85 percent of Crimea's fresh water before Ukraine blocked it in 2014. He says the peninsula will face a severe water shortage in the summer, impacting farms and factories, as well as households. llarionov told the Kyiv Post he believes the West has inadvertently given Moscow the green light for further adventurism by failing to sanction Russia for the November incident in the Azov Sea when Russian coastal forces rammed, fired upon and seized three small Ukrainian vessels. "Putin [thinks he] has nothing to lose. We've seen since the Azov Sea incident that the West has not imposed any serious penalties." In recent weeks, Russian news outlets have published articles about water shortages on the Crimean peninsula, as well as about Russian military exercises taking place near the narrow land corridor linking Crimea to Ukraine's Kherson region. Some analysts suggest that Putin might cast any seizing of the canal as an intervention necessitated to prevent a Ukraine-provoked humanitarian crisis on the peninsula. An occupation of parts of the Kherson region would give Russian forces the ability to tighten their stranglehold on Ukraine's ports and to interfere with ship movements in and out of Mykolaiv and Mariupol, which are already experiencing sharp decreases in freight traffic. Among the Russian military movements being observed by Kyiv and Western powers are the redeployments of fighter jets. Just before Christmas, Reuters reported more than a dozen Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets were relocated to Belbek Airbase near Sevastopol from Krymsk airfield in Krasnodar Territory. The redeployments and military build up is alarming the former commander of U.S. Army Europe, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, who retired last year from active service. The Russia government is seeking to redraw the borders more, he fears. In an interview with the Military Times newspaper Monday, Hodges said, unless there's greater Western pushback, "they won't stop until they completely own the Sea of Azov and have choked out Ukraine's very important seaport of Mariupol." "The next phase will probably be land and sea operations that would eventually secure maybe even Mariupol but continue to take the Ukrainian coastline and connect Crimea back up to Russia along the Sea of Azov," Hodges said. "It's not going to happen in the next six months, but this is the direction they're taking until they completely own the Black Sea and they've isolated Ukraine," he added. Full text of President Tsai Ing-wen's New Year's Day Speech ROC Central News Agency 2019/01/01 21:10:15 Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () on Tuesday delivered her New Year's Day address, in which she proposed for the first time the "Four Musts" as the basis for moving relations between Taiwan and China in a positive direction. The following is the full text of her speech: My dear fellow citizens, and friends from the media: Good morning, and Happy New Year! As we begin a new year, I would like to wish all my fellow citizens a Happy New Year, and the best of health. Last year, we all experienced the election campaign. Every election has winners, and losers, and here I would like to extend best wishes to all the city mayors and county magistrates who were elected. I wish you all success and smooth sailing in your new posts. Since the elections are over, it is now time for our society to come together and show solidarity again. I hope that all our fellow citizens will bravely join together to embrace the challenges that lie ahead. In many respects, the central government's policies in 2018 have laid a good foundation for 2019. One example is that starting today, the minimum wage for laborers will be raised to NT$23,100, and the hourly rate for part-time workers will be raised to NT$150. We have raised the minimum wage every year for three consecutive years, and formally said good-bye to the NT$22,000 monthly wage that came to represent low wages for young people. In addition, when filing income taxes in May this year, I believe that many of our fellow citizens will discover that their four major deductions are higher. And our friends with monthly salaries of NT$30,000 or less will basically be exempt from paying personal income tax. So everyone will see and feel that the government really is working hard to keep more money in people's pockets. In addition to increasing wages and cutting taxes, this year we will also take even greater steps to alleviate the public's financial burdens. For the past two years, the economy has grown, and national tax revenues have exceeded expectations. So I have asked the Executive Yuan to make concrete proposals as soon as possible, making low-income citizens a priority in enjoying the benefits of economic growth. This is just like a profitable company, which should make it a priority to share those profits with its employees. And a nation should do likewise. One focal point of government policy efforts in 2019 is to make an all-out effort to enhance people's livelihoods and take better care of young people and the disadvantaged. In 2019, the changes and challenges of international society will be more severe, and more volatile. The US-China trade war will certainly impact Taiwan's overall economy, industrial development, and financial stability. Since I took office, I have always placed tremendous importance on changes in the international situation. As a national leader, my responsibility is to find space for Taiwan to survive and develop in a highly uncertain international environment. In 2019, my responsibility will be even greater. I have already directed our national security team and all government agencies to carry out all necessary response measures. US-China relations will profoundly influence Taiwan's economic structure, so we absolutely cannot take this situation lightly. Fortunately, over the past two years, the government has been preparing for this situation in the best way possible. Whether it's industrial transformation spurred by our "5+2 industrial innovation program," expanding domestic demand by supporting public infrastructure efforts under our Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program, or diversifying our global footprint through the New Southbound Policy, we have been working to adjust previous economic and trade strategies that were overly dependent on China to respond to dramatic changes in the international situation. Over the past two plus years, many Taiwanese business people in China have told me that they are eager to return and invest in Taiwan. The administrative team led by Premier Lai Ching-te () has taken their message to heart, and done everything they can to resolve the "five shortages" (land, electricity, water, labor, and talent) over the past year. Beginning today, an action plan to welcome Taiwanese companies abroad to invest in Taiwan will also be implemented for three years to pave the way for Taiwanese companies to return home. Now is the best time to do everything possible to welcome Taiwanese firms back to Taiwan to invest. And of course, among the international political and economic challenges in 2019, we cannot overlook the development of cross-strait relations. I acknowledge that the recent "9 in 1" elections were a serious test for the current government. But I must emphasize that the election results absolutely do not mean that grassroots public opinion in Taiwan favors abandoning our sovereignty, nor do they mean that the people want to make concessions regarding Taiwanese identity. We do not oppose normal cross-strait interaction. Even more, we do not oppose cross-strait municipal exchanges. But cross-strait exchanges must be healthy and normal. They cannot depend on vague political preconditions, or forced submission to "passwords" or acceptable phrases. What the two sides of the strait really need is a pragmatic understanding of the fundamental differences in the values we espouse, our lifestyles, and our political systems. So here, I am calling on China that it must face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan); it must respect the commitment of the 23 million people of Taiwan to freedom and democracy; it must handle cross-strait differences peacefully, on a basis of equality; and it must be governments or government-authorized agencies that engage in negotiations. These "four musts" are the most basic and crucial foundations that will determine whether cross-strait relations develop in a positive direction. Before the two sides can establish a sustainable relationship, we must honestly face all threats and risks to our national security, especially China's attempts to use the openness and freedom of our democratic system to interfere in Taiwan's internal politics and social development. This has now become Taiwan's greatest challenge. To safeguard Taiwan's security, we will set up a three-part security network for cross-strait exchanges. The first part of that network will strengthen security on people's livelihoods. During our recent efforts to prevent an African swine fever epidemic, China's government has never followed the relevant agreements and provided Taiwan with accurate, real-time reports about the epidemic situation. Once African swine fever spreads to Taiwan, it will seriously impact the related industries, as well as people's livelihoods and the larger economy. More importantly, it will give the Taiwan public a negative impression of China. And that is something we do not welcome. If we can't even have sincere cooperation on epidemic prevention and treatment, how can we talk about both sides of the Taiwan Strait being one family? Instead of doing everything possible to get Taiwan political figures to say certain "passwords," it would be better to be pragmatic, and cooperate on issues that people on both sides care about most like security on people's livelihoods. Our government will be on high alert at all points of entry to prevent epidemic infections from entering Taiwan. And once again, I am appealing to all Taiwanese to face up to the seriousness of swine fever. I am also calling on China once again to set aside preconceived ideas, set aside antagonisms, and focus on what is most importantsecurity on people's livelihoods. The second part of that security network will enhance information security. In addition to continuing to enhance our national defense capabilities, national security should also be expanded to include information warfare. Democracy can be manipulated, and other democratic nations around the world have also recently become aware of this problem. In Taiwan, the flood of disinformation, including from the other side of the strait, has unsettled hearts and minds. So I have already asked the Executive Yuan to submit concrete countermeasures to address the spread of disinformation. To address the information and communication security controversies surrounding Chinese companies that have caused international concern, I have also asked our national security agencies to prioritize and clarify all relevant issues to ensure the information and communication security of all critical infrastructure. We cannot allow any gaps in our information and communication security. The third part will enhance security protecting democracy in cross-strait interactions. Taiwan is a democratic country. We therefore should not be forced to accept unilateral positions on cross-strait political issues, and the people of Taiwan must be able to participate in and monitor cross-strait political dialogue. I have thus directed our national security agencies to investigate and discuss this situation, and where cross-strait interactions may impact sovereignty issues, strengthen democracy monitoring mechanisms, and establish a robust security network for Taiwan to protect democracy through rule of law. My fellow citizens: The theme for our 2019 new year's flag-raising ceremony is "Brave and ConfidentOne with the World." In our rapidly changing world, Taiwan's best option is to persevere on the path of democracy, and work together with like-minded people around the globe. Just a few days ago, the number of foreign visitors to Taiwan in 2018 surpassed 11 million, setting a new record. That shows the love the world has for Taiwan, and Taiwan's importance to the world. So Taiwan can be confident, and should be. This is a new year, a year to fight for our livelihoods, a year to protect our democracy, and a year to safeguard our sovereignty. In 2019, I will be working every day to propose economic policies that have an impact that people can really feel, and build all three parts of our security network to protect Taiwan. Let me close by once again wishing all of my fellow citizens a Happy New Year. Thank you. China's political formulas disallow ROC existence: MAC ROC Central News Agency 2019/01/01 22:22:15 Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) The political formulas China is intent on forcing on Taiwan are not acceptable to the people of Taiwan because they allow no room for the Republic of China (ROC) to exist, according to a statement from Taiwan's top China policy agency released Tuesday. Only when Beijing comes to understand the differences across the Taiwan Strait will it stop trying to force Taiwan to accept its "one China" principle and "1992 consensus," a format that endorses the same principle, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said. Although the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) describes the "1992 consensus" as "one China, each side with its own interpretation," with Taiwan's version of "one China" being the ROC, China does not allow interpretations other than "one China" being the People's Republic of China (PRC), MAC spokesperson Chiu Chui-cheng () told CNA. China has cut off all official communication with Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen () took office in May 2016, as a way to press her to accept the "1992 consensus." "It is the government's responsibility and obligation to make it clear to the public that those formulas promoted by China are hugely detrimental to the sovereignty of the ROC," Chiu said. In Tsai's New Year's Day Speech earlier Tuesday, she said the positive development of cross-strait relations is contingent upon "Four Musts" rather than ambiguously phrased political preconditions or any other format Taiwan is forced to accept. China must recognize the existence of the ROC (Taiwan), respect the values of democracy and freedom Taiwan's 23 million people hold dear, resolve cross-strait differences in a peaceful and equitable manner, and sit down with the government of Taiwan or an institution with a mandate from the government, Tsai said in the speech. The fourth "must," along with Tsai's pledge to strengthen oversight and regulatory mechanisms for cross-strait interactions, is a response to the enthusiasm for engaging with China expressed by many of the recently inaugurated local government heads from the KMT, said Wang Chih-sheng (), secretary-general of the Cross-Strait Policy Association. For example, China has commended new Kaohsiung Mayor Han Kuo-yu () for his advocacy of the "1992 consensus." Han has also argued that in terms of cross-strait policy, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government should follow policies favored by local governments, 15 out of 22 of which are controlled by the KMT, after local government elections on Nov. 24. Tsai's speech indicated that she is trying to combat the possible erosion of sovereignty resulting from cross-strait exchanges at city-to-city level or party-to-party level in the future, Wang said. The "Four Musts" were proposed against the backdrop of recent moves by China to pressure Taiwan by issuing hardline statements, flying military aircraft around the island and contentions from the KMT that Taiwan is willing to accept the "1992 consensus," said Lai I-chung (), an executive board member of Taiwan Thinktank. Tsai also reminded China that the future of Taiwan can only be decided by its people because the nation is a democracy, a political reality Beijing must accept, according to Lai. Another point in Tsai's speech that drew media attention was her apparent disapproval of Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je's () assertion that "the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family." If China is not even willing to cooperate with Taiwan on preventing the outbreak of African swine fever, "how can we say the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family?" Tsai said. Asked for a comment Tuesday, Ko said both the formula he has proposed and the "1992 consensus" have been "stuck with labels" that have become controversial. What matters most in terms of cross-strait relations is that "both sides demonstrate goodwill to each other," Ko said. "Nothing works if they hold grudges." Chinese President Xi Jinping () is scheduled to give a speech Wednesday on the 40th anniversary of a statement in which China called for an end to military confrontation and talks with Taiwan on expanding cross-strait exchanges. Xi's statement could be seen as a response to Tsai's speech and a form of dialogue between the two leaders, according to DPP Legislator Wang Ting-yu (). KMT Legislator Johnny Chiang () urged the Tsai administration to find a way to restart cross-strait dialogue instead of serving up more political rhetoric. (By Yu Shiang, Miao Tsung-han, Chen Yi-hsuan, Liu Kuan-Ting and Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/AW U.S. president signs bill encouraging regular arms sales to Taiwan ROC Central News Agency 2019/01/01 11:52:13 Washington, Dec. 31 (CNA) President Donald Trump has signed into law legislation aimed at enhancing the United States' influence in the Indo-Pacific region and reaffirming Washington's commitment to Taiwan, particularly arms sales. Trump signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act and 12 other bills on Monday, the White House announced, though the U.S. president seemed eager to make clear he will not be constrained by the bill's demands that the U.S. be more engaged in the region. "Several provisions of the Act ... purport to dictate the policy of the United States in external military and foreign affairs, or to require the executive branch to undertake certain diplomatic initiatives with international partners," Trump said in a statement. "My Administration will treat these provisions consistent with the President's exclusive constitutional authorities as Commander in Chief and as the sole representative of the United States in foreign affairs," he declared. The bill was introduced in April by senators Cory Gardner, Ed Markey, Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin. It serves as a policy framework to enhance U.S. leadership in the Indo-Pacific region and to demonstrate a commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and the rules-based international order, according to Gardner. In Section 209, the bill states that it is the policy of the U.S. to support the close economic, political and security relationship with Taiwan. It is U.S. policy "to faithfully enforce" all existing U.S. government commitments to Taiwan, consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, the three U.S.-China joint communiques, and the Six Assurances agreed to by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, the bill says. It further reiterates U.S. policy as countering efforts to change the status quo and supporting "peaceful resolution acceptable to both sides of the Taiwan Strait." On arms sales to Taiwan, the act says the U.S. president should conduct regular transfers of defense articles to Taiwan that are tailored to meet the existing and likely future threats from the People's Republic of China. That should include "supporting the efforts of Taiwan to develop and integrate asymmetric capabilities, as appropriate, including mobile and cost-effective capabilities, into its military forces," the bill says. It also urges the president to encourage the travel of high-level U.S. officials to Taiwan, in accordance with the Taiwan Travel Act. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the bipartisan support of the U.S. Congress for Taiwan after the Senate and House passed the bill earlier in the month, while Beijing blasted the legislation as violating the "one China" principle. (By Rita Cheng and Elizabeth Hsu) Enditem/ls Cross-strait ties depend on 'Four Musts' from China: president ROC Central News Agency 2019/01/01 15:59:14 Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () on Tuesday proposed for the first time the "Four Musts" as the basis for moving relations between Taiwan and China in a positive direction, and she vowed to establish mechanisms to safeguard Taiwan's national security. China must recognize the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan), respect the values of democracy and freedom Taiwan's 23 million people hold dear, resolve cross-Taiwan Strait differences in a peaceful and equitable manner, and sit down with the government of Taiwan or an institution with a mandate from the government, Tsai said. "These 'Four Musts' are the vital bases for positive development of cross-strait relations," Tsai said in a New Year's Day speech Tuesday. New Year's Day speeches have been a tradition for presidents in Taiwan, but this was Tsai's first speech given at the beginning of a new year since taking office in May 2016. The new formula appeared to be an attempt by Tsai to create a new starting point for relations with China, which have been at a standstill during Tsai's administration because of Beijing's decision to cut off all official communication with her administration. It came a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping () is to give a speech on the 40th anniversary of a statement China first issued in 1979 that called for ending military confrontation with Taiwan and the opening of talks with Taiwan on expanding cross-strait exchanges. Tsai dismissed the view that the elections for local government offices on Nov. 24, 2018, in which her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered a heavy defeat, were a rejection of her administration's cross-strait policy centered on Taiwan's sovereignty. The DPP administration was put to a severe test during the elections, but "I have to emphasize that the election results definitely did not mean that Taiwan's people intend to give up our sovereignty or to make concessions on our national autonomy," Tsai said. The drastic shift in the local political landscape after the elections has led the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) to push for cross-strait exchanges at the local government level based on the "1992 consensus," a format endorsing the "one China" principle that the Tsai administration has firmly rejected. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (), who narrowly won his bid for re-election, also reiterated his advocacy that "the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family" at a Taipei-Shanghai forum held in December. Apparently referring to those positions, Tsai said her administration was not opposed to normal interactions or city-to-city exchanges between Taiwan and China. Such exchanges, however, will require the two sides to have a more realistic understanding of each other, including of the fundamental differences in their values, ways of life, and political systems, so they can interact with each other in a healthy and normal manner, Tsai said. "Healthy and normal cross-strait relations cannot be achieved by relying on ambiguously phrased political preconditions or passwords that Taiwan is forced to accept," she said. Before durable relations with China can be established, Taiwan must face up to the increasing risks and threats China poses to its national security and tackle those challenges, Tsai said. China has been taking advantage of the openness and freedom of Taiwan's democratic system to intervene in its politics and society's development, but her administration will establish mechanisms on three fronts to ward off the threats, the president said. The first is to protect the livelihoods of Taiwan's people, Tsai said, reiterating the repeated her administration's insistence on China providing Taiwan with up-to-date information on the spread of African swine fever in its country. If China is not even willing to cooperate with Taiwan on preventing the outbreak of the disease, "how can one say that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family?" Tsai said. Second, in addition to enhancing Taiwan's national defense capability, the government will devise strategies to guard Taiwan against China's information warfare aimed at manipulating its democracy through various means, including spreading disinformation, she said. The third is to strengthen oversight and regulatory mechanisms for cross-strait interactions on issues that could compromise Taiwan's sovereignty so as to consolidate its democracy, Tsai said. "We are a democratic nation. Any issues of a political nature should not be forced upon us unilaterally," Tsai said. "Political dialogue between the two sides should involve the participation of Taiwan's people and should be conducted under their supervision." (By Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/ls Syrian Army inflicts heavy losses on terrorists in Hama, Idleb IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 2, IRNA -- Army units operating in Hama northern countryside conducted concentrated strikes against positions and fortifications of terrorist groups in retaliation to their breaches of the demilitarized zone agreement in Idleb. SANA's reporter in Hama said that army units targeted with heavy weapons the positions and fortifications of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists at the outskirts of Jarjnaz town in the southeastern countryside of Idleb in retaliation for attacks on military positions, inflicting losses upon them. Earlier in the day, the reporter said army units targeted with concentrated fire the positions and bastions of terrorists from the so-called "Turkistani Party" which embraces hundreds of foreign mercenaries in Qastoun village at the al-Ghab Plain, Hama northwestern countryside. The reporter added that scores of terrorists were killed in the bombardments and others were injured, in addition to destroying their positions which contained weapons, ammunition and equipment. On Monday, terrorist groups positioned in al-Latamina town in the northern countryside targeted residential neighborhoods in Mharda city with rocket shells as two civilians were injured, in addition to causing material damage to a number of houses. 8072**2050 Israel Wants to Intensify Intel, Ops Cooperation With US in Syria - Netanyahu Sputnik News 18:42 01.01.2019(updated 19:33 01.01.2019) Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would be pulling its estimated 2,000 US troops out of Syria, and gave the Pentagon four months to complete the withdrawal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would discuss ways to intensify intelligence and operations cooperation between the US and Israel in Syria and elsewhere to block what he called "Iranian aggression" in the region, Reuters has reported. "We have a lot to discuss. We're going to be discussing our, the intense cooperation between Israel and the United States, which will also deal with the questions following the decision, the American decision, on Syria," Netanyahu said. The talks, the prime minister said, would look at "how to intensify even further our intelligence and operational cooperation in Syria and elsewhere to block Iranian aggression in the Middle East." Netanyahu made the comments ahead of a meeting with Pompeo in Brasilia on Tuesday, where both men arrived to attend the inauguration ceremony of recently elected Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Earlier, an Israeli official told Israeli media that Netanyahu would ask Pompeo to slow the withdrawal of US troops from Syria. Ahead of Tuesday's meeting, Pompeo assured Netanyahu that President Trump's decision on Syria "in no way changes anything that this administration is working on alongside Israel." "The counter-ISIS* campaign continues, our efforts to counter Iranian aggression continues, and our commitment to Middle East stability and protection of Israel continues in the same way before that decision was made," Pompeo said. Earlier, Israeli military intelligence chief Tamir Hyman charged Iran with working to increase its clout in Iraq and Syria as a "platform for a force build-up that could also threaten the state of Israel." On Monday, Trump continued to defend his decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, accusing his critics of hypocrisy and saying that any other US president would have been applauded as a "national hero" for the decision. On December 19, the White House announced that it would be withdrawing US troops from Syria within the next 60 to 100 days. The decision prompted US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis and special presidential envoy for the US coalition in Syria Brett McGurk to announce that they would be resigning. Trump justified the withdrawal by saying that US forces had achieved their primary goal in Syria the defeat of Daesh, and that the pullout would fulfill a campaign promise. Trump's Democratic opponents and members of his own party attacked him over the move, with hawkish Republican Senator Lindsey Graham calling the decision an "Obama-like mistake." The US military presently illegally occupies a strip of territory in southern Syria near the Jordanian border, and has deployed troops in the country's northeastern, governed by the majority Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces militia. Damascus and its allies have condemned the US presence in Syria as "illegal," while Washington's Turkish allies have criticized the US for cooperating with the Kurdish militias, whom Ankara classifies as terrorists. *aka Daesh, a terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries. Sputnik by Melani Manel Perera The military occupies some 4,000 acres in the north of the island. An official note states that 1,099 acres will be returned to former owners in the second week of January. The displaced of Kepapilavu are ready to occupy the village if the government fails to keep its promises. Colombo (AsiaNews) The Sri Lankan army has announced that in the coming weeks it will return 1,099 acres of farmland (more than 444 hectares) to people displaced by the countrys civil war. The land to be transferred is in the northern and eastern provinces, the most affected by almost 30 years of conflict. An official note from the military states that the handover will take place in the second week of January. In fact, the land was supposed to be returned to its rightful owners by 31 December 2018. For this reason, a group of 132 organisations and private individuals last week presented President Maithripala Sirisena with a letter asking that the handover not be delayed. The group was led by the People's Alliance for Right to Land (PARL) and the letter was dated 30 December. Meanwhile, a group of protesters staged a rally in Kepapilavu, a village in Mullathivu district. Locals complain that the military built their district headquarters on village land. "If the army does not keep its promises, we will enter the village and settle down on our lands." The military occupy some 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) in the north. According to PARL, people displaced in the northern province "are already being severely affected by floods, which have caused more refugees, damaged property, and destroyed crops. Given such suffering, we are asking the president to keep his promises." UK offered arms sales to Saudi after Khashoggi murder: Report Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 07:59AM The UK kept weapons sales talks with Saudi Arabia running after the kingdom admitted to dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder, a new report has revealed. The Daily Mirror reported Tuesday it had evidence that a high-level British arms export delegation was in Riyadh on October 2, the day Khashoggi went missing after entering the Saudi consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul. The arms traders returned to Riyadh on October 14 and 22 and held further meetings with Saudi military officials as the kingdom was trying its utmost to contain the damage from Khashoggi's disappearance, the report added. By the time the third meeting took place, the Saudi regime had already discarded its numerous contradictory explanations on Khashoggi's fate and acknowledged that he was killed in a dispute. Among the British delegation were the UK Department for International Trade Defense & Security Organization (DIT DSO)'s interim head of Mission in the Middle East as well as retired Air Vice Marshal Nigel Maddox, a military advisor. This raises questions about British government officials' sincerity in their criticism of Riyadh in the aftermath of the murder. On October 19, the day Saudi finally came clean, British Foreign Minister Jeremy Hunt warned Riyadh there would be "consequences" if Saudi authorities were found to have been involved in the assassination. Days before on October 13, reports surfaced claiming that London was gathering a list of Saudi officials who could potentially come under sanctions as a punishment for their involvement. There were even reports British Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) had intercepted data that showed Khashoggi was killed on orders from a "member of the royal circle." "There is a rank hypocrisy at the heart of the Government's foreign policy," said Andrew Smith, of Campaign Against Arms Trade. "As Jeremy Hunt was in the Commons condemning the murder, there were civil servants in Riyadh pushing for even more arms sales." Documents obtained by the Mirror were titled "ROC: Riyadh Operations Centre requirements," which seems to be a reference to Saudi Arabia's ongoing war on Yemen. The UK has licensed over 4.7 billion worth of arms exports to Riyadh since the deadly conflict began in March 2015. Britain has also been providing combat intelligence and target data to Saudi Arabia over the course of the war, which has killed thousands of Yemeni civilians and put millions more on the verge of famine. The war is being led by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler who is also accused of personally ordering Khashoggi's murder. Seoul Welcomes Kim's New Year Address - Reports Sputnik News 14:19 01.01.2019 TOKYO (Sputnik) - The office of South Korean President Moon Jae-in has welcomed the New Year's address by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a signal of his commitment to resolve the crisis on the peninsula, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the relevant statement. According to the Yonhap news agency, the office said that the address reflected Kim's desire to develop relations with both Seoul and Washington. "Chairman Kim's firm commitment is expected to have a positive effect on resolving the Korean Peninsula issue smoothly in the new year," spokesman for the office Kim Eui-kyeom said, as quoted by the agency. In his New Year's address to the nation, Kim confirmed that he was ready to improve relations with South Korea and the United States, and meet with US President Donald Trump "at any time." He, however, added that if Washington failed to deliver on its promises and continued enforcing sanctions, Pyongyang would have "no other choice but take a different path." In particular, Kim urged Washington not to deploy strategic weapons to South Korea and not to conduct drills that could be aimed against Pyongyang. In his address, Kim also conveyed greetings to South Korean people, noting the trend toward reconciliation, which resulted from his meetings with Moon in 2018. He also suggested reviving the operation of the South Korean industrial park near the North Korean city of Kaesong and the Mount Kumgang tourist resort. Sputnik Militant Raid Kills Four Pakistani Soldiers By Ayaz Gul January 01, 2019 Officials in Pakistan said Tuesday that at least four security forces were killed when a group of heavily armed militants assaulted a paramilitary training center in southwestern Baluchistan province. The Pakistani military's media wing said that "terrorists" attempted to storm the residential and administrative blocks of the Frontier Corps (FC) facility in the remote town of Loralai but security guards at the external checkpoint denied them entry. "The initial exchange of fire at check post resulted into martyrdom of four security forces personnel while two got injured," it noted. The assailants entered a compound adjacent to the checkpoint before security forces surrounded them and gunned down three of them while the fourth one blew himself up during the firefight. No one immediately claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack. Baloch insurgents and militants linked to the outlawed Pakistani Taliban as well as loyalists of Islamic State usually take credit for staging deadly attacks against security officials and government installations in Baluchistan. The sparsely populated, largest Pakistani province, is rich in natural resources and hosts several major China-funded infrastructure projects under construction in Pakistan. The violence has also targeted Chinese nationals working in Baluchistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan and Iran. Pakistani authorities allege that anti-state militants, including Baloch separatists, are using Afghan soil for plotting terrorist attacks against the country. Last week, a mysterious suicide blast in the southern Afghan border city of Kandahar killed a top leader of the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army along with four of his key commanders. The slain Aslam Baloch was accused of masterminding the November raid against the Chinese consulate in the Pakistani cityof Karachi. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Appeals 7-Year Prison Sentence - Reports Sputnik News 16:49 01.01.2019(updated 17:19 01.01.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appealed the court decision that sentenced him last week to seven years in prison and a $2.5-million fine in a corruption case, the DAWN newspaper reported on Tuesday. The appeal of the former prime minister states that the court's decision is based on a misinterpretation of the law. According to the defence, the available evidence was presented incorrectly, and the sentence was passed without consideration of the defence lawyers' arguments. Last week, an anti-corruption court in Islamabad found Sharif guilty of corruption in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case. He was acquitted of graft charges in the Flagship Investment reference for lack of evidence. The court gave the ex-premier a sentence of 7 years in prison and a fine of $2.5 million. In addition to the prison term and the fine, the court forbade Sharif to hold public office for 10 years after serving the sentence. In July last year, Pakistan's top court removed Sharif from office after the release of the so-called Panama Papers, revealing offshore accounts and other financial information of many prominent figures across the world. The dossier indicated that Sharif's children owned offshore accounts in the British Virgin Islands and expensive property in London. Pakistani authorities questioned the sources of the Sharif family's assets. Sharif served as the prime minister of Pakistan three times: in 1990-1993, in 1997-1999 and in 2013-2017. Sputnik Militants kill 4 Pakistani paramilitary soldiers in Balochistan Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 06:20PM At least four paramilitary soldiers have been killed and two injured in a clash with militants in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan. The military said in a statement issued on Tuesday that the fatal clash happened in Loralai district, which is located nearly 262 kilometers northeast of the provincial capital Quetta, on Monday. Militants attempted to launch an assault on a residential compound of the paramilitary troops when they were confronted at the entry point, the statement added. The exchange of fire led to the death of four soldiers and four attackers including a bomber. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Baloch separatist groups and militants have attacked security forces in the province in the past. On December 14, six Pakistani soldiers were killed when a paramilitary convoy came under attack by gunmen in the mountainous district of Kech. In July, nearly 130 people were killed in a bomb explosion at a political event in the troubled province. Over 200 other people were also injured in the bombing, which was claimed by the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group, in the town of Mastung. Pakistan's restive and mineral-rich Balochistan province is rife with separatist, extremist and sectarian violence and has been the scene of several bomb and gun attacks over the past years. Balochistan was rocked by a series of terrorist attacks in late 2016, raising fears about an increasing presence of armed militants in the area, including terrorists linked to Daesh. Separatist militants in the province have also been engaged in a decades-long campaign against the central government. Arabs see Israel as ally against Iran: Netanyahu Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 10:42AM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Arab countries view the regime as an "indispensable ally" against Iran amid reports of warming relations between Tel Aviv and Persian Gulf Arab monarchies. That evaluation has caused "a revolution in relations with the Arab world," Netanyahu said in an interview with Brazilian Globo TV on Monday. According to the Times of Israel, the Israeli regime has been conducting extensive diplomatic negotiations with Saudi Arabia and other Arab governments over the past months in a bid to convince them that they should allow formal diplomatic relations more than half a century after the Six-Day War, which saw Israel occupy the West Bank and the Golan Heights. Expect for Jordan and Egypt, no Arab country has diplomatic relations with Israel, but both sides are widely believed to have secret liaisons, and are working behind the scenes to establish formal contact. In April last year, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an interview with the TIME magazine that the two regimes had "a common enemy" and that they could immediately normalize their relations once the Palestine issue was resolved. Netanyahu has repeatedly boasted of his efforts to get closer to Arab governments that have for years condemned Israel's occupation of Palestine. Many believe he wants to use the issue to divert attention from an ongoing investigation into his financial wrongdoings. Elsewhere in his Monday comments, Netanyahu claimed that Tel Aviv had been active in battling Daesh Takfiri terrorists, trying to draw a parallel between Iran and the Takfiri outfit. The claims come against the backdrop of reports showing that Israel has helped anti-government terrorists in Syria since the very beginning of the war in 2011. Takfiri terrorists are generally believed to have been a main recipient of the Israeli assistance as many members of the group have been transferred for treatment from battle grounds in Syria's part of the Golan Heights to Israel. Israel frequently attacks military targets inside Syria in an attempt to prop up terrorist groups that have been suffering defeats on the battlefield. In addition to medical treatment, the regime has been providing weapons to anti-Damascus militants. Israel has also been targeting Iranian military advisers, who have been assisting the Syrian army in their fight against Daesh and other terrorist groups. In April 2018, an Israeli airstrike against the T-4 airbase in Syria's Homs Province killed more than a dozen people, including seven Iranian military advisers. Iran set for 'big leap' in gasoline production this week Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 02:31PM Iran is to mark a milestone of 100 million liters per day in gasoline production this week when the third phase of its most important refining project comes online, making the country self-sufficient in the fuel. Gasoline production at the Persian Gulf Star Refinery in Bandar Abbas will increase by a collective of 35 million liters per day from three phases which feed on the condensate from South Pars in Asaluyeh. "With the launch of the third phase of the Persian Gulf Star Refinery at the end of the week (on Friday), the gasoline production capacity will reach 105 million liters a day," Deputy Minister of Petroleum Alireza Sadeqabadi said on Tuesday. "This is a 67% increase from last Aban (October 2017)" when Iran produced 63 million liters a day of gasoline, he said. The first phase of the refinery came into operation in April 2017 and the second phase last June. Each phase has been designed to produce 12 million liters per day of high-octane gasoline and diesel. With the operation of the third phase, Iran will produce 20 million liters of surplus gasoline in the second six months of the Persian year which ends on March 21, Sadeqabadi said. "We are currently preparing for a big leap in increasing gasoline production capacity at the weekend," he said. The 360,000-barrels-a-day refinery, being built with 3.5 billion euros ($4.7 billion) of investment, immunizes Iran from US sanctions reimposed in November. Despite being a major oil producer, Iran used to import gasoline to fill the gap between domestic supply and consumption. The imports turned into Iran's strategic vulnerability after the West imposed sanctions on the country in 2012. The Persian Gulf Star Refinery is owned by Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Investment Company (49%), Oil Industry Pension Fund (33.1%) and National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) (17.9%). Billed as the Middle East's largest condensate refinery, it enables Iran to export gasoline and other high-value products. Each of the three phases of the refinery are designed to also produce 4.5 million liters/day of Euro-IV diesel, one million litters/day of kerosene and 300,000 liters a day of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Last January, Iran sold its first consignment of naphtha produced at the Persian Gulf Star Refinery to the United Arab Emirates. There is already a strong demand in Asia for naphtha which is used to produce products such as ethylene and propylene, the building blocks of plastics. Strong economic growth in countries such as India is expected to generate fresh interest in the product. Iran to hold talks with Pak tribe leaders over kidnapped border guards IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 1, IRNA -- Iran is pursuing the issue of the Iranian border guards who were kidnapped on Iran-Pakistan border by holding talks with leaders of regional tribes, Iranian border guards commander Brigadier General Qasem Rezaei said. Fourteen Iranian Basij (volunteer forces) and border guard forces were abducted by terrorists in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan border with Pakistan on October 15. Five of them were later released through the efforts of the Pakistani government on November 15. Speaking to IRNA, Rezaei said Iran's main objective was to ensure the release of the remaining guards who are still in the hands of the terrorist group. Based on the latest information, the kidnapped border guards d are alive, he added. Elaborating on Iran's border exchanges with neighboring countries, he said developing border diplomacy is one of the successful measures which has been pursued in line with improving border guard conditions. Referring to good relations between the Iranina border guards forces and neighboring countries, Rezaei said increasing border diplomacy interactions has resulted in promoting operation readiness in some special border points. According to the commander, Iranian border guard has held 10 meetings on border issues with neighbors like Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Qatar and Afghanistan since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2018). 9376**1424 Iranian armed forces at full strength: Cmdr. IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 1, IRNA -- Iranian armed forces are fully prepared and strong to confront any threat, according to Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Ataollah Salehi. Speaking with the Islamic Republic News Agency correspondent on Tuesday, Salehi said the sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran have had no impact on the country's defensive power and the enemies are well aware of Iran's defensive power. Referring to stealth visits to Iraq by American officials, the general said the American officials' clandestine visits to their bases in Iraq are taking place while the Iranian officials visit Iraq for Arbaeen rituals in the most powerful manner. The US President Donald Trump recently paid a short notice visit to one of the US bases in Iraq along with his wife for what he said was a meeting with American soldiers on the eve of the New Christian Year. He left the country without any meetings with the Iraqi officials. 9341**1420 Deputy Minister of Defense: Iran ready to repel threats IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 1, IRNA -- Deputy Defense Minister of Iran has emphasized that Defense Ministry stands today against the threats of the United States and the Zionist regime and is fully prepared for defense. Brigadier General Qasem Taqizadeh said on Tuesday, "The defense ministry has stood today against the threats of the United States and the Zionist regime, and believes that if something happens, we are fully prepared for defense." Earlier, Iranian Minister of Defense said making dual efforts and using world's latest technology to address the concerns of the armed forces of Iran is of prime importance. Speaking at Aircraft Industry Company, Brigadier General Amir Hatami reiterated importance of air industry's position in enhancing the defense and deterrence power of the armed forces. He said the Ministry of Defense's Aviation Industries Organization opened a line for production of aircraft of all types. General Hatami described the status and effective role of the Ministry of Defense's air defense industry in the recent advancement of the aerospace, and said, 'The organization has proved that it is possible to use all capacities and scientific capabilities of the country and in close cooperation with the Air Force of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran reached strategic products which it can be prominently featured in the development of Kosar fighter jets, which was really important for promoting the reputation of the Islamic Republic of Iran.' 9455**1420 North Koreas leader focuses his address on the economy, not nuclear weapons. For defector former North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho, negotiations can progress if US accepts limits on nuclear weapons, not total denuclearisation. Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) In his New Year address, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un focused on the economy, a possible sign that UN and US sanctions are biting, forcing him to go on the defensive, this according to South Korean experts. Some 300 people met on Wednesday to discuss Kims annual speech at the Seoul Global Center, including a panel of eight experts. The event was hosted by the Korean Sharing Movement and Ewha Womans University's Institute of Unification Studies. "Out of a total of 12,881 characters in Kim Jong-un's New Year speech, more than half, or 8,456 characters, were dedicated to emphasising the country's economy and people's livelihoods," said Kim Joon-hyung, a professor at Handong Global University. "This is in contrast with last year's speech that emphasised nuclear arms." The speech did not however include anything specific, noted Lee Seog-ki, Senior Research Fellow at Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. "No new specific economic strategy was presented in most industrial sectors and expressions of the old days were revived, such as unified guidance by the state and the socialist economic law," Lee explained. "It seems, he added, that international sanctions against the North Korean regime have had a substantial impact on North Korea's economy in 2018, making the strategies for 2019 defensive." Nonetheless, for former North Korean diplomat Thae Yong-ho said, "Reading the context of this year's address, we can tell there has not been the slightest change in Kim's stance of keeping hold of nuclear weapons. Thae, who was North Korea's deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom, defected to the South in 2016. He is the highest-ranking North Korean official to have done so. "If the US agrees to talks on nuclear arms reduction, many negotiations would take place including talks on establishing a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula," he said. "However, if the US insists on denuclearisation talks, the North's relations with the US as well as the South will not see as much progress as in 2018." For his part, Kim said he was firmly committed to denuclearisation and was ready to meet US President Donald Trump at any time even though talks with Washington were stalled. Yet, he warned that he could seek "a new way" if the United States "does not make good on its promises [and] misjudges our patience by keeping the sanctions. Likewise, the North Korean leader renewed his call for an end to joint military drills between South Korea and the United States, demanding that no foreign military strategic assets be present onto the Korean Peninsula, saying that they are a "source" of tensions in the region. He also stressed that the all the agreements reached at last year's three inter-Korean summits carry "significant meaning" in that they could be regarded as non-aggression treaty between the Koreas. US President Trump expressed his satisfaction with Kims speech on social media. Kim Jong Un says North Korea will not make or test nuclear weapons, or give them to others - & he is ready to meet President Trump anytime, the US leader tweeted. I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential! Mogherini: Europe still adheres to agreement with Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 1, IRNA -- The EU foreign policy chief, on the eve of the New Year, said in an interview with the news website of the 'Live Mint' that the basis of the work of the European Union is the the International Atomic Energy Agency's reports, and the union is still committed to an agreement with Iran. Federica Mogherini, who ends his post as foreign policy chief of EU in 2019, cited the departure of the US from nuclear deal with Iran in 2018 as one of the most important events this year. 'You have called for Europe to defend its sovereignty by, for example, creating new structures that would allow it to continue to adhere to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran,' Mogherini said in response to a question. She also asked the question whether will such structures actually work, and could the special-purpose vehicle to maintain trade with Iran be used to counter other US sanctions. 'We are working, as a union of 28 member-states and with the rest of the international community, to preserve a nuclear agreement that has so far been implemented in full, as certified by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 13 consecutive reports,' Mogherini added. The EU foreign policy chief added, 'We do this because of our collective security: we do not want to see Iran developing a nuclear weapon, and the JCPOA is delivering precisely on that purpose. I start by saying this because I often hear that, on this issue, Europe is motivated mainly by economic or trade considerations. That is not the case: we do this to prevent a nuclear non-proliferation agreement that is working from being dismantled, and to prevent a major security crisis in the Middle East." She said, "Part of this work requires us to guarantee that firms wanting to do legitimate business with Iran are allowed to do so. Mogherini went on to say that this is what 'we are working on right now: tools that will assist, protect, and reassure economic actors pursuing legitimate business with Iran'. She reiterated that It is true that the current situation has triggered a conversation on European economic sovereignty. "We (Europeans) cannot accept that a foreign power even our closest friend and allymakes decisions over our legitimate trade with another country. This is a basic element of sovereignty, and it is only natural that this reflection takes place, not only in Europe, but in other parts of the world, too,' the top diplomat stressed. 9455**2050 India, Pakistan Exchange Lists of Nuclear Facilities Indian Foreign Ministry Sputnik News 14:32 01.01.2019(updated 17:49 01.01.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) India and Pakistan have exchanged lists of their nuclear facilities in accordance with an 1988 agreement, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday. "India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously in New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations between India and Pakistan," the ministry's statement said. It is the 28th time since 1992 when New Delhi and Islamabad have exchanged their lists of nuclear facilities. "The Agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991 provides, inter alia, that the two countries inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year. This is the twenty-eighth consecutive exchange of such list between the two countries, the first one having taken place on 1 January 1992," the ministry added. Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons and, along with Israel and South Sudan, are not parties to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Sputnik Kim: N. Korea Could Look at 'New Paths' for Defense if Sanctions Persist By VOA News January 01, 2019 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is hinting that the goodwill established with the United States in 2018 may not continue into 2019. In his New Year's Day address Tuesday, Kim said he would be willing to hold another summit with President Donald Trump, but demanded sanctions relief. "If the U.S. fails to carry out its promise to the world ... and remains unchanged in its sanctions and pressure upon the DPRK, we might be compelled to explore a new path for defending the sovereignty of our country and supreme interests of our state," Kim warned. Most of his New Year speech focused on the moribund North Korean economy and his desire to improve the lives of its citizens a task that is nearly impossible if trade with North Korea is severely limited. Kim expressed a "firm will" that North Korea will no longer produce or test nuclear weapons or "use or spread" its arsenal. Negotiations between the United States and North Korea have stalled since the June summit in Singapore. Trump has reportedly questioned why the U.S. has provided the lion's share of the cost of the military alliance and defense of South Korea and has asked Seoul to contribute significantly more. Trump has also questioned the need for U.S. forces on the Korean peninsula. There were several diplomatic breakthroughs between Pyongyang and South Korea in 2018 a sign that the South could be moving away from the U.S. and more toward the North something that would more than please Kim. 'Blackmail' Former U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Evans Revere who has spent many hours negotiating with North Korea says the U.S. is sailing in uncharted and potentially dangerous waters in Korea. "The statement by the North Koreans that they might seek a new path for a new way to defend their country's sovereignty, I think, is a pretty explicit reference to their preparedness to resume nuclear and ballistic missile testing in the coming months if things do not go their way," Revere said. "It's an attempt to blackmail the United States." Revere said the U.S. and North Korea have different definitions of the word "denuclearization." He said Washington applies it to the North while Pyongyang believes it applies to the entire Korean peninsula. He said the North "is tired of hearing Secretary [of State] Pompeo and other members of the administration talk about denuclearization as the U.S. defines it." There has been no official reaction to Kim's speech from the State Department or White House. Ira Mellman contributed to this report. North Korea Says it Will Change Tactics if US Continues with Sanctions By VOA News January 01, 2019 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is warning that the current goodwill with the United States could end if Washington continues to impose sanctions to force his regime to denuclearize. In his annual New Year's Day address, Kim said it was his "firm will" that North Korea will no longer produce or test nuclear weapons, nor would it "use or spread" its arsenal. He added he was prepared to hold another meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump this year. But he said his country may have to take another path unless Washington takes "corresponding measures." He also called on the United States and South Korea to end all joint military drills. Kim Jong Un and President Trump signed a vague agreement during their historic summit in Singapore last June, but further negotiations have stalled over Pyongyang's demand for front-loaded sanctions relief tied to small progress, and its opposition to Washington's call for complete denuclearization prior to granting any concessions. North Korea is also demanding that the United States and South Korea first issue a peace declaration to formally end hostilities and replace the armistice that has been in effect since the Korean War ended in 1953. Critics worry a peace declaration could undermine the justification for the U.S. military presence in South Korea. Despite Kim's warning, South Korea's Unification Ministry welcomed his address, saying it reflected Kim's commitment towards complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean peninsula, and the continued improvement of inter-Korean relations. Tuesday's speech was delivered exactly one year after Kim announced his willingness to send a contingent of North Korean athletes to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea the following month. The speech set off a series of diplomatic breakthroughs, including three summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and the meeting with President Trump. North Korea Warns Of 'New Path' If U.S. Insists On Sanctions By RFE/RL January 01, 2019 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned that his country could seek a "new path" in relations with the United States "if the U.S. does not keep its promise made in front of the whole worldand insists on sanctions and pressures on our republic." In a New Year's statement broadcast on January 1, Kim praised his June 2018 summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore, where the leaders had "fruitful talks" and "exchanged constructive ideas." He also said he was ready to meet again with Trump "at any time in the future." Kim also called on the United States to extend its halt on military exercises with South Korea. He added that the United States "continues to break its promises and misjudges our patience by unilaterally demanding certain things and pushing ahead with sanctions and pressure." At the June summit, Kim and Trump agreed to a vague pledge to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, but little progress has been made on the issue in recent months. A meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean officials was canceled in November and has yet to be rescheduled. On December 31, South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported that Kim had sent Trump a "letter-like" message that was "conciliatory" in tone. The office of South Korean President Moon Jae-in also said Kim had sent a message to Seoul expressing a desire to hold additional Korean summits in 2019 with the goal of denuclearizing the peninsula. Last year, Kim used his New Year's address to open up a new diplomatic initiative with Washington and Seoul that led to three summits with Moon and the historic Singapore summit with Trump. Kim also met three times in 2018 with Chinese President Xi Jinping. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/29686319.html Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. North Korea's leader warns of 'new path' if US pushes ahead with unilateral demands Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 06:48AM North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said he is open to meeting US President Donald Trump anytime for more talks on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but warned that Pyongyang may take "a new path" if Washington keeps the country under pressure and sanctions. In his New Year address on Tuesday, Kim said there would be faster progress on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula if the Trump administration takes corresponding action. The North, however, would be left with "no option but to explore a new path in order to protect our sovereignty" if the US "miscalculates our people's patience, forces something upon us and pursues sanctions and pressure without keeping a promise it made in front of the world," Kim said. He also urged Washington to "keep a promise it made in front of the world," referring to an agreement he reached with Trump in a June summit in Singapore where, the two agreed to work towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Subsequent diplomacy between the two sides has, however, made little progress in recent months, mainly because the US refuses to lift harsh sanctions on the North. Under the agreement with the US in June, the North has taken several steps towards denuclearization; it has suspended missile and nuclear testing, demolished at least one nuclear test site, and agreed to allow international inspectors into a missile engine test facility and another nuclear testing site. Washington, however, insists that sanctions on the North must remain in place until it completely gives up its nuclear weapons. 'Kim's patience with US wearing thin' An analyst at a US think tank, the Washington-based Centre for the National Interest, said Kim's remarks send a clear message that Pyongyang is willing to stay in talks with the US and South Korea this year but on its own terms. Harry Kazianis said Kim's remarks "seem to suggest his patience with America is wearing thin" and that he "seems determined in 2019 to receive some sort of sanctions relief." "The challenge, however, is will Team Trump be willing to back away from its position of zero sanctions relief?" he added. 'South must stop drills with outsiders' Kim also had a message for South Korea, with which it has improved relations since a dramatic summit between Kim and the South's President Moon Jae-in in January last year. The two leaders have, last year, held three summits, the latest of which was held in the North's capital, Pyongyang, in September, when they signed a joint agreement to take a step closer to peace by turning the Korean Peninsula into a "land of peace without nuclear weapons and nuclear threats." "Now that North and South Korea decided to take the path of peace and prosperity, we insist that joint military exercises with outside forces should no longer be allowed and deployment of war equipment such as outside strategic assets should be completely stopped," Kim said on Tuesday. After the Singapore summit, Trump promised to indefinitely suspend joint US-South Korea military exercises that were seen by Pyongyang as preparations to invade the North. The US president, however, said later that he saw no reason for "spending large amounts of money on joint US-South Korea war games." The North's leader also said inter-Korean relations have now entered a "completely new phase," and that he is willing to resume key joint economic projects with Seoul without conditions. The South Korean president's office said on Monday that he received a message from Kim who pledged "frequent" meetings with him next year with the aim of pursuing peace and solving "the issue of denuclearization of the peninsula together." The two neighbors technically remain at war after the end of the Korean War in 1953. The war ended with a truce and not a peace treaty. Ever since, the two countries were on a near-constant war footing. New Year Address of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Date: 01/01/2019 Pyongyang, January 1 (KCNA) -- The following is the full text of the New Year Address made by Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un on January 1, 2019: Dear people and service personnel of the People's Army across the country, Dear compatriots, Dear comrades and friends, Having seen out the year 2018, in which we adorned the history of the motherland, the revolution and the nation with meaningful events leaving another indelible imprint in the history, we are seeing in the new year 2019 full of hope. As we see in the new year, I extend heartfelt greetings to all the people and service personnel who devoted their all for the cause of socialist construction sharing the same mind and pace with our Party in the eventful days of last year, and wish that homes across the country will brim with affection, hope and happiness. My warm new year greetings go also to the compatriots in the south and abroad, who shared our will in writing a new history of reconciliation, unity, peace and prosperity of the nation. I wish success in the work of heads of state and other foreign friends who are making efforts for social progress and development and global peace and justice. Comrades, The year 2018 was a historic year, in which remarkable changes took place in the internal and external situations and our socialist construction entered a new stage thanks to our Party's line of independence and strategic decision. The Third Plenary Meeting of the Seventh Party Central Committee held in April last year constituted an occasion of pivotal significance in developing our revolution onto a new stage and continuing to speed up the advance of socialism on the basis of the great victory of the line of promoting the two fronts simultaneously. Following the road of arduous struggle with faith in certain victory of socialism, our people provided by their own efforts a sure guarantee for defending their sovereignty and achieving peace and prosperity, and became able to set out on a grand revolutionary advance to attain still higher goals for the construction of a prosperous country. Thanks to our proactive and positive efforts, a peace-oriented current was created on the Korean peninsula and the international prestige of our Republic continued to be raised, and in the midst of this we celebrated the 70th anniversary of the founding of the glorious DPRK in splendour with great dignity and self-confidence. Through the celebratory events held in September, the might of the DPRK, which achieved the ideological oneness of the whole society and the single-hearted unity of the Party and the people and which possesses a reliable self-supporting economy and self-reliant defence capabilities, and the ardent will of the heroic Korean people to fight to the end for the victory of the socialist cause were fully demonstrated in front of the eyes of the world. Last year all the people further consolidated the foundations of the self-supporting economy by turning out in the struggle for carrying out the Party's new strategic line of concentrating all efforts on economic construction. Meaningful and valuable advances were made in the struggle for implementing the line of making the national economy Juche-oriented. The generation capacity of the Pukchang Thermal Power Complex was increased remarkably, the Kim Chaek and Hwanghae iron and steel complexes and other metallurgical works built on their successes in establishing the Juche orientation in production, and dynamic efforts were made to strengthen the independent foundations of the chemical industry. The quality of various vehicles and light-industry products that give us pleasure at sight as they were made by our efforts, technology and resources was raised to a higher level and their mass production was realized, bringing delight to our people. The working class in the coal-mining industry, in defence of the lifeline of the self-supporting economy, conducted a do-or-die campaign for production when everything was in difficulty, and the agricultural sector waged an unremitting struggle for increased cereal production, thus producing a large number of high-yielding units and farmers even in adverse weather conditions. The munitions industry, in hearty response to our Party's militant call for concentrating all efforts on economic construction, produced a variety of farm machinery, construction equipment, cooperative products and consumer goods, thereby giving an impetus to economic development and the improvement of the people's living standards. Last year the gigantic construction projects, geared to adding glory to the era of the Workers' Party according to the Party's long-term plan and operations, proceeded in a three-dimensional way and on a grand scale. This demonstrated in reality the stout mettle of socialist Korea that never flinches in the face of any adversity but achieves victory after victory by surging forward more forcefully, as well as the inexhaustible potentials of our independent economy. True to the decision of the April Plenary Meeting of the Party Central Committee on bringing about a revolutionary turn in science and education, the sector of science and technology presented valuable research findings conducive to accelerating the growth of hi-tech industries and revitalizing the national economy; the efforts to make education modern and scientific gained momentum, the teaching conditions and environment being updated at many universities, colleges, middle and primary schools across the country. The sector of art and culture produced and staged a grand mass gymnastics and artistic performance, evoking positive response from at home and abroad and vividly showing the advanced level of Juche-oriented art and its peculiar features and advantages. Comrades, Through the struggle of last year, which added a new page of proud victory to the annals of our revolution, we have been convinced once again of the validity of our own cause and the invincible strength of our state. Thanks to our people's indomitable fight against the challenge of injustice, our state's might of self-development has increased on a steady basis and the cause of building a powerful socialist country is progressing at a faster pace. Availing myself of this opportunity, I should like to extend my heartfelt thanks, once again, to all the people including the service personnel of the People's Army for advancing non-stop along the road of victory indicated by the Party and thus performing feats that will shine brilliantly in the history of our country. Comrades, Having grown seasoned and powerful amid the struggle to glorify the new era of the Juche revolution, our Party and people are launching the new year march full of greater confidence and ambition. This year we are faced with the task of expanding the country's capability of independent development to open up bright prospects for taking a step forward towards socialist construction. We have the strength and foundations to bring forward a brighter future of socialism by our own efforts, and we have also developed our own strategy and creative methods to this end. When we strive hard with an indefatigable spirit on the principle of self-reliance by adhering to the Party's new strategic line, our country's strength will redouble and our people's dreams and ideals will come true. "Let us open a new road of advance for socialist construction under the uplifted banner of self-reliance!"-this is the slogan we should uphold. We should bring about a revolutionary upsurge on all fronts of socialist construction by regarding self-reliance as a treasured sword for prosperity, a spirit which has always been a banner of struggle and driving force for a leap forward in the whole course of the Korean revolution. The might of the independent socialist economy should be further strengthened. We should rely on our own technical forces and resources and the high creative spirit and revolutionary enthusiasm of all the people so as to succeed in attaining the strategic goals of national economic development and enter a new stage of growth. We should properly plan and thoroughly implement the national operations aimed at maintaining, reinforcing and reenergizing the national economy as a whole. Strategic measures should be taken to give full play to the potentials of the self-supporting economy and utilize the new elements and driving force for economic development, and the manpower and material resources of the country should be enlisted in economic construction in a cost-effective way. We should focus on the main link in the national economic work, reenergize the other links of its whole chain and promote the long-term development of the economy, so as to push forward its revitalization. The management method should be innovated to satisfactorily realize the unified guidance of the state over the overall economy and give fullest play to the voluntary enthusiasm and creative abilities of the working people. The Cabinet and other state and economic guidance organs should improve planning, pricing, and monetary and financial management in line with socialist economic law and make sure that economic levers have a positive effect on the revitalization of production and expanded reproduction in enterprises. They should adjust the structures and system of work to raise the efficiency of economic work and to make enterprises smoothly conduct their business activities. Talented personnel, science and technology are our major strategic resources and weapons with which to bring about a great leap forward in socialist construction. The state should promote talent training and sci-tech development purposefully and increase its investment in them. It is necessary to improve the quality of training talented personnel, who will shoulder the socio-economic development, by improving the teaching contents and methods in conformity with the world trend of developing education and pedagogical requirements. We should set a high goal of developing new technologies and concentrate our efforts on the research into core technologies of great practical and economic significance, so as to secure the leading force of economic growth. We should also take institutional measures so that scientific research institutes and enterprises, in close cooperation, can boost production and technological development and enhance intellectual creativity. Every sector in the national economy should give impetus to hitting the targets of the five-year strategy for national economic development. We should direct primary efforts to relieving the shortage of electricity to make a breakthrough in revitalizing the national economy. One of the most important and pressing tasks in socialist economic construction for this year is to radically increase the production of electricity. By focusing state investment on the electric-power industry to maintain and reinforce its existing foundation and making maximum and effective use of it to renovate and modernize one by one badly needed sectors and projects, we can, for the present, raise power generation to the peak year level. We should take the problem of easing the strain on electricity as an undertaking of the whole state, step up the construction of hydroelectric power stations including Orangchon and Tanchon power stations and create a capacity for generating tidal, wind and atomic power under a far-reaching plan. Provinces, cities and counties should develop and utilize in an effective way various energy sources available in their local areas. The coal-mining industry is a primary front in developing the self-supporting economy. Only when coal is mass-produced can we resolve the problem of electricity and satisfy the demand for fuel and power for different sectors of the national economy including the metallurgical industry. The coal-mining industry should channel efforts, first and foremost, into supplying coal to thermal power stations so that they can normalize electricity generation without letup. The whole country should render active ideological and spiritual, material and technical assistance to coal mines, and the state should take stringent steps to provide in a responsible manner facilities and materials needed for coal production and good living conditions for coal miners. A greater development should be achieved in establishing the Juche orientation in the metallurgical and chemical industries, the two pillars in economic construction. The metallurgical industry should lower production cost to the minimum by perfecting the scientific and technological aspects of the Juche-oriented iron- and steel-making processes and ensuring their normal operation, and work out and implement an operations plan for providing them with full amounts of iron ore, refractories and ferro-alloys to meet their increased production capacity. The chemical industry should step up the building of the phosphatic fertilizer factory and the establishment of the C1 chemical industry, develop the glauberite and synthetic fibre industries and convert the existing equipment and technical processes into energy-saving and labour-saving ones. This year a nationwide effort should be made to run the chemical fertilizer factories at full capacity and boost production at the February 8 Vinalon Complex. Rail and other transport sectors should launch an intensive campaign to strengthen discipline and increase their carriage and traffic capacities to ease the strain on transport. The machine-building industry should upgrade designing and processing techniques to develop and produce a variety of modern machinery and equipment in our own way to suit our actual conditions. Improving the people's standard of living radically is a matter of greatest importance for our Party and state. The agricultural front, the major point of attack in socialist economic construction, should conduct a campaign for increased production. The Cabinet and other relevant sectors should give effective scientific and technical guidance for each farming process and supply sufficient amounts of materials needed for this year's farming, thus increasing cereal production decisively. They should respect the opinions and interests of farmers, masters of farming, and meet the demands of the socialist principle of distribution properly. It is necessary to adhere to the four key factors set forth by the Party for the development of livestock farming, modernize and reenergize stockbreeding bases like chicken farms, and encourage the joint stockbreeding by cooperative farms and the sideline stockbreeding by individual farmers so as to supply the people with more meat and eggs. The fishing sector should consolidate its material and technical foundations, put fishing and aquatic culture on a scientific basis and protect and increase aquatic resources, so as to open a new path for developing the fishing industry. The sector of light industry, by consistently upholding the banner of modernizing production lines, obtaining at home everything needed for production and improving quality, should produce and supply various kinds of consumer goods that are favoured by the people, and ensure that provinces, cities and counties renovate the condiments factories and other locally-run plants and maintain their regular operation by relying on the locally available raw materials and other resources. This year, too, we should push ahead, in a bold manner, with huge construction projects for national prosperity and the people's wellbeing. The whole Party, the entire army and all the people should turn out to transform Samjiyon County into a model of modern mountainous city, an ideal socialist village, and complete on the highest possible level the construction projects that would represent the present era, including the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area and other new tourist areas. It is important to steadily improve architectural designing and construction methods, and ensure domestic production and better quality of finishing materials, so as to build all the architectural structures magnificently and in our own style and provide our people with a cultured, happy life. With the national-level construction projects underway on an extensive scale, we should build up the capacity of producing cement and other building materials as planned. We should make proactive efforts to implement the tasks for the second stage of the forest restoration campaign, improve landscaping, urban management and road administration, and take every precaution against environmental pollution. All sectors and all units should fulfil their quotas of the national economic plan in all its indices by identifying and enlisting every last reserve, possibility and potential and by increasing production and practising economy. The politico-ideological strength of our socialist state should be increased in every way possible. It is necessary to unite the broad sections of the masses solidly around the Party by thoroughly applying the Juche-oriented view on the people, a people-oriented philosophy, in Party and state activities. Party and government organs and working people's organizations should give top and absolute priority to the people's interests whatever they plan and whatever they conduct; they should lend an ear to their sincere opinions, prioritize their wants and anything beneficial to them, and strive to translate them into reality without any conditions attached. Anywhere, anytime and under any circumstances, they should make selfless, devoted efforts for the good of the people, direct primary attention to their livelihood, and ensure that everybody benefits from the politics of affection and trust, the one of embracing and taking care of them all. They should intensify the struggle to eradicate both serious and trivial instances of abuse of power, bureaucratism and corruption, which would wreak havoc on the harmonious whole of the Party and the masses and undermine the socialist system. However the situation and circumstances may change, Party members and all other working people should cherish the principle of our state first as an element of their faith and step up socialist economic construction in our own way. They should glorify the country's great history by working with sincere devotion and a patriotic desire for developing their homeland by their own efforts before the eyes of the world, the precious land of socialism which they have defended from generation to generation. We should accelerate the building of socialist civilization. A revolutionary habit of studying and a way of cultural and emotional life should be established throughout society, so that all the people possess versatile knowledge and cultural attainments as required by the developing times. The sector of art and literature should create splendid works including films and songs that reflect the times and reality and touch the people's heartstrings, thus enriching the spiritual and cultural wealth of the nation and giving a powerful impetus to today's grand revolutionary march. We should ensure that all the people realize the advantages of the socialist public health system by modernizing pharmaceutical and medical appliance factories, upgrading medical institutions and raising the level of medical service. Mass-based sporting activities should be conducted briskly and specialized sporting techniques developed to ensure that the whole country brims over with vigour and optimism and the sportspeople continue to demonstrate the wisdom and might of Koreans in international competitions. We should launch a powerful drive to establish a socialist way of life and ennobling moral discipline, thus ensuring that no immoral and uncultured practices that run counter to our people's emotions and aesthetic view are revealed. By doing so, we can turn the whole society into a large, harmonious family filled with moral excellence and tender feelings. The national defence capability should be solidified. The People's Army should reliably defend the Party and revolution and the security of the country and the people and continuously perform miraculous feats at all sites of socialist construction as in the past by consistently holding fast to the four-point policy for developing it into a powerful army. By doing so, it should demonstrate to the full the might of the revolutionary army, the invincible might of the army of our Party. The Korean People's Internal Security Forces, as befitting the red shield of the revolution, should defend unto death our Party, system and people, and the Worker-Peasant Red Guards should effect a turn in strengthening its combat efficiency in this year of its 60th founding anniversary. Powerful self-defence capacity is a cornerstone of the existence of a state and a guarantee for safeguarding peace. The munitions industry should, on the one hand, steadily raise the national defence capacity to that of the world's advanced countries by stepping up the effort for making the defence industry Juche-based and modern, therefore guaranteeing the peace on the Korean peninsula by force of arms, and, on the other, should actively support economic construction. In order to successfully carry out the militant tasks facing us this year, officials, leading members of the revolution, should make redoubled efforts and struggle with determination and courage. It is none other than the masses of the people that constitute the motive force and are responsible for carrying out Party policy, and they know actual conditions better than anybody else. Officials should always immerse themselves in the pulsating reality, seeing everything with their own eyes and conducting a comprehensive analysis of how matters stand; they should go deep among the masses, sharing board and lodging with them and motivating them to resolve bottlenecks if any. They should set their ideals and ambitions in keeping with the Party's plans, and steadily improve their practical abilities and widen their horizon; in this way they should become competent organizers and hands-on workers who make persistent efforts to achieve everything perfectly at the standard demanded by the Party. They should throw themselves into doing any challenging task, burn the midnight oil pondering on how to bring benefit to the country and people, and find the worth of their work in the people's happy laughter. Today young people should play a large part in promoting socialist construction. With the same spirit and mettle which they displayed in recent years to create legendary tales of the new era in response to the Party's militant appeal, they should honour their title of vanguard at the revolutionary posts where the Party wants them to be. In the present stirring era they should become pioneers of new technology, creators of new culture and pathfinders for a great leap forward; they should make sure that youthful vigour and stamina are overflowing wherever they work. It is needed to decisively increase the role of Party organizations. Party organizations at all levels should conduct political and ideological work in a progressive manner in line with the requirements of the times and the developing revolution in order to make our people give full play to the strength of their indomitable spirit on all fronts of socialist construction. They should give a boost to administrative and economic officials so that they can map out plans and provide guidance for implementing Party policy in a responsible way, and fire a zeal for collective innovation and competition in their sectors and units. Provincial, city and county Party committees should wage a powerful struggle to bring about a turn in the development of farming, education and local industries. Comrades, Last year was a stirring year which witnessed a dramatic change unprecedented in the history of national division spanning over 70 years. With a determination to usher in an era of national reconciliation, peace and prosperity by putting an end to the abnormal state on the Korean peninsula which had suffered a constant war crisis, we took proactive and bold measures to effect a great turn in north-south relations from the outset of last year. It is unprecedented that three rounds of inter-Korean summit meetings and talks were held in a year amid great expectations and interest of peoples at home and abroad, and this clearly showed that north-south relations entered a completely new stage. The Panmunjom Declaration, the September Pyongyang Joint Declaration and the north-south agreement in the military field, which were adopted by reflecting the firm resolve and will to usher in an era of peace in which war exists no longer on the Korean peninsula, are of great significance as a virtual nonaggression declaration in which north and south have committed themselves to terminating fratricidal war based on force of arms. While sportspersons of north and south displayed the wisdom and strength of the nation by jointly entering international competitions, artistes came and went to Pyongyang and Seoul to fire the enthusiasm for national reconciliation and reunification. We took the significant first step towards common prosperity of the nation by promoting cooperation projects in various fields including railways, road, forestry and public health while resolutely overcoming manifold obstacles and difficulties. The surprising changes which took place in inter-Korean relations last year convinced all the fellow countrymen that when they join minds and efforts, they can turn the Korean peninsula into the true home of the nation, which is the most peaceful and will prosper forever. Though it was the initial step, north and south pooled intentions and wisdom to surely reverse inter-Korean relations in the utmost extremes of distrust and confrontation to those of trust and reconciliation and make in a short time eye-opening achievements which were unimaginable in the past. I am very satisfied with that. In the New Year 2019 we should make greater strides in our efforts to boost inter-Korean relations, achieve peace and prosperity and reunify the country on the basis of the priceless achievements we made last year which was wonderfully adorned with unprecedented events. All the nationals should hold high the slogan "Let us usher in a heyday of peace, prosperity and reunification of the Korean peninsula by thoroughly implementing the historic north-south declarations!" It is our steadfast will to eradicate military hostility between north and south and make the Korean peninsula a durable and lasting peace zone. North and south, as they agreed, should take practical measures proactively to remove military hostility on the whole of the Korean peninsula, including the ground, airspace and sea, as a follow-up to its ending in the areas of confrontation. Given that north and south committed themselves to advancing along the road of peace and prosperity, we maintain that the joint military exercises with foreign forces, which constitute the source of aggravating the situation on the Korean peninsula, should no longer be permitted and the introduction of war equipment including strategic assets from outside should completely be suspended. It is also needed to actively promote multi-party negotiations for replacing the current ceasefire on the Korean peninsula with a peace mechanism in close contact with the signatories to the armistice agreement so as to lay a lasting and substantial peace-keeping foundation. All the fellow countrymen should unite as one, being conscious that the master of peace on the peninsula is our nation, in order to wage a powerful struggle to check and frustrate all the moves that wreck peace and incite military tension on this land. Inter-Korean cooperation and exchanges should be expanded and developed in an all-round way so that national reconciliation and unity can be consolidated and all the fellow countrymen can practically benefit from improved north-south relations. For the present, we are willing to resume the Kaesong Industrial Park and Mt Kumgang tourism without any precondition and in return for nothing, in consideration of the hard conditions of businesspersons of the south side who had advanced into the Kaesong Industrial Park and the desire of southern compatriots who are eager to visit the nation's celebrated mountain. When north and south join hands firmly and rely on the united strength of the fellow countrymen, no external sanctions and pressure, challenges and trials will be able to hinder us in our efforts to open a broad avenue to national prosperity. We will never tolerate the interference and intervention of outside forces who stand in the way of national reconciliation, unity and reunification with the design to subordinate inter-Korean relations to their tastes and interests. North and south should not pass up the favourable atmosphere of today when all the nationals' interest in and aspiration for reunification are growing unprecedentedly, but actively try to find a peaceful reunification plan based on nationwide agreement and direct sincere efforts to this end. All the fellow countrymen in north, south and abroad should further accelerate in high spirits the nationwide advance for implementing the north-south declarations, and thus glorify this year as a historic one when another radical change is brought about in the development of inter-Korean relations and implementation of the cause of national reunification. Comrades, Last year, our Party and the government of our Republic exerted responsible efforts to safeguard the peace and security of the world and expand and strengthen friendship with different countries. The three rounds of our visit to the People's Republic of China and the Cuban delegation's visit to our country were remarkable events in boosting strategic communication and traditional ties of friendship and cooperation among the socialist countries. Last year, frequent visits and exchanges were made on Party, state and government levels between the DPRK and many countries of the world, with the result that they deepened mutual understanding and confirmed the stand and will to promote sound development of the international community. The historic, first-ever DPRK-US summit meeting and talks brought about a dramatic turn in the bilateral relationship which was the most hostile on the earth and made a great contribution to ensuring peace and security of the Korean peninsula and the region. It is the invariable stand of our Party and the government of our Republic and my firm will to establish a new bilateral relationship that meets the demand of the new era as clarified in the June 12 DPRK-US Joint Statement, build a lasting and durable peace regime and advance towards complete denuclearization. Accordingly, we declared at home and abroad that we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them, and we have taken various practical measures. If the US responds to our proactive, prior efforts with trustworthy measures and corresponding practical actions, bilateral relations will develop wonderfully at a fast pace through the process of taking more definite and epochal measures. We have no intention to be obsessed with and keep up the unsavoury past relationship between the two countries, but are ready to fix it as early as possible and work to forge a new relationship in line with the aspirations of the two peoples and the requirements of the developing times. As evidenced by the reality of north-south relations that made rapid progress last year, nothing is impossible to a willing heart, and dialogue partners will reach the destinations that are beneficial to each other without fail if they put forward fair proposals on the principle of recognizing and respecting each other by abandoning their dogged insistence broadmindedly and conduct negotiations with a proper stand and the will to settle issues. I want to believe that our relations with the United States will bear good fruit this year, as inter-Korean relations have greeted a great turn, by the efforts of the two sides. I am of the opinion that, while meeting and holding talks beneficial to both sides with the US president in June last year, we exchanged constructive views and reached a consensus of understanding for a shortcut to removing each other's apprehensions and resolving the entangled problems. I am ready to meet the US president again anytime, and will make efforts to obtain without fail results which can be welcomed by the international community. But if the United States does not keep the promise it made in the eyes of the world, and out of miscalculation of our people's patience, it attempts to unilaterally enforce something upon us and persists in imposing sanctions and pressure against our Republic, we may be compelled to find a new way for defending the sovereignty of the country and the supreme interests of the state and for achieving peace and stability of the Korean peninsula. The stabilized situation on the Korean peninsula and in the region is never something that has been created with ease, and the countries that are truly desirous of peace have the common responsibility for setting great store by the current situation. The neighbouring countries and international community have to support our sincere stand and efforts for promoting the positive development of the situation on the Korean peninsula and fight against all practices and challenges that wreck peace and run counter to justice. Our Party and the government of our Republic will continue to bolster up unity and cooperation with the socialist countries and develop relations with all countries that are friendly to us under the ideals of independence, peace and friendship. Comrades, We are beginning the journey of the new year as we brace ourselves once again with the resolve to work devotedly for our country, our motherland, and the happier laughter of younger generations. What we are convinced of once again as we proudly review the past year when we made rapid progress while paving our way by our own efforts with belief in our own strength in the face of harsh economic blockade and sanctions, is the truth that our state is fully capable of dynamically advancing along the road of development of socialism of our own style by dint of our people's great strength and efforts, without any external assistance or any other's help. This year, too, we will face constant obstacles and challenges in our progress, but no one can change our determination and will and stop our vigorous advance and our people will successfully achieve their beautiful ideals and goals without fail. Let us all work energetically and with one mind and will for the prosperity and development of the genuine people's country, the socialist motherland. -0- Trump, Xi vow to strengthen US-China bilateral ties: State media Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 07:18PM Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump have exchanged messages, vowing to enhance cooperation despite a months-long bruising trade war. The two leaders on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-US diplomatic relations, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported. President Xi said he attached "great importance" to the development of bilateral ties, stressing that he was "willing" to work with Trump in improving the Beijing-Washington relations. The Chinese president also underlined the importance of working with Washington "to advance China-US relations featuring coordination, cooperation and stability," adding that the outcome of such cooperation would "better benefit the two peoples as well as the people of the rest of the world." Xi further stressed that history has proved that cooperation is the best choice for both sides. Trump, for his part, praised the last four decades of diplomacy between Beijing and Washington, hailing his "solid friendship" with President Xi, Xinhua reported. The American president, according to the Chinese news agency, also underlined his priority to promote cooperative and constructive US-China relations. In 2017, the US imported nearly 500 billion dollars' worth of products from China while exporting about 130 billion dollars in American goods to the Asian country in the same period. Beijing and Washington engaged in a trade war after Trump announced in June that $50 billion worth of Chinese goods would be subject to 25 percent tariffs in an attempt to "fix" the US-Chinese trade deficit. Since then, the two countries have exchanged several rounds of trade tariffs. The two leaders, however, came to an agreement on a truce on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Buenos Aires over a month ago. The ceasefire has so far showed a number of small signs of progress, and an absence of new threats from the White House. Trump has already frozen the latest planned tariff hike against China, and on Saturday he reported "big progress" after a phone conversation with Xi. The two countries established diplomatic relations on January 1, 1979, with Washington pledging to maintain only non-official relation with Taiwan, which China considers as part of its territory. Last month, China's major state-owned grain stockpiler announced that it had resumed buying American soybeans, with Beijing saying that it would suspend extra duties on US-made cars and auto parts starting January 1. Xi, Trump exchange congratulations over 40th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic ties People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:04, January 01, 2019 Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday exchanged congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations. In his congratulatory message, Xi said China-U.S. relations have experienced ups and downs and made historic progress over the past 40 years, bringing huge benefits to the two peoples and contributing greatly to world peace, stability and prosperity. History has proved that cooperation is the best choice for both sides, Xi said. Currently, China-U.S. relations are in an important stage, he noted. "I attach great importance to the development of China-U.S. relations and am willing to work with President Trump to summarize the experience of the development of China-U.S. relations and implement the consensus we have reached in a joint effort to advance China-U.S. relations featuring coordination, cooperation and stability so as to better benefit the two peoples as well as the people of the rest of the world," Xi said. For his part, Trump said Jan. 1, 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of U.S.-China diplomatic relations. Great progress has been made in the development of bilateral ties over the past years, he noted. Trump said it is his priority to promote cooperative and constructive U.S.-China relations, adding that his solid friendship with President Xi has laid a firm foundation for the great achievements of the two countries in coming years. Bolsonaro Sworn in as President, Vows Alignment With US Sputnik News 20:14 01.01.2019(updated 21:40 01.01.2019) Right-wing politician Jair Bolsonaro took an oath of office as Brazil's next president on Tuesday, promising to introduce important changes and reforms in the state. Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's newly elected president, has vowed to adopt and implement economic policies that will benefit businesses, target corruption and combat drug cartels; he also reaffirmed his alignment with the United States during his oath of office on Tuesday, according to the country's lower house. The politician has taken an oath of office at a special session of the Chamber of Deputies. The move comes after Bolsonaro, who represents the right-wing Social Liberal Party, secured a four-year presidential term by winning the October election. The Tuesday inauguration of Bolsonaro was attended by a number of foreign delegations, including representatives of Russia. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also attended the inauguration ceremony. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump congratulated Jair Bolsonaro on his victory and making 'a great inauguration speech.' Responding to Trump's comment, the newly elected Brazilian president said that together and 'under God's protection', the partners 'shall bring prosperity and progress.' Bolsonaro, who is an ex-army captain managed to attain power amid escalating voter discontent caused by political graft, surging violent street crime, and an unstable economy. Sputnik Card Beshara al-Rahis New Year message addresses the countrys political crisis, slamming those who hinder the formation of a new cabinet, which is needed to ensure "political, economic and social stability". For Greek-Catholic metropolitan, the interests of the nation [come] above everything else. Beirut (AsiaNews) In his New Year message, Maronite Patriarch Card Beshara al-Rahi criticised the countrys Shia, Sunni and Christian lawmakers for failing to reach an agreement to form a new government after eight months. The cardinal accuses those who "have hindered the formation of a government [. . .] of failing to fulfil their duty to ensure peace, which the people of Lebanon need." The head of the Maronite Church would like to see a non-political cabinet be set up, with experts and specialists from various domains to overcome the current political, economic and governmental stalemate. For the cardinal, the country is "hostage to political militias" who have made the crisis worse, so much so that ordinary Lebanese have taken to the streets to protest. In his homily during yesterdays solemn Mass at the Patriarchate headquarters in Bkerke, Card al-Rahi stated that peace in his view means "political, economic and social stability, and employment opportunities for everyone." If those who lead the country really want to "revive Lebanon", they must avert "financial and governmental crises" by establishing a "neutral government of technocrats." Some of the obstacles to forming a new cabinet, which was expected before Christmas holidays, include the balance of power within the various party alliances and the assignment of some of the most important ministries, like the ministries of industry, environment and information. "We want to live together with respect and mutual trust in the implementation of the spirit and the letter of the Taif agreement", the patriarch said. The latter refers to the accord that ended the Lebanese civil war. The Greek Catholic Metropolitan of Beirut Elias Audi shares the patriarchs concerns. In a statement, he called for the new year to provide "a different way for political factions to proceed since it is their duty to put "the interests of the nation above everything else." Since last May Lebanon has been waiting for a strong and united government to deal with the countrys many threats and challenges: from the economy to the immigration crisis, from rising poverty to high unemployment, especially among young people. The Lebanese Church has been very critical of this very serious situation, exacerbated by the war in neighbouring Syria, which has triggered an unprecedented humanitarian emergency. Bolsonaro sworn in as Brazil's new president, vows to fight crime, corruption Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 09:33PM Far-right nationalist politician Jair Bolsonaro has taken office as Brazil's new president, promising to crack down on rampant political corruption and crime, besides the economic mismanagement of previous leftist governments of Latin America's biggest nation. In his inauguration speech before the Congress, the 63-year-old former paratrooper and veteran lawmaker vowed to adhere to democratic rules of Brazil's Constitution. He also called for "a true national pact between society and the executive, legislative and judicial powers" to restore the lackluster economy -- "without ideological bias." Bolsonaro then called on Brazilians lawmakers to help him "free the nation definitively from the yoke of corruption, crime, economic irresponsibility and ideological submission." The new Brazilian president later pledged to open foreign markets for his country, bring about reforms aimed at reduction of the budget deficit and put government accounts on a sustainable path. Security was tight for Bolsonaro's inauguration in the wake of a knife attack during his presidential campaign that left him hospitalized for weeks. Some 10,000 police officers and soldiers were deployed on the streets of the capital Brasilia as Bolsonaro and his wife rode in an open-topped Rolls Royce to the Congress. Bolsonaro received swift congratulations via Twitter from US President Donald Trump, with whom he shares nationalist instincts and a disdain of multilateral organizations. "I truly appreciate your words of encouragement. Together, under God's protection, we shall bring prosperity and progress to our people!" Bolsonaro responded. Bolsonaro plans to move Brazil away from ties with developing nations, and instead closer to the policies of Western leaders, particularly Trump. He also aims to move the Brazilian embassy in the occupied Palestinian territories from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds, breaking with Brazil's traditional support for the so-called two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Bolsonaro has vowed to pull his Latin American country out of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, and is mulling over withdrawal from the Paris climate accord. Analysts describe pension reform as the biggest challenge for the new Brazilian leader amid dangerous rise of public debt and strong need for the overhaul of Brazil's costly social security pension system. New Horizons Probe Flies By Distant Asteroid Ultima Thule - NASA Sputnik News 10:37 01.01.2019(updated 11:17 01.01.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US space probe New Horizons flew past 2014 MU69 Ultima Thule asteroid at the very edge of the solar system, making it the farthest from the Earth ever visited by a probe from our planet, NASA said on Tuesday. "RIGHT NOW, ~1 billion miles past Pluto, @NASANewHorizons is performing the most distant spacecraft flyby ever as it zooms past #UltimaThule, an icy, ancient rock in the Kuiper Belt," NASA wrote on Twitter. The closest approach between the probe and the asteroid occurred at 05:33 GMT. According to NASA calculations, the lowest distance between the probe and the asteroid at that time was only 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles). Earlier, mission supervisor Alan Stern reported that on the cameras installed on the device, the asteroid will be the same size as the full moon viewed from Earth. In this case, the probe will literally sweep past Ultima Thule at a speed of 32,000 miles per hour (51,000 kilometers per hour or about 14.6 kilometers per second). Asteroid 2014 MU69 was discovered via the Hubble orbital telescope back in 2014. In March 2018, NASA called it Ultima Thule, which means "The Edge of the World," on the basis of Internet voting. As noted by NASA, until now, researchers know very little about this space body, so they expect to learn more as a result of data obtained during the convergence. New Horizons, which is considered the fastest ever spacecraft ever sent to space from the Earth, was launched in January 2006. A year later, it passed Jupiter at a record close distance of 2.3 million kilometers, transmitting valuable information about the atmosphere and the magnetosphere of the planet, as well as about its satellites, to the Earth. After that, the device continued the space trip in "sleep mode" to preserve the capabilities of the equipment installed on it. Sputnik US Top Commander in Afghanistan Tells Troops to Be Ready for 'Any Outcome' Sputnik News 01:22 02.01.2019 According to the top US general in Afghanistan, peace talks with the Taliban could go either way and NATO troops must be ready for "any outcome." General Scott Miller, commander of US forces in Afghanistan and commander of the NATO non-combat Resolution Support (RS) mission in Afghanistan, told NATO troops to be ready for any outcome in peace talks between Washington and the Taliban. Speaking before troops at RS headquarters in Kabul on January 1, Miller warned of preparing for both "positive processes or negative consequences," according to Reuters. "Peace talks [are] out there, regional players pressing for peace, the Taliban talking about peace, the Afghan government is talking about peace," he said. "Are [the RS] able to adapt? Are we able to adjust? Are we able to be in the right place to support positive processes and negative consequences, that's what I ask you guys to think about in 2019," he added. Miller provided no comment regarding a US withdrawal from the country and an end to the longest war that America has ever promoted on foreign soil, however. According to earlier reports citing an anonymous source in the Pentagon, US President Donald Trump mulled withdrawing some 7,000-14,000 troops from Afghanistan, just after ordering a complete troop withdrawal from Syria. Those rumors were later refuted by White House spokesman Garret Marquis, who said that the president has not issued a withdrawal order to end the 16-year Afghanistan war, although the possibility of such a future action was not denied. The United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as a part of its global War on Terror following the 9/11 attacks, aiming to topple the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Almost seventeen years later, US representatives have begun negotiations with Taliban representatives. "Officials from the warring sides have met at least three times to discuss the withdrawal of international forces and a ceasefire in 2019. However, fighting has not subsided even as diplomatic efforts intensify," according to Reuters. In their 2018 annual statement, the Taliban claimed the victory, saying that they had forced the US to invite them to the negotiating table. "The Mujahideen defended valiantly [] the invaders were forced to review their war strategy," the group said in a statement. As negotiations over the end of the war and the future of the mountainous country gather momentum, the Taliban ramped up efforts to reassure Afghan citizens that they have nothing to fear after the foreign forces leave. Considering the Taliban's strict views on Islam, however, many believe that there is a justified fear of a new repressive religious fundamentalist regime, similar to that of Saudi Arabia and Iran, Reuters reported. Sputnik Somalia Foreign Ministry Declares UN Special Envoy 'Persona Non-Grata' Sputnik News 03:59 02.01.2019(updated 04:07 02.01.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A UN compound was shelled Tuesday in Mogadishu and two UN staff members were injured. UN Special Representative Nicholas Haysom has strongly condemned the attack which "may amount to a violation of international humanitarian law." The Somali Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that UN Special Representative Nicholas Haysom had become a 'persona non-grata,' indicating that he was no longer welcome in the country. "Somali notifies UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres that the United Nations envoy Nicholas Haysom is persona non-grata in the country and cannot operate," the statement said, quoted by the Garowe Online newspaper. The ministry accused the envoy of meddling in the country's sovereign affairs and "blatantly violating protocols." Haysom has been occupying the post of the UN special envoy for Somalia since September 2018. Sputnik Somalia Military Executes 6 Militants Without Trial By Mohamed Olad Hassan January 01, 2019 The Somali military has executed six al-Shabab militants without a trial, according to officials and rights activists. "The men have been in prison for the last five months. They were part of an assassination unit. One of them was caught red-handed as he killed a government soldier, and his arrest led us to the arrest of five others, and finally we executed them," Farah Mohamed Turba, a Somali military commander told VOA's Somali Service on Tuesday. The militants were executed Sunday by firing squad in the town of Bardhere, about 300 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu. Bardhere, an important agricultural town, was once the main stronghold of al-Shabab in the region, but the group lost control of it to Ethiopian troops in 2015. Relatives of those executed, who contacted with VOA from the town, described the incident as "a summary execution" carried out by military forces without a fair trial. Turba said the military was following orders from the Somali defense minister. "Recently, when the militants killed two Somali senior military generals in a blast, our superior military commanders and the defense minister said al-Shabab militants should be killed (on) sight," said Turba. There has been no official statement from the Defense Ministry or the Somali National Army's chief on these latest executions. In 2017, Somali military courts and al-Shabab executed about a dozen people, all of them killed in public settings before crowds of between 30 and 300 people. While executions in Somalia are nothing new, the nature of these latest executions, of taking militant prisoners out of jail and executing them in public without a military court trial, has drawn the attention of human rights activists in Somalia. Al-Shabab has been known not to allow defendants due process before carrying out executions. "We are criticizing such executions carried out by the military, which are trying cases beyond their jurisdiction and failing to give defendants a fair legal process," said an activist in Bardhere, who asked for anonymity, fearing reprisals. VOA's Kadar Hared contributed to this report from Nairobi. New Acting Chief: Pentagon 'Focused on Safeguarding Our Nation' By Jeff Seldin January 01, 2019 Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan said Tuesday the department "remains focused on safeguarding our nation," as he officially took over the post left by the resignation of Jim Mattis. "I now look forward to working with President Trump to carry out his vision alongside strong leaders including the service secretaries, the Joints Chiefs of Staff, the combatant commanders, and senior personnel in the Office of the Secretary of Defense," Shanahan said in a statement. Unlike Mattis, who came to the Pentagon as a revered former Marine general who served in Afghanistan, Shanahan does not have any military experience. Shanahan came to the Defense Department in 2017 from aviation giant Boeing, where he spent more than 30 years overseeing both civilian and military related programs. Mattis resigned on December 20 following a White House meeting with Trump during which the two men disagreed over the president's decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, where they have been helping in the fight against the Islamic State terror group. "Our Department's leadership, civilian and military, remains in the best possible hands," Mattis wrote in his official farewell message Monday, his last day on the job. "I am confident that each of you remains undistracted from our sworn mission to support and defend the Constitution while protecting our way of life," he continued. "So keep the faith in our country and hold fast, alongside our allies, aligned against our foes." While it was not the first time the two men disagreed on policy, for Mattis the Syria decision represented a breaking point. "You have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects," Mattis wrote at the time, adding he would stay on until the end of February 2019 to allow time for a successor to be found and so that he could represent the U.S. at a NATO Defense Ministerial meeting. Mattis also warned the president that the United States "must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours," naming both China and Russia. And he further warned that the United States could not afford to alienate allies. "Our strength as a nation is inextricably linked to the strength of our unique and comprehensive system of alliances and partnership." Three days later, Trump announced via Twitter that Mattis would be leaving at the end of the year. According to Pentagon officials, Mattis' departure, at his own request, would not be marked by any of the fanfare normally seen to pay respect to an outgoing defense secretary. Instead, the handover of authority from Mattis to Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan was to be carried out through a phone call, alerting all relevant government agencies to the change in command. Shortly after the Pentagon released Mattis' farewell message, the Trump took to Twitter Monday. "I am the only person in America who could say that, "I'm bringing our great troops back home, with victory," and get BAD press," he wrote. Mattis began his last message as secretary of defense by quoting from a telegram U.S. President Abraham Lincoln sent to Gen. Ulysses Grant in 1865, a little more than two months before the end of the U.S. Civil War. "Let nothing which is transpiring, change, hinder or delay your military movements, or plans," it read. Afghan Forces Repulse Taliban Attack on Oil Fields By Ayaz Gul January 01, 2019 The Taliban has killed more than 20 pro-government forces and captured several security outposts in northern Afghanistan. The insurgents staged the deadly offensive to try to take control of oil fields in Sayyad district in Sar-e-Pol province, a local government spokesman told VOA Tuesday. Zabihullah Amani said that Afghan security forces, including police and intelligence operatives, deployed to the facility on the outskirts of the provincial capital, also called Sar-e-Pol, repulsed Monday night's attack by the Taliban. Amani added that at least 23 Afghan forces were also wounded in several hours of fierce clashes. Senior police commanders and officers of the intelligence agency were said to be among the dead. A Taliban spokesman claimed government forces lost more than 50 personnel and insurgents overran three security posts in the area. It was not immediately possible to independently verify the claims made by either side and insurgent battlefield details are often inflated. Insurgents also attacked the Chimtal district in the province late Monday where Afghan officials said fierce battles raged into the next day, but gave not details of casualties. The Taliban has inflicted heavy casualties on embattled Afghan military and police forces during 2018 and captured more territory in the process. An insurgent report issued Monday claimed that the Taliban has brought 61 out of Afghanistan's 407 districts under its control in the previous year. The Afghan government has not offered any reaction to the militant claims The United States has recently stepped up diplomatic efforts to seek a political resolution to the Afghan war and held several rounds of talks with Taliban representatives in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Officials say the interaction is meant to persuade the Taliban to join a peace process with the Afghan government. But the insurgent group refuses to hold any intra-Afghan dialogue until the U.S. agrees on a date or timeline for pulling out all foreign forces from Afghanistan. Trump Gives US Troops Four Months to Leave Syria Amid Criticism Report Sputnik News 09:54 01.01.2019(updated 12:16 01.01.2019) Earlier, Trump went to Twitter to defend his decision to withdraw American troops from Syria, accusing his critics of hypocrisy. He noted that any other US president would have been applauded for such a decision. The New York Times has cited two unnamed US administration officials as saying that President Donald Trump will give the Pentagon about four months to withdraw American troops from Syria. The officials referred to the US president's meeting with Lt. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, head of the Combined Joint Task Force fighting Daesh* in the region, during which Trump said that the troops could have several months to ensure a "succinct departure". Pentagon spokesman Sean Robertson, in turn, was quoted by the New York Times as saying that "I'll let the president's words speak for themselves." The developments come a day after Trump tweeted that his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria was right and that the US military will be returning home "with victory" over Daesh. "If anybody but Donald Trump did what I did in Syria, which was an ISIS loaded mess when I became President, they would be a national hero," he tweeted. The remarks came after the White House announced on December 19 that it will be withdrawing US troops from Syria within the next 60 to 100 days. President Donald Trump justified the move by stating that the American forces had achieved their goal of defeating Daesh in the Arab country and can now return home. The decision was criticised by some US officials and followed by two resignations US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis, who announced that his views were no longer aligned with Trump's, and Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy for the US coalition in Syria. *Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/Islamic State) is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia Sputnik Tokyo Has No Plans to Displace Russians From Kurils If Gets Islands - Abe Sputnik News 15:24 01.01.2019(updated 16:46 01.01.2019) TOKYO (Sputnik) - Tokyo has no plans to seek the displacement of Russian residents from the Kuril Islands if Russia transfers the territory as a result of negotiations, and believes that the obtaining of residents' permission is vital to such a transfer, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. "All the inhabitants of the Northern Territories [the Kuril Islands] are Russians. Our position at the negotiations is not about saying 'please, get out of there'," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in an interview with the Asahi broadcaster, when asked how to resolve the situation around Tokyo's territorial claims to the islands. According to Abe, "it is necessary to get their permission for the return" of the islands. He suggested that Russians and Japanese could live and work together. The Prime Minister assured that US troops stationed in Japan do not pose any threat to Russia. "American troops are stationed in Japan to ensure security in Japan and the Far East, and are in no way hostile to Russia," Abe said. The prime minister noted that he had explained it to Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed hope that the latter understood this. The comment referred to Putin's statement at his annual press conference in December, saying that Russia had no clear idea of the extent of Japan's sovereignty in light of US military presence in Okinawa despite protests of local authorities and residents. The president stressed that it was the factor to be taken into account while negotiating a peace treaty with Tokyo. Abe is expected to visit Russia later in January. The planned visit comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin and Abe agreed to advance negotiations on a peace treaty based on the 1956 Soviet-Japanese joint declaration. Among other things, the declaration stipulates that Japan will regain control over the islands of Habomai and Shikotan, following the conclusion of the peace treaty. Earlier, the two countries ratified the declaration, but Japan reneged and refused to implement the agreement, insisting on the transfer of all four islands. Sputnik Houthi Leader Dismisses UN Allegations of Misuse of Food Relief in Yemen Sputnik News 17:39 01.01.2019 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The president of the Houthi-led Supreme Revolutionary Committee Mohammed Houthi has dismissed the World Food Program (WFP)'s allegations of diversion of humanitarian food relief practiced by the movement. "We are very surprised of the statement of the Executive Director of the World Food Program, which includes the threat to suspend aid shipments for large numbers of people in need of food in Yemen with the justification of manipulation," Houthi said in a statement, as quoted by Al Masirah broadcaster on Tuesday. According to the Houthi leader, the accusations seem to be the WFP's attempt to evade responsibility for fighting famine in Yemen. He also noted that the WFP had not contacted the Houthis at an official level to tackle the situation, preferring instead to issue unsubstantiated accusations. On Monday, the WFP urged Houthi rebels in Yemen to stop the purported diversion of humanitarian food deliveries from people who live in areas under their control. According to the UN program, a local organization affiliated with the Houthi government that is responsible for the distribution of food rations was removing food from distribution centres and then selling the meals. Yemen has been locked in a conflict between the government forces led by President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi and the Houthi rebels. The Saudi-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes against the Houthis at Hadi's request since March 2015. The intense fighting in Yemen resulted in one of the world's most acute humanitarian crises, with millions of people in the country being food insecure. Sputnik by Vladimir Rozanskij In a letter sent on December 30, the Patriarch of Moscow condemns the decision taken for autocephaly in Ukraine. Kirill challenges the authority of Bartholomew, as overly hasty. Allegations also to Filaret of Kiev and Makarij, "the adventurer". The schism spreads throughout the world: Moscow will establish dioceses and its own parishes where there are structures of the patriarchate of Constantinople. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Moscow Patriarch Kirill (Gundjaev) has delivered an ultimatum to the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew (Archontonis), in response to the latter's communication on the recognition of the new autocephalous Ukrainian Church: if he does not reverse the decision taken in Ukraine, he can no longer be considered the "ecumenical patriarch" of all universal Orthodoxy. The harsh words are contained in a letter that Kirill sent to Constantinople on December 30th. "You will lose forever the possibility of serving the unity of the holy Churches of God and you will stop being the Primate of the Orthodox world - says the head of the Russian Orthodox Churcg to his Greek counterpart. In the letter, the Russian patriarch goes over the various "forced stages" that led to the decision to endorse the "pseudo-council" of Kiev last December 15th. By tragic coincidence, this expression recalls that of the "pseudo-council" of Lviv in 1946, when the patriarchate of Moscow led by Aleksij I, under the leadership of Stalin and Khrushchev, annexed the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, which remained in catacombs until 1990. According to Kirill, the rush to conclude the "union of the schismatic" Ukrainians is due to the pressure of a "process of politicization, far from the norms and spirit of the canonical seals", that if they were respected they would have achieved the desired result "with full satisfaction both for the Ukrainian Orthodox and for all the other Orthodox in the world ". And now it will be necessary to deal with the opposition of the "majority of the Ukrainian people", which in his opinion supports the only canonical Church of the patriarchate of Moscow. In the letter we recall the suggestions given to Bartholomew "to study the documents of the previous centuries together with authoritative historians, theologians and specialists of ecclesiastical canon law", the refusal of which was justified by "for lack of time". It is understood that Constantinople opposed this suggestion: in 1000 years of history, the Orthodox Churches have never been able to come to agreement on canonical norms, and this could hardly have happened after the Russians refused to participate in the 2016 pan-Orthodox council of Crete . The Patriarch of Moscow disputes Bartholomew's authority concerning the granting of autocephaly to the other local Orthodox Churches, which derives from canons 9 and 17 of the Council of Chalcedon of 451, based on "a series of objections by authoritative commentators of canon law" , of which the Byzantine canonist Ioann Zonara, a historian of the twelfth century, is mentioned. In every dispute between the Orthodox the "rush to quotations" of the various ancient synods and theologians is repeated, where one can find any kind of argument for or against one's theses. The argument to which Kirill proves to be most sensitive - for ecclesiastical and personal reasons - is the readmission of the "schismatic patriarch" Filaret of Kiev, now "emeritus", which in the letter is remembered with the lay name of "Mikhail Denisenko". In 1976 the old hierarch was one of the consecrators of the episcopal ordination of the same Kirill, then 29 year old "emerging star" of the Russian episcopate of the Soviet school. The complaints do not spare even the other "schismatic" readmitted bishop, Makarij Maletic, head of a Church defined as "adventurers" (in Russian samozvantsy, the "autoelects"), and underscore doubts about the morality of bishops and priests blessed by Constantinople (not without reason, moreover: the two Churches concerned were long out of control). The letter establishes a situation that can hardly be healed in a short time, and may even worsen. In a television interview on December 28, Metropolitan Ilarion (Alfeev) declared that the Patriarchate of Moscow will proceed with the establishment of its own dioceses and parishes in all the territories where there are structures of the "schismatic" patriarchate of Constantinople; the struggle extends practically to the whole world, and Orthodoxy will never be the same again. Taliban attacks kill 15 Afghan policemen Saudi Press Agency Tuesday 1440/4/25 - 2019/01/01 KABUL, January 01, 2019, SPA -- An Afghan official says the Taliban launched two blistering attacks in northern Sar-e-Pul province, killing 15 members of the country's security forces, AP reported. Provincial council chief Mohammad Noor Rahmani says that along with 15 policemen killed, 21 were wounded in the two attacks, which took place late on Monday. He says fierce gunbattles raged for several hours in Sayyad district and outside Sar-e-Pul, the provincial capital. --SPA 12:07 LOCAL TIME 09:07 GMT 0005 Several Afghan Security Forces Killed In Fresh Attacks On Checkpoints By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan January 01, 2019 Taliban militants have killed several Afghan security forces in fresh attacks on several security checkpoints in the northern Sar-e-Pul Province, according to officials. In one of the January 1 attacks in the Sayyad district of the province, local police chief Khalil Khan was killed along with four other officers, a source told RFE/RL. The dpa news agency quoted provincial council member Mohammad Asif Sadiqi as saying a high-ranking provincial official with an Afghan spy agency and an army company commander were also killed in the attacks on two security posts, which it said left 23 Afghan security forces dead. Gunbattles raged for several hours in the Sayyad district as heavy artillery fire by Afghan troops trying to beat back the insurgents sent locals fleeing for safety. AP quoted Taliban spokesman Qari Yousof Ahmadi as claiming responsibility for both attacks. The violence comes a day after Iran said a Taliban delegation made a rare visit to Tehran for talks with a senior Iranian official on efforts to end Afghanistan's 17-year-long war. It also occurred just over a week after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to prepare for the withdrawal of 7,000 American troops deployed in Afghanistan, about half of the U.S. contingent in the country. Many observers warned that the partial withdrawal could further degrade security and jeopardize possible peace talks with the Taliban aimed at ending its insurgency. U.S. forces make up the bulk of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission that is training and advising Afghan security forces in their fight against the Taliban and Islamic State militants. The U.S. military also has some 7,000 troops deployed in a separate U.S. counterterrorism mission. With reporting by AP and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/several-afghan- security-forces-killed-in-fresh-attacks-on -checkpoints/29686482.html Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. Trump gives in to calls to slow down troop pullout from Syria Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 02:00AM United States President Donald Trump has given in to pressure to slow down his planned troop pullout from Syria, permitting the US military four months to withdraw. The New York Times reported the decision on Monday. Trump had initially given the American forces 30 days for the procedure. The American president had hinted at a more extensive pullout timetable earlier on Monday, tweeting about "slowly sending our troops back home." Many military and Pentagon officials had sought to entirely change the president's mind on the planned pullout. Some military officials also argue that more time is required to withdraw the troops in an "orderly" manner. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a vocal supporter of the president, met Trump on the matter on Sunday. Graham announced that Trump had agreed to put the 30-day evacuation plan in a "pause situation" to reevaluate his decision. Earlier on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reportedly urged Trump to slow down the planned withdrawal. Trump reportedly accepted Netanyahu's request according to Israeli media sources citing an unnamed senior Israeli diplomatic official. The news comes as Bolton is preparing to visit Turkey and Israel to discuss regional security issues in the coming days. Two weeks ago, US President Donald Trump abruptly announced that his country had "defeated" Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Syria and would be pulling all 2,000 American forces from the country. Many believe Trump's decision upended a central pillar of US Middle East policy, stunning opponents and allies alike. Speaking to The Washington Post in November, Trump had stressed that "we have reached a point where we don't have to stay in the Middle East." Trump, however, refused to call for a complete withdrawal from the region, highlighting Israel's need for US protection. "One reason to stay is Israel," said Trump in the interview. "I told Bibi. And, you know, we give Israel $4.5 billion a year. And they're doing very well defending themselves, if you take a look," said Trump. "So that's the way it is." It was not immediately clear, nevertheless, where Trump's $4.5 billion figure came from. As the US government is in shut down due to a dispute with Congress over the allocation of $5 billion in funds needed for Trump's proposed southern border wall, the US enforced a whooping 10-year $38-billion aid package to Tel Aviv last October. The aid package, which includes a record annual $3.3-billion contribution, was signed during the tenure of former US President Barack Obama in 2016 to provide Israel with free military material until 2028 as the regime's forces continue their brutal crackdown of Palestinians protesters. Palestine won't let US sell occupied al-Quds to Israel: Abbas Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 06:11AM President Mahmoud Abbas says Palestine will never allow the United States to sell Jerusalem al-Quds to Israel, reiterating that the occupied city will remain the eternal capital of the state of Palestine. Jerusalem al-Quds "is not for sale," Abbas said in a speech marking the 54th anniversary of the Fatah party's founding in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday. "We will not allow anyone to advance a plot against Jerusalem (al-Quds)," he noted, stressing that the city "will remain the eternal capital of the Palestinian state, as the late President Yasser Arafat said that a Palestinian child will raise the flag of Palestine on the walls, minarets and churches of Jerusalem (al-Quds)." Israel lays claim to the whole Jerusalem al-Quds, but the international community views the city's eastern sector as occupied territory. Israel occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds during the Six-Day War in 1967 and later annexed the city in a move not recognized by the international community. US President Donald Trump sparked anger among Palestinians and the entire international community in December 2017, when he recognized Jerusalem al-Quds as the Israeli "capital." Washington also moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to occupied city months later in defiance of global warnings. Abbas said that the embassy relocation would fail to undermine the right of Palestinians to Jerusalem al-Quds and would not cause them to give up their principles. He also emphasized that the Palestinian people would press on with their struggle until they establish their independent state, saying, "The revolution goes on and will continue." Abbas further said that the Palestinian nation would not accept Trump's so-called "deal of the century" on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the wake of Trump's policy shift on Jerusalem al-Quds, the Palestinian president described the US president's proposed plan, which is yet to be unveiled, as the "slap of the century," saying Washington could no more act as a mediator in the so-called peace process due to its bias towards Tel Aviv. Abbas went on to say that Washington's punitive measures against Palestinians would not change their position on "refugee rights." Amid tensions with Palestinians, the US ended its decades of funding for the UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees and slashed aid for projects in the West Bank and Gaza. "The continuation of the colonialist settlement and the occupation of the land of the State of Palestine will not break our willpower, nor will it harm our resolve, because our people will not kneel but to Allah, and this is our land and holy places, and this is the land of our forefathers and grandfathers," Abbas pointed out in his latest remarks on the subject. He also warned that Israel's "racist" laws and measures would not bring security and peace to the occupied territories, but would rather expand the cycle of violence and bloodshed there. Abbas further congratulated the families of martyrs and prisoners, insisting that Palestinians will ultimately emerge victorious in their struggles against the Israeli occupation. South Korea-US military cost-sharing deal expires with no update in sight Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 09:13AM A deal between Washington and Seoul on sharing the cost of maintaining a US military presence in South Korea has expired, with no new agreement on the horizon amid a standoff between the two sides over President Donald Trump's demand for more South Korean contribution. The five-year contract between Washington and Seoul, known as Special Measures Agreement, which outlines cost sharing for US forces in South Korea, expired on Monday. The deal had required South Korea to pay $830 million per year for the cost of maintaining some 28,500 American troops stationed in the country. Negotiations for the renewal of the contract, which began in March, are currently on hold as the two sides remain locked in a standoff over Trump's request for a 50-percent increase in South Korea's contribution, The Wall Street Journal reported last month. According to the report, Trump is pushing for between $1.2 and $1.6 billion per year, but South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been resisting the demand. During the latest round of talks last month, American negotiators suggested signing a one year contract, but Seoul is said to have rejected the idea. Trump has reportedly called on Seoul to cover the cost of deploying new aircraft carriers and bombers. The US has already deployed two Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launchers to South Korea. Back in October, he criticized Seoul for what he described as failing to finance the controversial deployment of the American missile system on the Peninsula. Trump said at the time that Washington was "putting in a system that we pay for and it's going to cost a billion in order to protect an immensely wealthy country [South Korea] that makes all of your television sets, right?" "Okay, so we're protecting South Korea, right? Why aren't they paying?" asked Trump. The US is also reportedly considering engaging in military cost-sharing talks with Japan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) this year. Since taking office in January last year, and even before that, Trump has been calling on US allies to increase their military spending. He renewed the call last week, as he was addressing US troops at an air base in western Iraq. "I'm not only talking about in the Middle East. I'm talking about all over the world. Wealthy countries cannot expect the United States to pay for a vast majority of their military. They can pay us. They can reimburse us," he said. On Monday, he wrote in a Twitter post that Washington was "substantially subsidizing the militaries of many very rich countries all over the world," and that its allies were taking advantage of the US and American taxpayers. Yemen's Ansarullah movement slams WFP for "rotten" food aid Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 03:09PM Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has strongly dismissed recent allegations by the World Food Programme (WFP) that the revolutionary forces are selling aid meant for civilians, stating that the humanitarian organization is sending "rotten food" to the conflict-plagued Arab country. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the Chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee of Yemen, condemned the accusations on Tuesday, and said the WFP was "fully responsible for ... quantities of rotten food" it sent to Yemen. He added that Yemeni forces refused to allow this food supply into the country because "it violates standards and regulations and is not suitable for human consumption." Houthi said, however, that the Ansarullah movement "welcomed" an independent investigation and called on the WFP to back up its accusations with proof. He then accused UN organizations of bias. "The work of these organizations is mostly politicized, and their position ... confirms their work has shifted from independent to subordinate to the United States and Britain," he commented. The WFP alleged on Monday that food aid meant for starving Yemenis is being stolen and sold in some areas controlled by the Houthi Ansarullah movement. Yemeni combat drone strikes Saudi mercenaries in Jizan Yemeni army soldiers, backed by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have reportedly launched an airstrike against a position of Saudi-sponsored militiamen loyal to Yemen's former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, in Saudi Arabia's western border region of Jizan. A Yemeni military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Yemeni soldiers and their allies attacked Saudi mercenaries, using a domestically-designed and manufactured Qasif-1 (Striker-1) combat drone. Yemeni snipers shoot dead five Saudi troopers in Jizan Separately, Yemeni soldiers and their allies have shot and killed five Saudi soldiers in the kingdom's Jizan region. A Yemeni military official, requesting not to be named, said Yemeni army soldiers and Popular Committees fighters stormed a military camp east of Jahfan area, and targeted the Saudi troopers. Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating military campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the aim of bringing the government of Hadi back to power and crushing Ansarullah movement. According to a new report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, the Saudi-led war has so far claimed the lives of around 56,000 Yemenis. The Saudi-led war has also taken a heavy toll on the country's infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN has already said that a record 22.2 million Yemenis are in dire need of food, including 8.4 million threatened by severe hunger. According to the world body, Yemen is suffering from the most severe famine in more than 100 years. A number of Western countries, the US and Britain in particular, are also accused of being complicit in the ongoing aggression as they supply the Riyadh regime with advanced weapons and military equipment as well as logistical and intelligence assistance. Iran pursues 'clear, unchangeable' stance on Palestine: Qassemi Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 03:20PM Iran has warned of plots hatched by the United States and the Israeli regime to isolate Palestine, saying the Islamic Republic pursues a "clear, transparent and unchangeable" stance on the Arab country. "We have constant contacts with different Palestinian groups with sometimes different viewpoints," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi told the IRIB on Tuesday. He added that the US and Israeli regime seek to create rift and division among Muslim countries to distract them from the Palestinian issue as the top priority in the Muslim world. "This requires more unity in the Muslim world and all of us must make efforts to solve this big global problem," the Iranian spokesperson said. He added that the occupying Israeli regime with an aggressive nature which is killing and suppressing the Palestinian people would face an "unfavorable" fate. Qassemi emphasized that the Palestinian people would achieve a final victory over the Tel Aviv regime through their resistance. He said the Palestinians can achieve their absolute rights and expressed hope that they would establish an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran will never back away from supporting Palestine despite the heavy pressure from the world's arrogant powers. "As long as there is resistance, the Zionist regime's downfall and demise will continue," the Leader said in a meeting with Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement, Ziad al-Nakhala, in Tehran, assuring Palestinians that their final victory was "imminent." The meeting came a day after a senior Iranian security official lashed out at some Arab countries for their overt and covert support for US President Donald Trump's "deal of the century" plot against the Palestinians, saying resistance groups and vigilant nations in the region will prevent the implementation of such an "ominous" plan. "The implementation of this plan will be a heavy blow to Palestine," Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said in a meeting with Nakhala in Tehran. Also in a meeting with Mahmoud al-Zahar, the co-founder of Hamas and a member of the Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif once again reiterated the Islamic Republic's principled policy to support Palestine, urging all countries in the Muslim world to boost their unity to defend the Palestinian cause. "We hope that some Muslim countries that have pinned their hopes on the support of the Zionists and the US will return to the Muslim world and realize that the Zionists are not a trustworthy friend or partner for anybody," the top Iranian diplomat said in the meeting with a Palestinian parliamentary delegation led by Zahar, in Tehran. Sisi supporters try to amend Egypt's constitution to let him remain in power Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 04:02PM Supporters of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are calling for constitutional changes so that the head of state can stay in power once his second term ends in 2022. Sisi came to power in June 2014 as the president, one year after he led the military to oust the first democratically-elected president Mohamed Morsi in a coup. He served as the defense minister in Morsi's government before orchestrating the coup. On April 2, 2018, the election commission said Sisi had won a total of 21.8 million votes in the March presidential election. His sole opponent, Moussa Mostafa Moussa, a relatively unknown and a fervent Sisi supporter himself, gained 656,534, less than the 1.8 million spoiled ballots. The turnout in the much-criticized election was 41 percent, lower than the 47 percent recorded in 2014 elections. That could be a potential setback for Sisi, who sought to portray the vote as a plebiscite on his efforts to overhaul Egypt's economy over the past years and eliminate terrorism in Egypt. The vote was also marred by allegations that real contenders for the election withdrew from the race because of an intimidation campaign by the government. Serious opposition contenders halted their campaigns in January while authorities arrested the main challenger whose campaign manager was also beaten up. In early June, 64-year-old Sisi was sworn in as the country's president for a second four-year term in office to have a hard time dealing with major economic and security challenges in the North African country. On Sunday, Egypt's state-owned and semi-official newspaper Al-Akhbar said in its editorial that it hoped that 2019 would see "the start of a belated political reform" to secure Sisi's future in power. The editorial, written by the daily's director Yasser Rizk, said that this would "preserve all the people's gains in terms of security, stability and economic recovery over the past five years." Earlier in Tuesday, Mohammad Fuad, and lawmaker with the Wafd party, which is close to the government, also said in an interview with AFP that "the whole of Egypt was talking about (Rizk's) article last night." "This issue has been under discussion everywhere in Egypt, not just in parliament, for some time," he added, noting that a potential parliamentary debate on the issue had not been initiated yet by the government. On December 8, a number of Egyptian lawyers, including Ayman Abdel-Hakim Ramadan, announced that they had filed a case with a Cairo court to force the parliament to debate amending article 140 of the constitution that bars Sisi from running for a third term in 2022. In late July, a petition demanding parliament to take due steps in allowing Sisi to remain president beyond his second term was circulating within Egyptian institutions and among pro-state figures. Back in March, Sisi's supporters called on the parliament to discuss repealing the so-called article 140 of the constitution. Back in November 2017, and even before Sisi was re-elected for his second term, he told American news network CNBC that he would not seek a third term in office. However, following his victory in March polls, the question has gradually returned to public debate. The controversial proposal to maintain Sisi for at least a third consecutive term has been strongly criticized by opponents and NGOs who took to social networks to express their dissatisfaction. During the past few years, Sisi has faced growing criticism about his way of treating dissidents, especially those linked to Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood movement, which Sisi outlawed right after taking office. Some seven years after the January 2011 uprising that led to the ouster of dictator Hosni Mubarak from power, Sisi has still two major challenges to tackle: economic recovery and security, particularly in northern parts of the Sinai Peninsula, where a terror group affiliated with the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group is at large, killing government troops and civilians alike. On the other hand, human rights groups and activists have constantly accused Sisi of violating public freedoms and suppressing opponents. Most of his opponents and vocal members of civil society have also been arrested in the past few months. Rights groups say the army's crackdown on Morsi's supporters has resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people. About 22,000 others have been arrested, including some 200 people who have been sentenced to death in mass trials. Regional players pressing for peace in Afghanistan: US commander Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 05:42PM The commander of US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan has pronounced the prospects of peace with the Taliban while the Pentagon orders the deployment of fresh heavy-lift aviation forces to the region. "Peace talks (are) out there, regional players pressing for peace, the Taliban talking about peace, the Afghan government is talking about peace," General Scott Miller, who commands the US-led NATO Resolution Support (RS) mission in Afghanistan, said during a New Year celebration at the RS headquarters in Kabul on Tuesday. General Miller was apparently referring to Iran whose officials have recently expressed their willingness to help establish peace in Afghanistan. The top US commander in Afghanistan emphasized that in order to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan there needed to be a political settlement. He told the soldiers present at the session to be ready for either "positive processes or negative consequences." "Are (the RS) able to adapt? Are we able to adjust? Are we able to be in the right place to support positive processes and negative consequences, that's what I ask you guys to think about in 2019," Miller said. Meanwhile, peace talks between the US and the Taliban have gained momentum in past months. Despite the "positive processes" in the peace talks, there were some negative developments in the processes. Miller was present at a meeting in October when the most important power broker in southern Afghanistan, Kandahar police chief General Abdul Razeq, was shot dead by the Taliban. In recent weeks, Pakistan also announced its plans to facilitate negotiations between the Taliban and the United States. Pakistan army spokesman Major-General Asif Ghafoor said during a news conference last month that Islamabad supports Washington's outreach to the Taliban which want US troops out of Afghanistan. Pentagon deploys heavy-lift aviation unit US President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered the withdrawal of some 7,000 troops, half of the total number of American forces in the country, from Afghanistan. In contrary news, a White House spokesman said last week that Trump had not issued orders to withdraw the troops. The Trump administration, however, has not denied the reports. Meanwhile, media reported a heavy-lift aviation unit operating large CH-47 Chinook helicopters has been deployed for a year-long mission in Afghanistan. The Chinook, which is capable of lifting 12 tons, has been used by US forces to move troops and heavy equipment for decades. In 2001, US-led forces invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban regime as part of the so-called Global War on Terrorism. Since then, the US invasion has caused enduring insecurity, left a large number of human casualties and displacements, and the Afghan economy remains in a crippled condition. Taliban kill 21 Afghan security forces in country's north Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 10:15PM The Taliban militants have killed at least 21 Afghan security forces and wounded nearly two dozen others in a number of simultaneous attacks in the country's north. Local officials said on Tuesday that the casualties took place when the militants carried out attacks on security outposts in Sayad district of the northern province of Sar-e Pul. Zabihullah Amani, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said at least 21 local forces, including police and intelligence, were killed and another 23 wounded in the raids, which he said were aimed at seizing control of several oil wells on the outskirts of the provincial capital city of Sar-e Pul. Amani also said hundreds of militants were still outside Sar-e-Pul, warning that the city was at risk of falling to the Taliban if reinforcements were not sent. "The enemy is still amassing forces outside the city," he told AFP. "We have deployed all the forces available in the city, but no reinforcements have arrived from outside so far. The people inside the city are very worried. They have attacked the city many times in the past, but this time the threat is more serious." The Taliban confirmed the attacks on the northern Afghan province, claiming that they had captured three checkpoints and killed or wounded 50 members of the security forces. The Taliban militants have in recent months stepped up attacks on security forces across Afghanistan, killing a large number of police forces as well as civilians. This comes as representatives from the Taliban, the US, and regional countries met for the fourth time earlier in December in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi for talks to end the 17-year war in Afghanistan. The militant group's representatives, however, refused to talk to the Afghan negotiating team. Taliban leaders also announced on Sunday that the group's representatives would meet US officials in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah for the fifth round of talks in January but not the representatives of the Afghan government. President Ashraf Ghani has said the talks should be "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned," insisting on continued efforts to establish a direct line of diplomatic communication with the Taliban. The Taliban's five-year rule over at least three quarters of Afghanistan came to an end with a US-led invasion in 2001; but 17 years on, the militant group continues to be active on much of Afghan soil. The Taliban have strengthened their grip over the past three years, with the government in Kabul controlling just 56 percent of the country, down from 72 percent in 2015, a recent US government report showed. Having failed to end the militancy campaign, Washington has over the past months stepped up its political efforts to secure a truce with Taliban. The Taliban and the Afghan government have previously said the presence of foreign troops is the biggest obstacle to peace in Afghanistan. Taliban militants have warned of stepping up their attacks until the US forces fully withdraw from Afghanistan. US President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered the withdrawal of 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. But a later White House announcement has cast doubt on reports about Trump's order. The Taliban have not formally responded to the partial US troop withdrawal. But a senior commander recently told media outlets that the group was "more than happy." Fear of refugee crisis amid US troop withdrawal In a report published on Tuesday, diplomats from Afghanistan's neighbors told Reuters that there were fears a US troop pullout could trigger hundreds of thousands of refugees to flee into their countries. "At this point, there is no clarity about the withdrawal, but we have to keep a clear action plan ready," a senior Asian diplomat based in Kabul told Reuters. "The situation can turn from bad to worse very quickly." Afghanistan shares a border with Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China, and is the world's second-biggest source of refugees, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Diplomats from the countries told Reuters they would increase border preparations in anticipation of refugees. by Mathias Hariyadi Shooting breaks out between MIT terror group and police after the latter try to recovery victims remains. Security forces launch a manhunt for Islamist group members, find weapons and explosive material. Jakarta (AsiaNews) The discovery of a decapitated body has revived the nightmare of Islamic terrorism in Poso, in Central Sulawesi. For Indonesias security forces, the Mujahidin Indonesia Timur (East Indonesia Mujahideen, MIT) is responsible for the brutal assassination, which occurred three days ago. The group is linked to the Islamic State (IS). The next day, the terrorists exchanged fire with police, wounding two police officers, when a police detective tried to recover the victim's remains. The dead person was a resident of Salubanga, a village in Parigi Moutong Regency. Meanwhile, Indonesias military and police have launched a manhunt against members of the Islamist group based in Poso, which is led by Ali Kaliora. The military have found weapons and explosive material that belong to MIT, Police spokesman General said Dedi Prasetyo. Since 2016 Indonesian authorities have been involved in Operation Tinombala to track down terror groups in the area. In July 2016, the military killed Santoso, MITs historic leader, better known as Abu Wardah. Two months later, the police announced the capture of his successor, Mohammad Basri. In October, Kalioras wife Tini Susanti Kaduku was also taken into custody. Between 1997 and 2001, Sulawesi and neighbouring Maluku Islands were the scene of a bloody conflict between Protestants and Muslims. Thousands of people fell victim to violence, hundreds of churches and mosques were destroyed, thousands of houses were razed, and almost half a million people became refugees, 25,000 in Poso alone. On 20 December 2001, the two sides signed a truce in Malino (South Sulawesi), thanks to a peace plan sponsored by the government. However, the deal did not stop sporadic episodes of terror. In October 2005, the decapitation by three Islamic extremists of three Christian female students, Alfito Polino, Theresia Morangki and Yarni Sambu, shocked everyone, sparking outrage around the world. Only way for Palestinians to gain own rights is resistance: Rouhani Iran Press TV Tue Jan 1, 2019 11:03PM Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has described resistance against the Israeli regime as the only way for the Palestinian nation to obtain its own rights, stressing that all Muslims must support the Palestinians' right of return and establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem al-Quds as its capital. In a meeting with Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement Ziad al-Nakhala in Tehran on Tuesday evening, Rouhani said Iran has been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian nation ever since the Iranian revolution of 1979, led by late Imam Khomeini. He then praised the Palestinian nation's 70-year-long steadfastness in the face of Zionists' expropriation, injustice and occupation, stating that their struggle should continue until the Tel Aviv regime acknowledges their rights. "The Zionist regime (of Israel), thanks to support from the new rulers of the White House, is seeking to assert control over the entire (Middle East) region; and Palestine is a part of such a complex plot," the Iranian president noted. Nakhala, for his part, briefed the Iranian president on the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian lands, and the capabilities of Palestinian resistance groups. "Undoubtedly, the Islamic Republic of Iran's support and principled policies have played a major role in thwarting attempts aimed at stripping the Palestinian nation of their rights," he pointed out. Nakhala also highlighted that the Palestinian nation, irrespective of ongoing pressures and threats, will continue its resistance against the Israeli regime until all its rights are recognized. Earlier on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi warned against plots hatched by the United States and the Israeli regime to isolate Palestine, saying the Islamic Republic pursues a "clear, transparent and unchangeable" stance on the Arab country. "We have constant contacts with different Palestinian groups with sometimes different viewpoints," he said. Qassemi added that the US and Israeli regime seek to create rift and division among Muslim countries to distract them from the Palestinian issue as the top priority in the Muslim world. "This requires more unity in the Muslim world and all of us must make efforts to solve this big global problem," the Iranian spokesperson said. He added that the occupying Israeli regime with an aggressive nature which is killing and suppressing the Palestinian people would face an "unfavorable" fate. Qassemi emphasized that the Palestinian people would achieve a final victory over the Tel Aviv regime through their resistance. Saudi warplanes targeted Yemen over 15,000 times in 2018: Army IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 1, IRNA -- The Saudi coalition jetfighters bombarded different areas in Yemen 15,353 times in 2018, spokesman for Yemen's Armed Forces says. The Saudi warplanes have bombarded Yemen 50 times each day, the Yemeni TV Channel 'Al-Masirah' quoted Yahya Saree as saying on Monday. In 244 cases, Saudis used cluster bombs to hit targets in Yemen, Saree added. Referring to Saudi coalition's missile and mortar attacks, he said the Saudi frigates conducted 494 missile attacks on Yemeni coastal areas. He went on to say that Yemeni forces have foiled 1.101 attacks on the country. Elaborating on breaching cease fire in Yemen's Al-Hudaydah Port City, he said the agreement has so far been violated 801 times by the Saudi-led coalition forces. The United Nations Security Council enacted Resolution 2451 to support the Stockholm Agreement on deployment of a team in order to facilitate monitoring and implementing the ceasefire agreement and establishing truce in important Yemeni ports. The UN resolution mainly focuses on sending essential commodities to the Yemeni people, supporting the Stockholm Agreement, assigning the Secretary-General of the United Nations to implement it and observing the ceasefire. The fourth round of Yemen peace talks kicked off in Stockholm, Sweden on December 6, 2018 with the attendance of the UN special envoy Martin Griffith and the government representatives, and agreed to establish truce in Yemeni ports of al-Hudaydah, al-Salif and Ayn Issa. Saudi Arabia and its regional allies attacked Yemen in March 2015 to bring back to power the deposed president of Yemen Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. Since then, the invaders have committed horrible war crimes against Yemeni civilians. 9376**2044 Taliban acknowledges Iran efforts to maintain peace in Afghanistan IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, Jan 1, IRNA -- The Taliban spokesman Zabihollah Mojahed has acknowledged Iran attempts to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan. The statement was released on Tuesday after Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that Taliban delegation's trip to Iran aimed at facilitating peace talks in Afghanistan. In his statement, Mojahed announced that Taliban delegation had a trip to Tehran to pursue peace process in Afghanistan. Describing neighboring countries' efforts to maintain peace and security in Afghanistan, Taliban stressed continuation of trips to regional countries to pursue Afghanistan peace. Earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi confirmed that a Taliban delegation held extensive talks with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi in Tehran. The meeting followed a recent visit by the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamhani to Afghanistan during which he held talks with Afghan officials, he said. On Dec 26, Shamkhani went to Kabul at the invitation of National Security Adviser of Afghanistan Hamdullah Mohib. During his one-day stay in Kabul, Shamkhani met with Chief Executive of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah and some other Afghan officials. Enhancing political, economic and security relations, countering terrorism and organized crimes, and border and regional cooperation were among the goals of Shamkhani's visit to Afghanistan. 9376**1420 American in Russian Custody Identified as Retired Marine By Pete Cobus January 01, 2019 Paul Whelan, the American citizen detained in Moscow on Friday on espionage charges, has been identified as a retired U.S. Marine. Whelan's family posted messages on social media Tuesday, saying they first grew concerned when he did not contact them on Friday. "'We have read reports of the arrest in Moscow of Paul Whelan, our son & brother," the statement reads. "Paul is a retired Marine and was visiting Moscow to attend a wedding." The family learned of his arrest only after it was reported by Russian state news outlets, prompting the family to contact congressional representatives and U.S. diplomats. "We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being," the family said. "His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected." On Monday, Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officials said Whelan had been detained on December 28 "while carrying out an act of espionage," and that they have opened a criminal probe. They provided no further details, but Russia's state-run TASS news agency said that Whelan faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. A State Department spokesperson said Monday the United States is aware of Russian authorities' detention of a U.S. citizen. "We have been formally notified of the detention by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the official said in an emailed statement to VOA. "Russia's obligations under the Vienna Convention require them to provide consular access. We have requested this access and expect Russian authorities to provide it." The State Department did not provide further details, citing privacy concerns. Tensions between Moscow and the West The arrest coincides with several spy scandals that have exacerbated tensions between Russia and the West, including the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Britain, along with the recent U.S. conviction of Russian citizen Maria Butina for acting as an illegal foreign agent. Butina pleaded guilty to acting under the direction of a Russian official to establish relationships with influential Americans. News of Whelan's detention came less than 24 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a New Year's greeting to U.S. President Donald Trump in which he said Moscow is amenable to a continuing dialogue with Washington on a range of topics. In 2016, Izvestia, a Kremlin-aligned news outlet, reported that there were 13 U.S. citizens in Russian jails at the time. The Kremlin has not since published any details on other Americans currently in Russian detention. Family Says Detained U.S. Citizen Is Innocent, Was In Moscow For Wedding By Carl Schreck January 01, 2019 The family of a U.S. citizen being held by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) over suspected spying says he is innocent and was in Moscow to attend a wedding. Paul Whelan, a retired Marine, was last heard from on December 28, according to a statement from his family, obtained by RFE/RL on January 1. His failure to contact his family "was very much out of character for him," the statement said. "We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," it added. Whelan, 48, could face between 10 to 20 years in prison if found guilty. Russian officials did not disclose any details of his alleged involvement in espionage. David Whelan told RFE/RL in a direct message via Twitter that his brother "has a corporate security role" with BorgWarner, a U.S.-based supplier of automotive parts and components. BorgWarner said in a statement sent to RFE/RL on January 1 that Paul Whelan was the company's global security director. It added that he is responsible for overseeing the company's facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan, "and at other company locations around the world." BorgWarner has 60 manufacturing sites in 18 countries, but none of them are listed as being in Russia. A spokeswoman for BorgWarner told RFE/RL that the company "does not have any facilities in Russia." Russia's state-owned conglomerate Rostec said in 2013 that its truckmaker, KamAz, had a long record of collaboration with a subsidiary of BorgWarner known as BorgWarnerTurboSystems. David Whelan told AP in a January 1 interview that his brother had been to Russia "several times" before and was helping a former U.S. Marine friend of his plan a wedding with a Russian woman. On the morning of the day he was detained, Paul Whelan had given a tour of the Kremlin museums to a group of wedding guests, his brother said. He failed to show up for the wedding on the evening of December 28. David Whelan said his absence led the family to fear he had been in a car accident or perhaps mugged, and were searching the Internet for news about "dead Americans in Moscow." The U.S. State Department has said it knows about "the detention of a U.S. citizen by Russian authorities" and had been formally notified by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The State Department said on December 31 that it had requested consular access to Paul Whelan and expected "Russian authorities to provide it." David Whelan said in the AP interview that his family was told by the U.S. Embassy in Moscow that it has been unable to speak with Paul Whelan. David Whelan said his brother had previously worked for Kelly Services, an international office-staffing company that does have offices in Moscow, and had been to Russia on business and to visit friends he had met on social-media networks. Paul Whelan reportedly had a page on the Russian social-media site VKontakte on which he writes messages in basic Russian. David Whelan said his brother was stationed in Iraq several times with the U.S. Marines and has been living in Novi, Michigan. The announcement of Whelan's detainment came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow remains open to dialogue with Washington in a New Year's greeting to U.S. President Donald Trump. Relations between the United States and Russia remain strained over a raft of issues including Russia's role in wars in Syria and eastern Ukraine, its alleged meddling in elections in the United States and elsewhere, and the poisoning of a Russian double agent in Britain. At the end of November, Trump abruptly canceled a planned meeting with Putin on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Argentina, citing tensions after Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian Navy boats before seizing them and capturing 24 Ukrainian sailors. The detention of Whelan comes weeks after Russian Maria Butina pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to acting as an agent for the Kremlin. The Kremlin has denied that Butina is a Russian agent and has organized a social-media campaign to secure her release. In the past, Russia has arrested foreigners with the aim of trading prisoners with other countries. In his annual year-end news conference on December 20, Putin said Russia would "not arrest innocent people simply to exchange them for someone else later on." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/family-says -detained-u-s-citizen-innocent-was-in-moscow -for-wedding/29686723.html Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. The Montana Legislature is set to convene Jan. 7, in Helena. Similar to the 2017 session, the states budget is set to experience another round of belt tightening. Money will be tight, but the policy agendas will be plentiful. Legislators will b... On Oct. 30, 2018, at the age of 105, Elizabeth (Born) Friesen moved from Nemont Manor to Valley View. Her desire to be home with Jesus was granted and she passed away less than two months later on the morning of Christmas Day, 2018. The funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 3, at 10:30 a.m., at Glasgow Evangelical Church with a reception following. Burial will follow at Lustre Mennonite Brethren Cemetery in Lustre, Mont. She was born on Feb. 15, 1913, in Omsk, Russia, to Jacob and Katarina Born. When she was one year old, her family, grandparents and relatives, a total of 28 people migrated to Liverpool, England. From there they took a passenger ship and headed for Canada. In 1916, Elizabeth, with her parents, sister and two brothers, crossed the border of the United States in a covered wagon and homesteaded in Larslan, Mont., moving to Lustre in 1923. After graduating from grade school and finishing two years at the local Bible School, she married Harry F. Reddig in 1932. Their daughter, Elinor, was born in 1933. In 1935, her husband Harry died of pneumonia. Their son, named Harry after his father, was born in 1936. It had always been a dream of Elizabeth's to teach, so she finished high school by correspondence and then attended Northern Montana College-all the while helping her dad with calving, milking and other farm work. She graduated in 1948 with a six-year teaching certificate. Three years later, she married Pete Friesen and their daughter, Eileen, was born in 1958. In 1983, they retired from the farm and moved to Glasgow, Mont. Pete died in 1996 and Elizabeth moved to Nemont Manor. She loved the Lord, her family, attending church, quilting, and entertaining among many other things. In 2011, she wrote that "Everything is getting slower, also my mind, but I still enjoy going to church, singing, listening, praying and Bible studies. I did enjoy sewing, reading, singing, quilting, embroidering and other handwork... Of course, I enjoyed visiting with the family both here and in their homes. One of my greatest joys is holding a baby, new life!" She read through the Bible every year from 1976 through about 2015, a tradition she hoped her children and future generations would continue. Most of Elizabeth's family lived miles away, but they all knew that she prayed for them every day; she will be greatly missed! She is survived by three children, Elinor (Lon) Runner, Harry (Judy) Reddig and Eileen (Kevin) Clemans; 15 grandchildren, Charlotte (Jack) Runner, Ruth (Rosoe) Kronfuss, Kathy (Steve) Marks, Dean (Karen) Sauskojus, Ken (Debbie) Sauskojus, Jim (Patty) Sauskojus, Deanette (Ron) Piesk, Nadine (Wayne) Steiner, Don Reddig, Charlene Reddig, Kelsey (Micah) Kramer, Tim Clemans, Josh Clemans, Jordan Clemans, and Josiah Clemans; 25 great-grandchildren; and 27 great-great-grandchildren. In memory of Elizabeth, donations can be made to her church of the last 35 years, Glasgow Evangelical Church. About 150 casinos are now in operation, up from 98 in 2017. In the coastal province of Sihanoukville alone there are 88. The law bans Cambodians from entering casinos. For PIME missionary, it is difficult to assess the consequences of the trend because all this has happened so fast. Phnom Penh (AsiaNews) - Cambodia granted 52 licences to casinos in 2018; that pushed the number of gambling facilities up by 53 per cent over the previous year, the Ministry of Economy and Finance reported. In the coastal province of Sihanoukville alone, there are 88 casinos, said Ros Phirun, the deputy director-general of the ministrys General Department of Financial Industry the gambling business regulator in the Kingdom. This has turned the province and its homonymous provincial capital into one of Asias gambling meccas. Both have experienced a building boom in the past few years thanks to a steady flow of Chinese investment in hotels, casinos and real estate. However, one of the side effects of Chinas growing presence and investments, especially in south-western Cambodia, has been crime and instability, Provincial Governor Yun Min said in a letter to the central government. The presence of so many gambling facilities is a source of concern for its impact on locals. Although Cambodians are not allowed in the casinos, groups like the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability have warned that more and more of them are falling into poverty from gambling. "From a social point of view, casinos worry the Church", said Fr Gianluca Tavola, superior delegate of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) in Cambodia. According to the clergyman, "no one believes that a casino can deliver well-being, social balance and the common good. In my opinion, today it is difficult to assess the consequences of the trend because all this has happened so fast over the past two to three years. "The city of Sihanoukville is just one big construction site. An invasion is taking place with Chinese nationals and companies scooping up land and businesses. This has forced several local and foreign businesses to sell, cease their activities or move east, to Kampot. In fact, Western tourists now prefer the latter, boosting local resorts." State Amends Previous Charge Alleging Intercourse with 14-Year Old On Dec. 26, the Montana Department of Justice amended charges against former Valley County Undersheriff Luke Strommen adding the charge of Sexual Intercourse Without Consent, a felony. Strommen has already been charged with the offense of Sexual Abuse of a Child, a felony, as a result of allegations of improprieties of a sexual nature with a 17-year-old victim four years ago. Strommen pled not guilty to that charge in District Court on Oct. 16. According to the amended court documents, Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was contacted in November 2018 regarding an additional victim of sexual offense alleged to have been committed by Strommen. The victim indicated her first sexual contact with Strommen was in a hotel room in Great Falls when she was 14-years-old. The victim states the sexual relationship progressed and lasted until she moved from the area two years later. She also told investigators that Strommen had intercourse with her over 50 times, with most of the encounters occurring in Strommens Sheriffs Office patrol vehicle. As a result of the additional charges, Strommen is to have no contact with any person under the age of 18 years old, not frequent places where children congregate including schools, parks, playgrounds, can not access the Internet via computer or smartphone and have no contact with witnesses, among others. After Strommens first court appearance on Oct. 16, he was released on conditions including he could not be at a public forum where children were present without the accompaniment of his wife or another adult. He was also able to utilize the Internet on a family device as long as the device he was using was available to law enforcement for viewing. Strommen is set to appear in District Court on Monday, Jan. 14, at 1:30 p.m. to answer to the additional charges. Sheriff to Retire After 43 Years in LE Retiring Sheriff Verne Buerkle hadn't always wanted to be a cop. He just always was a cop. After sitting through a presentation from the then Glendive Chief of Police Gary Olson during his high school career day in Southeast Montana, Buerkle thought, "You know what, that's something I'd be interested in." That thought would translate into a 46-year long career in public service culminating in his being appointed Sheriff of Valley County in 2017. Initially, Buerkle enlisted in the Army in 1972 as an armor crewman. After two years on active duty he transitioned over and added six years in the National Guard. He earned a degree in "Police Sciences" from Dawson Community College before coming on board at the Glasgow Police Department. Buerkle would do 21 years at GPD before retiring, with a three-year stint at the Post Office wedged in the middle. After retiring from GPD, Buerkle took on a role at the Valley County Sheriff's Office starting on April 1, 1999. Sheriff Richard Wessler would appoint him undersheriff in November, 2001, and he would remain in the post under Wessler and the following Sheriff administration until taking over the post of Sheriff on Jan. 1, 2017. When asked why he remained a cop Buerkle quipped, "Because I don't know how to do anything else." His serious response revolved around the answer one comes to expect from a man who spent his life in uniform, because he genuinely wanted to help people and found the work, although not enjoyable, rewarding. Buerkle held up a number of cases he worked or was involved in that were horrific for the community, and required a lot of care, compassion and attention from law enforcement. A fact that he seemingly took with both pride and shame. Many of the cases he was hesitant to talk about citing local family and survivors of those cases are still alive in the community. One such case was a triple homicide in 1977 in which Buerkle was dispatched to investigate the grizzly murder of a family in their home by the daughter's estranged husband. Other cases that stuck out in Buerkle's mind involved a private plane crash and a winter storm that sent the Sheriff's Office out into the cold January winter on snowmobiles to search the wreckage and recover the bodies of four killed in the crash. The temperatures and the state of the passengers made that day in 2004 stand out for Buerkle. That crash involved a father, two sons and one of the son's fiancee traveling back from South Dakota to Cut Bank in a small private airplane when the weather took a turn for the worse. While trying to fly around the storm the plane was engulfed in the blizzard's onslaught and inverted before crashing and killing all on board. Buerkle described how search and rescue efforts lead an Air Force helicopter to Valley County where they located the wreckage and established that no one survived. The next day the sheriff deputies had to be plowed in by the road department and then continued in on snowmobiles to the crash site. It was a day that demonstrated some of the many tasks Buerkle performed over more than four decades in law enforcement. Archive Photo / For the Courier The 1977 Glasgow Police Department poses for a photo. Top row, left to right are Vernon Buerkle, Art Nelson, Bruce Larsen, Robert West, Tom Grewe and Russell Glaeske. Bottom row, left to right are Craig Luse, Karl Krouse, Emery Brelje and Clay Berger. Buerkle, responding to a question on the ups of the job, said optimistically, "Just this past Thursday we went and did a blood run from Phillips County to the hospital here, so it's not all issuing citations and arresting people." A "blood run," by Buerkle's description, meant that they met an ambulance carrying a sample of blood from Phillips County, that needed to be tested quickly to help diagnose an infant, to get it to the hospital here in Glasgow as quickly as possible. It was a source of positive pride for the veteran law enforcement officer to assist the safety and well-being of the public. Wrapping up the interview and topping off a long career, Buerkle offered just one piece of advice for his predecessor Sheriff Tom Boyer and in true form to the outgoing Sheriff it was flatly practical, "Just try to work well with all the departments and the people of Valley County." He added, "It has been a pleasure working with everybody in the county, both in and out of law enforcement." The FCC said that it would grant Google a waiver to operate the Soli sensors at higher power levels than currently allowed. Google says the sensor can allow users to press an invisible button between the thumb and index fingers or a virtual dial that turns by rubbing a thumb against the index finger. Alphabet Incs Google unit won approval from US regulators to deploy a radar-based motion sensing device known as Project Soli. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said in an order late on Monday that it would grant Google a waiver to operate the Soli sensors at higher power levels than currently allowed. The FCC said the sensors can also be operated aboard aircraft. The FCC said the decision will serve the public interest by providing for innovative device control features using touchless hand gesture technology. A Google spokeswoman did not immediately comment on Tuesday, citing the New Years Day holiday. The FCC said the Soli sensor captures motion in a three-dimensional space using a radar beam to enable touchless control of functions or features that can benefit users with mobility or speech impairments. Google says the sensor can allow users to press an invisible button between the thumb and index fingers or a virtual dial that turns by rubbing a thumb against the index finger. The company says that even though these controls are virtual, the interactions feel physical and responsive as feedback is generated by the haptic sensation of fingers touching. Google says the virtual tools can approximate the precision of natural human hand motion and the sensor can be embedded in wearables, phones, computers and vehicles. In March, Google asked the FCC to allow its short-range interactive motion sensing Soli radar to operate in the 57- to 64-GHz frequency band at power levels consistent with European Telecommunications Standards Institute standards. Facebook Inc raised concerns with the FCC that the Soli sensors operating in the spectrum band at higher power levels might have issues coexisting with other technologies. After discussions, Google and Facebook jointly told the FCC in September that they agreed the sensors could operate at higher than currently allowed power levels without interference but at lower levels than previously proposed by Google. Facebook told the FCC in September that it expected a variety of use cases to develop with respect to new radar devices, including Soli. The Soli devices can be operated aboard aircraft but must still comply with Federal Aviation Administration rules governing portable electronic devices. TRAI approaches SC against TDSAT order on predatory pricing tariff rule News oi-Priyanka Dua Transparency in tariff is and has always been an issue of prime concern for the government and to protect the interests of the consumers of telecommunications services The telecom regulator TRAI has moved to Supreme Court (SC) against TDSAT order dismissing its predatory pricing tariff rule, PTI reported. "Trai has filed an appeal before Hon'ble Supreme Court against the order of Hon'ble TDSAT dated December 13, 2018. The appeal is yet to be listed," telecom minister Manoj Sinha said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, the report said. Under the predatory pricing tariff rule, the regulator had barred telecom operators, with over 30 percent market share, from offering services at a price which is below the average cost of service that is intended to reduce competition or eliminate the competitors. Sinha said that transparency in tariff is and has always been an issue of prime concern for the government and to protect the interests of the consumers of telecommunications services, the regulator has issued several tariff orders, directions, and guidelines in order to ensure transparency in tariff offers from time-to-time. "However, despite these measures to ensure transparency in tariff, the Trai has been receiving complaints from consumers and consumer organizations highlighting, inter-alia, lack of transparency in the tariff offer of telecom service providers," Sinha added. To recall last year in February TRAI issued the order on predatory pricing and imposed penalty financial disincentive of up to Rs 50 lakh per circle on operators if their service rates are found to be predatory in nature. In fact, COAI had said that "All our member operators, with the exception of one, feel deeply victimized and let down. We request the Government to intervene and look into these concerns on an urgent basis and ensure a financially healthy and vibrant telecom industry that is able to support Digital India and serve customers. An environment of regulation and policy that is not based on an equal footing will further aggravate the deep financial stress and kill future investments, innovation in an industry that has put India on the global map." 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 Nokia, Vianet to deploy FTTH in Nepal News oi-Priyanka Dua Vianet will be able to evolve and scale its network in line with residential demands in a cost-efficient way. The Finnish telecom gear maker Nokia recently said that Vianet, a leading Internet Service Provider in Nepal, will deploy a Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) network across Nepal to help connect more than 200,000 customers with ultra-broadband access by 2019. The multi-year project includes deploying over 100,000 of Nokia's GPON Optical Network Terminals (ONT)s. GPON fiber solution will help Vianet to build up to 2.5 Gbps (Gigabits per second) capable network per subscriber. The new ultra-fast network will enable Vianet subscribers to seamlessly transition towards the highly demanding Internet applications such as Ultra-High Definition (4k) video content, Internet TV, live streaming, online gaming, as well as support the growing number of devices that are becoming Internet capable. Using Nokia's leading fiber platform, Vianet will be able to evolve and scale its network in line with residential demands in a cost-efficient way. Binay Bohra, Managing Director, at Vianet, said: "Collaborating with a global technology leader like Nokia will ensure that we are able to provide the best-in-class quality of services to our subscribers." According to Nokia fiber solution will also significantly increase current broadband speeds in Nepal Once deployed, the new FTTH network will provide existing Vianet subscribers with the option to upgrade their current bandwidth up to 100Mbps and experience ultra-broadband and HD IPTV services. Expanding beyond the metropolitan area of Kathmandu, the new fiber network will also enable Vianet to more effectively address underserved areas across Nepal and further increase broadband penetration. Vinish Bawa, head of emerging business for the India and Nepal Markets at Nokia, said: "We are excited to work with Vianet as they transform their networks to allow subscribers to experience world-class ultra-high-speed broadband. Customers will be able to enjoy high bandwidth consuming applications without any network-related problems. This transformation is essential for ISPs to meet ever-growing customer demand for a faster and more reliable internet. It will also lead to increased consumption of broadband thus helping Vianet to add to its revenue." 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 DRDO bans smartphones following BrahMos scientist arrest News oi-Vishal Kawadkar The scientists are asked to avoid revealing their identity on social media platforms. Starting January 1, no scientist working with DRDO laboratories will be allowed to carry phones inside the labs. The move cites security concerns after a BrahMos scientist was arrested for leaking information to the ISI. The Defence R&D Organization (DRDO) has also banned the use of CDs and pen drives or any media that can help transfer information. Besides, the organization has also asked its scientists to prevent from revealing their identity or designation on social media platforms. The company has even barred the employees from revealing identity on matrimonial sites or wedding cards. A senior systems engineer named Nishant Aggarwal who was working with BrahMos Aerospace said to have received a lucrative job offer on his LinkedIn profile by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was offered a high-paying job but nothing more was mentioned. Scientists that are working with the organization on a contract basis have been asked to provide an undertaking that says they wouldn't disclose details about any of the project hey are associated to, even after the end of their tenure. 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 Vivo NEX A Dual Screen with Snapdragon 710 SoC spotted online: Launch imminent News oi-Vivek Vivo NEX A Dual Screen has 8 GB of RAM The Vivo NEX Dual Screen is Vivo's way of launching a bezel-less smartphone with dual screen technology. Now, according to reports, the company is working on an affordable version of the Vivo NEX Dual Screen, which will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 Mobile Solution, instead of Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC. The chipset is one of the most expensive parts of a smartphone, and replacing a tier 1 chipset with tier 2 chipset will help the company to save some dollars. This will help the company to bring down the price of the smartphone to make it more accessible. The company is most likely to call it the "Vivo NEX A Dual Screen" phone and here are the specifications that we can expect from the upcoming Vivo NEX A Dual Screen smartphone. The overall form factor of the Vivo NEX A Dual Screen will be identical to the Vivo NEX Dual Screen. Vivo NEX A Dual Screen specifications Just like the original Vivo NEX Dual Screen smartphone will have a dual display with a 6.39-inch primary OLED display on the front with an in-display fingerprint sensor. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 SoC powers the smartphone with 8 GB of RAM and 64/128 GB of internal storage. The Vivo NEX A Dual Screen smartphone will have a different camera setup with triple cameras on the realm. The main camera unit will have a 12 MP primary RGB sensor + 13 MP sensor + 2 MP depth sensor. The smartphone carries a 3425 mAh Li-ion battery with support for fast charging via USB type C with a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack. The smartphone is most likely to go on sale in China in the next few days, as the device is already listed on TENAA. As of now, there is no information on the launch of the Vivo NEX Dual Screen or the Vivo NEX A Dual Screen smartphone in India. Source Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Nokia 106 (2018) now available on Flipkart for Rs 1,309 News oi-Vivek Nokia 106 (2018) comes with an 800 mAh battery HMD Global or Nokia is the only major mobile brand with a portfolio that has both high-end Android smartphones and entry-level feature phones. HMD Global launched the Nokia 106 (2018) in November 2018 for Rs 1,700, and the device is now available for sale on Flipkart and Amazon. The Nokia 106 (2018) is a successor to the original Nokia 106. The 2018's iteration of the Nokia 106 comes with a new design with a curved design, which should offer better in-hand grip. The Nokia 106 (2018) is listed on Flipkart for Rs 1,309, and the same is also available on Amazon for 1,478. Let us look at the actual-tech specifications of the feature phone. Buy the Nokia 106 (2018) here Nokia 106 (2018) specifications and features The Nokia 106 (2018) comes with a 1.8-inch TFT RGB display with a resolution of 160 x 120 pixels (QQVGA). The device is powered by the MediaTek MT6261D SoC with 4 MB of RAM and 4 MB of internal storage. The device comes with dual SIM slots with support for 2G and Edge network. Users can save up to 500 contacts on the phone, and the device also comes with built-in games like Nitro Racing, Danger Dash, and Tetris. The Nokia 106 (2018) also comes with a bunch of cool apps like digital clock, FM Radio, flashlight, calculator, reminder, and alarm clock. The Nokia 106 (2018) has a 3.5 mm headphone jack with support for FM Radio. The phone has an 800 mAh Li-ion (user replaceable battery), which is expected to offer 10 hours of talk time on a single charge and 840 hours of standby time. If you are looking for a budget feature phone from a well-known brand, then the Nokia 106 (2018) seems like a good choice. The only disadvantage on the Nokia 106 (2018) is the fact that the device does not support 4G network and the device misses out on the microSD card slot. 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 KaiOS confirms wider rollout of WhatsApp support for Nokia 8110 4G News oi-Abhinaya Prabhu KaiOS has made an interesting announcement! KaiOS is a well-known operating system, which powers feature phones such as JioPhone, JioPhone 2 and Nokia 8110 4G. The maker of this mobile OS, KaiOS Technologies has made a significant announcement via its official Twitter account. Going by the same, the will bring WhatsApp to Nokia 8110 4G. Notably, the Nokia 8110 4G units in India already support the instant messaging app. And, the company has not clarified that the app will be rolled out to the device in the other regions as well. It has been revealed by the company while responding to a user's query on Twitter regarding the support for WhatsApp. This confirmation comes months after the rollout of WhatsApp support for the users of the Nokia phone in India. However, there is no word regarding a specific date for the rollout. WhatsApp for KaiOS For the uninitiated, the version of WhatsApp supported by the devices powered by KaiOS is different from the standard version of the app supported by smartphones. When it comes to the differences between the version of the app that runs on smartphones and feature phones, the latter lets users chat with their family and friends and share photos and videos. But feature phone users cannot add Statuses that vanish in 24 hours. While there is no confirmation from the instant messaging app owned by Facebook, it is believed that WhatsApp will make its way to the official Nokia Store. These speculations have risen as WhatsApp is already available on JioStore for the users of the JioPhone. Nokia 8110 4G specifications and price Priced at Rs. 5,999, the Nokia 8110 4G feature phone supports 4G VoLTE and runs KaiOS. It features a 2.45-inch QVGA curved display and is powered by the Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform paired with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage space. The image aspects include 2MP rear camera with LED flash, dual-SIM support, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.1. It is preloaded with a slew of apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Google Maps, Twitter, Google Search and Google Assistant. Also, the device comes with the Snake game seen on the new Nokia 3310. The device gets the power from a 1500mAh battery offering up to 9 hours of talk time. 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 The West has chosen instead to express concern over violence, intimidation and harassment of political opponents before the election. The first two international calls to congratulate Sheikh Hasina Wajed for her landslide win in the Bangladesh polls came from India and China. The rest of the world has been more circumspect - wary of a poll result in which Sheikh Hasina has incredulously bettered her record of 2014 when the Opposition had boycotted the election. The West has chosen instead to express concern over violence, intimidation and harassment of political opponents before the election. The Bangladesh election results are neither going to further democracy in that country nor Indias long-term interests in South Asia, and beyond. The Bangladesh Opposition - primarily the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and others which came together as the National Unity Front - has rejected the election results. However, the demand for a fresh election is unlikely to be conceded by the Election Commission, which is described as partisan by the Opposition. Sheikh Hasina wears the badge of development but the system she presides over has functioned with intimidation, intolerance and fear. Over time, this has muted critical voices and narrowed the democratic discourse. After the Awami Leagues massive, yet questionable, victory, the democratic space can only shrink. Hundreds of political adversaries, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Begum Khaleda Zia, are already in jail. The Opposition will be further decimated as those who escaped prosecution so far may be jailed in the coming days. Fear of the States coercive machinery will stymie public protests against the government. The democratic institutions of Bangladesh have been eroded for short-term gains by those in power for a long time. Both the outgoing Parliament and the incoming Parliament are good examples. The former was unrepresentative because the Opposition boycotted the general election and the latter will be also perceived to be so because of the allegations of match-fixing. Due to political manipulation by the State, the judiciary and the Election Commission have also lost their sheen in the country. The media has fallen in line with state diktats. Given a history of attacks by both state and non-state actors, public intellectuals and independent bloggers fear for their lives. The absence of democratic safety valves and with institutions of the state weaponsied against dissent, is a particularly dangerous situation for countries which have a significant presence of Islamic radicals. The failure of political processes creates a fertile ground for the expansion of radical politics. The people can then easily turn to Islamic radicalism, as happened in Egypt and Algeria. The prospect of a radicalised Bangladesh is one of the reasons why the developments in that country may not be in the long-term interests of India. There are other reasons as well. Although China and India both welcomed the political continuity in Bangladesh, their stakes are very different. China wants a strategic foothold in Bangladesh to counter the United States, and secondarily, India. Its inroads into the domestic politics of the country through business relations with prominent families of the ruling party can help it advance its strategic goals. The Awami League government has given several entry points to China. Bangladesh is an integral part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Of the six BRI corridors four land and two maritime Bangladesh is an integral part of the important maritime corridor running from Kunming to Kolkata through Myanmars Kaukpyu Port to Chittagong in Bangladesh and on to Kolkata. Apart from opportunities for trade and commerce, this gives China access to the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The Kaukpyu Port, with 85 per cent Chinese ownership, will be an energy hub, designed to overcome its dependence on the vulnerable Malacca Straits for 80 per cent of its oil imports from the Middle East. The Kaukpyu port will store the crude imported from the Middle East and process it at a refinery being built by the Saudis, a methane refinery will be built by Qatar to treat gas imported from Qatar and all the products along with Myanmars Shwe gas field will be pumped through pipelines to China. The BRI connecting deep-sea port at Sonadia near Coxs Bazar is currently on hold. China wants continuity in Dhaka to protect its geo-strategic, geo-economic and geo-energy interests as well as its investments in big infrastructure projects like the Padma Bridge, the Chittagong Highway project and the 13,500-MW Moheshkhali Power Station. China fears a repetition of what happened in Malaysia when the new government of Mahathir Mohamed put on hold the Chinese $1.5 billion East-West Railway Project. It wants no uncertainties about the $40 billion BRI investment it has committed to Bangladesh. As the bulk of the BRI funds are expected to flow into Bangladesh after the recently-concluded elections, China had an interest in political continuity. China also needs Bangladesh to relocate some industries because of the lower labour costs it offers. Bangladesh could become the preferential entry point for Chinese goods from Least Developed Countries to the Western markets. Compared to Chinas wide spectrum strategic and economic interests in Bangladesh, Indias interests remain small - assurances on denying shelter to the Northeeastern insurgents in Bangladesh; preventing jihadi militancy from crossing over to India; denying Pakistan the opportunity to print and push fake currency into India and preventing illegal immigration. Sheikh Hasinas government has cooperated with India on these issues in the past and, therefore, New Delhi has supported the continuance of the Awami League. Although the entry of China in Bangladesh had an Indian nod, the Chinese footprint is set to expand over time and India will not have a veto. The Chinese expansion will marginalise the role of both India and the United States. As this great game unfolds, it remains to be seen whether or not Indian intersts will get squeezed out of Bangladesh. As for Indias primary bugbear, the rise of Islamic radicals in Bangladesh and its consequences across the border, a one-sided election may have given it a new breath of life. In the long run, it might be easier to deal with a stable and democratic Bangladesh than one that may become a powder keg. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. The Corvallis Fire Department is investigating a kitchen fire that occurred Monday night at Sharons Cafe in South Corvallis. Fire officials received a call at 8:39 p.m. Monday night from a person who saw smoke while passing by the breakfast and brunch restaurant at 1894 S.W. Third Street. The first CFD unit arrived at 8:44 p.m., said Dave Still, battalion chief. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Firefighters broke into the closed restaurant and found heavy smoke throughout the building, with the fire confined to the kitchen prep area. The fire was reported under control at 9:29 p.m., Still said. The building was not equipped with fire sprinklers or fire alarms, which delayed fire department notification. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but officials believe that it was accidental. No one was injured in the incident. Engines from all four Corvallis stations responded, along with an ambulance. A Monroe Rural Fire Protection District engine assisted Corvallis firefighters with overhaul, the search for possible extension of the fire by opening walls, ceilings, voids, and partitions. Monroe, Adair Village Rural Fire & Rescue and Philomath Fire & Rescue provided backup for Corvallis stations during the operation. Signs were posted outside the restaurant Tuesday indicating that it is closed, but no fire damage could be seen from either the front or rear of the building. Contact reporter James Day at jim.day@gazettetimes.com or 541-758-9542. Follow at Twitter.com/jameshday or gazettetimes.com/blogs/jim-day. Love 0 Funny 3 Wow 1 Sad 11 Angry 2 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 Sena has been attacking the Modi-led government over a host of issues, including the Rafale controversy. Mumbai: BJP ally Shiv Sena Wednesday supported the Oppositions demand in the Lok Sabha for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale issue, and drew a parallel with the alleged Bofors scam, claiming that people were saying that the Rafale aircraft were good but the deal was bad. Participating in the discussion over the Rafale deal, Sena leader and south Mumbai MP Arvind Sawant said that the government, which always spoke of transparency, was rejecting the demand for a JPC probe. The former CMD of HAL says we can manufacture Rafale in India. When the company has got the capacity to do it efficiently in India, why is HAL deprived of the contract. That is not a correct move by the government, he said. The Sena MP told this newspaper, It is a good opportunity to set up a JCP to make things crystal clear. The Sena has been attacking the Modi-led government over a host of issues, including the Rafale controversy. Galveston, TX (77553) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 81F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Have any questions? Please give us a call at 907-352-2250 The new law is designed to find an agreeable path forward: A new emphasis on fairness will help ensure that sentencing of drug offenders, for example, does not perpetuate racial inequities. A new emphasis on recidivism reduction will help prevent offenders from returning to prison once they get out. Crimes should always be judged on a case-by-case basis, but common sense suggests that since the vast majority of criminals will one day be back on the street, its in societys best interest that they have a job-worthy skill and useful education when they are released. Remember that this is a federal law, so it applies strictly to federal crimes. But many of the same issues and concepts relate to criminal justice on the state level, and Virginia lawmakers and those in other states would do well to consider what The First Step Act aims to accomplish as they convene in 2019. Should certain mandatory minimum sentences be shortened for some nonviolent or relatively minor offenses? Legislation in the 2018 session reformed Virginias three-strikes penalty. Do judges have adequate latitude to avoid mandatory minimums as they weigh sentencing options? Virginia has been working on that, too. EVERY year, Fredericksburg celebrates a remarkable document, the drafting of which was begun right here in 1777, and which then became the essence of the First Amendment to the Constitution. So it is fitting that we review the content and the meaning of that document, and be clear what were celebrating. From what Thomas Jefferson says in his autobiography, the Virginia Statute is not intended to specifically defend the rights of Christians or the place of Christianity in Virginia. It does not state or imply that Virginia is a Christian state or that Christianity gets priority over other religions. The Statute does not even assert the need to maintain faith in any religion at all. It defends all people against being coerced to think the same way that others think specifically in the matter of religionand it claims this in support of an unalienable right: because we are free from the start. Freedom with respect to religion is a remarkable step forward in human history, promised by American democracy. This is what we are celebrating. There is no better way to begin reflections on Jeffersons Statute than to read it in full, and to be reminded of its beauty, succinctness, and clarity: A senior official said the chief minister would communicate with beneficiaries in this matter twice a month. Mumbai: Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is directly talking to the beneficiaries of Central and state governments schemes. Mr Fadnavis had a dialogue with the beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in the state in a Lok Samvad (public dialogue) on Wednesday. A senior official said the chief minister would communicate with beneficiaries in this matter twice a month. Earlier, Mr Fadnavis communicated directly with the people through the Me Mukhyamantri Boltoy programme, which was lasted until November 2017. He said that up to five brass sand would be provided without a royalty. An official from the chief ministers office (CMO) said that the aim of the Lok Samvad is to ascertain the benefits of schemes for the needy that are accruing and the problems faced while availing of benefits. At present, 12 lakh houses are under construction under the PMAY in the state, he added. According to the official, 598 people participated in Wednesdays Lok Samvad and, though it was difficult to speak to all of them, the chief minister had patiently heard them and replied to their queries. Among the issues discussed were the PMAY, Ramai housing scheme, Shabri residences, the Deendayal Upadhyaya land purchase scheme, whether or not the subsidy was received in time and whether toilets were constructed or not. He also said that next Lok Samvad is expected to centre on farmer-related schemes. Officials said that the beneficiaries told the chief minister that the Maharashtra government schemes effectively reached the common people in a transparent manner as the subsidy was credited directly to their bank accounts. They also claimed that their dream of beautiful and pucca houses was being fulfilled with the governments schemes. In a reply to a query by one Asha Jamjod from Amravati, the chief minister said discussions are in progress with the Central government to waive the fee recovered for the design drawings of houses to be constructed. Wardha Kottewar from Wardha and Javed Shaikh from Fulewada in Gadchiroli district stated that they were facing problems in procuring sand for constructing their houses under the PMAY. In reply, Mr Fadnavis said that five brass sand is free of cost for the purpose of constructing houses under the PMAY and all district collectors and tehsildars would be instructed regarding the same. The facility would include the installation of 1.8 million solar panels on three tracts of the property. The 500 megawatt solar farm, the largest such proposal in the U.S., would send energy into the current grid. The company already has agreements to sell the energy to major high-tech companies and the University of Richmond. The Board of Supervisors will have the final say on the project, which will undergo another public hearing before any final vote. The countys planning department wrote in its report that the conditions it set are needed for the project to meet special-use standards and to coincide with the comprehensive plan. Yet the staff report says there are reservations about the size/scale of the facility and cautions that some conditions intended to mitigate impacts may change the project scope. The conditions may limit how much land can be disturbed, which could lead to more time to build the facility. The report adds that the majority of health, safety, and welfare concerns with the project and the greatest potential for negative impacts on the community are during the construction phase. Once established, the solar energy facility should be a safe, clean, quiet neighbor. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Two people recently released on bond after an arrest for passing counterfeit money at a Spotsylvania County business were arrested again over the weekend following a chase in North Carolina during which fake money was tossed out of their fleeing vehicle, police said. Timber Wayne Veverka, 26, and Debra Whitley Collins, 21, were arrested again Sunday just outside New Bern, N.C. They were charged with numerous new offenses and are being held in Craven County, N.C., police said. Both Veverka and Collins have the same Georgia address, though Veverka used to live in the Fredericksburg area and has a criminal record in Spotsylvania. He was arrested in Spotsylvania on Nov. 29 after police got a call about counterfeit money having been passed at a fast-food restaurant the night before. A patrol sergeant spotted Veverka at a county motel early the next morning carrying a printer. Spotsylvania police said Veverka put the printer down when he saw the officer and took off running. He was found hiding in a vehicle at a nearby business a short time later. Collins was found in a motel room flushing fake money down the toilet, police said. She and Veverka have multiple charges in Spotsylvania and have preliminary hearings set for Jan. 22. There was a party going on in one room of the Family Birth Place at Stafford Hospital on New Years Eveeven before the parents of Jhkai Malcolm Odie realized he was the Fredericksburg regions first baby of 2019. As his mother, Shakiyla Mason, pushed in the final moments of labor, her hospital room was crowded with about 25 people. Some were family members, including Masons 7-year-old daughter, Ahmaya, and others were medical officials there to monitor the birth. Revelers in the room were raising cups of sparkling cider and shouting Happy New Year as the baby boy, with a head full of black hair, made his appearance at 12:01 a.m. Grandmother Chiquita Jones took a photo of the clock on the hospital room wall, which read 00:01 in red digits. It was exciting, said Jerome Odie, the babys father. The family lives in Stafford County. The grandmother thanked nurses in the labor and delivery department for fostering such a happy atmosphere. They made it wonderful, they really did, she said. Keep the conversation about local news & events going by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Recent updates from The News-Post and also from News-Post staff members are compiled below. Yes. It was a great time. I wanted to go, but couldnt make it. Maybe next year. Im not comfortable in crowds yet. Im not a fan of arts shows. Vote View Results If a person gets the card number, expiry date, CVV and PIN, they can use it for online transactions. A gang was arrested a few months ago by the Uttar Pradesh Special Taskforce for cloning debit/credit cards. The gang had created duplicates of thousands of cards belonging to residents of Chandigarh, Lucknow and Delhi. A lot of card cloning cases have been reported in India. But this time, what was shocking was the involvement of hotel waiters. The waiters at bars and restaurants copy the card details when the customers give them the cards for payment. Later, they run the card on skimmers and capture the PIN using a pinhole camera. The skimmers copy all the information stored in the magnetic strip of the card and make duplicate cards. The stolen data are copied to white PVC cards, which is used to withdraw money. The waiters are paid Rs 2500 per card for performing the fraud. People disclose their PIN to restaurant waiters just because they dont want to leave the comfort of their seats to make payment. If a person gets the card number, expiry date, CVV and PIN, they can use it for online transactions. For international e-commerce purchases, mostly, PIN/OTP is not even required, which makes things even worse. The card can also be cloned. How many of us are aware of this? The skimming devices are available online on e-commerce websites for about Rs 17000. Social engineering Banks ask for OTP while making an online transaction. Still, people are fooled by social engineering attacks (influencing human mind by tricks) to get PIN and other confidential information. Customers get phone calls which look like from banks, asking them to share their OTP/PIN. By using the stolen details, money is transferred to the hackers bank account. Most of the time, the account would be registered giving fake details or would be outside the country. The money can also be transferred to digital wallets and is withdrawn immediately, which makes the recovery even more difficult for the law enforcement officers. Nowadays, almost everyone uses Truecaller app to find out unknown numbers. Truecaller works on a give-and-take policy. If you want the details of people calling from unknown numbers, then you have to surrender your phone book contacts. The data is crowd-sourced from the millions of users who have downloaded the Truecaller app on their smartphones. SIM swap SIM swap or simply SIM card exchange is basically registering a new SIM card with your phone number. Once it is done, your SIM card will become invalid and your phone will stop receiving signal. Now, once the miscreants have your phone number, they will get OTPs on their SIM card. With this they can initiate bank transfer and even shop online. Banks have introduced an option for their customers to block/unblock their card transactions. The users will get an option to manage their ATM withdrawal, online transaction, and international transactions. They can unblock the option whenever they need and block it after the use. Hence, they can ensure that the card is not misused. The feature is available in Internet banking, mobile banking, and SMS methods. Also, do report to the law enforcement agency immediately if something goes wrong. There was a recent report of scammers editing Google maps bank listings to trick people. This was brought to light by the Maharashtra cyber police. Googles user generated content policy allows the user to change the details of a place on Google maps. So, anybody can edit the address or phone number of a particular site listed on Google maps. According to the Maharashtra cyber police, a few con artists took advantage of this loophole. When users searched for the number of a particular bank, it automatically directed them to these scammers and they ended up giving all the information to the frauds. The issue was reported and was acknowledged by Google. Care about personal data We should be extremely careful while dealing with digital transactions. Data has become the oil of the future. We should have a clear idea about what will happen if our data reaches a third person. Europe has already implemented Data Privacy Laws (GDPR). California and India are to implement the same in near future. This has flagged the importance of protecting data. The PIN/OTP is meant for protecting us from financial frauds. Please dont share these details with anyone else. The banks never ask you for the PIN or any other details. Also, make use of the block/unblock option of your card for managing the card transactions. (The writer is Manager, cyber security, at UST Global) The Hummus & Pita Co. To Open First Colorado Franchised Store On January 7 The authentic Mediterranean concept will open doors on the 16th Street Mall in Denver, Colorado January 02, 2019 // Franchising.com // DENVER, COLORADO - The Hummus & Pita Co., one of the countrys fastest growing Mediterranean fast casuals, will open doors at its first Colorado location on Monday, January 7. The new site is located in Denver (825 16th Street) on the 16th Street Mall, joining three New York City stores and franchised stores in Brookfield, Connecticut, and Holmdel, New Jersey. Denver is the perfect city for the first The Hummus & Pita Co. location on the West Coast, and we are confident diners will love our fresh, authentic Mediterranean flavors, said Colorado franchisee Rachid Elmrini. This will be the first of five planned locations in Denver to offer made from scratch, delicious cruisine the whole family can enjoy. The fresh and healthy Mediterranean concept has been delivering guilt-free, homemade cuisine to the masses since 2011. All menu items are made from scratch on the premises at each location, using only the freshest ingredients available to ensure high-quality, flavor-focused eats for every guest. The Hummus & Pita Co. stands out from other Mediterranean concepts for its freshly-baked pita and laffa breads, wide variety of vegetarian dishes, meats cooked in a traditional taboon oven, and its signature hummus-based dessert offerings like the Hummus Shake and Hummus Ice Cream, which have been recognized by national media outlets including ABCs The Chew, People Magazine, Business Insider, PopSugar, and more. The Hummus & Pita Co.s high sales volume, coupled with high consumer demand, proves the brand is well-poised for its planned national expansion, including multiple units in development in Detroit, MI; the first of which is slated to open in Q1 of 2019, and multiple units in Los Angeles, CA, planned for 2019. Due to the brands rapid franchised growth and expansion into new markets, The Hummus & Pita Co. was named one of QSRs 13 Emerging New York City Fast Casuals to Watch and 11 Restaurant Franchises on the Cusp of Greatness. The Hummus & Pita Co. is partnered with Fransmart, the industry leading franchise development company behind the explosive growth of brands like Five Guys Burgers and Fries, The Halal Guys, and Qdoba Mexican Grill, as their exclusive franchise development partner to grow the brand. They are currently looking for experienced multi-unit foodservice operators to develop franchise territories in major markets. To learn more and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings, find The Hummus & Pita Co. on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About The Hummus & Pita Co. The Hummus & Pita Co. is a New York City-based concept that brings healthy, homemade Mediterranean cuisine to the masses in a comfortable and inviting environment. All menu items are made-from-scratch on the premises, using only the freshest ingredients available to ensure high-quality flavor-focused eats at every visit. The concept has been named one of 13 New York Fast Casuals to Watch and 11 Restaurant Franchises on the Cusp of Greatness by QSR Magazine, and their signature Dessert Hummus was dubbed one of Americas Most Innovative Menu Items by QSR in 2017. The Hummus & Pita Co. currently operates four locations in New York City and Brookfield, CT, with additional units in development in Denver, New Jersey, Detroit, and Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.hummusandpitas.com. About Fransmart Fransmart is the global leader in franchise development, turning emerging restaurant concepts into national and global brands for over 10 years. Company founder Dan Rowe identified and grew brands like Five Guys Burgers & Fries and Qdoba Mexican Grill from 1-5 unit businesses to the powerhouse chains they are today. Fransmarts current and past franchise development portfolio brands have opened more than 3,000 restaurants in 45 states and 35 countries. Fransmart and their partner brands are committed to franchise development growth - as of 2015, over 1,000 new restaurants are in development across their current portfolio. For more information, visit www.fransmart.com. SOURCE The Hummus & Pita Co. ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus The finance minister, who was the first to speak from the treasury benches, was not lacking in sting. New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday launched a stinging and focused attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, bringing the controversial defence agreement back into the political narrative in this crucial election year. A combative Congress president Rahul Gandhi went to the extent of challenging Mr Modi to a one on one debate on Rafale and accused the PM of lacking guts to do that. The day, which saw a high-decibel faceoff between the Congress president and finance minister Arun Jaitley in the Lok Sabha, began with the Opposition leader brandishing an audio file where Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane is purportedly saying that chief minister Manohar Parrikar, a former defence minister, has claimed that he has files on Rafale in his bedroom. Creating high drama, Mr Gandhi, opening the debate on the Rafale deal in the Lok Sabha, sought Speaker Sumitra Mahajans permission to play the tape in the House. When Ms Mahajan refused to allow this, citing rules and amid objections by Mr Jaitley, the Congress president asked that he be allowed to read from the transcript instead. This too was disallowed by the Chair till the tape was authenticated. At a press conference at the AICC headquarters later, Mr Gandhi claimed Mr Parrikar was blackmailing the PM, and challenged Mr Modi to an open one on one debate with him on Rafale. In the Lok Sabha, when the Congress president opened the debate on his partys behalf, the confidence emanating from the recent wins in three Assembly polls was evident as the first salvo he fired was against the Prime Minister. The PM said in his interview that no one is questioning him on Rafale. But this is not true. The entire nation is asking him. He is not speaking. He then repeated the questions which the Congress has been on asking about Rafale why the demand for 126 aircraft was reduced to 36, who had changed it, did the Air Force ask or request the government for this and if the acquisition of the aircraft was so urgent, then why hadnt a single one been delivered yet. He questioned why the price of the aircraft went upto Rs 1,600 crores from Rs 526 crores. Amid high drama when Mr Gandhi accused the PM of favouring businessmen Anil Ambani to secure the deal, and the Speaker objected to his naming a non-member, the Congress president started calling him AA. The finance minister, who was the first to speak from the treasury benches, was not lacking in sting. He accused Mr Gandhi of lying, and said if he wants to play the tape, he has to authenticate it. Claiming the tape was false and fabricated, he said the Congress president might have to face a privilege motion and even expulsion from the House if the tape turns out to be fabricated. He took on Mr Gandhi over the use of acronym for Anil Ambani and said when he (Rahul Gandhi) was a young man, he was playing in the lap of one Q, an obvious reference to key Bofors accused Ottavio Quattrocchi, now deceased. He also mentioned the recent disclosure allegedly made by AgustaWestland accused Christian Michel and referred to terms like Mrs G and the Italian lady and her son to attack the Congress leadership. There are some people who have a natural dislike for the truth. Every word spoken for the last six months on this subject, including in this House (by them), are false... He has a legacy of speaking falsehoods, he said, adding: This man lies and lies repeatedly. Amid this fierce attack on the Gandhi family, Congress MPs trooped into the Well of the House and were seen throwing paper planes in the direction of the treasury benches. The finance minister ruled out a probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee as demanded by the Congress, saying there was no need for it as the Supreme Court has already satisfied its conscience on the issue. The court had on December 7 said that probing the Rafale was not under its jurisdiction. The finance minister questioned the figure of Rs 1,600 crores, saying that the deal was for Rs 58,000 crores. Where is the figure of Rs 1,600 crores coming from?. This was rebutted by the Mr Gandhi at his press conference later, where he claimed the finance minister had himself provided the figure of Rs 1,600 crores and the total deal of Rs 58,000 crores for 36 aircraft means that each of them costs Rs 1,600 crores. The Congress president also challenged the PM to a one-on-one debate with him on Rafale, combat aircraft or any strategic issue. Just give me 20 minutes with the Prime Minister one-on-one on the Rafale and then you decide what is what. But the Prime Minister doesnt have the guts... He doesnt have the guts to come and sit in front of you. On the audiotape, he said: The Goa minister is saying clearly that Parrikarji said in a Cabinet meeting that he has a complete file on the Rafale deal with all details and therefore he cant be disturbed. There may be other such audiotapes. What Parrikar is doing is threatening the Prime Minister and blackmailing him in a way. We have been raising this for a long time. The question is what information is there in Parrikars bedroom and what files are there and what could be the impact on Narendra Modi? Mr Gandhi alleged. TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (AP) The road to this years Westminster Kennel Club dog show passed through a pandemic and a major change of date and venue. The road also proved dangerous for one of the nations best known dog handlers. His wife and fellow star handler said Saturday that Bill McFadden wa EASLEY, SC (FOX Carolina)- The Easley Police Department says that is searching for a man they say was involved a hit and run incident that took place on June 3, according to a post from Easley PD on their official Facebook page. Shawn Kelly Thomason was charged with stalking in the Minnesota federal court. They are asking that he be detained because of a danger to the community and a flight risk. HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) -- A man police said stabbed a mother in Hartford more than 30 times has been arrested in New York. Police identified the suspect as Edgar Manuel Maldonado of Worcester, MA. During a news conference at 10 a.m. in Hartford, they called Maldonado a man with a record of previous domestic violence incidents. They said he was taken into custody on Wednesday around 5:30 a.m. by New York City police. "We have a lot of communications, a lot of agencies, police, [Department of Children and Families], local police," said Lt. Paul Cicero, Hartford police. "We deal with a track, with Connecticut transit, everybody that we can. Obviously, we even reach into some of the social media apps [such as] Uber, Lyft and taxi companies. So its a lot of moving parts and its difficult, its tedious, but we get through it." Information was obtained by officers about him being in the area. The NYPD responded and located the suspect. Maldonado is being held as a fugitive. Meanwhile, his 43-year-old girlfriend continued to fight for her life on Wednesday morning, police said. She's listed in critical but stable condition. Early Tuesday morning, the unidentified Hartford woman was stabbed dozens of times in a vehicle with her 6-year-old son inside. One neighbor near the Natick Street scene in Hartford described what it looked like as something out of a movie. She said the victim showed up at her doorstep pleading "help me, he's trying to kill me." "She was bleeding everywhere, asking for help," said one neighbor, who didn't want to be identified. "So I told her 'give me a second.' My boyfriend went and grabbed the phone, we called 911. They said well be there in like 2 minutes, thats when the police, the firemen and ambulance came." Police said the victim suffered defensive wounds to her hands and arms, but also some critical wounds to her torso. Maldonado drove to Worcester, MA where police said he ditched the car and left the boy. Worcester police said a weapon was in plain sight in the vehicle. Hartford police said they will issue a search warrant to retrieve the vehicle and weapon. Channel 3 was told that the boy is in the custody of the Massachusetts DCF. The victim's family had one message for Maldonado. "Turn yourself in," they said. "Youre a coward as far as we see it." Police urged the public not to approach Maldonado. They considered him armed and dangerous. Maldonado faces several charges including attempted murder, kidnapping, assault and risk of injury to a minor. Hartford police said they are still waiting to interview him and the victim. It wasn't a happy way to send a big company into the new year. Bank of America Merrill Lynch cut its recommendation on American Express (NYSE:AXP) stock, changing its view on the big credit card company from buy to neutral. That compounded AmEx's misery, as the stock had already taken a hit due to overall market volatility. But perhaps this is deserved, as was Merrill's sudden lack of optimism. Let's explore that, and see if we can determine if all this makes AmEx stock more unattractive than neutral -- perhaps it's even a sell now. A nervous sell-off In his note to investors, Merrill analyst Kenneth Bruce expressed concern that because of "broader market volatility and elevated uncertainty relating to the macro backdrop, we anticipate weaker sentiment for AmEx shares prospectively." Stock market volatility and macro uncertainty are related, of course. We're going through a period of economic insecurity, with trade wars burning in the background and a haphazard American economic policy. This makes investors nervous, and when investors are nervous, they take it out on the stock exchange. Compounding this, stocks of banks and companies involved in the credit card space (frequently one and the same), are considered by many to be on the front line of an economy. When business is humming, people tend to borrow more money and pay it back relatively fast. When volatility hits, spending often gets curtailed -- and quickly. So, to me, Merrill's unhappy note was a little more gasoline on the fire of investor worry. But I don't think this stock is about to erupt in flames. Here's why. AmExceptional As stock investors, we should absolutely and always monitor the state of the broader economy. This is especially true if we hold shares of banks and other lenders, which are susceptible to its movements. I feel that American Express, though, is exceptional. A major element that gives the AmEx brand its power is the relative affluence of its clientele. Because of this affluence, these folks tend to be somewhat insulated from macroeconomic winds. Recent AmEx numbers bear this out. In each of the three reported quarters of fiscal 2018, the company delivered strong growth on both the top and bottom lines. In all three instances, earnings rose at a double-digit clip, most recently by 22% on a year-over-year basis. This isn't an anomaly, but rather a clear and direct result of the company's efforts. Worldwide billed business (i.e., total transaction volume) rose by 10% in the third quarter, while card member loans zoomed 14% higher. Driven by a 7% rise in the crucial U.S. market, the number of cards in circulation went up to over 115 million, indicating that plenty of people still hunger to be AmEx members. And it's not only new cardholders who are driving growth. With its vaunted and always-competitive Membership Rewards program, the company is doing a fine job of squeezing more customers out of its longer-term clients -- roughly 60% of loan growth in Q3 came from existing card members. An undervalued credit card stock Following AmEx's December price swoon, its shares trade at a P/E of 23. This might sound a bit rich to some, but it's actually fairly modest given the bullish expectations many analysts still have for the company's profitability. A glance at the forward PEG ratio, particularly when placed next to mighty peer card network operators Visa (NYSE:V) and Mastercard (NYSE:MA), shows that the stock has plenty of room to run. Visa and Mastercard are powerful competitors, and the market has been excited about their prospects for years. One reason why is that both are open-loop operators, essentially middlemen between the credit card issuers and the clients (AmEx, by contrast, is a closed-loop company that acts as both a card network and issuer). Volume is key for open-loopers since they're essentially middlemen. Happily for them, the world is accelerating its switch to payment cards from cash, benefiting them enormously. AmEx, since it has to do the grunt work of finding new card members and encouraging them to spend, grows more slowly. But its recent results are very encouraging, and with a business based on relatively well-heeled clientele, it has a built-in defense against economic volatility. I don't think AmEx is a sell at all these days, or even deserving of Merrill's new neutral recommendation. In fact, I'd say it's a bit of a sleeper in its peer group, a strong and well-run business that still has a lot of potential. Investors should, therefore, consider buying it instead. Check out the latest American Express earnings call transcript. 03 Jun 2021 --- In May, global food prices increased at their fastest monthly rate a first in more than a decade. World cereal production is also on course to reach a new... Read More CES 2019 show is right around the corner and we are already seeing brands gearing up to introduce their innovation at the show. Sony announced that it will hold its press conference on January 7th, 2019 at 5PM PST (6:30 IST January 8th) in Las Vegas, USA. The company already started sending out invites to media. Sony usually retains its flagships for MWC 2019 which takes place in Barcelona at the end of February. Back in 2017, Sony at the CES show introduced the Xperia XA2, XA2 Ultra, and L2, so there is a good chance that Sony could announce some of its new entry-level and mid-range phones in the XA series and L3 . With the fuss surrounding 5G for a while now, we could also hear more concrete information on Sonys 5G mobile plans. Since January 7th is not too long, we dont have to wait much to know more details and whats in store. Stay tuned. Source Unlimited website access 24/7 Unlimited e-Edition access 24/7 The best local, regional and national news in sports, politics, business and more! With a Digital Only subscription, you'll receive unlimited access to our website and e-edition. Our digital products are available 24/7 and are accessible anywhere, anytime. Slamming the BJP over the issue, Nath told reporters, 'I feel that it is wrong to do politics on Vande Mataram.' Kamal Nath said that announcement in this regard would be announced soon. (Photo: File | PTI) Bhopal: With the BJP and Congress raising an alarm over the recital of 'Vande Mataram' in the first week of every month, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday made it clear that his government would give a new touch to the national song. He said that announcement in this regard would be announced soon. Slamming the BJP over the issue, Nath told reporters, "I feel that it is wrong to do politics on Vande Mataram. They are doing politics on 'Vande Mataram' and Ram temple. I condemn this. We will give a new look to 'Vande Mataram' and will announce today or tomorrow." It all started on Tuesday when the Congress-led government in Madhya Pradesh announced its decision to put on hold the previous BJP government's tradition to recite the national song in the secretariat on the first working day of every month. "We have no intentions of breaking or protesting against the national song. The order to recite Vande Mataram in the Secretariat on the first day of the month has been put on hold. A decision has been taken to implement the order in a new form. Those who do not recite Vande Mataram are not patriots?" Nath said on Tuesday. "We believe that we are nationalist by hearts. One cannot become patriotic by reciting Vande Mataram for one day," he added. Expressing discontent over the decision, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan demanded the reinstatement of the practice, while adding that 109 BJP MLAs will recite the national song at the Secretariat and then take oath on January 7. By Phil Noble MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - A man armed with a kitchen knife stabbed three people, including a police officer, at Manchester Victoria train station on New Year's Eve in an attack police are treating as terrorism-related. Greater Manchester Police said they were searching an address in the Cheetham Hill area of the city on Tuesday after they detained a man on suspicion of carrying out the attack By Phil Noble MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - A man armed with a kitchen knife stabbed three people, including a police officer, at Manchester Victoria train station on New Year's Eve in an attack police are treating as terrorism-related. Greater Manchester Police said they were searching an address in the Cheetham Hill area of the city on Tuesday after they detained a man on suspicion of carrying out the attack. The man's name has not yet been released. A witness, a BBC producer who was at the station, said a man stabbed several people at the station, shouting "Allah" and linking his actions to "bombings in other countries." The injured, a woman and a man in their 50s, were in a serious but not life-threatening condition, police said. A male police officer in his 30s who sustained a stab wound to his shoulder was released from hospital earlier on Tuesday morning. "We are treating this as a terrorist investigation," Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said, praising officers at the scene for their bravery in arresting the suspect within minutes. Police said they would step up their presence in the city where a suicide bomb attack in May 2017 killed 22 people as they left a concert by pop star Ariana Grande. Hopkins said many people would have been affected by Monday's attack, particularly since it happened so close to the scene of the 2017 bombing at Manchester Arena. "I believe that makes it an even more dreadful attack for our city," he told reporters. Britain is on its second-highest threat level of severe, meaning an attack is considered highly likely. Security officials say they are facing record levels of work in countering Islamist militants as well as far-right extremists after four major attacks last year. Sam Clack, the BBC producer who witnessed the attack, told the broadcaster: "I just heard the guy shout, as part of a sentence, 'Allah'." "I heard the man say, 'As long as you keep bombing these countries this is going to keep happening.'," Clack told BBC 5 Live radio in another interview. "It was very, very scary." Prime Minister Theresa May said on Twitter: "My thoughts are with those who were injured in the suspected terrorist attack in Manchester last night. I thank the emergency services for their courageous response." (Reporting by Phil Noble and Elisabeth O'Leary; Editing by Leslie Adler and Adrian Croft) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman met with Paul Whelan, an American detained in Moscow since Friday on allegations of spying, a U.S. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman met with Paul Whelan, an American detained in Moscow since Friday on allegations of spying, a U.S. State Department spokesman said on Wednesday. "Ambassador Huntsman expressed his support for Mr. Whelan and offered the embassy's assistance," the spokesman said in a statement. Whelan's family has rejected Russia's allegations. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; editing by Grant McCool) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Barbara Goldberg MOSCOW/NEW YORK (Reuters) - A retired U.S. Marine detained by Russia on spying charges was visiting Moscow for a wedding and is innocent, his family said on Tuesday. Paul Whelan was staying with the wedding party for a fellow former Marine at the Metropol hotel in Moscow when his brother David Whelan learned on Monday that he had been detained By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber and Barbara Goldberg MOSCOW/NEW YORK (Reuters) - A retired U.S. Marine detained by Russia on spying charges was visiting Moscow for a wedding and is innocent, his family said on Tuesday. Paul Whelan was staying with the wedding party for a fellow former Marine at the Metropol hotel in Moscow when his brother David Whelan learned on Monday that he had been detained. "His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," his family said in a statement released on Twitter on Tuesday. Russia's FSB state security service said the American had been detained on Friday, but it gave no details of the nature of his alleged espionage activities. Under Russian law, espionage can carry between 10 and 20 years in prison. A U.S. State Department representative said Russia had notified it that a U.S. citizen had been detained and it expected Moscow to provide consular access to see him. "Russias obligations under the Vienna Convention require them to provide consular access. We have requested this access and expect Russian authorities to provide it," the representative said, without providing details of the identity of the American or the reasons behind his detention. David Whelan declined to comment on his brothers work status at the time of his arrest and whether his brother lived in Novi, Michigan, as address records indicate. BorgWarner, a Michigan-based automotive parts supplier, said Whelan is the "companys director, global security. He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan and at other company locations around the world." Russia's relations with the United States plummeted when Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, and Washington and Western allies have imposed a broad range of sanctions on Russian officials, companies and banks. Earlier this month, Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to a conspiracy charge in a deal with prosecutors, and admitted to working with a top Russian official to infiltrate American conservative activist groups and politicians as an agent for Moscow. (Reporting by Barbara Goldberg in New York; Editing by Diane Craft) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Hyonhee Shin and Soyoung Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Tuesday he is ready to meet U.S. President Donald Trump anytime to achieve their common goal of denuclearising the Korean Peninsula, but warned he may have to take an alternative path if U.S. sanctions and pressure against the country continued By Hyonhee Shin and Soyoung Kim SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Tuesday he is ready to meet U.S. President Donald Trump anytime to achieve their common goal of denuclearising the Korean Peninsula, but warned he may have to take an alternative path if U.S. sanctions and pressure against the country continued. In his New Year address, Kim said denuclearisation is his "firm will" and suggested for the first time that North Korea would no longer produce nuclear weapons, but also urged Washington to take unspecified corresponding action to speed up the stalled diplomatic process. North Korea might be "compelled to explore a new path" to defend its sovereignty if the United States "seeks to force something upon us unilaterally ... and remains unchanged in its sanctions and pressure," Kim said in his nationally televised address. The comments are likely to fuel growing scepticism over whether Pyongyang intends to give up the nuclear weapons programme that it has long considered essential to its security. There was no immediate reaction from the U.S. State Department, but South Korea's presidential office welcomed Kim's speech, saying it carried his "firm will" to advance relations with Seoul and Washington. Kim and Trump vowed to work towards denuclearisation and build "lasting and stable" peace at their landmark summit in Singapore in June, but little progress has been made since. Pyongyang has demanded Washington lift sanctions and declare an official end to the 1950-53 Korean War in response to its initial, unilateral steps toward denuclearisation, including dismantling its only known nuclear testing site and a key missile engine facility. Those measures were in line with its resolve to "no longer make, use or spread" nuclear weapons, Kim said, indicating a possible moratorium on weapons production for the first time. Although Pyongyang did not conduct nuclear or missile tests last year, satellite images have pointed to continued activity at the North's related facilities. U.S. officials say those initial steps were not confirmed and can be easily reversed, and have called for strict sanctions enforcement on the impoverished country until full, verifiable disarmament. Washington halted some large-scale military exercises with Seoul to aid nuclear negotiations, but smaller drills continued. Kim called for South Korea to "completely stop" joint military drills with the United States involving strategic assets, while multilateral negotiations among countries involved in the armistice agreement should be pursued to build a permanent peace regime. The two Koreas technically remain at war because the conflict ended in a truce - signed by North Korea, the United States and China - not a peace treaty. "Now that North and South Korea decided to take the path of peace and prosperity, we demand that joint military exercises with outside forces should no longer be allowed and deployment of war equipment such as foreign strategic assets should be completely stopped," Kim said. Analysts said Kim's message sent clear signals that North Korea is willing to stay in talks with Washington and Seoul this year - but on its own terms. "North Korea seems determined in 2019 to receive some sort of sanctions relief ... The challenge, however, is will Team Trump be willing to back away from its position of zero sanctions relief?" said Harry Kazianis at the Washington-based Centre for the National Interest. "Kim's remarks seem to suggest his patience with America is wearing thin." SANCTIONS IN FOCUS The televised speech is closely watched as a rare public appearance for the young leader, setting the tone for his domestic and foreign policies for the year ahead. After racing toward the goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the United States in 2017, Kim used last year's speech to warn that "a nuclear button is always on the desk of my office" and order mass production of nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles. But he also offered to send a delegation to the 2018 Winter Olympics in the South in February, setting off a flurry of diplomacy that included three summits with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and the meeting with Trump in June. This year, Kim said inter-Korean relations have entered a "completely new phase", and offered to resume key inter-Korean economic projects banned under international and South Korean sanctions, without conditions. Dressed in a Western-style black suit and a navy-silver tie, Kim sat on a leather couch against a backdrop of bookshelves and portraits of his late father and grandfather, his predecessors in the Kim dynasty. The setting, which mimics the one favoured by Chinese President Xi Jinping for his New Year address, marks a departure from previous years when Kim stood before an assembly hall packed with officials. "He appeared more confident than ever, emboldened by some of the progress he made last year, which also implies he thinks he has the upper edge in the negotiations with the United States as a nuclear-armed state," said Shin Beom-chul, a senior fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. In the 30-minute speech, Kim spent more than 20 minutes highlighting his campaign to create a self-reliant economy despite a "harsh economic blockade." As a way to tackle chronic power shortages, he raised the need for atomic energy. North Korea is known to have developed at least three nuclear plants, including a five-megawatt reactor at its main Yongbyon complex producing weapons-grade plutonium, according to Seoul's Unification Ministry. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin and Soyoung Kim; Additional reporting by Hyunyoung Yi; Editing by Stephen Coates) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The attack on Koulogon village near Bankass in the Mopti region of Mali was carried out by 'armed men dressed like traditional dozo hunters' allied to the Dogon ethnic group, said an official statement. Bamako: Thirty-seven civilians were killed when armed men believed to be traditional Dogon hunters attacked a village of Fulani herders in central Mali on Tuesday in the latest clash between the warring communities, the government said. The attack on Koulogon village near Bankass in the Mopti region was carried out by "armed men dressed like traditional dozo hunters" allied to the Dogon ethnic group, said an official statement. "In addition to the 37 recorded deaths, all civilians, the casualty toll includes several wounded and many burned homes." Earlier, a security source and a man who said he had witnessed the attack also blamed the Dogon and put the number of dead at 33. Allaye Yattara, a Fulani, said: "Our village chief Moussa Diallo was killed in the attack along with old women (and) a girl. All members of his family." France helped Malian forces stave off a jihadist insurgency that took control of large parts of the troubled north in 2012, but since the death of Fulani jihadist figure Amadou Koufa in November, inter-group conflict has increased. The violence is fuelled by accusations of Fulani grazing cattle on Dogon land and disputes over access to land and water. The UN recorded more than 500 civilian deaths in the area in 2018. In June, 24 members of the Fulani community were killed in an attack a UN investigation blamed on the Dogon. Starting January 1, 2019, after several rounds of protests the previous year and numerous deliberations in the parliament, Ireland made it free and legal to seek an abortion up to 12 weeks into pregnancy. The year 2018 was a turning point of sorts for women, particularly Irish residents who voted to repeal the Eight Amendment of the Irish Constitution that grants equal rights to the mother and the unborn child unless unless it was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, not in cases of rape, incest of foetal abnormality. Starting 1 January, 2019, after several rounds of protests the previous year and numerous deliberations in Parliament, the country made it free and legal to seek an abortion up to 12 weeks into pregnancy. President Michael D Higgins formally signed the abortion referendum bill into law on Tuesday. Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar told the Dail (Irish Parliament) on Tuesday that legislation would be introduced in the first week of October. The country's Department of Health and Health Service Executive websites were both updated to included information on the newly available services. Abortion services will be provided by the HSE, through GPs or family planning services, and in maternity units and hospitals across the country, from today. Abortion care will be free of charge to people who need it. https://t.co/l1yqYg6cB6 Department of Health (@roinnslainte) January 1, 2019 While Ireland has lifted the draconian law, abortion laws across the world vary for reasons ranging from mental health of women to protest their physical health. There are still 26 countries which ban abortion altogether, including Northern Ireland. A report by The Washington Post states that only 60 countries provide legal access to safe abortions, a majority of these in the developed world. It also says how between 2000 to 2017, 28 countries changed their abortion laws to make it easier for women to make their own choices. Let's take a look at some of the countries which have legalised abortion: United States There are very few countries with laws as liberal as those of the United States which provides women constitutional right to the procedure with the landmark case of Roe V. Wade in 1973. However, access to treatment depends on laws in various states. Many of the US states have established gestational limits that vary from 20 to 24 weeks. Voluntary abortion is legal without restrictions until the 12th week of pregnancy, while the medical interruption of pregnancy can be performed up to the very end if there is a serious threat to the life of the mother or a grave abnormality in the foetus. However, there has been pressure since Donald Trump became president, with some Republicans seeking restrictions on termination of pregnancy. The US state of Iowa in May 2018 signed into law a ban on abortions once a foetal heartbeat is detected, which occurs as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. France Abortion in France is available with little or no restriction. The country had legalised the process in 1975, allowing two types of abortion. While there is voluntary termination until the 12th week of pregnancy, there is also the medical interruption of pregnancy which can be performed up to the very end if there is a serious threat to the life of the mother or a grave abnormality in the foetus, reports Irish Times. United Kingdom Abortion was made legal in England, Wales and Scotland following the Abortion Act of 1967 in the nation. There are also certain conditions under which circumstances it is allowed, such as the pregnancy is not more than 24 weeks old or when procedure is meant to prevent permanent injury to the physical and mental health of the pregnant woman and when a child is likely to suffer from physical and mental deformity. China In China, abortion is a government service that is available to a woman on request. In December, 2015, the Chinese government had transitioned from a one-child policy to a two-child one. For unmarried women who get pregnant, however, the Chinese government has a zero-child policy in force. India Abortion in India has been legal since 1971 when the government introduced the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. But the foetus can only be removed till the 20th week of pregnancy. However, a woman cannot chose without the discretion of a medical practitioner. Also, legally an abortion can only be performed under the following circumstances: By Ruma Paul and Zeba Siddiqui DHAKA (Reuters) - Western powers condemned election day violence in Bangladesh and described a range of other irregularities that marred a vote in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's alliance secured more than 90 percent of parliamentary seats. By Ruma Paul and Zeba Siddiqui DHAKA (Reuters) - Western powers condemned election day violence in Bangladesh and described a range of other irregularities that marred a vote in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's alliance secured more than 90 percent of parliamentary seats. The strongly worded assessments of the election from the United States and European Union could hurt the image of Hasina, who has been in power since 2009 and also ruled from 1996-2001. Police say at least 17 people were killed in election day clashes between supporters and opponents of Hasina's Awami League. The two sides, which have competed for power often violently for decades, traded blame for the election day unrest. Hasina's opponents have rejected the election result, citing what they describe as widespread rigging and voter intimidation. She has denied impropriety, calling it a peaceful vote that saw enthusiastic participation from her supporters. The capital Dhaka was quiet on Tuesday, but the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said its workers were being attacked in several areas elsewhere in the country by Awami League activists. The League's joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said those accusations were false and he had not heard of any such attacks. "Violence has marred the election day, and significant obstacles to a level playing field remained in place throughout the process and have tainted the electoral campaign and the vote," the EU said in a statement, calling for "a proper examination of allegations of irregularities". The United States, Bangladeshs largest foreign investor, expressed concern about "credible reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence in the pre-election period that made it difficult for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and campaign freely." "We are also concerned that election-day irregularities prevented some people from voting, which undermined faith in the electoral process," it said. Opposition BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said he was collecting reports of rigging to submit to the Election Commission to demand a fresh vote. The commission already rejected that plea, but Islam said: What is our alternative? JOURNALIST ARRESTED One journalist was arrested and another was on the run after a local government official filed a case against them for publishing "false information" about election irregularities, under a new law journalists say could be used to stifle dissent. Hedayet Hussain Mollah and Rashidul Islam published reports saying more votes had been cast at one constituency in the southeastern Khulna region than the total number of registered voters there. They were accused under the Digital Security Act enacted in September. Mollah was picked up by police on Tuesday afternoon while Islam was on the run, police said. "This is false information that was made intentionally to make the election result look questionable and controversial," a police report said. The deadly clashes on voting day marked the end of a violent campaign. The opposition said its workers faced arbitrary arrests and candidates were attacked by ruling party activists. The ruling party denied being behind any violence. People have shared experiences of being physically assaulted and manhandled at polling stations, said Saad Hammadi, Amnesty International's regional campaigner for South Asia, calling for an impartial probe into incidents of violence. Hasina, whose father, state founder Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated in a coup in 1975, has alternated in and out of power for nearly three decades with her main rival, BNP leader Zia Khaleda. Khaleda was jailed in February for five years for corruption. (Additional reporting by Enamul Haque in Khulna and Serajul Quadir in Dhaka; Editing by Peter Graff) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, has slammed US president Donald Trump, saying his conduct over the past two years, particularly his recent actions, is 'evidence that he has not risen to the mantle of the office' Washington: Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, has slammed US president Donald Trump, saying his conduct over the past two years, particularly his recent actions, is "evidence that he has not risen to the mantle of the office". Romney, 71, who was elected as a Republican Senator from Utah in November, will be sworn in on Thursday. "The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December... on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office," Romney said in an op-ed published in the Washington Post on Tuesday. His strong-hitting op-ed gains significance that he is unlikely to follow White House position on critical issues given that the ruling party has 53 seats in a 100-member Senate. On some critical issues, Trump would require 60 votes to get his legislative agenda passed. Trump, however, sounded conciliatory, calling for Romney to be a "team player". "Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn't. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN! (sic)" Trump tweeted on Wednesday. Romney, notably enough, during the Republican presidential primaries in 2016, had described Trump as a con man and accused him as a fraud. "There's plenty of evidence that Mr Trump is a con man, a fake. Mr Trump has changed his positions not just over the years, but over the course of the campaign," Romney said in his speech at the Hinckley Institute on 3 March, 2016. "Here's what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud. His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University," Romney had said and warned his party colleagues that Trump, if nominated as the Republican nominee, would never be able to defeat the then-Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. However, Trump went ahead to earn the Republican presidential nomination by overcoming the challenge from 16 others and surprised political pundits by defeating favourite Clinton in the November 2016 presidential elections. After Trump's electoral victory, the two leaders met over dinner in New York. The then media reports said that Trump considered him for the position of Secretary of State. However, later Trump gave the position to Rex Tillerson. Romney, who is known for being a successful governor of Massachusetts, two years later decided to run for the US Senate from Utah. He won with an impressive margin in the November elections. In the weeks thereafter, he has increased his attack on Trump. In his op-ed, Romney said that Trump cannot take his support for granted. "I will act as I would with any president, in or out of my party: I will support policies that I believe are in the best interest of the country and my state, and oppose those that are not," he said. He said that he would speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist and anti-immigrant. "I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions," he wrote. Observing that to a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation, he said a president should "unite us and inspire us to follow our better angels". He said that a president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect. "As a nation, we have been blessed with presidents who have called on the greatness of the American spirit. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring," Romney added. Noting that the world is also watching, Romney rued that several allies in Europe are experiencing political upheaval. "Several former Soviet satellite states are rethinking their commitment to democracy. Some Asian nations, such as the Philippines, lean increasingly toward China, which advances to rival our economy and our military," he said. "The alternative to US world leadership offered by China and Russia is autocratic, corrupt and brutal," Romney wrote. Equipped with modern detection and weapon systems, it will be capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine and air-defence operations, China Daily quoted State-owned defence contractor China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) as saying. Beijing: China is building the first of four "most advanced" naval warships for its "all-weather ally" Pakistan as part of a major bilateral arms deal to ensure among other things "balance of power" in the strategic Indian Ocean, State media reported. Equipped with modern detection and weapon systems, it will be capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine and air-defence operations, China Daily quoted State-owned defence contractor China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) as saying. The under-construction ship is a version of the Chinese Navy's most advanced guided missile frigate, it said. The CSSC did not specify the ship's type but said it is being constructed at its Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. China, an "all-weather ally" of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to Pakistan. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a single engine multi-role combat aircraft. The ship's class is Type 054AP, which means it is based on the Type 054A of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, the report quoted the Pakistani Navy as saying. The Pakistani Navy previously said four such ships had been ordered, according to the report. Once constructed, the warship "will be one of the largest and technologically advanced platforms of the Pakistani Navy and strengthen the country's capability to respond to future challenges, maintain peace and stability and the balance of power in the Indian Ocean region," the report said. It will also support the Pakistani Navy's initiative of securing sea lanes for international shipping by patrolling distant waters, the daily quoted the CSSC as saying. The mention of the Indian Ocean is regarded as significant as China, which has already taken over Pakistan's strategic Gwadar port under the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), looks to assist the Pakistani navy to restore the balance of power in India's backyard. China has acquired the logistical military base in Djibouti and taken over the Hambantota port of Sri Lanka under a 99-year debt swap deal. China recently denied a New York Times report that it finalised a plan to build advanced fighter aircraft under the CPEC in Pakistan, adding a military dimension to it. India protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan became the first country to hook on to China's BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, a rival to the US Global Positioning System (GPS) which went global recently. The system was expected to be used for military applications. The report said Type 054A is the best frigate in service with the PLA Navy. Military sources said the ship has a fully loaded displacement of about 4,000 metric tonnes and is equipped with advanced radars and missiles. About 30 Type 054As are in service with the PLA Navy. An insider in China's shipbuilding sector with knowledge of the Type 054AP programme told the Daily that the ship is the largest and most powerful combat vessel China has ever exported. "Based on pictures circulating on the internet, the ship will have vertical launch cells that can fire Chinese HQ-16 air-defence missiles and other kinds of missiles. Vertical launch cells will bring flexibility to the user in terms of weapons portfolio, thus giving it a stronger fighting capability," he said, adding that the Type 054AP is the best frigate Pakistan can access in the international market. "The service of Type 054APs will double the combat power of the Pakistani Navy's surface fleet," he said. Commenting on the ship's construction, Cao Weidong, a senior researcher at the PLA's Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said in the past, the Pakistani Navy would ask its Chinese contractors to use Western radars or weapons on ships constructed by the Chinese shipbuilders because it believed the Western naval technologies were better than Chinese ones. "But it seems that all weapons and radars on the new ship will be Chinese products, which reflects our progress in the industry and the Pakistani Navy's confidence in our technology and capability," he said. Cao said there are many nations selling frigates in the market, so Pakistan must have made thorough comparisons in terms of combat capability and costs. "I believe the reason they chose our type is that ours is one of the few that can carry out all of the air-defence, anti-ship and anti-submarine tasks," he said, expecting the service of the Chinese frigate to substantially boost Pakistan's defence capability. TMC MP Saugata Roy sought to corner Jaitley during Rafale debate saying the minister had misquoted famous dialogue from James Bond movie. TMC MP Saugata Roy also nitpicked on Arun Jaitley's pronunciation of the name of former President Francois Hollande. (Photo: ANI) New Delhi: TMC member Saugata Roy on Wednesday sought to corner Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during a debate on Rafale deal saying that the minister had misquoted a famous dialogue from a James Bond movie. Attacking Rahul Gandhi, Jaitley while speaking in the Lok Sabha on Rafale said: "The Congress president must have watched James Bond films, in which Bond says, if it happens for the first time then it is happenstance, if it happens twice it is coincidence and if it is thrice then it is a conspiracy. Congress president is doing the same". Roy pointed out that Jaitley had misquoted the dialogue from Bond movie saying the actual dialogue is: "If it happens for the first time then it is happenstance, if it happens twice it is coincidence and if it is thrice then it is enemy action". "Jaitley ji your memory is failing you. If it happens thrice then it is enemy action and not a conspiracy," Roy said. The TMC MP also nitpicked on Jaitley's pronunciation of the name of former President Francois Hollande. He also said that the NDA government had to borrow a member from the Rajya Sabha, who is not even a Defence Minister, to speak on the Rafale deal. Jaitley is a Rajya Sabha member. Jair Bolsonaro, 63, was a seven-term fringe congressman who rode a wave of anti-establishment anger to became Brazil's first far-right president since a military dictatorship gave way to civilian rule three decades ago. Brasilia: Right-wing nationalist Jair Bolsonaro was sworn in as Brazil's president on Tuesday, and immediately called on Congress to combat endemic corruption and promised to "work tirelessly so that Brazil reaches its destiny." Addressing a joint session of Congress minutes after taking the oath of office, Bolsonaro, a former Army captain and admirer of the country's 1964-1985 military dictatorship, vowed to adhere to democratic norms. He said his government would be guided by the promises he made to Brazilian voters fed up with graft, high levels of violent crime and a still-sputtering economy. "I will work tirelessly so that Brazil reaches its destiny," Bolsonaro said after being sworn in. "My vow is to strengthen Brazil's democracy." On the economic front, the new leader promised to "create a new virtuous cycle to open markets" and "carry out important structural reforms" to shore up a yawning public deficit. Bolsonaro, 63, was a seven-term fringe congressman who rode a wave of anti-establishment anger to became Brazil's first far-right president since a military dictatorship gave way to civilian rule three decades ago. Bolsonaro plans to realign Brazil internationally, moving away from developing nation allies and closer to the policies of Western leaders, particularly US president Donald Trump, who sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to his inauguration. As a clear sign of that diplomatic shift, Bolsonaro plans to move the Brazilian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with Brazil's traditional support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue. Crowds of supporters, many with the Brazilian flag draped around their shoulders and with faces painted yellow and green, the national colours, gathered before the Planalto Palace, where the presidential sash was draped on Bolsonaro. Backed massively by conservative sectors of Brazil, including Christian evangelical churches, Bolsonaro would block moves to legalise abortion beyond even the current limited exceptions and remove sex education from public schools, opposing what he calls "cultural Marxism" introduced by recent leftist governments. One-third of his cabinet are former army officers, mostly fellow cadets at the Black Needles academy, Brazil's West Point, all outspoken backers of the country's 1964-1985 military regime. Bolsonaro has faced charges of inciting rape and for hate crimes because of comments about women, homosexuals and racial minorities. Yet his law-and-order rhetoric and plans to ease gun controls have resonated with many voters, especially in Brazil's booming farm country. In an interview with Record TV on the eve of his inauguration, Bolsonaro lashed out at Brazil's notorious bureaucracy, which makes doing business in the country difficult and expensive. He vowed to strip away the so-called "Brazil Cost" that hamstrings private enterprise. "The government machine is really heavy," he said. "There are hundreds of bureaucratic governing bodies across Brazil, of regulators as well. ... We have to untangle the mess." His vow to follow Trump's example and pull Brazil out of the Paris agreement on climate change has worried environmentalists. So have his plans to build hydroelectric dams in the Amazon and open up to mining the reservations of indigenous peoples who are seen as the last custodians of the world's biggest forest. Brazilian businesses are eager to see Bolsonaro take office and install a team of orthodox economists led by investment banker Paulo Guedes, who has promised quick action in bringing Brazil's unsustainable budget deficit under control. Guedes plans to sell as many state companies as possible in a privatization drive that he forecasts could eventually bring in up to 1 trillion reais ($257 billion). That would help restore order to government finances. The key measure, however, for reducing the deficit and stopping a dangerous rise of Brazil's public debt will be the overhaul of the country's costly social security pension system. Pension reform will be Bolsonaro's biggest challenge since he has yet to build a base in Congress, where he has eschewed the political horse-trading that has traditionally helped Brazilian presidents govern the nation of nearly 210 million people. Bolsonaro may find that lax protection of the environment and human rights could have negative economic effects, more so than those faced by other far-right leaders, given the spotlight on Brazil's Amazon jungle as protection against global warming and because the country has more murders than any other nation. "I think they will be good on the economy and they will probably be bad for human rights and the environment," said Brian Winter, vice president for policy at the Americas Society and Council of the Americas in New York. "The key question is whether those things can be separated. Most of Wall Street says 'Yes.' I have my doubts." By Gabriel Stargardter and Anthony Boadle RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA (Reuters) - New Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro issued an executive order on Wednesday making the Agriculture Ministry responsible for deciding on lands claimed by indigenous peoples, in a victory for agribusiness that will likely enrage environmentalists. The temporary decree, which will expire unless it is ratified within 120 days by Congress, strips power over land claim decisions from indigenous affairs agency FUNAI By Gabriel Stargardter and Anthony Boadle RIO DE JANEIRO/BRASILIA (Reuters) - New Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro issued an executive order on Wednesday making the Agriculture Ministry responsible for deciding on lands claimed by indigenous peoples, in a victory for agribusiness that will likely enrage environmentalists. The temporary decree, which will expire unless it is ratified within 120 days by Congress, strips power over land claim decisions from indigenous affairs agency FUNAI. It says the Agriculture Ministry will now be responsible for "identification, delimitation, demarcation and registration of lands traditionally occupied by indigenous people." The move stoked concern among environmentalists and rights groups that the far-right new president, who took office on Tuesday, will open up the vast Amazon rainforest and other ecologically sensitive areas of Brazil to greater commercial exploitation. The executive order also moves the Brazilian Forestry Service, which promotes the sustainable use of forests and is currently linked to the Environment Ministry, under Agriculture Ministry control. Additionally, the decree states that the Agriculture Ministry will be in charge of the management of public forests. Bolsonaro, who enjoys strong support from Brazil's powerful agribusiness sector, said during his campaign he was considering such a move, arguing that protected lands should be opened to commercial activities. Brazil's 900,000 indigenous people make up less than 1 percent of the population, but live on lands that stretch for 106.7 million hectares (264 million acres), or 12.5 pct of the national territory. "Less than a million people live in these isolated places in Brazil, where they are exploited and manipulated by NGOs," Bolsonaro tweeted, referring to non-profit groups. "Let us together integrate these citizens and value all Brazilians." Critics say Bolsonaro's plan to open indigenous reservations to commercial activity will destroy native cultures and languages by integrating the tribes into Brazilian society. Environmentalists say the native peoples are the last custodians of the Amazon, which is the world's largest rainforest and is vital for climate stability. After she was sworn in on Wednesday, new Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina Dias defended the farm sector from accusations it has grown at the expense of the environment, adding that the strength of Brazil's farmers had generated "unfounded accusations" from unnamed international groups. Dias used to be the head of the farm caucus in Brazil's Congress, which has long pushed for an end to land measures that it argues hold back the agricultural sector. "Brazil is a country with extremely advanced environmental legislation and is more than able to preserve its native forests," Dias said. "Our country is a model to be followed, never a transgressor to be punished." In comments to reporters after her speech, she said that decisions over land rights disputes were a new responsibility for the Agriculture Ministry. However, she indicated that in practice, the demarcation of land limits would fall to a council of ministries, without giving further details. GOOD NEWS FOR FARMERS Bartolomeu Braz, the president of the national chapter of Aprosoja, a major grain growers association, cheered Wednesday's move to transfer indigenous land demarcation to the Agriculture Ministry. "The new rules will be interesting to the farmers and the Indians, some of whom are already producing soybeans. The Indians want to be productive too," he added. Three-time presidential candidate and former Environment Minister Marina Silva, who was beaten by Bolsonaro in October's election, reacted with horror to the move. "Bolsonaro has begun his government in the worst possible way," she wrote on Twitter. Dinama Tuxa, a member of Brazil's Association of Indigenous Peoples, said many isolated communities viewed Bolsonaro's administration with fear. "We are very afraid because Bolsonaro is attacking indigenous policies, rolling back environmental protections, authorizing the invasion of indigenous territories and endorsing violence against indigenous peoples," said Tuxa. Under the new plan, the indigenous affairs agency FUNAI will be moved into a new ministry for family, women and human rights. A former army captain and longtime member of Congress, Bolsonaro said at his inauguration on Tuesday that he had freed the country from "socialism and political correctness." An admirer of Donald Trump, Bolsonaro has suggested he will follow the U.S. president's lead and pull out of the Paris climate change accord. In addition to the indigenous lands decree, the new administration issued decrees affecting the economy and society on Wednesday, while forging closer ties with the United States. (Reporting by Stefani Inouye, Carolina Mandl, Anthony Boadle, Ana Mano and Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Frances Kerry) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Talks between the Taliban and Iran signals growing confidence among the Taliban for US troops to pull out of Afghanistan, after US officials last month told various media outlets that President Donald Trump had decided to slash the number of boots on the ground. Kabul: The Taliban discussed Afghanistan's "post-occupation situation" with Iran in their latest meeting, the group said Tuesday, as Tehran makes a more concerted and open push for peace ahead of a possible US drawdown. The remarks come after Iran confirmed on Monday that the Taliban had visited Tehran for a second round of talks in just a few days that are aimed at ending the 17-year conflict. The Taliban delegation discussed with Iran "the post-occupation situation, restoration of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region", the militants said in a statement posted on social media and emailed to journalists. It signals growing confidence among the Taliban for US troops to pull out of Afghanistan, after US officials last month told various media outlets that President Donald Trump had decided to slash the number of boots on the ground. There have been reports in the past of talks between Iran and the Taliban, but they have typically been denied by Tehran. Tehran's peace push will be viewed with concern by hawks in Washington, who fear that Trump's planned withdrawal of troops from Syria and Afghanistan will cede regional influence to Iran. The Taliban also met with the United States, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the United Arab Emirates earlier in December as part of a flurry of diplomatic efforts to end the war. However, the Taliban refused to meet a delegation from Afghanistan. The group said on Saturday that its representatives would not meet "with those of the Kabul administration" at the next meeting expected to be held in Saudi Arabia later this month. Iran's deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Afghanistan in the next two weeks, the foreign ministry said, without giving further details. Iran and Afghanistan share a nearly 960-kilometre border, and have had a complex relationship in recent years. Tehran has long supported its co-religionists in Afghanistan, the Shia Hazara minority, who were violently persecuted by the Taliban during its rule in the 1990s. Iran worked alongside the United States and Western powers to help drive out the Taliban after the US-led invasion in 2001. However, there have been allegations, from Western and Afghan sources, that Iran's Revolutionary Guards have in recent years established ties with the Taliban aimed at driving out US forces from Afghanistan. tech2 News Staff Currently only available for Nokia 8110 4G users in India, KaiOS has confirmed in a Twitter post, that the platform will be soon adding support for WhatsApp on the device in other regions as well. Hi Scott, WhatsApp is coming to Nokia 8110 4G in other regions, but we don't have a confirmed date yet. Please stay tuned for more updates KaiOS Technologies (@KaiOStech) December 31, 2018 As WhatsApp is currently featured in India only, we are set to release it for the devices in the rest of the world. KaiOS Technologies (@KaiOStech) December 31, 2018 KaiOS in the tweet says that they are currently working on rolling out WhatsApp support on the phone, however, they do not have a "confirmed date yet" on when that would be. Notably, back in July as well, the HMD Global chief Juho Sarvikas dropped a similar hint. This was when Reliance Jio had announced YouTube, WhatsApp and Facebook support on the JioPhone and JioPhone 2, both of which use the KaiOS as well. Sarvikas teased that WhatsApp may come to the Banana phone too. While the device in India got the support, users in other countries have been waiting still. Dubbed the 'banana phone', the device is a 4G-enabled and runs on a Smart Feature OS which has its own app store called the Smart Feature Play Store. It supports Facebook, Twitter, and the Google Assistant as of now, already placing it ahead of its game. The device runs on a 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage. During the launch, the Nokia 8110 was announced at Rs 5,999 in India. tech2 News Staff The problem of fake news and the consequences of its spread thereof was a prevalent issue in 2018. Mob lynching caused by the spread of fake news on WhatsApp was one such serious issue. In order to bring in some regulation around the problem, the Indian government was often seen pushing tech companies to contain the issue with repeated warnings of a ban. Now, once again, the government is reportedly mulling over plans to amend the IT law in order to penalise apps and websites that are unable to monitor the spread of fake news and child pornography content. (Also read: WhatsApp's fake news issues: Problems and possible solution to fix the platform) According to a report by The Times of India, the amendments will include a provision of shutting down apps and websites that are found in violation of the law. This means that any apps and website that become a medium for the spread of fake news or child pornography may be taken down by the government. We need accountability and power to heavily penalise the companies in case of violations, or refusal to cooperate, the publication quotes a senior government official as saying. This report comes days after the IT ministry met with senior executives of Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and other companies to discuss the proposed changes in the Information Technology (IT) rules. Another report also suggests that the amendment will also require the tech companies to deploy tools to "identify" and curb unlawful content as well as follow stricter due diligence practices. "The intermediary (social media platform) shall deploy technology-based automated tools or appropriate mechanisms, with appropriate controls for proactively identifying and removing or disabling public access to unlawful information or content," the amendment draft on IT Ministry website reads. Meanwhile, earlier last month, the government also authorised ten central agencies to intercept data on any computer, a move that had triggered a political storm accusing the centre of trying to create a "surveillance state". Press Trust of India The government has proposed a penalty of up to Rs 1 crore on entities that violate the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, with an additional fine of up to Rs 10 lakh per day in case of continuous non-compliance, sources said. Amid privacy concerns over Aadhaar, amendments have been planned in the Act, under which the government also proposes to arm the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) with more powers, similar to that of regulators, sources said. The Aadhaar Act, at present, does not empower the body to take enforcement action against errant entities in the Aadhaar ecosystem. Children, holding Aadhaar, will have the option of cancellation of the 12 digits biometric identifier within a period of six months of attaining 18 years of age. The consent of a parent or guardian will be must for enrolling a child, while no child will be denied any subsidy, benefits or services for lack of Aadhaar, as per the proposed changes. The proposed amendments also make provision for 'Virtual ID' and voluntary and offline modes of using Aadhaar. A bill to amend the Aadhaar Act, the Indian Telegraph Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha tomorrow. Besides, the government also plans to set up a UIDAI fund under the Aadhaar Act and has proposed that the authority be exempt from taxes on income. Mooting fines for violation of the Aadhaar Act, the draft provisions say that a new section will be added to provide for civil penalties which may extend to Rs 1 crore for each contravention on failure to comply with provisions of the Act, rules, regulations and directions by any entity in the Aadhaar ecosystem. The Aadhaar ecosystem includes enrolling agencies, registrars, requesting entities, offline verification seeking entities and any other entity or group as may be specified by regulations. It further mooted an additional penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh for each day of continuing non-compliance after the first contravention. Punishment for unauthorised access to the Central Identities Data Repository as well as data tampering is proposed to be extended to 10 years each from the current three years. Press Trust of India Online sellers' representative body AIOVA on Monday alleged that Flipkart's delivery unit Ekart has fired about 300 seasonal workers, but the Walmart-backed e-tailer said such workers were hired through local third-party vendors for limited duration especially during festive time. In a tweet, the All India Online Vendors Association said: "Employment practices of Ekart, owned by Flipkart and Walmart $wmt under scrutiny. 300 seasonal workers fired in Kheda. Lot of sellers blacked out. 100 years ago MK Gandhi started first Satyagraha from Kheda". Flipkart in a statement said it continues to work with many reputed local third-party vendors who support in temporary staffing solutions to cater to festive demands. "In cases where we have to reduce our contractual employee strength (contracted by the vendor), we do offer pre-agreed-upon severance packages, which has been the case here as well. We are working closely with our third-party vendors to ensure that they fulfil their obligations, statutory or otherwise, with full fairness," the statement added. Flipkart said it remains committed to be a partner with Gujarat to foster inclusive growth in the state. Senior BJP leader and MLA Pradip Purohit claimed Narendra Modi is likely to contest the upcoming general elections from the Puri constituency in Odisha. Bhubaneswar: Senior BJP leader and MLA Pradip Purohit on Wednesday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to contest the upcoming general elections from the Puri constituency in Odisha. Purohit's claim comes notwithstanding the prime minister on Tuesday saying that the issue was media creation. "One cannot rule out the prime minister contesting from Puri. There is 90 percent possibility of the PM contesting from Puri seat," Purohit told reporters. He added, "The prime minister loves the people of Odisha and has an attachment with Puri. Therefore, he may prefer this seat for the next elections." In the 2014 elections, Biju Janata Dal's Pinaki Mishra won from the Puri seat by bagging 50.33 percent votes. Of the seven Assembly segments under the Puri Lok Sabha constituency, the BJD holds six while the BJP has only one Chilika. Since the prime minister had fought from Varanasi in 2014 with the blessings of Lord Jagannath, he might prefer Puri this time, Purohit said, adding that the party's Parliamentary Board would take a final decision on it. Odisha BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty said, "We will be very happy if the prime minister contests from Odisha. The state BJP has proposed the matter to the central leadership." Earlier, state BJP president Basant Panda had said that the Odisha unit of the party has proposed to field the prime minister from Puri. The BJP feels that Modi's candidature from the state will further brighten its chances of performing better in Odisha. Assembly elections in the state are due along with the Lok Sabha polls. BJP's Puri district president Prabhanjan Mohapatra said: "I think Modi will contest from Puri Lok Sabha seat. This is because the central BJP leadership has been taking stock of the situation of the area on regular basis." Stating that Modi's possible candidature from the state will have no impact on the people of Odisha, BJD spokesman Sasmit Patra said: "Let the Prime Minister himself and his party make it clear from where Modi will contest." The ruling BJD headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik continue to hold the Puri Lok Sabha seat for the last 20 years. The party candidates won the seat in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. The beach-town of Puri is home to the Lord Jagannath temple, one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. The prime minister visited Odisha on December 24. He inaugurated a slew of projects and also laid foundation stones of several projects worth thousand of crores. He is scheduled to visit Mayurbhanj district on January 5 and on January 16 he will visit Bolangir district. Punjab government will hold a cabinet meeting today to discuss a possible ban on The Accidental Prime Minister, the controversial biopic of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Accidental Prime Minister has been facing its share of controversies ever since the release of the trailer. Now, News18 reports that the Punjab Government is considering a ban on the political biopic as it depicts former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in bad light. The Congress-led government in the state has scheduled a cabinet meeting to discuss the issue in detail and reach a conclusion on whether it will be screened in Punjab. There were reports that the Congress-ruled state of Madhya Pradesh had banned the Manmohan Singh biopic. However, Madhya Pradesh government issued a clarification on Friday, stating that it has not taken any such decision by then. The Accidental Prime Minister features Anupam Kher as Manmohan Singh and is adapted from the book written by Singh's media advisor Sanjaya Baru. After the release of the trailer, the Maharashtra State Youth Congress and Punjabi Cultural Heritage Board sent notices to the producers, asking them to hold private screenings for them before the release of the film. There was considerable backlash from Congress, with many party members stating that the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is using the feature to malign Congress ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. However, Congress later issued a gag order to its party members, asking them not to speak on the film till further notice. The Accidental prime Minister is slated to release on 11 January. The government rejected in the Lok Sabha the Opposition's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal. The government on Wednesday rejected in the Lok Sabha the Opposition's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, saying there was no corruption, and accused the Congress, "which has a legacy of scams" like Bofors and AugustaWestland, of inventing allegations against a "clean" government. Intervening in the discussion on the controversial deal with the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said there was no need for a JPC since the Supreme Court had already given its verdict on the process, pricing, offset clause and HAL issue after satisfying its conscience. A parliamentary committee can come to a consensus when it comes to policy matters but could become partisan when it comes to investigation, Jaitley said, explaining why the government was ruling out a JPC probe. "Rafale issue is not a policy or administrative or governance matter. It is an investigation into whether it was a clean or an unclean deal. The Supreme Court has said that 'we have satisfied our conscience' about pricing, HAL, offset. What will JPC do in an investigation?" Jaitley said and referred to the JPC that went into the kickbacks in the Bofors deal. "The committee headed by (late) Shankaranand gave a report saying that they were not kickbacks but winding up charges. The JPC whitewashed the fraud of corruption," he said amid thumping of desks by party members. "And the JPC is now being demanded by those with a legacy of corruption, wanting to invent allegations of corruption as we have given a clean government." Taking a dig at the Congress, he said: "The conscience of the Supreme Court was satisfied but the election needs of the Congress were not." The Congress, which has been demanding constitution of a JPC and staging protests in the house, on Monday suddenly offered to face a debate on the issue on which Jaitley had thrown a challenge to the party. Launching a no-holds-barred attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his family, Jaitley said one family in the country whose hands were dipped in corrupt deals was now raking up the issue of corruption in the Rafale deal, which he said was in the interest of national security and the jets were urgently required by the Air Force to strengthen its fighter squadron. "I did not expect to see such kind of ignorance from a party that has ruled the country for 60 years," he said. Giving details of the Rafale deal, Jaitley said the current government finalised the deal for the fighter aircraft at a much cheaper price than what was negotiated by the UPA government. He said there was a difference between the basic aircraft and the weaponised aircraft. "We have got the basic aircraft at least 9 percent cheaper and weaponised aircraft 20 per cent cheaper than UPA's agreement." Rejecting Rahul's charge that the deal was unilaterally decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and regular procedures were flouted, Jaitley said all processes were followed including setting up of a Contract Negotiation Committee, Price Negotiation Committee and 74 meetings of defence officials regarding the weaponary requirements. "The deal was finalised in 2016 after it was duly examined by the Defence Acquisition Council, the Defence Ministry and the Cabinet Committee on Security," he said. He justified why HAL was excluded from the deal saying the demand of the time was swift delivery of aircraft and the HAL required 2.7 times the man-days required by Dassault. "Keeping in mind the urgent need of the Air Force, we could not have waited. And price would have also increased with more time taken to build aircraft." Jaitley said just as it was in national interest to have a public sector company to build aircraft, it was also national interest to ensure quick supply of aircraft to the Air Force. Countering Rahul's charge of a particular company getting offset contracts worth Rs 1.3 lakh crore, the minister asked how could that be true when the whole deal was of Rs 58,000 crore with offsets amounting to Rs 29,000 crore distributed among 100-120 suppliers. Jaitley accused the previous UPA government of dilly dallying on the deal because of the then Defence Minister's indecisiveness. He made a sarcastic reference to AK Antony by saying that the minister would clear the file "on the one hand" and sought a review "on the other hand". "One hand belonged to the Air Force and the other belonged to the Congress party." Rahul Gandhi's charges Rahul launched a stinging attack in the Lok Sabha on Modi on the Rafale issue, saying he does not have the "guts" to come to Parliament to confront questions and "hides" in his room. The House also witnessed high drama after Rahul sought the Speaker's permission to play an audio tape, purportedly of a Goa minister, on the Rafale deal. Amid an uproar, which caused brief adjournment of the House proceedings, Rahul said he would not play it and authenticate it, prompting Jaitley to say that he was "scared" as he knew it was false. "This man lies and lies repeatedly," Jaitley said. The Speaker also disallowed Gandhi's request to play the clip. Rahul claimed BJP members were "terrified" of the clip in which Goa minister Vishwajit Rane purportedly told somebody that former defence minister Manohar Parrikar had a Rafale file in his bedroom. In his speech, Rahul also referred to Modi's comments in an interview that no personal allegation was levelled against him in the matter and said this is not true as the "entire nation" is asking him a direct question on the contract for purchase of fighter aircraft. "He (Modi) spoke for 90 minutes in a staged interview but still did not answer questions on the Rafale issue," Rahul said, reiterating his party's demand for a JPC probe into the matter. "We demand a JPC probe into matter. There is no reasopn for BJP leaders to feel afraid. The country will get to know that Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in the pockets of 'double A'. The contract was snatched from HAL (a government-run unit)," he said, alleging corruption in the contract. 'Double A' was an apparent reference to Anil Ambani, whom Rahul repeatedly referred to in his speech before Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked him not to name him as he is not a member of the House. The Congress leader described him as a "dear friend" of Modi's and a "failed businessman". His defence firm was registered only 10 days before it got the off-set contract from Rafale, a French firm, Rahul alleged. BJP ally Shiv Sena also demands JPC BJP ally Shiv Sena supported the Opposition demand in Lok Sabha for a JPC probe into the Rafale issue and drew a parallel with the alleged Bofors scam, claiming that people say Rafale aircraft is good but the deal is bad. Speaking in a discussion on the Rafale issue, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said if the government speaks of transparency, why it is rejecting the demand for a JPC probe? "We are transparent. Why should we be scared? Our government is good, it is not corrupt, then why should we be scared? Let there be a JPC probe and the truth come out," he said. AIADMK MPs suspended in Lok Sabha for five sittings In the final five minutes of the Lok Sabha sitting for the day, papers were thrown at Mahajan. She then began reading out the names of the MPs who had disrupted the House. "You have come to the Well of the House and are obstructing the functioning of the House," Mahajan said. "All of them stand suspended for five consecutive sessions of the House," she added. Ruckus in Rajya Sabha Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day amid sloganeering by agitating AIADMK and DMK members who, in a very unusual move, defied Chair's orders to withdraw from the House and stayed put near the podium in the post-lunch sitting. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu after his appeals to restore order failed on deaf ears and the House had already been adjourned several times named the agitating members and asked to withdraw from the House for the day under Rule 256 of the proceedings of the House. With inputs from agencies Shale Mohammad is the lone Muslim MLA in Rajasthan cabinet, hailing from the district of Jaisalmer. Shale Mohammad is the son of a famous Muslim religious leader Gazi Fakhir, who is known to visit Hindu temples regularly to worship and seek blessings. (Photo: ANI) Jaipur: Rajasthan Minority Affairs minister Shale Mohammad performed a Rudrabhishek puja at the Shiva temple in Sadolai in Pokhran on Monday. The lone Muslim MLA in the cabinet also worshipped at the famous Ramdevra temple in the district. Shale Mohammad is the son of a famous Muslim religious leader Gazi Fakhir, who is quite popular in western Rajasthan and is the religious guru of Sindhi-Muslim community residing on both sides of the Indo-Pak border in Jaisalmer-Barmer. Speaking to a reporter of The Times of India, Mohammad said that he prayed for peace, happiness, prosperity of the state at both temples. My family and I have always had a deep faith in Hindu temples. Whenever I get a chance I visit a Hindu temple, the minister said. The minister also said that western Rajasthan is best example of communal harmony. Hindus and Muslims both have strong faith in Baba Ramdevji (a temple in Ramdevra of local deity Baba Ramdev), Shale was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying. It is the first time an MLA from the Jaisalmer district has received a ministerial berth in the state cabinet, and it is surprising because the district has only 2 assembly seats in the 200 member house of Rajasthan. Shale was pitted against a Hindu priest, Maharaj Pratap Puri of Taratara Math in Barmer district, representing the BJP. In a very tight competition, both the candidates secured over 82,000 each but Mohammad managed to win with a margin of 872 votes. The Congress has claimed it has audio recordings in which a Goa minister can be heard saying Manohar Parrikar possesses all files on the Rafale deal. Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday took to Twitter to respond to the Congress' demand that he disclose what "dirty secrets" he had about the Rafale fighter jets deal. The former defence minister claimed the Opposition party was trying to "fabricate facts". He wrote: The audio clip released by the congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting. Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) January 2, 2019 Earlier on Wednesday, the Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had claimed that the party has audio recordings in which BJP minister, Vishwajit P Rane, can be heard saying that Parrikar, who was the defence minister when India and France signed the Rafale deal, possesses all files related to the agreement on the fighter jet. #WATCH Randeep Surjewala, Congress releases audio clip of Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane claiming Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has "All the files related to #RafaleDeal in his bedroom" pic.twitter.com/M8VZbfPnxJ ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Meanwhile, Vishwajit P Rane, the Goa health minister who is purportedly heard saying in the audio clip said Parrikar has files related to the Rafale deal, has written to the chief minister, "This is doctored audio and I have never had any discussion on this subject with anyone. There should be a thorough inquiry in this matter," he wrote in his letter to Parrikar on Wednesday. Surjewala told the media that Parrikar had lost his cool at a recent cabinet meeting in Goa and said he could not be removed from his post as chief minister as he had many secrets on the Rafale deal with him. "There are reports, which are now circulating in the public domain, that two days ago, when there was a cabinet meeting in Goa, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is the former defence minister, ad lost his cool over his cabinet colleagues and said he cannot be removed as he has a copy of the Rafale file. "The nation would like to know whether that is a fact? The people of India would like to know whether the reason for the non-removal of Parrikar, despite his ill health and incapacity to perform as the chief minister of Goa, is some dirty secrets hidden in the Rafale file that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to show neither to the Supreme Court, nor to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which the Opposition has been demanding," Surjewala said at a press conference in Delhi. The Congress leader added that if these assertions Parrikar had made were correct, then it was an extremely serious matter coming from an incumbent chief minister. "We would like Parrikar to come out and state in the public domain if this is what had transpired in the cabinet meeting. What is the Rafale file that he has? What are the dirty secrets hidden therein, and what is the reason that those papers cannot be shown either to Parliament, or to the Supreme Court, or to the people of India? These are important questions that need to be answered. "We call upon Parrikar and his sense of propriety to come out in the open and answer these questions, so that once and for all, this web of deceit and lies over the entire Rafale deal gets clear," Surjewala said. With inputs from PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi made clear five things during his interview with ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi couldnt have been more candid during his interview with news agency ANI when he said the legislative route on construction of Ram temple could be considered by his government only after a Supreme Court verdict. By saying so, Modi made clear five things: First, he was conscious of popular expectations on him and his government from BJP supporters, and the various constituents of Sangh Parivar and was thus open to taking the legislative route, a bill or an ordinance. Second, while Modi was not shirking those expectations and ideological moorings as a BJP leader, however, as prime minister, Modi has to care for other constitutional and practical matters. The timeline the Winter Session being last session of 16th Lok Sabha (there would be no Budget Session and interim budget would be technically presented in continuation of Winter Session when it reopens in January end after going into recess on 8 January and the Modi government's remaining term before parliamentary elections are announced either at the end of February of the first week of march leaves only a 15-day window (after Winter/Budget Session ends mid-February) before elections are announced and the Model Code of Conduct comes into effect. Even if the Modi government works at lightning speed and brings an ordinance, it would be a moot point: it can't be presented because the Lok Sabha's term would have expired. Third, towards end of his term, Modi would not like to give the impression that he is confronting the Supreme Court. The Ram janmabhoomi case will come up for hearing in the apex court on 4 January. Fourth, Modi has also sent the RSS a message: let me handle issues of governance. While the RSS may continue to agitate on Ram temple, and put pressure on a friendly government to resolve the issue through legislation, the government would weigh other factors while taking the final call. On various occasions, BJP chief Amit Shah said he and his colleagues were in dialogue with the Sangh and that they would try and convince them of the difficulties of the situation and articulate the thought process of political leadership. Shah also hinted that a bill or an ordinance was not possible till the apex court delivered its verdict. By clearly articulating the government's position, Modi has merely taken that a step forward. Fifth, Modi has made clear that he wants to fight the next parliamentary elections on development, and not the emotive Ram temple issue, as his critics and rivals so often accuse him of wanting to do. His positioning has taken away a major plank of the secular parties Congress and its prospective allies in the Mahagathbandhan that the Modi government had no achievements to tout and were thus, through the BJP and RSS, trying to revive the temple issue. The other Opposition charge: that the Modi government was being remote-controlled by RSS brass in Nagpur now appears to be completely devoid of merit. Interestingly, Modi brought up the triple talaq ordinance and said he hoped the BJP's core constituents would take a rational view. Triple talaq Ordinance was brought after the Supreme Court verdict. We said in our BJP manifesto that a solution would be found to this issue under the Constitution. Nobody can deny that those sitting in the government or the past 70 years tried their best to stall. Even today, the matter is before the Supreme Court. In a way, it has reached its final stage... let the judicial process end. After that, whatever be our responsibility as government, we are ready to make all efforts, Modi said. He also blasted the Congress (referring to Kapil Sibals argument in Supreme Court) for 'creating obstacles' in the apex court. By saying so, Modi addressed the concerns of both his core constituency (Hindutva elements within the Sangh Parivar) and those outside it. After all, even as many saw Modi as the walking embodiment of Hindutva, he never overtly took any such position. The RSS endorsement of Modis statement must warm the BJP's heart. After the interview, the organisation's general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said: We feel the statement by prime minister is a positive step in the direction of temple construction. The prime minister reiterating the resolve to construct a grand Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya in his interview is in tune with the resolution passed by BJP at Palampur in 1989. In this resolution the BJP had stated that they would try to construct the grand Sri Ram Temple at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya through mutual dialogue between the two communities or by enabling required legislation. Even in the 2014 Election Manifesto prepared under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the BJP promised to explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution to facilitate the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The people of Bharat have reposed complete confidence and gave BJP the full mandate. The people of Bharat expect this government to fulfil the same promise during this tenure. A finer reading of RSS statement gives a sense that it has smartly maintained its balance with the Modi government, not embarrassed it, even taking a positive note of Modis words, but at the same time held its position that it wants Modi government to bring in legislation over the Ram temple. The latter part, it seems, is for the optics (to its cadre). Narendra Modi coolly handled all questions, stayed factual, and took enough time to detail his ideological moorings On 28 July, 2013, Narendra Modi, then not yet the official prime minister candidate for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, gave an interview to the news agency ANI. Modi spoke about how social media was playing a big role in the BJP surge in national politics. This was widely considered the launch of Modis own campaign towards 2014, of which he formally took charge in September that year. When Prime Minister Modi spoke to ANI on 1 January, 2019, it was only natural for the vocal social media base of the party to take it as a signal to kickstart the campaign for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. As an incumbent, Modi is far more constrained in building up a campaign fever pitch. So, the fact that he addressed every issue concerning his prime ministerial term in the 95-minute interview, enthused BJP social media supporters. There were two distinct parts to the interview which stood out: Firstly, the breadth of the discussion. ANI editor Smita Prakash touched upon every topic important to Modi supporters and detractors alike. The prime minister answered all the questions in sufficient detail. Secondly, the calm demeanour of the prime minister. He did not sound agitated or flustered, despite the interview coming in the wake of state election losses for the BJP. Modi coolly handled all questions, stayed factual, and took enough time to detail his ideological moorings, even if the policy choices have not yet overlapped with them. Both points seem to have rattled the people Modi proudly disassociated with: those in the mainstream media in New Delhi, who Modi accused of favouring the Gandhi family. The usual media lobby was out scoring and ranking the interview, blaming Modi for unsatisfactory answers. This should be good news for those who voted for Modi because he wasn't a Delhi insider. If the Lutyens lobby isnt yet satisfied with the slant of what the prime minister speaks, it can only be good news for those who expect the cleanup in New Delhi to continue. From the answers the prime minister gave, there were three critical takeaways for his supporters. First, the prime minister made it clear that the government will do what it takes to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. However, the ordinance route if necessary, will come after the Supreme Court verdict. Real time media reporting phrased the prime minister statement as there will be no ordinance for the temple. He said exactly the opposite the ordinance will come after the court proceedings are over perhaps so that there is no residual ground for any further judicial intervention. Second, the prime minister strongly condemned the violence in the name of the cow. He also made the other side clear: the violence did not start with his term and that everyone needs to understand the ethos of the country. On Sabarimala entry debate, Modi was clear in saying that traditions must be respected and suggested reading the dissenting judgment of Justice Indu Malhotra from the Supreme Court verdict. Although his government chose not to intervene judicially in the Kerala temple issue, Modi made his personal stance clear. All these issues have been a matter of intense speculation, more of his own support base, than the opponents. Clearly spelling out his views, the doubts in the mind of those who voted for the BJP should be dispelled as the campaign long haul starts. However, the single most critical message from the interview was exactly what the Congress has been trying to do: make this election about Modi. He clearly signaled his intent to position himself as the representative of the people, taking on the powerful and the mighty, led by the First Family. This is not very different from his 2013 pitch, and this narrative gives Modi a chance to play the insurgent yet again. Pitting himself as the underdog will take away some of the handicaps of incumbency and move the campaign away from smaller issues which may have left a few voters dissatisfied or disillusioned. With no major Opposition party backing Rahul Gandhi yet as the prime ministerial candidate of a grand alliance, Modi used this interview to position himself as the only stabilising face in Delhi with a vision. He took the allegations made by Congress head on and tried to further cement his position as the blemish-less leader, in direct contrast to the corruption-tainted Congress. While Congress continues to use the Rafale stick to beat the government, it appears that the party is following the path of diminishing marginal utility. The prime minister isnt complaining: he made it clear that the First Family was out on bail and the finance minister from the Congress regime was stuck in legal battles. He nudged the judiciary towards an early closure on corruption cases, clearly saying that people were running out of patience. The ANI interview was effective for the BJP because it covered a lot of ground across all relevant national issues. It also set the tone for media discussions, allowing BJP the control of the eyeball battle for the initial days of the campaign. The prime minister will surely want to control the discourse rather than being reactive. Will well begun be half done? The author writes on public policy, politics, and current affairs. He is based in Pune. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not known for granting media interviews, preferring, like US president Donald Trump, to use social media to air his often oracular views Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not known for granting media interviews, preferring, like US president Donald Trump, to use social media to air his often oracular views. But on New Year's Day, he grabbed the opportunity to grant a 'friendly' interview and make his views known on a number of subjects. The common thread in his responses was his attack on the Opposition. In context, then, let us begin with Modi's rebuttal of the 'Opposition claim' that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will win no more than 180 seats. To begin with, this is not just a claim made by the Opposition. Many political observers and citizens are saying roughly the same thing and not all of them are Opposition stooges. This is not the time to go into a detailed analysis, because, apart from all other things, it is much too early to embark upon a detailed mathematical exercise. But, minimally, the basis for predicting a sharp drop in BJP seats is that the party won over 80 percent of the seats in the regions in which it has a presence in the west and the north mostly. This is something unlikely to be replicated, while there are no indications that the party is breaking through in new areas. Modi said during the interview that this prediction was just a ploy to win over more allies for the proposed anti-BJP alliance (gathbandhan). "If they do not do this sort of maths and spread such things how will people join their gathbandhan?" Modi asked rhetorically, before asking for the scientific basis for this prediction. Several things stand out in this 'simple' declamatory passage. First, Modi's charge is distinctly accusatory. But what basis is there to accuse 'them' of making such a prediction? If it is just a ploy, it surely is a legitimate ploy. The BJP does it all the time. Party president Amit Shah is on record saying that the BJP will win 400 seats in the next Lok Sabha and 22 of those from Bengal. Forget 'scientific basis', both are patently absurd claims, but they are legitimate ones in a political context. Just as Shah cannot be expected to say that his party will be rolled over in Bengal and fail to win a majority in the Lok Sabha, both practically foregone conclusions, the Opposition, too, cannot be expected to say that the BJP will win a handsome majority on its own. Second, who exactly are these 'they' who are trying to attract new allies by spreading 'such things'. Last time we heard, a good number of Opposition parties had severally or conjointly declared their intention to dislodge the BJP from the Centre. Among them are the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Janata Dal (Secular), Rashtriya Janata Dal, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Trinamool Congress, the Left and a host of smaller parties in the heartland and the South. So, who are this they? And who are they trying to attract? The handful of fence-sitters like the Biju Janata Dal, Telangana Rashtra Samithi and YSR Congress? As asked before, why shouldn't the Opposition try to attract more allies? What is the prime minister's beef? Warming to this theme, Modi also said that his party would trust the intelligence of the common people. "I keep telling all political pundits," he said, "Let us trust the common mans intelligence." That is an unexceptionable sentiment, never mind that it didn't do his party much good in the five Assembly elections held at the end of the year just gone by. But the prime minister also went on to assert there was no reason for the common people not to support the BJP. Big on rhetoric again, Modi asked, "After all, what did the common people experience from this government that they will go away from us? The common man knows it all." Rhetorical questions normally do not need answers, but there are so many that we cannot refrain from supplying a few. The farm crisis, unemployment, demonetisation, the shambolic rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and much more besides. Demonetisation, that Modi defended as a measure that was necessary for the country's economic health even though it put the brakes on growth, singehandedly destroyed much of the informal economy and micro, small and medium enterprises. That, in turn, severely crimped the potential of generating employment. The shambolic GST rollout further hit the economy, hard. May we suggest that these in themselves constitute enough reason for the common people to 'go away' from the BJP? There were many other issues the prime minister flagged. We shall refer to just a few: Sabarimala and triple talaq, hyphenated, the Trinamool raj in Bengal and the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Without much doubt, the outlawing of triple talaq is one of the few initiatives undertaken by this government that needs to be commended. Once it goes through the Rajya Sabha, with or without a referral to a select committee, it will provide absolutely essential relief to a large number of Muslim women. But what exactly did the prime minister mean when he says talaq is an issue of gender justice or equality, while Sabarimala is a question of tradition? Both are issues of 'tradition', actually. And both are issues of gender discrimination. The prime minister cannot get away from the fact that a majority judgement delivered by a Supreme Court bench has outlawed the ban on women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala shrine. Instead of looking at the majority judgement, Modi sought to focus on the dissenting order. Coming from the prime minister of the country, this is absolutely shameful. Instead of telling his party that it should respect the verdict, he is, in effect, encouraging it to continue opposing it. As far as the broadside against the Trinamool regime is concerned, it is clear that the BJP has not been prevented from going about its business. As was pointed out in court, around 21,000 events have been allowed in the past two years. Apart from which, the very fact that the BJP has grown so phenomenally in Bengal in the past few years is pretty clinching evidence that it does not labour under a draconian regime. Finally, the Ram Mandir. The prime minister must be commended for hinting that the judicial process would be allowed to play itself out and no legislative force majeure was being contemplated. But it is not clear what exactly he meant when he said, "In court, Congress lawyers, who are obstacles, should stop." As far as we can see, lawyers, whether Congress or not, are doing what they are supposed to do: Represent the interests of their clients as best as possible. Modi would be better advised to ask the hotheads among his party colleagues, like Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, to forthwith cease their clamour for a law or ordinance to enable the building of a grand temple at the exact spot where a mythological character was 'born'. And he should remember that his party demolished the Babri Masjid, when litigation was underway. At this point in time, it would be foolish for observers to predict what the shape of the Lok Sabha will be in a few months' time. But it is a cinch that the BJP will not get anywhere near a single-party majority. That is possibly the proximate reason for the prime minister feeling anxious and taking absurd potshots against the Opposition, which, despite Shah's deep desires, shows no signs of melting away. From Ram Mandir to note ban, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first television interview in the election year touched upon all the elements of what might constitutes the Bharatiya Janata Party's poll pitch. From Ram Mandir to note ban, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first television interview in the election year touched upon all the elements of what might constitute the Bharatiya Janata Party's poll pitch for upcoming general elections. However, the Opposition dismissed the interview as "fixed and full of rhetoric." Allies on the other hand expressed gave mixed reactions to Modi's comments on bringing an ordinance for construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya's disputed site. When Modi was asked about the demand by Hindutva groups for an ordinance for a Ram temple in Ayodhya, he had responded saying, "Let the judicial process take its own course... After the judicial process is over, whatever be our responsibility as government, we are ready to make all efforts." While JD(U) welcomed this comment, the Shiv Sena flayed the BJP on this statement. BJP's parent organisation RSS, however, subtly reminded the party that it must fulfill its electoral promises within the current tenure. "The Supreme Court has said (hearing on the) Ram Mandir is not an urgent matter. Modi also did not say anything different. I congratulate him for making his position clear on the matter. "...(The prime minister says) Will not bring an ordinance for the Ram temple. The constitutional meaning of this is that Lord Ram is not bigger than the law," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said. The RSS said people expect the Modi government to fulfil its promise of building the Ram temple within its tenure as the BJP was elected to power in 2014 for committing to all possible efforts to do so. "Under the leadership of Modi, the BJP in its 2014 election manifesto had promised to make all possible efforts within the ambit of the Constitution to build the Ram temple. People of India gave the BJP a majority, trusting their promise," the RSS tweeted. People of India expect the government to fulfil the promise within its tenure, it added. However, RSS also described Modi's comments as a "positive step" towards the temple construction. The government's term will end in May. The JD(U), meanwhile, welcomed the prime minister's statement. "We welcome the prime minister's comments. It is a victory of our party's ideology," JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi said. Modi's comments come in the backdrop of BJP's Bihar allies reminding it that construction of a Ram temple might be its political promise but was not on NDA's agenda. The Congress, meanwhile, slammed the prime minister's interview adding that it was mere propaganda and jumla, which is bereft of ground realities. "Modi did not spare our people of his penchant for false promises, hollow claims and propaganda even on the New Year day. The habitual peddler of untruths and lies has signalled a nasty narrative for the 2019 election campaign. People cannot be fooled through a fixed interview. Have the courage to face us in Parliament or address a press conference. Having betrayed the people, do not beg Lord Ram to save you. He did not ask you to lie in the first place," Congress leader Anand Sharma said. Party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said that the prime minister again resorted to "lies blatantly" on the issue of Rafale. "Prime Minister Modi said there is no charge, but the only charges made are against him....the charge Modi ji, is only against you of corruption and crony capitalism and that is why you are running away from a JPC," he said, daring him for holding a probe on the issue. The Congress also came out with its own version of 10 follow up questions on the big poll promises Modi made in 2014, including depositing 15 lakh in every bank account, bringing back 80 lakh crore black money, 2 crore jobs per year, cost and 50 percent profit for farmers, GST, demonetisation "scam", national security, corruption and "scams" such as Rafale, and cleaning of Ganga. Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress, meanwhile, hit back at Modi by saying BJP should stop lecturing it on "democratic rigts" as BJP itself has destroyed democracy and institutions in the country. The party's comment came in the backdrop of the Prime Minister's Office tweet, quoting Modi from the interview: "What has happened in West Bengal. A political party (the BJP) is being denied a basic democratic right. Our workers are brutally killed in West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka. Politics of violence has to end. All parties have to reaffirm their commitment to peaceful politics." TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee took a dig at BJP"s defeat in three Hindi heartland states by saying that the BJP has got a taste of "democracy" in last few elections. "The BJP should not lecture us on democracy and democratic rights. As BJP itself has destroyed democracy and institutions in this country. The BJP itself don't have any respect for democracy or constitution," Chatterjee said. Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday said the assurances given by the BJP on Ram temple had very little credibility. Yechury said, "We heard the BJP CM in 1992 give false assurances on protecting the Babri Masjid. After the demolition, it was claimed as a success by them. These assurances by the BJP have very little credibility." "After having destroyed the economy and ruined people's livelihoods, sharpening communal polarisation is the BJP's only plan. This will not be allowed to succeed," he added. The BJP, however, felt that the prime minister demolished the Opposition's 'motivated agenda.' Hitting back at the Congress, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said it is not surprising that it was "desperately working overtime" to negate the positive message of the prime minister's comments. In his reaction to Modi's interview, Congress chief spokesperson Surjewala had termed it as, "bereft of ground reality, 'Jumlas' (rhetoric) galore, Modiji's interview looks like a parody". In his counter-offensive, Kohli said, "It is a comprehensive, detailed and candid interview in which the PM has spoken on a wide range of issues that have been in the media space for some time. This interview completely demolishes the motivated agenda of opposition parties and vested interests that seek to malign the sterling performance of his government." Echoing similar sentiments, another BJP spokesperson, Shahnawaz Hussain, said,"All the false narratives that the opposition was trying to build for many months were demolished by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in just one interview. That's the power of truth and commitment." In an interview broadcast by various television channels, Modi talked about a host of issues including the surgical strikes, the Ram temple's construction and personal attacks on him by the Congress. Modi also attacked the Congress leadership of politicising and delaying the legal process in clearance of Ram temple construction. With inputs from agencies Reacting to Narendra Modi's interview, Chandrababu Naidu, who has been going hammer and tongs at the prime minister on various issues, asked what was the economic growth rate achieved under his rule. Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a debate on what benefits the country got under the latter's rule. Reacting to the prime minister's interview, telecast on several television channels, the chief minister, who has been going hammer and tongs at the prime minister on various issues, asked what was the economic growth rate achieved under Modi. "It may not have been good under the UPA, but it is no better even in the government. What economic growth did the GST and demonetisation result in?" he asked. The country's economic system "collapsed" because of the measures implemented by the Modi government, he alleged and challenged the prime minister to a debate on the issue. The prime minister, during the interview, answered questions on a wide range of issues, including the Opposition's efforts to form a grand alliance to take on the BJP in the 2019 elections, rumblings within the NDA, demonetisation and the BJP's defeat in three Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh. Earlier in October, the VHP had set the Modi government a final 'deadline' to ensure the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya by end of 2018. The clamour for taking the ordinance route to construct a Ram temple in Ayodhya grew after Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke a long silence on the issue, stating that his government would like to see the temple being built 'within constitutional limits.' The loudest voices condemning the prime minister's advice to wait for the Supreme Court's verdict is from among his own allies and former supporters. More recently, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) strongly supported the need for an ordinance to build a temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. The right-wing organisation, which has criticised the Modi government in the past for not following through on the electoral promise of building the Ram temple, on Wednesday took a hard stance against the BJP. It said that the government must bring a substantive Bill in the Parliament instead of waiting for the Supreme Court's order on the issue. The organisation, an extreme wing of the larger Sangh Privar, has been relentlessly pursuing the construction of a temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya and had also campaigned for the BJP in the hope that a 'saffron' government will ensure its demands are met. "We have not been successful in ensuring that the government brings a Bill for Ram Temple so far, but the campaign will continue," VHP president Alok Kumar said. He said that separate private member Bills are not the solution for the problem, "we demand that the government bring in a substantive bill on Ram temple." "VHP cannot wait forever for court's verdict on Ram temple issue. We demand Parliament to legislate on the issue at the earliest and a decision on council's following course of action will be taken in Dharm Sansad during Kumbh," Kumar said. Earlier in October, the VHP had set the Modi government a final 'deadline' to ensure the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. "This is the final battle for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The government should bring an ordinance for the construction of the temple and this should be done by the end of this year... If that does not happen, then all the options are open before us. The future course of action will be decided during the two-day 'Dharam Sansad' to be held next year on the sidelines of the Maha Kumbh in Allahabad," Kumar had told PTI in October. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the parent organisation of both BJP and VHP, too expressed its displeasure with Modi's statement on the issue. The right-wing organisation, which is often credited for the BJP's political rise in North India, subtly reminded the party that the people may not pardon it for the delay in construction of temple as it was one of the key agendas on which the BJP campaigned in 2014. "Under the leadership of Modi, the BJP in its 2014 election manifesto had promised to make all possible efforts within the ambit of the Constitution to build the Ram temple. People of India gave the BJP a majority, trusting their promise," the RSS tweeted. People of India expect the government to fulfill the promise within its tenure, it added. The RSS, however, said that the prime minister's statement was overall a positive sign. "We feel that the statement by Prime Minister is a positive step in the direction of Temple Construction. The Prime Minister reiterating the resolve to construct a grand Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya in his interview is in tune with the resolution passed by BJP at Palampur in 1989." The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the Ram temple case on 4 January, even as Hindutva organisations, including the RSS and its affiliates, as also the BJP ally Shiv Sena, have been pitching for an ordinance to pave the way for an early construction. Sounds of discord also emerged from within the BJP as Union minister Uma Bharti said people would be "surprised" and "shocked" if no solution was found to the Ram temple issue, despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath being at the helm at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh respectively. "When Modi ji is the prime minister and Yogi ji is the chief minister (of UP), and even then if no way is found for the construction of the Ram temple, then the masses will be surprised as to why were we unable to find a way for (building) the Ram temple. It will be a shock to the people," she said. Like RSS, Bharti to reminded her party that the temple had a "major role" in the BJP rising from just two Lok Sabha seats (in 1984) to 84 seats when the temple movement gained momentum in 1989 to 284 seats in the 2014 general polls. "Therefore, with Modi as the prime minister and Yogi (as the UP chief minister), people have high hopes that a way should be found for the construction of the Ram temple," the Union minister of drinking water and sanitation said. "Even today I will say this, whether it is an Act or an Ordinance, you have to find an amicable way for the Ram temple. You cannot just do it by bringing an Act for everything. Especially, when there is a lot of opposition in the society," Bharti opined. BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy also threw his weight behind the VHP's demand stating that he will ask Prime Minister Modi to hand over the disputed site to right-wing groups like VHP to ensure construction of temple. "I am asking the PM to handover the land to some Hindu organisation like the VHP and also ask them to go ahead and build the Ram temple," Swamy told CNN-News18. Swamy also argued that the government wasn't bound to weight for the Supreme Court ruling on the issue. "The 2014 Manifesto only stated that we will build Ram Mandir by legal means, not necessarily via the court. PV Narasimha Rao's 1994 statement presented to SC by his solicitor general gives Namo a right to start Ram Mandir construction tonight without Supreme Court's OK," Swamy tweeted. Party's ally and also one of the strongest critic Shiv Sena too has been shoring up attack on the Ram temple issue as the rift between the two alliance partners widen. "The Supreme Court has said (hearing on the) Ram Mandir is not an urgent matter. Modi also did not say anything different. I congratulate him for making his position clear on the matter. "...(The prime minister says) Will not bring an ordinance for the Ram temple. The constitutional meaning of this is that Lord Ram is not bigger than the law," Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said. Earlier, addressing a rally in Pandharpur in Maharashtra's Solapur district last month, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had asked BJP allies to clear their stand on the Ram temple issue. "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 name 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," Thackeray had said. In November, he had visited Ayodhya and demanded an ordinance to resolve the issue. With inputs from agencies On Modi's comment that the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will be about the janta (people) versus the gathbandhan (alliance), Yechury said the battle lines of the contest were clear it was the ruinous policies of the Modi government versus the people of India. New Delhi: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that a decision on an ordinance on the Ram temple in Ayodhya could only be taken after the completion of the judicial process, Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Tuesday said the assurances given by the BJP had very little credibility. He also alleged that sharpening communal polarisation was the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) only plan. In a televised interview on Tuesday, Modi suggested that any decision on an ordinance on a Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh could be taken only after the completion of the judicial process, while asserting that the government was ready to make all efforts to fulfil its responsibility. The prime minister's comments came amidst heightened demands by Hindutva organisations, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for an ordinance for early construction of the temple. Reacting to Modi's remarks, Yechury said, "We heard the BJP CM in 1992 give false assurances on protecting the Babri Masjid. After the demolition, it was claimed as a success by them. These assurances by the BJP have very little credibility." "After having destroyed the economy and ruined people's livelihoods, sharpening communal polarisation is the BJP's only plan. This will not be allowed to succeed," he added. In 1992, BJP's Kalyan Singh was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. On Modi's comment that the 2019 Lok Sabha polls will be about the janta (people) versus the gathbandhan (alliance), Yechury said the battle lines of the contest were clear it was the ruinous policies of the Modi government versus the people of India. Slamming the prime minister over demonetisation, he said Modi's claim that the move had eliminated black money was "preposterous". "Modi facilitated black money hoarders to whitewash illegal cash holdings. People who ought to have been penalised were rewarded at the expense of destroying livelihoods of crores of Indians," Yechury tweeted. Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) Delhi unit convener Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that a decision on the alliance will be taken later on by the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) Delhi unit convener Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that a decision on the alliance will be taken later on by the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC). "Party has started its election campaign for three states. Further decision on alliance will be taken by the PAC of the party," he said. It was further informed that the party will be announcing the name of candidate's for Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana by 15 January. The party has also asserted that it will be mainly contesting in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Goa, and Chandigarh. It has already announced 5 candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. "At present, the party is focusing on 33 seats including 7 seats of Delhi, 13 from Punjab, 10 from Haryana-10 and 1 in Chandigarh," informed party office bearer. For 7 Loksabha seats of Delhi, AAP has already announced the name of conveners for 5 constituencies. AAP president Arvind Kejriwal will be addressing several rallies in the run-up to the Loksabha elections. He will be addressing a rally on January, 4 in Charkhi Dadri. He will also address a rally in Sangrur on 20 January, and in Anandpur Sahib on 29 January along with another rally in Amritsar on 2 February. On 29 December, the national council of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had taken unanimous decision to extend the term of all its office-bearers, including that of party chief Arvind Kejriwal, by 1 year. Adityanath claimed that Congress plays with India's security for its gains, adding that it is clear from the CBI court's judgment on the Sohrabuddin case, which acquitted all accused and termed it a political conspiracy. Lucknow: The Congress "misused" the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to frame Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday, demanding Rahul Gandhi's apology for his party's actions. The BJP leader was reacting to the special CBI court's recent decision acquitting Shah and others in the case. "The Congress plays with the security of the country for its gains. It has become clear from the CBI court's judgment which acquitted all accused and termed it a political conspiracy," Adityanath told reporters in Lucknow. "Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the country and clear his party's stand on backing a terrorist (Sheikh)," he said, adding that the Congress leadership was involved in a conspiracy to send Shah to jail but the court's judgment had exposed them. "Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and the then prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh were involved in the conspiracy. The Congress was working in the interest of a terrorist, who was fighting against the country. They did lobbying in his favour and had sent Shah to jail," he said. "I express my gratitude to the court for revealing the truth", he said, adding that the way Congress was discharging its political responsibilities was "shameful". The special CBI court in Mumbai had on 21 December, 2018 acquitted all 22 accused in the killing of Sheikh, his wife Kausar Bi and his aide Tulsi Prajapati in alleged fake encounters by Gujarat Police between 2005 and 2006 citing insufficient evidence. Shah, who was the minister of state for home in Gujarat at the time, was arrested briefly in 2010 in the case before being discharged in December 2014. Adityanath further said that in 2014, the Supreme Court and earlier the Bombay High Court had acquitted the BJP chief but it was clear that the Congress was targeting Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister's remarks come at a time when the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre is being accused by the Opposition of interfering in CBI affairs. On the AgustaWestland deal, Adityanath alleged that "Christian Michel and others were related to Congress top leadership", while he dismissed the claims made by Rahul Gandhi that he had in his possession a purported audiotape of a Goa minister on the Rafale deal. There was no immediate response from the Congress on the allegations made by the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. Deccan Chronicle photojournalist Peethambaran Payyeri was among journalists allegedly attacked by by BJP and Yuva Morcha activists. Five BJP Mahila Morcha members protesting against 2 women entering Sabarimala Temple today, stopped from entering the state secretariat by police in Thiruvananthapuram. (Photo: ANI) Thiruvananthapuram/Kottayam: An umbrella organisation of various pro-Hindutva groups have called for a state-wide shutdown Thursday, amid protests at several places after entry of two women into the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. As the news of the women entering the temple spread, protests erupted with right-wing activists blocking highways and forcing closure of shops and markets. Media personnel, reporting from outside the state secretariat, were allegedly attacked by BJP and Yuva Morcha activists. Announcing the dawn-to-dusk shutdown on behalf of the Sabarimala Karma Samiti Samiti, its leader K P Sasikala said the government has betrayed devotees. The Samiti, which is spearheading protests against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict allowing women of all age groups to offer prayers at the hill shrine, urged people to cooperate with them in their protest. Sasikala said the protests would continue till Pinarayi Vijayan resigns as chief minister. Scripting history, two women who are in their 40s entered the Ayyappa temple early Wednesday and offered prayers. Sasikala said the government acted like a "coward" and took the women to the shrine during the early hours. Among the journalists attacked were Asianet reporter Prakula, Deccan Chronicle photojournalist Peethambaran Payyeri, Mathrubhumi video-journalist Biju. Camera and equipment of channels like Mathrubhumi and Media One were also damaged. The Kerala Union of Working Journalists' flayed the attack on the media personnel and sought stern action. This is the seventh shutdown called by right-wing groups in just three months over the Sabarimala issue. Traders' organisations have said they will not cooperate with the shutdown and sought police protection to open their establishments. On December 20, over 35 trade organisations in Kerala had come together to announce that 2019 will be 'anti-hartal year'. The Antharashtriya Hindu Parishad has also called for a hartal Thursday. The Nair Service Society, an outfit of Kerala's forward Nair community, condemned the violation of Sabarimala's centuries-old tradition and said it would continue its legal battle to protect the faith of Ayyappa devotees. NSS, which has filed a review plea in the Supreme Court challenging its verdict, expressed hope that the top court would take a favourable decision. The top court will consider the review plea on January 22. Addressing a meeting of NSS members on the occasion of the Mannam Jayanti celebrations at its headquarters in Changanassery near Kottayam, NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair said it would approach the Centre if the apex court rejects its plea. "We will continue our legal battle," he said. "If there is a divine intervention, definitely, the verdict will be in favour of us," Nair added. An ordinance is the only other way out if the top court rejects the plea seeking review of its earlier verdict, he said. The Supreme Court had refused to stay its verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into the shrine, but agreed to hear in open court on January 22 a batch of review petitions in the matter. Nair supported the decision taken by the chief priest of the temple to perform a 'purification' ceremony after the two women entered the shrine and offered prayers, violating the tradition of the temple. Raising voice against the shutdown, tourism industry representatives, including Kerala Tourism Task Force convener Abraham George, said the sector was gradually returning to normal after last August's deluge. In view of the severe damage to the sector in the floods causing huge revenue loss, the tourism industry will function as usual during the shutdown, a statement issued by the representatives said. They urged the government, political parties, other organisations and public to cooperate for the smooth functioning of the tourism sector. The BJP has been strident in its opposition to triple talaq, including attempting to push through legislation criminalising the practice, but the saffron party has chosen to tread with caution on female genital mutilation (FGM), which is practised in the Bohra community, saying the case should be referred to a Constitution bench Last week, the Lok Sabha passed the contentious Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018, with law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad saying that the proposed legislation is not about politics, but about empowerment and justice for women. The Centre's attempt to highlight abusive practices against Muslim women has brought the spotlight on another less debated practice female genital mutilation/cutting or khatna which affects a section of the community. The BJP has been strident in its opposition to triple talaq the party has attempted to push through legislation criminalising the practice, issued strongly-worded statements in the mainstream media and social media, and its leaders have even raised the issue in election rallies. In comparison, the party has chosen to tread with caution on female genital cutting, which is practised in the Bohra community. The World Health Organisation describes female genital cutting (or female genital mutilation) as being a part of procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Half of the 28 countries where the practice is said to be endemic have passed laws banning it. Speaking to Firstpost, Aarefa Johari, an activist working to end female genital mutilation, said, A public interest litigation demanding a ban on this practice is presently being heard by the Supreme Court. In this case, the Central government has taken a stand that the case should be referred to a Constitution bench. Thus, the Centre has taken the same stand as the Dawoodi Bohra Womens Association for Religious Freedom (a litigant in the case seeking that the practice should be allowed). This means that the case will now be heard from the point of view of religious freedom. That is a strange position for the government to take, and it has not taken a similar standpoint when it comes to triple talaq. The statement of the Centre in court had come ten days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering from the community and met its religious head Sydna Mufaddal Saifuddin. In an earlier hearing of the case in July, Attorney General KK Venugopal, representing the Centre, had said that the practice causes irreparable harm to girl children and needs to be banned. The petition which is currently pending in the apex court has been filed by a Delhi-based advocate, Sunita Tiwari. During the proceedings of the case, the Centre has stated that the practice may be said to be illegal under some sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. However, Johari believes that these legal provisions are inadequate in themselves. She said, Female genital cutting cannot be equated with other kinds of criminal activities. After all, this is a social norm and thus, ending it requires a change in peoples mindsets. One cannot effectively impose a ban from the outside without a robust movement from within the community. Johari further points out, "The POCSO Act contains a provision for mandatory reporting of offences, meaning that if someone comes to know of an incidence of child sexual abuse, the person is mandated to report the matter to the police. Even in child sexual abuse cases, mandatory reporting can end up harming the child. In cases where abuse happens within the family, the bread-winner may go to jail, while the child may end up in a shelter home. Speaking of female genital mutilation, the person who carries out the act is often the child's mother. The child may feel a sense of betrayal with respect to her mother due to this act, but it does not mean that the mother is a bad parent. A nuanced viewpoint is necessary." Rajeev Pandey, an advocate and spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said, "The government's stand on this issue is clear the practice must be stopped. The practice is already illegal in many countries around the world." To a question about the possibility of legislation on the issue, Pandey said, "The case is presently being heard by the Supreme Court. Once the court passes a decision on the case, I believe as a lawyer and a BJP worker that there should be legislation to ban female genital mutilation." The central government, in an affidavit to the apex court, had stated that there is no official data or study (by National Crime Records Bureau, etc), which supports the existence of female genital mutilation in India. However, numerous civil society organisations have criticised this statement. Sahiyo, an organisation which Johari has co-founded, wrote an appeal to Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi on its website, saying, While this (statement) is technically correct, it is dismissive of the many survivor testimonies that have been presented to the ministry through petitions and personal meetings with survivors and activists. The statement is also ironic because official data can only exist if the government actually commissions such research studies on FGC, which it has not yet done. Notably, in the recent debate on the triple talaq bill in the Parliament, Union ministers cited several statistics on the prevalence of the practice, particularly the number of cases that have been reported after the Supreme Courts judgment declaring it illegal. According to a study done by civil society organisation WeSpeakOut, 75 percent of daughters (aged seven years and above) of the respondents were subjected to female genital mutilation. Apart from short-term pain, some women were also said to suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections and incontinence in the long-term. In every district of Uttar Pradesh, both urban and rural areas, a cow shed with a minimum capacity of 1,000 animals will be built, and for this, a total of 2 percent 'cow welfare cess' will be imposed on excise, mandi parishad, profitable corporations and others, he said. Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to set up and run temporary gauvansh ashray asthals under the urban and rural civic bodies in order to take proper care of stray cattle. The state cabinet meeting, presided by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, okayed the plan and said a "cow welfare cess" will be imposed for the same, a government spokesman said. The official said temporary cowsheds will be opened in all villages, panchayats, municipalities, nagar panchayats and municipal corporations. These cowsheds will be constructed through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) funds, he added. In every district, both urban and rural areas, a cowshed with a minimum capacity of 1,000 animals will be built, and for this, a total of 2 percent "cow welfare cess" will be imposed on excise, mandi parishad, profitable corporations and others, he said. Stating farmers are fast taking the mechanised route, the officials said that more and more cattle owners are deserting their animals. He said the new policy will ensure these stray animals are taken care of and concerned departments work with the state government in coordination for better results. Besides aiding the animal husbandry department, these ashray asthals will be working on a self-sustaining model. Last week, the chief minister had directed the officials to make immediate arrangements for proper care of stray cows. He had ordered for the removal of illegal encroachments to pave the way for fresh grazing grounds in different parts of the state. In a meeting with senior officials, the chief minister asked them to set up a committee to consider measures for providing better shelter facilities to stray cows and directed Chief Secretary Anup Chandra Pandey to be present with recommendations in a week's time. Adityanath said in case of encroachments, immediate steps would be taken for their removal and strict action will be initiated against the accused. In another important decision, the state cabinet gave its nod for providing compensation to officials and employees of the state police and fire services in case of disability suffered during the discharge of duties. Earlier, this compensation was extended only in case of death, the spokesman said. The cabinet also approved a plan to give police station status to ten units of UP Vigilance to expedite inquiry and prosecution in such cases, the spokesman added. Tijuana: US authorities fired tear gas into Mexico during the first hours of the new year to repel about 150 migrants who tried to breach the border fence in Tijuana. US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement later Tuesday that the gas was used to target rock throwers apart from the migrants who were trying to cross. "No agents witnessed any of the migrants at the fence line, including children, experiencing effects of the chemical agents, which were targeted at the rock throwers further away," the statement said. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three volleys of gas launched onto the Mexican side of the border near Tijuana's beach that affected the migrants, including women and children, as well as journalists. The AP saw rocks thrown only after US agents fired the tear gas. The agency said agents saw "toddler sized children" being passed over concertina wire with difficulty. It said its agents could not assist the children because of the rocks being thrown. Agents responded with smoke, pepper spray and tear gas, it said. The AP journalist also saw plastic pellets fired by US agents. The agency said 25 migrants were detained while others crawled back into Mexico through a hole under the fence. Customs and Border Protection said that under its use of force policy the incident would be reviewed by its Office of Professional Responsibility. Migrants who spoke with AP said they arrived in Tijuana last month with the caravan from Honduras. The caravan, which left Honduras in mid-October, grew to more than 6,000 members during its month-and-a-half trek north. It has been a constant target of President Donald Trump, who referred to it frequently in the run-up to US mid-term elections in November. Many of the migrants are waiting in Tijuana for a chance to apply for asylum in the US, but there was a backlog before the caravan's arrival and the wait is expected to be many months. Others have found jobs in Mexico and tried to settle there. In a previous incident, US agents launched tear gas across the border after some migrants tried to breach the border following a peaceful march in Tijuana on 26 November. Hundreds of migrants who were downwind of the gas were affected. Trump is currently locked in a fight with congressional Democrats over funding for the border wall that he wants to build. The stalemate has led to a partial government shutdown. Urjit Patel stepped down as RBI governor because of personal reasons and had been telling the prime minister for some time about his decision to resign, said Modi. New Delhi: Urjit Patel stepped down as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor because of personal reasons and had been telling the prime minister for some time about his decision to resign, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. "I am revealing for the first time, he (Urjit Patel) was telling me about this for the past 6-7 months before his resignation. He gave it even in writing. He wrote to me personally," Prime Minister Modi revealed. Patel resigned in December from his post citing "personal reasons" amidst reports of a rift between the RBI and the government. Prime Minister Modi, after Patel's resignation, tweeted that the RBI governor left behind a "great legacy." The prime minister further dispelled the Opposition's criticism that Patel was made to leave. "No such question arises. I acknowledge that Patel did a good job as RBI governor," Prime Minister Modi added. Stressing that institutions like CBI and judiciary are paramount to his government, the prime minister stressed that Congress has no right to criticise BJP by saying that the government weakened such institutions in the country. "Congress has no right to speak on this issue. Against the PM and PMO, the NAC (National Advisory Council) was formed. What kind of empowerment of the PMO was this? Cabinet takes such a big decision and a big leader tears that Cabinet decision at a press conference. What kind of respect is for an institution?" questioned PM Modi. "Coming to judiciary, they openly said that we will decide judiciary on the basis of ideology and senior judges were shown the door and junior judges were promoted. And you are talking about institutions? In the same RBI, several times Governors were forced to leave before their term expired. You called Planning Commission people a bunch of jokers," the prime minister added. Prime Minister Modi cleared the air over the government removing the two men at the top of CBI. In October, CBI director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana were relieved of their duties pending an inquiry, after each accused the other of corruption, following which the government sent them on leave, calling it an "extraordinary and unprecedented" situation. "When CBI internal personal matter came to light, they were both asked to go on leave legally. Because institution is paramount for us," stressed the prime minister while speaking to ANI. Opposition parties, especially the Congress, have in recent times, criticised the BJP-led Narendra Modi government of misusing the Enforcement Directorate for political vendetta, often dubbing it as 'Embarrassment Directorate'. The prime minister, however, allayed the criticism. "How are these people saying this? Recently, Sohrabuddin judgement came. Just read that judgement. See how institutions were misused. Accusations on us is that Modi is not taking action against these people. And you are saying this is vendetta. ED is doing is job professionally. From a foreign country, a razdaar (confidante) has been brought in custody of India. Should not every Indian be proud of it?" said the prime minister, while referring to Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal. Michel, a UK citizen, was extradited to India from the UAE last month in connection with the case and was respresented by lawyer Aljo K Joseph, who happened to be a Congress party leader but was shunted after controversy over his affiliation erupted. "If a Congress worker turns up to be Christian Michel's lawyer, then it is a cause for worry. The countrymen should be proud that razdaar has come, now there will be proper inquiry under legal scrutiny and the truth will come out. Instead of that, you are sending lawyers from your party to support him Michel. This is a matter of concern," Prime Minister added. The high-level committee will hold discussions with all stakeholders and assess the required quantum of reservation of seats in the Assam Legislative Assembly and local bodies for Assamese people. New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday decided to set up a high-level committee to recommend how to provide constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to the indigenous people of Assam, including by reserving seats in the state Assembly. The decision has been taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a press conference, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the decision has been taken according to the Assam Accord signed in 1985 which envisaged that appropriate constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people. "The committee will hold discussions with all stakeholders and assess the required quantum of reservation of seats in the Assam Legislative Assembly and local bodies for Assamese people," he said. The home minister said the panel will also assess the requirement of measures to be taken to protect Assamese and other indigenous languages of the state, quantum of reservation in employment under the Government of Assam and other measures to protect, preserve and promote cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of Assamese people. "It was a very significant decision for the promotion and protection of cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of Assamese people," he said. Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed the Union Cabinet's decision saying it was a historical step for the protection of the indigenous people of the state. "This is for the first time in 35 years that the Central government has taken a significant step for the implementation of the Assam Accord," he said in a statement. In Guwahati, Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya, the chief advisor of All Assam Students Union (AASU), which was a signatory to the Accord, termed the decision an attempt to "assuage the feelings of the Assamese community which was hurt due to the move to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955. The bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, for granting Indian nationality to people belonging to minority communities Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12, even if they don't possess any proper document. The AASU and other socio-political organisations of the northeast have vehemently opposed the bill. The home minister said it has been felt that clause six of the Assam Accord, which provides for protection of the rights of indigenous people of the state, has not been fully implemented even almost 35 years after the Accord was signed. "The Union Cabinet, therefore, approved the setting up of a high-level committee to suggest constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards as envisaged in Clause 6 of the Assam Accord. The committee shall examine the effectiveness of actions since 1985 to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord," he said. The home minister said the terms of reference and composition of the committee will be announced within the next few days. "The composition and terms of reference of the committee will be issued separately by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is expected that the setting up of the committee will pave the way for the implementation of the Assam Accord in letter and spirit and will help fulfil the longstanding expectations of the Assamese people," Singh said. The Union Cabinet also approved a number of measures to fulfil the outstanding issues related to the Bodo community that include establishment of a Bodo musuem-cum-language and cultural study centre, modernisation of existing All India Radio station and Doordarshan kendra at Kokrajhar and naming a superfast train passing through Bodoland Territorial Administrative Districts (BTAD) as ARONAI Express. The home minister said relevant central ministries will take the required actions to implement these decisions. The Bodo Accord was signed in 2003 which resulted in the establishment of a Bodoland Territorial Council under the sixth schedule of the Constitution. However, there have been representations from different organisations of Bodos to fulfil various outstanding demands. Singh said the state government will also take necessary measures related to appropriate land policy and land laws, besides setting up of institutions for research and documentation of customs, traditions and languages of indigenous communities. The women's wing of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board Tuesday alleged that the triple talaq bill is anti-women and asked Rajya Sabha members to send it to a Select Committee for legal scrutiny Hyderabad: The women's wing of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board Tuesday alleged that the triple talaq bill is anti-women and asked Rajya Sabha members to send it to a Select Committee for legal scrutiny. The 'Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on marriage) Bill,2018' may break marriages rather than empowering women and causes a direct blow to the family system and the institution of marriage, the wing's chief organiser Asma Zohra said in a release in Hyderabad. The Bill has been brought forward to "empower Muslim women", but its provisions defeat its very purpose, she alleged. "Muslim women will not get anything from this Bill. Instead she is left abandoned...deserted. Her condition will become more miserable," Zohra said. She said that in any criminal case, it is the magistrate who decides the granting of bail, not the victim. "On a mere allegation of the wife, the husband is jailed. This is against criminal jurisprudence," it said. Zohra said it is an irony that there is freedom in this country for men and women to have pre-marital, extra-marital and even multiple relationships. Decriminalisation of Section 377 was an example of freedom in personal and civil matters, she said and sought to know why a Muslim man is then penalised for divorce. Zohra pointed out that the AIMPLB had time and again stated that pronouncing triple talaq in one sitting is not the standard procedure of divorce and those practising it should face social boycott. "There was no need of this Bill after the Supreme Court judgement invalidating triple talaq. It has been brought with political and communal motives to divide society," she said. Voicing opposition to the Bill, the women's wing urged the Rajya Sabha members to send it to Select Committee for "legal scrutiny". The Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha last week,hit a hurdle in the Rajya Sabha Monday as the Congress-led Opposition insisted on sending it to the House Select Committee for further scrutiny, which the government did not agree to. The Indian Army has dismissed the claims of the Pakistan Army that it had shot down an Indian quadcopter in the Bagh sector along the Line of Control. 'They keep lying on these issues. No such incident has taken place,' Army sources said in Delhi. New Delhi: The Indian Army has dismissed the claims of the Pakistan Army that it had shot down an Indian quadcopter in the Bagh sector along the Line of Control. "They keep lying on these issues. No such incident has taken place," Army sources said in Delhi. The claim was made by Pakistan Army's Inter Services Public Relations in-charge Major General Asif Ghafoor from his official Twitter handle. Pakistan Army troops shot down Indian Spy Quadcopter in Bagh Sector along Line of Control. Not even a quadcopter will be allowed to cross LOC, In Shaa Allah. pic.twitter.com/CIT2ORe9eA Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) January 1, 2019 Interestingly, the Pakistan side stressed that it did not allow even a quadcopter to cross over the LoC the same day Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the first time, discussed in detail the surgical strikes of September 2016, when Indian troops launched multiple attacks on militant launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan has been denying that the surgical strikes ever took place, but it is believed that around 50 militants along with the Pakistan Army's regular troops were killed in these operations. The DMK and its allies, the Congress and a lone IUML member, boycotted the governor's address on the opening day of the first Assembly session of the year by staging a walkout. Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government would give Rs 1,000 and a gift hamper to every family with a ration card for Pongal, Governor Banwarilal Purohit told the Assembly in his address on Wednesday that was boycotted by the DMK and its allies. The boycott came despite the governor, breaking convention, requested Leader of the Opposition MK Stalin "with folded hands" to resume his seat. During his customary speech on the opening day of the Assembly session, he said to mitigate the impact of Cyclone Gaja in the Cauvery delta and drought in the northern districts, the government "will distribute gift hampers containing raw rice, sugar, raisins, cashew nut, cardamom and sugarcane to all card holders to celebrate Pongal festival." Also, a cash support of Rs 1,000 per family for the celebration of harvest festival Pongal will be applicable to the entire state except in Tiruvarur district where the Model Code of Conduct is in force, in view of the bypoll on 28 January. Referring to the destruction caused by Cyclone Gaja, Purohit recalled that the state had sought from the Centre Rs 2,709 crore as immediate relief and Rs 15,190 crore for permanent restoration works. Thanking the Centre for sanctioning Rs 900.31 crore additionally under National Disaster Relief Fund for immediate relief, the governor requested the Union government to extend adequate additional financial help to rebuild the affected houses and restore the livelihood of the people. On the dispute with Karnataka and Kerala over Cauvery river and Mullaperiyar dam respectively, he asserted that Tamil Nadu will continue to pursue legal options to protect its interests. Though such river water issues could be "better resolved through mutual trust and understanding, Tamil Nadu has been repeatedly forced to seek legal remedy to protect its legitimate riparian rights", Purohit said, adding Chief Minister K Palaniswami is committed to protecting the state's interests "by all legal means." Karnataka has been, in the recent past, making overtures to Tamil Nadu to arrive at a consensus on the Mekedatu row. The government reiterated its opposition to both the Centre's nod to Karnataka to prepare a detailed project report for a dam at Mekedatu across the Cauvery river and "attempt" by Kerala to construct a new dam to replace the existing Mullaperiyar reservoir. The Tamil Nadu governor said the nod for DPR is a "blatant violation" of the Supreme Court judgment on the Cauvery river. He also said the state government will continue its pursuit of raising the water level in Mullaperiyar dam to 152 feet. Flagging Tamil Nadu fishermen's arrest and confiscation of their boats by Sri Lanka, the governor said in the last two years, 551 fishermen were apprehended by the island nation's navy and urged the Centre to amicably resolve this issue with Sri Lanka. On the Sterlite issue, the governor reiterated that the copper plant failed to comply with environmental norms and added that the government will appeal against an order of the National Green Tribunal allowing the plant's reopening. On 21 December, the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench had on a plea from an anti-Sterlite movement activist directed status quo on the Sterlite issue till January 21 and asked Tamil Nadu to state if it intended to file an appeal against the NGT order. Over the Dam Safety Bill, Purohit said it "infringes on the state's rights," and flagged Tamil Nadu's suggestions for amendment Bills in Parliament including those on National Medical Commission and motor vehicles, and wanted the state's concerns to be addressed impartially. On the fiscal front, he said while the revenue deficit has been on the rise mainly due to the devolution formula evolved by the 14th Finance Commission, the implementation of Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana and the 7th pay panel recommendations have also widened the revenue deficit. The DMK and its allies, the Congress and a lone IUML member, boycotted the governor's address on the opening day of the first Assembly session of the year by staging a walkout. As the governor began his address saying 'Vanakkam' and gave a message to the members saying, "live a simple life", it will root out corruption, Stalin stood up trying to say something. In a departure from convention, Purohit urged Stalin to resume his seat, saying "please... with folded hands I request you", but the Leader of Opposition continued to speak. The DMK leader referred to issues like the circumstances surrounding the death of J Jayalalithaa which could not be heard properly. Governors in the past had gone ahead with their speeches and had not directly asked Opposition MLAs to resume their seats whenever they had tried to raise issues. Also, governors had also not given their "messages," to MLAs in Tamil Nadu Assembly. The governor, after telling Stalin that he and the other members could discuss the issues later, continued with his address to the House. A smiling Stalin led the walkout of his party members and those from the Congress and the IUML. Later, the DMK president told reporters that the government failed on all fronts and opposing the governor reading the government's "failure paper," they boycotted the address. Bindu and Kanakadurga, who are in their 40s, entered temple and offered prayers at around 3:45 am on Wednesday. The two women had attempted to visit Lord Ayappa temple in December last year but failed amidst massive protests. (Photo: File) Thiruvananthapuram: Two women, below the age of 50, entered and offered prayers at the Sabarimala Temple on Wednesday, in a first after Supreme Court ended the ban in September last year. The temple was closed for ritual purification for almost one-and-a half-hours before opening for the devotees, reports said. The two women from Kerala, Bindu and Kanakadurga, who are in their 40s, entered the temple premises and offered prayers at around 3:45 am on Wednesday, reports said. They were accompanied by police personnel. A video that has been released showed the two women entering the shrine, wearing black clothes, with their heads covered. #WATCH Two women devotees Bindu and Kanakdurga entered & offered prayers at Kerala's #SabarimalaTemple at 3.45am today pic.twitter.com/hXDWcUTVXA ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Confirming the same, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, Today, two women entered Sabarimala Temple. We had issued standing orders to police to provide all possible protection to any woman who wants to enter the temple. Bindu is a college lecturer and CPI(ML) activist from Kozhikode district's Koyilandy, and Kanakadurga is a civil supplies employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram. They had earlier attempted to visit the shrine on December 24 after 11 women activists of a Chennai-based outfit were prevented from reaching the shrine and chased away by devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras The Lord Ayyappa temple was opened on December 30 for the Makaravillaku festival and there has been a heavy rush of pilgrims. The Supreme Court had lifted a traditional ban on entry of women of menstrual age on September 28 last year. Despite the top courts verdict, women were not allowed to enter the temple with a string of protests taking in and around the Sabarimala temple. Over a dozen women tried but were stopped by a wall of protesters less than a km from the temple's entrance. Priests and many devotees are of the opinion that women should not be allowed to enter the temple as Lord Ayyappa is a celibate. (With inputs from agencies) Sheikh Hasina's hat-trick shows that the leader has no lack of shrewdness or intelligence. Certainly, she's not going to annoy New Delhi who sits just across her borders. Quite understandably, she could also use the China card to get the best deal for herself. The new year started on a good note for Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina. No Bangladeshi leader has ever won a third term, and with a reported eighty percent of the vote, Hasina should be the most comfortably placed leader in South Asia. As opposition, especially the Bangladesh Nationalist Party charged Awami League with rigging the elections, reports said that Hasina won with an astounding vote count 1,000 times more than all her rivals put together. Calls for a re-election have already been rejected by the Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda. Violence and intimidation have been reported, however, it is also a fact that Hasina and her party have themselves been victimised when out of power. In Bangladesh, there's no mercy shown and no quarter expected. Hasina has, however, been more systematic and efficient in this roundabout of repression. At least, 300,000 cases are said to have been filed against the Opposition. Clearly, she was taking no chances. To those who observe Bangladeshi affairs, the win was hardly a surprise. For one, voters hardly remembered the earlier BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami partnership with any affection. Nor are they likely to sympathise with the Opposition for rising violence and hartal calls which have reportedly caused losses to the garment industry alone of about Bangladesh taka (BDT) 8.4 billion. Worse, a rising number of attacks by the Islamic State and al-Qaeda in South Asia which culminated in the attack on the Gulshan cafe, shocked the country, particularly when arrest in the case seemed to lead to the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami, among others. A second reason that voters seemed to favour incumbency was that under Hasina, the country has undoubtedly done well for itself. The World Bank called its progress "remarkable". Bangladesh is one of the ten fastest growing economies in the developing world, and the Bank's latest report states that the economy is likely to remain resilient over the near term, with strong domestic demand and structural transformation. But others point out that the growth is only benefitting the rising number of the super rich in the country. At the bottom, there is continuous distress and therefore an undercurrent of potential violence that should worry neighbours and friends alike. The Modi government with its "neighbours-first" policy has gone out of its way to befriend Bangladesh. Cooperation touched a new high with five projects launched in first ten days of September including, the 126-km-long India-Bangladesh petroleum pipeline that will connect Siliguri with Parbatipur in Bangladesh as part of the government's plan of connecting not just roads but product pipelines. The ground-breaking ceremony for the Dhaka Tongi Jaydepur railway line was also held just before elections. The slew of projects announced by India also include railway projects linking Tripura to Bangladesh. There are also new agreements on coastal shipping that marks an important field of cooperation. There's no doubt that Delhi would far rather Hasina continued, than an iffy coalition. While the bonhomie is evident, the troubling factors are not but they exist nonetheless. The failure to resolve the Teesta water sharing issue is the obvious one, which Modi said would be resolved "soon". Other less obvious ones are the continuing rise of radicalism in Bangladesh. While a spate of arrests of Bangladeshis in the UK, Singapore and India, among others, point to recruitment into the Islamic State, the most visible evidence of an increasing right-wing undercurrent is Hasina's own propitiation of the right-wing Hezafat-e-Islam, a powerful pressure group comprising teachers and heads of several madrassas in Chittagong, and led by the director of the Hathazari mosque Ameer Shah Ahmad Shafi. In 2013, it virtually brought Dhaka to a halt after a spate of protests. Suspected earlier of being in cahoots with the Opposition, Hasina chose to patronise with the group in its entirety. On 4 November, she announced the recognition of Quami madrassa Dawra-e-Hadith degrees as equivalent to a masters degree at a grand ceremony. This was promised much earlier in 2017, but the recognition, which came just before the elections, was a shrewd move and leaders of Hefazat promising they would vote for Hasina did not help matters much. As she is voted to power for the third consecutive term, Hasina will have to fulfill poll promises which include provisions like death for blasphemy, and declaring Ahmediyas as non-Muslims. The government has also announced its intention of building an Islamic University and some 560 model mosques, most of which is to be funded by Saudi Arabia. As her new term unfolds, the prime minister will have to deliver on these promises. Bangladeshi media quoted official sources and said that at least 14 lakh students are studying in 14,000 quami madrassas. That's a group readymade for trouble on the streets. Then there is the in-your-face Padma bridge across the Ganges, and built with Chinese money, as part of the $30 billion promised to Bangladesh by China. The Financial Times quoted local sources indicating that when private investment is added, total investment rises to about $42 billion. China also bought a 25 percent stake in the Dhaka Stock Exchange. More is in the offing. That's reason enough for Delhi to hold Dhaka close, and ensure that it doesn't slip into a morass of debt, apart from the inevitable rise of Chinese 'influence' which essentially means buying up the political elite. Hasina's hat-trick shows that the leader has no lack of shrewdness or intelligence. Certainly, she's not going to annoy New Delhi who sits just across her borders. Quite understandably, she could also use the China card to get the best deal for herself. The challenge for Indian diplomacy is to reduce the value of that card, already singed by reports of economic collapse of China's friends in various parts of the world. Now, it remains to bring in Delhi's own friends and allies to implement the promises of "transparent, fair and open investment" that they have together inked at all those exotic locations abroad. Hasina may be back. But that's less than half the battle won. Bindu Ammini (42) and Kankadurga (44) have thus become the first women to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala since the Supreme Court lifted the ban on menstruating women from entering the temple When Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran appealed to women in the age group of 10 and 50 not to attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple during the current pilgrim season, the right-wing outfits believed that at least the government and the police will stop aiding women from the barred age group in entering the temple. The minister had made the appeal after the protestors forced a six-member group from Tamil Nadu and two women from north Kerala to abandon their attempt to enter the temple during the peak Mandalakala pilgrim season. While the group from Tamil Nadu returned home, the two from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts returned and scripted history in a dramatic pre-dawn mission on 2 January. Bindu Ammini (42) and Kankadurga (44) have thus become the first women to offer prayers at the Lord Ayyappa temple since the Supreme Court lifted the ban on menstruating women from entering the temple on 28 September, 2018. Bindu, who serves as a guest lecturer in the legal studies department of Kannur University, described the fete as the first step towards ensuring gender equality in the famous temple. Bindu told Manorama news channel that none of the devotees, who were in the hillock, tried to stop them when they trekked the hill. She said that they reached Pampa, the foothills on Tuesday (1 January) night and sought help from the police in visiting the temple. We began our trek to the hill with the help of a small group of policemen in plain clothes around 1.30 am and reached the temple around 3.30 am. We offered prayers before Lord Ayyappa and returned without any problem from any quarters, she said. The scene, however, was completely different when they made their first attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple on 24 December with the help of a team of 50 police personnel in uniform. The devotees erected a human wall when they reached close to the temple and prevented them from proceeding further. The policemen who had escorted them took them back by force. Women activists believe that Bindu and Kanakadurga could enter the temple safely because there were no protestors at Sabarimala. They believe that the right-wing activists may have dropped guard after the Devaswom ministers appeal. Noted activist G Mallika viewed this as a clear indication that the trouble in Sabarimala was created by right-wing activists who entered the hillock disguised as devotees. "The genuine believers are not concerned about the entry of women in Sabarimala. The protests are orchestrated by the BJP and the Sangh Parivar for their political gains. They are trying to make the hill shrine a conflict zone according to their political agenda. This cannot be allowed, the activist said. The two women's entry into the Sabarimala temple came a day after a women's wall was erected from the northern district to the southern district of the state at the initiative of the Left Democratic Front government with the avowed objective of ensuring gender equality and protecting the renaissance values. Though the government claimed that the womens wall had nothing to do with Sabarimala, the Opposition parties believed that it was aimed at facilitating the women's entry into the temple. Congress and BJP leaders have described the entry of the two women into the temple as a result of a conspiracy hatched by the government and termed it as a betrayal of the devotees. "We expected the government to make the entry of women in Sabarimala a reality following the womens wall. However, we did not expect it to happen a day after the campaign, he added. The entry of the two women into Sabarimala led to sporadic protests across the state on Wednesday. The BJP and Sangh Parivar activists blocked National Highways and forced shops to close in many places. The protestors clashed with the police and the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers in Thiruvananthapuram. The Police used water cannons and tear gas shells to disperse the protestors. Police also resorted to lathi charge in Palakkad after the protests turned violent. The Congress, which is opposing the entry of women into the temple, staged demonstrations across the state in protest against the violation of customs and rituals at the temple. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Mullappally Ramachandran said that the party will strengthen the agitation if the government continued with the support to the women. The Sabarimala Karma Samithi, an umbrella organisation of various Hindu and Sangh Parivar outfits, has called a hartal (strike) on Thursday alleging that the entry of the two women into Sabarimala was the result of a conspiracy hatched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The BJP has extended support to the hartal, which is the third state-wide strike since the Supreme Court gave its verdict allowing women in the age group of 10 and 50 to enter the temple as well. State BJP president PS Sreedharan Pillai alleged that the entry of the women shows that they have cheated and betrayed the Hindu devotees. "This is a backdoor entry facilitated by the government as per a conspiracy. The government has inflicted a deep wound on the chest of the devotees. This cannot be healed easily. Let all the devotees come forward and protest this," he said. This is a conspiracy hatched by the atheist rulers to destroy the Hindu temples. They have been trying this for a long time. The devotees will not get justice from this government. There will be strong protests against this. The devotees have already demanded the resignation of Vijayan. The BJP will support the struggles against the destruction of faith by the Communists. Pillai said that the two women who visited the temple were not devotees but Left activists, who have helped the ruling party in implementing its agenda in Sabarimala. He said that the women had gone to Sabarimala with the help of CPM leaders. Bindu is said to be a CPI (ML) activist from Koyilandy in Kozhikode district and Kanakadurga is a civil supplies employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram. Devaswom Minister Surendran said that the government was unaware of the visit of the two women to the Sabarimala temple. "The world came to know about the visit after the women announced the visit through WhatsApp," he said. He said that the government could not prevent women from entering the temple after the 28 September verdict of the Supreme Court. "Lots of women have been visiting the temple after the verdict. We have not been checking their age. Earlier, the Devaswom Board used to do this. After the apex court verdict the system was withdrawn as it would have tantamount to violation of the court order, the minister told the media. Meanwhile, the police have stepped up security across the state in view of the hartal called by the Sabarimala Karma Samithi on Thursday and the appeal issued by merchants associations to defy it. The merchant bodies have issued an appeal in accordance with a joint decision taken by them in the wake of the hartal called by the BJP following the suicide by a 50-year-old man in the state capital. Clashes broke out betweenBJP Mahila Morcha workers and the police on Wednesday after they tried to enter the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram to protest against two women's entry into Sabarimala temple Thiruvananthapuram: Clashes broke out between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha workers and the police on Wednesday after they tried to enter the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. The protesters were staging a protest against two women who entered the Sabarimala temple earlier in the day. Two Kerala women, Bindu and Kanakadurga, who are in their 40s, entered the temple premises and offered prayers during the early hours of the day. They were accompanied by police personnel. Hours after their visit, authorities on Wednesday shut down the temple for an hour for 'purification' rituals. Social activist Trupti Desai, who herself tried to visit the Sabarimala temple in November last year, said that Kerala government should now protect the two women, as their names have been revealed and there could be a threat to their lives. "Since the names of two women have come out now, I urge the Kerala government that they should protect them since there could be a threat to their lives now," Desai told ANI in Pune. The Supreme Court had lifted a traditional ban on entry of women of menstrual age (10-50 years) on September 28 last year. Despite the apex court's ruling, a string of protests took place at the Sabarimala temple and its surrounding areas in the state, wherein several women attempted to visit the shrine but were stopped by Lord Ayyappa devotees. Opposition Congress in Goa Wednesday demanded that the CBI 'raid' the private residence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to find about a file on Rafale deal Panaji: Opposition Congress in Goa Wednesday demanded that the CBI "raid" the private residence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to find about a file on Rafale deal. It also demanded that Parrikar and his cabinet colleagues should undergo the lie detector test. The reaction came after Parrikar's purported claim that he had a file on the Rafale jet deal "lying in his bedroom" and Congress president Rahul Gandhi making an attempt in the Lok Sabha to play an audiotape purportedly of a Goa minister regarding this matter. Goa Congress spokesperson Siddhanath Buyao said at a press conference here that the audio tape of a conversation between Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and an unidentified person has revealed that a file related to the Rafale deal was lying in Parrikar's bedroom. Both Parrikar, a former defence minister, and Rane have denied the allegation. "To check the authenticity of the claim about the file, I appeal Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the Central Bureau of Investigation to raid the private residence of Parrikar. Let the truth be revealed," the Congress spokesperson said. Earlier Wednesday, the Congress in Delhi made public the audio tape of a purported conversation between Rane and an unidentified person. Buyao also demanded that the whistleblower who figured in the tape should be identified and given police protection. "Parrikar's security should be increased as he should not meet the fate of Haren Pandya and Justice Loya," he said. Pandya, former Gujarat home minister, was murdered in 2003. Judge Loya, who handled the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, died in 2014. It was alleged that his death took place under mysterious circumstances. Buyao also demanded that Parrikar, Rane and all the other state cabinet ministers who were present when Parrikar made the claim about having the Rafale file in his possession should undergo lie detector test. He also demanded that the staff in Parrikar's Delhi office during his tenure as defence minister, including his personal secretary, be probed by central agencies. Meanwhile, Rane, former Congress leader, denied that the voice in the tape was his. He wrote to Parrikar seeking a probe into the matter by central agencies or the state crime branch. Parrikar said the audio tape was "doctored" and it was a desperate attempt by the Congress to fabricate facts after its "lies" over the Rafale fighter aircraft deal were exposed in the Supreme Court. Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and Prashant Bhushan were among the petitioners in the Rafale case whose pleas the Supreme Court had dismissed on 14 December. Former BJP ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, and Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court, seeking a review of its judgment on the Rafale fighter jet deal between India and France. on Wednesday. On 14 December, the top court had dismissed all petitions demanding an investigation into the controversial deal, asserting that the pricing and decision-making process involved in coming to the agreement were not in doubt. "Our country cannot afford to be unprepared when it comes to fighter aircrafts," the three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi had observed, adding that India's defence preparedness needs to be looked after. The Centre had inked a deal with France to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets at around Rs 58,000 crore (about $8 billion). A slew of petitioners had sought a direction to the Centre to reveal the price at which each of the Rafale jets were bought and the process followed to finalise the agreement. The Congress has been alleging that the aircraft had been bought at a price much higher than that the UPA government had negotiated. Former union ministers @YashwantSinha, Arun Shourie to file review petition against #SupremeCourt judgment in #Rafale. They seek recalling of the judgment and grant an open court hearing | @News18Courtroom pic.twitter.com/WMeColFW67 Utkarsh Anand (@utkarsh_aanand) January 2, 2019 The three leaders were among the petitioners whose pleas the Supreme Court had dismissed on 14 December. Even the day of the Supreme Court verdict, Bhushan had called it "completely wrong". "How can the government say that Dassault gave the deal to Reliance without consulting it when all the guidelines clearly say that such a deal cannot happen without the defence ministrys approval?" he had asked. In their review petition, they pointed out a number of "errors" in the Supreme Court's verdict. They pointed out that the court had not dealt with the prayer of the petitioners to have an FIR registered in the Rafale case and an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The review plea also alleges that the verdict relies on "patently false" facts. "The government has blatantly misled the Hon'ble Court and the Hon'ble Court has grossly erred in placing reliance on false averments in the note not even supported by an affidavit," the review petition reads. "The entire judgement is based on disputed questions of facts in respect of which an investigation needs to be done. As the judgement is based on evidently false averments in the note not shared with the petitioners, on that ground alone the entire judgement ought to be not just reviewed but recalled." Sinha, Shourie and Bhushan have been vocal of their opinion on the Rafale deal for months. On 4 October, they had filed a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), urging the agency to file an FIR against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar allegedly for committing offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act since the April 2015 decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France-based Dassault Aviation. Later that month, they took their appeal to have an an FIR registered in the Rafale case to the Supreme Court, alleging "criminal misconduct" by high public functionaries. They had sought a direction to the CBI to investigate the offences mentioned in their complaint in a "time-bound" manner and submit periodic status reports to the apex court. In September, Sinha and Shourie had accused Modi of "personal culpability" in the Rafale jet purchases, adding that the prime minister had "compromised national security" by unilaterally finalising the deal, shunning every rule of military procurement. Massive protests were reported in Kochi and Thiruvanathapuram in Kerala after reports claimed two women under the age of 50 have entered Sabarimala late on Tuesday night. Sabarimala was shut till 11.30 am on Wednesday after chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that two women entered Sabarimala. Massive protests were reported in Kochi and Thiruvanathapuram and other districts in Kerala after reports claimed two women under the age of 50 have entered Sabarimala late on Tuesday night. Sabarimala was shut till 11.30 am on Wednesday after chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that two women entered Sabarimala. According to reports, a "purification ritual" was conducted at the temple. Reports, however, have still have not confirmed whether the "purification ritual" will be the norm here onwards at the temple. The temple which opened at 3 am was closed at 10.30 am to perform the ritual. Normally, the shrine closes at 12.30 pm. While the purification ceremony was on, devotees were asked to move out of the shrine. According to reports, the shrine reopened an hour later after completion of the ritual. Prominent writer NS Madhavan demanded to remove Sabarimala thanthri for "misogyny and serious contempt of court" after a row kicked off over women devotees' entry into the Sabarimala temple on Wednesday. #Sabarimala closed for purification? Is this Kerala or some place in cow land? Women are new Dalits? Bindu and Kanakadurga only followed the SC ruling. #RemoveSabarimalaThantri for misogyny and serious contempt of court. N.S. Madhavan (@NSMlive) January 2, 2019 Keralas recent tryst with Renaissance and Dark Age. 4 pm 1/1/19 5m women demand gender parity. 3.45 am 2/1/19 2 women enter Sabarimala, following the SC judgement. 11 am 2/1/19 Thantri purifies the temple, after it was polluted by the women. #RemoveSabarimalaThantri N.S. Madhavan (@NSMlive) January 2, 2019 The women, both below the age of 50, entered the shrine on the intervening night of 1 and 2 January, which has traditionally been off-limits for women of menstrual age for decades, and offered prayers. Identified as Bindu and Kanakadurga, the women began the trek to the temple at midnight with police escorts and reached the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine at 3.45 am, reports said. Bindu, a college lecturer and Communist Party of India (MarxistLeninist) Liberation activist from Kozhikode district's Koyilandy, and Kanakadurga, a civil supplies employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram, had come to Sabarimala on 24 December after 11 women activists of a Chennai-based organisation were prevented from reaching the shrine and chased away by devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras. Meanwhile, Devasom board minister Kadagampilly Surendran and Kerala state health minister and CPI(M) leader K K Shailaja were shown black flags by Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Guruvayur and Kannur, respectively, reports said. There were still confusion, however, over reports claiming that two women entered the shrine. The Kerala Police is looking into media reports and police sources in Thiruvananthapuram, quoting DGP Loknath Behara, said details were being collected on the issue. Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President A Padmakumar said he had no information about the two women offering prayers at the temple. TDB officials have been asked to view CCTV footage to verify their claim, he said. Kerala DGP Lokanath Behera on 2 women in their 40s offering prayers at #SabarimalaTemple: It is the responsibility of police to give protection to those who come and we did it. Verifying the age and other details is not our responsibility. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/stGE9ofFBb ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 The Sabarimla head priest, Kandaru Rajeevaru, ordered to shut the temple till 11:30 am for purification rituals after reports of women's entry into the temple were confirmed. Reacting to the development, Pandalam erstwhile royal Shashi Verma told News18 that the women's entry into Sannidhanam was not historic, but against the customs of Sabarimala. "Customs of the temple should be maintained. We are not in the favour of changing rituals, he said, adding that the temple will have to be "purified". Soon after Verma's statement, the shrine doors were shut for pilgrims and priests began conducting "shuddhi kalasham" (purification ritual). Despite the Supreme Court's historic ruling on 28 September last year, permitting women in the 10-50 age group, no children or young women in the 'barred' group were able to offer prayers at the shrine following frenzied protests by devotees and right-wing outfits. CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told media that the two women have entered the shrine as per the apex court order and the closure of the shrine was against the law of the land. "People should accept the development as a reality," Balakrishnan said. The Hindustan Times quoted the women as saying that they were accompanied on Wednesday by two dozen police personnel. Vijayan confirmed the news to reporters at Thiruvananthapuram airport. "It is a fact that the women entered the shrine. Police are bound to offer protection to anyone wanting to worship at the shrine," he said. A video of their journey that is doing the rounds on social media shows that the women did not climb the 18 sacred steps that pilgrims who take the 41-day vow and carry the sacred 'irumudikettu' offering use, The Indian Express reported. Instead, they used a side entrance that VIPs and the media use to get directly in front of the sopanam and then into the sanctum of the temple. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya questioned if Kerala government had "desecrated" the shrine. "Have the Communists desecrated Sabarimala shrine by facilitating entry of women of restricted age group into the temple? Devastating, if true," he tweeted. Have the Communists desecrated Sabarimala shrine by facilitating entry of women of restricted age group into the temple? Devastating, if true. Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 2, 2019 RSS ideologue and BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh hit out at media for terming the devotees' trek as "historic". "Remember that Aurangzeb , Genghis Khan, Jai Chand were also part of history . For what do people remember them? Shame on you (media)," he said. Two women of restricted age group claim to have entered Sannidhanam .. Media houses claim history in the making , history made . Remember that Aurangzeb , Genghis Khan , Jai Chand were also part of history . For what do people remember them? Shame on you... #SaveSabarimala B L Santhosh (@blsanthosh) January 2, 2019 This development comes two days after three lakh women lined up to form a 76-kilometre-long "Women's Wall" from Poozhithala in Azhiyoor to the Vaidyarangadi bypass junction in Kozhikode district on Monday. According to The New Indian Express, women of all age groups and from all backgrounds participated in large numbers in forming the "wall". This included Kudumbashree members, ASHA workers, students, members of women's organisation, social activists, film stars and other eminent personalities. Women in the menstrual age group of 10 to 50 years are traditionally barred from entering the Sabarimala Temple. But the 28 September order of the Supreme Court lifted this ban, allowing women of all age groups to pray at the shrine. The landmark verdict was followed by massive protests, with devotees blocking women from entering the temple even now. With inputs from agencies Parliament LIVE updates: Congress MP Sushmita Deb is seen hurling paper airplanes at Arun Jaitley as he rebuts Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament. Interestingly, male MPs can be seen folding pieces of paper into airplanes and handing it to Deb to launch. Sonia Gandhi is seen patting Deb on her back after she flings her first paper plane in the air. Auto refresh feeds The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 is scheduled to come up in the Rajya Sabha today. However, expect a stormy session and repeated disruptions in the upper House today as the Opposition remains adamant on their demand that the draft law be sent to a select committee for scrutiny. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad has moved a motion in the House for referring the triple talaq bill to a select committee including 11 Opposition members. Gandhi will initiate the discussion on Rafale. KC Venugopal, who gave notice for the discussion requested the speaker to allow Gandhi to speak first. Reports said that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will speak in the Lok Sabha today, leading the Opposition's charge on Rafale issue. Gandhi is expected to make a statement pointing out alleged irregularities in the defence deal, while demanding for an investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. A person (allegedly Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane) is heard speaking to an unknown person and telling him that how at a state cabinet meeting, ex-defence minister and Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar let it slip that he holds all files on Rafale deal in his bedroom. "Whether he wants someone to tell this to people in Delhi, I don't know," the person purported to be Rane can be heard saying. Ahead of the crucial debate on Rafale issue in Lok Saba, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that the party was in possession of an audio recording wherein a Goa state minister can be heard quoting former defence minister Manohar Parrikar talking about holding all files on Rafale deal "in his bedroom". "With all these importnat things, the country is looking towards us. I am particularly concerned about the loss of the image the House is suffering. Secondly, not to make comparison but the other House is functioning," Naidu said. Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu told the Upper House MPs that only four days were remaining before the Winter Session gets over. He said that the Bills that have a larger consensus should be passed in the current session. He said that some important issues are also listed for discussion. Members continued sloganeering and in the Lower House even as the House reconvened at 12 pm. The Lok Sabha was debation the The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendmend) Bill, 2018. It wasn't clear which party was disrupting the proceedings, however, earlier in the day, the protests were lead by AIADMK and TDP MPs. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad indicated today that it was not happy with the prime minister's statement that an ordinance to build the Ram temple will only be brought after the Supreme Court reaches a conclusion. VHP spokesperson Alok Kumar said that the organisation has met over 350 MPs, and have put in requests for appointment with UPA chair Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to request them to push for the construction of Ram Temple. Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said that the House was scheduled to discuss a matter relating to Jammu and Kashmir. However, because of the member's demands, I have called the concerned minister to make a statement on the Cauvery issue. However, AIADMK and DMK MPs stormed to the Well and continued shouting slogans. Congress president Rahul Gandhi initiated the debate on the Rafale issue under Rule 193 in the Parliament. He said that it was a tragedy that the MPs from AIADMK were not letting the House to protect the prime minister. Rahul Gandhi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that nobody was accusing him of wrong doing on Rafale. This is untrue. The entire nation is asking a direct question on Rafale but the prime minister could not answer a straight question even in a one-hour-long 'staged interview.' Congress president Rahul Gandhi is spearheading the partys charge against the Modi government on alleged irregularities in the Rafale deal and is expected to demand a joint parliamentary committee probe into the contract signed by the NDA government with Dassault Aviation for procurement of 36 fighter jets after the Supreme Court refused to order a court-monitored probe. Rahul Gandhi sought Speaker's permission to play an audio clip wherein a Goa minister is allegedly heard quoting Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar that the latter has Rafale files in his bedroom. However, the Speaker denied him permission after Arun Jaitley stepped in. Rahul then sought to read the transcript of the purported statement. "Ok I won't read it since you are so afraid of it," Rahul tells the Speaker. The Speaker has ruled that neither the clip can be played in the House, nor can the Congress chief read out the transcript until he can give it in writing that the clip is verified. If you are so sure then authenticate this clip in writing and face expulsion from House if you are proved wrong. You are afraid because it is fabricated," Jaitley said. After Rahul sought to read the transcript of an alleged conversation between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and an unknown person, Arun Jaitley intervened and said, "This man lies continuously. Earlier, he presented an entirely fabricated conversation between himself and a French politician, now he is lying about this tape." Rahul Gandhi named Anil Ambani on two previous occasions during his speech, however, the Speaker later said that since the said person is not a member of the House, he cannot be named on the floor of the House. Rahul retirted to this saying, "new rules madam? very well!". "It is very clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not have the guts to come to Parliament and confront the questions on Rafale. He is hiding in his room and has left the defence minister here to defend a deal she was not even a part of," Rahul said. PM does not have the guts to come to Parliament and face questions on Rafale, says Rahul Gandhi "When the Congress party said that they wanted to take up Rafale issue once again, we assumed they would have something substantive to say. But the lead speaker of the Congress has disappointed us," Jaitley said. "On the last occasion, he (Rahul Gandhi) manufactured a conversation between him and the former French President. Today, he repeats the same. Today, he tried to produce a tap but he is too scared to authenticate it," Jaitley said. Congress MP Sushmita Deb is seen hurling paper airplanes at Arun Jaitley as he rebuts Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament. Interestingly, male MPs can be seen folding pieces of paper into airplanes and handing it to Deb to launch. Sonia Gandhi is seen patting Deb on her back after she flings her first paper plane in the air. Jaitley accuses the UPA government of playing with national security. "Rafale was essential for our forces. Defence deal conspirators are making charges," he said. The Finance Minister said that 'the family' only understands the language of money but does not value the matters of national security. Underlining the procedure followed in procuring the Rafale aircraft, Jaitley said, "Defence agreements are of two types, either through tenders or inter-governmental agreements. There were six bidders and ultimately Rafale was shortlisted. UPA postponed Rafale acquisition." "It is no secret that when UPA government was there, these planes were going to be acquired by the French. What Mr Jaitley did in his argument was something every good lawyer should do: he cherry-picked arguments to suit his side," BJD MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo said in Lok Sabha. "All we seek is information. Nobody wants the deal to be scrapped. However, when the finance minister can state that the deal is 9 percent cheaper than the UPA level, where is the secret in pricing?" Deo said. "There are questions which arise about the pricing, irrespective of whether Supreme Court went into the pricing issue or not. Qatar has bought the same planes at a much cheaper price than India," BJD MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo said in Lok Sabha. "All the 36 Rafale aircraft will come in 2020. Why should we reduce the number of Rafale aircraft when it is the best?" Sawant said. "HAL had performed well. The former CMD had said that HAL could manufacture Rafale in India. Why was HAL denied this deal?" Arvind Sawant, Shiv Sena MP, said in the Lok Sabha. Why was HAL denied the deal despite saying it could manufacture Rafale? says Shiv Sena MP in Lok Sabha "The Supreme Court judgment never said there should not be a JPC. Why is this government scared of a JPC?" Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant said in Lok Sabha. "A joint select committee should be formed so that the role of the prime minister can be investigated," he further said. "It is unfortunate that the prime minister is not responding on this issue. The prime minister is not even present in the House," said a TDP MP in Lok Sabha. "The government is not working for self-reliance. The government is working for self and Reliance," CPM MP said in Lok Sabha. Govt not working for self-reliance, it is working for self and Reliance: CPM MP "If this Rafale deal is cheaper, why was the number of aircraft reduced to 36 from 126?" Dhananjay Bhimrao Mahadik, NCP MP, said in Lok Sabha. "All of them stand suspended for five consecutive sittings of the House," she added. "You have come to the Well of the House and are obstructing the functioning of the House," Mahajan said. As the Lok Sabha session resumed, papers were thrown at Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. She then began reading out the names of people who had disrupted the House session. Parliament Latest updates: TMC MP Saugata Roy said that former defence minister Manohar Parrikar claimed that he was "in possession of all papers related to Rafale". Ruckus followed in Lok Sabha after this statement. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Lok Sabha said that there can be no JPC on the Rafale issue. Congress MP Sushmita Deb is seen hurling paper airplanes at Arun Jaitley as he rebuts Rahul Gandhi in the Parliament. Interestingly, male MPs can be seen folding pieces of paper into airplanes and handing it to Deb to launch. Sonia Gandhi is seen patting Deb on her back after she flings her first paper plane in the air. Arun Jaitley accusing Rahul Gandhi of lying said, "The country is disappointed because every word the Congress lead speaker (Rahul Gandhi) has said is a lie on the word of the Supreme Court. When the apex court speaks on every issue, it is treated as the last word, except for the jurisdiction on certain issues in the Parliament. Rahul Gandhi here says each of the contentions was raised before the court. There are some people who have a natural dislike for truth, from the first to the last word, every word spoken (by Gandhi) is a lie." Rahul Gandhi named Anil Ambani on two previous occasions during his speech, however, the Speaker later said that since the said person is not a member of the House, he cannot be named on the floor of the House. Rahul retirted to this saying, "new rules madam? very well!". The Speaker has ruled that neither the clip can be played in the House, nor can the Congress chief read out the transcript until he can give it in writing that the clip is verified. "Ok I won't read it since you are so afraid of it," Rahul tells the Speaker. Rahul Gandhi sought Speaker's permission to play an audio clip wherein a Goa minister is allegedly heard quoting Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar that the latter has Rafale files in his bedroom. However, the Speaker denied him permission after Arun Jaitley stepped in. Rahul then sought to read the transcript of the purported statement. Congress president Rahul Gandhi is spearheading the partys charge against the Modi government on alleged irregularities in the Rafale deal and is expected to demand a joint parliamentary committee probe into the contract signed by the NDA government with Dassault Aviation for procurement of 36 fighter jets after the Supreme Court refused to order a court-monitored probe. Rajya Sabha saw repeated adjournments amid sloganeering by AIADMK members and was adjourned to meet again at 2 pm. The AIADMK MPs are protesting against a proposed dam on the Cauvery river in Karnataka. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha is debating the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendmend) Bill, 2018 despite heavy sloganeering by AIADMK members in the House. With Congress claiming that it had proof that ex-defence minister Manohar Parrikar was holding the Modi goverment ransom over the Rafale issue, the party chose its president Rahul Gandhi to lead the attack in Lok Sabha today. Rahul will speak at 2 pm. He is expected to make a statement pointing out alleged irregularities in the defence deal, while demanding for an investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. Wednesday's Parliament session is headed for a stormy start, with the Lok Sabha scheduled to debate the controversial Rafale deal and the Rajya Sabha expected to take up the triple talaq bill.. On Monday, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad moved a motion in the House for referring the triple talaq bill to a select committee. The motion is likely to be taken up Wednesday, also the day when the House is scheduled o take up the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018. The bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha. In the motion, Azad has also proposed the names of 11 Opposition members to be part of the Select Committee of the House, including Anand Sharma of the Congress, Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party, Sanjay Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party and Manoj Kumar Jha of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Opposition MPs have also given notices for amendments in the bill. AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said he had recommended four amendments in the clauses of the bill. Meanwhile, in the Lok Sabha, a fiery debate can be expected as the Congress has decided to accept Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's 'challenge' to debate on the Rafale issue. "Jaitley ji has thrown a challenge ... we are ready for a debate on 2 January. Please decide a time," Congress Leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said. Congress leader KC Venugopal and Sankar Prasad Datta of the Communist Party of India will raise the discussion on the issue under Rule 193. The Congress has been raising the matter in Parliament since the Winter Session of Parliament began on 11 December. They have been demanding an inquiry by a Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Rafale deal. Every year, on 1 January, lakhs of Dalits across Maharashtra gather at the war memorial of Bhima Koregaon, 40 kilometres from Pune. It commemorates the historic victory of the British Army, which had a significant Dalit contingent, over the Peshwas. Nanubai Sabde did something on the first day of 2019 that she had never done before: The 55-year-old attended the procession at Bhima Koregaon. "I have been wanting to come for a while," she says, draped in white sari, sitting on the ground with four other women. "But I would get sidetracked for some reason or the other. This time around, I was determined to visit, especially after what happened last year." Every year, on 1 January, lakhs of Dalits across Maharashtra gather at the war memorial of Bhima Koregaon, 40 kilometres from Pune. It commemorates the historic victory of the British Army, which had a significant Dalit contingent, over the Peshwas. There was an even larger crowd at the memorial in 2018 the bicentennial anniversary of the battle that was allegedly assaulted by right-wing groups. The violence led to the death of one and caused loss of property worth Rs 40 crore. A year later, the undercurrent at Bhima Koregaon is that of determination and the intent of making a statement, with several first-timers among the deluge of crowds pouring into the town through the day. Sabde, who hails from the village of Valgaon in Amravati district, traveled for over 12 hours by train to traverse the 600-kilometer journey. Kisnabai Ugale, an 80-year old sitting with Sabde, adds, "We did not have a booking, so we sat by the door and came. Every time I managed to sleep, someone would mistakenly kick me and I would wake up," she says. Yet, there were never any second thoughts about them coming to Bhima Koregaon this year. Sanghamitra Ugale, a 60-year-old accompanying Sabde and Kisnabai, says there is a reason why so many people come to Bhima Koregaon. "The war memorial here represents a proud moment in our history," she says, sitting next to the open ground near the war memorial at the Perne junction. "A contingent of 500 had defeated 28,000 Peshwas. We come here to pay our tributes to the brave soldiers. There is no way we were going to let what happened last year bog us down. We will keep coming here till we die." Sabde's family members though were not as buoyant. "They were a bit worried for me," Sabde says. "They told me to be careful if something happens." The administration and police had left no stone unturned in the run-up to the 201st anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, deploying 10 times the number of security forces stationed at the town last year. Police vehicles patrolled the streets through the crowds, with regular announcements directing the public to move along and "not click selfies in the middle of the road". Sanghamitra says she expects this sincerity from the state every year. "They were callous last year, which allowed the riots to fester," she says, as people are frisked at regular junctions and chants of "Jai Bhim" reverberate through the town. Sainath Bangar and his 28-year-old son Yuvraj, who have been coming to Bhima Koregaon for the past 12 years, had to walk 9 kilometers last year with children aged five and six to get to a safe zone after the riots broke out. "We panicked because we had children with us," Sainath says. "We could see the smoke in the air from afar." In spite of the impeccable security this year, visitors at Bhima Koregaon remain furious with the state because of the shoddy investigation into the riots. A year on, the rural police, under whose jurisdiction the violence transpired, has yet to file the chargesheet in the case, even though there are 23 FIRs. Hindutva leader Sambhaji Bhide, who is accused of triggering the violence against Dalit pilgrims, has not been questioned in the case either. Critics say he enjoys impunity because of his proximity to the Sangh Parivar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Those who instigated the riots have been allowed to get away with a grave crime, Sainath says. "Instead, the police are arresting activists who were not even there at Bhima Koregaon." The Pune (Urban) Police has arrested 10 rights activists so far, claiming they have Maoist links, which, in turn, may have funded the Elgar Parishad. The parishad organised in Pune on 31 December, 2017, was attended by several groups that had vowed to never vote for the BJP. However, the neglect in the investigation into the riots has ensured that the tensions continue "beyond the bridge". The war memorial is located at the mouth of the bridge that runs across the Bhima river, while the areas where the riots broke out are at its other end. The tensions erupted after a dispute over history in Vadhu, where there is a memorial of Sambhaji Maharaj, the heir to the Maratha Empire after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Credible historical accounts suggest that Sambhaji was cremated by a Dalit man called Govind Mahar Gaikwad after Aurangzeb killed him. On 29 December, Gaikwad's statue, which stands right across Sambhaji's memorial, was vandalised, triggering caste animosities. The tensions spilled over to Bhima Koregaon village, which is only 4 kilometers from Vadhu. While Vadhu is reasonably busy, the village of Bhima Koregaon, which was the heart of the violence last year, is deserted, with every third door padlocked. Those who were arrested for rioting are out on bail because of the delay in the chargesheet being filed. As a preventive measure, the police had ensured that there were no problematic people in the village, but several left on their own to be on the safer side. On record, and in groups, residents of the village insist that the situation is calm and peaceful. Off the record though, they admit that caste tensions prevail. A police officer immediately walks closer as he sees reporters interacting with the villagers. Rajendra Gavde, a resident of Bhima Koregaon and member of the Republic Party of India, asks whether the bahujan samaj (Dalits and the backward community) that takes so much pride in the annual ritual would actively disrupt it. "It is not difficult to figure out who provoked the violence, what their ideology is, what their slogans are," he says, as another man points towards the buildings from where stones were pelted on Dalits last year. Lakhan Kamble, a victim of the violence last year when his mother Mangal was beaten up and their eatery set afire, says the only reason there is no trouble at Bhima Koregaon today is the tremendous deployment of security forces. "There are people who still call for our boycott," he says. "They demand free biryani, forcefully get donations from us during the Ganpati festival. We have named people who vandalised and burnt our eatery in our complaints. They know we have named them. The police force will not be there tomorrow, and we will be back to being vulnerable." The knife attack on YSR Congress chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Vishakhapatnam in October last year had been carried out by the accused with the intention to become 'famous' and there was no conspiracy Visakhapatnam: The knife attack on YSR Congress chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in Vishakhapatnam in October last year had been carried out by the accused with the intention to become 'famous' and there was no conspiracy, a top police official said Wednesday. J Srinivasa Rao (30), the assailant employed as a chef at a restaurant at the airport in Visakhapatnam, was suffering from "split personality syndrome" and had no other motive, Police Commissioner Mahesh Chandra Laddha said. At a press conference here, he cited the findings of the Special Investigation Team which probed the 25 October attack and said Rao had well planned for it and he wanted to become famous throughout the country. Reddy, the Leader of the Opposition in Andhra Pradesh assembly, escaped with a "deep" cut on his left shoulder in the attack by Rao, who had approached him when he was leaving the VIP lounge to board a flight to Hyderabad and requested for a 'selfie'. As an unsuspecting Reddy posed for the picture, the man pulled out a small knife generally used in cockfights and plunged it into his left shoulder. He was overpowered by the CISF personnel guarding the airport and later arrested by the police soon after the attack, which drew strong political reactions. The YSRC had claimed that the cafeteria where the assailant was employed was owned by ruling Telugu Desam Party leader Harshavardhan, who was aspiring to contest the next assembly election from the district. The opposition party had demanded a "third party inquiry by a Central government agency" into the attack. Reddy had himself later written to Governor ESL Narasimhan raising concerns over the Police probe and sought his intervention to transfer the case to an agency not under the control of the state government. He had claimed that there were serious concerns that the police probing the case was being "motivated and driven" by the state government to suit its needs. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who also heads the TDP, had targeted the Centre over the incident. "The airport is under the Government of India's control. If something happened outside, the state government would have been responsible, but since it happened inside whose responsibility is it?" he had asked. Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu had condemned the "cowardly attack" on Reddy and asked all agencies concerned to probe the matter thoroughly. The Police commissioner Wednesday claimed it was a security lapse on part of the CISF since seven people were allowed to enter the lounge without any valid pass. The SIT examined 92 witnesses and verified 321 contacts listed in Rao's mobile phone and found he had prepared himself for the attack for over 40 days. Rao had planned to attack Reddy on 18 October itself, but the YSRC chief had advanced his departure by a day, Laddha said. One of the witnesses, Shiekh Ammaji, a friend of the accused, told the SIT personnel that on 12 October, Rao had confided with her that very soon he would become very popular and would be seen on television channels and news about him would be carried by newspapers all over the country, he said. According to her, the accused had spoken to her many times about his dream to become an MLA or MP. The commissioner also said, prior to the attack, Rao took help from his two friends to draft a 10-page letter, wherein he had mentioned a series of issues plaguing the people of the state. On the day of the attack, he added another page to it, stating that if he was killed in his mission, no one was to be blamed and his body should be donated for research. Laddha said Rao had managed to get closer to Reddy under the pretext of taking a photograph with him. He had asked one of his colleagues, who was known to an office assistant in the local office of YSRC, to arrange for the photo op. While Reddy was in conversation with former MLA Karanam Dharmasri, Rao came from behind and attacked him. Rao, charged with attempt to murder, is under judicial custody now. The previous Siddaramaiah government had cleared the steel bridge from Bengaluru's Chalukya Circle to Esteem Mall at an estimated cost of Rs 2,200 crore, but abandoned it after a public outcry over allegations of lack of transparency. Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Tuesday decided to review and take up a multi-billion steel bridge project in Bengaluru, which it had scrapped owing to massive public protests in the city. The previous Siddaramaiah government had cleared the steel bridge from Chalukya Circle to Esteem Mall at an estimated cost of Rs 2,200 crore, but abandoned it after a public outcry over allegations of lack of transparency. "Earlier, the Siddaramaiah government had given the nod to the steel flyover...The project was brought to a halt for various reasons. Now again we have decided to review and take up the project in the public interest," Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said. However, this time the government has decided to move cautiously as it intends to seek public opinion before starting the project work. He said all information would be put in the public domain so that people can analyse the project, give suggestions and provide other information. "There is a dire need for the bridge. That's why the detailed project report, the design of the plan, estimates and all that will be put in the public domain for their perusal. "I will also invite suggestions and information on it. Then only we will table the proposal before the government for final decision," Parameshwara said. Parameshwara said the steel bridge would reduce travel time from the city to the Kempegowda International Airport from 40-45 minutes to 20-22 minutes. He said many people miss their flights due to traffic on the Ballari road that leads to the international airport. Calling it a "steel monstrosity", critics of the project have said that the government would end up spending more on painting the structure to avoid it getting rusted. They also said the flyover would take away the aesthetics of Bengaluru. However, the deputy chief minister said there were political reasons too behind opposition to the project and he was ready to sort out all the problems and shortcomings in it. Meanwhile, State BJP president BS Yeddyurappa took strong objection to the "arbitrary" decision of the government to go ahead with the project, when environmentalists, urban experts and even HD Kumaraswamy, as state JD(S) president, had objected to it. "The environmentalists and urban experts had opposed the steel bridge. They had said it was unviable and would not solve the traffic problem. Even Kumaraswamy had objected to this project in the past when he was JD(S) president," he told reporters. "Taking up projects that will not solve the people's problems and without taking the public into confidence will not solve their problems and is nothing but a mockery of democracy," he said. The BJP was not against development of infrastructure per se, but was opposed to "misuse" of public funds in the name of development, Yeddyurappa said. Meanwhile, the director of the BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar-run Namma Bengaluru Foundation, NR Suresh, alleged that the revisit to the controversial matter was nothing but an attempt to divert attention from key issues plaguing Bangalore. "Lack of transparency, non-disclosure of DPR and the government's misleading attempt to downplay the environmental impact with claims of only 800 trees when an independent survey found out that over 2000 trees were to be cut and was the reason why the public opposed this move," he said in a statement. The government must focus on alternative modes of transport like enhancing metro and suburban railway connectivity to the airport, Suresh said. A pistol was recovered from Raju Singh's possession, police said, adding that Singh was being brought to Delhi. Ex-JD(U) MLA Raju Singh allegedly fired celebratory gunshots in the air during a New Year's Eve party at his farmhouse in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj. (Photo: ANI) New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Wednesday detained former JD(U) legislator Raju Singh in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur for allegedly firing celebratory gunshots in the air during a New Year's Eve party at his farmhouse in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj, which injured a woman. A pistol was recovered from his possession, officials said, adding that Singh was being brought to Delhi. The police earlier seized two rifles and 800 bullets from Singh's farmhouse in Vasant Kunj, a senior police official said. Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj, alerted the police about the injury to the woman's head allegedly from gun firing, officials said. In his complaint, the victim's husband alleged they were in the farmhouse on Monday night to celebrate the New Year along with friends. At around 12 am, two-three rounds were reportedly fired by Raju Singh, the senior police officer said. Immediately, the man noticed his wife had fallen down and was bleeding, he said. Gupta was taken to the hospital where she was receiving treatment, he added. A case was registered against Raju Singh under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Arms Act, a senior police officer said. The officer said the accused has five cases registered against him. His wife is a former Member of Legislative Council from Bihar. The farmhouse is owned by Raju Singh's mother where he lives with his family. Vestin Verghese, a Kerala-based writer, is the author of a new childrens book The Shadow of the Steam Engine published by DC Mango about siblings who make a steam engine their home having lost theirs to a tsunami. Editor's note: Writer's Room is a new books column, curated by Krupa Ge along with 15 writers across India. The column seeks to introduce new works as well as allow a peek into the writer's studio, accompanied by recordings of book readings. *** Vestin Verghese, a Kerala-based writer, is the author of a new childrens book The Shadow of the Steam Engine published by DC Mango about siblings who make a steam engine their home having lost theirs to a tsunami. Verghese was a magazine editor at his Anglo-Indian school and a winner of writing contests while at University and went on to write for newspapers and magazines. Over the years he has written stories and poems for children of all age groups. He has written for Magic Pot and Tell Me Why; the latter won the National award for scientific communication in 2015. He was also a columnist for City Journal. His stories for adults have appeared in anthologies ranging from The Madras Mag to Inspired by Gandhi. Inspired by Gandhi was published by the UK-based Sampad. The Shadow of the Steam Engine was released by Shashi Tharoor in November 2018. A vet by profession, writing is Vergheses great love. So how did this book happen? There is a mystery to the creative process. As they say, Delays are not denials. The idea for the novel came to me while I stood before a railway crossing, waiting for the train to pass by. The setting rekindled the memory of a steam engine. What if someone decided to live in a steam engine, I wondered. That was the beginning. I was obsessed about this image of children making their home in an abandoned steam engine. I wrote in the evenings and the novel came to life. Verghese thinks he is able to see the world through the eyes of a child. My poems and stories for children have struck a chord with young readers. And I enjoy writing for children. His works, even when they are about something else, have an undertone of social commentary, is this conscious? I am not in favour of deliberately including social commentary. The reader should willingly enter the world of the characters and gain insights. I do have a soft corner for the underdog. In The Shadow of the Steam Engine, Arromel and Ambili lose their home to a tsunami. Being a childrens novel, it focuses on the quintessential Good versus Evil battle albeit with fantastic twists and turns. What does this book mean to him? I ask, and Verghese says, Everything. And that he lived to write this book. A series of coincidences led to the writing and the publication of the book. There have already been calls for a sequel and to turn this into a series. I have a few ideas. I am sure that their time will come. [Read by Della Verghese, the authors daughter.] An excerpt from The Shadow of the Steam Engine This is your home, Arromel, said the stationmaster to the boy. He tapped a steam engine with his green flag. Oh, Arromel sprang up from the swan-shaped lid of his sea-chest. This is the best place I could ask for, he said. Arromel eyed the stationmaster who was now his local guardian, and then turned towards the steam engine which stood on the side rails. A steam engine for a home! His warm brown eyes gleamed in the dark. Arromel always wanted to make his life one big adventure. When you are a sea-boy of twelve, a boy who has ridden the sea waves on a log, you hanker for excitement. Arromel raced around his new engine home like a log caught in a current. His wavy hair danced as he shot forward. Then he toyed with his sea-blue wristband. As twilight fell, the smokestack that dwarfed the engine brought back the memory of the mast of his fishing boat, which the sea had taken from him. He swung himself into the yellow drivers cab. I want everything quiet and normal, said Ambili his younger sister, all of this is so strange. She gazed at the cow catcher, the metal frame in front of the engine meant for shoving obstacles off the rails. This engine has got a jaw, she said and laughed a surprisingly loud laugh for a soft-spoken girl. Come up here, Ambili, said Arromel. Careful, said the stationmaster as Ambili climbed into the drivers cab. Arromel felt like a king who had set foot in the palace of his dreams. With a sweep of his head, he surveyed the engine home. The hurricane lamp cast jerky shadows upon the firebox and the dials. Looks like a workshop on wheels, said Ambili. She ran a hand through her jet black hair. This is home, said Arromel. He somersaulted on to the blue drivers seat, raising a puff of dust. He spotted a rust-bitten shovel in a corner. How he wished to shovel coal into the red firebox and steam away! The collected rust of thirty-odd years held him back. So instead, he climbed into the lumpy upper berth of the engine cab, hung his head down and stared out of the window. Look at the brother rail, said Ambili. Brother rail? said Arromel. Yes, the rail by the side rail on which the engine lies. The rails run together like brothers. Arromel was fond of Ambili and her talk. The moonlight glinted off the brother rail and a white picket fence that guarded the Jig Jigolly station from what lurked in the fields and the forests beyond. A sudden wind flung the leaf of a cinnamon tree into the upper berth. A feeling of unease stole over Ambili. Her moon-face clouded over. Something is wrong, she said. Nonsense, this is our home, our palace, our castle. Get that into your head, said Arromel and lifted his foot onto the lower berth. The films in this video documentary, Project JANA, record the responses of these representatives to questions such as the nature of disputes addressed by these bodies, how they define the concept of justice, the reasons why litigants chose them over the courts, and so on. In doing so, the films highlight the various pathways to justice in India and the reasons for peoples choices. Thus, Justice, Access, and the Nations Approaches (JANA). DAKSH is a Bengaluru-based civil society organisation working to promote accountability and better governance in India. In 2017, they conducted a household survey to explore the various methods people choose to resolve their disputes. What prompted them was the question: How do people resolve their disputes, if not through the courts? In addition to responses from the public, they interviewed representatives of various non-judicial bodies across the country, such as khap panchayats, religious authorities, political parties, village panchayats, and the police who are all deeply involved in dispute resolution as well as lawyers and judges from the formal justice system. Above is the introductory video to Project JANA. The films in this video documentary, record the responses of these representatives to questions such as the nature of disputes addressed by these bodies, how they define the concept of justice, the reasons why litigants chose them over the courts, and so on. In doing so, the films highlight the various pathways to justice in India and the reasons for peoples choices. Thus, Justice, Access, and the Nations Approaches (JANA). Parrikar arrived at his office at the Secretariat around 10.30 am Panaji: Ailing Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar held a meeting with some of his cabinet ministers and government officials at the Secretariat here on Wednesday, an official said. Parrikar, 63, who underwent treatment for a pancreatic ailment at private hospitals in Mumbai and the US last year, had on Tuesday attended his office at the Secretariat for the first time in the last four months. On Wednesday, Parrikar arrived at his office at the Secretariat around 10.30 am. "He held meetings with few ministers and senior government officials till 1 pm before going back home," a senior official in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. Parrikar met his cabinet colleagues, including Urban Development Minister Milind Naik, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho and Fisheries Minister Vinod Palekar, he said. The chief minister also held a meeting with Director General of Police Muktesh Chander and later met NCP MLA Churchill Alemao, the CMO said. When contacted, Palekar said there was no formal discussion on any matter during his meeting with Parrikar. "I just met him to enquire about his health," the minister added. The Kumbh Mela administration has a fleet of 55 Motorbike Fire Fighting System, which can reach the corners of the massive tent city faster than a fire tending vehicle. Allahabad: A tent city is gradually emerging on the vast bank of the holy Ganga and Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati as part of preparations for the world's biggest religious gathering, the Ardh Kumbh Mela, scheduled to begin from 14 January in Allahabad. In bone-chilling temperatures that prevail during most of the Kumbh Mela period, sadhus, kalpavasis and other visitors depend majorly on campfires and wood-fired stoves to keep warm and cook. Blazing chillums and sadhus' dhunis are a common sight at the fair. And with this wide use of organic fire, the risk of accidents at the religious congregation is high. The Uttar Pradesh government sets up a mela administration every year to manage the temporary district that comes up for this 55-day fair, which involves the use of flammable material such as plywood, bamboos and canvas to set up thousands of tents and other structures at the site. With several fire accidents reported at the fair in the past, the mela administration, this time around, has promised that arrangements are in place to tackle such situations. A fire that broke at Sector 11 of the mela ground in 2013 the year of the Maha Kumbh Mela had injured at least 19 people. The administration has a fleet of 55 Motorbike Fire Fighting System (MBFFS), which can reach the corners of the massive tent city faster than a fire tending vehicle, said Pramod Kumar Sharmam, the chief fire officer (CFO) of the mela administration. "The personnel riding these bikes have been trained to reach the sites of fires in no time. It will be very useful in the shoulder-rubbing lanes of the Kumbh Mela, which are tough for tankers to navigate through," he said, adding that this will be the first time that fire tenders on bikes will be used at the fair. "These motorcycles are equipped with advanced compressed air foam solution technology, while the MBFFS is the latest firefighting technology that uses the power from the motorcycle engine to produce water mist. The bikes also have a high-pressure driven pump, a water tank and high-pressure jet gun with a hose reel," he added. Sharma said that to avoid short circuits, the administration has used Miniature Control Board (MCB) switches in all the tents. "MCBs will avoid fires caused by short circuits. These MCBs have been installed in every tent, all the akharas of the saints and even in government offices," the CFO said. Fire station in each sector The tent city has been divided into nine zones and 20 sectors, and fire officers deployed at each of these sectors and zones will report to the CFO and the district magistrate of the Mela administration, Sharma said. "We have tried to set up at least two fire stations in each sector, with each housing water tankers, MBFFS and an adequate number of firefighters," he added. The mela administration has also planned to install more than 4,000 fire hydrants (a connection point for firefighters to tap into for water supply) across the tent city. Apart from this, LED signages are also being put up, Sharma said, adding that these variable boards will help guide people towards safe exit points in case of an accident and reduce the chances of a commotion at the mela ground. Furthermore, the CFO said that state and national disaster management authorities are keeping a close watch on the preparations and will give their feedback after conducting an inspection drive on 28 December. "So far, they (disaster management authorities) are satisfied with the quality of work we have done," he said, adding that the firefighters are also being given orientation training as the fair will see a large floating population and they will need soft skills to handle such situations. Hi-tech hospital setup A temporary hi-tech hospital with a capacity of 100 beds is being set up at the mela ground. According to Rajiv Rai, a senior official in the mela administration, the hospital will be completely operational in a couple of days. "The hospital has ICUs. The outpatient department will have a capacity of 10,000 patients per day, and ambulances with life support system will be available. While the doctors have already started consultations, full-scale operations will begin after teams of the national disaster management authority and state disaster management authority conduct inspections," Rai said, adding that the temporary facility will be no less than a district hospital with specialists from almost every department present. In addition to these facilities, health posts, which will be equipped with stretchers and emergency care staff, are being set up in all the 20 sectors, the official said. Moreover, the CFO claimed that the material used to set up the tents in the temporary district resists fire to some extent and will give time to firefighters before going up in flames. He said random inspections will be conducted to keep an eye on risk-prone use of ply boards and other inflammable material in the tent city. Also, at least four mock drills have been conducted at the tent city, so far, and more will be conducted to keep the personnel on their toes. Sanjeev Kumar, a prominent Lucknow-based supplier of firefighting equipment in Uttar Pradesh, said that while the administration appeared well-prepared to handle any untoward situation, the risk from the panic that breaks out among the public is always a concern, as people turn hysterical even if they see a minor fire and cause a stampede. When asked about non-flammable alternative materials that can be used to set up tents, Kumar said a chemical coating on the tents can prevent them from catching fire, but it is used only in the event of prominent personalities visiting the mela. This is because a 10 x 10 feet coating with such chemical can cost around Rs 5 lakh. With inputs from Mohammad Gufran The author is a Lucknow-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com The minimum wages to be paid to labourers was increased by 34 percent, by a notification issued by the Government of Delhi last year. At present, unskilled labourers are entitled to a minimum wage of Rs 14,000 per month, semi-skilled labourers, Rs 15,400 per month, and skilled labourers, Rs 16,962. In an advisory issued on Monday, the Delhi labour department observes that outsourced companies engaged in operations of government agencies were seriously violating the Minimum Wages Act. The advisory seeks to remind the employers to enforce the law with immediate effect, or face legal consequences. The advisory was issued after Delhi labour minister Gopal Rai conducted a 10-day drive at various companies and establishments to enquire about the extent of violations of the Minimum Wages Act. "During the drive, statements by workers and employees revealed that outsourced workers employed by contractors in government establishments or government hospitals are not being paid notified rates of minimum wages, which were effective from 1 November, 2018," reads the advisory signed by Additional Labour Commissioner Dr Rajender Dhar. "Any violation of these provisions attracts prosecution or challans under the relevant provisions of labour laws, both against the principal employer, as well as the contractor." The minimum wages to be paid to labourers was increased by 34 percent, by a notification issued by the Government of Delhi last year. At present, unskilled labourers are entitled to a minimum wage of Rs 14,000 per month, semi-skilled labourers, Rs 15,400 per month, and skilled labourers, Rs 16,962. A recent complaint in the Delhi Jal Board claims that though the outsourced companies engaged by the board pay their labourers as per the requirement of the Minimum Wages Act, they take a chunk of the money back by applying coercive measures. "These companies transfer the wages to the bank accounts of the labourers as per the requirement of the Minimum Wages Act. But they do it only to appear as though they are following the norms set by the law. Soon, a chunk of that money is collected back from the labourers," alleged Manwar Singh Rawat, secretary of the Municipal Workers' Lal Jhanda Union, at the Delhi Jal board. He added that many companies keep the labourers' debit cards with them, which they use to withdraw a portion of the money the workers are paid. "As a result of this atrocity, a labourer is paid Rs 9,000 at most, which is far below the minimum wage," he said Sources in the Delhi Jal Board said there are nearly 1,500 labourers from outsourced companies who work at various plants under the board. Rawat said authorities had been informed about this atrocity through complaints, but to no avail. However, sources in the board deny having received any such complaint. Rakesh Kaushik, sectional officer in the Delhi Jal Board, told Firstpost, "We have received no complaint related to outsourced companies taking back a chunk of the wages they pay labourers. I would have known if there were any such complaints." Rawat also alleged that the victims of this atrocity often do not speak up out of fear of losing their job. "This is why the union stepped in to complain on their behalf," he said, asserting that the complaint had been laid on the table of the Delhi Jal Board. Although the new advisory by the Department of Labour has raised hope among daily-wage labourers, lawyer-activist Ashok Agarwal said is was only an election stunt. "An advisory cannot change the fate of the labourers as there is no sustained effort by the government to to ensure that minimum wages are paid. For continuous effort, the department needs an army of labour inspectors, which it does not have," he added. Sources in the labour department said there are only 14 labour inspectors in Delhi to oversee the operations of nearly two lakh companies and 60 lakh labourers in the city, as per the records of labour unions. Agarwal said that there was no visible effort to fill these vacancies either. "How can a department with a handful of individuals implement such a gargantuan task?" he questioned. However, Additional Commissioner (Labour) Dr Rajender Dhar disagreed with this view. When asked about how the department was managing with a paucity pf manpower, he said, "Lack of manpower cannot deter us from our work. Anyone who files a complaint about a labour law violation receives prompt action." Today's top stories: AIMPLB women wing to oppose 'ill-drafted' triple talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha today; Rajasthan govt sets up a panel to review decisions taken by previous BJP regime; Trump seeks the end to US government shutdown and calls for talks with Congress leaders; and more. Row over triple talaq bill continues: AIMPLB women wing urges RS to scrap draft law The women wing of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Tuesday criticised the triple talaq Bill, which is likely to be tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, stating that the "ill-drafted legislation gives a false sense of women empowerment". AIMPLB Women Wing chief organiser, Dr Asma Zohra, told ANI, "We oppose and condemn the triple talaq Bill which is likely to be tabled for the second time in Rajya Sabha tomorrow (Wednesday). The ill-drafted bill may break marriages rather than empowering women. The government has not taken the stakeholders into consideration and brought this bill with communal intention. The marriage is a civil contract in Muslims and the bill is not going to help the Muslim women in any way." Zohra further criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not replying to AIMPLB president Maulana Rabe Hasani Nadvi's letter regarding the loopholes in the bill. "Rather than this bill, there are several burning issues in our country that seek attention. Unfortunately, the prime minister has no courtesy to reply to a letter from the representative of 20 crores Muslim population. The government cannot take us for granted. We just cannot sit idle when a fundamental right is infringed upon by some bill, we have a right to religious freedom that's why our voice needs to be heard,'' she said. Rajasthan govt sets up panel to review decisions taken by previous BJP regime The Rajasthan government on Tuesday appointed three cabinets and one inter-departmental committee of ministers and officials for various matters, including reviewing the decisions taken by the previous BJP government in the last six months. Urban Development and Housing Minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal will be the coordinator of the committee set up to review the decisions taken by the previous government, headed by Vasundhara Raje, in the last six months. Energy Minister BD Kalla and Food and Civil Supply Minister Ramesh Meena will be the members of the committee. The inter-departmental committee of ministers and officers headed by Dhariwal will set the eligibility criteria of farmers claiming loan waivers, and also set the directions according to the loan waiver announcement. The committee will have six ministers as members, according to a release issued by the government on Tuesday night. The other committees will look into the issues of contractual employees in the government and finalising the governor's speech in the upcoming Assembly session. EU, US denounce Bangladesh election violence, irregularities Western powers condemned election day violence in Bangladesh and described a range of other irregularities that marred a vote in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas alliance secured more than 90 percent of parliamentary seats. The strongly worded assessments of the election from the United States and European Union could hurt the image of Hasina, who has been in power since 2009 and also ruled from 1996-2001. Violence has marred the election day, and significant obstacles to a level playing field remained in place throughout the process and have tainted the electoral campaign and the vote, the EU said in a statement, calling for a proper examination of allegations of irregularities. The United States, Bangladeshs largest foreign investor, expressed concern about credible reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence in the pre-election period that made it difficult for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and campaign freely. We are also concerned that election-day irregularities prevented some people from voting, which undermined faith in the electoral process, it said. PM to hold rallies in West Bengal amid uncertainty over BJP rath yatras With its Bengal rath yatras stuck in legal tangles, the BJP's state unit is planning two to three rallies of Prime Minister Modi in January and February. Ahead of the national polls, the BJP planned rath yatras that would have touched all 42 constituencies in the state. However, the saffron party's plans got stuck in legal battles after the state government denied permission. "We are hopeful that the prime minister's first rally might take place on 29 January. We have sent the schedule to Delhi. Nothing has, however, been fixed so far," state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said. The prime minister's first rally is expected to be held at the Brigade Parade ground in the heart of Kolkata. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will also hold a rally at the same venue on 19 January, and has invited leaders of all Opposition parties in the country. Trump seeks end to govt shutdown, calls for talks with Congress leaders President Donald Trump on Tuesday invited Republican and Democratic leaders from Congress for a meeting to seek an end to the federal government shutdown now in its second week. The two sides have been stuck in an impasse, with Trump's Democratic foes seeking a vote on spending bills to keep the government open without addressing the hot-button issue of border wall funding as soon as they take control of the House of Representatives, on Thursday. But the legislation's future appears uncertain, as it does not contain funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border, as demanded by Trump. However, Trump appeared to strike a more conciliatory tone seeking to bring Democrats to the table after acerbic remarks over the weekend. "Border Security and the Wall 'thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?" he tweeted. US media reported the lawmakers were invited to a session at the White House, though it was unclear who would attend, and whether any Democrats would be present. US fires tear gas across Mexico border to stop migrants US authorities fired tear gas into Mexico during the first hours of the new year to repel about 150 migrants who tried to breach the border fence in Tijuana. US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement later Tuesday that the gas was used to target rock throwers apart from the migrants who were trying to cross. "No agents witnessed any of the migrants at the fence line, including children, experiencing effects of the chemical agents, which were targeted at the rock throwers further away," the statement said. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three volleys of gas launched onto the Mexican side of the border near Tijuana's beach that affected the migrants, including women and children, as well as journalists. The AP saw rocks thrown only after US agents fired the tear gas. The, US customs body, however, said that agents saw "toddler sized children" being passed over concertina wire with difficulty. It said its agents could not assist the children because of the rocks being thrown. Agents responded with smoke, pepper spray and tear gas, it said. The AP journalist also saw plastic pellets fired by US agents. The protests come after the Kamal Nath-led Congress government decided to stop the previous government's tradition of reciting Vande Mataram on the first working day of every month. Nath had said that reciting the national song, Vande Mataram cannot validate one's patriotism. Bhopal: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers held a protest outside the Madhya Pradesh Secretariat against Chief Minister Kamal Nath over the Vande Mataram row. On Tuesday, the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh decided to stop the previous BJP government's tradition of reciting Vande Mataram on the first working day of every month. Nath had said that reciting the national song, Vande Mataram cannot validate one's patriotism. While defending the move to put on hold the recital of Vande Mataram, Nath said on Tuesday: "We have no intentions of breaking or protesting against the national song. The order to recite Vande Mataram in the Secretariat on the first day of the month has been put on hold. A decision has been taken to implement the order in a new form. Those who do not recite Vande Mataram are not patriots?" "We believe that we are nationalists by hearts. One cannot become patriotic by reciting Vande Mataram for one day," he added. The Madhya Pradesh assembly session is slated to begin on 7 January, with the oath-taking by the newly-elected MLAs. Earlier in the day, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the 109 MLAs from the BJP will recite Vande Mataram at the Secretariat and then take oath on 7 January. In mythology and medieval literature, the language of the birds is considered divine. A friend of mine feeds the crows in Mumbai. He calls them by name and they come to feed. But while the birds listen to him, he, of course, cant understand a single word they say. That is the siddhi I wish I had. In mythology and medieval literature, the language of the birds is considered divine, a language used by the birds to communicate with only the initiated. Birds communicate with animals ravens lead wolves to prey and then feed off the remains. The Greater Honeyguide bird leads bears to forest beehives and eats the leftovers. In Norse mythology, the power to understand bird language was considered the ultimate wisdom. The god Odin had two ravens, called Huginn and Muninn, who flew around the world and told Odin what happened among mortal men. The legendary king of Sweden, Dag the Wise, had a sparrow which flew around and brought back news to him. According to the Poetic Edda and the Volsunga saga, the 9th century Viking hero Sigurd was given this gift of understanding, and his life was saved as he listened to birds discussing an enemys plans to kill him. Jason was an ancient Greek mythological hero, a descendant of the messenger god Hermes. His quest for the Golden Fleece features in Greek literature. He assembled a band of heroes whose tales have been recounted for 3,000 years now. They sailed in the ship Argo and were collectively called the Argonauts. The figurehead of Argo, Jasons ship, was built of oak from the sacred grove at Dodona and could speak the language of birds. In the Talmud of the Jews, King Solomons proverbial wisdom was due to his being granted the understanding of the language of birds by God. This carries over into the Quran where Suleiman (Solomon) and David both knew the language of birds. The Conference of the Birds is a beautiful Sufi poem written by the 12th century Persian poet Attar of Nishapur. The story begins with a meeting of all the worlds birds to decide who will be their sovereign. The hoopoe, the wisest of all, proposes finding the simurgh (a mythical, benevolent bird related to the phoenix) to resolve the dilemma. The poem describes their journey and the moral learning they encounter along their way. The concept of the hero being given the gift of understanding bird language, either by some magical transformation, or as a reward for a good deed in folk tales, extends across the world including Welsh, Russian, German, Estonian, Greek and Romany. In the Jewish Kabbalah astrology and alchemy, the language of the birds, also called the Green Language, is considered a secret and perfect language and the key to perfect knowledge. The language was supposed to have been scripted by the Egyptian bird-headed god Thoth. The Egyptians considered hieroglyphic writing "the alphabet of the birds. The raven in Native American Indian lore is the bearer of magic, and a harbinger of messages from the cosmos. Messages that are beyond space and time are nestled in the black wings of the raven and come to only those in the tribe who are worthy of the knowledge. This ability to use grammar is the essence of language. It is not enough to know the meanings of words, the structures and rules by which words are put together have to be understood. The view has been that humans are unique in this ability. Now, scientists have found that songbirds have the same ability. Like us, they learn the language by imitating their elders. But as they practise to develop their ability, they improvise and string together new songs and, over generations, these modified songs turn into new dialects. And, like us, they come hard-wired with speech-centres in their brain that are dedicated to language processing. An experiment from 2009, by Feher and colleagues, took newly hatched songbirds of the zebra finch species and raised them in soundproof chambers. They did this during their critical period of language development. These birds were raised in a world without song. But when they got together, these isolated birds began to develop their own songs. These songs were less musical than typical songbird song they had irregular rhythms, the notes stuttered and sounded noisier. But in time, the songs became more like the songs of the wild songbirds, even though none of these birds had ever heard wild songs. Which means they had an innate understanding of the structures/grammar of their language. A study by Kentaro Abe and Dai Watanabe, published in Nature magazine, focused on a species of songbird called Bengalese finches. A song bird responds to a song with its own song (we call it song but it is normal conversation). The researchers kept playing the same song and the bird lost interest after a while and did not respond. Then they altered it slightly and got a response ('who are you' became 'why are you', for instance). The researchers taught grammar to the birds by inventing a set of grammatical rules, and generating 50 songs that obeyed these rules. They repeated these songs to the birds for an hour, like a school teacher drilling 50 sentences into a new pupil. They then waited five minutes, and played the birds a new song that either fit this grammatical rule or broke the rule. The birds responded to the correct grammatical sentences, whereas the ungrammatical sentences ruffled their feathers. The birds were able to assimilate the rules of this new grammar. What is the biological driving force behind this talent for grammar? Our brains have specific regions that 'light up' when we listen to a grammatically invalid construction. A specific area of the brain known as Broca's region has the ability to understand and produce grammatical speech. Scientists claim to have identified regions in the finches' brains that do the same. So, birds have a proper language. Alas, I have not received the gift of being able to understand it. To join the animal welfare movement, contact gandhim@nic.in, www.peopleforanimalsindia.org In 2017, the previous Raman Singh government had set up an 11-member committee, comprising MPs, MLAs, social activists and others, to study the prospects of alcohol ban and its sale in the state under government supervision Raipur: The newly-formed Congress government in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday rejected recommendations of a panel formed during the previous BJP regime to study the prospects of a liquor ban in the state, calling them impractical. The government has decided to set up a new team for this purpose and it will submit its report to the government in two months, state Food and Civil Supply Minister Mohammad Akbar said. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at Mantralaya, Atal Nagar, he informed. The report submitted by a study team of Commercial Tax (Excise) department on banning liquor is impractical, he said. In 2017, the previous Raman Singh government had set up an 11-member committee, comprising MPs, MLAs, social activists and others, to study the prospects of liquor ban and its sale in the state under government supervision. The panel report stated that "after the study of excise policy of several states it was concluded that it willnot be appropriate to fully adopt any of them in case of Chhattisgarh because this state has a different geographical, social and economic status". "In view of the facts, it will be appropriate to decrease the consumption of liquor in the state," the report stated. Citing several measures taken to facilitate the smooth sale of liquor in outlets of Tamil Nadu, the panel recommended the same system at liquor shops in Chhattisgarh. It had also suggested an increase in the sale counters of liquor shops in the state. Besides, special effort should be made to reduce the consumption of liquor by spreading public awareness and a budgetary provision should be made for this, it said. It also recommended a hike in liquor prices to curb consumption. The Congress, in its manifesto for the just-concluded Assembly poll, had promised a ban on liquor in the state, and CM Baghel had said that he was committed towards it. He, however, had said that opinion of people from different communities, and moves taken by other states, need to be looked into first. A year after caste clashes marred the event to celebrate the anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle, eight to 10 lakh people paid tributes amidst a heavy police presence at the memorial here, which has come to be known as a symbol of Dalit pride. Pune: A year after caste clashes marred the event to celebrate the anniversary of the Koregaon Bhima battle, eight to 10 lakh people paid tributes amidst a heavy police presence at the memorial here, which has come to be known as a symbol of Dalit pride. A senior police official said "scrupulous planning" and "cooperation from the locals" ensured that the day passed off peacefully. What set apart Tuesday's event from last year was the prevalence of a cordial atmosphere and an active participation of the locals, who welcomed the visitors with roses and water bottles since Monday, besides offering them free food. Security agencies were keeping a tight vigil with CCTV and drone cameras in view of the caste clashes that had erupted last year, leaving one person dead and several others injured. Police are probing the alleged Maoist links to the violence, which they suspect was triggered by the provocative speeches made at the Elgar Parishad conclave in Pune on December 31, 2017. At least 5,000 police personnel, 1,200 Home Guard jawans, 12 companies (comprising around 100 personnel each) of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) and 2,000 Dalit volunteers were deployed in and around Perne village, where people paid tributes at the "Jay Stambh" memorial. As a precautionary measure, internet services were suspended in the area, police said. As many as 500 CCTV cameras, 11 drone cameras and 40 video cameras were monitoring the area, a senior police officer said, adding that police checkposts were also set up along the border of Pune district. "Scrupulous planning, cooperation from the locals as well as the visitors and a multi-pronged approach by the police and the district administration have paid results as the entire commemoration took place on a peaceful note," Superintendent of Police Sandip Patil said. According to him, around eight to 10 lakh people visited the victory pillar and the villagers and visitors extended full cooperation to the administration in maintaining peace. The "Jay Stambh" memorial was erected by the British in Perne for the soldiers killed in the Koregaon Bhima battle on January 1, 1818. It has since attained a legendary stature in Dalit history. According to the police, a significant number of people came to the memorial this year from far-off places in Marathwada, Vidarbha and districts of the neighbouring north Maharashtra as well as from various parts of the country. "For the first time in history, such a large number of people from the Dalit community came to pay their tributes at the Jay Stambh," claimed a resident of Perne. Ranjeet Khandare, who came from Navi Mumbai, said the number of visitors had doubled this year. Around 40,000 people visited the nearby Vadhu Budruk village, where the "samadhi" of 17th-century Dalit figure Govind Mahar was located, a police officer said. Among politicians, Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Dalit icon BR Ambedkar, was the first to offer his tributes at the memorial in the morning. Maharashtra Minister of State (Home) Deepak Kesarkar, Dalit leader Anandraj Ambedkar, Radhika Vemula, the mother of Hyderabad University student Rohith Vemula whose suicide had sparked a nationwide outrage in 2016, and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Amar Sable also paid tributes. Union minister Ramdas Athawale visited the war memorial in the evening. "I am very happy with how the locals cooperated (with the authorities) and welcomed the visitors warmly," he said, adding that he would follow up with the Maharashtra and Union governments for the development of the victory pillar and granting it a pilgrimage status. Late Tuesday evening, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad paid his tributes at the victory pillar. "Internet services in and around Perne have been suspended," Special Inspector General of Police Vishwas Nangre-Patil said.The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal ran buses to transport people to the village for free. In the Dalit narrative, the 1818 battle was a victory over casteism as the British Army, comprising a large contingent of Dalit Mahar soldiers, had defeated the forces of the Peshwas -- the Brahmin custodians of the Maratha kingdom. Earlier in the day, Ambedkar laid a wreath at the war memorial and hoped that the event would pass off peacefully. "Unlike last year, the people of the surrounding villages are extending all help. They are lending a helping hand. I hope for a peaceful completion. However, the police should not act in haste," he told reporters. Ambedkar said the number of visitors was likely to swell this year. "The reason behind the surge is that the likes of retired Supreme Court judge PB Sawant, retired high court judge B G Kolse-Patil and some students (from the Kabir Kala Manch) took the history of the Koregaon Bhima battle to rural Maharashtra. "Unfortunately, the same students who bridged the gap between the Marathas and the OBCs using the Elgar Parishad platform were labelled as Naxals by the government," he claimed, adding that the government should find the real perpetrators of last year's violence and bring them to justice. In the wake of the clashes, the police had booked Hindutva leaders Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide on charges of inciting violence. Ashok Athawale, a resident of Sanaswadi whose house and a fabrication unit were torched during the violence, said his entire family was offering food to the visitors and ensuring that they were not inconvenienced. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane terms the audio clip played by Congress 'doctored', seeks probe. This comes after release of recorded conversation in which Rane says that during Goa cabinet meeting, Parrikar stated he had all documents relating to Rafale deal lying in his bedroom. (Photo: File | PTI) New Delhi: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Wednesday termed the audio clip cited by the Congress on the Rafale deal as a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after the Supreme Court exposed the "lies" of the opposition party. Parrikar's comments came hours after the Congress quoted him as saying that he had a file on Rafale deal "lying in his bedroom". Reacting to the allegation mounted against him, CM Parrikar tweeted, "The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale deal. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting. Earlier on Wednesday, Congress came out with an audio clip of a purported conversation between Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and another person in which the minister says that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week, Parrikar stated he had "an entire file and all documents" relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom. Read: What Rafale secrets lying in Manohar Parrikars bedroom?: Cong to PM Modi Congress also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked if this was a reason that a joint parliamentary committee was not ordered to probe the matter. Meanwhile, Goa minister Vishwajit Rane has termed the audio clip as "doctored" and told BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday that he has asked the state government to order an inquiry into the matter. In a letter to Shah, Rane said he never had any conversation with anyone on Rafale issue. According to BJP sources, Rane said, "I have also sent a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar asking for an immediate police inquiry and criminal investigation to expose the mischievous elements." Rane also said,"...this is a doctored audio and have never had any discussion with this regard on this subject with anyone." (Photo: Twitter | ANI) Rane also wrote a letter to Parrikar saying "I would like to...inform the chief minister that there is someone playing mischief and there should be inquiry in this matter and such mischievous elements need to be brought to the books." He also sought a thorough probe into the matter to bring the accused to the book. Parrikar was the defence minister when the Rafale deal was signed between India and France for purchase of fighter aircraft. On December 14 last year, the apex court had dismissed all PILs alleging irregularities in the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from France. Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, parts of northeast and Jharkhand are likely to experience cold weather conditions over the next few days While Delhi saw the third coldest December in the past 50 years last year with an average minimum temperature of 6.7 Celsius, the winter chill has gripped several other parts of of northern, western and central India. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the biting cold weather conditions is likely to continue for the next two to three days over Delhi-NCR region due to the northwesterly winds. Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, parts of the North East and Jharkhand are likely to experience very low temperatures over the next few days. Ground frost conditions are also are likely in many parts of the above states, except Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan A 48-year-old farmer had allegedly committed suicide in Rajsamand on Sunday after he suffered crop loss due to intense cold in the region. Rajmasand had witnessed the lowest temperature of minus 1.5 Celsius, the lowest in decades. Two other farmers were reported dead in the cold wave in Jhalawar and Baran district of Hadouti in the state earlier. "The body was as chilled as that of a slab of ice and there were layers of ice on the ground around the body," the son of one of the deceased farmers had told the police, reported DNA. There was, however, some respite on Tuesday after night temperatures increased by a few degrees in several places of the state. The night temperature in Bhilwara settled at 3.9 Celsius followed by 4.4 Celsius in Mount Abu. Alwar, Churu and Chittorgarh recorded a minimum temperature of 5.4 Celsius each. Telangana The state otherwise known for its blistering summers has been witnessing cold weather conditions too. Places such as Adilabad, Warangal and Hyderabad are likely to especially have cold conditions. The Adilabad district administration has initiated measures like distribution of blankets and sweaters to those sleeping in bus stations. There has also been an overwhelming response to Adilabad district collector Divya Devarajan's call to the employees to donate warm clothes instead of wishing her on New Year by presenting bouquets. Odisha Temperatures plummeted to below 8 Celsius in at least 10 places and below 10 Celsius in at least 19 locations on Tuesday in Odisha. The weatherman has further ruled out respite from chilly conditions in the next few days. The tourist destination of Daringibadi remained the coldest place in the state recording 4 Celsius. The minimum temperature recorded in state capital Bhubaneswar was 9.5 Celsius, while neighbouring Cuttack also shivered at 9.4 Celsius. As intense cold swept across Kandhamal, ground frost also occurred in some places such as Daringibadi, Balliguda, Raikia, Kotagarh and Tumudibandha in the district. Madhya Pradesh A 35-year-old man died in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district as temperatures dropped to below normal degrees, reported The Times of India. Jungle areas of Mandla, Umaria and Bundelkhand regions also saw a thin layer of ice even as some other parts reported ground frost. Khajuraho and Umaria were the coldest places at 1 Celsius. West Bengal and North East India Darjeeling in West Bengal and Gangtok in Sikkim received snowfall for the first time in 10 years in December 2018, reported the Hindustan Times. The army recently rescued around 4,000 tourists stuck in the higher reaches of Sikkim. A cyclonic circulation over north-eastern India may bring scattered snow and rain over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim on Friday. Thunderstorms and hail are likely over Meghalaya. Dense fog is likely over Sikkim. Maharashtra Pune had recently broken the record of experiencing the coldest December in 18 years with temperatures dipping to 5.9 Celsius. On the other hand, Nagpur was the coldest with 3.5 Celsius and was declared colder than places such as Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, Patiala in Punjab and Banihal in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday morning. G L Singhal, one of the seven police officers chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Ishrat Jahan case, has been promoted to the rank of inspector general from deputy inspector general of the Commando Training Centre in Gandhinagar Ahmedabad: An accused in the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case and another who was recently discharged in the Sohrabuddin Shaikh case were among the six IPS officers promoted by the Gujarat government on Tuesday, according to a notification. G L Singhal, one of the seven police officers chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Ishrat Jahan case, has been promoted to the rank of inspector general from deputy inspector general of the Commando Training Centre in Gandhinagar. Vipul Aggarwal, who was recently discharged by the Bombay High Court in connection with the Sohrabuddin Shaikh alleged fake encounter case, has been promoted to the post of the joint commissioner of police (administration), Ahmedabad. Singhal was arrested in February 2013 in connection with the Ishrat Jahan case. He was granted bail by a CBI court, following which the state government had reinstated him in May 2014 as the superintendent of police of the State Crime Records Bureau. Ishrat, a 19-year-old girl from Mumbai, and three others were killed in an encounter on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on 15 June, 2004. A special investigation team (SIT), constituted by the Gujarat High Court, had concluded that the encounter was fake, following which the case was transferred to the CBI. Aggarwal was reinstated in November 2014 after being granted bail in the alleged fake-encounter killings of gangster Sohrabuddin Shaikh, his wife, Kausar Bi, and his aide, Tulsi Prajapati. All the 38 accused in the case have been acquitted, including the 22 accused who were discharged last month. As per the notification issued by the state Home Department, six Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in all were promoted. Surat Commissioner of Police Satish Sharma has been promoted to director general of police rank and will continue to be Surat top officer, the state government notification said. Surat Additional Commissioner of Police D N Patel has been promoted as the joint commissioner of police (JCP), Surat, while M A Chawda has been promoted as the inspector general of police, Gandhinagar range. IPS officer J R Mothaliya, additional commissioner of police (traffic), Ahmedabad, has been made the JCP. The pay scale of another 22 IPS officers has been changed, the notification said. A separate notification said eight Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officials have also been given promotions. The bill to amend the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 and another bill to amend the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 was introduced in Lok Sabha amid ruckus by members of AIADMK and TDP over various issues. The Lok Sabha Speaker immediately adjourned the House till 2 pm after the introduction of these bills. New Delhi: The government on Wednesday introduced an amendment bill in Lok Sabha to provide legal backing for voluntary seeding of biometric Aadhaar ID with mobile numbers and bank accounts after the Supreme Court barred mandatory use of the 12-digit unique identifier by private firms. As the Oppositions raised concerns, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that the proposed amendment is in compliance with the Supreme Court judgement and that there will be no infringement of privacy. He also said that the government has prepared a data protection bill and it will be introduced in Parliament soon. "Let me clarify at the outset that the proposed amendment is done in compliance with the Supreme Court judgement. It (linking) is not mandatory at all," he said. Regarding privacy issue, he said privacy is "not being invaded at all" from these amendments. The parallel authentication norms are there to safeguard privacy issues, he added. "We should not forget that Aadhaar has led to saving of Rs 90,000 crore" through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), the minister said, adding multilateral organisations such as World Bank and IMF have hailed Aadhaar as a unique innovation of India. Objections were raised on the bill by Shashi Tharoor (INC), Saugata Roy (Trinamool Congress) and NK Premachandran (RSP). Opposing the bill, Roy said that the proposed amendments infringe the Supreme Court judgement on Aadhaar matter. The proposed amendment will circumvent that judgement and it was brought without stakeholders' consultation, he claimed, adding "the bill should not be introduced". Tharoor said that the bill is in violation of the apex court judgement. "The bill is premature because first, we need enactment of data protection law," he said asking "where is the draft" of the data protection law. "The bill must be withdrawn and revised," he added. Endorsing these views, Premachandran alleged that the bill infringes the right of privacy. The Minister said these objections are "misplaced" and "we are not violating the Supreme Court" judgement. The bill to amend the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 and another bill to amend the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 was introduced in Lok Sabha amid ruckus by members of AIADMK and TDP over various issues. The Lok Sabha Speaker immediately adjourned the House till 2 pm after the introduction of these bills. In December 2018, the Union Cabinet had approved amending the existing Aadhaar law. The Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved amendments to the Telegraph Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the Supreme Court in September imposed restrictions on the use of Aadhaar by private companies. The two Acts are being amended to provide for voluntary sharing of the 12-digit identification number for obtaining new mobile phone connections and for the opening of bank accounts. The changes in the relevant sections of the Telegraph Act and PMLA will be effected through the original Aadhaar Act. Under the amendments, an Aadhaar holder can opt for offline verification through QR code and will not require to share his or her actual Aadhaar number. The Supreme Court had struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act that made seeding of the biometric ID with SIMs and bank accounts mandatory, saying it had no legal backing. The shoulder-to-shoulder Vanitha Mathil (Women's Wall) was organised in part by Kerala's Left Democratic Front (LDF). Health minister KK Shylaja led the chain at Kasargod, and CPM leader Brinda Karat was the last person at the end of the chain in Thiruvananthapuram. In an initiative to support gender equality and renaissance value, around 50 lakh women formed a 620-kilometre-long Vanitha Mathil (Women's Wall), or in Kerala on Tuesday. The wall was formed across the national highway which stretched from the northern tip of Kasaragod to the southern end in Thiruvananthapuram. The shoulder-to-shoulder parade was organised in part by the state's Left Democratic Front (LDF). Over 176 socio-political organisations also helped in organising the parade, including the Communist Party of India (CPI), Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) and Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS). Kerala's health minister KK Shylaja led the chain at Kasargod, and CPM leader Brinda Karat was the last person at the end of the chain in Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the event, and in a tweet reiterated the need to "to uphold the values of Kerala Renaissance." CM Pinarayi Vijayan warmly congratulates all who made Kerala's #WomensWall a great success. The 620 KM long gathering, organized to uphold the values of Kerala Renaissance, saw huge participation of women from all walks of life. This is a momentous occasion in our social life. pic.twitter.com/DiJlgzgSUO CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) January 1, 2019 Speaking to ANI about the event and the ongoing Sabarimala issue, a demonstrator said: "Gender equality is an aspect of freedom. Women have been launching protests, marches and strikes to have access to their rights enshrined in the constitution. Who can prevent a devotee from reaching God? It is a golden moment for women to show that it is they have got a right to enter the temple and no one can stop them from doing so." "The movement is organised partly by the government for the participation of women from North to South to say that we want to work ahead. We want gender equality and justice as we're living in a democratic society," another woman said. Further reacting to Sabarimala temple issue, she stated, "It's important that there must be a conducive atmosphere. If women have failed to enter Sabarimala till today then RSS, BJP and Congress are responsible for it. And women force today is replying to these anti-women forces and we're saying that it is a land of both men and women where no one can deny women of their basic rights." BJP, RSS break wall; three police personnel injured The women's wall demonstration was disrupted after suspected BJP and RSS workers attacked and broke the "wall" at Chettukundu, 20 kilometres south of Kasargod, Business Standard reported. The incident triggered a battle between them and LDF supporters, as well as with the police. According to a report by The New Indian Express, women from the hill panchayat of Panathady were asked to form the wall at Chettukundu, a pocket of the RSS-BJP. When the women arrived, the suspected RSS-BJP workers said they would not allow them to line up there. When the women ignored the threat, the workers set on fire the dry grass along the railway track, 10 metres from the road. Police lathi-charged them and chased them away, the report said. The workers responded by hurling stones at the women and policemen, injuring three personnel, police said. In addition, some BJP and RSS workers also assaulted a reporter for Manorama News, and destroyed the camera. They also attacked the reporter and cameraman of 24 News, and took away the memory card from the camera. In another incident, some pro-wall activists damaged the window panes of a private bus at Palakkad when it refused to ferry women to participate in the event. Sabarimala protests continue The Vanitha Mathil was organised against the backdrop of the 28 September, 2018 Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala. The top court had lifted the ban on entry of women of menstrual age (10-50 years) inside Sabarimala temple. However, the verdict was not taken well by devotees, as they stopped various attempts by women to enter the shrine. Violent protests continued to break out around the hilltop temple about, with police on 16 November lathi-charging devotees trying to stop women from entering. Seventy-two people were arrested amid the protests, including BJP leader K Surendran. According to reports, the devotee protests were fanned by the BJP. Surendran and the others were all granted bail by a Thiruvalla court on 21 November. Activist Trupti Desai was one of the women who was blocked from entering the temple on 16 November. Devotees staged a sit-in outside Kochi airport upon Desai's arrival, and she was not allowed to leave the premises. She was then asked to return to her hometown Pune after being stuck inside the airport all day. No women have been able to enter the temple until Wednesday, where two women in their 40s managed to enter the premises and offer prayers. Identified as Bindu and Kanakadurga, the women began the trek to the temple at midnight with police escorts and reached the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine at 3.45 am, reports said. A video of their journey that is doing the rounds on social media shows that the women did not climb the 18 sacred steps that pilgrims who take the 41-day vow and carry the sacred 'irumudikettu' offering use, The Indian Express reported. Instead, they used a side entrance that VIPs and the media use to get directly in front of the sopanam and then into the sanctum of the temple. After Vijayan confirmed the news of the two women, massive protests were reported in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and other districts in Kerala. The Sabarimala temple's head priest, Kandaru Rajeevaru, ordered to shut the temple till 11.30 am for purification rituals after reports of women's entry into the temple were confirmed. Reacting to the development, Pandalam erstwhile royal Shashi Verma told News18 that the women's entry into Sannidhanam was not historic, but against the customs of Sabarimala. With inputs from agencies While Vodafone is challenging the retrospective amendment made in 2012 by the former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, Flipkart promoters have no such latitude. Hutchison, a Hong Kong-based company, was controlling what is today Vodafone from a Cayman Islands company in which it had a 67 percent stake. It was this stake that Vodafone bought in 2007 and thus came to control the Indian operating company doing telecom business. At the material point of time, unfortunately for the Income Tax Department, the law was not in its favor so much so that the Supreme Court absolved Vodafone from the liability arising out of failure to deduct tax at source from Hutchison, a phenomenal amount of about $2 billion which has now snowballed into a huge sum after factoring in interest. The apex court said the business connection rule enshrined in section 9 of the Income Tax Act did not extend to capital gains but only to regular business incomes. Pranab Mukherjee, the then finance minister, brought in an ordinance to fill this technical gap and kept on persisting with his tax demand. The amended Section 9 now covers capital gains as well, if through such convoluted arrangements tax is sought to be avoided. The Vodafone tax matter is still hanging fire. Fast forward to circa 2018. This time round the players are Flipkart and Walmart. The Flipkart website shows that it functions in India under the banner Flipkart Internet Private Ltd, a closely-held company incorporated in Bangalore. But for reasons of taxation and ease of doing business as well as attracting capital from international biggies, it set up a company in Singapore. It is Flipkart Singapore in which Walmart has bought a 77 percent stake by shelling out a mind-boggling $16 billion. And through this investment and controlling interest it is controlling the Indian operations and the Indian company Flipkart Internet Private Ltd. The eerie similarity between Vodafone and Flipkart is too stark to be missed by anyone. It is against this backdrop that one has to examine the generous tax collections by the Income Tax Department. Sachin Bansal reportedly has deposited a whopping Rs 699 crore as first instalment of advance tax that was due on 15 September 2018. To be sure, this might include the estimated tax on his other incomes as well but it wont be far-fetched to assume that a substantial part of it would be on account of the Flipkart stake sale bonanza. Walmart in its capacity as payer has deducted a whopping Rs 7,440 crore from the non-resident shareholders like eBay and Softbank. While Vodafone is challenging the retrospective amendment made in 2012 by the former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, Flipkart promoters have no such latitude. For them, the amendment is not retrospective but upfront and prospective, writ large when they entered India via Singapore. Reportedly both Walmart and Flipkart investors numbering 46 are coy about the deal and how much they all made. But the income tax administration is in no mood to relent. That Sachin Bansal and Walmart have taken steps towards complying with their tax obligations shows that they have seen the writing on the wall. They do not want to tangle with the Income Tax Department which is why they have complied with their tax liabilities though one doesnt know if completely. But the promoters would be counting on the Indo-Singapore DTAA to soften their tax burden emanating out of the sale to Walmart of their respective stakes. The DTAA puts a softer shovel vis-a-vis the Indian Income tax law on outside the stock exchanges deals. In the past, Indian promoters have settled their family disputes and estates by enacting an elaborate farcesit across the table before their respective computer screens and put a sale offer of a large number of shares through the stock exchanges bulk trading platform only to be lapped up immediately by the buyer. The income tax law till last year completely exempted long-term capital gains (LTCG) from transactions consummated through Indian bourses from tax. But to the credit of the Narendra Modi government, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his 2018 Budget imposed a soft tax of 10 percent on such gains in excess of Rs 1 lakh. The point is, Flipkart promoters perhaps might be wistfully ruing their decision to invest in India via Singapore. They could have gotten away by repeating the same farce, this time round by coughing up a soft tax of 10 percent as opposed to nil tax by their forebears. And for Walmart things arent looking very rosy. Only a few days ago, the Indian government banned e-commerce platforms from selling goods of firms in which it has even a token stake. Commentators were quick to wonder if in hindsight Walmart had bought a pig in a poke by paying a mammoth $16 billion. Now the tax imbroglio is likely to compound its woes. (The writer is a senior columnist and tweets at @SMurlidharan) The decision will help the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which are facing cash crunch in the wake of demonetisation and GST implementation. Mumbai: In a new year gift to the MSME sector, the Reserve Bank on Tuesday allowed a one-time restructuring of existing debt up to Rs 25 crore for the companies which have defaulted on payment but the loans given to them have continued to be classified as standard assets. The decision will help the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which are facing cash crunch in the wake of demonetisation and GST implementation. The RBI's board in its crucial meeting held on 19 November 2018 had advised the central bank examine a scheme for restructuring of stressed standard assets of MSME borrowers with aggregate credit facilities of up to Rs 25 crore, subject to such conditions as are necessary for ensuring financial stability. To facilitate meaningful restructuring of MSME accounts that have become stressed, the RBI has decided to permit a one-time restructuring of existing loans to MSMEs that are in default but 'standard' as on 1 January 2019, without an asset classification downgrade, the central bank said in a statement. To be eligible for the scheme, the aggregate exposure, including non-fund based facilities of banks and NBFCs, to a borrower should not exceed Rs 25 crore as on 1 January 2019, and the restructuring has to be implemented by 31 March 2020. Restructuring package for MSME was one of the sore points of the tussle between the RBI and the government. There was a detailed presentation by Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar on the cash crunch being faced by the MSME sector at the crucial 19 November board meeting. The government had suggested several steps to help the sector which contributes 50 percent to the manufacturing sector. "A major step for MSMEs with a total liability up to 25 cr suffering from past issues and illiquidity, though delayed. Congratulations RBI for the restructure circular," Swadeshi ideologue and RBI board member S Gurumurthy tweeted. Gurumurthy was pushing for a relief to the MSME sector which provides 12 crore employment, the second largest after the agriculture sector. "MSMEs are vital for India's economic ascension. Several initiatives including customised products and strategies as per their needs and automated loan processing have been introduced to achieve faster turnaround and accelerate MSMEs' growth," Kumar had said last year. As per the notification, "A provision of 5 percent in addition to the provisions already held, shall be made in respect of accounts restructured under this scheme. Each bank/NBFC should formulate a policy for this scheme with board approval which shall, inter alia, include framework for viability assessment of the stressed accounts and regular monitoring of the restructured accounts." The borrowing entity is GST-registered on the date of implementation of the restructuring. However, this condition will not apply to MSMEs that are exempt from GST-registration, it said. According to the notification, banks and NBFCs adopting this scheme will put in place a board approved policy on restructuring of MSME advances under these instructions within a month from the date of this circular. The policy will include framework for viability assessment of the stressed accounts and regular monitoring of the restructured accounts. "It is clarified that accounts classified as NPA can be restructured; however, the extant asset classification norms governing restructuring of NPAs will continue to apply," it said. ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Shashi Shanker said the company has communicated its views on the listing of OVL to the government. New Delhi: State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) Wednesday said the government has not yet asked it to reconsider listing its overseas arm ONGC Videsh Ltd on bourses. The board of ONGC had on 21 December considered a government demand to list its profitable overseas investment arm but opined that it was not the right to go for an initial public offering. ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Shashi Shanker said the company has communicated its views on the listing of OVL to the government. After that "we have not received any request to reconsider (listing of OVL)", he told reporters in New Delhi. The company will reconsider it if and when such a request is made, he said. Sources said the company board on 21 December deliberated on the demand from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) for the listing of OVL but felt that the market conditions are not right for an oil and gas exploration and production company to list. Also, there were several complexities involved in getting the firm listed. OVL, they said, has assets in countries like Venezuela, Iran, and Sudan, which are exposed to some or other Western sanctions. These assets will have to be first separated from the company. While this may not be a difficult task, it would involve issues of capital gains and tax thereon, they said. Also, OVL is heavily under debt and such a move would require taking approval of all the lenders -- yet another tedious job. A third of its $28.45 billion (Rs 1.51 lakh crore) investment in 41 projects in 20 countries has been financed by loans. More importantly, OVL has been only in acquisition mode till now and has not yet reached an economic model where it can stand on its own feet. The company is dependent on its parent for even guarantees for taking loans. OVL has great assets and it would reach that economic model once couple of its assets like the giant gas field in Mozambique starts production, they said. OVL projects are in the development stage and an IPO will get the best value when these projects are monetised, they said. OVL's giant gas field in Mozambique will start production sometime in 2022 when two LNG trains of 12 million tonnes per annum capacity are set up and gas exported in cryogenic ships. Its Farzad-B gas field in Iran is on hold in view of US sanctions on the Persian Gulf nation. Also, its Venezuelan oilfields are producing much less than their potential. According to a letter DIPAM wrote to ONGC management in August, the listing of OVL would help unlock value by improving its corporate governance and efficiency. ONGC had helped the government meet its disinvestment target last fiscal when it bought a 51.11 percent stake in state-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) for Rs 36,915 crore. After failing to find a buyer for Air India, DIPAM is again looking at ONGC to meet the Rs 80,000 crore revenue mobilisation target set out for it in the Budget for 2018-19 from the sale of government stake in PSUs. In the letter, DIPAM said PSUs with a positive net worth and no accumulated losses should be listed to unlock value. It, however, did not state how much stake in OVL should be sold for its listing. Market regulator Sebi calls for a minimum 25 percent public float for a listed company. Sources said proceeds of a potential listing of OVL would accrue to its parent ONGC but the government would seek a special dividend to reap that. The government owns 67.45 percent in ONGC. If ONGC were to declare entire proceeds of OVL listing as a special dividend, the government would get 67.45 percent of the amount. The government had in 2015 as well asked ONGC to list OVL. But the state-owned firm had at that time told the government that it was not the right time to list as oil prices were subdued and the company would not get the right value. Oil prices have since rebounded and the government is looking to cash in on that. Under its portfolio, OVL has reserves of 711 million tonnes of oil and oil equivalent natural gas. In 2017-18, it produced 9.35 million tonnes of crude oil, up from 8.43 million tonnes in the previous year. Together with natural gas, the output was 14.16 million tonnes of oil equivalent, up from 12.80 million tonnes in the previous year. It reported a net profit of Rs 981 crore on a turnover of Rs 10,418 crore in 2017-18 fiscal. This compared with a net profit of Rs 701 crore on a turnover of Rs 10,080 crore in the previous fiscal. It had reported a net loss of Rs 3,633 crore in 2015-16 due to a sharp drop in oil prices. Jet Airways needs a large capital infusion along with the restructuring of its operations, including curtailing unviable routes in its network The key question for Jet Airways relates to whether it can be quickly rescued via a viable turnaround plan/strategy? A straightforward answer is difficult but it has become necessary after the Mumbai-based airline said late on Tuesday night that the payment of interest and principal instalment due to the consortium of banks on 31st December 2018 has been delayed due to temporary cash flow mismatch. Media reports, although unconfirmed, over the last few months have highlighted that the management of Jet Airways has been in discussion with leading business houses including the Tata group. In addition, there have been media reports that Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways would increase its 24 percent stake held in Jet Airways at the end of the September 2018 quarter, and bring much-needed stability; financial and operational, to the beleaguered Mumbai-based airline. However, none of the above turnaround plans has fructified, with a key sticking point relating largely to the 51 percent stake held by the promoter in Jet Airways. It is widely anticipated that the lenders to Jet Airways would first need to deal with the vital question who will run Jet Airways, going forward, before any financial restructuring or rehabilitation programme could be initiated? Thats because continuing with the existing management may not result in much change in the airline's viability over the medium term, despite Jet Airways board announcement in late August 2018 that a cost reduction programme would exceed Rs 2,000 crore over the next two years. The reason - Jet Airways needs a large capital infusion along with the restructuring of its operations, including curtailing unviable routes in its network, in a bid to return confidence of its financial creditors and suppliers. Jet Airways had trade payables of Rs 7,932.76 crore at the end of the September 2018 quarter, a rise of 23.3 percent on a year-on-year basis. And if the financial creditors of Jet Airways fail to get the Tatas or Etihad Airways in the drivers seat, it would be necessary to either induct leading global airlines like US-based United Airlines, British Airways or Japan Airlines or else bring in operational changes via the bankruptcy court process. Globally, the operating environment for the airline industry has shown improvement with the key input, oil prices crashing nearly 37 percent from their peak in early October 2018. An emailed questionnaire sent to Jet Airways went unanswered. Investors have fresh in their mind of the default of loans in mid- 2012 totalling approximately Rs 9, 000 crore relating to the Vijay Mallya-run Kingfisher Airlines. And while extradition of Mallya from the UK is still awaited, thousands of employees of the failed airline still await their dues along with financial lenders. The Jet Airways stock had lost 1.6 percent to Rs 276 in early Wednesday morning trading, and the stock is hovering above its 52-week low of Rs 163 that was reached on 1 October 2018. Other airline stocks, like InterGlobe Aviation, which runs the Indigo, was marginally higher at Rs 1,173 on Wednesday morning. Spicejet, too, was also broadly flat in Wednesday morning trade at Rs 90. Financial woes of Jet Airways Jet Airways had a net loss of Rs 1,297.46 crore for the September 2018 quarter versus a net profit of Rs 49.6 crore a year earlier, and that was largely due to surging global prices of crude oil. The airline in its September 2018 quarter results had highlighted that its next due date for payment of interest on NCDs ( non-convertible debentures) was 17 December 2018 and it amounted to Rs 35.96 crore. In an email sent to Jet Airways, which went unanswered, they did not reply regarding whether the payment for 17 December 2018 has been made. In addition, the airline was also finding it difficult to finance its daily operations with the companys current liabilities that exceed its current assets. For instance, the current assets of Jet Airways, which include cash, bank balance and trade receivables were barely Rs 7,784.2 crore at the end of the September 2018 quarter, while its current liabilities amounted to Rs 15,997.45 crore. Current liabilities of the airline include borrowings and trade payables. Clearly, a new team is needed in the cockpit, in a bid to get Jet Airways out of its current air pocket. (The writer is a senior columnist) Iran is keen to invest in the Rs 35,700-crore expansion of Chennai refinery irrespective of economic sanctions imposed by the US against the Persian Gulf nation, IOC Chairman Sanjiv Singh said on Wednesday. New Delhi: Iran is keen to invest in the Rs 35,700-crore expansion of Chennai refinery irrespective of economic sanctions imposed by the US against the Persian Gulf nation, IOC Chairman Sanjiv Singh said on Wednesday. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) plans to pull down the 1 million tonnes per year Nagapattinam refinery of its subsidiary, Chennai Petroleum Corp Ltd (CPCL) and build a brand new 9 million tonnes unit in next 5-6 years. National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC), which holds 15.4 percent stake in CPCL, is keen to participate in the expansion project, Singh told reporters here. "They have said they want to participate and I think they should be able to invest," he said. After the US reimposed full economic sanctions against Iran beginning 5 November, 2018, India is paying its third-largest crude oil supplier in rupees. These rupee payments are made into a UCO Bank account of NIOC. The government has allowed NIOC to use the money it gets in the UCO Bank account for paying for commodities Iran buys from India as well as for the direct investment in Indian projects. Naftiran Intertrade, the Swiss subsidiary of NIOC, holds a 15.4 percent stake in CPCL. IOC holds 51.89 percent stake in CPCL. The expansion was to originally cost to Rs 27,460 crore but is now estimated to cost Rs 35,698 crore. Officials said, CPCL plans to achieve financial closure of the refinery expansion in 2019. It also plans to build a petrochemicals plant of about 475,000 tonnes per annum capacity. Detailed feasibility report for the expansion project is expected to be completed by June. CPCL, formerly known as Madras Refineries Ltd, was formed as a joint venture in 1965 between the Government of India, AMOCO and NIOC having a shareholding in the ratio of 74 percent, 13 percent and 13 percent. In 1985, AMOCO disinvested, following which, the government held 84.62 percent and NIOC 15.38 percent. The government later disinvested 16.92 percent of the paid-up capital. The company was listed in 1994. IOC acquired the government stake in 2000-01 and holds 51.89 percent stake in CPCL while NIOC has 15.40 percent. CPCL has two refineries with a combined refining capacity of 11.5 million tonnes per annum. The Manali Refinery has a capacity of 10.5 million tonnes per annum and is one of the complex refineries in the country. Its second refinery is located in Nagapattinam at Cauvery Basin. This unit has a capacity 1 million tonnes per annum. CPCL refineries produce LPG, petrol, kerosene, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), diesel, naphtha, bitumen, lube base stocks, paraffin wax, fuel oil, hexane, and petrochemical feedstocks. The company posted a net profit of Rs 913 crore on a turnover of Rs 44,135 crore in 2017-18, according to the company website. The government wants to check the balance-sheets of the crippled group and its two listed subsidiaries--ITNL and IL&FS Financial Services for the past five years Mumbai: The National Company Law Tribunal Tuesday allowed the corporate affairs ministry to reopen the books of the crippled IL&FS Group and its subsidiaries for the past five years under Section 130 of the Companies Act, to ascertain financial mismanagement. For the first time, the government on 21 December, 2018, had invoked the powers under Section 130 of the new Companies Act of 2013 to reopen the books of a company. The government wants to check the balance-sheets of the crippled group and its two listed subsidiaries--ITNL and IL&FS Financial Services for the past five years (FY13-FY18) and the move comes after the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and ICAI reports indicated that the accounts were prepared a fraudulently and negligently in the last five years by the previous management. The statutory bodies including, the Reserve Bank, the markets watchdog Sebi and the Income Tax Department gave their no objection for restating the accounts. However, the auditors Ernst & Young owned SRBC & Co, Delloitte Haskins & Sells and KPMG affiliate BSR Associates opposed the move citing that they had no role in the alleged frauds. The financial accounts are made by the company and not the auditors, they argued. To this, the government informed the tribunal that the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) had sent a show cause notice in relation to the alleged frauds to the IL&FS to the auditors. The auditors argued that the ICAI probe is at a nascent stage and cannot be the basis of recasting of financial accounts. Hearing the petition, the two-member NCLT bench of judges VP Singh and Ravikumar Duraisamy observed that based on the ICAI and SFIO reports though it cannot be concluded that the auditors and former directors had any role in preparing of the financial accounts, lets reopen it in the interest of fairness. After allowing the reopening and recasting the books of account of IL&FS, ITNL and IL&FS Financial Services, the tribunal clarified that the order is without any prejudice and will not affect the proceedings before ICAI and SFIO probe. The government also wants NCLT to appoint an independent chartered accountant to restate the accounts and revise the balance-sheets and wants three months to do the job. The group owes over Rs 94,000 crore to lenders, mostly banks. It can be noted that this is the first instance of the government invoking Section 130 of the Companies Act, which empowers it reopen accounts only on a court/tribunal' order. The law states that "a company shall not re-open its books of account and not recast its financial statements, unless an application is made by the Central government, income-tax authorities, Sebi, any other statutory regulatory body or authority or any person concerned and an order is made by a court of competent jurisdiction or the tribunal to the effect that i) the relevant earlier accounts were prepared in a fraudulent manner; or (ii) the affairs of the company were mismanaged during the relevant period, casting a doubt on the reliability of financial statements." The actor stays away from social media to keep himself from the negativity. Ranbir Kapoor has been the brand ambassador of brands such as Renault, Hero, Flipkart, Lays, Yatra, Cadbury Oreo, Asian Paints, Lenovo, Macroman, Pepsi, Philips Lighting, Axe, Nissan, Tata Docomo, Virgin Mobile, Askme.com and Panasonic among others. Barring Hero, for which he took to the social media for a limited period, Ranbir has stayed away from logging onto the social media in his own name. Ranbir admittedly stalks people on Twitter through an unknown handle, but does not use that to endorse brands. Ranbir used the Foxstar handle for promoting Sanju, but he has stayed away from Twitter as he has not been comfortable with the negativity spread by the trolls. But then, there are some brands that are keen on stars endorsing them and tweet to their fans about them. But Ranbir is not someone who will do that. So, he did let go of a big offer from a brand because he was not keen to push a brand that way. Disha Patani may replace him as she likes being on the social medium with around 17 million followers on Instagram and 3 million on Twitter, says a source. On the professional front, Ranbir will now be seen in films such as Brahmastra and Shamshera. Sanskriti Media As we bid adieu to 2018 and look forward to another year of tranquility and comity, its time for my annual prognostications. Now, some have noted that my soothsaying is mostly renowned for its record of unfailing inaccuracy, but I shall soldier on undaunted by the sniping of those bean-counting naysayers. Thus, without further ado, heres my best guess at ten big education stories we can expect to read in the year ahead: 1. In January, dozens of governors laud the importance of career and technical education, and propose to boost state funding for career readiness and job training. For no reason in particular, one lucky governor gets a fawning write-up in the Atlantic. He/she is promptly hailed for his/her far-seeing agenda, with his/her state immediately becoming a touchstone for policy analysts, a must-reference for journalists, and a strategic priority for funders. 2. In February, after being impeached on 34 counts by the U.S. House, President Donald Trump dashes out of the White House and sneaks into Lil Pals, a preschool operating off the lobby of DCs Trump Hotel. Never WANTED to be President anyway, Trump tweets. I just want to stay here with my new friends, Mikey, Stormy, and Rudy. They shared their applesauce. I told them Im very rich and can get us McDonalds. But they dont even care. SAD! 3. In March, the Coalition for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math decides that its STEAM moniker is insufficient, dated, and just so 2015. It formally rebrands itself as STEAMED: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and Everything Delightful. The news causes prodigious excitement in the burgeoning 24/7 education media. The 74 declares, Education world is ROCKED by bold expansion of STEM mission. Chalkbeat reports, STEM and STEAM didnt eliminate the achievement gap, so its time to get STEAMED! The Education Post declares, STEAMED students ready to fight for delight. Meanwhile, the popular press has a field day. USA Today: Kids are ready to get STEAMED at Louisianas back-to-school crawfish boil. Playboy: Party campuses are welcoming STEAMED freshmen with steamy fare. Observing all this, the executive director of the STEAMED coalition allows, Perhaps we didnt think this through as fully as we might have. 4. In April, two students trigger a hullabaloo at Oberlin when they are apprehended for eating egg rolls and enchiladas in public. The problem? The incident report cites the students for violating the institutions Ethnically Appropriate Cuisine Code Regulation 2(a)iii, by publicly consuming ethnically identifiable foodstuffs in a questionable combination without possessing the physical characteristics required for consumption of the foodstuffs in question. Worse, the students are unable to produce papers demonstrating even a hint of cuisine-appropriate ancestry. After an extended disciplinary process, the students are put on double-secret probation and required to pen letters of apology to nations and campus groups deemed authentic consumers of the offending foodstuffs. Oberlin is cheered in the Chronicle of Higher Education for its forward-thinking efforts to promote cuisine equity. 5. In May, the U.S. Department of Education issues guidance clarifying that the fact that student loan payments are annoying is not acceptable grounds for forgiveness. The announcement is met by ferocious criticism, with one New York Times headline declaring, Betsy DeVos to student borrowers: Drop dead, already! The story quotes one student, a 29-year-old poet who attended Bennington for six years, explaining, Im paying hundreds of dollars a month in student loans. By the time I pay my iPhone bill, my Uber credit card, and my Netflix subscription, things are crazy tight. Its like debtors prison. 6. In June, a little-known non-profit called Tomorrows Are for Tomorrow is awarded tens of millions in new funding from prominent foundations. In a bit of inspired genius, founder/CEO Paul Banksley, an out-of-work vacuum cleaner salesman, manages to redefine the whole pursuit of 21st century skills. As he explains in his hugely popular TED talk, I asked myself, whats next? What comes after the 21st century, anyway? So, I looked it up. Its the 22nd century. And then it hit me. I told them we needed to stop talking about 21st century skills . . . and start focusing on 22nd century skills. It blew their minds. 7. In August, murmurs indicate that the Gates Foundation is having second thoughts about its current strategic plan. The rumors are quickly shot down. Six weeks later, though, Gates announces a strategic pivot to focus on small high schools. A press release explains, The Foundation has recently come to believe that this is the next frontier in school improvement as we look to cultivate 22nd century skills. Its simultaneously announced that Gates will be making a nine-figure investment in Tomorrows Are for Tomorrow, whose founderthe fabled Paul Banksleyis now a front-runner for a Nobel. 8. In September, former Vice President Joe Biden becomes the 27th declared candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. During his announcement, Biden is asked about whether hell hold fast to the Obama-Biden education agenda. Biden says yes, mentions his wifes role in community college reform, and promises that education will play a big role in his campaign. When asked about the particulars of his education agenda, Biden flashes his famous grin and says, A three-letter word: JOBS. When asked about educational accountability, Biden resurfaces some of the concerns about his garrulous, undisciplined side, musing, Dont test you, dont test me, lets all agree to test the guy behind the tree ! The announcement ends in murmurs of confusion. 9. Immediately after Bidens announcement airs, during a break from Trumps impeachment trial, the president launches a frenzied Twitter fusillade. Trump tweets, Jittery Joe wants to test THE GUY BEHIND THE TREE?! More attacks on real Americans. Leave my lil pals ALONE, Jitterbug! And STOP stealing the little nuts I leave out back for the squirrels!!! GO TEST ROCKETMAN. Hows THAT for a J-O-B? The talking heads on MSNBC meticulously unpack Trumps tweetstorm to show that it reveals, in the words of repentant Republican Max Boot, the crippling and indelible racism woven into the very roots of the Republican creed. Meanwhile, the Fox and Friends crew spends a morning lauding Trump for so genuinely capturing the publics antipathy to testing. 10. In November, as his impeachment trial drags into its ninth month, Trump invites his Lil Pals to the White House for a snack and a tour of the Oval Office. Observers are struck at how assiduously some of the three- and four-year-olds keep reminding the president to say please, listen when someone else is talking, wait his turn, and stop hogging the best snacks. At one point, a cameraman mutters, Preschoolers schooling the president. How bout that? Gotta be a lesson here somewhere. The comment is captured by a hot mic, goes viral, and becomes the organizing meme of the 2020 presidential contest, giving rise to omnipresent t-shirts that read, on the front, I got schooled by preschoolers. How bout that? and, on the back, Learn the lesson. What, a man cant dream? Wishing all of you a very happy 2019. The fee for late filing of the returns is Rs 25 per day for Central GST (CGST) and an equal amount under State GST (SGST). New Delhi: The government has waived late fees for non-filers of summary and final sales returns for the July 2017-September 2018 period by businesses registered under the goods and services tax (GST). However, these businesses would have to file their returns for the 15-month period by 31 March 2019, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said. Giving effect to the decision of the GST Council in its 22 December meeting, CBIC has notified waiver of late fees for non-filing of GSTR-3B, GSTR-1 and GSTR-4 and non-payment of taxes between July 2017 and September 2018. While GSTR-3B is the summary sales return filed by businesses, GSTR-1 is the final sales return. GSTR-4 is filed by businesses who have opted for composition scheme, under which they have to file returns quarterly. The fee for late filing of the returns is Rs 25 per day for Central GST (CGST) and an equal amount under State GST (SGST). However, those businesses who have to file returns but have 'nil' tax liability would have to pay a fine of Rs 10 under CGST law, and an equal amount under SGST law. The CBIC said "the amount of late fee payable under Section 47 of the said (CGST) Act shall stand waived for the registered persons who failed to furnish the return" in Form GSTR-3B GSTR-1, for the months between July 2017 and September 2018, by the due date but furnishes the said return between the period from 22 December 2018 to 31 March 2019. For businesses filing GSTR-4, the late fees would be waived for non-filing of returns for the quarters from July 2017 to September 2018 provided the said returns are furnished between the period from 22 December, 2018 to 31 March 2019, the CBIC said. AMRG & Associates Partner Rajat Mohan said: "On popular demand, the finance ministry has finally waived the late fees for taxpayers who were unable to file GSTR-1, GSTR 3B or GSTR-4 for the period July 2017 to September 2018 by the due date but furnished the same between 22 December to 31 March, 2019. This relief would be light on exchequer but would definitely afford brownie points for the government being a populist measure. The proposal will entail benefits of around Rs 600 crore to exporters on interest equalisation for the remaining period of the scheme, an official release said. New Delhi: The government on Wednesday decided to provide 3 percent interest subsidy to merchant exporters to enhance flow of funds for them with a view to boosting outbound shipments. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. "The proposal will entail benefits of around Rs 600 crore to exporters on interest equalisation for the remaining period of the scheme," an official release said. Approval has been given to the proposal of the department of commerce for "including merchant exporters under the interest equalisation scheme for pre and post shipment rupee export credit by allowing them interest equalisation rate of 3 percent on such credit for export of products covered under 416 tariff lines (products) identified under the scheme," the release said. These products are largely in MSME/labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture, textiles, leather, handicraft and machinery. It added that inclusion of merchant exporters in the scheme is expected to make the exporters more competitive, encourage them to export more products manufactured by MSMEs. "Additional exports by them will increase production by MSME giving a fillip to employment generation as MSME are generally in the employment-intensive sectors," it added. Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu has time and again raised the issue of declining export credit. He had suggested that loans to exporters should be considered as priority sector lending by the banks. There was a sharp decline in export credit is impacting exporters in general and MSME units in particular. Citing RBI data, the commerce minister had stated that outstanding export credit has come down to Rs 22,300 crore on 22 June, 2018, from Rs 39,000 crore as on 23 June, 2017. Commenting on the decision, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) president Ganesh Kumar Gupta said that the move would help in promoting exports. "Loans at affordable rates would help exporters to promote exports," he said. During April-November 2018-19, the country's merchandise exports grew by 11.58 percent to $217.5 billion. Since 2011-12, India's exports have been hovering at around $300 billion. During 2017-18, the shipments grew by about 10 percent to $303 billion. Promoting exports helps a country to create jobs, boost manufacturing and earn more foreign exchange. The Consumer Protection Bill 2018 is revolutionary in the aspect that it establishes a watchdog to bust unfair trade practices, oversee violation of consumers' rights and false or misleading advertisements prejudicial to the public and consumer interests The Lok Sabha recently passed the Consumer Protection Bill 2018 to provide greater protection to citizens against consumer harm. The Consumer Protection Act (COPRA) is the present consumer protection legislation in India which was enacted in 1986. While the Parliament made certain amendments to COPRA in 1991, 1993 and 2002, the 2018 Bill seeks to replace COPRA altogether. Given that the past decade has seen a dramatic change in the consumption of goods and services in India (especially due to e-commerce), it is worth exploring whether the Bill adequately protects consumers against various kinds of harm. Substantive provisions of Consumer Protection Bill 2018 A salient feature of the 2018 Bill is the establishment of a Central Consumer Protection Authority (Central Authority) to oversee violation of consumer rights, unfair trade practices and false or misleading advertisements prejudicial to the public and consumer interests, and to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers. The Central Authority is a central regulating authority akin to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) which protects the interests of investors and promotes the development of the securities market in India and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) which is endowed with the task of preventing activities which have an appreciable adverse impact on competition in markets. The Central Authority also comprises an investigation wing to which will investigate practices which harm consumers. On the basis of the investigation carried out, the regulator can inter alia direct the recall of goods or withdrawal of services which are dangerous, hazardous or unsafe, and issue directions and impose penalties related to advertisements which are false/misleading and prejudicial to the consumer interest. Under Section 21(3) of the 2018 Bill, the Central Authority can also prohibit the endorser of a false or misleading advertisement from endorsing the impugned product or service for a period of 1 year (or up to 3 years where the endorser contravenes the earlier prohibition order). In 2016, actor Pierce Brosnan, known for playing the character James Bond, kicked up a controversy in India when he endorsed pan masala, a chewing mixture which is said to increase the risk of oral cancers. Pan masala advertising is banned by the Indian government due to health concerns; under the 2018 Bill, any celebrity who endorses such products can be prohibited by the Central Authority from endorsing the product. The other functions of the Central Authority are to promote awareness of consumer rights and to advise the Central and state governments on consumer welfare measures. The Central Authority also has the power to intervene in any proceedings before the consumer disputes redressal agencies under the 2018 Bill. Under COPRA, the Central Government had established Central Consumer Protection Council (Central Council) and state consumer protection councils (state councils) to promote and protect the rights of consumers such as the right to be protected against marketing of hazardous goods and services and the right to consumer education. However, as COPRA separately provides for consumer disputes redressal agencies which are forums for consumers to file their disputes, the role of the Central Council and the state councils beyond consumer education was not clear. The 2018 Bill explicitly establishes the Central Council and the state councils as advisory councils; the Bill also envisages the setting up of district consumer protection councils (district councils) at the district level. A novel provision in the 2018 Bill is the chapter on product liability (Chapter VI). While consumers could file complaints against defective products under COPRA, product liability was not expressly provided for. In the 2018 Bill, a product manufacturer is absolutely liable in a product liability action; the absolute liability standard adopted under the 2018 Bill is also stricter than a strict liability rule as stated in COPRA. Under Section 90 of the 2018 Bill, a manufacturer/seller/distributor/importer of adulterated goods can be punished with fine or imprisonment. However, adulteration is not an offence under COPRA. Procedural provisions in the 2018 Bill The 2018 Bill in its Preamble recognises the need for timely and effective administration and settlement of consumer disputes and contains a number of provisions geared towards this objective. The 2018 Bill, like COPRA, provides for consumer disputes redressal commissions. The 2018 Bill retains the nomenclature of the consumer disputes redressal commissions as provided under COPRA, however, the pecuniary jurisdiction of redressal commissions has been raised at the district, state and national level. A unique feature of the 2018 Bill is Section 37 which permits the redressal commissions to refer parties to a consumer dispute to mediation to resolve disputes. Chapter V of the 2018 Bill provides for consumer mediation cells attached to the Redressal Commissions; this is a positive feature of the 2018 Bill as mediation can result in expeditious settlement of disputes without the need for litigation. The European Union has issued Directive 2013/11/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2003 on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes which recognises alternative dispute resolution (including mediation) for consumer disputes. Is the 2018 Bill a mere paper tiger? The 2018 Bill is revolutionary in the aspect that it establishes a watchdog to bust unfair trade practices and oversee violation of consumers' rights. The 2018 Bill bolsters enforcement of consumer protection law through the Central Authority, making it a significant improvement to the current regime dealing with consumer protection in India. A question which arises is whether the regulator with search and seizure powers can, in fact, be used to harass traders and businesses in the garb of investigating unfair trade practices. This concern, however, is alleviated by the inclusion of Section 93 which punishes the Director General (in charge of an investigation under the Central Authority) and any other officer who exercises search and seizure powers in case of vexatious search with imprisonment and/or fine. While the 2018 Bill covers online transactions through electronic means or by teleshopping, regrettably e-commerce itself is given short shrift under the 2018 Bill. For instance, Section 94 empowers the Central Government to take measures to prevent unfair trade practices in e-commerce without illustrating what amounts to unfair trade practices in e-commerce. Further, it is not clear whether there will be a separate e-commerce regulator as hinted at by the government in its e-commerce policy. Other improvements in the 2018 Bill over the existing consumer protection legislation include Section 35 which allows consumers to file complaints electronically before the district commissions. Further, under Section 2 (47) (ix) of the Bill, it is an unfair trade practice to disclose the personal information of the consumer (which the consumer gave in confidence). This provision can help prevent the personal data of consumers to be leaked to a third party. Overall, the revised consumer protection law drafted by the legislature is comprehensive and if implemented well, can help the government crackdown on unscrupulous trade practices to better protect consumers. The author holds a Master of Law degree from the University of Cambridge and is currently a researcher at National Law University, Delhi Jet Airways is facing financial difficulties and owes money to pilots, lessors and vendors. Intense pricing competition, a weak rupee and rising fuel costs weighed on Indian airlines in 2018. Mumbai: Debt-laden Jet Airways Ltd has delayed the payment to a consortium of Indian banks, led by State Bank of India Ltd, the airline said late on Tuesday. The payment of interest and principal instalment was delayed "due to temporary cash flow mismatch" and the company is in talks with the consortium. The deadline for the payment was 31 December 2018, Jet said in a statement. The 25-year-old airline is facing financial difficulties and owes money to pilots, lessors and vendors. Intense pricing competition, a weak rupee and rising fuel costs weighed on Indian airlines in 2018. Jet and its second-largest shareholder Etihad Airways are in talks with bankers on a rescue deal that may involve the Abu Dhabi-based airline increasing its stake from 24 percent. Biotech company Starpharmahas today announced that the VivaGel condom has received final regulatory approval and is now able to be marketed in Japan.Starpharma has worked closely with its commercial partner for Japan, Okamoto Industries throughout the regulatory process.Okamoto has already commenced key launch preparations, including labelling and manufacturing activities, and plans to launch the VivaGel condom in the first half of 2019.Okamoto is Japans leading marketer of condoms with a majority share of the Japanese condom market, which is one of the worlds largest condom markets and estimated to be in the order of US$500 million per annum.Shares in Starpharmatrading 5.5 per cent lower at $1.12 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 2, 2019 / West Red Lake Gold Mines Inc. ("West Red Lake Gold" or the "Company") (CSE: RLG) (OTCQB: RLGMF) (FWB: HYK) announces that it has completed a non-brokered private placement of flow-through units for aggregated gross proceeds of $439,810. The Company issued 6,283,000 flow-through units (the "Flow-Through Units") at a price of $0.07 per Flow-Through Unit for aggregated gross proceeds of $439,810. Each Flow-Through Unit consists of one common share in the capital of West Red Lake Gold issued on a "flow- through" basis pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one half of a common share purchase warrant (the "Warrant"). Each full Warrant issued in connection with the Flow-Through Units entitles its holder to purchase one common share in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.10 per share for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance. Gross proceeds from the Flow-Through Units will be used by the Company for exploration expenditures on its 3100 hectare West Red Lake Project property, which contains three former gold mines and is located in the prolific Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario. In connection with the financing, West Red Lake Gold paid finders' fees consisting of $29,106 in cash to qualified registrants. As a result of the financing, Accilent Capital Management Inc., a principal shareholder of the Company as a finder and also as a subscriber of Flow-Through Units through its affiliate Pavilion Flow-Through L.P., has increased its direct and indirect holding of the voting securities of the Company from 28.32% to 28.56% on a fully diluted basis. The Company also announces that it has issued 1,567,141 common shares at a deemed price of $0.07 per share for $109,699.87 of services to the Company by several providers. West Red Lake Gold Mines is a Toronto-based minerals exploration company focused on gold exploration and development in the prolific Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada. The Red Lake Gold District is host to some of the richest gold deposits in the world and has produced 30 million ounces of gold from high grade zones. The Company has assembled a significant property position totalling 3,100 hectares in west Red Lake (the "West Red Lake Project") which contains three former gold mines. The Mount Jamie Mine and Red Summit Mine properties are 100% owned by the Company and the Rowan Mine property is held in a 60%-owned joint venture with Red Lake Gold Mines, a partnership of Goldcorp Inc. and Goldcorp Canada Ltd. The West Red Lake Project property covers a 12 kilometre strike length along the Pipestone Bay St Paul Deformation Zone and the Company plans to continue to explore the property both along strike and to depth. To find out more about West Red Lake Gold, please visit our website at http://www.westredlakegold.com. For more information, please contact: John Kontak, President Phone: 416-203-9181 Email: jkontak@rlgold.ca The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. West Red Lake Gold does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward- looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws. SOURCE: West Red Lake Gold Mines Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/531730/West-Red-Lake-Gold-Closes-439810-Financing Artprice (New York): Top bracket artworks for sale at the beginning of 2019 No respite for art lovers! The new year has already begun, with French provincial sales throwing up superb treasures... The auction calendar will resume back in New York with Christie's starting 2019 with five sales, including a highly anticipated Art Brut sale. But it is Sotheby's which gathered the most expensive lots for the very first big sale of the year: Master Paintings Evening Sale, that will be held on 30 January 2019. Top 10 upcoming artworks at auction in January 2019 Artprice.com Artist Artwork Estimate Sale 1 Joachim WTEWAEL (c.1566-c.1638) A Banquet of the Gods $5,000,000 - $7,000,000 01.30.2019 - Sotheby's NY 2 Elisabeth VIGE-LEBRUN (1755-1842) Portrait of Muhammad Dervish Khan (1788) $4,000,000 - $6,000,000 02.30.2019 - Sotheby's NY 3 Jan VAN DE CAPPELLE (c.1624-1679) A Shipping Scene on a Calm Sea $4,000,000 - $6,000,000 03.30.2019 - Sotheby's NY 4 Ambrosius BOSSCHAERT I (1573-1621) A Still Life of Flowers in a Glass Flask (1607) $2,500,000 - $3,500,000 04.30.2019 - Sotheby's NY 5 Peter Paul RUBENS (1577-1640) Nude Study of a Young Man $2,500,000 - $3,500,000 05.30.2019 - Sotheby's NY 6 Orazio GENTILESCHI (1563-1639) The Fall of the Rebel Angels $2,500,000 - $3,500,000 06.30.2019 - Sotheby's NY 7 Pieter BRUEGHEL II (c.1564-1637/38) St. George's Kermis (1627) $2,000,000 - $3,000,000 07.30.2019 - Sotheby's NY 8 Fede GALIZIA (1578-1630) A Glass Compote with Peaches $2,000,000 - $3,000,000 08.30.2019 - Sotheby's NY 9 Jacobus VREL (c.1630-c.1680) Street Scene with Two Figures Walking Away $1,500,000 - $2,000,000 09.30.2019 - Sotheby's NY 10 Luis MELENDEZ (1716-1780) Still Life with a Plate of Azaroles $1,500,000 - $2,000,000 10.30.2019 - Sotheby's NY Nevertheless, the most exciting lots are not necessarily the most expensive ones. thierry Ehrmann, Founder and CEO of Artprice insists: "The mid-range Art Market is full of opportunities and it is worth keeping track of what is on offer as soon as the year begins" The unique world of Henry Darger Henry Darger (1892-1973) created an exceptionally broad spectrum uvre that was discovered in his room after his death. A secretive and reclusive character, Darger created a unique world, including a 15,000-page illustrated and typed manuscript, The Realms of the Unreal, describing events from a completely imaginary world in which a bunch of pre-teen girls (the Vivian Girls) on an imaginary planet wage a war against adults to obtain their freedom. Parallel to this written saga (but never published), Darger also painted. He produced - sometimes on both sides - large narrative panels that are pure masterpieces. His technique was also unique, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources (children's art books, various magazines, fashion catalogs, etc.) copying the images in charcoal before applying water colours. The first Darger works sold on the secondary market were actually auctioned in France at Loudmer's in 1989. At that time, a panoramic drawing by the obscure celebrity fetched less than $10,000. Today, his drawings are in the collections of major museums including the MoMA, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris and the Collection de l'Art Brut in Lausanne. On the auction market one would expect to pay at least $150,000 for one of his most important works because they are both in-demand and rare. The one proposed by Christie's on 18 January in New York is monumental - nearly three meters wide - and double-sided (drawn on both sides). It is expected to fetch between $250,000 and $500,000. Two days later, Sotheby's will, in turn, sell a smaller double-sided drawing by Henry Darger (178-cm long) with an estimate value between $150,000 and $300,000. The simultaneousness of these two upcoming sales is noticeable, as only 19 drawings by Henry Darger have been seen in auction room since 1989. The opulence of a small masterpiece by Wtewael Jumping back over 400 hundred years... we have a superb baroque painting on copper entitled Banquet of the Gods by the Dutch painter Joachim Anthonisz Wtewael, one of Holland's most important artists, active in the years 1580 - 1620. This masterful work depicts 47 figures - gods, fauns, women and putti - in orgiastic debauchery... all within the confines of 15.8 x 20.4 cm. With unmatched density, the artist portrays Bacchus, Ceres, Mars, Venus, Cupid, Pan and his muses at a grand banquet, and despite its small size, the work is expected to sell for between 5 and 7 million dollars on 30 January at Sotheby's (New York). However, in view of its quality, it is quite possible the lot will reach its high estimate, especially since a smaller Wtewael work has already crossed the $7 million threshold. That was also an oil-on-copper measuring just 18.2 x 13.5 cm, a virtuoso composition depicting 12 bodies on the sensual theme of Mars and Venus surprised by Vulcan (Mars and Venus Surprised by Vulcan, $7.26m, at Christie's London in 2012). One of Rubens' best drawings Sotheby's will also be offering an exquisitely rare drawing by Rubens which should fetch the Dutch virtuoso's second best-ever auction result for a work on paper. It's a study of a young man with arms raised measuring almost 50 centimeters, drawn in charcoal with a couple of white chalk highlights to catch the light. The work shows the artist's change of mind regarding the position of the tensed and muscular legs. The torsion of the lower limbs and the momentum of the figure, forward and upward, is typical Baroque bravura. A result within the estimated range of $2.5 - $3.5 million would make it the second best-ever auction result for a Rubens drawing (and the best result for a Rubens charcoal). On 10 July 2014, Christie's London hammered his best-ever result for a work on paper - an ink representing Samson and Delilah - at over $5.5 million. Apart from the provincial sales in France and the year's first New York sessions at Christie's and Sotheby's, we don't yet know what other wonders the other major auction houses around the world will be offering over the coming months (China's Poly Auction and China Guardian, Germany's Dorotheum, France's Artcurial, Korea's Seoul Auction). In fact, the majority of auction operators do not start selling until later in the year, and some wait as long as May (Grisebach) before reopening after the winter break. Copyright 2019 thierry Ehrmann - www.artprice.com About Artprice: Founded by thierry Ehrmann (see Who's who certified Biography ) (c) https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2018/10/bio-2019-whos-who-thierry-ehrmann.pdf ). Artprice is listed on the Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Dicover Artprice in video: https://www.artprice.com/video Artprice is the global leader in art price and art index databanks. It has over 30 million indices and auction results covering more than 700,000 artists. Artprice Images gives unlimited access to the largest Art Market resource in the world: a library of 126 million images or prints of artworks from the year 1700 to the present day, along with comments by Artprice's art historians. Artprice permanently enriches its databanks with information from 6,300 auctioneers and it publishes a constant flow of art market trends for the world's principal news agencies and approximately 7,200 international press publications. For its 4,500,000 members, Artprice gives access to the world's leading Standardised Marketplace for buying and selling art. Artprice is preparing its blockchain for the Art Market. It is BPI-labelled (scientific national French label) Artprice's Global Art Market Annual Report for 2017 published last March 2018: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2017 Artprice is associated with Artron Group the Chinese leader in the Art Market, its solid institutional partner. About the Artron Group: "Artron Art Group (Artron), a comprehensive cultural industrial group founded in 1993 by Wan jie, is committed to inheriting, enhancing and spreading art value. Based on abundant art data, Artron provides art industry and art fans with professional service and experience of quality products by integrated application of IT, advanced digital science and innovative crafts and materials. Having produced more than 60,000 books and auction catalogues, Artron is the world's largest art book printer with a total print volume of 300 million a year. It has more than 3 million professional members in the arts sector and an average of 15 million daily visits, making it the world's leading art website." Artron's Web: www.Artron.net Artprice's Contemporary Art Market Annual Report for 2017 - free access at: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2017 Artprice's press releases: http://serveur.serveur.com/Press_Release/pressreleaseen.htm https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom Artmarket News: https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom & https://twitter.com/artmarketdotcom https://www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom 3.4 million subscribers http://artmarketinsight.wordpress.com/ Discover the Alchemy and the universe of Artprice http://web.artprice.com/video, which headquarters are the famous Museum of Contemporary Art, the Abode of Chaos: http://goo.gl/zJssd https://vimeo.com/124643720 The Contemporary Art Museum The Abode of Chaos https://www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 3.4 million subscribers Contact: ir@artprice.com ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-56446-artprice-top-bracket-artworks-for-sale-at-the-beginning-of-2019-en-01.pdf SALINAS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 2, 2019 / 1st Capital Bank (OTC PINK: FISB) today announced the appointment of Phil Morreale as the Bank's Senior Vice President, Managing Director, of the San Luis Obispo County market. Mr. Morreale is a veteran banker who has thirty-five years of experience serving clients along California's Central Coast. Mr. Morreale has held a number of high-level management positions in the banking industry, specializing in relationship management, commercial lending, and most recently, growing a de novo bank branch. He is the Board President of the Children's Creative Project, a program of the Santa Barbara County Department of Education, and a Board Member and Sponsorship Committee Chair of the University of California, Santa Barbara Economic Forecast Project. "Phil is a fantastic addition to our team in San Luis Obispo," said Jon Ditlevsen, Chief Lending Officer of 1st Capital Bank. "His exceptional reputation and professional experience will be a valuable asset to our San Luis Obispo County clients." Of the appointment, Mr. Morreale commented "I am looking forward to joining 1st Capital Bank's effort to grow its presence in the San Luis Obispo market. There is tremendous opportunity here, and the Bank has built an impressive team." Mr. Morreale can be reached at phil.morreale@1stcapitalbank.com or (805) 592-2037. About 1st Capital Bank The Bank's primary target markets are commercial enterprises, professionals, real estate investors, family business entities, and residents along the Central Coast Region of California. The Bank provides a wide range of credit products, including loans under various government programs such as those provided through the U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA") and the U.S. Department of Agriculture ("USDA"). A full suite of deposit accounts is also available, complemented by robust cash management services. The Bank operates full service branch offices in Monterey, Salinas, King City, and San Luis Obispo. The Bank's corporate offices are located at 150 Main Street, Suite 150, Salinas CA 93901. The Bank's website is www.1stCapital.bank. The main telephone number is 831.264.4000. Member FDIC / Equal Opportunity Lender / SBA Preferred Lender This news release is available at the www.1stcapital.bank website for no charge. For further information, please contact: Thomas E. Meyer President and Chief Executive Officer 1st Capital Bank 831.264.4057 office Tom.Meyer@1stCapitalBank.com Michael J. Winiarski Chief Financial Officer 1st Capital Bank 831.264.4014 office Michael.Winiarski@1stCapitalBank.com SOURCE: 1st Capital Bank View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/531015/1st-Capital-Bank-Announces-Appointment-of-Phil-Morreale-as-SVP-Managing-Director-in-San-Luis-Obispo Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 2, 2019) - Gunpowder Capital Corp. (CSE: GPC) (CSE: GPC.PR.A) (OTCQB: GNPWF) (FSE: YS6N) ("Gunpowder" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it has acquired a Letter of Intent ("LOI") from Therapeutic Solutions Group TCI Ltd. ("TCI Ltd.") to acquire up to a 100% ownership stake in Koch & Gsell AG of Switzerland ("Koch"). Koch both manufactures and sells under the Heimat brand, the world's first tobacco-and-hemp cigarette. The Heimat brand cigarettes are currently manufactured in Lake Constance Switzerland. In 2018, Koch generated approximately Three Million Francs ("3,000,000.00") CHF in operating profit (defined as revenue less production costs and taxes) which is the equivalent to $3,000,000.00 USD based on the US Dollar / Swiss Franc exchange rate as of the date of this press release. Koch had negative EBITDA of approximately Five Hundred Thousand Francs ("500,000.00") CHF for the same period. All figures are unaudited. Under the terms of the LOI, TCI Ltd., has paid $US50,000 upon signing and will pay a further $US200,000 on January 25, 2019. Both TCI Ltd., and Gunpowder shall be conducting their due diligence and have agreed to pay further Ten Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Dollars ("$10,460,000.00") USD comprised of cash and stock on or before March 15, 2019 for a 51% interest in Koch. Gunpowder will then have the right to acquire the other 49% by paying Twelve Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ("$12,250,000.00") USD comprised of cash and stock during the first 12 months following closing. This deal is subject to completion of satisfactory due diligence as well as the completion of a capital raise by Gunpowder. Gunpowder has begun discussing the financing with several investment banks however at this time there can be no assurance that Gunpowder will be able to complete a capital raise to fund this transaction. The transaction is also subject to regulatory and Exchange approvals as required. Under the terms of the assignment agreement between Gunpowder and TCI Ltd., Gunpowder has agreed to issue 2,500,000 Units immediately as consideration for the payment made by TCI Ltd. as well as consideration for their costs and time incurred to date. Gunpowder shall issue a further Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Units ("7,500,000") of Gunpowder to TCI Ltd., as soon as TCI Ltd., makes a deposit of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ("$200,000.00") USD to Koch. Gunpowder has also agreed to pay a finder's fee of Forty Million Units should the transaction with Koch close. Mr. Paul Haber stated: "We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this acquisition as we see huge potential in this market space. We easily envision this product being offered in Canada and in the USA. Currently tobacco-and-hemp or pure hemp cigarette cannot be protected by a patent however Koch has applied for a process patent and is in the process of acquiring patents internationally for the process involved in the mixing of hemp (and other herbs) with tobacco. We see this patent as a value added bonus, as manufactures of hemp cigarettes will need to develop techniques and methods to manufacture product which we can license out to other manufactures." About Koch & Gsell AG Based in Lake Constance Switzerland, Koch & Gsell AG is an independent tobacco manufacturer and the manufacturer of the world's first tobacco-and-hemp cigarette. Marketed under the Heimat brand, Koch's Heimat brand cigarettes contain no additives, no fragrances and the Heimat brand makes exclusive use of Swiss whole-leaf tobaccos (no homogenised tobaccos, no imported tobaccos) and hemp. The company supplies the following retailers with normal and hemp cigarettes: Coop, Valora, Lekkerland, Webstar, Naville, fenaco, Hemag Nova and Margot, plus a large number of private customers (via online shop - products worth approx. CHF 100,000 per month are sold through this channel). For more information please visit https://heimatkult.ch/de About Gunpowder Capital Corp. Gunpowder Capital Corp., is a merchant bank and advisory services firm based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Gunpowder invests in both publicly traded and private businesses that have successful management teams and attractive economic models. Gunpowder partners with these businesses to support their growth initiatives with its proven methodology of appropriate financing and structured exits. Gunpowder offers debt financing, including mezzanine and bridge loans, equity financing and advisory services. Gunpowder is also building a portfolio of companies in which it takes a long term position and view. For more information please visit www.gunpowdercapitalcorp.com For further information please contact: Mr. Paul Haber CFO Gunpowder Capital Corp. T: (416) 363-3833 E: paul.haber@gunpowdercapitalcorp.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 Corporation 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 CSE 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. - 30 - India is the only major country that has continuously been delaying the implementation. Washington: Indias proposed retaliatory tariffs against US agricultural products including apples, almonds and lentils will have an adverse impact on American exports worth nearly $900 million, according to the latest Congressional report. India, in 2018, had announced higher import duties on many US products like apples, almonds, walnuts, chickpeas and lentils in retaliation to President Donald Trumps decision to impose heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items, a move that sparked fears of a global trade war. However, India is the only major country which has been continuously postponing the implementation of the retaliatory tariffs despite announcing it more than six months ago. In October last year, Trump described India as a tariff king as he reiterated his allegations that New Delhi has a high tariff rate on various American products. Indias proposed retaliatory tariffs is far less than that by China on more than 800 American agricultural products which accounted for approximately $20.6 billion in exports to the US in 2017. China is followed by Canada ($2.6 billion), Mexico ($2.5 billion), the European Union (EU) ($1 billion) and Turkey ($250 million) in slapping retaliatory tariffs on the agricultural products from the US. Countries have imposed tariffs on American agricultural products to retaliate against actions the Trump administration took in Marh, 2018 to protect US steel and aluminum producers and in response to Chinese intellectual property rights and technology policies. Since then, over 800 US food and agricultural products have been subject to retaliatory tariffs from China, the EU, Turkey, Canada and Mexico, the bipartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) said in its report Profiles and Effects of Retaliatory Tariffs on US Agricultural Exports. The CRS, an independent research wing of Congress, regularly prepares reports on various issues for the lawmakers to take informed decisions. US exports of those products to the retaliating countries totaled $26.9 billion in 2017, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) export data. Reno, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - January 2, 2019) - Scandium International Mining Corp. (TSX: SCY) ("Scandium International" or the "Company") has received notification that the New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment is reviewing the granting of Mine Lease 1763 ("ML") to the Company's Australian subsidiary, EMC Metals Australia Pty. Ltd., related to the Nyngan Scandium Project. The Company received the final signed ML grant in October 2017. The Company does not expect the outcome of this ML review to affect its ability to bring the Nyngan Scandium Project into production. This current formal review is in response to an objection by a landowner who holds freehold surface ownership over a portion of the total 874 hectare mine lease area. The landowner objection claims the property is "Agricultural Land", with meaning as defined in the relevant law. The landowner filed a formal objection with the Department in mid 2016. That formal objection notice was improperly handled, and was only physically located and verified as compliant in mid 2018. The landowner made the Department aware of the existence of an unrecorded objection in mid 2017, and the Company was subsequently advised that the objection was investigated by the Department directly with the landowner prior to final award of the signed ML grant in late 2017. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has recently sought and received independent input that the landowner objection should qualify as "Agricultural Land", as defined in the relevant law. The Company has rights of comment, rebuttal and appeal on that finding, which it fully intends to make to the Department. With receipt and consideration of appeal documents, from the parties, and further Department input, the Department Secretary will make a new determination on the validity of the affected portion of the ML. If the Department Secretary's decision upholds the landowner objection, the Company believes that outcome will not delay or prevent the development of the Nyngan Scandium Project, for the following reasons: The Company currently owns the majority (75%) of the operational surface rights on the project (180 hectares), including the planned industrial area and the area related to the west pit. The objecting landowner owns surface rights over the planned east pit (60 hectares), which is not scheduled for mining until year seven. The mine plan can be redesigned to produce ore exclusively from the west pit. The overall project resource is unaffected, and the resource contained in the west pit is multiples of the size required for 20 years of mine operation at current phase I capacity. The Company also holds other prospective exploration licenses in the vicinity of the Nyngan Project, targeting scandium, that are unaffected by this matter. George Putnam, CEO of Scandium International Mining Corp. commented: "The Company remains steadfast in its commitment to develop the Nyngan Scandium Project, and irrespective of the final determination of the Department Secretary, the Company remains on course to do that. We intend to present an appeal on the validity of both the technical and practical aspects of this objection, to the Department. The surface rights affected by this objection are not required under the mine plan until year seven, providing a substantial period of time to find another resolution, if appropriate, for the affected surface area. We also intend to call on the Department of Planning and Environment to actively resolve this matter quickly, and arrive at a fair resolution between the parties." ABOUT SCANDIUM INTERNATIONAL MINING CORP. The Company is focused on developing its Nyngan Scandium Project, located in NSW, Australia, into the world's first scandium-only producing mine. The project owned by our 100% held Australian subsidiary, EMC Metals Australia Pty Limited, has received all key approvals, including a mining lease, necessary to proceed with project construction. The Company filed a NI 43-101 technical report in May 2016, titled "Feasibility Study - Nyngan Scandium Project". That feasibility study delivered an expanded scandium resource, a first reserve figure, and an estimated 33.1% IRR on the project, supported by extensive metallurgical test work and an independent, 10-year global marketing outlook for scandium demand. Willem Duyvesteyn, MSc, AIME, CIM, a Director and CTO of the Company, is a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release on behalf of the Company. For inquiries to Scandium International Mining Corp, please contact: Edward Dickinson (CFO) Tel: (775) 233-7328 George Putnam (CEO) Tel: (925) 208-1775 Email: info@scandiummining.com This press release contains forward-looking statements about the Company and its business. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and include, but are not limited to statements regarding any future development of the project. The forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation: risks related to uncertainty in the demand for scandium, the possibility that results of test work will not fulfill expectations, or not realize the perceived market utilization and potential of scandium sources that may be developed for sale by the Company. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of the Company's management at the time they are made, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances, should change. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. SAFEGUARDS | Consumer Products NO. 002/19 In March 2018, the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced a proposal from the European Union (EU) to amend the restriction of three phthalates (DEHP, DBP and BBP) under entry 51 to Annex XVII of REACH (Safeguard 54/18 [1] (https://www.sgs.com/en/news/2018/04/safeguards-05418-eu-proposes-to-expand-restriction-of-phthalates-under-reach?dc=http&lb=)). On December 18, 2018, the EU published Regulation (EU) 2018/2005 [2] (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018R2005&from=EN) to replace entry 51 to Annex XVII of REACH [3] (https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/aaa92146-a005-1dc2-debe-93c80b57c5ee). The new law contains, inter alia, the following important provisions: Expanding the number of restricted phthalates from three (DEHP, DBP and BBP) to four (DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP) Expanding the scope from plasticized materials in toys and childcare articles to plasticized materials in articles Providing a legal definition for 'plasticized material', 'prolonged contact with human skin' and 'childcare article' According to the definitions in the new law, 'plasticized material', 'prolonged contact with human skin' and 'childcare article' have the following meaning: 'Plasticized material' means the following homogeneous materials: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polyurethanes (PUs) Other polymer (including, among other things, polymer foams and rubber materials) except silicone rubber and natural latex coatings Surface coatings, non-slip coatings, finishes, decals, printed designs Adhesives, sealants, paints and inks 'Prolonged contact with human skin' means continuous contact of more than 10 minutes duration or intermittent contact over a period of 30 minutes, per day 'Childcare article' means a product intended to facilitate sleep, relaxation, hygiene, the feeding of children or sucking on the part of children The new legislation also exempts certain categories of articles from the restriction of these four phthalates. These include the following: Articles for industrial or agricultural use under certain conditions Motor vehicles (Directive 2007/46/EC) and aircraft placed on the market before January 7, 2024 Articles for the maintenance of aircraft and motor vehicles Articles placed on the market before July 7, 2020 Measuring devices for laboratory use Food contact materials and articles under Regulations (EC) 1935/2004 or food contact plastics under (EU) 10/2011 Medical devices under Directives 90/385/EEC, 93/42/EEC or 98/79/EC Electrical and electronic equipment (Directive 2011/65/EU) Immediate packaging of medicinal products The date of entry into force for the new law is January 7, 2019 (the twentieth day following its publication in the OJEU) Highlights of entry 51 to Annex XVII of REACH in the new law and a comparison with the same entry under the existing law are summarized in Table 1. Entry 51 to Annex XVII of REACH Regulation (EU) 2018/2005 amending Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 Phthalate DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP DEHP, DBP and BBP Scope (plasticized material) (i) Used as substances or in mixtures in toys and childcare articles (ii) Placing toys and childcare articles on the market (iii) Articles ---- Requirement < 0.1% (individually or in combination) = 0.1% (sum) Effective date January 7, 2019 for DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP for scope (i) above January 7, 2019 for DEHP, DBP and BBP for scope (ii) above July 7, 2020 for DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP for scopes (ii) and (iii) above In force Table 1. Definitions Item Acronym Phthalate CAS No. 1 DEHP Bis(2-ethylhexyl) 117-81-7 2 DBP Dibutyl phthalate 84-74-2 3 BBP Benzyl butyl 85-68-7 4 DIBP Diisobutyl phthalate 84-69-5 Next step: Stakeholders are advised to comply with the latest requirements for REACH for the EU market. SGS will follow up and inform interested parties as developments on REACH regulation occur. Our expertise combined with consultancy services and experience in consumer product supply chains provides a central point of contact for global solutions. If you would like to learn more about how SGS can support your REACH compliance activities please visit www.sgs.com/reach (http://www.sgs.com/en/sustainability/facilities-and-production/product-and-packaging/reach). For enquiries, please contact: Hingwo Tsang Global Information and Innovation Manager t: +852 2774 7420 Stay on top of regulatory changes within your industry: subscribe to SafeGuardS (http://www.sgs.com/en/Newsletters/Global/SafeGuards-and-Product-Recalls.aspx)! Read more articles for the Consumer Goods and Retail industry (http://www.sgs.com/consumercompact) A lot has been said and written about Shivarajkumar's next film Kavacha. The remake of Malyalam film Oppam was supposed to be released on December 7, 2018. However, for unknown reasons, it was delayed from being screened before the audience. Just when fans couldn't wait any longer and were expecting the film to be out soon, reports are making rounds that Kavacha's release has been delayed further by two weeks! We have learned that Kavacha will be hitting the cinema theaters on January 18, 2019. The movie stars Shivarajkumar and Kurthika Jayakumar in the lead. Other stars including Isha Koppikar, Baby Meenakshi and Vasista will also be seen sharing the screen space with the hatrick hero. Shivarajkumar will be playing the role of a blind man and apparently, his acting is brilliant. However, the delay in movie's release is bothering the fans immensely. Though the movie is a remake of Malyalam film Oppam, director GVR Vasu has altered about 50% of the script. Talking about incorporating changes, he told Times Of India in an interview, "Malayalam and Kannada audiences are different, which is why I took my time with altering the script. Since I had a ready script, I could look at what worked and didn't with the original, and alter it accordingly. Action and thriller elements are enhanced in Kavacha, as are emotions. But none of this was done with the intention of introducing a change; the change in genre was simply an outcome." MOST READ : Is Rashmika Mandanna Drunk As She Celebrates New Year In Pondicherry? View PICS To Know More! Shivarajkumar was last seen in the blockbuster Villain, alongside Kiccha Suddep. Kavacha is going to be the first remake film the actor is working on in 14 years! We are surely looking forward to the movie. Are you too? Let us know in the comments below. Kader Khan and 30 INTERESTING stories from his life, struggle and stardom in Bollywood | FilmiBeat Veteran actor Kader Khan passed away due to an illness on December 31, aged 81. He had appeared in over 300 movies, after making his debut in Rajesh Khanna's 'Daag'. Among his many on-screen partnerships, Kader Khan and Shakti Kapoor's pairing was legendary. The two worked in over a 100 films together, across genres. In a recent interview, Shakti Kapoor spoke at length about Kader Khan's life for the last decade, and how he felt ignored by the film industry. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Shakti Kapoor shared his sorrow about the sad demise of Kader Khan. He said, "It's a very sad moment. I am in Goa and I have been mourning since I heard the news of Kader Khan's death. It's not a very good first day of the year." Shakti Kapoor and Kader Khan had developed a close friendship over the years. Upset that Kader Khan was not given his due recognition when he was alive, Shakti Kapoor said, "Now that he is gone, the film industry has been thinking about him. Why do people remember an actor when they are not alive? Why can't they say something nice when the person is working or when they are sick or when they are struggling? They only start talking about an actor when they are no more and they are not around to hear it all." "I am upset by this because I have lost many of my best friends in the industry who were lauded when they died but no one remembered them when they were alive. They were not spoken about, their achievements were not mentioned," he added. Revealing something sad, Shakti Kapoor said that Kader Khan was lonely during his last decade and was suffering. He said, "When Kader Khan was not working for the last decade and was suffering, nobody was very concerned about him. Why was he left so lonely? And why are actors left so alone when they are sick or not doing too well? Kader Khan was financially very secure but very lonely because when he was sick, not many people visited him or spent time with him. He was left alone with his family." Shakti Kapoor always thought Kader Khan would make a comeback. "I always believed he is going to stage a comeback because knowing such a strong man, I thought he could easily fight it out. I believed he will come back to Mumbai and we will work together again. But it didn't happen," he said. MOST READ: Sonali Bendre's Touching Birthday Wishes From Friend Sussanne Khan & Hubby Goldie Behl Ranveer Singh & Alia Bhatt's look from Gully Boy get REVEALED; Poster out | FilmiBeat Ranveer Singh impressed one and all with his cop act in Rohit Shetty's Smmba. Now, get ready to witness the actor in an all-new avatar in Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy where he shares screen space with Alia Bhatt for the very first time. After dropping the first look poster of the movie yesterday, the makers have unveiled a brand new poster featuring Ranveer. The 'Simmba' actor took to his Twitter page to release the second poster which has a caption that reads, "Apna Time Ayega". Have a look at it here- He shared one more poster where he and Alia look intense as they as they listen to music on their ear phones while looking into opposite directions. Check it out here- Gully Boy is based on the life story of street rappers Vivian Fernandes aka Divine and Naved Shaikh aka Naezy. Speaking about the film, Ranveer had earlier said, "Gully Boy is very dear to me. I strongly feel for these characters, these people are marginalized disenfranchised people from the lowest strata of the society who have a very tough existence. It's a very difficult life. They find their expressions as artists. They have started a music scene that is so unique. It is in Mumbaiya bhasha (dialect). These kids are 17 or 19 and they are writing social commentary about what's fuck**d up in this system. They are making such strong observations, strong comments on the state of affairs. What I feel will bring a change is that now thousands of kids are listening to that. So I will do what I can do to give this musical talent a platform." Recently in an interview, the actor had confessed that he is glad he was chosen for 'Gully Boy', as he would have felt jealous had another actor been cast. "I swear, if there was any other actor in this teaser and it wasn't me, I would have been burnt to a crisp. I'd be so jealous. It is Mumbai. It's hip-hop. It is me! (laughs) It is a very special time. This year has been very special," he was quoted as saying by BizAsia. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, Gully Boy is slated to release on 14th February, 2019. Film-maker David Dhawan remembered veteran writer-actor Kader Khan as the "king of writing emotions" and a performer who believed in improvisation. Khan and Dhawan delivered some of the biggest hits of '90s and early 2000s including Shola aur Shabnam, Hero No 1, Coolie No 1, Aunty No 1, Haseena Maan Jayegi and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi among others. "He has done such great work. He was a fine writer and an actor as well. He played his innings very well. I have enjoyed working with him. He was so talented," Dhawan told PTI. Khan passed away on Tuesday after prolonged illness in Toronto, Canada, where he was hospitalised. He was 81. Recalling his first meeting with Khan during the making of Bol Radha Bol in 1992, the director said the actor-writer was a professional par excellence. "I remember going and meeting him first in 1992 during Bol Radha Bol and he was such a big star then. When he used to hear the story and discuss scenes he was so professional and humble. He used to give suggestions and improvise a lot. He contributed a lot in my journey," he added. RIP Kader Khan: View Rare & Unseen Pictures Of The Legendary Actor Dhawan said as a writer Khan had the flair of penning emotional and dramatic sequences. "I remember when I used to get stuck with a scene, he would write the scene and perform it spectacularly. He used to write lovely lines, especially for emotional and dramatic scenes. He was the king of writing emotions." The director said even though people in the film industry loved Khan, he never got the credit he deserved. "...He has played a great innings and I salute him. I feel the credit he should have got, he did not get. Film industry people have always loved him. He used to believe in enjoying his work to the fullest," he said. Dhawan's son, actor Varun also paid homage to Khan saying his contribution to his father's cinema was "limitless". When Kader Khan Said: People Just Want Shahrukh & Salman Khan's Films, They Don't Care About Content (PTI News) 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. Pig producers are urging MPs to back Theresa Mays Brexit agreement ahead of a critical rescheduled vote in mid-January. The prospects of the UK leaving the EU without a deal increased in December as the Prime Minister failed to gain the necessary parliamentary support for her agreement. The vote was due to be held last month but was put on hold after May admitted she was set to lose. The National Pig Association (NPA) and NFU have now described a 'no deal' Brexit scenario as a potential disaster for the sector. As the sector enters 2019, pig producers find themselves in a position it has never been in before, according to NPA chairman Richard Lister. There is so much uncertainty in term of our trading relations it is a worrying time for everybody, he said. He highlighted, in particular, indications that while UK exporters could face tariffs on shipments to the EU, the Government is planning to waive import tariffs to keep food prices low. He added: That is hugely worrying and would have a devastating impact on the sector. These people that espouse a no deal Brexit have no comprehension of what that involves. Until Brexit is sorted, there is a huge dark cloud hanging over us the worst case scenario is horrendous, he said. The tariff on a sow is 45p/kg. When sow slaughterers tell you under a zero tariff regime, they will be able to pay 2p/kg, rather than 60p/kg today, you know you are in trouble. Brexit is scheduled to officially take place in less than 90 days. And while the clock keeps ticking, the NFU said it is still unclear as to what will happen and when and how that will impact on British food and farming. In its new year message, the union said leaving the EU with no deal will be 'catastrophic' and could have a 'devastating impact' on the millions of people working in the industry, 'threatening' livelihoods and 'severely undermining' farm businesses. by Michael DiBiasi | Clippers Correspondent | Wed, Jan 2nd 8:55am EST Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 45 points on 16-of-22 shooting in a 122-116 home win over the Utah Jazz. Leonard added six rebounds, one assist, and had two turnovers in 35 minutes. Fantasy Impact: Leonard dominated helpless Utah defenders thorougout the night with a combination of aggressive drives to the basket and unstoppable mid-range jumpers. Leonard scored 19 of his career-high 45 points in the third quarter. This was the third 40 point game of Leonards career and he has now scored 20 or more points in a career best 14 straight games. Leonard will be eager to continue his dominant play when he returns to San Antonio on Thursday night to take on his former team. A STRONG BUY ALERT has been issued for this little known cannabis company that can produce pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis at half the cost of its competitors. According to analysts, its an advantage that could help the company become a world leader in the medical cannabis sector Flotek Industries, Inc. operates as a technology-driven chemistry and data company that serves customers across industrial, commercial, and consumer markets in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Chemistry Technologies and Data Analytics. The Chemistry Technologies segment designs, develops, manufactures, packages, distributes, delivers, and markets reservoir-centric fluid systems, including specialty and conventional chemistries, for use in oil and gas well drilling, cementing, completion, remediation, and stimulation activities designed to maximize recovery in new and mature fields, as well as to reduce health and environmental risk by using greener chemicals. This segment serves integrated oil and gas, oilfield services, independent oil and gas, international supply chain management, and national and state-owned oil companies. The Data Analytics segment designs, develops, produces, sells, and supports equipment and services that create and provide valuable real time information about the composition and properties for customers' oil, natural gas, and refined products. This segment sells Verax analyzers, deployed in the field across the oil and gas sector, to support contracts and software services via its cloud-based Viper software platform, as well as sells hardware-related solutions. It sells its products directly through its sales force and contractual agency arrangements. The company was incorporated in 1985 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More A STRONG BUY ALERT has been issued for this little known cannabis company that can produce pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis at half the cost of its competitors. According to analysts, its an advantage that could help the company become a world leader in the medical cannabis sector Paul Mueller Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides manufactured equipment and components for the food, dairy, beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, and other industries. The company operates through four segments: Dairy Farm Equipment, Industrial Equipment, Field Fabrication, and Transportation. The Dairy Farm Equipment segment provides milk cooling and storage equipment and accessories, refrigeration units, and heat recovery equipment for use on dairy farms to dealers, as well as directly to farmers; and services for farmers, as well as milk coolers for rent to farmers. The Industrial Equipment segment offers biopharmaceutical and pure water equipment; heat transfer products; and stainless steel, alloy processing, and storage tanks, as well as food, beverage, chemical, and industrial processing equipment. The Field Fabrication segment provides field-erected tanks, vessels, equipment installation, process piping, retrofit and/or repair of process systems, and turnkey design and construction services for processing plants. Its products are used in sanitary and industrial process applications. The Transportation segment transports products to customers and field fabrication sites, and backhauls of materials and components, as well as offers contract carriage services for third parties. The Company was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Pearson: AEL (S) PTE Limited, ATI Professional Development LLC, Addison Wesley Longman Inc., Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc., Aldwych Finance Limited, Americas Choice Inc., Atkey Finance Limited, Author Solutions, Axis Finance Inc., CAMSAWUSA Inc., CTI Education Group (Pty) Limited, Camsaw Inc., Casapsi Livraria e Editora Ltda, Centro Cultural Americano Franquias e Comercio Ltda., Century Consultants Ltd., Certiport, Certiport China Co Ltd, Certiport China Holding LLC, Certiport Inc., Cogmed Systems AB, Connections Academy of Arkansas LLC, Connections Academy of Florida LLC, Connections Academy of Iowa LLC, Connections Academy of Maine LLC, Connections Academy of Maryland LLC, Connections Academy of Minnesota LLC, Connections Academy of Missouri LLC, Connections Academy of Nevada LLC, Connections Academy of New Jersey LLC, Connections Academy of New Mexico LLC, Connections Academy of New York LLC, Connections Academy of Oregon LLC, Connections Academy of Pennsylvania LLC, Connections Academy of Tennessee LLC, Connections Academy of Texas LLC, Connections Education Inc., Connections Education LLC, Connections Education of Florida LLC, Dominie Press Inc., Dorian Finance Limited, Dorling Kindersley Australasia Pty Limited, EBNT Canada Holdings ULC, EBNT Holdings Limited, EBNT USA Holdings Inc., Edexcel Limited, Edexcel South Africa Pty Ltd, Education Development International plc, Education Resources (Cyprus) Limited, Educational Management Group Inc., Educational Publishers LLP, Embanet ULC, Embanet-Compass Knowledge Group Inc., EmbanetCompass, Embankment Finance Limited, English Language Learning and Instruction System Inc., Escape Studios Limited, FBH Inc., Falstaff Holdco Inc., Falstaff Inc., GED Domains LLC, GED Testing Service LLC, George (Shanghai) Commercial Information Consulting Co. Ltd, Global Education, Global George I Limited, Global George II Limited, GlobalEnglish, Globe Fearon Inc., Guangzhou Crescent Software Co. Ltd, Heinemann Education Botswana (Publishers) (Proprietary) Limited, Heinemann Publishers (Pty) Ltd, INTELLIPRO INC., Icodeon Limited, IndiaCan Education Private Limited, Integral 7 Inc., Integrated Analytics LLC, J M Solucoes Exportacao e Importacao Ltda, K12 Learning Services LLC, Kagiso Education Pty Ltd, Knowledge Analysis Technologies LLC, LCCI International Qualifications (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., LCCIEB Training Consultancy. Ltd, Learning Catalytics, LessonLab Inc., Lignum Oil Company, Linx Brasil Distribuidora Ltda., Longman (Malawi) Limited, Longman Australasia Pty Ltd, Longman Group(Overseas Holdings)Limited, Longman Indochina Acquisition L.L.C., Longman Kenya Limited, Longman Mocambique Ltda, Longman Romania S.R.L., Longman Swaziland (Pty) Limited, Longman Tanzania Limited, Longman Zambia Educational Publishers Pty Ltd, Longman Zambia Limited, Longman Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, Longmaned Ecuador S.A., Major123 Limited, Maskew Miller Longman (Pty) Limited, MeasureUp LLC, Modern Curriculum Inc., Multi Holding, Multi Treinamento e Editora Ltda, NCS Information Technology Services (Beijing) Co Ltd, NCS Pearson Inc., NCS Pearson Pty Ltd, NCS Pearson Puerto Rico Inc., National Computer Systems Japan Co. Ltd, Ordinate Corporation, PN Holdings Inc., PT Efficient English Services, Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Pearson (Guizhou) Education Technology Co. Ltd., Pearson Affordable Learning Fund Limited, Pearson America LLC, Pearson Amsterdam B.V., Pearson Australia Finance Unlimited, Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd, Pearson Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Pearson Australia Pty Ltd, Pearson Benelux B.V., Pearson Books Limited, Pearson Brazil Finance Limited, Pearson Business Services Inc., Pearson Canada Assessment Inc., Pearson Canada Finance Unlimited, Pearson Canada Holdings Inc, Pearson Canada Inc., Pearson Central Europe Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Pearson College Limited, Pearson DBC Holdings Inc., Pearson Desarrollo y Capacitacion Profesional Chile Limitada, Pearson Deutschland GmbH, Pearson Digital Learning Puerto Rico Inc., Pearson Dollar Finance Two Limited, Pearson Dollar Finance plc, Pearson Educacion SA, Pearson Educacion de Chile Limitada, Pearson Educacion de Colombia S A S, Pearson Educacion de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pearson Educacion de Panama SA, Pearson Educacion de Peru S.A., Pearson Education (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Pearson Education Achievement Solutions (RF) (Pty) Limited, Pearson Education Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Education Asia Limited, Pearson Education Botswana (Proprietary) Limited, Pearson Education Hellas SA, Pearson Education Holdings Limited, Pearson Education Inc., Pearson Education Indochina Limited, Pearson Education Investments Limited, Pearson Education Korea Limited, Pearson Education Limited, Pearson Education Namibia (Pty) Limited, Pearson Education Publishing Limited, Pearson Education S.A., Pearson Education SA, Pearson Education South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Education South Asia Pte. Ltd., Pearson Education Taiwan Ltd, Pearson Education do Brasil S.A, Pearson Educational Measurement Canada Inc., Pearson Educational Publishers LLC, Pearson Egitim Cozumleri Tikaret Limited Sirketi, Pearson Falstaff (Holdings) Inc., Pearson Falstaff Holdco LLC, Pearson France, Pearson Funding Five plc, Pearson Funding Four plc, Pearson Funding Two Limited, Pearson Holdings Inc., Pearson Holdings Southern Africa (Pty) Limited, Pearson IOKI Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Pearson India Education Services Private Limited, Pearson India Support Services Private Limited, Pearson Institute of Higher Education, Pearson International Finance Limited, Pearson Investment Holdings Inc., Pearson Italia S.p.A, Pearson Japan KK, Pearson Lanka (Private) Limited, Pearson Learning China (HK) Limited, Pearson Lesotho (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Loan Finance No. 3 Limited, Pearson Loan Finance No. 4 Limited, Pearson Loan Finance No.2 Unlimited, Pearson Loan Finance Unlimited, Pearson Longman Uganda Limited, Pearson Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Pearson Management Services Limited, Pearson Management Services Philippines Inc., Pearson Maryland Inc., Pearson Netherlands B.V., Pearson Netherlands Holdings B.V., Pearson Nominees Limited, Pearson Online Tutoring LLC, Pearson Overseas Holdings Limited, Pearson PEM P.R. Inc., Pearson PRH Holdings Limited, Pearson Pension Nominees Limited, Pearson Pension Property Fund Limited, Pearson Pension Trustee Limited, Pearson Pension Trustee Services Limited, Pearson Professional Assessments Limited, Pearson Real Estate Holdings Inc., Pearson Real Estate Holdings Limited, Pearson Schweiz AG, Pearson Services Limited, Pearson Shared Services Limited, Pearson South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Strand Finance Limited, Pearson Sweden AB, Pearson VUE Philippines Inc., Pearson in Practice Holdings Limited, Pearson in Practice Skills Based Learning Limited, Pearson in Practice Technology Limited, Penguin Capital LLC, Phumelela Publishers (Pty) Ltd, ProctorCam Inc., Reading Property Holdings LLC, Rebus Planning Associates Inc., Reston Publishing Company Inc., Rycade Capital Corporation, Shanghai AWL Education Software Ltd, Silver Burdett Ginn Inc., Skylight Training and Publishing Inc., Smarthinking Inc., Sound Holdings Inc., Spear Insurance Company Limited, Stark Verlag GmbH, Sunnykey International Holdings Limited (BVI), TQ Catalis Limited, TQ Clapham Limited, TQ Education and Training Limited, TQ Global Limited, TQ Group Limited, TQ Holdings Limited, The Financial Times (I) Pvt Ltd, The Learning Edge International pty Ltd, The Waite Group Inc, Trio Parent Holdings LLC, US Learning Services LLC, USLS Holdings LLC, Virtual Nerd, Vue Testing Services Israel Ltd, Vue Testing Services Korea Limited, Wall Street Institute Kft., Williams Education GmbH, eCollege.com, and Editions Du Renouveau Pedagogique Inc.. A STRONG BUY ALERT has been issued for this little known cannabis company that can produce pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis at half the cost of its competitors. According to analysts, its an advantage that could help the company become a world leader in the medical cannabis sector Canopy Growth Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, distribution, and sale of cannabis for recreational and medical purposes primarily in Canada, the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. It operates through two segments, Cannabis, Hemp and Other Consumer Products; and Canopy Rivers. The company's products include dried cannabis flowers, oils and concentrates, and softgel capsules. It offers its products under the Tweed, Quatreau, Deep Space, Spectrum Therapeutics, First & Free, TWD, This Works, BioSteel, DNA Genetics CraftGrow, Tokyo Smoke, DOJA, Van der Pop, and Bean & Bud brands. The company also provides growth capital and a strategic support platform that pursues investment opportunities in the global cannabis sector. Canopy Growth Corporation has a clinical research partnership with NEEKA Health Canada and NHL Alumni Association to examine the efficacy of CBD-based therapies as part of the mitigation of persistent post-concussion symptoms. As of February 14, 2020, it operated 28 cannabis retail stores under the Tweed or Tokyo Smoke name. The company was formerly known as Tweed Marijuana Inc. and changed its name to Canopy Growth Corporation in September 2015. Canopy Growth Corporation is headquartered in Smiths Falls, Canada. Read More 37 States Have Legalized Cannabis - Here's What To Do Next (Ad) What companies will benefit the most from full legalization? You might be surprised! And this full report reveals everything you need to know... Get The Full Report Here HARTFORD Members of the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission (CJPAC) held their final meeting last week and took time to reflect on what many said were monumental, positive changes to the system they helped manage. While the Malloy administration certainly has its critics, one of the of pluses of his eight-year tenure as governor that even some of his naysayers give him credit for is the sharp decrease in the number of prisoners. At last weeks meeting, outgoing Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and members of CJPAC took a few bows for that accomplishment while acknowledging there is still much work left to do for Gov.-elect Ned Lamont and his administration. Outgoing Under Secretary for Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Michael P. Lawlor referred to the most recent statewide crime trends report that showed overall reported crime in 2017 in Connecticut was the lowest in 50 years. The report, which is based on the most recent 2017 data, said there were 71,883 index crimes, which are crimes involving victims, i.e. murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson. The highest year for those type of crimes was 1990, the report said, when 177,068 occurred. The total number of statewide arrests for all crimes dropped by 41 percent between 2009, when statewide arrests peaked at 138,719, and 2017, when there were 81,408 arrests - a drop of 7.5 percent from 2016. By analyzing recent trends, the criminal justice policy and planning office is projecting that there will likely be about 6 percent fewer arrests when all statistics are compiled for 2018 than there were in 2017. The report said that since Malloy took office in 2011, statistics show that the overall crime in the state has declined 19 percent, including a 19 percent decline in violent crimes. Addressing members of CJPAC, Malloy said the group got amazing things done. He added: When it comes to criminal justice reform and prison reform Connecticut is the leading state in the nation. He said the state has been successful in shutting down the high school to prison pipeline during his tenure in office. Lawlor, who was thanked by his fellow CJPAC members for his tireless efforts in tackling criminal justice issues, said he sometimes reflects back to his days as a state legislator in the 1980s when bringing up the issue of criminal justice was radioactive. Lawlor, who will be teaching criminal justice as a tenured professor at the University of New Haven, even brought an old campaign slide he used when running in East Haven for the state legislature in the 80s which had a photo of a campaign pamphlet which said: Mike Lawlor is making sure they do the time, with a picture of a prisoner in handcuffs. Times have really changed, Lawlor said, referring to the fact that President Donald Trump recently signed into law the First Step Act, an act which enacts prison and sentencing reforms, giving judges more leeway in sentencing, retroactively applying earlier sentencing reforms and paving the road for earlier pre-release custody for certain inmates. The First Step Act had bipartisan support, a rarity these days in Washington. Lawlor said the federal law is very similar to what Gov. Malloy led the way on in Connecticut. CJPAC was established under Public Act 06-193 . It held its first meeting in February of 2011. It was formerly the Prison and Jail Overcrowding Commission. Members of CJPAC heaped praise on Lawlor for his stewardship of the committees work the past eight years. Your ability to bring everybody together to work collaboratively, was one of your biggest strengths, Judge Patrick L. Carroll told Lawlor. The news wasnt all rosy at CJPACs last meeting as Lawlor and outgoing Corrections Commissioner Scott Semple said the incoming administration will be saddled with the ongoing problem of too many imprisoned being granted special parole. The legislature in 2016 approved legislation designed to re-focus use of special parole sentences on high risk, violent and sexual offenders. The measure was suppose to address the overuse of special parole sentences on non-violent offenders, while allowing parole officers to focus their attention on the highest risk offenders. But Lawlor and Semple said the problem is far from fixed. While many of members, besides Lawlor will be leaving their work as the new administration takes over January 9, the members said the mission of reducing crime, reducing prison population and reducing spending will continue. Members said Lamont has made a good first step by nominating nominating Rollin Cook to be his Department of Corrections Commissioner, replacing outgoing Semple. Cook most recently served as the executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections. Cook will begin serving as the Commissioner-designate when Lamont is inaugurated. His nomination will be sent to the General Assembly for its advice and consent. Rollin Cook is a national expert and a leader in his field, and brings to this role experience as both a correctional officer and as an executive manager, said Lamont. Semple, also a member of CJPAC, said Lamont couldnt have made a better choice to replace him. Semple said he has worked with Cook in the past and hes highly respected on a national level. I am very, very pleased that Rollin has agreed to come here, Semple said. He was highly recruited around the country. Hes probably the best candidate in the country. Lamont has expressed an interest in carrying on many of Malloys criminal justice reforms. Re: Majority rule lacks the science, Opinion, Dec. 23: Alan Preston makes a number of claims in this commentary. There is a lot to unpack. He states, If a majority of voters decide that marijuana is appropriate, they can legalize marijuana through a process I call mob rule. I am not convinced this is an appropriate way to legalize a Schedule 1 substance. First, marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug, along with heroin, LSD and ecstasy. Schedule 2 drugs include cocaine, oxycodone and fentanyl. Some of these Schedule 2 drugs are significant players in the opioid crisis. Marijuana has helped people get off opioids, and nobody has ever died from a marijuana overdose, yet marijuana is classified as more dangerous. Did scientists determine the drug schedules? Was there pressure from pharmaceuticals to prevent marijuana from competing with their drugs? Second, he may call it mob rule, but mob rule would involve the majority forcing their will on the minority. This is mob UNrule, telling the government to stay out of our lives. He also states, We are witnessing increasing nullification of federal laws by states and cities throughout the country. Our country was founded on the principles of law and order, and the nullification of federal law is a disturbing trend. He may be disturbed by nullification, but the Constitution was agreed to by the states. The federal government is limited to the powers in Article 1. The Kentucky Resolutions of 1798, written by Thomas Jefferson, called for the states to nullify unconstitutional laws. Since the Constitution does not give the federal government the power to regulate drugs, the states are right to nullify drug policy. Think of it this way: You take your car into the shop for engine repair and the shop decides to paint your car as well. This is beyond the scope of the agreed contract. Similarly, the states formed the federal government with specific powers enumerated in Article 1. When the federal government goes beyond those powers, the states have the right to declare those actions unlawful. He next states, There are reasons we have a federal government to help standardize and manage certain aspects of our civil society. States have separate rights, as enumerated in the Constitution As much as I believe in individual freedom and liberty, I do believe there are times when it is necessary to centralize policymaking. The Constitution gives broad enumerated power to the federal government to regulate commerce (i.e., the Commerce Clause). If Mr. Preston truly believed in individual freedom and states rights, he would want the federal government to adhere to the Constitution and let the states perform their rightful functions. As James Madison said, The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation and foreign commerce. . The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives and liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement and prosperity of the State. Thomas Nichta lives in San Antonio. San Antonios first baby of 2019 arrived just in time. Prisca Belem Garcia Lara was born at the stroke of midnight at University Hospital. Weighing in at 5 pounds, 13 ounces, the baby girl is a blessing to her family in more ways than one. At one point, her parents worried they wouldnt be able to have any children. Javier Garcia and Marcela Lara Perez had tried to conceive for a decade. So much time passed that Garcia had just about lost hope. Then, after moving to San Antonio, the couple finally welcomed their first child, a boy named Jose Javier Garcia. Jose was premature and tiny, weighing a little more than 2 pounds when he was born at University. He spent the next 70 days in the hospitals neonatal intensive care unit, but he survived. Thats why I came with my girl here, because I saw the care, said Garcia, 52, while Jose, now 2 years old, sat on his lap. The boy looked at Perez, 43, with a tinge of jealousy as she cradled his new sister, who slept soundly in a pink hat and onesie even as the hospital room grew crowded Tuesday afternoon with carts of gifts, reporters, news cameras and microphones. Jose held a stuffed bear wearing a red University of the Incarnate Word shirt, just one present out of a pile of items the family received for having the citys first baby of the new year. Those presents, donated largely by area hospital systems, included several gift baskets, a car seat, an infant activity center and a portable playpen. The family was also handed a certificate for a $10,000 UIW scholarship over four years for the 2019 New Years Baby. San Antonios hospitals have celebrated the New Years baby since 2000. Back then, hospital communications staff would communicate by phone tree as they tried to ascertain which baby had been delivered first. But on Monday night into Tuesday morning, the hospitals public relations representatives touched base over group text. Leni Kirkman, senior vice president for strategic communications and patient relations at University, named the conversation Baby New Year in her phone. Hi all! University here! Natalie in L&D says: We had a baby at 0000, wrote Elizabeth Allen, the hospitals senior public relations specialist, indicating the babys arrival in military time. Anyone else? she added, followed by a smiley face. Wow. Perfect timing!!! Congratulations, texted a spokeswoman for Methodist Healthcare System. Wowza!!! Congrats, UHS! wrote a Baptist Health System communications manager. Checking in now, but looks like youre probably the winners. By early Tuesday, the hospitals had confirmed that Priscas punctual arrival was indeed the first of the year. Planned births by induction or Cesarean section are disqualified. Perez and Garcia both said they were shocked by the circumstances of Priscas birth and overwhelmed by the flurry of attention they have received as a result. Doctors had projected the girls due date to be around Dec. 30 or 31, but after eight hours of labor she had arrived just as 2019 began, on the dot. Its something special, Garcia said. Im blessed. Lauren Caruba covers health care and medicine in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | lcaruba@express-news.net | Twitter: @LaurenCaruba Family, friends and colleagues of longtime Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo filled the 500-seat San Fernando Cathedral on Wednesday night to pay homage to the man described by his closest friend as one of the good guys. County Judge Nelson Wolff had the crowd laughing at times as he recalled the 171/2 years they overlapped on the court: partnering on multimillion-dollar, far-reaching projects from health care to the arts, grabbing lunch at Elizondos favorite haunts like Garcias on Fredericksburg Road, relaxing with ice tea at the close of the day. We seemed to be a lot smarter on those evenings, Wolff said. Elizondo, 83, started his career as an educator but his legacy was sealed by nine terms as the Precinct 2 commissioner. He died Dec. 27 at his home, seven weeks after he won re-election. Earlier in the day, a long line of mourners braved a chilly rain to attend a visitation held for the general public at the cathedral, where Elizondo was baptized, received his first communion, gave his first confession, served as an altar boy and married wife Irene 54 years ago. At the cathedral, a funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. today, and like the visitation, will be broadcast on Catholic TV, Channel 15 on Spectrum cable. In his eulogy, former Mayor Henry Cisneros started with Elizondos early years when his parents, Pablo and Petra, instilled in him the values of frugality and hard work. As the couples only son, he was given the nickname Rorro, or the Golden Child by his grandmother. Cisneros spoke of how music was a force in Elizondos life. After graduation from Central Catholic High School, Elizondo earned a scholarship and studied music at St. Marys University, played the saxophone, formed a popular orchestra, performed with many notable musicians and served as band director at public schools in San Antonio. He met Irene at a dance in Mission County Park, where he was performing. Service in the Marines taught Elizondo about patriotism and the needs of veterans, Cisneros said. As a teacher, Elizondo learned about financial inequities plaguing schools. If we look we carefully, we can see that at the core of it all was a continuous, never wavering commitment to give his lifes energy to helping people, he said. The frugality he was taught on the farm turned Elizondo into a master of the county budget. As a musician and band leader, Elizondo listened to all sides and worked with others. His Marine background led him to stay the course, Cisneros said. He pushed, cajoled, persuaded, noodled, adjusted, attacked and defended in order to meet a public need. This last election, he ran again despite physical hardship to do a little more, to complete unfinished work, to give one more measure of his failing energy. There was no quit in this Marine: Semper Fi. Cisneros said that family was of utmost importance to Elizondo, who spent Christmas Eve with Irene; sons David, Richard and John; and granddaughters before his unexpected death three days later. We miss Paul. People who never met him will miss his expertise and his wisdom. Children who are not yet born will live better because a man named Paul Elizondo lived, Cisneros declared. He then read a statement from the family, thanking everyone for the outpouring of love and support. All of you here and all of you watching this on television are yourselves the ultimate tribute to Pauls legacy, it read. When Wolff eulogized his closest friend, he recalled the trips he and Elizondo took to New York and Chicago to meet with municipal bond companies. At night, they hit the jazz clubs. After one such evening, Elizondo, Wolff and his wife, Tracy, were returning to their hotel at 2 a.m. See you later, Elizondo told them as they stepped out of a taxi. The musicians had asked him to come back and jam. The next morning, after staying out all night, Elizondo showed up at an 8 a.m. meeting alert as a bird, Wolff said. On the policy side, Wolff spoke of the millions of dollars Elizondo approved for new health clinics and medical facilities in San Antonio, including $18 million for a new Paul Elizondo Adult Behavioral Health Clinic that will be go up at 928 W. Commerce St. Wolff pledged the restoration of San Pedro Creek and the Alameda Theater two projects close to Elizondos heart will be brought to completion, and that when they are, You will be there with us. Elizondo barreled ahead despite significant health issues, Wolff said, and doctors orders. I found him inspiring and a wondrous sight to behold as he overcame one difficult health threat after another. And that was what Paul was about, giving it all he had, regardless of what adversity he faced. The rosary concluded with Cisnernos reading a letter from Bill and Hillary Clinton that extolled Elizondos efforts, particularly regarding mental health services. Then, musicians gathered around his flag-draped casket with their horns to play. Those who attended the visitation earlier Wednesday praised Elizondo for his commitment to public service. Roy Pedroza drove from Atkins to attend the viewing and rosary. A retired cameraman, he was friends with Elizondo for more than 30 years and worked in the media with his son David. Paul was a great man and had a huge impact on San Antonio. He was so well-respected and his whole family was wonderful, Pedroza said. Dee Villarrubia, who served as deputy county chair in Precinct 2 from 2010 to 2012, said Elizondos whole life was one of service to his country, his community, his state. He was all about values, not making profit. Rebecca Q. Cedillo, interim CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said she first met Elizondo when she was 19. Over the years he was a mentor, a colleague, a kick in the butt. Paul was soft, he was hard, he was semper fi. He was human. He never forgot his roots, and he told you to always do what is right, she said. Martin Alvarez, 18, said Elizondo was the band teacher at Memorial High School when his father attended. He was a great political icon and a friend to our community, Alvarez said. Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | mstoeltje@express-news.net | Twitter: @mstoeltje It was the late 1970s and San Antonio City Councilman Bernardo Eureste was in a bad mood. Eureste, the councilman from District 5 once called the prince of destruction by Henry Cisneros, kept interrupting the City Council meeting by hopping out of his seat. Eventually, recently re-elected Mayor Lila Cockrell had enough. The gentleman will take his seat, Cockrell ordered. When Eureste failed to comply, she repeated the order. And then repeated it again. Exasperated, she asked the chief of police, who happened to be present, to escort the councilman from the chambers. In about 15 minutes, Cockrell writes in her new autobiography, Love Deeper Than a River (Trinity University Press, $22.95), a handwritten note from Bernardo was brought to me, asking if he could come back if he promised to stay in his seat. I sent word that he could return. He came back and quietly took his seat in a respectful way. The anecdote, one of many such stories peppered throughout the book, illustrates how Cockrell, warm and gracious on the outside, could be tough as nails on the inside. More than one longtime observer described Cockrell who served as the citys first female mayor from 1975 to 1981 and then again from 1989 to 1991 as an iron fist in a velvet glove. It was an attribute that served her well as a groundbreaking politician who excelled as a consensus builder during some of the most turbulent times in the citys political history. Reading and book signing Who: Lila Banks Cockrell What: "Love Deeper Than a River" When: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 24 Where: The Twig Book Shop, 306 Pearl Parkway See More Collapse She was, hands down, the most important and influential woman politician in San Antonio during the last half of the 20th century, said Roddy Stinson, a former Express-News columnist who covered City Hall from 1974 to 2008. And with the obvious exception of (former mayor) Henry Cisneros, she was arguably the most significant political leader, period, during the era when the Alamo City changed from a sleepy large Texas town into a prominent American city. On ExpressNews.com: Lila Cockrell exemplifies service to community Written with local author Catherine Nixon Cooke, Love Deeper Than a River was a now or never project, according to the 96-year-old Cockrell, who said people have been urging her to write it for years. (The title refers to her affection for San Antonio and its river.) While the book serves as a handy history of San Antonios emergence onto the national stage, it also suggests how modern politicians at all levels may find a way past the tribal politics that often paralyze their ability to govern. The future San Antonio mayor got her start in politics as a 6-year-old growing up in Forest Hills, New York. Then known as Lila Banks, she tried to organize a parade in support of Herbert Hoover, the Republican candidate for president in 1928. I grew up hearing my family talk about politics and, because they had Republican leanings, I, of course, supported the Republican candidate, she said in an interview. But all the other families in the neighborhood were Democrats, so none of my friends were allowed to help. And that ended my parade. Later, in 1942, as she pursued her teaching certificate at Southern Methodist University, she did a research project examining how the concept of separate but equal, the Supreme Court-approved policy of state-sponsored segregation, was working in the Dallas public school system. I found that educational spending in black school districts was about half that in white districts, she said. So there was definitely discrimination going on, although this wasnt something that was talked about back then. On ExpressNews.com: Women shaped San Antonio It was a controversial topic at the time, especially for a 20-year-old college student. But it helped inform the ideals she later exhibited as a city councilwoman and mayor when, for example, she worked diligently to bring more women and minorities onto the boards of municipal agencies such as City Public Service, the water board and City Transit, now VIA Metropolitan Transit. She did this, she said, because in many ways, these boards controlled the development of the city. She helped bring folks who might never have gotten involved in government become involved, said Jane Macon, who served as city attorney during Cockrells time in office and became a friend. Cockrell credits her experience in high school and college debate for her ability to carefully consider all sides of an argument before making a decision. I can remember having conversations with my good friend Gen. McDermott, she said, referring to the late Robert F. McDermott, an Air Force general who became chairman and CEO of USAA. When I was in office, McD would often share his opinions on different matters with me. Id listen politely and then I would give a pause and say, I understand why youre suggesting certain things, but Im not agreeing with you and this is why. At least he understood that there could be a possibility that theres another plan. She rarely held grudges. The day after the Bernardo Eureste outburst, for example, he came to her office and said hed been thinking about whether she had the authority to have him escorted from the council chambers. Her response? Im not positive I did either, she said. But you didnt think of that yesterday. They both had a good laugh, she said, and as Eureste learned to control his temper, We really got along better than it might have appeared on the surface. As are many trailblazers, Cockrell often was overlooked and discounted. Once, at a national meeting, the man sitting next to her asked, And what do you do, little lady? I work in city government, she answered. And what do they call you? In San Antonio, they call me Mayor Cockrell. On ExpressNews.com: In recent years, some mayors broke the glass ceiling In the foreword to the book, Cisneros writes that when Cockrell ran for mayor in 1975, it was as if (she) had been preparing her entire life to lead a city that needed her steady hand and calming leadership. But, he continues, she was more than just a political pioneer. In 1977, for example, she deftly guided the city through the transition from at-large governance, in which council members are chosen by the full electorate, to a new era of single-member districts a change made under pressure from the U.S. Justice Department following the 1975 expansion of the Voting Rights Act. Previously, a group of mostly conservative businessmen calling themselves the Good Government League had hand-selected a slate of council members, including Cockrell, all of whom almost invariably had been elected. That changed with the move to single-member districts, and the ideological gulf between City Council members was wider than ever when Cockrell took office, according to Joe Aldrete who represented District 7. We had far-right conservatives and far-left liberals on that council, Aldrete said. And we were also a majority-minority council, which was unusual because previous councils had always been made up mostly of Anglo men. But Lila was able to work with everyone. Cockrell doesnt use her autobiography to settle scores. Shes too polite and too interested in protecting her legacy. She pulls her punches when it comes to criticizing anyone by name. For example, while discussing the various city managers she worked with, she writes, Jerry Henckel was a competent city manager. But I was aware of some personal issues that he had that were beginning to be talked about. She never explains what those issues were. She seems hesitant to crow about perhaps her biggest coup, persuading what is today Valero Energy Corp. to move its headquarters from Corpus Christi to San Antonio. Today, the company is No. 31 on the Fortune 500 list adn a generous donor to charities and civic causes. I am happy that my firmness in the negotiations brought this business growth to our city, she writes. Even at 96, Cockrell is hesitant to speak out on current political issues, although she did appear in a TV commercial last fall with the current and several former mayors, urging people to vote against the recent city charter amendments backed by the firefighters union. The amendments were presented in a way that was very difficult for the citizens to fully understand the complexity of it, she said, not long after two of the three proposals were approved. Now, one of the national credit rating institutions has already downgraded our rating. Im thankful that the other two agencies have not changed, but theyre probably observing us at least. She spoke well of one of her successors as mayor, Julian Castro, who recently announced the formation of a presidential exploratory committee, calling him a nice person and expressing enormous respect for his and his brother Joaquins mother and grandmother. I would just say, she added, hes still pretty young. So well just have to see how it goes and where things go on the Republican side. Speaking of the Republican side, is she willing to say what she thinks of the current occupant of the White House? You may ask. Does she support Donald Trump and is she happy with what hes done? I would say some things he has done have worked out well, but I think other things have not. It troubles me when someone in that leadership role has the kind of interpersonal, rancorous disputes with so many people. What does she like that hes done? Apparently there are a few things that he has done to cause the economy to still be very good. And to keep the economy stable is very helpful. Anything else? No. Still, almost nine decades after abandoning her Herbert Hoover parade, Cockrell remains a Republican with a caveat. I have reserved the right to vote for those Democrats that I like, she said. For example, although he was a strong Democrat, I got along great with Henry B. Gonzalez, a political legend who served on the city council and the Texas senate and represented San Antonio in Congress for nearly 40 years. I thought he was an honest man, and a dedicated public servant whose heart was in the right place. With her, it seems, personal relationships always trump partisan politics. Richard A. Marini is a features writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini Qusay Hussein lost his eyesight in a car bombing in Iraq that killed 16 people. Ann Humphries lost her vision gradually over about 20 years, the result of a hereditary condition that was diagnosed when she was in her 30s. And musician Ray Paz was born blind, his white eyes scaring the other children when he was growing up. Hussein, Humphries, Paz and 42 other people from across the country who are blind or have deep bonds to people who are visually impaired told their stories to photographer Michael Nye. They talked about how they lost their sight, how they navigate the world as a result and how that impacts the way sighted people view and interact with them. Nye is now sharing those stories and his portraits of those who told them twice over: In My Heart is Not Blind: On Blindness and Perception, an exhibit at the Witte Museum, and in a book of the same name that Trinity University Press is publishing in February. In the exhibit, each of Nyes powerful black-and-white photographs is paired with a roughly five-minute recording drawn from the interviews. The recordings can be heard through headphones that hang below each image. Listening to them creates a sense of intimacy, which is intentional. I really worked on my audio, said Nye, 70. I feel like theyre present with you. He spent up to four days with each of the people featured, talking to them about their lives and taking photos. I think one of the hardest things is trying to have fidelity to each persons experience not romanticize it, not make it worse, just try to be consistent with what their experience is, he said. On ExpressNews.com: SA artist Gary Sweeney says goodbye to childhood home He also aimed to present a broad range of perspectives to paint as complete a picture as possible of what it is like to be blind. The experiences of those who are blind from birth are very different from those who lost their vision later in life, he said. And someone who lost their sight suddenly has a different perspective than someone who lost it gradually. Blindness itself takes different forms, too. Some of the people in the exhibit are able to detect some things visually; others are not. Its complex, Nye said. Like all of our lives are complex. Nye also included a couple of sighted people with blind loved ones. Jack Levine talks about his experiences with his father, describing serving as his fathers eyes as being double-sighted. And Christina Wright talks about the pain of learning that her son Weston had been born blind and then of her fierce determination to make sure he has a full life. The title is drawn from Nyes interview with Frances Fuentes, a single mother who lost her sight when her son was 11 months old. She talked to Nye about her battle to raise the boy by herself, something some people thought she wouldnt be able to do because of her blindness. I fought with my tears, she told Nye. I started crying so much for my son. I had to show them how much I loved him, how much I needed him. Being blind, its not an obstacle because my heart is not blind. Having a kind heart, a loving heart, is more important than being blind. My Heart is Not Blind follows Nyes earlier projects dealing with teen pregnancy, hunger and mental illness. All of those exhibits toured, and Nye is now reaching out to museums across the country for the new show. His hope is that the exhibit will help dispel prejudices toward and misconceptions about blindness. On ExpressNews.com: Yo-Yo Ma is coming to San Antonio He became more convinced than ever of the need for that when he was shopping the book around to publishers. In the text, each of the portraits is accompanied by a narrative drawn from Nyes interviews. The manuscript was given to blind readers people who assess manuscripts with no knowledge at all about the author and hes still floored by one of the responses. This one person wrote back, I found these narratives from the blind and visually impaired to be so articulate I questioned whether these stories are really the sentences spoke by these participants. Would each of these participants recognize these words as something they actually said? Thats what they have to deal with, Nye said. This is why this is a fight. This is really important. Its not about Michael Nyes exhibit. Its about discrimination. Its about justice. Its about fairness. Its about those issues that really matter. And thats why I want this exhibit to travel. Hes been working on the project for about seven years, though the idea for it began germinating about three decades ago. He was invited to give a gallery talk to some blind students during an exhibition of his work in Saudi Arabia. The experience stayed with him. It was profoundly different, he said. Their attention, their listening it almost changed the air. I had never experienced anyone really listening with just full presence. And I thought to myself, I would love to have conversations with these individuals. What do they know that I dont? Whats it like to focus on other aspects of your senses? And they asked questions like - its in my introduction (to the book) - whats black and white mean? Why are you a photographer? What does this photograph mean? Whats beauty thats not visual? How does anyone understand the world outside themselves blind or sighted? Nye asked similar questions when he finally decided the time was right to explore blindness and perception. One of the first people he spoke to about it was Larry Johnson, a San Antonio-based writer and motivational speaker who lost his sight as a baby. Johnson and Mike Gilliam, president and CEO of the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired, helped Nye connect with people to photograph and interview. He allowed me to listen to some of (the recordings), and I was very, very impressed and very moved by their comments and conversations, said Johnson, 85. Many of these people were folks that I had known for a very long time and had recommended to Michael, so hearing them speak with such depth and with such honesty was very revealing and very profound. Johnson himself took part as a subject, as well. He is hoping the project will create empathy and dispel some of the fear that sighted people have about blindness. I do a lot of sensitivity training workshops, and I am very much aware of the fact that most people consider blindness as almost as scary as death, he said. It is something that is hard for someone who has sight to really understand, how you could continue to live and be satisfied living in an environment where you no longer can see. And, in fact, I can tell you that my wife, who is now deceased, we were married for 47 years and even she feared blindness, even though she lived with me all those years. And so, Im hoping that, by listening to the conversations of the various participants, that it will reassure people and it will allow them to see, if I may say, to really see, people who are blind in a different light. Among the people whom Johnson suggested that Nye reach out to was Natalie Watkins. Johnson had gotten to know her through the Alamo Council of the Blind, an advocacy group. Nye visited with her twice, and there are two portraits of her in the show. The first time he talked to her, she still had some vision, though she was legally blind; seven years later, she said, she had lost her central vision completely, the result of retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive disease that was first diagnosed when she was a teenager. Talking to Nye at those very different points in her life was helpful, she said. Among other things, she was able to detect some of her own biases. I was so able-ist, said Watkins, 45, who is working on a project to help blind and disabled people increase their marketability. I definitely felt like I was worth more with sight and it took a lot of soul searching and a deep evaluation of my personal philosophy to get to a point where I realized a persons worth is not based on what they can do in the same manner that everybody else does it. Its amazing how entrenched that belief system gets in our minds. Being part of Michaels project helped me get some perspective on that. It had this really beneficial impact on my life it was almost a therapeutic benefit. When youre living with something on a day-to-day basis, you dont often get the opportunity of getting a broad perspective on what youre going through. Like Nye and Johnson, she hopes the exhibit helps those with sight shake their misconceptions about blindness. Marise McDermott, president and CEO of the Witte, already has gotten a sense of the potential power of the exhibit. We did bring in some children, some 10-year-olds, and they were so moved, McDermott said. There were some children with special needs, and one young boy said, Im so glad you brought this exhibition because I see me. Nye debuted his earlier projects at the Witte, as well, a point of pride for the museum. Each of these exhibitions brings to light the way people live, McDermott said. All of us live extraordinary lives in one way or another, but often we focus on the ordinary and not the extraordinary. And this is such a great opportunity to hear peoples versions of their lives. And I think this exhibition really provokes the critical question of what is perception, what is seeing. My Heart is Not Blind: On Blindness and Perception opens Saturday and can be seen through March 31 at the Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway. Nye will give a talk about the show at 6 p.m. Jan. 23. Tickets cost $15 for Witte members and $25 for non-members. Info, wittemuseum.org. dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN Deborah Martin is an arts writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN Seven special discounts offered by Overseas Adventure Travel were shared today by the director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. As part of the organization's 2019 message to insurance professionals, the Association's director shared details regarding a number of special incentives and savings available. "We anticipate another hard working year by agents who market long-term care insurance and Medicare Supplement insurance policies," commented Jesse Slome, AALTCI's director. "Rest assured that we will continue to make available special offers and news of valuable savings that can benefit you." The Association director's message shared seven price reductions of up to $1,000 per-person on select OAT adventures. The savings were for the following tour packages Australia & New Zealand: Adventure Down Under ($700 per-person), Pure New Zealand ($500 per-person), Crossroads of the Adriatic ($500 per-person), Irish Adventure ($500 per-person), South Korea and Japan ($1,000 per-person), Ultimate Australia ($500 per-person) and New Zealand: Natural Wonders North & South ($500 per-person). For complete details with the Discount Overseas Adventure Travel blog hosted by Slome at www.discountoverseasadventuretravel.com. Other savings announced by the Association included Discounts on WebCE continuing education programs and low-cost Errors and Omissions insurance that is available without having to belong to an organization. Wednesday, January 2, 2019 [embedded content] At the 2018 NFDA convention, Petra Lina Orloff, founder of the obituary writing service Beloved, made her booth a Mexican-themed celebration of life and death. Beloved sponsored this Mariachi band to play at the companys booth several times during the convention expo. In this video, they are playing the enduring popular tune, Cielito Lindo. The end of October and beginning of November is the time Mexicans and Central Americans celebrate Day of the Dead. The National Funeral Directors Associations conventions usually take place in late October, just before Day of the Dead. Beloveds Day of the Dead booth at NFDA 2018 Beloveds booth featured decorative skulls Orloff created, papel picado tissue paper flags, marigolds, LED candles, and urns by Porcelains Unlimited. They also featured examples of obituaries they have written for clients. Petra Lina Orloff founded Beloved to provide professional writers who specialize in the stories which celebrate life: obituaries and eulogies for our loved ones and our animal companions. Beloved provides a custom, personalized, handcrafted service for every piece they write. Learn more at www.Beloved-Press.com. Recorded at the 2018 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) convention and expo in Salt Lake City, Utah by Gail Rubin, CT, The Doyenne of Death. Gail is a pioneering death educator, author, speaker, blogger and funeral trade press journalist. Share this: The Pound to US dollar exchange rates traded lower on Tuesday 2nd January as currency exchange markets reacted to the UKs latest Manufacturing PMI. "On the surface then, this looks like a solid report of activity in the UK manufacturing sector" said Lloyds analysts in a post-report analysis piece. "However, as pointed out by IHS Markit in their accompanying commentary, the increase in the headline PMI reading was driven in part by a solid increase in stocks of purchases that mainly reflected Brexit preparations by manufacturers and their clients." According to data compiled and published by IHS Markit, headline growth in the UKs factory sector unexpectedly accelerated in December, with the manufacturing index jumping from an upwardly revised 53.6 to 54.2, beating forecasts it would have slipped back to 52.5. While this saw the UKs manufacturing sector expanding at its fastest pace since June, it failed to bolster Sterling sentiment at the start of the European session. This appeared to be mostly a result of the surge in growth likely being temporary as activity in the sector was bolstered by demand from businesses and individuals stockpiling items in preparation for a potential disruptive Brexit. Duncan Brock, Group Director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply explained: Preparation and mitigation were the key activities in the manufacturing sector this month resulting in a small improvement in overall activity. Businesses stockpiled raw materials and finished goods at near survey-record rates in readiness for possible Brexit-related supply chain disruptions. Though the overall index figure was higher than last month, this should be viewed with some scepticism. Whilst the road to Brexit remains mired in the mud of indecision and disagreement, there is likely to be some correction in the sector this year as Brexit buffer stocks are depleted and overall output could fall. US Dollar (USD) Exchange Rates Accelerate as Risk Appetite Slumps Meanwhile the US Dollar (USD) punched higher during the European session on Wednesday as the US currency was able shake off some off its recent weakness as a result of the continued US government shutdown thanks to a rise in demand for safe-haven currencies. This came mostly as a result of the some disappointing Chinese data released overnight in the Asian trading session, with Chinas own Caixin Manufacturing PMI revealed Chinese factory growth contracted for the first time in 19 months in December. This was quickly followed by the Eurozone PMI figures, which confirmed growth in the blocs private sector slowed sharply through 2018. However the US Dollar was poised to give up some ground by the end of Wednesdays session with the release of the ISM manufacturing PMI amidst forecasts that activity in Americas own factory sector may have slowed somewhat at the very end of 2018. GBP/USD Exchange Rate Forecast: Brexit Jitters to Drag on Sterling Sentiment Through the Start of 2019? Looking ahead, the start of 2019 is likely to prove rocky for the Pound US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate amid heightened Brexit anxiety as we enter the final stretch before the UK officially leaves the EU. Of particular concern for markets is the upcoming parliamentary vote on Theresa Mays Brexit deal, with investors unclear what a potential defeat of her plan will mean for Brexit. However in the meantime GBP investors are likely to focus on the release of the UKs latest Services PMI on Friday, with Sterling likely to sink if growth in the UKs largest wealth generating sector is shown to have remained also most stagnant at the end of 2018. Meanwhile USD investors are likely to be focused on the upcoming US payroll figures, also to be released on Friday. This may see the US Dollar surge higher if payrolls are shown to have rebounded last month after a weaker-than-expected reading in November. Quiet Week Ahead of Brexit Debates and Meaningful Vote The Pound Sterling (GBP) drifted higher over Fridays and Mondays sessions, seeing out the year on a positive footing against a softening US Dollar (USD) at a three week high of $1.269. Sterling gained versus the Euro (EUR) although to a lesser extent, ending the year, peaking at 1.1199 in Fridays session before settling at 1.1120. While markets remain thin theres the potential for some erratic price action as low liquidity coupled with high volatility ahead of the all-important meaningful vote expected in mid-January. Commerzbank FX Strategist, Thu Lan Nguyen comments, Sterling is a bit volatile before the Parliament vote next month but there are a lot of cross-currents at play, highlighting not only the impending Brexit vote but also the softening of the USD in light of the government shutdown due to a lapse in appropriations and moderated projections as the Fed indicate less rate hikes ahead. Data is sparse for all majors today, with the GBPs main release the monthly manufacturing PMI, printing an above forecast 54.2, versus expectations of a decline to 52.5 with IHS Markit Director, Rob Dobson commenting, December saw the UK PMI rise to a six-month high, following short-term boosts to inventory holdings and inflows of new business as companies stepped up their preparations for a potentially disruptive Brexit." Implied volatility remains at a local high of 13.77% indicative that large fluctuations are expected with investors cautious amid continued Brexit uncertainty. Prime Minister May chose to postpone the meaningful vote due to originally take place December 11th in light of overwhelming opposition in the House of Commons that almost guaranteed an overwhelming defeat while assurances from EU leaders were sought over key contentious issues such as the Irish backstop solution. While such assurances have not been forthcoming, support for a second referendum and preparations for a managed no deal Brexit scenario have grown and with Parliament in recess until 7th January, any serious developments are unlikely through the remainder of the week. US Dollar Defensive as Global Geopolitics Weigh, Fed Outlook Dampened The US Dollar (USD) softened into the New Year amidst concerns over the protracted federal government shutdown, a bleaker outlook for Fed funds rate hikes and growing global concerns, both trade-related and politically. Nevertheless, the US Dollars performance throughout 2018 far exceeded that of other developed markets, marking the strongest USD growth year since 2015. Commenting on the last-minute decline Scotiabanks chief FX strategist, Shaun Osborne said, The U.S. dollar is heading into the end of the calendar year on the defensive as global stocks bearing in mind that some markets are done for the year already perk up following positive comments on U.S.-China trade from President Trump. The partial federal government shutdown continues into the new year following lapse in appropriations as President Trump failed to pass a bill that would secure short-term funding measures, retaliating to a rejection of a funding request for $5B to construct a US-Mexico border wall. Government is due to reconvene with new Senators and members of Congress to be sworn in to office this week amidst hopes of a resolution. Concerns over the US-China trade war continue to weigh. Over the weekend President Trump reported he had a very good call with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping however, as Osborne highlights, Weve heard this all before and are still awaiting concrete details, of course. Tensions with North Korean returned to the headlines over the weekend as North Korea threatened a new path if currently imposed economic sanctions arent eased. In response, Trump tweeted, I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim. The two leaders met in an historic show of good faith in 2018 and while initial reactions were positive the two nations failed to pursue any meaningful changes to the current belligerent footing. US economic data is lacking for the day with the weekly highlight expected to be Fridays US job report with Danske Bank analysis suggesting that, Given the relatively dovish pricing of Fed hikes in 2019, the balance of risk is probably skewed towards a stronger USD on the jobs report. ECB Appoint Administrators to Prominent Italian Lender The Euro remained sluggish into the new year with little to buoy investor spirits or engagement with the single currency. Recent economic data suggests the bloc could be sliding into economic slowdown territory as global cross-currents weigh on activity. Wednesday saw the European Central Bank (ECB) appoint administrators to Italys Banca Carige following the lenders failure to raise capital late in 2018. In a press release, the ECB said, The ECB appointed Fabio Innocenzi, Pietro Modiano and Raffaele Lener as temporary administrators ... tasked with safeguarding the stability of (Carige). A compromise between Italian finance ministers and the EU, saw the passing of an amended Italian 2019 budget with a deficit of 2.04%, down from the initial 2.40% proposed and alleviating some concern over growing internal conflicts. Italian and French PMIs continued to disappoint with manufacturing indexes printing sub 50.0 at 49.2 and 49.7 respectively. The Spanish PMI contracted further than expected to 51.1, a 28 month low, and German manufacturing recorded an on forecast static release of 51.5 representing a 33 month low. Likewise, the overall Eurozone PMI registered no change with an as expected 51.4 release. "A disappointing December rounds off a year in which a manufacturing boom faded away to near stagnation," said IHS Markit's chief business economist, Chirs Williamson, adding "the undercurrent of weak demand and growing risk aversion evident across the surveys suggests that any rebound could prove modest at best, with Brexit representing a particularly worrying unknown for the outlook. Oil Continues to Decline into 2019, Weighing on Loonie The Canadian Dollar (CAD), despite robust domestic growth and a shiny new trade deal with the US and Mexico (USMCA, aka NAFTA 2.0) ended 2018 with its worst annual performance since 2015, down 7.7% for the year and hitting a 19 month low versus the US Dollar (USD) on the last trading day of the year. Rahim Madhavji commented on the Loonies performance, It has been a pretty terrible year for the Canadian dollar The combination of a flight to safety plus weak oil is a recipe for disaster for the Canadian dollar. The price of oil has continued to weigh heavily with the end of the year seeing a brief dip below $50/barrel before recovering to the current levels of around $52, representing a drop of around 40% since October highs. While OPEC+ and Albertan producers look set to curb output, with OPEC+ cuts of 1.2 million barrels per day coming into effect from the start of 2019, CAD investors await the market reaction with trepidation. Australian Dollar Hampered By Disappointing Chinese Manufacturing PMI The Australian Dollar (AUD) kicked of the new year on a dismal footing, slumping to its lowest levels versus the US Dollar (USD) in almost 3 years despite a softening USD. The AUD/USD exchange rate is currently trading a $0.702, reminiscent of rates not seen since January 2016 and with the current 10 year low ($0.6827) within sight. The weakness has been, at least partially, attributed to a downturn in Chinese manufacturing output with Markits overnight release of the Caixin Manufacturing PMI printing 49.7, the first foray into contraction territory since June 2017. Market analyst at Commsec, James Tao comments, China of course being a major trading partner, it's a big part of our economy," highlighting the Australian Dollars vulnerability to global developments. While the Fed have indicated less rate hikes than previously expected in the year ahead, the current rate differential still makes the US Dollar more attractive to investors relative to the AUD. New Zealand Dollar Relatively Safe Bet Amid Global Economic Tension Closing out 2018 with a 5.4% decline versus the US Dollar (USD), the New Zealand Dollar (NZD) entered 2019 oscillating around $0.67 in a tight range between $0.669 (lower) and 0.672 (upper). Underperformance versus the Greenback in 2018 has largely been attributed to rate differentials as the Feds aggressive rate-hiking policy prompted four quarter point hikes throughout 2018. Looking ahead however, expectations for further hikes are limited with market pricing significantly less optimistic than the FOMCs indications of two 2019 quarter point hikes. Kiwibanks Mike Shirley commented, We had four hikes this year, but hikes in 2019 and beyond have been pared back significantly as time has gone on the kiwi drifted lower for most of the year then started to recover. Given the commodity export makeup of the NZ economy, the NZD has emerged largely unscathed amid the current oil price crisis given the primarily agricultural and lumber driven export industry however should Chinese economic activity continue to flag, the NZD is likely to suffer. The week is data-sparse for the NZD but given global cross currents, Shirley speculates on NZD appreciation as a relatively stable government and low government debt relative to GDP make it an attractive option for investors, saying From a global perspective, New Zealand is looking like an increasingly safe pair of hands." I have been dealing with European Watch Company for over ten years, and have purchased several wrist watches, including IWC, Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Jaeger-LeCoultre. 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Scott Blalock San Francisco The most likely source of the cholera epidemic in Yemen has been discovered by scientists The most likely source of the cholera epidemic in Yemen has been discovered by scientists. Through the use of genomic sequencing, scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Institut Pasteur estimate the strain of cholera causing the current outbreak in Yemen - the worst cholera outbreak in recorded history - came from Eastern Africa and entered Yemen with the migration of people in and out of the region. The results, published today (2 January) in Nature show that genomic data and technologies can enable researchers to estimate the risk of future cholera outbreaks in regions like the Yemen and ultimately be used to better target interventions. Yemen is facing the worst epidemic of cholera since records began. The disease has affected over 1 million people and caused almost 2,500 deaths*. The United Nations estimate that 16 million of the 29 million people in Yemen lack access to safe water and basic sanitation**. The population in Yemen has experienced two outbreaks of cholera; the first occurred between September 2016 and April 2017, and the second began later in April 2017 and has since resulted in more than 1 million suspected cases. To understand the nature of the strain of bacteria behind these devastating cholera outbreaks, researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Institut Pasteur and their collaborators sequenced the genomes of Vibrio cholerae from cholera samples collected in Yemen and nearby regions. The team sequenced 42 V. cholerae samples from both Yemen outbreaks. To do this samples were collected in Yemen itself and from a Yemeni refugee centre on the Saudi Arabia-Yemen border, along with 74 other cholera samples from South Asia, the Middle East and Eastern and Central Africa. Researchers compared these genomic sequences to a global collection of over 1000 cholera samples from the current and ongoing pandemic, known as the seventh cholera pandemic, which began in the 1960s and is caused by a single lineage of V. cholerae, called 7PET. Scientists discovered that the cholera strain causing the Yemen epidemic is related to a strain first seen in 2012 in South Asia that has spread globally, but the Yemeni strain did not arrive directly from South Asia or the Middle East. This particular cholera strain was circulating and causing outbreaks in Eastern Africa between 2013 and 2014, prior to appearing in Yemen in 2016. Professor Nick Thomson, from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "Genomics enabled us to discover that the strain of cholera behind the devastating and ongoing epidemic in Yemen is likely linked to the migration of people from Eastern Africa into Yemen. Knowing how cholera moves globally gives us the opportunity to better prepare for future outbreaks. This information can help inform strategies for more targeted interventions with the ultimate aim of reducing the impact of future epidemics." Dr. Francois-Xavier Weill, Head of the Institut Pasteur's Enteric Bacterial Pathogens Unit, said: "Genomic analysis continues to show its power to provide a high resolution, detailed view of the bacteria that causes cholera, Vibrio cholerae, which is critical to tackling this devastating disease. Like the other major cholera outbreaks around the world, we discovered that the atypical strain of bacteria behind the Yemeni cholera epidemic is linked to the single lineage called 7PET, which is responsible for the current and ongoing global pandemic. This potentially enables us to focus our research and direct interventions towards this particular lineage of Vibrio cholerae to greater effect." Contrary to previous theories that the two outbreaks of cholera in Yemen were caused by two different strains, this study revealed they were caused by the same strain of the Vibrio cholerae bacterium that entered the Yemen in 2016. While most strains of cholera that are causing epidemics are resistant to many antibiotics, the team discovered the unusual finding that the Yemeni cholera strain was susceptible to many of these antibiotics. Dr Daryl Domman, a visiting scientist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, now based at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States, said: "Surprisingly, we discovered the cholera strain causing the Yemen outbreaks is less resistant to antibiotics than related strains. The strain causing the Yemeni cholera epidemic has deleted four genes responsible for resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics, making itself more vulnerable to treatment." Dr Marie-Laure Quilici, a scientist in the Institut Pasteur's Enteric Bacterial Pathogens Unit and Head of the National Reference Center for Vibrios and Cholera, said: "This study illustrates again the key role of genomic microbial surveillance and cross-border collaborations in understanding global cholera spread. All countries need to be aware of this and act accordingly if they are to achieve the targets set by WHO's Global Task Force on Cholera Control, which aims to reduce the cholera death toll by 90 per cent by the year 2030." ### Notes to Editors: *World Health Organisation Outbreak update - Cholera in Yemen, 19 July 2018 http://www. emro. who. int/ pandemic-epidemic-diseases/ cholera/ outbreak-update-cholera-in-yemen-19-july-2018. html **United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - About OCHA Yemen https:/ / www. unocha. org/ yemen/ about-ocha-yemen Publication: Francois-Xavier Weill, Daryl Domman et al. (2018) Genomic insights into the 2016-2017 cholera epidemic in Yemen. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0818-3 Funding: This study was supported by the Institut Pasteur, Sante publique France, the French government's Investissement d'Avenir programme, Laboratoire d'Excellence 'Integrative Biology of Emerging Infectious Diseases' (ANR-10-LABX-62-IBEID), Wellcome (098051) and the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India. Selected websites: About the Institut Pasteur and the Institut Pasteur International Network The Institut Pasteur, a private foundation with officially recognized charitable status set up by Louis Pasteur in 1887 and inaugurated on November 14th, 1888, has been, for the past 130 years, an internationally renowned center for biomedical research with a network of 33 institutes worldwide. In the pursuit of its mission to prevent and fight against diseases in France and throughout the world, the Institut Pasteur operates in four main areas: scientific and medical research, public health and health monitoring, teaching, and business development and technology transfer. More than 2,500 people work on its Paris campus. The Institut Pasteur is a globally recognized leader in infectious diseases, microbiology, and immunology. Its 130 units also focus their research on certain cancers, genetic and neurodegenerative diseases, genomics and developmental biology. This research aims to expand our knowledge of living organisms in a bid to lay the foundation for new prevention strategies and novel therapeutics. Since its inception, 10 Institut Pasteur scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine, including two in 2008 for the 1983 discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS. http://www. pasteur. fr/ en The Wellcome Sanger Institute The Wellcome Sanger Institute is one of the world's leading genome centres. Through its ability to conduct research at scale, it is able to engage in bold and long-term exploratory projects that are designed to influence and empower medical science globally. Institute research findings, generated through its own research programmes and through its leading role in international consortia, are being used to develop new diagnostics and treatments for human disease. To celebrate its 25th year in 2018, the Institute is sequencing 25 new genomes of species in the UK. Find out more at http://www. sanger. ac. uk or follow @sangerinstitute Wellcome As scientific funding becomes increasingly scarce, professors in STEM fields spend more time in their offices writing grant applications: by one estimate, as much as one-fifth of their research time. That takes time and energy away from teaching students, training young researchers and making discoveries that boost our collective knowledge and well-being. Two scientists believe that, with professors vying for such a small pool of funds, the grant-application process has become a competition not over who has the best ideas, but who is the best at writing grant applications. In a paper published Jan. 2 in the journal PLOS Biology, co-authors Carl Bergstrom, a professor of biology at the University of Washington, and Kevin Gross, a professor of statistics at North Carolina State University, use the economic theory of contests to illustrate how this competitive system has made the pursuit of research funding inefficient and unsustainable. They show that alternative methods, such as a partial lottery to award grants, could help get professors back in the lab where they belong. To receive a grant today, professors apply to funding agencies like the National Science Foundation or the National Institutes of Health. Reviewers evaluate and rank the applications, and the highest-ranking applications receive grant funding. But over time, the percentage of proposals that receive funding has dropped dramatically. This is largely because the pool of available funds has not grown to keep pace with the number of STEM researchers. "Back in the 1970s, the top 40 to 50 percent of applications to agencies were funded," said Bergstrom. "Agencies merely had to separate the good research plans from the bad based on the grant applications." Funding thresholds for grant applications have tightened steadily since the 1970s. In 2003, only the top 20 percent of research project grant applications to the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases were funded. In 2013, the success rate had plummeted to 8 percent. Gross and Bergstrom argue that the funding pool has grown so small relative to the number of applicants that the nature of the grant-application process had changed. "When agencies only fund the top 10 or 20 percent, they aren't just separating bad ideas from good ideas," said Bergstrom. "They're also separating good from good." "This has two effects on the grant-application process," said Gross. "First, professors must apply for more and more grants before they're awarded one. Second, the application process becomes a contest to determine who can write the best grant proposals -- so professors spend more and more time trying to perfect each individual application." Gross and Bergstrom realized that today's grant-application process can be described using the economic theory of contests. In contest theory, teams compete to produce a product or complete a task for an agency; the agency picks a winner and retains the fruits of the team's efforts, while the winning team receives a prize such as cash. For the Netflix Prize, for example, teams competed to produce an algorithm that would predict how users would rank films on its streaming service. Netflix received the winning algorithm, while the winning team pocketed $1 million. "If we were to apply contest theory to grants, then professors are the ones competing to create a product -- the best grant application -- for the agency," said Gross. "That's not a particularly good system, though, because the funding agency doesn't want grant applications for their own sake. They want to fund research." In their paper, Bergstrom and Gross illustrate how the grant-application process is consistent with economic contest models. They show how funding a relatively small fraction of grant applications -- such as the top 10 or 15 percent -- makes the practice of science inefficient: The negative costs associated with trying to produce the best grant application could potentially outweigh the economic value of the science produced. If agencies funded a higher percentage of applications, professors could spend less time trying to write the perfect grant application. In addition, funding agencies wouldn't have to subjectively choose winners among high-quality proposals that are all based on sound science. But this option would require significantly expanding funding to agencies like the NIH and the NSF, a politically difficult task. Using the economic theory of contests, Gross and Bergstrom modeled a controversial alternative: awarding grants instead by partial lottery. Under a partial lottery system, funds are awarded by random draw among a pool of high-ranking grants -- the top 40 percent, for example. Since applicants would be aiming to clear a lower bar for a smaller prize -- a shot at the lottery instead of a guaranteed payout for winning proposals -- the contest theory model predicts that applicants would spend less time trying to perfect their applications, Bergstrom said. Partial lotteries have been proposed by others, such as UW professor of laboratory medicine Ferric Fang and Johns Hopkins professor Arturo Casadevall. They're also used by two funding agencies in New Zealand and the Volkswagen Foundation. Gross and Bergstrom simply use contest theory to show how this system could also free professors from the seemingly endless cycle of grant applications. But partial lotteries aren't the only viable solution, they say. Funding agencies could also award grants based on merit, such as a professor's past record of excellence in research. But that system also would need mechanisms to help early-career faculty and professors from underrepresented groups obtain grants, Bergstrom said. Hybrid systems are another option, such as a partial lottery for early-career faculty and merit-based grants for later-career faculty. "There are many potential routes out of the current hole," said Bergstrom. "What doesn't change is our conclusion that the current grant-application system is fundamentally inefficient and unsustainable." ### For more information, contact Bergstrom at cbergst@uw.edu and Gross at krgross@ncsu.edu. Adults with cerebral palsy have a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety than their peers without the condition, a new study in the journal JAMA Neurology reports. A team of researchers led by Dr Kimberley Smith from the University of Surrey and Dr Jennifer Ryan from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, funded by Brunel University London, investigated the mental health of those with cerebral palsy and compared it with peers of a similar age, sex and socioeconomic status, who were not sufferers. Intellectual difficulties, which can affect many with the condition, were also examined to determine if they have an impact on the development of depression and anxiety. Relatively little is known about the mental health of adults with cerebral palsy as it is often considered to affect only children, despite many living with the condition into adulthood. Researchers examined up to 28 years of UK primary care data of 1,700 adults aged 18 or older with cerebral palsy, and 5,115 adults who did not have the condition. Researchers found that the risk of depression was 28 percent higher and the risk of anxiety was 40 percent higher among adults with cerebral palsy who have intellectual difficulties compared to those without the condition. For those who had cerebral palsy but did not have an intellectual disability, the possibility of developing depression and anxiety increased further. The risk of depression was 44 percent higher and the risk of anxiety was 55 percent higher in adults with cerebral palsy who didn't have an intellectual disability, in contrast to their peers. Lead author Dr Kimberley Smith, Lecturer in Health Psychology at the University of Surrey, said: "More needs to be done to understand why those with cerebral palsy have a greater risk of developing depression and anxiety. "People with cerebral palsy face unique challenges as they age which could be linked to anxiety and depression. This study has allowed us to define the issue; the next step will be to better understand why it happens so we can develop targeted mental health interventions for this population." Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects muscle control and movement and is usually caused by an injury to the brain before, during or after birth. Latest figures from Scope, the national disability charity, has shown that cerebral palsy affects about one in every 400 children in the UK. It is anticipated by 2031 there will be a threefold increase in the number of people with cerebral palsy over the age of 65. "These findings support the need to consider cerebral palsy as a lifelong condition and to identify and address mental health problems among people with cerebral palsy alongside physical health problems," said Dr Jennifer Ryan, study co-author and StAR Research Lecturer at RCSI. "Despite historically being considered a paediatric condition, the majority of with cerebral palsy live well into adulthood, and many adults with cerebral palsy experience a worsening of impairments, including a decline in mobility. We hope that the findings of the study will help accelerate a response to adults with cerebral palsy who report inadequate provision of coordinated health services worldwide." ### This study also included researchers from Brunel University London, Queen Mary University of London and the University of Michigan. NARRAGANSETT, R.I. - January 2, 2019 - Last month's eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia and the deadly tsunami that followed caused two University of Rhode Island scientists to spring to action. Tsunami expert Stephan Grilli and volcanologist Steven Carey were planning to visit the site next summer to conduct surveys of the seafloor nearby. The area around Anak Krakatau is the former site of the Krakatau volcano, which erupted in 1883 and is still considered one of the largest catastrophic volcanic eruptions in modern history. The recent eruption of Anak Krakatau - which means "son of Krakatau" - is providing Grilli and Carey with a new opportunity to gain additional insights and create models that they hope will help the United States better prepare for future tsunamis. "Having real-time evidence like this allows us to test our ideas and validate our models," said Grilli, a professor of ocean engineering whose research contributes to the U.S. National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program. "We have seismic sources, volcanic islands and underwater landslides in the Atlantic and the Pacific that could cause tsunamis to hit our coastlines. So we're creating tsunami simulations and maps to show the potential inundation we could face." Through episodic bursts of lava called Strombolian eruptions, Anak Krakatau had been growing steadily since it emerged from the sea in 1928. Those bursts grew in intensity beginning last June, but on December 22 the volcano collapsed during an eruption. This type of collapse and associated tsunami had been anticipated in a paper published in 2012. "But it came without warning, so people were taken by surprise," said Grilli. More than 430 people were killed by the tsunami. Using tide gauges, satellite images and photographs, Grilli created a model of the volcanic flank collapse caused by the eruption that shows how part of the southwest side of the volcano slid into the water and generated the tsunami. "Close to the source, our model predicts the maximum wave height was about 40 meters, and there were multiple waves created with a short interval between them," he said. "The maximum reported impact was a wave of more than 16 feet at the village of Sumur on the coast of Java." The volcano has been greatly reduced in size and is still very active, which could cause difficulties for Grilli and Carey if they want to get close enough to survey the area around it in the coming months. "A big part of the volcano failed, and from a volcanological standpoint, seawater now has access to the vent, allowing water to mix with the hot magma," explained Carey. "That water flashes to steam and ruptures the magma, causing an explosive eruption. The result is going to be a different style of volcanism that will take place there in the future. It's a situation that has many hazards and will influence whether we can get close to it." Ideally, the scientists and their colleagues will maneuver a ship close enough to collect samples of the material that slid into the ocean, assess the volume of the material and how far it traveled along the seafloor. "Now we're estimating the volume of the collapse based on radar images, but we can't see the submarine part of the collapse," Carey said. Grilli and Carey were awarded a $489,000 grant from the National Science Foundation last spring to survey the site of the 1883 eruption, along with a matching grant to colleagues from England and California. They still intend to follow their original plan, though the recent eruption may move up their timeline. Their objective is to study the underwater deposits of lava from the 1883 eruption because many questions still remain about it. That eruption caused a 50-foot tsunami wave that wreaked havoc on the islands of Java and Sumatra, but scientists are still uncertain exactly how it happened. "The idea is that new surveys will help us recreate the mechanism of the eruption so we can model the tsunami that followed," said Grilli. "There are three possibilities, the most likely of which is a discharge of hot pyroclastic flows into the sea, but to prove it we need more data to simulate it." "There wasn't just one tsunami in 1883, there were many. And there wasn't just one mechanism for the eruption," added Carey. "We still have to explain how multiple tsunamis happened." Carey has studied the eruption of Krakatau since the late 1980s with URI faculty member Haraldur Sigurdsson, but for most of that time they studied it from a volcanological perspective. This is the first time it is being assessed using Grilli's sophisticated tsunami models. "When Krakatau erupted, there were no people there, but the energy of the eruption was transferred over a much larger area via the tsunami," Carey said. "There are present-day volcanoes that could have the same mechanism and create devastating tsunamis that we need to be prepared for today." ### Most hummingbirds have bills and tongues exquisitely designed to slip inside a flower, lap up nectar and squeeze every last drop of precious sugar water from their tongue to fuel their frenetic lifestyle. But in the tropics of South America, University of California, Berkeley, scientists are finding that some male hummers have traded efficient feeding for bills that are better at stabbing and plucking other hummingbirds as they fend off rivals for food and mates. The males' weaponized bills are good not only for pulling feathers and pinching skin, but also wrestling their rivals away from prime feeding spots. Using high-speed video cameras, the researchers have for the first time captured hummingbird fencing and feeding strategies in slow motion to document the various ways the birds use their bills to fight and the trade-offs they accept when choosing fighting over feeding prowess. "We understand hummingbirds' lives as being all about drinking efficiently from flowers, but then suddenly we see these weird morphologies - stiff bills, hooks and serrations like teeth - that don't make any sense in terms of nectar collection efficiency," said Alejandro Rico-Guevara, a Miller Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley and the lead scientist on the project. "Looking at these bizarre bill tips, you would never expect that they're from a hummingbird or that they would be useful to squeeze the tongue." Straighter bills are better for poking, which may explain why in some species females have curved bills to sip inside the curved bells of flowers but the males' beaks are less curved. This has sometimes forced the males to feed on different flowers than the females, ones more adapted to a straighter beak. "It is all about feeding efficiency in flowers versus proficiency in fighting," he said. Rico-Guevara acknowledged that hummingbirds have long been known as fierce fighters - they even attack hawks, owls and other birds if they perceive a threat - but the fights happen so fast that scientists haven't been able to see the actual outcome. "Because it happens so fast and they fly away, you can't track them," he said. "But also, people haven't actually looked at the details of the beaks. We are making connections between how feisty they are, the beak morphology behind that and what that implies for their competitiveness." Rico-Guevara is the lead author of a paper describing how the shape of the bill affects hummingbird feeding and fighting strategies in the January 2019 issue of the journal Integrative Organismal Biology. Nectar fuels their lives Rico-Guevara has been photographing and videotaping hummingbirds for more than a decade, often in the lush forests of his native Colombia, to understand how they have adapted to specialized niches. Some hummers, for example, feed on only one type of flower, a result of the flower and bird having evolved together. In some cases, a bird's beak won't fit in any other flower, while that flower's feeding tube is shaped so that no other birds' beak can slide in to get the nectar efficiently. This relationship provides a secure source of food - nectar - for the bird and a guaranteed pollinator for the plant. In the new paper, Rico-Guevara describes what he has discovered to date about the exquisite beak design that most hummingbirds, including North American hummers, have evolved for feeding, and the unique features of hummingbirds' forked tongues. He has shown, for instance, that their tongues are able to change shape quickly without an internal muscle, allowing them to pump and trap nectar without spending any additional energy: another stunning example of their efficiency, he said. "Extracting nectar is what fuels their lives," he said. As a result, they have developed "very flexible bills with very soft edges, soft, blunt bill tips that are concave, like a couple of spoons, that perfectly match the tongue to squeeze out the last drop of nectar. All of these traits make a good seal between the tongue tips that actually enhances the efficiency of nectar extraction." Yet in the tropics, including Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Costa Rica, males of many species don't fit this picture. Instead, they have stiff bills with a hard, conical, dagger-like tip, often hooked, plus rear-facing serrations like the teeth of a comb. High-speed video shows that the stiff, hard-tipped bill is ideal for poking other birds, while the hooked tip and serrations are a perfect way to snatch a feather or two. The males' wings are also adapted to be more aerodynamic - for in-flight fights - than are female wings. The weaponized bills of these males are unsuited to efficient nectar sipping, however, Rico-Guevara said, though he does not yet have data on how much less efficient their bills are because of these types of serrations and a hooked tip. The evolution of these unusual bills in tropical hummingbirds appears to be a result of increased competition. Elsewhere in the Americas, three or four hummingbird species may compete with one another in a given habitat; in the tropics, there could be 15. "We have discovered that these traits may be related to a different kind of strategy: instead of feeding on a particular flower shape very well, some birds try to exclude everybody from a patch of flowers, even though they can't feed as well on them as hummingbirds without bill weapons," Rico-Guevara said. "If you are good enough at keeping your competitors away, then it doesn't matter how well you use the resources in the flowers you are defending, you have them all to yourself." Not all fighters use their bills to protect their food. Others use their bills primarily to out-fence males competing for females at gathering places called leks. "A lek is like a singles bar, a place where many males get together and sing, sing, sing all the time," Rico-Guevara said. "The females go to these small spaces in the forest and pick a male to mate with. If you can get a seat at that bar, it is going to give you the opportunity to reproduce. So they don't fight for access to resources, like in the territorial species, but they actually fight for an opportunity to reproduce. And in the brief moments when there is no fighting, they go to feed on different flowers." He and his colleagues are continuing to study the adaptations that accompany hummingbirds' feeding and mating strategies in Colombia and elsewhere in Latin America, including why females and many other males, who also occasionally fight one another, have not weaponized their bills. ### Co-authors of the new paper are Margaret Rubega of the University of Connecticut at Storrs, UC Berkeley integrative biology professor Robert Dudley and visiting scholar Kristiina Hurme. The work was supported by the Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science. The first comprehensive, systematic review and meta-analysis of adults with autism shows that despite having an intact IQ, these adults have medium to large impairments in four key social- and non-social cognitive domains: theory of mind, emotion perception and knowledge, processing speed, and verbal learning and memory. The results may help create a roadmap for treating autism in adults, a population that is less studied and understood than children with the condition. The meta-analysis was conducted by the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in collaboration with City University London and published Wednesday, January 2, in JAMA Psychiatry. Autism is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction along with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. While autism affects functioning in many domains throughout an individual's lifespan, research and treatment efforts have largely been dedicated to children. A critical question that has remained largely unaddressed is whether there are cognitive domains that are more severely impaired than others. Despite the efforts of individual studies to increase the understanding of cognitive deficits in adults with autism, sample sizes were often small, yielding inconsistent findings. To directly compare the relative severity of impairments across cognitive domains in adults, Mount Sinai researchers aggregated all available autism literature and conducted a systematic review and analysis. Specifically, researchers from the Seaver Autism Center conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of autism-related studies published in the PubMed, PsychINFO, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases between 1980 (first inclusion of autism diagnosis in the DSM-III (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and July 2018. Studies were included if they were published as a primary peer-reviewed research paper in English, included individuals with autism aged 16 or over, and assessed at least one domain of neurocognitive functioning or social cognition using standard measures. The meta-analysis included 75 studies and a combined sample of 3,361 individuals with autism and 5,344 neurotypical adults. "Our findings have important implications for cognitive interventions in adults with autism. Current interventions for these individuals are primarily focused on improving individual adaptive social skills and social functioning," says Tjasa Velikonja, PhD, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Seaver Autism Center and first author of the paper. "While our results support the key social cognitive theories of autism treatments, they also highlight the importance of a broader approach when studying cognition and support interventions that also include non-social cognitive domains." ### The study was funded by the Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver Foundation, the Netherland Organization for Scientific Research and the Brain and Behavior Foundation. About the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai? The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai conducts progressive research studies aimed at understanding the multiple causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The multidisciplinary team is composed of experts in the fields of genetics, molecular biology, model systems, neuroimaging, biomarkers, diagnosis, and experimental therapeutics who are dedicated to discovering the biological causes of ASD. The Center strives to develop innovative diagnostics and treatments for integration into the provision of personalized, comprehensive assessment and care for people with ASD. The Seaver Autism Center was founded through the generous support of the Beatrice and Samuel A. Seaver Foundation. For more information, visit http://www. seaverautismcenter. org . 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. Seagrass beds are so effective in protecting tropical beaches from erosion, that they can reduce the need for regular, expensive beach nourishments that are used now. In a recent article in the journal BioScience, biologists and engineers from The Netherlands and Mexico describe experiments and field observations around the Caribbean Sea. "A foreshore with both healthy seagrass beds as well as calcifying algae, is a resilient and sustainable option in coastal defense", says lead author Rebecca James, PhD-candidate at the University of Groningen and the Royal Dutch Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), The Netherlands. "Because of erosion, the economic value of Caribbean beaches literally drains into the sea." Increasing erosion with climate change The authors looked at beaches of the Caribbean Sea, where almost a quarter of the Gross Domestic Product is earned in tourism, mainly around the beaches. "With the increase of coastal development, the natural flow of water and sand is disrupted, natural ecosystems are damaged, and many tropical beaches have already disappeared into the sea", co-author Rodolfo Silva, professor of Coastal Engineering at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma of Mexico says. "Until now, expensive coastal engineering efforts, such as repeated beach nourishments and concrete walls to protect the coast, have been made to combat erosion. Rising sea-level and increasing storms will only increase the loss of these important beaches." Experimental flume To find out to what extent seagrass beds are able to hold sand and sediment on the beach foreshores, James and her promotor, professor Tjeerd Bouma (NIOZ and Utrecht University), conducted a simple but telling experiment. With a portable and adjustable field flume to regulate water motion in a Caribbean bay, they observed when particles on the sea bed started moving. "We showed that seagrass beds were extremely effective at holding sediment in place", James says. "Especially in combination with calcifying algae that "create their own sand", a foreshore with healthy seagrass appeared a sustainable way of combating erosion." More seagrass, less erosion Along the coastline of the Mexican peninsula of Yucatan, the team put their theory to the test. "By looking at beaches with and without protection of healthy seagrass beds, we showed that the amount of erosion was strongly linked to the amount of vegetation: more seagrass, meant less erosion", co-author dr. Brigitta van Tussenbroek of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma in Mexico says. "At beaches where seagrass beds were destroyed, the researchers saw a sudden strong increase in erosion, resulting in an immediate need of expensive beach nourishments. Promising future prospects Both NGO's and engineering industry welcome these novel insights. "To date, seagrass beds are too often regarded as a nuisance, rather than a valuable asset for preserving touristically valuable coastlines. This study could change this perspective completely", Bas Roels of World Wildlife Fund Netherlands says. "The study opens opportunities for developing new tropical-beach protection schemes, in which ecology is integrated in engineering solutions", adds Mark van Koningsveld, professor at the Delft University of Technology and working for the international marine contractor Van Oord. According to co-author Johan Stapel of the Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute (CSNI) on St. Eustatius this will require a multilateral approach in conservation and restoration, as seagrass faces increasing pressure from various sources of pollution and invasive species. "Fortunately, NIOZ has a strong tradition in successfully restoring all kinds of coastal vegetation from seagrass to mangroves", Bouma concludes. ### Insecticide-infused mosquito netting is in widespread use around the world to limit the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria. Researchers from North Carolina State University and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have now come up with a technique that actually measures how much insecticide is found on the surface of these nets - paving the way for efforts to determine how long the nets are effective. "Until now, there was no established technique for measuring the distribution and concentration of insecticides on the surface of the netting," says Chuanzhen Zhou, a researcher scholar at NC State's Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF) and co-author of a paper on the work. "And that's important, because only the insecticide on the surface is bioavailable and able to kill mosquitoes." "We were looking for a way to address this problem - and we've now developed a way to measure two of the most common insecticides used on any type of netting," says coauthor Fred Stevie, senior researcher in the AIF. "And, presumably, we'll be able to extend the technique for other insecticides as well. "This has worldwide impact," Stevie says. "There are more than a billion nets out there, and our new technique can tell us how long the pesticide on those nets lasts and how often they need to be replaced. Ultimately, the technique could help us examine a range of fabrics embedded with insecticides, from military uniforms to high-end hiking gear." The researchers began by focusing on permethrin, one of the most widely-used insecticides used in netting. The researchers analyzed a sample of permethrin using a mass spectrometer to obtain the insecticide's chemical fingerprint. They then used the same technique to obtain the chemical fingerprint of the netting material. This gave the researchers the baseline information they needed to tell the substances apart once they began analyzing permethrin-embedded netting. The research team then used a technique called time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to analyze samples of the permethrin-embedded netting. In ToF-SIMS, a sample is bombarded with bismuth ions, which eject ions from the surface of the sample material. The ions that have been knocked loose are then collected, and the amount of time it takes each ion to arrive at the collection point tells researchers which atom or molecule the ion was part of; heavier ions are slower than lighter ones. Looking at the collective data, researchers can determine the overall make-up of the sample's surface. The researchers also utilized a technique that implants ions into the sample, allowing them to determine not only which materials are present but their relative abundance. Using both techniques, the researchers performed multiple analyses of mosquito netting samples that had seen varying degrees of use. The samples ranged from brand new netting to netting that had been in use for years. By comparing data on samples that still killed mosquitoes with data from samples that no longer worked, the researchers identified a level at which permethrin became ineffective. The researchers are continuing with their efforts to determine how long the netting remains effective under various conditions, and are working to apply this methodology to other insecticides used in mosquito netting. ### The paper, "Imaging and Quantitative Analysis of Insecticide in Mosquito Net Fibers Using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS)," is published in the journal PLOS ONE. Lead author of the paper is Stephen Smith of the CDC. The paper was co-authored by Roberto Garcia, the lab manager of the AIF. The work was supported by the CDC Innovation Fund and was performed in part at the Analytical Instrumentation Facility (AIF) at North Carolina State University, which is supported by the State of North Carolina and the National Science Foundation (award number ECCS-1542015). The AIF is a member of the North Carolina Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN), a site in the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI). Boston, MA - Medicare's randomized trial of a new bundled payment model for hip and knee replacement surgeries led to $812 in savings per procedure, or a 3.1% reduction in costs, when compared with traditional means of paying for care, according to new research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School. The study found that the bundled payment model was also associated with a reduction in use of skilled nursing care after the hospitalization, but had no effects on complication rates among patients. The study will be published online January 2, 2019 in the New England Journal of Medicine. "Interest in bundled payments has exploded the past few years," said Michael Barnett, one of the lead authors on the study and assistant professor of health policy and management at Harvard Chan School. "The big question has always been whether this new model can lead hospitals to meaningfully reduce spending without harming patients. This study indicates that with the right financial incentive, hospitals can save money without compromising quality by sending more patients home rather than to a nursing facility." Bundled payments are an alternative payment strategy that health plans, Medicare, and Medicaid are experimenting with to reduce expenses. Unlike traditional fee-for-service payments, bundled payments provide a single, fixed payment for a procedure and follow-up care rather than individually paying all parties separately. In 2016, Medicare implemented the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model. In this randomized controlled trial, all hospitals in randomly selected cities had to accept a bundled payment model for hip or knee joint replacements. The program is the largest randomized policy experiment in Medicare to date of a new payment model. Under the model, hospitals in the selected cities received bonuses or penalties depending on how much they spent on follow-up care 90 days after joint-replacement patients were discharged. To determine if the bundled payment model was effective at reducing costs and complications, the researchers analyzed data from the first two years of the program (2016-2017). They compared costs associated with 280,161 joint replacement procedures in 803 hospitals that were required to participate in the bundled payment program with 377,278 procedures in 962 hospitals that were not participating in the program. The analysis showed that before accounting for administrative costs, bonuses and penalties, the bundled payment model resulted in a modest 3% savings for each patient and that complications rates did not increase. The cost savings were driven almost exclusively from reducing the use of post-acute care nursing facilities, the researchers said. One concern that has been expressed over bundled payments is that such models may incentivize hospitals to avoid operating on sicker, more costly patients. This study, however, showed that the model had little impact on the number of higher-risk patients who received lower extremity joint replacements. The study adds to the growing body of evidence that bundled payment models reduce spending without sacrificing quality of care, the researchers said. They added that the cost savings associated with bundled payments grew during the 18-month study period and that it is likely savings would continue to grow as the bundled payment model matured. "While there is widespread agreement that we need to move away from our typical payment system, how to do so remains unclear. We need more rigorous experiments such as this one," said Ateev Mehrotra, senior author and associate professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School. ### Other Harvard Chan School researchers who contributed to the study include Arnold Epstein and John Orav. Funding for this study came from The Commonwealth Fund, and the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health grants K23 AG058806 MLB and P01 AG032952. "Two-Year Evaluation of Mandatory Bundled Payments for Joint Replacement," Michael Barnett, Andrew Wilcock, J. Michael McWilliams, Arnold Epstein, Karen Joynt Maddox, John Orav, David Grabowski, Ateev Mehrotra, New England Journal of Medicine, online January 2, 2019, doi: 10.1056/NEJMsa1809010 Visit the Harvard Chan School website for the latest news, press releases, and multimedia offerings. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health brings together dedicated experts from many disciplines to educate new generations of global health leaders and produce powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people everywhere. As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory to people's lives--not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies, and health care practices. Each year, more than 400 faculty members at Harvard Chan School teach 1,000-plus full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officers, the School is recognized as America's oldest professional training program in public health. SAN FRANCISCO, CA--January 2, 2019--As early as 3 months of age, infants with a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome start having convulsive seizures, during which their arms and legs jerk repeatedly. As they become toddlers, another type of seizure begins to appear. These seizures do not cause obvious convulsions, but disrupt consciousness and can occur more than 50 times every single day. A challenge to detect and difficult to treat, these non-convulsive seizures often go unnoticed by parents and physicians. A recent study, published in the journal Cell Reports, characterizes these silent seizures in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome and identifies the brain area that could be targeted to stop them. "We were able to pinpoint the exact spot in the brain that causes the seizures," said Jeanne Paz, PhD, the senior author of the study, who is an assistant investigator at the Gladstone Institutes. "This discovery allowed us to develop two new strategies to prevent these non-convulsive seizures in mice simulating Dravet syndrome." By collaborating with Maria Roberta Cilio, MD, PhD, a renowned pediatric epileptologist at UC San Francisco, Paz confirmed that her findings are likely relevant to the human condition. "If we could successfully eliminate non-convulsive seizures in children with Dravet syndrome, we could significantly improve their quality of life," said Cilio, director of research at the UCSF Pediatric Epilepsy Center. "We could finally offer them the best conditions in which to reach their full potential." Nearly 8 in 10 patients with Dravet syndrome have a genetic mutation that causes both developmental delays and seizures, which can even lead to sudden death. Affected children also have cognitive deficits, sleeping difficulties and autism-like behaviors. Identifying the Culprit Neurons are highly specialized brain cells that send signals to one another, forming complex network that enable both basic and higher brain functions. When a neuron "fires," it releases a signal that carries instructions for the receiving cell. While excitatory cells instruct the next cell to take action, inhibitory cells send signals to suppress the activity of receiving cells. Seizures are caused when excitatory cells function too strongly or inhibitory cells function too weakly--both of which result in too many cells in the brain getting excited at the same time. Previous animal studies had shown that convulsive seizures are caused when inhibitory cells are not sufficiently active in a brain region called the cerebral cortex. Since then, the scientific field has focused on finding treatments to enhance the function of those cells. Paz and her laboratory, on the other hand, study a different region of the brain: the thalamus. This region plays a major role in cognition, sleep, attention, and consciousness. "All of these elements are altered in patients with Dravet syndrome in a way that is unlikely to be caused only by changes in the cerebral cortex," explained Paz, who is also an assistant professor of neurology at UCSF. "We wanted to see what happens in this brain region and how its cells might be altered in the context of this syndrome." The researchers were expecting inhibitory cells in the thalamus to be less active, similarly to those in the cerebral cortex. Surprisingly, they saw the opposite. "We found that the inhibitory cells in the thalamus were quite active in mouse models of Dravet syndrome," said Stefanie Ritter-Makinson, PhD, one of the lead authors of the study and a former postdoctoral scholar in Paz's laboratory. Working closely with fellow lead author Alexandra Clemente-Perez, PhD, Ritter-Makinson used electroencephalography, or EEG, to record brain waves and detect abnormalities in brain activity in mice with Dravet syndrome. They also observed that these non-convulsive seizures were much more frequent than convulsive seizures, occurring hundreds of times each day in some mice. That's when Paz reached out to Cilio, an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of genetic epilepsies in young children, to confirm that equivalent seizures are seen in human patients. "Maria Roberta confirmed that she witnesses the same types of seizures in her patients, and shared some human EEG recordings with us," said Paz. "We compared the human and mouse recordings side by side, and we were surprised to see how closely they matched. We were encouraged that our work could translate to real people, so we went on to look for ways to stop the seizures." Two Strategies to Reduce Seizures The non-convulsive seizures are in some cases called "atypical absence seizures." Atypical, because they last longer--10 to 30 seconds on average--than those seen in children with typical absence epilepsy. Absence, because the patients appear as if they are mentally absent during the attacks, as they lose consciousness but without collapsing. Paz refers to these seizures as "silent" given that they can go unnoticed without an EEG recording. When a child is experiencing an absence seizure, she or he will seem absent-minded, staring blankly into space. This can be perceived as the child not paying attention, but can have many detrimental effects in daily life. "Imagine you have several 20-second blanks while I'm talking; you'll get a sense of what I'm saying, but you won't understand all of it," explained Cilio. "Although they may not be as dramatic as convulsions, these interruptions can happen regularly throughout the day, so they really impair learning." Non-convulsive seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome are particularly difficult to treat compared to other types of seizures. Even the latest treatments are not effective in preventing or stopping them. For instance, cannabis-based drugs (for which Cilio is a leader) can reduce the number of convulsive seizures, but have little impact on the frequency of silent seizures. In the new study, Paz identified two ways to stop non-convulsive seizures in mice. First, she and her team manipulated the activity of specific neurons in the mouse brain using optogenetics, an approach that makes it possible to control the activity of neurons with laser light. They developed methods to detect seizures, and upon detection, quickly changed the activity of neurons in the thalamus to stop the seizures. "This approach allowed us to identify the specific cells and brain activity required for initiating and aborting non-convulsive seizures in models of Dravet syndrome," said Paz. "It had been difficult to do this in the past, because seizures involve a very large network of cells that ping-pong signals all around the brain within milliseconds. So, it was crucial for us to detect them immediately at their place of origin." Optogenetics cannot be used in humans yet, so Paz looked for a pharmacological drug that could achieve the same result. She found that a drug named EBIO1 reduced the firing of inhibitory cells in the thalamus. When Dravet model mice were treated with this drug, their seizures were markedly reduced and, in some cases, even stopped. "It is very exciting that an FDA-approved drug already exists that targets the very brain activity we found to cause non-convulsive seizures," said Paz. "To our knowledge, it has never been used in epilepsy, but no side effects were reported when it was used in clinical trials for movement disorders." When a drug has already been approved for safety by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it can be made available to patients much more quickly. Short-Term and Future Opportunities The study by Paz and her team identified a drug that treats non-convulsive seizures through its action on the thalamus, and may explain why anti-seizure medications that do not reduce thalamic activity are not effective in stopping these seizures. "Jeanne's work identified a completely new target area in the brain for treating Dravet syndrome," said Cilio. "Her study is an example of truly translational work, where a basic research effort could directly impact patients in the clinic." "We tried two different methods," said Paz, "optogenetics could be an option for the future, while the drug could be made available to human patients soon." "When I presented my findings recently at the American Epilepsy Society, some physicians expressed keen interest in testing this FDA-approved drug in the clinic." Paz added, "hopefully, this will be life-changing for these children." ### About the Study The paper "Augmented reticular thalamic bursting and seizures in Scn1a-Dravet syndrome" was published online by the journal Cell Reports on January 2, 2019: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(18)31929-6. Other authors who contributed to this study include Bryan Higashikubo, Frances S. Cho, Stephanie S. Holden, Eric Bennett, and Ana Chkaidze from Gladstone, as well as Oscar H. J. Eelkman Rooda and Freek E. Hoebeek from Erasmus MC in the Netherlands, Marie-Coralie Cornet from UCSF and the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, Kazuhiro Yamakawa from RIKEN Brain Science Institute in Japan, and Bruno Delord from University Pierre and Marie Curie in France. Research at Gladstone was supported by the National Institutes of Health, Gladstone Institutes, the American Epilepsy Society, the Dravet Syndrome Foundation, and the National Science Foundation. About the Gladstone Institutes A team of experimentalists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory and theoreticians at University of Alabama Birmingham discovered a remarkably long-lived new state of matter in an iron pnictide superconductor, which reveals a laser-induced formation of collective behaviors that compete with superconductivity. "Superconductivity is a strange state of matter, in which the pairing of electrons makes them move faster," said Jigang Wang, Ames Laboratory physicist and Iowa State University professor. "One of the big problems we are trying to solve is how different states in a material compete for those electrons, and how to balance competition and cooperation to increase temperature at which a superconducting state emerges." To get a closer look, Wang and his team used laser pulses of less than a trillionth of a second in much the same way as flash photography, in order to take a series of snapshots. Called terahertz spectroscopy, this technique can be thought of as "laser strobe photography" where many quick images reveal the subtle movement of electron pairings inside the materials using long wavelength far-infrared light. "The ability to see these real time dynamics and fluctuations is a way to understanding them better, so that we can create better superconducting electronics and energy-efficient devices," said Wang. ### The research is further discussed in a paper, "Non-equilibrium Pair Breaking in Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 Superconductors: Evidence for Formation of Photo-Induced Excitonic State," authored by X. Yang, L. Luo, M. Mootz, A. Patz, S. L. Bud'ko, P. C. Canfield, I. E. Perakis, and J. Wang; and published in Physical Review Letters. Ames Laboratory scientist and ISU professor Paul Canfield, expert in the design and characterization of iron pnictides, created the single crystal sample used in this investigation. Martin Mootz and Ilias E. Perakis, at University of Alabama Birmingham, developed the theory to explain the observation. Spectroscopy work was supported by the U.S. Army Research Office. Sample growth and characterization was supported the U.S. Department of Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science. Theory work at the University of Alabama, Birmingham was also supported by the DOE. Ames Laboratory is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory operated by Iowa State University. Ames Laboratory creates innovative materials, technologies and energy solutions. We use our expertise, unique capabilities and interdisciplinary collaborations to solve global problems. DOE's Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit science.energy.gov. High levels of low-density lipoproteins, parcels of lipids and protein that carry cholesterol, are a leading risk factor for heart disease. Many cholesterol medications lower LDL, some of them by targeting the protein PCSK9. In the January issue of the Journal of Lipid Research, scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, report on an investigation into why experiments on PCSK9 give different results in a test tube and in liver cells. What they found may explain how a mutation in PCSK9 that has long puzzled scientists leads to heart disease. Ordinarily, the LDL receptor on the surface of liver cells is responsible for suctioning low-density lipoprotein out of the blood. But after being torpedoed by PCSK9, LDL receptor is brought into the cells and broken down, making the liver less able to control LDL in the bloodstream. "We have very effective and safe therapies at reducing PCSK9 function," said John Chorba, a cardiologist and researcher at UCSF. Perhaps you've heard of them: Praluent and Repatha are drugs that lower patients' cholesterol by blocking the interaction between PCSK9 and the LDL receptor. "But they're antibody-based approaches," Chorba said, "and are very expensive. Having a more thorough understanding of how PCSK9 works gives us new opportunities to develop drugs which could be more cost-effective." Chorba, who splits his time between lab and clinic, worked with medical student Adri Galvan to better understand the biochemistry of the PCSK9/LDL receptor interaction. In a test tube, LDL particles block the interaction between the LDL receptor and PCSK9. This sounds like a good thing; the more LDL you have in circulation, the more you'd want the LDL receptor to work, and the less you would want PCSK9 to disrupt it. But when Chorba and Galvan repeated the experiment in cells, the results showed that the relationship is a little more complicated. In cells, LDL does not seem to disrupt the interaction as effectively. "That's when we really started to ask, what else is going on with these cells?" Galvan said. "What else is PCSK9 interacting with?" Chorba said, "We thought there must be something (on the cells) that was attenuating that effect." Around the same time that Chorba and Galvan were trying to determine what the mystery interactor might be, a Danish group at Aarhus University published its finding that heparan sulfate proteoglycans, extracellular proteins with a particular sugar chain attached, can help PCSK9 reach the LDL receptor. Chorba and Galvan confirmed that in cells from which that sugar chain had been cleaved, the LDL receptor/PCSK9 interaction on the surface of cells could be disrupted by LDL, similar to what happened in a test tube. This led them to a clue about how a long-known but poorly understood mutant form of PCSK9 might work. It's called the S127R mutation, because it changes the 127th amino acid in PCSK9, serine, into arginine. "S127R was the initial mutation discovered in PCSK9 as a cause of genetic familial hypercholesterolemia, but the way it worked has been unknown for years," Chorba explained. S127R is a head-scratcher because the change in its amino-acid sequence disrupts PCSK9 maturation. You'd expect the change to reduce total PCSK9, which would reduce LDL, and that should be good for carriers of the gene. But instead, the mutant raises LDL cholesterol levels, putting patients at elevated risk of heart disease. Chorba and Galvan found that while removing heparan sugar chains from cultured liver cells affected how the cells' LDL receptors bound to wild-type PCSK9, it affected their interaction with the mutant even more. That suggested that S127R PCSK9 might be interacting more strongly with HSPG--and offered a potential way for the mutant PCSK9 to interact more strongly with LDLR. "I would imagine that S127R PCSK9 would be more likely to bind to the surface of (liver cells)," Chorba said. "So the local concentration of PCSK9 would be higher... and it would be more likely to run into an LDL receptor that would get internalized and degraded." It remains to be seen whether this explanation holds up to further experimental scrutiny. If it does, then drugs that disrupt the PCSK9/heparin sulfate proteoglycan interaction, which a spinoff company from Aarhus University, called Draupnir Bio, is working to develop, could be especially effective for people with familial hypercholesterolemia who carry the S127 mutation. ### The Journal of Lipid Research (JLR) is the most-cited journal devoted to lipids in the world. For over 50 years, it has focused on the science of lipids in health and disease. The JLR aims to be on the forefront of the emerging areas of genomics, proteomics, and lipidomics as they relate to lipid metabolism and function. For more information about JLR, visit http://www. jlr. org . About the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of heart failure that affects women in their last month of pregnancy and up to five months after giving birth. PPCM can be difficult to detect because its symptoms -- swelling in the feet and legs and shortness of breath -- mimic many of those of third trimester pregnancy. The disease, which can be fatal, manifests itself as heart muscle dysfunction and heart failure, but its underlying cause has eluded researchers. Now, a new Tel Aviv University study reveals that one of the possible primary causes of PPCM is a functional heart cell defect. The findings may have diagnostic and therapeutic implications. The research was led jointly by Prof. Jonathan Leor and Dr. Nili Naftali-Shani, both of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at TAU's Sackler School of Medicine and Sheba Medical Center, in collaboration with Dr. Natali Molotski, Dr. Uri Amit, Li-at Zeltzer and Alina Levich, all of TAU and Sheba; Prof. Michael Arad and Dr. Rafael Kuperstein, Dr. Yael Nevo-Caspi, Haya Abbas and Prof. Gidi Paret of Sheba Medical Center; Dr. Irit Huber of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology; and Dr. Lorenzo Monserrat of Coruna, Spain. It was published in the journal Circulation on December 3, 2018. "It was previously suggested that levels of STAT3, an essential protective protein involved in cellular response to stress, were abnormally low in the heart cells of PPCM patients. This triggered a biological process that ultimately sliced the lactation hormone prolactin, creating toxic products that cause the disease," Prof. Leor says. "But we found that levels of the STAT3 protein were in fact higher in the heart cells of women with PPCM than in those of healthy women. "We then discovered that a functional defect in the heart cells of patients with PPCM, characterized by an impaired release of growth factors that regulate blood vessel formation or factors that activate the immune system, was the underlying mechanism involved in the disease." The researchers say their discovery calls into question the medical justification for treating women with PPCM with bromocriptine, a drug used to treat symptoms of hyperprolactinemia (high levels of prolactin), which has serious adverse effects. Dr. Naftali-Shani harnessed a cutting-edge genetic engineering technique, which won the Nobel Prize for medicine and physiology in 2012, to produce stem cells and beating heart cells from the skin cells of PPCM patients and healthy controls. "This is the first time that this technique was used to study the mechanism of PPCM," Dr. Naftali-Shani says. "Using these heart cells, we were able to find that the accepted theory was incorrect. The myocardial cells produced from the stem cells of the patients had functional defects that caused them to secrete inflammatory proteins and a protein that inhibits the formation of blood vessels in the muscle, even without stress. We hope that this discovery will pave the way for early diagnoses and new, effective prevention and treatments." Prof. Leor says, "Our future challenge will be to explore the exact molecular defect in heart cells of women with PPCM and to determine a new target for prevention and therapy." ### American Friends of Tel Aviv University supports Israel's most influential, comprehensive and sought-after center of higher learning, Tel Aviv University (TAU). TAU is recognized and celebrated internationally for creating an innovative, entrepreneurial culture on campus that generates inventions, startups and economic development in Israel. TAU is ranked ninth in the world, and first in Israel, for producing start-up founders of billion-dollar companies, an achievement that surpassed several Ivy League universities. To date, 2,500 US patents have been filed by Tel Aviv University researchers -- ranking TAU #1 in Israel, #10 outside of the US and #43 in the world. The majority of deaths during the single largest murder campaign of the Holocaust, called Operation Reinhard, occurred during a single three-month period, a new study reveals. Not only does this study indicate that the murder rate during Operation Reinhard has previously been greatly underestimated, it also provides new insights into the profound efficiency of Nazi death camps and the systematic manner in which Jewish communities were murdered. During the Nazi-German campaign to eradicate Jews during the second World War, a great portion of the Holocaust killings occurred during Operation Reinhard, which lasted from 1942 to 1943. However, detailed records of the killings were largely destroyed by the Nazis, making it difficult to investigate how quickly the genocide was carried out. Deutsche Reichsbahn, the German National Railway, played a critical role in transporting millions of Jewish victims to the death camps, and the "special trains" that transported the victims were kept on strict time schedules. Yitzhak Arad, an Israeli historian specializing in the Holocaust, compiled Reichsban data on 480 train deportations from 393 Polish towns and ghettos to three key death camps - Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka - during Operation Reinhard and estimated the number of victims on each transport. Here, using Arad's data, Lewi Stone estimated the rate at which the Nazis killed Jews during Operation Reinhard, showing that most of the murders occurred in only three months - August, September and October 1942. Of the 1.7 million victims of Operation Reinhard, 1.32 million (78%) were murdered during these three months, or about 15,000 murders per day, every day. This finding implies that roughly 25% of all Holocaust victims were murdered during these three months of Operation Reinhard in 1942. Compared to the 1994 Rwanda genocide, which has been suggested as the most intense genocide of the 20th century, the murder rate during Operation Reinhard was 83% higher, according to Stone. Stone estimates that the Nazi's murder campaign could have continued at this pace had there had been more victims living in Germain-occupied Poland, and instead the murder rate tapered off in November 1942 as a result of there being essentially no one left to kill, Stone says. ### US congress to reconvene with no end in sight for federal shutdown Congress was set to reconvene on with no signs of a workable plan to end shutdown of about a quarter of the US government, and Trump not budging on his demand for $5 billion in border wall funding. Both the Senate and House of Representatives, returning from a short New Years Day break, will meet briefly, marking the last day of the Republican-controlled 2017-2018 Congress, one that was marked by deep partisan division. Separately, Trump has invited the top Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress to the White House on Wednesday for what congressional sources described as a border security briefing. THE FIRST MAJOR BATTLE OF THE NEW CONGRESS On Thursday, when Democrats take over the House in the 2019-2020 Congress, they plan to approve a two-part spending package meant to end the shutdown. But its prospects are grim in the Republican-led Senate, which previously approved similar measures on the floor or in committee but has since fallen in line with Trumps demands to fund a wall on the US-Mexico border. The legislation sets the stage for the first major battle of the new Congress between House Democrats led by Nancy Pelosi and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Trump, a Republican, triggered the shutdown, which started on Dec. 22, by insisting that $5 billion for funding of the border wall be part of any spending measure. Trump calls the wall crucial to curbing illegal immigration, echoing his 2016 presidential campaign rhetoric. The Democrats two-part package includes a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels through Feb. 8 and provide $1.3 billion for border fencing and $300 million for other border security items including technology and cameras. "THE SENATE WON'T SEND SOMETHING THAT TRUMP WON'T SIGN" The second part of the package would fund federal agencies that are now unfunded, such as the Justice, Commerce and Transportation departments, through Sept. 30. The House Democrats measure does not contain the $5 billion Trump wants. McConnell has said Senate Republicans will not approve a spending measure not supported by Trump.Its simple: The Senate is not going to send something to the president that he wont sign, said McConnell spokesman Don Stewart. The Democratic package could put Trump and his Republican allies in a tough position. If they reject funding bills for departments unconnected to border security, Republicans could be seen as holding those agencies and their roughly 800,000 affected workers hostage to Trumps desire to build a wall that Democrats say would be ineffective and impractical. Turkish FM pays 76 diplomatic visits in 2018 Mevlut Cavusoglu travels 435,000 kilometers equivalent of 11 trips circling the globe, as part of his intensive diplomacy. Turkish foreign minister traveled a total of 435,000 kilometers (270,296 miles) equivalent of 11 trips circling the globe, as part of his intensive diplomacy. Mevlut Cavusoglu paid a total of 76 diplomatic visits in 2018 to pursue Turkeys enterprising and humanitarian foreign policy. Last year, Turkey contributed to fighting against illegal migration, conducted military operations in northern Syria, supported political process at Astana meetings to find a solution for civil war-torn Syria crisis. TURKEYS ACTIVE FOREIGN POLICY In 2018, Turkey played important roles in current foreign policy issues at national and international platforms. Last year, Turkey supported international efforts for the reconstruction of Iraq and also organized two extraordinary summits of Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Palestine-Jerusalem. The country also continued increasing its humanitarian assistance and mediation activities. Cavusoglu also followed operations of High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council established with 24 countries. In addition, Turkey also continued trilateral coordination mechanisms established to increase confidence among regional countries such as Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan, Turkey-Bosnia-Herzegovina-Serbia, Turkey-Bosnia-Herzegovina-Croatia, Turkey-Azerbaijan-Iran, Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia, Turkey-Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan and Turkey-Azerbaijan-Pakistan. In 2018, Turkey also assumed the co-chairmanship of the Istanbul Process, for the second time, to contribute to enhancing peace and stability in Afghanistan. Among Turkeys European Union accession process, Cavusoglu carried out positive dialogue and normalization process with Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. Sudan political parties call for transitional council The country has been rocked by protest amid mounting public frustration over inflation, commodity shortages. The Sudanese National Front for Change (NFC) and the Umma Party have both announced their intention to submit a memorandum to President Omar al-Bashir demanding the appointment of a transitional council to temporarily run the countrys affairs. The announcement was made at a Tuesday press conference organized by the NFC, an umbrella group of political parties, and the Umma Party led by Mubarak al-Fadil, a former deputy prime minister. CALL FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF BOTH CHAMBERS OF PARLIAMENT The NFCs 22 member-parties include the Reform Now Party led by Ghazi Salahuddin and the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood. The planned memorandum will reportedly call for an interim council to govern the country until a national government -- consisting of technocrats and party representatives -- can be drawn up. The Reform Now Partys Salahuddin, for his part, said the partys political bureau had decided to withdraw from the government. Political parties are lagging behind the street, which is united and which continues to stage demonstrations to demand al-Bashirs departure, he said. We must work on bridging the gap between the street and the political parties, he added. Over the course of the past two weeks, demonstrations have rocked several Sudanese states amid mounting public frustration over rampant inflation and acute commodity shortages. The authorities say that at least 19 people have been killed in the demonstrations, which kicked off in earnest in mid-December. Opposition groups, meanwhile, put the death toll at closer to 40. N.Korea's Kim sent message to Trump on nuclear talks North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has sent a conciliatory message to U.S. President Donald Trump amid stalled nuclear negotiations, South Koreas Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported on Monday. North Korea's Kim Jong Un has issued a new warning to Donald Trump in a half-hour-long new year's speech. The unelected leader - accused of presiding over mass human rights abuses including executions and work camps - said he was ready to have his second meeting with the US President at any time after they met in 2018 Kims letter-like message to Trump was delivered on Friday through an unspecified channel, the newspaper reported, citing an unnamed diplomatic source. The report did not include details about the substance of the message but said they related to US-North Korea talks. BOTH SIDES HAVE STRUGGLED TO MAKE PROGRESS On Sunday, the office of South Koreas President Moon Jae-in said Kim had sent a letter to his counterpart in Seoul saying he wants to hold more inter-Korean summits next year to achieve denuclearization of the peninsula. Neither the US State Department nor the US Embassy in Seoul had an immediate comment about the report of Kims message to Trump when contacted by Reuters. At a summit with Trump in Singapore in June, Kim vowed to work towards denuclearisation. However, both sides have struggled to make progress on this matter. They are also yet to reschedule a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol after an abrupt cancellation in November. Pyongyangs state media has credited Trump for his willingness to continue dialogue but has also slammed the State Department for tightening sanctions. The stalled negotiations had an impact on inter-Korean ties, including Kims unrealized plan to visit Seoul this year as agreed their summit in Pyongyang in September. Warren takes a step to challenge Trump in 2020 The Chosun Ilbo report also said Kim wrote in the letter to Moon that he would come to the South in the near future after giving a New Year address on Tuesday. Kims New Year address provides a rare public appearance for the young leader and is closely watched by neighbouring countries as it is seen setting the tone for his domestic and foreign policies. According to Moons spokesman, Kim said in the letter to the South Korean president that he was sorry his previously planned trip to Seoul this year did not take place, expressing his strong resolve to make it happen while monitoring the situation. Iraqi president to visit Turkey on Thursday Salihs visit to focus on bilateral, regional issues. Iraqi President Barham Salih will pay an official visit to Turkey on Thursday, Turkish presidents press office said on Wednesday. The office said in a statement that Salih will meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the capital Ankara. They are expected to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, evaluate opportunities to develop cooperation in various fields and exchange views on regional and international matters, the statement read. This is Salihs first official visit to Turkey after he was elected Iraqs president in early October last year. EU is not trying to keep Britain in, says Juncker EU wants to start discussing future ties the moment the UK parliament approves Brexit, partly to focus on its own unity ahead of May elections, the head of the blocs executive said. The UK has been told to get its act together by Jean-Claude Juncker in the run-up to the delayed House of Commons vote on Theresa Mays Brexit deal. It is being insinuated that our aim is to keep the United Kingdom in the EU by all possible means. That is not our intention. All we want is clarity about our future relations. And we respect the result of the referendum. Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the European Commission, told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag in an interview. "UK NEEDS TO GET ITS ACT TOGETHER" Juncker said the EU was ready to start negotiating a new deal with Britain right after the British parliament approves the divorce deal. A vote is now due in the week starting Jan. 14. He also said Britain should get its act together. And then tell us what it is you want, he said. I am working on the assumption that it will leave because that is what the people of the United Kingdom have decided, he added, refusing to be drawn into whether Britain would hold a second Brexit vote. That is for the British to decide. "I AM WATCHING TRUMP CLOSELY" On other challenges facing Europe, Juncker said he was watching closely US President Donald Trump on trade. I trust him for as long as he keeps his word. And if he no longer keeps it, then I will no longer feel bound by my word either, Juncker said of tensions between the EU and Washington around car tariffs. He said he felt EU citizens were increasingly growing apart, another problem to tackle ahead of Europe-wide parliamentary elections in May. We have to ensure that these rifts do not become too deep, Juncker said. We must not imply that the populists are right ... they are just loud and do not have any specific proposals to offer on solving the challenges of our time. Juncker said Europe had to stand united in combating the trolls and hacker groups from China or Russia that could seek to sway the European vote. He expressed doubt about EU state Romania, which takes over the blocs rotating presidency from Jan. 1, but struggles with corruption and bitter divisions. The government in Bucharest has not yet fully understood what it means to take chair over the EU Member States ... Romanias internal situation is such that the country cannot act as a compact unit in Europe, Juncker said. The Service celebrating and honoring the life of Thomas "Tommy" Crawford, 74, of Enid are pending under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Condolences and special memories may be made to the family online at WWW.Brown-Cummings.Com I am a retired Naval Officer and small business owner, outside of my work at the News & Eagle. My wife Tammy and I enjoy serving together at church and attending Gaslight and ESO. We have two daughters, three dogs and little free time. Follow James Neal | Religion/Health Reporter Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Alvin Farley shows his father, Thomas Farley, a firework he picked up off the shelf Monday at the Fireworks Outlet just outside of Athens on Alabama 72. Despite the prospect of thunderstorms, the fireworks establishment had steady business as people searched for explosives to celebrate the arrival of 2019. Fireworks are illegal within the city limits of Athens, but may be detonated in unincorporated Limestone County. Mrs. Alberta Hamley Griffin, 97, of Athens, Alabama, died Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at Athens Health and Rehab. A Graveside Service will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Copeland Cemetery with Keith Griffin officiating. No visitation is planned. Spry Funeral Home in Athens is directing the services. Mr Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Sponsored By: St Anthony's Hospital By Alyson Klein & Andrew Ujifusa Happy New Year! Its 2019, which means that the Every Student Succeeds Act is more than three years old, and finally having an impact on school districts. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos have been on the job for almost two years, with no major school choice initiative in sight. And Democrats are about to take over the U.S. House of Representatives . Heres what to watch for next year Congressional Oversight: Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., will become chairman of the House education committee. And hes bound to call in DeVos and her team to discuss their rollback of Obama-era civil rights measures. That includes guidance seeking to crack down on discipline disparities, which Trumps school safety commission recommended ditching late last year. Other areas ripe for oversight: implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act, DeVos move to delay an Obama rule calling for states to ensure that minority students arent disproportionately identified for special education, and the Education Departments decision to replace Obama-era sexual assault guidance and replace it with a directive that gives more rights to the accused. DeVos push to reorganize the department could also come under scrutiny. Congress Actually Legislating: With Congress divided, it seems unlikely that major legislation (think a renewal of the Higher Education Act) will make it over the finish line. But that doesnt mean lawmakers wont try. Scott, for instance, is interested in trying to push an infrastructure bill that might include funding for school construction. Other legislation to watch: the Education Sciences Reform Act, which governs the Institute for Education Sciences; a rewrite of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA; and an update to child-abuse prevention laws. None of those will get big headlines, but they deal with programs that matter to educators. Immigration: Yes, the Dreamers are still in limbo. Quick reminder: President Barack Obama created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program back in 2012, giving temporary legal status to an estimated 700,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children. Then, in 2017, Trump canceled the program and gave Congress a deadline for coming up with a fix, which (surprise) Congress failed to do. Federal judges have issued conflicting rulings on DACAs legality, and its future is currently tied up in the courts. But whatever happens matters for K-12 schools. About 250,000 students have become DACA eligible since 2012, and about 9,000 DACA recipients work as teachers in U.S. schools, according to the Migration Policy Institute. More here from our colleague Corey Mitchell. Every Student Succeeds Act: Every states ESSA plan has been approved, and states are starting to identify schools that need improvement. Districts get to decide how to fix those schools, and they are supposed to come up with plans that have at least some evidence to back them up. So will that actually happen? And will schools get any better? Its not an easy thing to track, but it matters a lot. More background here. Betsy DeVos: The education secretary told us that she plans to stay through Trumps first term . But she has had a very difficult time using the bully pulpit to push her message of school choice and individualizing instruction . She had a high-profile stumble last year on 60 Minutes . And a GOP-controlled Congress largely rejected her plans to expand school choicethat will be an even tougher hill to climb with Democrats in charge. So what does she do next? 2020 Presidential Campaign: You thought we forgot? There are dozens of Democrats vying to take on Trump in 2020. And because this is the Democratic primary, theyll all be sure to talk about K-12 education. Curious whos in the mix and where they may stand on schools? Check out this blog post . Photo: Alex Brandon for the Associated Press Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . (Screenshot from BBC)Pope Francis delivering his 2017 "urbi et orbi" address on East Sunday, April16, 2017. Pope Francis, in his New Year message for 2019 lamented a lack of global unity and warned against a soulless hunt for profit that benefits only a few and said later that politics is not merely the realm of political leaders. He was looking forward after a bad year in which the UK newspaper Catholic Herald said, "2018 has been annus horribilis for the Catholic Church," referring to the way in which it had dealt with sexual scandals engulfing the church. The Pope said in his traditional New Year's Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, "How much dispersion and solitude there is all around us. The world is completely connected, yet seems increasingly disjointed," Reuters reported. In his homily he paid homage to motherhood, saying a world that looked to the future while forgetting "a mother's gaze" was shortsighted. "It may well increase its profits, but it will no longer see others as children. It will make money, but not for everyone. We will all dwell in the same house, but not as brothers and sisters," he said. The Pope closed his homily noting that man's salvation came from the smallness of a newborn child. Man's strength came from Jesus' fragility, man's freedom from his becoming a servant, he said, saying this is the heart of God's love for humanity, Crux reported. Francis later addressed a huge crowd n St Peter's Square from the window of the apostolic palace on the 52nd World Day of Peace, introduced by Pope Paul VI. The Pope said, "We do not think that politics should be reserved only to political leaders. "Everyone is responsible for the life of the 'city,' for the common good; and even politics is good in the measure in which each one does his or her part 'in the service of peace'." It was a tough year for Pope Francis and the Catholic Church in 2018, with The New York Times saying Francis had shown he was "tone deaf" sexual scandals besetting the church in different countries. "Things started going downhill for Pope Francis this year on a plane returning from a trip to Chile. In a demonstration of remarkable tone deafness to the issue of clerical sex abuse and to the media environment in which he operates the Pope doubled down on accusations of calumny against survivors of clerical sexual abuse," the Times wrote Dec. 31. The Catholic Herald wrote "This was the year that the abuse crisis engulfed the Church, and those in power failed to live up to the challenge." The paper wrote, "An exhaustive list of the missteps and failures starting or ending at the Vatican would require a hefty tome. "From the explosion of the abuse-and-coverup crisis in Pope Francis's face, at the end of January the worldwide body of the faithful has been treated to a relentless succession of half-measures, publicity stunts, and increasingly incredible promises of earnest coming from the Pope and the Vatican. None has been minimally sufficient, let alone satisfactory." A Brand's Guide to Digital Shelf Analytics | eBook What can you do to improve your digital commerce game? The first rule of the digital shelf is to make sure your products can be found. Some might say its mission impossible. Unless, of course, you use digital shelf analytics (DSA). Get the eBook Today! E-commerce fraud is an ongoing problem for online merchants and credit card companies. It has been growing at twice the rate of e-commerce sales. Identity theft traditionally has been one of the most common sources of e-commerce fraud, but online merchants increasingly have been suffering more from chargeback fraud, which requires them to absorb the costs of disputed credit card transactions. As phony chargebacks continue to rise, it becomes more difficult than ever to manage losses, including effective ways to prevent and track chargeback costs. There needs to be better policing of online credit card transactions and new strategies implemented to prevent false chargebacks. There also needs to be more transparency in billing for fraud detection services, so merchants can track and project chargeback losses accurately. New billing technologies have been making it easier to manage chargebacks, but before delving into those solutions let's take a closer look at chargeback fraud and how it works. The Problem With Chargebacks E-commerce merchants are especially susceptible to chargeback fraud since they are further removed from the actual credit card holder. Card-not-present transactions are a particular problem for etailers, since with fraudulent chargeback transactions of this type, the burden falls to the merchant to make good on the payment. In a card-present transaction, the cardholder physically presents the card to make a purchase. With an in-store card-present purchase, the merchant can verify the cardholder's identity using a driver's license or another form of identification, and can collect a signature for verification. With today's chip-enabled cards, the transaction is even more secure, since the chip card generates a unique transaction code for each purchase. If the merchant follows proper procedures in handling the transaction, the liability for any fraud lies with the card issuer -- that is, the credit card company or the bank. Unfortunately, in e-commerce, it's the merchants who have to deal with card-not-present transactions, because the cardholder is not physically present with a credit card. Since there is no way to verify the cardholder's identity or the validity of the card using a chip, the sale is considered less secure. Fraudulent online transactions are the merchant's liability -- the rationale being that it's the merchant's option to accept a less secure credit card transaction. The fees to merchants for accepting fraudulent transactions often are more than twice the cost of the sales, since the merchants can't recover the shipped goods. They suffer the loss of the fraudulent shipments, as well as refunds to the consumers who were scammed. Chargeback fraud isn't limited to stolen cards. Fifty percent of chargeback fraud is classified as "friendly fraud," according to Juniper's estimates. That occurs when a consumer orders and pays for goods online, but then disputes the charges once the products are shipped. Sometimes friendly fraud is an honest error. One member of a family may have placed an order, but the credit card holder is another member of the same household who mistakenly reports it, resulting in a chargeback. More often than not, friendly fraud results in re-shipping, so the merchant loses twice -- once for the chargeback, and once for the loss of shipped goods. Online merchants need to be more aware of chargebacks -- not just because of the losses incurred, but also because of the impact of chargebacks on their credit rating. If the number of chargebacks exceeds 1 percent of transactions, then it's a warning to credit card issuers that the business is high risk. As a result, the credit card companies start imposing financial penalties and other restrictions to encourage the etailer to reduce the number of chargebacks. Once an e-merchant develops a reputation for having too many chargebacks, payment processors may be less likely to work with them. New Ways to Combat Chargeback Fraud There are ways to combat chargebacks. An obvious move is tightening transaction security by adding tools to verify the customer's identity, such as credit card CVV verification and address confirmation to ensure that billing and shipping addresses match. 3D Secure is a new technical standard created by Visa and MasterCard to secure card-not-present transactions. The system verifies the buyer's identity by requesting a personal code, usually sent as a text message or email with a one-time PIN. "3D" stands for "3 Domain Secure," because it verifies the three parties in the transaction: the vendor, the bank, and the credit card company (Visa or MasterCard). It also excuses fraud liability for merchants that use the system. Another innovative approach to fighting chargebacks is identifying potentially fraudulent transactions in real time. Using a centralized database of confirmed fraud information reported by credit card issuers, merchants can query the system to verify credit card transactions in real time, giving them a window to stop the sale and refund the money before the chargeback takes place. Instead of incurring losses due to chargebacks, merchants pay a nominal fee for the database service to validate transactions in advance, saving thousands of dollars, eliminating chargeback disputes, and improving the customer experience. What to Look for in Chargeback Prevention Services In addition to prevention, e-commerce merchants need to account for chargeback losses and understand how their business is being affected by chargebacks. Part of the objective is to eliminate disputes with credit card providers. To accomplish that requires a level of transparency that reveals everything there is to know about a transaction, including the costs to prevent fraud. When shopping for a solution for chargeback monitoring and prevention, online merchants want a security platform that offers reliability -- that is, the ability to monitor every transaction in real time and flag those that are potentially fraudulent before chargeback fees can be incurred. They also want transparency, with detailed reports and a view into specific transactions to identify patterns and reduce chargeback attacks. Moreover, they want accuracy, ensuring that billing for chargeback services is structured, so merchants are being charged only for problem transactions, so that chargeback fraud prevention costs don't escalate. They also want a fair and accurate billing model to optimize costs to fight fraud. Rather than paying for a simple service subscription or a flat rate per month, it makes more sense to charge based on the level of activity. A one-price-fits-all model can't accommodate for variables such as the number of transactions that need to be processed, or the number of incidents detected. For both fraud prevention services and online merchants, there has to be a more equitable billing model based on usage and activity levels. There are different pricing models for different types of chargeback prevention services that will suit different types of merchants, but they all require complex billing solutions. Billing can be based on credit card transaction volume, and pricing for real-time chargeback monitoring. Detection can be billed per transaction, per transaction value, by transaction outcome, or using other criteria. Global businesses also have to accommodate international currencies, including exchange rates. As with the fraud prevention services themselves, billing for chargeback monitoring has to be reliable, transparent and accurate. Reliability means that billing reflects all transactional traffic, and the system is monitoring -- and therefore billing -- for everything. Billing transparency means e-commerce users get detailed reports of activity. Fraud protection services may even provide real-time dashboards to allow their customers to monitor activity. Billing accuracy is based on monitoring performance based on the specific customer contract. However services are charged, accurate billing not only ensures accurate payments, but also provides metrics to demonstrate changes in the volume and nature of chargeback fraud. The Value of Agile Billing in Chargeback Fraud Prevention Working with companies that support complex, agile billing models for services such as chargeback fraud prevention offers e-commerce customers many advantages. Versatility and the ability to structure complex billing to suit different e-commerce models is essential. Different etailers have different business models, so they want to buy services based on transaction volume, transaction value, and other criteria. Etailers also are attracted by the ability to pay only for those services they consume, which requires reliable service monitoring and a highly flexible monetization engine on the back end. Flexibility in pricing models is essential, because it can affect an online merchant's credit rating. Consider that the standard industry maximum for chargebacks is 1 percent of monthly transactions. You can calculate the chargeback rate using a simple formula: Total chargebacks per month / Total transactions per month = Chargeback rate. If you exceed that 1 percent, then you become a higher-risk vendor to the credit card companies. However, chargeback rates vary, because different card companies use different criteria for calculations. For example, Visa uses the number of transactions in the same month as a baseline, whereas Mastercard uses the number of transactions from the preceding month. The difference can have a significant impact on the chargeback rate, so be sure that your fraud prevention billing system can accommodate those differences to reflect the most accurate chargeback rates. Speed in billing for chargeback fraud prevention is also important, especially for merchants that need to dispute transactions with credit card companies. Automating complex billing and revenue recognition eliminates the need for accounts receivable spreadsheets and manual processes that slow down the billing cycle as well as reduce accuracy. The billing platform behind the fraud engine has to be able to generate accurate invoices that reflect contracting activity quickly (e.g., by a transaction, value or volume), as well as allow for various currencies and variables, such as chargeback rate calculations. To rein in chargeback fraud, merchants need to tighten security, including contracting for a chargeback monitoring solution. They also need to have a clear understanding of the types and volume of chargebacks incurred. A good chargeback security partner will not only provide real-time monitoring, but also offer accurate, timely billing with the transparency needed to understand the sources of fraud, whether it's merchant error, criminal fraud or chargeback fraud. James Messer is founder and CEO of Gotransverse, creators of intelligent billing and agile monetization solutions that increase accounting accuracy and shorten time to revenue. North Andover, MA (01845) Today Showers with a possible thunderstorm this morning, then variable clouds during the afternoon with still a chance of showers. High 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Cloudy with showers. Low around 60F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Readers Survey As our valued readers, we want to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out the survey below. - Thank you, Eastern Arizona Courier Click Here 2,233 patients went without a hospital bed in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda in 2018, according to analysis released today by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation(INMO). While this is a high number, it is a 20% decrease on 2017, when Our Lady of Lourdes had 2,791 patients on hospital trolleys. This bucks the national trend where the 108,227 patients went without a hospital bed in hospitals across the country - a 9% increase on 2017. To establish the number of patients on hospital trolleys in Ireland, every morning at 8am, INMO members count how many patients are waiting in the Emergency Department for a bed and how many are waiting in wards elsewhere in the hospital. The INMO Trolley Watch counts the number of patients who have been admitted to acute hospitals, but who are waiting for a free bed. According to the INMO, these patients are often being treated on trolleys in corridors, but they may also be on chairs, in waiting rooms, or simply wherever theres space. The INMO also says figures they report differ from the HSE, primarily because the INMO counts patients throughout the hospital, where as the HSE only counts those in emergency departments (A&E). Laura Stakelum knows she has big shoes to fill in the new year even if her newest assignment turns out to be a temporary one. Stakelum begins 2019 as the interim executive director for Landmark Park after William Holman announced his resignation before Christmas. Holman served as the attractions executive director for 30 years and taught at the facility for several years before then, Stakelum said. Stakelum who has worked at least part time for Landmark Park since 2008, mostly as the public relations/membership director said the next director inherits a great situation given the dedication Holman displayed for the park. William has accomplished so much. He had a passion for the park and historic preservation, she said. He did so much grant writing. He helped lay a great foundation. Landmark Park is known for preserving several older cabins and buildings like the former Martin Drugstore of Enterprise. The park also serves as the site of several presentations like blacksmithing, honey production and farming with antique equipment that educate new generations about how people lived decades and centuries ago. I would be remiss if did not express the other point that Julie Zauzmer missed. I have known Larry Blumberg all my life and am blessed to have spent over 35 years as a business associate of his. He is one of the most unpretentious people I have ever known. Characterizing him as a local millionaire misses what I know to be true of him. Yes, he has been successful, but accumulating wealth has never been his primary motive. He is the same person today as he was when he struggled to meet obligations. His motivation has always been on creating and continuing to provide a secure job for those families that are dependent upon LBA for their familys livelihood. He is still the same person that first thing in the morning walks around the office and speaks to every associate even though the office has grown and his physical ability has diminished. He knows and cares about all of us and our families. I feel caring, concerned and well-respected are far better descriptions of him. Campbellton lost on government log Campbellton is among ten tiny Florida towns which may have lost out on revenue sharing funds because the federal government apparently doesnt know they exist. Campbellton Mayor Woodrow Porter informed by the Floridan of an Associated Press report that his city was one of the ten cities in Florida eligible for federal funds but apparently overlooked by the U.S. Treasury Department says he was under the impression from correspondence his community would receive some of the funds. A Campbellton businessman informed of the oversight said, Well, the Internal Revenue Service knows where Campbellton is. Thats the government, the reimbursement department cant find us but the collection department sure as heck can. - Jackson County Floridan, Wednesday, Jan. 3, 1973 Prisoner upkeep costly The cost of keeping a prisoner for one week at the Jackson County Prison Camp has risen to $158. That figure was revealed by Commission Chairman M.A. Schack at a recent commission meeting. The first salmon of the year has been caught and released on the Lackagh River at 9.25am on Tuesday, January 1. The salmon, which weighed approximately five pounds and was caught on a single barbless hook before being released into the water, was also the first salmon caught and released during International Year of the Salmon which takes place in 2019. Michael McCann was one of 22 anglers who were fishing on the Lackagh River at the time of the catch. The river is not known for producing the first salmon of the angling season - in 2018, the first salmon was recorded on the River Drowes in Leitrim on January 30. In 2017, the first salmon was on the Munster Blackwater, Cork on February 1. Special initiative on the River Drowes This year, a special initiative is being taken at the River Drowes to mark the International Year of the Salmon. Firstly, all anglers that are present to start their fishing season at the river will be presented with a stainless steel commemorative pin. Secondly, the angler who catches and releases the first salmon of the year from the river Drowes will be presented with the newly commissioned Conservation Cup. The angler will also be presented with a one kilogramme bar of silver worth 750. Shane Gallagher of the Drowes Salmon fishery said: 2019 is the International Year of the Salmon. To highlight the value of salmon angling to the Irish economy and the importance of conserving this precious resource, the fishery is offering a one kilo bar of silver to the angler who catches and releases the first salmon from the river Drowes in the International Year of the Salmon, 2019. IFI congratulate angler Dr Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: "I would like to congratulate Michael McCann, on his catch which is highly coveted by anglers across the country. We are particularly delighted that the first salmon of 2019 was caught and released in a sustainable manner in Donegal in compliance with the 2019 regulations. I would urge anglers to step up their conservation efforts and engage in catch and release angling in 2019. The New Year coincides with International Year of the Salmon which aims to raise awareness of some of the challenges facing salmon stocks across the Northern hemisphere." Salmon populations have plummeted in recent years with the number of salmon returning to Irish shores decreasing by over 70 per cent. "We look forward to promoting this global initiative in Ireland which aims to bring people together to share knowledge, raise awareness and take action on how we can ensure the resilience of salmon in Ireland and across the Northern hemisphere," he said. Salmon Conservation International Year of the Salmon is a joint world-wide initiative of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) and the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC) alongside other partners across the globe, creating an international framework for collaborative outreach and research. It is hoped that this initiative will raise awareness of what humans can do to ensure salmon and their habitats are conserved and restored against a backdrop of several environmental factors which have contributed to their decline. The Lackagh River is open to catch and release fishing during the 2019 season. The Lackagh fishery is situated partially within Glenveagh National Park. Inland Fisheries Ireland is also inviting the public to help protect and conserve the fisheries resource during the year by reporting incidents to its confidential hotline number 1890 34 74 24 or 1890 FISH 24. The phone line is designed to encourage the reporting of incidents of illegal fishing, water pollution and invasive species. Anglers looking for fishing information in Ireland during 2019 should visit www.fishinginireland.info for all the latest angling news and reports. For more information about Inland Fisheries Ireland, visit www.fisheriesireland.ie. For two schools in Letterkenny, the return of their pupils for the new school year proved a little bit more special than normal back in September. Scoil Cholmcille National School and Scoil Mhuire gan Smal are now both co-ed schools, which means that girls and boys can attend both. Up until this year, only boys attended Scoil Cholmcille while for a long number of years, Scoil Mhuire gan Smal has been an all-girls school. At that start of the school year, staff and teachers at both schools welcomed a new intake of pupils, with many local families availing of the opportunity to send their sons and daughters to the one school. Scoil Cholmcille marked their move to co-ed by planting a beech tree in the school grounds at the end of the last school term, to signify strength and longevity. Ms. Mulhall with Jakub and Eva on their first day at Scoil Cholmcille in Letterkenny The school also unveiled two buddy benches to show how much friendship is valued in the school. This year, there were 60 new infants at Scoil Cholmcille, and of that total, 30 were girls. There are girls too in senior infants, third and fourth class and school principal, Paraig Cannon said the change has been extremely positive. Now that we are a few months into the school year, I can say that it has worked very well, he said. Its a massive change and the school has been the big winner. Even just optically, to see boys and girls in the school yard, its a sign that the school has moved into the 21st century with a new, fresh approach. Positive It has been a positive change for everyone and the convenience for families to have boys and girls at the school is also very welcome. Now because people have seen how this has worked, we hope that it will encourage other parents to consider sending their daughters to us next year as well. Its a similar story just up the road at Scoil Mhuire gan Smal which over the years has always been known as the girls school. School principal, Irene Simmons, described the arrival of 17 boys into junior infants classes as a seamless change for everyone. A lot of the boys have siblings at the school, or their parents were past-pupils and it suited them to attend Scoil Mhuire, Ms. Simmons explained. There hasnt been a noticeable difference which is probably the best way of saying that the boys arrival at the school has been very smooth and without any problems which is just great. Were delighted with how it has gone and the children and their families are also happy. We had two former pupils who are now parents and they both now have their sons at the school. The two mums were in the same class when they were here, and now their sons are sitting in the same class which is something that neither expected would ever happen. Ms. Simmons said next September, the school will welcome a new batch of boys as part of their Junior Infants classes and the plan is that within eight years, the school will be fully co-educational with boys in every class from Junior Infants up to sixth. For both schools, the staff and pupils are now well used to the changes. And it's generally felt that a co-ed school has so many more advantages for the development of a child than an 'all-boys' or 'all-girls' system. Even the schools' nativity plays this Christmas took on a change of significance when for the first time ever, a girl could play the part of Mary at Scoil Cholmcille; and a boy could play the part of Joseph at Scoil Mhuire. A little bit of history in a year of much change for primary school education in Letterkenny. Sensex ends over 350 points lower, Nifty gives up 10,800; autos, metal drag Market at Close: Equities have ended the session off low points, but still in the red. Weak global and domestic cues weighed on the indices. The Nifty managed to give up 10,800. Weakness was visible among automobiles, banks, energy, metals and pharmaceuticals. The Nifty Midcap index, too, fell over a percent during the trade. At the close of market hours, the Sensex was down 363.05 points or 1.00% at 35891.52, while the Nifty down 117.60 points or 1.08% at 10792.50. The market breadth is negative as 941 shares advanced, against a decline of 1,577 shares declined, while 169 shares were unchanged. Sun Pharma and TCS were the top gainers, while Vedanta, M&M, Eicher Motors and JSW Steel lost the most. Market Update: Benchmark indices recovered from the low point of the day, with Nifty trading around 10,800 level, while Sensex is down 350 points. The Sensex is down 367.21 points at 35887.36, while Nifty is down 124.20 points at 10785.90. About 824 shares have advanced, 1562 shares declined, and 150 shares are unchanged. Vedanta, M&M, Tata Steel, Bharti Airtel and Maruti Suzuki are the top losers on the Sensex. Buzzing: ?Capacite Infraprojects rose 4 percent after company received contract worth Rs 97.69 crore. The contract is for RCC, civil, high side MEP works for sub-structure and super structure of proposed research building of Institute of Chemical Technology at Matunga, Mumbai. Vedanta slips 3.7 percent: The company shares are trading lower after the Tamil Nadu government moved Supreme Court against the order of National Green Tribunal allowing reopening of Sterlite's Tuticorin unit. Market Update: Equity benchmarks continued to trade lower, with the Sensex trading lower by over 100 points. The Nifty is above 10,850-mark. The Sensex is down 110.21 points or 0.30% at 36144.36, and the Nifty down 38.60 points or 0.35% at 10871.50. The market breadth was negative as 810 shares advanced against a decline of 813 shares, while 99 shares are unchanged. Market opens: Equity benchmarks have begun the day on a lower note, with the Sensex falling nearly 150 points. The Nifty is below 10,850-mark. Bank Nifty and the midcap index are in the red, while pain is visible among automobiles, metals, and pharmaceuticals. The Sensex is down 146.02 points or 0.40% at 36108.55, and the Nifty down 65.80 points or 0.60% at 10844.30. The market breadth is narrow as 241 shares advanced, against a decline of 210 shares, while 34 shares were unchanged. NTPC, Wipro, HDFC and Bharti Airtel gained the most, while Tata Motors, Vedanta, Eicher Motors and JSW Steel lost the most Rupee opens: The Indian rupee opened marginally lower at 69.52 per dollar on Wednesday versus previous close 69.45. Rupee consolidated in a narrow range for the most of the sessions but rose in the last hour of the session. In the last couple of sessions volatility for the USD-INR pair has dropped as most market participants were on the sidelines following New Year holidays, said Motilal Oswal. Market at pre-open: It is likely to be a subdued start as the Nifty is below 10,900 in pre-opening trade. The Sensex is up 55.11 points or 0.15% at 36309.68, while the Nifty is lower by 12.50 points or 0.11% at 10897.60. The Indian rupee opened marginally lower at 69.52 per dollar on Wednesday versus previous close 69.45. NSEL scam: SFIO wants Sebi action against errant brokers The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) probing the Rs5,600-crore NSEL payment scam that came to light in 2013, has concluded that the 148 broker-companies associated with the bourse have made unlawful gains and that their NBFC arms might have laundered money. SFIO, which is engaged in detecting white-collar crimes/frauds, now wants market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to put the commodity brokerage houses, including the nine major ones, through the market regulators fit and proper test. Sebi must examine if these commodity broker-companies or their promoters or directors need to be declared as not fit and proper, the SFIO has said. The ministry of corporate affairs had in November 2016 ordered an SFIO probe into the alleged irregularities in the National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL) scam. In its report, which was submitted to the government recently, the SFIO has concluded that all the 148 member-brokers of NSEL had made unlawful gains while their clients suffered from illegal losses. SFIO also noted that, the NBFC companies of the major brokers, who traded on the NSEL, might have laundered large amounts of money of questionable colour and source. The SFIO has also suggested to the government to initiate the process of winding up the 148 brokerage houses for conducting business in a fraudulent manner. The SFIO report noted that the brokers indulged in rampant client code modifications and presented the pair contracts to their clients as a lucrative investment opportunity. The brokerages kept their clients il-informed about the goings on in the commodities market, the SFIO report said. The major brokers found to have made unlawful gains include Anand Rathi Commodities Ltd, Geofin Comtrade Ltd, India Infoline Commodities Ltd, Motilal Oswal Commodities Broker Pvt Ltd, Phillip Commodities India Pvt Ltd, India Nivesh Commodities Pvt Ltd, Integrated Commodity Traders Pvt Ltd, JM Financial Comtrade Ltd and Nirmal Bang Commodities Ltd, among othes. The SFIO also noted that brokers they were found acting in concert with the NSEL in misselling their fraudulent financial products. They also engaged in unethical and illegal practices like inducement, misrepresentation, making false assurances, alluring clients to earn brokerage and commission income, the SFIO said. It may be recalled that SEBI had, in April 2017, issued a show- cause notice to India Infoline Commodities Ltd, Anand Rathi Commodities Ltd, Geofin Comtrade Ltd, Motilal Oswal Commodities Broker Private Ltd and Phillip Commodities India Pvt Ltd for declaring them not fit and proper for their alleged role in the NSEL crisis. The SFIO investigation team contacted 13,000 clients registered with 148 brokers and received responses from 7,217 clients. According to the findings for 55 per cent of the clients, the primary source of information about NSEL and NSEL trading was the brokers and the employees of the broking firms. They also confirmed that the brokers gave wide publicity to the NSEL and the arbitrage benefits on the exchange. The SFIO probe also found that 83 per cent of the total clientele was not aware of the nuances of commodity trading and the risk involved. US satellite service start-up offers minority stake to Russia: report US satellite start-up OneWeb, which uses Russian facilities for its services, has offered to sell a minority stake to Russia, amidst concerns in Moscow about the companys plan to create a worldwide internet network using satellites, a Reuters report quoting sources said. Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) had in October raised concerns over the project servicing Russia for security reasons, saying it could be used to gather intelligence and undermine national security. Russia with its many remote areas, where high-speed broadband is not available, is an important market for OneWebs project. It also needs the assistance of Russian space agency Roscosmos to send satellites into orbit. OneWeb has offered the Russian government the option of buying a 12.5 per cent stake in the company in exchange for approving its request for a frequency band in the country, including one in the Kremlin, according to the Reuters report. The offer was made at a meeting with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev earlier this year, the report added. A Russian subsidiary of OneWeb and Rosmoscos submitted a request for the frequency band last year, but it was rejected by the authorities. The Russian government is reported to be not satisfied with the conditions attached to the stake purchase, as it wanted access to the technical documentation before committing to the deal. The Russian government is still discussing OneWebs proposal, the report said. If Russia buys a minority stake in OneWeb, it would be represented on the companys board of directors and will have access to the projects technical documentation, the sources said. RBI allows one-time restructuring of MSME loans up to Rs25 cr The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday announced relaxed norms on restructuring of loans to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector. Accordingly, financially troubled MSME units are permitted to undertake a one-time restructuring of existing loans under certain conditions. MSME loans worth up to Rs25 crore in the default but standard category as on 1 January 2019 will be allowed a one-time restructuring, RBI said, adding that such restructuring will be permitted "without an asset classification downgrade". To be eligible for the scheme, the aggregate exposure, including non-fund based facilities of banks and NBFCs, to a borrower should not exceed Rs25 crore as on 1 January 2019. The restructuring has to be implemented by 31 March 2020. RBI also asked banks to make a provision of 5 per cent in addition to the provisions already held in respect of accounts restructured under this scheme. Each bank/NBFC should formulate a policy for this scheme with board approval, which shall inter alia include framework for viability assessment of the stressed accounts and regular monitoring of the restructured accounts. The decision was taken at the meeting of the central board of RBI on 19 November 2018. The matter was also discussed during RBIs recent interactions with the banks and other stakeholders. RBI said the decision has been taken to facilitate meaningful restructuring of MSME accounts that have become stressed. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) form an important component of the Indian economy and contribute significantly to the countrys GDP, exports, industrial output, employment generation etc. Considering the importance of MSMEs in the Indian economy, it is considered necessary at this juncture to take certain measures for creating an enabling environment for the sector, the central bank added. Palm oil prices surge as India cuts import duties Palm oil futures in Malaysia rose to their highest in nearly two weeks on the first trading day of 2019, after India, the worlds largest edible oil importer, announced a reduction in import duties on crude and refined palm oil effective Tuesday to comply with preferential trade pacts with Southeast Asian nations. The benchmark palm oil contract for March delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange was up 2.1 per cent at 2,166 ringgit ($523.82) a tonne at the close of trade, recording its strongest gain in more than a fortnight. The contract had gone up by as much as 2.4 per cent to 2,171 ringgit, earlier in the day, hitting its strongest levels since 21 December. Trading volumes stood at 32,672 lots of 25 tonnes each at the end of the trading day. The import duty on crude palm oil, originating from Malaysia, Indonesia and other members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been cut to 40 per cent from 44 per cent, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said in a notification. The import duty on refined palm oil imported from Malaysia has been lowered to 45 per cent from 54 per cent, and to 50 per cent for its imports from members of the ASEAN, which includes Indonesia. While India is the largest importer of palm oil, Indonesia is a major producer of edible oils, particularly palm, followed by Malaysia. Palm oil accounts for bulk of the total edible oils imported annually. The duties have been cut, CBIC said "to provide deeper tariff concessions in respect of specified goods" when imported from ASEAN under the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and Malaysia under the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (IMCECA). The duty cuts are effective from 1 January 2019. Palm oil output in Malaysia, the second largest producer of the vegetable oil, seasonally declines in the first few months of the year after peaking in the previous quarter. November production had slid 6.09 per cent from the previous month to 1.85 million tonnes, according to industry regulator data. Jet Airways defaults on loan repayment to banks Fund-strapped Jet Airways has defaulted on loan repayment to banks, on what the airline termed temporary cashflow mismatch, after it delayed payment of salaries to pilots, aircraft engineers and senior management. Payment of interest and principal installment due to the consortium of Indian Banks (led by State Bank of India) on December 31, 2018, has been delayed due to temporary cashflow mismatch and the company has engaged with them in relation to the same, Jet stated in a filing with the Bombay Stock exchange (BSE) late on Tuesday. The beleaguered Indian carrier was reported to be close to finalising a financing deal with its Gulf partner Etihad Airways under which the latter will inject fresh funds. Jet had also held talks with some investors like Tata Group for picking up stake in it While the talks with Tatas have reportedly broken down, Jet is now in advanced talks with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad which has 24 per cent stake in it for increasing its stake and putting in funds. Jet, which reported three consecutive quarters of over Rs1,000 crore loss, had Rs8,052 of debt on its books as of 30 September 2018. The airline, which is struggling to cut costs and stay afloat, has reportedly assured pilots that there will be no delays in salary payments from 1 April. Jet founder and majority shareholder Naresh Goyal has assured the airlines pilot union that the funding, which will likely result in route restructuring and more flights to Abu Dhabi, could take place as early as mid-December, the channel said. Cash-strapped Jet Airways is also trying to raise money by selling a stake in the airline and its loyalty programme. Jets cash-crunch has also started affecting flyers as the airline has started slowly raising charges in some pretext or the other. Subscriber content preview RENTON A warehouse/industrial property at 400 S.W. 34th St. has sold for $8.4 million, according to King County records. The seller was XPO Logistics Freight, which acquired the property in 2001 for $7.3 million. The buyer was SPXPO Renton LLC, which is associated with Scannell Properties of Indianapolis. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The Coast Guard is seeking public comments on two new railroad bridges proposed near Sand Point, Idaho. BNSF Railway Co. wants to build a 4,900-foot-long precast concrete bridge over Lake Pend Oreille and a 505-foot-long bridge over Sand Creek. Both bridges would be built alongside existing bridges that would remain in service. . . . Tourism: nearly 20 million visited Croatia in 2018 Arrivals up 6.5%, overnight stays +4% (ANSAmed) - BELGRADE, JANUARY 2 - A record number of tourists visited Croatia in 2018, according to the most recent data provided by national system eVisitor, the Croatian tourism ministry said Wednesday. A total of 19.7 million tourists travelled to Croatia last year, up 6.5% compared to 2017. Overnight stays also rose to 106 million, up 4% on the previous year. Commenting the data, the director of the national tourism agency, Kristijan Stanicic, reported that investments in the tourism sector in Croatia exceeded one billion euros in 2018 and should be on the same level in 2019. (ANSAmed). A STRONG BUY ALERT has been issued for this little known cannabis company that can produce pharmaceutical grade medical cannabis at half the cost of its competitors. According to analysts, its an advantage that could help the company become a world leader in the medical cannabis sector Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, personal lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, and trust services to individuals and families, and high-net-worth individuals; investment management and institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offering equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. This segment operates 65 branch locations and 357 ATMs throughout Hawaii and the Pacific Islands, as well as through a customer service center, and online and mobile banking. The Commercial Banking segment provides corporate banking, commercial real estate loans, commercial lease financing, auto dealer financing, and deposit products. It offers commercial lending and deposit products to middle-market and large companies, and government entities; commercial real estate mortgages to investors, developers, and builders; and international banking and merchant services. The Treasury and Other segment offers corporate asset and liability management services, including interest rate risk management and foreign exchange services. Bank of Hawaii Corporation was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. Read More Highlights Microsoft Surface Go now available for Rs 38,995 on Flipkart Runs on Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y CPU Configurable with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage The Microsoft Surface Go is now available in India exclusively via Flipkart. The 2-in-1 computing device was originally launched in July of 2018, with a consequent announcement for the Indian market in December 2018. On January 2, the product finally went up for purchase and its starting price tag for the Windows tablet/computer in India is Rs 38,599. Flipkart had been accepting pre-bookings for the Surface Go for the last 2 weeks. The device is supposed to be Microsofts cheapest computing device, powered by an Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y CPU. It comes in multiple configurations, with up to 8GB RAM and up to 128GB of onboard storage. The 10-inch PixelSense display features a 3:2 aspect ratio with a resolution of 1800x1200 with support for 10-finger multi-touch. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3. Related Reads: Microsoft Surface Go First Impressions The base variant of the Surface Go, which costs Rs 38,599, comes with the same Intel Pentium Gold processor, but with 4GB RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. This configuration costs $399 (roughly Rs 28,000) in the U.S. but has a slight markup in India. This is most likely due to the import duties levied on the device, which is not manufactured here. The top-end configuration will cost you Rs 49,999 (8GB RAM, 128GB storage), while the same tablet will cost you $549 in the U.S. The Surface Go runs on Windows S, a much-locked down version of Windows. Microsoft offers a one-time upgrade to Windows 10 Pro, a one-way upgrade, free of cost for those who buy the tablet. Once upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, you will not be able to downgrade to Windows S. The Surface Go comes with support for Microsofts specially designed keyboard, Surface Connect and even the Surface Dial. Highlights: Google working on native dark mode in Chrome for Windows 10 The company will reportedly bring dark mode to MacOS Mojave Google Chrome comes with a dark theme in Incognito mode Google Chrome on Windows 10 doesnt have a native dark mode even though the platform already supports dark mode for apps like Microsoft Edge and Firefox. This may change soon because one of the engineers at Google has posted a message on Reddit saying that the company is working on the mode. The engineer says that till the company is developing the mode, it is advised to use the dark theme for Googles web browser. The development comes almost a month after it was reported that Google is also working to bring the dark mode to MacOS Mojave. According to Peter Kasting (via Techdows), For desktop, native dark mode support is in progress, in the meantime, we generally suggest people use the dark theme. Google Chrome comes with a default light theme and supports a dark theme in Incognito mode. Dark theme has been the talk of the town lately. Established web browsers like Firefox and the recently launched Xiaomi Mint lightweight browser are now focussing on bringing the dark mode to their UI. It's the same case with other apps too. For example, Googles own YouTube now supports dark mode and WhatsApp too could soon feature it. Windows 10 already supports dark mode and Apple launched the new MacOS Mojave with the Dark Mode as its USP. Last year at Android Dev Summit 2018, Google highlighted the importance of dark mode and dark themes on Android. The company shared some data on the subject showcasing the difference between the power drawn from battery while using light and dark modes respectively. In Android Pie, there is an option to select a Dark theme that turns the quick settings and the Google Feed dark, but it is not a system-wide implementation. Related Read: Google Chrome 71 gets abusive ad blocking update Google Chrome for Android may soon get an Explore feature Tanaiste outlines Global Ireland plans for 2019 Press release Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D., today outlined the Governments Global Ireland 2019 plans, the all-of-Government programme which aims to double Irelands impact in the world by 2025. The programme was launched by the Taoiseach, Tanaiste, and Ministers of Enterprise, and Culture in June 2018. Global Ireland sets Irelands global footprint into three broad areas, namely, how we trade, the bilateral and multilateral partnerships we build, and our wider contribution to the world. Speaking today, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said of Global Ireland: While cognisant of the immense challenges our country faces with Brexit, it is critical that we plan for our future, and embrace the enormous opportunities for Ireland all over the World. Global Ireland is the most ambitious international programme since the foundation of the State, and it sets out a vision to double Irelands global footprint by 2025. Huge work is already underway, and we will build new partnerships with countries where we do not have official representation, and deepen our existing partnerships, by opening new Embassies and strengthening our current network. We will strengthen the way Irelands Embassies, and our key economic, trade, and scientific Agencies work together to deliver Global Ireland. We will aim to double our impact by 2025, while also taking our responsibilities as a global citizen very seriously, building our development aid programme, promoting our unique Irish culture and our values, proactively connecting with our 70m diaspora, and continuing to be a world leader in UN Peacekeeping. A New Strategic Approach In 2019 the Government will publish and drive implementation of a series of key strategies which will map out how Ireland will deliver on the aspirations of the Global Ireland programme, namely: Asia Pacific Strategy North America & Canada Strategy Central & South America Strategy A new policy for international Development A new Diaspora Strategy Growing our Embassy Footprint Ireland will open 26 new Embassies or Consulates as part of Global Ireland by 2025, and will strengthen the existing network of 80 missions around the world. By the end of 2019 Ireland will have opened the following new missions: Vancouver (completed) Wellington (completed) Monrovia (completed) Mumbai (Q1, 2019) Bogota (Q1, 2019) Santiago de Chile (Q1, 2019) Amman (Q1, 2019) Cardiff (Q2, 2019) LA (Q4, 2019) Frankfurt (Q4, 2019) And planning will be completed for a further three openings which will take place in 2020: Kiev (Q4, 2020), Manila (Q4, 2020) Rabat (Q4, 2020) In addition to the new missions, Ireland will work to deepen our relationships with the key multilateral institutions of the European Union and the United Nations. A key component of Global Ireland, and a demonstration of Irelands values of peace, humanitarian action, equality and justice is our campaign for election to the UN Security Council in 2021/22, and 2019 will be a critical year for the campaign. Delivering on the new Ireland House concept A central theme of Global Ireland is the need for all component parts of the State, which have an international role to work collaboratively as Team Ireland around the world. A major enabler of this will be the implementation of the new Ireland House concept, which will promote a strong, coherent, and consistent presentation of Ireland on the international stage. 2019 will see the commencement of the first Ireland House project, in Tokyo, with an international architecture competition being launched in January. The Ireland House model will then be rolled out to key locations in the diplomatic network. Building Irelands Visibility & Reputation In order to double our impact, it is essential that we build upon Irelands reputation and significantly raise our visibility, especially in new and emerging markets in Asia where the traditional Irish Diaspora footprint is not as deep. In 2019, a new joined up, cross Government, international communications strategy to position Ireland as a great place to live, work, visit, invest, study, and do business will be developed. At the heart of this drive to enhance Irelands visibility and reputation will be a strong focus on digital communications, and a new Ireland.ie, Ireland House in the cloud, will be rolled out for St Patricks Day 2019. In addition, Ireland will have a specific focus on major international events, and an example of this will be the Irish presence at Expo 2020, for which planning has already commenced. Culture is central to Irelands reputation, and a new post of Cultural Director will be created in 2019 to co-ordinate the international cultural programme across the Embassy network. Team Ireland: We do better when we work together Enabling all the various elements of the State to collaborate closely overseas is central to delivering on the objectives of Global Ireland. In 2019, each country in which Ireland has a diplomatic presence will complete a comprehensive, joined-up, country plan outlining all of the activities and plans for Ireland there. A special conference, entitled Global Ireland Making it Happen is being convened in Dublin Castle, on 7 and 8 January, where all of Irelands diplomatic Heads of Mission are being invited to dialogue and discuss with Government Departments and Agencies to determine how Global Ireland can best be put into action in 2019. This event will involve expert international speakers on Global Issues, including the international teams from the New Zealand and Swedish Governments who have been invited to share their experience. Building Citizen Engagement Engaging Irish citizens in the wider debate around Irelands place in the world is an important component of Global Ireland. In 2019, two specific initiatives will be undertaken to enable debate, discussion, and analysis of Irelands international role; Global Schools and Global Ireland 100. Global Schools The new Global Schools programme will see Irish diplomats and peacekeepers visiting every secondary school in the country to engage students about the Global Ireland programme and the work of Ireland overseas. As part of the programme, each school will be presented with a UN flag and a copy of the preamble of the UN Charter. The Global Schools programme will allow for a greater understanding of how UN membership has played a significant role in Irelands foreign policy and actions - including our contributions to peacekeeping, international development, human rights and disarmament - and how we will continue to do so in the future. Global Ireland 100 2019 will also mark the 100th anniversary of Irelands foreign service, where we took our place among the nations of the world. To mark this milestone, a specially curated Global Ireland 100 programme will be announced in early 2019 which will see a series of cultural and academic events will take place in Ireland and across our international network. Previous Item | Next Item SHOCKING! Tinaa Dattaa Reveals That She Was In An Abusive Relationship For 5 Years! Tinaa Datta had begun her career as an actress right when she was a kid. She had acted as a child artist in many Bengali TV serials. In fact, she has also been part of films like Parineeta where she played Vidya Balan's sister. The actress has come a long way now and she has become a household name, thanks to performance in serials like Uttaran and Karmphaldata Shani. But someone as successful and as independent like Tinaa has also been the victim of an abusive relationship. The self-made woman has revealed in an interview that she was in an abusive relationship for as long as 5 years. In an interview to a leading daily, Tinaa said: I was in a relationship with a non-industry guy for five years. We had met through common friends. But I called time on it, because he was extremely abusive, verbally and physically. I would get bashed up even in front of my friends. I went bonkers to an extent that my confidence took a beating. I never wanted to go public with my relationship, but I feel that its time to speak up. This is a very brave move indeed and it takes a lot of courage to come out on these matters. Tinaa said that she broke up from this relationship in 2015. Is the man Tinaa is referring to Paresh Mehta who Tinaa had met through her gang of friends and who is also friends with Ali Mercchant, Nandish Sandhu and Arjun Bijlani. Talking further about her love life now, Tinaa also revealed that she is not seeing anyone currently and is single. She said that she does not like flings and even though she believes in love marriage, she might have to settle for an arranged marriage since God is not sending anyone her way. She also said that she is against marrying anyone from the industry because she has seen failed marriages amongst actors! WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee and Sen.-elect Mitt Romney planted their flags on divergent pieces of political sod in the past few days, signaling how the two Utah Republicans intend to deal with President Donald Trump. While Romney's Washington Post op-ed assailing the president continued to garner all the attention Wednesday, Lee told Politico on Sunday that he is ready to endorse Trump in 2020. "Without a doubt, rhetorically at least, the two senators are now in different places when it comes to the president," said Chris Karpowitz, co-director of the Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy at Brigham Young University. Romney will be sworn in Thursday, while Lee is in his second term. Karpowitz said it's a "little surprising" that Lee would announce his intention to back Trump at this stage given his resistance three years ago. "If he's decided already that he's going to endorse and that he's not going to support any kind of opposition to the president, then that's an important signal and I do think that's a headline," he said. During his Senate campaign in 2018, Romney wouldn't endorse Trump for re-election but said he expects him to win the GOP nomination and be elected to a second term. In an interview with the Deseret News on Wednesday, Romney again said it's too early to decide whether to endorse Trump and that he's going to wait and see what the alternatives are. Romney made it clear he is not one of those alternatives and said he will not run for president. Lee said he had "real concerns" about Trump during the 2016 election but now is "very pleased" with the president, adding I quite like him." Look, I had some concerns and I expressed those, Lee told Politico. Ive been pleased with the number of things hes done, and hes been very helpful to me on criminal justice reform. Ive talked to him a lot and talking to him helps me develop a relationship with him. Utah's soon-to-be senior senator, though, had no comment Wednesday on Romney's take on Trump. "We dont normally comment on op-eds from other senators," Lee spokesman Conn Carroll said in an email. But others, including Trump, had plenty to say about it. "Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didnt. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!" the president tweeted. Trump later told reporters at a White House meeting that he wished Romney "could be more of a team player." "If he fought really hard against President Obama like he does against me, he would have won the election," Trump said. Romney's niece, Ronna McDaniel, who heads the Republican National Committee, tweeted "POTUS is attacked and obstructed by the MSM media and Democrats 24/7. For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realDonaldTrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive." Asked whether Utahns agreed with Romney's op-ed, Utahn Don Peay, a longtime Trump supporter and family friend, said in a text message to "see Romney's niece's response." Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., questioned the wisdom of Romney's op-ed, warning the incoming senator that the move could hurt Romney and Utah. He explained to Fox News radio host Brian Kilmeade on Wednesday that Trump is accessible and will listen to criticism if it's intended to help the president succeed. "That will not happen if he believes you are out to get him. So I'm hoping that Mitt will sit down with the president privately, share his concerns with the president about whatever drives his thinking but also commit to the president that I want you to be successful and I'm here to help you," Graham said. "If he will do that he can be a very effective senator. If he's going to be the critic from Utah, it's going to hurt him and Utah." The New York Times reported that Romney's critique of the president "touched off a series of counterattacks from Mr. Trumps allies Wednesday and an initial effort to insulate him from a primary challenge next year." The Times quoted an email from Jevon Williams, Republican National Committee member from the Virgin Islands, who called Romney's op-ed "calculated political treachery," and urged other committee members amend party rules to prevent challengers from being nominated at the party's 2020 convention. Romney said Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria on a "precipitous basis" leading to the departure of Secretary of Defense James Mattis led him to pen the op-ed a "little faster than I would have." "Im not sure when the right time is to describe what your perspectives and priorities are other than as youre about to go to work in the chamber," he told the Deseret News Romney said its important for people to know how he's going to work in Washington and to know that he will work with the president and his polices, but that if or when he says something which is significant and is divisive, he'll speak out. "The president is going to do whats right for his presidency, and I respect that. We will surely have places of difference over the coming years. But I hope well also have many places where well find common ground despite the fact that were going to have some disagreements," he said. While Romney is off to a rocky start with the president, Lee has thrived in the Trump administration. In addition to getting the Trump-backed criminal justice reform bill passed his biggest legislative accomplishment to date Lee was among few Republicans applauding the president's move to pull U.S. troops out of Syria. Trump gave Lee a shout-out in a tweet defending the decision. While Romney appears to be setting himself up to contend with the president at least when it comes to character and leadership Lee continues to strengthen his ties to Trump. Politico reported that Lee and other conservative senators had lunch with Trump amid the government shutdown. "Im a big believer in the need to bolster border security and I think he is right to place emphasis on that, Lee said of the president. Neither Lee nor Romney voted for Trump in 2016, and both were highly critical of him during the campaign. (Lee cast a "protest" vote for independent candidate Evan McMullin, while Romney said he wrote in his wife, Ann Romney.) Lee tried to derail Trump's nomination at the 2016 GOP convention. In a June 2016 interview with Newsmax, he said he was open to backing Trump but was uncertain about where Trump stood. "I would like some assurances that he is going to be a vigorous defender of the U.S. Constitution, that he is not going to be an autocrat, that he is not going to be an authoritarian, Lee said then. Lee also took offense that Trump accused the father of his friend, Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, of conspiring to kill John F. Kennedy. He also expressed concern that Trump made "religiously intolerant" statements that turned off Utah voters. Karpowitz said Lee appears to moving toward the camp of Republicans who are willing to work with the president, though that's not to say Romney isn't willing to do that. Romney has largely agreed with Trump's policies. "I think Mitt Romney is taking a very different approach in being willing to be much more openly critical about the shortcomings that he sees," he said, adding he thinks many GOP senators have deep concerns about the Trump administration but are unwilling to state them publicly. Karpowitz said both Lee and Romney have room to criticize Trump given Utah has not fully embraced him. Contributing: Matt Brown, Lisa Riley Roche TUNIS - Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has announced parliamentary and presidential elections and a summit of the Arab League as the main events scheduled in 2019 in Tunisia. In his traditional New Year's address, the president called on Tunisians to welcome 2019 ''with optimism and responsibility'', noting that ''free, fair and transparent elections'' are confirmation of the country's democratic process. Essebsi requested an ''adequate climate so the elections can take place under good conditions'' and urged Parliament ''to speed up procedures for the election of the Constitutional Court's members, of the president of the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) and to renew the mandate of its other members''. Speaking of the presidential vote, which has not been scheduled yet - like political elections - but should be held presumably in October-November - the president urged citizens to vote, explaining that failing to vote is ''out of place and all Tunisians need to make their voices heard, choosing those who will represent them and taking responsibility''. The elections' results ''will be accepted by all'', added Essebsi, calling for unity. Another key event is an Arab League summit to be held in Tunis on March 31. The gathering, according to Essebsi, can offer an opportunity to ''strengthen Arab unity''. The summit, according to some analysts, could also lead to Syria's return within the Arab League after its ouster in 2011. SALT LAKE CITY Utah is already playing a role in the 2020 presidential race, with speculation surfacing Wednesday that the state's newest senator, Mitt Romney, may challenge President Donald Trump for the Republican nomination. The talk of another Romney run for president, fueled by Romney's op-ed in The Washington Post that said Trump "has not risen to the mantle of the office," was shot down by the senator-elect himself. "I am certainly not going to do that," Romney told the Deseret News. "As you know, I've run twice before. I'm not doing it again. And I'm not doing anything to position myself in that regard." But Romney said he's not ready yet to back a second term for Trump. Asked if another Republican should take on the president in next year's primaries, he said he wouldn't suggest to someone else that they should run. "That's a very personal decision on their part," Romney said. "We'll see whether someone decides to run or not. I'm going to wait and see what the alternatives are before I make up my mind about who I'm going to support." In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper, Romney credited Trump with being able to win the White House. "I acknowledge the president was successful and I was not. He did something I couldn't do. He won. I recognize that and appreciate that." Romney's statements come as reports suggest he is being urged to try again for the White House after losing bids in 2008 and in 2012, when he faced off against then-President Barack Obama as the GOP nominee. The Washington Post quoted a veteran Republican financier who requested anonymity as saying, "There is going to be a real race against Trump in 2020 if it keeps going like this." The same source told the Post some of Romney's biggest donors are ready to support him should he want to run. Romney has continued to bring his backers together annually at a high-profile political retreat at Deer Valley Resort in Park City. Spencer Zwick, who raised $1 billion for Romney's last presidential run and is a close adviser, "routinely fields calls from donors urging Romney to look hard at 2020," according to the Post. Others tied to Romney, including former adviser Mike Murphy, have promoted him as an alternative to Trump, the newspaper said. Murphy said on a conservative podcast that while Trump is "like a bumbling incompetent in many ways," Romney is the opposite, a Republican who is a "super-confident, safe, no drama choice." Longtime Romney supporter Kirk Jowers told the Deseret News Tuesday that Romney's criticisms in the op-ed, including that "the Trump presidency made a deep descent in December," shouldn't be seen as a signal of his political intentions. "Sensationalist pundits may try to turn this op-ed into some suggestion that Mitt is posturing for a potential presidential run. It is not," Jowers said. "Mitt's words today are consistent with everything he has said over the past several years about President Trump." Romney took on Trump during the Republican primary in 2016, in a speech delivered at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics that labeled the then-candidate as a phony and a fraud. Trump went on to finish a distant third in Utah's Republican presidential caucus vote that year, trailing Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich. In the 2016 presidential race, Trump won Utah but with his lowest margin of victory nationwide. Chris Karpowitz, co-director of BYU's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, said it's too soon to say what the next presidential election will look like in Utah and whether there's a role for Romney. "I haven't seen any evidence that he is seriously preparing to run in 2020 at this point. Everything I've seen indicates that he's taking very seriously his preparations to be a senator," Karpowitz said. That won't stop Romney's name from being mentioned alongside other potential GOP contenders, including Kasich and outgoing Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., one of Trump's toughest critics in the Senate. "I think the door is open for sure if he wants to do it," Karpowitz said of Romney, even if he's not seen as eager. "Mostly, it's because there are conservative donors and commentators who are itching to find someone to take up this banner." In 2016, Utah got a lot of attention from both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. Polling before Utah's March caucuses suggested the state could back a Democrat for president for the first time in more than 50 years. While that didn't happen, Democrats eyeing a 2020 race aren't ignoring Utah, even though the last candidate from their party to win the state was then-President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the first of some 30 Democrats considering a 2020 presidential run to set up an exploratory committee late last year, has already raised money in Utah. Warren held a June 2018 fundraiser at an upscale restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City attended by Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski and other Utah Democrats during what was described as a presidential campaign-style swing though the West. And former Vice President Joe Biden's recent appearance at the University of Utah was the lead of a New York Times story about his presidential aspirations, noting Biden declined to take a $100,000 speaking fee because it might seem distasteful. At the U., Biden never addressed the possibility he would run, something he'd planned to do in 2016 but decided against after the death of his son from brain cancer. But it was announced while he was on stage he was waiving his fee. Karpowitz said while both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates are likely to make stops in the state to raise money, it's not clear Utahns will see much campaigning. "It depends on if there is a significant challenger to President Trump. If there is, Utah could easily be at the center of the opposition," Karpowitz said. "If it is Mitt Romney, he's going to get overwhelming support in a Republican primary." The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement Wednesday afternoon concerning temples. The statement appeared on the church's Newsroom website. "Whenever the Lord has had a people on the earth who will obey His word, they have been commanded to build temples. Scriptures document patterns of temple worship from the times of Adam and Eve, Moses, Solomon, Nephi, and others. "With the restoration of the gospel in these latter days, temple worship has also been restored to bless the lives of people across the world and on the other side of the veil as well. "Over these many centuries, details associated with temple work have been adjusted periodically, including language, methods of construction, communication, and record-keeping. Prophets have taught that there will be no end to such adjustments as directed by the Lord to His servants. "A dedicated temple is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth. Its ordinances are sacred and are not discussed outside a holy temple." SALT LAKE CITY GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel issued a statement supporting President Donald Trump and challenging her uncle, Utah Sen.-elect Mitt Romney, on Wednesday morning. McDaniels tweet came less than 12 hours after Romney wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post that spoke out against Trump. She wrote that President Trump is attacked and obstructed by the mainstream media and Democrats 24/7. For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack (Trump) as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive, she wrote. POTUS is attacked and obstructed by the MSM media and Democrats 24/7. For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realdonaldtrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive. https://t.co/ArhI7Bi7bo Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) January 2, 2019 Flashback: Romneys op-ed, published Tuesday night, challenged Trumps character and style. It is well known that Donald Trump was not my choice for the Republican presidential nomination. After he became the nominee, I hoped his campaign would refrain from resentment and name-calling. It did not, Romney wrote. But, on balance, (Trumps) conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions (in December), is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office, wrote Romney, the GOPs 2012 presidential nominee. Trump: Trump tweeted his reaction to the op-ed Wednesday morning and referenced outgoing Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, who was a known critic of Trump. Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? Trump tweeted. I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didnt. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN! Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didnt. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2019 Family ties: Unlike her uncle, McDaniel has been a long supporter of Trump since the 2016 presidential election when, as the Michigan state chairwoman, she helped him flip Michigan, the Washington Examiner reports. McDaniel has taken steps to distance herself from her uncle. In 2017, she accepted Trumps request for her to drop her maiden name, according to The Washington Post. "It was just a difference of opinion as to where the country needed to go but it didn't affect my relationship with my Uncle Mitt," McDaniel told CNN. National reactions: Pundits offered a number of takes on the Romney op-ed. Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah,told the Deseret News the op-ed set the tone for Romneys arrival in Washington. What is interesting is that this op-ed was sent to a national news organization. He was clearly attempting to address the nation and the world in some way, Perry said. Before his first official day on the job Mitt Romney is already shaping the conversation in Washington. Jason Nordlinger, an editor at the Nation Review, tweeted that Romneys move wont sit well with all conservatives. Many, many conservatives will hate Romney for saying these things not because they think he is wrong but because you're not supposed to say them, and you make others look bad for not saying them. Romney has broken a kind of agreement (a tacit one). Good for him. Many, many conservatives will hate Romney for saying these things -- not because they think he is wrong but because you're not supposed to say them, and you make others look bad for not saying them. Romney has broken a kind of agreement (a tacit one). Good for him. https://t.co/Un7D0mHLSy Jay Nordlinger (@jaynordlinger) January 2, 2019 More reactions can be seen in tweets below. RNC member Jevon O.A. Williams, a Trump ally, tells the Post that the Romney op-ed should not be shrugged off by the party. Williams sent email last night to RNC mbrs warning that Messrs. Romney, Flake, and Kasich will continue chasing their fantasy of being president..." Robert Costa (@costareports) January 2, 2019 I get the skepticism over Romney, but we keep demanding Rs speak out against Trump, and he just did. It matters, he should be applauded for it, and I wish more would join him. Now lets see what he does in the Senate. Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) January 2, 2019 SALT LAKE CITY Heres a look at the news for Jan. 2. The Utah rape kit initiative is pushing for prosecution statewide. Read more. Mitt Romney wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post that Trump has not risen to the mantle of the office. Read more. A Utah doctor rushed to deliver Utahs first baby of 2019 shortly after the stroke of midnight. Read more. Four turnovers in the third quarter lead to Utah Utes collapse in 31-20 Holiday bowl loss to Northwestern Wildcats. Read more. The Utah Jazz lost to the Toronto Raptors, 122-116, on Tuesday night. Read more. A look at our political coverage: Our most-read stories: News from around the U.S. and world: NORTH SALT LAKE One man was arrested and another sent to the hospital with part of his ear torn off after a discussion about conspiracy theories among family members became heated, police say. Brian David Boyack, 43, of Orange, California, was booked into the Davis County Jail Tuesday for investigation of mayhem, criminal mischief, intoxication and three counts of domestic violence in the presence of children. Boyack was staying with family members in North Salt Lake. "They were out in the hot tub having a good time when a conversation began regarding big corporations and essentially conspiracy theories," according to a Davis County Jail report. The homeowner works for "a big banking business," the report states, and Boyack, who had been drinking, took issue with that. "The conversation became heated to the point where (Boyack) began to pack up his and his family's belongings and put them in a vehicle," according to the report. The homeowner locked Boyack out of the house because he was "acting crazy" and he didn't want Boyack driving, according to police. Boyack responded by allegedly hitting patio furniture against the house. When the homeowner opened the door to tell Boyack to stop, Boyack attacked him and held him to the ground, the report states. That's when Boyack "bit off a large part of his ear," police wrote. The arresting officer noted that the homeowner's ear "was missing a large chunk of flesh from the top of it." Boyack drove off before officers arrived at the house. But he later called officers and turned himself in at the police station. He was booked into jail about noon Tuesday. Ive done something horrible but I dont want to answer questions," he told officers, according to the report. BEIJING Chinese President Xi Jinping, declaring that independence is not an option for Taiwan, urged both sides to reach an early consensus on unification and not leave the issue for future generations. No one or no party can stop the trend toward unification, the Chinese leader said Wednesday in a policy speech devoted to Taiwan. He said independence for the self-governing island is against history and a dead end. "We are willing to create a vast space for peaceful unification, but we will never leave any room for any sort of Taiwan independence separatist activities," he said. Taiwan's leader rejected his call just hours later. President Tsai Ing-wen said her island of 23 million people would never accept the "one country, two systems" approach proposed by Beijing. "China must face the fact of the existence of Taiwan, Republic of China, and not deny the system of a democratic country that has been commonly built up by the Taiwanese people," she said. Taiwan split from China in a civil war that brought the Communist Party to power in China in 1949. The rival Nationalists set up their own government on the island about 160 kilometers (100 miles) off the Chinese mainland. Xi proposed talks between the two sides to work out "a systematic arrangement for the peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship." Tsai said that Taiwan is willing to talk, but it must be with the approval of the Taiwanese people. She has irked Beijing by refusing to endorse the "one China" principle that designates Taiwan as a part of China. "Deviating from the one China principle will result in tension and turbulence in cross-strait relations, harming the interests of the Taiwanese compatriots," Xi said. He pledged that a one-country, two-systems framework would respect the Taiwanese social system and way of life and guarantee their property rights, religious beliefs and other rights. "The political disputes that have existed for a long time ... affect the healthy and continuous development of the cross-strait relationship and cannot be passed from generation to generation," Xi said. He warned against foreign interference in the issue, though he didn't mention the United States by name. People on both sides of the strait belong to the same family, he said, and family matters should be resolved by family members. Xi said that China reserved the right to use force if necessary to counter interference by external forces and what he called an extremely small number of Taiwanese separatists. ___ Associated Press researcher Yu Bing contributed to this report. SALT LAKE CITY A total of 78 people died as a result of homicide in Utah during 2018. But while domestic violence and guns were again involved in most deaths, those numbers were down somewhat from previous years. The number of juveniles killed in 2018 was also down. Killings that could be linked to gangs, likewise, showed a decrease. One category that saw a dramatic spike, however, was fatal officer-involved shootings. A total of 18 people, ranging in age from 17 to 64, died as a result of an officer's use of deadly force, including 11 since Oct. 11. The 18 people fatally shot by police in 2018 is more than triple the total of six shot and killed during 2017. According to statistics collected by the Deseret News, the 78 people who died as a result of homicide in 2018 the killing of one human being at the hands of another was slightly down from the 80 homicides in 2017, and a record 90 homicides in 2016. It's Utah's lowest homicide total in four years. Half of all the homicides in Utah in 2018 happened in four cities: Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Ogden and South Salt Lake, according to the Deseret News statistics. A firearm was used in the majority of homicides during 2018, accounting for at least 52 deaths, according to Deseret News statistics. Stabbings accounted for nine deaths while there were eight who died by assault. Four deaths were attributed to abuse. Utah's youngest homicide victim in 2018 was 4-month-old Nevaeh King, who police say died of abuse and neglect. The oldest was Rose Martinez, 89. The Deseret News does not count automobile homicides, which often stem from drunken drivers, in its statistics. While police can't say why the number of officer-involved shootings was up so dramatically during 2018, several police agencies say the shootings are driven by the actions of the perpetrator. "We are responding to other people's actions. As police officers, when we have to use deadly force it's always reacting to what the suspect is doing," said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Brandon Shearer. Some examples: In April, Lonnie Marcel Bowen, 41, was shot and killed by a Unified police officer while still holding a woman hostage in his vehicle with a weapon. In June, Abe Martinez, 44, was fatally shot by three SWAT after killing his elderly grandmother and while in the process of attacking her husband. In Ogden, there were four homicides plus an additional three fatal officer-involved shootings. West Jordan police had two officer-involved shootings that went fatal in their jurisdiction, something that hasn't happened in many years, said Sgt. J.C. Holt. While Holt can't say why officers statewide are using more deadly force, he noted that in West Jordan's two incidents, "both suspects were pretty intent on making the officers act towards them." In one case, officers fatally shot a man who had previously attempted to force police to kill him. In the other, a suspect had ample time to drop his weapon, he said. "He was just intent on holding that weapon and continuing to point it at officers to try and push the issue further. It seemed that he had an agenda and was just desperate and wanted to be done," he said. According to a 2017 article by the American Journal of Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association, studies have estimated that between 10 percent to 36 percent of police shootings nationwide are so-called "suicide by cop." For all fatal confrontations, including those that do not involve law enforcers, Holt believes drug addiction has become a common denominator. For example: In May, Zane Anthony James, 19, was shot and killed by a Cottonwood Heights police officer after just committing two armed robberies to support his drug habit and fleeing from officers. "Substance abuse is so rampant right now in the community," Holt said, noting that pills and heroin are the current drugs of choice for addicts. When it comes to helping people battling drug addiction and mental illness, Holt said there will never be such a thing as too much community support. In June, a West Jordan homeowner shot and killed a woman who had broken into his house, allegedly to support a drug habit. That shooting was one of four self-defense killings last year in Utah that wasn't at the hands of police officers. The other three were: A clerk at a Bountiful pawn shop retrieved a gun from a back room then shot a gunman who was trying to rob him in May. A man shot and killed his uncle after the man knocked on his brother's door in Pleasant Grove wielding a hammer in each hand in July. An Orem homeowner heard noises in his unattached garage, retrieved his gun and shot and killed his neighbor in October after the man came out of the garage holding up a bicycle pump. Some confrontations seemed to escalate into homicidal violence without reason. In June, Thomas Ray Stanfield was allegedly shot in the back and killed by a security guard as the man walked away from him. Jawnie Lynn Wey, 48, was killed in a drive-by shooting in July. Hey was not the intended victim. Police say the suspects in that case were upset over the theft of a French bulldog. In August, West Valley code enforcement officer Jill Robinson, 52, was shot and killed without warning during a routine visit to a property where the homeowner had not kept his yard up to city standards. Also in August, Marcelino "Marci" Johnson, 16, who was trying to defend two female friends with him, was walking in downtown Salt Lake City when he was allegedly ambushed by Enrique "Ramon" Deloza, 28, and Nicolas "Chucky" Nazario Espana, 28, and stabbed to death. As is the case for most years, domestic violence was again a leading cause in the number of homicides in 2018. At least a third of the people were killed by someone who was either related, dating or previously acquainted to the victim, according to statistics kept by the Deseret News. Possibly no case better exemplified the dangers of domestic violence than the murder of University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey. Despite her repeated calls to the University of Utah Department of Public Safety to report she was concerned for her safety, she was shot and killed on campus by Melvin Shawn Rowland, 37, on Oct. 22. Rowland was a convicted sex offender who was on the Utah Sex Offender Registry at the time of the shooting, had served a couple of stints in prison, and was attempting to extort McCluskey. Other cases of domestic violence-related homicide in 2018 include: In May, 15-year-old Baleigh Bagshaw was attacked and killed inside her house after just getting home from school, allegedly by a man who used to live with her family and had a previous relationship with her, Shaun French, 24. In August, Valerie Brantzeg, 50, and her 13-year-old daughter were brutally beaten with a crowbar by Brantzeg's estranged husband who was upset over custody issues, police say. Valerie Brantzeg died as a result of her injuries. In November, Lisa Vilate Williams, 26, was shot to death by her boyfriend's ex-wife in front of the young children the ex-wife and boyfriend had in common, police say. Chelsea Cook, 32, a high school teacher in Lehi, is charged with aggravated murder. Despite those higher profile cases, the number of domestic violence-related homicides in Utah was slightly down in 2018. Holt would like to think it's because officers in West Jordan and across the state have received better training the past couple of years about how to recognize domestic violence, and because most police agencies have been using the Lethality Assessment Protocol, a set of questions officers ask victims of domestic violence to determine whether a victim is at risk for greater violence, specifically homicide. "I'd like to think the reason is we focus so much on training," he said. Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting the YWCA's Women in Jeopardy program at 801-537-8600, or the confidential statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online at udvc.org. SALT LAKE CITY Phoebe Friesen was working with medical students in New York when one approached her with an ethical dilemma. As part of his training, hed been asked to perform pelvic exams on women who had been anesthetized for other procedures. The student had complied but was troubled by what he deemed a violation of an unconscious woman's body, as was Friesen. I was really shocked when I first encountered this, and pretty horrified, to be honest, said Friesen, now a postdoctoral fellow in ethics at the University of Oxford who published a paper on the practice in 2018. Friesen later learned that the practice wasnt uncommon at teaching hospitals, where medical students, under the supervision of seasoned physicians, assist in patients care and gain experience in common procedures. While patients are typically notified that new doctors will be involved in their care, some may not realize the extent of the involvement, or that signing a "consent to treat" form, which varies by hospital, could allow doctors to perform a medically unnecessary test such as a pelvic exam. Yet, as one physician wrote in the journal Health Care Law and Policy, giving pelvic exams under anesthesia is "a practice that is age-old and universally performed." Twenty-five years ago, a report in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that 40 percent of teaching hospitals surveyed said they allowed new physicians to practice procedures on people who had just died in the emergency room. Only 10 percent of those hospitals said they first obtained the familys consent for performing these procedures, which included intubation and catheter insertion. Some medical professionals justify the practice by saying that, if asked, most families would decline, depriving young doctors of getting real-life training without the possibility of harm. Pelvic exams, the inspection of a woman's reproductive organs, are better learned by doing than reading about them in a book or watching a computer simulation, physicians say. To some people, however, probing unconscious women's private parts, regardless of motive, is akin to assault, and five states have passed laws explicitly banning the practice. It is a practice that disproportionately affects poor women, and those with little education and power, says Robin Fretwell Wilson, director of the Family Law and Policy Program at the Illinois College of Law, and a crusader to end the practice in all 50 states. 'An important teaching tool'? Wilson's efforts, and those of others troubled by the practice, are hampered by twin problems: a lack of women who can share their stories, and a lack of medical students who are willing to talk. Women who've been used for practice pelvic exams have no way of knowing, unless they wake up with discomfort unrelated to their surgery or have other reasons to be suspicious like a woman who posted on Twitter that she had long wondered why her feet had been placed in stirrups for abdominal surgery. Its almost impossible for them to know. It doesnt leave any visible marks; it doesnt leave scars. The students themselves dont want to talk about it, Wilson said. Medical students who are discomfited by the practice are often uncomfortable questioning a request by senior physicians who supervise them and who may one day write letters of recommendation. Theres also a pervasive sense that the practice is necessary to train good physicians, and thus a social good that outweighs concern about consent. In several surveys of medical students, including one at the University of Oklahoma, majorities of students said they had performed a pelvic exam on an unconscious woman. Some medical students advocate for and against the practice on internet forums. Friesen said many young doctors feel moral distress at what theyre being asked to do, and she empathizes with their dilemma. They are at the bottom of a very strict hierarchy, and they have worked so hard to get where they are." In her opinion piece in the Journal of Health Care Law and Policy in 2005, Dr. Jennifer Goedken called pelvic exams under anesthesia an important teaching tool and noted a significant divide between the public and the medical community, both in understanding what consent forms authorize, and also in the significance of a pelvic exam. To medical students, she argued, an examination of reproductive anatomy should not be any different from an exam of the lungs. Do we want the sexual mores of society to place restrictions on the ability of physicians to care for the whole patient? More germane to this discussion, do we want medical students to graduate less prepared to assess the female reproductive system than the rest of the patient? Goedken, an ob-gyn and associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, asked. Goedken contends, however, that consent is important and argues that consent specific to a pelvic exam could be obtained in the physicians visit prior to surgery. At the University of Utahs hospitals and clinics, its customary for a physician to introduce any student who is participating in a patients care, said Dr. Robert Silver, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. And although Friesen and Wilson have heard anecdotes of multiple students performing a pelvic exam on one woman, Silver said there is typically one student assigned to a patient. Its impossible to learn how to be an effective doctor and an effective clinician without doing procedures. You have to actually render medical care to learn how to do it. You cant just read about it and then go do it," Silver said. At the same time, there needs to be full disclosure to patients and to women about involvement of medical students, and consent. And patients can either agree to do that, or not agree to do that, he said, adding that teaching hospitals don't allow students or residents to practice on patients. Everything they do, theyre fully trained to do, and theyre doing it with supervision. And theyre never allowed to do things theyre not 100 percent capable of doing. Silver also noted that teaching hospitals are known for their standards, with patients having the benefit of young doctors with up-to-the-minute education paired with senior physicians with decades of experience. I would argue that the care rendered (at a teaching hospital) is often superior to places that arent teaching institutions, he said. In fact, a study published in 2017 in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that patient outcomes at teaching hospitals were slightly superior to those at non-teaching hospitals. Over 30 days, 8.1 percent of patients died at major teaching hospitals, compared to 9.6 percent at hospitals not affiliated with universities and medical schools, researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found. One woman's story Like Friesen, Wilson was leading a conversation with medical students about ethics when she first learned about the practice nearly two decades ago. Im like Oh, no, thats not possible, theres no way in hell were doing this without consent.' But then I started to interview faculty members, and they told me, 'We cant ask women. If we do, they might say no.' One woman who would have said no is Jane, a 30-year-old nurse in the Southwest who spoke to the Deseret News but did not want to be identified because she is employed by the hospital where her unauthorized pelvic exam took place two years ago. She found out about the exam, conducted before her laparoscopic stomach surgery, because a resident mentioned something she had noticed "when we looked at your cervix." When she questioned why the team would have been looking at her cervix during stomach surgery "It wasn't even in the vicinity" no one could give her a good answer. The experience was especially upsetting to this woman because she was sexually assaulted when she was young, and she consulted an attorney about her legal options. She was told that that the practice was not illegal in her state, and since she was not physically hurt, she had no recourse. "I'm mortified that this is a problem and this is continuing to happen," she said. "If that resident hadn't told me, I would have never had any clue that this had happened to me." Wilson, the law professor in Illinois, is also frustrated that the practice is occurring 15 years after she testified before the Federal Trade Commission in 2003. Two days after her testimony, the Association of American Medical Colleges issued a policy calling such exams "unethical and unacceptable." The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists later adopted a policy saying that pelvic exams that offer a woman no personal benefit and are performed solely for teaching purposes should be performed only with informed consent. In addition, the group says, "Respect for patient autonomy requires that patients be allowed to choose not to be cared for or treated by learners when this is feasible." What patients should know For women who will be undergoing a procedure in a hospital and are concerned about the prospect of an unauthorized exam, the first challenge is to find out whether the medical facility is a teaching hospital. It's obvious when a university name is attached to the facility, such as University of Utah Health or the Medical University of South Carolina Medical Center, but that's not always the case. "A hospital might be hundreds of miles away from a school it's attached to," Wilson said. The 1,000-plus teaching hospitals in the U.S. represent only 20 percent of U.S. hospitals, according to the American Hospital Association. Generally, large hospitals in cities are teaching hospitals while smaller, community hospitals aren't, but if you're not sure, ask. At the University of Utah, Silver said patients are often happy to have a medical student assisting in their care, and some research has shown that when asked for consent, a majority of patients are willing to have a newly minted doctor perform a procedure of any kind, whether or not they are conscious for it. But if you're not comfortable with the idea, tell your physician that you don't consent, either to one specific procedure, or anything involving a student. The hospital will have to honor that request without any change to your level of care. Ultimately, it's the senior physician, not the hospital, who is responsible for medically unnecessary exams done under anesthesia, Wilson said, but she believes that the American Hospital Association and other organizations could help end the practice by taking strong stands against it, possibly even linking accreditation or Medicaid reimbursements to it. States could also enact laws that would protect vulnerable patients, as California, Virginia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa and Oregon have, she said. "When we dispense with consent, (the practice of pelvic exams under anesthesia) is going to be distributed to a subset of society while the benefit is enjoyed by all of us. That should give us pause, she said. We do want to be thoughtful about how hard it is to train new physicians. We dont want that to stop. But, she said, when asked in advance, and told about the benefits and risks, Women will consent in large numbers. It wont reduce to zero the opportunity. Even the nurse who had an unauthorized pelvic exam two years ago told the Deseret News she might consider consenting to such an exam if she was about to undergo a procedure involving her reproductive organs, but not an unrelated area of her body. Otherwise, she said, she's telling her friends to read the fine print when they go into the hospital, as she did for another procedure two weeks ago. "I wrote (on the form), 'No pelvic exam under anesthesia,'" she said. SALT LAKE CITY The Housing Authority of Salt Lake City says it is seeking to change admittance regulations at the Valor House, a facility that provides apartment housing for homeless veterans, making access easier for those with a history of substance abuse problems. The organization which describes itself as a federally funded group designed to "provide rent subsidies and promote affordable housing for low-income persons" says it is prepared to seek legal remedies against the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Health Care system in order to change such policies at Valor House. It claims local Veterans Affairs policies discouraging the intake of residents with prior histories of substance abuse have led to high vacancy rates at Valor House, which was built in 2012 on the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs campus and consists of 72 apartment units. "The mix of regulatory barriers to tenancy put in place by the local VA caused this property to average over 30 percent vacancy for the past several years a total of approximately 11,000 empty bed nights at a time when many veterans are struggling on the street or in substandard living conditions," Britnee Dabb, deputy director of the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City, said in a release Monday. Jeremy Laird, a spokesman for the Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, said in a statement responding to the accusations that "VA Salt Lake City never turns away or denies services to homeless veterans." "However, we do make certain that veterans are placed in the appropriate housing situation for their recovery needs." Laird also said that "we are currently working very closely with the Housing Authority on a resolution while always keeping our veterans' best interest in mind." "(Veterans Affairs) staff will continue to be actively involved with Valor House and the care provided for veterans as we work through this complex issue," he said. On Dec. 20, the housing authority issued a document serving as both a demand letter and default notice to the Department of Veterans Affairs, saying the department has shown "failure to perform" certain "covenants and conditions" of the lease agreement on the Valor House facility, which was signed before it was completed. The letter requests "certain actions by the VA to cure such default" on the lease. The housing authority says in its letter that the lease agreement allowed it to "finance, design, develop, construct, operate and maintain the property," and to, "in consultations with the VA, establish specific standards to ensure eligible veterans admission into the facility." The housing authority says in the letter that their lease contract stipulates 75 percent of the tenants who are awarded a unit be subjected to the Veterans Affairs' definition of "'priority' veterans," and that the housing authority is permitted to fill the rest of the units "in its sole and absolute discretion." But Veterans Affairs staff has "den(ied) eligible veterans placement in the 75 percent of units reserved" under its authority, and has not permitted housing authority staff "to make exceptions to the eligibility criteria" as had been agreed to, the letter claims. "The VA has known since at least (August 2015) that, despite a surplus of homeless veterans in the surrounding area, there were consistent vacancies at Valor House," the letter says. The letter suggests potential legal action if Veterans Affairs does not meet the organization's demands to institute a "good faith effort" to promote "reasonable screening of veterans" and to give the housing authority "a greater role in tenant admission decisions" and commit in writing to do all of that by Jan. 15. Dabb claims that at least one reason for the alleged lackluster filling of vacancies was an incentive structure for staff members that discouraged them from accepting "veteran applicants stigmatized from past drug or alcohol addiction." Veterans Affairs staff at the facility have been rewarded with bonuses in their pay for "each veteran quickly relocated out from the property to other types of housing," according to Dabb. She said that meant that veterans with a history of addiction to drugs or alcohol, or those with "other conditions that could make rapid placement in other housing more difficult," were generally shut out from being admitted, in favor of those more likely to reward the incentive structure. "The VA not only overscreens and doesn't let people in, they also kind of cherry-pick clients they can move out quickly," Daniel Nackerman, executive director of the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City, told the Deseret News. Laird flatly denied the existence of any employee bonuses for quickly moving veteran tenants out of Valor House. "Federal employees do not receive bonuses for relocating veterans to non-supportive housing," Laird said in his statement. "Furthermore, they have never received bonuses for placement of veterans, nor is there any encouragement to relocate veterans." Laird also said that the "VA Salt Lake City Health Care System is committed to housing homeless veterans seeking personal growth and treatment." Dabb said in the housing authority's release that it had "gained the right" to "a more active role in the placement of homeless veterans" at Valor House, but it wasn't immediately clear whether Veterans Affairs agreed with that claim. Laird declined to comment for this story beyond the prepared statement he provided. Nackerman said his organization is fully committed to ensuring there is no tolerance for any substance abuse ever occurring at Valor House, which is already the policy there, but believes that "people with past backgrounds of drugs and alcohol issues" should not be kept from having a chance to get off the streets. "We've just run out of patience on having empty beds at the site," he said. Nackerman said the changes sought by the housing authority would ensure the filling of all vacancies at the Valor House by mid-February. Dabb said the high number of vacancies at Valor House have also "led to extreme cuts" in the Housing Authority of Salt Lake City's federal grant funding, costing the organization "almost $1 million to date." "Until now, this loss has been covered by HASLC using funds taken from other housing programs in order to prevent the veterans who did manage to get placed at Valor House from becoming homeless again," she said. The housing authority also in recent weeks agreed to contract with First Step House, a nonprofit that specializes in working with clients struggling with addiction, to more or less "replac(e) the VA staff and HASLC staff" working at Valor House in clinical and social work capacities, the organization said in its release. That move specifically, Nackerman said, is something that Veterans Affairs had indicated they are "favorable" to. But Nackerman said "there's definitely been resistance" and "dispute" from Veterans Affairs when it comes to changing the admittance policies that, according to him, have led to large vacancies. He said Sen. Orrin Hatch's office has "been involved for several months and they really turned up the heat on the VA the last month or so," and that the senator's efforts have left things "now pointed in the right direction." Multiple attempts to reach Hatch's office for comment were not successful. UTAH STATE PRISON A former Marine Corps reservist. who served in Afghanistan and Iraq before being medically discharged for post-traumatic stress disorder, is seeking to be released from prison early after serving nearly 13 years for killing his girlfriend. Walter Smith, 37, is serving a one-to-15 year sentence at the Utah State Prison for a conviction of manslaughter. On March 24, 2006, Smith drowned his 22-year-old girlfriend and mother of the couple's 10-month-old twins, Nicole Speirs, in a bathtub. At first, Speirs death was a mystery. The Utah State Medical Examiner's report termed it an unexplained death. Eight months later, Smith confessed to the killing after checking himself into the Veteran's Administration Hospital. He accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to prison in 2007. After his original parole hearing in 2011, the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole ordered Smith to serve his full sentence, which will expire in December 2021. But on Dec. 11, Smith went before board Vice Chairwoman Carrie Cochran to ask for an early release. Speirs' mother, Pauline Speirs, however, hopes the board will stick to its original decision. "I would love to have the option to have our sentence come to an end, she said in a recording of the hearing. "I ask that you understand, and that 15 years was mild compared to the lifetime sentence he gave us to live without our daughter." Speirs called Smith's actions "unforgivable." "I cant imagine the thoughts that went through her mind as the man she trusted to share her life with, share a home with, was the one forcefully ending it, she said. When asked to respond, Smith did not dispute what Speirs said. "I cant disagree with anything she said. Its true. I stole Nicole from all of her friends and family and theres nothing I can do to change that. All I can do is say Im sorry for the terrible decision that I made, he said. Smith spoke slowly and took several long pauses during the 42 minute hearing, but did not offer excuses for his actions. Cochran noted that Smith had not had a single disciplinary violation since being incarcerated, and completed numerous life skills classes. "It appears you have done really quite well, she told Smith during the hearing. Cochran asked Smith how he had dealt with his PTSD since being in prison. He said that openly talking to other inmates, notably a group of "Lifers" inmates convicted of murder about what he was feeling inside, both during counseling sessions and on his own, had helped tremendously. "Tried to recognize whats going on inside myself and try to actually think about the decisions Im going to make, he said of how his thought process had changed. Even before the murder, when Smith was going to the VA Hospital, he said "I wasnt willing to talk about anything that I felt might cause people to think I was crazy. That part has changed. Not being afraid to talk about feelings and emotions and just whats going on has changed. "I didnt know how to talk about anything," he continued. "Everything got bottled up. I didnt talk to VA about PTSD. I wanted to ignore everything because I didnt want to see that anything was wrong, and made the worst possible decision I could have made." When asked why he made the decision to kill Nicole Speirs, he said he didn't have an answer. "I dont know why I made the decision to kill Nicole. I really dont. A year before, I dont know why I made the decision to kill myself. I didnt do that, he said. Smith currently has no contact with his children, but wants to be part of their lives. "But that's not my decision," said Smith, who no longer has parental rights, Smith said he will respect the decision to have no contact with the twins. But he hopes that some day they will want to contact him. Cochran said the decision before the board now is whether to grant Smith early release with supervision, or allow him to walk out of prison when his sentence expires with no supervision at all. She admitted she was leaning toward granting an earlier parole date in order to give some oversight to his release. The full five member board was expected to make a decision in a few weeks. NAPLES - The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is hosting a regional seminar in the Moroccan city of Fez on January 22, aimed at strengthening cooperation in research and innovation in the Mediterranean area. More than 100 entities from the southern shore of the Mediterranean are already benefiting from funds guaranteed for projects with the EU's framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon 2020, and other calls for tenders are opening this year for Mediterranean countries' participation. The seminar will push for participation in these last Horizon 2020 bids. UfM said the seminar will include participation by representatives from universities, research institutions, the business world, SMEs, NGOs, and government officials from 43 countries in the Mediterranean. The seminar is being organised in collaboration with the EU and the Moroccan government. It will include presentations on strategies and financial instruments for international cooperation in research and innovation, as well as an illustration of the calls for tenders that will be open in 2019 in specific sectors. It will also bring together those responsible for regional interests with the aim of developing joint proposals, and show those interested how to successfully participate in the calls for tenders. SALT LAKE CITY Though libraries might be places of quiet, Lenore Lewis proves that the life of a librarian is anything but dull. Lewis, 79, has seen a hostage situation, three building changes and countless cultural shifts brought on by the internet, viewed from behind the librarian's desk. Sixty-one years and countless books later, she will soon turn the page to retirement. Lewis recently sat down with the Deseret News at the Salt Lake City Main Library to tell her story. The daughter of an English teacher and granddaughter of a bookstore owner, she worked at the South High School library while she was a student there. After high school, she was set to attend the University of Utah, but needed to find a job to pay for it. So she applied to work at the library in Sugar House. It's been a lifelong love affair since. "I've loved the people I've worked with. I love books. I don't own a whole lot of them, because I figure I've got them all here, and most of the patrons are very, very lovely, so I'm happy," Lewis said. "I just think, with all the things that are in these books, I'll never get to read all I want. And I just love it was so gratifying when (visitors) come back and say, 'Oh, I loved that book. Give me another one like it.'" By the time she graduated from the U., many of her friends had already married. But she had different plans. "I dated and I had guys who wanted to get married, and this is weird for someone to say, but I'm not fond of children," Lewis explained. Back then, "the few of us that didn't get married were looked down upon, that there was something the matter with us," she said. She went on to earn a master's of library and information science from Brigham Young University. "My father just said one year after I got out of college, he says, 'Lenore, I don't care whether you get married or you don't get married, but I want you to be able to take care of yourself. And even if you do get married, there's a chance it won't last. You have to take care of yourself,'" Lewis recalled. Because she didn't want children of her own, she never married, but says she has nieces and nephews whom she loves. Her sense of independence may have been what helped her in 1994, when Clifford Lynn Draper jumped on a desk and pointed a gun at her. "And he took his eyes off me and started pointing at people that he wanted to go into the conference room. And that's when I kind of snuck away and got to the back workroom where I could call the police, not knowing that three other people in the building were calling the police," Lewis said. She says she could not describe what Draper looked like, "but I can tell you every inch of the gun." When she went back to the room, no one was there. So she got on the elevator and went outside. Officials opened the Salt Lake City-County Building and gave escapees quarters to use payphones and tell their families they were safe. During the incident, Draper told several hostages being held in a room on the second floor that if he didn't get what he wanted from police, he would begin shooting those who drew the wrong straws to get his point across to authorities. Nearly 5 1/2 hours later, a plainclothes police officer who voluntarily became a hostage shot Draper three times in the chest, mortally wounding him. He died shortly after in a hospital. According to Lewis, workers at the library have "had some disasters that we've lived through, but everybody rallied around and made it better," she said. A few weeks ago, some of those co-workers and friends gathered in a conference room at the library to celebrate Lewis' career. Guests received "Lenore buttons" with a vintage photo of her printed on them and posed for pictures in front of a purple background. Many there described Lewis' retirement as a loss for the library. "She's a wealth of information. I would just describe her as stalwart, somebody who's reliable, who shares information and shares knowledge with new staff," Lewis' manager, Katie Thompson, told the Deseret News at the party. "She has a long relationship with a lot of the library patrons who come in. She's seen a lot of change in the library system, from before we had computer technology. She's like an encyclopedia of the library," Thompson said. During her time at the library, Lewis held a variety of positions, from book selector to manager, and performed countless tasks to help the library function. "It worked out really well, and I've been at the headquarters library, oh golly, since 1966, I guess," she said. "I'd only planned 50 years. I thought, you know, that's a good career." Lewis said she stayed the extra 11 years because of a program that delivers books to senior high rises she was concerned that if she left, no one would keep it going. When a co-worker hired this summer offered to take over the program, she said, "OK, I'm out of here." "Except now I'm wondering if I made a mistake. It's getting kind of scary to know that I won't have to get up any morning and go to work," Lewis said. But you can't keep her away from the books and the people she loves for long. "I'm gonna miss the place. For a couple of months. I said I may come in and walk. We walk a lot in here. This is a big floor to cover. And I think what I'll do is maybe in the afternoons a couple of times a week, come down, I'll walk on the next floor because no one knows me up there. And I can walk without anyone asking me where a book is." She also plans to volunteer at the library. OGDEN Dr. Mark Housley was summoned to the hospital at the stroke of midnight that brought in 2019. "I thought it was an alarm for the countdown," Housley said. "We got to zero and my phone went off." Fortunately, Housley checked his phone to be sure, which is when "I saw this urgent message to get there." Within minutes, Housley had arrived at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden and delivered a healthy baby girl, the first Utahn born in 2019. Weighing 5 pounds, 13 ounces and measuring 18.5 inches long, little Evolet Figuerola earned the distinction of the state's New Year's baby by virtue of an official 12:21 a.m. time of birth. More important, Evolet is also the first child born to her mother, Sheryl Lopez, of North Salt Lake. Lopez admits 2019 has been a whirlwind for her growing family so far. "It's scary at first, but we're super excited," she said. "I was freaking out at first, but I'm good now." Lopez has been making the trip to Ogden for her maternity care in order to get treated by Housley, who once delivered her younger sister. She wasn't due until Jan. 9 but was induced after she visited the hospital Monday and found to have preeclampsia. Even then, it wasn't expected Lopez would have her baby before sometime between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. "Everything was just super fast," she said. When Housley made it in just about six minutes before the baby was born, "I was freaking out at first," Lopez said, "but I'm good now." Housley said the delivery from that point forward went smoothly and that "mom and baby are doing well." He called baby Evolet a "beautiful little girl." Her father is Brayan Figuerola. Lopez had no idea until about 9 a.m. that her baby girl was the first across the finish line in 2019. In recognition of the unique occasion, Intermountain Healthcare gave her a certificate to spend as she pleases in the hospital's gift shop. "It's exciting. I never expected it to be like this," Lopez said. As for baby? She is blissfully unaware of all the extra attention, her proud mom said. "She's doing really good. She's been sleeping all day long," Lopez told the Deseret News. As she spent time bonding with her daughter, the new mom said she is struck at how Evolet is "just so tiny." "It feels like you're holding a doll." Evolet's early arrival means she was just in time for California relatives in town for the holidays to see her. She also narrowly beat out other babies who were apparently eager to meet the new year; University of Utah Health tweeted out its congratulations Tuesday to "baby Dezlynn," who was born at University of Utah Hospital at 12:38 a.m. According to the University of Utah Kem C. Garner Policy Institute, Utah's fertility rate ranked second in the United States in 2016, behind only South Dakota, though that rate in the Beehive State has dropped significantly since 2008. Housley delivered his 1,000th baby last year, and since then has lost count, he said. But some occasions like this one stick out much more than others. "Having it be New Year's, it will be easy to remember of course," he said. Contributing: Caitlin Burchill SALT LAKE CITY Nine years ago, a woman awoke to see three strange men in her bedroom. They tied her up, blindfolded her and burglarized her apartment. It didn't end there. While on her stomach as the men were stealing from her, she heard one of them call her "cute." One of them proceeded to rape her. But she couldn't see his face. On Dec. 17, thanks to rape kit testing, a shackled Bakar Mohammed Mberwa faced 3rd District Judge Adam Mow, who sentenced him to at least five years and up to life in prison. Mberwa, 28, had been convicted of rape and aggravated burglary, both first-degree felonies. "I think what's very concerning to the state is that this is a case that's a woman's worst nightmare," Salt Lake County deputy district attorney Colleen Magee told the judge. "This is what every woman fears who lives alone." Although the woman thought she had put the incident past her in the years after the assault, she unexpectedly broke down in her testimony during the trial, Magee told the Deseret News. "I think how she felt changed when she actually testified in court. When she testified, we actually had to take a break because she broke down. And she didn't expect that. So at first, she was kind of, 'I don't even know if I want to come back and do this trial. It's been so long. I'm over it.'" "But once she was here and she finally testified, she was very happy that she did that. And so I think the delay does cause, did cause her to wonder whether or not she should put herself through this because she was, in her mind, over it. But once she got here, it was something totally different," Magee said. The case marks the first that's been prosecuted through a jury trial as a result of Utah's Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, which started in 2017. The prosecutor said the conviction signifies that "we are getting these kits tested, and it doesn't matter how long ago your rape was. That you can, in fact, get justice." Utah's handling of sexual assault kits came under fire in 2014 when a statewide survey found law enforcement agencies had thousands of submitted sexual assault kits that had not been processed. More than 3,900 previously unsubmitted and untested rape kits have been submitted for testing through the Utah Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. Of those, more than 2,700 have since been tested, according to the initiative. "For me it feels like it's a slow process, but at the same time, you know, these are old cases that everyone wants to say, why are you doing this project? And those convictions are why we're doing this project, is we're giving that justice to those victims even years later. So it is worth it," program coordinator Krystal Hazlett said. The initiative established an information hotline, 801-893-1145, in mid-2017 that victims can call to learn the status of their rape kits. Hazlett says the hotline receives an uptick in calls whenever a story regarding sexual assault hits the news. "Is it just a general conversation that's going on that maybe hasn't before, maybe pushing victims to find more information? Yes. What we've seen across the valley has increased reporting," Hazlett said. Anna Walker, the initiative's new victim's advocate, answers all phone calls to the hotline. A former criminal justice major, Walker said she wanted to become a victim's advocate because "the more I learned about it, the more passionate I got" about helping survivors "navigate" the criminal justice process. "And especially if you're a victim and you're being thrown into that, it's really hard to navigate. And so I kind of just became passionate about helping people navigate their way through it and not feeling like they were alone in that," Walker said. When someone calls, she coordinates with the crime lab to find out the status of the caller's assault kit. "And then I also coordinate with the police department that took the case and let them know that the victim is reaching out," Walker said. She said anyone who has questions is welcome to call the hotline. "If you want information, I'll figure out where to refer you to if I don't have the answer," Walker said. All untested sexual assault kits will eventually get tested under HB200. But when they will get tested is an issue of funding. Hazlett says victims calling into the hotline can help the initiative identify kits as older than March 2015, which qualifies them as "unsubmitted kits." Federal funding a $2.2 million grant Utah received in October 2017 pays for unsubmitted kits to be tested, meaning that the initiative can outsource the testing, Hazlett said. It costs between $1,000 and $1,500 to test a rape kit, according to nonprofit End the Backlog. For people with kits in the current caseload newer than March 2015, calling the hotline is "not going to move (the kit) any faster, but we can at least let the survivor know" its status. "Information is power," Hazlett said. But she said the impetus for making sure their cases aren't forgotten doesn't fall on victims. "It shouldn't be the victim's responsibility to contact us and ask where that's at," she said. "That should really be our due diligence to say, 'OK, we've now tested this kit, now what's the next step?'" So far, the initiative has reviewed more than 300 cases with prosecutors and law enforcement agencies in Salt Lake County alone. Charges have been filed in 20 of those cases, the oldest of which was from 2002, Hazlett said. Two cases prosecuted through the initiative have led to guilty pleas and another guilty plea is pending, she said. One of those assaults occurred in 2007 when Gerardo Guzman, who was 20, picked up a 13-year-old acquaintance and drove her to a McDonald's, then parked near the airport where he forced her into the back seat of his vehicle and assaulted her, according to court documents. Afterward, he threatened to kill her if she told anyone. In May, Guzman, 31, pleaded guilty to attempted sexual abuse of a child, a third-degree felony, amended from first-degree rape. He was sentenced to up to five years in prison. In 2009, a woman was at her friend's apartment when a man showed up with "food and drink," court documents state. After eating and drinking what the man had brought, the woman reported feeling "weird and dizzy." She went with him to his apartment, where he assaulted her. Ramon Alexander Santos-Chaves, 39, pleaded guilty in January to attempted forcible sexual abuse, a third-degree felony amended from first-degree felony rape. He was also sentenced to up to five years in prison. For a prosecutor, seeing justice served for a victim of assault so many years after the fact is "a really good feeling," Magee said. "And so to know that, especially after (the victim) testified, to know that we actually got her justice when she didn't even think she still needed it, is very, gosh, I don't know the word. It's heartwarming. It actually is heartwarming. I feel like I've done something important for her," Magee said. Now, the initiative is making a push to get old cases prosecuted statewide, Hazlett said, and following up on cases with investigators and prosecutors in several counties. She said she talked to one prosecutor who said, "I didn't think this affected my community." "So it's kind of like, 'I didn't really pay attention to it because I didn't really think it affected me,'" Hazlett said. However, "it affects every community across the state," Hazlett said. "It is happening in your community, and so let's talk about it." SALT LAKE CITY Its own analysis that shows 60 percent of its coal-fired power plant units are more costly to run than shutter is prompting PacifiCorp to request additional time to review their potential operational life. The December request for a delay before the Public Service Commission involves the depreciation schedule for power plant units it operates in six states, including Utah. The depreciation date does not mean a unit's retirement, but rather the date at which the asset is paid off. A report early this month to the Oregon Public Service Commission shows closing some of PacifiCorp's coal-fired power plants could potentially save the utility company and its ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars. "It is not that coal plants are getting more expensive, it is that the alternatives are getting cheaper," said Sarah Wright, executive director of Utah Clean Energy. Washington and Oregon, in particular, have state energy policies that demand the removal of coal from their portfolio by 2030 in favor of renewable which is prompting PacifiCorp to take another look at coal plant closings. "The updated study will help inform the companys long-term resource decisions, but does not on its own determine how long specific power plants will remain in service," said Rocky Mountain Power spokesman Dave Eskelsen. Two separate analysis in the PacifiCorp examination did not examine either the Huntington or Hunter power plants in Utah as facilities operating in scenarios where coal is no longer as economically attractive. Thomas Young, a spokesman with Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign, pointed out the study was incomplete. "Its important to note that PacifiCorps analysis did not model a comprehensive set of coal retirement and replacement options, so there could be scenarios with greater savings," he said, including technological upgrades that are still legally required. Coal-fired energy in Utah, like elsewhere around the country, is presenting an array of challenges to utility companies. Across the country, nearly 31 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity were retired between 2014 and 2017, or about 10 percent of capacity. In 2016, natural gas overtook coal as the leading fuel for power plants, according to the Energy Information Administration. In Utah, demand for coal at power plants decreased by about 2 million tons in 2016 and remained at that level through 2017, according to a report by the Utah Geological Survey. Although 81 percent of Utah-produced coal stays in state, the ceased consumption of 1.5 million tons at Nevada's Reid Gardner Power Plant, which shut down several units, had its impacts in the Beehive State. PacifiCorp is not unaware of the increasingly cheap prices of renewable energy and its availability on the market. Excess solar energy produced in Utah, Nevada and mostly California is enabling Utah's coal-fired power plants to throttle back operations at levels not seen before. PacifiCorp and California ISO, which oversees that state's bulk electric power system, are participating in the Energy Imbalance Market, which uses rapid and sophisticated technology to send renewable energy to customers who are in "demand" for it the most. Other utility operators in other states are scheduled to enter the balancing act in the next couple years, but so far, PacifiCorp customers have already enjoyed savings of nearly $154 million since 2014, according to the company's website. A 2015 study noted that integration of the West's two largest grids could produce savings of $3.4 billion to $9.1 billion in shared-cost reductions in the first 20 years through better grid management. Wright said she believes as greater flexibility is built into the grid through turning on renewables, coal plants will become increasingly uneconomical to operate. "My hope is that in 10 years we have a completely clean grid," Wright said. The depreciation date for Hunter is 2042 and for Huntington in 2036, which means the "mortgage" on those assets is paid off. Aside from economic factors, environmental regulations are hastening the closure of coal plants in the United States, such as the Carbon Plant in Helper five years ahead of schedule. Utility companies, too, are increasingly making investments in renewable energy. The 2017 Integrated Resource Management Plan for PacifiCorp called for an investment in solar energy development and adding 1,150 megawatts of new wind resources by the end of 2020. Young said PacifiCorps' own numbers spell an early demise for some of its coal-fired fleet. "The bottom line is that PacifiCorp knows it may have to accelerate retirement of some coal plants because they simply can't compete with lower-cost alternatives," he said. PacifiCorp, in a statement released after the study, said other factors drive fleet decisions, considerations that especially emphasize having a reliable system. "The study reflects ongoing cost pressures on coal generation driven by market forces and regulatory considerations. The study does not, however, reflect a final analysis of all factors that will determine actual resource decisions, including system reliability and resource adequacy requirements," it said. Editor's note: This is the eighth of a weekly series featuring highlights from a KSL investigative podcast series titled "Cold" that reports new information about the case of missing Utah woman Susan Powell. WEST VALLEY CITY When Josh Powell moved from Utah to Washington in January of 2010, just a month after his wifes disappearance, he called upon members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help him both pack and unload his possessions. Powell likely never realized the man who organized that volunteer effort in Washington was a federal law enforcement officer. He had no idea that I was an officer and I didnt let him know, Rodney Stephens said during an exclusive interview for the investigative podcast series "Cold." Josh Powell first left his West Valley City home on Dec. 19, 2009, presumably to spend the holiday with family in South Hill, Washington; however, on Jan. 3, 2010, he told the bishop of the churchs Gem Heights Ward that he would be moving there permanently. Powell and his youngest brother, Michael, returned to West Valley City about a week later. On Jan. 9, 2010, Powell rented a U-Haul truck and trailer. He asked several neighbors to help him pack his familys possessions. During the move, Powell made several odd comments to friends and neighbors. He joked about a spill on the kitchen floor being blood and needing to clean it up before police arrived. He told Wendy Trujillo, whose parents lived two doors away on Sarah Circle, that hed loaded his wifes head in the truck. I didnt think was a very good joke, Trujillo said. I just looked at him and was like, Did you really just say that? Powell was referring to a mannequin head that his wife had used for cosmetology. Trujillo used packing tape to gather a sample of the spot on the kitchen floor, as well as of a suspicious stain on a piece of basement insulation. She provided the tape to police, who tested the samples for blood. The tests were negative. At one point, Powells estranged older sister Jennifer Graves showed up to help. She attempted to remove some of Susan Powells personal possessions, at the request of Susans father, Chuck Cox. Michael Powell confronted Graves, leading to an argument. It just felt like a really strange situation, Graves said. Why are you all covering up for him? Why aren't you just pushing him to tell what he knows? Josh and Michael Powell took turns driving the U-Haul to Washington. The bishop of the Gem Heights Ward had assigned the task of helping Powell unload the truck to the president of the wards elders quorum, Rodney Stephens. Stephens arranged for five other men to meet him at the storage unit facility on the evening of Jan. 13, 2010. Powell was waiting for them. His father was there and his brother, his younger brother, was there, Stephens said. He was kind of aloof from us. He would kind of walk around and look at all of his goods but he didnt help lift anything. Powell had been diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury less than a month earlier, a fact first reported by "Cold." He didnt help his father, he didnt help his brother. He ate Doritos chips and drank water, Stephens said. I was so frustrated that I would grab boxes and put them right in Joshs hands. Then he would take the box that I gave him, he would set it down, then hed go back and drink his water and eat his potato chips. Powell did not engage Stephens or the other volunteers in conversation. Had he done so, he might have learned Stephens worked for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service. Youd probably win the lottery easier than saying, Hey, Im Josh Powells elders quorum president and I work in law enforcement, Stephens said. Stephens found it odd that none of the property in the U-Haul appeared to have belonged to Susan Powell. The truck held a large number of 5-gallon buckets, which appeared to contain food storage. My own thoughts were, I wonder if part of her body is in this bucket that Im offloading, Stephens recalled. Stephens was aware of the Powell investigation. He kept a close watch for anything that might prove valuable to West Valley police. If I would have found something then I would have stopped it right then and I would have held it. I would have called West Valley, then I would have called the local agency out and we would have held it. Period, Stephens said. That did not happen. Instead, Stephens provided the location of the storage unit to West Valley police. They searched it on May 11, 2010, with Josh Powells consent, then searched it again on Feb. 7, 2012, two days after Powell killed himself and his sons in Graham, Washington. Neither search turned up any definitive evidence. Subscribe for free to the new KSL Podcast at www.thecoldpodcast.com. Engage with "Cold" on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @thecoldpodcast. SALT LAKE CITY Salt Lake Community College's initiative that uses free online educational resources in its math curriculum is getting national attention. The approach cuts students' textbook costs and ensures they are ready to go the first day of class. SLCC's math department was recently awarded the Digital Learning Innovation award by the Online Learning Consortium during the group's conference in Florida. The award recognized both SLCCs math department and the colleges Faculty Development and Educational Initiatives office's use of open educational resources or OER, which can be downloaded for free, edited and shared. SLCC is proud to be viewed as a national leader in the OER arena, said Jason Pickavance, director of SLCCs Faculty Development and Educational Initiatives office. Our aim is to always promote inclusive and equitable access to learning materials, helping make college more affordable and accessible to all. The college's open-resources initiative is called OPEN SLCC. It has saved students nearly $8 million in textbook and educational materials costs since its launch in fall 2014. The math department leads SLCCs open educational resource efforts with nearly 1,400 lesson sections that use the free resources. With the integration of OER into our learning management system, students have immediate access to learning materials from the first day of class, said Suzanne Mozdy, associate dean of SLCC's mathematics department. SLCC's math pathways program was designed "to help match their degree goals while significantly increasing their quantitative literacy achievement rates," a college press release states. In an earlier interview, Pickavance said open educational resources particularly make sense in mathematics because many concepts haven't changed for hundreds of years. "The idea that an algebra text would need to go into a fifth, sixth or 10th edition is, in many cases, indefensible," he said. The use of open educational resources dovetails nicely with other SLCC initiatives to make college more accessible and affordable, he said. More than 80 percent of SLCC students surveyed in 2016 reported that they have delayed buying textbooks because of cost. More than half of SLCC students said they registered for fewer for courses due to textbook costs, according to the survey by the Open Education Group and the Utah Academic Libraries Consortium. Nearly one-third of all sections of math and English offered by SLCC use open educational resources. The numbers of SLCC class sections that use open education resources has increased from 32 in 2014 to 1,771 in 2018. Salt Lake Community College is Utahs only accredited community college and serves some 60,000 students a year, who include traditional, degree-seeking students, people seeking workforce training and others. SALT LAKE CITY A jet bridge at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport partially collapsed on Saturday, injuring six people. What happened: Passengers aboard Flight 822 from Punta Cana said a woman on the plane felt ill and was being escorted off the plane after they landed, according to WJZ. The ramp to the gate collapsed. We heard this incredibly loud bang, it was just deafening. And then the thing crashed and it hit down, a passenger told WJZ in Baltimore. Emergency vehicles arrived on the scene. All six injured people were sent home from the hospital. The airport first released details on its Twitter account. Partial equipment failure involving jet bridge at #BWI Gate E-10. BWI Fire & Rescue Dept responded, along w/ mutual aid. Preliminary info indicates 6 individuals transported to local hospitals w/ non-life-threatening injuries. BWI Marshall Airport (@BWI_Airport) December 30, 2018 Theres all these fire engines and ambulances and they didnt know what was going on. So everybody got online and on Twitter and we figured out that there was some kind of jetway collapse, said passenger Jackie Glick, according to WJZ. Why?: Investigators said they discovered a defective metal bracket on the bridge, USA Today reports. Reaction: Southwest Airlines released a statement about the incident. At 7:47 p.m. EST, Southwest flight 822 arrived Baltimore-Washington International Airport from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, with a request that paramedics meet the aircraft to assess an onboard medical situation that occurred inflight with one passenger. While medical personnel were assisting that passenger outside the aircraft, the airport-owned passenger loading bridge experienced a failure. Initial reports are that a few people sustained injuries and are being transported to a local hospital. The remaining Customers onboard flight 822 were deplaned using air stairs. We are working swiftly to assist all passengers and crew. Fix: The Maryland Department of Transportation said they would replace the brackets, as well as five more that come from the same manufacturer. SALT LAKE CITY Carol Lynch Williams, a Utah-based award-winning author of more than 30 novels, including "The Chosen One," knows a thing or two about writing a book. But her most recent, a novelization of the Utah-based film "Once I Was a Beehive," proved unchartered territory. I had never done anything like this. It was far more difficult than I supposed, Williams said in a recent interview with the Deseret News. The 2015 film, written and directed by Maclain Nelson, tells the story of 16-year-old Lane Speer, who struggles to cope with the recent passing of her father. A year after his death, Lane's mom remarried a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and while the newlyweds honeymoon, Lane goes to a church-run girls camp with her new step-cousin. In this original, coming-of-age story, Lane tries to navigate new surroundings and friendships while seeking to find peace with her loss and life changes. After hearing the buzz surrounding Nelson's new movie and meeting the writer-director at an event, Williams found herself involved in the story's next iteration. (Nelson was talking with me and said), Im kind of interested in possibly having this movie made into a book. Do you know anybody who might be willing to do that? and I said, I do: I might be willing to do that, Williams said. Nelson quickly sent her the script, but suggested that she watch the movie first to see if she even liked it. Liked it she did and Williams went to work on the book straightaway. Although its common for a book to made into a movie, writing a book based on a movie is a different process, one a seasoned writer like Williams found to be more challenging than she anticipated. But it also gave her the opportunity to flesh out established characters, digging into their past and highlighting their emotional stories. "(For example), how would (Lane) really react if her father was gone, explore their relationship before the father dies and try to make each character have a back story," Williams said. " I just wanted it to be a complete story. I tend to write darker novels true to life, (so) I explored a girl that lost her dad a little girl who is terrified about everything. While Williams admits that as a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she isnt too familiar with the church-run girls camp and all of its traditions, she has raised five daughters, which helped her infuse authenticity into the characters in Once I was a Beehive. I do know about girls, Williams said. I do know about their emotions and the up and downs of girls. I also know about loss and losing somebody that you love. (In life,) we have these beautiful relationships and we give our all to them, the ache we feel with loss means that we loved. I wanted to show that. Williams, who has run a successful writer's workshop for 20 years, has mastered the art of writing character-driven novels and strives to always ensures that each one is uniquely complex. While she strives to write characters that are real and raw, the message Williams hopes readers glean from Once I was a Beehive is a simple one. I just want (people) to think, Oh that was fun, I really enjoyed that. By Karl Vick 10 December 2018 (TIME) The stout man with the gray goatee and the gentle demeanor dared to disagree with his countrys government. He told the world the truth about its brutality toward those who would speak out. And he was murdered for it.Every detail of Jamal Khashoggis killing made it a sensation: the time stamp on the surveillance video that captured the Saudi journalist entering his countrys Istanbul consulate on 2 October 2018; the taxiway images of the private jets bearing his assassins; the bone saw; the reports of his final words, I cant breathe, recorded on audio as the life was choked from him.But the crime would not have remained atop the world news for two months if not for the epic themes that Khashoggi himself was ever alert to, and spent his life placing before the public. His death laid bare the true nature of a smiling prince, the utter absence of morality in the Saudi-U.S. alliance andin the cascade of news feeds and alerts, posts and shares and linksthe centrality of the question Khashoggi was killed over: Whom do you trust to tell the story?Khashoggi put his faith in bearing witness. He put it in the field reporting he had done since youth, in the newspaper editorship he was forced out of and in the columns he wrote from lonely exile. Must we choose, he asked in the Washington Post in May, between movie theaters and our rights as citizens to speak out, whether in support of or critical of our governments actions? Khashoggi had fled his homeland last year even though he actually supported much of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans agenda in Saudi Arabia. What irked the kingdom and marked the journalist for death was Khashoggis insistence on coming to that conclusion on his own, tempering it with troubling facts and trusting the public to think for itself. By Damian Carrington 4 December 2018 KATOWICE, Poland Action to fight global warming is coming whether world leaders like it or not, school student Greta Thunberg has told the UN climate change summit, accusing them of behaving like irresponsible children.Thunberg began a solo climate protest by striking from school in Sweden in August 2018. But more than 20,000 students around the world have now joined her. The school strikes have spread to at least 270 towns and cities in countries across the world, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the US, and Japan.For 25 years countless people have come to the UN climate conferences begging our world leaders to stop emissions and clearly that has not worked as emissions are continuing to rise. So I will not beg the world leaders to care for our future, she said. I will instead let them know change is coming whether they like it or not.Since our leaders are behaving like children, we will have to take the responsibility they should have taken long ago, she said. We have to understand what the older generation has dealt to us, what mess they have created that we have to clean up and live with. We have to make our voices heard.The conference of nearly 200 nations is taking place in Katowice, Poland, and its main task is to turn the vision of tackling global warming agreed in Paris in 2015 into concrete action. On Monday, Sir David Attenborough told the summit that without action the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon.Thunberg, who had a meeting with the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, on Monday, said: What I hope we achieve at this conference is that we realise that we are facing an existential threat. This is the biggest crisis humanity has ever faced. First we have to realise this and then as fast as possible do something to stop the emissions and try to save what we can save.On Tuesday, Guterres said: Our younger generations will have to help drive, and complete, the work we start today. We need to harness their energy, invention and political power to raise climate ambition.Toby Thorpe, a school student from Hobart, Tasmania, who took part in the recent school strikes in Australia and is also at the UN summit, said: We are in this together. Together we are strong and we will not give up. Australias resources minister, Matt Canavan, had dismissed the school strike the best thing youll learn about going to a protest is how to join the dole queue but the Senate later approved a motion in support of the students. [more] ISTANBUL - Turkish troops and vehicles are still being deployed at the border with Syria despite the postponement of an announced military operation across the border against Kurdish YPG militias as new convoys have reached border provinces over the past few hours, local media reported Wednesday. The operation was announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw support to the Kurds. In particular, vehicles full of ammunitions, generators and fuel tanks have crossed the center of Sanliurfa towards Mardin, while another convoy with ammunition and troops crossed Kilis towards Gaziantep, where heavy artillery has also been transferred from Hatay, according to the reports. By Holly Yan and Chris Boyette 4 December 2018 (CNN) Californias Camp Fire didnt just kill dozens of people and destroy thousands of homes. It also left an insurance company in financial ruins, unable to pay millions of dollars to policyholders.A state judge ruled that Merced Property & Casualty Co. cant meet its obligations after last months Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. Merceds assets are about $23 million, but it faced about $64 million in outstanding liabilities just in the city of Paradise, court filings show.Judge Brian McCabes decision allows the California Department of Insurance to take control of Merced. According to court documents, the states Conservation & Liquidation Office will start liquidating whats left of the company. [more] 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] By Christopher F. Schuetze 4 November 2018 KAUB, Germany (The New York Times) Just after sunrise, Capt. Frank Sep turned to his ships radio for the defining news of his day: the water level in Kaub, the shallowest part of the middle section of the Rhine, Germanys most important shipping route. The news was bad, as it so often is these days. One of the longest dry spells on record has left parts of the Rhine at record-low levels for months, forcing freighters to reduce their cargo or stop plying the river altogether.Parts of the Danube and the Elbe Germanys other major rivers for transport are also drying up. Some inland ports are idle, and it is estimated that millions of tons of goods are having to be transported by rail or road.With castles and vineyards dominating the river banks near Kaub, just five miles from the Lorelei rock, named for a siren who was said to lure sailors to their deaths, it would be easy to forget how important the area is to German commerce. It is roughly halfway between the inland ports of Koblenz and Mainz, and virtually all freight shipped from seaports in the Netherlands and Belgium to the industrial southwest of Germany passes through here.On a day in late October 2018, Captain Sep learned that the river was just 10 inches deep. That meant the water in the man-made shipping channel dredged near the center of the river was about five feet deep, down from an average of about 11 feet. Even with cargo at one-third of its usual weight, his 282-foot freighter Rex-Rheni the King Rhine would have only inches of water under its hull.Ive never experienced so little water here, said Captain Sep, who has been working on the river since 1982, the last 22 years on the Rex-Rheni. Its becoming so low that its very difficult for ships to pass.An exceptionally dry summer has caused havoc across Europe. A trade group in Germany put farmers losses at several billion dollars. The German chemical giant BASF had to decrease production at one of its plants over the summer because the Rhine, whose water it uses to cool production, was too low. [] By Amanda Mull 17 November 2018 (The Atlantic) The particulates in smoke dont destroy homes. They dont down trees. But in the case of wildfires, smokes impactsand dangerscan reach hundreds of miles further than the flames themselves. As of Friday evening, the Camp Fire raging in Butte County, north of the San Francisco Bay Area, has a death toll of 71 and has left more than 1,000 people unaccounted for. The fires smoke, meanwhile, has been endangering the health of millions of of Northern Californians.Northern California had some of the worst air quality in the world at the end of this week, with levels of hazardous airborne particulate soaring. With that has come a variety of public-health moves to keep residents safe in the regions most populated areas. There have been widespread school and university closures. Many businesses have urged employees to work from home. Some public transit in San Francisco has been made free, in an effort to keep people inside as much as possible if they must commute.In a region whose weather is usually pretty temperate, smoke days have become the Bay Areas version of snow days. But instead of a joyful respite from work, wildfire smoke mixes a blizzards large-scale logistical nightmares with the anxiety of worsening climate change and a class divide that plagues American public health. Three of the five largest fires on record in California have occurred in the past three years, all in the northern part of the state. For the regions residents, smoke days wont go away once the Camp Fire is contained.The risk posed by wildfire smoke is significant, and it goes far beyond a few days of coughing or headaches. According to Kristie Ebie, a professor of global public health at the University of Washington, the consequences of breathing wildfire smoke extend to other parts of the body because of the noxious nature of the tiny debris the smoke carries with it. That affects not only peoples lungs, but it gets absorbed into peoples systems, she says. Recent research shows that absorption can lead to cardiac arrest, stroke, and other deadly outcomes.With kids home from school, people working from home, and few safe ways to leave the house, Northern Californians are looking for any outlet available to find some relief. Its very challenging, because everyones cooped up, said Aubrey Hirsch as she sat on the floor of a Berkeley public library and built a Lego boat with her son, whose school closed on Friday. The boy was happy to be have the day off, but Hirsch, a writer, lost a day of work.Local officials have encouraged people to seek libraries as a safe destination for those who need or want to leave their homes, and especially for those who dont have in-home air filtration or air conditioning, which can help cycle out smoke that seeps in. On Friday morning, every seat at the Berkeley librarys regularly scheduled story time was full. [more] By Seth Borenstein 12 November 2018 WASHINGTON (AP) Both nature and humans share blame for Californias devastating wildfires, but forest management did not play a major role, despite President Donald Trumps claims, fire scientists say.Nature provides the dangerous winds that have whipped the fires, and human-caused climate change over the long haul is killing and drying the shrubs and trees that provide the fuel, experts say.Natural factors and human-caused global warming effects fatally collude in these fires, said wildfire expert Kristen Thornicke of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.Multiple reasons explain the fires severity, but forest management wasnt one of them, University of Utah fire scientist Philip Dennison said.Trump tweeted on Saturday: There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor. Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests.The death toll from the wildfire that incinerated the Northern California town of Paradise and surrounding areas climbed to 42, making it the single deadliest single blaze in California history. Statewide, the number of fire dead stood at 44, including two victims in Southern California.One reason that scientists know that management isnt to blame is that some areas now burning had fires in 2005 and 2008, so they arent fuel-choked closed-canopy forests, Dennison said. By Nathan Hodge and Mary Ilyushina 6 November 2018 MOSCOW (CNN) Russian prosecutors in the far eastern city of Vladivostok are investigating the capture of beluga whales and orcas after reports emerged of marine mammals penned inside what some have dubbed a whale jail, Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti reported Tuesday. According to local media and the investigative newspaper Novaya Gazeta, more than 100 whales are being held in pens in Srednyaya Bay, near the city of Nakhodka.RIA-Novosti, citing the Vladivostok environmental prosecutors office, said 11 orcas (or killer whales) and several dozen belugas were being kept in cages.Commercial capture of killer whales is strictly regulated and allowed solely for educational and scientific purposes, RIA-Novosti added. Packed in cages The reports have caused a stir in the Russian Far East. VL.ru, a Vladivostok-based internet portal, published still photographs showing the holding pens. RIA-Novosti reported that a local animal-rights activist launched a complaint with the police after unknown individuals stopped her from taking a picture of Srednyaya Bay.A reporter for Primorye TV, a local state-owned network, posted footage from a drone showing the marine mammals crowded in the cages. That video, hashtagged whale jail and whales4sale, has been shared over 1,800 times. By Abrahm Lustgarten 20 November 2018 (The New York Times) The fields outside Kotawaringin village in Central Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, looked as if they had just been cleared by armies. None of the old growth remained only charred stumps poking up from murky, dark pools of water. In places, smoke still curled from land that days ago had been covered with lush jungle. Villagers had burned it all down, clearing the way for a lucrative crop whose cultivation now dominates the entire island: the oil-palm tree. The dirt road was ruler straight, but deep holes and errant boulders tossed our tiny Toyota back and forth. Trucks coughed out black smoke, their beds brimming over with seven-ton loads of palm fruit rocking back and forth on tires as tall as people. Clear-cut expanses soon gave way to a uniform crop of oil-palm groves: orderly trees, a sign that we had crossed into an industrial palm plantation. Oil-palm trees look like the coconut-palm trees you see on postcards from Florida they grow to more than 60 feet tall and flourish on the peaty wetland soil common in lowland tropics. But they are significantly more valuable. Every two weeks or so, each tree produces a 50-pound bunch of walnut-size fruit, bursting with a red, viscous oil that is more versatile than almost any other plant-based oil of its kind. Indonesia is rich in timber and coal, but palm oil is its biggest export. Around the world, the oil from its meat and seeds has long been an indispensable ingredient in everything from soap to ice cream. But it has now become a key ingredient of something else: biodiesel, fuel for diesel engines that has been wholly or partly made from vegetable oil. Finally we emerged, and as we crested a hill, the plantations fell into an endless repetition of tidy bunches stretching for miles, looking almost like the rag of a Berber carpet. Occasionally, a shard of an old ironwood tree shot into the air, a remnant of the primordial canopy of dense rain forest that dominated the land until very recently. Our driver, a 44-year-old island native and whistle-blower named Gusti Gelambong, had brought us here to show us the incredible destruction wrought by the growing demand for palm oil. The oldest male among nine siblings, he was modestly built but exuded a wiry strength. His father, he told us, was a king of one of Borneos dozens of Dayak tribes, the sixth descendant of the sultan of Old Kotawaringin, and his mother came from a line of warriors who served in the Indonesian special forces. In 2001, he said, he took part in a brutal ethnic cleansing of Indonesians who had moved in from the nearby island of Madura. He macheted his way through the nearby town of Pangkalan Bun, slaughtering dozens of people. He felt no remorse about the violence. But the palm-oil companies, Gelambong said, were much stronger than the Madurese. As we approached an intersection, we could see two plantation guards lying back in a shack, rifles propped against their knees. He sped past the guards, averting his eyes. Most of the plantations around us were new, their rise a direct consequence of policy decisions made half a world away. In the mid-2000s, Western nations, led by the United States, began drafting environmental laws that encouraged the use of vegetable oil in fuels an ambitious move to reduce carbon dioxide and curb global warming. But these laws were drawn up based on an incomplete accounting of the true environmental costs. Despite warnings that the policies could have the opposite of their intended effect, they were implemented anyway, producing what now appears to be a calamity with global consequences. The tropical rain forests of Indonesia, and in particular the peatland regions of Borneo, have large amounts of carbon trapped within their trees and soil. Slashing and burning the existing forests to make way for oil-palm cultivation had a perverse effect: It released more carbon. A lot more carbon. NASA researchers say the accelerated destruction of Borneos forests contributed to the largest single-year global increase in carbon emissions in two millenniums, an explosion that transformed Indonesia into the worlds fourth-largest source of such emissions. Instead of creating a clever technocratic fix to reduce Americans carbon footprint, lawmakers had lit the fuse on a powerful carbon bomb that, as the forests were cleared and burned, produced more carbon than the entire continent of Europe. The unprecedented palm-oil boom, meanwhile, has enriched and emboldened many of the regions largest corporations, which have begun using their newfound power and wealth to suppress critics, abuse workers and acquire more land to produce oil. [] 16 November 2018 (CBS) The number of people missing in Californias wildfires has soared to over 600, and the death toll has risen to 66. In the Camp Fire in Northern California, 631 people were unaccounted for after officials on Thursday added more than 500 names of people reported missing.Hundreds of others are living in tent cities with no idea when theyll be able to return home. Members of the Paradise community held a town hall meeting Thursday night to begin the long road to recovery with many signing up for FEMA relief.The town suffered some of the worst damage from the Camp Fire the deadliest in the states history. In Southern California, evacuation orders have been lifted in Malibu, where firefighters were still working to contain the Woolsey Fire.I lost everything that I received from my mom, from my grandparents from the baby grand piano to china, Ilene Mickens told CBS Los Angeles. I lost my wedding album. I lost my childrens baby albums. [] By James McAuley 17 November 2018 PARIS (The Washington Post) The French president is under fire again, this time over rising fuel prices. On Saturday, some 244,000 protesters, many clad in yellow vests, not only took to the streets, but in many places literally took the streets, according to the French Interior Ministry. The ministry said a network of drivers blocked roads at some 2,000 locations across the country, generating traffic backups for miles and causing one death. A 63-year-old protester was killed in the eastern Savoie region when a driver panicked by demonstrators accidentally accelerated into the crowd, French media reported. In other incidents nationwide, 106 people were reported injured, five seriously.The protesters chief complaint: the rising cost of diesel fuel. The recent price hike is a direct result of Emmanuel Macrons commitment to curbing climate change, which included higher carbon taxes for 2018, the first full year of his term. But beyond the diesel issue, many turned out Saturday to voice any number of other frustrations with the so-called president for the rich, who is seen as increasingly removed from ordinary peoples concerns. Diesel, a fossil fuel, is known for the pollutants it emits into the air. Although it was traditionally taxed at the same rate as petrol, that is no longer the case: Taxes on diesel have risen by 6.2 percent per liter this year, as part of the governments efforts to protect clean air. The problem is that diesel remains the most common fuel in France, leading many to view recent policies as an attack on working people more than an environmental safeguard.The stirrings of the yellow vest campaign behind Saturdays protest began this summer, with online petitions urging Macron to reconsider. But the loudest voice was that of Jacline Mouraud, a white-haired hypnotist and grandmother of three from Brittany who has become the star of the movement.I have two little words for Mr. Macron and his government, she said, in a YouTube video that has garnered millions of views. You have persecuted drivers since the day you took office. This will continue for how long? [more] 19 November 2018 (Desdemona Despair) In August 2018, it was environmental terrorist groups causing Californias forest fires. Before that, it was water regulations. Now, California just needs to rake its forests and manage them like Finland.Anything to deny the obvious: global warming is causing Californias megafires.Throughout 2018, the Trump administration has undertaken a Stalinist program of eliding references to climate change and global warming from official policy documents. Here are a few examples: Also, Trump intends to gag government scientists when they speak to the press about climate science: To underscore his complete disdain for climate science, Trump revoked fuel economy standards, over the objection of the auto industry itself: Climate change is real, automakers told the White House in letter. We have a continuing role in reducing greenhouse gases and improving fuel efficiency. They were ignored.The goal is the eradication of climate science from public consciousness. Its as if Trump had decided to convince the U.S. public that Americans never landed on the moon. Back to Trumps latest cranky claim: I was with the president of Finland, and he said, We have a much different were a forest nation. He called it a forest nation. And they spent a lot of time on raking and cleaning and doing things, and they dont have any problem.Whats wrong with the latest disinformation from Trump about Californias wildfires? The Finns dont rake their forests. Finland is much colder than California. The trees arent the same. Finland and California differ greatly in their winds. Finland is not fire-free, especially in 2018. The whole comparison is a bit wild, says Professor Henrik Lindberg, a forest-fire researcher at the Hame University of Applied Sciences, in southern Finland.And the president of Finland never discussed raking with Trump. What really happened in 2018 is that Arctic forests in Northern Europe experienced unprecedented high temperatures and wildfires. All-time temperature records melted in northern Scandinavia, and next-door Sweden battled wildfires from the Arctic Circle to the Baltic Sea, issuing a record number of public warnings.In California, it was the same story during the summer of 2018, with temperatures in the triple digits into the first weekend of August across northern and central California. July 2018 was the hottest month in California state history. It doesnt take a climate scientist to draw a straight line between global warming and the wildfires. But what do actual scientists have to say?In the words of Kevin Trenberth, Distinguished Senior Scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research: We can estimate Earths energy imbalance quite well: It amounts to about 1 watt per square meter, or about 500 terawatts globally. [] How big is the energy imbalance effect over land? Well, 1 watt per square meter over a month, if accumulated, is equivalent to 720 watts per square meter over one hour; 720 watts is equivalent to full power in a small microwave oven. One square meter is about 10 square feet. Hence, after one month this is equivalent to one microwave oven at full power every square foot for six minutes. No wonder things catch on fire! Meteorologist Rob Elvington observes that the Camp Fire began under atmospheric conditions that are unprecedented in state history. By early November 2018, the Evaporative Demand Index (EDDI) had maxed out, and extreme fire conditions in these fuels have no analog/comparison. Californias vegetation dryness in early November 2018 was off the charts, exceeding the 99th percentile for Energy Release Component (ERC), as far back as records go. Worse than no rain is negative rain, Elvington tweeted. The air was so dry that it sucked water out of the soil.After surveying the destruction caused by wildfires in California, Trump said on Saturday, 17 November 2018, that the devastation has not altered his opinion on climate change: I have a strong opinion. I want great climate, were going to have that. Trump wants to Make Climate Great Again. His plan: deny climate science, lower fuel economy and emissions standards for vehicles, pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, silence government scientists, and rake the forests. NAPLES - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said 57,250 migrants arrived in Spain from Africa via the Mediterranean Sea in 2018, double the number of arrivals to Spain via the Med in 2017. It said 769 migrants died attempting the crossing, which is triple the 223 who died in 2017. IOM said Spain has become the main port of arrival for irregular migration from Africa, ahead of Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta. Spain took top place after Italy and Malta implemented policies that closed their ports to migrant arrivals, and after the migrant route from Turkey to Greece closed. The majority of migrants who arrive in Spain are headed for other European destinations and will be sent back to their countries of origin, which are for the most part Morocco, Guinea, and Mali. 18 September 2018 (CIRES) In the last few years, the Vavilov Ice Cap in the Russian High Arctic has dramatically accelerated, sliding as much as 82 feet a day in 2015, according to a new multi-national, multi-institute study led by CIRES Fellow Mike Willis, an assistant professor of Geology at CU Boulder. That dwarfs the ices previous average speed of about 2 inches per day and has challenged scientists assumptions about the stability of the cold ice caps dotting Earths high latitudes. In a warming climate, glacier acceleration is becoming more and more common, but the rate of ice loss at Vavilov is extreme and unexpected, said Mike Willis, CIRES Fellow and lead author of the paper published this week in Earth and Planetary Science Letters.Glaciers and ice caps like Vavilov cover nearly 300,000 square miles of Earths surface and hold about a foot of potential sea-level rise. Scientists have never seen such acceleration in this kind of ice cap before, and the authors of the new paper wrote that their finding raises the possibility that other, currently stable ice caps may be more vulnerable than expected.For the new assessment, researchers played the part of forensic ice detectives, piecing together the ice caps deterioration by spying on the advancing ice with remote sensing technology from a constellation of satellites operated by DigitalGlobe Inc , headquartered in Westminster, Colorado.The project also relied on support from the National Science Foundation and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency , which funded the development of high-resolution topographic maps of the Arctic.By satellite, they watched ice on the cap creep slowly forward for several years, before it accelerate slowly in 2010, surging rapidly forward in 2015. The initial very slow advance is thought to have been caused by a shift in the direction of precipitation that occurred about 500 years ago. Before this time snow and rain came from the southeast, after this time rain and snow came from the southwest. As the western part of the ice cap advanced into the ocean the ice surged forward.Cold ice caps, like Vavilov, occur in polar deserts with very little precipitation, and theyre normally frozen to their beds, flowing only due to bending of the ice under the force of gravity. With beds above sea level, they are normally insulated from the kinds of changes that have hit glaciers in less frigid regions: melting from below by warm sea water, for example, or sliding faster when warm surface meltwater drains to the bed of the ice. Researchers suspect the ice cap began to dramatically advance when the bottom of the ice cap became wetter and the front of the glacier advanced onto very slippery marine sediments. The ice began to speed up, and friction caused some of the ice underneath the glacier to melt, which supplied more water to the bottom of the ice, reducing friction, which caused the ice to speed up, which in turn, again produced more water. Some of this water might have combined with clay underneath the glacier, reducing the friction beneath the glacier even further and allowing the truly extraordinary sliding speeds to occur.By 2015, the sediments and rock at the bed beneath the ice had become so slippery that the material couldnt stop the ice from flowing. It took just two years for the ice cap base to reach that tipping point, transforming into a near frictionless zone, which is well-lubricated and highly mobile. The glacier continues to slide today at accelerated speeds of 5-10 meters per day.The Vavilov Ice Cap thinned by a total of a few meters, advanced about 2 km, and lost about 1.2 km3 in total volume into the ocean in the 30 years before the speedup. In the one year between 2015 and 2016, the ice advanced about 4 kilometers and thinned by about 100 meters (~0.3 m per day). The ice cap lost about 4.5 km3 of ice, enough to cover Manhattan with about 250 feet of water, or the entire state of Washington with an inch. And its unlikely the ice cap will ever be able to recover ice mass in todays warming climate, the paper states.Many scientists have assumed that polar ice caps that sit above sea level will only respond slowly to a warming climatebut the authors of this study urge that this assumption be questioned. The rapid collapse of the Vavilov Ice Cap has significant ramifications for glaciers in other polar regions, especially those fringing Antarctica and Greenland.Weve never seen anything like this before, this study has raised as many questions as it has answered. said Willis. And were now working on modeling the whole situation to get a better handle of the physics involved. Timeline of Events 1952-1985: Western region of the Vavilov Ice Cap in Russia advances about 400 meters (~12 m per year.) Western region of the Vavilov Ice Cap in Russia advances about 400 meters (~12 m per year.) 1996: The fastest ice on the ice cap moves about 20 meters per year (5 cm a day). The fastest ice on the ice cap moves about 20 meters per year (5 cm a day). 1998-2011: Rate of ice advance increased significantly to about 75 m per year. Rate of ice advance increased significantly to about 75 m per year. 2010: The ice in the western region of the ice cap begins to accelerate more dramatically. The ice in the western region of the ice cap begins to accelerate more dramatically. 2011: Scientists observed crevasses in the ice cap, signaling further acceleration. Scientists observed crevasses in the ice cap, signaling further acceleration. 2013: The glacier spreads out into the ocean and starts to speed up to about 2 or 3 meters per day. Not much thinning is seen inland. The glacier spreads out into the ocean and starts to speed up to about 2 or 3 meters per day. Not much thinning is seen inland. 2014: The ice continues to push in to the ocean and speeds up to about 6 meters per day by the end of the summer. Not much thinning is seen inland. The ice continues to push in to the ocean and speeds up to about 6 meters per day by the end of the summer. Not much thinning is seen inland. 2015: The glacier reaches a top speed of about 25 meters per day (~9125 m per year) and a wave of thinning starts to move inland. The glacier reaches a top speed of about 25 meters per day (~9125 m per year) and a wave of thinning starts to move inland. 2015-2016: The ice cap advances more than 4000 m in 12 months, sustains extraordinary speeds and thinning of more than 100 meters migrates inland. The ice cap advances more than 4000 m in 12 months, sustains extraordinary speeds and thinning of more than 100 meters migrates inland. 2017: While slower than 2015 and 2016, Vavilov continues to slide at accelerated speeds of a few meters per day. This work was partly supported by NASA, the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, Polar Geospatial Center at the University of Minnesota (www.arcticdem.org), NSF, and UK National Environment Research Council. In 2015, The National Science Foundation announced it was working with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to support the development of high-resolution topographic maps of the Arctic to provide the first consistent coverage of the entire globally significant region, including Alaska. In 2016, NSF and NGA publicly released the Alaska maps in support of a White House Arctic initiative to inform better decision-making in the Arctic. Contact By John Wagner 16 October 2018 (The Washington Post) President Trump on Tuesday offered a fresh threat to cut off aid to Honduras if a large caravan of migrants continues heading toward the United States. The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately! Trump said on Twitter. The group has swollen in size since leaving San Pedro Sula, one of the worlds most dangerous cities, on Friday. Its travels were prominently covered Tuesday morning on Fox & Friends, a program that Trump regularly views. According to the Fox News report, the number of people in the caravan doubled in recent days to 3,000. Trump threatened in April 2018 to withdraw aid from Honduras and other countries that allowed passage for a similar caravan that originated in the Central American country. That caravan dissipated as it approached the U.S. border. The latest caravan was launched a day after Vice President Pence urged the presidents of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala to persuade their citizens not to enter the United States illegally. To the people of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador: You are our neighbors, Pence said at a regional security event in Washington. We want you and your nations to prosper. If you want to come to the United States, come legally or dont come at all. With new caravan coming from Honduras, Trump issues fresh threat to cut aid By Doina Chiacu and Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Susan Thomas, and Frances Kerry 16 October 2018 WASHINGTON (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to withdraw funding and aid from Honduras if it does not stop a caravan of people that is heading to the United States, in his latest effort to show his administrations tough stance on immigration. Up to 3,000 migrants crossed from Honduras into Guatemala on Monday on a trek northward, after a standoff with police in riot gear and warnings from Washington that migrants should not try to enter the United States illegally. The United States has strongly informed the President of Honduras that if the large Caravan of people heading to the U.S. is not stopped and brought back to Honduras, no more money or aid will be given to Honduras, effective immediately! Trump said on Twitter. It was not clear how Honduras would be able to exercise control over people who had already left the country. The crowd more than doubled in size from Saturday, when some 1,300 people set off from northern Honduras in what has been dubbed March of the Migrant, an organizer said. The migrants plan to seek refugee status in Mexico or pass through to the United States, saying they are fleeing poverty and drug-fueled violence in their countries. Reuters could not independently verify the number of participants, but images showed a group carrying backpacks and clogging roads near the border, some waving the Honduran flag. [] Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez said last month cuts in U.S. support for Central America would hinder efforts to stem illegal immigration as he welcomed Chinas growing diplomatic presence in the region as an opportunity. In an interview with Reuters, Hernandez expressed regret that prior U.S. commitments to step up investment in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador had been scaled back since Trump took office. China is strengthening ties with Central America. In August, El Salvador broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of China, citing economic reasons and following on the heels of Panama in 2017. Honduras is one of a dwindling number of countries that still has formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. [more] Trump threatens to cut U.S. aid to Honduras over immigrant caravan By Amy Guthrie 14 October 2018 MEXICO CITY (Associated Press) Hundreds more Hondurans have joined a caravan of migrants moving toward the countrys border with Guatemala in a desperate attempt to flee poverty and seek new lives in the United States. Dunia Montoya, a volunteer assisting the migrants, said Sunday that the group had grown to an estimated 1,600 people from an initial 160 who first gathered early Friday in a northern Honduras city. Caravan participants planned to spend Sunday night at a community center in the town of Ocotepeque before attempting to cross into Guatemala on Monday. Montoya said many in the group might not be allowed to enter Guatemala because they lack official identification documents. The migration began to swell after local media coverage of the initial group whose members had agreed to depart together Friday from a bus station in San Pedro Sula, one of the most dangerous cities in Honduras. Hundreds more soon joined the ranks, wagering a mass exit could improve their chances for getting over borders. Many had already planned to leave Honduras and also felt traveling in numbers could lessen chances of falling victim to robbery and assault that often plague migrants. Families arrived with infants in their arms and toddlers in strollers. They packed light, most carrying little more than a backpack. [] U.S. President Donald Trump threatened in April 2018 to withdraw foreign aid from Honduras and countries that allowed transit for a similar caravan that set out from the Central American country earlier this year. That caravan dwindled as the group approached the U.S. border, with some giving up along the way and others splitting off to try to cross on their own. Frustration with poverty is a common explanation by migrants for participating in the latest caravan. About 65 percent of Honduras people are poor and many get by on the equivalent of a dollar or two a day. The country of 9.4 million people has also led the world for homicide rates in recent years. Roberto Castro, one of the travelers in the caravan, said via telephone that he is a 26-year-old bus driver and construction worker, when there is work. These days, there is none, he said. Most of the migrants are on foot, walking shoulder-to-shoulder, 15 deep, at the edges of roads. Trucks with empty cargo holds have stopped intermittently to pick some up and get them as far along as possible. Other Hondurans handed out bottled water and food in a show of support. [more] Migrant caravan swells in Honduras as group nears Guatemala By Jennifer Kay 15 October 2018 MIAMI BEACH, Florida (Associated Press) Hurricane Michael failed to break up a patchy and toxic algae bloom that has lingered in the Gulf of Mexico off Floridas shoreline for the last year, experts said Monday, meaning the red tide outbreak could continue to cause problems in the weeks ahead. Hurricanes can break up algae blooms, but they also drop fresh water and increase nutrient-rich runoff from land, which can make them worse, said Robert Weisberg, a professor of physical oceanography at the University of South Florida. Michael blew red tide at the waters surface into shore, but deep ocean currents that have been feeding the bloom since the summer also have persisted, he said. The factors that contributed to red tide outweighed the ones that would reduce it, Weisberg said. The red tide began last October off southwest Florida after Hurricane Irma swept up the state, killing massive numbers of fish, along with scores of sea turtles and the states beloved manatees. The bloom also causes respiratory irritations in people which, coupled with the stench of rotting marine life, sent many tourists inland away from the beaches, seaside attractions and restaurants with outdoor seating. The bloom then seemed to spread up the Gulf coast into Floridas Panhandle over the summer, and finally around the Miami area on the east coast earlier this month. By late last week, the red tide appeared to have faded along most of Floridas beaches, according to data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. However, the algae was found in high concentrations off some Tampa Bay-area beaches, along with dead fish. Satellite imagery showed an anomaly in the waters off the Panhandle, where Michael made landfall Wednesday, and off the southwest coast, said Tracy Fanara, a program manager for environmental health at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota. Water samples this week likely will confirm red tide in those areas, she said. Whether fish kills or respiratory problems follow on those shores depends on which way the wind blows. On the southwest coast, we didnt get much wind or rain onshore from Michael, but offshore it wasnt enough to dissipate the bloom, she said. [more] By Julia Ainsley and Abigail Williams 17 October 2018 WASHINGTON (NBC News) A caravan of migrants fleeing Honduras has grown to 4,000 and the Mexican government has sent an additional 500 federal police to its border with Guatemala in anticipation of their arrival, according to U.S. government documents obtained by NBC News.Part of the caravan, which has split into two groups, is now approaching the Mexico-Guatemala border amidst a surge in border crossings on the U.S.-Mexico border.In September, U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 41,400 illegal immigrants, up from 37,544 in August, according to numbers not yet released publicly but obtained by NBC News. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the numbers of families and children traveling on their own surged to record levels in September.Shelters and churches along the border have been flooded as a result of the surge as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been releasing hundreds of migrants from detention at a time.Many of the Hondurans traveling in the caravan are children, some traveling with their parents and some without their parents, according to the documents. Because children are afforded special protections in the U.S., their arrival is creating anxiety within the Trump administration that has pledged to decrease illegal immigration. President Donald Trump said last week that he would consider separating migrant families at the border once again, after reversing his controversial zero tolerance policy in June.U.S. Customs and Border Protection is tracking the caravan as the Hondurans make their way north towards the U.S. border. Meanwhile, the State Department is attempting to stave off that possibility by compelling the Mexican government to stop them at their border with Guatemala.Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Mexico to meet with his counterparts on Friday, where plans to stop the caravan will be a prominent topic of discussion, according to a senior State Department official who spoke to reporters on Wednesday.I am certain that there will be conversations in Mexico about how we can work together on this issue, the official said about the caravan. We are certainly looking for concrete results and for solutions that work for both countries. [more] By Amanda Morris 20 October 2018 (NPR) Swimming in St. Andrew Bay was the first thing Jillian Arrowood wanted to do when she moved into her new home on Tyndall Air Force base on 8 October 2018. She and her two daughters had just joined her husband William, her son, and her father-in-law, an Army retiree who had recently had a stroke, in their new home by the water. Her 12-year old daughter didnt have a bathing suit, but was so excited that she jumped in the water with her clothes on. It felt like a perfect day: 85 degrees, sunny, and slightly breezy. There was no indication of the bad weather that was headed their way. Just as the sun was setting, a nearby airman who had been fishing told them that Tyndall received evacuation orders. Less than six hours after Jillian and her daughters arrived on base, the Arrowood family was packing up to leave, and havent been back since. They are one of hundreds of military families that have been displaced from Tyndall Air Force base as a result of Hurricane Michael. The eye of the Category 4 storm cut straight through the base on Wednesday, 10 October 2018, causing catastrophic destruction. The storm reduced houses to splinters, blew off roofs, and busted open hangars where top-grade aircraft such as F-22 planes were housed. In total, Brig. Gen. Edward Thomas, the Air Force Director of Public Affairs, estimated that there were over 860 housing units on the base, and about 11,000 airmen and their families assigned there. By Jason Hickel 12 September 2018 (Foreign Policy) Warnings about ecological breakdown have become ubiquitous. Over the past few years, major newspapers, including the Guardian and the New York Times, have carried alarming stories on soil depletion, deforestation, and the collapse of fish stocks and insect populations. These crises are being driven by global economic growth, and its accompanying consumption, which is destroying the Earths biosphere and blowing past key planetary boundaries that scientists say must be respected to avoid triggering collapse.Many policymakers have responded by pushing for what has come to be called green growth. All we need to do, they argue, is invest in more efficient technology and introduce the right incentives, and well be able to keep growing while simultaneously reducing our impact on the natural world, which is already at an unsustainable level. In technical terms, the goal is to achieve absolute decoupling of GDP from the total use of natural resources, according to the U.N. definition.It sounds like an elegant solution to an otherwise catastrophic problem. Theres just one hitch: New evidence suggests that green growth isnt the panacea everyone has been hoping for. In fact, it isnt even possible.Green growth first became a buzz phrase in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro. In the run-up to the conference, the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the U.N. Environment Program all produced reports promoting green growth. Today, it is a core plank of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.But the promise of green growth turns out to have been based more on wishful thinking than on evidence. In the years since the Rio conference, three major empirical studies have arrived at the same rather troubling conclusion: Even under the best conditions, absolute decoupling of GDP from resource use is not possible on a global scale.A team of scientists led by the German researcher Monika Dittrich first raised doubts in 2012. The group ran a sophisticated computer model that predicted what would happen to global resource use if economic growth continued on its current trajectory, increasing at about 2 to 3 percent per year. It found that human consumption of natural resources (including fish, livestock, forests, metals, minerals, and fossil fuels) would rise from 70 billion metric tons per year in 2012 to 180 billion metric tons per year by 2050. For reference, a sustainable level of resource use is about 50 billion metric tons per yeara boundary we breached back in 2000.The team then reran the model to see what would happen if every nation on Earth immediately adopted best practice in efficient resource use (an extremely optimistic assumption). The results improved; resource consumption would hit only 93 billion metric tons by 2050. But that is still a lot more than were consuming today. Burning through all those resources could hardly be described as absolute decoupling or green growth.In 2016, a second team of scientists tested a different premise: one in which the worlds nations all agreed to go above and beyond existing best practice. In their best-case scenario, the researchers assumed a tax that would raise the global price of carbon from $50 to $236 per metric ton and imagined technological innovations that would double the efficiency with which we use resources. The results were almost exactly the same as in Dittrichs study. Under these conditions, if the global economy kept growing by 3 percent each year, wed still hit about 95 billion metric tons of resource use by 2050. Bottom line: no absolute decoupling.Finally, last year the U.N. Environment Programonce one of the main cheerleaders of green growth theoryweighed in on the debate. It tested a scenario with carbon priced at a whopping $573 per metric ton, slapped on a resource extraction tax, and assumed rapid technological innovation spurred by strong government support. The result? We hit 132 billion metric tons by 2050. This finding is worse than those of the two previous studies because the researchers accounted for the rebound effect, whereby improvements in resource efficiency drive down prices and cause demand to risethus canceling out some of the gains. [more] By Anna Driver 11 September 2018 HOLDEN BEACH, N.C. (Reuters) Powerful Hurricane Florence grew larger on Tuesday and is expected to bring days of rain, deadly flooding, and power outages lasting weeks after it slams into the U.S. Southeast coast later this week. Winds and massive waves will pound coastal North and South Carolina when Florence makes landfall on Friday, and its rains will take a heavy toll for miles inland, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned. With winds currently at 140 miles per hour (225 km per hour), the storm was a Category 4 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale and expected to get bigger and stronger, the NHC said. This storm is a monster, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told a Tuesday news conference about the most powerful storm to approach the Carolinas in nearly three decades. Its an extremely dangerous, life-threatening, historic hurricane The forecast shows Florence stalling over North Carolina, bringing days and days of rain. U.S. southeast braces for days and days of floods from Florence By Jamiles Lartey 11 September 2018 NEW ORLEANS (The Guardian) More than a million people living along the coastlines of Virginia and the Carolinas have been ordered to evacuate their homes on Tuesday, as parts of Americas mid-Atlantic coast brace for what could be the most powerful storm to ever hit the region.Hurricane Florence is expected to bring potentially catastrophic winds, flooding and storm surge. Forecasters predict it will make landfall late on Thursday.Currently rated as a category 4 storm the second most powerful on the national weather services (NWS) classification system Florence would be the first storm in recorded history to make landfall at that magnitude so far north if it remains on its most likely track.In its latest advisory on Tuesday morning, the US national hurricane center (NHC) said the storm is close to category 5 in strength, and had slightly increased in speed as it headed toward the east coast. It is expected to be an extremely dangerous major hurricane ahead of its potential landfall.The bottom line is that there is high confidence that Florence will be a large and extremely dangerous hurricane, regardless of its exact intensity, the hurricane center said. []The NWS is predicting life-threatening storm surge and inland freshwater flooding, with some models predicting upwards of 2ft of rainfall. With winds of up to 150mph forecast, Florence will likely fell tree limbs and trigger power outages.Some forecasters are concerned that the storm appears likely to slow dramatically at about the time of landfall, like 2017s Hurricane Harvey, which stalled out Houston, dropping huge amounts of rain over several days. That storm brought $125bn in damage last summer, mostly in Texas.Florence stands a significant chance of joining 2017s Harvey and Irma as just the third storm to make landfall on the US mainland at category 4 strength (or higher) since 2005. When storms of that magnitude hit the lower 48 states, they usually travel through the warmer waters of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico and rarely make landfall so far north up the eastern Atlantic coast. The last storm to hit the Carolinas as a category 4 was Hurricane Hugo nearly 30 years ago in 1989. [more] By Janis Mackey Frayer and Yuliya Talmazan 17 September 2018 ITOGON, Philippines (NBC News) Dozens of miners and their families sheltering in a chapel were feared dead on Monday after a powerful typhoon swept through the Philippines and triggered a huge landslide that buried much of the remote community. Typhoon Mangkhut, with sustained winds of around 124 mph and gusts of up to around 200 mph, barreled past the northern tip of the Philippines this weekend, killing at least 65 people. The storm then skirted south of Hong Kong and neighboring gambling hub of Macau before making landfall in China, where four deaths were reported. In the Philippines, the typhoon affected about five million altogether 150,000 of whom were in evacuation centers when the storm hit. In the mining town of Itogon in the north of the island nation, hundreds of rescue workers using shovels and sometimes their bare hands battled treacherous conditions and heat to search for survivors after the typhoons heavy rains triggered two landslides. As of Monday, local authorities told NBC News that they were searching for 56 people who were still missing. Officials earlier said that they were looking for up to 100 people mostly local miners and their families. The official number of missing could go up as officials are relying on family members to report the names of those believed to be trapped under the debris. Local miner Roel Ulani told NBC News that he had watched from a distance as part of the hill collapsed on Sunday, burying dozens. He said the victims had been taking shelter in a former workers dormitory that had been refurbished into a chapel when the landslide hit. A second landslide blocked any means to escape, leaving the community completely trapped. [more] By Jorge L. Ortiz and John Bacon 17 September 2018 (USA TODAY) Storm-weary residents of North Carolina struggled Monday to loosen the grip of Florence, the lingering killer that has closed more than 100 roads, cut off power to almost 500,000 homes and businesses and essentially cut off the city of Wilmington from the world. At least 17 people have died in the wreckage of the hurricane-turned-tropical depression that dumped 30 inches of rain in parts of the state since last week. In Wilmington, officials were planning for food and water to be flown into the coastal city of almost 120,000 people. The National Weather Service has measured 23.59 inches of rain at the citys airport since Thursday. Our roads are flooded, said Woody White, chairman of the board of commissioners in New Hanover County. There is no access to Wilmington. The tragedies were widespread. Almost 200 miles to the west of Wilmington, the Union County Sheriffs Office said swift water rescue teams were conducting a desperate search for a 1-year-old child swept away from his mother after a flooded creek overwhelmed their car.Dams and levees in areas pelted by Florence were showing signs of distress as rivers overran their banks and authorities warned of more flooding to come. Landslides have become a concern as well especially in North Carolinas western mountains.Tens of thousands faced mandatory evacuation orders from communities along the states steadily rising rivers the Cape Fear, Little, Lumber, Waccamaw and Pee Dee rivers are all projected to overrun their banks. Thousands of residents have taken refuge in more than 100 shelters opened across the state.You know its hard to leave home, Gov. Roy Cooper said while touring a string of shelters across the state. You miss it as soon as you walk out the door. But tens of thousands of North Carolinians have had to do that this week. [] Migrants: SeaWatch-SeaEye solution as weather worsens - MSF 12th day at sea (ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 2 - Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Wednesday called for a solution to the situation faced by migrant rescue vessels currently stranded in the Mediterranean with a total of 49 people on board as weather conditions are getting worse. ''49 men, women, children at sea without #safeport to land, it's inhuman!'', the organization tweeted. ''We know what it means for vulnerable people to deal with this type of journey. The weather is getting worse, it is increasingly #colder. A solution is necessary''. The NGO was referring to the SeaWatch and SeaEye, two German NGOs that over the past few days have rescued 32 and 17 migrants respectively in the Mediterranean Sea. This is the 12th day at sea for the SeaWatch, which has launched several appeals to be allowed to dock in a safe port. Ruggero Giuliani, a doctor and vice president of MSF, said ''we have operated for over three years in the Mediterranean and we know what it means for vulnerable people to deal with this type of trip''. ''With weather conditions getting worse and considering the cold winter temperature it is necessary to find a quick solution'', he continued. ''We call on European and Italian authorities to find a safe port for these shipwrecked persons as soon as possible''. ''We urge Italian civil society to raise its voice regarding this unacceptable situation and requesting more humane policies that allay the suffering of these people. Those who flee need protection'', said Giuliani, urging to ''safeguard life first'' and then debate on migration policies. (ANSAmed). By Bob Henson 24 September 2018 (Weather Underground) Storms are being classified and declassified at a snappy pace in the Atlantic, as several weak systems have been fighting off dry air and wind shear. We may yet see one or more of these systems strengthening as the week unfoldsand there is no question about the ferocity of Super Typhoon Trami in the Northwest Pacific. [] Super Typhoon Trami heading toward Japans Ryukyu Islands UPDATE: Trami was updated to Category 5 status with the 5 pm EDT Monday advisory from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), with top sustained winds of 160 mph. Trami now qualifies as a super typhoon. Trami bolted to Category 4 strength over the weekend, then took a brief pause to reorganize after an eyewall replacement cycle.Trami is now restrengthening around its new, larger eye, as it traverses very warm waters (29C or 84F) in very low wind shear (less than 10 knots) for the next several days. JTWC predicts that Trami will become a Category 5 equivalent by Monday night local time, and it could stay in the Cat 5 range for a couple of days. Watch for some spectacular satellite imagery of this very well-structured storm.A dip in the mid-latitude jet stream will try to pull Trami northward on Tuesday, after which the typhoon should resume a west-northwest or northwest track. There is some model disagreement on how far Trami will get during its northward jog, but it appears the jog will be big enough for Trami to steer clear of Taiwan later this week. The most immediate threat from Trami is to the Ryukyu Islands of southernmost Japan, which include Okinawa island. Unfortunately, long-range runs of the European and GFS model agree that Trami will recurve toward the northeast around this point. Such a track could take Trami over a large number of the Ryukyu Islands by this weekend and across the heart of Japan around Sunday or Monday. Trami should weaken below super typhoon strength by the time it reaches the islands of Japan, but it is projected to remain a dangerous storm. [more] Thiruvananthapuram, 13 September 2018 (PTI) With mercury levels rising and abnormal drying up of rivers and wells reported in flood-hit Kerala, the state government has decided to conduct scientific studies on the post-flood phenomenon in the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the State Council for Science, Technology and Environment to carry out studies on the phenomenon after floods across the state and suggest possible solutions to the problems. A series of issues including soaring mercury level, unprecedented dip in water level of rivers, sudden drying-up of wells, depletion of groundwater reserves and mass perishing of earthworms have caused widespread concern in various parts of Kerala after the devastating deluge last month. The flood-battered Wayanand district, known for its rich biodiversity, recently witnessed the mass perishing of earthworms, causing concern among farmers who attributed it to the rapid drying up of earth and change in soil structure. Many rivers including Periyar, Bharathapuzha, Pampa, and Kabani, which were in a spate during the days of flood, are now getting dried up and their water level has decreased abnormally. Besides the drying up of wells, their caving in was also reported in many districts. The flood had altered the topography of the land in many places and kilometres-long cracks had been developed especially in high range areas of Idukki and Wayanad which had witnessed a large number of landslides. After floods, drought condition was also predicted by experts in many districts of the southern state. The Centre for Water Resources Management has been assigned the task of studying fall in water levels, changes in groundwater and land cracks, Pinarayi, who is under treatment in US, said in a Facebook post. [more] By Alastair Leithead 3 September 2018 NAIROBI (BBC News) Carcases of nearly 90 elephants have been found near a famous wildlife sanctuary in Botswana, conservationists say. Elephants Without Borders, which is conducting an aerial survey, said the scale of poaching deaths is the largest seen in Africa. The spike coincides with Botswanas anti-poaching unit being disarmed. Botswana has the worlds largest elephant population, but poachers have been breaching its border.The scientist carrying out the extensive wildlife survey said many of the 87 dead elephants were killed for their tusks just weeks ago and that five white rhinos have been poached in three months. Im shocked, Im completely astounded. The scale of elephant poaching is by far the largest Ive seen or read about anywhere in Africa to date, said Dr Mike Chase from Elephants Without Borders.When I compare this to figures and data from the Great Elephant Census, which I conducted in 2015, we are recording double the number of fresh poached elephants than anywhere else in Africa.That census estimated a third of Africas elephants had been killed in the last decade and 60% of Tanzanias elephants had been lost in five years.Botswana has had a reputation for an unforgiving approach to poachers and had largely escaped the elephant losses seen elsewhere.Despite a lack of fences on the international border, data from tracking collars showed elephants retreating from Angola, Namibia and Zambia and deciding to stay within the boundaries of Botswana where it was thought to be safe.Incidents of poaching in the country were rare because of armed and well-managed anti-poaching units.With 130,000 elephants, Botswana has been described as their last sanctuary in Africa as poaching for ivory continues to wipe out herds across the rest of the continent. []These latest killings have been found deep in Botswana close to the protected Okavango Delta wildlife sanctuary, which attracts tourists from around the world.People did warn us of an impending poaching problem and we thought we were prepared for it, said Mr Chase, who pointed to the disarmament of the countrys anti-poaching unit as a cause.The poachers are now turning their guns to Botswana. We have the worlds largest elephant population and its open season for poachers. [more] By Virginia Harrison 1 September 2018 (BBC News) Suicide attempts and horrifying acts of self-harm are drawing fresh attention to the suffering of refugee children on Nauru, in what is being described as a mental health crisis. The tiny island nation, site of Australias controversial offshore processing centre, has long been plagued with allegations of human rights abuses. But a series of damning media reports recently has also highlighted a rapidly deteriorating situation for young people. We are starting to see suicidal behaviour in children as young as eight and 10 years old, says Louise Newman, professor of psychiatry at the University of Melbourne who works with families and children on the island. Its absolutely a crisis.Australia intercepts all asylum seekers and refugees who try to reach its shores by boat. It insists they will never be able to resettle in Australia, so over the years has sent many to privately run processing centres it funds on Nauru and in Papua New Guinea. Groups working with families on Nauru paint a brutal picture of life for children on the island. Many have lived most of their life in detention, with no idea of what their future will be. The trauma they have endured, coupled with poor and often dangerous conditions contribute to a sense of hopelessness. [more] By Kaori Kaneko 4 September 2018 TOKYO (Reuters) Japan began on Wednesday to clean up after a powerful typhoon killed 11 people, injured hundreds and stranded thousands at a flooded airport, though when the airport in an industrial and tourist hub might reopen was not clear.Typhoon Jebi, or swallow in Korean, was briefly a super typhoon and was the most powerful storm to hit Japan in 25 years. It came after months of heavy rain, landslides, floods, and record-breaking heat that killed hundreds of people this summer. []Winds that in many places gusted to the highest ever recorded in Japan, according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency, left a swathe of damage, with fruit and vegetables, many about to be harvested, hit especially hard. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was criticized in July 2018 for an initially slow response to devastating floods that month, posted updates on the rescue efforts at Kansai. By Justin Wise 12 September 2018 (The Hill) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said this week that millions of water bottles meant for victims of Hurricane Maria have been left undistributed at an airport in Puerto Rico for more than a year. CBS News journalist David Begnaud reported on Wednesday that FEMA acknowledged that loads of water bottles were brought to the island in 2017 in the wake of the hurricane and that it turned them over to the central government. ADVERTISEMENT However, a photographer working for a Puerto Rican police agency, Abdiel Santana, noticed that the water was still sitting at the airport runway one year later, according to Begnaud. FEMA says the water, and were talking what could be millions of bottles of water, were brought to the island by FEMA last year. FEMA tells me the water was turned over to the central government, Begnaud said in a video posted on Twitter Wednesday night.The question is what happened after that. Where was the breakdown? Begnaud asked.He added that the water was kept in an area that was pretty hard-hit during the storm and could have used all the water they could have gotten. []Trump on Tuesday said that the government did a fantastic job in its response to Hurricane Maria, a comment that quickly led to a wave of criticism from lawmakers. Success? Federal response according to Trump in Puerto Rico a success? San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz tweeted. If he thinks the death of 3,000 people [is] a success God help us all. [more] By Yvette Sierra Praeli 24 September 2018 (Mongabay) Illegal mining is destroying the Amazon. Most people know this, but it is chilling to see the destruction in aerial images that show details of the mining camps, trucks and backhoes operating 24 hours a day. The images also show dredges extracting material from riverbeds, as well as the continuous movement of dozens of people operating them without consequences.The Peruvian Air Force has given us a look into what is occurring right now at 327 different points in the provinces of Tambopata and Manu, which are in Perus Madre de Dios department. Using drones and airplanes, more than 20,000 high-resolution photos and videos of the devastation have been captured.Monitoring this part of the Amazon took place from 7 August 2018 to 9 August 2018 and was known as Operation Harpia. While the Peruvian military captured the images, two police operations were also carried out in real time on the ground near the Madre de Dios River, in the communities of Puerto La Pastora and Tres Islas. Immediate actions taken against mining On the morning of 9 August 2018, a team of 12 people carried out this operation using images they received on their cell phones immediately after the images were captured by the Peruvian Air Force. The team was comprised of members of the police force, lawyers specializing in environmental matters, the harbor master of Peru, and the Peruvian Air Force.It was a real-time operation, says attorney Karina Garay, who specializes in environmental matters in Madre de Dios. That day, according to Garay, while the Peruvian Air Force captured the photos in 327 different areas, they used WhatsApp to send confidential information to the team on the ground. In the following hours, the team entered several of those areas.The georeferenced data shared by the Peruvian Air Force included the exact location coordinates of the mining camps. They also sent the team on the ground the number of people and dredges in certain areas, along with other information that the team could expect to find when they reached an identified location.The result was the destruction of four dredges, seven rafts, 11 motors, 11 suction pumps, an electric generator, hoses and other equipment used to extract gold from the rainforest. The coordinated effort put into the operation allowed the team to ensure the effectiveness of their intervention.Many times, they inform us about places where there is illegal mining, and when we arrive we dont find anything because they had time to flee. However, under this system, when we arrived, we found everything that the images had indicated, Garay said.Each of the places monitored by experts from the Center for Amazonian and National Vigilance (CEVAN) has now been georeferenced and will be watched vigilantly in the coming years. The CEVAN belongs to the Aerospace Control Command within the Peruvian Air Force. Gen. Jose Miguel Davis Molina of the Peruvian Air Force told Mongabay Latam that the team will continue to apply this type of operation in other areas of Peru. We began in Madre de Dios because of the quantity of information that we received about the area, but we have planned to be prompt in other settings in the country, he said.A second operation, also based on the information from the Peruvian Air Force, took place on Aug. 14 along the Malinowski River near the indigenous community of Kotsimba. The area lies in the buffer zone of Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. Garay, who also participated in this, said the Peruvian Navy requested the inspection in this area. When the images from the first operation were collected, it was decided that the second operation would follow.According to the Public Ministry of Peru, the equipment destroyed in the second operation included two backhoes, six motors, a set of generators, and nearly 3,000 liters (600 gallons) of fuel. [more] Chilling images of illegal mining operations in Peru ISTANBUL - Turkish authorities at the Cilvegozu border crossing with Syria in the southeastern Hatay province of Turkey said 40,574 Syrian refugees returned to Syria from Turkey in 2018. The refugees were made up primarily of those who decided to return to areas in northern Syria, which passed into de facto Turkish control following Turkey's military operations across the border between 2016 and 2018. Turkish border authorities said 104,000 trucks carrying humanitarian aid and commercial products crossed the area in 2018. According to the most recent figures provided by Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, a total of 291,790 Syrian refugees returned to Syria from Turkey in these years, while more than 3.5 million are still refugees. By Alex Sosnowski 14 August 2018 (AccuWeather) A couple of very tough months are ahead for the wildfire season and firefighting efforts in the western United States, especially California.Approximately 110 large wildfires are burning across the U.S., and most of these fires are burning in the West, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Countless acres of brush, which growth was spurred on by winter and spring moisture, have had all summer to dry out.Extreme heat, dryness, blazing sunshine, and accidental and intentional incidents by humans have already contributed to a formidable fire year.As much as 90 percent of wildfires in the U.S. are caused by humans, according to the National Park Service.On Monday, 13 August 2018, it was announced that a firefighter, who was from the Draper City, Utah, Fire Department, was killed while battling the Mendocino Complex Fire. At least six firefighters have died battling wildfires in California this season. However, even as sunshine and average temperatures decline moving forward into the autumn, episodes of wind traditionally increase during September and October.Temperatures can still spike to triple-digit levels during the first part of autumn. Temperatures have topped 100 F in Los Angeles well into October, and have climbed into the 90s in San Francisco during October.In coastal areas of California, extreme temperatures during the late summer and autumn are often accompanied by gusty Santa Ana, Diablo, and Sundowner winds. []Recurring drought and humid activity have essentially extended the fire season to a year-round concern. []The great number and size of the existing fires are producing a vast area of smoke.Light winds and heat tend to trap the smoke in populated areas. The current smoke event is delivering the longest period of unhealthy air quality since Environmental Protection Agency record began in 2000, according to the National Weather Service in Medford, Oregon. [more] By Umair Irfan 21 August 2018(Vox) Ash and smoke are choking Seattles air for the second week in a row, as wildfires smolder in the Cascades and in British Columbia.As of Tuesday morning, the Air Quality Index in Seattle was at 181, a rating classified as unhealthy. In parts of the city, the index rose as high as 220, which is very unhealthy. Other parts of Puget Sound, like Port Angeles, Washington 80 miles from Seattle saw the AQI rise to 205.To put it in perspective, an AQI of 150 is roughly equal to smoking seven cigarettes in a day. That means residents should avoid being outside and exerting themselves, particularly people with heart and lung problems, the elderly, and children.The air quality in Seattle this week has been worse than in Beijing, one of the worlds most notoriously polluted cities. The flames from some of the massive wildfires that have raged from Alaska to New Mexico have destroyed homes and taken lives, but the smoke and ash in the air are one of the most insidious threats to health. Since nearly 2 million acres have burned in the United States this year from 109 fires in 12 states ranging from Alaska to New Mexico, many regions are affected.Wildfires have ignited in the Pacific Northwest before, but usually Seattles weather quenches flames and clears smoke pretty quickly.That the region has remained so hot and dry this year, allowing smoke to linger, is highly unusual, Andrew Wineke, a spokesperson for the state Ecology Departments air quality program, told Q13 Fox. But it also happened last year. The trend is clear. You see the number of forest fires increasing, and so theres going to be wildfires, Wineke said. Theres going to be smoke. Its going to be somewhere. [more] By Alene Tchekmedyian and Alejandra Reyes-Velarde 16 August 2018 (Los Angeles Times) Each day on the front lines of Californias largest wildfire, firefighters start their shifts noting their safety zones and escape routes. Flames from the Mendocino Complex are still ripping through thousands of acres a day of steep, mountainous terrain packed with dead oak trees standing and fallen and littered with leaves and pine needles.Crews are on especially high alert this week after a firefighter who traveled from Draper City, Utah, to help battle the blaze died Monday while working on an active stretch. Every five or 10 minutes, theyre encouraged to look up, look around and make a sound.We always talk about having our head on a swivel when were out on the fire line, because things could change it could happen right there, in a snap of your fingers, said Trevor Pappas, a firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. You have to have plan A, B, C, D and sometimes E, F, G.Conditions have been ripe for the erratic fire behavior that has led to explosive growth of the Ranch fire, which along with the River fire makes up the 364,145-acre Mendocino Complex. The days are so hot and dry that whatever gains firefighters see overnight when the humidity goes up quickly fade when the sun hits the fuels and sucks the moisture out. Lately, winds have started to pick up about 5 p.m., gusting between 15 mph and 25 mph.That will really push a fire no person on Earth runs 25 mph, Pappas said. We all want to go home at the end of the day, or the end of the shift, and make it back to our families. []Cal Fire spokesman Cary Wright said the persistent low humidity has allowed the fires to continue growing once by 9,400 acres in just 24 hours. Temperatures were expected to drop and humidity levels to increase this week. Nighttime humidity rose significantly Tuesday for the first time since the fire started, Wright said.Firefighters count on the drop in temperature and increase in humidity that usually occurs naturally overnight to allow them to make progress. But that hasnt been happening in Lake County. Nighttime humidity levels have consistently been in the teens to 30 percent range. [more] By Cliff Mass 19 August 2018 (Cliff Mass Weather and Climate Blog) During the next 12 hours there should be a major influx of wildfire smoke into the lower elevations of western Washington. The MODIS satellite imagery around noon showed very dense smoke over eastern WA and the north Cascades, with lesser but substantial smoke now over northwest Washington, with a thinning from Seattle southward. The 2PM image from the GOES geostationary satellite, indicates the smoke is slowly moving southward west of the Cascade crest. The backdrop of Seattle is getting murkier over time. [] Unfortunately, if our models are correct, low-level air quality is about to get much worse. The NOAA/NWS HRRR smoke model prediction for near-surface smoke showed high values (red-purple) over the Cascades and eastern WA at noon (1900 UTC) []And fully entrenched at 5 AM Monday. These forecasts are for higher concentrations than in the forecasts for last Wednesday, our last big smoke day. [more] By Ryan Rumbolt 23 August 2018 (Calgary Herald) Just days after smashing the previous record for the number of smoky days in Calgary, Environment Canada issued another severe air quality warning for the city and many communities in southern Alberta.Skies briefly cleared in the city before another advisory was issued on Wednesday. As of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Environment Canada rated Calgarys air quality at 9, which is considered high risk. Thats expected to jump to 10+ this evening, meaning some people with heart and lung problems will be at risk and should stay indoors.According to the air-quality monitoring smartphone application Sh**t! I Smoke, breathing the air in Calgary today will be roughly the equivalent of smoking about seven and a half cigarettes.Environment Canada meteorologist Dave Carlsen says Calgary will be back in the soup until at least Friday as smoke from more than 550 raging wildfires in B.C. will reduce visibility and leave a lingering campfire smell across the city.Thats going to continue like that and its just going to get worse for the next 24 hours, Carlsen said. The smoke plumes coming out of B.C. are really large, really dense smoke. []Carlsen, who is from B.C., says he has been tracking wildfires for years and is shocked by the level of smoke.This has been the smokiest summer in Calgarys history so that would speak to the fact that theres been a lot more (fires) this year than have been observed since observation began. [more] By Andrew MacFarlane 1 August 2018(The Weather Company) Waves crest up to 27 feet, landing so hard they launch over three-story houses. Winds gust to over 80 mph, sending trees to the ground and knocking out power to 92 percent of the city. Entire beaches push inland, piling several feet of rock and sand onto roads and covering street signs, porches and mailboxes. Houses shake, sloshing water in toilet bowls. Slabs of concrete from sidewalks and neighborhood sheds float down the street as white-capped waves form on the streets.Theres only two times Ive ever been nervous for my family and for my safety, says Scituate, Massachusetts, resident Steve Maguire.This is one of them, and its only getting worse as the clock passes midnight and darkness complicates an already terrifying reality.The people of Scituate fight well into the night to save homes, businesses and lives from the barrage of water coming inland. Because of a monstrous noreaster, coastal Massachusetts becomes part of the ocean.Theres a howl in the wind, a deep, guttural howl in the wind that you only hear in the most severe storms, Maguire says. That first storm in March, in the middle of the night, I remember opening the door and yelled up to my wife and I said, Jess, theres the howl! I can hear it!I knew at that point this was not like other storms.What was left behind after the early March noreaster is described as a war zone by some.We say it all the time: Its an amazing place to live 360 days a year, said Maguire, a meteorology teacher of 17 years at the local high school. Then five other days you have no idea whats going to happen.In a dizzying three weeks, four noreasters slammed this area last winter. Two of the four powered tides high enough to claim the No. 1 and No. 3 spots on Bostons record tide list. By the time they were done blasting several states, two of the storms would cause more than $1 billion in damage each and claim 31 lives . Tides produced by Blizzard of 78 and the No Name/Perfect Storm of 91 were taken down a peg by storms that didnt leave nearly the level of devastation.Residents interviewed by weather.com shortly after the noreasters know that such damage will become more frequent as climate change fuels more intense storms and rising seas. In 2017, extreme weather affected more than 25 million Americans and displaced more than 2.5 million from their homes. Soon, it could reshape this area. The storms of winter 2018 have left some residents wondering how much longer theyll stay. [] Peggotty Beach: Gone Travel south on Front Street, Scituates main avenue through downtown, follow the traffic circle toward Edward Foster Road and youll arrive at Peggotty Beach. Peggotty is a barrier beach sandwiched between the second and third cliffs of the four cliffs locals identify along the coast. It bows inland ever so slightly. To get to Peggotty, you have to take a right into a low-lying parking lot surrounded by dunes and marshland.Looking at Peggotty from either ends of the jutting cliffs you could almost describe the steep, sandy beach as Malibu-like and not a place you would associate with some of the winter storms worst damage. Waves between a shade of green and blue roll onto a shore populated with uniquely shaped houses. The breeze blows in steady and calm. Both cliffs are lined with hillside homes and winding roads.But what you arent seeing is that this seemingly picture-perfect scene is really one of destruction and near desertion even weeks after the last noreaster last hit the area in March.What gives it away is the Inner Harbor Road street sign. The green and white metal sign is almost buried in sand and rock, the result of the ocean pushing the beach inland, through homes and over the street.Once this clicks in your mind, youll see the dismal sight that is Peggotty Beach. Houses on stilts are now almost flush with a bed of sand 5 to 6 feet deep. Debris and ravaging wind tore off decks and covered staircases in sand so high they have only five steps instead of 15.One of the particular homes that was a full blow-through had never had damage like that in the 52 years that the homeowner had been there, says Maguire, the resident fearful for his family during the March storm. Theres no doubt the damage is getting worse.Go toward the ocean from the houses along Inner Harbor Road and youll find two alien-like homes that tower some 15 feet above the steep stretch of sand. The stilt homes are the last of their kind in Scituate on the beach. Theyre the remaining two of about 30 homes that once stood along the street that were blasted by storms, namely the Blizzard of 78 and the No Name/Perfect Storm of 91, and consumed by the ocean.Directly straight out in front of (the stilt houses) was a paved road, 15 houses on the one side, 15 on the other, said Maguire.Gone, he adds. Out to sea or in the marsh and then never rebuilt. [more] 25 July 2018 (The Siberian Times) The brown bears are one of Russias great symbols but they are under great threat, according to the FSB, the Federal Security Service. The agency is calling for the bears to be labelled a strategically important resource and given far greater protection under the law. Between 2015 and 2017, numbers fell from 225,000 to 143,000, according to Georgy Avagumyan, a representative of the Prosecutor Generals office which has also demanded Red Book protection for the species.A new law proposes increasing punishments to 10 years in jail for poaching or smuggling bear parts for individuals and 12 years for a gang.Fines would reach $15,800.The FSB proposals would also apply to Himalayan or black bears and musk deer.This follows an upsurge in poaching and black market smuggling.Bear paws are particularly appreciated in Asia where they are used as delicacies or in Oriental medicine including as a potency cure. The General Prosecutors office cited Rosprirodnadzor the federal agency for supervision of use of natural resources stating that: During 2016 and 2017, the customs in TransBaikal region, Primorsky region, Amur region and the Jewish autonomous region confiscated 189 bear paws 54 claws, and over two kilograms of dried bile. At the end of 2017, the FSB in TransBaikal region detained a local who had 468 bear paws and 37 elk heads in his car. []Some sources dispute the statistics saying brown bears are being decimated. The Ministry of Nature claimed bear numbers actually increased despite poaching from 203,600 to 245,100. []The WWF say it is unnecessary to include brown bears in the Red Book because observations conducted in recent years did not show worrying changes in numbers of the predators. [more] By Clare Hennig 15 August 2018 (CBC News) Nearly 600 fires are burning across British Columbia, covering the sky in flame-coloured haze and blanketing the air with smoke.A provincial state of emergency has been declared.Dozens of evacuation orders and alerts are in effect in the north and central regions, affecting more than 20,000 people.In Burns Lake, in the central Interior, hotels are at zero vacancy, so anyone without a place to stay is being told to drive to Prince George, over 200 kilometres away.Fraser Lake Mayor Dwayne Lindstrom said Tuesday the smoky conditions and dark skies were unlike any hed experienced in decades living in the village, some 130 kilometres west of Prince George. Spain leads migrant arrivals from Med, 57,250 in 2018 After closure of ports in Italy and Malta, 769 died in crossing (ANSAmed) - NAPLES, JANUARY 2 - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said 57,250 migrants arrived in Spain from Africa via the Mediterranean Sea in 2018, double the number of arrivals to Spain via the Med in 2017. It said 769 migrants died attempting the crossing, which is triple the 223 who died in 2017. IOM said Spain has become the main port of arrival for irregular migration from Africa, ahead of Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta. Spain took top place after Italy and Malta implemented policies that closed their ports to migrant arrivals, and after the migrant route from Turkey to Greece closed. The majority of migrants who arrive in Spain are headed for other European destinations and will be sent back to their countries of origin, which are for the most part Morocco, Guinea, and Mali.(ANSAmed). WSB(ATLANTA) -- A Georgia teenager who killed himself after shooting his 17-year-old friend to death while showing off a loaded handgun on New Year's Eve has been identified by police. Devin Hodges, 15, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Monday after a gun he was handling in front of a group of boys accidentally went off inside what police described as a "makeshift shed" behind a home in the upscale Atlanta suburb of Lawrenceville, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department. Hodges' friend, Chad Carless, 17, was shot and killed in the incident, which police said they are investigating as an accident. "After multiple interviews with witnesses, detectives learned one of the males, Hodges, was showing the group a handgun when he accidentally fired a shot. The shot struck his friend, Carless, sitting next to him in the cramped shed," police said in a statement. A group of teens had gathered at the shed around 3:15 p.m. Monday when Hodges pulled out a handgun, according to police. It was not immediately clear where Hodges got the gun. Police said the investigation is ongoing. Two of the four teens present when the shooting occurred ran from the shed, according to officials. Police believe Hodges called 911 before shooting himself. "As officers were arriving on the scene, Hodges was seen running between two homes where he then took his own life with the handgun," according to the police statement. Responding officers found Carless dead inside the shed and then "heard a single gunshot while attempting to locate the involved parties from the initial 911 call." "Officers located a male with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound a short distance from the makeshift shed," a statement from Gwinnett Police said. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved By Felipe Villamor 28 August 2018 MANILA (The New York Times) Relatives of eight people killed by Philippine police officers during President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs have accused the president of murder in a complaint filed with the International Criminal Court, their lawyer said on Tuesday.The complaint is the second brought at the Hague-based court against Mr. Duterte, 73, over the anti-narcotics crackdown, which has left thousands dead at the hands of police officers and unknown gunmen since he took office in 2016.Neri Colmenares, president of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers, which is representing the family members of the slain Filipinos, said they hoped to hold Mr. Duterte accountable for his crimes against humanity committed through acts of murder for the extrajudicial killings of thousands of Filipinos and other inhumane acts.The complaint is unlikely to have much practical effect, since Mr. Dutertes government does not recognize the international court. He said in March that he was withdrawing the Philippines from the treaty that established it.The new complaint comes as Mr. Duterte is strengthening his grip on the Philippines judicial system. Over the weekend, he announced the selection of Teresita de Castro as the new chief justice of the Supreme Court, replacing Maria Lourdes Sereno, a fierce critic of Mr. Dutertes war on drugs. The two women are archrivals.A rights group, Rise Up for Life and for Rights, which has also joined the new complaint, expressed optimism about the case, saying there was more than enough proof of widespread and systematic attacks against civilians. [more] 1 August 2018 (CBC) Members of a pod of endangered killer whales now appear to be taking turns floating the body of a newborn calf that died more than week ago.As It Happens reported on Friday about J-35, a mother orca from B.C.s endangered killer whale population that has been balancing her dead calf on her nose near San Juan Island, Washington.Its now been more than a week and the mother whale is still carrying the calfs remains sparking concerns among researchers that shell tire herself out.We do know her family is sharing the responsibility of caring for this calf, that shes not always the one carrying it, that they seem to take turns, Jenny Atkinson, director of the Whale Museum on San Juan Island, told As It Happens guest host Piya Chattopadhyay.While we dont have photos of the other whales carrying it, because weve seen her so many times without the calf, we know that somebody else has it.The Whale Museum released an audio recording on Monday of the mother communicating with her pod. Youre hearing them communicate with one another. Theyre using a series of calls and whistles to communicate. And then youll hear a clicking noise. Thats echo-location, Atkinson said. They use it to pick up their food source as well as map their underwater environment.She said its possible the sounds are related to their mourning of the calf but researchers cant know for sure. We picked up some calls earlier in the week and we hear things that sounded more like a very urgent call, she said. If you think of going to a wake for a family, things can go on for multiple days and the grief is still deep, but the emotions kind of soften.Thats exactly what Atkinson believes the whales are doing with the calf holding their own version of a wake or a funeral.Ceremonies can go on for days to honour and mourn the loss of a loved one, she said. I think that what youre seeing is the depth of importance of this calf and the grief of the mother and the family. [more] 16 August 2018 (BBC News) Emergency crews in Australia are battling unseasonal bushfires which have erupted across drought-stricken New South Wales (NSW). Almost 80 fires were burning along the states coast on Thursday, having ripped through more than 1,000 hectares in recent days. No lives or homes were in immediate danger, according to officials. Winter bushfires are uncommon but have flared up this year due to dry conditions, authorities say.Last week, the entire state of NSW was declared to be drought-affected.It is fair to say that the fires we are seeing today is really a result of the drought, NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said on Thursday.He said a combination of dry vegetation, lack of moisture and strong winds over 100km/h (75mph) had caused the fires to spread quickly.We dont even need the increased temperature [of summer], he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. [more] By Palko Karasz 16 August 2018 LONDON (The New York Times) After an emergency landing on a Swiss glacier, the group of 12 Americans drank melted snow and survived on rations of one chocolate bar a person until daring pilots shuttled them to safety after five days marooned on the ice.Relics of that harrowing adventure and the successful rescue of all those onboard, including an 11-year-old girl and the captains mother, resurfaced after more than 70 years this month when scorching summer temperatures in Europe caused the glacial ice to recede.The melting uncovered a large part of the wreckage of the United States Army transport plane, including a wing and items from the cabin, like canned food and clothes hangers.Parts of the C-53 aircraft, also known as a Dakota, had already been discovered over the past 20 years. But the heat waves washing over much of the Continent this year, which many have linked to climate change, have permitted the retrieval of many more artifacts that recount the death-defying story of the 1946 flight. []The glaciers inexorable slide has moved the plane debris about two miles. Despite the new finds, Adriano Boschetti, an archaeologist for the Bern region, which includes the crash site, said most of the aircraft was still under the ice, at an elevation of 11,000 feet. [more] By Ephrat Livni 22 August 2018 SARASOTA, Florida (Quartz) All the water birdspelicans, egrets, cormorantsare gone.Flies swarm the coast of the seaside city of Sarasota, Florida. Crows caw. The air stinks of death. Carpets of fish, belly-up, mouths gaping, line the shore. This is the putrid new world created by a toxic red algae bloom spanning 130 miles of the states west coast, which has so far killed masses of fish, 12 dolphins, more than 500 manatees, 300 sea turtles, countless horseshoe crabs, a whale shark, and the local economy.The docks behind otherwise desirable condo buildings are surrounded by fish carcasses. The waters of the bay are dotted with them, silver and white, glinting in the hot sun, looking from a distance like the crests of thousands of small waves. At least 100 tons of sea creatures have fallen victim to the toxic bloom known as red tide. Meanwhile, when breezes blow the toxin inland, people cough, and reports of respiratory problems are on the rise in local hospitals.The bloom occurs almost annually in Florida. But its effects this year have been exceptionally devastating. Its a terrifying sight to behold, and a stark foreshadowing of what may become commonplace as climate change transforms nature and our lives. Although scientists dont know exactly what caused this particularly vicious red algae bloom, they do believe that warming waters brought on by human-induced weather changes and the effects of building development have contributed to the ever-more extreme red tides of the last half-century.Theres a lot of talk about the threats posed by climate changeto animals, people, and the environment. But abstract chatter is hard to fathom. We cant really imagine what it will be like when the reality we know is replaced, and whats beautiful turns to rot. The red tide in Florida doesnt just make the issue of global warming visible; its an all-out sensory onslaught. And its a reminder that climate change isnt just dangerous. Its also going to make the world an increasingly ugly and unpleasant place.On 13 August 2018, Florida governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in Hillsborough, Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, and Pinellas counties. The order provides added funding and resources for clean-up efforts.But money is no match for the sea. In Sarasota, the fish carcasses pile up again soon after theyre removed. Yachts are stalled in their dockside slips. Tourists are canceling trips. The sidewalk cafes and restaurants are empty. The tourism group Visit Sarasota County surveyed local businesses and found that 90% of 77 respondentsfrom hotels to jet-ski rental companies to restaurants said they had lower sales between Aug. 1-7 because of the toxic algae and resulting dead fish. Locals, too, are staying inside, hiding from the heat and stench and signs of death, hoping that the regions most redeeming feature, the water, will become hospitable again soon.Red tide is caused by massive blooms of the toxic organism Karenia brevis. The bloom is composed of millions of minuscule, single-celled plant-like organisms that produce chemicals as a defense, including the compound brevetoxin. [] The naturally-occurring blooms spread seems to have been exacerbated by human activities. In the last 60 years, red tides have become more severe. Some scientists posit (paywall) that this is a result of warming waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Warm waters boost algae growth, and the Gulfs surface temperature has warmed by about two degrees Fahrenheit since 1977, as oceans soak up more heat in the atmosphere from ever-increasing carbon dioxide emissions.Also notable is the fact that human endeavors have reshaped the flow of Floridas waters. Agriculture, building development, canals, levees, and dikes have all changed the way rainwater, containing phosphorous and nitrogen from farm fertilizers, is directed. The rainwater runoff now rushes into rivers and bays, and the nitrogen-laden flow coaxes algae blooms.Another contributing factor to this years red tide: About a year ago, in September of 2017, hurricane Irma struck Florida. The US Army Corps of Engineers had to release loads of nutrient-ridden water from Lake Okeechobee to limit water levels at the Hoover Dike. The latest red tide began about a month later. [more] Floridas red tide crisis shows how climate change will make the world an ugly place By Karl E. Havens and Hans W. Paerl 14 October 2015(Environmental Science and Technology) Because of climate change, we are at a crossroad with regard to control of harmful algal blooms, and must aggressively tackle the problem before it becomes so difficult that in many ecosystems we are faced with the option of allowing these micro-organisms to go unchecked.Many lakes and estuaries around the world, which provide drinking water for millions of people, and support a myriad of ecosystem services, already have toxic, food web-altering, hypoxia-generating blooms of cyanobacteria. The occurrence is driven by high inputs of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to the ecosystems from human sources.(1) To reduce the frequency and intensity of noxious and sometimes toxic cyanobacteria blooms, sizable reductions of both N and P are urgently needed.(2) Yet, Climate change will severely affect our ability to control blooms, and in some cases could make it near impossible.The longer we wait to take actions to control blooms, and the more time that climate change has to exert synergistic effects with nutrients,(3) the less likely it becomes that controls will be attained. A climate-driven change in water temperature, including both a general warming and more extremes, can modify phytoplankton community by favoring bloom-forming cyanobacteria, which are able to take advantage of warmer conditions and increasing hydrologic extremes (drier droughts, increased storm activity and greater episodic nutrient loads).(3) Further, rising temperatures are expected to increase the rate of mineralization of soil nutrients and favor more deoxygenation at the lake sediment surface, so that more nutrients are released into the water column in summer.(4) This means that for the many lakes and estuaries in agricultural watersheds, with legacy P in their soils and sediments, conditions could become much worseagain, increasing the urgency for nutrient input reductions.Hence, climate change poses a serious, additional challenge to formulating nutrient-based bloom thresholds as part of a strategy for controlling blooms. With warmer water, achieving a desired low level of blooms in the future will require greater reductions in the inputs of N and P to lakes than is needed under the current climate conditions. Yet to date, climate change has not been factored into mitigation strategies for algal blooms.Complicating the problem is the fact that some lakes that are not currently being targeted for nutrient reductions, because of the absence of blooms, could develop dominance by cyanobacteria and experience blooms in a warmer future, even without a further rise in nutrient inputs. As an example, using data from 143 lakes along a latitudinal gradient from Europe to South America, at lower levels of total N (TN), the frequency of occurrence of cyanobacteria is below 30% over a wide range of water temperatures, and it rises very slowly. In contrast, at a high concentration of TN, there is a rapid and nonlinear increase in cyanobacteria frequency with temperatureindicating not only a change in the composition of phytoplankton, but one that happens in a discontinuous and therefore unpredictable manner.(5) This makes anticipating a bloom threshold, and controlling blooms much more challenging.Conditions may sometimes become so unwieldy that no currently used management strategy can handle the synergistic effects of human nutrient enrichment and warming. [more] Climate Change at a Crossroad for Control of Harmful Algal Blooms By Alexa Lardieri 14 August 2018 (U.S. News & World Report) Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for several counties suffering from the impacts of a prolonged red tide. According to the governors declaration , red tide is a naturally occuring algae that appears almost every year on Floridas Gulf Coast. However, the tide is toxic and it has been killing thousands of marine animals, leaving beaches and shorelines covered with dead wildlife. With Scotts emergency declaration, the state will be able to dedicate more funding and resources to the communities suffering from the effects of the red tide so we can combat its terrible impacts.The order is in place for Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties. It will make Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists and scientists available to assist in animal rescue efforts, as well as cleanup efforts. The Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium will receive more than $100,000 in additional funding to increase its response to the red tide. Additionally, $500,000 will be allocated to help local communities maintain their tourism industries, that support so many Florida families and businesses. About $1.3 million has been allocated to Lee County alone, which has been hit particularly hard, according to the governors declaration. While we fight to learn more about this naturally-occurring phenomenon, we will continue to deploy all state resources and do everything possible to make sure that Gulf Coast residents are safe and area businesses can recover, Scott said in his declaration. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission , red tides can last anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year. The tides produce toxic chemicals called brevetoxins that can harm the central nervous systems of fish. Swimming is usually safe during red tide, but it could cause skin irritation or lead to serious illness for those with severe or chronic respiratory conditions. Controlling a red tide is especially difficult, the Conservation Commission explains, because any controls must kill the red tide organism and eliminate the toxins the organism releases when it dies. By Damian Carrington 27 July 2018 (The Guardian) The extreme heatwaves and wildfires wreaking havoc around the globe are the face of climate change, one of the worlds leading climate scientists has declared, with the impacts of global warming now playing out in real time.Climate change has long been predicted to increase extreme weather incidents, and scientists are now confident these predictions are coming true. Scientists say the global warming has contributed to the scorching temperatures that have baked the UK and northern Europe for weeks.The hot spell was made more than twice as likely by climate change, a new analysis found, demonstrating an unambiguous link. Extreme weather has struck across Europe, from the Arctic Circle to Greece, and across the world, from North America to Japan. This is the face of climate change, said Prof Michael Mann, at Penn State University, and one the worlds most eminent climate scientists. We literally would not have seen these extremes in the absence of climate change.The impacts of climate change are no longer subtle, he told the Guardian. We are seeing them play out in real time and what is happening this summer is a perfect example of that.We are seeing our predictions come true, he said. As a scientist that is reassuring, but as a citizen of planet Earth, it is very distressing to see that as it means we have not taken the necessary action. [more] 16 August 2018 (AFP) A state of emergency has been declared in Florida as the worst red tide in a decade blackens the ocean water, killing dolphins, sea turtles and fish at a relentless pace. More than 100 tons of dead sea creatures have been shoveled up from smelly, deserted beaches in tourist areas along Floridas southwest coast as a result of the harmful algal bloom this month alone.In just the past week, 12 dolphins washed ashore dead in Sarasota County, typically the toll seen in an entire year.It is physically and mentally exhausting, said Gretchen Lovewell, who is in charge of a skeleton crew at Mote Marine Laboratory that collects dead or distressed sea turtles and marine mammals.She and two colleagues have been literally working around the clock, Lovewell added.On Sunday, near the fluffy sands of Siesta Key, one of Americas top-ranked beaches, Lovewell recovered the remains of a decomposing dolphin. A faint number, 252, was visible, freeze-branded onto its dorsal fin.It was a 12-year-old male named Speck, who had been spotted more than 300 times by researchers monitoring generations of bottlenose dolphins in the Sarasota Bay.It was devastating, said Randall Wells, director of the Chicago Zoological Societys Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, the worlds longest-running study of a wild dolphin population, under way since 1970.Wells pulled out a map showing where researchers have seen Speck over the years. He often swam in waters right near Wells own home.Researchers had also tracked Specks mother and grandmother before they died from swallowing fishing gear.Speck is somebody we have known from the time he was born, said Wells, who began studying dolphins when he was 16.He was named after my dad. [more] By Tom Whyman 15 August 2018 (VICE) What a gorgeous summer its been! What lovely, pleasant weather weve had! Normally the UK is aha wet and overcast, so its a lovely change that this summer will be remembered for horrible sickly yellow red beating down on you, stopping you from working, sleeping, eating, walking anywhere, doing anything, thinking straight; my muscles always ache, my skin itches, I cant think. Fuck off with it being this hot, fuck off.Anyway, long story short, Im glad the weather seems to have changed now. But perhaps, in a way, the heat is continuing to dominate. I dont know if youve noticed, but accompanying the recent heatwave there seems to have been a sort of upsurge in stupidity. Im not saying the UK was exactly a brilliant, gifted child before this, after all, is the country that did Brexit, that welcomed austerity, that voted David Cameron in as Prime Minister, twice. But over the last few weeks, things in British public discourse have been getting, astonishingly, even more stupid than they were before.Just try looking at the news, if you can bear it (at this point, its like watching a couple have a fight a few places across from you in a train carriage). Yes, I know that technically its silly season, so all the political journalists are pacing around their cells (or wherever they work) like hungry dogs looking for something to gnaw on, but Jesus fucking Christ if it hasnt been an unedifying spectacle recently. []There has been the odd noble exception, but in general, no one in the media seems capable of treating any of the issues they are dealing with, with the real seriousness they in fact deserve. And this is particularly frustrating given that all this has been unfolding against a backdrop where complete disaster for humanity as a species seems to be lurking just around the corner.Because as already noted above its been hot. Its been really fucking hot. Its been record temperatures in Europe hot. Its been 93 dead from fires in Greece hot. Its been Arctic Circle on fire hot. Its no longer possible to claim that man-made climate change is a problem were only going to have to worry about in a hypothetical future. Its here right now, and we are experiencing it. []Elevated CO2 levels arent even the only threat. Studies have shown that elevated heat levels impair cognitive performance as well.And so, it seems, we are becoming trapped in a sort of endless feedback loop of stupidity. Weve done one very stupid thing (wrecked the environment by burning fossil fuels), and this in turn is making us even stupider. That will breed more stupidity, which will presumably cause us to accelerate climate change further, which will make us still stupider, and so on, until eventually the stupidity becomes so intense that we all simply die. [more] (ANSA) - Rome, January 2 - A rocket propelled grenade (RPG) narrowly missed an Italian armoured car in Afghanistan on Wednesday. No one was hurt. The missile was fired at the vehicle but did not hit it, local sources said It exploded close to it, causing slight shrapnel damage to the back of the Lince, sources said. The incident happened during a training exercise about 20 kilometres from Herat in the west of the country. The RPG was reportedly fired by two rogue Afghan border police officers, one of whom was killed and the other arrested, sources said. An Afghan woman police officer was reportedly hurt in the incident, sources said. The attack took place at around 11:00 local time in the area where the Afghan border police is based, local sources told reporters. The Italian soldiers immediately headed back for their base at Herat while Afghan forces fired back. The result was that one of the attackers was killed and the other was arrested, said the Afghan army's western zone commander, Noorullah Qaderi. He said both were in the Afghan Border Police, which the Italian detachment had been training, according to official sources. "One of the two was killed and the other arrested," Qaderi told reporters. "No foreign trainer was injured in the attack", he told Tolo TV. According to other sources, the explosion injured an Afghan police woman. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it is known that the Taliban routinely urge police to turn their weapons on their own forces and their allies, according to local sources. The Italian defence ministry said "there is no alarm. "Our soldiers are well and in safety," sources at the ministry said. Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta asked for a personal report on the incident and expressed "the closeness of the government and the country" to the Italian contingent in Afghanistan. By Katrin Bennhold 30 August 2018 CHEMNITZ, Germany (The New York Times) Waving German flags, with some flashing Nazi salutes, the angry mob made its way through the streets, chasing after dark-skinned bystanders as police officers, vastly outnumbered, were too afraid to intervene. A Syrian refugee and father of two, Anas al-Nahlawie, watched horrified from a friends fourth-floor balcony. They were hunting in packs for immigrants just like him, he said. Like wolves.For a few perilous hours over two days this week, the mob owned the streets of Chemnitz, where anger exploded after word spread that an Iraqi and a Syrian asylum seeker were suspected in a knife attack that killed a German man early Sunday.Chemnitz, a city of some 250,000 in eastern Germany, has a history of neo-Nazi protests. Usually they draw a few hundred from the fringes of society and far larger counter-demonstrations, city officials say. The crowd this time was 8,000-strong. Led by several hundred identifiable neo-Nazis, it appeared to be joined by thousands of ordinary citizens. More marches are planned Saturday.The city had never seen anything like this and, to some degree, neither had post-World War II Germany. The rampage now stands as a high-water mark in the outpouring of anti-immigrant hatred that has swelled as Germany struggles to absorb the nearly one million asylum seekers who arrived in the country after Chancellor Angela Merkel decided to open the borders in 2015.That decision sharply divided Germany, with critics soon arguing that Ms. Merkels administration had lost control of the situation. Three years later, what the government is struggling to control is an anti-immigrant backlash. By Rong-Gong Lin II and Javier Panzar 5 August 2018 (Los Angeles Times) At Scripps Pier in San Diego, the surface water reached the highest temperature in 102 years of records, 78.8 degrees.Palm Springs had its warmest July on record, with an average of 97.4 degrees. Death Valley experienced its hottest month on record, with the average temperature hitting 108.1. Park rangers said the heat was too much for some typically hardy birds that died in the broiling conditions.Across California, the nighttime brought little relief, recording the highest minimum temperature statewide of any month since 1895, rising to 64.9.California has been getting hotter for some time, but July was in a league of its own. The intense heat fueled fires across the state, from San Diego County to Redding, that have burned more than 1,000 homes and killed eight. It brought heat waves that overwhelmed electrical systems, leaving swaths of Los Angeles without power for days.Moreover, the extreme conditions capping years of trends heading in this direction have caused scientists and policymakers to speak more openly and emphatically about what is causing this dramatic shift.A decade ago, some scientists would warn against making broad conclusions linking an extraordinary heat wave to global warming. But the pace of heat records being broken in California in recent years is leading more scientists here to assertively link climate change to unrelenting heat that is only expected to worsen as humans continue putting greenhouse gases in the air. In the past, it would just be kind of once in a while the odd year where you be really warm, state climatologist Michael Anderson said.But the last five years have been among the hottest in 124 years of record keeping, Anderson said.Thats definitely an indication that the world is warming, and things are starting to change, said Anderson, who manages the California Department of Water Resources state climate program. Were starting to see things where its different. Its setting the narrative of climate change.Gov. Jerry Brown, who has made climate change a central part of his agenda, was more blunt last week when discussing the devastation in Redding. People are doing everything they can, but nature is very powerful and were not on the side of nature, he said. Were fighting nature with the amount of material were putting in the environment, and that material traps heat.Signs of the trend are everywhere. California endured its warmest summer on record last year. All-time temperature records have been topped in recent months San Francisco notched 106 degrees in September; downtown L.A. recorded its hottest Thanksgiving Day on record at 92 degrees.On 6 July 2018, all-time temperature records were set at UCLA (111), Burbank and Santa Ana (114), and Van Nuys (117). Chino hit 120 degrees, the highest ever recorded at an automated surface observing system in the Ontario, Riverside or Chino areas.It was the warmest July on record in Fresno; for 26 consecutive days that month, temperatures reached or exceeded 100 degrees the longest continuous stretch on record, said Brian Ochs, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford. (Maximum temperatures have continued to top 100 through the first several days of August.) In terms of average temperature, it was the warmest July on record in San Luis Obispo (69.5), Oxnard (73.1), Camarillo (74.6), Long Beach (77.9), Van Nuys (83.6), Lancaster (87.2) and Palmdale (87.8). Anaheim saw its second-warmest July (81.3); Newport Beach, its fourth warmest (71.8); and San Diego, its fifth (75.2), said weather service meteorologist Samantha Connolly.Of particular concern is how overnight temperatures continue to climb. The years with the top six warmest summertime minimum temperatures in California defined as June through August in descending order, are 2017, 2015, 2014, 2006, 2016, and 2013.Its no coincidence that theyre all in recent years, experts say.We are seeing the impacts of climate change now, said Nina Oakley, regional climatologist for the Western Regional Climate Center in Reno. This is certainly it. Its happening. []The excessive heat is already causing problems for wildlife.In Death Valley, where daytime highs reached at least 120 degrees on 18 of the last 19 days of the month, about a dozen birds including a raven, an owl and a brown-headed cowbird have turned up dead in the last two weeks, the National Park Service said. The birds lacked signs of trauma, leading officials to believe they died from the intense heat. Birds lack the ability to produce sweat and instead cool themselves by puffing up their feathers and panting.Park rangers have found groups of songbirds and ravens huddled around small puddles and in the shade of a maintenance building, spokeswoman Abby Wines said.This isnt normal for us, she said. [more] Californias destructive summer brings blunt talk about climate change By Karen Graham 21 August 2018 (Digital Journal) While British Columbia Premier John Horgan was touring the wildfire-ravaged, smoke-filled area around Prince George Tuesday morning. Al Beaver, an independent risk management expert who worked on fire management for governments in Canada and Australia was speaking with The Currents guest host Ioanna Roumeliotis.Flanked by the federal defense minister, the mayor of Prince George and a First Nations chief in Prince George, Premier Horgan addressed the media, saying wildfires have prompted an unprecedented second state of emergency in the province in the last 12 months, after the devastating floods this spring. Were concerned, all of us, that this may be the new normal, Horgan said, adding that emergency officials are very worried about the wind and lightning forecast for the region, and no rain in the forecast. Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said the Canadian Armed Forces have deployed about 300 personnel to help fight the fires in B.C., adding, Were coming together far too often like this. B.C. is dealing with over 565 wildfires on Tuesday, and over 20,000 people are under evacuation orders. The raging wildfires have thrown a thick blanket of smoke across western Canada, drifting down to combine with the smoke from the fires burning across the western United States. The smoke is so bad, it is readily visible from space and is so dangerous that air quality alerts have been posted everywhere in western North America. But Beaver points out that while the smoke is a health hazard, it also makes it difficult for fire officials to spot new fires, limiting firefighting tactics that can be used. Current fire suppression technology is vastly inferior to the extremes of nature, he said, adding that there are no fire-season-ending events on the near horizon. They need rain, he said. [] Horgan also brought up the independent review of last years devastating wildfires and floods in B.C. He said the province was halfway through the review when they had to put the report aside to deal with this years fires. From flood to fire to flood and then again to fire and we have had two states of emergency thats unprecedented, he said. That speaks to the changing environment we live in and the ravages of climate change. [more] B.C. fires are the new normal says Premier John Horgan By Imogen Birchard and John McGill 15 August 2018(CBC Radio) Trevor Chapman was forced to abandon his trailer park in Fraser Lake, B.C., as the wildfires around his home grew.On Wednesday, the British Columbia government declared a state of emergency. Over 560 fires are burning across the province and thousands of people are under evacuation orders.Chapmanspoke with As It Happens guest host Matt Galloway. Here is part of their conversation.Here is part of their conversation.At what point, Trevor, did you decide this is it, I got to get out of here?My son had called me and basically told me to get myself a truck and get out.What did it look like at that time?Once it flared up, it was really bad. And you know, living in a trailer park, where you cant get insurance on your belongings or anything like that, you basically have no choice but to pack and leave and hopefully its still standing when you return.What does really bad look like?Well, at 3 oclock in the afternoon its suppose to be sunny and 27 degrees. Well, it looked like midnight. The awful pink and red glow in the sky was enough to give your head a shake and go, Yeah okay, its time to go. [more] By Jose Cortes, Ana Isabel Martinez, and Julia Love; Editing by Sandra Maler 28 August 2018 SANTA MARIA COLOTEPEC, Mexico (Reuters) About 300 endangered sea turtles were found dead off the southern coast of Mexico on Tuesday, trapped in fishing nets, shortly after more than 100 dead turtles were recovered.Fishermen in the southern state of Oaxaca discovered the turtles in the seaside community of Barra de Colotepec, said Heliodoro Diaz, the coordinator of the states civil protection agency.Images captured by a Reuters videographer showed dozens of dead turtles, many beginning to decompose, caught in what appeared to be a net.The olive ridley turtles, which Mexican authorities say are at risk of extinction, measure about 75 centimetres (29.5 inches) in length and weigh some 45 kilograms (99 pounds). From May to September, they descend on various Mexican states along the Pacific Ocean to lay their eggs.Mexico, which is home to six of the worlds seven species of sea turtles, has a permanent programme to protect the reptiles, including criminal penalties for those who kill them. The office of the federal attorney for environmental protection (PROFEPA) said it would investigate the case.Earlier this month, authorities said they were investigating the deaths of 113 sea turtles at risk of extinction 102 olive ridley turtles, six hawksbill, and five belonging to the green turtle species in a sanctuary in the southern state of Chiapas.Experts said asphyxiation, fish hooks or harmful algae could have killed the turtles, but the cause is still being investigated, PROFEPA said. Russian Asbestos Company Makes Trump Its Poster Boy By Nicole Goodkind 7 June 2018 (Newsweek) The Environmental Protection Agency will not consider the health risks and impacts of asbestos already in the environment when evaluating the dangers associated with the chemical compound, Scott Pruitt, the agencys head, quietly announced last week. That means asbestos used in tiles, piping and adhesives throughout homes and businesses in the United States will remain largely unchecked and unaccounted for. Nearly 15,000 Americans die each year from asbestos-related diseases, but President Donald Trump has called the substance 100 percent safe, once applied. In his 1997 book, The Art of the Comeback, Trump argued that the association of the chemical with health risks was part of a mob-created conspiracy. I believe that the movement against asbestos was led by the mob, because it was often mob-related companies that would do the asbestos removal. Great pressure was put on politicians, and as usual, the politicians relented, he wrote.The Trump EPAs decision came in response to new amendments made to the Toxic Substances Control Act in 2016. The additions to the bill mandate that the EPA perform safety reviews of certain chemicals, require testing and public notice of safety info for said chemicals and allow the EPA to ban certain uses of asbestos (previously, the EPA did not have the authority to do so). The EPA announced last Friday that it would evaluate and require approval for new uses of asbestos but would not evaluate the health risks of asbestos already in the environment. The end result will be a seriously inadequate risk evaluation that fails to address major contributors to the heavy and growing toll of asbestos mortality and disease in the United States, said Linda Reinstein, president of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization in a statement. Reinstein, whose husband developed Mesothelioma and passed away in 2006, told Newsweek that she met with Nancy Beck, deputy assistant administrator of the EPAs Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, on two occasions along with representatives from the AFL-CIO and the International Association of Fire Fighters. The group explained the hazards of legacy asbestos and presented over 100 studies confirming that low-dose asbestos exposure caused disease, but were shut down by Beck, she said. Beck was previously a senior director at the American Chemistry Council, a lobbyist group that represents Dow Chemical, DuPont, Monsanto and ExxonMobil Chemical.In August of 2016, the American Chemistry Council sent a letter to the EPA urging the agency to carefully consider its decision regarding asbestos evaluation as the chemical is essential to the chlor-alkali industry, which creates chlorine and sodium hydroxide for industrial use. They asked the EPA to take this into consideration as it determines whether to select asbestos among the initial 10 chemicals for risk evaluation under the changes to the Toxic Substances Control Act. Chemical lobbyist agencies including American Chemical Council held at least four meetings with the EPA last year regarding asbestos policy.If you dont evaluate the dangerous legacy of asbestos you dont know how much contamination still exists in the United States, Reinstein told Newsweek. We know its in our homes, schools, workplace and environment but the average American cant identify and evaluate the risk. We have taken risk evaluation off the table. [more] By Kasha Patel 27 July 2018(NASA) A persistent heatwave has been lingering over parts of Europe, setting record high temperatures and turning typically green landscapes to brown.The images above show browning in north-central Europe on July 24, 2018. For comparison, the second image shows the same area one year ago. Both images were acquired by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite.According to the European Space Agency, these regions turned brown in just a month, during which several countries experienced record high temperatures and low precipitation. Much of Germany has experienced drought conditions since May. The United Kingdom experienced its driest first half of summer (June 1 to July 16) on record.The image pair below shows the burned landscape of the United Kingdom and northwestern Europe as of 15 July 2018, compared with 17 July 2017. Both images were acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASAs Terra satellite.Peter Gibson, a postdoctoral researcher at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, examined how global temperatures have varied in June over the past 50 years, using historical temperature data from the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. The data showed a steep, persistent warming trend over the decades, and extreme heatwaves are more common.If the globe continues to warm, its clear we will continue to see events like this increasing in frequency, severity, and duration, said Gibson, who recently published a study linking global temperatures to regional heatwaves. We found that parts of Europe and North America could experience an extra 10 to 15 heatwave days per degree of global warming beyond what we have seen already.Gibson said this particular heatwave gained has been boosted by an unusual positioning and persistence of the jet stream. Since May, the jet stream has been stationed unusually far north, particularly over Europe, and in a wavy pattern like the uppercase Greek letter omega. The upper level wind pattern has trapped an area of high pressure over the United Kingdom that has mostly been windless, cloudless, and very hot.Scientists are still working out the details of how climate change might be influencing the jet stream. But we already know the background state of the climate has warmed by about 1C, indicating some human influence on this event, said Gibson. By Jim Robbins 9 July 2018 SEATTLE (The New York Times) For the last three years, not one calf has been born to the dwindling pods of black-and-white killer whales spouting geysers of mist off the coast in the Pacific Northwest. Normally four or five calves would be born each year among this fairly unique urban population of whales pods named J, K, and L. But most recently, the number of orcas here has dwindled to just 75, a 30-year-low in what seems to be an inexorable, perplexing decline.Listed as endangered since 2005, the orcas are essentially starving, as their primary prey, the Chinook, or king salmon, are dying off. Just last month, another one of the Southern Resident killer whales one nicknamed Crewser that hadnt been seen since last November was presumed dead by the Center for Whale Research.In March, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an executive order directing state agencies to do more to protect the whales, and in May he convened the Southern Resident Orca Task Force, a group of state, tribal, provincial and federal officials, to devise ways to stem the loss of the beloved regional creature. I believe we have orcas in our soul in this state, he said. At another point, he wrote of the whales and Chinook salmon that the impacts of letting these two species disappear would be felt for generations.The orcas are also facing a new threat. The recent agreement between the Canadian government and Kinder Morgan to expand the Trans Mountain Pipeline would multiply oil tanker traffic through the orcas habitat by seven times, according to some estimates, and expose them to excessive noise and potential spills. Construction is set to begin in August, despite opposition from Governor Inslee and many environmentalists.In the late 1990s, there were nearly 100 of these giant whales in the population. Following the salmon, they migrate in the Salish Sea to the northern coast of British Columbia and often surface in the south at Puget Sound within sight of downtown Seattle, especially during the spring and summer months. The males, which can weigh up to 22,000 pounds, typically live about 30 years, and females, up to 16,000 pounds, survive longer up to 50 or 60 years, although one J-pod member, Granny, lived to be 105 years old.Not only are there fewer calves in recent years, but signs of inbreeding also point to a weakening population. In the 1970s and 80s, theme parks like Sea World captured nearly 4 dozen orcas from the region, possibly shrinking the pods gene pool. In the last three decades, just two males fathered half the calves in the last three decades, and only a third of the females are breeding, just once every decade instead of every five years. Researchers worry that reproducing females are aging out of the population, and wont be replaced.Some conservationists are concerned that the orcas decline is another sign of a marine ecosystem in collapse. Beginning in 2013, something known as The Blob a gigantic mass of nutrient poor, extremely warm water warmed the Pacific from Mexico to Alaska, as much as six degrees above normal. Several years ago, starfish succumbed to a wasting disease and vanished from tide pools.Much is still unknown about the plight of these orcas, but biologists and conservation managers have zeroed in on several main factors and they are all connected.The biggest contributing factor may be the disappearance of big king salmon fish more than 40 inches long. They are Chinook salmon specialists, said Brad Hanson, team leader for research at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center here, part of NOAA. If they could, they would eat Chinook salmon 24/7. Orcas gobble 30 a day. Hunting enough smaller prey requires a lot more energy. []Another factor is the pollution in Puget Sound. Whales that live off the coast of Seattle, Tacoma and other cities are effectively urban whales buffeted by municipal and industrial waste, and the occasional spillage from wastewater treatment plants into the ocean. Killer whales carry some of the highest levels of pollution of any marine animal. []Its an ecosystem-wide problem, Dr. Hanson said. Things are out of whack and we have to get them back to where we can sustain killer whales. And the clock is ticking. [more] By Jessica Damiana and Ed Davies; Editing by Nick Macfie 15 July 2018 (Reuters) Indonesian villagers armed with knives, hammers, and clubs slaughtered 292 crocodiles in revenge for the death of a man killed by a crocodile at a breeding farm, an official said. Photographs released by Antara news agency showed bloodied carcasses of the crocodiles in a large pile in the Sorong district of the eastern Indonesian province of West Papua. The head of Indonesias Natural Resources Conservation Agency in West Papua said that the 48-year-old victim had entered the crocodile farm and was likely picking grass for animal feed when he was attacked. An employee heard someone screaming for help, he quickly went there and saw a crocodile attacking someone, Basar Manullang said in a statement. After the burial of the man on Saturday, villagers entered the farm and killed all the crocodiles, said Manullang. Manullang said the farm had been given a license to breed protected saltwater and New Guinea crocodiles in 2013 for preservation and also to harvest some of the animals. But one of the conditions was that the reptiles did not disturb the community, he said. (ANSA) - Rome, January 2 - A rocket propelled grenade (RPG) was fired at an Italian armoured car in Afghanistan on Wednesday but no one was hurt. The missile did not hit the vehicle but exploded close to it, causing slight shrapnel damage to the back of the Lince, sources said. The incident happened during a training exercise about 20 kilometres from Herat in the west of the country. By Somini Sengupta, Tiffany May, and Zia ur-Rehman 30 July 2018 (The New York Times) Expect more. Thats the verdict of climate scientists to the record-high temperatures this spring and summer in vastly different climate zones. The continental United States had its hottest month of May and the third-hottest month of June. Japan was walloped by record triple-digit temperatures, killing at least 86 people in what its meteorological agency bluntly called a disaster. And weather stations logged record-high temperatures on the edge of the Sahara and above the Arctic Circle. Is it because of climate change? Scientists with the World Weather Attribution project concluded in a study released Friday that the likelihood of the heat wave currently baking Northern Europe is more than two times higher today than if human activities had not altered climate. While attribution studies are not yet available for other record-heat episodes this year, scientists say theres little doubt that the ratcheting up of global greenhouse gases makes heat waves more frequent and more intense.Elena Manaenkova, deputy head of the World Meteorological Organization, said this year was shaping up to be one of the hottest years on record and that the extreme heat recorded so far was not surprising in light of climate change.This is not a future scenario, she said. It is happening now.What was it like to be in these really different places on these really hot days? We asked people. Heres what we learned. Ouargla, Algeria: 124F on July 5 At 3 p.m. on the first Thursday of July, on the edge of the vast Sahara, the Algerian oil town of Ouargla recorded a high of 124 degrees Fahrenheit. Even for this hot country, it was a record, according to Algerias national meteorological service. Abdelmalek Ibek Ag Sahli was at work in a petroleum plant on the outskirts of Ouargla that day. He and the rest of his crew had heard it would be hot. They had to be at work by 7 a.m., part of a regular 12-hour daily shift.We couldnt keep up, he recalled. It was impossible to do the work. It was hell.By 11 a.m., he and his colleagues walked off the job.But when they got back to the workers dorms, things werent much better. The power had gone out. There was no air conditioning, no fans. He dunked his blue cotton scarf in water, wrung it out, and wrapped it around his head. He drank water. He bathed 5 times. At the end of the day I had a headache, he said by phone. I was tired.Ouarglas older residents told him theyd never seen a day so hot. Hong Kong: Over 91F for 16 straight days In this city of skyscrapers on the edge of the South China Sea, temperatures soared past 91 degrees Fahrenheit for 16 consecutive days in the second half of May. Not since Hong Kong started keeping track in 1884 had a heat wave of that intensity lasted so long in May. Swimming pools overflowed with people. Office air-conditioners purred. But from morning to night, some of the citys most essential laborers went about their outdoor work, hauling goods, guarding construction sites, picking up trash. [more] By Carolyn Kormann 20 July 2018 (The New Yorker) For a week, an iceberg as colossal as it is fragile held everyone in suspense. It arrived like a gargantuan beast that you hope wont notice you, at the fishing village of Innaarsuit, Greenland, about five hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle. The iceberg posed a mortal threat to the village population of about a hundred and seventy people. Standing three hundred feet tall (the height of the Statue of Liberty) and weighing an estimated ten million metric tons (equal to thirty Empire State buildings), its riven with cracks and holes. If a big enough part of it sloughed off, in a process known as calving, it would cause a tsunami, immediately destroying the little settlement on whose shore it rested. You dont want to be anywhere near the water when its happening, a glaciologist who does research in Greenland said. Its just incredibly violent. People began to evacuate.Innaarsuit residents are a hardy bunch, living in the sort of climatic extremes that temperate zoners might call otherwordly. For much of the summer, the sun is always up. This year, it wont set again until in early August. The temperature on Friday was thirty-nine degrees Fahrenheitabout as warm as it ever getsand in the darkness of February and March, the average remains below zero. There are no trees. People hunt narwhals (polar unicorns), whales, and seals. The single road dead-ends at a cemetery. Boat captains (the only people who can get you off the island, apart from helicopter pilots) are constantly navigating an endless parade of baby icebergs, set loose from their mothers, drifting with the current past the village, often close enough to touch. They tend to be the size of a beach ball, a dinghy, a shack. The most recent visitor is different, obviously. This iceberg is the biggest we have seen, a village council member named Susanne K. Eliassen said. Karl Petersen, the village council chair, called on the press, asking the world for assistance if the berg were to calve. For the crowd watching online, it was like Jaws. We hoped desperately that the great white thing would just continue on its way.Big icebergs are nothing new, but they usually remain far offshore. Ocean currents and wind push the icebergs along, sometimes five or more miles a day. In this case, the berg got stuck in the shallow waters of the bay. Eric Rignot, a glaciologist from the University of California, Irvine, said that it probably originated from one of the nearby glaciers that flow down the fjords along Greenlands west coast. Those glaciers have long been notable for pushing a lot of icebergs out into the sea. But nowadays they are in retreatmore ice is more rapidly breaking from the glaciers face than snow is accumulating on its back.With climate change, what happened in Innaarsuit, Rignot said, is expected to occur more frequently. Joshua Willis, a glaciologist from NASAs Jet Propulsion Lab, put it in simple terms: As things continue to warm up, more ice is gonna come off and float around. Drought-stricken South Africa wants to tow one such berg to Cape Town, to prevent the countrys taps from running dry. []Back in Innaarsuit, the great white iceberg remained mostly intact and, with some help from a new-moon tide and benevolent winds, continued drifting north. By Wednesday, everybody felt safe enough to go home. The store opened, the fishermen got back in their boats and resumed catching green halibut. Its nice when a story about an iceberg has a happy ending, at least for now. [more] WASHINGTON, 20 July 2018 (IFAW) Conservationists are calling for an immediate end to commercial whaling in Iceland after genetic testing revealed a whale harpooned in Icelandic waters earlier this month was a rare blue/fin whale hybrid.There was international outcry after it was revealed that on July 7, whalers working for Kristjan Loftssons Hvalur hf, the only Icelandic company involved in fin whaling, had killed a whale which photographic evidence strongly suggested was either a blue whale or a rare blue/fin whale hybrid.The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which opposes all commercial whaling due to its inherent cruelty, called on Mr Loftsson to end his whaling operations immediately but the killing of fin whales has continued. Experts at Icelands Marine Research Institute, which undertook genetic analysis to determine the species, have now confirmed it was indeed a blue/fin whale hybrid, the offspring of a female blue whale and a male fin whale. Blue whales, the largest whale species on the planet, have been protected under international law since 1966 as populations have been decimated by commercial whaling. While such hybrids have previously been recorded by scientists, they are rare and also protected by international conventions. The trading of blue/fin hybrid whales or any of their parts is illegal.Sigursteinn Masson, IFAWs Icelandic Representative, said: The killing of a blue/fin whale hybrid demonstrates the difficulty for whalers at sea to identify which species they are pursuing. The result is that a rare and protected species has suffered as collateral damage from a cruel, unnecessary and increasingly unpopular hunt.Now that the evidence has been confirmed, we once again call for an immediate and permanent end to this whaling to prevent further harm to these endangered species which not only play a crucial role within the marine ecosystem, but also embody such a rich national and cultural heritage as well.Mr Loftsson, CEO of Hvalur hf, announced his intention to resume killing endangered fin whales, the second largest whale species, earlier this year after a three-year hiatus. The hunt began last month with a quota of 238 whales. Loftssons company last killed 155 fin whales in 2015, chiefly for the Japanese market. There had been no fin whaling in Iceland since this time, after Loftsson cited difficulties in trading the meat with Japan.Minke whaling has also been taking place in Iceland this summer with a self-allocated annual kill quota of 269 minke whales, though only a fraction of the quota is usually taken. A total of 17 minke whales were harpooned during last summers whaling season, compared to 46 in 2016. While fin whale meat has not traditionally been eaten by Icelanders, minke whale meat is sold within the country, though the majority of it is eaten by curious tourists.There is also little appetite for whale meat among Icelanders with recent Gallup polling commissioned by IFAW showing only 1% of Icelanders claim to eat whale meat regularly and 81% have never eaten it. Polling also revealed that Icelandic support for fin whaling has significantly reduced, with 35.4% now declaring they are in favour of fin whaling, compared to 42% in 2016. Just four years ago, similar polling found 56.9% in favour of fin whaling, around 20% higher.*In conjunction with Icelandic whale watching coalition Icewhale, IFAW works to educate tourists about the realities of whaling and whale meat through its Meet Us Dont Eat Us campaign. The percentage of tourists who claimed to have tasted whale meat in Iceland was 40% according to research carried out in 2009. Since the launch of Meet Us Dont Eat Us in 2011 this figure has been drastically reduced, with IFAW surveys revealing 11.4% of tourists in Iceland had sampled whale meat in 2017.Masson added: IFAW has worked alongside Icelanders for many years to promote responsible whale watching, rather than whale killing. This is better for whales, Icelands tourism industry and its international reputation.Whale watching is one of the top tourist attractions in Iceland, generating around 20 million annually. More than 350,000 people go whale watching each year in Iceland, proving that whales are worth far more to the Icelandic economy alive than dead.More than half of restaurants in downtown Reykjavik have signed up to be Whale Friendly with a pledge not to serve whale meat, and less than 10% of restaurants in this area have whale meat on their menus.To support IFAWs efforts to protect whales in Iceland or find out more about Meet Us Dont Eat Us visit www.ifaw.is. ATHENS, Greece, 26 July 2018 (Associated Press) A flash flood has struck a northern Athens suburb following a squall, with the Greek capitals fire department receiving 140 calls for assistance and to pump water from flooded homes and businesses. Fire crews headed to an open-air parking lot in the suburb of Maroussi on Thursday to see if there were any people trapped in cars that were bobbing in a suddenly created muddy lake. Authorities urged drivers to avoid the area and shut down a side road off the main highway leading north out of Athens. The flash flood comes three days after a devastating wildfire northeast of Athens killed at least 82 people and injured more than 180. By Alexandria Sage, with additional reporting by Bernie Woodall and Brendan OBrien; Editing by Scott Malone and Matthew Lewis 28 July 2018 REDDING, California (Reuters) Nine people were reportedly missing as a monster wildfire in Northern California grew by two-thirds overnight after killing two firefighters, destroying hundreds of buildings and sending thousands of frantic residents racing from their homes. Some 3,400 firefighters on the ground and in 17 helicopters battled the 80,900-acre (32,740-hectare) Carr Fire, which was just 5 percent contained early on Saturday as it ripped through Redding, a city of 90,000 people, in Californias scenic Shasta-Trinity area. More than 38,000 residents in Redding and elsewhere in Shasta County fled their homes as the fire began to gain speed and intensity on Thursday, destroying 500 homes and businesses and leaving Keswick, a town of 450, in smoldering ruins, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Another 5,000 buildings are threatened, Cal Fire said. []The fire, which started on Monday afternoon, has been fed by hot, dry weather and high winds. Temperatures were forecast to reach 109 Fahrenheit (42.8 Celsius) on Saturday, with winds of up to 8 miles per hour (13 km), according to the National Weather Service. The winds, high temperatures and dry vegetation still have the potential to fuel fire growth, Cal Fire said in a morning advisory. Fire spread has been active in all directions. [more][From the embedded video: Captain Fernando Herrera of the California Fire Service said, The wildfire aspect has intensified over the years, so weve been experiencing more and more damaging wildfires, more fires that ignite rapidly. Its like throwing gas in these types of fires, they erupt and they spread so fast. Des] Vancouver, BC, 2 June 2018 (Sea Shepherd Conservation Society) On 23 June 2018, an orca born into the critically endangered Southern Resident orca population died within hours of birth. [And another died the same way on Tuesday, 24 July 2018. Des] Despite the decline of Orcas due to the loss of Chinook salmon, their primary food source, the Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Jonathan Wilkinson, refuses to screen farmed salmon for a virus that causes Chinook salmon blood cells to rupture en masse. [cf. A mother grieves: Orca whale continues to carry her dead calf into a second day We dont have five years to wait, we really dont. Des] Research published in 2017 in the prestigious scientific journal, PloS One, reports that saving the southern resident orca from extinction may depend on restoring Chinook salmon populations in the Fraser River. Despite this, 80 percent of the farmed salmon sighted in pens along the Fraser River salmon migration route along eastern Vancouver Island are infected with piscine orthoreovirus (PRV), a virus recently reported by DFO to affect Chinook salmon. The paper published in the journal FACETS2 earlier this year describes how PRV invades the blood cells of Chinook salmon, replicates rapidly in the cells until the cells burst causing organ failure, severe jaundice, and release of the virus into marine habitats. For the third consecutive year, Sea Shepherds research vessel, the Martin Sheen is conducting audits into the damaging effects open-net salmon farms have in British Columbian waters. Independent Biologist Alexandra Morton won a lawsuit against the Ministry of Fisheries in 2015 prohibiting the Minister of Fisheries from allowing farmed salmon to be transferred into marine pens without screening for PRV. Canadian Fisheries Regulations prohibit the transfer of fish infected with a disease into Canadian waters. Because the majority of BC farmed salmon is infected, the salmon farming industry admits it would be severely impacted if this law was applied to their operations. For reasons not fully understood, the Minister of Fisheries refuses to acknowledge this 2016 Federal court ruling and continues to refuse to screen for PRV. As a result, most farm salmon sold in markets is infected with PRV as per research also published in PloS One, on 3 December 2017. I am terribly saddened by the loss of this young whale and the suffering her mother is enduring, says Alexandra Morton. Here in Canada we are guilty of allowing our government to ignore the very laws that would prevent this. The Trudeau government is protecting millions of introduced Atlantic salmon infected with a virus that causes wild Chinook salmon cells to explode as whales go extinct for lack of Chinook salmon. Canada is giving up so much for the benefit and profit of three salmon farming companies that dominate the BC salmon farming industry. Contact By Jason Horowitz 24 July 2018 MATI, Greece (The New York Times) They nearly reached the water.As wind-fueled wildfires that killed at least 80 people in vacation areas outside Athens bore down on their seaside resort, 26 men, women and children gathered in the hope that they could find the narrow path leading to a small staircase down to the water.The gated entrance stood only a dozen paces away, but with smoke blotting their vision and choking their lungs, they appear to have lost their way. Officials found their bodies the next day, Tuesday; several were still clinging to one another.At sundown, an eyeglass case, a belt buckle, the carcasses of dogs and the shells of cellphones dotted the still-smoldering field where they fell. Amid the burned pine cones and the naked trees, leaning as if slammed by a nuclear wind, lay a large leather sandal and a small blue one with a Velcro strap.All around were the discarded blue rubber gloves of the emergency workers who carried the bodies away.Greece, a country that understands tragedy all too well, woke Tuesday morning to its worst one in a decade. In addition to those killed by smoke or fire, or who drowned in the sea while trying to flee, 187 people were hospitalized, more than 20 of them children. Ten people remained in serious condition, the government said Tuesday night. []There was a smell of smoke, but just the smell, said Antonis Tsiongios, a 60-year-old plumber who had a vacation property here. And then two hours later, the fire was here.By then, he said, it was too late to escape. The street out of town was clogged with cars and engulfed in flames.The only road, he said, was the sea. [] Dr. Jeff Masters 27 July 2018 (Weather Underground) The intense, unrelenting heat wave that has gripped northern Europe during the summer of 2018 was made at least 2 5 times more likely at some locations by climate change, according to a preliminary analysis released on Friday by the World Weather Attribution network. This network, staffed by a team of scientists from six institutions, was established to provide near-real time analysis of how climate change might be affecting extreme weather events. The scientists used data from seven weather stations in Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland; a UK station was not included, due to time constraints.The study found that rising global temperatures have increased the likelihood of the summer 2018 heat wave by five times in Denmark, three times in the Netherlands and two times in Ireland. The data for Scandinavia was too noisy to determine a specific number, with the report concluding climate change increased the odds of a heat wave as observed in 2018 in Scandinavia but we cannot quantify by how much.The study focused on individual stations, not on larger areas like previous attribution studies have. A climate change signal is harder to distinguish from the noise in observations taken at individual places, meaning that the numbers quoted are likely to be low. This underestimate may be as much as a factor of two, since a study the same group did of the 2017 southern Europe heat wave found an increase in the occurrence likelihood of a heat wave like the one observed was at least a factor two larger in the area average than at individual stations. CarbonBrief has a more in-depth look at the study.The results of the attribution study are not a surprise, since the increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves are among the most obvious and well-documented effects of climate change. If we continue to avoid making a concerted effort to reduce our emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases, heat waves as extreme as this one will simply be ordinary summer weather a few decades from now.The great northern European heat wave of 2018 continued to set all-time records on Friday, July 27, with Norway bearing the brunt of the record heat. According to weather records expert Maximilliano Herrera, dozens of all-time heat records fell at stations with a long period of record (POR) in Norway, some falling by a remarkable 4C (7F)a very rare margin to break an all-time heat record by. Mr. Herrera, along with weather records experts Etienne Kapikian and Michael Theusner, have put together the following list of stations that set notable all-time heat records July 25 27. These stations had at least a 40-year period of record (POR). [more] 13 June 2018 (University of Waterloo) A new study from the University of Waterloo discovered that rising sea levels could be accelerated by vulnerable ice shelves in the Antarctic. The study, by an international team of polar scientists led by Canada Research Chair Christine Dow of Waterloos Faculty of Environment, discovered that the process of warmer ocean water destabilizing ice shelves from below is also cracking them apart from above, increasing the chance theyll break off.We are learning that ice shelves are more vulnerable to rising ocean and air temperatures than we thought, said Dow. There are dual processes going on here. One that is destabilizing from below, and another from above. This information could have an impact on our projected timelines for ice shelf collapse and resulting sea level rise due to climate change.The study, which was conducted over two years, applied methods similar to forensic science on ice shelves which had already calved. Using radar surveys and Landsat imagery, Dow reports direct evidence that a major 2016 calving event at Nansen Ice Shelf in the Ross Sea was the result of fracture driven by channels melted into the bottom of the ice shelf. The surveys also demonstrated that similar basal channel-driven transverse fractures occur elsewhere in Greenland and Antarctica. As warmer salt water erodes channels into the ice that attaches glaciers to stable land, it also generates massive vertical fractures splitting glaciers from above and below. Surface water melting on top of the ice shelves then pours into these cracks, accelerating the problem further.This study is more evidence that the warming effects of climate change are impacting our planet in ways that are often more dangerous than we perhaps had thought, said Dow. There are many more vulnerable ice shelves in the Antarctic that, if they break up, will accelerate the processes of sea level rise.The study, titled Basal channels drive active surface hydrology and transverse ice-shelf fracture, was recently published in AAAS Science Advances. Contact Ryon Jones University of Waterloo 519-888-4567 ext. 30031 www.uwaterloo.ca/news @UWaterlooNews Climate change accelerating rising sea levels ABSTRACT: Ice shelves control sea-level rise through frictional resistance, which slows the seaward flow of grounded glacial ice. Evidence from around Antarctica indicates that ice shelves are thinning and weakening, primarily driven by warm ocean water entering into the shelf cavities. We have identified a mechanism for ice shelf destabilization where basal channels underneath the shelves cause ice thinning that drives fracture perpendicular to flow. These channels also result in ice surface deformation, which diverts supraglacial rivers into the transverse fractures. We report direct evidence that a major 2016 calving event at Nansen Ice Shelf in the Ross Sea was the result of fracture driven by such channelized thinning and demonstrate that similar basal channeldriven transverse fractures occur elsewhere in Greenland and Antarctica. In the event of increased basal and surface melt resulting from rising ocean and air temperatures, ice shelves will become increasingly vulnerable to these tandem effects of basal channel destabilization. Basal channels drive active surface hydrology and transverse ice shelf fracture By Andy Newman 31 May 2018 (The New York Times) Hurricane Sandy wrought havoc on the Jersey Shore town of Brielle when it made landfall in October 2012.Homes filled with water. Boats washed up on peoples lawns and on the Brielle Avenue bridge.Also, a real estate sign went missing.It had been planted in back of a house for sale on Cedarcrest Drive, facing a narrow inlet called Debbies Creek. The sign was 18 by 24 inches and about an inch thick and made of plastic composite. It disappeared along with the post it was mounted to and was never seen again.Until around 14 May 2018.On a beach in France, 3,595 miles away.A man walking along the Plage du Pin Sec, near Bordeaux, spotted it. The faded sign was missing a chunk, but he could still read the legend Diane Turton Realtors 732-292-1400. [more] By Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan 23 June 2018 (IBT) Officials at the Center for Biological Diversity said one of the last two jaguars known to be living in the United States was shown dead in a photo released Thursday.The photo provided to the Arizona Daily Star showed a jaguar pelt looked like that of the the animal roaming the Huachuca Mountains in 2016 and 2017, Jim DeVos, assistant wildlife management director for the Arizona Game and Fish Department said.The officials compared the latest photo with the previous picture of the jaguar and found similarities between the two based on spot patterns, DeVos said.Theres not much more to say. We dont know any of the specifics where, when, how. Were trying to get as much information as we can, he added.Randy Serraglio, a conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity told BuzzFeed News the jaguar named Yooko had not been detected in the U.S. since last year and must have been killed a few months ago.[Jaguars] are like snowflakes. If you have a clear photo of their flank, you can verify its the same animal, Serraglio said, adding the rustics of the doorway look like Mexico, Tucson News Now reported.Carmina Gutierrez Gonzalez, a jaguar project biologist, said officials do not know who took the photo and when it was taken, adding Were very upset. Its terrible. Were very upset that somebody killed that jaguar. I just cant believe that. Its really sad for us. [more] One Of The Last Known Jaguars In US Killed TUCSON, Arizona, 22 June 2018 (CBD) One of only two jaguars known to be living in the United States was shown dead in a photo released Thursday. The photo shows a pelt with markings that match Yooko, a young male jaguar who roamed the Huachuca Mountains in southern Arizona in 2016 and 2017. The pattern of rosettes on a jaguar is unique, enabling identification of specific individuals. The cats name, which is the Yaqui word for jaguar, was chosen last year by students of Hiaki High School in Tucson.This tragedy is piercing, said Randy Serraglio, conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity. It highlights the urgency to protect jaguar habitat on both sides of the border and ensure that these rare, beautiful cats have safe places to live. Few details of the photo or the cats death are known at this time. Yooko had been photographed just north of the border several times in late 2016 and 2017, showing up regularly on trail cameras monitored by wildlife biologists and volunteers.We must continue working to overcome the cultural prejudice that jaguars are somehow enemies of people, said Serraglio. Indigenous people of the Americas have revered jaguars as majestic, powerful spirits of the wild for thousands of years. Whoever killed Yooko could learn a lot from them.Yooko is one of three jaguars detected in the U.S. in the past three years. U.S. jaguars are part of a small, vulnerable population concentrated south of the Arizona border in Sonora, Mexico.The presence of jaguars in our mountains tells us that they are still whole and still wild, said Serraglio. The thought of having to explain to those kids at Hiaki High School that somebody killed their favorite jaguar really just breaks my heart.Jaguars are the third-largest cats in the world after tigers and lions. They once lived throughout the American Southwest, with historical records on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the mountains of Southern California and as far east as Louisiana. Jaguars virtually disappeared from this part of their range over the past 150 years, primarily due to habitat loss and historic government predator control programs intended to protect the livestock industry.Jaguars continue to move into Arizona from Mexico. Seven jaguars have been confirmed by photographs in the United States in the past 20 years. By Matt Volz, Jamie Stengle, and Juan A. Lozano 22 June 2018HELENA, Montana (Associated Press) Helicopters rescued people stranded by flooding in Texas and Montana, including 140 children and counselors stuck in a mountain bible camp for two days, as severe storms swept the Rockies and the Midwest. Campers attending the Montana Wilderness School of the Bible near the small town of Augusta were airlifted out Thursday after a washed-out road cut off the only exit. Montana was just drying out from spring flooding caused by near-record snowfall over the winter when a storm unleashed heavy rains last weekend. Texas also saw deluges all week. The soaking in both states comes in stark contrast to the tinder-dry conditions of the American Southwest. Floodwaters running through two cabins and staff housing woke the campers Tuesday, counselor Dustin Steele said. The dryers were going constantly trying to keep the sleeping bags and clothes dry, he said Thursday from the airport in Great Falls, shortly after campers were dropped off to meet their families. It was hectic, but it was good. They had enough food and supplies to stay until Friday, but the decision was made to get them out. The Montana Army National Guard sent two Chinook helicopters and made two trips each with about 30 campers and their luggage, Steele said. [] Thunderstorms across Texas this week also brought heavy rains to areas that less than a year ago were hit by flooding from Hurricane Harvey, including the Corpus Christi area and the Beaumont-Port Arthur area, east of Houston. [] Meanwhile, parts of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado were experiencing extreme or exceptional drought, forcing recent closures of national forests and other public lands because of fire danger. [] In Montana, the remnants of Hurricane Bud met up with moisture from the Pacific Ocean to create a storm that hung over the western half of the state last weekend, said National Weather Service meteorologist Megan Syner in Great Falls. I cant point to any single thing that would make us an anomaly in the western half of the U.S., Syner said. We had a record winter season, and we had a storm track that just continued to bring weather systems over Montana. That led to 9 inches (23 centimeters) of rain falling on the Rocky Mountain Front, causing waterways to overflow and wash out roads, bridges and even sweeping away wildlife. The mother of one of the campers, Teresa Lane, had an adventure of her own when she and her 9-year-old daughter spotted a grizzly bear that had been swept away by a fast-running creek on her ranch near Augusta. I thought it was a dead cow originally, Lane said. Then it flipped around, and it looked at me, and I said, Tiffany, its a bear!' She and her daughter followed the bear for about a quarter-mile as it tried to get out. When it finally did, it limped and appeared agitated before running away. It was not a happy camper, she said. [more] By Josh Gabbatiss Science Correspondent 5 June 2018 (The Independent) The forest which is home to some of the last remaining Bornean orangutans is being logged despite the Indonesian governments vow to protect it, Greenpeace has claimed .The group said six illegal logging settlements had been identified in Sungai Putri, the peatland forest home to around 1,200 of the critically endangered apes.Campaigners obtained photos and aerial drone footage showing an extensive drainage canal full of water, heavy earth-moving equipment and planting of pulp wood tree seedlings.The Indonesian government has previously ordered a moratorium on drainage and logging in the countrys peatland forests following extensive dry season fires in 2015.They were blamed on the drainage of swampy peatlands to create industrial plantations, which had left the forests highly combustible.The new evidence produced by Greenpeace comes after the Indonesian environment and forestry minister Siti Nurbaya called for the company responsible to cease operations in March.This is a major embarrassment for the Indonesian government, which has consistently promised to protect Sungai Putri, said Ratri Kusumohartono, Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaigner.The government cannot let this stand it must uphold the law and ensure the full and permanent protection of this beautiful and important forest.The ministrys director-general of law enforcement and its director of environmental disputes did not respond to calls or text messages. []A study published in February reported that Borneo had lost more than 100,000 orangutans in the space of just 16 years. [ more ] Borneos last remaining orangutans threatened by illegal logging, despite government protection By Kate Fried 5 June 2018 Washington, D.C. (Greenpeace) A new Greenpeace International investigation reveals a major illegal logging operation in a critical orangutan landscape in West Kalimantan, in Indonesian Borneo despite efforts by the Indonesian government to protect it [1].Photos taken by Greenpeace Indonesia in March 2018 reveal at least six illegal logging settlements inside the PT Moharison Pawan Khatulistiwa (MPK) concession in Sungai Putri, a 57,000 hectare peatland forest and one of the last orangutan strongholds in the world. The logging takes place under cover of darkness, even in locations where orangutan nests are found. [2] It ends just before dawn, when trucks emerge to transport the woodpiles to sawmills and furniture shops in Ketapang. It is unclear whether the logging is being carried out by MPK, or by third parties taking advantage of roads the company has built.This is a major embarrassment for the Indonesian government, which has consistently promised to protect Sungai Putri. More than a year ago, the government ordered MPK to stop trashing the forest and peatlands, yet its excavators are still in place and now chainsaws are finishing the job. The government cannot let this stand it must uphold the law and ensure the full and permanent protection of this beautiful and important forest, said Ratri Kusumohartono, Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaigner.In 2015, the Indonesian government approved MPKs plans to log in a 48,000 hectare concession, much of which is on very deep peatland that was in theory protected by legislation [3][4]. In the same year, satellite analysis recorded 7,965 fire hotspots across Sungai Putri landscape and surroundings. [5] The following year, the government strengthened its peatland protection laws, following a major outbreak of forest fires caused in part by deforestation and peatland development. [6]Despite this, MPK continued to develop the concession, constructing several drainage canals through the peat. In 2017, Greenpeace Indonesia raised this with the Minister of Environment and Forestry. [7] The Minister instructed the company to stop its operations and fill in the canal. It has yet to do so, and heavy machinery remains in place. Protecting Sungai Putri forest is essential if Bornean orangutans are to survive. Scientists estimate that the population of Bornean orangutans has halved in the last 16 years. [8] According to recent analysis by the Centre for Conservation of Natural Resources (BKSDA) [9] Sungai Putri is home to 950-1200 orangutans. Some 84 percent of this landscape is covered by peatland. In the past 10 years, BKSDA and International Animal Rescue (IAR) have rescued over 30 orangutans in Sungai Putri and the surrounding area, where they continue to be threatened by hunting, logging and palm oil expansion. Habitat destruction forces orangutans to enter neighbouring plantations and farms looking for food, and this frequently leads to conflict with humans. Thats why last year we had to rescue a male orangutan in the south part of MPKs concession. Sungai Putri is home to one of the largest populations in the world and we are at a critical point for the Bornean orangutan, without forests like this they cant survive, said Karmele Llano Sanchez, Program Director of IAR in Indonesia. Sungai Putri is one of the last refuges of the orangutans and the survival of the species relies on creating wildlife havens and protecting the existing ones. It is time for the Indonesian government to ensure the full protection of Sungai Putri, its environment and wildlife, added Kusumohartono. Contact By Thomas Mukoya, George Obulutsa, Duncan Miriri, Humphrey Malalo, and Maggie Fick; Writing by Ed Cropley; Editing by Janet Lawrence and Andrew Heavens 10 May 2018 SOLAI, Kenya (Reuters) A dam on a commercial flower farm in Kenyas Rift Valley burst after weeks of torrential rain, unleashing a sea of water that careened down a hillside and smashed into two villages, killing at least 47 people. The walls of the reservoir, situated on top of a hill in Nakuru county, 190 km (120 miles) northwest of Nairobi, gave way late on Wednesday as nearby residents were sitting down to evening meals. Kenya is one of the largest suppliers of cut flowers to Europe, and roses from the 3,500-acre Solai farm are exported to the Netherlands and Germany, according to Optimal Connection, its Netherlands-based handling agent. The floodwaters carved out a dark brown chasm in the hillside and swept away everything in their path powerlines, homes and buildings, including a primary school. The bodies of two women were found several kilometers away as excavators and rescue workers armed with shovels picked through rubble and mud searching for survivors and victims. Local police chief Japheth Kioko said the death toll could well climb. So far it is 47 dead. We are still on the ground, he told Reuters. After a severe drought last year, East Africa has been hit by two months of heavy rain, affecting nearly a million people in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Uganda. Bridges have been swept away and roads turned into rivers of mud. []Vinoj Kumar, general manager of the Solai farm, blamed the disaster on massive rainfall in a forest above the dam. In the past two days the intensity of the rain was high and the water started coming down carrying boulders and roots which damaged the wall, he told Reuters. The dam wall cracked and the water escaped. []Even before this weeks dam-burst, heavy rains had caused havoc in Kenya, killing 132 people and displacing 222,000, according to the government. Roads and bridges have been destroyed, causing millions of dollars of damage. The United Nations UNOCHA disaster agency said 580,000 people had been affected by torrential rain and flooding in neighboring Somalia, while the Somali region of eastern Ethiopia had also taken a hammering, with 160,000 people affected. The flooding could yet get worse, with heavy rains forecast to continue in the Rift Valley and the Lake Victoria basin over the next few weeks. [more] By Simon Ndonga 24 May 2018 Nairobi (AllAfrica) The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) says the number of deaths resulting from the ongoing heavy rains has risen to slightly over 200. Secretary General Abbas Gullet revealed that those displaced are about 300,000 and 22 counties have been placed under floods watch. Those who have died as a result of the raging floods are slightly over 200 and many more have been displaced. We are continuing to assist the affected families and we will go on doing so until the rains cease, he stated. Gullet told Capital FM News that some of the affected counties include Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, West-Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Trans-Nzoia, Nakuru, and Bomet.He stated that roads have been cut off in Garissa, Isiolo, Kisumu, and Wajir counties, among others.The organization has reported that Tana River and Kilifi counties are among the worst hit, with 115 camps for the displaced.The Kenya Meteorological Services said the rains are expected to continue until the end of May, when up to 40 counties are likely to be affected.Already, cases of cholera have been reported in Kiambu and Kerio-Valley. [more] Cyclone Mekunu Slams Oman and Yemen, Killing at Least 6 By Eric Leister 27 May 2018 (AccuWeather) Former Tropical Cyclone Mekunu left a path of destruction from Socotra to Oman and Yemen. As of Sunday, 40 people still remained missing on Socotra Island and at least 10 people have been killed in the path of the storm. One of the most impressive stats from the storm is the tremendous amount of rainfall it produced, in a part of the world that is known as one of the driest. Locations around Salalah were hardest hit by the storm with hurricane-force winds and nearly a decades worth of rain within a few days. Even several days after moving into the rugged and dry terrain of the southern Arabian Peninsula, a defined storm system can still be seen spinning over far southern Saudi Arabia on this satellite image from Sunday. Rainfall reports of 300-600 mm (12-24 inches) of rain around Salalah have caused towns and roadways to be under more than 1 meter (3 feet) of water and turned parched landscapes into raging rivers and waterfalls. While that amount in almost any location around the world would be extreme and likely result in widespread devastation, Salalah only averages around 80 mm (3.1-3.2 inches) of rain per year. So one tropical system resulted in 4 to 8 years worth of rainfall for the region, and this rain fell in only about three days. [more] By Kevin Rector and Pamela Wood 28 May 2018 ELLICOTT CITY, Maryland (The Baltimore Sun) Residents, merchants and officials in Ellicott City on Monday began to examine the devastation wrought by floods that coursed through the historic mill town the night before the second time in less than two years. Old Ellicott Citys Main Street remained blocked off Monday, as crews walked up and down the street inspecting buildings. Police were looking for a man who was reported missing during the flooding Sunday. Cars were planted upside down and on their sides in streams and along the road, and a crane tow truck was brought in to lift them out. Utility workers began to restore power, fix a broken water line and bypass a broken sewer pipe. Many quickly began to ask the question: Should we rebuild again?At Tersiguels French Country Restaurant, owner Michel Tersiguel knew immediately that he would repair and reopen his restaurant, a longtime destination restaurant for special occasions and French class field trips. He was on the phone with a contractor Sunday night. Time to rebuild, thats it, Tersiguel said. Its no question for us. We rebuilt the building last time, so that helped. Our plan is to get it as soon as the county lets us in. Nathan Sowers, owner of River House Pizza Co., isnt sure if he will reopen. Its an eight-month season. The sun shines, you make hay. Now is when you need to be doing it, he said, noting that the tourism season is just beginning. We just have to see if the numbers work. [more] By Kate Lamb 27 February 2018 (The Guardian) Dramatically carved into the landscape of a Sumatran oil palm plantation that borders one of the worlds most unique rainforests are three ominous letters: SOS. The message stretches half a kilometre alongside a snaking river; a birds-eye view gives the eerie sense the land has been given voice, and is issuing a mayday. From the ground, you would not suspect anything more than just another palm oil plantation. The aerial view, however, reveals the SOS distress signal, says the Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic. For a week Zacharevic has been carefully plotting his concept out tree by tree or oil palm by oil palm all 1,100 that were cut down to etch out the message.The work in Bukit Mas, Sumatra, is intended to convey a pressing distress signal, drawing attention to the ongoing destruction of Indonesias rainforests and the critically endangered species, such as the Sumatran orangutan, that reside within it.Save Our Souls is a message communicated to those at a distance, a reminder of the connectedness we share with nature, he says of the acronym. As more of the forests are lost, we lose a little bit of ourselves in the process.This is the second year running that Zacharevic, a multidisciplinary artist famed for his Penang murals, has taken the state of Indonesian forests to heart in an artistic awareness campaign called Splash and Burn.The campaign is a play on the slash and burn technique used by some Indonesian farmers to clear swaths of rainforest for oil palm plantations.Indonesia is the worlds largest producer of palm oil a substance widely used in food, cosmetics and cleaning products and as the countrys rainforests shrink, the industry stands accused of complicity in mass deforestation.Inspired initially by the devastating forest fires of 2015, Zacharevic says this year he has delved deeper into the industrys problems, as well as artistic ways to express them. []This year the artist has collaborated with the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS), which, together with the cosmetics company Lush, raised the funds to buy the 50-hectare (124-acre) oil palm plantation with the intention of reforesting it entirely.Before the oil palms are replaced with tens of thousands of native seedlings, Zacharevic was offered the chance to bring his idea to life. [more] By Lewis Pennock 4 March 2018 (The Independent) Thousands of dead starfish washed up on a British beach following the beast from the east weather snap.The spectacular scene in Ramsgate, Kent , was described as like the armageddon by wildlife enthusiast Lara Maiklem, 47, who photographed the phenomenon.She estimated hundreds of thousands of starfish and other sea life were washed ashore this weekend following the spell of subzero temperatures.Lara travelled to the beach with her five-year-old twins, Edie and Beau.And in a bizarre twist, they also discovered a pair of false teeth among the mass of dead wildlife.She said: It was incredible. There were starfish as far as the eye could see, there were fish in there and sea urchins. []Seagulls and other birds were also among the dead wildlife.Lara added: The beast killed quite a lot of creatures. We save as many as we could but it was like the armageddon. []A few days ago I went for a walk down there and found a lot of dead seagulls there seemed to be quite a lot of dead birds.There must have been thousands and thousands of starfish, and lots of crabs as well.Some of the crabs were still alive so we took them back to the rockpools. [ more ] Tens of thousands of starfish wash up on British beach following extreme change in temperature By Katie Pavid 5 March 2018 (The Natural History Museum) Thousands of sea creatures blanketed the beach in Ramsgate on Englands south coast in one of the biggest mass strandings on record in the UK. They appeared on 3 March, after Britain spent a week enduring freezing temperatures and stormy weather. Starfish covered most of the beach, but other marine life was washed up as well, including fish and sea urchins. The trail reportedly stretched from Ramsgate to other beaches in the area, including Broadstairs, and it is thought that the challenging weather conditions were the cause. Frank Leppard, a local photographer who took the above image, said he had never seen so much dead sea life in one spot. The Marine Conservation Society also reported that hundreds of lobsters, clams, bryozoans, anemones and starfish have been washed up on a beach in East Yorkshire. Andrew Cabrinovic, the Museums curator of echinoderms, looks after its collection of starfish specimens. He says, Starfish strandings such as this one are not unusual, and occur to a greater or lesser degree every year. However, strandings on this scale do not happen often. Andrew added that stormy weather is the most likely explanation, as water currents become stronger and wash the starfish to the shore. Starfish live on the soft, sandy parts of the ocean floor, and are easily picked up by currents and waves. Heavy storms can cause even deep water to move and affect offshore starfish populations. Changing tides, high winds and sea swell could also be factors in how many end up on beaches.Although its an upsetting sight, the stranding is a not a cause for huge concern.Common starfish (Asterias rubens) are found on all British and Irish coasts. They also reproduce quickly.Mass stranding of thousands of common starfish have been reported often along the coast of England, and other species have been known to strand on the east coast of North America.Dr Chris Mah, a starfish researcher from the Smithsonian Institution, agrees with Andrew.On his website, he says, In almost every instance that this has been reported, there have been reports of either storms or high winds. Bear in mind that storms dont just mean high winds and rough water current. It also means fresh water input. Echinoderms are notoriously intolerant of freshwater. Low salinity water might serve to weaken or otherwise just disable enough of them to be washed ashore.Dr Mah adds that starfish populations will usually bounce back.He writes, Although it seems like hundreds to thousands of individuals, bear in mind that many of these species occur over a huge area and their spawn includes hundreds of millions of individuals.The Marine Conservation Society added, We regularly see mass strandings of seabed-dwelling animals after storms, usually in winter, sometimes several times in a year.This year, the Beast from the East combined with heavy seas stirred up by [Storm] Emma appears to be one of the biggest mass strandings on record for the UK. [more] 2 March 2018 (The Costra Rican Times) Ten tons of hammerhead shark fins have been in storage in Costa Rican warehouses since 1 March 2015, when the government issued a ban on the export of hammerhead shark fins as part of its Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) obligations. The fins were obtained and stored during the export ban and any attempt to export them is considered a violation of CITES. Thousands of individuals and 22 Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) from around the globe are petitioning the government to stop any export attempt. In 2013, the Costa Rican government led an international campaign to list endangered hammerhead sharks under Appendix II of CITES, in an effort to limit international trade of shark products and improve hammerhead shark conservation in Costa Rica. Cocos Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site off Costa Rica, is famous for its population of Scalloped hammerhead sharks. The island is visited by numerous tourists from around the globe each year, wanting to experience the islands premier shark diving and world-class Costa Rica liveaboard diving. Cocos Island is vulnerable to illegal shark fishing in and around its protected waters and the Scalloped hammerhead is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This hammerhead shark species, along with other hammerhead species, is in dire need of protection; both to secure the health of Costa Ricas ocean ecosystem and the thriving marine tourism industry.On 1 March 2015, Costa Rica became one of the worlds few countries to ban the export of hammerhead shark fins. In spite of this bold and visionary step, the ban has had no positive impact on hammerhead shark conservation, stated Isabel Naranjo, the president of CREMA, a Costa Rican non-profit marine conservation organisation, in a letter to the President of Costa Rica dated 19 February 2018. By Sandi Doughton 21 February 2018 (The Seattle Times) A series of panoramic photographs taken during the Great Depression is offering a new view of ecological change across the Pacific Northwest, including the dramatic retreat of glaciers on the regions most iconic peak. In 1934, when a young Forest Service photographer lugged his 75-pound camera to Anvil Rock high on the southern flank of Mount Rainier, the vista he captured showed the curling sweep of the Cowlitz Glacier snaking down the valley below.When Wenatchee-based photographer John F. Marshall re-created the same image with modern equipment 83 years later, the valley stretched out bare and empty of ice.The value of comparative photography is that it tells a much more complete story, said Marshall, who has been re-creating the so-called Osborne panoramas for several years. Photography is a very powerful way of explaining long-term change.A selection of before-and-after glacier scenes will be featured Wednesday evening in a program called Art Meets Science atop Mount Rainiers Glaciers at the University of Washingtons Center for Urban Horticulture. Focused on glacial loss and its consequences, the program is sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, which has helped support Marshalls quest to make the historic photos more widely available and capture contemporary versions. []For The Nature Conservancy in Oregon, Marshall scanned and uploaded more than 1,200 images, now available through an online archive.At Rainier, the high-angle shots offer a different perspective on the well-documented retreat of glaciers, said Paul Kennard, regional geomorphologist for the Park Service.The 1934 scene from a promontory called Sugarloaf Rock at 7,789 feet on the route to Camp Muir is dominated by the white expanse of the lower Paradise and Stevens glaciers. By 2017, both ice rivers had essentially vanished.At least four other glaciers also have disappeared, Kennard said, and all of the others are in retreat.Its not just a little trend, he said. It has been pretty much doing this nonstop since the mid-1800s.The Nisqually Glacier is losing nearly a quarter of a mile in length a year, Kennard added. [more] By Dr. Jeff Masters 23 February 2018 (Weather Underground) An unusually severe winter flood event is underway across the center of the U.S., from Texas to Michigan, thanks to heavy rains that fell during the week, fed by record to near-record atmospheric moisture for this time of year. The most significant flooding thus far has been in Southwest Michigan, Northwest Indiana, and Northeast Illinois, where the heavy rains fell on a snowpack that completely melted, releasing meltwater equivalent to another 1 of rain. In East Lansing, Michigan, floodwaters rose on the campus of Michigan State University from the Red Cedar River, causing some classes to be moved on Friday to non-flooded areas. Three drowning deaths have been blamed on the flood thus far, one death each in Michigan, Oklahoma, and Illinois. [] Record atmospheric moisture fed the flood Accompanying the exceptional February warmth this week were record levels of February moisture, as a flow of unusually moist air rode northwards from the Gulf of Mexico, where water temperatures were about 1.0C (1.8F) above average. Meteorologists use a term called precipitable water to discuss how much water vapor is in the atmosphere. Precipitable water is defined as how much rain would fall on the ground if one took a vertical slice of the atmosphere above a given location and condensed all the water vapor into rain. Precipitable water levels tend to be higher when the temperature is warmer, since warm air holds more water vapor. This week, an extraordinarily large number of upper air balloon soundings set all-time records for February moisture. There are 73 radiosonde stations in the contiguous U.S. that take routine measurements twice per day, and six of them set all-time February precipitable water records this week; four of these stations broke their previous February record multiple times. That is a very rare occurrence, as radiosonde data goes back 70 years. Here are the new February precipitable water records set this week: Detroit, MI, 3 new records: 1.38 at 0Z 21 Feb, 1.36 at 12Z 20 Feb, and 1.29 at 0Z 20 Feb; Old record: 1.15, 2/23/1985 1.38 at 0Z 21 Feb, 1.36 at 12Z 20 Feb, and 1.29 at 0Z 20 Feb; Old record: 1.15, 2/23/1985 Lincoln, IL, 2 new records: 1.47 at 12Z 2/20 and 1.36 at 0Z 2/20; Old record: 1.34, 2/25/2001 1.47 at 12Z 2/20 and 1.36 at 0Z 2/20; Old record: 1.34, 2/25/2001 Colombia, MO, 2 new records: 1.44 at 0Z 2/20 and 1.39 at 12Z 2/19; Old record: 1.33, 2/21/1997 1.44 at 0Z 2/20 and 1.39 at 12Z 2/19; Old record: 1.33, 2/21/1997 Shreveport, LA, 3 new records: 1.75 at 0Z 2/21, 1.69 at 12Z 2/21, and 1.75 at 0Z 2/23; Old record: 1.66, 2/21/1974 1.75 at 0Z 2/21, 1.69 at 12Z 2/21, and 1.75 at 0Z 2/23; Old record: 1.66, 2/21/1974 Alpena, MI, 1 new record: 1.11 at 0Z 2/21; Old record: 1.09, 2/12/1999 1.11 at 0Z 2/21; Old record: 1.09, 2/12/1999 Davenport, IA, 1 new record: 1.18 at 12Z 2/21; Old record: 1.09, 2/25/2001 [] Global warming plays an important role in causing heavier downpours An increase in heavy downpoursthe upper 1% of heavy rains that are most likely to cause floodinghave been documented across every region of the contiguous U.S. since 1958, and this increase has been partially attributed to the increase in atmospheric moisture due to human-caused global warming. Every degree Centigrade that the air warms up increases the amount of water vapor the air can hold by 7%, due to increased evaporation from the oceans, so record-breaking atmospheric moisture and the resultant major floodinglike the situation observed over the central U.S. this weekare something we will see a lot more of as the climate continues to warm in coming decades. [more] Record Atmospheric Moisture Feeding Central U.S. Flooding By Ada Carr and Sean Breslin 23 February 2018 (Weather.com) For thousands who live near waterways from Texas to Michigan, persistent flooding was expected to continue through the weekend, worsening in some areas before it gets better. In numerous towns from the South to the Midwest, homes have been turned into islands and school days have been canceled because theres no way to get to the building. In East Lansing, Michigan, floodwaters rose on the campus of Michigan State University because of the swollen Red Cedar River, causing some classes to be moved to non-flooded areas. Be careful if youre trying to come to campus, said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, as reported by the Associated Press. Changing conditions are affecting not only the roads but sidewalks and walkways. At least six Lansing neighborhoods were issued voluntary evacuations in areas where the Grand River was expected to overtake homes, the AP also said. []Flooding problems were reported in several parts of Indiana, and in Elkhart County, crews in boats rescued residents from a dozen homes along the Baugo Creek, according to the AP.I ended up grabbing my favorite blanket and stuffed animals, 15-year-old Madison Schmidt, who was forced to evacuate from her Elkhart home, told the Elkhart Truth. I got into the boat. Seeing what happened, just almost made me cry.For this town located 15 miles east of South Bend, it has been decades since flooding of this magnitude has been observed.This city has not seen flooding like this in the last 45 years, Mayor Tim Neese told the Elkhart Truth. We also had record snowfall in addition to consistent rain. []In Michigan, residents had to be evacuated in parts of Niles Thursday after the St. Joseph River surpassed a 50-year high, MLive.com reported. The waterway crested at roughly 17.33 feet.The last time it reached 15 feet in Niles was 5 April 1950, National Weather Service meteorologist Megan Dodson told MLive.com. [more] FloFlooding in the Midwest, South Worsens; Water Rises at Michigan State University; Evacuations as Far South as Dallas A veterinarian looks at an X-ray photo of the Bornean orangutan, showing 130 pellets in its body. The male Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) was found barely alive on 5 February 2018 by officials from Kutai National Park in East Kalimantan. It died the next day from its extensive injuries. Photo: Centre for Orangutan Protection JAKARTA, 18 February 2018 (Mongabay) Police in Indonesia have arrested and charged four farmers with the killing of an orangutan found shot more than 100 times. Investigators in East Kalimantan province, in Indonesian Borneo, detained the four men on 15 February 2018 and charged them the following day. They have been identified as 36-year-old Muis; H. Nasir, 55; and Andi and Rustam, both 37. (Many Indonesians go by one name.) The male Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) was found barely alive on 5 February 2018 by officials from Kutai National Park in East Kalimantan. An X-ray revealed its body was riddled with 130 air gun pellets. It died the next day from its extensive injuries.Teddy Ristiawan, the chief of the East Kutai district police, said in a statement on 17 February 2018 that the five suspects all took turns shooting at the orangutan. Police said a fifth person, a 13-year-old boy, was also involved in the killing, but would not be charged because he was a minor. According to police, the farmers killed the orangutan because they believed it had encroached onto their pineapple farm and ruined their crop. An autopsy conducted earlier had revealed pineapple remnants in the animals stomach. The police have charged the suspects with violating the 1990 conservation act. Under the specific article on killing protected animals, which include the critically endangered Bornean orangutan, the suspects could face prison time of up to five years and fines of up to 100 million rupiah ($7,000). [] The orangutan killing in East Kalimantan was the second such case reported in Indonesia this year. In January, an orangutan was found decapitated and shot more than a dozen times with a pellet gun in a river in Central Kalimantan. Police have arrested and charged two rubber farmers in connection with the killing of the protected species. [] Orangutans are ostensibly protected by law, but lax enforcement means few perpetrators ever face justice for killing or trading in these great apes. [more] Four Indonesian farmers charged in killing of orangutan that was shot 130 times By Barbara Fraser 23 February 2018 (Nature) The jaguar was found floating in a drainage canal in Belize City, Belize, on the day after Christmas last year. Its body was mostly intact, but the head was missing its fangs. On 10 January 2018, a second cat this time, an ocelot that may have been mistaken for a young jaguar turned up headless in the same channel.The killings point to a growing illicit trade in jaguars (Panthera onca) that disturbs wildlife experts. The cats fangs, skulls, and hides have long been trophies for Latin American collectors who flout international prohibitions against trading in jaguar parts. But in recent years, a trafficking route has emerged to China, where the market for jaguars could be increasing because of crackdowns on the smuggling of tiger parts used in Chinese traditional medicine.Wildlife trafficking often follows Chinese construction projects in other countries, because Chinese workers can send or take objects home, says ecologist Vincent Nijman of Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, UK. If theres a demand [in China] for large-cat parts, and that demand can be fulfilled by people living in parts of Africa, other parts of Asia or South America, then someone will step in to fill that demand, he says. Its often Chinese-to-Chinese trade, but its turning global.That seems to be the case in Bolivia, where eight packages containing a total of 186 jaguar fangs were confiscated between August 2014 and February 2015 before they could reach China. Seven had been sent by Chinese citizens living in Bolivia. Eight more were reportedly intercepted in 2016, and a package of 120 fangs was seized in China, says Angela Nunez, a Bolivian biologist who is researching the trade.Those packages could represent the deaths of more than 100 jaguars, although its impossible to be sure, Nunez says. In northern Bolivia, where several Chinese companies are working, radio advertisements and flyers have offered US$120 to $150 per fang more than a months income for many local people. Two Chinese men have been arrested for trading in jaguar parts. One, detained in 2014, received a three-year suspended sentence. The other, arrested in 2016, is awaiting sentencing but failed to appear for two recent court hearings; Bolivian officials fear that he may have left the country.Thats a problem with wildlife trafficking worldwide, says Nijman, who adds that very few wildlife trafficking cases lead to criminal sentences. The deterrent is when somebody ends up in jail, he says but that rarely happens because society as a whole in most countries is not interested. []More than a century ago, jaguars roamed forests, savannahs and scrub land from the southwestern United States to Paraguay. Deforestation and other disturbances caused by people especially the expansion of agriculture have cut the cats habitat in half, says wildlife ecologist John Polisar, who coordinates the jaguar programme at the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York City.That has depleted the jaguars prey, and in some areas has forced the big cats into contact with people and livestock, says Polisar, who works across parts of Central and South America. Estimates of the remaining jaguar population range from about 60,000 animals to nearly three times that number. [more] By Peter Richards 30 December 2017 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) In 2017, the Caribbean felt the full brunt of climate change with a warning that current trends indicate that there will be no respite. Within a two-week period, Hurricanes Irma and Maria brought home the reality of the impact of climate change as they churned their way across the Lesser Antilles destroying everything in their paths. Hurricane Harvey had in August set the stage for what was to come; with devastation in Houston, Texas, amounting to nearly US$200billion. The unprecedented nature of this climatic event highlights the unusual nature of weather patterns that continue to affect nations across the globe, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretary General Irwin LaRocque said in a message to United States President Donald Trump, as Harvey made landfall in the United States after whipping up strong winds and heavy rains in the Caribbean. It took less than a month for his statement to bear fruit. Hurricanes Irma and Maria, two Category 5 storms left so many Caribbean islands devastated in September that the Caricom Chairman and Grenadas Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell said there can be no question that for us in the Caribbean, climate change is an existential threat. The islands dealt the hardest blow were Barbuda where the entire population had to be evacuated to the larger island of Antigua, Dominica where at least 30 people were killed, Anguilla, The Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, The British Virgin Islands and St Kitts-Nevis. The task of rebuilding is beyond us, LaRocque noted as Caribbean countries put the cost of the damage at billions of dollars. With physical and emotional difficulty, I have left my bleeding nation to be with you here today, because these are the moments for which the United Nations exists, Dominicas Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as he pleaded for international assistance to rebuild his battered country. We dug graves today in Dominica! We buried loved ones yesterday; and I am sure that as I return home tomorrow, we shall discover additional fatalities, as a consequence of this encounter. Our homes are flattened, our buildings roofless, our water pipes smashed, and road infrastructure destroyed. Our hospital is without power, and schools have disappeared beneath the rubble. Our crops are uprooted. Where there was green, there is now only dust and dirt. The desolation is beyond imagination, an emotional Skerrit said, noting that Caribbean countries do not produce greenhouse gases or sulphate aerosols, nor do they pollute or overfish the oceans. We have made no contribution to global warming that can move the needle. But yet, we are among the main victims on the frontline, he added. [more] By Anthony Faiola; Photos by Salwan Georges 16 January 2018 (The Washington Post) Months after Hurricane Irma blazed its destructive path through the Caribbean, the once vibrant community on the tiny island of Barbuda is still struggling to rebuild paradise lost. Before the September storm, Barbuda was a forgotten Eden about the physical size of the District of Columbia. Its 1,700 inhabitants were family, literally. The descendants of African slaves brought centuries ago by the British, many islanders were related. The workdays were short and the lobster was sweet. There were no street addresses. Everyone went by their first names.Irmas Category 5 winds damaged virtually 100 percent of the island. In its aftermath, and as Hurricane Jose threatened to hit, the island was completely evacuated.A few hundred Barbudans have since returned, seeking to rebuild. But the hurricane has ripped open old wounds in Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean nation of two very different islands where long-standing tensions have spilled over. Barbudans who have returned are furious at, and suspicious of, the national government in bigger, more developed Antigua, insisting it is dragging its feet on restoring electricity to homes and rebuilding schools. They smell a plot to deter Barbudans from going back, in order to sell out the island to developers. The effort by the Antigua government to construct a bigger, more fortified airport on Barbuda, they say, is proof.But the government in Antigua insists the time has come for Barbuda to be dragged into the modern world, abandoning a throwback culture of collective land ownership in favor of modern property laws. If Barbudans own their own land and houses, they can, the government argues, take out loans to rebuild their properties without taxpayer assistance. They can also insure their homes against storms, just as residents do on Antigua.In the balance is a cherished Caribbean lifestyle that Barbudans fear may never again be what it was before the wrath of Irma.On Barbuda, the rebuilding effort after Hurricane Irma has a long way to go. Street debris has been cleared, but many houses remain in tatters. Some of the few hundred returnees are sleeping in tents outside the ruins of their homes.But Wayde Burton, a local city councilor, has managed to reopen the only store on the island, Lil-Lincs Supermarket. And a daily ferry is running between Barbuda and Antigua, leaving in the early morning and going back in the late afternoon. But its unreliable, residents say, and often crowded, making even getting to Barbuda a chore.Shiraz Hopkins, a Barbuda farmer, fled to neighboring Antigua during the island-wide evacuation in September. Much of his livestock survived Irma. But in the storms aftermath, local pit bulls killed off many of his goats, sheep and turkeys. He returned to Barbuda in November, and he argues that the government has been too slow in restoring electricity and water and rebuilding the local primary school.Many Barbudans have stayed on Antigua, finding jobs and building new lives. But he and other returnees are vowing to stay. With Gods help, I will get back what I had and even more, he said. []One bone of contention between Barbudan returnees and the national government in Antigua is the reconstruction of the islands airport. The government is moving ahead with plans for a bigger, more fortified facility that officials say will aid in the reconstruction effort and provide long-term economic benefits. But critics on Barbuda say the project is aimed at opening the long quiet island to larger-scale tourism, which many locals would be firmly against. []Most of the 1,700 Barbudans evacuated from the island in the aftermath of Irma have taken up residence on their sister island of Antigua, where life is radically different. Barbuda was slow-paced, without chain restaurants or major tourism. For them, Antigua is a leap into the modern world, with massive cruise ships, a faster pace of life and even a Burger King. [more] By Max Golembo and Matt Gutman 9 January 2018 (ABC News) At least six people are dead in California from weather-related incidents, the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office said today. The southern part of the state has been drenched with severe rain just weeks after several fires tore through the area.Flash flooding, debris flow and mudslides are punishing the communities hit hard by the Thomas and La Tuna fires.Because hundreds of thousands of acres were charred in the fires, the influx of water has nowhere to go.In the affluent community of Montecito, some homes have been ripped from their foundations as a result of the torrential conditions.Local fire officials reported rescuing several people in the area, including a mother and her daughter who were caked in mud.The Claffey family in Carpinteria was forced to evacuate its home last month. After moving back in, family members were told to evacuate again because of the rain.If our house was flooded it would be devastating. Absolutely devastating, Maureen Claffey told ABC News.The record rains started coming down on Monday, soaking northern cities like San Francisco and Sacramento. First responders put on skies to help the stranded since many roads and thruways have become raging rivers.A 14-year-old girl was trapped for hours in mud-soaked rubble on Hot Springs Road and then pulled to safety in a triumphant moment. []So far, rainfall totals Tuesday morning and early afternoon range from 2 to 4 inches in Ventura, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. [more] Denton, TX (76205) Today Partly cloudy. Hot. High 93F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 71F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. editorial Is it Mariner East 2, or 'Frankenpipe' This image of two individuals wearing what appears to be Ku Klux Klan-style white hoods is being condemned by school officials after being distributed on social media among some Strath Haven High School students. The year 2019 will be an interesting year for amateur astronomers and scientists, especially Indians. In addition to the regular natural phenomena like the super moon, micro moon, visibility of planets, stars and galaxies, this year amateur astronomers will witness an annual solar eclipse. Poorna Prajna College Astronomy Club head Prof A P Bhat said, We usually have four to seven eclipses (lunar and solar) each year. This year, we have five eclipses and Indians can see two of them. The year 2019 is a special year, especially for South Indians as we have a partial lunar eclipse on July 16 and a beautiful annual solar eclipse on December 26. We had a similar annular solar eclipse in 1980 and the next occurrence of a similar eclipse is in 2064 (Indian region). From 2020 to 2064, there will be six partial solar eclipses. But the annual solar eclipse will be only in 2064. Hence, the solar eclipse on December 26 is a rare occasion for scientists and amateur astronomers, Bhat said in a press release. On January 6, we have a partial solar eclipse and on January 21, we have a total lunar eclipse and on June 2, there is another a total solar eclipse. All these are not visible in India, he said. Though all the regular full moons and new moons are appealing to people, a few full moons manage to grab attention completely because of the moons increased brightness. Due to ecliptic rotation of the moon around the earth, sometimes moon comes close to earth and sometimes it is far away. When the moon comes close to earth, it is called perigee and when it is far away from earth then it is called apogee. During perigee and apogee if full moon occurs, then it is called super moon and micro moon respectively. During supermoon, the moon will appear 14% bigger in size and its brightness will be 25% more. This year, supermoons will occur on January 21 (3,57,715 km), February 19 (3,56,846 km), and on March 21 (3,60,772 km) and micro moon would be On September 14 full moon is the micro-moon (4,06,377 km ). Meteor showers are natures firecrackers. Every year, there are more than 12 main meteor showers. They are more beautiful during the new moon nights. This year, on January 3 and 4, there is Quadrantids showers from the Bootes constellation and on May 6-7, there is an Eta Aquarids meteor shower. For a better experience, one has to watch after it midnight. Meteor showers are one of the most charming natural phenomena one can enjoy fully. Since Mercury is very close to Sun, the sighting of Mercury is quite a rare occurrence and can be seen only for 45 minutes maximum. On February 27, June 23 and on October 20, one can see Mercury in the evening sky and on April 11, August 9 and on November 28, one can see it in the morning sky. Up to July 23, Venus is visible in the morning sky and after September 18, it is visible in the evening sky. On January 6, it is visible at a maximum height of 47 degrees in the morning sky and this is called maximum Western elongation. Up to June, Mars is visible in the evening sky and after June, it is visible in the morning sky. This year, Jupiter at its best in June. On June 10, due to Jupiter opposition, it will be very close to earth and hence, it will appear much brighter than the normal. In July, one is able to see Saturn. In August this year, when a coconut tree uprooted by strong winds crashed on her house at Perla in Kannur, Sujatha felt she had lost everything in life. The disaster seemed to be a tipping point in my life forcing me to have suicidal thoughts, Sujatha confessed. With her alcoholic husband Suresh confined to bed most of the time due to many an ailments, Sujatha and her three daughters had been leading a hand-to-mouth existence in the rickety tiled-house. After the crash, the partially destroyed house did not have a single dry corner with the tiled-roof leaking at several places.\ Sujathas three daughters, who were forced to take up low-paying jobs to support the family, did not have any dry clothes to wear, her neighbour Ramakrishna Nayak said. Neighbours who rushed to the familys rescue following the crash, realised that the house did not have a toilet and the members were defecating in the open. Unlike conventional disasters, this one appeared to be a blessing in disguise for the family. Ramakrishna Nayak, moved by the miseries of the family, sought the help of local corporator Kannur Sudheer Shetty. The BJP corporator informed that families with BPL card were eligible for compensation up to Rs 2.5 lakh from the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC). However the family was denied compensation as it did not own proper land documents, Sudheer Shetty said. The corporator, who has built houses for a couple of homeless families in the past, refuse d to give up. As a member of the Rotary Club Mangalore-East, he raised the issue of constructing a house for Suresh, during one of the meetings. A few members and neighbours did question the rationale behind our decision to build a house for a man who had spent his earnings on alcohol. But I stood firm and said a new house would help Sujatha and her grown-up daughters to look at future with a renewed hope, he stressed. The Rotary Club Mangalore-East immediately began the construction of the house. Many in the locality donated generously and Ultratech Cement general manager Ankur Maheshwar donated 80 bags of cement. The new house with a toilet was completed at a cost of Rs 4.5 lakh, Sudheer Shetty said. Spoorthi Nilaya was inaugurated by the Rotary International (3181) District Governor Rohinatha P recently. Rotary Club Mangalore-East president Jayakumar said that they expect nothing from the family. We have built the house as a social service, he stressed. Sujatha says the house is yet to receive electricity supply. This has motivated us to forget the miserable past behind us, Sujatha declares with a sense of determination. Spoorthi Nilaya in Kannur ward stands as a shining example on how the well-being of an entire society is guaranteed when organisations decide to help the underprivileged. Jet Airways Ltd has delayed the payment to a State Bank of India-led consortium of banks, the company said late on Tuesday. In a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange, the company said the payment of interest and principal instalment was delayed "due to temporary cash flow mismatch". The company is in talks with the consortium in this regard, it said. The deadline for the payment was December 31, 2018, Jet said in a statement. As of March 2018, the companys gross debt stood at Rs 9,425 crore. Recently, the company also delayed payment to its employees and vendors. The company's shares were traded at Rs 261.45, a drop of 6.89% over the previous close on BSE. Jet and its second-largest shareholder Etihad Airways are in talks with bankers on a rescue deal that may involve the Abu Dhabi-based airline increasing its stake from 24 percent. For the quarter ended September 2018, Jet Airways reported a net loss of Rs 1,292 crore from a net profit of Rs 46 crore a year ago. Revenue for the quarter grew 10% to Rs 6,161 crore. Fuel expenses grew 59% to Rs 2,420 crore. "The airline continues to engage with financial stakeholders for supporting its funding requirements till it starts generating an operational surplus and is actively working on the monetisation of its assets and capital infusion," the company said in a statement after announcing the second quarter results. Jet Airways board last month discussed ways to raise funds without taking an investor on board as chairman Naresh Goyal does not want to give up control in the loss-making carrier he set up 25 years ago, PTI reported quoting sources. At an unscheduled board meeting at the airline's headquarters in Mumbai, which lasted for over four hours, various cost-reduction measures also came up for discussions, said the source. In the red for three consecutive quarters, Jet Airways has been gasping for funds to keep the airline afloat amid liquidity crunch. However, amid all this, rating agency Icra has downgraded Jet Airways' long-term rating for the second time in recent months and its largest lender SBI ordered for a "forensic" audit of the listed airline's books. Washington: The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, alleged anti-Israel bias in the Unesco on Tuesday. Unesco is among the most corrupt and politically biased UN agencies, Haley tweeted. Today the US withdrawal from this cesspool became official. #USStrong. The Trump administration filed its notice to withdraw in October 2017 from Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), and the administration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu followed suit. Paris-based Unesco, which supports various educational and cultural projects around the world, has been denounced by critics for criticising Israels occupation of east Jerusalem, naming ancient Jewish sites as Palestinian heritage sites and granting full membership to Palestine in 2011. Israel will not be a member of an organisation whose goal is to deliberately act against us, and that has become a tool manipulated by Israels enemies. Unesco is a body that continually rewrites history, including by erasing the Jewish connection to Jerusalem, said Danny Danon, Israels envoy to the UN, according to the Jerusalem Post. The withdrawals which are mainly procedural, are yet deliver a new blow to Unesco. They will not greatly impact Unesco financially, since it has been dealing with a funding slash ever since 2011. That was the year when Israel and the US stopped paying dues after Palestine was voted in as a member state. Since then, officials estimate that the US which accounted for around 22 per cent of the total budget has accrued $600 million in unpaid dues, which was one of the reasons for President Trumps decision to withdraw. Israel owes an estimated $10 million. Unesco Director General Audrey Azoulay took up her post just after Trump announced the withdrawal. Azoulay, who has Jewish and Moroccan heritage, spent the last year lobbying for the two countries to remain members. The annual report on journalists killed indicates that 2018 has recorded a 15 per cent increase over the previous year in the murders. At least 63 journalists were killed on the job, and at least another 17 more if we include citizen journalists and other media workers. The correlation between journalistic killing and journalistic freedom is unmistakable, but it is not as obvious as it may seem. Reporters Without Borders (RWB), the Paris-based NGO founded in 1985 that brings out the report, ranks Norway on top on its World Press Freedom Index. Jamaica is at sixth, Uruguay 20th, the UK 40th, the United States at 45th. (The US makes its entry into the top five countries where the most journalists were killed.) India, at 138th, dropped two notches from its 2017 rank, but that is still an improved rank from its 2013 and 2014 ranking of 140. Since we must compulsively seek gratification by comparing ourselves with our neighbour, Pakistan is at 139th (three killed), staying where it was last year. India and the US contributed six apiece. All of them were professional working journalists. In India, the list is: Shujaat Bukhari of Rising Kashmir newspaper, Navin Nischal and Vijay Singh of Dainik Bhaskar newspaper, Chandan Tiwari of Aaj newspaper, Sandeep Sharma of News World, and Achyutananda Sahu of the publicly-owned Doordarshan network. After the report was released, a seventh, independent journalist Amit Topno, was killed in Jharkhand. A killed journalist is also a form of vicarious killing, which hopes to kill the idea of critical media. Is hatred the real cause? While, predictably, strife-torn Afghanistan takes the top dishonours (14 killed), the ripples of shock that India routinely figures so low, and that the US made its entry into the top five, is because they are vibrant democracies, and they are not conflict zones: Not officially, anyway. Let us also not for a moment discount the observation that while mediapersons are independently counted, police personnel, officials, and political workers in India are routinely murdered as well for doing their jobs. RWBs director-general Christophe Deloire said in a statement: The hatred of journalists that is voiced ... by unscrupulous politicians, religious leaders and businessmen has tragic consequences on the ground, and has been reflected in this disturbing increase in violations against journalists. How true is this statement in the specific case of India? Let us go with the usual way we understand hatred as an emotion. Whether it was hatred that did our journalists in is debatable. I still remember the day of horror in 2015 we received the news that our young colleague Akshay Singh died under mysterious circumstances after consuming tea in a house in Bhopal, where he was preparing to interview the family of a victim who was allegedly involved in the infamous Vyapam scandal. Hatred does not ring right here. Hate-mongering in our country is as true as day. Yet if the actions of the sand mafia, builder mafia, examination scam mafia, or even the lynch mob were to be dismissed simply as hate crimes, we would not be treating it right. Further down that chain, perhaps as a branch of it, is an implied licence to kill, ostensibly justified by the end. When a journalist is arrested for criticising the Hindu nationalist agenda, the government sets an example. He was just inconvenient, as another reporter would be for the mafia. Similarly, lynch mob anger is a consequence of the social inconvenience. The illusion of balance: Yet those emotions are not directly responsible for the killings. The emotion is often a camouflage. As party poopers go, journalists are trained to be ruthless (or focused, if you prefer a less value-laden term) in the pursuit of what they believe is socially important. A journalists murder aims at eliminating inconvenience in the way of a perceived larger good. In observed practice, the increasingly ultra-right world we live in fundamentally deters critique. There is dissonance between the critical medias list of concurred values and a neo-movement that aims to change the basic values, and those seeking that change can be ruthless in their own way to silence what they see as impropriety and unbalanced criticism. Nosy journalists, like good officers, are inconvenient pests. They wont go away. They wont let businesses go on as usual. They are disruptors by profession, and that is a problem. As fashionable as it is today to discredit their clan for exposing inconvenient truths, let us admit that some journalists cannot deny the jingoism they have either taught or learnt as the most effective eyeballs strategy. But mediapersons are more rampantly abused for having an agenda, being corrupt, and therefore not raising the right questions. If you read some of those vicious and threatening posts (some of us have painfully learned the fine and imperfect art of distinguishing trolls from non-trolls), it surprises me that more journalists are not killed in our country. Imagine the pressure on our media. The difference between physical and vicarious killing is also reflected in RWBs observation of self-censorship, which, it says, is growing in the Indian mainstream media. That may in part be a factor of the fear of unbalanced stories. The anxious journalistic struggle to balance each story is specious. On prime-time panel debates between rival political party representatives, the moderator asks customary, sometimes rhetorical, questions. The debate itself is rather redundant. The gesture of balance is all-important. They have the camouflage of a questioning attitude, but in reality, they may merely be exercising self-preservation. The compulsion of balance only ends up showcasing a perception of balance. And thus, the media is giving in to the mob in an anxiety to protect something they are given to fear is erodingpublic credibility. Thankfully, the illusion of moderation is not lost on our media. An understanding of the life of a reporter embedded in Indias feudal interiors alone can exemplify the fact that it takes defiance to continue to swim against the tide in extracting truths. Those who toe the line protect the convenience. The making of a Womens Wall in Kerala stretching 620 km from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram to propagate renaissance values on the first day of the new year is an extraordinary event which is worthy of emulation. The forming of the wall was planned as an half-hour event but its planning suggests a very large section of society was mobilised both women and men. This speaks of the depth of the historical penetration of social organisms in Kerala espousing causes relating to equality of various kinds caste, gender and class. While the main impulse for the event came from chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, it is noteworthy that the CM invited some 175 socio-cultural organisations, besides the Left parties, including avowedly Hindu groups, to plan an event to highlight Keralas fidelity to core humanist values (these feed into the states leftward political orientation). While the mobilisation of lakhs of people, particularly women, is likely to have an influence on the coming parliamentary elections, it is evident that the immediate background to the Womens Wall is the violent disregard by Hindutva bodies of the Supreme Courts Sabarimala ruling permitting women of menstrual age to pray at the famous hilltop shrine. Not surprisingly, equality for women topped the Wall agenda, which included challenging the feudal outlook and promotion of secular values. It is no less than curious that the Congress in Kerala chose to mock the wall to side with conservatives and RSS affiliates, hoping to outflank the BJP in mopping up anti-Left votes. That is a self-defeating tactic. It took the Pope 400 years to lift the charge of apostasy from Galileo for discovering that it was the earth that went around the sun, not the other way as the Bible had informed him with authority. One got the news of the Popes unusual if delayed benevolence through Alistair Cookes weekly Letter from America. We have not heard of the landmark papal correction in any discourse since. It took the maulvis of Nakhas a month or more to accept that Neil Armstrong had indeed walked on the moon. They grudgingly admitted to their befuddled followers that the feat was after all no rumour to insult Muslims or even Christians. There is no such pulpit (yet) in Hinduism that draws universal reverence from the diverse community. Thats one good reason why Hindus cannot be fundamentalists, though some are trying to contrive a new faith to sound like one. The rationalists and atheists have always been around since ancient times, of course, challenging the Brahminical guesswork mostly about the cosmos, but they paid dearly and still suffer for the indiscretion. Gauri Lankesh was killed for denying she was a Hindu, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated for claiming to be an ideal Hindu. Fahmida Riaz must have wondered how she could have seen it coming. Unlike Gandhi, for whom he had great affection, Jawaharlal Nehru was a rationalist and made it worse for himself by quoting Al-Berunis unflattering insights about Hindus. The mediaeval chronicler from Khorasan saw Hindus as haughty and conceited for believing there was no king like their king, and no religion like theirs. A true enough description of the people of his time, Nehru noted gleefully in The Discovery of India. Did Godse kill the wrong man? Like Alistair Cooke, Charles Darwin was a great letter writer too. A quote from him to N.D. Doedes aptly describes any rationalists quandary. I am aware that if we admit a first cause, the mind still craves to know whence it came and how it arose. The man who introduced me to elementary Darwin happened to be a devout Muslim. Maulana Surti taught a general science course to humanities undergraduates at Aligarh Muslim University. A genial and witty man, he was always open to disagreements from his students, including questions about his faith though he never hesitated to rib them back for failing to spar with him as equals. The history faculty was exceptionally renowned. The stewardship of Prof Irfan Habib, among the finest historians of our times, had successfully put the small nondescript town on the global map of high academia. It was a status symbol of sorts for history students to have studied there. But Surti Sahib was a different kettle of fish. Maulana, I asked him during a packed lecture on Darwin: On the one hand you teach us the theory of evolution but by your faith you obviously believe in the precept of creation. That must be very confusing. The maulana chuckled heartily and the reply was prompt. Young man, who would know better than you that the world is based on contradictions. The allusion to Mao Zedongs treatise on contradiction focused on an issue that every student at the history faculty was expected to be familiar with. I have since been torn between Maulana Surtis disarming wit and Irfan Habibs wry humour, one that always underscored his scathing rebuttal of stereotype assumptions common among ordinary historians in India and abroad. So why is the questioning spirit being crushed in India today? Why is it that in the land of Buddhas intellectual eminence and the questioning spirit of caravakas, history books are being burnt and pulped, universities being handed over to zealots? One of the reasons may be perhaps that an identity is being conjured of India as a jagatguru, the supreme teacher to the world. Whereas the rest of the world develops by acknowledging the contribution of everyone to their growth, Indians of the ultra-nationalist variety in particular tend to believe that they had attained intellectual nirvana in the ancient times and therefore they have the right to be regarded as the most enlightened today. Visit any museum of anthropology the ones in Victoria and Vancouver in Canada are exceptionally rewarding and you would learn a thing or two about how humans and beasts have migrated across the world over thousands and thousands of years, how the Ice Age prompted and enabled mass movement of both from Siberia to Alaska through a temporary land corridor enabled by the shrinking of the seas. The most powerful countries on earth constitute either a salad bowl of migrants or a melting pot of cultures. In India, Guru Golwalkar, considered the most important founder of ultra-nationalism, posits that the North Pole was situated on the current border of Bihar and Odisha, and it then shifted to its present location by a natural phenomenon. One could see why it was important for a son of the soil theorist to claim or believe in something so outlandish. Allow me to call it the Sadda Mian complex. Sadda Mian was a scion of the royal family of Bhopal with links to Afghanistan. Sadda Mian, movie actor Dilip Kumar once told me, was a raconteur and dilettante who kept a colourful variety of birds and fed some of them with his mouth. There is a small lake in Bhopal called Bhadbhada, which Sadda Mian, like many other denizens of that remarkable city, believed to be the biggest water body on earth. One day the actor took him to Mumbai, and drove him to Marine Drive. Sadda Mian stood there, his sherwani unbuttoned and flapping in the breeze. As the waves from the Arabian Sea relentlessly struck the rocks on the beach, one could hear him exclaim: Kya haqeeqat hai Bhadbhadey ki! (What chance does the Bhadbhada have here!) By arrangement with Dawn It can be argued without being too perverse that scandals and sensation are the stuff of an overheated media stealing the show in any democracy. Last year began with the jaw-dropping spectacle of four sitting Supreme Court judges holding a press conference in 2018s first fortnight, complaining against the then Chief Justice of India that he was allotting serious cases to junior judges and ignoring the senior ones. It seemed the political scandal of the year, that would bring down the whole system crashing down. But it slowly faded over a span of few weeks. The impugned Chief Justice of the day survived and finished his term in the last quarter of the year. And one of the four judges who held the press conference went on to become the Chief Justice as it was his turn, and the other three retired. One of them spoke after retirement of a sense of someone controlling the retired Chief Justice. But it did not lead to anything more substantial or concrete. It was a story that began with a bang and ended with the proverbial whimper. The Narendra Modi government for once showed restraint and let the drama of the justices play out. #MeToo was another explosive event that set the media roiling, with a few wild sparks flying hither and thither. The only recognisable fallout was the resignation of minister of state for external affairs M.J. Akbar from his post. The sexual harassment of women in the public and private spheres remains rampant, and its an issue that needs to be handled with all seriousness and maturity by everyone. But it thrived on Twitter statements and counter-statements, and it also showed the generation gap between the younger and older women, the younger ones angry and older ones counselling caution before charges are hurled. The angry sparks have died and the real issue of harassment of women was put on the backburner, as it were. There was the Supreme Courts brave ruling that there should be no discrimination based on sex and that women between puberty and menopause cannot be prohibited from going to the Kerala hill shrine of Sabarimala. The lone dissident judgment by newly-appointed judge Indu Malhotra evoked scorn from the majority and a grudging respect from a few. On the ground, it turned out to be a battle, where the few women who wanted to assert the right of women were forcefully stopped. It raised the question of whether the rule of law was prevalent in India, and whether the writ of the highest court in the land ran or not. But the judgment and its fallout also revealed a complicated socio-religious aspect. How is it that in the most literate state in the country, even educated men and women felt that it was not necessary to break a norm which was irrational from a spiritual and philosophical point of view. It suggested that traditions have a certain hold over the people and that these traditions need not pass muster at the bar of reason. The episode should have led to an interesting sociological debate, where faith, tradition and conservatism, not necessarily of the evil kind, clashed with modernity and rationality, not necessarily abrasive and evil. It revealed that India is a complex country and there was a need for a nuanced debate. Of course, it did not happen. The issue evoked little interest beyond sensationalism. The internal squabble in the top rung of the over-used, misused Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was indeed a delectable scandal, where it showed both the political masters and the bureaucracy in an unflattering light. The Narendra Modi government was indeed singed but not burned. It showed that a loud and pompous government had to eat crow because it proved itself so inept in choosing the top officers of the premier investigation agency. The Congress attempt to nail the Modi government on the Rafale jet fighter issue had not succeeded, and it is not because the government had done no wrong. The Congress has not been able to dig out the real facts of the case, and even those independent critics in the media and outside had only managed to raise the question of not following procedures, and almost nothing beyond that. The main weakness of the Congress attack is that it has not come clean on why it had not finalized the Rafale deal while it was in power till May 2014. And the BJP is being more than economical with the truth when it refuses to explain the reason behind Prime Minister Narendra Modis grand gesture in France in April 2015 when he declared India will buy 36 Rafale fighters off the shelf. Then in 2018, the government issues a fresh tender for jet fighters and all the jet fighter manufacturers have applied again. Prime Minister Modi, finance minister Arun Jaitley, former defence minister Manohar Parrikar and present defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman have all failed to tell the truth that the deal for 136 planes with Dassault, the manufacturer of the Rafale jet, has been called off. And they failed to explain why it had been called off. The Congress and the BJP may not be lying about the Rafale controversy, but they are not telling the whole truth either. And that is a scandal on a minor scale, which Indias aggressive media refuses to pursue. The tussle between the finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which ended with RBI governor Urjit Patels resignation, is really a controversy, not a scandal, and the controversy shows that the government has mishandled the situation. Had a Congress government done what the Narendra Modi government had done, then a BJP in Opposition would have gone to town with it. The BJP, though in power, plays the role of the Opposition now, and it sounds unconvincing because it forgets it is in the government. If there is a substantial and sublime scandal, it is this that the BJP, the ruling party, is behaving like the main Opposition party! The writer is a Delhi-based commentator and analyst Prime Minister Narendra Modis January 1 interview to a news agency makes a reference to the Ayodhya issue, suggesting that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government will take an appropriate action only after the Supreme Court disposes of the property dispute between the supporters of Ram Janmabhoomi temple and Babri mosque. It is to be hoped that this will not cause any party to take precipitate action as we head into the Lok Sabha elections later this year. The interview revealed Mr Modi as a leader who is sticking to his guns on key policy moves that he made in the last five years. The Prime Minister is also not impressed with the critics of demonetisation no matter how eminent or the faulty implementation of the Goods and Services Tax regime, and continues to see merit in both. However, for the first time, Mr Modi gave the faintest hint that the economic growth of the country had dipped on the account of demonetisation, though he sought to mitigate the impact of this observation by saying that the train slows down when it changes tracks. In a combative manner, the Prime Minister criticised the farm loan waivers announced by the Congress governments of the three Hindi heartland states, which have been wrested from the BJP recently. Mr Modi called this a propaganda. In his understanding, most farmer-debtors took loans not from banks but from sahukars, or moneylenders. The Nabard data of August 2018, however, shows that 52.5 per cent of farmer households are in debt. Of them, 42.5 per cent took loans from banks mostly public sector banks or rural banks to meet their agricultural needs. The Prime Minister pointed out that a great many of his governments measures had been undertaken to help the middle class. In support of this, Mr Modi spoke of making LED bulbs accessible and opening medical colleges. However, the middle class, which backed the BJP for a long time, has been vocal in its criticism for the lack of income-tax relief or the high petrol prices, which were kept artificially high in spite of lower international prices. The Prime Minister also did not refer to the question of unemployment and the loss of jobs, which appears to have angered the young voters. Mr Modi said he disapproved of cow-related violence and deaths, but asked if these had occurred only after 2014. Data suggests that of all the cow-related violent acts since 2010, 90 per cent were post-2014. The PMs critics noted that his government did not crack down on the violent groups. On the controversial Rafale deal, the Prime Minister said the Supreme Court had given his government a clean chit by rejecting a plea for ordering a probe into the matter. It seems 2019 could well be the year of medium, small and micro-enterprises (MSMEs), with the government and even the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) admitting the importance of financing MSMEs, who are the economys backbone. The policies initiated include debt relief of upto Rs 25 crores and creating an enabling growth environment. But announcements must be followed by implementation, or they will go the way of the loans within the 59-minute scheme. It flopped due to delays in disbursements. The schemes must be monitored if they are not to be reduced to jumlas. The MSMEs, who provide a total of 11 crore jobs, need around Rs 45 lakh crores, of which just 17.4 per cent is given by banks. The rest are met through non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and private lenders, whose rates are usurious. Financial support is also expected to come from the surplus funds of the Reserve Bank. A committee formed by new RBI governor Shaktikanta Das will decide the surplus that the RBI needs to retain in its reserves. So the rest could be used to finance MSMEs. His predecessor Urjit Patel had resigned in protest against the use of the RBIs surpluses by the government. The importance of nurturing MSMEs cannot be underestimated. These provide nearly six crore jobs and are the backbone of our exports, accounting for nearly 49 per cent of exports. Many could become big corporates of tomorrow. The government also needs to source more goods and services from MSMEs as this could be a game-changer, particularly in rural India, which is home to nearly 60 per cent of our MSMEs. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajeds remarkable re-election for an unprecedented third consecutive term after 10 years in power may bring cheer to her camp as she sets course for a fresh term. But a word of caution as New Delhi sends a congratulatory message to a leader who is central to its Neighbourhood First policy. After the landslide win, where the Hasina-led Awami League won 288 out of 300 seats, leaving the Jatiya Okiya Front, the new Opposition front, floundering with just seven, Ms Hasinas first battle will be for credibility. She must convince all, friends and critics alike, that this sweeping victory is above board, as her crushing return feeds into the Oppositions rising chorus that the polls were farcical and rigged, giving renewed impetus to calls for a repoll. The Election Commission has rejected that call, and it must be said that alongside reports of stuffed ballot boxes and voter intimidation were reports in the Bangladeshi media of cash and petrol bombs distributed by the Opposition hours before the polls closed. But Hasina, and India, would do well to see the red flags ahead. The ailing Opposition leader and former PM Begum Khaleda Zia, 74, in prison on corruption charges, with her son Tarique in exile in London, may seem like a spent force. But unlike 2014, when Begum Khaledas Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the polls, this time there was not just a change in tactics. The virulently anti-Indian, anti-minority BNP-Jamaat-e-Islami combine has an unlikely new fellow traveller in Kamal Hossain, a far more respected voice, who now speaks for the ranks of the disgruntled. The 81-year-old who crafted Bangladeshs Constitution, and stood for the forces of liberation alongside founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, is the secular, liberal voice at the heart of the Opposition front, with the potential to hijack the very constituency that powered Ms Hasina to victory. Going forward, Mr Hossain has the potential to rally the forces of retaliation back to the streets and weaken democratic institutions, a scenario that holds serious ramifications for India. There are no guarantees that the Naya Pakistan, with which the Jamaat has strong links, will watch from the sidelines and not destabilise Delhis key ally in its vulnerable eastern flank. Ms Hasina ignores the internal challenge posed by the growing Islamist militancy, which she has cracked down on during her preceding tenure, at her peril. While the Battle of the Begums may be on the wane, given Ms Zias failing health and Ms Hasinas grooming of a successor in her own son, the arrival of Mr Hossain as the voice of the Opposition is a factor that neither Dhaka, nor for that matter, Delhi, can ignore. As one wag said, tongue firmly in cheek, Ms Hasina should have known better, and taken the sting out of the Oppositions tail by allowing it to win more than just seven seats! The first two international calls to congratulate Sheikh Hasina Wajed for her landslide win in the Bangladesh polls came from India and China. The rest of the world has been more circumspect - wary of a poll result in which Sheikh Hasina has incredulously bettered her record of 2014 when the Opposition had boycotted the election. The West has chosen instead to express concern over violence, intimidation and harassment of political opponents before the election. The Bangladesh election results are neither going to further democracy in that country nor Indias long-term interests in South Asia, and beyond. The Bangladesh Opposition - primarily the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and others which came together as the National Unity Front - has rejected the election results. However, the demand for a fresh election is unlikely to be conceded by the Election Commission, which is described as partisan by the Opposition. Sheikh Hasina wears the badge of development but the system she presides over has functioned with intimidation, intolerance and fear. Over time, this has muted critical voices and narrowed the democratic discourse. After the Awami Leagues massive, yet questionable, victory, the democratic space can only shrink. Hundreds of political adversaries, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Begum Khaleda Zia, are already in jail. The Opposition will be further decimated as those who escaped prosecution so far may be jailed in the coming days. Fear of the States coercive machinery will stymie public protests against the government. The democratic institutions of Bangladesh have been eroded for short-term gains by those in power for a long time. Both the outgoing Parliament and the incoming Parliament are good examples. The former was unrepresentative because the Opposition boycotted the general election and the latter will be also perceived to be so because of the allegations of match-fixing. Due to political manipulation by the State, the judiciary and the Election Commission have also lost their sheen in the country. The media has fallen in line with state diktats. Given a history of attacks by both state and non-state actors, public intellectuals and independent bloggers fear for their lives. The absence of democratic safety valves and with institutions of the state weaponsied against dissent, is a particularly dangerous situation for countries which have a significant presence of Islamic radicals. The failure of political processes creates a fertile ground for the expansion of radical politics. The people can then easily turn to Islamic radicalism, as happened in Egypt and Algeria. The prospect of a radicalised Bangladesh is one of the reasons why the developments in that country may not be in the long-term interests of India. There are other reasons as well. Although China and India both welcomed the political continuity in Bangladesh, their stakes are very different. China wants a strategic foothold in Bangladesh to counter the United States, and secondarily, India. Its inroads into the domestic politics of the country through business relations with prominent families of the ruling party can help it advance its strategic goals. The Awami League government has given several entry points to China. Bangladesh is an integral part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Of the six BRI corridors four land and two maritime Bangladesh is an integral part of the important maritime corridor running from Kunming to Kolkata through Myanmars Kaukpyu Port to Chittagong in Bangladesh and on to Kolkata. Apart from opportunities for trade and commerce, this gives China access to the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The Kaukpyu Port, with 85 per cent Chinese ownership, will be an energy hub, designed to overcome its dependence on the vulnerable Malacca Straits for 80 per cent of its oil imports from the Middle East. The Kaukpyu port will store the crude imported from the Middle East and process it at a refinery being built by the Saudis, a methane refinery will be built by Qatar to treat gas imported from Qatar and all the products along with Myanmars Shwe gas field will be pumped through pipelines to China. The BRI connecting deep-sea port at Sonadia near Coxs Bazar is currently on hold. China wants continuity in Dhaka to protect its geo-strategic, geo-economic and geo-energy interests as well as its investments in big infrastructure projects like the Padma Bridge, the Chittagong Highway project and the 13,500-MW Moheshkhali Power Station. China fears a repetition of what happened in Malaysia when the new government of Mahathir Mohamed put on hold the Chinese $1.5 billion East-West Railway Project. It wants no uncertainties about the $40 billion BRI investment it has committed to Bangladesh. As the bulk of the BRI funds are expected to flow into Bangladesh after the recently-concluded elections, China had an interest in political continuity. China also needs Bangladesh to relocate some industries because of the lower labour costs it offers. Bangladesh could become the preferential entry point for Chinese goods from Least Developed Countries to the Western markets. Compared to Chinas wide spectrum strategic and economic interests in Bangladesh, Indias interests remain small - assurances on denying shelter to the Northeeastern insurgents in Bangladesh; preventing jihadi militancy from crossing over to India; denying Pakistan the opportunity to print and push fake currency into India and preventing illegal immigration. Sheikh Hasinas government has cooperated with India on these issues in the past and, therefore, New Delhi has supported the continuance of the Awami League. Although the entry of China in Bangladesh had an Indian nod, the Chinese footprint is set to expand over time and India will not have a veto. The Chinese expansion will marginalise the role of both India and the United States. As this great game unfolds, it remains to be seen whether or not Indian interests will get squeezed out of Bangladesh. As for Indias primary bugbear, the rise of Islamic radicals in Bangladesh and its consequences across the border, a one-sided election may have given it a new breath of life. In the long run, it might be easier to deal with a stable and democratic Bangladesh than one that may become a powder keg. BACK in December 1970, in Pakistans first elections based on universal adult franchise, the Awami League under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman swept the board in what was then East Pakistan, obtaining almost every seat. BACK in December 1970, in Pakistans first elections based on universal adult franchise, the Awami League under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman swept the board in what was then East Pakistan, obtaining almost every seat. Alongside its allies, it appears to have repeated the feat 48 years later. There is a significant difference, though. In 1970, no one seriously doubted the veracity of the result, whereas the outcome of last Sundays vote has been described as a farce. And there is a degree of irony in the fact that the most prominent complainant, the figurehead of the Jatiya Oikya Front Opposition alliance, is the man who represented the Awami League in the negotiations for the transfer of power in the final months of a united Pakistan. The military regime of the day in Islamabad chose to disrespect the popular verdict, and Kamal Hossain was incarcerated alongside Mujib in Haripur jail. Once the war had been fought and won, he became the law minister and the architect of Bangladeshs constitution, subsequently serving as foreign minister. After some years of self-exile following Mujibs assassination, Hossain was instrumental in arranging for Sheikh Hasina Wajeds return from exile in India. The two of them fell out in the 1990s. Hossain formed his own party alongside his legal practice, and currently heads an alliance that includes the Bangladesh Nationalist Party of Hasinas primary rival, Khaleda Zia, who was imprisoned almost a year ago on corruption charges. The Awami Leagues relative successes on the economic front, meanwhile, have been sullied by the repressive tendencies that extend well beyond the targeting of violent Islamists. When the widely admired photographer Shahidul Alam was arrested last year, apparently for mildly criticising the PM, Hossain represented him in court. The octogenarian did not personally stand for election last month, but as an internationally respected eminence grise, Hossains blistering critique of the electoral process carries weight. There is little prospect, though, of a rerun, and Sheikh Hasina seems likely to maintain her present trajectory in the face of a generally cowed populace, unless turmoil on the streets persuades her otherwise. The Bangladesh election was a sour note at the end of what has generally been a dismal year. The irresponsible and unnecessary government shutdown over the Christmas period in the United States may be at least temporarily resolved when the newly-elected House of Representatives meets this week, but it presages heightened conflict between two of the nations most powerful institutions. The idea of a successful presidential impeachment is far-fetched, but there is a small chance that the conclusions of Robert Muellers investigation, when (and if) they are made public, could render untenable the White House incumbents depressingly entertaining tenure. US President Donald Trump will, no doubt, resist any such possibility with every sinew in his flabby being. It has been calculated that in the past year he averaged 15 falsehoods a day, breaking his own record. He may well trump that, so to speak, in the months ahead. His schedule reportedly includes a visit to Britain in May, but by then his putative host, Theresa May, may not still be in power. Her first D-Day looms by mid-January, with a much-delayed vote in the House of Commons on her Brexit deal with the European Union (EU). All manner of nightmare scenarios have been conjured up, suggesting the only alternative to the unsatisfactory arrangement she negotiated is a no-deal crash-out on March 29. But Brexit can also be postponed, and that may emerge as the least unattractive option. By arrangement with Dawn The Bangladesh parliamentary election results that were announced on New Years Eve delivered a one-sided win for the ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, giving it 288 seats out of 299, with one result still pending. But instead of an electoral catharsis, a fresh standoff with the Opposition alliance looms as it alleges extensive booth-capturing and vote-stuffing. International media correspondents, including the BBC correspondent in Chittagong, have even confirmed some of the stories. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her hat-trick victory. She has been in power since 2009 and has essentially remained India-friendly all through. But whatever her popularity, the result reminds one more of elections in Egypt or Russia, rather than in a vibrant democracy. India is bending its basic principles to accommodate national interests as Sheikh Hasina has been an adroit operator in isolating militant Islamists and balancing foreign policy between India, a valued neighbour, and China, a powerful economic and infrastructure-building juggernaut. She has often taken decisions about closer cooperation with India that in the past were kept pending fearing a domestic backlash. But should India adopt differentiated standards on authoritarian rule in the Maldives or Sri Lanka or any other Saarc neighbour, compared to Bangladesh? All the major powers in the aftermath of the Second World War have confronted similar dilemmas. For instance, the United States, while shedding blood in Vietnam to defend Asia against Communism, simultaneously befriended sundry dictators in the Gulf region and Latin America. Americas wartime President Franklin D. Roosevelt had reportedly silenced his secretary of state when he dubbed Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza a bastard, with the quip that yes, but hes our bastard. In private, India needs to caution Sheikh Hasina that a similar bottling-up of opposition by her father, Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had led to his assassination and a military coup in 1975. Begum Zia, founder of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), being in jail, the Opposition rallied behind the Jatiya Oikya Front, led by 82-year-old Kamal Hossain, a former Awami League member turned dissident. Many of their candidates say they withdrew from the fight as polling began due to blatant booth-capturing by the ruling party. Foreign observers and correspondents have been noting the strange mix in Bangladesh of economic success and stifling of free speech and democratic mores. Sheikh Hasinas success rests, besides material prosperity, on lifting millions from abject poverty, on her opponent BNPs continued dalliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), even giving them tickets this time. People remember Jamaat-e-Islamis disruptive role when it was in coalition with the BNP in Begum Zias government of 2001-06. Sheikh Hasina has shrewdly kept the public focus on their role as Pakistani collaborators in the Pakistan Army genocide in the pre-liberation period. JI leader Mir Quasem Ali was awarded the death penalty by an International Crimes Tribunal. This has indirectly kept alive Indias role in liberating Bangladesh, which the military dictatorships and the BNP had kept papered over. The Narendra Modi government has persistently wooed Sheikh Hasina. The exchange of enclaves and straightening of the boundary was a long overdue step to eliminate a recurring irritant. Two issues may yet challenge India-Bangladesh relations in 2019. One is the BJPs insistence that those excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, currently 40.07 lakh people out of which 30 lakhs have sought a review, would be deported. Bangladesh insists that there are no illegal Bangladeshis in India. The second is the Rohingya issue, as most of them must have crossed the India-Bangladesh border. Instead of putting pressure on Myanmar, jointly with Bangladesh, to make conditions conducive for their return, India cannot bully Bangladesh to take them back. With the Lok Sabha elections approaching and the BJP facing slippage in the Hindi belt, its focus is on the eastern states, particularly West Bengal, to add to the BJP tally. A NRC-type move in West Bengal to polarise the vote could well rile Bangladesh. With domestic politics driving the BJPs priorities, the question of whether Narendra Modi-the-statesman will stymie Narendra Modi-the-electoral-juggernaut remains moot. Therefore, the next six months are unlikely to see great leaps in Indo-Bangladesh relations. Bangladesh endorsed Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during Chinese President Xi Jinpings 2016 visit. Several deals worth $21.5 billion were announced. The actual progress has been slow as Bangladesh realised that they were loans, not grants. The Karnaphuli Multi-Channel Tunnel to connect Chittagong to Coxs Bazaar and thus linking the port to new economic zones in South Korea and China is under construction. Two China-made attack submarines commissioned in Chittagong port rang alarm bells in New Delhi. Bangladesh later signed a coordinated maritime patrol agreement with India called CORPAT. India also extended two soft loans $1 billion in 2010 and $5 billion in 2017, the latter for defence equipment. Thus, so far there has been a deft balancing act between India and China. But Sheikh Hasina has not endorsed forthrightly a trans-Bangladesh transit corridor for India for connectivity with its eastern periphery. Perhaps a new Indian government after mid-2019 would push the planned Padma river bridge, which is a prerequisite for the trans-Bangladesh Asian Highway, turning Bangladesh into a bridge between South Asia and Asean. In return, Bangladesh may seek Indias help to approve the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor which India is reluctant to endorse as it would cut across its sensitive eastern states. Bangladeshs garment exports, a tremendous revenue earner and job creator, constitute 83 per cent of the countrys exports. With China looking to diversify its export partners, facing US trade sanctions, Bangladesh and India are attractive destinations. To consolidate gains in India-Bangladesh relations, India has to be watchful but not paranoid about illegal immigrants like US President Donald Trump. A buoyant Bangladeshi economy is best guarantee that their people stay at home. Bangladesh beats India at many socio-economic indices. Using a friendly neighbour to play domestic politics is poor diplomacy, and perhaps even poorer politics. The next five months will show if the BJP realises that. The writer is a former secretary in the external affairs ministry. He tweets at @ambkcsingh Chief Justice T.B.N. Radhakrishnan addressing judges, advocates and judicial staff before commencing the proceedings of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday. Hyderabad: Commencing work of the newly-formed High Court, Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan of the Telangana High Court said on Wednesday, We start with an opening balance of around 1.87 lakh cases pending with this High Court. The Chief Justice was addressing his team of 12 judges, registrars, advocates and judicial staff before starting court proceedings on Wednesday. In the Full Court, Justice Radhakrishnan said, It is absolutely necessary to maintain the requisite momentum, discipline and equilibrium to ensure that with the available judge strength, we proceed to make serious efforts to ensure qualitative and timely justice. He said that the quantitative and qualitative turnover of result-oriented adjudication can be best achieved by the Bar and Bench working as not merely two sides of a coin but as two wheels which will carry forward the majestic and strong caravan of justice with requisite speed, but with due care and caution. He said that he was privileged to be the first Chief Justice of the newly-formed High Court and called for support from everyone, stating, Let us work hand-in-hand, in strict conformity with the decorum of the institution and serve people from this highest seat of justice delivery in the state of Telangana. TS Advocate General B.S Prasad said that people were looking forward with hope after the formation of a separate High Court. Chairman of the Telangana Bar Council A. Narasimha Reddy said the Council worked for the betterment of welfare of the advocates in the state. The TRS in TS and the Telugu Desam in Andhra Pradesh have been locked in disputes over the bifurcation of these institutions and sharing of assets. Hyderabad: The bifurcation of the High Court between the two Telugu states was finally completed at the tail end of last year, but the bifurcation of AP Bhavan in Delhi, and 9th and 10th Schedule institutions is still unresolved after five years. The bifurcation of these institutions and AP Bhavan may now take place only after Lok Sabha elections scheduled around April-May 2019. It will depend on which party will come to power at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh. In Telangana state, the TRS has retained power and K. Chandrasekhar Rao has become Chief Minister for a second term. The TRS in TS and the Telugu Desam in Andhra Pradesh have been locked in disputes over the bifurcation of these institutions and sharing of assets. The Central government appointed a committee to resolve the issue. But the AP government alleged that the Central government headed by the BJP is favouring TS. Chief Secretaries of both state governments have had a number of discussions but failed to resolve the issues. The Governor of both the states, Mr E.S.L. Narasimhan, also intervened to resolve the issue, but failed. If the same party is returned to power in AP and at the Centre after the elections, the stalemate will persist. Only if there are new government formations will there be some chance of a breakthrough. There are 91 institutions that come under the 9th Schedule and 142 institutions under the 10th Schedule. Since these institutions have not been bifurcated, about `8,000 crore is parked in commercial banks for the past five years. The Sheela Bhide Committee appointed by the Centre for the bifurcation of the assets of the 9th Schedule institutions has recommended about 65 institutions to be split. But AP has objected to the division of the employees. Finally, both TS and AP resolved the split of about 75 institutions which have no assets. According to a rough estimation, the total value of 9th Schedule institutions is Rs 1,40,898 crore and the total value of 10th Schedule institutions is Rs 38,710 crore. Kerala government employee Kanakadurga (left) and Prof. Bindu Ammini at Angamaly from where they were taken to their native place after having a darshan on Wednesday (Photo: DC) Alappuzha: Two daring women under the age of 50 have fulfilled their vow to worship at the Sabarimala temple, taking the whole nation by surprise and plunging Kerala into turmoil. The two women Bindu, 40, an assistant professor at the School of Legal Studies under Kannur University and a resident of Thalassery, Kannur; and Kanakadurga, 41, an assistant manager at Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation at Perinthalmanna, Malappuram visited the temple incognito at 3.48 am on Wednesday and had a darshan of Lord Ayyappa. They thus became the first to reach the Lords abode after the Supreme Court ordered the end of a ban on women of menstrual age entering the shrine on September 28 last year. Later, the temple shut down for ritual purification briefly before reopening. The development sparked violent protests across Kerala by the BJP and Hindu right outfits, with the state secretariat turning into a veritable war zone for nearly five hours as the ruling CPM and workers of the saffron party clashed, pelting each other with stones. Police used water canons and burst teargas shells to bring the situation under control. Several policemen were injured in the violence. People from media were also attacked by BJP activists in front of the secretariat, officials said. In the visuals shown by TV channels, the women were seen hurrying towards the shrine, dressed in all-black and escorted by plainclothes police personnel. They reached Pampa carrying the traditional irumudikkettu on their head, started trekking at 1.30 am, reached the sannidhanam by 3.30 am, and left after praying to Lord Ayyappa by 3:50 am. There was no media glare and there were very few devotees, which made the darshan possible. The great wall by pro-LDF women the previous evening proved to be a distraction as even the right-wing vigilantes were off their vigil at the hilltop. A few devotees noticed something amiss, but did not react. Bindu told reporters that they sought police protection at the Pampa police station. The police escorted us both in uniform and plainclothes to the sannidhanam. The devotees who identified us did not protest, she said. They did not climb the 18 sacred steps used by Ayyappa devotees, but went through a side entrance used by VIPs and the media. Thus they could directly reach the forecourt and enter the sanctum. According to one report, the women were accompanied by four men. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed their visit and said: It is a fact that the women entered the shrine. The police is bound to offer protection to anyone wanting to worship at the shrine. They had reached Sabarimala on December 24 after 11 women activists of Chennai-based Manithi were chased away by devotees. The two were heckled and stopped by the protesters midway then. The police admitted them to Kottayam Medical College Hospital, where too the mob tried to attack them. The police told reporters that anyone, irrespective of men and women, can enter the temple and the police will provide protection to the devotees. The temple authorities, headed by the chief priest (tantri), shut the shrine for 30 minutes after evacuating the devotees from the sannidhanam. It was reopened after sudhikalasam (purification ceremony). State industry minister E.P. Jayarajan called it contempt of court, saying: Untouchability is against the law. Pandalam palace managing committee chairman P. Ramavarma Raja told this newspaper that the tantri could take the final decision on the temple affairs. The purification happens when the rules are broken. So there is no question of contempt of court. The government will face contempt of court as the chief minister supported the activists entering the temple. This issue will be raised when the court considers the review petition later this month, he said. New Delhi: Consensual physical relationship between live-in partners does not amount to rape in case the man fails to marry the woman due to circumstances beyond his control, the Supreme Court has held. The top court said this while quashing an FIR lodged by a Maharashtra-based nurse against a doctor, who were in a live-in relationship for quite some time. Thus, there is a clear distinction between rape and consensual sex. The court, in such cases, must very carefully examine whether the complainant had actually wanted to marry the victim or had mala fide motives and had made a false promise to this effect only to satisfy his lust, as the later falls within the ambit of cheating or deception, a bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and S. Abdul Nazeer said in a recent verdict. The bench also said that if the accused has not made the promise with the sole intention to seduce the prosecutrix (woman) to indulge in sexual acts, such an act would not amount to rape. According to the FIR, the woman, a widow, had fallen in love with the doctor and they started living together. There may be a case where the prosecutrix agrees to have sexual intercourse on account of her love and passion for the accused and not solely on account of the misconception created by accused, or where an accused, on account of circumstances which he could not have foreseen or which were beyond his control, was unable to marry her despite having every intention to do. Such cases must be treated differently, the bench said. It said if the man had any mala fide intention or clandestine motives, then it was a clear case of rape. The acknowledged consensual physical relationship between the parties would not constitute an offence under section 376 (rape) of the IPC, the bench said. Gender activists celebrate the successful entry of two women into the Sabarimala Temple, at the High Court Junction in Kochi on Wednesday. (Photo: ARUN CHANDERABOSE) Kochi/ Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP, the Sabarimala Karma Samiti and their supporters unleashed a wave of violence across the state in the wake of two women entering Sabarimala temple in the wee hours of Wednesday. There clashed with the police across the state resulting in injuries to both sides. The police restored to baton charges, burst water cannon and fired teargas shells to disperse the violent mobs trying to create road blocks, stone transport buses and indulge in forcible closure of shops and business establishments in several places. The fulcrum of violence was before the secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram where the BJP and CPM activists indulged in a free-for-all lasting for nearly five hours. Members of Sabarimala Karma Samiti protesting against the entry of women into the temple, in Kochi on Wednesday. The BJP-Sangh Parivar supporters incensed by the opposition mounted by traders and industry against the hartal called by the Sabarimala Karma Samiti on Thursday also vented their ire at shops and business establishments. The BJP activists in the samara pandal before the secretariat clashed with the CPM supporters in the pandal at the other side erected for the two-day national strike on January 8 and 9. The BJP supporters pelted stones following sloganeering and the CPM workers retaliated even as the police tried to restore order. As the baton charge and water cannon failed to disperse the crowd, the police fired teargas shells. The BJP workers also allegedly assaulted mediapersons covering the violence. Violent incidents were also reported from Peyad, Kattakkada, Nedumangad, Poojappura and Vilappilsala. A tense situation prevailed in Palakkad town for several hours as BJP activists tried to block traffic and force the closure of shops. BJP councillor in Palakkad municipality P. Sabu and many others were injured when police lathicharged the mob. The activists trying to converge before the KSEB inspection bungalow in which Law and culture minister A.K. Balan was residing also heightened the tension in the area. The protestors vandalized the taluk office at Mavelikkara while road blocks were erected at Ambalapuzha, Alapuzha and many other places. In Guruvayur, clashes took place at many places and several police officials, including a circle inspector, suffered injuries in stone throwing. State police chief Loknath Behara directed district SPs to take steps to ensure normal life and maintain law and order in the wake of the hartal called by certain organisations in the state on Thursday. The DGP said action would be taken against hartal supporters who try to forcibly shut shops, block vehicles and indulge in violence. Legal action will be taken against those damaging public property and they would be made to remit the amount commensurate with the damage. Thiruvananthapuram: Sabarimala Karma Samiti has called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Kerala on Thursday following entry of two women into the Lord Ayyappa shrine in Sabarimala on Wednesday. The hartal will be from 6 am to 6 pm. In addition, the BJP will hold protests across Kerala for the next two days. The BJP has also announced support for the hartal. Samithi National President S.J.R Kumar told reporters in Kochi that the agitation would not subside till Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan resigned. He accused Mr Vijayan of having insulted Hindus by facilitating the secretive entry of women of menstruating age to Sannidhanam, the sanctum of the hill shrine. DC staffer attacked BJP cadre attacked media persons who were covering the Sabarimala protest on Tuesday. Peethambaran Payyeri, chief photographer of the Deccan Chronicle, was attacked and had his camera destroyed. Kairali TVs cameraperson Shajila Alifathima and Mathrubhumi video-journalist Biju were also attacked by protesters. There were also attempts to attack Asianet reporter Prakula. A News 18 technician was also attacked by protestors. DMK chief M. K. Stalin leads his party members out of the Assembly after boycotting the Governor's address on Wednesday. Chennai: In a dramatic volte face, Thiruvadanai MLA S. Karunas who had reiterated to see through his Assembly resolution seeking the removal of Tamil Assembly Speaker P. Dhanapal, withdrew his petition on Wednesday, after the Governor's customary address to the Assembly. The Independent legislator S. Karunas, elected on an AIADMK ticket, has withdrawn a notice seeking my removal. he had given a resolution against me. He himself has withdrawn it, Dhanapal told reporters here, but did not elaborate. In October last year, Karunas had moved a notice against the Speaker alleging that Dhanapal was acting in a biased and partisan manner while conducting Assembly proceedings. He had handed over the petition at the office of Assembly Secretary R. Srinivasan through his counsel. The first resolution seeking removal of the Speaker was moved by DMK on March 23, 2018 and was defeated by the ruling AIADMK. The lawmaker was recently arrested for his derogatory remarks on Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam and the police, in September last year. The sudden withdrawal of his notice has triggered a speculation of a possible rapprochement with the ruling AIADMK. Meanwhile, an official release informed that Karunas called on Palaniswami at the Secretariat and submitted a petition. Karunas was immediately not available for a comment. The actor, who won the 2016 Assembly election from Tiruvadanai constituency in Ramanathapuram district on an AIADMK ticket, had later met AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran who won from the city's R.K Nagar constituency trouncing the AIADMK and the DMK, and backed him. There was even speculation then that action would be initiated against Karunas for defying the Chair. Chennai: The harvest festival will become sweeter with the state government announcing to provide cash support of Rs 1,000 per family for celebrating the Pongal festival. This is in addition to the Pongal gift hamper containing raw rice, sugar, raisins, cashew nut, cardamom and sugarcane to all ration cardholders. The cash gift will be applicable for the entire state except Tiruvarur district where the model code of conduct is in force, in view of the by-election to Tiruvarur Assembly constituency (on Jan.28), Governor Banwarilal Purohit informed. Inaugurating the sixth session of the fifteenth Legislative Assembly and the first for this year here on Wednesday, amidst boycott by the DMK and allies, the Governor said, following in the footsteps of late Chief Ministers M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa, who have always helped the poor and downtrodden during calamities, this government will distribute Pongal gift hampers containing raw rice, sugar, raisins, cashew nut, cardamom and sugarcane to all card holders to celebrate the Pongal festival, to mitigate the impact of Gaja cyclone in Cauvery delta and the widespread drought in northern districts. In addition, I am happy to announce that this government will give a cash support of Rs 1,000 per family for the celebration of Pongal festival which will be applicable for the entire state except Thiruvarur district where the model code of conduct is in force, in view of the by-election to Thiruvarur Assembly constituency, he added. The opposition parties boycotted in spite of the Governor, breaking the convention, appealed to the leader of the Opposition and DMK president M.K. Stalin with folded hands to resume his seat. Please we will discuss (the issues raised by Stalin), the Governor insisted when his customary address to the Assembly on the opening day of the session was disrupted by Stalin who wanted to discuss the steps taken to mitigate the impact of cyclone Gaja in the Cauvery delta and drought in the northern districts. Referring to the destruction caused by Gaja, Purohit recalled that the state had sought Rs 2,709 crore as immediate relief and Rs 15,190 crore for permanent restoration works, from the Centre. He thanked the Centre for sanctioning Rs 900.31 crore additionally under National Disaster Relief Fund for immediate relief, and requested the Union government to extend adequate additional financial help to rebuild the affected houses and restore the livelihood of the people. Turning to water sharing disputes with Karnataka and Kerala, Banwarilal asserted that Tamil Nadu will continue to pursue legal options to protect its interests. Though such river water issues could be better resolved through mutual trust and understanding, Tamil Nadu has been repeatedly forced to seek legal remedy to protect its legitimate riparian rights, he said. Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami is committed to protecting the states interests by all legal means. The nod for DPR for Mekedatu is a blatant violation of the Supreme Court judgment on Cauvery River. On the Mullaiperiyar dam issue, he said the state government would continue its pursuit of raising the water level in the dam to 152 feet. On the Sterlite issue, he reiterated that the copper smelter plant failed to comply with environmental norms and added that the government would challenge the order of the National Green Tribunal allowing the plants reopening. On the fiscal front, he said while the revenue deficit has been on the rise mainly due to the devolution formula evolved by the 14th Finance Commission, the implementation of Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana and the 7th pay panel recommendations have also widened the revenue deficit. Government officials argue that when they scrutinised the model code, cabinet expansion was not mentioned. Hyderabad: The expansion of the Telangana state Cabinet may be further delayed. The State Election Commission (SEC) says that till Panchayat elections are completed, the state Cabinet cannot be expanded as it is a policy decision and will come under the model code of conduct. The state government is surprised at this reasoning. Government officials argue that when they scrutinised the model code, cabinet expansion was not mentioned. The first phase of panchayat raj elections will be held on January 21 and the last phase on January 30. According to the SEC, the state government also cannot convene the state Assembly before the panchayat elections unless it takes the permission of the SEC. The state government also should not transfer IAS, IPS officers or state government employees till the elections are over. If zilla parishad or mandal parishad and urban local bodies meetings are held when the model code is in force, general issues can be discussed but no policy decisions can be made and political leaders can only carry `50,000 per day with them. Hyderabad: Principal secretary, municipal administration, Mr Arvind Kumar, was amazed to see that the Century-old storm water drainage system, built in the Nizam area, was still functioning efficiently in the Old City area. The system, Mr Kumar inspected on Wednesday, serves the city efficiently despite manifold increase in population. It has also survived severe force of water during a heavy downpour. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation officials told him that after floods in the Musi river in 1908, it was felt that a separate storm water drain system was needed and under the guidance of legendary engineer Mokshagundam Visveswaraya a flood protection system for Hyderabad was designed and a separate storm water drain system constructed. The drinking water supply system for the city was also designed at that time. Mr Kumar instructed officials to illuminate the Charminar with additional flood lights and keep the surroundings clean. He asked officials to remove squatters from underneath the arches of Nayapul and improve sanitation there within a week. He also directed them to put up fencing and improve lighting. The senior official visited Shah Ali Banda, Himmatpura, Abdullah building, Mahboob Chowk, City College and Nayapul areas and inspected the storm water drainage system. Chief engineer, Mr Mohd Ziauddin, zonal commissioner, south, Mr B. Srinivas Reddy and other GHMC officials were also present. Later, Mr Kumar met GHMC officials and expressed his disappointment over banners being hung on roads and posters on public buildings and asked for strict implementation of the Public Properties Defacement Act. Pointing out that electric poles, flyovers, bus shelters, government buildings and even monumental buildings were not free of publicity material, he directed zonal commissioners and medical officers to start a special drive to remove all these and take stern action against responsible institutions and persons and impose fines on them. Hyderabad: Pointing to the fault of the revenue authorities, the Telangana High Court opined that they should have informed film actor Prabhas about the rejection of the regularisation application of his parcel of land in Raidurg Panmaktha. A division bench comprising Justice V. Ramasubramanian and Justice P. Kesava Rao was dealing with the petition of Prabhas. The actor alleged that the revenue authorities were interfering in his property by saying that the land belonged to the government. He mentioned his pending application for regularisation of the land parcel. Special counsel for the state submitted the scrutiny report on Prabhas regularisation application, which was mentioned as not recommended in 2015. The bench asked counsel if the communication was sent to the petitioner. With no proper response from the revenue authorities, the bench fumed at the negligence of the officials. The case was posted for Thursday. Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and Prashant Bhushan ask Supreme Court to review December 14 verdict dismissing all PILs alleging irregularities in procurement of 36 Rafale jets. (Photo: File | PTI) New Delhi: Former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie and advocate Prashant Bhushan on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court, seeking review of its December 14 verdict dismissing all PILs alleging irregularities in the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from France. In their review plea, they alleged that the judgment "relied upon patently incorrect claims made by the government in an unsigned note given in a sealed cover" to the apex court. They have also sought that the plea be heard in an open court. In a major relief to the government, the apex court had on December 14 dismissed all petitions pertaining to multi-million dollar Rafale fighter jets deal. In its ruling, the top court said there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the procurement of the 36 Rafale fighter aircraft from France, thereby clearing the central government which has been repeatedly accused by the Congress of corruption. Kamal Nath said that announcement in this regard would be announced soon. (Photo: File | PTI) Bhopal: With the BJP and Congress raising an alarm over the recital of 'Vande Mataram' in the first week of every month, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday made it clear that his government would give a new touch to the national song. He said that announcement in this regard would be announced soon. Slamming the BJP over the issue, Nath told reporters, "I feel that it is wrong to do politics on Vande Mataram. They are doing politics on 'Vande Mataram' and Ram temple. I condemn this. We will give a new look to 'Vande Mataram' and will announce today or tomorrow." It all started on Tuesday when the Congress-led government in Madhya Pradesh announced its decision to put on hold the previous BJP government's tradition to recite the national song in the secretariat on the first working day of every month. "We have no intentions of breaking or protesting against the national song. The order to recite Vande Mataram in the Secretariat on the first day of the month has been put on hold. A decision has been taken to implement the order in a new form. Those who do not recite Vande Mataram are not patriots?" Nath said on Tuesday. "We believe that we are nationalist by hearts. One cannot become patriotic by reciting Vande Mataram for one day," he added. Expressing discontent over the decision, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan demanded the reinstatement of the practice, while adding that 109 BJP MLAs will recite the national song at the Secretariat and then take oath on January 7. Hyderabad: The officials of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will visit the two villages of Rampur and Maisampet in Nirmal district to verify how important the relocation of the villages is. They will also inspect the 112 hectares of land proposed in the Khanpur forest reserve for the new village. Once NTCA gives the nod for the relocation, the State Board for Wildlife, chaired by the state forest minister, will give the clearance for de-reserving the forest land for creation of the new village. The National Board for Wildlife will give the final clearances. The forest department will pay `10 lakh to each family and provide the house site. There are about 37 families in Rampur and 105 families in Maisampet that will have to be relocated. The forest department also wants to relocate another 26 villages in Kawal Tiger Reserve and eight villages in Amrabad Tiger Reserve. If the shifting of the two villages in the first phase is successfully done, the forest department hopes the other villages will be more agreeable to shifting. In Amrabad Tiger Reserve, three villages Vatvarla-pally, Kidichintala Bailu and Sarlapalle - have been identified for relocation in the first phase and another five villages in the second phase. A senior wildlife expert said, The villages create disturbance to wildlife. If there is a village, then there will be agriculture, vehicle movement and other issues too. The tigers on sighting the humans try to move away from them. So we want to relocate the villages and make them flat lands. Later the existing villages will be developed as grass lands. Water Resources Minister and Congress strongman D.K. Shivakumar seeks the blessings of former CM and BJP leader S.M. Krishna in Bengaluru on Tuesday Bengaluru: Water Resources Minister and Congress strongman, D. K. Shivakumar's surprise visit to BJP leader and former external affairs minister S.M. Krishnas residence on Tuesday has set political circles abuzz. Mr Krishna is known to be the political mentor of Mr Shivakumar when he was in the Congress. So the visit made people curious with a section of political circles asserting that something major might happen prior to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Others wondered if Mr Krishna was planning to return to the Congress. However, sources close to Mr Shivakumar rubbished these claims stating that all the rumours were false adding that Mr Shivakumar had only met Mr Krishna to greet him on the occasion of the new year and also seek his mentor's blessings. Mr Krishna had joined the BJP in March 2017 alleging that he has been sidelined in the Congress. In recent months, reports have started doing the rounds that Mr Krishna was sidelined by the BJP too during the assembly elections in May 2018. Meanwhile, when asked about former minister and dissident Congress MLA, Ramesh Jarkiholi "going missing" for more than a week, Mr Shivakumar quipped that the media should pose the question on the whereabouts of Mr Jarkiholi to BJP state president, B. S. Yeddyurappa. Speaking to reporters here, Mr Shivakumar cryptically said, "In politics nothing is permanent, those who go up will have to come down. Let the BJP know this, they will not remain in power forever and this applies to us too." The minister added that though Mr Yeddyurappa keeps saying that they will not carry out Operation Lotus, his party leaders like former ministers B. Sriramulu, Umesh Katti and former CM Jagadish Shettar give the opposite impression. Strongly defending the proposed steel flyover project, Mr Shivakumar asserted that the BJP was unnecessarily making baseless charges about the project. "Instead of blackmailing the state government, why should the BJP not guide and give us suggestions?" he asked angrily. He contended that the state government will not sit quiet just because there is opposition to the project. " The more work we do, the more the enemies. The opposition can't scare the state government by politicising every issue," he snapped. Mr Shivakumar added that if it was him in charge, he wouldn't have shelved the project last year. "The government should definitely reconsider the project as it will ease the traffic situation to a large extent. Our main aim is to reduce the travel time to North Bengaluru. If a child has to be dropped at school at 8 am, the parent and the child have to wake up at 5 am. It's the state government's responsibility to ease the traffic situation. Time is money. It is everything. Shale Mohammad is the son of a famous Muslim religious leader Gazi Fakhir, who is known to visit Hindu temples regularly to worship and seek blessings. (Photo: ANI) Jaipur: Rajasthan Minority Affairs minister Shale Mohammad performed a Rudrabhishek puja at the Shiva temple in Sadolai in Pokhran on Monday. The lone Muslim MLA in the cabinet also worshipped at the famous Ramdevra temple in the district. Shale Mohammad is the son of a famous Muslim religious leader Gazi Fakhir, who is quite popular in western Rajasthan and is the religious guru of Sindhi-Muslim community residing on both sides of the Indo-Pak border in Jaisalmer-Barmer. Speaking to a reporter of The Times of India, Mohammad said that he prayed for peace, happiness, prosperity of the state at both temples. My family and I have always had a deep faith in Hindu temples. Whenever I get a chance I visit a Hindu temple, the minister said. The minister also said that western Rajasthan is best example of communal harmony. Hindus and Muslims both have strong faith in Baba Ramdevji (a temple in Ramdevra of local deity Baba Ramdev), Shale was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying. It is the first time an MLA from the Jaisalmer district has received a ministerial berth in the state cabinet, and it is surprising because the district has only 2 assembly seats in the 200 member house of Rajasthan. Shale was pitted against a Hindu priest, Maharaj Pratap Puri of Taratara Math in Barmer district, representing the BJP. In a very tight competition, both the candidates secured over 82,000 each but Mohammad managed to win with a margin of 872 votes. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Centre today saying the Prime Minister "does not have guts" to come to Parliament to confront questions on the issue and "hides" in his room. Prime Minister does not have guts to come to Parliament to confront questions on Rafale, Rahul said while initiating discussion on Rafale fighter jets deal in the Lok Sabha. The Congress chief also insisted on playing an audio clip purportedly of a Goa minister quoting Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar as saying that files related to the Rafale jet deal were lying "in his bedroom". However, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley demanded if he can authenticate it, but the Congress leader said he would not do so. Following this, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan disallowed Rahul's demand saying statements have to be authenticated before being made on the floor. Rahul further demanded forming a Joint Probe Commission in the matter saying the entire country is pointing finger at PM Modi. The Supreme Court verdict stated that probing Rafale scam does not come under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, but they never said that JPC shouldn't be formed, he added. The Congress leader also rejected PM Modi's claim in an interview that there was no personal allegation against him, saying this is not true as the entire nation is asking him direct question. "He (Modi) spoke for 90 minutes in a staged interview but still did not answer questions on the Rafale issue," Gandhi said. Is it not true that defence ministry officials objected to the new price of Rs 1600 crore, Rahul said, accusing the Prime Minister of favouring his "dear friend" and "failed businessman" Anil Ambani. (With inputs from PTI) Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Prime Minister should have spoken about the 10 big promises and issues he had talked about earlier. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) New Delhi: Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interview as bereft of reality and full of rhetoric, the Congress on Tuesday alleged that he was "peddling in lies" and asserted that the countdown for his exit has begun. Terming it as a "fixed interview", the party said there was no mention of ground realities or any concern for promises made by him to the people. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said the Prime Minister should have spoken about the 10 big promises and issues he had talked about earlier -- 15 lakh in every bank account, bringing back 80 lakh crore black money, 2 crore jobs per year, cost and 50 per cent profit for farmers, GST, demonetisation "scam", national security, corruption and "scams" such as Rafale, and cleaning of Ganga. "The people are with the opposition and the 'gathbandhan of thugs' should start its countdown as only 99 days are left," he said on the Prime Minister's claim that the 2019 elections are going to be a fight between the people and the 'mahagathbandhan'. "The monologue interview of Modi ji turned out to be much ado about nothing. It was about I, me, mine, myself...Modiji, your 'I's and lies' have destroyed the social fabric and the economy of the country, trampling upon Constitutional institutions as also rights of individuals," Surjewala said at a press conference. In the interview broadcast by various television channels, PM Modi talked about a host of issues, including the surgical strikes, the Ram temple's construction and personal attacks on him by the Congress. He also accused the Congress leadership of politicising and delaying the legal process in clearance of the Ram temple's construction. On the Ram temple issue, Surjewala said the matter is pending before the Supreme Court and whatever decision comes, should be adhered to and accepted by all. "There is no need for an ordinance thereafter, as Prime Minister is trying to deviate. Which constituency is he trying to please. He has already rejected his own party and RSS' demand. "We are happy that the Prime Minister is today stating that the Supreme Court will decide the issue and is trying to confuse and sidestep the issue by saying that the ordinance will come thereafter. There is no need for an ordinance, Mr Prime Minister, that is the law of the land once they decide the issue," he said. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said the people of the country cannot be "fooled" through a "fixed interview" and dared him to face Parliament and a press conference. Sharma also attacked PM Modi over his claims on surgical strikes, saying "it is a national shame that the Prime Minister seeks to politicise the surgical strike and divide the country." "PM Modi did not spare our people of his penchant for false promises, hollow claims and propaganda even on the New Year day. The habitual peddler of untruths and lies has signalled a nasty narrative for the 2019 election campaign. People cannot be fooled through a fixed interview. Have the courage to face us in Parliament or address a press conference. Having betrayed the people, do not beg Lord Ram to save you. He did not ask you to lie in the first place," Sharma tweeted. He said the country is proud of its armed forces, their courage and sacrifice and they belong to and defend India, and do not belong to any political party. "Let me remind you that PM Modi did not acknowledge the historic contribution of Smt Indira Gandhi in the liberation of Bangladesh and the surrender of Pakistani army. The task of guiding troops is best left to our brave commanders," he said. Surjewala alleged that corruption rules the roost, be it in the lives of the common man or in defence deals and cited the example of the Rafale deal. Surjewala said the Prime minister again resorted to "lies blatantly" on the issue of Rafale. "Prime Minister Modi said there is no charge, but the only charges made are against him....the charge Modi ji, is only against you of corruption and crony capitalism and that is why you are running away from a JPC," he said, daring him for holding a probe on the issue. On PM Modi's surgical strikes remarks, Surjewala said the BJP accused the Congress of doing politics over surgical strikes, but both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had praised the armed forces for it. But the BJP discredited the surgical strikes of their past and "politicised" the bravery of the Army, he alleged. Surjewala said, "Bereft of ground reality, 'jumlas' (rhetoric) galore, Modiji's interview looks like a parody." The Congress leader said that "with defeat writ large on the face as also in the arrogant words of 'I, Me, Mine, Myself', the first interview of PM Modi has put the entire future in perspective that now there are 99 days left for Modi ji for people to say 'bye, bye' to him". He said the Prime Minister had become so helpless that he was not even making it clear from where he will contest the Lok Sabha polls and whether at all he will contest. "This shows a defeatist Prime Minister," he said. The two women had attempted to visit Lord Ayappa temple in December last year but failed amidst massive protests. (Photo: File) Thiruvananthapuram: Two women, below the age of 50, entered and offered prayers at the Sabarimala Temple on Wednesday, in a first after Supreme Court ended the ban in September last year. The temple was closed for ritual purification for almost one-and-a half-hours before opening for the devotees, reports said. The two women from Kerala, Bindu and Kanakadurga, who are in their 40s, entered the temple premises and offered prayers at around 3:45 am on Wednesday, reports said. They were accompanied by police personnel. A video that has been released showed the two women entering the shrine, wearing black clothes, with their heads covered. #WATCH Two women devotees Bindu and Kanakdurga entered & offered prayers at Kerala's #SabarimalaTemple at 3.45am today pic.twitter.com/hXDWcUTVXA ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Confirming the same, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, Today, two women entered Sabarimala Temple. We had issued standing orders to police to provide all possible protection to any woman who wants to enter the temple. Bindu is a college lecturer and CPI(ML) activist from Kozhikode district's Koyilandy, and Kanakadurga is a civil supplies employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram. They had earlier attempted to visit the shrine on December 24 after 11 women activists of a Chennai-based outfit were prevented from reaching the shrine and chased away by devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras The Lord Ayyappa temple was opened on December 30 for the Makaravillaku festival and there has been a heavy rush of pilgrims. The Supreme Court had lifted a traditional ban on entry of women of menstrual age on September 28 last year. Despite the top courts verdict, women were not allowed to enter the temple with a string of protests taking in and around the Sabarimala temple. Over a dozen women tried but were stopped by a wall of protesters less than a km from the temple's entrance. Priests and many devotees are of the opinion that women should not be allowed to enter the temple as Lord Ayyappa is a celibate. (With inputs from agencies) Hyderabad: The Food and Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is turning the heat on e-commerce platforms to ensure fruits and vegetables sold online are fresh. FSSAI has said that beginning this year, products offered for sale online are liable for sampling at any point to verify quality. E-commerce companies like BigBasket, Grofers, Swiggy and Zomato have also been told to add an indicative image of the product on their platforms so that people know what they are ordering. Consumers use the e-commerce platform to buy perishable products and it is important to build their confidence and credibility, FSSAI chief executive officer M. Pawan Agarwal said. For this reason, FSSAI has the right to carry out random sampling of food products offered. The guidelines are particularly being enforced in the case of cooking oil, as there were major complaints, said the Institute of Preventive Medicines state food department in-charge Dr K.S. Shankar. In the last four months, the focus has been on oil used in hotels and by roadside vendors. Despite the guidelines, checking of perishable products leaves much to be desired in Telangana state. Because of staff shortage, testing of food is carried out only when there are complaints, a senior food inspector said. And most of the time, it is people who call in and send the samples. Bengaluru: The controversial proposal for a steel bridge between Chalukya Circle to Esteem Mall on Bengaluru International Airport Road, at a whopping cost of Rs 1,856 crore, has once again become a live issue with Deputy Chief Minister Dr G. Prameshwar announcing that it will be revisited. After exchanging New Year greetings with bureaucrats from BBMP, BDA and other civic agencies on Tuesday Mr Parameshwar told reporters that a fresh Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be put in public domain to elicit their response. It may be recalled the project was shelved during the former chief minister Siddaramaiahs regime owing to several reasons, including a rap from National Green Tribunal for failing to have Environment Impact Assessment and extensive protest by green activists. The expensive six-lane project, meant to ease the gridlock on the busy thoroughfare, had faced vehement opposition from civic society and urban experts as they argued it will lead to a loss of about 800 trees. They also pointed out that the steel bridge would increase the temperature and was very expensive to maintain. Let them (public and activists) suggest why they are against the project. What are their suggestion and shortcomings in the project. It is a beautiful project to ease traffic congestion on busy airport road. I am open for public suggestions, Mr Parameshwar said. Sources allege that with just few months left for the parliamentary elections, the Congress and JD(S) coalition government set to take up the project. Some even said that the decision would boomerang on their face as the project has already evoked widespread criticism, not just from the public but also from NGT. The Ministers announcement at the dawn of 2019 to revisit the steel flyover project is nothing but an attempt to divert attention from key issues plaguing Bengaluru, said Suresh N.R., Director, Namma Bengaluru Foundation. Mounting pressure from public had forced the previous government to scrap the project. Let us not forget that there were 8,000 people that assembled on the street in October 2016 to protest the steel flyover, he added. Suresh claimed the government had shown lack of transparency over DPR and tried to mislead the people by downplaying the environmental impact by claiming that only 800 trees will be cut, whereas an independent survey had found out that over 2000 trees will have to be cut. This had angered the people and they took to streets. Moreover claims of improving connectivity to the airport, when no alternative routes connecting the airport from areas such as Whitefield or Electronic City will only cause more congestion in the heart of the city. The government must focus on alternate mode of transport like enhancing metro and suburban railway connectivity to the airport, he said. The government cannot take people for granted and we hope common sense will prevail in Namma Bengaluru in 2019, Suresh added. This comes after release of recorded conversation in which Rane says that during Goa cabinet meeting, Parrikar stated he had all documents relating to Rafale deal lying in his bedroom. (Photo: File | PTI) New Delhi: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Wednesday termed the audio clip cited by the Congress on the Rafale deal as a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after the Supreme Court exposed the "lies" of the opposition party. Parrikar's comments came hours after the Congress quoted him as saying that he had a file on Rafale deal "lying in his bedroom". Reacting to the allegation mounted against him, CM Parrikar tweeted, "The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale deal. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting. Earlier on Wednesday, Congress came out with an audio clip of a purported conversation between Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and another person in which the minister says that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week, Parrikar stated he had "an entire file and all documents" relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom. Read: What Rafale secrets lying in Manohar Parrikars bedroom?: Cong to PM Modi Congress also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked if this was a reason that a joint parliamentary committee was not ordered to probe the matter. Meanwhile, Goa minister Vishwajit Rane has termed the audio clip as "doctored" and told BJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday that he has asked the state government to order an inquiry into the matter. In a letter to Shah, Rane said he never had any conversation with anyone on Rafale issue. According to BJP sources, Rane said, "I have also sent a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar asking for an immediate police inquiry and criminal investigation to expose the mischievous elements." Rane also said,"...this is a doctored audio and have never had any discussion with this regard on this subject with anyone." (Photo: Twitter | ANI) Rane also wrote a letter to Parrikar saying "I would like to...inform the chief minister that there is someone playing mischief and there should be inquiry in this matter and such mischievous elements need to be brought to the books." He also sought a thorough probe into the matter to bring the accused to the book. Parrikar was the defence minister when the Rafale deal was signed between India and France for purchase of fighter aircraft. On December 14 last year, the apex court had dismissed all PILs alleging irregularities in the procurement of 36 Rafale jets from France. Police Commissioner T. Suneel Kumar cuts a cake to mark the New Year along with additional police commissioners Bijay Kumar Singh, Seemant Kumar Singh, Alok Kumar, Harisekaran, Nanjundaswamy and Sandeep Patil in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Bengaluru: New Year's Eve of the year 2019 came as a blessing for 17 Indian Police Service officers, who were promoted by the JD(S)-Congress government. The promotion included that of 2001-batch Karnataka-cadre IPS officer H.S. Revanna, who is promoted to the IGP rank. He was serving as DIGP, Police Fire Services, Bengaluru and now he has been transferred and posted as IGP, Northern Range, Belagavi. Similarly, Abhishek Goyal, who is on Central government deputation as Joint Director of Enforcement, Kochi, has been promoted to the DIGP rank. IPS officer Kaushlendra Kumar, Joint Deputy Director (SP Level), Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, has given Proforma Promotion to officiate in the grade of DIGP. IPS officer Raman Gupta, Joint Director of Enforcement, Enforcement Directorate, Bengaluru is given Proforma Promotion to officiate in the grade of DIGP. IPS officer Dr. B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda, Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada, Mangaluru has been promoted to officiate in the grade of DIGP, transferred and posted as DIGP, Police Fire Services, Bengaluru. IPS officer R. Dileep, serving as Superintendent of Police, Intelligence (Security) Bengaluru, is promoted to officiate in the grade of DIGP, transferred and posted as DIGP, Police Headquarters, Bengaluru. Other promotions include, IPS officers S.N. Siddaramappa, Superintendent of Police, Internal Security Division, Bengaluru to DIGP grade and posted as DIGP, Internal Security Division, Bengaluru. Dr Chandragupta, Superintendent of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Bengaluru, is promoted along with Dr K. Thiyagarajan, Superintendent of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta, Bengaluru. Arunangshu Giri, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mysuru Rural Sub-Division, Mysuru is promoted and posted as Superintendent of Police, Anti-Naxal Force, Karkala, Udupi District. Sonawane Rishikesh Bhagawan, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Bantwal Sub-Division, Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru is promoted and posted as Superintendent of Police, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Bengaluru. Nagesh D.L., Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sirsi Sub-Division, Uttara Kannada District, Karwar is promoted and posted as Superintendent of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Bengaluru. Lokesh Bharamappa Jagalasar, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Kalburagi 'A' Sub-Division, Kalaburagi District is promoted and posted as Superintendent of Police, Internal Security Division, Bengaluru. B.M. Laxmi Prasad, Superintendent of Police, Internal Security Division (CCT-Centre for Counter Terrorism), Bengaluru has been transferred and posted as Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru. Other Promotions IPS officers Dr Divya V. Gopinath, SP, Tumakuru district, C.H. Sudheer Kumar Reddy, SP, Belagavi District, Vartika Katiyar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, CAR, Bengaluru and R. Chethan, SP, Davanagere. The bike-borne men picked up a fight with Praveen and in the fit of rage, they stabbed him and fled. Bengaluru: A 26-year-old man was stabbed outside his house for questioning the youth for shouting as part of their New Year celebration in Kamala Nagar early Tuesday. Praveen, a delivery boy by profession, sustained stab injuries and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital. After finishing work, Praveen had returned home and was standing outside after dinner. A few minutes after clocked ticked 12 midnight, two bike-borne youth vroomed past shouting. When they returned, Praveen intercepted their vehicle, to ask them not to shout outside his house. But they lost control and fell. The bike-borne men picked up a fight with Praveen and in the fit of rage, they stabbed him and fled. Praveen was rushed to a private hospital where he was undergoing treatment. Police have registered a case. Music is certainly an integral part of any culture since its universal. Music can affect your emotions and help you get through a difficult time. Drums are the baseline to any of our favourite songs and without them, those songs would just not be the same. They are not just a merry way to make you jump up and down; there is hardly any better instrument to bring social harmony. The spirit and magic of rhythm expressed on drums and percussion instruments cuts through all ages, religions, races and cultures. Underlining that idea, Afro-d-Asia, a band that is part of the Drum Events India, a project launched by Malayali musician Shyam Suraj, is touring around the world, creating harmony through their drum beats. The Drum Events India conducts interactive drum circles, African drum shows, LED aqua drumming, rhythmic team building, fusion shows, musicians, DJs, MCs, and corporate training shows. The band, Afro-d-Asia, consists of artists from Africa and India. Apart from Shyam, who goes by the stage name Shamrock, Emmanuel, Osei Awuk, and David Duncan from Ghana, vocalist Roy Soulchild from Cameroon, drummer and keyboardist Thomas Nii Pantry from Ghana, lead guitarist Patrick Nkongolo from Congo, bass guitarist Immanuel Delphin from Ivory Coast and saxophonist San Panther aka Santosh Kumar from Bengaluru are the members. With so much of talent from Africa, with its own music to share, the band is, literally, an international one and that helps us create a variety of music, says Shamrock. Shamrock says the best feature of the band is the drum circle, which allows the audience to interact with the musicians and perform with them. The idea is based on communal drumming, which has been an integral part of African life for thousands of years as a means of celebrating life, love and unity. A guaranteed stress-buster, modern-day drumming is a great way to let loose, have fun and invigorate your mind while venting frustrations of your day. So, for the past few years, corporate companies are approaching us to have concert-like sessions at their facilities for their employees, shares Shamrock. The band has over 1,500 shows to their credit and transportation has been the biggest hurdle they are facing. We have to provide drums, of different varieties, sizes, ethnicity and tone to the viewers so that they can perform with us. We have used a maximum of 4,000 drums. It always depends upon the number of audience that we are performing for, he says. When asked how they manage to perform with the audience, who are basically not professionals like them, Shamrock explains, Rhythm is a universal language, which is why drumming creates a unity that transcends the barriers of culture and is a very powerful tool for team-building. All humans have that rhythm within them, the rhythm of happiness. So, we just have to conduct an interactive session of 20-30 minutes duration explaining how to play drums. Thats how we do it. We also have sessions about African music culture. It is very different from what we have heard. The band has been performing in various parts of India and many other countries all around the world. Wherever they go, they try to add regional music to their playlist. Drumming has a very powerful effect on people, and its extensive physiological and psychological benefits are increasingly being understood through scientific and medical research, says Shamrock, who has a collection of different varieties of drums from all around the world. We have developed a new project called Drumunity, which is basically meeting corporate co0mpanies at their spaces and with our help they would set up facilities for their employees to have sessions. A lot of companies offer sport and other recreational ways to its workers. So, why not have a fun-filled stress-busting session with beautiful vocals and drums? smiles Shamrock. He has also developed a special drum, which he calls Xtone, that can produce many tones. Some of the drums the band uses in their performances are traditional African ones including djembes, djun djun, gome drum, kalabash, balafone, talking drum, kpalongo and drum kit. Shamrock believes music has a special ability to bring people together and the power to change the world. Before this, I was in a different profession. But I found myself in the fullest way when I followed my passion to become a drummer and became able to form this band. He is now preparing to have a session at the forthcoming Tedx in Bengaluru. Muslims and Christians in Iraq Unite in Appeal to Save Church From Demolition Dozens of Christians and Muslims have been gathering together in Baghdad to protest at the threatened demolition of a Chaldean church. The Chaldean Catholic Church of Divine Wisdom, in the district of Adhamiya, has been marked for demolition by the authorities, together with some surrounding buildings, as part of a redevelopment programme in the city which suffered a great deal of damage during and after the 2003 war. But local residents say the project is driven by commercial and political forces, and does not take into account the significance of the church for the community. Campaigners say the church has been a symbol of the coexistence between the different faiths in Iraq. The church of the Divine Wisdom was built in 1929 by British architect James Mollison Wilson during the British Mandate on Mesopotamia, and is located on the border of two inhabited urban areas respectively by Shiites and Sunnis. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription and are still unable to access our content, please link your digital account to your print subscription If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. DARIEN It wasnt the official countdown time, but the celebration was equally as joyous when Darien Library hosted a Noon Years Eve event on Monday. Were excited to pick back up the tradition, said Samantha Cardone, childrens program coordinator, for the holiday hadnt been on a weekday the last two years. A key factor in Royal Oak's final decision on where and what types of marijuana facilities might be allowed in the city will be a scientific survey this spring. There are more than 20 species of birds at the Matilda R. Wilson Free-Flight Aviary at the Detroit Zoo. National Bird Day is Saturday and the zoo has activities planned that highlight awareness about the threats birds face. Last months announcement by President Trump that he is going to withdraw the 2,000 U.S. troops stationed in Syria because he believes the Islamic State has been defeated in the region has caused widespread discord both at home and abroad. The decision, taken against the advice of both Pentagon and State Department officials, caught almost everyone off guard, including his most senior advisers. The move, which effectively abandons U.S. allies on the ground in Syria and endangers the lives of more than 50,000 Syrian refugees, prompted the resignations of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Brett McGurk, the U.S. envoy to the global coalition fighting ISIS. Lawmakers on both right and left have vehemently criticized the decision. Even Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the president's strongest supporters, slammed Trump's decision, saying: "My theory is that by pulling 2,200 out in Northeastern Syria, that's going to boost ISIS' ability to come back." President Trump has directed the Pentagon to create a U.S. Space Command. The new organization will be a four-star unified command responsible for overseeing all of the U.S. military's space operations. Vice President Mike Pence announced the news during a SpaceX rocket launch at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Pence explained the new organization's mission: "The U.S. Space Command will integrate space capabilities across all branches of the military. It will develop the space doctrine tactics, techniques, and procedures that will enable our war fighters to defend our nation in this new era." Trump's order directs the secretary of defense to recommend leaders best suited to commanding the unit. Once leaders are appointed, Pentagon officials say, they will get to work immediately building the organization. Although the president still hopes to create a separate branch of the military dedicated to space (a Space Force), some lawmakers and military experts have pushed back, insisting that a unified command would be more effective, far cheaper, and quicker to establish. RICHMOND A Fredericksburg-area podiatrist who allegedly obtained prescription tranquilizers and an opioid for personal use is facing a federal drug charge. Dr. Claudine H. DuPont, 44, was named in a two-page criminal information filed in December by the U.S. Attorneys Office in Richmond charging her with fraudulently obtaining controlled substances including Hydromorphone, Tramadol and Alprazolam. She allegedly acquired the drugs from April 2016 to January 2017 for her own use and not for legitimate medical purposes, according to the charging document usually used in cases where a plea agreement has been worked out ahead of time. DuPont, who had been practicing in an unidentified podiatry office in the Fredericksburg/Stafford area when the offenses allegedly occurred, could not be reached for comment. No initial court appearance has been posted online by the U.S. District Court in Richmond. According to public Virginia Board of Medicine documents, DuPont signed a consent order in May voluntarily surrendering her license to practice podiatry and surgery for indefinite suspension. Customers often come to her store after theyve failed at fixing an engine themselves and cannot close it after opening it up, a skill unto itself. Howard is passionate about all of it and wants to do everything to a quality level, she said by phone en route to Back Shack to pick up nine repaired sets and deliver 11 more in need of fixing the week before Christmas. No definitive numbers are available, but folks with his kind of expertise are dwindling. Its a dying breed, said Bob Buehler, the Richmond-based Virginia Train Collectors Association president who buys and sells trains and visits The Back Shack Train Shop weekly for repairs on new purchases. Buehler appreciates the tricks of the trade Miller passes along this week a tip on rust removal as well as his ability to build parts that are no longer available, most recently a gear that allowed a 20-year-old crane to move up and down. He was having a ball learning about this crane and got the biggest charge out of something he had never taken apart before, Buehler said. Friends and customers frequently ask what will happen when Miller calls it quits. That wont be my problem, he said with a smile. But he added that he remains hopeful that his eldest son Howard Miller Jr., a millwright, electrician and carpenter, might follow in his footsteps. The University of Virginia's College at Wise has a problem. Already a small school, its enrollment has dropped in recent years, a victim of demographic changes in the area and increased recruitment from nearby universities. To combat declining enrollment, the school hopes to offer reduced tuition rates to any student from the Appalachia region, making the cost of attendance equal or near that charged for Virginia residents. The federally defined Appalachian region stretches from southern New York to northern Alabama, encompassing all or part of 13 states. The College at Wise is at the far southwestern tip of the state. It is tucked nearly in the geographic center of Appalachia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains and in former coal country. UVa Wise here in Wise County is pretty much dead center of that region, said Donna Henry, the schools chancellor. And when you look at the region and designate which counties are economically distressed, were pretty much dead center in the middle of that, as well. Adding just a few dozen college students and graduates, Henry maintains, could make a huge difference for the region, both for the individual students and for the areas economy. When you work with culture around immigrants and refugees, you are helping them to look at adjustment in a new culture, how they can deal with those challenges and how to deal with grief and loss in terms of culture, she said. Monica Luna, an interpreter for the International Rescue Committee, took TICCP training and has since led workshops in the Hispanic community. When you first finish the TICCP training, you dont necessarily know how to apply all that and how to help people, Luna said. I was fortunate that Ingrid started a group with all the Hispanic people that took the TICCP and she put a workshop up and I volunteered as a facilitator. Luna described Ramos as a gentle soul whos kind, very smart and knows how to help people. She will help anyone. She will go out of her way to find a way, and if she cant do it she will point you to what way to go and who to ask, she said. When you talk to her, her voice and just her way gives you peace. Shes very soft and gentle and a true friend. He reached out to police chiefs, commonwealths attorneys and sheriffs in Virginia and asked how many would be interested in starting a justice commission. I couldnt get really any traction with it, he said. Maybe I should have sent stuff out saying, Im doing a justice commission and would you serve on that, and taken more of the responsibility, he said. But, on the other hand, I was working Innocence Project cases and pushing DNA expansion, and trying to run the sheriffs office and trying to go to sleep at night, which I couldnt always do. In his retirement, Harding said he wants to continue working with the Good News Jail and Prison Ministry at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail. Its not just about bringing people to Christ, it also provides counseling and it provides, I think, a whole network within the jail. [The chaplain] helps even the employees, he said. It has a calming effect on the jail. He said a justice commission still needs to happen. Maybe Ill reinvent myself, take a hiatus and even though Im a civilian, find a way to get traction on that, because its got to happen, Harding said. Its just sickening to see wrongful convictions that dont have to happen. Allison Wrabel is a reporter for The Daily Progress. Contact her at (434) 978-7261, awrabel@dailyprogress.com or @craftypanda on Twitter. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. For Donald Foss, community service isnt just a hobby, its a way of life. The longtime educator has been serving his community for decades and inspiring his peers and students to do the same. Through the Key Club and the Kiwanis Club, Foss repeatedly took on leadership positions because he knew it was where he could make the most positive impact. Born in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Foss moved to Virginia to obtain his graduate degree and fell in love with the area. After getting married and starting a family, Foss changed careers from mining exploration to teaching in order to spend more time with his family and engage with his community. The kids were getting older and I was missing it, he said. As an Earth science teacher at Albemarle High School, Foss helped to start the Key Club at the school eventually helping to grow it to other area schools, as well. Through the club, his students were able to learn firsthand the joys and difficulties of volunteering to help others, be it through cleaning, building, or other community projects. Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love, That is how a famous French diplomat described the perfect cup of coffee. We Americans are not so poetic in describing our cup of coffee. However, we drink about two-thirds of the worlds supply of coffee. That cup of coffee we enjoy each morning originates with a small bean not a bean at all, but the pit of a cherry-like fruit of an evergreen tree. It is grown in Central and South America, as well as other tropical climates throughout the world. One of the most charming stories about the first discovery of coffee comes from the Middle East. It is the tale of Kaldi, an Abyssinian goat herder. It seems that one day sitting on a rock on the mountain slopes, Kaldi noticed that his normally docile goats suddenly had become exceptionally lively for no apparent reason. On closer inspection, Kaldi discovered that the goats had been nibbling on the bright red berries of a nearby plant. A little skeptical, he tasted the berries and after some moments found to his amazement that he felt extraordinarily uplifted and invigorated. Convinced of a miracle, Kaldi rushed to the local monastery and told his tale to the abbot, showing him some of the berries he had brought along. Walker & Dunlop, Inc., through its subsidiaries, originates, sells, and services a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate financing products and services for owners and developers of real estate in the United States. The company offers first mortgage, second trust, supplemental, construction, mezzanine, preferred equity, small-balance, and bridge/interim loans. It also provides multifamily finance for manufactured housing communities, student housing, affordable housing, and senior housing properties under the Fannie Mae's DUS program; and construction and permanent loans to developers and owners of multifamily housing, affordable housing, senior housing, and healthcare facilities. In addition, the company acts as an intermediary in the placement of commercial real estate debt between institutional sources of capital, including life insurance companies, investment banks, commercial banks, pension funds, CMBS conduits, and other institutional investors, as well as owners of various types of commercial real estate. Further, it advises on capital structure; develops the financing package; facilitates negotiations between its client and institutional sources of capital; coordinates due diligence; and assists in closing the transaction. Additionally, the company offers property sales brokerage, underwriting and risk management, and servicing and asset management services. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Read More First American Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services. It operates through Title Insurance and Services, and Specialty Insurance segments. The Title Insurance and Services segment issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property, as well as offers related products and services. This segment also provides closing and/or escrow services; products, services, and solutions to mitigate risk or otherwise facilitate real estate transactions; and appraisals and other valuation-related products and services, lien release and document custodial services, warehouse lending services, default-related products and services, title insurance, closing services, and related products and services, as well as banking, trust, and wealth management services. In addition, it accommodates tax-deferred exchanges of real estate; and maintains, manages, and provides access to title plant data and records. This segment offers its products through a network of direct operations and agents in 49 states and in the District of Columbia, as well as in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and internationally. The Specialty Insurance segment provides property and casualty insurance comprising coverage to residential homeowners and renters for liability losses and typical hazards, such as fire, theft, vandalism, and other types of property damage. It also offers residential service contracts that cover residential systems, such as heating and air conditioning systems, and appliances against failures that occur as the result of normal usage during the coverage period. First American Financial Corporation was founded in 1889 and is based in Santa Ana, California. Read More Toyota Motor Corporation designs, manufactures, assembles, and sells passenger vehicles, minivans and commercial vehicles, and related parts and accessories. It operates in Automotive, Financial Services, and All Other segments. The company offers hybrid cars under the Prius, Prius PHV, C-HR, LC HV, LS HV, Camry, JPN TAXI, Avalon, Crown, Century HV, UX HV, Corolla SD, Corolla Sport, and WG HV names; fuel cell vehicles under the MIRAI and SORA names; and conventional engine vehicles, including subcompact and compact cars under the Yaris, Aqua, Passo, Roomy, Tank, Etios, Vios, AGYA, Rush, GLANZA, and Raize names. It also provides mini-vehicles, passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and auto parts under the Toyota name; mid-size cars under the Camry and REIZ names; luxury cars under the Lexus, Avalon, and Crown names; Century limousines; sports cars under the LC and Supra names; and recreational and sport-utility vehicles under the Sequoia, 4Runner, RAV4, Highlander, and Land Cruiser names. In addition, the company offers pickup trucks under the Tacoma and Tundra names; Minivans, Cabwagons, and Semi-Bonnet Wagon under the Alphard, Vellfire, Noah/Voxy, Esquire, Calya, Estima, Sienta, and Sienna names; and trucks and buses. Further, it provides financial services, such as retail financing and leasing, wholesale financing, insurance, and credit cards; and designs, manufactures, and sells prefabricated housing. Additionally, the company operates GAZOO.com, a web portal for automobile information. It operates in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East. The company was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Toyota, Japan. Read More Avnet, Inc., a technology solutions company, markets, sells, and distributes electronic components. The company operates through two segments, Electronic Components and Farnell. The Electronic Components segment markets, sells, and distributes semiconductors; interconnect, passive, and electromechanical devices; and other integrated components from electronic component manufacturers. It also offers design chain support that provides engineers with technical design solutions; engineering and technical resources to support product design, bill of materials development, and technical education and training; and supply chain solutions that provide support and logistical services to original equipment manufacturers, electronic manufacturing service providers, and electronic component manufacturers. In addition, this segment provides integrated solutions, such as technical design, integration, and assembly of embedded products, and systems and solutions primarily for industrial applications, as well as for intelligent embedded and innovative display solutions comprising touch and passive displays. Further, it develops and manufactures standard board and industrial subsystems, and application-specific devices that enable it to produce systems tailored to specific customer requirements. This segment serves various markets, including automotive, medical, defense, aerospace, telecommunications, industrial, and digital editing. The Farnell segment distributes kits, tools, and electronic and industrial automation components, as well as test and measurement products to engineers and entrepreneurs. It has operations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Avnet, Inc. was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Read More Writing is hard but finding an agent and publishing traditionally is harder. While self-publishing provides a softer landing for authors who are desperate to get published, it also has its high and low points. While you may not want to follow the mental draining path of traditional publishing, there is still something that you can learn from traditional publishers. Agora Ottawa highlights the pros and cons of getting self-published. Read on to find out more. Traditional publishers usually have a standard when it comes to manuscript formatting, cover design, and editing. Polish your manuscript to be of the same standard as that of traditional publishers, make use of writers critique group and family and friends to find the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript. Michael F Stewart made it clear, Although there are many different ways to publish, there should be one thing that they all have in commonyour manuscript should be awesome. Pros of self-publishing The pros of self-publishing are enormous which is why many authors are ditching traditional publishers to become self-published. The most obvious of them besides having to deal with rejection letters are as follows; 1. You have greater control over your book When you publish traditionally, the publishing house usually decides the title, final cover design, and the marketplace. The author has little or no say to what happens to their book. Self-published authors have full control of their book up to pricing. 2. Better royalties The bulk of the money of traditional publishing goes to the publishing house and their agent. If the author is lucky they keep up to ten to fifteen percent of every sale. Self-published authors keep up to seventy percent of their book profit. 3. Faster publishing process Traditional publishers can take as much as 12 to 36 months to publish a single title. Kristen Kieffer mentions that Self-published authors can keep as quick a timeline as they please, publishing the moment their finished book is uploaded and ready to go. Cons of self-publishing Many writers who rush into self-publishing will only realize the downside when things don't work as they hoped. The common downsides of self-publishing are as follows; 1. Marketing Traditionally published authors usually dont offer any marketing assistance to their publishers but the task of marketing an indie authors book is the sole responsibility of the author. Marketing is usually the hardest part of self-publishing. With over 1 million titles published in English every year, getting your book discovered can be a real challenge. 2. Potential financial loss Self-published authors who don't want to skimp on quality will need to pay an upfront cost for editing, book cover design, and formatting. If the book fails to sell well, the author may never recoup their expenses. 3. Finding a good publishing team While self-published authors dont need to worry about rejection from their publishing team, they still have to worry about finding a reputable publishing company. Ottawa writers looking for a publishing team for their self-publishing goal will have the full support of Agora Publishing, a non-profit that has been in the business since 1997. SociAtA GAnArale SociAtA anonyme provides financial services in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and France. The company offers retail banking services, including deposits and loans, vehicles and asset management, corporate finance, insurance, payments, investment, and online brokerage and financial information services; Internet, mobile, telephone, and service platforms; and online banking to individual and professional customers, businesses, non-profit associations and local authorities under the Societe Generale, CrAdit du Nord, and Boursorama Banque brands. It also provides international retail banking and financial services, comprising of deposit and loan products; consumer finance and car finance; mortgage facilities; corporate and investment banking; infrastructure, renewable energies, and agribusiness financing; life, retirement savings, and personal protection insurance products; vehicle leasing and fleet management services; and vendor and equipment finance services to corporate and individual customers. In addition, the company offers capital market services, such as fixed income and currencies, equities, and securities services; mergers and acquisitions, advisory and other corporate finance advisory services, and corporate banking and investment banking, as well as capital raising solutions for debt or equity, financial engineering, and hedging for issuers; transaction and payment services, comprising of cash management, trade finance, cash clearing and correspondent banking, supply chain finance, and foreign exchange services; and export finance, aircraft finance, shipping finance, real estate finance, and structured solutions and leasing. Further, it provides financial engineering and wealth management solutions; structured products, hedge funds, mutual funds, private equity funds and real estate investment solutions; and asset management solutions. SociAtA GAnArale SociAtA anonyme was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Paris, France. Read More Wall Street analysts have given iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various personal and commercial banking products and services in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases through auto dealer network. It also provides credit cards; real estate secured lending; auto finance; consumer lending; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, private banking, investment advisory, and trust services to retail and institutional clients; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to companies, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,085 branches, 3,440 automated teller machines, and 1,223 stores, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More I wish great health, happiness and fortune to my fellow Canadians this New Year! However, it is with continued shock and horror I would like to share with you a story which betrays the extent of corruption among many of Canada's Judges. Thanks to these corrupt Judges Dezrin Carby-Samuels [above photo] has been forced to endure unspeakable abuse and torture at the hands of her own husband since 2013. As a result of this abuse, Dezrin has not been able to walk, talk or write since June 2015. But three particular Ottawa judges were undeterred by Dezrin's suffering and were determined to collaborate with Dezrin's well-connected husband. You can watch the antics of her well-connected husband in the above video as he prevents local Ottawa police from checking on Dezrin's well-being. Once these sweetheart deals are done, no amount of evidence will be considered by a judge to go against the sweetheart deals. In Ottawa, Dezin Carby-Samuels and her son who tried to protect her from continued abuse by her husband was an apparent victim of a false flag operation coordinated between Senior Justice MacNamara and John Summers . Mr. Summers officially represents the abusive husband who has sought to prevent Dezrin's son from liberating his Dezrin from the profound conditions of abuse and torture that she has been subjected. After one of these sweetheart deals, the presiding judge told Mr. Summers he didn't even need to make a presentation to the court - the deal was done! The apparent corrupt judges in this particular case are Senior Justice MacNamara of the Ontario Superior Court in Ottawa along Pierre Roger, and Sylvia Corthorn who apparently conspired with fellow University of Ottawa Faculty of Law alumnus John Summers who is affiliated with Bell Baker.As Canadians, we love to laugh at the American process of selecting judges in their Supreme Court as some kind of over-politicized circus which often brings up certain ugly details about a prospective judges past which becomes the subject of public debate involving mudslinging.However, in Canada, we don't have these kinds circuses not because our judges are so much better in character than American ones; but because the mass media in Canada and the selection process for judges keeps the ugly past of judges hidden.The result is that there are many low-life judges across Canada that ought to never be put in a position of authority in the courtroom.We're talking, for example, judges illegally meetings behind closed doors and making sweat heart deals with a favoured litigant related to their "previous life" as a lawyer.As a result of this sweetheart deal, Macnamara and his two other judicial accomplices who had sought to work in behalf of the well-connected abusive husband simply ignored all evidence of abuse including Dezrin being left to suffer in her own feces.These judges allowed John Summers to make up any lie that could be used to perpetuate Dezrin's pain and suffering and to frustrate the efforts of Dezrin's son to liberate his mother from the pain and suffering she has been forced to endure since April 2015! Notably, these three judges all connected with the University of Ottawa also sought to repress any efforts of other Judges in Ottawa not connected with the University of Ottawa that had sought to support Dezrin's son efforts.For example, the Court Order rendered by Justice Patrick Smith on 11 February 2016 that sought to liberate Dezrin from abuse was overturned by the corruption activities on U of O affiliated Senior Justice MacNamara. Justice Sylvia Corthorn as part of this trail of corruption blocked the efforts of Justice Mcloed to support the independent verification of Dezrin's well being to ensure that she was not being held against her will by her husband.The problem in Canada starts from the fact that judges in Canada are being exclusively recruited from the ranks of often crooked lawyers in shady law firms.When these crooked lawyers become Judges, our Canadian system unlike the American one, overly treats these Judges like "gods" rather than human beings capable of transgressing legal boundaries.Judges in Canada lack any oversight and accountability and the result of this context is that corruption for many Judges in Canada has become a way of life. Such judges can live out the racism, sexism and other bigotries they harbour without any care in the world that anyone or any institution will hold them accountable.Judges in Canada can also make all kinds of out of court arrangements in "back alley ways" without a care in the world that it will come out in the media.If you have a story about judicial corruption, I can pretty much guarantee your story won't see the light of day in any mainstream Canadian media outlet.Judicial corruption in Canada is part of a coordinated concealment context to enable th every owners of the media in Canada to also benefit from that corruption whenever a Canadian seeks to assert their civil rights against these owners in the court room.Dezrin Carby-Samuels has become the latest victim of a judicial system in Canada mired in corruption. Our Canadian court system for many judges has become the playground of shady individuals who dominate today's Canadian legal professional.Judges should never be appointed from the ranks of the legal profession. That's not the way to ensure impartiality in the courtroom.Until we as, Canadians, begin to support a process of subjecting all judicial appointments to critical public scrutiny and furthermore support the selection of judges who don't bring their professional baggage from their lives as lawyers, our judicial system will continue to horribly victimize Canadians like Dezrin. Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells. The company operates through five segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running, wellbore placement, directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling (MWD), equipment manufacturing, and rig instrumentation services; and logging-while-drilling systems and services, as well as drilling optimization software. The company also offers REVit, an automated real time stick-slip mitigation system; ROCKit, a directional steering control system; SmartNAV, a collaborative guidance and advisory platform; SmartSLIDE, an advanced directional steering control system; and RigCLOUD, which provides the tools and infrastructure to integrate applications to deliver real-time insight into operations across the rig fleet. In addition, it manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and other drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools; and provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment. As of December 31, 2020, the company marketed approximately 354 rigs for land-based drilling operations in the United States and Canada, as well as in 14 other countries worldwide; and 29 rigs for offshore platform drilling operations in the United States and internationally. Nabors Industries Ltd. was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Read More Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells wood and concrete building construction products. The company offers wood construction products, including connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners, shearwalls, and pre-fabricated lateral systems that are used in light-frame construction; and concrete construction products comprising adhesives, specialty chemicals, mechanical anchors, carbide drill bits, powder actuated tools, fiber reinforced materials, and other repair products for use in concrete, masonry, and steel construction, as well as grouts, coatings, sealers, mortars, fiberglass and fiber-reinforced polymer systems, and asphalt products for use in concrete construction repair, protection, and strengthening applications. It also provides connectors and lateral products for wood framing, timber and offsite construction, mid-rise steel construction, and cold formed steel applications; and mechanical and adhesive anchors for concrete and masonry construction applications. In addition, the company offers engineering and design services, as well as software solutions that facilitates the specification, selection, and use of its products. It markets its products to the residential construction, light industrial and commercial construction, remodeling, and do-it-yourself markets in the United States, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Pleasanton, California. Read More Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Panda Auto, a car-hailing platform for new energy vehicles, was recently given a license by Chongqing authority who allows the company to conduct road tests for their autonomous vehicles, following such eight firms as Changan Automobile, Baidu, FAW Group, Dongfeng Motor, GAC Group, Geely, Foton Motor and Roadstar.ai. Chongqing is the third city in China that legalizes autonomous vehicle road tests under certain conditions. The former two are megacities Beijing and Shanghai. Founded in May, 2015, Panda Auto is an hourly car rental service platform invested by Chongqing Lifan Holdings Co., Ltd. After three-year development, it has launched businesses in 12 cities including Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Nanjing and Kunming, deploying over 20,000 vehicles and serving more than 4 million registered users. Panda Auto and Chines Internet titan Baidu jointly launched the China's first shared autonomous vehicle pilot program in Chongqing on May 24 last year. The trial operation deploys six autonomous vehicles for the public for nearly one month in the Baidu-Panda Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration Park of Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area. According to Panda Auto's CEO Gao Yu, the shared autonomous vehicles feature such functions as automatic parking, automatic charging and remote-hailing. The scale application of these technologies will not only help users accurately pinpoint and find shared vehicles, but also reduce costs of off-line operation and energy replenishment. Chegg, Inc. operates direct-to-student learning platform that supports students on their journey from high school to college and into their career with tools designed to help them to learn their course materials, succeed in their classes, and save money on required materials. The company offers Chegg Services, which include subscription services; and required materials that comprise its print textbooks and eTextbooks. Its subscription services include Chegg Study, which helps students master challenging concepts on their own; Chegg Writing that provides students with a suite of tools, such as plagiarism detection scans, grammar and writing fluency checking, expert personalized writing feedback, and premium citation generation; Chegg Math solver, a step-by-step math problem solver and calculator that helps students to solve problems; Chegg Study Pack, a bundle of various Chegg Services product offerings, including Chegg Study, Chegg Writing, Chegg Math Solver, video content, and practice quizzes, which creates an integrated platform of connected academic support services; and Thinkful, a skills-based learning platform that offers professional courses in the areas of software engineering, UX/UI design, digital marketing, data science, product management, data analytics, product design, and technical project management directly to students. The company also provides other services, such as Chegg Prep and internships; and rents and sells print textbooks and eTextbooks. Chegg, Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Xerox: A B S Digital Limited, Acorn Business Machines (Holmfirth) Limited, Alloy Acquisitions Corp. LLC, Altodigital, Altodigital Networks Limited, American Photocopy Equipment Company of Pittsburgh LLC, Amici, Arena Group, Arena Group Holdings Limited, Arena Group Limited, Arizona Office Technologies Inc., B 2 Business Systems Limited, Back2Business Limited, Bessemer Insurance Limited, Bessemer Trust Limited, Boise Office Equipment Inc., Bright Ceramic Technologies Inc., Bunch CareSolutions, Business Systems (North Wales) Limited, CPAS Systems, CREDITEX - Aluguer de Equipamentos S.A., CTX Business Solutions Inc., Capitol Office Solutions LLC, CareAR Holdings LLC, CareAR Inc., Carolina Office Systems Inc., Carr Business Systems Inc., Chicago Office Technology Group Inc., ComDoc Inc., Concept Group, Concept Group Limited, Connecticut Business Systems LLC, Consilience Software, Continua Limited, Continua Sanctum Limited, Conway Technology Group LLC, Copyrite Business Solutions (Holdings) Limited, Copyrite Business Solutions Limited, Copytrend Limited, Criterion IT Limited, Customer Value Group, Dahill Office Technology Corporation, Digitex Canada Inc, Digitex Canada Inc., Docucentric Holdings Limited, Eastern Managed Print Network LLC, Elan Marketing Inc., Electronic Systems Inc., Fovia (Innovation) Limited, G-Five Inc., GDP Technologies Inc., Global Imaging Systems, Global PR Corporation, Gyricon LLC, Healthy Communities Institute, Heritage Business Systems Inc., Image Technology Specialists Inc., ImageQuest Inc., Imagetek Office Systems, Impika, Impika SAS, Inland Business Machines Inc., Institute for Research on Learning, Integrity One Technologies Inc., Intrepid Learning, Invoco Group, Irish Business Systems, Itec Connect Limited, LRI LLC, LaserNetworks, LaserNetworks Inc., Lateral Data, Learn Something, Lewan & Associates Inc., Limited Liability Company Xerox (C.I.S.), M & S Reprographics Limited, MRC Smart Technology Solutions Inc., MT Business Holdings Inc., MT Business Technologies Inc., MWB Copy Products Inc., Mail A Doc Limited, Merizon Group Incorporated, Michigan Office Solutions Inc., Minnesota Office Technology Group Inc., Mitral Systems Limited, Mr. Copy Inc., Nemo (AKS) Limited, NewField IT, NewField Information Technology LLC, NewField Information Technology Limited, Northeast Office Systems LLC, Osprey Business Systems Limited, PARC China Holdings Inc., Pacific Services and Development Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Platinum Digital Print Solutions Limited, Precision Copier Service Inc., Quality Business Systems Inc., Quilver Business Services Limited, R. K. Dixon Company, RRXH Limited, RRXIL Limited, RRXO Limited, RSA Medical, Rabbit Copiers Inc., Reflex Digital Solutions (UK) Limited, Reprographics Egypt Limited, Saxon Business Systems Inc., Smart Data Consulting, SoCal Office Technologies Inc., Stem Networks Limited, Stewart Business Systems LLC, Stewart of Alabama Inc., StrataCare, Talegen Holdings Inc., Tektronix - color printing, Text Comm Limited (in receivership), The Xerox (UK) Trust, The Xerox Foundation, Time Business Systems Limited, Triton Business Finance Limited, Una-Stem Limited, Veenman B.V., Veenman Financial Services B.V., WDS, WaterWare Internet Services, XC Asia LLC, XC Global Trading B.V., XC Trading Hong Kong Limited, XC Trading Japan G.K., XC Trading Korea YH, XC Trading Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., XC Trading Shenzhen Co. Ltd., XC Trading Singapore Pte Ltd., XEROX CZECH REPUBLIC s r.o., XESystems Foreign Sales Corporation, XFS Secured Borrowing 2020-1 LLC, XHC Acquisition Corp., XMPie, XMPie Inc., XMPie Ltd., XRI Limited, XRO Limited, Xerox (Europe) Limited, Xerox (Ireland) Limited, Xerox (Nederland) BV, Xerox (Romania) Echipmante Si Servici S.A., Xerox (UK) Limited, Xerox (Ukraine) Ltd LLC, Xerox A/S, Xerox AG, Xerox AS, Xerox Argentina Industrial y Comercial S.A., Xerox Austria GmbH, Xerox Bulgaria EOOD, Xerox Business Equipment Limited, Xerox Business Services Bulgaria EOOD, Xerox Business Solutions Inc., Xerox Business Solutions Southeast LLC, Xerox Buro Araclari Servis ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti, Xerox Canada Inc., Xerox Canada Ltd., Xerox Canada N.S. ULC, Xerox Capital (Europe) Limited, Xerox Capital LLC, Xerox Computer Services Limited, Xerox Comercio e Industria Ltda, Xerox Corporation, Xerox DNHC LLC, Xerox Dienstleistungsgesellschaft GmbH, Xerox Distributor Operations Limited, Xerox Egypt S.A.E., Xerox Equipment Limited, Xerox Equipment UK Limited, Xerox Espana S.A.U., Xerox Exports Limited, Xerox Finance AG, Xerox Finance Leasing S.A.E., Xerox Finance Limited, Xerox Financial Services B.V., Xerox Financial Services Belux NV, Xerox Financial Services Canada Ltd., Xerox Financial Services Danmark A/S, Xerox Financial Services Finland Oy, Xerox Financial Services LLC, Xerox Financial Services Norway AS, Xerox Financial Services SAS, Xerox Financial Services Sverige AB, Xerox Foreign Holdings LLC, Xerox Foreign Sales Corporation, Xerox GmbH, Xerox Health Care LLC, Xerox Hellas AEE, Xerox Holding Deutschland GmbH, Xerox Holdings (Ireland) Limited, Xerox Holdings Inc., Xerox Hungary Trading Limited, Xerox IBS Limited, Xerox IBS NI Limited, Xerox India Limited, Xerox International Joint Marketing Inc., Xerox Investments Europe B.V., Xerox Israel Ltd., Xerox Italia Rental Services Srl, Xerox Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Xerox Latinamerican Holdings Inc., Xerox Leasing Deutschland GmbH, Xerox Leasing GmbH, Xerox Limited, Xerox Luxembourg SA, Xerox Mailing Systems Limited, Xerox Manufacturing (Nederland) B.V., Xerox Maroc S.A., Xerox Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Xerox Middle East Investments (Bermuda) Limited, Xerox N.V., Xerox Overseas Holdings Limited, Xerox Overseas Inc., Xerox Oy, Xerox Pensions Limited, Xerox Polska Sp. z o. o, Xerox Portugal Equipamentos de Escritorio Limitada, Xerox Products Limited, Xerox Products UK Limited, Xerox Professional Services Limited, Xerox Realty Corporation, Xerox Renting S.A.U., Xerox Reprographische Services GmbH, Xerox S.A.S., Xerox S.p.A., Xerox Secured Borrowing 2020-1 LLC, Xerox Servicios Compartidos Guatemala y Compani Limitada, Xerox Servicos e Participacoes Ltda, Xerox Shared Services Romania SRL, Xerox Sverige AB, Xerox Technology Services India LLP, Xerox Technology Services SAS, Xerox Telebusiness GmbH, Xerox Trading Enterprises Limited, Xerox Trinidad Limited, Xerox UK Holdings Limited, Xerox XHB Limited, Xerox XIB Limited, Xerox Xf Holdings (Ireland) DAC, Xerox de Chile S.A., Xerox del Ecuador S.A., Xerox del Peru S.A., Zeno Office Solutions, Zeno Office Solutions Inc., Zoom Imaging Solutions Inc., and inVentiv Patient Access Solutions. Wall Street analysts have given Invesco CurrencyShares Singapore Dollar Trust a "N/A" rating, but there may be better buying opportunities in the stock market. Some of MarketBeat's past winning trading ideas have resulted in 5-15% weekly gains. MarketBeat just released five new stock ideas, but Invesco CurrencyShares Singapore Dollar Trust wasn't one of them. MarketBeat thinks these five companies may be even better buys. View MarketBeat's top stock picks here. Ad Resource Stock Digest New this week - 1,514 interested Could This Be the Biggest US Gold Discovery in Years? See how this tiny, unknown gold company secured a prime land package right next door to the worlds two largest gold producers in Nevadas famed Carlin Trend where 84 Million gold ounces have already been extracted. Best of all, investors can still get in well below US$0.50 per share. St Clair Option Extended Until 30 June 2019 Youanmi Gold Mine Update Perth, Jan 2, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Reference is made to the ASX release made by Venus Metals Corporation Limited ( ASX:VMC ) ("Venus") on 28 May 2018 in relation the 2 option agreements that enable Venus to purchase the historical Youanmi Gold Mine (MLs) and all associated infrastructure and the mine village.One of the options is with St Clair Resources Pty Ltd ("St Clair") which has brought forfeiture applications (or plaints) in the Warden's Court over the tenements. This option gives Venus the right to call upon St Clair to withdraw the forfeiture applications.Venus is pleased to advise that it has paid $50,000 to St Clair to extend the option period until 30 June 2019, which brings it in line with the option period under the other option, which is to purchase all the shares in Oz Youanmi Gold Pty Ltd.Venus additionally advises it has completed its due diligence and evaluation of the Youanmi Gold Mine and is currently assessing several different strategies/proposals for the potential settlement of the transaction by 30 June 2019.About Venus Metals Corporation Limited Venus Metals Corporation Limited (ASX:VMC) is a West Australian based Company with a focus on gold and base metals exploration. The Company aims to increase shareholder value through targeted exploration success on its projects. The Company's major gold project is the Youanmi Gold Mine, located 500km north east of Perth. The Youanmi Gold Mine is now jointly owned by Venus Metals (30%) and Rox Resources Limited (70%) (OYG JV); Indicated and Inferred Resources of the mine exceed 1.2 million ounces of gold. Exciting new discoveries at the Youanmi Gold Mine have been made at the Grace prospect in footwall granites where very high grades of free milling gold have been intersected, including 25m @34.7g/t Au from 143m (RXRC 287) and 13m @60.49 g/t from 181m (RXRC 239). The Grace Prospect may substantially add to the Youanmi Gold Mine resources. ICICI Bank Limited provides various banking products and financial services in India and internationally. It operates in Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, Treasury, and Others Banking segments. The company offers savings, salary, pension, current, and other accounts; and fixed, recurring, and security deposits. It also provides home, car, two wheeler, personal, gold, and commercial business loans, as well as loans against securities and other loans; business loans, such as working capital finance, term loans, collateral free loans, loans without financials, finance for importers and exporters, and secured loans for credit card swipes, as well as loans for new entities, and schools and colleges; and credit, debit, prepaid, travel, and corporate cards. In addition, the company offers insurance products; pockets wallet; fixed income products; investment products, such as mutual funds, gold monetization schemes, and initial public offerings, as well as other online investment services; and farmer finance, tractor loans, and micro banking services, as well as other services to agri traders and processors, and agri corporates. Further, it provides portfolio management, trade, foreign exchange, locker, private and NRI banking, and cash management services; family wealth and demat accounts; commercial and investment banking, capital market, custodial, project and technology finance, and institutional banking services, as well as Internet, mobile, and phone banking services. Additionally, the company offers securities investment, broking, trading, and underwriting services; and merchant banking, trusteeship, housing finance, and pension fund management services. As of March 31, 2020, it had a network of 5,324 branches, 15,688 ATMs, 1,638 insta-banking kiosks, 483,538 POS terminals, and 1,791 cash acceptance machines. ICICI Bank Limited was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India. Read More Greif, Inc. produces and sells industrial packaging products and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services; Paper Packaging & Services; Flexible Products & Services; and Land Management. The Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services segment offers rigid industrial packaging products, including steel, fiber, and plastic drums; rigid intermediate bulk containers; closure systems for industrial packaging products; transit protection products; water bottles, and remanufactured and reconditioned industrial containers; and services, such as container life cycle management, filling, logistics, warehousing, and other packaging services. This segment sells its products to customers in the chemicals, paints and pigments, food and beverage, petroleum, industrial coatings, agricultural, pharmaceutical and minerals, and other industries. The Paper Packaging & Services segment provides containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated containers, and other corrugated and specialty products to customers in the packaging, automotive, food, and building products markets. This segment's corrugated container products are used to ship various products, such as home appliances, small machinery, grocery products, automotive components, books, and furniture, as well as various other applications. The Flexible Products & Services segment offers flexible intermediate bulk containers comprising polypropylene-based woven fabric, as well as related services to the agricultural, food, and other industries. The Land Management segment engages in harvesting and regeneration of timber properties; and sale of timberland and special use land. As of October 31, 2020, this segment owned approximately 244,000 acres of timber property in the southeastern United States. The company was formerly known as Greif Bros. Corporation and changed its name to Greif, Inc. in 2001. Greif, Inc. was founded in 1877 and is based in Delaware, Ohio. Read More Enzo Biochem, Inc., an integrated diagnostics, clinical lab, and life sciences company, researches, develops, manufactures, and markets diagnostic and research products based on genetic engineering, biotechnology, and molecular biology. It operates through three segments: Products, Clinical Services, and Therapeutics. The Products segment develops, manufactures, and markets products and tools to clinical research, drug development, and bioscience research customers. It offers proteins, antibodies, peptides, small molecules, labeling probes, dyes, and kits, which provide life science researchers tools for target identification/validation, content analysis, gene expression analysis, nucleic acid detection, protein biochemistry and detection, and cellular analysis. This segment provides its products to scientific experts in the fields of cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, diabetes and obesity, endocrine disorders, infectious and autoimmune disease, hepatotoxicity, and renal injury. The Clinical Services segment provides routine and esoteric clinical laboratory tests or procedures used in general patient care by physicians to establish or support a diagnosis, monitor treatment or medication, or search for an otherwise undiagnosed condition. It operates a full-service clinical laboratory in Farmingdale, New York; a network of 34 patient service centers in New York and New Jersey; and a free-standing A'STAT' or rapid response laboratories in New York City and Connecticut, as well as a full-service phlebotomy center and an in-house logistics department. The Therapeutics segment develops novel approaches in the areas of gastrointestinal, infectious, ophthalmic, and metabolic diseases. The company markets its products and services through its direct sales force and a network of distributors in the United States and internationally. Enzo Biochem, Inc. was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Read More 40 minutes ago | June 14th, 2021 7:57 AM Rough road goes on for Lordstown Motors; CEO and CFO are out Lordstown Motors CEO Steve Burns and Chief Financial Officer Julio Rodriguez have resigned from the startup commercial electric vehicle maker. Shares tumbled more than 11% before the opening bell. The announcement Monday comes less than a week after Lordstown cautioned that it may not be in business a year from now as it tries to secure funding to start full production of an electric pickup truck. We have arrived at the end of our little adventure, which has come to be known as The Little Big Year. It ended with little fan fare; in fact I did not even go chasing birds on the last two days of 2018, as I am just plain tired. Not of the birds, but the seemingly endless early mornings, rarely sleeping in my own bed, and the pressure, mostly self imposed, to find yet one more bird. For a good portion of the year, it became a numbers game, and my pure enjoyment of the birds for what they are, went away. When we returned to Tucson, from the Bahamas, I was approaching a milestone number, 1300 bird species, and drove myself hard, climbing, hiking, searching, and driving all over the state of Arizona looking for those last eight birds. A few nights ago, I sat out in a light snow/rain mix, in the pitch black of Madera Canyon, trying to find a Whiskered Screech Owl. By 7:30, two of the owls starting calling back and forth across the small ravine, and I had my 1300th bird! With four days to go in 2018, why not try for a few more, right? There had been reports of a couple of real rarities up in Florida ( pronounced Flor-ee-da) Canyon, just to the north of Madera Canyon, so I was up at o-dark thirty the very next day after getting the owls. I had already gotten the Winter Wren up there, as bird number 1299. I was more than willing to make the hour long drive in order to hike up the canyon, in the newly fallen snow, looking for a warbler. Not just any warbler mind you, but a Rufous-capped Warbler. I was joined by a young man named Matthew Jensen, whom I had met the day before. Matt was working on his own US Big Year, and wanted to join me for the hunt. Like any ultra rare bird that pops up, we would not be alone up there looking for the bird. In fact there were 5 of us total, all willing to make the hike up this snow filled canyon to find this bird. I dont really know if it was the relief from the pressure of the numbers game, the beautiful morning hike, Matts fresh energy, or finding that amazing warbler, but somewhere in the day, birds became fun again. We had to get down off the mountain to try to get Matt his first ever Blue-throated Hummingbird (Which can be seen at the top of this story), that had been hanging around the Santa Rita Lodge, over in Madera Canyon, or I might have just sat there up in that cold snowy canyon, looking at the wonderful different species that had gathered in the small little valley all day. Here is a picture of that beautiful Rufous-capped Warbler. So, it is with a fresh mind, slightly exhausted body, and a renewed sense of love for our avian friends that I will start all over again here 2019. I just dont see us doing anything even close to what 2018 turned out to be, but I guess you just never know. The last few days my wife Jeanne has helped me put together some of the numbers of our Little Big Year. So below is what the year looked, by the numbers: Total Number of Little Big Year Species: 1302 Overall World Ranking as per eBird.com 79th Here are the bird species numbers by country: USA Total: 361 New Zealand Total: 104 Australia Total: 242 South Africa Total: 219 Qatar Totals: 9 Scotland Totals: 106 Wales Totals: 37 England Totals: 71 Mexico Totals: 238 Costa Rica Totals: 351 Bahamas Totals: 58 Here are a few more fun facts: Total number of countries: 10 Total air miles: 56,336 Total driving miles: 25,787 (on both sides of the road) Total number of flights: 22 Total number of photos taken: 77,986 Total number of RVs rented: 5 Total number of Air BnBs rented: 17 Total number of hotels/motels: 6 Total number of rental cars: 6 Total number of ferry/boat trips: 24 It wouldnt take much imagination to comprehend the amount of work that it takes to put together a year of this magnitude, and to navigate thru 10 different countries with all the challenges that each one offers. There are no words to explain how much my lovely wife Jeanne did for me this last year. It just would not have been possible with our her determination, organization, foreign language skills, money management, incredible bird spotting ability (even at 70+ MPH) and her moral support that kept me going when I was at my most tired. We have always lived our lives with the motto Live in the moment, because who promised you tomorrow and there is no question in my mind, that this year epitomizes that perfectly! Thank you Jeanne, I love you. I would be remiss in wrapping this up, without acknowledging the many, many people who were instrumental in help along the way. I hope that I do not forget somebody, but if I do, please know that I will be forever grateful for your help. Corey Finger and Mike Bergin, and the other writers at 10000Birds.com have offered help and support throughout the year. I want to especially thank Simon Tickle, Duncan Wright, Clare and Grant Morton, Patrick ODonnell, and Jason Crotty, who all went out of their way to provide the latest in news, guides, and where to find birds! The following list of talented individuals, all played a huge part in the way this year turned out. If they have a professional service or site, I have listed some information for it behind their name. Giles Daubney Melbourne Australia Murray Hunt Daintree River Guide Caines, Australia Boatman@daintreerivertours.com.au Nick Coetzee South Africa Phumula Kruger Lodge info@ phumulakruger.co.za, South Africa Carol and Livia Doha, Qatar Marty St Louis Manager at Summer Lake NWR, Summer Lake Oregon Alison MacLenna with the RSPB Isle of Skye John OGroats Ferry Boat Wildlife Tours Scotland Jonnie at the Spurn National Wildlife Refuge, England accommodations.spurnbirdsobs@hotmail.com Loree Johnson, Malheur NWR www.loreejohson.com Tom and Connie Unsicker at Estero Llano State Park in Texas John Yochum at Estero Llano State Park in Texas Mark and Joanie Hubinger at Santa Anna NWR in Texas John Brush in Alamo Texas Jean and Gary Siesener in Tucson, Az Deborah Kaechele in Tucson, Az Susana Blanco Susana.cotinga@gmail.com Birding BNB coordinator in Costa Rica Chris Fischer World Birder, Costa Rica and US Jorge at the Paraiso Quetzal lodge, Costa Rica info@quetzalsparaiso.com Bosque Tolomuco, Costa Rica bosquetolomucolodge@gmail.com Geiner Huertas Reyes, Bird Guide costaricasbestchocolate@yahoo.com Abner at the Haliconias Skybridges, Biagua , Costa Rica Andres Chinchilla Guide at Alexander Skutch Bird Sanctuary, Costa Rica Franklin Javier Sanchez Reyes Guide at Carara NWR, Tarcoles, Costa Rica Serge Arias Casa Tangara Dowii Reserve, Costa Rica Carolyn Wardel, Bahamas Bird Guide Carolyn.w.bahamas@gmail.com Again, I apologize if I have missed somebody. Next Wednesday, I will post a story with my favorite birds of the year. With over 1300, it is a daunting task just to look at all the pictures, let alone narrow it down to 10 or 12, but I will see what I can do. Last but not least, I want to thank everybody who has followed along with my little adventure this year. I appreciate your comments, praise, and notes when I screwed up an identification. I hope you all have a wonderful New Year, filled with good health, happiness and lots of new birds! You will have to check back next week to see if this Blue-gray Tanager makes the cut for my favorite birds of 2018!! The following companies are subsidiares of BP: 200 PS Overseas Holdings Inc., 563916 Alberta Ltd., ACP (Malaysia) Inc., AE Cedar Creek Holdings LLC, AE Goshen II Holdings LLC, AE Goshen II Wind Farm LLC, AE Power Services LLC, AE Wind PartsCo LLC, AM/PM International Inc., ARCO, ARCO British International, ARCO British Limited, ARCO Coal Australia Inc., ARCO El-Djazair Holdings Inc., ARCO Environmental Remediation L.L.C., ARCO Exploration Inc., ARCO Gaviota Company, ARCO International Investments Inc., ARCO International Services Inc., ARCO Midcon LLC, ARCO Oil Company Nigeria Unlimited, ARCO Oman Inc, ARCO Resources Limited, ARCO Trinidad Exploration and Production Company Limited, ARCO Unimar Holdings LLC, Actomat B.V., Advance Petroleum Holdings Pty Ltd, Advance Petroleum Pty Ltd, Air BP Albania SHA, Air BP Brasil Ltda., Air BP Canada LLC, Air BP Croatia d.o.o., Air BP Finland Oy, Air BP Iceland, Air BP Limited, Air BP Norway AS, Air BP Sales Romania S.R.L., Air BP Sweden AB, Air Refuel Pty Ltd, Allgreen Pty Ltd, AmProp Finance Company, American Oil Company, Amoco (Fiddich) Limited, Amoco (U.K.) Exploration Company LLC., Amoco Bolivia Petroleum Company, Amoco Bolivia Services Company Inc., Amoco Canada International Holdings B.V., Amoco Capline Pipeline Company, Amoco Chemical (Europe) S.A., Amoco Chemicals (FSC) B.V., Amoco Cypress Pipeline Company, Amoco Destin Pipeline Company, Amoco Environmental Services Company, Amoco Exploration Holdings B.V., Amoco Guatemala Petroleum Company, Amoco International Finance Corporation, Amoco International Petroleum Company, Amoco Leasing Corporation, Amoco Louisiana Fractionator Company, Amoco MB Fractionation Company, Amoco MBF Company, Amoco Main Pass Gathering Company, Amoco Marketing Environmental Services Company, Amoco Netherlands Petroleum Company, Amoco Nigeria Exploration Company Limited, Amoco Nigeria Oil Company Limited, Amoco Nigeria Petroleum Company, Amoco Nigeria Petroleum Company Limited, Amoco Norway Oil Company, Amoco Oil Holding Company, Amoco Olefins Corporation, Amoco Overseas Exploration Company, Amoco Pipeline Asset Company, Amoco Pipeline Holding Company, Amoco Properties Incorporated, Amoco Remediation Management Services Corporation, Amoco Research Operating Company, Amoco Rio Grande Pipeline Company, Amoco Somalia Petroleum Company, Amoco Sulfur Recovery Company, Amoco Tri-States NGL Pipeline Company, Amoco Trinidad Gas B.V., Amoco U.K. Petroleum Limited, Amprop Illinois I Limited, Amprop Inc., Anaconda Arizona Inc., Arabian Production And Marketing Lubricants, Aral Aktiengesellschaft, Aral Luxembourg S.A., Aral Services Luxembourg Sarl, Aral Tankstellen Services Sarl, Arco Mediterraneo Inversiones S.L., Areas Noriega S.L., Areas Singulares Reyes S.L., Aspac Lubricants (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Atlantic 2/3 UK Holdings Limited, Atlantic Richfield Company, Atlantic Richfield Companyd, Autino Holdings Limited, Autino Limited, Auwahi Wind Energy Holdings LLC, B2Mobility GmbH, BASS Management Pty Ltd, BP (Abu Dhabi) Limited, BP (Barbados) Holding SRL, BP (Barbican) Limited, BP (China) Holdings Limited, BP (China) Industrial Lubricants Limited, BP (GTA Mauritania) Finance Limited, BP (GTA Senegal) Finance Limited, BP (Gibraltar) Limited, BP (Guangzhou) Advanced Mobility Limited, BP (Hunan) Petroleum Company Limited, BP (Indian Agencies) Limited, BP (Shandong) Petroleum Co. Ltd, BP (Shanghai) Trading Limited, BP - Castrol (Thailand) Limited, BP AMI Leasing Inc., BP Absheron Limited, BP Advanced Mobility Limited, BP Africa Limited, BP Africa Oil Limited, BP Akaryakit Ortakligi, BP Alaska LNG LLC, BP Alternative Energy Holdings Limited, BP Alternative Energy Investments Limited, BP Alternative Energy North America Inc., BP Alternative Energy Trinidad and Tobago Limited, BP America Chembel Holding LLC, BP America Chemicals Company, BP America Foreign Investments Inc., BP America Inc, BP America Inc., BP America Limited, BP America Production Company, BP Amoco Chemical Company, BP Amoco Chemical Holding Company, BP Amoco Chemical Indonesia Limited, BP Amoco Chemical Malaysia Holding Company, BP Amoco Exploration (Faroes) Limited, BP Amoco Exploration (In Amenas) Limited, BP Andaman II Ltd, BP Angola (Block 18) B.V., BP Argentina Exploration Company, BP Argentina Holdings LLC, BP Aromatics Holdings Limited, BP Aromatics Limited, BP Asia Limited, BP Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., BP Asia Pacific Holdings Limited, BP Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, BP Australia Capital Markets Limited, BP Australia Employee Share Plan Proprietary Limited, BP Australia Group Pty Ltde, BP Australia Investments Pty Ltd, BP Australia Nominees Proprietary Limited, BP Australia Pty Ltd, BP Australia Shipping Pty Ltd, BP Australia Swaps Management Limited, BP Aviation A/S, BP Benevolent Fund Trustees Limited, BP Berau Ltd., BP Biocombustiveis S.A., BP Bioenergia Campina Verde Ltda., BP Bioenergia Ituiutaba Ltda., BP Bioenergia Itumbiara S.A., BP Bioenergia Tropical S.A., BP Biofuels Advanced Technology Inc., BP Biofuels Brazil Investments Limited, BP Biofuels Louisiana LLC, BP Biofuels North America LLC, BP Biofuels Trading Comercio Exportacao Ltda., BP Bomberai Ltd., BP Brasil Ltda., BP Brazil Tracking L.L.C., BP Bulwer Island Pty Ltd, BP Business Service Centre Asia Sdn Bhd, BP Business Service Centre KFT, BP CIV Pty Ltd, BP Canada Energy Development Company, BP Canada Energy Group ULC, BP Canada Energy Marketing Corp., BP Canada International Holdings B.V., BP Canada Investments Inc., BP Capellen Sarl, BP Capital Markets, BP Capital Markets America, BP Capital Markets America Inc., BP Capital Markets p.l.c., BP Car Fleet Limited, BP Caribbean Company, BP Castrol KK, BP Castrol Lubricants (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., BP Central Pipelines LLC, BP Chembel, BP Chemicals (Korea) Limited, BP Chemicals East China Investments Limited, BP Chemicals Investments Limited, BP Chemicals Limited, BP China Exploration and Production Company, BP Comercializadora de Energia Ltda., BP Commodities Trading Limited, BP Commodity Supply B.V., BP Company North America, BP Company North America Inc., BP Containment Response Limited, BP Containment Response System Holdings LLC, BP Continental Holdings Limited, BP Corporate Holdings, BP Corporate Holdings Limited, BP Corporation North America, BP Corporation North America Inc., BP D-B Pipeline Company LLC, BP D230 Limited, BP Danmark A/S, BP Developments Australia Pty. Ltd., BP Dogal Gaz Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, BP East Kalimantan CBM Limited, BP Eastern Mediterranean Limited, BP Egypt Company, BP Egypt East Delta Marine Corporation, BP Egypt East Tanka B.V., BP Egypt Production B.V., BP Egypt Ras El Barr B.V., BP Egypt West Mediterranean (Block B) B.V., BP Energy Asia Pte. Limited, BP Energy Colombia Limited, BP Energy Company, BP Energy Europe Limited, BP Energy Solutions B.V., BP Energy do Brasil Ltda., BP Energia Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., BP Espana S.A. Unipersonal, BP Estaciones y Servicios Energeticos Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, BP Europa SE, BP Exploracion de Venezuela S.A., BP Exploration & Production Inc., BP Exploration (Absheron) Limited, BP Exploration (Alaska), BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., BP Exploration (Algeria) Limited, BP Exploration (Alpha), BP Exploration (Alpha) Limited, BP Exploration (Angola), BP Exploration (Angola) Limited, BP Exploration (Azerbaijan), BP Exploration (Azerbaijan) Limited, BP Exploration (Canada) Limited, BP Exploration (Caspian Sea), BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Limited, BP Exploration (D230) Limited, BP Exploration (Delta), BP Exploration (Delta) Limited, BP Exploration (El Djazair) Limited, BP Exploration (Epsilon) Limited, BP Exploration (Gambia) Limited, BP Exploration (Greenland) Limited, BP Exploration (Madagascar) Limited, BP Exploration (Morocco) Limited, BP Exploration (Namibia) Limited, BP Exploration (Nigeria Finance) Limited, BP Exploration (Nigeria) Limited, BP Exploration (Psi) Limited, BP Exploration (STP) Limited, BP Exploration (Shafag-Asiman) Limited, BP Exploration (Shah Deniz) Limited, BP Exploration (South Atlantic) Limited, BP Exploration (Xazar) Pte. Ltd., BP Exploration Angola (Kwanza Benguela) Limited, BP Exploration Argentina Limited, BP Exploration Australia Pty Ltd Level 15, BP Exploration Beta Limited, BP Exploration China Limited, BP Exploration Company (Middle East) Limited, BP Exploration Company Limited, BP Exploration Indonesia Limited, BP Exploration Libya Limited, BP Exploration Mexico Limited, BP Exploration Mexico S.A. De C.V., BP Exploration North Africa Limited, BP Exploration Operating Company, BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, BP Exploration Orinoco Limited, BP Exploration Personnel Company Limited, BP Exploration Peru Limited, BP Express Shopping Limited, BP Finance Australia Pty Ltd, BP Finance p.l.c., BP Foundation Incorporated, BP France, BP Fuels & Lubricants AS, BP Fuels Deutschland GmbH, BP GOM Logistics LLC, BP Gas & Power Investments Limited, BP Gas Europe S.A.U., BP Gas Marketing Limited, BP Gas Supply (Angola) LLC, BP Ghana Limited, BP Global Investments, BP Global Investments Limited, BP Global Investments Salalah & Co LLC, BP Global West Africa Limited, BP Greece Limited, BP Guangdong Limited, BP High Density Polyethylene - France, BP Holdings (Thailand) Limited, BP Holdings B.V., BP Holdings Canada, BP Holdings Canada Limited, BP Holdings International B.V., BP Holdings North America, BP Holdings North America Limited, BP Hong Kong Limited, BP India Private Limited, BP Indonesia Investment Limited, BP International, BP International Limited, BP International Services Company, BP Investment Management Limited, BP Investments Asia Limited, BP Iran Limited, BP Iraq N.V., BP Italia SpA, BP Japan K.K., BP Korea Limited, BP Kuwait Limited, BP LNG Shipping Limited, BP Latin America LLC, BP Latin America Upstream Services Inc., BP Lubricants KK, BP Lubricants USA Inc., BP Luxembourg S.A., BP Malaysia Holdings Sdn. Bhd., BP Management International B.V., BP Management Netherlands B.V., BP Marine Limited, BP Mariner Holding Company LLC, BP Maritime Services (Singapore) Pte. Limited, BP Marketing Egypt LLC, BP Mauritania Investments Limited, BP Mauritius Limited (in liquidation), BP Middle East Enterprises Corporation, BP Middle East LLC, BP Middle East Limited, BP Midstream Partners GP LLC, BP Midstream Partners Holdings LLC, BP Midstream Partners LP, BP Midwest Product Pipelines Holdings LLC, BP Mocambique Limitada, BP Mocambique Limited, BP Muturi Holdings B.V., BP Nederland Holdings BV, BP Netherlands Upstream B.V., BP New Ventures Middle East Limited, BP New Zealand Holdings Limited, BP New Zealand Share Scheme Limited, BP Nutrition Inc., BP Offshore Gathering Systems Inc., BP Offshore Pipelines Company LLC, BP Offshore Response Company LLC, BP Oil (Thailand) Limited, BP Oil Australia Pty Ltd, BP Oil Espana S.A., BP Oil Hellenic S.A., BP Oil International, BP Oil International Limited, BP Oil Kent Refinery Limited (in liquidation), BP Oil Llandarcy Refinery Limited, BP Oil Logistics UK Limited, BP Oil New Zealand Limited, BP Oil Pipeline Company, BP Oil Senegal S.A., BP Oil Shipping Company, BP Oil UK Limited, BP Oil Venezuela Limited, BP Oil Vietnam Limited, BP Oil Yemen Limited, BP Olex Fanal Mineralol GmbH, BP One Pipeline Company LLC, BP Pacific Investments Ltd, BP Pakistan (Badin) Inc., BP Pakistan Exploration and Production Inc., BP Pension Escrow Limited, BP Pension Trustees Limited, BP Pensions (Overseas) Limited, BP Pensions Limited, BP Petrochemicals India Investments Limited, BP Petroleo y Gas S.A., BP Petrolleri Anonim Sirketi, BP Pipelines (Alaska) Inc., BP Pipelines (BTC) Limited, BP Pipelines (North America) Inc., BP Pipelines (SCP) Limited, BP Pipelines (TANAP) Limited, BP Pipelines TAP Limited, BP Polska Services Sp. z o.o. Ul., BP Portugal -Comercio de Combustiveis e Lubrificantes SA, BP Poseidon Limited, BP Products North America, BP Products North America Inc., BP Properties Limited, BP Raffinaderij Rotterdam B.V., BP Refinery (Kwinana) Proprietary Limited, BP Regional Australasia Holdings Pty Ltd, BP River Rouge Pipeline Company LLC, BP Russian Investments Limited, BP Russian Ventures Limited, BP SC Holdings LLC, BP Scale Up Factory Limited, BP Senegal Investments Limited, BP Services International Limited, BP Servicios de Combustibles S.A. de C.V., BP Servicios territoriales S.A., BP Shafag-Asiman Limited, BP Shipping Limited, BP Singapore Pte. Limited, BP Solar Energy North America LLC, BP Solar Espana S.A., BP Solar International Inc., BP Solar Pty Ltd, BP South America Holdings Ltd, BP Southern Africa Proprietary Limited, BP Southern Cone Company, BP Subsea Well Response (Brazil) Limited, BP Subsea Well Response Limited, BP Taiwan Marketing Limited, BP Technology Ventures Inc., BP Technology Ventures Limited, BP Train 2/3 Holding SRL, BP Transportation (Alaska) Inc., BP Trinidad Processing Limited, BP Trinidad and Tobago, BP Trinidad and Tobago LLC, BP Turkey Refining Limited, BP Two Pipeline Company LLC, BP UK Retained Holdings Limited, BP Venezuela Investments B.V., BP West Aru I Limited, BP West Aru II Limited, BP West Papua I Limited, BP West Papua III Limited, BP Wind Energy North America Inc., BP Wiriagar Ltd., BP World-Wide Technical Services Limited, BP Zhuhai Chemical Company Limited, BP+Amoco International Limited, BP-AIOC Exploration (TISA) LLC, BPA Investment Holding Company, BPNE International B.V., BPRY Caribbean Ventures LLC, BPX (Eagle Ford) Gathering LLC, BPX (KCS Resources) LLC, BPX (Karnes) Gathering LLC, BPX (Permian) Gathering LLC, BPX (WSF Operating) Inc., BPX Energy Inc., BPX Midstream LLC, BPX Operating Company, BPX Production Company, BPX Properties (GP) LLC, BPX Properties (LP) LLC, BPX Properties (NA) LP, BTC Pipeline Holding Company Limited, BXL Plastics Limitedv, Bahia de Bizkaia Electridad S.L., Baltimore Ennis Land Company Inc., Black Lake Pipe Line Company, Brian Jasper Nominees Pty Ltd, Britannic Energy Trading Limited, Britannic Investments Iraq Limited, Britannic Marketing Limited, Britannic Strategies Limited, Britannic Trading Limited, Britoil Limited, Burmah Castrol, Burmah Castrol Australia Pty Ltd, Burmah Castrol Holdings Inc., Burmah Castrol PLC, Burmah Castrol South Africa (Pty) Limited, Burmah Chile SpA, Butamax Advanced Biofuels, CASTROL Austria GmbHb, CH-Twenty Inc., CNAA, Cadman DBP Limited, Casitas Pipeline Company, Castrol (China) Limited, Castrol (Ireland) Limited, Castrol (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Castrol (Shenzhen) Company Limited, Castrol (Tianjin) Lubricants Co. Ltd., Castrol (U.K.) Limited, Castrol Australia Pty. Limited, Castrol B.V., Castrol BP Petco Limited Liability Company, Castrol Brasil Ltda., Castrol Caribbean & Central America Inc., Castrol Colombia Ltda., Castrol Del Peru S.A., Castrol Egypt Lubricants S.A.E., Castrol India Limited, Castrol Industrie und Service GmbH, Castrol KK, Castrol Limited, Castrol Lubricants RO S.R.L, Castrol Mexico S.A., Castrol Namibia (Pty) Limited, Castrol Offshore Limited, Castrol Pakistan (Private) Limited, Castrol Philippines Inc., Castrol Servicos Ltda., Castrol Ukraine LLC, Castrol Zimbabwe (Private) Limited, Centrel Pty Ltd, Charge Your Car Limitedc, Chargemaster, Chargemaster (Europe) GmbH, Chargemaster Limited, Charging Solutions Limited, Clarisse Holdings Pty Ltd, Coastwise Trading Company Inc., Consolidada de Energia y Lubricantes (CENERLUB) C.A., Conti Cross Keys Inn Inc., Coro Trading NZ Limited, Cuyama Pipeline Company, DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH, Dermody Developments Pty Ltd, Dermody Holdings Pty Ltd, Dermody Investments Pty Ltd, Dermody Petroleum Pty. Ltd., Dome Beaufort Petroleum Limited, Dome Wallis (1980) Limited Partnership, ECM Markets SA (Pty) Ltd, Elektromotive Limited, Elite Customer Solutions Pty Ltd, Elm Holdings Inc., Energy Global Investments (USA) Inc., Enstar LLC, Estacion de Servicio Alto Campoo S.L., Estacion de Servicio Ganzo 10 S.L., Estacion de Servicio Reocin 9 S.L., Estacion de Servicio Santillana II S.L., Estacion de Servicio Sardinero S.L., Estonian Aviation Fuelling Services, Europa Oil NZ Limited, Exomet Inc., Expandite Contract Services Limited, Exploration (Luderitz Basin) Limited, Exploration Service Company Limited, FWK (2017) Limited, FWK Holdings (2017) LTD, Finite Carbon, Flat Ridge 2 Holdings LLC, Flat Ridge Wind Energy LLC, Foseco Holding Inc., Foseco Holding International B.V., Foseco Inc., Fosroc Expandite Limited, Fotech Solutions Ltd, Fowler Ridge Holdings LLC, Fowler Ridge I Land Investments LLC, Fowler Ridge II Holdings LLC, Fowler Ridge III Wind Farm LLC, FreeBees B.V., Fuel & Retail Aviat ion Sweden AB, Fuelplane- Sociedade Abastecedora De Aeronaves Unipessoal Lda, GOAM 1 C.I S. A .S, Gardena Holdings Inc., Gelsenkirchen Raffinerie Netz GmbH, Grampian Aviation Fuelling Services Limited, Guangdong Investments Limited, Highlands Ethanol LLC, Hosteleria Noriega S.L., IGI Resources Inc., Insight Analytics Solutions Holdings Limited, Insight Analytics Solutions Limited, Insight Analytics Solutions USA Inc., International Bunker Supplies Pty Ltd, Iraq Petroleum Company Limited, Jupiter Insurance Limited, Ken-Chas Reserve Company, Kenilworth Oil Company Limited, Kingbook Inversiones Socimi S.A., Latin Energy Argentina S.A., Lebanese Aviation Technical Services S.A.L., Limited Liability Company BP Toplivnaya Kompania, Limited liability company Setra Lubricants, Lubricants UK Limited, Lytt Limited, Manormaker (Nominee No. 1) Limited, Manormaker (Nominee No. 2) Limited, Manormaker GP Limited (99.90%) 11 Black Horse Lane, Mardi Gras Transportation System Company LLC, Markoil S.A., Masana Petroleum Solutions (Pty) Ltd, Mayaro Initiative for Private Enterprise Development, Mehoopany Holdings LLC, Mes Tecnologia En Servicios Y Energia S.A., Minza Pty. Ltd., Mountain City Remediation LLC, No. 1 Riverside Quay Proprietary Limited, Nordic Lubricants A/S, Nordic Lubricants AB, North America Funding Company, OMD87 Inc., OOO BP STL, Omega Oil Company, OnSight Analytics Solutions India Private Ltd., Orion Delaware Mountain Wind Farm LP, Orion Energy Holdings LLC, Orion Energy L.L.C.b, Orion Post Land Investments LLC, Oyambre 1 S.L., PRODUITS METALLURGIE DOITTAU, PT BP Petrochemicals, PT Castrol Indonesia, PT Castrol Manufacturing Indonesia, PT Jasatama Petroindo, Pacroy (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Peaks America Inc., Pearl River Delta Investments Limited, Petrocorner Retail S.L.U., Phoenix Petroleum Services Limited, Pozuelo 4 S.L., Prospect International C.A. (In liquidation), Puente Arce 4 S.L., Remediation Management Services Company, Richfield Oil Corporation, Rio Corvo 2 S.L., Rolling Thunder I Power Partners LLC, Romax Insight Korea Ltd., Ropemaker Deansgate Limited, Ropemaker Properties Limited, Ruhr Oel GmbH, Rusdene GSS Limited, SOFAST Limited, SRHP, Saturn Insurance Inc., Sherbino I Holdings LLC, Sherbino Mesa I Land Investments LLC, Sociedade de Promocao Imobiliaria Quinta do Loureiro SA, Societe de Gestion de Depots d'Hydrocarbures - GDH, South Texas Shale LLC, Southeast Texas Biofuels LLC, Southern Ridge Pipeline Holding Company, Southern Ridge Pipeline LP LLC, Sp/f Decision3 (GreenSteam) Company, Standard Oil Company, Standard Oil Company Inc., Standard Oil of Ohio, Stryde Limited, Sunrise Oil Sands Partnership, TISA Education Complex LLC, TJKK, Taradadis Pty. Ltd., Telcom General Corporation, Terre de Grace Partnership, The Anaconda Company, The BP Share Plans Trustees Limited, The Burmah Oil Company (Pakistan Trading) Limited, The Standard Oil Company, Toledo Refinery Holding Company LLC, Torrelavega 7 S.L., Union Texas International Corporation, Vastar Pipeline LLC, Veba Oel AG Veba Oel, Verenium, Viceroy Investments Limited, Villacarriedo 8 S.L., Warrenville Development Limited, Water Way Trading and Petroleum Services LLC, Welchem Inc., West Kimberley Fuels Pty Ltd, Westlake Houston Development LLC, Whiting Clean Energy Inc., Windpark Energy Nederland B.V., and Winwell Resources L.L.C. 56 minutes ago | June 14th, 2021 7:57 AM Rough road goes on for Lordstown Motors; CEO and CFO are out Lordstown Motors CEO Steve Burns and Chief Financial Officer Julio Rodriguez have resigned from the startup commercial electric vehicle maker. Shares tumbled more than 11% before the opening bell. The announcement Monday comes less than a week after Lordstown cautioned that it may not be in business a year from now as it tries to secure funding to start full production of an electric pickup truck. AstraZeneca PLC discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines in the areas of oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism, respiratory, infection, neuroscience, and gastroenterology worldwide. The company's marketed products include Tagrisso, Lynparza, Imfinzi, Enhertu, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Equidacent, Zoladex, Faslodex, Iressa, Arimidex, Casodex/Cosudex, and others for oncology diseases; Onglyza, Bydureon, Lokelma, Byetta, Qtern, Symlin, and others for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; and Symbicort, Pulmicort, Fasenra, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir, Tudorza/Eklira, Bevespi, Breztri, Anifrolumab, and others for respiratory and immunology diseases. It also offers other medicines and COVID-19 products, including Synagis, Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent, Seroquel IR/Seroquel XR, Vimovo, Movantik/Moventig, Nexium, Losec/Prilosec, and COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. The company serves primary care and specialty care physicians through distributors and local representative offices. It has a collaboration agreement with Daiichi Sankyo to develop and commercialize DS-1062 for the treatment of trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2) tumor; AliveCor, Inc. to develop non-invasive potassium monitoring solutions; Massachusetts General Hospital to accelerate digital health solutions; Sanguina on smartphone application study for hemoglobin management in patients with anemia of chronic kidney disease; Alchemab to enhance prostate cancer research; and Proteros biostructures GmbH to discover and develop novel small molecules for the treatment of various types of cancer. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom. Read More Global Partners LP engages in the purchasing, selling, gathering, blending, storing, and logistics of transporting gasoline and gasoline blendstocks, distillates, residual oil, renewable fuels, crude oil, and propane to wholesalers, retailers, and commercial customers in the New England states and New York. The company is also involved in the transportation of petroleum products and renewable fuels through rail from the mid-continent region of the United States and Canada. Its Wholesale segment sells home heating oil, branded and unbranded gasoline and gasoline blendstocks, diesel, kerosene, residual oil, and propane to home heating oil and propane retailers, and wholesale distributors. It also aggregates crude oil through truck or pipeline in the mid-continent region of the United States and Canada, as well as transports it through rail and ships it through barge to refiners. The company's Gasoline Distribution and Station Operations segment sells branded and unbranded gasoline to gasoline station operators and sub-jobbers; operates gasoline stations and convenience stores; and provides car wash, lottery, and ATM services, as well as leases gasoline stations. Its Commercial segment sells and delivers unbranded gasoline, home heating oil, diesel, kerosene, residual oil, and bunker fuel to end user customers in the public sector, as well as to commercial and industrial end users; and sells custom blended fuels. As of December 31, 2020, the company had a portfolio of 1,548 owned, leased, and/or supplied gasoline stations, which included 277 directly operated convenience stores; and owned, leased, or maintained storage facilities at 25 bulk terminals with a collective storage capacity of 11.8 million barrels. Global GP LLC serves as the general partner of the company. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is based in Waltham, Massachusetts. Read More The Wetzel County Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Wetzel County) is starting a new concert series in conjunction with the Back Home Appalachian Arts & Music Festival. Organizers started such an endeavor last year, but this year the budget has increased, and Visit Wetzel County is excited about its scheduled upcoming talent. The concert series begins on Jan. 11 at the Lincoln Theater and will feature Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper. Cleveland, a member of the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame, and Flamekeeper will also be playing at the Back Home Festival as well. According to broadwayworld.com, In the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards 29-year history, Cleveland is the most-awarded Fiddle Player of the Year. He picked up his first Fiddle Player of the Year award in 2001 and has now won it a total of 11 times. According to flamekeeperband.com, Cleveland picked up the fiddle at age four, and in 1993, he was chosen to be part of the Bluegrass Youth All Stars at the IBMAs award show. That same year, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut as a guest of Allison Krauss. Nathan Livers takes care of vocal/mandolin duties for Flamekeeper. Livers was inspired by Bill Monroes mandolin style and picked up the instrument at the age of 10. He has played in bands such as The Get Down Bluegrass Boys with Michael Cleveland, Charlie Lawson, & Oak Hill, Gary Brewer & the Kentucky Ramblers, Tony Holt & the Wildwood Valley Boys, and a Louisville-based bluegrass band, Storefront Congregation, that featured Livers songwriting on its 2011 release Kaleidoscope. Flamekeeper member Tyler Griffith is responsible for vocals and bass. Griffith comes from a musical family and plays guitar, mandolin, trumpet, and piano. He has played for several regional bands, including Vicki & Crew, Penn Central, and Grand Central. Josh Richards takes care of vocals/guitar for the Flamekeeper band. Richards was taught to play and sing bluegrass by his father and brother. Richards has played in several bands, including the Farewell Drifters, Old Louisville Express, and Blue River (2008 Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America band contest winners). Jasiah Shrode plays banjo for Flamekeeper. He developed an interest in music at a young age and began learning several instruments age 11. Since 2009, he has been a member of Jim Orchard and the Boys. The cost for the Jan. 11 concert will be $15 per ticket. The Wheeling Park High School Bluegrass Band will be opening up for Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, and the community is invited to attend this special event. Although Cleveland might not be as well known as other artists in Visit Wetzel Countys new series, concert organizers recognize Cleveland as one of the best fiddlers in the world and note that no one should leave the show unimpressed. The following companies are subsidiares of D.R. Horton: 10700 Pecan Park Austin Inc., 11241 Slater Avenue NE LLC, 2 C Development Company LLC, 8800 Roswell Road Bldg. B LLC, 91st Avenue & Happy Valley L.L.C., ANN & 215 LLC, Austin Data Inc., BP456 Inc., C. Richard Dobson Builders Inc., CH Funding LLC, CH Investments of Texas Inc., CHI Construction Company, CHM Partners L.P., CHTEX of Texas Inc., CV Mountain View 25 Inv LLC, Cane Island LLC, Continental Homes Inc., Continental Homes of Texas L.P., Continental Residential Inc., Continental Traditions LLC, Crown Operating Company Inc., Cypress Road L.P., D.R. Horton - CHAustin LLC, D.R. Horton - Colorado LLC, D.R. Horton - Crown LLC, D.R. Horton - Emerald Ltd., D.R. Horton - Georgia LLC, D.R. Horton - Hawaii LLC, D.R. Horton - Highland LLC, D.R. Horton - Indiana LLC, D.R. Horton - Iowa LLC, D.R. Horton - MV LLC, D.R. Horton - Nebraska LLC, D.R. Horton - Permian LLC, D.R. Horton - Regent LLC, D.R. Horton - Terramor LLC, D.R. Horton - Texas Ltd., D.R. Horton - WPH LLC, D.R. Horton - Wyoming LLC, D.R. Horton BAY Inc., D.R. Horton CA2 Inc., D.R. Horton CA3 Inc., D.R. Horton CA4 LLC, D.R. Horton Commercial Inc., D.R. Horton Cruces Construction Inc., D.R. Horton Inc. - Birmingham, D.R. Horton Inc. - Chicago, D.R. Horton Inc. - Denver, D.R. Horton Inc. - Dietz-Crane, D.R. Horton Inc. - Greensboro, D.R. Horton Inc. - Gulf Coast, D.R. Horton Inc. - Huntsville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Jacksonville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Louisville, D.R. Horton Inc. - Midwest, D.R. Horton Inc. - Minnesota, D.R. Horton Inc. - NNV, D.R. Horton Inc. - New Jersey, D.R. Horton Inc. - Portland, D.R. Horton Inc. - Torrey, D.R. Horton Inc. Foundation, D.R. Horton Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton LA North Inc., D.R. Horton Life Insurance Agency Inc., D.R. Horton Los Angeles Holding Company Inc., D.R. Horton Management Company Ltd., D.R. Horton Materials Inc., D.R. Horton Realty LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Atlantic County LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Central Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Delaware LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Georgia Inc., D.R. Horton Realty of Melbourne LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Tampa LLC, D.R. Horton Realty of Virginia LLC, D.R. Horton Seabridge Marina Inc., D.R. Horton Serenity Construction LLC, D.R. Horton Urban Renewal LLC, D.R. Horton VEN Inc., D.R. Horton Corpus Christi LLC, DBC54 LLC, DHI Commercial - Lakeview LLC, DHI Commercial - Signal Butte LLC, DHI Commercial - Tamarron LLC, DHI Commercial Inc., DHI Communities Construction LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Arizona LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Colorado LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Florida LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Iowa LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Nevada LLC, DHI Communities Construction of North Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of South Carolina LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Texas LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Utah LLC, DHI Communities Construction of Virginia LLC, DHI Communities II LLC, DHI Communities Inc., DHI Engineering LLC, DHI Insurance Inc., DHI Mortgage Company, DHI Mortgage Company GP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company LP Inc., DHI Mortgage Company Ltd., DHI Ranch Ltd., DHI Realty of Alabama LLC, DHI Realty of Mississippi LLC, DHI Title GP Inc., DHI Title LP Inc., DHI Title of Alabama Inc., DHI Title of Arizona Inc., DHI Title of Florida Inc., DHI Title of Minnesota Inc., DHI Title of Nevada Inc., DHI Title of Texas Ltd., DHI Title of Washington Inc., DHI Verandah South Shores Communities LLC, DHIC - Bridges LLC, DHIC - Brittmore LLC, DHIC - Carolina Forest LLC, DHIC - Desert Peak LLC, DHIC - Durbin Creek LLC, DHIC - Freestone LLC, DHIC - Hammock Landing LLC, DHIC - Heritage LLC, DHIC - Horizon Uptown LLC, DHIC - Jacobs Reserve LLC, DHIC - Lakeview LLC, DHIC - Lipoma LLC, DHIC - Minton Cove LLC, DHIC - Mountain Vista LLC, DHIC - Naco LLC, DHIC - Northshore LLC, DHIC - Prairie Village LLC, DHIC - South Creek LLC, DHIC - Tamarron LLC, DHIC - Valley Vista LLC, DHIC - Varina Gateway LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh II LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh III LLC, DHIC - Waterleigh LLC, DHIC - Westridge LLC, DHIC LLC, DHIC Glendale LLC, DHIC Grove West LLC, DHIC South Park LLC, DHIC Westinghouse LLC, DHIR - Aspen Vista LLC, DHIR - Avian Pointe LLC, DHIR - Emerald Lakes LLC, DHIR - Fosters Ridge LLC, DHIR - Gulf Stream LLC, DHIR - Parkview at Lynn Haven LLC, DHIR - Poplar Terrace LLC, DHIR - Properties I LLC, DHIR - Rock Ridge LLC, DHIR - Sunset Village LLC, DHIR - Village at Hickory Street LLC, DRH - ARK LLC, DRH - ASG LLC, DRH - HWY 114 LLC, DRH Cambridge Homes LLC, DRH Capital Trust I, DRH Capital Trust II, DRH Capital Trust III, DRH Colorado Realty Inc., DRH Construction Inc., DRH Energy Inc., DRH FS Mortgage Reinsurance Ltd., DRH Land Opportunities I Inc., DRH Land Opportunities II Inc., DRH Mountain View LLC, DRH Oil & Gas Inc., DRH Opportunities I Inc., DRH Properties Inc., DRH Realty Company Inc., DRH Realty of Iowa LLC, DRH Regrem L LLC, DRH Regrem LI LLC, DRH Regrem LII LLC, DRH Regrem LIII LLC, DRH Regrem LIV LLC, DRH Regrem LV LLC, DRH Regrem VII LP, DRH Regrem XII LP, DRH Regrem XIV Inc., DRH Regrem XIX Inc., DRH Regrem XLIX LLC, DRH Regrem XLV LLC, DRH Regrem XLVI LLC, DRH Regrem XLVII LLC, DRH Regrem XLVIII LLC, DRH Regrem XV Inc., DRH Regrem XVI Inc., DRH Regrem XVII Inc., DRH Regrem XVIII Inc., DRH Regrem XX Inc., DRH Regrem XXI Inc., DRH Regrem XXII Inc., DRH Regrem XXIII Inc., DRH Regrem XXIV Inc., DRH Regrem XXV Inc., DRH Southwest Construction Inc., DRH Tucson Construction Inc., DRHI Inc., Deer Valley Office Park LLC, Desert Ridge Phase I Partners, Emerald Creek No. 4 L.P., Emerald Realty of Alabama LLC, Emerald Realty of Central Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of North Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, Emerald Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, Encore II Inc., Encore Venture Partners II (California) L.P., Encore Venture Partners II (Texas) L.P., Encore Venture Partners L.P., Express Realty of Central Florida LLC, Express Realty of North Florida LLC, Express Realty of Northwest Florida LLC, Express Realty of Southeast Florida LLC, Express Realty of Southwest Florida LLC, Forestar Group, Forestar Group Inc., Founders Oil & Gas II LLC, Founders Oil & Gas III LLC, Founders Oil & Gas IV LLC, Founders Oil & Gas LLC, Founders Oil & Gas Operating LLC, GP-Encore Inc., Georgetown Data Inc., Germann & McQueen L.L.C., Grand Title Agency LLC, Grande Realty Incorporated, Grande Realty of Pennsylvania LLC, Greywes LLC, HPH Homebuilders 2000 L.P., Hadian LLC, KDB Homes Inc., Kaomalo LLC, Lexington Homes - DRH LLC, MRLF LLC, Martin Road Lake Forest LLC, McQueen & Willis LLC, Meadows I Ltd., Meadows II Ltd., Meadows IX Inc., Meadows VIII Ltd., Meadows X Inc., Melody Homes Inc., Pacific Ridge - DRH LLC, Rielly Carlsbad LLC, Rielly Homes Madison LLC, SFTEN LLC, SGS Communities at Grand Quay L.L.C, SHA Construction LLC, SHLR of California Inc., SHLR of Nevada Inc., SHLR of Washington Inc., SRHI LLC, SSHI LLC, Schuler Homes of Arizona LLC, Schuler Homes of California Inc., Schuler Homes of Oregon Inc., Schuler Homes of Washington Inc., Summerlin Pkwy & Cimarron LLC, Surprise Village North LLC, The Club at Cobblestone LLC, The Club at Hidden River LLC, Tierra Financial Advisors LLC, Travis County Title Company, Treasure Assets LLC, Venture Management of South Carolina LLC, Vertical Construction Corporation, WPH-Camino Ruiz LLC, WPH-Copper Canyon II LLC, WPH-Copper Canyon LLC, Walker Drive LLC, Western Pacific Brea Development LLC, Western Pacific Housing - Mountaingate L.P., Western Pacific Housing - 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Could This Be the Biggest US Gold Discovery in Years? (Ad) See how this tiny, unknown gold company secured a prime land package right next door to the worlds two largest gold producers in Nevadas famed Carlin Trend where 84 Million gold ounces have already been extracted. Best of all, investors can still get in well below US$0.50 per share. Details Here. Six Tech Stocks That Could Double (Ad) 5G blockchain electric vehicles There are enough tech opportunities out there to make your head spin! But which ones should you own for the coming tech boom? Louis Navellier the analyst who found Microsoft at .38 cents just released a new report detailing six tech stocks to own today. Dont miss your chance to get his latest picks ticker symbol and all completely free of charge. Click here to get your free report today. Aurubis AG provides non-ferrous metals worldwide. It processes complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and organic and inorganic metal-bearing recycling materials, and industrial residues to produce metals. The company produces continuous cast, directly cast, and oxygen-free copper rods, as well as various drawn products; a range of materials in round and square cross-sections, and various dimensions under the AURUBIS SHAPES brand; and copper-based architectural products and services for the building and construction industry, such as flat copper sheets, as well as prefabricated systems for facades, roofs, and rainwater systems. It also provides industrial rolled products, including connector strips, radiator strips, sheets, plates and circles, and pre-rolled strips; cathodes; bars and profiles comprising flat bars, round bars, segments, profiles, and hollow profiles; copper bars and profiles; precious metals consisting of gold and silver; and sulfuric acid, iron silicate, selenium, and lead. In addition, the company engages in the recycling of copper, precious metals, and other non-ferrous metals; and material recycling activity for copper. Further, it offers metals comprising tellurium metal, tellurium dioxide, selenium, lead-bismuth, and lead-antimony alloys. The company serves cable and wire, construction, machinery and plant engineering, transport, chemistry, and other industries. The company was formerly known as Norddeutsche Affinerie AG and changed its name to Aurubis AG in April 2009. Aurubis AG was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany. Read More Final Day of New Year Blood Drive By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - The American Red Cross continues to encourage the community to make a lifesaving blood donation this year during their special 4-day campaign.Eligible donors are encouraged to roll up a sleeve today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Concord United Methodist Church, 5178 Hinkleville Road, in Paducah. The drive began on Sunday.The region faces an urgent need for blood and platelet donors. Donations often decline during the holidays. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urgently needed to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients.Anthony Tennin, with the Red Cross speaking on the Greg Dunker Show, explained that when you give blood, your body simply replenishes it. He said they have donors that have given many gallons of blood over their lifetime, which has touched literally hundreds of lives.Those who come out to give will receive a free car wash courtesy of Finish Line Car Wash, a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, and be entered into drawings for $25 gift cards each hour.Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter. If you can host a blood drive at your school, church or workplace, contact the Red Cross.You can schedule an appointment to give blood by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App or visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering sponsor code: PaducahCM. Walk-ins are welcome. 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. As a bonus to opt-ing into our email newsletters, you will also get a free subscription to the Liberty Through Wealth e-newsletter. You can opt out at any time. To Any American Who Owns a Cell Phone (Ad) If you own a cell phone, then mobile service providers hope you never get to see this video that could soon go viral. His experiment could strike a bad chord with mobile phone companies. But youve got to see what this man discovered and what it means for phone users in the weeks ahead. Click here to see this video before it's removed Lets dedicate a day for rest. Lets move on with a healthy life with positive energy. With this message the World Rest Day was celebrated here on Sunday for the fifth consecutive year. Awareness about rest in human life was spread during the celebration. Residents of Ward-4 and Harijan Sahi and Nuasahi under Korkara gram panchayat of Bhadrak district joined the celebration under the leadership of noted social activist Radhakanta Tripathy. Tripathy said that nowadays, the year is packed with many days like Valentines Day, Chocolate Day, Rose Day, Sparrow Day, etc. However, there is no no day to remember and dedicate for rest. Giving Permanent rest to negative instincts and taking proper rest, thereby building a healthy society, is the motto of this celebration. If we follow these basic principles then our final rest, i.e., death shall also be peaceful and remain worth remembering by others, said he. More interestingly, the concept of Rest Day has been appreciated by the India Book of Records, which has an entry of this years event after presenting a certificate and memento to Tripathy. Among others, Shantilata Munda, Som Ashirbad, Mamali Munda, human rights scholar Sitakanta Tripathy, Sudhakar Mahalik, Smrutiranjan and hundred others participated in the celebration. In the morning session, children took active interest to understand the concept of rest. In the afternoon session, villagers of all age groups participated in the event. A 45-year-old woman was allegedly gangraped by four auto drivers on two different locations in Gurugram on Saturday. The woman, a resident of Delhi was first raped in a room located in Gurugrams Bhangrola village and then in a moving auto. The incident took place on Saturday when she was on her way from Gurugram to her residence in Delhi. Police on Sunday claimed to have arrested three accused while one is still at large. The three accused were produced before a local court on Monday which had sent them to 14 days of police custody, said a police official. The accused arrested and have been identified as Ankit, Deepak and Mahipal resident of Gurugram. According to police, the victim in her complaint said that her husband was a contractor in a company but had died in 2013. There was some payment due in the company so I had come to Gurugrams Manesar area on Saturday for a full and final settlement; she said in her complaint. She was waiting for an auto at a Nakhdola chowk on the Delhi-Gurugram expressway. Thereafter a man named Ankit came in an auto along with another man inside. They took the woman to Bhangrola village instead of the company. There the duo committed the crime in a room, said Subhash Boken spokesperson of the Gurugram police. The accused forcefully offered liquor to the victim. Later the accused took the woman to Rampura chowk. There two other men joined the group the duo. They sat near the victim in the auto and started touching her inappropriately. When the woman tried to resist, the culprit threatened her and sexually assaulted her in the moving auto, Boken said. Later the accused dropped the women next to the incident place and fled the spot. They also threatened the victim with dire consequence if she disclosed the incident to anyone, Boken said. On Saturday night, she lodged an FIR at the Women Police station at Manesar. We have registered a gang rape case against four men and are conducting investigations, Boken added. Tens of thousands of holidaymakers on Monday gathered across resorts in Himachal Pradesh to bid goodbye to 2018. Seeing the tourist rush, the police advised the revellers to start leaving the Ridge, the most famous promenade in Shimla, as the clocks strike midnight. "Our policemen will greet tourists after midnight and will request them to vacate the Ridge and the Mall," a senior police officer told IANS. He said this step would be taken as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident. The most sought-after destinations were Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Kasauli, Chail, Dharamsala, Palampur, Dalhousie and Manali and the revellers have to be prepared to sleep out in cars overnight if they did not get hotel bookings in advance. Most of the hotels have been sold out in advance, members of the hospitality industry warned. "Most of our properties in Shimla, Chail, Kufri, Kasauli, Dharamsala, Palampur and Manali have been sold out till January 3," Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) General Manager Sarla Chopra told IANS. She said most of the guests have been enquiring about the possibility of snowfall on the New Year's Eve and later. Over 50,000 tourists are expected to visit the state to ring in New Year, tourism industry experts said. The popular tourist town of Narkanda, some 65 km from Shimla, saw last spell of snow on December 12 but it melted within a few days. So was Shimla, known for the imperial grandeur of buildings that were once institutions of power when it was the summer capital of British India, where the entire snow cover disappeared. Shimla's meteorological office Director Manmohan Singh told IANS tourist towns like Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Manali and Dalhousie, located in mid-hills, may witness moderate snowfall from January 1. The permanent regional office campus of the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) was inaugurated in Dehradun via video conferencing by the institutes director general Rajesh Aggarwal. An institution of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, NIESBUD regional office in Uttarakhand has been working since 2004-05 in the sphere of entrepreneurship development through training, consultation and research. Aggarwal said that the regional office in Dehradun has done good work in raising public awareness on the ministrys aims, schemes and training programmes. As a result, the pending proposal for a permanent campus was approved and the same allocated to NIESBUD in the National Skill Training Institute campus. The regional office will work more strongly with the state government in entrepreneurship and skill development to achieve the vision of progressive and skilled India. NIESBUD regional head Poonam Sinha said that the regional office has been working for quite some time in coordination with the State and Central Governments. She exhorted the institute staff to work with more energy now. Sir, While the police force is respected in some countries nationally and feared in some others, one is not sure where the khaki-clad law-keepers in India stand in respect of their relation with the people at large. But for sure, the cops no longer enjoy the power of wielding their lathi as they did during the years of colonial rule. They must be feeling suffocated in the current dispensation, called democracy, taking orders from the elected peoples representatives holding high posts in the government, being armed with unbounded authority to call the shots as it were. The matter of virtually invisible connection between the cops and the Netas, only heard about on the grapevines, is in a closed circuit. However, it is an open circuit that cops find themselves disconnected with those having claims of connect with one or the other Neta. The citizens may have to own the onus of creating the need for the police force amidst them thanks to their misdemeanour giving rise to myriad criminal acts in a long, growing list. Even as the tools and methods of nabbing the offending members of society are effective, they seem to be falling behind the flock of perpetrators of crime. Published data relating to the cops-citizens relationship in different countries place India as a country much less policed than the countries of the West, judged by the number of police personnel per 1,00,000 citizens. Both criminal acts and wings of the police department have witnessed expansion in keeping with their distinguishable diversity. More and more types of crime such as hacking websites of both governments and companies in the corporate sector, called cyber crimes, are being reported. The battle lines in the mutual engaging between cops and citizens disinclined to conform to the laws are clearly drawn, revealing which party finds itself on the winning side. K Ravi, E-237, GGP Colony, Bhubaneswar-751025, Mob: 9437616497 153 Sub-Inspectors promoted in Hry Police Chandigarh: Extending New Year gift to police personnel, Haryana Police on Monday promoted 153 Sub-Inspectors of the state police force to the rank of Inspectors. A spokesman of Police Department said that out of the total, 104 police officers who were recruited directly as Sub-Inspectors in 2010, have been elevated to the rank of Inspectors. Punjab Guv, CM greet people on New Year eve Chandigarh: Punjab Governor and UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore and Chief Minister Capt Amarinder SInghj on Monday extended greetings to the people of Punjab and Chandigarh on the New Year eve. Badnore said: On this happy occasion, let us resolve to build a strong, peaceful and united India and rededicate ourselves to work for its progress and prosperity. Capt Amarinder exhorted the people to welcome 2019 with the promise to work collectively and zealously towards building a better India rooted in love, tolerance and peace. Urging the people of the state as well Punjabis living in the country and other parts of world, to work for Punjabs growth and development, Capt Amarinder show confidence that the coming year would usher in a new era of overall development and growth for Punjab. HP Guv, CM greet people on New Year eve Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday felicitated the people of the State on the eve of New Year 2019. Governor Devvrat hoped that the New Year-2019 would bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of the people of the State, while expressing hope that Himachal would witness more progress in all fields. Thakur said that the New Year-2019 may fill their lives with joy and happiness. With the hard work and dedication of the people, the State would make rapid strides in all spheres of development and would achieve new heights in the coming year, he said. BSNL Bonanza: No blackout days on New Year eve Chandigarh: The government telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has decided not to have any blackout days starting from New Year Eve (December 31), and for the calendar year 2019 under GSM mobile services. All consumers of BSNL mobile service will continue to get all benefits of plan or special tariff vouchers while surfing or talking to their near and dear ones one New Year eve and New Year. It has also extended no blackout days for the calendar year 2019 (that is on January 1), said BSNL Punjab Circle chief general manager (telecom) JC Menaria said. KU bags trophies in Theater and Dance Kurukshetra: Kurukshetra University bagged the overall trophies in dance and theatre events during the 34th north zone inter university youth festival, held at Panjab University, Chandigarh, from December 27 to 31. In the event, 36 universities participated. In folk orchestra, skit and classical dance, the teams won the first position. In one act play, the team won second position and third position in the folk tribal dance. More than three dozen teams hailing from seven states of North India, participated in 25 different events. Vice-Chancellor Dr Kailash Chandra Sharma congratulated the winning team and called upon for achieving excellence to win positions in the forthcoming national youth festival. JK Bank mandi finance scheme launched Amritsar: JK Bank chairman and CEO Parvez Ahmed on Monday launched the Mandi Finance Scheme for traders of agriculture produce across the country at Amritsar in the presence of executive presidents PK Tickoo and and RK Chhiber, presidents Rakesh Gandotra and Arun Gandotra, zonal head Anokh Singh, prominent businessmen of Amritsar, members of trade fraternity of Punjab, a large number of customers and Banks staff. Earlier, the Chairman also inaugurated the new state of the art premises of business unit Amritsar. Ahmed said that Bank is also planning to increase its presence in Punjab via ATM and Branch network expansion. UT DGP felicitates retired police personnel Chandigarh: A function was organized at Police Lines, Sector 26, here to felicitate the police personnel who retired from police services after attaining the age of superannuation. Sanjay Baniwal, Director General of Police, UT accompanied by O.P. Mishra, DIG and Shashank Anand, SSP/Traffic & Security and Nilambari Jagdale, SSP were present along with other Police Officers at the function. Various decisions including amendments related to housing and construction were approved by the State cabinet in its meeting held on Monday. In the meeting chaired by chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, decisions were taken to strengthen authorities and resolve practical problems being faced in housing construction while keeping balanced development and the geographical features of the state in mind. Cabinet minister and State Government spokesman Madan Kaushik informed that the cabinet had approved amendment in the Uttarakhand Building Construction and Development by-laws/regulation 2011. Following this, apart from the existing plain (upto 600 metres altitude) and mountain category (above 600 metres), a third category- foothills will be implemented in the districts of Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Almora and Champawat. The authority concerned will ascertain the area falling in the foothill category in order to preserve the natural beauty and check uncontrolled construction. In the foothill areas, according to the width of the road, provision has been made for maximum building height of 21 metres. Amendments in aspects of various types of residential, commercial and office constructions in both mountainous and plain areas were also approved. The cabinet approved necessary amendments to encourage activity in the tourism, medical health, housing and other spheres. Provision will be made in the by-laws to ease the establishment of educational institutions, hospitals, laboratories and nursing homes in the health sector and hotels according to their star rating. Further, approval was also granted for simplification of standards for eco-resorts, allowing maximum height of building in housing sector as per width of the road and plot area, simplification of provisions for establishment of mall/multiplex and service apartment and provision for permitting one extra floor in buildings made according to the traditional architectural style of Uttarakhand. Amendments were also approved in the by-law to encourage mixed land use and make parking provisions more practical to encourage the service sector in the mountainous regions while also enhancing the convenience of the public. The cabinet approved relaxation in certain conditions specifically to encourage investors in the service sector in the mountainous regions. A one-time settlement scheme was also approved to enable compounding of single residential units, small shops, nursery schools, nursing homes and diagnostic centres. Following this decision shops on minimum 15 square metres, clinics on minimum 50 square metres, lab on 100 square metres, nursing home on 150 square metres and nursery school on 300 square metres plots will be compoundable. The building owners should calculate the compounding fee based on circle rates as on April 1, 2018 and submit 50 per cent of the amount along with the building map for compounding to the authority concerned between January 15, 2019 and March 31, 2019. The authority will use 75 per cent of the money earned through this scheme on developing green spaces, parking facility and lighting. Further, to enable planned development and check unregulated constructions, the compounding fee will be hiked from April 1, 2019. Kaushik informed that the cabinet had also approved amendment in the municipal corporation act sections 135 and 136 in order to increase the financial power of the mayor to `12 lakh, of the commissioner to `10 lakh and of the executive to `25 lakh while granting unlimited financial power to the board in corporations with more than five lakh population. In the corporations with less than five lakh, the financial power of the mayor has been increased to `six lakh and of the executive to `15 lakh while granting unlimited power to the board. The cabinet also approved the rates of early variety of sugar cane at `327 per quintal and of the normal variety at `317 per quintal at the mill gate. Taking a jibe at Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Monday attacked Congress party for their alleged involvement in the AgustaWestland Choppers deal. He said that it is a situation of Chor Machaye Shor (thieves raising voice against theft). Addressing a press meet at his residence in the city, Das said that Congress party leaders took bribe in the Rs 37,000 crore deal and based on the Christian Michel's statement of naming 'Mrs Gandhi' at Patiala House Court on Saturday, it is proved why Congress is afraid. Claiming that Congress party gave birth to corruption in the country, Das said, said Christian Michel has named Mrs Gandhi. Even in the Italian court, name of Mrs Gandhi was taken and Christian Michel's arrest has been done in connection with the same case." CM claimed that in the Rs 37,000 crore VVIP choppers deal, it is speculated that a corruption of Rs 370 crore was done and Rs 150 crore went to the pockets of Congress leaders. Along with this, he said that with ED extraditing Michel to India, Congress is afraid as the truth might come out in open. After the accused in the AgustaWestland chopper scam case, Christian Michel took the name of 'Mrs Gandhi' and also spoke about 'the son of the Italian lady', as per Enforcement Directorate's submission in Delhi's Patiala House Court, the BJP has attacked the Congress stating that the truth in VVIP chopper scam is finally out. Das, later in the day, inspected several areas under his Legislative Assembly Area Jamshedpur East. Das, who is in city for New Year celebrations went to Birsanagar and personally interacted with residents and took stock of development schemes. Talking to local citizens he said that the Government is dedicated towards development of State with special focus on cleanliness and infrastructure. He said that the people will reap the benefits of the several welfare schemes is his Governments priority. He also spoke to the party workers, under Jamshedpur East Assembly area. Das walked bare foot at several area and interacted with common people. He asked party leaders to support the administration carry development work. This is also my home Assembly area. We need to ensure that the development work is carried smoothly. However, if they find any irregularities they can raise their voice, said Das. He made it clear to the party workers that before creating uproar they must talk to the authorities concerned and if they are not satisfied they can raise their voices. The living dead receiving social welfare benefits in Punjab has been a matter of conjecture since long, but the data collated by the State Government revealed the deadly reality of more than 72,000 persons receiving pension benefits. As many as 72,928 dead beneficiaries were detected during the verification process initiated by the State Government in 2017, months after the Congress party took over the reigns of the state. Maximum number of dead beneficiaries were found in Sangrur (7726), followed by Jalandhar (7429), Ferozepur (6478), Gurdaspur (6396), and Amritsar (5897), to mention a few. In all, 93,521 beneficiaries were found ineligible to get the pension benefits, but were receiving the same. Bathinda, the home constituency of Union Minister and SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, topped the list with 13,516 ineligible beneficiaries, followed by Sangrur with 12574 such cases, and Tarn Taran with 9796 cases. The Congress Government had issued the orders regarding initiating the process of verification of beneficiaries under the Old age pension and other financial assistance schemes on June 16, 2017. During the verification, as many as 1,96,478 were found to be the absent cases, out of which 96,525 were due to wrong address, and 99,953 due to absenteeism. The Department stopped the pension of the beneficiaries from April 2017 who were found with wrong address, or absentees, or who were found to be dead or were not eligible to get the pension, a senior government official told The Pioneer. It was decided that the beneficiaries who were found ineligible and absent during verification, would be given a chance to hear. As the Department decided to stop the pension for ineligible or dead or alike, such beneficiaries were given a chance to approach the authorities with a clarification within a months time, and the matter would then be sorted after thorough verification, said the official. For the purpose, the Committee have been formed at the district level, which are headed by the respective Deputy Commissioners. When an application was submitted by a person to reconsider their case, the Committee takes the decision after examining all the facts, said the official. As per the data, as many as 75,784 beneficiaries were found eligible after examining all the applications received for the same, while the rest of the cases are still under process. In Punjab, there are a total of 19.89 lakh beneficiaries of social security pension scheme, under which the State Government pays Rs 750 per month to the elderly, widows and the physically challenged. For the same, the state exchequer has to a bear around Rs 49 crore annually for disbursing the pension. Even as the official refused to share the details if any action has been initiated against any of the Departments officer of employee, it was made it clear that in case anyone was found giving the benefit to the ineligible beneficiary, strict disciplinary action would be taken against them. Rooting out the fake and ineligible beneficiaries was one of the topmost priorities of the Congress Government. So much so that Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had himself issued orders to eliminate all such cases, irrespective of the political affiliations of the beneficiaries concerned. It was also decided that the Government would soon put in place a new mechanism for verification of future applicants, and effect amendments in the eligibility criteria with effect from April 1, 2017. However, certain steps have already been initiated by the Government to streamline the process including paying pensions through the banks under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Adamant Opp sticks to guns The Opposition parties led by the Congress put up a united front in the Rajya Sabha on Monday to thwart the Government move to pass the contentious triple talaq Bill. While the Government pressed for a discussion on the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill 2018 after Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tabled the Bill, the Opposition stuck to its demand for sending the Bill to a select committee of Parliament. After the passage of the Bill in the Lok Sabha last week, Opposition members convened a meeting on Monday before the legislation was to be introduced in the RS In view the tough stand taken by the Opposition, its unlikely that the triple talaq Bill will become a law during the winter session of Parliament. The Opposition parties have written to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, demanding that the triple talaq Bill should be sent to a select committee of the House for consideration and the motion was initiated by Trinamool Congress MP Derek OBrien. As per the resolution submitted by the Opposition, the Chairman will have to take it up before taking up the triple talaq Bill for discussion. The resolution has been signed by Congress, NCP, TDP, RJD, AAP, SP, BSP, DMK, CPI and CPM and the AIADMK. The AIADMK has been supportive of the Centre on most issues, but last week it vehemently opposed the passage of the Bill in its present format in the Lok Sabha. The Opposition meeting, chaired by Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, was attended among others by leaders of 12 Opposition parties, including Samajwadi Partys Ram Gopal Yadav, TMCs Derek OBrien, CPIs D Raja, Kerala Congress Jose K Mani. Sources present in the meeting said that most of the parties present in the meeting were of the view that the Bill needs to be sent to the select committee. DMK leader K Kanimozhi said her party had been consistent in its position against criminalisation of triple talaq. We are opposing jail punishment for pronouncing talaq. Even the Islamic tenets do not allow instant triple talaq. We will vote against the Bill and it is the stand of the DMK that it (Bill) be referred to a select committee, she later told media. TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu made an appeal to all his MPs to obstruct the harassment of Muslims. All Opposition parties should fight unitedly against the anti-Muslim attitude of BJP. The Government forcibly imposing triple talaq Bill is a danger for secularism and national integrity, he said on twitter. Amid a stalemate between the Government and the Opposition over the issue, the Rajya Sabh failed to transact any significant business during the day. The House was adjourned twice during with an adjournment in the morning following protests by AIADMK members over the Cauvery issue. Azad said the bill was very crucial and requires further scrutiny and claimed that more than half of the members belonging to several parties have demanded that the Bill be sent to a select committee. He accused the Government of breaking the tradition of sending Bills to select committees for scrutiny before they become a law. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the Government was ready for a discussion on the issue and accused the Congress of creating hurdles in the passage of the legislation. He said the Congress has already supported the Bill in the Lok Sabha earlier. The Congress and other parties are only playing politics on this issue which is very important for ensuring the rights of married Muslim women, he said. Hitting back, deputy leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma said, It is the Government which is doing politics. Nobody is opposing the Bill. Let there be legislative scrutiny. The Government is misleading the people. If the Bill has been passed without legislative scrutiny in the Lok Sabha then it should not be passed here without referring to select committee. Rajya Sabha is not a rubber stamp, he said. Responding to this, Prasad said, This Bill is very important. We want to discuss it here and are ready to listen to any suggestion. Even after bringing the ordinance, there have been incidents of triple talaq till yesterday (Sunday). It is a question of gender equality...We want to discuss and pass the Bill. Deputy Chairman Harivansh said, I want to run the House. We have agreed for a holiday tomorrow (January 1). The members should allow the House to function today. As members continued to create a din, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House for the day till Wednesday. The Nashik sessions court in Maharashtra on Monday acquitted late Abdul Karim Telgi and seven others in a 2004 multi-crore fake stamp paper case in absence of solid evidence against them. Telgi, who was convicted in several cases in connection with the scam and sentenced to imprisonment of 30 years in total, died in Bengaluru in October last year while serving his jail term. Charges against Telgi, believed to be the kingpin of the scam that was spread over several States, were abated after his death. In his order, district and sessions court judge, first class, PR Deshmukh acquitted Telgi and seven others for want of evidence against them. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a chargesheet against Telgi and others in a Nashik court in August 2004 under various sections of the IPC. The CBI had contended that the accused, including the officers and constables of the Railway Protection Force, colluded with Telgi by selling him stamp papers by opening sealed packets when they were transported to the Nashik railway yard from the city-based India Security Press, said defence advocate MY Kale. These stamp papers were meant to be dispatched to treasuries of various State Governments. The India Security Press (ISP) is a subsidiary of the Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India, a public undertaking. ISP, located in Nashik, is tasked with printing passports, visas, postage stamps, post cards, inland letters, envelopes, non-postal adhesives, court fees, fiscal, and Hundi stamps in the country. The court had framed charges against the eight accused in February 2015, Kale said. The court examined 49 witnesses during the trial, he said, adding that the accused were acquitted by the judge in absence of solid evidence. Besides Telgi, other accused acquitted on Monday are identified as Railway Protection Force officials Rambhau Pawar, Brijkishore Tiwari, Vilaschandra Joshi, Dyaneshwar Barke, Pramod Dahage, Mohammed Sarvar and Vilas More. It cannot be immediately confirmed whether these officials are still serving with the RPF or are retired from service. The Government pleader, who represented the CBI in the case, didnt talk with reporters. Telgi had printed fake stamp papers allegedly in connivance with Government officials and politicians, and sold them to banks, stock brokerage firms and insurance companies. Bangladesh Opp rejects results, CEC refuses repoll; Modi congratulates Hasina Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas ruling alliance on Monday swept to a landslide victory in the general elections, securing a third straight term, an outcome that would be good news for Indias ties with Dhaka, especially on the national security front. The Opposition alliance, comprising jailed ex-premier Khaleda Zias BNP and some small parties, rejected the poll outcome as farcical and demanded fresh election. The Election Commission, however, ruled out holding a fresh election. The Awami League-led Grand Alliance won 288 seats in the 300-member Parliament. The ruling alliance, which got nearly 82 per cent of the total votes polled, bettered its previous best performance of 2008 when it bagged 263 seats. The Opposition Jatiya Oikya Front National Unity Front (NUF) secured seven seats with over 15 per cent of the votes, Election Commission secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said, adding that others won three seats. Voting was postponed in one constituency and result not declared in another due to the death of a candidate, he said. Commenting on the results, 71-year-old Hasina said the Awami League-led Grand Alliances win in the election is another victory for the people of the country in December - the month of victory. She was referring to Bangladeshs (then East Pakistan) victory over West Pakistan (now Pakistan) in the countrys independence war in December, 1971. Hasina said the victory is nothing for her for personal gains, rather it is a great responsibility towards the country and its people. She said the Opposition was in a state of wilderness that caused their debacle in the elections. It was a credible and transparent election... But (Opposition) BNPs debacle in the polls was caused by their own faults and weakness, Hasina said in an interaction with foreign journalists at her official Ganobhaban residence. The people did not know who the Opposition leader was... she said, adding that the people wanted continuity of her Government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Hasina over phone on her victory in the elections and assured her of Indias continued support to Bangladeshs developmental strides. Indias ties with Bangladesh under Hasinas rule grew steadily. The last few years have been a golden chapter in India-Bangladesh relationship when complicated issues of land and coastal boundaries were resolved. Bangladesh has also assured India that it will not allow its soil to be used for any terrorist activities against the neighbouring country. The two countries share a 4,096-km border. While Hasina was seeking re-election for an overall fourth term as the Prime Minister, her 73-year-old arch-rival Zia of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who is reportedly partially paralysed, faces an uncertain future in a Dhaka jail where she is lodged after her conviction in corruption cases. Meanwhile, the Opposition NUF rejected the results and urged the Election Commission to immediately scrap the farcical election and hold a fresh one under a non-partisan interim Government. You (the EC) must cancel this election right away. We reject the so-called results and demand a new election under a neutral government, NUF chief and veteran lawyer Kamal Hossain said. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who steered the party in the absence of Zia, described the polls as a cruel farce. He said the elections proved that free and fair polls were not possible under a partisan Government. The BNPs decision to stay away from the general election five years ago was not wrong, he said. The NUF is a coalition of opposition parties such as the BNP, Gono Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Nagorik Oikya and Krishak Sramik Janata League. Bangladeshs Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, however, ruled out any scope of holding fresh election as demanded by opposition alliance, saying the allegations of ballot stuffing on the night before election is completely untrue. We are not going to hold a new election. There is no scope to hold the national election again, Huda told the media. The CEC expressed complete satisfaction over the election and said the voter turnout in the polls was 80 per cent. Responding to the vote-rigging allegations, Awami League Joint General Secretary Abdur Rahman said foreign and domestic observers have expressed satisfaction over the election process and declared that it was held in a fair environment. With the overwhelming majority in the 11th general elections, Hasina is set to take office of the Prime Minister for the third consecutive time and fourth time overall. Hasina, the daughter of Bangladeshs founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is termed by many as the countrys iron lady. She won the historic fourth term as Prime Minister, becoming the countrys longest-serving leader. The BNP, which has been out of power for 12 years and had boycotted the 10th general elections in 2014, is part of the Opposition alliance. The EC said they have received over a hundred complaints from candidates throughout the country amid reports of violence. At least 18 people, including a member of a security agency, have been killed and more than 200 others injured in poll-related violence, making it one of the deadliest polls in the country, the Daily Star reported. Over 600,000 security personnel, including several thousand soldiers and paramilitary border guards, were deployed across the nation for the election in which 10.41 crore people were eligible to vote. The year ahead is an opportunity to ensure better health outcomes through detailed implementation plans, state-level initiatives and sustained political leadership at all levels Last year was eventful for public health in India as the government followed up on some of its key decisions announced before. Ayushman Bharat was launched to implement select recommendations made in the National Health Policy (2017). The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, was implemented while the Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA) mandated that mental health problems would henceforth be a part of insurance schemes. Several new health-related decisions were also taken a series of approvals by the Union Cabinet, new bills for consideration by Parliament and setting up new medical colleges in various States. However, there is always a time lag between an idea translating into policy and programme. The initial discussion on health and wellness centres had started in 2013. The precursor of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) was the National Health Protection Mission, which was originally announced in 2016. Ayushman Bharat itself took off from the earlier discussion on National Health Assurance Mission of 2014 among others. The country has already suffered because of a laid-back attitude followed by a slow-paced implementation. Building upon what started in 2018, here is a wishlist for 2019. Build on Ayushman Bharat programme: Ayushman Bharat, which was announced on February 1, 2018, was inarguably a major public health programme of the Union Government after the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in 2005. The Ayushman Bharat programme, with two components of health and wellness centres (for strengthening primary healthcare) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (for secondary and tertiary level hospitalisation) were credited for placing health higher on the political agenda. Yet, public health experts and journals alike continued to make the mistake of equating Ayushman Bharat with PMJAY, often forgetting that the health and wellness centre component is foundational for the success of PMJAY as well. It was not without reason that health and wellness centres as envisaged in Ayushman Bharat were launched on April 14 last year at Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, months before PMJAY was launched on September 23, 2018 at Ranchi, Jharkhand. Much of 2018 was spent on planning for scaling up the healthcare scheme, so this year should be utilised for an accelerated implementation. More attention should be paid to getting more health and wellness centres going through state-specific innovations and increased utilisation of a range of service packages under PMJAY, especially in greenfield states, with efficient mechanisms for fraud detection. It will serve well if a detailed roadmap and execution plan for Ayushman Bharat is developed with proper funding, approved and placed in public domain, which will enhance its accountability at various levels. States showing leadership in better health regimes: Towards the end of the year, the Uttarakhand government launched the breakthrough Atal Ayushman Uttarakhand Yojana, which covers 100 per cent of the States population compared to the proposed 40 per cent in Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY. Health is a State subject in our country and the success of any initiative by the Centre is largely dependent upon the additional inputs by the States. This year, we expect Karnataka, Meghalaya and Punjab to also take the lead and announce similar total population coverage under PMJAY. Besides this, it would be reasonable to expect that the newly-elected Government at the Centre in May extends the coverage with AB-PMJAY from the existing 40 per cent families to an additional 20 per cent of families. It should also announce a roadmap to cover 80 per cent or more population by 2022. Basti dawakhanas in Hyderabad: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), in collaboration with the Telangana Government, launched 17 basti dawakhanas (or slum health clinics) in Hyderabad in April 2018. These facilities in the State are inspired by the mohalla clinics of Delhi and comprise the first urban local body-led community clinic initiatives in the country. Though they are not much in the limelight because of the distance from Delhi, initial reports suggest that basti dawakhanas are equally popular. The outcome of these two initiatives can change the way States and urban local bodies plan primary health services and prompt more States to take such initiatives to strengthen primary healthcare. Reforms in medical education: The decision for revision in MBBS curriculum, with inclusion of courses on attitude, ethics and communication, was undertaken last year. The revised curriculum, the first after 21 years, will be implemented from the 2019-20 academic year. This comes at a time when issues of unethical practices in medicine and violence against doctors are gaining ground, a phenomenon documented in the book, Healers or Predators?: Healthcare Corruption in India, written by Samiran Nundy, Keshav Desiraju and Sanjay Nagral. The other pending reform concerns the Medical Council of India through the National Medical Commission Bill, which is still awaiting discussion in Parliament. In 2019, there is a need for consensus among political parties to reform healthcare education and delivery systems to root out corruption. Tackling air pollution to make air breathable: In India, air pollution is a major risk factor for both acute and chronic respiratory diseases. It is documented as a key aggravator in a 2017 study on the state-level burden of diseases in the country. However, for the third year in a row, air quality has grabbed national and global headlines. The air quality index continues to be a cause of serious concern. Air pollution is not limited to Delhi or north India but cities across the country have poor air quality with around 70 cities breathing bad as India undergoes a huge infrastructure overhaul. It has been estimated that if air quality standards meet global standards, people in India would live 1.7 to 3.0 years longer. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in India in April 2018, with a plan to reduce air pollution in 100 identified cities. It is now proven that efforts on improving air quality will be a high return investment in the form of better health, higher worker productivity and increased life expectancy. So this year, there is a need for developing multi-sectoral interventions, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Ministers of various States, for clean air. After October 2019, the phase II of Swachh Bharat Mission can very well be focussed on Clean air for all. Opportunities ahead: The year ahead is an opportunity for India to show global leadership in health. In September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will hold its 74th session on universal health coverage (UHC). Also, the World Health Organisations (WHO) annual World Health Day 2019 theme is around UHC with a focus on primary healthcare. These are additional opportunities for the country to assume a leadership role in advancing UHC, accelerate implementation of ongoing initiatives and work upon strengthening the healthcare system, by providing attention on all aspects. The momentum generated in the last two years, the high political and public visibility of Ayushman Bharat and the competition among States to better their healthcare records are positive peaks in the graph. For long, healthcare and education have been on the lower spectrum of allocations of the GDP. Hope we look at these crucial asset sectors and push up our development indices. (The writer is a leading public health expert based in New Delhi) The Bangladeshi electorate has returned its incumbent Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, to power with a massive majority in the recently concluded 11th Parliamentary elections. The mood in the country is ecstatic and pro-liberation and secular forces have heaved a sigh of relief as the entry of former foreign minister, Dr Kamal Hossain, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and under a loose alliance with the Jamat-e-Islami (JeI) seemed to challenge the Hasina regime. The mandate is now clear in Bangladesh with the complete rout of fundamentalist and right-ist reactionary forces which are cardinally opposed to secular and liberal lobbies. More importantly, the defeat of the BNP and their affiliates is a clear and conclusively evident sign which shows that the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), reputedly hitherto active, has been decisively outclassed by the Bangladeshi counter-intelligence outfits. The mandate is now clear in Bangladesh. It's Sheikh Hasina back in the driving seat. (Photo: Reuters) It has also ended any chance of the ISI meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign Bangladesh, and put an end to attempts to wean away the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) from growing proximity to India. However, the authorities should not get complacent the ISI will not abandon its blueprint to pinprick Bangladesh in order to cause subversion and unsettle it to the hilt. It may be recalled that only recently, an ISI operative was intercepted on a phone call responding to a high-level BNP leader when the latter was seeking logistical and material help including soliciting support from China. Now, we know to what extent the inimical forces could go to defeat Hasina in her ongoing fight to remain with India on geostrategic terms. India and Bangladesh should never lower their guard to be caught unawares. With the overwhelming victory, Hasina has to redraw her policies to reaffirm trust and faith in her electorate. First and foremost should be a priority to focus on development and clean governance, bereft of any scope of corruption. The Bangladeshi people are politically very sensitive. If they can be euphoric with a resounding victory, they can be equally agitated with any non-performance. Hasina, therefore, must deliver to her people with a result-oriented performance. Significantly, Dr Kamal Hossain who had entered the electoral arena to nourish his long-term ambition to be in the corridors of great power is already crying foul on the conduct of the elections and calling for re-polls. With formidable clout in many Western nations because of his hobnobbing with the legal fraternity, Dr Kamal will not easily concede defeat and will make a fairly loud noise to draw attention hoping to mount pressure. Shiekh Hasina, with a fresh mandate, must give a new look to her stance towards India. (Photo: Reuters) Yet, Hasina with her personal trait of withstanding any extraneous pressure, is expected to sail through occasional irritants and hiccups. In the past, she had demonstrated her defiance by ignoring the West and powerful Arab and Gulf nations when she went ahead and tried and eventually executed most of the war criminals found in Bangladesh. Hasina, with a fresh mandate, must give a new look towards her stance towards India. People-to-people contacts between the two countries are already in place. Nuclear, science and defence cooperation may be taken further, but more crucially, a muscular intelligence and security collaboration to combat terror must be on priority. Also, there has to be ongoing action to preempt any rumoured Pakistani designs to disrupt tranquility and peace in Bangladesh and neutralise these forces attempts to encourage radicalism, abusing a section of Rohingyas and diverse, vulnerable sections of society that could have some pro-Jehadi elements. With a little less than 300 seats in her bag, Hasina is comfortable, no doubt but her real victory will be determined only when she addresses each of the challenges that will come ahead with almost a zero margin of error. Also read: Why Bangladesh is witnessing hectic politicking ahead of coming elections Britains rail fares increased by an average of 3.1% on Wednesday. Here, the Press Association looks at some of the key questions around the complicated and controversial annual rise: Why do fares go up? Successive governments have chosen to reduce the relative funding of the railways by taxpayers and increase the contribution of passengers. Are all fares treated the same? The increase in about 45% of fares is regulated by the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments. Other fares are set by train operators. Which fares are regulated? Regulated fares include season tickets on most commuter routes, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance journeys and flexible tickets for use in major cities. How much will regulated fares increase by? Price rises for these tickets are capped at Julys RPI figure, which was 3.2%. There is an exception in Scotland as its government caps regulated off-peak fare increases at RPI minus one percentage point. Campaigners protest against rail fare increases outside Kings Cross station in London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) What do passenger groups say? They claim people are being priced off the railways because wages are not increasing at the same rate as fares. What impact have fare rises had on demand? Passenger numbers have more than doubled since the network was privatised in the mid-1990s. Where does the money go? Industry body the Rail Delivery Group says profit margins for rail firms are about 2%, with the rest going on running the railway. What improvements are being made? The Department for Transport says it is investing in the biggest modernisation of the network since Victorian times, with major projects to provide faster and better trains with more seats. The terror suspect who was arrested after a frenzied New Years Eve stabbing which left three people hurt has been detained under the Mental Health Act. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the 25 year-old, who is being held on suspicion of attempted murder, has been assessed by specialist medical staff. Police are searching his home. A spokesman said: The counter-terrorism investigation remains ongoing. If you witnessed or have been affected by the incident at #ManchesterVictoria last night and want to talk to someone in confidence then please contact @VictimSupport on 0808 168 9111. All calls to this number are free Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) January 1, 2019 There is nothing to suggest the involvement of other people in this attack, but confirming this remains a main priority for the investigation. Prime Minister Theresa May joined British Transport Police in commending the emergency services for containing the threat during the incident, which occurred at around 9pm on Monday at Manchester Victoria Station. Earlier, GMP Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson had said the suspect lived in the Cheetham Hill area of the city. Counter-terrorism officers continued to search his address on Tuesday night. (PA Graphics) He said a couple aged in their 50s suffered multiple stab wounds, which are serious but not life-threatening, in the random attack. A British Transport Police officer was also injured as officers on patrol bravely and immediately confronted the attacker with Tasers and pepper spray. The suspect was heard to shout Allah and Long live the Caliphate during the incident at the station, which is next to Manchester Arena where suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people on May 22 2017. We know the incident at Manchester Victoria is likely to cause concern. Our officers will be highly visible through the national rail network. If you see anything that worries you, trust your instincts and report it.#ActionCountersTerrorism pic.twitter.com/neanYnGBBW British Transport Police (@BTP) January 1, 2019 Mr Jackson said: There is wide reporting in the press about what the attacker allegedly said during the incident and because of this we want to be clear, we are treating this as a terrorism investigation. However its really important to stress we are retaining an open mind in relation to the motivation for this attack. GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: I know that the events of last night will have affected many people and caused concern. That the incident happened so close to the scene of the terrorist attack on May 22 2017 makes it even more dreadful. Mr Jackson said police have recovered two knives, but do not yet know if both were used in the attack. Sam Clack, a BBC producer, was on a platform at Manchester Victoria waiting for a tram home when he witnessed the attack. The 38-year-old said: I just heard this most blood-curdling scream and looked down the platform. What it looked like was a guy in his 60s with a woman of similar age and another guy all dressed in black. It looked like they were having a fight but she was screaming in this blood-curdling way. I saw police in high-vis come towards him. He came towards me. I looked down and saw he had a kitchen knife with a black handle with a good 12-inch blade. It was just fear, pure fear. Mr Clack said police used a Taser and pepper spray before six or seven officers jumped on the man and held him down. He said he heard the suspect saying: As long as you keep bombing other countries this sort of shit is going to keep happening. Mr Clack said it looked like both the man in his 60s and the woman with him had been stabbed, but both were conscious and were walked to a waiting ambulance. A security guard has been stabbed to death and three others injured as they tried to bar a group of men from entering a New Years Eve party in Londons West End. Emergency services were called to the property on Park Lane in Westminster at around 5.30am on Tuesday following reports of violence. The victim, believed to be in his early 30s, has not yet been identified. The Metropolitan Police said two other men aged 37 and 29 and a 29-year-old woman were also found with stab injuries. A number of police vehicles were at the scene, and the area was cordoned off (John Stillwell/PA) They were treated at the scene before being taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge said: The incident took place outside a venue that was hosting a private party. I would like to hear from anyone who was present at that event and witnessed this incident. A number of witnesses have already been spoken to, but it is clear many others who were present are yet to be traced, some of whom may have captured the attack on their mobile phones. Forensic investigators could be seen entering and leaving the scene (John Stillwell/PA) It appears the deceased and the two injured males were working as security staff for the party, they were attacked by a group of males who were outside trying to enter the venue. The female was also attacked as she assisted the security staff in closing the front door of the premises. This shocking incident happened just hours into a New Year, the area was particularly busy with people out celebrating and making their way home from various parties and organised events. A large police presence remained in the area on Tuesday evening, with at least 12 officers in the area. Parts of Mount Street, Aldford Street and Park Street have been cordoned off and pedestrians attempting to access the area were blocked by officers on the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. A former US Marine arrested in Russia on espionage charges was visiting Moscow to attend a wedding when he suddenly disappeared, his brother said. Paul Whelan, 48, who is head of global security for a Michigan-based car parts supplier, was arrested on Friday. In announcing the arrest three days later, the Russian Federal Security Service said he was caught during an espionage operation, but gave no details. My brother was detained by the Russian government on Friday as an alleged spy. While the law library + info focus will remain, you may see an increase in off-message topics until we get him safely home. pic.twitter.com/2HIF1UmS1b David Whelan (@davidpwhelan) January 1, 2019 We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being, his family said in a statement that his brother David Whelan posted on Twitter. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected. The Russian spying charges carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. (PA) David Whelan said in an interview that his brother had been to Russia several times previously, so when a fellow former Marine was planning a wedding in Moscow with a Russian woman he was asked to come along to help out. The morning of his arrest, he had taken a group of wedding guests on a tour of the Kremlin museums. The last time anyone heard from him was at about 5pm and then he failed to show up that evening for the wedding, his brother said. It was extraordinarily out of character, he said. The family feared he had been mugged or was in a car accident, David Whelan said, and it was when searching the internet on Monday that he learned of the arrest. I was looking for any stories about dead Americans in Moscow, so in a way it was better than finding out that he had died, he said. The State Department said it had received formal notification from the Russian Foreign Ministry of the arrest and was pushing for consular access. David Whelan said the family was told by the US Embassy in Moscow they have not been able to speak to Paul Whelan. David Whelan said he has no idea why his brother was targeted by the Russian security services. Paul Whelan had travelled to Russia in the past for work and to visit friends he had met on social networks, his brother said. Paul Whelan did multiple tours in Iraq with the Marine Corps, his brother said. He now lives in Novi, Michigan, and is director of global security for BorgWarner, where he has worked since early 2017. He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan and at other company locations around the world, company spokeswoman Kathy Graham said in a statement. She said BorgWarner does not have any facilities in Russia. A finance manager, a teacher and a former member of parliament have told of their anger and disappointment at having to apply to remain in the United Kingdom after Brexit. The Home Office announced on December 27 that EU citizens and their families will have to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme if they want to continue living in the UK after December 31, 2020. EU citizens and their families will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 31 December 2020. Find out more: https://t.co/S5UB9n8iFU #Brexit pic.twitter.com/HdqySqRk8M Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) December 27, 2018 The scheme will be fully open by March 30, 2019, with application costing 65 for those aged 16 and over and 32.50 for under 16s. The Home Offices video received more than 7,000 replies from Twitter users, many of them angry. We were told during the campaign that our rights would remain the same, Christian Allard, a councillor for Aberdeen City Council, told the Press Association. As soon as the Government decided that we would have to apply to stay here, then I said I wont apply. Im sorry, Im not applying to remain in my own home. I came here in good faith, I know my rights, Im here by right. Mr Allard moved to Scotland in the 1980s from France, and served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the North East of Scotland from 2013 to 2016. The crucial point is application, he continued. If you apply for something it means that you could be rejected. We dont know yet if Brexit is going to be delayed, so I would ask people not to rush into paying for something which we dont know what the outcome will be. Im very careful to say that the stance Im taking is a personal stance. Others however arent as confident about protesting against the scheme. Barbara Henderson, 47, is a drama teacher and writer of childrens novels who moved to Scotland from Germany in 1991 to study English at university. My next step will have to be to comply with the settlement scheme, she told the Press Association. Im not going to stick my neck above the parapet and boycott this, for the simple reason that I cant take risks with my family situation. Ive got children, Ive got a husband, Ive got a job people need me here. Ive been in this country for 27 years. Ive not been unemployed, Ive not claimed benefits, I have paid into the system from day one of graduating in fact, I established a book festival in my town. Suddenly it (the scheme) separates me from my family and my community and thats what riles me. Its somehow presented as: arent you lucky, were going to let you stay, when I feel like Ive kind of earned it. (Kirsty OConnor/PA) Liisa Smith, 39, a finance manager from Hertfordshire, is another who feels aggrieved by the scheme. Mrs Smith is an Estonian citizen who moved to the UK in 2001 she is concerned that things could become even more difficult in future. I appreciate that the small print of the Home Office guideline says that it wont cost me anything to apply and currently it is up to me to decide if I want to swap Indefinite Leave to Remain to Settled Status. However, given that the Government rhetoric has changed so much over the past few years and its attitude towards EU nationals is increasingly hostile, whos to say that it wont become compulsory later? Its the overall feeling of not belonging and being unwanted that the Home Office video has only endorsed. I put myself through two degrees here, worked as a theatre director for years creating jobs for British actors, and volunteered a lot with disadvantaged children and communities because I genuinely loved this country and saw my future here. A man ploughed his car into a crowd of people in western Germany, injuring at least four in what appears to have been an intentional attack against foreigners, authorities said. The 50-year-old driver of a silver Mercedes first attempted to hit a group of people in the city of Bottrop shortly after midnight, but the pedestrians were able to jump out of the way, Munster police said. The suspect, a German man, then drove into the centre of Bottrop where he crashed his car into a crowd. Police said those hit included Syrian and Afghan citizens, and some were seriously injured. The driver then sped off towards the nearby city of Essen, where he tried and failed to hit people waiting at a bus stop before being arrested by police on suspicion of attempted murder. The driver, whose name was not released, made anti-foreigner comments during his arrest and there were indications he suffered from mental illness, police said. Police block a road in Bottrop after the attack (Marcel Kusch/dpa/AP) The man had the clear intention to kill foreigners, Herbert Reul, the top security official in North Rhine-Westphalia state, was quoted as saying by the German news agency dpa. It is not the first time that a vehicle has been used as an apparent weapon in Germany. In April, a German man drove a van into a crowd in Munster, killing four people and injuring dozens. The driver, who had sought psychological help in the weeks preceding the attack, then killed himself. On December 19, 2016, a Tunisian man ploughed a truck into a busy Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group. The driver, who fled the scene, was later killed in a shootout with police in Italy. Hundreds of customers at a storage warehouse in south London are likely to have lost their belongings after a fire ripped through the building. Shurgard, which runs the self-storage facility on Purley Way in Croydon, said it would contact all customers in the next two days following the blaze on Monday night. The fire took hold at around 7.45pm, with up to 120 firefighters working to extinguish the blaze. The cause has yet to be confirmed. Nobody was injured, police said, although the four-storey building has been extensively damaged. A company spokesman said: The entire building has been destroyed. Damage to the surrounding area seems to be limited, but for safety reasons traffic has been blocked for the time being. Shurgard confirms the fire in its store in Croydon Purley Way. Please do not visit the site as entry is forbidden due to safety issues and pending investigations. We will get in touch directly with customers today. Shurgard Self-Storage (@Shurgard) January 1, 2019 Shurgard representatives at the scene are working in close collaboration with the London Fire Brigade and the local police department to provide them with all necessary information on the store. The care for its customers of the 1,198 rented units at the Croydon Purley Way store is the first priority for Shurgard. Shurgard will undertake every effort to support all customers for which the event means a loss of their stored goods. As a first measure, a dedicated Shurgard team will be contacting every customer of the store within the next 48 hours to help them and support them with their claim procedures. London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Graham Ellis described the blaze as very challenging. The company said the blaze had destroyed the warehouse (Amina Malik/PA) He said: As you can imagine, self-storage units are generally full of items like furniture which when packed tightly provide a lot of materials to burn, and so these sorts of incidents tend to create large fires that burn hard for a long time, creating a lot of smoke. That said, firefighters have worked hard to ensure that while the fire is burning, it is contained and wont spread to nearby buildings. Currently, a thick plume of smoke is rising from the fire and while most of it is dissipating in the air, it is visible and locals will certainly smell it, so do keep windows and doors shut. Self-storage units are technically very difficult fires to manage, as well as the fire loading its difficult to know what is being stored, which is another reason why we will have lots of appliances in the area for most of today. The road around the storage unit remains closed while emergency services continue to work at the scene. The first day of the year has been marked in colourful style by thousands of people across the nation. They turned out on a bright but chilly New Years Day to watch parades and performers and also to go for a quick dip. Thousands gathered in central London for the annual New Years Day Parade (LNYDP), which is now in its 33rd year to see marching bands and performers. Performers take part in the London New Years Day Parade (Kirsty OConnor/PA) LNYDP communications director Dan Kirkby said the event had gone incredibly well. It was a cool and crisp day but very invigorating and there was a fantastic crowd of people from all over the world there to see it. It involved more than 8,000 performers from more than 20 nationalities ranging from dancers to marching bands, and giant balloons to stunt riders, according to London mayor Sadiq Khan. In a message on the LNYDP website, Mr Khan said there was really is no better place to welcome in the New Year than London. He said the aim was to turn some of our most iconic streets into a sea of joy and colour. In excess of 550 people welcomed in the New Year with a dip in the North Sea here in North Berwick with @RNLI volunteers on standby, thankfully everyone remembered to #RespectTheWater and had a safe Loony Dook. @BBCScotland @STVNews @elcourier pic.twitter.com/z20NMCreAL North Berwick RNLI (@NBRNLI) January 1, 2019 There also colourful scenes of revellers, many of whom had come in fancy dress, who flocked to the shores of South Queensferry for a swim in the chilly waters of the Firth of Forth. The event, known as the Loony Dook, is part of Edinburghs Hogmanay. Traditional tartan warriors, a Donald Trump lookalike and someone on an inflatable unicorn were among the colourful images. Organisers said Tony Pirouet, who came in a home-made costume as a man on a toilet, won the fancy dress prize a 250 donation to his chosen charity of East Fife and Scooniehill Riding for the Disabled. People take part in the annual Loony Dook swim in Firth of Forth (Andrew Milligan/PA) In a joint statement, Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, the directors of Underbelly who produce the event and of Edinburghs Hogmanay, said: Today, New Years Day, over 1,000 participants from 23 countries jumped from the shores of South Queensferry into the chilly waters of the Firth of Forth for the much loved Loony Dook. It was fantastic being a Dooker welcoming the new year. Its terrific how much energy and excitement the Loony Dook generates and the fantastic fancy dress costumes people make and the money generated for charity. Wed like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year! The annual Scarborough Lions New Years Day Dip, which encourages people to arrive at the beach in fancy dress for a dip in the North Sea, also took place. People take part in the Scarborough Lions Club New Years Day Dip (Danny Lawson/PA) Scarborough Lions Treasurer Roy Chambers said: Everybody was good humoured. The crowds were in excess of 3,000 spectators. It is nice to see eveone on the first of January with a smile on their face and also making contribution. Donations are still being collected and will go towards helping people in the community. Revellers also came out for the Barry Island New Years Day swim in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. Inflatable ducks and unicorns plus people dressed as mermaids and Daleks could be seen. The Prince of Wales and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have joined commemorations to mark 100 years since the HMY Iolaire disaster. Only 82 of the 283 passengers on board the ship are believed to have survived when it smashed into rocks near Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis during the early hours of January 1, 1919. The men had been returning home to Lewis, Harris and Berneray having survived the First World War. Crowds gathered at the memorial site on Tuesday to mark a century since the disaster. Nicola Sturgeon lays a wreath at the Iolaire memorial on the Isle of Lewis (Lenny Warren/PA) Prince Charles gave a reading at the service and met with descendants, while Ms Sturgeon also spoke with members of the public. They both laid wreaths at a monument which overlooks the scene of the tragedy, as did representatives from emergency services and other organisations. A note left by Charles read: In special remembrance of your service and sacrifice. Ms Sturgeon said: As we welcome in the new year, today in Stornoway we rightly look back 100 years and remember those lost on the Iolaire a tragedy that involved so many, so close to shore and, for most of the men, so close to home. We reflect on those who perished and how survivors, family, friends and the wider communities on Lewis, Harris and Berneray must have felt. It may have been a century ago but the legacy of the Iolaire will never be forgotten. I was honoured to be part of the commemorations and meet descendants. Psalms were sang in Gaelic and English during the ceremony, as was the national anthem. Prayers and moments of silence also ran through the event. A new sculpture to commemorate the Iolaire, adjacent to the memorial, was shown Prince Charles. It features a bronze depiction of a coiled heaving line, referencing the acts of John Finlay Macleod who swam out with a rope to rescue 40 of the 79 men who were saved. One of the wreath-bearers, Lt Alison Ross of the Royal Navy, is his great-great niece through marriage. The 29-year-old, of Great Bernera, said: To do what he did at a time like that is pretty incredible. Im so glad I could be here with the Navy, but also with my great-aunt, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the community it was really quite an honour. Every single village on the Isle of Lewis was affected by the disaster. Prince Charles made an address during the commemorations (Lenny Warren/PA) Its such as shame that people werent able to talk about it for decades afterwards. So its really incredible now that 100 years later the whole community can come together. Artists Will Maclean, Marian Leven and Arthur Watson also unveiled a work which bears the names of those lost and the communities they came from, as well as a bronze wreath composed of maritime insignia. Robert Mackinnon has served in the coastguard for 25 years and his grandfather who he is named after was among the survivors. The 56-year-old, of Tarbert, said: Im here today for two reasons one is to lay a wreath on behalf of the coastguard. The second is my grandfather was a survivor of the Iolaire, who secured a rope and after all that managed to walk 50 miles back to Harris, during the night, with sleet and howling gale. You can imagine what was going through his mind after seeing that disaster happen before his eyes. As events took place on land, a similar commemoration was held on board Caledonian MacBraynes MV Loch Seaforth ferry near where the Iolaire hit the rocks. More than 500 people were on board, including schoolchildren from the Western Isles who threw 201 red carnations into the sea. The occasion ended with a diver taking a wreath to the site where the ship sank. The New Years Day hunt in a Co Down village has been greeted by both boos from protesters and cheers from supporters. Around 100 anti-hunt protesters gathered at Crawfordsburn on Tuesday morning, holding banners, while a larger number of hunt supporters also turned out along Main Street. Three protesters briefly blocked the street in front of a car towing a horse trailer before being cleared by officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who maintained a presence during proceedings. Protesters briefly blocked the street in Crawfordsburn ahead of the hunt pic.twitter.com/5LRQ9b6ONm Rebecca Black (@RBlackPA) January 1, 2019 The North Down Hunt rode through the village at around 1pm to both boos as well as applause and cheers of support. Some of the protesters shouted shame at the riders as they passed, with some of the riders retorting. A rider has a heated discussion with anti-fox hunt activists during the annual North Down New Year Hunt in Northern Ireland. (Liam McBurney/PA) The huntsmen and women received refreshments at the Crawfordsburn Inn before proceeding on for the main event. A waiter from the Crawfordsburn Inn offers free hot ports to riders as they pass along Main Street Crawfordsburn during the annual North Down New Year Hunt in Northern Ireland. (Liam McBurney/PA) Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK which has not outlawed fox hunting. However the North Down hunt on New Years Day is a drag hunt where the hounds follow an artificially laid scent. Huntsman Master of the hunt prepare to start the annual North Down New Year Hunt in Crawfordsburn, Northern Ireland. See PA Story ULSTER Hunt. Date: Tuesday 1 January 2019. Picture credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire Protester Cliff Grant said there is absolutely no need for hunts to still be taking place in 2019. The huntsmen will tell you its a drag hunt, but very often a drag hunt will turn into a proper hunt if the hounds pick up the scent of a real fox, he said. But even if it is a drag hunt, the rest of the wildlife in the countryside are absolutely terrified by the whole thing, never mind the use of the horses and the hounds as well. A young rider reads the placard of a vegan activist as the North Down New Year Hunt gets underway in Crawfordsburn, Northern Ireland. See PA Story ULSTER Hunt. Date: Tuesday 1 January 2019. Picture credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire We are just here to protest, basically to call them out on it, and say: its 2019, there is absolutely no need for this any more in modern day society. Protesters also included Green Party councillor Barry McKee. However, Crawfordsburn resident and former huntsman Eardley Liesching said the hunt is very welcome in the village. Local resident Eardley Liesching attending todays North Down New Year Hunt in Crawfordsburn, Northern Ireland. See PA Story ULSTER Hunt. Date: Tuesday 1 January 2019. Picture credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire If you look up the street, youll find there are more people for the hunt than against the hunt, he said. People are entitled to protest and we dont mind, everyone is welcome in this village, but we dont want to see traffic stopped, it is supposed to be peaceful if they stop traffic in the middle of the street, well, there is nothing peaceful about that. But I support hunting and I dont object to people objecting to it. Mystery surrounds the death of a man who was discovered with fatal injuries in Dundee in the early hours of New Years Day. Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident in the Nethergate area of the city at approximately 1.15am on Tuesday. Emergency services were called to reports of a disturbance involving several people near the shopping centre, which left one man in a life-threatening condition. The man, who has not yet been identified by police, was taken to Ninewells Hospital where he died from his injuries. Following the unexplained death, detectives are appealing for witnesses who may have seen an altercation to come forward and help officers establish how the man died. Police Scotland say there have been no arrests in connection with the incident. Police are appealing for witnesses after a man died following a disturbance in Dundee (Andrew Milligan/PA) Detective Inspector Ross Fitzgerald said: We know that a number of people were in the area around the time of this incident, which happened on Nethergate close to the Overgate Shopping Centre. We would ask anyone who witnessed any disturbance or who has any other information which could assist the police investigation to come forward if you havent already spoken to an officer. A police presence is likely to be maintained in the area for some time while inquiries continue and the public are thanked for their patience and understanding. We can confirm a man has died after an incident on Nethergate #Dundee. A disturbance involving a number of people was reported around 1.15am on Tues 1/1/19 A man was found injured and was taken to Ninewells Hospital where he has since died. More here: https://t.co/bE9e5DWIRS Tayside Police (@TaysidePolice) January 1, 2019 Any information can be passed to Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 516 of January 1 2018. Witnesses can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Manchester City host Liverpool on Thursday in a match which could have enormous significance in the destination of the Premier League trophy this season. Citys poor run of form over Christmas allowed Liverpool to move seven points clear at the top ahead of the match, and victory for the Reds at the Etihad would leave the champions facing an uphill battle to defend their crown. Jurgen Klopp is the one manager who has been able to consistently get the better of Pep Guardiola in head-to-head battles between the two. Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at the two managers ahead of the big game. Style Guardiolas passing style has been a hallmark of his sides at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and now Manchester City. Guardiola likes his teams to be fast moving, to dominate possession, and to be relentless in going forward. Without the ball, he expects them to use just as much energy in chasing down their opponents in order to win it back. Klopp employs a number of the same principles, and through the Gegenpress has been one of the few managers who has been able to consistently trouble Guardiolas teams. Jurgen Klopps high-energy pressing style has caused Pep Guardiola problems before (Anthony Devlin/PA) Form Manchester Citys Christmas blip could determine the destination of the Premier League trophy in May. Three defeats out of four including a shock home defeat to Crystal Palace saw City tumble from top spot to third, some seven points off Liverpools pace. In contrast Klopps men have just kept charging on. They remain unbeaten after 20 games, and a 5-1 rout of Arsenal on Saturday suggests they are exactly where they want to be ahead of the trip to the Etihad. Chelsea and Manchester City both beaten at home in the Premier League pic.twitter.com/p6TqaNrzZr PA Dugout (@PAdugout) December 22, 2018 Previous meetings Klopp has won more than half of his meetings with Guardiolas sides over the years eight of 15 games. No other manager who has faced Guardiola more than 10 times can even claim to have won one quarter of their matches. Klopps style, so similar in many ways to Guardiolas, clearly works as his kryptonite, and it accounted for Citys Champions League hopes last season as they lost home and away to Liverpool in the quarter-finals. City had a golden chance to win the first Premier League meeting between the two sides this season at Anfield but Riyad Mahrez skied a late penalty and it finished goalless. Riyad Mahrez missed a late penalty at Anfield in October (Martin Rickett/PA) Honours Guardiola took his tally of major domestic league titles to seven with Citys record-breaking 2017-18 campaign, and has a glittering resume which also includes two Champions League crowns. Klopps trophy cabinet highlighted by two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund does not compare at the moment but with his Liverpool side in pole position in the Premier League right now he has an excellent opportunity to start catching up. The Northern Ireland Secretary has come under pressure from people born with serious conditions to maintain restrictions on abortion. Karen Bradley has received extensive and emotive correspondence about terminations since last spring when the Republic of Ireland voted to legalise the procedure during early pregnancy. Among the letter-writers was a successful businessman with cerebral palsy. The movement disorder is usually caused by an injury to the brain before, during or shortly after birth. He wrote: I believe that if it is legalised for foetal abnormality this will open a flood-gate to them all, abortion on demand, and we will end up with staggering figures such as mainland Great Britain where, in 2016, 98% of abortions were for social reasons. I was born with cerebral palsy and while I do depend on others I make a big contribution to Northern Ireland as I am involved with many groups and sit (on) numerous trust panels. I employ four staff members and Im actively involved in my community. The Northern Ireland Secretary has come under pressure from people born with serious conditions to maintain restrictions on abortion (Brian Lawless/PA). I do pray that any decisions on this will be done with much wisdom. Airports can be exciting at Xmas but imagine feeling effects of abortion pills waiting to board a plane home. #nowforNI #thenorthisnext pic.twitter.com/ldaRbRj9ss Alliance For Choice (@All4Choice) December 15, 2018 The 1967 Abortion Act does not extend to Northern Ireland. Terminations are only permitted if a womans life is at risk or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health. Women from Northern Ireland have been offered the procedure on the NHS in other parts of the UK. Campaigners are pressing for it to be legalised in Northern Ireland but that has prompted a backlash from letter-writers to the Government, as disclosed in a freedom of information response. Another writer asked Mrs Bradley to confirm her status as a Christian. It would seem that the most vulnerable in our society, the unborn child, is not permitted human rights, that he/she is something like an in-growing toe nail, as one charming abortion activist described it, that can be removed as easily and with no more compunction. The lesson to take from the liberal/left social agenda is do not be vulnerable in todays Brave New World (Aldous Huxleys dystopian novel), do not be unborn or old and ill, mentally or physically, or disabled or Downs, because the abortionists and the euthanasia or assisted suicide proponents will have you in their sights. Another correspondent said calls for a referendum on the issue should be rejected since such a procedure had never before been used in the UK to decide an issue of policy. There is no principled reason to allow a referendum on this issue and then to deny one on other issues of concern in Northern Ireland. Red squirrels are reclaiming a coastal peninsula in Northern Ireland after a major environmental drive to save the under-threat species. Red populations have been all but wiped out in most parts of Ireland after a century-long takeover by the invasive grey squirrels, started when they were first brought to the island as an ill-considered wedding gift. Volunteers have battled to secure the Ards peninsula in Co Down as one of the reds last remaining strongholds. The historic Mount Stewart estate on the shores of Strangford Lough has led the fightback. The grounds of the 19th century National Trust home were once famous for the amount of red squirrels that lived there, but in recent years numbers plummeted. National Trust ranger at Mount Stewart Toby Edwards is coordinating efforts to save the red squirrel on the Ards peninsula (National Trust/PA) An effort to reverse the decline started in 2015 when newly appointed National Trust area ranger Toby Edwards took on the task. He has been working with volunteer groups and private landlords across the wider peninsula to try to save the reds. The geographic isolation of the peninsula had left it as one of the few remaining pockets on the island of Ireland where reds still lived in good numbers, but Mr Edwards said the greys finally made it to the area earlier this decade, displacing reds as they moved down its length. There are many a story from the family that lived here at Mount Stewart of having red squirrels coming up to their bedroom windows you would have almost been tripping over them on the estate but that rapidly started to decline very quickly from 2010 onward, he said. A red squirrel foraging for food in the woodlands at Mount Stewart in Co Down (Liam McBurney/PA) In 2015, the population was measured as low as 10 individual squirrels in Mount Stewarts 600 acres of woodland. That was like the last stand, said Mr Edwards. An intensive National Trust-funded programme to save the species involving a major grey cull and the creation of a buffer zone to ensure they stay away has sparked a red recovery across the peninsula. At Mount Stewart, where Mr Edwards and his team provide supplementary food supplies through the winter months, the red population has quadrupled in four years and now stands at an estimated 40 to 45. The ranger said visitors to the grounds are now being wowed by the number of reds. A special viewing hide has been built to give people the best chance of seeing them. Now with those numbers back and restored our visitors are seeing them regularly, said Mr Edwards. A lot of people have never seen a red squirrel before, its almost this kind of mythical animal to them something in the Beatrix Potter and Enid Blyton books. They are so used to seeing the urban grey squirrel everywhere so thats been fantastic to be able to have those experiences. The buffer zone stretches across the top of the peninsula from Newtownards to Millisle. Monitoring technology ranging from motion cameras to fur-capturing sticky pads on feed stations is placed throughout the zone, to ensure any potential return of the grey is quickly identified. Visitors to Mount Stewart can now see red squirrels from a special viewing hide (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr Edwards said vigilance is key, highlighting the risk posed by a disease-carrying grey. All it could take is just one grey incursion and that grey carrying the squirrel pox virus and it could decimate the population we have left, he said. The ranger said while some people are uneasy about the killing of greys, he insisted there is a general acceptance that clearances are necessary if the reds are to be saved. The most negative comment Ive had in the last four or five years is, I dont like it, but I understand why, he added. The overwhelming visitor feedback and experience at Mount Stewart has been fantastic and has been really rewarding for us as a team, and the volunteers putting in hours and hours of effort to protect the red squirrel population here and rebuild it. Shots were fired at an apartment in west Belfast in the early hours of New Years Day, police have said. The incident happened in the Upper Springfield Road area. No-one was in the property at the time. Detectives believe the shooting may be linked with an attack on another residence in the Dermott Hill Parade area on Monday evening. Detectives appealing for information after shots fired at an apartment in Upper Springfield Road this morning at 1:50am. No one was inside. Police investigating a possible link to this and windows smashed at a house in Dermott Hill Parade last night. Reference number 231 1/1/19 Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) January 1, 2019 A spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland issued an appeal for information. Shortly after 1.50am, it was reported that shots were fired at the front of an apartment in the area, he said. Detectives are investigating reports that shots were fired at an apartment in west Belfast in the early hours of New Years Day (PA) No-one was inside the property at the time of the incident. We are also investigating a possible link to this incident and a report of criminal damage at a house in the Dermott Hill Parade area. Police received a report at around 2.45am this morning that the windows of a house in the area were smashed at around 8pm last night (Monday December 31). Inquiries are continuing and we would appeal to anyone who saw anything suspicious at both areas to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 231 1/1/19. The Duchess of Sussex has become known for her impeccable style. Whether opting for her much-loved beige, black or navy shades, or stepping out in striking block colour, Meghans wardrobe choices have won many fans. She previously told Hello! magazine, when she was still starring in Suits: I gravitate towards a neutral palette and really timeless pieces but I like to try to mix in something trend-centric. Her fashion hits this year have included a modern take on the princess ballgown and a green leather pencil skirt. The second wedding dress Meghan wowed in her pure white Givenchy boat neck wedding gown by Clare Waight Keller, but her evening dress by Stella McCartney was also a triumph. The newly married Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Meghan wearing Stella McCartney (Steve Parsons/PA) The lily-white silk crepe de chine floor-length halterneck gown was described by the McCartney fashion label as an elegant, refined and effortlessly feminine silhouette. The boat neck It was back to the boat neck as seen on her church wedding dress for the RAF centenary celebrations. Meghan in Dior as she attends a reception at Buckingham Palace for the RAF centenary (Phil Harris/Daily Mirror/PA) Meghans navy dress by Dior was nipped at the waist with a flared skirt, and the hat was by favourite royal milliner Stephen Jones. The former actress was described as the epitome of glamour by fashion blog Meghans Mirror for this outfit. Hello, gorgeous! Looking stunning in a dark custom @dior dress, #MeghanMarkle (The #DuchessOfSussex) was the epitome of glamour at this mornings RAF centenary celebrations. https://t.co/nt5uvyWlZ0 pic.twitter.com/UGLL4HyPKV Meghans Mirror (@MeghansMirror) July 10, 2018 Edgy and elegant For her first official visit to Sussex with Harry, Meghan wore a dark green leather Hugo Boss skirt with a buttoned shirt from And Other Stories. Meghans true princess moment this past year came in October, when she stepped out in the stunning Oscar de la Renta gown, Ms Ross told the Press Association. She added: The jagged cut of the fabric lent it a modern look, creating a dress that was princess-y without being twee. The monochromatic colour palette of contrasting black and white stayed true to Meghans signature style. This gown showed that her new role as duchess was not going to change who Meghan is: a modern royal representing a modern monarchy. Fijian Blue Meghan showed off her growing baby bump in a sleek, caped full-length dress by label Safiyaa. It was designed by German-born London-based designer Daniela Karnuts and the duchess chose to wear it to a black tie reception in Fiji in October. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for the state dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) The block Fijian blue colour was a tribute to her hosts. Sartorial diplomacy Amanda Dishaw, also co-editorial director of Meghans Mirror, picked the green Givenchy top and patch pocket skirt worn in Dublin as Meghans best ensemble. The trip to Ireland in July was the couples first official overseas tour. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are greeted by Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar during their visit to Dublin, Ireland in July (Joe Giddens/PA) It was the first chance we had an opportunity to visibly see Meghans sartorial diplomacy on stage, Ms Dishaw said. Turning to Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, she looked chic and elegant in a pencil skirt and sweater, while also paying homage to British fashion by carrying a Strathberry tote. Saying she loved the mix of business and style, Ms Dishaw added: The jewelled green tone was a great nod to the Emerald Isle she was visiting. Florals and ruffles Its not an easy look to pull off, but Meghan succeeded when she opted for ruffles as she attended morning tea at the British High Commissioners Residence in Fiji. Meghan in her floral Figue dress in Fiji (Phil Noble/PA) The printed wrap dress by Figue featured pom-pom details and a ruffled asymmetrical hem. Counter-terror police are continuing to question a man accused of stabbing three people at a railway terminal on New Years Eve. The suspect is being held by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on suspicion of attempted murder following the attack at Victoria station at around 9pm on Monday. Two commuters a man and woman in their 50s were taken to hospital with knife injuries and a British Transport Police (BTP) officer was stabbed in the shoulder. He has since been released from hospital. A GMP spokesman said: The police sergeant was taken to hospital with a stab wound to his shoulder following the attack at the station. Within minutes, a man was arrested near to Metrolink platforms A and B on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in custody for police questioning. The station is next to Manchester Arena, where suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people on May 22. Police restrain a man after three people were stabbed at Manchester Victoria station (Sam Clack/PA) The spokesman said there would be a greater police presence around the station on Tuesday, but added that there was no increased threat to peoples safety. A witness to the attack said they heard the assailant shout Allah during the incident. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts said: (Monday nights) events will have understandably worried people but I need to stress that the incident is not ongoing, a man is in custody and there is currently no intelligence to suggest that there is any wider threat at this time. Sam Clack, a BBC producer, was on a platform at Manchester Victoria railway station waiting for a tram home when he witnessed the attack. The 38-year-old said: I just heard this most blood-curdling scream and looked down the platform. What it looked like was a guy in his 60s with a woman of similar age and another guy all dressed in black. It looked like they were having a fight but she was screaming in this blood-curdling way. I saw police in high-vis come towards him. He came towards me. I looked down and saw he had a kitchen knife with a black handle with a good 12-inch blade. It was just fear, pure fear. Mr Clack said police officers used a Taser and pepper spray before six or seven officers jumped on the man and held him down. He said he heard the suspect saying: As long as you keep bombing other countries this sort of shit is going to keep happening. Mr Clack said it looked like both the man in his 60s and the woman with him had been stabbed, but both were conscious and were walked to a waiting ambulance. He said he also heard the knifeman shouting Allah during the attack. He shouted it before, he shouted it during it Allah, Mr Clack said. As police appeared within seconds, the knifeman backed down the platform towards where he was standing alone. Mr Clack described how he feared the man would attack him. I just had a feeling in the pit of my stomach, he said. Heres a man whos very agitated, angry, skittish. It appears he had already attacked someone. He had police coming towards him and hes coming towards me. I thought what I need to do is jump on to the tracks because next thing hes going to do is turn around and stab me. Hes looking about, side to side and jumpy. At one point one of the police officers fired the Taser but it missed him. Then he got pepper sprayed and Tasered and he want to the ground. The guy, his exact words were, he said: As long as you keep bombing other countries, this sort of shit is going to keep happening. He added: It was scary. I have never been so scared in my life. Someone with a knife six to eight feet away, he had just stabbed someone. It was the proximity. It just highlights the fact that it can happen anywhere. Its just a guy with a knife on a platform. It can happen anywhere. Anyone can do it. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned Washington not to test Pyongyangs patience with sanctions and pressure. Mr Kim was speaking during his televised New Years speech where he said he is ready to meet with US president Donald Trump at any time to produce an outcome welcomed by the international community. However, he said the North will be forced to take a different path if the United States continues to break its promises and misjudges the patience of our people by unilaterally demanding certain things and pushes ahead with sanctions and pressure. Mr Kim also said the United States should continue to halt its joint military exercises with ally South Korea and not deploy strategic military assets to the South. Washington and Pyongyang are trying to arrange a second summit between Mr Trump and Mr Kim, who met in Singapore on June 12 last year. If the United States takes sincere measures and corresponding action to our leading and pre-emptive efforts, then (US-North Korea) relations will advance at a fast and excellent pace through the process of implementing (such) definite and groundbreaking measures, said Mr Kim, who delivered the speech sitting on a leather chair, wearing a black suit and gray-blue tie. It is the unwavering position of our party and the republics government and my firm will that the two countries as declared in the June 12 joint statement take steps to establish a permanent and stable peace regime and push toward the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, he said. Therefore, we have already declared domestically and internationally and took various actions showing our commitment that we will no further create or test nuclear weapons and will not use or spread them. Mr Kims speech was closely watched as North Korean leaders traditionally use New Years statements to reflect on the past year and issue major policy goals for the year ahead. The North Korean leader says he hopes to extend his high-stakes nuclear summits with US president Donald Trump into 2019 (Ahn Young-joon/AP) He used his New Years speech a year ago to start a newfound diplomatic approach with Seoul and Washington, which led to his meetings with South Korean president Moon Jae-in and Mr Trump. Mr Kim also met three times with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which boosted his leverage by reintroducing Beijing Pyongyangs main ally as a major player in the diplomatic process to resolve the nuclear standoff. But nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled in recent months as they struggle with the sequencing of North Koreas disarmament and the removal of US-led sanctions against the North. Russia was told to shut up, someone declared themselves a stable genius, and a politician fluffed his lines. In 2018 leading figures delivered some blinding one-liners, while celebrities sang their spouses praises and inflated their egos via Twitter. From social media rants to diplomatic speeches, this year had its fair share of awkward statements. But sometimes its hard to tell who said what was it Boris or Kanye? Melania Trump or Tommy Robinson? The words London is open rang in the new year as the capital welcomed 2019 with a dazzling riverside fireworks display. The phrase was spoken in seven languages around two minutes past midnight as the city skyline filled with lights in the largest annual display in Europe. A soundtrack featuring Europes finest musical artists celebrated the diversity of the capital, after Big Ben, silent for much of 2018 due to renovations, chimed once more. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the sold-out display would show Europe that the capital will remain open-minded and outward looking post-Brexit. He said Westminster politicians had given the world the impression that Britain is insular, inward looking, as Britain begins the new year countdown to Brexit. Fireworks light up the sky over the London Eye (Victoria Jones/PA) Mr Khan said he hoped this years event would send a message of support to the more than one million European citizens for whom London is home. He has previously expressed his backing for a Peoples Vote and has voiced his concerns over the effects of a no-deal Brexit on the capital. Speaking to the Press Association on New Years Eve, he said: Well one of the things which upset many, many Londoners and many people across our country and in Europe is the tone and language used by politicians in Westminster, giving the impression were insular, inward looking, not welcoming to Europeans. The display lit up London (Yui Mok/PA) I think the Governments made a mess of negotiations with the European Union, Mr Khan continued. Bearing in mind Parliament cant resolve the issue of how we will leave the European Union, we should allow the public to take back control with the option of staying in European Union, or accepting the deal made by the government, he said. He vowed that London would remain the same after March 29 2019, and said the fireworks display was about showing the world, while theyre watching us, that were going to carry on being open-minded, outward looking, pluralistic. Some 100,000 ticket-holders lined the banks of the Thames to watch 70,000 projectiles made up of eight tonnes of fireworks fire into the sky from three barges and the London Eye. Huge crowds saw the spectacular show (Yui Mok/PA) Mr Khan continued: We, in my opinion, are one of the greatest cities in the world, one of the reason we are one of the greatest cities in the world is because of the contribution made by Europeans. I think diversity is a strength and I think what tonight is about is celebrating that diversity. I hope that members of Parliament, members of the Government will see the fireworks tonight, will listen to the soundtrack and will reflect on what sort of country they want to live in post-March. HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) - Security guards shot and killed an armed man in a casino-resort Sunday in suburban Las Vegas during a confrontation, police said. The man, whose name was not released, was walking through the Green Valley Ranch resort about 3:40 p.m. when people told security that he was carrying a handgun, police told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Three security guards confronted the man, and he drew his weapon, police said. Two of the guards shot the man, police said. He received medical care at the casino but later died. No one else was injured, police said. The casino was not evacuated. Henderson Police Department Lt. Kirk Moore says he does not know if the man shot his weapon or how many shots were fired. Local news station vans line up after reports of a shooting at Green Valley Ranch casino in Henderson, Nev., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. (Caroline Brehman/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) The Green Valley Ranch is owned by gaming company Station Casinos. Station Casinos spokeswoman Lori Nelson did not immediately respond to an email seeking information. ___ Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, http://www.lvrj.com A police car sits outside of Green Valley Ranch casino in Henderson, Nev., Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Henderson Police told KLAS-TV and KSNV-TV that one person was shot by hotel security inside the resort on Tuesday afternoon. (Caroline Brehman/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP) LIMA, Peru (AP) - Thousands of Peruvians marched in protest again Tuesday decrying the attorney general's dismissal of a team investigating the sweeping Odebrecht corruption case in a move that President Martin Vizcarra decried as "profoundly damaging." Demonstrators carried a giant Peruvian flag through Lima while shouting the name of one of the removed prosecutors in a second night of protests. "The people support you!" marchers cried out. Vizcarra said he would urge congress to declare Attorney General Pedro Chavarry's office in a state of emergency after rushing back from a foreign trip. He warned that the dismissal of two lead prosecutors could jeopardize the sensitive investigation into allegations of bribery involving some of the country's highest-ranking politicians. "The attorney general is profoundly damaging the interests of Peru and causing outrage among citizens," Vizcarra said in a terse statement. Vizcarra said he would personally deliver legislation to congress Wednesday to declare an emergency at the Public Ministry, a move that could pave the way for Chavarry's removal. But the bill would have to be passed by congress, where a majority is held by the opposition led by former first daughter Keiko Fujimori, who is among those being investigated. Legislators have held up three formal complaints against the attorney general in recent months. Demonstrators protest at San Martin Plaza in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, over Attorney General Pedro Chavarry's dismissal of a team investigating the sweeping Odebrecht corruption case. President Martin Vizcarra said Chavarry's actions jeopardize key investigations into allegations of bribery involving some of the country's highest-ranking politicians, including several former presidents. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia) Chavarry sparked street protests in a half-dozen cities across Peru on New Year's Eve by announcing that he was removing two prosecutors leading a probe into whether several former presidents accepted money from Odebrecht. The Brazilian construction giant has admitted in U.S. court filings that it paid $800 million in bribes to officials across Latin America, including $29 million in Peru, in exchange for lucrative public works contracts. Prosecutors in Peru are often viewed as corrupt bureaucrats, but those heading the corruption investigation have drawn public favor for taking on the political elite. Vizcarra hurried back home from Brazil, where he had planned to attend the New Year's Day inauguration of President Jair Bolsonaro. "Today more than ever we need a more vigilant citizenry," he said. "I am convinced that, if we stay united and act for the good of Peru, we will be the winners of this fight." The South American nation has been battling against a scourge of deeply entrenched corruption allegedly involving every living former president as well as numerous judges, politicians and business leaders caught making backroom deals in recent years. Vizcarra was sworn in as Peru's president in March when Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigned from the presidency after opposition lawmakers revealed his private consulting company had received money from Odebrecht while he was a government minister. The two prosecutors removed from their posts were also leading probes into three other former presidents - Alejandro Toledo, Ollanta Humala and Alan Garcia - on suspicion of having received money from Odebrecht. Keiko Fujimori, a two-time former presidential contender who leads the opposition party, has been jailed while she is investigated. Her father, the former strongman Alberto Fujimori, was convicted of human rights abuses and corruption after his decadelong rule. In early December, chief prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez and the team's fiscal coordinator, Rafael Vela, reached an agreement with Odebrecht executives who said they would deliver documents exposing bribes made to officials. Prosecutors say the evidence is key to their cases against Fujimori and Garcia. The agreement was due to be signed in early January. Chavarry announced the prosecutors' removal hours before midnight Monday and took no questions regarding the decision. He said he removed Perez for questioning his election as attorney general and Vela for supporting him. Chavarry also accused the prosecutors of blocking his request for information on the Odebrecht case, and he said Perez had made statements calling into doubt his objectivity. Perez has accused Chavarry of taking steps to hinder the investigations into the Odebrecht links of Fujimori and Garcia, both political allies of the attorney general. Prosecutors also have publicly accused Chavarry of having ties with criminal organizations made up of magistrates and businessmen who bartered power for favors or money. Both Perez and Vela vowed to appeal their removal. Chavarry's decision sparked strong reaction from human rights groups. Transparency International called the move "a huge step backward in the fight against impunity in Peru" and urged the attorney general to reverse his decision. SEATTLE (AP) - Washington on Tuesday joined a handful of other states that ban anyone under 21 from buying a semi-automatic assault rifle after voters passed a sweeping firearms measure in November that has drawn a court challenge from gun-rights advocates. The ballot initiative seeks to curb gun violence by toughening background checks for people buying assault rifles, increasing the age limit to buy those firearms and requiring the safe storage of all guns. Only the age-limit portion of the measure goes into effect on Jan. 1; the rest becomes law on July 1. Kristen Ellingboe, a spokeswoman for the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, said the initiative was one of the most comprehensive gun-violence prevention measures to pass in the United States. It specifically targeted "semi-automatic assault rifles" in response to mass shootings across the country, she said. "We've seen that assault rifles are the weapon of choice for mass shootings, and when they're used, more people are killed and injured," Ellingboe said. Fifty-nine percent of Washington voters approved Initiative 1639 in the Nov. 6 general election. "We've see time and again that Washington voters want action to prevent gun violence in our state," Ellingboe said. "They showed that again by supporting 1639 by a wide margin." In this Oct. 2, 2018, semi-automatic rifles fill a wall at a gun shop in Lynnwood, Wash. Starting Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, no one under the age of 21 in Washington state will be allowed to purchase a "semi-automatic assault rifle," under a voter-approved initiative that passed in November. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Opponents have sued to block it. "Starting today, young adults between the ages of 18 to 20 will have their rights to purchase semi-automatic rifles stripped away," said Dave Workman, a spokesman for the Bellevue, Washington-based Second Amendment Foundation. The federal lawsuit says the measure violates the Second and 14th amendments of the Constitution as well as gun sellers' rights under the Commerce Clause. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are firearms dealers in Spokane and Vancouver, a 19-year-old competitive shooter, a 19-year-old in the Army Reserves, a 20-year-old recreational shooter, the Second Amendment Foundation and the National Rifle Association. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said he "looks forward to representing the people of the state of Washington in court against the NRA." "The gun lobby is trying to thwart the will of nearly 60 percent of Washingtonian voters who supported common sense gun reform in our state," he said in an email. The full measure, when it goes into effect later this year, will expand the background check process to ensure that vetting for rifle purchases is the same as for buying pistols. Now, people in Washington who buy long guns are run through the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS. Background checks for handgun sales are done by local law enforcement agencies that can access NICS as well as more detailed records that might expose mental health issues or harder-to-find criminal records. And you must be 21 to purchase a pistol. "This will update Washington state law so the requirements to purchase semi-automatic assault rifle will match handguns," Ellingboe said. In most states, including over the border in Idaho and Oregon, you must be 18 to buy an assault rifle. But Republican-dominant Florida passed a law after a school shooting to increase the age limit to 21. Nikolas Cruz was 18 when he legally bought the assault rifle he used to kill 17 people at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, last February. Four other states - Hawaii, Illinois, Vermont and New York - also prohibit anyone under 21 from buying all firearms. Workman of Second Amendment Foundation says Washington's measure will take away firearms from law-abiding residents who can easily pass multiple background checks. It will impair public safety and embolden criminals while placing restrictions on people who already legally own semi-automatic rifles, Workman said. STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (AP) - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a policeman working off-duty as a liquor store guard shot and killed a gunman who had ordered workers and customers onto the floor late New Year's Eve. The agency says in a news release that the gunman ran but collapsed outside the store in Stone Mountain, about 13 miles (21 kilometers) from Atlanta, and was pronounced dead at a hospital. The dead man has not been identified. The officer is from the Pine Lake Police Department. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the shooting, which occurred about 11 p.m. Monday. It will turn over its results to the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office for review. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Latest on swearing-in day for Pennsylvania state lawmakers (all times local): ___ 12:50 p.m. Pennsylvania state lawmakers are ready for the coming two-year session after being sworn in on New Year's Day. The House welcomed 42 new members and seven new senators took the oath of office on Tuesday after winning election in November. Three House seats aren't filled, all belonging to Democrats. One resigned, one died in office and a newly elected member is on her honeymoon. A Republican senator is expected to step down and be sworn in to Congress later this week. The biggest change in leadership is in the House, where Rep. Bryan Cutler is taking over as majority leader. Allegheny County Republican Rep. Mike Turzai was re-elected as speaker, as was Republican Sen. Joe Scarnati of Jefferson County as his chamber's president pro tempore. ___ 10:30 a.m. State lawmakers are convening in the Pennsylvania Capitol on New Year's Day to take the oath of office under a state constitutional mandate that they meet on the first Tuesday of the year. Forty-two new House members and seven new senators are being sworn in Tuesday after winning election in November. Both chambers will have smaller but still substantial Republican majorities in the coming two-year session, 110 to 93 in the House and 29 to 21 in the Senate. There are two vacancies among the 93 House Democratic seats. A Republican senator is expected to step down and be sworn in to Congress later this week. The biggest change in leadership is in the House, where Rep. Bryan Cutler is taking over as majority leader. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania lawmakers took the oath of office Tuesday, convening in the state Capitol on New Year's Day under a state constitutional mandate they meet on the first Tuesday of the year. Forty-two House members and seven senators were sworn in for the first time after winning elections in November. Both chambers have smaller but still substantial Republican majorities compared to last session, 110 to 93 in the House and 29 to 21 in the Senate. There are two vacancies among the 93 House Democratic seats, and a Republican senator is expected to step down and be sworn in to Congress later this week. The 43rd House freshman, Rep.-elect Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, will likely be sworn in later this month, after she returns from her honeymoon. The biggest change in leadership is in the House, where Rep. Bryan Cutler took over as majority leader, replacing Rep. Dave Reed, R-Indiana, who did not seek re-election to the Legislature. House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, center, takes the oath of office, Tuesday Jan. 1, 2019 in Harrisburg, Pa. Pennsylvania state lawmakers are ready for the coming two-year session after being sworn in on New Year's Day. The House welcomed 42 new members and seven new senators took the oath of office on Tuesday after winning election in November. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) Cutler urged members to "learn one another's life stories in a personal and meaningful way," recounting details of his own background in Lancaster County. The House voted 142-58 to approve rule changes that including having the Ethics Committee investigate sexual harassment allegations, to cut from 24 hours to 12 hours the time that must pass before a final vote on an amended bill and to allow people who are not legislators or religious leaders to give the House's opening prayer. The House also set up a new panel called the House Government Oversight Committee, made up of five majority-party members and four from the minority. It will have subpoena power and authority to take up matters on referral from the speaker or either floor leader. Allegheny County Republican Rep. Mike Turzai was re-elected to retain the gavel as speaker, as was Republican Sen. Joe Scarnati of Jefferson County as his chamber's president pro tempore. Scarnati urged his colleagues to treat one another with civility and "come together to find a compromise, to get results, because it's results that we're judged by at the end of the day." The Senate will have a new presiding officer once Braddock Mayor John Fetterman becomes lieutenant governor later this month. Senate rule changes addressed proper attire for members and staff, phone use in the chamber and access to amendments. Fetterman beat incumbent Lt. Gov. Mike Stack in last year's Democratic primary and was elected along with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who won a second term. In the Senate, Scarnati ended weeks of uncertainty on Friday by announcing he supported the seating of Democrat Lindsey Williams in an Allegheny County district. Republicans had raised questions about whether Williams had lived in the state for four years to the day before being elected, a state constitutional requirement. She was sworn in. Williams' win was one of five Republican seats in the Senate that Democrats flipped in November, including four in the Philadelphia suburbs. The two new Republican senators are Judy Ward of Blair County and Kristin Phillips-Hill of York County, both filling vacancies created when an incumbent sought higher office. Sen. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Allegheny, is scheduled to be sworn in to Congress on Thursday. A Senate GOP spokeswoman said he resigned his state legislative seat, effective Monday. There are two vacancies in the House. Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, D-Philadelphia, resigned after being sentenced to probation in November for a bribery conviction, and Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-Lackawanna, died in office in October. The first major item of legislative business will occur Feb. 5, when Wolf gives the governor's annual budget address. Lawmakers may also again consider legislation, spiked last fall by Senate Republicans, to provide a "window" for civil lawsuits over claims of child sexual abuse that would otherwise be too old to pursue. Among those not returning to the Legislature due to retirement are Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Clinton, who had been his party's whip; Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, R-Montgomery, a major figure for decades in legal issues in the Capitol; and Rep. Bob Godshall, R-Montgomery, who spent 36 years in the chamber. Pennsylvania state House Rep. Bob Merski, center, D-Erie, sings the National Anthem Tuesday Jan. 1, 2019 in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania as state lawmakers gathered Tuesday to be sworn in on New Year's Day. The House welcomed 42 new members and seven new senators took the oath of office on Tuesday after winning election in November. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) Pennsylvania state House Rep. Bob Merski, center, D-Erie, takes his seat in the House chambers Tuesday Jan. 1, 2019 in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania state lawmakers gathered Tuesday to be sworn in on New Year's Day. The House welcomed 42 new members, including Merski, and seven new senators took the oath of office on Tuesday after winning election in November. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) Pennsylvania state House Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia, sings the National Anthem Tuesday Jan. 1, 2019 in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania state lawmakers were sworn in on New Year's Day. The House welcomed 42 new members, including Kenyatta, and seven new senators took the oath of office on Tuesday after winning election in November. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) Pennsylvania state House Rep. Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, addresses the House chamber, Tuesday Jan. 1, 2019, in Harrisburg, Pa. Cutler took over as majority leader, replacing Rep. Dave Reed, R-Indiana, who did not seek re-election to the Legislature. The House welcomed 42 new members and seven new senators took the oath of office on Tuesday after winning election in November. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) Pennsylvania state House Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester County, is sworn in Tuesday Jan. 1, 2019, at the Statehouse in Harrisburg, Pa. Pennsylvania state lawmakers are ready for the coming two-year session after being sworn in on New Year's Day. The House welcomed 42 new members and seven new senators took the oath of office on Tuesday after winning election in November. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma) BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) - The self-styled Libyan National Army says its forces have freed nearly 20 people who were kidnapped by Islamic State group militants during attacks in central Libya. Spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari said Tuesday that clashes erupted late Monday between LNA forces, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter, and IS militants in Ghadwua village, 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the southern city of Sabha. A military official says at least 21 people were kidnapped from the towns of al-Fuqaha and Tazerbu last month; two of them managed to flee and reported the locations of the others. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media. He says IS militants were holding the remaining 19 people in containers on farmland and that clashes killed a soldier. VATICAN CITY (AP) - The Vatican blocked U.S. bishops from taking measures to address the clergy sex abuse scandal because U.S. church leaders didn't discuss the legally problematic proposals with the Holy See enough beforehand, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press. The Nov. 11 letter from the Vatican's Cardinal Marc Ouellet provides the primary reason that Rome balked at the measures that were to be voted on by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at its Nov. 12-14 meeting. The blocked vote stunned abuse survivors and other Catholics who were demanding action from U.S. bishops to address clergy sex abuse and cover-up. Ouellet's letter undermines the version of events provided by the conference president, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo. It could also provide fodder for questions during a spiritual retreat of U.S. bishops, dedicated to the abuse crisis, that opens Wednesday in Chicago. They may want to know why, as Ouellet noted in the letter, the draft proposals only arrived at the Vatican on Nov. 8, four days before the U.S. bishops' meeting began. While the Vatican is known for its slow pace, even the speediest bureaucracy would have found it difficult to review and sign off on sensitive legal documents in that time. "Considering the nature and scope of the documents being proposed by the (conference), I believe it would have been beneficial to have allowed for more time to consult with this and other congregations with competence over the ministry and discipline of bishops," Ouellet wrote to DiNardo. Such back-and-forth, he wrote, would have allowed the documents to "properly mature." Pope Francis leaves after celebrating a new year Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Francis celebrated Mass Tuesday in St. Peter's Basilica to formally open 2019. In his homily Francis urged Catholics to allow themselves to be led again as children are led by their mothers. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) The main goal of the U.S. bishops' fall meeting had been to approve a code of conduct for bishops and create a lay-led commission to receive complaints against them. The measures were a crisis response to the scandal over ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, a once-senior American cleric who is now accused of molesting minors and adults, and new revelations of old sex abuse cases in Pennsylvania. DiNardo stunned the bishops when he opened the assembly Nov. 12 by announcing that "at the insistence of the Holy See" the bishops would not be voting on the measures after all. He said the Vatican wanted them to delay a vote until after Pope Francis hosts a global summit in February on preventing sex abuse by priests. While DiNardo blamed the Vatican, the letter from Ouellet suggests that the Vatican thought DiNardo had tried to pull a fast one by intentionally withholding legally problematic texts until the last minute. It is not surprising that Rome wanted a say in crafting the text, given the Holy See has exclusive authority to investigate and discipline problem bishops. "While fully aware that a bishops' conference enjoys a rightful autonomy ... to discuss and eventually approve measures that are within the conference's powers, the conference's work must always be integrated within the hierarchical structure and universal law of the church," Ouellet wrote. In a statement Tuesday to AP, DiNardo characterized the dispute as a misunderstanding. He said he assumed the Vatican would have had a chance to "review and offer adjustments" to the measures after the U.S. bishops approved them, not before. He insisted that U.S. bishops were not trying to appropriate Vatican powers for themselves. "It is now clear there were different expectations on the bishops conference's part and Rome's part that may have affected the understanding of these proposals," DiNardo said in a statement. "From our perspective, they were designed to stop short of where the authority of the Holy See began." The U.S. strategy, it seems, was to avoid drawn-out negotiations before the vote so the U.S. bishops could present the Vatican with documents after the fact. Legally speaking, the U.S. bishops didn't need Vatican approval prior to the vote. But since the Holy See would have to approve the proposals afterward for them to become binding, consultation on the text was necessary and strategically wise to do so beforehand, said Nicholas Cafardi, a U.S. canon lawyer. DiNardo, in his statement to the AP, said he had shared the "content and direction" of the proposals with multiple Vatican offices in October and drafted the final text after encountering no opposition. "We had not planned, nor had the Holy See made a request, to share the texts prior to the body of bishops having had an opportunity to amend them," he said. During a Nov. 12 press conference, DiNardo was asked when the Vatican was actually consulted about the measures. He replied the texts were finalized Oct. 30 and that the delay in finishing them might have been a problem. "So it's not surprising, on one level, that people would be catching their breath, perhaps even in Rome," he told reporters. DiNardo also acknowledged, when pressed by a reporter, that the texts themselves had some legal problems, though he downplayed the severity of them. In his statement to AP, DiNardo said he had told Ouellet that failing to vote on the texts "would prove a great disappointment to the faithful, who were expecting their bishops to take just action. Though there were canonical precisions mentioned, the emphasis seemed to be on delaying votes and not wanting to get ahead of the (pope's) February meeting of episcopal conference presidents," he said. Ouellet did indeed cite the February meeting in his letter, saying any document "should incorporate the input and fruits of the college of bishops' work of common discernment." But the February summit was announced Sept. 13. If that were the primary reason for Ouellet's demand to scrap the U.S. vote, he could have communicated that to DiNardo a lot sooner. Instead, as the Nov. 12 deadline loomed for the start of the U.S. meeting and still no text proposals had arrived in Rome, Ouellet wrote DiNardo an initial warning on Nov. 6 not to vote. Five days later, in his Nov. 11 letter, Ouellet reaffirmed that decision after having finally read the text. That also undermined DiNardo's claim to have only received the request to delay the vote the night before the meeting began. FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2018 file photo, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, listens to a reporter's question during a news conference during the USCCB's annual fall meeting, in Baltimore. When Cardinal DiNardo told a stunned meeting of U.S. bishops that the Vatican wouldn't let them adopt new measures to address clergy sex abuse, he said the Holy See wanted them to wait until after a February abuse prevention summit called by Pope Francis. But a letter from the Vatican's Cardinal Marc Oullet, obtained this week by The Associated Press, said the main reason the Vatican objected to the November vote was because U.S. bishops had withheld the problematic texts from the Vatican until the last minute, and didn't consult Rome in drafting them. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, file) FILE - In this Nov. 12, 2018 file photo, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, listens to a reporter's question during a news conference during the USCCB's annual fall meeting, in Baltimore. When Cardinal DiNardo told a stunned meeting of U.S. bishops that the Vatican wouldn't let them adopt new measures to address clergy sex abuse, he said the Holy See wanted them to wait until after a February abuse prevention summit called by Pope Francis. But a letter from the Vatican's Cardinal Marc Oullet, obtained this week by The Associated Press, said the main reason the Vatican objected to the November vote was because U.S. bishops had withheld the problematic texts from the Vatican until the last minute, and didn't consult Rome in drafting them. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, file) People gather in St. Peter's Square to attend a blessing by Pope Francis during the Angelus noon prayer he recited from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's outdated election system has drawn criticism from cybersecurity experts and voting integrity advocates, and now a commission tasked with examining potential replacements is preparing to make recommendations to lawmakers. The paperless system was closely scrutinized during last year's nationally watched gubernatorial race between Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp, who was Georgia's secretary of state and chief elections official. Abrams and her allies accused Kemp of suppressing minority votes and mismanaging the election, including by neglecting elections infrastructure. Kemp, now governor-elect, has vehemently denied those allegations. Cybersecurity experts have warned that the touchscreen voting machines Georgia has used since 2002 are unreliable and vulnerable to hacking, and provide no way to do an audit or confirm that votes have been recorded correctly because there's no paper trail. The state's voting system has been challenged in lawsuits, including one filed after the November election by Fair Fight Action, a nonprofit backed by Abrams. In addition to the outdated machines, critics also raised concerns after security lapses exposed the personal information of Georgia voters. U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg wrote in September that Georgia election officials had stalled too long in the face of "a mounting tide of evidence of the inadequacy and security risks" of the state's voting system. She declined to order the state to use paper ballots in the midterm elections, saying there was not enough time before voting began. But she warned that "these same arguments would hold much less sway in the future." Kemp has insisted that the current system is secure and reliable. But after legislative efforts to replace it failed earlier this year, he established the Secure, Accessible and Fair Elections, or SAFE, Commission in April to study potential replacements. This May 22, 2018 photo shows a voter access card inserted in a voting reader during voting in the Georgia primary in Kennesaw, Ga. Georgia's outdated election system has drawn criticism from cybersecurity experts and voting integrity advocates, and now a commission tasked with examining potential replacements is preparing to make recommendations to lawmakers. (AP Photo Mike Stewart) Made up of lawmakers, political party representatives, voters and election officials, the commission is expected to make recommendations before the legislative session begins Jan. 14. A vendor demonstration of election technology is scheduled for Thursday. Ryan Germany, general counsel for the secretary of state's office, told the commission at a meeting last month in Macon that Georgia must act quickly. "The 2020 election cycle is an aggressive goal, but I think it's the correct goal," he said, adding that the state would almost certainly face additional litigation if a new system isn't in place by then. The commissioners seemed to agree Georgia's system should produce a paper record and that election officials should conduct post-election audits. Some commission members said they support paper ballots that voters mark by hand, filling in bubbles with a pen or pencil. But others prefer touchscreen ballot-marking machines that print a paper record. Republican State Rep. Barry Fleming, who co-chairs the commission, said costs vary widely. Initial expenditures would be roughly $50 million for a hand-marked paper ballot system and about $150 million for a ballot-marking machine system, he said at last month's meeting. Georgia Tech computer science professor Wenke Lee, the only computer and cybersecurity expert on the commission, told his fellow commissioners that technology evolves quickly and investing in an expensive, tech-heavy system could leave Georgia with an outdated system again within just a few years. He recommended hand-marked paper ballots read by optical scanner. "From a cybersecurity point of view, that's the best available solution," he said at the meeting. "Now, if you say we don't want that, you need to justify why." Supporters of ballot-marking machines argue that they reduce voter error and provide better accessibility for voters with disabilities. They say the touchscreen machines are similar to those in use now, so voters already know how to use them. Critics say such machines are no more secure than the current system and don't actually allow voters to verify their votes. The machines print out barcodes that correspond to the voter's selections, as well as a separate list that's readable by a voter. But votes are counted by machines that scan the barcodes, so there's no way for voters to know whether what's scanned actually reflects their votes, said Marilyn Marks, executive director of the Coalition for Good Governance, which has sued the state over the current system. Additionally, she said, voters may not notice if a race is missing or may not remember how they voted on, say, "Statewide Referendum B." Wenke said voters might not bother to review a printout. If what the machine recorded is incorrect and the voter doesn't catch it, the ability to audit is meaningless, he said. Commission member Darin McCoy, the probate judge and election superintendent in Evans County, dismissed that concern. "If we provide the voter with a paper ballot of what they've done and they don't take the time to look at that and verify, there's nothing we can do," he said. "That's the voter's responsibility." After the commission makes its recommendations, lawmakers would have to pass legislation to change the state's election laws. Funding would have to be secured and the system purchased in time to educate election workers and voters. Whatever they decide, the timeline is tight. Commission members seemed to agree they'd like to have a trial run during the November 2019 municipal elections and implement a new system statewide for the 2020 election cycle. MOSCOW (AP) - The Latest on the collapse of a building in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk (all times local): 11:50 p.m. An airplane carrying a seriously injured 11-month-old baby boy who was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed Russian apartment building has landed in Moscow, where he is to undergo sophisticated medical treatment. The plane, dispatched by the Health Ministry, arrived in Moscow from the city of Magnitogorsk on Tuesday night about eight hours after the baby was found. He reportedly is suffering from fractures, a head injury and hypothermia after spending nearly 36 hours in the apartment rubble amid sub-zero temperatures. Nine bodies have been recovered from the rubble of the building that collapsed Monday. Russian officials say 32 people who lived in the building have still not been accounted for. ___ This photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from tv footage shows Emergency Situations employees carry a saved 10-month old baby at the scene of a collapsed section of an apartment building, in Magnitigorsk, a city of 400,000 about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) 9:20 p.m. An airplane carrying a seriously injured 11-month-old baby boy who was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed Russian apartment building has taken off for Moscow, where he is to undergo high-level medical treatment. The plane, dispatched by the Health Ministry, left the city of Magnitogorsk on Tuesday night about six hours after the baby was found. He reportedly is suffering from fractures, a head injury and had hypothermia after spending nearly 36 hours in the apartment rubble amid sub-zero temperatures. Nine bodies have been recovered from the rubble and Russian officials say 32 people who lived in the collapsed section of the building have still not been accounted for. ___ 7 p.m. Russian rescue crews have pulled two more bodies from the rubble of a collapsed apartment building, bringing the death toll to nine. The two discoveries were reported by Russian news agencies hours after an 11-month-old boy was pulled alive from the wreckage Tuesday in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk. Officials said the baby is in extremely serious condition, suffering from fractures, a head injury and hypothermia after spending 35 hours in temperatures that fell to about minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit). More than 30 people who lived in the building have not been accounted for in the disaster in the city located 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow. The building's pre-dawn collapse on Monday came after an explosion that was believed to have been caused by a gas leak. ___ 3:55 p.m. Rescuers have pulled a baby boy alive from the rubble of a Russian apartment building collapse that killed at least seven people and left dozens missing. The rescue came about 35 hours after a section of the 10-story building in the city of Magnitogorsk collapsed in an explosion believed to have been triggered by a natural gas leak. The baby was seriously injured and his recovery prospects were unclear. The regional emergency ministry said earlier Tuesday that 37 residents of the building had not been accounted for. Hopes of finding survivors were dimmed by the harsh cold: Temperatures overnight were around minus 18 Celsius (0 Fahrenheit). ___ 1:45 p.m. Russian emergency officials say the confirmed death toll from the collapse of a section of an apartment building has risen to seven, and 37 residents of the building are still missing. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. The collapse in the 10-story building before dawn on Monday followed an explosion believed to have been triggered by a natural gas leak. The Emergency Ministry's office in the region about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow said on Tuesday that seven bodies had been recovered. Five people were hospitalized with injuries. ___ The 7 p.m. item has been corrected to reflect that officials say the baby is 11 months old, not 1 month old. The item timed at 3:55 p.m. has been corrected to say the rescued child was a boy, after Russian officials changed their earlier information. This photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from tv footage shows a Emergency Situations employee carries a saved 10 month old baby at the scene of a collapsed section of an apartment building, in Magnitigorsk, a city of 400,000 about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) The scene of a part of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. At least four people died Monday when sections of an apartment building collapsed after an apparent gas explosion in Russia's Ural Mountains region, officials said. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) Toys, candles and flowers lie at the scene of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) Emergency Situations employees working at the scene of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. At least four people died Monday when part of a 10-story apartment building collapsed in Russia's Ural Mountains region, and hundreds of rescuers searched for survivors under the rubble in the frigid weather. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) Emergency Situations employees working at the scene of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. At least four people died Monday when part of a 10-story apartment building collapsed in Russia's Ural Mountains region, and hundreds of rescuers searched for survivors under the rubble in the frigid weather. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) Emergency Situations employees working at the scene of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. Russian emergency officials say that at least four people have died after sections of the apartment building collapsed after an apparent gas explosion in the Ural Mountains region. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) This photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from tv footage shows Emergency Situations employees save a 10 month old baby at the scene of a collapsed section of an apartment building, in Magnitigorsk, a city of 400,000 about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) This photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from tv footage shows Emergency Situations employees save a 10 month old baby at the scene of a collapsed section of an apartment building, in Magnitigorsk, a city of 400,000 about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) Emergency Situations employees work at damaged parts of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) People look at the scene of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) BERLIN (AP) - Two Austrian women are the first same-sex couple to officially tie the knot in the predominantly Catholic country, following years of legal challenges from gay rights groups. Public broadcaster ORF reported Tuesday that Nicole Kopaunik and Daniela Paier wed in a ceremony in Velden, southern Austria, shortly after midnight Tuesday. The couple, both 37, had reportedly been engaged for four years. Austria's constitutional court ruled in 2017 that same-sex couples should have the right to marry from Jan. 1, 2019. Previously, same-sex couples could only enter into a registered partnership that granted fewer rights than marriage. Austria's current governing parties, the People's Party and the Freedom Party, had strongly opposed granting same-sex couples the right to marry, but said they would respect the court's ruling. CAIRO (AP) - Yemen's Houthi rebels on Tuesday said they were "surprised" by accusations from the United Nations food agency that they are stealing humanitarian aid and accused it of taking sides in the nearly four-year-old war. The World Food Program on Monday threatened to suspend some aid shipments to Yemen if the rebels did not investigate and stop theft and fraud in food distribution, warning that the suspension would affect some 3 million people. The Associated Press reported Monday that armed factions on both sides of the conflict are stealing much-needed food aid, diverting it to their fighters or reselling it for profit. Some groups are blocking deliveries to communities they view as their enemies. Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of the rebels' Supreme Revolutionary Council, said "we were surprised" by the allegations from the World Food Program, which he said "did not communicate officially" with the rebels. He said the decision to go to the media was "a major deviation in the work of the program." He called on the WFP to back up its accusations with proof. Al-Houthi also accused the U.N. agency of sending "rotten food" to the war-torn country, saying authorities refused to allow that food in because "it violates standards and regulations and is not suitable for human consumption." A worn-out list of registered names for aid by Relief International, part of the World Food Program, is posted in Aden, Yemen in this July 23, 2018 photo. The U.N.'s World Food Program has 5,000 distribution sites across the country targeting 10 million people a month with food baskets but says it can monitor only 20 percent of the deliveries. Armed factions on all sides of Yemen conflict are diverting aid for their own purposes, worsening the country's humanitarian crisis, an AP investigation found. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) "The work of these organizations is mostly politicized ... and this situation reflects that their work has shifted from independent to subordinate to the United States and Britain," he said. The U.S. and Britain support a Saudi-led coalition that has been at war with the Iran-aligned rebels on behalf of Yemen's government since March 2015. The Yemeni government welcomed the WFP's announcement, saying a "comprehensive correction is needed to the mechanism of humanitarian work in Yemen." The World Food Program's ultimatum was an unprecedentedly strong warning, pointing to how corruption has increased the threat of famine in Yemen, where the war has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis. In a letter sent to rebel leader Abdul-Malek al-Houthi, WFP director David Beasley said that a survey done by the agency showed that aid is only reaching 40 percent of eligible beneficiaries in the rebel-held capital, Sanaa. Only a third are receiving aid in the rebels' northern stronghold of Saada. "If you don't act within 10 days, WFP will have no choice but to suspend the assistance ... that goes to nearly 3 million people," the letter said. "This criminal behavior must stop immediately." The WFP said it obtained photographic evidence showing rebels seizing food and manipulating lists of aid recipients. The U.N. agency helps about 8 million hungry people in Yemen and has been working to increase its scope to reach a total of 12 million. It wants an overhaul of the relief system, including biometric registration, but says the rebels resist such measures. A separate U.N. team led by a Dutch officer has been monitoring a cease-fire in the Red Sea port city of Hodeida since late December, which ended months of fierce fighting between the two sides for control of the city. Some 70 percent of Yemen's imports come through Hodeida. Yemeni officials said the team led by Dutch Maj. Gen. Patrick Cammaert met with the country's warring parties on Tuesday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media. ___ Associated Press writer Ahmed al-Haj in Sanaa, Yemen contributed. MADRID (AP) - Desperate to reach Europe from North Africa, two African migrants were discovered by police attempting to cross the Spanish border hidden inside a pair of mattresses. A video shot by a mobile phone of the move Sunday went viral in Spain. It showed agents of Spain's Civil Guard taking two mattresses off the top of a van and cutting them open to reveal two young men inside. The Civil Guard told The Associated Press on Tuesday the incident occurred at a border crossing from Morocco to Melilla, one of two Spanish cities on the North African coast. The two migrants told the police they each paid 4,500 euros ($5,100) to a human trafficker to attempt the crossing. The driver of the van fled on foot when agents asked to inspect his cargo. The two men were taken to a migrant holding center. Also Tuesday, Spain's maritime rescue service said its craft saved 111 migrants trying to cross the Strait of Gibraltar or nearby waters. Over 2,200 migrants died trying to reach Europe across the Mediterranean Sea in 2018, according to the U.N. Refugee Agency. Migrants disembark from the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel, after being rescued Dec. 21, in the Central Mediterranean Sea, before disembarking in the port of Crinavis in Algeciras, Spain, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. The Proactiva Open Arms aid boat carrying over 300 migrants rescued at sea, has ended a weeklong journey across the western Mediterranean Sea to dock at the Spanish port of Algeciras on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) Following crackdowns on immigration by Italy and other countries, Spain has become the preferred route to Europe for migrants and their traffickers, who often pack them into boats unfit for open waters. The U.N. said over 62,000 migrants arrived in Spain in 2018 after making the dangerous trip across the Mediterranean, while another 6,723 came over land. Melilla itself received over 5,000 migrants in 2018. Migrants disembark from the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel, after being rescued Dec. 21, in the Central Mediterranean Sea, before disembarking in the port of Crinavis in Algeciras, Spain, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. The Proactiva Open Arms aid boat carrying over 300 migrants rescued at sea, has ended a weeklong journey across the western Mediterranean Sea to dock at the Spanish port of Algeciras on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) Migrants disembark from the deck of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel, after being rescued Dec. 21, in the Central Mediterranean Sea, before disembarking in the port of Crinavis in Algeciras, Spain, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. The Proactiva Open Arms aid boat carrying over 300 migrants rescued at sea, has ended a weeklong journey across the western Mediterranean Sea to dock at the Spanish port of Algeciras on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) Migrants disembark from the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel, after being rescued Dec. 21, in the Central Mediterranean Sea, before disembarking in the port of Crinavis in Algeciras, Spain, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. The Proactiva Open Arms aid boat carrying over 300 migrants rescued at sea, has ended a weeklong journey across the western Mediterranean Sea to dock at the Spanish port of Algeciras on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) A volunteer takes the temperature of a migrant after disembarking from the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel, after being rescued Dec. 21, in the Central Mediterranean Sea, before disembarking in the port of Crinavis in Algeciras, Spain, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. The Proactiva Open Arms aid boat carrying over 300 migrants rescued at sea, has ended a weeklong journey across the western Mediterranean Sea to dock at the Spanish port of Algeciras on Friday. (AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) A migrant looks out as they approach port, from the deck of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel, after being rescued in the Central Mediterranean Sea on Dec. 21 before disembarking in the port of Crinavis in Algeciras, Spain, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. To reach Crinavis they have sailed for 6 days with more than 300 migrants on board because other European countries closed their ports to the ship.(AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) A migrant woman feeds her baby aboard the deck of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms rescue vessel, after being rescued Dec. 21, in the Central Mediterranean Sea, before disembarking in the port of Crinavis in Algeciras, Spain, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018. The Proactiva Open Arms aid boat carrying over 300 migrants rescued at sea, has ended a weeklong journey across the western Mediterranean Sea to dock at the Spanish port of Algeciras on Friday. .(AP Photo/Olmo Calvo) ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has appealed his conviction and prison sentence handed down by an Islamabad anti-graft tribunal last week. Sharif's lawyer Khawaja Haris says he is seeking the suspension of the Dec. 24 ruling that sentenced the country's three-time premier to seven years for failing to disclose how his family set up the Al-Azizia Steel Mills in Saudi Arabia. Haris filed the appeal on Tuesday. Sharif, who was removed from power in 2017 over corruption allegations, is currently held at a prison in his home city of Lahore as authorities proceed with several trials against him. He has denied any wrongdoing. Sharif and his family were exiled to Saudi Arabia by Pakistan's former military dictator Pervez Musharraf who seized power in 1999. They returned home in 2007. MOSCOW (AP) - Laboring through sub-freezing temperatures, Russian rescue workers were digging into a sprawling heap of jagged rubble from a collapsed apartment building when one heard the faintest sound. It was the sound of life. On Tuesday, to everyone's delight and surprise, they pulled a baby boy out of the rubble alive, nearly 36 hours after the disaster that blew apart his home. His father called it "a New Year's miracle." The building collapse in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk before dawn Monday has killed at least nine people so far, and officials say 32 people who lived in the building have still not been accounted for. The collapse followed an explosion that was believed to have been caused by a gas leak. The boy, an 11-month-old named Ivan Fokin, was in extremely serious condition, officials said, with fractures, a head injury and suffering from hypothermia and frostbite after his ordeal in temperatures around minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit). This photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from tv footage shows Emergency Situations employees save a 10 month old baby at the scene of a collapsed section of an apartment building, in Magnitigorsk, a city of 400,000 about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) He was flown to Moscow late Tuesday in a desperate attempt to save his life. He was in stable condition on arrival in the capital, the head of the national public health institute Vladimir Uiba was quoted as telling state news agency Tass. Although Ivan's prospects for survival appeared dire, "it's a New Year's miracle," his father Yevgeny was quoted as saying by the RT satellite TV channel. The father was at work when his wife phoned to say the building had collapsed. She escaped the rubble with a 3-year-old son, Russian news reports said. "I was sleeping on the couch with my older son, hugging him and the young one was sleeping in his baby bed," mother Olga Fokina said on Russian TV. "I and the older one fell down and quickly got out and I didn't know what happened to the baby bed afterward." Rescue worker Pyotr Gritsenko said on Russian television that baby's discovery came after one of the crew heard faint cries. "They stopped all the equipment. He began to cry louder," but the crew couldn't find him, he said. A search dog was brought in and confirmed that someone was under the rubble, focusing the rescue effort. The father said he helped rescuers dig in the rubble and "showed them a place where he approximately could be." Regional governor Boris Dubrovsky was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency that the child apparently had been protected by being in a crib and being wrapped warmly. The rescue operation, aided by powerful heaters and lights, was continuing overnight into Wednesday in the city about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the accident site on Monday and went to a local hospital, where he spoke to a 13-year old-boy who had head injuries and frostbite after spending an hour under the rubble. "You will get well soon, you are a fighter," Putin told the boy, one of five people hospitalized from the building collapse. Russian officials say the odds of finding anyone else alive in the debris look increasingly slim, given the extreme weather. Late Tuesday, three people died in Magnitogorsk about two kilometers (1.2 miles) down the same street as the collapsed building when their passenger van exploded and caught fire. Police said the vehicle was carrying gas canisters. In other Russian holiday disasters, seven people including a couple and their three children died in a house fire in the town of Orsk, 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) southeast of Moscow, Interfax reported. The fire early Tuesday is believed to have been caused by an electrical short-circuit, the report said. In Moscow, the mayor fired the director of the city's renowned Gorky Park after 13 people were injured when a wooden pedestrian bridge packed with New Year's celebrants collapsed. Video on Russian television showed a section of the bridge collapsing early Tuesday as the national anthem played on loudspeakers, marking the beginning of 2019. The park in central Moscow is a popular gathering place for the holiday. The bridge, 350 meters (1,100 feet) long, runs along the park's enormous outdoor ice rink. This photo taken from video provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from TV footage showing Emergency Situations employee carrying a baby boy named Ivan Fokin from an ambulance to a plane, to fly to Moscow in a desperate attempt to save his life, in an airport outside Magnitigorsk, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. The baby boy, in extremely serious condition with fractures, a head injury and suffering from hypothermia was saved from a collapsed apartment building nearly 36 hours after the disaster in temperatures around minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit). (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) This photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from tv footage shows Emergency Situations employees carry a saved 10-month old baby at the scene of a collapsed section of an apartment building, in Magnitigorsk, a city of 400,000 about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) This photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from tv footage shows a Emergency Situations employee carries a saved 10 month old baby at the scene of a collapsed section of an apartment building, in Magnitigorsk, a city of 400,000 about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) This photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from tv footage shows Emergency Situations employees save a 10 month old baby at the scene of a collapsed section of an apartment building, in Magnitigorsk, a city of 400,000 about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) The scene of a part of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. At least four people died Monday when sections of an apartment building collapsed after an apparent gas explosion in Russia's Ural Mountains region, officials said. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) This photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from tv footage shows Emergency Situations employees save a 10 month old baby at the scene of a collapsed section of an apartment building, in Magnitigorsk, a city of 400,000 about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) This photo provided by the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry taken from tv footage shows Emergency Situations employees save a 10 month old baby at the scene of a collapsed section of an apartment building, in Magnitigorsk, a city of 400,000 about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Rescue crews on Tuesday temporarily halted their search through the rubble in the city of Magnitogorsk while workers tried to remove or stabilize sections of the building in danger of collapse. (Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations photo via AP) Emergency Situations employees working at the scene of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. At least four people died Monday when part of a 10-story apartment building collapsed in Russia's Ural Mountains region, and hundreds of rescuers searched for survivors under the rubble in the frigid weather. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) Emergency Situations employees working at the scene of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. At least four people died Monday when part of a 10-story apartment building collapsed in Russia's Ural Mountains region, and hundreds of rescuers searched for survivors under the rubble in the frigid weather. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) Emergency Situations employees working at the scene of a collapsed apartment building in Magnitogorsk, a city of 400,000 people, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, Russia, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. Russian emergency officials say that at least four people have died after sections of the apartment building collapsed after an apparent gas explosion in the Ural Mountains region. (AP Photo/Maxim Shmakov) CAIRO (AP) - An Egyptian activist expects to return to prison "at any time" after an appeals court upheld a two-year sentence against her for posting a video online in which she criticized the government and decried sexual harassment, her attorney said Tuesday. Lawyer Doaa Moustafa said the Misdemeanor Court of Appeals in Cairo's Maadi suburb, on Sunday upheld Amal Fathy's sentence for insulting employees in a bank and using abusive language to criticize state institutions and decry sexual harassment against women. Fathy had been sentenced in September, but her sentence was suspended on appeal after she paid 10,000 Egyptian pounds ($560). However, she was not released on house arrest until Dec. 27 pending an investigation into separate charges. Now, she expects to be taken into custody "at any time," following the court's Sunday ruling, Moustafa said. Moustafa said Fathy can still appeal her original two-year sentence before the Court of Cassation, Egypt's final recourse for appeals in criminal cases. Rights group Amnesty International decried Sunday's court ruling, saying it was an "outrageous case of injustice." "The fact that a survivor of sexual harassment is being punished with a two-year prison sentence simply for speaking out about her experience is utterly disgraceful. This verdict makes a mockery of justice and should be a stain on the conscience of the Egyptian authorities," said Najia Bounaim, Amnesty International's North Africa director, in a statement Sunday. Bounaim added: "The timing of the verdict is particularly cruel, coming only days after Amal was reunited with her loved ones." Fathy was released last week pending an investigation into charges including disseminating false news, misuse of social media networks to spread material that could hurt security and the public interest and joining an outlawed group. "Membership in an outlawed group" is Egyptian government parlance for having ties to a range of groups that it has outlawed, including the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization authorities have banned, labeling it a terrorist group. Under terms of her house arrest, Fathy must report to a nearby police station weekly and is allowed to leave only to pick up medication or visit a police station or court. Police arrested Fathy in May after she posted a 12-minute video online criticizing the state for deteriorating public services and not taking measures against sexual harassment. She said she was harassed at a local branch of a state-owned bank. The video also shows her using profanities to describe her experience at the bank and repeatedly insulting the state. Fathy is a former activist in the pro-democracy April 6 Movement, which was at the forefront of the 2011 the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak. Egyptian authorities have waged a campaign against activists who speak out against the government. Since leading the military's 2013 overthrow of an elected but divisive president - the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Morsi - President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has overseen a crackdown on dissent. Authorities have jailed thousands of Islamists along with secular, pro-democracy advocates, imposing tight controls over the media and rolling back freedoms won in a popular 2011 uprising. El-Sissi says his government's top priorities are security and overhauling the battered economy. CAIRO (AP) - Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has ordered an investigation into "recent events" after two weeks of violent protests against his 29-year autocratic rule, as he seeks to placate popular anger over worsening economic conditions. The state news agency reported late Monday that al-Bashir has tasked Justice Minister Mohammed Ahmed Salem with leading the investigation, without providing further details on the subject of the probe. Twenty-two political parties and groups meanwhile said they will call on Bashir to step down and transfer power to a "sovereign council" and a transitional government that would set a "suitable" date for democratic elections. The parties include some Islamist factions that were once allied with al-Bashir, who seized power in a 1989 military coup, as well as breakaway groups from large traditional parties, like the Democratic Unionist and Umma parties, which did not join in the call. "It is well known that the (current) regime does not have the common economic tools to halt the deterioration," they said in a memorandum they plan to present to al-Bashir on Wednesday. "The regime, in its present composition and given its political, economic, regional and international isolation, cannot pull through this crisis," it said. It warned that failure to transition to a new political system would have "dire consequences" for Sudan. In this July 2, 2018 file photo, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir leaves the African Union summit, in Nouakchott, Mauritania. Sudan's president has ordered an investigation into "recent events" in the country, a reference to two weeks of violent protests against his 29-year rule. The country's state news agency, reported late on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, that al-Bashir tasked Justice Minister Mohammed Ahmed Salem with leading the probe committee. The move likely reflects efforts by al-Bashir to placate popular anger over his autocratic rule and economic policies. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP, File) The parties said the proposed administration would introduce freedoms, democracy and halt the ongoing strife in the western regions of Kordofan and Darfur, and the Blue Nile region south of the capital, Khartoum. There was no immediate reaction from the government to the memorandum, which was read to reporters in a Tuesday news conference in the Sudanese capital. Western nations, including the United States and Britain, and rights groups have called on authorities in Sudan to investigate the use of lethal force by security forces against demonstrators. Some activists have speculated that al-Bashir's political rivals may have engineered an acute shortage of fuel and other basic commodities to whip up anger against the government. Authorities have said that 19 people died in the protests, while Amnesty International said it has "credible reports" that 37 died in the first five days of protests. Human Rights Watch said Monday that independent groups have put the death toll at 40 since the protests erupted on Dec. 19. Al-Bashir on Monday sought to defuse the anger sweeping the country, promising better days ahead and pledging more "transparency, effectiveness and justice in all our national institutions" in an address to the nation marking the anniversary of Sudan's independence 63 years ago. "Our country is going through pressing economic conditions that have hurt a large segment of society," he said. "We appreciate this suffering, feel its impact and we thank our people for their beautiful patience." Al-Bashir said the 2019 budget would maintain state subsidies on many commodities, raise wages, refrain from introducing new taxes and do more for the poorest. He did not elaborate. Sudan's economy has stagnated for most of al-Bashir's rule. He has also failed to unite or keep the peace in the religiously and ethnically diverse nation, losing three quarters of Sudan's oil wealth when the mainly animist and Christian south seceded in 2011 following a referendum. Critics say rampant corruption is eating up a significant part of government funds and engineering shortages of basic items to manipulate prices. The protesters have been chanting against the "government of thieves." VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis ushered in the New Year with an ode to motherhood Tuesday, reminding the faithful that a mother's example and embrace is the best antidote to today's disjointed world of solitude and misery. Francis celebrated Mass in St. Peter's Basilica to formally open 2019, a Jan. 1 tradition that is dedicated both to the Madonna and to the Catholic Church's call for peace. In his homily, Francis urged Catholics to allow themselves to be led again as children are led by their mothers, saying "a world that looks to the future without a mother's gaze is shortsighted." "It may well increase its profits, but it will no longer see others as children," he said. "We will all dwell in the same house, but not as brothers and sisters." "We need to learn from mothers that heroism is shown in self-giving, strength in compassion, wisdom in meekness," he said. The New Year follows a disastrous 2018 for Francis. Last year opened with the explosion of the global sex abuse scandal and ended with the sudden departures of the Vatican spokesman and deputy in a sign of discord and dysfunction within the Holy See. Pope Francis delivers his speech as he celebrates a new year Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Spokesman Greg Burke and deputy Paloma Garcia Ovejero quit Monday without explanation, other than to say that their decision had been months in the making and that they wanted to let Francis build a new communications team. It has been clear for some time that Francis' centralization of the Vatican's byzantine communications operations has run into troubles, with the first communications chief forced to resign after he misrepresented a letter from the previous pope and doctored a photograph. The spokesman's office has been caught in the middle, often stymied from responding to communications crises, caught off guard by papal statements and shut out of direct access to Holy See decision-making. Pope Francis delivers his message as he celebrates a new year Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) - Venus Williams rallied from a break down in the third set to beat Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 at the ASB Classic on Tuesday in what she described as one of the toughest first-round matches of her career. That was saying something as the 38-year-old Williams has spent more than two decades on the WTA Tour. But it is rare that two former top-ranked players and Grand Slam winners meet in the first round of a relatively small tournament such as Auckland. And the sixth-seeded Williams had to call on all of her experience to advance. It was Williams' first goal of 2019 simply to reach to the second round. She had come to Auckland sometimes in the past hoping to play as many matches as possible in the lead-up to the Australia Open but had been undone by challenging draws. When she saw that she had drawn Azarenka this year, a former No. 1 on the comeback from injuries and personal issues, Williams felt that fate was against her. "Honestly, my goal was to get past this first round because did you see who I had to play today?" Williams said. "We need these matches going into the Australian Open and I actually had a very similar circumstance last year, played an amazing player and didn't really get any matches. "So, I thought 'Oh no, not again.' I'm hoping that the next round, too, will be fruitful for me and I already got one of my goals for 2019 so more to come." Williams appeared in good form when she swept through the first set in 48 minutes, breaking Azarenka for 3-1 and, after dropping serve at 5-2, comfortably serving out the set. Azarenka struggled with her first serve early in the match and Williams was able to step into the court to return her second serve with power. But the tide of the match changed in the second set. After holding her serve under pressure in the opening game, Azarenka broke for a 3-1 lead and broke again to take out the set in 34 minutes. Azarenka gained confidence as she broke Williams for an early lead in the third, clinching the break with a well-placed lob. But Williams immediately broke back and quickly capitalized. "Tonight was not easy, maybe one of the toughest first rounds I've ever played," Williams said. "She has the experience and the first match of the year, too." In other matche, defending champion and second-seeded Julia Goerges beat Khanna Larsson 6-0, 6-4. Third-seeded Su-Wei Hsieh beat Polona Hercog 6-2, 6-3, fifth-seeded Barbora Strycova beat Taylor Townsend 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 and seventh-seeded Kirsten Flipkens beat Sachia Vickery 6-2, 6-2. Eighth-seeded Alison van Uytvanck retired with an injury at 3-4 in her first set against qualifier Bibiane Schoofs. ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghan special forces launched a new offensive against the Islamic State group in eastern Nangarhar province, killing 27 militants, officials said Tuesday. Meanwhile, Taliban attacks in northern Afghanistan killed 15 members of the country's security forces. According to provincial council member Ajmal Omar, the special forces, backed by helicopter gunships, targeted IS in Achin district of Nangarhar on Monday. The province has been an IS stronghold and the site where the militant group's regional branch first emerged a few years ago. The militants' media arm, the Aamaq news agency, claimed IS repulsed a joint Afghan-U.S. operation in the area. Omar, who could not confirm whether U.S. troops took part in the operation, said two local IS leaders, Sediq Yar and Syed Omar, were among those killed. The remoteness of the area makes it impossible to independently investigate conflicting reports. In the north, the Taliban launched two blistering attacks on police outposts in Sar-e-Pul province on Monday night, killing 15 policemen and wounding 21, the latest in near-daily assaults by the insurgents against Afghanistan's beleaguered security forces. Fierce gunbattles raged for several hours in Sayyad district and outside Sar-e-Pul, the provincial capital. In the attack on the outskirts of the city, heavy artillery fire by Afghan forces trying to repel the Taliban sent local residents fleeing for safety, said provincial council chief Mohammad Noor Rahmani. Taliban spokesman Qari Yousof Ahmadi claimed responsibility for both attacks in Sar-e-Pul province. The Taliban have been carrying out near-daily attacks targeting Afghan forces despite stepped-up efforts by the United States to find a negotiated end to the country's 17-year war. The size and strength of the IS affiliate in Afghanistan, which emerged in 2013, is estimated at anywhere between several hundred and several thousand fighters. The group comprises mostly of disgruntled Taliban fighters and Uzbek militants of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, as well as Pakistani militants who were driven out of Pakistan's tribal region along the border with Afghanistan. The relentless violence and deteriorating security battering Afghanistan comes as President Donald Trump is expected to order the withdrawal in the summer of 7,000 U.S. soldiers. There are currently about 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, mostly carrying out training and assisting the Afghan forces who took over the defense of their country in 2014. There are also 7,100 soldiers from other NATO and partnering countries still stationed in Afghanistan. ___ Associated Press writers Maamoun Youssef in Cairo and Kathy Gannon in Islamabad contributed to this report. BANGKOK (AP) - Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn will have his official coronation on May 4, the palace announced Tuesday. The coronation will be more than two years after Vajiralongkorn succeeded his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died at age 88 after reigning for seven decades. The palace said the coronation ceremonies for Vajiralongkorn, 66, will be held on May 4-6, with the monarch making a public appearance on the last day. Bhumibol's coronation, held almost four years after he was named king, took place in 1950 on May 5, a date that is a public holiday in Thailand. Major royal ceremonies in Thailand are usually very ornate, but Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said in June last year that Vajiralongkorn had expressed the desire that his coronation be held in a relatively modest manner, though in keeping with elaborate royal tradition. Vajiralongkorn gave a New Year's Eve address televised Monday night, wishing the Thai people good health, happiness and prosperity, and urging them to act virtuously for the sake of the nation. His New Year's greeting card, another tradition, expressed similar sentiments. TOKYO (AP) - Looking almost banker-like in a business suit and sitting in an upholstered leather armchair, Kim Jong Un gave his annual televised New Year's address on Tuesday. The North Korean leader's big curtain-raiser for 2019 comes after a couple of very tumultuous years. In 2017, his rapid-fire missile tests brought him to the brink with President Donald Trump and 2018 saw his sudden rise on the world stage with hints of detente, summits with China and South Korea and an unprecedented meeting with Trump in Singapore. What's ahead in 2019? Here are four big takeaways. ___ IT'S STILL ABOUT THE ECONOMY About two-thirds of the entire speech was devoted to the economy. In this photo released on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a New Year's speech in North Korea. Kim says he hopes to extend his high-stakes nuclear summitry with President Donald Trump into 2019, but also warns Washington not to test North Koreans' patience with sanctions and pressure. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP) Kim last year jettisoned his signature slogan of "simultaneous tracks" - developing nuclear weapons and the economy at the same time - in favor of claiming to focus everything on the economy, which is now the national buzz phrase. Kim hasn't given up on his nuclear weapons, he just says he has perfected the arsenal enough to shift the focus of "socialist construction" elsewhere. Kim also didn't commit to anything in the speech like the kind of major, structural economic changes that might generate sustainable growth, but which could also undermine his own power. Even so, he does appear to genuinely want to boost the standard of living of his nation and to grow the country's economy. He underscored that desire by calling for an increased electricity supply and pointed to the possibility of developing nuclear power, along with the need for modernization and innovation across the board. Despite repeated mentions during the speech of the North's cherished principle of "Juche," or self-reliance, Kim understands his country's economic realities. He is openly seeking more foreign investment and trade. And he's hoping to enlist Seoul's help in that endeavor. ___ KIM WANTS THE KOREAS TO BE TAKING THE LEAD Though the attention was on his relationship with Trump, Kim's biggest moves in 2018 were toward South Korea. Kim's pitch has been that it is high time Pyongyang and Seoul were leaders in determining their own fate, which is also a shot at the role of the United States on the peninsula. Kim's speech was broadcast simultaneously in South Korea. Addressing both nations at once, he called on all Koreans to - in his decidedly North Korean manner - to "uphold the slogan "Let's usher in a heyday of peace, prosperity and reunification of the Korean Peninsula by thoroughly implementing the historic North-South declarations!" Those declarations include a good deal of joint efforts to help Kim with his economic goals, including the renovation and reconnection of the North's railways to the South. He said he would support the reopening of an industrial park that relies on South Korean capital investments and a tourism zone on the North's Mount Kumgang, or Diamond Mountain. Such efforts can't go very far until sanctions are lifted. Seoul is a lot more willing to forge ahead than Washington. Pyongyang is also seeking an end to joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, while Washington is pushing the South to pay more of the cost of keeping its troops there. The growing Washington-Seoul discord is an added bonus for Kim. Expect him to keep pushing those buttons. ___ THE NUKES AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE ANYTIME SOON In the most tantalizing sentence of the speech, Kim hinted at a possible cap on nuclear weapons production if the U.S. takes equivalent steps, whatever that might mean. He also stood by his commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which, contrary to some wishful thinking in Washington and Seoul, does not mean the unilateral denuclearization of North Korea. Both areas need to be further clarified in negotiations. Kim's calculus has never been to throw away his nuclear arsenal and hope for the best from a newly friendly and supportive administration in Washington. It has from the start been an effort to play the nuclear hand to its greatest advantage. Kim sees nuclear weapons as a valuable deterrent to a U.S. military strike. Unless that threat is eliminated, he won't give them up. He also believes his weapons put him in a position of strength from which he can make demands and extract concessions. The North has been pretty clear about these points. But Kim spelled them out once again. His message to Trump: Start addressing his concerns about security and sanctions relief soon or he will have no choice but to try a different, less friendly approach. And he is warning that he will be able to make a case to China, Russia and possibly even Seoul that if things fall Washington will be the one to blame. ___ KIM WANTS TO BE SEEN AS HIS OWN MAN This year's 30-minute speech was an exercise in making Kim look worldly, firmly in charge and comfortable in his own skin - as opposed to the caricatures of him that are so popular in the West. Though not a stirring public speaker, Kim confidently delivered the pre-recorded address in a study with dark-wood paneling and the national and ruling party flags. He was flanked by big portraits of his charismatic grandfather, national founder Kim Il Sung, and his father, the late leader Kim Jong Il, who was famously speech-averse and never spoke like this on New Year's. That lineage is as important as ever. But the images beamed to the nation and to the world Tuesday of Kim delivering the speech were engineered to have a freshness to them that is uniquely his - and to leave the impression that Kim Jong Un is his own man, a modern, respectable leader who belongs on the world stage. He may very well be sharing that stage next with Trump, for their second summit. ___ Talmadge has been the AP's Pyongyang bureau chief since 2013. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram: @EricTalmadge In this undated image from video distributed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, by North Korean broadcaster KRT, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech in North Korea. Kim says he hopes to extend his high-stakes nuclear summitry with President Donald Trump into 2019, but also warns Washington not to test North Koreans' patience with sanctions and pressure. Kim also during his New Year's speech said the United States should continue to halt its joint military exercises with ally South Korea. Nuclear talks between the countries have stalled.(KRT via AP) In this undated image from video distributed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, by North Korean broadcaster KRT, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech in North Korea. North Korean leader Kim says he hopes to extend his high-stakes nuclear summitry with President Donald Trump into 2019, but also warns Washington not to test North Koreans' patience with sanctions and pressure. (KRT via AP) In this undated image from video distributed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, by North Korean broadcaster KRT, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers a speech in North Korea. North Korean leader Kim says he hopes to extend his high-stakes nuclear summitry with President Donald Trump into 2019, but also warns Washington not to test North Koreans' patience with sanctions and pressure. (KRT via AP) People watch a TV screen showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivering a New Year's speech, at Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. The letters on the screen read: " The best level." North Korean leader Kim says he hopes to extend his high-stakes nuclear summitry with President Donald Trump into 2019, but also warns Washington not to test North Koreans' patience with sanctions and pressure. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) BAGHDAD (AP) - The latest plunge in oil prices has dealt a heavy blow to Iraq's stagnating economy, threatening the new government's ability to rebuild after the war with the Islamic State group and provide basic services to areas roiled by recent protests. Brent crude oil, used to price international purchases, briefly rose above $85 a barrel in October but has since plummeted to less than $55 - a nightmare for a country like Iraq that derives 95 percent of its revenue from oil exports. A $111.9 billion draft budget sent to parliament in October projects crude exports of 3.8 million barrels per day to be sold at $56 per barrel. The bill, which includes a 23 percent increase in spending, would leave a deficit of $22.8 billion. But that won't even begin to address the colossal challenge of reconstruction after years of war. Some 1.8 million people have yet to return to their homes, according to the United Nations. Mosul, the country's second largest city, lies partly in ruins, as do many other cities, towns and villages once held by IS militants. Iraq's Planning Ministry estimates the country needs approximately $88 billion for reconstruction. In February, donors at a Kuwait summit pledged $30 billion in loans and investments to finance a portion of the bill, but little progress has been made to fulfill the pledges. In Iraq's oil-rich south, meanwhile, which was spared from the war's devastation, protests have erupted in recent months over unemployment and poor public services. Rolling power outages have been a nationwide problem going back to the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, and in the south the tap water is undrinkable. In this Dec. 18, 2018 photo, children sit beneath a roller coaster that is under construction at an amusement park in Baghdad, Iraq. The latest plunge in oil prices has dealt a heavy blow to Iraq's stagnating economy, threatening the new government's ability to rebuild after the devastating war with the Islamic State group and provide basic services to areas roiled by recent protests. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim) "We were surprised by the plunging oil prices and we have fallen into a big problem," said lawmaker Haneen al-Qado, who chairs parliament's Economy Committee. "The government is not in an enviable position." Iraqis elected a new government earlier in 2018, but it is dominated by the same bickering political factions that have governed the country for the last 15 years. Lawmakers have rejected the draft budget, calling for a new one that would estimate an even lower oil price and allocate even more funds for public investments. Qado says they may not be able to approve a budget until sometime in the first quarter of next year. Until then, the government can only spend one-twelfth of the previous year's allocation each month. While international attention has been focused on the devastation in northern and western Iraq, and the protests in the south, the budget crisis has also taken a heavy toll on Iraqis living in more stable areas. Construction projects across Baghdad have been stalled for years, with half-finished buildings turned into neighborhood garbage dumps. Kadhim Nima Khudair's construction company signed contracts in 2014 to build four schools at a cost of $5 million. By the following year, three of them were 80 percent complete, but then public funds dried up as the government launched the costly war against IS. When oil prices started to recover in 2017, the government began paying installments again, but only for the projects that were mostly completed. Now the payments have stopped again pending the budget negotiations. None of the schools have been completed, and Khudair has fallen deeply into debt, forcing him to lay off some 500 workers and sell family homes and cars. "I don't want any profit now, I only want my capital back," Khudair said. "We have been struggling all these years. People are still knocking on my door, asking for their money." Sami al-Araji, the head of the National Investment Commission, told an economic conference in December that hundreds of projects worth an estimated $54 billion are delayed. He called for a major overhaul of the economy that would promote investment and lessen the country's reliance on oil. "We have to think of all alternatives," he said. "The country has promising opportunities." That's easier said than done. Efforts to diversify the economy have been stymied by political infighting and corruption going all the way back to 2003, fueling cycles of war and instability. "Our fate is attached to oil," Khudair said. "When it's down, our blood pressure rises." ___ Follow Sinan Salaheddin on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sinansm FILE - Int this Feb. 14, 2018 file photo, (then) Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi prepares for a donor's summit seeking billions of dollars to help rebuild Iraq after the war against the Islamic State group, at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City, Kuwait. The latest plunge in oil prices has dealt a heavy blow to Iraq's stagnating economy, threatening the new government's ability to rebuild after the devastating war with the Islamic State group and provide basic services to areas roiled by recent protests. Donors at the Kuwait summit pledged $30 billion in loans and investments to finance a portion of the bill, but little progress has been made to fulfill the pledges. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell, File) FILE - In this July 11, 2017 file photo, airstrikes target Islamic State group positions on the edge of the Old City, in Mosul, Iraq. The latest plunge in oil prices has dealt a heavy blow to Iraq's stagnating economy, threatening the new government's ability to rebuild after the devastating war with IS and provide basic services to areas roiled by recent protests. Donors at a February 2018 summit in Kuwait pledged $30 billion in loans and investments to finance a portion of the bill, but little progress has been made to fulfill the pledges. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File) In this Dec. 18, 2018 photo, an un-finished bank building stands idle at a construction site in Baghdad, Iraq. The latest plunge in oil prices has dealt a heavy blow to Iraq's stagnating economy, threatening the new government's ability to rebuild after the devastating war with the Islamic State group and provide basic services to areas roiled by recent protests. Donors at a February 2018 summit in Kuwait pledged $30 billion in loans and investments to finance a portion of the bill, but little progress has been made to fulfill the pledges. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim) FILE - In this April 1, 2017 file photo, children play inside a damaged car, amid heavy destruction in a neighborhood recently retaken by Iraqi security forces from Islamic State group militants on the western side of Mosul, Iraq. The latest plunge in oil prices has dealt a heavy blow to Iraq's stagnating economy, threatening the new government's ability to rebuild after the devastating war with IS and provide basic services to areas roiled by recent protests. Donors at a February 2018 summit in Kuwait pledged $30 billion in loans and investments to finance a portion of the bill, but little progress has been made to fulfill the pledges. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File) LAUREL, Md. (AP) - The Latest on NASA's New Horizons' New Year rendezvous (all times local): 10: 40 a.m. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft has survived humanity's most distant exploration of another world. Ten hours after the middle-of-the-night encounter 4 billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) away, flight controllers in Laurel, Maryland, received word from the spacecraft late Tuesday morning. Cheers erupted at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory, home to Mission Control. An anxious spill-over crowd in a nearby auditorium joined in the loud celebration. New Horizons zoomed past the small celestial object known as Ultima Thule 3 years after its spectacular brush with Pluto. Scientists say it will take nearly two years for New Horizons to beam back all its observations of Ultima Thule, a full billion miles (1.6 billion kilometers) beyond Pluto. At that distance, it takes six hours for the radio signals to reach Earth. FILE - This illustration provided by NASA shows the New Horizons spacecraft. NASA launched the probe in 2006; it's about the size of a baby grand piano. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft is set to fly past the mysterious object nicknamed Ultima Thule at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI via AP) ___ 12:33 a.m. A NASA spacecraft opens the new year at the most distant world ever explored, a billion miles beyond Pluto. Flight controllers say everything looked good for New Horizons' flyby of the tiny, icy object at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday, 3 years after its encounter with Pluto. Confirmation won't come for hours, though, given the vast distance. The mysterious target nicknamed Ultima Thule (TOO-lee) is 4 billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) from Earth. Scientists want New Horizons observing Ultima Thule, not phoning home. So they won't know until late morning whether the spacecraft survived. With New Horizons on autopilot, Mission Control at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, was empty. Instead, team members and their guests gathered nearby for back-to-back countdowns at midnight and again 33 minutes later. Queen guitarist Brian May, who also happens to be an astrophysicist, joined the team at Johns Hopkins for a midnight premiere of the song he wrote for the big event. ____ 10:50 a.m. A tiny, icy world a billion miles beyond Pluto is getting a New Year's Day visitor. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft is set to fly past a mysterious object nicknamed Ultima Thule (TOO-lee) at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday. It will become the most distant world ever explored by humankind. The flyby comes 3 years after New Horizons swung past Pluto and yielded the first close-ups of the dwarf planet. This time, the drama will unfold 4 billion miles (6.5 billion kilometers) from Earth, so far away it will be 10 hours before flight controllers in Laurel, Maryland, know whether the spacecraft survived the close encounter. Lead scientist Alan Stern said Monday the team has worked years for this moment and now, "it's happening!!" WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump on Tuesday invited congressional leaders to a White House briefing on border security as the partial government shutdown dragged on over funding for a border wall, with Trump tweeting, "Let's make a deal?" The briefing will happen at 3 p.m. EST Wednesday, the day before the Democrats take control of the House, but the exact agenda wasn't immediately clear, according to a person with knowledge of the briefing who was not authorized to speak publicly about the issue and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The White House said the briefing would be provided by senior Department of Homeland Security officials. Republican leaders will be attending. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, as well as the top incoming House Republicans, Kevin McCarthy of California and Steve Scalise of Louisiana, are planning to be at the briefing, according to aides. Retiring Speaker Paul Ryan will not. Nancy Pelosi, who is expected to take over as House speaker, and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer will also be in attendance. Pelosi said Democrats would take action to "end the Trump Shutdown" by passing legislation Thursday to reopen government. The Capitol is seen as New Year's Day comes to a close with the partial government shutdown in its second week, in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. The new House majority led by Democrat Nancy Pelosi gavels into session this week with legislation ready to end the government shutdown. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) "We are giving the Republicans the opportunity to take yes for an answer," Pelosi wrote In a letter to colleagues late Tuesday. "Senate Republicans have already supported this legislation, and if they reject it now, they will be fully complicit in chaos and destruction of the President's third shutdown of his term." The White House invitation comes after House Democrats released their plan to re-open the government without approving money for a border wall - unveiling two bills to fund shuttered government agencies and put hundreds of thousands of federal workers back on the job. They planned to pass them as soon as the new Congress convenes Thursday. Trump spent the weekend saying Democrats should return to Washington to negotiate, firing off Twitter taunts. He then revised his aides' comments to state that he really still wants to build a border wall. On Tuesday morning, after tweeting a New Year's message to "EVERYONE INCLUDING THE HATERS AND THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA," Trump tweeted: "The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative! The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security." But he seemed to shift tactics later in the day, appealing to Pelosi. "Border Security and the Wall 'thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?" he tweeted. Whether the Republican-led Senate, under McConnell, would consider the Democratic bills - or if Trump would sign either into law - was unclear. McConnell spokesman Donald Stewart said Senate Republicans would not take action without Trump's backing. "It's simple: The Senate is not going to send something to the president that he won't sign," Stewart said. Even if only symbolic, the passage of the bills in the House would put fresh pressure on the president. At the same time, administration officials said Trump was in no rush for a resolution to the impasse. Trump believes he has public opinion on his side and, at very least, his base of supporters behind him, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. White House officials, including the departing chief of staff, had indicated that Trump's signature campaign pledge to build the wall would not be fulfilled as advertised. Chief of staff John Kelly told the Los Angeles Times in an interview published Sunday that Trump abandoned the notion of "a solid concrete wall early on in the administration." The Democratic package to end the shutdown would include one bill to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels - with $1.3 billion for border security, far less than the $5 billion Trump has said he wants for the wall - through Feb. 8 as talks continued. It would also include another measure to fund the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Housing and Urban Development and others closed by the partial shutdown. It would provide money through the remainder of the fiscal year, to Sept. 30. Democrats under Pelosi were all but certain to swiftly approve the package in two separate votes Thursday. They would take place after the election of a new House speaker, a contest Pelosi was expected to win as leader of the new House majority. Responding to the Democratic plan, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders late Tuesday night called it a "non-starter" and said it won't re-open the government "because it fails to secure the border and puts the needs of other countries above the needs of our own citizens." Republican senators left for the holidays refusing to vote on any bills until all sides, including Trump, were in agreement. The lawmakers were frustrated that Trump had dismissed their earlier legislation. The president has not said he would veto the Democratic legislation, if the bills were to land on his desk. But a prolonged crisis could hobble House Democrats' ability to proceed with their agenda, which includes investigations of the president and oversight of his administration, including Russian interference in the 2016 election. At least one Republican, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, encouraged Trump to use the budget impasse as an opportunity to address issues beyond the border wall. But a previous attempt to reach a compromise that addressed the status of "Dreamers" - young immigrants brought to the U.S. as children - broke down last year as a result of escalating White House demands. Graham said Trump was "open minded" about his proposal. The partial government shutdown began Dec. 22 after Trump bowed to conservative demands that he fight to make good on his vow and secure funding for the wall before Republicans lose control of the House on Wednesday. Democrats have remained committed to blocking any funding for the wall. With neither side engaging in substantive negotiation, the effect of the partial shutdown was set to spread and to extend into the new year. ___ Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report. The U.S. Capitol is seen early in the morning in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, as a partial government shutdown stretches into its third week. A high-stakes move to reopen the government will be the first big battle between Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump as Democrats come into control of the House. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) A closed sign is displayed at The National Archives entrance in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, as a partial government shutdown stretches into its third week. A high-stakes move to reopen the government will be the first big battle between Nancy Pelosi and President Donald Trump as Democrats come into control of the House. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's most prominent GOP critics on Capitol Hill are close to completing their Senate careers, raising the question of who - if anyone - will take their place as willing to publicly criticize a president who remains popular with nearly 9 in 10 Republican voters. Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee engaged in a war of words with the president on myriad issues over the past 18 months, generating headlines and fiery tweets from a president who generally insists on getting the last word. Those battles put them on the outs with many in their own party, and they paid a price. Both decided to retire rather than take on a difficult re-election campaign. Flake was far and away Trump's most consistent critic among Senate Republicans. Corker weighed in less often, but his description of the White House as an "adult day care center" rankled the president, who dubbed him "Liddle' Bob Corker." The feud continued as Corker headed for the exits, with Trump asserting that Corker's promise to serve only two terms was not the real reason he retired. Rather, Corker "wanted to run but poll numbers TANKED when I wouldn't endorse him," Trump tweeted. Corker replied: "Yes, just like Mexico is paying for the wall... #AlertTheDaycareStaff." One possible voice of dissent could come from Utah Sen.-elect Mitt Romney. In a Washington Post op-ed Tuesday, Romney wrote that Trump's "conduct over the past two years ... is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office." Romney praised some of Trump's policy decisions, but added: "With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring." FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2018, file photo, Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington. President Donald Trump's most prominent GOP critics on Capitol Hill are days away from completing their Senate careers, raising the question of who will take their place as willing to publicly criticize a president who remains popular with Republican voters. Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and Bob Corker of Tennessee engaged in a war of words with the president on myriad issues over the past 18 months, generating headlines and fiery tweets from a president who insists on getting the last word. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Romney has had his public run-ins with the president. Throughout his Senate campaign, Romney insisted that he would agree with Trump on some issues and not be shy about disagreeing on others. Romney appears to have more room with GOP voters in Utah to take on the president. Most voters in Utah - 64 percent - would like to see the senator confront the president, according to data from AP VoteCast, a survey of midterm voters. Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska has frequently criticized Trump for what he considers the president's uncivil rhetoric. Sasse has also said he "regularly" considers leaving his party and becoming an independent. He is up for re-election in 2020 and has said he'll decide by the summer whether to seek a second term. It would be tricky terrain for Sasse to publicly battle with Trump, who won the state in 2016 by 25 percentage points. Rory Cooper, a GOP strategist who helped lead the "Never Trump PAC" during the 2016 Republican primary, said publicly criticizing the president makes Republican votes back home unhappy and earns the ire of the president. Meanwhile, Democratic voters and the media give them too little credit, he said. "There is not an incentive structure for senators who disagree with or oppose the president to speak out right now, but that could change if the (Robert) Mueller investigation continues to move in the direction it has been or the economy churns negative," Cooper said. Senate Republicans chafe at the notion they are unwilling to take on a president whose statements and policy positions often run counter to traditional conservative positions. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said he raised his concerns about trade policy privately with the president. "I want results," Rounds said, "instead of hardening positions." Rounds said he rode with Trump after meeting him at the airport when the president visited South Dakota during the midterm election season, telling him the state's soybean farmers were facing losses of some $500 million because of retaliatory tariffs. He said Trump told him: "We're going to have a better deal for them. If they hang with me, we're going to make this better." Rounds said his job is to make things better and "that doesn't mean I have to be out there in front fighting with someone." Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., said "there's all sorts of active disagreements that go on" with the White House behind the scenes. "I support the president as well as anybody. Behind closed doors, there are things on tariffs and things like that where we've offered a differing opinion. But I support this president in terms of what he's trying to do. This agenda is working," Perdue said, citing strong economic growth and low unemployment. Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said he suspects the 2020 elections will prompt more Republican senators to confront Trump when they disagree with him, and that may already be happening, citing recent actions on Saudi Arabia. The Senate passed a measure that blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and called on Riyadh to "ensure appropriate accountability." Senators also passed a separate measure calling for the end of U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. The resolutions showed senators seeking to assert oversight of Trump administration foreign policy and the relationship with Saudi Arabia. "Almost half of their caucus is up for re-election. They just saw what happened in 2018," Durbin said of Republicans, who lost the House majority to Democrats. "I think, once they do polling back home, not all of them, but many of them will find that independence is being rewarded." LIMA, Peru (AP) - Peru's attorney general late Monday dismissed a team investigating the far-reaching Odebrecht corruption scandal, setting off street protests in cities across the country. President Martin Vizcarra quickly denounced the move, saying it undercuts Peru's drive to purge corruption. "The head-on fight against corruption and impunity is a priority of this government," Vizcarra said on Twitter. Two of the five supreme prosecutors called the decision by Attorney General Pedro Chavarry "a death blow" to the anti-corruption fight and urged him to reverse it. The dismissal came just weeks before the Brazilian construction giant was set to reveal key evidence against powerful former Peruvian officials. Executives at Odebrecht have acknowledged that it distributed millions in bribes across Latin America, including $29 million in Peru, to obtain lucrative government contracts. The prosecutor's office is investigating all the Peruvian presidents who governed from 2001 to 2018 for alleged crimes of corruption and money laundering. Chavarry's action set off demonstrations by hundreds of citizens in the capital of Lima and three other cities. Protesters shouted phrases like "Out with Chavarry" as they waved Peruvian flags. The attorney general called a news conference to announce his decision but he then took no questions. He said the dismissal was necessary to nullify the appointment of the prosecutor heading the team of investigators. The removal imperils an agreement with Odebrecht to participate in the investigation entailing some 40 separate cases. "I fear that the Brazilian company will back off because it is not going to have guarantees of what had been achieved with the prosecutors," Odebrecht prosecutor Jorge Ramirez told a local radio station. Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez was investigating opposition leader Keiko Fujimori for allegedly laundering $1.2 million from the construction company for her 2011 presidential campaign. The leader of the Popular Force Party is imprisoned for 36 months while she is being investigated. Perez was also investigating former President Alan Garcia for allegedly receiving $ 100,000 from Odebrecht and got a judge to bar the former president from leaving Peru. Perez returned to his office at night to safeguard the documentation of the cases he investigates. "I feel indignant, disappointed. It is an irregular decision, the anti-corruption fight is affected," he told reporters. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The Latest on how a California utility's role in wildfires could affect its terms of probation in a separate criminal case (all times local): 5:45 p.m. A California utility says any determination that it started a wildfire by recklessly operating power lines in violation of law would bear on its probation in a criminal case. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. said in a court filing late Monday that such a finding would implicate the requirement that it not commit any other crime while on probation. A U.S. judge had asked the company to explain any role it may have played in a massive wildfire that destroyed the Northern California town of Paradise and killed at least 86 people. Judge William Alsup also wanted to know how any determination that PG&E's reckless operation of power lines caused a wildfire would affect the criminal sentence he is overseeing against the utility. That 2017 sentence followed PG&E's conviction on charges stemming from a deadly 2010 gas pipeline explosion in the San Francisco Bay Area. PG&E said in its filing that state fire officials had yet to release their conclusions about the fire that destroyed Paradise. The company, however, said PG&E employees were among the first to observe the fire. ___ 11:45 a.m. Federal prosecutors say a California utility's role in igniting wildfires last year could allow a judge to find that it violated terms of its criminal conviction in a deadly gas pipeline explosion. In a court filing Monday, the U.S. attorney's office in San Francisco cited investigations by state officials that blamed Pacific Gas & Electric power lines for some of the fires in October 2017. Investigators also said they found evidence PG&E violated state law. Prosecutors say a judge could use those facts to determine that the utility violated conditions of its probation in a conviction stemming from an explosion of one of its natural gas lines in 2010. The blast in the San Francisco Bay Area killed eight people. PG&E didn't immediately return a request for comment. TOKYO (AP) - A minivan slammed into pedestrians early Tuesday on a street where people had gathered for New Year's festivities in downtown Tokyo, injuring eight people, police said. The suspect, 21, Kazuhiro Kusakabe, was arrested and being questioned, Tokyo Metropolitan Police said on customary condition of anonymity. He is suspected of intentionally trying to kill people by driving the small vehicle through the street. NHK TV footage showed a small van with the entire front end smashed and officers and ambulance workers rushing to the scene. A ninth person was injured after Kusakabe got out of the car and punched him, police said. His condition was not immediately known. A large tank filled with kerosene was found in the car, police said. The suspect appeared to have planned to set his car on fire, Mainichi newspaper and other Japanese media reported. Police declined to comment on the reports, saying such possible motives were still under investigation. The crash occurred early Tuesday on Takeshita Dori, a road well known to tourists and pop culture and fashion fans that runs right by Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, Shibuya ward. A car is inspected by police after it injured several pedestrians on Takeshita Street in Tokyo, early Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. A car slammed into pedestrians early Tuesday on a street where people had gathered for New Year's festivities in downtown Tokyo.(Yuta Omori/Kyodo News via AP) Every New Year's Eve, the train line that includes Harajuku station runs all night, for people welcoming the new year with a shrine visit. Japan is a relatively crime free nation with strict gun-control laws. In 2008, a man drove his car into a crowd in the popular Akihabara electronic-shopping district, got off and went on a stabbing spree with a knife. Seven people were killed. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yurikageyama/?hl=en NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Monday: Amazon.com Inc., up $23.95 to $1,501.97 The Wall Street Journal reported that the company is planning on building and expanding Whole Foods stores across the U.S. Canada Goose Holdings Inc., up $1.94 to $43.72 The company opened its flagship store in Beijing over the weekend, which had been delayed because of tensions between China and Canada. Camping World Holdings Inc., down 93 cents to $11.47 The company announced late Friday that Roger Nuttall had resigned as president on Dec. 21, effective immediately. PG&E Corp., down 14 cents to $23.75 The Sacramento Bee reported that California's attorney general said the utility might face criminal charges in that state's deadly wildfires. Netflix Inc., up $11.58 to $267.66 The streaming video company said more than 45 million accounts have watched "Bird Box," starring Sandra Bullock. Advanced Micro Devices Inc., up 64 cents to $18.46 Despite taking some hard knocks this fall, the chipmaker is still on track to be the best performer for 2018 in the S&P 500. Coty Inc., up 7 cents to $6.56 This maker and seller of beauty products is on pace to be the worst performer for in the S&P 500 for 2018. American Tower Corp., down 64 cents to $158.19 Safe-play stocks like real estate companies were lagging the rest of the market. NEW YORK (AP) - The Latest on New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square (all times local): 12:05 a.m. Throngs of soggy revelers have greeted 2019 after a rainy night in New York City's Times Square. Fireworks and the drop of a sparkling crystal ball marked the start of the new year in the eastern U.S. Christina Aguilera pumped up the crowd, performing in a snow-white dress and coat while partygoers danced in their rain ponchos. Bebe Rexha sang John Lennon's "Imagine" just before the midnight ball drop. Revelers wait for midnight during the New Year's Eve celebration in New York's Times Square, as seen from above from the Marriott Marquis hotel, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Many of the people in and around the square spent nearly half the day in the chilly rain waiting for the ball drop. Despite the grim weather, some people said they felt energized by the crowd and hopeful the new year would be better than 2018. ___ 7:10 p.m. Miserable weather hasn't stopped revelers from packing Times Square for New York City's New Year's Eve celebration. A drenching rain fell Monday on crowds that formed hours before entertainers including Sting and New Kids On The Block were scheduled to perform. Partygoers were paying up to $10 for plastic ponchos trying to stay dry. The weather forced police to scrap plans to fly a drone to help keep watch over the crowd. Still, some people were smiling and dancing as music played on the sound system while they waited for the evening's main acts. New Kids on the Block fan Nyia Williamson says she's been to the Times Square party 10 times before. She says this year's rain isn't bad compared to past years, when the temperature was below freezing. ___ 1:10 a.m. Sting, Christina Aguilera and revelers from around the world are set to welcome 2019 in New York City's Times Square. Spectators are expected to start assembling early Monday afternoon for the made-for-TV extravaganza. The celebration takes place under tight security, with partygoers checked for weapons and herded into pens to await the stroke of midnight. Last year's event was one of the coldest on record. Forecasters say this year's party will take place amid mild temperatures, but possibly rain. Umbrellas are banned for security reasons. Rain or shine, performers will try to light up the crowd. Bastille and New Kids On The Block will perform medleys of their songs on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve." Bebe Rexha will perform John Lennon's "Imagine" just before the midnight ball drop. A member of the New York Police Department watches over revelers as they wait for midnight during the New Year's Eve celebration in New York's Times Square, Monday, Dec. 31, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) BURLINGTON, N.C. (AP) - The Latest on a fatal attack by a lion on an intern at a wildlife center (all times local): 4:05 p.m. An intern fatally attacked by a lion at a North Carolina wildlife center is being remembered as a sweet person and wonderful student. Alexandra Black, who died Sunday at the Conservators Center near Burlington, graduated in May 2018 from Indiana University after completing the degree program at its Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior. The university center's director, Cara Wellman, says Black's death has stunned and saddened faculty members, who were thinking about her parents. Wellman says the program has about 100 students pursuing majors in the close-knit program on the Bloomington campus. The Conservators Center says a worker has been killed by a lion that got loose from a locked space, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Burlington, N.C. The facility was founded in 1999 and is in Burlington, about 50 miles northwest of Raleigh. (WTVD/ABC11 via AP) She recalled Black as "quiet and sweet" and added her stated passion was animal husbandry, the study of breeding and caring for animals. Says Wellman: "She was very energetic and committed to animal behavior and pursuing a career in animal husbandry." ___ 2:35 p.m. A federal inspector found no problems at a North Carolina wildlife center in two inspections preceding a lion's fatal attack on a young intern there. Authorities say 22-year-old Alexandra Black of New Palestine, Indiana, was killed by the lion during a routine cleaning Sunday at the Conservators Center near Burlington. According to government reports, nothing out of compliance was found at the center during inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in April 2018 or January 2017. The government inspector counted 16 lions, three tigers and two leopards among 85 animals during the 2018 site visit. No workplace safety complaints were found in an online search of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A center spokeswoman, Taylor Sharp, said no one was available Monday to discuss the center's safety protocols. The center notes on its website that it's not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. ___ 9 a.m. A young woman who was killed by a lion at a North Carolina wildlife center is being remembered for her passionate pursuit of a career working with animals. Authorities say 22-year-old Alexandra Black of New Palestine, Indiana, was killed by the lion during a routine cleaning Sunday at the Conservators Center near Burlington. She had started interning at the facility about two weeks ago. According to a statement from her family, the recent college graduate had also interned at a wolf research center in Indiana. The North Carolina center's executive director, Mindy Stinner, told reporters Sunday that Black wanted to spend her life working with animals and that her family supported her passion. Stinner says that Black was working under staff supervision when she was attacked. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on the U.S. government shutdown (all times local): 9:25 p.m. House Democrats have unveiled a package of bills that would re-open the federal government without approving funding for President Donald Trump's border wall with Mexico, establishing an early confrontation that will test the new power dynamic in Washington. The House is preparing to vote as soon as the new Congress convenes Thursday, as one of the first acts after Democrats take control, according to an aide who was not authorized to discuss the plan and spoke on condition of anonymity. Trump told Fox News Channel he was "ready, willing and able" to negotiate, but added, "We have to have border security and the wall is a big part of border security." __ The White House is seen, Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, in Washington. The partial government shutdown will almost certainly be handed off to a divided government to solve in the new year, as both parties traded blame Friday and President Donald Trump sought to raise the stakes in the weeklong impasse. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) 5:20 p.m. President Donald Trump says he's "ready, willing and able" to negotiate an end to the partial government shutdown that has now stretched into its 10th day. Trump tells Fox News Channel in a year-end interview set to air Monday night that Democratic congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi "can come over right now" and "could've come over anytime" to try to hash out a solution. He adds that, "A lot of people are looking to get their paycheck, so I'm ready to go whenever they want." Trump, however, is still insisting that any deal include billions of dollars to fund his long-stalled southern border wall. Democrats say that's a no-go. The interview will air on "All-American New Year." __ 11:45 a.m. House Democrats are unveiling legislation to reopen the government without money for President Donald Trump's border wall. The House is preparing to vote on the package Thursday when the new Congress convenes. This is according to an aide who was not authorized to discuss the plan publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. It will include one bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels through Feb. 8, with $1.3 billion for border security. The package will also include six other bipartisan bills to fund the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Housing and Urban Development and others closed by the partial shutdown. Some have already passed the Senate. Those bills will provide money through the remainder of the fiscal year, to Sept. 30. The partial government shutdown is in its second week over Trump's demand for $5 billion for the wall. - Lisa Mascaro __ 11 a.m. President Donald Trump says he's waiting in the Oval Office for Democrats to return to Washington and negotiate an end to a partial government shutdown. Trump tweeted to Democrats on Monday: "come back from vacation now and give us the votes necessary for Border Security, including the Wall." There has been little contact between the White House and congressional Democrats for more than a week, other than the Republican president's Twitter barbs, as the two parties remain divided over his insistence on funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump says Democrats supported border security funding before, though that funding provided for fencing, not a wall. Trump tweets: "You voted yes in 2006 and 2013. One more yes, but with me in office, I'll get it built, and Fast!" Trump promised on the campaign trail that Mexico would pay for the wall, but Mexico refused. ___ 10:50 a.m. President Donald Trump is insisting he wants to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border despite differing public assertions by three of his advisers. Trump tweeted Monday: "An all concrete Wall was NEVER ABANDONED, as has been reported by the media." He adds: "Some areas will be all concrete but the experts at Border Patrol prefer a Wall that is see through (thereby making it possible to see what is happening on both sides)." Outgoing White House chief of staff John Kelly told the Los Angeles Times in an interview published Sunday that Trump abandoned the notion of "a solid concrete wall early on in the administration." Kelly said, "To be honest, it's not a wall." The wall has been at the center of an impasse that has led to a partial government shutdown that will extend into 2019. Trump is insisting that Democrats fund the wall, which they oppose. ___ 12:35 a.m. Three confidants of President Donald Trump, including his departing chief of staff, are indicating that the president's signature campaign pledge to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border would not be fulfilled as advertised. Trump sparked chants of "Build that wall!" at rallies before and after his election and more recently cited a lack of funding for a border wall as the reason for partially shutting down the government. At times the president has also waved off the idea the wall could be any kind of barrier. However, White House chief of staff John Kelly told the Los Angeles Times in an interview that Trump abandoned the notion of "a solid concrete wall early on in the administration." Others said border security could include a wall, fencing and high-tech monitoring. LAUREL, Md. (AP) - NASA's New Horizons spacecraft pulled off the most distant exploration of another world Tuesday, skimming past a tiny, icy object 4 billion miles from Earth that looks to be shaped like a bowling pin. Flight controllers in Maryland declared success 10 hours after the high-risk, middle-of-the-night encounter at the mysterious body known as Ultima Thule on the frozen fringes of our solar system, an astounding 1 billion miles (1.6 billion kilometers) beyond Pluto. "I don't know about all of you, but I'm really liking this 2019 thing so far," lead scientist Alan Stern of Southwest Research Institute said to applause. "I'm here to tell you that last night, overnight, the United States spacecraft New Horizons conducted the farthest exploration in the history of humankind, and did so spectacularly." The close approach came a half-hour into the new year, and 3 years after New Horizons' unprecedented swing past Pluto. For Ultima Thule - which wasn't even known when New Horizons departed Earth in 2006 - the endeavor was more difficult. The spacecraft zoomed within 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometers) of it, more than three times closer than the Pluto flyby. Operating on autopilot, New Horizons was out of radio contact with controllers at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory from late Monday afternoon until late Tuesday morning. Scientists wanted the spacecraft staring down Ultima Thule and collecting data, not turning toward Earth to phone home. In this photo provided by NASA, New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern, of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colo., center, celebrates with school children at the exact moment that the New Horizons spacecraft made the closest approach of Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule, early Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP) Mission operations manager Alice Bowman said she was more nervous this time than she was with Pluto in 2015 because of the challenges and distance, so vast that messages take more than six hours, one way, to cross the 4 billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers). When a solid radio link finally was acquired and team members reported that their spacecraft systems were green, or good, she declared with relief: "We have a healthy spacecraft." Later, she added to more applause: "We did it again." Cheers erupted in the control center and in a nearby auditorium, where hundreds more - still weary from the double countdowns on New Year's Eve - gathered to await word. Scientists and other team members embraced and shared high-fives, while the spillover auditorium crowd gave a standing ovation. Stern, Bowman and other key players soon joined their friends in the auditorium, where the celebration continued and a news conference took place. The speakers took delight in showing off the latest picture of Ultima Thule , taken just several hundred-thousand miles (1 million kilometers) before the 12:33 a.m. close approach. "Ultima Thule is finally revealing its secrets to us," said project scientist Hal Weaver of Johns Hopkins. Based on the early, rudimentary images, Ultima Thule is highly elongated - about 20 miles by 10 miles (32 kilometers by 16 kilometers). It's also spinning end over end, although scientists don't yet know how fast. As for its shape, scientists say there are two possibilities. Ultima Thule is either one object with two connected lobes, sort of like a spinning bowling pin or peanut still in the shell, or two objects orbiting surprisingly close to one another. A single body is more likely, they noted. An answer should be forthcoming Wednesday, once better, closer pictures arrive. By week's end, "Ultima Thule is going to be a completely different world, compared to what we're seeing now," Weaver noted. Still, the best color close-ups won't be available until February. Those images should reveal whether Ultima Thule has any rings or moons, or craters on its dark, reddish surface. Altogether, it will take nearly two years for all of New Horizons' data to reach Earth. The observations should help scientists ascertain how deep-freeze objects like Ultima Thule formed, along with the rest of the solar system, 4.5 billion years ago. As a preserved relic from that original time, Ultima Thule also promises to shed light on the so-called Kuiper Belt, or Twilight Zone, in which hundreds of thousands of objects reside well beyond Neptune. "This mission's always been about delayed gratification," Stern reminded reporters. He noted it took 12 years to sell the project, five years to build it and nine years to reach the first target, Pluto. Its mission now totaling $800 million, the baby grand piano-sized New Horizons will keep hurtling toward the edge of the solar system, observing Kuiper Belt Objects, or KBOs, from afar, and taking cosmic particle measurements. Although NASA's Voyagers crossed the Kuiper Belt on their way to true interstellar space, their 1970s-era instruments were not nearly as sophisticated as those on New Horizons, Weaver noted, and the twin spacecraft did not pass near any objects known at the time. The New Horizons team is already pushing for another flyby in the 2020s, while the nuclear power and other spacecraft systems are still good. Bowman takes comfort and pleasure in knowing that long after New Horizons stops working, it "will keep going on and on." "There's a bit of all of us on that spacecraft," she said, "and it will continue after we're long gone here on Earth." ___ The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. FILE - This illustration provided by NASA shows the New Horizons spacecraft. NASA launched the probe in 2006; it's about the size of a baby grand piano. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft is set to fly past the mysterious object nicknamed Ultima Thule at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. (NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI via AP) FILE - This composite image made available by NASA shows the Kuiper Belt object nicknamed "Ultima Thule," indicated by the crosshairs at center, with stars surrounding it on Aug. 16, 2018, made by the New Horizons spacecraft. The brightness of the stars was subtracted from the final image using a separate photo from September 2017, before the object itself could be detected. (NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute via AP) New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern, left, of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colo., left gives a high-five too New Horizons mission operations manager Alice Bowman, of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), after the team received signals from the spacecraft that it is healthy and collected data, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, at the Mission Operations Center at the APL in Laurel, Md. The spacecraft survived a journey to near the tiny, icy object called Ultima Thule, about 4 billion miles from Earth. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP) New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern, center, of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colo., celebrates with other mission team members after they received signals from the New Horizons spacecraft that it is healthy and collected data during the flyby of Ultima Thule, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, at the Mission Operations Center at the APL in Laurel, Md. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP) Guests applaud New Horizons team members after the they received signals from the New Horizons spacecraft that it is healthy and it collected data during a fly-by of Ultima Thule, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, at the Mission Operations Center at the APL in Laurel, Md. The spacecraft survived a journey to near the tiny, icy object called Ultima Thule, about 4 billion miles from Earth. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP) New Horizons project scientist Hal Weaver, of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory speaks about new data received from the New Horizons spacecraft during a press conference after the team received confirmation from the spacecraft that it has completed a flyby of Ultima Thule, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, at the APL in Laurel, Md. The spacecraft survived the most distant exploration of another world, a tiny, icy object 4 billion miles away that looks to be shaped like a peanut or bowling pin. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP) A new image of Ultima Thule, right, is displayed during a press conference after the New Horizons team received confirmation from the spacecraft has completed a flyby of Ultima Thule, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, at the APL in Laurel, Md. The spacecraft survived the most distant exploration of another world, a tiny, icy object 4 billion miles away that looks to be shaped like a peanut or bowling pin. From left are, New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern, mission operations manager Alice Bowman, mission systems engineer Chris Hersman, and project scientist Hal Weaver. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP) New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern, left, speaks about the New Horizons spacecraft during a press conference after the team received confirmation from the spacecraft that it has completed a flyby of Ultima Thule, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, at the Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Md. Listening at right is mission operations manager Alice Bowman The spacecraft survived the most distant exploration of another world, a tiny, icy object 4 billion miles away that looks to be shaped like a peanut or bowling pin. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP) New Horizons project scientist Hal Weaver, of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, speaks about new data received from the New Horizons spacecraft during a press conference after the team received confirmation from the spacecraft that it has completed a flyby of Ultima Thule, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, at the APL in Laurel, Md. The spacecraft survived the most distant exploration of another world, a tiny, icy object 4 billion miles away that looks to be shaped like a peanut or bowling pin. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) - Jim Mattis ended one of history's more turbulent tenures as defense secretary on Monday by re-emphasizing a key difference with President Donald Trump and encouraging Pentagon employees, civilian and military, to "hold fast" in safeguarding the nation. Mattis, who submitted his resignation on Dec. 20 and was, in effect, fired by Trump three days later, spent the day in his third-floor Pentagon office preparing to hand off his duties at midnight to Deputy Secretary Patrick Shanahan. Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, will be acting defense secretary until someone is nominated for the post. In a written farewell message, Mattis urged all employees to "keep the faith in our country and hold fast, alongside our allies, aligned against our foes." Mattis sees allies, including NATO, Japan and South Korea, as central to U.S. foreign and security policy, a point on which he differed from Trump, who denigrated allies as unworthy freeloaders. In 711 days as defense secretary, Mattis wrestled with a series of surprise, sometimes sudden and often confusing, decisions by Trump, including a July 2017 presidential tweet saying he would ban transgender people from serving in the military. Mattis also disagreed with Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. He counted as a victory his persuading Trump to abandon, at least temporarily, his stated instinct to withdraw from Afghanistan. Earlier this month, Trump reversed himself and ordered a partial withdrawal, overriding Mattis' objections. Mattis also was set back by Trump's tweet Dec. 8 announcing he had picked the Army chief of staff, Gen. Mark Milley, to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This not only left the current chairman, Gen. Joseph Dunford, in a lame duck status until his scheduled retirement next fall, but it also marked an unusual rejection of advice from his own secretary of defense. Mattis had recommended Air Force Gen. David Goldfein for the job. The disagreements accumulated, and when Trump decided to pull U.S. troops out of Syria, Mattis submitted a resignation letter he had written some days earlier. His decision to quit stunned many in the Pentagon and around the world. Trump himself seemed taken aback, and three days later, he tweeted that Shanahan would replace Mattis on Jan. 1, cutting short Mattis' announced plan to stay until Feb. 28 to ensure a smooth transition. FILE - In this Sept. 21, 2018, file photo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reviews the troops during the 2018 POW/MIA National Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon. Outgoing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is quoting President Abraham Lincoln in a farewell message to defense employees, urging them to stay focused on their mission. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) When he announced Mattis as his choice to lead the Pentagon shortly after his November 2016 election victory, Trump referred to him by his nickname, "Mad Dog," suggesting he valued an unpredictable, intimidating approach to defense policy. This turned out not to match the Mattis style, which emphasized respectful collaboration with allies and partners. In his farewell note, Mattis quoted a one-sentence telegram that President Abraham Lincoln sent to the commander of Union forces, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, on Feb. 1, 1865, in the final weeks of the Civil War. It said: "Let nothing which is transpiring, change, hinder, or delay your military movements, or plans." On that date, Lincoln signed a joint congressional resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery. Mattis said he's confident Pentagon employees will remain "undistracted from our sworn mission to support and defend the Constitution while protecting our way of life." Mattis has not said publicly what he intends to do next. He has mused about returning to his roots in Washington state. He was born in Pullman and raised in Richland. He graduated from Central Washington University in 1971 and then entered the Marine Corps, where he began as a second lieutenant and rose to the rank of four-star general. Mattis is the first retired general to serve as defense secretary since George Marshall in 1950-51. His confirmation by the Senate required passage of legislation overriding a prohibition against former U.S. service members who have been out of uniform fewer than seven years from holding the Defense Department's top job. Mattis retired from the Marines in 2013. David Maxwell, a retired Army colonel who served 30 years in uniform, said the farewell and resignation letters together will "be studied and examined ... for years to come" for lessons in leadership. Maxwell is a senior fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. Mattis, 68, has not publicly commented on his reasons for resigning, beyond what he wrote in his resignation letter, in which he expressed pride at having served with the men and women of the Defense Department but did not directly thank Trump. He wrote that the president has "the right to have a secretary of defense whose views are better aligned with" his. "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, who has been the Pentagon's No. 2 official since July 19, 2017, had worked for Boeing Co. since 1986. His views on strategic issues such as U.S. alliances and the wars in Afghanistan and Syria are largely unknown to the public. During his Senate confirmation hearing in June 2017, he drew the ire of Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona for equivocating on whether he favored providing defensive weaponry to Ukraine in response to Russian military intervention. Although he will have the title of acting secretary, Shanahan will hold all the executive and command authorities of a Senate-confirmed secretary, according to his spokesman, Army Lt. Col. Joe Buccino. It is rare for the Pentagon to be run by an acting secretary; the last was William H. Taft, who served in that capacity for about 60 days in 1989 after President George H.W. Bush's initial choice to be defense secretary, John Tower, became mired in controversy and ultimately failed to be confirmed by the Senate. Dick Cheney then was nominated and confirmed. FILE - In this Sept. 18, 2018, file photo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis responds to a reporter's question during a meeting with and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana at the Pentagon. Outgoing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is quoting President Abraham Lincoln in a farewell message to defense employees, urging them to stay focused on their mission. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The fatal mauling of a zoo intern by a lion that escaped from a locked pen illustrates the need for North Carolina regulators to crack down on unaccredited exhibitors of dangerous animals, animal welfare advocates said Monday. Alexandra Black, 22, was attacked Sunday while cleaning an animal enclosure with other staff members. It was at least the 10th instance of an escape or attack by an animal at a privately run North Carolina wildlife facility since 1997, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Officials said the lion somehow escaped from a nearby pen and killed the recent college graduate just two weeks after she started working at the Conservators Center near Burlington, about 60 miles northwest of Raleigh. Sheriff's deputies shot and killed the animal before retrieving Black's body. Black's "passion was the zoological industry. ... This person wanted to spend a lifetime around these animals, and I believe that the family was very supportive of that," said Mindy Stinner, executive director of the facility. Before deputies fired on the lion, officials made several attempts to tranquilize it or hold it at bay with fire hoses, the Caswell County Sheriff's Office said. Visitors at the center were hustled out of the park, Stinner said. In this photo taken sometime between September and November 2018 and provided by Wolf Park, intern Alexandra Black trains with Khewa the wolf at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Ind. The fatal mauling of Black, a zoo intern by a lion that escaped from a locked pen at the Conservators Center in North Carolina, illustrates the need for state regulators to crack down on unaccredited exhibitors of dangerous animals, animal welfare advocates said Monday, Dec. 31. (Monty Sloan/Wolf Park via AP) It was not immediately clear how the lion escaped or whether it got out of the enclosure that was being cleaned. Staff said the lion never made it beyond the park's perimeter fence. The park was closed indefinitely as part of an investigation. Black, who was from New Palestine, Indiana, graduated from Indiana University in May with a degree in animal behavior. She had also recently worked at a research and education center in Battleground, Indiana, known as Wolf Park, which is home to wolves, bison and foxes. As she tried to narrow down her interests to a specific field, she became intrigued with animal husbandry, said Wolf Park Managing Director Dana Drenzek. "What made her a really good fit was her passion and intelligence," Drenzek said. Black would do research on her own and come back with questions, she said. Cara Wellman, director of IU's Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, recalled that Black was an undergraduate teaching assistant for introductory biology. "She was very energetic and committed to animal behavior and pursuing a career in animal husbandry," Wellman said. "This is silly, but what comes to my mind is that she was quiet and sweet. That was my impression of her." In a statement Monday, the center said the lion named Matthai was a 14-year-old male born at the center shortly after his mother was placed there following a 2004 confiscation assisted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. No problems were found at the nonprofit nature center during inspections by the USDA in January 2017 or April 2018, according to government reports. A government inspector counted 16 lions, three tigers and two leopards among 85 total animals during the 2018 site visit. A 2016 federal tax filing shows the center earned about $711,000 from gifts, grants and contributions while spending about $600,000 operating the center that year. An online public records search indicates the center faced state tax liens totaling thousands of dollars in 2017. While the center is USDA-licensed, animal welfare advocates note that it's not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which requires facilities to meet strict animal safety and security standards. The Humane Society has urged North Carolina to go beyond the USDA licensing standards, arguing that it's among four states with particularly lax laws on private ownership of dangerous wild animals. The organization pushed for a 2015 bill to make it illegal to own lions, tigers and other wild carnivores unless a facility was accredited by AZA or met other strict standards. The bill passed the state House but not the Senate. "The longer North Carolina does nothing as other states continue to pass stricter and stricter laws, North Carolina is going to see people coming into the state with their collections of dangerous wild animals, and the problem is simply going to grow," Lisa Wathne, the Humane Society's director of captive wildlife protection, said in an interview. The center was founded in 1999 as an "educational nonprofit dedicated to providing a specialized home for select carnivore species," according to its website. The site says it houses 21 species and gets more than 16,000 visitors annually after starting public tours in 2007. A center spokeswoman, Taylor Sharp, said the facility's leadership was not available to discuss safety and security Monday. The center acknowledges its lack of AZA accreditation on the site, noting that "facilities with more limited income must carefully choose how to allocate their resources." ___ Callahan reported from Indianapolis. Associated Press Writer Sarah Brumfield in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/JonathanLDrew In this photo taken sometime between September and November 2018 and provided by Wolf Park, intern Alexandra Black walks Mani the wolf at Wolf Park in Battle Ground, Ind. The fatal mauling of Black, a zoo intern by a lion that escaped from a locked pen at the Conservators Center in North Carolina, illustrates the need for state regulators to crack down on unaccredited exhibitors of dangerous animals, animal welfare advocates said Monday, Dec. 31. (Monty Sloan/Wolf Park via AP) This photo shows a sign of Conservators' Center at the property in Burlington, N.C., Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. An intern was cleaning an animal enclosure at the North Carolina wildlife center when a lion escaped from a nearby pen and attacked her, killing the young woman and sending visitors out of the zoo, authorities said. (Woody Marshall/The Times-News via AP) Conservators Center workers stand at the gate of the property in Burlington, N.C., Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. An intern was cleaning an animal enclosure at the North Carolina wildlife center when a lion escaped from a nearby pen and attacked her, killing the young woman and sending visitors out of the zoo, authorities said. (Woody Marshall/The Times-News via AP) Conservators Center workers stand at the gate of the property in Burlington, N.C., Monday, Dec. 31, 2018. An intern was cleaning an animal enclosure at the North Carolina wildlife center when a lion escaped from a nearby pen and attacked her, killing the young woman and sending visitors out of the zoo, authorities said. (Woody Marshall/The Times-News via AP) Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (R) shakes hands with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez during a meeting at the presidential compound in Jerusalem, on October 29, 2015 Honduras on Tuesday discussed with Israel and the United States moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a controversial initiative that follows similar gestures by Washington, officials said. In a meeting with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, "it was agreed to strengthen political relations and coordinate cooperation on development in Honduras," read a joint statement by Honduras, Israel and the US. "They also agreed to pursue a plan of action, which includes meetings in their three respective capitals, to advance in the process of the decision to open embassies in both Tegucigalpa and Jerusalem." The meeting took place in Brasilia on the sidelines of the presidential inauguration of new Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Last year, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move its embassy there. Months later, Guatemala followed suit. Bolsonaro said during his presidential campaign that he would switch Brazil's embassy but without offering details. The Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, but Israel asserts that all of Jerusalem is its capital and is keen to see foreign embassies move there to bolster that claim. Most countries, however, back Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to settle Jerusalem's status as part of a wider peace deal. Brazil's meat producers are worried that an embassy move could threaten $1 billion in exports to Arab countries. Mali's government says men dressed as 'dozo' hunters attacked a village of Fulani herders, killing 37 Thirty-seven civilians were killed when armed men believed to be traditional Dogon hunters attacked a village of Fulani herders in central Mali Tuesday in the latest clash between the warring communities, the government said. The attack on Koulogon village near Bankass in the Mopti region was carried out by "armed men dressed like traditional dozo hunters" allied to the Dogon ethnic group, said an official statement. "In addition to the 37 recorded deaths, all civilians, the casualty toll includes several wounded and many burned homes", it added. Earlier, a security source and a man who said he had witnessed the attack also blamed the Dogon, and put the number of dead at 33. Allaye Yattara, a Fulani, told AFP: "Our village chief Moussa Diallo was killed in the attack along with old women, (and) a girl, all members of his family." France helped Malian forces stave off a jihadist insurgency that took control of large parts of the troubled north in 2012, but since the death in November of Fulani jihadist figure Amadou Koufa, inter-group conflict has increased. The violence is fuelled by accusations of Fulani grazing cattle on Dogon land and disputes over access to land and water. The UN recorded more than 500 civilian deaths in the area in 2018. In June, 24 members of the Fulani community were killed in an attack a UN probe blamed on the Dogon. Lebanese prime minister-designate Saad Hariri speaks during a conference at Chatham House in central London on December 13, 2018 Lebanon's prime minister-designate, Saad Hariri, warned Tuesday a government needs to be formed as the country faces a tough economic situation after months of political deadlock. "We have fallen behind -- we must form the government", he told reporters at the presidential palace, after a long meeting with President Michel Aoun. "The president and I are determined to meet again and finish this issue, because the country cannot continue without a government," Hariri said. He called for political factions in the multi-confessional country to cooperate on reviving the political process. Lebanon is governed by a complex system that guarantees a delicate balance between religious communities and their political parties, so decisions are made by consensus, making for protracted bargaining. The country's parliamentary elections in May were the first for nine years but lawmakers have since failed to form a government. In mid-November, Hariri accused his main political rival -- the Shiite movement Hezbollah -- of obstructing the formation of a new cabinet. A month later, he promised that Lebanon would have a government "by the end of the year". The slow process has worried observers, as the economy is teetering on the brink of disaster, hit hard by the fallout from the conflict that has ravaged neighbouring Syria since 2011. "The economic situation is difficult, but this is not to say it is impossible," Hariri said Tuesday. The international community pledged up to $11.5 billion (10 billion euros) in aid and loans for Lebanon at a conference in Paris in April. But the promised funding is largely destined for infrastructure projects, which cannot be actioned without a new cabinet. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was declared the landslide winner in her bid for a fourth term The United States on Tuesday expressed concern about "credible reports of harassment, intimidation and violence" in the weeks before Sunday's parliamentary election in Bangladesh. A State Department statement urged the country's Election Commission to "work constructively with all sides to address claims of irregularities." But it offered its congratulations to "the tens of millions of Bangladeshis who voted" and said the US "remains deeply invested in the future of Bangladesh and its democratic development." "The United States is Bangladesh's largest foreign investor, largest single-country market for Bangladeshi exports, and home to a large community of Americans of Bangladeshi origin," it noted. The statement added: "Bangladesh's impressive record of economic development and respect for democracy and human rights are mutually reinforcing, and we look forward to continue working with the ruling government and opposition towards advancing these interrelated goals." The European Union similarly called on Bangladesh on Tuesday to probe the violence and "significant obstacles" that it said had "tainted" both the campaign and the vote. On Monday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was declared the landslide winner in her bid for a fourth term. The election was marred by violence -- at least 17 people died -- and the opposition slammed it as "farcical" and rigged, amid allegations of intimidation and ballot-box stuffing. But Chief Election Commissioner K.M. Nurul Huda said there was "no scope" to hold a new election, and Hasina herself rejected calls for a new vote, saying, "I have nothing to hide... My conscience is clear." Hasina's Awami League party extended its grip on power by winning an unprecedented 98 percent of seats, nearly eliminating the opposition presence in parliament and raising fears, analysts said, about the future of democracy. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) offered a strong assurance of support for Israel when he met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) for talks in Brasilia on the sidelines of the inauguration of Jair Bolsonaro as Brazil's new president President Donald Trump's decision to pull American troops out of Syria "in no way changes anything" in terms of US support and protection of Israel, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday. Pompeo gave the assurance as he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks in Brasilia on the sidelines of the inauguration of Brazil's new president, Jair Bolsonaro. "The decision the president made on Syria in no way changes anything that this administration is working on alongside Israel," Pompeo said. "The counter-ISIS campaign continues, our efforts to counter Iranian aggression continue, and our commitment to Middle East stability and protection of Israel continues in the same way before that decision was made," he said. ISIS is another term for the radical militant Islamic State group (IS). The fact that the issue was the prime topic of conversation between Pompeo and Netanyahu underlined the uncertainty spawned by Trump's December 19 decision -- announced on Twitter -- to withdraw the approximately 2,000 US troops from northeast Syria, where they had been battling IS remnants. "We have a lot to discuss. We're going to be discussing our -- the intense cooperation between Israel and the United States, which will also deal with the questions following the decision, the American decision, on Syria," Netanyahu said. He said the talks would look at "how to intensify even further our intelligence and operational cooperation in Syria and elsewhere to block Iranian aggression in the Middle East." A US official with Pompeo said the two men "discussed the unacceptable threat that regional aggression and provocation by Iran and its agents poses to Israeli and regional security." Pompeo "reiterated the United States' commitment to Israel's security and unconditional right to self-defense." - Allies' concern - Trump's abrupt decision on Syria stunned regional players, US politicians and military leaders, who expressed surprise that such a major decision would be announced after apparently so little advance consultation, against the advice of his national security advisors. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned following the announcement, which came on the same day that US officials said Trump was also planning a significant drawdown in Afghanistan, with some reports suggesting as many as half of the 14,000 troops could leave. There are concerns that the US withdrawal could create a vacuum that will be exploited by other militaries active in Syria -- the Syrian army, of course, but also its Iranian allies, or Turkey, which already holds Syrian territory just over its border and which is hostile to the Kurdish groups allied with the American forces. There is also IS. While badly debilitated after years of combat, the jihadist group is still thousands-strong in northeast Syria and could stage a comeback if military pressure is let up. After the blowback from startled allies, Trump appeared to backtrack on his initial announcement that "we have defeated ISIS" and a pull-out would be immediate. In another tweet on Monday he said the withdrawal would now be done "slowly... while at the same time fighting ISIS remnants." The US-led coalition launched its first raids against IS in September 2014, more than two years before Trump won the US election. US-backed forces seized the jihadists' self-declared capital Raqa on October 17, 2017. Israel has conducted several airstrikes in Syria, targeting positions held by Iran and its Lebanese proxy force Hezbollah. A Russian flag flies next to the US embassy building in Moscow An American ex-Marine arrested in Moscow for alleged espionage is innocent, his family said Tuesday. The detention of Paul Whelan marked the latest in a series of espionage cases between Russia and the West. "We have read reports of the arrest in Moscow of Paul Whelan, our son and brother," said a statement posted on Twitter by David Whelan, who said he is the brother of Paul. "Paul is a retired Marine and was visiting Moscow to attend a wedding," it continued, adding that he stopped being in communication with his family on Friday, "which was very much out of character for him even when he was traveling." The family added they learned of the arrest through the media on Monday morning and had been in touch with US lawmakers, as well as the State Department. "We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," the statement said. Russia's FSB domestic security service said the American was arrested on Friday "while carrying out an act of espionage." A criminal case had been opened under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code which allows for prison sentences of up to 20 years, the FSB said in a statement. Whelan's employer, US-based automotive components supplier BorgWarner, said that he is the firm's director of global security. "He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan and at other company locations around the world," the company said in a statement, adding it has been in contact with relevant US authorities "in order to help our employee and the US government." - A Russian held in US - Born 48 years ago in Canada, Whelan had gone to Moscow for the marriage of a fellow ex-Marine with a Russian woman, his brother David told US media. Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty in the United States to acting as an illegal foreign agent and faces up to six months in prison, followed by likely deportation Speaking to Canada's CBC News, David Whelan said "there's no chance" the Russian accusations against his brother are accurate. "Paul has a law enforcement background. He is a Marine. He has worked in corporate security, and he is very aware of both the rule of law and the risks of traveling in countries that may have risks to travelers," the brother said. "There's no chance that he would have taken those sorts of risks while on a trip to Moscow, let alone to break any law but to break the espionage act." The US State Department said Monday it had been formally notified by Russia's foreign ministry and was seeking access to the detained American. "Russia's obligations under the Vienna Convention require them to provide consular access. We have requested this access and expect Russian authorities to provide it," the State Department said. "There is apparently a window of about 72 hours which has to pass before anybody can see Paul and that time hasn't passed as of today," Whelan's brother told CBC. "So we are hoping tomorrow that we will hear about Paul's condition and his well-being." The arrest came after President Vladimir Putin accused Western nations of using espionage cases to try to undermine an increasingly powerful Russia. US intelligence services have accused Moscow of interfering in the 2016 presidential election. Special Counsel Robert Mueller has charged 25 Russians -- including members of the GRU military intelligence -- and three Russian companies for that alleged interference but they have not been arrested. In December, Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty in a Federal Court in Washington to acting as an illegal foreign agent. Butina faces up to six months in prison, followed by likely deportation. Afghanistan's largest militant group made significant territorial gains in 2018, including overrunning Ghazni city Taliban fighters killed more than 20 Afghan security forces in simultaneous raids on a provincial capital and district in northern Afghanistan, an official said Tuesday, as the city braced for further violence. Hundreds of militants were outside Sar-e-Pul city, which provincial governor spokesman Zabihullah Amani said was at risk of falling to the Taliban if reinforcements were not sent. The Taliban have stepped up attacks on security forces across the country, slaughtering police and soldiers in record numbers, as the threat of a US drawdown complicates American-led efforts to end the 17-year conflict. "The enemy is still amassing forces outside the city," Amani told AFP. "We have deployed all the forces available in the city, but no reinforcements have arrived from outside so far. "The people inside the city are very worried." Taliban fighters launched the attacks on Sar-e-Pul and neighbouring Sayad district on Monday night, which Amani said were aimed at seizing control of several oil wells on the outskirts of the city. At least 21 local forces, including police and intelligence, were killed and another 23 wounded in the attacks, Amani said. "They have attacked the city many times in the past, but this time the threat is more serious," he said. A security official, who spoke to AFP on the condition of anonymity, put the death toll slightly lower at between 15 and 20 members of local forces. Kabul-based interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi confirmed there had been casualties, but would not provide details. He said reinforcements had been deployed to Sar-e-Pul and dismissed concerns that the provincial capital was at risk of falling to the insurgents. The Taliban confirmed the attacks, saying their fighters had captured three checkpoints and killed or wounded 50 members of the security forces. Afghanistan's largest militant group made significant territorial gains in 2018, including overrunning Ghazni city -- a few hours' drive from Kabul -- which they held for several days before being pushed back with the help of US airpower. At the time, officials said Ghazni remained in government hands. But residents told AFP that the insurgents were in the streets, burning buildings and targeting civilians. The Taliban's increased aggression on the battlefield coincided with a flurry of diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing the group to the negotiating table. In recent days, Taliban representatives have met with Iran, as Tehran makes a more concerted and open push for peace ahead of a possible US drawdown. The Taliban delegation discussed with Iran "the post-occupation situation, restoration of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region", the militants said in a statement posted on social media and emailed to journalists on Tuesday. It signals a growing confidence among the Taliban that US troops will pull out of Afghanistan, after US officials last month told various media outlets that President Donald Trump had decided to slash the number of boots on the ground. Election officials began counting and collating ballots on Monday in a climate of deep suspicion about fraud Leading western powers on Tuesday called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to restore internet access, which operators say was cut on government orders a day earlier following presidential elections. They also backed a request by the main Congolese election monitoring organisations to have access to the centres where the votes are being counted since Sunday's polling day. The joint statement was issued by the European Union, the United States, Canadian and Swiss heads of mission in Kinshasa. "We request that the government refrains from blocking means of communication, in particular access to the internet and the media," said the statement. Internet access was cut on Monday afternoon for an indefinite period on the orders of the government, internet operator Global told AFP Monday. The authorities had also cut mobile phone texting, said mobile phone service Vodacom. And Radio France Internationale said its broadcasts had been jammed from Monday evening. The station has carried extensive coverage of the presidential election in this francophone country. The count is underway after Sunday's vote to determine who succeeds Joseph Kabila as president after his 18 years in power, with the results expected next Sunday. Frontrunners (L-R): Tshisekedi, Shadary and Fayulu But the country's two main election monitors -- the National Episcopal Electoral Conference of Congo (CENCO) and SYMOCEL, an alliance of citizens' observer missions -- are still trying to get access to the count. The joint statement by the western missions supporting their request for access was also backed by some individual EU member states -- Belgium, Britain, France the Netherlands and Sweden. Once the results at individual voting stations have been posted, they have to be compiled regionally and sent to the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI). There are three front-runners among the 21 candidates for the presidency. Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary is Kabila's favoured candidate; Felix Tshisekedi, who now leads his late father Etienne's UDPS party; and another opposition leader, Martin Fayulu. All three have already claimed the vote is going their way. New Years Eve passed off calmly in the capital Kinshasa, where the city's night spots were open as normal. Central American migrants run from tear gas fired by the US border patrol, after they tried to cross from Tijuana, Mexico, to the San Diego area in the US, as seen from Tijuana US Border Patrol agents used tear gas and pepper spray to counter rock-throwing migrants when a group of about 150 tried to illegally cross the border from Mexico, leading to 25 arrests, the agency said on Tuesday. It is the second time since November that border officers have used tear gas during an attempted mass migrant crossing in the San Diego area. The migrants in the latest case New Year's Eve were among 1,500 who have remained in Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego, California, after a once-5,000-strong caravan of travelers -- which raised the ire of President Donald Trump -- largely gave up and dispersed. An AFP journalist reported the crowd size at about 100 and observed the group of Central Americans gathering around 8:00 pm Monday night (0400 GMT Tuesday) in an area called Playas de Tijuana on the Pacific coast, often used by migrants as a departure point for attempts to sneak across the border. There, the border is marked with fencing and a large vertical plate that juts out into the water. On the other side of it, US border agents were seen mobilizing. A group of Central American migrants hide from the US Border Patrol near the US-Mexico border fence, before attempting to cross from Tijuana on December 31, 2018, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico As night fell and people on both sides of the frontier prepared to celebrate New Year's Eve, the migrants tried to cross over but at least two smoke bombs were fired and they were ultimately held back. Those who tried to cross included adult men, women with small children and adolescents. After that attempt, part of the group stayed near the border and other Central Americans arrived to join them. Shortly after the New Year began, dozens of migrants stood on a hill from which they could see US border agents, who watched them closely. When people in this group rushed the border in a second incident, US authorities fired tear gas to disperse them, an AFP photographer observed. Central American migrants react in Tijuana, Mexico, after US border patrol officers fired tear gas In a statement, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said an initial group of 45 migrants turned back towards Mexico, due to the increased presence of Border Patrol agents. Shortly after, migrants began throwing rocks over the fence at CBP officers. "Several teenagers, wrapped in heavy jackets, blankets and rubber mats were put over the concertina wire. Border Patrol agents witnessed members of the group attempt to lift toddler-sized children up and over the concertina wire and having difficulty accomplishing the task in a safe manner," CBP said. It added that agents could not assist the children "due to the large number of rocks being thrown at them." - 'Minimum force' - Agents used smoke, pepper spray and tear gas "to address the rock throwers assaulting agents and risking the safety of migrants attempting to cross who were already on the US side," CBP said. A Central American migrant jumps over the US-Mexico border fence from Tijuana to the US side south of San Diego as seen from Tijuana, Mexico on January 1, 2019 "The rock throwers were located south of the fence, in an elevated position both above the border fence area and the incursion attempt." Most of the migrants returned to Mexico using a hole under the fence or by climbing over it, CBP said, adding 25 people including two teenage migrants were detained. Agents "used the minimum force necessary," Katie Waldman, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement. In late November, also in the Tijuana area, US border officers used tear gas and rubber bullets when about 500 men, women and children scrambled over a rusted metal fence and surged into a concrete riverbed before they encountered a second fence. Rights groups raised questions over the use of force, in which at least one man was wounded. CBP said 42 people were arrested on the US side. The migrants in both cases were part of a caravan that left Central America in October and traveled 4,300 kilometers (2,600 miles) to Tijuana in the hope of reaching the US and requesting asylum. Many were fleeing gang violence and poverty. Central American migrants lift a child over the US-Mexico border fence, while trying to cross from Tijuana, Mexico, to the US side, as seen from Tijuana They arrived in Tijuana in early November and today about 1,500 still remain. The rest asked to be transported back home or dispersed to other parts of Mexico. Trump used the caravan to stir up fear of immigrants as he pressed his drive to build a wall on the border. He has also made it harder for people to request asylum at the frontier. An impasse with legislators over funding for his border wall project is behind a partial shutdown of US government services which is now in its second week. The Yemen conflict has triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis with more than 20 million people depending on food assistance to survive Yemen's Huthi rebels on Tuesday rejected UN accusations of selling aid meant for civilians, slamming the World Food Programme (WFP) for sending "rotten food" to the war-torn country. The WFP, which plans to provide food to up to 12 million Yemenis a month in 2019, on Monday accused Huthi rebels of "criminal behaviour" and of selling food aid in markets in the rebel-held capital Sanaa. Mohammed al-Huthi, who heads the rebels' Higher Revolutionary Committee, hit back saying the WFP was "fully responsible for... quantities of rotten food" it sent to Yemen. In comments carried by the rebels' Saba news agency, he said Yemen refused to allow this food into the country because "it violates standards and regulations and is not suitable for human consumption". Huthi said, however, that the insurgents "welcomed" an independent investigation and called on the WFP to back up its accusations with proof. He also accused UN organisations of bias. "The work of these organisations is mostly politicised, and their position... confirms their work has shifted from independent to subordinate" to the United States and Britain, he said. The Huthis are locked in a war with a Saudi-led regional military coalition, which is allied with Yemen's embattled government. The conflict has triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 14 million people on the brink of famine. Last month, Huthi rebels and government officials agreed to a UN-brokered ceasefire in the flashpoint Red Sea port city of Hodeida, a key gateway for aid and food imports to Yemen. The ceasefire went into effect on December 18, but it has remained shaky with the two sides accusing each other of violations. Nearly 10,000 people have been killed since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the government's fight against the Huthis in 2015, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high. More than 22 million people -- three quarters of the population -- now depend on humanitarian assistance to survive. Activists face new challenges in 2019 with the government hoping to table new national security legislation Hong Kong's embattled democracy advocates kicked off 2019 with a large street rally on Tuesday, lamenting what they said had been a grim year for freedoms and steeling themselves for fresh battles with Beijing. A thousands-strong crowd -- including a small retinue of independence activists -- protested over disappearing political freedoms, rising inequality and the local government's perceived coziness with big business and Beijing. Semi-autonomous Hong Kong currently enjoys liberties unseen on the mainland including freedom of expression and the press under a deal struck with Britain before the 1997 handover. But concern is growing that those rights are being eroded by an increasingly assertive China ruled by President Xi Jinping. Last year city authorities made a series of unprecedented moves that caused alarm among activists and prompted rare criticism from western governments. In September a tiny pro-independence political party was banned under an obscure national security law designed to target triad gangs. Soon after a Financial Times journalist who chaired a talk with that party's leader at a press club found himself effectively expelled after officials refused to renew his visa. Authorities also continued to bar political candidates from standing for local elections if they held pro-independence views. "We have experienced a lot in 2018 -- society, politics and people's livelihood have all regressed. I can't see hope in 2019," protester Kwan Chun-pong, a 47-year-old production line manager, told AFP. The majority of Hong Kong's democracy advocates want people to have a greater say in how their city is run, such as the ability to directly elect their leader. - New challenges - Mass pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014 blockaded parts of the city for 79 days but failed to win any meaningful concessions. Although most Hong Kongers do not advocate independence -- a red line with Beijing -- a small group of hardline independence activists emerged from the failure of the 2014 protests, rattling local and mainland authorities. A few dozen independence activists -- some of them masked -- attended Tuesday's rally, followed by police officers with video cameras. Pro-Beijing counter protesters chanted slogans from the sidelines "We are still coming out today because we still love this place, we want it to change, we want the next generation to feel proud of Hong Kong's identity," activist Wayne Chan shouted through a loud-hailer. Police said some 3,200 people attended the march at its peak, while organisers gave a higher figure of 5,500. The city's government, which rejects the suggestion that rights are slipping, said after the rally that it "fully respects" the rights of Hong Kongers to protest and express their views, adding that the rule of law was the "foundation of Hong Kong's pluralistic society and free economy". The government has previously said that campaigning for independence contravenes the city's mini-constitution. The Civil Human Rights Front, which organised Tuesday's march, does not support independence but argues the city's free speech laws should allow others to campaign for it. Activists face new challenges in 2019 with the government hoping to table new national security legislation and laws that would ban disrespecting China's national anthem. A number of 2014 protest leaders will also find out in April whether a court will jail them after they were prosecuted under a slew of little-used public order offences. The 12.5 million population in India's only Muslim-majority state has given strong support to the militants' political agenda The most deadly year in a decade has left Indian-controlled Kashmir facing a grim future with militant groups and the New Delhi government digging in for an even fiercer battle in 2019, experts say. Indian forces say they killed two infiltrators coming from Pakistan on New Year's Eve and authorities still virulently blame the neighbouring state for the three-decade-old conflict which has claimed tens of thousands of victims. But Kashmir politicians and independent Indian experts say the presence of 500,000 troops in the former Himalayan kingdom and an election in India in 2019 leaves little hope for an end to the bloodshed. The Jammu-Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a rights group, listed 586 dead in its annual 2018 toll: 267 militants, 160 civilians --- including 31 children -- and the rest, state police and Indian armed forces. Its list does not include the dozens killed in firing across the unofficial border between the Indian and Pakistani sectors of Kashmir. Both sides claim the region. The uptick in deaths highlights the effects of a more intense government campaign to flush out armed groups who want an independent Kashmir or merger with Pakistan The numbers of dead militants and security forces are both the highest for a decade, as are the nearly 800 recorded clashes. The bleak statistics all highlight the effects of a more intense government campaign -- "Operation All-Out" -- to flush out armed groups who want an independent Kashmir or merger with Pakistan. Even the 20 recorded cases of suicide among Indian forces in Kashmir is a record, according to the JKCCS. - Youth support - The 12.5 million population in India's only Muslim-majority state has given strong support to the militants' political agenda. But the nationalist government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a hard line on Kashmir and Pakistan. With his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeking a new term this year, there will be no let up in the military showdown, experts said. "I don't expect anything to change in the coming year or so. Life will continue to be uncertain," political analyst Siddiq Wahid, of the University of Kashmir, told AFP. Kashmiri civilians are showing a greater willingness to express public defiance "An election year in India means there will be an uptick in hardline Hindutva politics over Kashmir. The BJP will try to strongly align Kashmir with its muscular Hindu nationalism," said Wahid. Security authorities acknowledge that the hardening positions mean more young Kashmir men are joining rebel ranks. A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that at least 128 Kashmiri youth had joined underground groups in 2018 -- 70 percent more than the previous year. "There has been no effort to engage the opinion (of Kashmiris) in any kind of a political process," said Manoj Joshi from the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation think-tank. "So it is not surprising that the disaffected young are taking to militancy in larger numbers," he told AFP. The atmosphere of fear and mistrust runs deep. Security authorities acknowledge that the hardening positions mean more young Kashmir men are joining rebel ranks "The separatists exploit every possible situation to agitate the people, to fan anti-India sentiments," India's Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh said last week. Authorities accuse militants of targeting the families of police and security forces who have detained the relatives of wanted militants. Kashmiri civilians in turn are showing a greater willingness to express public defiance. Many take to the streets hurling stones at the Indian army when they lay siege to militant hideouts. Thousands attended the funeral in December of 14-year-old Mudasir Ahmad Parrey, believed to be the youngest rebel killed in the battle that started in 1989. The announcement signals a growing confidence among the Taliban for US troops to pull out of Afghanistan The Taliban discussed Afghanistan's "post-occupation situation" with Iran in their latest meeting, the group said Tuesday, as Tehran makes a more concerted and open push for peace ahead of a possible US drawdown. The remarks come after Iran confirmed Monday that the Taliban had visited Tehran for a second round of talks in just a few days that are aimed at ending the 17-year conflict. The Taliban delegation discussed with Iran "the post-occupation situation, restoration of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region", the militants said in a statement posted on social media and emailed to journalists. It signals a growing confidence among the Taliban for US troops to pull out of Afghanistan, after US officials last month told various media outlets that President Donald Trump had decided to slash the number of boots on the ground. There have been reports in the past of talks between Iran and the Taliban, but they have typically been denied by Tehran. Tehran's peace push will be viewed with concern by hawks in Washington, who fear that Trump's planned withdrawal of troops from Syria and Afghanistan will cede regional influence to Iran. The Taliban also met with the United States, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the United Arab Emirates earlier in December as part of a flurry of diplomatic efforts to end the war. But the Taliban refused to meet a delegation from Afghanistan. The group said Saturday its representatives would not meet "with those of the Kabul administration" at the next meeting expected to be held in Saudi Arabia later this month. Iran's deputy foreign ministry Abbas Araghchi will travel to Afghanistan in the next two weeks, the foreign ministry said, without giving further details. Iran and Afghanistan share a nearly 600-mile (960-kilometre) border, and have had a complex relationship in recent years. Tehran has long supported its co-religionists in Afghanistan, the Shia Hazara minority, who were violently persecuted by the Taliban during its rule in the 1990s. Iran worked alongside the United States and Western powers to help drive out the Taliban after the US-led invasion in 2001. But there have been allegations, from Western and Afghan sources, that Iran's Revolutionary Guards have in recent years established ties with the Taliban aimed at driving out US forces from Afghanistan. On December 24, police and emergency services ordered Opal Tower to be evacuated after reports of cracking noises More cracks have been found in a recently completed Sydney high-rise apartment block that was evacuated on Christmas Eve, engineers said Tuesday, as residents remained locked out of the building. Police and emergency services ordered some 300 people out of the 38-storey Opal Tower in the Sydney Olympic Park and other nearby buildings on December 24 after reports of "cracking noises". Some two-thirds of the units were declared safe to return to on Christmas Day, but 51 others were declared "structurally unsafe". Authorities said they found a crack on the 10th floor. Tower builder Icon on Thursday called on all residents to leave the building again to allow global engineering firm WSP and its majority owner, Japanese construction company Kajima, to "comprehensively investigate and remediate the site". WSP chief executive for Australia and New Zealand, Guy Templeton, said engineers have now found two areas on level four that "show evidence of some, but lesser damage" compared to level 10. "As a precautionary measure, propping is being installed to support level four and this will be completed by Icon Co by the end of today," Templeton added in a statement. "The building is structurally sound overall." The New South Wales state government is conducting an investigation into the building's structural integrity. The 392-unit tower opened this year and is near the site of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, seen here in 2015, ascended the throne following his father's death in October 2016 An elaborate three-day coronation ceremony for Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be held in early May, more than two and half years after the death of his revered father Bhumibol Adulyadej. The 66-year-old ascended the throne following his father's death in October 2016, which ended a tumultuous seven-decade reign over the Southeast Asian kingdom marked by coups and rounds of violent street protests. Maha Vajiralongkorn, formally known as Rama X of the Chakri dynasty, has since dramatically reorganised palace affairs. He has bolstered his own security detail and granted himself personal stewardship of the crown's multi-billion dollar assets, which include swathes of prime real estate and major investments in banks and companies. Thailand's monarchy -- one of the world's richest -- is shielded from criticism by a harsh royal defamation law punishing any transgressors with up to 15 years per charge. It is also butressed by the conservative, ultra-royalist army which has ruled Thailand since seizing power in 2014, banning protests and political rallies, but which has pledged to restore elections early this year. In a televised announcement, the Royal Household Bureau said the coronation will take place between May 4 and 6. "It's a suitable time to hold the coronation in accordance to the tradition and for national celebration and joy of the people," the bureau said. The "coronation ceremony" will be held on May 4 with an audience granted to "the royal family, privy councillors and cabinet members", it explained. The following day a ceremony will "bestow the royal name" according to traditions governing the monarchy, then on May 6 the king will hold a "grand audience" with members of the public and diplomats. - Thais to vote - This year is poised to be pivotal for Thailand. The country is also set to hold elections, with the junta teasing the date of Febuary 24. If polls are held then, it would be just shy of five years since the junta -- led by army chief turned premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha -- seized power from the elected civilian government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The junta, which portrays itself as the defender of the monarchy, says it toppled her government to end corruption under successive civilian administrations. Its critics say it acted only to push out the Shinawatra clan, led by Yingluck's older brother, the billionaire and ex-premier Thaksin, and uproot their political networks. Despite two coups and multiple legal challenges the family and its affiliates have won every Thai general election since 2001, relying on support from the poor but populous north and northeast. It is not clear whether the Shinawatras' support is still as strong as it was, with the military-linked parties successfully luring over some their erstwhile allies. Thaksin, booted from office by 2006 coup, has lived in self-exile for a decade over a corruption conviction. Yingluck joined her brother in self-exile in 2017 to avoid jail for criminal negligence linked to a rice subsidy scheme aimed at her base. The military has written a new constitution that experts say dilutes the power of elected governments and embeds its role in politics and policy for the next 20 years. A fully-appointed senate and a reduction in the number of lower house seats is expected to offset any strong electoral showing by the Shinawatras and their allies. Prayut is widely tipped to return as the country's next premier. He needs the endorsement of just 126 lower house legislators plus the junta-appointed senate. Frank discussion of Thailand's monarchy is off-limits in Thailand, where all Thai-based media must self-censor to avoid falling foul of the broadly interpreted lese majeste laws. Convictions under the law soared during the initial years of military rule but have eased since Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended to the throne, with charges in several high-profile cases also dropped. President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwanese people would never give up the freedoms they now enjoy China's manipulation of Taiwan's democratic openness is the biggest threat to the island's security, President Tsai Ing-wen said Tuesday, as she called on Beijing to seek peaceful means to solve their differences. Relations between China and Taiwan have spent two years in the doldrums since the election of Tsai, who has refused to acknowledge Beijing's stance that the island is part of "one China". Tsai's comments came a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to give a landmark speech on Taiwan. It will be closely watched on the island where many have been rattled by the Chinese leader's increasingly muscular rhetoric. Beijing still sees democratic Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified by force if necessary, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949. China has cut off official communication with Tsai's government and stepped up military and diplomatic pressure. In a New Year's Day speech, Tsai called for Beijing to come to the table but she warned that Taiwan's people would never give up the kind of freedoms unseen on the authoritarian mainland. "What we need is for the two sides to understand and face the reality that both sides are fundamentally different in their values, lifestyles, and political system," she said. Beijing, she added, "must respect the insistence of 23 million people for freedom and democracy" and "must use peaceful and equal terms to handle our differences". She also accused the Chinese government and businesses of taking advantage of Taiwan's open society. "Taiwan's biggest challenge at the moment is especially from China... where it is using our (Taiwan's) democratic system of openness and freedom," she said, citing an influx of viral fake news about Taiwan from the mainland as one example. She also said China had not kept Taiwan adequately informed of African swine fever outbreaks, something she said could hurt local businesses and sow mistrust. Xi's speech on Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan", an open letter from China's communist rulers during the reformist Deng Xiaoping era which led to a warming of cross-strait ties. But Xi has adopted a markedly more confrontational foreign policy in recent years and frequently refers to his desire to unite Taiwan with the mainland soon. While Tsai has refused to recognise Beijing's "one China" policy she has walked a careful path within her own party, where some members openly advocate Taiwan declaring independence -- a major red line for China. In her New Year's speech she reiterated that her government was open to direct talks. Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party received a bloody nose in local polls in November and she faces a presidential election in 2020. The main opposition Kuomintang party won a string of key mayoralties in the November ballot and favours much friendlier ties with Beijing. The incident happened as people were celebrating the New Year in Tokyo Nine people were hurt, one seriously, when a man deliberately ploughed his car into crowds celebrating New Year's Eve along a famous Tokyo street, police and media said Tuesday. With an "intent to murder", 21-year-old Kazuhiro Kusakabe drove a small vehicle into Takeshita Street in Tokyo's fashion district of Harajuku at 10 minutes past midnight, a police spokesman told AFP. According to national broadcaster NHK, Kusakabe told police he was acting in "retribution for the death penalty" without giving more precise details. NHK footage showed a small box vehicle with a smashed front and paramedics carrying people on stretchers into ambulances. One witness told NHK it was a "ghastly scene." "I saw some guys collapsed on the street. As I walked closer toward the scene, many more people had fallen on the ground. By the time I reached the exact place, paramedics were already there helping people," he said. Another witness who runs a clothing shop in the area said: "I am shocked that something like this happened on Takeshita Street." Police immediately cordoned off the street, which was packed with people celebrating the New Year. One college student suffered serious injuries during the attack and was undergoing surgery, the police spokesman told AFP. Kusakabe was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, police said. According to local media, Kusakabe hit a total of eight people and assaulted another on the street, which was closed to car traffic at the time as revellers packed the area to celebrate New Year. Takeshita Street is packed with small shops and is considered the centre of youth culture and fashion in Japan, attracting tens of thousands of international tourists every day. Unlike in other major cities, New Year in Tokyo is a relatively muted affair. There is no major fireworks display and no central point where drunken revellers gather to see in the New Year. Instead, Japanese people tend to see in the New Year with families and quietly go to the shrine to pray for good fortune in the year to come. US Strategic Command posted, then deleted and apologizes about a tweet showing a video with B-2 bombers dropping bombs US Strategic Command apologized Monday for a joke in "bad taste" after tweeting it was ready to drop something "much bigger" than the traditional Times Square crystal ball at New Year. In a message posted, and later deleted, on Twitter, the military force that controls the US nuclear arsenal released a video in which B-2 bombers drop bombs, with the message: "If ever needed, we are #ready to drop something much, much bigger." Amid the jaw-dropping and eye-raising on social media that followed, STRATCOM -- whose slogan is "peace is our profession" -- then tweeted an apology. "Our previous NYE tweet was in poor taste & does not reflect our values. We apologize. We are dedicated to the security of America & allies," it said. A STRATCOM spokesman told NBC News the images on the video showed non-nuclear bombs. About a million people are expected Monday in New York's Times Square, where revelers since 1907 ring in the New Year watching a giant ball slide slowly down a pole. PM Sheikh Hasina's crushing win in a controversial election has raised concerns about the state of democracy in Bangladesh A crushing victory for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in an election overshadowed by allegations it was fixed raises fears about the future of democracy in Bangladesh, analysts say. Hasina's Awami League party extended its decade-long grip on power by winning an unprecedented 98 percent of seats while key opposition parties are now floundering in the wilderness with next to no representation in parliament. The Muslim-majority nation is now an entrenched "one-party system", political analyst Ataur Rahman told AFP, likening it to Southeast Asian ruling parties of the 1970s and 80s. "There will be less space for freedom of press, civil society... (and) political parties" after the election, said Rahman, who heads the Dhaka-based Centre for Governance Studies. Hasina, Bangladesh's longest-serving leader, has been accused of locking up dissenters and presiding over enforced disappearances as well as muzzling freedom of speech through a draconian anti-press law toughened this year. She denies any authoritarianism. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) endured its worst ever electoral performance Sunday while the country's largest Islamist party has been crushed in government crackdowns. The Jamaat-e-Islami's leaders and many of its activists have gone underground to avoid arrest since the party was banned from putting up candidates under its own banner in 2012. Five of its top leaders have been hanged over war crimes charges dating back to Bangladesh's 1971 independence war. The BNP has claimed the detention of thousands of its activists ahead of the poll prevented it from running anything close to an effective campaign. It rejected the results, saying the vote was "90 percent rigged" due to ballot box stuffing and a climate of fear which deterred voters from going to polling booths. The BNP picked up only six seats compared with 288 for the Awami League and its allies in a 300-seat parliament, raising questions about where it goes from here. "The country has turned into a totalitarian one-party system. It is not BNP's problem but the whole nation is facing the biggest crisis," BNP secretary general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told AFP. And one Western diplomat, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "The health of Bangladesh's democracy is now seriously in question." "Bangladesh has decided to follow the Cambodian precedent and not Malaysia's." Political experts say the BNP, a right-of-centre party which has ruled Bangladesh for 15 of its 47 years as an independent country, must accept some blame for its own demise. The root of its present troubles, they say, lies in its decision to boycott the 2014 election over fears it wouldn't be free and fair, gifting victory to Hasina. "It was a suicidal decision," said Rahman. - 'Existential crisis' - The BNP was founded by military dictator Ziaur Rahman in the late 1970s. His widow Khaleda Zia revived it in the 1980s after Rahman was killed in a coup. The Bangladesh election campaign and polling day were marred by deadly violence The party joined forces with the Awami League to oust military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad in 1990. But then Zia and Hasina fell out and were nicknamed the "Battling Begums". Zia won two elections, in 1991 and 2001, as she and Hasina alternated in power. The BNP leader was this year sentenced to 17 years in jail for what her supporters say are trumped-up graft charges, ruling her out of the election, Bangladesh's 11th since independence. Zia's party is facing "an existential crisis", according to political scientist Shahab Enam Khan of Jahangirnagar University. He said the huge election defeat was a "wake-up call" for the party to "reform itself" so it can "respond to the new form of politics that has emerged in the country". Khan believes Sunday's controversial election has delivered a "fractured mandate... which neither the public nor the politicians can unconditionally accept or invalidate". "This is an uncertain situation for democracy in Bangladesh, more precisely for BNP," he told AFP. The BNP is unlikely to organise mass protests over doubts it can mobilise enough support but Rahman, the analyst, thinks the it can slowly build support again. "Their movement for an election to be overseen by (a) neutral government will gain momentum," he said. Kim Jong Un said North Korea wants good relations with the US but could consider a change of approach if Washington maintains its sanctions Nuclear-armed North Korea wants good relations with the US but could consider a change of approach if Washington maintains its sanctions, leader Kim Jong Un warned in his New Year speech Tuesday after 12 months of diplomatic rapprochement. At a summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June the two signed a vaguely worded pledge on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. But progress has since stalled with Pyongyang and Washington arguing over what that means. "If the US fails to carry out its promise to the world... and remains unchanged in its sanctions and pressure upon the DPRK," Kim said Tuesday, "we might be compelled to explore a new path for defending the sovereignty of our country and supreme interests of our state". He was willing to meet Trump again at any time, he added, "to produce results welcomed by the international community". North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un has said he is ready to meet with US President Donald Trump again at any time The North is demanding sanctions relief -- it is subject to multiple measures over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes -- and has condemned US insistence on its nuclear disarmament as "gangster-like". Washington is pushing to maintain the measures against the North until its "final, fully verified denuclearisation". Kim's speech "expressed his frustration with the lack of progress in negotiations so far", said former South Korean vice unification minister Kim Hyung-seok. The North Korean leader "obviously had certain expectations that the US would take certain steps -- however rudimentary they are -- after the North blew up a nuclear test site and took other steps. But none of them materialised. "He is faced with this urgent task to improve his 'socialist economy' -- which is impossible to achieve without lifting of the sanctions." In marked contrast with January 1, 2018, when he ordered mass production of nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles, Kim said the North had "declared that we would no longer produce, test, use or spread our nuclear arsenal", calling for the US to take "corresponding measures". The leader's New Year speech is a key moment in the North Korean political calendar, reviewing the past and setting out out goals for the future The production pledge was a "significant evolution in leadership intent, if true", Ankit Panda of the Federation of American Scientists said on Twitter, but credibility was an issue. "All this might offer is a temporary cap on warhead production as long as talks are on with the US -- to be withdrawn when sanctions relief doesn't arrive," he added. The line was not included in the first English-language summary of the speech by the North's official KCNA news agency. - Year of rapprochement - Kim spoke sitting in a dark leather armchair, in a large office lined with packed bookshelves and paintings of his predecessors, father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung. As he began speaking -- in a deep, gravelly voice and wearing a dark suit and blue tie -- a clock behind him read at moments after 12. Kim-Trump historic summit But at times during the address it was blurred out and towards the end of the half-hour broadcast it was close to 1, suggesting the speech was recorded in several takes. The leader's New Year speech is a key moment in the North Korean political calendar, reviewing the past and setting out goals for the future. The 2018 address was a crucial catalyst for the developments that followed. It came after a year of high tensions when the North made rapid progress with its weapons development, carrying out its sixth nuclear test -- by far its most powerful to date -- and launching rockets capable of reaching the entire US mainland. The two leaders had traded personal insults -- Trump mocked Kim as "Little Rocket Man", who in turn called him a "mentally deranged US dotard" -- and threats of war as fears of conflict rose. In last year's speech Kim warned "the nuclear button is on my office desk all the time", but also offered to send a team to the forthcoming Winter Olympics in the South. That opened the way for the South's dovish President Moon Jae-in to play the role of peace broker. Seoul and Washington are in a security alliance and the US stations 28,500 troops in the South to protect it against its neighbour. A rapid sequence of developments followed, with athletes and a senior delegation led by Kim's powerful sister going to the Pyeongchang Games in February, before Kim met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing ahead of the Singapore summit with Trump. Kim also met Moon three times in 2018 -- twice at the border truce village of Panmunjom and once in the North's capital -- and at the weekend vowed to meet Moon "frequently" this year. South Korea on Tuesday reacted positively to Kim's speech, which came after Seoul and Pyongyang have pursued several reconciliation initiatives in recent months. These include projects to upgrade the North's outdated rail infrastructure and reconnect it with the South. "We welcome Kim's reaffirmation... for complete denuclearisation and permanent peace of the Korean peninsula as well as the improvement in North-South ties," Seoul's unification ministry said in a statement. Much of Kim's speech Tuesday focused on North Korea's moribund economy, saying that improving people's lives was his top priority and tackling energy shortages was an urgent task. US Senator Elizabeth Warren is a fierce critic of President Donald Trump, and is now likely running to unseat him in 2020 Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren -- an outspoken critic of Wall Street and nemesis of Donald Trump -- entered the 2020 race for the White House on Monday. The 69-year-old progressive announced she was launching an exploratory committee for president, becoming the first major candidate in what is set to be an extraordinarily crowded Democratic primary, united by a singular focus on unseating the Republican Trump. The move will help Warren raise funds and hire more staff early in the campaign cycle -- an effort in which she already leads most other potential Democratic candidates. Her announcement came 13 months before the Iowa caucuses that launch what is expected to be a boisterous primary season. "America's middle class is under attack," said a video message from Warren, who has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 2013, crafting a reputation as an economic populist. "Corruption is poisoning our democracy," she said. "Politicians look the other way while big insurance companies deny patients life-saving coverage, while big banks rip off consumers and while big oil companies destroy this planet." That, she said, is why she is launching her exploratory committee. - Going on the 'offense' - At election rallies like this one in Wisconsin, Trump has mocked Warren's claim to be part Native American A former public-school teacher and then Harvard law professor, Warren has been a vocal advocate of consumer and workers' rights. But Americans may know her best for her frequent sparring with Trump -- which has had mixed results. Warren's searing criticisms of Trump's trade policies, erosion of consumer protections, and openness to authoritarian regimes -- not to mention her call in September for Congress to use a constitutional maneuver to remove him from office -- have drawn his attention, and his disdain. Reacting to her latest move, Trump said he was unsure whether Warren could replace him at the White House. "You'd have to ask her psychiatrist," he quipped in an interview with Fox News. "We'll see how she does. I wish her well, I hope she does well, I'd love to run against her." At his election-style rallies, Trump took to mocking her claim to have some Native American heritage by dubbing her "Pocahontas," a derisive reference to the 17th century Native American who lived in what is now Virginia. When Trump offered to donate $1 million to Warren's favorite charity if she took a test proving "you're an Indian," she eventually did so, hoping to put an end to his ridicule. Instead, he seemed to relish the fact that the test showed her with only a sliver of Native American heritage. - 'Nevertheless, she persisted' - Demonstrators like these, inspired by Warren's determined opposition, protested in February 2017 against the nomination of Jeff Sessions as US attorney general But another encounter with a powerful male politician gave Warren a place in political folklore. After she clashed in 2017 on the Senate floor with top Republican Mitch McConnell over the nomination of Jeff Sessions as attorney general and refused to back down, his phrase "Nevertheless, she persisted" was quickly adopted by feminists -- and turned into T-shirts and bumper stickers. As talk of a possible presidential run grew, Warren has worked to build her foreign policy credentials, taking a seat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. She favors cuts in military spending and a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Her domestic policies are reliably liberal: She is staunchly pro-choice on abortion, supports gun control and has urged Democrats to go on "offense" to expand health care coverage for Americans. But her bread-and-butter issue has been the defense of ordinary Americans against abuses by those with wealth and power. She sharply criticized Wall Street after the 2007 financial crisis and helped establish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "How did we get here? Billionaires and big corporations decided they wanted more of the pie, and they enlisted politicians to cut them a fatter slice," she said in her video. - Humble childhood - Former US housing secretary Julian Castro is among a handful of Democrats to have launched exploratory committees ahead of the 2020 presidential election With as many as three dozen Democrats weighing possible presidential bids, the road to the nomination will be arduous. Among those who have already declared their intention to run are Julian Castro, a former housing secretary in Barack Obama's administration, Maryland Representative John Delaney and Richard Ojeda, a former army paratrooper currently serving as a state senator in West Virginia. Polls for now show Warren trailing veteran politicians like former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Bernie Sanders, both in their 70s -- as well as rising young star Beto O'Rourke, who is 46. But analyst Nate Silver said on Twitter that Warren "probably has a better chance than Sanders of bridging the gap between the left and the party establishment." "She's always raised a ton of money. Voters know what she stands for. Women did well in the 2018 primaries," Silver added. Warren has built the framework of a serious campaign, with a staff of more than 70 people, $12.5 million left over from her successful re-election effort, and a nationwide network of contacts and supporters. As she seeks to raise her profile, Warren likes to tell how she grew up in the Central Plains state of Oklahoma, in a family she said lived "on the ragged edge of the middle class." After her father suffered a heart attack, she went to work at age 13 waiting tables in a restaurant -- life experience she says gives her a visceral connection to ordinary Americans. Fireworks exploded overhead and couples kissed as revelers welcomed the New Year in New York City's Times Square New York City's iconic crystal ball dropped as usual and rain-soaked crowds in Times Square cheered and smooched in celebration, as Americans joined revelers around the world in welcoming the New Year on Tuesday and saying goodbye to a tumultuous 2018. For many, the sparkling sphere's time-honored descent came after hours spent in cold, wet weather -- a wait made easier by performances from entertainers such as Christina Aguilera, Sting and Snoop Dogg. Just before the ball fell, Bebe Rexha sang John Lennon's "Imagine," and in the first moments of 2109 many in the square sang along as Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York," boomed from loudspeakers. For many, the sparkling sphere's time-honored descent came after hours and hours spent in cold The festivities in New York and elsewhere in the US were the latest stop in a celebratory wave that swept west across the globe from Asia to Europe before reaching America. Out west, fireworks lit up the sky over the Embarcadero in San Francisco and vendors sold pretty, lighted balloons. Los Angeles City Hall was illuminated in red and violet. In Rio de Janeiro, the Christ the Redeemer statue briefly came to colorful life through light projections while pyrotechnics lit up more than two million white-clad Brazilians dancing to free concerts on Copacabana Beach below. A reveler smiles under the rain as people gather for the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square in New York The global party kicked off on Sydney's waterfront with the Australian city's biggest-ever fireworks display, thrilling 1.5 million people. Signage beamed onto a bridge pylon got the year wrong -- it said happy 2018 -- but city officials laughed off the gaffe. In Hong Kong, hundreds of thousands packed streets along Victoria Harbour for a spectacular 10-minute show that illuminated the night. In the Indonesian capital Jakarta, more than 500 couples tied the knot in a free, mass wedding organized by the government to mark the arrival of a new year. Umbanda faithfuls pray and dance to Iemanja, the goddess of the sea from the ancient Yoruba mythology and one of the most popular deities of the Afro-Brazilian culture, at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro Fireworks shows, however, were cancelled out of respect for victims of a December 22 tsunami that killed more than 400 people. In Japan, locals flocked to temples to ring in 2019. But the night was marred by tragedy in the Japanese capital as a man deliberately drove into a celebratory crowd, injuring nine people, one of them seriously, police said. - Leaders' addresses - In Dubai, fireworks lit up the sky over the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, to the delight of onlookers, while nearby Ras al-Khaima tried to enter the Guinness Book of Records with the world's longest fireworks show. Fireworks ring in 2019 at the Palm Jumeirah, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Almost eight years into Syria's civil war, people in Damascus celebrated their first New Year's Eve since regime forces expelled the last rebels and jihadists from the capital's suburbs earlier this year. Dozens of families headed to restaurants and bars in the Old City. Among them was university student Kinda Haddad, who had decided to leave home to celebrate for the first time in years. "This area was really dangerous in previous years. A mortar round could have fallen on the area at any moment," the 24-year-old said, alluding to past rebel fire on the capital. In France, 'yellow vest' protestors have put out a call to see in the New Year on the Champs Elysee in Paris, where a fireworks display and sound and light show is due to take place Russia saw in the new year over several time zones. Concerts and light shows featured in Moscow city parks, and more than 1,000 ice rinks opened for merrymakers. But a tower block gas explosion that killed at least four people cast a shadow over festivities. In his annual New Year's address broadcast just before midnight, President Vladimir Putin called on Russias to work together to "increase well-being and quality of life". In Paris, fireworks and a light show were held on the Champs Elysees, with "yellow vest" anti-government protesters among the 300,000-strong crowd. Crowds gathered early in front of a stage erected in front of Berlin's landmark the Brandenburg Gate, ahead of a New Year's party French President Emmanuel Macron, in a televised address, acknowledged his government "can do better" but added: "I believe in us". In Berlin, music lovers partied at the Brandenburg Gate. London ushered in the new year by celebrating its relationship with Europe, despite Britain's impending departure from the European Union. Mayor Sadiq Khan said the capital would remain "outward looking" after Brexit. In some African countries, election considerations shadowed New Year revelry. Fireworks explode over Bangkok to ring in the near year in Thailand Election officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo were busy counting votes from Sunday's presidential election. As the world celebrates, many are wondering whether the turmoil witnessed in 2018 will spill over into the next year. In Moscow, concerts and light shows will be held across the city's parks and more than 1,000 ice rinks have been opened for merrymakers In Britain, the political row over Brexit was one of the key stories of this year, and is still to be resolved ahead of Britain's scheduled March 29 departure. US President Donald Trump dominated headlines in 2018, ramping up a trade war with China, quitting the Iran nuclear deal, moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and meeting his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un. Kim warned on Tuesday that while Pyongyang wanted good relations with Washington, it might consider a change of approach if the US maintained its sanctions. In Syria President Bashar al-Assad is reasserting control after Trump's shock announcement of a US troop withdrawal from the country. The war in Yemen, which has killed about 10,000 people since 2014 and left some 20 million at risk of starvation, could take a crucial turn in 2019 after a ceasefire went into effect in mid-December. burs-rmb/jj Tikpi Salifou Atchadam emerged as a key political figure in Togo in August 2017 When campaigning began in Togo this week for parliamentary elections, Tikpi Atchadam, the northern strongman who led the popular uprising that shook the country last year, was nowhere to be seen. But he was in their hearts -- and on their WhatsApp. "Tikpi is not with us today but the fight continues," said Ouro Longa, a representative of his Pan-African National Party (PNP), at its headquarters in Lome. Tikpi Salifou Atchadam, 51, emerged as a key political figure in Togo in August 2017 around the time of the first anti-government protests against President Faure Gnassingbe. His verve and charisma helped to galvanise northern Togo, in particular the Tem community and Muslims, which had previously given tacit support to the regime. With the success of the first protests, "Tikpi" as his supporters call him affectionately, forged an alliance with 13 other political parties, including the National Alliance for Change (ANC) of leading opposition figure Jean-Pierre Fabre. Since then, the coalition has repeatedly called for the re-introduction of a two-term limit for presidents and the departure of "Faure", who has been in power since the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema, in 2005. More recently, these parties have decided to boycott parliamentary elections slated for December 20 because of what they say are irregularities in their organisation. - Exiled leader - At the first anti-government protests last year Atchadam was a very visible presence and spoke freely to the media. But since October 2017 he has completely disappeared from the public eye. He has rarely commented on politics or the opposition strategy. "He's hiding. He's afraid for his own safety," said one of his close friends. Atchadam is thought to be in exile in neighbouring Ghana from where he sends voice messages to his supporters across Togo via WhatsApp. "Jean-Pierre Fabre's life has been threatened on a number of occasions but to some extent his status as the leader of the opposition protects him," a PNP source told AFP. "Atchadam is seen as the bete noire of the government and won't let up for a minute. He's not on the ground but he's in our hearts." Other members of the PNP say the same. Togo's opposition leader Jean-Pierre Fabre is an ally and rival of Tikpi Atchadam "Political opponents have been assassinated in this country. His safety is more important because Tikpi is our idol," said Nouroudine Idrissou. Idrissou was wearing a red t-shirt emblazoned with a white horse, the PNP symbol. Under the horse it said: "I love the PNP." "Tikpi is not physically present but spiritually and morally he's right here," he added. - Election boycott - At major rallies in September 2017, which left at least a dozen people dead and more injured, Atchadam's house was under surveillance -- and often surrounded -- by security forces. Those close to him say he was threatened but was never beaten up or prosecuted -- unlike his ally and rival Fabre. Today, the opposition still officially maintains it is united but Atchadam has hit out at Fabre, accusing him of organising "small-scale demos" and "suffocating" the movement. In his last WhatsApp message sent on November 11, Atchadam insisted "a huge march is possible and it alone could be enough to liberate Togo" from the Gnassingbe presidency. After months of crisis and aborted talks with the government, some of his allies fear the return of Atchadam, assessing that his absence is a "political strategy" to portray him as a saviour. Anti-government protests have continued in Togo. Here, police watch a demonstration rally by women marching against Togo's president in the capital Lome in January "We need the PNP to win the north as much as the PNP needs the rest of the opposition and its political base," said one member of the coalition. Parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in Togo on December 20 could have been the ideal time to test the strength of the coalition but it has said it will not take part. The fledgling PNP could have tested its popularity in the polls, to win its first members of parliament and position itself as a credible opposition force against the ANC. But the orders are clear. "We aren't fighting this battle to become members of parliament," said coalition spokesman Eric Dupuy. "We're fighting for change." Perth mining company AusQuest is abandoning two of its mining exploration projects in Western Australia. The Billy Blue Zinc and Jimberlana Nickel Projects it had been exploring as part of a joint venture with BHP spinoff South32 did not seem worth it, the company said on Wednesday. "Drill testing of targets identified by the Company at both prospects has not provided sufficient encouragement to justify ongoing exploration," AusQuest said. AusQuest managing director Graeme Drew said the results were disappointing, other projects, particularly in Peru, "had been much more encouraging". Two of the country's nine high-security immigration detention centres are being closed in what the Morrison government says is a vindication of its border protection policy. The Maribyrnong facility in Melbourne will close immediately after the last of the detainees there were moved to other centres on Monday. The Blaxland centre, which is part of Villawood in Sydney, will close by May with the detainees also moved to the other seven centres. There are 1250 people now in immigration detention in Australia. They are boat arrivals dating back to 2013 or earlier, people who have had their visas cancelled on character grounds and those who have overstayed their visas. Immigration Minister David Coleman has called it "another milestone in the ramping-down of Australia's onshore immigration detention network". He said in a statement Labor's "catastrophic" border policy had forced the Rudd and Gillard governments to open 17 immigration detention facilities. About 1000 people remain in immigration detention in offshore processing centres on Nauru and Manus, some have been there since 2013. The Christmas Island camp has been closed. "The government has stopped the boats, got the children out of detention and closed the once-full immigration detention facilities," Immigration Minister David Coleman announced in a statement. DETENTION DETAILS: * 8 immigration detention centres remain in Australia, including Blaxland; there were 26 when Labor lost the election 2013 * 1250 held in total in these centres in 3 categories: - boat arrivals dating back to 2013 - those with visas cancelled on character grounds, usually for committing crimes - those who have overstayed their visas * about 1000 remain on Nauru and Manus Island. World No.15 Stefanos Tsitsipas will be aiming to create his own Roger Federer-themed YouTube highlight when he takes on the 20-time grand slam winner at the Hopman Cup on Thursday night. Tsitsipas grew up idolising Federer, but he is yet to play against the 37-year-old. The rising star was meant to practice with Federer in Dubai recently, but those plans were scrapped because of their different schedules. Now Tsitsipas will get the chance to confront Federer in a match situation during Greece's Hopman Cup clash with Switzerland. Unbeaten Switzerland will guarantee themselves a spot in Saturday's final with victory, while Greece are still a slim chance of qualifying. "It's going to be exciting. I've been dreaming of that for a long time," Tsitsipas said of playing Federer. "He's in pretty good form. I'm going to have to raise my level more. "I used to watch him on YouTube ... the rivalry between him and Rafa. Most of his Wimbledon and US Open finals. "I respect him a lot. He's the guy I respect the most on the tour. He's going to give me a hard time on the court." Federer has been flawless at the Hopman Cup to date, winning both of his singles and doubles matches. The world No.3 beat Cameron Norrie 6-1 6-1, before disposing of American Frances Tiafoe 6-4 6-1. Federer has trained with Tsitsipas at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. The Swiss maestro has been impressed by what he's seen of Tsitsipas over the past year, but he doesn't want to put any added pressure on the rising star. "I don't like to put pressure on guys and call them out and say 'watch out for him' and then he's got to be under that weight for the rest of his career," Federer said. "I can only judge from this year what he did and what I saw looked very nice, so I think he's going to be a top player for many years to come." In the women's singles rubber, Belinda Bencic will take on Maria Sakkari. A man has been charged after he allegedly injured a police officer when he was pulled over at an RBT station in Adelaide. The driver slowed down at the random breath testing station on Henley Beach Road at Mile End just before 1am on Tuesday and then accelerated away, running over an officer's foot, police say. The 22-year-old man was tracked down to an Adelaide address about 6pm in the evening and charged with endangering life as well as other offences. He is expected to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday. The spotlight was supposed to be off Nick Kyrgios before the Australian Open. Then along came a spider. Kyrgios reckons a now infamous spider bite on his foot has ensured he is still the hot topic of grand slam warm-up the Brisbane International despite his countrymen's 2018 rise. The eighth seed certainly didn't warrant much buzz ahead of the opening grand slam with a rusty three-set first-round win over American Ryan Harrison that launched his Brisbane title defence. His scratchy effort paled in comparison to Roger Federer's US Open conqueror John Millman's impressive Brisbane first-round win over American Tennys Sandgren a day before. And then there's the promise of more heroics in 2019 from 19-year-old Alex de Minaur after his stellar rise last year from world No. 208 to No.31, claiming Australia's top ranking from Kyrgios. But Kyrgios was surprised he was still the man on everyone's lips after revealing the spider bite on his left foot that almost made him pull out of the Brisbane tournament. Kyrgios caused a social media stir when he posted an Instagram picture of himself on an intravenous drip last week being treated at a Canberra hospital over Christmas. The world No.35 reckoned he hadn't heard the end of it since. Asked if he felt the spotlight was now off him ahead of the Australian Open thanks to Millman and de Minaur, Kyrgios said: "I don't know if the spotlight is off of me. "I was practicing the other day, I had 13 cameras on my court. "I had a spider bite. That seemed to be the biggest story over the Aussie summer. "So let's don't act as if attention is not on me. "Obviously it does help having guys like that (Millman, de Minaur) winning matches (but) I don't know if the spotlight has shifted at all." Not that Kyrgios isn't happy for his fellow Aussies after their 2018 success. World No.38 Millman made the world sit up and take notice when he stunned 20-time grand slam champion Federer in the US Open fourth round. And de Minaur has already earned comparisons with his mentor, two-time grand slam champion Lleyton Hewitt, after launching his run last season as an unheralded wildcard at the 2018 Brisbane event. "It is great to see the Aussies do well," Kyrgios said. "Alex has an unbelievable future ahead of him, and seeing John beat Roger in New York was special for everyone. "Hopefully I don't have to lead the way any more." Kyrgios next plays France's Jeremy Chardy in the second round. "I have fond memories of (Brisbane) last year. Hopefully I can do something special again," Kyrgios said. Another person is dead after a suspected drug overdose at a music festival, prompting police across Australia to again urge revellers to stop risking their lives for a high. A 20-year-old Victorian man died in hospital on Tuesday after the unsuspicious incident at the Beyond The Valley event in Lardner, east of Melbourne, on Saturday. Another man, aged in his 20s, cheated death after suffering an overdose at the same festival, pulling through after he was taken to hospital. Yet another 22-year-old Queensland man died after attending the Lost Paradise Music Festival at Glenworth Valley, north of Sydney, on Saturday night. The latest death marks the fifth of a music festivalgoer in Australia in about five months. While the tragedies have reignited debate about pill testing, both the NSW and Victorian governments remain opposed to the idea. "Advice from Victoria Police tells us it can give people a false and potentially fatal sense of security about illicit drugs," a Victorian government spokesman told AAP. However, Australian Lawyers Alliance spokesman Greg Barns said the latest death could have been avoided if the state laws were changed. Victorian Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton on Tuesday said no pill was good regardless of the colour, after Falls Festival organisers warned about "dangerous orange pills" in circulation. "Any pill - it doesn't matter what the colour is. You don't know what's in it," Mr Patton said. "They're produced by criminals. Often, it's just garbage picked up off a floor and thrown in a mix." NSW police had also urged revellers to steer clear of drug use in the lead up to Field Day in Sydney's Domain on New Year's Day. Transport officials are hopeful Sydney's train system will be operating as usual after thunderstorms knocked out vital infrastructure on New Year's Eve. Wild weather battered Sydney on Monday evening, causing extensive delays and cancellations across the network. At 9.30pm, it took passengers more than an hour to ride the two kilometres from Town Hall to Redfern and even longer after the midnight fireworks. Tens of thousands of people who had converged on the harbour city for festivities crowded into stations and spilled onto streets waiting for trains arriving late and sometimes not at all. Transport for NSW issued warnings that numerous lines had been affected by lightning striking infrastructure including signal boxes, while police and security staff tried to corral swelling crowds. Despite the NSW government encouraging people to leave cars at home and catch public transport in the lead up to the celebrations, many thousands were unable to leave the city for hours. Engineering crews were dispatched at the first sign of trouble but many services were still delayed on Tuesday morning and some into the afternoon, with officials hopeful all would be normal again by Wednesday. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the "freak" thunderstorm and record crowds put massive pressure on the system. Opposition Leader Michael Daley accused the government of cutting maintenance to the point the system was failing under slight strain. Naomi Osaka may not have seemed troubled by Destanee Aiava, but she has seen enough to believe the young Australian can follow her footsteps to stardom. US Open champion Osaka cruised into the Brisbane International quarter-finals on Tuesday, crushing the 18-year-old Australian 6-3 6-2 in their second-round match. Aiava, ranked 242 places lower than her Japanese opponent, had the chance to take an early advantage with three break points in the third game of the match. But she couldn't convert, and from there the match was Osaka's as she took the first set's decisive break the following game. The 21-year-old took just 69 minutes to prevail at Pat Rafter Arena, highlighting the gulf between the two in class and composure. But their power games were a stalemate, Osaka said. "It was kind of like a younger me in a way," Osaka said. "I felt like when I was playing her she sort of matched my power, which was really surprising to me, because there was not that many people that can do that." Reluctant to hand out advice, she channelled the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers in urging Aiava to "trust the process". "When you're young, it's easy to forget because you're so in the moment," she said. "But when you look back, it's like a gradual like hill that you're climbing. "For me, when I was her age, I went through a lot of ups and downs. And that's normal. And then just suddenly - it's not out of nowhere but kind of out of nowhere. "So I think you can only just keep trusting the process." Osaka was coy on her own preparation for the Australian Open as she bids to go better than her round-of-16 appearance in 2018, revealing her pre-season was hampered. "I didn't really serve that much during off season, because I hurt my shoulder a little bit," she said. "So honestly, I was just really glad that I could serve well today. But I think one of the things that I was working on more is like trusting my fitness level. And even though it didn't seem like it because I was blasting half of the balls, I was trying to construct the point a little bit, so I think that's what mattered to me the most." She will play the winner of Wednesday's encounter between Latvian Anastasija Sevastova and Brit Harriet Dart for a place in the semi-finals. A man has drowned while swimming with his family in regional Victoria on New Year's Day. The 45-year-old from Bairnsdale was with his family in Paynesville when spotted having difficulty at 4.50pm. He was pulled from the water but could not be resuscitated and he died at the scene. He is at least the eighth person to drown in Australia - and sixth in Victoria - since Christmas Eve. WA police said on New Year's Day it was too early to tell whether a diver pulled unconscious from the water and unable to be revived at Rockingham Beach, south of Fremantle, had drowned or otherwise. New Year's Eve may come again to several regional NSW towns after dust and wet weather forced firework displays to be cancelled across the state. A dust storm hit much of the central west and rolled in over Dubbo on Monday afternoon, causing the town to call off its annual fireworks which attracts up to 8000 people. Newcastle and Maitland also cancelled fireworks shows after being hit by storms. The cloud of red dirt in Dubbo, caused by a combination of dry, strong winds and loose soil, sparked safety concerns for people and property if the fireworks were to go ahead. "Any other night except that would have been better but that's just how the cookie crumbles sometimes and everyone is going to remember that New Year's Eve," Dubbo mayor Ben Shields told AAP. While the cancellation of the fireworks was disappointing, the committee of volunteers which runs the event was left no option, the mayor said. Cr Shields said he believes the appearance of the dust storm caught a lot of locals by surprise. "You could see these giant clouds rolling closer and closer and it was just extraordinary how it approached the city; it was something you'd see out of a Hollywood movie," he said. While the celebratory pyrotechnics haven't been rescheduled yet, Dubbo Fireworks Committee is already hinting at the possibility of the fireworks making a bang in the future, pointing locals to their Facebook page for announcements next week. And while it's up to the committee to decide the fate of the fireworks, Cr Shields is hopeful a new date for the event can be found. "From a council point of view I'd be very keen to see them go ahead and do this community event or New Year's Eve mark two maybe we'd call it," Cr Shields said. "Dubbo people are always in the mood for a party, whether it's Prince Harry coming or the fact that our New Year's Eve celebrations don't, we'll find something to celebrate, don't worry about that," he said. Newcastle is already planning to reschedule its fireworks in late January. "It wasn't quite the pyrotechnics spectacular we had planned but Mother Nature certainly put on a show this evening," the City of Newcastle posted on Facebook along with photographs of lightning strikes over the region. Sydney was one of the first world capitals to ring in 2019 but when "Happy New Year 2018" was projected onto the iconic Harbour Bridge revellers were left feeling behind the times. About one million people crowded around the harbour to watch the fireworks and lights display on the city's landmarks. The City of Sydney spent 15 months organising the massive event but when the outdated message of celebration was beamed onto one of the Coathanger's pylons it was clear a typo had slipped through. Social media was quick to point out the error. "Happy new year apparently it's still 2018 here in Sydney," one person wrote on Twitter. "Not doing 2018 ever again. Just need to get to 2020 in one piece," another wrote. City officials took the error in stride, noting many more things went right than wrong in the hours of light projections and 8.5 tonnes of fireworks. "We just laughed about it. You know, these things happen," council's major event executive producer Anna McInerney told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday. "Obviously we weren't pleased but you move on, you get back to doing the show." Revellers ringing in the new year at Sydney's Field Day have been warned by police that they're taking their life into their own hands if they take drugs, no matter the colour of the pill. Alcohol and illegal substances cannot be taken into the Fuzzy event, held in the Domain from midday on Tuesday. "We all should be concerned about electronic music festivals," NSW Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Walton told reporters in Sydney. "There is a clear association with illicit drug use at those festivals and the worst outcomes are being seen at times." A 22-year-old Queensland man was taken to Gosford Hospital on Saturday night after attending the Lost Paradise Music Festival at Glenworth Valley and died a short time later. Falls Festival organisers issued a warning to attendees on Sunday afternoon - in the midst of three of their four nationwide music events - regarding a "dangerous orange pill" currently in circulation across Australia. Mr Walton on Tuesday said they have always policed Sydney's Field Day "very strongly". "I really don't think that's helpful to particularise or describe a real drug. What does that mean? How many orange pills are there out there? Who's made them?," he said. "The real message is no one knows what is in these pills and illicit drugs. It's dangerous. Do not use them." NSW Ambulance Chief Superintendent Ian Johns said among the 2500 triple zero calls received over New Year's Eve, a lot of patients required treatment for intoxication of a variety of substances. "Mainly alcohol but also dance party and social-type drugs. Thankfully, almost all of those patients were transported in a stable condition to the hospitals," he said. Chief Supt Johns asked Field Day attendees to also be mindful of the stifling heat. "It's a great day, it's a huge day and thousands of people will be in the Domain having a wonderful time and we just ask that they hydrate, behave sensibly, look after each other but seek the support of the medical services that are on-site should you think you need help," he said. There were 21 drug-related charges laid by police during an 11-hour New Year's Eve operation ending Tuesday. "Drugs are illegal, we have no tolerance for it, and you take your own life in your own hands by consuming illicit drugs. Be it at one of these festivals or any day of the week," Mr Walton said. His show Ash Vs Evil Dead has just been cancelled. But on Wednesday, the Travel Channel announced that B-movie icon Bruce Campbell, 60, would be hosting and producing a rebooted series based around stories inspired by Ripley's Believe It Or Not! museums. Travel Channel's decision to reboot the series comes 100 years after the death of founder Robert L. Ripley. New gig: On Wednesday, the Travel Channel announced that Bruce Campbell, 60, would be hosting and producing a rebooted series based around inspired stories from Ripley's Believe It Or Not!; pictured in Burbank, California in 2017 According to the network, the new 10-episode series 'will showcase the most astonishing, real and one-of-a-kind stories.' The show is set to film at the Ripley Warehouse in Orlando, Florida, where many of the the organization's oddities and memorabilia are stored. Its strange treasures range from artifacts of domestic American life to exotic items collected across the globe. Shocking stories: According to the network, the new 10-episode series 'will showcase the most astonishing, real and one-of-a-kind stories'; Bruce Campbell pictured in Atlanta, Georgia in February Astonishing attractions: The show is set to film at the Ripley Warehouse in Orlando, Florida, where many of the the organization's oddities and memorabilia are stored; Mr. Lizard pictured at the Ripley's Believe It Or Not! opening in London 'Travel Channel fans have an insatiable curiosity about the world and sharing this wonderful and weird series with the next generation of fans is a thrill,' said Jane Latman, the general manager of Travel Channel to Deadline. 'This entirely new version of Ripley's is a fresh contemporary approach to the odd and unusual and will be jam-packed with larger-than-life characters, cool facts, history and science.' The Ripley's brand has a long-standing relationship with television. An NBC series starring Robert L. Ripley aired from 1949-1950. Decades later, City Slickers star Jack Palance hosted a 1980s entry. The series was once again revived from 2000-2003 in a version hosted by Lois & Clark star Dean Cain. Gone too soon: Bruce was recently featured in the title role of Starz's Ash Vs Evil Dead, in which he reprised his role from the classic Evil Dead horror series; shown in Beverly Hills in 2016 Bruce was recently featured in the title role of Starz's Ash Vs Evil Dead, in which he reprised his role from the classic Evil Dead horror series. The show was cancelled in April after airing its third season. The genre film star also made an appearance last ear on the first season AMC's critically acclaimed Lodge 49. The actor is often noted for his zany roles and total commitment to even the smallest parts. Ripley's Believe It Or Not! is expected to premiere summer 2019. She's set to wrap up her time on the sandy shores after relishing in the sunshine for over a month with her family. And Lauren Silverman proved to be in good company as she joined her sons, Simon Cowell's mini-me Eric, four, and eldest child Adam, 12, whom she shares with ex-husband Andrew, in Barbados on Wednesday. The socialite, 41, showcased her versatile beach wardrobe as she slipped into a black one-shoulder swimsuit, paired with a strapless mesh jumpsuit. In good company: Lauren Silverman joined her sons, Simon Cowell 's mini-me Eric, four, and eldest child Adam, 12, whom she shares with ex-husband Andrew, in Barbados on Wednesday Looking every inch the siren, the New Yorker accentuated her stunning physique in the one-piece, while upping the style ante with her crochet cover-up. Lauren maintained her fashion savvy ways in the accessory department with circular-framed sunglasses and a huge straw hat, embellished with the words 'talk to the sand'. The brunette beauty swept her tresses into a half up half down style to reveal her stunning features, and opted for minimal make-up. Wow-factor! The socialite, 41, showcased her versatile beach wardrobe as she slipped into a black one-shoulder swimsuit, paired with a strapless mesh jumpsuit Radiant: Looking every inch the siren, the New Yorker accentuated her stunning physique in the one-piece, while upping the style ante with her crochet cover-up She appeared in high spirits as she frolicked on the scenic beach with her two sons. Meanwhile, it was recently reported that Simon, 59, has added to his family by adopting a stray dog. The X Factor judge hosts an annual auction for homeless dogs on the Caribbean island and was said to have fallen in love with a terrier cross named Daisy. Looking good: Lauren maintained her fashion savvy ways in the accessory department with circular-framed sunglasses and a huge straw hat, embellished with the words 'talk to the sand' Off she goes: The brunette beauty swept her tresses into a half up half down style to reveal her stunning features, and opted for minimal make-up According to The Sun, Daisy was found abandoned with her two puppies, but thanks to charity K9 Puppies, of which Simon is a patron, they have all been nursed back to health. The pooch will be joining Simon's other dogs, Squiddly, Diddly and Freddy who are all Yorkshire terriers. The TV star is so attached to his dogs that he recently revealed plans to spend 180,000 to have them cloned by harvesting their genes through a South Korean company. Cute: Simon and Lauren's son looked cool as he rocked a pair of orange shorts, embellished with a turtle pattern throughout Siblings: The boys enjoyed a sunny walk along the beach before heading to the waves for a swim Hide and seek: The child put on a giddy display as he hid his face under his white T-shirt Missing one: The group were without music mogul Simon, 59, who recently added to his family by adopting a stray dog He told the publication: 'I am 100 per cent cloning the dogs, all of them. Weve thoroughly looked into it, got all the details and I can prove to you Im going to clone them. There is documentation. 'I am doing it because I cannot bear the thought of them not being around.' The dogs travel with Simon regularly as he works in both Los Angeles and London, as well as an annual trip to the Caribbean, and on the flight the dogs get their own squeaky toys to play with, and bespoke jum-bones. Romance: Lauren has been dating Simon for six years, and the pair had quite a tumultuous start to their relationship Children: The pair welcomed their son Eric in February 2014. They named him after Simon's late father, who died in 1999 Coming to an end: She's set to wrap up her time on the sandy shores after relishing in the sunshine for over a month with her family Lauren has been dating Simon for six years, and the pair had quite a tumultuous start to their romance. In 2013, it was revealed the television honcho had been in a relationship with his then-best friend Andrew Silverman's wife, after pictures emerged of them kissing on a yacht. The pair then welcomed their son Eric in February 2014. They named him after Simon's late father, who died in 1999. It was a devastating event that has stuck with Amber Portwood for decades. On Monday's episode of MTV's Teen Mom OG, the 28-year-old reality star revealed that her baby sister had died unexpectedly of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Amber was only five at the time of her young sister's untimely death. Emotional confession: On Monday's episode of Teen Mom OG, Amber Portwood, 28, revealed that her baby sister had died unexpectedly of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) The MTV regular revealed the tragic news on the Unseen Moments episode of the popular reality show about young mothers. The special focused on footage that hadn't made it to the final broadcasts in season seven. 'It was hard. I remember them bringing her out in a stretcher,' admitted the Teen Mom star. 'It's one of the worst things I've ever seen in my life.' New footage: The MTV regular revealed the tragic news on the Unseen Moments episode of the popular reality show about young mothers Bad memories: 'It was hard. I remember them bringing her out in a stretcher,' admitted the Teen Mom star. 'It's one of the worst things I've ever seen in my life' According to Amber, having witnessed the aftermath of her sister's death led her to be more cautious and attentive to her own children's health. 'With Leah, when she had the sleep apnea, me and [former boyfriend] Gary brought her straight into the hospital to get the testing done because we were so scared about it,' Amber explained to the show's producers. 'It's not a bad thing to get help when you're tired and you need sleep. It means a little more to me than people know.' New outlook: According to Amber, having witnessed the aftermath of her sister's death led her to be more cautious and attentive to her own children's health Reaching out: 'It's not a bad thing to get help when you're tired and you need sleep. It means a little more to me than people know' SIDS is the unexplained death of a young child, usually less than one year old. Many factors can contribute to SIDS, but placing babies on their backs when they sleep can decrease their risk. Amber has two children, 10-year-old Leah from her relationship with Gary Shirley, 32, and seven-month-old James from her current relationship with Andrew Glennon, 34. She began her television career with an appearance on the inaugural season of MTV's 16 And Pregnant in 2009. The popularity of the series spawned Teen Mom, a spin-off that first aired later the same year. The series was later renamed Teen Mom OG, and has featured the original mothers, as well as newcomers like Bristol Palin, the daughter of former Alaska Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Amber and Andrew met while she was filming Marriage Boot Camp in 2017. He was a crew member for the series. Tiny tots: Amber has two children, 10-year-old Leah from her relationship with Gary Shirley, 32, and seven-month-old James from her current relationship with Andrew Glennon, 34 She has taken the modelling world by storm in recent years. But behind the scenes, Sudanese-Australian model Adut Akech, 19, has been secretly battling depression and anxiety. Adut, who launched her modelling career aged 16, admitted on Tuesday that she cried every morning and night in 2018. 'I wake up every morning crying': Sudanese-born model Adut Akech, 19, has revealed her heartbreaking depression battle Taking to Instagram on New Year's Day, Adut said that despite her successful career she 'suffered from really bad depression and anxiety'. In a lengthy post, she explained that she is learning to 'handle' her mental illness, but nonetheless feels overwhelmed sometimes. 'I'm learning to handle it better now but it's a daily struggle and not every day is a ''good'' day,' Adut confessed. Ordeal: Taking to Instagram on New Year's Day, Adut said that despite her successful career she 'suffered from really bad depression and anxiety' in 2018. Pictured with Naomi Campbell Revealing she would cry every morning and night, Adut added: 'Every single day of my life in 2018 was a challenge, filled with some serious obstacles to overcome.' 'I would wake up every morning crying but put the biggest smile on my face and tried my hardest to push through the day pretending I was fine, then I'd come home and cry some more and go to sleep.' Adut further claimed that this cycle became 'draining', adding: 'I don't know how I'm still here today but I'm so grateful.' Struggles: In a lengthy Instagram post (pictured), Adut explained that she is learning to 'handle' her mental illness, but nonetheless feels overwhelmed sometimes Dark times: Revealing she would cry every morning and night, Adut added: 'Every single day of my life in 2018 was a challenge, filled with some serious obstacles to overcome' Thankful: She later went on to thank her family and friends for helping her, saying they 'saved [her] life', and expressed gratitude for her modelling career She went on to thank her family and friends for helping her, saying they 'saved [her] life', and expressed gratitude for her modelling career. Underneath the emotional post, Adut received support from fans. Adut, who was born in South Sudan before moving to Adelaide with her mother as a refugee aged seven, has nonetheless had a successful year professionally. Aged just 18, she appeared on the covers of both Vogue Australia and British Vogue. Making history: Adut, who was born in South Sudan before moving to Adelaide with her mother as a refugee aged seven, has nonetheless had a successful year career wise. Pictured on the cover of British Vogue She's been spotted enjoying a sun-soaked Caribbean break with her pal, Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli, over the past few days. And Lizzie Cundy, 50, continued to enjoy the glorious balmy weather on Wednesday, when she was seen stepping out for some fun and frolics on the beach in Barbados. The TV personality looked sensational as she hit the idyllic island's golden shores in a daring black monokini, which featured sheer, embellished panelling and a deeply plunging neckline. Beach: Lizzie Cundy, 50, was seen enjoying a day at the beach in Barbados on Wednesday She teamed her eye-catching ensemble with a collection of bracelets and a large sparkling costume ring, while she shielded her eyes with a stylish pair of green tinted sunglasses. With her glossy brown tresses falling to her shoulders, the FUBAR radio host highlighted her youthful looks with a rich palette of makeup. Lizzie turned heads as she stepped out onto the beach, before sauntering her way into the welcoming azure waters for her fun-filled day in the sun. Sensational: The TV personality looked sensational as she hit the idyllic island's golden shores in a daring black monokini The brunette beauty is a regular on the island at this time of year to make an appearance at Simon Cowell 's annual New Year's Eve star-studded extravaganza. Lizzie, who always insisted she was 47, revealed she is actually 50 when she came clean earlier this year on ITV's My Shirley Valentine Summer. Speaking on Channel 5's Jeremy Vine Show, Lizzie revealed she'd been told she was too old to be a TV presenter and so started to say she was younger to find more work. However, since coming clean she claims she's landed more TV gigs than ever. The former WAG, who was previously married to retired Chelsea star Jason Cundy, said she 'hated' lying about her age. Sheer: Her swimwear featured sheer, embellished panelling and a deeply plunging neckline Accessories: Lizzie teamed her ensemble with a collection of bracelets and a large sparkling costume ring, while she shielded her eyes with a stylish pair of green tinted sunglasses However, she was previously told by an unnamed media mogul that she was 'too old' to find work which prompted her decision to have three years from her real age. Lizzie revealed: 'The reason why I did it was to work. When I was presenting I was doing a big red carpet show. 'A big media mogul said to me, "You're too old, unless you say you're a lot younger, the younger generation and celebrities won't relate with you." 'Since I've revealed my age, I haven't stopped working, every day I have so much work. I wish I had done it earlier, to be honest.' They've been dating since July 2017. And Macaulay Culkin's relationship with Brenda Song, 30, appears to be going strong with the couple spotted leaving their Paris apartment on Wednesday en route to the Roissy CDG airport. The 38-year-old looked to be doing all the heavy lifting, loading their large red suitcases into the car. Loved up: Macaulay Culkin proved his romance with Brenda Song was going strong when he was spotted leaving his Paris apartment for the airport on Wednesday Macaulay kept things casual with a black jacket and trousers for the airport arrival, completing his look with sneakers. He accessorised and added some extra warmth with a checkered scarf and a pair of shades. Brenda also kept things casual with a cozy long coat with a leopard print scarf. Strong: The 38-year-old looked to be doing all the heavy lifting, loading their large red suitcases into the car Airport style: Macaulay kept things casual with a black jacket and trousers for the airport arrival, completing his look with sneakers Low profile: He accessorised and added some extra warmth with a checkered scarf and a pair of shades She carried a Goyard blue bag and Louis Vuitton passport holder and styled her long brunette tresses out naturally. The former Disney actress sported a minimal amount of makeup and completed her look with a pair of black and white sneakers. The couple who tend to keep their relationship private began dating in July 2017. Gorgeous: Brenda also kept things casual with a cozy long coat with a leopard print scarf Designer: Brenda carried a Goyard blue bag and Louis Vuitton passport holder and styled her long brunette tresses out naturally while her beau rolled the red suitcases They found love: In a recent interview with Joe Rogan , Macaulay referred to Brenda as his 'special lady friend' Family plans: 'This one's a good one, so I'm probably going to put some babies in her in a little bit,' he said. 'I mean, we've definitely been practicing' In a recent interview with Joe Rogan, Macaulay referred to Brenda as his 'special lady friend.' 'This one's a good one, so I'm probably going to put some babies in her in a little bit,' he said. 'I mean, we've definitely been practicing.' The Home Alone child star added: 'I'm going to have some pretty babies. She's Asian, so I'm gonna have tiny little Asian babies. It's going to be adorable.' Macaulay previously dated Mila Kunis while Brenda was the long-time girlfriend of Miley Cyrus' brother Trace. She celebrated the festive season in style, jetting out to the Maldives and Dubai with her boyfriend Eddie Boxshall and daughter Betsy, eight. And Denise Van Outen looked thoroughly refreshed as she stepped out in London on Wednesday. The 44-year-old television personality cut a stylish figure in a glamorous black furry coat for her solo outing. Holiday glow: Denise Van Outen looked thoroughly refreshed as she stepped out in London on Wednesday, after her lavish festive break to Dubai and the Maldives Carrying a large black leather designer handbag, Denise bundled up in the furry coat, which sheathed her slender frame. The Loose Women panellist paired the look with black tights and opted for comfort with a pair of leopard print trainers. She wore her peroxide blonde locks in soft waves and accentuated her post-holiday glow with bronzed cheeks and a slick of pink lipstick. Chic: The 44-year-old television personality cut a stylish figure in a glamorous black furry coat for her solo outing Trendy: The Loose Women panellist paired the look with black tights and opted for comfort with a pair of leopard print trainers Denise recently arrived back in the U.K after her luxury trip overseas to the Maldives and Dubai. The star documented her visit to the Kandolhu Island with her boyfriend Eddie and Betsy, who she shares with ex-husband Lee Mead, on Instagram. She enjoyed an array of activities during her idyllic getaway such as swimming, snorkelling and sailing. Wow: Denise recently arrived back in the U.K after her luxury trip overseas to the Maldives and Dubai, where she enjoyed an array of activities from swimming to snorkelling Holiday mode: The star documented her visit to the Kandolhu Island with her boyfriend Eddie and Betsy, (pictured) who she shares with ex-husband Lee Mead Yet Denise still found time to pose up a storm as she showed off her toned figure in a black and white star print bikini with high-waisted bottoms for a sultry Instagram post. She completed her swimwear look with a diamond necklace, a gold bracelet and white sunglasses, she captioned it with: 'Arrived @kandolhu Maldives one of my favourite islands #maldives.' Denise has gone on to find love with boyfriend Eddie - who she first began dating in 2014. The blonde beauty had been living in Kent with her beau and daughter Betsy, but recently moved back to London three months ago for Betsy' new school term. The family uprooted from Kent for Betsy to attend a specialist school that caters to those with dyslexia by providing extra support. Speaking about her move to the city from countrylife, she told Little London magazine: 'Id also started on Loose Women and work was dragging me back to the city, and I have to say, Im loving being back. 'Having done all the teashops and farms, I just needed to get back to city life, it was nice to step away for a bit and then come and appreciate all the things Id forgotten I loved about London.' Caroline Flack was forced to rush her beloved dog Ruby to the vets earlier in the day. But it looked like the pampered pooch had made a miraculous recovery from the health scare when the presenter, 39, was spotted leaving the Phoenix Theatre in central London on Wednesday evening. The star was all smiles as she headed off home following another standout performance in Chicago, holding her puppy close to her chest. Concern: Caroline Flack was forced to rush her beloved dog Ruby to the vets earlier in the day, but it looked like the pampered pooch had made a miraculous recovery on Wednesday night Cute: The presenter was joined by the pup when she left the Phoenix Theatre in central London on Wednesday evening Caroline was spotted climbing into the back of a cab with Ruby, who looked back to perfect health once again. The Love Island host was uncharacteristically dressed down after the show, rocking a grey hoodie and wear her hair pulled back from her face. She couldn't hide her delight as she was met by fans at the stage door, happily pausing to sign for autographs. Puppy love: Caroline was spotted climbing into the back of a cab with Ruby, who looked back to perfect health once again Low-key: The Love Island host was uncharacteristically dressed down after the show, rocking a grey hoodie and wear her hair pulled back from her face Popular: She couldn't hide her delight as she was met by fans at the stage door, happily pausing to sign for autographs. Caroline had been forced to take her puppy Ruby to the vets earlier in the day, after she was struck down by a mystery illness. The presenter took to Instagram to share her concern, revealing the French Bulldog was recovering well after receiving medical help. Ruby's trip to the vets comes as her ex-fiance Andrew Brady touched down in Sydney after announcing he was moving to Australia for a fresh start. Under the weather: Caroline had been forced to take her puppy Ruby to the vets earlier in the day, after she was struck down by a mystery illness Caroline, who is currently starring as Roxie Hart in the West End musical, shared a video of Ruby sleeping on the sofa in her dressing room. She wrote: 'Just picked up this little sausage from hosp'. The stage star didn't detail what caused Ruby to be rushed to the vets, but looked delighted to be reunited with her. Poorly: The Love Island presenter, 39, took to Instagram to share her concern, revealing the French Bulldog was recovering well after receiving medical help Reunited: Caroline, who is currently starring as Roxie Hart in the West End musical Chicago, shared a video of Ruby sleeping on the sofa in her dressing room On the mend: She wrote: 'Just picked up this little sausage from hosp' Meanwhile, Andrew shared a slew of snaps in Sydney as he explored the city after he revealed he was moving to Oz to put his tumultuous relationship with the Love Island presenter behind him. In one snap of the Sydney Opera House, he wrote: 'Stunning Sydney', while in another he took in the breathtaking view of the bridge. Taking to Instagram with a lengthy letter addressed to 2018 on New Years Eve, Andrew confirmed he has bought a one way ticket to the other side of the world. He also admitted the last 12-months have had a negative impact on his mental health. He wrote: 'I have learned how much punishment the human mind, heart and body can take, I have felt guilty for things I never even considered someone should feel guilty for and I forgot who I was. Full custody: Caroline, who got Ruby with her ex-fiance Andrew Brady (pictured), has taken over caring for her since their bitter split 'I learned to hate myself for things that I should love. I lost my spark and my confidence.' Accompanying the diatribe with his 'top nine' pictures of the year - none of which featured Flack - the Apprentice UK and Celebrity Big Brother star added: 'I have dragged myself out of downward spiral of 2018 and Im jumping in to 2019 with a smile on my face and scars on my body. 'But Im one of the lucky ones who can and Im very excited to start a new journey, see a new country and experience a new culture and way of life. Im going to miss my friends and family but knowing they support this means everything to me.' Fresh start: Meanwhile, Andrew shared a slew of snaps in Sydney as he explored the city after he revealed he was moving to Oz to put his tumultuous relationship behind him 'Im now lucky enough to be drawing a line in the sand on 2018 and embracing the next chapter in my life. I am about to take off on a one way flight to Australia without a plan but with excitement of the unknown.' Ending his letter on an optimistic note, Brady revealed the bitter experiences of 2018 have taught him a valuable lesson as he looks ahead to a new year in a new country. 'In 2019 I will rid myself of guilt, insecurities of what people think of me and self doubt,' he wrote. 'I will know my true worth and I will surround myself with good people, smile more and more every day and find my happy place again. New beginnings: In one snap of the Sydney Opera House, he wrote: 'Stunning Sydney', while in another he took in the breathtaking view of the bridge. The next adventure: Taking to Instagram with a lengthy letter addressed to 2018 on New Years Eve, Andrew confirmed he has bought a one way ticket to the other side of the world 'Its okay to not be okay. Sometimes all it takes is a change in attitude, a change of plan and seeing the good in yourself. Its important to rid yourself of negativity and realise your own potential and look after whats important in life. You.' Brady's admission comes after Flack shared her own top nine moments. Unsurprisingly none of them featured Brady, although she included a sobering caption saying she was 'dying inside'. She wrote: 'My top 9..... funny isnt it... I look so happy ... except I know in 4 of those pictures I was dying inside ... my top 9 moments were not represented by these pictures but by things that happened and will stay in my heart forever ... 'Ive learned many lessons this year mostly that everything is temporary .....moments, feelings, people, flowers (RK) ....... and also that having a puppy is hard bloody work. Happy new year.' Andy Samberg, 40, and Sandra Oh, 47, have just five days together to prepare to host this year's Golden Globes after being locked in to helm the show at the last minute. The duo's dynamic seemed electric in a new piece with The Hollywood Reporter where they interviewed each other about hosting the awards show. 'Just the fact that I'm f***ing up there is crazy-pants in a great way,' Oh exclaimed. Dynamic duo: First-time Golden Globes hosts Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh interviewed each other about their new gig in a cover story for The Hollywood Reporter 'I think people are ready and could use a little smile,' Samberg said. 'Everyone is depressed, and maybe that's as good a reason as any that everyone could use a little time to laugh and celebrate. Viewers can expect some zany moments between the two who describe themselves as 'f***in' co-dependent soul mates.' One thing people shouldn't expect is Trump bashing. Since the former Apprentice host moved into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Hollywood award show hosts and winners have taken shots at the President but this year will be a bit different. Chemistry: Oh and Samberg showed their hosting chops together when they presented at the 2018 Emmy Awards Anti-Trump talk: As most award shows have gone political, the pair said they're not interested in talking politics or talking Trump 'I don't think I could do that,' Oh told her co-host when he brought up going down the political road as hosts. And, as for talking about Donald Trump, the Grey's Anatomy star said she's 'not interested.' Oh and Samberg seemed an unlikely choice for the Globes, which effectively serves as the kick-off to awards season. They weren't previously friends and they haven't acted together on any projects. Besties: The pair weren't friends before getting the last minute hosting gig but described themselves as 'f***in' co-dependent soul mates' However, the pair showcased their potential for award show chemistry as they presented together at the 2018 Emmy Awards. 'So, why did you say yes to hosting, Sandra?' Samberg queried. 'I said yes 'cause you were going to do it.' 'I said yes because you were going to do it!' she joked in response. The duo also looked very much in sync as they posed for a cover shoot for The Hollywood Reporter, with Andy looking dapper in a dark bomber jacket and coordinating pants. While Sandra put on a very glamorous display in an Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition jumpsuit and a pair of large white hoop earrings from Alison Lou. The former SNL star told THR that he will be pulling some inspiration from former hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who were the last twosome to emcee the show. 'I like playing off someone else,' Andy said. 'That's why I'm excited to do it with you 'cause you're such an incredible performer.' Nominee: Sandra is a nominee as well as a host for her role as Eve Polastri in BBC's Killing Eve Neither of the stars are strangers to the Globes stage. Samberg has taken home two Golden Globes in his own right for Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Sandra took home a Golden Globe in 2006 for her role as Dr. Cristina Yang in the still running ABC drama, Grey's Anatomy. She's a nominee this year for lead actress in a television drama for her critically acclaimed role in the BBC show Killing Eve. 'I hope you win,' Andy told Oh. 'I'm going to make you a crappy little tinfoil fake Globe, just in case you don't win, and I'm going to bring it out On her feet: Sandra joked that her goals for the night are shaking Lin-Manuel Miranda's hand and not passing out 'I hope you win,' Andy told Oh. 'I'm going to make you a crappy little tinfoil fake Globe, just in case you don't win, and I'm going to bring it out and give it to you and be like, "You're always a winner to me."' Oh said her barometer for the evening to be considered a success is simple. 'If I don't pass out,' she told her co-host. Adding: 'I just want to shake Lin-Manuel Miranda's hand.' Winners: Both hosts have taken home Golden Globe awards in the past; Oh for Grey's Anatomy and Samberg for Brooklyn Nine-Nine Since the Mary Poppins star is nominated, Samberg assured her the second part was in the bag. The pair said their direction for hosting will be to focus on 'pointing to actual real change' in Hollywood. 'I want to focus on that 'cause people can pooh-pooh Hollywood all they want and there is a lot to pooh-pooh, sure but we also make culture,' Oh explained. Be nice: The pair touched on Pete Davidson's drama in their interview and said they want to focus on positive change in Hollywood and not be mean Adding: 'Just speaking for my own community, people cried a lot in [Crazy Rich Asians], and it's not only because it's a great story and a classic romantic comedy it is because seeing yourself reflected onscreen is really emotional when you don't even know that you're carrying so much grief of never being seen.' Samberg concurred: 'It's become so f***ing undeniable that it's this wonderful wave.' At one point during their THR interview, the conversation made a left turn to the subject of Pete Davidson arose. First timer: The Globes will mark Sandra's first major hosting gig 'Pete [Davidson] is hilarious, and the times I've interacted with him, he is such a sweet guy,' Samberg said. 'But he's going through some personal stuff, and there's no way to live privately now. It's got to make it harder.' 'We should just all leave him alone,' Oh added. 'I'm serious. Let's give people space, let's give people privacy, let's give them the ability to fail.' The 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards telecast airs Sunday January 6 at 8 PM EST/ 5PM PST on NBC. They are as close as sisters. And North West and Penelope Disick showed their friendship in action, as they larked around on a snow-covered balcony in Aspen. The duo were seen squealing with delight as they threw snow at each other, while dressed in their parents winter gear. North West and Penelope Disick are the very best of friends as they play in the snow... as Kanye jokes they are shooting 'Yeezy's winter campaign' Little models: The girls, age five and six, are close friends and spend their time together Capturing the scene on his phone, Kanye West shared the images to Twitter, jokingly captioning them 'Yeezy's Winter Campaign.' The rapper turned fashion designer caught the girls as they built a giant snowball from the fresh snowfall. Six-year-old Penelope wore an adult's beige snowboots and huge down-filled jacket, while North was equally wrapped up in a sheepskin jacket, beanie and men's black snowboots. Strike a pose: Capturing the scene on his phone, Kanye West shared the images to Twitter, captioning them 'Yeezy's Winter Campaign' The duo are often seen together, sharing joint birthday parties, and providing one another with company on the frequent Kardashian vacations. While they are both one of three children, they are closer in age to each other, at five and six, than their siblings. And North, five, will soon be welcoming another baby to her family, a baby brother, due in May. Constant companions: North and Penelope go sledding together at Kim Kardashian's extravagant Christmas Eve party The revelation that the Wests were expecting via surrogate was made on Wednesday, with sources confirming the news to multiple outlets. Kim Kardashian is said to have used the same surrogate who carried her youngest daughter, Chicago. Kim suffered from health issues in her two pregnancies, with oldest child North and Saint, three. Happy news: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's surrogate is reportedly 'pregnant with a baby boy'... less than a year after welcoming baby Chicago (pictured in Kim's arms) These included preeclampsia (which causes high blood pressure) and placenta accreta (where the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall). She spoke on her show Keeping Up With The Kardashians about how doctors advised her that having another natural pregnancy would not be safe for her health or the baby. Kim said: 'Kanye and I have always talked about having more kids, but Ive gone through so much with really bad deliveries that the doctors dont feel like its safe for me to carry my own babies.' Jamie Foxx welcomed 2019 with family. The Robin Hood actor, 51, shared a wholesome Instagram of himself celebrating the new year with daughter Corinne, 24, and Annalise, nine, on Tuesday. Expressing his love, the Texas-native captioned the photo: 'No better way then to spend my New Years with my babies!!! Family time: Jamie Foxx welcomed the 2019 with his daughters Corinne and Anelise He continued festively, writing: 'Happy new year to errrrrbody!!! Live and love family @corinnefoxx you are amazing!!! I love u! And Anelise you are incredible!!! I love u! #daddydaughtertime.' In the photo Jamie looks happy while holding a glass of champagne. Corinne sat to his right wearing a slinky little black dress while Jamie's youngest looked darling in white at his left side. Daughters Corinne and Annalise have two different mothers and Jamie has kept both women's identities private. Following in his footsteps: Jamie's eldest is a model and actress, who was named Miss Golden Globe in 2016 (seen above at the January 2016 ceremony) Foxx's eldest is already making a name for herself. The USC grad is a model and actress, who was named Miss Golden Globe in 2016. She made her New York Fashion Week runway debut at Kanye West's Yeezy show in 2016. While Jamie didn't appear to ring in the new year with love Katie Holmes, the pair enjoyed quite to post-Christmas vacation last week. Water world: Jamie and girlfriend Katie Holmes enjoyed their post-Christmas holiday in Miami, above The duo, who have been linked since 2013, were spotted packing on the PDA while on a mega-yacht off the coast of Miami in the days after the winter holiday. According to Radar Online, the couple are planning to tie the knot next year. 'Paris is the city where they decided to go public with their romance after years of sneaking around,' a source told the media outlet. 'Jamie's been a handful ever since they started secretly dating in 2013 but Katie's convinced him to settle down, and they're ready to make it official.' Wedding bells? According to Radar Online, the couple (above during a rare public appearance together in January) are planning to tie the knot next year Katie, who split from Cruise back in 2012, is aiming for a winter wedding. And after the couple say 'I do,' Foxx has ever intention of adopting Holmes' daughter Suri, age 12. 'Jamie will adopt Suri when the time is right, but not before they've said their vows,' the insider claimed. 'They know it won't go down well with Tom, but it's what he and Katie want and also what Suri wants.' The catwalk appeared to be a distant memory as supermodel Toni Garrn kicked of a brand new year in picturesque surroundings on Wednesday afternoon. The German star showed off her lithe physique while relaxing close to Costa Rica's stunning Catarata Llanos de Cortes waterfall. Located in the Central American country's tourist friendly Guanacaste Province the landmark is a popular destination for visitors, but Toni proved to be an equally appealing sight as she reclined on the outstretched, twisted bough of a nearby tree. Looking good: The catwalk appeared to be a distant memory as supermodel Toni Garrn kicked of a brand new year in picturesque surroundings on Wednesday afternoon With the famous waterfall serving as a dramatic backdrop, Toni commands attention in a distinctive lilac bikini that draws attention to her incredible figure. However the supermodel admitted getting the shot wasn't as easy as it looked, due to the tree bark being completely soaked. Captioning the image, she wrote: 'Tree trunks in front of waterfalls turn out to be mucho mas slipppery insta vs reality on 1.1.19.' Don't mind me: The German star showed off her lithe physique while relaxing close to Costa Rica's stunning Catarata Llanos de Cortes waterfall Instagram versus reality: However the supermodel admitted getting the shot wasn't as easy as it looked, due to the tree bark being completely soaked, a fact she illustrated by sharing a second snap of herself balancing on the tree trunk To illustrate her point Toni shared a second snap, taken from the same location, in which she gingerly attempts to balance on her hands and knees. The model is currently enjoying a new year break with French model Constance Jablonski, and recent posts would suggest her current boyfriend Enrique Murciano is also among the party. Taking to Instagram on New Year's Day, Tony shared a snap of herself of herself and Constance, 27, racing across the beach in their bikinis, with two seemingly male shadows visible in the foreground. In good company: The model is currently enjoying a new year break with French model Constance Jablonski, and recent posts would suggest her current boyfriend Enrique Murciano is also among the party Close: Constance, who previously dated Imad Izemrane, also appeared to show off heavily tattooed new boyfriend Matthias Dandois in separate shots taken during their current holiday Captioning the shot, she wrote: 'Happy New Year from the 4 of us.' Constance has also kept fans updated with their travels around Costa Rica by posting numerous snaps and videos of the two friends exploring local markets and swimming in the water beneath Catarata Llanos de Cortes. The model, who previously dated Imad Izemrane, also appeared to show off heavily tattooed new boyfriend Matthias Dandois in separate shots taken during their current holiday. Side by side: In another shot the pair are side by side as they make their way around the cascading Catarata Llanos de Cortes waterfall Wet and wild: Constance also shared short Instagram Stories of herself and Toni swimming in the water beneath Catarata Llanos de Cortes Don't mind me: find: Another shot finds Constance showing off her natural beauty in a selfie as her boyfriend relaxes on the same log used to great effect by Toni One image finds Constance leaning into his chest as professional BMX freestyle racer Matthias, 29, wraps his arms around her shoulders. In another the pair are side by side as they make their way around the cascading waterfall, while a third finds Constance showing off her natural beauty in a selfie as her boyfriend relaxes on the same log used to great effect by Toni. Constance made her first appearance on her new boyfriend's Instagram account on on December 28. He has since shared numerous shots of the couple, who appear to be inseparable, including a short video of Constance earnestly working out during their current stay in Costa Rica. Captioning the video, he playfully wrote: 'Lets go on holidays she said, Its gonna be chill she said.' She gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Isabel, in November 2017. And now Abby Huntsman will be welcoming two more to her family. She revealed to People she is pregnant with twins on Wednesday. The 32-year-old The View co-host told the outlet she 'knew something was different this time.' Exciting times! Abby Huntsman is expecting two more to be joining her brood, as she revealed to People she is pregnant with twins on Wednesday 'I was actually worried that something was wrong with this pregnancy because I felt sick immediately,' she explained to People. 'I was sick with Isabel, but not until about eight weeks, so I was worried something might have been wrong.' 'When I went to the doctor I was, if anything, just concerned about it,' revealed the Pennsylvania-born television personality. 'Now, looking back, it makes sense, because I think the hormones were triple what they would normally be.' Different: The 32-year-old The View co-host told the outlet she 'knew something was different this time.' The news of twins comes as somewhat of a surprise to Abby, as she does not 'have any immediate relatives that have twins.' It wasn't just a surprise to her either as she revealed her parents 'started laughing' when she told them the news. Her husband, Jeffrey Livingston, meanwhile, had an even more hilarious reaction tot he news, as Abby divulged, 'When the doctor told us [it was twins], my husband fainted, which was just classic.' Confused: 'I was actually worried that something was wrong with this pregnancy because I felt sick immediately,' she explained to People 'I think he saw two sacs in there and I could see it on his face,' she unveiled about the moments leading up to the fall. 'He turned white, and then when the doctor told us, he fell. 'Another doctor had to come in, and they were wiping him down with towels and giving him sugar.' 'I was sitting there with my feet still in the straps. Im like, This is ridiculous. Im the one that has to physically do this. People revealed that the couple 'conceived without fertility treatments,' making the twins even more of a surprise. Surprise: The news of twins comes as somewhat of a surprise to Abby, as she does not 'have any immediate relatives that have twins' Abby had kept her pregnancy underwraps from most until Wednesday, however, both Whoopi Goldberg and Meghan McCain were already in on the news, and have 'been so supportive and so great.' 'Meghan is one of my best friends, so she was one of the first people I called after I left the doctor, and I was really just overwhelmed,' she explained. 'She was so thrilled because her grandmas a twin, it runs in her family, so she has sent me books about twins. Shes like, "My mom always wanted me to have twins," so shes really helped me mentally get through it.' Insiders: Abby had kept her pregnancy underwraps from most until Wednesday, however, both Whoopi Goldberg and Meghan McCain were already in on the news, and have 'been so supportive and so great' Abby added that she is 'most excited' to see her daughter becoming a big sister. 'She just turned 1, and to think youre gonna be a big sister in just a few months, its crazy,' she explained. 'But you know what? I think it helps you. Im one of seven kids, and I love being around a bunch of siblings because I think it teaches you independence, and it teaches you how to grow up quickly and also just be a good friend and be a good sister.' Big sis: Abby added that she is 'most excited' to see her daughter becoming a big sister Abby's current pregnancy cravings include 'Capn Crunch' and 'Cool Ranch Doritos,' and she admitted that she 'splurge(s) every single day on something.' Nonetheless, she is 'very excited' and 'grateful' that she is pregnant and that the babies are healthy\but that doesn't mean she doesn't have any worries about having three children under the age of two. 'You start thinking about the logistics of just feeding them. How do you feed both at the same time, and what if theyre all crying? All those things go through your mind.' 'Im real excited for the next chapter when I can announce it, but I think Im starting to feel a little better, she added.' 'This will be the more fun stage of the pregnancy. The first three or four months are just its not easy for any woman. Its emotional, and you just want everything to be okay.' On the menu: Abby's current pregnancy cravings include 'Capn Crunch' and 'Cool Ranch Doritos,' and she admitted that she 'splurge(s) every single day on something' Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a message of condolences to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on the gas explosion in a residential building in the city of Magnitogorsk, Russia, Xinhua reported. In the message, Xi said he is shocked to learn about the gas explosion which caused severe casualties and property loss. "On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in my own name, I would like to express my sorrow for the loss of life and extend my deep condolences to the families of the victims as well as the injured," Xi said. Noting that the rescue operation is undergoing at this moment, Xi said: "I believe that under the strong leadership of Mr. President, this accident will be properly handled." Advertisement They will celebrate their third wedding anniversary in March, and Jerry Hall, 62 and Rupert Murdoch, 87, looked as inseparable as ever during a beach day on New Year's Day. The couple are holidaying in their favourite spot of Barbados, ringing in the New Year with their family and friends on the celeb-packed island. On Tuesday it was time for a refreshing swim, with doting wife Jerry seen helping her husband out of the water before they settled down to read. I got you babe: They will celebrate their third wedding anniversary in March, and Jerry Hall, 62 and Rupert Murdoch, 87, looked as inseparable as ever during a beach day on New Year's Day Top model Jerry looked amazing in her chic navy blue swimsuit, with a halter-neck design. The ruched one-piece highlighted the blonde's trim physique and golden glow as the enjoyed some winter sun. She kept cool by styling her locks into quirky plaits while adding shades and skipping makeup for the low key day on the beach. Helping hand: The couple are holidaying in their favourite spot of Barbados, ringing in the New Year with their family Fashion icon: Top model Jerry looked amazing in her chic navy blue swimsuit, with a halter-neck design as she swam Sticking by you: Jerry was seen helping her husband through the water as they headed back to their beach spot This is the lift: The media mogul enjoyed a swim as his wife kicked back in the cool blue water off the Barbados coast Doting wife: Jerry had a firm grip on her spouse as she took him by the hand and guided him up a sandy slope Back on dry land: Jerry gave Rupert a gentle push on the back at one point during the walk out of the water Reading material: After their cooling dip, Jerry and Rupert both settled down on their loungers with drinks and books, with Jerry's choice Cressida Connolly's After The Party while her husband chose Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There by Rutger Bregman Jerry & Rupert's Books In between frolicking on the beach, the lovebirds also indulged their literary interests with a relaxing read while topping up their tans on sun loungers. Jerry's choice of novel was Cressida Connolly's After The Party, an acclaimed novel set on the eve of World War 2 during one family summer in rural England. Meanwhile, Rupert was engrossed in Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There by Rutger Bregman. The nonfiction from the Dutch historian examines how society can reach a revolutionary yet achievable utopia based on such ideals as universal basic income and a 15-hour work week. Advertisement Jerry was seen enjoying a swim with her shirtless husband, but the media mogul needed a helping hand when it came to the climb back to the beach. His adoring wife held his hand before giving him a gentle push on the back as they headed up a sandy slope. After their cooling dip, Jerry and Rupert both settled down on their loungers with drinks and books, with Jerry's choice Cressida Connolly's After The Party, an acclaimed novel set on the eve of World War 2 during one family summer in rural England. Rupert meanwhile was engrossed in Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There by Rutger Bregman. The nonfiction from the Dutch historian examines how society can reach a revolutionary yet achievable utopia based on such ideals as universal basic income and a 15-hour work week. Jerry and Rupert married in an intimate ceremony in London in March 2016, following a whirlwind five-month romance. They later embarked on a honeymoon in France. Fans: The couple smiled as they shook hands with another holidaymaker who came to chat on the beach Coordinating: While Jerry was chic in navy her billionaire husband chose a floral patterned pair of swimming shorts in blue Taking a break: The pair looked a little out of breath in the blazing hot sunshine on New Year's Day I wanna hold your hand: The couple, who married almost three years ago, lovingly reached for each other's hands Wow factor: The legendary model was looking fabulous in her swimwear as she flashed her huge diamond engagement ring The businessman has six children from three former marriages: James, 45, Lachlan, 46, Elisabeth, 49, Prudence, 60, Grace Helen, 17, and Chloe, 15. From her previous relationship with Mick Jagger, Jerry has four children: sons Gabriel, 20, and James, 32, and daughters Georgia May, 26, and Elizabeth Jagger, 44. His marriage to Jerry is the fourth for Murdoch and the first for Hall, who held an unofficial marriage-like ceremony in 1990, in Bali, Indonesia with Jagger. Interestingly, Murdoch's third wife Wendi Deng was also seen soaking up some New Year's sunshine while enjoying a trip to St. Barts, where she rang in 2019. The 50-year-old businesswoman was seen frolicking in the sea on New Year's Day, showing off her phenomenal figure while posing for a mini photo shoot with a personal photographer. It takes two: A member of the couple's security team waded into the surf to give a helping hand after the swim Catching 40 winks: Jerry basked in the sunshine as her husband snoozed on a sun lounger next to her Cooling off: The media mogul sipped on an ice cold drink as they enjoyed a relaxing January 1 together Three years and counting: Jerry and Rupert married in an intimate ceremony in London in March 2016, following a whirlwind five-month romance. They later embarked on a honeymoon in France Family: The businessman has six children from three former marriages while from her previous relationship with Mick Jagger, Jerry has four Kicking back: Rupert enjoyed a leisurely read on the beach Great minds...? Rupert's ex-wife Wendi Deng, 50, was also seen soaking up some sunshine while on her own getaway in St. Barts, where she rang in 2019 They have finally reassured their fans they have got their romance back on track following their brief split. And Jack Fincham cheekily captured the hilarious moment a boozy Dani Dyer took a startling tumble over a sunbed while dancing backwards in Dubai, on Wednesday. Armed with a porn star martini, the star was the picture of confidence as she boogied across the hot sands but it wasn't long before she lost her footing. Scroll down for video Oops I did it again: Love Island's Dani Dyer took an epic tumble over a sunbed after boozy star dances BACKWARDS during romantic Dubai break with Jack Fincham With her beau behind the camera lens, Dani showed she had moves when she boogied backwards while on the sandy beach. Yet the EastEnders actor's daughter left her love in hysterics when she caught her foot on a sunbed and took a booze-fueled tumble. Accompanied with two laughing crying emojis, Jack wrote: 'FFS.' With the red hot temperatures reaching a high of 28C in Dubai, Dani was dressed for the sun in a thigh-kissing striped playsuit. Funny moment: Armed with a porn star martini, the Love Island star was the picture of confidence as she boogied across the hot sands but it wasn't long before she lost her footing The reality star donned the saucy one-piece over a bright canary yellow bikini while she made the most of her first day in the United Arab Emirates cityscape. Dani later made the candid confession: 'I can't handle my drink.' The lovebirds were over the moon to arrive at Cove Beach Caesars Palace for a bit of winter sun during their post-new year break. Dani and Jack kicked off their holiday in Dubai in the right way with a bottle of Moet champagne in a bucket of ice. Bikini-clad Dani knocked back the glasses of bubbly as she sat cross legged in a sunshine yellow two-piece, perfect for topping up her tan. It was quite the delectable indulgence as the couple were treated to salmon sushi as well as a plate of different desserts. Check her out: With her beau behind the camera lens, Dani showed she had moves when she boogied backwards while on the sandy beach Awkward: Yet the EastEnders actor's daughter left her love in hysterics when she caught her foot on a sunbed and took a booze-fueled tumble Dani and Jack's love story goes way back to the summer where they found they had electric chemistry in the Mallorcan villa. The perfect pair stole everyone's hearts and earned themselves the well-deserved Love Island crown. However, since leaving the villa, the duo have weathered the realities of enjoying a highly-publicised romance in the limelight. Good together: Dani and Jack's love story goes way back to the summer where they found they had electric chemistry in the Mallorcan villa Dani dropped the bombshell when she issued a now-deleted statement claiming the couple had split up. But it later turned out the Love Islanders couldn't live without each other as they are back in the arms of one another. Now they have taken their love to Dubai following their jam-packed Christmas schedules which saw the pair finally reunited in the evening of the big day. How to holiday! Dani and Jack kicked off their getaway in Dubai in the right way with a bottle of Moet champagne in a bucket of ice Yellow hello! Love Island's Dani looked sun-kissed as she exhibited her perfect figure in a sunshine yellow bikini while she sipped on Moet champagne She shot to fame on Love Island's second season in 2016. And Tina Stinnes proved she still has her sexy island style nailed as she took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a smouldering series of bikini-clad images. While enjoying a chilled out holiday she posted the images for her 258,000 Instagram followers to see, as she lived it up with her beau Matthew Mawhinney, the son of politician Baroness Scotland. Hot couple! Tina Stinnes proved she still has her sexy island style nailed as she took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a smouldering series of bikini-clad images alongside her beau Matthew Mawhinney, Tina looked stunning as she shared a host of snaps from her holiday with her boyfriend, after going public in June last year. Getting up close and personal, she wowed in a leopard print bikini while Matthew planted a tender kiss on her cheek in a sweet display. She added a caption reading: 'Ending 2018 with the biggest smile and with you thank you for everyone who has been a part of my year and making it special... 'Hope everyone has had an amazing year.. and an even better 2019 and it brings you all the happiness you deserve'. Cheeky! She also displayed her perky posterior in a sexy two-piece as she worked her best angles with an arched back and jauntily placed arm Happy days: In June, insiders revealed the couple were 'all over each other' as they debuted their romance at the PrettyLittleThing x Maya Jama launch party She also displayed her perky posterior in a sexy two-piece as she worked her best angles with an arched back and jauntily placed arm. In June, insiders revealed the couple were 'all over each other' as they debuted their romance at the PrettyLittleThing x Maya Jama launch party. Tina told The Sun of her romance: 'We've been going out for a while. It's going really well. So far, so good.' The reality television star confessed she was the first to break the ice when they met as she said 'hello' to him at the bar while he was chatting to one of her friends. Sources also dished to the newspaper at the time: 'They were all over each other.' Happy days: Matthew is the son of Patricia Scotland (pictured in September) - who was the Attorney General under then Prime Minister Gordon Brown between 2007 and 2010 Sizzling: Getting up close and personal, she wowed in a leopard print bikini while Matthew planted a tender kiss on her cheek in a sweet display Matthew is the son of Patricia Scotland - who was the Attorney General under then Prime Minister Gordon Brown between 2007 and 2010. Proving himself to be even further connected, Matthew's dad is Richard Mawhinney, a barrister who is the brother of former Tory chairman Brian. Her hunky boyfriend's Instagram feed is littered with images of his lavish life, including snaps meeting former US President Bill Clinton, at a lavish party at St Jamess Palace, at Buckingham Palace and St Jamess Palace. Joanna Lumley is set to return as the host of the BAFTAs. The 72-year-old actress - who hosted the lavish awards ceremony in 2018, replacing Stephen Fry in the role - has been confirmed as the presenter of the 72nd annual awards show, which is to be staged on February 10. BAFTA announced via its official Twitter account: 'We are excited to be welcoming back the phenomenal Joanna Lumley as host of the #EEBAFTAs Film Awards @RoyalAlbertHall on 10 February!' Big news: Joanna Lumley, 72, is set to return as the host of this year's BAFTAs for the second year running It's also been confirmed that the ceremony will feature a performance from Cirque du Soleil. Emma Baehr, the Director of Awards at BAFTA, said: 'We're delighted to be returning to the iconic Royal Albert Hall for the third year and collaborating again with Cirque du Soleil. 'We're thrilled that Joanna has agreed to return as our host for a second year, she was fantastic and we're looking forward to the ceremony with her once again at the helm.' Delighted: 'We are excited to be welcoming back the phenomenal Joanna Lumley as host of the #EEBAFTAs Film Awards @RoyalAlbertHall on 10 February!' BAFTA announced via its official Twitter account Joanna previously admitted she was delighted to have been offered the chance to host the BAFTAs. She said: 'I'm really just literally the host. It's a good word, the host: it means make sure everybody is happy. 'My thrill of accepting this honour of presenting is because I adore film. Popular choice: The celebrated actress was an enormous hit while presenting the 71st British Academy Film and Television Awards in 2018 (pictured) 'The excellence of films is what I adore: the whole of the BAFTA film awards is about the brilliance of performances direction, art direction, costumes...' Meanwhile, Amanda Berry - BAFTA's CEO - previously revealed that Joanna's acceptance speech for her BAFTA TV Fellowship in 2017 helped her to land the presenting role. She said: 'It is not an easy job. You need to get the tone absolutely right. You need to be able to guide the audience seamlessly through proceedings while keeping the attention on the nominees. Old times: Already a well know actress, Lumley became a household name thanks to her role as Patsy in '90s sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. L-R: Ab Fab characters Bubble (Jane Horrocks) Saffy (Julia Sawalha) Edina (Jennifer Saunders) Mother (June Whitfield ) and Patsy 'We were all taken aback by Joanna's brilliant speech when she received the BAFTA TV Fellowship last year. She was so charming and mesmerising. 'When we talked about candidates she was on the list from early on. It wasn't a difficult decision.' The EE Rising Star nominations are announced on Thursday January 3 and the nominations for the EE British Academy Film Awards will be announced on Wednesday 9 January 2019. Old times: Lumley raises a a glass with the late Dame June Whitfield in 2016. The actress was said to be heartbroken following Dame June's death on December 28th Joanna's last appearance at the BAFTAs resulted in unintentional controversy after actress Jennifer Lawrence was judged to be dismissive of her gushing introduction. The British star had introduced Lawrence as "the hottest actress on the planet," prompting the Oscar-winner to dismissively tell her "That was a bit much, but but thank you." The moment resulted in a backlash across social media, but Lawrence later insisted it was a badly timed joke that had been misinterpreted by the viewing public. Furore: Joanna's last appearance at the BAFTAs resulted in unintentional controversy after actress Jennifer Lawrence was judged to be dismissive of her gushing introduction She told breakfast show Lorraine: 'It was an inside joke. She went on and said all these really nice things about me and then when I got up to the podium, I was like that was a bit much. 'After I just spent all backstage telling her how to be really nice to me. I wasnt being rude, it was an inside joke.' Joanna's confirmation comes just days after the death of Absolutely Fabulous co-star Dame June Whitfield, who passed away in her sleep on December 28, aged 93. Awkward: The British star had introduced Lawrence as "the hottest actress on the planet," prompting the Oscar-winner to dismissively tell her "That was a bit much, but but thank you". Jennifer later admitted it was inside joke that had been misinterpreted by the viewing public The actress, who starred with Dame June for 20-years on the hugely successful show, has since paid tribute to her close friend. She told ITV News: 'I am heartbroken to lose such a darling friend and shall never forget her sensational talent, humour and her generosity to us all who had the joy of working with her on Ab Fab. 'She will always have a most special place in my heart.' She made a name for herself on the catwalk with Victoria's Secret, retiring from the lingerie brand in 2017 after working with them for 13 years. But swapping her lingerie for swimwear, Alessandra Ambrosio has still made sure to flaunt her runway-worthy frame and slipped into two striking bikinis while soaking up the sun in Brazil. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the model, 37, shared a beach snap with her 9.8million followers, where she was seen parading her pert behind while reflecting on the New Year. Stunning: Alessandra Ambrosio, 37, slipped into a very skimpy cobalt blue bikini while soaking up the sun in Brazil in a new beach snap she shared to Instagram on Tuesday Stripping down to a two-piece, Alessandra looked sensational in the barley-there design that paired together a matching bikini top and thong-style briefs. Turning her back to the camera, the beauty drew further attention to her posterior as she lifted one foot and threw her arms into the air in delight. Alessandra left her brunette locks down in a tousled style and, sporting a bronzed glow, protected herself from the sun's rays with aviator shades and a straw cowboy hat. She appeared to reflect on the New Year in the caption that accompanied her post, as she penned alongside it: 'One last look back to an amazing year...' Looking good: In a second snap, the supermodel is seen relaxing on the sand in an equally striking white two-piece that fully displays her nicely toned abs In a second snap, the supermodel is seen relaxing on the sand in an equally striking white two-piece that fully displays her nicely toned abs. Shielding her eyes behind a pair of heavily tinted sunglasses, Alessandra gazes up at the sky while stretching out close to the crashing surf. Making a point to reference the special date the model had written 2019 in the sand with her finger, and the numbers that made up the new year were visible as she topped up her tan. Delightful: The beauty - who is born in Brazil - has been joined by her two children and new bofriend Nicolo Oddi The fashion star - who was born in Brazil - has been enjoying her native country with her new beau, Italian fashion designer Nicolo Oddi. Nicolo is the founder and CEO of Alanui, a knitwear fashion label based in Milan which he created with his sister Carlotta in 2016. The couple reportedly first began dating in August, just five months after the beauty confirmed her split from her ex-partner Jamie Mazur. She and US businessman Jamie first began dating in 2005 and announced their engagement three years later in 2008. The couple share two children together; daughter Anja, 10, and son Noah, six. Alessandra confirmed her split from Jamie in March 2018, revealing the pair had decided to end their 10-year engagement. Mother-of-two: Alessandra's new romance comes five months after she confirmed her split from her ex-partner Jamie Mazur - they share two children together Hanging up her wings: Alessandra has been focusing more time on her children, along with her swimwear brand and acting career after retiring from Victoria's Secret An insider told Us Weekly at the time of the split: 'They [have] been trying to keep their split on the down low. But Alessandra has been out and about ready to mingle and hasn't been taking Jamie to anything.' As well as her relationship, Alessandra has been focusing more time on her children, along with her swimwear brand and acting career. So much so, that the mother-of-two decided to retire from her work with Victoria's Secret. She had starred in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for 17 showcases, before confirming that 2017's China offering would be her last. Putting them first: Discussing how she juggles family life with her career, Alessandra has said: 'What I try and do is be very selective with work. 'Obviously, my priorities are my two kids' Alessandra has reportedly been joined by her children in Brazil. Previously discussing how she juggles family life with her career in the public eye, Alessandra insisted her children are her 'priority', as she told the Khaleej Times: 'What I try and do is be very selective with work. 'Obviously, my priorities are my two kids, so I'm always there for them. 'But they know that their mummy has to work and she has to travel. When I can, I bring them with me.' Coronation Streets New Years Day special ended on a tragic note for Audrey Roberts after the salon owner discovered the dead body of boyfriend Lewis Archer on their bedroom floor, the engagement ring he planned to surprise her with still clutched in his lifeless hand. And the Weatherfield resident, played by actress Sue Nicholls, led the mourners as Archers funeral scenes were filmed in an overcast Manchester cemetery, weeks before his abrupt death. With bouquets of flowers lining the walls outside a local church, Audreys long-suffering daughter Gail McIntyre (Helen Worth) and grandson Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) set aside their understandable misgivings towards Archer as they supported her on a day of mourning. Devastated: Coronation Street resident Audrey Roberts, played by actress Sue Nicholls, led the mourners as Lewis Archers funeral scenes were filmed in an overcast Manchester cemetery, weeks before his abrupt death Indeed, the small fortune smooth talking Archer stole from the family following his introduction to the show some nine-years ago appeared to be all but forgotten during a sombre appearance at the modest church service. Other street residents on hand to pay their final respects to the divisive character included Audrey's close friend Claudia Colby (Rula Lenska), Evelyn Plummer (Maureen Lipman) and florist Mary Taylor (Patti Clare), who arrived still wearing her work apron. Two additional characters also lingered on the sidelines, and their sour expressions suggested they too had been dealt a poor hand by Archer, an accomplished former con-man. Support: Audreys long-suffering daughter Gail McIntyre (Helen Worth) and grandson Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) set aside their understandable misgivings towards Archer as they supported her on a day of mourning Chilly: On an overcast day in Manchester the pair wrapped up as they filmed Archer's funeral Life moves pretty fast: Grieving Audrey was supposed to start the new year as Archer's fiancee The character, played by Nigel Havers, only made his return to the cobbles this summer, after making his first appearance in 2009. And in a shocking scene on New Year's Day, Audrey headed to the bedroom and found Lewis' body lying on the bedroom floor. Tragically was still holding an engagement ring in his hand as he prepared to pop the question to her. Final respects: Actors Worth and Price looked sombre as they took a break between scenes in November In attendance: Other street residents on hand to pay their final respects to the divisive character included Audrey's close friend Claudia Colby, played by Rula Lenska In bloom: Florist Mary Taylor (Patti Clare) was also at the service, still dressed in her work apron Audrey's daughter Gail had been convinced he was trying to steal her mother' money but Lewis had actually planned to propose before heading to Barbados. As she cradled his body, Audrey said: 'Oh my goodness Lewis. Come on love. Can you hear me? She then burst into tears as she found the box with the engagement ring inside. Garish: The character wore a questionable floral dress beneath her apron - not exactly the most conventional funeral attire Farewell: Show regular Evelyn Plummer (Maureen Lipman) was also seen idling outside the Manchester church as Archer's funeral scenes got underway Coming soon: Archer's funeral will air in January, with fans still reeling over his shock death Upbeat: Lenska and Clare appeared to be in high spirits despite the sombre tone of the occasion as they took a break between scenes Grim faced: Funeral goers were seen filming out of church after filming the character's farewell Audrey revealed that Lewis had visited the doctors that morning after suffering pains in his shoulder and chest. She then shouted at Gail for making her think Lewis was lying. Audrey said: 'He was going to ask me to marry him and I would have said yes. He was so fed up with you really. He was tired of being haunted. He'd had enough. And so have I.' Quiet on set: A local church in Manchester served as the setting for Archer's funeral, which was filmed in November Colourful: Bouquets of flowers lined the walls outside as filming got underway A pleading Gail apologised but Audrey asked her to leave as she held Lewis in her arms. This came 20 years after Audrey's first husband Alf Roberts died in an armchair from a heart attack after attending the New Year's Eve birthday party of Nick Tilsley. Nigel first arrived in the soap in 2009 as a male escort who soon caught the eye of Audrey Roberts before getting involved in a love triangle with her and Rita. No! Coronation Street fans were left shocked on New Year's Day as Lewis Archer dropped dead just moment before he was set to propose to Audrey Roberts Heartbreak: In a shocking scene, Audrey headed to the bedroom and found Lewis' lifeless body lying on the bedroom floor Engagement: Tragically, Lewis, who previously stole thousands from the Platt family, was still holding an engagement ring in his hand as he prepared to pop the question to her His romance with Audrey progressed and he suggested moving to a Greek island, but the relationship was doomed after he stole a large sum of money from Peter Barlow's betting shop and fled the country. The Chariots of Fire star then returned in 2012 as a changed man who wanted to apologise to those he had hurt and to make amends for his devious ways, inclduing giving the money back to Peter. He rekindled his romance with Audrey and decided to go on holiday with Audrey which caused a feud between her and David. But it all ended in tears as the pair went their separate ways. Grief:Audrey's daughter Gail had been convinced he was trying to steal her mother' money but Lewis had actually planned to propose before heading to Barbados Holding you: As she cradled his body, Audrey said: 'Oh my goodness Lewis. Come on love. Can you hear me?' Fury: Audrey said: 'He was going to ask me to marry him and I would have said yes. He was so fed up with you really. He was tired of being haunted. He'd had enough. And so have I' Shock passing: Audrey revealed that Lewis had visited the doctors that morning after suffering pains in his shoulder and chest Tragic anniversary: This came 20 years after Audrey's first husband Alf Roberts died in an armchair from a heart attack after attending the New Year's Eve birthday party of Nick Tilsley She has had a fabulous year shooting sizzling shots for her array of swimming costumes in Ibiza. And Demi Rose courted attention once again with her very risque Instagram post as she wished her followers a happy New Year from Tulum, Quintana Roo. The busty model, 23, exhibited her cleavage in a scanty crop top with a saucy keyhole design as she cosied up to her beau Chris Martinez. Looking sensational! Demi Rose displayed her jaw-dropping cleavage in a keyhole crop top as she cosied up to her beau Chris Martinez on New Year night out They were wrapped up in each other's limbs as Demi tenderly held her love's fingertips when Chris draped his arm over her shoulder. The dashing DJ treated himself to a large glass of red wine when he partied the night away with his stunning ladylove. Demi polished off her glamorous look with defining touches of make-up and she styled her raven locks in a sleek style. The social media guru has made a name for herself among her eight million fans on Instagram after she shot to fame as the flame of Kylie Jenner's ex Tyga. Finding fame: The social media guru has made a name for herself among her eight million fans on Instagram after she shot to fame as the flame of Kylie Jenner's ex Tyga The model continued to show off her makeover after she treated herself to a non-surgical liposuction treatment ahead of the festive season. Well known for parading her curves on social media, it may come as no surprise Demi opted for the body-contouring procedure. The body-contouring procedure enhances the figure by tackling cellulite. Demi enlisted the expertise of celebrity beautician Shane Cooper who is based in Essex and boasts of an impressive client list. Pampering session! The model continued to show off her makeover after she treated herself to a non-surgical liposuction treatment ahead of the festive season Shane's clientele is not limited to: Katie Price, Kimberley Walsh, TOWIE stars Amber Dowding and Amber Turner, Vogue Williams, Ferne McCann, Casey Batchelor and Bianca Gascoigne. The beautician shared details of Demi's treatment on Instagram: 'Back with @demirosemawby doing her second bespoke head to toe treatment. 'Everything I do is completely tailored to each client. For Demi we are focusing on cellulite reduction, lifting, muscle toning, skin tightening and body contouring.' Shane claimed it was Demi's fourth bespoke head to toe treatment in preparation for the festive season. He split from his long-term love and mother of his child last year. And Liam Payne put it out of his mind when he partied with gorgeous Eku Edewor until 6am, in Ghana as he spent his first New Year without Cheryl and Bear. In a fun-filled Instagram video filmed by Naomi Campbell, the Bedroom Floor hitmaker, 25, boogied with the British-Nigerian actress, 32. Strip That Down! Liam Payne, 25, danced with stunning actress, 32, during all night party in Ghana as he spent his first New Year's without ex Cheryl and son Bear The energetic duo busted their best moves as they got into the groove of the dance before they burst into a fit of giggles. Liam cut a trendy figure as he paired his PVC pants with a smart black shirt worn unbuttoned at the collar to tease a glimpse of his broad chest. Eku made her legs the focal point of her attire as she danced in steep stilettos and she wore a loose-fitted T-shirt over tiny shorts. Good fun! In a fun-filled Instagram video filmed by Naomi Campbell, the Bedroom Floor hitmaker, 25, boogied with the British-Nigerian actress, 32 Energetic: The duo busted their best moves as they got into the groove of the dance before they burst into a fit of giggles The dancing pair partied the night away in Ghana with supermodel Naomi, 48, and songwriter Wizkid, 28. Sharing his own candid glimpse into the night, the One Direction star had met with Ghana's president Nana Afuko-Addo before the festivities began. The dashing Strip That Down hitmaker posted handsome selfies writing 'Nap before party time,' and 'New Year ready.' Looking flash! Liam cut a trendy figure as he paired his PVC pants with a smart black shirt worn unbuttoned at the collar to tease a glimpse of his broad chest Fashionable figure: Eku made her legs the focal point of her attire as she wore a loose-fitted T-shirt over tiny shorts In videos shared to his Instagram, he then partied until the early hours of the morning as he rang in 2019 with a fireworks display, nightclub dancing and a stroll on the beach at 6am. While Liam was abroad, his ex girlfriend, 35, celebrated the New Year by posting a montage of photos of the year, but failed to include Liam in her key moments. In one snap Bear could be seen donning a pair of headphones over a little blonde topknot, as Cheryl joked he was 'learning to juggle.' Whole lotta history: Liam celebrated New Year's in Ghana as he spent the last few moments of 2018 without his ex Cheryl and 21-month-old son Bear on Monday Happier times: Liam and Cheryl went their separate ways in July 2018 (pictured in February 2018) 6am: In videos shared to his Instagram, he then partied until the early hours of the morning as he rang in 2019 with a fireworks display, nightclub dancing and a stroll on the beach at 6am Party: The star danced in a nightclub before hitting the beach Good spirits: The star looked happy as he bade farewell to 2018 Looking back at an eventful year through a series of social media snaps, Cheryl shared several photos of Bear including one of him donning a pair of headphones. Sporting a tiny little topknot in his curled blonde tresses, she captioned the post: 'More juggling lessons.' The snap came after Cheryl previously posted one of Bear lying on the floor in a playroom of sorts, captioning that snap: 'Learning to juggle #thejugglestruggle.' Look who it is! While Liam was abroad, his ex girlfriend, 35, celebrated the New Year by posting a montage of photos of the year, but failed to include Liam in her key moments (above their son Bear) Playful: In the posts, the 21 month-old's blonde curled hair is on full display, with one post showing him 'learning to juggle' Cheryl also gave fans a look at the moment she celebrated Bear's first birthday party in March, writing 'what a day for us... what a day for him and his friends.' This seemed to be the only time Cheryl touched on her relationship with ex Liam Payne, as the couple were still together when Bear reached the milestone. Cheryl and Liam split in July of this year after two and a half years together, but in a joint statement insisted they 'still have much love for each other as a family.' Cheryl will certainly be kicking off 2019 in spectacular fashion, as she will appear on the judging panel for The Greatest Dancer. Sheridan Smith has shared a rare photo of herself with fiance Jamie Horn after they moved to the countryside together, for a more relaxed way of life. The actress, 37, who said she has no plans to marry Jamie anytime soon, had a big smile on her face as she cosied up to her handsome man. She captioned the sweet image with a 'happy new year' message, alongside some party popper emojis. Love: Sheridan Smith beamed as she shared a rare post of herself cosying up to fiance Jamie Horn after they moved to the countryside together Sheridan was wearing minimal make-up in the snap, while dressed in some comfortable purple lounge wear, while Jamie wore a navy sweatshirt. The celebrated actress announced her engagement to insurance broker Jamie, 28 and nine-years her junior, in May after he proposed with a 10,000 ring just four months after they met on dating app Tinder. But the frenetic pace of their whirlwind romance has slowed to a comfortable stroll as she settles into an idyllic new life in the countryside with a menagerie of pets that includes seven dogs and four donkeys, far from the hustle and bustle of London. Fresh start: A new year all too often brings with it new beginnings, and Sheridan Smith admits 2019 will be spent away from the inevitable anxieties that come with city life as she embarks on a fresh start in the country with fiance Jamie Horn However Sheridan rules out setting a wedding date, telling The Times shes focussed on her relationship while breaking some of the habits she picked up following the tragic death of her devoted father Colin in 2016 among them a growing collection of tattoos. No, no, definitely not. Definitely not, she said of potential wedding plans. Taking it slowly. We got engaged quickly, but were enjoying being engaged. Its nice. Theres no rush for things like that. Were just going to enjoy our time in the country. No more tattoos and no more dogs. Ill probably stick to the tattoos. Happy days: The celebrated actress, 37, announced her engagement to insurance broker Jamie, 28 and nine-years her junior, in May after he proposed with a 10,000 ring Colin's death from cancer opened the floodgates to a tumultuous two-year period for the actress, a self-confessed 'daddy's girl' who at the time was winning accolades for her performances in west end musical Funny Girl. 'I don't know. It just floored me with dad,' she explained. 'It was the first time I had ever felt that kind of grief. That pain.' Her grief was exacerbated by the high anxiety and panic attacks she started suffering while performing in a stage adaptation of Hollywood classic Legally Blonde, in which she took the lead as vacuous fashionista turned law student Elle Woods. Grief: Sheridan is attempting to move on following the tragic death of her devoted father Colin to cancer in 2016 Struggle: The overwhelming grief she experienced after Colin's death was exacerbated by the high anxiety and panic attacks she suffered while performing in a stage adaptation of Hollywood classic Legally Blonde Allegations of excessive drinking followed, and Sheridan admits the shock of losing her father threatened to derail a hugely successful career. 'To be honest, I'd kind of given up' she said. 'I didn't really care because all I cared about was my dad. It put everything into perspective. I thought, "Oh, I'm going to give it all up" and I covered myself in tattoos, like an idiot.' The actress is now back on track, with a 'strong' relationship and a new role as single mother Jenny - the daughter of a stroke victim - in forthcoming TV drama Care. Coming soon: The actress is now back on track, with a 'strong' relationship and a new role as single mother Jenny - the daughter of a stroke victim - in forthcoming TV drama Care The role resonates with Sheridan, who admits dad Colin had also suffered a stroke a number of years before his cancer diagnosis, affecting his ability to use his hands. And the catharsis that came with playing a strong female character as she supports her ailing mother - played by Alison Steadman - coupled with her new lifestyle, has contributed to Sheridan's fresh outlook. 'I feel like I'm finally taking charge,' she said. 'Otherwise you just wallow in your own self-pity. I'm like "Come one. Let's get moving now. Let's get forward. let's get strong."' The Inbetweeners Fwends Reunited 10th anniversary show has been slammed by devoted fans following its New Year's Day airing. Flooding Twitter with angry responses, viewers lashed out at the Jimmy Carr-fronted show, which saw stars Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, Blake Harrison and James Buckley join together to run through a retrospective of the cult classic. While some branded the programme 'toe-curling, painful, awkward and cringeworthy', others were left agitated at the concept as they believed the comedy was set to be a new episode rather than a chat show. Happy days: The Inbetweeners Fwends Reunited 10th anniversary show has been slammed by devoted fans following its New Year's Day airing The foursome, who played Will McKenzie, Simon Cooper, Neil Sutherland and Jay Cartwright respectively, clubbed together to chat to the funnyman before going for a spin in the now-iconic yellow Fiat Cinquecento Hawaii car. There was much fanfare over the reunion, however it seems the problems arose for fans due to confusion over the premise of the programme. Twitter users penned: 'Lukewarm thoughts on the Inbetweeners reunion, nice throwback & really enjoyed the section in the car... 'However Jimmy Carr was an awful host & talked over everyone. The 4 of them looked like they didnt want to be there some of the time, and some of it was super cringe... #FwendsReunited was painfully bad. Greg Davies shouldve hosted it... Way back when: Flooding Twitter with angry responses, viewers lashed out at the Jimmy Carr-fronted show, which saw stars Joe Thomas, Simon Bird, Blake Harrison and James Buckley (left-right) join together to run through a retrospective of the cult classic Shocker: Fans were extremely upset with the show however some insisted the show should be given a chance '#Inbetweeners... First let down of 2019 was thinking the inbetweeners special was going to be an episode when really it was a best bits of the show... 'The Inbetweeners reunion was toe-curling... The biggest disappointment of 2019 has already happened, Inbetweeners Friends Reunited, what is this s**t ffs... 'Format of this show is f**king awful. Get rid of Jimmy Carr, get rid of the pointless awards and lets just have the cast anecdotes #fwendsreunited'. Here come the -boys! There was much fanfare over the reunion, however it seems the problems arose for fans due to confusion over the premise of the programme Another problem arose in fans' confusion over the premise of the programme, as users wrote: 'I cant be the only one who thought The Inbetweeners was going to be a 2 hour special episode instead of a Jimmy Carr panel show... 'Can we all agree that the inbetweeners reunion was false advertising?' Despite this, others made it clear they were aware of the concept, writing: 'Blimey people are really losing their s**t on here about that #inbetweeners special that was on C4 last night!... 'If i see one more person complain that the Inbetweeners reunion wasnt a new episode i might delete my whole account because it was made so clear that it was a reunion. roll on 2020... Shocker: The show featured a host of inside facts and a glimpse at the first pilot 'As if everyone thought that Inbetweeners reunion was an actual episode as always gonna be just a catch up show... if u thought it was gonna be another episode of the inbetweeners tonight u are truly brain damaged'. Critics also hit out at the show, with a review in The Telegraph branding the show: 'A shambolic mess that failed to do the show justice'. Aside from upset at the episode, fans were excited to hear a host of inside details including the fact that Doctor Who star Matt Smith had tried and failed for the job of James' character Jay. Additionally, it was revealed that in the original pilot, James had read for Blake's character however after hearing his behaviour off-screen, creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris realised he was better suited to Jay. Cheeky: In May, James, who played foul-mouthed Jay, teased fans with the reveal of a reunion as he posted an image with his former co-stars Shocker: Aside from upset at the episode, fans were excited to hear a host of inside details including the fact that Doctor Who star Matt Smith had tried and failed for the job of James' character Jay In May, James teased fans with the reveal of a reunion as he posted an image with his former co-stars. James posted a picture to Twitter with the caption 'series four pre-production meal' before sending fans into a frenzy - despite lead star Simon insisting that the show is over for good. Speaking ahead of the return, he said: 'We are like family, and any excuse to get together well take. Thats why were doing this show its just an excuse to meet up.' Ahead of the return, Simon said: 'I get called briefcase w****r, which is obviously a classic. Bumder is a bit of a go-to. All the old favourites.' Teaser: Speaking ahead of the return, he said: 'We are like family, and any excuse to get together well take. Thats why were doing this show its just an excuse to meet up. In October, James admitted he does not feel the show would be well-received if made now, due to the 'joke police' in modern comedy. A decade after the show kicked off, he spoke to Digital Spy about the programme, which he insisted would be problematic to a modern audience. He said: 'Nowadays, it feels very black and white with comedy. There's no in-between, it's just, 'This person said this on television - isn't that terrible? It's killing comedy... There seems to be a joke police, nowadays.' Paul Whelan, the US security specialist held in Russia since Friday over an act of espionage, has received a diplomatic delegation from his homeland. Consular access had been demanded by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The visit was separately confirmed to the Russian news agency RIA, and to CNN by foreign ministry officials in Moscow, RT reports. Earlier, Pompeo said the US needed to have a better understanding of what Whelan has purportedly done, as no details have been made public, and may press for his instant release. Weve made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges, come to understand what it is hes been accused of, and if the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return, said Pompeo while on a trip to Brazil, where he acted as an American representative for the inauguration of President Jair Bolsonaro. Meanwhile, Whelans family has insisted that the innocence of the former marine, who was dismissed from service in 2008 after being convicted of larceny, was undoubted. They say he was in the Russian capital to attend a wedding of a fellow US marine to a local woman, and had previously traveled to the country for over a decade without a single incident. The 48-year-old has recently been working as director of global security at BorgWarner, an international multi-billion auto parts manufacturer headquartered in Michigan. Lip Sync Battle color commentator Chrissy Teigen demonstrated just how close she was to Keeping Up with the Kardashians star Kim Kardashian West on Tuesday by publicly ribbing her over a movie. When the 38-year-old reality TV icon tweeted that she was watching Bird Box and asked 'who has seen it' the wisecracking 33-year-old replied: 'Kimberly like everyone in the entire world.' The Cravings author wasn't wrong as Netflix announced Friday that 45M subscriber accounts have already streamed Susanne Bier's zombie-style thriller since it dropped December 21. Roasting: Chrissy Teigen (R) demonstrated just how close she was to Kim Kardashian West (L) on Tuesday by publicly ribbing her over a movie (pictured April 28) When the 38-year-old reality TV icon tweeted that she was watching Bird Box and asked 'who has seen it' the wisecracking 33-year-old replied: 'Kimberly like everyone in the entire world' In it, Oscar winner Sandra Bullock plays post-apocalyptic survivor Malorie Hayes escorting two children to a safe compound after mass hysteria led to murders and suicides of most of the population. Chrissy's post came the day after she co-hosted NBC's New Year's Eve in Times Square alongside Leslie Jones, Carson Daly, and Keith Urban - where she made controversial comments about 'vaginal steaming.' When the 51-year-old SNL funnywoman gave Teigen a big bear hug after the countdown, she accidentally poked her in the eye with an umbrella. Hit! The Cravings author wasn't wrong as Netflix announced Friday that 45M subscriber accounts have already streamed Susanne Bier's zombie-style thriller since December 21 High stakes: Oscar winner Sandra Bullock plays post-apocalyptic survivor Malorie Hayes escorting two children to a safe compound after mass hysteria led to murders and suicides of most of the population The Utah-born, half-Thai beauty later reassured an apologetic Jones via Twitter that she was 'fine' and wrote: 'I hug too hard what can I say?' The Hot Ones champ confessed to NWITimes.com that she's not really a New Year's resolutions person' and hasn't kept her prior work-out or caffeine pledges. By Tuesday night, Chrissy was back home in Calabasas where she cooked a quinoa and chicken meal for her husband John Legend, their seven-month-old son Miles Theodore, and two-year-old daughter Luna Simone. Braved the NYC rain: Chrissy's post came the day after she co-hosted NBC's New Year's Eve in Times Square alongside Leslie Jones (L), Carson Daly (R), and Keith Urban - where she made controversial comments about 'vaginal steaming' Ouch! When the 51-year-old SNL funnywoman gave Teigen a big bear hug after the countdown, she accidentally poked her in the eye with an umbrella The Utah-born, half-Thai beauty later reassured an apologetic Jones via Twitter that she was 'fine' and wrote: 'I hug too hard what can I say?' Teigen and the 40-year-old EGOT champ have been married for five years and they originally met on the 2007 set of his Stereo music video. The pretty presenter will next resume her 'colorful commentary' on the fifth season of silly celebrity competition Lip Sync Battle, which premieres January 17 on the Paramount Network. 'Good grains 2019': By Tuesday night, Chrissy was back home in Calabasas where she cooked dinner for her husband John Legend and their two small children Keeping Up with the Kardashians duo Kim Kardashian West and Kourtney Kardashian kicked off 2019 by hitting the slopes of Buttermilk Ski Area with their children in Aspen on Tuesday. Of all the countless resorts in and around the Colorado hotspot, Butterfield is reportedly considered the easiest mountain for beginner skiers and snowboarders. The half-Armenian socialites were certainly far from their beloved sunny Calabasas as they bundled their blended brood for the wintry downhill adventure. KUWTK duo: Kim Kardashian West (L) and Kourtney Kardashian (R) kicked off 2019 by hitting the slopes of Buttermilk Ski Area with their children in Aspen on Tuesday In line for lift: Of all the countless resorts in and around the Colorado hotspot, Butterfield is reportedly considered the easiest mountain for beginner skiers and snowboarders 38-year-old Kim ditched a hat in favor of a headband and neck warmer with her all-black ski gear - Prada parka, matching ski pants, and ski boots. The KKW Beauty CEO and two staffers could be seen walking with two - daughter North, 5; son Saint, 3 - of her three children with third husband Kanye West. Kardashian West and the Trump-loving 41-year-old will next celebrate their daughter Chicago's first birthday on January 15. Meanwhile, 39-year-old Kourtney appeared to have escorted two - daughter Penelope, 6; and son Reign, 4 - of her three children to the slopes that day. Mom duty: The half-Armenian socialites were certainly far from their beloved sunny Calabasas as they bundled their blended brood for the wintry downhill adventure Hair extensions exposed: 38-year-old Kim ditched a hat in favor of a headband and neck warmer with her all-black ski gear - Prada parka, matching ski pants, and ski boots Takes a village: The KKW Beauty CEO and two staffers (R) could be seen walking with two - daughter North, 5; son Saint, 3 - of her three children with third husband Kanye West Two weeks away! Kardashian West and the Trump-loving 41-year-old will next celebrate their daughter Chicago's first birthday on January 15 There was no sign of the University of Arizona grad's nine-year-old son Mason with ex-partner Scott Disick, who brought his 20-year-old girlfriend Sofia Richie on the Kar-Jenner holiday trip. The 5ft brunette wore a helmet, goggles, green-hued ski coat, black ski leggings, and white ski boots as she enjoyed the powdery conditions in the Rockies. Unsurprisingly, Kim remained glued to her iPhone filming all the action by the kids even when she was buckled into her skis. The wrongful incarceration advocate beamed with pride as her grinning, privileged princess North demonstrated her 'French fry' stance sans poles. Filming the kids: 39-year-old Kourtney (2-R) appeared to have escorted two - daughter Penelope, 6; and son Reign, 4 - of her three children to the slopes that day Incognito: There was no sign of the University of Arizona grad's nine-year-old son Mason with ex-partner Scott Disick, whom she split from in 2015 On the move: The 5ft brunette wore a helmet, goggles, green-hued ski coat, black ski leggings, and white ski boots as she enjoyed the powdery conditions in the Rockies Gloves are off: Unsurprisingly, Kim remained glued to her iPhone filming all the action by the kids even when she was buckled into her skis The former Celebrity Family Feud contestants appeared to have hired their very own private Buttermilk ski instructor to give the children lessons. When Kardashian West took one of the ski lifts up the trail, little Saint sat right beside her wearing a large helmet for safety. And Kourtney kept her little girl Penelope company just behind her younger sister on the same ski lift. Weeee! The wrongful incarceration advocate beamed with pride as her grinning, privileged princess North demonstrated her 'French fry' stance sans poles Learning: The former Celebrity Family Feud contestants appeared to have hired their very own private Buttermilk ski instructor (red pants) to give the children lessons Mama's boy: When Kardashian West took one of the ski lifts up the trail, little Saint sat right beside her wearing a large helmet for safety Family bonding: Kourtney (L) kept her little girl Penelope company just behind her younger sister on the same ski lift Despite being miles from any showbiz set, the Glam Masters producer announced Tuesday that she's 'ready to serve looks in 2019' with a BTS snap of herself surrounded by water and 'hair artist' Chris Appleton. By contrast, Kardashian pondered resolutions and tweeted on Monday: 'I pray that I may carry good things into the year ahead. I pray that I may carry on with faith, with prayer, and with hope.' The selfie-loving siblings already started filming the 16th season of their reality show in late August as part of their massive $100M deal with the E! Network through 2020 - according to Variety. Missing LA? The Glam Masters producer announced Tuesday that she's 'ready to serve looks in 2019' with a BTS snap of herself surrounded by water and 'hair artist' Chris Appleton Kardashian pondered resolutions and tweeted on Monday: 'I pray that I may carry good things into the year ahead. I pray that I may carry on with faith, with prayer, and with hope' It looks like Matt Damon and his family won't be moving to Australia after all. Following reports the actor, 48, was considering purchasing a property in Byron Bay, he has reportedly snapped up the most expensive apartment in Brooklyn instead. The news will surely disappoint Chris Hemsworth, who has welcomed Matt and his family with open arms during their many visits to the NSW coastal town recently. Guess he's not moving to Byron Bay! Matt Damon has bought the most expensive apartment in Brooklyn for $23.7million - after rumours he was looking for a property near Chris Hemsworth It was reported last week by the New York Times that Matt had purchased the property for US$16.7million (AUD$23.7million). The penthouse is situated in The Standish, a luxury 12-storey building located in Brooklyn Heights. Matt's new home reportedly consists of the top three floors, and comes with concierge services, a fitness center and a 24-hour doorman. The high life! After months of speculation he was considering buying a property in Byron Bay, Matt has instead snapped up the top three floors of The Standish building in Brooklyn Matt's purchase follows rumours last year that he was preparing to relocate with his family to Australia. Page Six claimed his move Down Under would 'not impact his work' as he was prepared to 'travel to wherever his projects are shooting'. However, a representative denied these claims at the time. Just a holiday! Last year, Matt was often seen in Byron Bay - a coastal town known for its relaxed atmosphere - with his wife Luciana Barroso and their four children. Pictured: Matt and Luciana on October 22, 2017 in Westwood, California Having fun Down Under! Matt and Luciana are pictured enjoying beers with Chris Hemsworth's wife Elsa Pataky while on holiday in Byron Bay in March 2018 Last year, Matt was often seen in Byron Bay - a coastal town known for its relaxed atmosphere - with his wife Luciana Barroso and their four children. The couple were frequently spotted with Chris Hemsworth and his family, sparking rumours they were planning to become neighbours. Their outings included trips to local music festivals, helicopter rides and long summer days at the beach. The very first episode of Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club aired on New Year's Day and the boss demonstrated a very odd approach to recruitment. The 32-year-old was scarcely seen in the pilot, except to deliver her no-nonsense approach to running her new exclusive resort on the Greek island of Mykonos. 'I won't have any drama at my clubs,' she insisted of her potential employee hosts. No drama allowed! The very first episode of Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club aired on New Year's Day and the boss demonstrated a very odd approach to recruitment The show then introduced the nine ridiculously-attractive twenty-something year olds, all of whom are single, some of whom are bisexual, many of whom had restricted upbringings, all of whom are 'not afraid to speak their minds', and all of whom will be housed together for the duration of the show. The first episode saw the actress describe her vision: to recruit the best VIP hosts in the US to make the ambassadors for the Lohan Brand. Fans were also introduced to her partner and creative director Panos, who isn't afraid to speak his mind about the Mean Girls star. The 32-year-old was scarcely seen in the pilot, except to deliver her no-nonsense approach to running her new exclusive resort on the Greek island of Mykonos What could possibly go wrong? The show then introduced the nine ridiculously-attractive twenty-something year olds, all of whom are single, some of whom are bisexual, many of whom had restricted upbringings, all of whom are 'not afraid to speak their minds', and all of whom will be housed together for the duration of the show Hosts: The first episode saw the actress describe her vision: to recruit the best VIP hosts in the US to make the ambassadors for the Lohan Brand Right hand man: Fans were also introduced to her partner and creative director Panos, who isn't afraid to speak his mind about the Mean Girls star 'Sometimes she's difficult,' he admits amid his gushing. 'She's very strict, and very opinionated.' Then followed the nine employees: Brent, Gabi, Jonitta, Mike, Aristotle, Sara, Jules, May, and Billy, via lots and lots of slow mo posing on the beach. Each introduced their backstory, sprinkled with a healthy sprinkling of worship for their new boss. Then followed the nine employees: May (L), Gabi (C), Jonitta (R), Mike, Aristotle, Sara, Jules, Brent, and Billy, via lots and lots of slow mo posing on the beach Icon: Each introduced their backstory, sprinkled with a healthy sprinkling of worship for their new boss Boy zone: Mike (L), Billy (C) and Aristotle (R) each gave the girls a run for their money in the posing stakes 'When I was a little girl i wanted to be like her, now i work for her,' one admission rings. 'Icon' is used at least once, while another host retells how Lindsey was forced to flee to Greece because of unrelenting paparazzi. Most of the first hour-long episode was dedicated to introducing the nine characters, although a sneak peak ahead for each showed there was plenty of the drama Lindsay is so determined to avoid. Cracks: Most of the first hour-long episode was dedicated to introducing the nine characters, although a sneak peak ahead for each showed there was plenty of the drama Lindsay is so determined to avoid Research: Flashes of the hosts pasts seemed to include plenty of drama too Thirsty: Brent gets a round of drinks poured over him for claiming all the girls were '2s' Brent for example who was once fired from a restaurant for 'sleeping with all of the waitresses' is seen striking up a relationship with Sara. But he is later 'overheard' telling the guys that he doesn't think she is that attractive, that in fact he considers all the girls in the house ugly, that he is 'surrounded by 2s', and that he might consider dating Sara 'maybe if she weighed 7lbs less'. which earns him a parade of drinks thrown over him by the eavesdropping females. Stern boss Lindsay also shows up in future flashes, admonishing Jules for daring to speak over her ('because I'm your boss') and Gabi for admitting she had personal goals and not solely promoting the Lohan Brand as her motivation for joining the show; the well-endowed Gabi also got an earful for not 'wearing a bra meeting me for the first time'. She has been keeping a low profile of late, but Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) made a triumphant return on the cover of ELLE Australia this month. Appearing in the publication's January/February 2019 issue, the 31-year-old looked simply stunning in a back-to-basics photo shoot. Posing for the magazine's cover, Lara gazed into the camera while wearing an oversized cream shirt. Cover girl: She has been keeping a low profile of late, but Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) made a triumphant return on the cover of ELLE Australia this month She appeared fresh-faced, with her freckled skin clearly visible behind a minimal makeup palette. Another photo showed Lara wearing white briefs and a semi-sheer sleeveless baby doll top. She smiled playfully while wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. Natural beauty: Appearing in the publication's January/February 2019 issue, the 31-year-old looked simply stunning in a back-to-basics photo shoot Laid-back: In another photo, Lara reclined on an outdoor step while soaking up the sunshine In a third photo, Lara reclined on an outdoor step while soaking up the sunshine. She dressed in a slinky white dress with cut-out paneling on one thigh, and her hair was swept back in a bun. In her interview with the fashion magazine, Lara revealed it was one of her 'favourite' photo shoots. 'It's probably one of my favourite ones, just because it's so natural and not much makeup and my hair is back - I always have my bloody hair out!' she said. The great escape: Lara, who has been married to actor Sam Worthington since 2014, said it was nice to escape reality for a bit during the photo shoot Lara - who has been married to actor Sam Worthington, 42, since 2014 - also said it was nice to escape from reality for a bit. The couple are parents to two young sons, Rocket, three, and Racer, two, and Lara admitted life can be hectic at times. 'Any time to shoot is like a little holiday for me! It's nice. I used to think it was work and now it's like a little escape,' she added. The Punisher will be back soon to inflict more pain. Netflix released a new teaser for the second season of its Marvel series on Tuesday. The short clip, which does not feature star Jon Bernthal, shows the eponymous character forsaking any way out from his dangerous life. Coming soon: Netflix released a new teaser for the second season of its Marvel series on Tuesday The Punisher was originally one of five Marvel comics shows on Netflix, along with Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. Despite initial success and critical acclaim, three of the shows were recently cancelled. The Punisher's second season will debut sometime in January, and Jessica Jones' third season will appear sometime later in the year. New teaser: In the 29 second video, we see Frank Castle/Punisher unfurling an official letter Full and unconditional: The document appears to be a federal pardon from the President of the United States In the 29 second video, we see Frank Castle/Punisher unfurling an official letter. Notably, we never see Jon Bernthal, just the character's hands. The document appears to be a federal pardon from the President of the United States. The seemingly unamused assassin flips open his lighter and set the pice of paper aflame. As the paper burns, Frank grabs his keys, including a large caliber bullet, and leaves. The blaze eventually fizzles out, leaving a skull shaped pile of ash that makes the sinister Punisher logo. Time to go: As the paper burns, Frank grabs his keys, including a large caliber bullet, and leaves It begins again: The blaze eventually fizzles out, leaving a skull shaped pile of ash that makes the sinister Punisher logo Shaky ground: Industry insiders believe that Netflix is jettisoning its shows from outside producers so it can focus its resources and funds on its own projects The Punisher should be on solid footing after receiving mostly positive reviews for its first season, but its future is far from certain. Industry insiders believe that Netflix is jettisoning its shows from outside producers so it can focus its resources and funds on its own projects. The cancellation of the other Marvel shows, despite strong ratings for Daredevil and Luke Cage, suggest the streaming giant is tired of working with other studios. The subject remains opaque, as Netflix usually refuses to release streaming figures for its own shows and films. If The Punisher and Jessica Jones end up on the chopping block after their upcoming seasons it will signal that Netflix no longer has any interest in collaborating with outside studios. Since hitting the big time, Ruby Rose tends to run with an A-list crowd including Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber. But while celebrating the festive season back home in Melbourne, the 32 year-old made time for old friend, Nick Giannopoulos. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the Acropolis Now actor, 55, looked chuffed to be posing next to the new blonde, while hanging out together at Pontoon in St Kilda. Scroll down for video Who knew they were friends! Ruby Rose, 32, hung out with comedian Nick Giannopoulos, 55, during a festive trip home to Melbourne this week 'It was great catching up w @rubyrose - a hugely talented Aussie kicking some serious global butt,' he wrote. Flaunting her new platinum locks, Ruby cut an eye-catching figure in a multi-print shirt and Gucci bum bag, while Nick attempted to match the star with a black Gucci T-shirt. And he made light of the matching labels, writing: 'Hope everybody has a SuperGucci 2019.' Her close circle: Since hitting the big time, Ruby tends to run with an A-list crowd including Taylor Swift (left, pictured at the 2016 GLAAD Awards) and Justin Bieber (right, in 2015) It comes after Ruby debuted one of her most dramatic hairstyles yet on Sunday, taking to Instagram to reveal her Eminem-inspired 'do. The DJ-turned-actress showed off her cropped blonde locks while posing for a photo in Melbourne's CBD. Ruby captioned the photo: 'Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?' 'Will the real Slim Shady please stand up!' The beauty debuted one of her most dramatic hairstyles yet on Sunday, taking to Instagram to reveal her Eminem-inspired 'do This was in reference to the American rapper Eminem, who is known for his short blond hair. Ruby is perhaps best known for having brunette hair, to which she occasionally adds highlights. Ruby recently returned home to Melbourne to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. They've proved inseparable ever since they confirmed their romance following their Strictly Come Dancing stint. And Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell appeared smitten as they shared a series of loved-up snaps to celebrating entering the new year together on Instagram on Tuesday. The YouTuber, 27, couldn't contain his affection for the professional dancer, 29, as he planted a passionate kiss on her cheek in a sweet snap. True love: Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell appeared smitten as they shared a series of loved-up snaps to celebrating entering the new year together on Instagram on Tuesday Putting on a romantic display, vlogger Joe enjoyed a snuggle with the make-up free star during an evening stroll in the UK. In another snap, the TV personality appeared in high spirits as he gazed adoringly at the Australian beauty. Joe sent his well wishes for the new year to his loyal fanbase as he captioned the images: 'Happy new year everybody! What an absolute corker of a year 2018 was! And 2019 is already off to the best possible start.' In awe: The YouTuber, 27, couldn't contain his affection for the professional dancer, 29, as he gazed adoringly at her following their reunion during the festive period Earlier that week, Joe and Dianne shared sweet clips of their reunion which saw them sing to several songs together. The red-headed beauty, who spent Christmas with her family in Australia, looked relaxed as she sat in Joe's arms. Dianne jetted off to Australia's sandy shores to spend the Christmas period with her family, after she had joined her beau on a getaway to a lavish retreat priced at 2,850 per night. Cute: Earlier that week, Joe and Dianne, who spent Christmas with her family in Australia, shared sweet clips of their reunion which saw them sing to several songs together Family first: Dianne jetted off to Australia's sandy shores to spend the Christmas period with her family, after she had joined her beau on a getaway to a lavish retreat priced at 2,850 per night The dancer and her love were joined by his sister Zoella and her boyfriend Alfie Deyes at the plush getaway. Swept up in the early throes of passionate love, no doubt Dianne going home for the holidays has proved difficult for the pair. Joe first went public with their romance when he shared a snap of the two of them following the Strictly final saying he had 'won' the love of Dianne. He wrote: 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.' They reunited in Los Angeles right before Christmas to spend the holidays together. And actress siblings Dakota and Elle Fanning rang in the New Year together, sharing snaps of the two of them celebrating to their social media Monday night. The young women are both wearing black dresses as they raise a champagne toast to 2019. Party time: Actress siblings Dakota and Elle Fanning rang in the New Year together, wearing black dresses and raising a champagne toast to 2019 Dakota, 24, wore a strapless dress that fell to the ankles and a pair of sparkly sandal heels. Her long hair was loose and styled with a center parting. Elle, 20, opted for a knee-length frock with a round neck and half sleeves and black stiletto heels. She wore her blonde hair in a stylish updo. The snaps appeared to have been taken at a luxury hotel, one in a corridor outside a room and another in a lavish marble bathroom. Sisters and friends: The photos posted to Instagram appeared to have been taken at a luxury hotel, including this one snapped in a lavish marble bathroom. Despite their young ages, both sisters already have impressive Hollywood resumes. Dakota has starred in popular films such as Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Man on Fire (2004), War Of The World's (2005), Charlotte's Web (2006), and all three of the hugely popular Twilight films beginning in 2009. Most recently she starred in Ocean's 8 (2018) and on the TNT series The Alienist. She also has a role in the much anticipated Quentin Tarantino crime mystery Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, which stars Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. The list of big productions for Elle include Deja Vu (2006), Babel (2006), Reservation Road (2007), Somewhere( 2010) and Super 8 (2011) and Maleficient (2014). Elle has been in London in recent months filming the follow-up, Maleficent II, alongside Angelina Jolie. As the arch luvvie who popularised Big Brother, Peter Bazalgette was famously pilloried as a 'cultural vandal' charged with the 'dumbing down' of television. The flamboyant executive has now, however, been fully embraced by the Establishment by being quietly appointed to the committee which hands out honours on behalf of the Queen. I can reveal that Bazalgette, 65, is to be made a member of the Arts and Media Honours Committee which will raise serious questions about potential conflicts of interests as he's also chairman of ITV. Peter Bazalgette (pictured above) was famously pilloried as a 'cultural vandal' charged with the 'dumbing down' of television 'It's outrageous,' a Whitehall source tells me. 'He will be in a position to suggest that ITV stars are rewarded with knighthoods, damehoods and OBEs.' But friends of the arts panjandrum (right), who has served as chairman of English National Opera and Arts Council England, say the committee will benefit from his expertise. 'It's good that there are apparent conflicts of interest,' claims one pal. 'He can tell them who's good and who's bad! He has been appointed because he knows who in the arts deserves to be honoured. Peter Bazalgette is being quietly appointed to the committee which hands out honours on behalf of the Queen (pictured above) Contestants of Big Brother left to right: Gleb, Sandi, Bobby, Megan, Louie, Lorraine, Ashley, Charlotte 'Of course, he will declare his interests every time it is relevant.' He will replace Julian Fellowes, the Oscar-winning creator of Downton Abbey, as the committee's film and television expert. Baz made his fortune in television production, creating programmes such as Channel 4's Big Brother and Channel 5's The Farm, which saw David Beckham's alleged lover Rebecca Loos manually stimulating a pig. Emma Willis (left) has presented Big Brother since 2013. Eamon Holmes (right) receiving his honors from the Queen Friends joke that while his great-great-grandfather, the Victorian engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, who designed London's sewage system, rid homes of ordure, Baz junior has been pumping it back in again. At least he already has a knighthood, awarded in 2012 before he became chairman of Arts Council England. Previously, there's been criticism that gongs have gone to serving members of the committee. For all upwardly mobile luvvies, Baz will now be the first port of call en route to Buckingham Palace. Fashion icon Alexa's 3.5m loss Alexa Chung (pictured above) is struggling to produce flattering figures at Alpha Charlie Regulary hailed a Style Icon at the British Fashion Awards, Alexa Chung is nevertheless struggling to produce flattering financial figures at her eponymous label. Accounts for its operating company, Alpha Charlie, disclose a 2 million increase in losses in the past year, to 3.5 million. Others might find that debt crushing. But the 35-year-old model and presenter inspires faith in her shareholders. Their investment of just less than 4 million has kept the firm 440,000 in the black. Nicole Kidman, whose performance on the West End stage was once described as 'pure theatrical Viagra', will not be perking up theatregoers again anytime soon. 'I did it in London . . . and it was hard,' admits the Oscar-winner, who has two daughters with her musician husband Keith Urban: Sunday, ten, and Faith, eight. Kidman, whose most recent London stage role was in Photograph 51 in 2015, adds: 'You miss bedtime. I can't miss bedtime. That makes me cry.' Defiant Tolstoy's joyful leap out of troubled year Alexandra Tolstoy (pictured above) posted this picture to her Instagram account Facing eviction by the end of this month from her 8.9 million house in Chelsea, and estranged from her oligarch lover Sergei Pugachev, socialite Alexandra Tolstoy could be forgiven for retreating from the world in despair. But it seems that's not the 45-year-old's style: she has instead greeted the New Year with arms outstretched and with a carefree smile. 'Landing in 2019,' the mother of three wrote online next to this image of her leaping in the air in a flouncy white dress and patchwork-effect top. Before Christmas, she said of their West London home: 'We have to be out by the end of January and have nowhere to move to.' The impending eviction is the consequence of High Court action taken against Pugachev once known as Putin's Banker by state creditors in Moscow, who accuse him of embezzling more than 655 million. Is Bridget Jones creator Helen Fielding turning into her fictional heroine? The 60-year-old author has published her New Year's resolutions online and they will be remarkably familiar to readers of her novels. 'I will lose 7 lb,' she declares. 'Drink no more than 14 units per week; never be late again; go to gym five times a week, not merely to buy a cappuccino.' How about write a new Bridget Jones book? That's the resolution Fielding's fans would wish to hear. Jamie Oliver's moan that his offer to cook for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding did not even receive a reply has failed to win sympathy from the Queen's former press secretary, Dickie Arbiter. 'From my own experience, all correspondence is acknowledged, so why's he whingeing seven months after the nuptials?' Arbiter sneers. 'Is this a publicity stunt to fuel an ailing business?' Too harsh, surely? The Ukrainian Embassy to the United States reprimanded the CNN broadcaster on Wednesday for materials that mark the Crimean city of Simferopol as part of Russia. The materials in question concern the New Year's celebrations around the world, with one of them containing a photo captioned "Fireworks go off over central Simferopol, Russia." "We hope that our friends from @CNN will do better fact checking and content choice. Simferopol is a Ukrainian city in Crimean peninsula occupied by Russia. Don't follow Russia's playbook," the embassy tweeted, UrduPoint reported. Crimea rejoined Russia in 2014, days after power change in Ukraine, when 97 percent of those participating in a regional referendum voted for the reunification. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the issue of Crimea's territorial belonging is "historically closed" as Crimean residents decided to rejoin Russia in accordance with democratic procedures. They've been enjoying the holidays in the celebrity-friendly hangout of Aspen, Colorado. And on Monday, Kyle Richards and husband Mauricio Umansky enjoyed a New Year's Eve lunch together in the tony resort. The couple were snapped walking arm in arm as snow fell. Vacation: Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky were snapped walking arm in arm as snow fell as they stepped out for a New Year's Eve lunch together in Aspen, Colorado on Monday The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star was dressed all in black, stepping out in a warm overcoat and fluffy boots with a scarf wrapped around her neck. She added a fedora and carried a black shoulder purse. Kyle, 49, was fully made up with black eye liner and mascara, blusher and pink lip color, and she accessorized with diamond stud earrings. Mauricio, 48, wore a green Parka with fur-trimmed hood along with blue jeans and brown boots and added a gray knit beanie. Family fun times: Later on Monday night, Kyle and Mauricio were spotted out and about with their daughters as they celebrated the arrival of 2019 in the upscale ski resort Later on Monday night, Kyle and Mauricio were spotted out and about with their daughters as they celebrated the arrival of 2019. The family jetted out to Aspen after Kyle spent Christmas Eve at Kris Jenner's annual party. Kyle took to Instagram to post a few photos from the bash including one with the hostess and Momager. Party! Kyle previously shared snaps to her Instagram from Kris Jenner's Christmas Eve bash where she celebrated the festive season before heading to Aspen Coronation Street fans were left shocked on New Year's Day as Lewis Archer dropped dead just moment before he was set to propose to Audrey Roberts. The former conman, played by Nigel Havers, only made his return to the cobbles this summer, after making his first appearance in 2009. In a shocking scene, Audrey headed to the bedroom and found Lewis' lifeless body lying on the bedroom floor. No! Coronation Street fans were left shocked on New Year's Day as Lewis Archer dropped dead just moment before he was set to propose to Audrey Roberts Heartbreak: In a shocking scene, Audrey headed to the bedroom and found Lewis' lifeless body lying on the bedroom floor Tragically, Lewis, who previously stole thousands from the Platt family, was still holding an engagement ring in his hand as he prepared to pop the question to her. Audrey's daughter Gail had been convinced he was trying to steal her mother' money but Lewis had actually planned to propose before heading to Barbados. As she cradled his body, Audrey said: 'Oh my goodness Lewis. Come on love. Can you hear me? She then burst into tears as she found the box with the engagement ring inside. Engagement: Tragically, Lewis, who previously stole thousands from the Platt family, was still holding an engagement ring in his hand as he prepared to pop the question to her Grief:Audrey's daughter Gail had been convinced he was trying to steal her mother' money but Lewis had actually planned to propose before heading to Barbados Audrey revealed that Lewis had visited the doctors that morning after suffering pains in his shoulder and chest. She then shouted at Gail for making her think Lewis was lying. Audrey said: 'He was going to ask me to marry him and I would have said yes. He was so fed up with you really. He was tired of being haunted. He'd had enough. And so have I.' Holding you: As she cradled his body, Audrey said: 'Oh my goodness Lewis. Come on love. Can you hear me?' Fury: Audrey said: 'He was going to ask me to marry him and I would have said yes. He was so fed up with you really. He was tired of being haunted. He'd had enough. And so have I' A pleading Gail apologised but Audrey asked her to leave as she held Lewis in her arms. This came 20 years after Audrey's first husband Alf Roberts died in an armchair from a heart attack after attending the New Year's Eve birthday party of Nick Tilsley. Nigel first arrived in the soap in 2009 as a male escort who soon caught the eye of Audrey Roberts before getting involved in a love triangle with her and Rita. Shock passing: Audrey revealed that Lewis had visited the doctors that morning after suffering pains in his shoulder and chest Tragic anniversary: This came 20 years after Audrey's first husband Alf Roberts died in an armchair from a heart attack after attending the New Year's Eve birthday party of Nick Tilsley His romance with Audrey progressed and he suggested moving to a Greek island, but the relationship was doomed after he stole a large sum of money from Peter Barlow's betting shop and fled the country. The Chariots of Fire star then returned in 2012 as a changed man who wanted to apologise to those he had hurt and to make amends for his devious ways, inclduing giving the money back to Peter. He rekindled his romance with Audrey and decided to go on holiday with Audrey which caused a feud between her and David. But it all ended in tears as the pair went their separate ways. Tiffany Haddish has apologized for her New Year's Eve show during which many fans walked out on her. The 39-year-old actress retweeted an article which said her stand-up set 'bombed' and admitted that the headline was accurate. 'Yes this happened. I wish it was better Miami,' the Girls Trip star wrote above the article. Sorry: Tiffany Haddish has apologized for her New Year's Eve show during which many fans walked out on her She concluded the post, 'I prayed on it and I have a strong feeling this will never happened again. [SIC]' Monday night's performance at the James L. Night Center in Miami was marred by walkouts after the comedienne struggled through her set, forgetting jokes and cursing at the audience. At one point, the Night School actress told the crowd, 'This is weird for me. Now, this is going to be on TMZ or whatever.' Tough crowd: Tiffany was booed at times and suffered an exodus of fans from her Monday night show Driven to drink: Tiffany then moved onto drinking, clutching a bottle of Ciroc vodka and telling the audience, 'This is probably the only time you're ever going to see me like this, because I'm never doing this again.' Giving back: She then swigged from the bottle before handing it to an audience member, to cheers and applause Debacle: Monday night's performance at the James L. Night Center in Miami was marred by walkouts after the comedienne struggled through her set, forgetting jokes and cursing at the audience Eventually the funny lady appeared to give up on winning the crowd back, telling them, 'Y'all might as well move on clubbing.' Tiffany then moved onto drinking, clutching a bottle of Ciroc vodka and telling the audience, 'This is probably the only time you're ever going to see me like this, because I'm never doing this again.' She then swigged from the bottle before handing it to an audience member, to cheers and applause. Fans took to social media to complain, with many using the hashtag #SheNOTReady, a reference to the comic's earlier live show, titled She Ready. She not ready? Fans took to social media to complain, with many using the hashtag #SheNOTReady, a reference to the comic's earlier live show, titled She Ready Party animal: Earlier on Monday, the tired-looking Nobody's Fool actress posted a video to Instagram in which she admitted she'd 'partied all night' before her show, not getting to bed until 7am What was it again? Haddish then forgot the name of the theater she's to perform in while trying to promote the show Earlier on Monday, the tired-looking Nobody's Fool actress posted a video to Instagram in which she admitted she'd 'partied all night' before her show, not getting to bed until 7am. She then forgot the name of the theater she's to perform in while trying to promote the show. 'Ciroc is still in my system,' admitted the star at the end of the video. On Tuesday, Daily Mail Australia revealed that former Home and Away star Dan Ewing had briefly split with his girlfriend-of-two-years Kat Risteska at the end of November. And just a few hours after the news broke, the 33 year-old actor put the couple's troubles behind them as he paid a touching tribute to Kat on Instagram. 'I got a hot 5ft 2in chica to carry me into 2019,' he captioned a black and white photo of his girlfriend giving him a piggyback ride. Scroll down for video What break-up? Former Home and Away star Dan Ewing has paid a touching New Year's tribute to his girlfriend Kat Risteska - just weeks after their secret split Kat immediately responded to the post with a love heart emoji. While the lovebirds are putting on a united front as they head into 2019, Daily Mail Australia understands their relationship isn't exactly picture perfect. In late November, they broke up before getting back together a week later. The circumstances of their brief split are currently unclear. Tumultuous: On Tuesday, Daily Mail Australia revealed that Dan had briefly split with his girlfriend-of-two-years at the end of November, before they reconciled a week later. Pictured together on New Year's Eve However, a person with knowledge of the situation claimed that an argument at Kat's Gold Coast apartment may have led to the break-up. Kat even hinted at the split on Instagram at the time, removing Dan's initials 'D.E.' from her bio. It's understood the couple reconciled by early December. What happened? The circumstances of the break-up, which lasted just one week before the pair eventually reunited, are currently unclear. Pictured on August 22, 2018 in Sydney Hmm! Kat hinted at the split on Instagram at the time, removing Dan's initials 'D.E.' from her bio. Pictured right: Kat's Instagram as it appeared on January 1 Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dan Ewing and Kat Risteska for comment. The pair began dating in 2016, about a year after Dan separated from his now ex-wife Marni Little, with whom he shares a son, Archer. Last year, Dan praised his girlfriend during a joint interview on The Morning Show. 'I was single for about eight months give or take and then it was just months of stalking her [online] really!' Dan said of their early courtship. Kat also confirmed during their TV appearance that Dan had 'followed' her on Instagram before they struck up a romance. They're fresh from a winter break to the sunny climes of Barbados. And Chloe Goodman and her lookalike sister Lauryn were enjoying a night out in Manchester on Tuesday, attending The Nuage Event in style together. Former CBB star Chloe, 25, was embracing a glamorous look in a perilously plunging bodysuit with silver glitter detailing. Sister act: Chloe Goodman and her lookalike sister Lauryn were enjoying a night out in Manchester on Tuesday, attending The Nuage Event in style together Chloe styled her red hair in a high braid and highlighted her cheekbones with a liberal amount of bronzer. The model showed off her quirky hairdo in a social media post, joking that she was inspired by Will Ferrell flick Blades Of Glory. The star's jumpsuit clung ot her every curve and was set off with a pair of white strappy stilettos. Ice-skater chic: The model showed off her quirky hairdo in a social media post, joking that she was inspired by Will Ferrell flick Blades Of Glory Sister Lauryn was also dressed to impress in a figure-clinging white dress. She upped the glamour thanks to a diamante choker necklace and styled her hair in a similar braided style. It is in the Goodman genes to chase a career in the limelight with the reality star's sisters Lauryn and Amelia tying in the flashbulbs between studies. Stepping out: Also seen at the bash was Love Island 2017 star Tyne-Lexy Clarkson Middle sister Chloe led the way when she starred on the first series of MTV's Ex On The Beach in 2014. She returned to the show in 2016 for the fifth season, while also appearing in CBB in 2015. Her reality appearances have always been steeped in controversy, starting with her locking lips with Ashley Cain in the inaugural series of Ex On The Beach. She was ejected from the fifth season of the show for her aggressive behaviour. She also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and hit the headlines following a devastating incident, in which she was groped by fellow housemate Jeremy Jackson - after which she revealed she felt unsafe living in the house. Silver stunner: The star's jumpsuit clung ot her every curve and was set off with a pair of white strappy stilettos It looks like Natasha Oakley finished 2018 on a high. The bikini model spent the holidays with her new boyfriend Theo Chambers, who is the wealthy son of Chambers Cellar tycoon Steven Chambers. In a photo shared to Instagram on Sunday, the couple couldn't keep their hands off each other as they soaked up the sun with friends at Sydney's Balmoral Beach. Scroll down for video Summer love! Natasha Oakley and her new businessman boyfriend Theo Chambers (both centre) couldn't keep their hands off each other at Sydney's Balmoral Beach on Sunday Natasha, who wore a nude-coloured string bikini and white sarong, sat on Theo's lap in the photo. The pair were joined by a group of friends and appeared to be enjoying the summer weather at the members-only Balmoral Beach Club. In pictures obtained by Daily Mail Australia on Sunday, Natasha and Theo were certainly not shy when it came to expressing their affection for one another. Lovers: In pictures obtained by Daily Mail Australia on Sunday, Natasha and Theo were certainly not shy when it came to expressing their affection for one another And on Monday night, Theo confirmed their relationship status, taking to Instagram to share a loved-up photo of the couple. 'Starting the new year with a smile,' he captioned the snap. It comes one month after Natasha was pictured on what appeared to be a rather awkward date with Hollywood 'bad boy' Alex Pettyfer, 28. The pair looked tense and uncomfortable while dining together at Mauro's Cafe on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. Making it official! On Monday night, Theo confirmed their relationship status, taking to Instagram to share a loved-up photo of the couple In July, Natasha confirmed her split from French model and father-of-one Gilles Souteyrand after three years together. 'Yes, I am single at the moment,' she wrote on Instagram in response to a follower who asked about her relationship status. Before dating Gilles, she was romantically linked to reality TV star Martin Medus. Cardi B flew into Sydney on a private plane from Perth on Monday afternoon, after experiencing some airport dramas over the weekend. And despite her VIP arrival, the American rapper was a little more modest with her choice of accommodation. The 26-year-old enjoyed a two-night stay at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park's Matt Blatt suite, which is rather small compared to the accommodation she is used to. Keeping it real! Inside Cardi B's rather modest Sydney hotel suite - after she flew into the city on a private jet on Monday. Pictured: Cardi in her suite before partying on New Year's Eve While most A-list stars visiting from overseas spend several thousand dollars per night on suites overlooking Sydney Harbour, Cardi's room would have only set her back a few hundred dollars a night. It comes with views of Sydney's CBD, a separate living room, a bedroom and a kitchen with electric stovetop, microwave, toaster and kettle. However it doesn't look like Cardi used any of the cooking appliances, as she instead placed a huge room service order on Monday night - including platters of fresh fruit and expensive seafood. It's got everything you need! The 26-year-old enjoyed a two-night stay at Pullman Sydney Hyde Park's Matt Blatt suite, which is rather small compared to the accommodation she is used to Affordable option: While most A-list stars visiting from overseas spend several thousand dollars per night on suites overlooking Sydney Harbour, Cardi's room would have only set her back a few hundred dollars a night The suite is a collaboration between Pullman Sydney Hyde Park and Matt Blatt Furniture, with the homewares store styling the room with its products. It also features a 55-inch television in the lounge area, with Netflix available, as well as complimentary wireless internet. When Cardi left the five-star accommodation on Tuesday ahead of her performance at the Field Day festival, she greeted fans outside the hotel. Seafood platter: It doesn't look like Cardi used any of the cooking appliances on offer in the hotel suite, instead placing a huge room service order on Monday night Showstopper! Cardi delighted her Sydney fans on Tuesday evening by simulating a sex act on stage at the Field Day festival, rhythmically twerking and thrusting her body into the floor She then delighted Sydney fans that evening by simulating a sex act on stage, rhythmically twerking and thrusting her body into the floor. It was an early start for Cardi on Wednesday, with the star's publicist Patientce Foster revealing she was making her way to New Zealand. Cardi will perform at Trustpower Baypark Stadium in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday as a headline act at the Bay Dreams festival. She is then scheduled to headline Nelson's Bay Dreams festival on January 4. Humble: Despite arriving into Sydney from Perth on Monday in a private jet, the rapper was a little more modest with her choice of accommodation She has built a multi-million dollar fitness empire thanks to her picture-perfect Instagram posts. But Tammy Hembrow looks remarkably different in real life, as photos taken of her leaving a Gold Coast gym on Saturday demonstrate. The 24-year-old, who is known on social media for her hourglass figure and perky derriere, displayed a noticeably flatter bottom while making her way to her car. The disappearing derriere! Tammy Hembrow looked very different from her Instagram photos (right) when she was spotted outside a Gold Coast gym on Saturday (left) Dressed in skintight grey leggings, the makeup-free businesswoman looked far less glamorous than she does on Instagram after her gruelling workout. Her blonde hair was swept up in a messy bun and she had visible sweat patches on her clothes following the exercise session. Tammy has nine million followers on Instagram, including members of the Kardashian family, who regularly heap praise on her flawless selfies. Hmm! The 24-year-old, who is known on social media for her hourglass figure and perky derriere, displayed a noticeably flatter bottom while making her way to her car (left) 'Did you have a Brazilian butt lift?' In October, trolls accused the mother-of-two of having a 'fake' backside after she shared a video of herself wearing a G-string to Instagram In October, trolls accused the mother-of-two of having a 'fake' backside after she shared a video of herself wearing a G-string to Instagram. 'Did you have a Brazilian butt lift?' one follower asked, which prompted Tammy to reply that she had 'a 100 [per cent] natural booty'. The Queenslander rose to fame in 2014 after sharing incredible photos of her post-baby body, just two months after giving birth. Then and now: Tammy previously shared this before and after photo to Instagram and told fans she transformed her body 'with hard work, consistency and determination' She went on to build a lucrative fitness empire, which includes her workout app Tammy Fit and activewear label Saski Collection. Tammy is believed to be worth at least $3million, with reported earnings for Saski reaching over $3.6million in just 12 months, according to a representative. In August last year, she made international headlines after collapsing at Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday party in Los Angeles. Nicole Kidman certainly had a successful 2018. And the Oscar-winning actress is now looking towards the New Year and how she plans to spend 2019. Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the 51-year-old shared a photo of herself wearing an elegant dress while standing knee-deep in the ocean. Ethereal: Nicole Kidman looked like a real-life mermaid while posing in the ocean wearing an elegant green dress, in a photo shared to Instagram on Tuesday The one-shoulder frock floated on top of the water, giving Nicole a mermaid-like appearance as she smiled for the camera. Her blonde hair was styled in loose waves and billowed in the wind, and she appeared to go without makeup-free for the occasion. Nicole wrote in the caption: 'I love this quote from Mary Oliver's The Summer Day. So as the new year begins, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"' Holiday spirit: The Moulin Rouge! star and her country music star husband Keith Urban (left) recently spent Christmas in Australia before returning to their home in Nashville, Tennessee It was a busy 2018 for Nicole, who began filming Big Little Lies season two and also starred in several critically-acclaimed movies, including Boy Erased and Aquaman. She picked up a handful of awards, such as a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie for her role as Celeste Wright in Big Little Lies. Meanwhile, she was awarded an AACTA for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Joel Edgerton-directed drama Boy Erased. Success! It was a busy 2018 for Nicole, who began filming Big Little Lies season two and also starred in several critically-acclaimed movies, including Boy Erased and Aquaman Nicole also has several projects that are in the pre-production stages or are expected to be released in 2019. The Moulin Rouge! star and her country music star husband Keith Urban recently spent Christmas in Australia before returning to their home in Nashville, Tennessee. The couple, who have been married since 2006, share two children: Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret. She is one of the most popular comedians in the world right now. But would you recognise this funnywoman from the childhood photo she shared to Instagram on Tuesday? In the throwback snap, the little girl looked distinctly unimpressed in a Mickey Mouse party hat as she prepared to blow out the candles on her birthday cake. Guess who! She's one of the world's most famous comedians - but would you recognise her from this rather unhappy childhood photo? The child is none other than Hannah Gadsby, the stand up comedian behind the popular Netflix special Nanette. Hannah, now 40, shared the flashback photo to Instagram alongside a recent picture of herself looking equally unhappy. 'New year. No change,' she wrote in the caption. 'New year, no change': The child in the photo is none other than Hannah Gadsby, the stand up comedian behind the Netflix special Nanette However some fans were quick to point out one significant change to Hannah's look over the past years. 'You have glasses now!' one follower commented. Hannah, who hails from Tasmania, Australia, rose to international fame in 2018 thanks to her Netflix comedy special Nanette. Breakout year: Hannah, who hails from Tasmania, Australia, rose to international fame in 2018 thanks to her Netflix comedy special. Pictured on June 19, 2018 in New York City Before her big break, Hannah starred in the ABC's Please Like Me alongside Josh Thomas, Thomas Ward and Debra Lawrance. Last year, she also presented at the Emmy Awards to much critical acclaim. Rumours are currently swirling that she may be invited to host the 2019 Oscars after Kevin Hart stepped down due to homophobic tweets he posted several years ago. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said his resolve for complete denuclearisation remains unchanged but he may have to seek a "new path" if the United States continues to demand unilateral action from North Korea. In his New Year address, Kim said there would be faster progress on denuclearisation if the United States takes corresponding action, The Sydney Morning Herald reports in its artilce Trump willing to meet North Korea's Kim after 'new path' warning. He added that he is willing to meet US President Donald Trump at any time to produce results that the international community would welcome. In response to the news, Trump wrote on Twitter, "I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!" North Korea however would have "no option but to explore a new path in order to protect our sovereignty" if the United States "miscalculates our people's patience, forces something upon us and pursues sanctions and pressure without keeping a promise it made in front of the world," Kim said. It was not clear what "new path" the North Korean leader was referring to. Kim and Trump vowed to work towards denuclearisation and build a "lasting and stable" peace regime at their landmark summit in Singapore last June, but both sides have since been struggling to make progress. Pyongyang has demanded Washington lift sanctions and declare an official end to the 1950-53 Korean War in response to its initial, unilateral steps toward denuclearisation, including dismantling its only known nuclear testing site and a key missile engine facility. Kim also called for South Korea to "completely stop" joint military drills with the United States involving strategic assets, while multilateral negotiations should be pursued to build a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. "Now that North and South Korea decided on the path of peace and prosperity, we insist that joint military exercises with outside forces should no longer be allowed and deployment of war weapons such as outside strategic assets should be completely stopped," Kim said. She spent New Year's Eve at home, playing backgammon with her love Normal Reedus. And Diane Kruger enjoyed an equally low key start to 2019 - taking her baby daughter for a stroll. The Inglourious Basterds star, 42, was seen in New York City on Tuesday, pushing her daughter in a stroller. Bundled up: Diane Kruger, 42, was seen going out for a stroll in New York City on Tuesday while pushing her baby daughter in a stroller Diane bundled up against the chill in a fuzzy, camel-colored coat over a red hoodie. The 5ft7in actress wore dark jeans over a pair of edgy black leather boots with decorative straps on the front and back. She completed the relaxed ensemble with a black sailors cap and a pair of cream-colored sunglasses. Staying warm: Diane bundled up against the chill in a fuzzy, camel-colored coat over a red hoodie Fierce shoes: The 5ft7in actress wore dark jeans over a pair of edgy black leather boots with decorative straps on the front and back On Monday, the German-American actress posted an Instagram photo bidding farewell to 2018 and serenading her partner, Norman, 49. The couple were shown sitting on a short wall and lean over for a tender kiss as they hold hands. '2018 has been a year of new beginnings....rewarding, if challenging journeys..but mostly, a year of love,' wrote the Welcome To Marwen actress. 'I would like to thank all of my friends who have been there for me and us this year, who have lifted me up and made me smile.' 'I am thankful for all the work opportunities I've had this year and the many people I've met along the way,' Diane continued. 'Thank you to all of YOU, who have shared some of my life this year here on Instagram...' 'But above all, I'd like to thank my love @bigbaldhead for giving me our daughter and for being an amazing dad and partner,' concluded the In The Fade star, referring to Norman. 'I love you HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU.' Norman posted his own New Year's Eve photo of a quiet night with Diane. The couple played a game of backgammon while sipping on drinks. New Year's love: 'But above all, I'd like to thank my love @bigbaldhead for giving me our daughter and for being an amazing dad and partner,' wrote Diane, referring to Norman Reedus Holiday games: Norman and Diane had a quiet night with a game of backgammon to usher in the new year. 'Best new yrs ever,' wrote Norman Diane first met her current love when the two acted in the 2015 film Sky. They started dating in 2016. Kruger and Reedus welcomed their daughter into the world in early November, but the couple have not yet been released the child's name. Last week, Norman released the first public photo of the child, a filtered shot of him holding the baby's hand. 'A lot to be thankful for this year,' he wrote. ' This one especially.' The Boondock Saints star also expressed love for his 19-year-old son Mingus, whom he shares with his former girlfriend, Dutch model Helena Christensen. It can be mortifying to show up at a party wearing the same dress as another guest. However Georgia Love attended a New Year's Day party on Tuesday, accidentally wearing the exact same outfit as her best friend, Elizabeth Anile. The 30-year-old took to Instagram to share a photo of the awkward moment, which saw the pair posed side by side in identical Alice McCall floral frocks. 'When the bestie vibes are too strong!' The Bachelorette's Georgia Love shows up at a New Year's Day party accidentally wearing the EXACT SAME outfit as her best friend ...down to their identical shoes. Georgia is pictured with Elizabeth Anile Not only were they wearing the same off-the-shoulder pale blue dresses, the women had the same Tony Bianco wedge shoes with beige ribbon ties. The former Bachelorette star captioned the photo: 'When the bestie vibes are TOO STRONG!' Mummy blogger Elizabeth took to her Instagram stories to film the moment, marvelling at their mistake. No way! Mummy blogger Elizabeth took to her Instagram stories to film the moment, marvelling at their mistake Who knew: 'When you go to a New Year's Day party in the exact same outfit as your best friend!' the blogger said to camera 'When you go to a New Year's Day party in the exact same outfit as your best friend!' she said to camera, showing off the pair's matching shoes. The women were attending the exclusive ONE NYD party at Stokehouse at St Kilda beach. On New Year's Eve Georgia had another mishap, as she ended up at a hospital with partner Lee Elliott. Oh no! On New Year's Eve Georgia had another mishap, as she ended up at a hospital with partner Lee Elliott (left) The couple certainly did ring in the start of 2019 together - albeit in the emergency room of Melbourne's Alfred Hospital. Mechanical plumber Lee, 37, was rushed to hospital after burning himself while clutching a handful of sparklers. Georgia, 30, took to Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday morning to share some light-hearted photos from their ER dash. 'Happy New Year from emergency! Don't hold a bunch of sparklers and light them all at once, kids!' she wrote, alongside the hashtags '2019 lessons' and 'his hand got lit'. She was most recently linked to Hollywood 'bad boy' Alex Pettyfer. But now it appears as though Natasha Oakley has a new beau, with Theo Chambers seemingly confirming their relationship status. The Sydney businessman shared an adorable snap of the pair to Instagram on Monday night. 'Starting the new year with a smile': Natasha Oakley's (left) new boyfriend Theo Chambers (right) appeared to confirm their relationship in loved-up snap Natasha, 28, wore a billowing white dress that showed a hint of skin at the side. While Theo wore a black button-up that was partially undone and white shorts. He had his hand placed over the MONDAY swimwear founder's pert derriere. New couple alert! Natasha has been single since July 2018 and rumours have swirled as to who she could be dating The businessman wrote beside the loved-up snap: 'Starting the new year with a smile.' The pair were first seen packing on the PDA in Bondi Junction on Saturday, putting on a encore performance on Sunday. Natasha's banker-turned-broker beau made headlines in 2016, when he threw a party at his multi-million dollar Palm Beach home which ended in violence. Familiar face! Natasha's banker-turned-broker beau (left) made headlines in 2016, when he threw a party at his multi-million dollar Palm Beach home which ended in violence, with Dylan Napa (right) being hospitalised Three people, including NRL star Dylan Napa, were taken to hospital after reportedly being assaulted at the exclusive charity bash, according to The Daily Telegraph. The beach sighting comes one month after Natasha was pictured on what appeared to be a rather awkward date with Hollywood 'bad boy' Alex Pettyfer. The pair looked tense and uncomfortable while dining together at Mauro's Cafe on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. Awkward! The beach sighting comes one month after Natasha was pictured on what appeared to be a rather awkward date with Hollywood 'bad boy' Alex Pettyfer In July, Natasha confirmed her split from French model and father-of-one Gilles Souteyrand after three years together. 'Yes, I am single at the moment,' she wrote on Instagram in response to a follower who asked about her relationship status. Before dating Gilles, she was romantically linked to reality TV star Martin Medus. Daily Mail Australia contacted Natasha for comment. It's been a remarkable start to the New Year for one Sydney family after they won a multi-million dollar apartment renovated on 2018's season of The Block. Samantha Bolton, a 45-year-old stay-at-home mother, triumphed in what has been described as 'the biggest giveaway in the history of Australian television'. Samantha - who hails from Woodbine, near Campbelltown, on the outskirts of Sydney - landed herself and her family one of the luxury apartments in Melbourne's old Gatwick Hotel. Home, sweet home! Sydney stay-at-home mother Samantha Bolton (second from right) has been announced as the winner of a multi-million dollar apartment renovated on The Block She won the coveted prize after purchasing a special Block-themed edition of the board game Monopoly and discovering a winning golden ticket inside. The mother-of-five revealed she was 'in total shock' after learning she had just been awarded a free luxury apartment. 'I actually can't comprehend it. It has not sunk in yet. I have to keep pinching myself,' she said. 'I haven't won anything since the lolly jar competition in grade two! I am just overwhelmed. It's incredible and life-changing.' Up for grabs: The housewife won the coveted prize after purchasing a special Block-themed edition of the board game Monopoly and discovering a winning golden ticket inside. Pictured: The Block 2018 cast Happy surprise! The mother-of-five revealed she was 'in total shock' after discovering she had just won a free luxury apartment. Pictured outside the renovated Gatwick Hotel in St Kilda Samantha added: 'Our family are massive fans of The Block, but never in a million years did I think we'd win.' The program's host, Scott Cam, was equally as delighted for the family. 'When I heard that the winner was a true-blue Aussie battler from the suburbs I couldn't have been happier,' he said. 'Last year's Blockheads put their heart and soul into creating this magnificent property and Samantha will go down in the history books as its proud owner.' Thrilled: The show's host, Scott Cam, was equally as delighted for the family, saying: 'When I heard the winner was a true-blue Aussie battler from the suburbs I couldn't have been happier' Once in a lifetime: The competition was first announced in September, while the 2018 season of The Block was still airing. It was revealed that Monopoly would be releasing a special Block edition of the popular board game, which would give fans the opportunity to win an apartment The competition was first announced in September, while the 2018 season of The Block was still airing. It was revealed that Monopoly would be releasing a special Block edition of the popular board game, which would give fans the rare opportunity to win one of the apartments from the show. 'It's the best prize I have ever heard of!' Scott said at the time. A pricing glitch allowed airline passengers to snap up luxury first class tickets that usually cost $16,000 (12,700) for just $675 (536). Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific sold the bargain-of-a-lifetime fares on its website on a route from the Vietnamese city of Da Nang to New York with a huge 95 per cent discount. But despite realising the glitch, the airline reassured lucky passengers who snapped up the cheap tickets that the fare price would still be honoured. A pricing glitch on Cathay Pacific's website let passengers snap up first class tickets at a discount of 95 per cent The pricing mistake was first noticed several days ago by aviation bloggers, who trawl the internet looking for cheap deals. Gary Leff, a travel and loyalty-programme blogger who writes on View from the Wing, noticed the first class fares being offered for $675 for travel in August 2019. However, he wrote that when he checked prices in first class on the same route in July and September, they were priced at $16,000. When Cathay Pacific noticed the gaffe, it was forced to admit its pricing mistake. When Cathay Pacific noticed the gaffe it was forced to admit its pricing mistake on Twitter and it added that it would be honouring the tickets And even though the carrier could cancel the tickets, it announced that the fares would still stand. In a tweet, the airline said: 'Happy 2019 all, and to those who bought our good - VERY good surprise 'special' on New Year's Day, yes - we made a mistake but we look forward to welcoming you on board with your ticket issued. Hope this will make your 2019 'special' too! #promisemadepromisekept #lessonlearnt.' This means that the customers will be able to experience first class perks such as access to the airline's lounges, a fully flat bed, a cosy sleep suit and a carefully selected menu. The bargain fares were sold on a route from the Vietnamese city of Da Nang to New York. Pictured is a Cathay Pacific first class cabin First class perks on Cathay Pacific include access to the airline's lounges, a fully flat bed, pictured, and a cosy sleep suit The pricing gaffe comes just months after a sophisticated hack on Cathay Pacific's computer systems last year that exposed private information of 9.4 million passengers. It was the world's biggest airline data breach. However, it is not the first time airline passengers have snapped up tickets due to a pricing glitch. Last year, British Airways sold tickets on routes to Dubai and Tel Aviv for as little as 167. Some of the food on offer in Cathay Pacific's first class cabin, which is carefully selected by chefs However, the airline was accused of leaving passengers high and dry by cancelling the tickets and hiking up prices in the process. The airline claimed the cheap offers were a mistake and cancelled all tickets- prompting fury among customers. BA said it offered customers a full refund and 100 vouchers but many said the gesture wasn't good enough. Advertisement Meet the family of nine who packed up their entire lives in order to travel across the United States in a self-converted bus. Michelle and Steve Lawson, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, love travelling with their seven children - Caleb, 16, Jacob, 13, Joshua 10, Matthew, six, Liam, aged five, Charlotte aged two and and nine-month-old Owen. So they decided to buy a school bus for $14,000 (11,000) and spend $17,000 (14,000) and six months converting it into their home before hitting the road on their first trip. Michelle and Steve Lawson, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pictured with their children. The family of nine packed up their entire lives in order to travel across the United States in a self-converted bus The Lawson family stand in age order in front of their bus. The seven children are Caleb, 16, Jacob, 13, Joshua 10, Matthew, six, Liam, aged five, Charlotte aged two and and nine-month-old Owen The couple decided to buy a school bus for $14,000 (11,000) and spend $17,000 (14,000) and six months converting it into their home before hitting the road on their first trip The couple had been thinking of converting a school bus for a while but were finally convinced to take the plunge after Steve's mother died. They said: 'We love to travel with our kids, and since we home school and own our own photography business, it was usually very doable for us. 'On our trips, we'd dream of travelling in something bigger, something we could even sleep in. Enter the idea of a Skoolie (school bus). 'We had been toying around with the idea of getting one- and then unexpectedly, Steve's mom passed away in February of 2017 with her only regret being not buying an RV and travelling more with us around the U.S. She would often say that she'd get it one day. 'That one day never came for her. We didn't want to make buying our skoolie one of those "one day we'll do it" things.' The bus has an impressive 265-square-feet of living space while two triple bunk beds and a king size bed provide ample space for everyone to sleep. Before and after images show how the Lawson family ripped apart the former interior of the school bus and converted it into a cosy home The bus has an impressive 265 square feet of living space while two triple bunk beds and a king size bed provide ample space for everyone to sleep Mother Michelle carries eight-month-old baby Owen, left. Pictured right is one of the younger children in the shower area The Lawsons own a photography business, Michelle Lawson Photography, which helps them make ends meet and also post about their life on Instagram The couple's children are all home schooled and they believe in unschooling - where children decide what they will learn about through real-life experiences The Lawsons own a photography business, Michelle Lawson Photography, which helps them make ends meet and also post about their life on Instagram. The couple believes in unschooling - where the children decide what they will learn about through real-life experiences. They added: 'Life is learning and yes, 100 per cent unschooling is the way to go. 'We believe that life is learning and the best way to learn is to do. Also the big kids really help the little kids learn too, they are a huge help along the way. The couple had been thinking of converting a school bus for a while but were finally convinced to take the plunge after Steve's mother passed away The family are currently back home in Fort Lauderale but so far they have explored Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Texas and Louisiana The couple said: 'It's the simple life. It's waking up in the morning and finding adventures or just taking it slow. We love not really ever knowing what we are doing' The family are currently in Fort Lauderdale in Florida after celebrating the festive season on their bus for the first time 'It's the simple life. It's waking up in the morning and finding adventures or just taking it slow. We love not really ever knowing what we are doing. 'Life on the bus is such a fun thing. It's filled with community and togetherness and adventure and we love it. It's been such a blessing to us. 'Seeing the world, learning, growing, exploring, reflecting, going on the simplest of adventures - and all of that really stirs in us a joy and the root of it all is that we're together. Living simply. Being connected. Loads of time to just sit and talk and draw and laugh.' The exterior of the bus after it underwent a transformation. The couple said: 'We love the uninterrupted family time. We love waking up together in a new place almost daily and really always having a new adventure' When the couple first bought the old school bus it was still painted in its distinctive bright yellow color The family are currently back home in Fort Lauderdale but so far they have explored Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Texas and Louisiana in their bus. They explained: 'We would definitely recommend this lifestyle to any family because of the freedom it allows. 'Living a more simple life allows for the things that really do matter to take preference. Cultivating the things that matter most. 'We love the uninterrupted family time. We love waking up together in a new place almost daily and really always having a new adventure. We love watching every sunrise and every sunset together. Eating every meal side by side. Never being bored. Doing life together.' The fatality rate on passenger jets worldwide jumped in 2018 after airlines recorded zero accident deaths on commercial planes in the prior year, according to an annual report. Dutch aviation consulting firm To70 and the Aviation Safety Network both reported there were more than 500 deaths stemming from passenger airline crashes in 2018, but emphasized that fatal crashes remain rare. To70 estimated the fatal accident rate for large commercial passenger flights at 0.36 per million flights, or one fatal accident for every three million flights. The fatality rate on passenger jets worldwide jumped in 2018 after airlines recorded zero accident deaths on commercial planes in the prior year. Pictured is the wreckage of the Cubana flight that crashed just outside Havana airport, killing 112 people last May That is up from 2017's 0.06 per million flight rate and above the most recent five-year average of 0.24 per million flights. There were 13 deaths in 2017 in two fatal crashes worldwide, but both were on regional turboprop aircraft. Over the past two decades, aviation deaths around the world have been falling. As recently as 2005, there were 1,015 deaths aboard commercial passenger flights worldwide, the Aviation Safety Network said. A graph from Dutch aviation consulting firm To70 showing the fatal accident rate on commercial jets since 2011 WHAT THE ACCIDENTS CAN TELL US Dutch aviation consulting firm To70 says that as in previous years, Europe and North America remain the safest parts of the world to fly in, as accidents here are rare. It reports that the bizarre misfortune that led to the death of a single passenger in a Boeing 737-700 following an uncontained engine failure during flight is one of the rare accidents in North America. The aviation experts also point out that several mentions of Boeing's 737 should not be seen in a negative light. To70 explains that there are as many accidents within the Airbus 320 family as there involving 737s. However, the firm points out the possibility that the Lion Air accident may have a technical cause is of serious concern, considering that the Max is the future of the successful 737 model. But To70 warn: 'While accidents in commercial air transport remain rare, the industry must remain alert to incidents and accidents from which lessons can be learned. 'We will be studying the causes of these accidents in 2018 as the investigations progress.' Advertisement Despite the increase, 2018 was still the third safest year ever in terms of the number of fatal accidents and the ninth safest measured by deaths, the Aviation Safety Network said. Harro Ranter, the Aviation Safety Network's chief executive, explained: 'If the accident rate had remained the same as ten years ago, there would have been 39 fatal accidents last year. 'This shows the enormous progress in terms of safety in the past two decades.' Fatal accidents last year included the crash of the Lion Air-operated Boeing 737 Max 8, which crashed into the Java Sea after takeoff from Jakarta, killing 189, in October. In May, a Cubana Boeing 737-201 crashed just outside Havana airport, killing 112 people. Earlier last year in March, 51 of 71 on board died after a US-Bangla Airlines plane crashed on landing at Nepals international airport. In February, a plane operated by Saratov Airlines crashed in Russia after taking off from Stepanovskoye, killing all 71 people aboard, while in the same month an Aseman Airlines flight crashed into a mountain in Iran, killing 66 people onboard. Meanwhile, the United States suffered its first accident death involving a U.S. airline since 2009 in April, when a fan blade on a Southwest Airlines Co Boeing 737s jet engine broke apart in flight, shattering a window and nearly sucking a woman out of the plane. Officials inspect parts of the wreckage of the Lion Air plane that crashed into the Java Sea after takeoff from Jakarta, killing 189, in October The United States suffered its first accident death involving a U.S. airline since 2009 in April, when a fan blade on a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737s jet engine broke apart in flight, shattering a window and nearly sucking a woman out of the plane Flying has been made safer over the past few decades in part because of rigorous investigations into the causes of crashes and then learning from mistakes and design faults that have been uncovered. Mark Millam, with the U.S.-based Flight Safety Foundation, said: 'You have less aircraft that are running into mountaintops because of systems that warn pilots if they are close to the ground. 'This is coming from things that were witnessed in other accidents. It is decades of effort.' Swooping towards the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, deep black scars give way to gaping glaciers and snow-dusted peaks. Landing in Longyearbyen - the centre of things on Svalbard - it's still light at 2am and very cold (around 4c). This is my first taste of Arctic summer. At this time of year (between June and September), the days seemingly never end and temperatures don't clamber above 10c. Longyearbyen was once a hotspot for coal mining, but it's now a tourist town, welcoming those eager to explore one of the world's last great wildernesses - the high Arctic. I'm on an expedition with G Adventures called Realm Of The Polar Bear, which offers the chance to see nature at its wildest. Realm of the Polar Bear: A bear perches on Spitsbergen Island, Svalbard, in the summer Along with 135 passengers from South Korea, the U.S. and Australia, we set sail on an eight-day expedition around Svalbard, Spitsbergen and a smattering of other islands. Bunked up with two strangers in a triple cabin, I quickly settle in, with a daily itinerary giving some structure to life on board. The breakfast buffet is usually followed by a cruise in a small inflatable Zodiac boat or onshore landing. Small, inflatable Zodiac boats are used to make onshore landings to spot wildlife Then there's lunch on the ship, before another excursion and dinner to round off the day. Our first stop is at the magnificent Magdalenefjorden fjord on Svalbard's West coast and it includes a polar plunge. Stripping to my bikini, I jump headfirst into the frigid water. It's so cold, my skull feels as brittle as ice. From Magdalenefjorden, the route changes depending on the weather. We divert at one point after a report that a guide from another boat had been attacked by a polar bear - a chilling reminder of who's in charge here, though the bear is sadly shot. Carrying 135 passengers from around the world, this ship was Sadie's home for eight days The day after visiting Magdalenefjorden we have our own encounter with four bears. Moored off the shore of Karl XII island we bob towards the rocky outcrop where we see them. We also get close to a group of walruses on the shores of Torellneset on the island of Nordaustlandet. A group charges towards our Zodiac, tusks at the ready. Polar bears are not the only intimidating animals in the Arctic, Walruses also inhabit Svalbard They're terrifying and we swiftly put the boat into reverse. Sailing past a guillemot colony is a sight, sound and smell to behold. Thousands of them dip and dive around us, their squawks echoing from the cliffs. There are lectures on board covering subjects from global warming to early explorations, and I keep active in the gym on the treadmill overlooking the blue Arctic waters. In the end, we reach 82 degrees north - 500 miles from the geographic North Pole - before returning to our starting point. My thirst for the wild in all its glory has been truly satisfied. Ancient Icelandic Viking burial ceremonies for powerful members of society often included the slaughter of a male horse, which would then be buried alongside the deceased. In a DNA study on horse remains collected from more than 350 Viking Age graves, researchers found all but one of the animals were male. While healthy male horses were killed and put in the grave, female horses served a different purpose in burial ceremonies; according to the experts, female horses may have been eaten. In a DNA study on horse remains collected from more than 350 Viking Age graves, researchers found all but one of the animals were male. These horses were likely ancestors of today's Icelandic horses. File photo It is reasonable to believe that a Viking who received a horse in the grave must have had a certain amount of power and influence, says Ph.D. student Albina Hulda Palsdottir at CEES, Department of Biosciences at the University of Oslo. We would therefore like to know more about these horses, for example, of which sex they were. In the study published to the Journal of Archaeological Science, researchers analyzed DNA from about 150 samples of horse teeth or bones found in Icelandic Viking graves. At more than 1,000 years old, it isnt easy to determine the sex of the animals using the bone fragments alone. These morphological sexing methods cant always be used when the skeletons are badly preserved, says says Sanne Boessenkool, from the CEES Department of Biosciences. Often, the burial remains dont contain any canines or pelvic bones. We have therefore sexed the remains of 19 horses from Viking age graves in Iceland by analyzing the ancient DNA preserved in the fragments. Then it turned out that 18 of them were male. The team also says the horses were in their prime at the time they were killed. It is natural to imagine that the slaughter of the virile and to some extent aggressive male animals must have been part of a burial ritual that was intended to convey status and power, explains archaeologist Runar Leifsson from The Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland. In addition to the 19 buried horses, we have examined the remains of three horses that were found outside graves, Boessenkool adds, noting that they had not been given a ceremonial funeral and were likely eaten. All of these were female. In some cases, the horses were dealt a killing-blow to the forehead, while others were beheaded, the researchers say. Much about Icelands Viking graves remains a mystery, in large part because many were uncovered during roadworks and construction in the last century, rather than through excavation. Ancient Icelandic Viking burial ceremonies for powerful members of society often included the slaughter of a male horse, which would then be buried alongside the deceased. File photo showing the grave tumulus of Egill SkallagrAmsson, Viking chief, Iceland Many were never examined by an archaeologist. Of the roughly 350 graves found so far, most were men, and researchers say there should be far more burials given the estimated population of around 9,000 Vikings in the region by the year 930. It is striking that we find almost exclusively middle-aged men in the graves on Iceland, Palsdottir says. There are almost no infants or children, and very few women. We dont know how the rest of the population was buried. Perhaps they were laid in swamps or lakes, or sunk in the sea. The researchers say theyve found no traces of cremation, which would have helped to explain the lack of burials. This may suggest that the Vikings developed their own customs. DID THE VIKINGS DISCOVER NORTH AMERICA? Some experts believe the Vikings may have discovered North America nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus made his famous journey to the New World. L'Anse aux Meadows was the first Viking settlement believed to have been found in North America in the 1960s. In 2016, scientists claimed to have uncovered another Viking settlement in Newfoundland that was built between 800AD and 1300AD. Some experts believe the Vikings may have discovered North America nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus made his famous journey to the New World The site, discovered in an area called Point Rosee in southern Newfoundland, is 400 miles (643km) south west of a Viking settlement found in L'Anse aux Meadows during the 1960s. Now, one expert claims to have found a mysterious location known as 'Hop'. Based on Viking descriptions, three key things identify this mystical settlement - an abundance of grapes, salmon and canoes made from animal hide. An archaeologist claims the only place that matches this description is the Miramichi-Chaleur bay area in northeastern New Brunswick in Canada. This would be the third Viking settlement claimed to have been found in North America, although it could be hard to ever prove it for once and for all. It is thought the Vikings first discovered America by accident in the autumn of 986AD, according to one historical source, the Saga of the Greenlanders. It tells how Bjarni Herjolfsson was stumbled across North America after being blown off course as he attempted to sail from Norway to Greenland, but he did not go ashore. Inspired by his tales, however, another Viking Leif Ericsson then mounted his own expedition and found North America in 1002. Finding it a fertile land, rich in grapes and berries, he named it Vinland. Eriksson also named two further 'lands' on the North American coast - one with flat stones, which he called Helluland, and one that was flat and wooded, named Markland. Advertisement The horse burials, however, likely played a significant ceremonial role for people of power. Today, we think of death and a funeral as an ending, and then it may seem wasteful to slaughter a great stallion just to bury it, suggests Boessenkool. But if the people at the time believed in a life after death, they maybe thought that the horse had a function. Nowadays, it is easy to imagine such rituals as a form of demonstrating power, perhaps as 'conspicuous consumption' that was intended to demonstrate wealth and status, rather than to cover real needs, Palsdottir adds. But maybe the Vikings thought totally different. Rollup TVs, 5G phones, lifelike robots and smart assistants are expected to take center stage at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES). CES will attract some of the world's biggest technology companies when it kicks off next week, running from January 8th to January 11th. The annual convention will see the likes of Sony, Samsung, LG and others announce new gadgets, while topics such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and 5G connectivity are expected to be prominent at the event. Scroll down for video The 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is likely to feature more intuitive robots and innovations across a range of sectors, alongside autonomous vehicles and 5G connectivity WHAT IS CES? The Consumer Electronics Show is an annual technology convention that takes place in Las Vegas. The show typically takes place in early January. It attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees from all over the world, as well as thousands of tech firms, startups and entrepreneurs. Companies show off their latest innovations, ranging from the latest robots, autonomous vehicles and smart assistant-equipped gadgets. Advertisement The four-day exhibition is a key date in the industry calendar and is set to be attended by more than 180,000 people, who will be able to glimpse the latest technology from more than 4,500 companies appearing at the conference. Gadgets ranging from new televisions to drones, connected appliances and robots are all likely to feature heavily on the show floor. Organisers will hope to avoid a repeat of 2018 when heavy rain in Las Vegas caused flooding, power cuts and leaks from the convention centre ceiling. CES, which has run since 1967, has previously been the site for the introduction of notable technology including the DVD and HD television. With the first 5G mobile networks scheduled to launch during 2019, 5G-compatible devices are widely predicted to be part of the announcements at CES, including the first smartphones designed for the faster speeds offered by the new mobile network. The 2019 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, one of the world's largest trade events, opens amid a backdrop of falling public trust in the technology sector Elsewhere, Google is returning for the second year in succession, where the company is expected to push its AI-powered Google Assistant and the range of smart speakers it powers. Rival software such as Amazon's Alexa is also likely to be widely seen linked to new gadgets on display on the show floor. Fellow Korean tech giant LG has already confirmed it will use the event to unveil what it calls the 'future of the smart kitchen', which includes Internet-connected ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers as well as a new artificial intelligence powered home beer-making system called the HomeBrew. The show floor of the Las Vegas Convention Centre will also play host to the traditional influx of new virtual reality, robot and drone products, alongside a range of new concept cars from automotive firms, with car manufacturers becoming increasingly visible at the show as the latest technology becomes ever more integral to new vehicle launches. Visitors are likely to see more dazzling TV screens, intuitive robots, a range of voice-activated devices, and folding or roll-up smartphone displays. Also on display will be refinements to autonomous transportation and gadgets taking advantage of 5G, or fifth-generation wireless networks. Tech wearables such as these 'smart sleep' glasses form a growing presence among the new products to be unveiled at the annual Consumer Electronics Show The 2019 Consumer Electronics Show will feature prototypes and concept vehicles from a number of carmakers which are improving autonomous driving, including Honda The auto sector will again have a major presence at CES with most major manufacturers on hand, some with prototypes of self-driving vehicles. Japanese carmaker Honda will be showing an "autonomous work vehicle" which can be configured for search and rescue operations, firefighting and other uses. Other exhibitors will be showing technology designed to serve as the "brains" of self-driving vehicles, not only for navigation but to create a better, more personalized "user experience" for travelers. The show includes startups offering "predictive" health care solutions designed to anticipate the kind of care senior citizens may need. Facial recognition, which is already being used on many smartphones, will be incorporated into vehicles, doorbells and security systems as part of efforts to increase personalization and improve security. And consumer products group Procter & Gamble, making its first appearance at CES, will demonstrate ways to use facial recognition and AI for improved skin care and beauty recommendations. Foldable phones and rollup TVs are also expected to be on display, with the likes of LG and Samsung both launching products that feature innovative screen technologies Foldable phones and rollup TVs are also expected to be on display, with the likes of LG and Samsung both launching products that feature innovative screen technologies. The new LG Display will be the worlds first 65-inch rollable OLED display. The design aims to optimize space utilization, allowing the large screen to be packed away in a more compact form when its not in use. This makes for easier storage, while still achieving high resolution. The missile troops of the Russian Ground Forces will be fully reequipped with the Iskander-M missile systems in 2019, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement, TASS reports. "In 2019, the process of reequipping the missile troops of the Russian Ground Forces with the Iskander-M missile systems will be completed. In accordance with the state defense order, the manufacturer will hand a unit of the Iskander-M systems over to the Western Military District," the statement reads. The Iskander-M ballistic missile systems are capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 500 km, destroying multiple-launch rocket systems, long-range artillery guns, aircraft and helicopters at aerodromes, command posts and communications centers. The complex is capable of outmaneuvering any air defenses. About 200 new types of weapons will be tested at the Kapustin Yar range in Russias southern Astrakhan Region in 2019. "In 2019, about 200 new types of weapons are planned to be tested, which is commensurate with the 2018 number and half as many as in 2017," the statement reads. According to the ministry, the number of tests carried out at the site has been growing in the past two years. "As steps are being taken to implement the state rearmament program, the range of tested items will expand in the two years to come," the Defense Ministry stressed. A flying reptile boasting long fangs and claws once ruled the skies over Britain, researchers have found. Named Klobiodon rochei, it means 'cage tooth', in reference to its huge, fang-like teeth up to 26mm long. The teeth meshed together to form a 'killing cage'. Named Klobiodon rochei, it means 'cage tooth', in reference to its huge, fang-like teeth up to 26mm long. Dr Michael O'Sullivan, at the University of Portsmouth, uncovered evidence of the well armed and substantial flying reptiles from a previously overlooked collection of fossils, and found it had been confused with another species since the 1800s. Only the lower jaw of Klobiodon is known, but it has a unique dental configuration that allows it to be distinguished from other pterosaurs. 'It's large fangs would have meshed together to form a toothy cage, from which little could escape once Klobiodon had gotten a hold of it,' Dr O'Sullivan said. It was likely a gull or tern-like creature a coastal flier that caught fish and squid using its enormous teeth, swallowing them whole. Only the lower jaw of Klobiodon is known, but it has a unique dental configuration that allows it to be distinguished from other pterosaurs. 'Klobiodon has been known to us for centuries, archived in a museum drawer and seen by dozens or hundreds of scientists, but it's significance has been overlooked because it's been confused with another species since the 1800s,' O'Sullivan said. Stonesfield Slate, where the new pterosaur fossils were found, is a rich source of Jurassic fossils about 10 miles northwest of Oxford. As global sea levels were higher, and the world was much warmer, Jurassic Britain was a series of large tropical islands at the time. THE 'JURASSIC PARK' OF OXFORD Stonesfield Slate, where the new pterosaur fossils were found, is a rich source of Jurassic fossils about 10 miles northwest of Oxford. It is where, in 1824, Britain's first discovered dinosaur, the Megalosaurus, was found. Some 200 fossils of flying reptiles - pterosaurs - have been collected over the last two centuries from the Stonesfield Slate, but their significance has been long neglected by palaeontologists, probably because they are mere fragments. Dr O'Sullivan was examining the Stonesfield pterosaur collections held in museums across the UK for his PhD studies when he found evidence of three distinct types of pterosaur, some of which are the oldest of their kind, as well as evidence of a new pterosaur species. Closer inspection has evidence of multiple pterosaur lineages in the UK's Jurassic past, including some unexpectedly large and formidably armed species. 'The Stonesfield pterosaurs are rarely pretty or spectacular, but they capture a time in flying reptile evolution which is poorly represented globally, said dr O'Sullivan. 'They have an important role to play in not only understanding the UK's natural history, but help us understand the bigger global picture as well.' Advertisement He's also found a new species of pterosaur with a wingspan of two metres as large as a modern mute swan, and a giant in its time. The research is Published in Acta Palaeontologica Polonica where it is highlighted as 'editor's choice'. Giant volcanic eruptions on Jupiter's moon Io have been spotted by NASA's Juno probe. On Dec. 21, during winter solstice, four of Juno's cameras captured images of the Jovian moon Io, the most volcanic body in our solar system, on the mission's 17th flyby of the gas giant. Stunned researchers say they hit the jackpot by spotting the plumes. Scroll down for video JunoCam acquired three images of Io prior to when it entered eclipse, all showing a volcanic plume illuminated beyond the terminator. The image shown here, reconstructed from red, blue and green filter images, was acquired at 12:20 (UTC) on Dec. 21, 2018. The Juno spacecraft was approximately 300,000 km from Io. IO: JUPITER'S VOLCANIC MOON Io was discovered on 8 January 1610 by Galileo Galilei. The discovery, along with three other Jovian moons, was the first time a moon was discovered orbiting a planet other than Earth. A bit larger than Earth's Moon, Io is the third largest of Jupiter's moons, and the fifth one in distance from the planet. Io's orbit keeps it roughtly at a distance of 422,000 km (262,000 miles) from Jupiter Io's volcanoes were discovered by NASA's Voyager spacecraft in 1979. Advertisement 'We knew we were breaking new ground with a multi-spectral campaign to view Io's polar region, but no one expected we would get so lucky as to see an active volcanic plume shooting material off the moon's surface,' said Scott Bolton, principal investigator of the Juno mission and an associate vice president of Southwest Research Institute's Space Science and Engineering Division. 'This is quite a New Year's present showing us that Juno has the ability to clearly see plumes.' Io's volcanoes were discovered by NASA's Voyager spacecraft in 1979. Io's gravitational interaction with Jupiter drives the moon's volcanoes, which emit umbrella-like plumes of SO2 gas and produce extensive basaltic lava fields. The latest images could lead to new insights into the gas giant's interactions with its five moons, causing phenomena such as Io's volcanic activity or freezing of the moon's atmosphere during eclipse JunoCam acquired the first images on Dec. 21 at 12:00, 12:15 and 12:20 coordinated universal time (UTC) before Io entered Jupiter's shadow. The images show the moon half-illuminated with a bright spot seen just beyond the terminator, the day-night boundary. 'The ground is already in shadow, but the height of the plume allows it to reflect sunlight, much like the way mountaintops or clouds on the Earth continue to be lit after the sun has set,' said Candice Hansen-Koharcheck, the JunoCam lead from the Planetary Science Institute. The Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) image was acquired at 12:30 (UTC) on Dec. 21, 2018. The instrument reveals very high temperatures at the location of a volcanic eruption on Io. This observation was taken during the same fully eclipsed period of images from the JunoCam and Stellar Reference Unit. JunoCam, the Stellar Reference Unit (SRU), the Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) and the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVS) observed Io for over an hour, providing a glimpse of the moon's polar regions as well as evidence of an active eruption. At 12:40 UTC, after Io had passed into the darkness of total eclipse behind Jupiter, sunlight reflecting off nearby moon Europa helped to illuminate Io and its plume. SRU images released by SwRI depict Io softly illuminated by moonlight from Europa. The brightest feature on Io in the image is thought to be a penetrating radiation signature, a reminder of this satellite's role in feeding Jupiter's radiation belts, while other features show the glow of activity from several volcanoes. 'As a low-light camera designed to track the stars, the SRU can only observe Io under very dimly lit conditions. 'Dec. 21 gave us a unique opportunity to observe Io's volcanic activity with the SRU using only Europa's moonlight as our lightbulb,' said Heidi Becker, lead of Juno's Radiation Monitoring Investigation, at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Juno's Radiation Monitoring Investigation collected this image of Jupiter's moon Io with Juno's Stellar Reference Unit (SRU) star camera shortly after Io was eclipsed by Jupiter at 12:40:29 (UTC) Dec. 21, 2018. Io is softly illuminated by moonlight from another of Jupiter's moons, Europa. The brightest feature on Io is suspected to be a penetrating radiation signature. The glow of activity from several of Io's volcanoes is seen, including a plume circled in the image. Sensing heat at long wavelengths, the JIRAM instrument detects hotspots in the daylight and at night. 'Though Jupiter's moons are not JIRAM's primary objectives, every time we pass close enough to one of them, we take advantage of the opportunity for an observation,' said Alberto Adriani, a researcher at Italy's National Institute of Astrophysics. 'The instrument is sensitive to infrared wavelengths, which are perfect to study the volcanism of Io. 'This is one of the best images of Io that JIRAM has been able to collect so far.' A blanket of unusual clouds formed over Sydney on Tuesday in the latest of a string of bizarre weather events in the last few weeks. Awestruck observers along the New South Wales coast shared photos of the ominous sight, revealing oddly clumped dark clouds rippling across the sky. Though uncommon, experts say the phenomenon is no cause for worry; the distinctive 'lumpy' clouds are known as mammatus clouds, and form in association with storm-causing cumulonimbus clouds. A blanket of unusual clouds formed over Sydney on Tuesday in the latest of a string of bizarre weather events in the last few weeks. Awestruck observers along the New South Wales coast shared photos of the ominous sight Pictures of the unusual formations have been popping up all over social media since yesterday. Many observers shared theirs to ABC's 'Weather Obsessed' Facebook group. The clouds appear as a thick blanket covering the sky, concentrating in lumpy masses toward the center with a smooth, flat outer edge. According to ABC, these are mammatus or 'mammary' clouds, coming from the Latin term for breast or udder. 'Mammatus clouds are usually formed in association with large cumulonimbus clouds,' according to the Met Office. Though uncommon, experts say the phenomenon is no cause for worry; the distinctive 'lumpy' clouds are known as mammatus clouds, and form in association with storm-causing cumulonimbus clouds Pictures of the unusual formations have been popping up all over social media since yesterday. The clouds appear as a thick blanket covering the sky, concentrating in lumpy masses toward the center with a smooth, flat outer edge 'Typically, turbulence within the cumulonimbus cloud will cause mammatus to form, especially on the underside of the projecting anvil as it rapidly descends to lower levels,' the Met Office explains. 'This reverses the usual cloud-forming process of upward growth, making for an uneven cloud base.' Meteorologists say it could signal coming arrival of thunderstorms, which are forecast to begin moving through the region and could bring hail, heavy rains, and high winds, according to news.com.au. Over the last few weeks, Sydney has been experiencing a lot of strange weather, from unexpected fog to hail stones that look like flowers. The unusual formations in the sky are mammatus or 'mammary' clouds, coming from the Latin term for breast or udder WHAT ARE MAMMATUS CLOUDS? Mammatus are unusually lumpy clouds that often form in association with large cumulonimbus clouds. They arise as the result of turbulence within the cumulonimbus and sit below the descending 'anvil' feature, according to the Met Office. 'Mammatus clouds are some of the most unusual and distinctive clouds formations with a series of bulges or pouches emerging from the base of a cloud.' the Met office explains. 'The shape of mammatus formations can vary widely; from the classic protruding shape, to a more elongated tube hanging from the cloud above.' They often come with the chance of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail. Advertisement In mid-December, an ominous mid-morning fog rolled through Bondi Beach and cast an eerie haze over the region as a result of moist conditions over the sea. Just days later, on the 21st, social media lit up with photos of strange ravioli-shaped hailstones that many likened to flowers or tiny planets. On the same day, stormwatchers posted eerie photos of green lights spotted in the clouds amid the hailstorm. 'Mammatus clouds are usually formed in association with large cumulonimbus clouds,' according to the Met Office. The often come with the chance of thunderstorms or hail 'Typically, turbulence within the cumulonimbus cloud will cause mammatus to form, especially on the underside of the projecting anvil as it rapidly descends to lower levels,' the Met Office explains. This gives rise to the uneven, lumpy appearance While it isn't clear what exactly causes the phenomenon, experts suspect it has something to do with the filtering effect of thunderstorms. 'There's actually light coming through the thunderstorm and that's filtering out certain wavelengths, and one of the wavelengths that does make it through is the green colours,' Dr Joshua Soderholm, a research scientist at Monash University, told ABC. 'I have seen it myself on a number of occasions, where it is very clear that the light is coming from the cloud, through the cloud itself.' The commander of the International Space Station has revealed the hole drilled from the inside of the orbiting laboratory was likely caused by a botched repair job. It's been more than four months since crew first discovered the hole in the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, but just how it got there still remains a mystery. Alexander Gerst confirmed the leak was made deliberately and had the potential for 'severe' repercussions in an interview with the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. Scroll down for video The commander of the International Space Station has revealed the hole drilled from the inside of the orbiting laboratory was likely caused by a botched repair job. Space officials said the station remained safe to operate. There appear to be drill marks around the hole on the inside (pictured) Gerst, the German-born commander of the mission, refuted allegations that the hole was caused by US astronauts. He instead says that it was likely caused by a faulty repair job which was inadequately performed by mechanics on the ground. Gerst spoke about the risks the crew faced and said: 'As an astronaut you think "Well, what would have happened if it broke loose a little bit earlier, when we were travelling to the space station, when you only have a very small volume of air in that spacecraft?",' he said. 'Even though the hole was small in that case it would have been more more severe for us.' Sergey Prokopyev and two other astronauts returned to work in December following a 197-day space station mission. The hole in the Russian Soyuz spacecraft attached to the station was spotted on August 30. Just days prior to their return to Earth, the cosmonauts endured a gruelling spacewalk that lasted almost eight hours to investigate the hole, using knives and shears to carve into the side of the ISS. The crew discovered a leak that was creating a slight loss of pressure and plugged the hole with epoxy and gauze. Nasa claimed the astronauts on-board were never in danger but images and further investigation revealed it was made from the inside. Alexander Gerst confirmed the leak was made deliberately and had the potential for 'severe' repercussions in an interview with the BBC Radio 4 Today programme WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A HOLE IN THE ISS? Theory one - it was caused by a small meteorite A tiny hole appeared in a Russian space capsule locked to the ISS on 30th August. The 'micro fracture' believed to be around 2mm wide in the $150 billion (115 billion) space station was discovered after astronauts noticed a drop in pressure. European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst reportedly put his finger over the hole before crew patched it with tape. The hole was confirmed repaired by Friday (31 August) after cabin pressure returned to normal. It was initially believed to have been caused by a small meteorite and astronauts used tape to seal the leak after it caused a minor loss of pressure. Theory two - it was made deliberately while in orbit However, as the investigation went on it began to look like the hole was made from someone inside as opposed to outside, either back on Earth or in space, the Russian space agency claimed. Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said in September that the hole could have been drilled during manufacturing or while in orbit with a 'wavering hand'. He didn't say if he suspected any of the US crew, but the statement has caused some bewilderment. Sources suggest the question of how to fix the hole may have strained relations between Moscow and Houston. Rogozin has since reneged on his statement blaming the media for twisting his words and said that he 'never pointed the finger at U.S. astronauts'. Theory three - it was caused by a worker at Energia A leading theory from an unnamed source at Energia said the hole was made on the ground potentially caused by 'deliberate interference' with suggestions the person responsible may have already been identified. Another anonymous source said the hole was drilled by a worker who hid their mistake with a seal instead of reporting it. An unnamed source at Energia told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that '[t]he hole was made on the ground'. According to the source, '[t]he person responsible for the act of negligence has been identified'. Another anonymous source said the hole was not made intentionally but by a worker who hid their mistake with a seal instead of reporting it. The patchwork repair lasted the trip up to the ISS but after three weeks in orbit gradually peeled away. Advertisement Claims were made that the hole was likely as a result of sabotage or repair error. The hole didn't pose a danger to Prokopyev and crewmates Serena Aunon-Chancellor of NASA and Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency during their return because the section of the capsule it appeared on was jettisoned before the fiery re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said in September the hole could have been drilled when the capsule was manufactured or in orbit. Rogozin stopped short of blaming crew members, but the statement has caused some friction between Roscosmos and NASA. Rogozin has since back-pedaled from the statement, blaming the news media for twisting his words. Prokopyev scoffed at the idea the hole could have been drilled by an astronaut, saying, 'You shouldn't think so badly of our crew.' Fully grown humans are less logical than babies and chimps, according to new research. Scientists say that the constant pressure for grown-ups to outdo their peers makes them perform worse. Removing this barrier allows the apes - and infant humans - to process things in a more logical way. Scroll down for video Willpower is a sign of high intelligence, and a new study shows some chimps have it. Just like in humans, the smartest chimps are typically better at exerting self-control and delaying gratification to receive a better reward later on, research found (stock image) The findings, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, investigated how mental processes are affected by two facets of society: competition and co-operation. Both play critical roles in enhancing human knowledge and scientists have found that people often find it very difficult to not compete with others. Scientists from the US and Germany say that coming out on top can sometimes be to our detriment. The researchers tested 96 children aged between five and ten from three Kenyan schools and asked them to complete the same task as 15 chimpanzees. They were required to sit opposite a peer and had two trays with treats were presented to them. Both trays came with their own set of conditions. One allowed the subject to obtain two snacks and their counterpart would be given one while the other tray gave the chooser three and their fellow participant six. The study involved chimpanzees performing the Hybrid Delay Task, which tracks how often chimpanzees choose to wait for a larger, better reward rather than taking a smaller reward right away (stock image) Chimps and younger children (younger than six) acted rationally and picked the second option which gave them more treats - three instead of two. However, older children were also tested which ranged in age up to ten, and this study found they were more concerned with the amount their peer was getting when picking the more fruitful option. Instead of taking three and giving them six, they decided to 'win' the fictional battle of who gets more treats by choosing the other tray. 'Young children and chimpanzees behaved in a rational manner: they were highly consistent in their choice of the option that maximised absolute pay-off,' the authors of the study wrote. 'Older children, however, acted in an irrational manner [from a pay-off perspective]: they paid a cost to be at a relative advantage compared with a peer and thus maximised relative rather than the absolute pay-off.' Rats have long been blamed for spreading bubonic plague, known as 'The Black Death'. But new research into a rare outbreak of the disease in Britain at the turn of the 20th century found that it was actually people, that led to the disease spreading. The findings may suggest that previous outbreaks of the plague - which has killed millions of people down the centuries - may have been spread by human lice and fleas, rather than those carried by rats. Scroll down for video Research into a rare outbreak of bubonic plague in 20th Century Britain found that it was actually people that led to the disease spreading - not rats (stock) Plague hit Glasgow in August 1900 after a pandemic started in China in 1855. The first cases of the disease were reported to be in the crowded and unsanitary tenements of the Gorbals (pictured) Scientists from Oslo University studied records of 35 cases of bubonic plague in the Gorbals area of Glasgow in 1900 - and attempted to reconstruct the likely route that it spread between people. The average age of the plague victims was 20 years old, and 42 per cent of victims died. An outbreak of the disease, caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, came to prominence in the 1300s. This pandemic came to be known as the 'Black Death' and the moniker has now become synonymous with the disease as a whole. The disease outbreak in the 20th century is useful for understanding the spread of bubonic plague because cases were 'remarkably well documented' - not the case during outbreaks in medieval times. One of the first cases was 'Mrs B', a 'fish hawker' who became sick along with her illegitimate granddaughter on August 3. Both died within six days. Further cases broke out in people who had visited her family and lived in nearby streets. More than 100 people who had been in contact with Mrs B were quarantined for observation - and, with the co-operation of the Catholic church wakes were suspended after funerals to attempt to stop the disease spreading. At that time in Glasgow, many slum houses were highly infested with rats. The authorities trapped some 326 rats as well to see of the rats were plague ridden - but did not find the rodents they trapped carrying the disease. Previous outbreaks of the plague have killed millions of people down the centuries (pictured) but may have been spread by human lice and fleas, rather than those carried by rats. A 1900 outbreak in Glasgow has found rats were not to blame (file photo) WHAT ARE THE THREE PLAGUE PANDEMICS? The first pandemic of bubonic plague is known as the Plague of Justinian and struck in the 6th century. Another serious outbreak of the disease - fuelled by the bacteria Yersinia pestis - came to prominence in the 1300s. This outbreak came to be known as the 'Black Death' and the moniker has now become synonymous with the disease as a whole. This is the most famous and deadly of the outbreaks and killed millions of people across Europe. It killed half of the people in London within 18 months, with bodies piled five-deep in mass graves. The Third Pandemic killed millions of people, most of them in China and India and technically started in 1855. It spread to several locations around the world and hit Britain at the turn of the century. It struck Glasgow and spread, it is thought, due to poor living conditions and 35 people were infected. Sixteen of them died. Advertisement A street in Glasgow in the late 19th century. The poor conditions and a lack of sanitation are thought to have helped the spread o the plague which killed 16 of the 35 people it infected The Glasgow public health officials suspected that rats were not to blame at the time. 'Despite their efforts they found no evidence of plague in the rat population at any time during the outbreak, leading them to conclude that plague may have spread directly between humans among other means and possibly by the "suctorial parasites of mankind"' - human fleas and lice. While the suspicion was voiced in the original report, Katharine Dean and colleagues analysed the data and found that the pattern of the spread of the disease - especially the high level of 'household clustering' and the time it took to incubate all point towards the disease spreading from human to human rather than via rats. Human lice spread plague, the authors write, because human parasites such as fleas and lice are 'tightly associated with their hosts or host environment'. To be passed on would require close and prolonged contact, such as staying in the home or sharing clothes. While rats are still considered a route for transmitting the disease, it seems they are not guilty for the turn of the century pandemic in Glasgow which also affected China, Hong Kong, Madagascar, Hawaii, Australia, San Francisco and Portugal. The authors writing in a Royal Society journal state: 'Based on the clustering of cases, bubonic plague most likely spread from human to human possibly through a human ectoparasite vector.' A Google project that will allow users to control their devices using their fingers in thin air is one step closer to reality after receiving approval from US authorities. Called Project Soli, the system identifies subtle finger movements using radar built into tiny microchips. Google says it allows users to press an invisible button between the thumb and index fingers or operate a virtual dial that turns by rubbing a thumb against the index finger. Scroll down for video Camera-based sensors are already available, such as Leap Motion, that can capture gestures, but these are cumbersome and require additional hardware. Now Soli has received permission from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow the technology to work at higher power levels. The FCC said the decision 'will serve the public interest by providing for innovative device control features using touchless hand gesture technology.' A Google spokeswoman did not immediately comment on Tuesday, citing the New Year's Day holiday. The FCC said the Soli sensor captures motion in a three-dimensional space using a radar beam to enable touchless control of functions or features that can benefit users with mobility or speech impairments. Google has won approval to roll out its radar-based motion sensing device known as Project Soli. The FCC said the decision 'will serve the public interest by providing for innovative device control features using touchless hand gesture technology' HOW DOES PROJECT SOLI WORK? Project Soli uses invisible radar emanating from a microchip to recognise finger movements. In particular, it uses broad beam radar to recognise movement, velocity and distance. It works using the 60Ghz radar spectrum at up to 10,000 frames per seconds. These movements are then translated into commands that mimic touches on a screen. The chips, developed with German manufacturer Infineon, are small enough to be embedded into wearables and other devices. The biggest challenge was said to be to have been to shrink a shoebox-sized radar - typically used by police in speed traps - into something tiny enough to fit on a microchip. Inspired by advances in communications being readied for next-generation Wi-Fi called Wi-Gig, leading researcher Ivan Poupyrev's team shrank the components of a radar down to millimetres in just 10 months. Advertisement Google says that 'even though these controls are virtual, the interactions feel physical and responsive' as feedback is generated by the haptic sensation of fingers touching. Google says the sensor can be embedded in wearables, phones, computers and vehicles. In March, Google asked the FCC to allow its short-range interactive motion sensing Soli radar to operate in the 57- to 64-GHz frequency band at power levels consistent with European Telecommunications Standards Institute standards. Facebook raised concerns with the FCC that the Soli sensors operating in the spectrum band at higher power levels might have issues coexisting with other technologies. Google and Facebook jointly told the FCC in September that they agreed the sensors could operate at higher than currently allowed power levels without interference. The proposed power levels was lower than previously proposed by Google. Facebook told the FCC in September that it expected a 'variety of use cases to develop with respect to new radar devices, including Soli.' The Soli devices can be operated aboard aircraft but must still comply with Federal Aviation Administration rules governing portable electronic devices. And leading researcher Ivan Poupyrev told MailOnline back in 2015 his team's breakthrough will be a complete 'game changer.' He said: 'Using a tiny, microchip-based radar to track hand movements we can now track the minutest movements and twitches of the human hand to interact with computers and wearable devices. Social media platforms need to take more responsibility in tackling online anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial. The chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said the abuse should be treated in the same way inappropriate sexual images were, with offending material immediately removed. Calling for internet giants to intervene when needed, she described anti-Semitism on social media as 'pretty relentless'. Karen Pollock told the Press Association: 'Social media platforms should take a bit more responsibility. Visitors to the Auschwitz Birkenau Nazi concentration camp (Dave Thompson/PA) 'For example, if somebody denies the Holocaust on Facebook, that is allowed to stay there. 'But if somebody posts a naked picture, it would be removed. 'When we are talking about the denial of the Holocaust, you have to question the motivation as to why somebody is denying it. 'And the root cause of denial is hatred of Jews it is suggesting that Jews made it up, that it's a conspiracy, that somehow it is to get sympathy.' She added that social media companies should step up and intervene when such material was being spread on their platforms. A spokeswoman for Facebook said it took anti-Semitism and all hate speech 'incredibly seriously', and had always been very clear in rejecting hate. She added: 'We take down any post that celebrates, defends, or attempts to justify the Holocaust. 'The same goes for any content that mocks Holocaust victims, accuses victims of lying about the atrocities, spews hate, or advocates for violence against Jewish people in any way. 'As you can imagine, posts and articles that deny the Holocaust often violate one or more of these standards and are removed from Facebook. 'We also remove this content in countries where Holocaust denial is a criminal offence such as Germany, France and Poland.' But Facebook said it did not remove factually inaccurate content, whether it was about the Holocaust or any other world event. 'We know some people disagree with our position and we respect that,' the spokeswoman said. 'It's really important for us to engage on these issues and hear from people to understand their concerns.' Advertisement It's the Grand Designs folly that was transformed from a 250-year old ruin into a modern designer home. And now the unique property in the rolling landscapes of the Vale of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire is for sale. After costing 300,000 to rebuild - in addition to the 100,000 to buy the land - the renovated two-bedroom house is currently for sale for 850,000 via estate agents Hamptons International. The couple behind the rebuild, who have had their second child since starting the project, put the home up for sale nine months after moving in because it is now too small for them. Pictured: Grand Designs' Kevin McCloud with Jimmy Fernandez and his wife Mimi, the couple who revived the Grade-II listed property The renovation of Dinton Castle - which is also known as Dinton Folly - featured in an episode of Grand Designs on Channel 4 earlier this year. In the programme, its presenter Kevin McCloud stands outside of the ruin at the start of the project, saying: 'It may have the shape of a mini Tudor tower, but this mini-castle wasn't built for defence. It was, in fact, built 250 years ago to house a gentleman's fossil collection. 'Of course, now it has become something of a relic itself. 'It's a building that doesn't want to stand up anymore. It just wants to fall over in two big halves. Well, it's going to as its owners are going to try and repair it.' The renovation of Dinton Castle - which is also known as Dinton Folly - featured in an episode of Grand Designs on Channel 4 earlier this year Original features: The renovated living room saw much of the original brick left exposed Slide me Pictured: Dinton Folly before and after the extensive renovation project The couple who revived the Grade-II listed property were architect Jimmy Fernandez and his wife Mimi. Jimmy exclusively told MailOnline Property: 'The project was more transformative than we had originally anticipated as we had our second child during the house build. We are now a happy and growing family of four in a two-bedroom house, so it is time for us to move on to the next stage in our lives. 'This is a beautiful and award-winning house, ideal for a couple looking to live in a unique place that is truly inspiring.' What a Grand Design! The Grade-II listed property is for sale for 850k via estate agents Hamptons International History in the making: The folly was originally built 250 years ago to house a gentleman's fossil collection There is a kitchen on the lower floor, with a staircase to the first and second floors The property's owner - and architect - Jimmy Fernandez had the staircase build to exact specifications Today, there are two bedrooms of equal size on the second floor of the folly in Buckinghamshire In the Grand Designs episode on Channel 4, Jimmy explained: 'I've always wanted to live in a castle and now I've got my chance.' They bought the land for 100,000 without any planning permission - and only obtained it on the basis that they would not extend the building. The work began with digging the trenches for utilities services - power, water and sewerage - before starting on the crumbling stone walls and inside. The lower floor has a compact kitchen, with an octagonal living room with a fireplace on the first floor and two bedrooms, each with a compact staircase, on the second floor. There is a terrace roof with a seating area and a grand outdoor staircase leading up to the main entrance. The octagonal living room on the first floor comes with a fireplace and beams on the ceiling Child's play: The second bedroom is currently being used for the couple's two children The couple started out with a 200,000 budget for the building work, but this proved to be too ambitious THE ORIGINS OF DINTON FOLLY Pirctured: Sir John Vanhatten Dinton Castle - also known as Dinton Folly - was built by Sir John Vanhatten as part of a larger estate that includes Dinton Hall. Historical documents written by Sir John about the folly were found on the estate - during the separate renovation of Dinton Hall. In 1769, he writes: 'Laid the foundation stone of Dinton Castle.' Three years later, in 1772, he says: 'Found entrenching the ground about the castle, a glass cup and skeleton, and many human bones, broken spears and bits of swords and many other weapons.' Kevin McCloud explains in the episode of Grand Designs: 'Obviously what he found was the Saxon grave underneath the site, which he dutifully put back into place and buried - only for Jimmy to dig up all again.' Kevin goes on warn: 'Nobody took much notice of Saxon bones in the 18th century. But today, buried bodies on a building site can bring a project to a dead halt.' Indeed, bones were found on the site, which delayed the project. Thankfully, they were limited. However, the ground work still took longer than expected and cost 30,000, double what Jimmy was expecting. Advertisement The couple started out with a 200,000 budget to do the building works, which proved to be too ambitious. 'Working on older buildings can be a slow and expensive business,' explained Kevin during the programme. As well as expecting their second child during the project, they were evicted from their rental property just before Christmas last year and had to borrow 50,000 from Jimmy's parents along the way. Former teacher Mimi, who had met Jamie in Spain several years ago, was hopeful that the build would take just six months, meaning they could move in by June 2017 just before the birth. However, after missing several moving deadlines, the Fernandez family finally moved into the property in March 2018. Each of the bedrooms have an en suite, with views of the surrounding countryside The property is set back from the main road within a three-quarters of an acre plot of land The house has views of the rolling landscapes of the Vale of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire Annabel Dixon, of property website Zoopla, said: 'This is a beautifully-renovated property. It has been transformative for the young couple, who stand to double the value of the 250-year-old building in just a couple of years. 'Their blossoming family have now outgrown the folly, but it will make a wonderful new home for someone else who wants to be Lord or Lady of the Manor.' The project has received a design award for renovation from Aylesbury Vale District Council. Set back within a three-quarters of an acre plot, the property is accessed via an electric gate and circular gravel drive. It is next to the A418, on the outskirts of Dinton, a village on the Buckingham and Oxfordshire borders. The average price of a property in Dinton is 450,000, compared to an average of 309,922 for the whole of Britain, according to property website Zoopla. There is a village pub, church and combined Church of England village primary school with neighbouring Cuddington taking children from the age of four to 11 years old. A Navy Seal officer alleged to have killed an injured ISIS prisoner of war in Iraq will be court-martialed on charges of premeditated murder and other war crimes. Special Operations Chief Edward 'Eddie' Gallagher has been in custody at Naval Base San Diego since November. Military prosecutors say they have evidence to charge Gallagher with premeditated murder and attempted murder for allegedly slicing the throat of a 15-year-old combatant with a hunting knife, according to KNSD-TV. The 39-year-old also posed next to the militant's body for photos in Mosul in May, 2017, prosecutors claim. He has also been accused of performing a re-enlistment ceremony alongside the corpse and in front on American flag, according to prosecutors. Afterwards, Gallagher allegedly text a photo of the body to a fellow SEAL, writing: 'I got him with my hunting knife.' A couple of months later, he also allegedly fired at a male and female noncombatant. Edward Gallagher is said to have stabbed a teenage ISIS fighter in the neck and body before posing with the boy's body Prosecutors also claim to have evidence that Gallagher, a married father of three, tried to bribe fellow Navy SEALs not to cooperate with Naval Criminal Investigative Service officers. The Navy has charged Chief Gallagher with premeditated murder, attempted murder and nearly a dozen other offenses, including obstruction of justice and bringing 'discredit upon the armed forces'. Gallagher has denied the allegations. His lawyer argues that the 15-year-old ISIS fighter was killed in an aerial strike, and not by his client. Phil Stackhouse, a private attorney hired by Gallagher, said fellow SEALs turned him in because he was too tough on them. Gallagher will be arraigned at Naval Base San Diego on Friday. If convicted, he could face life behind bars. Gallagher's wife and the mother of his children, Andrea, also said in an interview: 'This is not who Eddie is. 'He is a lifesaver. He is that guy who runs into the burning building when other people are running out.' Gallagher, a sniper and a medic, has served overseas in different deployments for 19 years. Sean Gallagher (right) said his brother Edward is innocent of any crime and can be described as a 'modern day' war hero who has served as a Navy Seal for 19 years After his latest tour, he was named named the top platoon leader in SEAL Team 7 and nominated for the Silver Star, the militarys third-highest honor, The New York Times reported. However the disturbing allegations from the same deployment have since come to light. Gallagher is said to have 'with premeditation, murder a wounded male person' under his care by 'stabbing him in the neck and body with a knife,' CNN reported. An organization of Navy SEALs - Brotherhood Beyond Battlefield - has launched a fundraising drive to help Gallagher. The group says the charges are 'drummed up' and slammed the 'thugs' of NCIS for using 'Gestapo tactics' in arresting Gallagher at his home in September. So far, the group has raised nearly $200,000 toward Gallagher's defense. Sean Gallagher, Edward's brother, accused those investigating the case of trying to advance their own careers. Sean Gallagher told Fox and Friends: This investigation is not about justice and the truth, its about a win.' A SEAL is a shiny, golden nail where if you take them down it makes you look good, he added. 'My brother represents what is best about this country. He fulfilled a family tradition that we have of joining the service. 'If you were to imagine or create what a modern day war hero would be, it would be Eddie.' Edward was in the process of transitioning to a non-combat advisory role for the Navy SEALs when he was taken into custody in September, according to his brother. Gallagher was planning to retire in the spring. If convicted , Gallagher could face life in prison and it is expected that a trial will begin in 2019 Edward Gallagher, seen here with his wife Andrea, is currently in a military prison in California and his three children had to visit him there for Thanksgiving Prosecutors argued that Gallagher was detained for trying to intimidate witnesses to the crimes he is alleged to have committed. However Sean tells Fox News that his brother was expressing opinions in text messages to his friends, some who were contacted by the NCIS regarding the allegations against his brother. If he is convicted, he could spend the rest of his life in prison. Sean claimed that Navy seals serving under his brother 'fabricated stories' because they weren't combat ready. After his latest tour, fighting Islamic State militants in Iraq, he was named the top platoon leader in SEAL Team 7 and nominated for the Silver Star, the militarys third-highest honor. Sean Gallagher (left) said 'disgruntled' seals serving under his brother 'fabricated stories' because they weren't combat ready and his brother (right) was a high He fought in Iraq and Afghanistan several times and has been a Navy Seal for 14 years. During a preliminary hearing in November, prosecutors presented accounts from several other SEALs in Chief Gallaghers platoon describing his behavior as reckless and bloodthirsty. They said he fired into civilian crowds, gunned down a girl walking along a riverbank and an old man carrying a water jug, and threatened to kill fellow SEALs if they reported his actions. In May last year, Iraqi forces in Mosul caught an Islamic State fighter aged in his teens, who was left battered and bloody from the combat. Investigators allege while the teen was receiving medical treatment from SEAL medics, Gallagher walked up and stabbed him in his neck and side with a knife, killing the fighter. Then, they say, he posed for photographs with the fighters body, holding his head in one hand and his blade in the other and sent one of the images to a fellow SEAL with the caption: 'I got him with my hunting knife'. Edward was charged in October with multiple crimes in connection with the 2017 stabbing death of a detainee in Iraq Some platoon members were so distraught by the chiefs actions, investigators said, that they tampered with his sniper rifle to make it less accurate, and fired warning shots to scare away civilians before the chief had a chance to shoot them. 'They said they spent more time protecting civilians than they did fighting ISIS', Special Agent Joe Warpinski of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service told the military court, according to a report in The New York Times. Stackhouse said the charges were baseless. He said the only evidence that the chief had killed anyone came from accounts offered by a few SEALs who were disgruntled because they could not meet their leaders demanding standards. 'I promise you, we will call many more SEALs who will say none of this ever happened,' Stackhouse was quoted as saying by the Times. Navy prosecutor Chris Czaplak said during the November hearing that the chief had done damage beyond murder and had undermined the values of the Navy Seals. 'Does the public still believe we are the good guys, because Chief Gallagher decided to act like the monster the terrorists accuse us of being?', he said. 'He handed ISIS propaganda manna from heaven. His actions are everything ISIS says we are'. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that the planned withdrawal of US forces from Syriawould not change Washingtons commitments to the Jewish state. In his first public comments on President Trumps decision to pull the ground troops, Pompeo said it in no way changes anything that this administration is working on alongside Israel. The counter-ISIS campaign continues, our efforts to counter Iranian aggression continue and our commitment to Middle East stability and the protection of Israel continues in the same way it did before that decision was made, he said in Brazil, where both men attended the inauguration of President Jair Bolsonaro, New York Post reports. Do you know the arrested men? Email martin.robinson@mailonline.co.uk Sajid Javid has called in Navy as he tries to get a grip of Channel migrant crisis 139 migrants caught crossing from France to Britain over Christmas, and 239 have reached the UK since November Two people have been arrested in Manchester on suspicion of smuggling migrants across the English Channel into the UK. A 33-year-old Iranian National and a 23-year-old British man are being held by Britain's FBI. At least 139 migrants were caught crossing from France to Britain over Christmas, and 239 have reached the UK since November - with 539 attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats in 2018. A statement from the National Crime Agency (NCA) said: 'NCA officers have arrested a 33-year-old Iranian national and a 24-year-old British man in Manchester, on suspicion of arranging the illegal movement of migrants across the English Channel into the UK. 'As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this time.' Sajid Javid speaks after British Border Force staff in Dover yesterday as he tries to get to grips with the migrant crisis. Two men were arrested by Britain's FBI yesterday Eight migrants brought ashore at Dover Harbour by the UK Border Force officials, they were transferred from the Border Force cutter in an incident on December 28 This image provided by the Marine Nationale (French Navy) shows migrants aboard a rubber boat after being intercepted by French authorities, off the port of Calais on Christmas Day A Border Force boat farce: Two moored abroad Two ships involved in tackling the Channel migrant crisis were still in Mediterranean ports last night more than 48 hours after Home Secretary Sajid Javid ordered their return. It could take them more than two weeks to start patrolling the Straits of Dover, where at least 139 migrants have been caught crossing over Christmas. HMC Seeker was photographed yesterday moored in a Gibraltar harbour with no obvious signs of departure preparations, while HMC Protector remained moored in Mytilini harbour on the Greek island of Lesbos last night, according to the ships locator beacon. Both ships are part of Operation Triton, which is tackling the migration flows from North Africa and the Middle East to Italy, Greece and Spain. In a humiliating U-turn on the migrant crisis, Mr Javid announced on Monday that the cutters would be returning. He said that around 230 migrants tried to cross the Channel in December, although just under half were disrupted by the French and never left their waters. The Home Office refused to say when the ships would reach the English Channel, for operational reasons. Only one of the five cutters specialist boats which are capable of rescuing several migrant boats at the same time has been working in the Straits of Dover. As well as deploying cutters, the Home Secretary has promised that covert action would be taken on the other side of the Channel to disrupt smuggling rings as part of improved cooperation with French authorities. Charlie Elphicke, the Tory MP for Dover and Deal, said: Its difficult to understand why they might still be in Mediterranean ports and hopefully they will come back to British waters as soon as possible. Advertisement The arrests come as it was revealed Home Secretary Sajid Javid redeployed two Border Force cutters from overseas to patrol the English Channel and has now called in the military as he tries to get a grip of the crisis. The deployment is yet another U-turn for the Home Secretary, who refused an offer of military assistance from Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson at the weekend but last night changed his mind and wrote to him requesting support. Mr Javid, touted by some as a possible future Tory leadership candidate, has faced days of criticism over what has been seen as a botched response to the crisis. The Home Secretary was ridiculed after he classified the crisis as a 'major incident' on Friday while remaining on a family safari holiday 6,000 miles away in South Africa. When he returned to Whitehall on Monday, he ordered the return of two Border Force cutters from the Mediterranean but resisted the offer of military assistance from Mr Williamson, who is seen as a potential leadership rival. HMS Mersey, a naval patrol vessel, will set off from Portsmouth this morning to be stationed off the Kent coast. It will provide cover while the Border Force patrol boats return from the Mediterranean, which could take as long as a fortnight. Royal Navy sailors will also be sent to help man the civilian vessels when they eventually get back so they can operate around the clock. Chris Hogben, head of the NCA-led Invigor organised immigration crime task force, previously said: 'Tackling the criminals behind these extremely dangerous attempts to funnel illegal immigrants across channel via small boats is an operational priority for the NCA. 'We are devoting significant resources to disrupting this activity, including officers deployed to support the work of our French colleagues, a team of officers developing intelligence on the groups involved, investigators working on UK based crime groups, as well as deploying our full range of specialist covert capabilities to disrupt the criminals involved and pursue their finances. 'As a result of that co-operation dozens of attempted crossings have already been prevented and only last week three suspected facilitators were arrested and charged in France. They will face trial in the New Year. HMS Mersey (pictured), a naval patrol vessel, will set off from Portsmouth this morning to be stationed off the Kent coast How visa-free route through Serbia is why so many Iranians are crossing the Channel The proliferation of Iranian migrants crossing the English Channel to Britain is partly thanks to a new migration route to Europe opened in August 2017 when Serbia started offering visa-free travel to people from Iran. By the time the scheme was abolished in October following pressure from the European Union, more than 15,000 Iranians had visited Serbia. Many of these migrants then moved towards western Europe instead of returning home and many are said to have reached Calais before attempting to cross the English Channel to Britain. Advertisement 'Over the last three weeks our French colleagues have disrupted numerous attempts, recovering at least 95 migrants including nine children, and arrested seven people caught attempting to facilitate these crossings. 'Working with our French partners we would anticipate further arrests over the coming weeks and also more attempts to reach the UK are likely. 'Our response to these attempts is not limited to activity around Calais; the NCA-led organised immigration crime task force is working closely with law enforcement partners in the UK and France - as well as upstream in Europe and further afield - to gather intelligence and disrupt the organised crime groups involved. 'The organised criminals behind these most recent attempts are in the main not UK-based, but through our close collaboration with French authorities we are still having an impact on them and their activity. The Border Force vessel 'Speedwell' is seen within Dover marina yesterday as they try to intercept migrants 'We are pursuing operational leads in both the UK and with our French partners, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to bring people smugglers targeting the UK to justice, whether they are operating in the UK itself or France. 'But criminal investigations of this nature are complex and take time. It would not be appropriate to give a running commentary on them. 'Trying to cross the Channel in this way is highly dangerous. 'We know that there have been organised criminals with a complete lack of regard for human life involved in organising many of them, however it is also clear that some of them have been opportunistic and made by migrants themselves without the assistance of organised criminality. 'While these attempts are high profile and high risk, the biggest threat posed by organised criminals trying to smuggle people into the UK remains at south coast ports via HGVs rather than through the use of small maritime vessels.' Britain's foreign aid department could be axed as part of a Treasury drive to slash the cost of Whitehall. Ministers are considering a broad shake-up of the Whitehall machine which could see a string of departments dropped or merged to free up cash for front-line services. The move is part of this years comprehensive spending review, which will set the course of Government budgets for the next few years. Under one plan, the Department for International Development (Dfid), the Department for International Trade and the Department for Exiting the EU would all be abolished. Their work would be taken on by a beefed-up Foreign Office. Under review: International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt visiting a UK-funded project in Kenya last year The Treasury is also looking at proposals to merge the Ministry of Housing and Department for Transport with the Department for Business to create a single super-department handling business, infrastructure and investment. A senior Treasury source said: The current Whitehall set-up is crazy we have more Government departments than the United States. Every time you create a new department it comes asking for more money we need to start rolling that back. Why do we need a massive foreign aid department when we have the Foreign Office? Why have we got a load of different departments taking a piecemeal look at our infrastructure needs? If you cut the size of the machine you can release money for the front line. The comprehensive spending review, which is due in summer, is expected to set out the trajectory of Government spending until at least the 2022 election. It will be led by Treasury chief secretary Liz Truss and Chancellor Philip Hammond, but final decisions will have to be agreed by Theresa May. The UK currently has 25 ministerial departments to oversee the governments 800billion annual budget. By comparison, the United States has just 15 departments to manage the Trump administrations 3trillion federal budget. But any attempt to cut Whitehall down to size is likely to face fierce resistance from civil service unions and rival ministers, such as International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt, who risk having their Cabinet status downgraded. The move will be led by Treasury chief secretary Liz Truss and Philip Hammond but final decisions will have to be agreed by Theresa May Mrs May has made it clear she is committed to the controversial target of spending 0.7 per cent of Britains income on foreign aid, which has seen the aid budget balloon to more than 14billion a year. The Treasury source said there was no reason the target could not be administered by a super-charged Foreign Office. Conservative MP Peter Bone, a long-time critic of the aid target, said handing control of the aid budget to the Foreign Office would be a good first step. Mr Bone said: I do think it would be a good idea to get rid of Dfid. We dont need a department to dole out foreign aid when we already have the Foreign Office, who have the experts on the ground who would be better at targeting resources to match our foreign policy. The real problem is that spending 14billion a year on aid is absurd, and linking it to GDP is absurd. But getting rid of one department and spending it more in line with our national priorities would be a good first step. The rapid growth of Dfid has been a source of irritation to the Foreign Office for years. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson tried to persuade Mrs May to give him control of the aid budget when he took office in 2016, describing the decision to hive off the aid budget into its own department in 1997 as a colossal mistake. The Prime Minister turned down the request. However, she agreed that two junior ministers at Dfid should also report to Mr Johnson. New Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is said to be more relaxed about the activities of Dfid, despite the fact its vast spending power now makes it an important arm of foreign policy New Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is said to be more relaxed about the activities of Dfid, despite the fact its vast spending power now makes it an important arm of foreign policy. Aid spending now dwarfs the 2billion annual budget of the Foreign Office. Rapid increases in foreign aid spending have led to widespread criticism that officials are more interested in spending the money than ensuring it is spent well. Last month it emerged that Dfid was able to volunteer 600 of its 3,000 staff to help other departments prepare for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit fuelling concern it has grown too big. But the Foreign Office also has had a mixed record of overseeing aid spending in recent years. In a report last year, MPs criticised the department for continuing to use aid money in China, which Dfid stopped funding years ago. One Dfid source said: The Foreign Office spend 5 per cent of the aid budget but are responsible for 50 per cent of the negative headlines. A Dfid spokesman last night dismissed suggestions the department could be axed, saying: Dfid is a standalone independent government department. This is government policy and there is no suggestion it is going to change. Dave Penman, of the FDA union for senior civil servants, said: The idea that there are significant sums to be saved simply by merging departments is kindergarten economics. 'Unless the Government changes what it does, or does less both of which require significant policy development changing the nameplate on the front door of a department is no panacea to delivering efficiencies. The Mexican national suspected of shooting dead a California police officer during a traffic stop the day after Christmas has been charged with murder. Gustavo Perez Arriaga, 32, was officially charged on Wednesday in the death of 33-year-old Newman Police Cpl Ronil Singh. Singh had pulled over Arriaga, who authorities said was in the country illegally, on suspicion of driving under the influence. Arriaga's charges include a special circumstance enhancement that would make his case eligible for the death penalty. The last execution that took place in California was in 2006. Gustavo Perez Arriaga, 32, (left) has been charged with murder in the death of Newman Police Department Corporal Ronil Singh (right) Arriaga, 32, was officially charged on Wednesday in the death of the 33-year-old officer The complaint also includes enhancements for allegedly using a gun in Singh's death and acting with premeditation, according to the Modesto Bee. It is not yet known if prosecutors will plan to seek the death penalty. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday afternoon in Stanislaus Superior Court. Seven people total have been arrested for helping Arriaga evade police before he was finally arrested on Friday following a 55-hour manhunt. Officials said Arriaga had been preparing to flee to Mexico before his arrest. Bernabe Madrigal Castaneda, 59, Erasmo Villegas, 36, and Maria Luisa Moreno, 57, who were all in the Bakersfield house where Arriaga was arrested, were charged with aiding and abetting. Arriaga's girlfriend Ana Cervantes, 30, his brothers Conrado Mendoza, 34, and Adrian Virgen, 25, and his co-worker Erik Quiroz, 35, were also charged with felony accessory. The four have all pleaded not guilty and will appear in court on Wednesday for a pretrial hearing with Arriaga, who is being held without bail. Authorities said Cervantes, Mendoza, Virgen, and Quiroz all entered the US illegally. Singh was a native of Fiji and lived in Modesto with his wife Anamika and their five-month-old son (all pictured together) Singh's brother Reggie delivered a tearful speech on Friday after Arriaga was arrested US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have placed detainers on them as well as Arriaga, which means they will be given time to take them into custody if any of the five are released from jail. Singh's brother delivered an emotional speech on Friday after Arriaga was arrested. Reggie Singh broke down in tears before speaking in a news conference as police informed the public that Arriaga was in custody. He had to be physically helped up by authorities for support as he showed gratitude to police for Arriaga's capture. 'Please bear with me, this is not easy for me. Ronil Singh was my older brother. Yes, he's not coming back but...' Reggie trailed off as he wept. 'There's a lot of people out there that miss him and a lot of law enforcement people that I don't know that worked days and nights to make this happen. I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my heart.' Clutching the left side of his chest, Reggie's appeal to the public was mostly a show of appreciation for the investigating cops. 'I wish I could thank all the law enforcement agencies, Homeland Security in San Francisco, everyone. Bakersfield team...' he continued to sob. 'I was waiting for this to happen. I'd like to thank you for working day and night to make this happen. Thank you.' Cops also arrested Arriaga's brother Adrian Virgen, 25, (left) and co-worker Erik Razo Quiroz, 32, (right) on Thursday for allegedly trying to divert police from capturing Arriaga Arriaga's girlfriend Ana Leyde Cervantes, 30, and his brother Conrado Virgen Mendoz, 34, were also arrested and charged Singh was married and had a five-month-old son. He was also an immigrant, coming to the US legally from his native Fiji to pursue his dream of serving in law enforcement, authorities said. He joined the 12-officer Newman police force in 2011. 'He was living the American dream,' said Stanislaus County sheriff's Deputy Royjinder Singh, who is not related to the slain officer but knew him. 'He loved camping, loved hunting, loved fishing, loved his family.' Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said Arriaga illegally entered the US through Arizona several years ago and was a part of the notoriously violent Surenos street gang. He was placed in Corporal Singh's handcuffs when he was caught trying to flee back on Friday, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department. Christianson said that the motive behind the shooting is not clear and cops believe Arriaga was alone at the time of the suspected murder. Arriaga worked various farm labor jobs and had a track record of two previous DUIs. Singh was killed last Wednesday morning after he pulled over a car he suspected of driving under the influence Arriaga, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested Friday morning in Bakersfield after a 55-hour manhunt. He is pictured above being taken in Sheriff Christianson blamed California's sanctuary laws from preventing police from reporting Arriaga to federal immigration officials following his previous DUI arrests. He said if Arriaga was deported, Singh could still be here today. Cops at first did not release Arriaga's name or age because he goes by several aliases and has several Facebook pages under different names. He had to be identified by fingerprint with police, according to The Modesto Bee. For Newman Police and Singh's family, Arriaga's arrest is a step towards justice. Corporal Singh was killed after he pulled over Arriaga on suspicion of driving under the influence just before 1am on December 26. Cops launched a massive manhunt for the suspect and his Dodge pickup truck (above) which was found 13 hours later abandoned at a River Road mobile home park Authorities released surveillance images of the suspected gunman sought in the shooting death, now revealed to be Arriaga Corporal Singh was killed after he pulled over Arriaga on suspicion of driving under the influence just before 1am on December 26 He stopped the car after noticing it had no license plate. After Singh approached Arriaga's gray Dodge pickup truck in Newman, he called 'shots fired' over his radio. Singh fired back to defend himself. He was found with multiple bullet wounds and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Arriaga had already fled the scene before backup arrived. The Sheriff's office released surveillance photos of the suspect shopping at a local store and pictures of his Dodge pickup truck. Ariaga has a tattoo with the phrase '$ur3no$' which means Surenos, the name of a Mexican-American street gang linked to murders and human smuggling along the US-Mexico border This photo compilation on social media shows a closer look at Ariaga's Surenos tattoo Arriaga's Dodge truck was found 13 hours later abandoned at a River Road mobile home park registered to his brother Conrado Mendoza. The car gave investigators plenty of evidence including fingerprints, DNA, and gunshot residue. Outgoing California Gov Jerry Brown offered condolences to Singh's family after his death and said flags at the Capitol would fly at half-staff in his honor. 'Our hearts are with the entire community of Newman and law enforcement officers across the state who risk their lives every day to protect and serve the people of California,' Brown said. A memorial fund has been set up by the police department in his honor. Police looking for a missing teenage girl are said to be 'concerned' for her safety. Bonnie Eastwood, 16, has been missing from the Richmond area in south-west London. Metropolitan Police has launched an appeal to find the missing teenage. Officers want to try and establish whether the young girl is OK. Bonnie Eastwood, 16, has been missing from the Richmond area in south-west London Richmond Police tweeted earlier today asking for information about the missing girl Richmond Police made the appeal to more than 12,000 Twitter followers in the hope that the public address can help find her. At 3.22pm police tweeted: 'Bonnie Eastwood is a 16 year old #missing from the #Richmond area. 'We are concerned about her and would like to know she is safe and well. 'Please call police and quote 18MIS050831 if you see her or hold any information.' Sajid Javid last night called in the military as he tried to get a grip on the Channel migrant crisis. In a major escalation, a Royal Naval vessel will today be sent to patrol the Straits of Dover and the Royal Air Force will provide aerial surveillance. The deployment is yet another U-turn for the Home Secretary, who refused an offer of military assistance from Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson at the weekend but last night changed his mind and wrote to him requesting support. Mr Javid, touted by some as a possible future Tory leadership candidate, has faced days of criticism over what has been seen as a botched response to the crisis. Scroll down for video Sajid Javid speaks to the media after meeting British Border Force staff in Dover on Wednesday At least 139 migrants were caught crossing from France to Britain over Christmas, and 239 have reached the UK since November. The Home Secretary was ridiculed after he classified the crisis as a major incident on Friday while remaining on a family safari holiday 6,000 miles away in South Africa. When he returned to Whitehall on Monday, he ordered the return of two Border Force cutters from the Mediterranean but resisted the offer of military assistance from Mr Williamson, who is seen as a potential leadership rival. HMS Mersey, a naval patrol vessel, will set off from Portsmouth this morning to be stationed off the Kent coast. It will provide cover while the Border Force patrol boats return from the Mediterranean, which could take as long as a fortnight. Royal Navy sailors will also be sent to help man the civilian vessels when they eventually get back so they can operate around the clock. The RAF will provide aerial surveillance to track boats trying to make the crossing. Ministry of Defence sources said last night it was still being decided what form this could take. HMS Mersey (pictured), a naval patrol vessel, will set off from Portsmouth this morning to be stationed off the Kent coast Mr Javid used a visit to Dover yesterday to vow tough action on the cross-Channel migrants. He questioned whether many attempting the crossing were genuine asylum seekers and suggested they should try to claim refuge in France instead. The Home Secretarys decision to finally call in the Navy and RAF may be seen by some as an attempt to burnish his Tory leadership credentials. But by only moving yesterday, he may also risk accusations that he is acting too late. There have been no known migrant arrivals on Britains shores since New Years Eve, although this is thought to be partly because of poor sea conditions deterring further attempts. Meanwhile, the two civilian ships that are supposed to be coming back from the Mediterranean were still sitting in their ports last night - more than 48 hours after Mr Javid ordered their return. HMC Seeker was photographed yesterday moored inside a Gibraltar harbour with no obvious signs of its crew preparing it for departure. Meanwhile, HMC Protector remained moored in Mytilini harbour on the Greek island of Lesbos last night, according to the ships locator beacon. As well as deploying cutters, the Home Secretary has promised that covert action would be taken on the other side of the Channel Both ships have been taking part in Operation Frontex, which is tackling the migration flows from North Africa and the Middle East to Italy, Greece and Spain. The Home Office refused to say when they would be sailing or when they would reach the English Channel, citing operational reasons. Only one of the five Border Force cutters - specialist boats which are capable of rescuing several migrant boats at the same time - has been working in the Straits of Dover. Charlie Elphicke, the Tory MP for Dover, last night expressed his concern over the delays in the return of the ships. He said: Ive been making the case for the Border Force vessels to come back from the Mediterranean to take back control of our borders. Its important to know when they will be arriving back in British waters and I hope that the Home Office will clarify the position as soon as possible. There have been no known migrant arrivals on Britains shores since New Years Eve Its difficult to understand why they might still be Mediterranean ports and hopefully they will be come back to British waters as soon as possible. As well as deploying cutters, the Home Secretary has promised that covert action would be taken on the other side of the Channel to disrupt smuggling rings as part of improved cooperation with French authorities. Any migrant picked up in English waters will, at least initially, be brought to the UK to have their asylum claim heard. Under international maritime law, the Channel is divided in half for search and rescue operations. If migrants are picked up in the UK half, then they are usually taken to Britain. But if they are picked up on the French side, then they are usually taken to France. The cutters, which each have a crew of around 16, are capable of reaching speeds of about 26 knots. However their respective journeys to the Channel from the Mediterranean are likely to be slowed by poor weather in the Atlantic. Washington police are investigating the triple murder of a Port Angeles logger, his 27-year-old son and the son's live-in girlfriend after their bodies were discovered at a compound they shared with others. Darrell C. Iverson, 57 and his son Jordan D. Iverson were found at the front of their house buried in tarps and debris, and Jordan's partner Tiffany A. May, 26, was discovered locked in a shed. They were discovered with gunshot wounds after relatives asked police to do a welfare check on Monday after they hadn't heard anything from the trio since Christmas Day. Scroll down for video Washington police were on Tuesday investigating the murders of Darrell Iverson, 57, (left) his son Jordan Iverson, 27, (not pictured) and the son's live-in girlfriend Tiffany May, 26 (right) The family shared their space with trailers and had others share their home too It's believed they could have been killed last Wednesday. Four teams of detectives are looking into a motive but the Clallam County Sheriff's Department, assisted by the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab and Port Angeles and Sequim police departments, believe the killer or killers knew the victims. Although dozens of shell casing were found at the crime scene, it was reported neighbors wouldn't be alarmed at heard gunshots in the area as it's a regular occurrence. Their identities were confirmed on Tuesday, with Darrell a lovable character and Jordan described as 'sweet'. Relatives asked police to do a welfare check on Monday after they hadn't heard anything from the trio since Christmas Day Investigators discovered dozens of shell casings on the property where the men where buried under tarp and debris and the woman was locked in a shed Anyone who can help with the investigation is encouraged to contact police on 360-417-2540 Next-door neighbor Steve Lovik told Kiro 7: 'He was a good guy, he had a good heart. He really did. And Jordan was a sweet kid, too.' 'What's really been bothering me as a neighbor is knowing they'd been lying over there for a couple days. And that upsets me. I think good neighbors should know what's going on around each other, and I kind of feel like I failed there.' Those who lived near log truck company owner Darrell said he intentionally made himself look gruff in his Facebook profile photograph because it was the complete opposite of his character. Logger Darrell was known as a lovable man and Jordan was described as 'sweet' by a neighbor Law enforcement reassured neighbors that they aren't likely to be at risk as they don't believe the killings were a random act. 'There were many trailers on the property that some transients and other people had lived in there, as well as in the house,' Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict said. Anyone who can help with the investigation is encouraged to contact 360-417-2540. As of the first day of 2019, New Yorkers now have the option of selecting neither male or female on birth certificates in New York City. Parents had already been able to select 'undetermined' or 'unknown' for newborns, but the new measure would allow adults to select 'X' on their own birth certificates. According to the NYC Health website, transgender and gender non-binary New Yorkers will only need a notarized affidavit to affirm their gender identity for the change to the documentation. 'Transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers deserve the right to choose how they identify and to live with respect and dignity,' said Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, said of the changes. 'This bold new policy advances the fight for equality and makes our City fairer for all people.' De Blasio (center with right arm raised) said the new law allows transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers to live with dignity and respect The new law now allows adult New Yorkers to select a third gender option for their own birth certificates without requiring a letter from a doctor to affirm their identity When City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, also a Democrat, introduced easing rules on legal name changes in 2014, more than 1,000 birth certificates were amended afterwards, compared to only 20 amendments per year in the previous four years. 'I have long advocated for this gender 'X' category option and I am proud that New York's birth certificates are now as inclusive as our City,' said Speaker Johnson, who also helped usher in this new law. 'By offering a non-binary option and a less burdensome way to change one's gender on their birth certificate, the City is moving in the right direction towards full equality for New Yorkers who have historically been marginalized and ignored,' according to Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. New York City now joins four states, Oregon, California, Washington and New Jersey, in offering non-binary gender options on birth certificates. City Council Speaker Corey Johnson who helped usher in the law said now New Yorkers 'can make their own choice' as it regards to their gender identity The Mayor's office also praised Germany in making their change to gender identity options in 2019 as well. 'Congratulations to Germany on joining New York City and becoming the first E.U. country to recognize a third gender on birth certificates!' the account tweeted. The gender option is one of a number of regulatory changes that came to the Big Apple with the New Year. The minimum wage of $13.50 per hour for businesses with 10 or fewer employees, and $15.00 for businesses with 11 or more, actually went into affect on New Year's Eve. The ban on cigarette sales in pharmacies and single-use styrofoam products went into affect on New Year's Day as well. Calls have been made to drug-test politicians as authorities continue to clamp down on drug use at music festivals. Liberal and Sydney Councillor Pat Daley will move a motion at Northern Beaches council's next meeting in February to introduce drug tests for all councillors and staff. 'We need our elected representatives to undergo drug testing in parliament and we should have more drug testing much more in workplaces,' he said. The call comes following a spate of allegedly drug-related deaths at music festivals over the new year period. A 22-year-old Queensland man died after going to the Lost Paradise Music Festival at Glenworth Valley north of Sydney on Saturday night. Liberal and Sydney Councillor Pat Daley (pictured) will move a motion at Northern Beaches council's next meeting in February to introduce drug tests for all councillors and staff While applauding Gladys Berejiklian's tough stance against drugs and opposition to pill testing following several deaths at music festivals, Mr Daley wants her take it further (stock photo) What's more, a 20-year-old Victorian man died in hospital on Tuesday following a suspected overdose at the Beyond The Valley festival the same day. Numerous arrests were also made at the Field Day festival in Sydney on New Years Day. NSW Police charged 194 people with drug offences, including six people for drug supply, 155 people as part of the drug dog operation and a further 39 people as part of the overall operation. Mr Daley is calling on Premier Gladys Berejiklian to do the same at NSW Parliament House. While applauding her tough stance against drugs and opposition to pill testing following several deaths at music festivals, he wants her take it further. He says politicians have been 'wishy-washy' in their language around drug use and need to stop using the terms 'party and recreational' drugs. 'I'm calling for education and a much tougher stance with our rhetoric,' he said. 'There is no safe way to take drugs - that is the clear message we should be telling young people.' Cr Daley is worried the debate around pill testing could lead to a normalisation of dangerous drugs that 'make alcohol look like an afternoon tea party'. Meanwhile, former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Palmer said five drug-related festival deaths across Australia were 'enough' and governments needed to consider pill testing in a bid to save lives. 'When are we going to learn that threats and our current 'Just Say No' campaign are not working and cannot work?' he said in a statement. Union baron Len McCluskey was seen holding hands with Jeremy Corbyn's chief-of-staff as the pair celebrated the new year at a luxury Scottish hotel. The Unite boss, 66, was with the Labour leader's office manager, Karie Murphy, 52, at the Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa in Inveraray. Photographs of the event, published on political blog Guido Fawkes, may raise questions over a potential conflict of interest. The pair, who were pictured dining together in August, have denied being intimately involved and maintain they are just friends. Union baron Len McCluskey is seen with the Labour leader's office manager, Karie Murphy, at a New Year's party in Scotland The Unite boss, 66, pictured in a black suit, alongside Labour's chief strategist Seumas Milne, pictured top right in the white trousers, at the Loch Fyne Hotel and Spa in Inveraray. Len McClusky (pictured above), 66, was seen holding hands with Karie Murphy A source suggested the pair could have been taking part in a dance at the event, also attended by Labour's chief strategist Seumas Milne. Their presence at the hotel's three-day gala costing 429 a head will raise further questions about the influence that Unite, Britain's largest union, has over the Labour Party which it has long bankrolled. Ahead of the 2017 general election, the union donated 4.4million to Labour's campaign. Mr McCluskey, who is nicknamed Red Len, has openly joked about his role as the party's 'kingmaker' and his desire to shape its policy, sometimes in conflict with Mr Corbyn. Concerns have been raised within the party over the Unite leader's growing power with Mr Corbyn's critics calling it a 'takeover by stealth'. Karie Murphy, 52, (pictured above) is Jeremy Corbyn's office manager Their presence at the hotel's three-day gala costing 429 a head will raise further questions about the influence that Unite, Britain's largest union, has over the Labour Party. Pictured: The Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa in Inveraray Redhead Miss Murphy was at the centre of a row over Labour's selection of an election candidate in Falkirk in 2013 amid claims of vote-rigging by Unite. The divorced mother-of-two was temporarily suspended from the party after it was claimed the union had flooded the local branch with members in an attempt to get her the nomination. Miss Murphy, who voluntarily withdrew from the contest, was cleared by the party of any wrongdoing. Mr McCluskey, who was married for 25 years, separated from his long-term partner Paula Lace several years ago. Unite said Mr McCluskey and Miss Murphy were among a group of friends interacting during a new year celebration. Sinners who confess serious crimes to a Church of England priest will no longer receive forgiveness unless they hand themselves in to police. New guidelines for vicars say Christians who confess grave offences should be denied absolution and informed they risk losing their souls if they do not tell the authorities. But vicars have been told they may not break the privacy of the confession to report criminals to police themselves. The guidelines from bishops follow months of Church agonising over whether to abolish the principle that confessed sins must remain secret. Secular state officials will be involved for the first time in the religious process of casting out the devil Bishops admitted last summer that they were divided over the role of confession and the duty of clergy to report what they know. The new guidelines, which also cover how to deal with paedophile parishioners and 'acceptable touching', follow a series of abuse scandals. Former Bishop of Gloucester Peter Ball was jailed for 32 months in 2015 for sexually abusing 18 young men over three decades. Ex-Archbishop of York Lord Hope was the subject of police inquiries in 2016 over his cover-up of serious child abuse by former Dean of Manchester Robert Waddington. Other sections of the guidelines tell vicars that they cannot refuse to admit a known paedophile to church services. But a church warden should follow them, sit with them in the pew and make sure they do not cause trouble. Parishes have also been supplied with rules on 'acceptable touch' which advise on how to have physical contact with children. Vicars and anyone else working with children in a parish may hug them if it is done in public, but should hold hands only 'to help with travel and stability'. Clergy and staff are told that while they can sit side-by-side with a child, 'you should discourage people you support from sitting on your lap'. The Church of England does not have confession boxes, but priests can hear the sins of worshippers in private. The secrecy of confession is required by a Church law laid down in 1603, which bishops had considered repealing. The new guidelines say that if a disclosure of child abuse is made in confession by someone who wants to be forgiven for their sins, 'the priest is forbidden from disclosing anything, including any criminal offence, which is revealed in the course of the confession.' However, they add: 'Where a penitent discloses in the course of such a confession that he/she has committed a serious crime, the priest should require him/her to report it to the police or other statutory authority and should withhold absolution if the penitent refuses to do so.' The guidelines do not advise on how a priest can check if a penitent has contacted police. They also stress that sex offenders may be banned from taking tea or coffee after a service and from joining the choir or bellringers. Preparations for the visit by head of the Russias Roscosmos Space Corporation Dmitry Rogozin to the US continue in spite of criticism from officials in Washington, NASA spokeswoman Megan Powers has said, TASS reports. "Planning for a potential visit by the Director-General [of Roscomos Dmitry Rogozin] is still underway," the Politiconewspaper quotes her as saying. "The U.S./Russian relationship in space dates back to the 1970s," she stressed. "NASA has historically invited the head of the Russian space agency to visit the United States. Following this precedent, and Administrator Bridenstines October visit to Russia to participate in crew launch activities to the International Space Station, NASA invited the Director-General of Roscosmos to visit NASA facilities in the United States and discuss our ongoing space-related cooperation." Sinners who confess serious crimes to a Church of England priest will no longer receive forgiveness unless they hand themselves in to police. New guidelines for vicars say Christians who confess grave offences should be denied absolution and informed they risk losing their souls if they do not tell the authorities. But vicars have been told they may not break the privacy of the confession to report criminals to police themselves. The guidelines from bishops follow months of Church agonising over whether to abolish the principle that confessed sins must remain secret. Sinners who confess serious crimes to a Church of England priest will no longer receive forgiveness Bishops admitted last summer that they were divided over the role of confession and the duty of clergy to report what they know. The new guidelines, which also cover how to deal with paedophile parishioners and acceptable touching, follow a series of abuse scandals. Former Bishop of Gloucester Peter Ball was jailed for 32 months in 2015 for sexually abusing 18 young men over three decades. Ex-Archbishop of York Lord Hope was the subject of police inquiries in 2016 over his cover-up of serious child abuse by former Dean of Manchester Robert Waddington. Other sections of the guidelines tell vicars that they cannot refuse to admit a known paedophile to church services. But a church warden should follow them, sit with them in the pew and make sure they do not cause trouble. Parishes have also been supplied with rules on acceptable touch which advise on how to have physical contact with children. Vicars and anyone else working with children in a parish may hug them if it is done in public, but should hold hands only to help with travel and stability. Clergy and staff are told that while they can sit side-by-side with a child, you should discourage people you support from sitting on your lap. The Church of England does not have confession boxes, but priests can hear the sins of worshippers in private. The secrecy of confession is required by a Church law laid down in 1603, which bishops had considered repealing. The new guidelines say that if a disclosure of child abuse is made in confession by someone who wants to be forgiven for their sins, the priest is forbidden from disclosing anything, including any criminal offence, which is revealed in the course of the confession. Former Bishop of Gloucester Peter Ball (pictured above) was jailed for 32 months in 2015 while the former Dean of Manchester Robert Waddington (right) also faced child abuse allegations However, they add: Where a penitent discloses in the course of such a confession that he/she has committed a serious crime, the priest should require him/her to report it to the police or other statutory authority and should withhold absolution if the penitent refuses to do so. The guidelines do not advise on how a priest can check if a penitent has contacted police. They also stress that sex offenders may be banned from taking tea or coffee after a service and from joining the choir or bellringers. Church of England priests should call in social workers or police officers before they carry out an exorcism on a child, new guidelines say Priests should call in social workers or police before they carry out an exorcism on a child who is believed to be possessed by evil spirits, new Church of England guidance states. It means that secular State officials will be involved for the first time in the religious process of casting out devils. Current rules date from 1975, when deliverance ministry procedures were updated in response to the popularity of Hollywood horror film The Exorcist. Since then bishops have had to give special permission for rites to be carried out. Two priests, or a priest and an experienced lay minister, must take part, doctors should be consulted and it should be done with the minimum of publicity. The new guidance, issued yesterday, says: Deliverance is an area of ministry where particular caution needs to be exercised, especially when ministering to someone in a disturbed state. Clergy and Church officials were told to bring in child welfare specialists to help assess the situation or police if a crime is suspected. Advertisement A Maryland consultant riding with his pet Rottweiler was speeding at 100mph when he crashed into several cars, killing a beloved FedEx employee. Sherman Harrison, 37, sped through at least three red traffic lights as he raced down West Street in his 2012 Audi A6. The posted speed limit in the area is 35mph. Assistant DA Courtney Groves said that the man crashed into a Honda CRV near Laight Street in the Tribeca neighborhood, the New York Post reports. Scroll down for video Sherman Harrison, 37, sped through at least three red traffic lights as he raced down West Street in his 2012 Audi A6. The posted speed limit in the area is 35mph The collision caused the Honda CRV to flip over and burst into flames, killing customer service rep Amy Phillipson. 'The defendant's inexplicable recklessness resulted in an entirely avoidable, tragic death to a woman who was on her way to work,' Groves asserted during Harrison's arraignment at the Manhattan Criminal Court. Groves argued that the man be held without bail. The consultant appeared via a video monitor, as he is currently still at the Bellevue Hospital. The collision caused the Honda CRV to flip over and burst into flames, killing customer service rep Amy Phillipson Harrison, who sustained injuries to his head and hands, fled with his Rottweiler east down Hubert Street. As he attempted to flee 'other pedestrians in the vicinity remained stationary looking in the direction of the burning vehicle,' court documents stated. Inside Harrison's vehicle, a .40 caliber Glock magazine was found. It was loaded with 17 rounds. Harrison was charged with one count of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of an incident and possession of ammunition According to the man's lawyer, Adam Miller, the incident was Harrison's first run in with the law. Miller said that his client fled the scene but was in 'tremendous shock after such a horrendous crash.' Harrison is charged with one count of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of an incident and possession of ammunition. He has an undergraduate business degree from the University of Maryland and works for a consulting firm. Miller claimed that because Harrison has federal government clients, his bail should be $20,000. Throughout the arraignment, Harrison was said to have tried speaking directly to the judge. A judge ruled for no bail and the man was ordered back in court on January 4. His 57-year-old victim was remembered as 'a great, simple, easy-going person' by her family (center right) Harrison's 57-year-old victim was remembered as 'a great, simple, easy-going person' by her family. 'You'd be lucky to have her as a friend,' said sister, Abbie Phillipson. Rebecca Phillipson-Weiner, the woman's niece, added that her aunt 'made our childhood fun' and that they were all 'very close.' Phillipson-Weiner did share her struggle with passing the crash site almost every day, as she lives near the location. 'I'm going to have to do that literally every single day, coming and going from work. I don't want to associate her with that area,' she said. 'I was hoping that it was a quick exit for her.' There was no moon that night, and as waves shuddered against the ships bow, the men on deck strained eagerly to catch a glimpse of home through the darkness and crashing spray. Almost 300 exhausted naval veterans of the recently-ended World War I had boarded the Admiralty steam yacht Iolaire, which was at last taking them back to their families. Many had endured U-boat attacks, and titanic battles against the Imperial German Navy. Some had served on Arctic and Atlantic convoys, others on ships sinking and under fire in the Mediterranean, or waiting offshore during the catastrophic Gallipoli campaign. Others had seen service in the decisive Battle of Jutland off the coast of Denmark, in which the British fleet lost nearly 7,000 men. The sinking of the Iolaire on New Years Day 1919, was one of Britains worst peacetime tragedies Miraculously, all had survived the bloody carnage of the past four years to hear peace declared, and were on the final leg of their journey home from the Scottish mainland to the island port of Stornaway on Lewis, gateway to the Western Isles. Their loved ones were waiting on shore, almost within touch, and the men could all but smell the stews and taste the whisky awaiting them. It was Hogmanay, and the bunting was out to welcome them back. They started collecting their kitbags, expecting to be at Stornaway pier in minutes. One had an engagement ring in his trouser pocket intending to present it to his sweetheart. But the Iolaire never made it to the pier. Just before 2am on January 1, 1919, the vessel struck undersea rocks known as the Beasts of Holm. There was a sickening, metallic roar as she rose up and heeled over to her side. Many thought theyd been hit by a torpedo. Around 50 or 60 men jumped into the sea or slid from the sloping deck and perished in the churning cold waters below as waves thundered and broke over the ship. The holed yacht was snared on the rocks at the mercy of the towering sea. Those on board could see nothing in the blackness, but the certainty of death. The ship's wreck - and rocks it hit. Around 50 or 60 men jumped into the sea or slid from the sloping deck and perished in the churning cold waters below as waves thundered and broke over the ship The sinking of the Iolaire on New Years Day 1919, was one of Britains worst peacetime tragedies. The death toll was officially put at 205, of whom 181 were islanders although The Darkest Dawn, a new forensically researched and deeply moving book with a foreword by Prince Charles, who laid a wreath at the tragedys centenary on Tuesday puts the figure at 201. Before they had boarded across the water at the Kyle of Lochalsh, the excitement had been palpable hundreds of excited servicemen packing the quayside in high spirits, taking a sly dram and engaging in boisterous horseplay; many were neighbours who hadnt seen each other for years. All had presents for their family and friends, and were longing for homely reunions. It had been a long, hard journey already for the men of Lewis and Harris via the Highland Railway which, fatally, had been running late, meaning they missed the regular steam-ferry, the SS Sheila, which could sail at 18 knots. The Royal Navy ordered the much slower Iolaire from across the water at Stornaway to ferry the latecomers instead. The Sheila was capable of out-running most gales; its back-up was not. The hero who saved 40 lives. John Finlay Macleod, a man intimately familiar with the coastline and even the pattern of the waves, launched himself into the sea hauling a rope attached to the ship behind him The Iolaire, a luxury yacht before the war, had been used by the Navy in anti-submarine and patrol operations, but could barely make 12 knots. When she arrived in Kyle her Master, Commander Richard Mason, expressed concern that she was kitted out with only two lifeboats and lifejackets for 80. Even more worrying, she had never sailed into Stornoway harbour at night, a tricky manoeuvre even in daylight. After two late-running trains arrived with more demobbed men, the Kyle commander ordered 284 servicemen up the gangplank. The Iolaire left at 9.30pm. Just 12 miles out of Stornoway Harbour the weather turned nasty. A few hours later, as the Force 10 gale took hold, the crew of a local fishing boat watched in horror as the Iolaire failed to change course to make harbour, instead carrying on full steam ahead into the pitch-black midwinter night and onto the jagged rocks. The Iolaires lights failed after she hit and the men clinging to the railings could feel her break apart beneath their feet. Crew member Ernie Adams, a fireman who had been stoking the boilers, scrambled up on deck. The waves were rolling in mountains high, dashing her [the Iolaire] down on the rocks and we could scarcely stand, he said. Most of the men who jumped had no chance. The demobbed sailors were wearing uniforms and heavy boots. Many had never learned to swim. In the seething water around the Beasts, they drowned or were dashed against the rocks. The howling gale and thunderous waves meant the men could hear no lifesaving orders, even if there were any. The ship was effectively under no ones command, without the power or equipment to save lives. The ship was effectively under no ones command, without the power or equipment to save lives When, finally, the flares went up, they showed the vessels stern was just half a dozen yards from a ledge of rocks leading to the safety of the shore. A dozen or so men summoned the courage to leap. Some escaped and scrambled up to safety. Others were sucked down by the undertow. Donald Macdonald, from Cromore, later recounted how the terror was so much worse than war: The scene was terrible to behold . . . the waves descended in a mighty cataract into the churning, boiling, spuming depths below. We were used to mines, torpedoes and shell fire, but this struck fear in our hearts. We knew we were trapped, as no lifeboat could live in that maelstrom. The most powerful swimmer would be a toy. We would be dashed to pieces, quartered and torn asunder by the piercing, knife-like crags. It wasnt only the rocks. Some who tried to swim to shore were lacerated by fragments of twisted and jagged metal and splintered wood from the breaking ship. Macdonald hoped to jump into the sea to join one of two lifeboats the men launched on the lee side. He was too late; it was full. Thanks goodness I missed it by seconds, he said later. I watched it churning and swirling and in an instant down it went. He chose not to jump for the second lifeboat after that, and watched it as a mighty backwave seemed to fill the boat. It seemed to glide up to their shoulders, their heads and then no more. I could not see any survivors from any of the boats. Three men who climbed one of the Iolaires masts perished when the gale toppled the vessel. Everyone on board seemed doomed until a Navy carpenter heading home to Lewis on leave committed an act of heart-stopping heroism. John Finlay Macleod, a man intimately familiar with the coastline and even the pattern of the waves, launched himself into the sea hauling a rope attached to the ship behind him. At one point he disappeared beneath the water to the despair of those watching, but he then came up again. When he reached shore he secured another stronger rope to the rocks, and some 40 men escaped along the lifeline. Donald Murray was one who made it across. He was hardly ashore when the ship suddenly shifted, yanking the rope tight and catapulting the men who were still on it to their deaths. The Iolaires back had broken and, with a roar, she slipped off the rock and went under. There was an explosion as the boiler appeared to blow and the funnel collapsed. Everyone on the boat many trapped in the lower deck saloon was plunged below the waves. Donald Morrison, of Knockaird, a stocky 18-year-old, was about to head across the rope when the ship went down. I dont know if I went to the bottom of the sea, he said. I was struggling in the water, when a rope came into my hand and I got to the riggings and then up the mast as far as I could climb. He was picked up alive eight hours later still clinging with bloody and frost-bitten fingers, the only sailor from the Iolaire to come ashore alive at Stornoway pier. His brother Angus was not so lucky. The pair had met up in Kyle, the mainland departure point. Of the 25 brothers on board, only one set George and Murdo Macarthur of Cromore survived. Of one set of three brothers on board, Angus and John Macphail survived, but Norman did not. Donald Macleod swam ashore, but on finding his brother, Malcolm, had not made it, turned back to look for him. Both perished. Donald Macaskill, travelling with his older brother, Duncan, managed to grab one of the lifebelts, but gave it to his brother because he was the stronger swimmer. Duncan swam to the shore with Donald hanging on to his back for most of the way, but Donald was swept away. Bodies were washed up at Sandwick, along with gift-wrapped presents for their children. Women and children, mothers and grandparents, had decorations up ready to welcome their men home. One excited mother had joked: See and dont come home without Murdo now! before she waved off her daughter who was heading to the quayside to meet her brother Murdo Maclain. She was to wait in vain. As the news spread, islanders trudged through the rain to look for the survivors and the dead. Four-year veteran John Macaskills body was found up against the cemetery wall across the road from his own house. The local bard Murdo Macfarlane said: He was washed up almost on his own doorstep after going through a whole war. Kenneth Macphail, 24, a crofter and fisherman before the war, had been the sole survivor of the armed merchantman SS Cambric, torpedoed off Gibraltar in 1917. He had spent 36 hours in the sea until washed ashore in Algeria. After the sinking of the Ioliare, Macphails brother Angus spent several days working from a rowing boat over the wreck, using grappling irons in a desperate search for the bodies of his brother and two other relatives. Eventually, Angus recovered Kenneths corpse and was astonished to find his hands were stuffed firmly into his pockets. Angus believed that, after the trauma of surviving the previous sinking, Kenneth had made no attempt to save himself, but simply resigned himself to his fate. The Lewis Roll of Honour records: Pathetic in the extreme it is to think that this powerful seaman after so miraculous an escape in the Mediterranean, perished within a few feet of his native soil. Inevitably, the news of the loss of the Iolaire with so many lives was a devastating blow to the nations morale after four years of war. The Scotsman reported: The villages of Lewis are like places of the dead. The homes of the island are full of lamentation grief that cannot be comforted. Scarcely a family has escaped the loss of a near-blood relative. Many have had sorrow heaped upon sorrow. Malcolm Macdonald, author of The Darkest Dawn (along with Donald John MacLeod), was named after his grandfather whose body was among many never found. But as a boy, Malcolm was not told what had happened so traumatised were islanders by the disaster that many refused to speak of it for decades. We were told nothing. We knew that hed been killed in the war, but we didnt realise it was so close to home, he says. What I thought when I found out was: Why didnt they tell us? But its only now Im realising it was the same all over the island, in every village from Tolsta to Ness to Uig. They all reacted the same. A public inquiry in February found that, despite rumours, drink was not held to have been a factor in the sinking at any point. The official naval investigation into the disaster was downgraded immediately from a court martial to a Court of Inquiry, due to the Navys fear that the findings of a court martial might imply blame was being accepted by them. It was held in private, on January 8, 1919 and the findings were not released to the public until 1970. They ruled that because no officers on board had survived, no opinion can be given as to whether blame is attributable to anyone in the matter. Later, disaster measures were put in place by the government, including mandatory lifeboats and life-saving equipment. In an act of incredible insensitivity, the Admiralty put the wreck of the Iolaire up for sale only 15 days after the disaster, appalling the islanders as there were still more than 80 bodies unaccounted for. The impact of the calamity continued for generations as families grieved and orphaned siblings were split up, to be fostered by relatives and strangers. The Stornoway Gazette reported: Language cannot express the anguish, the desolation, the despair which this awful catastrophe has inflicted. One thinks of the wide circle of blood relations affected by the loss of even one of the gallant lads, and imagination sees those circles multiplied by the number of the dead, overlapping and overlapping each other till the whole island every hearth and home is shrouded in deepest gloom. Many of those who made it home suffered survivors guilt and could not settle down to peacetime island life. The niece of Murdo Stewart said: He couldnt wait to get away. He felt guilty walking around the village. He felt: Why did we survive? Fourteen survivors emigrated. Alexander Mackenzie, from Leurbost, became a harbour master in Australia. Another, Malcolm Macdonald, became a fitter in Canada but never wrote home. Donald Macdonald, from Cromore was buried in Canada with an anchor on his grave. In 1959, Donald Macphail, speaking on Gaelic radio, recalled the moment a friend of his found the body of his own son: He was so handsome that I could have said he was not dead at all. His father went on his knees beside him and began to take letters from his sons pockets. The tears were splashing on the body of his son. It is the most heart-rending sight Ive ever seen. The young man was Roderick Murray, aged 19, and the letters pulled from his pocket by his father had been written in his own hand to his son. One said: We are missing you very much but we hope that you will not be very long in coming home . . . Ian Hernon is the author of several books on military and social history spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. The US Marine who was killed on Tuesday morning while on duty at the Marine Barracks in the nation's capital has been identified as Riley Kuznia. The Marine Corps and Metropolitan Police both shared the information on Wednesday, waiting until 24 hours after the victim's family was notified to release his name, as is standard practice. A spokesperson for DC Metropolitan Police tells DailyMail.com that the incident is being looked into as a Death Investigation. Tragedy: Riley Kuznia, 20, of Karlstad, Minnesota was fatally shot just after 5am on Tuesday morning by a fellow US Marine at the Barracks in Washington DC (Kuznia and his mother above) Heartbreaking: Just hours before, his girlfriend posted a photo of the two and wrote 'ready to have you home again' (couple above) Courtesy of WJLA The Public Incident Report filed by the responding officer on Tuesday reveals that officials responded to the scene just after 5am in the morning after getting the call that a Marine had discharged his weapon and wounded Kuznia. He was rushed by ambulance to Washington Hospital Center according to the report, where life-saving measures were performed. Those measures ultimately failed, and the Minnesota native was pronounced dead at 5:59am. Markelle Kuznia, who is the mother of the 20-year-old veteran, also confirmed the news in a heartbreaking Facebook post. 'With broken hearts we lost a loving son, cherished brother and dedicated Marine,' he wrote. 'We appreciate everyones thoughts and prayer during this difficult time! Please use his Facebook account to share all the amazing memories you shared with this goofy kid. Semper fidelis!' Gone too soon: A spokesperson for DC Metropolitan Police tells DailyMail.com that the incident is being treated as a Death Investigation (Kuznia above) Loved one: The incident occurred during a shift change and Kuznia was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:59am (Kuznia and girlfriend Ali Undeberg) Remarkable woman: The victim's mother posted a poignant message on her Facebook page The young man always dreamed of serving his country said his mother, and had joined up with the Marines right after his graduation. It was a big change for the boy from Karlstad, Minnesota, a community with a population of just 800 people. He left behind his high school sweetheart, who only hours before the shooting posted a photo of the two and wrote: 'Ready to have you home again.' She then updated that image after learning of the tragedy, writing: 'God wanted you home first.' In addition to his mother and girlfriend, Riley also had three siblings back home - two sisters and a brother. A woman has been charged with stealing a purse from a parishioner at her hometown church during a Christmas Eve Mass. Tara Costello, 45, was taken into custody along with her boyfriend, 51-year-old Michael Cuozzp, at their home in Greenlawn on New Year's Day, the Suffolk County Police Department said in a press release. The pair, who have three children together, were charged with fourth-degree grand larceny for allegedly stealing purses containing credit cards at Blackstone Steakhouse in Melville; at McKeowns Pub in Huntington, and at a Jenny Craig weight loss center in Huntington Station between December 23-26. Tara Costello (left), 45, is accused of stealing a purse from a woman attending a Christmas Eve Mass. Her boyfriend, Michael Cuozzo (right), 51, is charged with swiping purses from businesses on Long Island CCTV video caught a woman believed to be Costello taking the bag (left), and then walking out of the church with another woman (right) During the couple's alleged crime spree, police say Costello on her own swiped a bag from a woman attending Mass at St Francis of Assisi in Greenlawn on December 24. Surveillance video obtained by CBS2 captured the moment police say Costello grabbed an unattended bag from a pew after the bag's owner had gotten up to receive communion. Costello then stashed the purse inside her coat and walked out of the church, accompanied by another woman, who so far has not been arrested. A woman was praying at St Francis of Assisi in Greenlawn on December 24 when police say Costello grabbed her unattended purse from a pew In addition to two counts of grand larceny, the 45-year-old Costello was also charged with four counts of criminal possession of stolen property for allegedly using stolen credit cards. In her booking photo taken after her arrest, the mom-of-three appears with tears steaming down her face. Costello and Cuozzo were both released on bail pending their arraignment. The pastor husband of a woman who was killed during a horrific carjacking in November has been missing since New Year's Day. David Michael Plessy was last seen leaving his home around 8am on Tuesday, according to the New Orleans Police Department. Plessy's stepdaughter Nadia Sanchez revealed her father had visited his late wife's grave on the night before he disappeared. Mother-of-five Jeannot Plessy, 49, was killed after she was thrown out of her car and then crushed under her own vehicle by a carjacker in front of Sanchez's home. David Plessy, whose wife Jeannot Plessy was killed in a carjacking in November, disappeared on New Year's Day Plessy was last seen leaving his home around 8am on Tuesday, according to the New Orleans Police Department Just hours before he disappeared, Plessy posted on Facebook that it had been the best and worst year of his life Sanchez said she last spoke with her stepfather on Monday and that he had seemed okay during their conversation. 'He was talking about being present for trial and he wanted justice for my mom and he was going to do everything he could to make that happen for her,' she told WWLTV. 'It's just very out of character for him to not check on his kids, to not keep in touch me with me or my sister,' Sanchez said. 'It's not like him at all.' Plessy's car was found on Tuesday night under Interstate 10 in the Treme neighborhood. His phone was still inside. Sanchez said her stepfather went to visit Jeannot's grave around 8pm on Monday night before meeting his children. 'I don't know what his state of mind was when he was there,' she said. 'I think it was a kind of spur-of-the-moment thing.' Plessy's stepdaughter Nadia Sanchez revealed her father had visited his late wife's grave on the night before he disappeared. Plessy is pictured here with Jeannot Jontrell Robinson, 17, (left) and Edwin Cottrell, 18, (right) were both charged with second-degree murder Following Jeannot's death, Plessy (pictured here emotionally speaking to reporters) and his family said they were committed to remaining strong and compassionate in her honor 'I think it was just a lot harder than he thought it would be.' Jeannot, a devout Christian, had only just returned from a preaching tour in American Samoa when she went on a date night with Plessy - her husband of 14 years. They eventually parted ways in separate cars so Jeannot could go and pick up their younger children from Sanchez's home. Police said the carjacker approached Jeannot when she was getting out of her car in her daughter's driveway. The mother was thrown to the ground after a struggle before Sanchez's husband tried to pull the carjacker from the car. The carjacker reversed the car at a high speed and ran over Jeannot, who was already injured. She was rushed to the hospital, but died from her injuries. Jeannot, a devout Christian, had only just returned from a preaching tour in American Samoa when she went on a date night with Plessy - her husband of 14 years Police said the carjacker approached Jeannot when she was getting out of her car in her daughter's Nadia Sanchez's driveway. Nadia is pictured here Jontrell Robinson, 17, later admitted to removing Jeannot from her car and reversing into her, according to The Times-Picayune. Robinson and 18-year-old Edwin Cottrell, who was also in the car, were both charged with second-degree murder, unauthorized use of a murder vehicle, and carjacking. A 15-year-old who was with Cottrell and Robinson has also been charged in Jeannot's death. Surveillance footage captured a stolen white van following Jeannot before the carjacking. Robinson later confessed he had been riding in the van with Cottrell and the 15-year-old. Following Jeannot's death, Plessy and his family said they were committed to remaining strong and compassionate in her honor. The mother was thrown to the ground after a struggle before Sanchez's husband (pictured) tried to pull the carjacker from the car 'It doesn't matter who is responsible for this terrible tragedy. If that young man were in front of my wife, she would give him a hug and tell him that Jesus loves him,' Plessy told WDSU in November. 'If you had met my wife, your life would have changed.' 'The person who did this, yes I am angry with because I had to see my mom mangled at the end of my driveway as someone fled away carelessly,' Sanchez said. But Sanchez said her mother would want her to seek good from evil. 'Mom really lived her life so fully out of every single tragedy and crazy drama that she lived through.' Giuseppe Matarazzo was shot dead after being released from prison for sexual abuse. Police believe he was killed by hitmen hired by the father of one of his victims Police in Italy are investigating whether a paedophile freed from jail after abusing two teenage girls was shot dead by hitmen hired by the father of a victim who later committed suicide. Giuseppe Matarazzo, 45, a shepherd, was murdered in the town of Frasso Telesino, around 35 miles north of Naples, in July last year. He was shot five times from an SUV after one of the passengers beckoned him over to ask for directions. On Friday, police arrested two men - Generoso Nastam, 30, and Giuseppe Massaro, 55 - who they believe were driving the vehicle used in the crime. They are also investigating, but have not yet arrested, the father of a 15-year-old girl who was abused by Matarazzo. The girl committed suicide after he was jailed for 11 and a half years for the abuse. State prosecutor Aldo Policastro told Repubblica that Matarazzo's murder was 'certainly on commission... for revenge' and said Friday's arrests were only the first step in their investigation. Policastro said that no direct link had been discovered between the victim's father and the two men, meaning there were likely intermediaries who introduced them. While police believe Massaro acquired the .357 magnum pistol used in the crime, they do not think he pulled the trigger, and are still hunting for the shooter. Investigators believe that Massaro used a Fiat Croma registered to a family member to help carry out the crime. They say inspections of the car's GPS show that it drove to the location of the murder for several days beforehand, and was there on the day in question. After the day of the murder, the vehicle did not return to the spot again. Conversations intercepted from Massaro's phone led officers to Generoso Nastam, they revealed. The messages also showed that Massaro was looking to obtain fake identity papers in order to escape from Italy. Both men are due in front of magistrates in the coming days for questioning. Scarlett Johansson is slamming trolls who superimpose faces of women in pornographic and explicit videos, known as 'deepfakes'. Speaking to The Washington Post, the A-list actress said protecting yourself from the internet is 'basically a lost cause' and 'fruitless'. Johansson herself has been a target for internet trolls who have put her face on a number of pornographic videos, some garnering more than a million views on porn sites. But other woman have also fallen victim to the growing porn scam that is often done without knowledge or permission and using just Facebook photos. Scarlett Johansson is speaking out on being a victim of 'deepfake' porn videos. One doctored porn video of her has racked up more than 1.5million views on a porn site Using artificial intelligence, the trolls need as little as a Facebook photo to make the disturbing, life-like videos of the person. Users on deepfake forums shared their sickening escapades over how they were keen to send the critic the videos to her Twitter and email. 'Now THIS is the deepfake we need and deserve, if for no other reason than (principle)', one user said. Johansson says that seeking legal action against the perpetrators can prove difficult. 'I think its a useless pursuit, legally, mostly because the internet is a vast wormhole of darkness that eats itself,' she said. 'Its a fruitless pursuit for me but a different situation than someone who loses a job over their image being used like that.' Media critic Anita Sarkeesian found her face in a porn video earlier last year, which raked in more than 30,000 views on an adult-site. Ms Sarkeesian has drawn criticism over her feminist critiques of pop culture and video games Johansson said women, children and seniors are the most vulnerable to the internet trolls and must take be extra-vigilant protect their identities. Trolls are taking advantage of ground-breaking video software to superimpose faces of women in explicit videos (stock photo) 'The Internet is just another place where sex sells and vulnerable people are preyed upon. And any low level hacker can steal a password and steal and identity. Its just a matter of time before any one person is targeted,' the 34-year-old said. Johansson said protecting yourself is 'basically a lost cause' and 'fruitless' However, not all account need to be hacked. Some of the trolls use public photos to create the doctored videos. International expert on crime victim rights and University of Sydney professor Tyrone Kirchengast told Daily Mail Australia the internet provided the perfect base for the growing porn scam. 'It's a technological issue where artificial intelligence can access imagery and photos that are now of course prolific online,' he said. 'These can all be placed on moving bodies of a complete stranger and distributed on porn websites.' Professor Kirchengast said in the case of deepfake videos, the editor 'could potentially be the artificial intelligence.' He said the link between human conduct, individuals and final distribution of the video were broken. On that score, it could become difficult knowing who to hold accountable. 'If the creator or requester of the deepfake knows of the AI and deploys it, there's no problem identifying who is to blame. 'But if someone uploads the image online with no sexual intent and artificial took the image without their permission they could have a plausible excuse.' Johansson says tackling the trolls legally can prove difficult because 'every country has their own legalese regarding the right to your own image.' 'While you may be able to take down sites in the US that are using your face, the same rules might not apply in Germany,' she said. 'Even if you copyright pictures with your image that belong to you, the same copyright laws dont apply overseas. I have sadly been down this road many, many times.' Professor Kirchengast said even removing images from the internet seems like an unrealistic alternative to combat deepfake considering it's increasingly difficult to stay off social media. 'There are basically no rules on the internet because it is an abyss that remains virtually lawless, withstanding US policies which, again, only apply here,' Johansson said. A mother and daughter spent their final moments picking vegetables on their family farm, before both were shocked to death by a live wire in a 'horrendous accident'. Juanita Bendel, 39, and Ava Cole, 10, were spending New Year's Eve together at their property in Tumoulin, near Cairns in far north Queensland, when tragedy struck. Ms Bendel's husband Mitchell Cole, who is Ava's father, returned home about lunchtime to find the couple's second eldest daughter in hysterics, before making the grim discovery. 'The husband has found them, he had come back for the farm for lunch; he too received a sizeable shock,' Superintendent Geoff Sheldon told The Cairns Post. 'He began to give CPR... paramedics tried to resuscitate both mother and child but efforts were negative.' Juanita Bendel (left) and her daughter spent their final moments picking vegetables together on their family farm, before both were tragically shocked to death by a live wire Both Ms Bendel, who ran a childcare centre at nearby Ravenshoe, and her daughter were pronounced dead at the scene. Supt Sheldon said the tragedy had rocked the tight-knit community of less than 800 people. 'It is just a family tragedy but it is such a broader thing than that,' he said. 'Everybody in the community knew them, came to help at a time of crisis and they have all been horrendously affected by this.' Supt Sheldon said it appeared the family had attached a cable from a fence at the farm to the bull bar of a semi-trailer in a bid to 'stop horses straying into the shed'. A battery charger was then attached to the truck to charge it up, which inadvertently made the whole set up electrified. Ava Collins, 10, (pictured) and her mother were electrocuted on a rural cattle property, possibly while fixing a cable to a semi-trailer Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Joe Paronella said the deaths came as an 'awful shock' to the community. 'It's a tragedy and very sad loss. It just highlights how careful we have to be at all times,' Cr Paronella told the Cairns Post. Daily Mail Australia understands Ava attended the Catholic St Teresa's Primary School in Ravenshoe and was the eldest of three girls. The married mother lived with her family on a cattle and horse property she owned with her husband. The pair had spent New Year's Day together at their property in Tumoulin, near Cairns in Far North Queensland Ava's four-year-old sister Hannah suffered minor injuries from the electrified setup as she went outside to look for them. Their neighbour Mark Toohey, who arrived at the scene soon after tragedy struck, was distraught at losing those next door to him. He described the child who lost her life as 'an active little cowgirl'. 'The family's grieving, we're all grieving, I was on site,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday. 'The chances of this happening are so remote. That's what makes it especially tragic.' Ava was remembered for being a cowgirl, and poses as one with friends at the Brahman 50th anniversary Cairns Show Local councillor Annette Haydon knew the family personally and was shocked by their sudden death. 'Juanita always had the biggest smile on her face. She was always happy to talk to you. These are terrible circumstances,' she told the Courier Mail. Juanita's aunty, Roseanne Bendel, told the publication the tragedy was 'beyond comprehension'. 'I can't even think at the moment. They are just a wonderful family and we're just all so devastated... [Ava] was a beautiful little 10-year-old,' she said. Workplace Health and Safety is investigating the incident and police are preparing a report for the Coroner. A giant backpack you can sleep in has proved to be a huge hit in Japan, with some variants of the huge bag having sold out online. Japanese design studio CWF created the 'Backpacker's Closet', a bag which is so large it can be used as a wardrobe to cart about your clothing or even to carry a grown person around. The oversized backpack is priced at around 180 (26,000 yen), and online retailer Plywood has already sold out of the 'sand beige' version of the accessory which have been selling like hot cakes. The giant backpack is available in three different shades: Black, Olive and Sand Beige The Backpacker's Closet measures around 100cm in length by 68cm in width and features a maximum capacity of 180 litres (48 gallons). The design makes it ideal for carrying a young adult and features extra padding in the shoulder straps to reduce stress on the wearer's back and shoulders. On Plywood's website the bag is described as 'indispensable for outdoors, carrying heavy gears and bringing in a large number of ingredients to the camp site.' A model (pictured above) is shown wearing the backpack 'If you live in a house with a small number of closets and you are having trouble with storage, you can also hide the things you do not want to show'. Despite the product being ideal to take items to a campsite, warnings on the product state that the bag should be kept in the shade and away from direct sunlight. The website also states that Friction, water wetness, rain water, sweat, may cause discoloration or colour transfer. A Turkish man suspected to be an ISIL member has refused to testify in court in the Central Anatolian province of Kayseri, while the police detained 12 other suspects in the western province of Bursa, including two women sought internationally, Hurriyet Daily News reported. You are taghut [an Arabic term denoting a focus of worship other than Allah], Murat Yerlikaya told the judge in Kayseri on Jan. 2 when he refused to testify. Yerlikaya was detained alongside Moroccan citizen Nadia Nasyf on suspicion of plotting a terror attack at New Year celebrations in Kayseri. The judge ordered arrest for Yerlikaya, while releasing Nasyf. In a separate case, Turkish police raided multiple addresses in Bursa on Jan. 2, detaining a total of 12 people. According to local media reports, two female suspects were sought by French police with Interpol warrants on suspicion of links to ISIL. One of the suspects was arrested on Jan. 2 and five others are expected to be deported. The criminal procedure is going ahead for the rest. Elizabeth Warren is preparing to bring a populist message to Iowa voters just days after taking her first major step toward launching a campaign for president. The Massachusetts Democrat told reporters on Wednesday that she's planning to visit the state with the nation's first presidential caucuses after being sworn in on Thursday to a second Senate term. Warren said that Washington 'works great for the wealthy and the well-connected' but that it needs to work for everybody else. 'This is a moment in America where people really want to get the focus back on the points that touch their lives, about things like student loans and what it costs to get a prescription filled,' Warren said after a swearing-in ceremony for state lawmakers at the Massachusetts Statehouse. Warren on Monday announced she's launching an exploratory committee for president. Here for a day or two: Elizabeth Warren was on Capitol Hill Wednesday but said she would be on her way to Iowa, the first in the nation caucus, once she was sworn in Simply connect: Elizabeth Warren swigged a beer on a live Q&A on New Year's Day after announcing her move on a presidential run in a video mocked as a cringe-inducing attempt to copy the social media success of Beto O'Rourke and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez She is the most prominent Democrat yet in what is expected to be a crowded field of fellow contenders hoping to retake the White House from Republican President Donald Trump in 2020. The former Harvard law professor made a name for herself a decade ago with calls for greater consumer protections, which led to the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau under former Democratic President Barack Obama. Warren said she plans to run on many of those same basic economic issues, which she said have been made even more precarious by Washington politics. 'I believe that Washington is corrupt,' she said. 'I see it firsthand.' Warren was been a favorite target of Trump, who frequently calls her 'Pocahontas' - a reference to Warren's claims of Native American heritage. Warren in October released a DNA test meant to bolster those claims, but the test seemed only to generate more controversy for Warren. The test indicated that Warren likely had Native American in her bloodline, though the ancestor probably lived six to 10 generations ago. Some critics complained that the genetic analysis cheapened the identities of tribal members with deeper ties. On her way: Warren plans to start her swing through Iowa on Friday with a stop at an organizing event in Council Bluffs followed by similar events on Saturday in Sioux City and Des Moines and a roundtable discussion in Storm Lake Trump told Fox News Channel's 'All-American New Year' in an interview Monday that he hopes Warren runs. 'We'll see how she does,' he said. 'I wish her well. I hope she does well. I'd love to run against her.' Warren plans to start her swing through Iowa on Friday with a stop at an organizing event in Council Bluffs followed by similar events on Saturday in Sioux City and Des Moines and a roundtable discussion in Storm Lake. Warren also defended her decision to host a live Instagram event on New Year's Eve from the kitchen of her home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The live feed showed her drinking a beer, petting her dog and taking questions from viewers - an event some derided as awkward. 'It's one more way to be able just to invite people into your home. I wish I could just open the door and have lots of folks in, but this is a way to do it,' she said, adding that her beer of choice is Michelob Ultra, what she called 'the club soda of beers.' President Donald Trump on Wednesday insisted that he 'essentially' fired former Defense Secretary James Mattis, whose fiery resignation letter was seen as a rebuke of his presidency. 'As you know, President Obama fired him, and essentially so did I,' Trump said before the start of a Cabinet meeting with acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan at his side. 'What's he done for me? How had he done in Afghanistan? Not too good,' the president said of the retired four-star general whom he used to refer to as 'Mad Dog.' Trump went on to tout his own credentials on the field of battle. 'I think I would've been a good general, but who knows,' he said. President Trump insisted he 'essentially' fired Defense Secretary James Mattis Jim Mattis' resignation letter was seen as a rebuke of Trump's presidency Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan sat to Trump's left in Wednesday's Cabinet meeting The president has not served in combat. During the Vietnam War, Trump received four education deferments from the draft when, in the fall of 1968, a bone spur diagnosis made him medically ineligible. The end of Mattis' tenure in the Trump administration came when Mattis left in protest after the president announced he was pulling out U.S. troops from Syria, which the two men disagreed about. Mattis offered a resignation letter on December 20 that was seen as a dig at his commander-in-chief. And he ensured it would be seen. He ordered aides to distribute 50 copies of it. The move - and the media coverage of his letter - pushed him out the door even faster. A scant three days later, on Dec. 23, Trump announced Mattis was leaving his administration on January 1 amid his anger at how the resignation letter was received. Tensions have long said to be thick between the two men. Mattis was long rumored to be on the way out - a bit of gossip Trump stroked by saying repeatedly he expected his Pentagon chief would not hang around. Mattis' departure brought groans from Trump critics, who claimed one of the few 'grownups' in the Trump administration was leaving. Democrats also used Mattis' fiery resignation letter as their new cause celebrity. But lawmakers and the defense industry were also rattled by Mattis' departure. 'I was one of many senators who privately sat down with General Mattis and said, 'Please stay, stay as long as you possibly can,' Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin said on NBC's Meet the Press' shortly after Mattis announced his departure. He added: 'It breaks my heart that he's going to step aside. We counted on him to be there and to stop this president from his worst impulse.' Mattis was supposed to remain on the job until Feb. 28. He named late February as his exit in his resignation letter, calling it 'a date that should allow sufficient time for a successor to be nominated and confirmed as well as to make sure the Department's interests are properly articulated and protected at upcoming events.' His letter also noted his views were not aligned with the president's. 'Because you have the right to a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects,' Mattis wrote in his letter, 'I believe it is right for me to step down from my position.' 'As you know, President Obama fired him, and essentially so did I,' Trump said of Mattis Jim Mattis' last day was December 31; Trump moved it up amid anger of Mattis' resignation letter Trump announced Mattis' early departure in December '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,' he wrote. '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.' Mattis also declared that America 'must be resolute and unambiguous in our approach to those countries whose strategic interests are increasingly in tension with ours.' Mattis enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1969 and was commissioned as an officer in 1972. He served in the Persian Gulf War and in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was promoted to four-star general in 2007 when he was the head of U.S. Joint Forces Command. In 2010, he was named the head of Central Command, where he oversaw U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2013 President Obama removed Mattis over differences about U.S. policy in Iraq. Mattis retired from the Marines that same year. President Trump said Wednesday that he prevented WWIII with his Kim summit. He revealed that he'd just received another letter from the North Korean dictator that he flashed and said he wished he could show reporters in order to demonstrate the 'good relationship' they have established. If it weren't for their June 2018 summit, he said, 'You'd be at war right now, you'd be having a nice big fat war in Asia, and it wouldn't be pleasant.' Trump meanwhile warned America's sworn enemies on Wednesday that 'sanctions are coming' if they misbehave during his first Cabinet meeting of 2019. He brandished the movie poster that's based on the 'Game of Thrones' mantra 'Winter is Coming' in the meeting where he spoke favorably about a second summit with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump had first used the poster to take a slap at Iran, but left it on the table at his Cabinet meeting without explaining who the intended recipient of the message is. President Trump warned America's sworn enemies on Wednesday that 'sanctions are coming' if they misbehave during his first Cabinet meeting of 2019 Kim had warned Trump not to test his patience in a New Year's address, in which he said the hermit nation could revert to nuclear and missile testing if the United States doesn't make good on its promise to lift punishing actions. Trump said Wednesday that Kim really wants denuclearization and he looks forward to another summit with him. 'We'll probably now have another meeting. He'd like to meet, I'd like to meet,' Trump announced. The two leaders made global headlines with an unprecedented summit in Singapore in June, where they signed a vaguely-worded pledge on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. But progress has since stalled with the two sides disagreeing over what the declaration means, and the pace of U.S.-North Korean negotiations has slowed, with meetings and visits cancelled at short notice. North Korea has not fulfilled its commitment at the summit to totally and completely denuclearize, although it has not conducted any tests since 2017. 'I never said speed,' President Trump said of the loose agreement on Wednesday. 'We don't have to rush. There's no rush.' The North is demanding relief from the multiple sanctions imposed on it over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and has condemned U.S. insistence on its nuclear disarmament as 'gangster-like.' Trump said he Wednesday that he was looking forward to another summit with Kim after the North Korean leader warned Pyongyang could change its approach to nuclear talks if Washington persists with sanctions Speculation of a second Trump-Kim summit has ebbed and flowed, with the U.S. president saying that he hoped it would take place early this year. 'I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!' he said in a tweet. But a proposed visit by Kim to Seoul before the end of December did not materialize. In his New Year speech Kim called for the sanctions to be eased, saying that the North had declared 'we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them,' and urged the U.S. to take 'corresponding practical actions.' If Washington instead continues with the measures, he added, 'we may be compelled to find a new way for defending the sovereignty of the country and the supreme interests of the state.' He was willing to meet Trump at any time, he said. Kim delivered his speech sitting in a leather armchair in a book-lined office with a patterned blue carpet, presented as being at the headquarters of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. Large paintings of Kim's predecessors, his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung, looked on and a white phone lay on the side table next to Kim's chair. It was a marked departure from previous New Year speeches - always a key moment in the North Korean political calendar - which Kim has usually delivered much more formally, standing at a podium. In his New Year speech Kim called for the sanctions to be eased, saying that the North had declared 'we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them,' and urged the U.S. to take 'corresponding practical actions' One thing that was different from past speeches by the North Korean leader was that it was 'a relaxed, indoor setting, with him sitting in a comfortable chair rather than standing and speaking in a huge square,' the Korea Times said. 'It seems North Korea was once again trying to establish a new identity as a normal country on the global stage and distance itself from the image of the impoverished authoritarian state that the rest of the world associates it with.' Kim dedicated most of his 30-minute speech to calls to shore up the nation's moribund economy and curb chronic power shortage - a goal impossible to achieve without lifting of the sanctions. South Korea - a key U.S. ally in Asia and the North's capitalist neighbor - praised Kim's speech, calling it a reaffirmation of Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearization. Seoul and Washington have at times pursued divergent approaches to the Pyongyang, with the South pushing cross-border co-operation projects, including connecting railways and roads across the heavily-fortified border and upgrading the North's tattered infrastructure. But such plans also require some of the sanctions to be lifted. The South's dovish President Moon Jae-in, who played a role of peace broker between the two mercurial leaders, met Kim three times last year - twice at the border truce village of Panmunjom and once in Pyongyang. Kim sent Moon a message on Sunday, vowing to meet him 'frequently' to discuss denuclearisation. Culminating in late 2017, the North has carried out six atomic blasts and launched rockets capable of reaching the entire US mainland, but has now carried out no such tests for more than a year. A 19-year-old mother, her boyfriend and her two-year-old daughter have died after their car plunged into a freezing Wisconsin river while law enforcement chased them on suspicion of two armed robberies. Shannan Nehmer had her child, Annamellia, with her on Monday when police pursued the vehicle that matched a description in connection with local incidents. It's not clear who was operating the SUV but an unidentified man, 29, also died after the car kept going through a fence and into the cold water at 8.30pm on New Year's Eve. Scroll down for video Shannan Nehmer, 19, her 29-year-old boyfriend and her two-year-old daughter Annamellia died after their car plunged into the Kinnickinnic River on New Year's Eve Shannan's daughter and boyfriend were not found until Tuesday when the vehicle was pulled from the river with them inside Police said an officer tried to stop the car but the driver drove off. Surveillance video shows the car speeding and the driver losing control before the crash. Wisconsin State Patrol was investigating whether road conditions or substances affected their ability to stop the car. 'We believe just ultimately ran into the dead end. The East Greenfield dead ends into and crosses with the Milwaukee River. We believe the vehicle just drove whether they knew or didn't know the street ended. They drove right into the river,' TMJ4.com reported Police Chief Alfonso Morales said. Divers had to stop their search Monday night and resume the following day The body of Shannan Nehmer was recovered from the river by Milwaukee Fire Department on Monday night Milwaukee Fire Department pulled Shannan's body from the water that night but she died at the scene. Divers had to stop searching due to eroding conditions Monday night and did not find the bodies of her little girl or adult boyfriend until after they resumed on Tuesday at around 3.30pm. It was after the motor vehicle was pulled from the Kinnickinnic River on the same day and two were discovered inside. Surveillance video shows the car speeding (left) and the driver losing control before the vehicle crashed into the river. Police (right) warned suspects to stop during car pursuits The teen's brother-in-law said she was headed down a bad path and the family tried to save her Shannan's body was identified on Tuesday when her relatives reported her missing. Autopsies were scheduled for Wednesday, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. Police Sergeant Sheronda Grant was unable to say how many people were attacked in the two separate robberies on Monday prior to the crash, and they don't know whether the toddler was in the car at the time. Grant warned crime suspects to stop instead of leading risky car chases that put their lives in unnecessary danger. 'If not, they place their lives and the lives of others at risk,' Grant warned. Kristin Nehmer on Tuesday warned other teens not to follow in her sibling's footsteps From 2010, Milwaukee car pursuits were limited to only violent felony suspects after four innocent bystanders were killed. But in September 2017, the public was sick of reckless drivers and law enforcement were then given permission to chase suspects in non-violent felonies if they present a clear threat to public safety or are involved with drug dealing. Shannan's brother-in-law said the teenager's family knew she was headed for trouble. 'I'm surprised to hear what happened, but I knew she was going down the wrong path,' Ronald Graun told WISN. 'We tried to straighten her out and helped her out as much as we could.' Shannan's sister hoped other young women would learn from her relative's mistakes Shannan's elder sister Kristin Nehmer insisted her sibling was a good person but questioned why she would put her child at such risk. 'I can't imagine why she would have her daughter with her when she is doing things like that. That's the hardest part,' Kristin cried. 'She had a really good heart. She made a bad decision, but she was 19.' She added that she hoped other young women would learn from her relative's experience. They were looking forward to seeing the children grow up to be close cousins. 'I would hope that people who are her age and were close to her will learn from this because the youth is hell-bent on doing what she was doing and this is what can happen,' Kristin continued. 'It's so hard because I have two two-year-old myself and I always pictured them growing up together and now, that's not going to happen.' Employee said Davenport organised event and took payment from revellers Convicted fraudster Eddie Davenport (pictured) organised the event and took payment from high-spirited revellers where a bouncer was stabbed to death The doorman stabbed in Mayfair on New Year's Eve died protecting wealthy clients at a flamboyant party run by disgraced self-styled aristocrat Lord 'Fast Eddie' Davenport, it has been claimed. The peer, known for his opulent sex parties, was seen helping with the payments on the door at the exclusive late night 'after-party' when thugs tried to storm their way into the Park Lane venue where Arab princes, tycoons and revellers were celebrating. A source told MailOnline: 'It was a wild party. You name it, it was available.' Doorman Tudor Simionov was killed after being knifed in the chest and the party hostess was also seriously injured when violence erupted at about 5.30am. Self-styled Lord Davenport, 53, a disgraced former friend to the stars who made his name running Gatecrasher balls for public school pupils, was given an eight-year jail term in September 2011 for a 4.5million fraud. But he was released from prison after three years as an act of mercy when he convinced judges he was gravely ill with kidney problems - but he is clearly enjoying life as a free man. An employee at the New Year's Eve party said Eddie Davenport organised the event and took payment from high-spirited revellers. The member of staff, who asked not to be named, told MailOnline: 'Eddie organised the party. He was the one who handled payment. 'He was the one with the card machine and collecting cash. For example, five males were charged 2,000, three males were 800 and I think one male single entry was 100. Prices weren't fixed, they went up and down. Davenport worked with two other chaps and a Chinese lady.' A neighbour said that there were 'girls dressed in sexy outfits and lingerie coming in and out' all night and told The Sun: 'It looked like a sex themed event'. Romanian Tudor (pictured with his girlfriend Madalina) died trying to stop a group of gatecrashers from entering the private bash Lord Edward Davenport uploaded a picture onto his Instagram with two staff from Thai Airways, and said he was 'heading to London and ready to party' Lord Davenport (pictured right) uploaded a picture to his Instagram of him and some friends at a Halloween after party Police officers and forensic Staff in Park Lane, Mayfair after bouncer Tudor Simionov was killed after being knifed in the chest Tudor Simionov, pictured working just hours before he was fatally attacked outside a private New Year's party at the Fountain House on Park Lane A second source well placed inside the London party scene said: 'The party at 80 Park Lane was organized by Lord Davenport. 'Fast Eddie had got a lot in a lot of brass [high-class prostitutes] and he had a lot of his friends and old clients there. 'It was all going well until the bad element turned up. The hostess told the door staff not to let them in and then it all kicked off. 'One of the doorman got stabbed and died and the hostess got slashed. It's absolutely tragic he is a young lad you had not been in London for long.' A neighbour told The Sun: 'Before the stabbing there were girls dressed in sexy outfits and lingerie coming in and out. 'It looked like a sex-themed event high heels, corsets and so on.' Club promoter Tommy Mack also said Davenport was involved in the party and said there were many affluent guests who spent thousands to secure a table. 'Fast Eddie [Davenport] is a great guy and runs the best parties. He organised the New Year's Eve party in Park Lane. It was a private party but word got out and the bad element turned up. 'It's absolutely terrible what happened to the doorman. 'There were a lot of Eddie's friends and clients there Arab princes, people with money, that kind of thing. There were some lovely girls there and they had paid thousands to book a table at the party and they did not want thugs ruining their night.' Last night Davenport 's law firm Rainer Hughes maintained their client did not organise the party, take any money from clients or pay anyone to promote the party. But a spokesman admitted he did not know if his client was there: 'I am awaiting instructions from Mr Davenport as to whether he was at the party or not.' Lord 'Fast Eddie' Davenport, uploaded a picture of him on Mount Street in Mayfair in December, close to Park Lane Tudor Simionov, 33, is shown in the centre of the screen wearing a white shirt and black tie fighting off gatecrashers trying to get into the Mayfair townhouse he was guarding The bouncer, who only came to the UK two months ago, was punching and pushing away the mob trying to raid the Park Lane party he was protecting Footage uncovered by MailOnline after the attack also shows the mob having vases and lamps thrown at them from the foyer with one of the attackers getting smashed in the head and fleeing from the blood-stained doorstep Tudor's girlfriend Madalina posted a picture of them flying to the UK on October 20 with the hashtag #goodbyeRomania and said today tehy moved to the UK for a better life The final moments of a bouncer stabbed to death by a mob trying to gatecrash an exclusive New Year's Eve party at a 12.5million Mayfair townhouse were revealed today. Tudor Simionov, 33, was filmed fighting off up to nine men seconds before he was murdered outside 80 Park Lane - where a private 2,000-a-table gathering was going on - at 5.30am yesterday. The Romanian fitness fanatic fought off nine men single-handed before he was murdered in the early hours of New Year's Eve Mr Simionov is seen pushing the men away and throwing punches as the gang try to storm the luxury apartment block overlooking Hyde Park - but the Snapchat film ends before he was knifed in the chest. Footage from after the stabbing shows the mob having vases thrown at them from the foyer with one of the attackers getting smashed in the head and fleeing from the blood-stained doorstep. Tudor had moved to the UK from Romania 'for a better life' just two months ago and his heartbroken girlfriend has revealed how they had intended to marry and start a family in 2019. Madalina Anghel said today: 'Right now I can't think about him in the past. He was my future husband and we came to London from Romania for a better life. I can't explain in words how much pain I am in'. The doorman was fatally stabbed as he guarded the 5,000-a-week rental property, described as Britain's most exclusive student pad and previously linked to swingers' parties. Tudor's girlfriend Madalina posted a picture of them flying to the UK on October 20 with the hashtag #goodbyeRomania. Anghel added in an interview with the Evening Standard today: 'He was a really good man. We were happily and excitedly talking about having children together.' Club promoter Leroy Rose, 25, fought to save Mr Simionov's life but said he only survived around a minute after being stabbed in the chest. He told the Standard: 'I saw him come back inside. He was in a suit and it was covered in blood. He didn't have a protective vest or anything. I saw blood coming from his chest. 'I pulled him into the back and grabbed a towel and held the wound. He never said a word, he was in a shock. He only survived for a minute. He was stabbed in the middle of the chest. He is a hero, he died trying to save his colleagues. He beat up about nine guys by himself.' Tudor Simionov (left) was stabbed to death on another night of bloodshed in London and had planned to start a family with his heartbroken girlfriend Madalina (right) Mr Simionov died on the Park Lane pavement where a police cordon and screen remains today Blood remains on the floor on arguably London's most exclusive road left during one of two New Year murders in London so far The house (pictured) features views of Hyde Park, glass floors, its own 24-hour concierge and a roof terrace. It is one of the world's most expensive student houses, costing 5,000 a week to rent How self-styled Lord and convicted fraudster 'Fast Eddie' Davenport became infamous for throwing sex-and-booze Gatecrasher Balls for young aristocrats in the 1980s Eddie Davenport made a fortune in the 1980s running hedonistic Gatecrasher Balls The self-styled 'Lord' Davenport first came to public notice for organising the hedonistic Gatecrasher Balls frequented by wealthy teenagers, before making a fortune in property deals. He was a friend to the stars and photographed with Mick Jagger, Paris Hilton, Victoria Beckham, Sarah Ferguson and Hugh Grant at various parties. His 30million home, a mansion in Londons West End, was the former Sierra Leone High Commission and was used as a location for the Oscar-winning film The Kings Speech. The con artist, born Edward Ormus Sharington Davenport, was jailed after he promised millions of pounds to investors which never materialised after he had pocketed the administration fees and advance payments. Princess Dianas wedding dress designer Elizabeth Emanuel lost the life savings she invested with Davenport. But he was released from prison after three years as an act of mercy when he convinced judges he was gravely ill is clearly enjoying life as a free man. In 2014 he was pictured handcuffed to a prison guard in hospital after undergoing a second kidney transplant. He said at the time: I know Im fighting a death sentence. I feel like an old man shuffling around, chained to a prison officer even when I want to go to the bathroom. 'I cant even wear my own silk pyjamas I have to wear the hospital ones. The truth is I feel shaky. I know Im at deaths door'. Fast Eddie was jailed in 2011 (left) for ripping off friends and relesased after three years (right) after convincing a judge he was gravely ill In 2016 it emerged he was organising parties again but his lawyer has denied that he ran the New Year's Eve event where a bouncer was stabbed to death But after his release his health appears to have improved and he started organising parties again in 2016. Davenport's fall from grace is a far cry from his days at the heart of the London party scene in the 1980s. His black-tie Gatecrasher Balls, aimed at wealthy public school teenagers, quickly became synonymous with drunkenness and debauchery and helped him make his fortune. But it also led to his first fraud conviction and nine months in jail. Despite the setback, Davenport never lost his love of taking risks even though it repeatedly landed him in trouble. In 1998, he and two other men were charged with running up an 18,000 bill at the luxury Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland during a five-day New Year party while posing as aristocrats. They denied the claims and charges were later dropped. A year later, he bought the lease of the Sierra Leone High Commission building in Central London for just 50,000 while the country was embroiled in civil war. But in May 2011 Davenport was given eight years for his part in a 4.5 million fraud, where the judge described him as the plot's 'ringmaster'. Advertisement Two of the bouncers, along with a woman who worked at the venue booking tables, were also stabbed. Mr Rose said: 'It is a place where high end clients come, people with a lot of money. 'It's usually people who we know and the venue know are coming. The people outside were trying to enter but they weren't allowed in. 'The owner is a very rich man, he is in the public eye. The place works by paying a fee to buy a table.' Mr Rose said the bouncer had actually been placed inside the venue to monitor security but left to help his colleagues by the door after a group of nine or more thugs tried to make their way in. He said: 'There was a fight outside and he came out to help. The security guards were getting beaten up and he went out to help them. 'He helped those guys but he had only been out there for about 30 seconds when he was stabbed in the middle of the chest.. 'I saw him come back inside. I saw him bleeding and I said 'come here, come here' and I took him into the bathroom. Blood was left on a lantern outside the block while a lamp was overturned in the foyer where Mr Simionov fought off at least nine men The guard was trying to stop a group of gatecrashers from entering a private bash in the 12.5million Mayfair townhouse (pictured) when he was knifed 'His suit was covered in blood and it was coming out of his chest. He wasn't wearing a protective vest. 'I grabbed a towel and held the wound. He never said a word to me. I think he was in shock. He only survived for about a minute. 'He died in front of me with his eyes open, staring at me. 'I then went into the hallway and everything was smashed. They had managed to kick down the door. There were other people on the floor stabbed. There was blood all over the floor.' Of the Romanian-born security guard, Mr Rose said: 'He was a nice guy. The nicest one of of all the security guards there. 'He is a hero, he died trying to save his colleagues. He took on nine of them.' A 26-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody at a central London police station. Katarina Petran, 36, a close friend of Mr Simionov's girlfriend, said the doorman only decided to work after being offered more than double pay. 'He was being paid 400 to work on New Year's Eve, which is more than double what he earned as a doorman in the west end. 'Madalina didn't want him to initially work but he said they needed the money and it was too good to turn down as they had plans to start a family and needed it.' Mr Simionov told her that the event was organised by a well known promoter and that tables cost between 1500 to 2000. 'Tudor started working for clubs and exclusive parties almost immediately after arriving in London. He also had a lot of experience as a doorman in his native Bucharest. He was also a keep fit fanatic.' Mr Simionov was an accomplished boxer and rower and at one stage he had ambitions to row for Romania but gave them up to work after losing his father in his early 20s. He also lost his mother earlier this year. He was a devout Christian who regularly attended church. Miss Petran said that Madalina is planning to take his body back to Romania for a traditional Orthodox funeral. The Park Lane attack was filmed by witnesses outside the luxury three-bedroom home. The house features views of Hyde Park, glass floors, its own 24-hour concierge and a roof terrace. It is one of the world's most expensive student houses, costing 5,000 a week to rent. It is understood to have been used for swingers' parties in the past. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge said: 'It appears the deceased and the two injured males were working as security staff for the party. 'They were attacked by a group of males who were outside trying to enter. The female was also attacked as she assisted the security staff in closing the front door. 'This shocking incident happened just hours into a New Year, the area was particularly busy with people out celebrating and making their way home.' Chinese billionaire and dissident Guo Wengui rang in the new year at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate, DailyMail.com can reveal. The 51-year-old tycoon, who fled his home country in 2015 amid allegations of corruption, was seen hanging around the mansion days before the president's annual New Year's Eve party. Trump decided to forgo the festivities amid the government shutdown that began on December 21, and welcomed 2019 at the White House alone instead. Meanwhile, First Lady Melania, undeterred, hosted the lavish ball with 12-year-old son Barron. Spotted: Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui at Trump's Mar-a-lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, where he is a member, days before New Year's Eve The 51-year-old tycoon, who fled China in 2015, appeared to be taking a tour with other guests on Saturday Guo, dressed in a grey jacket and black trousers, was seen taking photos of the property The billionaire rang in the New Year at the president's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida on Tuesday She later shared a rare, close-up selfie of herself at the party that night, and was seen posing with other guests in photographs that offered a glimpse inside the opulent venue. Among the attendees were Paulo Zampolli and his model wife, Amanda Ungaro. Zampolli, 48, the Italian-born founder of ID models, is known as the man who introduced Trump to wife Melania back when she was signed to his agency. He later served as the director of international development for the Trump Organization, but is now the Caribbean nation of Dominica's ambassador to the United Nations. Also present was conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk, 25, who shared a selfie with Melania and his Instagram story featured a series of videos with Donald Trump Jr.'s girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle. On Saturday, Wengui appeared to be taking a tour of the club, where he is a member, with other tourists. Dressed in a grey jacket and black dress pants, Wengui surveyed the waterfront property while taking photos on his phone. His membership at the Trump club reportedly saved him from being deported in 2017, Vanity Fair reported. The outlet claimed that during a discussion about Chinese foreign policy, Trump considered sending Wengui back to China but had a change of heart after his aides talked him out of it by informing him that the billionaire was a Mar-a-Lago member. The day before New Year's Eve, a 'Trump Rat Boat,' carrying an inflatable rat dressed as the president was spotted cruising the Intracoastal Waterway just a few feet away from the mansion. The stunt was meant to be a 'political protest' ahead of the party, spearheaded by Claude Taylor, the chairman of Mad Dog PAC, an anti-Trump organization, who usually totes the rat around Washington D.C., according to KomoNews. Sailing on the Intracoastal Waterway right outside the estate that day was a Trump Rat Boat - carrying an inflatable rat dressed as the president intended to be a 'political protest' just in time for the festivities Wengui, who fled China in 2015, has since settled in New York City while he awaits to be granted asylum from the comfort of his $67.5million penthouse near Central Park A prominent real estate developer with a net worth of more than $2billion, Wengui was accused of engaging in shady business deals in a 2015 report. Picture above is his lavish apartment Despite the president's absence, security at Mar-a-Lago on Monday night was tighter than ever, according to New York Post gossip columnist Cindy Adams. Guests were required to undergo a security clearance, which she said took 30 minutes, and show photo ID. Those who were not American were expected to show their passports. Wengui, a former member of China's Communist Party, fled to the U.S. after learning he was wanted for bribery, fraud, money laundering, as well as rape. A prominent real estate developer with a net worth of more than $2billion, Wengui was accused of engaging in shady business deals in a 2015 report by Beijing-based media outlet Caixin, which he has denied. Since then, he has become a self-described political activist claiming to shed light on alleged corruption within the Chinese government and has publicly criticized the country's ruling Communist party in interviews and on Twitter. Wengui also developed a relationship with former Trump strategist Steve Bannon - who has also been an outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party. The two announced their plans to set up a $100million investigation into Chinese corruption in November, the New York Times reported. In a 2017 lawsuit, Wengui was accused of holding his personal assistant hostage and raping the young woman on multiple occasions. Wengui has settled in New York City while he applies for asylum from the comfort of his $67.5million penthouse near Central Park. On Tuesday, Trump wished the country a happy new year in a Twitter video with a self-pitying reminder that he'll be ringing in 2019 at the White House instead of at Mar-a-Lago with Melania as was previously planned. 'While I'm at the White House working you're out there partying tonight, but I don't blame you,' Trump said in the 11-second video. 'Enjoy yourselves, we're going to have a great year. Have a really, really happy new year.' Despite her husband's absence, Melania flew to Mar-a-lago to host the annual ball on Tuesday. Instagram stories taken by party guests showed Melania chatting animatedly at a dinner table before panning to her smiling 12-year-old son Barron Amanda Ungaro, the model wife of United Nations Ambassador of The Commonwealth of Dominica, Paolo Zampolli, shared a photo of herself posing with Melania during the event Conservative Charlie Kirk who was also attending the Mar-A-Lago bash shared this selfie with the First Lady on Twitter President Trump has spent most of his New Years Eves over the last decade at Mar-a-Lago but opted to spend the end of 2018 at the White House instead. The Trumps and their son Barron are pictured at Mar-a-Lago in 2017 Trump followed that tweet up with a string of posts about the border wall - which is the reason he's spent the holidays alone. Democrats refused to put the $5billion Trump wants to fund the wall into the Congressional budget, prompting a shutdown. Melania returned to the White House for Christmas Eve and to join her husband on his visit to see U.S. troops in Iraq. She flew back to Florida last Thursday to be with their 12-year-old son. This year, tickets for the lavish New Year's Eve event cost $1,000 for club guests and $650 for club members, up from $750 and $600, according to the Palm Beach Post. The parents of a three-year-old girl who plunged to her death at a California hotel during a dream Disneyland vacation have reached a settlement after they sued the chain. Stephanie Martinez fell from the fifth story of a courtyard walkway at the Embassy Suites hotel in Anaheim back in July 2015. The little girl's mother, Alejandra Sandoval Duran, had been taking a shower when Stephanie wandered out of their hotel room. Three-year-old Stephanie Martinez fell from the fifth story of a courtyard walkway at the Embassy Suites hotel in Anaheim back in July 2015 after a dream trip to Disneyland Stephanie spotted some of her family members in the courtyard below and climbed over the railing in an attempt to reach them. When her mother emerged from the hotel room, she found the toddler dangling from the balcony railing. Stephanie's cousin told news outlets at the time that her mother screamed when she saw the toddler. The screams frightened the little girl, which resulted in her letting go of the railing and plunging five floors into the courtyard. The toddler was rushed to a local hospital but she later died of her injuries. Stephanie plunged from the fifth floor walkway at the hotel (pictured above) after climbing over the railing when she spotted some family members in the courtyard below Stephanie spotted some of her family members in the courtyard below and climbed over the railing in an attempt to reach them. She was gripping onto the hand rails when her mom emerged from the hotel room The Orange County Coroner's Office ruled that Stephanie's death was an accident. The family had traveled from Las Vegas to Anaheim to take the three-year-old to Disneyland. Following her death, Stephanie's parents - Jesus Martinez Avila and Alejandra Sandoval Duran - filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hotel. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2017, alleged that the conditions at the hotel were 'dangerous, defective and unsafe'. Attorneys for the family filed a settlement notice last month in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to the OC Register. Details of the settlement were not included in the notice but a hearing has been scheduled for January 17. Bruce Weber has fired back at the male model who is suing him for sexual harassment by claiming he was the one being solicited by the plaintiff. In documents filed on Wednesday in New York Supreme Court, Weber hits back at the allegations being made by Jason Boyce and dismisses the lawsuit as nothing more than a money grab by a failed model. The fashion photographer also submitted evidence to support his filing in the form of nude images sent by Boyce before and after the photo shoot that led to the lawsuit. One of those images shows Boyce fully nude, and other images came with fawning texts and eager requests asking Weber when the two might work together again in the future. Boyce claims in his complaint that Weber touched his genitals, stuck his fingers in his mouth and later kissed him at a 2014 shoot. Weber, who is also accused of making Boyce rub his genitals, allegedly turned to the aspiring model at one point and asked: 'How far do you want to make it? How ambitious are you?' Scroll down for video Model mayhem: Bruce Weber filed a Memorandum of Law in Opposition on Wednesday in New York Supreme Court, responding to a complaint filed by Jason Boyce (Weber above with Naomi Campbell in June) Full frontal: Boyce, 32, is a former model who alleges that Weber groped and kissed him at a 2014 shoot and compared the photographer's tactics to the 'casting couch' (Boyce above in a text sent to Weber by the model's team) Checking in: Weber submitted multiple texts sent by Boyce that show him naked or semi-nude to support his claim that the suit is a money grab by a 'failed model' (Boyce in another text) Persistence: Texts show that Boyce's team had tried to reach out to Weber multiple times before the first meeting (above the image sent just before Weber agreed to the shoot) Weber and his attorney Jayne Weintraub responded to those claims in a scathing Memorandum of Law in Opposition. 'It has been over a year since Plaintiff, an unsuccessful 32-year old male model, filed his complaint containing false and salacious allegations that Mr. Weber, an internationally acclaimed fashion photographer, inappropriately touched him during a brief photo shoot in 2014,' begins the filing. 'Since then, Plaintiff has refused to provide required discovery and failed to identify any evidence to support his claims, because his claims are false. Nonetheless, now, almost one year later, Plaintiff is "doubling down" on his false claims' charade, by seeking leave to amend and assert a claim against Mr. Weber under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015. 'That is not a typo. A failed model who (falsely) claims to have been inappropriately touched during a brief photo shoot, is seeking to now add a claim, based on these same allegations, that he is somehow a victim of sex trafficking. 'There are no legitimate reasons for this. However, there are plenty of improper ones, including; 1) increasing the public pressure on Mr. Weber that arises from false allegations in the # me too era to extort a hefty settlement, and 2) deflecting attention from the patent deficiencies in his case.' Weber's lawyer then goes on to reveal that before the shoot and after, Boyce sent Weber images of himself either fully nude or in little clothing. Emotional: Boyce claims in his complaint that Weber touched his genitals, stuck his fingers in his mouth and later kissed him at a 2014 shoot (above in December 2017 after announcing his lawsuit) Cut: Boyce has now claimed that he was a victim of sex trafficking under a new code, which is why Weber and his legal team submitted this latest filing (Boyce above in another text) Tactics: 'How far do you want to make it? How ambitious are you?' Weber allegedly asked Boyce after pulling off the model's underwear and covering him in oil It is also noted that Boyce then exchanged pleasantries with the photographer in those messages. '[P]laintiff repeatedly texted pictures of himself to Mr. Weber in provocative poses, both prior to and after the brief photo shoot, demonstrating that Plaintiff was soliciting Mr. Weber, not the other way around,' states the document. Jennifer Lawrence was shot by Weber for the cover of Vogue in September 2017 'Similarly, Plaintiffs allegation that he was so horrified at the thought of running into Mr. Weber that he fled New York and sought refuge in California, cannot be reconciled with the provocative and solicitous texts that Plaintiff sent to Mr. Weber over the next several months.' The images sent by Boyce are in line however with the modeling he did, and the full frontal shoot was actually sent by a member of his team. Boyce is also suing his former agency. Weber says however that even Boyce's former agency hounded him to see the model, and offers proof that there was a discussion about a problem with his 'look.' 'In fact, the pestering of Mr. Weber to see Plaintiff began years earlier, when Plaintiff was working with a different agent, David Todd. In 2011, Todd repeatedly sent messages to Mr. Weber asking him to photograph Plaintiff,' reads the filing before citing the full-frontal image as one of these pictures. 'Mr. Weber did not agree to see Plaintiff. Plaintiff also deliberately fails to allege that he had previously been to Little Bears studio for a test shoot, because, when he did, Mr. Webers team, obviously unimpressed, concluded that he had a "boxy face."' Belle of the ball: Weber with his longtime partner Nan Bush, Tory Burch and W editor Stefano Tonchi ayt a Chanel dinner in 2016 Criticism: An email from Weber's studio team informing him of Boyce's 'boxy face' (above) The incident: An email about the shoot during which Boyce claims Weber took advantage of him Weber is one of the most revered and successful fashion photographers in the world. He is best known for his sepia-toned images of young men and women in little to no clothing which also tend to have strong homoerotic undertones. That was most notably on display during his years shooting for Abercrombie & Fitch. Weber also does many high-fashion campaigns, with recent work including the Spring/Summer 2018 Louis Vuitton campaign featuring Ruth Negga and Freja Beha Erichsen. He also shot the brand's Fall/Winter 2017 campaign with Riley Keough and Jaden Smith as well as the Versace campaign with Gigi Hadid. Weber is also a favorite of supermodels like Karlie Kloss and superstars like Jennifer Lawrence, having given the actress one of her first big breaks when he shot her in 2006 for Abercrombie. He then shot the actress again for the cover of Vogue back in 2017, when she landed on the all-important September cover. That was one of his last jobs for the magazine however, with Anna Wintour suspending Weber in the wake of the allegations made by Boyce and other male models. Weber, who has been with his partner and agent Nan Bush since the 1970s, has now been accused of sexual harassment and misconduct by over 20 male models. President Trump insisted at a Cabinet meeting on that Democrats have 'their eye on 2020' and that's why they're refusing to approve border wall funding. Trump said in his first convening of his Cabinet of 2019 that the border is 'like a sieve' and the 'United States needs a physical barrier' to prevent as illegal immigrants from coming in. 'We are in a shutdown, because Democrats refuse to fund border security,' he contended. He claimed that as many 35 million are in the country already a much higher estimate than the 11 million that has been used by Pew and other researchers. Trump is meeting now with congressional leaders that both sides hope will result in an agreement to reopen the government. President Trump insisted at a Cabinet meeting on that Democrats have 'their eye on 2020' and that's why they're refusing to approve border wall funding Trump spent his Christmas and New Year's holidays at the White House, where he said in tweets he was 'all alone' waiting for them to make a deal. 'I was lonely over the weekend,' he said on Wednesday. 'I was hoping that we would see a little action...But they chose Hawaii over Washington.' The jab was intended for Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who was seen vacationing on the island last weekend. He was demure on whether a deal could be made today, saying, 'I really believe that they want to do something.' Trump complained that a deal would have been easier before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals intervened to preserve Barack Obama's program providing legal status to illegal immigrant children. He said that he had the broad strokes of a deal with Democrats, until the court provided a preliminary ruling in favor of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program's supporters. 'So if we win the case,' he said, 'We'll be easily able to make a deal on DACA, and the wall as a combination.' It will be months before the case the is decided, however, and federal workers have already been furloughed for close to two weeks. Trump had been asking for $5 billion for his border wall but said Wednesday that he is seeking a $5.6 billion appropriation that lines up with funding the House of Representatives approved last year when the chamber was still under GOP control. He's willing to take less than that, he acknowledged, but wouldn't tell reporters how much. 'I'd rather not say it,' he told journalists during a lengthy Cabinet meeting that ran for 95 minutes. President Trump will deprive Democrats of oxygen for their arguments against his border wall as he hosts them at the White House today in the Situation Room, where recording devices are banned and reporters are not allowed Trump will deprive Democrats of oxygen for their arguments against his border wall as he hosts them at the White House later today in the Situation Room, where recording devices are banned and reporters are not allowed. Democrats are eager to reopen the government, and have proposed legislation that would fund every closed area through the end of the current fiscal year, except the Homeland Security department. A bill that Pelosi, the expected speaker of the House, will put on the floor Thursday extends funding for DHS until Feb. 8, providing Trump and the new Congress with an opportunity to continue talks while the government hums along. Before she could gavel in the new legislative session, the White House deemed the strategy dead-on-arrival, indicating in a late-night statement that Trump is resolved to keep the government closed until Congress appropriates money for his border wall. 'The Pelosi plan is a non-starter because it does not fund our homeland security or keep American families safe from human trafficking, drugs, and crime,' White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. Trump claimed Wednesday morning once again that Mexico was paying for his border wall, which he also said has mostly been built. Both claims have been debunked on prior occassions Trump wants to replace old fencing along the U.S. Mexico border like this one with steel slats Trump's spokeswoman confirmed that the president had invited Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to the White House on Wednesday for their first in-person meeting since the partial government shutdown began. Senior Homeland Security officials will provide a briefing on the border wall something Democrats vehemently oppose at the 3 p.m. meeting that Trump is presumably attending. The White House has not published the president's schedule since Dec. 21, when the partial shutdown that is in its twelfth day started. Much of the building is furloughed until the government reopens. Sanders said a DHS briefing would take place today at the White House in a late-Tuesday statement. In addition to Pelosi, incoming House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have received invitations. 'President Trump made a serious, good faith offer to Democrats to open the government, address the crisis at our border, and protect all Americans. We have heard nothing back from the Democrats, who so far have refused to compromise,' she claimed. In the same statement, she responded to an olive branch that had been extended over the New Year's holiday by Pelosi a continuing resolution for DHS and full funding other areas of the government that are close. She slapped the counteroffer to the president's border wall demand down. 'Speaker Designate Nancy Pelosi released a plan that will not re-open the government because it fails to secure the border and puts the needs of other countries above the needs of our own citizens,' she said. Sanders declared Pelosi's solution a 'non-starter' because it doesn't 'fund homeland security,' even though it does appropriate a month's worth of money to the department. 'The President has invited Republican and Democrat leaders in Congress to the White House for a border security briefing from senior Department of Homeland Security officials on Wednesday, and he remains committed to reaching an agreement that both reopens the government and keeps Americans safe,' the president's spokeswoman concluded. Trump chimed in on Twitter to claim once again that Mexico is paying for the border wall, through a trade deal with Mexico. He also insisted that much of the barrier had already been built. 'Mexico is paying for the Wall through the new USMCA Trade Deal. Much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built. We have done a lot of work. $5.6 Billion Dollars that House has approved is very little in comparison to the benefits of National Security. Quick payback!' he said. The president's new acting chief of staff has already admitted that Mexico is not 'technically' paying for the wall and that the money would come from anticipated economic gains under the trade deal that has not received the approval of Congress. 'American workers are going to do better, the government is going to do better, and you could make the argument that Mexico is paying for it in that fashion,' he admitted in an ABC News interview. Democrats are hanging their hats on the president's promise that Mexico would pay and on his promise to own a government shutdown over border security. Pelosi characterized it as a 'Trump Shutdown' in a letter to lawmakers she sent out detailing her plans to reopen the government on Tuesday afternoon. 'We are giving the Republicans the opportunity to take yes for an answer,' she said. 'Senate Republicans have already supported this legislation, and if they reject it now, they will be fully complicit in chaos and destruction of the Presidents third shutdown of his term.' The White House said later in the day that the president had invited congressional leaders over for a briefing on Wednesday. Last time the president hosted Democratic leaders at the White House for a border security discussion, the talk aired on national television, with a testy Trump declaring he'd be 'proud' to oversee shutdown. He isn't giving them the same opportunity this time, when he will have GOP leaders by his side during the conversation and border security briefing that Axios says will take place in the most secure room of the White House. Mired in the government closure he envisioned now, which has dragged on for nearly two weeks, the president is under pressure to get federal workers back on the job before they feel the sting of a missing paycheck. The president on New Year's Day dangled the possibility of a deal, despite the lack of visible progress in a dispute over his border wall and the ongoing shutdown. Trump on Twitter connected the shutdown to Pelosi's likely speakership and comments she made about the attributes of his barrier. 'Border Security and the Wall thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?' Trump wrote, ending his tweet with a question. His reference to the wall 'thing' was a likely shot at Pelosi for her own comment claiming Trump's push for a border wall was connected to his sense of 'manhood.' 'It's like a manhood thing for him. As if manhood could ever be associated with him. This wall thing,' Pelosi privately told House Democrats after an explosive White House meeting before the shutdown. Those comments immediately leaked. She responded to his tweet on Tuesday with one promoting her agenda in the upcoming legislative session. The White House extended an invitation to Pelosi and congressional leaders on New Year's Eve, Politico reported, to attend a homeland security briefing. Trump referenced Pelosi's 'manhood' comment about the wall after it was revealed congressional leaders have been invited to the White House The president claimed Democrats 'do not care' about open borders and crime and drugs Democrats will but forward a bill with $1.3 billion in border security but no wall funding Trump has previously called for Democrats to come over and make a deal. But his earlier tweets Tuesday attacked his potential negotiating partners, leaving doubt as to whether any immediate progress was likely. 'One thing has now been proven. The Democrats do not care about Open Borders and all of the crime and drugs that Open Borders bring!' Trump tweeted Tuesday. He also tweeted: 'The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative! The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security - and our Country must finally have a Strong and Secure Southern Border!' House Democrats unveiled a package of bills Monday that would re-open the federal government without approving funding for Trump's border wall with Mexico, establishing an early confrontation that will test the new power dynamic in Washington. Democrats under Pelosi are all but certain to swiftly approve the two bills, making good on their pledge to try to quickly resolve the partial government shutdown that's now in its second week. What's unclear is whether the Republican-led Senate, under Majority Leader McConnell, the Republican from Kentucky, will consider either measure - or if Trump would sign them into law. 'It would be the height of irresponsibility and political cynicism for Senate Republicans to now reject the same legislation they have already supported,' Pelosi and Schumer said in a statement late Monday. Democrats under Nancy Pelosi (above) are all but certain to swiftly approve the two bills, making good on their pledge to try to quickly resolve the partial government shutdown that's now in its second week The package does not include the $5 billion Trump wants for the wall on the southern border. The president told Fox News Channel in an interview Monday that he was 'ready, willing and able' to negotiate. He added: 'No, we are not giving up. We have to have border security and the wall is a big part of border security.' McConnell spokesman Don Stewart made it clear Senate Republicans will not take action without Trump's backing. 'It's simple: The Senate is not going to send something to the president that he won't sign,' he said. Republican senators are refusing to vote on any bills until all sides, including Trump, are in agreement. Senators were frustrated that Trump had dismissed their earlier legislation to avert the shutdown. House Democrats did not confer with Senate Republicans on the package, but the bills are expected to have some bipartisan support because they reflect earlier spending measures already hashed out between the parties and chambers. One bill will temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels, with $1.3 billion for border security, through Feb. 8 while talks continue. The other will be on a measure made up of six other bipartisan bills - some that have already passed the Senate - to fund the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Housing and Urban Development and others closed by the partial shutdown. They would provide money through the remainder of the fiscal year to Sept. 30. The House is planning two separate votes for Thursday. If approved, the bills would go to the Senate. What's unclear is whether the Republican-led Senate, under Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (seen above), the Republican from Kentucky, will consider either measure - or if Trump would sign them into law Senate Democrats support the measures, according to a senior aide who was unauthorized to discuss the plan and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Rep. Mark Meadows, the Republican from North Carolina who chairs the conservative House Freedom Caucus, tweeted that without funding for Trump's wall, the package is a 'nonstarter' just like the White House and that it 'will not be a legitimate answer to this impasse.' But as the shutdown drags on, all sides are ready for for a resolution, as public parks and museums remain closed, and some 800,000 federal workers are going without pay. The president continued to insist this week that he wants to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, despite assertions otherwise of three confidants. 'An all concrete Wall was NEVER ABANDONED,' Trump tweeted Monday. 'Some areas will be all concrete but the experts at Border Patrol prefer a Wall that is see through (thereby making it possible to see what is happening on both sides).' Later Monday, Trump tweeted, 'The Democrats will probably submit a Bill, being cute as always, which gives everything away but gives NOTHING to Border Security, namely the Wall.' Trump's comments came after officials, including his departing chief of staff, indicated that the president's signature campaign pledge to build the wall would not be fulfilled as advertised. 'It would be the height of irresponsibility and political cynicism for Senate Republicans to now reject the same legislation they have already supported,' Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (above) said in a statement late Monday White House Chief of Staff John Kelly told the Los Angeles Times in an interview published Sunday that Trump abandoned the notion of 'a solid concrete wall early on in the administration.' 'To be honest, it's not a wall,' Kelly said, adding that the mix of technological enhancements and 'steel slat' barriers the president now wants along the border resulted from conversations with law enforcement professionals. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, emerged from a Sunday lunch at the White House to tell reporters that 'the wall has become a metaphor for border security' and referred to 'a physical barrier along the border.' Graham said Trump was 'open-minded' about a broader immigration agreement, saying the budget impasse presented an opportunity to address issues beyond the border wall. But a previous attempt to reach a compromise that addressed the status of 'Dreamers' - young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children - broke down last year as a result of escalating White House demands. Graham told CNN before his lunch with Trump that 'there will never be a deal without wall funding.' The partial government shutdown began Dec. 22 after Trump bowed to conservative demands that he fight to make good on his vow and secure funding for the wall before Republicans lose control of the House on Wednesday. Democrats have remained committed to blocking any funding for the wall, and with neither side engaging in substantive negotiation, the effect of the partial shutdown was set to spread and to extend into the new year. Andrew Cowey, head of year seven at Dene Community School in Peterlee, Co Durham, lied about the true cost of school trips and pocketed the extra money for himself. He is seen in an undated image A teacher who stole pupils school trip money has been banned from teaching for five years. Andrew Cowey, head of year seven at Dene Community School in Peterlee, Co Durham, lied about the true cost of school trips and pocketed the extra money for himself. The 28-year-old has now been banned from the profession following a teaching misconduct hearing. The Teaching Regulation Agency, sitting today in Coventry, heard Cowey - a part-time scout leader - took money from students on trips and then attempted to cover his tracks. Cowey said he was in debt when he took the money for himself between July 2016 and April 2017. Panel chair John Pemberton said: 'For some of these pupils, Mr Cowey falsely recorded these pupils as attending for free or, alternatively, benefiting from receiving funding from the Friends of Dene charity. 'Mr Cowey instead retained the money for himself. 'Mr Cowey deleted the school trip funding spreadsheets from the school's electronic systems in order to prevent others from accessing the true account as to which pupils had paid money. 'Mr Cowey also amended letters to pupils' parents regarding the cost of one of the school trips in an attempt to cover up the amount of money missing.' Cowey was ordered in April 2017 by the school's headmaster not to take pupils' money after suspicions were raised. But Cowey went on to steal 170 from a pupil and then lied about why he had stolen the money. Cowey was convicted of theft at Durham Crown Court and was sentenced to a community order and curfew requirement and made to pay 5,000 in compensation. Cowey was ordered in April 2017 by the school's headmaster not to take pupils' money after suspicions were raised. Pictured: Dene Community School After ruling Cowey from the teaching register, Mr Pemberton said: 'The panel has taken into account that Mr Cowey has expressed that he was in financial difficulty at the relevant time. 'The panel has also taken into consideration Mr Cowey's account of the emotional difficulties he describes that he was suffering at the relevant time.' However, the panel ruled that 'public confidence in the profession could be seriously weakened if conduct such as that found against him was not treated with the utmost seriousness.' Mr Pemberton added: 'Mr Cowey was a teacher towards the beginning of his career and that he had admitted all of the allegations, which indicated some insight into his actions. The teaching panel ruled that Cowey had pleaded guilty at Durham Crown Court and indicated some remorse including that he had been 'disgusted' by his own behaviour. Cowey cannot reapply to teach for five years. Turkey and Iraq will discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, as well as regional developments, during Iraqi President Barham Salihs visit to the Turkish capital today, diplomatic sources have said. Among issues to be discussed between the two presidents are ways to improve bilateral trade, cooperation in the field of energy and transportation, opening a second border gate and other issues to their mutual concern. Erdogan and Salih will also exchange views on regional developments, particularly Syria after the United States decision to withdraw troops from this country. A major concern is a potential re-grouping of ISIL, which still has support in some parts of Iraq and Syria. Erdogan, in a phone call with Trump, had vowed that Turkey can fully eliminate the residues of ISIL in Syria. According to Hurriyet Daily News, another important issue the two leaders will discuss is the continued presence of the PKK in northern Iraqi territories. Turkey had hit the PKK positions in Sinjar province of Iraq last month on grounds that the group was trying to establish a new headquarters in the said region. Former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential 2020 contender, asked a university not to insert 'former' in front of his title in online postings in one of several notable riders in a proposed contract. During negotiations over a keynote speech at the University of Utah, Biden, 76, also put in a requirement that the school send a private jet and purchase 1,000 copies of his book, 'Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose.' And during the initial consultations, the former vice president would receive a speaking fee of $100,000 a 'reduced rate,' the New York Times reported. However, Biden aides learned before the December event that taxpayer funds would be used, and he ultimately decline to accept payment. He has a policy against taking tuition dollars for payment, according to the paper. NEEDS NO FORMER INTRODUCTION: Agents for former Vice President Joe Biden asked the University of Utah not to include 'former' in his title in online materials for a speech It is not entirely clear what Biden's beef with the 'former' part of his title might be. He served as vice president from 2009 until early 2017 during the Obama administration, after serving in the Senate from 1973 until 2009. The University of Utah appeared to comply with the demand while promoting the event using the preferred title as well as plugging his book, which covers the death of his son Beau, died of brain cancer as Biden was contemplating a potential run against Hillary Clinton to succeed Obama. 'As part of The University of Utah MUSE Projects Theme Year on Purpose, Vice President Joe Biden offers a keynote address and discusses his #1 New York Times Bestseller Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose,' according to a release that is still on the university's web site. The school also was asked to purchase and distribute copies of Biden's book Biden has upped his earnings since leaving the White House after a long career in public service The university appeared to comply, calling him 'Vice President Joe Biden' in promotional materials The title of the speech also was drawn from the book. It was called: 'Vice President Joe Biden on Hope, Hardship, and Purpose.' The book is currently going for $14.67 on amazon. The details of the proposed contract by his agency, Creative Artists, were contained in a longer story about Biden's earnings wince leaving the White House, and his steps to install longtime aides at various foundations and university postings. They could make up the core of a campaign staff should Biden decide to seek his party's nomination for a fourth time and take on President Trump. A police officer committed suicide on the Northwest Side of Chicago while off duty on New Year's Day. Officer Dane Anthony Smith, a 36-year-old who worked at police headquarters, shot himself in his Jefferson Park neighborhood home on Tuesday morning, CBS Chicago reports. This was the fifth recorded suicide of a Chicago police officer in only the past six months, and four officers were killed in the line of duty in 2018. Two of those officers, Officer Eduardo Marmolejo, 36, and Officer Conrad Gary, 31, were killed by a train only two weeks ago while chasing a suspect, according to CBS Chicago. The Chicago Police Department has seen five officer suicides since July of last year with Smith's suicide being the first of 2019 (file picture) The Fraternal Order of Police posted regarding the death of Officer Smith on Facebook .'The FOP is devastated to report that another Chicago Police Officer has taken his life,' the Fraternal Order of Police: Chicago Lodge 7 posted on Facebook. 'We ask that everyone keep this officer and his family in your prayers.' 'No one knows with certainty why someone makes such a tragic decision,' FOP spokesman Martin Preib added in a statement to CBS. 'We are all left with a gaping hole in our lives.' A Justice Department report from 2017 noted that based on FOP figures from between 2013 and 2015, the Chicago police suicide rate was 60 percent higher than the national average. Last year, after the third officer suicide, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson issued a letter to the department according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Jefferson Park neighborhood home of Officer Dane Smith where he shot himself on the morning of New Year's Day 'Death by suicide is clearly a problem in Law Enforcement and in the Chicago Police Department,' Johnson wrote. 'We all have our breaking points, a time of weakness where we feel as if there is no way out, no alternative. But it does not have to end that way. You are NOT alone. Death by suicide is a problem that we can eliminate together.' For confidential support in the US, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or click here. For confidential support on suicide matters in the UK, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here. For confidential support in Australia, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or click here. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is beginning her congressional career with a rebellion against incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Ocasio-Cortez announced on Wednesday she was voting 'no' on the House rules package Democrats' will present when they take power on Thursday. The rules package is one of the first votes the House will take under Pelosi's reign. It would be highly irregular and quite dramatic if it's voted down given the majority in power makes the rules of the House and members vote for it as a matter of form. Eighteen Democrats would need to vote against the package on Thursday to sink it - a move that would be seen as a significant set back to Pelosi's tenure as speaker. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) is beginning her congressional career with a rebellion against incoming Speaker Nancy Pelosi (right) Ocasio-Cortez objects to the pay-go measure that requires all new spending be offset The New York Democrat, who shocked the party when she defeated Rep. Joe Crowley in the June primary, supported Pelosi for speaker because she was 'the most progressive candidate' for the position. But Ocasio-Cortez has pushed to her mark on the Democratic agenda even before she has taken the oath of office and has not shied away from challenging Pelosi's leadership. She and fellow progressive Rep. Ro Khanna oppose the 'pay-go' measure in the rules package that requires all new spending to be offset with either budget cuts or tax increases. Supporters argue pay-go keeps the federal deficit in check. But liberals typically oppose pay-go rules as it makes it more difficult to pass a progressive agenda - such as universal healthcare, tuition-free public college, and going green initiatives. The pay-go measure can be waived on legislation. The incoming freshman lawmaker explained she opposes pay-go because 'we shouldn't hinder ourselves from the start.' Khanna tweeted his opposition to the measure first. 'I will be voting NO on the Rules package with #paygo. It is terrible economics. The austerians were wrong about the Great Recession and Great Depression. At some point, politicians need to learn from mistakes and read economic history,' the California Democrat wrote Wednesday. Ocasio-Cortez retweeted his tweet with her own comment: 'Tomorrow I will also vote No on the rules package, which is trying to slip in #PAYGO. PAYGO isn't only bad economics, as @RoKhanna explains; it's also a dark political maneuver designed to hamstring progress on healthcare+other leg. We shouldn't hinder ourselves from the start.' She has also slammed Democrats for failing to take up her proposed special climate change committee called the Green New Deal because it was deemed 'too controversial.' In a twitter thread on Monday she blasted members of her own party on the matter. Fellow progressive Rep. Ro Khanna oppose the 'pay-go' measure Ocasio-Cortez also challenged Pelosi on climate issues 'A few weeks ago, I joined youth activists in a specific demand for a Green New Deal Committee. It had 3 simple elements: 1. No fossil fuel money on climate cmte 2. Offer solutions for impacted communities 3. Draft sample #GreenNewDeal All 3 were rejected as 'too controversial,'' she wrote. 'Until we get fossil fuel money out of climate policy, we won't be able to save the planet or ourselves,' she added. Pelosi announced Monday she formed a different special committee on climate change being called the Select Committee on Climate Crisis that Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor will chair. A 21-year-old Maryland man has been arrested and charged with murdering his cancer survivor mother by stabbing her in the neck outside a church. According to the Montgomery County Police Department, officers responded to the Saint Raphael Catholic Church and School on Dunster Road in Rockville at around 6pm on Friday to find 49-year-old Jaclyn Jackie McGuigan laying on the ground mortally wounded. Despite paramedics' attempts to save her life, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Matricide: Kevin McGuigan (left), 21, has been charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of his cancer survivor mother, Jackie McGuigan, 49 (right) Jackie was found stabbed in the neck outside St Raphael Catholic Church in Rockville, Maryland, on the evening of December 28 Courtesy: ABC7 WJLA 24/7 News The following morning, detectives tracked down and arrested McGuigan's son Kevin Justin McGuigan, charging him with for first-degree murder. Investigators have not commented on a possible motive behind the deadly attack, but court records indicate that Jackie - a mother-of-three who had completed radiation to treat her breast cancer in July - filed a protective order against her son Kevin in 2016. The woman accused her son, then aged 18, of threatening 'physical harm' to her on multiple occasions, reported WJLA. She claimed that Kevin has a drug addiction and possible mental health problems. In 2016, the mom-of-three (left and right) filed a protective order against Kevin, writing that her son was a drug addict who had threatened to harm her multiple times He has often accused me of knowing things about him and if I dont answer, he will kill me. He has drug-induced paranoia,' Jackie McGuigan wrote of her son. A judge granted the mother the protective order for 12 months, barring Kevin from having any contact with Jackie or his siblings. The order expired in February 2017 and was not renewed. In October 2017, Kevin was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest stemming from a violent traffic stop, but prosecutors later dropped the case against him. In July and September of 2018. Kevin was charged with driving while impaired. According to court documents, on the afternoon of December 28, Kevin called his mother and asked her to meet up with him. At 5.30pm, he arrived at her townhouse and the pair drove off in the mother's Honda Accord. Before long, Jackie and Kevin arrived at a parking lot outside Saint Raphael Church, where, according to a relatvie, all of McGuigans children attended nursery school. At 6pm, witnesses heard loud screaming, and found Jackie laying on the ground with a dark-haired man in his 20s standing over her. The suspect then jumped into the Honda Accord and sped off. Jackie's daughter, aged 24 (left), and younger son, aged 18 (right) , made statements to police implicating their brother Kevin Less than an hour later, police located the Honda abandoned in a park near Falls Road. The Washington Post reported that the vehicle was registered to Jackie McGuigan, and inside officers found Kevins cellphone covered in blood, according to police. Detectives headed to the victim's home to talk to her two other children, and her 18-year-old son, Jacob, 'immediately asked if Kevin killed their mother,' according to the documents. Jacob McGuigan also revealed to the police than in 2016, when he was 15 years old, Kevin had attempted to strangle him, but he never reported that attack to the police. A makeshift memorial is pictured outside the Maryland church were Jackie McGuigan breathed her last on December 28 Jacob and Kevins 24-year-old sister told the cops that her 21-year-old brother now wanted for their mothers murder was known to carry a folding knife around,. At 7.00am the next morning, officers arrested Kevin at a gas station in Rockville and took him to the Central Processing Unit. He made his initial court appearance on Monday, at which time a judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation. Bryan David Boyack, 43, was arrested on Tuesday in Davis County, Utah after he bit off a banker's ear following a heated argument in a hot tub A California man has been arrested after he bit off a large chunk of a banker's ear following a heated argument in a hot tub about finance world conspiracy theories. Bryan David Boyack, 43, was arrested on Tuesday in Davis County, Utah after the victim reported the incident to police. The victim told authorities from the emergency room that a 'large chunk' of his ear had been bitten off during an altercation with Boyack, according to an affidavit obtained by Fox 13. They allegedly started arguing while in a hot tub while speaking about conspiracy theories related to big corporations. The 'extremely heated' fight escalated when Boyack found out the victim worked for a big banking business. The victim went ahead and locked Boyack out of his home before he started throwing patio furniture and damaging the property. Boyack allegedly attacked the victim after he went outside to ask him to stop damaging his home. The victim said Boyack pinned him to the ground and bit off his ear before fleeing the scene in his truck. Boyack later turned himself in to authorities and he was arrested. He was booked on one count of mayhem, three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, one count of criminal mischief and one count of intoxication. A woman who was desperate for a daughter has been detained by police for abandoning her newborn son in a park in north China. The baby boy, who is only two months old, was discovered by a passer-by in a park on Christmas Eve in Heilongjiang province, where temperatures dropped to minus 28 degrees Celsius. The mother, surnamed Zhang, told reporters that she was disappointed that her third child turned out to be a son as well and the family could not afford to raise him. A woman who was desperate for a daughter has been detained by police for abandoning her newborn son in a park in north China's Heilongjiang province. The woman, surnamed Zhang (second left), was brought back to the scene by officers for questioning The baby boy, who is only two months old, was discovered by a passer-by in a park on Christmas Eve in Heilongjiang province. The witness immediately took him to hospital According to the witness, the baby's face had turned white after being exposed to the cold weather for several hours. He was found wrapped in a rug and a blanket in the snow at about 3:30pm, according to video news site Pear. The woman immediately took the baby to Tahe County People's Hospital, where he was treated and fed. Local police also started investigations to locate the boy's family. They finally apprehended the boy's mother, surnamed Zhang, on December 26 at about 10am on suspicion of child abandonment, according to Kan Kan News. Zhang told video news site Pear that she had left the baby boy at the park on the morning of December 24 and he was discovered in the afternoon on the same day According to the witness, the baby's face had turned white after being exposed to the cold weather for several hours. The boy is in healthy condition after a thorough checkup by doctors Zhang told video news site Pear that she had left the baby boy at the park on the morning of December 24 and he was discovered in the afternoon on the same day. 'We got pregnant accidentally,' she told reporters. 'My husband and I thought it would be a girl, so we kept it. We have always wanted a daughter.' The couple did not have regular jobs, therefore the family's finances were unstable, Zhang added. Zhao Hui, a director at the hospital's paediatrics department, said the boy is in good health after receiving treatment. The baby boy being fed by nurses in Tahe County People's Hospital after a checkup A couple in the county has expressed interest in adopting the boy and had started the process with local authorities, according to the Pear Video report The hospital has also received donations including blankets, clothes and infant formula for the baby boy. A couple in the county has expressed interest in adopting the boy and had started the process with local authorities, according to the report. Authorities added that Zhang, while under police detention, has been allowed to go home to take care of her sons. Family and colleagues remembered the 'incredible gift' that a beloved Fox TV meteorologist brought to her community during a Saturday memorial service in Michigan. Jessica Starr's funeral took place at the Oak Pointe Church in Novi, where the meteorologist was a resident. As a special rendition of 'Ave Maria' was performed by friend Nancy Stoddard, guests teared up watching photos and a video montage of the FOX 2 meteorologist. The 35-year-old had hung herself on December 12 and leaves behind her husband, Dan, and two children: three-year-old Riley Rose and five-year-old Noah. Scroll down for videos Jessica Starr's funeral took place at the Oak Pointe Church in Novi, Michigan, on Saturday. Former Director of Meteorology at WDIV and Starr's mentor, Chuck Gaidica, (pictured) welcomed guests but also led the closing prayer for the ceremony Starr hung herself on December 12 and had been with WJBK-TV for eight years prior to her passing 'In life, we understand that hope is the essence of life,' said the meteorogolist's uncle and godfather, Paul Digby. 'It makes the journey easier. It keeps telling us that tomorrow will be better than today. Although Jessica did not have the opportunity to complete the circle of life, her legacy and spirit lives on through Noah and Riley.' Digby described his niece as wanting to be average, but admitted that 'she was far from average.' 'I remember her birth announcement, 'A Starr is born,' ' Digby said. '... On her days off, she'd go to her favorite grocery store and people would come up to her and say 'Are you Jessica Starr?' Sometimes she'd say yes, other times no. But Digby also asserted that the family had a lot of questions surrounding the sudden death of someone who they described as a 'light.' Starr leaves behind her husband, Dan, and two children: three-year-old Riley Rose and five-year-old Noah 'Most of us are still on the 'whys,' the 'what-ifs,' Digby added, according to the Detroit News. 'How did we not all see this coming? Did we miss the signs? This was so out of character for someone I've known for 35 years.' Fox 2 news anchor Roop Raj shared his own remarks but also those of family members and colleagues who couldn't do their own. 'There has been a lot of reflection in the last three weeks, how did it end, when did it end and why didn't we have more time?' he said. 'But instead of staying in that moment, I choose to give thanks for the eight years we had with Jessica Starr because she was an incredible gift to this community.' Fox 2 news anchor Roop Raj shared his own remarks but also those of family members and colleagues who couldn't do their own Raj gave remarks from Ryan Starr, the woman's brother, who added: 'Her laugh was infectious, her smile was profound. She never took herself too seriously and would tell me people can get the weather on their phone now, but people did need her because you can't get your local weather any better way than from someone like Jess. This loss will leave a hole in my heart forever but my life is much better now because of her. I always looked out for my sister and protected her as much as I could.' Questions remain over why she killed herself, but her final public remarks were to tell fans that she was still struggling to recover from Lasik SMILE eye surgery The anchor also shared words from Starr's mother, Carol, who stated that she was 'blessed to be her mother.' 'We miss her, I miss her. Her bright beautiful smile and funny laugh will live on forever in our hearts,' Carol Starr added. 'She put sunshine in my life. I'm not a weather forecaster or meteorologist, I know the forecast today is dreary, dark and sad, but I know that when the sun comes back out again and you see it shining through the clouds, each and every one of us will look up and say we are glad we knew the warmth of Jessica.' Former Director of Meteorology at WDIV and Starr's mentor, Chuck Gaidica, welcomed guests and also led the closing prayer for the ceremony. He asked: 'How could you not love Jessica Starr?' The family has launched a GoFundMe in efforts to remember their daughter and also ask for donations to be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Starr had been with WJBK-TV for eight years prior to her passing. She underwent the widely performed procedure in October to correct her nearsightedness so that she could stop wearing contact lenses Questions remain over why she killed herself but her final public remarks were to tell fans that she was still struggling to recover from Lasik SMILE eye surgery. She underwent the widely performed procedure in October to correct her nearsightedness so that she could stop wearing contact lenses. Ordinarily, patients take a few days to regain their sight but Starr complained on November 13, a month after her procedure, that she was still having trouble. It remains unclear if Starr took her life as a direct result of complications from the surgery. If you or anyone you know is struggling and needs confidential help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255 or visit their website here. A Chinese mother has been investigated by police after a video caught her savagely slapping her baby in the face. The woman, identified by her surname Wang, beat the five-month-old boy because he wouldn't stop crying, said the police. The baby was found to sustain no injuries after police officers and local officials took him to the hospital, according to an online police statement. Ms Wang was feeding her son porridge in front of a neighbour's home on Christmas Day when the incident took place. Ms Wang and her family live in the town of Nasi in Qingnan, a city in southern China's Guangxi Province. A five-second clip, filmed by an eyewitness, shows Ms Wang holding her son with one hand while smacking him with another. She claimed to the police that she was trying to stop the child from crying with the punishment. The film recorder did not try to stop her. A video of a mother repeatedly slapping her baby has gone viral (pictured). The woman from southern China's Nasi town told police officers that she was trying to stop the boy crying Qingnan police launched an investigation after the video went viral on Chinese social media platforms. In an online statement issued last Friday, Qingnan police said a special team was formed to look into the matter. The team comprised staff from the Qingnan Public Security Bureau, Nasi Police Station, the government of Nasi town, the Youth League Committee of Nasi town and the neighbourhood committee of Ms Wang's village. The team called a meeting with Ms Wang and her husband, during which the couple were educated. Ms Wang expressed regret for her behaviour. Investigators also asked Ms Wang to write a letter to promise that she would not beat her child anymore. Ms Wang's husband, Mr Deng, said she had not conducted any domestic violence towards their child in the past. He promised that he and his wife would look after the baby better in the future. According to the Chinese law, anyone who carries out domestic violence or abuse towards a family member may be given a maximum jail term of two years. If the victim is seriously injured or dies, the offender may be sentenced up to seven years in prison. Patrick Shanahan, the acting defense secretary, started his first full day at the Pentagon's helm Wednesday by telling colleagues he sees China as a key priority. Shanahan, who took the top spot January 1 after Jim Mattis resigned amid disagreements with President Donald Trump, told key Defense Department staff to focus on the National Defense Strategy, a broad review that highlights a new era of 'Great Power competition' with Russia and China. The former Boeing executive, who moved up from the No. 2 job after Pentagon chief Jim Mattis left Monday, gathered civilian leaders of the military services and other top civilian officials before going to the White House for a Cabinet meeting. 'While we are focused on ongoing operations, Acting Secretary Shanahan told the team to remember China, China, China,' a defense official said. The official said Shanahan told the Pentagon gathering that he is focused on the strategy as developed and put in place under Mattis. With the boss: Patrick Shanahan, the new acting defense secretary, was beside Trump at a White House cabinet meeting on his first full day in office First say: Acting defense secretary Patrick Shanahan arrived early Wednesday for his first full day in office and told senior officials he was focused on 'China, China, China' Seat of power: Patrick Shanahan is the first acting defense secretary in 30 years and is at the head of the Pentagon after Jim Mattis quit over differences with President Trump It emphasizes the importance of great power competition with Russia and China, after America's many years of fighting insurgent wars in the Middle East. The Trump administration has had a rocky relationship with China. Like the Obama administration, President Donald Trump's government is concerned by what it calls China's militarization of disputed areas in the South China Sea and by its advances in certain high-tech weaponry. The US accuses Beijing of an ongoing pattern of military and economic espionage, and has criticized China's ambitious 'Belt and Road' trade and infrastructure initiative as being a form of economic coercion. 'In 2019, the National Defense Strategy remains our guide. America's military strength remains our focus,' Shanahan said in a New Year's message on Twitter. The defense official said Shanahan would later Wednesday attend a cabinet meeting with Trump, the president's first of 2019. Little known outside business and Washington circles, Shanahan takes the world stage at a time of tumultuous changes and unpredictable foreign policy moves under Trump. Shanahan did not serve in the military but has worked since July 2017 as the deputy defense secretary. Before that, he spent more than 30 years at Boeing. Among the most immediate issues on his plate will be the pace at which the US pulls 2,200 or so troops out of Syria, following Trump's decision last month to exit the war-torn country. According to US officials, Trump is also mulling a 50 percent draw down in Afghanistan -- another momentous move that has left lawmakers and international allies fearing for what comes next. Shanahan announced that Pentagon comptroller David Norquist will perform the duties of deputy secretary of defense, the official said. As acting defense secretary, Shanahan has all the authorities of a permanent secretary. It's unclear whether Trump will nominate Shanahan as Mattis' successor or will chose someone else. Change of tone: Patrick Shanahan name checked Trump twice in his first statement as acting secretary of defense; his predecessor Jim Mattis had avoided using Trump's name Chaos out: Jim Mattis - whose call sign in combat was Chaos and who was nicknamed Mad Dog - left the Pentagon with a final defiant shoulder aimed at Trump Mattis, a retired Marine general, submitted his resignation on Dec. 20 after a series of policy disagreements with Trump, including the president's decision to withdraw troops from Syria. Mattis said he would stay until the end of February, but on Dec. 23 Trump announced that Shanahan would take over Jan. 1, speeding up Mattis' departure. Shanahan, a native of Washington state, had worked for Boeing since 1986. His views on strategic issues such as U.S. alliances and the wars in Afghanistan and Syria are largely unknown to the public. During his Senate confirmation hearing in June 2017, Shanahan drew the ire of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., for equivocating on whether he favored providing defensive weaponry to Ukraine in response to Russian military intervention. It is rare for the Pentagon to be run by an acting secretary. The last was William H. Taft, who served in that capacity for about 60 days in 1989 after President George H.W. Bush's initial choice to be defense secretary, John Tower, became mired in controversy and ultimately failed to be confirmed by the Senate. Dick Cheney, the future vice president under President George W. Bush, then was nominated and confirmed. Shanahan's statement of 'China, China, China' comes after a Chinese admiral said that his country's military is capable of sinking American aircraft carriers in the East and South China Seas. Rear Admiral Luo Yuan's comments were made in a speech on Sino-U.S. relations which he gave on December 20, according to News Corp Australia Network. Luo said that sinking American ships would resolve the ongoing territorial disputes in that part of the world. Rear Admiral Luo Yuan's (seen above) comments were made in a speech on Sino-U.S. relations which he gave on December 20 'What the United States fears the most is taking casualties,' Admiral Luo said. He estimated that sinking an American carrier would result in the deaths of 5,000 servicemen and women. Sinking two such ships would double the casualty toll to 10,000. 'We'll see how frightened America is,' he said. Luo, 67, holds the rank of rear admiral in the People's Liberation Army Navy, though he is acting in an academic capacity rather than as an active service member. He is the deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences. An author, social commentator, and military theorist, Luo has been known to express hawkish, anti-American views in the past. In his remarks to the 2018 Military Industry List summit in Shenzhen. Luo boasted of China's weapons capability, which includes anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles that could hit American carriers. Luo said that the U.S. was vulnerable and that China should 'use its strength to attack the enemy's shortcomings.' 'Attack wherever the enemy is afraid of being hit,' he said. 'Wherever the enemy is weak' China and the U.S. have been at odds for years on a number of geopolitical issues, including Beijing's pressing of territorial claims in the South and East China Seas. The above image shows replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (center) and the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (right) performing maneuvers with the Japanese destroyer Haruna (left) on October 8 in the Pacific Ocean. China has said it could strike U.S. ships in the South and East China Seas In the South China Sea, the United States has criticized China's construction of islands on tiny reefs and shoals and its installation of military facilities on them, including air strips and docks. China claims 'irrefutable' sovereignty over most of the South China Sea and the islands in it, and accuses the United States of raising military tension with its navy presence there. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam all claim parts of the waterway, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year. Taiwan also claims the waters. Taiwan is another sensitive issue that divides the U.S. and China. In Beijing, the island is considered a breakaway province that must be unified with the mainland, even if it means using military force. But Taiwan, which is formally known as the Republic of China on Taiwan, insists on autonomy. The democratic province, which receives American weapons and aid, does not want to come under Chinese rule. Luo warned the U.S. not to intervene in the Taiwan-China dispute. 'If the US naval fleet dares to stop in Taiwan, it is time for the People's Liberation Army to deploy troops to promote national unity on (invade) the island,' he said. 'Achieving China's complete unity is a necessary requirement. 'The achievement of the past 40 years of reform and opening-up has given us the capability and confidence to safeguard our sovereignty. 'Those who are trying to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and Taiwan should be careful about their future.' Germany is braced for its own Yellow Vest movement after the leader of the left-wing 'Aufstehen' group vowed to take to the streets this year. Sahra Wagenknecht set up the movement - which translates as Get Up - last year in a bid to revive the fortunes of Germany's ailing left by attracting like-minded people across party lines. Taking inspiration from widespread protests across France at the end of 2018, Wagenknecht revealed she has 'big plans' for the movement, which has 170,000 members. Germany is braced for its own Yellow Vest movement after Sahra Wagenknecht (pictured), the leader of the left-wing 'Aufstehen' group, vowed to take to the streets this year Tens of thousands took to the streets in France during November and December and there were violent scenes as protesters clashed with police over issues ranging from fuel tax hikes to education reforms She said the French demonstrations boosted her belief that it was possible to bring about change without being a political party. Tens of thousands took to the streets in France during November and December and there were violent scenes as protesters clashed with police over issues ranging from fuel tax hikes to education reforms. According to the Guardian, Wagenknecht said: 'We have big plans for next year, not least because we recognise when people go on to the streets to protest especially those who have not had a political voice for many years who rediscover their voice by protesting then political change can happen. 'This is what we're seeing in France right now.' The 49-year-old pointed to inequality in Germany and the lack of action being taken to tackle the issue properly as being among motivating factors for possible protests. But she author and economist insisted she did not back violence, but added that 'at the same time you have to recognise that it is a clear expression of pent-up anger. It doesn't just come out of nowhere.' Taking inspiration from widespread protests across France at the end of 2018, Wagenknecht revealed she has 'big plans' for the movement, which has 170,000 members Wagenknecht said the French demonstrations boosted her belief that it was possible to bring about change without being a political party Wagenknecht warned that the movement would be 'visible on the street and in the public eye in 2019' without giving specific details. In September, the parliamentary chairperson of the Left Party said that Germans were 'witnessing a crisis of democracy' and that her new group would reach citizens who 'no longer feel represented' by mainstream politics. Despite attracting support from the likes of historians, prominent actors and writers, her initiative has drawn criticism - including from some who fear it could end up harming her own party. Others have suggested she intends to set up her own party - something she denies. She said a key challenge would be to persuade Germans to take to the streets - in contrast to France which has a 'different protest culture'. But she added that Germans 'will realise that they are far more able to put pressure on the government if they go out and protest.' President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev wishing citizens of the country Happy New Year and International Day of Solidarity with the Azerbaijani People spoke about economic success of the country in 2018. The leader of the country said that today Azerbaijan is independent in its economic development. The economy of Azerbaijan is independent. This is the factor which strengthens our independent policy. This year, we have seen the growth of GDP, the non-oil sector, and industrial production. The non-oil industry grew more than by 9 per cent. Our export increased by 40 per cent. $10 billion were invested in our economy. According to Doing Business Program of the World Bank, Azerbaijan took the 25th place in the world. It means our changes, transparency, serious economic reforms are fruitful, and the World Bank appreciates this, Ilham Aliyev stated. At the same time, President stressed that the country pays serious attention to modern technologies. This year, we has launched our third satellite to the orbit. Its a big deal. Azerbaijan is one of a few members of the international space club and we are improving our positions in the sphere, Ilham Aliyev said. He also noted that several important projects were started in 2018. We officially opened the South Gas Corridor. We marked the great event in May. Its a huge historic achievement. In June, TANAP was officially opened and we got wide opportunities for finalization of the South Gas Corridor. Its our historic achievement. The Azerbaijani People are going to see benefits from the projects over long years. We also opened the Alyat Trade Port. Its also a historic project, the Azerbaijani leader stated. According to President, Azerbaijan is turning into an important transport center not only in the region but also in Eurasia. The North-South Corridor and the East-West Corridor pass through our territory. The powerful transport infrastructure enables us to use our transit options more effectively, President said. He also added that Azerbaijan and many foreign countries marked the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic in 2018. Modern Azerbaijan is a successor of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic. Azerbaijan has never been such a strong, independent, and free country as today, AzerTag cited President of Azerbaijan. Speaking about the presidential elections which were held in 2018, Ilham Aliyev said that the Azerbaijani people expressed its trust and highly assessed his work. During 15 years, I have been trying to serve our people properly as a president. I will try to do all my best for development of Azerbaijan, its strengthening, and raising the well-being of the people in the future. I have one goal only: to build a strong Azerbaijani state and serve the people properly, President concluded. An Arizona aquatic center has come under fire after the death of three dolphins in 16 months. Khloe, an 11-year-old Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin, died on December 30 'following a long, chronic illness that had affected her over the last six years', Dolphinaris Arizona said in a statement on its website. 'This is an extremely sad day for our team at Dolphinaris Arizona,' said Christian Schaeffer, General Manager. But animal rights activists have said that the deaths at the Scottsdale attraction are sign that something is amiss, and demanded the remaining five dolphins be released to a sanctuary. Khloe, an 11-year-old Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin, died on December 30. She was the third dolphin to die at Dolphinaris in Scottsdale Arizona in 16 months The Dolphinaris statement said Khloe had suffered from a condition caused by a parasite called Sarcocystis, which can also affect dolphins living in the ocean and has a high mortality rate. It further added that Khloe had contracted the illness before she was brought to the attraction, which opened in October 2016 and lets visitors interact and swim with the aquatic mammals. Protestors gathered down the street from Dolphinaris chanting 'don't buy a ticket' and holding placards which read: 'dolphins belong in the ocean not the desert', 'jailed without a crime' and 'confined for your amusement'. Two other dolphins, 7-year-old Bodie and 10-year-old Alia, have died at Dolphinaris in the past 16 months. The attraction, which opened in October 2016, lets visitors interact with dolphins at close quarters, to the dismay of animal rights activists Bottlenose dolphins should have a lifespan of around 40 years, with some females surviving more than 60 years. Patricia Cady, a co-founder of Dolphin Free AZ, told the Daily Beast that 'even within the industrythat we do not support[three deaths] is an anomaly.' The attraction has passed four U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections. It said the other dolphins living there are all doing well. Salt Lake City is the hottest housing market for Millennials, with people under age 35 accounting for more than half (51 percent) of the region's total home purchase requests, according to a new report. Minneapolis and Pittsburgh tied for second place, with 48 percent of home purchase requests coming from Millennials, according to a LendingTree analysis of 2018 mortgage requests in America's 50 largest metropolitan areas. Researchers said Millennials are increasingly entering the housing market as they are getting older, and they are looking to buy in smaller markets away from the more expensive major cities like Los Angeles and New York. 'A big part of it is affordability,' LendingTree Chief Economist Tendayi Kapfidze told DailyMail.com. LendingTree is an online loan marketplace. This map illustrates the top 10 cities in America for Millennials seeking to buy a home, where the highest proportion of people under age 35 are making home purchase requests That's good news for the real estate markets like Buffalo New York, where 46 percent of prospective buyers are Millennials. Denver, St. Louis and Kansas City tied for fourth place at 45 percent, followed by Columbus, Ohio and Rochester, N.Y. (44 percent each). It's critical for the overall housing market's continuing recovery to have younger people become homeowners, Kapfidze said. Millennials face unique challenges to homeownership - including the fact that many entered the job market at the height of the Great Recession of 2008 and struggled to find good-paying jobs at ages when Americans have historically been able to start accumulating wealth, he said. In addition, many remain saddled with student debt that makes it tougher to save for a down payment on a home. 'Millennials have less net worth than previous generations at the same age, and that's a confluence of the slower wage growth we've seen, but a big part of it is also student debt,' Kapfidze said. 'They are participating (in the real estate market), just not at the rates of prior generations because of some of these special factors,' he added. Millennials made the least home purchase requests in Tampa, Florida; Las Vegas and Miami where only about 30 percent of prospective buyers were younger than 35. The cities with the youngest average buyers were Salt Lake City; Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati where the average age for potential Millennial homebuyers is roughly 28 years old. Louisville and Cincinnati have average down payment requirements that are lower than the national average meaning Millennials don't have to save as long as they do in other places to be able to afford a home. This map illustrates the bottom 10 cities in America for Millennials seeking to buy a home, where the lowest proportion of people under age 35 are making home purchase requests While the average down payment in Salt Lake City is higher than the national average, it has a lower average age among the total population a factor contributing to the lower average age of prospective homebuyers. In addition, Salt Lake City is in Utah the state with the youngest newly married couples in the country, according to U.S. Census data. The state also has a lower than average median age for marriage: 26 for men and 24 for women, compared to the national median of 29 for men and 27 for women. Those factors could explain why Salt Lake City is such a popular market for Americans under age 35 life events such as marriage and child birth tend to motivate people to pursue first-time homeownership. Meanwhile, Millennials wait the longest to buy homes in San Francisco; San Jose, California; and New York City. The average age of Millennial buyers in those cities was 29.6 years old. Millennials in those cities also had the highest average credit ratings all averaging above 704, significantly higher than the average of 656 across the nation's 50 largest metropolitan areas. Meanwhile, Millennials with the lowest average credit scores live in Memphis, Tennessee; Birmingham, Alabama and New Orleans coming in at 622, 629 and 634, respectively. Researchers said that could make those cities more attractive options for Millennials who have poor or minimal credit histories. A mayor in central Mexico was shot dead just 90 minutes after his New Year's Day oath of office ceremony. Alejandro Aparicio Santiago had just been sworn in the indigenous town of Tlaxiaco in the state of Oaxaca on Tuesday morning when two men approached started shooting at him and three other politicians. Aparicio Santiago was traveling to the a meeting a city hall at 11.30am when he was attacked by the two gunmen, according to the state prosecutor's office. Alejandro Aparicio Santiago was assassinated New Year's Day, just ninety minutes after he had been sworn as mayor of the indigenous Mexican town of Tlaxiaco in the state of Oaxaca Villagers quickly jumped into action and apprehended one of the suspects, who has not been identified. They beat the suspect and detained him before police officers arrived. Law enforcement is still searching for the second suspect in the town of 40,000 residents. The wounded mayor was immediately transferred to a hospital wing of the Mexican Social Security Institute where he died from the gunshot wound he suffered in his chest during the brazen attack. Perfecto Hernandez Gutierrez, a representative in Tlaxiaco, also died Tuesday night from gunshot wounds suffered in the assassination plot A murder suspect (left) lays on the ground in pain after villagers attacked him moments before the bloodied man (right) is led away by cops after he allegedly shot a mayor in Mexico Representative Perfecto Hernandez Gutierrez, who was shot during the alleged assassination plot, was pronounced dead early Wednesday morning at a local hospital. Councilwoman Cleotilde Santos and another politician were also shot but their medical conditions are unknown. According to Mexican news outlet Excelsior, Aparicio Santiago is the sixth politician that has been assassinated during the last semester, dating back to the July 1, 2018 elections. Councilwoman Maria Ascension Cruz Torres, 55, was shot three times Sunday morning, 48 hours before she was expected to be sworn into office. Aparicio Santiago (right) gives a speech moments before he was assassinated on the day he was officially named mayor The body of Olga Kobel, who in July was elected mayor of Juarez in northeastern Mexico, was found buried in the ranch of a local metals company owner on December 17, a week after she disappeared and was shot dead She was later declared dead at a hospital in the south-central Mexican state of Morelos. Their deaths raises the number of politicians aligned with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's Morena political party to five since July 1. According to Morena Party chairwoman Yeidckol Polevnsky, 152 public officials were assassinated during the 2017-2018 electoral period. 'It saddens me that these events have happened,' President Lopez Obrador said. 'They are cowardly acts.' The New Year's Day tragic event took place just two weeks after Juarez mayor Olga Kobel, 42, was kidnapped and assassinated just five months after she had won her town's election. Christina Davis Jolly, 43, is accused of emailing and talking to the teenager on social media following her arrest in Statesville, North Carolina in August last year A North Carolina middle school teacher who was arrested for having sex with her 15-year-old foster son is now facing new charges for contacting him after she was ordered not to. Christina Davis Jolly, 43, is accused of emailing and talking to the teenager on social media following her arrest in Statesville in August last year. Jolly, who was released on $200,000 bond last year, was charged on Thursday with violation of a pretrial release condition, the Statesville Record reports. The former North Iredell Middle School was initially charged with five counts of statutory rape of a child. Jolly agreed to give up custody of the boy back in July after their alleged relationship was made known to child welfare officials. She was allegedly having sexual encounters with the boy dating back to August 2017. The former North Iredell Middle School was initially charged with five counts of statutory rape of a child The teenager was interviewed by officials and told them of the alleged encounters. Jolly was ordered to not to have any contact with the boy following her arrest but she allegedly continued to speak to him via social media. The sheriff's office then raided her home and seized her computers. Jolly had worked for the local school district since 2002 but was suspended without pay following her arrest. She was fired a week later. Jolly now has a new $200,000 secured bond related to the recent violation of a pretrial release condition charge. A UNC at Chapel Hill student was ringing in the new year at the annual acorn drop celebration in Raleigh Monday night when a stray bullet from another reveler's celebratory gunfire tore through her abdomen. Police said in a statement Tuesday that 22-year-old Kaitlyn Kong was shot five minutes after midnight amid the festivities at Fayetteville and Davie streets in downtown Raleigh. Capt. Bill McGregor told the News & Observer the bullet came down from above and hit Kong on the top of her chest, pierced the corner of her lung, then lodged in her left abdomen. Kaitlyn Kong, a senior at UNC at Chapel Hill, is pictured above posing in front of the Raleigh acorn an hour before midnight on New Year's Eve. The 22-year-old was hit by a stray bullet five minutes after midnight during the celebratory fireworks Kong was in downtown Raleigh for the annual 'Acorn Drop' celebration, which is similar to New York City's Time Square ball drop Police believe an armed reveler opened fire into the air to celebrate New Year's Eve According to a Facebook status update posted by Kong's roommate, Allyson Cole, on her behalf, the victim on Tuesday underwent surgery to remove the bullet and repair the damage to her lung, diaphragm and stomach. Police in Raleigh are now trying to identify the person who fired the fateful shot that wounded Kong just minutes into the new year. Kong wrote in the Facebook message that she and Cole were watching the acorn drop Raleighs equivalent of the Time Square ball drop in New York City - when fireworks lit up the sky and the young woman suddenly felt sharp pain near her ribs. 'I grabbed my ribs and saw blood so we called 911 and got help with the EMS,' Kong recounted. Cole, Kongs roommate and best friend, told WRAL she went into a protective mama bear mode and helped push the crowd out of the way. The UNC student was then transported by ambulance to WakeMed Hospital, where doctors removed the bullet from her stomach. A bullet pierced Kong's lung, perforated her diaphragm and lodged in her stomach. The UNC senior underwent a four-hour surgery on Tuesday to remove the projectile I feel so fortunate to be here and while Im still shocked this happened to me, Im thankful I survived, Kong stated. The 22-year-old is expected to stay hospitalized for a week. Kaitlyns father, Jeffrey Kong, told WNCN the surgery - his daughter's first - left her with a large scar in the middle of her abdomen Her mother, Gwynne, said all the doctors have told the family her daughter is lucky to be alive. Had it been 2 inches another way, she could have died, Mrs Kong said. According to her LinkedIn profile, Kong is a senior at UNC majoring in environmental science. Richard Page, who had served as a magistrate for 20 years with an exemplary record, was removed from his post after the A Christian former magistrate has won the right to challenge his dismissal over remarks he made about same-sex couples adopting children. Richard Page, of Headcorn, Kent, lost his role on the bench after saying in a BBC interview that a child would be better looked after by a man and a woman rather than a gay couple. The comments came after Mr Page, along with two other Magistrates, considered an application by a same-sex couple to adopt a child in Kent in July 2014. He was later sacked for 'serious misconduct' by then Justice Secretary Michael Gove and Lord Thomas, who said his comments suggested he was 'biased and prejudiced against single sex adopters.' But at a hearing, the former magistrate was granted permission to take his case against the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice to the Employment Appeal Tribunal in Croydon, south London. Representing Mr Page, barrister Paul Diamond argued that although judges are expected to show restraint while commenting in public, Mr Page's remarks were well within the bounds of his judicial functions and that Mr Page had therefore been victimised. Her Honour Judge Katherine Tucker allowed Mr Page's appeal to proceed, saying that judges have a fundamental role in democratic society. She said that judges are permitted to hold even 'intolerant' views that should be respected but that there may be limits as to how they can be expressed so as not to impugn the impartiality of the courts. Mr Page lost his role on the bench after saying in a BBC interview that a child up for would be better looked after by a man and a woman rather than a gay couple Mr Page had served as a magistrate for 20 years with an exemplary record. He is being supported in the courts by the Christian Legal Centre. Mr Page said: 'I am amazed that it has taken so long to get this far. 'It is vital that we maintain the true independence and impartiality of the judiciary and that ordinary people like me are not excluded from it.' Mr Page sat at Maidstone Magistrates' Court (pictured) In that interview on the BBC, Mr Page said: 'My responsibility as a magistrate as I saw it was to do what I considered best for the child, and my feeling was therefore that it would be better if it was a man and a woman who were adopted parents' (stock photo) Mr Page had originally spoken out against a child being adopted by a gay couple, and would be better placed 'with a mother and father' in 2014. He was disciplined for his remarks, which were made in private to colleagues behind closed doors during an adoption case. Afterwards he was interviewed by number of different media outlets defending his position, before he went on BBC Breakfast to discuss the issues around same sex adoption in march 2015. In that interview he said: 'My responsibility as a magistrate as I saw it was to do what I considered best for the child, and my feeling was therefore that it would be better if it was a man and a woman who were adopted parents.' The Prime Minister is expected to confirm that the June 21 Freedom Day will be pushed back to July 19 in 'one last heave' following a sharp rise in cases of the Indian variant. Ignoring a mounting revolt by Tory MPs and dire warnings from the hospitality and theatre industries, Mr Johnson will argue that scrapping all restrictions now is likely to fuel the surge - and the public needs to be 'patient' so the country does not go into reverse. The PM will use a Downing Street press conference tonight to outline a delay in the relaxation of restrictions in an attempt to push forward with the vaccination effort. A government source said Mr Johnson considers it the 'final stretch' to extend the protection of the jabs as far as possible before normality can return. But he is expected to lift the limit of 30 people for weddings and permit more outdoor seated spaces at sporting events. Mr Johnson, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Michael Gove and Health Secretary Matt Hancock signed off on the four week delay, reports say. A senior UK government source said the message had always been 'cautious but irreversible', adding: 'That has been our mantra throughout and that continues. It would be far worse to have uncertainty and go backwards. It is better to be cautious and have certainty. It is one last heave. It is a straight race between the vaccine and the virus.'. Shawn Hagan faces charges of resisting arrest and dealing meth after fleeing cops on Friday Sheriff's deputies trolled a South Carolina man while he was on the run after he dropped his phone fleeing arrest on drug charges. Shawn Anderson Hagan, 30, from Charleston, South Carolina, whose nickname is 'Shawnyman' on Facebook, left behind the mobile device that gave the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office an opening to taunt him. 'Hi shawn, you lost your phone while running from the police,' the sheriff's office posted on his own Facebook page. 'Contact Berkeley county sheriff's office if you want it back.' The post drew mostly amused comments about Hagan's apparent run-in with the law, some of whom may have originally seen the post as a screenshot on the sheriff's Facebook page. The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office posted the tongue-in-cheek request for Shawn Hagan to retrieve his phone after he dropped in fleeing the authorities The sheriff's office took a screenshot of the original post and placed it on its own Facebook page with a request for information about Hagan Shawn Hagan of Charleston, South Carolina, initially fled police but left his phone behind 'Does anyone know Shawn Hagan? (Not asking for a friend) We would really like to return his phone,' the sheriff's post read. 'Next time, secure all valuables before running.' The following day, the sheriff's office posted an update that Hagan had been captured accompanied by photo of him and a paste of their original post to his page. 'Thanks to the many tips we received on Facebook, Berkeley County deputies were able to apprehend 30-year-old Shawn Anderson Hagan,' they posted, crediting the tongue-in-cheek baiting on social media. The following day after the original post, the sheriff posted that Hagan had been caught The sheriff's office credited their social media trolling for given them information they needed to track Shawn Hagan -- who tried to flee again -- and capture him 'Deputies were searching for Hagan after he fled yesterday,' the update added. 'Today, Hagan fled from deputies again but this time he was caught.' Hagan faces charges of resisting arrest and dealing meth and is being held on a bond of more than $61,000. To add insult to injury, they added the hashtag #DontBeLikeShawn to the post. Indiana authorities have found the dead body of a local pastor's wife after she disappeared on New Year's Eve following a desperate final phone call to her husband about her car quickly filling up with water. Carol Jackson's vehicle was swept away by floodwater in Pipe Creek, which dozens of people are said to drive over every day, however in this incident the usually-slow flow had turned into a rapid river. The Clarksburg woman who was a teacher - contacted her spouse around 6.30pm Monday after seemingly having not realized the water had risen many feet when she took her SUV over the slab bridge in Peppertown. Scroll down for video Indiana authorities on Tuesday found the body of grandmother Carol Jackson, 63, whose car was swept away by floodwaters as she drove over a slab bridge in Peppertown She disappeared Monday 6.30pm after a desperate call to her pastor husband. Jackson's car quickly filled up with water after she drove over a flooded slab bridge 10 agencies searched for four hours Monday after her husband called rescuers. Her SUV was found downstream Tuesday at 9.30am and her body was discovered two miles away at 3.30pm A mother-of-six and a grandmother, 63, who was preparing for the birth of her second grandchild soon, Jackson was visiting Franklin County for a retreat when the accident occurred and she made the panicked call. Rescue efforts using drones and helicopters were hindered by heavy rain and the rough water conditions were even troublesome for agencies on the ground trying to locate Jackson until 10.30pm that night. Thanks to the collective effort of 150 volunteers plus teams including the Indiana Conservation Officer safety divers, Indiana State Police Aviation, Rescue 24, and Hamilton County Ohio District 8, the car was found downstream at 9.30am the following day but Jackson was discovered six hours later and two miles from the motor at 3.30pm. Various fire departments including the Brookville Volunteer Fire Department, Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Department, Oldenburg Fire Department and Auxiliary, Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, Batesville Fire and Ambulance, assisted in the rescue. Her husband, Pastor Jerran Jackson (left), lost his father the day before the accident The woman spent 30 years at Clarksburg Christian Church where she was loved Franklin County Sheriff's Department and Laurel Police Department were also involved in finding the beloved member of her Clarksburg community where her pastor husband, Jerran Jackson, has been at Clarksburg Christian Church for 30 years. 'When we take on a lot of water and the ground can't absorb - it has to go somewhere and it finds these smaller creeks and those creeks come up really fast and really swift in a hurry,' conservation officer, Josh Thomas, explained. 'It was a huge search party and it was mixed in with professional agencies along with, as well as, civilians and a lot of just good Samaritans.' Now authorities have warned drivers not to tackle the unknown when approaching the area. 'There are one or two slabs left in Franklin County, that happens to be one. It's a very dangerous crossing when you can't see the bottom. So, we suggest if you can't see the bottom, go back the way you came,' Sheriff Peter Cates said. A vigil was held for Jackson at her church on Tuesday and an autopsy was scheduled this week Devastated people who knew the woman described her as 'compassionate' and 'giving' An autopsy was scheduled for this week. The widowed pastor had lost his father only the day before Jackson passed away. A GoFundMe page was created to help raise $35,000 for Jackson's family and it had raised over $2,700 by Wednesday morning. Devastated people who knew the woman described her as 'compassionate', 'giving' and one man said she was 'probably the Godliest woman I've ever known in my life'. Friend Tammy Sodell told Fox 59 at a vigil held for Jackson on Tuesday: 'So her very last text to me is 'your kingdom come, your will be done,' that was Carol. That he wanted the will of the kingdom to be done. 'She would want us to celebrate her life, but most of all, celebrate her love of the Lord.' Total wealth of richest citizens of Russia in 2018 decreased by $5.915 billion, data of Bloomberg Billionaires Index (BBI) rating confirmed. Index was calculated based on value of shares of companies in which Russian billionaires own shares. In total, BBI includes 500 of the richest people in the world, 25 of which are Russians. Authors of this rating note that in 2018, only nine managed to increase their wealth. One of them is director general of the Norilsk Nickel Vladimir Potanin. Over the past year, he became richer by $687 million. His fortune is now estimated at $19.6 billion. He also headed the list of the richest Russians according to BBI, getting ahead of co-owner of the Novatek, Leonid Mikhelson, who led the list of Russian billionaires for four months in a row. Mikhelson increased his wealth by 2.77 million to $19.4 billion. Main beneficiary of the Novolipetsk Steel Vladimir Lisin took third place, despite the fact that his wealth decreased by 146 million to $17.9 billion. Next was the Severstal company owner Alexey Mordashov with $17.4 billion. His weath has decreased by $2.23 billion over the pst year. Lukoil's Vagit Alekperov was next, increasing his weath by 3.45 billion to $16 billion When police first started poking around in southwest Sydney's drug underworld, Darren Rispen was just a low level pot dealer. Just two years later the unassuming electrician was running a huge international cartel growing and selling all kinds of drugs and living large off the proceeds. He rented a $1,500-a-week city flat, leased BMWs and Mercedes, dined on fine food at Star Casino and jetted to the Gold Coast with his stripper girlfriend. Darren Rispen was finally jailed for 15 years after more than two years on the run, skipping bail when police busted open his huge drug empire stretching from Sydney around the world He was finally caught in July 2017 trying to hide in plain sight near Newcastle, making $5,000 a week playing poker and living just 20m from a police station Rispen, 43, was brazen too, tapping into the power grid to grow marijuana and paying alcoholics and drug addicts $1,000 for their medicare numbers. He used these to create new identities to rent warehouses for drug production or storage and lease cars to move them around. The crafty kingpin even booked a flight to Bali with his girlfriend to check if his passport was red flagged after a courier got caught - he flew back after a few days when nothing happened. For most of this time, Rispen wasn't even on the radar - police were interested in a bikie-connected Middle Eastern crime figure named Yousseff Sammak. 'We thought Rispen was just a runner or minor player - no one had heard of him,' Detective Superintendent Jason Weinstein, told the Daily Telegraph. 'The intel reports on him did not match the size and scope of the criminality he was involved with.' Rispen, 43, was brazen, tapping into the power grid to grow marijuana and paying alcoholics and drug addicts $1,000 for their medicare numbers He had spent more than two years on the run as one of Australia's most wanted, facing more than 30 charges from 2014 Before he was charged, Rispen rented a $1,500-a-week city flat, leased BMWs and Mercedes, dined on fine food at Star Casino and jetted to the Gold Coast with his stripper girlfriend Rispen's stay at the top didn't last too long, however, as by a month after his June 2014 Bali trip police had enough to charge him with drug supply. He made bail at $200,000 but in two months he was hit with 26 charges for drug importing, gun running, and money laundering among others. Police found more than 110kg of methamphetamine, 11kg of marijuana and 3kg of methorphan in one location, and 4.5kg of marijuana plus 720 plants elsewhere. Rispen put up another $550,000 bail but skipped an October 2014 court appearance and went on the run for more than two years. He used yet another fake name and grew a long, red beard to mask his identity, making $5,000 a week playing poker. Thousands of dollars in cash were hidden all over Rispen's residences Notes were scattered among his standard kitchen supplies inside his pantry Finally after years on the Most Wanted list, Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad officers tracked him down and arrested him in July 2017. He was living in Nelson Bay, near Newcastle, just 20m from a police station, trying to hide in plain sight instead of fleeing overseas. With him when he was arrested was a local woman he had been dating for about six months who, as Rispen's sentencing judge noted, was 'absolutely gobsmacked to say the least when it all came out'. At long last, Rispen was in December jailed for 15 years after finally giving in pleading guilty to five counts of supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and one count of cultivating a commercial quantity of a prohibited plant. Incoming likely speaker Nancy Pelosi is laying down a marker that newly-empowered Democrats will go to court to protect Obamacare, in one of the first acts of the Democratic-run House. Pelosi, who stands for election on Thursday, has assembled a new rules package that specifically commits the House to a legal case that has once again thrown President Obama's signature health plan into jeopardy. Pelosi helped marshall through Obamcare during her first term as speaker. Now, the new rules package that the Democratic House will codify in their traditional first legislative action, will specifically authorize the House to intervene in the case. A section titled 'LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT' authorizes Pelosi or whomever is elected speaker 'to intervene, otherwise appear, or take any other steps, in the case of Texas v. United States ... and in any appellate proceedings arising from such case.' A new House rules package would authorize likely Speaker Nancy Pelosi to intervene in an Obamacare case The passage references to the Obamacare lawsuit where a federal judge in Texas ruled the law unconstitutional without its individual mandate, which the Republican Congress removed. The case is under appeal. The package also authorizes the speaker to intervene in 'any other cases' involving Obamacare, whose official name is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In addition, she is empowered to intervene legally to protect the law's popular provisions dealing with preexisting conditions. A Democratic source flagged the Obamacare provision as a key element of the package, Axios reported. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) must find a way to reopen the government along with President Trump, but there are fights brewing behind the scenes over Obamacare The president said during the campaign he would repeal and replace Obamacare. That didn't happen, but a federal judge in Texas has ruled against it Supporters of the Affordable Care Act cheer after the Supreme Court ruled that Obamacare tax credits can go to residents of any state, outside the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, USA, 25 June 2015 (reissued 15 December 2018). According to media reports, a judge in Texas has declared the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, as unconstitutional Pelosi's office announced that Douglas Letter will serve as the new general counsel for the House Those provisions were a key campaign issue for Democrats as they picked up 40 House seats and swept into House control. Just days ago, Pelosi announced that former Justice Department official Douglas Letter will serve as the new House general counsel. The Berkeley Law grad is a seasoned litigator who served as director of the Civil Division's appellate staff at the Justice Department. The legal fight to preserve Obamacare is one of many battles the Democratic House will engage as it seeks to investigate President Trump. Democrats also say they have an ambitious legislative agenda, but any policy ideas would have to clear the GOP Senate and get Trump's signature. But in the meantime, the House can act on symbolic actions unilaterally, as they do in the rules package, renaming the Education and the Workforce Committee back to the old Education and Labor panel. The powerful Committee on Oversight and Government reform is being rechristened the committee on Oversight and Reform. Federal Judge Reed OConnor ruled in December that Obamacare's Individual Mandate unconstitutional and inseverable after the GOP congress ended the tax many for Americans who don't comply with the 'individual mandate' to buy health insurance. An Indiana mother was arrested after officers discovered her infant daughter locked inside a freezing vehicle while she drank inside a bar on Sunday morning. The 15-month-old daughter of Tiffany Helbling, 29, was found asleep in a car around 2am in front of O's Tap in Knox. The car was not running and the temperature came in at a freezing 25 degrees, Knox Police Chief Harold Smith explained to WKVI. The 15-month-old daughter of Tiffany Helbling, 29, was found asleep in a car around 2am in front of O's Tap in Knox Helbling was arrested for child neglect on the spot as Stark County EMS medics rushed to the scene to evaluate the infant Helbling was arrested for child neglect on the spot as Stark County EMS medics rushed to the scene to evaluate the infant. 'The baby's diaper was apparently soaked and no baby food, bottle or diapers were found in the diaper bag or vehicle,' Smith's report stated. He added that the girl was turned over to her father, who was at home at the time, while the mother was escorted off to jail. Authorities said that Helbling was at the scene with another patron and the two claimed they took turns to run out and check on the baby. But, according to WSBT, fellow patrons told police they never saw either of them leave the bar at any point. Authorities said that Helbling was at the scene with another patron and the two took turns to run out and check on the baby The girl was turned over to her father, who was at home at the time, while the mother was escorted off to jail The father told police that he had been trying to get in contact with the woman all day but she had been gone and avoiding his calls. It is currently unknown how long the baby was inside the vehicle and the investigation is still ongoing. Helbling claimed that she was at the bar for only 20 minutes but other patrons said that she was there for an hour or two. Video surveillance from the scene will be used in the investigation, Smith said. In addition to child neglect, the mother was also charged with criminal recklessness. She has been booked in the Starke County Jail. American rapper and fashion designer A$AP Bari is to go on trial at the Old Bailey accused of sexually assaulting a woman. The 27-year-old, real name Jabari Shelton, is charged with two counts of sexual assault on July 10, 2017. It is alleged he intentionally touched a woman sexually at an east London hotel. The US artist was arrested at Heathrow Airport in May as he transferred to a flight bound for South Africa. American rapper and fashion designer A$AP Bari (pictured) is to go on trial at the Old Bailey accused of sexually assaulting a woman The star, from Manhattan, New York, is understood to have flown to the UK on Tuesday to attend his Old Bailey trial. The defendant, who has an address in Clapton, east London, is a founding member of New York hip-hop collective A$AP Mob. Last year it was reported that at least four witnesses will be travelling from the US for the trial. He is due to attend court on Thursday for the first day of his trial before Judge Zoe Smith QC. A hero police sergeant who was stabbed as he helped foil a suspected New Year's Eve terror attack said he had no idea what he was running towards after he heard people screaming. Sergeant Lee Valentine was one of three people injured in the knife attack at Manchester Victoria station at about 9pm on Monday. A 25-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, is now detained 'in a secure medical facility' but police warned today it could be months before a decision is made on whether he'll be charged. British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Constable Paul Crowther today praised the bravery of Sgt Valentine and his colleagues and said they had averted a tragedy of a far greater scale. A terror suspect is pinned down following a New Year's Eve knife attack in Manchester Armed police patrolled Manchester's Piccadilly Station this morning following New Year's Eve's knife attack at the city's Victoria station A solicitor for the suspect's family and a family friend attended the family home today The family solicitor and family friend (pictured) at the house today declined to comment, but, in a statement released this afternoon, said their 'thoughts and prayers' were with victims Sgt Valentine, who is recovering at home after suffering a stab wound to his shoulder, said: 'The past 48 hours have been overwhelming. My team and I are grateful to everyone who sent in messages of support, it really does mean the world to us. 'We had no idea what we were running towards when we heard the screams on New Year's Eve. 'When we saw the man wielding a knife, instinct took over and we were able to, in company with travel safe officers from Metrolink, successfully detain the male.' Mr Crowther said Sgt Valentine was 'very lucky'. 'He's got a nasty injury but he could have been much, much worse,' he said. 'He very much feels that it was a team effort and everybody was in this together. 'He got injured in the way he did but I think it's a mark of the man that he constantly wants to emphasise the efforts of all of his team in doing this and I think they did a brilliant job together.' Sgt Valentine had had been on patrol at the station, nearby the Manchester Arena, along with three colleagues when they confronted the attacker with Tasers and pepper spray. Greater Manchester Police said today they are 'increasingly confident' that the knifeman 'acted alone in the final stages of the attack'. A video taken on the night of the attack shows the terror suspect being put into a police van The attack happened not far from where a suicide bomber killed 22 at a concert last year Counter-terror police are working to establish whether anyone else was involved Suspect's family's prayers for victims A man at the suspect's home yesterday The family said: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were seriously injured, their families and friends. 'We are also eternally grateful for the swift response from the emergency services and the comfort given to those affected by fellow Mancunians and citizens. 'The GMP (Greater Manchester Police) have informed us that our family member is currently detained under the Mental Health Act and is being treated by specialist medical staff. 'We are acutely aware that many, including within the media, may well have many questions to ask us. 'However, we have been informed by the GMP that there is an active, ongoing terrorist investigation and as such we are limited in what we can say at this stage. 'It is important that the police investigations take its course and any reports and articles avoid any assumptions, speculations and generalisations. 'We do not wish to make any further comment at this time.' Advertisement A couple, aged in their 50s, suffered multiple stab wounds, which are serious but not life-threatening, in the 'random' attack. Police today said male victim 'has made good progress. is likely to be released from hospital tomorrow. The woman who was stabbed will remain in hospital for longer. A GMP spokesman added: 'In the coming months whilst the man is detained and being assessed under the Mental Health Act, the investigation will carry on as usual searching for evidence and investigators will be consulting with medical specialists and the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to any potential criminal prosecution.' The suspect was heard to shout 'Allah' and 'Long live the Caliphate' during the incident at the station. Mr Crowther said: 'My personal view is they have averted a tragedy of a far greater scale than was the case, as significant and bad as it was. 'What's clear to me having talked to them is firstly, how humble they are, secondly how concerned they are about the wellbeing of the two individuals that were assaulted and I think they probably underestimate precisely what they did and how brave they were.' In a statement, the family of the man detained under the Mental Health Act, who live in the Cheetham Hill area of the city, said: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were seriously injured, their families and friends. 'We are also eternally grateful for the swift response from the emergency services and the comfort given to those affected by fellow Mancunians and citizens.' Mr Crowther said the events of May 22 2017, when suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people after he detonated a device at the Manchester Arena, were still fresh in the minds of BTP officers when the incident happened. He said: 'What they did on the night was just in the finest traditions of policing, everything we'd expect of people, selflessness, disregard for their own personal safety, wanting to get in there and protect people. We're all incredibly proud of them.' A man and a woman were pictured receiving treatment after the incident on Monday evening Police after the attack in Manchester's Victoria Station on New Year's Eve night Mr Crowther said the officers were 'upbeat' and moved by the messages of support from members of the public. He added: 'The sergeant who was injured is clearly an experienced officer, the officers that he was working with are junior in service but they performed way beyond what we might expect someone of their service to do. 'I think it's real testament to their bravery and their disregard for their own personal safety to get stuck in and do what they did.' Mr Crowther said support would be put in place for the officers as they returned to work. Sam Clack, a BBC producer, was on a platform at Manchester Victoria waiting for a tram home when he witnessed the attack. Police remain at a house in the Cheetham Hill area of Manchester, where the suspect lived Mr Clack, 38, said: 'I just heard this most blood-curdling scream and looked down the platform. 'What it looked like was a guy in his 60s with a woman of similar age and another guy all dressed in black. 'It looked like they were having a fight but she was screaming in this blood-curdling way. I saw police in high-vis come towards him. 'He came towards me. I looked down and saw he had a kitchen knife with a black handle with a good 12-inch blade. It was just fear, pure fear.' Mr Clack said police used a Taser and pepper spray before 'six or seven' officers jumped on the man and held him down. He said he heard the suspect saying: 'As long as you keep bombing other countries this sort of s*** is going to keep happening.' Mr Clack said it looked like both the man in his 60s and the woman with him had been stabbed, but both were conscious and were walked to a waiting ambulance. A quarter of all Holocaust victims were killed in a three-month mass murder operation that was the most intense period of human slaughter in the 20th century, new research suggests. Professor Lewi Stone, a mathematical biologist at Tel Aviv University in Israel and RMIT University in Australia, made the claim after analysing train records linked to the Nazi's Operation Reinhard. Mr Stone used data from Holocaust historian Yitzhak Arad which catalogued trains running from towns and ghettos in occupied Poland to three notorious death camps - Belzec, Sobibor and Treblinka - during Reinhard. Professor Lewi Stone calculates that during three months in 1942, the Nazis perpetrated the most intense period of human slaughter in the 20th century by sending 1.47 million Jews to the gas chambers (pictured is Belzec death camp, one of three used for the slaughter) Using estimates of the number of victims on each transport, Mr Stone calculated that at least 15,000 people were being killed every day over a three-month period in August, September and October 1942. In total, he believes 1.47million people were murdered in the gas chambers and by shooting during this time period, making up 70 per cent of the total 1.7million who died in the gas chambers of occupied Poland and 393,000 murders outside occupied Poland. If his sums are accurate, it would mean more people died in less time during these months than during any other 20th century genocide. The Rwanda genocide, in which up to 1,000,000 people were slaughtered in just 100 days, is commonly credited as having the fastest murder rate at 8,000 per day. According to Professor Stone, the murder rate only slowed down when the Nazis ran out of Jews to kill. He said: 'This study identifies an extreme phase of hyper-intense killing when over 1.47 million Jews - more than 25 per cent of the Jews killed in all six years of World War Two - were murdered by the Nazis in three month surge. 'The kill rate in the Operation Reinhard period is approximately 83 per cent higher than the commonly suggested figure for Rwanda - indicating previous comparisons have been based on incorrect accounting.' Prof Stone said his study, published in the journal Science Advances, highlights the Holocaust's 'singularly violent character - even compared to other more recent genocides.' Professor Stone used train records showing the number of transports carrying people from Polish towns and ghettos to three death camps to calculate the murder rate (pictured, train lines are laid outside the Treblinka death camp) 'The Holocaust kill rate is some ten times higher than estimates suggested by authorities on comparative genocide,' said Prof Stone. He said the research also provides new insights into the 'profound efficiency of Nazi death camps and the systematic manner in which Jewish communities were murdered.' Operation Reinhard lasted from 1942 to 1943, but detailed records of the killings were largely destroyed by the Nazis - making it difficult to investigate how quickly the genocide was carried out. Deutsche Reichsbahn, the German National Railway, played a critical role in transporting millions of Jews to the death camps. The 'special trains' that transported the victims were kept on strict time schedules. This enabled Holocaust historian Yitzhak Arad to compile Reichsban data on 480 train deportations from 393 Polish towns and ghettos to three key death camps - Belzec, Sobibor and Treblinka - during Operation Reinhard and estimated the number of victims on each transport. Using this information - which included estimates of the numbers on each train - Prof Stone calculated the rate at which the Nazis killed Jews during Operation Reinhard. He said: 'Operation Reinhard was the largest single murder campaign of the Holocaust, during which some 1.7 million Jews from German-occupied Poland were murdered by the Nazis. 'Most perished in gas chambers at the death camps Belzec, Sobibor and Treblinka.' It is the most definitive study of its kind to date - and has important implications for today, said Prof Stone. He said: 'In this Operation, the three key death camps Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka were set up with the intention of eliminating every Jew in German-occupied Poland. Mr Stone said Operation Reinhard marks the most intense period of slaughter during the 20th century, exceeding the Rwandan genocide (pictured, a commemoration ceremony at the Vught concentration camp, which housed children bound for the Sobibor death camp) 'The three Nazi 'death camps' or 'killing centres' were infamous for their industrial mass killings and their ability to rapidly liquidate entire Jewish communities with the aid of gas chamber technology - thereby resulting in a large-scale 'Holocaust by Gas.' 'Detailed records of the killings are almost non-existent because of the Nazis' tight secrecy around Operation Reinhard. 'Any information that was recorded was deliberately burnt and destroyed by the Nazis during the war for fear of future incrimination. 'In addition, a large percentage of murders have to be attributed to widespread shooting, since a 'Holocaust by Bullets' took place in parallel both in and outside the GG.' Prof Stone said the Holocaust is 'unarguably one of the most destructive and murderous events in the history of human civilisation.' He said: 'However, over the last 70 years, genocides and mass killing events have continued to occur and they are not diminishing in frequency. 'Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur, Burundi, Syria, and Myanmar have all experienced large-scale murder operations in the last 25 years, some of which may have been preventable. 'Developing a deeper understanding of genocides and mass killing events, including their causes, common characteristics, predictability, and mitigation, is thus considered by some as 'the most important goal of social science..' 'In this respect, lessons learned from the Holocaust continue to play a vital role, and the topic remains as timely as ever.' The owner of one of 'Chicago's hottest restaurants' has been arrested in Spain with his wife on fraud charges. Attila Gyulai, 46, was caught in late December in Valencia, Spain, after he and wife Komal Patel abruptly shut his Embeya restaurant, abandoned their car and fled the US in 2016. In February 2018, an arrest warrant was filed for Gyulai as he was charged with wire fraud and swindling his fellow investors of at least $300,000, according to an affidavit. Embeya opened in September 2012 to rave reviews and won praise for its design and Asian cuisine, but records show the coupe took $1.5million out of the restaurant. Attila Gyulai, 46, was arrested with his wife Komal Patel is Valencia, Spain An arrested warrant was filed in February, charging him with fraud and authorities say he stole $1.5million from the restaurant The couple fled in 2016 after closing the eatery and abandoning their car and were believed to be living in Tulum, Mexico Spanish newspaper Las Provincias reports that an investigation in Valencia began December 27 when Gyulai was spotted arriving at the airport from Ecuador. Gyulai and his wife were staying at a private home and had gone to Spain for a ten-day vacation over the holidays. The FBI has issued an order for Gyulai to be extradited to the US. Court documents show that Gyulai allegedly paid himself $140,000 and also transferred 65,000 from the restaurant's accounts to his own. In 2016, police say he took another $15,000 from Embeya and transferred it into his personal account. Just before closing the restaurant in 2016, he allegedly transferred another $103,000 to personal accounts in Canada. It's believed the couple had been living in Tulum, Mexico since fleeing. He was the owner of Embeya, deemed one of 'Chicago's hottest restaurants' The restaurant received praise for its Asian cuisine and design Gyulai had a partnership with Embeya's former executive chef Thai Dang, who was left to pay creditors after Gyulai's disappearance. Dang has sued for $90,000 in unpaid wages and learned through his lawsuit that Gyulai had been stealing money. Dang's attorney Mike Leonard said in a statement Gyulai's arrest is 'great news.' 'Although [Dang and his wife] have already obtained a substantial civil judgment against him, it is unclear what happened to the money with which he absconded and whether any of it is available to satisfy that judgment,' Leonard said. 'Nonetheless, it is hoped that justice can be obtained through the criminal system for all of the employees and others that he left holding the bag,' he added. 'We never thought this day would come this quick,' Dang told Chicago Business upon learning of Gyulai's arrest. 'We just knew we had to keep moving on with our lives.' An Indiana teenager who was left fighting for his life after being stabbed 40 times by his uncle says he is now almost pain free four months after the horrific attack. Malakai Bohannon, 13, was close to death after the stabbing attack at his family's home in Granger on Labor Day. He spent a month in hospital due to the severity of his injuries and doctors questioned whether his range of motion, particularly in his hands, would ever return. Now four months after the attack, Malakai's scars are finally starting to fade. Malakai Bohannon, 13, says his scars have started to fade and he is almost pain free after being stabbed 40 times by his uncle in Granger, Indiana on Labor Day 'I can finally move all my fingers again,' Malakai told WSTB. 'I think have full range of motion back. Nothing hurts now, it just occasionally feels numb.' The teenager said the flashbacks to the horror ordeal have also started to fade and he feels like he is finally back to his old self again. 'I can finally start seeing my friends again more often and start doing what I used to like to do,' he said. Malakai's uncle Michael Tagalog, 39, has been charged with battery over the attack and is scheduled to face trial on January 14. Malakai spent a month in hospital due to the severity of his injuries and doctors questioned whether his range of motion, particularly in his hands, would ever return Now four months after the attack, Malakai says he has full range of motion back in his hands. The 13-year-old is pictured above with his therapy dog Tagalog, who suffers from a mental illness, had lived with his nephew and family for eight years prior to the attack. Malakai's uncle Michael Tagalog, 39, has been charged with battery over the attack and is scheduled to face trial on January 14 Malakai's family said the uncle had never shown any violent tendencies toward his family and was undergoing treatment for his mental health. In an interview with ABC57 last year, Malakai recalled his uncle attacking him while the teen was reading a book. 'He walked up from behind me pulled me by my hair and yanked me upwards,' Malakai said. 'He started stabbing me in the neck with (a knife) and it just wouldn't go through. 'It was bending on my neck and not puncturing it and multiple times he tried this. I knew an angel or God was protecting me when that was happening because I would have died instantly if that went through my neck.' A GoFundMe page set up for Malakai's recovery has raised more than $15,000 since the attack. The teenager said the flashbacks to the horror ordeal have also started to fade and he feels like he is finally back to his old self again A man has been detained by police after he had attempted to snatch a two-year-old girl from her aunt at a shopping mall south-east China. The man was chased by the girl's mother - who was standing nearby - after he was seen picking up and carrying the child away in broad daylight in Shenzhen on New Year's Day. The 37-year-old suspect, identified by his surname Liu, later told authorities that he was 'just playing with the child'. A man has been detained by police after he had attempted to snatch a two-year-old girl (circled) from her aunt at a shopping mall in Shenzhen, south-east China The 37-year-old suspect (pictured), identified by his surname Liu, later told authorities that he was 'just playing with the child', according to Longgang district police in a statement CCTV footage of the incident shows the man, dressed in a red jacket, approaching the girl at the busy mall at about 4pm. The child was seen standing less than a metre away from her aunt, who was holding onto her son. The man then suddenly grabbed the girl in front of her aunt and started to walk away. The shocked relative immediately stopped the man, who released the girl before attempting to escape in the crowd. CCTV footage of the incident shows the man, dressed in a red jacket, approaching the girl (left) at the mall at about 4pm. He then picked up the child (right) and started to walk away The girl's shocked aunt immediately stopped the man as he tried to walk away with her niece The mother, identified by her surname as Yin, is seen chasing after the man while other passers-by alerted the police. A clip released by Pear Video shows passers-by questioning the man's actions after cornering him and his friend. The man was heard saying 'I was only joking' after the mother asked him why he had picked up her daughter. 'According to the suspect's colleague Luo, Liu had been drinking and had demonstrated abnormal behaviour prior to the incident,' according to the Longgang district police in a statement on Weibo. Local police said the suspect had been drinking and had demonstrated abnormal behaviour prior to the incident. He had been admitted to hospital for mental health checks A clip released by Pear Video shows passers-by questioning the man's actions after cornering him and his friend. He told them he was 'only joking' when he carried the girl away 'Liu said he was just "playing with the child" and had no ulterior motive,' the statement added. Liu came to Shenzhen from Anhui province in December and has been working as a vegetable delivery man for a local company. According to his relatives, Liu was treated in hospital for 'abnormal behaviour' in July, police said. The suspect had been admitted to hospital for mental health checks amid ongoing investigations, the notice added. A member of the Republican National Committee claimed Tuesday night in a letter to the other 167 committee members that Mitt Romney's anti-Donald Trump op-ed published hours earlier was an act of 'calculated political treachery' against the president. Jevon O.A. Williams, the RNC member who represents the U.S. Virgin Islands, wrote that Romney could use 'loopholes' in the nominating process to openly challenge the president's re-nomination in 2020. That, he wrote, would feed Romney's 'fantasy of being president, even if that means destroying our party and denying President Trump re-election.' 'With Republicans like him who needs Democrats?' Williams added. He confirmed in a phone call Wednesday morning that he sent the email but declined further comment. In his Washington Post op-ed, Romney referred to Trump as 'the incumbent.' His niece, Ronna Romney McDaniel, is the Republican Party's chairwoman. Jevon O.A. Williams , Republican National Committee member for the U.S. Virgin Islands, wrote in a scathing letter to fellow RNC committee members that Mitt Romney could use 'loopholes' in the party's nominating rules to challenge President Donald Trump's renomination in 2020; Williams is pictured at Trump's 2017 inauguration Williams, who posed for a portrait with the Trumps at the White House during the 2017 Christmas season, warned that Romney is maintaining a 'fantasy of being president, even if that means destroying our party and denying President Trump re-election' Romney will become Utah's junior U.S. senator on Thursday; he slammed Trump in an op-ed Tuesday as a moral failure who 'has not risen to the mantle of the office' McDaniel appeared to take Trump's side in the dispute, tweeting Wednesday that '[f]or an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realdonaldtrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive.' Romney, the GOP's failed 2012 presidential nominee will become Utah's junior U.S. senator on Thursday, replacing reliable Trump ally Orrin Hatch. He wrote that the president's 'conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office.' An annoyed Trump tweeted Wednesday morning that Romney should '[b]e a TEAM player & WIN!' 'I won big, and he didnt. He should be happy for all Republicans,' Trump jabbed. In his letter, Williams asked fellow RNC committee members to issue a statement at their Winter Meeting this month declaring that Trump will be the party's presidential nominee in 2020. He also wants to close what he calls 'loopholes' in the nominating process that Romney, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and outgoing Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, all anti-Trump GOP moderates, could use to weaken the president in primary elections and caucuses. 'Look, the political history is clear. No Republican president opposed for re-nomination has ever won re-election,' he wrote. 'While President Trump would win re-nomination it wouldnt come quick and it wouldnt be inexpensive. Any contested re-nomination campaigneven a forlorn hopewould only help Democrats.' Williams is a native of Antigua & Barbuda who earned U.S. citizenship through a dozen years of Army National Guard service. In 2015 and 2016 he ran a presidential primary campaign in the U.S. Virgin Islands for onetime Trump rival Ben Carson, who is now secretary of of Housing and Urban Development. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel is Mitt Romney's niece Romney's op-ed clobbered Donald Trump; Williams' email went out hours later The president cast Romney on Wednesday as a possible successor to Jeff Flake, the U.S. Senate's resident GOP critic of the White House Williams is now a firm Trump supporter, defending the president's U.S.-Mexico border politices despite living on an island in the Caribbean. '#BorderSecurity is a must! Build the wall!' Williams tweeted last month. 'President Trump wants to protect America and her citizens but the Democrats dont want him to. #Treason,' he added a few days before Christmas as the hours ticked down to a partial government shutdown over funding for a border wall. He tweeted on Tuesday that unnamed 'black media voices promote the liberal agenda which is in total conflict with the black agenda.' And he took up Trump's crusade against a prominent CNN journalist in November, tweeting: 'Jim Acosta is a special person and by special I mean stupid. #FakeNews #EnemyofthePeople.' The ancient marvel Gobeklitepe, dubbed ground zero of human history, will be the poster figure for the Turkish tourism sector in 2019, as it looks to promote Turkey's World Heritage Sites and to attract more tourists. As Daily Sabah writes, the world's oldest temple, considered the birthplace of early civilizations, Gobeklitepe will define the code of the Turkish tourism policy next year. In a bid to promote one of the most important and ancient archeological sites located in Turkey's southeastern province of Sanlurfa the government has declared 2019 as the year of Gobeklitepe, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced during his speech at the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting yesterday. 2018 has been a prolific year for Turkish tourism since over 40 million foreign visitors are expected by the end of the year. In the period of January to October, Turkey hosted 35.6 million foreign visitors, up 22.9 percent compared to the same period last year. Highlighting the tourism performance in 2018, President Erdogan said the government is preparing more initiatives to outpace this year's figures in 2019. "As part of our preparations, we are declaring 2019 as 'The Year of Gobeklitepe'," he said. Last year, as part of the government's policies to boost tourism in heritage sites, 2018 was named "The Year of Troy," Erdogan recalled and noted that this initiative revived the tourism activities in the city by 60 percent. "I believe that we will see a much higher performance in Sanlurfa. This ancient settlement proves the importance of Anatolia in the history of humanity and it will certainly attract worldwide attention," he said and announced that he will attend the official opening ceremony in Sanlurfa. The government's decision has been hailed by the regional tourism authorities. Muslum Coban, the Chamber of Regional Tourist Guides head, said the declaration is a profoundly promising initiative for Sanlurfa and for the region. Gobeklitepe has so far attracted more than 1 million visitors with accommodation packages and the number of daily visitors has exceeded 4 million, Coban stated. "In 2019, we as tourism professionals believe that Sanlurfa will enjoy its golden years in tourism," he added. Sanlurfa Tourism Development Association Deputy Chair Rahime Yasar also stressed the rapid increase in the number of visitors in the city and Gobeklitepe following the registration of the site in the U.N. World Heritage Site list. She also highlighted the necessity for local tourism professionals to ramp up their preparations for the coming year, especially expanding the accommodation services. "Gobeklitepe is a brilliant opportunity for us and we need to make the most of it," she added. Discovered during excavations by researchers from Istanbul and Chicago universities in 1963, Gobeklitepe is located near the neighborhood of Orencik in Sanlurfa, 18 kilometers from the city center. Dubbed the "ground zero of human history," Gobeklitepe stands out among other archeological sites, dating back 12,000 years, circa 10,000 B.C. Excavations at the site were launched in 1995 by German professor Klaus Schmidt, who brought to life the previously-unearthed finds that have long caused a stir among academics. Prior to the archaeological discoveries in Gobeklitepe, academic circles believed that man began to build temples after adopting a sedentary life and leaving his hunter-gatherer practices; however, Gobeklitepe, which was built by hunter-gatherer communities before they even began to practice agriculture, completely changed this entire school of thought. According to UNESCO, Gobeklitepe was the meeting center of the last hunters before humans switched to a lifestyle based on agriculture. "Gobeklitepe is a unique sacred space and sacred meeting center of the Neolithic period in terms of its location, dimensions, dating and monumentality of architectural ruins and sculptural pieces. There are settlement areas dating back to the same period as Gobeklitepe and the existence of a cultural communication can be detected through small findings, but these settlements are much smaller in scale and have different functions to Gobeklitepe, which manifests a differing archaeological record," an article on UNESCO's website on Gobeklitepe says. The site is also one of the earliest examples of establishment of an advanced social system as monuments, sacred spaces and symbolic motifs indicate. Unlike previous sacred sites, ritual places mostly included in natural formations such as caves, Gobeklitepe stands out with larger and smaller rectangular structures built by manpower. Historians and archaeologists believe the structures such as pillars represent "ancestors or gods" in the Neolithic age. After being temporarily closed to visitors due to restoration work, Gobeklitepe partially reopened in February. According to the foreign ministry of Turkey, it is "the world's oldest known megalithic structure located in Upper Mesopotamia and dates back 11,000 years." Registered previously on UNESCO's Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, the archaeological marvel entered the main list in July and has since seen an influx of local and international tourists coming in droves to take photos of this ancient wonder. Democratic leaders left a White House meeting on Wednesday unconvinced by the president's arguments that a border wall is necessary for national security. They left a briefing on the border early, Republican leaders revealed, and interrupted Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. The meeting ended at an impasse, with the president inviting attendees back Friday for more talks after leadership elections have taken place. His White House believes that House Rep. Nancy Pelosi will be more amenable to giving him the funds once she's formally elected speaker. Speaking to NBC News, Pelosi said that will not be the case. 'We can go through the back and forth,' she said. 'No. How many more times can we say no? Nothing for the wall.' Democratic leaders left a White House meeting on Wednesday unconvinced by the president's arguments that a border wall is necessary for national security Speaking to NBC News, Pelosi said that will not be the case. 'We can go through the back and forth,' she said. 'No. How many more times can we say no? Nothing for the wall' Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer urged the president during a White House press conference to reconsider his own position on bills to reopen the government. 'At our last meeting the president said, I am going to shut the government down. They are now feeling the heat. It is not helping the president, it is not helping the Republicans to be the owners of this shutdown,' he said. 'Today we gave them an opportunity to get out of that and open up the government as we debate border security, and to say to them, because he says he won't sign it, and use the government as hostage, and just give in, the American people don't want that, that's bad for our country.' The White House says a pair of bills that Democrats are backing that would end the shutdown are a 'non-starter' because they do not fund the border wall. Incoming House Majority Whip Steny Hoyer said they would move forward with passing them, anyway. 'Because that is our responsibility, as a co-equal branch of government,' he said. 'We want the president to open up government. We are giving him a Republican path to do that. Why would he not do it,' he asked. Democrats have proposed legislation that would fund every closed area through the end of the current fiscal year, except the Homeland Security department. A bill that Pelosi, the expected speaker of the House, will put on the floor Thursday extends funding for DHS until Feb. 8, providing Trump and the new Congress with an opportunity to continue talks while the government hums along. Before she could gavel in the new legislative session, the White House deemed the strategy dead-on-arrival, indicating in a late-night statement that Trump is resolved to keep the government closed until Congress appropriates money for his border wall. 'The Pelosi plan is a non-starter because it does not fund our homeland security or keep American families safe from human trafficking, drugs, and crime,' White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. President Trump will deprive Democrats of oxygen for their arguments against his border wall as he hosts them at the White House today in the Situation Room, where recording devices are banned and reporters are not allowed Trump claimed Wednesday morning once again that Mexico was paying for his border wall, which he also said has mostly been built. Both claims have been debunked on prior occassions Trump wants to replace old fencing along the U.S. Mexico border like this one with steel slats Democrats and Republicans continued to be at odds on Wednesday after their White House briefing. Incoming House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy came out of the Situation Room and over to a group of reporter to bash Pelosi and Schumer. He said that Trump had invited them back on Friday 'after the leadership races' because it was 'a concern for some people to be able to get through' in a jab at Pelosi. 'I was a little disappointed with, I would say some on the other said,' McCarthy said. 'Once the secretary started, they, the Sen. Schumer interrupted her, and they really didn't want to hear it. And they challenged some of the points the secretary made.' McCarthy said Democrats wanted to go on with their bill, and did not want to hear the briefing. Still, he said he believed they could 'come to an agreement quite quickly' to reopen the government, as soon as Pelosi is elected. Trump invited Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to the White House on Wednesday for their first in-person meeting since the partial government shutdown began. Senior Homeland Security officials provided a briefing on the border wall something Democrats vehemently oppose at the 3 p.m. meeting in the Situation Room. In addition to Pelosi, McCarthy and Schumer, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House GOP Whip Steve Scalise attended. The White House has not released a statement on the meeting. Sanders' last statement, on Tuesday night, said: 'President Trump made a serious, good faith offer to Democrats to open the government, address the crisis at our border, and protect all Americans. We have heard nothing back from the Democrats, who so far have refused to compromise. 'Speaker Designate Nancy Pelosi released a plan that will not re-open the government because it fails to secure the border and puts the needs of other countries above the needs of our own citizens,' she claimed. Sanders declared Pelosi's solution a 'non-starter' because it doesn't 'fund homeland security,' even though it does appropriate a month's worth of money to the department. 'The President has invited Republican and Democrat leaders in Congress to the White House for a border security briefing from senior Department of Homeland Security officials on Wednesday, and he remains committed to reaching an agreement that both reopens the government and keeps Americans safe,' the president's spokeswoman concluded. President Trump insisted at a Cabinet meeting on that Democrats have 'their eye on 2020' and that's why they're refusing to approve border wall funding. Trump said in his first convening of his Cabinet of 2019 that the border is 'like a sieve' and the 'United States needs a physical barrier' to prevent as illegal immigrants from coming in. 'We are in a shutdown, because Democrats refuse to fund border security,' he contended. Trump chimed in on Twitter his morning as well to claim once again that Mexico is paying for the border wall, through a trade deal with Mexico. He also insisted that much of the barrier had already been built. 'Mexico is paying for the Wall through the new USMCA Trade Deal. Much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built. We have done a lot of work. $5.6 Billion Dollars that House has approved is very little in comparison to the benefits of National Security. Quick payback!' he said. The president's new acting chief of staff has already admitted that Mexico is not 'technically' paying for the wall and that the money would come from anticipated economic gains under the trade deal that has not received the approval of Congress. 'American workers are going to do better, the government is going to do better, and you could make the argument that Mexico is paying for it in that fashion,' he admitted in an ABC News interview. Democrats are hanging their hats on the president's promise that Mexico would pay and on his promise to own a government shutdown over border security. Pelosi characterized it as a 'Trump Shutdown' in a letter to lawmakers she sent out detailing her plans to reopen the government on Tuesday afternoon. 'We are giving the Republicans the opportunity to take yes for an answer,' she said. 'Senate Republicans have already supported this legislation, and if they reject it now, they will be fully complicit in chaos and destruction of the Presidents third shutdown of his term.' The White House said later in the day that the president had invited congressional leaders over for a briefing on Wednesday. Last time the president hosted Democratic leaders at the White House for a border security discussion, the talk aired on national television, with a testy Trump declaring he'd be 'proud' to oversee shutdown. He isn't giving them the same opportunity this time, when he will have GOP leaders by his side during the conversation and border security briefing that Axios says will take place in the most secure room of the White House. Mired in the government closure he envisioned now, which has dragged on for nearly two weeks, the president is under pressure to get federal workers back on the job before they feel the sting of a missing paycheck. The president on New Year's Day dangled the possibility of a deal, despite the lack of visible progress in a dispute over his border wall and the ongoing shutdown. Trump on Twitter connected the shutdown to Pelosi's likely speakership and comments she made about the attributes of his barrier. 'Border Security and the Wall thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?' Trump wrote, ending his tweet with a question. His reference to the wall 'thing' was a likely shot at Pelosi for her own comment claiming Trump's push for a border wall was connected to his sense of 'manhood.' 'It's like a manhood thing for him. As if manhood could ever be associated with him. This wall thing,' Pelosi privately told House Democrats after an explosive White House meeting before the shutdown. Those comments immediately leaked. She responded to his tweet on Tuesday with one promoting her agenda in the upcoming legislative session. The White House extended an invitation to Pelosi and congressional leaders on New Year's Eve, Politico reported, to attend a homeland security briefing. Trump referenced Pelosi's 'manhood' comment about the wall after it was revealed congressional leaders have been invited to the White House The president claimed Democrats 'do not care' about open borders and crime and drugs Democrats will but forward a bill with $1.3 billion in border security but no wall funding Trump has previously called for Democrats to come over and make a deal. But his earlier tweets Tuesday attacked his potential negotiating partners, leaving doubt as to whether any immediate progress was likely. 'One thing has now been proven. The Democrats do not care about Open Borders and all of the crime and drugs that Open Borders bring!' Trump tweeted Tuesday. He also tweeted: 'The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative! The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security - and our Country must finally have a Strong and Secure Southern Border!' House Democrats unveiled a package of bills Monday that would re-open the federal government without approving funding for Trump's border wall with Mexico, establishing an early confrontation that will test the new power dynamic in Washington. Democrats under Pelosi are all but certain to swiftly approve the two bills, making good on their pledge to try to quickly resolve the partial government shutdown that's now in its second week. What's unclear is whether the Republican-led Senate, under Majority Leader McConnell, the Republican from Kentucky, will consider either measure - or if Trump would sign them into law. 'It would be the height of irresponsibility and political cynicism for Senate Republicans to now reject the same legislation they have already supported,' Pelosi and Schumer said in a statement late Monday. Democrats under Nancy Pelosi (above) are all but certain to swiftly approve the two bills, making good on their pledge to try to quickly resolve the partial government shutdown that's now in its second week The package does not include the $5 billion Trump wants for the wall on the southern border. The president told Fox News Channel in an interview Monday that he was 'ready, willing and able' to negotiate. He added: 'No, we are not giving up. We have to have border security and the wall is a big part of border security.' McConnell spokesman Don Stewart made it clear Senate Republicans will not take action without Trump's backing. 'It's simple: The Senate is not going to send something to the president that he won't sign,' he said. Republican senators are refusing to vote on any bills until all sides, including Trump, are in agreement. Senators were frustrated that Trump had dismissed their earlier legislation to avert the shutdown. House Democrats did not confer with Senate Republicans on the package, but the bills are expected to have some bipartisan support because they reflect earlier spending measures already hashed out between the parties and chambers. One bill will temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels, with $1.3 billion for border security, through Feb. 8 while talks continue. The other will be on a measure made up of six other bipartisan bills - some that have already passed the Senate - to fund the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Housing and Urban Development and others closed by the partial shutdown. They would provide money through the remainder of the fiscal year to Sept. 30. The House is planning two separate votes for Thursday. If approved, the bills would go to the Senate. What's unclear is whether the Republican-led Senate, under Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (seen above), the Republican from Kentucky, will consider either measure - or if Trump would sign them into law Senate Democrats support the measures, according to a senior aide who was unauthorized to discuss the plan and spoke on the condition of anonymity. Rep. Mark Meadows, the Republican from North Carolina who chairs the conservative House Freedom Caucus, tweeted that without funding for Trump's wall, the package is a 'nonstarter' just like the White House and that it 'will not be a legitimate answer to this impasse.' But as the shutdown drags on, all sides are ready for for a resolution, as public parks and museums remain closed, and some 800,000 federal workers are going without pay. The president continued to insist this week that he wants to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, despite assertions otherwise of three confidants. 'An all concrete Wall was NEVER ABANDONED,' Trump tweeted Monday. 'Some areas will be all concrete but the experts at Border Patrol prefer a Wall that is see through (thereby making it possible to see what is happening on both sides).' Later Monday, Trump tweeted, 'The Democrats will probably submit a Bill, being cute as always, which gives everything away but gives NOTHING to Border Security, namely the Wall.' Trump's comments came after officials, including his departing chief of staff, indicated that the president's signature campaign pledge to build the wall would not be fulfilled as advertised. 'It would be the height of irresponsibility and political cynicism for Senate Republicans to now reject the same legislation they have already supported,' Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (above) said in a statement late Monday White House Chief of Staff John Kelly told the Los Angeles Times in an interview published Sunday that Trump abandoned the notion of 'a solid concrete wall early on in the administration.' 'To be honest, it's not a wall,' Kelly said, adding that the mix of technological enhancements and 'steel slat' barriers the president now wants along the border resulted from conversations with law enforcement professionals. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, emerged from a Sunday lunch at the White House to tell reporters that 'the wall has become a metaphor for border security' and referred to 'a physical barrier along the border.' Graham said Trump was 'open-minded' about a broader immigration agreement, saying the budget impasse presented an opportunity to address issues beyond the border wall. But a previous attempt to reach a compromise that addressed the status of 'Dreamers' - young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children - broke down last year as a result of escalating White House demands. Graham told CNN before his lunch with Trump that 'there will never be a deal without wall funding.' The partial government shutdown began Dec. 22 after Trump bowed to conservative demands that he fight to make good on his vow and secure funding for the wall before Republicans lose control of the House on Wednesday. Democrats have remained committed to blocking any funding for the wall, and with neither side engaging in substantive negotiation, the effect of the partial shutdown was set to spread and to extend into the new year. A coroner has hit out at the police's use of Google maps after it was discovered they did not have the correct property boundaries during a missing person's search. Brisbane man Darrell Simon, 46, was last seen in November 2014 at Laidley Creek West, 80km west of Brisbane, at his girlfriend's house before going missing. A search was launched soon after he was reported missing and volunteers helped scour bush and farm land around the area Mr Simon was last seen, the BBC reported. A coroner has hit out at the police's use of Google maps after it was discovered they did not have the correct property boundaries during the search for missing man Darrell Simon (pictured) A search was launched soon after he was reported missing and volunteers helped scour bush and farm land around the area Mr Simon was last seen, the BBC reported An SES Team Leader, Shane Engel, told the coroner his team 'searched from the boundary fence at the north eastern corner and conducted parallel sweeps back and forward' until they reached the start of the property again. After the search was called off, believing Mr Simon was not in the area, a new hunt began after his bike was discovered in a nearby dam. Mr Simon's body was discovered in May 2016 on the same farm property. His death was ruled a suicide and questions were soon raised about how police missed his body during the initial search. A coroner's report into Mr Simon's death has shed light on why his body went undiscovered for so long. Police were using Google maps print outs which had incorrect data on the property's boundaries, meaning the search only covered half of the Laidley Creek West property. Police were using Google maps print outs which had incorrect data on the property's boundaries which meant the search only covered half of the Laidley Creek West property (file photo) Deputy State Coroner John Lock wrote in the report that the maps used during the search were clearly inadequate for the task and maps supplied to police at a later date reinforced that. 'It is now apparent from interrogating downloads of the two GPS devices, only the eastern portion of the property, being approximately half of the property, was searched,' he wrote. 'The fact the ground search was conducted over only half the property was very regretful and should not have happened.' He continued by writing that the true boundaries of the property were not known to SES volunteers of police at the time. 'The review suggests that unknown to either of the SES or Sgt Harm as the search coordinator, the property had a fence dividing the eastern and western halves in two approximately equal sized areas,' he wrote. Mr Lock did accept that police had a hard task from the start, with no idea in which direction Mr Simon was headed after he was last seen. Mr Lock's conclusions were that the search conducted by police was both comprehensive and adequate with the exception of the property search Mr Lock's conclusions were that the search conducted by police was both comprehensive and adequate, with the exception of the property search. 'On the issue of the competency of the police investigation, and other than the search of the property, it is evident to me the investigation was comprehensive,' he wrote. 'The investigations conducted are set out in this decision and speak for themselves in that respect.' Mr Lock finished off by saying it will never be known for sure how the original search may have turned out without the Google maps blunder. 'It cannot be certain that if the second half of the property had been searched that Darrells body would have been found,' he wrote. 'The terrain and vegetation was difficult and Darrell seems to have been of the mind to make discovering him difficult.' Taxpayers have forked out more than $6,000 for Barnaby Joyce and his partner Vikki Campion to travel to a pro-live sheep export forum in Western Australia. However, it has been revealed organisers of the Farmer's Federation event were torn over whether Mr Joyce should have been invited. The nationals MP took his son Sebastian and his partner with him to the event in Katanning in July last year. Taxpayers have forked out more than $6,000 for Barnaby Joyce and his partner Vikki Campion to travel to a pro-live sheep export forum in Western Australia Mr Joyce (left), who currently sits on the backbench, has been forced to defend a trip he took to Western Australia last year with his son Sebastian and partner Vikki (both pictured) which cost taxpayers $6,000 A two-night stay in the town cost taxpayers $806 for the trio, as well as $4,880 in flights from their hometown in Tamworth. Mr Joyce defended his decision to take his partner and child with him on the trip as it was allowed under MP entitlements. Mr Joyce also claims he was invited as a speaker to the event. 'I would not have gone if I was not invited,' he told The Australian. Mr Joyce had reportedly been invited before the entire lobby group had agreed to the invitation But prior to the event, WA Farmer's Federation president Tony York said the farming community was split over whether he should attend. Mr Joyce had reportedly been invited before the entire lobby group had agreed to the invitation. 'We hadn't formally invited him but he did receive an invitation from our office. It was an internal thing an unofficial invitation and he responded to that. It was not a good reflection on the organisation but Barnaby was pressing to come and he had been talking to some of our members and making himself available and took advantage of the invitation.' One California man has already had his New Year turned upside down after he had too much to drink before getting behind the wheel. The man, whose name has not been released, was found hanging out of his truck in front of his home's security gate. Cathedral City Police posted a picture of the man on the department's Facebook page as a reminder not to drink and drive during the holidays. 'Celebrate responsibly! Don't be like this guy who was "Hanging Out" and was found by Cathedral City Police,' the caption read. A drunk California man was found hanging out of his truck, his foot caught in the steering wheel, after he fell out of his car's window while trying to get past his home's security gate The department revealed that the driver had been 'extremely intoxicated' and had just fled from a hit and run collision. He drove home, but stopped his car just a little too far from the keypad to get past his gate. The man leaned over to try and enter the code but, due to his 'intoxicated state', ended up falling out of the window, police said. To make matters worse, his foot got caught in the steering wheel - trapping him upside down. 'Due to the confined space, he was unable to help himself,' the department wrote in the post. 'Don't worry he was uninjured and was assisted by Cathedral City Police officers.' The man was taken into custody shortly after and was charged with a DUI and hit and run. Cathedral City Police posted a picture of the man on the department's Facebook page as a reminder not to drink and drive during the holidays 'Don't drive and drive! Leave the car at home. Make the decision before the celebration begins,' the department advised before adding the hashtag '#cantmakethisstuffup'. The post has been a hit on social media, with many commenters celebrating karma and making jokes about the incident. 'He turned his life upside down!' one man quipped. 'I wonder if he is upside down on his car payment,' another added. And some car fanatics couldn't help but wonder if the man's truck would be going up for auction, pointing out that it was a clean first generation Dodge. The hilarious photo came just hours before men in both Portland and Petaluma, California were arrested for DUI's at Taco Bell drive-thrus on New Year's Day. Advertisement The story of how a Battle of Britain hero sent a postcard from a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp to tell his wife he was alive after his commander said he was dead has been revealed in new book. Group Captain Bob Allen was shot down over northern France in July 1944 and captured at gunpoint by the Germans. But his commanding officer wrote in the decorated airman's RAF logbook 'killed whilst on operations' and a letter of condolence was even sent to his wife Alice. Bob Allen (pictured third from right on the middle row) is seen here in 1944 with fellow pilots from 226 Squadron. On July 25 that year, 1944, Gp Capt Allen was shot down over enemy lines near Thury-Harcourt in Normandy. He baled out his aircraft and landed barefoot in a cornfield in an area swarming with enemy soldiers Within six months of joining the Royal Air Force, Gp Capt Allen was part of No 1 Squadron flying Hurricanes in dogfights with the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. He then spent two years in west Africa (pictured far left in West Africa, 1941) fighting Germany's Vichy French allies and earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts flying dangerous unarmed photo-reconnaissance missions to protect southern Atlantic shipping lines Gp Capt Allen (pictured left in 1940 when he signed up to the RAF), from Medway, Kent, was 19 when he left his reserved occupation as a chemist to sign up for service in 1940. When he was shot down over Northern France in July 1944 his commanding officer wrote in the decorated airman's RAF logbook 'killed whilst on operations' and a letter of condolence was even sent to his wife Alice (they are pictured together on the right in 1941) Gp Capt Allen (standing up centre) is seen here talking to workers on a factory visit in 1943. It was the year before he would be shot down and sent to 'Great Escape' camp Stalag Luft III - with his wife incorrectly informed that he was dead In fact Gp Capt Allen was taken to 'Great Escape' camp Stalag Luft III but it wasn't until three months letter he was able to send a postcard to his wife with the words 'fit and well darling.' He refused to talk about his war-time experiences for decades afterwards. He wrote down his memoirs in the third person as a way of distancing himself from the horrors he encountered. He also changed the names and locations of battles for the same reason. Following his death 11 years ago, his daughter Suzanne Campbell-Jones set about working on the memoirs and its moving contents have now been published for the first time in a new book, No Ordinary Pilot. Mrs Campbell-Jones, 76, said: 'My father presented us with a copy of his memoir but he would not talk about it. 'When we read his memoir we realised that he had changed all the names and places and invented new ones for them. 'He also changed his own name and wrote the whole account in the third person, so maybe it had the effect of distancing himself from the action. 'My father was not someone renowned for daring do, he was a regular guy who during war time was pitched into some rather extraordinary experiences. 'I hope his great grandchildren will be able to read his story and understand what he went through.' Gp Capt Allen (top left) was one of the first over the Normandy beaches on D-Day. He is seen here with other members of 266 Squadron in Normandy in 1944. They are drinking from a 'water-cow' which had taps at its base Gp Capt Allen is seen her aged 18. A year later he signed up for service and was soon part of No 1 Squadron flying Hurricanes in dogfights with the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. After the war was over he refused to talk about his war-time experiences for decades When Gp Capt Allen was shot down in 1944 his commanding officer wrote in the decorated airman's RAF logbook (pictured) 'killed whilst on operations' and a letter of condolence was even sent to his wife Alice. He was taken to 'Great Escape' camp Stalag Luft III but it wasn't until three months letter he was able to send a postcard to his wife with the words 'fit and well darling' Gp Capt Allen refused to talk about his war-time experiences for decades afterwards. He is pictured left at the end of WWII, 1945. He is also pictured right after the war in 1945 with daughter Suzanne. He wrote down his memoirs in the third person as a way of distancing himself from the horrors he encountered. He also changed the names and locations of battles for the same reason Gp Capt Allen, from Medway, Kent, was 19 when he left his reserved occupation as a chemist to sign up for service in 1940. Within six months of joining up he was part of No 1 Squadron flying Hurricanes in dogfights with the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. Gp Capt Allen spent two years in west Africa during the years 1940 and 1942 fighting Germany's Vichy French allies and earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts. Pictured here is an aerial photograph of the Dakar in Senegal, taken on an aerial reconnaisance mission in 1941 He then spent two years in west Africa fighting Germany's Vichy French allies and earned a Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts flying dangerous unarmed photo-reconnaissance missions to protect southern Atlantic shipping lines. Returning home at Christmas 1942, he retrained as a fighter-bomber pilot flying Typhoons and was one of the first over the Normandy beaches on D-Day. But on July 25, 1944, Gp Capt Allen was shot down over enemy lines near Thury-Harcourt in Normandy. He baled out his aircraft and landed barefoot in a cornfield in an area swarming with enemy soldiers. He wrote of the dramatic episode in the third person: 'At 5,000ft he was about to start firing his cannon before releasing his rockets when there was a loud thump from the tail. 'His plane began to yaw out of control. He had been hit. 'He struggled to pull his aircraft up but it continued to plunge. 'A slipstream rushed through the cockpit from side to side, pinning him hard back against the seat, so he could hardly reach the control column. 'All hope of saving the aircraft was lost...he released the pin of his safety harness so he could get could get free of the aircraft. 'The buffeting slipstream sucked him out. His aircraft went on crashing downwards. He felt for the ripcord on his parachute. Fast approaching the fields of enemy-held Normandy, Bob looked for somewhere to hide. 'Landing with some force in a cornfield that had just been cut, the breath knocked out of him. 'His flying boots and socks had been sucked away as he left the aircraft. 'And now there was the sound of gunfire. Running across the field came a number of German soldiers firing at him. 'He reluctantly decided he would have to surrender.' Following Gp Capt Allen's death 11 years ago, his daughter Suzanne Campbell-Jones (pictured) set about working on the memoirs and its moving contents have now been published for the first time in a new book, No Ordinary Pilot Mrs Campbell-Jones (left), 76, said of the new book (right): 'My father presented us with a copy of his memoir but he would not talk about it. When we read his memoir we realised that he had changed all the names and places and invented new ones for them. I hope his great grandchildren will be able to read his story and understand what he went through' Another moving passage describes the tender moment Gp Capt Allen telephoned his wife at the end of the war to let her know he would soon be home soon. It reads: 'Alice gave her name. The man on the other end of the line said 'you've been a long time coming'. 'She asked who was speaking. 'He said 'who do you think it is, Alice. Don't you recognise my voice?' 'At that point Alice realised it really was her husband. 'After months of separation they would be together again. 'She hugged her child and told her Daddy would be home in the afternoon.' Gp Capt Allen carried on serving in the RAF after the war then worked for the Ministry of Agriculture. He died aged 88 in 2008. His daughter, a documentary maker from Bath, said her father would not talk about the war even after writing his memoirs. She added: 'Like so many people from his generation he did not see himself as a hero but someone doing his duty.' No Ordinary Pilot, One Man's Extraordinary Exploits in World War II, by Suzanne Campbell-Jones, is published by Osprey and costs 18.99. Two seals were forced to lie and perform in extremely filthy water by a mall in eastern China, a shopper has accused. The animals, identified as spotted seals, were said to be brought into the Yongsheng Plaza in the city of Jinhua for the New Year countdown celebrations. Local authorities who received complaints said the performance had stopped before they arrived, and no punishment would be given to the mall because spotted seals were not considered protected species in China. Video clips uploaded by a Chinese social media user show one of the seals lying in filthy water in a shopping mall. The mall claimed the water had turned black because of the seal's faeces The incident came to light after an eyewitness posted four short clips of the 'infuriating matter' onto China's Twitter-like Weibo. The footage shows one of the seals being kept in a tiny enclosure filled with water that had turned black. Rubbish and pieces of foam were floating on the water. The female shopper, whose screen name is 'Winnie the Pooh vivi', wrote in her post: 'The mall put on display two young seals for its countdown activities. When I saw (them), all I felt was anger.' She questioned why the authorities had approved a show like that. '[There were] bite marks around [the enclosure]. Obviously, they came from the little seal. It must have wanted to escape from that place, but didn't know how, so all it could do was to bite,' the post said before adding '[I] don't know how much the seals had suffered on their way here.' 'It's 2019 already, why would anyone still enjoy performances like this,' the shopper told Pear Video. The seals have been identified as spotted seals (file photo) by the fishery authority of Jinhua. But an official said the mall wouldn't be punished because seals were not protected in China A director from the Jinhua Fishery Administration said only performances involving protected animals would need to be approved by them. The director, Mr Yan, said spotted seals were not categorised as protected species in China, therefore the mall did not need any approvals for the show. The management of the shopping centre claimed they filled the enclosure with tap water and it was later polluted by the seals' faeces, according to Mr Yan. The mall also said its staff didn't change the water because the show would only lasted for three days. 'No matter what, we should treat animals kindly,' the official criticised. The shocking incident took place in the Yongsheng Plaza in Jinhua (pictured), a shopper said Animal cruelty in Chinese shopping malls have been reported frequently. In the most high-profile case, a polar bear named Pizza was found kept inside a prison-like aquarium in a shopping mall in Guangzhou. Pizza was sent back to the ocean park where it was born after reports of the incident sparked a global outrage in 2016. In 2017, a viral video caught a penguin being kicked by worker as it was forced to entertain shoppers at luxury shopping mall in Hohhot, northern China. A Tennessee woman's picture with an 88-pound catfish has gone viral after she caught the creature that appeared to almost match up to her size, on Sunday. The image showing Paula Cathey Smith was posted on social media the following day and shows how the plump ray-finned fish stretches past more than half her height. In the shot that had received approximately 1,200 shares by Wednesday, it's clear how Smith has to use the support her thigh to hoist the catfish up and the support of her own torso to get it in a good position for the snapshot. Paula Cathey Smith caught an 88-pound catfish in Tennessee on Sunday The fish's belly even bulges beyond her large black gloves as she tries to show off its barbels that resemble a cat's whiskers. Smith's find was on the Kentucky Lake northwest of Nashville - and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency shared the impressive image just in time for 2019, revealing the supersize creature is now back in the water. 'River Monster! Paula Cathey Smith shows us you can catch fish in the winter with this 'personal best' 88 pounder caught and released safely back into KY Lake,' the organization captioned the Facebook post. The blonde woman seemed rather proud of her fishing achievement too. However the bait used and other details were not revealed. It's clear to see how delighted Smith is with her cold-water catch as she poses for the photograph from the boat. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency's post had 1,200 shares by Wednesday Smith released the hefty creature back into the Kentucky Lake after the picture Part of the Tennessee River, the area of the Kentucky Lake where Smith caught the creature is known for its deep water and fish year-round. Still, commenters couldn't hide how mesmerized by the sheer size of the catfish obtained during a particularly tricky season. Many praised Smith for releasing it back into the water. Some locals were surprised to know that catfish were even in the area. One Facebook user wrote: 'I never hear anything about catfish in KY lake and I know there are plenty of big fish there.' While it was a great winter catch, The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources states that the biggest blue catfish in the area was caught on the Ohio River almost 20 years ago by Bruce W. Midkiff. It was a whopping 104lbs. This type of catfish tends to be a pale blue-to-gray on the back and sides and fades to white on the lower and stomach areas. Adults can grow to around 5.5 feet and 150 pounds however the fish are commonly 20-50 inches and 3-60 pounds, making Smith's outing an astounding success. A grandmother has been left traumatised and with bleeding on the brain after she, her daughters, and her grandson were savagely beaten on New Year's Eve. Karen Bland and her family were heading back to their Perth home after a night out on the town when they were ambushed by a gang of men. The group targeted one family member at a time, with Ms Bland telling 9News from her hospital bed that one of the men hit her daughter so hard she crumbled to the floor. 'He pulled his fist back and hit her as hard as he could like a man. She fell back into a pot plant and he just held her close and punched her in the face and it broke my heart and I couldn't do anything,' she said while holding back tears. Karen Bland (pictured) and her family were heading back to their Perth home after a night out on the town when they were ambushed by a gang of men The group targeted one family member at a time, with Ms Bland saying one of the men hit her daughter so hard she crumbled 'We couldn't defend ourselves, there was nothing we could do, we were at their mercy, they were ruthless and relentless they didn't care about us at all they just wanted to hurt us as much as possible that was their intention.' The 60-year-old has failed doctors' tests since she was admitted to hospital and has struggled to recover her short term memory. Ms Bland says she does remember pleading with the gang to spare her grandson, only to have the attackers laugh in her face. Ms Bland's 26-year-old daughter, who chose not to be named, was also severely beaten - so much so that she suffered a seizure. 'The worst thing was that they were smiling,' the daughter added. Ms Bland's 26-year-old daughter, who chose not to be named, was also severely beaten - so much so that she suffered a seizure (pictured) Her partner, who was also present during the attack, said there was so much blood he thought she may have been dead. He saw her eyes roll into the back of her head as she fell in and out of consciousness throughout the ordeal. Police responded to the scene, but by the time they arrived only two men were still present. One of those men got into an altercation with a police officer and punched him in the face. That man was issued a court attendance notice for assaulting an officer, but the family say nothing more was done. Another three men are wanted for questioning over the attack. Amazon warehouse workers in New York are pushing for unionization to fight what they claim are unfair quotas and insufficient breaks. Staff at Amazon's new warehouse in Staten Island officially announced their campaign in December, backed by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. They have raised safety and health concerns regarding 12-hour shifts and demands they pack 240 to 400 items per hour; one every 10-15 seconds. Demonstrators shout slogans and hold placards during a protest at the Amazon fulfillment center in Shakopee, Minnesota last month 'They overwork you and you're like a number to them,' an employee at Amazon's Staten Island warehouse told The Guardian. 'In July, I had Prime week and worked 60 hours. The same day I worked overtime, I got into a bad car accident because I was falling asleep behind the wheel.' Another employee added said: 'Right now, at that fulfillment center [in Staten Island], if an employee is a picker, they want that person to pick up 400 items per hour, picking each item every seven seconds.' Amazon has more than 75 'fulfillment centers' across the U.S. where purchased merchandise is packaged and shipped. The centers employ more than 125,000 full-time employees, according to Amazon. A group of Amazon workers in Minnesota demand better working conditions during a protest outside one of the retailer's warehouses The retail giant has faced past complaints from warehouse employees about working conditions, with protests held in Europe as well as the U.S. Last month, the Seattle-based retail giant announced plans to build part of its second headquarters in Long Island City in Queens which will employ 25,000 people. This sparked protests with hundreds of locals taking to the streets to condemn the nearly $3 billion in tax breaks and cash grants for the company, expressing worry that the move will drive up rents and overload public transit. In a statement released in December, Amazon said: 'We work hard every day to ensure all of our employees are treated fairly and with dignity and respect. 'Amazon offers a great employment opportunity with excellent pay ranging here from $16.25-$20.80 an hour, and comprehensive benefits including health care, up to 20 weeks parental leave, paid education, promotional opportunities, and more. A drunken British passenger forced a plane headed for Tenerife to make an emergency landing after the pilot pleaded for help from 'cops or soldiers.' The incident happened on board a flight run by Dutch budget airline Transavia from Eindhoven in the Netherlands to Tenerife in the Spanish Canary Islands on New Year's Day. One passenger on the flight, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'He was shouting 'b*tch' and was behaving in a boisterous way.' According to a Transavia spokeswoman, the unnamed man behaved increasingly aggressively towards other passengers and crew members once on the aeroplane. Portuguese cops can be seen hauling the passenger off the jet after he was bound in cable ties by the cabin crew and other passengers on New Year's Day A flight attendant can be seen holding cable ties which were used to restrain the boisterous and abusive British man The Transavia Boeing 737-700 at Faro Airport in Portugal; the plane was forced to delay for more than two hours after making the emergency landing The spokeswoman said that the crew had increasing difficulties to keep the man in check during the flight and were even forced to enlist the help of other passengers. During the flight the captain is said to have announced they were looking for 'firefighters, cops or soldiers on board or other passengers willing to assist my colleagues in restraining this passenger'. Some passengers reportedly volunteered and helped the crew to restrain the man on the floor of the aeroplane. A passenger who witnessed the tussle said: 'He was pushed forward and overpowered by crew members and passengers, secured with cable ties and laid on the ground.' Because the safety of the crew and passengers was jeopardised, the pilots decided to make an emergency landing at the airport of Faro in Southern Portugal. Portuguese cops arrive in the aeroplane to arrest the British passenger after the plane made an emergency landing in Faro The British passenger tussles with crew members as he shouted 'b*tch' while they tried to restrain him The drunk man was reportedly taken off the aeroplane by Portuguese cops to loud cheers and clapping from the rest of the passengers. A Transavia spokeswoman said: 'Afterwards, the aircraft continued its journey to Tenerife.' The spokeswoman said that it was 'very bothersome' and confirmed that it required the help of passengers to restrain the unruly Brit, but added that the airline was happy that it all ended well. The spokeswoman said: 'First and foremost: violence on board is never okay.' An Oregon man has been arrested for trying to steal a bike that was chained up just outside a police station. Surveillance cameras captured 26-year-old Adam Valle cutting the lock off the bike with a pair of bolt cutters on December 27 outside the Gladstone Police Department. Police said two officers were inside watching the security cameras when Valle approached wearing a mask. Scroll down for video Surveillance cameras captured 26-year-old Adam Valle cutting the lock off the bike with a pair of bolt cutters on December 27 outside the Gladstone Police Department in Oregon He could be seen removing the bolt cutters from a plastic bag before cutting the lock. Valle was confronted by one of the officers who was armed with a taser. Within seconds, Valle surrendered and was quickly handcuffed and arrested. 'It's dumb, you know,' Gladstone Police Sergeant Carl Bell told ABC News. 'I have not actually seen something that blatant because the officers were inside watching on video camera. Police said two officers were inside watching the security cameras when Valle approached wearing a mask Valle was eventually confronted by one of the officers who was armed with a taser 'The camera that you see is actually in our office. 'People stealing bikes isnt rare; its just where he did it at this time kind of caught everyone off guard, kind of made us chuckle a little bit, you know.' Valle allegedly refused to tell the officers why he was trying to steal the bike. He was charged with theft, criminal mischief and felon in possession of weapons. Valle was released the following day ahead of a future court appearance. This is the shocking moment dozens of nurses and doctors in party hats shout and celebrate wildly as they count down to the New Year - while a woman screams in agony as she gives birth in the middle of the crowd. The woman was giving birth at the Roosevelt Maternity hospital in the Guatemalan capital Guatemala City and was recorded by the doctors who have been widely criticised online for their behaviour. Despite her obvious agony, doctors and nurses are brandishing phones and filming as the New Year approaches. In the video, doctors and nurses in scrubs can be seen celebrating as they start a countdown to the new year. In the middle of the group is a woman lying on a hospital bed grimacing as she gives birth. The tiny baby is born just as the countdown finishes and the doctors celebrate wildly at the timing. The baby is then carried to its mother, who does not look happy with the celebrations. The medics crowded the room and could be seen filming each other on their phones as they counted down to the New Year Some of the staff even wore party hats as they marked the New Year, despite the mother in agony in the middle of the room The tiny baby is born just as the countdown finishes and the doctors celebrate wildly at the timing The video was posted online and the behaviour of staff has been criticised. One user wrote: 'Terrible, poor mother and son, in such a special moment, what were those crazy people screaming?' Another commented: 'The controversy is that they made a circus: shouting, phones, lots of people violently breaking a special moment that should have been intimate and managed carefully.' A third added: 'A lack of professionalism.' The idea of merging South Australia and the Northern Territory, creating the new state of Centralia, has been raised again, with some support from former Territory and federal MPs. Former deputy prime minister and Nationals leader Tim Fischer is on board, backing recent comments from former NT Attorney-General John Elferink. But with the Territory economy in crisis, the concept is unlikely to attract much interest in SA, especially from the current Liberal administration. The idea of merging South Australia and the Northern Territory, creating the new state of Centralia, has been raised again, with some support from former Territory and federal MPs Former deputy prime minister and Nationals leader Tim Fischer is on board, backing recent comments from former NT Attorney-General John Elferink (pictured: Adelaide, South Australia) But with the Territory economy in crisis, the concept is unlikely to attract much interest in SA, especially from the current Liberal administration (pictured: Darwin, Northern Territory) Australian Conservatives Senate candidate Rikki Lambert says the idea is an interesting one and not without merit. He says SA Premier Steven Marshall should explore the proposal but only on South Australia's terms. At the moment, Mr Lambert says, the terms are not really attractive to SA. 'You have a jurisdiction that is effectively broke wanting to join a South Australian jurisdiction that is only just coming off of the dependence on state spending that we saw under Labor,' he said. Australian Conservatives Senate candidate Rikki Lambert (pictured) says the idea is an interesting one and not without merit But Mr Fischer said he strongly supported the idea of a merger which would help Australia capitalise on the opportunities presented by the transcontinental railway that now linked Adelaide and Darwin. He told AAP a merger would bring a 'dynamic economic focus' to the new state. Mr Elferink has suggested repealing the NT's self-government act to create the new state of Centralia. He said the merger would have the resources to rival Western Australia and would help boost Australia's trade with Asia. His plan comes at a time of economic turmoil in the Top End with the Labor government's recent admission that its finances are so bad it is borrowing money to pay public service wages and interest on its debt. A report on budget repair called for public service cuts but the government has ruled out taking a 'slash and burn' approach to public sector jobs. It has called for public comment and help, including input from industry and unions. Former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill was keen to forge closer economic and cultural ties with the Territory, meeting with Chief Minister Michael Gunner a number of times to progress those aims. But the new SA government under Mr Marshall is expected to be less enthusiastic about the idea of significantly closer links. But Mr Fischer said he strongly supported the idea of a merger which would help Australia capitalise on the opportunities presented by the transcontinental railway that now linked Adelaide and Darwin (pictured: Nationals leader Tim Fischer) Current SA Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas was in favour of exploring a merger in his previous role as a union leader. 'But if it's going to be pursued, it needs to be done with the support of both the population of the Northern Territory and the South Australian community,' Mr Malinauskas said. Business SA boss Nigel McBride also liked the idea back in 2015, with it offering local companies a 'real gateway to Asia'. An Alabama police chief who was fired last summer after his arrest on drug possession charges is now accused of committing rape and incest involving a vulnerable young relative. Brian 'Scott' Martin, 37, was indicted on December 6, 2018, in St. Clair County on counts of sodomy, rape, incest and distributing an illegal substance to a minor. According to the indictment, the former Lipscomb police chief raped a juvenile family member 'incapable of consent by reason of being physically helpless or mentally incapacitated.' Top cop charged: Former Lipscomb, Alabama, police chief Brian 'Scott' Martin, 37 (left and right), has been charged with committing rape and incest involving a vulnerable young relative The 37-year-old law enforcement official also allegedly provided an illegal substance to the juvenile victim on July 17, 2018. Martin was originally charged with two misdemeanor charges of second-degree marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia after police found marijuana and two bongs in his patrol car on July 27. He was fired the following month. He was taken into custody on December 21 after his arrest for a DUI in Pell City, where he almost struck a police officer's patrol vehicle. His bond was set at $100,000. Martin denied he allegations against him on Monday, telling AL.com that 'all of that stuff is not true' and vowing to 'battle it out in court.' Martin was originally charged with marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia after police found marijuana and two bongs in his patrol car in July He is scheduled to be arraigned in the rape and incest case on January 16. Martin's next court appearance related to the misdemeanor drug charges is scheduled for February 26. According to his Facebook page, Martin had been hired as the chief of police in Lipscomb - a city of more than 2,000 near Birmingham - in June 2015. The final moments of a bouncer stabbed to death by a mob trying to gatecrash an exclusive New Year's Eve party at a 12.5million Mayfair townhouse were revealed today. Tudor Simionov, 33, was filmed fighting off up to nine men seconds before he was murdered outside 80 Park Lane - where a private 2,000-a-table gathering was going on - at 5.30am yesterday. Mr Simionov is seen pushing the men away and throwing punches as the gang try to storm the luxury apartment block overlooking Hyde Park - but the Snapchat film ends before he was knifed in the chest. Footage from after the stabbing shows the mob having vases thrown at them from the foyer with one of the attackers getting smashed in the head and fleeing from the blood-stained doorstep. Tudor had moved to the UK from Romania 'for a better life' just two months ago and his heartbroken girlfriend has revealed how they had intended to marry and start a family in 2019. Madalina Anghel said today: 'Right now I can't think about him in the past. He was my future husband and we came to London from Romania for a better life. I can't explain in words how much pain I am in'. Romanian Tudor (pictured with his girlfriend Madalina) died trying to stop a group of gatecrashers from entering a private bash at one of Britain's most exclusive student houses also linked to swingers' parties Tudor Simionov, 33, is shown in the centre of the screen wearing a white shirt and black tie fighting off gatecrashers trying to get into the Mayfair townhouse he was guarding The bouncer, who only came to the UK two months ago, was punching and pushing away the mob trying to raid the Park Lane party he was protecting Footage uncovered by MailOnline after the attack also shows the mob having vases and lamps thrown at them from the foyer with one of the attackers getting smashed in the head and fleeing from the blood-stained doorstep Tudor's girlfriend Madalina posted a picture of them flying to the UK on October 20 with the hashtag #goodbyeRomania and said today tehy moved to the UK for a better life The doorman was fatally stabbed as he guarded the 5,000-a-week rental property, described as Britain's most exclusive student pad and previously linked to swingers' parties. The Romanian fitness fanatic fought off nine men single-handed before he was murdered in the early hours of New Year's Eve An hour earlier mother-of-one Charlotte Huggins was stabbed to death in a separate attack in Camberwell - and the pair were today revealed as London's first murder victims of 2019. Tudor's girlfriend Madalina posted a picture of them flying to the UK on October 20 with the hashtag #goodbyeRomania. Anghel added in an interview with the Evening Standard today: 'He was a really good man. We were happily and excitedly talking about having children together.' Club promoter Leroy Rose, 25, fought to save Mr Simionov's life but said he only survived around a minute after being stabbed in the chest. He told the Standard: 'I saw him come back inside. He was in a suit and it was covered in blood. He didn't have a protective vest or anything. I saw blood coming from his chest. 'I pulled him into the back and grabbed a towel and held the wound. He never said a word, he was in a shock. He only survived for a minute. He was stabbed in the middle of the chest. He is a hero, he died trying to save his colleagues. He beat up about nine guys by himself.' Tudor Simionov (left) was stabbed to death on another night of bloodshed in London and had planned to start a family with his heartbroken girlfriend Madalina (right) Mr Simionov died on the Park Lane pavement where a police cordon and screen remains today Blood remains on the floor on arguably London's most exclusive road left during one of two New Year murders in London so far The house (pictured) features views of Hyde Park, glass floors, its own 24-hour concierge and a roof terrace. It is one of the world's most expensive student houses, costing 5,000 a week to rent Tudor Simionov, pictured working here just hours before he was fatally attacked outside a private New Year's party at the Fountain House on Park Lane Two of the bouncers, along with a woman who worked at the venue booking tables, were also stabbed. Mr Rose said: 'It is a place where high end clients come, people with a lot of money. 'It's usually people who we know and the venue know are coming. The people outside were trying to enter but they weren't allowed in. 'The owner is a very rich man, he is in the public eye. The place works by paying a fee to buy a table.' Mr Rose said the bouncer had actually been placed inside the venue to monitor security but left to help his colleagues by the door after a group of nine or more thugs tried to make their way in. He said: 'There was a fight outside and he came out to help. The security guards were getting beaten up and he went out to help them. 'He helped those guys but he had only been out there for about 30 seconds when he was stabbed in the middle of the chest.. 'I saw him come back inside. I saw him bleeding and I said 'come here, come here' and I took him into the bathroom. Blood was left on a lantern outside the block while a lamp was overturned in the foyer where Mr Simionov fought off at least nine men 'His suit was covered in blood and it was coming out of his chest. He wasn't wearing a protective vest. 'I grabbed a towel and held the wound. He never said a word to me. I think he was in shock. He only survived for about a minute. 'He died in front of me with his eyes open, staring at me. 'I then went into the hallway and everything was smashed. They had managed to kick down the door. There were other people on the floor stabbed. There was blood all over the floor.' Of the Romanian-born security guard, Mr Rose said: 'He was a nice guy. The nicest one of of all the security guards there. 'He is a hero, he died trying to save his colleagues. He took on nine of them.' The guard was trying to stop a group of gatecrashers from entering a private bash in the 12.5million Mayfair townhouse (pictured) when he was knifed A 26-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody at a central London police station. Katarina Petran, 36, a close friend of Mr Simionovs girlfriend, said the doorman only decided to work after being offered more than double pay. He was being paid 400 to work on New Year's Eve, which is more than double what he earned as a doorman in the west end. Madalina didn't want him to initially work but he said they needed the money and it was too good to turn down as they had plans to start a family and needed it. Mr Simionov told her that the event was organised by a well known promoter and that tables cost between 1500 to 2000. Tudor started working for clubs and exclusive parties almost immediately after arriving in London. He also had a lot of experience as a doorman in his native Bucharest. He was also a keep fit fanatic. Mr Simionov was an accomplished boxer and rower and at one stage he had ambitions to row for Romania but gave them up to work after losing his father in his early 20s. He also lost his mother earlier this year. Police officers were filmed holding an alleged suspect at the incident in Mayfair, London He was a devout Christian who regularly attended church. Miss Petran said that Madalina is planning to take his body back to Romania for a traditional Orthodox funeral. Tudor's murder came an hour after Charlotte Huggins, also 33, was stabbed to death in Camberwell on a night of bloodshed in London. Police believe revellers filmed the Park Lane attack on their phones outside the luxury three-bedroom house which had been hired out for a New Year's Eve party. The house features views of Hyde Park, glass floors, its own 24-hour concierge and a roof terrace. It is one of the world's most expensive student houses, costing 5,000 a week to rent. It is understood to have been used for swingers' parties in the past. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge said: 'It appears the deceased and the two injured males were working as security staff for the party. 'They were attacked by a group of males who were outside trying to enter. The female was also attacked as she assisted the security staff in closing the front door. 'This shocking incident happened just hours into a New Year, the area was particularly busy with people out celebrating and making their way home.' The two unrelated murders followed London deadliest year in a decade. Scotland Yard released figures yesterday showing the number of people killed in the capital hit a ten-year high in 2018, with more than a fifth of victims being children and teenagers. Last year, 134 killings were recorded by the Metropolitan Police, which included 24 in which the victims were 19 or under. Of those, 18 were stabbed, five were shot and one woman died from head injuries. It was the highest total since 2008, when 155 were killed. The first murders in 2019 came amid a night of violence. Police at the scene of the incident at 5.36am on Park Lane in Mayfair. They were called after reports of stabbing A young woman was shot in east London at 5am. The victim, said to be in her mid-twenties, was blasted in the leg at Visions Video Bar in Hackney. Another woman was assaulted outside a nightclub in Clapham, south-west London, as she waited for a taxi at around 4am. Student Krystal Mission, 21, was punched several times. Police had to rescue a young mother after a drunken thug attacked her and her baby with a 2ft sword at a New Year's Eve party at a flat in Walsall, West Midlands at 5am. A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and possessing an offensive weapon. In Essex, a youth was stabbed in the stomach in Epping. Sussex Police Chief Inspector Roy Hodder said his force managed more than 100 emergency calls an hour between midnight and 3am yesterday morning. A senior officer claimed yesterday that police were having to tolerate more violence because of a lack of resources. Richard Cooke, chairman of West Midlands Police Federation, tweeted: 'The absolute number of violent/aggressive drunken idiots who 10, 15 years ago feet wouldn't have touched ground on way to custody now simply tolerated. Reason we simply hadn't got the officers to do anything else.' Toby Norris, who murdered his girlfriend Tina Moore in 2003, has been banned from entering the towns where her family live A killer freed from a life sentence for murdering his girlfriend has been banned from entering the towns where her family live. Toby Norris, now 38, was released last month after 15 years in prison for murdering mother-of-two Tina Moore in 2003. Stafford Crown Court had heard how they had argued at her Uttoxeter home about him meeting an old flame before he strangled her to death. He then calmly dressed her body, brushed her hair, lay her in bed and left her to be found by her father, Kenneth. When police arrived at the scene, Norris had already fled and jumped on a ferry to Belgium, where he was later extradited back to Britain for his 2004 trial. Last month, Norris was released by the Parole Board and must inform officers of any developing relationships with women. He has also been given an 'exclusion zone' set by Tina's family, meaning he must not visit Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford, Burton or Uttoxeter. Tina Moore was murdered by Norris at her home in Uttoxeter Tina's mother, Sonia Moore, has urged more people to use Clare's Law, allowing people to discover whether their partners have domestic abuse convictions. It was created after Clare Wood, 36, was murdered by violent ex George Appleton in 2009 who had a record of violence against women. Sonia has only seen the killer a handful of times at parole hearings, but says she is always determined to go to show him that she cannot be beaten. Mrs Moore and Tina's father Kenneth have brought up her children, Ben, now 25, and Tyler, 23. She told the Derby Telegraph: 'I think people should really take advantage of Clare's Law because it can help to keep people safe. 'If somebody gets in to a relationship with him I think they should have the right to know what he has done.' Norris was initially ordered to serve at least 14 years, but that was cut on appeal to 12 years Norris' parole board report states: 'The panel listed risk factors including attitudes to women; violence to exert power and control within relationships, alcohol misuse, problem solving skills and poor management of emotions. 'During his sentence, Mr Norris had successfully completed courses to address domestic violence, healthy relationships and substance misuse. 'While in open prison conditions, Mr Norris has shown evidence of good emotional management and coping with stressful situations. 'The panel considered that the release plan provided by the offender manager was robust enough to manage Mr Norris in the community. 'The plan included residence at an approved premises, a curfew, an exclusion zone and non-contact conditions.' Sajid Javid suggested migrants trying to cross the Channel in small boats are not 'genuine' asylum seekers today. In remarks that provoked a furious backlash, the Home Secretary vowed to do everything necessary to stop people attempting the perilous crossing after a surge over the past three months. Mr Javid said Britain would also try to block asylum requests wherever possible in a bid to try and break the link between people getting here and being allowed to stay. He warned those who tried to leave France and get to Britain illegally may not be real refugees because they were already 'perfectly safe in France'. Labour MP Stella Creasy said the threats were 'utterly disgusting' while Liberal Democrat Ed Davey accused the Home Secretary of being 'nasty'. Before Mr Javid spoke out Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn insisted today that Europe cannot 'close its borders' as he spoke about the migrant crisis facing the continent. Sajid Javid visited Dover today (pictured aboard HMC Searcher) to meet Border Force officers policing the Channel for people trying to cross from France. The Home Secretary, who cut short a family holiday to deal with the growing crisis, met Border Force officials in Dover today Mr Javid visited Dover today to meet Border Force staff patrolling the Channel following a surge in the number of people trying to get into Britain in small boats. He boarded the HMC Searcher, one of the cutters tasked with patrolling the south coast, for a briefing from crews on the lookout for migrants. The Border Force has five cutters in total, with HMC Vigilant and HMC Searcher currently in the Channel. Earlier this week Mr Javid changed his position and announced that two cutters in the Mediterranean - HMC Valiant and Protector - would be redeployed to the south coast. The fifth, HMC Seeker, is in Gibraltar. Mr Javid cut short a family holiday in South Africa over Christmas to deal with the growing crisis after declaring it to be a 'major incident'. Speaking in Dover today, Mr Javid said: 'A question has to be asked: if you are a genuine asylum seeker why have you not sought asylum in the first safe country that you arrived in? 'Because France is not a country where anyone would argue it is not safe in anyway whatsoever, and if you are genuine then why not seek asylum in your first safe country?' Mr Javid said there had been a 'step change' in attempts to cross the Channel in the past three months and vowed to do everything necessary to both protect life and deter illegal journeys in the first place. While admitting everyone who does reach the UK will be processed in the normal way, Mr Javid said: 'We will do everything we can to make sure you are not successful because we need to break that link.' The Home Secretary said in a recent case a nine year old boy was on a boat making the 'incredibly dangerous' journey. He warned: 'Please do not do that'. Labour MP Stella Creasy said the threats were 'utterly disgusting' as she lashed Mr Javid's response to migrants crossing the Channel Ms Creasy said: 'Utterly disgusting from Sajid Javid as he normalises anti refugee rhetoric online. 'The asylum system in France is completely deadlocked and I fear deliberately so - they should be challenged on that. 'But none of that means Britain can absolve itself of responsibility to refugees.' She added: 'People will continue to die and be at mercy of traffickers all the time politicians pretend to play tough for votes rather than recognise why people flee. Be a voice for humanity. 'Be a voice for treating people fairly. Be a voice for safe passage. Be a voice against the hate.' Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman Mr Davey said: 'The Home Secretary's comments about refugees crossing the Channel show that the Tories' nasty, hostile environment is alive and well. 'Many of these people have fled war in Syria or persecution in Iran. For the Home Secretary to suggest on the basis of no evidence whatsoever that they are not 'genuine' asylum seekers is completely unacceptable. 'For the Government to summarily deny their claims would be unlawful and inhumane.' Earlier, Mr Corbyn said it is 'obviously necessary to work with other countries', but highlighted the 'humanitarian aspect' of those people trying to cross into the UK. The Labour leader said: 'They are the product of wars, they are the product of human rights abuses, they are the product of environmental disasters. 'Europe cannot close its borders to them.' There has been a surge in the number of migrants attempting to navigate the Channel's busy shipping lanes, often in small boats which cannot be detected by radar. This year, 539 migrants have attempted to travel to the UK on small boats, with children as young as nine risking the crossing. Of these, 434 made their attempts in the last three months of the year. Some 227 migrants were intercepted by the French before they made it to the UK. Mr Javid was briefed by staff during his visit to the Kent coast today to view the response to the migrant 'crisis' HMC Searcher (pictured) is one of four cutter ships patrolling UK waters looking for people trying to cross from France The Home Office revealed a group of 12 migrants, including a 10-year-old child, were detained after landing on a Kent beach on Monday morning. As well as redeploying the two cutters from overseas to join HMC Vigilant which is already in the area, on Monday the Home Secretary pledged: Better co-operation between French and UK law enforcement agencies More work on disrupting attempts to cross the Channel 'both directly but also in more covert ways' The Government was doing 'everything we can' to ensure migrants are returned to France where possible. Mr Javid acknowledged that if Border Force vessels pick up migrants in British waters, they would be taken to port in Britain. Mr Javid, who held talks with Whitehall chiefs on Monday, said the 'major incident' remained a 'very serious concern'. Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes warned just days ago that deploying additional craft could act as a 'magnet' for migrants by encouraging them to risk the crossing. Mr Javid acknowledged there was a 'balance to be struck' in patrolling the seas. Speaking after a meeting with senior officials from the National Crime Agency and Border Force, he said: 'It's both about protecting human life but also about protecting our borders. 'When it comes to human life, clearly I want to make sure that we are doing all we can to protect people. 'We must remember that this is one of the most treacherous stretches of water that there is, 21 miles with people taking grave risk, really putting their lives into their own hands by taking this journey.' Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured today at Kings Cross) insisted today that Europe cannot 'close its borders' as he spoke about the migrant crisis facing the continent The Home Secretary's actions were welcomed by Dover's Tory MP Charlie Elphicke, who had urged the authorities to 'get a grip' on the situation. Mr Elphicke, who has asked Mr Javid to come to Dover so meet those dealing with the issue, said: 'I welcome the move to bring back our Border Force cutters to help maintain safety and security on our borders, this is something I have been calling for and am delighted the Home Secretary has listened. 'This makes it even more important we put renewed pressure on the French government to play their role in tackling this crisis, preventing these crossings from happening at all.' British Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson urged the Government to provide migrants with 'safe alternatives' to the 'harrowing' Channel crossing. He said: 'People only attempt perilous journeys like crossing the Channel because they are desperate. 'It is deeply concerning that men, women and children feel they have no choice but to put their lives at risk in their search for a safe place to live.' Charlotte Huggins (pictured) was stabbed to death in her own home yesterday The first stab victim of the New Year has been named as 33-year-old mother Charlotte Huggins. She was stabbed to death at her home in Camberwell, south-east London, at 4.20am yesterday hours after wishing 'all a happy new year' on Facebook. Police officers were called to the house at 4.20am and she was pronounced dead half an hour later. A 34-year-old man who is believed to have been known to the victim was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and was taken to a police station. A crowd of about 15 people, believed to be friends and relatives of the victim, gathered near the scene of the murder yesterday but declined to speak. Flowers have been laid outside the home, and one card read: 'Loved by everyone'. In tributes online the mother was hailed as a 'beautiful angel'. It follows the capital's deadliest year since 2008 as London saw 134 people murdered in 2018. Charlotte Huggins, 33, was killed yesterday in Camberwell, south-east London, and flowers have been laid outside her house (pictured) Charlotte Huggins (pictured) has been named as the first stab victim of 2019 after she was killed yesterday The 33-year-old mother (pictured) has been revealed as the first person to die as the result of a stabbing this year Charlotte Huggins (pictured) died after the mother was stabbed at her childhood home in south-east London A spokesman for the Met said: 'Police were called by the London Ambulance Service to a property in Camberwell at 4.20am on January 1 to a report of a stabbing. 'Officers attended and found a woman, aged in her early 30s, with stab injuries. Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was pronounced dead at 4.50am. 'Her next of kin have not been informed. Formal identification is yet to take place. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course. 'A man, aged 34, was initially arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. 'He has been taken to a south London police station where he remains custody. 'Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating and enquiries continue.' Yesterday police were also called at 5.36am to a property on Park Lane in Mayfair to reports of a stabbing, and attended with London Ambulance Service paramedics. The police were seen on camera holding an alleged suspect at the scene. Police in Park Lane, London after a security guard was stabbed to death and three others injured as they tried to bar a group of men from entering a New Year's Eve party Police and forensic investigators at a property in Park Lane, London after a security guard was stabbed to death and three others injured Police forensics experts investigate a murder in London's Park Lane just five and a half hours into the New Year The doorman, said to be in his early 30s, was found with stab injuries following the private party and pronounced dead at 6.05am. Officers have not made any arrests. Two other security staff and a woman who came to the door were also stabbed, and taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The building where the incident occurred consists of luxury suites owned by the Jumeirah Group and offer a 24 hour gym, a second floor restaurant, chauffered car services and a Heathrow VIP service. Overlooking Hyde Park, Grosvenor boasts on its website of a 'unique experience at London's most exclusive address'. Just a few minutes walk from Harrods and Selfridges, the suites offer 130 contemporary residences, including four London suites and four penthouse suites. It offers: 'Exclusive guests only Atrium restauranrt and 24 hour in-room dining. 'Luxury services include daily maid service and 24/7 consierge and guest services.' Terrified residents near the scene of the shooting at Visions Video Bar said they fear walking to work every morning because they are faced with violent revellers Scotland Yard Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge said: 'The incident took place outside a venue that was hosting a private party. 'I would like to hear from anyone who was present at that event and witnessed this incident. A number of witnesses have already been spoken to. 'But it is clear many others who were present are yet to be traced, some of whom may have captured the attack on their mobile phones. 'Rising gun and knife crime brought the total 2018 figure of homicides being investigated by Scotland Yard to 134 - the highest since 2008 when there were 154. Police are battling against 180 violent gangs across London dragging children into crime, amid more than 70 deaths last year involving a knife, and a dozen with a gun. Police cars at the scene following the shooting at 5am this morning in Dalston, East London Meanwhile police insisted today that they are powerless to arrest 'violent drunken idiots' as New Year's Eve celebrations descended into chaos across Wild West Britain. One woman in her 20s was shot at a nightclub in Dalston, East London, while a drunken thug in the West Midlands attacked a partygoer with a 2ft sword. In Essex, a youth was stabbed once in the stomach at Club 195 in Epping after being involved in 'a verbal exchange' with a group of men on the dancefloor. Richard Cooke, chairman of the West Midlands Police Federation, said officers are becoming powerless to arrest 'violent or aggressive drunken idiots' due to cuts. Elsewhere, Sussex Police Chief Inspector Roy Hodder said his force managed more than 100 emergency calls an hour between midnight and 3am this morning. Married father-of-two Mr Cooke tweeted shortly before 8am today: 'Just got home after the New Year's Eve night shift. 'Reflection - the absolute number of violent/aggressive drunken idiots who 10, 15 years ago feet wouldn't have touched ground on way to custody - now simply tolerated. Richard Cooke, chairman of the West Midlands Police Federation, said officers are becoming powerless to arrest 'violent or aggressive drunken idiots' due to cuts 'Reason - we simply hadn't got the officers to do anything else. Arrests inevitably take officers away for hours these days and we can't afford to lose them. 'The line of what constitutes acceptable behaviour is pushed further and further to make ends meet.' He spoke out after a drunken thug was arrested on suspicion of attacking a woman with a 2ft-long sword at a New Year's Eve party in the region. Mr Cooke tweeted a picture of the 'fearsome' weapon, saying it had been discarded in the bushes outside a party and the suspect was in custody. Earlier in the evening in the West Midlands region, two people were robbed of their phones by three thugs who threatened them with machetes. Meanwhile in East London, a woman in her 20s was taken to hospital with a bullet wound to her leg following a shooting at about 5am this morning. A poster advertising the New Year's Eve party at Visions Video Bar in Dalston last night Terrified residents near the scene of the shooting at Visions Video Bar said they fear walking to work every morning because they are faced with violent revellers. A couple, who have lived in the area for 35 years, said they sometimes have to walk by drugged-up thugs outside the club on their way to work. The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: 'We are terrified. We walk by the place every morning at 5am on the way to work. You wouldn't believe the things we witness. 'Just two weeks ago we saw five men throw someone to the ground, and start kicking him in the head. There's been stabbings, we've seen blood all over the road. 'There is so much violence, there are fights every week, there are hookers and their pimps, it's not right.' Her husband added: 'They are all on drugs, I saw one smash his head repeatedly on the bus stop until he smashed it. 'We've been here for 35 years and it used to be really bad, but when the Labour government did up the area in the 1990s it got so much better. It was safe and really nice to live in. 'But in the past two years it's got really bad again. We don't feel safe. It's not right that we are terrified just walking to work in the morning.' Metropolitan Police officers have closed local roads, but the woman's injuries are not believed to be life threatening. No arrests have been made. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: 'Police were called to a nightclub on Kingsland Road in Hackney, at 5am on Tuesday, January 1 following reports of a shooting. 'Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended. A woman, believed to be aged in her mid-20s, was found with a gunshot wound to her leg. 'She was treated at the scene by paramedics and then taken to hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. There has been no arrest. Enquiries continue.' Kingsland Road is a popular stretch of the A10 road at night - with bars, shops and restaurants running along a section which takes about 20 minutes to walk along. The youth in Epping was in a stable condition after being stabbed at 1.20am. The group of men involved in the 'verbal exchange' left the dancefloor after the stabbing. The victim's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. A knife found in a nearby street will be sent away for forensic testing but detectives do not yet know if it was the weapon used in the attack. Another teenager was left unconscious and with several teeth missing after being attacked in the street outside Club 195 at around 3.30am, Essex Police said. A spokesman said: 'We do not believe that these two incidents are linked, but would encourage anyone who was out celebrating New Year's Eve at Club 195 to contact us with any information if you saw either of these occur.' Earlier in the night in London at 10pm yesterday, police were alerted to a car being driven the wrong way down a one-way street in nearby Stoke Newington. A woman officer who tried to stop the vehicle suffered minor injuries in a collision, and all three occupants were arrested. A police spokesman said: 'Shortly before 10pm on December 31, officers in a police vehicle were alerted to a car being driven the wrong way down a one-way street in Stoke Newington. 'A female officer who attempted to stop the vehicle on Stoke Newington High Street suffered minor injuries after the car collided with her and then struck a traffic light. 'The officer did not require hospital treatment. The three occupants of the vehicle were all arrested and taken into custody.' Separately, counter terrorism police are leading an investigation after a knifeman stabbed three people at Victoria Station in Manchester last night. Two commuters - a man and woman in their 50s - were taken to hospital with knife injuries and a British Transport Police officer was stabbed in the shoulder. Andreas N., 50, has been charged with multiple counts of attempted murder This is the horrific moment a 50-year-old man accused of targeting foreigners drives his car into crowds celebrating New Year's Eve in Germany. Andreas N. first attempted to drive the silver Mercedes into a group of people in the western city of Bottrop shortly after midnight, but the pedestrians were able to jump out of the way. The suspect then drove into the centre of Bottrop where he slammed into a crowd of Syrian and Afghan citizens. He injured a four-year-old Afghan boy and his mother, 29, as well as a 10-year-old Syrian girl. The driver sped off toward the nearby city of Essen after he struck the crowd, where he tried and failed to hit more people waiting at a bus stop before being arrested. The Mercedes ploughs into the crowd of eight, including women and children, in the Berliner Platz in Bottrop on New Year's Eve People can be seen lying across the road after the car sped into them before the driver fled to the nearby city of Essen The Mercedes driver first attempted to hit a group of people who jumped out of the way before heading to the main square where he was able to make contact Police in the city of Munster said a judge had approved a request by prosecutors to formally charge him with multiple counts of attempted murder. All but one of the eight people injured were from Syria and Afghanistan. An eighth man who suffered a leg injury was identified as a 34-year-old German-Turk from Essen. A 46-year-old Syrian woman who suffered life-threatening injuries is recovering in hospital after an emergency operation, police said. Authorities said the driver made racist comments during his arrest. The region's interior minister, Herbert Reul, said the accused 'had the clear intention to kill foreigners'. Aftermath: Tyre marks are streaked across the Berliner Platz square in Bottrop where the suspect intentionally hit a group of people during the New Year's Eve celebrations Eight people were injured in the attack when the mentally ill man struck the crowd who he had allegedly targeted because they were foreign Police taping off the scene in Bottrop, the region's interior minister, Herbert Reul, said the accused 'had the clear intention to kill foreigners' The man was not formerly known to police. According to Spiegel Online, he has been treated for schizophrenia in the past. The unemployed man reportedly told police that 'the high number of foreigners is a problem for Germany that he wants to solve,' said Spiegel. In April, a German man drove a van into a crowd in Muenster, killing four people and injuring dozens. The driver, who had sought psychological help in the weeks preceding the attack, then killed himself. On December 19, 2016, a Tunisian man ploughed a truck into a busy Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people. The attack was later claimed by ISIS. The driver, who fled the scene, was later killed in a shootout with police in Italy. An alleged ISIS extremist could be released on to Australian streets after a simple procedural bungle by Australian security services. The Iraqi refugee, codenamed BSX15, arrived on Christmas Island six years ago on October 31, 2012, and was let loose on a bridging visa for almost a year. No one noticed because the name he used on his immigration paperwork was just two letters different - an extra 'i' and 'n' - to that of a man ASIO identified as an ISIS member. The Iraqi refugee, codenamed BSX15, arrived on Christmas Island six years ago on October 31, 2012, and was let loose on a bridging visa for almost a year Finally, he was hauled in for questioning in October 2013 and three months later thrown in to immigration detention where he has remained ever since. However, he is successfully fighting deportation through the Federal Court, winning the right to appeal in 2017 - and had his costs paid for by the taxpayer. He argued his adverse security assessment, which prevents his protection visa from being granted, should be quashed on a technicality. BSX15 prevailed because in 11 hours of interviews over three sessions until January 2012, ASIO agents never actually asked him if he was who they thought he was. The alleged extremist claimed at his arrival by boat that he was Shia Muslim of Kurdish descent from Mandali on the Iraq-Iran border. The alleged extremist claimed at his arrival by boat that he was Shia Muslim of Kurdish descent from Mandali on the Iraq-Iran border Shia Muslims, a minority in Iraq, were persecuted under then-dictator Saddam Hussein's regime and he said he ran for his life. Among the issues ASIO agents raised was his November 2013 wedding shortly before his detention, which was officiated by a Sunni imam. BSX15 claimed the imam was recommended by a friend, and as he was Shia by descent but non-practicing, it didn't matter who he chose. Shia Muslims, a minority in Iraq, were persecuted under then-dictator Saddam Hussein's (pictured) regime and BSX15 said he ran for his life 'He said that he did not go to the mosque, that he drank alcohol, that he did not participate in Shiite festivals,' the Federal Court judgement read. 'That he did not fast during Ramadan and that he was generally not religious... and that he does not know how to pray.' Agents did not buy this explanation and concluded his 'claim to adhere to Shia Islam' was false and likely made to hide his 'connections to Sunni Islamic extremism'. 'ASIO assesses [BSX15] has made deliberate efforts to hide, minimise and obfuscate his terrorist connections in the course of his security assessment,' their report said. '[He] has been deliberately untruthful with regard to important information about his background, activities, associations and ideology which may be prejudicial to his security assessment.' Federal Court judges noted ASIO clearly formed its assessment of BSX15 from sources other than his interviews, but much of it was classified and he didn't have the chance to refute it. Crucially, a redacted assessment provided to the court listed nine names BSX15 was known by, ranging from two to five words, but not that of the alleged ISIS member. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's office said he did not comment on specific cases He was only ever asked 'do you do by any other names', to which he simply repeated the name he used in his immigration paperwork. The judges ruled that the issue was not even whether BSX15 went by the alleged ISIS member's name, but that he was actually the same person. If he was not the extremist ASIO thought him to be, then he 'had no knowledge of any issue arising concerning that name, and could not possibly have been in a position to answer it, or even be aware of the issue'. 'As a matter of procedural fairness, he did not have an opportunity to answer the question, and could not by reference to the general question, be considered to have sufficiently been put on notice of the issue of concern.' The judges ordered the security assessment be quashed and BSX15's appeal be allowed at a later date. Another hearing date has not yet been set. BSX15 applied for a protection visa in 2015 as a counter to his detention and if successful could force this to be granted after his release. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton's office said he did not comment on specific cases. A father-to-be British soldier was seriously injured after being set upon by a gang of 15 thugs and run over with a car on New Year's Day. Joshua Adams-Mitchell, 21, was hit by a blue Mercedes in the early hours of yesterday outside the TBC nightclub in Batley, West Yorkshire. The incident provoked claims on social media that the soldier had been targeted by a large group of Asian men who overheard him talking about his military service. The British soldier, named only as Joshua (pictured), 21, was seriously injured after being set upon by a gang of 15 thugs and run over with a car in the early hours of New Year's Day Mr Adams-Mitchell appeared in the ITV show Emmerdale 1918 in combat uniform last autumn, which looked at the war stories of real Yorkshire people from the cast's perspective The claims were fuelled by a post by English Defence League founder and convicted fraudster Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. But detectives said there was no evidence the soldier was targeted 'due to his service in the Army or that it is motivated by racism'. West Yorkshire Police said officers are treating the incident as a serious assault and have arrested a 27-year-old man. Mr Adams-Mitchell appeared in the ITV show Emmerdale 1918 last autumn, which looked at the war stories of real Yorkshire people from the cast's perspective. His sister Emma Adams posted a screenshot of him wearing a combat uniform on the programme in September, writing: 'Our Josh on tele Emmerdale 1918 on ITV.' He was hit by a blue Mercedes yesterday outside the TBC nightclub in Batley, West Yorkshire Mr Adams-Mitchell's sister Emma wrote on a GoFundMe page today: 'This is my little brother Joshua. He is badly hurt and in the hospital - his girlfriend is also expecting. 'This was an unprovoked attack on a young lad just trying to enjoy his leave. He could have died from the impact of the car - we are lucky he didn't.' Chief Inspector Ben Ryder said: 'We would like to reassure service personnel that police have no evidence that the victim has been targeted due to his service in the Army, or that it is motivated by racism. 'We remain open-minded and would urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has any further information to come forward to assist with our investigation.' A police spokesman said a man had been arrested as part of the investigation into the incident outside the club. Police tape at the scene, after the victim was left in a 'serious but satable and conscious state' He confirmed there was an altercation inside involving a a group of men which then continued outside. The spokesman said the Mercedes was driven away from the scene but was later recovered by police. He said: 'Police can confirm that the 21-year-old male victim in this matter is a serving member of HM Forces. 'The victim is in a serious but stable and conscious state, talking to family at his bedside and, when he is ready, the police will be speaking to him. 'The full circumstances leading to the point at which the victim was struck by the vehicle are under investigation. The injured solider's sister Emma wrote on a GoFundMe page today that he was 'badly hurt' English Defence League founder and convicted fraudster Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has been posting about the incident on Facebook 'A 27-year-old man from Dewsbury has been arrested on suspicion on section 18 wounding with intent.' Claims about the incident involving a large group of Asian men spread across social media, but others took to social media to challenge this version of events. One witness said she saw some men trying to fight the victim in the street but he did not want to get involved. She told the Huddersfield Examiner she helped him after he was thrown into the air by the car which she said was travelling at 50mph. The woman said: 'I thought he was going to die. It was disgusting. I have never seen anything like it in my life. I just hope he is OK.' A fisherman is lucky to be alive after netting a huge nazi bomb packed with explosives which had sat on the seabed for around 75 years. Glenn Gallagher, 44, was fishing off the coast of Largs, North Ayrshire, days before Christmas when he felt an unusually heavy object tugging at the nets. The dad-of-four lugged it onboard his boat, The Two Boys, initially mistaking it for a boiler. Scroll down for video Glenn Gallagher (left), 44, was fishing off the coast of Largs, North Ayrshire, days before Christmas when he felt an unusually heavy object tugging at the nets. It turned out to be a Mark 7 World War Two depth charge (right) The weight of the bomb (pictured), which had languished on the seabed for around 75 years, nearly tipped the fishing boat over But Mr Gallagher soon noticed an 'horrific' smell of explosives, as the Mark 7 World War Two depth charge landed on the deck of his boat. And he recalled how the weight of the bomb, which had languished on the seabed for around 75 years, nearly tipped the fishing boat over. Mr Gallagher said: 'When we pulled it out the weight nearly tipped us over. The WWII explosive (pictured) was accidentally picked up on December 20, sparking a huge emergency response from the MOD explosives unit 'The bottom of the boat went right over, we nearly capsized. 'I thought it was some sort of boiler at first, and we got a big large boulder which hit deck along with depth charge. 'I am just glad it never went off on us to be honest.' The WWII explosive was accidentally picked up on December 20, sparking a huge emergency response from the MOD explosives unit. A 700m exclusion zone was placed around Mr Gallagher's vessel, and the depth charge was taken out to sea one mile from the coast and placed it in 27 metres of deep water. Experts had to wait until morning the next day before they could safely detonate it. Mr Gallagher, from Largs, North Ayrshire, said: 'It's a weird smell, but when you smell it you know it's explosives. 'It's like a mixture of paint and bleach - it's ghastly, it makes you feel sick and your eyes water. A 700m exclusion zone was placed around Mr Gallagher's vessel after he discovered the bomb - but it was eventually taken out of the ship and transported to deep water for detonation Mr Gallagher, who was onboard the boat with crewman Ross Dunn, said: 'I heard it made a bit of a bang on Friday morning when they blew it up, so it was clearly still live. 'The smell of explosives was horrific when we brought it on board. What is the WWII bomb found off the coast of Largs, North Ayrshire and why was it there? The Mark 7 World War Two depth charge was designed to be an anti-submarine weapon. It could be dropped by both ships and aircraft and if near a patrolling enemy vessel would detonate creating a huge shockwave. Scottish towns were bombed heavily during WWII for their role in the manufacture of British weapons and supplies. Largs was also a secret base wartime conferences during the war and meetings there included discussion of the D-Day landings. Advertisement 'We have had a few like this during my 29 years at sea. 'Most places we get stuff like that is in the Clyde as there was an ammunition dump south of wee Cumbrae, but that was just out Greenock Road in Largs. A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: 'We can confirm that Royal Navy clearance divers from Northern Diving Group (NDG), based at HM Naval Base Clyde, were called to assist. 'The team examined the item and it was found to be a Mark 7 World War Two depth charge. 'The team took the item back to sea, around one mile from the coast, and placed it in 27 metres of deep water. 'They then dived down to the ordnance, placed explosive charges and carried out a controlled explosion. 'The disposal was completed around 10am on Friday.' A Belfast Coastguard spokesman said: 'We informed the MOD after being alerted to the matter and then it was arranged for somewhere to meet just north of Great Cumbrae and the Navy took it from the fishing boat. 'An exclusion zone was put around it of around 700m and we put broadcasts out reminding all vessels to keep clear of it.' A mother's love to her daughter is the most powerful connection on earth - so powerful it doesn't get weakened by long distance or the passing of time. A Chinese woman whose baby daughter was abducted at a train station in 1992 immediately recognised her as the pair were reunited 26 years later. The mother, named by police as Chen Dongxiang, broke down in tears as she was finally able to hug her long-lost child last month after missing her every day for more than two decades. She cried to her daughter: 'I have been looking (for you) constantly.' Chen Dongxiang (pictured) waits for her long-lost daughter at the reunion last month in China The mother cries as she hugs her daughter who was abducted at a train station 26 years ago The 26-year-old daughter, Yin Meiling, lives in the city of Wenzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang Province while her birth parents live in southern China's Hunan Province. Ms Yin was snatched on one fateful day in late 1992 when her aunt took her to a train station. She was eight or nine months old. Her father Mr Shu told Qianjiang Evening News that Ms Yin's aunt and the baby were waiting for a train to the city of Huaihua at the time. '(Her aunt) said she fell asleep at the station and when she woke up, the baby was gone,' said Mr Shu. Ms Shu and his wife, Ms Chen, had a son after their daughter went missing but he they had never given up looking for the girl. Ms Chen told the reporter she still remembered her daughter was wearing a top with a floral pattern on the day she went missing. Sitting next to her daughter, the mother said: 'I have been looking (for you) constantly' Ms Yin, now a mother to a daughter herself, said she grew up with a man who had never married, and her adoptive father and grandparents passed away when she was little. But she stressed that her adoptive family had treated her 'very well' and had always given her the best they could afford. 'But one day, my grandfather suddenly told me I was not born to the family. He said I had been bought by my grandmother at a train station,' she said. The revelation left a shadow hanging over Ms Yin. She was haunted by the thought that she might have been abandoned by her biological parents as a baby. 'I hated them when I was little, and later I hated them when I was by my own and feeling helpless,' she said. She added that as she grew older, she decided to find out the truth. She hoped to find her parents again and understand how she had gone missing. Ms Yin regularly browsed Baobeihuijia, a website specialised in connecting families with their missing members, in hope of seeing clues to her far-away family. In 2014, she went to the police in the Lucheng district of Wenzhou city to have her blood sample taken. Her DNA data were then registered into China's national anti-abduction database, which contains the DNA information of thousands of youngsters who are looking for their parents and adults who are looking for their missing children. The network, which is free to use for all, has helped more than 5,000 children find their family since its establishment in 2009, according to People's Daily. The family have a selfie taken while enjoying a meal after being reunited in the city of Wenzhou Good news was delivered to Ms Yin four years later. Last November, she was informed by the police that her DNA had been matched with a couple from Hunan Province. 'Whether I was abandoned or abducted, it's not important to me anymore. Right now I just want to have parents,' she said one day before the reunion. She and her birth parents finally met on December 20 at a reunion ceremony set up by the Wenzhou Public Security Bureau. She went back to Hunan Province with her parents the next day as a new chapter of her life begins. Ms Yin and her parents were one of the four families that were reunited by the Wenzhou police on the day. One of the couples, Lin Zurun and Liao Yue'e who live in Wenzhou, found their daughter, He Zhen'ai who lives in Jiangxi, after being separated from her for 31 years, reported Zhejiang News. Heavy metal band Twisted Sister is taking aim at Clive Palmer amid claims his new political advertisement has ripped off one of their hit songs. In United Australia's advertisement, the vocalist appears to sing a version of the rock anthem 'We're Not Gonna Take It'. 'Australia ain't gonna cop it, no, Australia's not gonna cop it. Aussies not gonna cop it any more,' the advertisement says. Heavy metal band Twisted Sister is taking aim at Clive Palmer (pictured) over his new political advertisement While the 1984 hit famously muses: 'We're not gonna take it. No, we ain't gonna take it, we're not gonna take it anymore.' Band manager and guitarist John 'Jay Jay' French took to Twitter to slam the use of the song. 'Twisted Sister does not endorse Australian politician Clive Palmer, never heard of him and was never informed of Clive Palmer's use of a re-written version of our song We're Not Gonna Take It. 'We receive no money from its use and we are investigating how we can stop it.' Front man Dee Snider also tweeted that the band will be contacting their legal team. Band manager and guitarist John 'Jay Jay' French took to Twitter to slam the use of the song Mr Palmer told The Age he was prepared to take legal action too. 'If (Twisted Sister) attempt to use my lyrics in any of their songs, I'll not hesitate to take legal proceedings against them. As foreigners, they should stay out of Australian domestic politics and stay where they are. Aussies are not going to cop it at all! This is not the first time the mining magnate has landed himself in hot water over song use. He found himself in a battle with British band Chumbawamba last year when he announced his return to politics by posting a video of himself singing 'I get knocked down, but I get up again'. 'Twisted Sister does not endorse Australian politician Clive Palmer, never heard of him and was never informed of Clive Palmer's use of a re-written version of our song We're Not Gonna Take It The lyrics were made famous by the band's hit 'Tubthumping'. The controversial businessman was ordered to remove the video from social media. Political party's seem to have a rocky relationship with those in the music industry, with a number of party's across the globe being accused of breaching copyright on a songs. New Zealand's National Party famously lost a court battle with rapper Eminem over his song Lose Yourself. The party was ordered to pay the star more than $500,000. The Daily Mail has approached Mr Palmer for comment. A man has been crushed to death after a helicopter crashed landed on top of him. Alessandro Correia Leite, 42, died on Tuesday in the city of Ubatuba, in southern Brazil, after the aircraft fell from the sky while taking two tourists on a beach tour. The pilot and his passengers - who are a married couple - all escaped the wreck with only minor injuries. Alessandro Correia Leite, 42, was killed in the city of Ubatuba on New Year's Day when a helicopter crashed on top of him (pictured, medics try to save him) Mr Leite (pictured) had just left his father's house after having coffee when the helicopter fell from the sky and crushed him Police said the aircraft had just taken off and was in the first minute of flight when it began losing altitude. Video taken from the scene shows the wreckage of the helicopter in the street, and paramedics trying to save Mr Leite. Father Antonio Correa Leite Neto told G1 that he had been having coffee with his son just moments before he died. 'I had just had coffee with him. He left and I stayed in the bedroom lying down,' he said. 'I heard the noise and shouted at my other boy. It was normal helicopter noise, but at the same time there was a different noise. 'I left screaming for my son to "call the fireman for the person lying there".' The helicopter was taking a married couple on a panoramic beach tour when it fell from the sky a minute after takeoff and landed on Mr Leite The pilot and his passengers escaped the accident with only minor injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation It was only when he got closer to the crash site that Mr Leite Neto realised that it was his son who had been injured. Local politician Bruno Aragao said he had spoken with the female occupant of the plane and that she had seen a light come on before the craft started falling. The crash remains under investigation and police have not given any indication of what caused it. The woman said her husband was filming at the time of the accident, but the footage has not been released. The helicopter tour was organised by Helicon who said they regretted the incident and added they would help support the family of the victim. Chinese officials have shut down three mosques for conducting 'illegal religious education' amid an intensifying crackdown on religious activities in the country. The mosques, located in Weishan county in south-west China's Yunnan province, were raided by more than 100 police officers on Saturday, according to reports. Videos of the raid were released on Twitter by independent organisation Documenting Oppression Against Muslims (DOAM), which purportedly show Hui Muslim worshippers struggling with uniformed police officers as they resisted the shutdown of the mosques. Chinese officials have shut down three mosques for conducting 'illegal religious education' amid an intensifying crackdown on religious activity in the country. Videos of Saturday's raid were released on Twitter by NGO Documenting Oppression Against Muslims (DOAM) The mosques, located in Weishan county in south-west China's Yunnan province, were raided by more than 100 police officers on Saturday, according to reports Another clip shows policemen dragging and shoving worshippers away from a mosque entrance. Sources told BuzzFeed News that around 40 to 50 people were arrested, but local police refused to confirm whether there were any arrests, according to South China Morning Post. The raid in the villages of Huihuideng, Sanjia and Mamichang was coordinated by the Weishan County Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee to 'protect harmony and stability in the religious domain', an official notice published on Chinese microblogging site Weibo on Saturday said. 'The mosques were illegally established and conducted illegal religious education in violation of China's Regulation on Religious Affairs,' the statement said, adding that the decision to raid the three mosques came after the government's outreach programmes failed to deter such 'illegal religious activities'. A source in Yunnan told BuzzFeed News that the mosques had been trying to register their establishments with the authorities for more than a decade, but their applications had been repeatedly denied. Video shows policemen dragging Hui Muslim worshippers away from a mosque entrance In August, Chinese authorities were forced to delay the demolition of the newly built Weizhou Grand Mosque in Ningxia after hundreds of Hui Muslims turned out to protest The shutdown of the mosques comes as faith groups that were largely tolerated in the past have seen their freedoms shrink as the government seeks to 'Sinicise' religions by making the faithful prioritise allegiance to the officially atheist ruling Communist Party. Islamic crescents and domes have been stripped from mosques, Christian churches have been shut down and Bibles seized, and Tibetan children have been moved from Buddhist temples to schools. All religious institutes are now required to fly the national flag. In the far west region of Xinjiang, following sporadic violent attacks by radical Muslim separatists, hundreds of thousands of members of the Uighur and Kazakh Muslim minorities have been arbitrarily detained in indoctrination camps where they are forced to denounce Islam and profess loyalty to the party. Compared to those ethnic groups, the Hui are culturally much closer to China's Han majority, similar in appearance and speaking a variation of the mainstream Mandarin language. It is estimated that 700,000 Chinese Hui Muslims live in Yunnan province. Ethnic Hui Muslim men praying at Nanguan Mosque during Friday prayers in Linxia, Gansu Ethnic Hui Muslim men leaving Laohuasi Mosque after Friday prayers in Linxia on March 2 But recently, reports said authorities had shut down Hui religious schools and Arabic classes and barred children from participating in Muslim activities. In August, Chinese authorities were forced to delay the demolition of the newly built Weizhou Grand Mosque in Ningxia Hui autonomous region after hundreds of Hui Muslims turned out to protest. Construction of the mosque was just completed last year cost one million yuan (115,000), which was entirely paid by local Hui residents, according to sources. Officials announced that the mosque would be 'forcibly demolished' as it had not been granted the necessary planning and construction permits. In China, mosques and other religious establishments must be registered with the government before they can operate legally. Each province has its own religious associations, which fall under the control of a local ethnic and religious affairs bureau. Two Wisconsin roommates woke up on New Year's Day to find a stranger fast asleep in their Mastiff's bed, next to the bemused 150-pound dog. Neither Lynn Sarver nor her housemate recognised the man, so grabbed knives from the kitchen and called the police. When Waukesha law enforcement arrived they woke up the 24-year-old man to ask if he knew where he was. Police Sgt. Brady Esser told the Journal Sentinel that he was 'heavily intoxicated' and TMJ4 Milwaukee reported that his shoes, wallet, glasses and money were all scattered near Benton the Mastiff's twin-sized mattress. The drunk stranger fell asleep next to Benton the Mastiff who weighs 150lbs and sleeps on a twin-sized mattress Police arrived at the house to find the 24-year-old asleep on the dog's bed with his possessions scattered nearby 'I was a little disoriented to see that because he kind of looked like maybe he was my son, but my son was out of town,' Sarver said according to TMJ4. It was established that the young man lived two doors down from Sarver with his mother, and had got the wrong house after having too much to drink on New Year's Eve. He reportedly does not remember anything after midnight and had been dropped off by a friend. He entered Sarver's home through an unlocked side door and fell asleep next to Benton, who made no noise despite Sarver telling the Journal Sentinal she had got him as a guard dog. The accidental intruder lives two doors down from Lynn Sarver in Waukesha and got the wrong house, falling asleep on Benton the Mastiff's bed The Mastiff Benton was intended to be a guard dog, but could probably tell that the drunk man wasn't a threat to his owners Although he is a gentle giant, Benton does weigh around 150lbs and can look intimidating - but the young man does not remember climbing into his bed Sarver decided not to press charges against the 24-year-old, who was very apologetic and cooperative with police She believes gentle giant Benton could probably tell the man 'wasn't a threat', and besides 'these dogs are known to let somebody in the house and not let them out.' Sarver said she decided not to press charges against the accidental intruder, who cooperated willingly with police and apologized for the alarming encounter. 'I learned a big lesson,' she told the Journal Sentinal, 'and I'm sure he did too.' Chris Grayling defended handing a 13.8million no deal ferry contract to a firm with no ships as 'supporting new businesses' today. The Transport Secretary insisted he had checked Seaborne Freight would be able to deliver goods between Kent and Belgium if needed in a no deal scenario. The contract is one of several signed by ministers as a contingency plan in case no deal leaves the main Dover-Calais route in chaos. Chris Grayling (pictured today in London) defended handing a 13.8million no deal ferry contract to a firm with no ships as 'supporting new businesses' today Mr Grayling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Seaborne had been properly vetted before being chosen, after concerns were raised over its ability to fulfil the contract. He said: 'It's a new start-up business, Government is supporting new business and there is nothing wrong with that. 'We have looked very carefully at this business and have put in place a tight contract that makes sure they can deliver for us. 'This has been looked at very carefully by a team of civil servants who have done due diligence. 'We believe they are on track to run services from April, yes.' Seaborne aims to operate freight ferries from Ramsgate in Kent to the Belgian port of Ostend, beginning with two ships in late March and increasing to four by the end of the summer. It was established two years ago and has been in negotiations about running freight ferries between Ramsgate and Ostend, but no services are currently running. Narrow berths in the port mean there are few suitable commercial vessels available. In a statement at the end of December, the company said it had been working since 2017 on plans to reintroduce ferry sailings from Ramsgate from early 2019. The contract is one of several signed by ministers as a contingency plan in case no deal leaves the main Dover-Calais route in chaos The business has been 'financed by the shareholders' during a development phase involving 'locating suitable vessels, making arrangements with the ports of Ostend and Ramsgate, building the infrastructure - such as bunkering - as well as crewing the ferries once they start operating'. Liberal Democrat and Best for Britain champion Layla Moran MP said: 'This has descended into farce. 'Supporting new business is one thing, awarding a multi million pound ferry contract to a company with no ships is quite another.' Mr Grayling also told Today that he expected Channel ports to operate normally after Brexit, however the UK exited the trade bloc. MPs are due to debate and then vote on Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement after they return to Parliament on Monday, amid warnings of a no-deal Brexit - or no Brexit at all - if it fails to win their backing. The Prime Minister under pressure to win fresh concessions from Brussels to allow it to get through the Commons, after plans for the vote to be held in December were pulled in the face of almost certain defeat. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the Today programme that MPs could get 'absolutely everything we want' from Theresa May's Brexit deal. 'We have a clear opportunity to leave the EU on 29th March,' he said. 'It has the vast majority of things that people wanted, not absolutely everything. 'The question is, can we turn this into something that gives us absolutely everything we wanted, and I believe we can. 'There will be some tough negotiations to follow in the years ahead but I think getting this clearer language on the backstop will help to get it through Parliament.' A young woman who was sexually abused and raped by her own brother from the age of three years old has spoken out about her hellish childhood for the the first time. Olivia Hutchinson* was sexually abused by her brother, Brandon Hutchinson, now 25, from the age of three. Olivia, from Fleetwood, Lancashire, said: 'I remember being abused by Brandon from the age of three and as he got older it then progressed into rape. 'I was forced to live with the horrendous memories until 2014 when I finally had the courage to tell my mum. Brandon, left, mother Janet, centre, and sister Olivia Hutchinson pictured in 2010. Brandon molested his little sister for nine years beginning when she was just three years old Brandon Hutchinson, now 25, is serving a nine-year term for child rape. His sister has spoken out for the first time to encourage other victims not to suffer in silence "No one knew what a complete monster he was, he'd taken my virginity and I was tired of having to live a lie.' Olivia's mother Janet said she 'felt sick' to learn her 'seemingly perfect son was actually a rapist', when Olivia first told her at the age of 18. But Janet instantly supported her daughter and the pair told the police. The family are sharing their story to help others find the confidence to speak up and get justice. Brandon Hutchinson is now behind bars and has served over four years of his nine year sentence after being found guilty in January 2015. Olivia added: 'Thankfully my mum was really supportive and believed me straight away. 'We went through a horrific ordeal following it though as our family was divided by opinion and my mum had no choice but to tell the police so we could get justice for Brandon's crimes. 'I was so relieved when he was sentenced to nine years, I finally felt like I could put my past behind me.' Janet, 43, and Olivia, 22, have spoken out. Their family ordeal caused the pair to comfort eat, reaching 50 stone between them but they have since lost 20 stone When Olivia, pictured right, was 18 she told her mother, pictured left, what Brandon had done. She said: ': 'Thankfully my mum was really supportive and believed me straight away'. The pair went to the police The pair are trying to put the ordeal behind them. Olivia said she would not allow her brother to ruin her future Olivia added: 'I'll never forget what happened to me, he abused his position as my older brother. 'His abuse only stopped when I was 12 as I was old enough to understand it was wrong and felt confident enough to say no. 'My childhood was ruined by my brother but I won't let him ruin my future. Her paedophile brother was sentenced in January 2015 after a jury found him guilty of nine charges including incident assault and sexual activity with a child, and three counts of rape of a child under 13. Janet Hutchinson said: 'When Olivia told me that her brother had raped her it was a huge shock. It had happened for years all in the family home when we were downstairs. 'I felt sick knowing that my seemingly "perfect son" was actually a rapist. 'But I supported Olivia every step of the way to ensure she got the justice she deserved. 'It was such a horrific time for us as a family, but my husband, Mark, 46, stood by our side as did my older daughter. 'The court trial took its toll on our family and both me and Olivia comfort ate to try and make ourselves feel better. Brandon, Olivia and Janet pictured on a family holiday. Olivia has told of how he would sexually abuse her as a child Brandon pictured with his arm around his mother Janet - who now says she will not speak to him upon his release from prison The pair reached for comfort food to help them with the anguish of the ordeal until they topped the scales at more than 50 stone (317kg or 700lbs) between them. But after joining 'one 2 one Cambridge Weight Plan' the pair have lost almost 20 stone together, exercising in the gym and ditching their fast food addition. 'Our weight ballooned and before I knew it I weighed 26st 3lb and was addicted to eating takeaways, cakes and chocolate,' said Janet. 'Thanks to one to one Cambridge Weight Plan I've since lost 14st and now weigh 12st 10. 'Olivia who weighed 26st too has since lost 5st with the weightloss plan. 'Our weight ballooned and before I knew it I weighed 26st 3lb and was addicted to eating takeaways, cakes and chocolate,' said Janet, pictured above before her weight loss Olivia, left, and Janet, right, weighed 50 stone between them but on a weight loss plan they have managed to get back into shape 'It has literally changed our lives in so many ways, the last few years have been a complete nightmare but we have got through it as a family. 'We have moved on from it now and although your love for your child doesn't switch off overnight, we don't have any contact with Brandon now and we won't when he's released.' Hutchinson is due to be released from jail next May after serving half of his nine year sentence. Olivia's said she was now ready to speak up, to help other victims not to suffer in silence. She said: 'I know the importance of sharing sexual abuse stories as it helps other victims speak up. 'I don't want to sit back and not say anything, I've always wanted to raise awareness and share my experiences. 'If I was able to get justice I want others to realise they can too.' Brandon Hutchinson was sentenced at Preston Crown Court. His charges include, indecent sexual assault, sexual activity with a child, two counts of indecent sexual assault on an under 13, three counts of rape of a child under 13. *Ms Hutchinson's first name has been changed at her request. Jeremy Hunt insisted Theresa May can still salvage her Brexit deal today - despite Tory MPs branding her hopes of getting it through Parliament 'wishful thinking'. The Foreign Secretary said he believed the PM will 'find a way' to win the looming Commons vote by getting assurances with 'legal force' that the Irish border backstop is only temporary. But senior Conservatives said they were detecting no sign of a shift in opinion over the Christmas break, warning that 'nothing has changed'. Brexit hostilities have been resumed with just a fortnight to go until a titanic Commons showdown on the PM's package. The moment of truth was delayed last month when Mrs May conceded she was on track for a catastrophic defeat. The premier used her New Year message to urge her warring MPs to 'to put our differences aside and move forward together'. She said passing the deal would mean the UK can thrive and 'start a new chapter with optimism and hope'. Mr Hunt added his voice to the pleas today, saying that the deal Mrs May had thrashed out with the EU can 'give us absolutely everything we wanted'. On a trip to Singarpore today, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt added his voice to the pleas to Tory MPs, saying that the deal Mrs May had thrashed out with the EU can 'give us absolutely everything we wanted' Theresa May used her New Year message (pictured) to urge her warring MPs to 'to put our differences aside and move forward together' Senior Tories Sir Bill Cash and Sir John Redwood are among those who have renewed their vow to oppose the Brexit deal Speaking on a visit to Singapore, Mr Hunt told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that MPs could get 'absolutely everything we want' from Theresa May's Brexit deal. 'We have a clear opportunity to leave the EU on 29th March,' he said. 'It has the vast majority of things that people wanted, not absolutely everything. 'The question is, can we turn this into something that gives us absolutely everything we wanted, and I believe we can. 'There will be some tough negotiations to follow in the years ahead but I think getting this clearer language on the backstop will help to get it through Parliament.' Mr Hunt said the PM was aiming to get concessions with 'legal force' that the Irish border backstop will only be temporary. 'Theresa May has been very clear this isn't just about words but about text which has legal force,' he said. 'She has also been very straightforward about this - the EU has agreed the backstop is temporary and that's a word they have agreed. 'So what we're saying, very simply, is we're not asking for anything new but we are asking you to define what temporary means, so we can have confidence we're not going to be trapped in the customs union for ever against the wishes of the British people.' He also said that a second referendum would be 'devastating' for the UK and the public's faith in politicians. Leading Cabinet Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom also came out strongly for the package earlier this week. Mrs May has been engaged in another frantic round of diplomacy as she tries to wring more concessions out of Brussels that could help her get the deal through Parliament. But the EU has flatly dismissed the idea of reopening the Withdrawal Agreement painstakingly put together over two years of negotiations. The bloc also insists there cannot be a time limit on the backstop - although both sides say it should be temporary and fall away once a wider trade pact is sealed. However, senior Cabinet ministers are still privately convinced they will get movement from the EU that could win round enough MPs. Under the backstop arrangements, the whole UK would stay in a customs union with the EU to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland - while Northern Ireland would obey some single market rules. Brexiteers have condemned the proposals as they could restrict the UK's ability to do trade deals elsewhere. And the DUP, which is propping up Mrs May in power, has voiced fury that it would leave Northern Ireland operating under different rules to the rest of the UK. Corbyn at odds with Labour activists over Brexit referendum Pressure is mounting on Jeremy Corbyn to back a second Brexit referendum after polling showed huge support among Labour members - and many ready to quit if he ignores them. The Labour leader has been desperately resisting calls from within his own ranks to endorse another national vote, keeping the option open while insisting he prefers an election. But a study of more than 1,000 Labour members found that 72 per cent want Mr Corbyn to throw his weight behind the policy. There was also backing for a second referendum among wider Labour supporters, including 61 per cent of those who voted for the party at the 2017 election. The work suggests that tens of thousands of Labour members could be prepared to quit the party over the leadership's approach to leaving the EU. Almost a quarter (23 per cent) of Labour members put Mr Corbyn's failure to back a second referendum down to a belief that he supports Brexit. Mr Corbyn again dodged today as he was challenged on why he was defying the views of Labour activists. Speaking at a rail fares protest in London, he said: 'The issue of another referendum was of course one of the options, but that was very much after the votes have taken place in Parliament. 'We haven't yet had a vote and I think the Government really should be ashamed of itself. Advertisement Jacob Rees-Mogg, who heads the Eurosceptic ERG bloc of Tory MPs, said there was 'no sign at all' that the tide was turning. 'I think it was based on the false premise that when at home in our constituencies people would tell us to back the deal,' he told MailOnline. 'Instead, as far as I can tell, the message is stand firm against a bad deal.' Sir Bill Cash said: 'My New Year's resolution - not to vote for the PM's Withdrawal Agreement this January. 'Parliament exists to make our laws. This Agreement lets the 27 EU countries impose laws on the UK as never before in our history- behind closed doors with no transcript and no UK at the meeting.' Former Cabinet minister Sir John Redwood, who was knighted in the New Year honours sparking claims the government was trying to buy votes, made clear he had not changed his mind. 'I see some are wrongly suggesting I am wobbling over voting against the Withdrawal Agreement,' he posted on Twitter. 'They are mischief making & should read my blogs to understand why I oppose it. They would then see I have several fundamental objections which cannot be fixed by tweaks or reassurances.' Another senior Tory MP told MailOnline: 'Nothing has changed, as someone once said.' They added: 'I think there was optimism over Christmas about people coming back in a better frame of mind, but it is wishful thinking... 'I haven't head from anyone who has changed their minds.' Mr Hunt denied that he wanted the UK to follow Singapore's social or political model post-Brexit but said he admired its economics. He said: 'We do not want and do not seek to emulate the social or political model of Singapore. 'I was health secretary for nearly six years, I am a passionate defender of a health service that is free at the point of use and, if you remember, I secured quite a lot of extra money for the health service during my tenure, so those things are very different. 'But in terms of their economic model, there are some things we can learn.' Mr Hunt praised Singapore's education investment and 'long-term approach' to economic development, particularly in fibre optics. An illegal immigrant is facing deportation for a third time after he was caught fleeing police at 130mph after sneaking back into the UK. Ahmed Ali led officers on a high-speed chase along the A38 in Derby after borrowing a friend's white Mercedes to go and get a takeaway on Sunday. When caught by police, officers realised the 23-year-old was already disqualified from driving due to previous convictions, and has twice been deported from Britain. He was last sent back to Holland, where he was born to Somalian parents, in November after being handed a 12-month driving disqualification by magistrates. Ahmed Ali led officers on a high-speed chase along the A38 in Derby after borrowing a friend's white Mercedes (pictured) to go and get a takeaway on Sunday Theo Addae, his lawyer, told Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court how Ali legally migrated to Derby from Holland at the age of five with his family. Mr Addae said that because of his convictions, Ali was sent back to Holland by the authorities but he does not 'know anyone there and does not speak the language'. The lawyer added Ali has twice come back to the UK - breaching his deportation order on both occasions. Mr Addae said that following the latest offences, he 'would now be subject to a Home Office review as to whether he will be deported again.' Ali pleaded guilty to entering the UK in breach of a deportation order, driving while disqualified, without insurance and obstructing a police officer. The JPs gave him a 12-month community order, with 300 hours unpaid work. His 12-month driving ban will remain in place and he was also ordered to pay 85 costs and an 85 victim surcharge. A doctor who tweeted that she would 'purposely give all the Jews the wrong meds' has been found to have been posting anti-Semitic messages on social media for years. Dr Lara Kollab, 27, a former resident at The Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, wrote in now-deleted posts that she hoped 'Allah will kill the Jews' and referred to Jewish people as 'dogs'. The Cleveland Clinic has since condemned Dr Kollab, who retains her medical license, and confirmed that she is no longer working at the hospital. Dr Lara Kollab, 27, a former resident at The Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, wrote in now-deleted posts that she hoped 'Allah will kill the Jews' and referred to Jewish people as 'dogs' Hatred: Dr Kollab also tweeted that she would give Jewish patients the wrong medication Writing in Arabic, she says she wants to destroy Jewish homes, hashtagging that she 'say this a lot', and that she wishes Allah would end the lives of Jews 'This individual was employed as a supervised resident at our hospital from July to September 2018,' Cleveland Clinic said in a statement, adding that 'in no way do these beliefs reflect those of our organization'. During her time as a medical student, Dr Kollab, from Westlake, Cleveland, posted a series of anti-Semitic and Holocaust-minimizing posts on Twitter under the alias Elle Kay - believed to be representing her initials L.K. In January 2012, she wrote: 'ill purposely give all the yahood [Jews] the wrong meds' [sic], and in October that year she said the Holocaust had been 'exaggerated'. In August 2013, Dr. Kollab wrote in Arabic, 'May Allah take back [end the lives] of the Jews so we stop being forced to go to those unclean ones,' according to The Jerusalem Post. Citing a series of tweets screen-grabbed by the Canary Mission website, Times of Israel said the 27-year-old had been making anti-Semitic comments on social media from 2011 to 2017. Still practicing: Dr Kollab, pictured here while working in Honduras, on a 'medical mission trip', still retains her license Dr Kollab, from Westlake, Cleveland, posted a series of anti-Semitic and Holocaust-minimizing posts on Twitter under the alias Elle Kay - believed to be representing her initials L.K. A series of Dr Kollab's tweets were screen-grabbed by the Canary Mission website, showing that she made anti-Semitic comments on social media from 2011 to 2017 Pledge: Writing in her Twitter bio, Dr Kollab says she 'will ferment rebellion in our children as yeast in the dough' Dr Kollab, who is of Palestinian heritage, was awarded her medical degree by a Jewish-affiliated college in New York last year. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine has since expressed their shock at hearing of Dr Kollab's anti-Semitic views. 'Touro College is appalled by the anti-Semitic comments reportedly made by Lara Kollab, a graduate of the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine,' the medical school said in a statement. Dr Kollab has deactivated all her social media accounts, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn since her tweets were exposed A majority of the now-deleted tweets were posted while Dr Kollab was a university student, before she went on to get her medical degree from a Jewish-affiliated college in New York Anger: The Cleveland Clinic, pictured, has condemned Dr Kollab and confirmed that she stopped working as a resident there in September 2018 Outrage: Dr Kollab graduated from the Jewish-affiliated Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine last year, and the college has since expressed shock and anger over her comments 'The mission of Touro College is to educate, perpetuate and enrich the historic Jewish tradition of tolerance and dignity. 'We are shocked that one of our graduates would voice statements that are antithetical to Touro and to the physicians Hippocratic Oath.' Dr Kollab, whose medical license currently extends to the year 2021, has de-activated or deleted all her social media accounts after her tweets went viral. Dogs are the most loyal pets and will follow their owners all their lives, but sadly not every one of them ends up having a loving master. A dog in Taiwan waited in the same spot outside a supermarket for nearly half a year for its owner to take it home - without realising it had already been abandoned. The cream-coloured dog was said to be brought to the street in the Taiping district of Taichung city by a man driving a van who then deserted it in front of the shop, according to Monte Wu who saw the male pooch and took a video of it. The dog waits for its owner outside a store in Taiwan without knowing he had deserted it The clip has gone viral after being uploaded by Ms Wu onto a Facebook group last Friday. Ms Wu described the dog as gentle, obedient but sad. She said that the dog was well trained and would snuggle up to pedestrians who patted it or fed it. It would run after every van that drove past the shop believing it was its owner's vehicle. It has been adopted by a kind animal lover after waiting for its former owner for six months Ms Wu explained that her living condition did not allow her to keep a pet, therefore she hoped her post could help the dog find a new loving owner. 'When the weather is this cold, it must miss having a warm home... I would like to ask on behalf of it if anyone could give it a warm home, ' Ms Wu wrote. The animal lover said after she saw the dog, she found a blanket and put it under it to keep it warm. The incident took place outside a supermarket in Taichung city (file photo) in Taiwan The founder of the Taiwanese Facebook group also helped drive the dog to the vet for a medical examination. The dog was found to be around two to three years old and largely healthy. The vet gave it medication to prevent heartworms. Fortunately, the New Year has brought a change to the life of the stray dog. Ms Wu told MailOnline today that it had been adopted by a man living in the Fengyuan District of Taichung. The new owner, Mr Wang, took the dog home on the New Year's Day. 'Finally it has a warm home. I am so happy for it,' Ms Wu said. A cyclist is in hospital in critical condition after being struck by a car as he rode through a national park. The cyclist, a man in his 40s, was riding through Ku-Ring-Gai National Park, north of Sydney, on Wednesday when he was struck by the 18-year-old P-plate driver. The car hit the man with enough force to shatter the windscreen, 7 News reported. A cyclist in his 40s has been put into an induced coma and rushed to hospital in a stable condition after being struck by a car in the Ku-Ring-Gai National Park, north of Sydney, on Wednesday (pictured) Bystanders and witnesses rushed to his aid, which paramedics said helped them stabilise the cyclist. Paramedics placed him in an induced coma and rushed him to hospital. The 18-year-old driver will now undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing. Cyclist deaths on Australian roads increased by 80 per cent in 2017-2018 from the previous reporting period, rising from 25 fatalities to 45 (file photo) Cyclist deaths on Australian roads increased by 80 per cent in 2017-2018 from the previous reporting period, rising from 25 fatalities to 45. In late 2018, The Bicycle Network chief executive Craig Richards told SBS News the figures proved a new approach to cyclist safety is needed. 'Bike rider fatalities in Australia havent decreased for two decades and sadly it seems there will be no improvement,' he said. This is the terrifying moment residents flee in fear when thugs shoot dozens of fireworks down a high street during New Year's celebrations. The clip, filmed in Ilford, east London, captures the colourful pyrotechnics as they fly down the middle of a road at just after midnight on January 1. A passerby ducks behind a car as red and gold sparks rush past him and thick smoke begins to fill the air. The clip, filmed in Ilford, east London, captures the colourful pyrotechnics as they fly down the middle of a road at just after midnight on January 1 Seconds later, four men dash around a corner to shelter from the onslaught of firecrackers. Two of the fireworks then careen around the corner above their heads and past the upstairs window the clip is filmed from. Aiyma Sabir, 19, who captured the clip, said the fireworks continued for around a minute just after midnight on January 1. She said: 'I thought I would have a quiet chilled New Year's Eve and then I look outside my window.' Ms Sabir posted the clip to Twitter where it has now been viewed more than 3.5million times - with many comparing it to scenes from Harry Potter. One viewer, Ollie Colinson, said: 'It looks like the final battle in Harry Potter.' Two of the fireworks then careen around the corner above their heads and past the upstairs window the clip is filmed from Another said: 'I thought I was watching Harry Potter at first! How dangerous and inconsiderate!' A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said they were alerted to the incident but no suspects could be found. She said: 'Police were called at approximately 00.07am on Tuesday to a report of fireworks having been set off in the street at Ilford Lane. 'No persons were injured. No arrests.' In November, the government looked at banning the sale of fireworks to the public after a petition reached over 300,000 signatures, but failed to take action. Advertisement A teenage survivor of a Danish rail crash described clambering over dead bodies to save injured passengers after six were killed when cargo toppled from a Carlsberg freight train into a passenger train. Police have been investigating whether the crash - at around 8am on Wednesday on the Storebaelt - or Great Belt - Bridge was caused by beer crates topping from the freight train as stormy weather battered the area. Local media reported that a trailer fell from one of the freight train's carriages and survivors said the passenger train braked suddenly. As well as the six dead, 16 people were injured in the accident, said police, and the passenger train had taken 'considerable damage'. Survivor Simon Voldsgaard Tndering, 19, told Politiken: 'We had to climb over the dead people lying on the floor under all the debris to get to injured people and help them.' Scroll down for video Aftermath: workers on the Great Belt Bridge in Nyborg, Denmark, examine the badly damaged passenger train which appears to have parts of the freight train caught in its mangled metalwork Damaged Carlsberg freight containers with their tarpaulins ripped and beer crates stacked precariously inside them A map showing where the freight train came to a halt after it crashed with the passenger train on the Great Belt Bridge Damage can be seen to the passenger train. Survivors said it braked sharply after a huge 'bang' and reported sparks flying The devastated interior of the passenger train with electrics and fittings dangling from the ceiling and rough seas visible through the window The teenage survivor, who was on his way to work, continued: 'Suddenly, the train started properly shaking. I looked out the window and saw sparks flying from the side of the train. 'Then all the windows started breaking and shards were flying over us and the panels in the ceilings were torn off. Then everything went black.' The train was heading from Odense on the island of Funen to the capital, Copenhagen, on the island of Zealand. Stormy weather meant the 11-mile bridge was closed to cars overnight but trains were still permitted to cross despite the high winds. Jesper Nielsen, another passenger, told TV2 the train 'was out on the bridge when there was a huge "bang" ... and very quickly thereafter, the train braked.' The damaged interior of the passenger train after windows shattered and ceiling panels were torn off during the collision Officials examine the damage to the freight train on the Great Belt Bridge in Denmark on Wednesday after the fatal accident Passengers who were not injured arrive at Nyborg Sports Hall where a temporary crisis centre was dealing with crash victims An official among the wreckage of the freight train whose carriages were ripped open to reveal stacked Carlsberg beer crates Survivors arrive at the sports hall where emergency teams organised an evacuation point for those not uninjured in the crash The empty passenger train lies empty on the bridge with extensive damage to the interior clearly visible through the windows Debris can be seen on the tracks after the fatal collision which claimed six lives and caused injuries to 16 other passengers The line of damaged containers are surrounded by emergency crews who cordoned off the surrounding area It is the worst accident of its kind for more than 30 years. Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen said: 'Ordinary Danes on their way to work or heading home from the Christmas holidays have had their lives smashed.' Images showed the freight train with the tarpaulin that covered carriages torn in pieces. There were 131 passengers and three employees aboard the train, according to DR. Shattered glass inside the passenger train after the incident on the bridge in Nyborg, Denmark Debris is strewn across the tracks where the authorities have put out cones to mark out the area of their investigation Danish rail operator DSB confirmed that six people had been killed after the passenger train was forced to brake suddenly by objects flying off the freight train A policeman walks across a closed road under the rail line after the accident on the Great Belt Bridge involving two trains Police set up an evacuation centre in a nearby sports centre in Nyborg to shelter passengers. Bo Haaning of the Danish Accident Investigation Board was quoted as saying it could take months before the cause of the accident could be determined. The Storebaelt or Great Belt Bridge is part of a bridge and tunnel link between the Danish islands. Vehicles were backed up for miles after the police closed the Great Belt Bridge this morning following the fatal crash Crisis team members arrive at Nyborg's Sports hall to aid those who were aboard the passenger train The rough seas beneath the Storebaelt bridge where stormy weather may have caused cargo to come loose from the Carlsberg freight train The tarpaulin covering the side of one of the freight train containers has been shredded and beer crates can be seen inside The bent metal of the freight train after the crash on Wednesday morning during high winds on the Storebaelt bridge A policeman stands on the cordoned off road beneath the bridge where the cargo train lies in ruins after the crash Thousands of the commuters make the journey across the bridge everyday. The government agency responsible for Danish railways said on Twitter that no further trains would cross the Storebaelt link on Wednesday, but it was aiming to allow train crossings to resume Thursday. In 1988, eight people were killed and 72 injured when a train derailed because of high speed near Soroe, west of Copenhagen. Denmark's worst train accident occurred in 1919, when an express train collided with a stopped train in Copenhagen due to a dispatcher error. A total of 40 people were killed and some 60 were injured. A disabled pilot on a round the world adventure has died after crashing while trying to land in Thailand. Mike Lomberg, 60, a former South African Air Force pilot who was crippled in a car crash 28 years ago, was coming in to land at Bang Phra airport on Sunday when the crash happened. Video from the airport shows his plane descending toward the tarmac before it appears to clip some power lines, causing it to veer sharply left and into some trees. Mike Lomberg, 60, a disabled former South African Air Force pilot, has died after crashing his plane while attempting to land in Thailand Mr Lomberg, who was left without feeling in both his legs after a car crash in 1990, was taking part in a round-the-world trip in a specially adapted plane when he died The aircraft then slammed into the ground and burst into flames. Police say Lomberg died on impact, before his body was burned in the wreck of the plane. Investigators have still not revealed the exact cause of the accident, but power lines were found to be severed near the airport, suggesting Lomberg had hit them, The Hindu reported. At the time of his death, Lomberg was taking part in a round-the-world flight funded by disability advocacy ground Handiflight, to raise awareness about those living with disabilities across the globe. The trip had started in Switzerland, where the group is based, back in November and was due to continue until September 2019. Lomberg had already visited Italy, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, and was on his way to Singapore when he died. A spokesman for Handiflight said: 'Dear friends, we are so sad to inform you of the death of our friend Mike Lomberg due to the accident that happened shortly before he landed at Bang Phra Airport in Thailand. Video taken at Bang Phra airport in southern Thailand shows Mr Lomberg's plane descending towards the tarmac before it takes a sharp left turn The aircraft can be seen disappearing into trees (pictured) before it slammed into the ground and burst into flames 'This tragic accident is inexplicable at the moment. The investigation is ongoing. 'Mikes family Peta, Chris, Amy and Jem would like to thank you all for your messages of love and support. 'Mikes life was filled with unbelievable challenges, but he was defined by his abilities in every sense. 'Mike jumped at the opportunity Handiflight offered to soar the global tapestry of cultures, activities, and peoples stories which he embraced and identified with so readily. 'To inspire others, change perceptions, reach out, touch and make a difference. His writing tells the story. For us, that is when he re-discovered his dream, and you all played a part in making it happen, and joined the ride. 'So while we grieve, we want to thank you all for witnessing something amazing. A journey, the joy of discovery, giving, inspiring, and living it all with a cheeky smile we are all proud of you Mike.' Police say Mr Lomberg died on impact before his body was burned in the wreck While investigations into the crash are ongoing, police found power lines near the airport had been severed, and believe Mr Lomberg hit them Mr Lomberg was taking part in the flight alongside fellow disabled pilot Guillaume Feral to raise awareness of disabilities when he died. It is unclear if Mr Feral will now finish the trip Lomberg had 3,850 flying hours behind him as a pilot and test pilot before his spinal chord was damaged in a car accident in 1990. While he survived the accident, it left him without any movement in his legs, forcing him to quit flying. He would not get into an aircraft again until 2011, before becoming involved with Handiflight. In February he quit his job to begin preparing for his flight around the world, which kicked off on November 17. He was accompanied on the journey by fellow disabled pilot Guillaume Feral and a support plane, both of which landed safely in Thailand. It is unclear whether they will now finish the journey in Lomberg's absence. A shopper has criticised online fashion retailer Boohoo after buying a size 10 black dress that barely covered her backside. Holly Smith, 23, a legal assistant from Leeds, posted her outrage on social media, stating: 'Wanna explain please @boohoo_cshelp?' The Basic Rib Crew Bodycon Dress usually retails for 8 and when displayed on the Boohoo website the hem reaches halfway down the model's thigh. However when Holly tried it on she was left feeling overexposed. Holly also purchased a Utility Button Front Belted Shirt Dress from the fashion outlet where the belt was supposed to be waist height but ended up resting on her bra. A shopper has criticised Boohoo after buying a size 10 black dress that barely covered her backside (left), despite stretching down the model's thigh on the website (right) Holly Smith, 23, a legal assistant from Leeds, posted her outrage on social media, stating: 'Wanna explain please @boohoo_cshelp?' Holly also purchased a Utility Button Front Belted Shirt Dress from the fashion outlet where the belt was supposed to be waist height but ended up resting on her bra She asked the firm: 'Do you not make dresses for girls with bums? Hadn't placed an order since 2015 and not sure I'll bother again.' Boohoo messaged Holly back saying they didn't see anything wrong with the dress, to which she responded: 'If I wore it in public I would likely be arrested for indecent exposure.' Boohoo have since offered Holly a full refund but have stipulated that they do not believe the dress is faulty. Women face a sizeable challenge when it comes to finding clothes that fit and can often leave fitting rooms feeling frustrated. A recent test by Good Morning Britain revealed that 83 per cent are forced to buy a larger size, while one in three women say it has negative impact on their self-esteem. Boohoo have since offered Holly a full refund but have stipulated that they do not believe the dress is faulty A New York woman has been murdered by her estranged husband, who then leaped to his death from her sixth-floor balcony, days after appearing happy together in a Christmas family photo. Yuberkis Paulino, 50, was stabbed to death by Pablo Castro, 46, in her home in Manhattan's Washington Heights on New Year's Day. Police were called to the scene after Castro's body was spotted on a second-floor terrace, after which they discovered the remains of Ms Paulino in her apartment. Tragedy: Yuberkis Paulino, 50, centre, was stabbed to death by her estranged husband Pablo Castro, 46, in her home, just days after posing for this happy family Christmas photo The couple had recently separated and Castro had moved out of the apartment, but they appear to have reunited over the Christmas period. On Christmas Eve, the grandmother-of-one shared a happy family photo of herself, Castro, her two daughters and her granddaughter all wearing matching 'Santa's Squad' sweaters. Ms Paulino had told friends she 'feared for her life' after fighting with her husband-of-five-years, and that if something happened to her, Castro would be to blame, New York Daily News reports. Murder: The couple had been married for five years but recently separated and Castro had moved out of the Washington Heights apartment Police were called to the scene when Castro's body was found on the second-floor balcony, after which Ms Paulino's remains were discovered in her home Eerie: Ms Paulino had told friends she 'feared for her life' and that if something happened to her, her estranged husband would be to blame 'Pablo killed her,' Ms Paulino's former father-in-law through her first marriage told the website. '(He was) a working man, but an extremely jealous man.' Police was called to the scene just before 8am yesterday when Castro was found dead with multiple allegedly self-inflicted stab-wounds on a second-floor balcony. Realising he had fallen from above, they then discovered blood on the balcony of the sixth-floor flat he had shared with Ms Paulino. Local media reports that Castro stabbed his wife to death, then stabbed himself before jumping off the balcony. Millions of women formed a 385-mile human chain over an Indian temple's rejection of women 'of menstruating age'. They lined up across the southern state of Kerala on Tuesday, where there is an ongoing row over access to the Sabarimala temple - one of Hinduism's holiest shrines - which is off limits to 'impure' women. Footage shows the staggering number of the 'women's wall' which even surprised its organisers, Kerala's governing Communist Party of India, who said five-and-a-half million turned out. Two women secretly entered the Sabarimala temple on Wednesday, breaching a blockade formed around the site by devotees who have been enraged by an Indian Supreme Court decision to overturn a ban on women aged between 10 and 50. Indian women stand in a line to take part in the human chain in Kochi in the southern state of Kerala on New Year's Day Indian women hold out their hands as they stand in a line to take part in the 'women's wall' in Kochi in Kerala on Tuesday Men worshipping at the Sabarimala shrine in the southern state of Kerala in October 2018; the famous temple had been off limits to women between the ages of 10 and 50 who were deemed 'impure' until a Supreme Court ruling overturned the ban in September Video showed the two women, Kanaka Durga and Bindu, wearing black tunics with their heads bowed as they rushed into the temple on Tuesday Indian police fired tear gas, stun grenades and water cannon as clashes erupted across Kerala after news of the women entering spread. Violent clashes were reported between scores of people in front of the state parliament in Thiruvananthapuram, while protests with sporadic violence were also reported in several other towns across the state. A tense standoff lasting more than four hours in Thiruvananthapuram was ongoing, with neither side showing any sign of backing down as rival groups shouted slogans. Police with batons also charged at protesters who were trying to enforce a shutdown of shops in the area. Several policemen were injured as protesters threw stones. The women, both 42, entered the hilltop temple in Kerala state just before dawn under police protection and left undetected, officials confirmed. As soon as news of the breach spread, the temple head priest ordered the shrine closed for a purification ritual - reflecting the old but still prevalent belief that menstruating women are impure. It reopened after around an hour. Sabarimala has been the centre of an increasingly angry showdown between Hindu traditionalists who support the longstanding ban and women activists who have been forced back several times from the temple. Video showed the women, Kanaka Durga and Bindu, who has only one name, wearing black tunics with their heads bowed as they rushed into the temple. Indian police escort Kanaka Durga (centre bottom) and Bindu (centre top) on December 24, 2018, after their group of women were rebuffed by hard-line activists during an effort to reach the Sabarimala temple; they entered secretly under police protection on Wednesday Video taken by a motorcyclist shows the colossal scale of the millions of women lining the streets in the southern state of Kerala on Tuesday Women across the state answered the Communist Part of India's call to the 'women's wall' as the row continues over access to the Sabarimala temple A column of millions of women extends along the side of the road in Kerala on Tuesday 'We did not enter the shrine by climbing the 18 holy steps but went through the staff gate,' one of the women, who both remain under police guard, later told reporters. Kerala state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said: 'It is a fact that the women entered the shrine. Police are bound to offer protection to anyone wanting to worship at the shrine.' The defiant act is certain to set off a new furore in India over gender. The Supreme Court on September 28 overruled a decades-old ban on women of menstruating age at Sabarimala, which is a four-hour uphill trek from the nearest village. Repeated efforts by women to enter the temple after the ruling have been rebuffed by Hindu devotees with police having to step in to escort them out. In October, devotees clashed with police in a town near the temple leading to the arrest of more than 2,000 people. On Tuesday, millions of women formed a human chain across Kerala to back the demand for women's access to the temple. Media reports said some were heckled and stoned by right-wing activists. The Supreme Court is to start hearing a legal challenge to its ruling on January 22. Many Hindu groups as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fiercely oppose the court ruling. Protesters burn an effigy of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reacting to reports of two women entering the Sabarimala temple Police remove members of Kerala Students Union, the student wing of India's main opposition Congress party, as they take part in a protest after two women entered the Sabarimala temple Riot police were deployed anticipating protests following reports of two women entering the Sabarimala temple Women of all ages joined together in a show of strength in protest to their ban from the Sabarimala temple Women raise their hands in a pledge to fight gender discrimination as they form part of a 385-mile human chain in Thiruvananthapuram, in the southern Indian state of Kerala on Tuesday, January 1 Indian police beat a Hindu activist as he protested against a Supreme Court verdict revoking a ban on women's entry to the Sabarimala shrine in October Hindu devotees throng around the famous Sabarimala shrine in the southern state of Kerala after a four-hour uphill trek to access the site in November 2018 They argue that the court has ignored their beliefs that the Sabarimala temple's deity Ayyappa was celibate. Modi's government did not immediately react to the women getting into the temple, but activists celebrated. 'Watching the visuals of them making their way into the shrine makes me cry in joy - how long it has taken for us to claim space, to write our way into history,' wrote controversial feminist author Meena Kandasamy on Twitter. Rahul Easwar, a right-wing activist in Kerala, condemned the state authorities for helping organise the secret operation. 'Such cheap tactics are unbecoming of a state government,' he said on Twitter. Women are still barred from a handful of Hindu temples in India. The entry of women at Sabarimala was taboo for generations and formalised by the Kerala High Court in 1991. The gold-plated Sabarimala temple complex sits atop a 3,000-foot metre) hill in a forested tiger reserve. Legend has it that Ayyappa was found abandoned as a baby. A king of the Pandalam dynasty, which still manages the temple operations, found and raised him. At the age of 12 Ayyappa emerged from the forest riding a tigress. The boy fired an arrow which landed at the site where the temple is now located. Pressure is mounting on Jeremy Corbyn to back a second Brexit referendum after polling showed huge support among Labour members - and many ready to quit if he ignores them. The Labour leader has been desperately resisting calls from within his own ranks to endorse another national vote, keeping the option open while insisting he prefers an election. Mr Corbyn again dodged today as he was challenged on why he was defying the views of Labour activists. But a study of more than 1,000 Labour members found that 72 per cent want Mr Corbyn to throw his weight behind the policy. There was also backing for a second referendum among wider Labour supporters, including 61 per cent of those who voted for the party at the 2017 election. The research underlined the scale of the challenge Jeremy Corbyn faces from Labour members, with thousands considering quitting, nearly a quarter believing he is a Brexiteer, and nearly three quarters wanting a new referendum Attending a rail fare protest in central London today, Mr Corbyn again dodged as he was challenged on why he was defying the views of Labour activists on Brexit The work suggests that tens of thousands of Labour members could be prepared to quit the party over the leadership's approach to leaving the EU. Almost a quarter (23 per cent) of Labour members put Mr Corbyn's failure to back a second referendum down to a belief that he supports Brexit. Professor Tim Bale, of Queen Mary University London, said: 'Our survey of Labour's grassroots clearly shows that Corbyn's apparent willingness to see the UK leave the EU - a stance he has recently reiterated - is seriously at odds with what the overwhelming majority of Labour's members want, and it doesn't reflect the views of most Labour voters either.' Speaking at a rail fares protest in London, Mr Corbyn said: 'The issue of another referendum was of course one of the options, but that was very much after the votes have taken place in Parliament. 'We haven't yet had a vote and I think the Government really should be ashamed of itself. 'This vote has been delayed and delayed and delayed. It's finally going to take place the second week of January. That is not acceptable, this vote should have taken place more than a month ago. This Government is just trying to run down the clock and create a sense of fear between either no deal or May's deal. 'Well both of those options are completely unacceptable.' The work was carried out by YouGov for the Economic and Social Research Council-funded Party Members Project. Some 29 per cent of Labour's rank-and-file members said they oppose the stance that the party has taken on Brexit - and 56 per cent of those told researchers it has caused them to consider quitting. That proportion would be equivalent to around 88,000 members, according to the project's analysis. If there is another referendum - and a three-way question - some 88 per cent of Labour members said they would back Remain, 3 per cent said they would leave with Theresa May's deal and 5 per cent would support leaving with no deal. If the choice was between the Prime Minister's deal and leaving the EU without an agreement, some 27 per cent of Labour members said they would boycott the vote altogether, although 46 per cent said they would take Mrs May's deal. Some 89 per cent of Labour members - compared with 65 per cent of current Labour voters and only 45 per cent of all voters - are convinced that leaving the EU without a deal would cause economic damage in the medium to long-term. While just 35 per cent of the electorate as a whole believe that warnings of short-term disruption with potential problems for food and medicine supplies in a no-deal Brexit are realistic, that figure rises to 82 per cent of Labour members and 58 per cent of Labour voters. Prof Bale said: 'Our survey suggests Labour's membership is overwhelmingly in favour of the UK remaining in the EU and badly wants a referendum to achieve that end. Theresa May (pictured delivering her New Year message) has been battling to get her Brexit deal through Parliament 'It also suggests that Labour voters, while not as keen as the party's members on either count, are in the same camp. 'Labour's grassroots clearly hate Brexit and, although many of them still love Corbyn, he might not be able to rely for much longer on their support for him trumping their opposition to leaving the EU. 'As a result, our research is bound to increase the pressure on Labour's leader to get off the fence.' Labour MP Phil Wilson said: 'An overwhelming majority of Labour's voters, as well as its members, want the public to have the final say on Brexit and to stay in the European Union. 'But the leadership has too often hidden behind myths that Labour is almost evenly divided on this issue when the clear evidence from this and other polls shows that it is the leadership which is increasingly out of step with its supporters.' The Sedgefield MP added: 'Labour's leadership now has a huge opportunity to be at the front of a popular campaign against the Government's Brexit deal and make sure the public are given the right to have the final say in the form of a People's Vote. 'I urge Jeremy to seize this chance to change the course of history, before it's too late.' YouGov surveyed 1,034 Labour Party members between December 17 and 21 2018. The pollster also surveyed a representative sample of 1,675 British adults on December 18-19. One of London's major hospitals is using chilled containers outside to store dead bodies because it has run out of space in its mortuary, it was revealed today. The Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington has been accused of treating bodies like trash after it was found to be keeping the dead in fridges as a solution to overcrowding. The overflow unit is allegedly not always locked, meaning members of the public could potentially gain access, it was claimed. It has been suggested the practice could benefit coroners who could access the bodies without needing keys, but the hospital denied this was the case today. The Princess Royal University Hospital in Orpington has been storing the dead outside its mortuary in containers (area circled) because of a lack of space The hospital in Orpington, south-east London, can house about 74 bodies at its regular morgue. But the extra two refrigerated containers kept next to a car park can each store 32. One fridge currently contains 30 bodies and the other is empty. A source told The Sun: It is disrespectful to the dead and their families would not be happy if they found out. Anything could happen to the bodies because it is not locked. Last night Joyce Robins from Patient Concern said: A car park is no place to leave dead bodies in a civilised society. It sounds as if they are being thrown out like trash. If I learned a loved one was being stored in a car park like this I would be distraught. Its a terrible insult and quite unacceptable. The hospital said last night that it helped store bodies from around south-east London and north Kent. Inspectors have found previously that the hospital was failing because of a lack of bed space and waiting times A hospital spokesman said: The hospital provides mortuary capacity for Bromley and Bexley local authorities and neighbouring hospitals and takes great care to respect the dignity of the deceased. These purpose built containers are in the discrete mortuary area of the hospital and not in public view. 'They are always locked, under 24-hour security and CCTV surveillance and only accessible by appropriate hospital staff'. The PRUH, run by Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, was rated requires improvement following its most recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection. One of the main criticisms was that some patients had to wait 12 hours for a free bed. Operations were sometimes cancelled and not always rescheduled and undertaken within 28 days. And medicines had not been stored away safely in areas including wards and theatres. Last year, health chiefs denied that the Princess Royal University Hospitals A&E department was a shambles and that the pressure on emergency units had spiralled out of control. A man had to be rushed to hospital last week after a small wire bristle from a barbecue brush pierced his throat and became lodged near his spine. Bruce Victor, from Wakerley, Brisbane, was enjoying a steak he'd just cooked on his barbecue for a pre-Christmas dinner when he felt something sharp in his throat. The 56-year-old said he knew straight away what had caused the pain. Scroll down for video Bruce Victor, from Wakerley, Brisbane, was enjoying a steak he'd just cooked on his barbecue when he felt something sharp in his throat 'The steak didn't have any bones in it, and I just thought what's happened? Straight away I thought about the bristles coming out the wire brush I used to rub down the barbecue,' he told 9news. He was rushed to hospital where his suspicions were proven correct. An X-Ray revealed the wire had pierced his oesophagus. 'We looked at one particular section and quick as a flash up came the wire poking right through the side of my throat.' He was rushed to hospital where an X-Ray revealed the tiny piece of wire lodged in his oesophagus The government of Western Australia recommends buying bristle-free brushes, grill scrapers, stone cleaners or tin foil and tongs to reduce the risk during barbecue season Mr Victor spent three days in hospital over Christmas but has fully recovered. Health officials have been warning of the dangers of wire cleaning brushes for years due to thousands of reported injuries reported from accidental swallowing around the world. The government of Western Australia recommends buying bristle-free brushes, grill scrapers, stone cleaners or tin foil and tongs. Russian officials have denied that an explosion in a tower block on New Year's Day was a terror attack. Investigators at the scene of the blast in the city of Magnitogorsk, located near the border with Kazakhstan, say no traces of explosives have been found and that a gas leak is to blame. They added that the blast was unconnected with a minibus which exploded the following day due to a leaking fuel tank. The news came as the death toll from the tower disaster was increased to 22, with 19 people still missing. Investigators say no traces of explosives have been found at the tower block which collapsed in the Russian city of Magnitogorsk, and put the blast down to a gas leak (pictured today) Officials spoke out as the death toll from the collapse was raised to 22, with 19 people still unaccounted for amid the rubble (collapsed tower pictured on Monday) An Orthodox memorial service was held at the site of an apartment block collapse in Magnitogorsk on Tuesday before a baby was pulled from the rubble on Wednesday Braving temperatures as low as -27C, rescue workers spent Wednesday combing through mangled concrete and metal for any more survivors. Their efforts were given a boost on Tuesday when a 10-month-old boy was found alive and reunited with his mother. But hope was starting to fade of finding more survivors. The emergency situations ministry said that the bodies of 22 people, including two children, had been recovered from the partly collapsed building. Six people, including two children, had been rescued. 'Work is continuing 24 hours a day' the ministry said, noting that 800 square metres of debris - loaded into 50 dump trucks - had been cleared in the last 24 hours. The explosion tore through the 10-storey building in the industrial town nearly 1,050 miles east of Moscow in the early hours of Monday. Rescue workers were continuing the grim task of searching through the rubble at the scene of the explosion on Wednesday Police also denied that there was any link between the tower collapse and a minivan which exploded in the city on Tuesday, saying that was down to a leaking fuel tank Reports in Russian newspapers had suggested a major manhunt was underway after officers fired at the vehicle, but this was later denied Witnesses described seeing a 'wave of fire' and said the blast was strong enough to shatter windows in nearby buildings. The Soviet-era apartment block was home to about 1,100 people and the explosion left dozens homeless over the New Year - the biggest holiday of the year in Russia. Rumours of a terror attack swirled around on social media earlier in the day amid reports that three terrorists had been killed in the wake of the blast. A report said that three suspected terrorists died after police fired at their Gazel vehicle and that one had escaped and was on the run. The incident was reported to have taken place on Lenina Street, around one and a half miles from the blitzed apartment block on Karl Marx Street. The znak.com website, which reported the claims, was immediately blocked in the wake of the report. Tuesday's recovery of an infant offered a rare moment of hope, with officials describing his rescue as a 'New Year's miracle'. The boy was found in his cradle after rescuers heard him crying from under the rubble. He was brought to his mother, who had survived the blast, and then flown to Moscow for treatment. Chelyabinsk Region Governor Boris Dubrovsky (right) attends an Orthodox memorial service at the site Chelyabinsk Region Governor Boris Dubrovsky (left) speaks with Yevgeny Fokin, the father of the 11-month-old baby found alive in the rubble A total of 48 apartments were damaged in the ten-storey building. A huge fire broke out after an explosion Russian television showed footage of the boy lying in a hospital bed watched by his tearful mother. Medical officials in Moscow said he was in serious but stable condition after suffering from severe frostbite, a head injury and multiple fractures. Residents left homeless by the explosion were being housed in a nearby school and helped by a team of psychologists. Wednesday was a day of mourning in the region, with flags lowered and entertainment events cancelled, in a country where New Year's celebrations are an annual highlight. Mourners laid flowers and lit candles near the site of the building. 'We are all grieving,' a middle-aged man told Rossiya 24 television. 'Nearly everyone in the city knew someone' caught up in the accident. City officials said funerals would start being held from Friday. Meanwhile, families of the victims were told they would receive financial assistance to pay for funerals and additional help of 50,000 rubles (570) for those injured and twice that amount for those killed. Russian President Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting in the Emergencies Ministry's rescue operation headquarters on the site after the explosion Five sharks have been caught on a popular stretch of river - but it's what was inside them that has left people fascinated. Fisherman Billy Brislane was on the Macleay River on the New South Wales mid north coast on Monday when he reeled in the sharks, including four large beasts measuring up to three-and-a-half metres long. After cutting open the sharks, Mr Brislane made an astonishing discovery. Five sharks have been caught on a popular stretch of river - but it's what was inside them that has left people fascinated 'The sharks must have been very hungry as there [were] baby sharks, dolphin and stingray in their stomachs,' Mr Brislane told the Sydney Morning Herald. The apparently hungry sharks were swimming in an area between Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie which is popular with jet skiers, raising fears for their safety. It comes just a day after two kayakers were 'nudged' by a large shark off Fairy Meadow Beach at Wollongong. Surf lifesavers estimated that the shark must have been 'a fair size longer than a two-person kayak'. A surfer was also injured in Ballina, in northern New South Wales, after fighting off a shark with his surfboard last year. He was left with a 20cm leg wound but escaped with his life. A couple have been caught been getting suspiciously close while playing in the water at a Thai beach. The tourists, believed to be Westerners, were spotted by another beachgoer swimming in the water at Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, 165 km south-east of Bangkok, on New Years Day. In the footage, which was posted to Facebook, the man and woman can be seen bobbing up and down in the water. As the man filming zooms in, he can be heard asking 'What are you up to?' 'I don't dare ask - they have been doing this for ten minutes,' he continues. 'Are they playing piggyback...or?' The video has been viewed more than 36,000 times since it was posted on Tuesday. Many social media users were as startled by the footage as the beachgoers who filmed it. 'People are so mean. People are drowning and you film instead of hurry up to help. Damn,' one person said. Pattaya station chief Pol Col Apichai Krobpetch is monitoring the situation and may press charges, the Daily News reported. Pattaya is an infamous tourist city known for its nightlife and thriving sex industry. A couple have been caught been getting suspiciously close while playing in the water at a Thai beach The family of a 25-year-old YouTube bodybuilder who was tased to death by Massachusetts police who found him violently stabbing a woman he met on Tinder says EMTs refused their request to have him admitted for psychiatric care. Erich Stelzer's family said that while they sought to get him help for his declining mental health, there was no indication that he would become violent, according to WBTS-TV. Stelzer, who was suffering from delusions, erratic behavior, and extreme paranoia, was receiving treatment for mental health issues in the weeks leading up to last Thursday's stabbing. On Christmas Day, the family called police and EMTs asking that he be hospitalized immediately due to a psychotic episode. But the EMTs declined to hospitalize him because he was 'lucid enough to know his own name and the date.' Erich Stelzer, who has frequently posted videos to YouTube of his fitness routine, stabbed 24-year-old date Maegan Tapley, (pictured left Facebook) late Thursday. The bodybuilder later died after he was tased by police. The victim will likely lose her eye, police said The next day, the family hired a team to help bring Stelzer to an inpatient facility. But the attack took place before the team had a chance. 'The family of Erich Stelzer wishes to express its deepest sympathy for the victim and her family,' family attorney Philip G. Cormier said in a statement. 'They are without words to adequately communicate their grief and sorrow at the events that transpired, the physical and mental pain caused to the victim, and the loss of life of a young man who was someone's little brother and someone's son.' Cohasset police arrived to Erich Stelzer's residence around 10pm when they said he repeatedly slashed his date, 24-year-old veterinary assistant Maegan Tapley, in the face with a knife. District Attorney spokesperson Peggie Krippendorf said in a statement: 'In an effort to rescue the victim and disarm Stelzer, Cohasset police officers used Tasers to subdue Stelzer.' Stelzer became unresponsive soon after the tasing, and stopped breathing while being transported to the hospital. Tapley is seen in other Facebook photos sporting both light and dark hair colors The victim, meanwhile, was treated for severe injuries. Police said she will likely lose her eye. Tapley's mother, Susan Tapley, said in a statement seen on NBC Boston that her daughter will recover from the traumatic attack. 'She's going to mend, she's going to be alright.. it's going to take time to recover. She'll need plastic surgery and an eye specialist,' she said. A source told WBZ-TV that Stelzer was in an 'altered mental state' or suffering a 'possible mental health issue' at the time of the domestic violence incident. His neighbor, Fred Siegel, told the local station: 'Its unfortunate you never want to see anybody get hurt and you certainly dont want to see someone die over something. The horrific incident happened at Stelzer's home in Cohasset, Massachusetts Police arrived to the home around 10pm Thursday after they received a call about a 'disturbance' 'Its unfortunate that it happened and who knows why it happened.' It's currently unclear what transpired between the two before the brutal slashing that occurred just two days after Christmas. The pair recently linked up on the popular hook-up dating app, Tinder. The man is estimated to be 6'8" and nearly 300lbs. The girl appears petite. The District Attorney's office has not given word on a possible motive for the stabbing. Further investigation is now underway. Harry Stelzer, the father of the online fitness guru, took to his Facebook page Friday to share the news He later shared a childhood photo of his late son, adding: 'My son. Killed by cops. Here comes the cover up' Pictured: Harry Stelzer and his girlfriend Linda. Harry Stelzer is the father of Erich Stelzer, 25, who was Tasered by police before he died on December 27 Harry Stelzer, the father of the online fitness guru, took to his Facebook page Friday to share the news. 'I received some real bad news last night. My youngest child Erich Stelzer died last night. There was a violet confrontation at his house last nite. Police came and tased him 4 times. 4 times,' the distraught dad wrote. 'He died on the way to the hospital. 25 years old. He was my life. This is not over. Let me bury my dead and then the show begins. Rest In Peace my son. Love you for ever. I am hurting.' He later shared a childhood photo of his late son, adding: 'My son. Killed by cops. Here comes the cover up.' Tapley, a veterinary assistant, posted this image of herself with the caption: 'Feeling like a mad scientist in my X-ray gear' A 12-year-old dog is lucky to be alive ripping apart a deadly brown snake. The beloved English springer spaniel named Meg was tied up outside a house in Corinda in Brisbane's southwest on Sunday night when the attack happened. Meg's owner Zoe Akeroyd said her parents found the spaniel groggy and shaky and were initially worried she may have consumed a toad. A 12-year-old dog called Meg (pictured) is lucky to be alive ripping apart a deadly brown snake in a dangerous altercation Mrs Akeroyd's father walked round the back of the house to find the remains of the snake ripped in half (pictured) The snake reportedly bit Meg on the mouth, but she managed to thwart the attack by ripping it in half. Mrs Akeroyd's parents discovered the 12-year-old dog looking worse for wear, but didn't realise she had been bitten until the next morning when Mrs Akeroyd's father walked round the back of the house to find the remains of the snake ripped in half. As soon as they realised what had happened, they rushed Meg to the emergency veterinary hospital where she was immediately given antivenin. The springer spaniel is now safely back home with her owner, recovering from the ordeal. 'She is sitting up and wagging her tail and breathing fine and urinating by herself. All good signs,' Mrs Akeroyd told Yahoo7 News. Mrs Akeroyd has warned other dog owners of the danger, claiming there had been a spike in snake bites this season due to hot, dry conditions. The home in Corinda backs onto bushland ,which is presumably where the 1.5-metre-long eastern brown snake came from. Mrs Akeroyd added: 'I don't condone killing snakes, and I am not celebrating the death of one, I am just so relieved she was found in time and will hopefully be ok.' A kindhearted Big Bang Theory actor has donated $5,000 to the family of California news anchor Chris Burrous who was found dead last week of a suspected overdose. Actor Kunal Nayyar, who famously played the astrophysicist Raj on the show, made the generous contribution to Burrous' grieving family on Sunday. The 37-year-old actor's donation is the largest contribution on the GoFundMe page set up to help the late news anchor's family. Burrous, 43, was a famous face in Los Angeles and a fixture on KTLA's 5 Morning News for the past seven years. Scroll down for video Big Bang Theory Kunal Nayyar, 37, has donated $5,000 to the grieving family of Los Angeles news anchor Chris Burrous who died on December 27 The 37-year-old actor's donation is the largest contribution on the GoFundMe page set up to help the late news anchor's family. Nayyar played Raj on the CBS sitcom Big Bang Theory He is leaves behind his wife Mai Do-Burrous, who he wed in 2009, and nine-year-old daughter Isabella. The GoFundMe page was set up by KTTV host Gigi Graciette to help out his family and cover funeral costs and already reached $74,445 of the $75,000 goal as of Tuesday evening. 'This account has been set up with his familys blessing to help Chriss wife Mai and nine-year-old daughter Isabella, the loves of his life. Chriss friends want to make sure Mai and Isabella have all the support they need during this difficult time,' the page says. The family is now beginning to plan Burrous' funeral, according to the page. The GoFundMe page set up to help Burrous' grieving family has already reached $74,445 of the $75,000 goal as of Tuesday evening Nayyar made the generous donation on Sunday to help the Burrous family Another GoFundMe, set up by Mai Burrous sister Rosemary Do Silverstein, had raised $28,492 of its $50,000 goal by Tuesday. His death shocked the golden state after he was found dead in a Days Inn motel on December 27. A man he was with called police to report that he had passed out and was possibly not breathing. He was found unconscious around 1.15pm. Glendale firefighters administered CPR and Burrous was taken to hospital, but he died there a short while later. A man he was with called police to report that he had passed out and was possibly not breathing. He was found unconscious around 1.15pm on December 27 Chris Burrous leaves behind his wife Mai Do-Burrous and their daughter, 9-year-old Isabella Glendale police said in a statement that the broadcaster's death is being investigated as a possible overdose, but that they are awaiting the coroner's report for confirmation. He joined KTLA in 2011 having previously worked as a reporter and news-anchor in outlets across the U.S. including Pix11 in New York. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Burrous family,' KTLA President and General Manager Don Corsini and News Director Jason Ball said in a joint statement on Thursday. 'Chris loved sharing the stories of Southern California and connecting with our viewers. 'He will be remembered as a great journalist and a wonderful friend to many. He brought a kindness to his work and will be deeply missed by the entire KTLA family.' Taiwan's unification with the mainland is 'inevitable', President Xi Jinping said Wednesday, warning against any efforts to promote the island's independence and saying China would not renounce the option of using military force to bring it into the fold. China still sees democratic 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. 'China must and will be united... which is an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people in the new era,' Xi said in a speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of a message sent to Taiwan in 1979, in which Beijing called for unification and an end to military confrontation. President Xi Jinping said Taiwan's unification with China was 'inevitable' 'We make no promise to give up the use of military force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means' against Taiwanese separatist activities and 'outside forces' that interfere with reunification, he said. In his speech, Xi described unification under a 'one country, two systems' approach that would 'safeguard the interests and well-being of Taiwanese compatriots'. Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, with its own currency, political and judicial systems, but has never declared formal independence from the mainland. Relations have been strained for the past two years since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to acknowledge Beijing's stance that the island is part of 'one China'. On Tuesday, Tsai warned Beijing that Taiwan's people would never give up the kind of freedoms unseen on the authoritarian mainland. Beijing 'must respect the insistence of 23 million people for freedom and democracy' and 'must use peaceful and equal terms to handle our differences', she said. Though Xi's speech takes a strong stance against Taiwanese separatists and pushes for reunification, it is aimed mostly at domestic audiences, analysts say. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has called on Beijing to respect 'freedom and democracy' 'It's rather empty and doesn't have any new points except that cross-strait unification would not affect the interests of other countries,' said Fan Shih-ping, political analyst at National Taiwan Normal University, adding that Xi's words may also be intended for the US, which views Taiwan as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy. In 2018, the US sent multiple ships through the Taiwan Strait -- which China considers its territory but the US and others see as international waters open to all -- infuriating Beijing. Washington also remains Taipei's most powerful unofficial ally and its main arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. Xi's speech is likely to be 'very poorly received,' by the US, said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, who studies Chinese foreign policy. To accommodate differences in Taiwan's political system and civil society, China has proposed adopting the 'one country, two systems' policy, which was implemented in Hong Kong after the British handed the city back to China in 1997. But some say the erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong sets a negative precedent for Taiwan. 'They (China) are gobbling up Hong Kong, not just politically but culturally and economically too', Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmaker, told AFP. 'It's so obvious that they're trying to assimilate Hong Kong into wider mainland China in every way. How would any Taiwanese think that's going to work for them?' Others believed Taiwanese could slowly come on board. 'People's heart won't change in one day, but I think one country, two systems is a way to do it. The unification might take one, two, or even three more generations to achieve,' said a 55-year old construction worker in Hong Kong who gave his surname as Lam. Mid-term polls in 2018 delivered a massive defeat to Tsai's DPP, which has taken a hard line on relations with Beijing Last October, tens of thousands of Taiwan independence campaigners took to the streets in the first large-scale protest calling for an outright independence vote since the island first became a democracy more than 20 years ago. But some in Taiwan say worsening relations with Beijing have harmed business, as cuts to pensions and a reduction in public holidays compound frustrations over a stagnant economy where salaries have not kept up with the rise in cost of living. Last year, Taiwan's ruling party suffered a massive defeat in mid-term polls, causing Tsai to resign as leader of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, while the main opposition Kuomintang, which oversaw an unprecedented thaw with Beijing before Tsai took office in 2016, made gains. Beijing has adopted a multi-pronged approach to diminish Taiwan's presence on the international stage in recent years, including blocking it from global forums and poaching its dwindling number of official diplomatic allies. President Donald Trump is looking forward to another summit with Kim Jong Un, he said Tuesday, after the North Korean leader warned Pyongyang could change its approach to nuclear talks if Washington persists with sanctions. 'I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!' Trump said in a brief tweet. The two leaders made global headlines with an unprecedented summit in Singapore in June, where they signed a vaguely-worded pledge on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. But progress has since stalled with the two sides disagreeing over what the declaration means, and the pace of U.S.-North Korean negotiations has slowed, with meetings and visits cancelled at short notice. The North is demanding relief from the multiple sanctions imposed on it over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and has condemned U.S. insistence on its nuclear disarmament as 'gangster-like.' President Donald Trump is looking forward to another summit with Kim Jong Un, he said Tuesday, after the North Korean leader warned Pyongyang could change its approach to nuclear talks if Washington persists with sanctions 'I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!' Trump said in a brief tweet Speculation of a second Trump-Kim summit has ebbed and flowed, with the U.S. president saying that he hoped it would take place early this year. But a proposed visit by Kim to Seoul before the end of December did not materialize. Culminating in late 2017, the North has carried out six atomic blasts and launched rockets capable of reaching the entire US mainland, but has now carried out no such tests for more than a year. In his New Year speech Kim called for the sanctions to be eased, saying that the North had declared 'we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them,' and urged the U.S. to take 'corresponding practical actions.' If Washington instead continues with the measures, he added, 'we may be compelled to find a new way for defending the sovereignty of the country and the supreme interests of the state.' He was willing to meet Trump at any time, he said. Kim's remarks were 'apparently designed to revive the momentum of the negotiations,' South Korea's centrist Hankook Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial Wednesday. But he was also 'signalling that he would never be pushed around', it added. Joshua Pollack of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies tweeted that Kim was insisting 'the onus is now on the U.S. to deliver'. 'The bottom line: Kim remains dug into the same positions on nuclear diplomacy he has occupied over the last six months,' he added. Kim delivered his speech sitting in a leather armchair in a book-lined office with a patterned blue carpet, presented as being at the headquarters of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. In his New Year speech Kim (seen above in Pyongyang on Tuesday) called for the sanctions to be eased, saying that the North had declared 'we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them' Large paintings of Kim's predecessors, his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung, looked on and a white phone lay on the side table next to Kim's chair. It was a marked departure from previous New Year speeches - always a key moment in the North Korean political calendar - which Kim has usually delivered much more formally, standing at a podium. One thing that was different from past speeches by the North Korean leader was that it was 'a relaxed, indoor setting, with him sitting in a comfortable chair rather than standing and speaking in a huge square,' the Korea Times said. 'It seems North Korea was once again trying to establish a new identity as a normal country on the global stage and distance itself from the image of the impoverished authoritarian state that the rest of the world associates it with.' Kim dedicated most of his 30-minute speech to calls to shore up the nation's moribund economy and curb chronic power shortage - a goal impossible to achieve without lifting of the sanctions. South Korea - a key U.S. ally in Asia and the North's capitalist neighbor - praised Kim's speech, calling it a reaffirmation of Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearization. Seoul and Washington have at times pursued divergent approaches to the Pyongyang, with the South pushing cross-border co-operation projects, including connecting railways and roads across the heavily-fortified border and upgrading the North's tattered infrastructure. But such plans also require some of the sanctions to be lifted. The South's dovish President Moon Jae-in, who played a role of peace broker between the two mercurial leaders, met Kim three times last year - twice at the border truce village of Panmunjom and once in Pyongyang. Kim sent Moon a message on Sunday, vowing to meet him 'frequently' to discuss denuclearisation. A young mother has defended her young autistic son after she received an anonymous letter from a neighbour complaining about his loud outbursts. Single mum-of-four Ana Gray, from New Zealand, was shocked to find the note in her letterbox on New Year's Day regarding the behaviour of her son Wiremu, 7, who has been diagnosed with autism and Global Development Development Delay. 'If you don't stop that kid yelling, I will ring child support and report you. We all getting sick of the yelling and also ring your landlord,' the handwritten note read. Ms Gray admitted her son has become more challenging to deal with as he gets older and acknowledged that his regular outbursts get on people's nerves, including hers. New Zealand mum Ana Gray was shocked to find this letter in her mailbox on New Year's Day But she said yelling was Wiremu's way of coping and has pleaded for more understanding. 'I would have preferred being spoken to face to face so I can explain our situation,' Ms Gray told the New Zealand Herald. 'I love my son to pieces. He may not be perfect to others but he is perfect to me.' Ms Gray told the publication her landlord is aware of her son's diagnosis and that she has never had any complaints until now. Ms Gray says the family are forced to spend much of her time at home because of Wiremu's behaviour, who's on a waiting list to be seen by a paediatrician. 'The help I need is well on its way and I couldn't be happier about that,' Ms Gray told the New Zealand Herald. Ms Gray has also taken to social media to apologise to neighbours. 'We're only trying to live life as each day goes by in the hopes that things will only get better for us,' she posted on Facebook. A man has broken into a closed shopping centre on Christmas day and gorged on lollies, chocolates, cookies and ice cream stolen from a store in the food court. Police released CCTV of the shirtless man dressed in dark shorts and thongs after he broke into The Pines Shopping Centre in Doncaster East, north east of Melbourne at about 2pm. He is described as being white, in his early 30s with dark hair and a medium build. Scroll down for video A shirtless man (pictured) has been captured breaking into a closed shopping centre on Christmas day The footage shows the man entering the shopping centre from an empty car park. He was captured stopping at an entrance and peeping into the complex. He is later seen jumping from behind the counter of a shop and then hopped over the counter of a neighbouring store. He then wandered into the back of the shop. Police have not charged anybody and are still trying to identify the man. He was captured stopping at an entrance and peeping into the Doncaster East complex Disgraced former CBS boss Les Moonves is sailing sunny seas in the Caribbean on a $590million yacht in the wake of the news that he won't receive any of his $120million payout after an investigation found that he'd misled the network. Moonves and his ever-faithful wife Julie Chen hopped on a private jet just after Christmas and are now sunning themselves in St Barts on a 454-foot megayacht named Rising Sun, which is owned by billionaire music mogul David Geffen, Page Six reports. One insider told the tabloid: 'Les isnt hanging his head in shame; hes living it up on a yacht in St Barts. It seems that the Hollywood moguls look out for each other, no matter what.' Also along for the holiday is Moonves' longtime business associate and pal Ron Meyer, vice chairman of NBCUniversal. Disgraced former CBS boss Les Moonves is reportedly sunning himself in the Caribbean on a $590million yacht in the wake of news that he won't receive any of his $120million payout after an sexual misconduct investigation found that he'd misled the network (stock image) Moonves and his wife Julie Chen reportedly took off for St Barts after Christmas and rang in the new year aboard the 454-foot megayacht Rising Sun (above), owned by mogul David Geffen Just before Christmas, Moonves received the harsh news that he will not be walking away with any of his $120million gold parachute after an investigation into his allegations of sexual misconduct found multiple reasons as to why he should have been terminated. Moonves would have also received an additional $65million from vesting of long-term incentive rewards had he received the $120million severance as well, but will also not get any of that money. In a statement released on Monday, CBS said that Moonves' 'willful and material misfeasance, violation of Company policies and breach of his employment contract, as well as his willful failure to cooperate fully with the Companys investigation' justified the board's decision to oust the president and chairman earlier this year. Moonves will also not receive the additional $65million he was expecting through vesting of long-term incentive rewards. An SEC filing is pictured above There are few specifics at this time, but it was revealed earlier this month that Moonves had given investigators' his son Charlie's iPad instead of his own when asked to hand over the tablet. The New York Times also revealed that investigators met with Moonves four times and found him to be 'evasive and untruthful at times and to have deliberately lied about and minimized the extent of his sexual misconduct.' Moonves can still fight the decision through arbitration, and in a statement on Monday his lawyer Andrew Levander said: 'The conclusions of the CBS board were foreordained and are without merit. Consistent with the pattern of leaks that have permeated this "process," the press was informed of these baseless conclusions before Mr. Moonves, further damaging his name, reputation, career and legacy.' CBS hired two law firms to look into the allegations being made about the 69-year-old executive, who was named president of the company in 1995 and in 2016 also became the chairman. In the wake of the scandal, hois wife Julie Chen also left her spot as host of the network's daytime show The Talk while defending her husband. Moonves, who is worth an estimated $800million, took home $69million in 2017 for his work at the company. A growing porn scam could put more and more Australian women at risk, experts warn. Trolls are taking advantage of ground-breaking video software to superimpose faces of women in pornographic and explicit videos, according to The Washington Post. Not only is the end result an extremely life-like video that is difficult to call out as a fake, but it can also be done without someone's knowledge or permission. The trend has become known as 'deepfake'. Using artificial intelligence, the trolls need as little as a Facebook photo to make the disturbing, life-like videos of the person. A growing porn scam could put more and more Australian women at risk, experts warn (stock photo) Trolls are taking advantage of ground-breaking video software to superimpose faces of women in explicit videos (stock photo) International expert on crime victim rights and University of Sydney professor Tyrone Kirchengast told Daily Mail Australia the internet provided the perfect base for the growing porn scam. 'It's a technological issue where artificial intelligence can access imagery and photos that are now of course prolific online. 'These can all be placed on moving bodies of a complete stranger and distributed on porn websites.' Already in the United States, the porn scam has become a lucrative business. Several users on online deepfake discussion boards said they could fetch as much as AUS$28.50 per fake video. Often, these can be done at someone else's request. One requester had included 491 photos of a woman's face in a pornographic video. Many were taken from her Facebook account. He even told members of the deepfake site he was prepared to 'pay for good work'. Two days later, deepfake 'creators' turned over a seamlessly real video of the woman taking part in sexual acts. The photos were compiled into a bundle of images known as 'facesets' and put on already naked women referred to as 'donor bodies'. 'I feel violated - this icky kind of violation,' the woman said on condition of anonymity. 'It's this weird feeling, like you want to tear everything off the internet. But you know you can't.' The disturbing trend has already victimised big names of the silver screen like Scarlett Johansson. One fake video of Ms Johansson on a porn website has racked up more than 1.5 million views. Media critic Anita Sarkeesian found her face in a porn video earlier last year, which raked in more than 30,000 views on an adult-site. Ms Sarkeesian has drawn criticism over her feminist critiques of pop culture and video games. International expert on crime victim rights and University of Sydney professor Tyrone Kirchengast told Daily Mail Australia the internet provided the perfect base for the growing porn scam (stock photo) Already in the United States, the porn scam has become a lucrative business (stock photo) Users on deepfake forums shared their sickening escapades over how they were keen to send the critic the videos to her Twitter and email. 'Now THIS is the deepfake we need and deserve, if for no other reason than (principle)', one user said. Professor Kirchengast noted that unlike revenge porn where the perpetrator could be more easily identified, the introduction of Artificial Intelligence made pinning the blame problematic. 'Although [the images] are distributed on the internet, [revenge porn] is still localised. It is usually done within a domestic context - private images taken in a relationship, a relationship breakdown or an ex-partner distributes the photos out of revenge.' He said in the case of deepfake videos, the editor 'could potentially be the artificial intelligence.' Professor Kirchengast said the link between human conduct, individuals and final distribution of the video were broken. On that score, it could become difficult knowing who to hold accountable. 'If the creator or requester of the deepfake knows of the AI and deploys it, there's no problem identifying who is to blame. 'But if someone uploads the image online with no sexual intent and artificial took the image without their permission they could have a plausible excuse.' He pointed out the masterminds behind the artificial intelligence program might have created the technology with a completely different purpose in mind. One fake video of Scarlett Johansson (pictured) on a porn website has racked up more than 1.5 million views What's more, service providers would also be in for a hard time if the onus completely fell on their shoulders to police the material. Earlier this year, Google made a step forward in a bid to tamp down on non-consensual nudes of people. The search engine added 'involuntary synthetic pornographic imagery' to its ban list. Users can request Google to block results of false nudes or comprising situations of themselves. Professor Kirchengast said deepfake was still a 'nuanced technology' that was yet to unfold fully and become a problem in Australia. Though, he said he was sceptical that by the time it reached Australian shores, there would be adequate protections in place for unwitting victims. 'The law as an institution is complex. Technology is ahead of any policing or regulatory response, and even moral judgement. 'People don't quite understand how deepfake can be removed from human action.' Even removing images from the internet seemed like an unrealistic alternative to combat deepfake. 'It's becoming increasingly difficult to not have an online presence. We want to have lots of photos on social media. 'Even when you apply for a job, there are workplace websites that feature you performing your work. 'The solution is not for individual restraints.' While he said it might help to only upload images of yourself from a certain angle or limit the resolution of the photo, these drastic measures were not the solution. Professor Kirchengast looked to revenge porn and how a multi-faceted approach of protecting its victims had partly helped to rein in the problem. He noted the combination of self-help services, e-safety commissioners and even intervention programs had gone a long way. Even so, plenty more work was yet to be done. A terrified neighbour quickly dialled 000 after hearing wails from a man and a toddler screaming on her morning walk. The concerned resident told police she heard a man repeatedly screaming 'Why don't you die?' as she passed the home in Wanneroo, north of Perth, on Wednesday. Three police units were dispatched and surrounded the property at about 9am. However, as lights and sirens disturbed the suburban street outside, the scene inside the home was a lot more innocent. Scroll down for video Wanneroo police released the humorous Tweet (pictured) after they were called to a property after reports of screaming and a man yelling 'why don't you die' were heard from the neighbours Police stormed the property but were relieved to find a more innocent intruder. The father had only been screaming at a spider which had scuttled into their house during breakfast. The toddler's screams were because they were also afraid of the harmless critter. The mood quickly lightened as the news spread and the armed officers left the scene. Senior Sergeant Simon Hazell told Daily Mail Australia that the amount of units dispatched to the property were necessary due to the 'nature of the call'. 'Obviously it was the preferred outcome, ' he said. Unfortunately for the spider, it was pronounced dead at the scene with police choosing not to reveal cause of death. Master Sergeant Daniel J. Gould pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine in December after authorities found he tried to smuggle nearly 90 pounds of the drug from Colombia to US A decorated military veteran has confessed to attempting to smuggle more than a million dollars worth of cocaine in the U.S. Master Sergeant Daniel J. Gould was caught trying to bring in 88 pounds (40 kilograms) of cocaine from Colombia into via a military transport flight bound for Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. But Gould's plan was busted following a tip to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to ABC7. According to federal documents, the DEA in Bogota, Colombia's capital, found the shocking amount of cocaine stuffed inside punching bags. A Special Forces soldier was suspicious of the the bags and intercepted them. Then Colombian officials X-rayed them and found its contents. Court documents said that federal authorities seized the nearly 90 pounds of cocaine, which was purchased in Colombia. Gould had purchased 88 pounds (40 kilograms) of cocaine in Colombia with alleged intent to sell in the states He and two other corroborators were indicted for the trafficking plan. Gould pleaded guilty on two counts of conspiracy to traffic cocaine in December. Gould is from South Jordan, Utah, and was a part of the Army 7th Special Forces Group. He was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military honor, for his valor in the War on Terror during his deployment in Afghanistan in 2008. A sentencing date as been set for March after he allegedly confessed to the smuggling of narcotics. He faces sentences of 10 years to life in prison on each charge for the crime. The first count of the indictment alleges that from January 1, 2018, to August 13, 2018, Gould 'did knowingly and willfully combine, conspire, confederate and agree with other persons to distribute a controlled substance... containing a detectable amount of cocaine, intending, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that such a substance would be unlawfully imported into the United States', according to The Ledger. The second count is the same and adds he wanted to 'distribute and possess with intent to distribute' the cocaine. Gould's army group did have some locations in Colombia, but he had been on vacation and not military duty at the time of the cocaine bust. He was in the U.S. when his bags were intercepted. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency led the investigation into the alleged cocaine smuggling, with help from Florida and Colombian authorities. Utah Senator-elect Mitt Romney had some strong words for Donald Trump in a blistering op-ed published this week where he said 'the president has not risen to the mantle of the office'. The 71-year-old Republican, who was the GOP presidential nominee in 2012, revealed he's highly critical of Trump's two years in office. 'It is well known that Donald Trump was not my choice for the Republican presidential nomination. After he became the nominee, I hoped his campaign would refrain from resentment and name-calling. It did not,' he wrote in an op-ed piece for the Washington Post published Tuesday. 'When he won the election, I hoped he would rise to the occasion. His early appointments of Rex Tillerson, Jeff Sessions, Nikki Haley, Gary Cohn, H.R. McMaster, Kelly and Mattis were encouraging. But, on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office,' Romney added. Scroll down for video Utah Senator-elect Mitt Romney, 71, penned a harsh critique of Trump in the Washington Post on Tuesday and will be sworn into Congress on Thursday. He says he will speak out against Trump's hateful and derisive comments Romney said that policy is only part of the president's job. The nation's leader must also be honest, of integrity, and bring the nation together, which Romney says Trump has failed to do. He shared the above tweet with a link to the op-ed Tuesday He said that Trump's job in the White House and as the nation's leader is to 'demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity', something he has failed to do. 'With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring,' Romney wrote. He added that America's reputation as a global leader has also plummeted following Trump's presidency. 'Trumps words and actions have caused dismay around the world. In a 2016 Pew Research Center poll, 84 percent of people in Germany, Britain, France, Canada and Sweden believed the American president would "do the right thing in world affairs." One year later, that number had fallen to 16 percent,' he said. The former Massachusetts governor said Trump 'has not risen to the mantle of the office' and he intends to defy the president if he makes 'divisive, racist, and anti-immigrant' comments. Trump and Romney pictured together at the Trump Golf Club in New Jersey in 2016 He shared his opinion piece just two days before he'll be sworn in as Senator However, he noted that some of Trump's policy decisions during his time in office have been worthy of applause. He praised his corporate taxes, the end of excessive regulations, the crack down on China's international trade practices, his criminal justice reform, and the appointment of conservative judges - hot button issues that Republicans have rallied behind for years. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, will be sworn into the Senate on Thursday and says that he will speak out against Trump's wrongdoings while in office. He promised to counter Trump's statements that are divisive and combative. 'I will act as I would with any president, in or out of my party: I will support policies that I believe are in the best interest of the country and my state, and oppose those that are not,' he said. 'I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions,' he added. He added that he looks forward to his term as senator and working with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the rest of Congress. A three-year-old boy choked to death after eating 12 grapes at midnight to celebrate the New Year in the traditional Spanish way. Police rushed the youngster, whose family are migrants from Ecuador, to hospital in the resort city of Gijon, on the Bay of Biscay. Doctors tried unsuccessfully for an hour to revive him. Police rushed the youngster, whose family are migrants from Ecuador, to hospital in the resort city of Gijon, on the Bay of Biscay. Stock image Many Spaniards swallow 12 grapes with each stroke of the clock at midnight. The tradition is thought to bring good luck for the coming year. Families do not normally let children take part, because it is difficult for them to eat the grapes that quickly. Doctors have previously said grapes could be a choking hazard because their shape smooth texture meant they easily blocked airways and were difficult to dislodge. They recommend cutting them up before feeding them to young children. Euromillions winner Jane Park posted a revealing New Year's Day snap to prove she kept her resolution from last year. Jane, who became Britain's youngest millionaire when she won the jackpot aged just 17, pledged to give up surgery for a year after a bum lift left her fearing for her life. And the 23-year-old decided to prove she had kept her promise by posting a picture of herself holding a bottle of champagne on Twitter wearing a skimpy purple swimsuit. She wrote alongside the snap: 'Last year I made a New Year's resolution to not have any surgery at all after I had a few scares in the past! Completed.' Scroll down for video The EuroMillions winner posted a snap on her Twitter account in which she showed the results of a year without surgery Jane claimed that she 'nearly died' after undergoing a Brazilian bum lift operation in Turkey Since winning 1m aged 17, Jane has splashed out 50k on cosmetic procedures including a Brazilian bum lift, new teeth and a boob job. However, she previously revealed how her bum lift surgery in 2017 at a clinic in Turkey left her fearing she may die as sepsis set in. The millionaire, from Edinburgh, travelled to Turkey last summer for the procedure but suffered a severe reaction to the anaesthetic, leaving her face and lips swollen. Ms Park spoke about her own bum lift hell after a British mother-of-three died after undergoing the same procedure in Turkey. Speaking on This Morning, Ms Park revealed that she underwent a bum lift in June 2017, but was left 'swollen from head to toe' and in 'constant pain'. 'It was horrible,' she said. 'I couldn't even open my eyes. It makes me sick thinking about it. Ms Park (pictured) became obsessed with getting the surgery done after seeing pictures of several celebrities on social media who had undergone the same procedure After the cosmetic procedure in Turkey, Jane was pictured with swollen face and limbs 'When I woke up I was very cold and sore and I was told 'you'll come round a bit' and when I did I got up to go to the toilet and I was truly swollen from head to toe. 'I thought I was going to die. I didn't know what was wrong with me and they said I'd had a reaction to the local anaesthetic. 'The aftercare wasn't good at all. I was crying and in pain. I was just told 'you've paid for having this done'.' A Brazilian bum lift uses fat transferred from other areas of the body, such as the love handles, hips or stomach, to provide patients with a fuller derriere. Clinics report the procedure, which costs between 6,500 and 10,000, has seen more than a 50 per cent increase compared to five years ago. Ms Park became obsessed with getting the surgery done after seeing pictures of several celebrities on social media who had undergone the same procedure. A woman and her 10-year-old daughter have been electrocuted on a rural cattle property while fixing a cable to a semi-trailer. Police said the pair was killed just after midday on New Year's Eve on a farm at Tumoulin, southwest of Cairns in far north Queensland on Monday. Both Juanita Bendel, 39, who ran a childcare centre at nearby Ravenshoe, and her 'cowgirl' daughter Ava Cole, 10, were pronounced dead at the scene in the state's tropical Tablelands region. Ava Collins, 10, (pictured) and her mother Juanita Bendel, 39, were electrocuted on a rural cattle property, possibly while fixing a cable to a semi-trailer Daily Mail Australia understands Ava attended the Catholic St Teresa's Primary School in Ravenshoe and was the eldest of three girls. The married mother lived with her husband Mitchell Cole on a cattle and horse property in Tumoulin. Ms Bendel's husband found the bodies and tried to give CPR to no avail. Police said he also received a 'sizable shock' as the area was still live. Ava's four-year-old sister Hannah suffered minor injuries from the electrified setup as she went outside to look for them. Their neighbour Mark Toohey, who was the first person to arrive at the scene of tragedy, was distraught at losing those next door to him. Ava was remembered for being a cowgirl, and poses as one with friends at the Brahman 50th anniversary Cairns Show He described the child who lost her life as 'an active little cowgirl'. 'The family's grieving, we're all grieving, I was on site,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday. 'The chances of this happening are so remote. That's what makes it especially tragic.' Local councillor Annette Haydon knew the family personally and was shocked by their sudden death. 'Juanita always had the biggest smile on her face. She was always happy to talk to you,' she told the Courier Mail. 'These are terrible circumstances.' A woman and her 10-year-old daughter have been electrocuted on a rural cattle property, possibly while fixing a cable to a semi-trailer (pictured is Tumoulin in far north Queensland) Superintendent Geoff Sheldon said it appeared the family had attached a cable from a fence to the bull bar of a semi-trailer to 'stop horses straying into the shed'. A battery charger was then attached to the truck to charge it up, which inadvertently made the whole set up electrified. 'Mother and daughter were out picking vegetables and later touched the wire and have been electrocuted,' he said. 'This struck at the heart of the community. Everyone knew them and came to help at a time of crisis and have all been horrendously affected.' Workplace Health and Safety is investigating the incident and police are preparing a report for the Coroner. Boys and girls in year three will be encouraged to explore different gender roles in class and wear ethnic clothing as part of a controversial new program. The fresh syllabus, which has the backing of the McGowan Government in Western Australia, will be introduced to a handful of Perth schools from term one in February. Students will be provided with a range of dress ups and toys and will also learn about different kinds of ethnic dress such as burkas, traditionally worn by women of Islamic faith. Kids in year three are poised to learn all about different kind of ethnic dress, including burkas, traditionally worn by women of Islamic faith (stock image) The primary aim of the course, previously introduced to over a dozen Victorian schools in 2018, is to break down gender stereotypes. Up to 10 schools in Western Australia will take part in the $1million Respect Relationships program. Peter Abetz, from the Australian Christian Lobby, expressed his concerns on 9News Perth. 'It will indoctrinate children with the idea that they than choose to be a boy or a girl,' he said. 'Why do boys need to get dressed up in girls clothing? Let's get real about education.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison is also a vocal critic. Boys and girls in year three will learn about differing gender roles as well as wear ethnic clothing such as burkas in the classroom (stock image) Boys and girls in year three will explore different gender roles and also wear ethnic clothing as part of a new program being introduced to select Australian schools (stock image) Speaking on breakfast radio with veteran broadcaster Alan Jones in Sydney, Mr Morrison said he didn't 'want the values of others being imposed on my children' before adding 'it shouldn't happen at a public or private school.' Simone McGurk, the Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, happily supports the program. 'By introducing respectful relationships in schools, we can continue to implement cultural changes in attitudes towards family and domestic violence,' she said. 'Early interventions can be critical.' A spokesperson from the Western Australia Department of Education wouldn't confirm or deny whether 'dressing up' will be part of the 2019 gender education program, stating the 'curriculum is still being developed.' A man who had two of his toes chopped off in a horrific accident when a rusty train fell on him at a remote beach has warned that others may suffer the same fate. Shane Colombus, 29, lost two toes on his right foot when he was injured at a beach in Oaro, south of Kaikoura on New Zealand's North Island in October 2016. He was walking along boulders at the edge of the beach when he tried to steady himself on a rusted-out train which forms part of the sea wall. 'It basically just collapsed and fell on me. I just managed to push it off my chest and pull my leg out but my right foot got trapped and it chopped my toes off,' he told Stuff. The rusted metal sliced one of Mr Colombus's toes clean off, and damaged another beyond repair. A man who had two of his toes chopped off in a horrific accident when a rusty train fell on him at a remote beach has warned others may suffer the same fate Shane Colombus (pictured), 29, lost two toes on his right foot when he was inured at a beach in Oaro, south of Kaikoura on New Zealand's North Island in October 2016 He managed to free his foot after a struggle and crawled back towards the road. He passed out three times and became confused, eventually following his own blood trail back towards the train. Mr Colombus was eventually flown to Christchurch Hospital where he lay in a coma for 24 hours. Three surgeries were required to repair his damaged ligaments, tendons and blood vessels. He had three metal rods inserted into his toes and spend 14 months in bed. Mr Colombus said he still has numbness and scarring on his foot after the accident. 'I feel cheated out of my last two years. I lost my job, I've missed out on working my way up through positions [at work] and had to learnt to walk again. My life is on pause and I'm 29,' he said. The rusted metal sliced one of Mr Colombus's toes clean off, and damaged another beyond repair He previously worked as a heavy plant operator and a diver and was often active before losing his toes. His career has suffered as he is unable to get work-related driver's licences due to a lack of two good feet. He said the train should be removed from the beach or fenced off to prevent others from experiencing similar setbacks. Kiwirail acting chief operations officer Henare Clarke said they were not responsible for Mr Colombus's injuries. 'Access to the rail corridor is restricted, and Mr Colombus would have required specific permission to have entered it... In our view, the decision to climb on [the train] was unwise and the result was forseeable by a reasonable person,' Mr Clarke said. Sounding like the presidential candidate he insists he is not, New York Gov Andrew Cuomo unleashed an energetic attack against President Donald Trump's policies Tuesday, pledging New York will lead the nation forward with the most progressive agenda in state history. The Democrat began 2019 and his third term with the inaugural address on Ellis Island, saying 'America's only threat is from within'. Cuomo said that within the first 100 days of his new term, he will propose 'the most progressive agenda this state has ever seen, period.' 'We will make history, and New York will move forward, not by building a wall, my friends, but by building new bridges, and building new airports and creating new middle class jobs and an economic future for the next generation and showing how good we can be at all of this when we are together,' he said, apparently referencing the political fight over a wall on the Mexican border. Cuomo said the country was facing a great 'social depression.' 'People's frustration's turning to fear and the fear's turning to anger and the anger's turning to division. It is impossible to overstate how dangerous, how malignant this condition is,' he said. 'The threat is when we see ourselves as black or white, foreign or native born, instead of as Americans. As Christians or Jews or Muslims, gay or straight, instead of as Americans. That, my friends, is truly frightening.' New York Gov Andrew Cuomo slammed the federal government for dividing Americans and vowed that the state would lead the country with its progressive agenda during his third inaugural address on Ellis Island on Tuesday night (pictured) He faulted the federal government, saying politicians had exploited the fear and frustration that many Americans feel to deepen divisions 'for their own political purpose.' He said some of the nation's leaders had demonized diversity to 'make our differences our greatest weakness instead of our greatest strength'. He made clear that he chose to deliver the nearly 30-minute speech from a famous landmark linked to immigration that remains open, along with the nearby Statue of Liberty, despite a partial federal government shutdown because of money supplied by the state. 'The federal government may shut itself down, but it will never extinguish the Statue of Liberty's torch,' he said. 'They will never close our harbor. They will never close our hearts. They will never close this hall of dreamers.' Cuomo raises his right hand as he takes the oath of office for the third time on Tuesday night The New York Democrat gets a kiss from his mother Matilda Cuomo after taking the oath Ellis Island was the nation's busiest immigration station for decades, welcoming millions of immigrants from around the world. Cuomo has called it an 'enduring symbol' of America's core values of hope and opportunity. He highlighted the immigrant roots of many prominent Americans, including Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. With the battle over immigration policy raging nationwide, the speech's location is likely to encourage speculation that Cuomo may run for president, though the 61-year-old has said he has ruled out the idea. He became emotional as he recalled that his father - a former New York governor who also rejected those who urged him to run for president - died on inauguration day four years earlier, but he said he knows that Mario Cuomo's 'spirit lives.' 'I can hear his voice, and I can imagine his pain and anger if he could see his beloved country today,' the son said. 'He would say: "This is an outrage. This is un-American. It violates everything we fought for. It violates everything we believe in." And he would implore us all, each and every one, to stand against the tide, to fight back, and that New York should lead by example, by the power of our example, and lift up New York to show the nation the way forward,' Cuomo said. Cuomo won re-election last fall. He has listed legalizing recreational marijuana, codifying abortion rights and fixing New York City's subways as three priorities for the new year. The rich aunt of Syria's ruthless dictator was secretly given permission to live in the UK after promising to spend millions while in the country. Her two adult sons, cousins of Bashar al-Assad, were also granted the right to live in the UK around the same time, The Daily Telegraph reported. The woman, 63, and her two sons are the fourth wife and children of Rifaat al-Assad. He is also known as the 'Butcher of Hama' after heading an elite force that massacred up to 40,000 Syrians in 1982. Rifaat, 80, is the uncle of Bashar al-Assad. He fled Syria for Europe two years later after mounting a failed coup against his brother Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father. After fleeing, he bought hundreds of properties in France, Spain and the UK. But his assets were seized after a four-year probe into his vast array of properties and he now faces corruption charges in France, according to reports. Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's wealthy 63-year-old aunt has moved to the UK after pledging to spend millions while living in the country Two years ago, Rifaat was investigated for corruption and money-laundering, with French authorities suspecting his vast real estate empire was built with illicitly secured cash. He alone accounts for 80per cent of assets seized by French customs authorities in 2017. He owns a 10million Georgian mansion near Park Lane, central London, and well as houses in France and Spain. The Home Office decision to grant his fourth wife indefinite leave to remain in the UK was made in 2012, the height of the Syrian civil war. Her two sons, now aged 22 and 37, were joined in the country by another son of Rifaat - from a different mother - in 2014. Rifaat has four wives and is believed to still be married to all of them. The case is revealed in a 37-page court ruling by the Home Office's Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC). The commission's rules state the woman and her children cannot be named. She is the fourth wife of the dictator's uncle Rifaat al-Assad and her two sons have also been allowed to live in the UK. He is also known as the 'Butcher of Hama' after heading an elite force that slaughtered up to 40,000 Syrians in 1982. The family had lodged an appeal after being denied British citizenship. However the court rejected their claim, citing it 'would have an adverse impact on the UK's international relations'. The judgment states the woman, nicknamed 'LA' in the document, first came to the UK in 2006 and was given 'entry clearance as an investor'. She claimed to be 'investing in bonds, hedge funds etc' and one of her sons was educated at a leading London public school. Syria's conflict had escalated to a full-blown civil war by 2012, with President Assad bombing the city of Aleppo - earning him censure from the United Nations. The Home Office told the wife when turning down her citizenship application the UK has a vital role at the UN in 'securing resolutions that condemn regime activity against civilians'. The SIAC ruling states: 'You are the wife of Rifaat al-Assad the uncle of President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria. 'Although widely reported as estranged from Bashar Al-Assad, Rifaat is the brother of Hafez Al-Assad (the late former president of Syria). Rifaat was a well-known and prominent member of his brother's regime during the 1970s and 1980s - a regime that is widely held to have committed crimes against humanity. 'Although it is not possible to assess the exact nature of your current relationship with Bashar Al-Assad and the Syrian regime, it is noted that the regime has become inextricably linked over the last few decades with the extended Assad family.' 'In light of the above the Home Secretary has determined that to grant you a certificate of naturalisation would have an adverse impact on the UK's international relations and therefore it would not be in the public interest to grant you British Citizenship.' Rifaat was the head of Syria's Defense Companies paramilitary force in the 1970s and 80s. He oversaw the quashing of a Sunni insurrection in the city of Hama that earned him his 'Butcher' nickname, killing between 10,000 and 40,000 people. He was officially Syria's vice president until 1998, 14 years after he escaped the country after failing to overthrow his brother. Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is pictured shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) who has helped to keep him in power He was considered even more brutal than his brother, ruthless keeping his Hafez on the throne from 1971. The organisation Human Rights Watch reported Rifaat was responsible for murdering more than 1,000 prisoners in Tadmur prison in 1980. An armed man was shot and killed by security guards at a Las Vegas-area casino in what was rumored to be an active shooter situation on Tuesday afternoon. The man, whose name has not yet been released, was walking through the Green Valley Ranch resort in Henderson, Nevada, around 3.40pm when people told security that he was carrying a handgun, police told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Three security guards confronted the man, and he drew his weapon, police said. Two of the guards shot the man, police said. He received medical care at the casino but later died. No one else was injured in the incident. Henderson Police Department Lt Kirk Moore says he does not know if the man shot his weapon or how many shots were fired. An armed man was shot and killed in an altercation with security guards at Green Valley Ranch casino outside Las Vegas on Tuesday afternoon, police have confirmed Video courtesy KTNV The casino was immediately evacuated after the gunfire was reported. Some witnesses on Twitter claimed to have heard six shots. A heavy police presence stayed on the scene for hours after the incident, which was initially reported as an active shooter situation. One person who was at the casino wrote on Twitter: 'Standing outside at the Green Valley Ranch for a pool convention and we have all been evacuated due to some sort of active shooter inside . Just got some hot chocolate at the ice rink and security wizzes by us' BREAKING NEWS: Police surrounding Green Valley Ranch Casino in Henderson. Entrances blocked off and people are being rushed out after witnesses say someon heard 6-gunshots. We saw 12 police cars fly by us as well as Ambulance & Fire Trucks. Working to get more details. @News3LV pic.twitter.com/Ormm2jkcZ1 Gabby Hart (@GabbyNews3LV) January 2, 2019 Witnesses reported hearing some six gunshots go off in the casino around 3.30pm local time Local news station vans are seen outside the resort after the shooting took place on Tuesday Expensive manuka honey may have lost its healing powers before customers even get it home, a scientist has warned. The honey, known as liquid gold because it costs up to 100 per jar, is sought after for antibacterial properties that come from its naturally-occurring bug-fighting chemical. But this chemical can be destroyed by prolonged exposure to heat such as during shipping or even sitting in shop windows according to Professor Merilyn Manley-Harris. The honey chemist, of Waikato University, New Zealand, warned some manuka honey sold in the UK may be wrongly labelled as stronger than it really is because it has been damaged by heat. Expensive manuka honey may have lost its healing powers before customers even get it home Professor Manley-Harris said that people should buy manuka honey (pictured above) which has been stored in a cool place Popular with celebrities, manuka honey is made from the nectar of the native New Zealand manuka bush. The honey contains the chemical methylglyoxal (MGO) which has antibacterial properties. Jars carry a label detailing the honeys strength or how much of this chemical it contains. But research suggests around half of honey sold as manuka may not be genuine, and some contains less MGO than stated on the label. Manuka honey is tested for strength before it leaves New Zealand, but Professor Manley-Harris said: Its a minimum of four to six weeks to ship, the containers are not refrigerated and the inside of a hull can get quite hot. Once its in the UK, the way honey is handled in the shop could also affect it. The damage is caused because heat speeds up the rate at which MGO naturally diminishes. She added: If youre buying honey that has been shipped, buy one which has also been tested when it arrives. Dont buy the jar sitting in the window. Get one thats been sitting in the cool. Home Secretary Sajid Javid is coming under increasing political pressure to get a grip on the recent surge in migrant boats crossing the English Channel. As ever-greater numbers of people mostly Iranian reach our shores, the public want action to protect the integrity of our borders. But so far the response from Mr Javid has not appeared particularly impressive. He was keen to convey that he'd taken personal charge of the crisis when he was actually 6,000 miles away on holiday in South Africa. Moreover, despite his declaration of a 'major incident' in the Channel, he reportedly turned down an offer of assistance from the Royal Navy, which had 1,000 personnel on standby, as well as helicopters and a Type 23 frigate. He then is said to have warned that the use of more Border Force patrols might actually worsen the problem by feeding the belief that Britain provides a quasi-ferry service for migrant boats. The British Home Office announced that Border Force cutters working abroad will be brought back to Britain On his return from his safari holiday, he executed a sudden U-turn by ordering two Border Force cutters to return to home waters from the Mediterranean, where they have been helping with European anti-trafficking operations. Yet, as a former police officer who spent much of my career in border enforcement, I have to say that I feel a large degree of sympathy for the Home Secretary. It would be profoundly unfair to heap all the blame on him for the present mess. The reality is that Sajid Javid inherited a toxic legacy when he took over the Home Office last summer because the Border Force simply does not have the capacity to do its job properly. Sajid Javid (pictured above) is coming under increasing political pressure to get a grip on the recent surge in migrant boats crossing the English Channel Security is set to be increased at the Channel crossing (above) after an increase in migrants attempting to cross That is glaringly obvious when it comes to our territorial waters, where the Force has a total of just five cutters to cover 7,723 miles of coastline, whereas Italy has around 600 patrol boats to combat migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean. The situation is even more stark in the English Channel, one of the world's busiest shipping routes, where just one cutter has been operating recently and even that has reportedly been in dock in Ramsgate since Saturday. It is little wonder that people smugglers and organised crime networks sense they have little to fear from the grossly overstretched British agencies. Every new picture of a boatload of migrants being ushered ashore in Kent reinforces the impression that Britain is a soft touch. An immigration free-for-all cannot be allowed to develop further, especially not in the Channel. For a start, further impotence on the part of the authorities would dramatically escalate the crisis, making a humanitarian tragedy inevitable. Indeed, without a crackdown, the traffickers would spread their theatre of operations beyond the Kent coast, using bigger vessels to reach Sussex, Hampshire, East Anglia and even Lincolnshire. So, robust action is needed. In practice, that means beefing up the Border Force through more patrol boats, more staff and more resources to tackle the organised gangs. This year 539 migrants have attempted to travel to Britain on small boats via Dover (above) An increase in the number of UK law enforcement vessels could lead to the adoption of a vigorous, maritime 'stop, board and search' policy in our territorial waters and even further afield, if there were agreements with other countries like France and Belgium. To be fair, the Home Office has made some recent effort in this direction with the acquisition of six new coastal patrol vessels, which are smaller than cutters and cannot operate on the high seas, but will nevertheless be useful for interception around our shores. The Home Office is also examining the purchase of maritime radars and drones, though these will need high degrees of expertise if they are to be used efficiently. But any increase in the Border Force's capability will achieve nothing without a radical change in strategy. At present, the enforcement patrols along with Royal National Lifeboat Institution vessels which have also been deployed tend to pick up the migrants from their boats, then bring them back to England. Far from acting as a kind of deterrent, this approach is actually an incentive for more illegal migration because the British appear to be acting as a 'taxi service'. What needs to happen is for the British Government to negotiate deals with our European partners for the rescued migrants to be returned to the Continent instead of being ferried to our shores. There is nothing remotely cruel about such a policy. After all, our nearest coastal neighbours are liberal, democratic countries and, under the Dublin Convention, asylum seekers are required to make their claims in the first safe countries they reach. In any case, it is in the interest of such nations to clamp down on the trafficking gangs rather than allowing them to act with impunity. It is too simplistic to argue that our Navy should act unilaterally to take these migrants straight back to the Continent. That would be wholly impractical and a major breach of international law. Britain would not tolerate French military ships sailing into our southern ports to leave groups of illegal migrants on the quayside. But with more imagination, flexibility, resources and sheer willpower, along with an international accord, our Government can overcome the current problem in the Channel before it spirals out of control. Firefighters experienced an unusual rescue after being called to a home and finding a teenager's finger stuck in a toilet roll holder. Metropolitan Fire Brigade and paramedics were called to a home in Pascoe Avenue, Croydon in Melbourne after 12.30pm on Wednesday. There they found the boy with his finger stuck in a metal hole in the toilet roll holder. There they found the boy with his finger stuck in a metal hole in the toilet roll holder (stock) Firefighters were required to use an angle grinder to release the boy's finger from the toilet roll. Emergency crews were unaware of how his finger got stuck. With three months until Britain leaves the European Union, Theresa May is fighting the battle of her life as she tries to force her withdrawal plan through Parliament. Next week, MPs will reassemble at Westminster and the following week, they will vote on the Prime Ministers Brexit deal. If they vote it down, Britain will be plunged into the greatest constitutional crisis in more than 100 years. Mrs May might even resign and a new prime minister take over. The stakes could not be higher. U.S. ambassador to Britain, billionaire Robert Wood Woody Johnson informed interviewer Nick Robinson that Britain was in need of leadership over Brexit Into this national crisis of epic proportions has just waded the clodhopping U.S. ambassador to Britain, billionaire Robert Wood Woody Johnson. On Monday, Mr Johnson foolishly chose to go on BBC Radio 4 and trash Theresa Mays premiership. He informed interviewer Nick Robinson that Britain was in need of leadership over Brexit. Lethal words coming from a senior representative of Britains closest ally and strategic partner with whom we have enjoyed a so-called special relationship since the end of World War II. This brutal attack by Donald Trumps top man in London threatens to seriously destabilise Theresa May on the eve of the Commons vote that will determine her and Britains future. All the more so since he held out the carrot of a quick, very massive bilateral trade deal . . . if Mrs Mays withdrawal agreement collapses. U.S. President Donald Trump waves next to U.S. Ambassador to U.K. Woody Johnson as he leaves the latter's residence in London Notorious Furthermore, Mr Johnsons intervention smashes all diplomatic protocol, and marks a grotesque abuse of his privileged position as U.S. ambassador to the Court of St Jamess. The first rule of diplomacy is that an ambassador should never interfere with domestic politics. Least of all should he undermine the position of the elected leader of the country where he resides, in effect as an invited guest. By implication, Mr Johnson has lumped Theresa May with all the losers whom his boss, President Trump, loves to mock in his notorious Twitter account. There is no defence of Mr Johnsons conduct. And no explanation, except ignorance and a profound lack of judgement. Mr Johnson, like so many modern American ambassadors, has no background in diplomacy. This must explain why he has no idea how diplomacy works, and no conception of his duties and responsibilities. Theresa May is fighting the battle of her life as she tries to force her withdrawal plan through Parliament Indeed, he effectively purchased his hugely important and privileged position as ambassador in Britain by fundraising for the Republican Party. Having first acted as finance chief on Jeb Bushs doomed campaign to win the Republican nomination in 2016, he switched horses late in the day to become a major fundraiser for Trump in the final stages of his presidential run. The switch paid off, and now we in Britain are blessed with the fruits of this cynical act of naked cronyism. But then, Trump is notorious for appointing like-minded camp-followers such as Johnson to important ambassadorial jobs. Take Lana Marks, the Presidents nomination to be U.S. ambassador to South Africa. She is a luxury handbag designer favoured by A-list celebrities. In common with an embarrassing number of Trumps ambassadorial picks, Miss Marks is a member of Trumps exclusive Mar-a-Lago private members resort in Florida, which has a $200,000 initiation fee. Her daughter got married there and features on the company website. Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Robin Bernstein, is another Mar-a-Lago member, as well as a considerable donor to Trumps presidential campaign. Everything has its price in the squalid, amoral world of Donald Trump. And, in December, Trumps administration put forward as Americas ambassador to the United Nations one Heather Nauert, a former Fox News television anchor with precious little hands-on experience of international diplomacy. Ambassador Woody Johnson is just one lucky beneficiary of Trumps largesse to his pals Ambassador Woody Johnson is just one lucky beneficiary of Trumps largesse to his pals, even if the rest of us are losers. In truth, his appointment is another very troubling sign of the betrayal in recent years of the best U.S. political traditions. Some of the greatest men in American history including five future presidents served as U.S. ambassador to London. Woody Johnson cannot be classed in their company. This scion of the industrial company Johnson & Johnson famous for making Band-Aid sticking plasters and shampoo is not even second-division. Outcry Twelve years ago, his business dealings came under the microscope when questions were asked about his investment firms involvement in tax avoidance schemes. Johnson said he had done nothing illegal, and had relied on advisers who told him such conduct was lawful. However, he settled with the U.S. tax authorities, paying 100 pc of the outstanding taxes and interest. In Britain, such a record could have debarred Johnson from further involvement in public life. And the appointment of a character such as this to become British ambassador in Washington would have been greeted with a national outcry. But then, its quite impossible to imagine Sir Kim Darroch, our man in Washington, taking to the U.S. airwaves to denounce Trump in the way Woody Johnson did with Mrs May on New Years Eve. Of course, Sir Kim would have had plenty of targets had he decided to pass judgement on the present incumbent of the White House. Robert Muellers investigation into claims that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia before the 2016 presidential election could lead to the impeachment of the U.S. President He might shine a light on the deeply unjust treatment of black people and Muslims in Trumps America. Or on the progress of Robert Muellers investigation into claims that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia before the 2016 presidential election, which may this year lead to the impeachment of the U.S. President. Squirming He could ask why few senior members of the Trump administration seem able to hang on to their jobs for more than a matter of months before resigning in disgrace or quitting because they cannot work with the petulant President. Above all, he could question the culture of cronyism which has enabled a political fund-raiser with no background in diplomacy to be appointed ambassador to Great Britain. I should point out that Mr Johnson did say that Britains future was extremely positive, extremely bright. But that does not excuse his slur on the Prime Minister. Professional diplomats would have been squirming with embarrassment listening to his inept intervention in British politics, not least because they know Donald Trump only really knows and likes one British politician Nigel Farage, the former leader of UKIP. I cant say for certain, but to me, it looks very much as if Trump gets his understanding of British politics from his friend Farage and then passes on his wisdom to Woody Johnson. So when Trumps crony Johnson turned up on the Today programme, he was really giving BBC listeners the world view of Farage. The fact is that Johnson is out of his depth. Like his master, Donald Trump, he is becoming a national embarrassment to the U.S. If the President wont rein him in and Im not holding my breath Britains Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt should haul this billionaire buffoon into the Foreign Office and read him the riot act. And if he continues to make political attacks on the Prime Minister, we should encourage him to take the next plane home. An award-winning porn director has been suspended after adult-film star Lily Adams (pictured) accused him of sexual assault in a string of graphic tweets on Sunday An award-winning porn director has been suspended after adult-film star Lily Adams accused him of sexual assault on Twitter. Gamma Films Group announced the suspension of contract director 'Stills by Alan' in a statement on Monday. The company, which is best known for its high-end lesbian porn site GirlsWay.com, has opened an internal investigation into the allegations made by 22-year-old Adams in a jarring Twitter thread over the weekend. 'Okay yall, bear with me bc this is really painful to talk about and my hands are literally shaking as I type this because Im so nervous of the backlash,' she wrote in the first of several tweets. 'But f*** it, here it goes. I'm not gonna sit back and let people like this continue to hurt other girls as they did me. 'About 2 years ago @Stillsbyalan asked me to come over for coffee and a "go-see" since I had never shot for Girlsway before. I was new to the industry and he invited me to his house, but I was too naive then to realize that is a major red flag. Go-sees are NEVER done like that. 'Anyways, we had coffee then he took me up to this "princess room" and told me to get undressed. Again, I thought this was typical go-see procedure. 'But then he stuck his d*** inside of me, and Ill admit I did consent to that. I mean, I never said yes but did not say no either?' Adams goes on to describe in graphic detail how Alan allegedly anally penetrated her without her permission. She claims that when she asked him to stop because it was too painful, the director said 'something along the lines of "Im old enough to be your father, you do as I say". 'So, completely traumatized, I laid there crying into the pillow while he continued to force his way into my a**, harder and harder each time. Not even caring about my pain. Gamma Films Group announced the suspension of contracted director 'Stills by Alan' (pictured) in a statement on Monday. Adams claims that he anally penetrated her without her consent during a casting session two years ago Adams continued: 'Afterwards, I was so shocked and scared and confused, Ill admit I did sit at his house for a minute, I was still trying to fathom what happened. But then when I left I realized & broke down in my car on the way home. I cried about it for months. 'Anyways, that was like two years ago. I never spoke up. I never told a soul. I just wanted to move on. But not too long ago I got this anonymous, encrypted email and I believe it completely speaks for itself, as I NEVER told anybody about what happened between us that night. The email source, who appears to work at Gamma Films, claimed to have heard about what 'stillsbyAlan did to you' and said that 'many other girls' had complained about him before but were 'silenced' by Bree Mills, Gamma's head of production. The writer also said that Mills had been mocking Adams behind her back. Adams didn't tell anyone about the alleged rape for two years after it happened. She finally shared the story after receiving an anonymous encrypted email from a person who claimed to know about 'what Alan did to her' and said 'many other girls' had similar experiences The anonymous email Adams shared on Twitter is seen in full above In the following tweet, Adams wrote: 'I then confronted Bree about it and she denied it all to be some crazy fan trying to ruin her business, which is ridiculous because absolutely nobody knew what happened that night except Alan and me. (Unless HE told others). 'But to see that, to read that, I know whoever sent that is telling the truth. All those details are far too true to simply be made up by some "crazy fan". 'But to make jokes about the trauma that happened to me, ON SET WHERE OTHERS CAN HEAR, is the ultimate low. When I got that email I completely broke down and seriously considered ending my life. Especially when Bree brushed it off to be nothing. 'But yeah, Im crying right now and am too emotional to type much more. I just think its time somebody spoke up, because Ive heard that MANY other girls have had this issue with him, theyve told me personally. But of course none speak up bc they fear getting blacklisted. 'But f*** getting blacklisted. F*** an industry that protects rapists and nominates them to be "best director' etc..to see that makes me sick to my stomach. To see that makes me relive the pain. To see that makes me want to die. 'Seeing people like that being praised while I get PUNISHED for speaking the truth and RIDICULED for being raped, I will never understand.' Adams said she confronted Gamma Films Head of Production Bree Mills (above) but the executive brushed the allegations aside Mills (second from left) and Alan (second from right) pose with adult stars Shawna Mills, Piper Perri and Alexis Fawx (front row left to right) at the 2018 AVN Adult Expo last January Gamma Films President Karl Bernard responded to the allegations in the statement Monday, writing: 'In regards to recent comments concerning one of our contracted directors, Gamma Films Group Inc. is proactively encouraging, supporting and cooperating with the individuals involved to report their statements to the appropriate authorities to ensure that there will be a thorough legal investigation. 'As a company, Gamma Films Group Inc. takes these comments very seriously. We care tremendously about the adult industry and the safety and well-being of everyone in it. We will also be opening an internal investigation and, until further notice, have suspended all Gamma Films productions through Stills by Alan and SBA Creative Concepts.' Both Mills and Alan have pinned the statement to the top of their Twitter profiles. Alan has been nominated for 'Director of the Year' at prestigious Adult Video News Awards for three years running. A California police chief has been accused of racism and anti-Semitism by dozens of department workers, launching an ugly and very expensive lawsuit. The city of Beverly Hills agreed to pay a whopping $2.3million to settle a lawsuit against Chief Sandra Spagnoli, who has been featured in Vogue Magazine for her good work, for her anti-Semitic and offense remarks. The lawsuit was launched by Captain Mark Rosen, who is Jewish, and accused Spanoli of harassment and workplace misconduct. He claims that he was denied promotions on account of his religion. And he's not the only one to make such accusations. In the last two years, at least 21 current and former employees filed lawsuits or employment complaints against Chief Spagnoli for making racist and anti-Semitic comments, denying workers promotions, and engaging in sexual affairs with subordinate officers, according to Los Angeles Times. The city of Beverly Hills paid Captain Mark Rosen, who is Jewish, a $2.3million settlement after he sued Police Chief Sandra Spagnoli for making anti-Semitic comments and refusing him promotions because he's Jewish on November 30 She was hired in 2016 and became the glittering face of the Beverly Hills Police Department receiving praise from the Mayor and was featured in Vogue (above) One filing said the number of complaints could rise to 30. As there are about 245 employees in the department, that would mean nearly 10 per cent of the department would have complained about Spagnoli. The settlement was announced on November 30 and Rosen spoke in a press conference afterwards saying he felt vindicated but worried for the department. He retired after the settlement. 'I am concerned for my coworkers I am leaving behind the officers and civilians alike who continue to be victimized,' he said. Chief Spagnoli was hired in 2016 and became the glittering face of the Beverly Hills Police Department. She was admired by the city's mayor and council members and was even praised in Vogue magazine. She described herself as a 'change agent' and was known for her aggressive reforms. However, she's landed in hot water for her comments. She's accused of referring to yarmulkes worn by observant Jews as 'funny little hats'. At least 21 current and former employees filed lawsuits or complaints against Chief Spagnoli for making racist and anti-Semitic comments, denying workers promotions, and engaging in sexual affairs with subordinate officers. Spagnoli pictured center Another account says asked if she had to 'dress Mexican' when she was invited to a meal at a Latino employee's home. Another accusation says she acted revolted when she was told that an employee was gay. Spagnoli has also been accused of having sex with subordinate officers in her department and later handed them promotions, according to court documents. She has denied the sexual allegations and said that she is 'not racist'. Spagnoli spoke publicly denying the allegations, calling them a 'smear campaign' by her unhappy employees who dislike her reforms, according to the LA Times. 'Im disappointed at some of the personal attacks against me, particularly because I can tell you I love this community. I love being a key factor in public safety and making a difference,' she said. 'For the most part, all of our employees are a tremendous asset to the city. It hasnt been easy running the department while under fire from different directions,' she added. Spagnoli denied the sexual allegations and has been defended by Mayor Julian Gold. Spagnoli pictured second right Beverly Hills Mayor Julian Gold also came to her defense. 'Sometimes people take offense at things that were not meant to be offensive. I have no idea, I could only speculate,' Gold said on her allegations. 'Of all the allegations, that is the one you really have to raise your eyebrow at. In the first place, we have 11 elected officials five on the school board, five on the City Council and the city treasurer. They are all Jewish. The notion she made anti-Semitic comments in that sort of environment does not make any sense,' he added. Beverly Hills announced the $2.3million settlement after the city's insurance company advised it, leading Rosen to retire that same day. 'I submit to you an insurance company isnt going to pay $2.3 million unless it believes we have demonstrated a very strong case,' attorney Brad Gage, who represents several people who have made claims against Spagnoli, said. The city's attorney office hired prominent PR specialist Michael Sitrick to help with the department as it's been embroiled in scandal following the lawsuits. Sitrick boasts high profile clients like Paris Hilton and Harvey Weinstein. Spagnoli is a veteran cop who previously served as the chief of the San Leandro and Benicia police departments in Northern California. She is still employed as the Police Chief despite the allegations and lawsuits, the Beverly Hills Police department confirmed to DailyMail.com. The City released a statement on December 3 following Rosen's settlement saying it was 'disappointed' by his statements and it was committed to improving the police department. 'Despite Mr. Rosens personal views and frustrations, the City is committed to maintaining the momentum of important change at the Beverly Hills Police Department,' the statement said. 'The Department has made excellent progress in implementing the changes suggested in a 2015 report by independent consultant, Management Partners. With increased staffing, improved overall morale and a more diverse workforce, the department is looking to the future,' it added. Frustrated millennials had to queue for more than an hour to get their hands on the new 26-30 Railcard today as the website struggled following the launch. The high demand mirrors the scenes online ten months when the discount cards sold out within hours after 10,000 were made available last March as part of a trial. The so-called 'millennial railcard' was made available for all 4.5million Britons aged 26-30 after the impact on revenue and passenger numbers was assessed. The so-called 'millennial railcard' was made available for all 4.5million Britons aged 26-30 Today, Laura Jackson tweeted: 'Waited over an hour in the queue for chance to buy a 26-30 railcard, website crashes and my 'time slot' to purchase times out and have to wait over an hour again! Sort it out.' Kieran Watkins added: 'Just over two hours later and I've managed to get my hands on the 26 - 30 'millennial' railcard... Now time to get back to eating all that avocado on toast.' And Ben Lolley said: 'I'm in a 56 minute online queue... What could possibly be worth waiting this long for? Gig tickets? Lastest tech? New game release? Nope... It's the #2630Railcard!' Meanwhile Rachel Pilcher added: 'Been in the queue for the 26-30 Railcard since 11.40am and still not through to purchase one, honestly more painful than buying any kind of festival/gig ticket.' Industry body the Rail Delivery Group had initially said the roll-out would take place before 2019, but the date was pushed back to coincide with the annual fare increase. The card must be downloaded on to a smartphone and is aimed at leisure travellers. It costs 30 each year and saves users a third off most fares. There are no discounts on season tickets and a 12 minimum fare applies to all journeys between 4.30am and 10am, excluding weekends and public holidays. It is the first nationwide railcard available for people travelling alone who are aged 26-59 and not disabled or in the armed forces. The 26-30 Railcard was initially piloted in East Anglia before the nationwide trial in March. Cardholders save an average of 125 a year, according to the RDG. TOP 5 HIGHEST RISES IN CASH TERMS JOURNEY 2010 2019 RISE % RISE Birmingham to London (Virgin) 8,028 10,900 2,872 36% Coventry to London (any permitted route) 7,096 9,636 2,540 36% Swindon to London 6,640 9,016 2,376 36% Stoke-on-Trent to Milton Keynes 5,320 7,552 2,232 42% Norwich to London 4,648 8,424 2,212 36% Season ticket data for 2010 from Avantix Traveller database. 2019 prices based on 3.2% increase on 2018 figures. Table first published in the Daily Mirror It comes after Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced a new railcard for those aged 16 and 17 in a bid to take the sting out of the backlash against fare increases. This will extend half-price child fares to up to 1.2million teenagers, saving hundreds of pounds a year for families. It will guarantee 50 per cent off most fares, including peak, off-peak, super off-peak and advanced tickets, as well as travelcards. The scheme will be launched in September to coincide with the new academic year. Some 4million people already hold a '16 to 25' discount railcard, and the two new railcards mean that everyone under 30 now qualifies for discounted rail travel. Ticket prices are rising by an average of 3.1 per cent from today, which will push up the cost of many season tickets by more than 100. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling (pictured today) also announced a new railcard for those aged 16 and 17 in a bid to take the sting out of the backlash against fare increases Fares have risen by 36 per cent since the Tories came to power in 2010 almost three times as quickly as wages, a report has found. Fare rises push intercity travel up to 1 a mile The latest rail fare rises have pushed the cost of intercity travel for some commuters above 1 a mile. The anytime standard class fare for the 24-mile journey between Swindon and Didcot Parkway rose today by 80p to 24.20, working out at 1.01 a mile. The Great Western Railway fare is the only choice for passengers buying a 'walk-up' ticket for the 17-minute journey between 6am and 9am. The Heathrow Express is still Britain's most expensive train at 1.70 a mile, according to research by travel expert Simon Calder in the Independent. But the 172-mile trip from Watford Junction to Stockport on Virgin Trains also now works out at 1.02 a mile after the fare rose by 7 to 175.50. Advertisement Analysis of more than 180 routes by Labour suggests that commuters are now paying 2,980 for their annual season ticket on average, up 786 from 2010. Labour MP Graham Stringer, a member of the Commons transport committee, said: 'This new railcard is essentially a gimmick to divert attention away from the Government's failure to run the railways effectively. 'There is no help here for commuters who have seen rail fares go up and the service get worse.' Darren Shirley, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, said: 'This is a positive move for a generation being priced off the railway. However, rail fares having gone up following a dismal year of delays, cancellations and overcrowding will leave commuters wondering what they are paying for. 'New railcards for some age groups is no substitute for the fundamental reform of rail fares that is needed for the benefit of all passengers.' The Government has resisted pressure from Labour and commuter groups to freeze fares. EVERY TRAIN FARE RISE IN BRITAIN OVER THE PAST DECADE 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 1.1% 6.2% 5.9% 3.9% 2.8% 2.2% 1.1% 2.3% 3.4% 3.1% Instead of alleviating the pressure on all passengers the Government has focused its efforts on making rail travel more affordable for younger people, including teenagers within two years of being able to vote. It marks an attempt to attract younger voters courted by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with the promise of a string of giveaways, including free university tuition, cancelling existing student debt and free bus travel for under-25s. The railcards will be funded by rail operators. But the RDG has insisted the schemes will not be subsidised by older passengers. It said the railcards will in fact be 'cost neutral' because they will encourage youngsters to travel by train more frequently. Bali-bound Australian passengers have had their holidays ruined after being turned away from flights because their passports are damaged. In an unexpected travel crackdown on tourists, Indonesian authorities are imposing heavier restrictions and fines on airlines that carry passengers with damaged passports. Passengers are being sent back home and airlines could face fines of $5,000 USD if holidaymakers are let through with crumpled pages, according to The West Australian. Scroll down for video Bali-bound Australian passengers have had their holidays ruined after being turned away from flights because their passports are damaged (stock image) A passenger, whose name was not disclosed, recounted an incident on Christmas Day when she and her partner weren't allowed to board a Batik Air flight at Perth Airport because her passport was damaged. She was told by Batik Air staff that a policy was being enforced in Denpasar, Bali, which prohibited passengers from flying if even 'the slightest imperfection' was found in their passport. The passenger was also told that the Indonesian airline had been previously fined and passengers had to be sent back to Perth, which led to tighter restrictions. 'They told me that in response that they had stopped 20 passengers with damaged passports from flying to Bali in the past month,' she told The West Australian. Some passengers scrambled to snap up flights with AirAsia after reports they were allowing people with damaged passports. But a statement from the airline suggested otherwise. Indonesian authorities are imposing heavier restrictions and fines on airlines that carry Bali-bound passengers with damaged passports 'Passengers are responsible for ensuring they have the correct documentation for travel and that there are no signs of damage, especially to the ID pages and biometric chip,' an AirAsia spokesman said. Passengers are also reminded to ensure their passport is in good condition before traveling. 'Serious damage to a passport could prevent a person from travelling overseas,' a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesman said. 'All Australian citizens must have a valid passport before leaving Australia and maintain a valid passport while overseas. Some countries will not let a person enter unless their passport is valid for six months from when they plan to leave that country'. DFAT has also reminded the public that maintaining a valid passport is essential, given that its validity may be questioned if the passport is not in good condition. Daily Mail Australia contacted Batik Air for comment. Furious mothers of children who have been left partially disabled and fully paralyzed by the polio-like illness of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) have blasted the CDC for failing to act - and say they warned the organization that 2018 was going to be the worst year yet. Several parents of children who were diagnosed with the illness up to four years ago have spoken to DailyMail.com and revealed their anger that more has not been done to educate doctors and stop the illness in its tracks. This year the number of cases reached its highest yet with 341 children taken ill across 39 states - 186 of those cases have so far been confirmed with investigations underway on the rest. That is a steady climb from the 35 confirmed in 2017, 149 in 2016, 22 in 2015 and 120 in 2014. The illness appears to surge every other year with every resurgence worst than the last. More than 17 countries have reported the odd AFM case, however, only the US has biannual surges and now experts are warning ahead for 2020. Parents of children with AFM met with the Deputy Director of the CDC, Dr. Anne Schuchat, along with other officials in Washington on Nov. 13, 2018, to discuss ways to improve reporting of AFM across the country Angie Andersons daughter McKenzie (pictured) was six when she fell ill with the sniffles just before Christmas in 2014 which turned out to be AFM McKenzie is pictured in her hospital bed. In past cases the disease has robbed children of the use of limbs but has also left many fully paralyzed and even in need of ventilators to breathe The disease has been likened to polio, which struck tens of thousands of children a year in the US before its vaccine was introduced in the 1950s. However, this virus is not thought to be responsible for the outbreaks. It may be caused by the EV-D68 virus, which is a distant relative of polio and coincided with many cases in 2014. CDC doctor Dr Ruth Lynfield calls EV-D68 'the leading hypothesis'. EV-A71, another polio relative, and rhinovirus are also suspects but no conclusions have been reached. In past cases it has robbed children of the use of limbs but has also left many fully paralyzed and even in need of ventilators to breathe. At least two children have died. Parents of those affected say many could have been saved in this year's outbreak if only the CDC had acted sooner to raise awareness of the condition. And worryingly they say their actions still arent good enough in the face of the outbreak which expects say will only be worse in the next expected wave of 2020. Heather Werdals son Hayden was stricken by AFM back in 2014 when he was just 13. Within nine days from getting a cold he was paralyzed. Now four years on he can speak and move his right arm slightly but that is all and he is considered a quadriplegic Hayden is pictured with friends during his stay in hospital. We think there are a lot more cases that the CDC admits to or have officially diagnosed. We have over 600 affected parents on our parents board,' Hayden's mom said Hayden's mom also says that little has been done to study past cases - limiting the ability of scientists to even begin to find a cure. Hayden is pictured above WHAT IS ACUTE FLACCID MYELITIS (AFM)? The term 'myelitis' means inflammation of the spinal cord. Transverse myelitis is the broad name of the disease, and there are various sub-types. It is a neurological disorder which inflames the spinal cord across its width ('transverse'), destroying the fatty substance that protects nerve cells. That can lead to paralysis. AFM is an unusual sub-type of transverse myelitis. Patients starts with the same spinal inflammation, but their symptoms are different and the disease develops differently. The main distinction is that AFM patients are weak and limp, while patients with general transverse myelitis tend to be rigid. Most AFM patients start to struggle with movement of the limbs, face, tongue, and eyes. They then begin to lose control of one limb or sometimes the whole body - though many maintain control of their sensory, bowel and bladder functions. Unlike transverse myelitis, which has been around for years, doctors are still in the dark about why and how AFM manifests itself. Advertisement Heather Werdals son Hayden was stricken by AFM back in 2014 when he was just 13. Within nine days from getting a cold he was paralyzed. Now four years on he can speak and move his right arm slightly but that is all and he is considered a quadriplegic. Up until this summer I dont think the CDC did anything, she said from her home in Bremerton, Washington. I dont think they took it seriously. They said, We were so caught off guard when it happened. Are you freaking kidding me? Us parents have been talking about it for years and by the time the first cases were reported this year, we knew we were facing a bad year thats what outraged us. We think there are a lot more cases that the CDC admits to or have officially diagnosed. We have over 600 affected parents on our parents board.' The parents want states to be forced to report cases and to have a protocol for handling those brought to the ER room displaying symptoms of the disease. They saw too few doctors are aware of the possibility of AFM - let alone actively on the lookout for it. Werdal also says that little has been done to study past cases - limiting the ability of scientists to even begin to find a cure. No one is following our children,' she said. 'How do you track a new disease and see what treatments work and recovery looks like when nobody is following our kids.' Hayden is pictured above with his family before he fell sick. Hayden's mom (right) says that little has been done to study past cases - limiting the ability of scientists to even begin to find a cure No one is following our children,' she said. 'How do you track a new disease and see what treatments work and recovery looks like when nobody is following our kids,' Hayden's mom said. Hayden is pictured in his hospital bed Angie Andersons daughter McKenzie was six when she fell ill with the sniffles just before Christmas in 2014. Within 12 days she was a quadriplegic completely paralyzed from the neck down with a machine to breathe for her. Her mother flagged the possibility of AFM in her first call to the pediatrics office but the doctor had never heard of it. She was told to stay home and monitor her daughter for what was likely a cold. Soon she lost control of all of her limbs and eventually her ability to breathe unaided. It has been so poorly handled, she told DailyMail.com from their home in Albany, Oregon. I have been so frustrated and maddened. I thought after all these kids getting sick someone would have paid attention. And It comes out of the blue so quick. But there was no information in the hospital - its just all this garbage about Ebola. They spend millions on all these other diseases but when its 120 kids they say its a drop in the bucket. 'Every other year it gets more and more serious. We kept telling people, '2018 is going to be a bad year', because every other year it gets worse and nobody listened. Nobody wanted anything to do with it. Within nine days from getting a cold Hayden (pictured) was paralyzed. Now four years on he can speak and move his right arm slightly but that is all and he is considered a quadriplegic 'One kid is too many and these numbers are getting higher every year. This disease is a monster.' In November, the CDC finally launched a task-force to look into the condition. It will bring together experts to discuss the CDC's response to the outbreak and will make regular reports on what is being done. Some parents were invited for a one-off meeting with the body - the first time the government body has officially met with them. 'I want to reaffirm to parents, patients, and our Nation CDCs commitment to this serious medical condition,' said CDC Director Robert Redfield, MD, in a press release. 'This Task Force will ensure that the full capacity of the scientific community is engaged and working together to provide important answers and solutions to actively detect, more effectively treat, and ultimately prevent AFM and its consequences.' Katie and JP Bustamantes son Alex, 6, died in May after falling ill with AFM in 2016. Katie reveals that doctors were so badly briefed about the illness that they were searching the internet for answers on AFM 'We had no idea what was happening and neither did the doctors,' Alex's mom Katie told Dailymail.com. Alex is pictured above Katie and JP Bustamantes son Alex, 6, died in May after falling ill with AFM in 2016. Katie reveals that doctors were so badly briefed about the illness that they were searching the internet for answers on AFM. Eventually the couple were the ones who ended up briefing medics from parent message boards about possibly ways to treat the condition. 'We had no idea what was happening and neither did the doctors,' Katie told Dailymail.com. 'They first suggested a stroke - but the tests did not support that. After a few days they had narrowed it down to AFM or Transverse Myelitis, neither of which we had heard of. It took over a week for them to determine that it was AFM. I think the PICU doctors were very puzzled and really had no idea what to do other than treat the symptoms. There was an intelligent, well rounded team of doctors, but there just wasn't any information available. They were searching on the internet for answers.' 'I think the PICU doctors were very puzzled and really had no idea what to do other than treat the symptoms. There was an intelligent, well rounded team of doctors, but there just wasn't any information available. They were searching on the internet for answers,' Alex's mom Katie said. Alex is pictured above 'I was shocked to know that it had been around for four years prior to Alex's diagnosis. When I tried to do my own research, there was nothing from the medical community available. Nothing. 'I believe that the CDC has finally jumped to attention. But it took the AFM families reaching out to the media to get there. 'After about four months we started to realize that we knew more about AFM than the doctors. Alex was training them,' Alex's mom Katie said. Alex is pictured above before he got sick 'Also, I think that we need more than just the CDC; there needs to be substantial research to find out what is causing AFM and how to treat and prevent it. Other groups need to be involved and I hope to see that happen. 'Once Alex told me he couldn't use his thumb, I called our hospital and we were on our way to emergency within the hour. I wish I had known about some of the acute phase treatments that were successful for other families. 'He may have had somewhat of a chance. You assume the ICU doctors know what they're doing. I wish I could have found the parents' Facebook group right away because frankly, that's where most of our treatment ideas were taken from, and then we would present them to our doctors and seek out the physicians that were aware of them. 'After about four months we started to realize that we knew more about AFM than the doctors. Alex was training them.' The couple are now part of the AFM Association Afmanow.org alongside Heather Werdal. DailyMail.com has reached out to the CDC for further comment. Post-Brexit Britain should use its power to defend democracy around the world, Jeremy Hunt will say today. The Foreign Secretary will insist the UK should not 'underestimate' its strength. 'We are not a superpower and we do not have an empire,' he will say in a speech in Singapore. 'But we do have the fifth-biggest economy in the world, the third-biggest overseas aid budget, the second-biggest military budget in Nato, one of the two biggest financial centres, the world's language, highly effective intelligence services and a world-class diplomatic network. 'We also have immense reserves of soft power, with three of the world's top ten universities, 450,000 international students, 39million visits by tourists in 2017, and a global audience for our media, especially the BBC, measured in the hundreds of millions.' Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will give a speech in Singapore today where he will say the UK should not underestimate its strength after Brexit. He is pictured in Myanmar before Christmas Mr Hunt will point to Britain's links with the Commonwealth, the United States and Europe, saying: 'Those connections are why Britain's post-Brexit role should be to act as an invisible chain linking together the democracies of the world ... who share our values and support our belief in free trade, the rule of law and open societies. 'We should begin by being realistic about our global position. That means not overestimating our strength but not underestimating it either.' Mr Hunt will highlight worrying figures showing that 71 countries saw reversals of political and civil liberties in 2017. He will sign a 'strategic partnership' with Singapore covering areas including defence and education. A Florida professor who killed his three-year-old daughter then himself in a gruesome murder-suicide case while in the middle of a bitter custody battle over the child with his estranged wife left a note which shed light on his state of mind. 'I cannot imagine a life for myself and Ela to go through this nonsense for the rest of our lives,' Ayhan Aytes wrote in the letter found by investigators. The note was found on December 10, when police were conducting a welfare check on Aytes and his three-year-old daughter, Ela, in the suburban Tampa home in Temple Terrace, Florida. Florida communications professor Ayhan Aytes, 48, (left) is suspected of killing his three-year-old daughter Ela then himself in a gruesome murder-suicide case. He was in the middle of a bitter custody battle over Ela with his estranged wife Laurel Friedman, 38 (right with Ela) When officers arrived at Aytes' first-floor condo, they found him hanging from a rafter on his back porch and his daughter laying dead in her bed, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The letter was a typed, seven-page note dated December 6. A police search warrant described the letter as discussing matters including 'separation, divorce and child custody matters between Laurel [Friedman] and Ayhan.' The welfare check was initiated after Friedman, 38, Ela's mother who was estranged from her husband, said she had not heard from them in days. Friedman said she was having custody problems with Aytes, 48 over Ela. The couple filed for divorce in January and decided to share custody of Ela, but Friedman grew increasingly worried he would take the child to his native country of Turkey after he failed to bring her back after his scheduled visits, according to her divorce filings. Their bodies were discovered in his Temple Terrace home (above) on Monday by police conducting a welfare check In September, a judge granted Friedman's request to bar Aytes from taking Ela to Turkey to visit his family. Aytes was a permanent resident of the United States who held a green card. The judge agreed with Friedman that Ela was at risk of abduction by her father, who denied that he planned to stay in Turkey permanently with his daughter. Aytes claimed that he simply wanted to take Ela to visit his mother. On December 5, Aytes was scheduled to bring Ela to school, but he never showed, prompting Friedman to file an emergency motion in court. Friedman's motion alleged that Aytes was beginning to show signs of decline in his mental health and that his behavior was becoming more erratic. Friedman then sent Aytes a text message saying it was her turn to spend time with their daughter. Aytes responded by warning Friedman not to 'push it too hard.' There was also an email exchange between lawyers for Friedman and Aytes according to which Aytes claimed that Ela was touched inappropriately by Friedman's 'paramour.' Aytes said he had spoken to a child protection investigator who would look into the matter. He decided that he would keep Ela 'until a decision is made regarding whether a dependency matter will be opened.' But an investigator from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office who looked into the abuse claims said that there was never any recommendation that Aytes not permit Friedman to see Ela. Friedman's emergency motion accused Aytes of fabricating the abuse claim. She asked the judge to force Aytes to allow her to see Ela immediately. But Hillsborough Circuit Judge Wesley Tibbals declined to issue an emergency pickup order. Instead, he issued a directive demanding Aytes abide by the terms of the initial parenting arrangement. On the next day, December 6, Friedman and Aytes spoke by telephone for the final time, according to police. Four days later, Friedman called police after not hearing from her husband for days. Officers conducted a welfare check at Aytes' condo at 11859 Skylake Place in Temple Terrace. It was there officers made the shocking discovery of the father dead along with his young daughter at 4.11pm. Aytes was found hanging from a rafter inside the screened patio just a few inches from the ground. He had a plastic bag over his head and a thin green rope around his neck, according to the search warrant. Aytes was dressed in a black suit and dress shoes. Just a few feet from his body was a table on which sat a framed photo showing himself and a young girl believed to be his daughter. Ela's lifeless body was found in a bedroom in the front of the home. She was wearing a pajama shirt and lying on her back in bed. The covers of the bed were pulled up close to her neck. The police report indicates that Ela's arms were extended and her hands were lying near her head with palms facing upward. The couple filed for divorce in January and decided to share custody of Ela, but Friedman grew increasingly worried Aytes would take the child to his native country of Turkey after he failed to bring her back after his scheduled visits, according to divorce filings Ela's had a small stuffed animal and a stuffed crescent moon near her left hand. In her right hand, she was holding a piece of paper that had unicorns drawn on it. The police document does not mention any signs of trauma on her body, though there were signs of decomposition. Inside the sliding glass door, police found the typed letter and a computer on a desk. The computer was turned on, according to police. It was showing Aytes' email inbox. The last email that was open in the inbox was dated December 6. It was sent by Blair Chan, Aytes' lawyer, according to police. Part of the email was visible to investigators. It read: 'Case Status - As a follow up to our call this morning. I encourage you to comply with Temporary order and exchange the child with mother today...' Police believe Aytes killed his daughter then took his own life. The cause of death will be determined by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiners Office. Tensions between Aytes and Friedman escalated in the weeks leading up to the suspected murder-suicide. When Aytes didn't return the little girl to Friedman after his scheduled visiting day, she filed an emergency motion in court asking a judge to issue an order to allow her to pick up the girl immediately. 'The Father is only refusing to return the minor child for a warped sense of satisfaction that he has disrupted the Mothers life,' the motion said, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Aytes was a media and communication scholar who worked as an assistant visiting professor at the University of South Florida. His estranged wife was also a communications instructor there 'Fathers mental health is declining, and his behavior is becoming increasingly unpredictable and erratic,' the filing said. But Judge Wesley Tibbals instead issued a directive demanding Aytes abide by the parenting plan. The suspected murder-suicide took place just five days later. Police records show that officers responded to his address eight times in the past couple of years. 'The system failed Ela in the most tragic of ways, even as my lawyer and I did everything in our power to ensure her safety,' Friedman said to the Florida paper. Her family released a statement to local news media following the gruesome discovery. 'Our family is devastated at the loss of our beloved Ela. At this point we need time to grieve together and we ask for privacy. We hope to have a statement as we begin to comprehend this horrific event. Thank you for your consideration,' the statement said. Cops made the horrific discovery of the father and daughter's dead bodies at his Temple Terrace home on Monday at 4.11pm The Friedman family released a statement in light of the deaths saying: 'Our family is devastated at the loss of our beloved Ela. At this point we need time to grieve together and we ask for privacy.' Friedman's father Barry pictured above with baby Ela 'Anytime a child is involved in a crime, its heartbreaking,' police spokeswoman Laurie Hayes said to WFLA. Aytes, who was born in Turkey, married Friedman in 2012. They both previously studied at the University of California San Diego. Friedman is a photographer and an instructor at the University of South Florida's School of Communication. Aytes was a media and communication scholar working as an assistant visiting professor at the University of Florida. His last contract with the school expired in May, according to USF officials. The two previously lived in Istanbul but moved to Tampa Bay following a failed coup detat in Turkey, according to Friedman's father Barry Friedman. 'Laurel was able to find them both employment through some contacts she had at USF. We were glad they got back to the states,' he said to The Ledger. The couple filed for divorce in January. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Temple Terrace Police Department at (813) 989-7110. A former bikie gang leader has been jailed over threatening to shoot a man unless he paid $10,000 to compensate a prostitute he allegedly had treated badly. Leslie Jade Grantham - nicknamed 'Lethal Les' - stalked and intimidated the man in July 2017.along with his meth-addicted friend Lyall Raymond Winmar, 39. The pair visited the man at his Gosnells home in Perth's south-east and ordered him to hand over the money otherwise the sex worker's father would return and 'sort it out with a bullet to your head'. Leslie Jade Grantham nicknamed 'Lethal Les' (pictured) is a former Comanchero sergeant-at-arms and was previously jailed in 2015 for his involvement in a plot to extract 'protection' money from a bar in Sydney's North Shore Lyall Raymond Winmar, 39, (pictured) visited the man at his Grosnells home and demanded he pay $10,000 in compensation after he allegedly treated the sex worker badly Former Comanchero sergeant-at-arms Grantham and professional boxer Winmar collected $1,500 on the first trip but telling the man it wasn't enough, they returned the next day and retrieved a further $3,000. Still not satisfied, the duo continued to target the man by chasing him in a car and stealing his Ford utility. Grantham was previously jailed in 2015 along with nine other Comanchero bikie members over a plot to extract 'protection' money from the owners of a karaoke bar in Sydney's North Shore. At the time, they demanded the karaoke bar hand over $10,000 a week. He claimed to have been transformed in jail by converting to Christianity, but quickly returned to his old ways not long after his release when Winmar came to him and told him about the sex worker who had allegedly been treated poorly. A court was told Grantham was the first to confront the victim over the allegations and told him the sex worker's father would 'sort it out with a bullet to your head' if he did not hand over $10,000. Winmar was jailed for 20 months in November after pleading guilty to extortion and stealing a motor vehicle. However, it was backdated to October 2017, when he was arrested, and was made eligible for parole. Grantham was sentenced in December 2018 after he changed his pleas ahead of a trial and admitted to extortion and stealing a motor vehicle. There was no evidence to suggest that either of the men financially benefited from the extortion, which didn't come to light until Grantham's sentencing. Grantham was a former sergeant-at-arms of Sydney's Comanchero outlaw Motorcycle Club (pictured) District Court judge John Staude told the court in December that the pair took their 'muscle and bad reputation' as an intimidation tactic and acted as a 'white knight' for the sex worker in order to terrify the man into handing over money. He said the violent threats caused the victim severe stress fear and that the actions were 'thuggish'. Grantham was jailed for two years and 10 months, backdated to July 2017. He was ordered to pay the victim compensation of $2,250. Advertisement Revellers covered themselves in glitter and clothed themselves in skimpy, bright outfits as they danced their way into 2019. Thousands set up camp in coastal areas like Byron Bay, Lorne, and Glenworth Valley, while others chose to spend the last days of the year regional Victoria, all of them hyped up for international music acts and a vibrant atmosphere. But the holiday period wasn't all sunshine and sequins. For some, the festival ground would become a place of mourning. While friends danced under flashing lights and others downed drinks, drug use led to the loss of two young lives, leaving police infuriated and families heartbroken. Revellers partying their way into 2019 opted for bright colours and a lot of skin for this year's festival season (left: Lost Paradise, right: Beyond The Valley). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing Animal prints were a huge hit with attendees, as were face glitter and novelty sunglasses (pictured at Beyond The Valley). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing Many opted to add a metallic or sequin twist to their outfits, while some chose a more sporty look (left: Beyond The Valley, right: Field Day). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing Others will now spend the first weeks of the New Year preparing for court, with scores of charges laid at festivals around the country for possession or supply of drugs. At Glenworth Valley, a 22-year-old Queensland man was rushed from the Lost Paradise music festival to hospital after ingesting an unknown substance. Josh Tam, from Toowong, had come from interstate with a group of about 20 friends to celebrate the New Year, but instead he died late on Saturday night, with one of his mates given the devastating job of identifying his body. On the same day, a 20-year-old man was taken to hospital from the Beyond the Valley festival in Lardner, about 100km east of Melbourne, because of a suspected drug overdose. He spent the next two days in the Royal Melbourne Hospital, fighting for life, but died on Tuesday morning. Many others were rushed out of festivals and in to hospitals after ingesting unknown substances, with some still understood to be in a critical condition. Others suffered physical injuries, with a man in his 20s hospitalised after falling and hitting his head at a festival. Joshua Tam, 22, (left and right on right) died from a suspected drug overdose over the weekend after attending the Lost Paradise festival with his friends. The group of about 20 had come to NSW from Queensland for the party, and one of the young man's friends had to identify Mr Tam's body One group of revellers were seen showing off bright colours, glitter, wigs and even a tiara as they posed together at Lost Paradise. There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing Hundreds of festival-goers and their cars were searched by police and drug dogs as they entered campgrounds, with authorities determined to crack down on illicit drug use coming into the new year. The searches were so thorough that cops even found drugs in the stuffing of a barbecue chicken. Brisbane Water Police District Commander Acting Superintendent Rod Peet said festival-goers were becoming more creative when it came to sneaking drugs into festivals. 'People aren't carrying it in their pockets. They aren't that careless,' he said on Sunday. With the emphasis on costumes increasing each year, this woman turned heads in a sequinned bikini with chains and colourful hair extensions (pictured at Beyond The Valley). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing 'We have found drugs in aerosol containers and other items. In one instance, the drugs were in a stuffed barbeque chicken.' The officer said police would continue to develop their methods of detecting drugs and would not be deterred by new methods of concealment. After the death of Mr Tam, Brisbane police sent an extra 12 officers to the campground to help stop drug use, with Acting Supt. Peet telling reporters: 'If they need to search more chickens to find drugs, theyll be doing that.' As the New Year period continued, the drug charges kept coming. At Field Day, held on New Year's Day in Sydney, six people were arrested with drug supply offences and 149 for possession. A 19-year-old man was busted carrying 55 capsules of MDMA, while a 21-year-old man was charged after being caught with 40 capsules. The Kellyville Ridge man was also charged with assaulting police. Over the course of the festival, five people were taken to hospital, four for drug-related issues, police said. While drug use ruined the holiday period for some, many others were able to let loose and enjoy themselves in some of Australia's most pristine locations, or dance their way into the New Year with internationally renowned artists. About 20km from Gosford at Glenworth Valley, revellers danced to PNAU and The Kooks, while taking part in yoga classes and talks on topics like medicinal mushrooms, blockchain and veganism. Women covered their faces with diamantes, their skin with glitter and wore beaded, sequinned outfits, while many men went for a more fluorescent look. Two women added fans and umbrellas to their outfits, giving the otherwise strong looks a softer touch at Lost Paradise. There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing Plenty of skin was on display as partygoers prepared to dance the day away in the sunshine (pictured: heading to Field Day). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing Others used their barely-there outfits to show off elaborate tattoos as they enjoyed live music and participated in meditation or yoga classes (left: Lost Paradise. right: Falls Festival). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing Despite billing the festival as drug free, reports claim nearly a quarter of all attendees were caught with drugs on their person during the course of the festival. At Beyond The Valley, held in Lardner about 100km east of Melbourne, bright colours and sequins were still the order of the day, but many attendees chose to spice up their look with animal prints. The Victorian festival had a strong Australian presence on its lineup, and festivalgoers could attend dance and meditation classes, make their own doof stick, or have their face painted with ethical glitter. Falls Festival was a winner around the country, hosting thousands in Lorne, Byron Bay, Fremantle and Marion Bay. The three-day camping festival boasted an international lineup, a massage tent and craft activities for those who were all danced out. While the camping festivals prided themselves on a relaxing experience with a sustainable and progressive purpose, Field Day was purely about the music. With DJ and acoustic sets dazzling revellers, the one-day event had a more sporting look. Many festival-goers, with no campsite to return to, opted for trainers and less elaborate outfits. Ominous safety messages were plastered behind the stage during the Lost Paradise Festival encouraging people to look after their mates (pictured) One of the messages at the Lost Paradise festival was specific to the use of MDMA - the drug which is believed to have caused the death of one young 22-year-old man Groups of friends were seen posing together or heading into the festivals, wearing eyecatching clothing and beaming (left: Falls Festival, right: Beyond The Valley). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing Others chose to dress on a theme, with fishnets, bumbags and small sunglasses playing heroes to this group's outfit choices (pictured: heading to Field Day). There is no suggestion anyone pictured committed any wrongdoing Calls to allow pill testing at festival events have become more prominent following the two tragic deaths, and Falls Festival sent an ominous text to attendees regarding a dangerous 'orange pill'. 'Our medical teams have alerted us to a dangerous orange pill that is currently in circulation across Australia,' the message reads. 'We want to remind everyone of the potentially fatal risks that come with illicit substances. You do not know what is in them, how your body will react, there is no safe level of consumption. 'One pill can kill.' At Lost Paradise, signs reading: 'If you're feeling unwell, seek help before it's too late', and 'toxic substances are often sold as MDMA' flashed up on screens next to the main stages. But NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts told reporters in Sydney on Sunday there would be no consideration of pill testing at festivals around the state. 'The government position is quite clear on pill testing,' he said. 'We oppose the use of illegal drugs at these festivals.' 'We appeal to you - just enjoy the festival and do it without taking drugs.' Omans first-ever clean coal-based Independent Power Project at Duqm is awaiting the final clearance from the government before the procurement process can progress, a media report quoted a top official as saying. Oman Power & Water Procurement Company (OPWP), part of Nama Group, is overseeing the procurement process linked to the development of a proposed 1,200 MW plant based on clean coal technologies at the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Duqm, reported Oman Observer. A prequalification process initiated last May elicited responses from a number of international developers signalling their interest in participating in the competitive tender for an award to build the landmark project. The procurement process is still going on and we are ready to issue our Request for Proposals (RfP) for the coal project, said Brian Wood, Planning & Economics director OPWP. But we are waiting for final government approval for the project, Wood told the Observer. This plant will meet the most current international standards for environmental quality and emissions control, said OPWP in its 7-year Outlook Statement covering the 2018 -2024 timeframe. It is expected to reduce gas needs of the electricity sector by 4-5 million standard cu m per day, enabling the Ministry of Oil and Gas to supply new industrial projects. According to the state-run power procurer, the proposed Duqm Clean Coal IPP is expected to provide 600 MW of capacity by 2024, rising to 1,200 MW at full power in 2025, subject to timely approvals. The plant will provide essential power supply to the developing Duqm industrial hub, and export surplus capacity to the Main Interconnected System (MIS). In 2024, considering expected Duqm demand of about 110 MW, the contribution to MIS demand may be about 490 MW. This estimate of exports to the MIS may be revised depending on the pace of Duqm demand growth, it said. The Brazilian Instagram star who shared shocking photos of the domestic abuse she allegedly suffered at the hands of her socialite boyfriend, says she's still reeling from the attacks. University of South Florida student Melissa L Gentz, 22, has revealed that she's suffering from PTSD three months after her billionaire heir boyfriend Erick Bretz, 25, allegedly beat her in his Tampa apartment, leaving her bloody and bruised in September. 'Sometimes I spend the day feeling calm and laughing, but there are others days in which I spend every second crying. Right now, for example, Im not feeling the best. Its common to see victims of domestic violence develop PTSD, and this has made my mood more than vulnerable to fluctuations,' she wrote in a candid post on December 3. 'Ive been susceptible to obscure and sad thoughts... things that were not a part of me before,' she added to her 200,000 followers. Scroll down for video Melissa L Gentz, 22, says she's suffering from PTSD, three months after she reported her boyfriend for domestic abuse and he was arrested in September 2018. She revealed she's still reeling form the attack in a candid Instagram post on December 3 This week Gentz took to Instagram stories to say: 'When a person is abused, she will never be the same' 'If I could change a single day of my life, Id delete the day I met the person who hurt me. If you need a friend, Ill do what I can to help. I will overcome my traumas overtime, but I wanted to share the reality with you all,' she said. Gentz said she feared for her life when she was allegedly attacked on September 23, 2018 by her Brazilian boyfriend Bretz, 25, at his apartment in a fight over her Instagram posts. She then filed a report with the Tampa Police Department the following day and took to Instagram to share photos of her horrifically bruised and bloody eye. 'I wont hide the marks of my story because NO woman should feel ashamed [or] feel blamed for being a victim of domestic violence,' she captioned her picture. Her brave post led Bretz's wealthy family to threaten to sue the college student. Bretz is the son of one of the richest families in Brazil who run a grocery store chain and he is a Motocross competitor in Brazil. On September 23, Bretz was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic battery by strangulation and tampering with a witness, according to the incident report. Gentz, who has a large following in Brazil and the U.S., addressed her followers via Instagram stories this week to talk about the debilitating aftermath of domestic abuse. 'When a person is abused, she will never be the same,' the University of South Florida student said in a poignant video on December 28. Gentz revealed that she still suffers from fear following the attack and has difficulty hanging out with her friends. On September 23 Gentz, a University of South Florida student, was allegedly brutally beaten by Brazilian socialite boyfriend Erick Bretz, 25, in his Tampa, Florida apartment Gentz has also been reposting pictures that her ex-boyfriend Bretz deleted from her feed. He deleted the above bikini shot saying only 'w****s' post that kind of content Now she has regained confidence to share bikini pictures of herself She reposted this pic that her 'ex thought he had the right to delete without my consent' in October She then urged her followers to seek healthy relationships with partners who will respect them. 'Don't stay with a guy just for the money and lifestyle. If you don't look after your health and you're abused, it's not worth it,' she said. 'Women should strive for real love, not money,' she added. She also pushed women to look out for each other and to catch warning signs early on to prevent domestic abuse. 'Please note the small aggressions, don't just wait for one big signal,' she said. 'If a man does one bad thing to you, I guarantee he will do it again,' she added. 'What's a relationship worth to you if it's abusive? Why would you stay in a relationship that doesn't work?' she said. Gentz then cited the inspiring story of an abused woman in the U.S. who went public with her story where she suffered horrific attacks every day until she finally left the house to give her kids a better life. 'In 2019 girls need to stick together, it's been a hard year for women but they can make it through,' she closed her inspiring message. She took to Instagram to share pictures of her horrifically bruised and bloody eye after she was allegedly attacked on September 23, 2018 'I wont hide the marks of my story because NO woman should feel ashamed of feel blamed for being a victim of domestic violence' she wrote on Instagram with photos of her shocking bruises days after the alleged attack Following Bretz's arrest, she started take control of her Instagram feed and reposted videos of herself that her ex-deleted including bikini shots and flattering snaps. 'What about when your boyfriend deletes your picture just because its exposes your body? In my case, I was told that posting pictures in a bikini is what w***** do. Hmm.. so now a single picture can determine a womans worth?' she said. 'I think it actually exposes a mans insecurity,' she captioned one snap wear she's in a bikini on the beach,' she added. 'I am reposting -another- picture of mine that my ex thought he had the right to delete without my consent. I just noticed that this picture was missing from my feed and I felt nauseous and sad at the same time,' she captioned another recently posted picture. The case against Bretz is still pending and his lawyers maintain his innocence. Bretzs attorneys told People Magazine that her account was false because she showed 'no sign of trauma to her neck' and that '[Bretzs] hands have no signs consistent with striking someone multiple times.' They said he had 'no history of ever committing violence against women'. They added that Gentz was the first person to strike in their fight 'sending him to a hospital'. 'The evidence in this case clearly dictates that Ms. Gentz was the aggressor,' they said. The heir and his family intend to 'prosecute Ms. Gentz for her slanderous and libelous actions. They will seek to recover damages for the harm to his and his familys outstanding reputation', their lawyers said. A Chinese Admiral said recently that his country's military is capable of sinking American aircraft carriers in the East and South China Seas. Rear Admiral Luo Yuan's comments were made in a speech on Sino-U.S. relations which he gave on December 20, according to News Corp Australia Network. Luo said that sinking American ships would resolve the ongoing territorial disputes in that part of the world. 'What the United States fears the most is taking casualties,' Admiral Luo said. He estimated that sinking an American carrier would result in the deaths of 5,000 servicemen and women. Sinking two such ships would double the casualty toll to 10,000. 'We'll see how frightened America is,' he said. Luo, 67, holds the rank of rear admiral in the People's Liberation Army Navy, though he is acting in an academic capacity rather than as an active service member. Rear Admiral Luo Yuan's (seen above) comments were made in a speech on Sino-U.S. relations which he gave on December 20 He is the deputy head of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences. An author, social commentator, and military theorist, Luo has been known to express hawkish, anti-American views in the past. In his remarks to the 2018 Military Industry List summit in Shenzhen. Luo boasted of China's weapons capability, which includes anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles that could hit American carriers. Luo said that the U.S. was vulnerable and that China should 'use its strength to attack the enemy's shortcomings.' 'Attack wherever the enemy is afraid of being hit,' he said. 'Wherever the enemy is weak' China and the U.S. have been at odds for years on a number of geopolitical issues, including Beijing's pressing of territorial claims in the South and East China Seas. In the South China Sea, the United States has criticized China's construction of islands on tiny reefs and shoals and its installation of military facilities on them, including air strips and docks. China claims 'irrefutable' sovereignty over most of the South China Sea and the islands in it, and accuses the United States of raising military tension with its navy presence there. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam all claim parts of the waterway, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year. Taiwan also claims the waters. Taiwan is another sensitive issue that divides the U.S. and China. The above image shows U.S. Naval Ship Tippecanoe (center) and the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (right) performing maneuvers with the Japanese destroyer Haruna (left) on October 8 in the Pacific Ocean. China has said it could strike U.S. ships in the South and East China Seas In Beijing, the island is considered a breakaway province that must be unified with the mainland, even if it means using military force. But Taiwan, which is formally known as the Republic of China on Taiwan, insists on autonomy. The democratic province, which receives American weapons and aid, does not want to come under Chinese rule. Luo warned the U.S. not to intervene in the Taiwan-China dispute. 'If the US naval fleet dares to stop in Taiwan, it is time for the People's Liberation Army to deploy troops to promote national unity on (invade) the island,' he said. 'Achieving China's complete unity is a necessary requirement. 'The achievement of the past 40 years of reform and opening-up has given us the capability and confidence to safeguard our sovereignty. 'Those who are trying to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and Taiwan should be careful about their future.' A passenger is suing Jetstar for $220,000 amid claims he suffered a permanent knee injury when he slipped in the toilet during an international flight. Melbourne man Richard Pearson, 58, also claims he suffered mental injuries and depression as a result of the alleged incident two years ago. He was flying home from Bali to Melbourne with his wife and child in the early hours of September 7, 2016, when he walked up to the rear toilets in the Boeing 787. He stepped into a 'large puddle' of water and slipped when he entered the toilet, according to his statement of claim filed in the Federal Court in Melbourne. A passenger is suing Jetstar (file image) for a permanent injury he suffered on a flight '[Mr Pearson's] right foot then began to splay outwards towards the right with his right knee going in the opposite direction to his left knee as his right foot slid along the lavatory floor,' the statement of claim seen by Daily Mail Australia states. 'He then slammed into vanity unit and rotated his right ankle more than 90 degrees. At the time, he heard his right knee pop and immediately felt pain in his right leg.' Mr Pearson was unable to place any weight on his right foot and called out for help from the cabin crew, who assisted the passenger in returning to his seat. He claimed he was then 'asked pointedly' by cabin crew whether he cleaned up the puddle of water. Melbourne man Richard Pearson is suing the airline for damage after he slipped in a puddle of water in a plane toilet (stock image) 'The cabin crew then refused to prepare an incident report and informed the applicant (Mr Pearson) that he would have to inform the respondent of his injuries using the website after the conclusion of the flight,' the statement of claim states. 'At no time was there any warning given by the cabin crew of the existence of a puddle of water in one of aircraft lavatories prior to the applicant (Mr Pearson) suffering his injuries.' Mr Pearson claims he continues to endure pain and suffering since the alleged incident and was left with a permanent disability. He also claimed he has lost income and will lose superannuation entitlements, according to the statement of claim. Richard Pearson and his family were flying home from Bali (stock image) when the alleged incident happened in September 2016 Shine Lawyers told Daily Mail Australia that the accident was preventable. 'Our client suffered significant injuries to his knee and we believe that he should be compensated for the loss of his wellbeing and livelihood as a result of this accident occurring,' Shine Lawyers solicitor Sara Kaurin said. In a defence filed to court, Jetstar claims Mr Pearson failed to take reasonable care of his own safety and that his injuries were caused or contributed to by his own negligence. 'We dispute Mr Pearsons claim and will be defending the matter in court,' a Jetstar spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. The case will be heard in the Federal Court in Melbourne on January 25. Hillary Clinton rebuffed the efforts of Silicon Valley big shots and executives at powerhouse tech companies such as Microsoft and Facebook to help get her elected out of 'hubris', claims a former Apple boss. Guy Kawasaki, a venture capitalist and entrepreneur who was one of Apple's original marketing chiefs, supported Hillary in the 2016 presidential election after he was impressed with her 'intelligence and sense of humor' while attending one of her fundraisers in Los Altos, California in 2015. The 65-year-old said he noticed some areas of improvement her campaign could make and reached out on three separate occasions offering his help but was shot down each time, he writes in his upcoming book Wise Guy. Former Apple boss Guy Kawasaki said Hillary Clinton's campaign turned down his offer of help on three separate occasions, he writes in his upcoming book Wise Guy The 65-year-old supported Hillary in the 2016 presidential election after he was impressed with her intelligence and sense of humor while attending one of her fundraisers in Los Altos, California in 2015. Pictured: Kawasaki with his family at the fundraiser Kawasaki said executives at Microsoft and Facebook told him they wanted to help Hillary 'above and beyond their job responsibilities' but they were also snubbed in an 'attitude akin to hubris'. The Stanford and UCLA graduate speculates that if Hillary's team had accepted the wealth of assistance coming from the likes of him and tech giants, as the Trump campaign was doing, 'the results might have well been different.' While Kawasaki claims that Hillary refused personal help from tech executives, her campaign received millions of dollars in donations from Silicon Valley companies, amounting to more than 60 times the amount that Trump's campaign received. According to Open Secrets, employees at Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Comcast, Facebook and Microsoft collectively donated more than $3.5 million to Hillary. Meanwhile, Trump only collected around $50,000 from the tech industry. Trump told the Daily Caller in September that big tech firms intervened in the 2018 midterms by supporting Democrats, as well as his presidential election with Facebook and Google backing Hillary - citing an unfair bias. He said: 'If you look at all, virtually all of those companies are super liberal companies in favor of Hillary Clinton. 'Maybe I did a better job because I'm good with the Twitter and I'm good at social media, but the truth is they were all on Hillary Clinton's side, and if you look at what was going on with Facebook and with Google and all of it, they were very much on her side.' During Hillary's speech, Kawasaki says he began to broadcast a Facebook Live, noting that tens of thousands of people often watch his live videos, but he was stopped and told recording wasn't permitted. Pictured: A photo of Hillary taken by Kawasaki at the fundraiser Employees at Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Comcast, Facebook and Microsoft collectively donated more than $3.5 million to Hillary's campaign. Trump only collected around $50,000 from the tech industry. Pictured: Graph of donation amounts from big tech companies Kawasaki writes in his book that he took his family to attend Hillary's fundraiser in Los Altos on November 4, 2015, posting several pictures of the event on his Instagram page. During her speech, he says he began to broadcast a Facebook Live, noting that tens of thousands of people often watch his live videos. However, he was stopped by one of her team members who told him recording wasn't permitted. Kawasaki points out that this was a mistake. The second missed opportunity Kawasaki notes was the meet and greet where attendees could have their photo taken with Hillary. But he writes that 'no one was permitted to take selfies or hand his camera to someone on her staff to take photos.' He writes: 'I knew one of her volunteers, so I was able to obtain a copy of the photo taken by the staff photographer to use on my social media. I don't know if most people got a copy, because no one was recording who was in the photos. 'At the time I figured that this procedure was in the interest of speed. But each group could have handed one phone to a staffer to take a photo at the same time as the staff photographer.' 'Instead of permitting only a staff photo that people never received, members of the audience that night could have handed their phone to one of the many millennial staffers who were standing around. 'I assume this procedure as repeated at other appearances, so the lost exposure was easily in the tens of millions.' Kawasaki scathingly writes: 'If someone with over 10 million followers offers to help you, you should probably accept the help' Still, Kawasaki says the biggest mistake was turning down offers of help from industry leaders. He writes that in 2018 he 'met with executives at Microsoft and Facebook. We talked about how their companies interacted with the presidential campaigns. 'Both executives told me that they and their company colleagues were Clinton supporters and had wanted to help above and beyond their job responsibilities. 'Both told me the Clinton campaign turned down their offers to help. By contrast, the Trump campaign accepted all the help that was offered by these companies.' Guy Kawasaki's book Wise Guy will be released in February Kawasaki points out that while Hillary snubbed efforts to help her campaign, Trump's team latched onto every opportunity given, as he speculates that the assistance could have played a role into who won. He scathingly writes: 'Eat when served. 'Was it arrogance, shortsightedness, or understandable prioritization that made her campaign turn down the offers of assistance? 'We'll never know, but I learned several things from this debacle: If someone with over 10 million followers offers to help you, you should probably accept the help. 'If Microsoft and Facebook offer to help, you should accept their help. 'If there's anything worse than not getting help when you need it, it's not accepting help when it's offered. ' Kawasaki attended Stanford University, graduating early in 1976 with a degree in psychology before attending the MBA program at UCLA. In his career he's worked for Apple twice, where he met of his wife of more than 30 years, Beth, and has written 13 books. The avid surfer started several software companies, was the CEO of the Motorola division of Google, became the 'chief evangelist' of the Sydney-based company Canvas, is on the board of trustees of the Wikimedia Foundation and is a Mercedes Benz brand ambassador. Guy Kawasaki's book Wise Guy will be released in February. Facebook's rules governing which posts are censored across the globe have been revealed by a Facebook employee. A committee of young company lawyers and engineers have drawn up thousands of rules outlining what words and phrases constitute hate speech and should be removed from the social media platform across the globe. They have also drawn up a list of banned organisations laying down which political groups can use their platform in every country on earth, a New York Times investigation has revealed. An army of 15,000 lowly-paid moderators, many of whom work for contractors who also run call centers, enforce the rules for 2 billion global users with reference to a baffling array of thousands of PowerPoint slides issued from Silicon Valley. They are under pressure to review each post in under ten seconds and judge a thousand posts a day. Employees often use outdated and inaccurate PowerPoint slides and Excel spreadsheets to decide if user's posts should be allowed on the social network, a Facebook employee revealed. A spreadsheet Facebook employees are given to show them what groups in different countries around the world are allowed to post, obtained by the New York Times Dozens of Facebook employees, lawyers, and external experts from around the world with deep knowledge of relevant laws, online safety, counter-terrorism, public policy, product and diversity gather to come up with the rules for what the site's two billion users posting in hundreds of different languages should be allowed to say. But workers use a combination of PowerPoint slides and Excel spreadsheets to work out what is allowed and what is not in the 1,400-page rulebook. The guidelines are sent out to more than 15,000 moderators around the world but some of the slides include outdated or inaccurate information, the newspaper reports. Facebook employees, mostly young engineers and lawyers, meet every other Tuesday morning to set the guidelines, and try to tackle complex issues in more than 100 different languages and apply them to simple yes-or-no rules, often in a mater of seconds. The company also outsources much of the individual post moderation to companies that use largely unskilled workers - many hired from call centers. Strict rules about which hate figures or affiliated groups are allowed to remain on the social media platform are handed to an army of workers around the globe Posts about Kashmir were flagged up if they called for an independent state, as a slide indicated Indian law bans such statements. But the accuracy of this law has been debated by legal experts. The slide instructs moderators to 'look out for' the phrase 'Free Kashmir', despite the slogan, common among activists, being completely legal. One slides inaccurately described Bosnian war criminal Ratko Mladic as still being a fugitive, though he was arrested in 2011. Another slide incorrectly described an Indian law and advised moderators that almost any criticism of religion should be flagged as illegal. Moderators were once told to remove fund-raising appeals for Indonesian volcano victims because a co-sponsor of the drive was on Facebook's list of banned groups. A list of emojis and what connotations they have is part of the huge guidelines used to determine hate speech or incitement of violence A paperwork error in Myanmar allowed a prominent extremist group accused of inciting genocide to stay on the social media platform for months. Moderators will sometimes remove political parties, like Golden Dawn in Greece, but also mainstream religious movements in Asia and the Middle East, an employee revealed. One moderator told the Times there is a rule to approve any post if it's in a language that no one available can read and understand. The rulebook is made up of dozens of unorganized PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets with titles like 'Western Balkans Hate Orgs and Figures' and 'Credible Violence: Implementation standards'. One of the document sets out several different rules just to determine when a word like 'jihad' or 'martyr' indicates pro-terrorism speech. Moderators have to review a post and decide if it falls into one of three tiers of severity, with lists that state the six 'designated dehumanizing comparisons', such as comparing Jewish people to rats. Sara Su, a senior engineer on the News Feed at Facebook told the New York Times: 'It's not our place to correct people's speech, but we do want to enforce our community standards on our platform. One Facebook PowerPoint slide incorrectly described Bosnian war criminal, Ratko Mladic, as a fugitive, even though he was arrested in 2011 'When you're in our community, we want to make sure that we're balancing freedom of expression and safety.' Since the Cambridge Analytica scandal and accusations 'Fake News' has been used to spread misinformation across the platform, Facebook has been under pressure to be more open about how it moderates content and uses the data it holds. Christopher Wylie, the co-founder of the data analytics firm, revealed in March that misappropriated 87 million of Facebook users' data was used to target voters in the 2016 election on behalf of the Trump campaign. Facebook has also been criticized for the way some extremist posts, such as beheading clips, are allowed to remain while those by controversial figures such as conspiracy theorist, Alex Jones, saw some pages shut down. Two pro-Trump vlogger sisters, Lynette Hardaway and Rochelle Richardson, known as 'Diamond and Silk', also saw their videos marked as 'dangerous' by Facebook. As recently as this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son, 27-year-old Yair, was temporarily suspended from Facebook for 'hate speech' over a series of posts about Muslims and Palestinians. Facebook's army of young layers and engineers are given definitions of protected characteristics and what words constitute different levels of hate speech He wrote in Hebrew: 'There will not be peace here until: 1. All the Jews leave the land of Israel. 2. All the Muslims leave the land of Israel. I prefer the second option.' In another post he added: 'Do you know where there are no attacks, in Iceland and Japan. That's because there are no Muslims populations.' Facebook initially removed the posts from its platform, but then decided to suspend him for 24 hours after he reposted a screen grab showing the deleted posts. A woman form Yorkshire who performs nipple tattoos on women who have undergone mastectomies also saw pictures of her work banned from the social platform. In December Gemma Winstanley was told her images were being taken down because they were 'displaying sexual content'. Then Facebook moderators reportedly banned 'sexual slang' as well as discussions of 'sexual roles, positions or fetish scenarios' including phrases like 'looking for a good time tonight'. Since the publication of this article, a Facebook spokesperson contacted the MailOnline to submit the below statements in response to the allegations which were first published the in the New York Times: On our content review process and training materials: 'To clarify, we have about 15,000 content reviewers located around the world. We prioritize accuracy when it comes to content review, which is why we hire native language speakers and have built out our teams globally so that we can review content in more than 50 languages. For the same reason, we don't have quotas for the amount of content reviewers have to get through in a day, or the amount of time it may take to make a decision about a piece of content. More generally, our training materials aren't meant to serve as a proxy for Facebook policy; they are meant to train our reviewers and give them specifics, including uncommon or unusual cases that they may encounter when reviewing content on Facebook. On our designation of dangerous individuals & organizations: Our Community Standards ban dangerous individuals & organizations, which include groups or people that have proclaimed a violent mission or engaged in acts of violence. We don't look to the political motivation or reason for the violence; we simply don't want to be a platform that enables or supports violence. In developing our policies, we regularly seek input from external stakeholders, including NGOs, academics, international organizations, and human rights experts. We also share the details of our policies in our publicly available Community Standards, which we updated earlier this year to include the internal guidelines we use to make decisions about content on Facebook.' A white West Virginia police officer fired for not shooting dead a suicidal black suspect has spoken out about how he became an 'outcast' in his police department and was even forced to move towns to escape the abuse. Weirton Police Department rookie Stephen Mader was dispatched to deal with the case of Ronald J Williams Jr, 23, on May 6 2016. Williams was armed with a gun outside his home after a drunken argument with his girlfriend and mother of his five-month-old son. A former marine who served in Afghanistan, Mader, then 25, said he immediately became aware a distressed Williams, whose gun was not loaded, was trying to commit suicide by cop. Former Weirton Police Officer Stephen Mader stands for a portrait in his backyard on Saturday, June 23, 2018 in New Cumberland Mader (left) was dispatched to deal with the case of Ronald J Williams Jr, 23, (right) on May 6 2016. Williams was armed with a gun outside his home after a drunken argument with his girlfriend and mother of his five-month-old son He pleaded with him to put the gun down and shouted 'I don't want to shoot you, brother' and an emotional Williams could only reply 'just shoot me, just shoot me'. 'It is a red flag,' Mader told ProPublica. 'I was just trying to calm him down. It was really just talking to him like he was a human being talk to him like a guy who was in a wrong state of mind, like a guy who needed to be calmed down, who needed help. 'I didn't want to shoot him. I don't want to say this, because it's really corny, but I was kind of sacrificing my well-being for him. I'm not going to shoot this kid for my well-being. I'm going to wait to see more from him.' However, the situation soon changed when Mader's two colleagues arrived on the scene. Another cop, Ryan Kuzma, fired four times fatally striking Williams in the head. But rather than an investigation taking place into the officer who shot Williams, the police chief turned his focus to Mader. He was quietly fired. 'It was jaw-dropping,' Mader said. 'Kind of like a punch in the face.' In this July 24, 2015, photo Stephen Mader (center) is seen after being read the oath of office in a ceremony at the city building as he was welcomed to the force alongside two other new probationary patrolmen for the Weirton Police Department Heather Poole and Natasha Ault are pictured with their mom Ida Poole, mother of the late Ronald Williams Emily Hernandez sits near a painting of the late Ronald Williams in this file photo from June 2018 'No one talked to me. I was an outcast, just like that. No one tried to contact me to see if I was OK. No one tried to say, 'Hey, man, try and fight it.' It was like I didn't exist to them anymore.' And when Mader broke his silence about his firing to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette he claimed more overt bullying began. Mader claims Kuzma repeatedly texted him calling him a 'coward' and blamed him for threats being made against the department. Ultimately the city agreed to a $175,000 settlement with Mader who was forced to move his family to New Cumberland in West Virginia where he now serves for the state's National Guard. After the suit he put out a statement saying only: 'My hope is that no other person on either end of a police call has to go through this again.' But his lawyer Timothy O'Brien said the case has had a chilling effect on officers considering whether to use lethal force. 'No police officer should ever lose their job for choosing to talk to, rather than shoot, a fellow citizen. Weirton Police Department cruisers sit parked outside the Weirton Police Station The scene of the May 2016 shooting involving the late Ronald Williams and Weirton police officers is pictured on Saturday, June 23, 2018 The City of Weirton Municipal Building (right) which houses the Weirton Police Department is pictured above 'His decision to attempt to de-escalate the situation should have been praised, not punished. Simply put, no police officer should ever feel forced to take a life unnecessarily to save his career.' One small reassurance was the contact Mader then had with the grieving Williams family. Ronald J's sister Amanda told the website: 'My brother wasn't alone, that there was someone there that was looking at him as a person. I found him [Stephen] on Facebook, and I ended up messaging him on Messenger, just to thank him for what he did for my brother, and for being there for him. 'He said that he just wished that he could have had a few more seconds, that he wished it would have turned out different, that my brother would still be alive.' Up to 8,000 children were stolen from their mothers to be adopted by foreign couples during Chiles military dictatorship years, investigators claim. Some 20,000 Chilean children were adopted to Western nations such as the U.S., the UK and Sweden, in the 1970s and 80s, of which the government believe a majority were illegally removed from their biological families. A government investigation launched earlier this year has so far found that more than 3,205 babies and young children are likely to have been stolen, but this is expected to multiply as it continues. Stolen: Maria Diemar and Tommy Leite, now in their 40s, were both stolen from their mothers in the late 1970s and taken to Sweden for adoption, and thousands of other children believed to have suffered the same fate were sent to the US and the UK In October this year, Justice Minister Hernan Larrain told parliament the news that children may have been illegally adopted from had made him feel a great shame for my country. The criminal investigation cannot currently state that all cases where children have been sent abroad for adoption are illegal, but a very large part are, the Santiago Court of Appeals said in a statement, adding that they fear it would be at least 8,000 suspicious cases. No similar crime has ever been investigated in Chile, neither by the courts of by police. The kind of crime which are closest to this are investigations linked to crimes against human rights in a political violence context. The around 20,000 children who were taken out of Chile between 1973 and 1990 were adopted by families in more than 15 countries, but most commonly the United States. The investigation by Judge Mario Carroza has grown from some 500 cases earlier this year to 3,205 cases as of last month. Crimes against humanity: Judge Mario Carroza, pictured with Ms Diemar earlier this year, is investigating thousands of potential illegal adoptions in Chile carried out Centre of a scandal: Many of the children adopted by Swedish couples during the late 1970s and early 1980s came from around the city of Temuco In the initial report published in February, the Chilean authorities were able to break down where the children had disappeared to, revealed that more than 400 had been adopted by couples in the U.S. The incriminating documents regarding the irregular adoptions reveal a network of social workers, lawyers, translators and international adoption agencies. Reunited: Mr Leite is pictured with his biological mother Marisol In some cases, mothers received an economic contribution in exchange for transferring the legal guardianship of their children to adoption agencies, the February report notes. Witness statements from both adoptees and biological parents reveal that others were taken from their families without permission. Children adopted to Sweden in the late 1970s who have traced their heritage in Chile as adults have discovered horrific tales of abuse, where one young mother was told her baby had died in hospital shortly after giving birth, and grieved for her son for 41 years before finding out earlier this year that he was alive. Another single mother asked social workers for support, and was offered help with day care - only to be told that he son was gone when she came back to pick him up. The paperwork which has accompanied the children to their new home country has given no indication that they were anything but handed over voluntarily. So far, the Chilean government has found 630 cases of children adopted to Sweden during the Pinochet dictatorship who are thought to have been stolen or otherwise illegally obtained. For the majority of the Pinochet dictatorship, until 1988, so-called 'strong' adoptions could only be carried out after a child had been living with their adoptive parents for two years. This rule was bypassed by awarding the foreign parents-to-be temporary custody through a representative for the adoption agency. The temporary custodian could then legally take the child out of the country, after which the child would be adopted in a foreign country such as Sweden, the U.S or the UK. Shocking: This hospital in Temuco is one several where it is known that children were taken from their mothers shortly after they had given birth Protesters from the organisation Los Hijos y Madres del Silencio, meaning The Silent Children and Mothers, whose member say their children were stolen from them and adopted by Western couples stand outside the Court of Appeals in Santiago However, as far as the Chilean authorities are concerned, many of these children, who are now adults in the late 30s or early 40s, still live in Chile on the addresses of social workers or adoption agency representatives awarded 'temporary custody' through the courts. I only recently found out that our adoptions in Sweden were never recognised in Chile, says Bonnie Berggren, 40, who was adopted from Chile in the late 1970s and grew up in Stockholm, Sweden. As far as Chile is concerned, I'm still a Chilean citizen living in Padre Las Casas outside Temuco in south Chile, and was never adopted by anyone. My adoption was never approved. I have two identities. One Bonnie alive and well in Padre Las Casas, and one in Stockholm. And no one ever told us. I found out at the age of 40. 'Many people think that those of us who are critical of adoptions had a bad upbringing - that is categorically not true. I had a wonderful, loving upbringing - it's got nothing to do with that. I was deported. I was torn from my family, my country, my culture, my language, and that was never nurtured. We've been expected to just be Swedish because someone paid money to get a child. Imported like goods.' Thousands of adults all over the world are still registered as having been in 'temporary custody' of guardians until they reached adulthood, many likely unaware of their second identities in Chile. The investigation is ongoing. Hundreds of the at least 8,000 children that the Chilean government fear were stolen from their parents and trafficked out of the country to be adopted in Western nations during the Pinochet dictatorship were taken to Sweden. They have grown up in well-heeled suburbs outside the Swedish capital, in big cities and small towns all over the country, believing that they were abandoned by their mothers in infancy. Now, as adults, some of them have discovered the horrific truth: that they were taken from hospitals at birth and their mothers told they were dead, that their mothers were pressured into signing over custody against their will or that they were simply stolen by social workers. Stolen: Tommy Leite was adopted by a Swedish couple at 18 months old. As an adult he tracked down his biological mother and found out he had been taken from her against her will Documents from the Santiago Court of Appeals show that the adoptions of at least 630 Swedish citizens are being investigated, and court representatives say that this figure is likely to increase. While Chile was ruled by General Augusto Pinochet, from 1973 to 1990, some 2,200 children came to Sweden for adoptions. All but a handful them were obtained and processed through an adoption agency which was later run by the man currently in the running to become the new Prime Minister. Whom documents indicate has been aware of the shady process of the Chilean adoptions for more than 15 years THE STOLEN CHILDREN Taken: Maria Diemar was stolen from her mother in hospital, shortly after she was born Maria Diemar was adopted from Lautaro in Chile in 1975, and grew up in a middle-class home in a suburb to Stockholm. She - and her Swedish parents - had been told that she had been abandoned by her biological mother at the hospital where she was born. In her early 20s she contacted Adoptionscentrum, the agency which facilitated the adoption, to begin a search for her Chilean roots. After several months of waiting, Ms Diemar was told they were unable to provide her with any information, so she decided to go straight to the source: Lautaro, a small town some 25 miles north of Temuco in southern Chile. Despite several visits to the hospital in Lautaro where she was born, and the court which approved her adoption, Ms Diemar was told little to nothing that could help her find her biological family. Not until she contacted a local journalist did she get help in tracking down her mothers family, who were still living in Lautaro, and the awful truth was revealed. Baby Maria had not been abandoned, quite the opposite. She been carried out of the hospital room where he mother was recovering from giving birth, and never returned. I was taken from my mother at the hospital by a social worker. I was stolen and trafficked,' she tells MailOnline. While still reeling from the shocking findings, Ms Diemar, a teacher now living in Australia, reached out to other Swedes she knew who had been adopted from Chile. She soon discovered that she was not the only one who had effectively been kidnapped from her biological family, and earlier this year she made a discovery that ended up hitting very close to home. Welcome to Lautaro: Ms Diemar and her biological brother pose in front of a sign in Lautaro after meeting for the first time as adults Crimes against humanity: Judge Mario Carroza, pictured with Ms Diemar earlier this year, is investigating thousands of potential illegal adoptions in Chile carried out Daniel Olsson, Ms Diemars adoptive brother, starts to shake in his chair as he finally lifts the lid on a lifetime of pent up anger and heartbreak. This is only the second time he has ever spoken out loud about what happened to him, but, he says, it is important that the truth about what he believes Adoptionscentrum did to him, and hundreds of others, comes out. Born in Temuco two years after Ms Diemar, in 1977, Mr Olsson was just five weeks when he arrived in Sweden. According to his papers, and as far as the Swedish authorities were aware, Mr Olssons teenage mother had abandoned him at the hospital just like his adoptive sister. No Romeo and Juliet: Daniel Olsson is pictured in his passport photo, just a few weeks old, before being taken to Sweden What is in my adoption papers is almost a straight up a copy of Romeo and Juliet. A forbidden relationship. They say my mother was a poor young woman who was working as a servant for a rich family in Santiago, and that my biological father was the son of the family. 'They had embarked on a relationship and when she fell pregnant, they both knew that their families would never accept this. So they were so heroic that they fled Santiago to Temuco where Im born and had me and gave me away. A very moving tale. And I held on to that, especially when I struggled in life, it was a better story than my mother not wanting me. That was the story I believed in my whole life, until February this year. As well as digging into her own background, Ms Diemar had started looking for her adoptive brothers mother, and after a long search, she found her. The true story is, my mother wasnt poor. She came from a family that was reasonably well off. 'She was a student in Santiago when she fell pregnant, and went to the Chilean equivalent of social services to see if she would be able to get any benefits or financial help. And as far as I understand, thats how they got their eyes on her. When I was born, I was taken straight away, while she was out. And when she woke up, she was told I had died. Different together: Mr Olsson and Ms Diemar, pictured together as children, grew up in a suburb outside of Stockholm, the Swedish capital His ally: It was Ms Diemar, pictured here with Mr Olsson celebrating Swedish yule-tide holiday St Lucia, who tracked down Mr Olsson's mother and discovered the truth - that his mother had spent 41 years thinking that he had died shortly after she gave birth She went on to marry, and I have three half-siblings, and she never told them about me. But for 41 years, she had as tradition on my birthday to dress in black. 'Meanwhile I have had as tradition on my birthday to think about my biological mother and hate her because I thought she gave me away. When Mr Olsson found out the truth about his family and his adoption, his world fell apart. It has been eight months and he is still unable to go to work. Broken: Mr Olsson only found out the truth about what happened when he was adopted earlier this year, at the age of 41 I was unaware of the magnitude of my sisters work in looking into my past while she did her research, and one day she called me up and effectively poured all this over me. 'And it was like getting punched in the face - done with love, of course, but still, it was extremely painful. Shortly after, my mother added me on Facebook, and we started chatting the same day. And it was so surreal. 'Its such a strange thing to realise at the age of 41 that I have no idea what its like to speak to my own parents. Im broken. I also have no idea of what happened to me in the five weeks between my mother giving birth to me and me being shipped to Sweden. 'Those first weeks are crucial to a baby, I don't even know if anyone picked me up or touched me beyond feeding me and changing me. I wasnt that lucky when it came to my adoptive family - apart from of course my sister - and I can say today, that I would've been better off if I had been allowed to stay in Chile. Horrific: Mr Olsson's mother had given birth in this hospital in 1977, and having been told her baby son had died, she dressed in black to mourn his birthday every year for 41 years Mr Olsson, like others who have spoken to MailOnline, completely rejects Adoptionscentrums claim that they have been unaware of what went on in Chile. Adoptionscentrum know what they have done. There are too many documents that are weird, too many adoptions. They can say oh we didnt know, but of course they did. For us adoptees, they are the only door to our past, they have all our documentations. But in 41 years, they never got in touch with me. We have had to dig into our pasts ourselves, and when we have, we have been met with resistance from Adoptionscentrum in my opinion. And regardless, no one should have to go to their own executioner to ask for such a permission. Tommy Leite, 41, tells a similar story. He was adopted from Chile to Malmo, southern Sweden in 1978, when he was 18 months old. I have been looking for my roots since the early 2000s and like Maria [Diemar] and Daniel [Olsson], I was active in an organisation for Swedes adopted from Chile. Ever since I was little, Ive been thinking about my mother, what happened to her, why I couldnt be with her. And I was told she was poor and had to give me up because she couldnt take care of me. Ripped from his home: Mr Leite, adopted from Chile to Malmo in Sweden in 1978, is pictured as a toddler I had heard some stories about some Chilean mothers having children stolen, but I defended Adoptionscentrum in the beginning because I didnt think it applied me. I had my adoption papers in order. Decades later, Mr Leite set up a Facebook account using the name he had been given at birth, which he knew from his adoption papers, and 39 years after he was taken from Chile to the country he now calls home, he made contact with his biological family, who told him what really happened to him and his mother Marisol. My mother, a single parent, worked as a housekeeper and I was often with her at work. When I was around 18 months old she visited a local mothercare clinic and asked if there was any support she could get, as a single parent. A few days later, Mr Leites mother was contacted by a social worker who tells her she can help her, and that if Marisol signs the dotted line on a document they will take her young son for a few days, to give her some relief. Despite having checked the papers, Marisol felt uneasy after dropping her baby off, and when a neighbour told her the deal sounded fishy she decided to go back and see Julia the next day. But it was too late. The social worker refused to return the little boy. After first being told she could have her son back if she got married which she promptly did the social worker withdrew this condition. Eventually after several months of fighting for her child, Mr Leites biological mother was told your son is in Switzerland, so you gotta go there if you want him back!. It took 39 years until they would meet again. Reunited: Mr Leite with his mother Marisol, pictured as they met for the first time in 39 years, who says she returned to pick up her boy from 'care' and was told her was gone It took three weeks from my mother handing me over to what she thought was a babysitter, to me arriving in Sweden, says Mr Leite. He believes his mother, being young and a single parent, was targeted by the local social workers and that they had already begun adoption proceedings while he was with her. Even though it only took three weeks for Mr Leite to arrive with his adoptive parents in Malmo, they had known for two or three months that he was the little boy that was on its way to them, and they were also given a false backstory about why Marisol had decided to give him up, he says. Mr Leite is now one of many fighting for justice, hoping the Chilean governments investigation will find the proof needed to put pressure on Sweden. Bonnie Berggren arrived in Sweden in 1978 when she was three months old and grew up in a loving, happy home in an upper-middleclass suburb outside the capital. 'My mother tried to keep me': Bonnie Berggren, pictured at the time of her adoption, found out the truth as an adult, like many other Chilean adoptees Like many children adopted to Sweden from Chile during the Pinochet years, she hails from Temuco, and spent her first few weeks in a small town nearby called Padre Las Casas. I was never like I need to find my biological parents, but I was curious of my heritage, she tells MailOnline. In her mid-20s, she paid Adoptionscentrum 5,000 SEK (435) for her adoption files and a Spanish translator, and travelled to Chile to discover her country of birth and find out more about her biological family. Accompanied by the translator and a local tour guide whom she had made friends with, Ms Berggren went to the local court in Temuco where they refused to hand over her documents. They told me theyre way too poor, your mother has forgotten all about you, she doesnt want to meet you. Theyre a bad family. Which made me absolutely furious. Fortunately, the guide had managed to pick up her biological mothers name and knew who she was and where she lived, and promised to make contact on Ms Berggrens behalf. A year later, she finally met her mother, who revealed a whole other story to the one in Ms Berggrens adoption papers. Not only does she have one older sister, she also has four younger siblings - none of whom were adopted. My mother told me that she tried to keep me for eleven days, but that she had to give me up after this. I have been told that there were social workers in the city of Temuco and in the suburbs who tried to convince pregnant women to give up their babies for adoption. Protesters from the organisation Los Hijos y Madres del Silencio, meaning The Silent Children and Mothers, whose member say their children were stolen from them and adopted by Western couples stand outside the Court of Appeals in Santiago My papers stated father unknown, but when I met my mother she told me that wasnt true at all. While they were not together when I was born, my father had tried to see me when I was eight months but by then I was already in Sweden and he had no idea. Upon arrival in Sweden, Ms Berggrens adoption went through with the courts, based on the documents from the adoption agency. A ruling she has read as an adult. The courts looked at my adoptive parents situation and then looked at my mothers situation based on Adoptionscentrums statement and ruled that the child - i.e. me - would be better off in Sweden. I have always had a mother in Chile, and she has suffered by being separated from me. Her experience of this adoption her losing me has been one of great shame, guilt and loss throughout all these years we were separated. One of the first things my mother said to me when we were reunited was it feels like a rock has fallen off my shoulders. I know that I could have grown up in Chile just as well as here in Sweden and over there would have been better. THE ADOPTION AGENCY More than 2,000 adoptions of Chilean children by Swedish parents from 1970 into the early 90s including those who have spoken to MailOnline - were carried out by an organisation called Adoptionscentrum. The organisation still facilitates a majority of all foreign adoptions in the country, and their website displays smiling children, happy in their new families in Sweden. Allegations have been made against the organisation for at least 15 years, but Adoptionscentrum have continued to deny any wrongdoing in relation to the Chilean adoptions. Marta Garcia was the head of the National Minors Service SENAME in Chile in the late 1980s, and she claims to have witnessed first-hand that the Swedish adoptions under Pinochet were not above board. In an interview with local TV channel Chilevision she singles out Adoptionscentrum and its staff member a Swedish woman living in Chile as the spider in an illegal child trafficking network. Youd cooperate with lawyers, social workers and doctors. Everyone got their slice of the pie. Centre of a scandal: Many of the children adopted by Swedish couples during the late 1970s and early 1980s came from around the city of Temuco She also claims that the Adoptionscentrum staff member had close ties to the courts which approved permits for Chilean children to leave the country for adoption. This staff member has been confirmed by Adoptionscentrum as featuring in the Chilean governments investigation into the stolen children. Ms Garcia claims social workers in the network sought out children who could be suitable for adoption: pregnant or new mothers who were vulnerable, living in marginalised areas or who were struggling financially. In particular, young and unmarried women or members of the indigenous communities, which had suffered particularly under Pinochet. She also claims these mothers-to-be were offered cash or gifts. Ms Garcias testimony echoes the tales of those interviewed by MailOnline about their adoptions. Ms Diemar, Ms Berggren and Mr Leite are all born to women from indigenous communities. Ms Diemar, together with Ms Berggren and Mr Leite, sit on the board of ChileAdoption, an organisation set up to support others in the same situation. Since the news broke of the alleged illegal adoptions, ChileAdoption members have revealed that they had been told eerily similar stories of their journeys as young children. Its a bit scary how a lot of stories which this staff member has given to the organisation when handing over children from Chile are the same, Ms Diemar says. THE POTENTIAL PRIME MINISTER While the Chilean state is now investigating what is feared to be thousands of illegal adoptions, it is not the first time these allegations have been made. Ulf Kristersson is now the leader of the Moderates, the centre-right party still in the running to lead a coalition-government in the wake of Septembers general election which left Sweden without a clear option for leadership. From 2003 to 2005, Kristersson, who is passionately pro-adoption and is the proud father of three adopted daughters, was Chairman of Adoptionscentrum. Potential Prime Minister: Ulf Kristersson, leader of Sweden's Moderate party, was Chairman of Adoptionscentrum from 2003 until 2005 In the autumn of 2003, Chilean journalists alleged that an illegal human trafficking network led by Adoptionscentrums Swedish staff-member had provided the organisation with children for adoption. Kristersson and his organisation fiercely denied any wrongdoing, and said that an internal investigation had not found anything amiss in the adoption processes. However, in a memorandum written in 2004, the organisation states that: 'during the Pinochet years, there were several police investigations into Adoptionscentrum's business in Chile.' It also states that the court which approved the guardianships to have also been investigated in 1980 and 1981. The investigations, carried out during the dictatorship, did not find that any crimes had been committed. Mr Leite, along with Ms Diemar, has publicly accused Ulf Kristersson of hushing up reports of stolen children Further in the memo, Adoptionscentrum writes that they were aware of lawyers in Chile 'seeking out' potential adoptees, however they insist that these lawyers did not work for them. They write that these practices was one of the reasons why they halted adoptions from Chile in the 1990s. Ms Diemar and Mr Leite would go on publicly accuse Kristersson of hushing up the report in Swedish media, but the potential future Prime Minister of Sweden has yet to address this allegation. There is no suggestion that Kristersson was involved in any of the alleged clandestine adoptions, as these ended more than ten years before he became chairman. Despite the claims from adoptees and the 2004 memorandum acknowledging that police investigations had been carried out, Adoptionscentrum has told MailOnline that nothing has emerged which has made us questions our adoptions. Our former employee in Chile during this period is mentioned in the investigation, and there have been serious allegations against her in the media,' a spokesperson said. 'Because of this we are of course extra keen that the investigation is done carefully to clarify what has actually happened. We take this information and peoples worry very seriously and we are doing what we can to support the investigation.' MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Mr Kristersson and the Moderates for comment. The UK's housing market is in the grip of an 'endemic' transaction crisis with sales slumping in six out of 10 markets, This is Money can reveal. Analysis of the latest Land Registry data by modular homebuilder Project Etopia found that sales improved in just 35.6 per cent of local authorities last year, despite rock bottom mortgage rates and first-time buyer schemes like Help to Buy. Sales dropped in 64.4 per cent of markets, leading to an overall drop in transactions of 2.3 per cent. The 133 local authorities that saw transactions rise saw sales increase by 3.5 per cent on average. A total of 241 of 374 local authorities saw housing sales drop by an average 2.3 per cent in 2018 The worst falls were experienced in Stevenage, which saw a 27.5 per cent drop in housing sales, Newcastle-under-Lyme which saw a 16.2 per cent drop, and Cambridge which saw a drop of 16 per cent. Among the areas that saw falls in sales, the average decline was 4.9 per cent. A total of 122 areas have seen transactions fall by more than 5 per cent, while 41 local authorities witnessed sales drop by more than 10 per cent and 11 areas more than 15 per cent. Greater London has been deeply affected. Tower Hamlets and Croydon are among the worst affected areas of the capital, with transaction levels dropping 22.5 per cent and 15.4 per cent respectively. Joseph Daniels, chief executive of Project Etopia, said: 'It might not be immediately obvious what transaction levels have to do with the housing crisis, but the answer is a great deal. Lack of housing stock means we're on a merry-go-round of gyrating house prices in this country. A total of 122 local authority areas have seen housing transactions fall by more than 5 per cent 'This feeds into massive price gains that occur over just a few years, causing people to think of their house as an investment not a home. When storm clouds gather on the horizon they then guard their most valuable possession by sitting tight.' The City of London saw the biggest increase of any local authority area in England and Wales but was starting from a low base. It saw sales rise 66 per cent, but in reality only 146 properties changed hands in eight months. The best performing towns or cities outside London were Chorley at 17 per cent, Hull at 13.9 per cent and Lincoln at 12.3 per cent. 'It's easy to forget that there were 231,690 fewer homes sold in the last financial year than a decade earlier,' Daniels added. 'If we had more stock, this boom and bust would be a thing of the past and the sands wouldn't keep shifting under developers' feet.' In November This is Money revealed that local councils have fallen over six years behind their own house building targets. The 10 towns and cities with the biggest rises in transactions outside London Town/City Transactions 2018 Chorley 17 per cent Hull 13.9 per cent Lincoln 12.3 per cent Liverpool 10.8 per cent Rochdale 9.4 per cent Worcester 8.4 per cent Carlisle 8.2 per cent Tewkesbury 7.8 per cent Mansfield 7.4 per cent Stafford 7.1 per cent But it's not just the lack of available housing that's slowing the market. According to trade body NAEA Propertymark, the number of house hunters has dropped dramatically in the run up to Brexit. According to the most recently available figures, the number of house hunters registered per estate agent branch fell to 282 in November, the lowest number for the month since 2012. The supply of available houses also fell by 13 per cent for the second consecutive month, dropping from an average of 40 in October, to 35 per branch. The number of properties sold to first-time buyers remained at 23 per cent in November for the second month running, increasing from 20 per cent in August and 22 per cent in September. However, year on year, the number the of sales made to the group are down from 27 per cent. Mark Hayward, chief executive, NAEA Propertymark, said: 'We usually see a seasonal slow-down, but it's unlikely that the time of year is the sole cause of today's market conditions. 'It's likely that this year we'll just see people holding off until there's some clarity around what the Brexit deal might look like and what it will mean for the economy.' Iceland is at war with the taxman over an 'idiotic' 48million bill it faces for a savings club and rules asking staff to wear smart shoes. The frozen food giant said HM Revenue & Customs was wasting public money on probing its finances, with founder Sir Malcolm Walker branding it 'madness'. HMRC claims a Christmas savings scheme offered to staff and rules asking them to wear 'suitable' shoes as part of their uniform break minimum wage rules. Iceland said HM Revenue & Customs was wasting public money on probing its finances, with founder Sir Malcolm Walker (pictured) branding it 'madness' But Richard Walker, Iceland's managing director and son of the founder, said: 'We're proud to have paid 1.4billion in UK taxes over the last 13 years, and have always tried to do the right thing for our own people. At a time when the UK High Street is under unprecedented pressure, this is idiotic.' Iceland's Christmas savings scheme allows staff to put aside some wages into a ring-fenced pot of cash. They can withdraw the money at any time. But HMRC says the payments caused some staff's take-home wages to fall below the minimum amount required by law, even though they received the money later on. It has told Iceland to repay 21million put into the scheme by staff, or 3.5million annually over six years. The retailer could also be forced to pay the same amount again in a fine for breaching the rules, taking the bill to 42million. Separately, HMRC says Iceland should pay almost 6million compensation to staff who have bought shoes for work, leaving the total bill approaching a possible 48million. This is because Iceland's staff rules ask them to wear 'suitable dark shoes'. It offers employees free pairs of safety shoes on request. But HMRC said those who spent money on smart shoes on any given week may have also fallen below the minimum wage threshold. It says this could have amounted to two pairs of 20 shoes per year, a figure that could reach 5.8million overall for its 24,000 staff. Sir Malcolm, who founded Iceland in 1970, has vowed to fight the claims in court if necessary. Writing on the company's website this year, he said: 'Although we have continued to raise pay each year, the introduction of the national living wage has brought our rates much closer to the legal minimum and this has recently brought us under the baleful gaze of the HMRC minimum wage task force. 'You'd think HMRC might put more effort into chasing the 1billion of corporation tax successfully avoided by the likes of Apple, Facebook and Google, or the VAT dodged on Amazon and Ebay. 'Particularly under a Conservative government, surely the public sector's top priority should be to support and encourage responsible wealth creators, not to harass them?' A spokesman for HM Revenue & Customs said it did not comment on specific cases. But he added: 'All businesses, irrespective of size or business sector are responsible for paying the correct minimum wage to their staff. 'HMRC won't hesitate to take action to ensure that workers receive what they are legally entitled to.' The spokesman said HMRC judged cases individually but that its response would depend on whether employees faced consequences for not wearing certain pieces of clothing. It 'named and shamed' 179 companies last year for underpaying staff, with Karen Millen and Shoe Zone among those it singled out for requiring staff to wear uniforms. Sir Malcolm told the Times he had personally approached Business Secretary Greg Clark about Iceland's case but said: 'He promised he would look into it never heard from him again.' A spokesman for Iceland yesterday said the company was due to meet HMRC this month. Samsung Electronics has signed an agreement with the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (Kotsa) to collaborate on next-generation telecommunication technology which will enable autonomous driving innovation across the country. Through the partnership, both entities will build 4G LTE, 5G and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) telecommunication networks and related IT infrastructures at K-City, a test bed for autonomous driving technology in Korea. By building various telecommunication networks including 5G, 4G and V2X in one place, K-City will provide real-world experiences of autonomous driving for people and businesses across the industry, said Byung Yoon Kwon, director of Kotsa. "This open environment is expected to be served as a unique innovation lab for industry partners that will ultimately enable to accelerate the availability of autonomous driving era. "The prominence of autonomous vehicles and connected cars is growing rapidly in the 5G era, and Samsungs commitment to collaborative innovation in this area is stronger than ever, said Jaeho Jeon, executive vice president and head of Global Technology Service, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. "With our technical expertise in 5G technologies, we are uniquely positioned to establish the foundation of a new industrial ecosystem that will allow the autonomous driving industry to flourish. K-City consists of five real-life simulated cases, urban and rural areas, local communities, highways and parking lots, spread across a 360,000-sq-m field. Using advanced vehicle communication technologies, the test bed will create an environment for autonomous vehicles and connected cars to experience real-life road conditions, crossings and tunnels. It will also enable the testing of accident risk situations that can be recreated and repeated, contributing to enhanced safety for both drivers and pedestrians. Alongside the implementation of network equipment, Samsung will begin building key IT infrastructures to guarantee minimal latency and information security at K-City. Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) near base stations is critical in supporting instant communication between fast-moving vehicles, and enables cars to react to unanticipated events. Designed as a multi-purpose open innovation lab to serve various industries, the network solution in K-City supported by Samsung and Kotsa will be available to professionals and businesses of all sizes. The site will eventually become the centre of research for autonomous driving and connected cars, which will spearhead the future growth of 5G industries. TradeArabia News Service HSBC's Turkish boss has been accused of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (pictured) The boss of HSBCs Turkish business is being investigated by police over claims he insulted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Selim Kervanci reportedly posted a clip of the German film Downfall, set in the last days of Adolf Hitlers tyranny, on Twitter. In the video, subtitles of a rant in German by Hitler were altered to read as if Erdogan was speaking. Insulting Erdogan is a crime in Turkey, with thousands of people prosecuted in 2017 according to Human Rights Watch. The post shared by Kervanci was made by a journalist in 2013 and the banker was quizzed in September. Kervanci was made chief executive of HSBCs Turkish arm in 2016. After a failed coup in 2016, the countrys rulers have cracked down on dissent. HSBC Turkey declined to comment. Britain is heading for the worst decade of housebuilding ever despite frantic efforts to up construction. With only a year left of the 2010s, the average number of homes built per year stands at just 130,000 below every decade. That is putting pressure on supply and making it harder for millions of people to buy a home, says the Centre for Policy Studies. Shortage: With only a year left of the 2010s, the average number of homes built per year stands at just 130,000 below every decade The think tank said construction has fallen every decade since the Second World War, with the current rate half of what was achieved in the 1960s and 70s. It is a fresh blow to Theresa May, who vowed to make the issue her personal mission. MPs and campaigners have warned a failure by the Tories to build enough homes could stoke discontent among savers and usher in a Labour government. Robert Colvile, director of the think tank, said: The analysis shows this is not just a consequence of the financial crisis but is part of a pattern stretching back half a century. Ministers need to take bold action in 2019 to ensure the 2020s become the decade in which we break this hugely damaging cycle. The centre says the number of homes expected to be built in this decade will be about 1.3m, compared to 3m in the 1960s. Blue-chip companies could see a host of bosses quit this year as 17 chief executives in the FTSE 100 near retirement age. Almost a fifth of Footsie bosses are older than 60, nearly double the number it was 20 years ago. The stage is now set for an exodus as they step down, continuing a rush for the exits which began last year, when there were the most departures since the banking crash. Almost a fifth of Footsie bosses are older than 60. The stage is now set for an exodus as they step down, continuing a rush for the exits which began last year The oldest Footsie bosses include Arnold Donald, 64, chief executive of cruise ship firm Carnival; Standard Life Aberdeen co-chief Martin Gilbert, 63; BP chief Bob Dudley, 63; and United Utilities chief Steve Mogford, 62. Steve Wilkie, managing director of financial adviser Responsible Life, said: Age alone doesnt automatically qualify a chief executive to be a better leader but boards clearly value these industry titans experience in tough times. Since the financial crash, the research shows companies have been taking stock and hiring those with more battle scars in greater numbers. Experience and, with it, a nose for how to steer our biggest companies through choppy waters, is prized now more than ever. But he added that the rise of older bosses means a large number are likely to retire soon. It comes after 16 Footsie chiefs left in 2018, the highest number since 2007, when 17 business leaders scarpered ahead of the financial crisis. Five bosses are already known to be leaving this year. Unilever boss Paul Polman, 62, yesterday handed the reins to successor Alan Jope, 54 and BTs Gavin Patterson, 51, will be handing over to Philip Jansen, 51, next month. British American Tobacco chief executive Nicandro Durante, 62, will be succeeded by Jack Bowles, 54, in April. In May, Ashtead chief Geoff Drabble, 59, will step aside for Brendan Horgan, 45. And Direct Line Insurance boss Paul Geddes, 49, is set to leave this summer. Russ Mould, investment director of AJ Bell, said that pushy investors have made life harder at the top of big businesses and this is prompting some bosses to step down. He said: The FTSE 100 has gone nowhere fast in the past 24 months, so there is pressure from fund managers to perform. Activists are also raising the temperature. There are so many of them now they are branching out of their domestic hunting ground in America and looking overseas. And when they come, they come with their classic checklist of options. Operational change, financial change and strategic change or management change. Some high-profile departures followed investors concerns about a lack of returns and in some cases outrage over fat cat pay. BTs Patterson said he would quit after a dismal share price performance and criticism he had not spent enough cash on upgrading its broadband network. And Polman ended his decade-long reign at Unilever after the companys plan to move its HQ from London to Rotterdam was scuppered by an investor revolt. Persimmon boss Jeff Fairburn was ousted from the housebuilder not long after he flounced out of a TV interview when asked about his massive bonus. Wilkie said the departures would mark a good opportunity to appoint more female bosses. There are now just six women running blue-chip firms. Wilkie added: The rate of progress in this area over the past 20 years can, at best, be said to be glacial. It took Alan Watling nearly four years, endless emails and court action but he finally won compensation for a delayed flight that saw him get home at well past 4am. Alan, 71, had been returning home from a three-day trip to Valencia with his partner, Jenny Cooper, 70, in September 2014. But after arriving at the airport, easyJet said their 9.10pm flight to Stansted was delayed by four hours. Flight fight: Easyjet refused to compensate a couple after their flight was delayed for four hours claiming the plane had been hit by a bird Alan and Jenny had been hoping to arrive home around midnight. After landing at around 2.45am local time, the couple spent half an hour getting through security, before making the one-hour drive home to Maidstone, Kent. 'I was exhausted, but we just had to press on,' Alan says. 'Fortunately, I am semi-retired, so I didn't have to work until later in the afternoon. But it did wipe out the next morning.' Alan knew that as the delay was more than three hours, he and Jenny would each be entitled to 250 (225) compensation under EU law. However, three months after the airline had been emailed, easyJet wrote back rejecting his claim. The customer service representative claimed the delay had been caused by a bird strike, which was an extraordinary circumstance. This meant the couple were not entitled to compensation because airlines don't have to pay out for delays that occur due to reasons out of their control, such as bad weather, political unrest or bird strikes. Yet Alan says this was the first he had heard about a bird strike. At the airport, check-in staff told him the delay was due to a 'technical problem'. On the flight the captain had claimed the delay was down to 'a security issue at another airport'. Alan says: 'easyJet were just playing silly devils.' For years, airlines routinely used the extraordinary circumstance excuse to wriggle out of paying legitimate compensation claims. And in September we revealed how airlines still drag their heels over payouts. Alan refused to be fobbed off and complained to the UK aviation watchdog, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). But because the delay had occurred in Spain, he was referred to the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA). In April 2015, it ruled that easyJet should pay up. Determined: Alan Watling and partner Jenny Cooper finally won the compensation they were entitled to after taking Easyjet to the small claims court In its official response, the AESA wrote that while the airline claimed a bird strike had occurred, it had failed to provide any evidence 'to prove the alleged extraordinary circumstances'. But when Alan wrote to easyJet to request payment, he was sent a poorly written email which said: 'If you have been informed by the CAA that a compensation will be payable. We are not able to processed the payment as this will be done by the CAA direct.' Alan, who still works as a vehicle engineer expert witness, says: 'It was a red herring. I've never heard of an airline organisation not paying its own compensation.' How to take on the airlines if it all goes wrong Complain to your airline direct and state that under EU regulation 261 you are entitled to compensation. Some airlines have forms on their websites. How much you can claim depends on where you were travelling and for how long you were delayed. The maximum is 600 (547) . Remember that to be eligible, your delay must have been within the airline's control. This includes routine technical faults. If your claim is rejected, you can refer your case to one of two ombudsman-type schemes the AviationADR or CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution). Most major airlines, with the exception of Jet2 and Ryanair, are signed up and must abide by the independent arbitrator's decision. You can refer complaints about these airlines to the Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk). Call 0330 022 1500 for advice. Alternatively, try online dispute service Resolver, which can negotiate with companies on your behalf. Your final option is to take the airline to a small claims court. You can get a claim form at gov.uk/make-money-claim When he asked for clarification, easyJet responded a month later: 'A decision was made from the CAA and our Disruption team that your EU compensation claim is not payable due to extraordinary circumstances.' More emails followed but easyJet refused to share any evidence to support its claim. In December 2017, Alan paid 35 to submit his case to the small claims court. The case was never heard because easyJet did not file the paperwork in time. And in May 2018, the court ruled that Alan and Jenny should receive the sterling equivalent of 250 each. easyJet claims a series of administration errors and delays to proceedings meant they were unable to gather evidence in time to fight the case. But finally, on June 20, 2018, the airline paid the couple 469.40. 'I assume they get away with this sort of behaviour most of the time it wasn't going to happen with me,' Alan says. Travel expert Frank Behany praises Alan's persistence. He says: 'If an airline is claiming a particular event caused their delay then they should be prepared to produce evidence. easyJet should have paid out following the Spanish regulator's decision. And the idea that the CAA should pay an airline's compensation is absolute nonsense.' An easyJet spokesman says: 'This court ruled in favour of Mr Watling because we could not provide evidence to defend the case due to the delay in the proceedings, which made the gathering of evidence more challenging. 'The delay occurred because easyJet had to wait for information from the passenger and it took numerous court orders to be served on Mr Watling to provide us with the required information. 'easyJet takes its responsibilities under EU261 very seriously and will always pay compensation when it is due. We currently pay compensation when it is due, generally within 28 days.' f.parker@dailymail.co.uk Politics drove the energy price cap initiative which came into force yesterday. The Tories simply stole a key plank of Labour policy and made it their own. Nothing has agitated consumers more in recent times than the way in which power prices rise inexorably, irrespective of events on wholesale markets. The big six energy groups plainly are the main culprits being targeted by the Government, because default tariffs hit the poorest consumers hardest along with those who pay the loyalty penalty by not shopping around. But government itself is not innocent in any of this. Nothing has agitated consumers more in recent times than the way in which power prices rise inexorably, irrespective of events on wholesale markets Much of what we pay in our fuel bills, both at the petrol pumps and for domestic heating, comes in the shape of taxation. In the case of domestic bills we are all paying for green taxes, for transmission investment and nuclear decommissioning. On the surface, it must be a good thing that 11m people (according to official data) could save an average of 76 per year on fuel bills. However, interfering with the operation of free markets is never a sensible approach. It spells trouble for future investment by disincentivising the energy industry, and creates distortions. Britains energy market already is the most competitive in Europe, with a choice of dozens of new suppliers, easy transfer mechanisms and comparison websites. Indeed, one of the ironies is that at a time when switching is taking off British Gas owner Centrica lost 340,000 customers in the first half of 2018 the cap is weakening the economics of the challengers. It is no accident that Spark Energy, with 290,000 customers, went bust in November, the seventh challenger supplier to call it a day. The price cap means consumers will be more reluctant to switch, making it harder for independents to win customers. The cap was also among the factors which led UK energy giant SSE to call off its proposed retail merger with German rival Innogy because of the altered economics. The proper answer for a market not changing fast enough was for the regulator Ofgem to have come down hard on companies sticking with default tariffs by punishing them with heavy fines on their turnover. But that would have been a slow burn and created space for Labour Party mischief. Banker buster How encouraging to see Senator Elizabeth Warren, 69, an indefatigable campaigner for cleaning up Wall Street, throw her hat into the ring for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. In spite of a foolish claim about a Native American background, Warren has sound credentials, including a combative spell overseeing the Troubled Asset Relief Program, which bailed out the US banks in 2008. Anyone who saw Warrens forensic and tough-minded questioning of tarnished Wells Fargo executives over the creation of unauthorised bank accounts to burnish bonuses and dividends could not fail to be impressed. Bankers and corporate fat cats be warned! Remembering Minos The veteran, Harvard-educated, Greek-born banker Minos Zombanakis, 92, who died shortly before Christmas in his native Crete, was an innovative financier who helped revive the City of London and turn it into an economic powerhouse. Tall and imposing, Zombanakis was a key player in the development of London as the home of the syndicated loan market, where bankers came together to finance big corporations and nations with borrowing costs based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (Libor). As a commercial banker at Manufacturers Hanover, he worked on the first such euro-loans for US companies in the early 1970s, creating a City-based market which grew from $10bn in 1972 to $180billion a decade later. He was author in 1983 of what The Economist dubbed the Zombanakis Plan, which proposed extending the role of the International Monetary Fund in bail-outs of indebted countries. In his later years he was largely responsible for bringing Saudi Arabia, through his role as a senior executive at Chase Manhattan, into the mainstream of global finance. No one was more exasperated and disgusted at the greed which disgraced banking in the run-up to the great financial crisis of 2008-09 than Zombanakis and in particular, at the distortion of the ethics he valued strongly. A great, serious financial thinker, he will be much missed by his family and those of us privileged to call him a friend. Transfusions of younger blood may improve the health of older patients, and a new trial is testing out the ability of this blood to treat Parkinson's. Researchers at Stanford University have been giving older mice injections of blood from younger ones. Remarkably - and as if taken from the pages of a vampire novel - the new blood turned back the clock on the older mice's cognitive declines. Now, one of those researchers has co-founded a new company that is set to try giving older humans with Parkinson's injections of certain components from younger people's blood. Ultimately, the firm aims to develop a synthetic version of whichever of the thousands of possible components of blood has this fountain-of-youth effect, as the supply of young people willing to donate their blood is very much limited. Researchers at a biotech firm co-founded by a Stanford scientist are giving Parkinson's patients transfusions of blood components taken from young donors in a controversial trial As the body ages, it undergoes broad-sweeping changes. That includes changes to the blood. Though the shift in our blood supply is subtle, it may have serious implications for our overall heath and innate ability to fight other age-related diseases. With age, the body's volume of water begins to decline and, with it, the volume of blood coursing through our veins. Meanwhile, the bone marrow becomes a less efficient producer of red blood cells. Red blood cell count is considered an important indicator of aging, and their decline has even been called a 'signal' for death. White blood cell count, too, falls slightly with age. These cells contain crucial white blood cells, which fight disease and infection. Subtle though these known changes are, evidence suggests that some ingredient or ingredients in younger blood are effective combatants of aging. We just have no idea why that is. At Stanford, the research of Dr Tony Wyss-Coray and his lab has narrowed the potent part of young blood to a 'fraction' which still contains about a thousand different proteins. When he and his team injected older mice with this fraction of blood from young ones, they saw remarkable changes. The older mice's cognitive declines were reversed, they developed new brain cells, and performed just as well on tests of their cognitive functioning as the young ones did. Next, the team is taking a two-pronged approach to developing a therapy. They are testing the effects of each component protein, one-by-one, a tedious but key process to figuring out which has or have the healing properties. Simultaneously, Alkahest, the biotech firm that Dr Wyss-Coray co-founded, is beginning testing on 90 human patients with Parkinson's disease to see if it young (human) blood could have the same protective effects on their brains. The first patient was given their first injection on December 4, 2018. If the trial shows promise, and the parallel study successfully identifies the key part of blood, the research team may have the basis for making a synthetic. About 6.8 million people donate blood every year in the US, and less than 38 percent of the population is even eligible to donate blood or platelets. In previous tests, the researchers transfused blood from 18- to 30-year-old humans to older ones (mostly in their 70s and 80s). This age group is the least likely to donate blood, according to an analysis conducted last year. And even if there were more donors, the transfusion of blood from young donors to older ones has already raised ethical questions - and more than a few eyebrows in the past. So finding a way to create synthetic young blood may be a key to bringing this promising - if slightly eerie - therapeutic to fruition. More men die from brain tumors because they have different genetic risk factors, according to new research. Survival rates could be improved by tailoring treatment based on gender, say scientists. The study identified molecular signatures of glioblastoma - the most aggressive form of the disease - that are distinctive between the sexes. It kills about half of patients within 14 months of diagnosis - and is nearly twice as common in males. Brain tumors in males appear to be more deadly, but not due to hormonal differences, a new study has found Co-senior author Professor Joshua Rubin, a neuroscientist at Washington University, said: 'It is our expectation this study could have an immediate impact on the care of patients with glioblastoma and further research. 'The findings indicate we should be stratifying male and female glioblastoma into risk groups and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment in a sex-specific manner. 'The biology of sex differences and its applications in medicine are highly relevant but almost always ignored aspects of personalized treatments.' It's been known for decades that more men get cancer and die of the disease than women. This is true for many types - including glioblastoma - but the reasons have been unclear. The discovery, reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine, adds to hope that cancer is entering a new era of personalized medicine where drugs target specific weaknesses in patients' tumors. But Dr Rubin said it hasn't yet incorporated the 'idea that males and females are different.' Glioblastoma is most often diagnosed in people over age 50 and standard treatment includes surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation. But stubborn stem cells often survive and continue to divide - meaning most tumors recur within six months. Dr Rubin said: 'Despite decades of research we don't really have an effective treatment for it.' By studying MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain scans of 63 patients - 40 men and 23 women - the therapy was found to be more effective at slowing tumor growth in the latter. Only the women showed a steady and significant improvement after treatment with temozolomide - the most common chemotherapy drug used to treat glioblastoma. Dr Rubin said: 'Females exhibit a significant response to therapy in terms of tumors getting smaller - and males do not. 'The males did not respond as well, and we wanted to understand why, so we looked at the underlying genetics of patients' tumors.' His team used sophisticated algorithms on data from US patients taking part in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) that is investigating genetic links to the disease. Co-senior author Dr Rosy Luo, also of Washington University, said: 'We observed tremendous genetic sex differences in the tumors of glioblastoma patients that correlated with survival. 'All evidence supports the need to define these distinctions and incorporate the sex differences into glioblastoma biology research and treatment.' Specifically the tumors clustered into 10 distinct subtypes - five each for males and females - and distinguished by both gene activity and survival. For example women with one such form lived longer than those with any of the other four - just over three years compared with just over 12 months. Similarly, a male cluster was linked to longer survival - just over 18 months compared with little over a year for men with the others. Dr Rubin said: 'Females survive on the scale of just months longer - but significant. 'Additionally we identified genetic pathways that correlated with the longest survival - and they were very different in males compared with females. 'For example in males survival was all about regulating cell division, which suggests that drugs that block cell-cycle progression may be more effective in men. 'For females, survival was all about regulating invasiveness, which suggests that drugs targeting integrin signaling may be more effective in women. 'This tells us it might be better to separate males and females and examine their sex-specific genetic signatures. 'We tested this hypothesis by doing a series of in vitro drug screens in which we took four relatively common chemo drugs and looked at how the expression of these genes correlated with response to those drugs. 'In both males and females, there was a clear correlation.' Gender differences in disease in general are often tied to sex hormones. Estrogen for example contributes significantly to more women getting breast cancer. But this is not the case with glioblastoma diagnosis and survival, said Prof Rubin. He said: 'The sex-specific genetic activity in glioblastoma is not dependent on the acute actions of circulating sex hormones as differences are evident across all stages of life. 'In a broader sense, I want our research to encourage people to think more about how diseases uniquely affect males and females, making it the norm and not the exception. 'I hope the research will inspire more specific approaches to treatments. It may be that we shouldn't be using the same criteria when treating diseases in males and females, and as a next step we should definitely develop and evaluate sex-specific treatment regimens for glioblastoma.' A mother's push to get doctors to stop dismissing her son's tummy ache symptoms led to a cancer diagnosis. Haley Halstead, of Hutchinson, Kansas, said her five-year-old son, Vincent Gonzaga Jr, had been complaining of stomach pains for nearly a year. However, pediatricians said the kindergartner was merely suffering from constipation, KSN reported. But in late November 2018, when Vincent's stomach started bulging out, Halstead insisted a CT scan be ordered. That's when doctors discovered Vincent's symptoms were actually from hepatoblastoma - a cancer of the liver - and told Halstead that if the disease hadn't been caught when it was, the tumors would have spread throughout her son's body. Vincent Gonzaga Jr, five (pictured), of Hutchinson, Kansas, began complaining of stomach pains a year ago, which doctors dismissed as constipation In late November 2018, his mother, Haley Halstead (left, with Vincent) saw that his abdomen was swollen and insisted doctors at the local ER order a CT scan After the CT scan in the local ER showed masses on his liver, Halstead and Vincent were sent to Wesley Children's Hospital in Wichita, according to a Facebook post. There, Vincent underwent an additional CT scan, an MRI and bloodwork. On December 3, pediatric hematologist/oncologist Dr Sean Pyper diagnosed the five-year-old with hepatoblastoma, a cancer that begins in the liver. Symptoms depend on the size of the tumor and can include a swollen abdomen, abdominal pain, jaundice skin, fever, nausea and vomiting. Despite being the most common malignant liver tumor among young children, it is a rare form of cancer, affecting fewer than one in a million children, according to St Jude Children's Research Hospital. The exact cause is unknown but children are at a higher risk if they were born prematurely; have hemihypertrophy, which is when one side of the body grows faster than the other; or have Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, known as an overgrowth syndrome. Hepatoblastoma is treated usually via chemotherapy first to shrink the tumor and to stop it from potentially spreading, and then surgery to remove the tumor. Vincent has stage 3 cancer, meaning the tumor is encompassing all of his liver and cannot safely be removed in an operation. Halstead and Vincent (left and right) were sent to Wesley Children's Hospital in Wichita after the scan showed a mass on Vincent's liver. It was there that pediatric hematologist/oncologist Dr Sean Pyper diagnosed the five-year-old with hepatoblastoma Hepatoblastoma is a rare tumor that begins in the liver. Vincent has stage III cancer, meaning the tumor is encompassing all of his abdomen and cannot safely be removed in an operation. Pictured: Vincent, left, with his mother Halstead said that doctors told her if Vincent's cancer hadn't been detected when it was, it could have spread to his lungs. 'You have to listen to [kids],' she told KSN. 'They know they're hurting somewhere and you have to fix that for them.' Dr Pyper told DailyMail.com that parents are often helpful in diagnosing his young patients. 'All pediatric cancers are rare and that's not the first thing that anybody thinks of,' he said. 'So with the rare things being rare and the common things being common, it makes sense to try to go through the list of common stuff first before approaching the rare stuff. 'But because parents spend all day everyday around their kid, they often know if something is out of the ordinary.' Currently, Vincent (pictured) is undergoing rounds of chemotherapy to hopefully shrink the tumor enough to have a liver transplant If Vincent's transplant doctors determine he is eligible, he'll have about two more rounds of chemotherapy before the transplant and the earliest he'll have the operation is in eight to nine weeks. Pictured: Vincent Currently, Vincent is undergoing rounds of chemotherapy to hopefully shrink the tumor enough to have a liver transplant. According to UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, an estimated one-fifth of hepatoblastoma tumors require patients undergoing a liver transplant. Dr Pyper said Vincent is in his second cycle, which lasts about 21 days and at the end of which he'll be evaluated by his transplant doctors. If they determine he is eligible, he'll have about two more rounds of chemotherapy before the operation, the earliest being eight to nine weeks from now. After his surgery, he'll have to undergo two more rounds of chemotherapy to ensure there is no remaining trace of the disease. Family friends have created a Facebook donation page to raise money for Vincent's medical bills. So far, more than $3,300 has been raised out of a $10,000 goal. An English teacher has suffered life-changing brain damage after being bitten by a tick. Keith Poultney, 40, initially thought he had the flu when he suddenly developed a fever while volunteering as a teacher in Nepal in 2017. Mr Poultney was given antibiotics when doctors discovered he had a tick embedded in his right ear, which a friend removed. But the infection was resistant to drugs, with the teacher's temperature soaring to 40C (104F) on the flight home. Mr Poultney, from Waterlooville in Hampshire, was diagnosed with a tropical disease and sent home from hospital when he showed signs of improving. Keith Poultney continues to suffer life-changing fatigue and memory problems after he was bitten on the ear by a tick while volunteering as a teacher in Nepal (pictured). He first dismissed his 40C temperature as flu but doctors then discovered dangerous brain swelling The tick caused Mr Poultney to develop typhus. After the insect was removed by a friend, the teacher was forced to take himself to hospital after he became unwell while travelling in India. Doctors prescribed him antibiotics but the infection was resistant to the drugs But he quickly took a turn for the worse when he started hallucinating and suffering agonising headaches. Doctors then discovered he was suffering from typhus, which caused his brain to swell. Despite being treated for encephalitis - when the brain becomes swollen, Mr Poultney still suffers fatigue and memory problems two years on. Speaking of his ordeal, Mr Poultney said: 'I was taking part in a voluntary project teaching English in a remote village in the Kathmandu Valley. 'Towards the end of my time in Nepal I was bitten by a tick inside my right ear. 'I didn't know I had been bitten and only realised it was still embedded in me about two days later when I started to feel discomfort and pain. 'I was not overly concerned as a number of my friends had colds or flu.' A few days later, while travelling in India, Mr Poultney began to feel worse and took himself to a local hospital. 'They treated me with antibiotics, but what they didn't know was that the type of infection I had developed was resistant,' he said. WHAT IS TYPHUS? Typhus is a bacterial disease that causes fever, headache, rash, muscle ache, and fever and chills. In severe cases, patients can require hospitalisation due to hepatitis or internal bleeding. It is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi and possibly Rickettsia felis, which are carried by fleas, lice, mites or ticks. The pests live on animals, particularly feral and stray cats, rats and opossums, but do not make their host animals unwell. Flea-borne typhus is endemic in parts of LA and Orange County. The disease also often occurs in Texas and Hawaii. Around 200 cases occur every year throughout the US, particularly in coastal regions. Bacteria spread when faeces from an infected insect contaminate a person's cut or graze while the insect is sucking their blood. If the person scratches the bite area, the bacteria from the faeces can enter their bloodstream. Bacteria can also be rubbed into a person's eyes, or, in rare cases, inhaled. Symptoms then appear six-to-14 days later. Typhus can be treated via antibiotics, with most people recovering within a few days. Between two and four per cent of people who do not receive treatment die worldwide. Typhus can be prevented by avoiding contact with fleas, mites, ticks and lice via: Discouraging wild animals around the home Keeping rubbish covered Using flea control on pets Advertisement 'I flew home as planned but the flight - a 12-hour flight via the Middle East - was the worst experience of my life. 'I have never felt so unwell. I had a temperature of 40.5C and was unable to keep anything in.' Once home, Mr Poultney first went to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth before being moved to a specialist tropical infectious disease unit. Doctors were able to reduce the swelling in his brain, but the teacher claims he has not felt himself since. 'I felt different in myself,' he said. 'I had real problems with my balance and was unable to walk in a straight line. 'I physically felt as though I was impaired or drunk. I could not gauge space or distance and would often walk into door frames or knock things such as drinks over. 'I also kept having audio and visual disturbances causing me at times to feel like I was in some form of alternative world.' 'I lost weight and had little appetite. I found that most of the time I was emotionless and cold to everything. 'However, things could quickly change and simple sights or sounds could flip my emotions from sad to happy with no real explanation.' Mr Poultney continues to suffer from poor concentration, and struggles with planning and problem solving. He also battles fatigue and memory problems. In the two years since he left hospital, Mr Poultney has been supported by the brain-injury charity Headway, who he claims 'picked him up' from a 'very low point'. 'The care I received in hospital was first class but once I was discharged I felt very alone and forgotten,' he said. 'Without Headway's help, I know my recovery would have been slower and more frustrating. 'They were there to pick me up from a very low point in my life. 'I know my brain has been altered and that will most likely never change. But I also know that I shouldn't try and deal with this on my own.' A student whose extreme tiredness and difficulty walking were put down to exam stress discovered she actually needed a heart transplant because of a life-threatening condition. Charlotte Carney, 22, was reportedly told by doctors she was sleeping 20 hours a day and feeling breathless because she was stressed. But last year five years after she started suffering she was diagnosed with deadly restrictive cardiomyopathy, in which the heart doesn't properly fill with blood. She was given just a 20 per cent chance of surviving the next two years without a heart transplant, which she received in spring last year. After six days in a coma and four weeks in hospital following the operation, Miss Carney is now well enough to finish her degree and is urging people to be organ donors. Scroll down for video Charlotte Carney, from Northwich in Cheshire, had a heart transplant aged just 22 last year, after what she thought was laziness turned out to be a serious illness Miss Carney, from Northwich in Cheshire, suffered with severe fatigue and needed constant naps. She claims GPs suggested her symptoms were linked to stress but her health continued to decline and left her sleeping for 20 hours per day and struggling to walk. 'I was dismissed by doctors due to my age in 2013 and I was told my symptoms were due to exam stress,' she said. 'But as the years passed my health continued to decline, I struggled to stay awake for longer than a few hours. 'I thought I was just really lazy and loved sleep but after tests on my heart I was finally diagnosed.' Tests last February revealed she had restrictive cardiomyopathy, which occurs in less than one in a million people. The condition prevents the heart from relaxing properly and means it does not fill with blood, reducing how much oxygen can get to the muscles. It is unknown what causes restrictive cardiomyopathy and it can develop at any age, but isn't curable. Miss Carney had her lifesaving heart transplant less than four months after being diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy in February 2018 she spent four weeks in hospital (pictured) Miss Carney said doctors gave her a 20 per cent chance of surviving two years if she didn't get a new heart, because her condition prevented her organ from filling with blood WHAT IS RESTRICTIVE CARDIOMYOPATHY? In patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), the heart's muscle cells are replaced with scar tissue. This causes the muscle walls of the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) to stiffen, which makes it harder for the heart to beat. In particular, the stiffened muscles cannot relax properly, which means the ventricles cant fill with blood. This lowers blood flow around the body. Some people with RCM have no, or very mild, symptoms. But over time, the restricted function of the heart can lead to heart failure, symptoms for which include tiredness, shortness of breath and palpitations. RCM is relatively rare compared to other types of cardiomyopathy. It is most often diagnosed in children at 56 years of age, although it can develop at any age. Although RCM cannot be cured, treatment aims to reduce and control symptoms, particularly those of heart failure. In some cases where the heart function is very poor, people may require a heart transplant. It can be genetic and run in families. It can also develop following some treatments for cancer, such as radiation therapy. Advertisement Miss Carney tried medication but it didn't help, so she was put on the heart transplant waiting list three months after her diagnosis. Doctors found a suitable donor just three weeks later. 'I knew my time was running out,' she said. 'And if I didn't have a new organ quickly I was risking being too unwell for the transplant. 'I couldn't believe it when three weeks later I got the call. The nurse started asking about the weather at first and then she said "I think you know why I'm calling". 'It was surreal and although I was nervous I knew I had no other choice if I wanted to survive. 'I was so thankful when I woke up but I thought about the donors family straight away.' Miss Carney spent just four weeks in hospital before she was allowed home and noticed a difference in her appearance straight away after the transplant. She has been thriving since returning home and will now be able to complete her degree in forensic psychology. She said: 'For the first time in my life I had warm feet they had always been cold before. 'My family and friends said I looked really pink, too, as I'd always been so pale before the surgery. 'I don't need several naps every day now and finally have my independence back. 'I have just started back for my final year at university to study forensic psychology and criminal justice.' Miss Carney is now thanking the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young for saving her life after they referred her to a heart doctor after tests. And she is sharing her story to raise awareness of the importance of organ donors. 'I can't thank the family of the heart donor enough and I do hope to one day meet them if they want to,' she said. Miss Carney (pictured with her boyfriend, Ciaran Hughes) is back in good health after her operation and will return to university to finish her degree in forensic psychology The 22-year-old, who began suffering with her symptoms more than five years ago, is now urging people to join the organ donor register to help the 'endless' list of people waiting for lifesaving operations. She said: 'I'm very grateful I didn't have to wait years for the call' Miss Carney's heart problem meant oxygen could not be pumped around her body fast enough so she often became breathless without exercising (pictured, wearing a mask to help her breathe) 'My quality of life was so poor earlier this year that I don't think I would have lasted another two years. 'I would only be able to stay awake from 11am until 2pm and even walking a few steps would leave me breathless. 'I think it's so important for the law the change around organ donation so it's an "opt out" system. 'People need to talk to their families about this subject too so everyone knows what they want.' 'The amount of people on the waiting list is endless, I'm just very grateful I was one of the lucky ones who didn't have to wait years for their call.' British Heart Foundation's Philippa Hobson, a senior cardiac nurse, added: 'Restrictive cardiomyopathy can reveal itself in a number of subtle ways, with symptoms including shortness of breath, swelling of the legs and feet, fatigue and nausea. 'If you notice any new symptoms, particularly if they persist, speak to your GP. 'Although restrictive cardiomyopathy is uncommon, heart conditions can affect anyone at any age and it's essential that they're diagnosed early.' Oman's Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) has signed up Premier International Projects (Pipoman) for the construction of an 8.3-km-long service road in the Duqm region of the sultanate, said a report. The RO3.8-million ($9.86 million) agreement for the Service Road Construction Project at Aman District will be implemented during 18 months. Nearly a month will be needed for the preparatory works, reported Oman News Agency. As per the agreement, Pipoman will design and construct around an 8.3-km-long service road in Duqm near Sezad building, stated Yahya bin Said Al Jabri, the Sezad chairman, after inking the deal with Khalid bin Nassir Al Toobi, the managing director of the company. The road will serve the Royal Oman Police (ROP) facilities and intersect with the main road, Sultan Qaboos Road, that connects the Duqm Airport with the Port, stated the report. The project involves four roundabouts, with entrances and exits extending from and leading to Sultan Qaboos Road, along with water drain facilities, protection and removal of existing utilities and LED street lighting system, it added. A new sensor can identify within minutes patients who have suffered a stroke. Using a pinprick of blood, the test may also be able to show the severity of the stroke by measuring levels of a tell-tale compound in the blood. Doctors hope the sensor, which is on trial at NHS hospitals, could save lives with its much quicker diagnosis. It may also be used one day to identify people at greater risk of stroke and help prevent them. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the UK, with more than 100,000 cases a year or one every five minutes. Most cases (85 per cent) are ischaemic strokes, where a blood clot blocks the blood supply to the brain. The new sensor could diagnose a stroke in minutes by detecting compounds in the blood called purines Identifying the condition and treating it promptly to restore the blood flow is essential to improve outcomes. It is then treated with clot-busting drugs but to be effective, these must be given within four-and-a-half hours of a stroke starting. Currently, there is no quick way to identify the problem; on the patient's arrival at hospital, CT scans are carried out to check for signs of a bleed on the brain, along with a series of other tests, but this can be time-consuming. What's more, one in three patients will actually be experiencing stroke 'mimics', conditions that have similar symptoms, including migraine, seizures and infectious disorders such as meningoencephalitis. The result is that up to a third of stroke patients go undiagnosed in A&E, while half of suspected stroke patients identified by paramedics turn out to have mimic conditions, and up to 17 per cent of patients receiving clot-busting drugs have not had a stroke. The new sensor could diagnose a stroke in minutes by detecting compounds in the blood called purines. These are produced within minutes when cells are starved of oxygen and glucose, as occurs during a stroke. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the UK, with more than 100,000 cases a year The sensor, developed at the University of Warwick and on trial at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, can detect changing purine levels by analysing a pinprick of blood taken from the patient. In a new trial involving nearly 400 stroke patients, blood samples will be taken at the time of admission to hospital to test for purine levels and doctors will look at whether the results correspond with the extent of the damage caused by the stroke. CT scans carried out after admission will be used to assess the damage. Commenting on the study, Dr Yaqoob Bhat, clinical director of stroke medicine at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: 'Stroke is one of the most fatal medical emergencies and there is no specific blood test which helps in confirming the diagnosis. 'This study is looking for purine levels in blood after a stroke and the outcome of this study will be very informative. 'If proven clinically significant, purine levels may help in the diagnosis and management of acute stroke and differentiating this from stroke mimics.' Wendi Deng Murdoch was living the high life as she celebrated New Year's Day in St. Barts, kicking off 2019 with a trip to the beach. The 50-year-old businesswomen showed off her slender figure in a patterned string bikini while frolicking in the surf and rolling around in the sand. Wendi wore her long dark hair in loose beach waves around her shoulders, and when she wasn't in the water, she donned a straw hat on her head. Living the high life: Wendi Deng Murdoch spend New Year's day on a beach in St. Barts Looking good: The 50-year-old donned a patterned string bikini and a straw hat Smiling for the camera: Wendi was seen lying in the sand during the beachside shoot with French photographer Jean Philippe Piter The film producer appeared to be taking part in a beachside shoot, as she happily struck pose after pose while French photographer Jean Philippe Piter captured her every move. She and the photographer seemed to be friends, and at one point she held on to his hand as they shared a laugh together. Wendi looked like a model as she posed with one hand on her head and the other on her hip. She was also seen lying on the sand while Jean crouched down to take her picture. At one point, the water washed right over her. Wendi's eldest daughter, Grace, laughed and stood with her arms crossed as she watched her mother wade through the surf. Having fun: Wendi was all smiles as she waded through the surf on the first day of the new year New Year's destination: Wendi rang in 2019 on the French-speaking Caribbean island Like a model: The businesswoman looked incredible as she frolicked in the water Enjoying some fun in the sun: Wendi wore her long black hair down in loose beach waves Model pose: Wendi had her hands on her hips as she walked across the sand Washing herself off: Wendi was covered in sand as she enjoyed some time in the water Like her mom, 17-year-old Grace was also sporting a bikini for the New Year's Day trip to the beach. In addition to Grace, Wendi and her ex-husband, Rupert Murdoch, are also parents to a 15-year-old daughter, Chloe. Although Chloe was in St. Barts with her mother and sister, it's unclear if she was on the beach with them on Tuesday. Wendi and her children were seen boarding the luxurious super yacht 'Eclipse' in St. Barts on Friday afternoon. The family may have socialized with some other stars, as Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Nancy Shevell also had lunch aboard the yacht. Family time: Wendi's daughter Grace, 17, laughed as she watched her mother wade through the surf Enjoying herself: The mother-of-two was seen getting in and out of the water Making memories: The film producer posed with her hand on her hip during her beachside shoot Old friends: At one point, Wendi held on to the photographer's hand as they shared a laugh together Good times: Wendi and Jean seemed to be enjoying themselves during the private shoot Celebration: Jean raised his hand to give Wendi a high-five as she posed in the water The mother-of-two donned a white, sheer midi dress with floral embroidery for her day out with her daughters. Wearing a black bikini underneath her dress, Wendi topped off her outfit with a pair of black strappy sandals and sunglasses. She styled her long dark hair into a ponytail, completing her look with a sun hat. On New Year's Eve, Wendi took to Instagram to share a photo of herself admiring a rainbow while wearing that exact outfit. In the photo, her ethereal white dress is billowing in the wind as she gazes at the rainbow over teal blue water in front of her. Added touch: Wendi's toenails were painted red to match her patterned bikini She's got the moves: Wendi happily struck pose after pose while Jean captured her every move Getting low: Wendi and Jean both crouched down in the water to capture the perfect shots Dedicated: The businesswoman didn't have any qualms about rolling around in the sand Going pro? Wendi could have easily passed for a swimsuit model on location Happy accident? Wendi laughed as the surf washed right over her while she was lying in the sand In good spirits: Wendi and her private photographer were all smiles during the shoot 'Happy New Year! she captioned the image, tagging her location as Saint Barthelemy, which is better known as St. Barts. In December 2017, Wendi rang in the new year in St. Barts with her then-boyfriend Bertold Zahoran. It was the last time the two were seen together. Wendi and the 23-year-old model split in August after two years together. At the time, a friend of Bertold's blamed the breakup on 'conflicting schedules' but noted that they were still on 'good terms.' The businesswoman has also remained friends with her billionaire ex-husband. She and the 87-year-old media mogul married in 1999, two years after they met while she was working as an executive at Star TV in Hong Kong, a company he owned. Going for it: Wendi posed with her arms stretched out as the waves crashed against her Vacation: The mother-of-two and her daughters, Grace, 17, and Chloe, 15 were seen boarding the luxurious super yacht 'Eclipse' in St. Barts on Friday afternoon Luxe getaway: Although Grace was at the beach with Wendi on Tuesday, it's unclear if Chloe was with them Happy: Wendi seemed to be having a blast as the beach breeze whipped through her hair Majestic: Wendi took to Instagram on New Year's Eve to share this photo of herself gazing at a rainbow over the ocean Holiday getaway: While Wendi was in St. Barts, her ex-husband, Rupert Murdoch, celebrated New Year's Day in Barbados with his wife, Jerry Hall I got you babe: Jerry, 62, helped Rupert, 87, out of the water before they settled down to read on the beach The pair went their separate ways in 2013 after Rupert filed for divorce, and the businessman went on to marry Mick Jaggers ex-wife Jerry Hall three years later. While Wendi and their daughters were in St. Barts, Rupert and Jerry, 62, celebrated New Year's Day in Barbados, one of their favorite spots. Jerry was seen helping her husband out of the water before they settled down to read on the beach. The iconic model's choice of novel was Cressida Connolly's After The Party, an acclaimed novel set on the eve of World War 2 during one family summer in rural England. Meanwhile, Rupert was engrossed in Utopia for Realists: And How We Can Get There by Rutger Bregman. The nonfiction from the Dutch historian examines how society can reach a revolutionary yet achievable utopia based on such ideals as universal basic income and a 15-hour work week. Vans is suing Primark for selling 'copies' of two of its iconic trainers in the US - months after the footwear brand asked the budget retailer to stop selling the shoes in the UK. The label and its parent company VF Corporation, has filed a lawsuit in New York alleging copyright infringement, unfair competition and false advertising. Vans claim the budget-friendly chain has been selling 'intentional knock-offs' of its 55 Old Skool trainers, and 65 Sk8-Hi sneakers, in the UK since the summer of 2017. After discovering the lookalikes, which retailed for 8 and 12 respectively, the company asked them to stop. Vans is suing Primark for copying two of its iconic trainers (pictured: Old Skool trainers, one of the sneakers allegedly copied) in the US Court documents filed in New York allege Primark's dupe (pictured), which retails for 8, is an 'intentional knock-off' VF Corporation understood that the matter had been settled in January last year - until it spotted the same dupes being sold in US stores. Court documents filed at New York Eastern District Court claim the copycat shoes feature an imitation of Vans' trademark side stripe, used since the 1970s. The documents said: 'The Side Stripe Trademark's prominent placement and often-contrasted colour make Vans' shoes immediately recognisable to consumers even at far-off distances.' Vans allege Primark's version have 'have been designed to confuse the purchasing public'. The company has also accused the budget retailer of copying its 65 Sk8-Hi sneakers (left) with its skater high tops (right). Vans have claimed the name is a 'blatant attempt to suggest a connection with Vans' products' Other similarities detailed in the lawsuit include Primark's names for its dupes - 'skater low tops' and 'skater high tops'. It says: 'Primark has even gone so far as to name its infringing products the "Skater low tops" and "Skater high tops" in a blatant attempt to suggest a connection with Vans' products that bear the Vans trademarks and trade dress, including the Vans' Old Skool Shoe and Sk8-Hi Shoe.' A spokesperson for Primark said: 'We disagree with the allegations by Vans and we plan to defend our position.' VF Corporation has been contacted for comment The model daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland has revealed she will spend the year studying in California. Lady Violet Manners, 25, the eldest of the couple's five children, currently works as a creative and marketing consultant based in the UK. But today she is heading to the US to enrol on a business finance course at UCLA. Heading across the pond! Lady Violet Manners, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, revealed she will spend the year studying in California in an Instagram post, pictured New horizons: The society beauty shared the news in this caption posted on Tuesday Announcing the news on her Instagram account yesterday, the society beauty wrote: 'Tomorrows [Wednesday's] the day - off to LA for a year to study business finance at UCLA. Bags packed and final night sleep in my own bed.' She shared the update alongside a photo of herself at LAX last year. The socialite also uploaded a photo of the sunset at the family seat of Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire, where she spent the festive season. Family ties: Lady Violet Manners, far right, with (left-right) sister Lady Alice Manners, mother the Duchess of Rutland, and sister Lady Eliza Manners, at an event in London in September The 19th century property is home to David, the 11th Duke of Rutland, 59, his estranged wife Emma, 55, and their five children: Lady Violet, Lady Alice, 23, Lady Eliza, 21, Charles Manners, Marquess of Granby, 19, and Hugo Manners, 15. Photos shared on the siblings' Instagram accounts show how they spent Christmas enjoying each other's company - and welcoming a new pug named Winston to the family. Lady Violet, who has walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana, studied at Queen Margaret's School, York, before starting work at a creative agency. She later founded her own company. Siblings (pictured left-right): Hugo Manners, now 15, Lady Violet, now 25, Lady Alice, now 23, Lady Eliza, now 21, and Charles Manners, Marquess of Granby, now 19, at an event in 2017 The society beauty is often seen alongside her mother and sisters at London parties and hosts gatherings at Belvoir for her equally well-heeled friends. Now she is set to bolster her CV with a qualification from UCLA, which counts actors Ben Stiller, Tim Robbins, James Franco, as well as dozens of notable politicians and scientists among its alumni. The details of her course are not yet known but it is likely she will keep her 16,000 Instagram followers updated with her antics in the US. Diane von Furstenberg has incorporated African-inspired prints into her collections, using snakeskin patterns, zebra stripes, and even sand dune motifs and now, the 72-year-old fashion icon is enjoying a safari first-hand with her family. Following a Christmas spent on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, Diane, her husband Barry Diller, and the rest of their family boarded a private jet to fly across the Atlantic to Southern Africa, where they've hit up the beaches of Durban, the deserts of Namibia, and a private game reserve in South Africa. The large group, which includes several children, has been going first class all the way, sharing pictures from their luxurious New Year's holiday on social media And they're off! Diane von Furstenberg is visiting Africa with her family this month, where she celebrated her birthday and New Year's Eve In the wild: She and her husband Barry Diller have posted plenty of safari photos on Instagram Grandma: She also brought along her grandchildren, socialite Talita von Furstenberg and her brother Tassilo Egon Maximilian Family ties: Talita (pictured left with her grandmother) is the daughter of Diane's son Alexander, from his first marriage Style icon: Diane, unsurprisingly, has been dressed flawlessly for the trip Kidding around: Talita and Tassilo pose with their cousin, Achileas of Greece, and Talita's boyfriend as well as their little brother Leon in the front Fancy: The group took a private jet to Africa from their Christmas holiday in the Bahamas, and Diane was seen playing on her iPad while her son Alexander sat beside her The group took off the day after Christmas. Diane's husband Barry Diller, Chairman of IAC, started posting on an unused Instagram account just in time for the trip, with one of his very first posts being a shot from inside their private plane. While the adults talked in front and Diane played away on an iPad, comfortable in a pair of paisley pants and a checked top the grandkids entertained themselves in the back. Diane, who was previously married to Prince Egon von Furstenberg, has two adult children from that marriage: Prince Alexander von Furstenberg and Princess Tatiana von Furstenberg. Though her daughter doesn't appear to have come along for the trip, her son was there, as were his own children, Talita von Furstenberg, 19, and Tassilo Egon Maximilian, 17. Ready to go! The group happily took pictures before boarding the flight the day after Christmas, with Diane and Barry standing front and center before they boarded the plane Up and away: Diane shared this image on her Instagram account in which she can be seen flashing a peace sign at the camera, while the rest of her group smile at the camera The whole crew: Also on the trip are Diane's son Alexander and his second wife, Ali (pictured far left) Privilege: The kids have been goofing around and enjoying the exotic vacation Connections: 18-year-old Achi of Greece (pictured) is Talita and Tassilo's first cousin their moms (Alexandra and Marie-Chantal) are sisters Shot: It's unclear if they actually went hunting or just posed with guns It's a zoo out there! They've been spending a lot of time taking pictures with animals Thanks, grandma! Talita's boyfriend Rocco Brignone was also invited, and the two snuggled up on safari Popular: Talita is a socialite with quite an impressive social media following They managed to snap pictures of all of the big five game animals: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo Spotted: Barry shared several images of the animals on his Instagram account as the safari adventure went on, including a zebra, giraffe and a lion Next stop! After the safari, they went to see sand dunes in Namibia What fun! The group posed for some fun jumping photos in the desert Capturing the moment: Barry posted quite a few images from the outings Strike a pose: Talita shared this image of herself in the middle of the desert while saying it was a 'beautiful start to 2019' Selfie central: It wasn't lost on any of them that the trip made for some good pictures Woosh! They also rode ATVs around on the sand dunes, which were lined up and waiting for them Talita's boyfriend Rocco Brignone was also invited, and rounding out the party were Alexander's wife Ali Kay, their young son Leon, and Achileas of Greece who is Talita and Tassilo's first cousin, through their mom. The group landed in Durban, in eastern South Africas KwaZulu-Natal province, before heading to the Phinda Private Game Reserve nearby. There, they spotted quite a few wild animals and managed to snap pictures of all of the big five game animals: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. They also saw giraffes and cheetahs. Upon seeing a rhinoceros, Barry uploaded a photo with the biting caption: 'Not Harvey Weinstein.' 'Fairly certain that IS Harvey, BD!' Andy Cohen, one of Barry's few follower so far, commented. Explorers: One of their first stops was Beyond Phinda Game reserve, where Talita captured numerous photos of herself Activities: At one point, they went on a group bike ride together Chillin! Diane lays out in the sand in Namibia while Barry walks nearby Luxe life: After the safari, it appears they rented a private lodge for everyone to stay, with Talita taking full advantage of the chance to post a pajama-clad image of herself Memories: Diane brought a camera to snap pics when the group went to a nearby winery Vacation! They sipped wine outside and enjoyed the nice weather He's new! Barry (right) started his own Instagram account just before the trip and has been regularly posting images from the getaway, including several pictures of his wife (left) Nice! They checked into Omaanda Lodge, a hotel with private huts overlooking the Namibian savanna Sunnin'! The kids had hung out by the pool at a previous hotel, where Talita and her boyfriend were seen cuddling while perched on the edge Happy birthday! Diane celebrated her 72nd birthday on New Year's Eve Eat up! The group appear to have enjoyed plenty of seafood while they were staying near the coast Adventures: Barry shared an image of a shark diving set up (left) in Cape Town, as well as a photo of Boulders Beach (right), which is famously occupied by hundreds of penguins After their safari, the group took a boat ride near Table Mountain before taking in the sites in a helicopter; Barry also braved shark diving, along with Diane's son Alexander and his wife Ali. Businessman Barry shared an image of Instagram of the cage that divers are sent down in to watch the sharks swim past them underwater, while Alexander posted a photo on his private account that shows himself and Ali in the cage while wearing full diving gear. As well as their trip to Cape Town, the family also spent some time at nearby vineyards, and headed out together to celebrate Diane's 72nd birthday on New Year's Eve, where the designer blew out candles on a cake. Finally, on New Year's Day, they landed in Namibia, where so far they've ridden four-wheelers out on sand dunes, enjoyed the pool, and took photos with even more animals. They checked into Omaanda Lodge, a hotel with private huts overlooking the Namibian savanna. A two-bedroom hut, the largest available, starts at $1,390 there, meaning the group is spending at least $2,780 a night to house nine adults and one child. In addition to using African-inspired prints in her designs, Diane has spoken before about her admiration for fashion on the continent. She told Elle Decor in 2010 that Africa is doing the most exciting things in design, noting, 'They use and recycle everything there. The way they put things together things that really have to work and perform a function that to me is great design.' Peek-a-boo! The group appeared to have plenty of fun on their jet, with both Talita and her boyfriend Rocco seen playing with Leon on the runway It's not all glamour! At one point Barry snapped a picture of the group sitting on a less-than-chic airport bus, which must felt like quite the downgrade after their lavish private jet trip Resting? The businessman also shared a picture of his wife perched on her bag on the floor of what appeared to be the airport after they landed in Durban Jet set: The group had been in the Bahamas for Christmas just days before Bradley Walsh's 22-year-old son, Barney, was flooded with compliments following his appearance on This Morning, which saw the father and son promote their new show 'Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad'. The Chase presenter's youngest child had ITV viewers gushing over him on social media with some hailing the budding star as gorgeous and 'hot', while others described him as a 'dream'. One tweeted: 'Bradley Walshs son is GORG wtf', while another described him as a British version of Zac Efron. The budding star has been forging a career in acting and presenting, working as a presenter for Miss World and appearing in Doctors, Law & Order UK and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. But the new show, which will see the pair undertake various daring tasks, including skydiving and travel down an alligator-filled lake in the US is likely to propel him further into the public eye. Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh discussed their new show Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad on This Morning today Barney was even likened to Zac Efron by social media users who tuned into This Morning today as he discussed his latest venture with his father, Bradley The Chase presenter's 22-year-old son had ITV viewers swooning over him on the programme as some social media users hailed him 'gorg' and a 'dream' Social media users were certainly very impressed, with one writing: 'Bradley Walsh's son is a dream.' A third added: 'Can we take a moment ... Barney Walsh is pretty HOT.' Another swooned: 'Um hello yes can we talk about how hot young Barney Walsh is thank you.' While a separate social media user simply tweeted Barney's name alongside love-struck eyes emoji. Social media users flocked to Twitter to swoon over Barney, 22, with one describing the star as a 'dream' This Morning viewers think Bradley's youngest child is gorgeous and took to Twitter to sing his praises Barney was flooded with compliments on Twitter with a third person describing Bradley's blue-eyed son as 'pretty HOT' After the pair appeared on the day time programme together, people were quick to draw likenesses between Barney and other famous faces, as well as with other iconic parent and child duos. One social media user likened Barney to actor Zac Efron. They shared: 'Bradley Walsh's son looking like a budget Zac Efron and I'm absolutely here for it.' A separate social media user went on to liken Barney with Zac Efron, but other comparisons between Bradley and Barney as well as other famous faces were also made Bradley and Barney were compared to George and Larry Lamb who also have their own road trip series, Britain By Bike Another compared Bradley - who also has a 37-year-old daughter Hayley with wife Donna Derby - and Barney to Larry and George Lamb, who also have their own show Britain by Bike. A separate person commented: 'Is Bradley Walsh the new George and Larry Lamb?' But viewers were not the only ones to gush over Barney, as Bradley also praised his son as his 'a mate'. Bradley and his wife Donna have two children together, Barney, who is the youngest, and Hayley The Doctor Who actor said: 'He has always been my son, and you always take care of them. 'But then all of a sudden he becomes your equal and a work colleague, and a mate, and someone you respect. Now I look up to him. 'Barney, bless him, was directing me on some of the things "Dad don't worry about this, you need to be thinking about this", and actually producing me.' This Morning co-host Ruth Langsford described the father and son as the 'perfect pair' during their interview Bradley and his wife Donna attend Ice Age 2 premiere in London with their son Barney in 2006 Bradley had some kind words to say about his son, as he described his child as his 'mate' as well as his son Ruth Langsford even described the two as the 'perfect pair'. Bradley also revealed that he only signed up to take part in their new adventure if he had his favourite things with him. Asked about the terms he agreed to, Bradley said: 'Heres the deal. Ill go on a road trip with you providing you have this; I want my Hob Knobs, my digestives, British TV, and that was when I said OK.' This Is England fans have received a New Year treat after the cast enjoyed a surprise reunion at the wedding of cast member Thomas Turgoose. Turgoose, 26, from Grimsby who shot to fame as Shaun in the film and subsequent TV series, married his fiance Charlotte Revell in a New Years Eve ceremony, with his on screen mum Jo Hartley by his side. Other characters such as Stephen Graham (Combo), Andrew Shim (Milky) and Andrew Ellis (Gadget) also attended. This is England, set in 1983, was an indie film by director Shane Meadows. The film was a huge success and led to three subsequent TV series focusing on the characters in the years 86, 88 and 1990. The movies line up in 2003: (From L-R) Vicky McClure, Thomas Turgoose , Chanel Creswell, Andrew Shim and Andrew Ellis The cast of This is England today (L-R) Andrew Shim, Andrew Ellis, Jo Hartley, Micheal Socha, Thomas Turgoose, Thomas's new wife Charlotte Revell, Vicky McClure and Hannah Walters (Stephen's partner) and Stephen Graham (From L-R) Thomas Turgoose, Andrew Ellis, and Stephen Graham in the roles for This is England Turgoose's co-star Vicky McClure, was also by his side and shared some pictures of him and his new wife, and also a snap of them together. The actor, who is currently starring in Netflix film Swimming with men, shared a selfie in his wedding suit, on Instagram, before the wedding saying: 'See you on the other side.' The next day the star shared a picture of him and his new wife with a caption 'Oi can we talk about me marrying my best mate yesterday.' Then he shared a picture, which fans were delighted with, which showed him and his This is England co-stars back together. Thomas Turgoose, 26, from Grimsby married his fiance Charlotte Revell in a New Years eve ceremony, with his This is England co stars joining him for the occasion. All grown up now! Thomas Turgoose pictured back in 2006 when he joined the cast of the hit film This is England, aged just 13. The actor shared a selfie in his wedding suit, before the his big day saying: 'See you on the other side.' The actors Instagram followers were quick to congratulate him, while others loved that the cast were back together. 'What a belter of a pic,' one person said. 'The best photo ever,' another added, while a third fan said 'Wedding guest goals.' One of his co-stars Vicky McClure also shared pictures of the happy couple and a selfie of him and her saying captioning the photos on Instagram: 'Definitely best way to see the new year in... with loads of love! Huge congratulations @thomasturgoose1 & @charlottelucy92.' Fans were quick to congratulate the pair, but also loved seeing the cast back together again. One of his co-stars Vicky McClure, 35, also shared pictures of the happy couple and a selfie with her former co-star who she's known since he was 13 This is England, was Turgoose's first role at 13, where he played the lead character Shaun. He went on to star in This is England 86, 88 and 90. The actor, who is originally from Grimsby, was spotted at a youth club by This is England director Shane Meadows. The film went on to be a critical and commercial success with then then young actor receiving a British Independent film award for best newcomer. A teenager has revealed how she overcame years of terrifying bullying to realise her dream of becoming an international beauty queen. Apollonia Llewellyn, 19, originally from Leeds, was scouted aged 14 and has since competed in a string of pageants and modelling competitions. However as her profile started to grow, Apollonia began to find herself the victim of online and verbal abuse. The torment culminated in a bomb threat to her home and attacks on her parents, forcing her family to move. But with a fresh start, greater maturity and the support of her boyfriend and family, Apollonia was able to overcome their cruelness and continue her dream of becoming a pageant star. 'I'll never let the bullies win,' she said. She has also started to block her tormentors on social media. Beauty queen: Apollonia Llewellyn with her parents after winning the World Teen Supermodel England title in November 2017. The delayed international finals will be held next month Flourishing career: Apollonia, pictured in a photo shoot, was scouted by a photographer aged 14. The beauty queen started to receive abuse from classmates in secondary school Taking home the crown: Apollonia has taken part in a string of modelling competitions and beauty pageants. She now has her sights set on receiving an international title in Fiji Now Apollonia is looking ahead to representing England at the World Teen Supermodel pageant in Fiji next month. Apollonia, who now lives in South Yorkshire, started her career in front of the camera after a photographer noticed her talent at a mother-daughter shoot. She explained that once she signed with an agency in Year 9, bullies started to target her and her boyfriend, whom she did not want to name. Bright future: Apollonia, pictured dressing up as a little girl, impressed a photographer with her natural talent and charisma after joining her mother for a family shoot aged 14 Starting out: The talented teenager in her first photo shoot at the age of 14. She is now honing her skills in front of the camera 'We went to the same college as some of the girls that bullied me and they used to say "your disgusting for going out with that Apollonia" and he always stuck up for me,' she said. The bullying continued once she left the school gates, leaving her so anxious she struggled to eat or sleep. Apollonia continued: 'My mum and dads cars were getting egged, people were throwing stones, knocking on the door and running away. Natural talent: The beauty queen aged 15, just a year after starring in her first photo shoot Belle of the ball: Apollonia donned a flamboyant sherbet pink dress for her school prom aged 16. She eventually left school and relocated after receiving a death threat to her family home Laid-back look: Apollonia, pictured aged 16, swaps ballgowns for a pared down top and trousers for a casual snap 'One time I was home alone with my older brother, and I got a call from no caller ID and they said we are posting a petrol bomb through your letter box, then my letter box made a noise. 'I was pertrified my brother went downstairs and picked up a letter with loads of rubbish in.' The family eventually decided to leave, packing up and moving 45 minutes' away to a property in South Yorkshire. Strike a pose: Apollonia showcases a thigh-skimming purple fringed dress in one photo shoot Dressed to impress: Apollonia smolders in a photo taken for her modelling portfolio Taking a stand: Apollonia covers herself in insults hurled at her by bullies for an anti-bullying campaign photo shoot However despite the barrage of abuse, Apollonia has continued with her modelling and has picked up a number of titles along the way, including Face Of The Globe England, Miss Teen Galaxy Leeds, Miss Junior Teen West Yorkshire, Miss Photogenic and Miss popularity. She is now looking forward to competing for the international title in Fiji. The pageant hopeful added: 'I have so many exciting opportunities ahead of me. I will never give up modelling. 'I will never let the bullies win. 'And I would say the same to others- you are worth so much more, it is pure jealousy. 'Always be you. The more they do the more it pushes me to be stronger.' From a Star Wars actress to a Netflix heartthrob, these are the young British stars tipped for fame in Hollywood. Society bible Tatler picked out four emerging talents who are set to become household names with their winning combination of talent, hard work - and camera-ready looks. While the full list has not yet been revealed, four bright young things were selected for the cover. Among them is Emilia Merkell, the 17-year-old daughter of former EastEnder's star Patsy Palmer who grew up in California and counts Cindy Crawford's daughter and model-of-the-moment Kaia Gerber, also 17, among her closest friend. Also in the line-up is Gregg Sulkin, 26, a Primrose Hill native who now calls Los Angeles home and has scored roles in a string of teen dramas. Here, FEMAIL takes a closer look at the British stars you need to know... Maisie Richardson-Sellers Academic brilliance: Maisie Richardson-Sellers, pictured in Los Angeles in October 2018, graduated from Oxford University. She is currently starring in CW's Legends of Tomorrow Age: 26 Known for: Roles in The Originals; Legends of Tomorrow. Cameo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens Daughter of actress Joy Richardson, Maisie Richardson-Sellers followed in the footsteps of many of Britain's great theatre stars by acting while a student at Oxford University. She graduated with a degree in Archaeology and Anthropology. She broke into professional acting with a bang: landing a role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. After wrapping filming for her The Force Awakens role, Richardson-Sellers booked her second role as Rebekah Mikaelson in the CW series The Originals. Maisie, 26, has also had two separate roles on hit series Legends of Tomorrow - with her mother making two guest appearances. Dominic Sherwood Meteoric rise: Dominic Sherwood, pictured in Los Angeles in November 2018, has built a devoted following as Jace Herondale in Netflix series Shadowhunters Age: 28 Known for: Netflix series Shadowhunters Born in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Dominic Sherwood has built a devoted following since landing a role in Netflix series Shadowhunters in 2015 - just five years after his first professional job. Sherwood, 28, has also been seen in the satirical horror film Vampire Academy, based on a novel by Richelle Mead. In 2015 Sherwood was introduced to new fans as the love interest in the music video for Taylor Swift's sing Style. Gregg Sulkin Famous friends: Gregg Sulkin, pictured in Beverly Hills last month, counts Tatler contributing editor Anais Gallagher among his social circle. He currently stars in Marvel series Runaways Age: 26 Known for: Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place, Avalon High, As the Bell Rings; Pretty Little Liars; Runaways A nine-year resident of Los Angeles, when in the UK Gregg's home is the well-heeled north London neighbourhood of Primrose Hill. He made his film debut in the 2002 Doctor Zhivago mini-series before starring in 2006's Sixty Six, alongside his neighbour Helena Bonham-Carter. 'She became like my second mum,' he said. Smooth operator: Gregg Sulkin shows off sharp tailoring in his photo from the Tatler shoot Gregg also became a regular in several Disney Channel titles including the series As the Bell Rings and Wizards of Waverly Place. Now he plays Chase Stein in Marvel's Runaways, from the creators of the O.C. where he gets to throw himself through glass doors and fly around on wires. He told the magazine that he misses the English sense of humour and having his mother do his laundry, but he doesn't miss the 'grey and drab' weather. 'Here I spend my weekends in Malibu,' he said. 'If I was in London I'd probably just be down the betting shop.' Emilia Merkell All in the family: Up-and-coming model Emilia Merkell is the daughter of EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer, pictured together at the National Film Awards in London in March 2018 Cover girl: Emilia strikes a pose in a diner booth for the feature in the February issue of Tatler Rising star: Emilia shows off her model figure in a photo shared on her Instagram account Age: 17 Known for: Modelling; being Patsy Palmer's daughter Read the full feature in the February issue of Tatler, on newsstands 3 January Born in the UK, Emilia has spent much of her life in Los Angeles and considers the city her home. The student and aspiring model is the daughter of actress Patsy Palmer, 46, best known as EastEnders' Bianca Jackson. Star power appears to run in the family as her older brother Charley Palmer Rothwell, 26, is forging his own career as an actor. While Emilia hasn't ruled out taking the same path, her real passion is modelling and she hopes to replicate the success of Kaia Gerber, whom she met at Malibu High School. 'She was one of my first friends at school, I love her,' Emilia told the magazine. Natural beauty: Emilia shows off her signature laid back look in a selfie shared on Instagram See the full feature in the February 2019 issue of Tatler, available on digital download and on newsstands Thursday 3rd January. While some were ringing in the New Year watching the Fireworks, tucking into a tasty meal with loved ones or partying the night away with friends, others were welcoming newborns into the world when the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve. UNICEF has estimated 395,072 babies were born across the globe on January 1, 2019. To celebrate the organisation have launched an adorable campaign, which saw them photograph 10 newborn babies born in 10 different time zones. However, some mothers who gave birth in countries such as Haiti and Palestine admit their joy is mixed with anxiety with their babies facing an uncertain future. On January 1, 2019, in Brazil Viviane welcomed her baby daughter, Julia da Silva Reis, into the world after having a caesarean. She said she was very happy and feeling relieved after her daughter arrived safely weighing 3.85kg at the Hospital Sofia Feldman in Belo Horizonte In China newborn baby girl Li Xin Yao was born around 10.19 am on New Year's Day at the Beijing United Family Hospital weighing 3.57kg at birth after being born by caesarian section. Mother Xu Hui hopes her second child will have a 'peaceful and healthy life' 26-year-old mother Sara (right) and father Prilvo (left) welcomed their baby girl into the world in Haiti on the very first day of 2019 weighing 2.250kg. Sara said 'I feel good now, I feel good, before that I had unbearable pain. Regarding the future of my daughter, only God knows what it will be done. I pray first of all for her to be healthy' According to the organisation the majority of babies born were in India and China, with 69,944 and 44,940 little ones being welcomed into the world respectively. In America over 11,000 newborns were born, with 317 tiny tots welcomed into the world in New York, while Sydney greeted 168 babies. UNICEF have also interviewed mothers from Australia, China, India, Fiji, Nigeria, as well as Ukraine and other countries in a bid to celebrate the new births but also raise awareness of some difficult circumstances children are born into. Sara is worried for her baby's future after giving birth to her child in Palestine on New Year's Day. Mohammed was born to Samia and father Moamen at 7:30 am, weighing 3.8kg Salimata, from the Ivory Coast, gave birth to her newborn baby girl at 6.38 am at the Hopital General de Port-Bouet in Abidjan and is overjoyed by her new arrival who weighs 3.4kg and measures 50cm long. She said: 'It's a joy for me to have a fourth child, I feel great, and imagine a better world for her' Kavita, 30, from India with her newborn baby girl weighing 2.8 kgs. She was born through a normal delivery at 4:14 am at the Lady Harding Medical College in New Delhi and is the proud mother's first child. Lilian welcomed her little bundle of joy, Lincoln, into the world in Australia's Canberra Centenary Hospital for Women and Children. Lincoln was born at 4:06pm and weighed 4.354kg UNICEF has photographed 12 babies from 10 different countries to celebrate the thousands of children born on New Year's Day, including this little girl born at Hopital General de Port-Bouet in Abidjan Daurice, from the Ivory Coast, beamed with joy when she gave birth to her third child at the Hopital General de Port-Bouet in Abidjant at 3:57am, measuring 48cm Sara, 26 from Haiti, admitted though her childbirth was painful, she is feeling 'good'. She said: 'I feel good now, I feel good, before that I had unbearable pain. Regarding the future of my daughter, only God knows what it will be done. I pray first of all for her to be healthy.' Mother Samia, from Palestine, feels bitter sweet after giving birth as she is 'happy' but also 'worried' for her child's future. She said: 'Nothing can describe how happy I am but I'm worried about my baby's future.' Mother Lilit, from Spain, craddles her baby daughter Sofia in her arms after giving birth to Sofia at Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital at 2:14pm weighing 3.7kg Spanish mother Lilit has high hopes for her daughter's future. Speaking after the birth of her baby, she said: 'I feel great. I hope Sofia will have success and a really good person' The organisation have estimated one million babies sadly died the day they were born in 2017, and in some cases the causes were preventable. For some mothers infections contracted, such as sepsis or pneumonia, as well as premature birth and complications during the delivery led to the loss of their baby. However, UNICEF want to work to lower this rate, especially with their Every Child Alive campaign, which will help provide good quality health care to mothers and their newborns. Speaking about the campaign UNICEF's Deputy Executive Director, Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, said: 'This New Year Day, lets all make a resolution to fulfill every right of every child, starting with the right to survive.' Baby Julia da Silva Reis was born just one minute after midnight in Brazil on New Year's Day by C-section weighing 3.85kg Kavita, from India, is very excited to take her bundle of joy home after giving birth to her first child at the Lady Harding Medical College in New Delhi at 4.14am on New Year's Day, weighing 2.8 kgs 'We can save millions of babies if we invest in training and equipping local health workers so that every newborn is born into a safe pair of hands.' 2019 will see UNICEF launch even more emotive campaigns. This year will mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and to commemorate the three decades the organisation plan to hold a string of worldwide events over the next 12 months. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) and Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) have partnered for strategic water interconnections between the two parties and the exchange of potable water in case of emergencies, or other purposes. The memorandum of understanding MoU was signed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa, and Mohammed Mohammed Saleh, director general of Fewa. This is part of both entities efforts to ensure sustainable water security and maintain the UAEs strategic water reserves. The MoU sets a practical framework for strengthening cooperation between the two entities to achieve common goals. It also includes joint efforts to develop, operate, and maintain strategic water interconnections. The two water systems will be directly linked in specific locations to allow for water transfer in case of emergencies. This agreement supports our joint efforts to promote water security in the UAE and achieve the objectives of UAE Vision 2021 to ensure a sustainable environment and preserve water resources in the UAE. We also seek to achieve our strategy to enhance the efficiency of our water network as part of the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036. We are pleased to sign this MoU with Fewa, as they are the main authority for the supply and development of the electricity and water infrastructure, in addition to the implementation of strategic projects to meet the growing needs of the Northern Emirates, said Al Tayer. This agreement comes within the framework of Dewas efforts to continue the implementation of water interconnection projects with various relevant entities. Similarly, Dewa signed an MoU with Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) in August 2017 to implement strategic water interconnections between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, improving the reliability of water network in both Emirates. The MoU comes in line with our joint efforts in the field of water connections to water networks within the UAE, and in light of the directives of our wise leadership to implement the recommendations of the water security strategy, respond to emergencies, ensure the comfort and happiness of all citizens and residents, and provide high-quality services, said Mohammed Mohammed Saleh. Fewa has completed many interconnection points with the utilities operating in the UAE, through Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Companys (Transco) water connections since 2003, covering all areas of the Northern Emirates being supervised by Fewa. We also implemented and supervised several interconnecting projects between the Emirates, including the interconnections projects between Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, the city of Al Dhaid in Sharjah and Umm al Quwain, and between Ras Al Khaimah and the Central and Eastern Region. Fewa plans to implement large-scale projects through high-capacity transmission lines that ensure interconnection between the Emirates under its supervision to meet the growing needs until 2036. This comes in conjunction with the seawater desalination plants that Fewa plans to establish in the next two years, he added. This cooperation will help prevent water shortages or crises, strengthening the efforts of both entities to secure the various needs of their ambitious development plans by increasing the efficiency and operational capacity of their water networks. This in turn, will contribute to the sustainable development of the UAE. TradeArabia News Service University Challenge fans have accused the show of 'dumbing down' questions after a team were quizzed on Love Island. During the Christmas special, which stars alumni rather than current students, LSE's first bonus round focused on the eight finalists of the reality dating show - provoking laughter among the team and studio audience. Jeremy Paxman tasked the group, which included critic Ekow Eshun and writer Maya Jaggi, with correctly naming three of the contestants. The questions, which would have been easy for anyone who had watched the show on ITV, went over the heads of LSE's finest who were given clues as to the contestants' names, but only got one out of three questions right. For example, they were asked which finalist shared a name with Celia Johnson's character in Brief Encounter, and a surname with the first England bowler to take 500 test wickets? After LSE incorrectly named the contestant as Dolly but got her surname Anderson correct, Paxman quipped: 'I don't know if it's reassuring or not that you came so close.' In last night's episode of Christmas University Challenge, Jeremy Paxman revealed LSE's bonus round would focus on the eight finalists of Love Island Jeremy Paxman tasked the group, which included critic Ekow Eshun and writer Maya Jaggi, with correctly naming three of the contestants The next question - which asked for Josh Denzel's partner's first name by saying it closely resembled four kings of Poland - completely stumped the team, who passed. Luckily, the team correctly answered the third question which involved giving Wes' surname by saying it is the same as one of Lady Emma Hamilton's paramours, who died in battle in 1805. The London School of Economics team, which also featured economist Jagjit Chadha and journalist Simon Garfield, eventually won the match against the University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh's team was composed of comedian Mitch Benn, TV presenter JJ Chalmers, SNP MP Joanna Cherry and GP Gavin Francis. Viewers took to Twitter to express their confusion at the question's inclusion in the episode. Alan Mackie said: 'Love Island ffs. And I've just wasted 20 minutes arguing that UC isn't dumbing down, for f***s sake. #UniversityChallenge.' The team incorrectly named Laura Anderson as Dolly Anderson, to which Paxman quipped: 'I don't know if it's reassuring or not that you came so close' But some viewers criticised the show for discussing Love Island - accusing it of 'dumbing down' questions All the Love Island Questions on last night's show Which of the eight finalists shares a first name with Celia Johnson's character in the 1945 film Brief Encounter, and a surname with the first England bowler to take 500 test wickets? Answer: Laura Andersen Josh Denzel's partner in third place has a first name closely resembling that of four kings of Poland, the third known as the Great, reigned from 1333 to 1370. What is that contestant's first name? Answer: Kazimir Wes shared fourth place with Megan Barton Hanson, his surname is that of which paramour of Lady Emma Hamilton, who died in battle in October 1805? Answer: Nelson Advertisement Dylan North added: 'Is love island seriously a topic on University Challenge? What is going on [laughing emoji].' Expressing his hatred for the show, the finale of which was watched by 3.6 million Brits, Mike Cross tweeted: 'Love Island questions on #UniversityChallenge, dear god make it stop! 'UC was my source of solace away from all that s****!' But not everyone was critical of the choice of questions - including Bobby Seagull, a former contestant who shot to fame for his epic semi-final battle against Eric Monkman in 2017. Seagull, who became a fan favourite and even joined forces with his opponent for their own show, tweeted his delight about the Love Island questions. He wrote: 'OMG. One of my fave articles I wrote for @FinancialTimes was "the maths of @LoveIsland". 'You all know I lurve #UniversityChallenge and my two worlds collided with a set of bonus questions on #LoveIsland tonight.' Other Twitter users joined him in expressing their joy about the bonus round - with one calling it 'the crossover I never knew I needed'. Sarah Robinson tweeted: 'There's a round on #UniversityChallenge about love island contestants and I don't want to say that this now means Love Island is high brow but I could win this quiz.' Harry Walsh added: 'oh my GOD love island 2018 questions on University Challenge I am SCREAMING.' LSE's alumni team only got one question correct in the bonus round. Pictured: the cast of Love Island 2018 Former contestant Bobby Seagull, who became a fan favourite thanks to his intense semi-final showdown with Eric Monkman, loved the inclusion of Love Island on University Challenge Others joined him in his praise - with one claiming the bonus round had an unnecessary 'sneery vibe' Another user said: 'Did well on the Love Island round on University Challenge and I don't know if Ben's family are impressed or disappointed.' Others criticized the show for the 'sneery vibe' of the questions in the round. Ellie Miles tweeted: 'The Love Island round on university challenge is so, so vom.' She explained: 'I don't mind university challenge most of the time, just thought the sneery vibe of that round of questions was unnecessary.' University Challenge was previously accused of 'dumbing down' questions in 2016 - something the BBC dismissed as 'nonsense'. An insider told the Express: 'There will be fewer mind-blowing mathematical and complex classical music questions this time.' But the BBC hit back, saying: 'This story is untrue. There are no plans to change University Challenge.' BBC Series Luther returned to our screens last night, after a long wait, but the scary episode left Twitter users scared to get on a London bus at night time. The episode saw Luther and his team trying to track down a serial killer who wore a clown like mask and was removing peoples tongues and eyes. During a second killing, which took place on the number 15 bus to Aldgate was possibly the scariest part, a young girl was sitting alone on the top deck of the London bus, fearing that someone was there with her. The killer then crept his way on the floor of the bus towards her before revealing himself in a clown mask and murdering her. One user said '1st Jan 2019, at 9.39 - the time the nation collectively decided they were never getting a London bus again #Luther'. The episode saw Luther and his team trying to track down a serial killer who wore a clown like mask and was removing peoples tounges and eyes. The second killing, which took place on the number 15 bus to Aldgate was possibly the scariest part. While other couldn't believe that the shows creators had managed to make an episode of Luther which was scarier than the man under the bed scene. With one user saying, '#Luther was so worth the wait. Who knew they would ever make an episode which was creepier than the man hiding under the bed? But they managed it.' And many were even scared to get on the number 15 bus again. The episode also starred Cold Feet actor Hermonie Norris, which saw her play a therapist, supposedly helping the police catch the killer, who was one of her patients. Twitter users couldn't get the images out of their heads and vowed to never use a London bus again. 'Never getting on a night bus again': Twitter users were so scared that they may encounter a scary figure on a night bus. But the big character twist at the end was Ruth Wilson's character Alice Morgan returning, when she banged on Luthers' door and said 'Wotcher.' Twitter users loved that she was back, sharing gifs of her character smirking and exclaiming 'She's back'. Ruth Wilson's character has had a complicated relationship with Luther in past episodes. They initially met when Alice's parents had been murdered, but it turned out she was a psychopathic genius. Many Twitter users spoke about the scariest parts of last nights Luther episode and vowed never to get on the night bus again. The episode saw the killer creep his way on the floor of the bus to her, then he appeared with his clown mask and killed her. They couldn't believe that the shows creators had managed to make an episode of Luther which was scarier than the man under the bed scene. Alice Morgan returned to our screens and Twitter users were excited that she was back on our screens. The actress told the Metro last month that she couldn't wait to get back in the role of Alice. She said: Ive missed Alice as everyone else has. 'Shes really fun character to play and I get to do some action in this season. 'I get to kill a few more people and have some great scenes with Idris. Its an action packed series. Alice is back with a vengeance. Shes funnier than ever, shes more lethal than ever and she and Luther get up to some dastardly things. Popular children's toy Barbie will celebrate her 60th birthday this year. Since she made her debut in March 1959, she has adapted to the times, and now even has her own Twitter and Instagram pages, which she uses to update her followers about her latest ventures. However, despite turning another year older and entering into her 60s, the doll is still showing no signs of ageing, as her porcelain face remains youthful and body looks firmer than ever. Happy birthday! Barbie, pictured above in her 1981 vintage skating version, turns 60-years-old in March this year, but despite entering into her elderly years, she still looks youthful as ever Where it all began: The first Barbie doll ever released in 1959 (left) featuring blonde hair and a bathing suit pictured beside a recent version of the doll (right) wearing a fancy cocktail dress Blonde or brunette, slender or curvy, black or white, princess or president, Barbie is a forever favorite for young girls, despite causing controversy over the years. She made her first debut at a New York toy fair on March 9, 1959, and was an immediate success. The basic structure: Sharp feminine facial features and luscious hair have remained a staple in the Barbie look since 1959 Barbie, whose name comes from a shortened version of Barbara, was designed to show young girls that they could dream big. The doll was invented by Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, who was inspired by her own children to create the doll. Nathan Baynard, director of global brand marketing for Barbie said: 'Her daughter Barbara was limited in the choices of her toys - the only ones were baby dolls,' Baynard recounted. 'The only role she could imagine through that play was caregiver, [or] mother,' whereas Handler's son 'could imagine being an astronaut, cowboy, pilot, surgeon.' Barbie, whose name comes from a shortened version of Barbara, was designed to show young girls that they could dream big. It was made to teach girls 'that they had choices, that they could be anything. In 1959, it was a radical idea!' he added. A popular choice: more than one billion Barbie dolls have been sold since she made her debut at the American Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959 Keeping with the times: Barbie now has Instagram and Twitter pages, through which she shares photos and updates with her many followers And it seemed as though people immediately loved the idea, as almost half a million dolls were sold in the first year of its debut. 'Barbie was an instant success. In the first year, 300,000 dolls were sold,' he added. And she is not only a toy store success - Barbie has a large social media presence with her Twitter and Instagram pages, through which she shares moments of her life with her millions of followers. She has a hair stylist, makeup artist and photographer who travel with her 'for real' in the United States and abroad for Instagram photo sessions. She has an actual identity: Barbie Millicent Roberts, who hails from the fictional town of Willows in the Midwest. Explaining the possible reasoning behind Barbie's youthful appearance, Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global general manager for the Barbie brand, said: 'The narrative of the Barbie brand is that she's a young woman and she's independent and pursuing careers.' And now, she speaks directly to girls about her life, and important current topics. Despite fierce competition in the toy industry since she was created, 58 million Barbies are sold each year in more than 150 countries. Big changes: After a torrent of complaints over what was seen as unrealistic proportions, Mattel has made many changes - introducing multiple body types and dozens of skin tones Every occasion! Different varieties of the doll include a vintage Barbie driving her signature pink car (left) and a holiday-themed Barbie (right) pictured relaxing on a miniature beach Nathan Baynard, director of global brand marketing for Barbie, said of the 60th anniversary: 'In an industry where success today is three to five years, 60 years is a huge deal!' 'Around the world, Barbie is as universally known as Coca-Cola or McDonald's,' he said during a recent visit to Mattel's design studio in El Segundo, a suburb of Los Angeles. Since Barbie was first released, more than one billion versions have been sold. From the beginning, her pinup measurements didn't immediately seem all that feminist, and would spark criticism for decades to come. Barbie designed Carlyle Nuera, said: 'In 1959, her body structure was exaggerated to match the aesthetics of the time and the fabric available.' Since the blonde beauty first hit stores, and after a wave of complaints over what was seen as unrealistic proportions, Mattel has made many changes to the doll. In recent years, Mattel released Barbie dolls with different body shapes including petite, tall and curvy as well as Barbie's with different skin tones. Mattel has also released a variety of different celebrity inspired dolls including a Beyonce Barbie doll, a Cher-inspired doll, and a Cyndi Lauper version. J.K. Rowling, Marilyn Monroe, Nicki Minaj and Ashley Graham also all have their own Barbie dolls, each of which show different features specific to each celebrity. The process: A designer adds luscious locks of dark brown hair to a Barbie doll prototype at a workshop in the Mattel design center in El Segundo, California A design in the making: Stylists Nini Tun (left) and Carlyle Nuera (right) speak while working on Barbie doll prototypes at one of the workshops in the Mattel design center in California A work in progress: Stylist Carlyle works on fashion for Barbie doll prototypes at a workshop in the Mattel design center as the iconic doll turns 60 Author of Forever Barbie MG Lord, argued that original criticisms of the doll were unwarranted. Lord said: 'She is what the child wants her to be. How a child sees the Barbie doll is often framed by how the mother of that child feels about the idea of femininity. 'The problem here is not an 11.5-inch plastic object. The problem is the larger culture and the idea of femininity,' he added. In 1965, four years before Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon, Barbie became an astronaut. Three years later, the first black Barbie doll, a friend named Christie, hit store shelves. McKnight said that today, 55 per cent of the dolls sold around the world have neither blonde hair nor blue eyes. Mattel has more than 100 people working in the El Segundo design studio, a massive hangar-like building wedged between Los Angeles International Airport and a freeway. Fashionista! A Barbie doll from the 1980s collection of Barbie aficionado Billy Boy pictured wearing an outfit designed by fashion designer Paco Rabanne Modern makeover: More recent Barbie dolls include a Ibtihaj Muhammad- inspired doll (left) and dolls made specifically for the holiday season (right) New release: Last year, Mattel released its Career of the year Barbie also known as the Robotics Engineer Barbie, and all look just as youthful as when the doll was first released When creating a design, designers begin with a simple sketch. From there on, every bit of a prototype is made by an army of experts - from sculpting the doll using state-of-the-art software and 3D printing to painting the face, styling the hair, choosing fabrics and crafting the clothing patterns. The entire design process for a new Barbie can last between 12 to 18 months. After that, the prototype is sent from the California workshop to factories in China and Indonesia for mass production. 'Sometimes, you see her on a shelf and then it gets back to you: oh yes, I designed this one!' Nuera said with a smile. In 2018, the brand launched a sweeping campaign to help young girls close the so-called 'Dream Gap' - a phenomenon based on evidence that six-years-old is the average age girls stop thinking they can be and do anything. The brand used Barbie to teach girls to believe in themselves, and not to buy into sexist gender stereotypes. A mother has told how crippling pre-natal depression convinced her she was going to be a terrible mum - and even made her wish she'd have a miscarriage. Former TV news anchor Hayley Matthews, 38, from Edinburgh, fell pregnant with her second son after four years of trying with partner Kenny Maddison, 37. But instead of feeling delighted, she was struck with depression, and became utterly convinced she would be an unfit mother who was not strong enough to have a baby. Her feelings became so strong she secretly hoped she'd miscarry, looked into having an abortion and didn't tell anyone she was pregnant for six months, apart from her partner. Hayley Matthews suffered such bad pre-natal depression that she sometimes hoped she would miscarry as she feared she would be a 'terrible mum'. Pictured: Hayley with baby Oryn who was born last month With the help of counselling she got through the pregnancy - which she called the 'worst nine months of my life'. Mother-of-two Hayley, a former STV presenter, gave birth to baby Oryn last month, and is on the mend. She's bravely speaking out to remind women they 'can't be everything to everyone' - and that there's no such thing as the 'perfect mum'. Hayley said: 'I'd had a quick search on the internet about abortions and the procedure. 'I was sitting there crying and thinking 'I can't do that but I don't think I'm strong enough to have a baby'. Hayley fell pregnant with her second son after four years of trying with partner Kenny Maddison but says she began looking up abortions as she feared she was not 'strong enough' to become a mother for the second time. Pictured while pregnant with Oryn The former STV presenter had to lay off her ant-anxiety medication while pregnant in what she describes as the 'worst nine months of my life' 'It was six months before I told anyone - I couldn't face saying the words. 'I didn't tell many people I was pregnant as I knew I'd made a terrible decision and would make a terrible mum. 'I used to tell myself 'I asked for this'. I thought if I had a miscarriage it might be the best thing. 'It was horrible, I knew deep down, but it felt like someone had taken over my head. 'It was a slow process before I felt better about it. These first few weeks have been amazing and I'm over the moon. 'There is part of me which feels guilty about how bad I felt at the start, and at the time there was part of me that hoped 'Mother Nature' would end the pregnancy for me. 'I just can't get my head around it because I felt like a completely different person. I look at him and think 'I'm so glad I didn't do anything stupid'.' Live at Five presenter Hayley left her job in 2017 to spend more time with her son Harris, now six, after feeling years of 'guilt' at missing out due to her busy job. Leaving for work at 7am and getting home at 8.30pm she adored her job, but was rarely home to put him to bed, and was out before he went to school. Hayley even kept her pregnancy a scret for the first six months, only telling her partner about the baby She decided to resign and go freelance - and nearly immediately became pregnant, so had to stop taking anti-anxiety medication. 'Being able to take my son to school and dropping him off at breakfast club, being able to take him to the park, being able to ask him what he wants for dinner, are really important to me,' she said. 'Before I became pregnant I was working as a TV presenter, thousands of people had gone for the job. 'But I realised that my mental health and my family were more important. 'I never wanted to be on telly to be famous, I just wanted to tell people's stories. 'I was leaving for work at 7am and getting home at 8.30pm, it was like being on a treadmill. 'Going from that to then being freelance and sitting there every day trying to find the motivation to email people was hard. 'It was a very different pace of life. I don't think I was in the frame of mind to fall pregnant.' Within six months she was expecting her second child - but with no close family nearby in Edinburgh, Hayley began to seriously doubt whether she was fit to be a mother. Hayley is now on the mend and says she is 'over the moon' with Oryn She said she was consumed by thoughts she wasn't strong enough to be a new mum again - but now realises it was an exacerbation of feelings she had about trying to 'be everything'. Doctors caring for Hayley at the start of the pregnancy decided to take her off anti-anxiety medication she was prescribed, which she described as 'absolute hell'. She said: 'I was told to cut back on tablets, and eventually had no choice. 'When you have that responsibility for a life growing inside you, the pressure seems huge. I was on the verge of making some very bad decisions. 'I couldn't have an abortion as it was not right for me, but I didn't want to be responsible for a child.' With the help of a counsellor, Hayley began to talk through her fears - including that she would not bond with the baby when he was born. She gradually began to reintroduce a low dose of the medication, and towards the end of the pregnancy began to feel a glimmer of excitement. But she was still haunted by apprehension and concerns she would struggle to cope with a newborn. Hayley said: 'Our bodies are like fuel tanks, if you're running low on serotonin you feel really flat. 'I think therapy helps more than tablets, someone saying 'maybe this is why you feel this way'. 'That's been a lot more helpful, but the tablets take the anxiety off.' Oryn was delivered by C-section at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on October 24, 8lbs, Hayley's fears were alleviated and she instantly bonded with him. In a bid to encourage other women to seek help, Hayley decided to tell her story - and is still receiving counselling once or twice a week, as well as taking anti-anxiety medication. She said: 'It was definitely one of the worst periods of my life. You can't be everyone all the time. 'Being able to take my son to school and dropping him off at breakfast club, being able to take him to the park, being able to ask him what he wants for dinner, are really important to me. 'It is the pressure we put on ourselves, the only people who suffer at the end of the day is us. 'As females we are subjected to that pressure - this idea that you should have your nails done twice a week, get your hair done, everyone putting pictures on Instagram of their perfect lives. 'It is a shame, we are just beating ourselves down.' Best friends and mothers Bonnie Hindmarsh, Lana Taylor and Erin Cayless created Three Birds Renovations in 2014 and put their natural styling skills to good use. The trio bought a 'very, very ugly' 60s style house with barely any floor space and decided to transform it completely into a sleek and modern family home - complete with a black exterior. 'After a few years of renovating our personal forever homes (and wow, what an amazing experience that was), we've decided it was time to go back to our roots, with a quickie reno of an old-school Aussie eyesore,' they explained on their website. Slide me The trio bought a 'very, very ugly' 60s style house with barely any floor space and decided to transform it completely into a sleek and modern family home - complete with a black exterior Positioned in the Hills District of Sydney - where many of their properties are based - the ladies set to work building charm and endearing features into a facade that had 'zero street appeal'. 'The home is on a nice-sized block of land (670 sqm) but the floor area is only 114 sqm which means there's just not enough house for modern day living where second lounge rooms and ensuites are the norm,' they continued. 'So we're going to blow out the back of this little beauty with a bold extension to increase the liveable space indoors and we'll completely transform the backyard from desolate wasteland to an alfresco extravaganza.' 'After a few years of renovating our personal forever homes (and wow, what an amazing experience that was), we've decided it was time to go back to our roots, with a quickie reno of an old-school Aussie eyesore,' they explained on their website Positioned in the Hills District of Sydney - where many of their properties are based - the ladies set to work building charm and endearing features into a facade that had 'zero street appeal' With the incredible - and as yet, unused - front porch space the renovators created an oversized carport with an immensely beautiful front deck space. To compliment the French flavour of their black noir front facade there were a number of stunning French doors added to give the place a sense of dimension. While the front doors were originally painted charcoal to match the house, they were soon changed to white in order to differentiate the entrance. BEFORE: To compliment the French flavour of their black noir front facade there were a number of stunning French doors added to give the place a sense of dimension AFTER: While the front doors were originally painted charcoal to match the house, they were soon changed to white in order to differentiate the entrance BEFORE AND AFTER: Inside the women have opted for cane chairs spray painted white, green tiles in the bathroom and a moss tint to the bedroom walls, alongside peachy rugs and accessories Inside the women have opted for cane chairs spray painted white, green tiles in the bathroom and a moss tint to the bedroom walls, alongside peachy rugs and accessories. So while the outside is dark that hasn't been carried through to the inside. 'Landscaping is often the forgotten child in a renovation. It happens at the end so everyone budgets it at the end and then runs out of money,' Lana explained. Instead of falling into that trap, Bonnie took charge of the front yard and added stepping stones and pebbles leading up to the carport, as well as an expansive amount of new grass to give the property a larger feel. While the Three Birds Renovations don't reveal the final costs of their designs and plans, the trio do help others build their own dream houses via The Reno School. BEFORE: 'Landscaping is often the forgotten child in a renovation. It happens at the end so everyone budgets it at the end and then runs out of money,' Lana explained Tree Planting of Goshen Tree Tenders aided by West Goshen Lions Club, Friends of West Goshen Parks and other volunteers. From left to right are: Regina Smith, Dan Mallach, Katy Mallach, Tara Muenz, Susan Charkes, Susan Batten, Tom Walsh, Eunice Alexander, and Bob Stratton. Sunbury, PA (17801) Today Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 83F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Showers and thundershowers this evening followed by a few lingering showers overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Imdaad, a Dubai-based group of companies that provides integrated and sustainable facilities management (FM) services, recently honoured more than 30 suppliers and partners for their contributions to the companys outstanding growth and transformation during the last 11 years. The company's annual Strategic Partner Appreciation event was held at Palazzo Versace hotel in Dubai. Group CEO Jamal Abdulla Lootah said: "At Imdaad, our strategic partnerships have been instrumental to our remarkable journey to date. We deeply value our partners efforts in enabling us to offer services that meet and exceed the expectations of our customers." "I would like to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to them for their continued support and unwavering commitment that helped us scale the heights of success and establish Imdaad as a leading integrated facilities management company in the region," he added. Established in 2007 by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), Imdaad is headquartered in Dubai with site offices and branches across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi. Its suite of complete turnkey solutions includes integrated FM, hard FM, and Home-Pro, as well as environmental services such as solid waste and wastewater management and power rentals, said Lootah. In addition, Imdaads intelligent platform for facilities management, Imtedaad, provides real-time insights on the performance and trends of interconnected assets and ecosystems to offer recommendations for predictive maintenance and corrective actions, he added.-TradeArabia News Service OLIVE Projects begun in '18 will carry over into new year Diane Pineiro-Zucker has been a reporter at the Daily Freeman since April 2013. Pineiro-Zucker worked as a reporter in the Freemans Rhinebeck bureau in the early 1980s, left to become executive editor at Taconic Newspapers in Dutchess County. KINGSTON, N.Y. Keegan Ales Brewmaster Tommy Keegan isn't afraid to experiment with new things. "We want to try things, and, if it fits, it stays," Keegan said. - Advertisement - In just over 15 years, the brewery has grown to become a fixture in its home, an old 19th century building at 20 St James St. in Kingston, while its beers can be found on tap lines and in beer cases all across the Hudson Valley. One of the brewery's latest creations is the Monkey Trials IPA (India pale ale) series. "It pays reference to the Scopes Monkey Trial," Keegan said, referring to the 1925 trial of a Tennessee high school teacher for teaching evolution in violation of state law. Right now, it's available exclusively on draft, but Keegan said he expects to start canning it on a small line in January along a citrus-lime IPA named FUN and Hudson Lager. Keegan said the cans at first will only be sold at the bar, as he wants to gauge how popular the cans are before he invests in a larger canning operation. The brewery also keeps putting out longtime favorites like Hurricane Kitty and Mother's Milk, a milk stout. Keegan said Hurricane Kitty actually gets its name from a beer made at a brewery his dad owned back on his native Long Island. "That beer was named after a nickname for his grandmother who had a bit of a lead foot," Keegan said. "She was always getting speeding tickets, so the cops on Long Island called her Hurricane Kitty. It's the family beer." Keegan Ales also plays host, with no cover, live music on Thursdays and Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 p.m. to midnight, Keegan said. This even extended to the brewery's recent New Year's Eve celebration. "I can't say no cover charge ever, except New Years," Keegan said. As for how he finds bands, Keegan said he scours local what's happening listings and listens to which bands his customers want to hear. Keegan also hangs art shows on the walls around the dining area. The shows usually run for one to two months. On a recent afternoon, the current show was a Dia De Los Muertos-themed show sponsored by the Spanish-language magazine La Voz, Keegan said. He said he views the shows as a way to give back to the community and give the artists chances to increase their exposure. "It gives a fresh look to the place," Keegan said. Galleries mainly cater to art lovers, but they get exposure to a wider audience at Keegan Ales every week, he said. Outside, seven murals fill the walls of the building. "Right there is where O+ held their initial meetings," Keegan said, pointing to a dining area in the pub. He admitted he was a bit skeptical about the first mural. "I told them if I don't like it, I'm painting over it after the weekend." But, he added, he loved the mural, which features a Native American woman, and he mostly recently had one painted on side of the building that faces Prospect Street as part of the 2018 O+ Festival. The pub also serves as a hub for the festival. "They have live music here during the week," Keegan said. "Also, the bike rides start and end here. "We do a barbecue for them." Beer aficionados can also take a free informal tour of the brewery. Keegan said Saturday afternoons are the most popular time, but they interested people can arrange one just about any time a customer likes. "We're pretty casual about it," Keegan said. Keegan Ales started out in 2003 strictly as a brewery. There were free tastings in the afternoon and evenings a few days a week, Keegan said. "People came to get their growlers," he said in a reference to containers or vessels that are used to transport beer. By 2005, Keegan added a bottling line. In 2007, he added a pub. Back then, Keegan Ales was the only brewery outside of a restaurant between New York City and Albany, Keegan said. But, in that time, the popularity of craft beer has exploded. Keegan showed a map with no less than 64 breweries in the same area. "There are more breweries now than at any time in the history of the country," Keegan said. He added that New York state is a leading state in craft beer production Keegan admitted the proliferation of craft beer throughout the region has presented a challenge, and, more than ever, he's focusing on being very local or in places with less competition. This mean pulling out of Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where there's a large number of competing local breweries, he said. "It's a challenge for brewers to remain relevant outside of their local markets," Keegan said. But that doesn't mean he's entirely abandoned areas outside the Hudson Valley and New York City. Keegan said his beers have found a real following in Bermuda, and he plans to expand his presence on the island. "People ask for the beer down there," Keegan said. He said he sees a real growth opportunity as bar patrons there have taken to his beers. And, with many of the bar owners there also owning places in New York City, they're familiar with his beers. A market as far away as Westchester County used be considered loca. Now, there's plenty of competition there, Keegan said. Keegan said he tries to avoid hopping on what he sees as fads like Hazi, a New England-style IPA. "If you line up the top 30 sellers, they all taste pretty much the same," he said. "We prefer to come up with what people aren't doing. "There are many styles of beer that are underrepresented in the U.S. and New York state." Keegan also said he thinks the booming craft beer industry is heading for a correction. "It's growing too rapidly, to a point where are a lot of new entrants," Keegan said. "Not everyone is going to survive." He added that he is also troubled by the increasing entry of "lawyers and Wall Street" types into the business who have a greater passion for money than beer. "Once they see a couple of breweries doing well, they throw a lot of money into it," Keegan said. He pointed to the 2018 bankruptcy filing of San Diego-based brewery Green Flash. "It started out as a popular West Coast Brewery," Keegan said. But eventually, they wanted to be everywhere and they threw a lot of money toward that, he added. "I'm going to be the next Sam Adams," Keegan said. But that expansion comes with debt, and sometimes, it ends up just being too much, Keegan said. Looking ahead to the future, Keegan said he's hoping to locally source more of the barley, much of which currently comes from Canada. New York state was once a center for barley growing, he said. "I'm working with the Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Farm Hub in Hurley to, hopefully, bring some of it back," Keegan said. WOODSTOCK Frenchy and The Punk play Saturday at The Colony BETH ANN MILLER bamiller@ourtownjohnstown.com Forest Hills High School senior Mandi Bearjar is one step closer to pursuing her goal of teaching and performing music. On Dec. 18, the 18-year-old musician signed a letter accepting four-year, full-tuition academic and music scholarships to West Virginia University, where she is to study music education and clarinet performance. Joining Bearjar in the high school library for the signing were her parents, Kirk and Wanda Bearjar of Summerhill; Dr. John Weigand, professor of music-clarinet at West Virginia University; Agnes McConaughy of Roxbury, her clarinet teacher; and Mitch Custer, the high schools band director. I visited the campus and I liked the atmosphere, Bearjar said. Especially the Creative Arts Center . . . there are so many great rooms there. I knew (studying there) would enhance my clarinet skills. She plans to earn a masters or a doctorate in music and become a music professor. Shes also interested in playing the clarinet professionally. Applying to the universitys School of Music required her to audition for the faculty in November, then wait about two weeks for an official reply. At first I didnt believe it, she said about receiving the call that not only accepted her into the university, but also offered scholarships to cover the full tuition. I couldnt believe it, that all my practice has paid off. Weigand said Bearjars excellent grades, as well as her musical talent, were recognized in the universitys decision. At Forest Hills, she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. She was drum major this year in the marching band and she plays piano in the jazz band, trombone in the concert band and sings in the chorus. She also plays the flute, saxophone, trumpet, oboe and the baritone. Shes outstanding in academics and music both, Weigand said. She plays at a very high level for a high school student. She plays at a college level now. Shes had really good teaching. She has worked as hard as and is as talented as any athlete. Absolutely she is. He is optimistic that she can continue to excel at WVU. There will be other students there that will challenge her, not only in clarinet but in other instruments, he said. Hopefully she will thrive. McConaughy played clarinet for more than 30 years with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, part of that time as principal clarinetist. At the age of 91, she still teaches a few clarinet and saxophone students at her home. She was glad to see Bearjar commit to pursue a professional career in music. I think its a wonderful, wonderful opportunity, she said. Its a good school and shes going to have a wonderful teacher. I think she has an excellent future as a fine clarinetist, which she is going to be, and practically is now. I think that all her years of practice have paid off. She practices a lot and shes very talented. Leading international construction consultancy Linesight said it has completed data centre projects worth over $250 million in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain amid growing demand for such facilities in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. The company said it has seen a 30 to 40 per cent increase in the number of data centre (DC) developments around the world in the last 3 years. To date, Linesight has provided its expertise in the development of over 180 projects worldwide including providing cost management services on the first modular DC project in the GCC region, it added. The top construction consultancy pointed out that the global data centre market was expected to see an 11 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) increase between 2016 and 2020, with data storage requirements expected to grow 40 per cent year-on-year. "Since opening our Middle East regional office in Dubai in 2008, weve become the go-to experts for the implementation of data centres in the Middle East," remarked Ciaran McCormack, regional director for the Middle East, Linesight. "Our expertise in cost estimation, tender management and appointment as well as strategy implementation has resulted in several high-profile project wins," he stated. Linesight is currently working in 150 countries on project developments worth over $10 billion. McCormack said: "The increase in demand for data centres, particularly towards hyperscaled centres that can simultaneously process data on thousands of servers, is directly linked to a 28 per cent annual increase in data traffic." "You only have to look at the main players in the market, who invested $26 billion in hyperscale data centres in 2015, to realise the full extent of the opportunities for the construction industry," noted McCormack. "In the Middle East, we are already seeing an increase in demand from several companies looking to get ahead of the curve by developing larger data centres that are capable of coping with the increasing demand," he said. We understand the challenges faced when delivering this critical infrastructure and are able to deliver a seamless process while also delivering cost savings and efficiencies to the client, he added. Linesight provides professional consultancy services, management support and strategic advice to the global construction industry. From initial concept to project completion, the company has been helping clients to build their businesses since 1974. It has a global reach, with staff located in 20 offices around the world including Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the US.-TradeArabia News Service President Donald Trump has been invited to visit Turkey in 2019 by that country's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the White House said on Monday night. Trump has not yet accepted the offer, Hogan Gidley, a White House spokesman said in a statement, but "is open to a potential meeting in the future." The invitation was offered less than a week after Trump announced that U.S. troops would be withdrawn from Syria, where they are battling Islamic State alongside a Kurdish force that Erdogan considers an extension of the PKK, an organization that has long fought the Turkish state and is designated a terrorist group by both the U.S. and EU. During a lengthy phone call on Dec. 14, Trump shocked even those in his inner circle by yielding to a suggestion from Erdogan to pull U.S. forces from the country, where eight years of civil war has forced millions of citizens to flee and established Iran and Russia as protectors of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The president later declared that the U.S. had won the battle against Islamic State, saying that was "my only reason for being there." His abrupt shift in the Pentagon's policy on Syria, which was announced on Twitter, triggered the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and later Brett McGurk, a leading U.S. diplomat. The decision was greeted with criticism from Congress, even among Trump allies like Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican. Trump said he had a "long and productive" call with Erdogan on Sunday, tweeting that they discussed "the slow & highly coordinated pullout of U.S. troops from the area. After many years they are coming home." The two men also discussed expanded trade, Trump said. Trump's abrupt decision to withdraw forces disappointed the Kurds and left them exposed to the Turkish military. Turkey, a member of NATO, has deployed hundreds of vehicles and troops in areas surrounding a northwestern Syrian town that Ankara has long pushed the U.S. to clear of Kurdish militant groups. Relations between the U.S. and Turkey have deteriorated in recent years as the Erdogan government turned more authoritarian and the two allies disagreed over many issues, including support for the Kurdish militias in Syria. Turkey continues to detain a NASA scientist and Turkish employees of the State Department after freeing a detained American pastor earlier this year. Erdogan has been frustrated by the conviction in a U.S. court of a Turkish banker on sanctions-violation charges. And his government has demanded that the Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, a former Erdogan ally who has been living in the U.S., be extradited. But last week, the U.S. State Department notified Congress of a proposal to sell the Patriot air and missile defense system to Turkey, a move that may signal a breakthrough with the Ankara government, which had been moving closer to Russia. Cannabis is a nascent industry where uncertainty and novelty reign, which much too often cause entrepreneurs forget important considerations -- think entity formation, employee benefits, patents, etc. -- until its too late. One such topic that is frequently neglected in the marijuana industry is protecting intellectual property. As the cannabis industry matures, and disputes over IP arise, many businesspeople are now looking to protect their inventions and overall IP. Here's what experts say are the big concerns and the available options. Regulatory complexity makes everything harder in cannabis. Ownership of IP in the cannabis industry is fraught with issues that are compounded by unclear regulations, says Dariush Adli, founder and president of the ADLI Law Group, which advises cannabis entrepreneurs on patents, trademarks, copyright and trade secrets. IP protection offers cannabis businesses the opportunity to obtain exclusivity for their innovations; brands; graphical works and writings; and proprietary trade and business information and know-how, Adli says. In basic terms: Patents protect products, processes, designs and business methods. Tradenames and logos brand cannabis products. Copyright protects writings and graphics describing and depicting cannabis products and processes. Trade Secret law is used for protecting valuable technology and proprietary trade information. Related: Luxury 'Bong' Maker Faces Unique Trademark Infringement Dilemma The cannabis IP 'land grab.' Josh Camitta, co-founder of MJ Arsenal, says the full scope of IP in the cannabis space won't truly unfold for years to come, which makes it a ripe opportunity for those who navigate the tumultous cannabis industry. Even as states come fully on-board with legalization, this is still very much the Wild West,'' Camitta says. "With the chaos that comes standard in any Wild West scenario, it provides opportunity to those who have either created, or are looking to create, the next consumable, apparatus, tool or process. IP will eventually become a land grab as we see in other, more established industries. Stephen Konigsberg, legal counsel and managing director for Tikun Olam, adds: The idea behind trademarks in particular is very confusing and nuanced. Federal trademark protection is difficult, if not impossible, because you can only trademark for something that is considered lawful use in commerce under the Federal trademark act. As cannabis is federally illegal - technically you cannot trademark cannabis specific items. Certain strategies have been developed to overcome this. Dont skimp on IP protection. Adli says IP protection is available and businesses should realize it can provide them with a competitive edge at a cost that is relatively modest. However, he warns entrepreneurs that obtaining IP protection is often contingent on avoiding premature disclosure until certain steps have been taken to preserve the protection option. Related: California Bill Provides Trademark Protection for Marijuana Industry Dont act, or fail to act, because of misinformation. Camitta said that in the early days of the cannabis industry people believed their products couldnt be patented, which led the MJ Arsenal team to think the same. In reality, the companys glass products were most certainly patentable. Furthermore, you are fully able and allowed by law to patent things that are even illegal, he says. Patents do not have to prove their own use in commerce, this is one of the biggest differences in terms of IP hurdles when comparing patents to trademarks. Trademarks, by the letter of the law, have to be federally lawful in their categorical/real world use." Instead of worring you can't protect your product, worry that your idea will be stolen if you don't, Camitta warned. Always assume you will have 10 different companies trying to knock off your product," he says. "Keep that in mind during every facet of the product development process. What makes yours the best, the most sought after, the hardest to replicate? Make it not only the category creator, but the leader. Step one is hiring a good IP attorney. First off, engage an IP attorney to evaluate all aspects of your business and identify the potential aspects that can be protected by IP. Second, with the help of the IP attorney, decide which aspects are worth the investment to obtain the protection, Dr. Adli suggests. Protect yourself creatively is more than just a legal process, Camitta said. Protect yourself by constantly creating new features, products, and offerings. Getting ahead of the curve is great. Its those who can stay in front of that curve that find themselves worrying less and less [about the particular design of a particular product]. In addition, Camitta says, be aggressive in your IP strategy. This angle is a delicate balance between the pragmatist and the optimist in all of us. Having the confidence to spend several thousands of dollars protecting an idea before it sees the light of day is a tough pill to swallow for most people. By the same token, patent rights are all about getting your place in line. There are a multitude of strategies to keep costs low while still ensuring blanket coverage for your unique concept. Consider your IP portfolio an extension of your insurance policies. You hope to never need them, but damn will you be glad if and when you do, he concludes. You can never be too early. Jeffrey D. Welsh, is the founder of Frontera Law Group, a boutique law firm specializing in the legal cannabis industry. For him its all about trademarking your products early. I always recommend applying for federal or state trademark registration at the outset of starting a cannabis business, he says. Weve seen more than a few clients work extremely hard to establish a cannabis brand, only to have an application for trademarks meet repeated, and, in some cases, insurmountable, obstacles. The reason for this is the first thing an Examining Attorney working for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will do upon receiving a new trademark application is simply searching the internet and social media for the mark sought to be protected. If, in that search, the Examining Attorney finds a cannabis-related website, press releases, Instagram pages, or product reviews, the response to the trademark applicant reads something along the lines of: So youre telling us that your business involves the sale of a Schedule I Controlled Substance, please tell us more! With this in mind, its wise to apply for a trademark before launching a website or social media handles, he adds. The application can be filed on an intent-to-use basis, which signals the USPTO that the mark is not currently being used in commerce, but will be shortly. Related: Protecting Your IP Is (No Surprise) Even Harder in the Cannabis Business The Growth of Patent IP sector in India and its Relevance for Entrepreneurs 6 Top Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Make and What to Do Instead Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has signed the public budget law for the year 2019 with an expenditure of Dh56.8 billion ($15.4 billion), a media report said. For the fiscal year of 2019, the Government of Dubai has maintained a budget equal to the 2018 budget, which was the largest budget in the history of the emirate, despite the economic incentive initiatives undertaken by the government during the fiscal year 2018, reported state news agency Wam. Planned to be offered until 2021, these initiatives involve the reduction of a number of fees to stimulate economic development in various sectors in the emirate. Despite the completion of some infrastructure projects related to Expo 2020 Dubai, the 2019 budget has dedicated Dh9.2 billion ($2.5 billion) for infrastructure projects, which caters to the need to develop and upgrade the infrastructure of Dubai and make it one of the most preferred destinations for business and entrepreneurship in the world in line with the leaderships directives. In 2019, Dubai will continue supporting social services, including health, education and housing, as well as developing the Social Benefits Fund and supporting families, with the aim of making Dubai one of the most liveable cities in the world. "Dubai is committed to the continued development of its budget performance over the next few years to ensure financial sustainability and encourage entrepreneurship in the emirate through economic incentives that will contribute to attracting more investments," said Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, director general of the Government of Dubai's Department of Finance (DOF). "The Government of Dubai will continue to improve its competitive edge and achieve the targets of Dubai Plan 2021, and work to amaze the world with the best Expo ever in history." Al Saleh further said that the Government of Dubai has been able to achieve an operating surplus of Dh850 million by adopting disciplined financial policies. Arif Abdulrahman Ahli, executive director, Planning and Budgeting Sector at DOF, said: "We constantly seek to develop and review the public budget. The 2019 budget continues to meet the requirements of Dubai Plan 2021 and makes a transparent statement on the stable financial position of the Emirate through the implementation of disciplined fiscal policies based on international best practices. The 2019 budget also continues to support new initiatives within different sectors, in order to strengthen the overall economy of Dubai, in light of the broad support for initiatives and projects." The Government of Dubai estimates that public revenues will reach Dh51 billion, an increase of 1.2 per cent year-on-year. This increase comes despite the economic incentive measures taken by the emirate's government, which features reduction of some fees, a freeze in fee increases for three years, and a decision to not impose any new fee without providing a new service. The revenues are based on ongoing operations in the emirate and do not rely on oil revenues, which account only for eight per cent of total projected revenues for the fiscal year 2019. Non-tax revenues account for 64 per cent of total expected revenue. Tax revenues account for 25 per cent while revenues from government investment represent three percent. Jamal Hamid Al Marri, executive director, Central Accounts Sector at DOF said: We have come up with big initiatives to consolidate development and innovation through the provision of smart collection and smart financing programmes and the development of a financial data platform that will contribute to the availability of financial data for government entities, businesses and individuals." The budget for the 2019 fiscal year has been driven by the same objectives as the 2018 budget, the largest in the emirates history. It is driven by population growth, the benefits of hosting Expo 2020, the continuous development of infrastructure, the objectives of Dubai Plan 2021, and the commitment to raise the happiness and wellbeing of the citizens and residents of Dubai in line with the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai. The 2019 budget will create 2,498 new jobs as part of the government's strategy for job creation. Salary and wage allowances within the budget account for 32 per cent of total government spending. Public and administrative expenditure as well as grant and support expenditure account for 47 per cent of total government expenditure. These expenditures saw a five percent year-on-year growth as part of the commitment to provide the best health, education and social services to citizens, improve the level of public services and the policy to promote innovation and creativity. The Government of Dubai has dedicated Dh9.2 billion to develop infrastructure projects and prepare for future commitments, as well as support the completion of some projects, the activation of the Public Private Partnership Law and the development of project financing mechanisms through long term financing. The budget for the fiscal year 2019 demonstrates the government's commitment to promote human resources, the real wealth of the nation, as per the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Spending on the social development sector in the areas of health, education, housing, women and children's care, as well as reading, translation and programming initiatives, represents 33 per cent of total government spending. The government's commitment to enhancing the security, justice and safety sector is reflected in the allocation of 22 per cent of total expenditure to this sector. This allocation is aimed at supporting this sector and increasing its ability to perform professionally and proactively. This sector has become a source of pride for the emirate globally. Dubai's commitment to the continued development of the economy, infrastructure and transportation sector has had the biggest impact on the UAE's global position, with 40 per cent of total spending. This demonstrates the emirates keenness to deal with future commitments, support entrepreneurship and create an incubator environment for microenterprises. The emirates commitment to supporting government excellence, creativity, innovation and scientific research is reflected in its allocation of 5 per cent of total government expenditure to enhance performance and instil a culture of excellence, innovation and creativity. SHELTON The focus of the citys continued revitalization of Canal Street has now turned to the historic Star Pin Co. building, which was built in 1875 and has sat vacant for some 15 years. The state Department of Economic & Community Development, on Dec. 19, announced it has approved a $750,000 grant for the remediation of hazardous building materials from the building at 267 Canal Street, which the city foreclosed on months ago for back taxes. This happens a lot in Connecticut, said Mayor Mark Lauretti about the foreclosure, adding that the city foreclosed on the property because of about $600,000 owed in back taxes. But you have to finally recognize that were never going to recover that, its abandoned. The best thing to do is cut your losses and get the property back on the tax rolls. We, as a city, have been pretty successful at doing that with several properties in downtown. This is the first step for the old Star Pin building. Paul Grimmer, president of the Shelton Economic Development Corp., the managing agent for the project, said the grant money would be used to remove the lead, PCBs and asbestos from the 118,000-square-foot building. Running concurrent with that work will be a soil and groundwater assessment to be performed by Tighe & Bond. In addition to the most recent grant, the city received a $200,000 grant to complete that assessment, a contract for which Grimmer expects to be finalized by the end of next month. The city plans to methodically move through this process, he said, adding that once city officials determine that the site is suitable for resale, then we can go ahead. Through a series of grants and private partnerships, the city has cleaned up or demolished 13 of the 17 properties along Canal Street. Millions of brass pins, hooks and buttons were fashioned for more than 100 years at the Star Pin factory. In the early 1980s, Star Pin left Shelton, but the building retained its name. Over the past 30 years, the property housed a variety of manufacturing firms. It has been largely vacant over the past 15 years, and age and weather are beginning to exact a toll on the buildings structural integrity. This property is now part of the citys master plan for redevelopment, said Grimmer, and the city of Shelton has approved the reconstruction of the property for residential purposes, with the approved plan allowing for 72 residential units and 128 parking spaces. The grant Shelton has received was among 11 such grants totaling $3.6 million awarded to 11 projects in eight Connecticut municipalities to assess, remediate and revitalize blighted properties brownfields and put them back into productive use. These projects encompass 59 acres of redevelopment. The redevelopment of brownfields presents a huge economic potential, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said. Over the past eight years we have done just that, and today, thousands of acres of once contaminated former industrial land and buildings have been repurposed to meet the needs of todays businesses and communities. All funds will be awarded through the Department of Economic and Community Development . Since Malloy took office in 2011, state investments of approximately $206 million have supported more than 234 brownfield projects across 72 municipalities, remediating 3,062 acres and leveraging approximately $3.2 billion in non-DECD funds. In addition, these investments are helping create more than 3,000 permanent and 15,000 construction jobs. Brownfield investments like the ones we are announcing are a central part of the states larger plan to spur economic growth at the local level, and the positive impacts are wide-ranging, DECD Commissioner Catherine Smith said. The remediation of brownfield sites are a win not only for the economy, but the environment as well, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Rob Klee said. Brownfields are a wise choice for redevelopment, as they already have the infrastructure in place to support new growth, reduce the need to develop valuable open space, with the added benefit of cleaning up the environment. Pam Bacco stood next to a photo of her son as she delivered an impassioned plea to keep her former husband in jail. I was shaking through the whole thing, she said. Mark Lynch, 58, a former New Canaan man who gave his son the heroin that led to his fatal overdose, was denied parole Wednesday during a hearing in Enfield. Lynch was sentenced to three years in prison in 2017, but was granted a parole hearing about a year into his sentence. He was charged with second-degree manslaughter, possession of narcotics and illegal distribution of hallucinogenic narcotics after the death of his son, 25-year-old Chris Lynch, who had battled an opioid addiction. According to police, Lynch provided the heroin when his son was visiting in 2016 for a court appearance. Chris Lynch had started to turn his life around while living in Colorado with his mother. He frequently attended therapy sessions and had been clean for nine months. Chris Lynch quickly relapsed once he met up with his father, who had originally introduced him to heroin. The same night he reunited with his father, Chris Lynch fell asleep and never woke up. Police found white, frothy vomit on the pillow under his head near his mouth. Bacco called in through a teleconference system to plead with the state Board of Pardons and Paroles to deny Lynchs parole request. Instead of telling his own son to stay away from him because he himself was not well and he would seriously endanger his sons recovery and treatment (Mark) did the exact opposite, she said. Bacco said her former husband deserved to spend the entire sentence in jail, followed by seven years of parole, even though she believed he should have originally received a harsher sentence. Lynch faced up to 10 years in prison if he was convicted at trial of second-degree manslaughter, but accepted a deal for three years. I have spent the last two years with the heartbreaking grief that Christopher will never come home, that he will forever be 25 and never get to live the life he had worked so hard to take control of again, Bacco said. (It was) all taken away from him because his own father wanted a best friend to get high with. Lynch was eligible for parole on April 25, according to Richard Sparaco, executive director of the Connecticut Board of Pardons & Paroles, but hearings are usually granted within six months of the parole date. No new date has been set for Lynchs parole. Once released, Lynch will still have to serve seven years of mandatory parole. The conditions of the parole require Lynch to stay drug and alcohol free. In her sons memory, Bacco has helped raise more than $5,000 for Shatterproof, a New York organization that advocates for prevention, treatment and recovery for substance abuse. I miss my son more than words can say, Bacco said. Christopher will always be my hero, I will always be proud to be his mom. Bacco said she hopes Lynch does not have another chance at parole. For me to have to continue to relive what led up to his death and to have to even think about Mark Lynch reopens the huge hole in my heart that I am so desperately trying to heal so that I can honor my son and find the peace that I know Christopher wants me to find, she said. It didnt take long for interest in the newly vacated 5th Senate District seat to heat up. State Rep. Derek Slap, D-West Hartford, former chief of staff to the Senate Democratic Caucus, announced Wednesday he would run for the post being vacated by Beth Bye. Slap has represented West Hartford, Farmington and Avon in the House for the past two years. Also Wednesday, state Rep.-elect Jillian Gilchrest, D-West Hartford, said she is considering a possible bid for the 5th Senate District seat and expects to make a decision in the next few days. Another West Hartford Democrat rumored to be considering a run is Janee Woods Weber, an attorney from West Hartford who is director of organizational culture for the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Foundation. Weber served on an advisory panel studying womens issues for Lamonts transition team. Bye, also a West Hartford Democrat, was re-elected to a fifth term in the Senate in November. Instead, she will leave when her current term ends on Jan. 9 and join Gov.-elect Ned Lamonts administration as commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood. Slap, 45, who spearheaded the 2018 push in the General Assembly for pay equity reform, said there are many other priorities he still wants to pursue. A sustainable budget and strengthening our economy these have to be the top priorities for all of us, said Slap. Nonpartisan analysts say state finances, unless adjusted, are on pace to run 10 percent in deficit, about $1.7 billion, in the upcoming fiscal year. Much of that problem is tied to surging pension and other retirement benefit costs, programs that suffer from seven decades of inadequate funding. Slap and Bye worked together over the past two years to build a bipartisan coalition that enacted a pay equity measure that prohibits employers from asking prospective hires about their pay history. Supporters argued that inquiries about wage history traditionally have been a tool used to maintain the gender gap. Slap applauded Byes contribution to Connecticut during her eight years in the Senate and four in the House. With apologies to Red Sox fans, but this is like trying to replace (former Yankees all-star) Derek Jeter at shortstop, he said. Shes been a fabulous state senator. These are very big shoes to fill. Besides continuing to promote pay equity, Slap said he also would work in the Senate to expand access to early voting, reduce underage vaping, and combat age discrimination. Slap this week ended a four-year stint as a vice president of marketing and communications for the University of Connecticut Foundation. In addition to representing the 19th House District, Slap also lectures on political science and the media at Yale University. Gilchrest, 36, was elected this past year to her first term representing the 18th House district, first defeating incumbent Rep. Andrew Fleischmann of West Hartford in a Democratic primary and then outpolling Republican Mary Fay, a West Hartford town councilor, in the general election. I am interested, thats the best way to say it, Gilchrest told the CT Mirror. People are reaching out to me to see if Im going for it. And though this would be Gilchrests first term as a legislator, she is no stranger to state policy or to the Capitol. Over the past decade Gilchrest has served as: director of health professional outreach at the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence; senior policy analyst for the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women; policy director at the Alliance to End Sexual Violence; and as executive director of NARAL Pro-choice CT. Gilchrest, who will be teaching psychology and social welfare policy at St. Josephs University in West Hartford this spring, pointed out that women gained nunerous seats in the House and Senate during the November election and that she believes its crucial for a progressive woman to succeed Bye. Weve made significant gains in this last election, Gilchrest said. Id hate to see us slide back even one seat. Secretary of the State Denise W. Merrill is expected to schedule a special election for Byes seat later this month. The 5th District seat is one of 23 seats in the 36-member Senate that Democrats won this past November. Democrats have held the 5th District for more than three decades. The last Republican to hold the job was Anne Streeter of West Hartford, in 1986. The Lamont transition team announced Byes appointment Wednesday morning. As of midday, no Republicans had declared their candidacy for the 5th Senate District seat. Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, said he expects the GOP will field a candidate, adding more details should be forthcoming in the next few weeks. ANSONIA A pick-up truck involved in the fatal Sept. 23, 2018, crash that killed a senior citizen had failed a state Department of Motor Vehicle inspection and should not have been driven on state roads. Marcus Brown, a supervisor with the state Department of Motor Vehicles, told Ansonia Police in an Oct. 23, 2018, email that he inspected the 2005 GMC Sierra pick-up belonging to Zachary Mercer of Andrews Road in Hamden, before the crash and it failed for several safety violations that were found. Brown told police that, a passed re-inspection is required before the vehicle can be registered in Connecticut and that no re-inspection was done. He said Mercer was told the truck could not even be driven from the Hamden DMV inspection site. Yet Detective Brian Harte said Mercer, knowingly and intentionally circumvented the state motor vehicle salvage safety inspection and registration laws by acquiring Texas dealer plates. Those Texas plates expired two weeks before the fatal crash. More News News Ansonia police arrest Hamden man in fatal crash On Dec. 31, 2018, police arrested Mercer, 24, on a warrant charging him with various motor vehicle offenses that led to the death of Garrett Dalton, a 78-year-old city resident, in a downtown crash around 5:20 a.m. on Sept. 23, 2018. During the crash, Daltons Honda Accord was hurled into a vacant store front on Main Street. Dalton was a graduate of Ansonia High School, a U.S. Army veteran and a retired member of the Ansonia Board of Education. Police charged Mercer with reckless driving, misconduct with a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with out-of-state plates, violating state regulations involving a motor vehicle that had once been totaled and failing to obey a traffic control signal. He was released on $10,000 bond pending a Jan. 14 appearance in Derby Superior Court. Lt. Patrick Lynch said a lengthy investigation was conducted with help from the Orange and Woodbridge police departments accident reconstruction teams and the Connecticut State Police Crash Analysis and Reconstruction squad. At the time of the crash Mercer was headed north on Main Street approaching Bridge Street when he allegedly ran a red light and hit Daltons car, which surveillance cameras show had passed through a green light. The collision pushed Dalton's car to the left, causing it to hit the rear drivers side of a Hyundai Genesis. That impact blew the driver's side front tire off the rim of Daltons car, sending sent it hurtling into a vacant storefront at 290 Main St. While Mercer had valid insurance for his truck, it was not registered in Connecticut because of the failed inspection. Police said Mercer was not using his cell phone at the time of the crash. They also spoke to Mercers girlfriend, who was with him when the truck failed its inspection. (His girlfriend) was asked if Mercer's truck was supposed to be on the road, Hartes affidavit reads. Honestly, legally, no, she told the detective, according to the affidavit. Ryuk ransomware is believed to be the culprit behind printing and delivery issues for all Tribune Publishing newspapers as well as newspapers that used to be part of Tribune Publishing. The malware was discovered and later quarantined on Friday, but the security patches failed to hold when the servers were brought back online and the ransomware began to re-infect the network and impact servers used for news production and manufacturing processes. A Tribune spokesperson said the malware impacted some back-office systems, which are primarily used to publish and produce newspapers across our properties. The Los Angeles Times reported that the cyber attack is believed to have originated from outside the United States, but officials said it was too soon to say whether it was carried out by a foreign state or some other entity. And an unnamed source claimed, The attack was to disable infrastructure, more specifically servers, as opposed to looking to steal information. Print subscribers of affected newspapers ultimately received trimmed down versions that were delivered late a full day in some cases slimmed-down Saturday versions without paid classified ads or death notices were received on Sunday. Print editions of the following Tribune Publishing newspapers were impacted by the cyber attack: the Chicago Tribune, the Baltimore Sun, the Orlando Sentinel, the New York Daily News, Lake County News-Sun, Post-Tribune, Hartford Courant, Capital Gazette, The Morning Call, the Daily Press, the Virginian-Pilot, and Carroll County Times. The Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union Tribune, which were formerly part of Tribune Publishing newspapers, were also slammed by the ransomware. Other cybersecurity news: Hackers threaten to dump stolen files related to 9/11 attacks The hacking group Dark Overlord hoped to ring in the new year with a bang, announcing on the last day of 2018 that it had breached law firms that handled cases related to 9/11 attacks; the group threatened to release internal files if a ransom wasnt paid. According to the extortion notice posted on Pastebin, the group had hacked insurers such as Hiscox Syndicates Ltd, Lloyds of London, and Silverstein Properties. Hiscox had announced a breach, which may have included information relating to up to 1,500 of Hiscoxs US-based commercial insurance policyholders, back in April. The group leaked a few documents from a 10GB archive of stolen files, warning that it will be releasing the truth if the ransom demand isn't met. The archive is encrypted, but decryption keys will be released if victims dont pay the undisclosed bitcoin ransom fee. Pay the f**k up, or were going to bury you with this. If you continue to fail us, well escalate these releases by releasing the keys, each time a layer is opened, a new wave of liability will fall upon you, the group said. Security firm hijacked Twitter accounts to highlight flaw What is the answer if a company claims to have fixed a security flaw, but you dont buy into that claim? Researchers from Insinia Security opted to hijack the Twitter accounts of celebrities and other verified accounts to prove the flaw was never fixed. Insinia believed the temporary hijacking of accounts was ethical, and not malicious, even if it made victims feel slightly violated. Although the stunt was met with a wide range of reactions, from irritated to appreciative, it did reveal that accounts could still be remotely taken over by SMS spoofing despite Twitter claiming, Weve resolved a bug that allowed certain accounts with a connected UK phone number to be targeted by SMS spoofing. Pullmantur's Sovereign is returning to Brazil for the 2019-2020 season as the cruise line's biggest ship will be based in Santos for an 11th season, sailing short cruises to Rio, where guests can also embark. From early December (2019) to late February (2020), the 1988-built ship will sail approximately 20 cruises, all dedicated to the local market. Brazilian tour operator CVC will be part of the commercial operation, helping sell staterooms in the local market. Bookings for the 2019-2020 program are already open. Since transferring from Royal Caribbean to Pullmantur in 2008, the Sovereign has spent all its winter seasons in Brazil. The Brazilian market is expecting to have six seasonal ships for 2019-2020, with the Sovereign joining the Costa Fascinosa and the Costa Pacifica. In addition are three MSC ships, the Seaview, Fantasia and Poesia. A fourth MSC ship, the Musica will also be in the region, but with cruises dedicated to the Argentinean market. The Center for the American Experience, a conservative think tank, recently made a stop in Hutchinson to discuss critical race theory and education. Critical race theory is an academic movement that examines social, cultural and legal issues as they relate to race and racism. Are you worried about critical race theory being taught in schools? Tell us in this week's online reader poll. You voted: To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Please click here to learn how. Another year is behind us and once again, Cornwall Seaway News was honoured to tell the stories of Cornwall and the surrounding community. Here is a selection of some of the top stories of 2018. Sears to be torn down The highest traffic story of 2018 was the announcement that then owners of the Cornwall Square, Partners REIT, intended to tear down the old Sears location in the mall. With new owners, these plans are now in question. Canadian Forces conduct night training exercise in Cornwall Cornwall residents were kept up late one April night this year with the sound of helicopters flying up and down the St. Lawrence River. After a little investigation, Seaway News confirmed that the Canadian Forces were conducting exercises around the dam and Lamoureux Park, something that the general public was not informed of in advance. Teen arrested for towing friends on sofa down Second St. Seaway News shares many stories about the work the Cornwall Community Police Service does to keep our community safe. This story from a February police blotter stood out to us as being particularly memorable. It was also one of the most viewed stories of the year. Cornwall region honours Humboldt on Jersey Day Last April Canada mourned with Humboldt, Sask. after many young men from their community were killed in a tragic bus crash, and the City of Cornwall joined the nation and stood with Humboldt in solidarity. Renovations to old BMO could cost $4-6 million The City of Cornwall purchased the old Bank of Montreal building in the downtown to serve as the new arts centre. The building will require some renovations, but will ultimately cost roughly half of what the originally planned art centre would cost. City worker strike begins in Cornwall In May, a three week strike began in Cornwall. Indoor workers, outdoor workers, librarians and paramedics went on strike. These employees had been working without a contract for at least two years, and tensions resulting from Council decisions ultimately made a strike inevitable. Whats next for Poirier Furniture Late July saw what was called the worst fire Cornwall had seen in 30 years. The fire destroyed three buildings including Poirier Furnitures site on Montreal Rd. The heat was so strong that siding on buildings on the other side of the street melted. Thankfully for Poiriers, with some strong community support, Poiriers had their grand re-opening in December. Hazardous waste found in St. Lawrence River Another top viewed story of 2018 was the news that hazardous waste was found in the St. Lawrence River. The waste was contained in old buoy batteries, but luckily it does not seem that the waste posed any threat to the community. Leclerc Group production plant coming to Cornwall It was a good year for the Cornwall economy and as evidence for this, the Leclerc Group chose Cornwall as the new home of their new production facility. Clement wins in landslide This municipal election was a historic one for the City of Cornwall and the province of Ontario. In a landslide, Bernadette Clement was elected as the first black female Mayor in the history of Cornwall and in the history of the province. 100% Website srisankaramatrimony.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: Boostrap and Php. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 107888 bytes (105.36 kb uncompressed) and 13151 bytes (12.84 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2019-09-26, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. We are analyzing the site. Please wait a few seconds.. 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. Philip Booth is Professor of Finance, Public Policy and Ethics at St. Marys University, Twickenham. He is also Senior Academic Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs. The old joke Why did the chicken cross the road? (To get to the other side) might have come out of some readers Christmas crackers. In fact, there is a serious point to that joke. The chicken can know of no higher purpose. There was no ultimate end: it just crossed the road to get to the other side. If the chicken were a person, getting to the other side would not have been a good enough reason for crossing the road in and of itself: there would have been some further, higher, end. For those of us who have spent their lives not being very interested in the EU, these are not especially exciting times. We should remember that the Brexit debate is not an end in itself. The different protagonists in the debate within the Conservative Party have generally not taken that position. If you believe in limited government and free trade, perfectly rational positions can be and have been created to support an EEA position, free-trade deals, No Deal or Remain. I struggle to understand the rationale of the deal that the Prime Minister has brought back to us, but wont get into that debate today. Of course, the EU is not just about economics. But, when it comes to economics, those who believe in a free economy and free trade cannot allow the Brexit debate to act as an alternative for making the wider case for capitalism. We cannot put the making of the wider case for limited government on hold. Those who believe in a bigger state have certainly not stopped making their arguments. On the whole, socialists like to try to take the moral high ground. They are effective in building narratives around peoples own problems or aspirations: Conservatives are not always good at this and the Brexit debate has certainly not helped. The recent visit to the UK by the UNs Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights Philip Alston illustrates these points very well. Those who believe in a free economy need to argue their case as if they really believe that free markets and sound institutions are matters of life and death for the poorest people in the world. An excellent book by Rainer Zitelmann, The Power of Capitalism, makes some of these arguments forcefully. The opening chapter on China is shocking in its portrayal of the poverty of the Mao regime 33 million people died in just four years to 1962. However imperfect and incomplete the move towards markets, the Chinese transition has ensured that most of the countrys people are now no longer one bad harvest away from starvation. The relationship between the institutions of capitalism and the poor being in a position where they can escape a life of drudgery or disease and famine is indisputable. It can be seen across countries and through time. And yet the basic facts about the benefits of markets and the abject failure of socialism are more or less unknown here at home. Students, potential voters and those who frame the policy debates seem to have no clue about how globalisation has improved the lot of the poor. Indeed, they do not even understand that the lot of the poor has improved. In a recent Ipsos-Mori poll, 91 per cent of British respondents believed that the proportion of people living in absolute poverty had increased or remained about the same in recent decades. The reality is that the proportion has fallen more in the last three decades than in the whole of previous economic history put together. Reports from Oxfam and many other organisations suggest that inequality is on the increase and this is the prevailing narrative (bizarrely echoed by people such as Mark Carney). I suspect that, if a poll were taken on whether people believed that global inequality was increasing or decreasing, the proportion believing it was decreasing would not get out of single figures or perhaps it would be zero after rounding. Yet the last 20 years mark the first sustained period in over two centuries during which global inequality is falling. Unless economic globalisation reverses or the institutional situation in poorer countries deteriorates, this trend will continue. The West has an awful demographic outlook which will lead to lower disposable incomes as a result of higher taxes, as well as other problems. Meanwhile, the possibility for catch-up growth fuelled by young populations with growing human capital should allow poorer countries to continue to grow rapidly. We should take none of this for granted. It is essential that the public does not come to believe that those politicians who broadly support a free economy have become obsessed by Brexit. If you were to put the faces of publicly-known politicians before people in an opinion poll and ask the question: which of these people support policies that will raise incomes for the very poorest and reduce global inequality?, I suspect that not many would nominate those politicians whom we know support free markets. That needs to change. It is not as if the statistics or the messages are especially complicated. Brexit should not be like the chicken crossing the road. The broader purpose of government should never be forgotten. We cannot have a moratorium on making the case for limited government and free markets or a couple of years whilst we deal with Brexit. Craig Hoy is a former Downing Street Lobby correspondent and a member of the Scottish Conservative Party. After anything but a Merry Christmas, the last thing our struggling high streets need is to be blighted by anti-social behaviour. But all too often our villages, towns and cities are marred by low-level violence and intimidation, which reveal a stubborn stain on the character of modern Scotland. Earlier this year, The Scottish Sun reported on ASBO Avenue, where five individuals presided over a reign of terror on a small cul-de-sac. The number of dangerous dog notices issued across Scotland is up by 270 per cent in six years. Crime rose by 1.7 per cent in Scotland last year, with offences involving a weapon up by 3.4 per cent and robberies surging by 8.4 per cent. In my home town of Haddington in East Lothian where I now spend much of my time, following a decade running a business in the sharply different environs of Asia authorities recently agreed a so-called Problem Solving Partnership to tackle a spate of extreme anti-social behaviour. The actions of a small number of visible individuals alarmed local residents and angered weary local businesses. A series of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) followed, including one which bans a 38-year-old woman using aggressive, abusive or intimidating language or behaviour preventing her entering the street in a group of more than two people. At the heart of this problem lies the vexing balancing act between personal rights and responsibilities. If you speak in private to those responsible for enforcing ASBOs, or pursuing tenant evictions, they admit that the pendulum has swung much too far in the wrong direction. Those seeking to prosecute this behaviour say they are doing so with one hand tied behind their back. Cash-strapped local authorities and over-stretched police often lack the capacity to respond effectively or react at all. The legal processes can be drawn-out and complex and biased in favour of the offender. While its un-PC to advocate hard-line early intervention, theres mounting evidence that were still too reluctant to respond decisively to damaging and dangerous behaviour. Or, in the East Lothian case, the response is wrong: to house anti-social residents in the same locality, to make it easier for relevant agencies to monitor their behaviour or, worse still, alongside good neighbours in the vain hope that it will make them change their ways. The structural language of the mechanisms deployed hints at this sense of misguided logic. Take Acceptable Behaviour Contracts. These voluntary written agreements between councils, landlords and tenants have no legal status. Think about it for a moment. It has come to something when adults have to explicitly agree in writing not to threaten or abuse residents or passers-by or, worse still, not to throw missiles at them. People ought to know that this sort of behaviour is unacceptable and act accordingly, without having to sign a piece of paper. Tony Blairs much-vaunted respect agenda has been lost by governments of all political persuasions over recent decades and more. What strikes me most, and should worry us all, is that many now believe this is a problem we simply have to learn to live with. They view it as a battle too complex or too costly to tackle through the penal system or via social or welfare policy. It is, say some on the Left, an undesirable but inevitable outcome of unacceptable levels of poverty and deprivation. I doubt that this is completely true but no political party is without blame. Two years ago, one of the starkest problems which struck me on my return to Scotland after a decade in Asia was the level of everyday anti-social behaviour. That could be kids on bikes buzzing an elderly pedestrian, or hooded youths using unleashed dogs to passively threaten those who walk by. I accept comparing Scotland to countries such as Singapore is probably a fruitless exercise. Crude comparisons fail to take into account different cultural norms, legal and penal systems, the role of the family and the impact of different levels of wealth and the welfare system on an individuals behaviour. But its worth trying to assess precisely why significant levels of anti-social behaviour have been priced in to the everyday currency of life in Scotland today when other countries still adopt zero tolerance. If the respect agenda works elsewhere, then we shouldnt give up on it here. Scotland is prepared to think out of the box. Moves towards tackling knife crime through a public health approach have been successful in Glasgow. But it is worth stressing that finding reachable and teachable moments to educate offenders were deployed alongside deterrent based measures, including, for a period, increased stop and search and tougher sentences. Finding a lasting solution to anti-social behaviour and violence might mean having difficult conversations about relying less on community sentencing, increasing fines and using custodial sentences more. Community Justice Scotland (CJS) says the criminal justice system has to be swift and visible, but balanced and fair allowing offenders to build better lives for themselves and their families. But we must be very careful we dont create a dangerous imbalance in the same way we have over rights and responsibilities. The Management of Offenders (Scotland) Bill, currently before the Holyrood Parliament, suggests further use of electronic tagging. CJS is calling for more ambitious measures still. Such calls should be resisted until its proven they reduce crime and re-offending across the cycle. With attention focused on Brexit and the threat of Indyref2, it would be all too easy to push complex policy issues aside. But it would be completely wrong to admit defeat by failing to wrestle with these intractable issues. Anti-social behaviour hits the poorest and most vulnerable the hardest. Taking action must remain a top-level policy priority for the Tory Party in Scotland, just as it should be for our political opponents. New mobile app Parents Gateway launched in Singapore schools Minister of Education of Singapore Ong Ye Kung today launched the one-stop mobile app Parents Gateway that allows schools to update parents on programme and activities, as well provide a platform for performing administrative matters. The digital service Parents Gateway has been developed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in partnership with the Government Technology Agency (GovTech). Ong Ye Kung, Minister of Education of Singapore launched the one-stop mobile app Parents Gateway that allows schools to update parents on programme and activities. Photo courtesy: Facebook page of Ong Ye Kung This mobile app is for parents and schools to better support their childrens educational journey through improved communications. The centrally coordinated initiative, available on IOS and Android for parents, allows schools to send updates on programmes and activities. It also allows parents to perform administrative functions such as providing consent for their children to participate in school activities, said MOE in a press release issued today. Launching the app at Huamin Primary School, Ong said, For teachers, I think this is a major improvement. I really hope using this Gateway, we can cut down on administrative work for our teachers. This hopefully frees up more time for our teachers so that they can better focus on what they are good at, which is teaching, he added. Parents can use their SingPass accounts, SMS 2FA or OneKey Token to gain access to Parents Gateway. Through this dedicated account, parents will be able to receive information and perform administrative functions for their children, even if the children are in different classes, or from different schools. Additional services will be added to the Parents Gateway portal incrementally. For example, by the end of 2019, parents can look forward to completing travel declarations on their mobile devices, and updating their contact details. Parents Gateway was first piloted in small groups in 10 schools in 2017. Following the successful trial, 56 more schools joined the Early Adopters programme in 2018, and trialled the use of the app with small groups of parents. All 66 schools will work towards rolling out Parents Gateway to their entire school by the first quarter of this year. MOE will also progressively roll out the Parents Gateway app to all schools. The initiative of Parents Gateway has been taken towards the Smart Nation journey of Singapore. There was a time when Apple defined the future direction of the entire tech industry for the next 12 months when its annual January Macworld Expo event set the scene. Even the first iPhone was announced Jan. 9, 2007. What this meant The January event meant Apple commanded the attention of every tech media and industry thought leader at the beginning of each year. Airports across the planet were filled with people making their quarterly journey to an Apple keynote (others took place in New York, France and Tokyo, with a fifth event WWDC in June). Crowds congregated and speculation flew. Hacks were happy to have something exciting to write about after the annual crushing bore that CES became and the long spell of holiday season news emptiness that seems to extend from November. The result? Apples decision to ignite interest with a January event drove the fallow news cycle. It generated coverage and helped it grab the public imagination early each and every year. Apple would corral all this excitement around a new release, a new strategy or the philosophical frisson of a Stevenote. Who else recalls the introduction of the digital shoebox for content in iPhoto that eventually became the digital media ecosystem everyone from Amazon to Netflix now profits from? Who else sees how by bestowing digital content with real value, Apple helped bring into reality a viable ecosystem for creative expression through digital content in the face of piracy? Empty vessels make a noise Sure, the argument Apple made when exiting the trade show schedule was a strong one: Commitment to these dates put it under pressure to announce exciting new products and reduced its capacity to be flexible. Every Macworld cant have an iPhone, said IDC analyst Richard Shim, commenting on Apples decision at that time. He was right, but over time the decision has generated unwanted consequences. These days we have a vacuum. Left with nothing interesting to write about and in a publishing environment in which it seems acceptable to criticize Apple for even the smallest failing while denying competitors the same level of scrutiny even when more egregious errors are made, journalists reach for any critical story they can find. Thats why Apples failure to launch AirPower to schedule is getting so much coverage. Its not because anyone writing about this actually cares. They just want something to write about. (It is probably more telling that Apple seems to have removed almost every reference to the product from its website and did so months ago. It's always nice to see a story get recycled.) Apple needs to regain the initiative Im not arguing that Apple should return to Macworld Expo. In a digitally connected world choking on the fumes created by "clean coal," it makes much more environmental and economic sense to use video and AR to share ideas and product announcements were certainly seeing a growing number of enterprises do just that. In that context, trade shows are an anachronism. I do, however, think Apple should consider how it has blunted the impact of its messaging by abandoning an event in January. Doing so has left a drought in tech industry news coverage, a gap now regularly filled by Apple criticism published for fun and profit. The people who identify and write about these problems arent dumb. They know there is a market for negative Apple stories. Build them up to knock them down. One way to silence this critical cacophony might be to give those idle hands something better to write about. The malaise created at a time of year when no one has anything much to say during the slowest sales season is an opportunity to share a better story. Will Apple seize that moment, or is it an opportunity for another ambitious firm to carve its own vision for a future in which technology meets the liberal arts? Please follow me on Twitter, and join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe. Imagine a company that can verify the background of a new employee and onboard them with the click of a single virtual button, or a banking customer who can verify their identity for a loan without exposing personally identifiable information again with a click of a button. That's the potential blockchain holds for decentralized identity management. It's done by creating a digital wallet that serves as a repository for all kinds of personal and financial data, info that can only be shared after a specific request and only with the permission of the owner. Blockchain distributed ledger technology (DLT) in combination with digital identity verification holds the potential to solve online privacy issues that plague everything from consumer sales and bank know-your-customer regulations to employee credentials that allow access to confidential business systems. "There are multiple vendors in this space that are either in the early R&D stage or testing their products in pilot projects," said Homan Farahmand, a senior research director with Gartner. "It is too early to declare any winner, by any means, because just having a working product is not enough. Decentralized identity requires a vibrant ecosystem, a robust identity trust fabric built on a distributed ledger or blockchain, tools to support user-friendly functionality and good developer experience to support broad adoption." One considerable security attribute of storing digital identities on an encrypted, distributed blockchain ledger is eliminating "honey pots," or central repositories for customer account information, according to Julie Esser, chief engagement officer for CULedger, a Denver-based Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO). Those repositories are prime targets for hackers. Credit Unions are already testing ID management Like other CUSOs, CULedger is a cooperative owned by multiple credit unions for the purpose of providing back-office services; it was created a year ago to build out a blockchain-based identity management platform called My CUID. The platform is expected to launch in the second half of 2019 and will hand the keys to data protection over to customers who sign up for an app. CULedger has 36 investors 26 credit unions and several CUSOs. In October, CULedger began piloting My CUID with five other credit unions and another CUSO; it eliminated the need for user names and passwords and relieved credit union call centers from the obligation of resetting them when a customer loses them. How it works: a new or current customer of a member credit union contacts a customer service call center, which sends a text message to the customer's mobile device with a link to download the My CUID app. The credit union's rep then issues the customer their credentials a digital wallet, which holds personally identifiable information obtained during the initial customer contact. That information is encrypted and can only be accessed with the member's authorization, which is requested when they make a transaction. Each time a customer using My CUID contacts the credit union or vice versa their smartphone or tablet receives a pop-up dialogue requesting they confirm their membership before any transaction is completed. "You'd click OK or Not OK. It doesn't feel a lot different than what happens with other apps on your phone," Esser said. "It's all based on...the encrypted channels we've created, which is really cool. You're creating a two-way secure communication channel. So, not only does your credit union know it's you they're talking to, but you also you know it's your credit union calling you." CULedger has set a goal of issuing 1 million digital identities to credit union members in 2019. Because credit unions must comply with Know-Your-Customer federal regulations, the blockchain-based digital ID service would also fulfill regulatory compliance, Esser said. Along with giving the customer control over their identity by handing them the blockchain encryption keys, My CUID would eliminate the need for user login names and passwords and dramatically reduce the time it takes for a credit union call center representative to authenticate a member. It can take a rep from 60 to 90 seconds to authenticate a member before a transaction even starts. That can be reduced to 5 seconds or less with My CUID, according to Esser. "It's not a pleasant experience to phone a call center because the customer is welcomed with 20 questions to identify who you are, so it's a wonky process that needs fixing." Traditionally, credit unions and other financial services firms rely on third-party service providers for call center and customer authentication services, many of which are located outside the U.S. CULedger would place control back in the hands of member credit unions, Esser said. In 2019, CULedger plans to begin building out its production customer permission network; it is currently considering several blockchain platforms, including IBM's Hyperledger Fabric service and R3's Corda, the biggest commercial blockchain consortium among banks, insurers and other financial service firms. CULedger is also considering working with the Hedera Foundation, the creator of Swirlds, a software platform for creating distributed applications (dApps). Swirlds is based on the Hashgraph protocol, a DLT well suited to the financial services industry because it can process more than 100,000 transactions per second, unlike bitcoin, which processes three to four transactions per second. "We need the ability to conduct transactions instantaneously in real time," Esser said. "We'd planned to create our own platform, but with the focus on a decentralized identification piece, this allows us to not recreate the wheel. There may be some applications that require different [blockchain] platforms." How a self-sovereign ID works For consumers who are mindful of their online information credit card numbers, date of birth, annual income, etc. blockchain has the potential for "self-sovereign" identities like CULedger is creating, meaning the user controls who can see their data or get purchasing approval without releasing their income details. Self-sovereign identities work like this: the user has a bank confirm a credit limit or an employer confirm annual income; that confirmation information is then encrypted, but available, on a public blockchain ledger to which the consumer holds the private and public cryptographic keys. If a buyer wants a car loan from an auto dealership, for example, the consumer can give them permission through a public key to confirm that he or she has enough credit or annual income without revealing an exact dollar amount. So, for example, if the car dealer wants to ensure a consumer earns more than $50,000 a year, that's all the blockchain ledger will confirm (not that they actually earn $72,587). The confidentiality technique is known as zero knowledge proof (ZKP), a cryptography technology that allows a user to prove that funds, assets or identifying information exist without revealing the information behind it. Ernst & Young has created a public blockchain prototype it plans to launch in 2019 that lets companies use ZKPs to complete business transactions confidentially. Sovereign IDs in the enterprise CULedger is also working with the Sovrin Foundation, a new nonprofit\ that has created the blockchain-based Sovrin Network; it enables anyone to globally exchange pre-verified data with any entity also on the distributed ledger. The online credentials issued via the Sovrin Network are akin to a physical ID you might carry in your wallet, such as a driver's license, a company ID or a bank debit card. The virtual encrypted wallet (or crypto wallet) would link back to the institutions that created them, such as a bank, a government agency or even an employer, which, through the blockchain, would automatically verify the needed information to a requestor. "Our market strategy involves working with enterprise partners to solve their ID problems rather than trying to go direct to end users, so yeah, we're working hard in that area and have a number of partners who are doing things there. Three who come to mind are Government of British Columbia, CULedger and IBM/ATB Financial," said Phil Windley, chair and co-founder of the Sovrin Foundation. The Government of British Columbia and the Government of Ontario have already rolled out a production system using the Sovrin Network for business registration and licensing; together they've issued over 6 million credentials, according to Windley. Sovrin development partners IBM, Workday and ATB Financial (a bank in Alberta) have also started pilot tests of the Sovrin Network. The partners are demonstrating how digital credentials could work for IBM employees. ATB Financial issues a digital credential, which can be used for both logging into the bank and IBM's user network. Along with validating the employees' financial information, the distributed ledger application eliminates the need for employees to have a username or password, Windley said. "Because it's cryptographically based, it has a public key associated with them, and you [the employee] own the private key," Windley said. Gartner's Farahmand said self-sovereign identities based on blockchain distributed ledgers are being eyed for all kinds of enterprises uses, including onboard new hires. Each time a new employee is hired, a new decentralized identifier is generated by the that employee and passed to the enterprise. That identifier can then be propagated within the internal systems for user authentication to the enterprise network and applications, Farahmand said. "This can be a powerful proposition as it speeds up the onboarding process and subsequent identity life cycle management activities, as well as enabling password-less authentication. It also helps with converging multiple personas a person can have relevant to the organization," Farahmand said, explaining that the digital IDs can be used to access multiple systems within a company based on organization-based permissions. A popular design pattern for decentralized identity is comprised of a core identifier and a set of "pairwise" identifiers, each for a relationship the user has with an organization. Pairwise identifiers are cryptographically derived from the core identifier. The pairwise identifier enables an enterprise system to uniquely verify a user identity for each relationship and potentially prevent correlation of user activity across different relationships, enabling privacy-by-design principles at the protocol level, Farahmand said. For example, a bank employee can be a bank customer at the same time while using the same self-sovereign ID. The two personas are typically represented by two digital identities in two siloed systems one as an employee and one as a customer of the bank. "In case of a decentralized identity model, the same person can have two sets of identifiers ... mapped to the same core digital identity, which can potentially simplify reconciliation of user activities," Farahmand said. Another benefit to a self-sovereign ID is the ability to streamline B2B scenarios where an employee of one organization can have access to systems in another. For example, Farahmand said, if the host organization trusts the decentralized identity that is attested by the guest organization, then a new pair-wise decentralized identifier can be generated to authenticate the user; that simplifies the onboarding and access governance for business customers or other partners. Significant hurdles remain While self-sovereign IDs based on blockchain hold significant promise for increasing privacy and efficiency, there are also significant technology hurdles that have yet to be vaulted. For one, trust in blockchain. A 2018 Gartner CIO survey revealed on average that only 3.3% of companies worldwide had actually deployed blockchain in a production environment. In a blog post, Avivah Litan, a Gartner vice president and distinguished analyst, listed eight hurdles blockchain needs to surmount before it can become a cure-all for virtually any international, transactional network need from fee-less, cross-border payments to supply chain tracking. One significant challenge is integrating DLT systems with legacy databases, the current repositories for corporate employee identities. A decentralized identity system also requires a vibrant ecosystem, a roust identity trust fabric built on a distributed ledger or blockchain, tools to support user-friendly functionality and good developer experience to support broad adoption. "While we encourage our clients to watch this space and do some limited experimentation or even proof-of-concept projects," Farahmand said, "we also caution them to make sure these products are battle tested, hardened and ready to withstand different types of attacks." Jim Bowling | Herald & Review via APSt. Teresa High School teacher Mario Podeschi helps student Maddie McNamara analyze Civil War era gravestones Oct. 30 at Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur for a sociology class project. Greenwood is an old cemetery, probably the oldest in Decatur. The students chose the Civil War section of Greenwood Cemetery to research because they wanted the oldest graves possible. Greenwood contains stones of almost every type, giving the students plenty of chances for studying customs and history. The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form SHOWS February 22, 2021 10.00 am 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. The Democratic Party should take some time to reflect on exactly what it is they stand for if they are to make sure Donald Trump is just a one-term president, a professor of international politics told CNBC on Wednesday. While 2019 has just started, the 2020 presidential season is about to kick into full swing. More than 30 Democrats are thinking about announcing presidential bids, but very few stand out as obvious front-runners and there are plenty of questions facing the party as It prepares to challenge Trump once again. "The Democratic party does not have a fundamentally different economic political agenda overall it is Trumpism without Trump I would say," Inderjeet Parmar, the head of international politics at the U.K.'s City University, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Wednesday. "They believe that they pretty much won 2016 by 3 million votes and that a handful of votes in four states was all that was between them and the White House, so they haven't changed their strategy very much." "Alongside Trump's movement further and further to the right, they have effectively followed him along that path," Parmar said. U.S. government debt prices rose on Wednesday as weaker-than-expected data from China, Europe and the U.S. fueled concerns of an economic slowdown over the coming months. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, was lower at 2.677 percent, near its lowest levels since late January 2017. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was also lower at 3.02 percent. Bond yields move inversely to prices. It comes after a private sector survey showed manufacturing activity in China, the world's second-largest economy, contracted for the first time in 19 months. China's Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for December dipped to 49.7 from 50.2 in November. Meanwhile, the euro zone manufacturing PMI remained at its lowest level since February 2016, according to IHS Markit. The data also showed confidence about the future hit a fresh six-year low. In the U.S., the IHS Markit manufacturing PMI slipped to a 15-month low in December. The data prompted investors to load up on Treasurys, which are considered to be a safer investment than equities because they are typically not as volatile. Wednesday's rise in Treasury prices also comes amid a choppy session in the U.S. stock market. The Dow Jones industrial Average fell as much as 398 points before rebounding, while the Nasdaq Composite erased a loss of more than 1 percent. CNBC's Fred Imbert contributed to this report. President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order to advance construction of the Dakota Access pipeline, at the White House in Washington on January 24, 2017. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters President Donald Trump set in motion a vast rollback of energy, climate and environmental regulations during his first two years in office. Over the next two years, those actions will face intense scrutiny on Capitol Hill. On Thursday, Democrats will take control of the House of Representatives and the committees that conduct government oversight. Within the first few months of the year, incoming committee chairs intend to hold a series of hearings to pick apart Trump's energy and environmental policies and what role industry insiders played in crafting them. The Trump administration has targeted dozens of rules. Some of the biggest items on its agenda include withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate agreement, expanding drilling on federal lands, and watering down rules ranging from limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants to fuel efficiency in cars and trucks. Rep. Raul Grijalva, the Arizona Democrat tipped to chair the House Natural Resources Committee, says Americans can expect the committee to probe the financial costs and public health risks associated with Interior Department policies under Trump. Those include rolling back methane emissions rules from oil and gas operations and making virtually all federally administered offshore waters available to drillers. "The Trump administration has spent two years giving away the store to fossil fuel companies, and Republicans in Congress cheered every step of the way," says Grijalva. "We need to know what kind of impact this corporate favoritism is having on average Americans' health and quality of life." With House Republicans wielding committee gavels during the first two years of the Trump administration, the president's deregulatory agenda has proceeded with minimal scrutiny. Now, administration officials and energy industry executives are bracing for a grilling on Capitol Hill. "No one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition, which is what these guys are about to face," says Rich Gold, a partner at lobbying firm Holland & Knight, referencing the famous "Monty Python's Flying Circus" sketch. Building a record to battle Trump Gold, who heads his firm's public policy and regulation group, says the hearings create several opportunities for Democrats. First, they will bog down the administration in requests for information, leaving it less bandwidth to continue slashing regulations. Second, the hearings create an on-the-record account detailing how the administration developed its policies and who it consulted to craft its agenda. That record provides fodder for the many lawsuits aimed at defeating Trump's energy and environmental rollback. It can also be leveraged by Trump's challenger in the 2020 presidential contest to make the case that Trump put industry profits ahead of public health and climate action. The hearings also present an opportunity for Democrats to trip up administration officials and damage the administration's credibility, says Gold. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who will likely become speaker of the House, last week opened another avenue to scrutinize Trump's policies with the creation of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Trump rejects the consensus among climate scientists that global warming is primarily caused by human activity and presents an urgent threat to the world. He dismissed a recent report by his own administration that climate-related impacts could shave 10 percent off the U.S. economy by 2100. In a statement, Pelosi said, "The American people have demanded action to combat the climate crisis, which threatens our public health, our economy, our national security and the whole of God's creation." Don't bet on big energy legislation But with Congress divided and many Republicans still downplaying global warming risks, few Washington watchers expect much, if any, meaningful energy or climate legislation to emerge from Capitol Hill. "I don't have high expectations about legislation," says David Konisky, associate professor at Indiana University Bloomington's School of Public and Environmental Affairs. "I think most of the activity from the Democrats will be oversight of policy and activities inside the EPA and the Department of Interior." One area that could generate bipartisan support is carbon capture and storage, says Ben Finzel, president at Washington communications firm RenewPR. The technology strips carbon emissions from power plants and other industrial activity and sequesters it underground. The process has not been proven commercially viable at scale, but it is widely seen as critical to mitigating the impacts of climate change because developing nations around the world are still building coal plants. "The interesting thing about carbon capture is that it really is bipartisan and there are folks on both sides of the aisle in both chambers that like the concept of addressing at least a piece of energy policy, whether it be jobs or emissions reduction or technology innovation," says Finzel, whose clients include the Carbon Capture Coalition, which advocates for the technology. President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday that there was a "glitch" in the stock market last month, but that equities should recover as the U.S. completes trade deals with countries like China. "Our country is doing by far than any other country in the world. We're the talk of the world," Trump told reporters during an ongoing Cabinet meeting. "We had a little glitch in the stock market last month, but we're still up about 30 percent from the time I got elected." "It's going to go up once we settle trade issues and a couple of other things happen," Trump said. "It's got a long way to go." Watch Trump's casino company IPO on the NYSE in 1995...then file for bankruptcy President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House, December 13, 2018. Jim Young | Reuters President Donald Trump enters 2019 facing threats to his presidency from all sides. Special counsel Robert Mueller continues his probe, which has resulted in convictions of three former top Trump aides. The stock market, Trump's barometer for his own success, is suffering its worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis. A quarter of the government remains closed. And on Thursday, Democrats will take the House of Representatives. But Trump's situation is not as dire as Democrats might hope, since his approval rating has stubbornly refused to budge. He remains exactly as overwhelmingly popular among Republicans as he was the first day of his presidency. Among the wider public, Trump remains unpopular but not dramatically more so than many other modern presidents. While his dismal approval rating was an outlier on the day he took office, it is now while still in the low 40s more or less within a typical range for a president at this point in a term. Other presidents started off popular only to quickly lose support as they quit campaigning and began to govern. Trump, whose leadership style is often criticized as erratic or unsteady, has remained steadily unpopular. It has been 712 days since Trump became president. That many days into his own presidency, President Ronald Reagan had less public support than Trump does, according to a tracker from the political science website FiveThirtyEight. President Barack Obama, whose first-day approval bested Trump's by more than 20 percentage points, was less than 5 percentage points more popular than Trump 712 days in. President Bill Clinton was less than 2 percentage points more popular. Of course, voters sent all three former presidents back to the Oval Office for a second term. What it means for 2020 Trump's approval rating has taken on new significance with Sen. Elizabeth Warren's announcement on Monday that she had taken a formal step toward a 2020 run for president and other Democrats expected to announce their candidacy soon. As the race gains steam, the president's low numbers, combined with a devastating defeat for the GOP in the 2018 midterms, are being trumpeted among Democrats as bellwethers for the presidential race. WATCH: Who really won the midterms? Why both parties can claim victories But unless it suddenly dips, the president's approval rating does not yet predict a defeat in 2020. Trump's approval, which has consistently been in the low 40s, amounts to a "political safe zone," according to Clifford Young, the leader of the global election and political polling risk practice at Ipsos. Research from Young and Chris Jackson, a vice president at the polling outfit, has shown that an approval rating of 40 percent would make Trump the narrow favorite for re-election. The two studied more than 500 elections to reach that conclusion. In 2015, Young's model predicted a Republican victory in the 2016 presidential race despite polling that gave Democrat Hillary Clinton the edge. To be sure, there are factors that could disrupt the president's approval. An economic downturn or an unpopular war could pose a threat unlike those the president has faced in his first two years in office. And presidents typically become less popular over time. In Iowa, a key electoral state, many Republican voters are telling pollsters they are willing to consider other Republicans. But, like so many other aspects of his presidency, Trump's ratings have not hewed to historical norms. His approval has not been subject to the same deterioration effect as previous presidents. 'Calm down and enjoy the ride' Anti-Trump Billionaire Tom Steyer hosts a town hall meeting on December 4, 2018 in Charleston, South Carolina. Steyer, founder of NextGen America and Need to Impeach, is testing the waters for a 2020 presidential run. Billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer is planning to visit the early presidential caucus and primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada as he considers running for president in 2020, CNBC has learned. Steyer is among a large list of potential candidates for the Democratic Party's nomination in 2020. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren threw her hat into the ring when she announced an exploratory committee on Monday. She is set to visit Iowa this weekend. Other possible candidates are expected to announce their plans over the next few weeks. Steyer's tour could be a make-or-break stretch for his presidential ambitions. The billionaire generated name recognition by imploring congressional leaders to impeach President Donald Trump. His organization Need to Impeach's petition has received over 6.5 million signatures. It isn't certain, however, whether Steyer's message resonated with Democrats, since recent polling shows him at the bottom of the pack of prospective 2020 candidates. Steyer will be traveling in the early part of this year to Des Moines, Iowa; Las Vegas; and a city in New Hampshire as part of his larger "5 Rights" tour, Aleigha Cavalier, his chief spokeswoman, said in an email. In a follow-up email, she declined to name the New Hampshire city and noted that Steyer's team would be announcing details in coming weeks. While it is unclear the exact dates of when Steyer will be hosting his next set of town hall meetings, the original press release describing his platform said he planned to travel to "host a series of conversations" in December and January. Steyer unveiled the "5 Rights" after investing $120 million into the 2018 congressional midterm campaign, helping Democrats recapture the House of Representatives. His "5 Rights" resemble a presidential campaign platform. "We need to redefine what it means to be free in the 21st century, to make sure we all have a fair chance at success in America," Steyer says on his website. The rights championed by Steyer are: the right to a living wage, the right to an equal vote, the right to clean air and water, the right to learn, and the right to health care. The liberal billionaire, though, has made it clear that he has yet to make a decision on whether will run for president in 2020. Steyer already made his way to South Carolina, another early primary state. In an interview early last month with The Post and Courier after the panel discussion in Charleston, Steyer kept the door open for a 2020 run and noted he would make a decision in the coming months. "This is not about me. This is not about my personal ambition. I am extremely ambitious to be part of the group of people to get this country back on a decent path: prosperous, equitable and safe," he told the newspaper. Steyer isn't the only billionaire considering a run for president. Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is contemplating a campaign. Bloomberg's closest political advisor recently told CNBC he would likely spend over $100 million on his own operation if he did run. So far, Steyer has failed to catch on with Democratic voters. In a recent CNN poll asking who is the preferred Democratic nominee for president, Steyer came in at 0 percent. Those who led in the poll include former Vice President Joe Biden, left wing Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Texas Democratic rising star Beto O'Rourke. The poll was conducted with over 1,000 participants, including 463 self-identified Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents. The survey has a margin of error of at least 3.8 percentage points. Apple CEO Tim Cook said he isn't worried about traveling to China in the wake of the Huawei CFO's recent arrest on U.S. warrants, dismissing concerns of potential Chinese retaliation. "I was just there in October. I'm going back later this quarter. And so it's not something I'm even thinking about is the truth," Cook told CNBC's Josh Lipton in an interview Wednesday. Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada last month at the instruction of U.S. officials. The arrest heightened concerns around ongoing trade tensions and spurred speculation that China could target U.S. executives in return. Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: Activision Blizzard The video game producer is firing Chief Financial Officer Spencer Neumann for cause "unrelated to the company's financial reporting," according to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing. The Wall Street Journal reports that Neumann will be named as the new Netflix CFO as early as this week, quoting a personal familiar with the matter. Alphabet Alphabet's Google unit has won Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for its new radar-based motion sensing device. Google was granted a waiver to operate the sensors at a higher power than is currently allowed under FCC rules. Amazon.com Evercore lowered its price target on Amazon shares to $1,800 from $1,990 per share amid lowered e-commerce and advertising revenue estimates for 2019. Evercore still rates Amazon "outperform," however. Comcast, Altice USA, AT&T In a new report on the cable industry, JPMorgan Chase rates these stocks as "top picks" in the sector. The firm said NBCUniversal and CNBC parent Comcast is undervalued based on its free cash flow, and that it expects "solid results" from AT&T. JPMorgan calls Altice "very compelling" given the strength at its cable peers. Hertz Global Hertz agreed to pay a $16 million fine to settle an accounting case, according to an SEC filing. The car rental company had been accused of materially misstating pretax income due to accounting errors, although Hertz did not admit or deny the accusations in agreeing to the settlement. Nokia, Ericsson The two companies have struggled to capitalize on the issues facing Chinese telecommunications rival Huawei, according to a story in today's Wall Street Journal. European wireless providers tell the paper that the two companies have been slow to release telecommunications equipment that is as advanced as Huawei's offerings. Tesla Tesla had over 3,000 Model 3 automobiles in inventory as of Sunday, according to the automotive news website Electrek. Bausch Health Bausch was upgraded to "overweight" from "neutral" at Piper Jaffray, which said the drugmaker is exhibiting earnings stability as well as the potential for long term growth. Bausch is the company formerly known as Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Wells Fargo Wells Fargo was upgraded to "sector perform" from "underperform" at RBC Capital Markets, which cited valuation. The bank's shares fell about 25 percent in 2018. Sirius XM Holdings The stock was upgraded to "overweight" from "neutral" at JPMorgan Chase, which sees a buying opportunity in the satellite radio operator's shares after a recent pullback. Customers look at products in an Apple store in Beijing on December 11, 2018. Check out the companies making headlines after the bell: Apple shares fell 7 percent as the company lowered its first-quarter-revenue forecast on Wednesday. The company said it now expects $84 billion in revenue this quarter, down from its previous outlook for revenue between $89 billion and $93 billion. Analysts expected $91.5 billion in revenue, according to a Refinitiv consensus estimate. Apple told CNBC's Josh Lipton that the shortfall was primarily in China. Netflix shares fell nearly 2 percent as the streaming company faces criticism for taking down an episode of Hasan Minhaj's show "Patriot Act" at the request of Saudi Arabia. The kingdom alleged that the episode, which was critical of the Saudi government, violated its anti-cybercrime law. In that episode, Minhaj suggests that the U.S. reevaluates its relationship with Saudi Arabia after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. IZEA Worldwide shares soared more than 29 percent during after-hours as the company announced it won several six-figure contracts in December. The marketing company signed deals with a large grocery chain, an international restaurant chain, an electronics manufacturer and an apparel-maker. Two women embrace at a community center where family members are gathering to pick up survivors after a shooting rampage that killed multiple people and wounded others at a social services center in San Bernardino, Calif., Dec. 2, 2015. A federal judge has dismissed lawsuits seeking to hold Facebook, Google and Twitter liable to victims of the December 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, for letting the Islamic State flourish on their social media platforms. In a decision late Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in San Francisco said the attack, which killed 14 people and injured 22 others, was not the direct result of the companies' alleged providing of resources to Islamic State. "A contrary conclusion poses boundless litigation risk and is not tenable given how interconnected communication services are with modern economic and social life," the judge wrote. Beeler also found no liability for aiding and abetting terrorism under the 2016 Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act , finding allegations only that the companies were "generally aware" that Islamic State used their services. The plaintiffs included victims and relatives of victims of the Dec. 2, 2015, attack at a government building by Syed Farook, 28, a U.S.-born son of Pakistani immigrants, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 29, a native of Pakistan. Authorities have said the couple was inspired by Islamist militants. Both died soon after the attack in a police shootout. Islamic State said Farook and Malik were two of its followers. Beeler dismissed the lawsuits with prejudice, meaning they cannot be filed again, citing other courts' rejections of similar claims in other cases. Federal law gives internet companies broad immunity from liability for content posted by users. Keith Altman, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, on Wednesday said the decision was "not a surprise," and that issues including the impact of JASTA and what constitutes direct liability should be addressed at the appellate level. Facebook, Google and Twitter did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Google is a unit of Alphabet Inc. Altman plans on Jan. 15 to ask the federal appeals court in Cincinnati to revive a similar lawsuit against the three companies over the June 2016 shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which killed 49 people. The shooter, New York-born Omar Mateen, who was later killed by police, had pledged allegiance to Islamic State's leader. The cases are Clayborn et al v. Twitter Inc. et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 17-06894; and Megalla et al v. Twitter et al in the same court, No. 18-00543. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. Watch: Bypassing Apple's security Although learning how to invest can seem like a daunting task, putting your money to work while you sleep is a key step to gaining financial independence and retiring comfortably. And, it doesn't have to be scary. Anyone can develop a smart investment strategy by following a three-step formula, according to Ray Dalio, a renowned investor and founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates. Today, Dalio is worth an estimated $18 billion according to Forbes, but he founded Bridgewater Associates in his two-bedroom apartment in New York in 1975. From its founding through 2017, Bridgewater returned the biggest cumulative net profit for a hedge fund ever, according to data from LCH Investments. For anyone new to investing, here is Dalio's three-step advice to get started. 1. Decide how much you can sock away "Savings equals freedom and security," Dalio tells CNBC Make It. "How much freedom and security do you need?" "Ask yourself, 'How long can I get by on my savings without having any income? How many months or how many years of freedom and safety do I need?' and make sure that you have more than that," he advises. "When I started working, I worked to get six months of savings freedom and security, then a few years, then I started to think about my kids' needs over time and I calculated that number," Dalio explains. "I saved to get those amounts of money. I recommend that you do the same." 2. Create a diversified portfolio The next step is to decide what to do with that money. Keeping all of your cash in a savings account isn't a smart decision, Dalio points out, because of the value depleting effects of inflation. Right now, the national average interest rate for a savings account is only 0.10 percent, according to data from Bankrate, meaning you're only earning a few cents for every dollar you save. Meanwhile, the consumer price index which measures inflation (the rising costs of goods and services) rose 2.7 percent in the past year. "That's the worst thing you could do because it is the surest tax on your money," Dalio says. "You will bleed slowly to death because the after-tax returns are lower than inflation by a little per year." In order to prevent your savings from losing their value, the best choice is to invest your money into a diversified portfolio of assets that increase in value faster than inflation. "Know how to diversify into non-cash assets like stocks, bonds and real estate," Dalio says. A typical portfolio might be split between 50 percent bonds and 50 percent stocks, but Dalio argues that isn't really diversified in "Money: Master the Game" by Tony Robbins. "When you look at most portfolios, they have a very strong bias to do well in good times and bad in bad times," Dalio says in the book. To avoid your portfolio simply rising and falling with the market, his advice is to spread out and balance the risks of each investment. Here's his breakdown for what a well-diversified portfolio might look like, according to the book: 30 percent allocated to stocks, 40 percent to long-term U.S. bonds, 15 percent to intermediate U.S. bonds, 7.5 percent to gold and 7.5 percent to other commodities. (The portfolio does need to be rebalanced annually, he adds.) That mix is intended to do well under any condition, whether the economy is growing or shrinking, or whether inflation is rising or falling, he explains. 3. Learn the market's long-term cycles The partial government shutdown entered its 12th day Wednesday, as bipartisan congressional leaders headed to the White House for a briefing on President Donald Trump's proposed border wall. Nine federal departments remain unfunded and hundreds of thousands of federal workers face missing paychecks amid an impasse over funding for the barrier. Democrats have pledged to pass spending legislation without wall money when they take control of the House on Thursday. But Trump has already promised to oppose the measure, leaving Congress and the White House still far from a solution. Eight lawmakers attended the White House briefing on border security at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The group includes House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who will likely become speaker Thursday, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. In the lead-up to the shutdown last month, the Democratic leaders got into a televised Oval Office spat with the president over the wall. The briefing comes as neither side has shown willingness to cave on the president's demand for $5 billion in taxpayer money for the project. Trump has insisted on funding for the barrier, a core campaign promise that excited supporters at political rallies when he promised Mexico would pay for it. Democrats have flatly opposed the funding, calling a wall both inhumane and ineffective. Trump's own messaging muddied his push for a wall as talks stalled over the holidays. The president has not made it clear what exactly he wants calling at various times for a concrete barrier, fencing or a structure made of steel slats. Some Democrats have worried about the White House using the briefing as a political ploy rather than a piece of an effort to reach a deal to end the shutdown. Asked Wednesday as he entered Pelosi's office if he thought the event was a stunt, Schumer said "I hope he's serious, but I'm worried that it's another one of his events for show," according to NBC News. Leaving Pelosi's office later, Schumer said he and the California Democrat are "always" on the same page. The Democrats "hope" the shutdown will end soon, but "it's up to President Trump," he added. A tweet Wednesday morning also raised questions about why Trump still demands taxpayer money for the wall. He claimed "Mexico is paying for the wall" through a replacement of the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Trump administration has struggled to explain that assertion, and Congress still needs to approve the deal for it to take effect. He also claimed "much of the wall has already been fully renovated or built." Congress has not passed funding for the wall as Trump proposed, but has put money toward replacing existing fencing or building new fences on the border. Trump tweet It is unclear what proposal would make Republicans and Democrats compromise. Trump, who last month said he would be "proud to shut down the government for border security," sees the wall as a winning political issue. The plan Democrats hope to pass Thursday would fund the closed departments and agencies through Sept. 30. It would reopen the Department of Homeland Security, which receives border security funding, only through Feb. 8. That would give Congress more time to break the stalemate over the wall while minimizing the shutdown's effects. But it would also delay, rather than end, the political fight over funding. Before Trump threatened to veto it last month, the GOP-controlled Senate passed a similar measure to fund the government. The Republican House majority then approved a plan with more than $5 billion for the wall, which led to the shutdown. "We are giving the Republicans the opportunity to take yes for an answer," Pelosi wrote in a letter to House Democrats on Tuesday. "Senate Republicans have already supported this legislation, and if they reject it now, they will be fully complicit in chaos and destruction of the President's third shutdown of his term." President Donald Trump on Wednesday hosted his first Cabinet meeting of the new year, where he offered a bleak preview of what top lawmakers are expected to encounter later in the day, when they visit the White House for what was being billed as a briefing on border security. Trump began the meeting by saying he could "get a lot done" with Democrats, but quickly shifted into more familiar talking points about the proposed wall he has long promised his supporters that he would build along the U.S.-Mexico border. Democrats have so far refused to vote for any funding for Trump's wall, while the president has repeatedly demanded $5 billion. "The United States needs a physical barrier," Trump said. Over the course of more than an hour, Trump used the meeting to warn of a massive flow of drugs and crime entering the United States over the southern border. He also repeated several incorrect and false statistics about the number of people living in the United States illegally, and the rate at which those people commit crimes. Trump spoke as a partial government shutdown entered its 12th day, with no end in sight. The shutdown was prompted by the president's refusal to sign spending bills for half a dozen federal agencies unless Congress provided an additional $5 billion for a border wall. "We are in a shutdown because Democrats refuse to fund border security," Trump said Wednesday, before accusing Democrats of playing politics with border security with an eye "on 2020" presidential elections. Trump also repeated his false claim that former President Barack Obama built a wall around his home in Washington. Top congressional leaders in both parties are scheduled to visit the White House at 3 p.m. ET Wednesday for a briefing that Trump said will be conducted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen as well as other top DHS officials working on border issues. Trump's remarks during the more than extensive Cabinet meeting are likely to do little to resolve the stalemate between the White House and congressional Democrats that is currently holding up government funding. On the contrary, Trump and his Cabinet appeared to dig in deeper by repeating the same talking points the White House and the president have been using for weeks. The president invited several Cabinet members to speak, including Nielsen, who addressed the meeting via videoconference from San Diego, Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Vice President Mike Pence, all of whom took turns praising Trump for taking a hard line on the border wall. Key departures from Trump's Cabinet in recent months meant that several top positions were currently being filled by officials in an acting capacity, including acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker and, more recently, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan. Both men attended Wednesday's meeting. Wednesday was Shanahan's second official day on the job, having succeeded former Defense Secretary James Mattis on the first of the year. Mattis resigned over what he said were policy disagreements with the president. Also attending Wednesday's Cabinet meeting were acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, who takes over from outgoing chief John Kelly, acting U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Heather Nauert, and acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. The shutdown affects some 800,000 federal workers nationwide, who are either being forced to stay home on furlough or forced to keep working without pay. Comedian Hasan Minhaj attends Build to discuss his new Netflix special "Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King" on May 25, 2017 in New York City. Netflix has pulled an episode of "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" in Saudi Arabia at the request of the country's government. The U.S. streaming service took down the episode, entitled "Saudi Arabia," following a legal request from the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission, as it allegedly violated anti-cybercrime law. The news was first reported by the Financial Times, and later confirmed to CNBC. A Netflix spokesperson told CNBC: "We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request and to comply with local law." The firm stressed that Saudi Arabia made a "legal request" and that Netflix's response was consistent with how other U.S.-based companies operate. Saudi Arabia's IT regulator was not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC. The episode in question takes aim at the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi regime, as well as Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Minhaj, the titular U.S. comedian who hosts the series, says in the episode that "now would be a good time to reassess our relationship with Saudi Arabia." The European Central Bank has appointed temporary administrators for troubled Italian lender Banca Carige with the decision coming after the majority of the bank's board members resigned on Wednesday. The ECB said in a statement Wednesday that it had appointed three temporary administrators and a surveillance committee to replace the board of directors and to "take charge of Banca Carige." "The resignation of the majority of the board made the installation of temporary administration necessary to steer the bank in order to stabilize its governance and pursue effective solutions for ensuring sustainable stability and compliance," the ECB said. The ECB appointed Fabio Innocenzi, Pietro Modiano and Raffaele Lener as temporary administrators of the bank. Temporary administrators are tasked with safeguarding the stability of a bank by closely monitoring its situation, continuously informing the ECB and, if necessary, "taking action to ensure that the bank restores compliance with capital requirements in a sustainable manner," the central bank's statement noted. Shares of other Italian lenders fell following the announcement, with UBI Banca down 3.8 percent and BPER Banca off by 3.4 percent. Earlier on Wednesday Italy's market watchdog Consob said it had suspended trading in shares of Banca Carige for a day. The watchdog said Carige requested the suspension of trading in its shares ahead of the statement on the bank's governance. The Genoa-based bank last month failed to win shareholder backing for a share issue worth 400 million euros ($459 million) that was part of a rescue plan financed by Italian lenders to shield the industry from the risk of another banking collapse, according to Reuters. The ECB which supervises directly Italy's 10th largest bank, has told Carige to complete its capital strengthening plan and seek a merger with a stronger partner. - Reuters contributed to this report. An art gallery in Florence, Italy, has pleaded for Germany to return a "masterpiece" that was looted by Nazi soldiers in 1944. Still life artwork "Vase of Flowers," painted by 18th century Dutch artist Jan van Huysum, was stolen from Florence by German troops during the Second World War. Eike Schmidt, director of the city's Uffizi Galleries, said in a statement on Tuesday that the beginning of the new year was a good opportunity for the painting to be given back. "Because of this affair that affects the heritage of the Uffizi Galleries, the wounds of the Second World War and Nazi terror are not yet healed," he said. The painting disappeared for several decades after being moved to a castle in the northern Italian province of Bolzano, resurfacing in the 1990s. Schmidt claimed "various intermediaries" have since attempted to demand "absurd" ransoms for the painting's return. "Germany still has a moral duty to return this work to our museum, and I hope that the German state can do it as soon as possible together, obviously, with every work of art looted by the Nazi army," he said. According to the gallery, van Huysum's painting is currently being kept in the private collection of a German family, who have refused "numerous requests from the Italian state" to visit the Uffizi museum. A black and white replica is currently hanging in place of the original piece, along with signs that read "stolen" in Italian, English and French. As a presidential candidate, Trump broke with the tradition followed by most candidates since Richard Nixon by refusing to release his tax returns. Trump had promised to release the documents following the completion of an audit a status that fact-checkers have concluded does not bar him from disclosing them . But while the legal path to obtaining and publicly sharing Trump's coveted tax filings may be relatively straightforward, some of the president's supporters have already vowed to resist such a request from Democrats. That refusal could set up an unprecedented legal battle between lawmakers and the Trump administration. A decades-old law could soon give Democrats their best shot yet at extracting President Donald Trump 's tax returns from the Internal Revenue Service. Two days after his inauguration, senior advisor Kellyanne Conway said Trump is "not going to release his tax returns" because "people didn't care." More recently, he insisted that his returns are too complex for people to understand. When Democrats gain majority control of the House of Representatives on Thursday, they will also take over the top slots on the various House committees. That includes the House Ways and Means Committee, which carries the legal authority to make a formal request to obtain years of Trump's tax returns. A provision in a Calvin Coolidge-era tax law allows Ways and Means, as well as the Senate Finance Committee and the Joint Committee on Taxation, to send a written request enjoining the Treasury secretary to fetch any individual's returns from the IRS. The documents would then be delivered for committee members to view in a confidential setting. From there, the committee could publicly release the returns, according to University of Virginia law professor George Yin. As the minority party, Democrats made more than a dozen failed attempts to obtain Trump's tax returns through the 1924 provision, which was added with the then-brewing Teapot Dome investigation in mind. With a majority in the House, Democrats will have the power to back up their demands. "The new Democratic House will be dedicated to conducting actual oversight of an executive awash in corruption. That oversight begins with Trump's tax returns, which absurdly to this moment haven't seen the light of day," said Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., who has led the charge in pursuit of Trump's returns. With Republicans maintaining control of the Senate Finance Committee, all eyes have turned to Ways and Means Chairman-designate Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., to submit that written request. Neal has already said "Yes, I think we will" ask for Trump's tax returns when he takes control of the committee. If the administration refuses to comply, Neal told the Associated Press, "Then I assume that there would be a court case that would go on for a period of time." Once the request is sent to the Treasury chief in this case, Steven Mnuchin the text of the law itself appears to provide little wiggle room to object. That law says the Treasury secretary "shall furnish" the documents to the committee members requesting them. "From my perspective, this should be relatively cut and dried," said David Kamin, a professor specializing in tax and budget policy at the New York University School of Law. China's President Xi Jinping speaks during a news conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina December 2, 2018. Marcos Brindicci | Reuters On the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of a thaw in Beijing's relationship with Taiwan, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized his position that the island is part of China and that foreigners should not interfere in the matter of Taiwanese independence. "The issue of Taiwan is part of China's domestic politics. It is a core interest of China, and the ... feelings of the Chinese people, and foreign interference is intolerable," Xi said, according to an official English-language translation broadcast on state media. Beijing views Taiwan as a province that has gone astray and has no right to international recognition as a separate political entity. Chinese authorities would like to bring the island under their control and they have indicated they would use force, if needed. In the last year or so, the Communist government has increased its pressure on multinational companies to refer to Taiwan as a part of China. Democratic Taiwan has shown no interest in being controlled by Beijing. Beijing, and some in Taiwan, maintain a "One China" theory that the island and the mainland belong under the same umbrella although they dispute who should be ruling. "Deviating from the 'One China' principle will make the situation of cross (strait) relations tense and chaotic. That's harming the interests of our Taiwan compatriots, Xi said. "Reunification is a historical trend and it is the right path. Taiwan independence is an adverse current of history and is a dead end." Rather than recognizing an implicit agreement that Taiwan will adhere to the "One China" idea, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and some leaders in her Democratic Progressive Party have left open the option for an independent nation. The "Message of Compatriots in Taiwan" on Jan. 1, 1979, declared an end to routine artillery bombardment of Taiwan-controlled islands close to China, marking a turning point from decades of hostility between the two sides. Nationalist forces under Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan in Dec. 1949 after losing a civil war to the Communists. The unification of China will never hurt the legitimate interests of other countries including their economic interests in Taiwan. Xi Jinping President of China Lampert is competing against a number of liquidators and other investors who want to buy Sears piecemeal a smaller number of stores or one or two business units, like its home services division. All bidders will compete in an auction that's scheduled for Jan. 14. Lampert has offered two options to try to keep the company afloat, a $4.4 billion plan that would save 425 locations and a less-ambitious proposal that would keep at least 250 of the little under 700 it had when it filed for bankruptcy in October. The primary bid, made through an affiliate of his hedge fund ESL investments, Transform Holdco, would also save all of Sears' business units, according to an outline of the plan filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday. Lampert's smaller bid would buy a few other pieces of Sears. The rest of the company would likely be liquidated. Even Sears' biggest advocate, Chairman Eddie Lampert knows his $4.4 billion bid for Sears may not be enough to keep the retailer alive. His offer for 425 stores is the only one that would keep the company and its brands alive in their entirety, according to people familiar with the matter. His bid for at least 250 stores could keep at least part of Sears running, but those stores would face steep odds in competing with retail titans like Walmart, which has more than 5,000 locations in the U.S. alone. The downsized offer, therefore, could also ultimately lead to liquidation, even if Lampert's goal is salvation. The backup offer highlights the continued uncertainty surrounding Lampert's ability to keep Sears alive. Doing so would preserve roughly 50,000 jobs. It would also be small public redemption for the hedge fund investor turned retailer, who has been lambasted by the public for the way he ran Sears after buying it and merging it with Kmart in 2005. But Lampert's $4.4 billion bid has already faced pushback from the company's unsecured creditors, a person familiar with the situation told CNBC. Sears' restructuring committee is meeting Wednesday at the offices of Sears' legal advisor, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, to discuss whether they will deem Lampert's offer to buy 425 stores "qualified," or financially secure, another person told CNBC. A likely linchpin is the $1.8 billion Lampert expects to put toward his offer by forgiving debt owed to ESL through a so-called credit bid. Sears' unsecured creditors said last month that they will object to a credit bid. Those creditors believe there may be claims against Sears for transactions under Lampert's leadership. Those deals include Sears' spinoff of Lands' End and transactions with Seritage Growth Properties, a real estate investment trust Lampert created through some Sears' properties. The company's unsecured creditors are the least protected in a bankruptcy, but could opt to pursue litigation against Lampert for his transactions as way to protest his credit bid. Such a process could take months, or even years a daunting prospect for a company quickly running out of money. The retailer recently reported a net loss of $950 million for the 13 weeks that ended Nov. 3. In ESL's offer letter for Sears, it requested that any challenges to its credit bid be dealt with during or prior to a sale process. It also said it is making its bid on the condition it does not need to backstop its offer with cash. Meantime, ESL has stressed that all transactions it did with Sears during Lampert's tenure were approved by Sears' board. Lampert's plan to save Sears is more modest than the initial proposal he outlined last month. Lampert's original goal was to buy roughly 500 stores for $4.6 billion. Sears, which filed for bankruptcy in October, has since announced several rounds of store closures that bring store footprint closer to 400 a sign of Sears' doubt in the viability of Lampert's original offer. Supporting Lampert's bid is $1.3 billion in credit from Bank of America, Citigroup, and Royal Bank of Canada, another person familiar with the situation tells CNBC. RBC was not previously a lender to Sears. The people declined to be named because the information is confidential. Sears did not immediately respond to requests for comment. ESL said in a statement provided to CNBC, "We believe that our going concern bid provides the best path forward for the company, the best option to save tens of thousands of jobs and is superior for all of Sears' stakeholders to the alternative of a complete liquidation." An employee works on the line at the Ford Motor Co. Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, Sept. 27, 2018. Results from financial data firm IHS Markit showed the U.S. manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) was 53.8 in December, falling nearly 2 points from 55.3 in November. This represents a 15-month low for the index, while job creation also slowed to an 18-month low. The first survey of December's economic data came out on Wednesday with diminished results: United States manufacturer growth hit new lows on multiple fronts last month. "Output and order books grew at the slowest rates for over a year and optimism about the outlook slumped to its gloomiest for over two years," said Chris Williamson, Markit's chief business economist. "Some of the weakness is due to capacity constraints, with producers again reporting widespread difficulties in finding suitable staff and sourcing sufficient quantities of inputs." "However, the survey also revealed signs of slower demand growth from customers, as well as rising concerns over the impact of tariffs. Just over two thirds of manufacturers reporting higher costs attributed the rise in prices to tariffs," Williamson added. Manufacturers' confidence in business also slipped to the lowest level in nearly two years, Markit said, with optimism at its lowest level since October 2016. The firm reported manufacturer optimism was hit by concern about "the longevity of new business growth." There have been several reports pointing to weak iPhone sales in recent months. Some Apple suppliers cut their estimates last quarter, leading many to speculate consumers weren't upgrading to the new models. Apple also took the unusual step of promoting discounted prices for iPhones on its website if customers traded in an older model. The company also increased the trade-in value of some older iPhone models. Despite the lowered guidance, Cook did point out some growth areas in the letter to investors. He said Apple's device install base increased by 100 million units over the last year. Apple has been promoting its growing install base as a way to show it can squeeze more revenue out of each of its uses through subscription services like iCloud storage and Apple Music. The company is said to be considering new subscription products through its Apple News and TV apps as well. "We had sort of a collection of items going on. Some that are macroeconomic and some that are Apple specific," Cook said in his CNBC interview. "And we're not going to sit around waiting for the macro to change. I hope that it does and I'm actually optimistic, but we are going to focus really deeply on the things we can control." Here's the full letter from Cook to investors: To Apple investors: Today we are revising our guidance for Apple's fiscal 2019 first quarter, which ended on December 29. We now expect the following: Revenue of approximately $84 billion Gross margin of approximately 38 percent Operating expenses of approximately $8.7 billion Other income/(expense) of approximately $550 million Tax rate of approximately 16.5 percent before discrete items We expect the number of shares used in computing diluted EPS to be approximately 4.77 billion. Based on these estimates, our revenue will be lower than our original guidance for the quarter, with other items remaining broadly in line with our guidance. While it will be a number of weeks before we complete and report our final results, we wanted to get some preliminary information to you now. Our final results may differ somewhat from these preliminary estimates. When we discussed our Q1 guidance with you about 60 days ago, we knew the first quarter would be impacted by both macroeconomic and Apple-specific factors. Based on our best estimates of how these would play out, we predicted that we would report slight revenue growth year-over-year for the quarter. As you may recall, we discussed four factors: First, we knew the different timing of our iPhone launches would affect our year-over-year compares. Our top models, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, shipped in Q4'18 placing the channel fill and early sales in that quarter, whereas last year iPhone X shipped in Q1'18, placing the channel fill and early sales in the December quarter. We knew this would create a difficult compare for Q1'19, and this played out broadly in line with our expectations. Second, we knew the strong US dollar would create foreign exchange headwinds and forecasted this would reduce our revenue growth by about 200 basis points as compared to the previous year. This also played out broadly in line with our expectations. Third, we knew we had an unprecedented number of new products to ramp during the quarter and predicted that supply constraints would gate our sales of certain products during Q1. Again, this also played out broadly in line with our expectations. Sales of Apple Watch Series 4 and iPad Pro were constrained much or all of the quarter. AirPods and MacBook Air were also constrained. Fourth, we expected economic weakness in some emerging markets. This turned out to have a significantly greater impact than we had projected. In addition, these and other factors resulted in fewer iPhone upgrades than we had anticipated. These last two points have led us to reduce our revenue guidance. I'd like to go a bit deeper on both. Emerging Market Challenges While we anticipated some challenges in key emerging markets, we did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deceleration, particularly in Greater China. In fact, most of our revenue shortfall to our guidance, and over 100 percent of our year-over-year worldwide revenue decline, occurred in Greater China across iPhone, Mac and iPad. China's economy began to slow in the second half of 2018. The government-reported GDP growth during the September quarter was the second lowest in the last 25 years. We believe the economic environment in China has been further impacted by rising trade tensions with the United States. As the climate of mounting uncertainty weighed on financial markets, the effects appeared to reach consumers as well, with traffic to our retail stores and our channel partners in China declining as the quarter progressed. And market data has shown that the contraction in Greater China's smartphone market has been particularly sharp. Despite these challenges, we believe that our business in China has a bright future. The iOS developer community in China is among the most innovative, creative and vibrant in the world. Our products enjoy a strong following among customers, with a very high level of engagement and satisfaction. Our results in China include a new record for Services revenue, and our installed base of devices grew over the last year. We are proud to participate in the Chinese marketplace. iPhone Lower than anticipated iPhone revenue, primarily in Greater China, accounts for all of our revenue shortfall to our guidance and for much more than our entire year-over-year revenue decline. In fact, categories outside of iPhone (Services, Mac, iPad, Wearables/Home/Accessories) combined to grow almost 19 percent year-over-year. While Greater China and other emerging markets accounted for the vast majority of the year-over-year iPhone revenue decline, in some developed markets, iPhone upgrades also were not as strong as we thought they would be. While macroeconomic challenges in some markets were a key contributor to this trend, we believe there are other factors broadly impacting our iPhone performance, including consumers adapting to a world with fewer carrier subsidies, US dollar strength-related price increases, and some customers taking advantage of significantly reduced pricing for iPhone battery replacements. Many Positive Results in the December Quarter While it's disappointing to revise our guidance, our performance in many areas showed remarkable strength in spite of these challenges. Our installed base of active devices hit a new all-time high growing by more than 100 million units in 12 months. There are more Apple devices being used than ever before, and it's a testament to the ongoing loyalty, satisfaction and engagement of our customers. Also, as I mentioned earlier, revenue outside of our iPhone business grew by almost 19 percent year-over-year, including all-time record revenue from Services, Wearables and Mac. Our non-iPhone businesses have less exposure to emerging markets, and the vast majority of Services revenue is related to the size of the installed base, not current period sales. Services generated over $10.8 billion in revenue during the quarter, growing to a new quarterly record in every geographic segment, and we are on track to achieve our goal of doubling the size of this business from 2016 to 2020. Wearables grew by almost 50 percent year-over-year, as Apple Watch and AirPods were wildly popular among holiday shoppers; launches of MacBook Air and Mac mini powered the Mac to year-over-year revenue growth and the launch of the new iPad Pro drove iPad to year-over-year double-digit revenue growth. We also expect to set all-time revenue records in several developed countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Korea. And, while we saw challenges in some emerging markets, others set records, including Mexico, Poland, Malaysia and Vietnam. Finally, we also expect to report a new all-time record for Apple's earnings per share. Looking Ahead Our profitability and cash flow generation are strong, and we expect to exit the quarter with approximately $130 billion in net cash. As we have stated before, we plan to become net-cash neutral over time. As we exit a challenging quarter, we are as confident as ever in the fundamental strength of our business. We manage Apple for the long term, and Apple has always used periods of adversity to re-examine our approach, to take advantage of our culture of flexibility, adaptability and creativity, and to emerge better as a result. Most importantly, we are confident and excited about our pipeline of future products and services. Apple innovates like no other company on earth, and we are not taking our foot off the gas. We can't change macroeconomic conditions, but we are undertaking and accelerating other initiatives to improve our results. One such initiative is making it simple to trade in a phone in our stores, finance the purchase over time, and get help transferring data from the current to the new phone. This is not only great for the environment, it is great for the customer, as their existing phone acts as a subsidy for their new phone, and it is great for developers, as it can help grow our installed base. This is one of a number of steps we are taking to respond. We can make these adjustments because Apple's strength is in our resilience, the talent and creativity of our team, and the deeply held passion for the work we do every day. Expectations are high for Apple because they should be. We are committed to exceeding those expectations every day. That has always been the Apple way, and it always will be. Tim Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, center, speaks to supporters at the prime minister's official residence in Colombo on December 16, 2018. What might seem as a crisis averted in Sri Lanka is actually far from being over and investors could potentially be underestimating the level of uncertainty in the country, an expert told CNBC. The hostility between the country's top two statesmen reached its peak in October when President Maithripala Sirisena fired Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, claiming the action was within his constitutional rights and swore in Mahinda Rajapaksa a former president whose decade-long regime had a track record of suppressing free speech, intimidating minorities and harassing critics. After that, Sirisena forced the country's parliament into a three-week recess, stopping lawmakers from holding a no-confidence vote against Rajapaksa. Last month, the country's supreme court ruled that the president's moves to dissolve parliament and prepare for snap elections were illegal and unconstitutional. Sirisena complied with court orders and reinstated Wickremsinghe as prime minister in mid December. While that development seemed to be a return to the status quo, it is "at best an uneasy and fragile truce" explained Sasha Riser-Kositsky, senior analyst at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group. "What I think is under appreciated by a number of investors is how fragile things still are. The relationship between the prime minister and the president is fundamentally broken. The president has now shown that he is willing to take pretty out-there unconstitutional actions, there's nothing preventing him (from doing) something like this again," Riser-Kositsky said. The country is set for its political divisions to yet again come to a head during presidential elections that are expected to occur in late 2019 and the parliamentary elections that are scheduled for the 2020. "It's going to be a pretty rocky and tumultuous time through the next elections. Governance rarely works when the two most senior figures in government despise one another. And one is continuously seeking means to undermine the other," he said. "It does not make for stability or policy making. And that's the scenario investors will confront in Sri Lanka for much, if not all, of 2019," he added. The country has already suffered some economic repercussions: Reports said the country's financial sector and tourism industry have taken a hit following the political crisis. Celebrate the Class of 2020 Submit a profile of your favorite graduate to have them featured in our Virtual Graduation 2020 special section. Tout their accomplishments, share their photos, and wish them well! Submit profile As I walk through the hospital wards to see patients, something is shifting. The once air of tension and uneasiness stemming from this virus is now breeding a feel of hope and vibrance as we see the numbers falling. Vaccinations are decreasing new cases and attenuating the virus severity overall. Beachwood, OH (44122) Today Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 72F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. You never know what a new year will bring. This year, we here in Israel were expecting our government to serve out its full five-year term and vote in national elections in November. Instead, our government fell or dissolved itself or dispersed or whatever euphemism you want to use, and we will go to the polls on April 9. In Israel, election day is a national holiday, but with this one being 1 weeks before Passover, what it really means is the one free national holiday day we get every few years is going to turn in to an extra day of Passover cleaning for some of us. I am surprised the government managed to last this long. With the ruling government coalition hanging on by one seat a majority of 61 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, it did not seem like it would take much for a crisis to bring it down. It probably should have fallen over a month ago when then-Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman resigned over a ceasefire with Palestinian terror groups in Gaza, took the five members of his Yisrael Beiteinu party with him and called for new elections. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convinced the rest of his coalition to remain intact due to security concerns what he called a particularly complex security situation, which we the public have recently learned has to do with the discovery and destructions of tunnels built by the terrorist group Hezbollah from Lebanese territory under the border and into Israel. Nearly all of the tunnels have been destroyed. Moreover, the coalition couldnt reach agreement on the ultra-Orthodox enlistment bill, which if not passed by Jan. 15, 2019, now an impossibility, could mean that all members of the haredi Orthodox community should legally be subject to being drafted into the Israel Defense Forces. The time must have looked ripe for a new election. Calling new elections now also reportedly puts off the rollout of the Trump administrations Middle East peace plan, which President Donald Trump has referred to as the deal of the century, and which now his Jewish son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is quietly shepherding through the appropriate channels. In addition, calling new elections could delay the Israeli attorney generals announcement about whether to indict Netanyahu in up to three corruption scandals, though such a decision before the elections could help to guide some voters. I wish we could wait a little longer for elections. I want to know what the attorney general decides and why. I also want to see if there are any leaders in any other parties that might inspire me. Even though he leads the bloc I want to vote for most, but not all of the time, I am unsure I can cast my ballot for Netanyahu (actually the Likud Party) this time. Its not just because of the financial shenanigans and quid pro quos in which he may or may not have been involved, which dont look good. But hes innocent until proven guilty. It is because I object to the way he is leading the party and the right-wing faction. He has held the position of prime minister for four terms and has not managed to begin grooming a successor. What if he is forced to resign or becomes ill. What if he decides he has had enough? His absence would leave a big hole in the Likud Party and none of those who are left would inspire the public to elect them. The call for new elections also has touched off a series of realignments, with old parties splitting and new parties forming. Among them, Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked leaving the Jewish Home Party they have led for the last five years to form a new Orthodox and secular equality right-wing party. Bennett served as Netanyahus chief of staff from 2006 to 2008 and Shaked served as Netanyahus office manager at the same time when Netanyahu headed the opposition. They could have been groomed, but were not and did not stick around. The problem is, while I am pretty clear on who I do not really want to vote for and this includes Netanyahu, Bennett, whomever replaces Bennett as head of Jewish Home Party and anyone further to the right. I am not sure who I do want to vote for. Even the most center of the centrists would not think twice about giving up Judea and Samaria where I live without making sure it was a genuine peace deal in his or her rush to negotiate with the Palestinians. I know the heads of the left-wing parties would do it even faster. I am watching to see if, for example, the as yet unveiled platform of the new Israel Resilience party formed and headed by former IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, and my world view, intersect or if it will just take votes away from other parties with similar viewpoints. The election season will sure be interesting. Marcy Oster is a former Clevelander who covers the Middle East for the Cleveland Jewish News from Karnei Shomron, West Bank. To read more of Osters columns, visit cjn.org/oster. PARMA, Ohio-- Drug abuse, Brookpark Road: On Dec. 23, police were dispatched to Honey Baked Ham regarding a woman seen shoplifting from the Brookpark Road store. An arriving officer located the Woodhaven, N.Y., woman, who it turned out was also in in possession of felony drugs. She was arrested for drug abuse and shoplifting. Breaking and entering, Renwood Drive: On Dec. 24, a Renwood Drive resident called police after discovering that someone had broken into her detached garage and removed property. There are no suspects. Police are investigating. Theft, Houston Drive: On Dec. 24, police were dispatched to a Houston Drive residence after a homeowner discovered that a man had removed property from the house. Police have a suspect in mind. Assault, Lincoln Avenue: On Dec. 25, police were dispatched to a Lincoln Avenue house regarding an assault. An arriving officer located a Parma resident, who had assaulted a North Olmsted man. The former was arrested for assault. Drug abuse, Ridge Road: During a Dec. 21 traffic stop, police discovered that a Cleveland man was in possession of felony drugs. He was arrested for drug abuse. Theft, Ames Road: On Dec. 19, an Ames Road resident called police after discovering that someone had stolen items from his apartment. There are no suspects. Police are investigating. Fraud, South Lake Boulevard: On Dec. 23, police were dispatched to a South Lake Boulevard residence after the homeowner discovered that someone had tried to use his identity to open up several credit card accounts. There are no suspects. Police are investigating. Drug abuse, North Avenue: During a Dec. 20 traffic stop, police discovered that a Maple Heights man was in possession of suspected felony drugs. He was arrested and held for transport. Theft, Brookpark Road: On Dec. 20, police were dispatched to Next Step Auto Sales after a manager discovered that an employee had stolen cash via check from the Brookpark Road business. Police are investigating. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The student healthcare insurance provider for at least four Ohio colleges shut down in December, leaving schools and hundreds of students searching to find a replacement without lapses in coverage. The Westlake-based Student Educational Benefit Trust covered students at Ohio Dominican University, Hiram College, the University of Akron and the University of Toledo, according to its website. The company notified the University of Akron less than two weeks before current coverage expired, spokeswoman Cristine Boyd said. Officials knew about 800 international students depended on that coverage, because they billed students for the plan. Visas required international students to show proof that they would be insured overseas. Domestic students were more difficult to identify, since the university didnt bill them directly. The schools didnt know which students to notify about the companys closure. UA officials pushed for the company to give them a list of students and received it on Dec. 31. Almost 200 domestic students were enrolled in the program. Domestic students will now apply for plans under the Affordable Care Act, but the deadline was in December. Boyd said the university will work with students to make sure theyre covered. International students are not eligible for the ACA, but officials found them a new plan. Its a very unfortunate situation that I know that has caused a lot of concern for families, but were doing everything we can, Boyd said. At Ohio Dominican University, the company provided insurance for student athletes. Spokesman Mark Cooper said the university quickly found identical coverage and are currently in the process of notifying students of the change. There are about 400 student athletes at Ohio Dominican. There are still a handful of international students that will need new coverage. Hiram College uses an insurance broker who moved students over to another company until July 2019, when the contract expires. Officials notified students of the change before the holidays, spokeswoman Kimberly Holm wrote in an email. The University of Toledo had about 600 students insured. The school contracted with a new provider, who will manage the schools insurance plan this spring. All students are eligible to enroll in that plan until the end of January. Efforts to reach the Student Educational Benefit Trust went unreturned. The company also several out-of-state schools as clients on its website. CLEVELAND, Ohio The Trump administration is taking a harsher approach to school discipline and suspending students, but dont expect any quick changes here in Ohio. Key education officials for the state still want to reduce suspensions, despite the changes in Washington. In addition, the state legislature just passed a bill this year to limit them. U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos made a major shift in how the federal government views suspensions, removing on Friday an Obama-administration warning that schools that suspend minority students at a greater rate than white students can be subject to civil rights investigations. That 2014 guidance had aimed to make sure some students werent pushed out of classes for minor infractions, leading them to fall further behind in learning. Supporters repeatedly noted that minority students have been suspended nationally at much higher rates than white students, forcing them out of classes and making them fall behind in learning, often never to recover. But the guidance also drew complaints that it tied the hands of schools to punish disruptive, bullying or dangerous students who can damage the education of others. Among the critics has been Max Eden, a Beachwood native and now a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a free-market think tank. He has reported multiple assaults of students and teachers across the country that he attributes to lack of discipline because of concerns about triggering investigations. This can lead to incredibly dangerous dynamics in class, Eden told reporters earlier this year. Teachers know they can no longer rely on their principals for support and kids know that. The Federal Commission on School Safety, a panel President Donald Trump appointed after the school shootings in Parkland, Fla., earlier this year, last week agreed with Eden and recommended eliminating the 2014 guidance. In too many instancesI've heard from teachers and advocates that the previous administration's discipline guidance often led to school environments where discipline decisions were based on a student's race and where statistics became more important than the safety of students and teachers," DeVos said in a statement Friday as she removed that guidance. She left discipline decisions mostly to schools themselves. Discipline is a matter on which classroom teachers and local school leaders deserve and need autonomy, DeVos wrote. I would encourage them to continue to implement discipline reforms that they believe will foster improved outcomes for their students." The move has drawn protests from civil rights groups and Obama-era officials. Rescinding this important school discipline guidance signals that the federal government does not care that too many schools have policies and practices that push children of color out of school, wrote Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, an organization of 153 national and state organizations including the NAACP, American Civil Liberties Union, the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the Urban League. Federal nondiscrimination laws have not changed. Any school with discipline policies or practices that discriminate against children based on race, ethnicity, sex, or disability is still breaking the law. The two officials who last held DeVos post called the decision shameful. Todays recommendation to roll back guidance that would protect students from unfair, systemic school discipline practices is beyond disheartening, former education secretaries Arne Duncan and John King said in a joint statement. How much effect either the former or current administration will have is unclear. A survey this year by the American Association of School Administrators found that only 16.5 percent of members have made any real changes to discipline because of the 2014 warning. About one percent reported that reducing suspensions made things worse, seven percent said that changing discipline made things better at their school, with others reporting that results have been mixed or it is too early to tell how changes are working. But many schools in Ohio have been reducing suspensions anyway. As we reported late last year, Cincinnati has long banned suspensions for students in third grade or younger, while reducing suspensions for older students. In most cases, schools use in-school suspensions to separate students from others, while still having them do course work. Cleveland has also reduced suspensions as part of its push to for better Social and Emotional Learning at its schools. Cleveland school CEO Eric Gordon said he was disappointed at DeVos decision because of suspensions disproportional effect on minority students and students living in poverty. CMSD will not change our approach and will continue to work aggressively to avoid suspensions and other removals from schools unless it is absolutely necessary, he said. State Sen. Peggy Lehner, a Kettering Republican who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said she didnt need Obamas 2014 guidance to believe that removing kids from class only sets them further behind other students and makes it more likely they will stay behind and drop out. Several studies, she said, led her to seek a statewide limit suspending kids third grade and younger. That measure was added to other school safety issues in House Bill 318, which passed the legislature easily and took effect in November. The Trump decision, knowing how he disparages scientific evidence, is probably not based on anything like that, Lehner said. Its unfortunate that were ignoring the very real negative consequences, at least on young children. State Superintendent Paolo DeMaria said hed rather not focus on suspensions as an isolated issue, but as a product of the climate and culture of a school. He said he wants to keep working on the social and emotional needs of students and on reinforcing good behavior in positive ways. Rather than focusing on just reducing this outcome (suspensions), you focus on doing the things that make for a meaningful reduction, he said. He added that schools need to systematically address the culture and climate in your building, such that its only the most extreme situations that need action. Though Ohio officials and DeVos disagree in many crucial ways, they agree on one big issue - that working on social and emotional issues in schools and improving culture matters most. (Schools) approach should start by fostering a positive climate and a culture of connectedness, DeVos said as she announced her decision Friday. HURON TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A man was arrested Sunday evening after three young girls reported that he groped them at Kalahari indoor waterpark and resort. Brandon Arven, 21, of Gas City, Indiana faces a third-degree felony of gross sexual imposition with a victim under the age of 13, according to an incident report from the Erie County Sheriffs Office. Deputies responded about 9 p.m. Sunday for a call about a sexual offense at Kalahari, according to the report. Deputies spoke with a security guard and learned that three girls reported that Arven touched them. Two girls said they were in the arcade area just before 9 p.m. One girl was playing a game when Arven walked up behind her and brushed up against her buttocks harder than if someone accidentally brushed into her, according to the report. The man did not say anything and walked away, the report says. The girls moved to a different area of the arcade, and the second girl bent over to put her game card into the machine, which was low to the ground. While she was bent over, she felt a firm brush against her buttocks, the report says. The girl stood up and saw Arven, who said, Sorry, and walked away. Both girls told sheriffs deputies that they felt Arven bumped into them as an excuse to touch them, according to the report. A third girl reported that she was near the bathroom in the arcade when Arven brushed up against her and touched her buttocks, the report says. She said the area was not crowded and there was no reason for him to bump into her. She left the area and went to a different game when Arven again bumped into her and rubbed his hand on her rear end, according to the report. The girl discussed the incident with her mother and pointed out Arven, who was still in the arcade. Her mother then saw Arven touch one of the two other girls in the same way her daughter described, the report says. The mother spoke with the other girl and reported the incidents to security. Kalahari security showed the girls an image of Arven from security camera footage, and all three, as well as the mother, positively identified him as the man who touched them. Deputies found Arven in the water park and told him about the complaints. Arven said he was in the arcade frantically looking for his girlfriend after the two got separated, according to the report. Arven said he did not intentionally grab or touch anyone in the arcade, the report says. After deputies detained him in the back of a cruiser, Arven apologized for running around in the arcade, but said everyone he bumped into was an adult. Deputies watched security camera footage which confirmed the girls' reports, according to sheriffs deputies. Arven is seen watching and almost stalking the girls as he walked past them several times in different areas of Kalahari, the report says. He is seen calmly walking - not frantically running - and bumps into the girls even when there is plenty of space and he could have easily gotten by without making physical contact, the report says. Arven is in custody at the Erie County Jail, jail records show. Arven is listed as a sophomore and cheerleader at Indiana Wesleyan University, according to an online roster. To comment on this story, visit Wednesdays crime and courts comment section. Grace Louise Archer, age 90, a resident of Aurora, Colorado, a former resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at Shalom Park, Aurora, Colorado. Grace was born the daughter of Maurice P. Martin, Sr., and Margaret (O'Connor) Martin on October 10, 1930, in Chi A Washington Court of Appeals decision earlier this year that ruled adjusters can be named individually in bad faith lawsuits has raised concerns among adjusters and insurers across the country, according to Kevin Quinley, founder and principal of Quinley Risk Associates. This [case] has sent shock waves within the claim industry, and a lot of worries about the personal liability of insurance adjusters, he said. Quinley, who has an extensive background in claims, has served as an expert witness in bad faith lawsuits nationwide. In the last Claims Insights podcast of the year, he explains how the decision could impact insurers and adjusters going forward. The case involves Moun and Aung Keodalah, plaintiffs who filed suit against Allstate Insurance and Tracey Smith, the adjuster who worked for Allstate and handled the claim. In April 2007, Moun Keodalah was involved in a collision with a motorcyclist. The motorcyclist who struck Keodalahs truck was killed and Moun was injured. The motorcyclist was uninsured and Keodalahs auto insurance policy provided $25,000 in underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Both the Seattle Police Department and Allstate determined the motorcyclist was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the collision. Though Keodalah requested the policy limit, Allstate refused and offered $1600 instead. Allstate assessed 70 percent liability on Keodalah. When he requested an explanation for the liability assessment, Allstate raised its offer to $5000. Keodalah sued Allstate, asserting a UIM claim. Allstate designated Smith as its CR 30(b)(6) representative. Despite having the police report and its own report in its possession, Smith claimed Keodalah ran the stop sign and was on his cell phone at the time of the accident. Prior to trial, Allstate upped its settlement offer to $15,000. Keodalah refused and the case proceeded to a jury trial. Even at trial, Allstate maintained that Keodalah was 70 percent at fault. The jury sided with Keodalah, determining the deceased motorcyclist was 100 percent at fault and awarded Keodalah $108,868.20 for his injuries, lost wages and medical expenses. Keodalah filed a bad faith lawsuit against Allstate and Smith. Allstate filed a motion to dismiss the complaint which led to the trial court dismissing Keodalahs claims against Smith only. The court then submitted the case for review. The appeals court reversed the lower courts decision, finding that an individual employee insurance adjuster can be liable for bad faith and violation of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) and the case was remanded to the trial court. There are a few reasons why an adjuster might be brought in as an individual defendant. One reason, said Quinley, might be to defeat diversity. That is, help keep the case in state court and thwarting the removal to federal court. Why does that matter? Because conventional wisdom in bad faith cases hold that state courts are better for plaintiffs and that federal [courts] favors insurance companies, Quinley explained. So, to lessen the odds that a defendant can successfully move the case to federal court, youve got the plaintiffs in the state and youve got the local adjuster in the same state that might help counter a common insurance company defense tactic. Another reason, he said, is intimidation. Under Keodalah, bad faith attorneys, especially at the pre-litigation stage, can tell an adjuster, Youre acting in bad faith and Im going to sue not just your employer, but you individually. That threat might cause an adjuster to pause and reexamine a claim or dispute, said Quinley. And some adjusters might be understandably intimidated and think twice about contesting a gray area claim that needs to be contested. Another possibility is to increase the defendants defense costs. If the adjuster defendant needs separate counsel, which they might, that will hike the legal fees involved in defending a bad faith claim. The carrier or the E&O carrier for the insurance company might be paying not just one defense attorney, but two. One for the insurer employer, and a separate one for the adjuster employee. So, hiking those legal fees puts more financial pressure on either the insurer or if its professional liability carrier to settle the claim, he said. The decision has raised concerns across the country. Adjusters are concerned because they dont have deep pockets to pay a judgment, he said, adding that a pending lawsuit could have a domino effect of negative consequences for an individual adjuster. You apply for a mortgage, you apply for a car loan, you apply for a home equity line of credit, you may have to disclose any pending civil lawsuit, which could compromise your eligibility for financing, he explained. Lets say youre asked to serve on your homeowners association board. Or lets say youre applying for membership in a professional insurance organization. You may have to disclose current or past lawsuits. The claims handling process, employee retention and recruitment could all be impacted by the decision. There are ways to reduce the chances of an adjuster being named in a bad faith lawsuit, Quinley said. I think this really underscores the importance take reasoned liability stances, he said. I think, given all the factors, no reasonable adjuster would assess liability on the part of the insured, much less 70 percent responsibility of the accident, Quinley said. So, I think overlooked in all of the hand wringing, all the apocalyptic visions of Keodalah is that fact that you need to align your liability and claim assessment with the facts of the case. Quinley pointed to the increased offer of $5000 without an accompanying explanation. I think another theme highlighted by Keodalah, often overlooked, is to explain the basis for any settlement offer. The plaintiff policyholder demanded the $25,000 UIM limit. In response, the carrier offered $1,600 based on its assessment that the insured was 70 percent at fault. And when Keodalah asked the insurance company to explain, it simply bumped the offer to $5,000. Of course, just raising the offer from $1,600 to $5,000 doesnt really explain the insurance companys evaluation, said Quinley. And, so, absent any explanation, absent any compelling rationale, it really smacks of low balling, which is a bad faith tactic. Quinley said insurers should immediately reach out to ex-employees if they happen to be named in a bad faith lawsuit. If theyre an ex-employee, reach out to them immediately. Let them know whats coming, he said. Assure them that counsel will be provided for his or her defense. If an E&O carrier balks at this, I think it makes sense to pay it out of corporate coffers. But make sure that any ex-employee knows they wont be abandoned, that they will have legal counsel. The same goes for current staff adjusters, he said. Similar case decisions in Louisiana and Kentucky could push insurers to consider moving their claims handling staff out of those states. Itll take some time to see if this plays out, but insurers and TPAs might consider relocating their claim handling staff outside those states that allow bad faith plaintiffs to name adjusters individually as defendants, said Quinley. Right now, the decision isnt etched in stone, he said, since the Washington Supreme Court could overturn the ruling. Well certainly have a better handle on that in 2019. I anticipate there will be extensive briefing by insurance companies weighing in on the issue through amicus briefs, Quinley said. On the other hand, Washington state has a well-deserved reputation as being very plaintiff-friendly toward people who sue insurance companies. So even if it is an outlier, and even if it has not yet been etched in stone in Washington state, its a troubling sign in the great Northwest. Especially if other states embrace this notion under the banner of consumerism and customer rights. Read the opinion in the case of Moun & Aung Keodalah v. Allstate Insurance Company And Tracey Smith, 75731-8 (Wash. Ct. App. 2018) The former owner of a company that left thousands of tons of potentially explosive artillery propellant at a Louisiana National Guard facility says he will appeal his sentence. David Alan Smith, 63, of Winchester, Kentucky, filed a notice of appeal Friday with the federal court in Shreveport, where he was sentenced Nov. 29 in connection with what a prosecutor called the nations worst-ever dumping of military explosives. He had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and to making false statements, and was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison and $34.8 million restitution. On Dec. 20, U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote recommended that he be sent to a prison near his home. Smiths notice does not explain his reasons; it just lets the district court know that he plans to file an appeal with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. His attorney, Howard Lyn Lawrence Jr., was not in his office Friday evening and did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Smith was one of two owners of Explo Systems Inc., which had an $8.7 million Army contract to demilitarize artillery charges at a Louisiana National Guard facility called Camp Minden. The other owner died days before he was scheduled for trial. Louisiana began investigating Explo Systems in 2012, after a thunderous explosion at sprawling Camp Minden, a 15,000-acre (6,100-hectare) site owned by the Louisiana National Guard. No one was hurt, but the blast shattered windows miles (kilometers) away, created a 7,000-foot (2,130-meter) mushroom cloud and derailed 11 rail cars near the bunker. Investigators found 7,800 tons (7,100 metric tons) of potentially explosive M6 artillery propellant and 160 tons (145 metric tons) of clean-burning igniter, much of it outdoors or otherwise stored unsafely. It all had to be moved safely to bunkers. Explo Systems went bankrupt in 2013. After years of debating how to get rid of the M6 and other materials, the National Guard hired Explosive Service International of Baton Rouge for $32 million to design a chamber to capture any pollution and to burn the materials. Four former Explo Systems officials also pleaded guilty, drawing sentences ranging from 2 to 5 years in prison. They were ordered to repay the federal government a total of $598,000. The defendants used Camp Minden here in northwest Louisiana as the largest illegal dumping ground of military explosives in the history of the United States at over 15.6 million pounds of explosives, U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph said in a statement afterward. The restitution adds up to $35.4 million. Prosecutors said it includes the $8.7 million contract plus cleanup costs. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The impact of a deadly summer tornado that struck western North Dakota is still being felt as work continues to improve the areas weather warning system. The EF2 tornado slammed into the Prairie View RV Park in Watford City around 12:45 a.m. on July 10, killing a newborn boy and injuring two dozen people. More than 200 homes were damaged and about 200 people were displaced. McKenzie Countys planning and zoning director, Jim Talbert, told The Bismarck Tribune that discussions are ongoing about finding more permanent solutions, such as building storm shelters for RV parks. County emergency manager Karolin Jappe noted that thanks to the oil boom, the area is no longer home to only 1,500 people, and theres a need for better ways to warn residents of severe weather. Of all the high risks that we do have in our county now, I want to make sure that we can protect the people that live here and work here, Jappe said. Shortly after the storm, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven asked federal officials to analyze the Doppler radar near Minot to determine whether it could be adjusted to improve coverage in western North Dakota. The senator said the study should be completed soon. John Paul Martin, the warning coordination meteorologist with the Bismarck National Weather Service, said the changes could involve installing new software that would help areas across north-central and northwest North Dakota. The radar would be adjusted before next summers severe weather season. Krystal Lapp recalled the storm, saying she cant remember how long her familys mobile home was lifted in the air after the tornado hit. We were basically getting sandblasted by debris and scoria and glass, anything it could pick up, Lapp said. And it felt like forever. When their home landed, it slammed into a neighboring home. She said her husband pulled their sons out of the rubble in the midst of flying debris. Her 10-year-old son Owen suffered a concussion and bleeding injuries, but everyone else made it out with just scratches or bruises. Lapps home was one of 225 housing units damaged by the tornado. Of those, 79 were deemed unlivable, period, according to Jappe. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. I wasnt sure what to expect when I entered Judge Vincent Gaughans courtroom on December 14. This past October, during Chicagos historic trial of police officer Jason Van Dyke for the killing of Laquan McDonald, the judge held me in contempt for recording testimony of an expert witness. My attorney, FOIA wizard Matt Topic, representing me with assistance from First Look Medias Press Freedom Defense Fund, argued for the court to reconsider my charge on the grounds I simply misinterpreted the rules regarding which media outlets were permitted to recordan honest mistake. Judge Gaughan, notorious for strictly enforcing courtroom decorum, didnt let me off the hook. On December 14, I was sentenced to three months of supervisionabout as light a sentence he could hand down, especially in comparison to the jail time hes given other spectators held in contempt. No doubt Im one of the least important players to make the news during one of Chicagos most high-profile murder trials. Van Dyke became the first Chicago cop charged for an on-duty shooting in more than 50 years, eventually convicted of second-degree murder and 16 counts (one per shot) of aggravated battery with a firearm for shooting McDonald. But I certainly wont be the last freelancer, floating quietly adrift in a volatile industry, to suddenly find themselves in over their head, uncertain whether publications and institutions will show up for pricey legal and moral support. RELATED: How a little-known, Uber-driving freelancer brought the lawsuit that forced Chicago to release a police shooting video I was doing a story on a niche psychological question in the trial for Undark Magazine, a science publication housed at MIT, which brought me to Cook Countys courthouse on October 2three weeks into the murder trial. I was to report the expert testimony of Laurence Miller, a police psychologist hired by Van Dykes defense attorneys, and run it against the countrys top legal experts and cognitive scientists. Was his argument that any reasonable cop faced with Van Dykes perceptual reality would have also fired scientifically sound? Did the science he presented to the court meet the Daubert standardthe criteria ostensibly used to weed junk science from the courts? The courtroom was surprisingly intimate. Local and national news outlets packed the first two rows of the courtrooms long wooden pews. Across the aisle I spotted members of Van Dykes family sitting next to ex-bosses of Chicagos Fraternal Order of Police. On the opposite side of the room sat members of Laquan McDonalds family, such as his great uncle, Reverend Marvin Hunter, a steady voice in coverage of the trial. Sitting directly behind me was American civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, who in whispers chatted up a Chicago Tribune court reporter and me before the days proceedings began. Unprompted, he told us what he thought about police unions: too powerful. The jury? Too white. Sign up for CJR 's daily email I also saw freelance reporter Jamie Kalven, whose 2014 article in Slate (Sixteen Shots) is the reason why there was a murder trial at all. Kalven narrowly escaped a contempt charge after he refused to out whoever tipped him off about McDonalds death. Topic also represented Kalven, helping quash the subpoena Kalven defied. When Judge Gaughan entered the courtroom, we all rose. Before Millermy subjecttook the stand, Judge Gaughan instructed a sheriffs deputy to read his decorum order, which stated credentialed media were exempted from rules that prohibited electronic devices, such as digital recorders. I ignored this; I had a media credential, so thought I was exempt. The lights dimmed and Miller began presenting his slideshow, The Neuropsychology of Deadly Force. He went on about a multitude of biological systems interacting to ignite our bodys stress response, basic fight or flight stuff. I typed up every word of his testimony, with my recorder next to me as a fail-safe. Shortly after the lights flicked on, one of Judge Gaughans deputies walked by me and swiped my recorder. He looked at my press badge, then scurried out of the room. Miller was still testifying, so I just kept typing as fast as I could. Everything after that went down at disorienting speeds. Getting called up before Gaughan felt like watching a play and suddenly becoming an actor in it. Of course, I had no script, no stage direction, and performed poorly. I forgot to end every sentence with your honor. Judge Gaughan asked if I had been recording. I said yes. My voice quivered, my chest pumped. Judge Gaughan asked if I heard the decorum order. I said yes. Then he had me taken into custody. RELATED: Jamie Kalven on why his court win isnt a free-press victory After I was taken to a cell behind the courtroom, the judge told the room that I was trying to cheat the system. I know he said that because there is a recording, both audio and video, of me being arrested and scolded for recording. More ironically, the hearing was broadcast on live TV, so my mother watched me get detained from her living room. Stripped of my belt, shoelaces, and all my belongings, I asked a deputy whether I was going to jail. Remember the R. Kelly trial? When that woman screamed, Free R. Kelly!, he said. She was in jail six months. Same charge. Later I found out that she was in jail for six weeks, because she couldnt make bail. Gaughan oversaw the R. Kelly trial, during which he also threatened the reporter who broke the story with contempt. I also later learned that Judge Gaughan held a police reform activist, Tyrone Williams, in contempt for too loudly exclaiming What? during a hearing. He was held without bail. Another man, Moises Bernal, a teacher, approvingly snapped his fingers when Judge Gaughan ruled against a motion to dismiss Van Dykes charges. That landed him in jail, with bail set at $4,000, and a year of probation. The Chicago Tribune has described Judge Gaughan as secretive and mercurial. Gaughan has been criticized for sealing critical documents and frequently holding off the record discussions with attorneys during hearings, where no one is watching or listening. He set the terms of my sentencing in his chamber without me or a court reporter present. His approach has grown so draconian, the Tribunes Stacy St. Clair wrote, multiple news organizations banded together earlier this year to challenge him, accusing Gaughan in court documents of attempting to destroy the First Amendment presumption of public access. During the three months the charge hung over me, Judge Gaughans unpredictability was most nerve-wracking. When I was back in front of the judge a week after I was detained for permission to travel while out on bond, he said, Youre going to get the purple heart in journalism for this. Judge Gaughan did not return multiple requests for comment. While I was handcuffed to a bench, journalists in the room came up with $100 and bonded me out. I missed Van Dyke taking the stand. David Bernstein, former features editor at Chicago magazine, whos now writing a book about the trial, rushed the cash down to the office before I was transferred to the county jail. Judge Gaughan himself said after he set my bond that jail is too dangerous a place for me, which I took to mean a big nosed nerdy looking Jewish guy. (Judge Gaughan handed Bernal and Williams, both men of color, far more severe penalties than me.) Undark supported me vigorously. Tom Zeller Jr., Undarks editor in chief, told the US Press Freedom Tracker, If the judges goal was to intimidate other working journalists, it will not work. The editor overseeing me, Sara Talpos, kept me focused on the story while making sure I felt supported. After sentencing me in December to three months of supervision, Judge Gaughan asked if I had anything to say. I said that I didnt, to which he said something along the lines of: Youre a journalist, of course you have something to say. I took a breath while spectators chuckled, and began to explain that had I known I was violating the decorum order I wouldnt have recorded. But he cut me off before I could finish explaining. Throughout my case I kept hearing the same message: dont let this stop you from covering future cases. Newspaper staffs have shrunk, and many papers no longer have dedicated reporters hanging around the local courthouse. This means more freelancers will find themselves covering courts, and we should. But each state and county has different rules, and judges can make or change the rules at anytime. When youre in a courtroom, youre on the judges turf. Ask the courts press office what the rules are for journalists. Research the judges reputation and learn about their style. Without institutional support the risks of covering courts are are high and the pay is low. The real reward is being an eye for your community, especially when judges try obstruct the view. RELATED: New podcast delves into controversial Chicago police shooting Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Zachary Siegel is a freelance journalist in Chicago whose work has appeared in New York Times Magazine, Slate, The Atlantic, Undark Magazine, The Appeal and other publications. Follow him on Twitter @ZachWritesStuff. You will receive 5-day a week delivery of the Citizen Tribune newspaper to your home or business, plus full, ad-free access to CitizenTribune.com as well as full access to the Electronic Edition of the newspaper. ONLY $13.99 per month for the first 3 months! Only $16.00 per month after promotional period. Or ONLY $169.99 for a full year Only $198.95 per year after promotional period. As Amazon provides merchants and third-party services with ways to interface with its systems, the company may have also opened its platform to new vulnerabilities. Now, Amazon may just be dealing with a potential major data risk. To conduct business with Chinese parties, sellers need to tap payment processing companies like Pingping and Lianlian Pay to handle transactions. Merchants also have integrated these services to their Amazon Marketplace Web Service (MWS) accounts so that payment information can be passed on from one system to the other. However, these Chinese payment processors have recently been reported to be asking merchants to supply MWS secret keys as part of the integration process. This is considered non-standard and unsecure practice since secret keys arent designed to be shared outside sellers organizations. MWS provides mechanisms for developers to tap to its system without using secret keys. In fact, sharing keys is even considered a violation of MWS code of conduct and the platforms terms of service. Nonetheless, these actions by third-party developers have essentially created data risk. Secret keys provide unfettered access to accounts and all transaction information associated with them. In the wrong hands, malicious actors can gain access to the company's financial and transaction data that include customers' personal and payment information. It has been hinted that several merchants may have already shared their private keys which means that actual customer data may already be exposed. 34 percent of Amazons top sellers come from China. If even a fraction of these merchants has shared their secret keys to external parties, its possible that a sizable number of customers are now vulnerable. Here are three ways Amazon could address this data risk. Others who offer users similar capabilities would also do well to consider implementing these measures. 1. Educate users on security While it is tough to encourage a change in behavior and attitude in customers, companies should be more proactive and promote a security-first mindset to anyone who uses their platforms. Amazon is providing sellers and developers with powerful capabilities through its various merchant services, but it should also anticipate that not all sellers have the technical capability to fully understand whats at stake. These merchants often have to look towards external third-party developers to create apps and perform integration. In the least, Amazon should properly orient and onboard sellers not just on the features and functionalities accessible to them but on the potential security risks as well. And it should do it in a more enticing and accessible way and not just through plain and bland documentation. Amazon should also review their documentation in order to avoid providing contradictory advice that could confuse their users. Secret keys provide access to top-level privileges and powerful functionalities so its imperative to remind sellers to keep them secure. Encouraging proper credentials management through the use of password management vaults and by vetting and limiting those who have access to these credentials should also help. 2. Promote strict API use Attackers prefer to target application programming interfaces (APIs) since theyre essentially the gateways to interact with target systems. Fortunately, Amazon's APIs appear to be fairly robust and resilient. It ticks the boxes for the best practices in security with features such as authentication, authorization and access policies, throttling through request quotas and API keys for third-party developers that can be configured for each method. Developers must also be registered on the platform to be given access to the API. To be fair, there has been no indication that Amazon's MWS API has been compromised by faulty code or some other technical vulnerability. This is probably why malicious actors prefer to exploit the human element instead by tricking sellers into giving up their credentials. The challenge then is for the company to further compel developers to strictly abide by the guidelines and ensure that developers only use the most secure methods to tap to the API. If threats of bans don't work, then perhaps providing incentives could also help. A reputation developer system that rewards developers with getting prioritized in the app review and publishing process or faster support responses could be explored. 3. Screen third-party developers It's fairly easy to sign up as a developer on Amazon. Its free and doing so allows just about anyone to build applications for the Amazon ecosystem. Perhaps it is high time Amazon provides stricter screening for developer sign ups. In addition, Amazon already has an application approval mechanism but it's mainly used for apps deployed and published to its own app store. A more hardline stance is to have a similar approval mechanism to all applications that connect to its APIs before they are allowed to go live. While Amazon also has mechanisms to ban developers for abuse and dubious practices, it's still easy to create new developer accounts if ever one account gets banned. Surely, there are trade-offs as stricter regulations may stymie the growth of the developer community. But considering the risk of customers' data getting exposed due to poor development practices and malicious third parties, Amazon needs to rein in developers and start blacklisting and banning those found to be violating the terms of service. This needs to be done especially if those in violation are larger service providers that could have an impact on large volumes of customer data. Everyone should take heed Seeing how devastating data leaks and breaches can be, the urgency for Amazon to address this issue can't be overstated. The prospect of having customer data exploited by potentially malicious actors is nothing to be taken lightly. In addition, Amazon shouldn't be the only entity worried about this potential data risk. Any organization that has APIs and allow users and developers to tap into its systems should comprehensively audit their security measures. Malicious actors are exploiting all possible layers of systems so it's important for platforms to secure all possible weaknesses and vulnerabilities especially the human element. CanadaVisa Social: Stay informed in 2019 Stephen Smith Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A CanadaVisas social media network provides more than two million followers with the latest in Canadian immigration news and information. If your New Years resolution is to stay up-to-date with developments in Canadian immigration, check out these social media options: Follow our Facebook page for the latest posts from our news network, program updates, and advice for planning your future in Canada. Our two million-strong Facebook community is the largest Canadian immigration-focused Facebook community in the world! Like us today and join the discussion. CanadaVisas Twitter feed is the place for breaking Canadian immigration news and updates, as well as tips and tricks to help guide your immigration process. Feel free to tweet us! Our Instagram profile is where you will find photographs showcasing Canadas breathtaking landscape and stories highlighting its citizens creative streak. Follow us today! The CanadaVisa YouTube channel is where you will find videos on topics related to Canadian immigration and suggested playlists from our team. Our channel hosts a range of videos including immigration news updates, interviews with Attorney David Cohen, and playlists of Canadian cultural moments. We want to hear from you so leave a comment it helps us to provide the content that you want! Interested in discovering your Canadian immigration options? Watch how CanadaVisa can help you! If you are on LinkedIn, make sure to connect with CanadaVisa. If you would like to connect with Attorney David Cohen professionally, you may also find him on LinkedIn. Join us on Google+ where we share the same exclusive content that we share across all our social media channels. Check us out, and bookmark CanadaVisa as a reference. 2019 CICNews All Rights Reserved Situated 4 billion miles from Earth, Ultima Thule looks like a snowman an appropriate shape given its icy make up. But instead of the bluish-white hue typically associated with these snowy, hand-sculpted structures, Ultima Thule has a red cast. It's a much different object than scientists working on NASA's New Horizons mission pictured just 36 hours ago, when their spacecraft zoomed past the rock they thought was bowling pin-shaped now the farthest humans have ever explored at 32,000 miles per hour. "When I look at these pictures, I really think of it as the essence of exploration," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, during a Wednesday news conference where new images of the object were unveiled. "A question ... about what are these original objects really like? A question like that turned into exploration, turned into knowledge." And scientists say this new information is just the beginning of what the rocky object can teach us about our solar system. "This is less than 1 percent of the information we'll be getting ... it's going to just get better and better," said Alan Stern, the mission's principal investigator. "This is a technical success beyond anything we've ever attempted before in spaceflight." Just before midnight on New Year's Eve, New Horizons flew past the rock, located a billion miles beyond Pluto in the solar system's Kuiper Belt. The belt is a grouping of icy bodies just outside Neptune's orbit where Pluto is found. NASA thought Ultima Thule was a singular object. But new data downloaded from the spacecraft indicates it's actually two, which became stuck together sometime in the past 4.5 billion years. This is call a "contact binary." Scientists have named the larger of the objects, Ultima. It is three times bigger than the smaller object, named Thule. Researchers will spend the next 20 months downloading data from the flyby, but as of Wednesday, they know the object is red likely because of irradiated exotic ices that it contains water and that it likely has a terrain made up of hills and ridges. The object is about the size of Washington, D.C., scientists said, and it's dark because of how little sun reaches it. They also know it's icy temperatures in the Kuiper Belt hover near absolute zero and because of that, Ultima Thule will provide a window into the very beginning of our solar system, when planets were formed. "We think what we're looking at is the most primitive object yet to be seen by a spacecraft," said Jeff Moore, a co-investigator on the mission from NASA's Ames Research Center in California. "Think of New Horizons as a time machine that has brought us back to the very beginning of the solar system, to a place where we can observe the most primordial building blocks of the planets." The Ultima Thule flyby was just the most recent in a string of successes for the New Horizons mission launched in 2006 and the first of its kind to get a close look at Pluto and its five moons, about 3 billion miles from Earth. There still is much to learn from Ultima Thule, but scientists already are talking about what's next for the spacecraft made famous by its breathtaking images of Pluto in 2015. They'll begin searching for the next flyby object in 2021 and researchers believe the spacecraft has enough power and fuel to last until the mid-2030s. The Ultima Thule flyby was NASA's second, history-making event of the week. On Monday, NASA scientists achieved a separate celestial first when its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully entered the orbit of the asteroid Bennu, which is situated between Earth and Mars. The historic achievement is the latest in a string of milestones for OSIRIS-REx (short for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer), launched in 2016 to collect samples from the asteroid Bennu and return it to Earth. Bennu, a near-Earth, carbonaceous asteroid about 100 million miles from the sun, is the smallest celestial body ever orbited. Monday's event also marks the closest a probe has ever orbited an object in space. OSIRIS-REx arrived at Bennu on Dec. 3 and already has discovered water. Now in orbit of the asteroid, the spacecraft will study the rock to find the best place to collect samples, which it will do in July 2020. It is scheduled to land back on Earth, sample in hand, in September 2023. Scientists hope the asteroid will help them learn more about where humans come from and where we are going. Alex Stuckey writes about NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. 3 1 of 3 Harris County Constable Precinct 1 Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Google Maps Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Harris County deputies are investigating a body that was spotted along the banks of White Oak Bayou on Wednesday morning near the University of Houston-Downtown. The Environmental Crime Unit with the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office first spotted the body around 10:10 a.m. near the intersection of Girard and Wood, and the medical examiner has been called to the scene. A man was shot to death at a parking lot in Northline, according to the Houston Police Department. The shooting happened at 1:20 p.m. at Little York and Airline. A Houston activist said he believes the deadly shooting of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes just days before the new year was racially motivated. Activist Deric Muhammad, who stood outside a Harris County Sheriff's Office substation in Wednesday's cold and damp morning hours, said Jazmine's murder could be connected to a shooting in the same area during Hurricane Harvey. Jazmine was riding in the backseat of her family car along the East Beltway 8 feeder road near Wallisville Road on Sunday morning. The shooter seemingly targeted the girl's family her mother and three siblings, ages 6, 13 and 15 at random as they made their way to a nearby Walmart. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Harris County intensifies search for killer of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes The family never made it to the store, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. As far as investigators know, the family did nothing to spark the gunman's ire and he made no attempt to communicate before opening fire around 6:50 a.m. from the next lane over. Detectives with HCSO's homicide division said the shooter was a white male with a beard driving a red pickup truck. The vehicle was spotted by security cameras nearby. An outcry of support started pouring in from all around the country, including from nationally known civil rights activist Shaun King who propped up a $50,000 cash reward to help catch Jazmine's killer. "We must find the evil coward who murdered 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes," King tweeted along with a video of the young girl. "We must. We have some leads already, but they aren't good enough. Keep pushing." Muhammad said he believes he and several other activists have a lead of their own on the case, which revolves around a shooting on Aug. 30, 2017, in the same vicinity. During that shooting, then-21-year-old A'vonta Williams was driving along Garrett Road near East Beltway 8 to go check on his girlfriend in the wake of Hurricane Harvey when he was shot by a white male in a Ford F-150. Williams was struck in both legs, and his grandmother, who was also in the car with him, was shot in the hip. Williams' family claimed that detectives failed to investigate the shooting for months but have yet to make an arrest in the case. "If A'vonta Williams' shooter had been found, would Jazmine Barnes still be alive?" Muhammad said. "... What are the odds that two black families were fired upon by a white male in a pickup truck within a one-year time span on the same block? We've got to call it what it is. Black people are being targeted in this country. Black people are being targeted in this county. Black people are being targeted in this city. We are thoroughly convinced that the killing of Jazmine Barnes was race related." Williams shooting and Jazmine's shooting happened about six miles apart. The only connections Muhammad made between the shootings were that both shooters were white males who shot black victims in that area of Harris County, which he claimed has "a very strong white supremacist element" in the area. He also noted that both shooters were driving pickup trucks, although Jazmine's shooter was behind the wheel of a red four-door pickup while Williams' shooter was driving a gray pickup. Anyone with information about Jazmine's shooter is urged to call Houston Crime Stoppers at 731-222-TIPS (8477). Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Sen. Elizabeth Warren jumped into the 2020 presidential campaign Monday, offering a message of economic populism as she became the best-known Democratic candidate yet to enter what is expected to be a crowded race. Warren's announcement that she was establishing an exploratory committee - the legal precursor to a run - came as other candidates, including several of her fellow senators, made final preparations for their own announcements, some of which are expected in days. "America's middle class is under attack," the Massachusetts Democrat said in a four-minute, 30-second video emailed to supporters Monday. "How did we get here? Billionaires and big corporations decided they wanted more of the pie. And they enlisted politicians to cut them a bigger slice." The video is part biographical, showing her hardscrabble Oklahoma upbringing; part economics lesson, replete with charts illustrating how the middle class is losing economic ground; and part red meat for the Democratic base, with images of President Donald Trump and others disliked by liberals: presidential aides Kellyanne Conway and Stephen Miller and former adviser Stephen Bannon. It made no mention of a recent Warren stumble: her October decision to release results of a DNA test that said she probably had a distant Native American ancestor. The move had been meant to stifle Trump's criticism of her but only engendered more mockery from him while also angering Democrats, particularly minorities who objected to her defining ethnicity via a test. While the race for the Democratic nomination is only starting, even Warren's supporters acknowledge that she has lost ground in the last few months, both by her own hand and because the November midterm elections redefined Democratic success with candidates who were in many cases a generation younger. Still, the 69-year-old former law professor enters the race as a formidable candidate - a prodigious small-dollar fundraiser with a knack for creating the kind of viral moments that attract attention in a crowded field. In one such episode, she turned an insult from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) - "nevertheless, she persisted" - into a liberal rallying cry. She also spent the past year assisting candidates around the country, building a war room inside her Senate reelection offices to mentor, assist and raise money for candidates running for congressional or local offices, creating alliances in the process. Warren's opening salvo showed she plans to lean into her professorial roots and her persona as a fighter. That is consistent with Warren's pitch as she has risen to national prominence by taking on bankers and large companies. But it also risks emphasizing anger at a time when Democrats are divided over whether they instead should seek out a more optimistic and unifying nominee. "I've spent my career getting to the bottom of why America's promise works for some families, but others who work just as hard slip through the cracks into disaster," Warren said in the video. "What I've found is terrifying. These aren't cracks that families are falling into, they're traps." She closed the video standing in the kitchen of her Cambridge home: "If we organize together, if we fight together, if we persist together we can win. We can and we will." Warren is one of more than a half-dozen senators expected to run for president, including Democrats Cory Booker, N.J., Kamala Harris, Calif., Sherrod Brown, Ohio, Amy Klobuchar , Minn. and Kirsten Gillibrand, N.Y., as well as independent Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who shares Warren's populist underpinnings. The timing of Warren's announcement - on New Year's Eve, for many the close of the holiday break - was unusual. But it allowed Warren at least some time to dominate the race, since two lesser-known politicians, Rep. John Delaney of Maryland and former San Antonio mayor Julian Castro, are the only candidates to officially declare their interest so far. On Saturday, in a major hint she was preparing her presidential bid, Warren dropped the Massachusetts reference from her campaign Twitter handle, changing it from @elizabethforma to a more nationalized @ewarren. Warren is expected to base her campaign headquarters in Boston, with an operation likely to be led by her longtime aide Dan Geldon. Warren won her Senate seat in 2012, defeating incumbent Sen. Scott Brown to reclaim the seat long held by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and become the first female senator from Massachusetts. She easily won reelection in November. But recent events have illustrated some of her potential weaknesses. In a liberal state, Gov. Charlie Baker, R, got more votes than she did in November, and a recent survey in Massachusetts had her trailing former vice president Joe Biden and Sanders in a hypothetical 2020 matchup. A recent poll of likely caucusgoers in Iowa had her in fourth place at 8 percent, trailing Biden, Sanders and Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Tex.). "Warren missed her moment in 2016, and there's reason to be skeptical of her prospective candidacy in 2020," the Boston Globe wrote in a scathing editorial in December. "While Warren is an effective and impactful senator with an important voice nationally, she has become a divisive figure. A unifying voice is what the country needs now after the polarizing politics of Donald Trump." Warren has often described spending her Oklahoma upbringing "on the ragged edge of the middle class." She and her three older brothers went through economic hardships, with her father's heart attack when she was 12 resulting in medical bills that required her mother to work at Sears and Warren to wait tables at age 13. She was married at 19, pregnant at 21 and a Rutgers School of Law graduate by 26. Those roots are likely to form the basis of her attempt to connect with average voters, but they have already complicated her presidential run. It was her upbringing, and family lore, that caused her to say for several years that she was Native American - a claim that has come under relentless attack from Republican opponents, prompting the DNA test that triggered a Democratic backlash. Warren considered running for president in 2016 but ultimately decided against it. She was also among those considered for Hillary Clinton's running mate. Warren has spent most of her adult life in academia, doing groundbreaking research on consumer bankruptcy. As a professor, she provided the intellectual basis for a consumer protection watchdog, which under legislation passed in 2010 became the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. President Barack Obama considered appointing her to run the new bureau but then passed on her. Warren ran for the Senate instead. She has used her perch on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to grill Wall Street executives and try to derail nominees who don't fit her populist philosophies. In 2016, she gained a seat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, an attempt to burnish her foreign policy credentials. Until she was in her 40s, Warren was a registered Republican. "I was a Republican because I thought that those were the people who best supported markets. I think that is not true anymore," Warren told the Daily Beast in 2011. "I was a Republican at a time when I felt like there was a problem that the markets were under a lot more strain. It worried me whether or not the government played too activist a role." Warren did not say what she thought Democrats stood for at the time, but she now hopes to define the party in 2020. Anyone who has paid close attention to past Democratic presidential nominating campaigns should strike what they know from their memory bank. Old rules and previous assumptions aren't likely to be worth much. What's ahead for the Democrats will be unlike any nomination battle in recent years. The campaign started Monday, when Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts jumped into the race by announcing the formation of a presidential exploratory committee. Her four-and-a-half-minute video tied biography to philosophy to ideology. She adopted an aggressive posture, toward President Donald Trump, big banks and large corporations. But if Warren was the first to leap into the 2020 campaign, she will soon have much company. If Trump proved anything in 2016, it is that even the unlikeliest of candidates can become president. As a result, all kinds of Democrats, from those with decades of public service to those with only a few years (or even none), from those in their 70s to those decades younger, have decided, why not me? That will make this what Democrats are calling the least predictable cycle in a quarter century or more. Most recent Democratic nominating contests have been binary choices featuring a mainstream liberal versus a progressive or insurgent. In 2008, though there were others in the field, the campaign always was, fundamentally, one that pitted then-senator Barack Obama against then-senator Hillary Clinton. That model applied to 2016 as well, a race between Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., despite the presence of others. That was true in 2000 as well, when then-vice president Al Gore took the establishment lane and former senator Bill Bradley ran as a progressive reformer. In 2004, though others figured into some of the early maneuvering, the contest became largely between then-senator John Kerry, the establishment choice and former Vermont governor Howard Dean, the antiwar insurgent. There will nothing binary about the battle that is about to unfold, at least not for many months. The field will be bigger than it's been in many cycles, bigger likely even than 1992 or 1988. There are two dozen or more names on handicapping charts and while many of them will not enter the race, the field could number in double digits by the time everyone makes their decisions. Beyond that, the traditional lanes will be more crowded than ever. Former vice president Joe Biden, should he decide to run, will be cast as a traditional mainstream Democrat but there will be others who fit that identity. There won't be just one progressive candidate, there will be several. Sanders and Warren will be drawing from much the same constituency, and Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio would also compete in the progressive lane, if he runs. And there will be candidates who don't fit neatly into either. In 2008, Obama benefited enormously by being the sole African American candidate, although that wasn't evident when he announced his candidacy. Initially his candidacy was buoyed by support from the party's progressive base, which was unhappy with Clinton over her vote on the Iraq War. For most of 2007, polls showed Obama and Clinton dividing the black vote. Once he won the Iowa caucuses, Obama consolidated support among African Americans. The combination of progressives and African Americans was crucial to Obama's ultimate success. This time it's likely there will be two African American candidates - Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey - looking to consolidate support from the party's most loyal constituency. But many other candidates will be seeking a piece of the black vote as well. Biden has ties to black voters dating to the days of the civil rights movement. Warren's opening video is explicit, highlighting the wealth gap between white and black families and the history of discrimination against African Americans. Sanders struggled in 2016 with African Americans and could face similar challenges this time. There won't be just one woman running this time, there could be many. They include Harris, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. The success of female candidates running for Congress during the midterm elections, the organizing activity led by women across the country and the #MeToo movement have illustrated the rising power of women in politics, especially in the Democratic Party. The Democratic race will quickly become a kind of Noah's Ark of candidates, with at least two of almost everything. There will be multiple senators running, along with multiple governors or ex-governors, along with multiple mayors or ex-mayor (a rarity in presidential politics), along with the possibility of multiple candidates with business backgrounds and even a couple of billionaires. One other clear dividing line will be familiar versus fresh faces-a Biden or a Sanders versus the likes outgoing-Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas or Gov. Steve Bullock of Montana. The permutations are endless, given the mix-and-match appeals of the field. The challenge will be finding a way to break out of the pack, whether through celebrity appeal, money or preferably a messenger with a distinctive message that can capture the imaginations of party activists and also prove viable with the electorate in a general election. Having a clear sense of strategy and the discipline to follow it will separate long-distance runners from the others. The media environment will be unlike what past campaigns have seen. Trump showed what the power to control the conversation can mean in a nominating contest. The intensity of social media and cable chatter will test the ability of candidates to roll with what comes at them. Mastering the digital space and free media will be critically important. Money will divide the field. Veterans of past campaigns believe the era when a candidate counted on an extensive list of donors who contributed the legal maximum to his or her campaign has largely passed, replaced either by the existence of a well-funded super PAC or by the ability to generate small-dollar contributions with a candidate that generates genuine excitement. Sanders sustained himself with grass roots contributions against Clinton in 2016. Many House and Senate challengers did the same in their races this year. How many 2020 candidates can do this is an open question. O'Rourke, while losing his Senate race last fall to incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, amassed huge amounts of money from around the country, including an astonishing $38 million in the third quarter of 2018 alone. Others might have to depend on super PACs to keep themselves afloat. There is talk among Democrats that some candidates are trying to figure out how they could raise $100 million or more in such committees. Republican Jeb Bush tried this approach in 2016 without success, but that doesn't mean some Democrats won't pursue a similar plan in 2020. Staying viable as long as possible will be important if there is a truly crowded field. New rules will make this contest different. The role of superdelegates has been reduced, although if there is a brokered convention, they still could play a decisive role. Caucuses will undergo changes to make them more small-d democratic, including the introduction of absentee voting. Think how that could affect the outcome in Iowa. The early states - Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada - will be important as always. But Super Tuesday, especially now that California again has joined the list of states voting in early March, will be a strategic and financial challenge and potentially key to victory. The biggest question is what all this will say about the state of the Democratic Party. Anti-Trump sentiment will carry Democrats some distance but not all the way. Will this jumble of candidates-and the arguments they have among themselves on the way toward their national convention-result in a nominee with a clear and compelling message or produce a cacophony that does more to highlight the fissures that exist within the party? And if a Democrat wins in 2020, will she or he be ready to govern? That's all in the future, of course. At the beginning of the new year all things seem possible to the candidates. Their wild ride is just beginning. John Mark remembers when the intersection of Texas 35 and FM 518 was the heartbeat of Pearland. Us old-timers still consider that the center of town 35 and 518, he said. We see it like it used to be. The Pearland historian, who moved here in 1940 with his family when he was 10 years old, says its a good time to reflect on the old days as the city of Pearland gears up to celebrate its 125th birthday this year. Mark has fond memories of the unincorporated community of about 350 people his family found when it arrived. The small-town charm of Pearland in the 1940s and 1950s drew country-western stars like Bob Wills and Floyd Tilman to the communitys many beer joints and dance halls. We had two grocery stores, one drug store and then all those little beer joints and dance halls, he said. It was a pretty popular little place. It still is thats obvious with the population boom. And its important to keep that small-town feel that weve always had. We need to honor that. Part of that effort includes restoration of the citys oldest building the 1900 Sante Fe Railroad Depot. The tracks were put down in the city around 1882 and connected Houston to Galveston and the depot built 20 years later was a thriving hub. We need to restore the depot, Mark asserted. Work on that project will occur throughout the year, with perhaps a chance for the facility to open in the third quarter. Pearland sesquicentennial For more on plans to celebrate Pearland's 125th anniversary, as well as a timeline with photos, drawings and historical information, visit https://bit.ly/2PUdETk. See More Collapse The city will plan events throughout the year to recognize the sesquisquicentennial. We have a couple things working, city spokesman Joshua Lee said. The anniversary is in September; so last October we sort of kicked it off by having an artist come in and hand paint a mural on canvas. For now, the work is at the Pearland Convention and Visitors Bureau. Elements from the mural were included in marketing material for the recent Christmas parade. Groups that wish to incorporate the anniversary into their annual events may register with the city at www.visitpearland.com, said Kim Sinistore, the bureaus executive director. The city is also planning a Founders Day event, but details are not complete. Lee said that the festivities will focus on how Pearlands history has influenced its growth. Were adapting to the growing community of Pearland, he said. So, its a good opportunity to look back at where weve come from and plan ahead for where were going. Its amazing to think back 125 years ago of the people who founded this town and to then think 125 years into the future about the people who will be thinking about us. The depot has been repurposed, moved and repurposed again over the years, at one point serving as the local chamber of commerce headquarters. The wooden structure was severely damaged during Hurricane Ike in 2008. In addition to repairs, the restoration project would bring the building to Americans With Disabilities Act standards and add a second building behind the depot that could be used for events such as weddings, meetings, parties, community gatherings and lectures. Preliminary estimates indicate that the cost of the work would be about $900,000, Sinistore said. The bureaus board has been authorized to spend $500,000 toward the project, but the other $400,000, she said, will come from fundraising. Being that this is our 125th year, said Sinistore, the Citizens Depot Committee thought it would be a good time to raise awareness about Pearlands oldest building and work toward those fundraising efforts. The first fundraising project slated is a brick-and-bench sale. Details have not been finalized. For Mark, recognizing the anniversary is a way for the community to show proper respect to the past. The thing that everybody liked about Pearland is that it was small, he said. It had a friendly pace, everybody knew everybody else, and everybody helped everybody else. Those are the memories all of us old-timers have of Pearland, and those are the memories and practices we need to preserve. UPDATE: D'mereay Hogg was a 23-year-old black man who died January 1 from gunshot wounds at 9220 Nathaniel Street, Houston. ORIGINAL STORY: A man was shot and killed Tuesday night behind a southeast Houston convenience store, according to police. The man, in his mid-to-late 30s, was found shot in an alley between an apartment complex and Sunny's Food Store in the 9200 block of Nathaniel Street around 6:40 p.m., police said. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive. Police said the man had an argument with another unknown man just before the shooting. The identity of the slain man and a description of his assailant were not immediately available. Perpetual stargazers and NASA nerds have a few things to look forward to in 2019, including a total lunar eclipse and a glimpse of Mercury that may not come around for another 13 years. The year ended on a high note for NASA scientists on Monday, when they guided a spacecraft to the orbit of Bennu, an asteroid between Earth and Mars. It became the smallest celestial body ever orbited, and scientists hope it will teach them more about where humans come from, according to previous stories in the Chronicle. At least 12 of Glassdoor's 31 companies 'hiring like crazy' this year have openings in Texas. Two companies Rackspace and Smile Brands are looking for employees in San Antonio specifically, according to Glassdoor. Rackspace is a leading provider of IT services looking primarily for engineers. Smile Brands, one of the largest dental organizations in the country, has openings for patient care coordinators, dental assistants, field recruiters, office managers, orthodontists and more. The Liberty County Historical Commission will host Texana Tales from author/historian Donaly Brice and songwriter Fletcher Clark. The presentation will take place at 2 p.m., Saturday, January 12, at Liberty Opry, 1816 Sam Houston Street in Liberty. The program opens with Runaway Scrape, the story of the frenzied flight of Texian civilians before the advancing armies of cruel Santa Anna. Following an intermission, the second half is Songs of Susanna, the saga of Texas heroine Susanna Dickinson, messenger of the Alamo. These histories are brought to life in lecture, song, and verse. Donaly Brice (retired senior archivist for the State Library) imparts learned insight and little-known information. Fletcher Clarks songs and characterizations of the events of Texas Independence bring out the emotionally charged nature of those times. His epic ballad, There Must Be a Good Man in Texas, provides a panoramic tale of Susanna - in itself a microcosm of the emergence of Texas. As a young officer in the Mexican Army, Generalissimo Santa Anna formed his policy and conduct for the Texas Revolution. When it became clear that Texian insurgents were intent upon armed response to Mexican military presence, the Tarnel Decree was invoked against them, branding them as pirates and subject to immediate execution. So Texians who found themselves in a state of rebellion - whether their intent be enforcement of their citizeenship and loyalty to their constitutional government or a desire for total independence from Mexico were soon to realize that Santa Anna intended to show no quarter and spare no measure in his uses of the Tarnel Decree. As the Mexican Army moved north across the Rio Bravo, citizens became alarmed as early as January of 1836 and as far south as San Patricio. The English translation of the Tarnel Decree was then published in New Orleans and in Texas prior to the Battle of the Alamo with Travis and the Battle of Coleto Creek which led to the mass execution of Fannins forces at Goliad. Civilians had begun their flight (in what was characterized as the Sabine Shoot) toward the imagined safety of the United States beyond the Sabine River, while Houston attempted to form a true Texian army in Gonzales. News of the fall of all at the Alamo spurred him to order the burning of Gonzales. News of the massacre and executions at Goliad and the burning of Bastrop further fed the peoples fear. Thus, came the frenzied civilian flight and the ragged military retreat that we know as the Runaway Scrape. Songs of Susanna follow Susanna (nee Wilkerson) in her travels from Tennessee to Gonzales, Texas, with her husband Almeron Dickinson, who would become a fallen hero at the Alamo. As messenger of the Alamo, she carried Santa Annas demand for capitulation to General Sam Houston, who then prepared his Texian army to join in the Runaway Scrape. After victory at San Jacinto, she found herself widowed and penniless with her infant daughter Angelina, babe of the Alamo. Unskilled and illiterate, she would marry three more men in Houston, seeking in vain that husband who would keep her and her daughter happy and secure. Moving to Lockhart, she would marry her fifth husband Joseph Hannig, a young German immigrant half her age. Moving to Austin, Susanna Wilkerson Dickinson Williams Herring Bellows Hannig would become prosperous and respected. She always believed There Must Be a Good Man in Texas, and ultimately for her there was. Now retired from the Texas State Library, Donaly Brice has written or co-written several books on Texas history, including The Great Comanche Raid: Boldest Indian Attack of the Texas Republic, The Governors Hounds: The Texas State Police, 1870-1873, and Texas Ranger N.O. Reynolds, the Intrepid. Texas Rangers: Lives, Legend and Legacy is his latest book for North Texas Press, co-authored with renowned Texas writer Bob Alexander. Donaly has also written a number of historical articles that have been published in The Plum Creek Almanac and The East Texas Historical Journal. He is a member (and recently named Fellow) of the East Texas Historical Association, the West Texas Historical Association, the Southern Historical Association and the Texas State Historical Association (who elected him as a Fellow of that organization in 2010). He has presented papers and given lectures to many historical and genealogical groups throughout the State of Texas. Fletcher Clark is a veteran musician and songwriter from the earliest days of the emerging music scene in Austin and its famed concert hall Armadillo World Headquarters. Moving to Lockhart 10 years ago, he began sharing music with Donaly Brice at their Emmanuel Episcopal Church (oldest west of the Mississippi). Fletcher produces and hosts the monthly series Evenings with the Songwriter at Lockharts historic Dr. Eugene Clark Library exploring the art and craft of guest professional songwriters. The acclaimed series begins its ninth season in 2019. Fletcher has published her Personal Hymnal, Open Up the Doors, and released a CD containing recordings of 12 of the songs. He also composed a complete folk mass, and together these form the basis of his musical ministry which he shares with groups and congregations throughout Texas. Fletchers label Flecha3 Music has released the CD, Songs of Susanna. This collection of 12 songs includes the four chapters of his epic ballad of Susanna recorded as four separate songs, plus other selections written by commission for various ceremonial historical occasions and groups. Celebrated actor/playwright Jason Williams remarked, I can think of no better person to create a musical tribute to the legendary Susanna Dickinson than another notable Texan such as Fletcher Clark. What a perfect fit. Clarks CDs and Brices latest book will be on sale at the presentation. Clark and Brice have brought their program to various Daughters of the Republic of Texas chapters and Historical Commissions across Texas and of course Lockhart and Luling in their home Caldwell County. Celebrated author/historian Chuck Parsons remarked, Once experienced, this program of song and history will not be forgotten. It gives new life to our understanding of our Texas heritage. Clark and Brice working together is indeed a true delight. The Liberty County Historical Commission is pleased to host this event as a special educational event, free admission, for the citizens of Liberty County and surrounding area. Please mark your calendar and arrive early. For more information contact LCHC County Chair, Linda Jamison by email: lchc318@gmail.com or call 936-334-5813. Updated story Jan. 3 A GoFundMe page has been created to help Pagoda's family with funeral expenses. According to the fundraiser page, she was a senior at Klein High School and had "high aspirations of attending a 4-year university and eventually becoming a doctor. She loved traveling back to Honduras to remember her roots where her family came from, and reconnect with old friends and family members." Original story Jan. 2 A Klein ISD student was killed in a crash while she was on holiday break in Honduras, according to media reports and district officials. Mairim Pagoda, 17, was visiting her grandparents Saturday when the SUV she was travelling in crashed into a bridge, KHOU reported. Klein ISD released the following statement: "We are deeply saddened by Mairim's passing and send our sincerest condolences to her family and friends. At this time, the district does not have information about a memorial service or any assistance the family may need. If we receive that information and have the family's permission to share it, we will do so." Oil prices closed higher on the first trading day of 2019 as U.S. equities recovered from early losses and data showed OPEC getting an early start on a promised production cut. Futures picked up where they had left off in a volatile 2018, with global benchmark Brent crude reversing course in the middle of the trading session to end Wednesday up 2.1 percent. West Texas Intermediate oil climbed as well, erasing earlier losses brought on by disappointing manufacturing data out of China. The S&P 500 Index held onto a slight gain, offering a hopeful sign for economic growth. Output from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries fell by the most in almost two years in December, according to a Bloomberg survey of officials, analysts and ship-tracking data. The half-million barrel-a-day reduction began even before a cut that was scheduled to start this month, highlighting the urgency that crude exporters feel to stem a market that's been in freefall. PREVIOUSLY: Oil shrugs into New Year, still waiting for a sign to recover "The cuts are big and will grow," Phil Flynn, a markets analyst at Price Futures Group Inc., said in an email. "It will lead to big draws on supply." Investor's skepticism about OPEC's ability to prevent a surplus this year had helped drive prices to an almost 40 percent decline to end 2018. Traders have worried any cutbacks won't be deep enough to make way for booming supplies from U.S. shale drillers. International trade disputes and interest rate hikes in the U.S. have added to the downdraft facing oil. "We've seen a couple of times where the market's attempted to pick itself up and it seems the selling pressure always returns," said Gene McGillian, market research manager at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. "Until we see more evidence that fundamentals in the market are not as weak as some think, I think we're going to keep feeling that pressure." Crude exports from Saudi Arabia also fell by a half-million barrels a day in December, led by lower flows to the U.S. and China, according to tanker tracking data compiled by Bloomberg, and the United Arab Emirates showed a decline as well. BUCKLE UP: Oils turbulence shows little sign of fading as risks prevail "It looks like they are very much targeting inventory in the U.S., as that affects the high-frequency data that moves traders in or out of the oil market," said Bart Melek, head commodity strategist at TD Securities in Toronto. West Texas Intermediate for February gained $1.13, or 2.5 percent, to $46.54 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange at settlement, recouping an earlier fall to near $44. Total volume traded Wednesday was about 20 percent above the 100-day average. Brent for March settlement rose $1.11 to $54.91 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange, and traded at an $8.05 premium to WTI for the same month. While President Donald Trump made positive noises about reaching a trade deal with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping over the weekend, the Chinese data -- and similar readings from across Asia -- gave a stark example that the showdown is starting to have an impact on economic activity. Trump, meanwhile, kept up his campaign to push prices down, boasting in a tweet Tuesday about low gasoline prices that he likened to a tax cut for consumers. He also signaled he wants to "make a deal" to break a stalemate that's had part of the U.S. government shut for 11 days. --With assistance from Heesu Lee. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council has launched the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie season, celebrating the largest financial investment in girls annually in the United States and a powerful entrepreneurship incubator for the next generation of female leaders. At a time when girls needs and issues collect fewer than eight cents of every dollar granted by philanthropic foundations in the country, each and every Girl Scout Cookie purchase is key to supporting the change-makers of today and tomorrow. Research shows that female-founded start-ups generate more revenue over time and per dollar than male-founded start-ups, but only 17 percent of start-ups are female-founded. Given that over half (53 percent) of female entrepreneurs and business owners are Girl Scout alums, supporting Girl Scouts as they make sales and learn essential business skills is imperative to ensuring our country has a strong workforce and economy. Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls not only discover their inner leadership potential but also use their earnings to power amazing experiences for themselves and their troop, including travel, outdoor adventure, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming. Many girls put the money toward impactful community projects right in their own backyards, from supporting animal shelters and food banks to working with local and state legislators to change laws. And the cookie programs benefits are many; a recent Girl Scout Research Institute study found that two out of three girls who participate in the program learn five crucial skills goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics while doing incredible things for themselves and their communities. The proceeds stay local, meaning that when consumers purchase the delicious cookies that come from a registered Girl Scout only, theyre giving back to their wider community. From donating supplies to a pet shelter to funding for a European adventure, Girl Scouts are doing remarkable things made possible by each and every cookie sale. However, girls cookie proceeds alone arent enough to power the Girl Scout Movement investing in girls is important year-round, not just during cookie season. Without support from the community, donors and our wonderful volunteers, we could not positively impact the more than 53,000 Girl Scouts we serve through our programs, said Mary Vitek, GSSJCs CEO. Whether you can give a few hours, a few weeks or a few months, volunteering with Girl Scouts is flexible and rewarding. When a customer purchases a box of Girl Scout Cookies, they help girls take charge to find solutions to problems in their community and fulfill their dreams of making a difference in the world. GSSJC is celebrating a tasty new way to support young female entrepreneurs with a recently debuted Girl Scout Cookie added to the 2019 lineup: Caramel Chocolate Chip, which joins classics like the Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, and Shortbread varieties. Caramel Chocolate Chip features rich caramel, semisweet chocolate chips, and a hint of sea salt in a chewy gluten-free cookie. The new cookie is offered in select Girl Scout council markets only for as long as supplies last. Girl Scouts of the USA We're 2.6 million strong - 1.8 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader) to change the world. Chartered by GSUSA to provide Girl Scouting locally, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, a United Way agency, is one of the largest Girl Scout councils in the country serving more than 53,000 girl members and 17,000 adults in 26 southeast Texas counties. For more information, call 1-800-392-4340 or visit www.gssjc.org. See More Collapse Additionally, Girl Scouts who participate in the cookie program this season will have the opportunity to win the Cookie Entrepreneur Experience of a lifetime featuring the DC Super Hero Girls by entering the Cookie Pro contest. GSUSA has teamed up with DC Super Hero Girls to inspire Girl Scouts to be smart and courageous just like everyday super heroes. The contest will highlight and reward exceptional cookie bosses who take the lead, set high goals for themselves, bring positive change to their communities, and learn valuable entrepreneurial skills. To learn more about the contest and to enter, visit www.girlscouts.org/cookiepro . To find Girl Scouts selling cookies near you, visit www.girlscoutcookies.org or use the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app, free on iOS and Android devices. On Monday, CNN's anchors and correspondents engaged in what has become an annual tradition for the network on New Year's Eve: drinking on air. CNN's Anderson Cooper, Don Lemon, Brooke Baldwin and Randi Kaye spent the night drinking shots, champagne and vodka-sodas and encouraging viewers at home to join them, highlights of which you can see in the video above. When Canino Produce Co. opened on Airline Drive in the late 1950s, farmers from in and around Houston would truck in bushels of freshly picked produce to sell to Caninos, one of the oldest businesses in the Greater Heights-area farmers market. Today most of those farms are gone, and after some 60 years, the owners of Caninos are, too, ready to call it a day. The open-air store is expected to close on Jan. 21. Sales are down and our overhead is staying the same, said co-owner Bill Canino, 70. Its not worth fighting it anymore. Caninos departure is part of broader changes at the farmers market, following the acquisition of the nearly 18-acre property in May by MLB Capital Partners. The Houston developer plans to transform the market into a high-end retail destination with local fishmongers, dairy makers and bakers operating in air-conditioned buildings alongside an open-air produce pavilion. The groups plans include adding as much as 60,000 square feet of new space. Today the market is a jumble of aging structures, warehouses and stalls. Caninos operates in an old wooden building that would need to be demolished before the developer begins to build around it. Caninos leases about 10,000 square feet of space among some 80 retail and wholesale produce purveyors. Bill Canino, who started working at his familys store at the age of 10, had thought about shuttering the family-run business for the past few years. He said hes not closing because of the developers plans. LISTEN: Will the Heights farmers market get hipsterized? Everything they have planned is for the greater good to turn it back into a highlight of the Heights it used to be, he said. Its just time for us to go, and theres just nobody to turn it over to. MLB Capital Partners has hired a slate of architects, engineers and consultants to reimagine the market as a place where Houstonians would go for wine tastings and chef demonstrations. They said they wanted it to become a better place to visit, while maintaining its quirky, neighborhood culture. The goal is not to homogenize it, but make it flow a little better and have a diversity of offerings, landscape architect Sheila Condon, one of the consultants, said at the time. The developer had hoped to start on the improvements last spring, but delays in the citys permitting office because of the burst of rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey slowed things down. Weve been back and forth with the planning department, said Todd Mason, MLB managing partner. Its a fairly normal review process, but unfortunately because of all the Harvey applications, it has taken a lot longer than it needed to. WATCH: Owner unveils visions for Heights farmers market Mason said he always hoped Caninos would stay or the owners would sell the business to another operator. Caninos brother-in-law, Lawrence Pilkinton, expressed frustration this week over the plans to remake the property. He said the new owners wanted Caninos to move into a tent in the parking lot while they constructed a new building. And while Caninos rent hasnt gone up, Pilkinton imagines it would have. The economics of the business were already strained. The farmers market started in 1942 as a co-op of local farmers. It incorporated in the late 1980s, and its shareholders were the original farmers or their descendants. Most of the local and regional farms that used to sell there are no longer around. Over time, the market became a place where produce was shipped and trucked in from places such as Mexico, as it is to grocery stores. The property, however, has skyrocketed in value. It was appraised at $11.8 at the beginning of 2018 by Harris County, up 66 percent from 2014, when the value was $7.1 million. Mason said the market and warehouse space is 100 percent leased. His company has increased rent for some of the warehouse space, but not for retail operations. Other retailers have expressed interest in taking Caninos space. Mason said it may be re-leased in the short term, but nothing is certain. Caninos fronts Airline Drive, so many people assume it takes up the entire market. But the store only occupies about 5 percent of the property. They just have the front door that everyone sees, Mason said. The farmers market is not closing. nancy.sarnoff@chron.com twitter.com/nsarnoff Russias oil production reached a post-Soviet high last year even as it coordinated supply with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Output averaged 11.16 million barrels a day, up 1.6 percent from 2017, according to preliminary data from the Energy Ministrys CDU-TEK unit. That compares with an all-time high of 11.416 million barrels a day in 1987, BP Plc figures show. During the first half of last year, Russian volumes were capped as part of an agreement with OPEC to support prices. But after the market rebounded, the producers rolled back their cuts, with Russia rapidly raising output to reach 11.45 million barrels a day in December. RELATED: Oil shrugs into New Year, still waiting for a sign to recover Russia was the clear winner from that deal, said Dmitry Marinchenko, oil and gas director at Fitch Ratings. It got billions of rubles in extra oil revenues -- and the country didnt even sacrifice much of its crude production in return. Now that fresh cuts by the so-called OPEC+ coalition are planned for the first half of 2019 -- with Russia agreeing to remove 228,000 barrels a day -- the government aims to repeat that success, according to Marinchenko. The country expects its total oil output to hold steady over the full year as producers recoup first-half losses in the latter part of the year, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said last week. Unlike his counterparts in OPEC, Novak currently sees no need to extend or deepen the agreed cuts, saying the effects of the deal on market balance will be visible as soon as January or February. WILD RIDE: Oils turbulence shows little sign of fading as risks prevail Even so, fears of a resurgent global glut -- fueled by Americas surprise waivers for buyers of Iranian oil and by booming U.S. production -- could make the cooperation less favorable for Russia this time around. OPEC and its allies will probably need to extend their output-cut deal beyond the first half, Marinchenko said. If they need to sacrifice some of their barrels for the sake of stability, they will do it. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. There were no injuries when a series of oil tanks caught fire overnight near a Noble Energy well site in West Texas' booming Permian Basin. Three oil production tanks went ablaze at about 3:45 a.m. Wednesday in Reeves County. The emergency shutdown system from the well feeding the tanks was activated. The Reeves County Fire Department responded and secured the area. Halliburton Chief Executive Jeff Miller is now the chairman as well after the executive chair and former CEO, Dave Lesar, retired at the end of the year. Miller has served as the CEO of the Houston-based oilfield services firm for 18 months, but Lesar maintained the chairman position through 2018 as part of the leadership transition process. The growth of the Gulf Coasts liquefied natural gas industry is set to accelerate in 2019 as at least three major projects are expected to get the go-ahead from developers. Those projects include a sixth processing unit, called Train 6, at Cheniere Energys Sabine Pass complex in Louisiana; Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture of Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips and Qatar Petroleum, on the Texas side of Sabine Pass; and Calescieu Pass LNG in southwestern Louisiana, developed by Venture Global of Arlington, Va. Within the next six months, developers behind each project are expected to make final investment decisions that would inject a combined $20 billion into the region over the next four years, according to the energy research firm Wood Mackenzie. At least two other Gulf Coast projects could receive final investment decisions later in 2019, according to Wood Mackenzie. They are Driftwood LNG, a project south of Lake Charles being developed by the Houston company Tellurian, and a fourth natural gas liquefaction plant at the Quintana Island project of Freeport LNG of Houston. North America is set to lead an expected record year for LNG project sanctions, said Alex Munton, principal analyst, Americas LNG, at Wood Mackenzie in a statement. The first half of 2019 will be an especially busy one for the U.S. MILESTONE: Texas now an exporter of LNG And more are coming. Other projects that recently won federal approval and are likely to get final investment decisions in the coming months include Houston-based Delfin LNGs terminal in the Gulf of Mexico, and two separate projects in Lake Charles, La., from Energy Transfer of Dallas and Canadian company LNG Limited. Developers are racing to build LNG export terminals to capture growing demand from Asian countries shifting from coal to cleaner-burning natural gas. In North America, the Gulf Coast is at the center of the action as companies tap into vast natural gas supplies in Texas. Houstons Cheniere Energy became the first company to export LNG from the lower 48 in 2016 from its Sabine Pass complex. It recently began shipping LNG from its terminal near Corpus Christi. Dominion Energy of Richmond, Va., began exporting LNG from Maryland last year. The Houston pipeline company Kinder Morgan, which is completing a terminal in Georgia, and Freeport LNG are expected to start exporting LNG this year. The flurry of activity has the United States on track to become the third largest exporter of LNG in the world, behind Australia and Qatar, according to the Energy Department. Related: U.S. export capacity to more than double by end of 2019 LNG investment has sprung back to life after a lull in 2018, due to increased activity from buyers willing to sign long-term contracts, Wood Mackenzies report found. Since September, Cheniere, Venture Global, Tellurian, Freeport and Sempra Energy of San Diego, which is developing an LNG project in Port Arthur, all announced long-term agreements with buyers. Between September and late December, 13 million metric tons per a year in sales were announced, Wood Mackenzie said. LNG Deal: Tellurians plan for a $15 million LNG terminal advancing Even with all those projects coming online, supplies of LNG might still tighten in the coming years as Asian countries reduce their reliance on coal, according to another report from the Norwegian research firm Rystad Energy. That could be why buyers are increasingly signing longer contracts, Rystad said. Rystad analyzed long-term contracts signed in 2018 and found that the average duration of the contracts has increased, suggesting that LNG buyers are less confident they can secure all the LNG they need in the spot market. The large established Asian buyers such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China will continue to rely on long-term contracts to ensure security of supply, said Sindre Knutsson, senior analyst on Rystad Energys Markets team. Two Coasts: Sempra Energy progresses with Gulf Coast, West Coast projects Rystad forecasts that the market will tighten significantly in 2022 or 2023 and suggests a heightened risk of LNG shortages after then. Wood Mackenzie estimates that spot market demand for LNG among the top buyers of LNG globally could quadruple by 2030. And in the race to capture that new demand, the Gulf Coast is likely to emerge as a top contender. marissa.luck@chron.com twitter.com/marissaluck7 Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify that Cheniere Energy was the first to export LNG from the lower 48 states . The first liquefied natural gas exports from the U.S. were actually out of ConocoPhillips facility in Alaska in 1969, but Cheniere Energy was the first to export from the lower 48 and lead the modern LNG export boom. Romney blasts Trump in stinging editorial: President has 'not risen to the mantle of his office' Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential candidate, has launched an excoriating attack on President Donald Trump in an opinion piece for the Washington Post. In a sign of how unhappiness with Trump's performance is increasing among senior Republicans, Romney still regarded as a potential challenger for the highest US office says Trump has 'not risen to the mantle of the office'. December marked a 'deep descent', he says, citing the departures of senior staff and the 'abandonment' of US allies. Romney, who will be sworn in tomorrow as senator for Utah, gives credit to Trump for some of his trade policies, his reform of criminal justice and his appointment of conservative justices. However, he says a president should 'demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect'. Trump's 'shortfall' in this area has been 'glaring', he says. Romney points to the 'dismay' caused around the world by Trump's words and actions, citing polls showing confidence that he would do the right thing in world affairs had fallen from 84 per cent to only 16 per cent in Germany, Britain, France, Canada and Sweden. He mourns the lack of American leadership, calling for 'the highest office once again acting to inspire and unite us'. He said: 'I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions.' Romney concluded with an expression of optimism about the future for the US, saying: 'The people of this great land will eschew the politics of anger and fear if they are summoned to the responsibility by leaders in homes, in churches, in schools, in businesses, in government who raise our sights and respect the dignity of every child of God the ideal that is the essence of America.' Persecution of Christians is 'set to rise' in 2019 Release International has warned that the persecution of Christians worldwide is set to rise in 2019. The charity has welcomed a review of Christian persecution ordered by Britain's foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt and led by the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen. Its chief executive Paul Robinson said there was a 'worrying upward trend' in persecution and backed calls for the UK to do more to 'support the suffering church worldwide'. Release said its partners support the view that persecution is rising and have warned the trend will continue into 2019. Among the countries it names as of particular concern for 2019 are Nigeria, India and China. In Nigeria Fulani militants are set to continue devastating attacks against Christians in the north and centre of the country. In the first six months of 2018 alone, they killed up to 6,000 people and drove 50,000 from their homes. A Release partner said: 'The escalation in killing is very clear. There is a deliberate plan to destroy and take over the predominantly Christian communities in the region.' In China there has been a sharp increase in government opposition to religion, including Christianity. Tough new rules, which came into effect in 2018, have banned children and young people from church meetings. In some areas, house churches unwilling to come under state control have split down in order to survive. China has been continuing a policy of removing Christian symbols and closing churches. Increasingly, they are targeting the larger unregistered house churches. A Release partner believes they have been emboldened to close these higher profile churches by the lack of opposition from the West. 'The government wants to reduce Christianity to just a minor activity by unimportant older people,' the partner said. Up to a million Uighur Muslims are believed to be detained in Chinese 're-education' camps. In India, attacks against Christians by Hindu nationalists are on the rise. Violent mobs have broken up prayer meetings, several states have passed laws prohibiting so-called forced conversion (effectively outlawing all evangelism), and pastors have been attacked. Other countries of specific concern for 2019 include North Korea, Eritrea and Pakistan, where Christian Asia Bibi is still not free to leave, despite being acquitted of blasphemy. New York's third gender birth certificates come into effect New York City residents who do not identify as male or female can now opt for a third gender on their birth certificates. Under new rules that came into effect on New Year's Day, New Yorkers can choose 'X' instead of the traditional male or female. The new law was approved by the New York City Council and Board of Health last September. The revision also makes it easier for transgender people to change their gender as it removes the requirement for a doctor's note or health care provider's affidavit. New York City's Democrat mayor Bill de Blasio said at the time that the change would 'allow transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers to live with the dignity and respect they deserve'. Residents of New Jersey, California, Washington, and Oregon can already choose 'X' on their birth certificates, while Washington DC permits the designation on driver's licenses. The change came into effect on the same day as Germany introduced a new 'diverse' option for intersex people. The new law, passed last month, requires that people who want to identify as 'diverse' on official documents provide a doctor's certificate. Until now, people who did not identify as male or female had to leave the gender category blank. The law was changed after Germany's Federal Constitutional Court told the government it must either introduce a third gender category option or drop gender entries from official documents altogether. Intersex people are born with sexual characteristics that are not typically male or female. According to the UN, up to 1.7 per cent of the world's population may be intersex. Holy Rumpus: New partnership for CMS pioneer mission programme Church Mission Society and the Church of England's Bath and Wells Diocese are joining forces to launch a new regional hub, known locally as Holy Rumpus, to train lay people in pioneering mission. Holy Rumpus will offer the CMS Certificate in Pioneer Mission and is for people looking to develop their understanding and practice of pioneering mission. Study will be based around six modules: What is pioneer mission?, Reading the Bible for Context, Doing Theology, Mission Spirituality, Mission Ecclesiology and Pioneering in the Rural Church. The initiative is part of CMS's growing network of training hubs for lay pioneers which began with the St Cedd Centre for Pioneer Mission in the Diocese of Chelmsford. Pioneer mission workers are encouraged to explore unconventional ways of connecting with unchurched people. One practitioner is Emma Moreton, who has opened a hat shop in Battle, East Sussex, and creates tailored outfits for steampunks, goths and the alternative community, building relationships and sparking conversations with people who are unlikely to be in a church. Tina Hodgett, pioneer and evangelism team leader, said: 'At Bath and Wells we are looking for explorers and dreamers who want to follow their God-given dreams to reality; those who can see the culture gap between the church and the local community context and want to help bridge it.' The first Holy Rumpus CMS pioneer leadership course starts in May 2019; a 'taster day' has been arranged for February 2. Evangelical-backed Brazilian president takes aim at political correctness, gun control, environment Brazil's newly inaugurated President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday his election had freed the country from 'socialism and political correctnes' and he vowed to tackle corruption, crime and economic mismanagement in Latin America's largest nation. Bolsonaro, a former army captain turned lawmaker who openly admires Brazil's 1964-1985 military dictatorship, promised in his first remarks as president to adhere to democratic norms, after his tirades against the media and political opponents had stirred unease. While investors hope Bolsonaro's free-market stance will reinvigorate Brazil's economy the eighth largest in the world environmentalists and rights groups are worried he will roll back protections for the Amazon rain forest and loosen gun controls in a country that already has the world's highest number of murders. 'This is the beginning of Brazil's liberation from socialism, political correctness and a bloated state,' Bolsonaro, 63, said in an address to the nation made after he donned the presidential sash. A seven-term congressman who spent decades on the fringes of Brazilian politics, Bolsonaro was swept to power in October by voters' outrage with traditional political parties, making him Brazil's first right-wing president since the dictatorship. Voters punished mainstream parties following more than four years of graft investigations that laid bare the largest political corruption scheme ever discovered. Centrist parties were trounced, reshaping Brazil's political landscape and polarizing Congress. Following a knife attack during the presidential campaign that left Bolsonaro hospitalized for weeks, security was tight for his inauguration. Some 10,000 police officers and soldiers were deployed on the streets of Brasilia, the capital, as Bolsonaro and his wife rode in an open-topped Rolls-Royce to Congress. His voters are now impatient for Bolsonaro to make good on ambitious promises to tackle graft and violent crime and revive an economy still sputtering after the collapse of a commodities boom led to Brazil's worst recession on record. As thousands of supporters, many with the Brazilian flag draped around their shoulders, chanted 'The captain has arrived!', Bolsonaro launched into a fiery speech. 'We have the great challenge of taking on the effects of an economic crisis, of facing the distortion of human rights and the breakdown of the family,' he said. 'We must urgently end ideologies that defend criminals and penalise police.' Conservative agenda Bolsonaro, who was sworn in before a joint session of Congress, called on lawmakers to help him 'free the nation definitively from the yoke of corruption, crime, economic irresponsibility and ideological submission'. On the economic front, the new leader promised to open foreign markets for Brazil and enact reforms to reduce a yawning budget deficit, putting government accounts on a sustainable path. Bolsonaro plans to realign Brazil internationally, moving away from developing-nation allies and closer to the policies of Western leaders, particularly US president Donald Trump, who sent secretary of state Mike Pompeo to his inauguration. Trump congratulated Bolsonaro in a Twitter message, writing 'The USA is with you.' As a clear sign of that diplomatic shift, Bolsonaro plans to move the Brazilian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with Brazil's traditional support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian issue. Backed massively by conservative sectors of Brazil, including Christian evangelical churches, Bolsonaro would block moves to legalise abortion beyond even the current limited exceptions and remove sex education from public schools, opposing what he calls 'cultural Marxism' introduced by recent leftist governments. One-third of his Cabinet are former army officers, mostly fellow cadets at the Black Needles academy, Brazil's West Point, all outspoken backers of the former military regime. Bolsonaro has faced charges of inciting rape and for hate crimes because of comments about women, gays and racial minorities. Yet his law-and-order rhetoric and plans to ease gun controls have resonated with many voters, especially in Brazil's booming farm country. Tackle 'Brazil cost' In an interview with Record TV on the eve of his inauguration, Bolsonaro lashed out at Brazil's notorious bureaucracy, which makes doing business difficult and expensive. He vowed to strip away the so-called 'Brazil Cost' that hamstrings private enterprise. 'The government machine is really heavy,' he said. 'There are hundreds of bureaucratic governing bodies across Brazil, of regulators as well. ... We have to untangle the mess.' Bolsonaro's vow to follow Trump's example and pull Brazil out of the Paris climate change agreement has worried environmentalists. So have his plans to build hydroelectric dams in the Amazon and open up to mining the reservations of indigenous peoples who are seen as the last custodians of the world's biggest forest. Brazilian businesses are eager to see Bolsonaro take office and install a team of orthodox economists led by investment banker Paulo Guedes, who has promised quick action in bringing Brazil's unsustainable budget deficit under control. Guedes plans to sell as many state companies as possible in a privatisation drive that he forecasts could eventually bring in up to 1 trillion reais (202.3 billion). That would help restore order to government finances. The key measure, however, for reducing the deficit and stopping a dangerous rise of Brazil's public debt will be the overhaul of the costly social security system. Pension reform will be Bolsonaro's biggest challenge since he has yet to build a base in Congress, where he has eschewed the political horse-trading that traditionally helped Brazilian presidents govern the nation of nearly 210 million people. Catholic Church in NSW loses 'Ellis defence' against child abuse claims Victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic clergy in New South Wales are now able to sue the Church after the abolition of the state's notorious 'Ellis defence'. Passed in October, the new legislation came into effect yesterday. It allows individuals to sue unincorporated organisations, including churches, overturning a legal precedent that said they had no legal status as they did not technically exist. The precedent was set when the Church won a case brought against it by a former altar boy, John Ellis, who was sexually abused by a priest at the age of 13. The 'Ellis defence' was used by the Church to shut down claims against it. Now, however, an institution must identify a defendant with 'sufficient assets' to pay a victim's claim in the event of its success. The change in the law is retrospective, potentially opening the way to many survivors bringing cases. The move was among those recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse. NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman said in a statement: 'We are changing the power balance so survivors can hold institutions accountable for horrific abuse and move forward with their recovery.' Before the change, the Church had paid compensation to victims under the 'Melbourne Response Program' devised by Cardinal George Pell himself since found guilty of sexual offences against two boys in the 1990s, though he is expected to appeal the verdict. Payments were capped at $75,000, with an average payout of $46,000; according to The Age, cases settled after victims had obtained legal representation secured an average payout of $270,000. Pell said in 2013 that he had 'tried to be prudent with money, but my record shows that I have acted compatibly with the general standards of the community and I have tried to be generous'. Anger: Why it's an underrated Christian virtue It's been a funny old year, and not, in terms of public discourse, a very happy or edifying one. In the UK, Brexit turned toxic. In Hungary, Victor Orban's flag-and-faith government was accused of legalising slavery, and in Brazil, evangelical-backed Jair Bolsonaro was elected to begin his programme of cutting down rainforests. In the US, Donald Trump. It's not only politics where the atmosphere is horrible. The mother of all religious rows, between Moscow and Constantinople over Ukraine, is escalating. There is naked hostility between various Anglican factions over sexuality, and pro- and anti-Francis Catholics are fighting like cats in a sack. And Christian leaders raised their voices, unsurprisingly, to call for more civility, politeness and general niceness. Pope Francis appealed for peace and unity. So did the Archbishop of Canterbury and various other bishops. Not a religious leader but a person of stature, senior Republican Mitt Romney had a tilt at Trump, saying he had failed to 'elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect' (Trump tweeted back, 'Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not... I won big, and he didn't.'). Well, we know what they mean. To take Brexit as a case in point, there's a nastiness about the national conversation that is at times quite startling. Everyone has an opinion, and very few of us are capable of seeing much good in the other side's. Brexiters are racist Little Englanders nostalgic for the great days of Empire. Remainers are traitorous metropolitan elitists intent on overthrowing the Will of the People. Neither of these views is generally accurate, though they are epitomised often enough to make either credible. What the proponents of niceness fail to grasp, though, is the power of passion. And what they risk encouraging is a vapid, lowest-common-denominator politeness that fails to challenge and change deep and abiding evils. I'm appalled by the blinkered and reactive hostility that characterises not just the Brexit debate but many others too. I'm not overly sensitive, but I always block or mute tweeters who use foul language. I can't really do that with everyone whose hatred oozes from every sentence they write; my Twitter feed would be empty. All too many of them cross the line from opposition to an idea to loathing of the person who expresses it, and that's wrong. And yet: there is no point in trying to separate out ideas from individuality, as though the great questions of our time can be discussed as frigidly as a maths problem. Our commitments religious and political come from who we are. They aren't just abstractions based on calculations, they are expressions based on personality. We think we have good reasons for what we say and think, and we may well do. But we mustn't imagine that those reasons account for what we believe. If they did, we wouldn't see two people, presented with exactly the same data, arrive at completely different conclusions and that is exactly what we do see. In that light, appeals for niceness cut no ice. What they say is that contrary opinions don't matter and that therefore, we ourselves don't matter. We are not important enough to be angry with, and neither are our opponents. But this is to dishonour convictions that spring not just from the mind but from the heart. They can shape the world for good or ill, and if the best lack all conviction while the worst are full of passionate intensity, we will end up with the worst. In Christian terms, what's needed is not calmness and sweet reason, but a passionate intensity that's formed by slow and patient discipleship. There's no short cut. The process of having our secular prejudices challenged and reformed so that we pre-judge Christianly is life-long. We are always being reformed. What Christianity has to offer to politics and politicians is, in general, character rather than policies. Discipleship is a process whereby our hearts are reshaped after the heart of Jesus whose heart was full of compassion for the lost, and of passionate outrage at the powers of darkness that oppressed them. There's plenty in this world to be passionate about. If I were American, I would be outraged by much of what Donald Trump says and does. As a Brit, I am outraged by Brexit. In either case, I might be wrong; but I hope my heart would be right. I would care enough to be angry, because these things matter though I hope that in my anger I would not sin (Ephesians 4:26). But I don't want to be nice, about the crying injustices in the world today. As the poet Lucy Berry says: 'Passionless fists smash no walls./ No slaves are freed in languor./ No man-made stone is rolled back/ Except by love. And with anger.' Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods Kurds feel betrayed by US withdrawal from Syria, may move closer to Russia, Iran, Syria They are also banking on France and its small presence in Syria to bolster the Kurds against a possible Turkish attack. Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment (JNS) The Kurds in eastern Syria are in panic mode after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that an estimated 2,000 soldiers would soon be removed from the country. Many Kurds feel betrayed by the U.S, Kamal Sido, a Syrian Kurd who works at the Middle East desk for the Society for Threatened Peoples, a German human-rights NGO, told JNS. The Kurds and other ethnic groups are very afraid of the Turkish military and Syrian Islamists. He said, The Kurds must decide between total annihilation by Turkey or the [Bashar] Assad dictatorship, implying that the Kurds would choose Assad. Perhaps their worry is exaggerated, but it has for the time being led the Kurds to quickly consolidate their relations with the Russia-Iran-Syria axis in order to counter the threat from a coming Turkish military operation, along with their Syrian rebel allies. Kurdish officials went to Moscow last week and plan to return, hoping Russia will push Damascus to fulfill its sovereign duty, a top Kurdish politician Aldar Xelil told Reuters. Our contacts with Russia, and the [Syrian] regime, are to look for clear mechanisms to protect the northern border, said Xelil. The Kurds are also banking on France and its small presence in Syria to bolster them against a possible Turkish attack. Gallia Lindenstrauss, an expert on Turkey and research fellow at the INSS think tank in Israel, told JNS that American forces did deter Turkey from operating in the areas in which they were deployed in Syria. It was not so much the number of soldiers, but the fact that there was a fear of accidentally harming them. There was also American control of the airspace, which would have forced the Turks to fight a ground operation without air support if they had chosen to attack, she said. Asked about the Kurdish perspective, Lindenstrauss responded that the main Kurdish force in Syria, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), clearly feels betrayed. She added that from a regional perspective, this is another major setback for the Kurds after the United States failed to support the Kurdish referendum for independence in northern Iraq. I dont see Trump offering the YPG any protection, and the YPG now has a dilemma over whether to approach the Syrian regime and Russia to reach understandings, which will require major concessions that would limit the level of autonomy in Kurdish regions, said Lindenstrauss. However, such concessions may be necessary to counterbalance the coming Turkish incursion, she added. As for Turkey, the Israeli expert does not see Ankara backing down from its plans for a major operation in Syria, which could be countered if the Syrian regime and its allies back up the Kurdish YPG forces. National destruction of Kurdish culture, identity Ari Aram, editor of the Kurdish news website Ekurd.net, told JNS that the Kurds feel abandoned; it is a big difference not having U.S. forces in Syrian Kurdistan. First, he explained that psychologically, when U.S. forces treat a people as a friend and ally, it has a huge emotional impact on the general mood and atmosphere of accompanying fighters. Furthermore, Aram continued, the Kurds get advice, intelligence information and logistics from Americaall of which play an important role in the fight against Islamic terrorists. Asked if he would expect the U.S. Air Force to protect the Kurds if Turkey attacks them, Aram dismissed the idea, adding that the U.S. ground forces had prevented Turkey from entering the area. Now the Kurds must face the giant Turkish army and its advanced machinery with well-trained fighters, he said. The editor went on to say that the Syrian Kurds have no friends around, and Iraqi Kurds are led by the pro-Turkish Barzani family, which has created a pro-Barzani and Turkey-financed Kurdish Rojava forces. Sido, who periodically travels to Syria, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan anticipates the national destruction of the Kurdish language, culture and identity, and other minorities. The Kurdish forces in Syria have no chance of winning a war against the Turkish army, he emphasized, and thus are in need of immediate aid. Originally posted at JNS.org. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment From all of us at BreakPoint and the Colson Center, Happy New Year! Here are some issues and trends to watch for this coming year. Well, 2018 is in the rear-view mirror, but the issues and challenges it brought are still very much with us. Though the last thing you might want to hear about on New Years Day is that not much has changed, its kind of true. Especially for Christians who are serious about understanding and engaging the culture, here are four issues that merit special attention. The first is the ongoing and intensifying conflict between LGBT rights and religious freedom, especially here in the U.S. Even as I write this, U.S. Senator Mike Lee is holding up the re-nomination of Chai Feldblum to head the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Lees reason is simple: Feldblum has been crystal clear that, in her mind, theres not a single scenario where religious freedom should prevail over LGBT rights. Even if Feldblums nomination fails, Jack Phillips still faces new charges of discrimination by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, and rumor has it that Nancy Pelosi may push forward the Equality Act in the House this year. And thats just the beginning. In fact, 2019 might be the year Christians ought to get serious about developing that theology of getting fired. That is, its time for us to decide when losing our jobs and livelihoods for refusing to go along with the new sexual orthodoxy is exactly what Jesus expects of us. And as challenging as things are at home, the story abroad is orders of magnitude worse. This is the second trend to watch for in 2019. China has declared war on both its Christian and Muslim populations. As of this writing, its not clear when, if ever, Asia Bibi will be allowed to leave Pakistan, even as Islamist radicals continue to hunt her and her family down. And thousands of Nigerian Christians have been slaughtered by Muslim herdsmen. These are just a few examples why 2018, like 2017 and 2016 before it, is the worst year on record for religious persecution around the world. Another area of culture that bears close watching, and needs a lot of clarity and prayer, has to do with bioethics. The recent news out of China about a researcher using CRISPR gene-editing to genetically modify embryos prior to implantation has raised alarms, although, as I recently told you, no one should be surprised. Human beings find the temptation to play god irresistible. And were currently on a new chapter in the onward march of our Culture of Death. Im talking about physician-assisted suicide, which is now legal in seven states and the District of Columbia. Currently, theres a campaign to add Maine to that list. Fourth and finally, and because of all of these other things already mentioned, well face the challenge of needing to clarify where our loyalties ultimately lie, especially when it comes to politics. Of course, on many issues, Christians align much better with one side than with the other. Even so, Christians do not ultimately belong to the right or the left. The beginning of a New Year is a great time to clarify in our minds that ultimately we belong to a Who not a what. These are challenging times, and I want you to know that the Colson Center is committed and poised to help you navigate these cultural waters. First, you can expect for BreakPoint, and our one-minute daily commentary The Point, to provide the best analysis of cultural events from a Christian worldview. Second, our improved and expanded podcast offerings will help you dive deeper into the pressing topics with leading Christian thinkers, authors, and doers. This is great to download for your daily commute or exercise routine. Third, our immensely popular short courses will be back in 2019five of themwith courses on topics like C.S. Lewis, the idols of our age, secularism, and the case for Christ. Stay tuned as we confirm dates and speakers. And of course, well gather in May for our annual Wilberforce Weekend with outstanding speakers like Rick Warren, scientist John Lennox, North Carolina Lt. Governor Dan Forest, Michael Card, Andrew Peterson, Star Parker and more. All these folks will help us answer the question, Is Christianity Still Good for the World? Details are at WilberforceWeekend.org. Look, 2019 will be challenging. But like those whove gone before us, we have to face the culture with clarity, courage, and compassion. Resources BreakPoint podcast Wilberforce Weekend registration Originally posted at Breakpoint. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A couple of days ago, Ed Krassenstein posted the following tweet decrying the widespread support among American (evangelical) Christians for Donald Trumps divisive and xenophobic rhetoric against immigrants and refugees: Jesus Christ would tear down a wall, and give immigrants the shirt off of his back. Im Jewish and I know this. What the hell has happened to Christianity in America? This prompted me to tweet the following reply: Go back a few decades and youll see that many Christians were supportive of segregation: Christianity Today published an article supporting it in the 1950s. And progressives like Reinhold Niehbuhr were SILENT on lynching. From that view, the Trumpists are a return to form. My tweet prompted a reply from an individual named Eric. While Eric denies that he is a supporter of Donald Trump, he clearly does support Trumps stance on the border and immigration. And with that, an extended exchange began. In our exchange, I focused on Trumps policy of separating children from their parents as a deterrent both to illegal immigrants and would-be refugees making legally valid claims for asylum on the southern border. This policy, as I pointed out, violates Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Here is the relevant excerpt from that convention: States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. (emphasis added) Both Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions have explicitly stated that the Trump administration policy of separating parents from their children was intended not for the welfare of the child but rather as a deterrent. For that reason, the policy violates Article 9. And lest we think this is merely a matter of violating a UN convention, the real issue of moral concern is the ensuing trauma to children (and parents) that results from this policy. In my view, this policy of child separation exemplifies the kind of issue that should be a matter of Christian moral concern. Christians should be speaking out to denounce this policy in the public square. But did Eric agree? Here is our Twitter conversation beginning with Erics criticism of my original tweet. (Please note that I have left errata in the text uncorrected.) Eric: Big differencesegregation was immoral. Illegal immigration is about laws. Christians that were for segregation were wrong but how can Christians that are for boarder safety be in the wrong? There is a difference between what we do as a Christian and what a country does. RR: Everyones for border safety. As for the many things Trump does which violate Christian conviction, start with his hateful rhetoric against refugees (e.g. spreading leprosy?!) and his administrations violation of article 9 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. And of course, Christians who supported slavery, lynching, segregation, Jim Crow laws, etc. all had their rationalizations. Eric: Agree with you about his rhetoric and Im not a support of his but I am for making sure that our country secures it borders. And I disagree with you that everyone wants border safety bc if that were true we would have better measures to keep out illegal immigrants. RR: You think Jesus would support Trump separating refugee children as young as 9 months old from their parents as a way to deter further refugees? Eric: Thats an absurd question. RR: Thats a lame answer. Eric: Come with better intellectual questions. Jesus calls us to be the light in the world. I dont think he would be dictating governmental policy. He calls us to be the ones making a differencenot government. RR: Are you claiming that Christian conviction has nothing to say about the law and conduct of government? I hope not, because that would be an absurd position. Conversely, if you recognize that Christian conviction does have something to say, why deny it in this case? Eric: No Im stating that it is US, not the government, that should be the ones helping those in need. Jesus would be more concerned with the people not the policy. When we vote we definitely vote our Christian convictions but more importantly is what YOU do in your home and community. RR: Thats a false dichotomy. God calls all creatures & institutions to behave rightly, including governments (Rom. 13). Furthermore, Im not talking about helping, per se. Im talking about an intentional policy of family separation that is doing enormous harm. What would Jesus say? Put it this way: if the US government was shooting refugee children at the border, would you give the same response? Or would you speak out? The latter, I hope. But then why not speak out in this case where the action, even if not equivalent to murder, is still clearly immoral? Eric: I speak out against our government with my vote all the time. I vote against all pro-abortion candidates. RR: But you dont speak for the separation of refugee children from their parents? Why? Eric: You cant morally equate abortion and illegal immigration. For me, saving the life of an unborn child is more important then illegal immigrants having their children removed from them. Im not saying that it is right but when picking between the two, I pick life. RR: I see, so you only start caring when the child is killed? Being separated from their parents for weeks or months and suffering years of trauma and developmental delay as a result isnt bad enough for you to care? Eric: Well Im a foster dad so I care a lot about the children both unborn and born. In politics one party is prolife and thats how I vote. I care about these children but their parents know the laws and what happens when they break them. RR: Im sure you would care if you were separated from your children. I think its tragic that you seem not to care that the US government is violating international law and Christian ethics by separating refugee children from their parents. Eric: I find it interesting that you are trying to paint me out to be an uncaring person. Why do you feel the need to attack my character? RR: I think youre morally inconsistent and the reasons are plain: You care about fetuses & the well being of American children but you dont care when the USA government separates vulnerable refugee children from their parents. So I challenged you to expand your moral sphere. Eric: Well its a good thing I care more about what Jesus thinks about my morals. He knows my heart on both issues. Im pretty sure that Jesus wouldnt attack someones character like you have but unfortunately we live in a day in age that social media draws out the worst. RR: You oppose legislation that allows the termination of fetuses but youre silent on the punitive practice of separating refugee children from their parents? And you dont think Jesus would call out moral hypocrisy? The same Jesus who called people vipers and white-washed tombs? Eric: I think you missed where I said it isnt right to separate families. I am for strong borders and strong security. Feel free to go back and actually read my earlier tweet. And no I dont think Jesus attacked peoples character. RR: Do you agree that the state-supported separation of refugee children from their parents is a moral evil just as the state-supported segregation of races was a moral evil? If not, why not? And what was Jesus doing when he called people vipers, snakes, and white-washed tombs? Eric: No I dont support it. You retweeted and I was commenting on the wall. I think its morally ok to build a wall and have better national security He was using allegories to call out the Pharisees. You are calling me uncaring and attacking my character. RR: Krassenstein was right: Jesus didnt demonize the other; he welcomed them. As I pointed out in my original tweet, American Xians historically have often behaved precisely contrary to Jesus: e.g. slavery, segregation. Thats why I called Trumps rhetoric & policy a return-to-form. But you still didnt answer my question. Do you agree that the state-supported separation of refugee children from their parents is a moral evil akin to the state-supported segregation of races? If not, why not? If so, why dont you oppose it as you oppose abortion? Finally, terms like snake and white-washed tomb are not allegories; they are metaphors which are clearly intended to provide a direct indictment of the moral character of particular religious leaders in Jesus community. I havent used any such labels in our exchange. And thats where our exchange ended. Sadly, while Eric clearly did think that Christian moral conviction required action against pro-abortion political candidates, he did not, by his own admission, believe that a policy of child separation was of sufficient moral concern to require a Christian response. Urbana Director: Why Following God's Calling Doesn't Just Mean a Missions Trip Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment College students often get a bad rap when it comes to their faith. They're often cited as the age group that leaves the church in droves or is less religious overall. But the director of one of the largest Christian student missions conferences wants to clarify some things. Ruth Hubbard is the director of Urbana 2018. Since 1946, this global event led by InterVarsity has drawn some 300,000 people, mainly college students. She recognizes that students who are around 18 or 19 years old start "asking a lot of hard questions about the faith of their parents and grandparents, where they are wondering 'are all the things that their parents and grandparents held as being part of the faith really what God intended?'" But that's natural, Hubbard told The Christian Post. "College is an age where most of us begin to say, 'I need to push away from what my parents have always taught me, and analyze it for myself.' There is a natural kind of skepticism or questioning that is true for younger adults," she said. And while many students do reject the Christian faith, or at least some aspects of it, Hubbard clarified that a lot of times what they're rejecting is not Christianity, per se. "Many of us have the tendency to take the culture in which we live and the faith that we hold to, and merge those things together," she explained. "I think that has been particularly true for the West, and for a majority of cultures." Thus, what the young generation is rejecting is "not necessarily the God of the Bible, but rather this sort of mushed-up faith expression," where young people go, "I think some of that has nothing to do with God." Notably, Hubbard said that Urbana conferences have not seen any "dramatic drop in attendance." The most recent one, held in 2015, drew nearly 16,000 people. Any decrease in numbers they see is not due to a lack of interest among youths in spiritual matters, but rather "the fact that there are more conferences that students can choose from" now, the director noted. Helping Students Find Their Calling The next Urbana conference will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, in December. The main mission of Urbana is to "call generations to surrender to Christ's lordship" and to help students find their calling and join "the Lord's global mission whether across campus, zip codes, or the world." Hubbard first attended Urbana in 2000. It was at that conference that she felt led to spend the next 14 years of her life serving at Wycliffe Bible Translators, which promotes literacy and helps people around the world translate the Word of God into their own languages. When it comes to inspiring students to find their calling, sometimes the Gospel can be oversimplified to being "only about telling people about Jesus so they can be saved, go to Heaven and live happily ever after," she pointed out. But more than that, it's about living out the Gospel in every aspect of their lives. Hubbard referred to the book of Matthew, where Jesus taught believers to pray "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done," and said people need to consider what that looks like in their lives. "The Kingdom of God has come to me personally and it impacts the way I personally live, it impacts us as a community," she said. "He impacts the way we live as a Church, and so that living out of the Gospel is going to be different. "That's what we want to invite students to do, not to say 'go be seekers of justice' or 'go be seekers of compassion, make sure people are fed,' or 'go be conveyors of this message,' or 'go build the church;' but rather, 'know God, know Him deeply, know Him well, know His Word, become so engaged with Him in a relationship and with the community of people who know and love Him that the living out of every aspect of our lives is saturated with that relationship.'" For the younger generation, social justice causes such as sex trafficking or child poverty are often attractive. And while "doing good is good," Hubbard warned against following their own sense of justice versus aligning themselves to God's plan. "When we venture out with our own energies, with our own passion, anything we try to accomplish on our own, even for the good, can get so easily derailed," Hubbard said. "It's not like doing good is a bad thing. Doing good is good! Let's make the world a better place, let's do that. But when we do it and it's not aligned with what God is doing, what God intended, what God teaches clearly in His Scripture, it can become less helpful than if we are paying attention to what God is calling us to do." The Urbana director insisted that justice is the way that God designed things to be. "There is a sense of God's justness in the world, and they will invest themselves in that," she said of young people. "And if they are doing that walking with God, following after what He has called them to, that will ultimately be different and look different than when they are just going out and [following] whatever justice feels like today, and letting themselves or a generation or a fad define justice." Hubbard said her goal as a director at Urbana is not to have a certain number of students check the box for short-term missions trips or international internships. She wants to see real transformation in students' lives. "My highest goal is that they can see more clearly than ever Jesus, the slain lamb on God's eternal throne, as their Savior and their Lord and their God, as all that God is to them, and from that they will be moved to a life of worship, and a life of service that brings the Kingdom," she said. In the meantime, she hopes students can begin living out the Gospel now in their own context, rather than wait for an overseas opportunity. "They need to realize that it doesn't make sense that God would call them to be an evangelist across an ocean if they are not bearing witness to who God is in their own communities," she pointed out. "I don't think God is going to turn you into a missionary if you are not already thinking about 'How do I talk about God in the communities I am in?' If you are not caring for the poor in your own community, how are you going to go and suddenly care about the poor somewhere else?" Hubbard posed. "One of the ways in which you prepare for a lifetime of service is to begin doing service now. Inviting students to think about how they can do service outside their own communities, and for some that means reaching into international student ministries that might be on their campuses, or engaging in ministry with those who have come to their campus. "Allowing God to work in you so that when the opportunity comes, you have already been engaging, and it will be a natural, logical step to move into the next stage," she said of answering the call for missions. Below, Hubbard answers CP's questions on the mission field, how to reach people for Christ, and the influence of technology on missions. She also recounts an intriguing story she heard while she served at Wycliffe. Answers edited for clarity. CP: Is the missions field changing? Is the West coming more into focus with the rise of secularism? Hubbard: God has invited us to bear witness to who He is and what He has done everywhere we go. I want to be careful and not slip into the thinking that everyone is a missionary everywhere they go. I think there is a unique role for the person who leaves their own community and crosses cultures and serves. I think there is something about that that is a part of God's plan. But we also know that God has called all of us to bear witness to who He is and what He has been doing in our lives. Wherever there is a lack of witness, wherever there is darkness, we are called to bring light. We know that darkness takes on various characteristics. In some places, there is a darkness that comes mostly from ignorance, and in other places there may be a darkness that comes mostly from rebellion and rejection. The way in which you may carry light in those places the strategies may differ, but there is also the fact that light is light, and what we do is we reflect the light of God. God's light is already in those places, and we come and serve as a reflector of that light. However, it is that God created us to be this way, we often see Him in the lives of human beings around us, when we might have missed Him if it wasn't for them. There are places on Earth where there is not a witness to God, or the witness to God is very small, it is a little, tiny flickery flame. Missions, strategies in those places is going to look very different than places where there has been a brilliant light in some points in history that has then been corrupted, or neglected, or ignored, or all the things that might happen in societies that we may call post-Christian. I think there is great room to grow in the missions field. I have asked the question recently as the church is growing in China, and there is an increased fervor among Chinese Christians for global missions, "what does it look like for Chinese Christian university students to come and spread the Gospel in the universities in the United States?" We know that it's no longer "from the West to the rest," it's the whole Church taking the whole Gospel to the whole world. CP: Is it more difficult to reach people for Christ in the secular world? Hubbard: I haven't done extensive study or reading, and so this is a somewhat informed but not as informed as it might be though, [but] I don't know if I would characterize it as more difficult. Where I think we would find difficulty in any Gospel ministry, in any of the ways where we would bear witness and call people to follow Jesus, or any place where we do evangelistic kind of work, is when there is opposition. [For instance] from a secular viewpoint that no longer wants to listen, and we know that that is the experience of some. In the United States and in the West, there is a sense of "all the voices should have a chance to speak except for the Christian voice" that's the one voice that's not welcome in pluralism. So there is opposition there; there is opposition from other religions across the world; there could be opposition that is more political. [In] any kind of opposition there is challenge that has not changed throughout all of human history. Where we find perhaps ourselves saying "its harder here or it's harder there" is when there is a kind of challenge that we are not adjusted to address. If I try to take the strategy of sharing the Gospel that worked somewhere within a specific community, or a generation, or a context, and I don't adapt it at all and take it to another place where it may not work at all, and I go "Oh, it might be so much harder to share the Gospel" it might not be that it's harder, it might be that it requires a different way to do that. We may need to apply what we've learned in other places, and see "well, how does that apply here? How do we conceptualize the Gospel for this community, for this generation; and not allow what appears to be opposition to derail us?" There has always been opposition to the Gospel. CP: What are some trends or developments in technology in missions that the general public might be surprised by? Hubbard: The general public probably won't be surprised that the use of technology in missions is growing exponentially. They might be surprised at the kind of things that technology has impacted. [There are] people who think "let's think creatively, let's go outside of our boxes, and not just try to do what we've always done and use technology to make it better." We (older generations) are still thinking in terms of documentation, where as a digital native, which is the younger generation, they are going to come in and turn it all sideways and say, "Why does it have to look like that at all?" For instance, I came from the world of Bible translation, [where young people] have led to changes. [For example], in an oral culture, instead of trying to create a writing system and then translate using it, they are translating orally and then creating a writing system where a community sees that to be a positive thing for them to have. With technology, where a person can listen to Scripture in a language that they know, other than their own heart language, they can listen to it multiple times, and then speak it back, and then you can have someone else listen to it and do the same. And it can all be done digitally with oral recordings. So that [is a] kind of a switch in how we think about technology, and I think that is going to be led by a generation that lives inside the digital world, as they are not tied to other ways of doing things. CP: Are there memories you can share that really stand out to you where you've seen missions work inspire or lead people to change their lives? Hubbard: I am reminded of a story so the man's name is Leonard, and he's Cameroonian. He was participating in the work, he was doing the work of translating Scripture into the language that serves him and his community best. He was using the French scriptures, and had access to English scriptures. He was invited to read Scripture during Holy Week at their church service. So he read the story of Jesus' death and resurrection, and there was a group of women in the congregation that approached him after the service, and they were clearly emotional. There was actually quite the response from the whole group that was gathered, that started with people becoming silent as he began to read. The community was so used to Scripture being read in French (which they only barely understood), but when he began to read Scripture in a language they spoke, there was a silence, and there was an emotional response from the people. And the women who came up to him afterwards (they would have called themselves Christians), they said "where did you get this story?" They were almost accusing him of conjuring up some kind of story that they had never heard before. He pulled out his French New Testament and said, "It's in here, you hear this story every year during these services." [But they replied] "No, we've never heard this story before, we never knew this." And it became to be very transformational for these specific women, but also for the community as a whole. I've heard stories like that over and over again as it relates to Scripture being available in the language that serves people best. It moves them into a life of service, which is very different [from] when it is just sort of, "I'm going to take on this religion;" it moves from religion to a deep relationship. Trump Signs Bill Expanding Criminal Code on Church Vandalism to Protect Religious Nonprofits Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment President Donald Trump has signed a new bill into law to increase punishments for miscreants who damage or destroy the properties of churches or religiously affiliated organizations. Introduced by Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch last May, The Protecting Religiously Affiliated Institutions Act of 2017 amends the federal criminal code to "broaden the scope" of what is considered prohibited when it comes to intentionally defacing, damaging or destroying religious property. The law also increases a criminal penalty for actions that result in the damage or destruction of religious property that exceeds $5,000 in damages. Such violations are punishable by a fine and prison term of up to three years in prison. Additionally, the bill broadens the definition of "religious real property" in the U.S. Criminal Code so that it not only protects the property owned by churches but also "real property owned or leased by a nonprofit, religiously affiliated organization." The legislation clarifies that threats to destroy properties of religious organizations are a violation of federal law. In era of contentious partisanship, the bill received bipartisan support. Hatch worked with the bill's co-sponsor California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein in drafting the bill. The bill was also co-sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota. From Hatch's own party, Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham also co-sponsored the bill. The bill was sent to the president's desk last month. "Crimes targeting religious institutions pose a danger to the religious freedom and security of all Americans," Hatch said in a statement Tuesday. "I am proud to sponsor this bill that will protect houses of worship and affiliate community centers. These attacks are inexcusable. I want to thank my colleagues in both the House and the Senate, as well as the President, for working swiftly to sign our legislation into law." When Hatch first introduced the measure last May, he cited past mistreatments of early members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and more recently, bomb threats against Jewish community centers. Hatch cited a report from last year indicating that over 100 bomb threats had been made against Jewish community centers in recent years. Additionally, dozens of headstones in Jewish cemetaries had been toppled in different incidents last year in two separate cities. "In recent years, we've witnessed an alarming upsurge in threats of violence made against religious institutions," Hatch said last year. "I've long held that an attack on one religion is an attack on all, which is why I have worked tirelessly to strengthen religious liberty protections for people of all faiths." Local news outlets regularly cover the numerous instances in which religious institutions of affiliated organizations have their buildings defaced or damaged. Last month, the Muslim community in Austin, Texas suffered a series of vandal attacks. The North Austin Muslim Community Center in Austin, Texas was vandalized overnight on Sept. 2 when it had its front doors and windows broken while vehicle tires in the parking lot had been slashed. The attack was followed by another tire slashing on a van used by the center on Sept. 13. In March, the primarily-black Seed Planters Church in Henry County, Georgia was getting ready to open up its new location in McDonough, a primarily white area, when vandals kicked in a door and defaced walls and doors inside the church with spray paint. Last year, a church in Wisconsin was vandalized with pro-LGBT graffiti. Last month, a pro-LGBT United Methodist Church in Florida had the sign in the front of its church spray painted over with the words "Gay Pastor." In April 2017, a Virginia man was arrested and charged with spray painting anti-semitic graffiti onto a Jewish worship center in Northern Virginia. Another theme is vandals damaging statues or other sculptures at churches and religious centers. In 2016, three statues were vandalized at a Catholic church in Vermont, including a statue of Mary that was beheaded. Theologian explains why there's 'no difference' between how Old, New Testament saints are saved Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Just like Christians today, the Old Testament saints were saved through faith even though that faith lacked the clear connections to Jesus that we can see today, Gospel Coalition President Don Carson has explained. Carson, who's also a research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, recently said that, in a broad sense, there is "no difference" between the way the Old Testament saints were saved and the way New Testament saints are saved. Old Testament believers were saved by grace through faith, by the grace of God whom they trusted according to His own promises, he contended. Unlike Christians today, however, Old Testament believers were required to observe Mosaic law, such as worshiping at the Tabernacle; participating in the sacrifices of the Day of Atonement; and observing Passover. And, just like in the original Passover, when the Israelites sprinkled the door of their house with blood, the angel of death would pass over and spare them. And very few of these people saw clearly how some of these sacrifices pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice, Carson said. Nevertheless, they took God at His Word; they believed Him, they exercised faith, and by Gods good grace, the wrath of God was put aside. Thus, by Gods gracious arrangement of things received by the faith of the individuals and families of Israel, they were spared. The repeated celebration of the Passover event ultimately created a trajectory that points forward to the ultimate Passover Lamb, which leads Apostle Paul to write to the Corinthians and say, Christ, our Passover has been sacrificed for us, he further explained. By the arrangement of God, the sins were dealt with, even if they did not see the whole arc of the redemptive story as clearly as we can see it by looking back the other direction, Carson said. While New Testament books like Hebrews and Romans had not yet been written to tie so many of these things together, the pieces were there, he continued. The Israelites were expected to take God at His Word and to trust Him to forgive their sins according to all of His mercies. The sacrifice is emblematic of the ultimate sacrifice that was yet to come, he said. So in that sense, believers in the Old Testament were saved by grace through faith, but we do see a lot more clearly how that works out in Gods great redemptive plan that focuses finally on Christ. A number of evangelical leaders have weighed in on the question of how people in the Old Testament were saved, as the misconception that the Israelites were saved by their obedience to the law of Moses and not by grace is quite common. Previously, Pastor John MacArthur said there's only been one way of salvation in all of God's redemptive history and that is faith alone. He pointed to the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican in Luke 18:9-14, where a Pharisee, obsessed by his own virtue, is contrasted with a tax collector who humbly asks God for mercy. "They were saved by pounding on their chest, looking at the ground, realizing they had nothing in themselves but judgment coming and saying 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner,'" MacArthur said. "That is the kind of repentance that marks an Old Testament true believer, and a cry for God to save him simply because he believed and trusted in God." He added, "That faith, that penitent kind of faith, was counted as righteousness, and righteousness was imputed to him based upon a sacrifice that was to come in the person of Christ which reached back all the way to the beginning of redemptive history as it reaches forward all the way to the end of redemptive history ... faith alone." "It's always been faith, and it's a faith that recognizes a sinners sinfulness and recognizes nothing good in the sinner that he can do to gain God's forgiveness and God's favor. He throws himself at the mercy of God," he said. Still, W. Robert Godfrey, president and professor of church history at Westminster Seminary California, said it's important to remember that the term "faith alone" is in a sense an abbreviation. "Because of the misunderstanding of faith in our time, it would be better to avoid the abbreviation sometimes and say 'we're saved by faith in Christ alone,'" he said. "If we just say 'by faith' that may mean we're looking at ourselves and what we're doing, and that's not what the Reformation meant by faith. Faith is always looking away from yourself, is always looking to Christ and resting in Christ." He added, "All of the Old Testament saints were saved by faith in the Christ who was to come, just as we're saved by the Christ who has come." Pastor's wife and mother of 6 dies after car is swept away by flash flooding in Indiana Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The body of a pastors wife in southeastern Indiana has been found in a creek after she was reported in danger from flash flooding on new year's eve. Carol Jackson, the 63-year-old wife of pastor Jerran Jackson at Clarksburg Christian Church in Franklin County and mother of six, has been pronounced dead after her body was discovered by authorities who say that her car was swept away by flooding on Monday night. Indiana conservation officers discovered Jacksons car and then found her body around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Pipe Creek, according to news station RTV6. Fellow churchgoers recalled Jackson as being a wonderful and vibrant part of the church community. Carol was the light of our church, Carol Holzback told CBS 4. Another friend of Jacksons, Becky Gault, told the news outlet that Jackson planted so many seeds of hope and encouraged everyone to be at church. Jerran Jackson called police around 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 to report that his wife contacted him about how her vehicle was filling with water and being swept away. According to officials, the search for Jackson involved multiple government agencies and as many as 150 volunteers. Investigators believe that Jackson might have been on a concrete slab when the force of the water pushed her into Pipe Creek. Family and church members gathered for a prayer vigil at the church on Tuesday night. "Everybody's in shock, friend Chris Beaumont told WLWT5. Everybody's a little bit devastated but prayerful, hopeful, faithful. Friend Mike Holzback described Jackson as the Godliest woman Ive ever known in my life. Tammy Sodell recalled that the last text she received from Jackson said: your kingdom come, your will be done. That was Carol, Tammy Sodell told CBS 4. That [she] wanted the will of the kingdom to be done. A GoFundMe online fundraiser has been launched to help the Jackson family in their time of need. Thus far, $2,720 has been raised through 38 donations in 18 hours. Jerran Jackson not only lost his wife but the day before also lost his father, the GoFundMe page states. Please send up prayers for the Jackson family. Nearby Batesville Christian Church has called on its followers on Facebook to pray for the Jackson family and the Clarksburg Christian Church community. Please be praying for the Jackson family and Clarksburg Christian Church in the difficult days ahead, a Facebook post reads. On Facebook, Clarksburg Christian Church describes itself as a group of perfect sinners that chose and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. A sheriff's office spokesperson praised the volunteers who gave up their new years plans to look for Jackson. It is a blessing to have this community come out in times of trouble, he said. Jackson leaves behind her husband and six children. Jerry Falwells justification for supporting Trump called disaster for the church Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. is receiving criticism for his most recent statements of support for President Donald Trump, which included saying that Christian ethics shouldn't apply to public policy. Falwell has been a longtime supporter of President Trump, being one of the first major evangelical leaders to endorse the Republican candidate in Jan. 2016. In an interview with The Washington Post that was published Tuesday, Falwell justified his support for Trump in part by stating that he did not believe Christians should vote for people who want to apply Jesus teachings to government. Jesus never told Caesar how to run Rome. He went out of his way to say that's the earthly kingdom, I'm about the heavenly kingdom and I'm here to teach you how to treat others, how to help others, but when it comes to serving your country, you render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, said Falwell. It's a distortion of the teaching of Christ to say Jesus taught love and forgiveness and therefore the United States as a nation should be loving and forgiving, and just hand over everything we have to every other part of the world. That's not what Jesus taught. Falwell also derided Americans living in poverty. "Why have Americans been able to do more to help people in need around the world than any other country in history? Its because of free enterprise, freedom, ingenuity, entrepreneurism and wealth. A poor person never gave anyone a job. A poor person never gave anybody charity, not of any real volume. Its just common sense to me," he said. When asked, "Is there anything President Trump could do that would endanger that support from you or other evangelical leaders?" Falwell simply answered, "no." After the questioner commented on the shortness of Falwell's answer, he continued, I know that [Trump] only wants what's best for this country, and I know anything he does, it may not be ideologically conservative, but it's going to be what's best for this country, and I can't imagine him doing anything that's not good for the country. Falwell's remarks are being widely condemned across the political spectrum. Fox News senior political analyst Brit Hume responded on Twitter to Falwell's critique of poor people. "Falwell is such a disappointing man. Does he not remember the impoverished woman in Luke 21, who gave a pittance, leading Jesus to say she had given more than the rich because she gave all she had?" Hume wrote. Regarding the whole interview, former Republican Congressman Reid Ribble wrote, "This says more about the state of evangelicalism than the Presidency. Being 'good' is fundamental to leadership. So if I agree with the policy it doesnt matter how it is achieved? The end justifies the means? Wow." In a series of tweets posted on Tuesday, author and Southern Baptist minister Alan Cross said Falwells reasoning was the SAME approach German Lutherans took as Hitler rose to power. If you want to know how the German Lutheran church comprising 80-90% of all Germans collapsed into subversion to tyranny, Falwell lays it out the blueprint perfectly, tweeted Cross. Hitler advocated for positive Christianity rather than a prophetic Christianity. Support the state as it advances its own interests and the state will leave you alone. Except, the state demands loyalty. Falwells position is disaster for the church in a democratic republic. Cross went on to state that while he did not consider Trump to be Adolf Hitler or Falwell to be a Nazi, he did believe that Falwell lays the groundwork for church capitulation to the state, adding that Falwell should be vigorously critiqued. Tyler Huckabee, editor at the Christian magazine Relevant, argued in a series of posts to Twitter that Falwells statements contradict the statement of mission and purpose of his own institution. According to Falwell's interview, Christians should be one way personally but another way politically. According to what he's saying here, Christian ethics are all well and good for individuals, but bad for politics, explained Huckabee. Falwell's dad coined the phrase: If it's Christian, it ought to be better. The idea is that the sort of Christian education Liberty provides will be useful in any field, because Christian praxis will lead to superior work. Falwell Jr. isn't convinced, apparently. Michael Wear, chief strategist for The AND Campaign, commented that the media should stop focusing on Falwell as a representative of evangelicalism. "One thing I no longer want to hear in 2019 is that charlatans like Jeffress and Falwell represent evangelicals until 'someone else will speak up.' There are others speaking and your insistence on focusing on fools suggests you get more pleasure from tearing down than building up," he wrote. For his part, Falwell retweeted a post by preacher and ministries head Rick Amato, defending the Liberty leader's interview remarks. The civil message of Falwell Jr. in this article should become the basic teaching on good citizenship and patriotism in every Protestant, Catholic and Jewish school in America. Lets keep the founding fathers doctrine of separation of Church and State, stated Amato. Extremists stone Christians in India, claim victory for Hindu goddess Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Dozens of Christians were stoned and slashed over Christmas at the hands of radical Hindus in India who objected to their worship. The Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India shared with Morning Star News that there were at least 18 incidents reported over the Christmas season. In one of the attacks, on Dec. 23 in Kowad village, Kolhapur District in Maharashtra state, 20 or so masked men beat seven Christians so severely they were transported to a hospital where they are in intensive care. The Hindu radicals, who were wielding swords, knives, iron rods, glass bottles, stones and other sharp objects, attacked churchgoers during a service at New Life Fellowship Church. They chanted Jai Bhawani, Jai Shivaji, declaring victory for the Hindu goddess Bhawani and warrior king Shivaji. They barged into the worship hall and began to throw big stones and empty beer bottles at the worshipers, said Milton Norenj, coordinator of the New Life Fellowship Jadhinglaj. Pastor Bhimsen Ganpati Chavan said that some 40 people were attending the service when the attack began. As soon as they entered, they began to shoot empty beer bottles and stones at the congregation, Chavan explained. As they stepped forward, they attacked us with swords, iron rods and knives mercilessly, men and women alike. Swati Chavan, the pastors wife, was one of the injured. I was hit by an iron rod on my hand and received a head injury, she said. They hit my back repeatedly with their fists, which caused swelling. I had to undergo a head scan to rule out clotting. The 18 cases the RLC reported on over Christmas were all characterized by police being pressured by Hindu extremists to harass believers with legal problems. Nehemiah Christie of the legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom-Indias Tamil Nadu, explained that "they want to create communal disharmony for their own political advantage." Christie said that the disruption of Christmas processions, services, carols and programs is specifically set up to create disharmony and polarize people. In another case, a mob of 30 men from the youth wing of Hindu extremist Vishwa Hindu Parishad stopped four buses carrying 200 school children to a Christmas program in Haridwar, Uttarakhand state. The children were Hindus and were being taken to watch a Christmas program. Their teacher, Sandeep Kashyap, was arrested under the accusation that he was planning on forcefully converting them to Christianity, something which he denied. Attacks on Christians intensified throughout rural areas in India in 2018, often stemming from accusations by Hindu community leaders that churches and pastors are carrying out forced conversions. Children have also been targeted. Pastor Selva Raj of Amathur village in Indias Tamil Nadu revealed that a mob of 300 Hindu radicals disrupted a Sunday school class in November in an attempt to stop the children from attending. They took away the Bible storybooks and some song and activity books from the children and tore them into pieces, Raj revealed. They scared the children away by telling them that they will be beaten up if they are seen in the church premises ever again. Shibu Thomas, head of Persecution Relief from Kerala state, told Morning Star News in its latest report that religious freedom is being denied to minorities in the Hindu-majority country. The secular fabric of India and Indian democracy is being shredded every day, Thomas said. It might take several years to eliminate the hatred that has been injected in the society based on religion, polarizing communities. Bolsonaro vows to fight gender ideology as Brazils president, talks Gods protection with Trump Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Jair Bolsonaro, the new president of Brazil, vowed to fight gender ideology in schools and protect the country's "Judeo-Christian tradition" in his presidential address. Bolsonaro celebrated in the capital of Brasilia with a motorcade procession, and declared that the country has now been "liberated from socialism and political correctness." Bolsonaro and his vice president, retired Gen. Hamilton Mourao, took the oath of office on Tuesday. He also promised to combat the "ideology of gender" teaching in schools, AFP reported, as well as to "respect our Judeo-Christian tradition." "I call on all congressmen to help me rescue Brazil from corruption, criminality and ideological submission," the new president urged. Bolsonaro earned praise from U.S. President Donald Trump, who congratulated him on Twitter by writing that "the U.S.A. is with you." Bolsonaro in turn thanked Trump, adding that "under Gods protection, we shall bring prosperity and progress to our people!" Bolsonaro has stirred much controversy for his conservative stances on social issues, and has often been described as a "far-right politician" by international news media. Publications like Sky News have said that he has made "divisive rhetoric and derogatory remarks about women, gay people and the country's black population. Along with his support for loosening gun laws and allowing police to use more force, he has been dubbed the "Trump of the Tropics." Still, Bolsonaro has earned the support of both Catholics and evangelicals in South America's most populous country, and has often pointed to his Christian faith as his inspiration. After surviving an assassination attempt on the campaign trail, he credited God for saving his life. He has vowed to govern "following the Bible and the constitution." BreakingIsraelNews further noted that he met with several pro-Israel faith leaders from the U.S. back in December, part of his promise to strengthen Brazil's ties with the U.S. and Israel. We are very thankful for the opportunity to stand with President-elect Bolsonaro in solidarity with him. People of faith in the U.S. are very aware of his role in the new political scenario in South America and are praying vigorously for his health and the prosperity of the nation, said Jim Garlow, former senior pastor of Skyline Church in California. His wife, Rosemary, added that the evangelical Christians of America are honored to visit Brazil and to stand with the elected government at this crucial moment. On Tuesday, Bolsonaro waved the Brazilian flag in front of his supporters, who chanted "Myth! Myth! Myth!" a reference to his middle name, Messias, seen as a sign that he was chosen by God to lead Brazil. "Our flag will never be red," he declared, speaking in opposition to left-wing ideologies. "Our flag will only be red if blood is needed to keep it green and yellow." 40 Catholic missionaries killed in 2018; new deadliest continent for priests revealed Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Forty Catholic missionaries were killed around the world in 2018, the Vaticans news agency has reported, with Africa becoming the new deadliest continent for clergy. Fides News Agency said that the 40 deaths are almost double the 23 number from 2017. Thirty-five priests were killed last year, along with one seminarian and four lay people. While for eight straight years Latin America was the deadliest region for clergy, Africa took over the mantle in 2018, seeing 19 priests, one seminarian and one lay woman killed in the year. Many Missionaries have lost their lives during attempted hold-ups and robberies, ferociously committed, in impoverished, degraded social contexts, where violence is the rule of life, the authority of the state was lacking or weakened by corruption and compromises, or where religion is used for other ends, Fides said. Everywhere priests, religious, and laymen share the same daily life as the common people, bringing them the evangelical witness of love and service for all, as a sign of hope and peace, trying to alleviate the suffering of the weak and raising their voices in defense of their trampled rights, denouncing evil and injustice, it added. Even in danger of their own safety, at the request of civil authorities or their own superiors, the Missionaries remained at their posts, aware of the risks which they were running, in order to remain true to the duties they bore. Over the course of 2018, a number of non-clergy Protestant missionary deaths also made headline news, most notably the killing of 26-year-old Oral Roberts University graduate John Chau. Chau, who studied for years to bring the Gospel to isolated tribespeople on North Sentinel Island near India, was killed by arrows on the island in November. Chau's killing sparked debate on the proper ways of carrying out contemporary missionary work, though All Nations, the missionary group that trained Chau, hailed his character. Pam Arlund, a member of the International Leadership Team at All Nations, told The Christian Post that the American was one of the greatest learners I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He read about one book every three days, about missions, reading books that I would recommend to him. His family also called him someone who "loved God" and wanted to help "those in need." The unrest and clashes in Cameroon meanwhile led to the death of Indiana missionary Charles Wesco in October. Wesco, who had only moved into the region with his family earlier that month, was shot by bullets and died in front of his wife and son. Rebecca Wesco, the missionary's mother, said that she believes her son is in Heaven. "[W]e don't have any shadow of a doubt," the mother said at the time. "He had sins, but he had asked God to forgive him, and he really truly wanted to love God more than his very life." Image: via wikimedia/National Archives at College Park/CC0 Next years theme will be Preoccupied with Love and will feature key leaders today such as CJ Rhodes, Alan Hirsch, Colin Smith, Trillia Newbell, Jenny Yang, James Choung, Sam Owusu, and more. Dominique Dubois Gilliard, Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice Initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church, will be sharing at the conference about how all people are to be preoccupied with the love of Christ. I speak with him below. Next summer we will be hosting the Amplify North American Evangelism Conference from June 25-26 at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. Amplify has become the largest evangelism conference in North America and one that I am proud to host.Next years theme will be Preoccupied with Love and will feature key leaders today such as CJ Rhodes, Alan Hirsch, Colin Smith, Trillia Newbell, Jenny Yang, James Choung, Sam Owusu, and more. Dominique Dubois Gilliard, Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice Initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church, will be sharing at the conference about how all people are to be preoccupied with the love of Christ. I speak with him below. Ed: Its hard to deny that we are living in challenging times culturally. The churchs influence is fading, and we are struggling to find answers to some hard questions. Whats your take on the health of the church today, especially as it relates to our witness? Dominique: Amid increasing political polarity, the church must be reminded that Christianity cannot fit neatly into partisan politics. Both the left and the right are inadequate. Neither party is God-ordained, and both have championed principles that are antithetical to the Kingdom. In this critical moment, we must remember that our hope is exclusively in Christ, and that our ethics, values, and virtues must be biblically rooted. Moreover, the church is called to be a prophetic presence in the world, not merely an echo chamber that only resounds once there is no longer any social risk involved in speaking up. However, far too often, fear prohibits us from faithfully responding to the needs around us. Fear domesticate our witnessbe it the fear of being perceived as too political when we strive to embody passages like Proverbs 31: 8-9, Matthew 25, or 1 John 3:16-18, or political fear-mongeringwhich both parties deploythat we succumb to, which leads us to other or dehumanize individuals made in the image of God. In this watershed moment, we must remember the wise council of Dr. King, who said, The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. Dr. King also spoke about the urgent need for the church to recapture its prophetic zeal and remember its missional purpose. In his legendary Letter from a Birmingham Jail, he wrote, Wherever the early Christians entered a town the power structure got disturbed and immediately sought to convict them for being disturbers of the peace and outside agitators. But they went on with the conviction that they were a colony of heaven and had to obey God rather than man They brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contest. King continued, Things are different now. The contemporary Church is so often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the Church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the Churchs silent and often vocal sanction of things as they are. This bleak picture that King paints is the situation the church finds itself in today. And, because of this, as King predicted, many people believe that the church has become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority. Ed: Evangelism has especially fallen on hard times. It seems that everything elseeven good things like discipleshiphas overwhelmed our passion for sharing the love of Jesus with others. What does evangelism look like today, and how can we begin to develop a passion for showing and sharing the love of Jesus on a daily basis? Dominique: Today, effective evangelism is just as concerned with demonstration as it is proclamation. For far too long, evangelismwithin many contexthas been solely defined as oral articulation. The world is tired of hearing about Gods love and not seeing it demonstrated. People want to see a counter-cultural witness that is fashioned after the life, ministry, and teachings of Christ. The world desperately desires a church that is more known for what it is for, rather than what it is against. The world is yearning for our words to be legitimized through our love; for one another, the least of these, and our enemies. As Theodore Roosevelt said, People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Additionally, today, effective evangelism is concerned about the whole person, and not just saving souls. Evangelism must be holistic if it is going to be good news in the here and now, and not just in the afterlife. In Pilgrimage to Non-Violence, Dr. King wrote, "The gospel at its best deals with the whole man [sic], not only his soul but his body, not only his spiritual well-being, but his material well-being. Any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned about the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them and the social conditions that cripple them is a spiritually moribund religion awaiting burial." Holistic evangelism recognizes and tends to the spiritual, mental, and physical needs of people. Finally, effective evangelism summons the church into the margins, not because God is not already there, but because God has commissioned us to serve as co-laborers and ambassadors of reconciliation. God appoints the church to traverse fortified boundaries of belonging, to wade into socially detestable kinship. We are called to not conform to the patterns and logics of this world, and this means thinking differently about, and interacting distinctively with, stigmatized place, people, and groups. The Apostle John tells us in John 4:4, Jesus had to go through Samaria. The integrity of the gospel depended on it. Jesus shows us in this passage that his followers cannot abide by social status quos. Scripture calls us to see our inherent connections to others across lines of differencebe they ethnic, racial, or economic. Healthy evangelism helps us realize that we are covenantally bound to one another. And, even when the world says stigmatization is permissible, the gospel calls us to a distinctiveChrist-likeengagement with those we have been taught to fear, avoid, and see as inferior. Ed: You are a plenary speaker at our 2019 Amplify North American Evangelism Conference next summer, and you are talking about Why must all of us be preoccupied by the love of God. Tell me why our focus on the love of God is so critical today. Dominique: John 13: 34-35 says, I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. We have failed to love one another as Christ has loved us. This failure has distorted our witness in the world and served as a stumbling block for many people who have yet to come to know the goodness of God. We must all be preoccupied by the love of God because Gods love is supposed to inform how we love. The sacrificial, self-giving nature of Gods love should be a hallmark of the church. Scripture declares that our love has a missional and evangelistic purpose. How we choose to love ultimately bears witness to our true citizenship. The word of God comes riding in on a camel. Its a kind of modern-day Palm Sunday in Northern Kenya, the nomadic Rendille people waving their worn sticks instead of palm branches, the Word of God itself stacked in bound cardboard boxes, lashed to the hump of a swaying dromedary. More than a thousand Rendille and dozens of distant neighboring tribespeople have gathered in the stifling heat, with ready smiles and raised hands, to greet the completed New Testament in their own mother tongue. They have been parched for living water under the desert sun for decadescenturiesand this day is nothing short of a resurrection coming. Dancing women stir the dust with their feet, thousands of beaded necklaces rattling like rising bones, and they point out how even the Word-carrying camel cant seem to stop grinning. The Rendille translation is one of more than 120 nearing completion in Africa alone in 2018. Over three decades ago, two faithful missionaries and two deeply committed Rendille tribesmen began laying the foundation for this day when they set out to translate parts of both Testaments into the Rendille language. Their painstaking work finally came to fruition in the last three years, thanks to technology and consulting methods beyond those early missionaries wildest imaginings and to partnerships between groups including Wycliffe, Seed Company, BTL Kenya, and Africa Inland Mission. Which is what makes today, the day the Good Book comes, seem like a divine visitation. Pastor David Gargule, a native Rendille who holds masters degrees in theology and in organizational leadership and management, has returned here to the desert, because what would it be to find success in the world if his own ... 1 You have reached the end of this Article Preview You have reached the end of this Article Preview To continue reading, subscribe now. Subscribers have full digital access. Have something to add about this? See something we missed? Share your feedback here. Officials Locate Mass Grave of 34 Ethiopian Christians Executed by ISIS Share Tweet The interior ministrys Criminal Investigation Department (CID) made an announcement on Sunday stating that a mass grave with 34 Ethiopian Christians was found in Libya. According to Reuters, the grave, which held nearly three dozen Christians who were executed by ISIS in 2015 in it, was found after the department was able to get information from arrested ISIS members. Reportedly, the Christians in the mass grave are the victims shown in a video that was posted to social media in 2015 that showed them being shot or beheaded. Reuters reports that in a statement on the CID Facebook page, the department confirmed that the victims bodies will be repatriated to Ethiopia after domestic and international legal procedures are completed. Photo courtesy: Pixabay Authorities Order Another Church Building to Close in Algeria Share Tweet TIZI-OUZOU, Algeria, January 2, 2019 (Morning Star News) The official notice that a village pastor in Algeria received on Sunday (Dec. 30) confirmed what he had heard his church had been ordered to close. Pastor Rabah Messaoudi had won a legal battle in 2017 after local officials in the Muslim country tried to close his church in Ait-Jimaa village, 45 kilometers (27 miles) from Tizi-Ouzou in north-central Algeria. But the head of Ait-Bouadou Commune (County) and a district official in Tizi Ouzou Province in Kabylie Region were determined to do away with the Christian presence in the area and took the matter back to court, sources said. And this time, the judgment was in his favor, albeit slightly below what he hoped for, the pastors attorney, Nadjib Sadek, told Morning Star News. Because his lawyers had asked for financial compensation, which the judge found unfounded and did not allow. The Ait-Bouadou official and his five lawyers used Algerias 2006 law on religion, commonly known as Law 03/06, to close the church, which requires non-Muslim places of worship to register with government officials, though they are slow to grant permission if they act at all. The Ait-Bouadou official had ordered Pastor Messaoudi to stop all Christian activity on the church premises in 2016, on grounds that its building permit was for residential and commercial purposes, Sadek said. The local officials filed the order on Feb. 18, 2016 after receiving notice from someone who attended worship and confirmed that the building was being used for religious activity, according to court documents. Pastor Messaoudi and other church leaders, backed by officials of the Protestant Church of Algeria umbrella organization (EPA), refused to comply, citing that the order was a clear case of religious persecution. The pastor received the closure notice on Sunday (Dec. 30) after being summoned to a local office in Boghni. The closure judgment, dated Oct. 29, 2018, was issued by the administrative court of Tizi-Ouzou. Attorney Sadek said he would appeal. These people do not let go and are ready to go all the way, but we will fight, even if we have to go to the supreme court, Sadek told Morning Star News. We reproach the absence of this famous national commission that is supposed to sit to deliberate in order to affirm the authenticity of all those churches affiliated to the EPA, which only need to function in all peace and legality. The EPA has 45 affiliated churches throughout the country with nearly 50,000 Christians. Since November 2017, building-safety committees have visited most EPA-affiliated churches and inquired about licenses required by the 2006 law regulating non-Muslim worship, according to advocacy group Middle East Concern (MEC). Officials have yet to issue any license for a church building under the regulation, according to MEC. Several churches have since received written orders to cease all activities, and authorities have closed a number of them for operating without a license, including one on Oct. 16. Islam is the state religion in Algeria, where 99 percent of the population of 40 million are Muslim. Since 2000, thousands of Algerian Muslims have put their faith in Christ. Algerian officials estimate the number of Christians at 50,000, but others say it could be twice that number. Algeria ranked 42nd on Christian support organization Open Doors 2018 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews.org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved. If you or your organization would like to help enable Morning Star News to continue raising awareness of persecuted Christians worldwide with original-content reporting, please consider collaborating at https://morningstarnews.org/donate/? Article originally published by Morning Star News. Used with permission. Photo courtesy: Pixabay Extremists stone, slash Christians in India, claim victory for Hindu goddess Christian Post Contributor | 02 January, 2019 by Stoyan Zaimov Dozens of Christians were stoned, slashed, blooded over Christmas in India at the hands of radical Hindus who objected to their worship. The Religious Liberty Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of India shared with Morning Star News that there were at least 18 incidents reported over the Christmas season. In one of the attacks on December 23 in Kowad village, Kolhapur District in Maharashtra state, 20 or so masked men left seven Christians needing intensive care in hospital. The radicals attacked a service at the New Life Fellowship Church with swords, knives, iron rods, glass bottles, stones and other sharp objects. They chanted "Jai Bhawani, Jai Shivaji,"declaring victory for the Hindu goddess Bhawani and warrior king Shivaji. "They barged into the worship hall and began to throw big stones and empty beer bottles at the worshipers," said Milton Norenj, coordinator of the New Life Fellowship Jadhinglaj. Pastor Bhimsen Ganpati Chavan said that some 40 people were attending the service when the attack began. "As soon as they entered, they began to shoot empty beer bottles and stones at the congregation," Chavan explained. "As they stepped forward, they attacked us with swords, iron rods and knives mercilessly, men and women alike." Swati Chavan, the pastor's wife, was one of the injured. "I was hit by an iron rod on my hand and received a head injury," she said. "They hit my back repeatedly with their fists, which caused swelling. I had to undergo a head scan to rule out clotting." The 18 cases the RLC reported on over Christmas were all characterized by police being pressured by Hindu extremists to harass believers with legal problems. Nehemiah Christie, legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom-India's Tamil Nadu, explained that "they want to create communal disharmony for their own political advantage." Christie said that the disruption of Christmas processions, services, carols and programs is specifically set up to create disharmony and polarize people. In another case, a mob of 30 men from the youth-wing of Hindu extremist Vishwa Hindu Parishad stopped four buses carrying 200 children to a Christmas program in Haridwar, Uttarakhand state. The children were Hindus and were being led to a Christmas program, but their teacher, Sandeep Kashyap, was arrested under the accusation that he was planning on forcefully converting them to Christianity, something which he denied. Attacks on Christians intensified throughout rural areas in India in 2018, often stemming from accusations by Hindu community leaders that churches and pastors are carrying out forced conversions. Read more about Christians in India on The Christian Post. Christian leaders share inspiring new year messages for 2019 02 January, 2019 by Jeannie Law , | Many pastors, evangelists and famous Christian entertainers shared encouraging messages on new year's day to bring hope to believers worldwide for 2019. As one year ends and a new one begins, some people make resolutions or create vision boards while others search for self-help books in an effort to find direction and bring order to their lives. Here's a list of seven new year's messages from various leaders in the Christian faith that include a prayer from Michael W. Smith about humility and God's mercies, and Toby Mac talking about life lessons. Michael W. Smith Beginning our list is legendary Christian artist Michael W. Smith. In 2018, he released an impactful album titled Surrounded,which spearheaded a massive concert in Nashville, Tennessee, where he said he felt "called" to usher in a great awakening throughout America. Now, at the top of the new year, Smith revealed that he would be taking a break from social media, "for many good reasons," but he wanted to share one final post to encourage others before taking his hiatus. "I leave you with a word from my good friend Scotty Smith ... This is my prayer for all of us ... So good. Love you all and happy new year!," the iconic Christian musician said on Instagram Tuesday. He kicked off the prayer titled "A Prayer for a Gospel-Shaped 2019" by quoting Jeremiah 9:23-24: "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!" He added: "Heavenly Father, whether or not 2019 is going to be a 'happy' new year remains to be seen. But as in 2018, there won't be a day this year you'll fail to send us new mercies, give us sufficient grace, and be at work for our good. Because you have hidden our lives in Christ, your love will be the most constant, liberating, and reliable reality in our lives. You will delight in us, quiet us with your love, and rejoice over us with singing 24/7 (Zeph. 3:17). May this good news be more precious and real to us than anything else." The prayer then focused on the words spoken by God through the prophet Jeremiah as a declaration for the new year. "May it be a year filled with knowing you better, resting in your grace, and serving you more faithfully. Though the temptation for things like approval, riches, and control will continue, may the joy of knowing you seize our hearts, shape our schedules, and consume our days," he continued. "May we dance and suffer, work and play, serve and give all to your glory. Reveal more of Jesus to our hearts, bring Gospel-renewal to our churches, and advance your Kingdom in our cities. Indeed, may the Gospel compel us to love mercy, work for justice, and walk humbly with you until the day you take us Home." Smith concluded the prayer by petitioning himself and those reading to live each day of 2019 resting in God's sovereign rule while loving well, forgiving, remaining repentant and living with expectancy in Jesus' return. Franklin Graham In his message for 2019, evangelist Franklin Graham, who's also president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, urged people not to put their trust in the arms of flesh but look to God instead. "As we enter a new year, we need God more than ever. The complexities of the world's problems are immeasurable. Whether we want to admit it or not, it seems that we are back in an arms race with Russia and China. It seems as though every region of the world is in turmoil. Politicians and leaders don't have the answers," Franklin declared on Facebook. Similar to his father, the late Billy Graham, Franklin is vocal about current affairs and people's need for Christ. He proceeded to provide what he believes in the solution to all of the social unrest. "As we come to 2019, pray that our nation would turn its eyes to God and His Son Jesus Christ who paid the debt of sin with His own blood. His wisdom is limitless and His love is unfailing," he shared. "For those who have put their faith and trust in Christ, you can take comfort in knowing that no matter what comes, He has promised, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you' (Hebrews 13:5). Are you beginning 2019 with Him?" Franklin asked. Read more from "Christian leaders share inspiring new year messages for 2019" on The Christian Post. Almost 42 million abortions performed in 2018; more deaths than from cancer, AIDS, traffic accidents Christian Post Contributor | 02 January, 2019 by Stoyan Zaimov There were approximately 41.95 million abortions carried out around the world in 2018, an organization that tracks death statistics reported. Christian Daily Reporter was one of a number of websites to note the statistics on Worldometers on December 31, which issues live tallies on global births and deaths, based on statistics published by the World Health Organization. The website, which is now displaying the statistics for 2019, said that 8.2 million people died from cancer in 2018, while there were 1.7 million victims of HIV/AIDS. Overall, the deaths by abortion outnumbered those from cancer, malaria, HIV/AIDS, smoking, alcohol, and traffic accidents put together. Worldometers explains that it tracks numbers based on induced abortion of human pregnancy, which is different from spontaneous abortions, which are classified as miscarriages. Explaining why it uses live counters, it says: "When using static numbers to describe numerical change through time, we fail to provide a sense of the relationship between the magnitude of change and the flow of time, which is how we experience change in real life." "What static numbers fail to provide is the perception of the frequency and timing of events, the rhythm, an essential part of nature and a tool for understanding the physical phenomena surrounding us," it adds. "Only by employing live counters we are able to convey these elements and truly grasp the magnitude of the quantitative change through time." In the U.S., the abortion rate has been on a decline, and based on the latest statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it hit a historic low in 2015. A report from November found that 638,169 abortions were reported from 49 states for 2015. While women in their 20s had the highest abortion rates, namely 31.1 percent for those aged 20-24. There was a major drop when it comes to teenage abortions. Teenagers aged 15-19 accounted for 9.8 percent of all reported abortions in the country in 2015, down from the 41 percent number in 2006. Read more about abortion on The Christian Post. Forty Catholic missionaries were killed around the world in 2018, the Vatican's news agency has reported, with Africa becoming the new deadliest continent for clergy. Fides News Agency said that the 40 deaths are almost double the 23 number from 2017. Thirty-five priests were killed last year, along with one seminarian and four lay people. While for eight straight years Latin America was the deadliest region for clergy, Africa took over the mantle in 2018, seeing 19 priests, one seminarian and one lay woman killed in the year. "Many Missionaries have lost their lives during attempted hold-ups and robberies, ferociously committed, in impoverished, degraded social contexts, where violence is the rule of life, the authority of the state was lacking or weakened by corruption and compromises, or where religion is used for other ends," Fides said. "Everywhere priests, religious, and laymen share the same daily life as the common people, bringing them the evangelical witness of love and service for all, as a sign of hope and peace, trying to alleviate the suffering of the weak and raising their voices in defense of their trampled rights, denouncing evil and injustice," it added. "Even in danger of their own safety, at the request of civil authorities or their own superiors, the Missionaries remained at their posts, aware of the risks which they were running, in order to remain true to the duties they bore." Over the course of 2018, a number of non-clergy Protestant missionary deaths also made headline news, most notably the killing of 26-year-old Oral Roberts University graduate John Chau. Chau, who studied for years to bring the Gospel to isolated tribespeople on North Sentinel Island near India, was killed by arrows on the island in November. Chau's killing sparked debate on the proper ways of carrying out contemporary missionary work, though All Nations, the missionary group that trained Chau, hailed his character. Pam Arlund, a member of the International Leadership Team at All Nations, told The Christian Post that the American was "one of the greatest learners I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He read about one book every three days, about missions, reading books that I would recommend to him." His family also called him someone who "loved God" and wanted to help "those in need." The unrest and clashes in Cameroon meanwhile led to the death of Indiana missionary Charles Wesco in October. Wesco, who had only moved into the region with his family earlier that month, was shot by bullets and died in front of his wife and son. Rebecca Wesco, the missionary's mother, said that she believes her son is in Heaven. "[W]e don't have any shadow of a doubt," the mother said at the time. "He had sins, but he had asked God to forgive him, and he really truly wanted to love God more than his very life." Courtesy of The Christian Post What does Chris Pratt do when hes not busy acting? Hes a rancher on Washington States gorgeous San Juan Island! Thats right, the star of the Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World franchises raises sheep, chickens, and other livestock on the ranch thats his scenic island sanctuary. Why San Juan Island? San Juan Island is just one of a chain of islands that share the name. The archipelago (or island chain) is located in the sheltered Salish Sea between Seattle, Washington and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Its composed of 172 named islands and reefs, but only four are well-populated enough to have ferry service. Those four are Lopez Island, Orcas Island, San Juan Island, and tiny Shaw Island. San Juan Island is the most populous and hosts the county seat of Friday Harbor, which also acts as the gateway to the island. The islands have become a popular sanctuary for people seeking peace, privacy, and a quieter pace of life. Bill Gates, Steve Miller, and Tom Skerritt are some of the other well-known people who own estates on the San Juan Islands. Farms and food on the islands San Juan Island is home to a thriving Farmers Market and organic food co-op that showcase some of the islands many crops. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, lavender and other cut flowers, goats and sheep, poultry and eggs, and aquacultured shellfish. The three largest islands also offer plenty of opportunities for agritourism. Visitors can stay on a real, working farm and enjoy a taste of the kind of life that has drawn Pratt to the islands. What life is like on the Pratt ranch For a Hollywood superstar, Pratt is surprisingly down-to-earth. When hes not filming a new blockbuster or building forts on the beach with his son Jack, he stays busy with chores around his ranch. Hes not above wrestling a huge ram in need of hoof trimming, gathering eggs, feeding his flock of sheep, or arranging for those sheep to get their annual shearing. He also loves keeping in touch with his fans through social media. He frequently posts about the latest arrivals on the ranch or other interesting tidbits of ranch life. This all-around nice guy seems comfortably at home on the range. Lets hope girlfriend Katherine Schwarzenegger loves it as much as he does! Slowing down and enjoying nature Pratt heads to the ranch as often as his busy schedule allows. He especially likes to unwind there after a grueling on-location movie shoot. He recommends that everyone get in touch with nature whenever theyre feeling stressed out or anxious. It certainly seems to work for him! His ranch isnt the only way Pratt likes to get close to nature. As an avid hunter, Pratt says he respects the animal he is hunting while still enjoying the thrill of the hunt. He has been very open about how much he enjoys hunting, much to the chagrin of some of his anti-hunting fans. The cycle of life on a ranch Ranch living is all about the cycle of birth, life, and death. Unlike a farm, which might not have any animals at all, ranch life revolves around the livestock. Pratt fulfilled that cycle when he had one of his lambs butchered. Vegans were outraged about it, but Pratt understands the realities of ranch life. A ewe (female sheep) typically has at least twins or triplets every year. Quadruplets and quintuplets are not unheard of, either! Unless the flock of sheep was neutered, the entire island would soon be overrun with sheep to the detriment of the native plants and animals. Pratt is excited about sharing his ranchs bounty with friends and family for now. Later on, he would like to extend the ranchs offerings to the public, as well. He has an absolute passion for quality meat, whether from animals he has hunted or livestock he has raised on his much-loved San Juan Island ranch. Onward! The movie, that is. Pratt will voice one of the two elf brothers in the Disney Pixar movie Onward, set to be released in early 2020. It also features the voices of Tom Holland, Octavia Spencer, and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were among some of the highest profile, best-known celebrity couples. They were together for years before they tied the knot in August of 2014. Unfortunately, the couple separated in 2016 and then divorced citing that it was for the health of the family. This occurred shortly after Pitt got into an argument with the couples oldest child, Maddox, on an airplane ride. While Brangelina may no longer be a thing, the public is still fascinating by their large family. The two have six children together. Three of their children were adopted, and three are biological. The kids are kept mostly out of the spotlight so they can have a semi-normal childhood, but what are they doing now? How old are the Jolie-Pitt children? Maddox, 16 Maddox was adopted by Jolie prior to her relationship with Pitt when she was with Billy Bob Thornton. In 2002, Jolie changed his name from Rath Vibol to Maddox Clivan Thornton-Jolie. When Maddox was officially adopted by Pitt in 2005 (at the same time as his sister, Zahara) his name was officially changed to Maddox Clivan Jolie-Pitt. Maddox is originally from Cambodia and has a youth organization set up in his honor in his home country. He had a small part in his fathers movie, World War Z, where he played a zombie that was shot. Pax, 14 Pax was adopted by Jolie and Pitt in 2007 at the age of three. He is originally from Vietnam, and also has a foundation set up in his home country under his name. Pax, by the way, means peaceful sky in both Vietnamese and Latin. He, along with Zahara, had a small, uncredited part in his mothers movie, Maleficent. According to Jolie, Pax is currently into music and has been experimenting with deejaying. Zahara, 13 Zahara was adopted in 2005 from Ethiopia. Like her older brothers, Angelina Jolie set up a foundation in her honor shortly after adoption. Zahara, who wishes to be a model when she grows up, is very close to her younger sister, Shiloh. The two are often photographed together shopping or attending awards ceremonies. Zahara had a small, uncredited part in Maleficent with her brother, Pax. She also did some voice acting in Kung Fu Panda 3. Shiloh, 11 Shiloh was the first biological child of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. She was born in May of 2006, and her newborn pictures sold to People Magazine for a considerable sum. Jolie has often come under fire for Shilohs preference for boys clothing and short hairstyles. Yet Jolie is simply allowing Shiloh to appear in the way she most prefers and states that she had the same preferences when she was her daughters age. Vivienne Marcheline, 9 Vivienne Jolie-Pitt is one of two fraternal twins born to her parents in July of 2008. Her middle name, Marcheline, is the name of Angelinas mother. Vivienne has mostly stayed out of the public eye and has not yet helped her parents in their acting pursuits as has her older siblings. Leon Knox, 9 Leon Knox is the fraternal twin brother of Vivienne. The name Leon belonged to Jolies great-great-grandfather, while Knox comes from Pitts grandfather. Like his sister, Leon has mostly stayed out of the public eye and has not yet assisted in his parents acting pursuits. Citizens of the world The six Jolie-Pitt children have had an interesting upbringing. Jolie believes in raising her children to be citizens of the world, versus citizens of America. She believes this is beneficial, as it helps her children to consider the health and prosperity of the entire world versus just one country. LBMC celebrated its second annual Lending Hands week, where LBMC employees across the state have the opportunity to lend a hand to local not-for-profits via hands-on volunteering during work hours. This year more than 270 employees participated, donating approximately 870 hours in a span of one week, equating to more than $250,000 donation of time. Organizations like St. Jude, Chattanooga Food Bank, Chattanooga Signal Centers, Chattanooga Welcome Home, Helen Ross McNabb Center and the Red Cross were among the 25 Not-For-Profits helped by LBMC employees Dec. 3-7.LBMC CEO Jeff Drummonds said, We are so proud to be a part of the wonderful Tennessee community, and Lending Hands is our opportunity to give back. We have long known how service-minded our employees are and Lending Hands allows us to bring our volunteer efforts together and have an even greater impact in our community.Dennis Blanton, LBMC managing shareholder, Chattanooga office, said, While we volunteer throughout the year in various ways like United Way campaigns or individual volunteer efforts, as well as sitting on boards, etc., Lending Hands gives us an opportunity to do this together over the holidays. The fact that LBMC encourages this during work hours is a great example of our culture and the value we give on being an active part of this community. We will definitely be doing this again in 2019. A 58-year-old Crossville man was shot and killed on New Year's Day. Cumberland County Sheriffs Deputies were dispatched to 115 Sandy Creek Road at approximately 12:23 p.m. to a reported shooting. Officers discovered Paul Wing injured at the scene. Mr. Wing was transported to Cumberland Medical Center where he later died. Cumberland County Sheriffs Investigators and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene and began an investigation. The investigation is ongoing and the body is being sent for an autopsy. It is almost SIXTY years since I gladly left the control tower at Sewart Air Force Base at Smyrna, Tennessee, vowing never to go back. I plainly remember the horror I felt when sentenced to an Air Force career as "Control Tower Operator". The NCO who did that sentencing did so on the basis of my civilian profile, which indicated I had worked briefly as a radio announcer here in Chattanooga during my early college years. "Do you like to use your voice?" he had asked, and I had unwittingly answered, "Yes", only barely envisioning what my answer would lead to. That affirmative answer at Lackland Air Force Base in 1956 got me shipped out to a 13-week Air Traffic Control school at Keesler AFB, located at Biloxi, Mississippi. That school was said to be one of the Air Force's longer lasting academic courses, requiring 13 weeks of much concentration both in class and out. My classmates and I settled into some really fine air-conditioned barracks which had sturdy metal desks ideal for spreading books out and burning some midnight oil. The "soldiering" of Basic Training was behind us by now and we only had an occasional parade which required us to wear a Class "A" uniform. Our classes were broken up into one- and two-week segments which led us through many topics and which took us to graduation. We took an exam at the end of each segment which later became an integral part of our FAA License. Upon graduation we were presented with a genuine FAA license (then called the "CAA"), same as a pilot's license, only minus actual flight training. The school work, as mentioned, was broken into many parts, and I forget most of them. I do remember that one segment was all about the layout of airports: the numbering system for runways, and all things found at major airports world-wide. We probably spent two weeks learning all about navigational aids which the average air passenger knows nothing about. We were astounded to learn, for example, how many such navigational devices existed to guarantee safety for both pilot and passenger: fan markers, omni ranges, different types of airways, Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), inner markers, outer markers, UHF and VHF frequencies, middle markers etc. A lot of those facilities came with both inbound and outbound headings which every would-be controller had to memorize! We were given a map of the entire gulf coast's control area at the start of our school and had ONE WEEKEND to memorize all those headings - inbound and outbound - of every navigational facility from New Orleans to Mobile, north to near Jackson, Mississippi! I remember some sleepless nights as I prepared for the Monday morning exam. I think we spent an entire week on "VFR" (Visual Flight Rules), and at least another week on "IFR" (Instrument Flight Rules). Other classroom work included Weather, and "Centers" - the invisible, hidden-from-view ARTCC (Air Route Traffic Control Centers) which handle all Instrument air traffic. (Control Towers are considered to be strictly VFR facilities). There are 21 of these invisible control centers across our country whose controllers sit before scopes to guide your flight safely through thick cloud banks, or around severe thunderstorms, and then "talk your flight down" from, say, 42,000 feet, to a much lower altitude where Approach Control takes over and lands your flight, with clearance from the VFR tower. These IFR controllers also handle flights both departing and entering the U.S. from foreign countries. Their work is mainly done by GPS in these modern times, of course, but what if the satellite goes out? Your friendly controller MUST still know - and keep well-abreast of - the old way it was done 100 years ago when aviation was new. Sewart Tower (my "work home" for nearly three years) had a close and amicable working relationship with Nashville Tower, and we all knew each other by the initials used at the end of every (frequent) phone convo involving the movement of aircraft. (Nashville handled the "Approach Control" to Sewart, as it was a congested area due to both civilian and military aircraft converging on the same area. One shift-chief in the Nashville Tower once flattered me by telling me they would like to have me work there after I left the Air Force! He knew that "recruiting" is forbidden in U.S. government work, but he just tossed out the idea that I MIGHT have a good job waiting at Berry Field in Nashville if I wanted it. (That was at least a happy thought, although he knew, as did I, that Civil Aviation requires attendance at its own school in Kansas City). Added to my feelings about Air Traffic Control, expressed above, I was in no way interested. The down side of life in a Control Tower is the constant confusion found there, as when you are trying to hear a weak transmission on one speaker when suddenly a loud voice blares out from another! "Ground Control" transmissions also interfere as well, and can blot out important information that the "B" position controller is trying to copy by phone. Transmissions frequently cut in and out so it would be impossible to decipher what the pilot meant. Standardized "phraseology" was an attempt to alleviate this problem, but did not always work when important data was at stake. During daylight hours the air traffic can be horrendous, with aircraft of all types and speeds trying to enter the traffic pattern - jets being handled in a totally different manner from prop-driven aircraft, and notwithstanding the fact we had already received a paper"strip" of information on every inbound flight. Also, there would always be some pilot waiting for takeoff who was absolutely sure the tower had a vendetta against him by withholding his clearance (which had to come from the Memphis center, which was frequently swamped with work), and such men sometimes would become belligerent as a result. (The very idea of an Airman 2nd class (A/2c) giving orders to a Full "bird" Colonel pilot!) To be honest, I left day shifts in Sewart Tower with a migraine headache every day! Fortunately, however, there were other young men of only 18 or 19 years of age who really seemed to thrive on the daily fracas and constant verbal wrestling. Be glad that some of these latter airmen (frequently with only one or two stripes) were able to take the heat, and later DID go on to fine-paying jobs as fully operational and trustworthy civilian controllers. These well-paid good men and women should be lauded for their talent and skill as you flew safely home to Dallas or Miami at Christmas, allowing you to sleep or read a book as they vectored your plane around some truly serious weather and kept your flight well separated from all others. In fact, it was that "fine pay" which inspired this writing today: Recently on the evening news they were reporting about good paying jobs which required no college degree - and Air Traffic Control was at the very top of the list! Turns out that the MEDIAN salary for such a controller is presently $120,000! And if you do not know what "median" means, just look it up - but it's HALF WAY between the lowest salary and the highest! You can imagine that a controller in the dense northeastern U.S., or in Atlanta, or LAX might deserve more than a controller at Roanoke, Huntsville, or Chattanooga. Besides city airports, there are also long-established reporting points for aircraft out in the "boonies" - as the one at Crossville, Tennessee. Aircraft flying on IFR are legally required to "report" every 20 minutes, while over water (on international flights) it's every 10 minutes. So, as you can see, there is a lot more to Air Traffic Control (ATC) than that handsome Control Tower which graces nearly every flight-line in America - and the world. If you have read this far, please remember that my experiences in ATC date from the time when Elvis Presley was just starting out, Eisenhower was President, and Russian dictator Nikita Khrushchev was hammering his shoe on his desk at the UN! It was in that brief time when the U.S. was not in any "hot" war - and we were between the Korean and Vietnam wars. A few things may have changed in 60 years, I know, but probably less that you would imagine. The entire concept of ATC is SAFETY, and you cannot possibly compress 2,000 feet of separation vertically, or three miles horizontally between aircraft - the minimums in my day - as I think it still is. We were told that the ATC system had changed very little between ca. 1920, when it started (in England), and 1956 when I entered the field. My generation used small circular hand-held "disc computers" to calculate rates of closure, etc. Modern computers have taken over much of that work, and radar screens have eliminated any "guesswork" which may have once existed - but remember: if that computer suddenly dies, it's back to the old - and still reliable - system. I should also mention that ENGLISH was the language designated as ATC's international language back in the 1920's. Local flights in places like Siberia or Mongolia might use their native language, but if the flight is to or from an international airport, English MUST be used. Although you may never see them in person, be grateful for your Air Traffic Controller people (both men and women) who constantly must work to stay up on all the myriad rules, past and present, and who assure you safe passage to wherever you want to go via air. When you go to bed tonight - when you first close your eyes - try to imagine all the radio signals floating in the ether above you which you never see, or perceive in any way, which have been placed there by the hand of man - and which are operated by the good men and women of ATC to assure your safety at all times Should anyone be interested in a career in the field, you can get information on-line, for sure, and remember that ATC comes under the U.S. Department of Commerce. Our government does not discriminate as to race or gender. Oh, yes: How CAN a lowly A/2c give "orders" to a Captain, Major, or full "bird" Colonel? Answer: the Airman Second Class is licensed by the same FAA as the higher-ranking officers. The Airman 2/c does not give "orders", but "advisories" - which have the weight as law. If the pilot rejects that advisory, he is in violation. Again, I will concede that some of this may have changed: my generation, for example, did not have GPS. All I am trying to show here is that there are some remarkably fine - and brilliant - people working in the field and who CAN take the heat! Many thanks to the gentleman at Chattanooga Tower who helped me remember some long-forgotten facts! * * * A man told police he dropped his wallet at the pumps at 2301 4th ave. He said his wallet contained $940 in cash, his drivers license, Social Security card, and a credit card. His wife believed an employee had picked up the wallet. Police confronted the employee, who emptied his pockets with no wallet in sight. * * * There was a noise complaint on Valley Trail. The reporting party stated that there was a house party going on and that there were underage kids drinking and causing noise issues. Upon arrival to the scene, an officer located the house where the party was taking place. He also investigated and located the renters and home owner of the home. The officer shut down the party and told the revelers that if they continued to have parties going forward that they would be given citations to jail. * * * An officer responded to a vandalism at a house on Ivy Street. Upon arrival he spoke with a woman who stated that her dog woke her up and, when she looked outside, she observed a white male tugging and pulling on the street sign at the corner of Ivy Street and N. Hawthorne. The woman said she yelled at the man, then he got into a white car and parked in a nearby driveway. An officer noted that the sign appeared to be uprooted from the ground, but there were no visible tire marks in the yard or any damage to the small concrete wall near it that would indicate any sort of car accident. The officer located a white car in a driveway on N. Hawthorne, but the car showed no signs of any damage and was cold to the touch. He knocked on the door and made contact with the owner of the white car. The man said he had just woken up, and the officer said "his state of dress and demeanor indicated so." The man denied knowing anything about the sign being damaged, and said he had not let anyone borrow his car. * * * Police said they have received several calls about people that have set up camp on benches at 1200 Market St. Upon request of the owners officers have notified specific people that they are trespassed from the property. Officers gave them an hour to gather their things and leave. * * * Police got calls about suspicious activity at 305 Frazier Ave. There were also calls relating to 315 Cherokee Blvd, 110 N. Market and 305 Frazier Ave. about two homeless persons causing problems. Police were able to catch up with the two parties, Melanie Medley and Matthew Oliver, at 305 Frazier.. Police said they were the same people causing the trouble at all the locations. After speaking to managers of Walgreen's and Mr. Zip, both were advised they were no longer allowed on the property * * * Police went to Sixth and Market to talk with a man who said that he had been bamboozled. He said around 3:45 p.m. he made a withdraw of $460. As he was walking, he was stopped by two black males in a gray/silver four door Audi. He said they asked him where a church was and if he could give them directions. He said he could not remember the name of the church. He said he got in the car and went looking for the church. The driver was described as dressed very nice in a black shirt with white dots all over it with a black leather jacket. The passenger was wearing a white and blue jacket and blue jeans. Both men stated that they were taking up an offering for a party at a church. They asked the man if he could and would contribute. They said if he did so he would receive $40,000. The man said he also made a second withdraw of $120 and that the passenger was with him while the driver went into the SunTrust bank across the street. He said the two men stated that they had two bundles that had the money that was to be split. The driver stated, "Let's pray." As the man bowed his head and closed his eyes. He said "when he grabbed the bundle they must have gave him the okeydoke because it was shredded up newspaper." . * * * A resident of Harrison Pike said a white female knocked on her door stating that she was with the Water Awareness Program. She said she wanted a sample of water from her kitchen sink. The woman told the female that she wasn't coming out and that she needed to come back during daylight hours. Police canvassed the area and were unable to locate anyone from the Water Awareness Program. * * * Police said a black male entered the Burlington store and grabbed two pairs of pants and a jersey. He then went to the dressing room and spent approximately three minutes in there. The unknown male put on the two pairs of pants and jersey over the clothes he was already wearing. He left the tag from the jersey, one of the pairs of pants and his cigarettes. He then exited the store, passing the last point of sale. Burlington lost approximately $60 worth of clothes, but gained a pack of cigarettes. * * * Near 12th and Broad, police met with an Hispanic man who said he and his construction crew left for about two weeks. When they returned all of their equipment was missing. The equipment had been left on the roof. The loss totals to about $22,200. * * * An employee of CVS on Lee Highway said two two black females entered the store and asked one of the associates to open the cologne case. They then proceeded to fill up their baskets with merchandise. They walked over towards the counter like they were going to pay. They then ran out of the store without paying. They got into a gold four-door Chrysler sedan and left the scene. Total amount taken was $1,753. * * * A woman said she left her 2016 Toyota RAV4 with the valet service of the Westin Hotel at 801 Pine St. on a Wednesday. She said she received her car back on Friday and, while her vehicle was in the parking garage, an unknown party stole her Apple Iphone7+. She said that whoever stole the cellphone went through her vehicle. She saod she is not certain if anything else was stolen. * * * At Walmart on Gunbarrel Road, and employee said two white males in their 50's entered the store and stole items, then ran. The two men were observed concealing items on their persons and then left the store in a red pickup truck. They were described as short and one had a scruffy beard. One was last seen wearing a possible Carhart coat. The total value of items stolen was around $250. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Hot. High 96F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 74F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Vietnamese cement exports hits record high in 2018 02 January 2019 The volume of Vietnamese cement exports rose 55 per cent YoY to 31.65Mt in 2018, according to the Vietnam Cement Association (VNCA). As the highest ever export value in the sector, it represents an estimated value of US$1.2bn. The country's cement has been shipped to more than 40 countries with an average price of US$50/t for cement and US$38-US$42/t of clinker, up 20-23 per cent from the rates in 2016, according to VNCA's Chairman, Nguyen Quang Cung. Vietnam's Ministry of Construction has estimated that cement production will rise 6-8 per cent in 2019 to around 99Mt, including 69Mt for the domestic market and the remaining 30Mt as exports. As such, the main export markets in year ahead are expected to be the Philippines, Bangladesh, China, Taiwan and Peru. However, experts have warned Vietnamese cement exporters of risks from the Chinese market, according to Vietnam News. Published under Cement exports sliding for the last five years to Afghanistan 02 January 2019 Export of cement from Pakistan to Afghanistan through land routes has started dwindling from the fiscal year 2010-11. During that period it was hovering at 4.715Mt and made Afghanistan a leading importer of Pakistan cement. According to the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association(APCMA), since then, exports have started sliding and reached to 2.439Mt in 2015-16, 1.716Mt in 2016-17 and 1.820Mt in 2017-18, whereas, exports in the five months of 2018-19 stood at 808,045t for Afghanistan. Aizaz Sheikh CEO of Kohat Cement, saidnthe exports to Afghanistan through the Torkhum border have decreased sharply, while security checks and delays in customs at the border are hurting exports. Security checks are necessary but the government should take steps for the quick processing of export consignments, he suggested. Government in action is also hampering the growth of the cement sector owing to smuggling of Iranian cement into the country which continues unabated, hurting not only the local industry but government revenues as well. The government is losing almost PKR180/bag (US$1.28/bag) in terms of duties and taxes which the local industry pays. Even legal import of Iranian cement should not be allowed until Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority certifies the quality of cement being imported, Aizaz Sheikh remarked. He also urged the government to eliminate federal excise duty on cement as it is not a luxury item. A spokesman of the APCMA in a monthly statement earlier pointed out that the northern region is exporting cement to Afghanistan and Indian markets have not benefited from rupee depreciation because of political reasons. Published under Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription, or activate your access, to continue reading. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The chances of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union (EU) are "50-50" if Parliament rejects Prime Minister Theresa May's withdrawal agreement in January, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said in a Sunday Times interview. With employment at a record high and debt falling, the PM said the UK's economic foundations were strong but she acknowledged more needed to be done to ensure "everyone in every community can feel the benefit". It is a sad fact that there are a number of people who rather see Britain fail than see Brexit succeed. "I'm feeling the country is in need of leadership", Johnson said on Monday in a BBC Radio interview. Mr Fox said that if Brexit does not happen then politicians will have "betrayed" everyone who voted in the referendum. The Labour leader said the Prime Minister's efforts to force through her Withdrawal Agreement in a crunch Commons vote next month were "letting people down all across the country, whether they voted Leave or Remain". But the bill's passage is far from certain, with May having to pull an initial vote with a crushing defeat looking, rescheduling it for the week beginning January 14. Under the backstop, the European Union would effectively annexe Northern Ireland to prevent a hard border between the island of Ireland and the northern province, which is part of the United Kingdom. But that's not our intention. "We only want clarity about the future relationships". He said: "This is our biggest moment as a nation since the end of the Second World War, when we can recast ourselves in a different way, we can actually play the role on the world stage that the world expects us to play". The UK voted to leave the European Union in a referendum in June 2016 and the formal exit from the economic bloc on Brexit Day - March 29, 2019 - requires a deal cleared by its Parliament that sets out the terms of the exit and includes a declaration on the outline of the future relations between the UK and the EU. "It doesn't look like it would be possible" under the terms of the Brexit deal on the table, he said. Ahead of next month's vote, the government has stepped up preparations for a no-deal withdrawal on March 29, including asking pharmaceutical companies and supermarkets to stockpile drugs and food, putting 3 500 troops on standby and hiring ferries to carry trucks across the channel to avoid potential snarls at Dover. Liam Fox, the worldwide trade secretary and a vocal Brexit campaigner during the 2016 referendum, warned colleagues planning on voting against May that her plan was the only way to be "100 percent certain" that Britain would leave. He called on fellow Conservative Party members to back May's deal, adding that failure to do so would be "incendiary". Former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama waves after discussing her forthcoming memoir titled, 'Becoming', during the 2018 American Library Association Annual Conference on June 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photos by Andrea Falcon / Ocean Cat. Team Ocean Cat will try to break the record established in 2017 by Team Malingri. Ocean Cat will be using the same platform designed by Balance Arquitectura Naval with some updates. The team is also gathering financial support through sportfunder.com/oceancat Below report sent by Alessandro Mei / Ocean Cat Press. - TULLIO PICCIOLINI AND GIAMMARCO SARDI IN SEARCH OF THE RECORD OF ATLANTIC CROSSING WITH THE ITALIAN SAILING FEDERATION PATRONAGE Tullio Picciolini and Giammarco Sardi are now in Dakar, from where they will take off in mid-January towards Guadeloupe on board the 6-meter Ocean Cat non-habitable sport catamaran, which for the occasion will hoist the FIV (Italian Sailing Federation) flag, to try to beat the Atlantic crossing record without assistance from the coast of Senegal to Guadeloupe (2551 nautical miles, equal to 4724 km). Dakar-Guadeloupe is the route approved by the Speed Record Council of World Sailing, the International Sailing Federation, for the Atlantic crossing record, without assistance, of a crew of two people aboard a non-habitable 20 foot sport catamaran (6 meters). According to statistics and weather analysis, the best conditions for departure should occur around 15 th January. In front of the coast of Dakar will be placed the starting line where a judge appointed by World Sailing will decree the beginning of the attempt to break the Atlantic crossing record of 11 days, 1 hour, 9 minutes and 30 seconds set by Vittorio and Nico Malingri in the April 2017 Picciolini and Sardi have more than 70 thousand nautical miles on their backs, 50 thousand the first and 20 thousand the second, crossed between the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Pacific. The 20 foot (6 meter) ocean catamaran on which they will race was designed specifically for the record by Studio Balance Arquitectura Naval from the Aviles Ramos Site, and is built entirely of carbon. It is a very solid boat, fast and made unsinkable by its 14 watertight compartments that during the crossing will also be used for stowing food for 16 days and technical material. With this same boat, Vittorio and Nico Malingri have conquered the Atlantic crossing record in 2017. It has been controlled and optimized for the new crossing, with the collaboration of the designer and with the support of a C-Catamarans shipyard. During the crossing from Dakar to Guadeloupe, Ocean Cat will be equipped with two Solbian AllInOne solar panels with back contact technology that allows a strong cell yield, higher than 22%, which consequently improves the performance of the solar panel, necessary to maintain efficient on-board instrumentation such as compass, wind, speed and safety systems. Tullio Picciolini commented : This week we will need for the clearance of the boat, which is already in Dakar for ten days, the assembly and acclimatization before the start for the record. A week of hard work is waiting for the development of this small boat, we have to test the instrumentation on board and the connections with the operating room that will follow us from Rome and connected to the Operative Room of the Italian Coast Guard . The company of the two Italian sailors will be able to be followed on the www.oceancat.it website, thanks to the SmartTrack satellite tracking system which, through the SGS Tracking LiveTrack software, will allow the vessels position in real time to be viewed along the web. route Dakar-Guadeloupe. The contents will also be published on the Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages dedicated to the event. Social: @teamoceancat - Photo: The Canadian Press New Horizons project scientist Hal Weaver speaks about new data received from the New Horizons spacecraft. NASA's New Horizons spacecraft pulled off the most distant exploration of another world Tuesday, skimming past a tiny, icy object 4 billion miles from Earth that looks to be shaped like a bowling pin. Flight controllers in Maryland declared success 10 hours after the high-risk, middle-of-the-night encounter at the mysterious body known as Ultima Thule on the frozen fringes of our solar system, an astounding 1.6 billion kilometres beyond Pluto. "I don't know about all of you, but I'm really liking this 2019 thing so far," lead scientist Alan Stern of Southwest Research Institute said to applause. "I'm here to tell you that last night, overnight, the United States spacecraft New Horizons conducted the farthest exploration in the history of humankind, and did so spectacularly." The close approach came a half-hour into the new year, and 3 1/2 years after New Horizons' unprecedented swing past Pluto. For Ultima Thule which wasn't even known when New Horizons departed Earth in 2006 the endeavour was more difficult. The spacecraft zoomed within 3,500 kilometres of it, more than three times closer than the Pluto flyby. Operating on autopilot, New Horizons was out of radio contact with controllers at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory from late Monday afternoon until late Tuesday morning. Scientists wanted the spacecraft staring down Ultima Thule and collecting data, not turning toward Earth to phone home. Mission operations manager Alice Bowman said she was more nervous this time than she was with Pluto in 2015 because of the challenges and distance, so vast that messages take more than six hours, one way, to cross the 6.4 billion kilometres. When a solid radio link finally was acquired and team members reported that their spacecraft systems were green, or good, she declared with relief: "We have a healthy spacecraft." Later, she added to more applause: "We did it again." Cheers erupted in the control centre and in a nearby auditorium, where hundreds more still weary from the double countdowns on New Year's Eve gathered to await word. Scientists and other team members embraced and shared high-fives, while the spillover auditorium crowd gave a standing ovation. Stern, Bowman and other key players soon joined their friends in the auditorium, where the celebration continued and a news conference took place. The speakers took delight in showing off the latest picture of Ultima Thule, taken just several 1 million kilometres before the 12:33 a.m. close approach. "Ultima Thule is finally revealing its secrets to us," said project scientist Hal Weaver of Johns Hopkins. Based on the early, rudimentary images, Ultima Thule is highly elongated about 32 kilometres by 16 kilometres. It's also spinning end over end, although scientists don't yet know how fast. As for its shape, scientists say there are two possibilities. Ultima Thule is either one object with two connected lobes, sort of like a spinning bowling pin or peanut still in the shell, or two objects orbiting surprisingly close to one another. A single body is more likely, they noted. An answer should be forthcoming Wednesday, once better, closer pictures arrive. By week's end, "Ultima Thule is going to be a completely different world, compared to what we're seeing now," Weaver noted. 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. Do you have an athlete in mind that contributes to the team or sport, holds sportsmanship and team spirit, has epic playmaker moments and/or in general makes the the sports fun? If yes, please make your nominations for our edition of Athlete Spotlight. CLICK TO NOMINATE Rogue Farm Corps is an Oregon based nonprofit that trains and equips the next generation of farmers and ranchers through hands-on education and the preservation of farmland. The Changing Hands Stories series will run in the Capital Press, both online and in print. remaining of Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe. Already have a paid subscription? Sign in news, crime A Canberra man has been accused of destroying a Christmas tree and his partner's sentimental items after an all you can drink New Year's Eve event. Police will allege the man and his partner were at the QT hotel function on December 31 when they fought and the woman went home. She collected her dogs and went to stay with her parents. But about 7am on January 1, a neighbour of the Isabella Plains address saw clothes strewn about the yard and called police, concerned about the safety of the woman who lived there. When police arrived they found clothes, a Christmas tree, Christmas ornaments, wallets, tent poles, books and women's underwear strewn about the yard. There was a new padlock on the gate that had not been there the night before, but the woman removed the padlock from the support braces and walked inside. Inside the home a robot vacuum cleaner, ornaments and other items had been smashed or thrown on the floor. Police say the woman was shaking and crying at the amount of damage, including of sentimental items belonging to her grandmothers that could not be replaced. They arrested the 37-year-old man, who suggested this was a set up and the woman's family was framing him. He appeared in a holiday period bail court on Wednesday in the ACT Magistrates Court. He is charged with damaging property and did not enter a plea. The man was granted bail on a list of strict conditions to appear in court at a later date. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/47ee7453-bf0b-4de7-b995-2cd4dda30838/r0_16_320_197_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news Canberra house prices continue to trend upwards, bucking a nationwide decline driven by major falls in the Sydney and Melbourne markets. The ACT rounded out 2018 with a median house price of $672,332, up 3.6 per cent in the past 12 months, according to data from housing research firm CoreLogic. The growth did slow toward the back end of 2018, with house prices increasing by just 0.7 per cent in the December quarter, and remaining steady in the final month of the year. Apartment prices rose to $440,813 in 2018, up 2.2 per cent. Overall, property prices in the ACT rose 3.3 per cent last year. Canberra's growth was bettered only by Hobart among major Australian cities in 2018, with house prices in the Tasmanian capital increasing by 8.3 per cent. Nationwide, property prices fell by 4.8 per cent over the past 12 months - the worst result in a decade. The slump was driven by major falls in Sydney and Melbourne, where house prices fell by 10 per cent and 9.1 per cent respectively. Sydneys dwelling prices have fallen back to the same level they were in August 2016, before the peak of the real estate boom, while Melbournes prices are now at February 2017 levels. CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless said in a statement that Melbourne and Sydney were the primary reasons for the lower national result, though most regions across Australia had reacted to tighter credit conditions by recording weaker housing markets relative to 2017. Perth house prices by dropped 4.3 per cent in 2018, while property values in Darwin fell by 1.5 per cent. Adelaide (1.3 per cent increase) and Brisbane (0.2 per cent increase) recorded modest growth in the past 12 months. Master Builders Association of the ACT chief executive Michael Hopkins said Canberra's housing sector was showing signs of slowing down after year of record growth. Mr Hopkins said the introduction of tighter lending controls partly explained the slowdown, along with rising land prices in the ACT. comment, editorial The arrival of summer makes beaches, rivers, lakes and pools around the country a popular destination for families trying to escape the worst of the heat or simply have fun. An alarming increase in drownings nationally raise questions about Australia's approach to water safety. Swimming skills and knowledge should improve with every generation. The increase in fatal drownings so far this summer, 42 deaths in December compared to 30 in the same month last year, indicates this isn't the case. There are many warning signs showing the ACT is at risk of having its own drowning tragedies. Without action, hindsight will make these all too clear. The territory doesn't have to get to that point. Several reports and statistics should have shocked Canberra into action. Together, they show the city isn't equipped to prevent drownings. Royal Life Saving ACT has said the ACT government was putting lives at risk by not heeding advice to create more consistent backyard swimming pool legislation and enact a central registry of all pools. Unlike Queensland and NSW, the ACT government does not know how many swimming pools there are in total in Canberra. Older pools certified under less stringent safety requirements do not have to be brought up to modern standards, although the government has said it will develop a scheme to bring all pools up to the same standards. Until then, there are pools in the ACT not required to have fencing or certain building standards, depending on the time they were built. The government needs full vision of the safety of private pools in Canberra first. There should be no delay in bringing them to the same standards. Canberra children are not strong swimmers, according to other statistics. Fewer than one in 10 of its primary school kids can swim to the national water safety benchmark. The standard is set for pupils at the end of primary school, but the fact is that the vast majority of those under high school age aren't able to swim to the level advised by the Australian Water Safety Council. There are some encouraging signs the problem is being taken seriously, as the number of primary school students taking part in swim safety programs increases. Swim lessons are expensive and families are time poor. There are some levers the government can pull to improve children's swimming skills. More subsidies for lessons and safety programs would be a start. If Canberra is to lift the number of kids attending swim and water safety lessons, the ACT government could be contributing more. Authorities also need to look at the groups most vulnerable to drowning and target them. Considering the number of people drowning while attempting rescues, messages about the dangers of this altruism need broadcasting. Beyond a point, there's not much the government can do further to prevent drownings. Swimming is simply a vital skill in Australia. Protecting people from its risks needs awareness among parents. However, a willingness among governments to help prepare kids for a life near the water will go a long way. Heather Vitale, secretary of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA), international harness racing video journalist, self-proclaimed Harness Racings Firework, two-time Sam McKee Broadcasters Award winner, and probably the only person in harness racing who both holds Madonna as a role model and also has her own Wikipedia page, has been announced by USHWA President Shawn Wiles as the organizations Member of the Year. Make no mistake about it, there is only one Heather Vitale! USHWA president Wiles said. Her colourful and lively persona always adds excitement to any event. We look forward to seeing Heather again at this years Dan Patch Awards Dinner, on the red carpet, as we have for many years. She has been a great voice and face for harness racing in her region and for USHWA. Vitale comes from a multi-generational harness family in Delaware. Her mother, JoAnn Looney-King, was the first woman to drive a winner at The Meadowlands and co-owns 2018s outstanding pacing mare Shartin N, trained by husband Jim King Jr. Vitale is a graduate of Monmouth (N.J.) University, with a focus on public relations and journalism, and she chose to follow that career path rather than working with the horses. Her show Post Time has aired on the CBS affiliate in the Delmarva region for some 20 years, and she also co-hosts the weekly show Pennsylvania Harness Week, a position which she has held for nearly a decade. She has worked for ESPN and for the Little Brown Jug network. But a person of Vitale's ambition, flamboyance, and talent cannot of course be confined to any one country. Her journalistic travels have taken her not only to Canada, a logical extension because of the fluency of the U.S.-Canada harness crossing, but also to Ireland and Australia, where she appeared as an on-air reporter during a major stakes day. Vitale is a prolific user of social media since its inception, with many followers of her frequent postings on the various platforms. Im not a bettor, she says, so I focus my stories on the horses and the people in the sport, trying to tell their interesting stories, and trying to appeal to people to come out to the track and watch the races. I want to expose the sport outside of the fans we already have. Her presentation is tirelessly upbeat and positive in the service of harness racing. Perhaps the best summation of Heather Vitale was offered by Joe Thomson of Winbak Farms, who once told her, The best business I could be in is to bottle your attitude and sell it. The Harness Writers Association has benefited a great deal from her attitude and her talents, and thats why she has been named USHWAn of the Year. Heather Vitale (and her family in their connections to Shartin N) will be honoured at USHWAs annual Dan Patch Awards Banquet, celebrating the best and brightest of harness racing in the past year. The banquet honouring the champions of 2018 will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Fla., the climax of a weekend that also finds USHWA holding its annual national meetings. Tickets for the Dan Patch Awards Banquet, to be held Feb. 24, are $175, with a filet mignon dinner featured. Tickets, and other Banquet-related information, can be obtained through Dinner Planning Committee Chair Judy Davis-Wilson, at [email protected] or 302.359.3630. Hotel reservations for those attending can be made through USHWAs website; a link to the hotels computer is on the front page of the website. Those who would like to take out congratulatory ads for award winners in the always-popular Dan Patch Awards Journal can do so by contacting Kim Rinker at [email protected]. (USHWA) St. Johnsbury, VT (05819) Today Rain showers in the morning with thunderstorms developing for the afternoon. High 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Showers and a possible thunderstorm during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Property consultants CBRE Ireland have today released figures for the volume and value of hotels traded in the Irish market during 2018, which shows that excluding hotel investment sales, 34 transactions totalling more than 730 million between them signed during the year. This is considerably higher than the volume of sales completed in 2017 and was boosted by a large portfolio sale during the last 12 months. Hotels that changed hands during the year include The Heritage Hotel & Spa in Killenard, Co. Laois and the Connemara Coast Hotel in Furbo, Co. Galway. Commenting on the figures, Executive Director & Head of Research at CBRE Ireland, Marie Hunt said, "2018 was a very positive trading year for Irish hoteliers, boosted in no small part by healthy economic activity, increased air connectivity and record tourism numbers, with more than 11 million tourists having visited Ireland last year." She added, "Interestingly, while the number of UK visitor numbers was down year-on-year, this was more than compensated for by visitors from other jurisdictions on the back of increased marketing efforts from bodies such as Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland." Source: www.businessworld.ie IT ministry officials are planning to meet on January 5 legal experts and those advocating privacy to discuss proposed changes in social media rules, amid concerns over privacy and free speech. According to a source in the ministry, the proposed meeting with legal experts on January 5 is likely to be followed by a one-hour Twitter session that would be open to the larger public for discussion on the matter. Also Read: BJP confident of doing well in general election: PM Narendra Modi The government is keen on getting feedbacks and clarifying doubts, through the proposed exercise, said the person familiar with the development. The government proposes to amend the information technology (IT) rules to curb "misuse" of social media and online platforms, and the IT Ministry on December 24 released draft changes that would require such 'intermediaries' to enable tracing of originators of information when required by authorised government agencies. The IT ministry officials held a meeting last month with senior executives of Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and other companies to discuss these proposed changes in the IT rules, and the wider public feedback has been sought on the issue, by January 15. The proposed changes, which come ahead of general elections in 2019, in the rules will place social media platforms under the lens and require them to deploy tools to "identify" and curb unlawful content, as well as follow stricter due-diligence practices. The government's decision to bring amendments had been slammed by the Opposition which had termed the move as one that would violate the privacy of individuals, and an attempt to convert India into a "nanny state". Experts have also warned that the planned amendments, that mandate traceability of "unlawful content", could invade personal privacy and free speech. Also Read: Manufacturing of defence aerospace, warship items to be covered by Industries Act, says DIPP Also Read: Government to give preference to domestically produced drugs for public procurement IndiGo passengers travelling from Delhi to Ahmedabad were in for a rude shock on the first day of the year as smoke filled the plane. The pilot of the 6E-6373, an Airbus 320 travelling between the two cities issued a PAN-PAN midair call. A PAN-PAN call is a standard international urgency call that indicates that they have an urgent situation in hand. Following this incident the IndiGo flight made a priority landing at the Ahmedabad airport. IndiGo is yet to issue a statement regarding the incident. A similar incident took place on a Jaipur to Kolkata IndiGo flight, operated by Airbus 320. Smoke had filled the cabin and the cockpit leading the pilot to issue a May Day call. Unlike this plane, the Kolkata plane had an emergency landing at the Kolkata airport. This incident comes days after another similar incident took place on December 27, when following reports of smoke, passengers who had boarded a Jet Airways flight were deboarded and moved to another plane. The Jet Airways flight, 9W 713, was scheduled to fly from Bengaluru to Mangalore on the same day. As per the website, the alternate aircraft took off with 71 passengers. The ATR plane was grounded for repair work following the incident, as per reports by ANI. Jet Airways issued an official statement regarding the incident and said that the delay was due to a technical snag. The airline also mentioned that the plane was stationed at its bay and the incident took place before its departure. "Our flight, 9W 713, from Bengaluru to Mangalore of 27th December was delayed due to a technical snag, while parked at bay, prior to departure. An alternate aircraft was immediately arranged and the flight departed with 71 guests. We regret the inconvenience caused to our guests," Jet Airways said in a statement. (Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya) Also read: Cathay Pacific sells $16,000 business class tickets for $675 in a gaffe In a blunder that's one of its kind, Cathay Pacific Airways sold premium return tickets worth $16,000 for $675. The airline is still to decide how to proceed regarding this issue. The business class seats from Vietnam to Canada and the US were sold at economy prices. Gary Leff, a travel and loyalty-program blogger on View from the Wing wrote on December 31 that return tickets in the premium cabin from Da Nang to New York for August started for as low as $675. According to a post on One Mile at a Time, tickets from Hanoi to Vancouver and back, in a mix of business and first class, would cost the buyer less than $1,000. Cathay Pacific is aware of the pricing gaffe, as mentioned in a report in Bloomberg. A business class return ticket from Da Nang to New York would cost a passenger $16,000 for travel between July and September. Ticket prices for August were not available on the site. The airline is yet to clarify if it would honour the bookings. Similar incidents had happened with Singapore Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines earlier. They both honoured the business-class tickets that were accidently sold for economy fares. The timing of this incident also could not be worse as it comes at a time when Cathay Pacific is trying to turn its fortunes while competing with budget carriers. Last year a sophisticated hack on Cathay Pacific's computer systems exposed private information of 9.4 million passengers. It was the world's biggest airline data breach. (Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya) Also read: Yogi Adityanath govt's 'gau raksha' cess to make toll tax, alcohol costlier in UP Centre will likely announce direct benefit transfer (DBT) worth Rs 4,000 per acre per season plus interest-free crop loan up to Rs 1 lakh per farmer in an instant two-fold relief to the farmers, sources in the know told BusinessToday.In. The initiatives will cost the Centre Rs 2 lakh crore towards DBT and another Rs 28,000-30,000 crore towards interest subvention, adding up to nearly Rs 2.3 lakh crore on an annual basis. At least the Rs 70,000 fertiliser subsidy scheme will be subsumed into the scheme to make it possible. Some other smaller schemes may also get subsumed. Having lost three crucial state elections to arch rival Congress in December, the ruling BJP-NDA is in hyper-active mode to appease the most aggrieved community -- farmers. It believes its scheme's impact must be felt by the intended beneficiaries well before the 2019 General Elections to deliver the political dividend it is seeking -- return to power. Centre has called quickfire meetings at the PMO as well as in NITI Aayog to finalise the announcement which is likely within this week. In this process, officials of nodal ministries -agriculture, revenues, expenditure, chemical and fertilisers, food, et al-have been asked to meet informally to iron out any glitches. Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi is meeting farmer leaders to discuss the proposals. ALSO READ:PM Modi believes his government has done a lot for the middle class; here's why In his January 1 interview, Modi made it clear that the farm debt waiver is not an option he plans to consider. He is of the opinion that debt waivers in the past remained a wasteful exercise, and only end up helping a set of affluent farmers, not those who are worst affected. Officials in the establishment told BusinessToday.In that there are instructions to arrive at an out-of-box solution to farmer distress. Politically, the issue is becoming a hot potato after Congress president Rahul Gandhi put his weight behind farm debt waiver to attract the votes of farmers back to his party's fold. DBT will be given at the rate of Rs 4,000 per acre per season for cropping while zero interest loan will be at the rate of Rs 50,000 per hectare to be capped at Rs 1 lakh per farmer, sources told BusinessToday.In. The crop loan is already offered to farmers at a subsidised rate of 4 per cent only. Under the scheme, banks will not charge any interest up to Rs 1 lakh of loan. Centre had set an agri loan disbursal target of Rs 10 lakh crore in 2017-18 which had been achieved. Of that, 70 per cent is disbursed for crop loans. But with the whiff of a series of loan waivers, many banks have stopped extending loans to farmers. Officials say, the new scheme will open up avenues for farmers and will reduce input cost. Critics, however, say this may benefit the farmers in the future, but the mounting bad debts remain a worry. Banks have nearly Rs 3 lakh core as bad debt in the agriculture sector. ALSO READ:BJP confident of doing well in general election: PM Narendra Modi Meanwhile, DBT will allow the government to directly transfer the subsidies to farmer instead of routing it via manufacturers and traders. Here's how the DBT will work: at the time of sale of agri inputs, details of the buyer, his Aadhaar, the quantity, land records, etc. would be captured using a point of sale machine. The Centre will transfer the benefits with the cap of Rs 4,000 per acre per season. This is as opposed to the Telangana model under which a fixed amount of Rs 4,000 per acre is transferred to the farmer at the beginning of the crop season. DBT for fertiliser has already begun in earnest in several states this year. Centre has also allocated Rs 70,000 crore towards fertiliser subsidy. "DBT works differently at present, with a limited but pivotal role of the manufacturers. With this, we will be successful in plugging the pilferage and will also reach the actual beneficiary," a top official told BusinessToday.In. The biggest drawback of the scheme, though, is that it will still fail to cover the entire universe of potential beneficiaries. "This is what we are discussing," an official said. Apart from battling this, the Centre is also required to get the states on board. After all, agriculture is a state subject, and the provincial governments too offer a series of benefits. Yet, there are few takers among the states to share the burden in the ratio of 70:30 as proposed by the Centre. States would prefer the entire burden is borne by the Centre. Especially, those run by political parties in the Opposition since they wouldn't want to share the political dividend of the scheme with the BJP. These states include Telengana, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal which either already have similar scheme or are in the process of rolling them out after an announcement. Whether the BJP/NDA can reverse its fortune with the scheme will depend on how quickly its impact is felt by the beneficiaries. The proof of the pudding is in eating. But time is slipping away. ALSO READ:Barking up the wrong tree in solving farmers' distress ALSO READ:Siddaramaiah hits out at Modi on loan waiver scheme, calls him 'anti-farmer' Getting older can be tough. Driving, walking and being able to see clearly at night can become daily challenges that can make life difficult to navigate. And with a growing population of aging residents Wilton Manors, city officials here are aware that aging in place can be problematic if the right services are not available. Thats why being designated as an Age-Friendly Community by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is such a source of pride. The idea of being able to age in place is really useful. I like that. It fits in the asprations the city, said Wilton Manors resident and activist Van Gosselin, 73. In a municipality that is known as the second gayest city in America, isolation among seniors can be especially worrisome. Living in a city that is aware of these issues as its residents age is important. One challenge is that LGBT seniors often dont have children or other relatives to care for them as they age, and they dont feel comfortable at mainstream assisted living facilities, said Julie Seaver, executive director of Compass LGBT Community Center in Lake Worth. It can be a very scary time and it seems a lot of LGBT people are going back into the closet because it doesnt feel safe to them to come out to their medical providers or their caregivers, Seaver said. Ensuring that any community is age-friendly is especially beneficial to the LGBT population who faces particular challenges in this regard, and the city of Wilton Manors is proud to be one of the highest populated LGBT communities in the nation, former Mayor Gary Resnick wrote in a February 2018 letter to the AARP. Resnick said the city would: Promote the involvement of over residents in an effort to improve the citys age-friendly standing Support its Community Advisory Board in its work developing an Action Plan to respond to the needs of seniors Commit to measuring and reporting Action Plan progress The city joined 22 other Florida municipalities and counties in 2018 to become part of an elite group of localities recognized for their efforts. Other Broward cities that have achieved the age-friendly AARP designation include Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines and Pompano Beach. Earlier this year, Wilton Manors commissioners approved plans for a 48-unit LGBT-friendly affordable housing project for seniors with disabilities. The project will be built at the Pride Center at Equality Park on Dixie Highway at the south entrance to the city. It will connect to an existing LGBT community center. Seaver said they are watching the Wilton Manors project closely. Palm Beach County has no affordable LGBT-friendly housing for seniors. We are very interested in our brothers and sisters to the south, Seaver said. This is not a new concept. Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago and Philadelphia all have very successful projects in major metropolitan areas. Membership in the AARP age-friendly communities group signifies that local officials are making an effort to prepare for future demands. According to statistics from the 2010 U.S. census, 15 percent of Wilton Manors residents were 65 years or older nearly 10 years ago. The number is expected to be higher today. At Mickel Park, the city has installed a walk/jog path and exercise equipment that are age-friendly based on their simplicity to use. The equipment was selected with the citys aging population in mind, said Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Tom Green. Anything that suggests that we are conscious of engaging the lives of residents in the city is a matter of pride for us, Green said about the AARP age-friendly designation. To receive the recognition, the city sent out an age-friendly-survey in early 2018 in the Town Crier newsletter seeking residents input. The survey is also available the citys website. The survey asked residents if they were 50 years or older, how long they had lived in the city and how they would rate their community as a place to live for residents as they grow older. One question asks how retirees get around to do things like shopping, visiting the doctor and running errands. Another inquires about the importance of safe parks, accessible transportation, affordable housing, employment opportunities and the proximity of quality health care. The survey also inquires about marital status, gender identity, disability or chronic disease, education and employment status. According to the AARPs website, their network of age-friendly communities encourages states, cities, towns and rural areas to prepare for the rapid aging of the U.S. population by paying increased attention to the environmental, economic and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults. Launched in April 2012, the network operates under the auspices of the World Health Organizations Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Program. This article is inspired by three masterpieces on the subject - Lessons from the World's Most Enduring Family Businesses: Centuries of Success by William T O'Hara; The Living Company by Arie De Geus and the research of Harno Funabashi. Deep and inspiring conversations with Dr. Ram Charan have been a great source of learning. Lastly, my own experiences as a family business practitioner have helped me blend these learnings. Why not let corporations die? Whether a family company or otherwise, what is so special about enduring companies? Why should they continue to survive? There is no right answer and it could take hours of acrimonious debate to be able to convince impatient capital, traders and speculative short-term investors looking for quick results and quarterly performance and valuations. It would be even more difficult to dissuade shareholders from buying companies and dismantling them into component parts. It is finally a matter of how we see companies - are they merely for economic purpose or do they fulfill a larger socio-economic purpose? The average life expectancy of Fortune 500 companies is about 40-50 years and getting shorter Companies that were once blue chip on the Mumbai Stock Exchange, only a few decades ago, have vanished from the face of this earth Family companies specifically, account for approximately 65-80 percent of their country GDP. They outperform their non-family counterparts but run the risk of premature mortality given their peculiar complexities Very few family companies sustain beyond the fourth generation, without concerted action to prevent their decline and death The present-day value of an average twenty-year-old company of maximised profits is likely to be lower than the present-day value of a hundred-year-old company of moderate profits - not to mention the value of expansion of these company activities in all areas and geographies of its potential A company's premature demise is equally damaging to all its stakeholders When a company dies, the community of people bound with the company is fractured. People lose jobs without a work community - the social costs are huge The debt the company owes to its previous generations, who gave themselves to its future, can no longer be fulfilled At this juncture, we will let the debate take its course and continue to examine what makes companies sustain over generations. Characteristics of long-lived companies: The characteristics are similar for family and non-family businesses. Family companies have a few more dimensions to ring fence their genetic vulnerabilities. Progressive leadership driven by foresight, values and stewardship of 4 P's - Purpose, People, Planet and Profits Cohesive culture with a strong sense of identity and persona Encourage entrepreneurial diversification and portfolio renewal. Family companies build a robust entrepreneurial pipeline of family talent Effective partnerships and joint venture capabilities Conservative in financing with a strong value for frugality, prudent resource and capital allocation Believe that people are the carriers of knowledge and therefore a competitive advantage - not a pair of hired hands Build long-term psychological contracts with their staff, beyond professional and economic contracts. Treat them as members Committed to continual improvement and innovation Contribute substantially to building their societies and nations Are at the cutting edge of technology, external changes and forces that catalyze the change - money is only a raw material to shape the future Enjoy immense credibility with their stakeholders Mobility - their key personnel remain or shift to be in the center/ bridge of global finance and industry relevant surroundings - they believe that birds that flock learn faster Family companies take pains to embody their legacy Family companies that stay below the radar on media and publicity live longer - no press, no ego, no profiling Family companies that have a participative family culture, processes for managing differences, family agreements/ charters and external independent advisory / board members live longer Family companies have robust succession process Finally, strong values and relationships in the family business become the foundation for good family governance. Strong corporate governance builds on sound family governance. Robust corporate governance precedes institution building. Perpetuity follows. The writer specialises in family business advisory The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which was under tremendous pressure from a few government-nominated directors for a relief to MSMEs, has introduced a one-time restructuring scheme for loans aggregating Rs 25 crore. The scheme is like ever-greening of loans as the RBI had earlier scrapped the entire restructuring scheme. The insolvency and bankruptcy code (IBC), which called for restructuring or recover, was the ultimate solution for stressed companies in the system. Also Read: RBI gives relief to MSME sector, provides for one-time restructuring of loans By introducing a selective restructuring scheme for MSMEs, the RBI is now encouraging the postponement of a stressed problem. Without such a relief, these MSMEs would have landed at the bankruptcy court. Clearly, the RBI's restructuring scheme is a lesser evil for banks than taking them to bankruptcy. Look at how: In the earlier regime, banks had no option but to take the defaulters of loan of over Rs 1 lakh to the bankruptcy code. There is now no pressure on them to invoke the IBC in the event of a default. Even invoking a forced bankruptcy was not the solution as the enabling ecosystem of buyers and funds etc was not in place. These MSMEs are now protected from operational creditors taking them to NCLT for bankruptcy. The new restructuring scheme will provide a lifeline to thousands of MSMEs. The banks are also saved from taking haircuts. In a possible bankruptcy, the chances of major haircuts are quite high. The new amendment in the bankruptcy code also allows MSME promoters (defaulters) to bid for their own assets. It's almost like giving the company back to the defaulter with a huge haircut. This will not happen now. There was also a chance of liquidation under bankruptcy where the banks' realizable value was almost like selling assets at junk value. There is some relief from higher provisioning norms under the new restructuring scheme. Under the bankruptcy, the provisioning requirement is almost 50 per cent for such assets. Under the new restructuring scheme, the provisioning requirement is just 5 per cent. Read More: Government infuses Rs 10,882 crore capital in four public sector banks NBFCs balance sheet grew 17.2% to Rs 26 trillion as of Sep 2018: RBI Civil cases make up almost half of the total cases pending in various high courts. The rest is split between criminal cases constituting 13.29 lakh cases and 12.14 lakh writ cases out of the total 49.82 lakh pending cases, data available with the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) as on December 27, 2018 showed. More than one-fourth of the burden of pending cases is shared by two neighbouring states Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. To be precise, Rajasthan High Court and Allahabad High Court together have 14.66 pending cases of the total 49.82 lakh. This was followed by High Court of Bombay and Madras High Court with a share of 9.3 per cent and 8 per cent in the total pending cases. Sikkim High Court has the least number of pending cases, 255, as on December 27, 2018. Also Read: Mordernise archaic laws, fill judicial vacancies, says Narayana Murthy Further, as far as Supreme Court is concerned, civil cases constitute 46,860 cases and criminal cases constitute 10,134 cases out of the total 56,994 cases pending in Supreme Court. The pendency of cases in various courts in the country is dependent on several factors including availability of adequate number of judges, supporting court staff and physical infrastructure, complexity of facts involved, nature of evidence, and cooperation of stake holders, revealed the Minister of state for law and justice and corporate affairs in a Lok Sabha reply. The National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms established by the government has adopted a coordinated approach for phased liquidation of arrears and pendency in judicial administration through various strategic initiatives, including improving infrastructure for courts, leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for better justice delivery, and filling up of vacant positions of Judges in high courts and Supreme Court. The number of computerised district and subordinate courts has increased from 13,672 to 16,755 during 2014 to 2018. eCourts services such as details of case registration, cause list, case status, daily orders and final judgments are available to litigants and advocates through eCourts web portal, Judicial Service Centres (JSC) in all computerised courts, eCourts Mobile App, email service, SMS push and pull services. While every effort is made to fill up the existing vacancies expeditiously, vacancies in high courts keep on arising on account of retirement, resignation or elevation of judges (to the Supreme Court) and also due to increase in the strength of judges. Over the last four years, 27 judges were appointed in Supreme Court. 446 new Judges were appointed and 379 additional judges were made permanent in the high courts. Sanctioned strength of judges of high courts has been increased from 906 in May, 2014 to 1079 currently. Arrears committees have been set up in 24 high courts to clear cases pending for more than five years. Arrears committees have been set up under district judges too. Arrears committee has been constituted in the Supreme Court to formulate steps to reduce pendency of cases in high courts and district courts. Also Read: Will the government push for an appellate tribunal for RBI? Are lawyers obsolete? Congress continued to attack the Modi government over the Rafale fighter jet deal after a heated debate over the issue in the Parliament today. Party president Rahul Gandhi held a press conference later in the day to pose questions over the purchase of 36 Rafale jets. He had also raised the issue in the Lok Sabha earlier today. The Congress party chief opened the press meet with the mention of the audio tape which allegedly has voice of Goa health minister Vishwajit Rane. The tape recounts an alleged statement by Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar during a Cabinet meeting. Parrikar allegedly said that he had documents related to the Rafale deal 'in his bedroom'. "Goa CM Manohar Parrikar is blackmailing the Prime Minister with the confidential documents he allegedly holds on the Rafale deal," Gandhi said. ALSO READ:Rahul Gandhi questions govt on Rafale deal, Arun Jaitley responds strongly Addressing the press meet, Rahul Gandhi asked the government as to whether it was the decision of Narendra Modi or the Air Force to increase the price of the Rafale deal from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. Gandhi also asked whose decision was it to give preference to Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence over HAL which has 70 years of experience. Gandhi also reiterated the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the Rafale deal. "We are very confident that the moment there is a JPC, there will be two people whose names will come up, one will be Anil Ambani and the second will be Narendra Modi. ALSO READ:Govt introduces Aadhaar amendment bill in Lok Sabha "Supreme Court's verdict clearly states that it is not their jurisdiction to investigate. The Supreme Court has not said that there should be no further investigation. Neither the court has said that there should not be a JPC," Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi stated that there are issues in the judgement with respect to the CAG report regarding the Rafale which the government said it has submitted. The Defence Ministry had requested a correction in the paragraph referring to the aforementioned CAG report being tabled before the parliamentary panel, saying that the inference arose due to a misunderstanding. On the question of whether Congress will dump the Rafale deal once it comes to power, Gandhi said, "The capability and quality of the aircraft is not in question here. We are very clear that the Rafale aircraft is a good aircraft and we are not questioning whether it is a deficient aircraft. The thing that is being questioned here is whether the Prime Minister has changed the contract, developed a new contract and helped Anil Ambani steal from the Indian exchequer." ALSO READ:Cabinet approves merger of Vijaya Bank, Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda ALSO READ:Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank, Dena Bank merger: BoB announces share swap ratio Edited by Vivek Punj Ashok Leyland, the country's second largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, said on Wednesday that it has acquired 27.25 per cent additional stake in Ashley Aviation, increasing its shareholding in the aviation firm to 76.25 per cent. "The company has acquired 10,89,985 shares of Rs 10 each constituting 27.25 per cent in the paid-up share capital of Ashley Aviation Limited (AAL) at a price of Rs 5.10 per share," Ashok Leyland said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange. Following the acquisition, the company's shareholding in AAL will increase from 49 per cent to 76.25 per cent and thus AAL become a subsidiary of the company, it said. The Chennai-based commercial vehicle manufacturer paid Rs 55.59 lakh to acquire the additional stake in the company. The company has also obtained the approval of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in this regard, it informed the exchange. Also Read: Auto stocks skid on disappointing December sales; TVS Motor tumbles 5% The Hinduja group flagship firm proposes to acquire the balance equity shares held by individuals in AAL before March 31, 2019. AAL, engaged in the business of aviation sector, has a revenue of Rs 9.62 crore as on March 31, 2018. Earlier this morning, the company released sales figures for the month of December 2018. The auto major reported a decline of 20 per cent in its total sales at 15,493 units in December 2018 as compared to 19,251 units dispatched in the same month a year ago, dented by weak sale numbers of M&HCV segment. Also Read: Eicher Motors stock falls over 5% on 13% decline in Royal Enfield December sales The sales of M&HCVs fall sharply by 29 per cent year-on-year to 11,295 units in December 2018. The LCV segment, however, reported a substantial growth of 27 per cent at 4,198 units against 3,303 units in December 2017. Weighed down by weak sales number, shares of Ashok Leyland tumbled 2.44 per cent to close at Rs 100.05 apiece on the BSE. Edited by Chitranjan Kumar Markets are likely to take cues from Asian shares that crept cautiously higher as early gains in US stock futures spoke of some improvement in risk appetite. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan edged up 0.14 per cent. The Japanese stock markets are closed for a public holiday on Wednesday. SGX Nifty The Nifty futures on Singapore Exchange (SGX) were trading at 10,961.50 levels, up 39 points or 0.4 per cent in the early trade. That apart, investors will look forward to India Nikkei Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data to be released later in the day today. Amid stock specific action, Jet Airways will remain in focus as the private airline failed to pay the interest and principal installment which was due to the consortium of Indian banks (led by State Bank of India) on 31st December 2018. Also, investors will keep a tab on Tata Motors after the company reported 8 per cent fall in total sales to 50,440 units versus 54,627 units YoY. On Tuesday, the rupee today closed at 69.4475 a dollar against its previous close of 69.7700 per dollar. Oil Prices US oil began 2019 in positive territory on Wednesday, although the general outlook for the year is weak amid soaring US crude supply and concerns of an economic slowdown. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) spot crude oil futures were trading at $45.86 per barrel, up 45 cents, or 1 per cent, from their final close in 2018. International Brent crude futures had yet to trade. In a first, the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Tuesday allowed the corporate affairs ministry to reopen the books of the crippled Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) Group and its subsidiaries for the past five years under Section 130 of the Companies Act, to ascertain financial mismanagement. The government on December 21, 2018, had invoked the powers under Section 130 of the new Companies Act of 2013 to reopen the books of a company. The government wants to check the balance-sheets of the crippled group and its two listed subsidiaries ITNL and IL&FS Financial Services for the past five years (FY13-FY18) and the move comes after the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) reports indicated that the accounts were prepared a fraudulently and negligently in the last five years by the previous management. The market regulator will make physical settlement of all equity derivatives contracts mandatory this year in a bid to reduce volatility and reinvigorate the process of borrowing and lending of stocks. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had announced its plan to mandate physical settlement in April last year, without giving the timeline. The market regulator said in a statement Monday that the change in rules will be staggered from April to October depending on the market capitalisation of the company. The move may curb excessive speculation in a market where derivatives trading is about 30-times that of the cash market, while adding to short-term volatility around the expiration of contracts, on the last Thursday of every month. The contracts are currently settled in cash, where the seller doesnt need to deliver the underlying shares. Silicon Valley ended 2018 somewhere it had never been: embattled. Lawmakers across the political spectrum say Big Tech, for so long the exalted embodiment of American genius, has too much power. Once seen as a force for making our lives better and our brains smarter, tech is now accused of inflaming, radicalizing, dumbing down and squeezing the masses. Tech company stocks have been pummeled from their highs. Regulation looms. Even tech executives are calling for it. In the face of such a sustained assault, this might be a good moment for Big Tech to lie low. It could devote some ... SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean plaintiffs in a World War Two forced labour court case against Japan's Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp have applied to seize some of Nippon Steel's Korean assets, a South Korean newspaper reported on Wednesday. The application for the asset seizure, if approved by the court, could further strain South Korea's already frosty bilateral relations with Japan over the issue.Japan denounced a South Korean Supreme Court ruling in October that Nippon Steel should pay 100 million won ($90,500) to each of four South Koreans to compensate them for forced labour during ... MANILA/TEL AVIV (Reuters) - The Philippines has requested permission for its flag carrier to overfly Saudi Arabia en route to Israel, the company president said, seeking to become the second airline to win such rights after a decades-long ban by Riyadh.Should Philippine Airlines get an overflight permit, which would save on flight time and costs, it could launch direct service to Tel Aviv within six months, airline president Jaime Bautista said on Wednesday."The Civil Aeronautics Board wrote to Saudi authorities asking for overflight (rights)," Bautista told Reuters. "A letter was sent in ... By Emily ChowKUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures rose to their highest in nearly two weeks at the midday break of the first trading day of 2019, after world's largest edible oil importer India announced import tax cuts, amid expectations of a fall in production. The benchmark palm oil contract for March delivery on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange was up 1.7 percent at 2,156 ringgit ($521.15) a tonne at the midday break.It earlier rose as much as 1.8 percent to 2,159 ringgit, its strongest levels since Dec. 21. Trading volumes stood at 14,848 lots of 25 tonnes each ... Almost any gay man knows someone who can quote practically every line of every Golden Girls episode verbatim. But, few people are aware the inspiration for the iconic television series may have been a skit written by a local playwright and first performed in Miami Beach in 1984. Thats Ginger Reiters story and shes sticking to it. My phone started ringing off the hook, Reiter recalled, after NBC aired the first episodes of the sitcom about four senior citizens sharing a home in Miami. My whole family went nuts. They wouldnt stop calling. They wanted me to sue. Reiter first penned her play, Oh, that Mitzi! after meeting the mother of an actor she had brought in from Los Angeles to perform in her show, The Jackie Mason Musical. The mother and her two friends, who all lived in Miami, would spend their days playing cards and gossiping. They became the central characters, along with and elderly fourth woman who mostly communicated with the cast on a telephone. She was pretty much a voice on the wall in my play, said Reiter, but the characters were still recognizable as the Golden Girls: Dorothy, Blanche, Rose and Sophia. Reiter and her cast only presented the play over two weekends at the Barcelona Motel. It received favorable reviews in local newspapers, but was largely forgotten. Unbeknownst to her, Reiters actor friend shared the script with several Hollywood producers and they obviously liked what they read. Knowing that a lawsuit would be costly and likely take years, Reiter let the matter go until she recently shared her play with Empire Stage producer David Gordon. In recognition of the sitcoms devoted gay following, he suggested she gay it up by casting male actors in drag and rewriting a few scenes. Reiter enlisted the help of playwright Ronnie Larsen (Making Porn), whose sexually-explicit plays are popular with gay men. Larsen reworked a card game scene that would become the centerpiece of his latest play, 3 Card Stud, produced this fall at the Wilton Theater Factory. Its almost like my story was stolen twice, Reiter said jokingly of her friend Larsen. The most consequential decision Reiter made for this production was to change the plays name and use the characters TV names. The worst-case scenario is (the network) sues me and I finally get my day in court, she defiantly declared. Reiter doesnt care about the money, she just enjoys creating entertaining theater. I get to do what I love most every day, the former teacher said. Thats what really matters. The Golden Girls Prequel: The Play that Started it All runs Jan. 10 27 at Empire Stage, 1140 N. Flagler Dr. in Fort Lauderdale. Tickets are $35 at EmpireStage.com. India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp Ltd will reconsider the government's demand that it list ONGC Videsh Ltd, its overseas exploration subsidiary, Shashi Shanker, chairman and managing director of the company said on Wednesday. The company has some reservations about the listing of ONGC Videsh and has conveyed this to the government, Shanker told reporters at an event in New Delhi. The government in August had asked India's biggest state-owned oil company to list its subsidiary as part of a drive to sell state-assets to raise funds. ALSO ... By Stephanie KellyNEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose 3 percent on Wednesday, tracking U.S. equity markets that also pared some earlier losses, but traders said concerns about rising crude production and weakening global economic trends were likely to keep rallies contained.Brent crude futures rose $1.69, or 3.2 percent, to $55.46 a barrel by 10:59 a.m. EST (1559 GMT) after earlier falling as low as $52.51. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained $1.37 to $46.78 a barrel, a 3 percent gain, after sinking to $44.35.U.S. equity markets pared some losses in mid-morning trade, ... Debt-laden Jet Airways Ltd has delayed the payment to a consortium of Indian banks, led by State Bank of India Ltd, the airline said late Tuesday. The payment of interest and principal instalment was delayed "due to temporary cash flow mismatch" and the company is in talks with the consortium. The deadline for the payment was Dec. 31, 2018, Jet said in a statement. The 25-year-old airline is facing financial difficulties and owes money to pilots, lessors and vendors. Intense pricing competition, a weak rupee and rising fuel costs weighed on Indian airlines in ... Private sector Yes Bank, which joined hands with the Centre for clean Ganga Mission, has come forward for development and modernisation of Triveni Ghat and Astha Path in Uttarakhand, an official said Wednesday. In a letter to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Yes Bank MD and CEO Rana Kapoor has expressed commitment to work closely with the National Mission for Clean Ganga. "To reinforce the shared commitment, it is a privilege for Yes Bank to extend this partnership with NMCG on ... development of Triveni Ghat and Astha Path," Kapoor said in a letter to Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation Minister Nitin Gadkari. The bank has proposed to work on modernisation/ beautification of Triveni Ghat and Astha Path (3 km stretch adjoining Triveni Ghat) in the letter, the official said. The bank has already tied up with state-owned WAPCOS for concept development during implementation phase of identified ghats. "We propose a tripartite agreement between Yes Bank, WAPCOS and NMCG for seamless execution and implementation of the project with a preliminary budget of Rs 3.3 crore as currently estimated," the letter said. The bank said it has adopted 'environmental sustainability' and 'National Capital Conservation' as core focus areas for driving its innovative financing instruments and CSR initiatives. The bank has already partnered with NMCG for awareness programme through Yes Community initiatives through our National ATM network, employee volunteering for Yamuna Ghat cleaning and financing of Severage Treatment Plant in Varanasi under the innovative Hybrid Annuity Model, it said. The Bank has also partnered with Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) as part of financing sub-group for 'Interlinking Rivers'. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Communist Party of India (CPI) appeared to disapprove of two women of menstruating age group entering the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala "secretly" on Wednesday and said it should have been done "openly". "Generally, we want women's entry (into the Sabarimala shrine), but we don't want something secretly to be done. It is to be done openly, everybody should accept, that's our view," CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said. "It's good that according to the Supreme Court judgement, some women could enter it (the shrine)," he told PTI. The CPI is the second-biggest constituent of the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala. Reddy accused the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to politicise the issue. "They (the two parties) want to gain sentiments of some of the pilgrims and try to create some kind of anti-LDF attitude as if it's (the) LDF which has taken the decision (to allow women of all age groups into the shrine)," Reddy said. "It's actually Supreme Court which has taken the decision and the LDF government is trying to implement it, that's all!" he added. Cloaked in black veils and shrouded in early morning darkness, two women of menstruating age group made history when they stepped into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, breaking a centuries-old tradition defying dire threats from the Hindu right. Kanakadurga (44) and Bindu (42) stepped into the hallowed precincts guarded by police three months after the Supreme Court's historic judgement lifting the ban on entry of girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age into the shrine of Lord Ayyappa, its "eternally celibate" deity. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Claiming that the BJP and the Congress would not get majority in the next parliamentary elections, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president K T Rama Rao Wednesday said the interests of the state would be well-served if the party is in a 'decisive position' by winning substantial Lok Sabha seats. "If you see, across the country, BJP is losing confidence. Congress is not in a position to gain confidence all over the country. That's why, each and every parliament seat is going to be crucial tomorrow," he said. Rama Rao, son of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, quoted late Telangana ideologue K Jayashankar as having said that the state should get its due not by begging but by dictating. TRS should win 16 out of the total 17 Lok Sabha seats, excluding Hyderabad represented by TRS's ally AIMIM, he said while speaking at a meeting of TRS workers from Sanatnagar Assembly seat in Hyderabad. "If we have 16 seats in our hands, because both (BJP and Congress) are not in a position to get majority. Our Chief Minister is already making efforts for a federal alternative. So, TRS can be in a decisive role at the Centre post-Lok Sabha polls," he said. "If we give 16 seats to KCR, he will bend Delhi's neck and we can get the funds for our state, the interests due to Hyderabad and schemes from the Centre to our people," he said. The TRS's rule in Telangana has become a 'direction' to the country, he claimed. "Three states have already copied programmes like 'Rythu Bandhu' (investment support scheme for farmers) and 'Rythu Beema' (life insurance scheme for farmers)," he said. Besides Odisha and Jharkhand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced similar schemes in the name of 'Krishi Krishak Bondhu', he said. The coming in suggest that the NDA government is also planning to launch a scheme like 'Rythu Bandhu' in their own way, he claimed. The saying earlier used to be 'what Bengal thinks today, India will think tomorrow', but Telangana is showing the path today, he said. "Elders used to say earlier. What Bengal does today, what Bengal thinks today, India will think tomorrow... But today, the same Bengal is saying what Telangana does today, entire India will follow tomorrow," he said. "If such a situation has come, the reason for it is our leader KCR's efficiency, vision and farsightedness," Rama Rao said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Wednesday said he and all other BJP MLAs will sing "Vande Mataram" on the first day of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly session, if the Congress-led state government does not restore the practice of reciting it at the secretariat. The song was not sung on Tuesday, the first working day of January, at the state secretariat following which the opposition BJP attacked Chief Minister Kamal Nath, seeking to know if it was done on his direction. Nath, however, said the discontinuation was temporary and the practice would be restored in a new form. Singing of the national song in the 'Mantralaya' or secretariat on the first working day of every month had been the norm since the time of erstwhile Shivraj Singh Chouhan government of the BJP. Taking a dim view of the 13-year-old practice not being followed now, Chouhan in a tweet in Hindi said, "I and all the BJP MLAs will sing the national song at the Vallabh Bhawan (secretariat) premises on the first day of the Assembly session on January 7. People are welcome to join this campaign." "If the Congress doesn't know the lyrics (words) of Vande Mataram or if they feel ashamed singing it, then let me know. I along with people will sing it on the first day of every month at the Vallabh Bhawan premises," he said in another tweet. Targeting Nath over the issue, BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya said the chief minister should clarify why his government wants to change the "good tradition". "I suspect the chief minister has come under pressure of those who always say that their religious sentiments get hurt by singing this song," he told reporters in Indore. Meanwhile, Nath said the practice of singing Vande Mataram on the first working day of every month was being discontinued for the time being and that his government has decided to implement it in a new form ('naya swaroop'). "We have not taken this decision under any agenda nor are we opposed to singing 'Vande Mataram'. It is deeply rooted in our hearts and we have sung it from time-to-time. We will start it again but in a different form," Nath said in a statement. He also criticised those who were trying to politicise the issue. "I condemn those who do in the name of either temple or Vande Mataram. We are bringing it (Vande Mataram) in a new form and I will make an announcement on it within a day or two," the chief minister said. Meanwhile, former BJP ministers Uma Shankar Gupta and Vishwas Sarang, MLA Rameshwar Sharma, senior party-office bearer Vishnu Dutt Sharma and a number of BJP workers gathered outside the secretariat and sang Vande Mataram to register their protest over the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The White House Wednesday rejected a proposal put forward by the opposition Democratic party to end the protracted partial government shutdown, asserting that any plan without a provision for funding US President Donald Trump's long-promised border wall is a "non-starter". The over 10-day long partial government shutdown starting on December 22 has affected 800,000 federal employees, who have either been furloughed or are working without pay. President Trump cancelled his planned trip to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to spend time with family for Christmas and New Year. Ahead of the start of the new Congress on January 3, in which the Democrats would enjoy majority in the House of Representatives, Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi proposed to end government shutdown which would have reopened all government agencies except for the Department of Homeland Security with full fiscal-year funding until September 30. "The second bill would extend the Department of Homeland Security's funding through February 8, which is the date the Senate voted for unanimously. It is important to note that these bills contain no new wall funding," Pelosi said in a letter. The letter came hours after Trump invited top Congressional leaders from both Democratic and the Republican parties for a briefing on border security at the White House on Wednesday. Trump, who has requested for USD 5.7 billion for the wall, appears to have refused to accept any proposal that does not have provisions for a border wall or border security. "President Trump made a serious, good faith offer to Democrats to open the government, address the crisis at our border, and protect all Americans. We have heard nothing back from the Democrats, who so far have refused to compromise," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a late-night statement. "Speaker Designate Nancy Pelosi released a plan that will not re-open the government because it fails to secure the border and puts the needs of other countries above the needs of our own citizens," she said. "The Pelosi plan is a non-starter because it does not fund our homeland security or keep American families safe from human trafficking, drugs, and crime," Sanders said. The President's meeting with Congressional leaders on Wednesday is still on, she noted. "The President has invited Republican and Democrat leaders in Congress to the White House for a border security briefing from senior Department of Homeland Security officials on Wednesday, and he remains committed to reaching an agreement that both reopens the government and keeps Americans safe," Sanders said. Earlier in the day, Trump accused the Democrats of not being interested in border security. "One thing has now been proven. The Democrats do not care about Open Borders and all of the crime and drugs that Open Borders bring!" he said in a tweet. Trump urged the opposition leaders to help in ending the shutdown. "Border Security and the Wall 'thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?" he said. Trump has been talking about building a wall along the US-Mexico border ever since his campaign days to stop immigrants from entering America. Earlier, he said he would be proud to shut down the government over border issues. The Democrats, however, held firm in their opposition to the wall. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that the US hopes to gain access soon to a former Marine who was arrested in Russia on espionage charges and that "if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return." Paul Whelan, who is head of global security for a Michigan-based auto parts supplier, was arrested on Friday. In announcing the arrest three days later, the Russian Federal Security Service said he was caught "during an espionage operation," but it gave no details. Whelan, 48, was in Moscow to attend a wedding when he suddenly disappeared, his brother David Whelan said Tuesday. Pompeo, speaking in Brazil, said the US is "hopeful within the next hours we'll get consular access to see him and get a chance to learn more." The US has "made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is he's been accused of and if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return," Pompeo said. Whelan's family said in a statement David Whelan posted on Twitter, "We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected." The Russian spying charges carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. David Whelan said in an interview that his brother had been to Russia several times previously, so when a fellow former Marine was planning a wedding in Moscow with a Russian woman he was asked to go along to help out. The morning of his arrest, he had taken a group of wedding guests on a tour of the Kremlin museums. The last time anyone heard from him was at about 5 pm (local time and then he failed to show up that evening for the wedding, his brother said. "It was extraordinarily out of character," he said. The family feared he had been mugged or was in a car accident, David Whelan said, and it was when searching the internet on Monday that he learned of the arrest. "I was looking for any stories about dead Americans in Moscow, so in a way it was better than finding out that he had died," he said. The State Department said Monday it had received formal notification from the Russian Foreign Ministry of the arrest and was pushing for consular access. David Whelan said the family was told by the US Embassy in Moscow they have not been able to speak to Paul Whelan. David Whelan said he has no idea why his brother was targeted by the Russian security services. Paul Whelan had travelled to Russia in the past for work and to visit friends he had met on social networks, his brother said. "I don't think there's any chance that he's a spy," David Whelan told CNN on Wednesday. Paul Whelan did multiple tours in Iraq with the Marine Corps, his brother said. He now lives in Novi, Michigan, and is director of global security for BorgWarner, where he has worked since early 2017. "He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan and at other company locations around the world," company spokeswoman Kathy Graham said in a statement. She said BorgWarner does not have any facilities in Russia. Paul Whelan previously worked for Kelly Services, which does maintain offices in Russia, his brother said. The arrest comes as US-Russian ties are severely strained, in part over Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. A Russian gun rights activist, Maria Butina, is in US custody after admitting she acted as a secret agent for the Kremlin in trying to infiltrate conservative U.S. political groups as Donald Trump was seeking the presidency. She pleaded guilty in December to a conspiracy charge as part of a deal with federal prosecutors. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the case is fabricated and that Butina entered the guilty plea because of the threat of a long prison sentence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Western nations, including the US and Britain, have cautiously welcomed the results of the Bangladesh election in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stormed back to power for a third successive term despite opposition allegations of vote rigging and violence. "The United States commends the tens of millions of Bangladeshis who voted in Bangladesh's 11th parliamentary election on December 30, 2018, as well as the decision of all major opposition political parties to participate, a positive development after the boycotted election of 2014," the US State Department said in a statement. It said the US remained "deeply invested in the future of Bangladesh and its democratic development" since it was Bangladesh's "largest foreign investor, largest single-country market for Bangladeshi exports, and home to a large community of Americans of Bangladeshi origin". "In this light, we note with concern credible reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence in the pre-election period that made it difficult for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and campaign freely," the statement said. Furthermore, it said, the US was also concerned that "election-day irregularities prevented some people from voting, which undermined faith in the electoral process". The UK also welcomed Bangladesh's polls and pledged its continued support to the people of Bangladesh in their "aspirations to democracy" with Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, Mark Field, appreciating the participation of all opposition parties in the election. "It is vital for the government and all political parties to now work together to address differences and find a way forward in line with the interests of the people of Bangladesh," he said. But he added that the UK was "aware of credible accounts of obstacles, including arrests that constrained or prevented campaigning by opposition parties, and of irregularities in the conduct of elections on polling day that prevented some people from voting". He "deplored" the acts of intimidation and violence that took place during the campaign period, saying "I am deeply concerned by the incidents that led to so many deaths on polling day". "I urge a full, credible and transparent resolution of all complaints related to the conduct of the election," Field said. The victory of Hasina, whose ruling Awami League is set to rule for the third consecutive term while she will be sworn in as premier for a record fourth time overall, was welcomed by Saudi Arabia. Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated her on winning the election. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also greeted Hasina on her reelection. The UN also noted the poll results and called on all sides in Bangladesh to "exercise restraint" and "ensure a peaceful post-electoral environment," where people can maintain their right to assembly and expression. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Republican Senator wants the US to offer Pakistan a free trade agreement as an incentive for Islamabad to push the Taliban to the peace table to end the Afghan war. South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham, who is considered close to President Donald Trump, told CNN in an interview that if Pakistan helped the US in bringing the Taliban to the table for negotiations, then the US would focus on counterterrorism and the IS. The Senator, who was recently in Afghanistan, said that the IS was on the rise in Afghanistan. "Right now, after having been back from Afghanistan, I can tell you that IS is on the rise in Afghanistan. But if Pakistan would help us, we could get Taliban to the table and end the war in Afghanistan. Our presence then would be focused on counterterrorism, ISIS," Graham told the CNN on Sunday. "If we can go to Pakistan and put a free trade agreement on the table to get the Pakistanis to push the Taliban to the peace table, and you can end the Afghan war," he added. The South Carolina Senator has been praising Trump's foreign policy said that he was generally "very pleased" with the US President's decisions on the foreign policy and national security front. "He pulled out of the Iranian agreement, which was a nightmare. He's increased military spending to a level that I could not be more pleased with. He changed the rules of engagement in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, so IS is just about destroyed," he said. "I'm generally pleased. But the Syrian decision caught me by surprise. I fear it's going to undercut all we have achieved. I will ask the president to reconsider. I think he's going to sit down with his generals and make an informed, well-thought-out decision," Graham added. "All I ask him to do is make sure we don't fumble the ball inside the 10-yard line. Sit down with your generals. Make sure we get Syria right," he said. The Senator said Trump has destroyed IS virtually on his watch and put Iran on the run. "He has rebuilt our military from a foreign policy point of view, and we now talk to North Korea from a position of strength," he added. "That's all you can ask any president to do. Obama knew better than anybody. General Obama was a disaster. He never reconsidered any decision. I hope President Trump will. And I believe he will," he said in response to a question. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US-based freelance journalist left the country Wednesday, a day after authorities here ordered his deportation for working on the Sterlite issue in violation of his tourist visa conditions, an official said. Mark Scialla, who arrived here on December 27 last, boarded a flight to the US from Hyderabad Wednesday morning, Tuticorin district Superintendent of Police Murali Rambha, who issued the deporation order in his capacity as the district Foreigners Registration Officer, said. The official also said steps had been initiated to blacklist the journalist and a communication was being sent to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office in Chennai in view of "violation" of the visa conditions by him. After arriving in the country on a tourist visa, Scialla had interviewed several people here on December 28 and 29 on alleged health issues faced by them due to the now closed Sterlite copper plant. Rambha said the visa clearly stated that the American national should not embark on any work except tourist activities. "Yet he violated it. He did not come here for tourism purposes... I am just sending the recommendation (for blacklisting) to the FRRO," Rambha told PTI. After a thorough enquiry, it was concluded that Scialla had violated the visa norm and he was served a notice Tuesday to leave the country immediately, the SP said. The officer said questioning of some local activists in connection with the journalist's Tamil Nadu visit would be concluded soon. Once blacklisted, a foreigner's visa application will not be processed for a stipulated period of time, officials said. The journalist, during his stay here had posed questions to local people on the "health issues" they faced before and after the closure of Sterlite's shut copper plant. He had also met an injured person in the May 22-23 police firing after the protests against Sterlite over pollution concerns turned violent here. Thirteen people were killed in the firing. When contacted, a U S Consulate spokesperson here had said "We are aware of media reports concerning the American citizen. However, due to privacy laws, we do not comment on matters involving U S citizens." According to Scialla twitter handle, he is an "independent writer and video journalist covering environmental conflict and " After the violent protests, the state government had ordered the permanent closure of the Sterlite plant, part of the mining major Vedanta group. On December 15, the National Green Tribunal set aside the closure order state government, saying it was "non sustainable" and "unjustified". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US authorities fired tear gas into Mexico during the early hours of the new year to repel about 150 migrants who tried to breach the border fence in Tijuana. US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement that about 45 migrants got through the first layer of fencing but turned back when they saw the border patrol's presence early Tuesday. CBP said migrants began to throw rocks at agents from the Mexican side while others tried to cross the concertina wire, including passing "toddler-sized children" over the wire. Border patrol officers responded by firing smoke, pepper spray and tear gas at the rock throwers in Mexico, distinguishing them from those who were trying to cross the fence line, CBP said. "No agents witnessed any of the migrants at the fence line, including children, experiencing effects of the chemical agents, which were targeted at the rock throwers further away," the statement said. However, an Associated Press photographer saw at least three volleys of gas launched onto the Mexican side near Tijuana's beach that affected the migrants, including women and children, as well as journalists. The AP saw rocks thrown only after US agents fired the tear gas. The AP photographer was on the Mexican side of the border, while border patrol agents who provided the information for the CBP statement were on the US side. The incident took place between a highway and the border fence. The area is flat near the highway, then slopes sharply downward closer to the fence, where most of the migrants were clustered. US authorities also had a helicopter flying over the scene during the incident so presumably the government has video that could show what was happening on both sides. The agency said 25 migrants were detained, while others crawled back into Mexico through a hole under the fence. CBP said that under its use of force policy, the incident would be reviewed by its Office of Professional Responsibility. Migrants who spoke with AP said they arrived in Tijuana last month with the caravan from Honduras. The caravan left Honduras in mid-October and grew to more than 6,000 members during its month-and-a-half trek north. It has been a constant target of President Donald Trump, who referred to it frequently before U.S. midterm elections in November. Many of the migrants are waiting in Tijuana for a chance to apply for asylum in the US, but there was a backlog before the caravan's arrival and the wait is expected to be many months. Others have found jobs in Mexico and tried to settle there. In a previous incident, US agents launched tear gas across the border after some migrants tried to breach the border following a peaceful march in Tijuana on November 26. Hundreds of migrants who were downwind of the gas were affected. Trump has been locked in a fight with Congress over funding for the border wall that he wants to build. The stalemate has led to a partial government shutdown. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US ambassador to Russia on Wednesday met an American ex-Marine accused of espionage whose detention has sparked the latest rift between the countries. Ambassador Jon Huntsman met Paul Whelan at the Lefortovo prison in Moscow and afterwards spoke to his family by telephone, the US State Department said. "Ambassador Huntsman expressed his support for Mr Whelan and offered the embassy's assistance," a State Department spokesperson said. The United States has been cautious in its public comments on the case, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying earlier Wednesday that Washington was trying to learn more about the situation. "If the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return," Pompeo told reporters while on a visit to Brazil. The consular visit took place five days after the 48-year-old Whelan was detained in Moscow. The Russian foreign ministry also confirmed that the United States was granted consular access. Whelan faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty, according to the ministry. He was arrested "while carrying out an act of espionage", Russia's FSB domestic security service said. His family has denied he is a spy, saying he was visiting Moscow to attend a wedding. Born in Canada, Whelan is director of international security for BorgWarner, a car parts manufacturer headquartered near Detroit, his brother David Whelan has told several US media outlets. His arrest came after President Vladimir Putin accused Western nations of using espionage cases to try to undermine an increasingly powerful Russia. US intelligence services have accused Moscow of interfering in the 2016 presidential election. US Special Counsel Robert Mueller has charged 25 Russians -- including members of the GRU military intelligence service -- and three Russian companies for that alleged interference, but they have not been arrested. In December, Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty in a federal court in Washington to acting as an illegal foreign agent. Butina faces up to six months in prison, followed by likely deportation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN has called on all sides in Bangladesh to "exercise restraint" and "ensure a peaceful post electoral environment," where people can maintain their right to assembly and expression. The UN's remark comes days after Bangladesh's ruling Awami League secured a landslide victory in the general elections, an outcome rejected by opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which demanded fresh polls. The election was marred by violence, in which 17 people were killed. "The United Nations is aware of violent incidents and reports of irregularities in the Bangladesh general elections. We regret the loss of life and injuries sustained by candidates and voters during the electoral campaign and on election-day," the UN Spokesperson's office said in a statement Monday. The UN said that violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable. "We encourage the parties to address electoral complaints in a peaceful manner and through legal means," the UN urged, adding that "violence and attacks on people and property are not acceptable," the statement said. The world body also welcomed the participation of the opposition in elections for the first time in 10 years. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and its allies won the general elections on Sunday, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls. The BNP of the jailed ex-premier Khaleda Zia won five seats in the 300-member Parliament. The party rejected the poll outcome as "farcical" and demanded fresh election. The Election Commission, however, ruled out holding fresh polls. The opposition Jatiya Oikya Front - National Unity Front (NUF) - comprising the BNP and some smaller parties, criticised the Election Commission and accused its chief of being biased. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 25-year-old knife-wielding man arrested during a New Year's Eve terror attack in Manchester is being detained under the Mental Health Act after an assessment by medical experts, police said on Wednesday. The man stabbed three people - including a police officer - at Manchester Victoria station before being arrested on Monday night. Greater Manchester Police said the counter-terrorism investigation launched in the wake of the attack on Monday night remains ongoing, including a search of a property associated with the suspect in north Manchester. "The 25-year-old man arrested following the incident at Manchester Victoria Station has been assessed by specialist medical staff and detained under the Mental Health Act. The Counter Terrorism investigation remains ongoing," Greater Manchester Police said in a statement. "There is nothing to suggest the involvement of other people in this attack, but confirming this remains a main priority for the investigation," it said. Footage of the aftermath of the attack showed a man being held down by five police officers, with blood stains on the pavement. Other footage showed the suspect shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) as he was put in the back of a police van and he was also heard screaming "Long live the Caliphate." A couple in their 50s were seriously injured in what was described by eyewitnesses as a "frenzied" and "random" attack on a platform at Manchester Victoria Metrolink tram station. The woman suffered injuries to her face and stomach, while the man has injuries to his stomach. A police sergeant in his 30s was also wounded as he and three other British Transport Police officers rushed to the scene. He sustained shoulder injuries but has since been discharged from hospital. Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham said the attack had been deliberately staged close to the site of the Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people in May 2017 during an Ariana Grande concert. "This attack has brought back some very painful memories for everyone involved, particularly given how close it was to the Manchester Arena, which appears to have been deliberate," Burnham said. "But the city is strong, united and resilient and the way the incident was dealt with by the emergency services and others was exemplary," he said. Security and emergency officers have been praised for their "fearless" response in containing the attacker with pepper spray and Taser guns. Police recovered two knives at the scene, but do not yet know if both were used. The suspect was initially arrested on attempted murder charges as Greater Manchester Police declared the stabbings a "critical incident". As Counter Terrorism Police North West took charge of the investigation, the force declared that it was treating the incident as terror related. A home in Cheetham Hill area of north Manchester thought to be the suspect's last known address is being searched by counter-terrorism police. Neighbours have suggested the suspect is of Somali-origin and was thought to have lived in the Netherlands before moving to the UK around 10 to 15 years ago. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The British government came under fire on Wednesday after it emerged that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is charging victims of forced marriages to return home to the UK after their rescue overseas. According to the latest statistics from the UK's Forced Marriage Unit (FMU), India ranks fourth among countries where victims are taken to be forced into marriage after Pakistan, Bangladesh and Somalia. In 2017, 82 male and female victims of forced marriage supported by the FMU were from India. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by 'The Times' found that any such victims must cover the cost of their plane ticket, food and shelter on being assisted by the government unit. If they are over 18, they can take out emergency loans from the government. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he would "get to the bottom" of the issue to ensure his department was acting with "compassion and humanity". I have asked officials to give me some proper advice on the whole issue on the basis of seeing this story. But any interventions that I have had on these consular matters, I have always stressed to embassies and posts abroad that they need to use discretion," he said. Laws making it illegal to force someone into marriage in England and Wales were introduced in 2014. Anyone found guilty of the crime can be jailed for up to seven years. There have so far been two cases of conviction under this law, including a Bangladeshi-origin couple who were jailed for a total of eight years for forcing their daughter into marriage with a first cousin and a British-Pakistani mother being jailed for forcing her daughter to marry a relative almost twice her age last year. Official FMU data records the top three countries with the highest number of cases of British nationals being forced into a marriage against their will as Pakistan (439), Bangladesh (129) and Somalia (91), with India fourth. In 2017, the UK Foreign Office helped 27 victims of forced marriage return to the UK and 55 in 2016. The FOI data revealed that in the past two years, the Foreign Office has lent 7,765 pounds to at least eight women and about 4,500 pounds is still outstanding. Yvette Cooper, chair of the UK Parliament's influential Home Affairs Select Committee, said, "Forced marriage is slavery. For the government to make victims pay for their freedom is immoral. Ministers need to put this right fast." Tom Tugendhat, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee said that questions need to be raised on the revelations. We shouldn't be charging the most vulnerable for their own protection or dissuading them from asking for it," he said. A Foreign Office spokesperson said as the emergency loans are accessed via public funds, the department has an obligation to recover the money in due course. The spokesperson said, "When people contact us for help to return to the UK, we work with them to access their own funds, or help them contact friends, family or organisations that can cover the costs of returning to the UK. However, many of the victims who the Forced Marriage Unit help are vulnerable, and when offering any type of support their safety is our primary concern". The FCO said that the Forced Marriage Unit a joint FCO and Home Office unit also provides funding for safe houses and NGOs overseas and in the UK to ensure victims of forced marriage can get to a place of safety as soon as possible. "We do not charge British nationals for this service and work with organisations in the UK to support them on return," the spokesperson said. In March 2017, the Foreign Office had announced it would amend its repatriation policy so that British nationals under the age of 18 who got into difficulty abroad would no longer have to reimburse the government the costs of their journey home. The FMU was set up in 2012 to assist with rescues of victims held against their will overseas in extreme circumstances and since then it says it has provided support to between 1,200 and 1,400 cases per year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 25-year-old knife-wielding man arrested during a New Year's Eve terror attack in Manchester is being detained under the Mental Health Act after an assessment by medical experts, police said on Wednesday. The man stabbed three people - including a police officer - at Manchester Victoria station before being arrested on Monday night. Greater Manchester Police said the counter-terrorism investigation launched in the wake of the attack on Monday night remains ongoing, including a search of a property associated with the suspect in north Manchester. "The 25-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and detained last night (Tuesday night) under the Mental Health Act is now in a secure mental facility," it said in an update statement on Wednesday. "The investigation has moved at a very fast pace and detectives are increasingly confident that the man acted alone in the final stages of the attack. The investigation will continue and will examine is anybody may have encouraged or assisted the man to commit the attack," the statement said. The police force said that its investigation will continue in the coming months, during which it will remain in contact with mental health experts and the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to determine any criminal charges in the case. Footage of the aftermath of the attack showed a man being held down by five police officers, with blood stains on the pavement. Other footage showed the suspect shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) as he was put in the back of a police van and he was also heard screaming "Long live the Caliphate." A couple in their 50s were seriously injured in what was described by eyewitnesses as a "frenzied" and "random" attack on a platform at Manchester Victoria Metrolink tram station. The woman suffered injuries to her face and stomach, while the man has injuries to his stomach. The police said that they were being supported by specialist officers. The man has made good recovery and is expected to be discharged from hospital in a few days but the woman is likely to remain hospitalised longer. A police sergeant, named as Lee Valentine in his 30s, was also wounded as he and three other British Transport Police officers rushed to the scene. He sustained shoulder injuries but has since been discharged from hospital. "We had no idea what we were running towards when we heard the screams on New Year's Eve," Sgt Valentine said. "When we saw the man wielding a knife, instinct took over and we were able to... successfully detain the male," he said. Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham said the attack had been deliberately staged close to the site of the Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people in May 2017 during an Ariana Grande concert. "This attack has brought back some very painful memories for everyone involved, particularly given how close it was to the Manchester Arena, which appears to have been deliberate," Burnham said. "But the city is strong, united and resilient and the way the incident was dealt with by the emergency services and others was exemplary," he said. Security and emergency officers have been praised for their "fearless" response in containing the attacker with pepper spray and Taser guns. Police recovered two knives at the scene, but do not yet know if both were used. The suspect was initially arrested on attempted murder charges as Greater Manchester Police declared the stabbings a "critical incident". As Counter Terrorism Police North West took charge of the investigation, the force declared that it was treating the incident as terror related. A home in Cheetham Hill area of north Manchester thought to be the suspect's last known address is being searched by counter-terrorism police. Neighbours have suggested the suspect is of Somali-origin and was thought to have lived in the Netherlands before moving to the UK around 10 to 15 years ago. The family of the suspect, who remains in a mental health facility, have said their "thoughts and prayers" are with the three victims. In a statement through solicitors, they said they were "eternally grateful for the swift response from the emergency services". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cloaked in black veils and shrouded in early morning darkness, two women of menstruating age group made history on Wednesday when they stepped into the temple of Lord Ayyappa, breaking centuries-old tradition-defying dire threats from right. The development sparked violent protests across by the and Hindu right outfits, with the state secretariat turning into a veritable war zone for nearly five hours as the ruling CPI(M) and workers of the saffron party clashed, pelting each other with stones. Police used water canons and burst teargas shells to bring the situation under control. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's effigy was burnt at Malappuram and four activists of the BJP's Mahila Morcha were arrested when they forced their way close to the chief minister's office in the secretariat complex. The two dauntless women--Kanakadurga and Bindu--aged 44 and 42, stepped into the hallowed precincts guarded by police three months after the Supreme Court's historic judgement lifting the ban on entry of girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age into the shrine of Lord Ayyappa, its "eternally celibate" deity. The duo, draped in black and their faces covered in veils, entered the temple at 3:38 am, a day after over 35 lakh women stood shoulder-to-shoulder across the highways in Kerala, creating a 620 km-long human 'wall' from the northern end of Kasaragod to the southern tip in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the state-sponsored initiative to uphold gender equality. As the news spread like wildfire from the hill shrine, protests erupted at several places, with Hindu right-wing activists blocking highways and forcing closure of shops and markets. The ruling CPI(M)'s offices were vandalised at several places causing tension, police said. State-owned KSRTC buses were damaged at Konni and Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta district where the temple is located besides several other places. Devaswom Board offices attached to temples across the state were also locked up. Several policemen were injured in the violence. People from media were also attacked by activists in front of the secretariat, officials said. Karma Samithi, an umbrella organisation of various pro-Hindutva groups, spearheading protests against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict, and Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), have called a state-wide shutdown on Thursday, when the Congress-led UDF said it would observe a "black day". Fed up with the frequent shut-downs in Kerala, quite a few trade bodies and merchant organisations have decided to defy the call and keep their establishments open. Soon after some local TV news channels aired visuals of the two women trekking to the hilltop temple, Chief Minister Piranayi Vijayan, whose Left Front government is weathering a storm of protests by hardline Ayyappa devotees over his determination to enforce the apex court verdict, announced they had indeed offered prayers at the shrine. "Earlier, women were not able to enter the temple due to certain hurdles. They may have entered the shrine today because they would not have faced any issues. It is a fact that the women have entered Police have given them security," a visibly pleased Vijayan said. The development did not go down well with the temple authorities, with the head priest ordering devotees out of the premises and closing doors to the sanctum sanctorum. He performed a "purification" ritual for an hour before the doors were opened again. The women were whisked away from the temple by police soon after 'darshan'. They were brought to Pathanamthitta from where they left for an undisclosed destination, officials said. Police contingents have been posted at the residences of Bindu, a college lecturer and CPI(ML) activist from Kozhikode district's Koyilandy, and Kanakadurga, a civil supplies department employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram. Scores of women had made valiant attempts to visit the shrine since the verdict but were forced to retreat, menaced by hardline Ayyappa devotees. Bindu later said the duo faced no protests from Ayyappa devotees, either during the climb or while offering prayers. "Unlike in the past, there were no 'namajapa'(frenzied devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras) protests when we climbed the hills this morning. Only devotees were there and they did not stop us or stage any protests. Police offered us protection from Pamba, the foothhills," she told a TV channel. She said they wore the attire meant for women for Ayyappa 'darshan'. Nobody knows exactly when girls and women of reproductive age were forbidden from offering prayers at Sabarimala, but according to a 19th-century British survey report the ban was in place even 200 years ago. The informal restriction had got legal ratification and acceptance following a High Court judgement in 1991. Soon after the two doughty women made history, black flags were shown to Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran at Guruvayur and Health minister K K Shylaja at Kannur by the and its youth wing activists. Holding Ayyappa portraits and chanting hymns to the Lord, protesters marched through the streets at several places including Kochi, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. Reacting to the entry of the two women into the temple, senior said it showed the "headstrong attitude" of the chief minister. His BJP counterpart P S Sreedharan Pillai said the CPI-M-led government had "betrayed" the sentiments of Ayyappa devotees. Women's rights activist Trupti Desai, the of who led the campaign for women to be allowed to offer prayers in Maharashtra's Shani Shingnapur temple, Haji Ali Dargah, Mahalakshmi temple and Trimbakeshwar Shiva temple, hailed the courage of the two women. "This is a big victory for our agitation. A victory of equality...This is a good beginning for women in the new year," Desai told from Pune. Cloaked in black veils and shrouded in early morning darkness, two women of menstruating age group made history on Wednesday when they stepped into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, breaking a centuries-old tradition defying dire threats from the Hindu right. The women--Kanakadurga and Bindu--aged 44 and 42, stepped into the hallowed precincts guarded by police three months after the Supreme Court's historic judgement lifting the ban on entry of girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age into the shrine of Lord Ayyappa, its "eternally celibate" deity. The women, draped in black and faces covered in veils, entered the temple at 3:38 am, a day after over 35 lakh women stood shoulder-to-shoulder across the national highways in Kerala, creating a 620 km-long human 'wall' from the northern end of Kasaragod to the southern tip in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the state-sponsored initiative to uphold gender equality. As the spread like wildfire from the hill shrine, protests erupted at several places, with Hindu right-wing activists blocking highways and forcing closure of shops and markets. Sabarimala Karma Samithi, an umbrella organisation of various pro-Hindutva groups, spearheading protests against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict, and Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), have called a state-wide shutdown on Thursday. Soon after some local TV channels aired visuals of the two women trekking to the hilltop temple, Chief Minister Piranayi Vijayan, whose Left Front government is weathering a storm of protests by hardline Ayyappa devotees over his determination to enforce the apex court verdict, announced they had indeed offered prayers at the shrine. "Earlier, women were not able to enter the temple due to certain hurdles. They may have entered the shrine today because they would not have faced any issues. It is a fact that the women have entered Sabarimala. Police have given them security," a visibly pleased Vijayan said. The development did not go down well with the temple authorities, with the head priest ordering devotees out of the premises and closing doors to the sanctum sanctorum. He performed a "purification" ritual for an hour before the doors were opened again. The women were whisked away from the temple by police soon after 'darshan'. They were brought to Pathanamthitta from where they left for an undisclosed destination, officials said. Police contingents have been posted at the residences of Bindu, a college lecturer and CPI(ML) activist from Kozhikode district's Koyilandy, and Kanakadurga, a civil supplies department employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram. Scores of women had made valiant attempts to visit the shrine since the Supreme Court verdict but were forced to retreat, menaced by hardline Ayyappa devotees. Bindu later said the duo faced no protests from Ayyappa devotees, either during the climb or while offering prayers. "Unlike in the past, there were no 'namajapa' (frenzied devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras) protests when we climbed the hills this morning. Only devotees were there and they did not stop us or stage any protests. Police offered us protection from Pamba, the foothhills," she told a tv channel. She said they wore the attire meant for women for Ayyappa 'darshan'. Nobody knows exactly when girls and women of reproductive age were forbidden from offering prayers at Sabarimala, but according to a 19th-century British survey report the ban was in place even 200 years ago. The informal restriction had got legal ratification and acceptance following a Kerala High Court judgement in 1991. The Hindu right-wing organisations were up in arms against the government over the entry of the two women into the temple, with their activists disrupting vehicular movement on Kasargod-Mangaluru highway, while BJP workers took out a march outside the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram which turned violent. Black flags were shown to Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran at Guruvayur and Health minister K K Shylaja at Kannur by the BJP and its youth wing activists. Police broke up the protests at the secretariat and arrested some women. Protesters allegedly attacked police and media personnel in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. Holding Ayyappa portraits and chanting hymns to the Lord, protesters marched through the streets at several places including Kochi, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. Reacting to the entry of the two women into the temple, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said it showed the "headstrong attitude" of the chief minister. P S Sreedharan Pillai said the CPI-M-led government had "betrayed" the sentiments of Ayyappa devotees. Women's rights activist Trupti Desai, the leader of Bhumata Brigade who led the campaign for women to be allowed to offer prayers in Maharashtra's Shani Shingnapur temple, Haji Ali Dargah, Mahalakshmi temple and Trimbakeshwar Shiva temple, hailed the courage of the two women. "This is a big victory for our agitation. Victory of equality...This is a good beginning for women in the new year," Desai told PTI from Pune. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US said Wednesday he had received a "great letter" from Kim Jong Un, after the North Korean leader warned may change its approach to nuclear talks if persists with sanctions. "I just got a great letter from Kim Jong Un," Trump told a cabinet meeting, reiterating that he still expected to hold a second summit with the North Korean leader, after the pair signed a pledge on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in last June. "We really established a very good relationship," Trump said. "We'll probably have another meeting." Trump has cast his first summit with Kim as a major diplomatic victory, and on Wednesday repeated his claim that there would be a "big fat war in Asia" had they not sat down to talk. But progress has stalled since the summit with the two sides disagreeing over the meaning of their vaguely-worded declaration, and the pace of US-North Korean negotiations has slowed, with meetings and visits cancelled at short notice. Speculation about a second Trump-Kim summit has meanwhile ebbed and flowed, with the US saying that he hoped it would take place early this year. In a brief tweet on Tuesday, Trump said he "look(s) forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that possesses great economic potential!" The North is demanding relief from multiple sanctions imposed over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and has condemned US insistence on its nuclear disarmament as "gangster-like." ALSO READ: After Kim poser, Trump says 'looking forward' to meeting N Korea leader In his New Year speech Kim called for the sanctions to be eased, saying that the North had declared "we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them," and urged the US to take "corresponding practical actions." Culminating in late 2017, the North has carried out six atomic blasts and launched rockets capable of reaching the entire US mainland, but has now carried out no such tests for more than a year. Expressing dissatisfaction over New Delhi's decades-old role in the Afghanistan peace process, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he wants the regional countries, including India, and Pakistan to fight the Taliban in the war-torn country. In his first Cabinet meeting of the year, the US President also referred to Prime Minister for funding a library in Afghanistan, wondering who would use it in that country. "Why is not there (in Afghanistan, fighting the Taliban)? Why isn't India there? Why isn't Pakistan there? Why are we (US) there? We are 6,000 miles away. But I don't mind. We want to help our people. We want to help other nations," Trump told reporters in response to a question during the Cabinet meeting. The US President cited India's efforts towards peace and development in Afghanistan but alleged that the countries were not doing enough in the war-ravaged country and that they were taking advantage of the United States. Asserting that the Afghan war costs billions of dollars to the US, Trump said, "I want people to treat us fairly". He noted that heads of countries have told him that they are involved in the peace process by "just sending some 100 or 200 soldiers". The US President referred to his friendly terms with Prime Minister Modi, but appeared critical of a library funded by India in Afghanistan. "I could give you an example where I get along very well with India and Prime Minister Modi. But he is constantly telling me, he built a library in Afghanistan. Library! That's like five hours of what we spend (in Afghanistan)," Trump told his cabinet colleagues. "And he (Modi) tells me. He is very smart. We are supposed to say, oh thank you for the library. Don't know who's using it (the library) in Afghanistan. But it's one of those things. I don't like being taken advantage of," he said. Trump drew a comparison between the expenses being borne by the US and other countries in the Afghan peace efforts. "What other countries have done for the last long period of time is given us some soldiers and then talk about it like it's the end of the world. And we are subsidizing their military is by billions and billions and billions of dollars, many, many, many times, what those soldiers cost that country," the US President said. Responding to a question, he said he wants India to be involved in Afghanistan. Asked if India's role in Afghanistan was going to be security related, Trump said: "We are going to be doing something that is right. We are talking to the Taliban. We are talking to a lot of different people." "But here's the thing, because you mentioned India. India is there. is there. Russia used to be Soviet Union. Afghanistan made it Russia because they went bankrupt fighting in Afghanistan. Russia. So you tend to look at other countries. Pakistan is there. They should be fighting. But Russia should be fighting," he said. "The reason Russia was in Afghanistan was that terrorists were going into Russia. They were right to be there. The problem is it was a tough fight and literally they (Russia) went bankrupt," Trump said. US said on Tuesday that he looks forward to meeting with North Korean Kim Jong-un, a day after warned of considering a change of approach if maintains pressure. Trump's response comes after Kim said in his New Year Speech that he wants good relations with the US but could consider a change of approach if maintains its sanctions. "I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North possesses great economic potential!" Trump said in a tweet wherein he quoted from the New Year speech of the North Korean " says North will not make or test nuclear weapons, or give them to others - & he is ready to meet Trump anytime." PBS News Hour," he wrote on says North will not make or test nuclear weapons, or give them to others - & he is ready to meet Trump anytime. PBS News Hour. I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that possesses great economic potential! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019 Last summer, Trump created history by becoming the first US President to have a summit meeting with a North Korean in more than five decades. The two met in Singapore, during which they agreed towards a North Korean denuclearization program. In recent weeks, the two leaders have indicated that they plan to meet again. A date and venue of the second summit meeting between the two have not been decided yet. US President Donald Trump spoke over phone with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Tuesday during which they reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the two countries and discussed countering terrorism and increasing regional stability, the White House said. "The two reaffirmed the strategic partnership between the United States and Egypt and committed to strengthening the relationship in the new year, particularly in terms of countering terrorism and increasing regional stability," a senior administration official said. Trump and Sisi also discussed the upcoming inauguration of the Cathedral of the Nativity and the Al Fatah Al Aleem Mosque in Egypt's New Administrative Capital (NAC) and efforts to advance religious freedom in Egypt, the official said, requesting anonymity. This was Trump's first phone call with a foreign leader in the new year and the first after the terrorist attack near Egypt's famed pyramids that killed at least four people and wounded 12 others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The regulator Trai has approached the against TDSAT order, which dismissed its tariff rule, Parliament was informed Wednesday. "Trai has filed an appeal before Hon'ble against the order of Hon'ble TDSAT dated 13th December, 2018. The appeal is yet to be listed," minister said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. Under the tariff rule, the Regulatory Authority of had barred telecom operator with over 30 per cent market share, offering services at a price which is below the average cost of service to reduce competition or eliminate the competitors. The regulator has also said that telcos will have to provide services to all subscribers availing the same tariff plan in a non-discriminatory manner. However, the same was dismissed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal(TDSAT) in an order dated December 13, 2018 citing lack of transparency in the guidelines over determining market share and rates of services. In February 2018, Trai said it will impose financial disincentive of up to Rs 50 lakh per circle on operators if their service rates are found to be predatory in nature. The amendment was issued after old telecom operators Airtel, and alleged that is offering services at predatory rates. Sinha said that transparency in tariff is and has always been an issue of prime concern for the and to protect the interests of the consumers of telecommunications services, the regulator has issued several tariff orders, directions and guidelines in order to ensure transparency in tariff offers from time-to-time. "However, despite these measures to ensure transparency in tariff, the Trai has been receiving complaints from consumers and consumer organisations highlighting, inter-alia, lack of transparency in the tariff offer of telecom service providers," Sinha said. Trai does not handle individual consumer complaints but the complaints received from consumers are forwarded to the concerned telecom operators for appropriate action. Data shared by the shows that the number of consumer complaint received by the regulator has increased in 2018. Till December 20, 2018, Trai has received 1,316 complaint from consumers, while in 2017, the regulator had received 1,055 complaints. Tamil Nadu moved the Supreme Court Wednesday against the NGT verdict that set aside the state government order to close Vedanta Ltd's Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin. At least 13 people were killed and several injured on May 22 last year when police opened fire on a large crowd of people protesting against environment pollution being allegedly caused by the plant. The plea, filed through advocate M Yogesh Kanna, said the National Green Tribunal has "erroneously" set aside various orders passed by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) last year with regard to the Sterlite plant. It said the tribunal had consequentially directed TNPCB to pass fresh orders of renewal of consent and issue authorisation to handle hazardous substances to the Vedanta Limited. "The final impugned judgment and order dated December 15, 2018 is liable to be set aside by this Court as the Tribunal failed to consider the data, document and evidence furnished by TNPCB to prove that the respondent no.1 (Vedanta) herein had irreversibly polluted the ground water in and around Thoothukudi District," the petition said while seeking a stay on the NGT verdict. It had held that non furnishing of ground water analysis report is a "technical breach and is trivial in nature", the plea said. "The said finding of the Tribunal shows non-application of mind as the appellants (TN and others) herein have furnished sufficient evidence to show that the respondent no.1 had polluted the ground water and therefore the respondent herein had not furnished the ground water analysis report," it added. The state government further said that it had raised various contentions before the Committee appointed by the NGT but the Committee failed to consider those contentions as well as documents while preparing its report. "The NGT relied upon the report of the Committee in passing the impugned order and therefore liable to be set aside. The NGT had not perused the voluminous records filed by the appellants herein," it said. On December 15, the NGT had set aside the Tamil Nadu government order for closure of mining company Vedanta Ltd's Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin saying it was "non sustainable" and "unjustified". It had asked the TNPCB to pass a fresh order of renewal of consent and authorisation to handle hazardous substances, subject to appropriate conditions for protection of environment in accordance with law within three weeks. NGT had allowed the appeal of the company challenging the plant's closure. The green panel said the company should spend within three years Rs 100 crore on welfare of inhabitants of the area as it had offered to do. It also suggested that the company take steps for safeguarding environment, like creating a dedicated website where the stakeholders can lodge their environment related grievances. The Tamil Nadu government had, on May 28, ordered the state pollution control board to seal and "permanently" close the mining group's copper plant following violent protests over pollution concerns. In April, TNPCB had rejected Sterlite's plea to renew the 'Consent To Operate' certification, saying the company had not complied with the stipulated conditions. The tribunal had earlier set up an independent committee to look into the allegations of environmental pollution by Vedanta-owned Sterlite copper factory. The committee, headed by former Meghalaya High Court Chief Justice Tarun Agrawal, had said that no notice or opportunity of hearing was given to Vedanta before the closure of the plant. On August 9, the tribunal had allowed Vedanta to enter the administrative unit inside its Sterlite copper plant at Tuticorin. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TMC MP Saugata Roy Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not facing debate in Lok Sabha on Rafale deal and hiding behind Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. "Prime Minister Modi is like Meghnad in Ramayana. He is hiding behind Jaitley. The Prime Minister should have the courage to face Parliament," Roy said during a short duration discussion on Rafale deal in the lower house. Jaitley strongly defended the Government on the Rafale deal during discussion in the House. Seeking a JPC probe on the deal, Roy sought to know why Reliance Defence and Aerospace was chosen as an offset partner in the deal. He charged that the money trail from Rafale deal would go to Reliance Defence and Aerospace. He asked the Government to explan why a private company, which was incorporated 20 days before the deal was signed, was chosen as an offset partner instead of a 70 year old public sector company HAL which employs thousands of people. Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo (BJD) said the pricing seems to be available everywhere except coming from the officials of the defence ministry. Asserting that the biggest loss to India has been lack of technology transfer, he demanded the government come out with a "white paper as to why the technology transfer was not done". Jayadev Galla (TDP) stated that HAL which was relevant in 2014 became irrelevant in 2018 and requested the defence minister to explain this. He sought to know whether the file of national security was lying in the bedroom of Goa Chief Minister. Questioning as to how the new Rafale deal was better than the old deal, Galla said it was unfortunate that the Prime Minister was not responding directly. He said Modi was not present for discussion and he had no respect for Parliament. The member demanded a JPC on the deal. Mohammed Salim (CPI-M) said the government was not working for self reliance but for self and Reliance. Dhananjay Mahadik (NCP) also demanded the constitution of JPC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Tirupur Exporters' Association (TEA) Wednesday hailed the decision of RBI to permit one-time restructuring of existing loans not exceeding Rs 25 crore to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). In a statement here, TEA president Raja M Shanmugham said the restructuring of loans would be a big relief to financially-stressed knitwear exporting units in Tirupur. The units were affected by demonetisation and implementation of goods and services tax (GST) apart from prevailing adverse factors, he said. The association has also been representing to the Ministries and RBI to treat MSMEs separately and exclude them from following Basel III norms which are meant for corporate units, he said. While mentioning the positive trend in garment exports in October-November, Raja Shanmugham said this kind of restructuring would be helpful to the concerned MSMEs in exports business to get revived and continue in the trade. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A joint delegation of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Tripura government will be visiting Bangladesh this month to study the possibility of building a new waterway connecting the two countries, an official said Wednesday. A three-member technical team, comprising two IWAI members and an engineer from the state water resource department, will carry out spot assessment at Daudkandi area in Comilla district of Bangladesh, Additional Transport Secretary Anindya Kumar Bhattacharya said. The proposed waterway on rivers Gomati and Meghna will connect Ashuganj river port in eastern Bangladesh with Sonamura in Sipahijala district of Tripura, he told PTI. "As a first step, dredging will have to be carried out on both sides (India and Bangladesh) to increase navigability of medium-sized vessels, which can carry at least 10 to 25 tonne of goods," Bhattacharya said. Last month, a technical team of IWAI had visited the Sonamura to conduct a survey and decide on the possible location of a jetty for the project. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb had also met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi in December, seeking expedition of the project. The waterway, once ready, will ease transportation of goods to Sonamura town of Tripura from Bangladesh, Deb had told reporters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Test audiences for Disneys Jungle Cruise film shared that the movie, as of now, omits the word "gay" when Jack Whitehall's character, McGregor, comes out to Dwayne The Rock Johnsons character. The film, taking place in the 19th century and slated for wide release in 2020, will be Disneys first action film to feature a major gay character. It is headlined by straight-identifying Whitehall, Johnson, and Emily Blunt. The first gay Disney film supporting character credit goes to Le Fou, played by Josh Gad, of the 2017 live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast. Rumors of a gay character caused Beauty and the Beast to be shelved in Kuwait and Malaysia, to be given a stricter rating in Russian theaters and to be boycotted by one Alabama drive-in, USA Today reported. It later turned out the role was so minor it was easy to miss. In the Jungle Cruise coming out scene, McGregor explains to "Frank" that his family tried arranging marriages for him with several women, but he didn't desire to marry any of them - or any woman, for that matter. McGregor goes on to say that Blunt's character, his sister Lily, was the only one in his family to accept and support him regardless of the "person" he loves. The scene was well-received by test audiences, but the key omission of a specific gender to describe McGregor's sexual preference struck as glaring in the scenes context, TMZ reported. The film is a period piece, which may inform the characters reluctance to be more direct about his sexuality, The Advocate noted. Japan's Emperor Akihito delivered his final New Year's address Wednesday before his abdication later this year, telling tens of thousands of well-wishers he was praying for peace. The Imperial Palace said more then 72,000 people flocked to the royal residence on Wednesday morning alone, with many more still arriving for a final chance to see the 85-year-old royal deliver his traditional new year's greeting. The emperor will become the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around two centuries when he steps down from the throne on April 30, ending his three-decade reign. "I'm sincerely glad to celebrate the new year together with you under the clear sky," he told thousands of people, many waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai" or "long live." "I pray for the peace and happiness of the people of our country and the world," the soft-spoken Akihito added, flanked by Empress Michiko and other family members. The emperor delivers a brief New Year's greeting every year, and was expected to appear five times on Wednesday to address as many well-wishers as possible. Some in the morning crowd yelled "Thank you very much" as the emperor waved, while others sang the national anthem. One woman in the front row shed tears as she looked up at the balcony. Akihito shocked the country in 2016 when he signalled his desire to take a back seat, citing his age and health problems. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, is set to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne a day after his father's abdication, continuing the rule of the world's oldest imperial family. The status of the emperor is sensitive in Japan given its 20th century history of war waged in the name of Akihito's father Hirohito, who died in 1989. Akihito has keenly embraced the more modern role as a symbol of the state -- imposed after World War II ended. Previous emperors including his father, Hirohito, had been treated as semi-divine. In a rare emotional address to mark his 85th birthday last month, Akihito pointed to the "countless lives" lost in the war. "It gives me deep comfort that the Heisei Era (his reign) is coming to an end, free of war in Japan," he said. Akihito has used his speeches and travels to express his strong pacifist views, which are sharply at odds with the aggressive expansionism Japan pursued under his father's rule. Akihito has also worked to bring the royal household closer to the people and frequently visited the disadvantaged and families hit by natural disasters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Border Patrol agents used tear gas and pepper spray to counter rock-throwing migrants when a group of about 150 tried to illegally cross the border from Mexico, leading to 25 arrests, the agency said on Tuesday. It is the second time since November that border officers have used tear gas during an attempted mass migrant crossing in the San Diego area. The migrants in the latest case New Year's Eve were among 1,500 who have remained in Tijuana, Mexico, just south of San Diego, California, after a once-5,000-strong caravan of travellers -- which raised the ire of President Donald Trump -- largely gave up and dispersed. An AFP journalist reported the crowd size at about 100 and observed the group of Central Americans gathering around 8:00 pm Monday night (0400 GMT Tuesday) in an area called Playas de Tijuana on the Pacific coast, often used by migrants as a departure point for attempts to sneak across the border. There, the border is marked with fencing and a large vertical plate that juts out into the water. On the other side of it, US border agents were seen mobilising. As night fell and people on both sides of the frontier prepared to celebrate New Year's Eve, the migrants tried to cross over but at least two smoke bombs were fired and they were ultimately held back. Those who tried to cross included adult men, women with small children and adolescents. After that attempt, part of the group stayed near the border and other Central Americans arrived to join them. Shortly after the New Year began, dozens of migrants stood on a hill from which they could see US border agents, who watched them closely. When people in this group rushed the border in a second incident, US authorities fired tear gas to disperse them, an AFP photographer observed. In a statement, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said an initial group of 45 migrants turned back towards Mexico, due to the increased presence of Border Patrol agents. Shortly after, migrants began throwing rocks over the fence at CBP officers. "Several teenagers, wrapped in heavy jackets, blankets and rubber mats were put over the concertina wire. Border Patrol agents witnessed members of the group attempt to lift toddler-sized children up and over the concertina wire and having difficulty accomplishing the task in a safe manner," CBP said. It added that agents could not assist the children "due to the large number of rocks being thrown at them." Agents used smoke, pepper spray and tear gas "to address the rock throwers assaulting agents and risking the safety of migrants attempting to cross who were already on the US side," CBP said. "The rock throwers were located south of the fence, in an elevated position both above the border fence area and the incursion attempt." Most of the migrants returned to Mexico using a hole under the fence or by climbing over it, CBP said, adding 25 people including two teenage migrants were detained. Agents "used the minimum force necessary," Katie Waldman, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement. In late November, also in the Tijuana area, US border officers used tear gas and rubber bullets when about 500 men, women and children scrambled over a rusted metal fence and surged into a concrete riverbed before they encountered a second fence. Rights groups raised questions over the use of force, in which at least one man was wounded. CBP said 42 people were arrested on the US side. The migrants in both cases were part of a caravan that left Central America in October and travelled 4,300 kilometers (2,600 miles) to Tijuana in the hope of reaching the US and requesting asylum. Many were fleeing gang violence and poverty. They arrived in Tijuana in early November and today about 1,500 still remain. The rest asked to be transported back home or dispersed to other parts of Mexico. Trump used the caravan to stir up fear of immigrants as he pressed his drive to build a wall on the border. He has also made it harder for people to request asylum at the frontier. An impasse with legislators over funding for his border wall project is behind a partial shutdown of US government services which is now in its second week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP will be appointing lakhs of booth-level in-charges for the upcoming national polls and within February 15 announce the list of its candidates, party leader Gopal Rai said Wednesday. He said that any alliance will be decided according to the emerging political situation in the country, adding that the party will fight on all 33 seats in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Goa and Chandigarh. Rai hinted that the party has kept its options open on possibility of alliance with Opposition parties including the Congress and said, "The situation in the country is fluctuating. We will analyse it and take a decision accordingly later on." He said that the party was ready to make adjustments with Opposition parties with an aim to remove the "Hitler-shahi" of the Modi government. Rai, however, cleared that AAP has started its preparations for the polls with a focus on Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Goa and Chandigarh. Asked if AAP will take a decision about an alliance with Congress or other parties before announcing its candidates, Rai said, "It is very difficult to say so." Inspired by the 'Panna Pramukhs' of BJP who are direct links of the party with the voters in each booths, the AAP will appoint 3.62 lakh 'Vijay Pramukhs' in Delhi and 4.62 lakh in Haryana. "Each Vijay Pramukh will cover ten households in a polling booth and will be responsible for providing voting slips to the voters and bring them to polling stations on the day of voting. They will also participate in one week campaigning before polling of votes," Rai said. The 'Vijay Pramukhs' will be enlisted from volunteers who have participated in party's door-to-door campaign for the elections. They will also distribute a questionnaire to voters seeking views on the AAP government in Delhi and Arvind Kejriwal's performance as chief minister. Kejriwal will be the nerve centre of the party's campaign. He will hold rallies in different states, besides holding meetings with workers. Kejriwal will address three rallies in Punjab and one in Harayana in the next few weeks. He will hold a meeting with block-level party workers from Punjab on Thursday. In run up to the elections, Kejriwal will address rallies at Sangrur on January 20, Anandpur Sahib on January 28, Amritsar on February 2 and Charkhi Dadri on January 4. He will also launch the party's door to door campaign in Haryana by holding meetings with office bearers of Lok Sabha seats in the state. The office bearers will conduct the campaign in each Parliamentary constituency. In Delhi, Kejriwal will hold meetings with campaigners of the door to door programme conducted so far in different constituencies. The first such meeting with volunteers of South Delhi will be held on January 10. Rai said he "hoped" that Parliamentary in-charges in Delhi will be ultimately announced as official AAP candidates for the Lok Sabha polls. So far, in-charges in six constituencies in Delhi have been announced and one for the West Delhi seat is likely to be named soon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taiwan's leader has rejected the Chinese president's call for unification under a "one country, two systems" approach. President Tsai Ing-wen said that China must face the fact of the existence of the Republic of Taiwan. She made the statement to media hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a policy speech on Taiwan that no one can stop the trend toward unification. One country, two systems refers to a framework similar to Hong Kong in which the territory became part of China but retained a degree of autonomy. Taiwan and China split in a civil war that brought the Communist Party to power in China in 1949. The rival Nationalists set up their own government on Taiwan, an island 160 kilometers off the Chinese mainland. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Syndicate Bank and SBI Life Insurance Wednesday announced that they have signed a bancassurance pact to offer a comprehensive financial planning solution to its customers. The agreement was signed in the presence of Syndicate Bank Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mrutyunjay Mahapatra and MD and CEO of SBI Life, Sanjeev Nautiyal, a bank release said. The two banks said they were hopeful of ensuring greater reach and penetration in the market with 3,000 branches of Syndicate Bank spread across the country offering SBI Life's diverse range of protection, wealth creation and savings insurance products to its customers. "Increasing life insurance penetration has been a strategy focus of Syndicate bank and we are starting with a pilot project in three districts. Riding on the proven delivery and technology capabilities of our partner SBI Life Insurance, we hope to achieve this aspiration very soon," Mahapatra said. Speaking about the partnership, Nautiyal said "SBI Life's large and growing bancassurance channel is a strong differentiator and we are extremely thrilled at the opportunities that our partnership with Syndicate Bank presents. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sparks flew between the Congress and the Government Wednesday over Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's purported claim he had a file on the Rafale jet deal "lying in his bedroom" and Rahul Gandhi making an attempt in the Lok Sabha to play an audio tape purportedly of a Goa minister regarding this matter. As tempers ran high in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the tape is "false and fabricated", asking the Congress president if he can authenticate. Jaitley also asserted that Gandhi may have to face privilege motion and even expulsion in case the tape turns out to be fabricated. Parrikar on his part termed the audio clip cited by the Congress on the Rafale deal as a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after the Supreme Court exposed the "lies" of the opposition party. No such discussion as cited in the audio clip ever came up during the Cabinet or any other meeting, said Parrikar, who was the defence minister when India and France signed a deal for the purchase of fighter aircraft from France. The Congress earlier in the day demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Parrikar's purported claim and asked if this was the reason why a joint parliamentary committee(JPC) probe was not being ordered. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala came out with a conversation purportedly between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and another person. Rane purportedly can be heard saying that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week Parrikar stated he had an entire file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom, Surjewala claimed, playing the conversation for the media outside Parliament. He quoted Rane as saying, "The chief minister made a very interesting statement, that I have all the information of Rafale in my bedroom....that means he is holding them to ransom. He said it is in my bedroom here only in my flat, each and every document on Rafale." However, there was no confirmation on whether it was the voice of Rane in the audio. The identity of the other person was also not ascertained. Rane termed the audio clip as "doctored" and fake and told BJP president Amit Shah that he has asked the state government to order an inquiry into the matter. The BJP has alleged that the Congress is only "peddling lies" on the Rafale issue. "Now it is clear that the 'chowkidaar is chor' (the watchman is a thief)," Surjewala told reporters targeting Modi. "Now the prime minister should answer. The country is demanding answers as to what secrets in the Rafale 'scam' are lying inside Manohar Parrikar's flat and bedroom," he claimed, asking why is the 'chowkidaar' fearing Parrikar. Surjewala claimed the skeletons were tumbling out of the Rafale scam cupboard. "New evidence busts 'chowkidar's' worst kept secrets. What is Modi government hiding... Is this the reason why a JPC probe is not being ordered," he asked. Training his guns on Modi, Surjewala said, "this is a personal charge against you". "There was corruption and wrongdoing in the Rafale scam and it is all recorded in the files. Those files are with Mr Parrikar. Why are they being hidden? If Mr Modi has nothing to hide, then why is Mr Parrikar keeping those files in his bedroom and threatening everybody that nobody can do anything against him, for he has the Rafale files," he alleged. He said it has now become necessary that the files of Rafale with Parrikar need to come out in public domain. In the Lok Sabha, Gandhi sought the Speaker's permission to play the audio tape, as he mounted a fresh offensive against Modi on the Rafale issue, saying he does not have "guts" to come to Parliament to confront questions and that he "hides" in his room. Amid an uproar, which caused brief adjournment of the House proceedings, Gandhi said he would not play it and authenticate it, prompting Jaitley to say that he was "scared" as he knew it was false. "This man lies and lies repeatedly," Jaitley said. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also disallowed Gandhi's request to play the clip. Gandhi claimed BJP members were "terrified" of the clip. Rane has already termed the tape "fabricated", Jaitley said. Hitting back, Parrikar said in a tweet: "The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale deal. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting". Speaking to reporters in Panaji, Rane accused the Congress of falsely implicating him in the controversy surrounding the Rafale deal through the "fake audio". Rane said he has asked Parrikar in a letter for a police inquiry into the matter to bring to book the accused behind the audio purportedly featuring him. "Today's voice note which is being circulated and talked about is absolutely absurd and illogical," he said. In a letter to Amit Shah, Rane said he never had any conversation with anyone on the Rafale issue and that the purported audio clip is a doctored one. According to BJP sources, Rane told Shah, "I have also sent a letter to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar asking for an immediate police inquiry and criminal investigation to expose the mischievous elements." "I would like to...inform the chief minister that there is someone playing mischief and there should be inquiry in this matter and such mischievous elements need to be brought to book," Rane said in the letter to Parrikar. Rane, a former Congress leader who joined the BJP after 2017 assembly elections and was made a minister, said, "From the time I have joined the BJP the Congress has been targeting me." He claimed that the Congress had always considered him as a "big threat". "The voice notes which they are circulating have been made up by the Congress," he alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Wednesday hailed the Centre's decision to set up a high-level committee to recommend safeguards to protect the identities of the indigenous people of the state. The powerful All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), however, criticised the BJP-led Central government decision and said the forming of another committee was a "gimmick" before the Lok Sabha polls. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday decided that the panel would recommend how to provide constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to the indigenous people of Assam, including by reserving seats in the state Assembly. "The decisions taken today by the Central government are historic steps to safeguard and protect the interest and cultural and linguistic identity of the indigenous people of Assam," Sonowal said in a statement. "This is a New Year's gift to the people of the state from the Central government. The decisions taken by the Union Cabinet will go a long way in securing the future of all indigenous communities of the state," he added. He said the Cabinet decision had secured the interest of indigenous people by resolving the matter, which remained undecided for 35 years due to lack of political will. "The decision taken to set up a high-level committee to implement Clause 6 of Assam Accord will pave way for reserving seats for indigenous people in Assam Legislative Assembly, local bodies and Assam Government jobs," Sonowal said. However, Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya, the chief adviser of AASU, which was a signatory to the Assam Accord, termed the decision an attempt to "assuage the feelings of the Assamese community which was hurt due to the move to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955". In a statement, KMSS Adviser Akhil Gogoi too criticised the Union Cabinet decision and said that the people of Assam needed the implementation of Clause 6, not another committee to study the matter and suggest steps. "The Clause has been discussed many times by the Centre. Forming another committee is nothing but a political gimmick before the elections. They just want to mislead the people by false promises and get votes," he said. The Cabinet decision is also targeted to derail the massive protests by all sections of people in Assam against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Gogoi claimed. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. The AASU, KMSS and other socio-political organisations of the North East are vehemently opposing the Bill. On December 31 last year, all amendments moved by the opposition in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), headed by BJP MP Rajendra Agrawal, of the Bill were defeated. Following this, members of KMSS have sat on an indefinite hunger strike from January 1. The stir entered its second day on Wednesday. The bill is likely to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on January 7 as the Winter Session of Parliament will conclude on January 8. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sonalika International Tractors Ltd Wednesday reported 14 per cent increase in total sales at 6,066 units in December 2018. The company had sold 5,321 units of tractors in December 2017, Sonalika International Tractors Ltd said in a statement. Domestic sales last month were at 5,052 units as against 4,516 units in December 2017, up 11.9 per cent. Exports during the month stood at 1,014 units as compared to 805 units in December 2017, a growth of 26 per cent, it added. In the April-December period this fiscal, overall tractor sales were at 87,507 units as compared to 72,438 units in the year-ago period, a growth of 20.8 per cent, it added. On the outlook, Sonalika Group Executive Director Raman Mittal said,"Consumer sentiment is expected to be positive owing to the government's favourable pro-farmer policies and major structural reforms, as well as an anticipation of better Rabi crop yield." Hence, he said,"the industry growth is expected to continue at the same pace and is expected to touch all time record high in this financial year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Somalia's government has ordered the UN top envoy to the troubled country to leave, accusing him of "deliberately interfering with the country's sovereignty." The order comes days after the official, Nicholas Haysom, raised concerns at the action of Somalia's UN-backed security services in recent violence that left several people dead. "The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Haysom, is no longer welcome in Somalia and cannot operate in the country," the foreign ministry said in a statement late Tuesday. There was no immediate reaction from the UN mission in Somalia. Somalia's security forces used force to put down three days of demonstrations in the southwestern town of Baidoa on 13-15 December, with at least 15 people killed and 300 people arrested, according to the UN. Protesters were angry at the arrest of Muktar Robow, a former Islamist leader who was vying for post of regional presidency. Robow, who defected from the jihadist Al-Shabaab movement in 2017, was detained by the government accused of seeking to "undermine stability", and flown to the capital Mogadishu. Robow's run for office exposed the tensions between Somalia's federal states, which want greater autonomy from a national administration keen to safeguard its central powers. The UN mission in Somalia is tasked with supporting peace efforts and the strengthening of government institutions in the Horn of Africa nation, which was left ruined by decades of civil war. As part of that, the UN supports police officers, including with stipend salary payments, logistics, uniforms and training. Haysom wrote to the Somali government on December 30, requesting details of the legal basis of the arrest of Robow, as well as calling for investigations into the deaths in the protests following his detention. The UN mission in Somalia faces frequent attacks. On Tuesday, three people were wounded including two UN staff members when gunmen fired a barrage of mortars into the main UN base in Mogadishu. The Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate fighting to overthrow the internationally backed government, claimed responsibility for the attack. Haysom, a South African lawyer and experienced diplomat who was previously the UN special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, was appointed to the post in Somalia September 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Six people were killed Wednesday when the car they were travelling in rammed into a container lorry near here, police said. The Chennai-bound car hit the truck which was getting onto the highway from a petrol bunk at Wallajapet, about 30 km from here. Four men and two women died in the mishap, a police official told PTI. It is not known if anybody was injured. Further details are awaited, police said. The bodies have been removed from the vehicle and sent for autopsy at a government hospital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) From the journals in December 2018, heres some new reading for the first days of the new year. Enjoy! Medicine Anthropology Theory (Open Access) But are they actually healthier? Challenging the health/wellness divide through the ethnography of embodied ecological heritage (open access) Kristina Baines A holistic definition of health remains difficult to operationalize, despite decades of attempts by medical anthropologists and the World Health Organization to do so. Anthropologists routinely reject dichotomous notions belief vs. knowledge, wellness vs. health, mental vs. physical, environment vs. self yet demands for physiological evidence of health persist. In this article, I ask what evidence would sufficiently demonstrate health, and explore the possibility of measures that move beyond the physiological. Using ethnographic data collected in indigenous Maya communities in Belize and in immigrant communities in New York City, I argue that ecological heritage practices can provide a lens through which to locate and collect evidence of health, holistically defined. Developing a framework of embodied ecological heritage (EEH), I discuss how communities and individuals communicate and measure health as part of everyday ecological activities, which they describe as traditional or heritage practices. Theorizing unexpected links and feedback loops, which cross temporal, spatial, and social boundaries, I assert that health is connected to practice through tangible, embodied experience and that ethnography thus provides powerful evidence to understand and define it. Cancer-before-cancer: Mythologies of cancer in everyday life (open access) Sara Marie Hebsgaard Offersen, Mette Bech Risr, Peter Vedsted, Rikke Sand Andersen Approaching the presence of cancer in everyday life in terms of mythologies, the article examines what cancer is and how cancer-related potentialities are enacted and embodied in the context of contemporary regimes of anticipation. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in a suburban Danish middle-class community among people who were not immediately afflicted by cancer, we describe different and paradoxical cancer mythologies and show how they provide multiple ways of understanding, anticipating, and dealing with cancer in everyday life. Special attention is paid to the relation between biomedically informed notions of symptoms and bodily processes, and a ghostly and muted presence of cancer, particularly when people are faced with more tangible cancer worries. We explore how contemporary cancer disease-control strategies emphasising symptom awareness interweave with and add to cancer mythologies. We suggest that these strategies also carry moral significance as directives (be aware of early signs of cancer and seek care in time), and create an unintended illusion of certainty that does not correspond with everyday embodied forms of uncertainty and ambiguity. We argue that paying attention to the continuous cultural configurations of cancer that exist before cancer will increase understanding of how the public health construction of cancer awareness relates to everyday health practices such as symptom experience and health care seeking. Asking questions: Interviews and expertise in global health research (open access) katyayni seth Household surveys are one of the primary methodological tools employed in global health research. In this paper, I try to gain insight into the production of global health knowledge by elaborating upon the process of data collection for such surveys. I do so by narrating a story of an impact evaluation in northern India, drawing attention to how data collectors, called enumerators, follow or disregard different aspects of the research protocol while conducting survey interviews. I pay close attention to how enumerators translate and ask questions, and how the ethical challenges they face affect their interactions with respondents. I use this analysis to draw parallels between the work of enumerators and global health researchers. I argue that researchers also acknowledge or unknow different aspects of research practice in order to produce scientific evidence and claim expertise. It gives you nothing but it takes away everything: Photo ethnography as a lens onto the experiences of people who inject drugs in Puerto Rico (open access) Roberto Abadie, Colleen Syron, Carmen Ana Davila, Angelica Rivera-Villegas [excerpt] This essay offers insight into the material, social, and emotional worlds of intravenous drug use in rural Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico hosts one of the highest incidences of HIV infection in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010), largely attributable to high rates of injection drug use. Visual ethnography is a powerful tool for exploring HIV risk behaviors and the materiality of injection drug use (Padilla et al. 2018; Moletsane et al. 2007), as well as the social and emotional worlds of people who use drugs (Clark-Ibanez 2004; Madrigal et al. 2014). In contrast to photovoice, a method that can presume the empowerment of participants through the creation of images and that may require them to learn how to take high-quality pictures (Luttrell 2010), visual ethnography both involves participants in the creation of images to represent aspects of material, social, and emotional life and employs fieldwork methods to provide context for the meanings elicited by the pictures. As part of a larger, two-year study of people who inject drugs in rural Puerto Rico (Abadie et al. 2016), we conducted extensive fieldwork to document the material practices that support intravenous drug use, shadowing participants as they hustled for drug money and partnered with other users to acquire and use drugs, and visiting shooting galleries and other settings where drugs are used. To further explore the material, social, and emotional dimensions of substance use we provided eighteen participants with disposable cameras and prompted them to take pictures of things that made them happy or sad, things they liked to do, and things they needed to inject drugs. In addition, all participants were invited to our office, where we took their portraits while they held hand-written signs with messages of their choosing. Participants were interviewed about the content of their photographs as well as the messages they chose for their portraits. In the shadow of tomorrow: Ebola vaccine research in Liberia (open access) Arsenii Alenichev [excerpt] This photo essay draws on images taken by the author in Liberia between August and December 2016, as part of an anthropological project exploring the perspectives of participants involved in Ebola vaccine research at the peak of the outbreak. In 2014, a US-Liberian collaboration resulted in the launch of Liberias first large-scale randomized Ebola vaccine clinical trial. Fifteen hundred people were rapidly recruited to participate in the trial and subsequently found to have compliance rates of 98 percent, an achievement that researchers had previously thought unimaginable. [] In this photo essay, I argue that for many Liberians, the decision to participate in Ebola vaccine clinical trials was embedded in historical and ongoing systems of exploitation, and was powerfully shaped by the fact that trial participation allowed them to obtain medical care and socioeconomic benefits that were otherwise out of reach. I suggest that photographs of the material and social contexts in which clinical trials unfold in Liberia and elsewhere can reveal important dynamics that are not taken into account by normative bioethics. Medical Anthropology Quarterly: International Journal for the Analysis of Health A Crisis of Care: The Politics and Therapeutics of a Rape Crisis Hotline Emma L. Backe This article explores the politics and contingencies of care provided to survivors of sexual assault on a rape crisis hotline in the U.S.s mid-Atlantic region. The support provided to survivors on the hotline represents a crisis of care, one fomented by the victim services sectors failure to address the limitations of a crisis-oriented paradigm or survivors chronic trauma. The tension between the survivor-centered model of the hotline and the mental health needs of clients represents a friction of utilitya misalignment between the care hotline advocates provide and the support survivors seek. The anonymous care and internal contradictions of the hotline also results in high rates of vicarious trauma for advocates. Given the polysemic dimensions of care exhibited on the hotline, the service represents a form of negative care, one that accounts for gaps in survivors care yet still fails to empower proactive means of recovery. Choreographing Death: A Social Phenomenology of Medical Aid-in-dying in the United States Mara Buchbinder This article draws on ethnographic research on the implementation of Vermonts 2013 medical aid-in-dying (AID) law to explore a fundamental paradox: While public discourse characterizes AID as a mechanism for achieving an individually controlled autonomous death, the medicolegal framework that organizes it enlists social support and cultivates dependencies. Therefore, while patients pursuing AID may avoid certain types of dependencysuch as those involved in bodily carethe process requires them to affirm and strengthen other bureaucratic, material, and affective forms. By tracing the social phenomenology of several AID deaths, I illustrate how AID results in distinctive forms of sociality and dependency that require terminally ill people and caregivers to embrace a collaborative stance toward choreographing death. I argue that assisted dying offers an opportunity to resist dominant U.S. cultural narratives that view dependency in purely negative terms and reimagine the relationships between disability, dependency, and care at the end of life. Tourism Labor, Embodied Suffering, and the Deportation Regime in the Dominican Republic Mark Padilla, Jose Felix Colon-Burgos, Nelson Varas-Diaz. Armando Matiz-Reyes, Caroline Mary Parker In this article, we use syndemic theory to examine socio-structural factors that result in heightened vulnerability to HIV infection and drug addiction among Dominican deportees who survive post-deportation through informal tourism labor. Through an ongoing NIDA-funded ethnographic study of the syndemic of HIV and problematic drug use among men involved in tourism labor in the Dominican Republic, we argue that the legal and politicaleconomic context of the global deportation regime contributes to structural vulnerabilities among deportees in the Dominican Republic, most of whom are men with histories of incarceration in the United States and/or Puerto Rico. While Dominican laws and institutional practices work conjointly with foreign policies to reconfigure non-criminal deportees as hardened criminals unworthy of full citizenship rights, the informal tourism economy provides one of the few absorption points for male deportee labor, linking the deportation regime directly to the Caribbean tourism industry. The Binds of Global Health Partnership: Working out Working Together in Sierra Leone Clare Herrick, Andrew Brooks Global health partnerships (GHPs) are the conceptual cousin of partnerships in the development sphere. Since their emergence in the 1990s, the GHP mode of working and funding has mainly been applied to single-disease, vertical interventions. However, GHPs are increasingly being used to enact Health Systems Strengthening and to address the global health worker shortage. In contrast to other critical explorations of GHPs, we explore in this article how the fact, act, and aspiration of binding different actors together around the ideology and modes of partnership working produces the perpetual state of being in a bind. This is an original analytical framework drawing on research in Sierra Leone and London. We offer new insights into the ways in which GHPs function and are experienced, showing that along with the successes of partnership work, such arrangements are often and unavoidably tense, uncomfortable, and a source of frustration and angst. Stuck in the Clinic: Vernacular Healing and Medical Anthropology in Contemporary sub-Saharan Africa China Scherz While vernacular therapeutics had long been a topic of interest to many writing about medicine and healing in Africa, with a few exceptions most recent anthropological writings on medicine in Africa are focused on biomedicine. In this article, I trace this shift back to the turn of the millennium and the convergence of three events: the emergence of global health, the accession of the occult economies paradigm, and critiques of culturalism in medical anthropology. I argue that these three shifts led to research projects and priorities that looked different from those defined and undertaken as late as the late 1990s. While seeking to avoid the errors that could come with writing about vernacular therapeutic traditions in Africa as bounded comprehensive systems, I argue that there are empirical, political, and practical reasons why medical anthropologists may want to reconsider our collective research priorities. When Doctors Dont Tie: Hierarchical Medicalization, Reproduction, and Sterilization in Brazil Ugo Felicia Edu Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork among black women, medical personnel, and activists in Brazil, this article highlights the implications of hierarchical medicalization. I show that the prioritization of particular forms of medicalized contraception for women located differentially in society enables different relations, political positions, and mobility. Denial of a tubal ligation in favor of modern reversible contraceptives, in a context of inequitable distribution, can perpetuate social stratification. This work contributes to literature exploring the complexity of medicalization and its relationship with society via reproduction. When Diabetes Confronts HIV: Biological Sub-citizenship at a Public Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya Edna Bosire, Emily Mendenhall, Gregory Barnabas Omondi, David Ndetei This article investigates how international donor policies cultivate a form of biological sub-citizenship for those with diabetes in Kenya. We interviewed 100 patients at a public hospital clinic in Nairobi, half with a diabetes diagnosis. We focus on three vignettes that illustrate how our study participants differentially perceived and experienced living with and seeking treatment and care for diabetes compared to other conditions, with a special focus on HIV. We argue that biological sub-citizenship, where those with HIV have consistent and comprehensive free medical care and those with diabetes must pay out-of-pocket for testing and treatment, impedes diabetes testing and treatment. Once diagnosed, many are then systematically excluded from the health care system due to their own inability to pay. We argue that the systematic exclusion from international donor money creates a form of biological sub-citizenship based on neoliberal economic policies that undermine other public health protections, such as universal primary health care. Anthropology Today What DNA cant tell: Problems with using genetic tests to determine the nationality of migrants Sarah Abel This article relates to a set of recent reports about the Canadian Border Services Agencys (CBSA) use of commercial DNA ancestry tests to determine the nationality of detained migrants. While DNA tests are routinely used in many countries for the purposes of family reunification, these reports are particularly concerning. Not only do they imply a misunderstanding of the scope of genetics to shed light on legal and political phenomena such as nationality claims, but they also flag up important ethical problems regarding issues of consent and data privacy. In this article, the author clarifies the flawed logic behind using genetics to investigate nationality, outlines the ethical issues at stake and suggests amendments to existing norms in order to work towards more responsible practices in this area. Human Organization Against a Regulated Market in Human Organs: Ethical Arguments and Ethnographic Insights from the Organ Trade in Bangladesh Monir Moniruzzaman While organ transplantation is often highly successful in saving lives, it has created an illicit, but thriving, trade in human organs, including kidneys, livers, and corneas sourced from living bodies of the desperate poor. Based on challenging ethnographic fieldwork with seventy organ sellers, along with a group of recipients, brokers, and doctors, this article explains how organ trade results in violence, exploitation, and suffering against the vulnerable, who sell their live organs on the black market of Bangladesh. In opposition to allowing a regulated organ market, I argue that such a market is not a magic bullet that by itself would eliminate deception, coercion, and corruption that exist in the illegal trade of vital organs, nor would it ensure equity, rights, and justice to organ sellers. Instead, a regulated market would exacerbate, institutionalize, and normalize violence, exploitation, and suffering against impoverished populations. I, therefore, conclude that organ trade needs to be condemned, as there are alternative ways to resolve organ shortages. I suggest that government authorities must enact stringent laws, ensure ethical transparency, and encourage cadaveric donations to combat organ trafficking worldwide. Body & Society Drugs, Brains and Other Subalterns: Public Debate and the New Materialist Politics of Addiction Suzanne Fraser, kylie valentine, Mats Ekendahl Over the last few decades feminists, science and technology studies scholars and others have grappled with how to take materiality into account in understanding social practices, subjectivity and events. One key area for these debates has been drug use and addiction. At the same time, neuroscientific accounts of drug use and addiction have also arisen. This development has attracted criticism as simplistically reinstating material determinism. In this article we draw on 80 interviews with health professionals directly involved in drug-related public policy and service provision in three countries to identify the main ways the neuroscience of addiction (and thus the agency of the brain) is understood. We analyse these understandings using contemporary posthumanist theory to develop new options for conceptualizing matter in public responses to addiction. We close by calling for a new approach to addiction and the brain based on a process model of materiality and public debate. Ethos Blood, Sweat, and Tears: Making Sense of Senses in Expert Nursing Hanna Marie Ihlebk In this article, I draw on material from an ethnographic and phenomenological study of knowledge and professionalism among registered nurses working in a cancer unit at a Norwegian hospital. During the study, the use of the senses stood out as an important skill in nurses work with patients. The question to be investigated in this article is how the nurses acquire and use sensory knowledge in their clinical work. Building on a notion of knowledge as situated, embodied, and sensory, and learning as embedded in doing, this article contributes to and expands on the study of sensory knowledge in two respects. First, it foregrounds the processes and practices in which sensory knowledge is actually formed and used at a microlevel. Second, it highlights how an ethnographic and phenomenological exploration of the acquisition and use of sensory knowledge can contribute new insights into how expertise is cultivated in everyday clinical practice. East Asian Science, Technology and Society Prehistory of Aadhaar: Body, Law, and Technology as Postcolonial Assemblage (open access) Itty Abraham This article seeks to go beyond the binary of elite concerns over privacy versus subaltern desires for recognition to understand the huge Indian biometric project, Aadhaar. It offers a prehistory of Aadhaar, framed not in terms of rights and wrongs, important as they are, but as the most recent project in the shaping of modern social and political power through the technologically mediated intersection of the law and the body. Key moments of technopolitical reduction of the physical bodyfingerprinting, DNA tests, brain scans, polygraphs, and truth serumsbecome turning points in a process that have joined personal identity with evidentiary truth to overcome centuries of judicial skepticism. Due to its combined technopolitical and biological foundations, the new national database commands a high degree of social and political confidence as reflected in the unplanned and unforeseen expansion of Aadhaar. In this emergent database society, intersections of law, body, and technoscience engender new human networks: temporary alliances among material forces, inanimate techniques, discourses, norms, and institutions, organized around the technologically mediated body. This article proposes in conclusion that, as a result of these developments, we are likely to see the generation of new and unverifiable conceptions of what we mean by and how we represent the ultimate human network, society. Thickening Transregionalism: Historical Formations of Science, Technology, and Medicine in Southeast Asia (open access) Warwick Anderson This article offers an overview of science and technology studies (STS) in Southeast Asia, focusing particularly on historical formations of science, technology, and medicine in the region, loosely defined, though research using social science approaches comes within its scope. I ask whether we are fashioning an autonomous history of science in Southeast Asiaand whether this would be enough. Perhaps we need to explore further Southeast Asia as method, a thought style heralded here though remaining, I hope, productively ambiguous. This review contributes primarily to the development of postcolonial intellectual history in Southeast Asia and secondarily to our understanding of the globalization and embedding of science, technology, and medicine. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute Purity, cleanliness, and smell: female circumcision, embodiment, and discourses among midwives and excisers in Fouta Toro, Senegal Sarah ONeill Since the 1980s, a multiplicity of medical, social, and anthropological research has looked into different aspects of female genital cutting (FGC), with outcomes that are used as justifications for, or objections to, different forms of intervention on a global level. Yet there is limited research looking at local indigenous medical knowledge, and how potential health problems resulting from cutting are understood and treated by those who perform female circumcision as a profession. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Fouta Toro, Senegal, this article shows that despite some medical professionals genuine commitment to stop FGC, their aesthetic notions of cleanliness and repulsion often still conform to dominant discourses and beliefs around purity. This article explores contradictory conceptions of female anatomy, purity, and olfactory differences between excised and unexcised women. It shows that instead of there being a one-dimensional opposition between different forms of knowledge (local/indigenous vs biomedical), as frequently implied in public health messages, people can assimilate seemingly contradictory viewpoints that correspond to their social identities, embodied manners, and the sensory and olfactory perceptions of their social environment. New Genetics and Society Saving embryos in stem cell science and embryo adoption Risa Cromer The million frozen human embryos accumulated in IVF clinic freezers across the United States have become premier targets for saving by groups committed to repurposing reproductive remainders. Based on twenty-seven months (20082013) of ethnographic research within a Christian embryo adoption program and an embryo biobank for stem cell research, this article examines the motivations and practices involved in transforming leftover IVF embryos from a remaindered to a repurposed state. A focus on saving illuminates how moral discourses, economic logics, and biomedical issues conspire in shaping futures as well as modes of care in the present. Embryo repurposing programs use similar saving practices for different reasons, assume responsibility for repurposing IVF embryos, and strive to transform them into revalued forms for new futures. Fluctuating factors beyond the cryopreservation tank multiply rather than stabilize embryo potential. As a dynamic, open-ended process, saving requires programs to adjust strategies over time and wait. Science as Culture Tuning Clinical Recruitment around Cultural Taboos in a Human Microbiome Study Elina I. Makinen Human microbial communities are bodies of microorganisms that reside in or on different body parts. Importantly, they have been found to affect human health. However, scientific research on human microbial communities has created new challenges for human subject recruitment. First, individuals are asked to collect samples of bodily substances that can be seen as repulsive (e.g. feces and urine). Second, because scientists want to understand how human microbial communities evolve over time, individuals are asked to commit to a regular sample collection for extended periods of time. A longitudinal qualitative study of the work of scientists, physicians, research staff, and study coordinators involved in a human microbiome research project has found that these actors can bypass some aspects of these recruitment and retention challenges through tuning work. Tuning work is a collaborative process where professionals agree to adjust their practices towards shared goals. Such professionals reconfigure their work practices, personal routines, and the study protocol in an effort to obviate cultural taboos against handling bodily substances. The burden of long-term participation provides fewer opportunities for tuning work for these professionals, however. As such, long-term commitment by human subjects remains a recruitment and retention obstacle. Social Science & Medicine Clinical forecasting: Towards a sociology of prognosis Stefan Timmermans, Tanya Stivers Much of our understanding of prognosis in clinical settings comes from end-of-life situations but prognostication is also a concern in chronic illnesses. Parents of children living with seizures wonder what the future holds: will the child outgrow their seizures, or will they remain a part of their childs life? Based on video recordings of clinic consultations between pediatric neurologists and families, we examine how clinicians convey a childs prognosis. We find that neurologists mainly communicate the prognosis indirectly through the goals they set for the child, the time frame of attaining these goals, and the uncertainties they highlight regarding the attainability of the goals. By modulating goals and erring on the side of optimism, clinicians maintain a collaborative relationship even if the prognosis turns increasingly dire. Understanding barriers to health care access through cultural safety and ethical space: Indigenous peoples experiences in Prince George, Canada Sarah E.Nelson, Kathi Wilson Almost 1.7 million people in the settler colonial nation of Canada identify as Indigenous. Approximately 52 per cent of Indigenous peoples in Canada live in urban areas. In spite of high rates of urbanization, urban Indigenous peoples are overlooked in health care policy and services. Because of this, although health care services are more plentiful in cities as compared to rural areas, Indigenous people still report significant barriers to health care access in urban settings. This qualitative study, undertaken in Prince George, Canada, examines perceived barriers to health care access for urban Indigenous people in light of how colonialism impacts Indigenous peoples in their everyday lives. The three most frequently reported barriers to health care access on the part of the 65 participating health care providers and Indigenous clients of health care services are: substandard quality of care; long wait times; and experiences of racism and discrimination. These barriers, some of which are common complaints among the general population in Canada, are interpreted by Indigenous clients in unique ways rooted in experiences of discrimination and exclusion that stem from the settler colonial context of the nation. Through the lenses of cultural safety and ethical space frameworks developed by international Indigenous scholars in efforts to better understand and operationalize relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals and societies in the context of settler colonialism this study offers an understanding of these barriers in light of the specific ways that colonialism intrudes into Indigenous clients access to care on an everyday basis. Epistemic struggles: The role of advocacy in promoting epistemic justice and rights in mental health (open access) Karen Newbigging, Julie Ridley Advocacy for people using health and social care services is widely promoted but its theoretical foundation is under-developed and its impact poorly conceptualised. This paper explores the liberatory potential of independent advocacy, using Frickers concept of epistemic injustice as a framework. People experiencing mental distress are particularly vulnerable to epistemic injustices as a consequence of deeply embedded social stigma resulting in a priori assumptions of irrationality and unreliability such that their knowledge is often discounted or downgraded. The mental health service user/survivor movement is at the forefront of validating personal experience and narrative to secure a different ontological and epistemological basis for mental distress. A foundational strand of this is advocacy to enable people to give voice to their experience. The case of independent mental health advocacy (IMHA) services under mental health legislation in England, provides an opportunity to critically examine whether advocacy can promote epistemic justice as a result of the legally sanctioned encounter between clinical assessment and subjective experience, pivoting on judgements about risk. This paper draws on empirical data from a national evaluation of IMHA services, which included 90 individual interviews with people subject to detention and three focus groups with mental health service users. Frickers concept of epistemic injustice is used as a lens to investigate how this type of advocacy might mitigate forms of epistemic injustice, and thereby promote greater social justice in mental health. The concept of epistemic injustice provides a valuable theoretical basis for understanding the worth of advocacy in addressing testimonial injustice as well as its relative weakness in overcoming hermeneutical injustice. The challenge of independent advocacy to the dominant discourse within mental health is considered and questions raised about the place of advocacy in modern democratic mental health systems. Professionalism lapses and hierarchies: A qualitative analysis of medical students narrated acts of resistance Malissa Kay Shaw, Charlotte E. Rees, Nina Bjerre Andersen, Lori Faye Black, Lynn V. Monrouxe Resistance is classified as a reaction against confining social structures. During their education, medical students encounter traditional medical and interprofessional hierarchies as they learn to become doctors. These create a power disparity that may prevent their empowerment and ability to resist. Despite their subordinate position, students are not always powerless when encountering situations that contradict their ethical, moral, and professional understandings of appropriate medical practice so called professionalism dilemmas. A qualitative analysis of over 1500 narratives from interviews, focus groups, and questionnaires with 808 medical students in the UK and Australia highlights how students draw on a number of direct and indirect, verbal and bodily, instantaneous and delayed forms of resistance to counter the professionalism lapses of their seniors, which they face in everyday clinical and educational interactions. Within students narratives of resistance we come to see how they resist hegemonic practices and their reasons for doing so, such as to prevent patient and student abuse, promote hygienic practice, and uphold patient consent. Through these various acts of resistance (and their narration), medical students may promote the subtle transformation of the dominant medical structure either consciously or unconsciously. They may do this through reflecting on acts of resistance to professionalism lapses, making sense of their moral position and the development of their professional identities, by encouraging others to also resist through sharing resistance narratives, and finally, by altering the professional conduct of their seniors. We encourage all workplace learning stakeholders to better understand the social dynamics of hierarchies and resistance and to encourage the enactment of resistance in the face of professionalism lapses in order to protect the health and wellbeing of learners and patients. Depression in a depressed area: Deservingness, mental illness, and treatment in the contemporary rural U.S. Claire Snell-Rood, Elizabeth Carpenter-Song People with mental illness face public scrutiny that provokes questions about their ability to cope, membership in society, and entitlement to state support. Less attention has been focused on how such scrutiny occurs at the community level, particularly when shared economic distress has generated a high burden of poor mental health. We employ theorizations of health-related deservingness to examine the local moral economies through which residents of an economically depressed area question who deserves to be depressed, how those with depression should cope, and what forms of treatment are sincere. Drawing on a multi-phase study (20142016) in Appalachian Kentucky, we analyze interviews conducted with women with depression and the health practitioners who work with them. In the rural U.S., the dim economy and scarce healthcare resources are attributed to exclusion from broader society. Naturalized as a moral response for enduring dead-end jobs and poverty, participants described how depression coping can positively demonstrate individuals commitment to providing for their families and mobility. However, when individuals are perceived to use depression diagnoses to access state entitlements or obtain medication as a quick fix that facilitates substance use, area residents question the veracity of symptoms and argue that treatment-seeking is insincere. In this way, rural moral concepts about work, entitlement, and self-sufficiency become embedded in contemporary ideas about mental health and its treatment. The tempered normalization of depression may offer possibilities for decreasing stigma and engendering conversations about patterned exclusions of rural Americans from broader U.S. prosperity. However, tense moral meanings about depression coping reveal both deepening and emergent social inequalities within rural communities. Attending to local moral economies that shape mental health deservingness is critical to understanding the complex overlaps and intersections between state, community, and family discourses. Social Studies of Science The ineffable: A framework for the study of methods through the case of mid-century mind-brain sciences Laura Stark, Nancy D Campbell Conventionally, the story of modern research methods has been told as the gradual ascendancy of practices that scientists designed to extract evidence out of minds and bodies. These methods, which we call methods of extraction, have not been the exclusive ways in which experts have generated evidence. In a variety of case studies, scholars in Science and Technology Studies have persuasively documented scientists efforts to know the extra-linguistic, internal experiences of other beings prior to or aside from their efforts to represent those experiences in words and images. We propose a new framework to resolve a seeming contradiction in STS, which stems from the fact that the language of subjectivity has been used to refer to two analytically distinct features of scientists methods: the epistemological premises of a method, on the one hand, and the evaluation of the method in the moral economy of science, on the other hand. Building on Shapins provocation to study the sciences of subjectivity, we analyze three sites in the epistemic niche of 1950s US Federal mind-brain scientists and find that methods of extraction neither replaced nor invariably trumped additional methods that researchers designed to provide evidence of peoples interior experiences. We call these additional approaches methods of ingression because researchers purported to generate authoritative evidence by climbing inside the experience of another being, rather than pulling the evidence out. Methods of ingression and methods of extraction coexisted and developed iteratively in dynamic relationship with each other not in isolation nor in competition, as is commonly assumed. Through this empirical study, we provide a new framework that departs from the binary framework of objectivity-subjectivity to allow scholars in STS to more aptly describe scientists epistemic worlds; to discern a greater range of methods at play; and to appreciate the warrants for knowledge used in our own field. Transcultural Psychiatry Some People May Need it, But Not Me, Not Now: Seeking Professional Help for Mental Health Problems in Urban China Juan Chen In recent years, various levels of the Chinese government have undertaken the task of developing new models of community-based mental health services. Greater availability and higher quality will not result in substantial improvements if those suffering from mental illnesses do not use the services. This article examines not only peoples cultural perception of mental health and help-seeking but also their practical concerns and preferences about mental health service provision in urban China. The study analyzes qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 50 respondents who belong to the most psychologically distressed subgroup (with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) score 25) identified in a household survey in Beijing. While stigma about mental illness and help-seeking is real and well described, most interviewees are also not aware of the availability of professional mental health services. They believe that professional services target the upper-middle and upper classes, and are outside the sphere of their daily life and socio-economic status. The interviewees do not welcome the prospect of a mental health clinic or treatment center in their neighborhood due to concerns about stigma and confidentiality; instead, they support the creation of mental health referral services and promotion programs within the community or on the Internet. The findings suggest that the development of community-based mental health services in mainland China should take into account not only the cultural constraints that make people reluctant to seek professional help but also the structural inadequacies that deter potential user groups from accessing such services. Beyond two worlds: Identity narratives and the aspirational futures of Alaska Native youth Lucas Trout, Lisa Wexler, Joshua Moses Indigenous communities across the Alaskan Arctic have experienced profound revisions of livelihood, culture, and autonomy over the past century of colonization, creating radical discontinuities between the lives of young people and those of their parents and Elders. The disrupted processes of identity development, access to livelihoods, and cross-generational mentorship associated with colonialism have created complex challenges for youth as they envision and enact viable paths forward in the context of a rapidly changing Arctic home. In this study, we consider the meanings associated with different constructions of culture and selfhood, and the ways in which these identity narratives position Inupiaq Alaskan Native youth in relation to their personal and collective futures. Through an intergenerational and participatory inquiry process, this study explores how representations of shared heritage, present-day struggles, resilience, and hope can expand possibilities for youth and thus impact individual and community health. Vietnamese-American family caregivers of persons with mental illness: Exploring caregiving experience in cultural context Quynh Nhu (Natasha) Bui, Meekyung Han, Sadhna Diwan, Tran Dao While involvement of family caregivers can play an important role in the recovery process of persons with serious mental illness (SMI), family caregivers often endure poor health and mental health issues due to caregiving-related distress. These challenges may be exacerbated for Vietnamese American families due to cultural values (e.g., familism and stigma). This qualitative exploratory study examined how Vietnamese American family caregivers of persons with SMI describe their caregiving experience. Using convenience and snowball sampling, the study recruited 21 participants who took part in two Vietnamese-language focus groups. Key findings of the study addressed three themes: (1) the influence of cultural and religious values on caregiving and mental health; (2) the negative impact of caregiving on caregivers wellbeing; and (3) the stigma attached to mental illness. The study offers useful insights to assist mental health practitioners in tailoring culturally appropriate and effective services for Vietnamese caregivers. American Anthropologist Training the Porous Body: Evangelicals and the Ex-Gay Movement Sophie Bjork-James In this article, I examine how US evangelical opposition to LGBT rights stems from a unique understanding of sexuality and the person. As my respondents explained to me in over sixteen months of field research, evangelical rejection of LGBT individuals and practices is rooted not simply in prejudice but also in a culturally specific notion of personhood that requires Christian bodies to orient themselves to the divine. In evangelical Christianity, the body, along with its capacity to feel and communicate, is understood as a porous vessel receptive to communication with God. In contrast to a dominant idea that sexual orientations shape individual identities, sexuality within this religious world instead facilitates the movement of moral forces across individual bodies and geographic scales. Sexual desires and sexual acts are broadly understood in evangelical cosmology as communicative mediums for supernatural forces. This understanding of sexuality as a central component of moral agency shapes widespread practices of ostracism of people who identify as LGBT within evangelicalism and often leads to anti-LGBT political positions. Claiming an LGBT identity is seen as making one a distinct kind of person incommensurate with evangelical porosity. Vessel of God/Access to God: American Sign Language Interpreting in American Evangelical Churches Michele Ilana Friedner According to professional understandings, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters provide language and communication access. This article draws on ethnographic research and interviews with ASL interpreters in the United States to analyze the category of faith-based interpreting in relation to professional or secular interpreting. Through such a comparison, and through attention to the ethical, linguistic, and communicative practices of faith-based interpreters, this article explores the stakes of foregrounding the concepts of access and agency in the context of disability. The concept of disability access is tethered tightly to secular epistemologies that deny the possibility of differential, distributed, or divine agency as well as forms of mediation that are not focused on language or communication. In centering principles of equal participation and inclusion, and the need for interpreters to have linguistic skills and specific orientations toward deaf people, the field of ASL interpreting has ignored a range of skills and competencies that exist outside the realm of the secular. Through an engagement with scholarship from disability studies and the anthropology of Christianity, this article argues for attending to and valuing extralinguistic forms of interpretation and the need for more capacious understandings of access and agency in the context of disability and beyond. Outliving Death: Ebola, Zombies, and the Politics of Saving Lives Veronica Gomez-Temesio Treatment units were created all across the country with a mission to save lives when the Ebola outbreak hit Guinea in 2014. These units were exceptional sites of biomedical and biosecurity technology. Nevertheless, the concrete procedures to contain the virus reduced the people quarantined to dangerous bodies. The emergency therefore created zombies, haunting figures trapped between life and death. The figure of the zombie shed light on the failure of the humanitarian engagement: when humanitarianism was driven by an ethical imperative of saving lives at any cost, its concrete procedures failed to preserve political and social existence. Zombies also related to the legacy of the slave trade. Connecting the zombie with the postcolonial context of Guinea, I will argue that humanitarian teams were dealing with already devalued lives. Zombies is then another word for pariah citizens of a global world. But people never live in utter subjection. The zombie is thus not only a metaphor for the commodification of life. It also invokes a slave rebellion. Enduring the politics of saving lives, zombies nevertheless resisted the confinement: to the quarantine but also to our analytical gaze. Zombies are thus the ones who outlive not only death in life but also conceptual death. Share this: Share Email Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr LinkedIn [view academic citations] [hide academic citations] Diversified firm Shapoorji Pallonji's real estate arm has sold over 700 flats worth around Rs 350 crore in its ongoing residential project in Pune, reflecting better demand for homes offered by big corporate houses and credible players. The 8-acre project 'JoyvilleHinjawadi', launched in May 2018 and is scheduled to be completed by June 2022, is being developed by Joyville Shapoorji Housing -- a USD 200 million platform of Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate (SPRE) along with ADB, IFC and Actis to develop aspirational mid-income housing. The company has launched three projects under this platform in West Bengal, Mumbai and Pune. SPRE said that the company had launched 1,017 flats, of which 720 flats have been sold so far. The units are priced at Rs 40.18-60.22 lakh (including government taxes). The company did not disclose the sale value of these units. However, according to market estimates, the sales value of these 720 units will be around Rs 350 crore. Sriram Mahadevan, MD, Joyville Shapoorji Housing said, the company has got an exciting response to its first project in Hinjawadi, an IT hub. "The mid-income segment is the sweet spot of India's real estate market today with a lot of demand being witnessed in this space," he added. SPRE has constructed several prestigious residential and commercial landmarks in India. The company has nearly 90 million sq ft of development in the pipeline. Out of this, it is launching 35 million sq ft this fiscal and an equal number in the next year and the rest in the third year. The projects would be developed across its product portfolio and in cities like Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Howrah (near Kolkata), Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Mohali. SPRE plans to launch three projects in Delhi-NCR this fiscal, marking its entry into the market. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah was framed in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case by the CBI at the instance of the Congress which was then in power at the Centre, Bihar minister Mangal Pandey alleged on Wednesday. Pandey, a former state BJP president, claimed that the case was aimed at defaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was then the Gujarat Chief Minister, and Shah was the minister of state for home in that state. He was reacting to the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court's recent decision acquitting Shah and others in the case. The special CBI court in Mumbai had on December 21 acquitted all 22 accused in the killing of Sheikh, his wife Kausar Bi and his aide Tulsi Prajapati in alleged fake encounters by Gujarat Police between 2005 and 2006 citing insufficient evidence. Shah was arrested briefly in 2010 in the case before being discharged in December 2014. Pandey also accused UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi of using the investigating agency for political ends. Claiming that Sohrabuddin was a criminal, the BJP leader alleged that the Congress has been in the habit of eulogising those involved in terror activities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a bid to encourage youths for voter enrolment ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale Wednesday announced a contest for college students to express their views and opinions about democracy. He said the first criteria of the contest would be that college-going students will have to register themselves as voters in the ongoing enrolment drive of the Election Commission. "The future of the world's largest democracy depends on the youth. 'Democracy and ME' contest will provide a platform to youth to express their views and opinions about Indian democracy," Shewale told reporters. He said students in the 18-25 age group from colleges in South-Central Mumbai can participate in the contest to be held on January 10. "Participants should write on 'Democracy and ME' in 600 to 1,000 words. Twenty-five best writers will get to attend the Republic Day parade at Rajpath in New Delhi and a chance to visit President's House and Parliament House," the Lok Sabha MP from the Mumbai South Central constituency said. Each participant will also get a certificate, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Capital markets regulator Sebi Wednesday barred Sanraa Media and seven entities, including Clifford Capital Partners, for at least five years from securities market in a matter related to manipulation of a global depository receipts (GDR) issue. Besides, Sebi directed Sanraa to recover a sum of USD 27.244 million within three months from Clifford Capital Partners, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and lone subscriber of the company's GDR. The regulator after an investigation of a GDR issue during May 2008 found that the firm issued 10 million GDRs worth USD 27.50 million on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The regulator found that Sanraa mislead investors into believing that the GDR issue was successful, whereas at the backend, there was only one subscriber, Clifford Capital. Moreover, by entering into the agreement for facilitating the subscription of its own GDR's, Sanraa has played a fraud on the securities market and mislead the investors and created a false impression about the company in the securities market, Sebi said. Further, the company has not disclosed all material information about overseas investments in the annual report. Hence financial statements from 2008-09 to 2010-11 could have mislead the investors and might have influenced the price of its scrip, the regulator noted. Among the seven entities, six were members of the board of directors who approved the board resolution thereby acted as parties to the fraudulent arrangement for subscription of GDR by only Clifford Capital, Sebi said in an order. Clifford Capital's claim of not being a party to the fraudulent scheme is "untenable and baseless", Sebi said. By indulging in such activities, the entities violated PFUTP (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) Regulations, the regulator said. Accordingly, Securities and Exchange Board Of India (Sebi) banned -- Annaswami Venkatramani, Uma Karthikeyan, Sukumar Subramanian, Rajeev Agarwal, Krishnan Rajagopal, Rajendran Sivashankaran and Clifford Capital Partners A.G.S.A. -- for five years from the securities market. Besides, Sebi barred Sanraa Media "till the expiry of five years" from the date of recovery of the amount from Clifford. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat Wednesday said the clean chit given by the Supreme Court to Amit Shah in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case proved that the BJP president was implicated in the case as part of a Congress sponsored conspiracy to finish him politically. "The Supreme Court's clean chit to the BJP president is a slap on the Congress's face. It shows the lies the then Congress government had spread about Amit Shah to implicate him in the case," Rawat told reporters here. "It was said that he (Shah) had been sent out of the limits of Gujarat, whereas the fact was that he had opted to stay out of the state along with family to ensure that the CBI probe was not affected," he said. Claiming that he had lived with Shah during his two-year stay away from Gujarat, Rawat said the BJP chief had utilised that time by travelling second class in trains through the length and breadth of the country to study its cultural diversity first hand. The CBI at that time had said in court that it did not want to interrogate Shah but only arrest him, he said, adding that it was part of a Congress conspiracy to malign the then Narendra Modi government in Gujarat. "The apex court's clean chit to our party president is a proof that the Congress, especially its then president Sonia Gandhi, used the CBI as a tool to finish him politically. However, finally, justice has been done by the court and we express our gratitude to it," the chief minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea of Andhra Pradesh High Court Advocates Association (APHCAA) seeking to defer the bifurcation of High Court at Hyderabad. There are no proper facilities at the make shift structure and the new building for the High Court at Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh is yet to be completed, APHCAA counsel told a bench of Justices A K Sikri and S Abdul Nazeer. The counsel sought deferment of the gazette notification issued on December 26, 2018, which said that a separate High Court for Andhra Pradesh would start functioning from January 1, 2019. "All these initial hiccups will always be there. The matter was heard at length for quite some time and then it was decided that a separate High Court would start functioning from January 1, 2019. It is now functioning and things will become better," the bench said. The counsel for the Association then sought permission to withdraw the plea. The plea had contended that the alternate building where the new high court has started to function is incomplete and no facilities are provided. It had said that there are no habitations except a small village panchayat to accommodate the members of the Bar, Staff and personnel associated with the profession within 20 kilometers radius. The plea had said that even road leading to the proposed building are not laid. The top court on October 29, 2018, while disposing of a plea had given its green signal for issuing the notification for a separate Andhra Pradesh High Court. It had said that the new high court will initially function from a temporary structure till the permanent building comes up in the ambitious Justice City complex in the state's capital Amaravati. Since the bifurcation of the state on June 2, 2014, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have had a common High Court situated at Hyderabad, the latter's capital city. The court had said that since all the requirements have been fulfilled, there is no embargo for the competent authority to issue a notification bifurcating the courts into the High Court of Telangana and High Court of Andhra Pradesh respectively. "We expect such a notification to be issued by January 1, 2019, so that the two High Courts start functioning separately and High Court of Andhra Pradesh also starts functioning in the new building at the earliest", the bench had said. With the enactment of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated into two states -- Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Act, which had come into effect from June 2, 2014 also has a provision for separate High Courts for the two states. Hyderabad, which was the capital of erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh is now part of Telangana and has become its capital. The existing High Court is located at Hyderabad and it will house the High Court of State of Telangana. As for Andhra Pradesh, it is building a new city - Amaravati, the state capital. The new High Court of Andhra Pradesh would be located in this city. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Wednesday agreed to hear on Thursday a plea seeking urgent steps to rescue 15 miners trapped inside an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya since December 13. The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul. The PIL filed by Aditya N Prasad also sought a direction to the Centre and other authorities concerned to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for rescue operations in mining. The rat-hole mine, located on top of a hillock fully covered with trees in East Jaintia Hills district, had got flooded when water from the nearby Lytein river gushed into it, trapping the miners. Rat-hole mining involves digging of narrow tunnels, usually three-four feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal. The horizontal tunnels are often termed "rat holes" as each just about fits one person. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had Thursday contradicted media reports which quoted it as saying the trapped minors were suspected to be dead on the basis of a foul odour that the force's divers had encountered when they went inside the mine. It had said the foul smell could be due to the stagnant water in the mine as pumping had been halted for more than 48 hours. A survivor of the accident said Saturday there was no way the trapped miners would come out alive. Family members of at least seven trapped miners had already given up hope to rescue them alive and requested the government to retrieve the bodies for last rites. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TMC member Saugata Roy Wednesday sought to corner Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during a debate on Rafale deal saying that the Minister had misquoted a famous dialogue from a James Bond movie. Attacking Rahul Gandhi, Jaitley while speaking in the Lok Sabha on Rafale said: "The Congress President must have watched James Bond films, in which Bond says, if it happens for the first time then it is happenstance, if it happens twice it is coincidence and if it is thrice then it is conpiracy. Congress President is doing the same". Roy pointed out that Jaitley had misquoted the dialogue from Bond movie saying the actual dialogue is: "If it happens for the first time then it is happenstance, if it happens twice it is coincidence and if it is thrice then it is enemy action". "Jaitley ji your memory is failing you. If it happens thrice then it is enemy action and not conspiracy," Roy said. The TMC MP also nitpicked on Jaitley's pronunciation of the name of former President Francois Hollande. He also said that the NDA government had to borrow a member from the Rajya Sabha, who is not even a Defence Minister, to speak on Rafale deal. Jaitley is a Rajya Sabha member. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US consular officials were given access on Wednesday to an American ex-Marine arrested in Moscow accused of espionage, the Russian foreign ministry said. The consular visit took place five days after 48-year-old Paul Whelan was detained in the Russian capital last Friday. "Russia has given America consular access to US citizen Paul Whelan," the foreign ministry said, according to agency RIA Novosti. Whelan faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty, according to the ministry. He was arrested "while carrying out an act of espionage", Russia's FSB domestic security service said. His family has denied he is a spy, saying he was visiting Moscow to attend a wedding. Born in Canada, Whelan is director of international security for BorgWarner, a car parts manufacturer headquartered near Detroit, his brother David Whelan has told several US media outlets. His arrest came after President Vladimir Putin accused Western nations of using espionage cases to try to undermine an increasingly powerful Russia. US intelligence services have accused Moscow of interfering in the 2016 presidential election. US Special Counsel Robert Mueller has charged 25 Russians -- including members of the GRU military intelligence -- and three Russian companies for that alleged interference, but they have not been arrested. In December, Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty in a federal court in Washington to acting as an illegal foreign agent. Butina faces up to six months in prison, followed by likely deportation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajya Sabha saw repeated adjournments on Wednesday morning as AIADMK and DMK members protested over the Cauvery river dam issue while many Congress MPs raised slogans for a JPC probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal. The AIADMK members trooped into the Well of the House and raised slogans demanding justice. The Tamil Nadu parties are protesting against the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka on Cauvery, claiming that it will affect farmers in their state. While the House was adjourned twice during the Zero Hour, it was again adjourned till 2 PM during the Question Hour, despite assurances by the government that Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari would make a statement on the issue. The House was first adjourned for 15 minutes at around 11.25 am and again till noon. When it met again during question hour, it was adjourned within minutes till 2 pm. As AIADMK members, who were joined by those of the DMK during Question Hour, shouted slogans of "We want justice", the Congress members were on their feet raising the slogan "We want JPC". The protests started soon after Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu made a fervent appeal for smooth functioning of the House as only four working days were left in the current Winter session and many important bills and discussions were pending. The Rajya Sabha has faced repeated disruptions on various issue and not transacted any substantial business since it met on December 11 for the Winter session. "People are ridiculing us," Naidu said, referring to repeated adjournments in the Upper House because of disruptions. Naidu expressed anguish that the image of the House was "taking a beating" and warned that action could be taken against members protesting in the Well. He "earnestly" requested members to co-operate in clearing the bills and taking up discussions on issues like Rafale deal, agrarian crisis, price rise and cyclones in some states. Naidu said action would be taken against members protesting in the Well, if there is consensus in the House. However, he added that action would be against all members who troop into the Well. "It cannot be selective". During the Question Hour, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said Lok Sabha is functioning, but Rajya Sabha is unable to do any business. "The Chairman is very concerned with your issue and that is why he has called the minister concerned to talk to you. Please allow him to talk to you. He is at a function and left it and is coming here. He will talk to you soon," he said. "You are not allowing the House to function. The entire country is watching that the House has not functioned since last 11th. The minister is coming, please wait," the deputy chairman again said while making an appeal to the protesting members to allow the House to function. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel also said, "I request the AIADMK members that after talks with them, we have already asked Minister Nitin Gadkari to talk to you and make a statement in the House. Please allow the House to function." However, the unrelenting AIADMK members first raised slogans from their seats and then entered the Well. They also displayed placards on Cauvery issue. They were later joined by DMK members in the Well and amid the din the house was adjourned till 2 pm by the Deputy Chairman. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To ensure smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu Wednesday held meetings with leaders of various parties and asked the government to find a solution to the Mekedatu dam issue over which AIADMK and DMK members are protesting. The Tamil Nadu parties are protesting in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha against the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka on the Cauvery river, claiming that it will affect farmers in their state. With the Upper House failing to transact any significant business since the start of the Winter Session on December 11, the chairman has warned of action against the protesting members of the Tamil Nadu parties if they seek to disrupt Rajya Sabha proceedings any further. The government is in talks with leaders of the AIADMK and the DMK, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel has told them that Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari will discuss the issue with them, sources said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Goel will hold talks with leaders of the political parties along with Gadkari to reach an amicable solution and meet their demands, they said. Tamil Nadu has been protesting the project after the Centre recently asked the Karnataka government to prepare a detailed project report for the Mekedatu dam.The state government has also appealed in the Supreme Court on the matter. The sources said initially the protesting AIADMK and DMK members had agreed to allow the House to function on the government's assurance over the issue.However, they later said their leadership in Tamil Nadu did not agree to mere assurances, they said. Thereafter, the protesting members told Naidu they were ready to face action, including naming by the Chair, the sources said. However, the leader of opposition and other senior leaders said it would not be proper to remove the protesting members from the House with the use of marshals after they are named by the Chair, they said. They have asked for one more chance to be given to the protesting members from the AIADM and the DMK to resolve their issues, the sources said. Venkaiah Naidu had earlier in the House expressed anguish that the image of the Rajya Sabha was "taking a beating" and warned that action could be taken against members protesting in the Well. He had "earnestly" requested members to cooperate in clearing bills and taking up discussions on issues such as those related to the Rafale deal, agrarian crisis, price rise and effect of cyclones in some states. Naidu said action would be taken against members protesting in the Well, if there is consensus in the House. However, he added that action would be against all members who troop into the Well. "It cannot be selective", Naidu said. The sources said Naidu held two rounds of meetings with leaders of various parties in the Rajya Sabha to ensure the smooth functioning of the house. He also asked the government to find an amicable solution to the Mekedatu issue, they said. The first meeting between Naidu and political parties was held before he released the Rajya Sabha Calendar for 2019, while the second round was held later in the day. Naidu reminded the leaders that only four sittings of the House were left while substantial legislative agenda and issues of public importance awaited consideration of the House. He said these issues included some constitutional matter pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, and some bills on which there was a clear understanding among parties. Some senior leaders of various parties urged MPs from Tamil Nadu to stop disrupting proceedings of the House and assured them that the government will adequately respond to their concerns regarding construction of the proposed Mekadatu dam, the Rajya Sabha chairman said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Wednesday for 15 minutes as AIADMK members continued their protest and slogan-shouting over Cauvery river water issue. When the House re-assembled at 11.40 am, it was adjourned again till noon. The AIADMK members trooped into the well of the House over the construction of dam on Cauvery river. They were shouting slogans like "we want justice". Congress members were on their feet demanding a probe into Rafale jet deal by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). As soon as the important papers were laid on the table by ministers and other members, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu appealed to members for smooth functioning of the House as only four working days were left in the current Winter Session. He said many Bills and discussions on important matters are pending. Naidu warned AIADMK members that he would name them if they do not return to their seats. However, AIADMK members continued their protest in the well, forcing the Chairman to adjourn the House for 15 minutes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tamil Nadu government would give Rs 1,000 and a gift hamper to every family with a ration card for Pongal, Governor Banwarilal Purohit told the Assembly in his address on Wednesday that was boycotted by the DMK and its allies. The boycott came despite the governor, breaking convention, requested Leader of the Opposition M K Stalin "with folded hands" to resume his seat. During his customary speech on the opening day of the Assembly session, he said to mitigate the impact of cyclone Gaja in the Cauvery delta and drought in the northern districts, the government "will distribute gift hampers containing raw rice, sugar, raisins, cashew nut, cardamom and sugarcane to all card holders to celebrate Pongal festival." Also, a cash support of Rs 1,000 per family for the celebration of harvest festival Pongal will be applicable to the entire state except in Tiruvarur district where the Model Code of Conduct is in force, in view of the bypoll on January 28. Referring to the destruction caused by cyclone Gaja, Purohit recalled that the state had sought from the Centre Rs 2,709 crore as immediate relief and Rs 15,190 crore for permanent restoration works. Thanking the Centre for sanctioning Rs 900.31 crore additionally under National Disaster Relief Fund for immediate relief, the governor requested the Union government to extend adequate additional financial help to rebuild the affected houses and restore the livelihood of the people. On the dispute with Karnataka and Kerala over Cauvery river and Mullaperiyar dam respectively, he asserted that Tamil Nadu will continue to pursue legal options to protect its interests. Though such river water issues could be "better resolved through mutual trust and understanding, Tamil Nadu has been repeatedly forced to seek legal remedy to protect its legitimate riparian rights", Purohit said, adding Chief Minister K Palaniswami is committed to protecting the state's interests "by all legal means." Karnataka has been, in the recent past, making overtures to Tamil Nadu to arrive at a consensus on the Mekedatu row. The government reiterated its opposition to both the Centre's nod to Karnataka to prepare a detailed project report for a dam at Mekedatu across the Cauvery river and "attempt" by Kerala to construct a new dam to replace the existing Mullaperiyar reservoir. The Tamil Nadu governor said the nod for DPR is a "blatant violation" of the Supreme Court judgment on the Cauvery river. He also said the state government will continue its pursuit of raising the water level in Mullaperiyar dam to 152 feet. Flagging Tamil Nadu fishermen's arrest and confiscation of their boats by Sri Lanka, the governor said in the last two years, 551 fishermen were apprehended by the island nation's navy and urged the Centre to amicably resolve this issue with Sri Lanka. On the Sterlite issue, the governor reiterated that the copper plant failed to comply with environmental norms and added that the government will appeal against an order of the National Green Tribunal allowing the plant's reopening. On December 21, the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench had on a plea from an anti-Sterlite movement activist directed status quo on the Sterlite issue till January 21 and asked Tamil Nadu to state if it intended to file an appeal against the NGT order. Over the Dam Safety Bill, Purohit said it "infringes on the state's rights," and flagged Tamil Nadu's suggestions for amendment Bills in Parliament including those on National Medical Commission and motor vehicles, and wanted the state's concerns to be addressed impartially. On the fiscal front, he said while the revenue deficit has been on the rise mainly due to the devolution formula evolved by the 14th Finance Commission, the implementation of Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana and the 7th pay panel recommendations have also widened the revenue deficit. The DMK and its allies, the Congress and a lone IUML member, boycotted the governor's address on the opening day of the first Assembly session of the year by staging a walkout. As the governor began his address saying 'Vanakkam' and gave a message to the members saying, "live a simple life", it will root out corruption, Stalin stood up trying to say something. In a departure from convention, Purohit urged Stalin to resume his seat, saying "please... with folded hands I request you", but the Leader of Opposition continued to speak. The DMK leader referred to issues like the circumstances surrounding the death of J Jayalalithaa which could not be heard properly. Governors in the past had gone ahead with their speeches and had not directly asked opposition MLAs to resume their seats whenever they had tried to raise issues. Also, Governors had also not given their "messages," to MLAs in Tamil Nadu Assembly. The governor, after telling Stalin that he and the other members could discuss the issues later, continued with his address to the House. A smiling Stalin led the walkout of his party members and those from the Congress and the IUML. Later, the DMK president told reporters that the government failed on all fronts and opposing the Governor reading the government's "failure paper," they boycotted the address. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, has slammed US President Donald Trump, saying his conduct over the past two years, particularly his recent actions, is "evidence that he has not risen to the mantle of the office." Romney, 71, who was elected as a Republican Senator from Utah in November, will be sworn in on Thursday. "The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December...on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office," Romney said in an op-ed published in the Washington Post on Tuesday. His strong-hitting op-ed gains significance that he is unlikely to follow White House position on critical issues given that the ruling party has 53 seats in a 100-member Senate. On some critical issues Trump would require 60 votes to get his legislative agenda passed. Trump, however, sounded conciliatory, calling for Romney to be a "team player". "Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn't. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!" Trump tweeted on Wednesday. Romney, notably enough, during the Republican presidential primaries in 2016, had described Trump as a con man and accused him as a fraud. "There's plenty of evidence that Mr Trump is a con man, a fake. Mr Trump has changed his positions not just over the years, but over the course of the campaign," Romney said in his speech at the Hinckley Institute on March 3, 2016. "Here's what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud. His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University," Romney had said and warned his party colleagues that Trump if nominated as the Republican nominee would never be able to defeat the then Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. However, Trump went ahead to earn the Republcian presidential nomination by overcoming the challenge from 16 others and surprised political pundits by defeating favourite Clinton in the November 2016 presidential elections. After Trump's electoral victory, the two leaders met over dinner in New York. The then media reports said that Trump considered him for the position of Secretary of State. However, later Trump gave the position to Rex Tillerson. Romney, who is known for being a successful governor of Massachusetts, two year later decided to run for the US Senate from Utah. He won with an impressive margin in the November elections. In the weeks thereafter, he has increased his attack on Trump. In his op-ed, Romney said that Trump cannot take his support for granted. "I will act as I would with any president, in or out of my party: I will support policies that I believe are in the best interest of the country and my state, and oppose those that are not," he said. He said that he would speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist and anti-immigrant. "I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions," he wrote. Observing that to a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation, he said a president should "unite us and inspire us to follow our better angels." He said that a president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect. "As a nation, we have been blessed with presidents who have called on the greatness of the American spirit. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring," Romney added. Noting that the world is also watching, Romney rued that several allies in Europe are experiencing political upheaval. "Several former Soviet satellite states are rethinking their commitment to democracy. Some Asian nations, such as the Philippines, lean increasingly toward China, which advances to rival our economy and our military," he said. "The alternative to US world leadership offered by China and Russia is autocratic, corrupt and brutal," Romney wrote. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Roche Diabetes Care India Wednesday said it has appointed Gaurav Laroia as general manager (GM) for its India operations. He will report to Roche Diabetes Care Asia Pacific head, Pedro Goncalves, and will be a member of the Roche Diabetes Care Asia Pacific leadership team, the company said in a statement. Laroia relocates to Mumbai from his current role as head of the program management office, APAC for Roche Pharmaceuticals in Singapore, it added. He has more than 18 years of experience in commercial operations, business development and management consulting in healthcare-related multinational organisations in India, Singapore and the USA, the release said. Gaurav holds a PhD in molecular and cellular biology from New York University School of Medicine, USA and a masters in genetics from the University of Cambridge, UK. "India is a very important market for Roche and our aspiration in the near future will be to be India's topmost integrated diabetes solutions provider, touching millions of lives who need smart solutions for diabetes," Laroia said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A record held by a Frenchwoman as the world's longest living person could be fraudulent and involve an identity swap, Russian researchers have claimed in a report that has sparked widespread controversy. Jeanne Calment died at the age of 122 years and 164 days in 1997, setting a record as the world's most long-lived person that is still unsurpassed. The elderly woman used to joke that God must have forgotten about her. But Russian mathematician Nikolai Zak is not convinced by her story. In collaboration with gerontologist Valery Novoselov, he spent months analysing biographies of Jeanne Calment as well as her interviews and photos, witness testimony and the public records of the city of Arles in southern France where she lived. "Analysing all these materials led me to conclude that Jeanne Calment's daughter Yvonne assumed her mother's identity," Zak told AFP. Zak, a member of the Moscow Society of Naturalists at Moscow State University, recently published his report called "Jeanne Calment: the Secret of Longevity" on ResearchGate, a portal connecting scientists around the world. While opponents have slammed the report, some scientists have welcomed it and stressed the need for closer checks into longevity records. Zak suggests that in 1934 it was not Calment's daughter Yvonne who died of pleurisy, as official records say, but Jeanne Calment herself. Yvonne then took on her mother's identity in order to avoid paying inheritance tax. If that is so, the woman who died in 1997 was in fact Yvonne, and she was aged just 99. The Russian researcher points to discrepancies between physical characteristics listed on Calment's identity card from the 1930s and her appearance in later years. The card gives her eye colour as dark and her height as 1 metre, 52 centimetres and describes her forehead as low -- all details that jar with her later appearance. "As a doctor I always had doubts about her age," said Novoselov, who heads the gerontology section of the Moscow Society of Naturalists. "The state of her muscle system was different from that of her contemporaries. She could sit up without any support. She had no signs of dementia." After Calment's death, scientists expressed regret that no autopsy was held to find the reasons for her exceptional longevity. She used to talk of enjoying chocolate and port and would smoke an occasional cigarette before her health deteriorated. Fuelling suspicions, Calment ordered some of her old photos to be burnt when she became famous, the Russian researchers say. Interviewed by AFP, French demographer and gerontologist Jean-Marie Robine, who took part in authenticating Calment's age for Guinness World Records, said he "never had any doubt over the authenticity of the documents" of the woman. He slammed the Russian report, saying it "never examines the facts in favour of the authenticity of the longevity of Madame Calment" and "appears to me to be defamatory against her family." The mayor of Arles at the time of Calment's death, Michel Vauzelle, said that the Russians' theory was "completely impossible and ridiculous" since Calment was monitored by a number of doctors. But others welcomed the research. "The idea of assumed identity had already been considered by those validating (the claim) and I regularly invited demographers to hold onto this hypothesis," said Nicolas Brouard, research director at France's Institut National d'Etudes Demographiques (INED). "It's good that Nikolai Zak has carried out research that is independent and covers the same area of investigation. It's a very good piece of work and an argument in favour of exhuming the bodies of Jeanne and Yvonne Calment," he said. DNA testing would be able to finally settle the debate, he said. Belgian demographer Michel Poulain, of the University of Louvain, welcomed what he called "quite a detailed investigation" that he said shows the need for further scientific research "to validate the exceptional age of these supercentenarians" -- those older than 110. "The probability of an erroneous age increases exponentially with presumed age," he said. Zak came up with the idea of investigating Calment's life while creating a mathematical model of the lifespan of supercentenarians. "The more I searched, the more contradictions I found," he said. In a book published in 1997 titled "Insurance and its Secrets", he found a short passage about Calment that supported the idea that her daughter took on her identity. The book's author, Jean-Pierre Daniel, wrote that an insurance investigator looking into a life annuity taken out by Jeanne Calment had already concluded that fraud took place. "But at the time Jeanne Calment was already considered a national heroine. That official asked his bosses about it and they told him to keep on paying out the annuity. There was no question of creating a scandal over the doyenne of the French," he told AFP. Gerontologist Novoselov argues that question marks over Calment's true age are damaging to his field since "for gerontologists, Jeanne Calment is a symbol. Her name is cited in all the studies... For research to advance, we need to show the true boundaries of the chessboard". Members of Calment's extended family did not respond to requests for comment from AFP. If Calment's record were to be cancelled, the new record-holder would be American Sarah Knauss, who died at 119 in 1999. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Reserve Bank Wednesday set up an expert committee under former to suggest long-term solutions for the economic and financial sustainability of the The has announced the panel a day after it allowed a one-time restructuring of existing debt up to Rs 25 crore for the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which have defaulted on payment but the loans given to them have continued to be classified as standard assets. The eight-member committee will also examine the factors affecting the timely and adequate availability of finance to the sector, the said in a statement. "The expert committee will submit its report by the end of June 2019," it said. The panel has been asked to review the current institutional framework in place to support the and study the impact of the recent economic reforms on the sector and "identify the structural problems affecting its growth". To study the global best practices with respect to MSMEs and recommend its adoption in India, wherever appropriate, and review the existing MSME focused policies and its impact on the sector are among the issues which the panel will look into. The Sinha-led panel has also been asked to propose measures for leveraging technology in accelerating growth of the sector and suggest long-term solutions for the economic and financial sustainability of the While constituting the panel, the said that considering the importance of the MSMEs in the Indian economy, it is essential to understand the structural bottlenecks and factors affecting the performance of the MSMEs. Such enterprises contribute about 40 per cent to the country's export and 45 per cent in the manufacturing sector. Rajasthan Minister Mamta Bhupesh has said that her first priority is to work for the development of her caste and then society. Bhupesh, a member of the SC community, is the lone woman minister in Ashok Gehlot's Cabinet in the state. Speaking at a public event on 'Bairwa Diwas' in Alwar on Sunday, the minister of state for women and child development assured her community members that she will stand by them in difficult times. "I want to assure you that I will be there in times of need. I will not turn my back on you because my first priority is to work for my caste and then society," she said. When contacted, the minister was not available for comment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) High drama was witnessed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launching a tirade on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal and alleging he did not have the "guts" to face Parliament and "was hiding in his room". Finance Minister Arun Jaitley hit back to accuse Gandhi of having a "legacy of lying" and "repeating falsehood" and alleged that "conspirators" of past defence scams are now raising fingers at others. Gandhi cited a purported audio tape of a Goa minister on the Rafale deal which he refused to authenticate, but sought a JPC probe into the issue. The Congress leader was disallowed from playing the purported audio tape by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, after Jaitley objected to the same unless Gandhi authenticated it and faced expulsion in case it is found to be false and fabricated. "Why did you give this contract to your dear friend Mr AA and cost the exchequer Rs 30,000 crore.... "It is very clear that the prime minister does not have the guts to come to Parliament and confront questions. The defence minister hides behind AIADMK members, the prime minister hides in his room," Gandhi alleged in the Lok Sabha. Jaitley hit back alleging that "conspirators" of past defence scams are now raising fingers at the Narendra Modi government and quoted the Supreme Court judgement to say that all charges have been negated. "There are some people who have a natural dislike for truth. Every word spoken for the last six months on this subject, including in this House (by them) are false....He has a legacy of speaking falsehood," Jaitley said. He said Gandhi has a "natural dislike for truth" and had earlier "manufactured" his conversation with the former French President, which was denied by the French government. "We are all utterly disappointed because every word he has said has been denied by the Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court speaks on an issue, it is the last word," the finance minister said. Earlier Gandhi said: "We demand a JPC in this matter. I tell the BJP leaders that there is nothing to worry. The truth will come out. The country will know that Narendra Modi, on whom they relied, will know that he bypassed the entire procedure and gave Rs 30,000 crore to AA. "The PM should come to the House and give answers...the entire country is pointing out at you Mr Modi," Gandhi said. Apparently targeting the Gandhi family, Jaitley said some people and their families understand the arithmatic of money but cannot comprehend issues of national security. The finance minister also raised the AgustaWestland and the National Herald cases, and made a veiled reference to Ottavio Quattrocchi to attack the Congress leadership. Jaitley also quoted a James Bond saying that when a mistake is repeated thrice "it is a conspiracy" and accused Gandhi of doing so. "The conspirators of various defence deals have the audacity to raise questions against others," he said. As Congress members protested in the house and also flew paper planes, on which a warning was issued by the Speaker, Jaitley said "when they say falsehood, they must listen to the truth also". Gandhi earlier rejected Prime Minister Modi's claim in an interview that there was no personal allegation against him on Rafale, saying this is not true as the entire nation is asking him a direct question. "He (Modi) spoke for 90 minutes in a staged interview but still did not answer questions on the Rafale issue," Gandhi said. Gandhi posed several questions to Modi on Rafale and asked if it was not true that defence ministry officials objected to the new price of Rs 1600 crore against Rs 526 crore earlier. He also accused Modi of favouring his "dear friend" and what he called "failed businessman" Anil Ambani. When Gandhi said he did not wish to play the audio tape, alleging that the BJP members were "scared", Jaitley hit back saying, "He knows it is wrong and hence is scared to authenticate it...this man lies repeatedly". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed high drama after Congress president Rahul Gandhi sought permission to play a purported audio tape of a Goa minister on the Rafale deal but refused to authenticate it, prompting Union Minister Arun Jaitley to accuse him speaking "lies repeatedly". Initiating a discussion on the Rafale issue, Gandhi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that he "does not have guts" to come to Parliament to confront questions on the issue and "hides" in his room. The Congress leader also rejected Modi's claim in an interview that there was no personal allegation against him, saying this is not true as the entire nation is asking him direct question. "He (Modi) spoke for 90 minutes in a staged interview but still did not answer questions on the Rafale issue," Gandhi said. Is it not true that defence ministry officials objected to the new price of Rs 1600 crore, Gandhi said, accusing Modi of favouring his "dear friend" and "failed businessman" Anil Ambani. Gandhi then sought permission to play an audio tape purportedly of a Goa minister on the Rafale issue. Jaitley demanded if he can authenticate it, but the Congress leader said he would not do so. "He knows it is wrong and hence is scared to authenticate it," Jaitley said, adding "this man lies repeatedly". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Power Minister and state BJP spokesperson Nilesh Cabral Wednesday said the Rafale fighter aircraft deal was never discussed in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Earlier in the day, Congress came out with an audio clip of a purported conversation between Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and another person in which the minister says during a cabinet meeting last week, Parrikar said he had "an entire file" on the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom. Both Parrikar and Rane have denied this. Speaking to reporters here, Cabral said Rafale was not discussed in the three-hour meeting of the cabinet which the audio clip refers to. "Rafale is not our subject. The question of us discussing it does not arise," he said. Cabral also said the state BJP has asked Parrikar, who holds the home portfolio, to institute an inquiry into the allegations. When asked if the audio clip has done any damage to the party's image, Cabral said, "Damage is something which we cannot ascertain. Damage has been done by the audio clip. That is why the central government is trying to bring a legislation on these things like WhatsApp." "We have freedom of speech but this is not freedom of speech. This is all manoeuvred and monitored. As elections come closer there will be much more such things," the minister said. "The CM must have already started the investigation," he added. "We as BJP also demand investigation into it. We want the police to go deep into it. Tomorrow, somebody will come up with similar tape in my voice," the minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stepping up attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale issue, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday used a purported audio clip to allege that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is "blackmailing" Modi with a file on the Rs 58,000 crore jet deal "lying in his bedroom". Citing an audio clip of a conversation purportedly of Goa minister Vishwajit Rane, Gandhi said he can be heard clearly as saying that Parrikar told his cabinet during a meeting that all documents relating to the Rafale deal were with him. Asserting that the audio was authentic, Gandhi indicated there may be more such tapes and dismissed denials by Parrikar and his minister. Demanding answers from the prime minister on Parrikar's purported claim, Gandhi asked if this was the reason why a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe was not being ordered. He said the entire country wants Modi to answer these questions. Addressing a press conference hours after he spoke on the issue in Lok Sabha, Gandhi also dared Modi to have a one-on-one debate of just 20 minutes on the Rafale matter. "The Goa minister is saying clearly that Parrikar ji said in a cabinet meeting that he has a complete file on Rafale deal with all details and therefore, he can't be disturbed. There may be other such audio tapes," said the Congress chief. The Congress along with other opposition parties are demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the Rs 58,000 crore deal. "What Parrikar is doing is threatening the Prime Minister and blackmailing him in a way. We have been raising this for a long time. Question is what information is there in Parrikar's bedroom and what files are there and what could be the impact on Narendra Modi," Gandhi alleged. He also asked who raised the price of Rafale aircraft from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. He also attacked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and alleged there were inconsistencies in the statements being made by him and others in the government. Jaitley has himself said this is a Rs 58000 crore deal and if we divide it by 36, it will be Rs 1600 crore. That's how the figure of Rs 526 crore (for price of one aircraft) comes. It is not our (Congress's) number but yours (the government's)," Gandhi said. He also said the prime minister needs to answer what objections were raised by the IAF or by the defence ministry, if there were any. ""Now Parrikar says all details are in his bedroom. Truth can't be kept hidden The more you try to hide the truth, new facts will come out," Gandhi said. Attacking the prime minister, Gandhi said, "The person who went to France with all pomp and show, he can't reply and stand in Parliament, but it is finance minister who is being made to reply." Repeating his allegation that "chowkidar chor hai", Gandhi said a JPC probe would clear throw two names -- Anil Ambani and Narendra Modi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A veteran journalist and a media house have settled a defamation case related to the publishing of the controversial tapped conversations of former lobbyist Niira Radia with politicians, corporates and scribes in connection with 2G spectrum case. The settlement was arrived at during mediation after a trial court suggested to both the parties to resolve the dispute and the media outlet has published an apology, the journalist's advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan said. Ramakrishnan, representing journalist Vir Sanghvi, said that a joint application would be moved by both the sides before a trial court soon for settling the dispute. Sanghvi, whose alleged conversation with Radia was published by magazine Outlook, had said in his complaint that he was defamed by the publication. The magazine had published the story on November 29, 2010 purportedly extracting certain tapped conversations allegedly between him and others. Sanghvi had filed the case against the media house claiming that the extracted conversation was not correct and the alleged tape recordings, relied on by it and also made available on its website, were doctored and tampered with. He had contended that the imputations made in the story were false and defamatory. The counsel for the media house had earlier contended before the high court that as per law, truth was a defence to an allegation of defamation. To establish that the published conversation was correct transcript of what was contained in the tapes, it would be necessary for the media house to summon and prove before the trial court the originals of the tape recordings, the counsel had said. The issue of Radia tapes had also reached the Supreme court and two petitions were filed before it. The conversations were recorded as part of surveillance of Radia's phone on a complaint to the then finance minister on November 16, 2007 alleging that within a span of nine years, she had built up a business empire worth Rs 300 crore. One of the petitions was filed by former Tata Sons Ltd chairman Ratan Tata claiming that some of these conversations, being private in nature, should not be allowed to be made public. The other petition, filed by NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), had sought that these transcripts be made public in larger public interest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A visit by police officials to the ward of the RIMS, where RJD president Lalu Prasad has been staying after being convicted in fodder scam cases, has triggered speculation in the media as to whether Prasad will be shifted to another floor of the hospital on security grounds. The police team had paid a visit to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief's ward in the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) on Monday. "It was a routine visit," Deputy Superintendent of Police (Sadar) Deepak Pandey told PTI on Wednesday when asked whether Prasad would be shifted to any other floor of his paying ward on security grounds. "No, it is nothing like that and we cannot openly discuss security matters," he said. Prasad, who is serving prison terms following his conviction in the fodder scam cases, is undergoing treatment at the RIMS for various ailments. His health condition was stable now, one of the attending doctors said. A close associate of Prasad alleged that the police visit was part of the efforts by the state officials to put pressure on the RIMS authorities to shift the RJD supremo to some other floor where those, who came to visit the other occupants of the ward and on seeing Prasad, offered "namaskar" to him and briefly interacted with him, were prevented from doing so. Sources in the RIMS said the RJD chief was staying on the first floor of the paying private ward. Speculation is that he may be shifted to the second or third floor of the building. Prasad's associate, on the condition of anonymity, alleged that since the first floor had an open verandah where the leader sat during the day in the winter chill, the officials, on directions from the higher-ups, seemed interested in denying him the facility. He further alleged that the sole objective of the district administration appeared to be to harass him on one pretext or the other. He claimed that despite permission from the doctors, the security personnel posted at the ward were not allowing the entry of green vegetables or prawns, which the ailing RJD president needed on health ground. The former Bihar chief minister is languishing in a Ranchi jail since December, 2017 after being convicted in the fodder scam cases. The over-Rs 900-crore fodder scam relates to the fraudulent withdrawal of money from the treasury in the Animal Husbandry department in undivided Bihar in the 1990s, when the RJD was in power in the state and Prasad was the chief minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the two women who entered the Sabarimala temple early Wednesday were given police protection during their trek to the shrine. The two women in their 40s entered the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala and offered prayers. "Earlier, women were not able to enter the temple due to certain hurdles. They may have entered the shrine today because they would not have faced any issues. It is a fact that the women have entered Sabarimala. Police have given them security," Vijayan told media here. Despite the Supreme Court's verdict on September 28 last year, permitting women in the 10-50 age group, no children or young women in the 'barred' group were able to offer prayers at the shrine following frenzied protests by devotees and right wing outfits. The two women, identified as Kanakadurga (42) and Bindu (42), wearing the traditional black dress, with their heads covered, climbed the hill shrine at 3.38 am Wednesday. The women trekked to the hill a day after the state-sponsored 620-km-long human wall of women was formed Tuesday from Kasargode in the northern part of the state till the southernmost district of Thiruvananthapuram. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jharkhand Disom Party (JDP), a tribal outfit, Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce recognition of Sarna Dharma of the adivasis as a fundamental right during his visit to Jharkhand and Odisha on Saturday. Sarna Dharma is centred around the worship of nature. In a letter to the prime minister, JDP president Salkhan Murmu said the adivasis across the country are neither Hindus nor Christians and they worship only the nature. Murmu, a former MP from Mayurbhanj, demanded that Modi grant Sarna Dharma as a fundamental right under Article 25 to 28 of the Constitution, that guarantee religious freedom of individuals. The prime minister will visit tribal dominated Palamau in Jharkhand and Mayurbhanj in Odisha on January 5. In his letter, Murmu also demanded a separate code and column for Sarna Dharma in the Census. "The dignity of over 10 crore tribals of the country will not only be enhanced but their culture and identity would also be preserved, if you make an announcement in support of our demand during the Palamau and Mayurbhanj visit on January 5," he said in the letter. The JDP have chalked out an agitational programme in five states -- Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha and Jharkhand -- on February 11 and a bandh in these states on May 21 to mount pressure on the government, the JDP chief said. Tribals are strong in these five states. Murmu was a former BJP MP who later formed the JDP that had observed Bharat Bandh last year for the same cause. Later, Murmu told PTI that a large number of people in Palamau and Mayurbhanj follow Sarna Dharma and any positive announcement on it by the prime minister from those places would be advantageous for the BJP in coming elections. The JDP chief recently met Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and BJP state unit president Laxman Gilua, a tribal MP, to apprise them about the party's demand. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Indian Science Congress at Jalandhar on Thursday, an annual congregation that witnesses deliberations by top scientific minds of the country. The theme for ISC-2019 is 'Future India-Science and Technology' and it will be hosted by the Lovely Professional University (PLU), Jalandhar from January 3-7, a statement said. During the five-day-long ISC, around 100 plus conferences and events of scientific and technological origin will also be held, where scientists, senior officials from DRDO, ISRO, Department of Science and Technology, AIIMS, UGC, AICTE, and many elite universities of the US, UK, India and other countries will participate, the statement added. Union Cabinet ministers, including Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan and Textile Minister Smriti Irani, will also attend the event. " The government's aim is to deliver the benefits of science and technology to the last man in the society. Scientists being a pivot should put their heart and soul into finding new solutions to the problems facing the nation and improve the quality of life of common man," Vardhan said in his message. The participating nobel laureates include biochemist Thomas Sudoph, who was awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on vesicle trafficking, Nobel laureate in Chemistry Avram Hershko and, and Frederick Duncan Michael Haldane who was awarded 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics. The Children's Science Congress will be inaugurated on Friday. Near 150 science projects finalised by the DST are to be showcased, and children will also have the opportunity to listen, interact with eminent scientists and nobel laureates. On the third day of ISC,two-day Science Communicators' Meet 2019 will be inaugurated, where the main aim will be to brainstorm ways of dissemination of scientific information and inculcation of scientific attitude among masses. The Women's Science Congress, to be inaugurated on January 5will showcase the contribution of women in science, technology and the society. Some of the past ISCs have witnessed controversies over the kind of papers that were presented there. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CPI(M) on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance on the Ram temple issue, welcomed by the RSS as a "positive step", was "deplorable". Modi, in a televised interview on Tuesday, said after the judicial process was concluded, the government will be ready to make all efforts to bring an ordinance over the Ram temple issue. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo, in a statement, said the prime minister's stance on the Ayodhya temple issue, which was later welcomed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was a move to put pressure on the Supreme Court. "This stance of the Prime Minister, welcomed by the RSS as a 'positive step', is deplorable. It is a move to pressure the Supreme Court by indicating that the government will take steps to facilitate the building of the temple irrespective of the verdict of the court," the statement said. The Left party said the prime minister, who had taken his oath of office under the Constitution, was bound to follow and implement the Supreme Court verdict. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A plea has been filed in the Madras High Court to forbear the Election Commission from conducting the bypoll to Thiruvarur constituency as it said the election would affect relief work undertaken in the region following Cyclone 'Gaja'. The cyclone lashed the southern state in November last. The EC had recently announced that the by-election would be held on January 28. The Thiruvarur seat fell vacant following the death of former chief minister and DMK MLA M Karunanidhi in August. In his PIL, V Sathyanarayanan, general secretary of Kaveri Delta Farmers Union, said once the gazette notification was issued on January 3, the model code of conduct would come into force and the poll body would be in charge of the situation. "There will be a number of restrictions. As a result, people in Thiruvarur constituency will not be able to get the benefit of the ongoing relief work and celebrate Pongal festival in a free manner," he said. The petitioner said the contesting candidates would organise meetings, rallies, campaigning, and this would come in the way of organising various events by people in furtherance to the Pongal celebrations. Because of this, there is every possibility of clashes and it would affect the law and order situation, he submitted. Further, there is also a possibility of the contesting candidates and their agents using the situation for distributing 'freebies' under the guise of Pongal gifts, the petitioner said. The PIL is likely to come up before a division bench comprising Justices M Sathyanarayanan and P Rajamanickam on January 3. The proposed election should be postponed beyond Pongal festivities. If the schedule is to be notified, the Republic Day celebrations cannot be done in the usual manner in Thiruvarur district, the petitioner added. He said as of today, no gazette publication had been issued. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner made a mention before the bench headed by Justice M Sathyanarayan to take up the PIL in the afternoon itself. Thereafter, he made a mention before the first bench headed by Chief Justice V K Tahilramani. After they asked him to file a petition first, the present plea was filed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP women's wing continued its agitation Wednesday over the acquittal of Pipili gang rape and murder case accused, and marched towards the chief minister's residence for the second day in a row. The BJP Mahila Morcha marched towards 'Naveen Niwas', the residence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, where they had a scuffle with security personnel. Patnaik was at his office in the secretariat during the agitation. The BJP Mahila Morcha was demanding expulsion of Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy, charged with sheltering the accused in the Pipili case, and handing over the case to the CBI as, it claimed, the state Crime Branch police failed to deliver justice to the victim. "If the minister does not tender his resignation, BJP Mahila Morcha will intensify the agitation," Morcha leader Rashmirekha Das said. The women activists were agitating for the third consecutive day. They marched towards the CM's residence Tuesday and gheraoed the Crime Branch headquarters the previous day. A court in Bhubaneswar on December 24 had acquitted the two accused in the case due to lack of evidence. Soon after their acquittal, Maharathy said the victim and her family got justice. The agriculture minister, however, apologised later. A 19-year-old woman was found unconscious and semi- naked in a paddy field at Pipili in Puri district on November 28, 2011. She succumbed on June 21, 2012 after remaining semi -comatose in SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Maharathy had to resign from the ministry in 2012 in the face of a statewide hue and cry for allegedly sheltering the accused persons. He again became minister in 2014. "The state government used policemen to disperse the women activists. This is not acceptable in a civilised society," Das said adding that the Mahila Morcha activists will stage demonstrations from naveen Niwas to the state secretariat every day. Police took several activists into preventive custody. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) 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. Perimeter Protection and Command Control Systems, including CCTVs, were being installed at all the nuclear power stations in the country, the government told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. In a written response to a question, Union minister Jitendra Singh said the activities in this regard were carried out in line with the Department of Atomic Energy's (DAE) security manual and the requirements of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. "Perimeter Protection and Command Control Systems including CCTVs have been/are being installed at all the nuclear power stations including the Madras Atomic Power Stations (MAPS)," he said. The minister said there were delays in execution due to administrative reasons at the MAPS, but at present, the CCTV and the Perimeter Protection and Command Control System were functional and the final integration testing was in progress. "The total expenditure incurred during the last three years at MAPS was Rs 24.35 lakh," said Singh, who is the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The PMO also looks after the DAE. In response to another question, Singh said during the recent visit of the French foreign minister to India, both the governments noted that a satisfactory progress had been made regarding the European Pressurised Reactor Project being built by the French government at Jaitapur in Maharashtra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab Cabinet Wednesday constituted a sub-committee that will soon visit Israel to study ways to regulate the use of water in the state, officials said. The issue of groundwater depletion in the state was taken up for an informal discussion during the cabinet meeting held here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, an official spokesperson. The sub-committee, consisting of cabinet ministers Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tripat Bajwa, Sukh Sarkaria and Razia Sultana, was mandated to explore and suggest measures to tackle the critical water situation in the state, the official said. It will visit Israel to study their water conservation model and examine the feasibility of its adoption in Punjab, added the official. The cabinet also entrusted the sub-committee with the task of examining the objections raised by some of the ministers on the functioning of the proposed Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority (PWRDA), which was mooted last month. Earlier, while making a detailed presentation on the current ground water scenario in the state, Principal Secretary Water Resources Sarvjit Singh apprised the Cabinet that of the 138 blocks in the state, 109 were "over-exploited". He said the total available ground water in Punjab was 324 Billion Cubic Metres (BCM) and every year 35.77 BCM was being extracted, which is 11.88 BCM in excess of the annual recharge of 23.89 BCM. At this rate, the water level in the state would go beyond 300 metres depth in 28 years, he said, pointing out that water table was falling at the rate of 0.4 metre annually. As many as 16 of the total 22 districts spread across 72 per cent of state fall in the "over-exploited" category, he said further. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar held a meeting with some of his Cabinet ministers and government officials at the secretariat here on Wednesday, an official said. Parrikar, 63, who underwent treatment for a pancreatic ailment at private hospitals in Mumbai and the US last year, had on Tuesday attended his office at the secretariat for the first time in the last four months. On Wednesday, Parrikar, with his medical appendage, arrived at his office at the secretariat around 10.30 am. "He held meetings with few ministers and senior government officials till 1 pm before going back home," a senior official in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. Parrikar met his Cabinet colleagues, including Urban Development Minister Milind Naik, Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho and Fisheries Minister Vinod Palekar, he said. The chief minister also held a meeting with Director General of Police Muktesh Chander and later met NCP MLA Churchill Alemao, the CMO said. When contacted, Palekar said there was no formal discussion on any matter during his meeting with Parrikar. "I just met him to enquire about his health," the minister added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is "blackmailing" Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the former Union defence minister claims that he has the entire Rafale deal file "in his bedroom." Citing a audio clip in which a Goa cabinet minister is quoting Parriker claiming that he has the Rafale deal file, Gandhi said there might be many such "tapes". "The Goa minister is saying clearly that Parrikar ji said in a cabinet meeting that he has a complete file on Rafale deal with all details and therefore, he can't be disturbed. There may be other such audio tapes," said the Congress chief, who attacked the Modi government on the deal in Lok Sabha earlier. The Congress along with other opposition parties are demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the Rs 58,000 crore deal. "What Parrikar is doing is threatening the Prime Minister and blackmailing him in a way. We have been raising this for a long time. Question is what information is there in Parrikar's bedroom and what files are there and what could be the impact on Narendra Modi," Gandhi alleged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Major (retd.) Geoffrey Langlands, a former British officer who stayed on in Pakistan after the end of the colonial rule and became one of the country's most famous educators, with students including Prime Minister Imran Khan, died in Lahore on Wednesday. He was 101. Langlands has been honoured with Sitara-i-Imtiaz, Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Order of St. Michael and St. George, and Order of British Empire by the Queen of England for his contribution to humanity and Among Langlands' students were Prime Minister Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. "Saddened to learn of the passing of my teacher. Apart from being our teacher, he instilled the love for trekking and our northern areas in me - before the KKH was built," Khan tweeted along with pictures of him with Langlands. "I was 12 years old in the school (Aitchison College Lahore) picture," he said. British High Commissioner Thomas Drew said Pakistan has "lost a great friend and teacher of generations of its students." Born in 1917 in Yorkshire, England, with a twin brother, Langlands lost his father to flu pandemic of the following year. His mother succumbed to cancer when he was 10 and he and his brother and younger sister were left in the care of grandparents. The kindness of a family friend allowed him to be put through public school at King's College Taunton. With no money, university was out of the question and teaching followed. A mathematician, Langlands was working in a private school in Croydon when World War II broke out in September 1939. He joined the British Army in 1939. Following his commission, he was sent to India. After partition, he was transferred to the Pakistan Army, which he willingly accepted. He was holding the rank of a major when he retired. On the request of the then Pakistan President Ayub Khan, Langlands stayed on in Pakistan and was given a job at Aitchison College in 1954. In 1974, he was made the head master of Prep School. In 1979, Langlands was asked to give up his comfortable job at Aitchison to take up a difficult but rewarding job in North Waziristan, a challenge he could not refuse. He was appointed as principal to Razmak Cadet College. He served there until 1989. "More than 300 students from Razmak Cadet College made into the Army as commissioned officers - 17 made lieutenant colonels. They are some of the finest men today," Langlands had said proudly back in 2010 in an interview. He remained principal of this school for ten years. Later, he joined the Sayurj Public School, Chitral, as principal. He developed the school, purchased land for it and made constructions thereon after raising funds for it. The school was renamed after him and is now called the Langlands School and College, Chitral. Langlands served as the principal until the age of 95. "Aitchison College mourns the passing of Major Geoffrey Douglas Langlands, who left us quietly on Wednesday after a brief illness," Aitchison announced on its official website. "Affectionately known to all as 'The Major', we acknowledge the life of a soldier, teacher, gentleman, story-teller, mountaineer and humanitarian whose life was devoted in service to others and especially his adopted country Pakistan," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pakistan government Wednesday decided to send a no-fly list of 172 people, including former president Asif Ali Zardari, to a review committee following a directive by the Supreme Court. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told reporters here after a meeting of the federal Cabinet that the move was in accordance with orders of the Supreme Court. The apex court directed the Cabinet on Monday to reconsider its "hasty decision" of placing the names of 172 people, including Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, on the no-fly list. It castigated the Exit Control List (ECL) of the 172 persons who appeared in a report compiled by the joint investigation team (JIT) probing the fake accounts case. Chaudhry said the Cabinet decided to follow the orders of the Supreme Court and the list of the 172 individuals will be sent to a review committee of Ministry of Interior. "After looking at the material [submitted by the review committee], it will be decided how this matter goes forward," he said. Last week, the Cabinet banned all 172 individuals from leaving the country. Those hit by the ban included Zardari, his son Bilawal, sister Faryal, Sindh Chief Minister Shah and several others politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats. Chaudhry said the Cabinet took the decision to put all 172 on the ECL in the light of the recommendations of the JIT. The minister said influential people often fly out of the country when asked to face corruption cases. He alleged that former finance minister Ishaq Dar went to London last year and refused to come back to face a corruption case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Army on Wednesday claimed to have shot down a second "Indian spy quadcopter" flying over the Pakistani side of the Line of Control. Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations - the Army's media wing, said " Army troops shot down another Indian spy quadcopter". The quadcopter was destroyed in Satwal Sector, he added. On Tuesday, Maj Gen Gafoor had tweeted along with a picture of the drone, claiming that troops had shot down an "Indian spy quadcopter" in the Bagh Sector of Pakistani side of the Line of Control, a claim strongly rejected by the He had said that not even a quadcopter will be allowed to cross (the) According to the Pakistani defence officials, "four intruding Indian drones were shot down by Pakistani forces last year. The Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Wednesday slammed the state government's decision to levy a cess to fund temporary shelters for cattle, saying this would burden people. The BJP government decided Tuesday to introduce an additional levy of 0.5 per cent as cow welfare cess on eight profit-making public sector infrastructure companies to fund the construction and maintenance of cow shelters. The cess will also apply on travel on some expressways where motorists already pay a toll. In addition 'mandi parishads, which have been giving 1 per cent of their income for cow welfare, will now be asked to pay 2 per cent. The Samajwadi Party and the Congress have criticised the move. "It is the responsibility of the government to protect cows, but I wonder why the people are being burdened," SP spokesman Rajendra Chaudhary said. UP Congress spokesman Anshu Awasthi said, "The BJP is in power in UP for more than 20 months, but nothing concrete has been done for the cows. When the farmers and others are facing immense hardships due to stray cattle, they are now trying to somehow send a message that serious measures are being taken," he said when contacted. He said the Bharatiya Janata Party had sought votes in the name of the cow and now its government is burdening common people, invoking cows. The government will issue a notification within a week on the new cess under its 'gau kalyan' scheme, Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi told PTI, a day after the cabinet approved the scheme to set up the 'gauvansh ashray sthals'. "Details are being worked out, and it will be implemented as early as possible," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath told PTI. UP BJP chief Mahendra Nath Pandey rubbished the opposition criticism, saying the "historic decision" will go a long way in benefitting farmers. He said it will prove to be the largest scheme in the world to help farmers save crops from stray cattle. At the same time it will help in the conservation of cattle, he added. The sale of byproducts from cattle will also help make the sheds self-dependent, Pandey said. The cowsheds will be opened in all villages, panchayats, municipalities, nagar panchayats and municipal corporations. They will have a capacity to hold at least 1,000 animals, officials said. An official said farmers are abandoning their animals because of increasing mechanisation and the new policy will ensure care for the stray animals. The additional 0.5 per cent cess will be levied along with the toll collected by the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and similar agencies. Also, 0.5 per cent of the profits made by some PSUs and construction agencies like UP Rajkiye Nirman Nigam and UP State Bridge Corporation will be used to generate funds for the planned cow shelters. The 'Kanji House' system for holding impounded cattle would also be revived, officials said. A committee will be set up at block, district and tehsil level for the implementation of the plan. The state government has been under some pressure from farmers protesting over stray cattle destroying their crops. Adityanath recently ordered removal of illegal encroachments to pave the way for fresh grazing grounds. Over the past week, people in at least two villages in western Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh and Firozabad districts rounded up stray cattle and locked them up in government schools, refusing to let classes run until the administration did something about the animals. In Aligarh, police stations have started sheltering stray cows after a directive from the district police chief. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The DMK and its allies the Congress and a lone IUML member Wednesday boycotted the customary address of Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit on the opening day of the first Assembly session of the year by staging a walkout. As the governor began his address saying 'Vanakkam' and gave a message to the members of the House stressing on 'simple living,' Stalin stood up trying to say something. Though Purohit urged Stalin to resume his seat, saying "with folded hands I request you," the Leader of Opposition continued to speak on issues like the circumstances surrounding the death of late chief minister J Jayalalithaa which could not be heard properly. The governor after telling Stalin that he and the other members could discuss issues later, continued with his address to the House. A smiling Stalin led the walkout of his party members and those from the Congress and the IUML. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) Wednesday said the government has not yet asked it to reconsider listing its overseas arm Ltd on bourses. The board of ONGC had on December 21 considered a government demand to list its profitable overseas investment arm but opined that it was not the right to go for an initial public offering. ONGC Chairman and Managing Director said the company has communicated its views on the listing of OVL to the government. After that "we have not received any request to reconsider (listing of OVL)", he told reporters. The company will reconsider it if and when such a request is made, he said. Sources said the company board on December 21 deliberated on the demand from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) for the listing of OVL but felt that the market conditions are not right for an oil and gas exploration and production company to list. Also, there were several complexities involved in getting the firm listed. OVL, they said, has assets in countries like Venezuela, Iran, and Sudan, which are exposed to some or other Western sanctions. These assets will have to be first separated from the company. While this may not be a difficult task, it would involve issues of capital gains and tax thereon, they said. Also, OVL is heavily under debt and such a move would require taking approval of all the lenders -- yet another tedious job. A third of its $28.45 billion (Rs 1.51 trillion) investment in 41 projects in 20 countries has been financed by loans. More importantly, OVL has been only in acquisition mode till now and has not yet reached an economic model where it can stand on its own feet. The company is dependent on its parent for even guarantees for taking loans. OVL has great assets and it would reach that economic model once couple of its assets like the giant gas field in Mozambique starts production, they said. OVL projects are in the development stage and an IPO will get the best value when these projects are monetised, they said. OVL's giant gas field in Mozambique will start production sometime in 2022 when two LNG trains of 12 million tonnes per annum capacity are set up and gas exported in cryogenic ships. Its Farzad-B gas field in Iran is on hold in view of US sanctions on the Persian Gulf nation. Also, its Venezuelan oilfields are producing much less than their potential. According to a letter DIPAM wrote to ONGC management in August, the listing of OVL would help unlock value by improving its corporate governance and efficiency. ONGC had helped the government meet its disinvestment target last fiscal when it bought a 51.11 per cent stake in state-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) for Rs 36,915 crore. After failing to find a buyer for Air India, DIPAM is again looking at ONGC to meet the Rs 80,000 crore revenue mobilisation target set out for it in the Budget for 2018-19 from the sale of government stake in PSUs. In the letter, DIPAM said PSUs with a positive net worth and no accumulated losses should be listed to unlock value. It, however, did not state how much stake in OVL should be sold for its listing. Market regulator Sebi calls for a minimum 25 per cent public float for a listed company. Sources said proceeds of a potential listing of OVL would accrue to its parent ONGC but the government would seek a special dividend to reap that. The government owns 67.45 per cent in ONGC. If ONGC were to declare entire proceeds of OVL listing as a special dividend, the government would get 67.45 per cent of the amount. The government had in 2015 as well asked ONGC to list OVL. But the state-owned firm had at that time told the government that it was not the right time to list as oil prices were subdued and the company would not get the right value. Oil prices have since rebounded and the government is looking to cash in on that. Under its portfolio, OVL has reserves of 711 million tonnes of oil and oil equivalent natural gas. In 2017-18, it produced 9.35 million tonnes of crude oil, up from 8.43 million tonnes in the previous year. Together with natural gas, the output was 14.16 million tonnes of oil equivalent, up from 12.80 million tonnes in the previous year. It reported a net profit of Rs 981 crore on a turnover of Rs 10,418 crore in 2017-18 fiscal. This compared with a net profit of Rs 701 crore on a turnover of Rs 10,080 crore in the previous fiscal. It had reported a net loss of Rs 3,633 crore in 2015-16 due to a sharp drop in oil prices. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Regular Press Conference on January 2, 2019 2019/01/02 The Treaty Database of the People's Republic of China was launched on January 1 and is free for the public to access. The first six months after the launch will be trial runs and then the database will be put to official operation. The establishment of the treaty database is an important measure for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to improve management of treaties, practice "diplomacy for the people", and serve the Belt and Road Initiative. The public can download treaty texts from the database, look up treaty information, and post related questions by phone and email. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has released relevant information in which the log-in portal is provided. We hope this database could be of service to you and look forward to your valuable comments. Q: In his New Year address, DPRK leader Kim Jong-un expressed his willingness to meet anytime with President Trump and reiterated his commitment to realizing denuclearization of the Peninsula. Kim Jong-un also sent a personal New Year letter to ROK President Moon Jae-in, saying that he would actively seek opportunities to visit the ROK. There are also reports that Kim Jong-un also sent Trump a letter about DPRK-US dialogues. What is China's comment on this? A: I have noticed relevant reports. Over the past year, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has undergone important and positive changes. The Peninsula issue has returned to the track of dialogues and negotiations, and inter-Korean relations have achieved comprehensive improvement and development. The Chinese side fully acknowledges the important measures taken by the DPRK towards the realization of the denuclearization of the Peninsula, supports the DPRK in holding onto its denuclearization stance and peaceful dialogues, supports the DPRK-US and DPRK-ROK efforts in sustaining their sound interactive momentum by demonstrating more goodwill to each other, consolidating mutual trust and continuously improving relations so as to promote the denuclearization of the Peninsula and the political settlement of the Peninsula issue. As President Xi Jinping pointed out on December 29 in his phone call with US President Trump at the latter's request, China encourages and supports the DPRK and the US in having more dialogues for positive outcomes. We hope that the DPRK and the US could respect and accommodate each other's legitimate concerns and make positive progress in promoting the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the building of a peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula in the new year. China will continue to play a part in this regard. Q: Can you confirm that China has offered to give Pakistan 2 billion dollars in aid to support its foreign currency reserves? A: China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners of cooperation. The Chinese side has offered and will continue to offer its best through assistance, trade, investment and all-around practical cooperation to support and boost Pakistan's economic and social development. Our two sides in fact have been in close communication with each other on the relevant cooperation. Q: Bangladesh's Election Commission said on December 31 that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League won the parliamentary election with a large majority. What is your comment? A: China, as a friendly neighbor to Bangladesh, has noted the smooth running of its 11th national parliamentary election. We congratulate the Awami League on winning the election under the leadership of Chairperson Hasina. We would like to work with the new Bangladeshi government to move forward China-Bangladesh strategic partnership of cooperation. Q: In President Xi Jinping's speech made at the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, he said that China makes no promise to renounce the use of force and reserves the option to take all necessary measures against the external forces which try to undermine the reunification process. What specifically do these external forces refer to? A: I am glad that you have followed President Xi Jinping's important speech this morning for the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan which comprehensively reviews the breakthroughs and progress made by cross-Straits relations over seven decades since the founding of the PRC, especially since the implementation of the principle of peaceful reunification. President Xi Jinping expounded on China's major policies and propositions to move forward China's peaceful reunification for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era. I hope that you could have a comprehensive understanding of President Xi Jinping's speech. President Xi Jinping also made it very clear in his speech that adherence to the one-China principle is a consensus shared by the international community. The international community generally understands and supports the just cause of the Chinese people in opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and realizing national reunification. President Xi Jinping made the message explicitly clear in his speech. We make no promise to renounce the use of force. This does not target compatriots in Taiwan, but the interference of external forces and the very small number of "Taiwan independence" separatists and their activities. In fact, you should note that China's stance on this has never changed. Q: According to Japanese government officials, the Chinese oceanographic research ship "Xiangyanghong 1" conducted seafloor detection in waters near Japan's "Okinotori Island" on December 18. The Japanese government believes that the relevant waters belong to Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). What is your comment? What is the purpose of this detection? A: According to the information I have, the Chinese oceanographic research ship "Xiangyanghong 1" recently conducted marine scientific and research activities in waters near Okinotori in accordance with the law. I want to stress that firstly, as a signatory to UNCLOS, China consistently observes the relevant provisions of UNCLOS in its marine scientific and research activities. Secondly, according to UNCLOS, Okinotori reef does not meet the basic requirements to be recognized as island. The Japanese side unilaterally calls it an island and claims the so-called EEZ and continental shelf, but the Chinese side has never acknowledged that. Q: The US "Asia Reassurance Initiative Act of 2018" was signed into law. The Act includes Taiwan-related contents that are not legally binding, like asking for stronger official exchanges and military ties between the US and Taiwan. What is your comment? A: The above-mentioned Act seriously violates the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques, and grossly interferes in China's internal affairs. The Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction with and resolute opposition to the US insisting on signing the Act into law and has already made stern representations with the US. I would like to remind the US side of the speech made by President Xi Jinping at the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. He stressed solemnly that the Taiwan question belongs to China's internal affairs, concerns China's core interests and the national bond of the Chinese people and allows no interference from the outside. We urge the US side to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques. The US must not implement the relevant contents of the Act and should carefully handle the Taiwan-related issues in a cautious manner so as not to impair the overall situation of the China-US relations and cross-Straits peace and stability. More than 395,000 babies were expected to have born around the world on New Year's Day, with India estimated to record the highest number of these births at nearly 70,000, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said. As the calendar flips to 2019, about 395,072 babies will be born around the world. Over half of these births are estimated to take place in eight countries, including India, China, Pakistan, United States and Bangladesh. India is expected to register 69,944 of these births, followed by China (44,940), Nigeria (25,685), Pakistan (15,112), Indonesia (13,256), US (11,086), The Democratic Republic of Congo (10,053) and Bangladesh (8,428). As the clock struck midnight, Sydney greeted an estimated 168 babies, followed by 310 in Tokyo, 605 in Beijing, 166 in Madrid, and 317 in New York. The first babies were born in Fiji in the Pacific, and the US will most likely deliver its last. As the world enters a new year, UNICEF called on nations to meet every newborn's right to health and survival. The agency's Deputy Executive Director, Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, asked the world to join UNICEF in "making a resolution to fulfill every right of every child, starting with the right to survive". The agency warned that in several countries many babies will not even be named as they won't make it past their first day. According to UNICEF, in 2017, about one million babies died the day they were born, and 2.5 million in just their first month of life. Most died from preventable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections like pneumonia, in what the agency called 'a violation of their basic right to survival'. "We can save millions of babies if we invest in training and equipping local health workers so that every newborn is born into a safe pair of hands," Gornitza added. The year 2019 also marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Under the convention, governments committed to take measures to save every child by providing good quality health care. Over the past three decades, the world has seen remarkable progress in child survival, cutting the number of children worldwide who die before their fifth birthday by more than half. But there has been slower progress for newborns. Babies dying in the first month account for 47 per cent of all deaths among children under five. UNICEF's Every Child Alive Campiagn' calls for immediate investment to deliver affordable, quality health care solutions for every mother and newborn. These include a steady supply of clean water and electricity at health facilities, the presence of a skilled health attendant during birth, ample supplies and medicines to prevent and treat complications during pregnancy, delivery and birth, and empowered adolescent girls and women who can demand better quality of health services. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's seven bluechip oil firms including IOC and ONGC Wednesday signed an agreement with IIT-Bombay to set up a Centre of Excellence in Oil, Gas and Energy. "The centre of excellence will collaborate to research and explore new frontiers of technology to improve quality, productivity and efficiency in the energy sector," Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said at the MoU signing. Stating that energy is a key to any economy, he said the aim is to develop a mechanism to link up energy industry and academics to address energy requirements with new and innovative, indigenous technology. "With changing nature of jobs as old jobs are becoming obsolete, new job roles are replacing the existing work profiles. We are on the verge of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (fourth industrial revolution) bringing blockchain, big data analytics into play. IR 5.0 may allow us customized manufacturing capabilities," he said. He said that there is a need to put academic research in the entrepreneurial mode so that results are effective. The MoU, he said, should be outcome based and must have a road map for deliverables, and it should set examples for others. "India is a large energy market and effort should be made to develop our own petroleum standards." The MoU was signed by heads of Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), GAIL India Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL), Oil India Ltd and Engineers India Ltd. The centre of excellence is aimed at collaborative research and capability building in the areas of oil, gas, and energy. It will work towards developing sustainable solutions and explore new frontiers in technology for future energy needs. The centre of excellence will leverage the expertise available with IIT-Bombay and the oil and gas industry. It will also provide an institutionalized platform for industry-academia interactions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The knife attack on YSR Congress chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy here in October last year had been carried out by the accused for becoming 'famous' and there was no conspiracy, a top police official said Wednesday. J Srinivasa Rao (30), the assailant emplyed as a chef at a restarunt at the airport here, was suffering from "split personality syndrome" and had no other motive, Police Commissioner Mahesh Chandra Laddha said. At a press conference here, he cited the findings of the Special Investigation Team which probed the October 25 attack and said Rao had well planned for it and he wanted to become famous throughout the country. Reddy, the Leader of the Opposition in Andhra Pradesh assembly, escaped with a "deep" cut on his left shoulder in the attack by Rao, who had approached him when he was leaving the VIP lounge to board a flight to Hyderabad and requested for a 'selfie'. As an unsuspecting Reddy posed for the picture, the man pulled out a small knife generally used in cockfights and plunged it into his left shoulder. He was overpowered by the CISF personnel guarding the airport and later arrested by the police soon after the attack, which drew strong political reactions. The YSRC had claimed that the cafeteria where the assailant was employed was owned by ruling Telugu Desam Party leader Harshavardhan, who was aspiring to contest the next assembly election from the district. The opposition party had demanded a "third party inquiry by a Central government agency" into the attack. Reddy had himself later written to Governor E S L Narasimhan raising concerns over the Police probe and sought his intervention to transfer the case to an agency not under the control of the state government. He had claimed that there were serious concerns that the police probing the case was being "motivated and driven" by the state government to suit its needs. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who also heads the TDP, had targeted the Centre over the incident. "The airport is under the Government of India's control. If something happened outside, the state government would have been responsible, but since it happened inside whose responsibility is it?" he had asked. Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu had condemned the "cowardly attack" on Reddy and asked all agencies concerned to probe the matter thoroughly. The Police commissioner Wednesday claimed it was a security lapse on part of the CISF since seven people were allowed to enterthe lounge without any valid pass. The SIT examined 92 witnesses and verified 321 contacts listed in Rao's mobile phone and found he had prepared himself for the attack for over 40 days. Rao had planned to attack Reddy on October 18 itself, but the YSRC chief had advanced his departure by a day, Laddha said. One of the witnesses, Shiekh Ammaji, a friend of the accused, told the SIT personnel that onOctober 12, Rao had confided with her that very soon he would become very popular andwould be seen on television channels and about him would be carried by newspapers all over the country, he said. According to her, theaccused had spoken to her many times about his dream to become an MLA or MP. The commissioner also said, prior to the attack, Rao took help from his two friends to draft a 10-page letter, wherein he had mentioned a series of issues plaguing the people of the state. On the day of the attack, he added another page to it, stating that if he was killed in his mission, no one was to be blamed and his body should be donated for research. Laddha said Rao had managed to get closer to Reddy under the pre-text of taking a photograph with him. He had asked one of his colleagues, who was known to an office assistant in the local office of YSRC, to arrange for the photo op. While Reddy was in conversation with former MLA Karanam Dharmasri, Rao came from behind and attacked him. Rao, charged with attempt to murder, is under judicial custody now. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) has removed an episode of Hasan Minhaj-hosted "Patriot Act" in Saudi Arabia, which featured a segment criticising the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's alleged involvement in journalist The episode will not air in but is available elsewhere. In the episode, Minhaj blames Mohammed bin Salman for Khashoggi's murder, calling it the "biggest tragedy of the MBS era", according to The Hollywood Reporter. Minhaj also spoke about how American companies preferred to keep their business ties intact with Netflix, on its part said they received a legal request from the Saudi government to remove the episode from its platform, though the episode remains available on YouTube. "We strongly support artistic freedom and removed this episode only in after we had received a valid legal request -- and to comply with local law," US said in a statement. Minhaj's show started screening in October and is already very popular. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey on October 2, 2018, to collect a document for his upcoming marriage to a Turkish woman. The Saudi government initially said he left the consulate through the back door. Following a global outrage, Riyadh later acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight inside the consulate after an interrogation went wrong. Turkish media recently reported that people who came out of the consulate were carrying a bag, which according to the reports, contained Khashoggi's body parts. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said Wednesday the nation cannot fulfil its quest without a shared parliamentary agenda among different political parties. He said this after releasing the 'Rajya Sabha Calendar 2019' in the presence of senior leaders of different parties in Parliament House. Referring to the persisting turbulence in the Upper House, Naidu invoked 12 preceding chairmen of the Rajya Sabha who insisted on ensuring effective functioning of the House so as to contribute to nation building. "I am pained by our inability to ensure convergence of different agendas into a national agenda. No nation can emerge stronger without such a shared parliamentary agenda," he said after the calender launch. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad were also present at the launch. Naidu said while there is a broad degree of commonality over rapid economic growth as an instrument of bettering the lives of the people, there is much more to the progress of the nation. "Parliamentary institutions can't be held captive to the competing agendas. We can't afford to lose any more time in lending a degree of maturity to our democratic processes and institutions. "The civility of proceedings in parliamentary institutions is a certain barometer of an aspiring nation finding it's feet and fulfilling it's quest," he said. The 2019 calender features 65 leaders, including 13 former chairmen, 12 former deputy chairpersons, 26 leaders of the House and 14 leaders of the opposition, since the inception of the Upper House in 1952. Referring to this, Naidu noted that the calendar is a chronicle of political changes and the history of the Rajya Sabha since 1952. Describing the calendar as innovative, imaginative and inspiring, the chairman recalled what his predecessors had said about the functioning of the House and expressed hope that it would serve as a reminder to all the leaders and members about the need for its effective functioning. The calendar features one chairman on each page along with the quotes of what they had said about the expectations from the House and its members. The calendar reveals that the Upper House did not have a leader of opposition for 34 years since the Rajya Sabha came into being. Late Shyam Nandan Mishra of the Congress-O was the first LoP from December, 1969 to March 1971. The institution of LoP in Rajya Sabha was formally created through an Act in 1977 and late Bhola Pawan Shastry was the first LoP from February to March in 1978. The periods when Rajya Sabha had no leader of opposition were May 1952 to November 1969; April 1972 to January 1978; March 1978 to December 1979; April 1980 to December 1989 and February 1991 to May 1991. Former prime minister Manmohan Singh has the distinction of being the leader of opposition and leader of the House in Rajya Sabha for the longest duration of over six years and 10 years respectively. While the first leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha was Shyam Nandan, Congress (O)'s first leader of the House was Narasimha Gopalaswami Ayyangar while the first deputy chairman was S V Krishnamoorthy Rao. Rajya Sabha chairmen who went on to become presidents were Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Dr Zakir Husain, VV Giri, R Venkataraman, Shanker Dayal Sharma and KR Narayanan. The first leader of the House to become president was Pranab Mukherjee and the first deputy chairperson to become president was Pratibha Devisingh Patil. Naidu also recalled that the first chairman of the Rajya Sabha, S Radhakrishnan, had urged members to do everything to justify the creation of the second chamber of Parliament. While Husain stressed on quality and fruitful deliberation as a measure of contribution to national life, Giri hoped that a national consensus would emerge from the daily deliberations, he said. Naidu said Narayanan hoped that if debates in the House are centred around the poorest man, it will result in the automatic emergence of a minimum basis on which all can agree. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat desired the Upper House to be a watchdog on the affairs of the nation and also as a guide to the Union and states to achieve the objectives of economic growth, effective governance and public welfare, he said. Naidu also recalled his immediate predecessor Hamid Ansari and urged members to be aware of the changing need in legislations on account of the reality in transition of public mood from passive receptivity to active quest. He said that "as a humble successor to these 12 men of wisdom, over the last 17 months, I have been trying to impress upon the members only three words 'Discuss, Debate and Decide'." "My anguish over the state of affairs in the House so far had only limited impact," Naidu said Secretary General, Rajya Sabha, Desh Deepak Verma, explained the theme of the calendar and said on account of the vastness of information and its uniqueness, the calendar is a "learner's delight". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- Prof. P R Mukund, Founder, DecaTrait to address the community; Former ISRO Chairman, Padma Shri A S Kiran Kumar to preside Namdhari's Fresh, the renowned grower of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, in association with DecaTrait, the flagship social transformation program by Tara Prakashana has announced a one-of-its-kind workshop for farmers on Jan 05, 2019. This workshop will be conducted by Prof. P R Mukund, founder of DecaTrait, and will be held at Bidadi, Karnataka at Namdhari's Fresh. Padma Shri A S Kiran Kumar, former Chairperson of ISRO will be the chief guest. Speaking about the workshop, Prof. P R Mukund said, "It has been our endeavour to take DecaTrait to different sections of the society. While we are addressing the corporate and the academia, farmers are one of the most important communities. Farmers today need internal awakening to cope with the external changes and I am excited to share my scientifically researched insights in this regard." Commenting on the initiative, Padma Shri A S Kiran Kumar said, "The workshop comes at a time when the farmers in the country are facing several issues. We ought to remember that if farmers rise, the nation will. I congratulate Namdhari's for this initiative. Prof. P R Mukund is a person who can bring his research and analysis of ancient science and apply it to modern day farming. I look forward to this day." Talking about the farmer's program, Mr. Sunil G Awari , General Manager, Namdhari's Fresh said, "We are honoured to be associating with Prof. P R Mukund. His knowledge and application of ancient wisdom to different sections of the society has been a revelation for many. We are thankful to A S Kiran Kumar, who agreed to be part of this event. Two eminent science-minded luminaries are slated to address today's farmers, which makes the event all the more exciting." Among other things, the workshop will highlight ways of applying universal energy, coping with change and increasing productivity to make farming a far more endearing activity. About Prof. P R Mukund Prof. P R Mukund is an educator, researcher, and entrepreneur. He is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York. He was an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer and Past General Chair of many IEEE international conferences. His professional expertise include Analog and RF I.C. Design. He received his BSEE, MS and Phd in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has published extensively in refereed journals and conferences. He is also a keen student and teacher of the Vedic way of life. His speciality is connecting the worlds of modern science and ancient spirituality in an easily understandable way. About DecaTrait Founded by Prof. P R Mukund, DecaTrait is a proprietary workshop derived out of programmed research on science and ancient Indian wisdom. It focuses on ten unique qualities needed to achieve, sustain, and repeat success. Focusing on social transformation, the workshop has been successfully conducted at different corporate houses, academic institutions. It has also been hailed by renowned media around the world as a unique method of nurturing growth and success across different sections in the society. About A S Kiran Kumar A S Kiran Kumar is a renowned Indian space scientist and former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. He is credited with the development of key scientific instruments aboard the Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan space crafts. In 2014, he was awarded the Padma Shri, for his contributions to the fields of science and technology. Kiran Kumar previously served as Chairman ISRO. About Namdhari's Fresh Namdhari's Fresh is one of the leading growers and grocery store chains in India. The chain was set up in 2001 with the objective of filling the segment of premium green grocers. The company offers fruits and vegetables for retail purchase grown at its own production centers. Besides the domestic market, the produce is also meant for export to Europe, Australia and the Middle East. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu Wednesday ordered members of AIDMK and DMK to leave the House for the day when they continued to protest in the Well over the Cauvery issue. The House had to be adjourned twice in the afternoon amid din over the issue and finally for the day, minutes after it reassembled at 3 PM. The protest by these members prompted Naidu to invoke Rule 255, asking over a dozen members of both parties from Tamil Nadu to leave the House for the day. Rule 255 provides that the Chairman may direct any member whose conduct, in his opinion, is grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the council. It says any member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall absent himself during the reminder of the day's meeting. AIADMK members had trooped into the well as soon as the House resumed in the afternoon and were continuously shouting slogans "We want Justice, take the permission (to build dam on Cauvery) back, Don't deny rights of Tamil Nadu", disrupting functioning. One of the member said the Government of India has "shamed" Tamil Nadu. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel also requested the members from Tamil Nadu to allow the Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari to deliver his statement on the issue. Naidu also said the minister had been called to the House to deliver a statement following the Tamil Nadu members' request and now he should be allowed to do so. However, the members from AIADMK continued their protest in the Well, with four DMK members also joining to associate with them. In the meantime, Naidu said now the minister (Gadkari) would not make a statement. He then asked Home Minister Rajnath Singh to move a resolution to proclaim President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir on December 19, 2018 under Article 356 of the Constitution. Singh tabled the resolution which was already approved in Lok Sabha on December 28, 2018. He delivered his statement amid the din. The Opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad was invited to initiate the discussion on the resolution but the Chairman had to briefly adjourn the House. Before adjourning, the Chairman asked the AIADMK and DMK members to leave for the day. When the House resumed, Deputy Chairman Harivansh asked the concerned members to leave the House but they continued to protest. Harivansh said,"In this situation the House is adjourned till 3PM." As the House reassembled, DMK and AIADMK Members again trooped into the Well, shouting slogans. "I am left with no other other alternative than to adjourn the House for the day", the Deputy Chairman said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Provision of death penalty for rape of girl child below 12 years is a landmark move in ensuring safety of women, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on on Wednesday. Modi said his government was committed to ensuring all-round security of its citizens, including financial and health security. Noting that terrorism plagued India for 40 years, the prime minister said the surgical strike against terror launch pads across the LoC was an example of its determination to tackle the menace. "Earlier the global community used to say Kashmir... Kashmir...Kashmir. Now they are saying terrorism. We want peace but know how to deal with terrorism in the language they understand. Surgical strike is an example of that," he said. He was interacting with BJP workers of Andhra Pradesh as part of 'Mera booth sabse mazboot' outreach programme to strengthen the party organisation ahead of Lok Sabha elections due next year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met victims of the 1984 anti-sikh riots here after the Union cabinet meeting on Wednesday and assured them of the government's full support, SAD leaders said. The victims were accompanied by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, party MP Naresh Gujral and heads of Sikh religious bodies SGPC and DSGPC. "It was heart-wrenching to listen to travails of 1984 genocide victims when they met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But it was heartwarming that justice for '84 massacre has become a national priority now. I thank Modi ji for making this happen," Harsimrat Kaur Badal tweeted after the meeting. The minister said Modi commended the victims for their 34-years-long fight for justice. She added that the victims got justice under the Modi government after Sajjan Kumar was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Gujral, who was accompanying the victims, said they all got very emotional after meeting Modi and sought protection from him, which was assured by the prime minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CPTPP, which officially came into force on December 30, 2018, is expected to provide a push for Vietnam to reform its economic institutions and further improve the business climate to optimize opportunities brought by the deal. Experts said the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will give Vietnam better access to the nine large markets in the Asia-Pacific, thus helping the country diversify its import-export markets. Moreover, the lifting of more than 90 percent of import tariffs in CPTPP member markets immediately after the deal took effect will open up opportunities for Vietnamese goods to enter new markets. Ngo Tuan Anh from the Economics Department, the National Economics University, said the Asia-Pacific region accounts for 70 percent of Vietnams total export revenue and 80 percent of import value. When tariffs are cut, Vietnam can increase the export of its key products such as textile-garment and footwear without competition from other countries. Statistics showed in Vietnams trade with CPTPP member economies, garment-textile generated the biggest export earnings at more than US$3.1 billion in 2017, followed by transport vehicles with over $2.17 billion, machinery and equipment with nearly $1.72 billion, seafood with $1.3 billion and wood products with over $1 billion. However, Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Vu Tien Loc took a cautious approach, citing the lessons of previous free trade agreements. He noted that despite optimistic forecast, several FTAs have brought only modest benefits for Vietnam. According to Loc, the country has made use of just about 40 percent of benefits generated by preferential tariffs, and most of which went foreign investors in the country. Therefore, economists emphasised the importance of stronger measures to reform economic institutions and further improve the business environment, so as to better make use of opportunities. Deputy Director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) Ngo Chung Khanh said Vietnam needs to revise many regulations on trade, customs, labour and intellectual property in order to properly enforce the CPTPP and make the best use of the deal. We will have to revise at least seven laws along with dozens of decrees and sub-law documents to bring our legal framework closer to international standards, Khanh said. According to him, commitments under the CPTPP will generate positive effects on the domestic investment environment. Nguyen Toan Thang from the Hanoi Law University agreed, saying that the deal will put Vietnam in a better position to attract foreign investment from other members, especially those with which Vietnam has yet to sign a bilateral FTA such as Canada and Mexico. Ngo Tuan Anh noted that there is a big gap between CPTPPs requirements and Vietnams real capacity, which forces Vietnam to make effort to meet the requirements. Without strong enough reform, the country will face great risks, he said. The CPTPP was signed by 11 member states, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam in March 2018. It is one of the most comprehensive trade deals ever concluded and strips 98 percent of tariffs for the 11 countries with a combined GDP of more than $13.5 trillion and close to 500 million consumers. It is expected to promote economic growth and poverty reduction, create more jobs and improve the living condition for the people at member nations. Congress president Rahul Gandhi launched a stinging attack in the Lok Sabha on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Rafale issue, saying he does not have "guts" to come to Parliament to confront questions and "hides" in his room. The House also witnessed high drama after Gandhi sought the Speaker's permission to play an audio tape, purportedly of a Goa minister, on the Rafale deal. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the tape is "false and fabricated", asking Gandhi if he can authenticate it. He may have to face privilege motion and even expulsion in case it turns out to be fabircated, the BJP leader added. Amid an uproar, which caused brief adjournment of the House proceedings, Gandhi said he would not play it and authenticate it, prompting Jaitley to say that he was "scared" as he knew it was false. "This man lies and lies repeatedly," Jaitley said. The Speaker also disallowed Gandhi's request to play the clip. Gandhi claimed BJP members were "terrified" of the clip in which Goa minister Vishwajit Rane purportedly told somebody that former defence minister Manohar Parrikar had a Rafale file in his bedroom. Rane has already termed the tape "fabricated", Jaitley said. In his speech, Gandhi also referred to Modi's comments in an interview that no personal allegation was levelled against him in the matter and said this is not true as the "entire nation" is asking him a direct question on the contract for purchase of fighter aircraft. "He (Modi) spoke for 90 minutes in a staged interview but still did not answer questions on the Rafale issue," Gandhi said, reiterating his party's demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the matter. "We demand a JPC probe into matter. There is no reasopn for BJP leaders to feel afraid. The country will get to know that Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in the pockets of 'double A'. The contract was snatched from HAL (a government-run unit)," he said, alleging corruption in the contract. 'Double A' was an apparent reference to Anil Ambani, whom Gandhi repeatedly referred to in his speech before Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked him not to name him as he is not a member of the House. The Congress leader described Ambani as a "dear friend" of Modi and a "failed businessman". His defence firm was registered only 10 days before it got the off-set contract from Rafale, a French firm, Gandhi alleged. Ambani has repeatedly denied allegations against him. Gandhi also claimed that defence ministry officials had objected to the renegotiated deal on the purchase of Rafale aircraft. He also accused AIADMK members, who were protesting in the Well of the House over the Cauvery issue, of trying to protect Modi. Taking a dig at Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was present in the House, Gandhi said she was "hiding" behind the AIADMK members while Modi "hides" in his room. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday asked BJP workers to engage youth, particularly the first-time voters, in discussions to showcase what his government has done for the country since 2014. He said the BJP alone understood the aspirations of youth and was working hard to build an India of their dreams. "The youth does not believe in negativity but believe in positivity. We have a lot of positive work to show. Talk to the youth about the work we have done for AP and across the country," the prime minister told BJP workers of Andhra Pradesh during and interaction through video-conference as part of the Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot outreach programme. Modi said democracy was a festival of "creating our own future" and youth formed the core of the endeavour of building India's destiny. Noting that Lok Sabha elections later this year were special in the sense that those born in the 21st Century would get to exercise their franchise for the first time, Modi said they should be "welcomed with great joy". "They have a chance to participate in the festival of democracy. They have a chance to decide what direction the nation should take," he said. In order to establish a deeper connect with the youth, it was important to understand them, the prime minister said. "The negativity and negative propoganda do not matter much to them," Modi said, apparently taking a swipe at his rivals. "The best quality of youth is that they will ask questions. Discuss openly with them as equals and they will trust you. Youth have ambitions. Talk to them about our strong development and prosperous nation," he told the BJP workers. Observing that discussion drives democracy, the prime minister said youth cared for development. "The youth wants good infrastructure, likes technology. Ask them who is building a digital India. Youth hates corruption. Ask who is working hard to make India corruption-free," he said. The BJP's state unit president Kanna Lakshminarayana, former Union minister Daggubati Purandeswari, MLCs Somu Veerraju, P V N Madhav, MLA P Manikyala Rao and other leaders joined the hour-long interaction from different towns. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Border Security Force (BSF) has detained a middle-aged man in Rajasthan's Barmer district after he allegedly tried to cross the Indo-Pak border, an official said Wednesday. The suspect, Billu, aged around 40 and hailing from Punjab, was detained by the BSF jawans at Munabao border outpost and handed over to Barmer police, said Gurupal Singh, deputy inspector general (DIG), Gujarat range. The DIG said the suspect was apparently mentally-challenged and failed to answer questions satisfactorily. He has been sent to Barmer for interrogation by intelligence agencies, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Police Wednesday was looking into media reports that two women in their forties had entered the temple early Wednesday, sources said. According to TV channels, the two women, Kanakadurga, 42, and Bindu, 44, also claimed that they had entered the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa. They made efforts to enter the shrine in December but had to return due to protests. As per news reports, the women trekked to the hill shrine early Wednesday. The video showed them entering the shrine, wearing black clothes, with their heads covered. The police sources in Thiruvananthapuram, quoting DGP Loknath Behara, said details were being collected on the issue. Bindu, a college lecturer and CPI(ML) activist from Kozhikode district's Koyilandy, and Kanakadurga, a civil supplies employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram, had come to on December 24 after 11 women activists of a Chennai-based outfit were prevented from reaching the shrine and chased away by devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras. The temple was opened on December 30 for the Makaravillaku festival and there has been a heavy rush of pilgrims. Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) A Padmakumar said he had no information about the two women offering prayers at the temple. TDB officials have been asked to view CCTV footage to verify their claim, he said. The temple had witnessed protests from frenzied devotees over the entry of women in the 10-50 age group in the shrine after the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement a order allowing women of all age to offer prayers there. The main opposition Congress-led UDF and the BJP have been opposing the entry of young women, saying they are with the devotees. The government on Wednesday introduced the Aadhaar and other laws amendment bill in Lok Sabha which adjourned soon after till 2 pm amid continuing protests by members of the AIADMK and the TDP over various issues. Immediately after the House reconvened at noon, AIADMK and TDP members trooped into the Well with placards and started shouting slogans. The AIADMK was protesting construction of a dam across the Cauvery river, while the TDP was demanding special financial assistance for Amravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Despite the request from Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, the members continued their protest and some of them flung torn pieces of papers towards the table where Lok Sabha secretariat officials sit during proceedings. A visibly peeved Mahajan sought names of the unruly members. As per rules, if the Speaker names a member over objectionable conduct, than the member has to leave the House immediately. "Please go to your seat," Mahajan told the protesting members. Amid the ruckus, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018. The amendment would provide legal backing for seeding of biometric ID Aadhaar with mobile numbers and bank accounts as an optional KYC (know your customer) after the Supreme Court barred mandatory use of the 12-digit unique identification number by private firms. Earlier, Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till noon following protests by members from the AIADMK and the TDP. Soon after the House convened for the day, members from the AIADMK trooped into the Well. Later, members from the TDP also joined them. Around 30 members from both the parties were in the Well. As soon as the AIADMK members started their protest, Mahajan said that their problem would not be solved like this and asked them to discuss the issue with the minister concerned. "I don't think it sends the right message to your state... this unruly behaviour must stop," she told the protesting members. A question related to vacancies in lower judiciary was taken up during the Question Hour, which went on for around 20 minutes. As the din continued, Mahajan adjourned the proceedings till noon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A leopard and a cub were captured in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda and Rajouri districts on Wednesday, officials said. Acting on information received from people about movement of a leopard in villages of Doda district, wild life department officials laid a trap and captured the animal in Beoli hamlet, they said. Also a leopard cub was captured by people in Gurdan Chawal village of Rajouri district and later handed over to the wildlife department staff, an official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police in Latur in central Maharashtra denied permission for a rally of Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad Wednesday. The rally, organised by the Yuva Bhim Sena, was to take place at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Park in the city on Wednesday evening. Following the denial of permission, Azad arrived at the spot, paid homage to the statue of Dr Ambedkar and left without making any speech. Earlier, Azad had alleged that Mumbai police had detained him when he arrived in the state last week ahead of January 1 commemoration event at the Koregaon Bhima war memorial in Pune district. Police sources said here that the permission for the rally was denied on the grounds of law and order. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor Indrajith Coomaraswamy on Wednesday said that the nearly two-month long political crisis had an adverse impact on the country's economy. President Maithripala Sirisena's dramatic move on October 26 to sack Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and install former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa in his place following differences over policy issues, left the country without a functioning government for nearly two months. However, a Supreme court verdict forced Sirisena to reinstate Wickremesinghe. Due to the political crisis, the big three credit rating agencies -- Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poor's (S&P) and Moody's -- downgraded Sri Lanka's sovereign rating. "Political developments, compounded by concerns regarding fiscal slippage in the lead up to the elections, were significant causal factors in the decisions of all three major rating agencies to downgrade Sri Lanka's sovereign ratings. This, in turn, negatively affected investor confidence," Coomaraswamy said while presenting the Central Bank's economic road map for 2019. "In the short term, a significant impact on the economy," he said, adding that it was difficult to quantify the economic damage. Coomaraswamy said the IMF had held back discussions on Lanka's next loan tranche due to the political crisis. After completion of the IMF's fifth review Lanka would expect to receive a sixth tranche of about USD 250 million. The total loan was expected to have been disbursed with a seventh tranche by mid-2019. Sri Lanka is hoping to complete a 3-year programme with the IMF this year. Coomaraswamy said he was hoping for a better economic growth in 2019 than the modest 3 per cent recorded in 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Karnataka Home Minister M BPatil Wednesday said the state police have workedefficiently in the murder cases of noted rationalist M MKalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh and would take bothcases to their logical end. Patil, who took over as home minister after the recent ministry reshuffle, said that he did not wish to go into the details concerning both cases, stating that he was yet to gather inputs on them. "Gauri Lankesh case, we can say proudly that our SIT (Special Investigation Team) has worked efficiently and made a breakthrough. There are instances where even the CBI has not got any breakthrough insuch cases even after four, four-and-half years...They (SIT)have already filed a charge sheet. It (probe) is almost in the finalstages," Patil said. In the Kalburgi case, the CID has made good progress, he said, adding "we are satisfied with SIT and CID...the department has worked efficiently and will take boththese cases to their logical end." The Supreme Court had on December 11 last year favoured a CBI probe into the murders of Kalburgi, social activist Govind Pansare (in Maharashtra) and journalist Gauri Lankesh if there is a "common thread" in these incidents which occurred over the last five years. The top court had asked the CBI to inform it by the first week of January whether it would like to investigate these three murder cases as it was already probing the murder of socialactivist Narendra Dabholkar in Maharashtra. Karnataka police in its status report had told the top court that there appears to be an "intimate connection" between the murders of Kalburgi in 2015 and Gauri Lankesh in 2017. Gauri Lankesh, known for her strident anti-Hindutva views, was shot dead in front of her house here on September 5, 2017. The SIT has so far arrested 16 people for their alleged involvement in the killing, while two others are still at large. Patil, who was briefed by home department officials, said the overall law and order situation and various issues regarding the department were discussed, as also strengthening of the police force and certain modifications to be made at the government level. "We have taken stock of the measures being taken to bring down the crime rate... also tackling the drug mafia and traffic issues, among others," he said. "Our department has taken steps towards deporting 113 people who are staying illegally in the state, including after visa expiry," he added. Improving the living standard of police personnel, including housing facilities for them, would also be looked into, Patil said. To a question on implementing therecommendations of the committee, headed by ADGP (recruitment) Raghavendra Auradkar, for a 35 per cent salary hike forpolicemen, Patil said he would discuss it with Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. "Not only their salaries and medical needs, but also educationfacilities for their children, we want to improve," he said,adding that there are also plans to start police residential schools and public schools across the state. The committee had submitted its report on pay hike in September 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A journalist working with a prominent media house in Bangladesh was arrested for allegedly publishing "false" information about voting irregularities in the just-concluded parliamentary elections, according to a media report. Hedait Hossain Molla, associated with Bangla Tribune and Probaho, reported that in Khulna 1 constituency, 22,419 more ballots were cast than the number of registered voters, the Dhaka Tribune quoted the police as saying. He was arrested on Tuesday in Khulna under the Digital Security Act following an FIR by Khulna's Assistant Returning Officer Debashish Chowdhury, senior police officer Mahbubur Rahman said. The FIR also named Rashedul Islam, another journalist associated with local daily Manabzamin. He was yet to be arrested. "Initial investigations suggest that they were based on false information," Inspector Sarkar Ibrahim Sohel, who is in charge of the investigation, said. He said that the Election Commission was informed before the case was filed. The arrest of the journalist comes two days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League and its allies won the general elections, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls. The jailed ex-premier Khalida Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which won five seats in the 300-member Parliament, has rejected the poll outcome as "farcical" and demanded fresh election. The election was marred by violence, in which 17 people died. The opposition BNP rejected the poll outcome as "farcical" and rigged and demanded fresh election, amid allegations of intimidation. The Election Commission (EC) ruled out holding fresh polls. The opposition Jatiya Oikya Front - National Unity Front (NUF) - comprising the BNP and some smaller parties, criticised the EC and accused its chief of being biased. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute returned home Dec. 31 to St. Petersburg following a 59-day patrol, the 7th Coast Guard District said in a release. Resolute crew members patrolled more than 9,000 miles providing a law enforcement presence in the Caribbean Ocean in the vicinity of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico while deterring illegal migrant departures and playing a role in several Coast Guard operations. After spending the holidays deployed, Resolute crew members are ready to be home with family and friends to celebrate the new year, said Cmdr. Roy R. Brubaker, commanding officer of the Resolute. As always, the crew performed remarkably well amidst challenging weather conditions and mission demands. During the patrol, the Resolute crew participated in a four-day operation targeting illicit flow of narcotics off the coast of Jamaica. At the conclusion of the operation, the Resolute crew transitioned to support Operation Unified Resolve and team with Coast Guard Sector San Juan crew members. Their joint efforts resulted in the interdiction of nine Dominican migrants attempting to illegally enter Puerto Rico. Crew members also patrolled the Windward Passage thus providing an overt presence and deterring illegal migration off the north coast of Haiti. While conducting a port visit in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Resolute crew members, and personnel of the U.S. Embassy Kingston staff, hosted the Mayor Councillor Michael Belnavis along with 80 students from Ocho Rios Primary School. The tour provided an opportunity for Jamaican youth to learn about the Coast Guard and see aspects of sea-going life first-hand. In the final days of patrol, the crew served as on-scene commander in a 37-hour search for a missing cruise ship crew member. Search crews saturated 105 square nautical miles, but the crew member was not recovered. The Resolute is a 210-foot Reliance-class cutter and has a crew of 78. Jammu and Kashmir Police Wednesday issued an advisory warning people not to make investments in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin due to the "heightened risk" associated with them. The police also said this form of currency was not backed as legal tender by the government and central financial institutions. "The general public is informed not to make any type of investment in cryptocurrencies, virtual currencies (vcs) such as bitcoin because there is a real and heightened risk associated with them," an advisory issued by the Inspector General (IG) of crime branch said. "This can result in a sudden and prolonged crash, exposing investors; especially retail consumers who stand to lose their hardearned money," it said. The IG said the public needed to be alert to avoid getting trapped in such fraudulent schemes. Through the medium of this warning notice and advisory, the general public is cautioned against the risks of investing in virtual currencies as these are not backed as legal tender by the government and central financial institutions, he said. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not given any license and authorisation to any entity and company to operate in such schemes or deal with bitcoin or any virtual currency, and such cryptocurrencies do not have any regulatory permission or protection in India, the advisory stated. As there is no regulatory oversight on cryptocurrencies which use blockchain technology, all transactions are encrypted and there is high risk as this platform is used for carrying out subversive activities, smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, terror funding and money laundering, the IG added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With little resistance from a friendly White House, Israel has launched a new settlement push in the West Bank since President Donald Trump took office, laying the groundwork for what could be the largest construction binge in years, according to data obtained by The Associated Press. The figures, gathered from official government sources by the anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now, show an increase in building in 2018 and a sharp spike in planning for future construction. This trend, highlighted last week when an Israeli committee advanced plans for thousands more settlement homes on war-won lands, has only deepened Palestinian mistrust of the Trump administration as it says it is preparing to roll out a Mideast peace plan. Each new settlement expansion further diminishes the chances of setting up a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Both supporters and opponents of settlements confirm a change in atmosphere since early 2017, when Trump took over from Barack Obama, whose administration had tried to rein in construction. "The feeling of the (Israeli) government is everything is allowed, that the time to do things is now because the (US) administration is the most pro-settlement you can ever have," said Hagit Ofran of Peace Now's Settlement Watch program. Peace Now uses several measurements of settlement activity. These include "plans," or the early bureaucratic stages of preparing a project, "tenders," when bids are solicited from contractors to do the work, and "construction starts," when the building actually begins. Each of these figures tells a different story. While construction starts give a snapshot of the current level of settlement activity, they reflect decisions made years ago. In contrast, the planning and tender stages are seen as forward-looking indicators of a government's intentions. The data compiled by Peace Now showed a drop in construction starts during Trump's first year in office, to 1,643 units in 2017 from 3,066 units the previous year. This drop appears to reflect the lingering effect of reduced planning during the final two years of the Obama administration. But the data for the first nine months of 2018 indicate the beginning of a Trump effect, with construction starts 20 per cent higher than the same period a year earlier. These trends are even more evident when looking at the planning process. In 2017, plans were advanced to build 6,712 new settlement homes, roughly 2.5 times the 2016 level. In 2018, plans for an additional 5,618 units were advanced, nearly half of which were processed last week alone. Together, these numbers are the highest level of planning seen since 2013. At that time, Israel pushed forward settlement construction to counter criticism of its release of Palestinian prisoners as part of then-Secretary of State John Kerry's peace efforts. The biggest surge in settlement activity during the Trump era is in tenders projects that are ready to be launched. In 2017, 3,154 tenders were issued, up from just 42 during Obama's final year in office. In 2018, that number rose to over 3,800, the highest number by far since Peace Now started compiling the data in 2002. This sets the stage for a huge jump in construction in the near future. "There's definitely a change of atmosphere. There's definitely a change of winds," said Oded Revivi, mayor of Efrat, a major settlement near Jerusalem, and the chief foreign envoy of the Yesha settlement council. Revivi said that Obama pressured Israel into greatly curtailing settlement activity. Now, he said, Israel is trying to make up for lost time. "Basically what you're seeing now is the statistics are trying to catch up to the needs that were built up during the eight years of the Obama administration, when everything was in a standstill," Revivi said. White House Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt's office declined comment, and State Department officials were not immediately available for comment. The Palestinians and most of the international community consider Israeli settlements to be illegal and obstacles to peace. Over 400,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank, in addition to 200,000 in east Jerusalem. The Palestinians seek both areas, captured by Israel in 1967, as parts of their state. For decades, a string of US presidents, both Republican and Democrat, condemned settlement construction. Things quickly changed when Trump took office. Trump refused to condemn settlement construction and surrounded himself with advisers including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Ambassador to Israel David Friedman who are Orthodox Jews with close ties to settlements. Trump at times has asked Israel to show restraint, but his administration has remained largely silent as Israel has pressed ahead with its construction efforts over the past two years. This has been welcome to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose outgoing coalition is dominated by religious and nationalist settlement sympathisers. Favoured to win re-election in April, Netanyahu has said he expects his next government to look very similar. Israel never annexed the West Bank, meaning the Israeli military remains the sovereign there. Construction in the West Bank requires approval from COGAT, a Defence Ministry body that oversees civilian affairs in the territory. Plans are submitted by the government to COGAT's Higher Planning Council, which decides if they meet legal criteria. COGAT routinely portrays decision is on new settlement activity as a technical matter, playing down the political impact. In a statement, COGAT said it acts in accordance with planning and building laws in the West Bank. Critics say COGAT routinely promotes settlement expansion and development at the expense of Palestinian communities in the 60 per cent of the West Bank that is under full Israeli control. Palestinians have varying degrees of autonomy, including over building permits, in the remaining areas of the West Bank, where most Palestinians live. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iran is keen to invest in the Rs 35,700-crore expansion of Chennai refinery irrespective of economic sanctions imposed by the US against the Persian Gulf nation, IOC Chairman Sanjiv Singh said Wednesday. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) plans to pull down the 1 million tonnes per year Nagapattinam refinery of its subsidiary, Chennai Petroleum Corp Ltd (CPCL) and build a brand new 9 million tonnes unit in next 5-6 years. National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC), which holds 15.4 per cent stake in CPCL, is keen to participate in the expansion project, Singh told reporters here. "They have said they want to participate and I think they should be able to invest," he said. After the US reimposed full economic sanctions against Iran beginning November 5, 2018, India is paying its third-largest crude oil supplier in rupees. These rupee payments are made into a UCO Bank account of NIOC. The government has allowed NIOC to use the money it gets in the UCO Bank account for paying for commodities Iran buys from India as well as for the direct investment in Indian projects. Naftiran Intertrade, the Swiss subsidiary of NIOC, holds a 15.4 per cent stake in CPCL. IOC holds 51.89 per cent stake in CPCL. The expansion was to originally cost to Rs 27,460 crore but is now estimated to cost Rs 35,698 crore. Officials said, CPCL plans to achieve financial closure of the refinery expansion in 2019. It also plans to build a petrochemicals plant of about 475,000 tonnes per annum capacity. Detailed feasibility report for the expansion project is expected to be completed by June. CPCL, formerly known as Madras Refineries Ltd, was formed as a joint venture in 1965 between the Government of India, AMOCO and NIOC having a shareholding in the ratio of 74 per cent, 13 per cent and 13 per cent. In 1985, AMOCO disinvested, following which, the government held 84.62 per cent and NIOC 15.38 per cent. The government later disinvested 16.92 per cent of the paid-up capital. The company was listed in 1994. IOC acquired the government stake in 2000-01 and holds 51.89 per cent stake in CPCL while NIOC has 15.40 per cent. CPCL has two refineries with a combined refining capacity of 11.5 million tonnes per annum. The Manali Refinery has a capacity of 10.5 million tonnes per annum and is one of the complex refineries in the country. Its second refinery is located in Nagapattinam at Cauvery Basin. This unit has a capacity 1 million tonnes per annum. CPCL refineries produce LPG, petrol, kerosene, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), diesel, naphtha, bitumen, lube base stocks, paraffin wax, fuel oil, hexane, and petrochemical feedstocks. The company posted a net profit of Rs 913 crore on a turnover of Rs 44,135 crore in 2017-18, according to the company website. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian Oil Corp (IOC), the nation's biggest oil firm, Wednesday said it will commission its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal at Ennore in Tamil Nadu this month. IOC Chairman Sanjiv Singh said the Rs 5,151-crore terminal is complete and would be commissioned after completion of dredging of the channel that will bring cryogenic ships carrying natural gas in its liquid form to the port. "We hope to commission the facility this month," he told reporters here. Once dredging is complete, IOC will bring a cargo or shipload of LNG to commission the terminal. This is the first LNG import terminal IOC has built on its own. The company holds 12.5 per cent stake in Petronet LNG Ltd, which operates import facilities at Dahej in Gujarat and Kochi in Kerala. It has also booked capacities in upcoming terminals on both east and west coast. The dredging is being carried out by Ennore Port Trust. Asked about diluting stake the Ennore project, he said nothing has been finalised as yet. "There are a lot of people who have shown interest," he said. Malaysian state-owned oil and natural gas producer Petroliam Nasional Bhd, or Petronas, as also Petronet LNG, India's biggest LNG importer, have expressed interest in taking a stake in the Ennore plant. IOC holds 95 per cent stake in the Ennore LNG import terminal. Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has 5 per cent. The state-owned refiner wants to retain a minimum 50 per cent stake in the project and so, practically 45 per cent stake is available for the taking. In August last year, the IOC board had given in-principle approval to acquire up to 50 per cent stake in Adani Group-backed Mundra LNG import terminal in Gujarat for an estimated Rs 750 crore. "We are still in discussion," he said. GSPL LNG, a joint venture of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation and Adani Enterprises, has set up a 5-million tonne per annum (mtpa) LNG terminal at the Mundra port in Gujarat. Singh said IOC is talking to GSPL about valuations of the stake. Going by a back-of-the-envelope calculation, roughly 30 per cent of the Rs 5,040-crore project cost is equity and IOC will pay for half of that. As the second-largest natural gas player in the country, IOC is making significant investments in natural gas infrastructure and marketing, in line with the country's changing energy mix. "We already have investments across the gas value chain, from LNG import terminals to city gas distribution networks," he said. IOC plans to connect the Ennore terminal to its Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) refinery apart from facilities of Madras Fertilisers, Tamil Nadu Petro Products, Manali Petrol Products, and other customers in the area. The firm is also working on laying a 1,385 km natural gas pipeline originating from the Ennore terminal to Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu via Puducherry. Also, branch pipelines will be laid in Madurai, Tuticorin, and Bengaluru to meet the demand from multiple LNG consumers in the region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A city-bound IndiGo flight from New Delhi made a priority landing here Tuesday after smoke was detected mid-air in the cockpit and cabin of the A320 aircraft, a source said Wednesday. The pilot issued a Pan-Pan call and sought a priority landing from the Ahmedabad ATC, the source said. An IndiGo spokesperson said its flight made a priority landing due to an "unusual" smell. A 'Pan-Pan' call is the one which is issued in a less urgent situation but that still requires attention from air traffic control. "The flight 6E6373 took off from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport at 7.42 am for Ahmedabad. However, mid-air the pilot noticed smoke in the aircraft cockpit and cabin and issued a Pan-Pan call to seek priority landing from the Ahmedabad ATC. The Airbus A320 plane landed at 8.57 am, about half an hour ahead of the scheduled arrival time," the source said. This was the second incident of the pilot reporting smoke in an IndiGo plane as on December 10 last year, airline's Kolkata-bound flight from Jaipur had to made an emergency landing for similar reasons. "An IndiGo flight 6E6373 operating on Delhi-Ahmedabad route on January 1 made a priority landing at Ahmedabad (airport)," IndiGo said in the statement. "Inflight, the crew noticed an unusual smell," the statement said adding (but) there was no operational impact. IndiGo also said that on ground, it was a "minor technical glitch" which was rectified before the next flight. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The indigenously manufactured Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet is costlier than the Russian SU-30 as their specifications are not the same and it would not be appropriate to compare costs, the government said Wednesday. Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, in a written answer to a question in Lok Sabha, said the higher cost of indigenously manufactured SU-30MKI is due to factors such as additional modifications incorporated in the plane to enhance the operational capability to suit the Indian Air Force's requirements. The minister said that being a transfer of technology (ToT) programme, cost is involved towards payment of license fee to the Russian side. Owing to the low volume of production of Indian SU-30 MKI as compared to Russian SU-30, economies of scale come into play, Bhamre said. Import of raw materials and proprietary components from Russia involves dependency on Russian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for the offered kit costs, which are not proportionate with the kit contents, he said. The minister, however, asserted that indigenous manufacturing has created advanced skill sets in the country, a step towards self-reliance and will result in lower life cycle cost and reduced dependency on OEM, repair, maintenance, faster turn-around time, and quick support to IAF bases. Since the facilities are indigenously established, future production supplies is likely to be cheaper if new order for bulk production is placed on HAL, Bhamre said. To another question, Bhamre said 31 fighter squadrons are operational in Indian Air Force and 36 Rafale jets have been requisitioned in ready-made fly away condition. Responding to another question, he said currently, 195 out of 593 posts are vacant in Armed Forces Tribunal which include group A, B, and C posts as well as members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian textile companies face higher trade barriers, compared to other competing countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam and Pakistan, in the US and European Union, Parliament was informed Wednesday. The average tariff on textile products faced by India in the EU and US is 5.9 per cent and 6.2 per cent, respectively. In comparison, Pakistan face zero per cent and 5.3 per cent average tariff in the EU and US, respectively; for Bangladesh it is zero per cent and 3.9 per cent; whereas Vietnam attracted 6.1 per cent and 5.5 per cent tariff. The US is the top export destination for textiles made in India with a share of 17 per cent, followed by the EU, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, UAE, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Brazil and South Korea, respectively, Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) will start receiving from this year information relating to financial accounts held by Indians in Swiss banks, government said Wednesday. Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, said such information may include details about persons allegedly involved in corruption. has been long perceived as one of the safest havens for illicit wealth allegedly stashed abroad by some Indians. Singh said the India- tax treaty facilitates receipt of information on request basis for cases under investigation. "In addition, from 2019, will receive on automatic basis, information in respect of financial accounts held by Indian residents in Switzerland. The information received on request or on automatic basis may include information about persons allegedly involved in corruption," he said. At the same time, Singh added that the information received is governed by the confidentiality provisions of the tax treaty between the two countries. In 2016, and Switzerland signed a joint declaration relating to automatic exchange of information relating to tax. India has given USD 72.1 million to Palestine in a bid to aid developing projects through capacity building and budgetary support, the Lok Sabha was told Wednesday. Minister of State in the External Affairs Ministry V K Singh told the Lower House that the major projects being undertaken at present in Palestine include setting up of the Institute of Diplomacy, India-Palestine technology park, hospital, women empowerment center, printing press and schools. "We have also extended a budgetary support of USD 30 million. India has also been contributing annually to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The contribution has been enhanced from USD 1.25 million to USD 5 million per annum from 2018," Singh said in a written response. India has extended project assistance to Palestine to the the tune of nearly USD 72.1 million, which includes the USD 42.1 million announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stand-alone visit in February last year. "We continue to maintain our relationship with Palestine through regular high-level exchanges to convey our steadfast political support to the Palestinian cause. We are also extending financial support for Palestinian nation-building through capacity building, project assistance and budgetary support," he said. In September 2017, India had supported Palestine's bid of membership to the Interpol. "We supported the resolution on the 'Status of Jerusalem' in the UN General Assembly on December 21, 2017. Recently, India voted in favour of a resolution on 'Protection of the Palestinian civilian Population' in the UNGA on June 13, 2018 as well as on the resolution on 'Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian territory'," he said. The high-level meetings helped diversify the bilateral engagement with Palestine into several areas that include education, health, sports, agriculture, information and communication technology, youth affairs and security, the minister of state added. To a question whether there is any proposal to send a delegation to Palestine in the coming months, Singh replied "no". Replying to a separate question on the UK's announcement on immigration rules, Singh said the UK High Commission in New Delhi, in its note verbale dated July 9 to the MEA, stated that Indian students would face no difference in procedures compared to the previous years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday 'India First' was the simple mantra guiding his government's foreign policy as it went about setting the global narrative on several issues. He also said the cross-LoC surgical strikes targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan two years ago showcased the country's ability to deal with terrorism "in a language the terrorists understand". Modi reaffirmed his promise of bringing back black money stashed in tax havens and to punish those who had it. Addressing BJP workers in different towns of Andhra Pradesh through the NaMo App, the prime minister noted that India emerged as a global leader because of the 130 crore people of the country. "Our foreign policy is based on the simple mantra of India First. Forget being left out of the global narrative, India is now setting the global narrative on several issues. "It's not because of me. It is due to each and everyone of the country who elected a government with full majority. It is the nation and people's interests that are dictating India's foreign policy," Modi said, responding to a question by a party worker of Narsapuram. The prime minister said while attending his first G20 Summit he spoke of the need for the world to come together to fight black money in order to guarantee a better life to millions of people and how the issue later found resonance at several global forums. Noting that India entered into agreements with many countries to secure real-time information on tainted money, Modi asserted "black money would be brought back and those who have black money will be punished". Referring to terrorism, the prime minister said the world had now acknowledged that India was a victim of terrorism for at least four decades. "We in India want peace. We also know how to deal with terrorists in a language they understand," he declared, adding the surgical strikes were an example of that. "Not only did we carry out the surgical strikes but we also got the full support of many nations from across the world for our actions," he said. Apart from being important for security, the foreign policy was also important for the economy, the prime minister noted. "For the first time in 20 years, our country has crossed China in Foreign Direct Investment. Our 75 bn USD worth currency swap agreement with Japan shows how strong friendship with other nations also means great economic benefits," he said. Modi recalled a recent letter he got from a citizen who said all schemes of his government revolved around security. "National, internal, physical, financial, health.... security against uncertainties of life. There are many dimensions to the concept of security. We have worked on all of them," he said. Modi said his government ensured proper security to the country and its citizens but its work on security went beyond national and internal security. "Think of women's safety and security. We have gone to the extent of making provisions for death penalty for certain crimes against women. The provision of death sentence for rape of a girl child under 12 years is a landmark move," he noted. Beyond just physical security, the government also concentrated on financial security for all, he said, referring to schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, Sukanya Samruddhi Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana and PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana. Health security, he said, had emerged as the biggest need for the country and it was only when the health needs of people were taken care of can they achieve great deeds for the nation. Calling his government's health insurance scheme 'Ayushman Bharat' a game changer, the prime minister said now the poor no longer needed to suffer health problems because they could not afford treatment. They can get treated at best hospitals for free, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) MOBILE, Ala. The Department of Defense has awarded Austal USA, as the prime contractor, a $21 million order against a previously awarded Basic Ordering Agreement to accomplish the post-shakedown availability (PSA) execution for the littoral combat ship USS Manchester (LCS 14), the company said in a Dec. 23 release. This effort encompasses all of the manpower, support services, material, nonstandard equipment and associated technical data and documentation required to prepare for and accomplish the USS Manchester PSA. The work to be performed will include correction of government responsible trial card deficiencies, new work identified between custody transfer and the time of PSA, and incorporation of approved engineering changes that were not incorporated during the construction period which are not otherwise in the building yards responsibility under the ship construction contract. This order is evidence of the Navys confidence in Austal USA to provide significant post delivery services and support for the LCS fleet, said Austal USA President, Craig Perciavalle, and it directly supports our growth strategy in the service business in San Diego, and Mobile, as we continue to support an ever-growing fleet of small surface combatants. With nine ships delivered, five under construction and five more under contract, Austal USA is proving to be a major player in the Navys plan for a 355-ship fleet. The Independence-variant LCS, along with Austal USAs expeditionary fast transport, are designed, constructed and well positioned to meet the needs of the fleet today and into the future. Gladstone Police Department(GLADSTONE, Oregon) -- It's almost like he planned to get caught. An Oregon man was arrested last week for trying to steal a bike that was locked up at the front door of a police station in Gladstone, about 10 miles south of Portland. The Gladstone Police Department caught it on surveillance video. The footage shows suspect Adam Valle, 26, wearing a mask as he cuts the lock off the bike with a bolt cutter, just before Sgt. Matt Okerman walks out to confront him. Its dumb, you know, Sgt. Carl Bell of the Gladstone Police Department told ABC News. I have not actually seen something that blatant because the officers were inside watching on video camera. The camera that you see is actually in our office. Bell said that when asked why he would try to steal a bike in front of a police station, Valle would not answer. Valle was arrested on Dec. 27 and charged with theft, criminal mischief and felon in possession of weapons, Bell said, adding that he had been found guilty of drug possession in 2014. He said that Valle was released the next day after setting up a later court date. People stealing bikes isnt rare; its just where he did it at this time kind of caught everyone off guard, kind of made us chuckle a little bit, you know, Bell said. Valle did not immediately respond to ABC News request for comment and it's unclear if he has a lawyer Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The opposition Grand Alliance in Bihar has agreed to give as many as four seats to former Union minister Upendra Kushwahas Rashtriya Lok Samata Party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, double the number it was offered by the BJP-led NDA, a senior party leader claimed on Wednesday. The RLSP leader, who requested anonymity, said the deal has been finalized after Kushwahas recent meeting with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad at Ranchi followed by negotiations with the Congress both of which are major constituents of the Grand Alliance. The opposition coalition in Bihar also comprises former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhis Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM). A formal announcement will be made for all seats, to be fought by respective Grand Alliance constituents, after January 14 when the inauspicious month of Kharmaas comes to an end. But we can confirm that the RLSP has been given Karakat, which is the sitting seat of Kushwaha, besides Motihari and Gopalganj, the RLSP leader said. He said senior leader Dasai Chaudhary is likely to be the candidate from Gopalganj while the partys national general secretary and chief spokesman Madhaw Anand may contest from Motihari. Notably, Anand was given the charge of organizing the partys open convention in Motihari last month where Kushwaha had declared a war on NDA leadership a few days ahead of announcing his resignation from the Union Council of Ministers and severing of ties with the BJP-led coalition in New Delhi. Besides, we are negotiating for the fourth seat which will be contested by our sitting MP from Sitamarhi Ram Kumar Sharma. He had initially expressed the desire to fight from some other constituency following which Kushwaha had settled down for Ujiyarpur but of late Sharma has begun to have second thoughts, the RLSP leader said. We had also expressed the desire, initially, to have Jehanabad, which was contested and won by our party in 2014. But we later gave up the idea. We hope to get one more seat in the neighbouring Jharkhand, he added. Jehanabad is represented by Arun Kumar, who was suspended from the RLSP more than two years ago following which he has floated his own outfit. Kumar struck a few sympathetic notes for Kushwaha when the latter went on a collision course with the NDA but the two have not patched up and, it is believed, his fledgling party may become yet another constituent of the Grand Alliance. A seat is Jharkhand is being demanded for Kushwahas close aide and RLSP working president Nagmani. The RLSP has suffered many fissures upon its exit from NDA in protest against the coalitions failure to heed its demand for a respectable share of seats and alleged attempts by Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar to poach its legislators. The party, which came into being in 2013 when Kushwaha walked out of the JD(U), has two members in the legislative in the assembly and one in the council all of whom have declared their intention to remain in the NDA and intentions to move the Election Commission seeking recognition as the real RLSP. Besides, the partys national vice-president and former minister Bhagwan Singh Kushwaha joined the JD(U) last week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There is no joy in any death in a counter-insurgency operation, be it of security personnel or a militant, Jammu and Kashmir police chief Dilbagh Singh said Wednesday. Addressing an annual press conference here, Singh, who took over as director general of police (DGP) in September last year, said the number of incidents of violence in Kashmir was higher in 2018 compared to the previous year as terror groups in Pakistan kept the pot boiling by pushing in militants from across the border. However, he said any death during counter-insurgency operations, be it of a militant, security force personnel or a civilian, was nothing to boast about. "Despite our efforts, some youth joined the militancy and some were killed also. We feel sad about it, we regret it. It is no source of joy for us. We are in an atmosphere of violence and violence begets violence. "In such circumstances, we have to undertake counter-insurgency operations. Whether a militant, a soldier, a policeman or a civilian gets killed in such operations, it cannot be something to be lauded. It would not be good if it is considered as a success," he said. Singh said while statistically, the large number of militants killed during the past year might be a success, it was sad that several security force personnel were also killed. He said 91 security force personnel, including 45 police personnel and 30 soldiers, were killed in the Valley last year. As many as 44 civilians were also "brutally" killed by the militants during the year, the DGP said. Singh said security forces undertook 97 counter-insurgency operations last year out of which 83 operations were clean with no collateral damage. "The number of incidents of violence were more in 2018 compared to the previous year. It was more because of the attempts by the country across the border to instigate the youth ... These attempts continued in full flow through the year," he said. The police chief said attempts to lure local youths into militancy continued even as Pakistan-based terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad continued to infiltrate their cadre into the Valley. Referring to the some of the allegations against high-handedness of police, he said, "There were some aberrations and we will try to address those issues. We had lot of support from the people and would like to thank them for it." On the policing front, Singh said the profile of police constabulary was changing as more and more educated youth were joining the force. "During my recent visit to Kathua, I saw two PhD, 125 post graduates and 300 graduates undergoing training as constable. We have more educated youth joining the force and it will reflect in policing," he said. The DGP said the department is planning to have a woman component of police personnel at all police stations to encourage female complainants to approach them. While police personnel make all efforts to be friendly with the people, "we would also expect the people to be friendly with us. The cops should be spared the brickbats, which are generally showered on us," Singh said. He said the internet shutdowns during law and order situations had become a compulsion. "We know people suffer, our own communication suffers but there have been instances where minor issues were blown out of proportion using social media, which is a uncontrolled and unguided tool available to everybody. We will still try to minimise the internet shutdowns. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, M K Sinha Wednesday called upon personnel to make exhaustive efforts to thwart the nefarious designs of terrorists. He also directed police officials to ensure a sustained drive against the menace of drugs and narcotics. Sinha, recently took over as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) of the Jammu Zone. In his new year message, the officer said that "the main initiatives (of the police) would include strenuous efforts to thwart the nefarious designs of terrorists, anti-infiltration measures". The officer hoped that 2019 will "usher in peace and prosperity for our Jammu and Kashmir". The police shall work with great zeal not only to detect and prevent crime but also to keep the Jammu zone peaceful, Sinha said. He also said that he would try at all times that his team works with the highest ethical and professions standards so that the public confidence in the police is further enhanced. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Honduras on Tuesday discussed with Israel and the United States moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a controversial initiative that follows similar gestures by Washington, officials said. In a meeting with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, "it was agreed to strengthen political relations and coordinate cooperation on development in Honduras," read a joint statement by Honduras, Israel and the US. "They also agreed to pursue a plan of action, which includes meetings in their three respective capitals, to advance in the process of the decision to open embassies in both Tegucigalpa and Jerusalem." The meeting took place in Brasilia on the sidelines of the presidential inauguration of new Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Last year, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move its embassy there. Months later, Guatemala followed suit. Bolsonaro said during his presidential campaign that he would switch Brazil's embassy but without offering details. The Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, but Israel asserts that all of Jerusalem is its capital and is keen to see foreign embassies move there to bolster that claim. Most countries, however, back Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to settle Jerusalem's status as part of a wider peace deal. Brazil's meat producers are worried that an embassy move could threaten $1 billion in exports to Arab countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following the IMD's 'orange warning' of heavy snowfall and rain in Himachal Pradesh from January 4 to 6, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) Wednesday said it is fully ready to deal with any eventuality. Talking to PTI, Special Secretary, Disaster Management, D C Rana said the state and district control rooms have been put on a state of readiness to deal with any eventuality in view of the advisory. Tourists and general public have been advised to avoid the higher reaches in the coming days to avoid any untoward incident, he added. Several high reaches of the state, including the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti, Kothi in Kullu district and Kalpa in Kinnaur district received fresh snowfall Wednesday, Meteorological Centre, Shimla, Director Manmohan Singh said. Cold winds were blowing and the sky was overcast in several parts of the state, including Shimla, he added. The lowest temperature in the state was recorded in Lahaul and Spiti's administrative centre Keylong at minus 4.6 degrees Celsius from 5.30 pm Tuesday to 8.30 am on Wednesday, Singh said, adding that the minimum temperature in Kalpa was minus 3.4 degrees Celsius and minus 1.1 degree Celsius in Kufri. During the same period, the minimum temperature in state capital Shimla was 3.7 degrees Celsius, while it was 0.6 degree Celsius in Manali and 0 degree Celsius in Dalhousie, he said. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Tuesday issued a warning of heavy rain and snowfall in most parts of Himachal Pradesh due to western disturbances, especially on Friday and Saturday, the Met centre director said. He asked the authorities concerned to be prepared as heavy rain and snowfall might block roads and cause landslides, especially in regions of high and mid hills. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Drug firm Hetero Wednesday said its European subsidiary Amarox has acquired Spain-based Tarbis Farma from Grupo Ferrer Internacional for an undisclosed amount. Commenting on the development, Hetero Labs Executive Director A V Narasa Reddy said: "This acquisition fits well with Hetero's growth strategy in EU giving Amarox a platform to reach out to the customers in a robust way with the present portfolio and Hetero's pipeline of products." The company, however, did not provide any financial details of the acquisition. Tarbis Farma comes with a robust product portfolio and an extensive marketing network with well-experienced personnel in retail business across Spain, Hetero said. The acquisition enables Hetero with a strong front-end marketing presence giving Amarox the required commercial infrastructure, product portfolio, manpower and a seamless entry into the retail, hospital and tender business channels in Spain, it added. Hetero currently has 36 manufacturing facilities worldwide and has presence in over 126 countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 6,100 people have died in India due to heat wave in the last nine years, the Lok Sabha was told Wednesday. In a written response to a question, Minister of Earth Sciences Harsh Vardhan said 2017 witnessed 375 deaths caused by heat waves, of which 236 were in Andhra Pradesh and 100 in Telangana. Twenty deaths were reported in 2018. In 2010, 269 people had died due to heat wave, followed by 2011 (12), 2012 (729), 2013 (1,433), 2014 (548), 2015 (2,081), 2016 (700), 2017 (375) and 2018 (20), he said. The minister said a latest study has showed that heat waves have increased in many parts of the country, adding that in India, the heat wave conditions are generally experienced during the period between March and July. "As an adaptive measure, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in collaboration with state health departments have started a heat action plan in many parts of the country to forewarn about heat waves and advise on action to be taken," he said. Vardhan said the heat action plan is a comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events. "The plan presents immediate and longer-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing and response coordination to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations," he also said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court Wednesday on its own impleaded the Income Tax department to find out the assets and liabilities of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa in an appeal filed by two persons in the case related to the administration of the late leader's properties. Since, the value of the properties left behind by the deceased runs to hundred crores of rupees, a proper administration was required by the order of this court, the petitioners--K Pugazhenthi and P Janakiraman--both claiming to be members of the AIADMK party, said. A single judge had rejected the claim of suppression of facts and hence, the present appeal. The court had earlier on its own impleaded J Deepa and J Deepak, the niece and nephew of the former chief minister, as respondents in the appeal. Counsel for Deepak Wednesday submitted before a division bench of Justices N Kirubakaran and Abdul Quddhose that Income Tax authorities had filed a tax case before the high court, questioning an order passed by the lower authorities. The court impleaded the I-T department to find out the assets and liabilities of the late leader. It also on its own impleaded the Enforcement Directorate and the state government's Tamil Development and Information Department and posted the case for hearing to January 7. Jayalalithaa died on December 5, 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court has dismissed a batch of 40 petitions challenging the land acquisition for the Mass Rapid Transit System project here, clearing an eight-year-old roadblock in completion of the final 500 metres of the Velachery-St Thomas Mount extension. However, the court said the petitioners were free to pursue the remedy available to them under the Right to Fair Compensation Act if they were not happy with the compensation awarded for their land. The project, which covers a distance of 5 km, will provide a link to suburban and metro rail services to commuters in the city. About 98 per cent of the work covering a distance of 4.5 km has been completed, and what remains is about 0.5 km. The acquisition of private lands for the incomplete portion was challenged in the petitions. Dismissing the petitions, Justice N Seshasayee said, "This controversy is not unfamiliar to this court, neither are the petitioners new visitors in its corridors." "And, it must be recorded that the anxiety of the petitioners to save their land from acquisition has met its match in the attitude of the government authorities, which ranged anywhere from being lackadaisical to being indifferent, if the sporadic acts of seriousness in taking the project forward is ignored," he said. The judge also said as a result, "a dispute that ought to have concluded at least three years ago has become a nursery for litigations. The issue started when the Tamil Nadu government issued a G.O (government order) in connection with the project in 2010. Since then, a number of pleas have been moved challenging the acquisition process." Time and again, the high court has dismissed pleas with directions to the authorities to follow procedures under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, he said. However, as the authorities failed to follow the due process of law, it resulted in a series of litigations, including the present batch of pleas, Justice Seshasayee said. Pointing this out, the judge said there is in display an utter lack of professionalism in ignoring a critical factor that directly affects the discharge of statutory responsibility, namely the commencement of the Right to Fair Compensation Act. What puzzles this court is, why, despite this its direction to issue notices under the Right to Fair Compensation Act, 2014, notices were again wrongly issued under the old Act, he said. It should not be forgotten that this court was informed during the arguments, that there would be an annual cost escalation of about 5 to 6 per cent for every year's delay, the judge said. "Who pays this differential cost occurring due to such escalation? Aren't we, the people of this country who pay? And, are we not called upon to pay for the lapses of the unprofessional authorities," he said. Finally, he noted that the petitioners had gambled on the statute, but this time, their optimism, perhaps founded on their earlier successes, appears to have deserted them as their attitude reflects an over-ambitious pursuit. "Plainly, they appear to be keen to hold the entire project to ransom, and create causes out of their ingenuity to defeat the public purpose behind the project," Justice Seshasayee said. "Now, if they feel aggrieved by the inadequacy of the compensation now awarded, they are free to pursue the remedy available to them under the Act," the judge added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a committee headed by the Punjab Chief Secretary to examine whether the state could discontinue its scheme for providing free power to cow shelters when it was collecting 'cow cess' from citizens. The Congress government had discontinued free electricity scheme in 2017 which was started by the previous SAD-BJP dispensation for registered 'gaushalas' (cow shelters). The High Court recently directed the committee comprising state chief secretary and chairman of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited to look into the matter in a time-bound manner. According to Punjab Gau Sewa Aayog, there are 425 registered 'gaushalas' in the state. The HC's directions came on petitions filed among others by the 'Jai Mata Vaishno Gaushala Society', Punjab which had submitted before the court that despite provision for free electricity to registered gaushalas, recovery of pending dues was ordered. The committee headed by the State Chief Secretary has been ordered by the court of Justice Rajan Gupta to examine the matter the directions are in continuation of an earlier order by the court, advocate Adarsh Jain, counsel for the Society, said on Wednesday. The counsel argued that the state was collecting cow cess from citizens, yet free electricity was not provided to registered cow shelters. The state counsel assured the court that recovery of dues would not be ordered as of now and power supply would also not be disconnected till a decision was taken. The opposition BJP in Punjab had targeted the ruling Congress over the issue. A few months back, Union minister and BJP leader Vijay Sampla had accused the state government of discontinuing free electricity scheme to 'gaushalas'. Sampla had said that Punjab government has accumulated around Rs 50 crore from cow cess and still the PSPCL had stopped free electricity supply to gaushalas. Sampla had questioned the state government as to why PSPCL was sending power bills to the registered cow shelters in the state despite getting cow cess on electricity bills. The bills should have been waived according to the state policy, he had said. The state government was collecting cow cess on purchase of new vehicles, bikes, booking halls in marriage palaces, cement bags, etc. It is collected by various government departments, besides urban local bodies. The cow cess is levied at rate of Rs 1,000 on the purchase of four wheeler, Rs 500 on purchase of two wheeler, 2 paisa per unit of electricity consumption, Rs 1,000 on booking of AC hall of marriage palace, Rs 500 on booking of non-AC hall, Re 1 per cement bag, Rs 10 per bottle of Indian Made Foreign Liquor and Rs 5 per bottle on Punjab Medium Liquor, an official of Department of Local Government, Punjab, said. In a year, the total power bill of registered cow shelters was around Rs 4.57 crore, Punjab Gau Sewa Aayog officials claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BATH, Maine The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) a contract to build a fifth DDG 51 destroyer as part of the multiyear award announced in September, the company said in a Dec. 21 release. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is a business unit of General Dynamics. In the most recent multiyear competition, BIW was awarded four ships. The Navy held a separate competition for an option ship as part of its commitment to growing the fleet. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer will be funded in the fiscal 2019 budget. Bath Iron Works is privileged to continue producing state-of-the-art surface combatants for the longest running naval shipbuilding program in our nations history, said Dirk Lesko, president of BIW. This award demonstrates the vital role the DDG 51 plays in the security posture of the United States and the confidence the Navy has in our shipyard to produce these important assets. There are currently five DDG 51 destroyers in production at BIW: Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), John Basilone (DDG 122), Harvey C. Barnum (DDG 124) and Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127). The shipyards backlog includes Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126) and the five ships that are part of the multiyear contract awarded this fall. BIW also is building the third Zumwalt-class destroyer, Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002). The government Wednesday gave out the 6-croreth free cooking gas (LPG) connection as the scheme to make available cleaner fuel in every household kitchens runs ahead of schedule. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu handed over papers for an LPG connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) - which was launched on May 1, 2016, with a target to give 5 crore connections by March 2019 - to a Muslim lady Jasmina Khatoon from Shivpark, Khanpur in the national capital. The target was later raised to 8 crore connections by 2021 and now envisages giving all households a connection. Speaking on the occasion, Naidu termed the scheme as revolutionary and "possibly the world's biggest poverty alleviation programme." The scheme together with a government push to replace polluting firewood in kitchens has led to LPG coverage rising to almost 90 per cent of the population from 55 per cent in May 2014, he said. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said as many as 23 crore refills or about 4 cylinders of 14.2-kg each have been bought by PMUY beneficiaries in a year, thereby rejecting criticism of the scheme that households reverted to firewood and other mediums of cooking once the initial free LPG cylinder was exhausted. Under the scheme, the government provides a subsidy of Rs 1,600 to state-owned fuel retailers for every free LPG gas connection that they give to poor households. This subsidy is intended to cover the security fee for the cylinder and the fitting charges. The beneficiary has to buy her own cooking stove. To reduce the burden, the scheme allows beneficiaries to pay for the stove and the first refill in monthly installments. However, the cost of all subsequent refills has to be borne by the beneficiary household. Last month, the government extended PMUY to all poor households. The scheme originally targeted giving free LPG connections to mostly rural women members of below the poverty line (BPL) households. The list was later expanded to include all SC/ST households, forest dwellers, most backward classes, inhabitants of islands, nomadic tribes and tea estates among others. The step will further increase penetration of LPG to 100 per cent households, he said. The World Health Organisation hailed PMUY as decisive intervention by the government to facilitate the switch to clean household energy use, thereby addressing the problems associated with Indoor Household Pollution. Incidentally, the 5-croreth free LPG connection under the scheme too was given to a Muslim lady, Takrdiran, a resident of Sangam Vihar of the national capital, in August last year by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. Naidu said that the Indian economy is striving fast to become the third largest economy of the world, and the schemes like PMUY deal with the social aspect of the growth story, by its inclusiveness. He said that the Prime Minister has called for 'Reform, Perform and Transform' and this initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is a giant step in transforming the lives of the people. It not only tackles the health and environmental problems due to household smoke but also empowers the women and restores control to them over their destiny. Pradhan said, only 13 crore cooking gas connections were given in the first 50 years since the launch of LPG and almost a similar number of connections have been given out by the present government in last 54 months. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government on Wednesday introduced an amendment bill in Lok Sabha to provide legal backing for voluntary seeding of biometric Aadhaar ID with mobile numbers and bank accounts after the Supreme Court barred mandatory use of the 12-digit unique identifier by private firms. As the Oppositions raised concerns, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that the proposed amendment is in compliance with the Supreme Court judgement and that there will be no infringement of privacy. He also said that the government has prepared a data protection bill and it will be introduced in Parliament soon. "Let me clarify at the outset that the proposed amendment is done in compliance with the Supreme Court judgement. It (linking) is not mandatory at all," he said. Regarding privacy issue, he said privacy is "not being invaded at all" from these amendments. The parallel authentication norms is there to safeguard privacy issues, he added. "We should not forget that Aadhaar has led to saving of Rs 90,000 crore" through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), the minister said, adding multilateral organisations such as World Bank and IMF have hailed Aadhaar as a unique innovation of India. Objections were raised on the bill by Shashi Tharoor (INC), Saugata Roy (Trinamool Congress) and N K Premachandran (RSP). Opposing the bill, Roy said that the proposed amendments infringe the Supreme Court judgement on Aadhaar matter. The proposed amendment will circumvent that judgement and it was brought without stakeholders' consultation, he claimed, adding "the bill should not be introduced". Tharoor said that the bill is in violation of the apex court judgement. "The bill is premature because first we need enactment of data protection law," he said asking "where is the draft" of the data protection law. "The bill must be withdrawn and revised," he added. Endorsing these views, Premachandran alleged that the bill infringes the right of privacy. The Minister said these objection are "misplaced" and "we are not violating the Supreme Court" judgement. The bill to amend the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 and another bill to amend the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 was introduced in Lok Sabha amid ruckus by members of AIADMK and TDP over various issues. The Lok Sabha Speaker immediately adjourned the House till 2 PM after the introduction of these bills. In December 2018, the Union Cabinet had approved amending the existing Aadhaar law. The Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved amendments to the Telegraph Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the Supreme Court in September imposed restrictions on the use of Aadhaar by private companies. The two Acts are being amended to provide for voluntary sharing of the 12-digit identification number for obtaining new mobile phone connections and for the opening of bank accounts. The changes in the relevant sections of the Telegraph Act and PMLA will be effected through the original Aadhaar Act. Under the amendments, an Aadhaar holder can opt for offline verification through QR code and will not require to share his or her actual Aadhaar number. The Supreme Court had struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act that made seeding of the biometric ID with SIMs and bank accounts mandatory, saying it had no legal backing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government Wednesday gave its ex post facto approval to India's negotiating stand at the recent climate change summit in Poland. The 24th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Katowice in Poland during December 2-15 and the Indian delegation was led by Union Minister Harsh Vardhan. "This is in continuation to the earlier approval dated November 28, 2018," an official statement said. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its ex post facto approval to the Indian delegation's approach. The key focus of the summit was to finalise guidelines for the implementation of the Paris Agreement in the post-2020 period. At the summit, negotiators from nearly 200 countries finalised a set of rules that will make the 2015 Paris deal to curb global warming operational in 2020. The outcome of the talks in the mining city of Katowice is to limit the rise of global temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius. The official statement said India's approach was guided by principles and provisions of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, particularly the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capability (CBPR-RC). "India reiterated its commitment to the Paris Agreement and highlighted its leadership during the COP-24 by reuniting its promise to implement the Paris Agreement fully in a collective manner," the statement added. It said that in line with India's traditional ethos of protecting the environment, the government has taken several initiatives to address climate change concerns and these initiatives reflect India's commitment towards climate action. The push for renewable energy leading to achieving about 74 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, including about 24 GW from solar, leading the world in its pursuit of enhanced solar energy capacity through the International Solar Alliance and energy efficiency measures are some of the examples, it said. "It is, however, important to ensure that the actions of developing countries are supported by sustained and adequate means of implementation, including finance, capacity building and technological support, by developed countries. "The adopted guidance operationalises the obligation of developed countries in providing means of implementation to developing countries and requires developed countries to provide detailed information to bring clarity on projected levels of climate finance. Parties have also agreed to initiate the work on setting up the new collective finance goals post-2020 from the floor of USD 100 billion," it added. The statement said the country's long-term interests have been protected but also added that India has, however, expressed reservations on the Global Stocktake (GST) decision regarding the need for considerations of equity in output of GST process as per the mandate of the Paris Agreement to ensure that vulnerabilities, problems and challenges of the poor and marginalised are addressed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government has cancelled the letter of intent granted to a consortium led by HSMC Technologies India for setting up the country's first electronic chip manufacturing plant, Parliament was informed Wednesday. With this, the government is left with no proposal to set up any manufacturing plant for electronic chips, which are known as the heart of modern devices and considered strategic important in cyberspace. "The government, on the recommendation of the empowered committee (EC) constituted for the purpose of setting up of Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication (FAB) manufacturing facilities in the country, cancelled the LoI issued to the consortium led by M/s HSMC Technologies India Pvt Ltd on April 20, 2018," Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology S S Ahluwalia said in Lok Sabha. He said the consortium could not submit the requisite documents as per the LoI, despite being provided extension of time on multiple occasions. This consortium intended to set up the semiconductor wafer fabrication facility in Gujarat, while another consortium led by Jaiprakash Associates Ltd had proposed to establish the plant in Uttar Pradesh. "As per the LoI, both the consortia were required to submit the documents for demonstration of commitment. The consortium led by M/s. Jaiprakash Associates Ltd withdrew the proposal," Ahluwalia said. Both the plants were to be set up with an investment of around Rs 63,000 crore. "The Government of Gujarat has informed that it is willing to support any investor intending to set up chip fabrication facility. However, considering the investment required and technology-intensive nature of the industry, the Government of Gujarat does not intend to do it by itself," Ahluwalia said. He said the Centre has approved incentives for a project of Mundra Solar PV Ltd to set up a 1.2-gigawatt solar photovoltaic modules manufacturing facility at Adani Ports Special Economic Zone in Gujarat with a proposed investment of Rs 4,837 crore in three phases. In response to a separate question, Ahluwalia said electronics hardware production in the country has increased from Rs 1,90,366 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 3,87,525 crore in 2017-18, registering a compound annual growth rate of 26.7 per cent. The minister said that the government is also working on a national policy on electronics to promote domestic manufacturing and export of the electronics sector to achieve a turnover of USD 400 billion by 2025. "This will include targeted production of 1 billion mobile handsets by 2025, valued at USD 190 billion (approximately Rs 13 lakh crore), including 600 million mobile handsets valued at USD 110 billion (about Rs 7 lakh crore) for export," Ahluwalia said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gold worth over Rs 110 crore was seized from smugglers by customs officials at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport during the last year, according to an official statement issued Wednesday. A total of 340 cases of gold smuggling, an increase of 58 per cent as compared to the cases filed in 2017, were registered by the customs in 2018, it said. In these, 402.48 kilograms of gold, valuing Rs 113.83 crore, were seized and 262 persons were arrested, the statement issued by the customs said. There were 57 cases of smuggling of foreign currencies during the year, in which forex worth Rs 22.27 crore were seized. A total of 38 persons were arrested in these cases, it said. In 2017, there were 215 cases of gold smuggling at the Delhi airport. The customs officials seized 242.5 kilograms of the yellow metal in these cases and arrested 143 people. In 35 cases of forex smuggling during 2017, a total of 18 persons were arrested and foreign currencies worth Rs 10.75 crore were seized. "A comparative analysis reveals that there was a 58 per cent increase in the number of gold smuggling cases booked which resulted in a 65.90 per cent increase in the quantity of smuggled gold seized," the Delhi customs said. Similarly, a 62.85 per cent increase in the number of foreign currency cases booked resulted in a 107.05 per cent increase in the value of foreign currency seized, it said. "The increase in gold smuggling cases show that people still consider it as a safe investment option. There is a strong need to deter people's love for gold," a senior customs official said. There was also seizure of narcotics at the Delhi airport in the last year. "Whereas there were no cocaine seizures during 2017, three foreign nationals were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, during 2018. These cases involved the seizure of 2.35 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately Rs 13.50 crore in the international narcotics market," the customs department said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gold prices edged up by Rs 30 to Rs 32,500 per 10 gram at the bullion market here Wednesday due to a firm trend overseas. Similarly, silver gained Rs 100 to Rs 39,350 per kg on increased demand from industrial units and coin makers. Bullion traders said positive global cues and marginal demand from local jewellers led to the rise in gold prices. On Tuesday, gold shot up by Rs 400 per 10 gram. Globally, gold rose to USD 1,286.57 an ounce, while silver held steady at USD 15.45 an ounce in New York. In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purity rallied by Rs 30 each to Rs 32,500 per 10 gram and Rs 32,350 per 10 gram, respectively. Sovereign gold however remained unchanged at Rs 25,200 per piece of 8 gram. Silver ready advanced by Rs 100 to Rs 39,350 per kg and weekly-based delivery saw a mild rise of Rs 23 to Rs 38,748 per kg. Silver coins, however, remained unchanged at Rs 76,000 for buying and Rs 77,000 for selling of 100 pieces. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil, who had sent notices to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani for allegedly blaming him for the violence against migrant workers, said Wednesday he was "closing the chapter". "Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani has given reply to the legal notices....He replied that he has not released against me nor managed the release in any way," Gohil, Congress' in-charge for Bihar, said on Twitter. "CM in the reply has also stated (he) had no intension to cause any damage to my prestige," Gohil tweeted. He also tweeted a letter he sent to the chief minister. "I close this chapter now....With this reply of yours, I expect that in future you will take special care when you will speak in public. This is because you carry the responsibility of the office of the Chief Minister of Gujarat," Gohil said in the letter. Gohil had sent two legal notices to Rupani after the chief minister allegedly blamed him for the incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking migrant workers. On October 16, Rupani had said in Lucknow that "the Congress in-charge of Bihar" was responsible for the attacks on migrants in Gujarat. The BJP had earlier accused Gujarat Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor for inciting violence against migrant workers. While Gohil is the Congress in-charge for Bihar, Thakor is its 'in-charge secretary' in that state. When asked by reporters if Rupani could be referring to Thakor and not him, Gohil had said, "In Congress, the party appoints only one in-charge for a state, all others are secretaries....If he was not speaking about me, he should clarify." Gujarat witnessed several incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking migrant workers in October last year after a 14-month-old girl was allegedly raped in Sabarkantha district and a man hailing from Bihar was arrested in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa minister Sudin Dhavalikar has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the issue of delay in resumption of iron ore mining operations in the state. Dhavalikar, the seniormost minister in Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's Cabinet, Wednesday said he was hopeful that the Centre would be able to resolve problems of the coastal state's mining industry. "I had assured those dependent on the mining industry that I will take up their issues with the prime minister. So, I have written to the prime minister seeking his appointment," the minister told PTI. "Only the Centre can provide a solution to the current crisis in the mining industry," said Dhavalikar, the leader of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, which is an ally of the ruling BJP in Goa. The mining operations, a key source of revenue to the government, came to a standstill in March last year following a Supreme Court order which quashed 88 mining leases. The BJP-led state government has requested the Centre to amend the existing mining laws during the ongoing session of Parliament so that leases get extended. The Goa Mining People's Front, an umbrella group of mining dependents - whose livelihood has been affected - had recently staged three-day protests in New Delhi demanding resumption of mining activities in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Uttarakhand Law Commission has recommended changes in the state's Protection of Cow Progeny Act to declare the animal mother of the nation. "The cow should be declared Rashtra Mata in the interest of the nation and justice," the state's Law Commission said in its fifth report to the state government, now available to the media. Changes in the 2007 act are also necessary for setting up veterinary centres and shelters for stray cows, and penalising cattle owners in case of cruelty to the animals, the report said. It also suggested setting up call centres and toll-free phone numbers help people report cruelty against stray cows. The Uttarakhand Assembly had also passed a unanimous resolution in September last year, seeking the 'Rashtra Mata' status for the cow. Among other suggestions, the commission recommended revival of the provision for anticipatory bail which was suspended during the Emergency, its chairman Justice Rajesh Tandon said Wednesday. It has also suggested the repeal of several laws that have become obsolete. The laws that the panel wants scrapped mostly go back to the time when Uttarakhand was part of Uttar Pradesh. However, the Uttarakhand High Court has already ruled against the provision that blocked anticipatory bail in the state for those fearing arrest. In an order issued last year, the high court said section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) that relates to anticipatory bail shall be applicable in Uttarakhand as well. The suspension of anticipatory bail goes back to an Uttar Pradesh-specific amendment to the CrPC provision for anticipatory bail. "The provision for anticipatory bail under section 438 of the CrPC was suspended during the Emergency in 1975. But in the present circumstances there is no need to keep it suspended,' Justice Tandon, a former judge of the Uttarakhand High Court, said. "Hence revival of the provision for anticipatory bail before regular bail under Article 21 of the Constitution of India through an amendment is imperative," he said at a press conference. The Article relates to right to life and personal liberty. The recommendation is part of the commission's reports submitted to the state government since the panel's creation in January last year, he said. The commission has submitted nine reports so far, he said. The recommendations, awaiting the state cabinet's approval, have already been presented before Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and the state Law Minister Prakash Pant, he said. The commission has recommended the passage of a Chardham Yatra Act on the lines of the Vaishno Devi Shrine Act, he said. The commission has suggested repeal of laws which have become obsolete and amendments to others to make them more relevant, he said. These include the Uttar Pradesh Advertisement Act, 1981, the Uttarakhand Tax on Entry of Goods into Local Areas Act, 2008, Basic Education Act, 1972, the United Provinces Acquisition of Property (Flood Relief) Act, 1972, The United Provinces Aerial Ropeways Act, 1972. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) James Bond always overcomes seemingly impossible and unexpected challenges. But for all his preparedness, he could have never expected to become embroiled in an Indian Parliament debate. During a heated discussion in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday on the French Rafale aircraft deal, Finance Minister quoted a dialogue by the master spy from a James Bond film. Jaitley appeared to have scored a political point with the cinematic allusion until Opposition Trinamool (TMC) member Saugata Roy called him out to point out that the minister had wrongly put words in Bond's mouth. Attacking chief Rahul Gandhi, Jaitley had said, "James bond has said 'If it is once, it is a happenstance. It can happen. If it is twice, it is a coincidence and if it is thrice, it is a conspiracy.' And, the conspirators of various defence deals today have the audacity to raise an allegation against others." Roy pointed out that Jaitley had misquoted the dialogue from Bond movie "Goldfinger", saying that the actual dialogue was: "If it happens for the first time then it is happenstance, if it happens twice it is coincidence and if it is thrice then it is enemy action." "Jaitleyji, your memory is failing you. If it happens thrice, then it is enemy action and not conspiracy," Roy said. It also turned out that the dialogue was not delivered by Bond, but by his nemesis Goldfinger in the 1964 movie starring Sean Connery as Bond and Gert Frobe as Goldfinger. The TMC MP also nitpicked on Jaitley's pronunciation of the name of former French Jaitley had pronounced it as the country Holland, but in French, it is pronounced as Ollanday. Roy also said the Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had to borrow a member from the Rajya Sabha, who is not even a defence minister, to speak on the Jaitley is a member. Senior Congress leader and former MLA Dr Kalpana Parulekar died on Wednesday at a private hospital here in Madhya Pradesh after a brief illness. She was 67. Parulekar was admitted to the Medanta Hospital in Indore on December 18, the hospital's superintendent Dr Sanjay Geet told PTI. "Her many vital organs had stopped functioning. She breathed her last this morning," he said. Parulekar was suffering from a heart-related ailment since a long time. A few days back she had a kidney problem following which she was put on dialysis, he informed. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath expressed grief over Parulekar's demise. "Got the of sad demise of former MLA Dr Kalpana Parulekar. She was unwell for quite some time. Humble condolences..," Nath said in a tweet. Parulekar, a firebrand leader known for raising several public issues, had earlier represented the Mahidpur Assembly constituency in Ujjain district. She was also jailed for leading violent agitations over some public issues. She was unmarried and is survived by her brothers, a family member said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The five-day Manali Winter Carnival in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district began Wednesday, an official spokesperson said. The popular carnival, one of India's oldest, got underway as chief minister Jai Ram Thakur flagged off the carnival parade from circuit house in Manali after offering prayers at the famous Hidimba Mata temple, the official said. Ahead of the inauguration, Beas Aarti puja was performed at nature park complex in Mohal on Tuesday evening, the official added. Organised annually to attract tourists during the winter season, the carnival provides an opportunity to experience the rich culture of the hill-state, the official said, adding that adequate police personnel were deployed to maintain law and order. Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the festival had gained popularity amongst foreign tourists as well and highlighted that more than 100 Mahila Mandals had participated in the procession. The women groups had promoted different social causes including cleanliness, cow protection, women empowerment and environment conservation among others. Thakur further said that the nation as well as Himachal needed the "visionary leadership" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for another ten years to ensure that India becomes a great power in the world. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Clashes broke out Wednesday between the police and farmers protesting against limestone mining by a private firm near a village in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, leaving several policemen and agitators injured, officials and local residents said. While Bhavnagar Superintendent of Police (SP) P L Mall said four policemen were injured in the clashes, local villagers claimed around 15 people, including women and girls, were wounded. The police lobbed 35 teargas shells and resorted to baton charge to control a large group of farmers demanding that limestone mining by UltraTech Cement Ltd near Bambhor village in Talaja taluka be halted, the SP said. Around 30 villagers were detained, he added. The protesting farmers hailed from 13 villages in the taluka, around 180km from Ahmedabad. Local residents said around 15 people were injured and taken to a nearby hospital in Mahuva town. Villagers joined a protest march and reached near Bambhor, where they tried to disrupt the mining activity, leading to clashes, Mall said. "We fired 35 teargas shells and also used batons to prevent the mob from disrupting the mining activity," he said. A team of around 50 police personnel, including a deputy SP and members of the Special Operations Group and Crime Branch, was deployed at the site since Tuesday in anticipation of disruption by local villagers, the officer said. He said the company had paid for the special security arrangement made at the site by the district police. "At least four police personnel sustained injuries, including a constable who suffered head injuries in the clashes," he said. Around 30 villagers were detained from the site and taken to the nearby Datha Police Station, Mall said. "Protesting the detention, a group of villagers went to the police station and gheraoed it. The police again fired teargas shells and used batons to disperse them," he said. "Some more persons were detained there (outside the police station)," Mall said. The villagers claimed they were protesting in a peaceful way when the police used "unnecessary force" to end their agitation. The villagers said the mining activity would adversely impact farming in the region, which lies close to the Arabian Sea, as it would break the ridge that prevents saline water from seeping into agriculture land. "Thousands of farmers from 13 villages were walking towards the mining site in protest. When they reached the site, a large team of police standing guard started firing teargas shells and baton charged them," said Bharatsinh Vala, a member of the Gujarat Khedut Samaj, a farmer body. "Rest of the villagers walked towards the police station to court arrest when the police again fired teargas shells and used baton against them outside the police station," Vala said. "Many villagers, including women and girls, were injured in the clashes," he said. Vala claimed the villagers had opposed limestone mining in the region during public hearings but the state government gave the go-ahead for the project. The mining site has seen protests in the past too. An e-mail query sent to the company by PTI did not elicit an immediate response. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There was a fall in the number of road rage cases registered by the Delhi Police from 2015 to 2017, the Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday. The Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in a written reply said as many as 53 road rage cases have been recorded in 2018 till November 30. According to the information shared by the minister, in response to a question, 92 road rage cases were registered in 2015; 66 in 2016; and 64 in 2017. In response to another question, he said, steps taken by Delhi Police to check the incidents of road rage in Delhi, include emphasis on beat patrolling, enhancing police presence and patrolling, identification of vulnerable areas, targeted checking of suspicious persons, encouraging public participation through 'Eyes and Ears' Scheme and organising road safety campaigns. As reported by the Delhi Police, its present strength as on December 21 is 77,099 against the sanctioned strength of 89,669 personnel, he said in response to a question on the number of police personnel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Experts at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) have called for replicating across the country a model project in Odisha that resulted in 85 per cent decline in average monthly malaria cases in the state over one year. The malaria control approach project, termed 'Comprehensive Case Management Programme (CCMP)', was started in four districts of Odisha leading to 47 per cent decline in malaria cases between 2015 and 2017. A research paper, 'Improved access to early diagnosis and complete treatment of malaria in Odisha, India', on the outcome of the project was published in the PLOS ONE journal on Wednesday. CCMP, initially implemented in four districts of the state -- Angul, Dhenkanal, Kandhamal and Dolangir -- led to a sharp decline in malaria cases over five years through a control approach that involved mass screening and comprehensive case management. The project was a collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR-NIMR), and the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Odisha. It was funded by the Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva. The CCMP was then implemented across 22 districts of Odisha under an initiative called Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN). WHO's 'Test-Treat-Track' strategy, that urges malaria-endemic countries to scale up diagnostic testing, treatment and surveillance for malaria, was also implemented. Between 2017 and 2018, Odisha recorded 85 per cent decline in malaria cases, as result of which India's burden of the disease decreased by almost 50 per cent, Dr Anup Anvikar, a scientist at ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, said. The programme provided universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment, and improved the quality of services and surveillance, he said. Dr Balram Bhargava, Secretary in the Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR, said India is committed to eradicating malaria by 2030 and there has already been significant progress in bringing down the caseload. "CCMP is a sustainable model for improving access to malaria control tools in hard-to-reach areas. Other states can take a cue from this and intensify efforts towards malaria elimination," he said. Dr Neena Valecha, Director, ICMR-NIMR termed CCMP as a living laboratory that helped in understanding the true picture of malaria in the study areas. It received technical and financial support from Medicines for Malaria Venture, Geneva, the NVBDCP and WHO. Reiterating India's commitment towards malaria elimination by 2030, Dr Neeraj Dhingra, Additional Director, NVBDCP, said the National Framework for Malaria Elimination has already been launched. "There is a need to reach out to people in remote areas in order to control malaria. The Government of India has already distributed Rs 4 crore long-lasting insecticide nets for malaria control. The country has seen a drastic decline in the number of malaria cases and deaths last year," he said. According to WHO, India accounted for four per cent of global malaria cases in 2017 and has made significant progress in bringing down its malaria burden since then. A government data said the total number of malaria cases in 2018 was 3.4 lakh, while it was 8.4 lakh and 11 lakh in 2017 and 2016 respectively. The number of deaths in the country due to malaria too decreased from 331 in 2016 to 194 in 2017 and 41 last year, it stated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former Tennessee priest who was forced from the priesthood in 1989 has died in prison while serving time for a 1999 child rape conviction. The Tennessean reports South Central Correctional Facility officials say 74-year-old Edward McKeown died Sunday of natural causes. He pleaded guilty to repeatedly abusing a 12-year-old boy and was sentenced to 25 years. Prosecutors said then that he had abuse dozens of boys over two decades. McKeown had been ordained in 1970. Then-Bishop Edward U Kmiec has said he was removed from "direct or unsupervised contact with youth" when accused of molestation in 1986. But court records unsealed in 2002 say McKeown was allowed to continue working with children. He was forced from the priesthood in 1989 and went to work at the county juvenile court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said Wednesday every woman has the right to worship at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala. On two women in their 40s entering the shrine and offering prayers in the early hours of Wednesday, the party's politburo member said the LDF government in the state is implementing the Supreme Court judgment. The two women were identified as Kanakadurga and Bindu, both 42 years old. "Every woman has the right to worship if they so wish," Karat told PTI. "(The) two women wanted to worship and they were enabled to do so and given the security required (by the Kerala government)," the CPI(M) leader said. Despite the Supreme Court's verdict on September 28 last year, permitting women in the 10-50 age group, no children or young women in the 'barred' group were able to offer prayers at the shrine following frenzied protests by a section of devotees and some right wing outfits. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Some online and e-commerce companies which were found to be dealing with 'unauthorised' wireless equipment, including boosters, have been directed to ensure compliance with statutory norms, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday. No information regarding purchase of signal boosters of Chinese make has been received by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Communications Minister Manoj Sinha said in a written reply. A total of 101 notices have been issued to entities or individual users of unauthorised boosters and 63 such boosters have been confiscated and deactivated, the minister said. "It has also been found that some online/e-commerce companies are dealing with unauthorised wireless equipment, including boosters. Such companies have been directed to ensure compliance to the licensing/statutory requirements on telecom equipment being sold or purchased," the minister said, adding that directions to this effect have been placed on the telecom department's website. Sinha further said complaints from telecom service providers regarding interference due to unauthorised boosters installed by private entity or individuals are received from time to time. "Such interference complaints by Telecom Service Providers are taken on priority by carrying out/undertaking on the spot monitoring and inspection. The unauthorised boosters so identified/detected are deactivated and notice is served to such individuals/entity," the Minister added. To a separate question, the minister said requests of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd for allotment of 4G spectrum "are under consideration in the department". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The protesting DMK and AIADMK lawmakers have said they are ready to face action for disrupting proceedings of the Rajya Sabha over the Cauvery issue, however, the government is holding hectic parleys to find a solution, sources said Wednesday. With the upper house failing to transact any business, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu Wednesday held meetings with protesting members of various parties and asked the government to find a solution to the Mekedatu dam issue over which AIADMK and DMK members are protesting. Sources said, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vijay Goel has told the protesting lawmakers of the two parties that Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari will discuss the issue with them. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will also talk to them along with Gadkari to reach an amicable solution and meet their demands. The Tamil Nadu parties are protesting in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha against the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka on the Cauvery river, claiming that it will affect farmers in their state. Due to similar disruptions in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspended 26 AIADMK lawmakers for the next five sittings. They frequently interrupted a heated debate on the Rafale fighter jet deal. With the Upper House failing to transact any significant business since the start of the Winter Session on December 11, the chairman has warned of action against the protesting members of the Tamil Nadu parties if they seek to disrupt Rajya Sabha proceedings any further. Tamil Nadu has been protesting the project after the Centre recently asked the Karnataka government to prepare a detailed report for the Mekedatu dam project. The state government has also appealed in the Supreme Court on the matter. The sources said initially the protesting AIADMK and DMK members had agreed to allow the House to function on the government's assurance over the issue. However, they later said their leadership in Tamil Nadu did not agree to mere assurances, they said. Thereafter, the protesting members told Naidu they were ready to face action, including naming by the Chair, the sources said. However, the leader of opposition and other senior leaders said it would not be proper to remove the protesting members from the House with the use of marshals after they are named by the Chair, they said. They have asked for one more chance to be given to the protesting members from the AIADMK and the DMK to resolve their issues, the sources said. Venkaiah Naidu had earlier in the House expressed anguish that the image of the Rajya Sabha was "taking a beating" and warned that action could be taken against members protesting in the Well. He had "earnestly" requested members to cooperate in clearing bills and taking up discussions on issues such as those related to the Rafale deal, agrarian crisis, price rise and effect of cyclones in some states. Naidu said action would be taken against members protesting in the Well, if there is consensus in the House. However, he added that action would be against all members who troop into the Well. "It cannot be selective", Naidu said. The sources said Naidu held two rounds of meetings with leaders of various parties in the Rajya Sabha to ensure the smooth functioning of the house. He also asked the government to find an amicable solution to the Mekedatu issue, they said. The first meeting between Naidu and political parties was held before he released the Rajya Sabha Calendar for 2019, while the second round was held later in the day. Naidu reminded the leaders that only four sittings of the House were left while substantial legislative agenda and issues of public importance awaited consideration of the House. He said these issues included some constitutional matter pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir and some bills on which there was a clear understanding among parties. Some senior leaders of various parties urged MPs from Tamil Nadu to stop disrupting proceedings of the House and assured them that the government will adequately respond to their concerns regarding construction of the proposed Mekadatu dam, the Rajya Sabha chairman said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Picture-postcard Tanjung Lesung was a cornerstone of Indonesia's bid to supercharge its tourism industry, boasting palm-fringed beaches, a towering volcano in the middle of turquoise waters and a rainforest sanctuary for endangered Javan rhinos. But the beachside town now lies in ruins, pummelled by a deadly tsunami that has raised fresh questions about disaster preparedness and the future of a multi-billion-dollar push to replicate Bali's success across the Southeast Asian archipelago. The shattered community was hosting a pop concert when the waves crashed ashore last month, at night and without warning. Several members of the Indonesian band Seventeen and more than 100 others at the Tanjung Lesung Beach Hotel were killed -- about a quarter of those who died in the volcano-triggered tsunami. A clutch of other area hotels was also devastated, with beachside cottages flattened and debris - chairs, tables and the band's audio equipment - scattered everywhere. Tourism minister Arief Yahya, who ordered that the town be rebuilt in six months, brushed aside concerns sparked by the tsunami - which was triggered by a sudden eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano. "Disasters can happen anywhere in Indonesia," he told AFP during a recent visit there. "We need to have (tsunami) early warning systems, especially in tourist destinations. We're going to make that happen." But some are less convinced, especially since disaster monitors became aware of the killer waves after they had already smashed into the coastline along western Java and southern Sumatra. "It's going to be even more difficult to promote (the area), especially now that buildings are destroyed and the volcano is more active," said Tedjo Iskandar, a Jakarta-based travel analyst. About 42 per cent of Indonesia's 14 million foreign tourists headed to the popular resort island of Bali last year, giving a USD 17 billion boost to Southeast Asia's biggest economy. The government picked Tanjung Lesung and nine other locations as part of its "10 New Balis" strategy, a plan unveiled in 2016 with an eye to courting Chinese, Singaporean and other investors as its pushes to hit 20 million tourists annually. The list includes ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples, tropical islands near Jakarta, the Mount Bromo volcano in eastern Java, and a national park that is home to Komodo dragons - the world's biggest lizard. But the killer tsunami has dealt a blow to plans to pump some US 4 billion into Tanjung Lesung. And it is not the only spot in the government's tourism plan to suffer a disaster - natural or man-made - that could scare away tourists. Lombok, next to Bali, was rocked by earthquakes in the summer that killed more than 500 and sparked a mass exodus of foreigners from the tropical paradise. That was weeks after Lake Toba on Sumatra island - also on the "New Bali" list - was the scene of a ferry accident that left almost 200 people missing or dead. In May, Indonesia's second-biggest city Surabaya was hit by suicide bombings carried about by Islamist extremists, while Bali was rocked as the Mount Agung blew its top at the end of 2017. The volcano is 75 kilometres (45 miles) away from tourist areas and the eruption posed little danger to visitors, but it still left hundreds of thousands stranded as flights were cancelled. Indonesia's upbeat tourism numbers plunged in the second half of 2018 after the Lombok quakes, a quake-tsunami disaster on Sulawesi island that killed thousands, and a Lion Air plane crash in October which killed all 189 people on board. Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth, straddling the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. And the frequent disasters it has suffered recently have highlighted the country's woeful state of preparedness. Early warning systems in the city of Palu on Sulawesi - and elsewhere - had not been working since 2012 because of budget shortfalls and bureaucratic bungling. In the latest disaster in the Sunda Strait, Indonesian monitors initially said there was no tsunami threat at all. They were later forced to issue a correction and an apology, pointing to a lack of early warning systems for the high death toll. Jakarta's tourism push may still have a chance, but only if it gets serious about safety, said I Ketut Ardana, head of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies' Bali office. "The (government) needs to better inform locals and tourists so they're prepared when a disaster strikes," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) If you're feeling generous and just can't pass up the opportunity to get me a present, some suggestions are listed here Commerce ministry's Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended anti-dumping duty on a chemical used in paint and printing industries, imported from Brazil, Indonesia, and Thailand for a period of five years. Imposition of the duty would help guard domestic players from cheap imports of 'non-plasticised industrial grade nitrocellulose damped in isopropyl alcohol having nitrogen content in the range of 10.7-12.2 per cent' from the three countries. The recommended duty ranges between USD 0.235- 0.906 per kg. The finance ministry will take the final call to impose the duty. In its findings, the directorate concluded that the product has been exported to India from these nations at below normal values, resulting in dumping of the chemical and hence causing material injury to the domestic industry. "The anti-dumping duty...is recommended to be imposed on all imports of the subject goods originating in or exported from these countries...for a period of five years," DGTR said in a notification. The product is used in the manufacture of auto refinish paints, leather finishing lacquers, nail varnishes, and printing inks. DGTR initiated the probe in April 2018 following a complaint from Nitrex Chemicals India which alleged dumping of the product. Countries carry out anti-dumping probe to determine whether domestic industries have been hurt because of a surge in below-cost imports. As a counter measure, they impose duties under the multilateral regime of WTO. The duty is also aimed at ensuring fair trading practises and creating a level-playing field for domestic producers with regard to foreign producers and exporters. The directorate (earlier known as Directorate General of Anti-dumping and Allied Duties) was constituted in May 2018 as an integrated single window agency for providing comprehensive and swift trade defence mechanism in India. It now deals with anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguard measures. It also provides support to domestic industry and exporters in dealing with instances of trade remedy investigations instituted against them by other countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India will start receiving the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems from Russia from October next year and the deliveries will be completed by April 2023, the government said Wednesday. India inked an agreement with Russia in October last year to procure a batch of the missile systems at a cost of Rs 40,000 crore. "The deliveries will commence from October 2020 and will be completed by April 2023," Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said in Lok Sabha while replying to a question on the contract. India went ahead to seal the deal with Russia not ... Delhi's air quality turned severe on Wednesday due to adverse meteorological conditions that remained unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall air quality index (AQI) in the city reached 420 in the 'severe' category. Twenty-three areas in Delhi recorded 'severe' air quality, while six areas recorded 'very poor' air quality, it said. Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida recorded 'severe' air quality, according to the data. The overall PM2.5 level (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers) was recorded at 291 and the PM10 level at 465 in Delhi, the CPCB said. An AQI between 100 to 200 comes under 'moderate' category, 201 and 300 is considered 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', while that between 401 and 500 is 'severe'. The wind speed is likely to remain "highly unfavourable" for dispersion of pollutants till Wednesday, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IIMT) said. According to experts, even healthy people find it hard to breathe when air quality level is at 'severe' and doctors advise physical activity to be kept at a minimum. In a health advisory, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) asked Delhiites not to rely on common dust masks for protection. The agency has advised people to avoid all outdoor activities, including taking walks. "If the room has windows, close them, if the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option then choose it, avoid burning anything such as wood, candle or even an incense," it said. It has also recommended frequent wet mopping and using masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators only for outdoor activities. "Do not rely on dust masks for protection," the advisory added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Assembly's session starting Thursday is expected to be a stormy one, with BJP and AAP legislators planning to attack each other on a wide range of issues, including controversial demand to strip Rajiv Gandhi of Bharat Ratna. The one-day session is the second part of the ongoing Winter Session that had begun on December 20. A government official said Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain is likely to table the report of the fifth finance commission in the House on Wednesday. Opposition BJP legislators have planned to raise the issue of a resolution involving a ruling party MLA's demand for stripping former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of Bharat Ratna. Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta told reporters that BJP MLAs will strongly protest against deletion of the demand asking the Centre to take back Bharat Ratna from Rajiv Gandhi from the proposal approved by the House in the last meeting. "It is against the sanctity and dignity of the House to tamper with official records. House member MS Sirsa has already submitted notice to the Secretary, Legislative Assembly under Rule-245 and Section 7 (2) (c) to remove the Speaker. The Opposition will demand that the notice be taken up for necessary action," he said. The ruling party has said the demand of its MLA was an amendment to a resolution which was not approved by the House. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's defence sector received Rs 1.21 crore foreign direct investment during 2014-18, Parliament was informed Wednesday. "FDI equity inflow of Rs 12,146,180 has been reported in the sector namely 'Defence Industries' during the period 2014-2018," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. As per the current policy, in defence sector, foreign investment beyond 49 per cent has been permitted through approval route. FDI limit for the defence sector has also been made applicable to manufacturing of small arms and ammunitions covered under Arms Act, 1959. In 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16, defence industries had received USD 0.82 million, USD 0.08 million, and USD 0.10 million foreign inflows, respectively. In 2016-17, the industries had failed to attract any foreign direct investments. The defence industries have attracted a meagre USD 10,000 (about Rs 7 lakh) FDI in 2017-18. Replying to a separate question, the minister said the current trade war between the US and China is likely to have its impact on the imports and exports of other countries, including India and may bring about a shift in their bilateral trading patterns and displacement of their bilaterally traded commodities to other countries. "The retaliatory tariffs between the US and China provides a window of opportunity for enhancing India's exports to China and US, particularly in products in which India is competitive," he added. Imposition of high duties on certain steel and aluminium products by the US has triggered a trade war kind of situation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Croatian police said Wednesday they have arrested a former member of a mafia group sought by Italy, where he was convicted for drugs trafficking. The 72-year-old man was arrested in the capital Zagreb on Monday on a European arrest warrant issued by Italy, where he is to serve a 10-year jail term, an interior ministry statement said. The man was convicted as a "member of a criminal organisation and ... for trafficking of larger quantities of heroine and cocaine." State-run HRT television identified the man arrested as Claudio D'Este, formerly a member of the powerful Venice-based Mala del Brenta mafia group. He lived in Zagreb for more than a decade, HRT reported. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police must get out of the mindset of depicting massage centres and spas as 'brothels', the Madras High Court observed while quashing FIRs registered against their owners. It also said there were rotten apples in every business and action must be taken against them. Justice Anand Venkatesh allowed a batch of petitions and criminal original pleas from various spa and massage centres seeking quashing of FIRs and release of girls (who are therapists) lodged in government homes. In his order recently, the judge also called for the immediate release of staff members. The police's specialised wing to probe cases under the Immoral Trafficking Act does not seem to resort to the provisions of Section 16 of the Act, the judge said. By resorting to this section, there would be a lot of authenticity in their action as information would be provided to the magistrate by placing necessary materials and based on his direction, police could take appropriate action against any spa or massage centre, which indulges in prostitution, he said. "There are rotten apples in every business and stringent action must be taken against them. However, the police must get out of this mindset of painting all the massage centres and spas as brothels," the judge said. The police should conduct the investigation in a more professional manner in accordance with the provisions of the Act and arrangements should be made for maintaining direct observation on the premises and evidence of such observations should be recorded. "The Act was conceived to serve the public a social purpose...to suppress immoral traffic in women and girls, to rescue fallen women and girls and to prevent deterioration in public morals," the judge pointed out. In this case, the victims have filed independent petitions before this court, questioning the action of the police in branding them as prostitutes, the judge said. "The so called confessions taken from the victims is verbatim identical and the magistrate has proceeded to send them all, in a routine manner, to the Home, even without enquiring the genuineness of the facts projected by police," he said. It was high time that the magistrates deal with these types of cases with more sensitivity and ensure that genuine spas and massage centres are not labelled as brothels, the court said. The magistrates must ensure that police have followed the mandatory requirements under Section 15 of the Act, the judge said. This would go a long way in preventing police from misusing the powers under the Act, against the spas and massage centres, the judge said and quashed the FIRs registered against the owners and ordered immediate release of the staff members. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress "misused" the CBI to frame BJP president Amit Shah in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Wednesday, demanding Rahul Gandhi's apology for his party's actions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was reacting to the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court's recent decision acquitting Shah and others in the case. "The Congress plays with the security of the country for its gains. It has become clear from the CBI court's judgment which acquitted all accused and termed it a political conspiracy," Adityanath told reporters here. "Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the country and clear his party's stand on backing a terrorist (Sheikh)," he said, adding that the Congress leadership was involved in a conspiracy to send Shah to jail but the court's judgment had exposed them. "Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and the then PM Dr Manmohan Singh were involved in the conspiracy. The Congress was working in the interest of a terrorist, who was fighting against the country. They did lobbying in his favour and had sent Shah to jail," he said. I express my gratitude to the court for revealing the truth, he said, adding that the way Congress was discharging its political responsibilities was "shameful". The special CBI court in Mumbai had on December 21, 2018 acquitted all 22 accused in the killing of Sheikh, his wife Kausar Bi and his aide Tulsi Prajapati in alleged fake encounters by Gujarat Police between 2005 and 2006 citing insufficient evidence. Shah, who was the minister of state for home in Gujarat at the time, was arrested briefly in 2010 in the case before being discharged in December 2014. Adityanath further said that in 2014, the Supreme Court and earlier the Bombay High Court had acquitted the BJP chief but it was clear that the Congress was targeting Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister's remarks come at a time when the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre is being accused by the Opposition of interfering in CBI affairs. On the AugustaWestland deal, Adityanath alleged that "Christian Michel and others were related to Congress top leadership", while he dismissed the claims made by Rahul Gandhi that he had in his possession a purported audio tape of a Goa minister on the Rafale deal. There was no immediate response from the Congress on the allegations made by the Uttar Pradesh chief minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking a swipe at the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, BJP chief Amit Shah Wednesday said 'Vande Mataram' was not sung at the state secretariat just to please a "particular community" and asked whether it was done on instructions from party president Rahul Gandhi. In a Facebook post, Shah alleged that Congress is making Madhya Pradesh, the "heart of Hindustan", a centre of its "appeasement" policy. 'Vande Mataram' was not sung at the state secretariat on Tuesday, the first working day of the month, a tradition followed by the previous BJP government. "I want to ask Congress national president Rahul Gandhi whether the insult of Vande Mataram is his decision. Rahul Gandhi should clear his stand before the people of country on the unfortunate decision by the Congress government," Shah said. The BJP chief said 'Vande Mataram' does not belong to any particular community and instead it is a symbol of the sacrifice of lakhs of warriors who laid down their lives for the freedom of India. "And its insult just to please a particular community is very sad, shameful and disrespect of the country's freedom," Shah said. Earlier in the day, former chief minister Shivraj Chouhan also attacked the Kamal Nath government and said he and all other BJP MLAs will sing 'Vande Mataram' on the first day of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly session, if the Congress government does not restore the practice at the secretariat. Nath, however, said the practice of singing 'Vande Mataram' on the first working day of every month was being discontinued for the time being and that his government has decided to implement it in "naya swaroop" (new form). "We have not taken this decision under any agenda nor are we opposed to singing 'Vande Mataram'. It is deeply rooted in our hearts and we have sung it from time-to-time. We will start it again but in a different form," Nath said in a statement. He also criticised those who were trying to politicise the issue. "I condemn those who do in the name of either temple or Vande Mataram. We are bringing it (Vande Mataram) in a new form and I will make an announcement on it within a day or two," the chief minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition Congress in Goa Wednesday demanded that the CBI "raid" the private residence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to find about a file on Rafale deal. It also demanded that Parrikar and his cabinet colleagues should undergo the lie detector test. The reaction came after Parrikar's purported claim that he had a file on the Rafale jet deal "lying in his bedroom" and Congress president Rahul Gandhi making an attempt in the Lok Sabha to play an audio tape purportedly of a Goa minister regarding this matter. Goa Congress spokesperson Siddhanath Buyao said at a press conference here that the audio tape of a conversation between Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and an unidentified person has revealed that a file related to the Rafale deal was lying in Parrikar's bedroom. Both Parrikar, a former defence minister, and Rane have denied the allegation. "To check the authenticity of the claim about the file, I appeal Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the Central Bureau of Investigation to raid the private residence of Parrikar. Let the truth be revealed," the Congress spokesperson said. Earlier Wednesday, the Congress in Delhi made public the audio tape of a purported conversation between Rane and an unidentified person. Buyao also demanded that the whistleblower who figured in the tape should be identified and given police protection. "Parrikar's security should be increased as he should not meet the fate of Haren Pandya and Justice Loya," he said. Pandya, former Gujarat home minister, was murdered in 2003. Judge Loya, who handled the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, died in 2014. It was alleged that his death took place under mysterious circumstances. Buyao also demanded that Parrikar, Rane and all the other state cabinet ministers who were present when Parrikar made the claim about having the Rafale file in his possession should undergo lie detector test. He also demanded that the staff in Parrikar's Delhi office during his tenure as defence minister, including his personal secretary, be probed by central agencies. Meanwhile, Rane, former Congress leader, denied that the voice in the tape was his. He wrote to Parrikar seeking a probe into the matter by central agencies or the state crime branch. Parrikar said the audio tape was "doctored" and it was a desperate attempt by the Congress to fabricate facts after its "lies" over the Rafale fighter aircraft deal were exposed in the Supreme Court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- The China Shanxi-India Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Conference & "2018 Shanxi Brands on Road India" Launching Ceremony, hosted by the Shanxi Provincial Government and jointly organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), was held in Mumbai, India on December 17, 2018. CIEC Overseas Exhibition Co., Ltd. assisted in setting up the event. Officials from both the Chinese and Indian governments as well as representatives from businesses and media organizations took part in the event and engaged in discussions concerning mutual investment and win-win development between the two countries. Chen Hecai, President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Shanxi Provincial Committee (CCPIT Shanxi) and head of the Shanxi delegation, said Shanxi Province and India foresee mutual benefits in that they complement each other in terms of several sectors, among them equipment manufacturing, information technology, steelmaking, renewable energies, infrastructure construction, new materials and pharmaceuticals. He added that this was the second time that Shanxi has held a promotional event in India since 2016, clearly demonstrating Shanxi's dedication and commitment to deepening exchanges and cooperation with India. Wang Shicai, Commercial Counsellor at the Consulate General of China in Mumbai, said that prospects for cooperation between China and India, which are the world's two biggest developing countries, are promising. After the launching ceremony, the CCPIT Shanxi and the CII inked a cooperation framework agreement, followed by presentations on the investment environment as well as the glass, ceramics, and forging industries by seven representatives of the Shanxi delegation. During the B2B session, executives from over 70 Chinese and Indian businesses held in-depth discussions covering six areas of mutual interest: energy, pharmaceuticals, food processing, construction materials, machinery and chemicals, and signed several MoUs. Mr. Nilesh Vani, a member of the CII, said, given the close trade cooperation between China and India, the event, the main aim of which is to make Indian entrepreneurs aware of the growth potential of Shanxi's economy, will further boost trade ties between the countries. Photo - https://photos.prnasia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's two-child policy has failed to make any impact on the country's low birth rate as the number of new-borns dropped by two million last year and the decline is expected to continue, a media report said Wednesday. China ended its decades-old one-child policy in 2016 and permitted couples to have two children as the population of elderly rose with declining numbers of young people. China had more than 230.8 million people aged 60 or above at the end of 2016, 16.7 per cent of the country's total population, the Ministry of Civil Affairs had said in August 2017. Chinese demographers said that the number of new-borns in 2018, the third year after the country fully implemented the two-child policy, may have dropped by more than two million and the birth population will continue to fall, state-run Global Times reported on Wednesday. "Although the national data for the birth of new-borns have not been publicised yet, data revealed by local health departments showed that the number of new-borns in 2018 decreased by at least 15 per cent from the previous year," He Yafu, a demographer and author of a book on the impact of China's population policy, told the daily. "The birth population in 2017 was 17.23 million. Based on current calculations, the number of new-borns across the nation might drop by more than two million," He said. Yi Fuxian, a research fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Su Jian, director of the National Centre for Economic Research at Peking University, also told the daily that the figures for the number of new-borns failed to meet the health authority's expectation. After China implemented the comprehensive two-child policy, the country's health authority predicted that the fertility rate in 2017 and 2018 would be 1.97 and 2.09 respectively. They predicted that the number of new-borns in 2018 would be 7.90 lakh more than in 2017. The number of women between the ages of 20 and 39 is expected to drop by more than 39 million over the next decade, He said. "Without the introduction of measures to encourage fertility, China's population will fall drastically in the future," he said. Chai Zhenwu, president of the China Population Association, told media in October that the number of people born will continue to fall in 2018 as well as over the next few years. "The year of 2018 was the turning point of China's population structure, which witnessed a negative growth for the first time," Yi said. China reversed the one-child policy following alarming growth of old age population. Last August, official media reports said China's rapidly ageing population has now touched 241 million, accounting for one fifth of over 1.4 billion people in the world's most populous country. Recent reports said China planned to completely abandon the birth control policy to encourage people to have more children. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China reportedly agreed to lend at least USD two billion to Pakistan to shore up its foreign exchange reserves, but Beijing on Wednesday declined to reveal any details. "China and Pakistan are all weather strategic cooperative partners," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a media briefing here on Wednesday. When asked about a report by the London-based the Financial Times that China has agreed to lend USD 2 billion to Pakistan, Lu spoke about Beijing's continued assistance to Islamabad but did not provide any details. China will continue assistance through trade, investment and all around practical cooperation for the economic and social development of Pakistan, he said. "The two sides have always maintained close communication on the relevant cooperation," he said. China has not disclosed the amount it committed to Pakistan during the maiden visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing in November last. Khan had sought Beijing's assistance to tide over difficult balance payment crisis. Some Pakistani media reported that Islamabad is likely to get USD six billion loan but China didn't confirm the amount. Subsequently, a Pakistani team headed by top official of the State Bank of Pakistan visited China for detailed talks. Khan visited China after getting USD six billion assistance commitment from Saudi Arabia. The UAE also reported to have pledged USD three billion loan to Pakistan. Facing a tight balance of payment situation, Pakistan has also sought a bailout package from the IMF. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China congratulated Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday on her landslide victory in the parliamentary elections and praised her government for conducting the polls "smoothly". Hasina's ruling Awami League and its allies won the 11th general elections on Sunday, bagging 288 of the total 299 seats which went to the polls. The opposition front secured just seven seats. Congratulating Prime Minister Hasina, who secured a third straight term and record fourth overall, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said: "As a close and friendly neighbour, we have noted that the elections were held smoothly in Bangladesh". "We congratulate Prime Minister Hasina's party on winning the elections. We are willing to work with the new government of Bangladesh to move forward China and Bangladesh strategic cooperative partnership," Lu told reporters Wednesday. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on Monday congratulated Prime Minister Hasina on her landslide victory and hoped that the strategic and mutual cooperation between the two countries would continue during the upcoming tenure. Bangladesh's opposition rejected the poll outcome and urged the Election Commission to immediately scrap the "farcical election" and hold a fresh one under a non-partisan interim government. According to media reports, at least 18 people, including a member of a security agency, were killed and more than 200 others injured in poll-related violence, making it one of the deadliest polls in the country. China has made big investments in Bangladesh during the decade-long rule of Hasina and maintained close military ties with Dhaka. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Patrick Shanahan, the acting US defense secretary, started his first full day at the Pentagon's helm Wednesday by telling colleagues he sees China as a key priority. Shanahan, who took the top spot January 1 after Jim Mattis resigned amid disagreements with President Donald Trump, told key Defense Department staff to focus on the National Defense Strategy, a broad review that highlights a new era of "Great Power competition" with Russia and China. "While we are focused on ongoing operations, Acting Secretary Shanahan told the team to remember China, China, China," a defense official said. The US accuses Beijing of an ongoing pattern of military and economic espionage, and has criticized China's ambitious "Belt and Road" trade and infrastructure initiative as being a form of economic coercion. "In 2019, the National Defense Strategy remains our guide. America's military strength remains our focus," Shanahan said in a New Year's message on Twitter. The defense official said Shanahan would later Wednesday attend a cabinet meeting with Trump, the president's first of 2019. Little known outside business and Washington circles, Shanahan takes the world stage at a time of tumultuous changes and unpredictable foreign policy moves under Trump. Shanahan did not serve in the military but has worked since July 2017 as the deputy defense secretary. Before that, he spent more than 30 years at Boeing. Among the most immediate issues on his plate will be the pace at which the US pulls 2,200 or so troops out of Syria, following Trump's decision last month to exit the war-torn country. According to US officials, Trump is also mulling a 50 per cent draw down in Afghanistan -- another momentous move that has left lawmakers and international allies fearing for what comes next. Shanahan announced that Pentagon comptroller David Norquist will perform the duties of deputy secretary of defense, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police Wednesday detained former JDU MLA Raju Singh in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur city for allegedly firing a gun in the air during a New Year Eve's party here, which left a woman guest critically injured, officials said. A pistol was also recovered from his possession, they said, adding that Singh was being brought to Delhi. Police had earlier seized two rifles and 800 bullets from Singh's farm house in Vasant Kunj, a senior police official said. Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj had alerted police about the injury to the woman's head, apparently from a bullet fired during celebrations by the former Bihar MLA, the officials said. The victim, identified as Archana Gupta, is an architect. In his complaint to police, the victim's husband alleged that they were at the farm house on Monday night to celebrate New Year along with friends and at around midnight, two-three rounds were fired by Singh. Immediately, he noticed that his wife had fallen down and was bleeding, the man said in his complaint. A case was registered against Singh under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act, the senior police official said. The official said the accused has five other cases registered against him. His wife is a former member of legislative council from Bihar. The farm house is owned by Singh's mother where he lives with his family, the official said. Singh's two brothers also live with their families in the farm house, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police detained former JDU legislator Raju Singh from Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday for allegedly firing a gun in the air during a New Year's Eve party in Delhi, which left a woman critically injured, officials said. The former Bihar MLA and his driver-cum-bodyguard, Hari Singh, was detained in Gorakhpur city. The accused had fled in a car with the driver. The two will be brought to Delhi by Thursday morning, said R P Upadhyay, special commissioner of police, law and order (south). A pistol was also recovered from the possession of the former Janata Dal (United) lawmaker. Police had earlier seized two rifles and 800 bullets from Raju Singh's farmhouse in south Delhi's Vasant Kunj, police said. In his complaint to the police, the woman's husband had said they were at the farm house on Monday night to celebrate the New Year along with friends. Around midnight, two-three rounds were fired by Raju Singh. Immediately, he noticed that his wife -- Archana Gupta, an architect -- had fallen down and was bleeding. The Fortis Hospital, in a statement on Wednesday, said, "The patient was brought to (the) emergency ward at 00:18 am on January 1 by her attendant in an extremely critical condition." The woman continues to be in a critical state and is currently on life support, it added. The Delhi Police was informed and a medicolegal case was registered, a hospital spokesperson said. Raju Singh was booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act. The accused has five other cases registered against him. His wife is a former member of the legislative council from Bihar, police said. The farm house is owned by Singh's mother where he lives with his family. Singh's two brothers also live with their families in the farm house, the police added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Calcutta University will confer honorary DLitt on former West Bengal governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi during its annual convocation ceremony, Vice Chancellor Sonali Chakraborty Banerjee said Wednesday. Paediatrician Dilip Mahalanabis, who pioneered the use of oral rehydration therapy, and eminent physician Sukumar Mukherjee will also be awarded honorary DSc (Honoris Causa) on the occasion, she said. "We intend to honour three distinguished personalities, who made us proud with their work in the respective fields, at state-run Nazrul Manch auditorium here on January 7," the VC stated. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will deliver the convocation address, while Chancellor and Governor K N Tripathi will preside over the function, she said. Last year, the chief minister had received the honorary D Litt from CU. An estimated 498 researchers will be awarded PhD certificates, 236 M.Phil and 113 LLM (Masters of Legislative Law) certificates during the convocation this year, the vice chancellor said. Asked about the reason behind hosting the ceremony at Nazrul Manch instead of the university's College Street premises over the past two years, she said the "Darbhanga and Asutosh buildings on the campus are undergoing renovation". "We hope to conduct the convocation on the campus once the renovation work is over," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The EU Google says the EU requires a notice of cookie use (by Google) and says they have posted a notice. I don't see it. If cookies bother you, go elsewhere. If the EU bothers you, emigrate. If you live outside the EU, don't go there. Paving the way for the first ever-three way merger of public sector lenders, the Cabinet Wednesday approved amalgamation of Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank with Bank of Baroda that would create the country's third largest lender. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said there would be no retrenchment of employees and that their services conditions would also not be affected post merger. The boards of the three banks have also cleared the share-swap ratio for the proposed amalgamation. As per the Scheme of Amalgamation announced by Bank of Baroda, shareholders of Vijaya Bank would get 402 equity shares of BoB for every 1,000 shares held in the bank. In case of Dena Bank, the shareholders would get 110 shares of BoB for every 1,000 shares owned in the bank. The scheme would come into into force on April 1, 2019. At a media briefing, Prasad said the Cabinet has approved the amalgamation of Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank with BoB. "There will be no impact on the service conditions of the employees and there will be no retrenchment following the merger," Prasad said. He also said that the amalgamation would help create a strong globally competitive bank with economies of scale and enable realisation of wide-ranging synergies. The amalgamation would be the first-ever three-way consolidation of banks in India, with a combined business of Rs 14.82 lakh crore, making it the third largest bank after SBI and ICICI Bank. The merger would also create the second largest public sector bank. Post this merger, the number of PSU banks will come down to 18. "Leveraging of networks, low-cost deposits and subsidiaries of the three banks has the potential of yielding significant synergies," Prasad said. It would position the consolidated entity for substantial rise in customer base, market reach, operational efficiency, wider bouquet of products and services, and improved access for customers, he added. The Scheme of Amalgamation would be laid before the Parliament for 30 days for the perusal of the members. Sources said the scheme would be laid before the Parliament before the end of the Winter Session, which is to end on January 8. In September 2018, the Alternative Mechanism headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley gave in-principle approval for the merger of the three banks with a view to creating a global-sized lender. Last year, Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar said employees of the merged entity would enjoy best of service conditions and no employees would face a service condition which is in any way adverse in nature. The brand identity would also be protected. Kumar had also said that the individual strengths of the three banks would translate into advantages in terms of market reach, operational efficiencies and the ability to support a wider offering of product and services. The government has already committed capital support for the merged entity, which is projected to have a net NPA ratio of 5.71 per cent. This would be much lower than that the average ratio of 12.13 per cent for public sector banks. Provision Coverage Ratio (PCR) would be better at 67.5 per cent against the average of 63.7 per cent. For the merged entity, the cost to income ratio would be 48.94 per cent whereas the average for public sector lenders is 53.92 per cent. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 12.25 per cent would be significantly above the regulatory norm of 10.87 per cent. The amalgamated banks would have access to a wider talent pool and a large database that may be leveraged through analytics for competitive advantage in a rapidly digitalising banking context, Prasad said. On the BSE, shares of BoB closed at Rs 119.40, down 3.16 per cent. Shares of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank ended the day almost flat at Rs 51.05 and Rs 17.95, respectively. In 2017, SBI merged five of its subsidiary banks with itself and also took over Bharatiya Mahila Bank. This catapulted the state-owned bank into the league of top 50 global lenders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Protests erupted in various parts of Kerala Wednesday against the entry of two women in their forties into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, police said. BJP workers waved black flags at Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran in Guruvayur where he had gone to attend a function. Health minister K K Shylaja also had to face the ire of activists of the Yuva Morcha, the party's youth wing at Kannur, who showed black flags, they said. The protestors were removed by the police. BJP workers also took out a protest march in the state capital. In Kasaragod, they blocked traffic on the national highway. Two women in their forties entered the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa early Wednesday and offered prayers. Following their entry, the chief priest decided to close the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in order to perform the 'purification' ceremony. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajasthan BJP has condemned a state minister's remark that her first priority was to work for her caste and then the larger society, saying it reflected the narrow-mindedness of the Congress party. What the minister has said is an example of narrow-mindedness and reflects the thought of the Congress party. Works are not done on the lines of caste in the government, BJP state president Madan Lal Saini said. Speaking at a function in Alwar on Sunday, the Rajasthan Minister of State for Women and Child Development Mamta Bhupesh had said that priority for her was to work first for caste, then community and then all communities. I want to assure you that (if) I am needed, I will not turn my back to you because my priority is to work first for my caste, then community and then all communities and everyone, she said. Bhupesh also said that there are several schemes in her department which can benefit them (the people). The minister, an SC who is the lone woman in the newly formed Ashok Gehlot government, was not available for comments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Opposition and the government were involved in a bitter war of words on the Rafale issue in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, with Rahul Gandhi saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "does not have guts" to face questions in Parliament and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accusing the Congress chief of peddling "lies" and "falsehood". The lower house witnessed frequent adjournments as barbs flew from both sides and Opposition Members tried to disrupt speeches of rival leaders during a near three hour debate. The discussions ended abruptly midway after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspended 24 AIADMK members for five days due to the "grave disorder" they caused with their protests in the Well of the House. In an embarssment to the Narendra Modi government, its ally Shiv Sena also supported the Opposition's demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) into the Rafale deal, claiming that people say the aircraft is good but the deal is bad. Following Gandhi's hard-hitting attack on the government, Jaitley led the government's charge in a scathing counter- attack as he referred to alleged defence scams during the Congress rule and said "conspirators" of past defence scams had the "audacity" to target the Modi dispensation. He also ruled out a JPC probe- a demand made by most opposition leaders, including Gandhi- saying there was no need for it as the Supreme Court has already satisfied its "conscience" on the issue. Targeting Gandhi, the BJP leader said he would have played in the lap of 'Q', an apparent reference to Ottavio Quattrocchi- allegedly invoved in the Bofors case. Jaitley also mentioned the recent disclosure allegedly made by AgustaWestland accused Christian Michel and referred to terms like "Mrs G" and "the Italian lady" and "her son" to attack the Congress leadership. Attacking the Congress president, he said "There are some people who have a natural dislike for truth. Every word spoken for the last six months on this subject, including in this House (by them) are false....He has a legacy of speaking falsehood". The House also witnessed high drama after Gandhi sought the Speaker's permission to play an audio tape, purportedly of a Goa minister, on the Rafale deal. Jaitley said the tape is "false and fabricated", asking Gandhi if he can authenticate it. He may have to face privilege motion and even expulsion in case it turns out to be fabricated, the BJP leader added. Amid an uproar, which caused brief adjournment of the House proceedings, Gandhi said he would not play it and authenticate it, prompting Jaitley to say that he was "scared" as he knew it was false. "This man lies and lies repeatedly," Jaitley said. The Speaker also disallowed Gandhi's request to play the clip. Gandhi claimed BJP members were "terrified" of the clip in which Goa minister Vishwajit Rane purportedly told somebody that the former defence minister Manohar Parrikar had a Rafale file in his bedroom. Rane has already termed the tape "fabricated", Jaitley said. In his speech, Gandhi referred to Modi's comments in an interview that no personal allegation was levelled against him in the matter and said this was not true as the "entire nation" is asking him a direct question on the contract for purchase of fighter aircraft. "He (Modi) spoke for 90 minutes in a staged interview but still did not answer questions on the Rafale issue... He does not have the guts to come to Parliament and confront questions (on Rafale) and hides in his room," Gandhi said. "We demand a JPC probe into matter. There is no reasopn for BJP leaders to feel afraid. The country will get to know that Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in the pockets of 'double A'. The contract was snatched from HAL (a government-run unit)," Gandhi said, alleging corruption in the contract. 'Double A' was an apparent reference to Anil Ambani, whom Gandhi repeatedly referred to in his speech before Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked him not to name him as he is not a member of the House. The Congress leader described Ambani as a "dear friend" of Modi and a "failed businessman". His defence firm was registered only 10 days before it got the offset contract from Rafale, a French firm, Gandhi said, alleging corruption in the Rs 58,000 crore deal. Hitting back, Jaitley said "it is a tragedy that the grand old party which was headed by the legends in the past is now headed by a gentleman who doesn't have basic understanding of combat aircraft." The Congress felt that since "its hands are already soaked in corruption", it decided to "manufacture" a lie to defame the Modi government which has a clean record. "Remember the JPC on Bofors ... it said the kickback were winding up charges ... it whitewashed corruption," Jaitley said, rejecting the JPC probe demand. The JPC often works on partisan lines and cannot investigate fairly, he added. The Finance Minister noted that the price of 'bare aircraft' has been revealed and that the price of 'weaponised' version cannot be told as it would help India's adversaries. He also asserted that the bare aircraft was nine per cent cheaper than the one negotiated by the UPA and the weaponised version was 20 per cent cheaper. Mentioning alleged defence scams during the Congress rule, Jaitley in a repartee, quoted from a James Bond movie which, he added, the Congress president must have seen. "In the movie, Bond says if it happens for the first time then it is happenstance, if it happens twice it is coincidence and if it is thrice then it is conpiracy. Congress president is doing the same," he said. Saugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress was quick to take a dig at Jaitley for what she said was wrongly quoting Bond, saying the movie's hero had said that if it happens for the third time, then it is enemy action, and not conspiracy as the BJP leader claimed. "Jaitley is losing his touch and his memory is failing him," Roy said. Several other members also spoke during the debate, which is likely to continue tomorrow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Budget session of the bicameral legislature in Bihar will begin on February 11 next, a senior state government official said here on Wednesday. The session, which would begin with the Governors address to a joint session, would conclude on February 20, Principal Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat department, Sanjay Kumar told reporters. He said a decision to this effect was taken at the cabinet meeting held earlier in the day which was chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Another key decision taken at the cabinet meeting was approval for a Centrally sponsored police modernisation scheme involving a total expenditure of Rs 49.83 crore of which 19.93 crore will be provided by the state government. Clearance was also given for two solar power PV plants in Banka district which would cost Rs 107.33 crore and Rs 71.55 crore. The projects have been awarded to two different solar power companies based in Gurugram, the principal secretary was quoted as saying in an official release. Nod was also given for a 392.80 km long embankment project along the river Bagamati passing through Muzaffarpur and Samastipur districts, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court here Wednesday rejected the bail application of former Bihar minister Manju Verma, who is in jail in connection with an Arms Act case. The case was lodged by police last year following the recovery of a huge quantity of ammunition at her residence during a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raid in connection with the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal. Additional District Judge Piyush Kamal Dixit turned down Verma's plea, who has been in jail here since her surrender before a court on November 20, 2018. Verma, who held the social welfare portfolio in the Nitish Kumar cabinet, had stepped down on August 6, 2018 after a number of media reports alleged that her husband Chandrashekhar Verma had close links with Brajesh Thakur - the prime accused in the shelter home scandal. A few weeks later, the CBI raided her bungalow in Patna besides the ancestral home of her husband in Arjun Tola locality of Begusarai district, where 50 cartridges of different dimensions were found. The CBI informed the Cheria Bariarpur Police Station of the recovery and an FIR was lodged against the couple under the Arms Act. The husband-wife duo remained untraceable for long until Chandrashekhar Verma surrendered in the end of October. The ex-minister, whose applications for anticipatory bail were rejected both by the lower court and the Patna High Court, surrendered shortly after. The Supeme Court had pulled up the state police for its inability to nab her. The police also submitted its charge sheet against the couple before a court on December 20. The alleged sexual abuse of the inmates at the Balika Grih in Bihar came to light following a social audit by the Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat Wednesday asserted that only a Ram temple will be constructed in Ayodhya. His comments came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that any decision on an ordinance on the Ram temple could only be taken after the completion of the judicial process, but stressed that the Centre was ready to make all efforts to fulfil its responsibility. Earlier in the day, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said Hindus could not wait "till eternity" for the court's decision on the Ram temple and asserted that the only way forward was to enact a legislation for its construction. Replying to a query on the Ram mandir issue with just a few months left for the Lok Sabha polls, the schedule of which will bring in force the Model Code of Conduct, Bhagwat said, "Only a temple will come up in Ayodhya." "We have faith in Lord Ram. It does not take time for time to change," he said. The RSS chief was speaking to the media after attending a programme here. He said the saffron organisation stood by the statement given by its general secretary, Bhaiyyaji Joshi, on the temple issue. Joshi had Tuesday said the general public and also those in power wanted that a Ram temple be built at the disputed site in the holy town of Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, speaking at a function organised by the Sevasadan Shikshan Sanstha, Bhagwat emphasised on need-based and the practical form of education. "There is no dispute that the education policy should change and the change should be from the basics," he said. "It has been said that a new education policy has been introduced, but there is no time for its implementation. Its implementation would depend on what happens next," Bhagwat added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Majority of the state Congress leaders are in favour of an informal seat sharing arrangement with the CPI(M) in West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, senior party leaders said. A Congress leader said a section of leaders still want to go alone. Party sources said a final call on the issue would be taken by AICC president Rahul Gandhi. Once a formidable force in West Bengal, the CPI(M)-led Left Front has yielded much ground to the Trinamool Congress, but still has organisational presence across the state. Senior Congress leader and chairman of the coordination committee, Pradip Bhattachrya, told PTI that there is a section which is in favour of seat adjustment with the CPI(M) and this section is in the majority. There is also a section which wants to go alone, he said. A senior Congress leader privy to the developments told PTI that a meeting would be called of state party leaders this month to decide on the strategy and inform its opinion to the party high command. "The mood of majority of party leaders is in favour of a seat adjustment with the CPI(M), although there is a minority opinion about going alone. We will call a meeting of the ," the party leader said. Gandhi gave a 'mantra' for strengthening the organisation during a meeting with PCC chief Somen Mitra and party in-charge of state Gaurav Gogoi last month. Some of the top state Congress leaders have already begun "informal talks" with some CPI(M) leaders over the issue of seat adjustment. The Congress is mulling fighting at least 18-20 seats out of the 42 seats in the state. It presently has only four seats. Another state Congress leader said Gandhi had asked them to strengthen the organisation. "He has left the decision to the state unit and will take a final call, after the Bengal unit takes a decision on it. But we are yet to convey our decision on whether we want to fight the Lok Sabha elections alone or in an alliance with the Left in the state," the leader said. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, during a recent visit to Kolkata, had said his party would try and consolidate the anti-BJP and anti-Trinamool votes in West Bengal in the coming general elections. "Our party's three-point call is clear. Defeat the BJP and its allies, increase the strength of the CPI(M) and other Left forces in Parliament and form an alternative secular government at the Centre in 2019. There is still time, let us see," Yechury had said. Both the state Congress and CPI(M) leadership are hopeful that a "possible solution" will come up when Yechury meets Gandhi this month. Presently, the TMC has 34 MPs in the state and the Congress has four MPs. The CPI(M) and the BJP have two Lok Sabha members each. According to state Congress sources, the Bengal leadership has prepared a three-pronged strategy for the proposed seat adjustment talks with the CPI(M)-led Left Front in Bengal. Firstly, the total of six seats that was won by the Congress and the CPI(M) in 2014 have to be kept aside and secondly the primary discussion should be on the remaining 36 seats, a Congress leader said. Thirdly, the seats should be distributed according to the strength of the Congress and the CPI(M) and the latter should be able to accommodate its allies -- the Forward Bloc, the CPI and the RSP -- from its own share, the Congress leader said. "The proposition is there will not be any formal alliance. It will be a seat adjustment where the CPI(M)-led Left Front will fight in a few seats and the Congress will fight in the other seats," the leader said. "In the seats where the Congress is not fighting, it will appeal for maximum polling of anti-BJP, anti-TMC votes in favour of a secular candidate," said the Congress leader. The Bengal Congress is keen on putting up a good show in the state after the party's performance in assembly elections in three Hindi heartland states. The victory has not only galvanised the party nationally but also had a cascading effect on the morale of the party in Bengal, which for last few years have been marred by defections and infighting. The Congress sources said the party's resolve to fight against both the TMC and the BJP in the state has been strengthened due to the cold shoulder of the TMC towards the party's victory and its open declaration that it wants to contest alone in all the 42 seats. "The TMC is not willing to give due importance to the Congress or give it credit for victory in the Assembly polls. So why should we go with them? Fighting alone in Bengal means a four-cornered fight which, in turn, will help the TMC. We can never allow that," Congress secretary Subhankar Sarkar said. The state Congress unit is miffed with the TMC over the continuous poaching of elected representatives and alleged attack on party workers in the state. A senior CPI(M) central committee member said he was hopeful that an "adjustment" with the Congress can be worked out and the party would be able to take care of the "demands" of its allies. The CPI(M) has been able to pacify its allies, the CPI and the RSP, on the issue of seat adjustment with the Congress but the Forward Bloc is not very keen on having any pre-poll adjustment with it in West Bengal. "The main concern of the allies is, in case of seat adjustment the allies might need to part with their share of seats. If that is taken care of, then we do not think there will be any problem," said a senior CPI(M) leader. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hinduja flagship firm Ashok Leyland Wednesday reported a 20 per cent decline in total commercial vehicle sales to 15,493 units in December 2018. The company had posted sales of 19,251 units in the year-ago month, Ashok Leyland said in a regulatory filing. Medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales were at 11,295 units last month, against 15,948 units in December 2017, down 29 per cent. Light commercial vehicle sales stood at 4,198 units, compared with 3,303 units in December 2017, an increase of 27 per cent, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 10-year-old plan to acquire 2,600 future infantry combat vehicles for the Indian Army at a cost of around Rs 60,000 crore is staring at an uncertain future as it is stuck due "divergent views" among the stakeholders on its implementation, official sources said. They said another ambitious programme to indigenously manufacture a fleet of modern battle tanks, christened as future ready combat vehicle, is also not moving forward due to procedural delays. The sources said a scheduled meeting among top brass of the defence ministry and the Army to discuss ways to take forward the future infantry combat vehicles (FICV) project last month was postponed due to certain differences over the programme. The FICV was first envisaged in October 2009 and the initial process was started months later. However, the process of selection of private companies, which could indigenously manufacture the combat vehicles, was withdrawn in 2012 and a fresh start was made in 2014. Infantry combat vehicles are used to carry infantry into battle field and are usually equipped with anti-tank missiles and heavy guns. The Army wants the FICVs to replace its Russian-origin BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles. "The original plan is to induct the FICVs by 2025. The way things are moving, it is unlikely that we will be able to induct them before 2050," said a military official involved in the project. The project is witnessing inordinate delays when China and Pakistan are fast enhancing their military prowess along the borders with India. Military sources said while China has enhanced strength of armoured resources by seven to eight times in the Tibet Autonomous Region bordering India in the last couple of years, Pakistan was bolstering its forces by quick modernisation of its tank fleet. It is learnt that there have been serious differences between the Army headquarters and the defence ministry on implementation of the FICV project. The private sector defence firms which evinced interests in the ambitious FICV project included Mahindra and Mahindra, Reliance Defence, L and T, Tata Motors and Bharat Forge Ltd. According to the original proposal, the FICV were to be manufactured under the 'Make (high tech) category' of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). Under this plan, the government was to select state-run Ordnance Factory Board and two other private firms for separately developing prototypes of the FICVs. A total of around Rs 3,000 crore was to be spent on developing the prototypes by each of the three firms, the sources said. They said the plan was that the government would bear 80 per cent of the total cost of developing the prototypes and the individual firms would contribute the remaining 20 per cent. The then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was also favouring the model, the sources said. However, last year a major defence manufacturer offered to develop the prototypes under the Make II category of the DPP in which no government funding is required for developing the prototype, said the sources. They said the offer has made certain sections in the defence ministry to examine the option as it will result in saving of huge amount of financial resources. The sources said there has been another view in the military establishment that if the company was interested in making the prototype under Make II category, then why did it not make the offer earlier. "At the moment, the project is going nowhere. The Army does not want it under Make II category as it will further delay the project," said another official involved in the project. The delay in the decision making process has also been attributed to a complaint filed with the defence ministry by one of the short-listed private firms. The sources said the Army wants the FICVs as soon as possible as both China and Pakistan were significantly enhancing their border infrastructure. They said the Army was particularly concerned over China deploying light tanks along certain sensitive sectors along the nearly 4,000 km border. Last year, the Army invited proposals from domestic and foreign firms for designing a future ready combat vehicle (FRCV), ostensibly to replace the existing T-72 tanks in the Armoured Corps. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Covid impact: New Year in Mumbai to be heralded at Thailand time Why You Are Better off With Using an Online Casino Over a Land-Based One Army Chief General Bipin Rawat Wednesday visited the militancy-infested south Kashmir to review the security situation and counter-insurgency operations in the region, officials said. "Continuing with his visit to the Valley, the Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat reviewed the prevailing security situation and strategy for counter terrorist operations in the hinterland," an army official said. Accompanied by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Rawat was briefed by the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen A K Bhatt at Badami Bagh Cantonment on the overall situation and major operational, informational, logistical and administrative aspects pertaining to the Corps, the official said. Rawat visited the formations and units deployed in south Kashmir, where he was briefed by the local Commanders on existing security situation and the measures instituted to ensure close coordination with all government agencies towards maintaining vigil and peace in the Valley, the official added. During his interaction with the soldiers on ground, the Chief of Army Staff lauded them for their high levels of morale and dedication and further reinforced the need to be prepared to meet emerging security challenges effectively, the official added. Rawat had arrived here on Tuesday on a two-day visit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP national president Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Tripura on January 5 to address a conference of party functionaries here. Addressing a press meet here, Pratima Bhowmik, the party's state general secretary, said on Wednesday that Shah will arrive at Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Airport in Agartala in the afternoon. "During his visit here, he (Shah) will address a conference-cum-mass gathering of 42,000 'panna pramukh' and other functionaries at Swami Vivekanada Maidan," Bhowmik said. The 'panna pramukh' or page in-charge is the first point of contact for most voters in a BJP machinery. The party assigns a page of the electoral roll each to a 'panna pramukh', who then maintains regular contacts with the voters who have found a mention in that sheet. The grass root party workers are known to have played crucial roles before Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held the first of a series of interactions with beneficiaries of the Central as well as state government's schemes. He will be holding such dialogues -- termed 'Loksamvad' -- through video conference twice every month, an official said. As many as 598 beneficiaries of the Prime Minister's Awas Yojana (PMAY) and housing-related schemes of the state such as Ramai Housing, Shabri Residence and the Deendayal Upadhyaya land purchase scheme took part in 'Loksamvad' Wednesday. While the chief minister was seated in the state secretariat, the people with whom he interacted had gathered at the offices of district collectors across the state. Earlier, Fadnavis had launched 'Mi Mukhyamantri Boltoy' (This is Chief Minister Speaking) programme to connect directly with the masses, which was stopped in November 2017. During the first 'Loksamvad' Wednesday, he said the government would provide upto five brass of sand free for the construction of house under the PMAY. Fadnavis gave the assurance when Wardha Kottewar from Wardha and Javed Shaikh from Gadchiroli said they were facing difficulty in procuring sand for constructing house under the PMAY. An official in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the aim of 'Loksamvad' is to ascertain the benefits accruing to the needy under government schemes and know the problems faced by people in getting the benefits. "At present, 12 lakh houses are under construction under the PMAY in the state," he added. The next 'Loksamvad' is expected to take place on farmer-related schemes, the official added. The chief minister asked people questions such as whether they received subsidy in time, he said. In reply to a question by Asha Jamjod from Amravati, he said discussions were on with the Central government for a waiver of fee charged for house design drawings under the PMAY. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it welcomes the clarity in the Afghan presidential election calendar and stressed that all stakeholders have a responsibility for the credibility and legitimacy of the elections process. The Independent Election Commission Sunday said the highly-anticipated election, scheduled for the coming April, will be delayed by three months and held in July. The mission "notes the announcement by Afghan electoral authorities for the presidential election to be held in July 2019 and welcomes the clarity in the electoral calendar," the UNAMA said in a statement on Monday. It said the UN understands that the new date announced by the Afghan officials follows consultations with a broad range of political actors, civil society organisations, and the Government of Afghanistan, all of whom have expressed the strong desire for a credible and transparent presidential election. "The UN maintains that the presidential election is critical to the future of Afghanistan, and its mismanagement would be unacceptable," the mission said. The UN acknowledged the Commission's assessment for additional time needed to learn from the 2018 parliamentary election in October, when technical issues and a series of bomb attacks closed polling stations. "No one has the right to disrupt the electoral process and the country's stability through incitement or threats," the UMAMA said. It asked the IEC to publish the detailed election calendar and provide regular public updates throughout the process. Stressing the UN's commitment to supporting Afghan electoral institutions and credible elections, the UNAMA said it will continue its assistance "and enhance its advisory role to the IEC, as requested." "The United Nations stresses that all stakeholders have a responsibility for the credibility and legitimacy of the election process," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Social activist Trupti Desai Wednesday hailed the entry of two women in their mid forties into the Lord Aayyappa hill shrine in Kerala's Sabarimala, saying it is a "victory of equality". Desai was forced to return from the Kochi airport when she arrived to offer prayers at Sabarimala with six young women, following "nama japam" (chanting of Ayyappa hymns) protests by devotees and right wing outfits for 13 hours on November 16. The Bhumata Brigade founder said she was happy to hear that two women in their forties had managed to reach the 'sannidhanam' (temple complex) and offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa and congratulated their effort. "This is a big victory for our agitation. It is a victory of equality. This is a good beginning for women in the new year", Desai told PTI from Pune. "Those against women's entry had openly thrown a challenge that no women in the 10-50 age group will be able to reach the 'sannidhanam'. Their agitation has now failed", the right to pray campaigner said. She said that temple authorities should allow women of all age groups to offer prayers at the Ayyappa shrine. Young women who have done online booking should also be allowed to go to the shrine and pray there, she said. "Today is a historic day for us. During the mandala puja season, many women were stopped. There was a tense atmosphere in Sabarimala", she said. Trupti Desai said she would not be able to visit the shrine before January 20 when it closes as there was a heavy rush of pilgrims and due to her prior programmes, but added that she would go there the next time it reopens. Desai, who had spearheaded the campaign for women to be allowed into various religious places, including the Shani Shingnapur temple, the Haji Ali Dargah, the Mahalakshmi Temple and the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, had sought protection to reach Sabarimala and had sent an e-mail to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking security. The two women entered the Ayyappa temple early Wednesday and offered prayers. Confirming their entry, the chief minister told reporters "it is a fact that the women have entered the temple". Despite the Supreme Court's verdict on September 28 last year, permitting women in the 10-50 age group, no children or young women in the 'barred' group were able to offer prayers at the shrine following frenzied protests by a section of devotees and some right wing outfits. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior BJP leader and MLA Pradip Purohit Wednesday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to contest the upcoming general elections from the Puri constituency in Odisha. Purohit's claim comes notwithstanding the Prime Minister on Tuesday saying that the issue was media creation. "One cannot rule out the prime minister contesting from Puri. There is 90 per cent possibility of the PM contesting from Puri seat," Purohit told reporters. He added, "The prime minister loves the people of Odisha and has an attachment with Puri. Therefore, he may prefer this seat for the next elections." In the 2014 elections, Biju Janata Dal's Pinaki Mishra won from the Puri seat by bagging 50.33 per cent votes. Of the seven assembly segments under the Puri Lok Sabha constituency, the BJD holds six while the BJP has only one -- Chilika. Since the prime minister had fought from Varanasi in 2014 with the blessings of Lord Jagannath he might prefer Puri this time, Purohit said, adding that the party's Parliamentary Board would take a final decision on it. Odisha BJP vice-president Samir Mohanty said, "We will be very happy if the prime minister contests from Odisha. The state BJP has proposed the matter to the central leadership." Earlier, state BJP president Basant Panda had said that the Odisha unit of the party has proposed to field the prime minister from Puri. The BJP feels that Modi's candidature from the state will further brighten its chances of performing better in Odisha. Assembly elections in the state are due along with the Lok Sabha polls. BJP's Puri district president Prabhanjan Mohapatra said: "I think Modi will contest from Puri Lok Sabha seat. This is because the central BJP leadership has been taking stock of the situation of the area on regular basis." Stating that Modi's possible candidature from the state will have no impact on the people of Odisha, BJD spokesman Sasmit Patra said: "Let the Prime Minister himself and his party make it clear from where Modi will contest." The ruling BJD headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik continue to hold the Puri Lok Sabha seat for the last 20 years. The party candidates won the seat in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014. The beach-town of Puri is home to the Lord Jagannath temple, one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism. The prime minister visited Odisha on December 24. He inaugurated a slew of projects and also laid foundation stones of several projects worth thousand of crores. He is scheduled to visit Mayurbhanj district on January 5 and on January 16 he will visit Bolangir district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : In a suspected case of an attack by a wild elephant, a 75-year-old siddha doctor was found dead on Wednesday in the jungles of Vellingiri Hills near here, police said. Kitty of Mullankadu tribal village had left home for the hills on Tuesday afternoon to collect medicinal herbs and did not return, the police said. Kitty's family grew anxious as he would usually be back home by dusk, they said. Since it was dark already, the villagers went in search of him this morning and found his body with injuries apparently caused by an elephant, the police said. However, forest officials and policemen moved the body to the government hospital here for a postmortem. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four children working at a hotel in Rajasthan's Mount Abu were rescued in an operation by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and an FIR has been registered in the matter, an official said Wednesday. Acting on a tip-off, the NCPCR recently directed Childline -- an organisation for children in distress -- to look into the matter. Following this, the children were rescued from the hotel, the official said. An FIR was registered against the hotel owner, the official said, adding that the children have been produced before the child welfare committee as per rules. Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi thanked the person who flagged the issue and urged others to raise an alarm whenever they find a child in need. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The administration Wednesday slapped the stringent Uttar Pradesh Gangsters Act on three men who allegedly built illegal multistorey apartment blocks and sold flats to gullible buyers in a Greater Noida village, where nine people were killed when two buildings collapsed last year. Those booked are Dev Sharma and Ravindra Nagar, both Gautam Buddh Nagar residents, and Prashant Sharma of Ghaziabad, the administration said. Based on a report by Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Pal Sharma, District Magistrate Brajesh Narain Singh pressed charges under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act against the three people, an official statement said. Last July, nine people were killed in the twin-building collapse in Shahberi village. During a probe, it was found that the buildings were built without permission from local authorities and by flouting several mandatory construction norms and guidelines. "The three had constructed multistorey buildings on agricultural land in Shahberi village without any approval from the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority and without getting buildings maps approved by it," it said. "They have also sold hundreds of flats to gullible buyers by telling them that the land was residential and its map was cleared by the local authorities," it added. "These land mafias have flouted several parameters of building construction, "the administration said. "Since the incident, the Greater Noida authority carried out multiple demolition drives to remove illegal structures, because of which an atmosphere of safety concern got created among the people. This situation of terror and fear among the people has impacted public order and, therefore, these people (the trio) should not be allowed to roam free in public interest. Hence, the Gangsters Act is being invoked against them," the administration said. Over 600 people, which includes murder accused, robbers, liquor, drug and land mafias, have been booked under the Act in the district since April 2017. The Act provides special provisions for the prevention of and, for coping with, gangsters and anti-social activities and for related matters. "Similar action will be taken in future against the mafia and criminals under the Gangsters Act and the Goonda Act, besides considering their expulsion from the district," the administration added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three key accused in the Gujarat constable examination paper leak case of last month have been arrested, the state's top police officer said Wednesday, taking the number of those behind bars in the matter to 15. Investigations have revealed the accused were part of a gang which had stolen an exam paper meant for recruitment of police constables in Gujarat from a printing press at Manipal town in Karnataka in November, said Director General of Police Shivanand Jha. The trio, key accused in the case, was arrested Tuesday from different parts of the country and brought to Gandhinagar, where an FIR was registered last month, he told reporters in the state capital. Earlier, 12 people, including candidates who had allegedly paid money for the leaked paper, were arrested by the police in the case. The recruitment exam, originally scheduled on December 2 last year, was called off at the last moment after the authorities came to know about the paper leak. A fresh exam will be held on January 6. The DGP said the trio was part of a professional gang involved in leaking papers of many such competitive exams in the past. They were identified by the police as Vinay Arora of Sonepat in Haryana, and Mahadev Dattatrey and Vinod Rathod, both from Bidar in Karnataka. Two other key accused - Vinod Chhikara, a suspended constable of the Delhi police, and Vinay Mathur - are still on the run, said Jha. According to the DGP, Arora and his gang, active in Haryana and Delhi, came to know in November that an exam paper of Haryana police recruitment will be printed at a press in Manipal. "As directed by Arora and Chhikara, some of his gang members went to Manipal and conducted recce of the printing press with the help of Rathod and Dattatrey. "On the night of November 21, Rathod and some other members entered the press building after breaking a window grille on its backside," said Jha. After entering inside, Rathod found a question paper which he thought was for the Haryana police's recruitment exam, the senior IPS officer said. "Gang members took that paper and came out. No one had learned about the theft as the gang members had put the grille back before fleeing the spot," Jha said. When the gang members reached Delhi, they realised they have stolen the question paper of the Gujarat police's recruitment, not of the Haryana police, he said. Arora then contacted one Virendra Mathur and sold the exam paper for Rs 50 lakh, the DGP said. Mathur is a dreaded criminal who had been involved in similar offences in the past, Jha said, adding he was arrested in December 2017 for leaking a paper of the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board. "Mathur then activated his own network in Gujarat to sell the leaked paper. With the help of his agents in Gujarat, some candidates, who agreed to pay Rs 5 lakh each, went to Delhi to get the leaked paper," said Jha. Efforts were on to nab Mathur, Chhikara and other accused, the DGP said. According to Jha, around 9 lakh candidates were to appear for the December 2 examination for 9,713 posts of constable across 2,440 centres in Gujarat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 28-year-old man was arrested for allegedly attempting to rape a woman after promising her a job, police said Wednesday. The accused was identified as Sameer Thakur, SHO Harsharan Sharma said. According to a complaint lodged by the 26-year-old woman, the accused brought her to Meerut after promising her a job and then tried to rape her. The accused started recording a video after the woman resisted his attempt to rape her, she said in her complaint to police. A case was registered under relevant sections of the IPC, the SHO said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 20,000 million tonnes of food and allied products are irradiated in the country annually, the Department of Atomic Energy told a parliamentary panel. Food irradiation is a process used to extend the shelf life and improve the safety of food products by reducing or eliminating microorganisms and insects. According to a report tabled by the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, and Forests in Parliament Wednesday, "annually, about 20,000 million tonnes (MT) of food and allied products are being irradiated in the country. "These include agricultural produce such as onion, potato, mango, grains and other products such as onion powder, garlic powder, spices, ayurvedic products and animal feed," the report quoting the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) said. The DAE's comments were submitted to the Committee on June 4 last year. The report also quoted the DAE as commenting, "Currently 15 irradiation plants are functional in the country. Recent research and development has resulted in harmonisation of food irradiation rules with the international regulation through adoption of class-wise clearance of irradiated food items by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for large". According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, astronauts belonging to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) eat meat that has been sterilised by irradiation to avoid getting foodborne illnesses when they fly in space. "The Committee commends the role played by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in food irradiation technology. This technology developed by BARC known as Trombay crop varieties needs to be popularised in the states where they are currently not cultivated," the parliamentary panel said. Food is irradiated through gamma-rays, X-rays or electron beams. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scripting history, two women in their 40s entered the Lord Ayyappa temple in Kerala early Wednesday and offered prayers. Speaking to media, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said "it is a fact that the women have entered the temple". Following the entry of two women at the shrine, the chief priest has decided to close the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in order to perform the 'purification' ceremony. The temple which opened at 3 am was closed at 10.30 am for performing the ritual. Normally, the shrine closes at 12.30 pm. Since the purification ceremony is on, devotees have been asked to move out of the shrine. The shrine will open in the afternoon after completion of the ritual. Despite the Supreme Court's historic ruling on September 28 last year, permitting women in the 10-50 age group, no children or young women in the 'barred' group were able to offer prayers at the shrine following frenzied protests by devotees and right-wing outfits. CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told media that the two women have entered the shrine as per the apex court order and the closure of the shrine was against the law of the land. "People should accept the development as a reality," Balakrishnan said. The women trekked to the hill a day after the state-sponsored 620 km-long human wall of women was formed Tuesday from Kasargode in the northern part of the state till the southernmost district of Thiruvananthapuram. The two women, identified as Kanakadurga (42) and Bindu (42), wearing the traditional black dress, with their head covered, are said to have climbed the hill shrine at 3.38 am Wednesday. Police have provided security to the homes of the two women fearing possible protests. On December 24 last year, the two women had unsuccessfully tried to offer prayers at the shrine. The Lord Ayyappa temple had opened for the 22-day "Makaravilakku" festival on December 30, three days after the conclusion of the 41-day "mandala puja". Following the top court verdict allowing women of all ages to offer prayers at the shrine, the CPI(M)-led LDF government had decided to implement the verdict, which was strongly opposed by the main opposition Congress and the BJP. Bindu, a college lecturer and CPI(ML) activist from Kozhikode district's Koyilandy, and Kanakadurga, a civil supplies employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram, had come to Sabarimala on December 24 last year after 11 women activists of a Chennai-based outfit were prevented from reaching the shrine and chased away by devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 18 Khalistani terror modules were busted in Punjab and 95 people arrested in the last two years, the Rajya Sabha was informed Wednesday. Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said as per available information, the involvement of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) has come to the notice in a recent incident of a grenade attack on a religious congregation in Amritsar. On Novemebr 18, three people were killed and over 20 injured when two motorcycle-borne men threw a grenade on a religious congregation on the outskirts of Amritsar. "A total of 18 Khalistani terror modules have been neutralised in Punjab during the last two years, wherein a total of 95 accused persons have been arrested," he said replying to a written question. The Punjab Police has arrested two persons involved in the grenade attack in Amritsar and has also identified three other persons, residing in other countries as accused, in respect to whom open dated warrants of arrest have been procured, the minister said. The government had declared KLF as a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act last week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Coast Guard says good Samaritans on nearby merchant vessels rescued 16 members of the crew of a Panamanian car carrier heading from Japan to Hawaii that caught fire in the Pacific Ocean. The Coast Guard said Sunday three of the remaining five crew members of the Sincerity Ace were found but are still in the water because they are unresponsive. The agency says the other two crew members haven't been found. The Serenity Ace caught fire early Monday morning 1,800 nautical miles (3,333 kilometres) northwest of Hawaii. The Coast Guard has not said what caused the fire on the 198-metre ship. The US Navy is helping with search efforts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Altogether 140 terrorists were killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir between June and December 2018 during which 426 stone pelting incidents were also reported in the state, Union minister Hansraj Ahir said Wednesday. Replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha, he said 140 terrorists were killed from June 25 to December 5, 2018 in the state, where 119 terrorist violence took place during the period. The minister of state for home said 426 stone pelting incidents took place in Jammu and Kashmir in the said period in which 34 civilians were injured. As many as 171 security personnel were martyred while combating with terrorists in Kashmir and other parts of the country, guarding borders or serving their duty in 2016, 167 troops were martyred in 2017 and 163 personnel in 2018 (till November). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Wednesday demanded answers from Prime Minister on Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's purported claim that he had a file on Rafale "lying in his bedroom" and asked if this was the reason why a joint parliamentary committee probe was not being ordered. Congress chief spokesperson came out with a conversation purportedly between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and another person. Rane purportedly can be heard saying that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week Parrikar stated he had an entire file and all documents relating to the lying in his bedroom, Surjewala claimed, playing the conversation for the media outside Parliament. He quoted Rane as saying, "The chief minister made a very interesting statement, that I have all the information of Rafale in my bedroom....that's means he is holding them to ransom. He said it is in my bedroom here only in my flat, each and every document on Rafale." However, there was no confirmation on whether it was the voice of Rane in the audio. The identity of the other person was also not ascertained. The BJP has alleged that the Congress is only "peddling lies" on the Rafale issue. "Now it is clear that the 'chowkidaar is chor' (the watchman is a thief)," Surjewala told reporters in an apparent reference to Modi. "Now the prime minister should answer. The country is demanding answers as to what secrets in the Rafale 'scam' are lying inside Manohar Parrikar's flat and bedroom," he claimed, asking why is the 'chowkidaar' fearing Parrikar. "Now the prime minister has to answer. He only does captive interviews and is not used to answering questions from the media. What is the hitch in making public all the documents," he asked. Surjewala claimed the skeletons were tumbling out of the Rafale scam cupboard. "New evidence busts 'chowkidar's' worst kept secrets. What is Modi government hiding... Is this the reason why a JPC probe is not being ordered," he asked. Training his guns on Modi, Surjewala said, "this is a personal charge against you". "There was corruption and wrongdoing in the Rafale scam and it is all recorded in the files. Those files are with Mr Parrikar. Why are they being hidden? If Mr Modi has nothing to hide, then why is Mr Parrikar keeping those files in his bedroom and threatening everybody that nobody can do anything against him, for he has the Rafale files," he alleged. "Because, secrets are all recorded in the files and the day those files are out, as stated by and threatened by Parrikar himself, then what we have always said will be proved. That Rafale is the biggest scam of India and the person accountable for it is the prime minister himself," he told reporters He said it has now become necessary that the files of Rafale with Parrikar need to come out in public domain. When Prime Minister visits Palamau in Jharkhand on January 5, one colour will not be permitted in any form: black. The Palamau administration issued the ban order after leaders of the 80,000 para teachers on strike since November 15 demanding regularization of their service vowed to show black flags to Modi in Palamau. "The government staff or common people cannot wear black socks," an official said. "The ban also covers clothes, bags, shoes, purses and caps." Modi is scheduled to arrive in Palamau at 10.30 a.m. to spend an hour in the district. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the Mandal dam irrigation project, which was pending since 1972. The dam will be built at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore. He will also lay the foundation stone of a pipeline to meet the needs of drinking water and irrigation in Palamu and Garhwa districts at a cost of Rs 1,138 crore. Turning the ship before it hits the iceberg In a New Year gift to its employees, the Western Railway (WR) has launched a state-of-the-art in-house blood bank for its employees at the Jagjivan Ram Hospital, an official said here on Wednesday. WR General Manager A. K. Gupta threw it open here Tuesday (Jan. 1), making it the first advanced blood bank having blood component and facility on any hospital on the Indian Railways. The Blood Bank - for which advanced equipment worth Rs 2.50 crore have been provided - has a capacity of 2000 blood units, facility for platelet donation which is very used for cancer and dengue patients, a special quality control laboratory and an entire floor dedicated in the hospital's new annexure building. The spokesperson for WR Ravinder Bhakar said the Jagjivan Ram Hospital is the zonal hospital having various super-speciality departments which require large quantities of blood, besides patients of dengue and cancer who need platelets. "Nearly 80 per cent of the indoor admissions here are from outside Mumbai and it was very difficult to arrange blood for them. Now the new facility of an inhouse Blood Bank will help arranging blood for critical patients at any hours," Bhakar said. --IANS qn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 25-year-old man suspected of stabbing three people at a Manchester railway station on New Year eve has been detained under mental health laws, police said. The suspect, identified only as a 25-year-old man, had "been assessed by specialist staff and detained under the Mental Health Act," Greater Manchester Police said, while informing that a terror-related investigation is ongoing, EFE news reported on Wednesday. Authorities said the focus of the investigation remained on terrorism, though noting that they had found "nothing to suggest the involvement of other people in this attack." The suspect is facing charges of attempted murder. The two civilian victims, a man and a woman, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while a police officer stabbed in the attack was treated and released. British Transport Police were called to Manchester's Victoria Station at 8.50 pm Monday after reports of "a man with a knife," authorities said. Witnesses said they heard the attacker shout "Allah" and "Long live the caliphate." Police carried out a search Tuesday at a home in Manchester's Cheetham Hill area where the suspect resided. "I know that the events of last night will have affected many people and caused concern," Greater Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said Tuesday. "That the incident happened so close to the scene of the terrorist attack on 22 May 2017 makes it even more dreadful." Victoria Station is near Manchester Arena, where 22 people died 19 months ago in a bombing after an Ariana Grande concert. "There is wide reporting in the press about what the attacker allegedly said during the incident and because of this we want to be clear, we are treating this as a terrorism investigation," Hopkins said, while adding that police were "retaining an open mind in relation to the motivation for this attack." --IANS vin (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Republican presidential candidate and incoming Utah Senator Mitt Romney has launched a scathing attack on President Donald Trump, writing in an editorial that he caused dismay around the world and had "not risen to the mantle of the office". "It is well known that Donald Trump was not my choice for the Republican presidential nomination. After he became the nominee, I hoped his campaign would refrain from resentment and name-calling. It did not," Romney wrote in the Washington Post opinion piece on Tuesday. "... His conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions, is evidence that the President has not risen to the mantle of the office." Romney, who is set to be sworn into the Senate on Thursday, also said that Trump's presidency weakened America's influence abroad, writing that "Trump's words and actions have caused dismay around the world". "The world needs American leadership and it is in America's interest to provide it." "With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable... And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring." Romney said that he agreed with some of the policy changes Trump has championed. "But policies and appointments are only a part of a presidency," he wrote. Responding to Romney's piece, Trump's 2020 campaign manager Brad Parscale said that the incoming senator "lacked the ability to save this nation" while Trump "has saved it". "Jealously is a drink best served warm and Romney just proved it. So sad, I wish everyone had the courage (Trump) had," Parscale wrote. Romney and Trump have long had a complicated political relationship. The President had called Romney "irrelevant" and once bragged that he was a more successful businessman. When Trump was running for President in 2016, Romney called him a "phoney" and a "fraud". In 2017 he slammed the President after the deadly white supremacist rally in Virginia for causing "racists to rejoice" and "minorities to weep". Romney said he would support the President in policies he thought were in the best interests of Utah or the US but speak out against actions "that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions". --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government in the Lok Sabha over the Rafale issue, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday targeted AIADMK for "protecting" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A heated debate on the Rafale jet deal began in the Lok Sabha amid loud protests and sloganeering by AIADMK members over the Cauvery water dispute. While attacking Modi over the Rafale deal, Gandhi referred to the agitating Tamil Nadu MPs and said: "It is a tragedy that our friends in AIADMK are trying to protect Prime Minister Modi". He also targeted Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over her assertions that the pricing of the France-built jets was confidential. "Defence Minister is hiding behind AIADMK. She publicly stated that price is a secret. But she has been contradicted by French President himself who said that price is not a secret," said Gandhi. AIADMK members disrupted the proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament on the day. --IANS and/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tamil Nadu government will provide a cash gift of Rs 1,000 and a gift hamper to all ration card holders in the state to celebrate Pongul festival, said Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit here on Wednesday. The state government will also restructure its transport corporations with the help of German agency KfW and has formulated a housing project for slum dwellers, said the Governor. The government will release an industrial policy on aerospace and defence shortly to promote indigenous component in the two sectors, he said. Delivering his customary address in the state Assembly, Purohit said: "I am happy to announce that this government will give a cash support of Rs 1,000 per family for the celebration of Pongal festival which will be applicable for the entire state, except Thiruvarur district where the Model Code of Conduct is in force following by-election to the Thiruvarur assembly constituency." He said Pongal gift hampers containing raw rice, sugar, raisins, cashew nuts, cardamom and sugarcane would be given to all card holders in an effort to mitigate the impact of Gaja cyclone in Cauvery delta and the widespread drought in northern districts. Purohit said the state government is embarking on a comprehensive restructuring programme for the transport corporations with the support of the German bilateral financing agency, KfW. "This would involve replacing the aging fleet with fuel-efficient BS-VI buses and procurement of environment-friendly electric buses in metro cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai," he added. According to him, the state government has formulated a comprehensive housing project called 'Tamil Nadu Housing and Habitat Development Project' to transform slums in Chennai, Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts with World Bank assistance. "A similar project for areas other than Chennai Metropolitan Area has been proposed to the Asian Development Bank for assistance. The common building rules will also be notified shortly to enhance the ease of doing business in the housing sector," he said. He said the Japan International Cooperation Agency has approved the funding for expanding Chennai Metro Rail project to the tune of Rs 20,196 crore for the priority stretches totaling 52 km from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur and Madhavaram to Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT). He said the loan agreement for the first tranche of approximately Rs.4,770 crore was signed on 21st December, 2018 and work will commence shortly. According to him, the government will soon launch a scheme to extend financial support to NGOs for opening schools in interior tribal areas, catering substantially to tribal students as the literacy among tribals is significantly lower than the state average. The state being a major automobile hub, thrust will be given for the promotion of new-generation electric vehicles with appropriate incentives, Purohit said. According to him, the establishment of industrial hubs for defence products in Chennai-Vellore-Salem-Hosur-Coimbatore-Trichy corridor will definitely improve the prospects of Tamil Nadu as a major defence manufacturing hub. "Further, implementation of Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) and the 7th Pay Commission recommendations have also widened the revenue deficit. "The delay in the release of Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation, due to the state, has also accentuated this problem," Purohit said. Meanwhile the DMK and Congress walked out of the House at the start of Purohit's speech. --IANS vj/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Manipur government tightened security in the state ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Friday. Director General of Police L.M. Khaute has instructed police and para-military forces to be on duty round the clock. Twenty-five men from the Special Protection Group (SPG) are already in Manipur coordinating the security measures by the state and central forces. Police said that cordon and search operations were being conducted in trouble-prone areas. Some insurgents including those on bail had been detained. Some guns and explosives were also seized during the police operations. Meanwhile, Corcom, the apex body of six banned insurgent groups in Manipur, announced on Wednesday that the Prime Minister's visit will be boycotted. It said that a "public curfew" shall be remain in force from 1 a.m. on Friday till Modi leaves the state. The state government has cancelled all leave for Friday except on medical grounds. Reports suggest that most government employees are likely, as in the past, to stay in hotels or houses of relatives and friends to go to office since there shall be no public transport on Friday. --IANS il/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018 that amends the Aadhaar Act 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha amid opposition by the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who introduced the Bill, said it was not in violation of the Supreme Court judgement and rejected the Opposition's concern over privacy. As Prasad was about to introduce the Bill, TMC's Saugata Roy opposed it and said it was in contravention of the September 26 Supreme Court judgement that restricted the use of Aadhaar for only such things which have the colour of a subsidy and which are paid out of the Consolidated Fund of India. "This Bill is outside the legislative purview of the House, in that it violates the Supreme Court judgement. Hence, this Bill should not be introduced and I strongly oppose the introduction of the Bill under all laws possible," he said. Raising apprehensions that the government may once again take the Money Bill route to make the amendments despite the warnings given by Supreme Court and a cross-section of political parties, he said the government's primary interest is in maintaining the status quo on Aadhaar, that is, ensuring that it can be used by the public while paying disservice to Supreme Court direction and the concerns of the general public. Expressing strong opposition against the Bill, Congress' Shashi Tharoor said: "This Bill enables private organisations to get Aadhaar details which is in violation of the Supreme Court judgement. The Bill is immature in protecting the right to privacy. It must be withdrawn." Calling that the bill "fringes the right to privacy", Revolutionary Socialist Party's N.K. Premchandran said: "Kindly see the definition of Aadhaar. The original Aadhaar definition has been changed... since it is in violation of Supreme Court judgement, I strongly oppose the Bill." Clarifying the importance of the Bill, the Law Minister said: "It is not mandatory for all to give Aadhaar details for authentication or KYC... we are not violating the Supreme Court judgement." "As far as the concerns raised about privacy, I would make it clear that privacy is not being invaded. World bodies like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have hailed the Aadhaar," he added and then introduced the Bill. --IANS bns-rak/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) If Telangana, with its welfare and development schemes, is emerging as a role model for other states in the country, the police force in India's youngest state is seeking to compete with the best in the world. Already ahead of others in leveraging technology, the police force is setting new benchmarks with its initiatives for improved policing, better interface with people and service delivery. A world-class integrated command-and-control centre is coming up in Hyderabad at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore. The ambitious project will comprise twin towers -- one a 20-storey building and the other 15-storied. When Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, there were apprehensions in some quarters that the problem of Maoist extremists, contained effectively over the last decade, would re-surface. The heat generated during the Telangana movement had also raised questions about the safety of the Andhra people settled in and around Hyderabad. However, these fears proved unfounded. Ever since taking over the reins of the state in 2014, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao laid great emphasis on his vision of transforming Telangana Police into a modern organisation. Purchase of new patrol vehicles for police stations was one of the first measures to modernise the force and improve the time taken to respond to emergency calls. The measures yielded the desired results as the current average response time is 8.5 minutes. In Hyderabad, the response time is less than five minutes. Police officers say Telangana has no competition in the country as far as emergency response is concerned. "No other state has a state-wide emergency response system," says Director General of Police M. Mahendar Reddy. All 800 police stations in Telangana have dedicated vehicles to respond to emergency calls. "Even in the UK, the response time in rural areas is about 15 minutes while in urban areas it is 5 to 10 minutes," the police chief told IANS. "Just reaching the scene is not enough. What they do once they reach there is also important. So we continue to work to improve the quality of what we do," said Reddy. A majority of the initiatives were launched in three police commissionerates covering the limits of Greater Hyderabad. As all tech giants, including multinationals, defence and research organisations and vital installations, are located in and around Hyderabad, the state focused on strengthening law and order machinery to further boost the investor confidence. Hyderabad, considered a communally sensitive city, was once notorious for frequent riots. There had been no major law and order problems during last four-and-a-half years. The police have already installed five lakh CCTV cameras in Greater Hyderabad as part of community policing to prevent and detect crime. It plans to add another five lakh in the next three years. Another five lakh CCTV cameras will be installed in the rest of the state. The police chief believes that giving a sense of safety and security to people across the state is important if investment and urbanisation is to spread to rural areas. "In Western countries, a lot of people stay in rural areas because they have infrastructure and industries there. Workforce will be willing to go to rural areas here if they are assured of security and if proper infrastructure is created," the DGP said. The technology applications implemented over the last couple of years include TSCOP, a mobile app to empower frontline police officers for smart policing on par with global standards; Hawk-Eye, a mobile app to empower the common man to become citizen police; E-Petty case, which help officers register cases immediately on the spot; and COP Connect, to support the professional communication and collaboration needs of the entire police department. In 2018, Telangana Police became the first police force in the country to use Facial Recognition System (FRS), which can help cops prevent crime and net offenders or suspects. The tool allows the police to identify potential offenders by comparing a suspect's face with lakhs of digital photographs of people, including offenders wanted and those missing, stored in Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS). Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), now in pilot stage in Warangal district, connects police stations with courts, prisons, forensics laboratories and the Fingerprint Bureau, a pan-India fingerprint collection of criminals. --IANS ms/mr/tb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on Taiwan to reject independence by terming it a "dead end" and embrace "peaceful reunification" with China. Xi made the remarks at a gathering to mark the 40th anniversary of the issuing of the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" -- which seeks peaceful reunification under the principle of "one country, two systems", state-run Xinhua news agency reported. While Taiwan is self-governed and de-facto independent, it has never formally declared independence from the mainland. Beijing considers the island to be a breakaway province and Xi's comments were in line with China's long-standing policy towards reunification. Calling both sides a part of the same Chinese family, Xi said: "Reunification is the historical trend and the right path, Taiwan independence is ... a dead end." "Taiwanese people must understand that independence will only bring hardship," he said, adding Beijing would never tolerate any form of activity promoting Taiwanese independence. Xi said his country reserved the use of force in the process of reunification with Taiwan, although he said that it will be directed towards external and separatist forces from the island. "We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means." "Chinese don't fight Chinese," said the President, adding that the use of force will be a way against the interference from external forces and the small number of "Taiwan independence separatists" and their activists. He also said that relations with Taiwan were "part of China's domestic politics" and that "foreign interference is intolerable". Beijing "reserves the option of taking all necessary measures" against outside forces that interfere with peaceful reunification and Taiwanese separatist activities. Xi said that China should be and will be unified and added that "it is a historical conclusion drawn over the 70 years of the development of cross-Strait relations, and a must for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era". The Chinese leader's speech came a day after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen gave her own New Year's address, in which she called on Beijing to "face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China," referring to the island by its official name. She also urged Beijing to "respect the commitment of the 23 million people of Taiwan to freedom and democracy". In 2018, Chinese pressure on Taiwan increased as the latter attempted to participate in international organizations. Taiwan lost three diplomatic allies in 2018 due to pressure from Beijing, including the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About Me Scott Because prophetic scriptures are found throughout the bible, it is obvious that a comprehensive, systematic approach would be useful, if not necessary, for the understanding of prophecy. Past prophecies have been fulfilled in a literal manner, as confirmed by the dating of these writings and historical records of confirmation. These past prophecies also serve as a model of how to interpret future prophecies. A literal view of prophecy clearly indicates a certain sequence of events will occur within a single generation, concluding with the Tribulation and Second Advent and these events will be obvious. The prophetic signs appear to be present in this generation and we believe these signs are revealed in the news from around the world. View my complete profile The Supreme Court will hear on Thursday a plea seeking the deployment of adequate manpower and equipment for the rescue of miners trapped in a flooded mine in Meghalaya. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjay Krishan Kaul agreed to hear the matter. The petition by lawyer Aditya N. Prasad said the equipment to flush out the water being offered by Kirloskars and Tata Trust should be immediately airlifted to the site instead of sending it by road. --IANS pk/mr/and (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Sabarimala temple in Kerala was shut on Wednesday after two women from the hitherto banned age group prayed there and was reopened an hour later after the priests performed "purification rituals". The dramatic pre-dawn entry by the two women, Bindu and Kanaka Durga, aided by policemen in civilian clothes led to angry reactions from opposition parties. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that two women had prayed at the temple. "Yes, it's true. The women have had temple darshan," he said in Thiruvananthapuram. As the news spread, the chief priest and temple tantri held a meeting and also met the Pandalam Royal family and decided to shut the hill shrine to conduct "purification rituals". Kantararu Rajeeveru, the tantri, said the temple closed around 10.30 a.m. and opened an hour later. Bindu and Kanaka Durga, who said they had 'darshan' at 3.30 a.m., had been prevented on December 24 by predominantly male pilgrims from entering the temple. Women and girls in the age group of 10 to 50 are barred from praying at the Sabarimala temple in line with tradition. This ban was struck down by the Supreme Court in September. Speaking to the media over telephone, Bindu said she along with Durga reached the Pamba base camp around 1.30 a.m. and along with a few police officers in civilian clothes went up the pathway. "The government had assured us all help. We reached the base camp and went up the pathway and we had darshan at 3.30 a.m. We, however, did not climb the hallowed 18 steps, instead went through the way normally used by VIPs," said Bindu. "We did not have any problems. Barring minor protests, there was no other issue," added Bindu. Rahul Eashwar, a member of the temple tantri family, earlier said that "corrective rituals" would have to be done. He called their entry "most unfortunate". Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan said the tantri had no right to close the temple. "This is a challenge to the judiciary. The government only did its role in upholding the Supreme Court directive," Jayarajan, considered the number two in the cabinet, told journalists. "This is a victory for women's rights. Women have entered Sabarimala temple earlier too," he added. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala called for protests against the Left government. "Vijayan will have to pay a heavy price for this," he said. Another Congress leader, K. Sudhakaran, called Vijayan "a fascist" and said the two women who entered the temple were his "puppets". "These two women are not believers. They are activists. They never went through the customary rituals that any true devotee does before embarking on the pilgrimage. These women did not have the customary holy kit carried by pilgrims," he said. State CPI-M Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said there was no reason to shut the temple. "Those who should observe the temple rules are themselves violating it," he said. "The role of the government is to abide by the Supreme Court order and it has done just that. The police did their job of providing security to the women." The Nair Service Society's General Secretary Sukumaran Nair thanked the temple priests for "closing down the temple. We will now follow the legal route against what has happened". State BJP General Secretary M.T. Ramesh thundered that Vijayan will have to pay "a heavy price" for violating the temple traditions. "What they did was to act like cowards. In pitch darkness, they took the two women," he said, adding that protests would be held in Kerala on Wednesday and Thursday. BJP activists protested in front of Devasom (Temples) Minister Kadakampally Surendran when he came to attend a programme in Guruvayoor. Similar protests took place when Health Minister K.K. Shailaja came for a function at her home district in Kannur. The temple town has witnessed protests by Hindu groups since the September 28 Supreme Court verdict that allowed women of all ages to enter the temple. Ever since the verdict, around three dozen women in that age group have tried but failed to go up the pathway leading to the temple due to protests. --IANS sg/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajya Sabha was on Wednesday adjourned for the day amid sloganeering by agitating AIADMK and DMK members who, in a very unusual move, defied Chair's orders to withdraw from the House and stayed put near the podium in the post-lunch sitting. Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu -- after his appeals to restore order failed on deaf ears and the House had already been adjourned several times -- named the agitating members and asked to withdraw from the House for the day under Rule 256 of the proceedings of the House. "You are forcing me to take action. I am forced to take the names of following members," Naidu said as he named A. Navaneethakrishnan, Muthukaruppan, Gokulakrishnan, Vijila Sathyanath, A. Selvaraj, R. Lakshmanan, S.R. Balasubramoniyan and V. Vijayakumar of AIADMK, and R.S. Bharathi, Tiruchi Siva, Kanimozhi and T.K.S. Elangovan of DMK. "I suggest to all these members to immediately withdraw from the House as per the traditions and customs of the House," he said as he adjourned the House for 15 minutes. However, as the House reassembled at 2.28 p.m, the named members had not withdrawn and continued shouting slogans near the Chair's podium. The MPs from Tamil Nadu have been protesting against the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka on Cauvery river. Deputy Chairman Harivansh, who was in the Chair, asked the MPs named by Naidu to "kindly withdraw" from the House, but they did not heed the advice. Harivansh then adjourned the House till 3 p.m. As the House reassembled at 3 p.m. the scene was no different and the AIADMK and DMK members were shouting slogans more loudly. MoS Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said that Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari had proposed to make a statement in the House over Mekedatu dam but the agitating members were not ready to listen to him. "It was a statement that would have satisfied all the members but some of the MPs did not let Gadkariji speak. The government is ready to discuss all issues in Parliament," Goel said. Amid the continued din, the Chair adjourned the House for the day. Earlier, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh moved a Resolution for Rajya Sabha to ratify the proclamation of President's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir on December 19, 2018 under Article 356 of the Constitution. Rajnath Singh made a small statement on the matter amid the din, but no discussion on the proposal could take place. Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, who hails from Kashmir, stood up to speak on the matter but could not do so owing to the noise. In the morning, too, the upper House was repeatedly adjourned amid sloganeering by AIADMK members. Chairman Naidu tried to go ahead with the Zero Hour but the din continued. He then adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House met at 11.40 a.m, it had to be adjourned again till noon. Again, as the Question Hour began at 12, the agitating MPs refused to relent and continued shouting slogans. The Chair then adjourned the House till 2 p.m. --IANS mak/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A local Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader in Bihar was shot dead near his village by unidentified men, police said on Wednesday. The killing triggered a violent protest by his supporters who beat to death a minor boy related to one of the suspects. Indal Paswan, a businessman-turned-politician, was shot dead near Maghda Sarai village in Nalanda district on Tuesday night when he was returning home after attended a function, police official Imran Perwez said. Paswan's body and his motorcycle were recovered on Wednesday morning by his family members during a search after he failed to return home on Tuesday night. Angry over his killing, residents, mostly his supporters, attacked the house of two suspects in the village and set it on fire and beat to death a minor boy, a relative of one of the absconding killers. The villagers staged a protest demanding the arrest of the killers. Police said three persons had been arrested. --IANS ik/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Despite the state being under a massive financial crunch, the Punjab cabinet on Wednesday approved modalities for providing smartphones to youth in the state. The promise to provide smartphones to youth, numbering around 50 lakh, was made by the Congress party in its pre-poll manifesto before assembly elections in February 2017. "The state cabinet, at its meeting on Wednesday, approved the modalities for the distribution of the smart phones, with graduating students of government schools, colleges and technical institutions to be covered in the first phase of the scheme," according to an official spokesperson. The students would be required to submit self-certification stating that they do not already possess a smartphone, he added. The scheme, which will give a further impetus to the state government's digital empowerment agenda, will provide for distribution of mobile phones with various smart features, such as touch screen, camera and applications to access social media, the spokesperson said. "In addition, one-time bundled 12 GB data & 600 local minutes talk time (voice) with one year validity would also be provided under the scheme," he added. The first batch of phones is expected to be distributed in March. The Punjab government had announced a scheme named 'Mobile Phone to the Youth' in its budget for the Financial Year 2017-18 with the objective of providing digital access to youth and information regarding education, career opportunities, access to skill development and employment opportunities and basic citizen centric services through government applications. The state government had appointed KPMG as the Project Management Consultant (PMC) at a cost of Rs 72.19 lakh for the duration of the project. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was under fire from opposition parties for not fulfilling the promise to provide smartphones to the state youth. The Punjab government is reported to be under a debt of Rs 2 lakh crore. --IANS js/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Protests erupted across Kerala on Wednesday after two women in the hitherto banned age group entered the Sabarimala temple before dawn, with the Sabarimala Karma Samithi (SMS) calling for a state-wide shutdown on Thursday. The temple was shut for an hour to conduct "purification rituals" after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that Bindu and Kanaka Durga had 'darshan' at 3.30 a.m., having been stopped on December 24 by predominantly male pilgrims from entering the hill shrine. The temple was reopened after an hour. SKS activists vowed not to rest till Vijayan was ousted from office and called a dawn-to-dusk shutdown on Thursday. Speaking to the media over telephone, Bindu said she and Durga reached the Pamba base camp around 1.30 a.m. and along with a few police officers in civilian clothes went up the pathway. "The government had assured us all help... We, however, did not climb the hallowed 18 steps, instead went through the way normally used by VIPs," said Bindu. "We did not have any problems. Barring minor protests, there was no other issue." As the news spread, Sangh Parivar outfits took to the streets across Kerala blocking traffic, burning tyres on main roads and stoning buses. In the state capital, the police used water canons and tear gas to disperse clashing CPI-M and Sangh Parivar activists. Protests were also reported from Kochi, Palghat, Kozhikode and Kasargode. Kerala's biggest traders' body, KVVES, announced it won't shut shops on Thursday as frequent strikes were causing huge losses. Once it became known that the two women had entered the temple, the chief priest and temple tantri met the Pandalam Royal family and decided to shut the shrine for "purification rituals". Women and girls in the age group of 10 to 50 are barred from praying at the Sabarimala temple. This ban was struck down by the Supreme Court in September. Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan said the tantri had no right to close the temple. "This is a challenge to the judiciary. The government only did its role in upholding the Supreme Court directive," he told journalists. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala called for protests against the Left government. "Vijayan will have to pay a heavy price for this," he said. Another Congress leader, K. Sudhakaran, called Vijayan "a fascist" and said the two women who entered the temple were his "puppets". State CPI-M Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said there was no reason to shut the temple. "Those who should observe the temple rules are themselves violating it," he said. "The role of the government is to abide by the Supreme Court order and it has done just that. The police did their job of providing security to the women." Nair Service Society's General Secretary Sukumaran Nair thanked the temple priests for closing the temple for "purification rituals". State BJP General Secretary M.T. Ramesh thundered that Vijayan will have to pay "a heavy price" for violating the temple traditions. "What they did was to act like cowards. In pitch darkness, they took the two women," he said, adding that protests would be held in Kerala on Wednesday and Thursday. BJP activists protested in front of Devasom (Temples) Minister Kadakampally Surendran when he came to attend a programme in Guruvayoor. Similar protests took place when Health Minister K.K. Shailaja came for a function at her home district in Kannur. The temple town has witnessed protests by Hindu groups since the September 28 Supreme Court verdict that allowed women of all ages to enter the temple. Since then, around three dozen women in that age group have tried but failed to go up the pathway leading to the temple due to protests. --IANS sg/mr/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg will come on a three-day state visit to Indian from January 7 during the course of which she will deliver the inaugural address at the annual Raisina Dialogue, a multilateral conference on international issues, it was announced on Wednesday. During the course of her visit, Solberg will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides calling on President Ram Nath Kovind, the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. "Prime Minister Solberg will deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue," the statement said. "She will also address the India-Norway Business Summit." The Raisina Dialogue, to be held from January 8 to 10, is a multilateral conference that addresses the major issues facing the global community and is organised by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) think tank in collaboration with the External Affairs Ministry. Stating that India and Norway enjoy close and multifaceted ties, the ministry statement said that economic and technical cooperation are important facets of the bilateral relationship. "More than 100 Norwegian companies have invested in India in areas such as ship-building, petroleum related services, hydro-power, clean energy and IT services," it stated. "Several major Indian companies are also present in Norway. "India and Norway have shared interest in sustainable use of ocean resources for growth of our economies." According to the statement, Solberg will be accompanied by senior officials from her government and a large business delegation. Modi and Solberg last held a bilateral meeting at the first ever summit meeting between India and the Nordic countries in Stockholm, Sweden, in April last year. --IANS ab/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The audio clip featuring a purported conversation between a Goa Minister and an unidentified person about the is a "desperate attempt" by the Congress to fabricate facts and no such discussion had happened, Chief Minister said on Wednesday. "The audio clip released by the Congress is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting," the former Defence Minister tweeted. Check LIVE Parliament debate on here Earlier on Wednesday, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala released an audio of a telephonic conversation allegedly between Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and another person, whose identity was kept anonymous, in which Rane is heard saying that Parrikar, at a Cabinet meeting, said that he had files related to the in the bedroom of his residence. Rane has claimed that the audio was doctored and has sought a probe by the police and central government agencies into the matter. Netflix dropped an episode of its show "Patriot Act With Hasan Minha" from streaming in Saudi Arabia after the Saudi government complained that the episode - which is critical of the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman - violated its cybercrime laws. In the episode, first shown in October, stand-up comedian Minhaj critiques the US' longstanding relationship with Saudi Arabia after the murder of the dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "Now would be a good time to reassess our relationship with Saudi Arabia", Minhaj said, adding "And I mean that as a Muslim and as an American". Netflix received a takedown request last month from the Saudi government's Communications and Information Technology Commission. It removed the the episode from viewing in Saudi Arabia last week, reported The New York Times. Defending the decision, Netflix said in a statement: "We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request - and to comply with local laws." The episode remains available to Netflix customers elsewhere in the world, and it can also be seen by viewers in Saudi Arabia through the show's YouTube channel, according to The Financial Times. Minhaj has not commented publicly on the removal of the episode. But in an interview published in The Atlantic last month, he spoke of the fear he felt after creating it. "There was a lot of discussion in my family about not doing it. I've just come to personal and spiritual terms with what the repercussions are," he had said in the interview. --IANS rb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The misalignment of planetary orbits in many planetary systems -- including our own -- may be caused by distortions in the planet-forming disk early in their existence, suggests new research. The planets in our solar system orbit the Sun in planes that are at most about seven degrees offset from the equator of the Sun itself. It has been known for some time that many extrasolar systems have planets that are not lined up in a single plane or with the equator of the star. One explanation for this is that some of the planets might have been affected by collisions with other objects in the system or by stars passing by the system, ejecting them from their initial orbital plane. However, the possibility remained that the formation of planets out of the normal plane was actually caused by a warping of the star-forming cloud out of which the planets were born. Recently, images of protoplanetary disks -- rotating disks where planets form around a star -- have in fact showed such warping. But it was still unclear how early this happened. In the latest findings, published in the journal Nature, the researchers observed, for the first time, a warped disk around an exceptionally young star, or protostar, that formed just several tens of thousands of years ago. The protostar is located about 450 light years away in the Taurus Molecular Cloud. "This observation shows that it is conceivable that the misalignment of planetary orbits can be caused by a warp structure formed in the earliest stages of planetary formation. We will have to investigate more systems to find out if this is a common phenomenon or not," said Nami Sakai, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR) in Saitama, Japan. Using observations from the ALMA radio observatory in Chile, the team from the RIKEN CPR and Chiba University in Japan discovered that L1527, an infant protostar still embedded within a cloud, has a disk that has two parts - an inner one rotating in one plane, and an outer one in a different plane. The disk is very young and still growing, the researchers found. The remaining question is what caused the warping of the disk. Sakai suggests two reasonable explanations. "One possibility is that irregularities in the flow of gas and dust in the protostellar cloud are still preserved and manifest themselves as the warped disk," she said. "A second possibility is that the magnetic field of the protostar is in a different plane from the rotational plane of the disk, and that the inner disk is being pulled into a different plane from the rest of the disk by the magnetic field," Sakai said. --IANS gb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rao Anwar Ahmed retired from police KARACHI: Recalcitrant police officer Rao Anwar Ahmed retired from police service while being suspended and facing trial for killing four men, including South Waziristan youngster Naqeebullah Mehsud, in a fake encounter last year, official sources said on Tuesday. They said that the 30-year-long career of Rao Anwar, who had been enlarged on bail in the Naqeeb murder case, in police ended as he attained the age of superannuation. He joined police in 1982 as an assistant sub-inspector and rose to the rank of SSP. Most years of his service remained controversial because of his involvement in various encounters, they added. As the SSP-Malir, Rao Anwar along with DSP Qamar Ahmed Shaikh and several other officials was booked for killing four men, including Naqeeb, in a fake encounter in Shah Latif Town on Jan 13, 2018. He was also booked for foisting fake recoveries of illicit arms and explosives on the victims. After protest by the civil society and anger over social media, the Supreme Court took suo motu notice and ordered his arrest. Furthermore, protests staged by the Mehsud tribe and the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) lent impetus to the call for justice for Naqeeb. He went into hiding soon after demands for his arrest in the Naqeeb murder case gained traction after it came to light that the victim had been a shopkeeper and aspiring model from Waziristan who had settled in Karachi. The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has given the green light to BrihanMumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST) to extend its existing power purchase agreement with Tata Power Co. Ltd. for five years, officials said on Wednesday. The 677MW PPA will be extended from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2024 on the existing terms and conditions, as per a MERC order. The power is supplied to BEST from TPC's Trombay Thermal and Hydro plants for the consumers in south Mumbai. The BEST had submitted to the MERC, which delivered its order today, that continuing the existing arrangement with TPC would be the cheapest option before the distributor. "As always, we are committed to supplying the most reliable and competitive power meeting the needs of BEST commuters," said TPC CEO and Managing Director Praveer Sinha on the development. The extension will ensure cheaper power to Mumbai consumers plus the advantage of hydro peaking power at the lowest rates in the country. It will also ensure continuous reliable power supply to the country's commercial capital from the embedded TPC thermal and hydro generating stations in view of the transmission constraints. --IANS qn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court on Wednesday allowed online pharmacies to sell drugs and cosmetics, staying an earlier order. A two-member bench of the court said the earlier direction to the Central government to notify the rules governing the online sale of drugs before January 31 continues. The Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association had filed a case against the sale of drugs by online companies. According to the Association, online purchases may be convenient, but there exists the risk of unlicensed online outlets selling fake/expired/unapproved medicines. Reacting to the court order, Pradeep Dadha, Founder and CEO, Netmeds.com in a statement said: "We are happy with the order of the Division Bench of the Madras High Court staying the sale of online medicines till further orders." "We are extremely grateful for the observations made by bench which validates the work that we have put in for the last three years," said Dadha. "As part of the observations, the bench recognized that mechanisms are in place to prevent any real abuse of process by the online pharma sector. One of the most pertinent observations made was that the Central Government is not opposed to online pharmacies and is actively putting in place systems for regulating the sales," Dadha said. --IANS vj/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Calling for a one-on-one debate with the Prime Minister on Rafale case, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday dismissed governments defence of the deal and demanded Modi to answer who inflated the price of the jets. After targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal in Lok Sabha, Gandhi later at a media conference questioned him over an audio clip purportedly featuring Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane claiming that Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had all the files on the Rafale deal. "I would like to debate with the Prime Minister one-on-one on Rafale, on anything on combat aircraft. Just give me 20 minutes," said Gandhi demanding Modi to answer "credibly" questions raised by him about the deal to procure 36 fighter jets from France. "The cost per aircraft was inflated from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. Was it Modi's decision or the Indian Air Force's? If the decision was not of IAF, then did they not object to the inflated price -- yes or know? "Why was a private entity which never made an aircraft chosen and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited bypassed, and who took the decision not to manufacture the Rafale jets in India?" asked Gandhi. Referring to former French President Francois Hollande's remarks that the private entity was a condition precedent for the Rafale deal, Gandhi also asked Modi if Hollande was "lying" or "telling the truth". He also accused Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of "lying." Dismissing his defence of the deal in Lok Sabha, he questioned: "Why was the decision maker of the deal, Modi himself, not giving the answers?" "The decision is on Rafale and the decision maker who announced the deal with pomp is not answering and Jaitley is trying to defend Modi and his actions. "Modi can run away from debate, but the truth cannot be hidden. The entire country knows that Modi changed the deal to help his industrialist crony pocket Rs 30,000 crore," alleged Gandhi. Jaitley questions us about the figure Rs 1,600 crore, but he himself told Parliament that the size of the Rafale deal is Rs 58,000 crore, or Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft," said Gandhi said, playing a video clip of Jaitley's earlier address in Parliament. Punching holes in Jaitley's assertions that the cost of the jets was enhanced due to new weapons, Gandhi said the Modi government's defence of the deal was inconsistent. "The 2007 request for proposal (RFP) documents clearly states that direct flyaway aircraft be delivered with full compliments of weapons and the weapons package was integral to the flyaway aircraft," said Gandhi reading out the RFP and also enumerated some of the weapon and equipment annexed with it. "Jaitley has a habit of telling lies one after the other, but the reality is Rafale deal was made to steal from the exchequer," said Gandhi adding "chowkidar chor hai" (watchman is a thief). About the audio clip featuring Rane, Gandhi alleged Parrikar was "blackmailing and threatening" because of the files that he possessed. "The question is: what is the information on those files with Parrikar, what is the impact on Modi?" asked Gandhi referring to the audio clip which Rane claimed to be "doctored". On the other hand, Parrikar has called the clip Congress' "desperate attempt to fabricate facts". "The audio clip released by Congress is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting," tweeted Parrikar. Gandhi, however, insisted the Supreme Court verdict was not a clean chit to Modi and reiterated the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the deal. "The Supreme Court did not say there was no corruption in the deal nor did it say that there can be no investigation into the deal. There are issues with the court verdict and that is why we demanding a JPC, which will bring out all the truth. --IANS and/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind KejriwalA will head the party's campaign in the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, the party said on Wednesday. Speaking about the party's plan in Punjab, AAP leader Gopal Rai told media that Kejriwal will hold three rallies in the state over the next 30 days. "The party will launch its official campaign in Punjab from Thursday. Kejriwal will hold a meeting of Punjab block-level heads along with MLAs and MPs at his residence here on Thursday," Rai told media. "Kejriwal will hold rallies on January 20 (Sangrur), January 28 (Anandpur Sahib) and February 2 (Amritsar) in Punjab," Rai said. In Haryana, the Delhi Chief Minister will hold a rally on January 4 in Charkhi Dadri. "The party will start a door-to-door campaign in Haryana from January 5 in different districts and from January 10 across the state," he said. Kejriwal, Rai said, will launch the party's door-to-door campaign in Haryana by holding meetings with office-bearers of Lok Sabha seats in the state at his residence. The office-bearers will be trained during the meeting and will conduct the campaign in each parliamentary constituency. In Haryana, the party will appoint a ten-member team in every village which will go door-to-door to campaign for the party, he said. In Delhi, Kejriwal will hold meetings with campaigners of door-to-door programme conducted so far in different constituencies. The first such meeting with South Delhi volunteers will be held on January 10 -- which will mark the launch of Phase 3 of the door-to-door campaign in Delhi. The AAP will appoint 3.62 lakh 'Vijay' (victory) 'Pramukh' (in-charge) in Delhi and 4.62 lakh in Haryana. "Each Vijay Pramukh will cover ten households in a polling booth and will be responsible for providing voting slips to the voters and bring them to polling stations on the day of voting. They will also participate in a week-long campaigning before the polling," Rai said. They will also distribute pamphlets to voters seeking their response on questions on AAP government's performance in Delhi and about the party and Kejriwal. --IANS nks/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japanese Emperor Akihito on Wednesday greeted tens of thousands of flag-waving well-wishers in the final New Years address of his reign, ahead of his abdication at the end of April. Accompanied by Empress Michiko, Akihito greeted the crowds from a balcony in Tokyo's Imperial Palace, wishing everyone a "good year". A record 154,800 well-wishers visited the palace during the course of the day, the Japan Times reported. "I hope this year will be a good year for as many people as possible," said the Emperor, who waved to the crowd with his wife and other members of the Imperial family from behind bullet-proofed glass on a balcony of the palace. Akihito prayed for the peace and happiness of the people of Japan and the world, Japan's broadcaster NHK reported. Akihito, 85, will abdicate on April 30 and the next day his eldest son, Naruhito, will assume the Chrysanthemum Throne. Akihito decided to abdicate in 2016 because his advanced age prevented him from fully performing his duties. A total of five greeting sessions were initially planned for Wednesday: Three in the morning and two in the afternoon. But due to the large number of visitors, the Imperial Household Agency added another greeting session in the afternoon. The number of visitors to the palace to see the last New Year greeting by Akihito as emperor touched a record 154,800 figure since he ascended the throne in 1989. In 2018, 126,720 people visited the greeting ceremony, a 31 per cent rise compared to the year before. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Far-right congressman Jair Bolsonaro has been sworn in as Brazil's new President and he promised to build a "society without discrimination or division". The 63-year-old former army captain in his inaugural speech on Tuesday talked about a "national pact" to free Brazil of corruption, crime and economic mismanagement, the BBC reported on Wednesday. After being sworn in in front of the Congress, Bolsonaro went on to the Planalto Palace where the outgoing President, Michel Temer, handed over the presidential sash. Speaking afterwards, he said Brazil would "start to free itself of socialism" and "political correctness". US President Donald Trump commended him for his speech, saying the US was "with" him. Among the foreign guests at the inauguration were US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Bolsonaro won the presidential election by a wide margin against Fernando Haddad of the left-wing Workers' Party on October 28, 2018. Despite portraying himself as a political outsider during his campaign, Bolsonaro served seven terms in Brazil's lower house of Congress, the Chamber of Deputies, before being elected President. He has been a member of several political parties but is currently in the Social Liberal Party. --IANS mag/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) is planning to launch 32 space missions in 2019, a top space official said here. "The year 2019 promises to be challenging to the (ISRO) community with 32 planned missions," its chairman K. Sivan said in a message to his employees on New Year on Tuesday. The missions include the second lunar mission Chandrayaan-2 to land on the moon with lander and rover. The Rs 800-crore lunar mission will the 25th from the second launch pad of the space port at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, about 90km northeast of Chennai. India's maiden human space mission in 2021-22, Gaganyaan, will also be pursued this year, Sivan said in a first-of-its-kind New Year message from the space agency top executive to its staff. "Gaganyaan activities will go in full steam to accomplish the various development and qualification milestones," the Chairman said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of Gaganyaan on August 15 last year has allowed the space agency to fulfill its dream of undertaking a human spaceflight programme, Sivan said. The pad abort test held on July 5, 2018 to test the escape system of the crew module has given confidence to pursue the human space mission, he added. The space agency is also aiming to re-instate its remote sensing capability through the Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) series and hopes to attain geo-imaging capability through Geo Imaging Satellite (GISAT) series. "The country will meet the high throughput bandwidth requirement of Digital and also in-flight connectivity with the launch of GSAT-20," Sivan said. The space agency will enhance remote sensing data for crop production estimation to cover 10 additional crops and provide inputs for water and energy security. "It is planned to improve the payload capability of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and its variants," he added. Marking the birth centenary of the founding father of India's space programme, Vikram Sarabhai, will host a year-long celebration from August 12, with and international events such as fellowships, scholarships at universities. Recounting the year gone by, Sivan said 2018 had many firsts for ISRO, which undertook 16 missions, of which seven were accomplished in 35 days. "The confidence in is reflected in the highest ever allocation of about Rs 30,000-crore for 23 new and continuation programmes in a single year," Sivan said. Among the space agency's achievements in 2018 were launch of the heaviest satellite GSAT-29 (3,423 kg) on November 14 and building the heaviest communication satellite GSAT-11 (5,854 kg), launched on December 5 onboard the Arianespace space agency's rocket from French Guiana on the north Atlantic coast of South America. ISRO has received approval for the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), along with a dedicated launch pad, and is working on reusable launch vehicle development, Sivan noted. "The approval of 30 Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and 10 GSLV Mk-III operational flights, along with development of semicryogenic stage, uprated cryogenic stage and all-electric spacecraft propulsion will accelerate ISRO towards new capabilities, Sivan added. The space agency has been working on programmes for the socio-economic security and sustainable development, including that of national geo-spatial energy information system, enhanced earth observational capabilities, real-time disaster management like during floods in and north eastern states last year. ISRO has also tied up with the to provide technical support for establishing an integrated control room for emergency management, Sivan stated. The space agency is working to step up its launch capacity through a second vehicle assembly building for the second launch pad, which has been completed and is constructing a PSLV integration facility for the first launch pad. --IANS bha/fb/prs The BJP's ally Shiv Sena on Wednesday sought clarification from the ruling party in Rafale fighter jet deal, saying: "if the government is honest, then it should be ready for a JPC probe." The demand was made by Arvind Sawant who participated in the debate on Rafale deal in the Lok Sabha along with members of Trinamool Congress (TMC), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-M) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP). "I have heard Jaitely saab (Finance Minister Arun Jaitley), but could not find any solution. You had earlier talked about the withdrawal of the deal, then what led you to do the deal again? "When the HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) is capable of manufacturing Rafale, why was it deprived of it and the deal given to an entity which got registered a few days ago," Sawant asked the government. He also asked why Rafale strength was reduced and why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not take the Defence Minister to France when the deal was finalised. TMC's Saugata Roy hit out at the ruling party after Jaitley's response, saying "it is pathetic that the NDA with 300 members in the Lok Sabha has had to borrow a member from Rajya Sabha to speak". He said his party and leader Mamata Banerjee believe in transparency and probity in all defence purchases. "I think we have to appoint a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the whole thing," said Roy. BJD's Kalikesh Narayan Dev asked if Qatar has the same Rafale planes at cheaper prices, then how did the NDA government finalise the deal in Rs 1,600 crore for each aircraft? "Nobody wants the deal scrapped. If HAL is able to manufacture MiG aircraft, then why can't it manufacture Rafale? Why were we insistent on the 36 Rafale jet deal? This deal deserves transparancy," Dev said. TDP's Jayadev Galla said there is something "fishy" in the deal and demanded the ruling party explain on "discrepancies". CPI-M's Mohd Salim said: "Operation coverup began before the deal started. If Jaitleyji is accepting that the deal was finalized taking lessons from Kargil War, then why didn't he tell the reason behind reducing the number of aircraft?" The House held a debate on the Rafale jet deal in the Lok Sabha on its first meeting on the New Year. The Congress had already got Speaker's approval on such a debate. --IANS rak/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To revive the ancient Sarasvati river in the state and ensure regular flow of fresh water into it, the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board (HSHDB) on Wednesday approved 11 major projects, including restoration of various heritage sites along the course of the mythical river. Presiding over the 4th meeting of governing body of the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who is the chairman of the Board, said it is the priority of the Haryana government to ensure that fresh water flow in the Sarasvati, which is mentioned in Hindu mythology. Khattar launched a mobile app developed by the Haryana Sarasvati Heritage Development Board. Information related to the Sarasvati, including scientific evidences of its existence and other relevant studies, have been made available on the app. The projects which were approved for the rejuvenation and development of the Sarasvati include construction of Somb Sarasvati barrage and Sarasvati reservoir, construction of an Adi Badri dam and other development works in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana in Yamunanagar district, the river rejuvenation from Sarasvati reservoir to its outfall in the Ghaggar, inter-linking of Markanda river and the Sarasvati through the Kainthla supply channel and other projects. --IANS js/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to look after the infant saved just in time on Tuesday from being buried alive by his father in Srinagar. Farooq Ahmad Lone, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, said on Wednesday the Srinagar Child Welfare Committee would take care of the abandoned infant. People in old city Nowhatta area on Tuesday reportedly saw Manzoor Hussain Banyari of Shopian district trying to bury his infant child alive. Banyari was handed over to police while the authorities shifted the child for treatment to a children's hospital in the city. The father said the child was suffering from a congenital deformity and that he had no means to treat the child. Banyari was arrested and later released on bail. --IANS sq/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pak-India handed each other list of nuclear installations Islamabad and New Delhi on Tuesday handed over to each other a list of nuclear installations and facilities in both the countries under an Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities signed on December 31, 1988. According to a Foreign Office statement, the list of nuclear installations and facilities in Pakistan was officially handed over to a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Likewise, under Article II of the instrument, Indian Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi also handed over the list of Indian nuclear installations and facilities to a representative of the Pakistan High Commission. It is worth mentioning that the agreement contains the provision that both countries inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities on January 1 every year and information sharing practice is infield since January 1, 1992. Meanwhile, under the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India, Islamabad handed over a list of 537 Indian prisoners (54 civil + 483 fishermen) in Pakistan to the High Commission of India in Islamabad. The government on Wednesday rejected in the Lok Sabha the opposition demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, saying there was no corruption, and accused the Congress, "which has a legacy of scams" like Bofors and AugustaWestland, of inventing allegations against a "clean" government. Intervening in the discussion on the controversial deal with the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault, he said there was no need for a JPC since the Supreme Court had already given its verdict on the process, pricing, offset clause and HAL issue after satisfying its conscience. A parliamentary committee can come to a consensus when it comes to policy matters but could become partisan when it comes to investigation, Jaitley said, explaining why the government was ruling out a JPC probe. "Rafale issue is not a policy or administrative or governance matter. It is an investigation into whether it was a clean or an unclean deal. The Supreme Court has said that 'we have satisfied our conscience' about pricing, HAL, offset. What will JPC do in an investigation?" Jaitley said and referred to the JPC that went into the kickbacks in the Bofors deal. "The committee headed by (late) Shankaranand gave a report saying that they were not kickbacks but winding up charges. The JPC whitewashed the fraud of corruption," he said amid thumping of desks by party members. "And the JPC is now being demanded by those with a legacy of corruption, wanting to invent allegations of corruption as we have given a clean government." Taking a dig at the Congress, he said: "The conscience of the Supreme Court was satisfied but the election needs of the Congress were not." The Congress, which has been demanding constitution of a JPC and staging protests in the house, on Monday suddenly offered to face a debate on the issue on which Jaitley had thrown a challenge to the party. Launching a no-holds-barred attack on Gandhi and his family, Jaitley said one family in the country whose hands were dipped in corrupt deals was now raking up the issue of corruption in the Rafale deal, which he said was in the interest of national security and the jets were urgently required by the Air Force to strengthen its fighter squadron. Needling Gandhi, the Minister said he had to be taught from ABC as he had described an offset partner as the manufacturer of plane. "I did not expect to see such kind of ignorance from a party that has ruled the country for 60 years." Giving details of the Rafale deal, Jaitley said the current government finalised the deal for the fighter aircraft at a much cheaper price than what was negotiated by the UPA government. He said there was a difference between the basic aircraft and the weaponised aircraft. "We have got the basic aircraft at least 9 per cent cheaper and weaponised aircraft 20 per cent cheaper than UPA's agreement." Rejecting Gandhi's charge that the deal was unilaterally decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and regular procedures were flouted, Jaitley said all processes were followed including setting up of a Contract Negotiation Committee, Price Negotiation Committee and 74 meetings of defence officials regarding the weaponary requirements. "The deal was finalized in 2016 after it was duly examined by the Defence Acquisition Council, the Defence Ministry and the Cabinet Committee on Security," he said. He justified why HAL was excluded from the deal saying the demand of the time was swift delivery of aircraft and the HAL required 2.7 times the man-days required by Dassault. "Keeping in mind the urgent need of the Air Force, we could not have waited. And price would have also increased with more time taken to build aircraft." Jaitley said just as it was in national interest to have a public sector company to build aircraft, it was also national interest to ensure quick supply of aircraft to the Air Force. Countering Rahul Gandhi's charge of a particular company getting offset contracts worth Rs 1.3 lakh crore, the Minister asked how could that be true when the whole deal was of Rs 58,000 crore with offsets amounting to Rs 29,000 crore -- distributed among 100-120 suppliers. Jaitley accused the previous UPA government of dilly dallying on the deal because of the then Defence Minister's indecisiveness. He made a sarcastic reference to Antony by saying that the Minister would clear the file "on the one hand" and sought a review "on the other hand". "One hand belonged to the Air Force and the other belonged to the Congress party." --IANS vv-bns/vsc/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday said the government was receptive about any "constructive" suggestions by the Opposition on the triple talaq Bill. His response came in response to IANS query as to why the government was not accepting the Opposition demand to refer the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 to a select committee of Parliament for scrutiny. "Our decision will be decided on the floor of the House when I speak there. We have already improved a lot of things. A Select committee is important, but the plight of victim women is equally important. I would appeal to the MPs to listen to their plight," Prasad said. "We have no ego in...But the thing is that whatever is needed to be improved has been done. If they (Opposition) have a constructive suggestion, they can give us. We are open to consider them. But they did not give any suggestion in the Lok Sabha," he added. During the discussion on the Bill in Lok Sabha, the Opposition, and even the fence sitters such as the AIADMK and BJD, unanimously demanded that the Bill be referred to a joint committee for scrutiny. The government did not yield to the demand and got the Bill passed after a four-hour debate. When the Bill came up for discussion and passage in Rajya Sabha on December 31, the Opposition pressed for voting on the Bill whether it should be sent to a select committee of the House. The voting could not take place due to din and subsequent adjournment. Slamming the Congress, Prasad said: "From Shah Bano to Shayara Bano, the Congress party's attitude has been the same. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is a woman herself. I would appeal the party should think of the victim women." --IANS mak/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As the NDA government went on the back foot in Parliament over an audio clip originating from Goa, the state BJP had to resort to desperate trouble-shooting to counter allegations made by the Congress over the issue. The audio clip involves Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane purportedly claiming that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, during a recent cabinet meeting, had claimed that files related to the Rafale deal were stored in his bedroom. A Goa BJP spokesperson has accepted that the taped conversation has the potential to damage the party's reputation, even though Rane has demanded a probe into "doctoring" of the audio clip. The Congress appealed to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to raid the former Defence Minister's bedroom and seize files related to the Rafale fighter jet deal and sought protection for Parrikar as well as the yet-to-be-identified person, who Rane is speaking to in the audio clip. Parrikar was the Defence Minister from 2014-17. An hour after Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala in Delhi released the audio of a telephonic conversation in Delhi, Rane addressed a press conference in Goa claiming the 2:24-minute clip was doctored and demanded that Parrikar probe the matter. "The audio which is going viral is doctored. The CM should direct the DGP to probe this... Manohar Parrikar never talked about Rafale... They (Congress) are trying to sensationalise Rafale. Central agencies should probe so that these things can come out," Rane said, adding that he had spoken to both Parrikar, as well as BJP national president Amit Shah. The Congress, meanwhile, upped the ante demanding action by the Union Home Ministry because the matter dealt with "national security". "In national interest, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh should order the agencies under his Ministry and other Central agencies to raid Parrikar's house and his bedroom and seize the files in his possession," Congress spokesperson Siddhanath Buyao told a press conference on Wednesday. He also said, that the CM as well as ministers present at the cabinet meeting held on December 21, should be put through a lie-detector test to ascertain the veracity of Rane's statement. Parrikar, who is suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, is currently recuperating at his private residence, where the cabinet meeting in question was held. Buyao also sough protection for Parrikar as well as the individual speaking to Rane in the telephone conversation. "He (CM) can meet the fate of judge Loya or Haren Pandya, because this statement was made by Parrikar according to Vishwajit Rane. Even Parrikar should be given security, now that Parrikar has said those (Rafale) files are with me," Buyao said. Meanwhile, in a press conference held at the state BJP office late on Wednesday, accused Buyao, who is incidentally a musician who also owns a recording studio, of possibly doctoring the audio clip. "There are so many mimicry artistes. Maybe the audio clip was doctored at Buyao's recording studio... The CM should get to the bottom of the matter. The Health Minister has already written to the Chief Minister to investigate this," said BJP spokesperson Nilesh Cabral. Cabral also blamed the Congress for raking a "cooked up story" in order to malign the ruling dispensation, while also stating that the audio clip had the potential to damage the BJP's reputation. "Damage is something which we cannot ascertain (but) it is done by the audio clip," Cabral said. --IANS maya/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday stepped up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, saying the entire country was "pointing fingers" at him and demanded that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) must probe the deal to bring out the truth. In a speech that was marked by shouting from ruling party benches, Gandhi sought to play a purported recording of a conversation of a Goa Minister on the issue that triggered heated exchanges between Congress and BJP members in the Lok Sabha. Initiating a debate on the controversial deal for acquiring fighter jets from France, he attacked Modi on the "process, pricing and patronage" and said "there are many holes in the Rafale story". "I thought 'daal me kuch kala hai but puri daal hi kali hai' (I thought there was some wrongdoing but nothing is right). We demand JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee). It will bring out the truth. Modiji bypased processes, contract was snatched from HAL. A JPC is needed," he said. Gandhi was seeking to dismiss Modi's statement in a television interview on Tuesday in which he said the allegations in the Rafale deal were not directed at him personally but was against the government. "He (Modi) was looking tired, nervous (in the interview). He said no one has pointed fingers at me but the whole country is pointing fingers at him," Gandhi said. Gandhi said a news report had said that that in Defence Ministry's file notings, it had been stated that "PM Modi shouldn't interfere in Rafale deal's negotiation". "Modi must also answer on this," he said. Gandhi accused Modi of bypassing procedures to award an offset contract to a private entity after agreeing to a three-time hike in the price per aircraft and reducing the number of planes to be bought. Referring to the Supreme Court verdict which rejected pleas seeking a probe into the Rafale deal and said the apex court had said a probe was not in its jurisdiction and had not said that there should not be a JPC or a parliamentary probe. Pandemonium broke out when Gandhi took out his mobile phone and wanted to play the recorded conversation of a Goa minister amidst stiff opposition from the ruling benches, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who alleged that after concocting French President Emmanuel Macron on the issue of price, Gandhi was now trying to play a conversation which he knew was false. As shouting continued, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked Gandhi to authenticate the purported conversation and sternly told him not to play any recording. "They are so afraid. I will not play the tape and if it pleases you but...," he said adding he would read from the taped conversation. Jaitley interjected to say that Gandhi knew it was false and was refusing to authenticate it. "You know it is false," Jaitley told Gandhi. "Because he knows it is false... he lies repeatedly." The Minister also referred to Gandhi's statement on Macron and said it too was false and fabricated. The Speaker adjourned the House briefly as the two sides were locked in heated exchanges. Resuming his speech, Gandhi quoted the Goa minister as saying that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has all the files and notings on Rafale deal. "Goa CM has said that I have Rafale files at my home. It has been authenticated by a cabinet minister in Goa who belongs to the BJP," he said. Pointing to Modi's absence from the House, Gandhi said: "PM is hiding behind AIADMK MPs. He is hiding in his room." Gandhi said the Indian Air Force (IAF) wanted 126 fighter jets but the Modi government agreed to purchase only 36 planes from France. "Who changed the requirement of Air Force from 126 to 36 in the new deal? The excuse given to purchase 36 aircraft was that they were needed urgently. Why has not a single aircraft landed on our soil till now?" he asked. Gandhi alleged that the "entire procedure was bypassed" and the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said he had "no idea" about the new deal. He said the UPA had negotiated price of Rs 526 crore per aircraft and was to procure 126 fighter jets but when Modi went to France and met then French President Francois Hollande, a new deal was done and the price went up to Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft. "Why did the price go from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore?" He alleged that Hollande had stated that contract was taken away from HAL and the offsets contract was given to a private entity at the behest of Modi. "Is it a fact that the new price was objected to by Defence Ministry officials? Is there a objection to the new price?" He said HAL had been making aircraft for the past 70 years and had vast experience in making combat jets also. "HAL has tremendous record, it is the future of aviation in the country and gives thousands of jobs. Why was the contract taken away from HAL," he asked. He alleged that Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in the pocket of an individual and claimed that the private entity had brought land from money given by Dassault Aviation, the maker of Rafale fighter jet. The Congress leader said that French President Emmanuel Macron had told him that pricing of aircraft can be disclosed. He said Modi, during an earlier 90-minute speech in the Lok Sabha, had touched Rafale only for five minutes and not answered questions posed to him. --IANS ps-rak-bns/vsc/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday set up an expert committee to propose long-term solutions for the economic and financial sustainability of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector currently plagued by liquidity and other issues. An RBI statement said that the committee headed by former Securities and Exchange Board (Sebi) Chairman U.K. Sinha will examine the factors affecting the timely and adequate availability of finance to the sector, as well as study the global best practices regarding MSMEs and recommend its adoption in India. The move comes a day after the RBI permitted a one-time restructuring of existing MSME loans that are in default but "standard" as on January 1, 2019, without an asset classification downgrade. To be eligible for the scheme, the aggregate exposure, including non-fund based facilities of banks and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), to an MSME borrower should not exceed Rs 25 crore as on January 1, 2019. "It has been considered necessary that a comprehensive review is undertaken to identify causes and propose long term solutions, for the economic and financial sustainability of the MSME sector," the statement said. "Towards this end, it was announced in the Fifth Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement for 2018-19, dated December 5, 2018, that the RBI will constitute an Expert Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises." The panel will also review the current institutional framework in place to support the MSME sector, study the impact of the recent economic reforms on the sector and identify the structural problems affecting its growth, the statement added. Besides Sinha as the Chair, the committee will have the Additional Secretary, Development Commissioner MSME Ram Mohan Mishra, Financial Services Joint Secretary Pankaj Jain, State Bank of India MD P.K. Gupta, ICICI Bank Executive Director Anup Bagchi, IIM-Ahmedabad Professor Abhiman Das, iSPIRT Foundation Co-founder Sharad Sharma and Dvara Trust Chairperson Bindu Ananth. Support for MSMEs was one among the contentious issues between RBI and the government leading to the abrupt resignation of previous RBI Governor Urjit Patel last month and the immediate appontment of his successor Shaktikanta Das, who had earlier retired as the Union Economic Affairs Secretary. Earlier on Wednesday, Das announced he will hold talks with representatives from the MSME and NBFC segments next week. --IANS bc/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Wednesday described as "deplorable" Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that the government will be ready to make efforts to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya after the judicial process. "This stance of the Prime Minister, welcomed by the RSS as a 'positive step', is deplorable," the CPI-M said in a statement. "It is a move to pressurize the Supreme Court by indicating that the government will take steps to facilitate the building of the temple irrespective of the verdict of the court. "The Prime Minister who has taken oath of office under the Constitution is bound to follow and implement the verdict of the Supreme Court," the CPI-M added. --IANS mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called the Congress a "habitual conspirator", which misused power to frame its opponents. At a hurriedly convened press conference at his official 5, Kalidas Marg residence, the monk-turned-politician said the history of Congress was replete with conspiracies, be it the Rafale deal or the AugustaWestland case. Referring to the Supreme Court verdict on the Rafale deal and a special court's observation that the CBI under the UPA regime was pressurised to implicate the present BJP chief, Amit Shah, in the Sohrabuddin encounter case, the UP Chief Minister said that the recent judgements of the courts had exposed the Congress completely and its attempts to malign and fix its political adversaries. He also demanded that the Congress tender an unconditional apology for its 'anti-people' and 'anti-national' actions. "As is the situation now, within three days, the conspiracies of the Congress and its acts of working against national interests have been exposed," Adityanath said. All these things proved that the Congress, for its narrow gains, targeted people opposed to it and could even compromise on national security, the Chief Minister maintained. He also alleged that former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had hatched a conspiracy to implicate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah. The Congress was working in the interest of a terrorist, he charged, adding that Shah had also called for a free and fair probe into the matter. "This is not only shameful but also amounted to playing with national security," the UP Chief Minister said, while pointing out that people in the "kitchen cabinet of Sonia Gandhi" were influencing government actions and were hell bent on harming the reputation of the "rising stars in Indian politics". He also thanked the court for exposing the conspiracies of the Congress. The Congress was neck deep in corruption and was involved in scams in Jal-Thal-Nabh (water, ground and air space), the Chief Minister added. He also trashed Congress' claims of having an audio recording wherein a BJP minister from Goa was saying that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had all files related to the Rafale jet deal in his bedroom. --IANS md/oeb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday said it has registered a case against five Army officials, including a Colonel, for allegedly receiving bribes worth Rs 18 lakh. In its FIR, the investigating agency has named Colonel Raman Dahda, Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Kumar, Subedar Devender Kumar, Subedar Sahuran Sahu, Havildar Abhay Singh and supplier K.K. Yangfo. They have been booked under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act. According to the FIR, when the incident took place, Dahda was the Commanding Officer of the 556 Army Supply Corps (ASC) and Mahendra Kumar a Platoon Commander. The CBI lodged the case based on a complaint from the Army. This is second case the agency has registered in the last few days. In the FIR, the CBI has alleged that the officers received bribes to the tune of Rs 18 lakh in cash from civilian contractors in connection with procurement of ration for the Army personnel deployed in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The CBI said it carried out a preliminary inquiry that revealed undue favour to a chain of officials and unit representatives responsible for checking the quality and quantity of items being supplied by Yangfo. --IANS aks/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its ex post facto approval to India's negotiating stand at COP24 where it reiterated its commitment to Paris Agreement, but added that the actions of developing countries must be supported by developed nations. The Indian delegation to the 24th Conference of Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held at Katowice in Poland between December 2 and 15, was led by Minister Harsh Vardhan. "The key focus of the meeting was to finalize guidelines for implementation of Paris Agreement in post-2020 period. India's approach was guided by principles and provisions of UNFCCC and Paris Agreement particularly the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capability (CBPR-RC)," an official statement said. "India reiterated its commitment to Paris Agreement and highlighted its leadership during the COP-24 by reuniting its promise to implement the Paris Agreement fully in a collective manner. In line with our traditional ethos of protecting environment, India has taken several initiatives to address climate change concerns under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and these initiatives reflect India's commitment towards climate action," it added. The government said the push for renewable energy leading to achieving about 74 gigawatt of installed renewable energy capacity, including about 24 gigawatt from solar, was an example of India's efforts. "It is, however, important to ensure that the actions of developing countries are supported by sustained and adequate means of implementation including finance, capacity building and technological support by developed countries," the government statement said. "The adopted guidance operationalises the obligation of developed countries in providing means of implementation to developing countries and requires developed countries to provide detailed information to bring clarity on projected levels of climate finance. "Parties have also agreed to initiate the work on setting up the new collective finance goals post-2020 from the floor of $ 100 billion," it added. --IANS vv/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved the merger of public sector lenders Dena Bank, Vijaya Bank with Bank of Baroda (BoB). Briefing reporters following the cabinet meeting, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the merger will make the "transferee" Bank of Baroda the third largest bank in the country and a "globally competitive entity". "There will be no retrenchment of employees as the employees of Dena and Vijaya banks will be transferred to BoB. There will be no problem in service conditions," he said. Announced by the government in September last, this reform measure aimed at further consolidation in the banking sector will make BoB the country's third largest bank with a combined business of Rs 14.82 lakh crore. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced the merger proposal, saying the respective boards of the three banks have been directed to consider the proposal at the earliest. Jaitley said the merger would create a sustainable mega-bank. The merger decision was taken by the "alternative mechanism" comprising Jaitley, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. This is the second such exercise in the last 21 months. In the previous such mega merger, five associate banks and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank became part of the state-run State Bank of India on April 1, 2017, making the country's largest lender among the world's top 50 banks. Noting that Dena Bank has been under the Reserve Bank of India's Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework on account of its massive accumulated non-performing assets (NPAs or bad loans), Jaitley had said the consolidated entity's capacity to absorb a weaker bank had guided the government's decision to propose this merger. --IANS bc-rv-rrb/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nawaz Sharif filed appeal against verdict of Al-Azizia Steel Mills Former premier Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday filed an appeal against the verdict of the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference in the Islamabad High Court a week after an accountability court awarded a seven-year jail term to the former prime minister in the case. On December 24, 2018, Accountability Court II Judge Arshad Malik had sentenced Nawaz to seven years in prison along with a fine of Rs1.5 billion and $25 million in the Al-Azizia corruption reference. The former premier is serving his term in Lahores Kot Lakhpat Jail. The appeal against Nawazs conviction in the reference was filed by his counsel Khawaja Haris. In the appeal, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo requested the high court to declare his sentence null and void, and release him on bail. He argued that the courts verdict was grounded in an incorrect interpretation of the law. The accountability court, which announced the verdict failed to cater to the objections raised by the accused, the appeal stated. A separate petition has also been filed seeking suspension of Nawazs sentence in the reference. A two-member divisional bench of the Islamabad High Court will hear the appeal against Nawazs conviction and sentence. 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 Sharif in 2005, in Saudi Arabia. Of the amount, Nawaz Sharif transferred 77 percent to his daughter, Maryam Nawaz Sharif. (Maryam is not an accused in this reference). Here as well, the NAB claims that since Sharif received a large profit from Hussains companies, he is the real owner and not his son. Moderate to heavy snowfall may occur across Himachal Pradesh in the next one-two days, the Met Office said on Wednesday. Residents and tourists have been advised not to venture in the high hills as snapping of road links are high. The supply of essential commodities and transportation of people may get hampered in remote areas of the state, a government official told IANS. Hills of Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts are likely to experience moderate to heavy snowfall from January 4-6, an official of the meteorological office here told IANS. He said the western disturbances -- storm systems originating from Caspian Sea and moving across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region -- are likely to remain active in the region till January 9. Most of the prominent tourist towns like Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Dalhousie and Manali are likely to have light to moderate spells of snowfall, he added. Kalpa in Kinnaur district saw mild snowfall. It recorded a low of minus 3.4 degree Celsius. Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district was the coldest place in the state with a low of minus 4.6 degree. Shimla recorded the minimum temperature at 3.7 degrees Celsius, while it was 0.6 degree in Manali and 2.8 degrees in Dharamsala. --IANS vg/mag/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Australian government on Wednesday announced the closure of two onshore immigration detention facilities, saying its efforts to stop people seeking asylum by boat has reduced the number of people in detention. In a move that the government claimed as a win for its tough border protection policies, Immigration Minister David Coleman said that Maribyrnong in Melbourne and Villawood in Sydney would be closed. They mark the 18th and 19th immigration detention centres closed by this government during its two terms in power. There are approximately 1,250 people currently in Australia's eight remaining immigration detention centres, down from 10,200 in mid-2013, SBS News reported. "The government has stopped the boats, got the children out of detention and closed the once-full immigration detention facilities," Coleman said in a statement. Maribyrnong was closed immediately after the remaining 107 detainees were transferred while Villawood will be shut down by the middle on 2019. Stopping asylum seekers from coming to Australia by boat was one of the key pillars of the Liberal National Party's 2013 election campaign where it won power from the Australian Labour Party (ALP). "Under the previous Labour government, 50,000 people arrived on 800 boats, 1,200 people tragically drowned at sea and 8,000 children were put in detention," Coleman said. "At its peak in July 2013, there were more than 10,000 people held in immigration detention facilities in Australia, including 2,000 children." Every single one of those children who were in detention in 2013 have now been removed, he said. The minister attacked Labour over its border protection policies, saying the former government was "forced to open 17 detention centres to deal with the catastrophic failures of their policies". The current government's closures saved the country 500 million Australian dollars ($352.4 million), he added. However, Refugee Action Coalition group dismissed the government's decision to close two immigration detention centres as an "empty gesture". The group's spokesperson Ian Rintoul called it a "meaningless announcement". "The fact is that the government has increased detention capacity with new compounds being opened at Yongah Hill, and a high detention facility opening in the Melbourne Immigration Transit Accommodation, to replace Maribynong," he said. "There has been no significant decrease in the numbers of people detained on the mainland. In November 2018, there were 544 people who had been in detention more than one year -- up from 505 in September 2018." "Worse, it is inexcusable that the numbers of people being held in detention longer than a year keeps growing. In November 2018, 281 people had been in detention over two years," he said. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With over 1.15 lakh postcards addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several meetings with MPs, thousands of women and child survivors of human trafficking from across the country are running from pillar to post demanding that Rajya Sabha pass an anti-trafficking bill that the Lok Sabha cleared in July. Several Rajya Sabha members, including D. Raja (Communist Party of India), have supported the bill. However, several days of the current session have been washed out due to a variety of political wrangles, the latest one concerning the triple talaq bill. There are just five working days left for the session and though the Lok Sabha will meet briefly in February to pass a vote on account and not a regular budget as general elections are due in May, it is not clear if the Rajya Sabha will also meet. In such a scenario, the bill can only be taken up when parliament convenes after the general elections. With their demands, survivors from various collectives -- Utthan, Vimukthi, Aazaad Shakti Abhiyaan, Bandhan Mukti and Worker Survivor Support group -- had gathered here last month to share their experiences of trafficking, ranging from sexual exploitation, bonded labour and forced marriage, among others. The gaps in the existing legislation, according to the survivors, had led to more suffering after the rescue, as currently there is no official rehabilitation scheme for the freed victims. "The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018, has a strong mechanism for voluntary rehabilitation and victim-protection and, in its absence, we are struggling for justice, official rehabilitation and compensation," Ankita (name changed), a trafficked bonded labour, told IANS. Ankita was 20 years old when she was trafficked to a brick kiln in Odisha from Chhattisgarh, along with 13 others from her family and village. After being abused sexually and mentally for months, they were rescued in February 2018 but still await justice and official rehabilitation. "We were promised by our trafficker that our families will be paid Rs 20,000 per head and every day we will get Rs 500 as the wage. I went there to an unknown location in Odisha with my father as it was difficult for him to run a family of six. After going there we realised that we were not employed, but were sold to the brick kiln owner." Recalling their heart-rending slavery days, Ankita, now 22, said in the brick kiln, they were subjected to sexual and verbal abuse by the agent and other staff. "We were under high observation all the time and were denied personal space. All of us (13 people) were staying in a small room. We were not allowed to move freely or go out. We were neither paid nor was sufficient food given to us. The other women, including me, were physically abused and sexually assaulted. They even tried selling me for prostitution for Rs 20,000, but my father protested." With the help of a mobile phone she kept secretly, she got in touch with Jan Jagriti Kendra (JJK) who helped rescue her through tracking her location online. "The rescue team of JJK, along with some local police officers, visited the brick kiln. The owner of the brick kiln fled. However, he was arrested later. His nephew and the contractor were also arrested. The victims were rescued and an FIR was lodged at the local police station. No release certificate was issued to the rescued. No compensation was received by the victims. No wage settlement was done," JJK head Manju Gardai told IANS. The bill lays down a stringent punishment of 10 years to life imprisonment for aggravated forms of trafficking, which include buying or selling of persons for the purpose of bonded labour, bearing a child, as well as those where chemical substances or hormones are administered, and if a survivor acquires life-threatening illnesses such as AIDS. The bill also proposes a National Anti-Trafficking Bureau (NATB) for coordinating, monitoring and surveillance of trafficking cases. It also provides for a Relief and Rehabilitation Committee and Rehabilitation Fund with an initial allocation of Rs 10 crore. It prescribes forfeiture of property used, or likely to be used, for the commissioning of an offence. It also provides for the establishment of investigation and rehabilitation authorities at the district, state and national level. Anti-Trafficking Units will be established to rescue victims and investigate cases of trafficking. Rehabilitation Committees will provide care and rehabilitation to the rescued victims. Twenty-nine-year-old Chandrima belonged to a poor family that had largely ignored her well-being. In her teenage days, she was lured by one of her neighbors into commercial sexual exploitation. She was trafficked from Tenali district in Andhra Pradesh at the age of 18 and rescued by the police from Vijayawada when she was 25. "An FIR was filed against Sujatha, the trafficker, but no justice has been done in so many years. Now I am working with other survivors to assist them and help rescue them. I want the Bill to be passed so that culprits like my trafficker will be scared and are punished for spoiling lives of innocent girls," Chandrima told IANS. Twenty-five-year-old Zohra, who was trafficked into domestic work and commercial sexual exploitation, echoed the same demand. Recalling her life after being trafficked, Zohra said she was forced into commercial sexual exploitation. "I was transported to various brothels and hotels in and around Maharashtra. If I resisted, I was tortured severely, beaten and threatened with death." Rescued by the Pune police in a raid, she said an FIR was lodged against the trafficker, the agents and other offenders but no prosecution took place and no compensation was given to her. According to the National Crime Records Bureau report, 15,379 victims of human-trafficking were reported in 2016, out of whom almost 60 per cent were minors. The report has also estimated that more than one lakh children (111,569) have gone missing till 2016, and 55,625 of them remain untraced. (Names of victims have been changed) (Nivedita Singh can be contacted at nivedita.singh@gmail.com ) --IANS nks/vm/tb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who has impersonated former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in "The Accidental Prime Minister", says the trailer of the film is not easily available on YouTube. "Dear YouTube, I am getting messages and calls that in parts of our country if you type, trailer of 'The Accidental Prime Minister', it is either not appearing or at 50th position. We were trending at No. 1 yesterday. Please help," Anupam tweeted. If one searches for the trailer of "The Accidental Prime Minister" on YouTube, the user ends up getting Anupam's interviews regarding the film. However, if one types "'The Accidental Prime Minister' official trailer", the trailer will emerge right at the top. Ever since the release of the film's trailer, the project has been dogged by controversies. Satyajeet Tambe Patil -- President of the Maharashtra State Youth Congress -- sent a letter to the producer of the film demanding a special screening before it is released. He raised objections to "incorrect presentation of the facts" in the film. Also featuring actors Akshaye Khanna as Baru and Divya Seth Shah as Manmohan Singh's wife Gursharan Kaur, the film is scheduled to release on January 11. --IANS sim/rb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least five Afghan soldiers were killed and six others were wounded after Taliban militants attacked an Army camp in the country's Kandahar province, officials said on Wednesday. Afghan Army personnel repelled Taliban militants armed with guns and rocket propelled grenades after they stormed the camp outside Maywand district's centre on Tuesday night, a government official told Xinhua news agency. The official said several militants were also killed and wounded during the gun battle, but their number could not be specified. The Afghan security forces have suffered increasing casualties since the beginning of 2015 when the country's soldiers and police assumed full responsibilities of security from the US and NATO troops. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least four workers were killed and one was critically injured on Wednesday due to a gas explosion inside a coal mine in Pakistan's Balochistan province. The blast took place in the morning due to accumulation of gas in the mine in Chamalang area, 200 km west of Quetta, police spokesperson Abdul Razzaq told Efe news. The authorities were able to rescue a survivor who was taken to a hospital and was said to be critical. The bodies were retrieved from hundreds of metres down the mine where the colliers were digging out coal. All the four were Afghan nationals and two of them were brothers. Poor safety conditions make mines in Pakistan prone to frequent accidents. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons were killed and three injured when a car in which they were travelling rammed into a container truck in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district on Wednesday, police said. The accident occurred on the Chennai-Kolkatta highway near Vankayalapadu when the car crashed into the container truck from the rear. The victims, all relatives, were returning to their village in Chittoor district after attending a marriage in East Godavari district. The dead include the car driver and two women. The injured were shifted to a hospital in Guntur. --IANS ms/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 29 Taliban militants, including two Iranians, have been killed in operations and airstrikes by Afghan forces in the country's Faryab province, the military said on Wednesday. The operation, which took place on Tuesday, marked the first instance in which Iranian citizens were officially found fighting in Taliban ranks. "Two Iranian terrorists ... were among the 29 Taliban fighters who were killed during the ground fighting and airstrikes of the Afghan forces in Khwaja Sabzposh district of the province," Hanif Rezaee, spokesperson for the 209th Shaheen Military Corps in northern Afghanistan, told Efe news. He said the two were fighting as Taliban commanders under the false names Mullah Ahmad and Mullah Jundullah, and added that two local commanders were also killed in the attack, while 23 rebels were injured. "Before this in Ghazni and Farah provinces, security forces had seized Iranian weapons from the Taliban ... but this is the first time Iranian nationals are being seen to be working among the Taliban ranks," the spokesperson added. The news came days after Iran started negotiations with the Taliban in Tehran with the aim of establishing peace in Afghanistan, at a time when the US is also in talks with the insurgent group and has held three rounds of discussions in recent months. After nearly 17 years of armed conflict, the government controls around 55 per cent of the total territory of Afghanistan while the Taliban controls around 11 per cent, with the rest being disputed area, according to the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key indices cut losses in morning trade after an initial slide triggered by negative Asian stocks. At 10:22 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 32.12 points or 0.09% at 36,222.45. The Nifty 50 index was down 21.15 points or 0.19% at 10,888.95 Trading for the day began on a subdued note as the key benchmark indices drifted lower in early trade on negative Asian stocks. On the macro front, the Nikkei Manufacturing PMI (Purchasing Managers' Index) for December 2018 will be announced today, 2 January 2019. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.06%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.14%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, turned positive from negative. On the BSE, 939 shares rose and 874 shares fell. A total of 129 shares were unchanged. Overseas, Asian stocks kicked off 2019 on a muted note, with a holiday in Japan dampening volumes, as evidence of slowing Chinese growth weighed on investors. Back home, M&M (down 3.23%), Vedanta (down 2.65%), Tata Steel (down 2.28%), Tata Motors (down 1.58%) and ONGC (down 0.97%) edged lower from the Sensex pack. TCS (up 1.25%), Infosys (up 1.03%), Yes Bank (up 0.52%), ICICI Bank (up 0.51%) and State Bank of India (up 0.5%) edged higher from the Sensex pack. NMDC rose 2.35%. NMDC announced that its board will meet on 8 January 2019, to consider buyback of the fully paid-up equity shares of the company. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 1 January 2019. LIC Housing Finance fell 0.75%. LIC Housing Finance announced that V. K. Sharma has resigned as chairman of the company with effect from 31 December 2018 consequent to attainment of superannuation from the services of Life Insurance Corporation of India. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 1 January 2019. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Infosys Ltd is quoting at Rs 668.25, up 0.48% on the day as on 12:44 IST on the NSE. The stock is up 30.86% in last one year as compared to a 3.52% gain in NIFTY and a 24.94% gain in the Nifty IT. Infosys Ltd rose for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 668.25, up 0.48% on the day as on 12:44 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.91% on the day, quoting at 10810.8. The Sensex is at 35944.47, down 0.86%. Infosys Ltd has dropped around 0.31% in last one month. Meanwhile, Nifty IT index of which Infosys Ltd is a constituent, has dropped around 1.79% in last one month and is currently quoting at 14450.9, up 0.17% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 47.54 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 75.08 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark January futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 670.05, up 0.37% on the day. Infosys Ltd is up 30.86% in last one year as compared to a 3.52% gain in NIFTY and a 24.94% gain in the Nifty IT index. The PE of the stock is 17.6 based on TTM earnings ending September 18. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Imran to jihad against poverty, illiteracy, injustice and corruption ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that his governments resolve in the new year was to wage jihad (struggle for a rightful cause) against the countrys four ills: poverty, illiteracy, injustice and corruption. Our New Year resolution is to wage Jihad against the 4 ills of our country: poverty, illiteracy, injustice and corruption. InshaAllah 2019 is the beginning of Pakistans golden era, the Prime Minister said in a tweet his first in 2019 posted on his twitter handle. During the day on Tuesday, the PM met Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Nawaf Saeed Al-Malki, to discuss matters of bilateral interest. Nawaf Saeed Al-Malki conveyed the special message of Saudi Arabias leadership to PM Imran during the meeting at PMs office in Islamabad. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), on November 19, had received the first tranche of $1 billion under the balance of payment support from Saudi Arabia. According to a SBP spokesperson, out of the promised $3bn Saudi assistance in foreign currency support, the central bank has received $1bn dollar, while the remaining amount of $2 billion is expected to reach in next few days. Separately, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) chairman Air Marshal Arshad Mahmood Malik apprised Prime Minister Imran Khan that 194 ghost employees, 73 cabin crew and seven pilots possessing fake degrees were expelled from the organization in the last two months. The PIA chairman briefed the prime minister about steps taken to revive and run the national flag carrier. The prime minister, who presided over the high level meeting, was apprised that the PIA had been incurring a total loss of Rs 414.3 billion, including Rs 247 billion loans, Rs 144.7 billion arrears and Rs 4 billion for payment of loans on monthly installment basis, besides payment of Rs1.5 billion as monthly interest. The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Privatization and Aviation Mohammad Mian Soomro, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Senator Faisal Javed and other senior officials, PM Office media wing in a press release said. The prime minister directed the PIA chairman to finalize a comprehensive and complete business plan, so that its losses could be netted, by making the PIA a profit-earning and financially stable organization. The prime minister was further told that due to lack of attention on the profit earning and non-profit earning routes in the past, the PIA was suffering a loss of Rs 500 million alone on the seven international routes. Considering those losses, the current management was reviewing the international routes. Moreover, it was also separately running into losses on different inland non-profitable routes. The meeting also took stock of reforms being undertaken for the revival of the national flag carrier, efforts for acquiring of new aeroplanes, simulators for training of pilots, training of the cabin crew and other financial issues. The prime minister was told that it was being ensured to pay salaries and pensions to the lower grade employees of PIA, similarly, its resources were being retrieved from those who had occupied them illegally, so that it could be spent judiciously. In a meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister, Dr Hisham Inamullah Khan, the PM said that no hindrance in health reforms will be tolerated in the province. Entities may avail incentive for women employees earning less than Rs 15000 per month Government is working on an Incentive Scheme wherein seven weeks wages shall be reimbursed to employers who employ women workers and provide the maternity benefit of 26 weeks paid leave, as provided for in the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017. To enable an entity to avail of the incentive, the women employees working in their entity should be a wage earner of less than Rs 15000 per month and a member of Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) for at least one year and not covered by Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). A meeting of Stakeholders' Consultation with representatives of concerned Central Ministries, State Governments, Employers', Employees' etc was held on 14 November 2018 to discuss the matter. The Scheme was supported by and large with the majority of stakeholders. The scheme is proposed to be administered after obtaining the approval of the competent authorities. The Incentive is proposed to be funded from the budgetary allocations. Government has not made any allocation for the scheme during the current financial year. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aims for better implementation of Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the restructuring of existing National Health Agency as "National Health Authority" for better implementation of Pradhan Mantri - Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). With this approval, the existing society "National Health Agency" has been dissolved and will be replaced by National Health Authority as an attached office to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The existing multi-tier decision making structure has been replaced with the Governing Board chaired by the Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India which will enable the decision making at a faster pace, required for smooth implementation of the scheme. The composition of the Governing Board is broad based with due representations from the Government, domain experts, etc. Besides, the States shall also be represented in the Governing Board on rotational basis. No new funds have been approved. Existing budget that was approved earlier by the Cabinet for The National Health Agency, including costs related to IT, human resources, infrastructure, operational costs etc. would be utilized by the proposed National Health Authority. It is envisaged that the National Health Authority shall have full accountability, authority and mandate to implement PM-JAY through an efficient, effective and transparent decision-making process. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Proposal entails benefits of around Rs 600 crore to exporters on interest equalisation The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the proposal of the Department of Commerce for including merchant exporters under the Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) for Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Export Credit by allowing them interest equalisation rate of 3% on such credit for export of products covered under 416 tariff lines identified under the scheme. These products are largely in MSME/ labour intensive sectors such as Agriculture, Textiles, Leather, Handicraft, machinery, etc. The proposal will entail benefits of around Rs 600 crore to exporters on interest equalisation, for the remaining period of the scheme. Inclusion of merchant exporters in the scheme is expected to make them more competitive, encouraging them to exports more products manufactured by MSMEs adding to country's exports. Additional exports by them will increase production by MSME giving a fillip to employment generation as MSME are generally in the employment intensive sectors. The present scheme, which is in-force from 1 April 2015 for five years, provides interest equalization rate of 3% on Pre and Post Shipment Rupee Credit for all manufacturing exporters exporting identified 416 four digit tariff lines and 5% on all merchandise products manufactured and exported by MSMEs. Merchant exporters were hitherto not covered under the scheme. Exporting community has been persistently demanding inclusion of the merchant exporters also in the ongoing scheme. Merchant exporters play an important role in finding overseas markets, getting export orders, communicating to MSME manufacturers the current preferences, trends and demand for products in international export markets. Merchant exporters also play a pivotal role in exports of MSME manufacturers as MSME manufacturers export significant quantity of products through merchant exporters. High cost of credit equally impact their competitiveness also as they factor the high interest costs in their export costing. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At meeting held on 02 January 2019 The Board of Dena Bank at its meeting held on 02 January 2019 has approved the following for amalgamation of Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda - Fair Equity Share Exchange Ratio - 110 equity shares of Rs 2 each of Bank of Baroda for every 1000 equity shares of Rs 10 each of Dena Bank. A Grievances Redressal Committee headed by Pramod Kode, retired judge of Mumbai High Court, has been set up to address the grievances of minority shareholders. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bank of Baroda announced that the Capital Raising Committee of the Bank at its meeting held on 02 January 2019 has approved the following - 1. Issuance of Tier-II Capital Bonds compliant with Basel III Capital Regulations of Rs. 285 crore, with a base issue size upto Rs. 100 crare and a Green shoe option to retain oversubscription upto Rs. 185 crore. 2. Issuance of Tier-II Capital Bonds compliant with Basel III Capital Regulations of Rs. 1000 crore, with a base issue size upto Rs. 250 crore and a Green shoe option to retain oversubscription upto Rs. 750 crore in single or multiple tranches. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a unique initiative "Women on Wheels" by the Hyderabad Police, female police officers will now be patrolling the streets to prevent crime against women. Elaborating about the newly launched initiative of city police, Hyderabad Additional Commissioner (Crime and SIT) Shika Goel told ANI, "The main purpose of launching 'Women on Wheels' was to empower women including our women constables. As the number of women constables is increasing in the police force, it is very essential to mainstream them so that they can perform all the duties like male constables. The women who are now joining forces are very capable and confident of doing all the duties. They have also started realising that they are not less than male cops and capable of performing every task." Twenty teams of women constables will be patrolling on two-wheelers in 17 sub-division in Hyderabad. On daily basis, the women officers will be attending 100 calls, complaints and prevent crime and build community relationships. For this, women constables have been provided with two-month training in driving skills, unarmed combat and technological initiatives, the Additional Commissioner added. Expressing happiness over the initiative, police constable Bushra told ANI, "Normally, male cops do patrolling and it is for the first time that female officers will be on patrolling duty. This is something, which makes us extremely happy with a feeling that we are not less than men. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The war of words over the Rafale deal intensified on Wednesday, with the Opposition led by Rahul Gandhi alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "changed" the contract and pressing for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe, which was rejected by the government which called the Congress president a "liar". The issue generated much heat in the Lok Sabha which took up a debate on it. The House witnessed repeated uproar and disruptions as charges and counter-charges flew. Even papers and paper planes were thrown by some members. During the debate, most of the Opposition parties pressed for a JPC probe and even the BJP ally Shiv Sena questioned transparency in the deal. Initiating the debate, Gandhi said, "Jab humne yeh mudda pehli baar uthaya, humko laga daal mein kuch kaala hai.... Do saal baad pata chala, puri daal hi kaali hai (When we raised the issue initially, it seemed that there was something wrong in the deal but after two years, it looks like everything is wrong)." Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while responding on behalf of the government, hit out at Gandhi, saying he was "manufacturing" and "inventing" corruption in a clean deal and indulging in "lies" for electoral gains. Taking a dig at Gandhi, Jaitley said that it was regrettable that the "grand old party" Congress, which ruled the country for 60 years, was being headed by a person who "does not understand what a fighter aircraft is." He said so much of "lack of understanding" was not expected from the Congress party leaders. Gandhi, while insisting on a JPC probe, alleged that the contract for Rafale deal was "changed" by the Prime Minister to benefit an industrialist "friend of his". He was barred by the Speaker from naming the industrialist. He said the BJP should not to fear the JPC as things will be clear after that. "It will be clear Modiji nay double 'A' ke jeb mein paise dale, pooray procedure to bypass kiya, HAL ke worker se chheen kar France ke worker ko diya gaya (It will be clear Modiji filed AA's pockets, bypassed the entire procedure, took away employment from HAL workers and gave to French). Let the truth come before the people," Gandhi added. Later in the day, the Congress president addressed a press conference and the Prime Minister should respond to his questions with "credibility" instead of fielding the Finance Minister to speak on the issue. He said he would like to have a one-on-one debate with the Prime minister on this issue, even for about 20 minutes. "But he (PM) doesn't have the guts. I have come here before you and you can ask any questions which I will answer," he said at the press conference and added that the Prime Minister does not face the media. The Congress president questioned whether it was not a fact that the price of each Rafale aircraft to be procured from French company Dassault was changed from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. In the Lok Sabha, Jaitley rejected the demand for JPC, saying there was nothing left to look into after the Supreme Court expressed satisfaction over all aspects related to the deal. To hit back at Gandhi for demanding JPC, he said a JPC formed to probe the Bofors gun deal and headed by Congress leader B Shankaranand had "whitewashed all corruption charges" by producing a "fraud" report. "Since you know your hands are soaked in corruption, you are levelling charges against a clean government. So let us not invent allegations," the Minister said. Jaitley maintained that the deal finalised by the NDA government would fetch India each Rafale plane 9 per cent cheaper than what was proposed under the previous UPA government. He said Gandhi is unable to understand mathematics of Rs 526 crore and Rs 1600 crore or even the offsets that form part of the agreement. "The Supreme Court has satisfied its conscience but Congress' electoral requirement has not been met," he said, adding that is why the Opposition party keeps on raking up the matter. Gandhi tried to clear the air on the Supreme Court order in the Rafale deal case, saying the top court verdict stated that probing it does not come under its jurisdiction, but the Court never said that JPC should not be formed. Gandhi asked whether the change of price was not objected to by officials of the Defence Ministry. The Congress President, who wanted to play some audio tape but was prevented by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, claimed that former Defence Minister and now Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had said that a file related to Rafale pricing was at his home. Asking the Prime Minister to respond, the Congress leader said the "entire country was pointing fingers at him". "Narendra Modi ji, on whom the nation reposed faith, put money in the pocket of his friend 'double AA'," Gandhi alleged. Jaitley said, "Last time the MP (Rahul Gandhi) spoke on the Rafale jets, he lied before the nation by concocting a conversation between him and the French President. Today, he repeats the same. Today, he tried to produce a tape but he is too scared to authenticate it." The minister called Gandhi and Congress a "conspirator" in "scams" like Bofors, AgustaWestland and Herald and he understands "only paisa" without caring for the security. He even made a reference to Ottavio Quattrocchi, an alleged middleman in the Bofors gun deal, by asking Gandhi whether he, as a child, used play in the "lap of Mr 'Q' about whom the CEO of Bofors gun company had said that he should be protected at all costs and subsequently a bank account of Mr 'Q' was discovered. He went on to add, "Today, the conspirator has the audacity to raise a finger against us?" Gandhi, after being stopped from playing an audio clip, threatened to read the transcript of the tapes when the House was adjourned for a few minutes following intense protest from treasury benches. "The biggest defence deal happened in France. (Narendra) Modiji got it done... In this tape Goa CM and ex Defence Minister in a cabinet meeting said that 'I have Rafale files in my house' and the entire truth about it has been authenticated by a cabinet minister of Government of Goa," the Congress President said. "Who changed the requirement of the Air Force from 126 to 36? Why is it that not a single aircraft has landed in India to date? Why did the price go from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1600 crore," Gandhi said. "There are three pillars of Rafale deal. First pillar is process, second is pricing and the third and most interesting is patronage. Senior officers of the IAF chose Rafale after long negotiations, IAF wanted 126 aircraft, why was the demand changed to 36?...Prime Minister in an interview said that no one is accusing him personally on Rafale. Entire nation is asking a direct question to the PM," Rahul said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday hailed the sweeping Congress victory in the just concluded Panchayat elections in the state as a victory of democracy and a clear vindication of his government's policies. The Chief Minister also congratulated the people of Punjab for ensuring a largely peaceful poll, in which a whopping 80.38 per cent of the people exercised their franchise - a record for the state. Singh lauded the security forces for maintaining law and order during the elections. "Undeterred by the false propaganda unleashed by the Opposition parties, including the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), against the Congress government, the voters came out in large numbers without fear to cast their votes in favour of our party's candidates," said Captain Amarinder. "This shows that the disillusionment of the electorate with the SAD and other opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), was complete," said the Chief Minister, adding that the people of Punjab were no longer willing to be misled by the canards being spread by these parties. Amarinder asserted that the Panchayat polls indicated the palpable pro-Congress mood in the state ahead of the next year's Lok Sabha elections while expressing the confidence that his party would win the parliamentary polls as well. "The people of Punjab had seen the development and progress of the past 21 months, since the Congress government took over, as against the utter ruination into which the erstwhile SAD-BJP regime had plunged the state during 10 years of their misrule," he said. "The negative campaigning of the opposition, which was clearly bereft of any positive agenda, had also contributed to the Congress victory in the Panchayat elections, and would continue to stand the party in good stead in the Lok Sabha polls," Amarinder added. Of the 13,175 Sarpanches announced elected so far, 11,241 belonged to the Congress, with SAD and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accounting for only 981 and 100 respectively. Other smaller parties and independents accounted for 813 of the elected Sarpanches. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States and Israel have formally quitted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Tuesday. The Times of Israel reported that the move came following alleged allegations that the Paris-based organisation criticised Israel's policies of East Jerusalem's occupation and the grant of full-time membership to Palestine in defiance of the American and Israeli pressure. "UNESCO is a body that continually rewrites history, including by erasing the Jewish connection to Jerusalem," Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon was quoted as saying. "It is corrupted and manipulated by Israel's enemies, and continually singles out the only Jewish state for condemnation. We are not going to be a member of an organisation that deliberately acts against us," Danon added. Israel initiated the withdrawal process after the US declared to step out of UNESCO in 2017. "We hope that the organization will change its ways but we are not pinning hopes on this; therefore, my directive to leave the organisation stands and we will move forward to carry it out," Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. The Jewish state, which is home to six UNESCO heritage sites including Masada, the Old City of Acre, the Bahai Temples in Haifa and the "White City" of Tel Aviv, had joined the United Nations organisation on September 16, 1949. However, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem confirmed that these sites will continue to remain as heritage sites even after Israel formally quits from the UNESCO membership. However, Al Jazeera further stated that the withdrawal from both the countries would not affect the UN organisation financially as both Israel and the US had stopped funding it since Palestine's membership was granted in 2011. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four security officials martyred in central Balochistan Four security officials were martyred and two others were wounded while staving off a terrorist attack on a training centre of a paramilitary force in central Balochistan on Tuesday. Four terrorists including a suicide bomber were also killed in the botched attack on the Frontier Corps training centre in Loralai district. The heavily armed terrorists attempted to storm the residential/administration compound at the training centre, according to the militarys media wing. However, the terrorists were challenged at the entry point and denied entry into the residential/administration compound, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. After failing to achieve their primary target, the terrorists resorted to indiscriminate fire and entered a compound adjacent to the check-post which was immediately cordoned off by the security forces. The valiant and timely action of the security forces denied the terrorists entry into the residential area which would have resulted in more casualties, the ISPR said. The terrorists were pinned down in the check-post by the security forces in the subsequent operation. Four terrorists were shot down including one suicide bomber who blew himself during the final stage of the clearance operation, the militarys media wing said. It added that four security forces personnel were martyred and two others were injured in the initial exchange of fire at the check post. The martyrs have been identified as Subedar Major Munawar, Havaldar Iqbal Khan, Havaldar Bilal and Sepoy Naqshab. Somalia, on Wednesday, labelled UN Special Representative Nicholas Haysom as a 'persona non-grata', adding that he cannot operate in the country anymore. "Somali notifies UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres that the United Nations envoy Nicholas Haysom is persona non-grata in the country and cannot operate," the Somali Foreign Ministry underscored, according to Sputnik. Furthermore, Somalia also accused Haysom of "violating protocols" and "deliberately interfering" in the country's internal affairs. Haysom had earlier condemned an attack on UN compound here, which injured two UN staff members on Tuesday. "(It) may amount to a violation of international humanitarian law," the Special Representative had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday hit back at the Republican senator-elect Mitt Romney for his Op-ed article which stated that Trump "has not risen to the mantle of the office." In his latest tweet, Trump asked whether Romney is a new "Flake", referring to retiring Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican who has criticised the President often in the last few years. He tweeted, "Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn't. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!" The Republican party's Presidential candidate for 2012 had slammed Trump in an editorial written for The Washington Post. "The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December," Romney exclaimed while outlining that Trump was never his choice as a Republican candidate for the Presidential elections in 2016. "The departures of Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, the appointment of senior persons of lesser experience, the abandonment of allies who fight beside us, and the president's thoughtless claim that America has long been a "sucker" in affairs all defined his presidency down," he said. Romney, who is set to take office on Thursday as the Senator-elect from Utah, criticised the President's character in the Op-ed, stating that Trump's "conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the President has not risen to the mantle of the office. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Green Tribunal (NGT) order of reopening the Sterlite copper smelter plant at Thoothukudi. On December 15, 2018, the green tribunal had set aside Tamil Nadu government's order for closing Sterlite plant. The NGT had directed the state government to roll-out fresh orders for the renewal of consent for Vedanta's copper smelter plant within a span of three weeks. It also directed the firm to spend Rs 100 crore in a period of three long years for the welfare of the people residing in nearby areas. In May last year, 13 people were killed and several injured in the alleged police firing during the violent protest against Sterlite plant in Tuticorin. The people were protesting against the construction of the Sterlite copper plant, claiming that it was polluting groundwater, and was hazardous for the environment. Taking note of the people's demand, the Tamil Nadu government on May 28 ordered the closure of the plant. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kagiso Rabada, who finished as number one on the 2018 ICC Test bowlers rankings, on Wednesday said when South Africa play against India, his side is the best. Given how well Indian quicks had done in South Africa and England in 2018 and against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rabada was quoted by ICC as saying: "People will have their opinion." "But obviously, when we play we believe we are the best. The Indians are a good attack; everyone here experienced it when they came down to South Africa. But when we play against them, we will believe we are the best - you have to," he added. Rabada also said that his hunger to improve has not diminished. "There are obviously a few goals I would like to achieve and the team as well. Just to improve on what I feel I could have done better last year. There are always things you want to improve on. You never really arrive, ever." "I am always looking for places to improve on. But at the same time, I have learnt to acknowledge my strengths and realise that things won't come so quickly. You have to look at the minor battles," Rabada concluded. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former world number one Maria Sharapova on Wednesday reached the quarter-final round of the ongoing Shenzen Open after her Chinese opponent Wang Xinyu retired from the clash owing to an injury. The 31-year-old Russian moved past impressive teenage opponent 6-7(4), 5-2 before the match came to an end due to latter's injury. Xinyu gave a tough fight to Sharapova with her powerful hitting and stunned the five-time Grand Slam champion by registering the first set 7-6 to her name. The set was an interesting one as, after a hard fought battle, both the players went into the tie-breaker round. A proficient display of forehand play by the Chinese player and a couple of double faults from Sharapova's side helped the former to register the tie-break round to her name. The second set also witnessed Xinyu playing at the top of her game. She clinched the initial lead by breaking Sharapova in the opening game using her stunning backhand strikes. After holding the Russian player at a score of 3-2, Xinyu suffered physical distress on the court following which she had to take a medical timeout. Her condition did not show any signs of improvement even after the play resumed. With scoreline reading 5-2 in Sharapova's favour, Xinyu pulled out of the match as she seemed unable to continue playing. Sharapova will either face Aryna Sabalenka Belarus or fellow Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova in the quarterfinals of the Shenzen Open. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking registration of an FIR against Samajwadi Party (SP) founder and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, for giving an order to open fire on 'Kar Sewaks' in 1990 during the Ram temple agitation. A bench of Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice KM Joseph dismissed the petition on the ground of delay in filing the petition. Rana Sangram Singh, petitioner, alleged that many 'Kar Sewaks', who were participating in a peaceful movement, were killed in the firing that took place while they were advocating for the construction of Ram temple, on the orders of Yadav, who was then Chief Minister of the state. The top court was hearing the appeal against the 2016 order of the Allahabad High Court which had also dismissed the plea. The Babri Masjid, built by Mughal emperor Babur in 1528 in Ayodhya was on December 6, 1992, pulled down allegedly by a group of Hindu activists, who claimed that the mosque was constructed after demolishing the Ram temple. On October 29, the Supreme Court had adjourned the hearing in Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit till January 2019 to fix the next hearing date in the matter, challenging the Allahabad High Court ruling of 2010. Since then, several hearings have been held in the top court to resolve the issue. However, the pressure is mounting on the Centre to build the Ram temple, where political parties and several organisations, including the RSS and VHP are demanding an Ordinance to be brought for its construction. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama on Wednesday was named for both the limited-overs squads for New Zealand tour. The 23-year-old has replaced fellow countryman Angelo Mathews, who was ruled out of the limited-overs leg of New Zealand tour after sustaining a grade-two strain in his left hamstring during the second Test in Christchurch. Samarawickrama, who made his international debut in October 2017, has represented his side in four Tests, six ODIs and five T20Is, so far. He also featured in Sri Lanka's most recent ODI series against England, scoring his first international half-century. Sri Lanka and New Zealand are slated to meet for the first ODI on January 3. The match will be followed by two more ODIs, and a one-off T20I on January 11 at Eden Park. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hours after two women visited Sabarimala Ayyappa temple and offered prayers earlier in the day, authorities on Wednesday shut down the temple for an hour for 'purification' rituals. The two Keralite women, Bindu and Kanakadurga, who are in their 40s, entered the temple premises and offered prayers in the early morning hours on Wednesday. They were accompanied by police personnel. Social activist Trupti Desai, who herself tried to visit the Sabarimala temple in November last year, said that the Kerala government should now protect the two women, as their names have been revealed and there could be a threat to their lives. "Since the names of two women have come out now, I urge the (Kerala) government that they should protect them since there could be a threat to their lives now," Desai told ANI in Pune. The two women had attempted to visit Sabarimala temple in December last year but failed amidst massive protests. Commenting on the matter, Kerala DGP Lokanath Behera said: "It is the responsibility of the police to give protection to those who come and we did it. Verifying the age and other details is not our responsibility." The top court had lifted a traditional ban on entry of women of menstrual age (10-50 years) on September 28 last year. Despite the apex court's ruling on the matter, a string of protests took place at the Sabarimala temple and its surrounding areas in the state, wherein several women attempted to visit the shrine, but were stopped by Lord Ayyappa devotees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 14 people have lost their lives while several are missing in a building collapse here. The death toll is expected to increase as rescue work continues. "As of (Wednesday) morning, 14 bodies have been recovered," the Russian Emergencies Ministry told Sputnik. Rescue efforts have been hindered due to the risk of debris falling down. A natural gas blast on December 31 hit a section of a block of flats in Magnitogorsk, leading to the destruction of 35 apartments along with causing damage to 10 others. Russian President Vladimir Putin cut short his New Year's holidays to visit the site of the incident on December 31. January 2 has been declared as a day of mourning in the region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Manufacturing of items of defence aerospace and warships will now be covered by Industries (Development and Regulation) Act and will not require any licence from the commerce and industry ministry, a government notification said Tuesday. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), under the ministry, has issued a notification clarifying the defence products' list requiring a compulsory licence under Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 (IDRA), and Arms Act, 1959 in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs and Department of Defence Production. Also Read: Government to give preference to domestically produced drugs for public procurement "Items of defence aerospace and warships now do not require a licence under Arms Act. Such items shall now be covered by IDRA," the department said in a tweet. In May 2017, the DIPP was allowed to process applications for grant of licence for manufacture of defence items. Earlier, the home ministry was carrying out this exercise. The department, under the commerce and industry ministry, is mainly responsible for the formulation of policies with regard to the promotion of foreign investment and manufacturing industries. Also Read: IT ministry officials to discuss proposed changes in social media rules on January 5 Also Read: BJP confident of doing well in general election: PM Narendra Modi Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called for Taiwan to accept "peaceful reunification" with China while addressing an event here. "Reunification is the historical trend and the right path, Taiwan independence is...a dead end," CNN quoted Xi as saying. The Chinese leader also said, "The historical and legal facts, that Taiwan is part of China and the two sides across Taiwan Strait belong to one and same China, can never be altered by anyone or any force," according to Chinese state media. He also tried to highlight the shared history between the two states by saying, "The fact that compatriots across the Strait are all Chinese who share a natural kinship and national identity can never be changed by anyone or any force." The Republic of China, or Taiwan, has always maintained that it is a free country with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen stating that China would have to "face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China" in her New Year's address. Tsai further urged Beijing to "respect the commitment of the 23 million people of Taiwan to freedom and democracy." Xi envisions the "One Country, Two Systems" system for Taiwan. "One Country, Two Systems was raised to accommodate Taiwan's reality and safeguard the interests and benefits of Taiwan compatriots ... under the precondition of ensuring national sovereignty and national security," Xi underscored. "We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will leave no room for any form of separatist activities," the Chinese leader mentioned in his speech. He further outlined that Taiwan is "part of China's domestic (and) foreign interference is intolerable," while adding, "We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will leave no room for any form of separatist activities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Both Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani will be in Amethi around the same time this weekend. Rahul is scheduled to be in Amethi on January 4 and 5, while Irani will be present there on January 4 during which both leaders will separately attend several events. Though the two leaders have visited the area several times in the last five years, this is the first time they will be in Amethi together at the same time this year. Rahul will meet the people of his constituency during this time, attend public and party reception events, hold 'corner meetings' and attend a function of newly appointed party spokespersons. He will be travelling to Salon Nagar, Pardeshpur, Naseerabad, Paraiya Namaksar and Gauriganj on January 4 before reaching Amethi in night. On January 5 after spending some time in Amethi, Rahul will travel to Musafirkhana tehsil, Jagdishpur and Tiloyi, where he will meet the family members of late Shiv Pratap Singh, veteran Congress leader who died last week after long illness, before reaching Lucknow to catch a flight back to Delhi. Irani will be attending a programme organised by Raghav Sewa Sansthan during which blankets and financial assistance will be distributed to poor persons and a foundation stone for a school will be laid. Rahul, a Member of Parliament from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, had defeated Bharatiya Janata Party's candidate Smriti Irani from this Lok Sabha seat in 2014 elections. Irani is expected to contest from the Amethi seat once again in the 2019 polls for which she has been trying to increase her influence through frequent visits. However, with the 2019 General Elections round the corner, the two leaders are back to the drawing board once against to rejuvenate their cadres and enthuse their voters. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first day of the New Year in Parliament on Wednesday saw a political slugfest between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party after the former released an audio tape in which claims were made that former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was in possession of Rafale deal related files. Parrikar, who is now Goa Chief Minister and his Health Minister in state Cabinet Vishwajit Rane promptly dismissed the audio clip released by the Congress, saying it was a desperate attempt by the Opposition party to "fabricate facts." Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, Congress party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala played out the audio clip through Bluetooth Speaker claiming Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane was speaking in it to another person about the Rafale deal papers. Congress claimed that in the audio, Rane divulged that Parrikar, who was the Defence Minister when the Rafale deal was signed in 2016 between India and France, had "all files related to the deal in his bedroom." After playing the minute-long audio, Surjewala said: "Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has all the files relating to the Rafale jet deal. The fashion in which every procedure was by-passed, it is all recorded in the files. Those files are with Parrikar. Why are those files being hidden?" "It is clear from the conversation that Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane has himself said that Parrikar has all the files of Rafale deal and that no one can do anything with them," the Congress spokesperson alleged. Dismissing the tape, Chief Minister Parrikar tweeted: "It is a desperate attempt on part of the Congress party to fabricate facts after the Supreme Court's ruling in the matter in December last year. No deliberations related to the deal took place during the Cabinet or other meetings." "The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting," Chief Minister Parrikar tweeted. Rane too hit back at the Congress, asserting that the audio tape was doctored and Parrikar made no mention about Rafale deal and its documents. "The audio tape is doctored. Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication between the Cabinet and Chief Minister. Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents. I have asked him for a criminal investigation into the matter," Rane told reporters in Panaji. The Goa Health Minister also shot off a letter to Parrikar demanding an immediate inquiry into the matter, adding that "such mischievous elements need to be brought to the books." "This is with reference to an audio that has become viral regarding the Rafale row. At no point of time there has been a discussion between me and any other individual. There should be a thorough inquiry in this matter and I would like to once again inform the Chief Minister that there is someone playing mischief and there should be a thorough inquiry in this matter and such mischievous elements need to be brought to the books," Rane wrote in the letter. However, the Congress that had stepped up its offensive against the government got more aggressive inside the Parliament as during the debate on the Rafale deal in Lok Sabha party president Rahul Gandhi threatened to play the audio tape and read the transcript of the alleged conversation. Rahul Gandhi, however, aborted the idea after a strong protest from the treasury benches and insistence from Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to authenticate the tapes even as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party of spreading falsehood. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former union ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, along with advocate Prashant Bhushan will move to the Supreme Court for review of Rafale judgement. Bhushan is seeking review of December 14 judgement on Rafale. Bhushan along with two other petitioners in Rafale fighter jet deal- Shourie and Sinha are asking for recalling of Rafale judgement. They are also asking to grant an oral hearing in the open court for their review plea. The petition stated that the recent judgement contains several errors and also the judgement relies upon patently incorrect claims made by the Government in an unsigned note given in a sealed cover to the court, which is a violation of principle of natural justice. This petition also mentioned that several new facts have come to the light after the judgement was reserved in the matter, which needs to go to the root of the matter. Petitioners in Rafale fighter jet deal - Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and Prashant Bhushan had expressed their disappointment over the December 14 judgement of the top court on Rafale fighter jet deal. Reacting to the Rafale verdict by the apex court, the trio, who has sought a court-monitored CBI probe into the 36-aircraft Rafale deal, issued a press statement and said, "The judgment of the Supreme Court dismissing our petition seeking an independent court-monitored investigation into the Rafale deal is as shocking as it is disappointing. We had gone to court after making a detailed complaint to the CBI." The three petitioners said, "No Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on Rafale has been submitted or examined." "Disappointed that the court has taken a conservative view of judicial review in cases of Defence deal corruption involving high functionaries. Shocked that the judgment is based on completely false information about the CAG report. No CAG report on Rafale has been submitted or examined. Shocked that court accepts Mukesh Ambani's RIL as 'parent company' of Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence. The scandal will continue to agitate the public mind - new disclosures are expected soon," the statement read. In their detailed statement, they also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had signed an agreement for 36 Rafale jets on April 10, 2015, without any such requirement of 36 jets being given by the Airforce Headquarters and without the approval of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which are the mandated first steps for any Defence procurement. "The Air Force had in fact been asking for at least 126 fighter jets which had been approved by the DAC, tenders had been issued, 6 companies had applied, two were shortlisted and finally Dassault was selected as the lowest tender. The tender was on the basis that 126 fighters would be procured out of which only 18 would be bought in a ready to fly condition and the remaining would be manufactured in India by HAL with the transfer of technology by HAL," it said. "All facts were documented in the complaint to the CBI and we sought a court-monitored investigation (when the CBI did not register an FIR on our complaint which is mandatory as per law)," the petitioners had claimed. Expressing further dismay over the apex court's verdict on the Defence deal, the petitioners said, "The court's judgement today does not even address the documented facts stated in our petition or even deal with our main prayer seeking an investigation." It added, "On the contrary, it proceeds on the basis that we were challenging the contract itself and uses the facts stated by the government either in the short open affidavit filed or perhaps facts claimed in the sealed cover handed only to the court which was never shared with us. In fact, some of the facts mentioned in the court judgement are not only not on record but are patently incorrect." The Rafale jet deal controversy has been on the boil over the last few months. The Congress and other opposition parties have been alleging irregularities in the high-profile deal. The fighter jet is a twin-engine Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft, which security analysts believe can be a 'game-changer' for India's defence system. On December 14, the Supreme Court had dismissed all petitions seeking court-monitored probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, saying that there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the deal. The top court said it was not its job to go into the issue of pricing. The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, said that there is no need to conduct an investigation into details of Rafale pricing. "We are satisfied that there is no occasion to doubt the process. Joint exercises have taken place and there is no element of financial benefits. Detailed scrutiny of Rafale Deal deal is not required," said CJI Gogoi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) However, there were available inputs that Pakistan-based terrorist organisation had exhorted its cadres for 'Samundari Jihad' against India, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. The Minister further informed that as per the information, Pakistan-based terrorist groups continue to train their cadres for underwater strike capabilities in a bid to infiltrate them into India by sea or waterways. He said the government was better equipped to face any such eventualities. About a decade ago 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists entered the financial capital of India-Mumbai-through a sea route from Pakistan and conducted a series of coordinated shootings and bombing attacks across the city, India has stepped its coastal vigil. On November 26, 2008, multiple attacks took place in Mumbai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station, Cama Hospital, Nariman House business and residential complex, Leopold Cafe, Taj Mahal Hotel and Tower, and the Oberoi-Trident Hotel in city of Mumbai over a span of four days, killing 166 people and injuring over 300. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In one of the first instances of coming across government requests to take down content, Netflix had to pull the second episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj in Saudi Arabia after the government found the content in violation with the cybercrime law. According to Engadget, the episode was particularly critical of the Saudi government's apparent murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as well as the war in Yemen, and suggested that both tech companies in the US should reassess their connection to the kingdom. Netflix maintains that it pulled the episode only after receiving a valid legal request. The episode is available in other countries, while the Saudi Arabian users can watch the episode on YouTube. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) here on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of former Bihar Minister Manju Verma. Verma is an accused in an Arms Act case in connection with Muzaffarpur Shelter home rape case. She had surrendered before a Begusarai court on November 20 last year. In November last year, a non-bailable warrant was issued against her after 50 live cartridges were seized from her residence during a raid by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case. The Supreme Court on October 31 last year had also rapped the Bihar Police for its failure in arresting the former minister, who came under scrutiny after the disclosure that her husband Chandrashekhar Verma allegedly had links with Brajesh Thakur, the prime accused in the Muzaffarpur shelter home rapes. The case pertains to the alleged sexual harassment of 44 girls residing at the state-run shelter home. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Blaming the previous governments for not being able to rejuvenate the Ganga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that his government plans to finish the task of cleaning up the holy river. "I have to take five states along on this mission. Why was the money spent on the river since Rajiv Gandhi's time not been fruitful? We analysed. The deficits were filled and we planned on finishing this task. For example, a drain which was there for 120 years, has just been closed which polluted the river," Prime Minister Modi told ANI in an interview, which was released on Tuesday. The statement comes three days after the Prime Minister said, "When the government works with transparency, honesty and public partnership, then the results are definitely meaningful," while inaugurating 'One District, One Product' summit in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency. "Otherwise, you all have been witness to a number of schemes from Ganga Action Plan to Ganga Basin Authority being made," he had added. Under the Mission for Clean Ganga, nearly Rs 26,000 crore is being spent on cleaning the highly polluted holy river. In October last year, Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari set March 2019 as the deadline to clean 70 to 80 per cent of the Ganga. Prime Minister Modi said that the task needs more efforts and action at various levels. "A challenging task would be to cleanse tributaries as well that drain into the Ganga. An international report claimed that there has been an improvement in the Ganga. I am not content with this. We are still working hard on it. We will be successful," Prime Minister Modi told ANI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 37 civilians, including women and children, were killed in a gruesome attack in Koulogon village here. Unidentified assailants, who were dressed as traditional Dozo hunters, opened fire on the village, Anadolu Agency reported while quoting the government. All the deceased civilians belong to the Fulani ethnic group. Earlier, soldiers had been stationed in the village from December 22 to 31 due to threats received by the village headman. A failed military coup in Mali in 2012 by the Tuareg ethnic group has led to the spread of militant groups in northern Mali, who have links to Al-Qaeda. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he was looking forward to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to discuss nuclear denuclearisation process and peace talks. "Kim Jong-un says North Korea will not make or test nuclear weapons, or give them to others - & he is ready to meet President Trump anytime." PBS News Hour. I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!" the US President tweeted. According to The Hill, earlier on Tuesday, the North Korean leader had clearly stated in his New Year message that if Washington insists on "one-sided demands," then the former will have "no choice but to defend our country's sovereignty and supreme interest, and find a new way to settle peace on our peninsula." Kim further agreed to give up his atomic arsenal and long-range missiles programmes if the US provided North Korea with relaxation in sanction. The North Korean leader reaffirmed his country's commitment to denuclearisation while stating that US-North Korea relations could improve if the United States responded in a corresponding manner to the state's efforts towards denuclearisation. "If the U.S. responds to our active and preemptive efforts with trustworthy steps and corresponding behaviour, (the North-U.S. relations) will move forward at an excellent and fast pace in the process of taking concrete and innovative measures," Kim said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is confident of doing well at this year's general election despite the party's recent losses in state polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an interview with Reuters partner ANI on Tuesday. "No reason for morale down. We are confident and are moving ahead. In 2019, if there is one party which the country trusts and is connected with the people, it is the BJP," Modi said. Also Read: IT ministry officials to discuss proposed changes in social media rules on January 5 BJP lost power in three key states in December, handing Modi his biggest defeat since he took office in 2014 and boosting the Congress party opposition and its allies ahead of national polls due by May. Modi said it was more important to focus on his government's achievements, including the introduction in September of a new healthcare scheme for the poor. "In such big numbers people suffering, today they have got treatment, how can I consider this a failure. It is my biggest achievement," Modi said. He said the party has been discussing what it lacked at the state elections but winning or losing was not the only yardstick. The Hindu nationalist BJP was willing to work with regional parties in the run-up to the general election, he said. "Our effort is to take everyone along and listen to everyone. I am committed to giving importance to regional aspirations. The country cannot be run by ignoring regional aspirations." FARMER RELIEF Modi said farm loan waivers should be "definitely done" if it helps but that was not a long-term solution to the problem of farmer distress. "What is lacking in our system, that farmer becomes debt-ridden and the governments have to repeat vicious cycle of elections and loan waivers. So the solution is to empower the farmers. From seed to market, give all facilities to the farmers," he said. Farmers' anger about low crop prices and their sense that the government has done far too little to address them contributed to the state election defeats. The government is now considering three options for a relief package to help farmers suffering because of low crop prices at a cost of as much as 3 trillion rupees ($43.20 billion), three government sources told Reuters last week. PATEL RESIGNATION Former Reserve Bank of India governor Urjit Patel had personally written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about wanting to resign, citing personal reasons, several months before stepping down from the office in December, Modi said. "The governor himself requested (to resign) because of personal reasons. I am revealing for the first time, he was telling me about this for the past 6-7 months before his resignation. He gave it even in writing. He wrote to me personally". Patel resigned after a months-long tussle over policy with the government that raised concerns about the bank's independence as the next general election nears. When asked if there was any political pressure on the governor to resign, Modi denied that was the case. "No such question arises. I acknowledge that Patel did a good job as RBI Governor." Also Read: Manufacturing of defence aerospace, warship items to be covered by Industries Act, says DIPP Also Read: Government to give preference to domestically produced drugs for public procurement Union Minister Anant Kumar Hegde on Wednesday said the Kerala government has totally failed to handle the Sabarimala temple row and has committed 'daylight rape' on the Hindu people. "The Supreme Court has given the direction. I totally agree with that, but at the same time since law and order is a state subject, the state government should know how it has to be dealt with," said Hegde. "The Kerala government had completely failed to manage it diplomatically without hurting the faith of the masses. It is a daylight rape on Hindu people," he said. His statement comes in the backdrop of two Kerala women, Bindu and Kanakadurga, in their 40s, entering the temple premises for offering prayers during early morning hours on Wednesday. They were accompanied by the police personnel. Bindu, while speaking to media, said, "Today morning at around 01:30 am, I and Kanakadurga started from Pamba and reached Sannidhanam by around 3:30 am and returned after the darshan. We went and returned along with the devotees but did not face any problem from their side." Later in the day, clashes broke out between BJP Mahila Morcha workers and the police after they tried to enter the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. They were protesting against the visit of these two women. Despite the Apex Court's ruling, a string of protests took place at Sabarimala temple and its surrounding areas in the state, wherein several women attempted to visit the shrine but were stopped by Lord Ayyappa devotees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vishva Hindu Parishad's (VHP) international working president Alok Kumar on Wednesday said that Hindus could not wait "till eternity" for a court decision on the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. "Hindus cannot wait till eternity for a court decision," Kumar told media persons here, while asserting the only way forward to construct Ram temple is by enactment of legislation. Kumar's statement comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assertion that any decision on an ordinance for the construction of Ram temple can be considered only after the judicial process gets over. In an interview to ANI, Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday had also suggested that the judicial process was being slowed down because Congress lawyers were creating "obstacles" in the Supreme Court. "We have said in our BJP manifesto that a solution would be found to this issue under the ambit of the Constitution," the Prime Minister said about the Ram temple matter when asked whether the Ram Mandir issue had been relegated as merely an emotive issue for the BJP. Asked whether the Central government could consider issuing an Ordinance on Ram temple, the Prime Minister pointed out that the matter is before the Supreme Court and possibly in the final stages. "Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process is over, whatever will be our responsibility as the government, we are ready to make all efforts," he added. The matter is slated to be heard by the Supreme Court on January 4. The petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court for day-to-day hearing in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that there was nothing left to look into after the Supreme Court expressed satisfaction over all aspects related to the deal. "The Supreme Court has satisfied its conscience but Congress' electoral requirement has not been met," he said, adding that is why the Opposition party keeps on raking up the matter. He was speaking in the Lok Sabha while participating in a debate on Rafale deal. He also slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly indulging in "lies" over the Rafale fighter deal and said that the opposition party had played with the country's security when in power. "Last time the MP (Rahul Gandhi) spoke on the Rafale jets, he lied before the nation by concocting a conversation between him and the French President. Today, he repeats the same. Today, he tried to produce a tape but he is too scared to authenticate it," Jaitley said. However, BJP ally Shiv Sena on Wednesday supported the Congress demand for a JPC probe into the controversial Rafale deal. Arvind Sawant, Shiv Sena in the Lok Sabha, said, "How is this offset contractor who didn't have company, and it only existed on papers whereas HAL had everything. If our government is clean, then why are we afraid of JPC?" Earlier, speaking on the Rafale deal, Gandhi threatened to play in the Lok Sabha an audio tape that claimed former Defence Minister and now Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has the Rafale files with him. Rahul, however, aborted the idea after a strong protest from the treasury benches and insistence from Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to authenticate the tapes. Amid continued slogan-shouting by Congress members, Finance Minister Jaitley called Gandhi a "conspirator" in defence scams like Bofors and AgustaWestland and said he understands "only paisa" at the cost of security. He said, "If the fingers point at you in AgustaWestland, Herald and Bofors, then it is a bit too much. Today, they have the audacity to raise an allegation against us." Taking a dig at Gandhi, Jaitley said that it was regrettable that the "grand old party" Congress was being headed by a person who "does not understand what a fighter aircraft is." The Finance Minister also targeted former Defence Minister AK Antony, alleging the "simple man" had delayed the acquisition of the urgently-required Rafale fighters, despite it being shortlisted in 2012 through a tendering process. Jaitley said, "There is a speciality about UPA in decision making that is if the aircraft being selected is not the one whose commerce you have dealt with then delay the transaction, make it impossible." Attacking Gandhi for continuously raking up the Rafale issue, Jaitley said, "his every word is belied in the face of Supreme Court's judgement." Jaitley further said, "When he was young, he was playing in the lap of a certain 'Q' (Quattrocchi). Congress doesn't understand security." His speech was disrupted as some Congress MPs threw paper planes towards the ruling benches. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as four foreigners, including three adults and one child, were injured after a car rammed into them in West Germany on Tuesday. The New York Times quoted Interior Minister for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia Herbert Reul as saying that upon being detained and questioned by the police, the suspect started making derogatory remarks on foreigners. "This is a case of a German deliberately driving into groups of people, people who for the most part were foreigners," the Interior Minister said. "That means this man clearly intended to kill foreigners," Reul added. The incident took place around 11:40 pm in the night when the suspect initially targeted a man in the Ruhr industrial region and then drove his car towards the city's downtown area injuring four people, including a woman who remains in life-threatening condition. After this, the man fled with his car to the city of Essen and targeted a queue that was waiting at a bus stop. The unusual driving of the suspect became a matter of suspicion to the police, who immediately ordered the arrest of the suspect. Meanwhile, local area police Chief Friederike Zurhausen, informed that the suspect was suffering from psychiatric illness, but no reports on his connection with any extremist groups have been found. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central government is engaged with the relevant authorities for the extradition of US-based individuals for their role in 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack in 2008. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said that in pursuance of the same, a team of Investigation Agency (NIA) recently visited the US on December 13-15, 2018 for discussion with the concerned authorities. "The Government of India has engaged with relevant US authorities, under terms of the India-US Extradition Treaty of 1997, for the extradition of US-based individuals for their role in the 26/11/2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai," he said. "These consultations have been held by means of meetings, visits, and teleconferences. Most recently, a team from the Investigation Agency visited the US on December 13-15, 2018 for discussion with the US authorities," added the minister. He also stated that the United States has expressed its commitment towards working with its international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the 26/11 Mumbai attack. "During the India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on September 6, 2018, both sides called on Pakistan to bring to justice expeditiously the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot, Uri, and other cross-border terrorist attacks," Singh said his reply. A series of attacks by 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist ravaged nation's financial capital Mumbai in 2008, taking a heavy toll on civilians and security personnel before they were neutralised. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) must not forget that it formed the government on the issue of Ram temple. Raut's comments come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that any decision on an ordinance for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya can be considered only after the judicial process gets over. "We don't need Prime Minister to tell us that matter is in court. If that's what we wanted, what was the need for the movement? Thousands of Kar Sevaks were martyred. In Mumbai, there were bomb blasts, riots. It was genocide on Ram temple's name, who is responsible? You (BJP) formed the government on this issue. Don't forget that," Raut told ANI. In an interview to ANI, Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday had also suggested that the judicial process was being slowed down because Congress lawyers were creating "obstacles" in the Supreme Court. "We have said in our BJP manifesto that a solution would be found to this issue under the ambit of the Constitution," the Prime Minister said about the Ram temple matter when asked whether the Ram Mandir issue had been relegated as merely an emotive issue for the BJP. Asked whether the Central government could consider issuing an Ordinance on Ram temple, the Prime Minister pointed out that the matter is before the Supreme Court and possibly in the final stages. "Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process is over, whatever will be our responsibility as the government, we are ready to make all efforts," the Prime Minister added. The matter is slated to be heard by the Supreme Court on January 4. The petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court for day-to-day hearing in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Democrats plan to vote on two spending bills and a stopgap measure to re-open the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday when they take over the US House Majority. "The President is using the government shutdown to try to force an expensive and ineffective wall upon the American people, but Democrats have offered two bills which separate the arguments over the wall from the government shutdown," Nancy Pelosi, the incoming House Speaker and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, according to CNN. The stopgap measure will aim at reopening the Department of Homeland Security at the current funding levels till February 8 - without increasing the border security money. The Republicans, on the other hand, have stated that the Democrat's strategy will not be enough to dissolve the impasse. "(The proposal) doesn't represent a serious attempt to secure our border or find a compromise," Mark Meadows, a Republican from North Carolina and one of Trump's closest aides stated. A lack of consensus between lawmakers and US President Donald Trump over funding for a wall on its border with Mexico led to a partial shutdown of government agencies in the country since late December. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) Delhi unit convener Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that a decision on the alliance will be taken later on by the party's Political Affairs Committee (PAC). "Party has started its election campaign for three states. Further decision on alliance will be taken by the PAC of the party," he said. It was further informed that the party will be announcing the name of candidate's for Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana by 15 January. The party has also asserted that it will be mainly contesting in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Goa, and Chandigarh. It has already announced 5 candidates for Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. "At present, the party is focusing on 33 seats including 7 seats of Delhi, 13 from Punjab, 10 from Haryana-10 and 1 in Chandigarh," informed party office bearer. For 7 Loksabha seats of Delhi, AAP has already announced the name of conveners for 5 constituencies. AAP president Arvind Kejriwal will be addressing several rallies in the run-up to the Loksabha elections. He will be addressing a rally on January, 4 in Charkhi Dadri. He will also address a rally in Sangrur on January, 20 and in Anandpur Sahib on January, 29 along with another rally in Amritsar on February, 2. On December 29, the council of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had taken unanimous decision to extend the term of all its office-bearers, including that of party chief Arvind Kejriwal, by 1 year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday demanded an apology from the Congress party over their allegations on Sohrabuddin Shaikh encounter case. "It is a big blow to the Congress, all their conspiratorial desires are being exposed one after another. The Congress tried to destroy the political career of Amit Shah by conspiring against them. The Congress should apologize from the nation," said Thakur. His remarks comes in the wake of a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court acquitting 22 people who were alleged to be involved in the case. The court also gave a clean chit to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah. On December 28, Judge S. J. Sharma, in his judgment on the case, said that the CBI had presented "a pre meditated theory and a script intended to anyhow implicate political leaders. And the agency there after nearly did what was required to reach that goal rather than conducting an investigation in accordance with law". In 2005, Sohrabuddin and his wife Kausar Bi were killed in alleged fake encounters by a joint team of Gujarat and Rajasthan police, while Prajapati was killed in another encounter a year later. The CBI took over the case from the CID in 2010, with Special CBI public prosecutor BP Raju submitting that most of the evidence in the case was collected by the CBI. Raju also said that the prosecution was hampered because 92 witnesses turned hostile. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday dismissed the audio clip released by the Congress, purportedly showing the former Defence Minister in possession of the files related to controversial Rafale fighter jets deal. "It is a desperate attempt on part of the Congress party to fabricate facts after the Supreme Court's ruling in the matter in December last year," said Chief Minister Parrikar, while taking to his Twitter handle. "No deliberations related to the deal took place during the Cabinet or other meetings," he clarified. "The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting," he tweeted. Earlier in the day, the Congress sharpened its attack on the BJP over the Rafale deal, alleging that Parrikar possessed all files related to the controversial pact, as claimed in the audio clip released by the party. Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, Congress party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala played out the clip, claiming that Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane was speaking in it to another person about the deal. In the audio, Rane, as claimed by the Congress, divulged that Parrikar, who was the Defence Minister when the Rafale deal was signed in 2016 between India and France, had "all files related to the deal in his bedroom." Later, Rane hit back at the Congress, asserting that the audio tape was doctored and Parrikar made no mention about Rafale deal and its documents. "The audio tape is doctored. Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication between the Cabinet and Chief Minister. Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents. I have asked him for a criminal investigation into the matter," Rane told reporters in Panaji. The Supreme Court on December 14 last year had dismissed all petitions seeking court-monitored probe into the Rafale deal with France, saying that there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the deal. The top court said it was not its job to go into the issue of pricing. The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, has already said that there is no need to conduct an investigation into the details of Rafale pricing. The Rafale jet deal controversy has been on the boil over the last few months. The Congress and other opposition parties have been alleging irregularities in the high-profile deal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Violating international standards, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has requested social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to use Microsoft's PhotoDNA for investigation into criminal cases. Microsoft-owned PhotoDNA is primarily used in the prevention of child pornography and identify child exploitation images. The CBI request has, yet again, raised questions over government's need to keep a close watch over its people and the privacy rights of an individual. What is PhotoDNA? Micosoft has developed PhotoDNA, a free to use technology that compares hash values of images to identify similar images on the web without any human intervention. Microsoft has donated the PhotoDNA technology to Project Vic, managed and supported by the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC). The technology is used by technology companies like Google. Twitter, Facebook and Adobe Systems. Microsoft has restricted the use of this technology beyond the use of identification of child pornography and blocking extremist content in all countries. Also Read: WhatsApp won't work on these smartphones after December 31 Reasons to worry? CBI under Section 91 of CrPC has issued notices to social media platforms which said, "For the purpose of investigation, you are requested to conduct PhotoDNA in respect of photographs CBI asks social media firms to use intrusive photo tech to track suspects enclosed herewith. The said information is required very urgently for the purpose of investigation." The use of PhotoDNA for as a deterrent is in violation with international norms and breach of the indented purpose of the technology. PhotoDNA is exclusively used to identify child exploitation images and its usage for other purposes would mean restriction on free and open internet. The move also violates the right to privacy which is a Fundamental Right. "If any police or investigative agency is using PhotoDNA for a general crime investigation, it is a massive breach of the intended purpose of this technology, which is only for checking child sex abuse cases. This is the slippery slope of surveillance and censorship," said Apar Gupta, executive director, Internet Freedom Foundation. Also Read: You don't need high-end flagship phones to play PUBG! IT experts, on the other hand, are not aware of any legal bar in India for the use of PhotoDNA for cases other than child exploitation, experts have said according to the Indian Express. The move has come at a time when the world is dealing with privacy related breaches on social media platforms like Facebook. Indian government itself came under the scanner when it asked social platforms like Facebook & WhatsApp to disclose personal information of their users. Edited By: Udit Verma The Congress on Wednesday sharpened its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Rafale fighter jets deal, claiming that Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar possessed all files related to the controversial pact, as claimed in the audio clip released by the party. Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, Congress party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala played out the clip, claiming that Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane was speaking in it to another person about the deal. In the audio, Rane, as claimed by Congress, divulged that Parrikar, who was the Defence Minister when the Rafale deal was signed in 2016 between India and France, had "all files related to the deal in his bedroom." After playing the minute-long audio, Surjewala said, "Former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has all the files relating to the Rafale jet deal. The fashion in which every procedure was bypassed, it is all recorded in the files. Those files are with Parrikar. Why are those files being hidden?" Continuing his tirade against the BJP, Surjewala asserted that Rane's revelations revealed the truth of the alleged scam in the Rafale deal. "It is clear from the conversation that Goa Minister Vishwajit Rane has himself said that Parrikar has all the files of Rafale deal and that no one can do anything with them," the Congress spokesperson alleged. Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued silence on the controversial deal, Surjewala alleged: "Now it is clear that the 'chowkidaar is chor' (the watchman is a thief). The Prime Minister should answer the nation about the 'secret' files of Rafale deal lying inside Parrikar's bedroom and residence. What is the issue in making all these document public?" He reiterated that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is the only way forward to expose the facts of the alleged Rafale scam. Later, Rane hit back at the Congress, asserting that the audio tape was doctored and Parrikar made no mention about Rafale deal and its documents. "The audio tape is doctored. Congress has stooped to such a low level to doctor a tape to create miscommunication between cabinet and Chief Minister. Parrikar has never made any reference to Rafale or any documents. I have asked him for a criminal investigation into the matter," Rane told reporters in Panaji. The Goa Health Minister also shot off a letter to Parrikar demanding an immediate inquiry into the matter, adding that "such mischievous elements need to be brought to the books." "This is with reference to an audio that has become viral regarding the Rafale row. At no point of time there has been a discussion between me and any other individual. There should be a thorough inquiry in this matter and I would like to once again inform the Chief Minister that there is someone playing mischief and there should be a thorough inquiry in this matter and such mischievous elements need to be brought to the books," Rane wrote in the letter. Earlier in the day, former union ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, along with advocate Prashant Bhushan moved to the Supreme Court for review of Rafale judgement. Bhushan is seeking review of December 14 judgement on Rafale. The Supreme Court on that day had dismissed all petitions seeking court-monitored probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, saying that there was no occasion to doubt the decision-making process in the deal. The top court said it was not its job to go into the issue of pricing. The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, said that there is no need to conduct an investigation into details of Rafale pricing. The Rafale jet deal controversy has been on the boil over the last few months. The Congress and other opposition parties have been alleging irregularities in the high-profile deal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers held a protest outside the Secretariat against Chief Minister Kamal Nath over Vande Mataram row. Yesterday, the Kamal Nath-led Congress government in Madhya Pradesh decided to stop the previous BJP government's tradition of reciting 'Vande Mataram' on the first working day of every month. Nath had said that reciting the song, 'Vande Mataram' cannot validate one's patriotism. While defending the move to put on hold the recital of 'Vande Mataram', Nath said on Tuesday: "We have no intentions of breaking or protesting against the song. The order to recite Vande Mataram in the Secretariat on the first day of the month has been put on hold. A decision has been taken to implement the order in a new form. Those who do not recite Vande Mataram are not patriots?" "We believe that we are nationalists by hearts. One cannot become patriotic by reciting Vande Mataram for one day," he added. The Madhya Pradesh assembly session is slated to begin on January 7, with the oath-taking by the newly-elected MLAs. Earlier in the day, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the 109 MLAs from the BJP will recite 'Vande Mataram' at the Secretariat and then take oath on January 7. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Clashes broke out between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha workers and the police on Wednesday after they tried to enter the state secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. The protesters were staging a protest against two women who entered the Sabarimala temple earlier in the day. Two Kerala women, Bindu and Kanakadurga, who are in their 40s, entered the temple premises and offered prayers during the early hours of the day. They were accompanied by police personnel. Hours after their visit, authorities on Wednesday shut down the temple for an hour for 'purification' rituals. Social activist Trupti Desai, who herself tried to visit the Sabarimala temple in November last year, said that Kerala government should now protect the two women, as their names have been revealed and there could be a threat to their lives. "Since the names of two women have come out now, I urge the Kerala government that they should protect them since there could be a threat to their lives now," Desai told ANI in Pune. The Supreme Court had lifted a traditional ban on entry of women of menstrual age (10-50 years) on September 28 last year. Despite the apex court's ruling, a string of protests took place at the Sabarimala temple and its surrounding areas in the state, wherein several women attempted to visit the shrine but were stopped by Lord Ayyappa devotees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The women wing of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Tuesday criticised the Triple Talaq Bill, which is likely to be tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, stating that the "ill-drafted legislation gives a false sense of women empowerment". The Triple Talaq Bill makes the practice of instant divorce among Muslims a criminal offence with a provision of three-year jail term for the erring husband. The bill was passed in Lok Sabha with the support of 245 votes against 11 on December 27. Claiming that the bill will break marriages and that it is not going to help the Muslim women in any way, AIMPLB Women Wing Chief Organiser Dr Asma Zohra told ANI, "We oppose and condemn Triple Talaq Bill which is likely to be tabled for the second time in Rajya Sabha tomorrow (Wednesday). The ill-drafted bill may break marriages rather than empowering women. The government has not taken the stakeholders into consideration and brought this bill with communal intention. The marriage is a civil contract in Muslims and the bill is not going to help the Muslim women in any way." Zohra further criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not replying to AIMPLB president Maulana Rabe Hasani Nadvi's letter regarding the loopholes in the bill. "Rather than this bill, there are several burning issues in our country that seek attention. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister has no courtesy to reply to a letter from the representative of 20 crore Muslim population. The government cannot take us for granted. We just cannot sit idle when a fundamental right is infringed upon by some bill, we have a right to religious freedom that's why our voice needs to be heard,'' she added. Claiming that the bill is totally against the law of this country, Zohra said, "The Muslim Women Bill 2018 has been brought with a purpose of empowering Muslim but the sections of bill defeat its very purpose. If the bill gets passed, it is going to break the institution of marriage and it's going to create a divide in the family. The civil contract of marriage will turn into a criminal offence at the time of divorce. It is totally against the law of this country." She also asked Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad how a Muslim woman will earn her livelihood if her husband is jailed. "What Muslim women are going to get from the bill if a man is jailed who will earn bread for the family? What about the maintenance of the family, children education and their health. The entire community will get affected by this bill," she questioned. Zohra further asked the Centre to place the bill before a select committee for scrutiny. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Make 2019 the year you actually do all the things you want to do. We asked the experts and checked the journals for the most useful tips you can take to heart. Its the shiniest time of year: that hopeful period when we imagine how remarkable how fit and kind, how fiscally responsible our future selves could be. And while you may think new year, new you is nothing more than a cringey, magazine-cover trope, research supports its legitimacy. Its not like theres something magical about Dec. 31, explained Charles ... United States President has agreed upon providing four months to the US Army to withdraw its troops from Syria, defense officials confirmed on Monday. The New York Times (NYT) reported that the US President's impulsive decision to withdraw troops from Syria was announced on December 19, last year, after declaring the Islamic State (ISIS) to have been fully 'destroyed', created a rift between him and the US military. The quick move also triggered numerous criticisms from retired General Stanley A. McChrystal and departing chief of staff, John F. Kelly. "If anybody but did what I did in Syria, which was an loaded mess when I became President, they would be a national hero. is mostly gone, we're slowly sending our troops back home to be with their families, while at the same time fighting remnants......," the tweeted. "...I campaigned on getting out of Syria and other places. Now when I start getting out the Fake News Media, or some failed Generals who were unable to do the job before I arrived, like to complain about me & my tactics, which are working. Just doing what I said I was going to do!," Trump added. Officials from further affirmed that during the recent visit of Trump to Iraq, which took place last week amid the partial government shutdown, the had privately told the commander of American forces in Iraq and Syria, Lt. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera that the military will get enough time for a safe and orderly withdrawal of the troops from the ISIS-held war-zone. Former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, who resigned from his post in the wake of Trump's sudden decision of troop's withdrawal, had earlier warned that the move would further risk the fight against ISIS, betray the Syrian Kurdish-Arab forces allies on ground and concede the eastern part of the country to the Syrian government and its Russian and Iranian allies. Seeking an end to over 10-day partial government shutdown, US President has invited top Republican and Democratic leaders from for a briefing on border security at the Wednesday. The partial government shutdown that started on December 22 has affected 800,000 federal employees, who have either been furloughed or are working without pay. Trump himself cancelled the planned trip to his Mar-a-Lago resort in to spend time with his family for and New Year. On Tuesday, the first day of the New Year, the initiated the lead to end government shutdown over the funding for a border wall, which Trump believes would end entry of illegal immigrants into the US. The move comes as lawmakers started arriving in Washington DC after holidays. The new Congress, in which the opposition Democrats enjoy a majority in the House of Representatives, begins January 3. "Border Security and the Wall "thing" and Shutdown is not where wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?" Trump said in a tweet Tuesday after the invited top Democratic and Republican leadership for a briefing on border security. Border Security and the Wall thing and Shutdown is not where wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Lets make a deal? Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2019 Early in the day, Trump accused the Democrats of not being interested in border security. "One thing has now been proven. The Democrats do not care about Open Borders and all of the crime and drugs that Open Borders bring!" he said. Meanwhile, Speaker-designate in a "Dear Colleague" letter said on the first day of the new Congress, the Democrats will take action to end what she described as the "Trump Shutdown". "As we pass strong, bipartisan legislation to reopen government, which has already received strong bipartisan support in the Senate," she said. House Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey filed the legislation this week. "The package contains two bills," she said. One consists of six bills already approved by the Republicans in the Senate, which would reopen all government agencies except for the Department of Homeland Security with full fiscal-year funding until September 30. "The second bill would extend the Department of Homeland Security's funding through February 8th, which is the date the Senate voted for unanimously. It is important to note that these bills contain no new wall funding," she said. But Trump insisted that he is unlikely to move forward without funding for a border wall. "I'm in the Oval Office. Democrats, come back from vacation now and give us the votes necessary for Border Security, including the Wall. You voted yes in 2006 and 2013. One more yes, but with me in office, I'll get it built, and Fast!" Trump said in a tweet on December 31. The month before the 2018 midterms, a thousand theaters screened The Trump Prophecy, a film that tells the story of Mark Taylor, a former firefighter who claims that God told him in 2011 that Donald Trump would be elected president. At a critical moment in the film, just after the actor representing Mr. Taylor collapses in the flashing light of an epiphany, he picks up a Bible and turns to the 45th chapter of the book of Isaiah, which describes the anointment of King Cyrus by God. In the next scene, we hear Mr. Trump being interviewed on The 700 Club, a ... Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested that mainland China and Taiwan enter into in-depth democratic consultations and work toward unification, in the clearest sign yet that he wants to settle the 70-year dispute during his tenure. China must and will be united, which is an inevitable requirement for the historical rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era, Xi told a gathering in Beijing to mark the 40th anniversary of a landmark Beijing overture to Taipei after the US and China established relations. 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 The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the merger of Vijaya Bank, Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda. Following the merger of these state-owned banks, BoB will become the third largest bank in India after the State Bank of India and HDFC Bank in terms of assets. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the merger will allow the combined entity under BoB more lending power. BoB will now have a global competitive identity, he added. The minister also said that all the employees of Dena Bank, Vijaya Bank will now automatically come under BOB. "There will be no effect on their service and working conditions," assured the minister, adding that no retrenchment will be done. The minister also added these three banks had been merged to make BoB a globally competitive financial institution. The government in September last year had announced the merger of these three banks. It was part of the government's strategy to promote consolidation in the sector marred by loads of non-performing assets (NPAs). However, this is the first three-way merger in the public sector banking space has taken place. Before this, the State Bank of India had merged five of its subsidiary banks with itself and took over Bharatiya Mahila Bank, which secured it a place among the top 50 global lenders. The approval for merger of these three banks comes days after nine bank unions, with close to 1 million employees, held a nation-wide bank strike against the decision. Meanwhile, BoB also finalised a share swap ratio for the merger of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with itself on Wednesday. As per the Scheme of Amalgamation, the shareholders of Vijaya Bank will get 402 equity shares of BoB for every 1,000 shares held. In case of Dena Bank, its shareholders will get 110 shares for every 1,000 shares of BoB. Also read: Govt planning to amend IT Act to crack down on apps, sites unable to curb fake news Also read: How Vijaya Bank compensates for Dena Bank's inclusion in merger with Bank of Baroda Also read: Bank of Baroda's merger with Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank: New entity to be operational from April 1 Edited by Manoj Sharma America will get its first taste of divided government under President Donald Trump this week when a Democratic House tries to wrest control of the political agenda from Trump, who appears determined to keep the focus on border security, immigration and his big, beautiful wall. After the midterm elections ushered in the most diverse freshman class in history, House Democrats intend to put a spotlight on the issues that worked well for them during the campaign: diminishing the influence of the wealthy and connected, expanding voting rights, lowering prescription drug costs and ... China is building the first of four "most advanced" naval warships for its "all-weather ally" Pakistan as part of a major bilateral arms deal to ensure among other things "balance of power" in the strategic Indian Ocean, state media reported. Equipped with modern detection and weapon systems, it will be capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine and air-defence operations, China Daily quoted state-owned defence contractor China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) as saying. The under-construction ship is a version of the Chinese Navy's most advanced guided missile frigate, it said. The CSSC did not specify the ship's type but said it is being constructed at its Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. China, an "all-weather ally" of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to Pakistan. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a single engine multi-role combat aircraft. The ship's class is Type 054AP, which means it is based on the Type 054A of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, the report quoted the Pakistani Navy as saying. The Pakistani Navy previously said four such ships had been ordered, according to the report. Once constructed, the warship "will be one of the largest and technologically advanced platforms of the Pakistani Navy and strengthen the country's capability to respond to future challenges, maintain peace and stability and the balance of power in the region," the report said. It will also support the Pakistani Navy's initiative of securing sea lanes for shipping by patrolling distant waters, the daily quoted the CSSC as saying. The mention of the is regarded as significant as China, which has already taken over Pakistan's strategic Gwadar port under the multi-billion Economic Corridor (CPEC), looks to assist the Pakistani navy to restore the balance of power in India's backyard. China has acquired the logistical military base in Djibouti and taken over the Hambantota port of Sri Lanka under a 99-year debt swap deal. China recently denied a New York Times report that it finalised a plan to build advanced fighter aircraft under the CPEC in Pakistan, adding a military dimension to it. India protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan became the first country to hook on to China's BeiDou Satellite Navigation System, a rival to the US Global Positioning System (GPS) which went global recently. The system was expected to be used for military applications. The report said Type 054A is the best frigate in service with the PLA Navy. Military sources said the ship has a fully loaded displacement of about 4,000 metric tonnes and is equipped with advanced radars and missiles. About 30 Type 054As are in service with the PLA Navy. An insider in China's shipbuilding sector with knowledge of the Type 054AP programme told the Daily that the ship is the largest and most powerful combat vessel China has ever exported. "Based on pictures circulating on the internet, the ship will have vertical launch cells that can fire Chinese HQ-16 air-defence missiles and other kinds of missiles. Vertical launch cells will bring flexibility to the user in terms of weapons portfolio, thus giving it a stronger fighting capability," he said, adding that the Type 054AP is the best frigate Pakistan can access in the market. "The service of Type 054APs will double the combat power of the Pakistani Navy's surface fleet," he said. Commenting on the ship's construction, Cao Weidong, a senior researcher at the PLA's Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said in the past, the Pakistani Navy would ask its Chinese contractors to use Western radars or weapons on ships constructed by the Chinese shipbuilders because it believed the Western naval technologies were better than Chinese ones. "But it seems that all weapons and radars on the new ship will be Chinese products, which reflects our progress in the industry and the Pakistani Navy's confidence in our technology and capability," he said. Cao said there are many nations selling frigates in the market, so Pakistan must have made thorough comparisons in terms of combat capability and costs. "I believe the reason they chose our type is that ours is one of the few that can carry out all of the air-defence, anti-ship and anti-submarine tasks," he said, expecting the service of the Chinese frigate to substantially boost Pakistan's defence capability. Reserve Governor Wednesday said he will meet representatives of MSMEs and non-banking financial companies (NBFC) next week. A day after the RBI announced a one-time loan restructuring scheme for the MSME sector, Das in a tweet said, "Will hold meetings with MSME associations and representatives of next week." The RBI's board in its crucial meeting held on November 19, 2018, had advised the central examine a scheme for the restructuring of stressed standard assets of MSME borrowers with aggregate credit facilities of up to Rs 25 crore, subject to such conditions as are necessary for ensuring financial stability. The liquidity problem in the non-banking financial companies and housing companies came to the fore after series of loan defaults by IL&FS, one of the largest in the country. The government has superseded the board of IL&FS, and the debt-ridden company has already started the process to monetise its several assets. India's proposed retaliatory tariffs against US agricultural products including apples, and lentils will have an adverse impact on American exports worth nearly USD 900 million, according to the latest Congressional report. India last year announced higher import duties on many US products like apples, almonds, walnuts, chickpeas and lentils in retaliation to Donald Trump's decision to impose heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium items, a move that sparked fears of a global However, India is the only major country which has been continuously postponing the implementation of the retaliatory tariffs despite announcing it more than six months ago. In October last year, Trump described India as a "tariff king" as he reiterated his allegations that has a high tariff rate on various American products. India's proposed retaliatory tariffs is far less than that by on more than 800 American agricultural products which accounted for approximately USD 20.6 billion in exports to the US in 2017. is followed by Canada (USD 2.6 billion), (USD 2.5 billion), the (EU) (USD 1 billion) and (USD 250 million) in slapping retaliatory tariffs on the agricultural products from the US. Countries have imposed tariffs on American agricultural products to retaliate against actions the took in March, 2018 to protect and aluminium producers and in response to Chinese intellectual property rights and technology policies. Since then, over 800 US food and agricultural products have been subject to retaliatory tariffs from China, the EU, Turkey, Canada and Mexico, the bipartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) said in its report 'Profiles and Effects of Retaliatory Tariffs on US Agricultural Exports'. The CRS, an independent research wing of Congress, regularly prepares reports on various issues for the lawmakers to make informed decisions. US exports of those products to the retaliating countries totalled USD 26.9 billion in 2017, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) export data. It all started on March 23, 2018, when the applied a 25 per cent tariff to all US and a 10 per cent tariff to all US aluminium imports, citing an investigation that showed national security concerns. "Canada, China, Mexico, the EU and retaliated with tariffs on imports of US agricultural and food products and other goods. "India has proposed retaliatory tariffs on US apples, almonds, walnuts, chickpeas and lentils, but it has delayed implementation pending ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration," said the CRS. Reports of CRS are prepared by independent experts for the lawmakers to make informed decisions and are not an official position of the US In its report dated December 31, the CRS said in response to the tariffs the levied on US imports of steel and aluminium from India earlier this year, India has threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs on a handful of US agricultural and food products. The date for imposing these tariffs has been pushed back several times, and they are currently set to become effective on January 31, 2019. "US exports of the targeted products were valued at USD 857 million in 2017, comprising 54 per cent of the USD 1.8 billion of total US agricultural exports to India. US almond growers, in particular, could feel the effects of India's threatened tariffs should they enter into force," said the CRS, a copy of which was obtained by PTI. India ranked third as a destination for US apple exports in 2017, purchasing USD 97 million of US apples, or 10 per cent of the total exports. "The proposes to apply a 30 per cent retaliatory tariff on imports of US apples on January 31, 2019," the CRS said. Comparatively, US apple exports to and are now subject to additional retaliatory tariffs of 20 per cent and 40 per cent respectively, raising the total tariff rates to 20 per cent and 50 per cent respectively. The Trump administration has taken measures to ease the downside effects of the retaliatory tariffs on farmers and ranchers through a USD 12 billion trade aid package. Under the initiative, USDA has committed to making direct payments to farmers of selected commodities subject to the tariffs, as well as buying up surplus quantities of some commodities and providing funding for additional trade promotion efforts. India's exports to the US in 2017-18 stood at USD 47.9 billion, while imports were USD 26.7 billion. The trade balance is in favour of India. The government Wednesday decided to provide 3 per cent interest subsidy to merchant exporters, entailing an expenditure of Rs 600 crore, to enhance liquidity with a view to boosting outbound shipments. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. "The proposal will entail benefits of around Rs 600 crore to exporters on interest equalisation for the remaining period of the scheme," an official release said. Approval has been given to the proposal of the Department of Commerce for "including merchant exporters under the interest equalisation scheme for pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit by allowing them interest equalisation rate of 3 per cent on such credit for export of products covered under 416 tariff lines (products) identified under the scheme," the release said. These products are largely in MSME/labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture, textiles, leather, handicraft and machinery. It added that the inclusion of merchant exporters in the scheme is expected to make exporters more competitive, encourage them to export more products manufactured by MSMEs. "Additional exports by them will increase production by MSME giving a fillip to employment generation as MSME are generally in the employment-intensive sectors," it added. The government had launched the interest subsidy scheme in April 2015 for five years for all manufacturing exporters. But merchant exporters were not covered under the scheme. Commerce Minister has time and again raised the issue of declining export credit. He had suggested that loans to exporters should be considered as priority sector lending by banks. Citing RBI data, the commerce minister had stated that outstanding export credit had come down to Rs 22,300 crore on June 22, 2018, from Rs 39,000 crore as on June 23, 2017. A decline in export credit has hit exporters in general and MSME units in particular. Commenting on the decision, (FIEO) Ganesh Kumar Gupta said that the move would help in promoting exports. "Loans at affordable rates would help exporters to promote exports," he said. Leading manufacturer and exporter of leather products Farida Group Chairman Rafeeq Ahmed said the move would help exporters in getting credit at affordable rates. "Like manufacturing exporters, merchant exporters too contribute significantly in exports. They should be encouraged," Ahmed said. The present scheme, which is in force from April 1, 2015, for five years, provides interest equalisation (or subsidy) rate of 3 per cent to all manufacturing exporters shipping 416 products and 5 per cent on all merchandise products manufactured and exported by MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises). The statement said that the exporting community was persistently demanding inclusion of merchant exporters in the scheme. "Merchant exporters play an important role in finding overseas markets, getting export orders, communicating to MSME manufacturers the current preferences, trends and demand for products in international export markets," it said. It added that these exporters also play a key role in exports of MSME manufacturers as they ship a significant quantity of products through merchant exporters. "High cost of credit equally impact their competitiveness also as they factor the high-interest costs in their export costing," it added. During April-November 2018-19, the country's merchandise exports grew by 11.58 per cent to USD 217.5 billion. Since 2011-12, India's exports have been hovering at around USD 300 billion. During 2017-18, shipments grew by about 10 per cent to USD 303 billion. With the merger, BoB will become the third largest bank after State Bank of India and ICICI Bank. "There will be no impact on the service conditions of the employees and there will be no retrenchment following the merger," Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters about decisions taken by the Union Cabinet. The merger has been designed to make BoB as merged entity, a globally competitive lender, Prasad added. 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 The period between March 2017 and 2018 saw a decline in aggregate Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and Amortization (EBITA) margins for Indian companies in 14 out of 16 sectors, with major industries like Communications, Life Sciences, Consumer Goods and Automotive witnessing a decline in profitability in the range of 100 to 600 basis points. Large businesses are evidently under pressure, and our analysis of 2000 Indian companies confirms that this will continue. In fact, our study found that $1.8 trillion of enterprise value at risk of displacement due to disruption. This may seem worrying, but it doesn't have to be. Disruption could also be a two trillion-dollar opportunity for Indian businesses that acknowledge, prepare for, and harness it. Reliance's big bet on Jio is a case in point. Since its launch in 2016 Jio has captured more than 20 percent of the market, and its impact on the industry has been far reaching, driving customer centric innovations and mergers and buyouts. Similarly, in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector, the regulatory thrust for better liquidity, digitization and incursions into traditional businesses by new fintech entrants is forcing financial institutions to approach their businesses differently. For example, HDFC Bank is now using analytics and artificial intelligence to enter new market segments it wouldn't have considered a few years ago. Emulating Reliance and HDFC Bank requires companies to embrace the potential of technology based innovation. There are many ways of doing so, but big bets are key, because incremental innovation can only get you so far. According to our research, nearly 90 percent of Indian companies plan to increase their spending on innovation by more than 25 percent by 2022. Yet, only 30 percent of Indian companies focus a majority of their investments on disruptive innovation - the kind that involves new commercial or scientific advances that create new markets, with the potential to disrupt entire industries. In contrast, 70 percent of Indian companies focus most of their investments on incremental innovation, the kind that helps enhance features of an existing product or service. The desire to preserve 'what is' rather than invest in creating 'what will be' prevails, for several reasons. A small group are afflicted with short sightedness and are unaware of the risks facing them. For many the challenge comes from pressure to perform to market expectations which forces them to prioritize short-term goals over long-term needs. Another notable reason is a lack of understanding of disruption. Industry disruption can seem nebulous, an all-encompassing macro-trend which is tough to navigate. Yet our research shows that disruption can be decoded and prepared for. More specifically, it follows a pattern which we describe in terms of four distinct stages - durability, vulnerability, volatility, and viability. These stages are based on the current level of disruption facing an industry and its susceptibility to future disruption. Let's take for example, industries that fall in the durability stage. Here companies witness disruption, but the situation isn't life threatening. Mature industries, where large businesses own established brands, proprietary technology and control distribution channels typically fall in this category. Businesses still deliver consistent performance. This offers the best opportunity to use the strong position to transform the core business instead of preserving it. The Automotive sector falls in this category. It has a tough road ahead as multiple disruptive forces reshape the market, and companies in this sector have an opportunity to make strategic bets today. Recently, Kenichi Ayukawa, managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Maruti Suzuki said that the company may have to re-invent itself and "start again from zero," in preparation for the future shaped by electric vehicles. This reflection comes even as Maruti continues to dominate the Indian market. Suzuki Motor Corp. its parent company is now collaborating with Toyota to make small and affordable electric cars in India to stay ahead. There is no silver bullet - an approach or a new technology that can make a company immune to disruption in the digital age. What's key is for businesses to not let complacency set in. Instead they must develop the foresight and courage to start creating their future, before others do. Those companies that pivot to new businesses wisely today, on their own terms have a better chance of becoming the leaders of tomorrow. (The author is Geographic Unit, and Country Senior Managing Director, Accenture India.) witnessed 10,399 incidents of from 2004 to 2017 wherein 1,605 people were killed and 30,723 were injured, said the in reply to an query. The maximum number of incidents took place in 2008 when 943 cases were reported. The year witnessed most lives--167--lost to and 2,354 people were injured, said the year-wise data. The minimum cases 580 -- were reported in 2011, when 91 people were killed and 1,899 injured, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) reply to Noida-based IT professional and activist Amit Gupta. Gupta had also sought to know the number of people arrested and convicted in the cases related to communal clashes, riots and fights during the period. He, however, was informed that such data was maintained by state governments as 'police' and 'public order' were state subjects. According to the reply, in 2017, 822 cases of were reported wherein 111 people were killed and 2,384 injured. While in 2016, 703 cases were reported, 86 people were killed and 2,321 injured. In 2015, 751 cases were reported, 97 people were killed and 2,264 injured, while in 2014, 644 cases of communal trouble came to the fore, 95 people were killed and 1,921 injured. As many as 823 such cases were reported in 2013, in which 133 people were killed and 2,269 injured, while in 2012, there were 668 cases of communal clashes, 94 people were killed and 2,117 injured, the MHA said. In 2010, 701 cases of were reported, it said, adding 116 people were killed and 2,138 injured. The year 2009 witnessed the second maximum 849-- cases of communal clashes, with 125 people losing their lives and the maximum people injured in a single year 2,461, it stated. In 2007, 761 cases were reported, 99 people were killed and 2,227 injured, while in 2006, there were 698 cases, 133 people were killed and 2,170 injured. In 2005, 779 cases were reported, 124 people were killed and 2,062 injured, while in 2004, there were 677 cases, 134 people lost their lives and 2,132 injured, the data added. On being asked why he sought the data of from 2004, Gupta told PTI, "I wanted to put the facts on incidents of communal clashes, fights or riots into perspective. Hence, I sought the year-wise data from 2004 till 2017 so that we can have a clear picture of things during the UPA and NDA governments". The Wednesday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha that will allow individuals to voluntary offer biometric ID Aadhaar as a means of identity verification for obtaining services like opening a bank account and getting a mobile phone connection. The bill, which seeks to amend three separate laws governing Aadhaar, telecom sector, and regulation, also gives a minor an option to opt out of the 12-digit identity scheme on attaining the age of 18 years. It also provides for stiff penalties for violation of norms set for the use of Aadhaar. The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill 2018, moved by Law and IT Minister in the Lok Sabha, bans storing of core biometric information as well as Aadhaar number by service providers in cases of individuals who have voluntarily offered the ID as a means of authentication. It also makes it clear that anyone not offering Aadhaar cannot be denied any service, be it a bank account or a SIM card. The bill seeks to amend the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002. The legislation proposes telecom service providers, apart from using Aadhaar for authentication, can also leverage offline verification, use of passport, or any other officially valid document or modes of identification as notified by the central The amendments, according to the objects and reasons for the Bill, will "provide for 12-digit Aadhaar number and its alternate numbers to be generated" in a manner so as to conceal the actual Aadhaar number. It would also "permit the entities performing authentication only when they are compliant with the standards of privacy and security," it said. The Bill also seeks to lay down the procedure for offline verification of an Aadhaar number holder, and confers enhanced regulator-like power on Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to give directions as it may consider necessary to any entity in the Aadhaar ecosystem. It says that every requesting entity to whom an authentication request is made, will inform the Aadhaar number holder of alternate and viable means of identification and shall not deny any service to them for refusing to, or being unable to undergo authentication. Mandatory authentication of an Aadhaar holder for the provision of any service will take place if such authentication is required by a law made by Parliament. The bill proposes a civil penalty of up to Rs 1 crore on entities that violate the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, with an additional fine of up to Rs 10 lakh per day in case of continuous non-compliance. Unauthorised use of identity information by a requesting entity or offline verification seeking entity would be punishable with imprisonment of up to three years with a fine that may extend to Rs 10,000 or in case of a company with a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh. Punishment for unauthorised access to the Central Identities Data Repository as well as data tampering is proposed to be extended to 10 years each from the current three years. The bill also seeks to omit Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act relating to the use of Aadhaar by private entities. There will be a provision to file an appeal before the TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal), and against the orders of TDSAT an appeal can be made in the The Supreme Court, in a landmark verdict in September last year, had upheld the constitutional validity of 'Aadhaar' but limited the scope of the controversial biometric identity project, ruling it is not mandatory for bank accounts, mobile connections or school admissions. Holding there was nothing in the Aadhaar Act that violates right to privacy of an individual, the SC had cleared the use of Aadhaar (world's largest biometric ID programme) for welfare schemes. The court had held that Aadhaar will remain mandatory for filing of Income Tax (IT) returns and allotment of Permanent Account Number (PAN) but struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 that permitted private entities like telecom companies or other corporate to avail of the biometric Aadhaar data. Following this, the Cabinet last month approved amendments to Aadhaar Act, the Indian Telegraph Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The bill says that "every Aadhaar number holder to establish his identity, may voluntarily use his Aadhaar number in physical or electronic form by way of authentication or offline verification or in such other form as may be notified..." It also says offline verification can be performed only with the consent of Aadhaar number holder. Relief for Adani Power and Tata Power may be delayed as some of the states that procure power from the firms Mundra units are yet to arrive at a decision on tariffs. This, even after the Supreme Court had set an eight-week deadline for doing so. The recommendations of the high-powered committee (HPC) are being discussed with various stakeholders of the government and a final decision is yet to be taken. I am not aware if any of the other states (except Gujarat) have taken a decision, said Arvind Singh, principal secretary, energy, government of Maharashtra. ... 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 Remember when the movie "Murder on the Orient Express" came out in 2017 and we were granted a glimpse into the famous Orient Express train? Aside from all the suspenseful and shocking revelations of who actually killed Ratchett, we witnessed the beautiful interior of the iconic brand; one of old European luxury with lush seats against polished brown and gold cabin walls. The Orient Express was the pioneer of rail travel back in the 1900s, with its first fleet of sleeper cars that linked the West to East and delivered unparalleled comfort and dining experiences enroute to the final destination. And now, the abode is heading off the rails in a good way as the world's first Orient Express Hotel is set to find a home in Bangkok King Power Mahanakhon. This year, AccorHotels will mark the inaugural opening of the luxurious Orient Express Hotel in the Land of Smiles. Staying true to the stylings and plant motifs of the original Orient Express carriages, the hotel will feature a reimagined blueprint; bringing the mystery and exoticism to the new Orient Express Hotel. On top of the 154 rooms including nine suites and two penthouses, the luxurious space also comprises of enticing dining options with Mott 32 and Mahanathi by David Thompson specializing in Cantonese and Thai cuisine respectively. Take in breathtaking views at the Mahanakhon SkyWalk, Thailand's highest observation deck or sip a tipple at the rooftop restaurant and bar. If that isn't appealing enough, how does an entire floor devoted to wellness sound? Guests can soak in some sun at the outdoor pool and jacuzzi or relax at the signature Orient Express Spa by Guerlain. We can hardly wait to see the hotel come into reality later this year, along with its touristic and cinematic experiences. Orient Express Mahanakhon Bangkok will open in the last quarter of 2019, marking 136 years after the Orient Express took its maiden voyage from Paris. The UP government helmed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has introduced a 'gau raksha' cess in the state to protect stray cows. This move comes as the state now has a stray cattle problem following the aggressive crackdown on illegal cow slaughterhouses. This additional cess that will amount to an increase of 0.5 per cent will be levied on excise items such as alcohol, and toll tax. While the items are yet to be decided, alcohol is likely to be one of them leading to a spike in its pricing. The cess will be levied from this week. The policy was cleared on Tuesday by the UP Cabinet after three instances of farmers locking away cows in schools and police stations to protest against stray cows were witnessed in the past week. This unusual form of 'protest' has snowballed after cattle-owners started abandoning ageing cattle following instances of lynching of individuals suspected of smuggling, transporting and consuming cow meat. In rural UP, farmers have even reported massive losses after stray cattle fed on crops. Additionally, several accidents have also been reported, as mentioned in a report in Times of India. So, the Yogi Adityanath government is now imposing a cess of 0.5 per cent on toll tax levied by government agencies such as the UP Expressway and Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and on profits made by construction agencies and public sector agencies. Mandi parishads' 1 per cent contribution from income for cow protection has been increased to 2 per cent. The government will build temporary cow shelters in every rural and urban local body. As mentioned in the report, each district will have a capacity of minimum 1,000 cattle. The construction of these shelters will be supervised by the state animal husbandry department and will be funded by MNREGA, MLA and MP funds. Not only that, those caught abandoning their cattle after these shelters are up, will likely face penalties with fines. Local police will ensure that cattle that are of no use anymore are taken to these shelters and fine the ones who abandon them. (Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya) Also read: Jio eyes broadband market with affordable high-speed packages Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC 72nd Precinct Sunset ParkWindsor Terrace Hotel three-way Three crooks beat and robbed a man inside a Fourth Avenue hotel on Dec. 20. The victim told police he was inside a room with three other guys at the inn between 25th and 26th streets at 4:10 am, when the goons suddenly attacked him, punching him in the face a couple times, before nabbing $750 from his jacket and fleeing. Bedroom bandit A thief stole $8,000 from a mans 57th Street apartment on Dec. 21. The victim told police the crook entered his apartment between Seventh and Eighth avenues at around 7:35 pm, and took the small fortune in cash hed stowed inside a drawer in his bedroom. Galaxy quest Some rascal snatched a pricey cellphone from a womans hand on Fifth Avenue on Dec. 21. The victim told police she was between 50th and 51st streets at 8:15 pm, when the crook reached out and grabbed the Galaxy Note 9 from her hand. Have a beer! A goon beat a man with a beer bottle on Eighth Avenue on Dec. 22. The victim told police he was between 48th and 49th streets when the ruffian, a complete stranger, conked him on the head with a bottle of Corona at 9:45 pm, sending him on a trip to a nearby hospital for treatment. Bedtime blues Some crooks looted a mans 55th Street home while he slept on Dec. 18. The victim told police the burglars looted his home between Sixth and Seventh avenues while he was asleep at 3:02 am, nabbing $2,000 and an iPhone 7. Colin Mixson The Modi government's flagship programme, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), touted as the world's largest government-funded healthcare programme, completed 100 days yesterday. On the occasion, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley took to social media to highlight of achievements of the programme. "In the first 100 days, 6.85 lakh patients have been provided hospital treatment. 5.1 lakh claims have availed of the scheme, for which payment has been released. This averages 5,000 claims per day for the first 100 days. No patient has had to pay a single rupee," he tweeted on Tuesday. In another Facebook post, he pointed out that the scheme, which aims to provide medical coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually, benefiting more than 10.74 crore poor families or over 50 crore people for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation through a network of 16,000 government as well as private hospitals and over "over 1350 hospitalisation packages", is a "game changer" in healthcare. He further flagged off that 62.58% of the Indian population has to foot their own healthcare bills and most find it unaffordable, which is where the cashless and paperless scheme hopes to step in. Read More: Gujarat top state in implementing Ayushman Bharat since rollout in September "Many people from the weaker sections avoided hospital treatment in order to avoid the burden of an unbearable payment. Today 40% of India's poorest are assured of a treatment in a hospital at the cost of public expenditure," he said, adding, "It is anticipated that in the next few years, almost 1 crore plus families will benefit each year." According to The Financial Express, so far, 5.29 lakh hospitalisation claims have been filed under the Ayushman Bharat scheme worth about Rs 684.6 crore. So the average hospitalisation cost works out to Rs12,932 per patient. However, government think tank NITI Aayog has estimated the average cost to come down to about Rs 10,000 as the scheme matures. The daily added that the National Health Agency (NHA) plans to issue about 5 crore beneficiary cards to inform people and generate hospitalisation demand from rural population. The hospitalisation and treatment cost are shared in 6:4 ratio between the Centre and the states. For 2018-19, the scheme might cost the Centre about Rs 4,000 crore (including one-time investments on IT infrastructure) and the states about Rs 1,600 crore. Given that half the year is already over, the cost of the scheme, expected to provide hospitalisation benefits to 25 lakh in the current fiscal, is likely to be much lower. Gujarat has been the top performer among the states in rolling out the scheme - Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state accounted for around 26% of the total number of hospital admissions cleared under the AB-PMJAY scheme in the two months since its launch on September 23. Closely following Gujarat's record of around 76,000 hospital admissions is Tamil Nadu with 54,273 admissions and Chattisgarh at 53,180, as per the health ministry's data. Also ranking among the Top 5 states are Karnataka (40,216 hospital admissions) and Maharashtra (27,237). Edited by Sushmita Agarwal Also Read: 10 days into launch, Ayushman Bharat caters to 23,387 claims worth Rs 38 crore Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Shes making the cuts! A Kings County culinary instructor is cooking up a storm on the popular reality competition show Top Chef, beating out more acclaimed food professionals to win two out of the three full episodes that have aired so far. Homegirl Nini Nguyen, who operates a cooking school in Prospect Heights, explained the key to her success using one simple tenet always be freaking out. I learned that if Im not nervous and dont feel like throwing up, Im probably doing something wrong, said Nini Nguyen, The two times I second-guessed myself I ended up winning the elimination challenge, so I just stuck with that. A Southern belle turned city slicker, Nguyen got her start at a New Orleans chocolate shop after graduating from Louisiana State University with a business degree, before going on to earn her pork chops laboring in the kitchens of various Big Easy purveyors of fine dinning. The chef moved to Brooklyn in 2012, and soon scored a gig at pop-up restaurant Dinner Lab, where she traveled to big cities across the country procuring equipment, hiring staff, and cooking feasts for up to 120 guests, in a high-pressure routine she discovered was not that different from the challenges posed by Bravos Emmy-award-winning reality show. We had to cook things on the fly with god-knows-what equipment and had to feed 120 people with whatever we had, Nguyen explained. She became a founding member of Bergen Street culinary school Cook Space in 2017, where she helped develop classes including Pasta Making 101, Brunch Breakdown, and Vegan Cuisine for the Carnivore, which is designed for health-conscious meat eaters who still want a full-flavored meal. The idea was to make something that meat eaters would eat, and not miss the meat or dairy, she explained. Filming for the show took approximately six weeks in the early summer, and Nguyens new challenge is keeping the lid on how she fared in the televised competition, which offers a prize of nearly $200,000 for the winner, she said. Regardless of whether or not she emerges as the shows top chef, Nguyens fame as a contestant has already paid dividends for her Brooklyn business. Theres a lot of Top Chef fans out there wanting to learn something from me, she said. Its been pretty good. Watch Nguyen compete on Top Chef, Thursday nights at 8 pm on Bravo. Free. Learn from her at Vegan Cuisine for the Carnivore at Cook Space [603 Bergen St. between Carlton and Vanderbilt avenues in Prospect Heights, Suite 202, (718) 2308400, www.cooks paceb rookl yn.com ]. Jan. 10 at 7 pm. $115. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC This store better Watch out! Four worms stole as many high-end electronics from the Fort Greene Apple Store on Dec. 30, police said. The quartet of sneaks swiped four white stainless-steel Apple Watches worth hundreds of dollars each from the Flatbush Avenue shop around 3 pm the day before New Years Eve, according to cops, who couldnt say how the thieves managed to escape the store full of geniuses with their illicit time-pieces in tow. The Silicon Valley tech giant opened its shop on the ground floor of the luxury 300 Ashland tower in December 2017, roughly a year after the company with a cult following debuted its first Brooklyn shop in Williamsburg in 2016. Earlier this year, Apple head honcho Tim Cook traveled from California to Fort Greene to reveal new products at a much-hyped event at Brooklyn Academy of Music, which locals could watch via a live-stream at the recently burgled store. Reps for Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the incident. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com, on Twitter @NYPDTips or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC 62nd Precinct BensonhurstBath Beach Missing conscience A liar swindled a 73rd Street resident out of $3,765 on Dec. 26 by pretending to be a detective and claiming he needed the money to locate a missing child. The victim, who lives between 17th and 18th avenues, received the phone call telling him he needed to send the money or he would be arrested around 9 am, and sent the cash through a money transfer, police said, adding that they traced the call back to the Dominican Republic. Sleepover gone wrong A baddie stole $6,700 from a duffel bag inside a womans 66th Street home at some point between Dec. 23 and Dec. 28. The theft occurred at the home between 18th and 19th avenues at some point after midnight on Dec. 23, according to the report, which added that the bag with the cash was in the womans bedroom, where she allowed two friends to sleep while she slept in the living room. Backstabber A lout threatened to assault a woman and pushed her causing her to hit her back against a metal pole on a bus on 77th Street on Dec. 24. The woman told police she was on the B6 bus near Bay Parkway around 6:20 pm when the lout told her, If you dont move, Ill make you move before pushing her, causing her to hit the pole and injure her spine, police said. The brute then got off the bus and fled in an unknown direction, according to the report, which added that the woman did not have any visible injuries. Youre a mean one, Mr. Grinch A thief stole $400 and a mans credit card, car keys, and identification card from his unlocked car parked on 74th Street on Dec. 25. The theft occurred between 17th and 18th avenues around 6 pm, when the car was unlocked and the drivers side door was open with the engine running, police said. Shouldve taken the train A sneak stole a womans phone at an 18th Avenue bus stop on Dec. 26. The incident occurred at the stop between Bay Ridge Parkway and 76th Street around 5:20 pm, when the woman was looking at her phone, police said, adding that the thief fled on foot on Bay Ridge Parkway towards 17th Avenue after he made the steal. Cash grab A thief stole a womans wallet with more than $220, her credit card, and drivers license inside from an 86th Street store on Dec. 27. The incident occurred at the store between Bay 31st and Bay 32nd streets around 1:15 pm, when the woman left her bag with the wallet inside it in an aisle while she shopped, according to the report. Rude awakening A punk stole a mans wallet while he was sleeping on a Brooklyn-bound D train that he boarded in Manhattan on Dec. 27. The man realized his wallet with $600 and his credit card inside was missing when he woke up at around 6 pm at the 79th Street station at New Utrecht Avenue, police said. What a tool A thief removed the drivers-side window of mans car parked on Shore Parkway on Dec. 28 and stole his medication and construction tools from inside. The incident occurred between 15th and 16th avenues at around 10 pm, police said. Window of opportunity A baddie damaged the windows of a mans car parked on 70th Street at some point between Dec. 29 and Dec. 30 and stole $2,500 and the mans social security and identification cards from inside, police said. The man told police he parked his vehicle between New Utrecht and 16th avenues at 8 pm on Dec. 29 and returned shortly before 10 am the next day to find his window damaged and cash and cards gone. New Years surprise A scoundrel struck a man with a small metal object, punched him, and slashed his cheek before stealing his cellphone, $175, and his credit card on 77th Street on Dec. 30. The assault and theft occurred between 17th and 18th avenues at 6:30 pm, police said, adding that the goon fled on foot on 77th Street towards 18th Avenue. Shouldve stayed home A pair of louts stole a mans car from a Shore Parkway hotel at some point between Dec. 29 and Dec. 30. The incident occurred at some point after 10 pm, when the man arrived at the hotel between 19th and 20th avenues with a woman. The pair had drinks, according to the report, which added that the man thought he was drugged because he passed out and awoke in a daze, and found the woman and another man demanding he hand over cash. The dastardly duo then took off in the mans car, police said. Julianne McShane Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC 60th Precinct Coney IslandBrighton BeachSeagate Bodega slasher An armed robber injured two people during a fight at a Mermaid Avenue bodega on Dec. 25. The lout walked into the store near W. 32nd Street at 4:30 pm, brandished a knife, and threatened the employees before two witnesses fought him off, according to police. One of the two was hit in the face and the other was hit in his right eye and sustained a cut on his left hand before the robber fled-empty handed towards Neptune Avenue, according to cops. MacBook Crook A man stole a laptop from an office on Coney Island Avenue on Dec. 25. The bandit got into the office between Neptune Avenue and Brighton Eight Court at 5 pm through an unlocked door, took the Apple MacBook, and fled, according to police. Package pirate A robber stole a mans package delivered to his W. Fifth Street home on Dec. 9. The victim told cops that he received notice the courier company had delivered his package to his home between W. Brighton and Neptune avenues at 11 am, but when he went to retrieve it, found that someone had swiped the parcel containing an expensive watch and jacket. Wallet snatcher A sneak swiped a womans wallet at a Surf Avenue bar on Dec. 26. The victim told police she put her wallet on the counter while ordering food at the watering hole near W. 16th Street at 11:30 pm, and then left. On her way back to her car, she realized her mistake and went back, but her wallet was no longer at the counter, she told cops. She requested to see video footage but the employee told her she would have to come back two days later to request it from the bars general manager, cops said. Kevin Duggan The state government is facing stiff opposition from professional rock lobster fishers as it attempts to push through a plan to hand itself a 17 per cent commercial stake in the industry. Fisheries Minister Dave Kelly announced the shake-up of WA's rock lobster fishery in the lead-up to Christmas, which included a 1700 tonne increase in the amount of the delicacy to be fished, with 1385 tonnes to be owned by the government. A storm is brewing for the state government over its plan to hand itself part of WA's rock lobster fishery. Credit:Eddie Jim Mr Kelly promised the new fishing units the government would grant itself would lead to the creation of 500 WA jobs and "significantly increase the supply of lobsters into the local market". But the Western Rock Lobster Council (WRLC) has slammed the plan, which some industry participants described as a part-socialisation of the fishery. Senior NSW Liberals say Gladys Berejiklian should be "more open-minded" to pill testing as the Premier indicated she would consider the measure in NSW but only if given evidence that it saved lives. Ms Berejiklian has remained opposed to pill testing but her position appeared to waver yesterday after another drug-related death at a Victorian music festival. "If there was a way in which we think we could ensure that lives were saved with pill testing we will consider it, but there is no evidence been provided to government on that," Ms Berejiklian said. NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley said this week that pill testing "should not be off the table" and former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Palmer has urged NSW to consider the measure. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has ruled out a tilt at the regional Victorian seat of Mallee, set to be vacated by disgraced "sugar daddy" MP Andrew Broad at the upcoming federal election. The decision by Senator McKenzie, deputy leader of the Nationals and Minister for Sport and Regional Services, leaves the seat of Indi as a possible option for a mooted shift to the House of Representatives. Deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Nominations for Mallee preselection open on January 4 and the contest will be held on January 19, with local social worker Anne Webster the first person to publicly declare her nomination. The seat would usually be considered a safe one for the Nationals but the party is skittish following the scandal surrounding Mr Broad and the recent loss of the corresponding state seat at the Victorian election in November. Darcy Membrey, 2, who died in a tractor incident on a farm near Warrnambool. A family has been left grieving a "cheerful, bubbly" toddler who was killed after being hit by a fertiliser bin that fell and trapped him on a dairy farm in the state's south-west. Paramedics were called to the dairy farm in Naringal near Warrnambool about 11am on Wednesday, after two-year-old Darcy Membrey was struck by the bin. Warrnambool police Detective Sergeant Andrew Raven said an air ambulance was called to the scene, but paramedics could not revive the boy. The boy's grandfather Bruce Membrey said it was a tragic accident which had left the family reeling. A mother and daughter were electrocuted at a north Queensland farm on New Year's Eve. The pair, a 39-year-old woman and 10-year-old girl, were connecting a battery charger to a semi-trailer after noon at a rural property in Tumoulin, 118 kilometres south-west of Cairns, when they were shocked. The electrocutions happened near an electric fence, which was being investigated. Police said the woman's four-year-old daughter was also at the property but was not injured. The mother and daughter lived at the property. Police have launched an investigation after a man's body was found in inner Sydney. Officers were called to a unit on Clisdell Street at Surry Hills to conduct a welfare check about 10.30am on Wednesday. When police entered the home, the found the body of a 52-year-old man. Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the mans death. Police are trying to determine the mans movements between 3pm on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Public sector lender Bank of Baroda on Wednesday announced the swap ratio for the proposed merger of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank. "The board of directors of the bank at its meeting today approved fair equity share exchange ratio for amalgamation of Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank with itself," Bank of Baroda said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange. As per the scheme of amalgamation, shareholders of Vijaya Bank will get 402 equity shares of Rs 2 each of Bank of Baroda for every 1,000 shares held of Rs 10 each. Similarly, Dena Bank's shareholders will get 110 shares of Rs 2 each Bank of Baroda for every 1,000 shares held of Rs 10 each. In September last year, the government had announced the merger of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank with Bank of Baroda to create the third-largest bank after State Bank of India and HDFC Bank. The government expects the new entity will be operational from the beginning of the next financial year. Also Read: Govt wants to bring construction material under 5% GST slab, says PM Modi The Board of Directors of Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank had already given its 'in-principle approval' to the merger of the bank with Bank of Baroda. "A Grievance Redressal Committee headed by Shri Kode, retired judge of Mumbai High Court, has been set up to address the grievances of minority shareholders," Bank of Baroda informed the exchange. Minority shareholders are those shareholders who either individually or collectively hold at least 1% of the total paid up equity capital of any of the bank. Also Read: Infosys to announce third quarter results on January 11 In a separate development, the board of Bank of Baroda also approved issuance of Tier-II Capital Bonds compliant with Basel III Capital Regulations of Rs 285 crore, with a base issue size upto Rs 100 crore and a Green shoe option to retain oversubscription upto Rs 185 crore. The board also approved issuance of Tier-II Capital Bonds compliant with Basel III Capital Regulations of Rs 1,000 crore, with a base issue size upto Rs 250 crore and a Green shoe option to retain oversubscription upto Rs 750 crore in single or multiple tranches. Ahead of the announcement, shares of Bank of Baroda settled at Rs 119.40 apiece, down 3.16 per cent, as compared to the previous close of Rs 123.30. The stock hit an intraday high of Rs 124.60 and intraday low of Rs 118.30. Meanwhile, Vijaya Bank shares ended flat at Rs 51.05 apiece, while that of Dena Bank settled at Rs 17.95. Edited by Chitranjan Kumar A cyclist has sustained critical head injuries after colliding with a car in northern Sydney. Emergency services were called to Ku-ring-gai Chase Road at Mount Colah about 11.30am on Wednesday after a male cyclist in his 40s collided with a station wagon and landed on the bonnet, emergency services said. A man has been taken to the Royal North Shore Hospital after colliding with a car. Credit:Fairfax Media The man was transported to the Royal North Shore Hospital with head injuries and suspected upper limb fractures. The man remained in a serious but stable condition on Wednesday evening, a hospital spokeswoman said. On Friday morning last week I put on the TV in Queensland to catch the final stages of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on commercial television, claimed to be live, revealing Wild Oats XI still well short of the finishing line. At the same time I switched on my laptop only to read that Wild Oats had won nearly an hour earlier skipper Mark Richards had already claimed redemption in the media, drank a shoey, and been thrown in the Derwent. It's an anachronism that Queensland has so much control over a national asset like the Great Barrier Reef. Credit:Gary Cranitch Not only does this make a mockery of the so-called live coverage of breaking news but, yet again, emphasises the continuing stupidity of so many aspects of our Federation in this case with Queensland having decided against daylight saving, unlike the other East Coast States - NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania. It boggles my mind that we happily persist with a multiplicity of time zones, while China, with a bigger land mass than Australia, has just one time zone. Sure, this is, in itself, of minor significance. But, at a time in our history where it is perhaps more important than it has ever been to be able to take a national view, and to formulate policy and govern in the national interest, the anachronistic structure and operation of our Federation is a very significant disadvantage and restraint. Our Federation is broken, still dominated (even as adjusted) by the structures set in place against the background of the issues and choices of the 1890s it is unfair, offers little incentive/reward for efficiency and improved performance, let alone matching the needs, hopes, and aspirations of todays, and future, Australians. A man - later found hiding under a roll of carpet - dragged his partner around a Canberra yard in a headlock telling neighbours he was helping her walk because she was so drunk, police say. The 24-year-old Newcastle man faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday on allegations of assault, choking and threatening to kill his partner. He is also accused of breaching a family violence order. The neighbours called police and were standing with the woman when the officers arrived to see swelling to her eye, scratches and blood on her face and mouth, and bruising to her arms. The woman told police she had picked up her partner from Newcastle to stay with her for a visit in Canberra while she was house sitting for a friend when he attacked her. She said when she tried to stop the man - who was the subject of a Victorian family violence order in relation to the same woman - strangling her, he bit her arm. The summer of storms continues for NSW with large swathes of the state - including the western Sydney metro region - facing another bout of thundery weather. The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning for western parts of the metropolitan area, the Illawarra and a region stretching from Goulburn to Tibooburra in the state's far north-west. A mammatus cloud forms ahead of a thunderstorm tracking north east over Blaxland in Sydneys west on Wednesday afternoon. Credit:Wolter Peeters The alert said the storms were "likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding, damaging winds and large, possibly giant hailstones over the next several hours". David Wilke, a bureau duty forecaster, said Camden in Sydney's south was one area in the line of the storms. Labor party proposals to criminalise wage theft in Victoria and NSW are under question, with research warning the strategy might be unconstitutional. In their research paper, Melissa Kennedy and John Howe from the University of Melbourne raise serious questions about whether a new criminal offence would deter employers from underpaying workers. They warn the proposed state laws could face a constitutional challenge over a potential inconsistency with federal laws, including the Fair Work Act. Professor John Howe is Director of the University of Melbourne School of Government and was previously co-director of the Centre for Employment and Labour Relations Law at the Law School. Melissa Kennedy is a research assistant at the School of Government. Professor John Howe from the University of Melbourne. "A constitutional challenge could be argued on the basis that federal laws already 'cover the field', resulting in any attempts by the states to regulate industrial relations as being ruled inconsistent with the federal scheme and held to be invalid," Kennedy and Howe say. Harrisonburg, VA (22807) Today Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds light and variable. Photo: Courtesy of Daphne Javitch If youre like us, youve probably wondered what famous people add to their carts. Not the JAR brooch or the Louis XV chair, but the hand sanitizer and the electric toothbrush. We asked nutritionist Daphne Javitch about the lip balm, dry brush, and kitchen appliance she cant live without. Omega NC900HDC Juicer Extractor $376 now 8% off $345 I was really thinking: What are the things I cannot live without? And I cannot live without the juicer. Thats because its so much a part of my daily routine. Its a horizontal juicer, so its a slow juicer, like a masticator, rather than a centrifugal juicer, which uses an engine that heats up the vegetables. I just want to stress that all juicing is amazing, and I am pleased with anyone who has a juicer and is juicing on a daily basis. The main reason I love this juicer is it preserves more enzymes and prevents them from oxidizing. People also say that centrifugal juicers are easier to clean, but the Omega 900 is extremely easy to clean. It looks insane: youre like, What is this robot monster on my kitchen counter?, especially if you live in New York. My daily juice is cucumber, celery, fennel, green apple, and lime, but I have 12 different recipes that I send my clients. Sometimes I add cilantro, ginger, turmeric. $345 at Amazon Buy $345 at Amazon Buy Earth Therapeutics Body Brush $21 now 52% off $10 for 2 I really love recommending the dry brush its portable, affordable, and something you can do in 30 seconds. Not everyone is going to juice, not everyone is going to do a sauna, not everyone is even going to exercise, but everyone can apply a gentle pressure and sweep their body for thirty seconds. Once you get into the groove of using it, it activates your lymphatic system, which helps moves toxins from your tissue to your blood for elimination. It also increases circulation. My philosophy of cleansing and healing and wellness is the idea that we always want there to be motion and flow in the body because that is the definition of vibrancy and vitality and youth. And stagnation or congestion or accumulation in the body is disease and aging, etc. So this is a tool that we can use to activate that flow, and also its just so nice to sweep your body and rinse off any debris in the shower. $10 for 2 at Amazon Buy $10 at Earth Therapeutics Buy I mostly use Natren probiotics I take them at night. Your gut bacteria loves food (its very piggish). I notice the biggest difference in my digestion if I take it before bed. The Dr. Ohira probiotics are slightly more affordable and also dont need to be refrigerated, so theyre great to take in your travel bag or to work if you feel a cold coming on. We are mostly gut, so if you dont have diversity and strength in your gut, your [health] can be compromised. When Im not feeling so hot, I find that it helps to take two extra probiotics a day. MaryRuth Ghiyam was one of my teachers before I went to school and got certified. She went from being a nutritionist to fully focusing on her product line. I love her daily liquid vitamins and nightly liquid minerals because Im not really a supplement person and can neither remember nor feel good about popping six, seven pills a day. She just designed these super high-quality, effective formulas you just take a capful in the morning and a capful at night. Its full-spectrum, and everything is there. I just trust her so much, her standards are so high. If youre just taking those two things, youre good. CV Skin Labs Body Repair Lotion $36 Im a person who likes to slather myself in lotion after I shower, but now, as I transition to a more holistic lifestyle, Ive realized that anything you put on your skin, if you wouldnt eat it, you really shouldnt put it on your body. Youre absorbing everything. And sensitive skin is kind of the result of chemical exposure, whether its from the outside or the food we eat. I like that this lotion is light; Im not a thick-lotion girl. And it has absolutely no scent, it feels like nothing, but it has an impact on how my skin feels. $36 at Amazon Buy $36 at Amazon Buy Dr. Bronners Hemp Rose Castile Bar Soap $12 now 8% off $11 for 2 I like that Dr. Bronners is a sustainable, responsible brand, but they also just have the coolest packaging its timeless, and its colorful. And it says things like, One for all All for one. I just like the message. Theyre like the Patagonia of soap. I like the rose in my shower, and the almond in my bathtub. Everyone loves the Dr. Bronners liquid, and I love it too, but I really love the bar soap. I somehow find it less drying. Also with bar soap, so little goes a long way. $11 for 2 at Amazon Buy $11 for 2 at Amazon Buy Joanna Vargas Daily Serum $85 This serum in particular has chlorophyll in it, and the way my facialist, Joanna Vargas, describes it, its like a green juice for your skin. Obviously I was sold on that. Im very scent-sensitive, and I love the way it smells. I could live without serum I guess, but I dont want to. $85 at Revolve Clothing Buy Sloan Billy Cotton PJ Top $140 $140 These pajamas. I cant even. A couple years ago my friends sister told me she was starting a pajama line I used to have an underwear line so she asked me one or two questions. Then, randomly, I think a client or someone on Instagram asked me if I knew these pajamas. Turns out it was my friends sisters new line. Im telling you, these pajamas are insane. Im usually a nightgown or a cute undies kind of girl. Now my husband is like, can you please wash those pajamas? Literally people come to dinner, and Im wearing the pajamas. Theyre so cute, they look like an outfit. Theyre made out of cotton, but its that kind that has a natural crinkle. I have the cloud color, though all the colors are amazing. $140 at Goop Buy Nido Box One Year Subscription $850 I cannot live without the Nido box, its is such a brilliant, beautiful concept. Basically, every two months for the first year of your childs life, you receive curated boxes of simple educational toys and items that are age-appropriate. For example, when it was time to start introducing solids, it came with a set of spoons and a fork and a beautiful organic towel. It also always comes with a card that tells you where your child is at developmentally, and how each toy corresponds to their developmental stage. When theyre beginning to crawl, theres a soft ball thats not perfectly round and doesnt roll that far. Theres a toothbrush for when their teeth are starting to come in. Each item is so thoughtful, I basically have not bought any other toys for my son; he is just so entertained. And these toys are also just really beautiful objects. $850 at Nido Box Buy Aldos Earthy & Seductive Blend $18 $18 My husband and I were spending a lot of time with friends of ours on Long Island in the North Fork, and theyre obsessed with this coffee place. Its this cult coffee shop there, so much so that I think Starbucks once tried to open a location there but it folded within a month. Aldo, the founder, is this Argentinian guy, and he has his own way of roasting the beans. Theyre literally so delicious that we order our beans from Long Island. The beans, youll notice, theyre not like the dry, light-brown beans. Its an Italian way of roasting where all the oil remains on the beans. Its so good. I love the Guatemala and Seductive blends. $18 at Aldos Coffee Co. Buy Yolke Silk Eye Mask $22 For optimal sleep, you want to be in a dark, cold, quiet environment especially when you have a young child or a stressful job, or if youre a student and you really need quality sleep and I just find an eye mask really does make a huge difference. It blocks out the light, but it also indicates to your body that youre turning inward. Sometimes an eye mask can kind of trigger memories of your mom in an airplane mask or a Duane Reade eye mask, if it was my mom but thats why I like these silk ones. Theyre kind of an investment, theyre not cheap. But I got one of these as a present to myself. When I was about to have my baby, I was told that for labor its good to have an eye mask so you can have your own private space that you can go to to endure the work of labor. Its so soft, you dont even feel it. $22 at Selfridges Buy EarPods With Lightning Connector $29 Any headset, I truly cant live without. Cell phones emit radiation. And a lot of people dont know this, but your thyroid is in the front of your throat, and its extremely sensitive to radiation, especially for women. So we want to keep the cell phone away from our thyroid. The great news is that just holding your phone one foot away from your head reduces exposure by 80 percent. So thats why its good to have a headset and Im not talking about those AirPods, because that just seems like more radiation. But finally you need a headset to do my favorite thing of all time, which is listening to podcasts endlessly. $29 at Apple Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. Six people have been killed and 16 injured in a train accident on a Danish bridge linking the central islands of Zealand and Funen. The victims were passengers on a train going from the city of Odense to Copenhagen, Danish Railways told Denmark's TV2. Police spokesman Arne Gram said the passenger train "hit an unknown object" but did not comment further. Danish media reported that a tarpaulin on a freight train hit the passenger train, which was going in the opposite direction, prompting it to brake suddenly. The Storebaelt bridge is part of a system of bridges and a tunnel linking the Danish islands. TV2 showed images of a freight train with the tarpaulin that covered the train torn in pieces. In a statement, police urged passengers to contact next of kin to inform them of their safety and urged people not to share photos and videos of the accident. The accident took place at about 8am local time on a road-and-rail bridge, part of a transport system consisting of a road suspension bridge and a railway tunnel. The transport system was closed to cars overnight because of strong winds but trains could pass. Road traffic resumed today with a 50kph (31mph) speed limit. The issue of unification between China and Taiwan should not be left for future generations to deal with, Chinese president Xi Jinping has said. No one or no party can stop the trend toward unification, the Chinese leader said in a speech devoted to Taiwan, calling independence for the self-governing island against history and a dead-end. "We are willing to create a vast space for peaceful unification, but we will never leave any room for any sort of Taiwan independence separatist activities," he said. Taiwan and China split in a civil war that brought the Communists to power in China in 1949. The rival Nationalists set up their own government on the island about 160 kilometres (100 miles) off the Chinese mainland. Mr Xi proposed talks between the two sides to work out "a systematic arrangement for the peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship". While the president said that people on both sides want peaceful reunification, it is unclear how his message will be received on the other side of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday that its people want to maintain their self-rule and autonomy. Mr Xi pledged that unification would be under a one-country, two-system framework that would respect the Taiwanese social system and way of life and guarantee their property rights, religious beliefs and other rights. "The political disputes that have existed for a long time ... affect the healthy and continuous development of the cross-strait relationship and cannot be passed from generation to generation," he said. PA Minister for Transport Shane Ross has accused legal insiders in the Oireachtas of filibustering in an attempt to delay the Judicial Appointments Bill. He told Newstalk Breakfast that it was totally unacceptable to see inordinate delays because of vested interests. Mr Ross said that the legislation will go through in the end, just like the drink driving got through in the end despite months of filibustering. It is a terrible waste of parliamentary time. The Minister also said that his determination to introduce speed legislation was a constant crusade. Speed is a really big problem. We are trying to get people to give up their bead habits. Mr Ross rejected criticism that his proposed speed legislation will clog up the courts. This was not valid he said as there will be opportunities for motorists caught speeding to pay fixed penalties so there will be no need to go to court. He pointed out that the number of pedestrians killed in accidents had risen by 32 per cent with speed a factor in many cases. Speed fines on a percentage or proportional basis are still a long term possibility he said, but in the meantime it was necessary to change peoples attitudes to speeding. The Minister also expressed his annoyance at the delay in the completion of a review of speed limits around the country. They are too low in some places and too high in others. He acknowledged that planned legislation on the minimum safe distance for passing cyclists would have been unenforceable because of the difficulty in proving that motorists had not observed a safe passing distance. The technology to prove the distance is not yet available, he said. Photo: retailer Every new year means a new planner. While choosing the right one can be a surprisingly personal decision, there are characteristics that all the best dated planners share. They should be sturdy, able to withstand a years worth of daily use without falling apart. They should have enough room for you to write down your calendar appointments or to-do lists, as well as notes. And, of course, they should be dated whether they come stamped with individual dates on pages or have spaces for you to write dates in yourself so you can easily look ahead and make plans for months in the future. (If youre more of an undated planner kind of person, weve written about some of our favorites here). Beyond those basic criteria for a dated planner, there are countless other features and style choices you can make, from the type of binding to the amount of instruction your planner provides. To help you find the best dated planner for your organizing style, we talked to four experts, including productivity experts and stationery aficionados, and took a closer look at some planners weve written about before, including dated planners of our editors and writers swear by. Since the choice will likely come down to personal preference, we forewent declaring a best overall planner and instead organized the recommendations into daily and weekly dated planners, so you can find the right one based on how granular your schedule-keeping is. Best weekly planners Leuchtturm1917 Weekly Planner + Notebook Medium (A5) $24 $28 now 14% off $24 While dated planners come in many shapes and sizes, the ones we heard about are all generally the size of a medium or small notebook all are compact enough to tuck into a bag, but some have more space to write than others, depending on how much information you like to jot down. We were first tipped off to this weekly planner from German stationery company Leuchtturm1917 by self-described planner power user Perrin Drumm. As she writes, the planners hardback is perfect for planning on the go or taking notes in your lap; and the layout is my ideal: days on one side, spaces for notes on the other. Cindy Thompson, the blogger and planner behind Instagrams Plan Another Day, also loves the Leuchtturm1917 for its quality paper, binding, and two ribbon bookmarks. She adds that it features a simple weekly layout that can be utilized in many ways. The two-year planner runs all the way through January 2022, and if you like the sound of this but want something smaller, Leuchtturm1917 makes a more compact style of the same planner, too. $24 at Amazon Buy $24 at Leuchtturm1917 Buy Rhodia Large Weekly Desk Planner $22 This Rhodia weekly planner, which comes recommended by Strategist senior writer Karen Iorio Adelson, features a similar layout, with the days of the week on one side and a gridded page for notes on the other. What makes the Rhodia planner a little different, however, is its compact, hourly layout for each day. And instead of a ribbon to mark pages, this planner has tearaway corners to help you keep your place. The planner runs through December 2020. $22 at Amazon Buy $22 at Amazon Buy Appointed 6 Month Task Planner $30 Photo: retailer If you are a dedicated bullet journaler, Thompson recommends this minimalist six-month planner that she has been using for task management, telling us it is a wonderful option to round out the second half of the year. She loves the smooth paper, delicate lines, and optimized weekly layouts. The six-month dated planner, which runs through December 2020, also has extra lined pages that are perfect for making lists and taking notes, she adds, along with printed tabs for keeping your place. Appointed also makes a notebook-sized full-year dated planner, which Thompson notes has no lined pages, but does feature tabs for easy navigation (the full-year planner runs from August 2020 through July 2021.) $30 at Appointed Buy Lemome 2021 Planner $16 now 13% off $14 Neha Gandhi, the CEO and editor-in-chief of Girlboss, says she likes this particular Lemome planner because it doesnt waste real estate on huge day-by-day calendars, and instead gives only high-level monthly and note-taking weekly views. A single week takes up two pages of the planner, with enough lines to keep track of each days do-to lists, and there are 88 additional lined pages for note-taking spread out evenly between months. This layout, she explains, allows her to organize meeting notes by the day they were taken (and then cross reference the date to the meeting the notes came from in my digital cal), so that Im not flipping endlessly through a notebook to find one nugget of information thats somehow always just out of reach. The planner has ribbon bookmarks for place-keeping and runs from July 2020 through June 2021. $14 at Amazon Buy $14 at Amazon Buy MiGoals 2021 Goal Digger Planner Classic $36 $36 If you want a weekly dated planner that invites you to journal a bit as well, try this MiGoals option that made the list of our wellness, gratitude, and happiness journals. It breaks down long-term and short-term goals that you write out each week and month, then you check in every day with what youre grateful for, how youre feeling, and how youre working to accomplish your goals, explains Strategist junior writer Chloe Anello. When opened, the left pages are broken down into the days of the week, while the right pages have space to write your gratitude lists, to-do lists, habits, and larger weekly goals. Asia Milia Ware, an editorial assistant at Teen Vogue, says, Im all about my goals and having a strategic plan for each of them, and this book really has a way of breaking everything down to make them measurable and make sure youre taking daily steps to your goals. The planner has two ribbons for place-keeping and runs through December 2020. $36 at MiGoals Buy Paper Source 12-Month Custom Planner $50 $50 While content creator Zoe Bright says that Paper Source has a huge selection of journals, she is particularly fond of their reasonably priced custom planner, which allows you to design one of your very own. Paper Source really nails it when it comes to customization, functionality, and aesthetics, Bright says, noting you can design your planners cover down to the font choice and imagery. Pages are designed to show both monthly and weekly views for any given month, and there are pages for note-taking in the front and the back of the planner, which doesnt include ribbons or tear-off corners for place-keeping. Paper Sources planner runs from January 2021 through December 2021. $50 at Paper Source Buy Smythson Soho Agenda with Pocket $275 If you want to splurge, Strategist writer Louis Cheslaw, as well as contributor Leah Bhabha, both use and love the elegant Smythson Soho Agenda, which is bound in cross-grain lambskin and features gilt-edged, featherweight paper and two ribbon bookmarks. According to Bhabha, it is the ideal size larger than a pocket calendar, which affords little writing space, and smaller than a desk diary, which is like lugging around a textbook. She likes the formatting, too. The weekly agenda devotes a sizable square to each day, and theres a weekly to-do list on the opposite page. Cheslaw agrees: The pages are balanced between a to-do page and the days of the week. While he admits that there are less-expensive planners with similar layouts, Cheslaw promises this is the only one that will make you feel like a 1950s Italian banker when you use it. This midyear option runs through August 2021. $275 at Smythson Buy Smythson Mid-Year Panama Agenda $85 $85 For roughly a third of the price of the Smythson Soho planner, you can get this smaller Smythson dated planner that Strategist senior editor Anthony Rotunno has used on and off for the last decade. Like the Soho Agenda, it has pages with a full weeks worth of dates opposite lined pages for notes or to-do lists. While the pages are smaller, Rotunno says they still offer plenty of space to jot down basic appointments or plans for any given day. The size makes it even easier to carry and write in on the go, for those you like to keep their schedule close at hand, Rotunno adds of the planner, which has a ribbon and tear-off edges to help keep your place. Like the larger Smythson planner, this midyear option runs through August 2021. $85 at Smythson Buy Kokuyo Jibun Techo 2020 Diary $47 Photo: retailer Gridded pages, like those in the Rhodia, are actually quite common in Japanese planners like the Jibun Techo, which comes recommended by Wakako Takagi, a co-founder of Los Angelesbased stationery store Baum-kuchen. As she explains, The design of the layouts is structured enough to track what is important to our lives but open enough to be flexible. Though it lacks a bookmark, the tightly gridded pages make it easy to keep everything organized, with the days of each week stacked vertically on a page, instead of shown horizontally. This planner runs through December 2020. $47 at Amazon Buy $47 at Amazon Buy Best daily planners Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt $60 now 30% off $42 If you want a daily diary, rather than a weekly one, brand-building expert Richard Janes recommend the Full Focus Planner in our overall best planners post, which covers 90 days at a time. The reason it works so well for me is that the layout provides clear focus on what is important, while still enabling me to empty my head of all the other tasks that are lurking around, he says. But it doesnt go overboard so that I can easily get to the actual planning of my day, week, and month. While you would need to buy four of them to plan an entire year, he says its a great option for those picking up a new planner midyear. Each day of the week gets two full pages: The left side is broken down into sections that include your big three tasks of the day, lined space for other tasks, as well as a lined column organized by the hour. The right side has dedicated space for note-taking. The planner also has two ribbon bookmarks and additional pages for goal-tracking. $42 at Amazon Buy $42 at Amazon Buy Simplified by Emily Ley Daily Simplified Planner $60 We heard about Emily Leys Simplified Planner from Julie Solomon, a business coach and the host of The Influencer Podcast, who loves its clean layout. Its divided by months (every month has a tab, making it easy to find), and each month has individual dated pages for every weekday (weekends have a shared page), with space for both to-do lists and notes. Other than those two lists, theres little guidance, so its a nice option for those who dont need so many prompts to organize their days or thoughts. The planner also has wire binding, making it easy to fold in half, and an interior pocket to hold loose documents. It runs from August 2020 to July 2021. $60 at Simplified by Emily Ley Buy Hobonichi Techo Planner Book A6 Size $37 $37 The Hobonichi Techo is a perennial Strategist favorite, used by two of our editors. As Strategist editor Alexis Swerdloff wrote in her initial ode to the cult Japanese notebook, The leather-bound book is hefty and feels like Im actually holding something substantial (unlike a Moleskine), while still being incredibly compact: Its little bit taller than my iPhone 6, and about the width of a Kit Kat. While theres no ribbon to keep your place, each page is clearly dated for a different day and has light gridding, which suggests order but doesnt demand it. It runs through December 2020. $37 at Amazon Buy $37 at Amazon Buy Moleskin 18-Month Daily Planner $27 $28 now 4% off $27 Organizing expert and business consultant Jane Stoller told us she buys this Moleskin daily planner for her father every year for Christmas, so he can document his daily activities, the weather, and plans for the next day. Each day gets an entire lined page, which offers plenty of real estate to write whatever youd like. She notes that Moleskin also makes a weekly version that is slightly less thick. The planner contains both a ribbon bookmark to keep your place, as well as an elastic band to keep the notebook closed. It runs from July 2020 to December 2021. $27 at Amazon Buy $27 at Amazon Buy If you want to go old-school, or you need a planner thats exceptionally sturdy, you can always go for a Day-Timer planner. The main advantages of the Day-Timer is that you can use the same binder for years you just swap out the pages and it can withstand a lot of wear and tear, according to Christy Whitman, a life coach and the author of The Art of Having It All: A Womans Guide to Unlimited Abundance. I love this planner because each day is on two pages and the layout of the pages allows me to have a place for the items to be done today, a schedule, and also a page for writing and taking notes, says Whitman, who told us shes been using the Day-Timer for more than 20 years. If I have an appointment scheduled, I can write notes next to the appointment and remind myself of call-in information, the name of the person, or any other important information, she adds of its convenience. The pages feature monthly tabs to help you find your place, and the set of pages above runs through December 2020. MYnd Map MY Journal $36 Photo: retailer Bright told us that this planner allows space for mindfulness and gratitude in your daily planning. The planner has a full page for each day including a blank space where users can write in the date, meaning you can start using it at any time of year is broken down by the hour. Each days page also includes a section for daily intentions and action items. The pages are perforated for easy removal, and the planner comes with two ribbon bookmarks for keeping your place. $36 at Amazon Buy $35 at MYnd Map Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. Independent Tipperary TD Mattie McGraths attack on the grieving family of two road traffic victims has been branded staggering and unacceptable by Transport Minister Shane Ross. Mr Ross blasted Mr McGrath, who said the family of Geraldine and Louise Clancy was traumatised and unreasonable for seeking to restrict learner drivers in rural areas. The mother and daughter from Kilworth, Co Cork, were killed on December 22, 2015, in a crash with unaccompanied learner driver Susan Gleeson, who had lost control of her car. Since the deaths of his wife and daughter, Noel Clancy has campaigned vigorously for the laws to be changed. This led to the introduction of the Clancy amendment before Christmas. In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr Ross said it beggared belief to suggest the family was being in any way unreasonable when looking for others to be spared the same tragedy. I was staggered by what [Mr McGrath] had to say, he said. I dont mind what he says about me but what he said about a family was completely unacceptable. This is not an attack on rural Ireland. What we are trying to to do is save lives. More lives are lost in rural areas than in urban ones. The three measures Mattie has attacked speed, drink driving, and unaccompanied learner drivers are measures purely to save lives. They will save more lives in rural Ireland so Mattie has this upside down. Mr Ross also accused Mr McGrath, Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae, and some other TDs of making unnecessary personalised attacks on him when the legislation was being debated in the Dail. I dont mind political opposition, said Mr Ross. I have many friends who have different political views to my own. "But the personalised nature of the attacks is unnecessary and they undermine their arguments. But that is up to Mattie. I am up to taking him on the issue. The minister also hit out at attempts to delay his Judicial Appointments Bill, which has been filibustered in the Seanad and criticised by media outlets. The Irish Times has been constantly critical for a long time, said Mr Ross. The opposition there which is relentless is all down to their opposition of the Judicial Appointments Bill. "The bill has passed the Dail but is being filibustered in the Seanad and being cheered on by the Irish Times, which is a fairly irresponsible attitude for the newspaper, but that is up to them. An independent local councillor in Wexford claims that there is a lot of smoke and mirrors around the decision by Irish Ferries to halt its service from Rosslare. Cllr Ger Carthy says that the decision is ill-advised and he asked where was the market research to back up the companys claim that customers would prefer to sail from Dublin Port. He told RTEs Morning Ireland that bookings from Rosslare were full, he also rejected the suggestion that the higher rates being charged by Rosslare port in comparison to Dublin Port had been a factor in the decision. The rates were not mentioned in any of the press releases. I dont believe thats the case. In mid-December Irish Ferries announced that it was unlikely to continue to operate a service between Rosslare and France in 2019. A company statement said: We continue to keep this situation under review. Our new WB Yeats ship will operate from Dublin to Cherbourg. Rosslare-France does not feature on the companys 2019 schedule, which does list the Cherbourg route, along with its UK services Dublin to Holyhead and Rosslare to Pembroke. Wexford County Council will meet today to discuss the decision by Irish Ferries to withdraw the service to France. This is a damning indictment of the management of Rosslare port, added Cllr Carthy. He said that three years ago when he was Mayor of Wexford he had met with the managing director of Irish Ferries who had told him that Rosslare ports fees were high in comparison with Dublin Port. This needs to be looked at in the context that people do exist outside the Red Cow roundabout. Cllr Carthy pointed out that the opening of a new motorway in Wexford in the middle of this year will shorten the journey from Dublin to Wexford by 20 minutes. Public anger in Wexford is palpable, he said. People are very annoyed with Irish Ferries. The people of Rosslare and Wexford have been very loyal to Irish Ferries. He said that Irish Rail should have invested more in the port over the years. Plans for a 15million investment for the port are going to be difficult to implement he said, especially as 1.2million of annual revenue (fees from Irish Ferries) are sailing out into the sunset. A 16-year-old boy arrested in connection with a shooting at a takeaway in Dublin has been released without charge. The incident happened in Coolock in the early hours of New Year's Day. The most interesting and illuminating piece of data that surfaced over the holiday period was about life expectancy in Ireland, writes Joe Gill. It seems that the average age of an Irish man has extended by three years to 79.9 in just a decade, while that of a woman has improved by two years to 83.6 years. That is a remarkable change with profound consequences for society at a number of levels. Moreover, it is a significant counterpoint to the screaming headlines that drown us, particularly across social media platforms, which seem obsessed with negativity. Fact-based evidence remains the most powerful tool to combat a world of fake news and those who pedal bad news for commercial purposes. If you had just listened to those voices in recent years, it would have been reasonable to think society was out of control, with natural disasters, terrorism and broken politics delivering a life of misery and doom for inhabitants all over the developed world. That narrative is stopped in its tracks by these health facts for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is proof that applied research and forward-looking politics can have dramatic and positive effects on all citizens. Research into the impact of smoking, combined with advances in treating heart ailments, when combined with government decision making, has a huge impact on outcomes. It was an Irish government, using facts, that introduced a smoking ban that is now showing up in the health data. Much of the money devoted to the health system, which we endlessly whinge and moan about, lies at the base of better results for people suffering from cardiac problems. Cancer, strokes and heart attacks were and continue to be the key killers of citizens in peace time society. However, the rate of mortality has fallen materially. All of this provides reasons for optimism. As the doomsday twitterati and tabloid editors return from Christmas to unleash another barrage of fatalism, think about what is actually probable over the coming year. It is statistically probable that further advances in medical research that improve life outcomes will take place. It is statistically likely that the economic wealth of Ireland and other countries will improve further. These ingredients, alone, suggest a better future but it will, as always, be full of challenges. At home, the health system will need more resources to keep up with a population that gets bigger with more old people in it. Rising incomes will produce more families needing houses that are in short supply. Transport pinch points will surface as more people go to work. Some will use all these issues to trigger protests, complaints and angry voices. Others will see it as part and parcel of managing an expanding population. Imagine having a conversation 40 years ago with someone who is now gone. They would struggle to believe it as you explained that smoking has collapsed, air travel is commonplace, hip replacements for 80-year-olds are not uncommon, and almost everyone has a hand-held device that allows them communicate and conduct commerce with multiple other users. These markers do not seem so significant when you are amidst them but over time they are powerful flags of progress. So, Brexit, Trump, climate change, and supposed threats from Russia and China are the gang of issues that will be thrown at you once back to work next week. Short days, very cold weather and the flu season will add plenty of reasons to think life is tough. Yet, the hard undisputable facts are that our society has found solutions to keeping people healthier for longer than ever and that is a good reason to think positively about the new year. Joe Gill is a director of corporate broking with Goodbody Stockbrokers. His views are personal. The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) has stepped up its advice to members to prepare for the UK leaving the EU with no agreed trade deal in place. With the increasing political turbulence in the UK raising the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit on March 29, the clock is ticking and the coming three months will be crucial to the continued prosperity of Irelands economy, said IEA chief executive Simon McKeever. Our universities are underfunded yet overly bureaucratic. The whole system needs to be rethought, writes Kyran Fitzgerald. The winter solstice and Christmas festivities are behind us. The business data for the year is being crunched and chewed over by the statisticians. One marvels at all the prosperity and at the numbers of people who have been left behind by the new economy. I am fortunate to live in Dublin 8, within walking distance of both St Stephens Green and the Grand Canal, but I also get to roam more widely across the capital city. The pace of change is rapid. Within a mile on either side of my home, new hotels, offices and student complexes are springing up. Several hundred thousand square feet of new space is currently under construction. Artists are being displaced as their workplaces fall prey to redevelopment. Informal work groups are being broken up, lives are being dislocated. There are new threats to the urban heritage as the property people cast their net more widely for sites. Low rise buildings, restaurants and pubs there for centuries fall prey to the constructors axe. This is what is happening in vibrant urban centres across the globe. Change can be jolting. With the gains come the losses. Hopefully, cumulatively, such losses do not amount to the removal of much that is distinctive about our larger cities and towns. Have our officials and Government politicians got a real grasp on what is happening, or are they simply being swept along by events as the economy and wider society face waves of change? Only time will tell. The challenges posed by Brexit have been set out in detail elsewhere. Suffice to say that Brexit should not serve to distract us from a host of other challenges coming down the tracks. Irelands success in attracting investment from US high tech firms is, indeed, something at which to marvel. In November, the biggest single office letting ever in Ireland was secured when Facebook entered into an agreement with Ronan Group Real Estate to take over AIBs headquarters in Ballsbridge. When the redevelopment is completed in 2022, there will it is claimed be room for an additional 5,000 employees on top of the current 4,000-plus people currently on the books at Facebook and its associates, WhatsApp and Cork-based, Oculus. Google, meanwhile, now has around 8,000 people on the books. Such investment is helping to fuel our economy. A wave of corporate taxation is lifting the national boat for now. But there are downsides to all of this. Dublin risks turning into a cooler version of San Francisco where the median price of a home is now in excess of $1.25m (1.08m) and the numbers of people living on the street are soaring. It is calculated that a worker in that city would now have to work in the equivalent of 4.7 fulltime jobs to afford a two-bed apartment there. Increasingly, high-skilled young workers in the US are moving to cities like Austin and Toronto, where the cost of living is lower. The investment is following them. The authorities, here, must work hard to offer lower-cost urban alternatives to skilled workers and investors. Economist Edgar Morgenroth of DCU has written of the importance of deconcentrating activity and of shifting investment away from the capital. The reality is that the ability to attract foreign capital has become, if anything, more central, at a time when many existing industries face the prospect of huge disruption as a result of the Brexit process. The State could set an example. The McCreevy decentralisation programme became rapidly discredited. It was rightly seen as a crude attempt to buy votes in outlying parts of the country by means of the dispersal to selected towns of public service jobs. But a well thought out programme would involve shifting jobs to larger centres, such as Athlone and Limerick, where house prices are lower, but where plenty of services currently exist. Our large universities are running out of space. They could establish spin off satellites in attractive towns such as Kilkenny which have good transport links to Dublin. It is hard not to feel that there is a bit of hype out there regarding housing. The State certainly needs to get its act together when it comes to meeting the needs of people at the bottom of the market. A mixture of neglect and policy misjudgement has led to a rapid contraction in the number of properties available to let. The authorities need to be more decisive when it comes to making available publicly-owned land. Architects could be more closely involved in designing public housing solutions for the many single people in need of accommodation. But further up the chain, one wonders whether in some parts of the market, we could end up with an oversupply of certain types of accommodation. The planners need to take a much broader view when deciding on the grant of permissions. The industry needs to get together to plan for the huge change coming down the road as a result of the pressing need to meet climate change commitments. The arrival of the long-serving minister Richard Bruton into the climate change portfolio could turn out to be providential given that politicians proven work rate and technocratic abilities. His experience in cabinet government dates back to the mid-1990s. He has already been meeting with experts to discuss an overhaul of policies. Certainly, the Government needs to raise its game after what many view as a missed opportunity in the budget. The country has made some wrong turns, not least in agriculture where the focus on achieving ambitious dairy output targets in the wake of the lifting of milk quotas appears, in retrospect, to have not been sufficiently thought out. Irish farming is in need of a huge overhaul. The competition authorities have not done anything like enough to protect smaller producers in their dealings with the large retail groups, in particular. The wider goal of securing a shift from the tax of labour to taxes on land, other real property, and on carbon production is one that simply must be achieved, yet is fraught with political danger. The Government needs to think more about how best to incentivise people to move out from the crowded cities and sprawling suburbs where schools are over-subscribed to under-populated areas with available services. However, this will require a reboot of the broadband programme. An ongoing retooling of the workforce will be needed. Already, gaps in the labour market are opening up. School leavers need to be aware that there are many alternatives to our existing academic-based third level institutions. Too many head too soon into third level courses that offer little to the entrants at their stage in life. It might be a good idea to offer every citizen a third level educational voucher which they can cash in at any stage during their life this is surely preferable to funnelling them prematurely into courses simply so as to satisfy some politicians box-ticking exercise. Our education system performs well when assessed in comparative international studies. Irish pupils have high literacy levels. Our primary schools rank particularly high, but something appears to be going wrong with Irish schooling, in its latter stages, as examination imperatives kick in. Our universities are underfunded yet overly bureaucratic. The whole system needs to be rethought. In the 1960s, major reforms were initiated in the third level sector following economic studies. The result was much wider access through the OMalley free school fee scheme introduced in 1966 by then education minister Donogh OMalley and the network of institutes of technology. We need to engage in a similar exercise again. The current model is creaking. In this rapidly evolving world, we simply cannot afford to sit on our laurels. OTTAWA - A new report on the country's highest-paid CEOs is adding evidence to the argument that women face a "double-pane glass ceiling" at the top of Canada's corporate ladder first in getting to the executive suite and, once there, earning as much as their male counterparts. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 1/1/2019 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - A new report on the country's highest-paid CEOs is adding evidence to the argument that women face a "double-pane glass ceiling" at the top of Canada's corporate ladder first in getting to the executive suite and, once there, earning as much as their male counterparts. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calculates that of the more than 1,200 named executive officers, or NEOs, at 249 publicly traded companies in Canada, women earn about 68 cents for every dollar made by their male counterparts. A woman walks through Toronto's financial district on July 30, 2018. A new report looking at the country's highest-paid CEOs is adding new evidence to the argument that women face a "double-pane glass ceiling" at the top of Canada's corporate ladder -- first in getting in the executive suite and, once there, earning as much as their male counterparts. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calculates that of the more than 1,200 named executive officers, or NEOs -- defined by regulators as a companys most highly compensated roles -- at 249 publicly traded companies in Canada, women earn about 68 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy The study says the gap closes to 86 cents when looking at the wages of women and men in senior manager roles, almost in line with the country's overall pay gap of 87 cents based on Statistics Canada calculations made public in late November. The gap at the top means that, on average, men earn about $950,000 more annually than women in similar executive positions. The author of the report says the findings, while focused on the executive level where pay is already high, point to a larger equity issue. "This is certainly about executives that's what we're looking at but I think it's reflective of what's happening throughout corporate Canada and the difficulties that women face in getting a fair shake even if they do have the qualifications," said David Macdonald, the centre's senior economist. An earlier analysis by The Canadian Press, cited in the centre's report, found a similar gap among the country's top 60 publicly traded companies. The review of records for 312 NEOs showed only 25 women and they earned an average of 64 cents for every dollar earned by male counterparts. Interviews with about a dozen executives revealed a range of reasons. They told The Canadian Press about how companies rely on the "old boys' club" for executive searches. They also spoke about how outdated and unchallenged corporate culture in some companies leave women out of top jobs or fail to provide workplace support. The executives also mentioned a lack of confidence and risk-taking among women, an issue highlighted in academic research on executive pay. Macdonald's report zeros in on three issues. First, few women are CEOs about four per cent of Canadian CEOs and 10 per cent of top executives are women where pay is the highest. Second, "performance pay" given to top executives stock, stock options or cash rewards based on how a company performs is predominantly higher for men than women. Eliminating bonus pay from the equation shrinks the gap to 82 cents, or almost the gap in the wider workforce. Finally, companies that have more women in their executive ranks tend to be smaller organizations, and therefore pay less than their larger counterparts, Macdonald said. Federal legislation passed in the spring created a "comply or explain" model for diversity on corporate boards, rather than setting quotas for the number of women, for instance. Macdonald's report, citing a decade of data from Norway where quotas have increased the number of women on boards, suggests quotas aren't the answer to closing the pay gap. The findings are attached to the left-leaning centre's annual report on the salaries of Canada's highest-paid CEOs, who were estimated to earn what an average worker makes in a year by lunchtime Wednesday. A review of corporate filings of publicly traded companies shows the top 100 CEOs earned an average of $10 million in 2017, the most recent year available, or about 197 times more than the average worker. A counter-study to be released Thursday will argue that compensation for chief executives isn't as wide when looking beyond the top 100 companies. Looking at the salaries of almost 1,000 chief executives shows they earn 43 times the average worker's annual salary, says the review from the right-leaning Fraser Institute. CEOs just outside the top 100 earn about 77 times the average worker, while executives at the companies at the bottom of the list earn roughly one-and-a-half times the average worker, the institute says. Follow @jpress on Twitter Brandons New Years baby arrived a little earlier than expected this year. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 2/1/2019 (894 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Newborn baby girl Vine Jung has a nap at the Brandon Regional Health Centre Tuesday. (Chelsea Kemp/The Brandon Sun) Brandons New Years baby arrived a little earlier than expected this year. Hyojeong Kim, 29, and Jaeheon Jung, 34, were bubbling with joy as they introduced their baby girl to the world. Born at 7:34 a.m. on Tuesday at the Brandon Regional Health Centre, baby Vine Jung arrived in the world weighing five pounds and three ounces. Vine is the couples first child, and they said it was a happy accident she was born on New Years Day. Expecting his daughter to be born after her scheduled due date, Jung said he was surprised she was born a little early seeing as she is the couples first child. "We thought its the first one, and the first one is usually later than the due date. I thought the baby would come at the end of January," Jung said. "But, she came two weeks earlier than the due date." For now, Vine is receiving some special care and TLC in the neonatal intensive care unit, napping the day away. Jung said Vine was the only name they considered for their daughter, as the name was revealed to Kim during prayer. She is named after the New Testament verse John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit;apart from me you can do nothing." Jung said he hopes the name inspires his daughter to walk with God and help make the world a better place. The scripture stood out, Jung said, because the couple want their daughter to grow up knowing, basking in and celebrating the glory of God. "She can do anything with God, and she can do nothing without God," Jung said. Originally from South Korea, the couple has been living in Brandon for two years. Kim said she was thrilled to have her daughter born in the city. Giving birth to Vine in Brandon was special to the couple, because it is the first Canadian city they have lived in. "Its totally different from our home country, but we are very grateful to have a baby in Canada," Jung said. They hope to stay in the country longer, eventually gaining a Canadian permanent resident card. Kim is currently studying music at Brandon University as a composer, and Jung works as a tire technician. Putting her musical talents to good use, Kim has begun composing a song for Vine. Working on a lullaby for her little girl, Kim said that Vine arrived too early for her to finish it on time. "Its like the second page in our life and we are so thankful," Jung said. "She (Vine) is the new chapter." Hoping the the best for their daughter, Jung said their only goals are for Vine to grow up healthy and stay on Gods path. They also have hopes that Vine takes steps to make the world better, and that she will be the type of person who can help other people in need. "When she is with God she can do anything," Jung said. In what has become a tradition at the hospital, Vine and her parents were presented with a gift basket stuffed with childrens toys and accessories, along with a bouquet of roses donated by the Brandon Regional Health Centre Auxiliary Gift Shop. ckemp@brandonsun.com Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp How much would you have to be paid to not use Facebook for a year? Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Theres a lot of ways to determine the value of something like Facebook. Theres the $13.7 billion in gross revenue the company brought in in the third quarter of 2018, up by 33 percent compared to 2017. Theres also the price of Facebook stock, which has plunged (along with many other major tech stocks) by over 40 percent from a mid-July peak. You could try to calculate Facebooks value to society whether its been a net boon or encumbrance in connecting 2.2. billion people across the world on one platform run by a little over 100,000 people. After two years of incredibly bad press, with everything from the Cambridge Analytica scandal to a genocide in Myanmar facilitated via Facebook, many are increasingly inclined to say Facebook hasnt been all that great for the world we live in. But what is Facebook worth to its users? The service, is, of course, free to use, barring a few lethargic attempts by the company to monetize its user base through things like paying for stickers to use in Facebook Messenger. But flip the question around: What would users need to be paid to not use the service? Thats what four researchers attempted to quantify in a recent study. The results, published in PLOS One, show that the average Facebook user, contra the companys bad public image, would demand a fair amount of cash to actually stop using Facebook. The researchers used second-price auctions, in which participants place a bid in this case, how much they would need to be paid to not use Facebook for a fixed amount of time and winners are paid out the second-highest bid. (Second-price auctions are meant to prevent some of the tactical bidding that occurs in traditional auctions theres little point in bidding $500,000 to deactivate your Facebook to win, because you know you wont actually get $500,000, but whatever the second-place bid was.) These auctions, it should be noted, werent hypothetical thought experiments participants who won had to show they actually deactivated their Facebook account for an agreed-upon period, and then were paid actual money by researchers. What the researchers found was that, on average, participants would need more than $1,000 to deactivate Facebook for a full year. College students valued Facebook even more than the average participant, requiring over $2,000 to forgo the service. Participants enlisted via Amazons Mechanical Turk were nearly as expensive, requiring over $1,900 to leave the service for a year. It should be noted you cant reverse these effects Facebook couldnt start charging $84 a month, because users would quickly flee the service for other free options. But it does show that for study participants, theres enough value in keeping Facebook that theyd demand a significant sum of money to stay away. In the steady drumbeat of scandals wracking Facebook, its easy to forget that for many, the social network provides utility, whether its an easy way to keep in touch with a large group of people, for work, or simply a way to kill time when bored. Of course, a more cynical observer might point out that Facebooks actual customers arent the people who post photos and share posts; theyre the advertisers who use Facebooks sophisticated automated ad-buying suite and its vast demographic data to target users. And as Facebooks surging advertising revenue shows, those advertisers seem even less inclined than the sites users to give it up. Submit your letter to the editor for publication in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Letters should be no more than 300 words and must include the writer's first and last name (no initials), home address and daytime phone number. Submit Relief for Dreamers linked to border-wall money could yet reopen the federal government. Photo: Zach Gibson/Bloomberg via Getty Images Theres a lot of political posturing we will still have to go through before an end to the partial government shutdown can occur. Most fundamentally, President Trump must be sure he has put out the fire on his right flank that roared into view when it looked like he was going to back off on a border-wall-funding demand in exchange for signing an appropriations bill. That means something that he can construe as a concession on the wall must be wrung from Democratic congressional leaders who are publicly adamant about denying him exactly that. Democrats certainly wont make any moves away from that position until the House has passed Nancy Pelosis bill, which extends Homeland Security funding into next month without wall funding and releases the rest of the federal government from the whole dispute. Beyond the next few moves on the checkerboard (which presumably includes Trumps condescending invitation to congressional leaders to a briefing from his DHS officials on the need for a border wall), any resolution will depend on each sides perception of the political fallout from a continued impasse. The conventional wisdom is that the shutdown is hurting Trump and his party. So long as he disagrees, he has no strong incentive for backing down, particularly since truly hard-core conservatives like government shutdowns as ends in themselves. If and when both parties decide that ending the shutdown on some mutually agreeable terms is a good idea, they have to devise a deal that offers such terms. And there are really only two readily available options: (1) a splitting-the-baby compromise on funding levels for border security accompanied by some Jesuitical language on border barriers that allows both sides to claim they didnt lose on the principle of the wall; or (2) a return to the much-discussed dynamics of a larger deal that would give Trump wall funding in exchange for immigration concessions, notably an end to the limbo Dreamers were placed in via Trumps efforts to end their protections under Obamas DACA program. A DACA-for-Wall deal has been on (or near) the table during immigration talks for well over a year. It probably came closest to fruition in February of 2018, when a bipartisan group of senators devised a proposal but the White House shot it down, as CNN reported at the time: A much-anticipated bipartisan deal that would have paired a pathway to citizenship for nearly 2 million undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children with $25 billion in border security and some other measures failed to get the 60 votes necessary to advance legislation after furious White House opposition The episode, coming at the end of a much-anticipated Senate week of debate on immigration, revealed that the White House was able to kill momentum for a deal that had emerged out of weeks of talks by roughly 20 bipartisan senators but that it also had no ability to enact any legislation to achieve its stated goal of protecting the recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which President Donald Trump is ending, and increasing border security measures along with it. One problem is that a straightforward DACA-for-Wall deal has been considerably complicated by Trump adviser Stephen Millers obsession with securing restrictions on legal immigration as a condition for any Dreamer relief. Indeed, the February 2018 bipartisan proposal had some provisions reflecting administration demands for reductions in lottery visas and family-based immigration sponsorships. But the White House kept moving the goalposts, and now it seems hell-bent on restrictions on refugees as well as on other immigrants who seek legally provided entry. For his part, Trump keeps claiming that Democrats dont care enough about Dreamers to give him what he wants in exchange for ending the torment he has inflicted on them. Just last week, Trump raised the subject again on Twitter: The reason the DACA for Wall deal didnt get done was that a ridiculous court decision from the 9th Circuit allowed DACA to remain, thereby setting up a Supreme Court case. After ruling, Dems dropped deal - and thats where we are today, Democrat obstruction of the needed Wall. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2018 Trumps revisionist history aside, someone has to explicitly offer a DACA-for-Wall deal before real negotiations can resume, and Lindsey Graham has now stepped up: Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina urged the White House and Democrats to consider supporting what he called a breakthrough compromise on immigration that would allow President Trump to secure his $5 billion demand for border security funds and also codify protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. I dont see Democrats giving us more money, unless they get something, Graham told reporters outside the White House Sunday afternoon after a two-hour lunch with the president. Graham said he proposed the idea to Mr. Trump, who he said called it interesting. He said the deal would entail the White House supporting the Bridge Act, a bill Graham co-sponsored to grant DACA recipients three-year work permits, as well as legislation to extend the legal status of TPS holders. In exchange, Democrats would need to support a spending measure that includes $5 billion in funding for border security. Its clear, however, that congressional Democrats arent going to start making positive noises about such a deal until such time as Trump embraces it, given his long history of flip-flopping on DACA in particular. And they may also decide that Grahams temporary DACA extension is no substitute for the path to citizenship for Dreamers that Trump in principle, at least has intermittently supported. So while theres no reason to expect any quick breakthrough, the basic elements are there for a deal that would not only end the partial government shutdown, but take immigration policy off the front burner of political conversation for a good while. And its this last possibility that Trump and Stephen Miller may find unacceptable. Mitt Romney is ready to be the new Jeff Flake. Photo: George Frey/Getty Images Mitt Romney is looking for a fight. Two days before hes sworn in as Utahs junior senator, the on-again, off-again critic of President Trump announced his arrival in Washington with an op-ed bashing the presidents character and praising his policies. The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December, Romney wrote in an op-ed published by Trumps most hated newspaper, the Washington Post. He lists some of the ways Trump has failed in his eyes and declares that Trumps conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office. Romney is quick to point out that he supported Trump making the rich richer through tax cuts and he loves the dismantling of regulations at the expense of consumers and the environment. But Trumps personality? Thats a problem: To a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation. A president should unite us and inspire us to follow our better angels. A president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect. As a nation, we have been blessed with presidents who have called on the greatness of the American spirit. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbents shortfall has been most glaring. Romney is clearly ready to take over Jeff Flakes vacated seat as the Senates resident anti-Trump Republican who talks big and does little (the outgoing Arizona senator endorsed the op-ed in a tweet), but he may also be maneuvering for a primary challenge of Trump in 2020. Or, perhaps more likely, hes positioning himself as a backup candidate in the event that the Mueller probe, or a flood of investigations from the Democratic House, prevent Trump from contending for a second term. If Republicans want a Trump replacement who will pursue all the same policies without the asinine tweeting, Romney is saying hes their guy. Far-fetched as Romney 2020 may seem, the Trump team signaled that its taking him seriously minutes after the op-ed was published. Thats when Trumps 2020 campaign manager, Brad Parscale, tweeted a link to it, along with the head-scratching phrase, Jealously (sic) is a drink best served warm. Theres a pretty good chance thats not the only tweet from a member of the Trump 2020 campaign that will be sent about this op-ed. Poor, pitiful POTUS could be doomed if he has to run for renomination, some Republicans believe. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Without question, one of the most important political stories of the last several years has been the near-total capitulation of the Republican Party to a takeover by Donald Trump. From tippy-top elites to the grassroots, the GOP is very much Trumps party now, and that partys long-dominant conservative wing is his political fortress. So among all Trumps potential problems heading toward 2020, securing renomination would seem to be the least of them, even if possible rivals like John Kasich or even Mitt Romney fascinate political observers who cant quite believe this eminently respectable party is in love with a crude and ideologically unreliable demagogue like the 45th president. Presumably because this talk of a primary challenge to Trump wont die, some of his loyal subalterns are discussing ways to make that impossible. Last month the buzz was over the South Carolina GOP chairman airing the idea of multiple states simply canceling their primaries to ensure Trump isnt annoyed by a challenge, as the Washington Examiner reported: Drew McKissick, chairman of the South Carolina GOP, said he doesnt anticipate Trump would face a primary challenge and emphasized that the state party executive committee hasnt held any formal discussions about the contest, dubbed first in the South and usually third on the presidential nominating calendar. But McKissick would pointedly not rule out canceling the primary, indicating that that would be his preference. We have complete autonomy and flexibility in either direction, McKissick told the Washington Examiner on Tuesday. Considering the fact that the entire party supports the president, well end up doing whats in the presidents best interest. McKissick didnt explain why a president the entire party supports needs protection from a primary challenge, but whatever. South Carolina did take the same step in 2004 on George W. Bushs behalf, when he had similar if not quite as lofty party-wide backing. It may just be that Palmetto State Republicans want to please the king: Pigs will fly before the South Carolina GOP allows Trump to have opposition, said Matt Moore, McKissicks predecessor as chairman of the state party. But in case other states dont take the hint and begin dismantling long-established primary plans (and in some states, rich traditions as well), theres now discussion of the national party taking the decision out of their hands and just declaring Trump the nominee without the muss and fuss of consulting voters. It was apparently spurred by horror over Mitt Romneys Washington Post op-ed criticizing the presidents character. The Examiner again has the story: The RNC committeeman representing the Virgin Islands [Jevon O.A. Williams] late Tuesday emailed fellow elected members of the national party urging them to change the rules when they convene in New Mexico for their annual winter meeting later this month. Republicans are confident that Trump would hold off any primary challenger, but worry the campaign would derail his re-election Williams wants the RNC to change the rules, endorse Trump and declare him the de-facto nominee, heading off any primary challenge. At least Williams offered a rationale, albeit a flawed one, for this proposal to disenfranchise his partys primary voters: Look, the political history is clear. No Republican president opposed for re-nomination has ever won re-election. Thats actually not true, unless your definition of political history is pretty limited. In 1972 Richard Nixon drew primary challenges from not one but two sitting Republican congressmen, Vietnam War opponent Pete McCloskey and staunch conservative John Ashbrook. They were both on the ballot in 11 primary states (there were only 19 held by Republicans that year). Nixon somehow went on to win 49 states in the general election. Presumably Williams has in mind two more recent Republican presidents who had primary challengers and then lost the general election: Gerald Ford in 1976 and George H.W. Bush in 1992. Ford, of course, had not been elected to anything outside the state of Michigan when he was elevated first to the vice-presidency and then to the Oval Office; there was no way he was going to get an easy renomination, particularly with Ronald Reagan finally deciding to run. And hardly anyone at the time attributed Fords very narrow general election loss to Reagans challenge, given the rather more proximate causes of Watergate and other Nixon scandals, Fords pardon of Nixon, and a terrible economy. And while Pat Buchanans primary candidacy certainly reflected Poppy Bushs weakness in 1992 (when the economy was again in trouble, and Bush had outraged conservatives by violating a no-tax-increase pledge), it didnt cause it, particularly after a nominating convention that united the party (Buchanan included) around a tough conservative culture-war message. In any event, a politician like Trump who thrives on political combat will probably, if anything, thrive on a primary challenge from some #NeverTrump figure who can be tossed aside, giving the most powerful officeholder in the world a chance to pose again as an insurgent. But once the idea of nominating him by acclamation is out there, will Trump naturally embrace the historic triumphalism of it all, and will other Republicans be able to resist the Stalinist temptation of applauding until their hands bleed? It would be a particularly tough call for RNC chairman Ronna Romney McDaniel, the niece of the presidents Utah slanderer. So while canceling the 2020 primaries is on the face of it an unnecessary and hubristic step, dont be too surprised if it happens. Instead of primaries, Republicans could just hold Trump rallies from coast-to-coast. Educator Kelley Fisher leads Arizona teachers through downtown Phoenix on their way to the State Capitol during a Red for Ed rally in April 2018. Photo: Ralph Freso/Getty Images Less than a year after a statewide teacher walkout, Arizona legislators have filed two bills aimed at limiting the workplace speech rights of public educators. House Bills 2002 and 2015, proposed last month by Republican representatives Mark Finchem and Kelly Townsend, respectively, would allow the state to fire teachers who discuss politics, religion, or racial issues in classroom settings. Finchems bill appears especially strict. As reported by the Arizona Republic, it seeks to prohibit teachers from segregating students according to race or blaming one race of students as being responsible for the suffering or inequities experienced by another racial group of students. That provision invokes the states attempted ban on ethnic studies curriculum in public schools; in 2017, a federal judge ruled that the bans enactment reflected racial animus and thus violated the constitutional rights of students. The ethnic studies ban isnt the only state controversy to which Finchems bill appears to respond. According to the Arizona Mirror, it would also ban teachers from discussing or giving opinions on any bill, legal case or executive action. Supporters of the Red for Ed movement, which inspired the states teacher walkout last April, fear that both Finchem and Townsend seek to penalize teachers for participating in future protests. Both legislators opposed last years walkout: Finchem called the strike an incredible show of bad faith at the time, and has told press that he filed his bill in response to parental complaints about overt political speech from educators. Members of Purple for Parents, a right-leaning advocacy group formed to oppose Red for Ed, had indeed repeatedly complained about teacher speech both before and during the walkout. Julie Brown of Educate Gilbert, an offshoot of Purple for Parents, told the Ahwatukee Foothills News in August that her organization didnt intend to bash Red for Ed but added, The idea is no matter what you believe, it has to stay out of the schools. But its already unconstitutional for public educators to engage in religious advocacy in classrooms, and state law prohibits teachers from using public resources to influence the outcome of an election, as the Republic put it. Finchem and Townsends bills are unnecessary, and theyre written so sweepingly that they may actually violate the First Amendment. A spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona told the Mirror that some of the provisions proposed by Townsend and Finchem have the potential to chill teachers speech. It also seems like this might have the effect of chilling certain teaching styles, like the Socratic method, the system of posing a question to students in order to foster critical thinking, ACLU spokesman Steve Kilar added. If a high-school government teacher cant discuss a proposed state bill without facing termination, its not difficult to see how Townsends bill in particular could be wielded to restrict academic freedom in public schools. In theory, the bill could also burden teachers unions, and not only because it would attach extra risk to participating in actions like a walkout. Arizona is a right-to-work state, and a potential increase in terminations could deplete unions rank-and-file membership. Republican legislators have consistently criticized Red for Ed protests, and with the party largely still in control statewide, retaliation was likely inevitable. In Kentucky, Governor Matt Bevin, a Republican, moved to take over the states largest public school system weeks after teachers walked out to protest his planned pension cuts. In their own fashion, however, Townsend and Finchem have broken ground. Their bills appear to be the first post-walkout legislative effort to punish teachers for future acts of political speech. Its not immediately clear how likely it is that either bill will become law. Though the GOP controls both chambers of the Arizona state legislature and the governors office, their majority might be too slim to push the bills through, at least without major revisions. Even if they do pass, the bills may meet the same fate as the states ethnic studies ban. But that legal fight will be costly for the state, for union resources, and for teachers themselves, whose promised raises depend almost entirely on the pecuniary whims of their Republican governor. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. PR Newswire BEIJING, Jan. 1, 2018 BEIJING, Jan. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The honor of "2018 China's Most Competitive Convention and Exhibition Center" was granted to Zhuhai International Convention and Exhibition Center, a subsidiary of Zhuhai Huafa Modern Service Klc Holdings Ltd., at the CMIC conference award ceremony on December 7-8, Beijing. CMIC is sponsored by Beijing Tourism Development Committee and China Convention Exhibition Event Society. Zhuhai International Convention and Exhibition Center has emerged as a strong industry player. It has won numerous honors over the past four years of operation: Gold Five Star Award for Excellent Exhibition Venues, China's Best Conference Hotel (Center), China's Top Ten Exhibition Centers for the Exhibition industry, The Most Influential Exhibition Complex, etc. With its proven history, Zhuhai International Convention and Exhibition Center has become the most competitive exhibition complex in South China. Home to an exhibition area of 30,000sqm, banquet hall of 4,500sqm, 45 conference rooms with advanced facilities in flexible combinations, high-end catering service for ten thousand people as well as high quality exhibition service and a beautiful coastal experience, Zhuhai International Convention and Exhibition Center has had a remarkable development trend for quality in recent years. At present, the center has held more than 110 exhibitions and activities; over 2,600 reception activities, among which meetings with more than 1,000 participants accounted for 40 percent of the total; 1,800 catering receptions; and received 3 million exhibitors and guests since the opening of the center in 2014. With the official opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the construction of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the center will certainly usher in a period of rapid development. Aiming to become a prominent "high-end exhibition complex in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area" in China, the next several years of Zhuhai International Convention and Exhibition Center will be fascinating and productive ones. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zhuhai-international-convention-and-exhibition-center-accelerates-its-development-as-a-high-end-exhibition-complex-in-the-guangdong-hong-kong-macao-greater-bay-area-300771672.html SOURCE Zhuhai Huafa Modern Service Klc Holdings Ltd PR Newswire HONG KONG, SHANGHAI, SUZHOU and HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 1, 2019 HONG KONG, SHANGHAI, SUZHOU and HANGZHOU, China, Jan. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- HJB and MabSpace Biosciences (MabSpace) today announced that the two companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create Transcenta Holding Ltd. (Transcenta), a world-class biotherapeutics company with fully-integrated capabilities in research, development, regulatory and manufacturing of biologics. Dr. Xueming Qian, former Founder, Chairman and CEO of MabSpace, will serve as Chief Executive Officer while Dr. Jonathan Yining Zhao, Co-founder and CEO of HJB, will be the Executive Chairman of the combined company, respectively. Founded in 2013, MabSpace is a clinical stage biotech company focused on discovery, clinical research and commercial development of innovative biologic medicines, particularly in the field of antibody-based therapeutics for cancer and other diseases. MabSpace is headquartered in Hong Kong, with a 50,000 square-foot, fully-integrated antibody discovery and development facility in Biobay, Suzhou Industrial Park, China. MabSpace employs a sixty-person team covering discovery and translational research, process development, clinical and commercial development and regulatory affairs. With its proprietary antibody generation platform technology, Immune Tolerance Breaking Technology, MabSpace has established a pipeline of over ten innovative fast follow-on or first-in-class antibody programs in oncology, ophthalmology as well as nephrology. Founded in 2016, HJB is dedicated to designing and applying innovative bioprocessing technologies to accelerate biologics R&D and manufacturing. HJB has global sites established in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Boston, and a global talent pool of over 100 scientists, clinicians and bioengineers. With its 140,000 square feet state-of-the-art POD-based manufacturing facility and next-generation continuous processing technology, HJB can enable speedy development of high-quality biotherapeutic agents and significantly reduce the cost of production to make these biologic medicines more affordable to a global population. Through in-licensing, HJB has obtained either China or global rights for several first-in-class next-generation immunotherapy antibody programs. By leveraging and combining the complimentary capabilities of HJB and MabSpace, Transcenta will be equipped with a senior team with extensive global industrial experience in biologics-based therapeutics discovery and development, and fully integrated in-house capabilities in biologic therapeutics discovery, development and manufacturing. Transcenta will have a global footprint: Discovery and Translational Research Center in Suzhou, Process and Product Development Center and Manufacturing Facility in Hangzhou, and Clinical Development Centers in Shanghai, Beijing and Boston, US. The combined entity will have over 10 innovative pipeline molecules. Transcenta aims to shorten the timeline from target to BLA, and will make the high-quality, next-generation GMP facility available to support the development and commercialization of both in-house and strategic partner's pipeline molecules. "We are excited to merge with MabSpace. The newly merged entity will combine the strength of MabSpace and HJB in discovery, development and manufacturing," said Transcenta's executive chairman, Dr. Jonathan Y. Zhao, "MabSpace and HJB have a combined pipeline with more than 10 pre-clinical and clinical pipeline products. Leveraging the HJB's strength in process and clinical development and integrated biomanufacturing, Transcenta will continue to create greater values by providing high-quality biologics at affordable prices to patients around the world. " "I would like to thank our investors from both sides for their full-hearted support of this strategic combination. With the merger of HJB and MabSpace, we can achieve a critical mass, significantly accelerate the development and commercialization of our innovative pipeline and establish Transcenta as a truly fully integrated biotherapeutics-focused global biotech company. This not only enables shorter development timelines, but also provides high-quality biotherapeutics at a much lower cost to ensure affordability and sustained profitability. We hope to build Transcenta as an enduring biotech company that delivers high quality, innovative medicines to our patients and value to our shareholders around the world," added Dr. Xueming Qian, Transcenta's Co-Founder and CEO. HJB and MabSpace have altogether raised approximately $160 million thus far from prominent investors, including Lilly Asia Ventures, Temasek, Sequoia China, ARCH Venture Partners, Teng Yue Partners and Taikang, etc. Transcenta is open to strategic collaboration with global biotech companies to further expand its portfolio and enhance its technology capabilities. About ARCH Venture Partners, ARCH Venture Partners is one of the largest early stage technology venture firms in the U.S. ARCH has co-founded and provided initial investments for more than 230 companies organized around life science and physical science innovations from research universities, national laboratories, corporate research groups, and entrepreneurs. About Lilly Asia Ventures. Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) is a leading biomedical venture capital firm, with offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Palo Alto. Our vision is to become the trusted partner for exceptional entrepreneurs seeking smart capital and to build great companies developing breakthrough products that treat diseases and improve human health. About Sequoia China. The Sequoia China team helps daring founders build legendary companies. In partnering with Sequoia China, companies benefit from our unmatched community and the lessons we've learned over 47 years. As "The Entrepreneurs Behind The Entrepreneurs", Sequoia China focuses on four sectors: TMT, healthcare, consumer/service, and industrial technology. Over the past 14 years we've had the privilege of working with more than 500 companies in China. About Taikang. Taikang is a leading insurance and financial service group in China. The company operates through three main businesses including insurance, asset management and health and elderly care. With a major investment focus in healthcare, Taikang has invested in a number of companies such as Wuxi AppTec, Mindray Medical, and Innovent Biologics. About Temasek. Incorporated in 1974, Temasek is a global investment company headquartered in Singapore. Supported by its network of international offices, Temasek owns a S$308 billion (US$235b, RMB1.48t) portfolio as at 31 March 2018, with significant exposure to Singapore and the rest of Asia. About Teng Yue Partners. Teng Yue Partners is a New York based investment firm that specializes in equity investments in China. Teng Yue utilizes a disciplined investment process based on fundamental analysis, leveraging its global perspective and local expertise. BFC Group Ltd served as exclusive financial advisor to this transaction. Han Kun Law Offices served as counsel to this merger transaction. Sidley Austin LLP served as counsel to MabSpace. For further information: Media contact: Jingyuan Qin ([email protected])Kathy Yuan ([email protected]) Investor contact: Jonathan Zhao ([email protected])Xueming Qian ([email protected]) Business development contact: Kathy Yuan ([email protected])Chun Li ([email protected]) View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hjb-merges-with-mabspace-biosciences-to-form-transcenta-holding-a-fully-integrated-leading-global-biotherapeutics-company-300771676.html SOURCE HJB Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado Email no valido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACION PR Newswire SHANGHAI and SHAOXING, China, Jan. 2, 2019 SHANGHAI and SHAOXING, China, Jan. 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Antengene Corporation (Antengene), a clinical stage therapeutics company focused on oncology, announced today that it has completed a $120 million Series B financing. The Series B financing was jointly led by Boyu Capital and FountainVest, with participation from Celgene Corporation, WuXi AppTec, and Taikang. Previous investors, Qiming Venture Partners and TF Capital, also participated in this round. This new round follows a $21 million Series A financing in 2017, led by Qiming Venture Partners. Founded in 2017, Antengene is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the development and commercialization of novel therapeutics. Headquartered in China, Antengene is committed to delivering innovative drugs and combination therapies to diseases with high unmet medical needs in China and the Asia-Pacific region. Proceeds from the financing will be primarily used to fund the continuing development of the company's lead programs ATG-008 and ATG-010 (selinexor) and other clinical-stage assets, to expand the company's pipeline through internal R&D and external partnerships, and to prepare the commercial launch of late-stage drug candidates. A 169,984 square feet manufacturing and research facility in Shaoxing, China, currently undergoing construction for GMP manufacturing, will provide both the clinical and commercial drug supply for the company's pipeline products. ATG-010 (selinexor) is a first-in-class Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compound in late clinical development for the treatment of multiple hematological malignancies and solid tumors, including multiple myeloma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, liposarcoma, etc. ATG-008 is a second generation TORC1/2 inhibitor currently in late stage development for the treatment of hepatitis B virus positive (HBV+) hepatocellular carcinoma. This program has also been selected as a "Key Project for Novel Drug Development in China." "We are grateful for the support and recognition from these prestigious and well-established investors, and that we share a common vision of delivering cutting-edge therapies to help patients with life-threatening diseases. We look forward to creating value for patients, investors and our partners," said Dr. Jay Mei, founder, chairman, and CEO of Antengene. "This round of financing is critical for Antengene's growth. We will continue to maintain and advance rigorous, science-driven, and patient-centered R&D, while actively preparing for the commercialization of our lead products in China and the Asia-Pacific Region." Related Links:www.antengene.com An American soldier stands before a burning oil well in Rumayla, Iraq, on March 27, 2003. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images Donald Trump has done more to elevate the lefts critique of U.S. foreign policy than any politician in modern memory. As a presidential candidate, the mogul told Republican primary audiences that George W. Bush had lied the United States into Iraq; that said war had done a tremendous disservice to humanity; and that America could have saved countless lives by investing $5 trillion in domestic infrastructure instead. As commander-in-chief, Trump has suggested that there is no moral distinction between the U.S. and other great powers; that American foreign policy in the Middle East is largely dictated by the interests of arms manufacturers; and that the U.S. judges foreign regimes by their utility to American economic interests, not their commitment to human rights. But if Trumps descriptions of geopolitics echo Noam Chomsky, his prescriptions owe more to Attila the Hun. The president does see the invasion of Iraq as a criminal waste but only because the U.S. failed to expropriate the regions oil fields. He does imply that, in the eyes of the American state, Raytheons profits count more than journalists lives but he sees that as a good thing. And when Trump suggests our country isnt so innocent, he isnt imploring neoconservatives to hold America to higher moral standards, but rather, to hold foreign autocrats to lower ones. In other words, the Trump presidency can be read as an object lesson in the virtues of hypocrisy. Having a global hegemon that preaches human rights while propping up dictators and incinerating schoolchildren is bad. But having one that does those things while preaching nihilism is worse; not least because even a nominal commitment to liberal values can function as a constraint against their violation. Trumps distaste for the whole shining city on a hill shtick has, among other things, enabled the Pentagon to tolerate higher levels of civilian casualties in the Middle East, the Israeli government to accelerate settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, and the Saudi crown prince to take a bonesaw to international law. Its understandable, then, that many liberal intellectuals are eager to revive the national myths that Trump has busted. Such thinkers concede that Trump has highlighted flaws in the triumphalist, Cold War narrative about American global leadership. And they acknowledge the necessity of rethinking what leading the free world truly requires of the United States. But they nevertheless insist that Americas self-conception as an exceptional power which is to say, as a hegemon whose foreign policy is shaped by universal ideals (as opposed to mercenary interests) isnt just a beneficent fiction, but an actual fact. And that compulsion is unfortunate; because it will be difficult for liberals to realize their vision for Americas exceptional future, if they refuse to grapple with its unexceptional past. In the current issue of The Atlantic, former Hillary Clinton adviser Jake Sullivan presents one of the more compelling cases for making America exceptional again. Against Dick Cheneys arrogant, unilateralist approach to world leadership and Trumps nihilistic disavowal of Americas international obligations Sullivan offers a call for restoring the U.S. to its former role as a benevolent hegemon, one whose global supremacy is legitimated by its demonstrable commitment to spreading peace, democracy, and shared prosperity. Crucially, Sullivan recognizes that this restoration is contingent on sweeping reform. He acknowledges that, in recent decades, U.S. foreign policy has often betrayed both its putative ideals and the concrete material interests of ordinary Americans thereby inviting the cynicism of young idealists, and the xenophobic resentment of aging nationalists. Further, policymakers have habitually overreached militarily, while grossly underinvesting in cybersecurity, diplomacy, foreign aid, and other forms of soft power. To rectify these errors, Sullivan argues that America should strive to build (and/or fortify) multilateral institutions of global governance; shape its geopolitical strategy around the interests of working people (by, among other things, cracking down on tax havens and international corruption); shift resources away from military pork and toward diplomacy, development, and technology; and exercise more humility when contemplating foreign intervention. And yet, while Sullivans prescriptions for U.S. foreign policy are broadly consistent with those of progressive darlings like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, his description of American grand strategy, pre-Trump, is as delusional as that of the median neoconservative. Sullivan argues that the case for American leadership rests on the existence of American exceptionalism, which he defines as the idea that the United States has a set of characteristics that gives it a unique capacity and responsibility to help make the world a better place. That America has such a responsibility should not be controversial. For anyone who subscribes to universalist values (or those of Spider-Man), the notion that the worlds wealthiest nation has an obligation to concern itself with the well-being of global humanity is self-evident. But whether America has proven itself uniquely qualified for this task is less clear. Here is how Sullivan makes the case: From the republican ideas of the Foundersin particular, from their notion of interdependenceflows an attitude. Alexis de Tocqueville called it self-interest rightly understood. Today, we might call it positive-sum thinking. This attitude guided Americas grand strategy after the Second World War, as the U.S. rebuilt vanquished foes, protected the sea lanes, and responded to natural disasters halfway around the world. For centuries, European states waged war with grim regularity. The fact that the major powers have not returned to war with one another since 1945 is a remarkable achievement of American statecraft. Meanwhile, Chinas extraordinary development was the result not of failures in U.S. foreign policy but of its successes. The U.S. maintained the security that helped drive remarkable economic growth across the Asia-Pacific region. He then contrasts Americas enlightened, positive-sum approach to leadership with the crass imperialism of other great powers: At some level, most of the world knows that Americas positive-sum approach is valuable and unusual. At a gathering of Asian nations in 2011, I heard the Chinese foreign minister address the issue of Beijings ambitions in the South China Sea this way: China is a big country, and other countries here are small countries. Think hard about that. This is Chinas way, and Russias way. It generally has not been Americas way. That is, it wasnt until Trump came along. He treats foreign policy in simple terms: us against them. Now, Sullivan is no arrogant Chenyite; he acknowledges that the story of American exceptionalism is incomplete. There have always been the mistakes, the complexities, the imperfections things like covert regime change across Latin America, support for brutal dictators, the invasion of Iraq, and the tragedies (despite the best of intentions) of Somalia and Libya. But what if things like covert regime change across Latin America werent deviations from the American way, but expressions of it? Sullivan doesnt entertain the question. In lieu of an explanation for how a great power uniquely committed to republican values came to organize so many authoritarian coups against republics, Sullivan offers a single quote from Reinhold Niebuhr: Hypocrisy and pretension are the inevitable concomitants of the engagement between morals and politics. This is a means of evasion, not an argument. And it is utterly insufficient for countering the copious evidence disputing Sullivans narrative. For one thing, if Trump introduced zero-sum thinking into American grand strategy in 2016, how does one account for George Kennans authorship of the following quote, in a State Department policy planning document, circa 1948? [W]e have about 50% of the worlds wealth but only 6.3% of its population. This disparity is particularly great as between ourselves and the peoples of Asia. In this situation, we cannot fail to be the object of envy and resentment. Our real task in the coming period is to devise a pattern of relationships which will permit us to maintain this position of disparity without positive detriment to our national security. To do so, we will have to dispense with all sentimentality and day-dreaming; and our attention will have to be concentrated everywhere on our immediate national objectives. We need not deceive ourselves that we can afford today the luxury of altruism and world-benefaction. The history of American foreign policy over the past seven decades has been more consistent with Kennans summation of national purpose than Sullivans. More specifically, U.S. foreign policy has more consistently reflected the economic interests of American capital than it has the ideals of republicanism which makes intuitive sense. Generally speaking, one would assume that a governments policies would reflect the interests of whoever controls said government. And when State Department wonks like Sullivan analyze the intentions of foreign nations, they avail themselves of this basic insight. American exceptionalism is rooted in the improbable notion that the the United States is uniquely unbeholden to the logic of power. For the sake of argument, lets say that America is unexceptional in this respect. Lets say that our nations foreign policies are shaped, above all, by the material interests of those who enjoy the most power over our government. And lets further stipulate that all American corporations, combined, invest more time and money into trying to influence public policy and enjoy more intimate access to D.C. policy-makers than do human-rights activists. From these (highly plausible) premises, one would expect the U.S. to pursue a foreign policy that prioritizes the interests of corporate America over the promotion of democracy or human rights. Or, put differently: One would conclude that, in its glory days as leader of the free world, Americas primary beef with Communism wasnt that it threatened the civil liberties of Eastern Europeans (or Southeast Asians, or Cubans), but rather, that it threatened the prerogatives of American capitalists. It is much easier to reconcile the historical record with this theory, than with the opposite one. As the critic George Scialabba has observed: In the nineteenth century, as Henry Cabot Lodge acknowledged, the United States compiled a record of conquest, colonization, and expansion unequalled by any other people. Its record in the twentieth century was no less execrable. The idealistic Woodrow Wilson made war on both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, killing thousands, in order to block constitutional rule and fortify the position of international investors and domestic elites. In the 1920s and 1930s, the US military occupied Nicaragua and Honduras for the same purpose. In the 1950s the US organized the ouster of a moderate democratic regime in Guatemala, likewise in the Dominican Republic in the 1960s, resulting, both times, in horrendous violence and retarded development. In Brazil in 1964, Chile in 1973, and Argentina in 1976, the US instigated or welcomed the overthrow of democratic governments by murderously repressive (but investor-friendly) military juntas. In the 1980s the US orchestrated fanatically bloody insurgencies and counterinsurgencies throughout Central America, invariably against movements or governments with more popular support than the US client. Scialabbas litany is limited to the Western hemisphere. But the same pattern can be discerned in Americas activities the world over: Given the choice between supporting democratic governments that threaten the interests of major American corporations and investors and authoritarian governments that dont the U.S. has almost invariably opted for the latter. To be sure, every foreign policy adopted by the U.S. is not a mechanical translation of the aggregated interests of American capital. Beyond the fact that many policy question bitterly divide corporate America and that there are many well-funded, noncorporate lobbies that exert significant influence over American foreign policy there is also always contingency in human affairs. Policy-makers have agency, and, as weve seen over the past two years, unusual individuals sometimes make policy. Corporate control of American grand strategy isnt an absolute rule; but it is the path of least resistance. Acknowledging this reality does not require one to deny Americas various contributions to global well-being. It doesnt even (necessarily) refute the notion that America has been a more benevolent hegemon than previous imperial powers. Our nations many crimes do not erase the past decades of peace in Europe, or poverty reduction in Asia. That American foreign policy is principally driven by corporate interests is not inconsistent with the idea that it has produced some positive-sum outcomes. The Marshall Plan created highly profitable markets for American exporters and investors; it also helped birth unprecedented prosperity in Japan and Western Europe. But the fact that American exceptionalism is a myth does have important implications for anyone who wishes to bend reality in its direction. Put simply, if one wishes to reform an institution, its best not to begin by wildly misconstruing how it works. To appreciate this point, consider the following passage from Sullivans Atlantic piece: Jennifer Harris, a former State Department colleague, posed an arresting question when I spoke with her recently: How is it that the domestic economic agenda of the Obama administration could be so different in its values and priorities from President George W. Bushsso much more focused on the needs of working peoplewhile its international economic agenda was nearly identical? The answer is that both political parties came to treat international economic issues as somehow separate from everything else. Sullivans answer is neither accurate nor an answer. Both parties do not treat international economic issues as separate from everything else rather, the Democratic Party behaves as though it is (almost) as unaccountable to working-class constituencies in the foreign policy realm, as Republicans are in the domestic one. And it is. The fine details of trade agreements and investment pacts which are negotiated unilaterally by the Executive branch are much less visible to the public than are the fine details of major legislation debated by Congress. An administration official bartering with other diplomats in some foreign capital is insulated from popular influence and scrutiny to much a greater degree than a Democratic senator is, when negotiating with Republicans (even as the latter is also quite insulated from popular influence and scrutiny). But multinational corporations have the resources (i.e. lobbyists) to keep a watchful eye on all dimensions of policy-making. If a White Houses posture in trade negotiations compromises the interests of American patent holders, they will raise holy hell; if it compromises the interests of all non-superrich Americans by neglecting to make stopping plutocrats from stashing 10 percent of all global wealth in tax havens a top-tier priority virtually no voters will even notice. Sullivans call for reorienting U.S. foreign policy around the interests of working Americans is constructive. But his failure to recognize Americas unexceptional characteristics jeopardizes that project. If the default setting of American foreign policy is to pursue its enlightened national interest, then recentering U.S. grand strategy around progressive economic principles is a simple task: Make a persuasive argument that it is in Americas national interest to raise the median workers wages, and a new consensus will take shape. By contrast, if Americas default setting is to safeguard the interests of its most powerful individuals and entities, then durably reorienting foreign policy in the manner Sullivan prescribes will require drastically shifting the balance of power between capital and labor within the United States. If liberal elites adhere to an exceptionalist understanding of the American state, they will miss the central importance of domestic economic reform to any progressive reorientation of foreign policy. And that is not all they will miss. The exceptionalist narrative is most dangerous for the way it implies that assertions of American power on the world stage should be presumed well-intentioned, until proven otherwise. If the consensus view among liberal elites circa 2003 had been that American foreign policy is typically shaped by the mercenary interests of corporations (not least, arms manufacturers), they would likely have treated George W. Bushs plans for Iraq with less credulity. Instead, in that instance (and many others), liberals championed a just, humanitarian intervention only to find, to their shock and awe, that those prosecuting the war did not, in fact, have the purest of hearts. So long as progressive forces do not have a firm grip on the national security state, progressives mustnt presume that the worst thing that state can do in the face of injustice overseas is nothing. Relatedly, the myth of American exceptionalism functions as rationale for the U.S. to subordinate international law to its own enlightened judgement. If one presumes Americas beneficence, then one will prize its freedom of action over adherence to the (often arbitrary) dictates of treaties. Tellingly, the phrase international law appears nowhere in Sullivans essay (and his remarks on the Syrian civil war suggest that scrupulous observance of international law does not figure into his vision for a progressive foreign policy). Finally, the myth of American exceptionalism might do more to strengthen Trumpism than to undermine it. No small portion of our countrys xenophobia is informed by ubiquitous ignorance of our national sins. If one shares Sullivans faith in the beneficence of American global leadership, then its easy to conclude that Americans owe little to people in other countries. After all, we selflessly tried to bring freedom to Iraq and Afghanistan and look how those ungrateful Muslims responded; we saved Central Americans from the tyranny of Communism, and now theyre showing up at our border asking for more help. American exceptionalism suggests that the entire world owes a debt to the United States. Trumpism suggests the same and then demands the world pay up. Donald Trump has rebranded U.S. foreign policy in his image. Which is to say, he has put the ugliest possible face on American empire. For liberals, there is a strong temptation to call this hideous visage a mask; to insist that this isnt who we are. But it would be more accurate to say that this is who weve too often been. This hateful sociopath, immune to all human sentiments save fear and greed, devoid of all principles save a will to power, incapable of seeing the world from anyones perspective but his own this is who we were to the peasants of Vietnam, and to the people of Jacobo Arbenzs Guatemala, Salvador Allendes Chile, Mohammad Mosaddeghs Iran, Joao Goularts Brazil, and so many other fragile republics yearning to breathe free. Trumps great gift to the American people is that he has made our governments ugliest features easier to see and thus, to change. But if we respond by burying Uncle Sams deformities beneath the concealer of American exceptionalism, the change we make wont even be skin deep. Grant Countys tax on recreational marijuana does not meet statutory requirements and will be rescinded, Judge Scott Myers said Jan. 9. Richard Hanners is a reporter for the Blue Mountain Eagle. He can be contacted at rick@bmeagle.com or 541-575-0710. SIGN UP TO GET BLACKLISTED NEWS DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Enter your email address: Like 75 percent of the worlds citizens right now, were traveling. All that pent-up cabin fever had to be released sometime and the warm weather is bringing travelers out in droves. We had a graduation in Florida which we have been looking forward to attending. It was a nice trip. New General Manager joins from Roche Singapore where he was heading the Programme Management Office, APAC for Roche Pharmaceuticals. Roche Diabetes Care India, a pioneer in the development of blood glucose monitoring systems, and a global leader for diabetes management systems and services, announced the appointment of Dr. Gaurav Laroia as General Manager for its India operations. He assumes his new role with effect from 01st January, 2019. Gaurav will report to Pedro Goncalves, Head of Roche Diabetes Care Asia Pacific and will be a member of the Roche Diabetes Care Asia Pacific Leadership Team. He relocates to Mumbai from his current role as Head of Program Management Office (PMO) APAC in Singapore. Gaurav has more than 18 years of experience in commercial operations, business development, and management consulting in healthcare-related multinational organisations in India, Singapore and the USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Molecular & Cellular Biology from New York University School of Medicine, USA and a Masters in Genetics from the University of Cambridge, UK. Dr. Gaurav Laroia, GM, Roche Diabetes Care India, said, I am excited to be heading the India entity of Roche Diabetes Care. This role that comes with great responsibility towards patient care and I look forward to driving the development of integrated diabetes management solutions. Roche persistently endeavours to improve the quality of life and provide cohesive solutions for people with diabetes and I am privileged to be part of this journey. India is a very important market for Roche and our aspiration in the near future will be to be Indias topmost integrated diabetes solutions provider, touching millions of lives who need smart solutions for diabetes. About Roche Diabetes Care Roche Diabetes Care is pioneering innovative diabetes technologies and services for more than 40 years. Being a global leader in integrated diabetes management, more than 5,000 employees in over 100 markets worldwide work every day to support people with diabetes and those at risk to achieve more time in their target range and experience true relief from the daily therapy routines. Roche Diabetes Care collaborates with caregivers, healthcare providers and payers to optimally manage this complex condition and contribute to sustainable care structures. Under the brand Accu-Chek and in collaboration with partners, Roche Diabetes Care creates value by providing integrated solutions to monitor glucose levels, deliver insulin and track as well as contextualize relevant data points for a successful therapy. By establishing a leading open ecosystem, connecting devices, digital solutions, Roche Diabetes Care will enable optimal personalised diabetes management and thus improve therapy outcomes. Since 2017, mySugr with its world-leading mobile diabetes management app and services is part of Roche Diabetes Care. The year 2019 opens with two major unresolved problems: an isolated President and a generally dishonest national media. The President first. Donald Trump finds himself once again reorganizing his administration with a new chief-of-staff, a new attorney general and a new secretary of defense. His republican allies in Congress are tentative about him with a few exceptions, and the stock market is a major concern. The government shutdown will end but things are not running smoothly right now at The White House. The hate Trump press, which is most of it, knows blood has been drawn and can be counted on to keep up the smear du jour with the intent of getting Trump deposed. There is no seeking the truth involved here. Corporate decisions have been made: Trump has to go. If you look at all the phony political stories in 2018 you know the situation is dire. The press used footage taken during the Obama administration of migrant children being terrorized and said it happened on Trumps watch. A CNN analyst said there were 18 deliberate gun attacks at American schools when there were two in the time frame cited. The press misrepresented the Presidents trip to Iraq, failed to accurately report on the Steele dossier, and trumped up a false report on U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haleys spending. Thats just a partial list. And who was held accountable for the bogus reportage? Simon Nobody, thats who. So we can expect more deliberate dishonest reporting and a continuing rough ride for President Trump in 2019. Very bad for the country. Tonight on the No Spin News, I will lay out the political situation in greater detail. As always, my opinion will be based on facts. Important broadcast beginning at 7 eastern time. Happy New Year. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who succeeded his late father more than two years ago, will be crowned in early May, the Thai prime minister announced Wednesday, adding that this would not impact a general election tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24. A day after the Royal Household Bureau gave the coronation date, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha said he had invited Princess Sirindhorn to chair a committee to organize the three-day ceremony, scheduled for May 4 to 6. Whether the election date remains Feb. 24, we are not going to discuss this, there is no change, he told reporters following a cabinet meeting. Prayuth became prime minister in 2014 after leading a military coup to overthrow the democratic government of Yingluck Shinawatra. It is up to the EC to successfully implement it or not, based on circumstances, he said. We give priority to the coronation ceremony, the key event for us Thais, but things can be conducted in conjunction, he said. Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of the political science faculty at Ubon Ratchathani University, said he was optimistic about the upcoming election. There might be a possibility for a postponement, but if at all, it will be a brief one. There is no reason to put if off that long, Titipol told BenarNews by phone. The election bolsters the image of the ceremony in the eyes of the international community. King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, or King Rama X, is the 10th king of the Chakri Dynasty. He ascended to the throne on Dec. 1, 2016, following the death of his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Oct. 13, 2016, at the age of 88 after a seven-decade reign. The coronation ceremony, which is a mix of Buddhist and Brahman rites, will begin on May 4 when King Maha Vajiralongkorn will have an audience with other royals, cabinet members and high-ranking officials, according to the Royal Household Bureau. On May 5, the central coronation rite will take place, followed on May 6 by a celebration for the public and diplomats. Britain and Australia have cautioned their citizens against traveling to the southern Philippines in the wake of a bombing that killed two people and injured more than three dozen at a shopping mall in Cotabato City on New Years Eve. The military said it suspected that Islamic militants carried out Mondays attack to retaliate for intensified army offensives in the Philippine south, which is heavily militarized and under martial law. Police, meanwhile, said they were looking into the possibility that groups opposed to an upcoming plebiscite on giving Muslims expanded autonomy in the south were behind the bombing. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office [FCO] advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups, the British government said Wednesday in updating its travel advisory to the Philippines. Citing a threat of terrorism, Britain advised its citizens against all but essential travel to the rest of Mindanao, the countrys southern third which has been locked in militant violence for years. The FCO also warned that terrorists could strike as far north as Manila. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out attacks at anytime and anywhere in the country, including in places visited by foreigners, like airports, shopping malls, public transport, including the metro system, and places of worship. You should remain vigilant at all times and report anything suspicious to local authorities, British officials said. Following the Dec. 31 attack at the entrance to the South Seas Mall in Cotabato, Australia asked its citizens to seek specific advice for locations they intended to visit in the Philippines, citing a high threat of attacks, even in the Philippine capital. Exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines overall, it said, urging everyone to reconsider travel plans to the south due to very high levels of violent crime, high threats of terrorist attacks and kidnapping. Possible targets for terrorist attacks include commercial and public places frequented by foreigners, it added. But Carlito Galvez Jr., a former military chief who serves as a presidential adviser on the peace process in the south, described Mondays deadly bomb blast as an isolated incident. Our security forces are on top of the situation. Lets trust that the perpetrators will be brought to justice and that acts like this will be stopped, he said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the military said it was looking at the Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Front (BIFF) or Daulah Islamiyah, a loose coalition of Islamic militants operating in the south. Both groups rejected the 2017 passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in July 2018. The law came four years after the government approved a peace deal with a former separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). A referendum on ratifying the law is scheduled for Jan. 21 in majority-Muslim areas of the south. The BIFF, a group of hardline Islamists, split from the MILF and has opposed the BOL. It has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) and carried out diversionary bomb attacks as other militants took over the southern city of Marawi in 2017. Five months of fighting left Marawi in ruins and killed more than 1,200 people, mostly militants, according to the Philippine government. Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr., spokesman for the national police, said Mondays bomb bore a signature composition of explosives used by local IS-inspired terrorist groups. The modus operandi, the signature, the way it was constructed, and the way it was deployed show this was caused by Daesh-inspired or ISIS-inspired terrorist groups in Mindanao, he said, referring to IS by its other acronyms. Driver of MILF official killed Ebrahim Murad, the leader of the 10,000-member Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), said the blast was meant to sow chaos and derail the plebiscite. In the past, similar incidents have been resorted to in order to derail the Bangsamoro peace process, he said in a statement. We must forge ahead with the same resolve as before so that we may finally achieve peace. Murad urged authorities to thoroughly investigate the attack. Among those killed in the bombing was Jonathan Torriblano, a driver for Melanio Ulama, one of the MILFs representatives to a transitional council working toward a smooth implementation of the law. It is precisely for the absence of security in our homeland that we exert our efforts for the passage of the BOL so that a government can be established that can really protect and promote the peace and security of the place and its people, Murad said. Rescuers search for victims of the landslide in West Java province, Jan. 1, 2019. Heavy rain and bad roads hampered the search for 20 people missing after this weeks deadly landslide in Indonesias West Java province, officials said Wednesday. At least 15 people died when the landslide buried houses in a village in Sukabumi regency on Monday, National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said, calling it the biggest landslide to hit the area in 50 years. The government of Sukabumi has declared a seven-day emergency response period. Since Monday, nearly 900 rescuers from the National Search and Rescue Agency, the military, police and residents dug through the mud, aided by three mechanical excavators and two tracking dogs, Sutopo said. Bad weather has slowed their efforts. Incessant downpours have caused more landslides from the hilltop, Sutopo told reporters. He said the loose soil in the village of 101 people was vulnerable to landslides. The area should have been designated as a conservation zone, not agriculture or settlement, Sutopo said. Iwan Rahmawandi, the chief of the Rapid Reaction Team at the Sukabumi Civil Protection Agency, said bad roads and rain forced rescuers to halt the search mid-afternoon on Wednesday. Narrow and steep roads mean they have to be extra careful, he told BenarNews by telephone, adding that four smaller landslides had been recorded since Monday. Communication has also been difficult because the cellular signal there is not good, he said. More help is on its way but its been hampered by difficult road conditions. The rescuers needed more equipment such as mechanical excavators, shovels and latex gloves, he added. Millions face risk of landslides Sutopo said government data showed that nearly 41 million people across Indonesia lived in areas at risk of landslides, including those living in as many as 33 areas in Sukabumi. Areas prone to landslides are scattered along Sumatra, the central and southern parts of Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua, he said. Despite efforts by local governments to inform people about disaster-prone areas, many were unaware of the danger, Sutopo said. Many people still dont know what causes landslides and how to anticipate them. They receive little education about disaster mitigation, he said. Jokowi visits Lampung Meanwhile on Wednesday, President Joko Jokowi Widodo visited Lampung province in the wake of a tsunami in the Sunda Strait that killed at least 437 people in coastal areas of Lampung and Banten provinces on Dec. 22. There needs to be a review of regional spatial planning, especially in places at risk of events such as tsunami, Jokowi said in a government statement. More than 14,000 people were injured and nearly 37,000 displaced by the tsunami, according to the disaster management agency. Ten people are listed as missing. Bangladeshis read newspapers pasted on a wall in Dhaka one day after the ruling coalition led by the party of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (whose image appears on the left) romped to a landslide win in the countrys 11th general election, Dec. 31, 2018. Updated at 5:02 p.m. ET on 2019-01-02 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other freshly elected candidates from Bangladeshs ruling coalition will take their parliamentary oaths on Thursday, officials said Wednesday, while the United States and European Union cast doubt over whether the vote was free and fair. Hasinas Awami League party led the Grand Alliance bloc to a landslide victory in the Dec. 30 general election. But the opposition claimed widespread irregularities and voter intimidation had tainted the vote. The main opposition alliance also threatened not to seat any of its seven victorious candidates in the new parliament. On Wednesday, the secretariat of Bangladeshs legislature and the parliamentary speaker confirmed that newly elected MPs representing Grand Alliance constituent parties would be sworn in as MPs the next day. At first Awami League members will take their oaths, then members of the Jatiya Party, and then others, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, who was to administer the oath to the new class of parliamentarians, told BenarNews. The newly elected members of parliament are going to be sworn in tomorrow, Election Commission chief K.M. Nurul Huda said Wednesday, according to the state-run BSS news agency. A Bangladeshi court, meanwhile on Wednesday, granted authorities a three-day remand to hold a correspondent for the Dhaka Tribune, one of the countrys leading dailies, following his arrest on Tuesday over allegations that he falsely reported about alleged irregularities in votes cast at one constituency. According to updated poll results from the commission, the Grand Alliance romped home by taking 288 out of 299 seats that were up for grabs in the first election contested in a decade, sealing a record fourth term for Hasina as prime minister, 71. Awami alone captured 257 seats. But results for one of the 299 seats were postponed because voting at three polling sites in the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency had been suspended on Election Day because of violence, the commission said. A revote will take place at those three polling centers on Jan. 9, officials said. The Grand Alliance crushed the National Unity Front (NUF), a recently formed opposition alliance led by Awamis traditional foe, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. BNPs chairwoman, three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, was disqualified from the race because she was imprisoned after being convicted of corruption in February 2018. On Wednesday, NUF leader Subrata Chowdhury said the opposition had not decided whether it would follow through on a threat made two days earlier that its seven winning candidates would not take their seats in the new parliament. He said there were two schools of thought among opposition officials about which way the NUF should proceed. One is, our seven elected members should take the oath and use the parliament as a platform to boost up our politics. The other opinion is that if we go to the parliament, then it will mean that we have accepted the election results, Chowdhury told BenarNews. We will decide whether to go to the parliament or not in couple of days, he added. According to the countrys electoral regulations, if a newly elected lawmaker does not take the oath within 90 days of day one of the new parliaments first session, then his or her seat will be declared vacant. Significant obstacles to a level playing field In the wake of her alliances big win on Sunday, Hasina and Awami officials have repeatedly claimed that the vote was free and fair. But on New Years Day, the United States and European Union came out with statements of grave concern over whether the polls were tainted. In Washington, the State Department said the U.S. Bangladeshs biggest foreign investor and largest single-country market for Bangladeshi exports remained deeply invested in the future of Bangladesh and its democratic development. [W]e note with concern credible reports of harassment, intimidation and violence in the pre-election period that made it difficult for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and campaign freely. We are also concerned that election-day irregularities prevented some people from voting, which undermined faith in the electoral process, said Robert Palladino, a deputy spokesman for the department. We strongly encourage all parties to refrain from violence and request the Election Commission work constructively with all sides to address claims of irregularities, he added. The EU, another major market for exports of garments made in Bangladesh, said the mobilization of voters and participation of the opposition in the first competitive election in 10 years had reflected the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh to democracy. However, violence has marred the election day, and significant obstacles to a level playing field remained in place throughout the process and have tainted the electoral campaign and the vote, said Maja Kocijancic, the EUs spokeswoman on foreign affairs. The relevant national authorities should now ensure a proper examination of allegations of irregularities and commit to full transparency in their resolution, she added. On Wednesday, the secretary of Bangladeshs Election Commission (EC) said it had instructed law enforcement agencies to investigate allegations of irregularities during Sundays vote, which drew 80 percent of the electorate, according to the commission. The EC has already decided to investigate minor incidents of violence that took place during the elections, Commission Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed told BenarNews. The Chief Election Commissioner has already ordered the Inspector General of Police on this issue. The EC also asked police to submit a report on incidents. Reporter questioned Elsewhere, a court in Khula, the third largest city in Bangladesh, granted police permission on Wednesday to hold Dhaka Tribune reporter Hedayat Hossain Mollah for three days of questioning under the nations Digital Security Act, in connection with his coverage of voting in the Khulna-1 constituency on Dec. 30. An election official who oversaw voting in the constituency, Helal Uddin, brought charges under the act against Mollah and Rashidul Islam, a staff reporter of Manab Zamin, another Bangladeshi daily newspaper. Zamin has gone into hiding. We have taken action against those two journalist as instructed by the EC, Uddin told BenarNews. The two journalists were accused of reporting false and fabricated information about voting in Khulna-1 by using their electronic devices. In their articles, they reported that provisional results had over counted the number of votes cast by about 22,000, compared with the number of voters registered in the constituency suggesting an irregularity in the tally. The information reported by those two reporters was not true. I announced the written results received from election centers and sent them to the EC, Uddin said. Press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) slammed Bangladeshs action against the two journalists, alleging it was part of a string of hostile incidents targeting journalists during and after Sundays election. We call on the Bangladeshi authorities to immediately drop the charges against these two journalists, Daniel Bastard, the head of RSFs Asia-Pacific desk, said in a statement. Their only crime was to do their job to monitor the polling, as any journalist should in a functioning democracy. The repeated press freedom violations accompanying these elections have ended up undermining the credibility of the results, the regional chief of the Paris-based group said. New Year statements from business leaders are usually anodyne affairs that don't make political news, but we're living in extraordinary times. The 2019 message from the just-appointed president of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce conveys the business community's frustration at the current Brexit chaos. John Healy represents 1,200 businesses which employ more than 100,000 people. He says those companies are battling to meet the challenges that almost two years of no government at Stormont and "the ominous threat of Brexit" bring. They're entering 2019 unable to plan ahead and are in the dark as to what trading conditions they will face. A no-deal Brexit would be a potential nightmare and Mr Healy is urging "parliamentarians" to redouble their efforts to ensure we don't face it by default. In terms of our local ones, he's wasting his time. No matter how much Sinn Fein is berated over its abstentionist policy, its seven MPs won't be taking their seats for the foreseeable future. The DUP 10 are implacably opposed to Theresa May's deal as it stands, and aren't bluffing when they say that tinkering with the document won't cut it and only fundamental legal text changes will suffice. The parties which are genuinely most outraged about the current situation - the SDLP and Alliance - are totally powerless and no amount of wishful thinking will change that. Were Arlene Foster's party out on a limb in rejecting the prime minister's deal, business leaders' voices would be more influential. But the UUP and the TUV share the DUP's opposition to the Withdrawal Agreement. The UUP is calling for an extension of Article 50 while Jim Allister argues that a no-deal scenario wouldn't be disastrous, with 39bn in the UK's back pocket and the ability to move new trade deals. Some DUP MPs, such as Sammy Wilson and Gregory Campbell, might share that viewpoint; others are more cautious. Business leaders don't necessarily agree with Mrs May on every detail but what they understandably want is as much certainty as possible about the immediate future. Yet, rightly or wrongly, unionists see the backstop as a threat to Northern Ireland's constitutional integrity. They won't be changing their minds anytime soon. The opening of the Pandora's box of secret British and Irish government papers has taken place for the year 1988. These declassified state records provide intriguing material for journalists, commentators and historians alike, delving into the twists and turns of government policy 30 years ago. However, what is most striking in reading the published extracts, is the appalling lack of empathy that Margaret Thatcher, the then Prime Minister had with the situation in Ireland and her arrogant demands of the Irish government led by the Taoiseach Charles Haughey. He countered her demands by pointing out the sense of injustice that Irish people had in relation to the way in which the British government was managing their affairs. He highlighted the huge sense of injustice felt by the Irish people regarding the unjust treatment of their fellow citizens in England. He raised the infamous case of the Birmingham Six, who had scandalously been jailed for life in 1974 for terrorist murders, that they had never committed. Subsequent revelations would confirm the common opinion at that time, that these unfortunate Irish people were framed by the police and the establishment in Britain. Thatcher responded, without compassion or sensitivity, simply saying that she had read the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the Birmingham case and was extremely impressed by it. She was horribly wrong. Her lack of empathy for Irish affairs is most startling. Of course we should not be surprised, as only seven years earlier she had grossly mishandled the British response to the hunger strikes in the Maze Prison and contributed enormously to the massive escalation of that protest. Her political hard line and intransigence fed into the Provo propaganda machine and allowed the IRA to ruthlessly exploit the hunger strikes to their advantage. The avoidable death of republican prisoner Bobby Sands (the elected MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone) was a catastrophic mistake. Her refusal to be flexible and reasonable with the prisoners and their not unreasonable five demands, provided a huge propaganda coup to the republican movement at a time when they were politically floundering in an unwinnable campaign against the British Army. Their support before the hunger strikes was minimal and their so-called armed struggle was very unpopular with the nationalist community. By allowing the republican prisoners to needlessly die, Thatcher inflamed nationalist opinion not just in the north, but throughout Ireland. Indeed internationally Britain took a lot of serious criticism for their insensitive handling of the situation. At the end of the hunger strikes, the republican movement, and in particular Sinn Fein, emerged politically strengthened and reinvigorated with a clear political trajectory in which to travel. All this was thanks to a politically insensitive and historically illiterate Margaret Thatcher, who should rightly be described as the midwife of Sinn Fein. In particular Thatcher seemed oblivious of the continuous damage that she was doing to moderate political opinion with her tolerance of the 'shoot to kill' policy of the British Army and the RUC. Little regard was given by Thatcher, whenever the Irish Minister of Justice, Gerry Collins, had at a special meeting of the Anglo-Irish Inter-governmental Conference in February 1988, bluntly stated: "It is impossible to exaggerate the seriousness of the shoot to kill policy." Despite the alarming implications of the Stalker/Sampson inquiry set up by the British government itself, nothing was ever done to bring to justice those in the security forces, who were responsible for breaking the criminal law. Prosecutions were dropped for reasons of national security. Through the unlawful actions of the security forces, the rule of law was undermined and the reputation of the RUC diminished in the eyes of the nationalist community. Yet Thatcher chose to turn a blind eye to all of this and preferred to scold the Irish government for the alleged lack of professionalism of the hard pressed Gardai. For many Irish nationalists, Thatcher is a repulsive figure who, ironically, despite signing the ground breaking Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, did much to thwart moderate political development in Ireland. In truth, the Anglo-Irish Agreement probably owes more to the forward thinking of Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe and the Foreign Office than to Thatcher herself. Her dismissive attitude to the Republic and its leaders, treating them as inconsequential, was a major misunderstanding of how much the world was changing in the late 1980s and the growing importance of Ireland within the European Union, which she loathed. Indeed today she would feel very much at home with the Brexiteer wing of the Conservative Party, including Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees Mogg. Sadly, for such a distinguished politician, with her formidable qualities and international reputation, when it came to Ireland she was disastrously pig-headed. Arlene Foster used her New Year message to reiterate the DUP's willingness to restore Stormont if a "balanced agreement" can be found. In turn Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald insisted that republicans are "ready for talks to establish a new Executive working in genuine power-sharing". Anyone who hadn't read previous New Year messages could be forgiven for detecting glimmers of hope in this mutual readiness to get back round the table. Sadly, the fact that the two women still disagree about practically everything substantive suggests that the Champagne might need to be put on ice again. That's why, of all the leaders, it was the SDLP's Colum Eastwood who unexpectedly delivered the most significant one. Not because of its content, which was the usual assortment of buzzwords and platitudes in which all political figures indulge at this time of year, but because it might be the last ever delivered by a leader of the SDLP. Within weeks a party that was once dominant within nationalism in Northern Ireland is set to announce a merger with what, historically, has been the largest, most successful political party in the Republic. The mooted joining together of Fianna Fail and the SDLP is being described as a "phased integration", which, considering the difference in size and power between the two sides, sounds a tad optimistic. A fat man and a pie are both involved in the act of eating, but it's hardly a relationship of equals. Instead, he gobbles it up. It's not hard to figure out who's playing the role of the pie in this drama. The move contains considerable risks for both sides. On the one hand, the SDLP will be able to draw on the organisational and tactical muscle of Fianna Fail. That might help even up the odds a little when it comes to taking on Sinn Fein, removing at a stroke the latter's claim to be the only all-island political party. On the other hand, it will discombobulate those who've worked for decades to maintain the SDLP's integrity as a unique voice for constitutional nationalism. They will understandably feel snubbed, and keeping them in the dark until now has not helped matters. For Fianna Fail, it shows imagination to look ahead to a new politics of the future, but it does risk dragging the party into some uniquely Northern spats, monopolising its energies and diluting its brand. The short-term rewards are not immediately obvious. The first opportunity to put the new arrangement to the test is set to come at the local elections on the first Thursday in May, when 462 council seats will be up for grabs. The DUP was the runaway winner in 2014, which may explain why Mrs Foster concentrated so heavily on geeing up her base for the upcoming challenge in her New Year's message. Tellingly, she seemed to indicate that the battle in May will be fought on the field of cultural identity, specifically the need for republicans to respect the unionist ethos. If previous elections are anything to go by, that could easily unravel into sectarian fractiousness. Local elections can get dirty. For its part, Sinn Fein will be looking to capitalise on its success at the 2017 general election, when the party came within a single percentage point of the DUP. Republicans will want to put on a good show this year, marking as it does the centenary of the first Dail. It's another test for novice leader Mary Lou McDonald following a disappointing performance for the party in the Irish Presidential election last October, when its candidate trailed a distant fourth. Support down south remains on a downward trend in polls. In any normal year, May would be the focus of attention, but of course this isn't going to be a normal year. Between now and then there's Brexit to get through in the shape of the March 29 deadline when the UK, including Northern Ireland, is set to leave the EU. Either that will happen or it won't - and if it doesn't, that will either be because it's been postponed or cancelled altogether - and it would be a reckless gambler who was prepared to bet the farm on which of the various possible outcomes will prevail over the coming months. Whichever way it goes, Northern Ireland will be in the eye of the storm. The risks to border security have arguably been exaggerated by those keen to thwart Brexit, but political uncertainty looks unavoidable for the foreseeable future. There may even be a general election to complicate matters further. It won't essentially change anything in Northern Ireland, though having a lifelong supporter of Irish unity as Prime Minister, should Jeremy Corbyn win a snap poll, would certainly take the process into uncharted waters; but it will all string out even further the local decisions which are crying out to be made. That the restoration of Stormont is taking a back seat to Brexit says it all. It's now a full two years since Sinn Fein brought down the devolved Assembly in a blaze of glory; and if it had foreseen how hard it would be to get it back up and running, would the party have been so gung ho about it? As Ms McDonald says in her New Year's message: "Every day that the Executive is suspended undermines the political institutions." Some might humbly suggest that the party should have anticipated that problem from the beginning; but assigning retrospective blame won't solve the impasse. The problem is that it's not entirely clear what would solve it at this stage. It increasingly feels as if the best opportunity to reach agreement on specific issues such as the Irish language has passed, and that, even if the conditions for a deal could be recreated with a new round of negotiations, any resulting goodwill would quickly get bogged down in the quagmire of the larger constitutional questions. The Republic's Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said that he doesn't expect Stormont to be restored "unless and until there is a settled position on Brexit". He's surely not wrong, but the chances of that happening were not advanced by those New Year's messages. Mrs Foster repeated her desire for Britain to leave the EU with a "sensible deal". Ms McDonald stressed again her party's position that "there is no good or positive Brexit for the north". This goes beyond mere policy divisions. It's an existential divide, as deep in many ways as the gulf between unionism and nationalism itself, and it cannot be resolved until the Brexit hurdle is overcome, one way or another. With Dublin and London also bitterly divided on that score, it's unlikely that 2019 will herald the longed for breakthrough. Given the volume of traffic that passes along Belfast's main roads, it is little surprise that the top 10 routes affected by the works out of a list of 50 are all in the city or near its boundaries. Photo: PA There is nothing more infuriating to motorists than encountering roadworks during the rush hour. The seemingly endless queuing leads to frayed nerves and ill wishes towards all those responsible for the delays. Think, then, of those drivers forced to use the Upper Newtownards Road, one of the main arterial routes into and out of Belfast city centre. In four years they have met roadworks 554 times - an average of once every three days. It has to be accepted that busy roads need to be maintained and that unexpected problems can arise which demand immediate remedial treatment. These problems can include burst or blocked water and sewerage pipes, or faults in underground power or internet cabling, or gas pipelines. Add in demands for new connections and it is evident that all eventualities cannot be foreseen. However, it is a commonly held view that utility companies and the Department for Infrastructure could co-ordinate their work more closely so that the number of road openings could be reduced. It is also felt work that can be scheduled should be done during school holidays or at weekends when traffic is lighter and hence disruption would be less severe. Of course, it is human nature that we all want pristine roads free of potholes but do not want to have our journeys interrupted while the necessary work is carried out. Given the volume of traffic that passes along Belfast's main roads, it is little surprise that the top 10 routes affected by the works out of a list of 50 are all in the city or near its boundaries. It is not only commuters who get hot under the collar at the sight of roadworks; shop and business owners are also infuriated. They blame the works as a factor in the fall off in their trade, along with the creation of bus lanes, which makes parking a lottery in certain areas of the city. Those retailers and business owners have a valid point. They pay high rates and need passing custom to remain financially buoyant. To them roadworks are like watching income being thrown down a hole in the street. The department argues that it does its best to co-ordinate work with utilities, and while it also has valid arguments, the public often just look at the disruption and the effect it has on their lives and ignore the reasons why that work is being carried out. Maintaining and upgrading our highways is sometimes a thankless task. Conservation work to save red squirrels tree-mendous A concerted effort to save the dwindling red squirrel population on the Ards Peninsula has had very encouraging results. At one stage it was estimated that there were only 10 of the native species left in the Mount Stewart Estate, but in the last three years the numbers have quadrupled. Red squirrels are enchanting creatures and the volunteers are to be congratulated for their work. It means that children who have only ever seen grey squirrels in the wild can now view the red species which feature in so many of their story books. But the reds are still in danger from a virus carried by greys, and vigilance remains the watchword. Eike Schmidt, director of the Uffizi Gallery, holds a copy of a still-life by Dutch artist Jan van Huysum, with writing in red reading stolen (Uffizi Gallery press office via AP) The director of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence has urged Germany to return a Dutch masterpiece stolen by Nazi troops during the Second World War. Eike Schmidt dramatised the paintings absence by hanging a black and white photo of the work with the label Stolen in three languages. He said the still-life Vase of Flowers by Dutch artist Jan van Huysum is in the hands of a German family who have not returned it despite numerous appeals. Instead, intermediaries for the family have demanded payment for its return to Italy. "La Germania restituisca a #Firenze il dipinto rubato dai #nazisti". Appello del direttore Eike Schmidt. Il quadro "Vaso di fiori" di Jan van Huysum fu sottratto a Palazzo #Pitti da soldati della #Wehrmacht durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale https://t.co/25YQThFmmk pic.twitter.com/rImfrC918L Gallerie Uffizi (@UffiziGalleries) January 1, 2019 Mr Schmidt said the painting is already the inalienable property of the Italian state, and thus cannot be bought'. The oil painting had been hanging as part of the Pitti Palace collection in Florence from 1824 until the outbreak of the Second World War. It was moved for safety during the war but was stolen by retreating German troops. It did not surface again until Germanys reunification in 1991, when the offers to sell it back to Italy began. This story is preventing the wounds inflicted by World War Two and the horrors of Nazism from healing, said Mr Schmidt, who is German. Germany should not apply the statute of limitations to works of art stolen during the war, and it should take measures to ensure that those works are restored to their legitimate owners. He called it Germanys moral duty to return the artwork, adding: I trust that the German government will do so at the earliest opportunity, naturally along with every other work of art stolen by the Nazi Wehrmacht. An incorrect new year sign and a picture of a man with his head in his hands (@michvllv/Twitter and monkeybusinessimages/Getty Images) A projection proclaiming Happy New Year 2018! during Sydneys new year celebrations prompted the first big laugh of 2019 in Australia. The message was beamed on to Sydney Harbour Bridge as the city waved goodbye to 2018 and welcomed the new year. It was a mistake, but what we can clarify is that it is actually 2019! executive producer of the NYE celebrations Anna McInerney told the press. We just laughed about it, these things happen. Obviously we werent pleased, but you move on. The blunder didnt ruin the evening, with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore describing the event as fantastic, but that didnt stop people on Twitter having their fun. Australia has discovered time travel - they are redoing 2018 Buxy (@FabBuxy) January 1, 2019 They had A YEAR to get that right! Jim the U+1F9A6 (Otter) (@JOtter64) January 1, 2019 All the best in 2018, everyone Young women rescued by the Foreign Office after being sent abroad for forced marriages found themselves having to pay hundreds of pounds for costs from their repatriation, it has emerged. Victims have to either pay for the price of plane tickets, basic food and shelter themselves or, if they are over 18, take out emergency loans with the department, The Times has reported. The practice of making the women pay for the costs of their repatriation has been criticised by MPs, including heads of the influential foreign and home affairs committees. .@foreignoffice is rightly proud of the work the @FMUnit (forced marriages unit) does. They should be. But we shouldnat be charging the most vulnerable for their own protection or dissuading them from asking for it. https://t.co/xojVVuEJfp Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) January 1, 2019 The Foreign Office said that it has an obligation to recover money spent on repatriating victims when public money is involved, such as the cost of a flight back to the UK. It is understood the women are not charged for staff costs and the department does not profit from the repatriations. The department helped 27 victims of forced marriage return to the UK in 2017 and 55 in 2016, according to figures acquired by The Times under freedom of information laws. Completely appalled by this. Forced marriage is slavery. For Govt to make victims pay for their freedom is immoral. Ministers need to put this right fast https://t.co/ff1ohg8Qun Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) January 1, 2019 In the past two years the Foreign Office has lent 7,765 to at least eight forced marriage victims who could not pay for their repatriation. Around 3,000 has been repaid, although debts of more than 4,500 are outstanding. Under Foreign Office terms and conditions a surcharge of 10% is added if an emergency loan is not repaid within six months. In 2018 four young British women sent by their families to a correctional school in Somalia, where they were imprisoned and physically abused, were charged 740 each, the paper said. Left destitute by the loans, two are living in refuges and two have become drug addicts since returning to the UK, they told the paper. Tom Tugendhat, the Tory chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, which monitors the work of the Foreign Office, said the Times report was astonishing. (The Committee) will ask questions about this decision to charge forced marriage victims to be rescued, he tweeted. (The Foreign Office) is rightly proud of the work the @FMUnit (forced marriages unit) does. They should be. But we shouldnt be charging the most vulnerable for their own protection or dissuading them from asking for it. Yvette Cooper, chairwoman of the Home Affairs Committee, said she was completely appalled. Forced marriage is slavery. For Govt to make victims pay for their freedom is immoral. Ministers need to put this right fast, she tweeted. The Prime Minister once described forced marriage as a terrible practice and a tragedy for each and every victim. In August Home Secretary Sajid Javid said forced marriage was despicable, inhumane (and) uncivilised and vowed to do more to combat it and support victims. The Foreign Office said on Wednesday that whenever it is asked to help people return to the UK it works with them to access their own funds, or help them contact friends, family or organisations that can cover the costs of repatriation. However, many of the victims who the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) help are vulnerable, and when offering any type of support their safety is our primary concern, a spokeswoman said. We recognise that an emergency loan can help remove a distressed or vulnerable person from risk when they have no other options, but as they are from public funds we have an obligation to recover the money in due course In very exceptional circumstances, including in cases of forced marriage overseas, we can provide an emergency loan to help someone return home. We recognise that an emergency loan can help remove a distressed or vulnerable person from risk when they have no other options, but as they are from public funds we have an obligation to recover the money in due course. The FMU also provides funding for safe houses and NGOs overseas and in the UK to help victims of forced marriage get to a place of safety as soon as possible. We do not charge British nationals for this service and work with organisations in the UK to support them on return, the spokeswoman said. The Foreign Office said the UK is a world-leader in the fight to tackle the brutal practice of forced marriage, with our joint Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Forced Marriage Unit leading efforts to combat it both at home and abroad. A police sergeant who was injured in a suspected terror attack on New Years Eve has said instinct took over as he ran towards the knifeman. Sergeant Lee Valentine was one of three people injured in the knife attack at Manchester Victoria station at about 9pm on Monday. A 25-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, has been detained under the Mental Health Act and is in a secure medical facility, while a counter-terrorism investigation is under way. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers are confident the man acted alone in the final stages of the attack and investigators will focus on whether anyone else was involved. Expand Close Police restraining the man (Sam Clack/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police restraining the man (Sam Clack/PA) British Transport Police (BTP) Chief Constable Paul Crowther praised the bravery of Sgt Valentine and his colleagues and said they had averted a tragedy of a far greater scale. Sgt Valentine, who is recovering at home after suffering a stab wound to his shoulder, said: The past 48 hours have been overwhelming. If you witnessed or have been affected by the incident at #ManchesterVictoria last night and want to talk to someone in confidence then please contact @VictimSupport on 0808 168 9111. All calls to this number are free Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) January 1, 2019 My team and I are grateful to everyone who sent in messages of support, it really does mean the world to us. We had no idea what we were running towards when we heard the screams on New Years Eve. When we saw the man wielding a knife, instinct took over and we were able to, in company with travel safe officers from Metrolink, successfully detain the male. Mr Crowther said Sgt Valentine was very lucky. Hes got a nasty injury but he could have been much, much worse, he said. Expand Close The wounded being treated at Manchester Victoria railway station (Sam Clack/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The wounded being treated at Manchester Victoria railway station (Sam Clack/PA) He very much feels that it was a team effort and everybody was in this together. He got injured in the way he did but I think its a mark of the man that he constantly wants to emphasise the efforts of all of his team in doing this and I think they did a brilliant job together. Sgt Valentine had had been on patrol at the station, nearby the Manchester Arena, along with three colleagues when they confronted the attacker with Tasers and pepper spray. A couple, aged in their 50s, suffered multiple stab wounds, which are serious but not life-threatening, in the random attack. GMP said: The man has made some good progress and is expected to be released in the next day or so. His partner is also making progress but is expected to be in hospital for longer. The suspect was heard to shout Allah and Long live the Caliphate during the incident at the station. While he is detained, GMP said officers will consult with medical specialists and the Crown Prosecution Service over any potential criminal prosecution. What they did on the night was just in the finest traditions of policing, everything we'd expect of people, selflessness, disregard for their own personal safety, wanting to get in there and protect peoplePaul Crowther, Chief Constable, British Transport Police Mr Crowther said: My personal view is they have averted a tragedy of a far greater scale than was the case, as significant and bad as it was. Whats clear to me having talked to them is firstly, how humble they are, secondly how concerned they are about the wellbeing of the two individuals that were assaulted and I think they probably underestimate precisely what they did and how brave they were. In a statement, the family of the man detained under the Mental Health Act, who live in the Cheetham Hill area of the city, said: Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were seriously injured, their families and friends. We are also eternally grateful for the swift response from the emergency services and the comfort given to those affected by fellow Mancunians and citizens. Mr Crowther said the events of May 22 2017, when suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people after he detonated a device at the Manchester Arena, were still fresh in the minds of BTP officers when the incident happened. Expand Close Police at Victoria Station in Manchester (Pat Hurst/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police at Victoria Station in Manchester (Pat Hurst/PA) He said: What they did on the night was just in the finest traditions of policing, everything wed expect of people, selflessness, disregard for their own personal safety, wanting to get in there and protect people. Were all incredibly proud of them. He said the officers were upbeat and moved by the messages of support from members of the public. He added: The sergeant who was injured is clearly an experienced officer, the officers that he was working with are junior in service but they performed way beyond what we might expect someone of their service to do. I think its real testament to their bravery and their disregard for their own personal safety to get stuck in and do what they did. Mr Crowther said support would be put in place for the officers as they returned to work. Home Secretary Sajid Javid has questioned whether migrants using small boats to make risky journeys across the English Channel are genuine asylum seekers. Speaking on a visit to Dover amid a major incident over the number of people attempting the journey to Britain he questioned why they had not sought asylum in the first safe country they entered. He also suggested that those picked up by UK authorities faced having asylum requests denied as a deterrent to prevent others undertaking the same dangerous journey. Last month Mr Javid announced that two more Border Force cutters will patrol the English Channel after scores of migrants risked the perilous crossing over the Christmas period. If you are genuine then why not seek asylum in your first safe country?Sajid Javid The Home Secretary, who cut short a family holiday in South Africa to take personal control of the situation following criticism of the Governments response, defended describing it as a major incident. He told reporters on Wednesday that 539 people had crossed the Straits in 2018, with 80% making the journey in the last three months of the year. He said almost every case saw those crossing go on to seek asylum in the UK, adding: A question has to be asked: if you are a genuine asylum seeker why have you not sought asylum in the first safe country that you arrived in? Because France is not a country where anyone would argue it is not safe in anyway whatsoever, and if you are genuine then why not seek asylum in your first safe country? Following talks with high-level officials on Monday, Mr Javid redeployed two cutters from overseas to join HMC Vigilant, which is already patrolling off the South coast. He also pledged: Better co-operation between French and UK law enforcement agencies; More work on disrupting attempts to cross the Channel both directly, but also in more covert ways; The Government doing everything we can to ensure migrants are returned to France where possible; But the Home Secretary acknowledged that if Border Force vessels pick up migrants in British waters, they would be taken to a port in Britain. Expand Close HMC Searcher, one of four cutter ships patrolling UK waters, arrives at the Port of Dover in Kent as the Home Secretary Sajid Javid bolsters the Border Force fleet in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp HMC Searcher, one of four cutter ships patrolling UK waters, arrives at the Port of Dover in Kent as the Home Secretary Sajid Javid bolsters the Border Force fleet in the Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA) On Wednesday he said the UK had to send a strong message to trafficking gangs that they wont succeed and we wont allow people to succeed. He said that anyone who made it to the UK would see an asylum request processed in the normal way. But pointing out that the journey across the worlds busiest shipping lane was highly perilous and being undertaken by children as young as nine, Mr Javid continued: Its incredibly dangerous, please do not do that, you are taking your life into your own hands. Also if you do somehow make it to the UK, we will do everything we can to make sure that you are often not successful because we need to break that link, and to break that link means we can save more lives. There were 27,966 asylum applications in the UK from main applicants in the year ending September 2018. This was 4% higher than in the previous 12 months, but lower than the levels seen in 2015 and 2016 during the European migration crisis. Home Office statistics show 5,295 of the applications were received at ports, while 22,671 were received in-country. The total number of asylum applications to EU countries in the year to September was estimated at 613,200, down 16% on the previous year. The UK had the sixth highest number of applications within the EU. Labour backbencher Stella Creasy, who has visited migrant camps in Calais, accused Mr Javid of normalising anti-refugee rhetoric online. She added: The asylum system in France is completely deadlocked and I fear deliberately so they should be challenged on that. But none of that means Britain can absolve itself of responsibility to refugees. People will continue to die and be at mercy of traffickers all the time politicians pretend to play tough for votes rather than recognise why people flee. Paul Hook, head of campaigns at the charity Refugee Action, added: The Home Secretary must remember that these are people who have fled their homes and they each deserve a decent, humanitarian, and understanding response. This situation demands our compassion and cool, calm heads and we hope the Home Secretary will reflect this in his statements on the subject. Dr Lisa Doyle, director of advocacy at the Refugee Council, said Mr Javids comments were deeply concerning. She added: The outcome of an asylum application cannot be pre-judged before it has been made and must be processed on its individual merit, irrespective of how that person reached the country. Let us not forget that we are talking about people who are in desperate need of protection, having fled countries with prolific human rights abuses. What is more, we are hearing time and again that the conditions in France do not make people feel safe, with migrant camps being razed from the ground and people experiencing violence from the authorities. Its a shame that the Home Secretary seems to need reminding that seeking asylum is a right and the UK has an obligation to assess claims fairly and grant protection to those who need it. Jon Date, Oxfams head of government relations, also criticised Mr Javids comments. He said: Anyone who arrives in this country seeking safety from war or persecution should have their asylum claim considered. To reject it because we dont like the manner in which they arrive would be illegal and is an affront to fairness and decency. If the Home Secretary is serious about protecting lives, he should provide more safe options for people seeking asylum. This includes changing the restrictive rules on family reunion so that people with relatives in the UK can apply to live with them. Ross Edgley celebrates on board a boat off Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast of Scotland (Red Bull Media House) The only person to have swum the entire coast of Great Britain said he was an idiot for attempting the feat but admits he misses the gruelling challenge. Ross Edgley wrote his name into the history books several times on his way to completing the endurance adventure, setting records for the longest staged sea swim and becoming the first person to swim the length of the English Channel. He finally reached his goal when he thundered onto the beach in Margate on November 4, after 157 days at sea during his 1,791-mile odyssey. The 33-year-old athlete said that despite the strain placed on his body during the Great British Swim such as crippling jellyfish stings, chronic muscle fatigue and extreme chaffing he still pines for the challenge. He told the Press Association: Do I miss it? Yeah, I do. And thats weird. Expand Close Ross Edgley swimming off Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast of Scotland during his Great British Swim (Red Bull Media) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ross Edgley swimming off Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast of Scotland during his Great British Swim (Red Bull Media) You almost look back on the stories about the jellyfish with as much fondness as the sunrises and sunsets because it all melds into one experience, like a weird dream. You think at the time that this is horrendous what am I doing? I was swimming in my own sick, the waves were washing it into my mouth, I was getting stung by jellyfish but even the darker moments I find myself reflecting on them fondly, which is weird. Its like Stockholm Syndrome. What I do miss, there is something liberating about waking up and having a specific purpose. All I had to do was eat, swim and get stung in the face by jellyfish. I only had to worry about tides and the weather. But then when I got back on land, I realised I had to renew my car insurance, I had to catch up with what was happening babies, divorces in the social circle. I miss having that purpose that I had in the Great British Swim. Every moment of Mr Edgleys swim was tracked by GPS satellite, meaning he could resume each leg from the exact spot he stopped at. He would spend roughly 12 hours in the water each day, and slept on board his support boat. While his challenge captured the imagination of many boosted in part by daily updates on his progress using the #GreatBritishSwim hashtag there were plenty of others who failed to see the merits of the feat. Mr Edgley, originally from Grantham in Lincolnshire but now living in Cheshire, said: You could draw a line down a room and half of them got it, and half said: Whats the point? When I was on the swim I said about being naive enough to start and stubborn enough to finish - but I was an idiotRoss Edgley I wanted to get back to Mother Nature, to find solutions to things. Now Im back on land, Im still trying to find out the legacy of the Great British Swim. But it wasnt even about the swim really. Someone said when they saw me scrape ice from my wetsuit in Aberdeen on the first day of autumn, they said I was overcoming the same obstacles they have to when they need to do things they dont want to do. That was an amazing thing to hear. When I was on the swim I said about being naive enough to start and stubborn enough to finish. But I was an idiot. I was stood on Margate beach saying: Yeah, Ill be alright, Ill be back in 100 days, and then after 157 Im still going. But I was stubborn enough to finish. Expand Close Ross Edgley breaking the world record for the longest staged sea swim as part of his Great British Swim challenge in 2018 (Red Bull Media) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ross Edgley breaking the world record for the longest staged sea swim as part of his Great British Swim challenge in 2018 (Red Bull Media) The strongman and author is turning his attention to his next sporting challenge, the details of which remain a secret, but said there are still some hurdles to overcome as he adjusts to life back on land. He said: The aftermath now is learning to walk again. The ligaments and tendons had forgotten how to function. On the boat I walked from the shower to the bed to the galley thats five metres then I was horizontal sleeping. It was pure muscular atrophy. For days afterwards I remember I was on the Tube trying to walk up the stairs and I had to stop halfway up because my calf muscles and my Achilles were in bits. Some sweet old lady stopped and asked me if I was OK- we just had to laugh about it. New saliva-based test detects malaria before symptoms appear An easy-to-use saliva test to screen for the parasite that causes malaria has been developed by a team of researchers led by a University of Florida scientist. The non-invasive spit test could be a key tool in efforts to eradicate malaria, which kills a child every two minutes, says UF infectious diseases researcher Rhoel Dinglasan. The study on the test was published today in Science Translational Medicine. Currently, clinicians test for malaria using a blood test, but the test has drawbacks that reduce its effectiveness. The test requires skin pricks that often are stressful for children and their parents. Blood tests often are less reliable because subclinical infections with the parasites that cause malaria can be missed by such tests, leading some patients to come down with malaria although they believed they were malaria-free. The tests also require an infrastructure, such as mobile clinics and trained staff, and can lead to accidental exposure to blood for both patients and clinic workers. By contrast, the saliva test requires only spitting into a tube, and the test can be administered outside a clinical setting, ideally in schools or community centers, Dinglasan says. Early detection can lead to early treatment and the prevention of disease and further transmission of malaria. What if we can identify a child before they get sick because theres something in their saliva, Dinglasan says. If we get to them earlier, they can be cured well before they get the disease. A third-grade, primary school student from the Mfou District of Cameroon in Central Africa deposits saliva into a tube that is part of a new test that can detect malaria before symptoms occur. (Photo provided by Rhoel Dinglasan.) Early, subclinical detection of malaria is crucial to malaria eradication because individuals who carry the parasite without exhibiting symptoms are the reservoir that leads to infection of mosquitoes and transmission of the disease. Detecting the presence of the parasite before symptoms appear can save lives because malaria often erupts just days after the parasite can be detected. The saliva test detects a novel biomarker for Plasmodium falciparum parasites. In some areas of the world, the parasites have acquired a mutation and are therefore no longer detected by the blood-based tests, Dinglasan says. But the saliva test detects an essential protein the parasite needs for survival, which should avoid the problem of mutation and keep the test effective long-term. The diagnostic test detects female parasites circulating in an infected human who is asymptomatic but is carrying the parasite and likely to come down with malaria within a week. The advantage of detecting females over males is that there are four times as many female parasites as males in an infected human. Dinglasan began working on the test with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2014, while still at Johns Hopkins University, which has licensed the test. The research team includes 24 scientists, and the study was conducted with over 300 children in Cameroon, Zambia and Sierra Leone. Malaria kills about 500,000 children each year, mostly under the age of 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa. We are trying to understand malaria transmission by working with people who are not yet sick because those are the people we miss in the clinic, Dinglasan says. Malaria is like a big iceberg that weve always chipped away at on top, above the water line. But its the bottom of the iceberg, this reservoir for transmission, that we dont understand because its a population that, until now, we could not see. This test takes us below that water line, so we can see how big the reservoir is, Dinglasan says. Police are appealing for witnesses after a man died following a disturbance in Dundee (Joe Giddens/PA) Detectives are still trying to identify a man who died following a disturbance in Dundee during the early hours of New Years Day. Investigations are ongoing into the unexplained death as Police Scotland appeal for help to identify the man who died in hospital following the incident in the Nethergate area of the city. The victim is described as a white man with short ginger hair who is believed to be in his 40s or 50s. I would urge anyone with information which could help identify this man who has sadly died to contact Police Scotland as soon as possibleDetective Inspector Ross Fitzgerald At the time of the incident, he was wearing a two-tone light-and-dark-blue Berghaus rain jacket, faded-denim jeans and dark-brown shoes, along with a distinctive silver Cartier watch with gold studs. He is known to have arrived at the scene of the incident from the area of Whitehall Crescent and Union Street in Dundee. Detective Inspector Ross Fitzgerald said: I would urge anyone with information which could help identify this man who has sadly died to contact Police Scotland as soon as possible. Our enquiries continue into the incident itself and I could also ask anyone who witnessed a disturbance in the Nethergate area or who has any other information which could assist the police investigation to come forward if you havent already spoken to an officer. Emergency services were called to reports of a disturbance involving several people near the Overgate shopping centre at approximately 1.15am on Tuesday. The man was taken to Ninewells Hospital where he died from his injuries. Police Scotland say there have been no arrests in connection with the incident. DI Fitzgerald added: A police presence is likely to be maintained in the area for some time while inquiries continue and the public are thanked for their patience and understanding. We can confirm a man has died after an incident on Nethergate #Dundee. A disturbance involving a number of people was reported around 1.15am on Tues 1/1/19 A man was found injured and was taken to Ninewells Hospital where he has since died. More here: https://t.co/bE9e5DWIRS Tayside Police (@TaysidePolice) January 1, 2019 Any information can be passed to Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 516 of January 1 2019. Witnesses can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Maurice McHugh, who lost his only child in the Stardust nightclub fire tragedy in 1981 (Niall Carson/PA Wire) A couple who lost their only child in Irelands worst fire have said they are still upset they were not allowed to see their daughters body. Caroline McHugh, from Artane, Dublin, was 17 when she died in the fire that killed 48 young people in the popular Stardust nightclub. A chatty and smart teenager, Caroline sang in local choirs and held down two jobs after leaving the prestigious Loreto College in Dublin city. Her parents, Maurice and Phyllis, had travelled to Manchester the day before the fire for a family wedding, leaving Caroline with family friends so she could attend the Valentines Day dance she had been looking forward to. Expand Close Maurice McHugh who lost his only child in the Stardust nightclub fire tragedy in 1981 at his home in Dublin. (Niall Carson/PA Wire) PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Maurice McHugh who lost his only child in the Stardust nightclub fire tragedy in 1981 at his home in Dublin. (Niall Carson/PA Wire) When we first got the news, a family member told us there had been a fire and Caroline was missing, Mr McHugh said. There was so many people taken to hospital, no one was sure, we didnt know what to think, we were so upset. We booked a flight and as we were on our way to Liverpool Airport we phoned home and Phylliss uncle told us straight; Carolines dead and shes in the morgue. We were completely devastated. I cant explain what its like losing a child, its an empty feeling. You feel empty. When we got to the morgue they told us they couldnt identify her, a policeman said Weve remains here and we think its your daughter, but she has no hair and her legs are missing. Mrs McHugh added: There was a nun there, she told us we werent to go in, so nobody saw their children. She was very cold, and we were in bits, I cant explain it there was just no feeling. She stood there dismissing us. It was crazy, we were standing in a freezing morgue hallway and these people are saying you cant see your child. Examiners used a damaged tooth to identify Caroline, before giving her parents her watch, chain and a melted comb cut out of her jeans in a plastic bag. Even at the time, it felt rushed, swept under the carpet, Mrs McHugh said. We were so numb and shocked we just went along with everything they said. Investigations into the fire showed that a number of escape routes from the dance hall were blocked as emergency doors were locked by chains. Concerns have also been raised about the investigation of the scene, which allowed politicians and media to walk through the building just days after the fire. The families of victims petitioned the Attorney General last month for a new inquest into the tragedy. The Government has a lot to answer for, Mrs McHugh said. We were told nothing about the fire even in the days after. The couple said in the aftermath of the fire they came home one evening to find the Taoiseach Charlie Haughey in their living room, offering his sympathies, before family asked him to leave. We were told what funeral home to use and graveyard to bury Caroline in, Mrs McHugh added. Shes buried in Sutton, its not near where we live, I dont know why, we never got a choice. We were grieving so much, we just did what we were told. We dont even know where inside Caroline was found, or what happened to her. The couple, now 79, say they have close relations and have watched nieces and nephews grow up without Caroline. You never get over it its the anniversary on Valentines Day, then her birthday, then our birthdays, it never stops, Mr McHugh said. Unfortunately we never had any other children, so we missed out on a lot really, Mrs McHugh added. She was a very good girl, a good child, we never had any trouble with her, what more can we say? We didnt have her that long, just 17 years. Tanaiste Simon Coveney has said extending voting rights in Irish Presidential elections to those living abroad and in Northern Ireland is the "right thing to do". However he said he expects just a "small percentage" of Irish living abroad to vote in presidential elections if a planned referendum on the issue passes. The Government intends to hold the referendum on extending voting rights for presidential elections to the diaspora and citizens in Northern Ireland in May. Mr Coveney says the proposal would show Ireland is "looking outwards and taking our citizens abroad seriously". Sinn Fein has been pushing for voting rights for people in Northern Ireland and the party has supporters in the United States. However, Mr Coveney played down the impact votes from outside Ireland would have in the next election for Aras an Uachtarain. "In truth I think quite a small percentage of Irish citizens outside of the island of Ireland - Northern Ireland is different - will actually go to the trouble of voting," he said. Mr Coveney added that this is not just a "gut feeling" and said it's based on the statistics of other countries that allow citizens abroad to vote. He said only a small percentage follow politics in their home country to the extent that they take part in voting. Mr Coveney said extending voting to Irish citizens outside the jurisdiction is "the right thing to do" and he hopes the people will support the proposal in the upcoming referendum. An anonymous social media account called The Irish Border was set up to give the much discussed frontier a voice, its curator has said. The account - Twitter handle @BorderIrish - was created as politicians across Europe continue to be unable to reach agreement over its future ahead of the UK's planned departure from the European Union in March. It has attracted more than 66,000 followers, including Irish premier Leo Varadkar, with posts which include a picture of a crowded meeting room with a large elephant in attendance, with the caption: "There's me at the Brexit negotiations." The person behind the account said they believe that if the border could speak for itself it would be "quite angry". The account's curator, who wants to remain anonymous, created the account after seeing the border talked about "in ignorance of the potential consequences" and with a lack of "care for its fragility or specificity, or its past or future". "Northern Ireland, and Ireland, were offered a better future by the Good Friday Agreement, flawed and halting as that is, and here was Brexit trampling all over it," they said. "I thought if the border could speak for itself it would be quite frightened and also a bit angry. And then I thought it would be quite insulted being told it could be smart, since it already is." As with Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit Bill and its journey to parliamentary ratification, much of The Irish Border's rhetoric concerns a backstop, a fall-back plan to ensure a hard border does not return. "No one in Parliament understands it," @BorderIrish tweeted in December. "Imagine you are drowning in icy water cause some idiot told you skating on it would be okay. Then the EU comes to save you. That's the backstop." A tweet on Christmas Day imagined the border opening gifts and exclaiming: "A backstop! I got a backstop!" While mocking politicians involved with Brexit, the curator accepts the issue of the border is complex. "For months people would tweet me 'solutions' to the border issue and they would generally use the word 'simple'," they said. "It's not simple. That's the message - it's not simple." The account's curator said they are most proud of being able to make people "laugh or think". "Sometimes when you laugh at something you realise how important it is," they said. "I believe it's followed by people involved in the Brexit negotiations and I hope it's given them a bit of a laugh at themselves and the people across the table from them." Apart from a backstop, which was agreed as a temporary measure in negotiations between the UK and the EU in November, the curator is unsure what they would like to happen next in the Brexit process. "I haven't a clue what will happen and I'm a bit torn," they said. "I'd like to see a People's Vote and for the UK to remain, but I don't know how that happens and don't really see it as a short or even medium-term solution. "But the withdrawal agreement is pretty bad, the actual operation of the backstop is very unclear, and I fear the redundancy of this Twitter account is years off yet." The PSNI has put out an appeal for more riot-trained police officers from other parts of the UK in anticipation of potential disruption following Brexit. The Sun reports an email sent to police forces across the UK has asked for officers with "level 2 public order training" to volunteer to assist the PSNI ahead of Britain leaving the EU in March. Three training days are scheduled to take place ahead of March 29, the day Britain will leave the EU. The purpose of the training being provided is to give officers the capabilities to carry out the type of policing operations which are more usual in Northern Ireland. In a statement a PSNI spokesman said: "PSNI are working closely with other UK policing partners in our planning processes. While there is, as yet, no indication that mutual aid will be required, preparations for mutual aid form part of our ongoing planning work. "Planning around mutual aid is something that happens every year across policing and if required, the provision of mutual aid to police services is provided through the National Police Co-ordination Centre. A potential threat created by Britain's exit from the European Union has previously been highlighted by PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton who has called for additional resources to bolster the police force. In September, Mr Hamilton told the Sunday Times he did not believe some politicians in Westminster understood the scale of the challenge being presented by Brexit, and there was a view it "is sorted and we don't need to worry about it". "Actually we're working flat out 24/7 to keep a lid on it," he said. Last month it was announced 16m would be made available to recruit an additional 308 additional PSNI officers and staff by April 2020, as well as funding to bolster resources. Reacting to the announcement of the funding, Mr Hamilton said: The ethos of policing with the community has been central to our planning and I want to reassure the communities we serve that this money will be used to keep people safe, by preventing harm, protecting people and bringing offenders to justice. Police in the Lincoln Courts area of Londonderry where a body was found on Tuesday morning. Police in Londonderry have said they are not treating the death of a man whose body was found in a house in the city on New Year's Day as suspicious. A investigation was opened by police after the discovery of the body in a house in the Lincoln Court in the Waterside area of the city on Tuesday morning. Four males aged 63, 33, 32 and 31, and a 32-year-old female were subsequently arrested and released on police bail. Police said they have now been released unconditionally. A post mortem has been carried out and we are not treating this death as suspicious," said detective chief inspector Eamonn Corrigan. "Our thoughts are with the mans family at this difficult time and I would like to thank the local community for giving us space to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death. Secretary of State Karen Bradley has warned unionists that a no-deal Brexit could seriously undermine support for the Union. In her New Year message she insisted that Theresa May's Brexit deal was the best way forward as it avoided a hard border and also protected Northern Ireland's constitutional position. Writing in The Sun yesterday, Mrs Bradley said the alternative to the Prime Minister's plan was no Brexit or a no-deal Brexit. "No Brexit would be a betrayal of over 17 million voters and would take us back to square one," she said. "No-deal would disrupt the UK as a whole but would be felt even more keenly in Northern Ireland. "I fear that could also risk undermining consent for the political settlement in Northern Ireland, including for the Union itself. That is not a risk I want to take." Mrs Bradley acknowledged that these were uncertain times. "Yet by pulling together and by backing the Prime Minister, I believe that we can look to the future with confidence and optimism - and that 2019 can be the year when we set the course for a Northern Ireland that truly works for everyone," she added. The Secretary of State described Mrs May's deal as a "massive victory for the UK stopping the EU's original plan to split the UK in two". She stressed that the Prime Minister's deal maintained "our precious Union" and had been widely welcomed by the business community. Mrs Bradley said the Government wanted a strong and prosperous Northern Ireland in which everyone had a stake. "To help achieve that, though, we need to see Northern Ireland's local politicians back to work at Stormont, taking the decisions over key local services and attracting investment from outside," she said. "Northern Ireland has been without a functioning Executive for nearly two years. Restoring devolved, power-sharing government remains a key priority. "We have passed legislation to help the parties get back to work as early as possible in 2019 and I will be doing everything I can to make that happen," she said. Police in the general area where a body was found in the Lincoln Courts area of Derry on Tuesday night. Picture Margaret McLaughlin 1-1-2018 Five people have been arrested after the body of a man was discovered in the Waterside area of Londonderry on New Year's Day. The man's body was discovered at a house in the Lincoln Court area on Tuesday morning. Two lane ways leading to the house as well as a number of cars parked in a square to the rear of the property were cordoned off by police. Four men aged 63, 33, 32 and 31-years-old and a 32-year-old woman have been arrested as part of a police investigation. All five are currently assisting police with their enquiries. Police have confirmed a post mortem is due to take place to determine the cause of the man's death. Police have cordoned off a lane way and a house in the Lincoln Courts area of #Derry after the discovery of a body at a home in the area. Investigations are ongoing pic.twitter.com/t8rAmNH9Qv Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) January 1, 2019 Local DUP councillor David Ramsey said that a "major investigation" has been launched by police following the discovery of the body on Tuesday morning. "Police are currently doing a major investigation to try and establish what happened and how this person came to lose their life," he said. "Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased at this time. "This is extremely difficult for this community, last night was New Year's Eve and they woke up this morning knowing that a death had occurred in their area." Expand Close Local DUP councillor David Ramsey at the scene. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Local DUP councillor David Ramsey at the scene. A PSNI spokesperson said police "were investigating the circumstances of a death. Former Ulster Unionist MP Lord John Kilclooney has said Irish nationalists should invite the Orange Order to have a parade in Dublin in a bid to improve relations between the two cultures. Posting on social media, the life peer said that, if such a demonstration was a success, it would "dramatically change Ireland". "Irish nationalists are the majority in the island of Ireland. They therefore are in a stronger position to improve Irish relations," Lord Kilclooney wrote in a tweet. "Why not invite the Orange Institution to have a major demonstration down O'Connell St Dublin. If a success it would dramatically change Ireland." Irish Nationalists are the majority in the island of Ireland. They therefore are in a stronger position to improve Irish relations. Why not invite the Orange Institution to have a major Demonstration down O'Connell St Dublin. If a success it would dramatically change Ireland. Lord John Kilclooney (@KilclooneyJohn) January 1, 2019 While the Orange Order once had around 10,000 active members in 250 lodges in the Republic at the turn of the 20th century, that number has fallen dramatically since. Today there are around 45 Orange lodges in the Republic of Ireland. A major annual parade is held in Co Donegal involving around 50 lodges from across the island. In June last year, Leo Varadkar became the first Taoiseach to visit the headquarters of the Orange Order at Schomberg House in east Belfast. The following November, the Irish premier met with the grand secretary of the Orange Order, Reverend Mervyn Gibson, and a delegation of its members from the Republic in Government Buildings in Dublin. Mr Varadkar said the colours of the Irish flag are "white, orange and green in equal measure" following the meeting. In 2006, the first loyalist march since partition was organised in Dublin by activist Willie Frazer under the banner 'Love Ulster'. The event resulted in widespread chaos as up to 2,000 rioters ripped up building materials and and threw them at police. 40 people were injured in the incident including veteran RTE journalist Charlie Bird, and an estimated 50,000 was caused to shops and cars. Irish minister Heather Humphreys has spoken for the first time of her personal experience of the old hard border with Northern Ireland and why it must not return post- Brexit. Amid fears that the UK will crash out of the European Union without a deal - threatening jobs, prosperity and even the possibility of renewed violence - Ms Humphreys laid out in stark terms why there must be no reinstatement of the border of the past. Ms Humphreys also said she believes there will be a united Ireland at some point in the future, but branded Sinn Fein's call for a border poll in the event of a no-deal Brexit "inflammatory". Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal with the EU is hanging by a thread due to Westminster opposition to the so-called backstop provision to avoid a hard border. Ms Humphreys, a Fine Gael Cavan-Monaghan TD, grew up in the border region and knows the impact of the old customs and security checkpoints, as well as the fear that engulfed communities on both sides during the Troubles. The business, enterprise and innovation minister recalled how crossing the border in her childhood meant visiting relatives and getting treats like Milky Bars and Maltesers that couldn't be bought in the Republic. It was a more innocent time of butter smuggling and bikes being bought in Northern Ireland and cycled across the border to avoid customs tariffs. "Then of course the Troubles started and I remember distinctly going with my father to see the customs posts that were burned out," she said. "They were the first things to go... and it was a big thing at the time." She said checks on the border became more burdensome for people going about their daily business. Travelling "a few miles up the road to Newtownbutler" could see waits of anything up to an hour, depending on the traffic. She said the border during the years of violence affected communities, towns had their hinterlands cut off, and businesses declined and closed. Ms Humphreys added: "There was a certain fear in communities as well that the Troubles would spread and what was happening in Northern Ireland would be replicated south of the border." On occasions this happened. Ms Humphreys said one of her childhood friends lost her father in the 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings, for which loyalist paramilitaries later claimed responsibility. Earlier that same year, the IRA had murdered Fine Gael senator Billy Fox. Ms Humphreys said: "I remember my father coming in and saying: 'Billy Fox was shot. He's been shot dead'." She said it sent "shock-waves right across the community". She said there were instances of violence in the Republic but it was "obviously not to the same extent as what happened in Northern Ireland". Ms Humphreys represented the Irish government at Armistice Day Commemorations last year in Enniskillen, the scene of the horrific IRA bombing on the same day in 1987. She said the atrocity "really would sicken you to the bottom of your stomach". She said she had a similar feeling when, as culture minister, she visited a museum in Belfast for centenary commemorations surrounding the Home Rule Bill and wandered into an exhibition on the Troubles. "It brings it back to you, the awfulness of it and the loss of life and families torn apart. It was a terrible time." Ms Humphreys did not predict a return to the full-scale violence of the Troubles in the event of a no-deal Brexit. But she said that peace is "fragile" and "there are those who will seek at some point to pull it down". She has accompanied EU politicians - including outgoing Belgian prime minister Charles Michel - to the border to show them first hand the free movement and lack of physical infrastructure. She said at the moment the only way you know you have crossed the border is that the road signs change from kilometres to miles and your mobile phone changes network. "There's nobody stopping you, they're not asking you where you're coming from, where you're going, what's your name, checking your car, opening the boot. We don't have that any more. That's gone." Ms Humphreys said visiting dignitaries were told by a former senior PSNI officer how border infrastructure is the first thing that is targeted for violence. How it "starts with the border symbol... and then it can escalate" to include attacks on security guards or police brought in to protect cameras or electronic equipment. She said: "We have to ensure that we don't have a hard border," adding: "We have to work harder and more closely with everybody." She conceded that it was a "worrying time" but said people in border communities are resilient and she is working with businesses to find solutions to potential Brexit difficulties. What of Sinn Fein's call for a border poll in the event of a no-deal Brexit? "That's inflammatory language. I don't think that serves any purpose. What we need to do is find ways to work together." She added: "I'd like to see the institutions back up and running in Northern Ireland." In November, Ms Humphreys, a Presbyterian, reached out to unionists in a newspaper column, seeking to reassure them that efforts to avoid a post-Brexit hard border will not affect the constitutional position of Northern Ireland in the UK. She says she believes there will be a united Ireland "at some stage in the future" but that it will be a choice for the people of Northern Ireland at that point. Ms Humphreys said: "What I want to see is a united people. I want to see stronger relations built between us and Northern Ireland." The Education Authority website has crashed as thousands of parents rush to secure pre-school and primary school places for September. The Education Authority website has crashed as thousands of parents rush to secure pre-school and primary school places for September. The technical problems emerged on Wednesday afternoon. Writing on its Facebook page, an Education Authority (EA) spokesperson said: "A very small number of users have experienced some difficulties and EA is working to actively resolve these difficulties. "Places are not allocated on a first come first served basis and schools and play groups will not consider applications until after the closing date. EA apologises for any inconvenience caused and reminds parents/guardians that the admissions process is open until 31 January." The Education Authority said 4,500 students had successfully registered using the system. Alliance Party MLA Kellie Armstrong said she had received assurances that the technical issues would not impact on children entering the school system. "Schools, particularly pre schools, are oversubscribed in my constituency. It is understandable parents want to submit their application as soon as possible, in the hope they can secure a place," said Mrs Armstrong. "I contacted the Education Authority today and they confirmed due to the high number of people trying to login their system has not been able to cope. "However, I would like to reassure parents that admissions are not based on a 'first come first served' basis. Parents can apply online until midnight on 31st January 2019. If you cannot get into the admissions site today, try again tomorrow or later in the month." Mrs Armstrong said she had asked the Education Authority to consider if it had sufficient online resources to deal with demand, noting a message telling parents to try again later would have helped reassure parents. Fire fighters employed heavy machinery to rescue the cows near Belfast. (Credit: NIFRS West/PA) Emergency services in Northern Ireland were called to an unsavoury festive rescue after Christmas as three cows fell into a stinking slurry pit on a farm. A range of specialist crews from across Northern Ireland attended the incident at a farm outside Dromore, in County Tyrone, on December 28 before sharing pictures from the incident on New Years Eve. Expand Close The cows were almost submerged in the slurry tank at a farm near Belfast (Credit: NIFRS/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The cows were almost submerged in the slurry tank at a farm near Belfast (Credit: NIFRS/PA) A spokeswoman for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said: Firefighters wore breathing apparatus and used rescue lines to pull the animals free from the slurry pit. Gas monitors were used throughout the incident to continually monitor gas levels from the slurry. Aside from concerns around keeping down the Christmas dinner, rescuers also needed to consider the more serious risks from working amid toxic gasses from the slurry, hazards associated with large animals in distress, dangers of contamination or infection and other problems in the dirty and hazardous conditions. Expand Close Rescuers used special equipment to save the animals (Credit: NIFRS West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rescuers used special equipment to save the animals (Credit: NIFRS West/PA) Despite the operation taking several hours, NIFRS reported no injuries to staff and three cows were successfully pulled from the mess. Well done to all our crews involved, the service said in a Facebook post describing the incident. Expand Close Fire fighters used heavy machinery to lift the animals our of the slurry tank (Credit: NIFRS West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fire fighters used heavy machinery to lift the animals our of the slurry tank (Credit: NIFRS West/PA) In a show of good humour, they added hashtags including #WorkingOffTheXmasDinner, #UpToOurNecksInIt and #NotJustFires. One concerned Facebook user wrote: Oh my word!! Theyre lucky all survived! Slurry tanks are my worst fear when on the farms!! A man has been removed from a care home in Co Tyrone after being arrested on suspicion of attempting sexual communication with a child. The BBC has reported that the man was arrested after a group, described as a "vigilante-type group", said they had gathered information about inappropriate activity online. The man has been moved to a similar facility after being released on bail. It is understood that the group handed over information they had collected to staff at the care home. Police were then contacted and the resident was arrested, police have confirmed. The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) which oversees the quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland, told the BBC that it had been "appropriately notified of an incident involving a vigilante-type group" at the care home in December. They said that the safety and wellbeing of care home residents was of "paramount importance" and that it would "continue to monitor this service through our ongoing inspection and regulatory activities". Police have confirmed that the group who gathered the information on the man are not being investigated. Secretary of State Karen Bradley has come under pressure from people born with serious conditions to maintain restrictions on abortion. She has received extensive and emotive correspondence about terminations since last spring, when the Republic of Ireland voted to legalise the procedure during early pregnancy. Among the letter-writers was a successful businessman with cerebral palsy - a movement disorder usually caused by an injury to the brain before, during or shortly after birth. He wrote: "I believe that if it is legalised for foetal abnormality this will open a flood-gate to them all, abortion on demand, and we will end up with staggering figures such as mainland Great Britain where, in 2016, 98% of abortions were for social reasons. "I was born with cerebral palsy and while I do depend on others I make a big contribution to Northern Ireland as I am involved with many groups and sit [on] numerous trust panels. "I employ four staff members and I'm actively involved in my community. "I do pray that any decisions on this will be done with much wisdom." The 1967 Abortion Act does not extend to Northern Ireland. Terminations are only permitted if a woman's life is at risk or if there is a risk of permanent and serious damage to her mental or physical health. Women from Northern Ireland have been offered the procedure on the NHS in other parts of the UK. Campaigners are pressing for it to be legalised in Northern Ireland but that has prompted a backlash from letter-writers to the Government, as disclosed in a freedom of information response. Another writer asked Mrs Bradley to confirm her status as a Christian. "It would seem that the most vulnerable in our society, the unborn child, is not permitted human rights, that he/she is something like an in-growing toe nail, as one charming abortion activist described 'it', that can be removed as easily and with no more compunction. The lesson to take from the liberal/left social agenda is - do not be vulnerable in today's Brave New World (Aldous Huxley's dystopian novel), do not be unborn or old and ill, mentally or physically, or disabled or Down's, because the abortionists and the euthanasia or assisted suicide proponents will have you in their sights." A woman allegedly beat a man over the head with an empty vodka bottle on New Year's Eve, a court heard. Sonya Johnston is accused of inflicting injuries during a violent outburst in the Fairfax Court area of north Belfast. Police said the 26-year-old was then detained in Newry early on New Year's Day. Johnston, of Ormeau Road in Belfast, appeared before the city's Magistrates Court charged with assault occasioning actual body harm. Opposing bail, a PSNI officer said two men claimed they had been attacked and injured. According to their accounts Johnston and a male co-accused allegedly carried out the joint assault. One complainant claimed she struck him a number of times on the head with an empty vodka bottle, causing bleeding injuries, the court heard. She was circulated as wanted and arrested hours later at a location in Newry. Johnston is also accused of breaching alcohol and curfew conditions for an unrelated matter. Refusing bail, Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes remanded her in custody to appear again by video-link in four weeks time. A man sustained a head wound in an alleged New Year's Day attack by his brother, a court has heard. Police said he needed staples after striking an electricity junction box during scuffles at a house in east Belfast. James Brady is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm over the incident at his Chemical Street home. Belfast Magistrates' Court was told armed response police officers were called due to the level of aggression. Opposing bail, a PSNI constable claimed Brady was verbally abusive to his brother before punching him. When the alleged victim retaliated he was brought to the ground, hitting his head off an electricity box in the living room, the court heard. He managed to get up and run from the house, according to police. Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes was told the brother was taken to hospital for treatment to a three inch gash to the head. Defence solicitor Michael Madden said James Brady has significant mental health difficulties. "The defendant has instructed that his brother was the aggressor," he added. Refusing bail, Judge Holmes remanded Brady in custody to appear again by video-link on January 30. A Belfast man who subjected a woman to abusive messages and repeated phone calls after she ended their brief relationship has avoided prison. A Belfast man who subjected a woman to abusive messages and repeated phone calls after she ended their brief relationship has avoided prison. Desmond Paul Steele, 32, was given a three-month suspended jail term for a campaign the victim was said to have found alarming and controlling. Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes told him: "You need to get your head round this concept that no means no." Steele, a bricklayer of Antrim Road in the city, admitted harassment between October 26 to November 1 last year. Belfast Magistrates' Court heard he met the woman through social media, going on a number of dates over a four week period. But after the victim informed him she didn't want to continue the relationship he sent a large number of texts, asking where she was and who she was with. A prosecution lawyer said the woman also received abusive calls and messages, describing her as a "slut" and a "whore". The alleged campaign involved up to 20 calls a day from unknown numbers. Police were alerted after Steele turned up at the home of one of her relatives, the court was told. When he was arrested a small quantity of suspected cocaine was found on him. Defence solicitor Robert Murtagh stressed no physical violence was involved, but acknowledged: "That's not for one second to take away the fear this young lady had." Mr Murtagh submitted that the "normal control factors didn't kick in" when Steele was informed she no longer wanted to see him. "All this impulsive behaviour has stopped since his arrest," he added. Imposing three months imprisonment, Mr Holmes suspended the sentence for two years. He also fined Steele 100 for possessing the cocaine. The judge further advised him: "When someone says they are not interested, they are not interested." Brexit should be delayed until after the European elections to "test the real will of the people", a prominent member of the former Women's Coalition has said. Describing herself as a "devoted European", Jane Morrice is part of a consultative body to the EU and a former deputy Speaker of the Stormont Assembly. Ms Morrice has now suggested the European Parliamentary elections on May 24 could be used as a de facto second referendum on leaving the bloc. At present the UK is due to trigger Article 50 and leave the EU on March 29, meaning British citizens will not be able to vote. But in an open letter Ms Morrice, who is also a former head of the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland, said the Prime Minister could use the election as "the final test of the 'real will of the people' in the UK". This would require Parliament postponing Brexit until after the election, which would be regarded in the UK as "a legitimate combination of a general election and a referendum" on EU membership. In her letter, Ms Morrice said the steps were needed to avoid a constitutional crisis in the UK which could lead to "turmoil in years to come". She added: "The warning sounds, the clock is ticking, the UK has just 90 days before it could crash out of the EU after 45 years membership and just 14 days for Parliament to decide our destiny". The former MLA and BBC reporter added that the alternatives being presented to the public could create "serious friction". These include accepting Theresa May's deal, a no-deal Brexit, another general election, or a second referendum. Ms Morrice said no-deal would be the "worst case scenario", while Mrs May's deal lacks support in Parliament, an election would be inconclusive, and a second referendum would divide the public even further. In practice, she said UK candidates in the European election would need to declare if they were pro or anti-Brexit. If the overwhelming majority (60%) elected were pro-Brexit, Article 50 would be delayed for six months while negotiations were finalised. But if most elected were anti-Brexit, she suggests Article 50 would be revoked and the UK would remain a member of the EU. An inconclusive result between 40-60% would commit the Government to a "preferendum" on the UK/EU relationship at a later date. This would offer choices of remaining in the EU or postponing Brexit until after a People's Vote. The second option would allow for the UK to have temporary representation in the EU, during which reforms of the existing structures could be considered. The preferendum would then take place against a backdrop of potential reform of the EU. Owen OKanes success has seen him cross paths with celebrities like Kelly Holmes If you're hoping to reduce stress in 2019, a new book by a Belfast man has been designed to ensure that this New Year's Resolution will be an easy one to keep. Owen O'Kane has already hit a nerve with his first book Ten To Zen, aimed at improving people's mental health and reduce stress. Not only has it been the subject of a bidding war between major publishing houses, but it is also set to go global even before it gets into print. Although that's virtually unheard of for an unknown author and a debut book, it is not so surprising given the life experience and professional expertise behind it. O'Kane (49) drew on his own youth growing up gay in one of Belfast's main flashpoints during the Troubles. He has spent his career mostly in mental health, first as a palliative care nurse and then as a psychotherapist. Growing up, he witnessed the full force of the civil and terrorist violence in his home community of Ardoyne in the north of the city. O'Kane was bullied in secondary school because he was "different". And he grew up terrified of his sexuality, so much that when he was in his early 20s he tried to be 'healed' of his homosexuality during a visit to Lourdes. Expand Close Owen OKanes success has seen him cross paths with celebrities like Kelly Holmes / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Owen OKanes success has seen him cross paths with celebrities like Kelly Holmes It was a failed attempt as he moved to London shortly afterwards and met his partner Mark 20 years ago, and they later married. O'Kane now runs a mental health unit for the NHS in London as well as his own private practice. He is also in demand for corporate workshops on reducing stress. It was during one of these workshops that someone suggested he write a book about his techniques and the result is Ten To Zen: 10 minutes a day to a calmer, happier you. In it O'Kane provides a series of easy-to-follow daily workouts for the mind lasting just 10 minutes. If carried out daily, he says, these short sessions will have a major impact on improving overall mental health. O'Kane has lived in London for the past 20 years but he frequently flies home to visit his father, who still lives in Ardoyne, and three brothers. He says growing up here with the conflict and fear of the Troubles was the perfect training ground for understanding the anxious mind. He adds: "In Ardoyne we experienced the worst of the Troubles. It was always at the centre of riots and the hunger strikes. A lot of my memories are of riots and bombs. I also had an uncle who was killed when I was a teenager. "He was my mum's brother, a milkman, and one of those random victims of a sectarian attack. "I saw first-hand the damage and it had a hideous impact on my mum and my family - we paid a huge price. "It also made me curious about people and how they reacted, and that could well have been the beginnings of my interest in working with people." O'Kane attended St Gabriel's High School and then went to St Malachy's Grammar to study for his A-levels. He remembers standing out at school during a time when homosexuality was still hidden in Northern Ireland. He says: "I watched the Belfast Gay Pride parade recently and there were 50,000 people at it. I remember watching it as a young man and there were 50 people taking part. "I stood in a side street off Royal Avenue to watch it because I didn't want to be spotted by anyone. "Back in the day it wasn't accepted, and at school I was different and it wasn't tolerated. I was massively bullied, absolutely terrorised, and kids just didn't let up, and that went on all through my developmental years." On leaving school he decided he wanted to be a priest and entered a monastery in Dublin, where he spent four years before realising it was not for him. It was during this time he got to take a group of ill people on a pilgrimage to the Marian shrine in Lourdes. On the plane O'Kane decided he, too, would take a dip in the 'healing' waters at the shrine in the hope of getting rid of his sexuality. However, it had the opposite affect, as he recalls: "I thought in my head that it would heal this gay thing and make it go away. "These two French guys came up with no tops on and displaying their muscled chests to dip me in the water. Expand Close Owen O'Kane with Mary Portas / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Owen O'Kane with Mary Portas "As I was bought out of the water, I looked up at their naked torsos and thought: 'Bloody hell, I've no hope'. Bizarrely, though, in a way it was the beginning of healing as I decided I didn't need to fight it anymore and I just accepted it." He says he is delighted that there is a lot more tolerance and acceptance today and believes it is only a matter of time before our laws on same-sex marriage come into line with the rest of the UK. O'Kane originally 'married' his partner in a civil service, but when same-sex marriage was made legal in England and Wales in 2013 he and his husband applied to have their paperwork changed to a recognised marriage under the law. He says the impact of his early struggles with his sexuality is something he can relate to in his work as a psychotherapist. He says: "It took me a long time to accept it, and in my line of work the most difficult thing people struggle with is shame - and no matter what anxiety a person has, usually under it all there is a sense of shame. "Accepting myself gave me an enormous amount of freedom and changed the trajectory of my life." As a former palliative care nurse, O'Kane heard at first-hand the biggest regrets people have on their death beds and, as a result, learnt about the stresses and worries we shouldn't hold onto. His time in the NHS has seen him use a multitude of techniques in helping people with mental health problems. He has taken the best of these techniques and used them to create Ten To Zen. After a bidding war between publishers, O'Kane released Ten To Zen in late December. He believes that in the same way we look after our physical health, we should also focus on our mental health. His philosophy is that we can all spare 10 minutes every day, especially if it leads to a calmer, happier you. He explains how his book came about and his surprise at how very quickly it was snapped up for publishing, already guaranteed to sell in seven countries outside the UK including Russia and the US. He says: "I often do corporate gigs for companies like the BBC and Sky and the big banks and I would go in and spend a day or half-a-day teaching their staff how to manage stress. "I realised that it wasn't enough just to tell people to meditate or just breathe out; they needed a plan to help quieten the mind and calm down. "I created a programme and one day after a gig I got talking to someone who said I should write a book about my techniques, as they were really helpful. "It started me thinking about how I could put all my experience into a book. Seven months later I contacted a publisher who invited me in to pitch my idea and on the same day they offered me a deal for my book. "Shortly after I was contacted by Bev James, who is the agent for Joe Wicks. Bev is really into wellbeing and development. "She got another publisher on board and there was a bidding war and in the end I went with Bluebird, which is part of Pan Macmillan. "The book is now being sold in seven countries. When I was writing the book it wasn't even on my radar that there would be that level of interest. "I think it shows it is not just the UK and Ireland where stress is a problem, but in other countries people are really struggling too." A lifetime of experience has been poured into the book, where the beauty is in its simplicity. O'Kane knows from his professional experience as well as his personal struggles how stress can impact a person. But even better, he has practical techniques for managing it. He adds: "The book is not a lengthy programme or a fluffy programme, it is a practical, down-to-earth guide. Just 10 minutes a day can really help people and change their lives. "Everyone can fit 10 minutes somewhere into their day. When you go to the gym and stick to a programme of exercise, you will see the changes in your body for the better. "It is the same principle. We take care of every other part of our body and what the book gives people is a workout for the mind and a maintenance programme. "If you are stressed and struggling, then it will stop you from going over the line and getting more stressed. "Stress builds up and builds up and in the book there are techniques that will bring that all down and help you to calm the mind and get out of that frazzled state." Ten To Zen by Owen O'Kane, published by Bluebird, price 10.99, is out now. Follow Owen on Twitter @Owenokaneten Expand Close Ten To Zen by Owen O'Kane / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ten To Zen by Owen O'Kane The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] An ex-Airbus executive has taken the top job at Northern Ireland aeroplane seats manufacturer Thompson Aero as its former boss takes on a role at its Chinese parent company. Filings at Companies House show that Gary Montgomery is no longer a director at Thompson Aero after nine years in charge. The company makes business class seats for clients including Aer Lingus, Delta Air Lines, China Eastern and Philippine Airlines. American Andres Budo has now taken on the role of chief executive. Mr Budo joined Thompson Aero in June last year from Airbus, where he had worked in cabin interiors since 2015. The sale of Thompson Aero Seating to Chinese giant Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) was announced three years ago. Latest Companies House filings also list Chinese government body the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) as having significant control of the business. SASAC supervises and manages assets of state-owned enterprises in China such as AVIC. The filings reflect the completion in July this year of AVIC's purchase. AVIC had made the first deal in partnership with China state-owned investment company CNIC Corporation Limited. But now a share transfer between CNIC and AVIC has made AVIC the full owner. Mr Montgomery has now moved to a new 'strategic' role with AVIC Cabin Systems Co, part of AVIC. In a statement on Thompson Aero's website, Mr Montgomery welcomed Mr Budo's appointment, saying that he was "a great fit for Thompson Aero Seating as it builds on impressive growth". "I am looking forward to taking on my new role at ACS and am pleased that it will allow me to retain a close link to Thompson Aero Seating as it continues its success under Andres' leadership." Mr Budo said: "I am excited to be taking up this new role with Thompson Aero Seating and building on the strong foundation Gary has developed over the previous nine years. "I believe we have a great opportunity to develop our customer relationships, products and people and am looking forward to working closely with our partners in the ACS group in the coming years." Thompson Aero is one of Northern Ireland's best-known manufacturers and employs around 540 people, according to its accounts for 2017. It reported a more than doubling of pre-tax profits to over 10m in its latest accounts. Turnover had also doubled from 52m to 105m. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph last year, Mr Montgomery said Brexit was a concern to the firm, despite its growth in sales. "There's a lot of uncertainty over how Brexit might affect any business. It would be ignorant to say we're not worried, as it will have some effect," he said. He explained that the aerospace industry was frequently buffeted by trends in macro-economics - but he said even downturns could work in its favour. He added that if airlines were making economies, it could mean deals for the retro-fitting of craft to increase density by fitting more seats on the planes. Mr Montgomery said its takeover by AVIC had been beneficial. "It's been extremely positive. The Chinese owner takes a very long-term view and they're very supportive of our efforts. Over the past couple of years we have been extremely successful in the marketplace and built a very strong order book," he added. "We have brought business class seats to a first-class level so it's given us quite an increase in our sales intake and a very healthy order book." He said that an order in 2017 for Vantage XL business class seating with Delta Air Lines in the US had been a major success. "That was the first-ever business class seat where every seat had a suite door. It's led to a very high load factor and very high satisfaction levels." Malaysia Airlines has adopted the Vantage XL on some of its Airbus 350ss. They are also used by Qantas on its Airbus A330 and Boeing 787 business class. The number of homes in the Republic advertised for short-term letting on AirBnB has risen by more than 1,000 in the last year. Homeowners in the Republic appear to be cashing in before a summer crackdown with new figures showing that 5,855 entire homes were available for hire in Galway, Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford on December 11, up 1,015 on the same month last year - a rise of 20%. Figures supplied by AirDNA, which analyses market trends across the globe, show the average daily rate for a Dublin property now stands at 143 (130) compared with 126 (115) in December 2017. Average daily rates have also risen in Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford. Meanwhile, separate figures have shown that Northern Irelad has become one of its fastest growing tourism destinations for AirBnB in the UK, with 230,000 guests using the service in the 12 months to June 2018. That represented a 70% surge on the 132,000 guests welcomed the previous year. AirBnB and other short-term letting websites allow property owners to advertise a home online for holiday stays. The figures come in advance of an Irish Government crackdown on short-term lettings, which is due to take effect from next June. Under the new regime proposed by Ireland's Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, homeowners will only be allowed to rent their properties for no more than 14 days at a time, and for no more than 90 days a year. Bedford, PA (15522) Today Mixed clouds and sun this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 82F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mainly clear skies after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 58F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Robert G. Kerr, MD, PhD, was recognized as Patient Preferred Physicians and Practitioners' 2019 Patient Preferred Neurological and Spine Surgeon for the State of New York, according to KLKN-TV, a local ABC News affiliate. Here are five details: 1. Dr. Kerr is a spine and neurosurgeon at Northwell Health Physician Partners at Huntington (N.Y.). 2. His specialties include concussion, brain tumors and minimally invasive endoscopic skull base surgery. 3. Dr. Kerr also serves as an assistant professor at Hofstra University's Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine in Hempstead, N.Y. 4. Top Doctors Awards named Dr. Kerr a 2018 Top Doctor in New York. 5. After earning his medical degree from Queens University Faculty of Medicine in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Kerr completed his residency at Edmonton, Canada-based University of Alberta School of Medicine and Dentistry. He then underwent fellowship training at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Mark McLaughlin, MD, is a neurosurgeon at Princeton (N.J.) Brain & Spine Care. In a contributing piece with the Times Union, Dr. McLaughlin discussed his three-step morning routine. 1. Meditating After waking up at 5 a.m., the neurosurgeon spends 10 minutes meditating. He attributes the meditation to reducing stress levels and avoiding burnout. Additionally, Dr. McLaughlin said meditating may improve mental health and sleep. 2. Filing With a personal file system labeled for each day of the month, Dr. McLaughlin takes time out of his morning to file the task for the day. This helps him stay organized, only doing and thinking about tasks designated for a single day. 3. Planning Dr. McLaughlin consults a daily planner and makes lists of everything that needs to be checked off for the day. Although, the neurosurgeon does say mapping out the day does not guarantee it will stay on course. With his three-step routine locked down, Dr. McLaughlin recommends others to try out different morning routines until something works for you. Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital hired retired orthopedic surgeon Richard Rogers, MD, as interim CMO, according to the Murfreesboro Post. Dr. Rogers first joined Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in 1983 as an active medical staff member. He merged his practice with Nashville-based Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance and went on to practice for 32 years. In 2015, Dr. Rogers became a board member for the hospital. Recently, Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital began construction on a vertical expansion project. The hospital plans to add three floors and 72 beds. The majority of providers indicate expanded reimbursement would accelerate their plans to use telemedicine, according to a Reaction Data survey. In July, CMS made a series of suggestions to expand remote care in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program for 2019. For example, the proposal would allow physicians to practice telemedicine without establishing a prior in-person relationship with each patient. Only 33 percent of the more than 200 C-level executives, IT directors and physician leaders surveyed by Reaction Data said they were aware of CMS' announcement. However, 63 percent said efforts to increase telemedicine reimbursement would speed up their plans to implement and use the technology. Nearly half of survey participants (47 percent) said they had already implemented a telemedicine solution at their hospital or clinic. Twenty-four percent of respondents said they use a homegrown solution, whlie the remaining 23 percent said they contract with a telemedicine software or service provider. To download Reaction Data's survey, click here. The Pennsylvania Health Department cited Lancaster (Pa.) General Hospital for failing to report and adequately investigate complaints of two patients who said a hospital employee touched them in a sexual way, according to PennLive.com. The health department started investigating after one of the patients apparently went to police, who then arrested 30-year-old Shawn Moyer, a pulmonary therapist at the hospital, Nov. 8. Mr. Moyer was charged with abuse of a care-dependent person, indecent assault, indecent exposure and invasion of privacy. The health department made an unannounced visit to the hospital, part of Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine, several days after Mr. Moyer's arrest and quickly declared patients to be in immediate jeopardy. After the hospital made plans and assurances to improve investigations of patient complaints, the health department removed the immediate jeopardy designation. As part of the hospital's plan of correction, it is creating a team of four executives, with one available at all times, to receive reports of patient abuse and ensure an appropriate response. The hospital also promised to train staffers on how to respond to reports of patient abuse and notify appropriate authorities. While General Electric is spinning off its healthcare unit, the company is facing challenges when it comes to its long-term care insurance policies, according to Marketplace. Here are four things to know: 1. GE has 300,000 long-term care insurance policies. Long-term care insurance covers the cost of caring for elderly Americans, whether they are in a nursing home, in an assisted living center or, increasingly, at home. 2. The amount of premiums GE takes in on the long-term care plans falls significantly short of what the coverage actually costs, according to Chris Farrell, a senior economics contributor for Marketplace. "What's happened is that medical costs keep going up. Americans are living longer, on average. And the people who bought these policies? They're not dropping them," Mr. Farrell said, according to Marketplace. 3. To back the long-term care policies, GE needs to put about $15 billion in required reserves. "They're not even coming close to covering the costs that they're incurring," Mr. Farrell said. "Put that in context: GE's dividend payments is [something] like 4 billion." 4. GE isn't alone. Healthcare costs are putting a larger strain on corporations than ever before. In 2018, large U.S. employers expected medical and pharmacy benefit costs to increase 5 percent for the fifth consecutive year, a recent National Business Group on Health survey found. More articles on payers: Walmart is changing how we pay for healthcare: 5 things to know Walmart, GM should be 'wake-up call' for private insurers Tenet on Cigna dispute: Being forced out of network is 'unsure-ance' A power outage attributed to funding cuts at Ripley, Tenn.-based Lauderdale Community Hospital forced patients to relocate Dec. 31, according to a Fox 13 news report. Hospital CEO Mike Layfield told Fox 13 he blamed the outage on "funding cutbacks like many other small hospitals are experiencing." The power to the 25-bed critical access hospital shut off between 11 a.m. and noon, and a backup generator ran for hours. The two nearest hospitals where patients were relocated were 20 to 30 minutes away. Editor's Note: Becker's Hospital Review reached out to Lauderdale Community Hospital for comment. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Cleveland Clinic fired a resident physician after she shared anti-Semitic comments on social media, according to The Hill. The former employee, Lara Kollab, DO, had made anti-Semitic comments on social media for years, according to The Times of Israel, but Cleveland Clinic only recently discovered the comments. Dr. Kollab, who worked as a supervised resident at Cleveland Clinic from July to September of 2018, reportedly called for violence against Jews in several tweets. In a screenshot of a 2012 tweet shared by The Times of Israel, Dr. Kollab said she would "purposely give all the yahood the wrong meds." Yahood is the Arabic word for Jews, according to The Hill. "She is no longer working at Cleveland Clinic. In no way do these beliefs reflect those of our organization. We fully embrace diversity, inclusion and a culture of safety and respect across our entire health system," Cleveland Clinic said in a statement issued Dec. 31. Dr. Kollab's social media accounts have been deactivated, according to Cleveland.com. More articles on integration and physician issues: Medscape names best, worst physicians of 2018 4 characteristics of physicians most likely excluded from public insurance reimbursement Top residencies offer little to no paid maternity leave Over the last three decades, K. Craig Kent, MD, has worked as an investigator, vascular surgeon, professor and surgery leader at multiple world-renowned healthcare organizations revealing his commitment to patient care, research and education. This made him a perfect fit to assume the role of dean at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, a position he has held since 2016. Dr. Kent also serves as vice president of health sciences and the Leslie H. and Abigail S. Wexner Dean's Chair in Medicine at the medical college. Under his leadership, Ohio State's medical college boosted National Institutes of Health funding by more than 20 percent, recruited hundreds of new faculty and significantly grew a number of new signature clinical programs. Here, Dr. Kent discusses his proudest moments as dean, describes what piqued his interest in academic medicine and divulges who he considers his top role models. Editor's note: Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Question: What has been your proudest moment as dean of The Ohio State University College of Medicine? Dr. Craig Kent: Leaders in academic medicine can live vicariously through the accomplishments of their faculty and staff. We have more than 2,000 faculty at Ohio State and every day someone is doing something incredible, like receiving a new research grant, saving a life through an innovative new therapy or teaching a talented student the craft of medicine. Every time one of our medical faculty members accomplishes something important, I am proud. A more specific accomplishment for me was improving the medical faculty experience at Ohio State. When I first arrived on campus about two and a half years ago, I had numerous discouraging conversations with faculty. They felt overworked, underpaid and underappreciated. It motivated me and my leadership team to work to improve the faculty experience by creating a new and fairer compensation plan, enhancing faculty recognition and improving the infrastructure at the medical center to make it easier for faculty to be successful. With all of these changes, the conversation is now different the faculty and staff are much more positive and excited about the future. In addition, recruitment has become easier because interested physicians and scientists are connecting with our existing faculty who now enjoy being part of The Ohio State University. I can't tell you the exact moment the conversations changed, however, there was a time before and a time after. We still have much to accomplish and of course academic medicine will always be a difficult profession. But faculty are the epicenter of a successful academic medical center (AMC) and I am proud that we now have more than 2,000 faculty who are excited to be a part of the Ohio State University College of Medicine and about our future. Q: What piqued your interest in academic medicine? CK: Most individuals who seek a career in medicine do so because they want to help people. When I finished medical school this was my primary goal. But as time went on, I realized that we didn't have answers or treatments for so many patients. Knowing that research and innovation could lead to better care and new cures for patients and their diseases, my interest was piqued; I knew I wanted to be part of that innovation. Looking back on my career, I have seen firsthand through research, the introduction of hundreds of new therapies that have improved patient care and prolonged life. Being part of several academic organizations that have helped make these advances has been exciting. Academic medicine allows a physician or scientist to go beyond patient care, providing the opportunity to change the way we deliver care not to just one patient but to thousands or millions of individuals. In addition to research, I have enjoyed the fact that AMCs are the places where patients who have complex medical conditions that can't be treated in the community, seek their care. One of the missions of a leading AMC is to develop the high tertiary or quaternary programs that provide complex care. The differentiation in these programs may be provided by an advanced degree of expertise, a new treatment, a clinical trial or a master surgeon or interventionalist. AMCs need to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to patient therapies. In addition, in academics we have the opportunity to train physicians and scientists. This may be the most impactful role of AMCs because years from now the many physicians and scientists we train will be carrying on our mission. The impact of one great teacher over time can be substantial. As you can see, whats not to like about being at an AMC. Those who have the fortune to be in academics are a privileged group. Q: What unique skills are required to be successful as a leader in an academic medical setting? CK: Individuals who lead in this environment must fully and completely understand the academic mission. A leader needs to understand what it takes to be successful in research, the importance of education and how to create differentiated care. This is on top of having the skills necessary to run an efficient and economically sound clinical enterprise. Optimally the leader would have been a part of this world, having performed their own research, provided tertiary/quaternary care or actively taught students. Once you've lived in this world, it's easier to understand what it takes to be successful organizationally with all of these endeavors. In addition, leaders in academic medicine must learn how to motivate physicians to work just as hard or harder than those in community practice, but to be paid less. There's an art to this. The key is understanding that physicians at AMCs are not necessarily there because of their compensation. They are interested in following their passion, whether it be research, education or developing a differentiated or signature clinical program. Creating an environment that allows physicians and scientists to follow the passion that has drawn them to an AMC is the goal. Being a leader at an AMC is a difficult job because one must also have the skills and ability to run a strong and efficient clinical program (AMCs are not exempt from the economics of health care), but the leader must also be able to create an environment where research, teaching and differentiated clinical care can also flourish. Finally, some leaders believe that you need to choose between investing in clinical care or investing in academics, teaching and research. However, having the opportunity to be at several successful AMCs, I quickly realized that much of the success of an AMC is related blending academics into clinical care. Patients want to be cared for by the professors who teach the physicians that subsequently populate their community. Enhancing research, clinical trials and differentiated care will bring more patients to your facility for treatment of their complex diseases. From the standpoint of clinical care, institutions that differentiate themselves will be the ones that have the greatest success academics is the great differentiator. Q: Who is someone you consider a role model in your life and why? CK: For me, it's not just one specific person I have hundreds of role models. I have enjoyed leadership, and in my attempt to be a strong leader over the years, I have observed closely almost every leader I've met. I learn from everyone. Sometimes I learn attributes, abilities and skills that I incorporate into my armamentarium. Other times, I learn what not to do. Every time I have the chance to observe, I will. I think one of the strongest skills a great leader can possess is taking every opportunity to learn. I sometimes joke that about the time I really understand leadership, it will be time to retire. Q: If you could pass along advice to an emerging healthcare leader, what would you say? CK: I have two pieces of advice. The first is that as decisions are made and your organization moves forward, keep the focus on the patient. Never forget that the reason that AMCs exist is for our patients. Everything else should follow, whether it be clinical care, education or research. With the complexities of health care today, it is easy to lose track of our mission. Second, pay attention to the people in your organization. Realize that if your organization is successful, it's because of their efforts. Our medical center has more than 23,000 employees and our success is because of these individuals working every day to provide the highest level of care. Medicine is a large business and sometimes leaders run it like a business. Faculty and staff can become a commodity. This is a recipe for failure. Faculty and staff are the source of your success, so embrace them, making everyone in your organization feel empowered and appreciated should be a top priority. Q: Is there anything else you want to add? CK: Health care is becoming more complicated; the financial constraints are increasing and some of us worry that as a consequence, academic medicine will be left behind. We as a nation need to make certain this does not happen. Our patients deserve the contributions of AMCs, whether it be differentiated clinical care, research and of course training of the next generation of physicians, scientists and care providers. The economics need to be preserved so AMCs can remain successful. EHR giants, IT layoffs and Apple's move into healthcare dominated reader interest this year. Here are the 18 most-read health IT stories reported by Becker's Hospital Review during 2018, beginning with the most popular: 1. MD Anderson slapped with $4.3M penalty for HIPAA violations An HHS administrative law judge upheld an HHS Office for Civil Rights finding requiring the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston to pay $4,348,000 in civil penalties for HIPAA violations related to the organization's encryption policies, HHS confirmed in June. 2. Fairview CEO bashes Epic, calls for march on Madison James Hereford, president and CEO of Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services, called Epic an "impediment to innovation" in January and told healthcare leaders they should exert more influence over the EHR giant. 3. Here's what physicians like most about Epic, Cerner and 8 other EHR vendors While physicians often report dissatisfaction with EHRs and 11 percent of acute facilities and 16 percent of ambulatory facilities plan to leave their current vendors a Reaction Data survey sought to determine the reasons some physicians like their current platforms. 4. GE to spin off healthcare business GE revealed plans to spin off its healthcare business into a standalone enterprise in June, concluding a yearlong strategic review of the company's operations and financial strength. 5. Northwestern lays off 60 IT workers after Epic EHR rollout Northwestern Medicine laid off 60 IT staffers after it launched a new health records system in March. 6. Apple is hiring for its health business In September, Apple said it was seeking an engineering manager to support its health business. 7. STAT: IBM Watson Health was crumbling long before layoff announcements Internal competition and a disorganized operating structure have plagued IBM Watson Health since its inception in 2015, according to a STAT investigation. 8. UW Medicine allocates $180M to move to single EHR The finance and asset management committee at Seattle-based UW Medicine approved a $180-million plan for a 30-monthslong endeavor to replace the health system's Cerner and Epic EHRs with a single, integrated platform. 9. Vandals cause thousands of dollars in damage to one of Epic's buildings An empty building owned by Epic was broken into in April, and vandals caused thousands of dollars in damages. 10. Lawsuit: Apple under fire over its smartwatch's heart sensor Omni MedSci, a health technology startup, alleged Apple infringed on four of its patents to develop the Apple Watch's heart rate sensor, according to a lawsuit filed in April. 11. Apple has quietly hired dozens of physicians Apple has quietly hired dozens of physicians in the last few years, an indicator that it's serious about health tech. 12. Cerner President Zane Burke to step down Cerner President Zane Burke stepped down from his post at the company in November. 13. Medical Center Health System CFO attributes hospital district's bond downgrade to Cerner issues Leadership at Odessa, Texas-based Ector Hospital District, which does business as the Medical Center Health System, attributed a bond downgrade in March to costs associated with its EHR implementation. 14. Cerner to take over IT department at Texas hospital Cerner will take over the IT department at Medical Center Health System in Odessa, Texas, under an agreement the Ector County Hospital District board of directors approved in August. 15. Laid-off IBM Watson Health workers call AI initiative a bust Engineers who had been laid off from IBM Watson Health, the company's healthcare division rooted in artificial intelligence, said IBM's mission to make AI profitable is failing. 16. Cerner president blames unnamed competitor for 'fake news' about DOD's EHR rollout In a shareholders meeting in May, Cerner's president suggested media reports disparaging its work for the U.S. Defense Department were "fake news" that may have involved "one of our competitors." 17. Epic halts 15-year HQ expansion as construction catches up to growing workforce In July, construction hit a standstill at Epic's 1,100-acre headquarters in Verona, Wis., for the first time since 2003. 18. Cyberattack forces Indiana hospital to cancel elective surgeries, divert ambulances Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind., canceled all remaining elective surgeries Sept. 18 after its IT team discovered a computer virus. Alomere Health in Alexandria, Minn., mistakenly sent bills to some former patients who had paid off their balances years ago, according to the Echo Press. Alomere Health is trying to collect money under Minnesota's Revenue Recapture Act, which permits the Minnesota Department of Revenue to take taxpayer refunds and apply them to certain debts, including those owed to the county-owned hospital. The hospital sent letters to former patients who had account balances that qualified for the revenue recapture program, informing them they had 30 days to resolve the delinquent accounts. However, Alomere Health mistakenly sent letters to some former patients who did not have an outstanding balance. "As is common with a mailing of this size, we have discovered a small number of unfortunate errors where guarantors received letters by mistake based on information on file at the collection agency," a hospital spokesperson told the Echo Press. The hospital apologized for the mistake and is asking anyone who received a letter in error to contact the facility. Access the full Echo Press article here. More articles on healthcare finance: Kansas hospital to close, affecting 327 jobs Nurses claim they're paying for supplies at Oklahoma hospital 10 hospitals seeking CFOs Stephanie Domas, vice president of research at MedSec, a cybersecurity risk management provider in Miami, discusses cyberattacks on connected medical devices and the preventative actions health systems can take. Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length. Question: How is technology keeping up with changes in the healthcare landscape in terms of cybersecurity? Stephanie Domas: The healthcare industry is truly unique in its cybersecurity challenges, namely concerns regarding patient harm and the value and sensitivity of patient data. Because of this, healthcare-specific expertise and solutions are needed, and people such as me, and companies such as MedSec, are making great strides but still working hard to mature in these areas. Many of the cybersecurity concerns plaguing healthcare are not unique to healthcare; threats such as commodity malware, phishing and ransomware are ubiquitous across all industries. And while these problems aren't solved, there are best practices and tools out there that can be leveraged. Q: What do you see as the next big cybersecurity threat hospitals should look out for? SD: Connected medical devices are the next big threat. These devices make up 15 percent to 20 percent of the network endpoints in a hospital network, yet traditional IT vulnerability management and asset management tools don't work to monitor and secure them. Even medical devices that are cybersecure one day can become vulnerable the next day because of delayed software updates and new threats. This leaves an increasing gap in hospital defenses that attackers are targeting and will continue to target. Q: Can you share some of your thoughts on cyberattacks on patient medical devices? Is this a threat hospitals should be prepared for, and what is the best way to do so? SD: Attackers are smart; they will not attempt to take down your hardened systems when they can instead go after a hospital's weakest link. In many cases this could be a medical device there are hundreds, if not thousands on a typical hospital network. Hospitals need to accept that their traditional IT security policies and security tools don't work for connected medical devices. The uniqueness of the clinical workflow, and the criticality of not disrupting a medical device in use means medical device-specific tools and policies need to be utilized. Tools such as MedScan by MedSec were purpose built for medical device asset management. But really the first step is understanding the risk profile created by medical devices. How many are on the network? Have they received required software updates? Are their security features configured correctly? How many 'legacy' devices are on the network? Q: What is the No. 1, first step a hospital should take when developing a cybersecurity incident response plan? SD: Make sure your plan encompasses all the different types of incidents that could occur, keeping in mind the network is made up of many nontraditional endpoints. Where possible, leverage industry guidance that has been already been custom tailored, such as the Mitre Corp. and FDA Incident Reponses Playbook written specifically to handle cybersecurity incidents involving medical devices. To learn more about clinical and IT leadership, register for the Becker's Hospital Review 2nd Annual Health IT + Clinical Leadership Conference May 2-4, 2019 in Chicago. Click here to learn more and register. To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Jackie Drees at jdrees@beckershealthcare.com. Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems sold select assets to Spartanburg (S.C.) Regional Healthcare. Here's what you should know: 1. Community Health Systems sold the Spartanburg and Gaffney, S.C.-based branches of Mary Black Health System, as well as their physician clinics and outpatient service businesses. 2. The sale was effective Jan. 1. 3. Community Health Systems is including the sale in its third quarter 2018 earnings call. Community will continue to operate four hospitals in South Carolina. Coalition of NGOs' Address to Parliament The Coalition for Independent and Transparent Judiciary is concerned by the nomination of candidates for the Supreme Court Justice position by the High Council of Justice (HCOJ) on December 24. The nomination was made without observing any procedure and the majority of the candidates nominated are associated with unlawful and unjust justice for the society. It is clear that confirmation of the nominated candidates by the Parliament will bring about further strengthening of clan governance of the judiciary and will make independence of judiciary an impossible feat for the decades to come.The changes to the Constitution of Georgia, which entered into effect upon the swearing in of the newly elected President, aimed at depoliticizing the appointment of the Supreme Court justices and making this process professional and merit-based. This spirit of the Constitution has not been reflected in the Organic Law on Common Courts of Georgia and to this time there are no clear procedures or criteria by which the High Council of Justice is to nominate candidates. Under these circumstances, the High Council of Justice did not wait for legislative amendments and submitted to the Parliament a list of candidates that was drawn up by several judges behind closed doors.The nomination of the candidates by the HCOJ did not observe the Constitutional objectives and even the minimal procedural standards. Specifically:The Constitution of Georgia stipulates that judges are selected based on two criteria competence and integrity. This Constitutional provision requires legislative amendments that would set the rules for checking the qualifications of the Supreme Court judicial candidates against these criteria. The HCOJ nominated the candidates, rather than wait for adoption of such amendments. As a result, among the candidates nominated there are judges, whose compatibility with these two criteria have not been assessed even formally;The Constitution states that the Organic Law sets the rules for judicial appointment and dismissal. Despite this, the HCOJ nominated the candidates before the detailed procedure for nominating Supreme Court judicial candidates was prescribed by law;The HCOJ selected the candidates capriciously from a limited group of persons. All of the nominated candidates are acting judges. It is unclear what was the criteria for selecting these judges and/or why other interested persons were precluded from equal participation in fair, open and transparent competition;The ten candidates were nominated upon consultation with only a part of the HCOJ members. Not all members of the HCOJ were informed regarding the identity of the candidates to be voted on. The biographies of the candidates were not discussed at an HCOJ session and there was no substantiation as to why these ten judges were distinguished from the remaining 300 judges currently acting in the judiciary. This shows the serious risks of corruption and nepotism;The one-page letter of the HCOJ to the Parliament does not contain any substantiation regarding the nominated candidates.The identity of the candidates is important to note. Of the ten, seven are notable for occupying, in past or currently, key positions in the justice system and have an influence on all major decisions regarding the management of the judicial branch. The names of Mikheil Chinchaladze, Giorgi Mikautadze, Dimitri Gvritishvili, Tamar Alania, Merab Gabinashvili, Giorgi Tkavadze, and Paata Silagadze have for years been associated with clan governance and corporatism in the justice system. Among them, the nomination of the two acting members of the HCOJ, Giorgi Mikautadze and Dimitri Gvritishvili further illustrates that members of the HCOJ abuse this high office for own private interests.Additionally, among the nominated candidates are the judges whos certain past decisions have been fiercely criticized by various organizations, including the Ombudsmans reports. Nomination of these candidates was conducted without studying and addressing a single problem related to the nominated candidates biographies.The only lever to alleviate the existing situation in the judiciary and avert further strengthening and solidification of clan governance rests with the Parliament and the ruling majority. On December 26, after the protests of various public groups and negative reaction from certain members of the ruling Georgian Dream, the Speaker of Parliament made a statement that the parliament will not make a decision on appointment of Supreme Court Justices in the current session and will return to hearing the issue at the beginning of the spring session.We commend the fact that the ruling government has changed its mind on speedily hearing the issue, however, this is not enough. It is of principal importance, that the Parliament refuses to discuss the existing list of candidates for the Supreme Court appointments.Based on all of above, the Coalition calls on the Parliament of Georgia to:decline the list of the candidates nominated for the Supreme Court appointment;immediately start working on legislative amendments which will bring the rules and criteria for selecting the Supreme Court justices in line with the Constitution and international standards;Start the selection process only after adopting the legislative amendments and nominate the candidates anew, following the rules set.The Coalition also calls on the Speaker of Parliament, Irakli Kobakhidze to meet with the Coalition member organizations and other interested groups without delay, and discuss the Coalitions proposals regarding the selection and appointment of the Supreme Court justices and set a specific plan of action on this issue. Originally a way for animal and master to ensure both had food to eat, some 4,000 years later falconry is a sport practiced around the world. In North America, its also touted as a conservation effort aimed at increasing the population of raptors like eagles, hawks and falcons in the wild. Phillip White appreciates both aspects. The Lumberton man got into falconry in 2016 after finishing his education and starting a job at Motiva, though his interest started long before. Having worked on a farm most of his life, White had always loved seeing hawks soaring over the fields, but his first close and personal encounter with a bird was in the classroom. I was in fifth grade and a falconer came to school and brought a red-tailed hawk, White said. His interest in falconry was sparked and grew from there. Since his job no longer required him to work from sunup to sundown, White realized he had the time to invest into capturing, training and caring for a raptor. But he would need guidance. First thing, you have to find a sponsor, which is a seasoned falconer who thinks youre serious enough to take it on, because its a pretty big ordeal, White said. He spent months filling out paperwork with Texas Parks and Wildlife and studying for a grueling exam. He said a background in veterinary science would be a major advantage, since the test focuses on caring for and maintaining the health of the bird. Falconers are required to know and be able to identify avian diseases to ensure the birds theyre re-releasing into the wild will have the best chance of survival, and so a bird under a falconers care wont fall ill or suffer an injury and go untreated. After passing the test, he then had to build the proper enclosure for a bird of prey and have it inspected by a game warden. Once all of the preliminary requirements were met, White was finally allowed to trap a bird. His old school sponsor had one extra step for White he had build his own trap, which he said was a cool experience After catching and training them, falconers are able to hunt with their birds, setting them loose to take down prey in a field. What they are able to hunt depends on the species and size of the bird. White is a second year apprentice falconer, but soon he will be allowed to have more than one bird at a time. Eventually, as a master falconer, White will be allowed to trap and hunt with eagles, which can kill much larger prey. White has trapped, trained and released two birds, a red-tailed and a Cooper's hawks. In July he trapped his current bird, Furiosa, a female Harriss Hawk that under a year old. Though he does take his birds out hunting, taking down prey isnt Whites main goal. Its really about helping the birds. There are so many falconers that are not hunters, White said. I dont have any need to come hunt small animals, but I will do it with Furiosa so she learns how. I would never do this without her. Its all about getting these guys strong and getting them back in the wild. In the short time hes had her, Furiosa has become part of Whites family. One of the reasons I wanted a Harriss hawk is because they are so personable., White said. Theyre social birds. In the wild, the Harriss hawk has a family group and they hunt as a family. One of the reasons they make such a good falconry bird is, once they get your trust and your bond, they take you on as one of their own The bond between Furiosa and White is obvious. The young but powerful predator follows him around open fields, preferring to perch on his hat or shoulder rather than his fist. She pecks at the bag at his waist looking for tidbits little pieces of whole dove, muscle and organs alike. Its these tidbits that strengthen the bond she has with her master. She knows returning to Whites gloved fist guarantees her a meal, protection and a safe place to rest. Most people dont know this but 70 percent of all raptors die in their first year of life because its just so tough, White said. Furiosa may not have survived if White hadnt captured her. She had a pulled tendon in her wing that could have torn if he hadnt taken her to a specialist in San Antonio. They set her wing in a cast for five weeks, ensuring it healed properly. Now she takes down rabbits and other small game with ease the only remnant of her injury is the harmless glue still visible in her feathers. White will hunt with Furiosa for another year, maybe two, before releasing her back into the wild likely into the same family group she was captured from. Once released, her instincts should take over in 24 to 48 hours, and she will behave exactly like a wild animal. Next, White hopes to trap a peregrine falcon, but with only 40-odd permits and some 200 falconers in Texas, the competition for the once-endangered dive-bomb hunter is intense. Hunting with a peregrine on ducks, theres nothing like it, White said. The birds circle above the ducks on a pond. Once the falconer flushes the fowl into the air, the falcon will single one out and nose-dive towards it, reaching speeds of 200 miles per hour. The bird then rears back and strikes the duck with its talons, usually killing it on impact. It sounds like a car crash, he said. Its an amazing thing to see. Peregrines are one of the shining examples of falconry as conservation. In the 1970s, falconers alerted the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of an alarming absence of peregrines, according to White. It was discovered that the pesticide DDT was causing the birds to lay soft eggs, meaning they broke when the females incubated them. With the combined efforts of falconers and Fish and Wildlife, captive breeding and a protected status has brought the species back from what White called, the brink of extinction. If White is not selected to trap a peregrine, he says he will most likely keep Furiosa a while longer. While falconers are allowed to keep a bird its entire life, White said most release them and trap new ones after a few years. Youve got a well established bird that you get to release back into the wild and you know is going to be a good breeder for years to come. Then you get a new baby and you get to see its personality and work with it, White said. Still, Furiosa has a special spot in Whites heart. As she sits on his glove, White will scratch her chest and her tail feathers swish back and forth. He said its exactly like a dog wagging their tail. I really am blessed with her, he said. She is a very sweet bird. With a wild bird you never know. They all have different personalities, just like we do. For now, White and Furiosa will continue to hunt together. He said caring for the bird has become a bonding time he spends with his 13-year-old daughter, Nichole, who he said will definitely be part of the next generation of falconers. haley.bruyn@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/HaleyWrites_BE Much has been said about millennials recently, most often focusing on how their habits have changed traditions and products. Branding agency Moosylvania has been studying millennial consumers for five years. Each year, the company asks members of the cohort how they view themselves, how they connect with brands and what emotions their favorite brands evoked during a recent 30-day span. Stay up to date on COVID-19 Get Breaking News Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Staff photo by Jessica Nuzzo Debbie Dillion holds her new baby Melody at Bluefield Regional Medical Center on Tuesday. Melody was the first baby born in the new year in Bluefield. Law comes in play providing stronger punishment for domestic violence By Gvantsa Gabekhadze A law drafted by the Georgian Interior Ministry has come into play which makes punishment stronger for family violence.The law reads that for the violation of the restraint orders an individual will face criminal charges.There will be no warnings. If the restraint order is violated, the individual will face a criminal charge, the ministry says.The previous record on the family violence will be regarded as an aggravating circumstance.Family violence will become punishable for two years in prison instead of the current one year.Sanctions will become stronger if the violence is committed to the presence of a minor.If a murder, damage to the health or bringing someone to suicide is motivated by gender, the sentence will be higher, the ministry reported.Figures released earlier by the countrys Interior Ministry saw about 2,000 people involved in domestic violence cases from 2007 to 2014.The Deputy Interior Minister of Georgia Natia Mezvrishvili stated in the summer that between January 1 and July 1 of 2018:The Interior Ministry launched an investigation for 2,804 facts of family crimes and criminal prosecution was enacted against 1,933 individuals, which equals the whole data of the previous year.1,328 individuals have been detained over the past six months for family violence.3,292 restrictive orders have been issued in the period, which is a doubled figure of the previous year data.The cases of violation of restrictive orders are low, amounting to 7 percent of the whole figure and mostly concern the cases when violators come closer to victims. Even for a last-minute town, we were still in shock when Neil Young announced in late April that he was getting the band back together Crazy By Trend Iran's non-oil foreign trade value stood at 4.93 billion U.S. dollars during the one-month period ending on Dec. 21, Eghtesadonline news website reported on Tuesday, Xinhua reports. The figure indicated a 34.27-percent decline in foreign trade value compared with the one-month period ending on Nov. 21, according to the report. Iran's exports amounted to 11.67 million tons worth 1.86 billion dollars for the mentioned month, while imports reached 2.37 million tons worth 3.07 billion dollars. The figures registered a trade deficit of 1.21 billion dollars in the month for the country. Non-oil goods refer to all commodities except crude oil. According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, oil-driven products and byproducts, as well as petrochemical products, are still categorized as non-oil commodities. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The EU foreign policy chief, on the eve of the New Year, said in an interview with the news website of the 'Live Mint' that the basis of the work of the European Union is the the International Atomic Energy Agencys reports, and the union is still committed to an agreement with Iran, Trend reports citing IRNA. Federica Mogherini, who ends his post as foreign policy chief of EU in 2019, cited the departure of the US from nuclear deal with Iran in 2018 as one of the most important events this year. 'You have called for Europe to defend its sovereignty by, for example, creating new structures that would allow it to continue to adhere to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran,' Mogherini said in response to a question. She also asked the question whether will such structures actually work, and could the special-purpose vehicle to maintain trade with Iran be used to counter other US sanctions. 'We are working, as a union of 28 member-states and with the rest of the international community, to preserve a nuclear agreement that has so far been implemented in full, as certified by the International Atomic Energy Agency in 13 consecutive reports,' Mogherini added. The EU foreign policy chief added, 'We do this because of our collective security: we do not want to see Iran developing a nuclear weapon, and the JCPOA is delivering precisely on that purpose. I start by saying this because I often hear that, on this issue, Europe is motivated mainly by economic or trade considerations. That is not the case: we do this to prevent a nuclear non-proliferation agreement that is working from being dismantled, and to prevent a major security crisis in the Middle East. She said, Part of this work requires us to guarantee that firms wanting to do legitimate business with Iran are allowed to do so. Mogherini went on to say that this is what 'we are working on right now: tools that will assist, protect, and reassure economic actors pursuing legitimate business with Iran'. She reiterated that It is true that the current situation has triggered a conversation on European economic sovereignty. We (Europeans) cannot accept that a foreign power even our closest friend and allymakes decisions over our legitimate trade with another country. This is a basic element of sovereignty, and it is only natural that this reflection takes place, not only in Europe, but in other parts of the world, too,' the top diplomat stressed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The office of South Korean President Moon Jae-in has welcomed the New Year's address by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a signal of his commitment to resolve the crisis on the peninsula, Trend reported citing Sputnik. According to the Yonhap news agency, the office said that the address reflected Kims desire to develop relations with both Seoul and Washington. "Chairman Kim's firm commitment is expected to have a positive effect on resolving the Korean Peninsula issue smoothly in the new year," spokesman for the office Kim Eui-kyeom said, as quoted by the agency. In his New Year's address to the nation, Kim confirmed that he was ready to improve relations with South Korea and the United States, and meet with US President Donald Trump "at any time." He, however, added that if Washington failed to deliver on its promises and continued enforcing sanctions, Pyongyang would have "no other choice but take a different path." In particular, Kim urged Washington not to deploy strategic weapons to South Korea and not to conduct drills that could be aimed against Pyongyang. In his address, Kim also conveyed greetings to South Korean people, noting the trend toward reconciliation, which resulted from his meetings with Moon in 2018. He also suggested reviving the operation of the South Korean industrial park near the North Korean city of Kaesong and the Mount Kumgang tourist resort. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Azerikimya, which is part of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), plans to increase production by 35-40 percent in 2019, SOCAR told Trend. Over 337,000 tons of such products as polyethylene, ethylene, propylene, liquid and heavy pyrolysis resin, butane-butylene fraction and absolute isopropyl alcohol were produced in 2018. Furthermore, in 2018, products of Azerikimya were exported to countries such as Turkey, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, China, Poland, the Czech Republic, Vietnam, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Lithuania. "Speaking about the possibilities of expanding the geography of supplies in 2019, we must take into account the fact that since September 2018, propylene is no longer exported, but transferred to SOCAR Polymer for the production of polypropylene," SOCAR said. Moreover, a part of ethylene, starting from January 2019, will also be sent to SOCAR Polymer as a raw material for the production of low-density polyethylene. "Thus, in 2019, a significant decrease is expected in export volumes of products directly by Azerikimya, because some of the products will serve as raw materials for the new plants of SOCAR Polymer, and they, in turn, will export more valuable products of advanced processing cycle, such as polypropylene and low pressure polyethylene (of high density)," SOCAR said. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) is one of the world's 50 largest oil companies. SOCAR's mission is to ensure the energy security of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Established in 1992, SOCAR aimed at manage Azerbaijan's oil resources on the basis of a single state policy, to improve the management structure of the oil industry and to ensure the development of fuel and energy complex. Three production divisions, one oil refineries and one gas processing plant, a deep water platform fabrication yard, two trusts, one institution, and 23 subdivisions are operating as corporate entities under SOCAR. SOCAR has a significant position in a number of regional and international energy projects. Currently, SOCAR is the only producer of oil products in the country, and also operates more than 370 filling stations in Switzerland, Georgia, Romania and Ukraine. It should be noted that SOCAR has recently launched production of nanoparticles. The necessary equipment for the production of nanoparticles was developed in partnership with the Russian company Rostov technologies. The produced nanoparticles will be used to make nanosystems that will help improve the efficiency of drilling, mining and other industrial processes. SOCAR is also co-owner of the largest Turkish petrochemical complex Petkim and other assets in Turkey. SOCAR will start construction of a new petrochemical complex in Turkey in 2019. As of December 2018, BP and SOCAR Turkey (a subsidiary of the SOCAR) signed a heads of agreement (HoA) to evaluate the creation of a joint venture that would build and operate a world-scale petrochemicals complex in Turkey. The facility would produce 1.25 million tons per annum (tpa) of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), 840,000 tpa paraxylene (PX) and 340,000 tpa benzene. BP and SOCAR expect to work towards a potential final investment decision in 2019, which can result in start-up of the new plant in 2023. So far, SOCAR Turkey has invested over $14 billion in the Turkish economy. Meanwhile, 5,000 people work in the company, while the export potential reaches $3 billion. The company has a controlling stake (51 percent) in the Petkim petrochemical complex on the Aliaga peninsula since 2008 and owns the STAR oil refinery. Star Oil Refinery that is the first Turkey-specific Industrial Zone opened in October 2018. Refinery will supply Petkim with raw materials. It is expected that Star will launch production of its first products this month. In addition, SOCAR hopes to complete the purchase of Turkish assets of the German energy giant EWE in the first quarter of 2019. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Hungary may provide opportunities for sale of traditional Azerbaijani goods in Europe, Hungarian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Viktor Szederkenyi told Trend. "Hungary may help Azerbaijani business to enter the European Union (EU) market, namely, to provide an opportunity for creating enterprises, investment opportunities, as well as the market for sale of traditional Azerbaijani goods," said the ambassador. He pointed out that Hungary offers for Azerbaijan new technologies and ready-made solutions in transportation, in urban planning, power supply, in the field of agricultural processing and the food industry. "Recently weve started a joint agricultural project in Xizi region: we build a modern greenhouse complex with financial support of EXIM Bank Hungary," said the envoy. Further, Szederkenyi said that Azerbaijan is the major foreign trade partner of Hungary in the South Caucasus region. "But nevertheless the current level of the mutual trade turnover does not reflect neither the potential of our economic cooperation nor the both strategic and friendly nature of our bilateral political relationship." He noted that the bilateral trade turnover grew by 8% percent and stood at $47 million in 2017, as compared to 2016. "In the first eight month of the year 2018 the positive tendencies continued: the Hungarian export increased by 34 percent and reached $42 million. The main positions of Hungarian export are: the well-known pharmaceuticals, HELL energy drinks, agrarian products and technologies, machines and equipment, food items," said the envoy. In order to boost the bilateral trade, Hungary believes that the two countries should improve the economic cooperation in the most promising sectors, which have been identified as priorities: agriculture and food industry, the development of infrastructure, energy sector, cooperation in water industry, ICT sector, transport and logistics, and the sphere of tourism. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Paul Whelan, the American citizen arrested in Moscow last Friday on charges of espionage, was visited by U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman on Wednesday, NBC News reports. Why it matters: It's unusual for such a high-ranking official to make this kind of visit, according to national security analyst Evelyn Farkas. Whelan is facing up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. Some intelligence experts believe he was detained as retribution for the arrest of confessed Russian agent Maria Butina. Details: Whelan is a 48-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran and "avowed Russophile" who was in Russia attending a wedding, according to The Daily Beast. He's the director of global security for an auto-parts supplier, BorgWarner, where he conducts investigations into "theft, fraud, sexual harassment, workplace violence" and other issues that affect the company. Whelan's job puts him in "frequent contact with a variety of federal agencies," and he has visited Russia several times since 2007. What they're saying: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is helping to open doors in Washington for Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez as part of his effort to push the Latin American nation to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Israeli officials said this was one of the reasons Netanyahu organized a trilateral meeting with Hernandez and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Tuesday in Brasilia on the sidelines of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's inauguration. Why it matters: U.S.-Honduran relations are currently tense over immigration issues, specifically migrant caravans. President Trump even threatened to cut U.S. aid to Honduras and other Central American countries if they do not stop their migrant flows to the U.S. Israeli officials said that Honduras had requested Israel's help in warming relations with the Trump administration as one of its conditions for moving its embassy to Jerusalem. Israeli officials who spoke to reporters on Netanyahu's plane back to Tel Aviv said Hernandez asked Netanyahu to get him a meeting with Pompeo because he couldn't reach him for a long time. They added that Netanyahu asked Pompeo to join his meeting with Hernandez, which dealt mainly with the issue of moving the Honduran embassy to Jerusalem. The short trilateral meeting lasted 15 minutes. The Israeli officials said Netanyahu told Pompeo that Israel is ready to help Honduras on issues like water and agriculture development, which pushed many Hondurans to attempt to head north. Netanyahu emphasized this to highlight why it would benefit the Trump administration to join in those efforts. After the meeting, they issued a joint statement which said the three countries agreed to strengthen political relations and coordinate greater cooperation on development in Honduras. What they're saying: The joint statement added, "They also agreed to pursue a plan of action which includes meetings in their three capitals to advance the process of the decision to open embassies in both Tegucigalpa and Jerusalem." The Israeli officials said they hope Honduras will move its embassy to Jerusalem within two months and Israel will open an embassy in Tegucigalpa during the same time frame. Go deeper: Australia to move its embassy in Israel to West Jerusalem During their meeting in Brasilia on Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to make a deal regarding the Trump administration's objections to a proposed $500 million deal for F-16 jets between Israel and Croatia, a senior Israeli official told reporters. Why it matters: Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said earlier this week that he was waiting for the outcome of the Pompeo-Netanyahu meeting and threatened to cancel the deal if Israel and the U.S. could not resolve their differences. The deal was supposed to be implemented before the end of 2018, but has been held up by the U.S. for almost two months. The Israeli official said the F-16 deal was the only issue Netanyahu and Pompeo could not make progress on in their meeting, adding the issue "is stuck in deep bureaucracy." As I reported last month, the Trump administration objects to the fact that Israel wants to sell Croatia 12 F-16 fighter jets with upgraded Israeli technology included in the planes. The U.S. wants Israel to return the jets to their original condition before transferring the jets to Croatia, but the Croatian government has demanded the "Israeli version" or has threatened to cancel the deal. Netanyahu is personally trying to solve the crisis, raising the issue in a phone call with former Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who rejected his request to soften the U.S. conditions for the deal. Israeli officials told me that Mattis' position practically killed the deal. Go deeper: U.S. lays out terms for $500 million Israel-Croatia arms deal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked President Trump for a gradual pullout of U.S. forces from Syria implemented over a lengthy period of time in their Dec. 20 phone call, an Israeli official told reporters who traveled with Netanyahu to Brazil for the inauguration of Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro. The big picture: Israel is concerned that a rapid U.S. withdrawal will embolden and encourage Iran to continue its military entrenchment in Syria. The official's statement echoed what Trump tweeted earlier Monday about U.S. forces "slowly" coming home from Syria. Israel was updated about Trump's Syria decision several days before the official announcement, according to the official, who added that Netanyahu spoke twice with Trump before and after the announcement and twice with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In addition, the IDF's chief of staff, Gadi Eizenkott, spoke several times over the last two weeks with Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Netanyahu will meet with Pompeo on Tuesday in Brasilia to further discuss the issue. After returning to Israel, Netanyahu will meet national security adviser John Bolton for dinner at his residence on Sunday and another working meeting next Monday. The Israeli official said Netanyahu is also planning on attending the World Economic Forum in Davos at the end of January and wants to meet Trump, who is also planning to attend. Netanyahu is set to discuss Israeli policy in Syria both during and after the planned U.S. pullout with Pompeo and Bolton. The Israeli official said, "We are going to continue the airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria regardless of the U.S. policy. We have shown this already, and it is a message to the Iranians that we are not going to back down." Go deeper: Netanyahu rejected Russian plan to work with U.S. on Syria, Iran Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel resigned amid a political crisis that began when a right-wing party quit his governing coalition over his decision to sign a UN global migration pact, the Financial Times reports. Why it matters: A dispute over migration nearly brought down Angela Merkel's government in Germany. Now, in Belgium, it has actually happened. Michel's resignation comes after his government, which no longer commands a majority in parliament, lost a no confidence vote brought by opposition parties. Go deeper: How Western nations are closing the door on refugees and migrants 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. Copyright 2020 by Mountain Times Publications. Digital or printed dissemination of this content without prior written consent is a violation of federal law and may be subject to legal action. Of custody and crypto The normally staid world of custody banking is now having to embrace the wild child of global assets: cryptocurrency. And this is happening just as bitcoin, the poster child of cryptocurrency, seesawed from US$30,000 one week to $40,000 the next, shedding then recovering 30% of its value. Some bitcoin bulls are talking of $100,000 by year-end News featured Legal cannabis good for fiber, food, medicine photo submitted A hemp plant, legally grown in Ashe County. photo submitted A closer look at a flowering hemp bud, legally grown in Ashe County. ASHE COUNTY Hemp became legal to grow and consume across the United States almost overnight after Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill, signed into law by President Donald Trump Dec. 20. According to Ashe County Cooperative Extension Director Travis Birdsell, hemps decriminalization is a potential game-changer for county agricultural production. When I say game-changer, I mean its going to change something, but we dont know how, Birdsell said. This is brand new the first time in my lifetime that weve had a brand new crop with the veil pulled away from it like that, almost overnight. Hemp also known by its scientific name, cannabis sativa is a plant that has been federally illegal since the 1930s, along with its counterpart, marijuana. While both hemp and marijuana are grown from cannabis sativa seeds, hemp contains high concentrations of the chemical CBD known as a cannabinoid whereas marijuana contains high concentrations of THC, another cannabinoid, according to Birdsell. Think of it like humans, Birdsell said. The difference between THC is testosterone, and CBD is estrogen. Both are produced in every person, but at different levels and even within a gender, the production amounts are different. Under the new farm bill, cannabis sativa plants containing less than 0.3 percent THC are now federally legal to grow and process, but anything grown above that slight threshold must be destroyed, according to Birdsell. Hemp plants are bred to naturally contain only a trace amount of THC and very high concentrations of CBD, the consumption of which does not produce the high that made marijuana infamous and illegal some 80 years ago. Hemp is the naturally occurring, kind of wild version, Birdsell said. Theyve had hemp growing in ditches in Kansas for decades. According to Birdsell, North Carolina has been operating a pilot hemp growing program, run through the N.C. Hemp Commission for several years prior to the 2018 Farm Bill. That pilot project had special license to operate within the parameters of the law as researching the possibilities of hemp, Birdsell said. What we were able to show is that theres a high demand for it, and people are really interested in it. There were two licensed hemp growers in Ashe County in 2018, Birdsell said. Theyve learned a lot, its one of those things where you start small and you get experience by doing, Birdsell said. We have several more folks that are interested and working towards obtaining the license. Now that hemp is legal on the federal scale, Birdsell said more all-encompassing research can be performed regarding the plants three primary uses: food, fiber and medicine. The seeds have nutritional value in them, its a natural grain extremely nutritious and its been eaten in other countries for hundreds of years, Birdsell said. Hemp makes really awesome shirts, and makes incredibly strong rope, and its all natural. Medicinally, CBD oils derived from hemp plants have shown significant benefit to individuals with epilepsy, with other medicinal uses also being researched, Birdsell said. Its a combination of something like wheat, cotton and tobacco, Birdsell said. We have had a dramatic increase in interest over the past several months. Now that hemp is a legal crop, Birdsell said growers can borrow money and get crop insurance from the federal government, in addition to fertilizing their fields and legally spraying their plants with EPA-labelled fungicides, insecticides and herbicides for protection. Furthermore, the quality of CBD oil can be more closely regulated now that hemp is legal. On a larger scale, hemps legalization will enable the United States to compete with hemp-producing countries around the globe, including China, the world leader. What this doesnt mean is that anyone can go out and grow CBD now that this has passed in the farm bill, thats still not the case, Birdsell said. You still have to go through the current application process with the North Carolina Hemp Commission. Because of hemps sibling-like relationship with marijuana, Birdsell said the federal government and local law enforcement will be closely monitoring growing operations to ensure plants do not exceed the 0.3 percent THC concentration that differentiates the legality of the different cannabis flowers. Hemp growers will need to file taxes as a farmer, because the government wants proof of a history of farming, according to Birdsell. This is farming, there should not be anything to hide with farming, Birdsell said. If you sign up for this, thats exactly what youre agreeing to. Challenges facing hemp production in Ashe County include its sensitivity to light and latitude, as well as its susceptibility to diseases, including some that plague North Carolina vegetable crops. Theres a lot of research to still be done on this, Birdsell said. Were learning planting times its going to be treated a lot like a tomato, where you cant plant a tomato seed and grow it to fruit maturity in our climate. You have to start with a seedling and transplant it outdoors so you have enough growing time to get a mature plant. Presently, it takes between 120150 days for a hemp plant to grow into maturity and begin to flower, Birdsell said. I fully predict that in five years or so well get that down to potentially 90 days, Birdsell said. The Ashe County Cooperative Extension is hosting a hemp program about essential production information, how to get a license and legal information at Family Central from 14 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, Birdsell said. People are going to have to reassess their opinions about hemp, and where their opinions were developed, Birdsell said. Is it because of their perception, or was it because of research-based information? In one episode of the comedians Netflix series, Patriot Act, Minhaj let loose on the Saudi governments murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Said government, unamused, demanded that Netflix block that episode from being streamed in the Kingdom, citing its law banning production, preparation, transmission, or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy. NPR Mary Ventura and the Ninth Kingdom is a piece Plath wrote when she was 20 and submitted to Mademoiselle magazine, which rejected it (too dark!). Faber, which is publishing it in January, lets us have an advance look. The Guardian The Arabic-language al-Ma'aloumah quoted a security sources within the Iraqi popular forces of Hashd al-Shaabi as reporting that a long convoy of the US army, including 50 vehicles carrying military hardware, crossed Kuwait's border and entered a region West of the town of al-Ramadi. U.S. Army Hummers loaded on flatbed trailers (Photo: Spc. Anthony Zane, 362nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment) Reported by Farsnews, it further said that each US army truck was carrying two Hummers and personnel-carrier vehicles, adding that the convoy had headed towards Ein al-Assad base Northwest of al-Ramadi. The website went on to say that the US convoy was backed up by warplanes, adding more US military convoys are expected to arrive at the base in the coming hours. A commander of the Iraqi popular forces of Hashd al-Shaabi disclosed earlier today that a long convoy of the US Army vehicles has left Syria for Ein al-Assad base in Anbar province. Al-Ma'aloumeh quoted the commander as saying that a long convoy of US troops has left Syria and arrived in Western Anbar. It further said that the US troops that were equipped with different weapons deployed in Ein al-Assad base in Anbar province under the US aerial backup. The news website ended with reporting that security measures along roads from Syria's border to Ein al-Assad base made it difficult to count the total number of the US forces in the convoy. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Submit Owosso, MI (48867) Today Rain showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving for the afternoon. High around 75F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low around 55F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. The Aviation Safety Network (ASN), the Dutch-based exclusive service of the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) has released its 2018 airliner accident statistics showing a total of 15 fatal airliner accidents, resulting in 556 fatalities. These include the non IATA airlines. The statistics are based on all worldwide fatal commercial aircraft accidents (passenger and cargo flights) involving civil aircraft carrying 14 or more passengers. Despite several high-profile accidents, the year 2018 was one of the safest years ever for commercial aviation, the organisation said. However, last year was worse than the five-year average. During 2018, ASN recorded 15 fatal airliner accidents resulting in 556 fatalities. This makes 2018 the third safest year ever by the number of fatal accidents and the ninth safest in terms of fatalities. The safest year in aviation history was 2017 with 10 accidents and 44 lives lost. Twelve accidents involved passenger flights, three were cargo flights. Three out of 15 accident airplanes were operated by airlines on the E.U. "blacklist", up by two compared to 2017. Given the estimated worldwide air traffic of about 37,800,000 flights, the accident rate is one fatal accident per 2,520,000 flights. Reflecting on this accident rate, Aviation Safety Network's CEO Harro Ranter (pictured right) said that the level of safety has increased significantly: "If the accident rate had remained the same as ten years ago, there would have been 39 fatal accidents last year. At the accident rate of the year 2000, there would have been even 64 fatal accidents. This shows the enormous progress in terms of safety in the past two decades." ASN commented that loss of control accidents are a major safety concern as this type of accident was responsible for at least ten of the 25 worst accidents. Most of those accidents were not survivable. The ASN figures do not include accidents involving military transport aircraft such as the April 11 accident involving an Algerian Air Force IL-76 transport plane that killed 257. Indeed when including this sector, the total number fatalities would be 917 in 25 fatal accidents. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Support local journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by making a contribution. Purchase an online subscription to our website for $7.99 a month with automatic renewal. Each online subscription gives you full access to all of our newspaper websites and mobile applications. To cancel you may contact Customer Service @ 256-235-9253 or email JPAYNE@ANNISTONSTAR.COM For a limited time, for NEW SUBSCRIBERS ONLY a NEW ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION is just $59.99 for the first year. Existing customers do not qualify for the specials! After the first year, well automatically renew your subscription to continue your access at the regular price of $69.99 per year. Please note *Your Subscription will Automatically Renew unless you contact Customer Service To Cancel* Samsung has put in a new patent application with the World Intellectual Property Organization that shows off a new use case for its flexible OLED display panels, and could very well be usable in a bezel-free device, depending on how its set up. The substrate shown has connector slots at the very edge, and is shown curving backward about 90 degrees. This means that the screen could potentially connect to the motherboard in a number of creative ways, opening up entirely new design possibilities for both folding and flat smartphones. Background: The patent here consists not only of the described substrate and connector, but also a number of potential display devices using those and various other parts. There are a grand total of 20 display device design claims in this patent, all centered around that bendable substrate and its back-facing connector. Some of the highlights include power supply and backlight holes surrounding the display area, power supplies fed through insulating layers laid atop the outer sides of the display, and even a design with a single contact hole that all of the substrates power and data goes through to get to the connector, and eventually to the motherboard. What all of these have in common is that they make it possible to use the substrate as a centerpiece for designs both conventional and unconventional, all within the same product. The plan seems to be, if Samsung does decide to actually use this patent, to pursue one or more of these proposed designs and put out a single display product that can be mass-produced and used across Samsungs product line and those of licensees, thereby reducing the overall cost of deployment and making life much simpler for repair outfits that may have to order and install replacement screens for devices that use this design. Impact: The most obvious use case for this is a totally bezel-free smartphone thats all-screen on the front, with a curved edge that ends only where the back half of the phone, and the plastic, metal, ceramic or other body material begins. While a small bezel could be required for some sensor hardware, the advent of display holes and continued research into ultrasonic and in-display solutions for both the fingerprint sensor and the proximity sensor could eventually lead to Samsung using this patent for a truly bezel-free device. It could also use this to create a lower-power and higher-durability standard smartphone, among other gadgets. A flexible screen doesnt necessarily have to flex or curve, after all. This could also be useful for foldable devices, or devices that are made to stand up to being accidentally bent, much like the old LG Flex lineup. As always, it should be noted that this is all simply conjecture at this point, and Samsung may have something different in mind entirely with this design. Likewise, it could be planning something that serves the same purpose as this design, but is not this design outright, and thus, it has come up with another method to achieve the same effect and want to keep competitors from using it. Samsung could also, of course, simply never make anything like this and just keep the patent in its back pocket. HMD Global will finally be releasing a true Android flagship in 2019, according to a new rumor that emerged online earlier today. The device in question is likely to debut as a direct successor to the Nokia 9 PureView, a handset thats been the subject of countless rumors and reports in recent months even though it has yet to be officially announced. And while the Nokia 9 PureView will launch as HMDs first high-end device of 2019, it wont be shipping with the very best hardware that many consumers and critics are now expecting from smartphones priced north of $800. Instead, the phablet will almost certainly be powered by the Snapdragon 845, Qualcomms 2018 chip whose successor has already been announced and will be commercialized in a matter of months. Consumers still wont have to wait until next year for a Nokia-branded device with the Snapdragon 855 as thats exactly what the follow-up to the Nokia 9 PureView is meant to be, according to the new report. The company is actually looking to take things even further and fully embrace new mobile technologies by implementing 5G support into the same Android smartphone, as per the same source. Embracing the bleeding edge The unnamed device is also said to be featuring a five-lens camera setup on the back, similar to the Nokia 9 PureView. Whether the two gadgets will share identical imaging hardware is still unclear, though HMD is at least bound to improve its mobile photography software between their releases, hence continuing its optimization efforts started some two years back. A 2K (QHD) display is also said to be part of the package, together with a largely bezel-free design featuring a front-camera hole instead of a more unbecoming notch, the new report suggests. HMDs second 2019 flagship is presently planned for an August launch but given how its still in development, the firm may end up revising that timeframe in the coming months. The handset vendor is currently also understood to be negotiating with American wireless carriers regarding a potential distribution partnership, the insider behind the new leak claims, though the companys officials already confirmed theyre exploring partnerships with U.S. operators last year. Advertisement Between 5G support and a better processor, the rumored flagship may end up being even more expensive than the Nokia 9 PureView which is now understood to be mere days from its official announcement. According to recent reports, that particular phablet will initially launch only in Euro and start at around 750, or just over $850. While HMDs decision to fully embrace Googles Android One program with all of its devices and commitment to arguably the fastest software updates in the industry are highly appealing to tech enthusiasts, the fact that the firms first high-end device of the year wont sport the very best processor available is likely to have an opposite effect. The cost of luxury While a truly ultra-premium device featuring the best specs offered by the tech industry should make HMDs Android portfolio more competitive, its also bound to eat into the companys profit margins, assuming the Finnish manufacturer will still be looking to price its upcoming handset in an attractive manner, much like its been doing with the rest of its products over the course of the last two years. Alternatively, the company may simply opt to raise the price of the Nokia 9 PureView successor but given how the said flagship will be launching in late summer, such a decision may not bode well for its prospects given how thats the same timeframe when Samsung will likely be debuting the Galaxy Note 10, whereas Apple is also expected to launch its new iPhones by September. In other words, pricing may be one of the few undisputed selling points HMDs final 2019 flagship will have over its closest rivals, so the company may end up lowering its profit margin in hopes of doing a better job at competing with the two tech behemoths. As Huawei is presumably also looking to refresh its Mate range with the Mate 30 circa October, the rumored launch window of the Nokia 9 PureView successor signals HMD finally believes its ready to take on the worlds largest handset vendors directly. Whether that means the company will finally bring a high-end device to the U.S. remains to be seen, though its officials were never reluctant to say the upper price bracket of the stateside market is their long-term goal, so 2019 may be the year wherein the smartphone vendor finally pulls the trigger on offering a Nokia flagship to American consumers, something that has yet to happen in the brands post-Microsoft era. Google won a decisive victory over the weekend in a 2016 case stemming from an alleged violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, Reuters reports. Publicly available documents associated with the case note that the legislation makes it unlawful to collect and store certain types of biometric data without consent. Plaintiffs in the $5 million suit had claimed that Googles Photos application had been involved in those activities without users permission. In total, they called for up to $5,000 in fees for every instance in which Google intentionally breached the privacy law and as much as $1,000 for every violation resulting from negligence. The search giant argued and US District Judge Edmond Chang agreed that the case should be dismissed on the grounds that no plaintiffs were actually harmed by its use of images uploaded to the service. One win amidst a series of less decisive outcomes Googles been no stranger to privacy-driven cases over the past twelve months, facing heavy scrutiny at the global scale but also at home alongside Facebook and Twitter. In at least two instances the company has been forced to stand before legislative branches of the US government to answer questions regarding its privacy policies and how it handles consumer data. In at least one instance, the Alphabet subsidiary was forced to admit that mistakes had been made in its management of that data. Google faced a similar grilling in the EU and in Russia, with outcomes ultimately landing the company with hefty fines and policy changes with regard to requirements for some of its products. For example, in one instance, the company was forced to allow users of its mobile browser Chrome to opt out of Google Search in favor of a competing service. None of those cases appears to have had a significant impact on the company or its bottom line so far and some in the US have been anything but decisive. Advertisement A second, more recent hearing for the company saw CEO Sundar Pichai facing allegations of political bias and playing a defensive position regarding its decision to bring a military AI project called Project Maven to an end. Simultaneously, Mr. Pichai questioned about another apparent human rights issue it was alleged to be taking part in through a China-specific search engine codenamed Project Dragonfly. The opposition to Project Dragonfly was also grounded in sentiments about privacy rights since the search engine would have allegedly been subject to oversight by Chinese officials. As a result, it would have also been heavily censored against fairly mundane search terms such as Nobel prize winner or student protests and could have been used to help the authorities track and influence citizens. That project was eventually shuttered but Google was still subject to a great deal of backlash from both the public and its own employees because of the practices it took part in to keep Dragonfly under wraps. This is a much less complex issue The latest ruling in favor of the company seems to have been begun from a much less complex starting point to prior cases. Based on the language used to describe the alleged violations, the suit appears to have been brought in response to one of the apps primary features. Google Photos automatically seeks to identify people in photos uploaded to the storage-centric service for sorting and search functionality. The suit alleged that the practice of creating a template for identification using a Photos users biometric features is a violation of the above-mentioned legislation. As a well-advertised core feature of the app and because the data doesnt appear to have been used outside of that context, the victory isnt necessarily surprising. Google announced that it was bringing Messaging to Maps back in November, so that users could message businesses and ask questions like, are you open today, or do you have this or that, etc. However, it took until the new year to actually roll out this feature to Google Maps. Now you will be able to message businesses via their business profiles on Google Maps. Its a feature that should prove to be very useful for most people, and much more useful than adding messages to YouTube. On the surface, this may not seem like all that important of a feature to add to Google Maps, but it turns out it is. Many Google Maps users ask questions in their review of a business on the platform, and those questions never get answered, or it is asked on another review and the person thinks they are being asked that question, so the question doesnt get a good answer. Its unfortunate, but thats how Google Maps was set up. Now, Google is allowing users to ask these businesses directly these questions, and they arent out in the open either, which is a nice touch. Though if enough people are asking the same question, business owners may want to update their Google Maps profile with that information (like holiday hours). Not all Businesses support Messaging Advertisement Out of the gate, not all businesses support messaging, its something that businesses are going to need to opt into, so that over time you should see more and more businesses support messaging. Making it an opt-in thing is actually a really good decision on Googles part. As businesses need to have the Google My Business app installed to reply to messages anyways, and without that, your message would never get read. Currently there are a very small number of businesses that support it mostly mom and pop places and not big chain places. But when you come across a business that does support it, there will be a Message option on their listing. Itll be in the row with Directions, Call, Save and Share Place. Just hit the Message button and send your message to the business. This can be anything from what hours are they open on a specific holiday, or if a restaurant can handle a party of 20 people on Friday night, etc. It is essentially aimed at reducing th e number of calls being executed. When businesses do reply, it will show the individuals name. So that if the business issues smartphones to all of the managers at that business, they can each install the app and make sure messages arent being left unread or not replied too. It will also show the users name under their message. So if you asked the business something and then you get their and they say they cant do that, you can tell them who you were speaking with. Google Maps competing with Facebook Messenger and iMessage Advertisement This is a feature that Facebook and Apple have built into their messaging apps already. With Facebook, its pretty simple, since most of these businesses will already have a Facebook page, you can message them through there as they wont need to create a page or profile to respond to messages. And it works the same way in iMessage. Though the difference with Apple/Facebook and Google is the fact that Apple and Facebook are doing this through their messaging apps, and not through a navigation or Maps app like Google is. Its making it a bit more inconvenient to message companies, but Google says that this is so that you dont accidentally message a business something you wanted to send to your mom, or maybe your significant other. Google could also use this to compete with Twitter in the long run. Many businesses use Twitter for Customers Support inquiries to help out their customers. Of course, many do also ask simple questions like what time the business is open today or on a holiday. So if Google Maps messaging does take off, they could use this to compete with Twitter as well, which would be impressive to say the least, though it would take quite a bit of work to take a chunk of Twitters customer support traffic away from them. Yet Another Google Service With Messaging Advertisement Lately, Google has made it known that it really doesnt know what it wants to do when it comes to messaging. It has decided that it is going to shut down Allo this year and Hangouts around next year (after Hangouts Chat and Meet are available to all). Yet, Google has decided to launch messaging in Google Maps for some reason. While it makes sense to have it in Maps and not part of Android Messages, it is still fragmentation, and its going to get confusing real quick. Google has had messaging support in just about every app it has. And recently it added messaging to YouTube. Its a feature that sounds cool, as you can message your favorite YouTubers, but in reality it will likely only be used for messaging viewers that theyve won a giveaway or something similar. This is part of Google just looking to copy features from its competitors, to its own services. And messaging isnt the only thing that theyve copied in recent months. Stories in YouTube is another big one. Though that is also something that virtually everyone has copied from Snapchat. Facebook was first to copy it and bring it over to Instagram, then Facebook, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. And now Facebook has more monthly Stories users on each of its service than Snapchat does. Messaging in Google Maps should be live for everyone now (if not, within the next few days). We will still need to wait for businesses to add Messaging to their listings on Google Maps though, before we can really message businesses. But this is something that should really take off in the coming months, as it is going to be a much simpler way to ask questions to businesses, instead of having to call them and sit on hold for quite a while. This enormous structure rising over the desert sands near the Euphrates River resembles a sandstone butte but is actually made of mud-bricks, and is about 3,400 years old. The structure was originally a ziggurat standing some 60 meters tall with a foundation about 70 meters square. What remains today is the core; the rest was destroyed along with the city of Dur-Kurigalzu that was invaded by the Elamites in the 12th century BC. Dur-Kurigalzu was founded in the early 14th century BC by King Kurigalzu of the Kassite Dynasty. It served as the capital of the Kassites as they ruled over Babylonia without interruption for almost four hundred yearsthe longest rule by any dynasty in Babylonian history. Dur-Kurigalzu, or the 'fortress of Kurigalzu', is located near the Aqar Quf depression, about 30 kilometers west of the center of Baghdad. It was positioned to protect an important trade route that led east across the Iranian plateau to Afghanistan, the source of lapis lazulia semi-precious stone with an intense blue color. At its peak, the city covered 225 hectares and was enclosed by a large wall. The city had an elongated shape and featured several mounds, perhaps reflecting a functional separation of the parts of the site. The most visible monument was the ziggurat devoted to the main god of the Babylonian pantheon, Enlil. For centuries, camel caravans and later modern road traffic used the ziggurat as a landmark on their way to Baghdad. Locals called it the Hill of Nimrud which caused many western travellers to confuse it with the Tower of Babel. The ziggurat is highly eroded and is in the risk of collapsing, but it is the erosion that makes the ziggurat so valuable to architectural historians because it exposes the details of construction that are not readily available in any other temple tower. Nowhere else are the layers of reed mats and reed bundles that hold the structure together and offset differential settling as visible as they are here. The site was first identified in the early 19th century, and the lowest terrace of the ziggurat was excavated in the 1940s. The first level was restored by the Saddam Hussein government during the 1970s. The leading image of this article is from the book By Nile and Tigris : a narrative of Journeys in Egypt and Mesopotamia on behalf of the British Museum between the years 1886 and 1913. Aerial image of the ziggurat captured during an air trip to Baghdad via Amman. Photo credit: US Library of Congress The ziggurat of Dur-Kurigalzu after it was restored The ziggurat of Dur-Kurigalzu after it was restored. The photo was taken in 2010. Photo credit: Spc. David Robbins Saudi Arabia is exploiting American goodwill and sheltering a citizen who killed a high school student while here as a student, a genuine outrage worthy of the sort of pressure that has been suggested for use against the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Abdulrahman Sameer Noorah, a Saudi national who was in the U.S. on a student visa attending Portland Community College, was under house arrest in June 2017 after being charged in the hit-and-run death of 15-year-old high school sophomore Fallon Smart. But just nine days prior to his trial and despite wearing a U.S. Marshals Service GPS ankle monitor, Noorah vanished. Saudi authorities now admit that Noorah is back home, having arrived a week after his disappearance from Portland. Local news outlets are reporting that the Saudi consulate may have aided in his escape by providing transportation and a false passport. Photo credit: Multnomah County Sheriff Noorah's reported behavior was egregious. Fallon was killed in August 2016 while crossing the street at a crosswalk when Noorah drove around cars ahead of him that were stopped to let the girl cross. He was driving 55 to 60 mph in a 25 mph zone when he struck her with his gold Lexus and then drove off. Her head hit and cracked the windshield. ... At the time of his arrest, Noorah was driving on a suspended license for 17 parking violations and one previous charge of driving on a suspended license for not having insurance. That shows contempt for us and our laws. He later returned to the scene of the crime, was arrested, his passport confiscated, and released on a $100,000 bond posted by the Saudi consulate (presumably in Los Angeles), wearing an ankle bracelet. Somehow or other he managed to get a passport and a plane ticket back home, where he now shelters, raising deep suspicion that the Saudi government helped him escape justice. Saudi Arabia does not have an extradition treaty with the United States. This protects American citizens from extradition to Saudi Arabia for violating its religious laws, among other benefits, but it allows scofflaws to kill our citizens and escape justice unless Saudi Arabia decides on its own to return him to the United States. I wish President Trump, the Washington Post, and the rest of the swamp in D.C. cared as much about the death of American Fallon Smart as they did about the death of a Saudi secret agent. While the killing and dismemberment of Jamal Khashoggi, a secret agent masquerading as a journalist, was a distasteful action by Saudi Arabia, it shouldn't be a huge issue for the United States. Not only did it take place on foreign soil, but it took place on Saudi soil, within the Saudi diplomatic establishment in Istanbul. Most of the American outrage that was ginned up was because of the big lie, endlessly repeated, that Khashoggi was a "journalist" working for the Washington Post. Mark Steyn explains the duplicity upon duplicity of the fraud sold to the American public and only belatedly and obscurely confessed by the Washington Post: The Washington Post, now publishes a story blandly headlined "Khashoggi's Final Months: An Exile in the Long Shadow of Saudi Arabia" and way, way deep into the piece, you realize it's not an elegy at all but a modified, limited hang-out to get the Post off an awkward hook and discreetly disclose they were duped: Perhaps most problematic for Khashoggi were his connections to an organization funded by Saudi Arabia's regional nemesis, Qatar. 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. Khashoggi also appears to have relied on a researcher and translator affiliated with the organization[.] ... Editors at The Post's opinion section, which is separate from the newsroom, said they were unaware of these arrangements[.] You don't say. In contrast to the Post's shifty, evasive, passive, woozy, blurry headline, Asharq al-Awsat puts the only real news in the story up in its headline: Text Messages Reveal Khashoggi's 'Problematic' Ties with Qatar So what exactly is "problematic" about it? In early August, Salem prodded Khashoggi to write about Saudi Arabia's alliances 'from DC to Jerusalem to rising right wing parties across Europe...bringing an end to the liberal world order that challenges their abuses at home.' Khashoggi expressed misgivings about such a strident tone, then asked, 'So do you have time to write it?' 'I'll try," she replied. So in other words The Washington Post passed off foreign-government propaganda as an authentic op-ed opinion column. Khashoggi wasn't a journalist at all, notwithstanding that pathetic Time "Person of the Year" cover whose truth didn't even make it to December 31st. This is "problematic" not so much for Khashoggi, whose various body parts are pushing up daisies in various bits of scrub around Turkey, but for the Post. Indeed, Liz Sly, the Washington Post Beirut bureau chief, concedes that it's not only "problematic" but rises to the level of "worrying": Worryingly, an executive for the Qatar Foundation helped Jamal Khashoggi write some of his columns and the @washingtonpost didn't know. It's a lot more than "worrying". Mainstream media chumps' view of their own profession is a combination of sentimentalized pomposity so deeply ingrained that they can't even tell, even when it's staring them in the face, that they've been played for rubes. They're the rubes playing the rest of us for rubes. But if the Saudi diplomats in America helped one of their own skip out on bail and now shelter him in their country, they, too, are playing us for rubes. Saudi Arabia insists that foreigners who visit it behave by the norms of Saudi society. No short skirts on women. No drinking, at least in public. And never any disrespect shown to their religion or its prophet. We have the right to insist that Saudis visiting this country play by our rules, too. Anything less puts us in the position of a colonized country offering extraterritoriality to foreigners. The threat posed by Middle Eastern terrorists has been shrinking for some time. Even during the war against the Islamic State, Russian speakers from former Soviet countries were already committing many of the major attacks in the West. Those included relatively simple lone-wolf events, such as the 2017 truck strikes on pedestrians in New York and Stockholmboth conducted by Uzbeksbut also more complicated operations, such as the 2016 suicide bombing of Istanbuls airportwhich was allegedly organized by a Russian nationaland the 2017 attack on a nightclub in the same city, led by an Uzbek. Vera Mironova, writing in Foreign Policy, says that in 2019, the terrorists menacing the west will not primarily be from the Middle East. Look to Russia's Muslim provinces for the "New face of terrorism." There are several reasons for the relative increase in anti-Western terrorism coming out of the post-Soviet world. For starters, in recent years Middle Eastern jihadis have been too preoccupied with local conflicts in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen to head elsewhere. The pull of the Islamic State, meanwhile, has faded after its almost total defeat in Iraq and Syria. At the same time, the wars in the Middle East have transformed militants from Russian-speaking areas, who previously focused on fighting repressive governments at home, into global terrorists. By 2017, at least 8,500 fighters from former Soviet republics had flocked to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State. That experience gave many of these jihadis their first taste battling U.S. and NATO troops, and it left them looking for vengeance, convinced that future operations should be aimed at the West. As a practical matter, this means that US and the west must change their strategies. Muslims from the old Soviet provincies can travel to the west far easier than a terrorist who uses passports from Iraq, Syria, or Yemen. Having escaped the reach of the U.S. military, they may find it easier to bring their plots to fruition. Local sympathies will help. Government neglect and outright repression have made religious Muslims in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan attractive targets for radicals looking for new recruits. Several popular sheikhs from the Middle East, including the Saudi cleric Abdulaziz al-Tarefe, now have significant Russian- and Arabic-language followings on social media. As the locus of terrorism changes, the United States and its allies will have to update their strategies for fighting it. Over the last two decades, Washington built up a huge bureaucracy around Middle Eastern terrorism. Untold millions of dollars were poured into finding and training Arabic-speaking researchers and analysts. According to data from a critical language scholarship program run by the U.S. government, out of 550 university students who will be admitted in 2019, 105 will be studying Arabic and only 60 Russian. Another likely place where terrorism will originate is in Chechnya, where thousands of radicalized Muslims - many of them ISIS veterans - could threaten western targets in addition to Russian targets. The Tsarnev brothers who carried out the Boston bombings in 2013 apparently had a personal beef with the US, but others may see attacking Americans a better way to publicize their cause. Letting down our guard is not an option. Let me say this about President Andres Lopez-Obrador of Mexico: he is creative and not following the left-wing script. He wants to create a tax-free zone on the border, something that no leftist in Mexico ever mentioned before. In a bid to reduce migration to the U.S. and attract investment, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has proposed the creation of economic "free zones" along the U.S.-Mexico border. The Tax Incentive Decree for the Northern Border Region, which Lopez Obrador announced Saturday, would create a free zone that would stretch from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Coast and be more than 15 miles wide, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Inside the zone, income taxes would be reduced by a third and Value Added Taxes on imported goods would be slashed in half, the minimum wage would increase 100 percent, and fuel prices would equal U.S. prices, the report said. "It's going to be the biggest free zone in the world," Lopez Obrador said. "It is very important to project for winning investment, creating jobs and taking advantage of the economic strength of the United States." Again, this is not a new idea. I've heard it from many Mexicans who don't understand why people are coming over here to do what they could be doing in Mexico. As a Mexican friend asked years ago, why send people up there to work? Why not bring the jobs down here? At least the employer and employee would be paying taxes in Mexico. The plant would pay property taxes and buy basic supplies down there. President Lopez-Obrador gets it when it comes to Mexicans migrating to the U.S. In other words, he understands that Mexico benefits from "remittances" but loses in the long run because the jobs are in the U.S. So create a "tax incentive zone" and make it more profitable for U.S. companies to hire these people in Mexico rather than in Texas? It's always made sense to me and will reduce the illegal immigration flow. It won't end it all, but a big chunk of it will vanish. Last, but not least, it shows me that President Lopez-Obrador and President Trump are communicating a lot better than most expected. I wonder when the Mexican left turns on LO for being a puppet of Trump. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. Wait. Those headlines don't exist. Part of the reason is that 75% of government is fully funded through next September. But another reason why this shutdown isn't impacting citizens is that much of government is unnecessary and redundant. The partial government shutdown goes on with little hope of resolution. Democrats want to test Donald Trump's resolve on border wall funding by proposing a plan to reopen the government without any money for a wall. With Trump having gone this far, you would think he'll maintain his position despite the daily headlines of people starving in the streets, old people getting kicked out of their homes, health care being denied to babies because there's no money, and... Christopher Buskirk: Maybe what we learned from the shutdown is that for all of the talk, all of the money, all of the skyrocketing debt, the federal government is mostly non-essential. The State Department? Mostly unnecessary and designed for another era. If the president wants to talk to the leader of Burkina Faso, he can send him an email. Instead of the diplomacy in service of American interests, State has become mostly a colonial office for our post Cold War policy of moral imperialism. And State is one of the original cabinet level departments which we actually need in some much more limited capacity. It gets worse from there. The myriad departments and agencies, variously referred to as 'the bureaucracy', 'the administrative state', or more malevolently 'the deep state', represent much of the swamp that President Trump promised to drain. In that regard, the partial shut-down can be seen as consistent with his larger platform. But he should make it permanent. Here are some concrete ideas for the president to win the politics of the shutdown and do some good for the country at the same time: Buskirk believes we can make the shutdown a feature, not a bug: 1. Propose the permanent shuttering of non-essential cabinet level departments. Closing the Department of Energy would save $32.5 billion, Department of Commerce, $61.8 billion, and the Department of Education, $59.9 billion. These are not new or radical ideas for Republicans. Reagan tried to close the Department of Education in 1981. And the current Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry, proposed closing his own Department when running for president. Are they really non-essential? In a word, yes. But let me put it in perspective with a few questions: The Department of Education was created in 1979. Does anyone believe that American education has improved since then? Does anyone think American commerce would cease if the department were closed? 2. Offer early retirement to non-essential federal employees who have been furloughed. This is common practice in the private sector. It would help make the federal government more efficient, thus reducing a drag on the economy, and would allow those people to pursue more productive employment while giving them the financial security to make the transition. 3. Encourage Congress to reassert its constitutional power as the primary lawmaking body of the federal government. Congress long ago ceded this authority to the deep state which is unelected, unaccountable, and makes far more law than Congress. For example, in 2016, Congress passed 214 bills which became law while the deep state made 3,853 'rules' with the force of law. 4. Return power to state and local government. Good, solid conservative ideas, all of which have been proposed at one time or another over the last few decades. But despite the partial shutdown, government continues to function with only minor interruptions. The reason for that is redundancy. Back in 1979, when Jimmy Carter proposed spending about $6 billion to fund a brand new Department of Education (F.Y. 2019 budget is $60 billion), one of the strongest selling points was that education programs were scattered in every department and agency across the government. Just think how much money we can save if we bring all those programs under the control of one, federal department! It didn't work. Today, there are still education programs in many federal agencies, and the Education Department has become a gigantic presence. I'm not sure that getting rid of all those departments would be beneficial. But cutting them down to size and limiting their scope should certainly be considered by the president. The American media is so vested in the failure of President Donald John Trump that it turned inside out Kim [Jong un]'s New Year's message of peace. Don Surber spotted the first instance of fake news on 2019, and it only took a few hours. Reports outside the United States, in South Korea, where the issue is a matter of life and death, saw an encouraging message: First, this is how the Korea Herald reported the story: "The North Korean leader on Tuesday reiterated his determination to achieve complete denuclearization and also called for economic development in his annual New Year's address, stressing the need to strengthen the North's defense. "In the address, Kim Jong-un highlighted last year's developments in inter-Korean and US-North Korea relations, while calling on his country to seek economic development and modernize its defense industry. "Kim delivered the address while sitting on a sofa in an office with portraits of his father, Kim Jong-il, and grandfather Kim Il-sung in the background. His previous New Year's addresses had taken place in more formal settings, with Kim standing at a podium. Interesting, this choice of a business suit and a casual setting. In dictatorships, such contextual clues usually tell us a lot about what the tyrant is trying to communicate. In Seoul, they picked up the positive nuance: While Kim's address included conditions for further talks with the US, Seoul welcomed the speech as a sign of the North Korean leader's willingness to improve inter-Korean relations and achieve denuclearization. But as Don shows, this was much too positive a message for CNN: CNN's headline was, "Kim Jong Un says North Korea isn't making nukes, warns US on sanctions." To illustrate the report, CNN used a file photo of him in his gray dictator garb rather than the business attire he actually wore in his speech. Its story began, "North Korean leader Kim Jong Un affirmed his apparent commitment to denuclearization during an annual New Year's address Tuesday, but warned that he may need to pursue 'a new way' if the United States continues to make 'one-sided demands' of Pyongyang." CNN substituting the formal Mao-suit dictator setting for the actual Western business-suit picture of the genuine address looks a lot like lying to me. A Trump success with North Korea would be anathema to his many media enemies, even though it would be a huge benefit to America and the world. Paraphrasing Lindsey Graham, they'd rather Trump fail than America succeed. As that seeps in, it will help President Trump's re-election prospects. Three Cheers for American Nationalism During recent months, President Trump has been assailed by shrieking critics within the U.S. and overseas by French president Emmanuel Macron, regarding Mr. Trump's enthusiastic endorsement of the concept of American nationalism. Many NeverTrumps and neocons are charging that nationalism in America equals white supremacy, a forerunner to Nazism. Nothing is farther from the truth. Their hysterical assertion is extremely misguided, or a deliberate attempt to once again besmirch Mr. Trump, just as they did when they blamed him for the anti-Semitism and massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue, despite the fact that the shooter was anti-Trump and the president has been the most pro-Israel and genuinely Jewish-friendly president we have ever witnessed. Loving America is a good thing inasmuch as America is a good country. As with any institution, including marriage and family, nothing is perfect, but America was founded on highly moral and workable principles and has consistently provided more fair pay, opportunity, and decency than any country in the history of the world. America is the first choice for those around the world seeking a haven or place to find work and dignity, and it deserves to be loved. It is a badge of honor to identify with America as a nation. Loving this nation and its people is highly proper and commendable inasmuch as the American people themselves are a good people. For over a half-century, I have traveled across America and, precisely because of my yarmulke, have been greeted with enthusiasm and warmth by strangers due to their sense of spiritual and civic kinship with a member of the Jewish faith, whose biblical testament had so much to do with the founding of this country and whose ancestral nation of Israel is so deeply ingrained within their outlook. Contrary to what liberal Northeasterners often accuse, I have been treated with utmost respect and sincere friendship by those in the Deep South. News flash to NeverTrumps and neocons: America is not Nazi Germany. Being a super-patriot, or putting America first, is what we should do. In the Pledge of Allegiance, we Americans refer to ourselves as one nation under God. Nationhood and nationalism are normal, natural instincts. On the contrary, to equate American nationalism with something evil is strange and purposely inflammatory. It reveals the accuser's deep insecurity and discomfort with America itself. Worse, to imply that those who are nationalists or patriotic are somehow white supremacists, Nazis inchoate, or racist is itself bigotry, a racism, against millions of white Americans who harbor in their heart no animosity or malevolence, but rather the simple and laudable feeling of loving their country above other countries. Who implanted within the psyche of those maligning American nationalism such disdain for fellow Americans and country? Where did this predisposition to impugn the motives of unabashedly patriotic Americans come from? It is hateful. Are "good" people only those who are against American nationalism or criticize America? When candidate Trump spoke of America First, an array of critics, such as Bill Kristol, Jennifer Rubin, Mona Charen, Max Boot, and David Frum, arose to accuse Trump of being a follower of the anti-Semite Charles Lindbergh, who used that phrase almost a century ago when asking that America not get involved in a far-off European war. But, just as American nationalism does not mean white supremacy or Nazism, America First is, similarly, not a call to anti-Semitism. Those who may wish to politically tarnish President Trump may try to convince us to read it that way. Those who feel insecure and lack confidence in the inherent goodness of the majority of the American people may feel threatened by such phrases. But the preponderant meaning of nationalism is patriotism and love of country, and the basic reading of America First is exactly what President Trump has in mind: placing American workers first, placing America's military and American lives first, putting America's security and the protection of its citizens first. That is how it should be! When asked to choose, we should always place our families and country first. The opposite of that is globalism or trans-nationalism. Those who purposely conjure up Nazi phraseology of "blood and soil" to describe American nationalism are propagandists. The left, and neocons, should stop hijacking and redefining the American language. In contrast to Trump, Macron and Germany's Merkel are globalists, European socialists. They are strong advocates for a European Union that erases borders between European countries so that when a jihadist enters one country, he is free to enter another country or city like Strasbourg. The leaders of these countries willingly forfeit their economic autonomy to bureaucrats in Belgium who decide everything, from business regulations to weights, measures, and slogans. This is a total loss of national sovereignty. It has resulted in a severe diminution of those cultural and traditional values and rituals that determine a country's identity and end up erasing its history. President Trump, as most Americans, doesn't want this for America. We are not trans-nationalists; rather, we are nationalists who love our history and identity and are proud of who we were and who we are. Those on the left are not proud of our history and identity. As anti-nationalists, they want us to transform and become like Europe, the vision of Merkel, Macron, Obama, and Clinton. Macron's turn against nationalism is part of a surrender and appeasement. Due to decades of vast, unfettered immigration into France from Islamic countries, Macron sees how Islamic culture and sharia outlook are overwhelming and overriding what was the French culture. Like Merkel, he is unwilling to undertake the politically incorrect fight to reverse this awful trend. In an act of appeasement, masquerading as a lofty call against nationalism, Macron is announcing that France (he) will not make the immigrant community conform to French values. Rather, he is allowing the destiny of France to be determined by the most contrary and aggressive: the North African immigrants. France will be what it will be forced to become. He is saying that what was is no longer important. Nationalism, according to Macron, is no longer vital. The "new" France will be unrecognizable; it will morph into how the non-nationalists and sharia-ists decide France should look. France's destiny, its future, will not be tied to its past. Macron, the anti-nationalist, the universalist, has thrown in the towel...and with it, French patriots. So did Obama, and so, most likely, will anyone chosen to run as a Democrat presidential candidate. The job of a courageous leader is to stifle those on the extreme who, but a sliver, would hijack the necessity and majesty of nationalism for a racist cause. But though keeping an open eye to quash it, the much larger focus and intent should be to put one's country first and inspire a nationalism that ushers in a great era. President Trump is on track doing that. Rabbi Spero is author of Push Back, president of Caucus for America, and spokesman for the newly created National Conference of Jewish Affairs. Pelosi, her fellow Democrats and fake news media seek to prevent our side from using the word morality in the political arena. Any Republican and conservative who dares bring up the morality of an issue is immediately branded a religious nut, trying to force their wacko outdated values onto the public. Democrat Nancy Pelosi said Trump's border wall is immoral and too expensive. Hearing Pelosi lecture Trump and the American people about morality is beyond repulsive. Pelosi and her minions are flooding the airwaves with their absurd perverted narrative that building a wall (to protect Americans) is immoral. Meanwhile, these wicked Democrats who refuse to secure our borders live in highly secured and gated communities. Using their logic, shouldn't stopping people from invading their personal properties make Democrats immoral? As I said, Democrats having the gall to throw morality into the face of Trump and everyday Americans who desire a secure border is pretty obnoxious. Here are examples of Democrats' twisted view of morality. Democrats have forced LGBTQ lessons into schools. Funded by LGBTQ special interest groups like Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood's Sex Ed program are infecting curriculum in public schools across America. Brace yourself. Kids are actually being instructed in dangerous and violent sexual practices such as asphyxiation and BDSM. Planned Parenthood was caught on video advising a 15-year-old girl to allow her boyfriend to beat, whip and gag her. To deceive parents, Planned Parenthood claims their sex ed includes abstinence. However, PP's definition of abstinence includes anal sex, oral sex, masturbation and mutual masturbation. Students are also taught gender-bending and rimming, which is extremely risky due to horrific parasitic infections. What twisted view of morality causes Democrats to desire to fill children's heads with adult sexual practices as early as pre-k? Democrat culture-warrior and Trump-hater Perez Hilton tweeted: To my fellow homos and all who like rimming... be extra careful whose ***hole [my edit] you eat. Tom DeLay exposed a Democrat secret memo in which Obama's DoJ's plans to legalize 12 perversions which includes bestiality, polygamy and make having sex with little boys legal. The secret memo mapped out how Democrats would attack churches who refuse to submit to having their constitutional religious liberty taken away. Folks, this is the new twisted morality the Democratic Party is aggressively seeking to normalize and cram down our throats via government mandates. Here is more weird Democratic morality. Democrats know that over 600 convicted criminals, gang members, and drug cartel minions were in the caravan, seeking to force their way into our country. Insanely, Democrats say that we Americans have no moral authority to keep anyone out of our homeland. Democrats say the idea of having borders is hateful, mean, and racist. Democrats want to get rid of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), claiming it is evil. Meanwhile, Pelosi excoriated Trump for badmouthing illegal gang members who murder, rape, and rob Americans. This woman has a perverted sense of morality. Thank God President Trump shares the same commonsense morality as the American people. President Trump met with families who have suffered horrific losses at the hands of illegal aliens. Trump announced a new office at DHS titled VOICE (Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement). VOICE gives a voice to families devastated by illegal aliens. In its opening months, VOICE has registered over 2800 families to receive information on their perpetrator; tracking them so they cannot harm anyone again. VOICE provides grief services and follows up on cases; making sure criminal alien perpetrators are detained, removed, and deported. In respect and compassion for victimized American families, Trump pledged to act with strength and resolve to secure our borders. Void of sympathy or compassion for Americans, Pelosi and her fellow Democrats are hellbent on blocking president Trump from securing our southern border. Democrats ignore the economic and physical pain and the suffering open borders cause the American people. Our border wall will cost upwards of $25 billion. Democrats have the audacity to say that the wall is too expensive. Meanwhile, Democrats shower illegal aliens with $135 billion annually in giveaways. How can Democrats, with a straight face, tell us that $25 billion is too much? Democrats know fake news media will help them feed the American people any bogus narrative they desire. This emboldens Democrats to lie with impunity, be hypocritical, and lecture us about morality. The truth is that the Democrats' agenda is the height of immorality, evil from the pits of hell. To free his people, God told Moses to tell Pharaoh, let my people go. It occurred to me that to free his American people from Democrat immorality, God instructs his servants, let my people know. Patriots and Christians must become more outspoken. Stop being afraid to let our fellow Americans know how the Democrats are stealthily repealing our constitutional freedoms while forcing us to embrace immoral agendas. We must find new and creative ways to get our message out. We must spread the truth about issues that Democrats routinely get away with lying about. Commonsense and truth made me a black conservative Republican. Conservatism offers personal responsibility, dignity, and commonsense solutions to every problem. The Democratic Party appeals to our base sinful instincts; class envy (covetousness), racial resentment, division and victim/entitlement mindsets. The Democratic party stinks with the foul odor of bigotry of low expectations, telling blacks everything wrong in their lives is always the fault of whitey. God made you and me better than that. Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains taken to bring it to light. -- George Washington. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free John 8:32. Brothers and sisters, to liberate our misinformed and ignorant fellow Americans we must find the courage to spread the truth. We must let God's people know. God promises we will eventually emerge victorious. Lloyd Marcus, The Unhyphenated American Help Lloyd spread the Truth Restore the Founders' Federalism The values of any good government rest, largely, in the reciprocity of rights that all factions share. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press in America, for example, are strongly bolstered by the fact that what protects leftists also protects conservatives and vice versa. While it is true that the left tries to exercise censorship in schools and colleges, bastions of mindless totalitarianism, nevertheless, conservatives in America generally can attack leftism with more elbow room than almost anywhere else in the world. Even those conservatives who deny that this freedom exists prove by their loud complaints that this is not true. People who shout, "I live in a fascist dictatorship" clearly do not live in a fascist dictatorship. Federalism as intended by the Constitution is another example of that reciprocity. Citizens of the several states and their state governments long recognized the differences in philosophy and the exercise of those differences among the different states. Even conservatives often miss this point. The Second Amendment, for example, was no more intended to apply to the states than was the First Amendment. The preservation of the right to bear arms was not a constitutional protection until the Supreme Court wrongly and dreadfully "incorporated" through the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment the whole Bill of Rights. So does that mean that prior to a meddling and bullying Supreme Court, states did not protect the right to bear arms or freedom of speech or the other rights in the Bill of Rights? Absolutely not: Each state constitution had protections for those rights we deem essential to a free society. These varied according to the differences of opinion and values of the citizens of those states. Two examples help show how this worked. Prior to the odious Roe v. Wade decision, each of the fifty states had different laws governing abortion. The leftist myth is that Roe v. Wade created the right to abortion, but this is a lie: virtually every state allowed abortion under some circumstances. New York had very easy abortion laws, and Texas had very restrictive laws regarding abortion, but Texans did not try to make New Yorkers accept their more socially conservative values. Separation of church and state is emphatically not guaranteed in the United States Constitution. "Congress shall make no law..." does not mean "states shall make no law." In fact, about half of the first states under our constitutional system and after the Bill of Rights was ratified had established state religions. Different religions flourished under this system. In the very rare instances of intolerance toward a particular religion, like toward Mormons, it was not the state that caused the intolerance, and it was migration to lands that would become predominately Mormon that provided true protection. Federalism is also a way of allowing the marketplace of governments to refine and to improve government generally. People flee from states that are corruptly or oppressively or incompetently run, and those people who do not flee are left with the state government they want and deserve. No one, however, can flee the federal leviathan and its "one size fits all" sort of rule. This monster largely destroys the power of the marketplace of governments. Washington is hopelessly remote to most Americans, and its values are completely at odds with these Americans. Now, while government is divided, with the presidency and the Senate in Republican hands, and when the Supreme Court may be on the verge of becoming truly conservative, there is an opening for conservatives to challenge Democrats to enact laws that truly restore federalism. Democrats run almost nothing in Washington now, while they do run many large state governments. Go into these states and call upon Democrat governors and state legislatures to ask their senators and representatives to reclaim federal power back to their states and to do the same for all states of the nation as well. Consider the problems this creates for Democrat governors, who would be forced to say, "Washington knows much better how to run our state than we Minnesotans do" or "Oregon values are better protected in the District of Columbia than in Oregon." Organizations like the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures could be called to adopt a broadly based and bipartisan resolution to restore federalism and to return to states control over many activities that have been stolen by Washington. The political war on "Capitolism," a crusade against highly centralized federal power, is a winning issue and a noble cause as well. Conservatives can, and ought to, put that issue at the top of their agenda. Mark Felt is a unique figure in American history, an FBI official who actually did bring down a president. The president was Richard M. Nixon, the occasion the legendary Watergate scandal. One strange element of the attempted coup against Donald Trump is that no one involved has brought up the name of W. Mark Felt. Or perhaps thats not so strange. For the benefit of all you millennials out there, Watergate was the outcome of a burglary pulled at the D.C. hotel complex of that name targeting the Democratic National Committee offices during the 1972 presidential election campaign. The burglars were caught and swiftly traced back to rogue White House staffers. No involvement by Nixon was ever proven and was unlikely in any case but in an effort to protect his staff, a collection of sideshow habitues ranging from the simply goofy to the truly deranged, Nixon instigated a coverup. A two-year uproar ensued, which the national media, led by the Washington Post, blew up into a full-scale, national-historical constitutional crisis. As legend has it, Nixon was about to tear the Constitution into shreds when a pair of WaPo reporters, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, rode into town on white steeds and with the help of info from a shadowy gnome known only as Deep Throat (after a notorious porno flick of the day), blew the conspiracy wide open and sent Nixon packing. Thats the legend, anyway, handed down for decades since, a triumph of all right-thinking folk and a high point of postwar liberalism For decades afterward, speculation was rife concerning the actual identity of Deep Throat, ranging from Nixon staffer John Dean to a phantom existing only in the caverns of Woodward and Bernsteins brains. Nobody actually pinned down the real individual, who was W. Mark Felt. It wasnt until 2005 that Felts role was at last revealed, in a Vanity Fair article written by his attorney. It seems that his family, visions of lucrative book and film deals dancing in their heads, had persuaded the ailing and near-senile Felt to unburden himself at long last. There followed a brief uproar minutely covered by media. Felt, a clear expression of puzzlement on his face, had his last hurrah. But that was all. The big book deal failed to materialize. All that ever appeared was a a reprint of an earlier memoir (ghost-written, strangely enough, by National Review veteran Ralph de Toledano). A film involving Tom Hanks was kicked around before expiring. A later effort starring Liam Neeson was released only in 2017, to universal apathy. Felt slowly drifted back into oblivion. When he finally died in 2009, it was to scarcely any notice. Why the cool reception? Because to accept Felt at his own valuation would have been to destroy the myth of Watergate, one of liberalisms brightest moments. The problem with Felt was his motives. Felt had worked his way up to the level of assistant director of the FBI (Is this starting to sound familiar?) and fully believed that he deserved the directorship. Instead Nixon chose L. Patrick Gray III, a bureaucratic cutout with no ties to the agency. Nixons thinking here was clear, and as well considered as many of his decisions: J. Edgar Hoover had been a terror in Washington for generations. His replacement had to be someone with no agency connections who would not entertain ideas of becoming the next Hoover. So the colorless bureaucrat Gray got the nod, did what was required of him for a short period, and moved on. But this was obviously no solace to Felt, who, consumed by resentment, set out to punish the man who had undervalued him. We can see the problem for the Watergate myth immediately. Rather than a high moral crusade led by the countrys liberal journalistic elite, an effort that would redeem liberalism after a decade of corruption and incompetence, the scandal was and irrevocably transformed into a squalid campaign by a disgruntled employee. Rather than white knights, Woodward and Bernstein became gullible, easily manipulated stooges. The rest of the Washington elite come off little better, and one of the foundational myths of post-70s left-liberalism disappears in a puff of smoke. This, then, is the prototype for the current swamp things. A president had once been destroyed on little evidence, and by an FBI official, so why couldnt it be done once again, particularly when several, if not dozens, of FBI officials were involved (not to mention their associates, co-conspirators, and spouses)? So was born the Russian Collusion scandal and all that has come of it. This time around, the conspirators had a lot more problems than Felt did the GOP is nowhere near as naive as it was in 1972 and the same can be said of America as a whole. Donald Trump is not Richard Nixon diffidence and self-doubt, serious flaws in Nixons character, are unimaginable in Trump. The media of 1972, composed of the Big Three Television networks and a handful of daily papers, channeled blow after blow against Nixon essentially unchallenged. Todays alternate media acts to cushion and even curtail any similar campaign. But theres another element as well, one that says quite a lot about the character of Comey, Strzok, McCabe et al, one that suggests that they couldnt have succeeded even with everything going their way. Whatever can be said about Mark Felt and theres plenty it has to be admitted that he was perfectly self-aware. Felt knew that there was no way he could go public. To reveal that the Watergate scandal was based on the testimony of a crybaby employee would have blown the whole thing up. The threat to the Constitution would have suddenly been transformed into comedy, Woodward and Bernstein would into a pair of easily manipulated doofuses, national media would have been unveiled as stupid and credulous, and the Democrats into whiners who couldnt live with reality of the American political system. So Felt kept his counsel, remaining a shadowy figure with an insulting nickname, enabling Watergate to attain the status of legend. He, and no one else not Woodward and Bernstein, not Bradlee, not Leon Panetta, or Sam Ervin remains the central figure of Watergate, without which it could never have happened. He brought it off, credit where credit is due. But the anti-Trump crowd didnt see it that way. No they clearly saw that Felt was left standing when the music stopped. No honors, no bestsellers, no Oscar-winning flicks. Felt remained the odd man out while others collected the rewards. That wasnt going to happen this time. The collusion crowd wanted their share of glory. They wanted the NYT Bestseller List. They wanted the cash. They wanted to hobnob with Hillary and Barack. They wanted to appear on Oprah. They wanted prominent mention in the history textbooks. They wanted to be patted on the head. So there was no secrecy, at least in the long run. James Comey followed the master in leaking certain memos to his good friend Prof. Daniel Richmond, but he didnt remain in the shadows. He leapt out into the spotlight almost immediately. Comey got his bestseller, but one that was undercut in every particular even as the pages were being turned. Media and movie offers failed to pour in, and Comey now faces a future of endless congressional and Justice Department investigations, ending up he knows not where. The same course of action certainly occurred to McCabe, Strzok, Ohr, and all the rest. But Comeys experience has certainly tempered any such hopes. Jack Ketch the hangman never gets invited to dinner, as Felt well knew and this crowd is now learning. Muellers report, when it is at last released sometime in the 22nd century, is unlikely to contain any heroes, whatever else it may feature. McCabe and Strzok wound up being fired, and along with the others, are waiting for the next boom to be lowered. Donald Trump, in the meantime, towers above it all, no evidence against him, no coverup apparent, the opinion and support of his people real, everyday Americans solidifying in his favor even under the relentless pounding of the media. And in the end Mark Felt, as he has for the past fifty years, has the last laugh. The global cooling, warming, or climate change movement, whatever it is called nowadays, was not born as the result of immaculate conception. It was conceived in the early 1960s in Paris, France, as a sinister plot to contain American expansionism, as the Europeans called it at the time. Undamaged by the war, America was the dominant economic and political power, producing more than 50 percent of the worlds output. France, on the other hand, defeated and humiliated in the Second World War, was in ruins. General Charles de Gaulle, then president of France, was obsessed with Napoleons greatness and the messianic vision of returning France to the status of great power. So, when one of de Gaulles ministers came up with an idea that the more a country produces, the more it contributes to the worlds pollution, de Gaulle seized the opening. That was de Gaulles eureka moment -- France would compensate for its humiliation and indignities by asserting an important role in the international affairs. In 1968, France formed the French Federation of Nature Protection Societies (FFSPN) and assumed the role of the world leader of the environmental movement. The notion that industrialization has a detrimental impact on the planet was not new; it has been around since the Industrial Revolution. However, the possibility of turning this concept into a political movement and a set of international agreements would not only alter American economic expansion, but also diminish its political influence on Europe. For de Gaulle, this was a low-risk endeavor; Frances economy was in shambles and the environmental constraints on its industry would have a negligible effect. The Soviets enthusiastically embraced the idea. They shared de Gaulles concern, but for different reasons. The Kremlin saw the United States as a formidable opponent in its quest to spread communism to Western Europe and other parts of the world and was eager to support anything that would undermine the United States economically and politically. The potential impact of environmental treaties on the Soviet economy was not a concern. The Soviet Union, as a matter of policy, never let itself be bound by agreements. The Soviets loved the idea so much that they financed the environmental movement via Western European communist parties until the demise of the Soviet Union. By then, there was no shortage of wealthy American haters and a whole new generation of radicals to do the Soviets job. In the 1970s, politically oriented industrial pollution scheme evolved into an even bigger scheme -- the global cooling movement, which later evolved into global warming and currently into climate change to keep pace with the up-to-date environmental trend. Regardless of the label, the media had been geared to support any doomsday environmental scenario. Although from de Gaulle to Macron the political and economic landscape has changed, the strategy remains assertively consistent. At this writing, the geopolitical and economic realities are being ignored in favor of the ideological orthodoxy of the Democratic Party that has amalgamated the theory of climate change with the dream of renewable energy. The Democrats want America to accept the postulate that the climate change is man-made, and the only way to save the planet is to make a transition from hydrocarbons to renewable energy. Charles de Gaulle would have no difficulty endorsing this approach. The Democrats recite the poetry of dreams without any awareness that there exists a prose of reality. The following diagram, although somewhat outdated, highlights the critical importance of fossil fuels to the U.S. economy. As we can see, any notion that the twenty-trillion-dollar economy could be powered with windmills is nothing short of a veritable absurdity. The diagram also makes it abundantly clear that the fossil fuels will maintain their economic and strategic significance way into the twenty-first century -- the most significant being oil. Oil is the biggest business and the largest industry in the world in terms of assets, capital, and employment. With the exception of information technology, the oil industry has been the source of the most important innovations in the areas of technology and manufacturing. Therefore, 97% of scientists may produce volumes of reports supporting global cooling, warming or change, and ignorant environmental fanatics can recite endless poems to elicit the adulation of their supporters, it will not affect the prose of the fossil fuel reality. The objective reality is that our civilization is solidly carbon oriented and there is no viable alternative to cheap fossil fuels. And, unless we decide to return to the caves, this reality cannot be altered significantly in the foreseeable future. There is no doubt that a time will come when these energy sources become obsolete. As the legendary Sheikh Yamani, former OPEC oil minister, said, The Stone Age didnt end because we ran out of stones, and the Hydrocarbon Age will not end because we ran out of oil. But it will not end by staged mass demonstrations or partisan legislations; it will be replaced as economic necessity. But until then we must control our destiny. Alexander G. Markovsky is a senior fellow at the London Center for Policy Research, a conservative think hosted at Kings College, New York City, which examines national security, energy, risk-analysis and other public policy issues, He is the author of "Anatomy of a Bolshevik" and "Liberal Bolshevism: America Did Not Defeat Communism, She Adopted It. He is the owner and CEO of Litwin Management Services, LLC. CHICAGO (AP) Two people were killed and at least 30 others were wounded in overnight mass shootings in three states, authorities said Saturday, stoking concerns that a spike in U.S. gun violence during the coronavirus pandemic could continue as summer dawns and eased restrictions allow peo Wikipedia Commons The train station in Pithiviers, France, that will be turned into a memorial. "It was there I met the love of my life." I am saddened by reports that a bomb exploded at the entrance of the South Sea Mall in Cotabato City. Two people were killed and over 30 were injured. The blast is being attributed to the Islamic State-inspired terror group called the Daulah Islamiyah, a splinter of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters which is itself a terror group. Santa Banana, this can only mean that terrorism has infiltrated Cotabato itself, the seat of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao! First, Cotabato City was plagued with kidnapping to the extent that Muslim bandits and kidnap-for-ransom gangs were telling residents that their family members would be kidnapped unless they paid ransom. After a while, members of the Armed Forces got stationed at the city proper, making residents sigh with relief. But now with IS-inspired groups operating in the city, this is most certainly not the place to go. I can only commisserate with its residents. Cotabato City is nearest to my heart. I got my feet wet in journalism here when an Oblate priest named Cuttbert Billman went to Ateneo to ask for volunteers to operate the newspaper The Mindanao Cross. Fr. Billman said he wanted graduates with some experience in newspaper publication. Rudy Tupas, my good friend, used to be editor-in-chief of The Guidon, and it was he who first volunteered. He asked me if I wanted to goI used to be his associate editor. I said yes for two reasons. First was my sense of adventureimagine, faraway and foreign Mindanao! Second, the Jesuits taught us that Ateneans must have a mission in life. In fact, at that time I was considering becoming a priest. But God had other plans. In Cotabato, I met the love of my life. Five years later, I married her. But thats getting ahead of the story. The love of my life walked past me in the aisle as she received the Holy Communion. I thought I had seen an angel! One morning after Mass I mustered enough courage to catch up with her as she was walking back home. I asked: May I walk with you? and she said yes. I started visiting her at her mothers drug store, and she told me she was just vacationing from Philippine Womens University and had plans of transferring to the University of the Philippines. After a month, she returned to Manila.A year or two hence, I was also back in Manila to continue my law studies. I got a job as a high school instructor at Ateneo High School. I heard through the grapevine that there was a certain Miss Trinidad Capistrano, a pharmacy student, who was the talk of the university. She was living at one of the dormitories in UP. I started taking my lunch at the South Dorm of UP after spending my mornings teaching at Ateneo. I was hoping to see Miss Capistrano again. One day, a friend, Rudy Olivarez, told me that a certain Flory Aristomenas, who was dorming with Miss Capistrano, had arranged a double date for the four of us. When the love of my life saw me, she said: So, its you! The rest is history as they say. I proposed to her to the tune of Love Letters and Autumn Leaves by the great Serafin Payawal, a 21-man orchestra at the Skyroom Jai Alai, when I invited her there for her birthday, January 8. And, Santa Banana, she accepted! We got married in Cotabato City on May 14, 1955. * * * Going back to my experience with the Mindanao Cross, Cotabato was then a whole province before it was divided into Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, General Santos and Sarangani. During the wars, Cotabato was ruled by the Sinsuat family. There was Duma Sinsuat, the governor, Blah Sinsuat, the congressman, Mando Sinsuat, mayor, and Mana Sinsuat, who became a cabinet member of the Marcos administration. Odin Sinsuat was mayor of Dinaig. Strangely, all the Sinsuats married Christian women. All of them were my friends from whom I learned a great deal. I have only gone back twice. First was to speak before a Rotary meetingbut left in a huff because I received a letter warning me that I would be kidnapped. Another instance was when we visited friends. I had to seek the help of National Security Adviser Joe Almonte. Its a sad development, what is happening now in my beloved Cotabato City. Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. They are challenging what they call the unlawful escalation of the US trade war with China via imposition of tariffs. Will taxing tech giants work? Companies like Google and Facebook generate huge revenues, and now they are being made to pay big taxes. President Xi gives speech marking 40th anniversary of policy statement that led to thaw in ties with self-ruled island. Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that no one can change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, adding that Beijing will not give up the use of military force as an option to ensure reunification. Xi made the comments on Wednesday in a speech marking the 40th anniversary of a policy statement that eventually led to a thaw in relations with the self-ruled island. We are firmly against those who conspire behind the ideo of Two China, or One China-One Taiwan, or Taiwan Independence, Xi said in a part of his first major speech addressing the people of what Beijing considers a breakaway province. We have achieved great victory on defeating any pro-independence or separatist activities. Nobody, and no party, can change the historical and legal that Taiwan is part of China and that both sides of the strait belong to China, Xi said in Beijing. China reserves the option of taking all necessary measures against outside forces that interfere with peaceful reunification and Taiwan independence separatist activities, he added. Tsai says Taiwanese want to maintain self-rule His speech came a day after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on China to seek a peaceful solution over their differences, insisting people on the island want to maintain self-rule. I would like to call on China to face squarely the reality of the existence of the Republic of China on Taiwan, Tsai said in a New Years Day address, referring to the islands formal name. 181129051141177 She added that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait needed a pragmatic understanding of the basic differences that exist between them in terms of values and political systems. China must respect the insistence of 23 million people on freedom and democracy, and must use peaceful, on parity means to handle our differences, Tsai said. Graham Ong-Webb, research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, said Xis remarks on Wednesday were consistent with the message put out by the Chinese government over the last 40 years under the tenure of a string of premiers. He noted, however, that the Chinese president in recent years has been delivering the same message albeit in a more sharp and firm stance for various reasons. At the end of the day, there is a timeline when it comes to reunification and the Chinese government has to achieve this goal at some stage, Ong-Webb told Al Jazeera from Singapore. China interference Taiwans biggest challenge The Chinese government has heaped pressure on Tsai since she took office in 2016, cutting off dialogue, whittling down Taiwans few remaining diplomatic allies and forcing foreign airlines to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites. 181128143525100 It fears Tsai wishes to push for Taiwans formal independence, though Tsai says she wants to maintain the status quo. Beijing has regularly sent military aircraft and ships to circle the island on drills. Chinas interference in the islands political and social development is Taiwans biggest challenge at the moment, Tsai said on Tuesday. Beijing denies any interference in Taiwans internal affairs. It views Taiwan as a wayward province, to be brought under its control by force if needed, with no right to international recognition as a separate political entity. Democratic Taiwan has shown no interest in being ruled by autocratic China. Liu Jieyi, head of Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, said in his new years message they had not wavered last year in the face of deliberate provocations from Taiwans government. Although the way ahead wont all be plain sailing, we have the confidence and the ability to vanquish risks and challenges, he said in a statement on the offices website. Focus on 2020 elections Xis speech marked 40 years since a message sent to Taiwan in 1979, in which Beijing called for unification and an end to military confrontation. In January 1979, Beijing declared an end to what had been routine artillery bombardment of Taiwan-controlled offshore islands close to China and offered to open up communications between the two sides, after decades of hostility. Chiang Kai-shek fled with defeated Nationalist forces to Taiwan in December 1949 after losing a civil war to the Communists. Despite the deep business, cultural and personal links which exist today, no peace treaty or formal end to hostilities has been signed Taiwan is gearing up for presidential elections in a years time. Tsais pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party suffered stinging losses to the China-friendly Kuomintang in mayoral and local elections in November. Looking ahead, Ong-Webb said that things are going to be a bit choppy between China and Taiwan over the next year or so. We have to look to the 2020 general elections, which is what the Chinese government is doing to see how they can shake the ground to get the outcome that they want which is to have the nationalist Kuomintang party come back to power. US president continues to back off from initial order for rapid exit, says he wants to protect Kurdish fighters. US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States would get out of Syria over a period of time and that he wants to protect the US-backed Kurdish fighters in the country as Washington draws down troops. Trump did not provide a timetable for the planned military exit from Syria, which he described as sand and death. The US president unexpectedly announced the troop pull-out last month against the advice of top national security aides and without consulting politicians or US allies participating in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS). Defense Secretary James Mattis unexpectedly resigned after the announcement and Brett McGurk, the USs top envoy in the fight against ISIL, announced he would be leaving his post earlier than expected due to the decision. No timetable During a Cabinet meeting at the White House in front of reporters, Trump said he had never set a reported four-month timetable for the withdrawal of 2,000 American troops stationed in Syria amid a battle against ISIL. Were getting out and were getting outsmart, Trump said. I never said Im getting out tomorrow. He declined to say how long troops would remain in Syria. In recent days, Trump appeared to back off from the rapid pull-out he initially ordered and stressed that the operation would be slow. Were slowly sending our troops back home to be with their families, while at the same time, fighting Isis [Islamic State] remnants, he said on Twitter on Monday. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he came out of a recent lunch with Trump feeling reassured about the Syria policy. Graham told reporters that Trump was committed to making sure Turkey did not clash with the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) forces once US troops leave Syria and was assuring the NATO ally that it would have a buffer zone in the region to help protect its own interests. Ankara views YPG as a terrorist organisation and claims the group is an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged attacks on Turkish soil since the 1980s. YPG weapons US commanders planning the withdrawal are recommended that YPG fighters battling ISIL be allowed to keep US-supplied weapons, according to Washington officials. That proposal would likely anger Turkey, where Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, is expected to hold talks in the coming days. 181229063446665 Trump said he was not happy that the Kurds were selling oil to Iran, but that he wanted to protect them either way. I didnt like the fact that theyre selling the small (amount of) oil that they have to Iran, and we asked them not to sell it to Iran Were not thrilled about that. OK? Im not happy about it at all, he said. We want to protect the Kurds, nevertheless. We want to protect the Kurds, but I dont want to be in Syria forever. Its sand. And its death. Trump has been critical of previous administrations for sending and keeping US troops abroad, and has made bringing troops home part of his signature America First policy as he eyes a re-election bid in 2020. Burkina Faso has seen a spike in attacks in recent months as armed groups seek increased influence across the Sahel. Thirteen civilians have been killed in ethnic violence in central Burkina Faso, the government said on Wednesday, echoing a rise in intercommunal conflicts in neighbouring Mali. Armed men on motorbikes descended on the village of Yirgou in Barsalogo district after nightfall on Monday, killing six people, including the village chief, government spokesman Jean Paul Badoun told Reuters news agency. The following day, Yirgou villagers largely belonging to the Mossi ethnic group attacked a nearby camp of Fulani nomadic herders, killing seven people in apparent retaliation, said Badoun. Yirgou residents blamed the herders for sheltering the men who attacked them the day before. Abdoulaye Pafadnam, mayor of Barsalogo district, said the victims were buried at nightfall on Tuesday, adding that the death toll may be higher than 13. A precarious calm has returned to the village, thanks to the presence of defence and security reinforcements, said Pafadnam. 190101200624245 A crisis committee has been set up to get everyone around the table to talk and avoid the worst, he added. The morning before the attack, Burkina Faso declared a state of emergency in provinces within seven of the countrys 13 administrative regions. The move came four days after 10 gendarmes were killed near the Malian border in an attack claimed by Jamaat Nasr al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), an umbrella group for al Qaeda-linked armed groups in the Sahara. JNIM claimed responsibility for other attacks this year, including one in the capital Ouagadougou in March that killed about eight security agents and wounded dozens of others. Burkina Faso, which lies in the heart of the Sahel, has seen a spike in attacks in recent months as armed groups seek to increase their influence across the vast area. The region descended into lawlessness after chaos engulfed Libya in 2011, followed by armed attacks in northern Mali and the rise of Boko Haram in northern Nigeria. UN official Nicholas Haysom accused of interfering in national sovereignty, as officials declare him persona non-grata. Somalias government has ordered the top United Nations official in the country to leave, accusing him of interfering with national sovereignty days after he raised concerns about the actions of UN-supported Somali security forces. The foreign affairs ministry said on Tuesday that Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, is not required and cannot work in this country, effectively declaring the official persona non grata. The decision comes after he openly breached the appropriate conduct of the UN office in Somalia, a statement read. Haysom sent a letter dated December 30 to the interior security minister expressing concern over the alleged involvement of UN-supported Somali security forces in the arrest of Mukhtar Robow on 13 December, the deaths of 15 civilianson 13, 14, and 15 Decemberand the arrest of approximately 300 people involved in the demonstrations on 13, 14, and 15 December. Robow, the individual referred to in the letter, is a former member the armed group al-Shabab whose bid to become a regional leader in the country in an election last month was blocked. The Internal Security Ministry said that Robow was arrested on suspicion that he had brought fighters and weapons back to the southern city of Baidoa, the capital of South West region where he is running for president. His arrest sparked clashes between militiamen loyal to Robow and Somali forces. Ethiopian security forces, who are part of an African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia, were also involved in the violence. There was no immediate comment from the UN mission in the country. {articleGUID} The decision comes hours after the UN compound in the Somali capital of Mogadishu was attacked. Seven mortars landed inside the compound which led to the wounding of two UN staff members and one contractor. The Secretary-General of the UN Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the attack and urged the Somali authorities to investigate the attack and bring those responsible to justice. Al-Shabab has reportedly claimed responsibility of the attack according to a statement by the UN. Supporters of losing candidate Marc Ravalomanana gather in Antananarivo to protest alleged fraud in runoff vote. Madagascan security forces have fired tear gas to break up a protest by supporters of losing presidential candidate Marc Ravalomanana, who claims he was denied victory in last months election because of fraud. In the runoff vote on December 19, Ravalomanana won 44 percent against Andry Rajoelinas 55 percent, according to official results. Thousands of Ravalomananas supporters gathered in the centre of the capital Antananarivo on Wednesday but were quickly dispersed by police using tear gas, according to an AFP reporter at the scene. We came to erect a giant screen projecting anomalies in the second-round election but we were fired at with tear gas, Hanitra Razafimanantsoa, a lawmaker from Ravalomananas party, told the media. Respect our choice, we dont reserve a fraudulent election, read protest banners held by Ravalomananas supporters, who have vowed to hold daily protests. The countrys Constitutional Court is reviewing a petition filed by Ravalomanana challenging Rajoelinas victory. It is due to hand down its ruling next week. The two rivals are both former presidents. Ravalomanana, who led the Indian Ocean nation from 2002 to 2009, was overthrown in a coup by Rajoelina, who was mayor of Antananarivo at the time. Both men were banned from contesting the 2013 election as part of an international agreement to end the countrys political crisis. The 2018 presidential election was the first time the two rivals faced off in nearly a decade. Just over 48 percent of the countrys 10 million registered voters cast their ballots in the runoff between the candidates. The European Unions observer mission said the vote had been calm and that observers had not witnessed fraud More than two-thirds of the islands 25 million people live in extreme poverty, while corruption is said to be widespread. Turkey says Fethullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the US since 1999, planned the 2016 coup attempt. Ankara, Turkey A team of US officials is due to arrive in Ankara on Thursday for a visit that Turkey hopes will pave the way for the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, a former imam it accuses of orchestrating a coup attempt. Turkey says Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the US since 1999, masterminded the 2016 attempted coup that led to the deaths of more than 250 people. Prior to the failed putsch, Gulens movement placed supporters within the Turkish state apparatus, particularly the judiciary and police, from where it attacked its opponents, including a 2013 corruption investigation that targeted figures close to then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. After the attempted coup, the purge of alleged Gulenists was stepped up, resulting in tens of thousands of people being dismissed from their posts and arrested. Gulen, who was previously allied to Erdogan, denies involvement in the takeover attempt. The two-day visit will see the US delegation meet counterparts from Turkeys justice, interior and foreign ministries to discuss the Turkish case against Gulen, according to Turkish officials. Turkey has sought Gulens arrest since 2014, but efforts to have him returned from the US, where he lives in a sprawling compound in Pennsylvania, have floundered on US claims that Turkey has not provided sufficient proof. However, a thaw in US-Turkey relations in recent months has raised hopes in Ankara of a breakthrough. American pastor Andrew Brunson was released from Turkish custody in October and last months announcement of a US withdrawal from Syria eased Turkish concerns over American support for fighters linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). We hope and believe that the US will fulfil the requirements of being a state which has been led by the rule of law and it will extradite the head of this terrorist organisation, Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul said on December 30. God willing, the US will comply with our demand in 2019. 181219014706284 Last month Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said President Donald Trump had told Erdogan that the US was working on Gulens extradition during a meeting at a G20 summit in Argentina. However, the White House later denied that the conversation amounted to a commitment to extradite the 77-year-old Muslim scholar. Sinan Ulgen, chairman of the Istanbul-based Centre for Economics and Foreign Policies Studies, said the delegations arrival could see progress in the case. Its a good time because we are now in the post-Brunson phase, some of the more major irritants to the relationship have been eliminated and there seems to be a good dialogue between Erdogan and Trump, he said. However, any headway would hinge on whether Turkey will be able to deliver documentation that the US Justice Department will feel comfortable with, in its bid to convince the US courts to proceed with such a demand. Ulgen added: What Trump could do is press the US Justice Department to review and work more collaboratively with the Turkish authorities to build a case. They could work with their Turkish counterparts to prepare a file that would be sufficient for the US courts. The US embassy in Ankara confirmed the visit by Justice Department staff but declined to comment on the nature of their planned meetings with Turkish officials. As well as Turkish efforts to convince the US of Gulens involvement in the failed coup Turkey says it has handed over more than 80 boxes of evidence related to the case the US authorities have their own concerns about the Gulen movement. The FBI has investigated whether US taxpayers money is being used to benefit the group via dozens of charter schools with Gulenist links. Robert Amsterdam, an international lawyer hired by Turkey, has said the schools gave contracts to Gulen-affiliated companies and teachers were forced to submit some of their government-funded salaries to the movement. Gulens name has also cropped up in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election. Trumps former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn was allegedly involved in lobbying for Gulens extradition and reportedly plotted to kidnap and fly him to Turkey on a private jet. At least six dead after incident between freight and passenger trains on bridgelinking Zealand and Funen islands. At least six people have been killed and 16 others injured in a train accident on a bridge linking Denmarks central islands of Zealand and Funen, according to train operator, Danish Railways (DSB). The incident on the Great Belt Fixed Link occurred at 8am local time (07:00GMT) on Wednesday with objects from a freight train hitting the passenger train. Danish media reported that a tarpaulin on a freight train hit the passenger train, which was going in the opposite direction, prompting it to brake violently. Police spokesman Arne Gram said the passenger train hit an unknown object, but did not further comment. Photos from the scene show the freight train was carrying crates of beer, and the tarpaulin that covered the train was torn in pieces. Kasper Elbjoern, spokesman for Danish brewery group Carlsberg, confirmed that a freight train transporting its cargo was involved in the accident. Jesper Nielsen, who was on the passenger train, told Denmarks TV2 the train was out on the bridge when there was a huge bang . very quickly thereafter, the train braked. Flemming Jensen, the CEO of state-owned Danish Railways, said police and the Danish Accident Investigation Board are investigating the damages. He said the operator will contribute everything that we can to the investigations. The Great Belt Fixed Link connects Zealand and Funen [Tim K Jensen/Ritzau Scanpix/via Reuters] The Copenhagen-bound train from Odense city had 131 passengers and three members of staff on board, according to DR, a local broadcaster. In a statement, police urged passengers to contact next of kin to inform them of their safety and urged people not to share photos and videos of the accident. The report also said that an accident centre was opened in the nearby town of Nyborg on the Funen side of the bridge, where people involved in the crash could receive help. Police said the bridge was closed for both trains and vehicles. "Here's to being the best version of ourselves." 2018 was a historic and eventful year for the House of Representatives. Congress was able to make notable accomplishments in terms of relevant legislative investigations and passage of bills. The 2019 budget appears on a standstill, but I am hopeful that this will be passed by next month. As we welcome 2019, I am positive that the last six months in Congress will be more fruitful.1 - Increase in Employment. In 2018, I expressed my concern on the rising poverty and unemployment of many Filipinos. The PCSO has thankfully responded to our call by providing employment through its Small Town Lottery program to those who have difficulty in getting jobs due to age and lack of education. This 2019, one of my wishes is to expand and increase opportunities for employment that will provide Filipinos with reasonable sources of income. In the long run, it is hoped that there will be less hunger and more joy to the people as they rise above povertythat they will be able to send children to school, afford quality healthcare, and maintain decent living. 2- Fair, honest and violence-free elections. I wish for nothing more. 3 - Peace and Order. I pray that we all work together to curb corruption and maintain peace and order in the country. Let us continue praying for peace in the country especially in Mindanao. I call on all concerned government agencies to hasten the rehabilitation of the affected areas in the Marawi siege and help the people recover from the damages in their livelihood. As Minority Leader, I commit myself to another year of service to the nation for the betterment of our country. I invite my fellow legislators and other public officials to join me in welcoming 2019 by fulfilling a wish list that is dedicated to the benefit and welfare of the Filipino people. As individuals, let us commit to becoming the best versions of ourselves. A good way to start, as Ellen de Generes always advises in her show, be kind. Lets be kinder to ourselves, our families, our loved ones, our country and the world we live in. Twenty days after 15 miners were trapped in an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya state, the search for them goes on. Magurmari, Meghalaya The only tangible mementoes that Shefali Begum, 18, and Nafisa Begum*, 16, have of their husbands are the salwar kameez (common dress in South Asia) the two brothers had brought for them shortly before heading off to work in an illegal coal mine in northeastern India. Now, the two girls fear they may never see their husbands again. The brothers Omor Ali, 26, and Shirapat Ali, 25, left their village Magurmari in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya in the first week of December to work at a mine in Ksan on the other side of the state in East Jaintia Hills. Days later, on December 13, Shefali and Nafisa were told their husbands were among the 15 men trapped in the illegal mine at Ksan when floodwater from a nearby river poured into it. Twenty days later and despite a rescue operation involving scores of emergency workers and Indian Navy divers, there has been no news of the men, nor any sign of their bodies. At least seven men from Magurmari are trapped in the rat-hole mine. For the impoverished village, these rat-hole mines have become death traps. The Ksan rat-hole mine named because men dig through narrow crevices to extract coal is nearly 113 metres deep. Workers from Indias National Disaster Response Force have been trying to pump out the flood water, but to no avail, according to Santosh Kumar Singh, assistant commander at the rescue force. On December 31, a Navy diver reached the bottom of the mine, but found only coal at the mouth of one lateral hole. 160707062855721 Rat-hole mining was banned in 2014 by Indias National Green Tribunal following a petition that said the acidic discharge from the coal mines was polluting the Kopili River downstream. Mine owners in Meghalaya, which has an estimated 576 million metric tonnes of coal reserves, have challenged the ban in the Supreme Court. The Meghalaya government has also sought a way around the ban, claiming to be losing an annual revenue of Rs 700 crore because of it. The Ksan incident, however, has brought to the fore how entrenched the practice remains in the hilly state. Most of those employed in rat-hole mines are men and teenagers from villages such as Magurmari. With both her sons, Omor Ali and Shirapat Ali, trapped in the mine, Omela Bibi (left) says there is no man left in the household [Priyanka Borpujari/Al Jazeera] Death traps Most of the 400 families in Magurmari do not own any agricultural land, forcing the men to find work in coal mines, according to Altaf Hussein, uncle to the Ali brothers. The pair would work at a mine for two-three months and return home for 10 days. According to Hussein, they were paid Rs 30,000 ($430) every month, more than three times the money they would make working as masons in Magurmari. Omela Bibi, the mother to Omor and Shirapat, was quiet, and her sunken eyes were fixed to the ground. I would never let them go for such work had I known what gruelling work they undertake, the 48-year-old said. The older Ali brother is the father to a seven year-old-daughter and two sons, aged four and two. 160711081146127 His wife Shefali was dealt a double blow on the day the men got trapped her 18-year-old brother Raziul Islam was also among the 15 trapped miners. Islam, a bright student who only graduated from high school last year, went to work in the mines in order to buy an autorickshaw. His father, Sohor Ali, is despondent. I could not afford the autorickshaw. I told him we would manage expenses somehow. I touched his feet and begged him, but he just wouldnt listen, said Ali, who works as a day labourer on nearby farms. A second family in Magurmari also had two family members trapped in the Ksan mine. Mizanur Sheikh, 32, and his brother-in-law, Abdul Mozid, went to the mines to pay off their debts. Sheikh used to work at the mines, but quit to sell vegetables in the local market, a venture that did not go too well. He took a series of loans, first for the business, and later for medical expenses after he contracted malaria. Today, he has a debt of Rs 113,000 ($1,625). Mozid, who drove a small van until four months ago, borrowed money from various people to build a new house. Both Mozid and Mizanur decided that the only way out of debt was to work in the mine because it pays better, said 17-year-old Sameer Azad*, Mizanurs cousin. We told him not to go, but do kids listen to parents? said Mohammad Ali, Mozids father. His other three sons do daily wage jobs, but Mizanur was the highest earning member of the family. The lenders have been coming now, but we cannot blame them as they are poor too, Mohammad Ali said. Bodiot Zaman shows a copy of the identity card of his trapped son Abdul Kalam Sheikh [Priyanka Borpujari/Al Jazeera] We would crawl up to 30 feet inside The physical dangers of working in the rat-hole mine take a backseat before the relatively better wages from working at the mine. Abdul Karim worked in such a mine until seven years ago, when a large rock fell on his spine and confined him to a wheelchair. We would crawl up to 30 feet (about nine metres) inside in a crevice thats just about two feet high, and slide on our backs to chip out the coal with a pickaxe, said the 28-year-old. But the accident did not deter his elder brother, 32-year-old Abdul Kalam Sheikh, from working in rat-hole mines six years ago. He pondered for long, especially after my accident, but he decided that the wages were worth it, Karim told Al Jazeera. With Karim immobile, Kalam was the sole breadwinner in the family. He had educated all four of his younger sisters. One of them finished her bachelors degree this year a rarity in a village where most girls are married off before they reach the marriage age of 18. Kalam has a son who will soon turn one; the couple are expecting their second child next month. He had gone to Ksan few days after Omor and Shirapat they had told him over the phone that the money was good. When the news broke of the miners fate, his uncle, Rupiot Zaman went to Ksan along with six others from Magurmari. There was no evidence of anyone living in the plastic sheds where the men lived. No clothes, no bags. Only the cots that they slept on were there, he said. The men returned home four days later, empty-handed. We were hoping that at least the bodies would be found, but the water was not receding and it was expensive for us to arrange food every day, said Zaman, who has worked in a coal mine for more than 15 years Cajoling her crying four-month-old daughter, while her two-and-half years old clings to her, Nafisa said, My husband had sent his photo when he reached there on someone elses phone in the village, since I dont have a smartphone. The only other photo I have of him is from his ID card. As I leave, the angry voice of a woman breaks the eerie silence in the village: Close those mines, otherwise all our sons will be gone. Names with (*) have been changed since they are minors. Geoffrey Langlands, a British major who witnessed Indias partition, became one of Pakistans most respected teachers. Geoffrey Douglas Langlands, a British officer who remained in Pakistan after the end of colonial rule in India and became one of the countrys most respected educators, has died in the eastern city of Lahore. He was 101. The Major, as he was known, passed away on Wednesday after a brief illness, according to a statement by the Lahore-based Aitchison College, where Langlands served as the headteacher of a preparatory school. Langlands taught English and mathematics for more than six decades in Pakistan, and lived long enough to see one of his students, Imran Khan, become the countrys prime minister. In a statement on Twitter, Khan, who took office in August 2018, said he was saddened by Langlands death. Apart from being our teacher, he instilled the love for trekking and our northern areas in me, he said. 2012101516347715708 Langlands was born on October 21, 1917 in Yorkshire, England. He briefly worked as a teacher in Croydon before joining the British army when World War II broke out in 1939. After the partition of the Indian subcontinent, Langlands volunteered to remain in Pakistan to train the countrys army. In 1954, he began teaching at Aitchison College, one of the most reputed colleges in the country, at the request of then-President General Ayub Khan. In the late 1970s, he took up the headteachers job at the Razmak Cadet College in Waziristan, located near the Afghan border. He was briefly abducted in 1988 and held for six days by tribesmen in the area. Speaking of Langlands kidnapping, a former student, Ali Sabtain said: Langlands used to tell us how he walked faster than the kidnappers up the mountainous areas. They were not able to catch up, this is how energetic and full of life he was, added Sabtain, who works as a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Service beyond compare The year after the abduction, Langlands took over the role of headteacher at the Sayurj Public School in the city of Chitral in northwestern Pakistan. He raised funds to buy land for the school and expand it. The institution was renamed after him as the Langlands School and College. He served there until the age of 95. His former students remember him as a great friend, humanitarian and a passionate storyteller with a remarkable memory. He was like a father to us, he was there for his students and looked after them, said Nadeem Mumtaz, a former student at Aitchison College. His teaching methods were very empowering, many of his students are now high-profile professionals [in Pakistan]. Langlands contributed to his students higher education even after he retired. His service to Pakistan is beyond compare, Mumtaz said. In 2013, Langlands returned to Lahore and took up residence at Aitchison College. Four years later, in 2017, a few days after he celebrated his 100th birthday, the respected teacher had a major stroke that affected his ability to speak. The former headteacher was awarded two of Pakistans highest civilian awards for his service in the countrys education sector. Many Pakistanis took to social media on Wednesday to express grief over Langlands death and to pay tribute to him. Saddened to learn of the passing of my teacher. Apart from being our teacher, he instilled the love for trekking and our northern areas in me before the KKH was built. (I was 12 years old in the school picture) pic.twitter.com/cgH4glWIDR Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 2, 2019 Tens of thousands of well-wishers gather at Imperial Palace to see emperors final New Years greeting in his reign. Japans Emperor Akihito has delivered his final New Years greeting before his abdication at the end of April, telling tens of thousands of flag-waving well-wishers that he was praying for peace. The Imperial Palace said more then 72,000 people gathered at the royal residence in the capital, Tokyo, on Wednesday morning alone, with many more still arriving for a final chance to see the 85-year-old royal extending his traditional brief address this time every year. Akihito will become the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around two centuries when he steps down from the throne on April 30, ending his three-decade reign. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, is set to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne a day later, continuing the rule of what is said to be the worlds oldest imperial family. Im sincerely glad to celebrate the new year together with you under the clear sky, Akihito told thousands of people, many shouting Banzai or long live. I pray for the peace and happiness of the people of our country and the world, the soft-spoken Akihito added, flanked by Empress Michiko and other family members. The emperor was expected to appear five times on Wednesday to address as many well-wishers as possible. Some in the morning crowd yelled Thank you very much as the emperor waved from the balcony, while others sang the national anthem. One woman in the front row shed tears as she looked up at the balcony. Well-wishers wave Japanese national flags during the appearance of Emperor Akihito at Tokyos Imperial Palace [Issei Kato/Reuters] Akihito shocked the nation in 2016 when he signalled his desire to take a back seat, citing his age and health problems. 170519033810354 The status of the emperor is sensitive in Japan given its 20th-century history of war waged in the name of Akihitos father Hirohito, who died in 1989. Akihito has keenly embraced the more modern role as a symbol of the state, imposed after World War II ended. Previous emperors, including Hirohito, had been treated as semi-divine. In a rare emotional address to mark his 85th birthday last month, Akihito pointed to the countless lives lost in the war. It gives me deep comfort that the Heisei Era (his reign) is coming to an end, free of war in Japan, he said. Akihito has used his speeches and travels to express his strong pacifist views, which are sharply at odds with the aggressive expansionism Japan pursued under his fathers rule. Akihito has also worked to bring the royal household closer to the people and frequently visited the disadvantaged and families hit by natural disasters. The origins of Japans monarchy are ancient and legend says that it is an unbroken line going back some 2,600 years. It is deeply ingrained in the nations native Shinto religion and it comes with numerous ritual duties. Peace Now data for the first nine months of 2018 shows the highest level of construction and planning since 2013. With little resistance from a friendly White House, Israel has launched a new settlement push in the West Bank since President Donald Trump took office, laying the groundwork for what could be the largest construction binge in years, according to data obtained by The Associated Press. The figures, gathered from official government sources by the anti-settlement monitoring group Peace Now, show an increase in building in 2018 and a sharp spike in planning for future construction. The trend, highlighted last week when an Israeli committee advanced plans for thousands more settlement homes on occupied lands, has only deepened Palestinian mistrust of the Trump administration as it says it is preparing to roll out a Middle East peace plan. Each new settlement expansion further diminishes the chances of setting up a Palestinian state alongside Israel. 181114234307087 Both supporters and opponents of settlements confirm a change in atmosphere since early 2017 when Trump took over from Barack Obama, whose administration had tried to rein in construction. The feeling of the [Israeli] government is everything is allowed, that the time to do things is now because the [US] administration is the most pro-settlement you can ever have, said Hagit Ofran of Peace Nows Settlement Watch programme. Peace Now uses several measurements of settlement activity. These include plans, or the early bureaucratic stages of preparing a project, tenders, when bids are solicited from contractors to do the work, and construction starts, when the building actually begins. Each of these figures tells a different story. While construction starts give a snapshot of the current level of settlement activity, they reflect decisions made years ago. In contrast, the planning and tender stages are seen as forward-looking indicators of a governments intentions. Highest level of planning since 2013 The data compiled by Peace Now showed a drop in construction starts during Trumps first year in office, to 1,643 units in 2017 from 3,066 units the previous year. This drop appears to reflect the lingering effect of reduced planning during the final two years of the Obama administration. But the data for the first nine months of 2018 indicates the beginning of a Trump effect, with construction starts 20 percent higher than the same period a year earlier. These trends are even more evident when looking at the planning process. In 2017, plans were advanced to build 6,712 new settlement homes, roughly 2.5 times the 2016 level. In 2018, plans for an additional 5,618 units were advanced, nearly half of which were processed last week alone. Together, these numbers are the highest level of planning seen since 2013. At that time, Israel pushed forward settlement construction to counter criticism of its release of Palestinian prisoners as part of then-Secretary of State John Kerrys peace efforts. The biggest surge in settlement activity during the Trump era is in tenders projects that are ready to be launched. In 2017, 3,154 tenders were issued, up from just 42 during Obamas final year in office. In 2018, that number rose to over 3,800, the highest number by far since Peace Now started compiling the data in 2002. This sets the stage for a huge jump in construction in the near future. Theres definitely a change of atmosphere. Theres definitely a change of winds, said Oded Revivi, mayor of Efrat, a major settlement near Jerusalem, and the chief foreign envoy of the Yesha settlement council. Revivi said that Obama pressured Israel into greatly curtailing settlement activity. Now, he said, Israel is trying to make up for lost time. Basically, what youre seeing now is the statistics are trying to catch up to the needs that were built up during the eight years of the Obama administration when everything was in a standstill, Revivi said. White House Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatts office declined to comment, and State Department officials were not immediately available for comment. Trump effect The Palestinians and most of the international community consider Israeli settlements to be illegal and obstacles to peace. Over 400,000 Israelis now live in the West Bank, in addition to 200,000 in occupied East Jerusalem. The Palestinians seek both areas, captured by Israel in 1967, as parts of their state. For decades, a string of US presidents, both Republican and Democrat, condemned settlement construction. 181015064919113 Things quickly changed when Trump took office. Trump refused to condemn settlement construction and surrounded himself with advisers including his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Ambassador to Israel David Friedman who are Orthodox Jews with close ties to settlements. Trump at times has asked Israel to show restraint, but his administration has remained largely silent as Israel has pressed ahead with its construction efforts over the past two years. This has been welcome news to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose outgoing right-wing coalition is dominated by religious and nationalist settlement sympathisers. Favoured to win re-election in April, Netanyahu has said he expects his next government to look very similar. Israel never annexed the West Bank, meaning the Israeli military remains the sovereign there. Construction in the West Bank requires approval from COGAT, a Defence Ministry body that oversees civilian affairs in the territory. Plans are submitted by the government to COGATs Higher Planning Council, which decides if they meet legal criteria. It claims to act in accordance with planning and building laws in the West Bank. Critics say COGAT routinely promotes settlement expansion and development at the expense of Palestinian communities in the 60 percent of the West Bank that is under full Israeli control. Palestinians have varying degrees of autonomy, including over building permits, in the remaining areas of the West Bank, where most Palestinians live. The offices of Avigdor Lieberman, who served as defence minister in 2017 and 2018, and his deputy, Eli Ben Dahan, did not respond to requests for comment. Both are strong supporters of the settlements and settlers themselves The settlement surge has added to the Palestinians distrust of the White House. The Palestinians cut off ties with the administration over a year ago after Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israels capital. President Mahmoud Abbas has said he will reject any peace plan the Trump team presents. Abbas spokesman, Nabil Abu Rdeneh, said US silence and lack of condemnation and pressure have given a green light to the Israeli government to step up settlement activity. Israels Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan has announced plans to worsen conditions for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, including rationing water supplies and reducing the number of family visits. The planned moves, which are expected to come into force in the coming weeks after being approved by the Israeli cabinet, were sharply criticised by Palestinian leaders and activists who described as them as another escalation of human rights violations by Israel. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Erdan said the plan will also see jails removing cooking rights and limiting prisoners access to television as well as blocking funds to the Palestinian Authority. The minister said that family visits had already been halted for prisoners affiliated with the Palestinian movement Hamas. The plan also includes preventing members of the Knesset [Israels parliament] from visiting Palestinian detainees, added Erdan, who last year set up a committee to make prison conditions harsher for those who committed acts of terrorism. The policy of separating Hamas prisoners from those affiliated with rival Palestinian faction Fatah will also come to an end, as Erdan said that holding inmates in cells based on organisational affiliation resulted in strengthening their organisation identity. The minister also said that there will be clear limits on the amount of water a prisoner consumes each day, including a cap on the number of times they are allowed to shower. Israel behaving as if above international law Mustafa Barghouti, head of the Palestinian National Initiative party, told Al Jazeera that the Israeli government acts like it has a free hand to oppress Palestinians in any way they want. The only way to force Israel to abstain from this behaviour is to impose sanctions on Israel, he said, speaking from the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah. Israel is behaving as if it is above international law and this must change. The Palestinian Prisoners Commission denounced Erdans plans and said they were an attempt to make Palestinian prisoners lives even more unbearable. Qadri Abubaker, the head of the Prisoners Commission, called for a strong national stand against these measures. Such decisions and laws calls for everyone to rally at the official, popular, legal, media and human rights level to expose these arrogant policies against our heroes in prisons, he told Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency. Hunger strikes According to official statistics, the number of Palestinian prisoners behind bars has reached 5,500, including 230 children and 54 women. Rights groups say more than 1,800 are in need of medical care, with about 700 suffering from serious or chronic illnesses. Many Palestinian prisoners say they have been subject to torture and violence while in custody. There have been many protests against poor conditions in recent years, including several hunger strikes. During Wednesdays press conference, Erdan said the Israeli government would not be deterred by threats and [hunger] strikes. We must make conditions worse [for prisoners] to fulfil our moral duty to terror victims and their families, he added, going on to assert that the Israeli prison service was ready to deal with any scenario. Israel PM urged to expand illegal settlements ahead of election Plans to extend an existing settlement in occupied West Bank comes amid growing pressure on Netanyahu. At least 15 people die in landslides triggered by heavy rain, in the latest disaster to hit Indonesia. The death toll from a landslide triggered by heavy rain in Indonesias West Java province has risen to at least 15 people as rescue workers found more bodies while digging through muddy soil that buried dozens of houses up to their roofs. Search operations in Sirnaresmi village in Sukabumi district resumed on Wednesday after being halted a day earlier due to bad weather. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesperson for Indonesias disaster management agency, said in a statement late on Tuesday that rescuers were searching for 20 villagers believed to have been buried in the landslides, which hit 30 houses shortly before sunset on Monday. Of 101 people affected, 63 are safe and three were injured, Nugroho said. There have been four more landslides with less amount of soil. The unstable soil poses a danger to rescuers especially when it rains hard, he added. Sirnaresmi village is located in a hilly zone prone to landslides. According to data from Indonesias volcano and geological disaster mitigation agency, there are 33 sub-districts in Sukabumi situated in areas with medium to high risks of landslides. Disaster-prone Indonesia Landslides are common in Indonesia, a vast Southeast Asian tropical archipelago prone to natural disasters and torrential downpours. The latest landslide meant that Indonesia, which straddles the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide, ended the year with 2,564 disasters of various sorts. They included devastating tsunamis that hit Central Sulawesi in September killing thousands, and Lampung and Banten just before Christmas that claimed the lives of more than 400 people. Meanwhile, Lombok island was rocked by powerful earthquakes in the summer that killed more than 500. Nugroho said disasters in 2018 killed 3,349 people, displaced 10.2 million, injured more than 21,000, damaged more than 319,000 houses and left some 1,432 people unaccounted for. Centuries-old ban on the entry of women of reproductive age breached at Keralas Sabarimala temple. New Delhi, India Two women in Indias southern Kerala state have breached a centuries-old ban on entering an ancient Hindu temple, despite strong protests by right-wing conservative groups. Bindu and Kanakadurga, who were in their forties, walked into the Sabarimala Temple at 3:45am on Wednesday, according to the ANI news agency. The temple had been closed off to women of menstruating age until Indias Supreme Court overturned the ban in September. However, opponents of the ruling continued to block women between the ages fof 10 and 50 from entering the shrine. Today, two women entered Sabarimala Temple. We had issued standing orders to police to provide all possible protection to any woman who wants to enter the temple, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters in Keralas capital city, Trivandrum. A video posted online by ANI showed the two women, clothed in black, hurriedly walking into the temple. They offered prayers there, ANI said. 181114132850072 The temple was briefly shut down following the move for a purification ritual by priests. According to the Sabarimala temples website, women of menstruating age were not allowed to enter the shrine because its deity, Lord Ayyappa, was celibate. Since the top courts verdict, Hindu hardliners, opposed to the decision, have attacked female pilgrims, threatened journalists and pelted police with stones. On Tuesday, tens of thousands of women in Kerala formed a 620-km human chain in support of gender equality from Kasargod in the north to the capital, Trivandrum. #WATCH Two women devotees Bindu and Kanakdurga entered & offered prayers at Kerala's #SabarimalaTemple at 3.45am today pic.twitter.com/hXDWcUTVXA ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Manithi Selvi, who attempted to enter Sabarimala last month but had to back down after being hounded by violent protesters, hailed the two womens entry to Sabarimala as a brave feat. This is a massive victory for the women of India. These two women have protected Indias constitutional rights and smashed the walls of patriarchy. But this is only the first step, we need to guard our rights in the family, in the home, in the workplace, Selvi told Al Jazeera. Those who have tried to purify the temple today after the women entered are standing against the constitution of this country. We have to reject these ideas, she added. Bindu, one of the women who entered the temple on Wednesday, was threatened by right-wing protesters earlier and her house was vandalised, according to Selvi. Conservative Hindu groups said they will continue to oppose women entering the temple. The temple has now been closed for cleaning ritual following this incident where the women forcefully entered the temple. We will definitely go back to the top court to fight this battle out. Its not over yet and we will win, Rahul Easwar, president of the Ayyappa Dharma Sena (Ayyappa Religious Army), that claims to protect the interests of the Lord Ayyappa told Al Jazeera. Kerala's #SabarimalaTemple shut for purification rituals. Two women devotees in their 40's had entered the temple in the early morning hours today. pic.twitter.com/jMefTpCsCE ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 KK Shailaja, minister for social justice in Kerala, said her government stands for gender equality. She had also participated in the womens human wall on Tuesday. We are upholding the top court orders and our government here will continue to strongly back all women. We stand for gender equality. Those saying that women are impure should be ashamed of themselves. How can they say women are impure in front of God? Shailaja said. There is no logical reason to stop women from entering any temple, she said. The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has backed the anti-women protesters despite the court order, in what critics say is a move to fan Hindu religious sentiment to make inroads into the region. Menstruation is rarely discussed openly in India and menstrual blood is considered impure by many communities. Across cities and towns, menstruating girls and women are not allowed to prepare food, enter a temple or touch an idol. An estimated one million Hindu pilgrims travel to the Sabarimala temple in the southern state of Kerala annually. The stories spill out in the sitting rooms of Catholic convents, where portraits of Jesus keep watch and fans spin quietly overhead. They spill out in church meeting halls bathed in fluorescent lights, and over cups of cheap instant coffee in convent kitchens. Always, the stories come haltingly, quietly. Sometimes, the nuns speak at little more than a whisper. Across India, the nuns talk of priests who pushed into their bedrooms and of priests who pressured them to turn close friendships into sex. They talk about being groped and kissed, of hands pressed against them by men they were raised to believe were representatives of Jesus Christ. He was drunk, said one nun, beginning her story. You dont know how to say no, said another. At its most grim, the nuns speak of repeated rapes, and of a Catholic hierarchy that did little to protect them. The Vatican has long been aware of nuns sexually abused by priests and bishops in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa, but it has done very little to stop it. Now, the Associated Press news agency has investigated the situation in a single country India and uncovered a decades-long history of nuns enduring sexual abuse from within the church. Nuns described in detail the sexual pressure they endured from priests, and nearly two dozen other people nuns, former nuns and priests, and others said they had direct knowledge of such incidents. Still, the scale of the problem in India remains unclear, cloaked by a powerful culture of silence. Many nuns believe abuse is commonplace, insisting most sisters can at least tell of fending off a priests sexual advances. Nuns have described in detail the sexual pressure they endured from priests [Manish Swarup/AP] Last year, when repeated complaints to church officials brought no response, a 44-year-old nun filed a police complaint against the bishop who oversees her religious order, accusing him of raping her 13 times over two years. Soon after, a group of her fellow nuns launched a two-week public protest in Indias Catholic heartland, demanding the bishops arrest. It was an unprecedented action, dividing Indias Catholic community. Inside the accusers convent in rural Kerala state, she and the nuns who support her are now pariahs, isolated from the other sisters, many of whom insist the bishop is innocent. The protesting nuns get hate mail and avoid going out. Some people are accusing us of working against the church, of being against the church. They say, You are worshipping Satan,' said one supporter, Sister Josephine Villoonnickal. But we need to stand up for the truth. Terrifying experience Some nuns accounts date back to decades like that of the sister, barely out of her teens, who was teaching in a Catholic school in the early 1990s. The priest was in his 60s. She was four decades younger. One night, the priest went to a neighbourhood party. He came back late, after 9:30 pm, and knocked at her room. I need to meet you, he said, insisting he wanted to discuss her spiritual life. She could smell the alcohol. Youre not stable. Im not ready to meet you, she told him. 2013410101055913509 But the priest forced open the door. He tried to kiss her. He grabbed at her body, groping wherever he could. Weeping, she pushed him back enough to slam the door and lock it. It was such a terrifying experience. She told her mother superior, who allowed her to avoid other meetings with the priest. She also wrote an anonymous letter to church officials, which she thinks may have led to the priest being reassigned. But nothing was said aloud. There were no public reprimands, no warnings to the many nuns the priest would work with through his long career. She was too afraid to challenge him openly. I couldnt imagine taking that stand. It was too scary, she said. For me, it was risking my own vocation. So the fierce nun remained silent. Sexual taboo Catholic history is filled with women who became martyrs to their own purity: Saint Agatha had her breasts torn off for refusing to marry; Saint Lucy was burned alive and stabbed in the throat for defending her virginity; Saint Maria Goretti was 11 years old when she was killed by a man who tried to rape her. It is a sin! Maria is said to have cried out. God does not want it! But for a nun, fighting off a priests advances means pinballing through centuries-old sexual and clerical traditions. Celibacy is a cornerstone of Catholic religious life, as is sexual purity among nuns. Many nuns say a sister who admits to a sexual experience even if its forced faces the risk of isolation within her order, and possibly even expulsion. Youre not sure if youll be kept in your congregation, because so much is about your vow of chastity, said Sister Shalini Mulackal, a New Delhi-based theologian. That fear is there for the young ones to disclose what has happened to them. At the same time, priests are seen as living representatives of Christ, with obedience to them another Catholic cornerstone. 181117231234569 Caught at this intersection of sexual taboo, Catholic hierarchy and loneliness, sisters can be left at the mercy of predatory priests. Theres a lot of emotion bottled up and when a little tenderness is shown by somebody it can be so easy for you to cross boundaries, said Sister Dorothy Fernandes, who has spent years working with the urban poor in eastern India. It can be hard to tell what is love and what is exploitation. Celibacy is a cornerstone of Catholic religious life, as is sexual purity among nuns [Manish Swarup/AP] A nun from Kerala state remembers the misery of Sunday mass as an adolescent, when boys would stand outside the church to watch girls filing in, eyes crawling over their young figures. We have a terrible taboo about sex. That naivety, she said, can be costly. Like the time she was a novice nun, still in her teens, and an older priest came to the Catholic centre where she worked. He was from Goa, a coastal region and former Portuguese colony. She shook her head: I was in charge of visitors, and we had this bad habit of being hospitable. At one point, she brought the priests laundry to his small room, where he was sitting. As she set down the clothes, he grabbed her and began to kiss her. At first, she had no idea what was happening. The kissing was all coming here, she said, gesturing at her chest. She quietly told a senior nun to not send novices to the priests room. But, like the nun who fought the drunken priest, she made no official complaint. Risk of speaking up A complaint against a priest means getting pulled into a tangle of malicious rumours and church politics. It means risking your reputation and the reputation of your order. Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, a New Delhi-based church leader, calls incidents of abuse kind of sporadic. Once here, once there. But many people dont want to talk, he continued. They may talk in the community, but they dont want to bring it to the public, to the court. There are roughly 18 million Catholics in India, but thats a small minority in this largely Hindu nation of 1.3 billion. Speaking up could tarnish the image of their church, many nuns worry, and feed criticism by Hindu hardliners. Even we, as religious sisters, even we try to keep it quiet, said Mulackal, the theologian. A woman who goes through this experience, she just wants to hide it and pretend everything is OK. A woman who goes through this experience, she just wants to hide it and pretend everything is OK. Sister Shalini Mulackal, theologian The rapes, the nun from Kerala says, happened in room number 20 of a small convent at the end of a one-lane road. The rapist, she says, was the most powerful man in this tiny small world: Bishop Franco Mulakkal. Smart and ambitious, Mulakkal had risen from small-town Kerala to become a bishop in north India. 181119234220623 The nun is a friendly woman with jet black hair known for her quiet confidence. Every few months, she says, Mulakkal would visit the St Francis convent and summon her. Then, according to a letter she wrote to church officials, he raped her. The letter says the first rape happened on May 5, 2014. The last time was September 23, 2016. The dates are recorded in the convents visitor logs. Mulakkal angrily denies the accusations, telling reporters the charges were baseless and concocted and accusing the sister of trying to blackmail him into giving her a better job. I am going through painful agony, said Mulakkal, who was jailed for three weeks and released on bail in October. I tell everyone to pray to God: Let the truth prevail. Survivor sister Many see Mulakkal as a victim. A string of supporters visited him in jail, and crowds greeted him when he was released on bail. Hearty Welcome! a banner proclaimed. But at the St Francis convent, one group of nuns watched news reports about that welcome with dismay. While the sister levelling the accusations against Mulakkal does not speak publicly, a half-dozen nuns cluster around her, offering support and speaking on her behalf. Sister Josephine Villoonnickal, left, sister Alphy Pallasseril, centre, and Sister Anupama Kelamangalathu, have supported the accusation of rape against Bishop Franco Mulakkal [Manish Swarup/AP] Nobody came to see sister, but so many people came to wait in line to meet Bishop Franco in jail, said Villoonnickal, the nun who moved back to Kerala to support the woman she calls our survivor sister. It was about fear. The bishop is such a powerful person and standing against him, where will she go? asked Villoonnickal. If she went home, what will happen to her? Many times, she was telling him to stop. But each time he was forcing himself on her, she continued. Eventually, they say, she told some sisters what was happening. Then she says she repeatedly complained to church authorities. When nothing happened, she went to the police. Catholic authorities have said little about the case, with Indias Catholic Bishops Conference saying in an October statement that it has no jurisdiction over individual bishops, and that the investigation and court case, which could take many years, must run their course. Fear of isolation In Malayalam, the language of Kerala, sisters who leave the convent are sometimes marked as Madhilu Chadi Wall Jumpers. Its a mocking term for the sexually frustrated and is often used for nuns and priests who have fled religious life. Those who stay, get respect. Those who leave, often find themselves adrift, searching for new identities and spurned by families and friends. Speaking up about the churchs troubles, many nuns say, could end with them forced from their convents, cut off in many ways from what theyve always known. Its a fear of being isolated if I speak the truth, said the nun who fought off the drunken priest. If you do that, you have to go against your own community, your own religious superiors. In the end, most say nothing. I didnt tell anybody, said the nun who escaped the priest kissing her chest, and who waited many years to talk about what had happened to her. So you understand how these things are covered up. President Emmanuel Macrons rivals hope to gain representatives from European parliament with yellow vest effect. By "This is important to ward off China's growing market share." It seems Canada is not the only one out to please Washington. Yesterday, the South China Morning Post published an article about Britains plan to build a new military base in East Asia, possibly near the vicinity of Singapore and Brunei. Some analysts warn that it could further complicate the strategic landscape in a region already fraught with maritime disputes and geopolitical rivalry between China and the United States. The plan, which was bared by no less than British defense secretary Gavin Williamson, is seen to possibly cast a shadow over Chinas relations with its Asian neighbors aside from probably further inflaming tensions between Beijing and London, which started when after a British warship sailed close to the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Early in December, Canada arrested Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, a top executive with the Chinese tech company Huawei, in response to an extradition request from the United States. While the US insists that the request for Mengs extradition is due to the fact she is wanted on charges of fraud, including the use of a Huawei subsidiary to conduct business with Iran (in violation of the sanctions the U.S. had imposed on that country, aside from fears that Huawei would use advanced capabilities to provide intelligence to the Chinese government, making it a threat to national security), sources claim that the real reason behind the arrest and detention of Meng is mainly due to the US losing out in 5G technology, thus the need to resort to foul tactics, but which has failed to stop Huawei from shipping 200 million units catapulting it to number two behind Samsung, and relegating US brand Apple to number three in the world market. Now, with Britains admission of its plan to build a military base in the contested areas in South China Sea, Xu Liping, a professor at the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, views this move as a clear muscle-flexing gesture targeting China that further shows closer engagement of external powers in the South China Sea disputes.The article quotes another analyst, Ni Lexiong, a naval expert at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, who says the plan was more evidence of Britain and other key American allies increasingly aligning themselves with US President Donald Trumps hardline approach on China. It is a complementary step to Washingtons Indo-Pacific strategy and Washington will be pleased, Ni was quoted as saying, in reference to Trumps plan to bolster its security and economic engagement with the region at a time when bilateral ties are at a historical low. Beijing has long viewed Washingtons heightened military activity in the disputed South China Sea as a threat to regional stability. And although Xu says Washington was less interested in playing a global leadership role under Trumps America first policy, it was actually behind Londons plan for a military base in the region. The relationship between China and Britain has been strained after Beijing accused Britain of engaging in provocation after a British warship passed near the Paracel Islands claimed by China in a freedom of navigation operation in late August. And while the bases are still on the planning stage, the news nonethless could still be good for American allies and partners in the region that have been concerned about Washingtons reluctance to take a leadership role to challenge Beijings assertiveness in the South China Sea disputes. Such allies are Japan, Australia and Vietnam. For China, however, it could signal severe challenges ahead in dealing with a delicate regional security balance in the region, with the risk of growing tensions and even partial confrontation, an analyst warned. But Britain and its other allies could care no less. What is important at this point is to please Washington, just as what Canada did, in order to ward off Chinas growing market share. They could not afford to just sit and watch as their share of the market dwindles and evaporates into thin air. Narathiwat, Thailand Suraiya first noticed something was wrong with her two-year-old son, Atfan Kuning, when he couldnt eat or keep any food down. The possibility of measles came to mind early as she remembered the warning postings about the vaccine-preventable disease on TV and radio, as well as on billboards plastered around Narathiwat and throughout the southern Thai province. At first, I tried to think positively, I thought, maybe its not measles, maybe its something else, says Suraiya, 26. I thought, he got the first vaccine, so this cant happen to him. But it did. A local doctor diagnosed Atfan with measles while rare, children can still become infected even after receiving the first of two injections. Even though its widely accepted that the disease is close to being eradicated, here in Thailands deep south, the virus has spread rapidly since September, affecting some 3,000 people out of the 4,000 reported cases nationwide and causing the deaths of at least 22 children. Hearing that her son was infected shook Suraiya to the core. And later, when she learned that the disease was possibly deadly, it almost sent her into a panic. I was terrified, she says. My husband and I were in disbelief because we got him the first injection already, so we thought how could this be happening to us? I needed to know the worst-case scenario, and if it happens, then I needed to prepare myself. The biggest risk for the young boy was for the disease to spread to his lungs. But luckily for the family, this didnt happen. Instead, Atfan started improving because of the first vaccine. Many others, however, have not been as fortunate, with doctors warning that the measles outbreak has gone off the rails in the countrys south. The region borders Malaysia in a cluster of provinces Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkla where tensions have been raging for years amid ongoing conflict between separatists fighting for independence and the Thai military. Unsurprisingly, the area, albeit naturally beautiful, rarely sees tourists. Experts say the recent measles outbreak is the result of a lack of adequate health education, high levels of child malnourishment and dangerous anti-vaccination narratives that have long plagued the area. What is measles and how dangerous is it? Measles, a contagious disease, killed an estimated 110,000 people in 2017, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The vast majority were children under five. The disease starts out like a common cold, then it progresses into high fever along with worsening symptoms. Its contagious through direct contact and through the air. Once it infects the respiratory tract, it then rapidly spreads throughout the whole body. Within days, rashes appear on the face and neck until fully covering the infected. WHO says that deaths occur because of complications with the disease, such as encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), diarrhoea, dehydration, ear infections or severe respiratory infections. Research from WHO found that Southeast Asia suffers from more cases of Measles than anywhere else in the world. In 2017, there were 107,292 suspected cases in Southeast Asia. The figure dropped to some 83,000 suspected cases the following year. Right now, the situation is really bad, says Muhammadfahmee Talek, a local epidemiologist and lecturer at Prince of Songkla University Pattani campus, noting that the majority of those affected are children under the age of four. Talek attributes the growing number of cases to the deep souths high levels malnutrition affecting, in some areas, up to 30 percent of children, according to UNICEF and low vaccination coverage. The low vaccine rates are for a couple of reasons: one is that theres a religious element that makes locals misunderstand vaccines. Some of it has to do with misinformation from religious leaders, says Talek, who has been following the outbreak closely. Then theres a second issue that theres a Zionist conspiracy, or that vaccines are somehow a Western invention that are dangerous. The predominant religion in Thailands deep south is Islam, and local adherents are mostly conservative. Although the vast majority have no issue with vaccines, some fundamentalist leaders have grievances with the fact that some vaccinations contain gelatin derived from pork. This is problematic because consuming any kind of pork conflicts with Islamic teachings. Al Jazeera repeatedly contacted two prominent local Muslim leaders who are currently promoting anti-vaccination narratives. Both refused to speak. But other Muslim leaders and local doctors are promoting a more enlightened approach and are working together to fight the outbreak. A poster in Narathiwat urging residents to vaccinate their children [Caleb Quinley/Al Jazeera] According to Talek, the locals vaccination fears began in 2010-2011, when a diphtheria outbreak killed 27 people. All of the deaths occurred within the most conflict-prone areas, leading many to believe that the disease was somehow weaponised by the military through the use of vaccinations. Human Rights Watch (HRW) says its imperative that children have access to vaccinations and that childrens rights to health should be prioritised. The cause of this outbreak is because certain local Islamic teachers are preaching the vaccine is un-Islamic. With such disinformation, many parents decided not to bring their children to receive vaccination, says Sunai Pasuk, Thailand researcher for HRW. 180901095644794 Since the surge of armed insurgency in 2004, the separatist BRN movement has targeted the Thai governments public healthcare services as symbolic of what they consider to be the Thai Buddhist states occupation of their homeland. Separatists burned down public health centres, murdered public health volunteers and hospital staff, and used a hospital for military purposes. Separatists and their supporters have also used false teaching to spread misperception among Muslims that public healthcare services, including vaccinations, are un-Islamic. But for Talek, the problem all comes down to the importance of health awareness and education. We need to improve the nutrition status of the kids here, and we also need to encourage the education of the parents. This is so important for the kids because immunisation saves countless lives, he says, calling for the crisis to be contained. If our kids arent generally healthy, then they will be more susceptible to other illnesses in the future. Theres no doubt that vaccinations have made global progress. Research indicates that immunisations have resulted in an 80 percent drop in measles-related deaths between 2000 and 2017, and within that period, measles vaccinations thwarted an estimated 21.1 million deaths. Yet for the families situated in the centre of the affected region, uplifting statistics arent too comforting. And with nearly two dozen confirmed deaths, not all families have been as lucky as Atfans. Im so glad that hes not in any danger any more, Suraiya says, smiling. Im so overjoyed that hes going to be OK. Im just so happy. Regional monitors say majority of Congolese electorate allowed to exercise right to vote in well-managed election. Election monitors from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have said the Democratic Republic of the Congos (DRC) presidential election went relatively well despite chaotic scenes that prevented many from voting. The qualified endorsement from the regional body on Wednesday countered allegations by opposition candidates that the December 30 vote was marred by widespread irregularities. Approval of the elections results by SADC powers like South Africa and Angola will be critical for the legitimacy of the administration of the next president, who will succeed incumbent Joseph Kabila on January 18. Pre-election polling showed Kabilas preferred candidate, ex-interior minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, trailing the main opposition candidates, Martin Fayulu and Felix Tshisekedi, but both sides say they expect to win. The election is meant to lead to Congos first democratic transfer of power in 59 years of independence. But more than a million Congolese in opposition strongholds were prevented from voting due to an Ebola outbreak, local factional conflict and various logistical problems. 181230173941004 Taking into account the range of challenges posed by these elections, the [mission] observed that the elections were relatively well-managed, the SADC mission said in its statement. The election allowed the majority of the Congolese population to exercise its right to vote. Provisional results are expected on January 6, with the final outcome on January 15. Internet blocked On Monday, the authorities cut off internet cross the vast central African country in an apparent effort by the government to prevent social media speculation about the results of the vote. Meanwhile, Radio France International said on Wednesday the government had revoked the accreditation of one of its journalists and cut off the stations broadcasts. Confirming the move, Lambert Mende, a spokesperson for the government, accused the station of stirring up controversy. He said its journalist, Florence Morice, had violated electoral laws. We are not going to let a radio station throw petrol on the flames at a time when we are waiting for the compilation of the provisional results, Mende said. RFI said its coverage had been impartial. Also on Wednesday, an African Union observer mission said that election day, which also included votes for national and provincial assembly members, was peaceful yet blighted by a number of logistical problems. The holding of these elections constitutes, in itself, a first great victory for the Congolese people, it said in a statement. The mission strongly wishes that the results that will be declared are true to the vote of the Congolese people. Kabilas government refused to accredit election monitors from the European Union and the US-based Carter Center, which said there were widespread irregularities in the 2011 election. Contested election results in 2006 and 2011 led to violent street protests, and a disputed outcome this time could also destabilise Congos volatile eastern borderlands with Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi, where dozens of militia groups are active. Cuba has celebrated the 60th anniversary of its communist revolution with its leader Raul Castro criticising the United States for returning to an outdated path of confrontation with the island nation. Castro, who stepped down as president in April but remains the leader of the Communist Party until 2021, spoke on Tuesday in Santiago de Cuba at the grave of his brother Fidel Castro, Cubas revolutionary leader who died in 2016. Increasingly, senior officials of [US President Donald Trumps] administration, with the complicity of some lackeys, disseminate new falsehoods and once again seek to blame Cuba for all the ills of the region, he said in the presence of Cubas current President Miguel Diaz-Canel. After the restoration of diplomatic ties and a friendlier tone under the former administration of US President Barack Obama, once again the US government seems to take the course of confrontation with Cuba, he said. Clad in military fatigues and cap, the 87-year-old Castro said that Cuba had proven throughout six decades of revolution it could not be intimidated by threats. Instead, it remained open, he said, to peaceful and respectful coexistence. Cuba remains one of only a handful of communist states left in the world [Yamil Lage/Pool via Reuters] On January 1, 1959, Fidel Castro overthrew a US-backed authoritarian leader Fulgencio Batista and installed a Communist-run country on the doorstep of the United States, setting the scene for decades of Cold War hostility. Currently, Cuba remains one of only a handful of communist states left in the world, and has been under a US economic embargo since 1962. Abroad, Cubas government has faced heavy criticism for its authoritarian nature, intolerance of opposition, and persecution of detractors. Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, said in November that Washington would take a tougher line against Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, calling them a troika of tyranny. Chinas first e-commerce law offers consumers more protection Chinas new e-commerce laws will be effective in wiping out counterfeit goods from the online marketplace. A cross-party group of British parliamentarians and international lawyers has asked to visit detained female activists in Saudi Arabia to investigate allegations that they are being tortured and denied legal representation and family visits. In a letter to the Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom, MP Crispin Blunt, the head of the groups detention review panel, asked Prince Mohammed bin Nawwaf bin Abdulaziz to assist them in arranging a visit to Dhahban prison near Jeddah to speak to the activists held there. We hope to be able to gather direct testimony from the detainees during our visit in Saudi Arabia, Blunt wrote on Wednesday, adding the group wanted to also meet and interview officials responsible for and tasked with the activists detention. Several international human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have alleged that eight female activists who had campaigned for the right for women to drive have been tortured with electric shocks and whipped with an egal, a rope that keeps a male headscarf in place. The groups reports have also alleged that the women were subjected to sexual harassment, threatened with rape and prevented from accessing lawyers. The allegations made and recorded by these human rights advocates are extremely damaging to the credibility of the progressive reforms announced recently by the Saudi Arabian government, the letter said. Riyadh has rejected the accusations. The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia categorically and strongly denies the allegations made by them. The wild claims made, quoting anonymous testimonies or informed sources, are simply wrong, the Ministry of Media said in a statement in November. The detained activists have been identified as Loujain al-Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef, Eman al-Nafjan, Nouf Abdelaziz, Mayaa al-Zahrani, Samar Badawi, Nassima al-Saada and Hatoon al-Fassi. Urgency The letter comes as the Saudi government still grapples with the international fallout of the case of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and critic of the countrys leadership who was brutally murdered in the kingdoms consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul on October 2. The Khashoggi tragedy was obviously a total and utter disaster for Saudi Arabia, Blunt told Al Jazeera. It would seem that the people who are responsible for the Khashoggi operation were also responsible for the detention of these Saudi Arabia womens rights activists at exactly the same time that Saudi Arabian women were getting the right to drive and major steps forward in their own personal freedom, with freedom from the so-called guardian laws, in a way that was a huge step internationally and rightly paraded as such. Women in Saudi Arabia were finally allowed to drive in June 2018. The detention review panel said it also wants to collect testimonies from male supporters of the women activists, including Ibrahim al-Modaimegh, Abdulaziz Meshaal and Mohammed Rabea. Their letter went on to say that following the panels review, they would be able to support Saudi Arabia in regaining confidence from the international community that its commitment to progressive reform and the protection of the rights of peaceful pro-reform activists is both credible and sincere. The group requested the Saudi ambassador to respond by January 9 in light of the urgency of this matter. The review panel consists of ITN solicitors, as represented by the firms partner Tayab Ali; Dr Tim Moloney QC, the deputy head of Doughty Street Chambers; MP Layla Moran; and MP Dr Paul Williams. Newly installed far-right President Jair Bolsonaro issued executive orders targeting Brazils indigenous groups, descendants of slaves and the LGBT community in the first hours of his administration, moving quickly after a campaign in which the leader said he would overhaul many aspects of life in Latin Americas largest nation. One of the orders issued late on Tuesday, hours after his inauguration, will likely make it all but impossible for new lands to be identified and demarcated for indigenous communities. Areas set aside for Quilombolas, as descendants of former slaves are known, are also affected by the decision. In the move favourable to his allies in agribusiness, which have criticised giving large swaths of lands to native groups, Bolsonaro transferred the responsibilities for delineating indigenous territories from the Justice Ministry to the Agriculture Ministry. The new Agriculture Minister, Tereza Cristina, is part of the agribusiness caucus in Brazils lower house and has opposed requests from native communities. 190101134031350 The temporary decree, which will expire unless it is ratified within 120 days by Congress, strips power over land claim decisions from indigenous affairs agency FUNAI, previously under the Justice Ministry. FUNAI, which also oversees other initiatives for indigenous communities, such as healthcare, housing and language preservation, will be moved into a new ministry for family, women and human rights. The plan also moves the Brazilian Forestry Service, which promotes the sustainable use of forests and is currently linked to the Environment Ministry, under Agriculture Ministry control. Additionally, the decree states that the Agriculture Ministry will be in charge of the management of public forests. We are very afraid The orders stoked concern among indigenous groups, environmentalists and rights organisations that fear the vast Amazon rainforest and other ecologically sensitive areas of Brazil will be opened up to greater commercial exploitation. 181007020716337 Three-time presidential candidate and former Environment Minister Marina Silva, who was beaten by Bolsonaro in Octobers election, reacted with horror to the orders. Bolsonaro has begun his government in the worst possible way, she wrote on Twitter. Dinama Tuxa, a member of Brazils Association of Indigenous Peoples, said many isolated communities viewed Bolsonaros administration with fear. We are very afraid because Bolsonaro is attacking indigenous policies, rolling back environmental protections, authorising the invasion of indigenous territories and endorsing violence against indigenous peoples, Tuxa said. Observatorio do Clima, a network of 45 Brazilian civil society groups, said in a statement to the Associated Press news agency that the executive orders are only the first step on meeting Bolsonaros campaign promises of dismantling environmental governance, stripping indigenous peoples of their rights and opening up indigenous lands for business. The attack on FUNAI goes beyond the wildest dreams of the rural caucus, who had tried for years to pass a constitutional amendment transferring the demarcation of indigenous lands from the president to Congress, the nonprofit said. Bolsonaro solved the problem by transferring them directly to farmers. Not even the military dictatorship, whose treatment of indigenous peoples was ghastly, went that far. 181231162327391 Bolsonaro, a former army captain and longtime congressman, had said during his presidential campaign that he would stop making what he calls concessions to native Brazilians and quilombolas. Less than one million people live in those places isolated from the real Brazil, Bolsonaro tweeted on Wednesday. They are explored and manipulated by nonprofits. Together we will integrate those citizens and give value to all Brazilians. The far-right leader said last year that he also wants to annul land demarcation decisions made by previous administrations, but legal experts say recent Brazilian Supreme Court rulings could block such move. No signs of govt body to handle LGBT issues Another order issued on Tuesday removed the concerns of the LGBT community from consideration by the new human rights ministry. Bolsonaro did not name any alternative agency to consider such things. He has strongly criticised what he calls gender-based ideology, saying it is a threat to Brazils Christian values. Damares Alves, the new human rights minister, did not discuss the LGBT order in her first address on the job, but the evangelical pastor has insisted over the years that the Brazilian family is being threatened by diversity policies. 180913150932682 On Wednesday, she said, The state is lay, but this minister is terribly Christian. LGBT activist Symmy Larrat said she doesnt expect reasonable treatment from the Bolsonaro administration. The human rights ministry discussed our concerns at a body called secretariat of promotion and defence of human rights. That body just disappeared, just like that. We dont see any signs there will be any other government infrastructure to handle LGBT issues, she said. The newspaper Folha de S Paulo reported that Bolsonaro will later announce the closing of an agency within the Education Ministry that has been aimed at promoting diversity in public schools and universities. Interior ministry says it suspects Syrians seeking entry through borders with Mali and Niger belong to armed groups. Algeria has banned all Syrians from entering the country via its southern borders, hours after a rights group reported that 50 Syrians and Palestinians had been deported to neighbouring Niger in the last week. Hassen Kacimi, the head of migrants policy at the interior ministry, said that Syrians seeking refuge this way were suspected to be armed fighters. We have hosted 50,000 Syrians in the past few years for humanitarian reasons, Kacimi told Reuters news agency, alluding to refugees from Syrias civil war. But we cannot accept members of armed groups fleeing from Syria when it comes to our security. Algeria went through years of devastating civil war with armed groups in the 1990s. While violence is now greatly diminished, sporadic attacks continue in isolated areas. Kacimi said around 100 people had reached the southern border with the help of local armed escorts in recent weeks but were intercepted and expelled shortly after they slipped into Algeria. He said that the Syrians had transited Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan and Niger or Mali using fake Sudanese passports. This is a criminal network and we must be very vigilant not to allow them to get into Algeria, he added. Earlier on Wednesday, a local human rights group said Algerian authorities had deported 50 Palestinians and Syrians on December 25 and 26. According to La Ligue Algerienne pour la Defense des Droits de lHomme (LADDH), the majority of the refugees were Syrian nationals and were transferred via buses to Niger. Algerias south and southeast are largely empty desert regions but it has beefed up its security there after neighbouring Libya and northern Mali and Niger fell into the hands of various armed factions. Since its 1990s civil war, Algeria has become an important ally against armed groups active in the arid Sahel region of North and West Africa. US border patrol fired tear gas at asylum seekers including children, but later said it was targeting rock throwers. US authorities fired tear gas into Mexico on Tuesday as about 150 asylum seekers tried to breach the border fence. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a statement that tear gas was used to target rock throwers, not those attempting to cross the border south of San Diego, California. A photographer of the Associated Press (AP) news agency saw at least three volleys of gas launched onto the Mexican side of the border near Tijuanas beach that affected the migrants, including women and children, as well as journalists. The photographer said rocks were thrown only after US agents fired tear gas. CBP said, no agents witnessed any of the migrants at the fence line, including children, experiencing effects of the chemical agents, which were targeted at the rock throwers further away. The agency also said agents saw toddler-sized children being passed over concertina wire with difficulty. It said its agents could not assist the children because of the rocks being thrown. Agents responded with smoke, pepper spray and tear gas, it said. About 25 people were arrested by CBP. The incident is being reviewed by the agencys Office of Professional Responsibility. Amnesty International called the use of tear gas cruel and inhumane. The Trump administration is defying international law and orchestrating a crisis by deliberately turning asylum-seekers away from ports of entry, endangering families who see no choice but to take desperate measures in their search for protection, Justin Mazzola, Amnestys deputy director of research, said in a statement. Migrants and refugees run as tear gas is thrown by US Border Protection officers to the Mexican side of the border fence [Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP Photo] Migrants and refugees who spoke to the Associated Press said they arrived in Tijuana last month with a mass exodus from Honduras, initially dubbed a caravan. The exodus, which left Honduras in mid-October, grew to more than 6,000 members during its month-and-a-half trek north. It has been a constant target of US President Donald Trump, who has falsely labelled it an invasion and has sought to use it to sow fear and drum up support for his proposed border wall. Many Central Americans have told Al Jazeera they are fleeing violence, political persecution and extreme poverty. Where theres life, theres hope Those who have arrived in Tijuana to seek asylum in the United States have been told they may have to wait months before being allowed to make their claims. Rights groups and asylum seekers have accused the US government of stalling the asylum process, an allegation the US denies. The long process has prompted many to attempt to cross the border between official ports in hopes of making their asylum claims sooner. Others have found jobs in Tijuana while they want to apply at an official port. And others have made the journey home. I havent seen my family in two months, but right now, God willing, well reach our dream, Marvin Ceballos, a Honduran asylum seeker, told Al Jazeera. If Im caught, I can plead and fight for asylum. If Im deported, I guess Ill keep moving forward, he said. Where theres life, theres hope. Last month, the Trump administration announced that it would send asylum seekers back to Mexico to wait out their immigration proceedings. Details regarding the new policy, including when it would take effect, have not been disclosed. In November, US agents launched tear gas across the border after some migrants tried to breach the border following a peaceful march in Tijuana. Hundreds of migrants and refugees who were downwind of the gas were affected. Trump is currently locked in a fight with congressional Democrats over funding for the border wall that he wants to build. The stalemate has led to a partial government shutdown. On Friday, Trump threatened to seal the US-Mexico border entirely if Congress did not approve billions of dollars in funding for the wall. US Secretary of State Pompeo says if Paul Whelans detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return. The United States wants an explanation for why Russia detained a retired US Marine on spying charges in Moscow and will demand his immediate return if it determines his detention is inappropriate, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday. US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman visited Paul Whelan at a detention facility in Moscow and spoke by phone with his family, the State Department said. The United States had expressed concern through diplomatic channels over delayed access to Whelan, who was detained on Friday, a department spokesman said in a statement. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that if the detention of the former Marine is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return. In announcing Whelans arrest three days after he was detained, the Russian Federal Security Service said he was caught during an espionage operation, but gave no details. Whelan, 48, was in Moscow to attend a wedding when he suddenly disappeared, his brother David Whelan said on Tuesday. Pompeo, speaking in Brazil, said the US had made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is hes been accused of and, if the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return. Whelans family said in a statement David Whelan posted on Twitter: We are deeply concerned for (Pauls) safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected. The Russian spying charges carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. 190101172949817 David Whelan said in an interview that his brother had been to Russia several times previously, so when a fellow former Marine was planning to marry a Russian woman in Moscow he was asked to go along to help out. The morning of his arrest, he had taken a group of wedding guests on a tour of the Kremlin museums. The last time anyone heard from him was at about 5pm local time, and he failed to show up that evening for the wedding, his brother said. It was extraordinarily out of character, he said. Strained relations The State Department said on Monday it had received formal notification from the Russian Foreign Ministry of the arrest. David Whelan said the family was told by the US Embassy in Moscow that they had not been able to speak to his brother. David Whelan said he has no idea why his brother was targeted by the Russian security services. I dont think theres any chance that hes a spy, David Whelan told CNN on Wednesday. 181213160238361 Paul Whelan did multiple tours in Iraq with the Marine Corps, his brother said. He now lives in Novi, Michigan, and is director of global security for BorgWarner, where he has worked since early 2017. The arrest comes as US-Russian ties are severely strained, in part over an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. A Russian gun rights activist, Maria Butina, is in US custody after admitting she acted as a secret agent for the Kremlin in trying to infiltrate conservative US political groups as Donald Trump was seeking the presidency. She pleaded guilty in December to a conspiracy charge as part of a deal with federal prosecutors. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the case is fabricated and that Butina entered the guilty plea because of the threat of a long prison sentence The outcome of the December 30 vote should not come as a surprise given the level of state capture in Bangladesh. On December 30, Bangladesh held its 11th parliamentary elections in which close to 100 million Bangladeshis voted at 40,000 polling stations across the country. But even before polling began, many observers concluded that the vote, conducted under the countrys increasingly authoritarian conditions, would be a managed affair. It was clear to many that the ruling Awami League party would tilt the election process in its favour utilising coercive mechanisms. News coverage, reports from human rights organisations, confidential party documents leaked by journalists, and unusually candid public pronouncements by ruling party members, some of which went viral on social media ahead of the polls, revealed the governments elaborate plans for voter suppression, aggressive policing, systemic arrests and detentions of opposition activists all with the singular objective of managing the election in the ruling partys favour. Given that no credible independent political polling exists in Bangladesh, analysts were left with reviews of spontaneous public engagements in political processions, social media sentiment analysis and online polling as the only tangible measures for gauging popular support towards any political party. However unscientific, they showed that there was underpinning momentum towards voting for the countrys major opposition alliance during this election cycle. Even the most partisan of estimates coming from government-affiliated pollsters, some prepared by nebulous characters and organisations, allotted at least 49 parliamentary seats for the opposition out of the 298 contested. However, as the results came in, it seemed as though the governments elaborate machinery ended up over-managing the election and lost its grip on its own script along the way. The Awami League party and its alliance ended up bagging 288 seats, leaving just seven seats for the Jatiya Oikko Front, the major opposition alliance led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). There were constituencies where the ruling party won 99.9 percent of the votes, and hardly any ruling party candidate lost the contests, according to unofficial results. During four prior elections held under neutral caretaker governments between 1991 and 2008, no winning party ever won more than 48 percent of the popular votes. In this election, the winners bagged more than 90 percent of the total votes cast, raising serious doubts over the fairness of the polls. Suppressing the opposition The December 30 election was relatively peaceful in comparison to Bangladeshs previous election cycles. However, the relative peace was achieved through the systemic oppression the state machinery carried out against the opposition over the past 10 years, leaving it effectively hobbled and neutered. Last year, opposition leader Khaleda Zia was sent to jail on corruption charges; her son, Tarique Rahman, the acting party chief, is currently in exile in the United Kingdom sentenced to life imprisonment in relation to a 2004 attack on Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina; and the lucky among the remaining opposition leaders are either already in jail or have hundreds of pending charges against them. The unlucky among the opposition have been executed or forcibly disappeared. The months leading up to the election saw the highest number of extrajudicial killings over the last six years. When the opposition appeared to be still managing to foster an effective alliance, bringing together major leftist, centrist, and Islamic elements of Bangladeshi politics, thugs wielding machetes and sticks were sent to their rallies. Few visible election activities by the opposition alliance were allowed to take place; opposition campaign posters were removed from the streets, and opposition volunteers were arrested with unusual precision across the country. Owing to widespread intimidation and systemic oppression, the opposition parties failed to place polling agents in most polling centres to ensure proper counting and certification of ballots. Infiltrating the state The ruling party managed to pull off this campaign of intimidation ahead of the polls, thanks to the direct control it has managed to establish over key state organs since the early 2010s. How did it manage to do that? For about a decade and a half, starting in the mid-1990s, Bangladesh witnessed four relatively fair elections. What guaranteed the relatively smooth electoral process was a legal provision that required the government to hand over power to a caretaker cabinet for 90 days prior to the election. This neutral unelected body organised and supervised the vote and ensured that there was no interference from any side. But in 2011, an Awami League-dominated parliament overturned the provision and the following election was marred by violence and irregularities. In parallel, the ruling party also launched a process of systematic politicisation of state institutions. Over the past decade, judicial appointments from the lowest to the highest courts have been made along party lines. In 2017, Surendra Kumar Sinh, the sitting Chief Justice of Bangladesh was forced to resign and leave the country when he acted out of sync with the party line. Such subjugation of the judiciary allowed arbitrary arrests and political detentions in the lead-up to the latest election. Police recruitment has also been done along party lines, rendering the police force an easy tool of political suppression. Recruitments for the civil bureaucracy, including the election commission, are also going through a partisan process where about 30 percent of all government jobs are statutorily allocated to the children of freedom fighters, a loosely defined group of men who fought for Bangladeshs independence some 47 years ago, under the leadership of Hasinas father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Given that the government certifies an ever-expanding list of Awami party men as freedom fighters, such preferential recruitment has developed a clan-based civil bureaucracy which works in favour of the ruling elite. Key figures among the bureaucrats also receive perks that often go beyond the hefty salary raises they already receive. Meanwhile, the army has been kept busy with lucrative construction deals and UN peacekeeping missions a source of hard currency for the top officers and away from the troubled political and electoral processes. In a nutshell, the ruling party has created a politicised and dependent state apparatus in which state bureaucrats have to ensure the continuing rule of the incumbent in order to preserve their perks and privileges. Such a patron-client system emerged in Iraq, Syria, and Libya with disastrous consequences. What lies ahead Bangladesh has been gradually sliding back into authoritarianism over the last decade, after experiencing a chaotic democratic moment for about two decades in the 1990s and 2000s, when the countrys two major political parties took turns in power. There were teething pains in that nascent democracy, but people still rejoiced over their rights to elect and change their political leadership. What happened on December 30 clearly shows that Bangladesh has officially become a one-party state of an exotic variety, where elections take place, yet votes are not properly counted; where numerous opposition parties are allowed to exist, but are effectively rendered impotent and barred from ever reaching power; and where the raucous media are free but are only able to produce a self-censored cacophony of government-approved narratives. Today in Bangladesh, a party has its own state which has one mission: to maintain the status quo. There are certainly at least two countries that are happy about that status quo remaining China and India both of which stand to benefit politically and economically with Hasina in power. Some Western countries, which have been critical of the Bangladeshi government in the past, have so far refrained from congratulating the winner. However, the Trump administration expressed its willingness to continue working with the new government, which may not mean much for Washington. But in Bangladesh, it is seen as a stamp of approval, boosting Hasinas legitimacy. This does not bode well for voices of dissent. The already disabled opposition alliance will likely see more heavy-handed repression and more of its activists thrown into jails, especially as the winner of the elections is making public pronouncements that it is a badge of honour to be called authoritarian. This new wave of oppression will likely keep Bangladeshs streets quiet, at least in the short term. But the absence of violence should not trick us into thinking the country will settle into authoritarian stability. A rigged election which effectively sidelined, neutered and humiliated the political centrists in Bangladesh will ultimately swell the ranks of rejectionists of all varieties, including the ones who reject democracy, secularism, and political change through peaceful means. And that does not bode well for the future of the country. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. BeijingTaiwans unification with the mainland is inevitable, President Xi Jinping said Wednesday, warning against any efforts to promote the islands independence and saying China would not renounce the option of using military force to bring it into the fold. China still sees democratic 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. China must and will be united... which is an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people in the new era, Xi said in a speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of a message sent to Taiwan in 1979, in which Beijing called for unification and an end to military confrontation. We make no promise to give up the use of military force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means against Taiwanese separatist activities and outside forces that interfere with reunification, he said. In his speech, Xi described unification under a one country, two systems approach that would safeguard the interests and well-being of Taiwanese compatriots. Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, with its own currency, political and judicial systems, but has never declared formal independence from the mainland. Relations have been strained for the past two years since the election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who has refused to acknowledge Beijings stance that the island is part of one China. On Tuesday, Tsai warned Beijing that Taiwans people would never give up the kind of freedoms unseen on the authoritarian mainland. Beijing must respect the insistence of 23 million people for freedom and democracy and must use peaceful and equal terms to handle our differences, she said. Though Xis speech takes a strong stance against Taiwanese separatists and pushes for reunification, it is aimed mostly at domestic audiences, analysts say. Its rather empty and doesnt have any new points except that cross-strait unification would not affect the interests of other countries, said Fan Shih-ping, political analyst at National Taiwan Normal University, adding that Xis words may also be intended for the US, which views Taiwan as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy. In 2018, the US sent multiple ships through the Taiwan Straitwhich China considers its territory but the US and others see as international waters open to allinfuriating Beijing. Washington also remains Taipeis most powerful unofficial ally and its main arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979.Xis speech is likely to be very poorly received, by the US, said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, who studies Chinese foreign policy. To accommodate differences in Taiwans political system and civil society, China has proposed adopting the one country, two systems policy, which was implemented in Hong Kong after the British handed the city back to China in 1997. But some say the erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong sets a negative precedent for Taiwan. They [China] are gobbling up Hong Kong, not just politically but culturally and economically too, Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmaker, told AFP. Its so obvious that theyre trying to assimilate Hong Kong into wider mainland China in every way. How would any Taiwanese think thats going to work for them? Others believed Taiwanese could slowly come on board. Peoples heart wont change in one day, but I think one country, two systems is a way to do it. The unification might take one, two, or even three more generations to achieve, said a 55-year old construction worker in Hong Kong who gave his surname as Lam. Last October, tens of thousands of Taiwan independence campaigners took to the streets in the first large-scale protest calling for an outright independence vote since the island first became a democracy more than 20 years ago. But some in Taiwan say worsening relations with Beijing have harmed business, as cuts to pensions and a reduction in public holidays compound frustrations over a stagnant economy where salaries have not kept up with the rise in cost of living. Last year, Taiwans ruling party suffered a massive defeat in mid-term polls, causing Tsai to resign as leader of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, while the main opposition Kuomintang, which oversaw an unprecedented thaw with Beijing before Tsai took office in 2016, made gains. Beijing has adopted a multi-pronged approach to diminish Taiwans presence on the international stage in recent years, including blocking it from global forums and poaching its dwindling number of official diplomatic allies. Every person is different in themselves, and that makes them unique. Each uniqueness is a specialty, it is a difference... Are you looking for a Social Media Agency in Manchester? Social Media Marketing is about making your brand image known... So, it s not new for Google to update its ranking signals. Near the end of October 2020, they introduced... CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a chemical compound found in cannabis plants, which is commonly used in the medicinal... I Agree This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy And how we may have passed the point of no return. Hitchhiking through Venezuela some years ago, a friend and I availed ourselves of the novel opportunity to receive free medical care at health clinics established by late President Hugo Chavez, a much-vilified enemy of the international capitalist order. I had never experienced the danger of free healthcare in my own homeland that glorious vanguard of capitalism known as the United States which was too busy waging wars and otherwise facilitating obscene corporate profit accumulation to be bothered with basic human rights. At one Venezuelan clinic, a female doctor from Cuba appropriately remarked that, like the US military, Cuban medics also operated in global conflict zones but to save lives. 170420084034422 A December 2017 statement from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights notes that, while the US manages to spend more [money] on national defence than China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, United Kingdom, India, France, and Japan combined, US infant mortality rates were, as of 2013, the highest in the developed world. The Special Rapporteur provides a barrage of other details from his own visit to the US, during which he was able to observe the countrys bid to become the most unequal society in the world with some 40 million people living in poverty as well as assess soaring death rates and family and community destruction wrought by prescription and other drug addiction. Capitalism, it seems, is a deadly business indeed. Society on drugs To be sure, rampant drug use and abuse is hardly surprising in a society in which money and profit have so superseded human life in importance that people often literally cannot afford to live. Some, however, choose alternate methods of escape from the brutality of reality as is hinted at by a 2018 study from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that indicates skyrocketing suicide levels across the country. Recent reports that loneliness is in fact life-threatening meanwhile suggest that the neoliberal dismantling of interpersonal bonds and increasing isolation of the individual may also be inconducive to survival. 171213074012028 Alienation is compounded by the commodification of every aspect of existence and the enshrinement of consumerist materialism as a way of life, not to mention ubiquitous technological distraction and the conversion of human populations into cell phone-glued automatons. Add to the toxic mix an all-powerful pharmaceutical industry for which a nation of depressed and otherwise afflicted individuals is an obvious financial boon and the future appears bleaker than ever. Point of no return Of course, its not just bodies and communities that the US brand of capitalism is destroying at home and abroad; its also the planet itself. Overconsumption, unbridled contamination, and resource exploitation have put us on a fast track to a point of no return, as climate scientists have warned. Back in 1989, US economist Paul Sweezy described capitalisms view of the natural environment not as something to be cherished and enjoyed but as a means to the paramount ends of profit-making and still more capital accumulation. His summary of the major elements of the environmental crisis already under way three decades ago from the greenhouse effect brought on by massive fossil-fuel combustion to the pernicious fallout of predatory agricultural methods to the mounting pollution of the oceans once thought to be an infinite repository of all kinds of wastes raises the question of whether the point of no return may be already long gone. After all, now that the oceans and other essential earthly accessories have effectively become plastic, it will be rather difficult to convert them back into non-plastic form particularly when the global capitalist elite have wholeheartedly embraced the systems self-destructive logic and apparently dont mind leaving their progeny to deal with the impending apocalypse. Kill or be killed This is even truer since the current leader of the so-called free world is the man who previously denounced climate change as a Chinese hoax. In a December post on the Verso Books website, Ashley Dawson author of Extreme Cities: The Peril and Promise of Urban Life in the Age of Climate Change reviews some of Donald Trumps contributions to the Earths devastation by hyper-capitalism, such as efforts to criminalise environmental protest. 151130113526176 Though Trumps 2017 withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement may have caused the most ruckus, Dawson notes, extractivist policies adopted during the second year of his reign of environmental terror included rolling back vehicle fuel economy standards, dismantling rules limiting methane pollution, and jettisoning safety rules governing offshore drilling operations, among other feats. And while Trumps assault on the environment is mirrored by ultra-right counterparts across the globe like Brazils new president Jair Bolsonaro, who has pledged to put an end to the Amazon rainforest as we know it Dawson stresses that the ideological opening for such leaders was facilitated internationally by centrist and even leftist governments that remained wedded to fossil capitalism over the last couple of decades. It bears emphasising, too, that, in the US, enthusiastic bipartisan support for war a pillar of the imperialist enterprise translates into not only mass death for people on the receiving end of bombs and drone attacks, but also large-scale environmental poisoning. As Newsweek observed in 2014, the US Defence Department is one of the top polluters on the planet. Now, as capitalism continues to kill us, the only real solution however improbable is to kill capitalism. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! By Jacob Whitson, a Birmingham native and student at Columbia University Throughout 2018, AL.com published articles of several authors writing about reform efforts of civil asset forfeiture, and both sides of the topic were well represented. The purpose of reform is to mitigate violations of rights and the pseudo-justifications by law enforcement lobbyists to violate those rights in order to defend profiting from civil asset forfeiture. It is encouraging to know that transparency is on the way, and I am confident that a centralized data base will help confirm what citizens have known all along this powerful tool to combat criminal enterprise is regularly misused. Once reform is passed, our next hurdles will be adoption and joint-operations as allowed by the Civil Asset Forfeiture Acts Equitable Sharing Program. No, not child-adoption, but case adoption! Through the equitable sharing program, assets can be seized locally and forfeited federally. Other states reforms have done two things: 1.) require criminal conviction prior to seizure of assets (unless asset value is above a certain threshold), and 2.) diverted some or all of the revenue from seized assets to the general fund or community programs other than law enforcement. An undercover officer made a $37 purchase at an Anaheim California dispensary and attempted to seize the property for the sale of medicinal marijuana within city limits. Though the State of California decriminalized the sale, use, and possession of medical marijuana, local law enforcement seized a $1.5 million commercial complex in 2013. This local police department did not charge the property owner with a crime, but nonetheless pursued seizure and forfeiture of the building for the actions of a tenant. The state of California requires conviction of a crime prior to seizure, a result of civil forfeiture reform, and refused to charge the property, but the local police department put the case up for adoption to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Adoption is where federal agencies take over an investigation and prosecution from state and local law enforcement but continue to work with these local agencies. The DEA happily took the case, and as late as August 2017, the property owner was still contesting the Department of Justice to regain his rental property. This tactic directly opposes reform passed by the California Legislature that demands criminal conviction prior to seizure, and for revenue to be split with the states general fund. The DEA pays up to 80 percent of the revenue generated from liquidating seized assets directly to law enforcement partners that aided in the acquisition, a percentage significantly more than what California allocates to law enforcement. It happens every day in every state, and the institute of Justice noted that there is a direct correlation between the states with the most restrictive laws governing forfeiture usage and the highest payouts from federal sharing. Even if we require convictions prior to seizure and lower the incentive to police-for-profit by diverting revenue to the General Fund, Education, or Cooper-Green Hospital, we are still at risk. If the day should come that federal agents seize the property of Alabamas citizens to help local law enforcement circumvent our laws, we need to be ready to address Federal Equitable Sharings loopholes. The debate for our reform legislation must incorporate statutes to mitigate the Federal Equitable Sharing Program from being used to undermine citizen-focused, multi-partisan legislation passed by our state legislature. My purpose is to inform my neighbors and fellow citizens by introducing a new component to the civil forfeiture debate, because though our legislature voted down reform this year, it will be back in the following session(s). When we pass this bill, we need to get it right the first time. It didn't rain every day in December, but it may have felt like it. Much of the state got more rainfall than average for the month. And one city -- Dothan -- had its wettest year on record as well. Dothan and Tuscaloosa both had their second-wettest Decembers on record. For Tuscaloosa the record-keeping goes back to 1948, and for Dothan it's 1965. What about other Alabama cities? Here's a look at some of them, courtesy of data from NOAA: Dothan had 10.23 inches of rain in December, making it the second-wettest December on record. No. 1 was 2016 with 10.36 inches. Tuscaloosa got 10.63 inches in December, also putting it at No. 2. The most rain fell in 1983 with 11.05 inches. Decatur got 8.83 inches of rain in December, putting it at No. 3 for rainfall during December. Birmingham's December was its fifth-wettest on record with 11.34 inches. No. 1 was 1961 with 13.98 inches. Montgomery got 9.99 inches of rain last month, putting it at No. 6 of wettest Decembers on record. No. 1 was 2015 with 14.13 inches. Mobile had its seventh-wettest December with 9.45 inches of rain. No. 1 was 2009 with 15.37 inches. Huntsville's December came in at No. 12 for most rainfall with 9.80 inches. The wettest December on record there was 1990 with 18.68 inches. Muscle Shoals had 7.02 inches of rain in December, coming in at No. 27. The most rain for December there was in 1990, with 19.19 inches. How did the year end up as far as rain goes? Dothan got 72.08 inches of rain last year, making it the wettest 2018 on record -- with the caveat that the record goes back to only 1965. A look at some other Alabama cities: Anniston has a lot of missing data, but 2018 ranked as the 23rd wettest year on record. No. 1 is 2013 with 75.28 inches. Decatur got 54.48 inches last year putting it at No. 6, but the record goes back only to 1998. Fort Payne got 62.64 inches of rain last year, making it the 17th wettest on record, which goes back to 1935. No. 1 is 1979 with 73.44 inches. Huntsville got 59.74 inches last year, putting it at No. 29. No. 1 is 1989 with 73.58 inches. Montgomery comes in at No. 41 with 55.19 inches. No. 1 is 1929 with 78.25 inches. Mobile is at No. 74 with 63.45 inches. No. 1 is 1881 with a whopping 92.32 inches. Muscle Shoals got 57.70 inches of rain in 2018, putting it at No. 28. The wettest year on record is 1975 with 78.78 inches. Tuscaloosa finished at No. 3 with 69.76 inches. No. 1 is 1983 with 78.35 inches. The rain looks to continue into the New Year. More is expected statewide through Friday, with some spots getting a few inches, raising more flooding concerns: Moderate to heavy rainfall likely across the South today into Friday. Localized flash flooding and additional river flooding will be possible. pic.twitter.com/qVakmYulF2 NWS WPC (@NWSWPC) January 2, 2019 The National Weather Service in Mobile said there is an elevated flood risk for part of southwest Alabama on Thursday: (NWS) One to 3 inches will be possible in those areas. The rain could add up farther north as well. The weather service in Birmingham said 1.5-2.5 inches of rain will be possible for central Alabama through Friday, leading to concerns about continued river flooding. As for north Alabama, the weather service in Huntsville is forecasting between 0.5 and 1 inch through tonight and an additional 1 to 2.5 inches through Friday for north Alabama, which also raises river flooding concerns there. But there's good news: The rain could take a break over the weekend, with some dry weather in the forecast statewide. A man charged with the rape of a juvenile in Alabaster was deported three years ago after being convicted of drug trafficking and is back again in the U.S. illegally, according to a federal indictment. Amancio Betancourt Martinez, 27, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Birmingham for illegal re-entry into the country. He is also known as Christofer Martinez. Federal documents show Martinez, who lives in Helena, became the subject of a federal investigation after Alabaster police contacted the Department of Homeland Securitys Immigrant and Customs Enforcement in November. At that time, Martinez was a suspect in a rape investigation involving a juvenile female and was believed to be a foreign national who had been previously removed the U.S. Federal investigators, along with Alabaster police and Shelby County sheriffs deputies, went to an undisclosed job site where Martinez was employed. Once there, Martinez, who is a native and citizen of Mexico, was fingerprinted and positively identified, records show. Authorities deemed that Martinez had been removed from the U.S. on Dec. 31, 2015 after being convicted in Shelby County in 2014 on cocaine trafficking charges. In that case, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison with three years of probation. He had also been convicted in June 2012 in Jefferson County for giving false information to law enforcement. He was sentenced to six months with 24 months of probation on that conviction. The fingerprint check, authorities said, also associated Martinez with an FBI number that showed previous immigration arrests. Investigators noted in court records they reviewed Martinezs file and it revealed there was no documentation that he had applied for, or was given, any permission for admission back into the U.S. Martinez was arrested by Alabaster police on Dec. 3 and charged with first-degree rape. Details about the incident werent immediately available but charging documents state the alleged crime happened on Nov. 26. Martinez remains in the Shelby County Jail. The U.S. military is offering an apology for a New Years Eve tweet referencing dropping bombs to celebrate 2019. Time Square tradition rings in the New Year by dropping the big ball, the now-deleted Tweet from U.S. Strategic Command said. If ever needed, we are ready to drop something much, much bigger. The Tweet was accompanied by a video showing stealth jets dropping two bombs that created massive explosions, NBC News reported. The message was later deleted and a subsequent message said it was in poor taste. Our previous NYE tweet was in poor taste & does not reflect our values. We apologize. We are dedicated to the security of America & allies. US Strategic Command (@US_Stratcom) December 31, 2018 The U.S. Strategic Command oversees the nations nuclear arms. A man, who police say was shot by a security guard after firing multiple rounds from an AK-47 outside an Alabama nightclub, has been released from the Madison County jail. Samuel Demario Williams, 33, is charged with misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and menacing, plus felony charges of shooting into an occupied vehicle and being a felon in possession of a firearm, records show. Williams was taken to jail after being released from Huntsville Hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the thigh, Lt. Michael Johnson said. A security guard shot Williams when he was firing an AK-47 outside the 3208 nightclub on Long Avenue in Huntsville, police said. The shootout happened before 1 a.m. Monday. Boosie the rapper was at the club to perform a show. In a video posted to Instagram Monday morning, Boosie, whose real name is Torrence Hatch Jr., described the scene. Boosie, also known as Boosie Badazz, said it was like the Wild Wild West, with club patrons fleeing. The rapper said he was outside the club where the shootout happened. He scolded the people involved, saying they need to learn how to (expletive) act at his shows. Williams was sent away from the club after getting into a fight with another man, according to a police report. Williams got an AK-47 from a vehicle and started shooting as he headed back toward the club, police said. No one else was injured in the gunfire. Once shot (Williams) was taken to the hospital by citizens who were with him at the time of the shooting, Johnson said in a news release Wednesday morning. Those individuals have been identified and the investigation is on-going at this time. Initially, Williams was charged with two misdemeanors. After additional investigation, police got warrants for the two felony charges. Williams was booked into the Madison County jail shortly after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and released just before 11 p.m., records show. Update: Samuel Williams now charged with 2 felonies in the shootout at the 3208 club in Huntsville, Ala. Happened when @BOOSIEOFFICIAL was there for a show this week https://t.co/5YcTuGTL63 Ashley Remkus (@aremkus1) January 2, 2019 Johnson said Williams is accused of shooting an unoccupied vehicle that was in the club parking lot. Police said they also charged Williams with illegally possessing the gun because of his criminal history. Although its generally legal to have an AK-47 in Alabama, anyone who has been convicted of a crime of violence is banned from having a gun, according to state law. Crimes of violence include murder, armed robbery and felonious assaults. Anyone who has been convicted of such offenses can be charged with a crime for having a gun in his or her possession. Williams is a convicted felon, according to court records. He was released from prison on parole in March 2017, court records state. He served more than 14 years after pleading guilty in Montgomery County court to six counts of first-degree robbery and two counts of felonious assault. Six other robbery charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal hatched with prosecutors in 2003, records show. Williams was sentenced to 20 years and received more than seven months of credit for time served in jail before the case was adjudicated, his court file states. Williams was charged with promoting contraband in 2005, when authorities accused him of having marijuana in prison. In that case, he was sentenced to 15 years. The sentence was imposed to run concurrently with at the same time as the Montgomery case, records state. Madison County Assistant District Attorney Shauna Barnett said police have been looking into additional charges against Williams. Officers couldnt find physical evidence to prove whether gunfire hit the club building, she said. The investigation is continuing, according to police and prosecutors, and more suspects could be charged. Rep. Mo Brooks said that Democratic leaders in Congress have American blood on their hands by not providing funding for a proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. President Donald Trump has requested $5 billion in funding for the wall - which he has called integral for border security - prompting a partial government shutdown that began Dec. 22. The president has continued to push for the wall, tweeting Monday morning that the border has long been an "'Open Wound' where drugs, criminals (including human traffickers) and illegals" could enter the United States. In an interview with WAAY Tv, Brooks took Trumps sentiment a step further. He specifically blamed incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for the deaths of thousands of Americans each year because of illegal aliens. He did not offer facts or statistics to support his claim. "It's a very tough position that the Democrats have put us in. One the one hand, you've got thousands of Americans who are dead each year because the Democrats' refusal to secure our borders. Those Americans are dying either because they've been murdered by illegal aliens, vehicular homicides by illegal aliens, or the illegal narcotics that are shipped into our country by illegal aliens and their drug cartels with the drug overdoses that are in the tens of thousands of lost American lives per year." "The question's going to be, how much American blood do you have to have on the hands of Democrat leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer before they will help us with border security? Or is their craving for power such that they're willing to accept the loss of American life." A call to Brooks's office was not returned Monday afternoon, and a recording indicated its voice mail box was full. An email sent to his spokesman requesting more information on Brooks's claims was not immediately returned. In June, The Washington Post's Philip Bump reported that data shows immigrants - including those who enter the country illegally - commit crimes at lower rates than native-born Americans. Trump has rejected that idea. The full context of the question that sparked Brooks's response wasn't immediately clear. In December, Schumer and Pelosi met with Trump in a now-famous Oval Office meeting, where Trump said a wall "totally solves the problem" of border security. "Yes, we need border security. The wall is a part of border security. You can't have very border security without the wall," Trump said during the meeting. Last week, California authorities announced the arrest of a suspect and seven others in connection with the shooting death of a California police officer, Ronil Singh. The man charged with shooting Singh, Gustavo Perez Arriaga, had entered the United States illegally, police say, adding new fuel to debates about sanctuary laws and immigration. Trump tweeted about the case amid authorities' full-scale manhunt for Perez Arriaga, writing: There is right now a full scale manhunt going on in California for an illegal immigrant accused of shooting and killing a police officer during a traffic stop. Time to get tough on Border Security. Build the Wall! DhakaA Bangladeshi journalist was arrested and another was on the run Wednesday for publishing false information about voting irregularities in an election won by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, police said. Hedayet Hossain Mollah, who works for the Dhaka Tribune newspaper, was detained late Tuesday under a controversial digital security law which rights groups say gives authorities broad powers to stifle dissent. Mollah was arrested in the southern Khulna region after he reported that in one constituency 22,419 more ballots than the number of registered voters were cast, local police chief Mahbubur Rahman said. The actual votes cast were only 80 percent of the total votes, Rahman told AFP, adding that Mollah was accused of providing false information in an effort to make the election look questionable. If convicted Mollah could face up to 14 years in jail under a draconian anti-press law that was toughed by Hasina last year. The police chief said another journalist was wanted for questioning after a local government administrator filed a case against the two under the controversial law. Hasina, 71, is accused of creeping authoritarianism, including muzzling the media and jailing prominent journalists such as Shahidul Alam, an award-winning photographer, who spent four months in prison recently. Hasina won 98 percent of seats in Sundays election which opposition politicians claim was rigged by the ruling Awami League to deliver her a record fourth term as Bangladeshs leader.Thousands of opposition activists were arrested during the campaign while voters reported intimidation at polling stations on election day which was overshadowed by the deaths of at least 17 people in clashes between rival supporters. On Tuesday, the European Union urged authorities in Bangladesh to probe violence and obstacles to voting that the EU said had tainted the election. The United States also expressed concern about credible reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence. A State Department statement urged the countrys Election Commission to work constructively with all sides to address claims of irregularities. Opposition parties won only six seats and have demanded a new election under a neutral caretaker government. Hasina has denied allegations of vote-rigging and rejected calls for an election re-run. A man already serving a 55-year sentence for murder in South Carolina has been sentenced in a 2013 Alabama slaying case. Justin Pop-A-Molly Butler was sentenced this morning to 20 years for the 2013 shooting death of a man in Florence. Butler pleaded guilty to murder last month in Lauderdale County Circuit Court. He had been charged with capital murder. Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Gil Self ordered 27-year-old Butler to serve his Alabama sentence concurrently with at the same time as his South Carolina sentence, court records show. The judge ordered Butler be transferred immediately from the Lauderdale County jail to a prison in Lexington, South Carolina. In Florence, Butler was charged in the Nov. 10, 2013 fatal shooting of 32-year-old Eric Watkins. Police found Watkins body in his vehicle off Chisolm Road. Watkins was from Muscle Shoals. Butler is originally from California, but he had been staying in the Shoals area before the slaying, authorities said. Watkins family was in the courtroom today when the judge delivered Butlers sentence. Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said the judge followed the terms of a plea deal. We had a lot of discussions with the family and certainly they approved of the plea agreement and the settlement, Connolly said. In his sentencing order, the judge said he is retaining jurisdiction over Butlers case, in case resentencing is necessary later. The agreement is if he is ever released (in South Carolina) before he completes our sentence, then we would revisit it here, Connolly told AL.com. In South Carolina, Butler was convicted in 2016 of shooting two brothers over a car purchase in Lexington County. One brother, 29-year-old Tycus Metricus Toland, was killed. Those shootings happened in April 2014 about six months after Watkins was killed in Alabama. Hyundai said this week that tariff uncertainty and a sluggish U.S. market are some of the reasons behind slower sales over the last year. But the Korean automaker - along with Kia - is planning for a 3 percent sales increase in 2019, according to Reuters. In 2018 the two companies - which form the fifth-largest automaker globally - fell short of their sales target for the fourth straight year. Together, they sold 7.399 million in 2018, just shy of their target of 7.55 million vehicles. Market projections have global auto production falling 1 percent this year, the first drop in nine years. What does that mean for Hyundais operations in Alabama? Reuters reported the group plans to launch 13 new or revamped models in 2019, including a premium Genesis SUV and the Sonata sedan. Hyundais Montgomery plant produces the Sonata, as well as the Elantra and redesigned Santa Fe SUV, which began production last year. Its unclear just yet how this might affect Montgomery, especially in light of comments made last November by Hyundai Motor Co. CEO Wonhee Lee to Automotive News. In an interview, Lee said he doesnt see any need to expand the production capacity for the Montgomery plant in the short-term. However, he said the plant could be expanded to add a planned next-generation Tucson, a compact pickup, and a Santa Cruz semi-pickup truck, which is a derivative. He said the U.S. plant currently has a capacity of 390,000 vehicles a year. We can only produce three models at our U.S. plant. Within 390,000 total production capacity, if we want to produce four or five models, we need additional investment to modify our production line. If we add pickup production in the U.S. plant, we have to invest a significant amount of money, he said. Lee said he doesnt expect Hyundai to need to expand production for right now. But the Tuscon could arrive in the U.S. market by 2021. Hyundai has already made investment in the Montgomery plant over the past year. Last May, it began a $388 million technology upgrade in an engine shop and added engine head machining capabilities. That was the largest expansion since the plant began production in 2005. The new engine head machining facility was projected to be operational by the middle of this year, when Hyundai will begin producing Theta III engines for Sonata sedans and Santa Fe crossovers. The companys total investment so far in the Montgomery facility has been $1.8 billion, with about 2,700 full-time employees and 500 part-timers working there. All of Alabamas auto manufacturers - Mercedes-Benz, Honda and Hyundai - announced expansions last year, as well as the beginning of construction on the $1.6 billion Mazda Toyota plant in Huntsville. As 2018 draws to a close, its time to vote on what you liked about it specifically when it comes to downtown Huntsville. For the fifth straight year, Downtown Huntsville Inc. and The Huntsville Times and AL.com are partnering to allow readers to select their favorite downtown event and project of 2018. Two online polls will remain open on AL.com until Jan. 16. The nonprofit will share voter results during its 2019 Downtown Huntsville Annual Meeting and Awards at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 18 in the atrium at Propst Arena. Individual tickets and group tables are available for purchase at downtownhuntsville.eventbrite.com. The 2019 Downtown Huntsville Annual Meeting and Downtown Awards will feature a keynote presentation from by Michael Smith, the President and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners as well as the Annual Downtown Awards featuring Development of the Yearand Event of the Year. Mayor Tommy Battle will also present the 2019 Downtown Advocate of the Year. "As DHI completes its 5th year anniversary, we're excited to look forward to a 2019 that will see more development and growth in downtown in decades, said Chad Emerson, President & CEO Downtown Huntsville, Inc. New and unique opportunities to live, work, and play in the city center will continue to transform downtown Huntsville into one of the most interesting middle-sized downtowns in the southeast." Project of the year nominations AC Hotel The Martin Bar & Bistro Domaine South Innerspace Brewing In Bloom Event of the year nominations Tweed Ride Tangled String Fest Christmas Parade Von Brewski Hunt + Gather Microwave Dave Day The next station of the Israeli attorney generals Via Dolorosa is the second to last. Avichai Mandelblit is supposed to announce if he will close the investigations into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or put him on trial for one or all of the charges. Sitting on the attorney generals desk are three police recommendations to try Netanyahu for bribery. This decision will be almost final, since it is subject to a hearing to which Netanyahu will be invited and in which the prime minister and his attorneys will try to convince the attorney general to close the files. The timing is critical, only a few weeks before elections now scheduled for April 9. It's no wonder Mandelblit is searching high and low for salvation. On Jan. 1, Channel 2 reported that Mandelblit met with a forum that included former attorneys general and state's attorneys to draw on their experience before making a decision. Among his concerns are: Is it appropriate to publicize an important decision like this, before general elections? Would it be viewed as crass political interference, or is perhaps the opposite true? Not to announce something that everyone already knows could be a form of interference too. One way or the other, the situation has turned the April 9 election into one of the most important votes in Israeli history because of its explosive implications. As expected, Netanyahu and his adherents did nothing to make the attorney generals life easier. The prime minister, who understands Mandelblits internal conflict, convened a press conference in Brazil Dec. 31 and made a shocking announcement: I wont resign" if there is an indictment, he said, adding, "I believe that nothing will come of all this. I havent changed my mind. The law does not require that a prime minister resign during the process of a hearing. The hearing doesnt end until my side is heard. And therefore, it is not logical to open a hearing process before the elections if you cant finish it before the elections. It is undemocratic. The prime minister's target audience was obviously one person: Mandelblit. Netanyahus argument does have a certain logic. A hearing could reverse the attorney generals decision, but it will only take place after the elections. Thus, it is possible that Mandelblits announcement could inflict political harm on Netanyahu. For a long time, Netanyahu did not believe that the attorney general, who until recently was the government secretary and one of the prime ministers close associates, would dare indict him. These words show us that not only Mandelblit, but Netanyahu, too, was forced to cross the Rubicon. The way things look now, there is a reasonable chance that he will drown in it. Netanyahus polemics and body language show that he has started to internalize the bad news that Mandelblit is likely to indict him. Under the circumstances, Netanyahu is waging a desperate battle to postpone the decree. The first step was to hold elections as early as possible, and now Netanyahu is trying to make sure that the attorney generals decision will be publicized afterward and not before. Netanyahus chances of success with this strategy are unclear. All signs suggest that the attorney general is close to deciding to publicize his conclusions before the Israeli voters head to the polling booth. Yet on the other hand, everything is subject to the possibility that Mandelblit will ask for more clarification, more investigation. It could serve as Mandelblits refuge, as has happened more than once before. The question is whether the attorney general will be sufficiently determined to make his decision at the proper time, disseminate it and then ignore all the background noise. Mandelblits close associates swear that he does not fear anyone. State Attorney Shai Nitzan, number two in the juridical system, loudly commented at the Dec. 31 Calcalist Conference that the attorney general and himself fear no man and that they will do everything they can to come to a conclusion as quickly as possible. Nitzans words, like his previous speech that led to early elections, evidently shook up Netanyahus people. The old mantra of there will be nothing because there is nothing is gone, and the prime minister has retreated to an alternative defense: an attempt to buy time. Despite everything written above, it is not at all clear that the decision to put Netanyahu on trial before elections would actually harm Netanyahu. It could do the opposite. I believe that such a decision would be viewed by the public as coarse interference in the democratic process, a high-placed Likud Knesset member in Netanyahus inner circles told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. People will race to the poll booths to save Netanyahu. Many believe that hes been wronged and publication of such a decision before the election will make them furious enough to rally around the flag. This assessment is based on the precedent set by Shas leader Aryeh Deri in 1999. A district court had convicted Deri of bribery and fraud two months before elections. Nonetheless, Deri ran for Shas and it led this ultra-Orthodox party to an unprecedented achievement of 17 mandates. The Likud is hoping for the same outcome. Another option exists. A senior legal contact told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, One does not hold back such a decision, and the public has the right to know the results of the investigations against the prime minister before they go to vote. Anyone who tries to delay such a decision for unworthy reasons is not worthy of his position, he emphasized. The question that is being asked in political circles, even among parties other than the Likud, is the effect of publicizing such a decision before the elections. Its not certain that everyone will run to the polls to vote for Netanyahu, a senior source in the opposition told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. The Israeli public isnt stupid. They dont really believe that Mandelblit and [just-resigned police commissioner] Roni Alsheich got together to plot Netanyahus downfall. If the decision is to indict him, people will understand that Netanyahu has passed his expiration date. His power at the poll booths will be weakened. We will know the answer in next hundred days, a period that may prove fateful for Israeli democracy. Iraqs new president, Barham Salih, is due to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Ankara tomorrow on his first formal visit to Turkey since being elected to the post in October. Salihs meeting comes at a critical moment as Turkey seeks to influence the timing and logistics of a declared withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria, escalates its military pressure on Kurdish militants in Iraq and grapples with the fallout from US sanctions on neighboring Iran. Salihs post is largely ceremonial, but unlike his predecessor Fuad Massoum, the veteran Kurdish politician is already keeping a high profile, jetting to Tehran on his first formal trip abroad and touring Gulf capitals last month. Ankara began wooing the Iraqi leader early on, dispatching Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to meet with him in October and extend Erdogans invitation. The outreach marks something of a turnaround, as Salihs roots are in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), one of the main Iraqi Kurdish parties that has traditionally enjoyed close ties with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The Kurdish rebels whose insurgency inside Turkey is orchestrated from their headquarters in the Qandil Mountains separating Iran from Iraq move freely in the PUKs Sulaimaniyah stronghold. Turning a deaf ear to Baghdad's howls of protest, Turkish air force jets continue to routinely pound PKK targets in Qandil, Amediyah and Sinjar, causing the deaths of multiple civilians over the years. The PUK was instrumental in establishing the soon-to-be defunct anti-Islamic State alliance between the PKKs Syrian offshoot, the Peoples Protection Units and the United States, an issue that remains an unremitting source of Turkish ire. So is the August 2017 abduction of three intelligence operatives near Sulaimaniyah by the PKK. Ankara blames the PUK for the affair and continues to refuse to restore air access to Sulaimaniyah because of it. Yet Ankara clearly sees merit in looking beyond Salihs political antecedents on a number of counts. Erdogan will almost certainly seek Salih's support against the PKK. He is keenly interested in landing a chunk of Iraqs multi-billion-dollar reconstruction pie. With Washington tightening the screws on Tehran, Turkey and Iraq have much to gain from cooperation, particularly as Iran will undoubtedly lean on Baghdad to help it bypass the sanctions. Iraq is sitting on the worlds 10th biggest reserve of natural gas and most of it is in the Kurdistan Region. Turkey is a natural customer and transit hub for sales of the stuff to gas-hungry Europe. Iraqi gas would reduce Turkeys dependency on imports from Iran and notionally from Russia, its biggest supplier, as well. (The latter rationale no longer holds, since Russias state-owned oil giant Rosneft became the biggest foreign stakeholder in the Kurdistan Regions bankrupted energy sector last year, when it threw it a $3.5 billion-plus lifeline.) Turkeys political influence in Baghdad has never been a match for Irans. And what little it had has been rapidly waning together with the fortunes of its Sunni Arab proteges. Salih could be a helpful ally in helping restore links between Turkey and Iraqs fractured political establishment. But not everyone agrees. A well-informed Iraqi Kurdish source noted, Hes trying with the Turks and the West, but I think he became president too late. The source, who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition that he not be identified, concluded, Iraq doesnt command the time and dice necessary in Western capitals as it did in the past, and that hurts him. But not necessarily in Ankara, however, whose interests seem to be increasingly diverging from those of the West and especially of Washington. If you asked me what was the top lesson Turkey learned from its two major operations in Syria Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch my answer without hesitation would be, Dont enter Syria unless you are sure of air superiority. Both operations taught Ankara that close air support provided by F-16s, armed drones and attack helicopters to protect Turkish forces on the ground and to maintain the operational tempo are vital against enemy elements equipped with well-fortified posts, tunnels, anti-tank missiles, improvised explosive devices, snipers, conventional armor and massive indirect fire support with howitzers and multiple rocket launchers. Turkey is well aware that a military operation in northeast Syria for Turkish soldiers to hold their ground and then advance requires, from time to time, opening Syrian airspace to the Turkish air force. During Operation Olive Branch, Ankara received substantial support from Russia involving airspace. Moscow was able to regulate the pace of the Olive Branch operation by occasionally closing Syrian airspace to the Turkish air force. Moscows closure of Afrin airspace to Turkish planes between March 18-24 allowed Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) elements to withdraw from Afrin to Tel Rifaat without being targeted by the Turkish air force. In other words, Moscows permission for Ankara to use Syrian airspace enables Russia to set the pace and duration of Turkish military operations inside Syria. Eyes again have turned to Moscow, which hosted a visit Dec. 29 by a major Turkish delegation of the foreign minister, the defense minister and the head of national intelligence. The top item on their agenda, although it was not mentioned in post-meeting statements, was to persuade Moscow to allow Turkey to use Syrian airspace that has already been approved by Washington on condition that Turkey take on the Islamic State (IS). The Russian team included Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, presidential envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev and presidential aide Yury Ushakov. Turkey and Russia said they agreed on coordination in Syria to clear all terror groups after the US announcement for withdrawal from the war-torn country. Lavrov stressed that the two countries agreed on coordination of troops to eliminate the terrorist threat in Syria, adding that the agreement also covered the need to intensify the work to ensure repatriation of refugees, the Hurriyet Daily News reported. The US Air Force has effectively maintained a de facto no-fly zone over northeast Syria since the summer of 2014, marking the YPG Kobani resistance against the Islamic States. The US Air Force intercepted Syrian aircraft and helicopters targeting Kurdish forces in Hasakah in August 2016 and even shot down a Syrian warplane targeting Kurdish-led forces in Tabqa in July 2017. Also, in February 2018, some US Air Force A-10s decimated a heavily equipped Assad regime armored column, which was launching an attack across the Euphrates River against critical YPG targets. Since the summer of 2014, despite some dangerous battle situations, the US Air Force did not intercept any Turkish aircraft nor did it target any Turkish military unit on the ground. But after the surprise decision by US President Donald Trump to withdraw from Syria, the Syrian air dominance situation has changed. What is obvious is that the US Air Force will no longer have the same dominance over northeast Syria. Who will be the new boss then? Undoubtedly, Russia. Ankara, from its experience in Syria, knows that Moscow doesnt joke around. Turkey well knows from its shooting down of a Russian Su-24 by a Turkish F-16 on Nov. 25, 2015, how serious Turkish-Russian confrontation in Syrian air space can be. Also, Turks havent forgotten that four Turkish soldiers were killed at Syrias al-Bab by ordnance dropped by Russian war planes because of coordination error. The YPG knows the importance of declaring a no-fly zone over northeast Syria. We have heard of reports that the PKK-affiliated YPG had spoken to France about possibility of declaring a de facto no-fly zone in northeast Syria. Some argue for a UN-imposed no-fly zone over the skies of northeast Syria, similar to the one established in Bosnia in 1993 following UN Security Council Resolution 816, which authorized the enforcement of previous bans on all flights over Bosnia. Given the Russian and Chinese power to veto in the Security Council, however, passing anything resembling this resolution today seems highly unlikely. Ankara, which appears to have received the blessing of the United States to use the northeast Syria airspace, followed up by sending its top defense and security officials to Moscow to secure permission for its flights. Ankara believes it is essential to use Syrian airspace both for its operations east of the Euphrates and to eradicate IS elements. Well-informed sources in Ankara who didnt want to be identified said Ankara has plans to use the Syrian airspace and some bases that the United States will evacuate to eliminate IS elements who are 300-350 kilometers (185-220 miles) from the Turkish border. That would mean flights by Turkish F-16s as deep as Deir ez-Zor in Syria. Ankara will also ask for coordination with Russian forces to persuade Assad forces to avoid targeting Turkish air force planes and helicopters. In the third week of December there were unconfirmed local reports that Assads forces might unilaterally declare a no-fly zone upon request of the YPG. Ankara officials say they think that Damascus could not initiate such an action without Moscow's permission and that although Assads forces have S-200 and S-300 air-defense systems, they are not technically capable. Turkish sources have been telling Al-Monitor that Ankara has been closely monitoring Israels preventive air attacks against Syrian targets. Ankara experts say any operation Turkey plans cannot be canceled just because Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces have air defense systems. As a deterrent against Assads forces, Ankara primarily would rely on air-to-surface missiles and the TEBER-82 precision smart weapon, which were recently developed by Turkey. Would Turkey dare use airspace in northeast Syria despite opposition by Moscow? No. If Ankara had been thinking of an air operation despite Russian opposition, the high-ranking Turkish delegation would not have been in Moscow on Dec. 29. ALEPPO, Syria The areas under the control of the Free Syrian Army in northern Aleppo countryside witnessed between Dec. 16 and Dec. 24 heavy rainfall that led to floods and torrents. The tents of many internally displaced persons (IDPs) were destroyed in camps near Azaz in Aleppos northern countryside. The rainstorm left hundreds of families homeless in the absence of any help from humanitarian organizations. Al-Monitor toured Bab al-Salam camp in northern Azaz, where the rainfall caused floods in large parts of the camp. Tents that survived the floods were no longer habitable, however, forcing a large number of camp residents to either sleep out in the open or at relatives houses in Azaz and nearby villages. Children's playgrounds turned into pools of mud, and instead of playing outdoors the children helped their mothers clean mattresses, blankets and cooking utensils soaked with water and mud. On the southern end of the camp, a group of women helped an elderly neighbor who lives alone in her tent. Bab al-Salam camp, home to a large number of IDPs (no official statistics are available on their exact number), is not the only one that was flooded in the area. Many camps that were set up for IDPs near Azaz close to the Syrian-Turkish border faced the same fate, including al-Shuhada, al-Rayan, al-Nour, al-Iman, al-Qatari, Sajou, Ehtimilat, Dabek, al-Bal, Shamarekh, Shamarin, al-Rahma, al-Mokawama, Yazi Bagh, al-Risala, Kaer Kalbein, al-Sawameh and Deir Ballout camp. At least 25,000 families live in these camps (as per local statistics) and more tents for the displaced are spread across the prairies in Aleppos countryside. Hence, thousands suffered due to the floods in the camps scattered among the olive groves in Azaz countryside. The manager of Bab al-Salam camp, Abd Salam Hafez, told Al-Monitor, We could not really limit the impact of this catastrophe. The rainfall that went on for days destroyed most tents. We distributed plastic covers to prevent rain leakage into the tents, but that did not reduce the suffering of families. Water is surrounding tents from all sides. He added, We hope humanitarian organizations and charities operating in the region will meet the needs of the camp residents. Many families have lost their belongings due to the torrents. Others need covers and winter clothes for their children. Temperatures are very low and the rain has not given camp residents a chance to fix the damage. Abdul Karim Ibrahim has been living in Bab al-Salam camp since 2016. He told Al-Monitor, The heavy rainfall flooded our tent. My family and I had to move into my friends place for three days due to the rainfall. He lives in Azaz. We lost most of our belongings from covers to furniture and home appliances. We need a chance to fix what was damaged and make the tent habitable again. Unfortunately no organization has offered us support to fix what the floods have ruined. Al-Rayan camp manager Ahmed Walid told Al-Monitor, Camps including al-Rayan near Azaz in Aleppos northern countryside are not well-equipped to reduce risk of flooding. There are no drainage systems in the camps and the soil is muddy. When it rains the camps turn into swamps and water seeps into the tents making them unlivable for families. We offered rain shields to be placed on top of the tents and prevent water from entering them. But this did not stop the problem. Many families are suffering and living under deplorable circumstances. Maha Nabaa, a mother of seven, lost her husband in a regime air raid in late 2016 in Aleppos eastern neighborhood, shortly before the armed opposition left Aleppo. Nabaa, who lives in al-Rayan camp, told Al-Monitor, Words are not enough to describe our suffering. My children and I have been here for two years now. We are living tough times being displaced [under these conditions]. The heavy rainfall and torrents destroyed our few belongings. Tents are no longer habitable and the floods destroyed my childrens clothes. I do not have relatives or parents living nearby or in Aleppos countryside. I can only wait for the rain to stop so that my kids and I can fix the tent. Even if the tents can be repaired, the camp residents would still face a tough time. These camps need paved roads and proper drainage systems to deal with the rain and flooding. Unfortunately, the calls of camp managers to nongovernmental organizations to provide the necessary aid are falling on deaf ears. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip The Joint Operation Room of the Palestinian Resistance Factions warned in a press statement Dec. 23 that the Palestinian resistance will respond to the Israeli atrocious acts if excessive and disproportionate violence continues against the protesters. This warning comes in response to what the statement described as a deliberate shooting of civilian protesters by the Israeli army during the ongoing return marches protests at the Gaza border. This development threatens the Egyptian-brokered cease-fire agreement reached Nov. 13 following the most intense military escalation between Israel and the Palestinian factions since the last conflict in 2014. The Joint Operation Room's decision to change the rules of engagement and include the return marches in the eye-for-an-eye equation comes days after Hamas intensified its attacks against the Israeli army in the West Bank. Hamas has claimed responsibility for the Oct. 7 attack in the Burkan area in the West Bank that killed two Israelis, and the Dec. 9 attack in the West Bank settlement of Ofra that injured nine settlers. On Dec. 13, another attack killed two Israeli soldiers in the Givat Assaf outpost. Israel accuses Hamas of being behind this attack. This pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to threaten Hamas leaders in Gaza on Dec. 16. We will not accept a situation of a truce in Gaza and terror in Judea and Samaria, he said using the biblical name for the West Bank. From the scene of the attack in Givat Assaf on Dec. 18, Netanyahu said, Palestinian terror thinks it will uproot us. It will not uproot us. This is the heart of our homeland. We will strengthen the settlements even more and we will take all steps including additional ones against terrorism. He continued, We will not tolerate terrorism. Neither from Gaza nor from the West Bank, vowing to hit hard against terrorism. Head of the Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh enthusiastically addressed Hamas supporters at a rally marking the 31st anniversary of the movements founding on Dec. 16, saying, We have high hopes for the West Bank. It is the main area where events are taking place and the most appropriate scene to resolve the conflict with our Zionist enemy. Hamas sees the West Bank as a battlefront allowing direct engagement with Israel. It believes the West Bank is more harmful to Israel than the Gaza Strip that owns rockets. In 2018, 13 Israeli soldiers and settlers were killed in the West Bank and Israeli settlements. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority identified Jasser Barghouti, a Palestinian ex-prisoner in Israel who was released as part of the 2011 Shalit swap deal, of being behind the Hamas cell that carried out the attacks at Givat Assaf and Ofra. Israeli news websites confirmed Dec. 18 that Barghouti directed from Gaza the perpetrators of attacks in the West Bank, and that Saleh Barghouti, the perpetrator of Operation Ofra, is his nephew. Antoine Shalhat, a researcher at the Palestinian Forum for Israeli Studies - MADAR, told Al-Monitor, By inciting attacks against Israel in the West Bank, Hamas seeks to pressure Israel to accelerate the implementation of the truce agreement concluded under Egyptian auspices and to lift the siege and improve the living and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. He added, The increase of resistance attacks tipped the balance of power. This confused the Israeli government and explains Netanyahu's threats to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Israels orders to speed up the demolition of houses of perpetrators of these attacks and the continuing settlement activity in the West Bank. Shalhat noted that Hamas has been using the escalation of attacks as a pressure card to improve the political and living situation of the residents of the Gaza Strip by implementing the truce agreement. Saleh al-Naami, an expert on Israeli affairs for the New Arab news website in Gaza and other outlets such as Al Jazeera, ruled out Israels desire to escalate against Gaza, arguing that Israel fears retaliation by the resistance and is wary of opening more than one battlefront at the same time. The Israeli government led by Netanyahu is keen on calming the Israeli internal front calling for actions against Hamas recent attacks in the West Bank, he told Al-Monitor. The Israeli government is also trying to weaken Hamas influence in Gaza. Israel is warning Hamas that its attempt to exploit the spate of attacks in the West Bank to improve the truce agreement conditions will fail. Naami said, The settlers protests against the government's policy of dealing with Hamas in addition to Israel's Northern Shield operation in south Lebanon could reduce Israels chances of undermining or turning the table over the truce agreement. He added, Netanyahu fears for his political standing especially in light of the early Knesset elections scheduled for April 2019. This is why he seems reluctant to open a new battlefront with Gaza, at least in the short term. Political science professor at the Islamic University of Gaza Hani al-Bassous believes that Hamas involvement in stirring tension in the West Bank is clear in its mobilization rhetoric in the Gaza Strip. He told Al-Monitor, however, that there is no conclusive evidence that Hamas planned or gave orders to carry out the recent attacks. "Hamas has taken the conflict with Israel to a new level with the technology and intelligence warfare," he said. Bassous added, Hamas is still using all possible means to achieve its goals, including in the short term the lifting of the siege on the Gaza Strip and in the long term the end of the occupation. The data is well known and alarming. More than half of the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel lives below the poverty line. According to per capita income data for 2016 collected by the National Insurance Institute, 52.6% of Israel's ultra-Orthodox community live below the poverty line compared to a nearly similar amount in the Arab sector but only 9% of the non-Orthodox Jewish sector. Per capita income among the ultra-Orthodox stands at 3,500 NIS ($930) a month, half the income of non-ultra-Orthodox Jews and a little more than in the Arab sector. Heres the paradox: the ultra-Orthodox do not see themselves as poor and do not behave like people languishing in poverty. A report published online in November by the Haredi Institute for Public Affairs, and whose data is here examined by the press for the first time, shows that no less than 71% of the ultra-Orthodox are satisfied with their economic situation, compared to less than two-thirds of non-ultra-Orthodox Jews and 53% of Arab Israelis. Only slightly less than 8% of the ultra-Orthodox feel that they are poor, a statistic almost identical to that of non-Orthodox Jews, compared to 31% of Arabs. More than 98% of the ultra-Orthodox report satisfaction in their lives. Among non-ultra-Orthodox Jews the rate is also high, at 91.6%, and among Arabs it stands at 75.5%. This matter of not feeling poor is not simply a matter of perception. Fewer than 10% of the ultra-Orthodox had to forgo food for a lack of money in the past year, compared to 5.6% among non-ultra-Orthodox Jews and more than 14% of Arabs. The state of health in the ultra-Orthodox sector is among the best in Israel, and thus life expectancy of residents of predominantly ultra-Orthodox Bnei Brak, one of the poorest cities in Israel, is almost identical to that of residents of Givatayim, a prosperous non-ultra-Orthodox town. Nitsa (Kaliner) Kasir, a former senior researcher at the Bank of Israel who produced the new report, told Al-Monitor that there are several factors behind this paradox. The most apparent factor is that the true poverty rate in the ultra-Orthodox sector ranges between 8% and 14%, a figure revealed by measurements of consumption habits related to the particular lifestyle of the ultra-Orthodox. There are certain products, services and activities for which ultra-Orthodox society has no use, for example, cinemas and rock concerts. There are also other products and services for instance, transportation and communications that the ultra-Orthodox use differently from other Israelis. According to Kasir, because of the character of the ultra-Orthodox community, it forms an almost entirely closed economic market that enables those who live in it to provide for their needs despite their low income. One of the measurements for Kasirs report examined the income level of ultra-Orthodox families compared to average income within the ultra-Orthodox sector rather than compared to Israelis in general. A major factor in the ability of ultra-Orthodox families to provide for themselves is their consumer behavior, which differs significantly from that typical of Western society. For example, the ultra-Orthodox reuse non-perishable products, such as clothes, which are passed down among children in the family. They make purchases according to actual need, and their spending on luxuries is very low. Expenses for media, such as cell phones, internet and computers, is much lower among the ultra-Orthodox compared to non-Orthodox Jews. According to various estimates, only one-third of ultra-Orthodox adults have a cell phone, only some of which are smartphones, because of restrictions and safeguards within the community related to internet use. Television is practically non-existent in the ultra-Orthodox sector. Another indicator involves vehicle ownership. Among the ultra-Orthodox, the ownership rate per 1,000 people is only 85, compared to 345 among non-ultra-Orthodox Jews. All told, the average expenditure for an ultra-Orthodox household is 12% lower than the average expenditure for a non-ultra-Orthodox Jewish household, even though the number of family members is greater, according to the reports findings. If measured according to monthly expenditure per person, the gap is much greater: 3,350 NIS ($890) per person in an ultra-Orthodox family compared to 6,450 NIS ($1,700) per person in a non-Orthodox family. The relatively closed ultra-Orthodox community maintains an especially high degree of community support, which includes high levels of volunteerism and donations, mutual aid, care for the needy and a variety of frameworks for economic support. The system of donations and loans in the community includes various charity associations, which are community banks of a sort that do not charge interest or fees and in effect prop up the economy of ultra-Orthodox households. The data on satisfaction can also in part be explained by the ultra-Orthodox community's religious way of life, which does not cherish money or economic status. Instead, its members live in the spirit of a saying from the Jewish textual tradition: Who is rich? He who is happy in his lot (Mishna, Pirkei Avot 4). The low income of the ultra-Orthodox sector, even if not a cause of poverty in the classic sense, is considered as much by international measures. Among the nations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Israel, along with the United States, has the highest rate of poverty among its citizens. Nearly 18% of Israel's population is considered poor. As a result of the low participation rate of ultra-Orthodox men in the workforce although the rate has risen in recent years, from 35% to more than 50% the state levies less in taxes from the ultra-Orthodox sector than from others, but spends much more in benefits to it. This situation has led to negative feelings among the general population toward the ultra-Orthodox. The general public views them as people who do not carry their share of the economic burden, do not pay taxes and are a drain on the states finances because of the benefits they receive. In the last decade, however, there has been a growing phenomenon of the new ultra-Orthodox, who are increasingly integrating into the broader Israeli society. In doing so, they are adopting a slightly more open lifestyle, including changing their consumption habits, which in turn is altering the ultra-Orthodox economy. The ultra-Orthodox leadership is trying with all its might to maintain the fences separating the community. To this end, it has convinced the government to increase stipends for yeshiva students, a move that might continue to limit the number of those who work, but the gates have already been opened. A more progressive element in the ultra-Orthodox sector is now growing. It maintains the stringent rules of kashrut and religious customs, but at the same time is more independent due to its greater capacity to provide for itself economically. Thus the members of this sector will not necessarily accept dictates of rabbis on matters that are not religious. The best example of this is political voting patterns. Despite the relative rise in the number of ultra-Orthodox voters, there is no increase in the power of the ultra-Orthodox parties, but sometimes the opposite, as in the case of Shas, the ultra-Orthodox Mizrahi party. Attesting to this phenomenon more than anything else is the election of the non-ultra-Orthodox Aliza Bloch as the mayor of Beit Shemesh, a town with an ultra-Orthodox majority, over Moshe Abutbul, the candidate put forward by the ultra-Orthodox parties. CAIRO The first round of community dialogue involving the participation of a thousand nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) on amending Egyptian law No. 70 of 2017 on NGOs and civil society organizations started Dec. 22. This came less than a month after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi instructed the government at the conclusion of World Youth Forum on Nov. 5 to set up a committee tasked with developing a comprehensive vision and holding community dialogues to amend the law. The round also came two days after the Cairo Criminal Court in Egypt acquitted all 43 defendants accused in the foreign funding case during Egypt's 2011 uprising. The case involved 43 NGO staff. Along with Egyptian nationals, the defendants included at least 16 Americans, along with Germans, Serbs, Norwegians and Palestinians. The acquittal was cautiously praised and stirred questions within human rights quarters about a possible shift in Egyptian authorities view of civil society organizations. This comes in tandem with moves by the government to amend the NGO law that aroused widespread local and international criticism. Nejad al-Borai, the legal representative of a number of defendants in the case, told Al-Monitor, The recent ruling annulled all verdicts against all foreign and Egyptian defendants, as well as against the branches of foreign organizations that operated in Egypt. They were acquitted of all charges fabricated by the authorities six years ago. The case started a few months after the January 25 Revolution that overthrew President Hosni Mubarak. The ruling military junta at the time set up an inquiry committee to investigate allegations that some civil society organizations were receiving funding from foreign sources. On Dec. 29, 2011, Egyptian authorities raided the headquarters of 17 foreign civil society organizations in Egypt and banned their staff from leaving Egypt. As US pressure mounted, Egyptian authorities allowed 15 foreign defendants to leave on a US military aircraft in a move that caused a stir at the time. On June 4, 2013, the Cairo Criminal Court sentenced the foreign and Egyptian defendants to prison terms ranging from one to five years, in addition to ordering the closure of Egyptian branches of the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, Freedom House, the International Center for Journalists and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The next day, US Secretary of State John Kerry criticized the ruling as politically motivated. This decision runs contrary to the universal principle of freedom of association and is incompatible with the transition to democracy, Kerry said in a statement. Commenting on the acquittal, Nancy Okail, a former director of Egypt programs at Freedom House, said, Now our ordeal is finally over. In an article in The New York Times on the day of the acquittal, she added, In 2012, I was forced to leave Egypt for the United States, while my twins, Adam and Farida, stayed behind. For six years, I have longed for my family and my home. She said, The Egyptian government has started taking steps in the right direction. ... President Sisi announced his intention to change the law on nongovernmental organizations. I hope such amendments would really allow human rights and democracy organizations in Egypt to do their work. This verdict should not be seen as the end of the chapter, but rather as a beginning of many effective reforms. Borai said, The staff of these organizations have the right to travel, move and work freely now, and these organizations can operate again in Egypt if they want to, but with the approval of the Egyptian government. At the World Youth Forum on Nov. 4, Sisi answered a participants request to amend the NGO law. He said the law contained phobia and fear of these organizations for Egypt. He went on to praise NGOs as assuming a great and much-needed role in Egypt. Upon its promulgation on May 29, 2017, Law No. 70 had raised widespread controversy and international criticism. Prominent international human rights organizations called on Western governments to pressure the Egyptian government to amend the law. After the acquittal, former Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Bahaa Eldin urged the Egyptian authorities to seize the opportunity and exploit the international praise of the verdict to launch a serious and comprehensive review of the legal status of NGOs and civil society organizations in Egypt. In an article in Al-Shorouk newspaper Dec. 24, Bahaa Eldin said closing the NGOs foreign funding case ultimately lies in Egypts best interest. He said this would free Egypt of international pressure and embarrassment, especially as the verdict was issued by a credible judiciary. Egypt has around 49,000 registered civil society organization and NGOs, most of which provide assistance and services to the poor, with only 30,000 of them active. Egypt also has branches of 96 international organizations. Gamal Eid, a prominent rights activist and executive director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, has a different opinion. He does not believe the acquittal shows the government has changed its view toward NGOs. This verdict is political. It was issued as a result of pressure by foreign countries and aims to please these countries, he told Al-Monitor. The first leg of the foreign funding case known also as case 173 concerning foreign organizations is over. The second on local organizations is ongoing. Egyptian authorities accuse several local organizations of receiving foreign funds. Many activists were hit by a travel ban and their assets were seized. The investigative judge has not yet completed the indictment, but dozens of activists have been under investigation in the last couple of years. We are still under investigation. There is no breakthrough in the situation of civil society organizations, lamented Eid, who was also banned from traveling and whose assets were frozen. He also expressed skepticism about the government's rounds of community dialogue and the expectations that the controversial law will be amended before mid-2019. This is a false community dialogue. No independent NGO has been invited. All participants support the government amid a lack of representation of any other opposing or dissenting parties. But Talaat Abdelqawi, head of the official Federation of NGOs taking part in the government community dialogue, told Al-Monitor, The dialogue is serious and open for everyone. It provides good proposals for the amendment of the law. He spoke of holding four rounds of community dialogue across the country ahead of two closing meetings scheduled for Jan. 2 and 3 with experts, specialists and international NGOs licensed to operate in Egypt. At the completion of all dialogue rounds and meetings, the government committee shall prepare a draft of the amendments as a preliminary step for their approval at parliament. Abdelqawi said, I think the state intends to draft a well-balanced law because the government needs civil society organizations to help it bring about development and alleviate the impact of economic reforms on citizens. Former actors fared well in a new senatorial survey by the Social Weather Stations in a race being led by re-electionist Senators Cynthia Villar and Grace Poe. The survey conducted from Dec. 16 to 19 showed actors and former actors Lito Lapid, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. as possible winners if the elections were held during that period. Lapid, who once admitted he didnt make a good senator, is a mainstay in the TV series Ang Probinsiyano aired on Channel 2. Estrada and Revilla, who were implicated in the multi-billion-peso pork barrel scam, also made it into the winning circle of 12. Estrada is out on bail while Revilla was acquitted of plunder charges because of a lack of evidence. Lapid landed in the sixth spot obtaining 38 percent of voters, followed by Revilla with 35 percent. Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and Estrada were at the eighth and ninth places, both with 34 percent voter preference. Occupying the top slot, Villar obtained a voter preference of 62 percent, getting an estimated 37-million votes. Poe got 60 percent of the votes or the equivalent of about 36.4-million votes. Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano and re-electionist Senators Sonny Angara and Nancy Binay shared the third to fifth places, all obtaining 40 percent of the votes.Former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who lost to President Rodrigo Duterte in the 2016 presidential elections, landed in 10th place with 28 percent voter preference, followed closely by Ilocos Gov. Imee Marcos with 27 percent. Also in the Magic 12 is re-electionist Senator JV Ejercito who placed 12th with a voter preference of 28 percent. Ejercito described his inclusion in the winning circle a slow but steady climb. But the trajectory is very encouraging. Considering I am the only re-electionist that has a brother running and no political ads yet. From 17 now to 12. I hope the next time it will be 8 or 9, he said. The poll had a margin of error of +- 3 percent for national percentages, which means Villar and Poe are statistically tied for the top spot. The SWS survey showed that re-electionist Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV dropped out of the top 12, tying with former Senator Serge Osmena at the 13th and 14th places. Former Special Assistant to the President Christopher Bong Go placed 14th to 15th, tying with former Bureau of Corrections and Philippine National Police head Ronald dela Rosa. Tied at the 17th and 18th rank are former Presidential Political Affairs Adviser Francis Tolentino and former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, who both obtained 16 percent. The survey lists the 63 candidates registered with the Commission on Elections. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip During a press conference concurrently held Dec. 23 in Gaza City and Ramallah, five left-wing Palestinian factions announced the formation of an alliance called the Palestinian Democratic Group, following consultations that had been ongoing since August 2016. The group is to serve as a Palestinian political body capable of putting an end to both the Palestinian division and the political dominance of the two main political movements, Hamas and Fatah. It consists of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), the Palestinian People's Party (PPP), the Palestinian Democratic Party and the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI) among other independent community figures such as Mamdouh al-Akr and Omar Assaf. Mariam Abu Daqqa, a member of the PFLP political bureau, told Al-Monitor that the alliance was announced at this specific time due to the declining international interest in the Palestinian cause amid the anti-Palestinian Israeli and US policies. It also came as a result of the internal Palestinian division between Fatah and Hamas. She said that finding a third Palestinian force besides the Fatah and Hamas movements aims to promote the Palestinian cause and break the monopoly of both movements over the Palestinian political arena. The alliance will be jointly run by the five leftist parties as it has no leader. Mustafa Barghouti, the secretary-general of the PNI, told Al-Monitor that the alliances mechanism of action is based on the principle of collective participation in the decision-making process. Khaled Mansour, a member of both the political bureau of the PPP and the founding committee of the Palestinian Democratic Alliance, told Al-Monitor that the alliance's activities will kick off in early 2019 through mass rallies in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. People will also be called upon to participate in peaceful marches that would stand up to the Israeli attacks in the West Bank. Mansour said that the alliance has developed a political and social program divided into several categories that tackle social freedoms and aim at reactivating the PLO institutions and ending the division while defending the rights of citizens in the face of the ruling authorities in Gaza and the West Bank. The PLO is the sole representative of the Palestinian people. The alliance will be operational in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and its offices will be holding regular meetings in order to coordinate efforts. Leftist factions previously took several individual stances that weakened their political influence in favor of Hamas and Fatah. For instance, although the five factions had announced a unified list to run in the local elections in August 2016, their list was dealt a blow after the elections were postponed until May 2017. While factions such as the DFLP and the PNI participated in the elections, others such as the PFLP chose to boycott them on the grounds that they were only held in the West Bank and not in Gaza. Hamas refused holding the elections in the Gaza Strip at the time. Also, due to the Palestinian division that plagued the leftist camp, some leftist factions participated in the PLOs Palestinian National Council session held April 30, while others boycotted it. The session was held in Ramallah, which made it hard for the leaders of those leftist factions to attend it due to the Israeli security restrictions preventing them from entering the West Bank. Another reason that led these leaders to boycott the meeting is that they wanted to show solidarity with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which called for holding the session in any Arab country so that they could attend it. Fatah refused such calls. Mohsen Abu Ramadan, a member of the PLO Central Council, told Al-Monitor that the alliance serves as a lever for the advancement of the Palestinian cause and the PLO. He said that the alliance does not aim at replacing the PLO but at developing and activating its institutions. Hammad al-Arqab, a leader in Hamas, told Al-Monitor, We are all for Palestinian bodies and alliances that believe in national values and contribute to the support of Palestinian institutions. He expressed Hamas readiness to cooperate with the alliance or with any other Palestinian political body, and pointed out that his movement supports the alliances efforts to put an end to the internal division. Mukhaimer Abu Saada, a professor of political science at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that the forces that formed the alliance have more things in common than things that make them different, as they all belong to the leftist communist ideology. He said the alliance would serve as a glimmer of hope and help break the political polarization that has been ongoing between Fatah and Hamas since 2006 and that has harmed the Palestinian cause. He noted, however, that the success of the alliance remains a challenge amid the political and popular clout enjoyed by both Fatah and Hamas. Hani Habib, a political analyst and writer for the Palestinian Al-Ayyam newspaper, told Al-Monitor he was not very optimistic about the alliance and its ability to implement its political program. He noted that before announcing a new alliance, the leftist factions should have examined the reasons that previously impeded the establishment of such an alliance. He added, The reasons that previously led to the failure of a unified leftist body are still valid. Chief among these is that each party is working on achieving its own interests. Add to this the disputes arising over the problem-solving mechanism within the PLO. Although some in the Palestinian arena are skeptical about the success of this alliance, only actions will define the alliances ability to establish itself as a strong third Palestinian movement. 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 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. ECO JUSTICE. Green activists from Buklod Tao and the Ecowaste Coalition laud the impending re-exportation of the garbage illegally imported from South Korea this January, as confirmed by the Bureau of Customs, as a victory for environmental justice. Manny Palmero The Ecowaste Coalition on Wednesday assured the public that the 6,500 metric tons of plastic and waste materials illegally shipped in container vans will be brought back to South Korea as soon as possible. At a news conference in Quezon City, Aileen Lucero, national coordinator of Ecowaste Coalition, said South Korea will take back the first batch of wastes on Jan. 9. After a bilateral meeting between the Philippines and South Korea last Dec. 27 in Cagayan de Oro, both agreed to send back the 51 containers of the trash to Korea, she told the Manila Standard.She said their group, shipping agencies, the Bureau of Customs and other stakeholders attended the meeting. The second batch will be shipped back to Korea after a month. Right now, the repacking of the wastes is ongoing in Barangay Sta. Cruz since the trash is scattered all around the place, she said. Its definite. The wastes will be re-exported, she added. The report was also confirmed by the Bureau of Customs. The 51 garbage-filled containers stored at MICT is scheduled to depart Mindanao by January 9 provided that all regulatory requirements are readily available, MICT port collector John Simon said. The re-exportation would cost both the Philippines and South Korea at least P2,493,869.40.The Bureau of Customs in Region 10 said that the first shipment of over 5,100 metric tons of wastes from Pyeongtaek City in South Korea arrived at the Philippine Sinter Corp. port in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental on July 21, 2019. The wastes were stored inside the Verde Soko Philippines facility in Sitio Bugua, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental. The second batch of trash in 51 container vans arrived at the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan on Oct. 20 last year. The Bureau of Customs withheld the wastes within the Phividec Industrial Estate complex. The BOC said that the first shipment of imported garbage was intercepted by the bureau in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental last July 21 and another shipment at the MICP on Oct. 21. The South Korean embassy in Manila said the company behind the shipment made a false declaration, saying they Korean government will take appropriate action against the company. The shipmen was found to contain used plastic materials, used batteries, diapers and dextrose tubes, among other hospital waste. Both the BOC and Korea Customs Service, which investigated the Korean exporter, said the documents for export were forged. The year 2019 has begun with the industry looking forward to more innovations and disruptions in the digital and mobile space. Industry honchos at various forums have highlighted how digital will continue to reshape content consumption, e-commerce and financial payments, garner a bigger share of the advertising pie and push the technology boundaries. With the objective to recognise and celebrate excellence in Digital Marketing & Advertising, Adgully is announcing the third edition of its flagship property DIGIXX 2019. The Awards seek to set industry-wide benchmark in digital engagement and are a true marker for digital initiatives that are innovative, creative and effective. DIGIXX 2019 is slated to be held at the end of the first quarter of this year in Delhi. The first edition of DIGIXX was held in at the Leela Ambience, Gurgaon on March 13, 2017 and saw enthusiastic participation from the industry. In its inaugural the awards were given away across three categories: Industry Sector Awards Discipline Awards for Campaigns Special Awards The second edition of DIGIXX was held in at the Leela Ambience, Gurgaon in March 9, 2018. In its second year, DIGIXX saw over 33 per cent escalation in the number of entries received. A new category of awards was added, taking the number of categories to 4: Industry Sector Awards Discipline Awards for Campaigns Outstanding Awards Special Awards Watch this space for more announcements on DIGIXX 2019. Instagram Celebrity The former 'Drake and Josh' star and wife, Paige O'Brien, have welcomed their first child together two days before New Year's Eve. Jan 2, 2019 AceShowbiz - Joy more often than not follows the birth of a newly born baby. Josh Peck and his wife, Paige O'Brien, welcomed a new addition to their family on Saturday, December 29, and excitedly shared a look at their bundle of joy with the world just in time for the New Year's Eve. Josh, who was famous for his portrayal of Josh Nichols on Nickelodeon's "Drake & Josh", made use of his Instagram account to share a close-up photograph of his first child being swaddled in a tricolor blanket. Along with the snap, he revealed that the baby boy is named Max Milo Peck. Sharing the same picture of the sleeping baby boy and same caption was Josh's wife. Still, the proud mama added another look at the newborn through her own account as she posted a snap of the boy looking at the camera while being bundled in a brown blanket with a white hat and sucking on a white pacifier. While the couple didn't give out any other details regarding their first child together, PEOPLE reported that the baby boy was born in Los Angeles. Josh got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Paige, in March 2016. The pair tied the knot in Malibu, California in June the following year. In August 2018, the 32-year-old actor announced that they were expecting their first child together by posting a picture that captured Paige cradling her baby bump with him by her side. Along with the photo, Josh wrote, "Oh baby. Literally, there's a baby in there. Love u @paigeobrienn." At the same time, Paige took to her own account to let out the same picture with an addition of a more close up look at her bump. Her caption read simply, "We're havin' a baby!" Focus Features Movie Having played late tax lawyer Martin D. Ginsburg in the Felicity Jones-starring biopic, the 'Call Me by Your Name' actor also praises his character as an 'incredibly confident' and 'strong' man. Jan 2, 2019 AceShowbiz - Armie Hammer is convinced he's become a "better" man after starring as the supportive husband of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in new biopic "On the Basis of Sex". The "Call Me by Your Name" actor was in awe at how late tax lawyer Martin D. Ginsburg handled the pioneering judge's career successes throughout the 1950s and beyond, supporting her by taking on more of the child-rearing and household duties at a time when it was rare for a woman to be the main breadwinner for a family. Hammer's portrayal onscreen impressed his real-life wife, Elizabeth Chambers, who began to encourage Armie to follow in Martin's chivalrous mannerisms more often. "It's really funny because now that my wife has seen the movie, any time I do something, like, if I get out of the car and I walk away (without opening her door), she'll go, 'Marty wouldn't do that!'," Armie laughed. "(I'd say), 'You're right, you're right!'." He's since made more of an effort to live up to Martin's legacy for his own family. "Just living in that character and walking in those shoes for a couple of months, I know for a fact that it made me a better partner, and a better husband, and a better father, and all that stuff," Hammer said. "It's also great to play a character like that that feels vastly underrepresented in film." Explaining what set Martin apart from his peers, Hammer told U.S. talk show "The View", "He was super self-assured, he was incredibly confident, and strong, so people look at him and go, 'Well, you kinda play the weaker man,' and I'm like, 'Well, that probably says more about you to say that,' but also, think about this: this is a guy who, in the '50s, '60s, and '70s existed in an equal partnership with his wife." "He did the cooking, he did the cleaning, he did whatever he could to facilitate that. He was an incredible cook! Imagine in the '50s, you're at home cooking for your family in like, an apron and your friends come over and they go, 'Marty, what are you doing?' He's like, 'I'm cooking, would you like some?' He was just really self-assured." "On the Basis of Sex", which co-stars British actress Felicity Jones as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, hit theatres in the U.S. on Christmas Day (December 25). WENN Celebrity The 'Billionaire Boys Club' actor, who faces up to five years in jail if convicted of felony indecent assault and battery charges, is expected to appear before a judge in Nantucket on January 7. Jan 2, 2019 AceShowbiz - Kevin Spacey has lost his bid to sit out a New Year's court appearance in Massachusetts over allegations of sexual assault. The actor was charged with felony indecent assault and battery last week (December 24) following claims he groped an 18-year-old male in a Nantucket restaurant in 2016. His arraignment is set to take place in Nantucket District Court on January 7 (2019), but "The Usual Suspects" star's lawyer, Juliane Balliro, asked a judge to allow Spacey to give the hearing a miss, claiming his presence would "amplify the negative publicity already generated in connection with this case." According to court papers obtained by The Associated Press, Balliro also argued Spacey's attendance would only "heighten prejudicial media interest in the case" and increase the possibility of contaminating the jury pool should the case go to trial. Judge Thomas Barrett presided over the request on Monday, December 31, but declined to grant the motion, meaning the 59 year old will have to face the charges in court in person. The news emerges days after it was revealed that his alleged victim, the son of Heather Unruh, an ex-reporter for Boston's WCVB network, had allegedly captured part of the supposed encounter on camera in a Snapchat video message sent to his girlfriend from the restaurant where he worked. Unruh went public with the accusations in November, 2017, when she staged a press conference detailing the alleged incident, and confessed her teenage son had lied about being 21 as he had yet to reach the legal drinking age. However, she accused the Oscar winner of plying her kid with alcohol and then allegedly groping his genitals without consent. Spacey plans to plead not guilty to the counts. He faces up to five years behind bars if convicted of the charges. WENN/Derrick Salters Music Backed by slow-moving melodies, both rappers rap about their love lives as well as the heartbreak associated with them in the song. Jan 2, 2019 AceShowbiz - Before starting out a new chapter in the new year, Future has opted to treat his fans a new song in 2018 for the last time. Hours before ringing in 2019, the Atlanta rapper teamed up with French Montana to release a song entitled "NASA". Backed by slow-moving melodies, both rappers rap about their love lives as well as the heartbreak associated with them in the song. "Heating up the pool and it's winter time, love baby/ Really big big 10 carats no fugazi/ Sitting court-side, bet a 100 on LeBron, baby," he raps, before French chimes in, "Hope when it hits the fan you gon' lie for me/ Hope every time you see me win you gon' smile for me." Fans are speculating that the song isn't actually a new track. Some state that it's from his "HNDRXX" era, while others think that the single is from Future and French's scrapped joint mixtape which was supposed to be released a few years ago. Back in 2012, the former revealed that he and French had been making a lot of records that they might end up just giving away to fans for free. Future has been more lowkey than usual in 2018, not releasing any full-length album. Despite that, he still treated fans with a mixtape called "Beast Mode 2" as well as a collaborative project with Juice WRLD entitled "WRLD on Drugs". The latter effort debuted at No. 2 on Billboard 200 with 98,000 units, serving as Future's tenth top ten album on the chart. Its lead single, "Fine China", peaked at No. 26 on Billboard's Hot 100. In addition to his own releases, Future collaborated with a handful of musicians, including Young Thug on "Whole Lotta Racks", Moneybagg Yo on "Okay" and Big Sean on "Know About Me". Instagram Celebrity The famous sisters are joined by their respective lovers when they arrive at the Canadian rapper's star-studded soiree at Delilah in Los Angeles. Jan 2, 2019 AceShowbiz - The feud between Kanye West and Drake apparently has nothing to do with Kendall and Kylie Jenner. As the G.O.O.D. Music founder continues to slam his fellow rapper on social media, the famous sisters joined their respective lovers in ringing the new year at Drake's star-studded New Year's Eve party at Delilah in Los Angeles on Monday night, December 31. E! News reported that Kendall Jenner and Ben Simmons arrived at the soiree around 11:30 P.M. and stayed for about two hours, while Kylie and Travis Scott (II) hit up the party a little before midnight before leaving 30 minutes later. The group were welcoming the new year inside the party, with Kendall sharing on Instagram Stories a video of her sister dancing at the celeb hotspot. "They all stayed at a table together for a majority of the night, Kylie didn't stay for long, but her and Travis were together by each other sides the entire time," a source shared to the publication. "They looked very in love and were smiling and kissing at their table together." Meanwhile, Kendall and Ben, who have been notoriously private about their relationship, allegedly weren't shy away from flaunting PDA at the bash. "Kendall and Kylie cheers'd their drinks to each other and their men at midnight. They looked like they were having a lot of fun," the source went on saying. Other guests at Drake's party included Chris Brown, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Niall Horan, LeBron James, Tinashe and Mary J. Blige. The sisters' outing arrived just a few days after Kanye blasted Drake for following his wife Kim Kardashian on Instagram. In a series of deleted tweets, he wrote, "I never knew till this morning that Drake followed my wife on Instagram back in September. I had to bring this up because it's the most f***ed up thing of all and I just saw it this morning. Imagine having a problem with somebody and they follow your wife on Instagram." Drake hasn't responded to Kanye's diss. Instagram Celebrity When bidding 2018 goodbye, the 33-year-old reality star uploads a video on her social media in which she informed fans that she is waiting on lymph node biopsy results. Jan 2, 2019 AceShowbiz - Ariana Madix welcomes 2019 with a surprise revelation about her health. On Monday, December 31, the "Vanderpump Rules" star reflected on the past one year in her life and revealed to her Instagram followers that she had a small cancer removed earlier in 2018. Along with the long notes and other pictures, Madix also posted a short video in which she was seen with bandages on top of her right chest and beneath her right armpit. "Update: I'm not allowed to shower so I feel extra gross," she shared. "Still waiting on biopsy results, lymph node biopsy results. Hopefully next week I get a clear on that. Until then, I feel really disgusting." Madix didn't specify what kind of cancer she had in her post, but she did note what other things she managed to do in 2018. "We went to Cuba and Japan! I dreamt of going to both from such a young age," she gushed. She additionally shared, "I started a business and got to raise money for my favorite charity. I kicked a** in the horse show ring." Continuing to note what she got to do in 2018, Madix spilled, "I fell more in love with my boyfriend and my girlfriends, but most importantly: MYSELF." She continued that she needed to learn when her "intense ambition" becomes "overwhelming," she needs "to take a step back and just focus on one thing." She concluded by stating, "Looking ahead to 2019 with optimism, hope, and more hard work on the horizon!" Movie One scene shows Ryan Phan getting stabbed in the back, while another scene features Tree's love interest Carter Davis being beaten to death. Jan 2, 2019 AceShowbiz - Universal Pictures welcomes the new year by unveiling a new trailer for "Happy Death Day 2U". Making its way out on January 1, the new trailer reveals that Theresa "Tree" Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) won't be the only one dying this time around, as the masked killer is now coming after her friends as well. It sees some of her friends, including her love interest Carter Davis (Israel Broussard), Ryan Phan (Phi Vu) and Samar Gosh (Suraj Shama), getting killed by the masked man over and over again. One scene shows Ryan getting stabbed in the back, while another scene features Carter being beaten to death. In order to stop whatever force it is that wants them dead, Tree forms a group with her college friends. The new trailer also sees Tree figuring out a clever way to get away from the killer, which is killing herself. She is shown falling off a building, jumping out of a plane without a parachute, and blowing herself up along with the murderer. Two years after the events of the first film, Tree Gelbman unexpectedly re-enters the time loop and becomes determined to escape it after finding out her friends are now involved. When she discovers that the original killer has been murdered, Tree must face the new killer in order to uncover their identity and break free of the time loop once and for all. Talking about the sequel to "Happy Death Day", Rothe previously stated that while most horror sequels retread the original, director Christopher Landon's pitch instead "elevated the movie from being a horror movie into a 'Back to the Future' type of genre film where the sequel joins us right from where we left off. It explains a lot of things in the first one that didn't get explained, and it elevates everything." Produced by Jason Blum, "Happy Death Day 2U" is set for a February 14, 2019 release in the United States. UPBEAT. Majority of Filipinos, with nine out of 10 adults, are hopeful about 2019, according to the latest survey of the Social Weather Stations. Two lawmakers on Wednesday agreed with the latest survey result of the Social Weather Stations that nine out of 10 Filipino adults at 92 percent are optimistic about the new year. Representatives Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela and Gus Tambunting of Paranaque City, in separate interviews with The Standard, said the positive attitude and resiliency of many Filipinos make them cope up with adversitiesboth natural and man-made calamities. We are always hoping against hope. That is why Filipinos are resilient and happy, Albano said.Albano added that he believes that the new year will be a much better year for the Filipino people because the economic reforms and prograns of the Duterte administration have began to take off. Tambunting also admires the Filpinos optimism. The Filipino people has always been a hopeful people. It is great to hear our countrymen are so optimistic, said Tambunting, chairman of the House committee on games and amusements. Majority of Filipinos are optimistic in welcoming 2019 with hope rather than fear, the SWS survey results released Monday said. In its latest survey, the Social Weather Stations said nine out of 10 Filipino adults at 92 percent are entering the new year full of hope.This is four points below the record-high 96 percent in 2017, and the same as the 92 percent in 2008, 2012, and 2015, the SWS said. On the other hand, eight percent will enter the New Year with fear. This is up by four points from the previous four percent in 2017, the polling firm added, noting that hope for the New Year has always been high, starting at 87 percent when SWS first made the survey in 2000. According to the SWS, the four-point decline in the overall New Year hope from 2017 to 2018 was due to declines in all areas, especially in the Visayas. New Year hope fell by 16 points in the Visayas, from 95 percent in 2017 to a record-low 79 percent in 2018, surpassing the previous record-low of 83 percent in 2000 and 2001, the SWS said. Hope meter for the New Year also fell by two points in Metro Manila from 96 percent in 2017 to 94 percent in 2018. Both Balance Luzon and Mindanao experienced a 1-point drop. Instagram Celebrity The Czech model, who ended her engagement to actor Jamie Belman in 2013, is reported to have had a civil breakup from investment banker Alejandro Grimaldi before 2018 came to an end. Jan 2, 2019 AceShowbiz - Model Petra Nemcova is reportedly ringing in 2019 as a single woman after calling off her engagement. Sources tell the New York Post's Page Six the Czech beauty has parted ways with investment banker Alejandro Grimaldi, 18 months after they announced plans to wed. "It's a civil breakup," an insider tells columnist Richard Johnson. "They are staying friends." Nemcova, 39, has yet to comment on the claims, but it's her latest heartache after ending a previous engagement to British actor Jamie Belman in 2013, and enjoying a brief relationship with ex-Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe. She also lost her first fiance, photographer Simon Atlee, in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. True Health New Mexico on Wednesday announced Dr. Mark Epstein will be the new local plan president. Epstein had been chief medical officer, first for New Mexico Health Connections and then for True Health New Mexico. As president, he is responsible for statewide health plan operations and performance, according to a news release from the company. Dr. Martin Hickey will remain as CEO while taking on a broader role with parent company Evolent Health. Dr. Kiko Torres, True Healths senior medical director, will become chief medical officer . True Health is a physician-led health plan available through the commercial market for employer-sponsored health coverage. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... SAO PAULO Newly installed President Jair Bolsonaro targeted Brazils indigenous groups, descendants of slaves and the LGBT community with executive orders in the first hours of his administration, moving quickly after a campaign in which the far-right leader said he would radically overhaul many aspects of life in Latin Americas largest nation. Sao Paulos stock market, meanwhile, jumped 3.56 percent to a record closing of 91,012 points as new Cabinet ministers reinforced the intent to privatize state-owned companies and a Brazilian arms maker benefited from Bolsonaros plans to loosen gun controls. Similar spikes in stock prices also occurred during the presidential campaign. One of the orders issued late Tuesday, hours after Bolsonaros inauguration, likely will make it all but impossible for new lands to be identified and demarcated for indigenous communities. Areas set aside for Quilombolas, as descendants of former slaves are known, are also affected by the decision. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Another order removed the concerns of the LGBT community from consideration by the new human rights ministry. In a move favorable to his allies in agribusiness, which have criticized giving large swaths of lands to the indigenous, Bolsonaro transferred the responsibilities for delineating indigenous territories from the Justice Ministry to the Agriculture Ministry. The new agriculture minister, Tereza Cristina, is part of the agribusiness caucus in Brazils lower house and has opposed requests from native communities. Bolsonaro, a former army captain and longtime congressman, said during his presidential campaign that he would stop making what he calls concessions to native Brazilians and Quilombolas. Less than one million people live in those places isolated from the real Brazil, he tweeted Wednesday. They are explored and manipulated by nonprofits. Together we will integrate those citizens and give value to all Brazilians. The Justice Ministry previously handled demarcation of indigenous lands through the FUNAI agency, which also oversees other initiatives for indigenous groups such as health care, housing and language preservation. Bolsonaros order is raising uncertainties about FUNAI by shifting it to a new ministry for family, women and human rights that is headed by an ultraconservative evangelical pastor. Observatorio do Clima, a network of 45 Brazilian civil society groups, criticized the executive orders, calling them only the first step on meeting Bolsonaros campaign promises of dismantling environmental governance, stripping indigenous peoples of their rights and opening up indigenous lands for business. The attack on FUNAI goes beyond the wildest dreams of the rural caucus, who had tried for years to pass a constitutional amendment transferring the demarcation of indigenous lands from the president to Congress, the nonprofit said. Bolsonaro solved the problem by transferring them directly to farmers. The far-right leader said last year that he also wants to annul land demarcation decisions made by previous administrations, but legal experts say recent Brazilian Supreme Court rulings could block such move. New Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta also suggested on Wednesday that there will be spending cuts in health care for the indigenous. We have figures for the general public that are much below what is spent on health care for the indigenous, he said, without providing details. In removing LGBT concerns from the responsibilities of the human rights ministry, Bolsonaro did not name any agency to consider such issues. He has strongly criticized what he calls gender-based ideology, saying it is a threat to Brazils Christian values. Damares Alves, the new human rights minister, did not discuss the LGBT order in her first address on the job, but the evangelical pastor has insisted over the years that the Brazilian family is being threatened by diversity policies. On Wednesday, she said: The state is lay, but this minister is terribly Christian. Under the new administration, Alves added, Girls will be princesses and boys will be princes. There will be no more ideological indoctrination of children and teenagers in Brazil. LGBT activist Symmy Larrat said she doesnt expect reasonable treatment from the Bolsonaro administration. The human rights ministry discussed our concerns at a body called secretariat of promotion and defense of human rights. That body just disappeared, just like that. We dont see any signs there will be any other government infrastructure to handle LGBT issues, she said. The newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported that Bolsonaro will later announce the closing of an agency within the Education Ministry that has been aimed at promoting diversity in public schools and universities. New Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo indirectly criticized the LGBT community as being those that say they are not men and women. Also on Wednesday, the Brazilian Press Association criticized restrictions on journalists at Bolsonaros inauguration. Reporters had to arrive seven hours before the events began and were forbidden to move freely in Congress and the presidential palace. Food was seized and access to bathrooms and water was limited. What was seen in different scenarios of Brasilia is incompatible with a democratic regime, the association said in a statement. Respect to the press is one of the main indicators of nations that consider themselves civilized. Bolsonaros first day in office sparked a wave of optimism in Brazils financial market. Stocks of Brazils electric-company Eletrobras soared more than 20 percent. Arms maker Taurus, one of the main allies of the new president, jumped more than 47 percent. Bolsonaro, a fan of U.S. President Donald Trump, met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss joint efforts regarding the leftist administrations in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Pompeo told him that Trump is very pleased with the relationship that our two countries are on the precipice of beginning to develop. Hes also confident that it (the relationship between the U.S. and Brazil) will benefit the world and the set of shared values that we believe we can together advance, Pompeo said before leaving Brasilia for Colombia. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. For an hour, he had a dog, a skittish, speckled pup who despite her shyness had sidled up slowly, cautiously to him at the citys Lucky Paws adoption center and quickly leapt into his heart. He hadnt planned on getting a dog. Martin Watkins, a doctoral student at the University of New Mexico, was immersed in finals and scheduled to spend the holidays with family in California. Yet somehow there he was at Lucky Paws in the Coronado mall. He was just looking. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ But that dog. She got up from her bed in her little room, tilted her head, looked at me and we both just stared at each other, he said. When I went into the room, she was shy, walked back to her bed, then came up to me, then back to her bed. But when I went out the door, thats when she came to the door. That solidified it. She was a shy dog, I could see, but I could also see that she was interested in me. So on that Dec. 4 evening, he adopted the black and white 8-month-old pup, regrettably christened Quesadilla by the shelter. He updated her microchip and headed to the nearest PetSmart at Winrock Town Center to buy her a collar, tag and all the items a dog needs. She was the first dog Watkins, 28, had ever owned. He named her Luna. She just looked like the moon, he said. There was something about her that was like the tranquillity of the night, peaceful and calming. That tranquillity didnt last long. He was getting out of his car in front of PetSmart when something spooked Luna. She shot out of the car door and slipped free of the leash he had been given at Lucky Paws. Watkins ran after her, waving off cars that almost struck her. And then she was gone into the night. Watkins said he contacted the city Animal Welfare Department, filed a report, posted on Facebook and other lost pet websites that he could find. Thats when Angela Stell found him. Stell, founder of the nonprofit rescue group NMDOG, put out the call to her core volunteers. By then, Luna had been missing for five days. Vols, she wrote. I cant shake this feeling that this pup desperately needs our help. But I just dont have any spare time to coordinate efforts. Is anyone willing to step up and take the lead? Erin Morrisey Martinez, a surgical nurse and one of the core volunteers, was willing. I thought, well, look how much this guy is trying to do to find a dog he had for an hour, she said. So lets help him. Martinez estimates that 13 volunteers hit the streets in search of Luna, papering the city with posters, walking the neighborhoods, talking to neighbors and checking out leads on social media. Watkins made daily visits to city shelters and searched with the volunteers in between writing his doctorate paper and working as a phone relay service interpreter for deaf people. Hopes were high when it appeared Luna had been seen under a portable building at Manzano Mesa Elementary on Elizabeth SE. Volunteers created a feeding station with warm blankets scented with Frijole, Lunas litter mate, who was borrowed from the city shelter. (Frijole, it should be noted, also inadvertently left his scent when he relieved himself in the back seat of a volunteers car.) For a while, it really looked promising, Martinez said. But it turned out to be a different dog with similar markings. Every day, the volunteers have continued to search, despite the heartache and disappointment and a snowstorm that hit the city just after Christmas. Even after Watkins left for California, they kept searching. Im sure he feels funny, asking people to do stuff for his dog while he is out of town, Martinez said. But we assured him that, look, were not going to stop looking for his baby. Were going to find her. Watkins and Martinez and her volunteers hadnt known each other before, but they do now. Now, they are friends. I dont know the words to explain my gratitude to these people and their passion for animals, he said. Im a thousand miles away and only able to keep checking online databases for Luna, but theyre out there in the cold searching for her. Im astounded by their dedication and sense of community. Its almost a month since I met these people, and it feels like Ive known them forever. Both Watkins and Martinez say they feel certain that Luna is still alive. Hed like to think someone has taken her in, kept her warm and safe and just needs to have her microchip checked to realize she belongs to him. Shed like to think that Luna is a survivor of the streets and that soon they will find her and bring her home. Somewhere out there is a dog who for a single hour brought a young man love and tranquillity to his hectic world. But she also brought out the best in human nature the desire to help one another. That, I think, will last for a much longer time. UpFront is a front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Joline at 823-3603, jkrueger@abqjournal.com or follow her on Twitter @jolinegkg. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor. Help find Luna Luna disappeared from the PetSmart parking lot at Winrock Town Center on Dec. 4. She is 9 months old, weighs 30 pounds and is white with black and gray speckles, black ears and black markings around her eyes. She has no collar or tags but is microchipped. Anyone who sees her is asked not to chase her but to call 510-861-9837 or contact the search team at Bring Luna Home page on Facebook. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal A district judge has ordered the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office to release property that deputies took during a child abuse investigation and kept after the charges were dropped. In October, the District Attorneys Office dismissed sexual assault charges against a nuclear weapons expert who formerly worked at Kirtland Air Force Base. But the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office didnt release the mans property, which included thousands of dollars of electronics and a draft of a book. Adam Lowther, the former director of the Air Forces School for Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies, sought an emergency court order directing the Sheriffs Office to release his property. Second Judicial District Judge Charles Brown granted the emergency court order last month. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The Sheriffs Office didnt respond to a request for comment about how the department handles property that it has confiscated during investigations after criminal charges against the property owner are dismissed. For about a year and half, Lowther said in a recent interview, the county kept possession of thousands of dollars worth of electronics that belonged to him and his family. Among the items seized was a draft of a book that Lowther had written on cyber-deterrence, which he said he will now have to revise and update if he wants to get it published. Lowther was one of the countrys top experts on nuclear policy before his arrest. Lowther and his family are suing the county, the Children, Youth and Families Department and individuals who were part of the investigation that led to charges being filed against him. In August 2017, Lowther was charged with criminal sexual penetration of a minor and criminal sexual contact of a minor for allegations that he abused a family member. In October 2018, the District Attorneys Office in Bernalillo County wrote a three-page declination letter to the Sheriffs Office about the Lowther case. Prosecutors outlined several problems with the case, including a lack of forensic evidence; problems with the childs safe house interview; a conclusion that the childs disclosure could have resulted from an adult assisting a young child in the bathroom; and that the Sheriffs Office misinterpreted a polygraph that a sergeant administered in which Lowther discussed the allegations. Prosecutors said that a different polygraph examination Lowther gave where he denied the allegations showed he was truthful. The Sheriffs Office has declined to discuss the case, citing the ongoing lawsuit. Lowther has said the allegations against him destroyed his career and traumatized his children. He lost his job and cant find another, and his future, which at one point included plans to run for public office, is uncertain. His children had to receive therapy after being placed in state foster care for about 10 weeks. He said his children are still terrified of law enforcement officers. Lowther and his wife, Jessica Lowther, were separated for four months, and Lowther couldnt see his children for more than six months, he said. My faith in institutions has been shattered, Jessica Lowther said. Staff reports Aberdeen News Two people were taken to a hospital after a pickup backed into the car they were in early Tuesday morning, according to a news release from the Aberdeen Police Department. David Ogden, 33, of Aberdeen was southbound in the 700 block of South Second Street around 2 a.m. when a pickup backed onto the street from Seventh Avenue Southwest and hit the car, according to the release. The pickup drove away following the incident, according to the release. Ogden was not injured. But his passengers Lisa Krokel, 24, and Nicholas Krokel, 28, of Rapid City were taken by ambulance to a hospital with possible injuries. No one was wearing a seat belt, according to the release. Staff reports Shannon Marvel smarvel@aberdeennews.com Two Roberts County sheriffs will be sworn in on Monday. Former Day County Sheriff Barry Hillestad has been appointed the interim Roberts sheriff after Korey J. Wares license was temporarily suspended. The Roberts County Commission appointed Hillestad during a meeting last week. Ware, Roberts County sheriff-elect, won a Republican primary in June and was unopposed in Novembers general election. The South Dakota Law Enforcement Standards and Training Commission decided in December to temporarily suspend Wares license after he was charged with assault in Brown County. The commission accepted the stipulation of the parties where (Ware) will only perform limited duties as outlined in the letter from the Roberts County Commission, said South Dakota Attorney Generals Office spokeswoman Sara Rabern. He will be sworn in but then his law enforcement certification will be immediately suspended until there is a full hearing after his criminal jury trial tentatively scheduled for February or March. Any questions about an interim sheriff appointment would need to be answered by the Roberts County states attorney. The assault charge stems from a reported fight Oct. 6 in the 1000 block of South Main Street in Aberdeen. Ware, 28, was arrested Oct. 25 in Britton, according to court documents. He faces alternate counts of aggravated assault and simple assault, according to the paperwork. Aggravated assault is a felony. Simple assault is a misdemeanor. With alternate counts, a person charged can only be found guilty of one of the charges. Hillestad will be sworn in on Jan. 7 by Roberts County States Attorney Kerry Cameron, according to the Roberts County Auditors Office. Both Hillestad and Ware will be sworn in, according to information from the auditors office. Hillestad, a Democrat, lost his re-election bid in November to incoming Day County Sheriff Ryan Rucktaeschel, Republican. Aberdeen News Roncalli students are heading to Rome next summer. The pilgrimage is June 3-13. Chris Uhler, Roncalli campus minister, said nine kids from Aberdeen will join 20 students from Sioux Falls OGorman. The trip was an idea that started with the Rev. Joseph Scholten at St. Lambert Parish in Sioux Falls, who then reached out to the Rev. Andrew Thuringer at St. Marys Catholic Church in Aberdeen. Uhler, who is in his first year at Roncalli, is familiar with Rome. He took a similar trip as a high school junior six years ago as a student at St. Marys Catholic School in Bismarck, N.D. St. Marys has organized an annual trip to Rome for the past 15 years, he said. It was that experience, he said, that made him want to list the pilgrimage as a goal for Roncalli students. Father Andy came here and said we want to do this, Uhler said. God had a hand in this. While in Rome, students will visit churches and historical sites and attend Mass officiated by Pope Francis. Stops will include St. Peters Basilica and the catacombs beneath, Vatican City and the site where St. Francis of Assisi started his order. Participating in the trip are seniors Joseph Goetz, Jami Ewart, Lucas Schaefbauer, Allison Dix and Mary Gutenkauf and juniors Hannah Kuck, Jonah Kost, Jenna Helms and Mariah Winegar. Helms said the opportunity to visit Rome appealed to her because shes interested in seeing different parts of the world. Winegar said the trip is an opportunity to see different sites related to her faith. Im really excited to experience a new culture thats going to be really different than what were used to here, and being able to see how church might be different there, Helms said. Even seeing the pope and how everyone is there to see the pope. Kost said hes also looking forward to attending a Mass led by Pope Francis. We all have the same faith, he said. The Mass is the same, but the cultural influences will be different. Hes also looking forward to touring the Basilica and the catacombs. Weve heard its a very powerful experience, Kost said. Goetz said hes looking forward to his first trip to Europe and experiencing the culture. Uhler said it will take a bit for students to absorb all they see in Rome, but he hopes students return with a deeper understanding of their faith. I still cant put it all into words, but at the end of the day I know it helped me mature and grow in faith and realize its bigger than me, he said. Shannon Marvel smarvel@aberdeennews.com Three sets of parents have filed a civil lawsuit against the Aberdeen School District claiming the rights of their children with disabilities were violated. Names of the couples who filed the lawsuit are not listed in court paperwork. Rather, they are identified as Jane and John Doe and their child A.A., Jessica and James Doe and their child B.B., and Jill and Jeff Doe and their child C.C. The lawsuit was filed Dec. 21 in federal court. The plaintiffs are seeking at least $75,000 in damages and want a jury trial. The district has yet to respond to the lawsuit and no court date has been set. The lawsuit alleges that disabled students were physically and mentally abused by staff at May Overby Elementary and that when parents notified members of the administration of the abuse, nothing was done. The defendants are Superintendent Becky Guffin, Assistant Superintendent Camille Kaul, former May Overby special education teacher Carrie Weisenburger, Simmons Middle School Principal Colleen Murley, May Overby Principal Michael Neubert and Aberdeen School District Special Education Director Renae Rausch. The plaintiffs claim that each of the children began preschool at Lincoln Elementary and were happy, well-adjusted, and thriving students with disabilities, until they reached third grade, when they had to transfer from Lincoln Elementary to May Overby Elementary. However, all of the success the children experienced at Lincoln drastically changed when Aberdeen Public Schools required each child to transfer to May Overby Elementary. Suddenly, each child began to express significant distress with attending school, the documents read. For a period of two years, each set of parents struggled to understand what was happening to their children at May Overby. The parents of each child, separate from other childrens parents, attended monthly meetings with May Overby administration to discuss the drastic change each child was experiencing, according to the lawsuit. According to the documents, no one from the Aberdeen School District disclosed that other children were experiencing the same significant deterioration, nor did anyone from May Overby take any action to protect the children or disclose to the parents that other education professionals have made complaints regarding Weisenburgers physical and emotional abuse and misconduct toward children with disabilities in her classroom. Weisenburger worked at May Overby as a special needs teacher from August 2014 to August 2016. The first time the parents were informed other children were suffering similar drastic changes in their behaviors was in August of 2016, according to court documents. Once informed of the physical and emotional abuse, the parents immediately filed a complaint on August 26, 2016 with the United States Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights and the United States Department of Justice, the documents note. The plaintiffs claim they were never contacted by representatives from Office of Civil Rights or the U.S. Department of Justice to discuss the allegations, take statements, collect evidence or discuss resolution of the parents complaint, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs state in their lawsuit that the U.S. Department of Justices investigation remains open, but unresolved. A.A. The court documents note that A.A. is a 13-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and moderate cognitive disability. She no longer attends Aberdeen Public Schools. Weisenburger told A.A.s parents in March 2016 that an unhappy face on her daily logs indicated that their daughter had been put in a closet, which Weisenburger called a little room, according to the court documents. The unhappy face on her daily logs reflected that A.A. was confined to the closet without food, water or a restroom break 274 times between October 26, 2015 March 1, 2016, the documents state. The closet did not have a window and had to be forcibly held shut from the outside by either Weisenburger or an education aide, according to the lawsuit. Weisenburger was overheard to state in her classroom and within the school community that there was no point in teaching the children with disabilities in her classroom as they did not even know their A-B-Cs and that the students were monsters. This was reported to Aberdeen School District administration, according to the documents. B.B. B.B. is a 13-year-old boy who has been diagnosed with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and chronic anxiety, according to the paperwork. According to the lawsuit, Weisenburger and her education aids repeatedly and persistently pried B.B.s fingers from the side of the (swimming) pool and pushed him into the middle of the pool as he frantically tried to grasp the pools edge ... The boy did not have a flotation vest and was visibly panicky and upset, according to the documents. They also note that B.B. was routinely dragged, shoved, pushed, pulled and carried crying out of the classroom by Weisenburger and her aides because he did not want to participate in gym class. C.C. C.C. is a 13-year-old boy who was diagnosed with mild to moderate inner ear hearing loss when he was 16 months old. His hearing loss was originally designated as mild to moderate, but has advanced to moderate- to-severe, according to the paperwork. It claims an individual in the community witnessed Weisenburger and education aides forcibly strip C.C. and force him into his bathing suit. C.C. was crying and screaming during this episode. It was further reported that when C.C. refused to get into the pool, an education aide came up behind C.C. and forcibly shoved him into the pool, according to the lawsuit documents. Weather Alert THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. GALLATIN COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE HAS REQUESTED A MISSING ENDANGERED PERSON ADVISOR FOR JODI PARSONS, 14 YR OLD FEMALE, 5 FEET 6 INCHES, 100 POUNDS, BROWN HAIR, BROWN EYES. JODI LEFT HER HOME LAST NIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT WITH NO CELL PHONE AND BAG OF EXTRA CLOTHES. SHE WAS LAST SEEN WEARING BLACK SHORTS, WHITE T-SHIRT WITH DISCO SUCKS WRITTEN ON IT OR RED CHILI PEPPERS CROP TOP WITH BLUE TANK TOP WITH BUTTERFLIES. HER MOTHER FOUND NOTE SAYING SHE WAS HITCHHIKING TO OREGON. JODIE MAY POSSIBLY BE WITH CHRISTOPHER KUNKLE, MALE, AND SHAWNI GOBLE, FEMALE, IN GREEN FORD EXPEDITION HEADING TO TENINO, WASHINGTON. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON JODI PARSONS PLEASE CONTACT GALLATIN COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE AT 406 582 2100 OR 9 1 1. The Department of the Interior and Local Government plans to tap the Consultative Committee (ConCom) that drafted the proposed federal constitution in its information drive to promote federalism, DILG Secretary Eduardo Ano said. In an interview in Manila last Dec. 28, Ano said while the ConComs mandate to draft a Federal Constitution is done, he decided to tap the committee as DILG consultants due to its expertise. We need the services still in explaining to the people what the advantages are of having a federal form of government and we will continue to advocate, he said. Ano said there are plans to harmonize the ConCom draft with inputs from different sectors before submitting it to Congress. The finished product will be presented to Congress for more public hearings and discussion and come up with a good draft that would be more responsive to the needs and sentiments of the people, he said. Ano said discussions will likely proceed in the next Congress or after the May 2019 elections as legislators are currently occupied with their re-election bids.This is really a change of Constitution kaya mabigat-bigat ito (which is why it is a heavy topic), but for the meantime, magfo-focus kami sa (we will focus on) advocacy and information campaign all over the country, he said. President Rodrigo Duterte has already issued an executive order creating an inter-agency task force on federalism, designating Ano as chairman of the task force with justice secretary Menardo Guevarra as vice-chairman. The ConCom submitted its draft Bayanihan (working together) federal Constitution to the President last July. Pushing for a federal form of government was one of Dutertes major campaign promises when he ran in the 2016 presidential elections. HELENA - Montana's secretary of state announced plans to run for governor in 2020, when current Gov. Steve Bullock will be termed out. From Corey Stapleton's press release: HELENA, MT Montana Secretary of State Corey Stapleton announced today that he is running for Governor in 2020. Stapleton, 51, is a Great Falls native and graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He was elected Secretary of State in November 2016. As Secretary of State and Montanas business officer, our Office has made it easier for small businesses to operate in Montana. Not only have we streamlined and simplified the dealings that business owners have with state government, we are leading the nation in modernizing the way businesses file online. As Montanas Chief Elections Officer, our Office has tackled the most difficult issues in modern Elections. Im proud to say that we have increased election security, increased the integrity of mail ballots, and increased voter participation. In short, weve made it easier to vote and harder to cheat! Stapleton said. In addition to improving elections and business services, Stapleton touted the significant reduction in spending at the Office of the Secretary of State since he took office two years ago. Stapleton served eleven years in the navy as a Surface Warfare Officer, deploying overseas aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and aegis cruiser USS Hue City (CG-68). He holds a bachelor of science degree in General Engineering from the Naval Academy, a master of arts degree in Political Science from Temple University, and a master of science degree in Financial Services from The American College in Pennsylvania. As Governor, Id like to lead the conversation on how we steer towards a Montana that has stronger families and higher wages, lower taxes and smaller government, and how we can lead the nation in having greater freedoms for all of us. Ill work with anyone and everyone to help get us there. Stapleton is a financial advisor and former state senator from Billings. He and his wife, Terry, have four children. Up until two years ago, Ashley and Brandon Walker lived a relatively normal life. Brandon working as a welding inspector, and Ashley working as a CNA at Benefis in Great Falls. The couple was raising their daughter Holly, when they found out they were pregnant once again. But this time around, everything was different. "There in Missoula is when we found out that our daughter was going to be born different," says Ashley. Baby Henzley is the only child in the world with a specific chromosomal abnormality, which affects everything from her head to her toes. She currently has 19 different medical providers, requires regular trips to hospitals across the state and in Seattle, and was given a life expectancy of one day to 20 years. And a few weeks ago the Walkers were told starting December 1st, Henzley would lose all Medicaid coverage. "If we lost Medicaid again, it would again be detrimental. We would have to uproot our family and move out of Great Falls and move to Washington, somewhere closer that has better medical coverage." Under current Medicaid law, a family of four in Montana can earn just over $34,000 and still be eligible for Medicaid benefits. Thats because current law states youre eligibility must be no more than 128% of the current Federal Poverty Level, which sits at $25,100 for a family of four. For the Walker family, it's typical case of we make too much to qualify, but not enough to actually afford it. But there are programs for these situations. You can get what's called an SSI form, or "Supplemental Security Income", or be enrolled in the Big Sky Waiver program. The Walker family has an SSI form, and thought they were already on the waiver program... until suddenly, they weren't. "With that, we thought she was going to be safe with Medicaid. We wouldn't have to worry and fight as much anymore because she was on it. Come to find out, a couple Friday's ago when Henzley had surgery; we had got a phone call from our lawyer stating she is not on Big Sky Waiver. So we questioned it we called them, and we're back to square one." They had all their papers, they filed all the correct forms... so now, the question is: where did the Walker family go wrong, if at all? KFBB reached out to the Department of Public Health and Human Services for an explanation, and was told they are continuing to assist the family. And just yesterday, Ashley received an email explaining Henzley's coverage has been extended, so long as her total resources in the bank do not exceed $2,000. For the Walkers, it's a blessing. And they're so thankful. But Ashley says the system isn't doing any favors for people who are trying to be honest. In fact, she says quite a few people have been forced to make tough family decisions just to get coverage. "Having to lie to get their child coverage just astonishes me. We need to be the change, we need to change the system because the system is failing our kids. Why should you have to lie, why should you have to quit your job, why should you have to divorce to get your child coverage?" For now, the Walkers are busy enjoying the time they have with little Henzley, who they call their million dollar baby. Despite now having full Medicaid coverage, Ashley Walker says their journey isn't over. She anticipates going through something similar to this with the Medicaid office again in the future. But still, she wants to raise awareness that even in small Montana communities, there are children suffering from serious medical conditions without the proper care they need. January of last year, Montana was getting hit with one of the worst winter storms on record especially on the Hi-Line. 80 mph winds, and 6 foot snow drifts left families stranded. Governor Steve Bullock issued a State of Emergency for the Browning area so that families could get the much needed essentials to survive the winter season. Sound bite Shortly after, Montanans were met again with the forces of nature, battling flooding and fires. The people of the small town of Sun River were evacuated after flood water forced its way into their homes causing thousands of dollars in damages. The Howe Ridge fire wreaked havoc on a one of montanas main attractions, Glacier National Park. Burning almost 15,000 acres and leaving many traveling to the treasure state in disbelief. Moving now to July 5th of 2017, when President Donald Trump made his historic trip right here to the Electric City but he wasn't done yet. That trip was followed by two more visits in billings and missoula. The search continued for missing montana women Tammy Goff and Ashley Loring-Heavyrunner. Tammy and her dog were first reported missing on July 13,in Great Falls. Later that day the dog, Sadie, was found just outside of town. Official are still looking for Tammy and her black Chevy Colorado. Meanwhile, after almost two years of searching for Ashley, her sister, Kimberley, turned to Washington D.C. to bring awareness about Missing and Murdered Indegnious Women here in Montana. Just after she spoke in front of congress, a body was found on the Blackfeet Reservation. The FBI said it is too early in the investigation to tell whether or not the body is Ashley. It was a busy election season in Central Montana. The sheriff's race here in Cascade County was one for the books, with former sheriff Bob Edwards losing in the primary to who would go on to win in the sheriff race in the general election, Jesse Slaughter. According to clerk and recorders all over the state, the 2017 general election was one of the biggest voter turn outs they have seen. Just a two weeks ago, the government entered a partial shutdown, after congress and the president were unable to come to an agreement over the border wall. Some state funding and programs have been affected, though most Montanans have stepped up to the plate to keep things running as normal. Cant wait to see what 20-19 has in store for the Treasure State. Ryan Zinke is getting ready to exit the White House. Wednesday will be the embattled Interior Secretary's last day, after he announced in December that he would be stepping down from the position. Zinke is the subject of multiple ethics investigations, including an investigation for possibly using his office for personal gain. The Interior Department's Inspector General also has multiple inquiries into Zinke, including the department's handling of a Connecticut casino project. They're also inquiring whether the boundaries of a national monument were re-drawn to benefit a state lawmaker, and a land development project in Zinke's hometown. Northern Samar, seen by some economists as over a barrel, has been plunged deeper into poverty as it was hit by a double whammylow copra prices and floods brought by Typhoon Usman, which killed at least 68 people, a House leader said on Wednesday. Aangat Tayo Party-list Rep. Harlin Neil Abayon III made the statement as Usmans heavy rains caused the worst flooding in 30 years in the province. At the moment, Northern Samar needs potable water and portable water purification equipment, he said. Abayon, a deputy majority floor leader, said Samar had been suffering from an economic drought because of low copra and coconut prices in the Philippines and abroad. The situation, Abayon said, was exacerbated by the onslaught of Typhoon Usman. I am asking the Department of Finance and the Department of Budget and Management to tap the $500-million World Bank disaster funds to finance the recovery of Northern Samar and Samar Island from Usman, Abayon said. I also ask the Senate to please expedite passage of the Department of Disaster Resilience bill. The House approved its version of the bill last October 1 and transmitted that to the Senate on October 2. Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos has extended her sympathies to the thousands of displaced families in the wake of tropical storm Usman.Marcos said her province of Ilocos Norte, which was previously battered by Typhoon Ompong, stood ready to extend assistance to the Bicol region which bore the brunt of the tropical storm that resulted in landslides and flooding. We feel for our brothers and sisters in the Bicol region and Eastern Visayas who have lost loved ones and suffered damages to properties due to tropical storm Usman. This is a time for bayanihan. We will do what we can to help ourin need. Ilocanos will be sending our donations ASAP, she said in a statement. We in Ilocos Norte know first hand what it is like to suffer from natural calamities. Typhoon Ompong left behind at least P14.27 billion in agricultural damage, of which rice production accounted for more than 60 percent of the losses. It is not just our farmers who suffered the brunt of these damages but all of us, Marcos added. Although Usman has since moved westward away from the country, many affected areas were still experiencing seasonal rains, hampering rescue and recovery efforts, and with at least 30,000 families or about 130,000 people affected. Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon have been placed under a state of calamity to ensure that funds can be released easily to assist those in need and prices of basic goods and prime commodities can be controlled. Estimates of damage done to crops rose to P195.36 million as Sunday, the Department of Agriculture reported. Some P177.41 million of this was on palay crops alone, with 7,352 metric tons in potential volume production lossaffecting 8,844 hectares farmland in the provinces of Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Samar. Jerry Coyne in The Conversation: As the West becomes more and more secular, and the discoveries of evolutionary biology and cosmology shrink the boundaries of faith, the claims that science and religion are compatible grow louder. If youre a believer who doesnt want to seem anti-science, what can you do? You must argue that your faith or any faith is perfectly compatible with science. And so one sees claim after claim from believers, religious scientists, prestigious science organizations and even atheists asserting not only that science and religion are compatible, but also that they can actually help each other. This claim is called accommodationism. But I argue that this is misguided: that science and religion are not only in conflict even at war but also represent incompatible ways of viewing the world. More here. We Alive we children of god and truth we harbingers of sexual salvation we brave enough to love ourselves when senegal is trying to kill us we with warm worn wild tongues we with long wet seeking fingers we with broken open hearts when gambia warns hell chop off our heads we with hungry deep urgent kisses we in stilettos pumping stonewall fists we with genders bent to meet our souls when falls city nebraska rapes us we with groins that want to talk dirty we with mouths that want to come clean we with legs that want to outrun when laramie wyoming crushes our skulls we who ache for your acceptance we are not waiting for your laws we were on our way to the accountant when Brooklyn tore our limbs in trashbags we with wigs and bikes and pride we with leather and lust and poems we with sass and guts and home girls when Newark stabbed is in our chests we are loving all over the world we are hated all over the world we are buried all over the world we are grieving all over the world we are praying all over the world we are dancing all over the world we are laughing all over the world we are living all over the world we alive all over the world we alive . by Lenelle Moise excerpt from We Alive (video) Russian architect Svetozar Andreev has proposed a giant polygonal structure to evoke the collapsed stone Azure Window in Maltese Islands. Called Heart of Malta, the new structure is envisioned as a new iconic landmark which will be built on the same site of Azure Window, was an icon of the Maltese islands. The stone Azure Window collapsed following a storm in March of 2017, and the arch collapsed into the sea, and there was no way to restore it. Andreev's proposal forms a polygonal architectural form with mirrored steel faces, which will blend into the landscape, and have the same size and proportions as the original limestone arch. Within this form we have designed over 5,000 square meters of exhibition space laid out over five spiral floors, with a dynamic laser show in which each spiral step represents one thousand years of Maltese history. The architect is collaborating with Russian architect Elena Britanishskaya on the project. The project's aim is to create a centre of attraction in Dwejra (San Lowrenz, Gozo, Malta), a new asset to draw tourists, this time to a new architectural and cultural landmark. "We are confident that this project represents an outstanding investment for the future of Malta and Gozo," explained Andreev. "For the project, we propose to make use of the latest techniques and materials available in architecture and shipbuilding to reflect the environment of Dwejra, which will enable us to bring the project to reality while preserving the existing natural coastal landscape," said Svetozar Andreev. "It will be a perfect monument and symbol of the fusion of modernity and nature," he added. All images courtesy of Svetozar Andreev > via hotei-russia Mainstream news reporting is not infallible we are human, after all but the intent is to uncover the truth or what can be ascertained as such at any given time. Gatekeepers editors and fact checkers attempt to keep coverage from going astray. While were not perfect, internet giants such as Facebook, Google and Twitter have preferred using easily duped algorithms when aggregating stories from dubious sources, frequently manipulating by troll farms for nefarious purposes. Russias Internet Research Agency with 13 individuals and three shell companies indicted in Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation into election interference is notoriously among them. After Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was murdered in Moscow in 2015, the Kremlin gave IRA employees marching orders, according to a copy obtained by news outlet MR7.ru: Create the opinion that Ukrainians could have been mixed up in the death of the Russian opposition figure. President Theodore Roosevelt closely confided in and was dependent upon newspaper muckrakers in pursuit of his agenda to expose corruption in politics and the corporate world as well as social ills. UPDATE: Waterloo police Wednesday afternoon said George Laurie Jr. had been located. No further details were given. WATERLOO --- Waterloo Police are asking for the public's assistance in locating a missing adult from Waterloo. George Kirn Laurie, Jr., 32, has not contacted family or friends for more than a week. Laurie is a white male, standing 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. It's unknown what clothing he was wearing, and his last known whereabouts were in downtown Waterloo. If you have any information on the location of Laurie, contact the Waterloo Police Department at (319) 291-4340 ext 3208 or (319) 291-2515. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 0 DAVENPORT --- Davenport police are investigating the death of baby girl who died after being on a charter bus, according to a news release from Davenport police. At 2:07 a.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to Interstate 280 and Kimberly Road for a report of a 3-month-old girl who was not breathing. She was treated at the scene and transported to Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, and subsequently died. The baby was traveling with a parent on the charter bus from Chicago to Cedar Rapids. An autopsy was performed in Iowa City and final results are pending. Preliminary indication is the death was related to an illness "with no criminal component," according to the release. Updates will be sent when they become available, the release says. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CEDAR FALLS Cedar Falls police are asking for the publics help in solving a double shooting early New Years morning in the College Hill area. Two Waterloo teenagers were wounded when a person fired shots into a crowd in the 2200 block of College Street about 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, police said. Corey Jermaine Dunn Jr., 18, and Sincere Lanae Jones, 18, were struck by bullets early Tuesday morning. One person was shot in the hand, and another was shot in the foot. The window of the Octopus bar, 2205 College St., and a vehicle also were hit by gunfire. One person was taken to the hospital by ambulance and a second went to the hospital by private vehicle. Police said the shooting took place outside on College Street, which is only a short distance from the University of Northern Iowa campus. One of the officers out there heard gunfire, went toward the scene and heard multiple shots, said Police Chief Jeff Olson. Police said someone fired several shots from a handgun into a crowd of people. The Cedar Falls officer on the scene ran after the shooter, but lost the person in a neighborhood around College Hill. The individual had quite a head start, Olson said. DES MOINES Prison inmate Anna Marie Bunch died Monday night of natural causes at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines where she had been taken due to a medical emergency, Iowa Department of Corrections officials announced Wednesday. Bunch was 56. Bunch had been serving two 25-year maximum sentences at the Iowa Correctional Facility for Women in Mitchellville for the crime of attempted murder from Black Hawk County. Her sentence began on Nov. 7, 2012. According to Courier files, Bunch received the prison sentence after being convicted of opening fire on her siblings in 2010. According to prosecutors, Bunch, then 50, lured her brother, Warren Jefferson-Bey, and sister, Carole Townsend-Sims, to her apartment May 26, 2010, and began shooting. She also accused them of stealing documents. Assistant County Attorney Peter Blink had asked the court to sentence Bunch to 70 years in prison on convictions for two counts of attempted murder, two counts of intimidation with a weapon, one count of willful injury and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Also, a man convicted in 1980 of killing his infant son has died at an Iowa prison facility. On New Year's Eve, Elizabeth Warren released a four and a half minute video announcing her campaign for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Her video discusses such topics as income inequality and her grassroots origins, detailing how her father suffered a heart attack when she was young, causing her mother to take a minimum wage job at Sears. It was to support the family while her father regained his health, before turning to her introduction to politics, framing her as a reluctant advocate of the people. This was a mantle thrust upon her, that she never expected, but now heroically bears. She is a staunch defender of the middle class and others oppressed throughout society. Finally, her campaign speech concluded with a rallying cry against those that would persecute others, pointedly aiming this attack toward Republican personalities. She stated that "if we organize together, if we fight together, if we persist together, we can win" before displaying her campaign website beneath the mantra "Join The Fight." Elizabeth Warren isn't the only one fighting When the races truly kick off for the 2020 Democratic primaries, Elizabeth Warren will be far from the only one running. Many analysts are expecting several other candidates for the nomination to come forward. That could include Kamala Harris from California, Corey Booker out of New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and many others. And let's not forget the recent buzz surrounding Texas Senate runner-up Beto O'Rourke. Establishment candidates who have yet to close the door for a presidential run such as Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden could also run. Maybe Biden will take Trump behind the gym? No, it won't be an easy fight for the Senator from Massachusettes to gain a victory. She is not particularly likely to attract new voters to the base of the Democratic Party, which has swung itself further into a confused heap of identity politics and intersectionality at a pace that many argue was the cause of the rise of Donald Trump in American politics. Elizabeth Warren is her own worst enemy It's uncertain what the future holds for Warren. I think that it's entirely possible she'll make it through the scandal of a DNA test and a competitive battleground fraught with young and impassioned contenders to emerge victoriously as the nominee for 2020. But I must note, that as with all things, only time will tell. It looks like 2019 will be a good year for the villain Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. His fate has rarely looked more predictable or benign. Lets face it. Assad will get away with all the carnage and bloodshed that he and his Russian and Iranian allies have imposed on the Syrian people. Its hardly a surprise. This is how we have come to treat peoples torments in the Middle East. Hundreds of thousands have died in Syria, and millions have escaped the country as their homes and villages were left in ashes. Syria looks half dead, the body beaten raw by friends who wanted the head to keep smiling for them. Now Russia and Iran can keep Assad closer than ever, certain about his loyalty. Vladimir Putin must be thrilled. But the Syrian misery seems endless. Nearly 6 million Syrian refugees and over 5 million displaced have nowhere to go in their own country. Infrastructure has been demolished, whole villages wiped out, and almost all major cities have been razed to the ground. Refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan, and in Syria itself, are starting to look like swanky neighbourhoods next to the shells of cities such as Aleppo, Homs, Hama and Daraa. The West is looking the other way. It is fascinating how quickly Syria occupied the European agenda, and how fast it departed. When Syrian refugees were flooding into Europe, it seemed so important to reach a solution. A swift deal had to be signed with Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan to keep the refugees in check. Read more Confusion swirls over US policy in Syria after Trump tweets Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel rushed to woo Putin, and put more pressure on the US to step in. But once the flow of refugees started to slow, politicians stopped bothering. It is all rather immoral and shameful. Syrian children look like those in Kosovo. They have faced the same atrocities and fate. However, in the nineties after winning the war, of course the West rushed to rebuild the country which Nato bombers had levelled. Story continues In Syria, things are different. Western bombs, by and large, did not flatten Syrian cities. Assads barrel bombs did the work. Even in Raqqa, where the US-led coalition sought to root out Isis fighters with a sustained bombing campaign, the US has accepted no liability for any civilian casualties. That helps to explain why Western countries have escaped the sense of obligation that followed the Iraq invasion or the war on terror in Afghanistan. Of course, Europe itself was rebuilt after the Second World War through the Marshall Plan. Billions of dollars were spent to create a better future for European children in refugee camps. This is not happening now, simply because Syria is not Europe. And there is no lurking threat of Communism to stiffen the resolve of the US. Donald Trumps intentions are now clear. In his decision to pull the American troops out of Syria he has opened the door to others. Last month, the US president tweeted that the defeat of Isis had removed his only reason for staying in Syria. Whether this is an act of delusion or expediency, everyone in the Middle East anticipated the moment. It paves the way for regional Arab powers to sharpen their dull knives, and offers little hope for bright future in Syria. Syria was never strategically important for the West. It was always up to the Arabs to hold Damascus in check. When Hafez al-Assad (the father of the current President) brutally suppressed Muslim Brotherhood opponents in Hama in 1982, the West did not blink. Assad senior left thousands of civilians dead and wounded. Next day, daily life went on as usual. Ring any bells? Now, Arabs are not left to manage this pariah state alone. They have the Russians, Turks and Iranians in the room too. Trump is reported to have told Erdogan: OK, it's all yours. We are done. He has also tweeted: Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States. Giving Syria away to the Turks, then inviting the Saudis to rebuild it, (just a few months on from the Khashoggi affair) shows how US foreign policy under Trump has veered towards the laughable. Now, everyone is riding to the rescue. Assads rescue, of course. The UAE and Bahrain announced last month the reopening of their closed embassies in Damascus. Cairo has received Ali Mamlouk, the head of Assads intelligence services, and pressured the Arab League to readmit Syria into its ranks during an upcoming summit in March. But the Arabs are late. Turkey and Iran are both racing to fill the vacuum caused by the Trump withdrawal. The Turks want to force the Kurds out of their historical lands on the other side of the border, and Erdogan has evoked the Ottoman Empire in his rhetoric. Iran has already mastered whole areas in Damascus and Ghouta, and Israel has vowed to resist. In vain, most likely. Russia, too, might prefer to loosen Irans hold over Assad. But as long as he is safe and sound (in power, of course) Putin will be happy to keep things slow and steady. Support free-thinking journalism and subscribe to Independent Minds And while the Great Game ebbs and flows, no one is paying attention to ordinary Syrians. It has never been about them from the start, and it never will be. The rehabilitation of Syria does not seem to be a realistic outcome for 2019. The rehabilitation of Assad looks rather more likely. In neighbouring Iraq, the western coalition bombed Mosul to rubble in its campaign to recapture the city from Isis. And yet reconstruction is slow, piecemeal and barely funded, and thats in a country where Trump has (for now) decided to keep a military presence. Even the wealthy Arab states show little interest. Their pockets are not as deep as they used to be and the effort to redeem Assad, from warlord to legitimate president, is more pressing. The Syrian people, meanwhile, will never receive the Marshall rescue plan they need. Residents of Kyrenia, Cyprus, started off their new year with a surprise as an impressive waterspout formed off the coast on January 1st. Kemal Baykalli was able to record the waterspout as it moved through the air and onlookers marveled. According to local reports, waterspouts were not common in Cyprus until recently, with residents previously describing the weather as uneventful. Credit: Kemal Baykalli via Storyful Somalia's government has ordered the UN top envoy to the country to leave, accusing him of "deliberately interfering with the country's sovereignty" after raising concerns over the detention of former Islamist leader Muktar Robow. The envoy had also questioned the involvement of Somalia's UN-backed security services in the violence that erupted following Robows arrest and which left at least 15 people dead. "The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Haysom, is no longer welcome in Somalia and cannot operate in the country," the foreign ministry said in a statement late Tuesday. There was no immediate reaction from the UN mission in Somalia. Somalian security used force to put down three days of demonstrations in the southwestern town of Baidoa on 13-15 December, with at least 15 people killed and 300 people arrested, according to the UN. Protesters were angry at the arrest of Muktar Robow, a former Islamist leader who was vying for post of regional presidency. Robow, who defected from the jihadist Al-Shabaab movement in 2017, was detained by the government accused of seeking to "undermine stability", and flown to the capital Mogadishu. His arrest came just days before a much-postponed regional election for the president of Somalias South West state. Robow's run for office exposed the tensions between Somalia's federal states, which want greater autonomy from a national administration keen to safeguard its central powers. The UN mission in Somalia is tasked with supporting peace efforts and the strengthening of government institutions in the Horn of Africa nation, which was left ruined by decades of civil war. As part of that, the UN supports police officers, including with stipend salary payments, logistics, uniforms and training. Haysom wrote to the Somali government on December 30, requesting details of the legal basis for the arrest of Robow, as well as calling for investigations into the deaths during the protests following his detention. Story continues In his letter, Haysom urged Somali authorities to "exercise its authority in conformance with the law and provide explanation about the atrocities committed in Baidoa last month and the detention of Mukhtar Robow." READ MORE: >> Arrest of ex-Shabaab-leader-turned-politician sparks deadly clashes in Somalia The UN mission in Somalia faces frequent attacks. On Tuesday, three people were wounded including two UN staff members when gunmen fired a barrage of mortars into the main UN base in Mogadishu. The Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate fighting to overthrow the internationally backed government, claimed responsibility for the attack. Haysom, a South African lawyer and experienced diplomat who was previously the UN special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, was appointed to the post in Somalia September 2018. (FRANCE 24 with AFP) A skittish horse briefly blocked the motorcade of newly elected Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro during his inauguration motorcade in Brasilia. The unfortunate incident happened as the right-wing leader was on his way to being sworn in. He will hope it does not indicate the direction in which his leadership will go, as he will look to tackl Brzil's crime, corruption and economic malaise. Brazil's presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro11 "I will work tirelessly so that Brazil reaches its destiny," Bolsonaro said after being sworn in. "My vow is to strengthen Brazil's democracy." Bolsonaro plans to move Brazil's political position on the inertnational stage too, moving away from developing links with neighbouring nations to working closer with Western leaders, particularly U.S. President Donald Trump. His promise to follow Trump's example and pull Brazil out of the Paris Agreement on climate change has worried environmentalists. As have his plans to build hydroelectric dams in the Amazon Rainforest and allow mining on the reservations of indigenous peoples who are seen as the defenders of the world's largest forest. A Russian researcher has questioned the age of French woman Jeanne Calment, believed to be the world's oldest human before her death in 1997. In his long study, Nikolai Zak, researcher in mathematics at Moscow university has put forward several arguments to prove that Jeanne Calment wasn't the world's oldest woman, who died at the age of 122. Zak, supported by the gerontologist Valeri Novosselov, studied biographies, interviews, photos, the archives from the southern French city of Arles where Calment lived, and testimonials of people who knew her. His theory establishes that Jeanne Calment died from pleurisy in 1934, instead of her only daughter Yvonne, which was the version of the story at the time. He believes Yvonne took her mother's identity which allowed her to avoid paying inheritance tax. Zak also points to discrepancies in the height of Jeanne Calment as an old lady. He cites the 1990 thesis of Doctor Garoyan who studied the evolution of Jeanne Calment's height over a period of time. According to him, at the age of 114, Jeanne was 1,50m which was only two centimetres less than her height at age 57. This is strange because according to him on average, at 80, women have lost around six centimetres in height. There is also the argument of Jeanne's identity card which states she has black eyes which did not correspond to her eye colour later in life. There appears to be a discrepancy concerning the size of her forehead and chin. Findings divide scientists and spark debate On Monday, Nicolas Brouard, research director at France's National Demographics studies Institute (INED) says that part of the research community is "in favour of exhuming the bodies of Jeanne and Yvonne Calment" based on the strength of the arguments in Zak's study. Interviewed by Le Parisien newspaper in December, Jean-Marie Robine, research director at the National Institute for Health and Medical research (Inserm) refuted the Russian's findings calling the idea of an identity swap ridiculous and not based on anything substantial. In the 1990s, it Robine and another scientist who validated Jeanne Calment's record as humanity's oldest person. "We had information that only she (Jeanne) could have known, such as the name of her maths teachers or the housekeepers in her building at the time. We asked her questions. Either she couldn't remember or she answered correctly, but her daughter couldn't have known that." Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra is set to ask Congress to declare the public prosecutors office in a state of emergency after the agencys top official removed two key investigators at the heart of a probe into a major graft scandal. The two agents ex-chief prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez and former fiscal coordinator Rafael Vela had been leading an investigation into whether people at the highest level of power had accepted vast sums of money from Brazilian construction group Odebrecht. The team Perez and Vela helped lead had targeted four former Peruvian presidents, the current opposition leader and several construction companies. All have denied wrongdoing. Attorney General Pedro Chavarrys decision to remove Perez and Vela was announced days after Perez accused Chavarry of allegedly obstructing justice in a separate case involving several judges accused of corruption. Public outcry Chavarry, said the duo had failed to respect authority at the agency, but Chavrrys move prompted a public outcry, where there is strong support for the presidents anti-corruption crusade. There have been two nights of wide-spread protests across the country, with the capital Lima seeing thousands of people take to the streets, shouting their support for the removed prosecutors. The people support you! the marchers cried out. Perus Vizcarra, who had been attending the inauguration of President Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, cut short his trip to deal with the public uproar declaring he would fight corruption and impunity. The attorney general is profoundly damaging the interests of Peru and causing outrage among citizens, he said in a terse statement backing the will of the protestors. Vizcarra said he would personally present a bill to Perus Congress at 1 pm local time (1800 GMT) on Wednesday seeking the state of emergency, and asked for legislative support to usher it through quickly and without conflict. We will use all the tools in our Constitution to overturn this decision, and we ask that all branches of government do the same, Vizcarra told reporters after meeting with his cabinet and advisers in Lima. Story continues A state of emergency would allow Vizcarra to quickly and efficiently make changes to personnel he deems necessary to advance the high-profile investigation. Fines of $180mn sought by deposed agents The two deposed investigators had earlier this month declared they would seek fines of approximately $180 million from politicians, businessmen and companies for taking kickbacks involving Odebrecht construction projects in Peru. Odebrecht in 2016 admitted in a plea deal with US, Brazilian and Swiss authorities that it had bribed officials in dozens of countries, including Peru. The president said on Monday that Odebrecht should not be able to continue working in Peru because the Brazilian construction company was contaminated and had admitted bribing public officials. (FRANCE 24 with AP, REUTERS) The pedestrian was killed when a helicopter crashed on top of him (CEN) A pedestrian walking along a street at a popular beach town resort has been killed after a helicopter landed on top of him. The Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter, that was carrying a pair of tourists on a sightseeing trip of Sao Paulo, Brazil, began dropping shortly after it took off, according to reports. The pilot could not stop the aircraft crashing to the ground, hitting pedestrian Alessandro Correia Leite, 42, who died at the site of the accident in the town of Ubatuba. Videos taken from the scene show the destroyed helicopter strewn across a road as a team of paramedics work to try and save Leites life. The pilot and two passengers, a married couple, reportedly escaped with only minor injuries. Alessandro Correia Leite died at the scene of the crash (CEN) The couple were taken to the local Santa Casa hospital, while the pilot did not require treatment. An investigation has now been launched into the causes of the accident. Police spokesman Bruno Aragao said: The passenger said that the aircraft had barely taken off and, within a minute, she noticed a light coming on and the aircraft was already falling. The victims father, Antonio Correa Leite Neto, said: I had just had a coffee with him. He left and and I stayed to have a lie down in my room. MORE: Police mocked for sharing e-fit of suspected robber who looks like the Grim Reaper MORE: Food warning for parents after study claims 10-year-olds exceed recommended sugar intake for young adult I heard the sound and I shouted to my other son. It was the normal sound of a helicopter, but at the same time I heard a different noise. I left shouting for my son to call the fire service as there was someone on the ground. I walked close by but I did not see initially that it was my son. The helicopter tour was organised by Helicon who said they regretted the incident, adding that they would help support the family of the victim. The cause of the crash remains unknown. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK indo landslide AFP/Getty Images Six more bodies have been recovered from beneath tons of mud after a landslide devastated a village on Indonesia's main island of Java, bringing the death toll to 15. Following recent torrential rains, the landslide struck just before dark on Monday, crashing down the surrounding hillside and burying more than 30 houses in Sirnaresmi village in West Java. Soldiers, police and residents have fanned out in the ongoing search for victims, Associated Press reports. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Rescuers recovered six more bodies buried under tons of mud from a landslide that crashed onto a hilly village on Indonesia's main island of Java, bringing the death toll to 15, officials said Tuesday. The landslide that plunged down surrounding hills just before sunset Monday buried 30 houses in Sirnaresmi village in West Java's Sukabumi district. Sixty people who lost their homes were forced to move to a temporary shelter, said National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. Television video showed relatives wailing as they watched rescuers pull a mud-caked body from a devastated hamlet. It was placed in a blue bag and taken away for burial. Authorities struggled to bring tractors and other heavy equipment over washed-out roads after torrential rains sent mud and rocks crashing onto the hilly hamlets. Hundreds of police, soldiers and residents dug through the debris with their bare hands, shovels and hoes as heavy rain hindered their efforts. "Lack of equipment, bad weather and a blackout hampered our rescue efforts for those who are still missing and feared dead," Nugroho said. Made Oka Astawa, head of the operations division at the National Search and Rescue Agency, said the six bodies were found under 4 meters (13 feet) of mud with the help of two excavators that managed to reach the devastated area. Astawa said rescuers also pulled out four injured people, including an infant who died in a hospital. Twenty villagers are still believed to be missing. Story continues He said the search effort was halted late Tuesday due to darkness and heavy rains that made the landslide areas unstable. The operation is to be resumed early Wednesday. Seasonal rains and high tides in recent days have caused dozens of landslides and widespread flooding across much of Indonesia, a chain of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains close to rivers. The landslide occurred during New Year's Eve celebrations. On Dec. 22, the Anak Krakatau volcano in the Sunda Strait erupted and partially collapsed into the sea, causing a tsunami that killed at least 437 people on Java and Sumatra islands. At least 16 people are still missing and more than 33,700 residents were displaced. NOW WATCH: How artificial Christmas trees are made See Also: Officials at the zoo inspect the rhino pen after the incident (AP) A little girl has been rushed to hospital after slipping and falling into a rhino enclosure at a zoo in Florida. The two-year-old is thought to have come into contact with one of the rhinos, and the full extent of her injuries are not yet known. Her father said in a statement that the girl was doing well. The toddler had been visiting Brevard Zoo with her family on Tuesday when she fell through steel poles that separate guests from rhinos during the daily hands-on experience. The enclosure is part of a hands-on experience held daily at the zoo (AP) A zoo spokesman said: According to witnesses, the child stumbled and fell in between two of the poles and at this point the snout of at least one rhinoceros made contact with the child. Her mother was also injured during the incident, though these were not thought to be serious. The girl and her mother were both treated at an Orlando hospital. The father, who was unnamed, added in his statement that today has been a trying day for our family. The zoos director Keith Winsten told Florida Today that he did not believe the the girl had been touched by the rhinos horn. Our number one concern is the safety and welfare of our guests and our hearts go out to the family, he said. MORE: Police investigate after frenzied hounds kill fox in front garden during hunt MORE: Sajid Javid accused of acting like Donald Trump by whipping up Channel migrant crisis Safety has always been of paramount importance to us and we are suspending these encounters until we have thoroughly reviewed our processes and procedures to ensure this cannot happen again. One eyewitness told NBC that the little girl looked frightened after the incident and was crying. The zoo said there had been no previous incidents involving the rhinos (AP) The mom wasnt crying, she just looked shocked, added the eyewitness. Brevard Zoo has run the hands-on experience every day since 2009 with no previous problems, a spokesman added. The zoo has more than 900 animals. -Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK- French author Michel Houellebecqs seventh novel, Serotonin, is slated for release on Friday. The novel, whose title refers to the mood-regulating brain chemical targeted by many antidepressant medications, will be released in France on Friday, though an English translation is not slated for publication until September. Synopses and reviews indicate its protagonist, a 46-year-old suffering the effects of a spiritually vacuous urban existence, breaks from a relationship and job and returns to his rural Normandy hometown. There, he finds farmers and former factory workers whose way of life has been devastated by the liberal economic policies of the European Union and who start blocking roads in angry desperation, leading to an ill-fated encounter with CRS riot police. The book was written before the appearance in November of the Yellow Vest movement, which has seen protesters from rural and small-town France venting their rage against the countrys leaders. The plot of Serotonin obviously foresees the Yellow Vests, since the novel was finished before summer, long before any demonstrations, says Agathe Novak-Lechevalier, an assistant professor of modern literature at Nanterre University and author of a recent book on Houellebecq. Its not exactly the Yellow Vests, which are a more sociologically and politically heterogeneous movement, while Houellebecqs characters are mostly farmers. But even so, it articulates the suffering of a large part of France that lives with the threat of neglect and poverty. There is also the theme of solitude, which has been present in Houellebecq for a long time. When the Yellow Vests of today say they are rediscovering camaraderie and fraternity at the demonstrations, this is the kind of suffering from solitude that Houellebecq has been exploring from the start. Bleak and prophetic Houellebecqs previous works have garnered praise for their frank critiques of Western decadence and the alienating effects of economic globalisation on human relationships, as well as controversy for their critique of contemporary values and especially their disdain for religion and Islam. Story continues The protagonists, often interpreted as stand-ins for the author, tend to be affluent but depressed and alienated urbanites seeking meaning through sex tourism and swingers clubs, and the narratives are rife with criticisms of social trends. Serotonin is not the first of Houellebecqs novels to come with an eerily prophetic effect. Platform, whose climatic moment features an Islamist attack on a resort in Thailand, was released eight days before 11 September 2001, and a year before a fundamentalist attack on a nightclub in Bali, Indonesia. And Submission, which addressed Frances uneasy relationship with Islam, was slated for release on 7 January 2015, the same day that extremists gunned down the staff of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. That novel told a bizarre tale of sharia law being imposed in France following the victory of a Muslim defeating real-life French politician Marine Le Pen in the 2022 French presidential election. However realistic or not that storyline may prove to be, it still pointed towards anxieties over French identity and values that flared in public debates following the Charlie Hebdo attacks. Reviled and honoured Houellebecq himself also has a penchant for making remarks that step up the controversy even further, perhaps in service to the marketing and sales of his novels. During an interview to promote Platform, Houellebecq called Islam the stupidest religion, which led to legal action from a number of anti-racist groups. In remarks that appear designed to ruffle feathers in the build-up to Serotonin, Houellebecq told a US magazine in December that Donald Trump is one of the best American presidents I have ever seen, adding that Europe does not exist. But while many inside and outside of France revile Houellebecq, he is a best-selling author at home and abroad. He also received the countrys highest literary award, the Goncourt Prize, in 2010, and was decorated with Frances highest civilian distinction, the Legion of Honour, on Tuesday. Agathe Novak-Lechevalier suggests the mix of revulsion and adulation has its roots in Houellebecqs 1998 breakthrough novel, The Elementary Particles (translated as Atomised in the UK). That book, she says, was a new kind of novel that was not easy to interpret, ideologically speaking, and that in this way resisted easy classification. Things are not going well for French president Emmanuel Macron. Thats the lowest confidence rating for the French leader since his election 18 months ago. And is one point lower than that of his little-loved predecessor, Francois Hollande, at the same stage of his mandate. Crucially, for Les Echos, the percentage of voters who have no confidence at all in Emmanuel Macron has soared seven points to 51 percent. The prime minister, Edouard Philippe, is going down the same tube, at roughly the same rate. And, since no opposition group or individual in particular is profiting from the poor showing of the head of state, this is clearly personal. People dont like Emmanuel Macron. His reform program is seen as unjust and inefficient; he does not understand the real problems of ordinary French people. It's in the post! Les Echos say the president will have to send out extremely strong signals if hes to make any headway against the cohorts of doubters. In fact, Emmanuel Macron is planning to send out a letter. The details are still unclear, but it appears that the presidential missive will be to check what everybody wants before the promised grand national debate, due to open next week, even if the agenda and the identities of the participants remain disconcertingly uncertain. Perhaps the letter will reveal all? The presidential reform line up Depending on which paper you read, the president faces three, four or six major challenges as 2019 gets under way. Not including the letter. Les Echos goes for three: Macron has to reform the unemployment benefit system to encourage more people to get off the dole and back to gainful employment. He has to reform retirement pensions. And he has to get rid of a vast scrum of unnecessary and expensive civil servants. Le Monde also goes for three, warning that dole reform is likely to prove explosive. The centrist paper continues in the same rhetorical vein, describing the struggle to cut state spending, which includes axing all those civil service jobs, as the mother of all battles. Story continues Church and state reform - again? Le Monde springs a surprise with presidential obligation number three, saying that Emmanuel Macron must reform the 1905 law which separates state and church. What they mean, of course, is state and mosque, since the terms of the old law do not cover foreign donations to religious institutions operating in France. And the police are worried that some Islamic centres could be using foreign money to finance terrorist operations. Left-leaning Liberation goes for four challenges, and they come up with four completely different presidential objectives to those chosen by either Les Echos or Le Monde. President and the people on speaking terms Libe says Macron must re-establish a dialogue with the electorate. Not that the French have ever been on chatty, first-name terms with the boss. But theyre fed up with being governed from on high, by a former merchant banker who likes to compare himself with a Roman god, and who talks fancy. Liberations second presidential challenge is the new French income tax collection system, which is supposed to come into operation this very month. This, needless to say, has nothing at all to do with the current president, since the reform was actually passed under the Hollande government. Which wont save Emmanuel Macron from paying cash if it doesnt work. The ordinary French person, clutching his and her thin yellow vest for protection against the harsh winds of winter, is well primed to react to any challenge to an already stressed purchasing power. If the new tax collection machines get it wrong, even slightly and for ever so few, therell be blood on the streets. Even if theres no technical problem, the fact that French earners will get a lot less in their pay packets at the end of the month could lead to war. Keep reforming, we'll keep protesting The president has to go on changing France, says Libe in third place. That broad ambition includes saving four billion euros from the social security budget, something that the trade unions wont swallow calmly. And pensions and public sector reform also come in for mention. Liberations final challenge comes in the form of the early summer European elections. Macrons presidency has been solidly based on a European foundation. He needs a strong showing. And, ironically, the yellow vests may come to his aid by proposing their own candidates, thus eating away at support for either Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally or Jean-Luc Melenchons hard-left France Unbowed. 2018 - to hell or a golden age? Conservative daily Le Figaro is the most demanding, with six presidential tasks including revisting the common base of retirement, civil service reform and unemployment benefit. To this Le Figaro adds the debate on medically-assisted parenthood and the homosexual family, the reform of the 1905 church-state regulations, and the whole question of changing the French constitution, with inflammable debates anticipated on such key themes as reducing the number of deputies and senators, the introduction of some level of proportional representation in elections, and increasing the independence of the judiciary. With that sort of agenda, and the letter to write, Emmanuel Macron may well look back on 2018 as the golden age of his presidency. At least 40 people have been killed in a deadly crackdown on protests in Sudan during spontaneous demonstrations over the past two weeks, according to a Sudanese doctors union. Demonstrations started on 19 December and since then weve been very concerned, Sara Abdelgalil, the president of the Sudan Doctors Unions branch in the UK, told RFI. The SDU branch has been coordinating with colleagues in Sudan on a daily basis to collate information about hospital admissions. Hospitals have seen an increase in serious injuries over two weeks of protests with a university student paralysed, another student with a serious head injury and another person with a chest injury and a bullet lodged near their spine, according to Abdelgalil. Two other students had their hands amputated following injuries from teargas canisters and the doctors union says it has evidence in several x-rays of fatal injuries from live ammunition, says Abdelgalil. Many of the minor injuries medical staff have treated relate to respiratory problems or asthma attacks brought on by the use of tear gas, says the SDU UK president. No medical teams are operating on the ground in the vicinity of the demonstrations, says Abdelgalil, over fears that they could be targeted by security forces. Furthermore, members of the security forces are visiting hospitals and picking up patients for detention. I saw a man shot before my very eyes Several sources said Khartoum was quiet on Wednesday with a heavy deployment of security forces. However, protests earlier this week were met with a swift response by the authorities. It was right in front of my eyes, I saw a guy falling, I dont know how to describe it, it was very terrifying and they are using whatever force they have, says a 23-year-old female protester in response to questions about the use of live ammunition during demonstrations on Monday. They will do whatever they want, they have no limits, says the demonstrator, who wanted to remain anonymous for security reasons. Story continues She described how the response by security forces was particularly swift and forceful following a speech by President Omar al-Bashir addressing the protests. The demonstrations over the past two weeks were mainly focused on living standards and the price of bread, according to the protester, but have now morphed into a more general anger directed at Bashirs government. Weve had enough of this regime and its not about bread or medicine or whatever, we are talking about real changes, she says. Demonstrations in recent days have attracted a large cross-section of society with men, women, students and older citizens all participating, according to the protester who RFI spoke to by telephone from Khartoum. The mood has changed somewhat though and the number of arrests has increased dramatically with members of the security forces stopping people randomly in the street. "The use of live ammunition is very clearly established," says Jehanne Henry, the Africa team leader at Human Rights Watch, a US-based non-governmental organisation. Opposition reaction The political opposition to Bashirs government is calling for the end of the regime and the creation of an interim government, says Mariam al-Mahdi, a member of the opposition Umma party and daughter of Sadiq al-Mahdi, the countrys last democratically elected prime minister. Mahdi said various movements including the National Consensus Forces, Sudan Call and Association of Sudanese Professionals have formed a common front for a possible political transition to avoid bloody confrontation and chaos. The National Consensus Forces brings together a number of political parties opposing Bashirs National Congress Party. The Sudan Call is another opposition alliance grouping which includes both political and armed opposition. While the Association of Sudanese Professionals is an umbrella coalition of trade unions. The groups are putting together a detailed political accord to plan for the future of the country after Bashir leaves power, Mahdi told RFI in a telephone interview. Were planning to continue our objections and demands in a more organised way and shifting from the spontaneous demonstrations, she says. Opposition figures are also urging Bashir supporters to jump ship and take the right position of siding with the people of Sudan, not the tyrant and dictator. Press crackdown Media reports on events in Sudan have been further complicated by the targeting and detention of a number of journalists in the country. The press freedom NGO Reporters Without Borders says 21 journalists have been arrested by the authorities since 9 December. The French press watchdog says Sudanese intelligence services have also targeted newspapers with 10 publications stopped from printing or action to prevent distribution. This new crackdown on Sudanese media and journalists is particularly alarming because of its scale and the ruthless determination of the authorities to prevent any information about the ongoing demonstrations from being disseminated, said Arnaud Froger, head of the Africa desk at Reporters Without Borders. The authorities intended to send a message to journalists who attempted to cover the protests and demonstrations, according to Froger. The secret services are not only acting as 'editorial police' - imposing arbitrary red lines and off limit topics for journalists and media - they are arresting any journalists and media who still dare covering the protest, he said. At 9:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve, England was again rocked by a suspected terrorist attack. Witnesses have confirmed that while attacking the passengers the suspect shouted the words "Allah," this points to an Islamic angle to the incident. The Washington Post has reported that the British police are treating the attack a terrorist act. The assailant attacked two elderly persons and a policeman on duty and injured them The attack took place at Manchester Victoria station on New Year's Eve. Arrest The police have arrested the assailant who was carrying a 12-inch kitchen knife. Though it is not confirmed there are signs that this could be the handiwork of an extremist Muslim group. Possibly the man was acting on his own and a large group may not be in the picture. The police are now searching the home of the 25-year-old assailant. He is being held for attempted murder and as per reports resides in the Cheetham Hill area of the city. The Telegraph has reported that an elderly couple was injured and a British transport police officer received a stab injury in his shoulder. The assistant chief constable of the Greater Manchester police has informed reporters that the suspect whose religion has not been specified has been taken into custody on a charge of attempted murder. Lackadaisical approach The British government has been somewhat lackadaisical in using the words Islamic terror. This was been contemptuously commented upon by the US President Donald Trump. There was somewhat of a chill between Donald Trump and the British government when in the London Bridge terrorist attack in June 2017 the US President castigated the mayor of London by tweeting: 'Pathetic excuse by London Mayor Sadiq Khan who had to think fast on his "no reason to be alarmed" statement'. Khan happens to be Muslim. Muslim minority The United Kingdom has a significant Muslim minority. Unfortunately, unlike the other minorities from the subcontinent like the Hindus and Sikhs, the Muslim minority has a fringe element that believes in an Islamic caliphate. Incidentally, the man while attacking the persons at the station shouted the words "Long Live The Caliphate!" It must be mentioned that only a small minority of the Muslim population in England is influenced by radical elements but even this small minority is able to cow down the vast majority of other Muslims and the chances that more such attacks will take place cannot be ruled out. Last word One wonders whether the British government trying to live up to its old grandeur needs to take a leaf out of the French and American book and confront those Muslims who foment terror by combing the areas where Muslims live in a majority The whole world saw 2019 coming in style last night, from various different time zones. New Year's Eve had everyone excited with hope for a happy and successful New Year. Videos below show amazing fireworks displays held in various parts of the world, lighting up the skies. Included are Sydney Australia, the city-state of Singapore, Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, over the Acropolis in Athens, Greece and, of course, London, England. Happy New Year to all the readers. May 2019 bring everything you wish for and more. 1 Sydney, Australia Sydney, Australia always celebrates way ahead of us, and they always do it in style. The video shows the annual sky show held over the Harbour Bridge as the New Year 2019 struck, accompanied by music. 2 New Year's Eve - Singapore Singapore threw a futuristic fireworks display on Star Island, in Marina Bay, also accompanied by music and cheering. 3 Red Square, Moscow, Russia 4 Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 5 Acropolis, Athens, Greece 6 Thames River, London, England ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 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. Tyler, TX (75702) Today Partly cloudy. Hot. High around 95F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. Nine survivors of a terror bomb attack that hit a tour bus carrying 15 Vietnamese nationals in Cairo last week have arrived home safely on a flight that landed in Ho Chi Minh City from Egypt on Tuesday. The December 28 blast from a roadside bomb killed two tourists and a guide, all of whom were Vietnamese nationals, while injuring the other twelve passengers. No claim of responsibility has been made for the terror attack that took place less than four kilometers from Egypts world-famous Giza pyramids. Vietnams foreign ministry has vehemently condemned such an act of terror and demanded that Egypt find and punish those responsible for the attack. The first nine survivors of the bombing who are in stable conditions to travel by air were brought home on the Turkish Airlines flight TK 168, which landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City at around 5:00 pm on Tuesday. Two of them suffer from psychological trauma and are still being monitored by doctors at a hospital in the city. A survivor (sitting) of a bomb attack in Cairo, Egypt on December 28, 2018 talks to employees of the operator of his tour after arriving in Ho Chi Minh City on January 1, 2019. Photo: Tuoi Tre The three remaining survivors continue to stay in Egypt for treatment for the severe injuries they sustain from the blast. One of them had to undergo a surgery to fix both of their wounded legs, according to Bui Ta Hoang Vu, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department. The bodies of the three Vietnamese citizens who died in the attack are expected to be repatriated on Wednesday, said Nguyen Huu Y Yen, general director of travel company Saigontourist which operated the victims Egypt tour. Both Vu and Yen were on Tuesdays flight that brought the first group of Vietnamese tourists home. Yen said Saigontourist is ready to work with families of the deceased on arranging their funerals. We are working actively with our partner insurance company to move ahead with paying insurance to those harmed while on the tour, said Vo Anh Tai, deputy general director of Saigontourist. We will provide further details once an agreement is reached on the amount of payment, he added. A Saigontourist representative said the company has assigned personnel to remain in Egypt to assist those still hospitalized after the attack. If all goes well, the remaining three survivors can board a flight home as early as the end of this week, the representative said. Vietnamese tourists exits Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City after arriving from Egypt on January 1, 2019. Photo: Tuoi Tre Vietnamese authorities have conducted a survey of the route on which the tour bus was moving when it got hit and found that the road is regularly used for transporting tourists to the Giza pyramids, with no danger signs to warn travelers of risks of an attack, Vu said. However, an official conclusion from Egyptian investigators is still needed to determine whether the bus was in an undesignated area, he added. The incident was unexpected, Vu said. The bomb attack was not particularly aimed at Vietnamese tourists. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! One of the corneas from a Vietnamese child, four years of age, who died on his birthday has restored sight to a young man in a successful organ transplant on the last days of 2018, Vietnams Central Eye Hospital said on Tuesday. The 20-year-old mans eyes had for many years suffered from corneal dystrophy, a genetic disease that causes foreign material to build up in layers of the cornea, resulting in blurry vision. A similar transplant of the other cornea is scheduled for early next week for another person with the same condition. The donor in the two medical operations was a boy in Phu Tho Province, next to Hanoi, who recently died on his fourth birthday in the wake of an accident. His family wrote a post on social media saying they wished to give his corneas to those in need. The Central Eye Hospital came across the post and dispatched doctors to the boys home in order to harvest the corneas. We remained silent listening to his story along the way, said one of the people on the trip, Nguyen Huu Hoang, who is the director of the infirmarys Eye Bank arm. A doctor harvests a Vietnamese four-year-olds corneas on the last days of 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre My little warrior, give your corneas to those who want to regain sight, will you? Hoang recalled the childs mother telling the son softly to his ears while hugging him before the corneas were collected. The words deeply moved me, Hoang added. This is the third corneal donation from children across Vietnam in less than a year since January 2018 and the Phu Tho boy is the youngest of all so far. Their corneas have helped restore the sight of five people. In July last year, a girl from Hanoi named Nguyen Van Nhi wanted to donate her corneas before she died from a rare disease she had suffered for her entire lifetime. Five months earlier, a moribund girl seven years and three months old with brain cancer allowed her corneas to be given to someone in need. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Three people died as a taxi overturned after hitting a motorcycle in an apparent case of driving under the influence in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on New Years Day. The taxi, carrying five passengers, was traveling along National Route 20 when it crashed into a motorbike running in the same direction at around 11:00 pm on Tuesday. The cab, operated by local taxi firm Lado, kept barreling forward before slamming into roadside trees and turned upside down. Three of the passengers died while the other two, as well as the 23-year-old female driver and the motorcyclist, were seriously injured. The taxi was also severely damaged following the crash. An official handling the case said the cabbie was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, adding his blood sample was taken for testing. Local authorities gave families of the deceased victims VND5 million (US$215) each as support over the tragedy. The taxi involved in the accident killing three passengers is seen on a pavement in Lam Dong Province, Vietnams Central Highlands, January 1, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre A motorbike is seen after being hit by the taxi in the accident that killed three in Lam Dong Province, Vietnams Central Highlands, January 1, 2018. Photo: Tuoi Tre The drink-driving limit for drivers in Vietnam is 80 milligrams of alcohol for every 100 millimeters of blood, or more than 0.4 milligrams of alcohol for every liter of breath. Drunk driving is punishable by a VND16-18 million ($688-774) fine and confiscation of the driving license from four to six months. Road accidents killed 81 people and injured 41 others on the last three days of 2018 in Vietnam, when multiple people traveled on tourism trips or back to their hometowns, according to the countrys National Traffic Safety Committee. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A new police unit has been in operation in Ho Chi Minh City to fight crime, which is likely to increase ahead of Tet, or Vietnam's Lunar New Year. The special force, named Unit 363, is not completely a new team, but it includes officers from different existing units, aiming to strengthen street security. This taskforce is divided into seven teams, each consisting of three traffic police officers, six flying squad officers and three plain-clothes police officers. This explains the three-six-three name of the unit. Robbery and illegal motor racing tend to rise in Ho Chi Minh City weeks before Tet. Tet, or Vietnam's Lunar New Year, is the biggest public holiday in the country during which time people celebrate the coming of a new year according to the lunar calendar. The upcoming Tet falls on February 5, with celebrations starting as early as late January. Unit 363 will help secure the streets, improve the effectiveness in competing against criminals and help decrease the citys crime rate, policer said. Following Ho Chi Minh City traffic police, Unit 363 will deal with unlawful behaviors until Tet, such as weapon storage or motor racing. Unit 363 officers will have no fixed schedules for their patrols. Local police affirm that the unit has the right to examine all cases which show law-breaking signs. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested an escaped convict after he had broken out of a prison in a Mekong Delta province late last month. Senor Lieutenant Colonel Vo Nhut Hai, a warden at the My Phuoc prison in Tien Giang Province, confirmed on Wednesday that the escapee had been transferred to the facility by police officers from District 9, Ho Chi Minh City. The prisoner is 34-year-old Nguyen Hoang Son, hailing from Dong Hoa Commune, Chau Thanh District, Tien Giang. He was serving an eight-year sentence for property theft when he escaped on December 25. On that day, Son lied that he was ill and asked My Phuoc wardens to take him to the hospital. He then managed to flee from the infirmary. The prison issued a wanted notice for him on December 26. On New Years Day, plain-clothes police officers found a suspect staying in an unnumbered house on Long Phuoc Street, Long Phuoc Ward, District 9. The suspect was quickly identified as Son. The escapee jumped into a ditch next to the house when police stormed it. But officers captured him shortly after. Son was subsequently escorted to the My Phuoc prison the same day. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Politics -- Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith will lead a delegation to Vietnam to attend and co-chair the 41st meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee from January 5 to 6. Society -- Storm Pabuk, the first to hit Vietnam in 2019, was 460 kilometers off southern Vietnam as of 4:00 am on Wednesday, packing winds of up to 75 kilometers per hour and heading toward Chumphon Province in Thailand. -- A four-year-old boy in the northern Vietnamese province of Phu Tho who died in a road accident on his birthday in late 2018 has brought better lives to two others as his family decided to donate his corneas for medical transplantation. -- The first nine Vietnamese tourists among those injured in a terrorist bombing in Cairo, Egypt last week arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday, as Vietnam looks to repatriate the bodies of three citizens who died in the attack on Wednesday. -- Multiple roads leading to Ho Chi Minh City were congested on Tuesday as hundreds of thousands returned to the city after a four-day New Year holiday, during which 110 people died in 147 road accidents nationwide. Business -- The prices of black pepper in Vietnam have hit the lowest in ten years, selling for only VND49,000-51,000 (US$2.11-2.20) per kilogram as growers report selling their crops at a big loss. -- The tax department of Ho Chi Minh City has refuted a claim by Thai-run brewer Sabeco that its bank accounts had been coercively debited VND3.15 trillion ($135.77 million) as payment of fines for its alleged economic violations, insisting that the taxman only froze the companys accounts without meddling with their balance. -- The government of Vietnam is targeting a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.8 percent in 2019 while managing the growth of consumer price index (CPI) to under four percent this year. -- The Mekong Delta province of Long An last year issued licenses to 90 new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a combined capital of $450 million, thus maintaining its leading position in FDI attraction in the region, according to local authorities. -- A cruise ship carrying 2,000 passengers arrived in Da Nang on Tuesday, bringing the first foreign visitors to the central Vietnamese city in 2019 as it reports having welcomed 2.87 million foreign tourists in 2018, up 15.5 percent year-on-year. Editors note: British politician Mark Field, Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, sent this piece exclusively to Tuoi Tre News ahead of his January 2-3 visit to Vietnam. I am honoured to be returning to Vietnam for my third visit since being the Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific. I have very fond memories of my previous experiences in Vietnam and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for both our countries. New developments will continue to build on the UK-Vietnam Strategic Partnership, which is now in its eighth year. We have a new Ministerial-level dialogue on Defence with Vice Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh. Our partnership on defence has also supported the first ever deployment of Vietnamese United Nations peacekeepers to Sudan. The Strategic Partnership not only increased our cooperation but also presented both countries with new opportunities. The UK Prosperity Fund programmes in Vietnam are set to deliver socio-economic benefits related to the Industrial Revolution 4.0. These programmes will cover issues as diverse as green finance, healthcare and future cities, capital market development, non-tariff barriers and trade, anti-corruption, and greater transparency in the business environment. We have also initiated a wide range of new projects together. These include initiatives that combat microbial resistance; deal with unexploded ordinance in central Vietnam; build the capacity of Vietnams customs; and tackle modern slavery and human trafficking. Our countries have also been forging new links, such as through the Inspire Me Festival held in Hanoi in November. It was a great celebration of our 45 years as diplomatic partners and the many things we do together. Vietnam is an important ally on innovation, gender equality, and reducing plastic waste, which the festival focused on. British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field As Vietnam prepares to take up its seat on the UN Security Council, there will be new opportunities to share thinking and collaborate on a wide range of global issues. Moreover, as the UK leaves the EU, we will be looking to strengthen our relationship with Vietnam and the ASEAN region in many areas including education, innovation, smart cities and cyber security. Globally, there are also challenges that we can work on together. The rules-based international system has been built by the international community and it has helped us all become more secure and prosperous. Yet it faces pressures in many areas and we must build new alliances and make new efforts to dismantle protectionism and boost free trade globally. Strong and growing UK-Vietnam trade should be a key part of this. One thing is not new or, I hope, a surprise. That is the commitment that I and the UK bring to the partnership between our countries. Our goal should continue to be to further strengthen not only the UK Vietnam relationship but also the rules based international system. Other Opinions and Columnists from 'The Conversation' Snow was falling early Wednesday morning in portions of the Tucson metro area as well as across southern Arizona. The snow was mostly over eastern Pima and Santa Cruz counties. It was moving out of the area in an eastern direction, the National Weather Service in Tucson said early Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service, the Rita Ranch/Vail area had around 5 inches of snow as of Wednesday at noon. Summerhaven saw 4 inches and Nogales got around 6 inches. Sierra Vista had 3 inches and Green Valley had 1. Snow here was expected to end later in the morning, but portions of southeastern Arizona could expect snowfall into the afternoon, the weather service says. A winter storm warning is in effect to the east of Tucson until 5 p.m. Fort Huachuca has closed for the day, sighting multiple incidents due to icy roads and snow. Officials said in a Facebook post that the child care centers on post are closing once parents have picked up their children. Gyms and the clinic are closing as well. The Army installation in Cochise County will only be open today to emergency responders. They leveraged their differences into strong assets for the firm. I mentioned earlier how division of responsibilities could be a challenge for a partnership. For Flowers and Rieger, that division naturally aligns with each of their personalities. Flowers is Mr. Outside and Rieger is Mr. Inside. In other words, Flowers is more the rainmaker, and Rieger is more the technician, though each is active in both areas. This is critical, and it validates the power of opposites in business. If two partners each gravitate towards sales, then production suffers. If two partners each gravitate towards production, then sales suffer. At Flowers Rieger this natural division of responsibilities gives substance to one of the founding principles of the firm take care of the client. Flowers, Rieger and all of the associates at the firm look at each client situation as unique. No two businesses are identical. No client situations or challenges are the same. Flowers Rieger personnel ask themselves one simple question when working with a client: What would I do if this were my business? And yeah, I know a lot firms say the client comes first, but the opposing characteristics of the partners actually contributes to that philosophy being practiced each and every day. Each partner focuses on what they do best. Consider the perspective of a small business owner: Username: Password: or Register Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Thread Rating: 6 Vote(s) - 2.5 Average 1 2 3 4 5 Page: 1 2 3 Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words The Modest Poster Registered User User ID: 433612 01-02-2019 11:11 PM Posts: 10,158 Post: #1 Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words Advertisement Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words Americans have written dozens of letters to The Globe and Mail reacting to Donald Trumps conduct at the G7 meeting of world leaders in Quebec. Here are 22 of the letters: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/...nts-words/ In behalf of our thoughtful fellow countrymen, my wife and I wish to extend our sincere apologies for the childish behaviour of our current President. Be patient many of us are working to remove Donald Trump and restore our democracy. We thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for standing strong for Canadians and the world. Prudence York, Robert Goodfellow, Marietta, N.Y. .................................................. Please keep in mind that this voter and a majority of those voting did not vote for Donald Trump. Keep in mind that many, many, many of us are disgusted, ashamed, alarmed, and adverse to the current occupant in the White House. I remember that on the day the Iranian hostages were released, the windows of the building adjacent to the Canadian Embassy were filled with large red letters spelling out our thanks to Canada for assistance. Even though Donald Trump forgets (if he ever knew), we dont forget Canada and our Canadian friends. Floyd Grabiel, Edina, Minn. .................................................. On behalf of millions of Americans, I would like to apologize to the wonderful people of Canada for the boorish and insulting behaviour of our President, who seems intent on destroying the Western alliance, on whose behalf we can but wonder, while admiring only tyrants and dictators. We wish we had a leader as gracious and good-hearted as your Prime Minister. We are with you. Jeffrey Sokolow, Atlanta, Ga. .................................................. Many U.S. citizens and residents are beyond embarrassment at the actions and petty words of Donald Trump. That he, an ignorant entertainer, has chosen to attack Justin Trudeau and your country, our great friend, is appalling to millions of us, though for him, just another headline of the day showing - he believes - that he is the boss. My apologies to you all. Please continue to consider a majority of Americans your friends. I still believe we will get through this, but my hopes dim daily. Dee Baer, Wilmington, Del. .................................................. As an American, I am so deeply ashamed of Donald Trumps behaviour and his ad hominem attacks on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This boor does not represent a majority of US citizens. My hope - perhaps in vain -is that the Republican leaders will repudiate both the man and his message. Canada is fortunate to have such an intelligent, poised leader. I long for the day when the U.S. will be led by such a person. Barbara Barran, Brooklyn, N.Y. .................................................. President Donald Trumps recent behaviour at the G7 meeting, alienating our traditional U.S. allies and specifically insulting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the most infantile manner, is a betrayal to U.S. citizens who have long enjoyed warm relationships with our Canadian friends across the border. Dont worry, Canada! When we get our political levers in alignment, we will consign Mr. Trump to the dust bin of history, where he belongs. John F. Christensen, Corbett, Ore. .................................................. Canada, please know that tens of millions of Americans know you and appreciate you as a good neighbour, the best a country could ask for. Joseph S. Harrington, Morton Grove, Ill. .................................................. I am just one American but I know I speak for many. Please stay with us and understand that the United States commitment to the liberal, democratic world order that countries such as Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Japan and others, have been so instrumental in establishing and maintaining since the end of the Second World War, for the good of the entire globe, remains strong and will always be fundamental to our core beliefs. Our current President does not reflect the goodwill and appreciation that most Americans have for Canada and Canadians. I am absolutely certain of that. The American/Canadian relationship is a uniquely special one - more than 3,000 miles of non-fortified borders (my family and I had the great pleasure of visiting Banff and Japser national parks in Alberta last summer how wondrous!), and a mutual history, kinship and respect that is unshakable. In the past, Canada at times may have needed America more than the converse. At the present time, I would the say the opposite is true. We in America very much need your nationss good character and clear-eyed sense of mission as a reminder about what truly makes America great, and I know we as your friends to the south, can count on Canada for this inspiration and so much more - now and always. For that, let me say thank you so much et merci beaucoup. Warmly/Amicalement, Tom Gerson, Old Saybrook, Conn. .................................................. As an American citizen, I am embarrassed by the behaviour of our President. All the times I have been to Canada, I have been treated with the utmost courtesy. The behaviour of our President cannot be excused on any terms. It would not surprise me if Canada recalled it Ambassador to Washington. No matter your political orientation, insulting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was despicable, it has no place in the two countries relations. It is an example of a man who has destroyed our State Department, among other institutions. A recent column in the New York Times labels him Il Duce Trump. it is to be hoped that we will retake our Congress in November and put a stop to such folly. My apologies for what it is worth. David Underwood, Citrus Heights, Calif. .................................................. What can we possibly say? We have a U.S. leader who is taking us down an unfamiliar and reprehensible road. Youre not alone, Canada; hes wrecking the U.S., too. All we can say to you, our Canadian cousins, is do what you have to do, but cut us some slack. Eventually, well get back to our normal rock-solid friendship. Roger Brooks, Saint Paul, Minn. ......................... Dear Canada, Come on, you know we love you! And we dont think for a minute that you burned down our White House. The problem is our crazy Grandpa Donny got hold of the keys to the place (were not sure how, but we think his punk friend Vlad was involved.) Hes going nuts in there pounding on his keyboard, shouting at the TV, measuring his crowd size and grabbing everyone he can by their privates. Well get him out of there just as soon as we can, but it might take a while - hes brought some of his friends with him. For now, hang in there, try to ignore him, and do not make direct eye contact! Well get through this, and remember, we love you, bros! The United States ( John MacKay, Nederland, Col.) ......................... As a U.S. citizen, I would like to apologize to the Canadian people for the extremely boorish behaviour of President Donald Trump. Please believe that neither he nor his rhetoric represents the opinion and feelings of the majority of the United States of Americas citizens. Canada has always been a good friend and neighbour of the United States. One uninformed, ignorant and classless individual should not be allowed to destroy that. He is a one-term or less president. Greg Fraser, Taylorsville, Utah ......................... On behalf of all intelligent Americans, l wish to apologize for our Presidents comments. He does not reflect the opinion of most Americans. l do not have to remind anyone that Barack Obamas first foreign trip upon being elected president was to Canada. This presidency shall pass, and in a few years President Trump will be confined to the dustbin of history. Hopefully the best days of Canadian-American relations are still to come. Tom DiPasqua, Scarborough, Me. ......................... To all our friends in Canada and on behalf of all of us in America who do not support Donald Trump, I wish to apologize for the comments and antics of that guy in the White House regarding Canada. But be patient, all will return to normal in the post-Trump years, and that cant happen soon enough for millions of us south of the border. Norman Cohen, Potomac, Md. ......................... Please know Donald Trumps demeanour, language and attitude do not reflect most of us in the United States. In fact, we find Mr. Trump to be deplorable, out of sync with the world and its needs, boorish and bullying. Most of us would not allow him into our homes. So, please, good people of Canada, look beyond Mr. Trump when commenting on or thinking about the United States. You will find us progressive and open, and not tolerant of those who would dictate to us in the form of elected officials. Our forebears advanced this nation through dedication to freedom and individual rights from oppressors like Mr. Trump. Your political leadership seems to be a person who truly cares about his country rather than personal advancement. Please help him to hold strong in his stance against Mr. Trumps childish attempts at being perceived as a strong person. He is not. He continues to attack world leaders as would a brutish thug, just as he attacks those seeking refuge in the United States. So, hang tough, Canada ,and we will get through the United States current political abboration together. Woody Dugan, Carlisle, Ky. Americans have written dozens of letters to The Globe and Mail reacting to Donald Trumps conduct at the G7 meeting of world leaders in Quebec. Here are 22 of the letters:In behalf of our thoughtful fellow countrymen, my wife and I wish to extend our sincere apologies for the childish behaviour of our current President.Be patient many of us are working to remove Donald Trump and restore our democracy.We thank Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for standing strong for Canadians and the world.Prudence York, Robert Goodfellow, Marietta, N.Y...................................................Please keep in mind that this voter and a majority of those voting did not vote for Donald Trump. Keep in mind that many, many, many of us are disgusted, ashamed, alarmed, and adverse to the current occupant in the White House.I remember that on the day the Iranian hostages were released, the windows of the building adjacent to the Canadian Embassy were filled with large red letters spelling out our thanks to Canada for assistance.Even though Donald Trump forgets (if he ever knew), we dont forget Canada and our Canadian friends.Floyd Grabiel, Edina, Minn...................................................On behalf of millions of Americans, I would like to apologize to the wonderful people of Canada for the boorish and insulting behaviour of our President, who seems intent on destroying the Western alliance, on whose behalf we can but wonder, while admiring only tyrants and dictators. We wish we had a leader as gracious and good-hearted as your Prime Minister. We are with you.Jeffrey Sokolow, Atlanta, Ga...................................................Many U.S. citizens and residents are beyond embarrassment at the actions and petty words of Donald Trump. That he, an ignorant entertainer, has chosen to attack Justin Trudeau and your country, our great friend, is appalling to millions of us, though for him, just another headline of the day showing - he believes - that he is the boss. My apologies to you all. Please continue to consider a majority of Americans your friends. I still believe we will get through this, but my hopes dim daily.Dee Baer, Wilmington, Del...................................................As an American, I am so deeply ashamed of Donald Trumps behaviour and his ad hominem attacks on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. This boor does not represent a majority of US citizens. My hope - perhaps in vain -is that the Republican leaders will repudiate both the man and his message.Canada is fortunate to have such an intelligent, poised leader. I long for the day when the U.S. will be led by such a person.Barbara Barran, Brooklyn, N.Y...................................................President Donald Trumps recent behaviour at the G7 meeting, alienating our traditional U.S. allies and specifically insulting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the most infantile manner, is a betrayal to U.S. citizens who have long enjoyed warm relationships with our Canadian friends across the border. Dont worry, Canada! When we get our political levers in alignment, we will consign Mr. Trump to the dust bin of history, where he belongs.John F. Christensen, Corbett, Ore...................................................Canada, please know that tens of millions of Americans know you and appreciate you as a good neighbour, the best a country could ask for.Joseph S. Harrington, Morton Grove, Ill...................................................I am just one American but I know I speak for many. Please stay with us and understand that the United States commitment to the liberal, democratic world order that countries such as Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Japan and others, have been so instrumental in establishing and maintaining since the end of the Second World War, for the good of the entire globe, remains strong and will always be fundamental to our core beliefs. Our current President does not reflect the goodwill and appreciation that most Americans have for Canada and Canadians. I am absolutely certain of that.The American/Canadian relationship is a uniquely special one - more than 3,000 miles of non-fortified borders (my family and I had the great pleasure of visiting Banff and Japser national parks in Alberta last summer how wondrous!), and a mutual history, kinship and respect that is unshakable. In the past, Canada at times may have needed America more than the converse. At the present time, I would the say the opposite is true. We in America very much need your nationss good character and clear-eyed sense of mission as a reminder about what truly makes America great, and I know we as your friends to the south, can count on Canada for this inspiration and so much more - now and always. For that, let me say thank you so much et merci beaucoup.Warmly/Amicalement,Tom Gerson, Old Saybrook, Conn...................................................As an American citizen, I am embarrassed by the behaviour of our President. All the times I have been to Canada, I have been treated with the utmost courtesy. The behaviour of our President cannot be excused on any terms. It would not surprise me if Canada recalled it Ambassador to Washington.No matter your political orientation, insulting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was despicable, it has no place in the two countries relations. It is an example of a man who has destroyed our State Department, among other institutions. A recent column in the New York Times labels him Il Duce Trump. it is to be hoped that we will retake our Congress in November and put a stop to such folly.My apologies for what it is worth.David Underwood, Citrus Heights, Calif...................................................What can we possibly say? We have a U.S. leader who is taking us down an unfamiliar and reprehensible road. Youre not alone, Canada; hes wrecking the U.S., too. All we can say to you, our Canadian cousins, is do what you have to do, but cut us some slack. Eventually, well get back to our normal rock-solid friendship.Roger Brooks, Saint Paul, Minn..........................Dear Canada,Come on, you know we love you! And we dont think for a minute that you burned down our White House. The problem is our crazy Grandpa Donny got hold of the keys to the place (were not sure how, but we think his punk friend Vlad was involved.) Hes going nuts in there pounding on his keyboard, shouting at the TV, measuring his crowd size and grabbing everyone he can by their privates.Well get him out of there just as soon as we can, but it might take a while - hes brought some of his friends with him. For now, hang in there, try to ignore him, and do not make direct eye contact! Well get through this, and remember, we love you, bros!The United States( John MacKay, Nederland, Col.).........................As a U.S. citizen, I would like to apologize to the Canadian people for the extremely boorish behaviour of President Donald Trump. Please believe that neither he nor his rhetoric represents the opinion and feelings of the majority of the United States of Americas citizens. Canada has always been a good friend and neighbour of the United States. One uninformed, ignorant and classless individual should not be allowed to destroy that. He is a one-term or less president.Greg Fraser, Taylorsville, Utah.........................On behalf of all intelligent Americans, l wish to apologize for our Presidents comments. He does not reflect the opinion of most Americans. l do not have to remind anyone that Barack Obamas first foreign trip upon being elected president was to Canada. This presidency shall pass, and in a few years President Trump will be confined to the dustbin of history. Hopefully the best days of Canadian-American relations are still to come.Tom DiPasqua, Scarborough, Me..........................To all our friends in Canada and on behalf of all of us in America who do not support Donald Trump, I wish to apologize for the comments and antics of that guy in the White House regarding Canada. But be patient, all will return to normal in the post-Trump years, and that cant happen soon enough for millions of us south of the border.Norman Cohen, Potomac, Md..........................Please know Donald Trumps demeanour, language and attitude do not reflect most of us in the United States. In fact, we find Mr. Trump to be deplorable, out of sync with the world and its needs, boorish and bullying. Most of us would not allow him into our homes.So, please, good people of Canada, look beyond Mr. Trump when commenting on or thinking about the United States. You will find us progressive and open, and not tolerant of those who would dictate to us in the form of elected officials. Our forebears advanced this nation through dedication to freedom and individual rights from oppressors like Mr. Trump.Your political leadership seems to be a person who truly cares about his country rather than personal advancement. Please help him to hold strong in his stance against Mr. Trumps childish attempts at being perceived as a strong person. He is not. He continues to attack world leaders as would a brutish thug, just as he attacks those seeking refuge in the United States.So, hang tough, Canada ,and we will get through the United States current political abboration together.Woody Dugan, Carlisle, Ky. (This post was last modified: 01-02-2019 11:11 PM by The Modest Poster .) LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 438276 01-02-2019 11:13 PM Post: #2 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words they all should go live there in canada then LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 481237 01-02-2019 11:15 PM Post: #3 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words canadian spies! trying to aid insurrection! dumpin at the border! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 481227 01-02-2019 11:18 PM Post: #4 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:13 PM) they all should go live there in canada then Hey, we'd take them.. they seem to be intelligent, aware and educated. Canada would thrive with more talent.. bring it thefuck on. We'll send our backward morons south so they fit in! Make Canada Great Again Hey, we'd take them.. they seem to be intelligent, aware and educated. Canada would thrive with more talent.. bring it thefuck on. We'll send our backward morons south so they fit in!Make Canada Great Again LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 438276 01-02-2019 11:21 PM Post: #5 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:18 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:13 PM) they all should go live there in canada then Hey, we'd take them.. they seem to be intelligent, aware and educated. Canada would thrive with more talent.. bring it thefuck on. We'll send our backward morons south so they fit in! Make Canada Great Again look who's backward using that slogan^ look who's backward using that slogan^ LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 409641 01-02-2019 11:22 PM Post: #6 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words Sorry Canada. Dont get upset if Trump invades your country and rewrites your history books. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 481227 01-02-2019 11:24 PM Post: #7 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:22 PM) Sorry Canada. Dont get upset if Trump invades your country and rewrites your history books. Dumb post of the day* Dumb post of the day* LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 423870 01-02-2019 11:38 PM Post: #8 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:18 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:13 PM) they all should go live there in canada then Hey, we'd take them.. they seem to be intelligent, aware and educated. Canada would thrive with more talent.. bring it thefuck on. We'll send our backward morons south so they fit in! Make Canada Great Again Go ahead. The IQ of both countries will go up. Go ahead. The IQ of both countries will go up. 269346 The Grinch Who Stole LOPmas! User ID: 391289 01-02-2019 11:47 PM Posts: 7,029 Post: #9 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words f*#k Canada LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 481257 01-02-2019 11:48 PM Post: #10 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:13 PM) they all should go live there in canada then LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 481227 01-02-2019 11:50 PM Post: #11 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:38 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:18 PM) Hey, we'd take them.. they seem to be intelligent, aware and educated. Canada would thrive with more talent.. bring it thefuck on. We'll send our backward morons south so they fit in! Make Canada Great Again Go ahead. The IQ of both countries will go up. I see logic isn't your strongest characteristic I see logic isn't your strongest characteristic LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 423870 01-02-2019 11:52 PM Post: #12 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:50 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:38 PM) Go ahead. The IQ of both countries will go up. I see logic isn't your strongest characteristic I'll try to say it slower for you. Y-o-u R S-t-u-p-i-d. I'll try to say it slower for you.Y-o-u R S-t-u-p-i-d. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 481227 01-03-2019 12:02 AM Post: #13 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:52 PM) LoP Guest Wrote: (01-02-2019 11:50 PM) I see logic isn't your strongest characteristic I'll try to say it slower for you. Y-o-u R S-t-u-p-i-d. !!! My what? !!!My what? Veniza Registered User User ID: 481260 01-03-2019 12:04 AM Posts: 164 Post: #14 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words No, they don't Snowflakes Eldog Wilbury Registered User User ID: 441687 01-03-2019 12:40 AM Posts: 11,959 Post: #15 RE: Sorry, Canada: Americans apologize for their Presidents words Trump need not apologize and I certainly do not apologize for him....get back to work Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread During Sabarimala season, each and every path through the hillock lead to just one destination. We follow the path from Sathram through Pullumedu and it passes through the forest. These forests are home to bears, elephants and gaurs . The path leads up to the hills where there are no trees and then to Poonkavanam. The forest here takes on a different hue with the change of seasons. Sathram, which was once a hilly terrain, is 14 kilometers away from Vandiperiyar. Now, there is a road, which is used by the pilgrims. Their first halt is the Subrahmaniya temple at Azhutha. The pilgrims have to register their names at the police check post before entering the forest. The bags will be checked because this is a plastic-free zone. **The sights** The Sannidhanam is 12 kms away from Sathram and the path goes up and down the hills. Ropes are tied on trees - pilgrims hold these to walk ahead when the terrain gets tough to traverse. At some places, the forest cover is so thick that it is dark even at 9am in the morning. Beyond a steep rise is a look out point from where you can see the town of Vandiperiyar 3kms away. There are hardly any trees as you walk up the next hill. From there, you can see the Seethakulam Check Dam. **The sounds** There is the sound of chirping birds and the rivulets rippling down the hills. And then you hear the 'Swamiye, ayyappa' chant resonating through the hills. All men 'Swamis' and the women 'Malikappuram.' Pilgrims on this route chant this over and over at times your chanting is taken up by a stranger from another state. Here, if you are tired or trip, the person helping you out will be a total stranger. This is a bunch of travellers who have just one aim, to offer prayers at Sabarimala. And everyone on this route is a co-traveller. From Uppupara, there are two paths that reach Sannidhanam. The one that runs through Thannittotti Check dam is more scenic, even though it is steeper. You can hear the sounds and sights of the Sannidhanam from here and just beyond the corner, you arrive at Sabarimala. Since Colombia signed a peace deal with left-wing FARC rebels two years ago, 85 members of the former guerrilla movement have been murdered, the United Nations said on Monday. Between September 26 and December 26 this year alone, "14 ex-members of FARC were murdered," said UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres in his quarterly report on the global body's mission to Colombia. According to the state's special investigation unit, quoted by the UN, those responsible for the killings "are illegal armed groups and criminal organizations." Most of those cases have been linked to the Gulf Clan drug-trafficking group that emerged out of disarmed right-wing paramilitaries in 2006, as well as FARC dissidents, the ELN guerrilla group and remnants of the now disbanded EPL Marxist rebels. FARC is the Spanish acronym for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia; ELN is the National Liberation Army; and EPL is the People's Liberation Army. - Guterres 'hugely concerned' - Supporters of the FARC rebels' political successor group in Colombia, the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force, demonstrated against Ivan Duque at his inauguration in August 2018, carrying a banner reading, "For Life, For Peace, No More Death" / AFP/File The UN called on right-wing President Ivan Duque, a vocal critic of the peace accord signed by his predecessor Juan Manuel Santos, to "reinforce the security plans and strategies for ex-combatants." In the report, Guterres said he was "hugely" concerned about the number of murders of social leaders and human rights defenders, saying the UN had verified 163 of 454 reported cases since the peace accord was signed. "Most of the murders were in zones abandoned by former FARC (fighters) and where there is limited state presence," the UN report said. Colombia's human rights ombudsman estimates that 423 activists were murdered between 2016 and the end of November. Transformed into a political party since the peace deal, FARC has hit out repeatedly at the lack of security guarantees for its members. While some 7,000 ex-fighters laid down their weapons, Colombia's peace and reconciliation commission estimates there remain 1,600 dissident rebels. Colombia has been torn by more than a half century of armed conflict involving guerrillas, drug-traffickers, paramilitaries and state forces, leaving eight million people dead, disappeared or displaced. On Wednesday morning, an RTL reader spotted a herd of cranes flying above Belair and sent in a photo. The photo was taken on 2 January at 10.15am. Usually, returning cranes herald the advent of the spring season when they return to northern Europe after an extended "winter break" in the south. However, this migration usually takes place a little later, towards the end of February and during the month of March. It is not known whether the group of cranes spotted above Belair was heading south or actually flying back towards the north. Should you spot any more cranes in the skies above Luxembourg, please send in a picture and drop us an e-mail to audience@rtltoday.lu! And what did farmers get to combat this trade problem? Not provisions that addressed tariffs or opened new markets. Cash. Lots of cash. Each change to the underlying statute was aimed at maximizing taxpayer payouts to farmers, like expanding payments to cousins, nieces and nephews even if they dont work on the farm(!), and increased marketing loan rates, all on top of the already heavily subsidized crop insurance (or, more accurately, revenue insurance) farm businesses already receive. In July, the Department of Agriculture announced a $12 billion trade mitigation package to help farmers hurt by the corrosion of our trading relationships. This help comes in the form of already tried-and-failed welfare payments and a return to the days of surplus government food. Initially, certain commodity producers, 75 percent of them soybean growers, received $4.7 billion in direct payments, followed this month by an additional $4.9 billion. An additional $1.2 billion was tagged for commodity purchases and $200 million un-ironically deemed to develop foreign markets. But even generous shallow-loss programs, insurance that guarantees a profit, and bailouts seemingly arent enough. Incoming House Agriculture Committee chairman Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota, predicts farmers will need even more aid, though hes unsure when or how much. The networking experience working with government officials is invaluable, said Nicolas Bilgri, a first-year MRUD student. Interacting with the community and getting to know the issues they face on a personal level was easily one of my favorite parts. It is inspiring to see community members come together and talk about not only what makes their communities special, but how they would like to see them progress into the future. For student Karie Dostert, the Fellowship is helping hone her skills and preparing her for the future. I was attracted to this program because I wanted a multidisciplinary approach to helping cities thrive, said Dostert, who has a background in environmental engineering. I want my career to focus on how cities can be beautiful, thriving places, and the Fellowship has already provided me with experience that I know will be invaluable when I enter the workforce. Coming together The culmination of the students work will result in a briefing book to be presented to the mayors and an expert resource team coordinated by the Fellowship during a conference in Charleston Feb. 20-22, 2019. The home of a St. Matthews family was damaged by fire Sunday night. American Red Cross disaster-trained volunteers are assisting the two adults who lived in the Ridgelake Circle home. The Red Cross is providing financial assistance for food, clothing, lodging and other essentials, and comfort kits containing personal hygiene items. Individuals wanting to assist with Red Cross efforts can donate by visiting redcross.org/SC or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Information about volunteer opportunities is available at the same website. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A Holly Hill man will spend the next few years in prison for shooting a man. Maurice Lecedric Amous, 33, of 639 Sugar Hill Road, pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and pointing a firearm at a person. He entered the plea Dec. 12 before 1st Circuit Judge Ed Dickson. Dickson sentenced him to five years in prison, but credited him for having already served 319 days at the Orangeburg County Detention Center. According to indictments, Amous pointed a firearm at a man on Sept. 10, 2017, and on Sept. 22, 2017, he shot and injured another man. In other guilty pleas: Jewel Nichole Hill, 35, of 122 Pine Hill Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to safecracking. Dickson sentenced her to 10 years in prison, suspended to five years of probation. He credited Hill for having already served 159 days at the OCDC. The judge also ordered her to pay restitution and to maintain mental health treatment. As a result of Hill's guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed the charges of malicious injury to personal property and possession of tools capable of being used in a crime. JOHNSTON CITY According to a Facebook post from his son, the mayor of Johnston City, Jim Mitchell, has died. Dads fight is over, Grant Mitchell wrote Tuesday. After fighting a terrible battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for many years, he passed this afternoon with all of us at his side, the post continues. He made the decision. He was at peace and ready to stop fighting. He was able to say goodbye and so were all of us, Mitchell wrote. In a post to Facebook on Tuesday, the city announced the passing of Mitchell, who was 74. He loved Johnston City more than anyone we have ever known, and we are forever thankful for his many years of public service to our town and our whole region, the citys post says. Zeigler Mayor Dennis Mitchell related to Jim Mitchell on both a business and personal level. He and Jim were cousins, though because of their shared experience in politics and city government, Mitchell said it felt like more than that. He seemed more like an older brother than a cousin, Mitchell said Tuesday. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} CARBONDALE In the year since the state overhauled its funding model for schools, the Illinois Association of School Administrators has tracked what some Southern Illinois districts have done with the new funds. Illinois signed off on an evidence-based funding model for K-12 education in 2018, which gave priority funding to schools whose local tax base funded them below a certain dollar amount per child. The FY18 dollars alone made sure no districts were below 50 percent of adequacy, a news release from the IASA said. As previously reported in The Southern, the new funding formula looks at the amount of money the district would need to adequately educate a child to reach his or her potential, and the amount the school actually is able to spend. For example, if educating a child to reach her potential would cost $4,000, but the district only has $2,000 to spend per child, the district is funded at 50 percent of adequacy. To get a better understanding of of the impact of the new funding levels at a micro level, the IASA interviewed select school superintendents, including five in Southern Illinois. Schools receive first payment of evidence-based tier funding Last week, school districts across Illinois received the first payments from a new evidence-based school funding formula. Morris denied the media request on Dec. 19, according to Judici. Morris order states that The Southern's request was essentially identical to one made by Snuffer previously in 2018, which was also denied. The Sept. 20 ruling on that previous request said that the facilities at the Saline County Courthouse do not currently meet the design criteria as to accommodate nor comply with the requirement for extended media coverage as set forth in 1.4 of the First Circuit Court media coverage policy. Snuffer expressed frustration at the denial. Im disappointed in Judge Morris ruling. This is the second time our request for a camera in a courtroom has been denied for the Brian Burns case, he wrote in an email Wednesday. WSIL, as well as other local media outlets, have worked with the First Judicial Circuit in laying the ground work for extended media coverage. We have established the rules. We are simply following the policies that have been put in place. According to the Supreme Court order, judges have broad discretion over denying extended media access to a trial. 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While he loves the experience of diving in the ocean, he said at least 1,800 of his 2,200 dives have been in the quarry at Mermet Springs near Vienna. Speaking before the New Years dive, Harris said it would take a serious illness to keep him from putting on his wet suit and goggles. It would have to be a bad one to keep me out (of the water), he said. When he realized last January that he had gone 16 years without missing a month, he decided to keep it going as long as possible. That even meant scheduling a lung biopsy, which has a seven-week recovery time, so that he could get a dive in just under the wire. Looking back at the last almost two decades, Harris said most of his bucket list has been met, at least as far as diving is concerned. He just has personal goals now. The goal is to hit 20 years of every month without missing a month, he said. After his dive Tuesday, hes one month closer to that milestone. 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. Man Who Picked Tesla, Bitcoin Makes Next Pick of the Decade" (Ad) Picking the right investment of the decade can transform your life Today, the Wall Street legend who picked the last investment of the decade months (even years) before his peers will finally reveal his new #1 pick for the 2020s. Its not 5G, artificial intelligence, EVs, or clean energy. The answer will surprise you. Click To See This #1 Pick. Legend Who Bought Amazon In 1998 Says: Now Is The Time (Ad) Wall street legend Chris Rowe says theres a huge stock market event looming - and hes revealing his #1 pick for free. Click here to find out more. 18 minutes ago | June 14th, 2021 7:00 AM Why Your Retirement Calculator Might Not Tell the Whole Story I got to thinking about the retirement calculators that automatically pop up when I check my retirement account balances. In my case, I always get a message that says, "You are XX% on track toward your retirement goals." When you check out an online calculator, you can use them, but remember that a retirement calculator could miss the boat The first thing everyone is taught to do prior to doing any physical activity is to stretch, because it will help prevent injuries and improve circulation. Stretching provides a wide range of benefits, including improving posture and increasing range of motion. After decades of running activities out of two small family homes, Chabad of Short Hills, New Jersey opened a state-of-the-art 28,000-square-foot center on a nostalgic landmark on the citys main street. The new Chabad center, once an iconic diner, opened just before this years High Holidays after a $5 million renovation. Featuring two stories with 14,000 square feet per floor, the stunning building includes a sanctuary, offices, classrooms, and a social hall, library, kitchens, Judaica shop and youth loungeall on the main floor with enough room for everyone. The lower level is still under development with plans for mens and womens clubs and auditorium. A large outdoor plaza includes a recreational playground and memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust and IDF soldiers who fell in battle. In 1995, Rabbi Mendel and Chana Devora Solomon, were living in nearby Morristown and working for the Rabbinical College of America, when they were approached by a Short Hills resident, requesting assistance leading weekly Shabbat prayer services. Though the original home-based minyan petered out after five years, the Solomon family continued to direct Shabbat services, commuting thirty minutes and staying weekends, each and every week, for sixteen years. It was a huge schlep and undertaking, recalls Rabbi Solomon, packing up the kids, suitcases, all the food, and driving there for Shabbat and holidays. And then back again after they ended, sometimes very late at night. Shabbat services grew into additional activities, including a Hebrew school and ongoing classes and events. Chabad bought a home in 2000 to host their programs, and the Solomons purchased their own home, moving to Millburn township to serve its 8,000 Jews, eleven years later. Soon, the space that housed their activities was beginning to feel tight. They removed walls, one by one, to make additional room before eventually putting a tent in the yard to accommodate the ever-growing crowd. While the township was forgiving to their limit-pushing, the Solomons were intent on finding a bigger and more accommodating property. But there was no space to be had. The towns tight zoning requirements made finding a suitable home for Chabad quite the challenge. There were plenty of obstacles to overcome before getting to where we are today, Larry Pantirer told Lubavitch International. The new property was dedicated to honor Larrys parents, Lucy and Murray Pantirer, both Holocaust survivors. Chabad of Short Hills new center In 2016, the rabbi heard about a many-years long litigation between developers and neighbors of the former iconic Dons Drive-In, a fast-food joint on the citys main street. Solomon took a shot in the dark. He offered to purchase the 4.2-acre property. It wasnt for sale. But three weeks later, the developers retracted their stance, a move Solomon deems miraculous, and sold it to Chabad for $3.5 milliona fair price considering its property value. The site required no variances and no additional restrictions. The Solomons offer so much to the community and entire area. Having a building allows us all to do so much more, says Larry. This past Rosh Hashana, Chabad of Short Hills hosted its first event in the new building. Six hundred congregants participated in services in a city where, until just a few decades ago, Jews looking to settle there were turned away. Its incredible to see people in the area, of all affiliations, joining in droves and are excited for the Solomons, shares AlanJanoff, long-time community supporter whose dream for a synagogue in the town was a guiding force behind this initiative.They are magnets. Now those magnets have a base. The Berelowitz Family Lobby Morning Minyan in New Center Hebrew School Classroom South Hills (15301) Today Cloudy skies this morning followed by thunderstorms during the afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 82F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mainly clear skies after midnight. Low near 55F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Regarding The Daily News, Friday Dec. 21, and Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018 editorial, Agreement Worth a Try, and your Christmas news article, Feds, tribe agree to dam deal, I think the compromise in your editorial supporting the dams does not go far enough, and the news article simply reinforces your errant position that critics of the dams should now go away, and that the salmon are going to be hunky dory because of the extra water spillage over the dams, the latter intended to reduce smolts mortalities. The smolts that are not killed by the turbines may now face death from falling several hundred feet over the dams, emerging in at best a dazed condition, more susceptible to predators, and subject to death by excess nitrogen in the river due to entrainment of dissolved gas in the water spilling over the dams. These conditions caused by the dams have killed millions of juvenile salmon in the Columbia and Snake Rivers every year, as they have attempted to migrate down to the sea. Only five native sockeye salmon successfully migrated from the ocean to their native Snake River last year due to the dams on that river. The reservoirs created by the hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River create habitats for squawfish that savage the juvenile salmon, decimating large numbers of baby salmon. The turbines grind thousands of salmon to death as the juvenile salmon attempt to go through them to migrate out to sea. No, the dams have to go, period. U.S. District Judge William Alsup asked Becerras office to identify each potential criminal offense the utility could face in connection with the blazes. He also asked the utility, federal prosecutors and an independent monitor reviewing the companys safety performance as part of the San Bruno case to weigh in on PG&Es actions since the sentencing, setting a Monday deadline. As of Sunday night, only Becerras office had filed a response. Laurie Levenson, professor at Loyola Law School, said the severity of charges the utility faces depends on whether it was on notice of the risk that their equipment may start the fires and lead to deaths. Callous disregard of that risk could be murder, she said. The more likely charge would probably be involuntary manslaughter, which requires criminal negligence. The real key here is how much risk they realized they were taking and why they took it. Though companies cant be jailed if held criminally liable, they can be fined and debarred from contracts. When that happens, it is like a corporate death penalty, Levenson said. State prosecutors said the utilitys criminal liability would depend on its degree of recklessness. A Toledo man was hit and killed on State Route 12 near Mossyrock early Tuesday morning. Colton M. Lindberg, 27, was wearing dark clothing and standing in the roadway when a vehicle traveling eastbound struck and killed him shortly after 1 a.m., according to Washington State Patrol. His family has been notified. The driver and two passengers, all of Eatonville, were not injured. The gray 2005 Ford Focus was totaled, according to the press release. It was not clear if drugs or alcohol was involved, according to the release. No charges have been issued. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 3 Sad 5 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. Jason Ramsey, 31, drove up from Vancouver for his tenth polar plunge at Lake Merwin. He studies at Moy Martial Arts and Tai Chi Academy in Vancouver. They say you should let the cold drive your New Years resolution into you and let the cold water wash the old year off of you, Ramsey said before the plunge. And its fun to get with friends and do the same incredibly stupid thing. 16-year-old Mikaela Jones, who also trains in Vancouver, said coming out of the cold water feels like an accomplishment each time. It starts the year off with the mindset that if you do a hard thing and come back, it shows you where you can go if you push yourself, Jones said. Those characteristics confidence, self-discipline and respect are important values that the Longview Academy of Kung Fu teaches students ranging from age 4 to 40, Eric Beattie said. (This event) is important because it shows our spirit: No one wants to do this, (but) the black belt is a long journey and there are things you dont want to do but you have to, he said. It tasted a little special, like the kind of thing you would serve at a holiday or celebration. And in fact, a variation of it is often served at Halloween. But it can also be served as an everyday sort of bread or a subtle dessert. If its good enough for James Joyce, its good enough for me. Next, I made Irish stew, which is a testimony to mans ability to create great food out of very little. Lamb which is still common in Ireland potatoes (of course), carrots, leeks, celery, chicken stock and a sprinkling of thyme are all that are needed to make a stunning, hearty, memorable meal. Yet it is surprisingly easy to make. Irish stew is just a standard stew with one exception you begin by boiling the pieces of lamb (see Irish food jokes, above). The broth you get when you make the stew is thin, but that turns out to be deceptive. Irish stew is a substantial, stick-to-your-ribs kind of dish that can get you through the coldest and dampest of wintry nights. Kugelhopf is a festive, crown-shaped yeasted bread traditionally baked in a heavy earthenware mold. One legend suggests it originated in an Alsatian village, when the Three Kings presented it to a local baker named Kugel, who had hosted them. Other histories point to origins in Vienna, where bakers may have made the bread in the shape of a sultans turban to celebrate the defeat of the Turks by Hapsburg forces in 1683. For our version, we set out to make a kirsch-scented, raisin- and dried cherry-studded, almond-crusted Kugelhopf typical of Alsace. Classic Alsatian recipes we tested yielded dense, somewhat dry breads that we needed to dunk in coffee or wine to fully enjoy. Several modern versions we tasted were sweeter, airier, moister, and even doughnut-like. Our goal was to develop a Kugelhopf recipe that would please traditional and modern palates alikenot too sweet, yeasty and a tad boozy, light but not fluffy, chewy yet soft, rich but not heavy. I began the New Year in style watching the stunning new Warner Archive Blu-ray release of THE SEA HAWK (1940).Truth to tell, in the past I've been a bit tepid about THE SEA HAWK (1940). Oh, I've liked it all right and seen it multiple times over the years, but I've found it overlong, clocking in at 127 minutes, and third-best behind Flynn's CAPTAIN BLOOD (1935) and THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938), the latter of which is surely on the list of my all-time favorite movies.I think in years past I particularly felt let down that Flynn's leading lady in this film was the subdued Brenda Marshall rather than his perfect match, the lively Olivia de Havilland . However, over the years I've rather come to like Marshall; she rarely distinguished herself as an actress, yet she was so beautiful I've come to enjoy simply looking at her black hair and porcelain features, and I've now seen a majority of her films.What really got me interested in revisiting THE SEA HAWK was a recent CineSavant review by Glenn Erickson, which was so filled with love and enthusiasm for the film that I knew I had to give it a fresh look. I'm so glad I did, as I have never enjoyed the movie more. It truly represents classic era studio craftsmanship at its finest.THE SEA HAWK was energetically directed by Michael Curtiz -- did he ever direct in any other fashion? I think not -- and filmed in black and white by Sol Polito . The film also boasts a justly famous, stirring score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. The film tells the story of Geoffrey Thorpe (Flynn), a buccaneer who has the secret approval of Queen Elizabeth I (Flora Robson) to harass the Spanish Armada, while she publicly maintains diplomatic relations with Spain. Thorpe has successes and also at one point is taken prisoner, before escaping and returning to the Queen with critical secrets. When he's not busy pirating, he's romancing Spanish lovely Dona Maria (Marshall).Beyond those bare outlines of the story, there is much excitement, whether it's ship-to-ship battles or a jungle adventure in Panama, shot in sepia. Erickson's piece mentions that Warner Bros. built a tank big enough for two full-sized ships, but the effects are so good throughout that I wasn't even thinking about things like tanks and miniatures. Likewise, the photography is exquisite, making great use of shadows, particularly during the climatic sword fight between Flynn and Henry Daniell.I feel I also had a deeper appreciation of the film simply because I've seen hundreds more films since my last viewing and thus come to have an even deeper appreciation of the cast. When the camera first closes in on Alan Hale (Sr.) standing on the deck of the pirate ship a huge smile broke across my face; I thought how great it must be to be Alan Hale, always where the action is in a Flynn movie like this!There's Gilbert Roland as the Spanish sea captain, insisting on being the last to leave his sinking ship even though he's surrendered to Flynn, who gallantly agrees; there's young William Lundigan doing his captain's bidding; and there's Edgar Buchanan amidst the crew as well. A bunch of Spanish soldiers ride by, and there's Jack LaRue in the lead.And so it goes. Donald Crisp, Montagu Love, Una O'Connor, James Stephenson, David Bruce, Ian Keith, Francis McDonald, J.M. Kerrigan, Halliwell Hobbes, Robert Warwick, Jay Silverheels, Nestor Paiva, John Sutton, Gerald Mohr, even Mary Anderson in the background as one of the Queen's ladies. This is the kind of remarkable, recognizable talent pool seen in so many films of its era, which perhaps more than anything makes these movies unlike any films released today. Goodness, I just realized I haven't even mentioned Claude Rains, who plays the Spanish king's emissary to England! Talk about a film jam-packed with talent.The rousing ending, roughly 18 months before Pearl Harbor, was in part intended to stir audiences against Hitler; it's obvious, but it also adds an interesting depth to the film, imagining seeing it at the time it was released. When the final notes of the score sounded as the film ended, I confess to a tear in my eye -- pure thrills and joy here.The Warner Archive Blu-ray is a marvel of visual beauty and excellent sound. I felt as though the booming cannons, clanging swords, and Korngold's rousing score were pinging off the walls of the room, the sound was so dynamic. While muffled dialogue is occasionally an issue with Warner Archive DVDs, the clarity of the dialogue here was terrific as well. This Blu-ray surely ranks with the best Blu-ray releases I've enjoyed over the years, and I highly recommend it.The Blu-ray ports over the "Warner Night at the Movies" extras from the original DVD release, withe Leonard Maltin hosting a presentation which includes trailers, a short, a cartoon, and a featurette on Errol Flynn. This woman received her medical degree D.O. doctor of osteopathic medicine from Touro College, which was founded in 1971 as an Orthodox Jewish College. Touro mission statement: to educate, perpetuate and enrich the historic Jewish tradition of tolerance and dignity. And while shes entitled to speak her mind, referring to Jews as dogs, celebrating terrorism and mocking the Holocaust, should she really be allowed to practice medicine? Her medical license needs to be revoked. Then she can return to Twitter and continue with her hate-festand she can blame the yahood Jews, in Arabic for getting her fired. Via Daily Caller. An Ohio hospital confirmed Monday that it no longer employs a doctor who made anti-Semitic comments and promised to give Jewish patients the wrong medication. The Cleveland Clinic said in its statement that it became aware of the social media posts by Lara Kollab, 27, who worked at the clinic from July to September 2018, and that her beliefs conflicted with those of the clinic. The hospital did not state, however, whether Kollab had been let go as a direct result of her tweets. Kollab had a history of making violently anti-Semitic comments on social media. An online compilation of Kollabs tweets showed she often referred to Jews as dogs, invoked Allah to kill them, and denigrated both Israel and the U.S. One of the things I appreciate most about the team that I work with at Tablas Creek is the wide range of their interests and experiences. If you don't work at a winery, you might expect that those of us who do spend most of their time drinking their own wines, but in my experience, that's far from the case. Most people who find a career in wine do so because they find it fascinating, and that interest doesn't go away just because they've landed at a particular winery, even a winery that they love. And most people who work at wineries look at exploring other wines as an enjoyable form of continuing education. This year, I thought it would be fun to ask some of our key people about one wine that stuck with them from all the ones they'd tried in 2018. I loved the responses I received, and thought that readers of the blog might too. Here's everyone's submission, in their own words, in alphabetical order (except mine, which is at the end): Leslie Castillo, Tasting Room Team Lead: Casa Gran del Siurana La Fredat 2014 Garnatxa This last November my husband and I traveled to Barcelona, Spain. A longtime friend from Baja, Mexico happened to be there at the same time, so we met up and drove to the Priorat for a day and had lunch at Mastrucafort in Bellmunt del Priorat, it was there where we had my most memorable wine La Fredat 2014 Garnatxa from Casa Gran del Siurana, objectively the wine was elegant yet wild simply beautiful but what made it even more memorable was the amazing Catalan food, rice prepared with rabbit, escargots and wild mushrooms; pasture raised lamb and the best braised bacalao Ive had. The wine on its own was beautiful but what made it most memorable for me was everything that surrounded it our friends, the place the amazing dishes, whenever I drink La Fredat in the future I will remember that snapshot of our trip. Neil Collins, Executive Winemaker: 2013 Domaine Tempier La Tourtine I have always maintained that a really great wine can only achieve its full potential when its company and surroundings are all in perfect tune. Just such a moment happened last week. I took the glorious drive over the Nacimiento-Ferguson road to Big Sur with my boys and a friend. We lunched at my favorite lunch spot anywhere on the planet, Nepenthe. A glorious winter day, we were treated like kings! Classic steak & frites, the wine a 2013 Domaine Tempier La Tourtine. Stunning is an under statement! Food family friends great weather great view GREAT Wine, perfect. Ian Consoli, Tasting Room: AmByth Estate 2013 Mourvedre My favorite bottle of 2018, AmByth Estate 2013 Mourvedre, had two special moments. Number one was in its tasting room. As a man stood across from me and poured me 14 memorable natural wines one stood above them all. I took that bottle and held it for the right occasion until it found me only 2 months later at a dinner made exclusively of biodynamic ingredients. I brought it out to pair with the lamb and was immediately sent into a world where everyone else at the table disappears and only the dish, the wine and myself remain in the phenomenon known as the vortex. It was magical. Darren Delmore, National Sales Manager: 2005 Franck Balthazar Cornas This 2005 Franck Balthazar Cornas quietly resides on one of my favorite wine lists in the US, at Sacramentos Tapa the World. Half wine bar and half hookah lounge, owner Paul bought heavy amounts of old world juice before the financial downturn of 2008, and a lot of it is still there at original prices for us industry types to drool over. Black and viscous in color, raw meat and kalamata olive aromatics, with just enough of the Cornas funk bumping in the glass; it's in a beautiful pop-and-pour state at 13 years of age with time-tamed tannins. Evelyne Fodor, Tasting Room Team Lead: Fino Sherry At a tapas joint in Cordoba, Andalusia this summer. We spotted this little place hidden in the backstreets near the grandiose Mezquita-Cathedral that we had just visited that morning. In this picture taken by my husband, youll notice our glasses of chilled Fino Sherry, the local wine, ubiquitous in the region. I still feel the deliciously crisp refreshing taste of it, with its distinctive aromas of almond that remind me of our Roussanne. It did not need any more than a simple plate of chorizo and Manzanilla olives to make the experience delicious and unforgettable. Chelsea Franchi, Senior Assistant Winemaker: 2017 Ridge Montebello (from Barrel) Thinking about my favorite or most memorable bottle of wine from a given year is like going through a highlight reel from the past 12 months. Travel experiences, epic dinners with friends and family, celebrations both large and small for me, every one of those events is marked with a special bottle of wine. Going through my favorite memories of the year and trying to narrow it down to a single bottle is a difficult task, indeed! However, there was one singular wine experience that absolutely blew me away this year. Before harvest, our cellar team took a trip to Santa Cruz under the auspice of teambuilding, but the real reason for the trip was that our winemaker, Neil Collins, got an invitation from Eric Baugher, winemaker at Ridge Vineyards, to visit the Ridge Monte Bello Estate. We jumped. FAST. Eric gave us a full cellar tour and led us through a stellar barrel tasting experience before showing us the separate Monte Bello cellar. It was here that I had my very first taste of Ridges Monte Bello wine. My dad had always been a fan of Ridge and the striking green and black labels were a staple in our wine rack but never the Monte Bello. This, to me, was tasting from barrel a lifetime of curiosity, longing and wonder. And while it may have been my first taste of this venerable wine, it was not to be my last that day. We sat down to lunch and after enjoying flights from their Lytton Springs and Geyserville properties, as well as a flight from their ATP wines, we were treated to a flight of the 1992, 2002 and 2012 Monte Bello. These wines and this experience was the closest to perfection Ive ever had the good fortune to be part of. Working in this industry, we get access to all kinds of really extraordinary experiences, events and wines. But hanging out with the Ridge vineyard and cellar team and talking frankly about their winemaking practices over glasses of exceptional wines Id been waiting my entire life to try this was one of those days where I sat thunderstruck, asking myself Is this really my life? How did I get so lucky? If a glass of wine causes you to ask questions like that, well, thats certainly a highlight of the highlight reel. Linnea Frazier, Media & Marketing: 1984 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon My most memorable bottle actually all came into play because of a chipped tooth. Yes, a chipped tooth. I was at my orthodontist and we were chatting about my work in the wine industry and his past wine collections, so being curious about the more obscure Rhone whites he proposed we do a bottle exchange next appointment. I readily agreed, not thinking too much of it and when the time came presented him with a bottle of our 2017 Picpoul Blanc. Casually, he places a bottle of 1984 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cab Sauvignon on the table between us. Needless to say I laughed. And despite my protestations, he was adamant about us exchanging. Much to the delight of my conscience, I do believe he ended up buying a couple cases of Picpoul a few weeks after. That bottle was opened during the holidays with the people I love most and given the ceremony it well deserved. Of course it was outstandingly rich and rustic, with immediate sinister earthiness and gained more dark fruit after a couple hours. Cheers! Misty Lies, Tasting Room Team Lead: 2013 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Earlier this year we had a free afternoon to open a nice bottle of wine. We decided on a bottle from Domaine Ponsot and decanted it. As the afternoon progressed we tasted it about every 20 minutes to see how it would open up over time. Even as a youthful wine, it was simply amazing and it gave me a whole new appreciation of wine. John Morris, Tasting Room Manager: 1996 Tablas Hills Cuvee Rouge This was a year where I drank plenty of wine, but mostly good, solid, everyday stuff. The exception, at the risk of being a homer, was the discovery of a handful of cases of 1996 Tablas Hills Cuvee Rouge. This predated the first Tablas Creek Vineyard labeling by one year, but is in essence an Esprit de Tablas/Beaucastel. A caveat: theres none left. We sold it bottle by bottle in the tasting room over the course of a couple of months, and I had the opportunity to taste it a handful of times. Its held up remarkably well, and still has some years left. It is of course an old wine, so is ethereal in body, delicately perfumed, graceful on the palate, with just enough vibrancy to make it fresh. Its not quite a perfect wine, as it shows a touch of green, maybe stemmy tannins that are mostly calmed with age, but for a 22-year-old wine made from three-year-old vines, its a revelation. And as much I as enjoyed it, Im even more excited about what the wines were making now will be like in 20 years, with fully mature vines and a vineyard and winemaking team with two decades of experience on this site. Suphada Rom, Sales & Marketing: Vouette & Sorbees Fidele I might be the worst minimalist ever! I carried around this bottle of champagne around with me through the better part of the summer. I had a sneaking suspicion that Cameron (my now fiance) was going to propose at some point and me, being my hyper organized and planned self, I wanted to be prepared. Thankfully, I only had to tote it around for a month or two! Our engagement wine was Vouette & Sorbees Fidele, a beautiful expression of Pinot Noir from the Aube. If I can give any unsolicited advice, I would say to always have a bottle of champagne ready- you never know (or sometimes you do!) when you may need to celebrate. Randy Thurman, IT and Facilities Manager: 2012 Esprit de Tablas We celebrated a new niece arriving this year with a bottle of Esprit Red 2012. I also gained a brother in law almost 3 months to the day that my niece was born, which we also drank to at their wedding with 24 bottles of Tablas Dianthus, Picardan, and Patelin current releases. We did not have any immediate family pass but we usually toast them at every family get together with any drink available and reminisce about how they would have enjoyed being there with us and how much we miss them. To King Po Po as my family would say. Me: Domaine Marquis d'Angerville, Clos des Ducs, Vintage Unknown As readers of the blog or followers of Tablas Creek will know, my dad Robert (founder of Tablas Creek) passed away this March one month from his 91st birthday. I wrote at some length on the blog on his life, and also in another piece shared the eulogy I gave for him at the celebration of his life we held at the vineyard in April. That celebration was a mix of sadness and appreciation for the many things he built and left for all of us. In that spirit, at a family gathering two nights before the memorial, my brother Danny and I decided to open a bottle of made by the Burgundy proprietor with whom he had been friends longest: Jacques d'Angerville, born like him in 1927. I've always loved the wines from Domaine Marquis d'Angerville in Volnay, which for me exemplify Burgundy's magical ability to have depth and intensity of flavor without any sense of heaviness. The bottle itself had spent some years in my dad's Vermont cellar, where the high humidity is ideal for the wine inside the bottles but enough to cause labels to disintegrate. I'm sure that the vintage was printed on the cork, but I don't remember what that was, and the part of the label that would have shown it is gone. Almost certainly some vintage between 1976 and 1985, but I can't be more specific than that. I remember the wine, though: translucent and ethereal, high-toned, fully mature and yet still very much alive. It's a wine I would have loved in any circumstances, but it was everything else that the wine signified that night that made it my most memorable wine of the year: a backdrop for our telling stories of our dad's life; tangible proof of the impact of his career; and a symbol of endurance (Jacques passed away in 2003, but his brilliance shines through in the wines he made). A few concluding thoughts: As you might expect, this was an eclectic list. Some wines are Tablas Creek, but most are not. Many were older, which says that for all the challenges of storing and being patient with wines, the rewards can be marvelous. But the thing that stood out most for me was the extent to which wines can mark the significant occasions in our lives, and give those moments additional depth and meaning. May your food and wine experiences be memorable in 2019. The mountain top is an important strategical point for the region, although some are disputing claims that Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham is in control writes Enab Baladi Online. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has announced that it has taken control of Jebel Barakat, the highest summit in the western Aleppo countryside, as part of the fighting it started against the Nour Eddin al-Zinki movement. The groups Ebaa news agency said on Jan. 1, 2019, that, Tahrir al-Sham has taken control over Jebel al-Sheikh Barakat in the western Aleppo countryside, from which the criminals had launched attacks and killed four mujahideen. The agency showed images of Tahrir al-Sham members said to be at the summit of the mountain after taking control of it. In an interview with Enab Baladi, a member of the media bureau of the National Liberation Front, Mohamed Adeeb, denied Tahrir al-Sham had taken full control over the mountain. He said, Clashes are still ongoing, and Tahrir al-Sham only has groups on its outskirts the mountain is massive. The two sides (Zinki and Tahrir al-Sham) have recently traded accusations about revoking the agreement that was reached on Sunday and which stipulates resolving the dispute between them, after Tahrir al-Sham members were killed in the Darat Izza area west of Aleppo. Media sources from the Aleppo countryside told Enab Baladi that the summit of Jebel al-Sheikh Barakat was controlled by Zinki, while Tahrir al-Sham controlled a different part by Zarazita, al-Qatoura and Deir Samaan. Sources said that the two sides had brought tanks and heavy vehicles to the fighting, and that Zinki was able to destroy a Tahrir al-Sham armored vehicle on the outskirts of Darat Izza. Darat Izzas importance for Tahrir al-Sham comes as a result of it being one of the most prominent areas in the western Aleppo countryside, as well as its strategic position as the highest summit in the north, which is Jebel al-Sheikh Barakat. Jebel al-Sheikh Barakat is distinguished by a number of points, including: The mountain enjoys a strategic position in western Aleppo, as it overlooks all the Aleppo countrysidewest and northeast. It overlooks the city of Afrin, as well as the towns of Nubl and al-Zahara, which are controlled by the Syrian regime. It includes a large network of civilian and military communications towers, and its altitude is 1,000 meters above sea level. The rugged geography and the high altitude serves the side that controls it from a military perspective. Previously a battalion of the Air Defense Directorate has controlled it, and it was taken by rebel groups in June 2016. Turkey has a major interest in the mountains, and there have previously been reconnaissance operations by the Turkish army during Operation Olive Branch in Afrin. Sources in the Free Syrian Army told Enab Baladi on Nov. 26, 2018, that Tahrir al-Sham had tried to take full control over the international highway, setting their sights on the town of Maarat al-Nouman in the southeastern Idleb countryside and Daarat Izza in the western Aleppo countryside. Tahrir al-Shams influence in the western Aleppo countryside is concentrated in the towns and villages of Tedil, Taladah, the environs of Daarat Izza, and then up to the northern Idleb countryside. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Turkey hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees, and as the fighting subdues, some are choosing to return home reports Alsouria Net. The General Director of the Bab al-Salama Border Crossing in the city of Azaz in northern Syria, Qassem al-Qassem, said that 3,421 Syrians had permanently returned to their country from Turkey over the Eid al-Adha holiday because of the security established in their areas after the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations. Qassem said in a statement carried by the Anadolu Agency that Turkish authorities had provided a chance for Syrians living in Turkey to visit their country during the holidays and then return again to Turkey. He said that in this context, tens of thousands of Syrians had visited their country during Eid al-Adha in August. He said that, about 32,419 Syrians returned to Turkey, while 3,421 preferred to remain in their country because of the security established in their areas after the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations carried out by the Turkish army against terrorist groups in northern Syria. Qassem expressed his confidence that the number of Syrians returning from Turkey to their country would rise after the liberation of Manbij and Tel Rifaat from terrorist groups. During Operation Euphrates Sheild, Turkish forces and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) were able during to clear large portions of the northern Aleppo countryside, including the cities of al-Bab and Jarablus, of the Islamic State between August 2016 and March 2017, which allowed thousands of Syrians to return to their homes. On Mar. 24, 2018, The Turkish army in cooperation with the FSA was able to expel the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units from Afrin entirely with Operation Olive Branch. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Mohammed Rahmoun is believed to be responsible for the arrest and torture of thousands of anti-regime activists and a number of chemical attacks reports Zaman Al Wasl. The newly appointed Interior Minister, Mohammed Rahmoun, has shaken up the powerful Ministry by transferring 40 brigadiers and 16 colonels, pro-regime media reported. Analysts say Bashar al-Assad has appointed Major General Rahmoun to crush all opposition. Rahmoun has proved that he is a brutish henchman, suitable for carrying out Assads dirty work. The internal transfer seems a tradition for any new minister but the reshuffle indicated to the ultimate power of Rahmoun who seemed unbreakable. Rahmoun is the former head of Syrias Political Security Directorate, a dark force thought to be responsible for the arrest and torture of tens of thousands of anti-regime activists. He is a graduate of the War College and one of Assads chief acolytes. As an Air Force Intelligence brigadier in 2011, he oversaw the detention and torture of thousands in Harasta, Douma and Barzeh. Prisoners under his watch were reportedly forced to dig tunnels and trenches for the regime. He was involved in the 2013 chemical attack in Ghouta that claimed the lives of more than 1,300 victims. For that, he appears to have earned his stripes and was promoted to the rank of Major General, giving him a seat at the table of the 2017 Astana talks, which relegated the UN-led Geneva process to the sidelines. To get the measure of this man, all we need to know is that he is the most probable person to have sanctioned the chemical weapons attack on Khan Sheikhoun in 2017, which killed 80 people, despite it being his own place of birth. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. After fleeing the war in Syria, investors are creating new businesses in Sudan, helping them to create new lives and boost the Sudanese economy writes Zaman Al Wasl. With the increasing number of Syrians refugees, some Arab countries have imposed a visa as a condition for entry. Sudan has not taken this path, and become the only free Arab destination for people fleeing the war ravaged country. The Sudanese Committee for the Relief of the Syrian People estimates that the number of Syrians in Sudan is about 170,000, which includes investors and entrepreneurs who occupy the second place in investment in Sudan in terms of economic investments in the three sectors (industry, trade and agriculture). Lawyer Adham al-Daham, founder of the Step-Legal initiative for Syrians in Sudan said Syrian investments vary in Sudan and are not limited to investing in one particular field. The Syrian presence in Sudan played a major role in advancing the Sudanese national economy and limited Sudanese imports for many food and industrial goods. Syrian investments contributed to securing thousands of job opportunities for Sudanese people in various commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors. Syrian investors work heavily in industrial, commercial and agricultural fields like detergents and water reservoirs, the demand for which are increasing in Sudan. Syrian investors have also entered the petrochemical industry. According to Daham, there are 15 factories for plastic products, plastic bags and packaging materials in Khartoum, as well as a number of other factories across the rest of Sudan after the industry was monopolized by the Fine International corporation. In the field of food industries, the Sudanese government issued a decision at the end of 2017 to stop the import of food commodities from neighboring Egypt because of the local alternatives produced by the Syrian factories in Sudan, after studying the Sudanese market and its needs. Also, the dairy industry has ranked second for Syrian investment after the establishment of six factories that covered the needs of the local market for these products, which reduced the import levels of these goods that had previously been imported from factories in Saudi Arabia, according to al-Daham. Syrian investors have benefited from the support of the Sudanese Ministry of Investment to work in agriculture in the northern region, which is considered the most fertile agricultural area in the country, especially in the cultivation of clover, which is one of the most important exports in Sudan. The proportion of Syrian investment in agriculture amounted to 70% in this sector. Some Syrian investors who obtained Sudanese nationality have enjoyed freedom of trade in the field of import and export, such as the exporting of the Arabic gum, clover, cereals and peanuts. A number of Syrian craftsmen also established workshops for the manufacture of furniture, and introduced decorative patterns and engraved wood, previously unknown in Sudan, which previously received imports of wooden furniture from Damietta province in Egypt. Syrian investment in hotels and restaurants occupies the first place in the Sudan today, with Syrians opening a large number of restaurants, cafes, shops, sweets and juice bars, which offer many different oriental and western dishes, in addition to the traditional Syrian dishes, which are popular among the Sudanese because of the international reputation that Syrian cuisine enjoys. In Sudan, there are a number of Syrians with university and scientific degrees such as doctors, engineers, lawyers and teachers despite the difficulties and lack of work opportunities. Today, a number of doctors work in some health centers, A few engineers were involved in some contracting companies despite the low salaries in this field. In addition to Syrian restaurant owners, small businesses and professions, a large number of young Syrians in Sudan have found a safe haven to escape arrest or conscription in the regimes army, many of whom work in restaurants and coffee shops with a low wage of just 50 or 70 dollars per month. Average Syrians who escaped war and have no business or big income have opened small projects. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Norman P. Temple, of Wolseley, Sask., passed on Dec. 22, 2018, three days prior to what would have been his 95th birthday. Temple, originally of nearby Neudorf, Sask., began to work with the G.B. Isman stable in 1952, and he enjoyed success as a driver in the Prairie provinces and beyond until hanging up his colours in 1977. While his 93rd and last winning drive came at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon, Temple enjoyed Grand Circuit success with Isman across Canada and a track record at Gatineau, Quebec's Connaught Park just across the Ottawa River from the nation's capital with Hal Baker in 1954. Temple, the second oldest of eight children from John and Margaret Temple, never married. He passed peacefully at Lakeside Home in Wolseley, and was survived by a number of nieces and nephews. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of Norman Temple. 2018: What were the most popular names for babies born in Slovakia? Slovakia has a calendar commission that decides on namesdays. In 2018, Jakub and Sofia topped the list of most popular baby names, based on the data of the Interior Ministry. Both have topped the ranking for most of the past decade - Jakub ranked second for only three years, while Sofia has been the first choice since 2008. Until then, Viktoria was the most frequent name given to baby girls. Most popular names in 2018 BOYS Jakub 1266 Adam 975 Michal 934 Samuel 913 Tomas 850 Filip 767 Matej 760 Martin 754 Oliver 753 Lukas 721 GIRLS Sofia 772 Ema 706 Nina 671 Viktoria 670 Natalia 603 Eliska 578 Nela 493 Tamara 471 Laura 448 Hana 444 "At present, social media greatly affects what names parents choose, but films and television series maintain their influence," sociologist Silvia Porubanova told the Sme daily. Richard, David, Hana, as well as Mia and Olivia, have grown popular in recent years. Patron saints were decisive in the past In the past, babies were named after patron saints, and biblical names caught on no sooner than at the beginning of the 20th century in Slovakia, ethnologist Katarina Nadaska told Sme. Names of international origin gradually began filtering in only after the Second World War. "In the 1970s, an effort to return to traditional values arose, and people once again started to have a race on who would pick the most Slovak or Slavic name," said Porubanova. The names, which were little known or unknown to Slovakia, such as Lucas or Vivien, became popular only in the last couple of years, Sme reported. Who decides on the names in the calendar? The calendar commission, set up by the Culture Ministry in 2016 approves the official version of each name and assigns days in the calendar to each approved name. Upon the commission's decision from August 2018, Noel was added to the calendar, to celebrate the namesday on December 21. People named Artur, who used to celebrate their name in November, will now celebrate it on January 5. The namesday calendar approved by the commission is just recommendatory for the publishers of calendars, according to the ministry. Sme 2. Jan 2019 at 13:41 | Peter Kovac Firework accidents result in 40 fires Firefighters helped out 130 times during New Year's Eve celebrations. Font size: A - | A + During the last night of 2018, firefighters received dozens of calls for aid during New Year's Eve. Katarina Krizanova of the Firefighter and Rescue Corps Presidium (HaZZ) said 170 firefighters had to take action in 130 incidents, the TASR newswire reported. Fire led to 81 accidents while 39 resulted from fireworks. The majority occurred in the Bratislava and Kosice regions; seven incidents related to fireworks happened in each region, TASR wrote. "Compared to last year, the number of fires has risen by 40," said Krizanova, as quoted by TASR. "The number of fires caused by fireworks has risen by 18." Firefighters also responded to 20 car accidents, one incident of an ecological nature, and 48 incidents of technical origin, as written by TASR. 2. Jan 2019 at 13:44 | Compiled by Spectator staff Pellegrini: We have built a mental Berlin wall 2018 tested how advanced our democracy is, says the prime minister. Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini regrets that the murder of a journalist and the events that followed split society into two big camps divided by "some sort of mental 'Berlin wall' through which we yell at each other and do not listen to each other". Pellegrini addressed the Slovak Republic on the public-service RTVS, one hour after President Andrej Kiska delivered his annual New Year's address. Pelligrini stressed that Slovakia is among the most advanced democracies after 25 years of statehood, and thanked the citizens of the country for making that happen. The prime minister labelled 2018 an exceptional and tragic year, "the year that tested how advanced our democracy is", due to the first-ever murder of a journalist in the country's history. Read also: Read also: Kiska: Murder turned 2018 into a year of struggle for decency and justice Read more Pellegrini talks about a cold war "In this politically tough time, we have managed to take mature statesman-like decisions that returned political stability to Slovakia," Pellegrini said. He perceives people as ashamed for the success of Slovakia and its people. Slovakia is going through good times economically, Pellegrini said and mentioned the low unemployment rate, the first-ever balanced state budget, and the unprecedented social measures that the government took, like free lunches for school children. More social measures are in the pipeline, like longer maternal leave or, alternatively, higher parental allowance. Politically, however, there is a cold war raging. "I must warn you about this trend, because the destruction of trust in the state leads to no winners," Pellegrini said. "Extremism and radicalism are waiting for their chance, hiding on social networks." Pellegrini refused these "Berlin-wall politics" and offered cooperation to every citizen. Slovakia needs to look to the future "We no longer need to deal with the economic survival of the state, securing basic institutions, or basic foreign policy orientation. These issues are settled. Today we only need to look where we see Slovakia in the next 20 to 30 years, what are its chances and hopes, and what we need to be wary about," Pellegrini said. He also mentioned the ageing population of Slovakia as one of the main challenges, along with the ever more problematic lack of workforce, as well as the digitalisation in all walks of life. The prime minister pledged to come up with his response to these challenges soon, and called on the media to play their own part responsibly. "We are a successful nation that never got lost in the world even though many did not believe in it," Pellegrini concluded before he wished a happy New Year to everyone. 2. Jan 2019 at 13:54 | Michaela Terenzani WASHINGTON (January 02, 2019)The U.S. Department of Defense recently announced the following contract awards that pertain to local Navy activities.No applicable data., is awardedfor cost-plus-incentive fee, firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001919F2474 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020) for the development of advanced hardware in support of the F-35 Lightning II Technology Refresh 3 (TR3) System. Efforts include the design of the TR3 System through full flightworthy certification, production readiness review, and fleet release to support low-rate initial production Lot 15 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in March 2023. Fiscal 2018 and 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy and Marine Corps); and non-U.S. Department of Defense participant (non-U.S. DoD) funding in the amount of $207,144,167 will be obligated at time of award, $13,000,000 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This delivery order combines purchases for the Marine Corps ($27,046,506; 32 percent); Navy ($24,500,000; 29 percent); and non-U.S. DoD participants ($32,506,142; 39 percent). The, is the contracting activity., is awarded anindefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for supplies and services in support of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Special Missions Integrated Test Facility (AIR-5.4). Supplies and services being procured are in support of the continued development of the Mobile Mission System (MMS) family of system capabilities, MMS variants, procurement of additional MMS units, prototyping and modification for rapid mission specific system reconfiguration, test and operational deployment, maintenance, repair, refurbishment, logistics support and associated material procurements in support of the complete system of systems capabilities between the MMS, the airborne component, the ground component and the required laboratory component. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (91 percent); and Bohemia, New York (9 percent), and work is expected to be completed December 2025. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). The, is the contracting activity., is awarded afixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. This contract provides for the acquisition of 218 operational test program sets for the Navy (188); Japan (15); and various foreign military sales customers (15), including non-recurring engineering to address potential obsolescence issues. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (90 percent); and St. Louis, Missouri (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2024. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The, is the contracting activity (N6833519D0017)., is awardedfor firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001919F2638 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-15-G-0014). This delivery order provides for the procurement of spare and sustainment parts that are required to maintain the RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft system in support of the Naval Supply Systems Command. Work will be performed in Bingen, Washington, and is expected to be completed in June 2019. Working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $12,167,690 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is awarded a not-to-exceedfor undefinitized modification P00001 to a previously awarded, fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-18-C-1068). This modification provides for the procurement of AIM-9X Lot 18 production requirements to include 766 AIM-9X Block II all up round tactical missiles for the Navy (138); Air Force (197); and the governments of Israel (11); Norway (20); Qatar (40); South Korea (60); and the United Arab Emirates (300), as well as 160 AIM-9X Block II+ all up round missiles for the Navy (12); Air Force (75); and the governments of Australia (49); Israel (7); and the Netherlands (17). In addition, this award provides for the procurement of 170 Block II Captive Air Training Missiles for the Navy (40), Air Force (64), and the governments of Israel (6), Qatar (20), and the United Arab Emirates (40); 12 Special Air Training Missiles for the Navy (4) and the government of Australia (8); 309 all up round containers for the Navy (53), Air Force (94), and the governments of Australia (21), the United Arab Emirates (91), South Korea (17), Norway (5), Israel (7), the Netherlands (5), and Qatar (16); eight Spare Advanced Optical Target Detectors for the governments of Australia (4), the United Arab Emirates (2), and Qatar (2); 50 Spare Guidance Units (Live Battery) for the governments of the United Arab Emirates (26), South Korea (4) and Qatar (20); 35 Spare Captive Air Training Missile Guidance Units for the governments of the United Arab Emirates (15) and Qatar (20); 50 Guidance Unit Containers for the governments of the United Arab Emirates (26), South Korea (4), and Qatar (20); six Spare Advanced Optical Target Detector Containers for the governments of Australia (4) and the United Arab Emirates (2); and one Spare Block II Propulsion Steering Section for the government of Australia (1). Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (31 percent); Andover, Massachusetts (10 percent); Keyser, West Virginia (9 percent); Santa Clarita, California (8 percent); Hillsboro, Oregon (5 percent); Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (5 percent); Goleta, California (4 percent); Cheshire, Connecticut (4 percent); Heilbronn, Germany (3 percent); Simsbury, Connecticut (2 percent); Jose, California (2 percent); Valencia, California (2 percent), Anaheim, California (2 percent); Cajon, California (2 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (1 percent); Anniston, Alabama (1 percent); San Diego, California (1 percent); Chatsworth, California (1 percent); Amesbury, Massachusetts (1 percent); Claremont, California (1 percent); Sumner, Washington (1 percent); and various locations within the continental U.S. (4 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2021. Fiscal 2017 and 2018 missile procurement (Air Force); fiscal 2017 and 2018 weapons procurement (Navy); fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $321,622,863will be obligated at time of award, $8,527,158 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force ($121,460,276, 28 percent); Navy ($68,351,757, 16 percent); the governments of the United Arab Emirates ($140,486,747, 32 percent); Australia ($26,632,099, 6 percent); Qatar ($26,187,923, 6 percent); South Korea ($25,791,386, 6 percent); Israel ($9,197,285, 2 percent); Norway ($8,295,593, 2 percent); and the Netherlands ($7,986,038, 2 percent). The, is the contracting activity., is awardedfor modification P00014 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-17-C-0015). This modification provides for the production and delivery of three CMV-22B variation in quantity aircraft for the Navy and two MV-22B variation in quantity aircraft for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (30 percent); Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (15 percent); Amarillo, Texas (13 percent); Red Oak, Texas (3 percent); East Aurora, New York (3 percent); Park City, Utah (2 percent); McKinney, Texas (1 percent); Endicott, New York (1 percent); various locations within the continental U.S. (27 percent); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (4 percent), and is expected to be completed in October 2023. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $366,623,144 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is awarded acost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-firm contract. This contract provides for testing support for the F-35 Lightning II Propulsion System Block 4 Flight Test Program for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and the non-U.S. Department of Defense (non-U.S. DoD) participants. Support to be provided includes technical engineering, flight test support, special tooling and test equipment, flight test spare and repair parts. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland (35 percent); and Edwards Air Force Base, California (33 percent); and in East Hartford, Connecticut (32 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2023. Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy and Marine Corps) funds in the amount of $20,000,000 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). This contract combines purchase for the Navy ($45,760,870; 20 percent); Marine Corps ($45,760,870; 20 percent); Air Force ($91,521,740; 40 percent); and the non-U.S. DoD participants ($47,101,463; 20 percent). The, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0007)., is awarded a not-to-exceedfor undefinitized, fixed-price-incentive-firm-target modification P00002 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-18-C-1046). This modification provides for non-recurring engineering in support of the incorporation of the initial Block III capability for the production of F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri (62 percent); El Segundo, California (33 percent); Mesa, Arizona (3 percent) and Ft. Walton Beach, Florida (2 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2021. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $35,000,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is awardedfor modification P00016 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-17-C-0047) for the procurement of 16 F414-GE-400 install engines for the F/A-18 aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Lynn, Massachusetts (59 percent); Hookset, New Hampshire (18 percent); Rutland, Vermont (12 percent); and Madisonville, Kentucky (11 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2020. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount $70,752,0768 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The, is the contracting activity., is awarded a not-to-exceedundefinitized fixed-price-incentive-firm contract for the procurement of up to six Infrared Search and Track Block II low-rate initial production III units for the F/A-18E/F series aircraft. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (73 percent); and St. Louis, Missouri (27 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2021. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $17,350,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The, is the contracting activity (N00019-19-C-0019)., is awardedfor delivery order N0001919F0031 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-17-G-0002). This delivery order provides for MV-22 flight test sustainment; MV-22 flight test sustainment back-home support for analysis of flight tests; and flight test support for five MV-22 aircraft for the Navy, Air Force and the government of Japan. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in December 2019. Fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy and Air Force); research, development, test and evaluation (Navy and Air Force); and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $23,201,950 will be obligated at time of award. No funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the Navy ($18,136,470; 78 percent); Air Force ($2,879,339; 12 percent); and the government of Japan ($2,186,141; 10 percent). The, is the contracting activity.No applicable data. Excerpted from The Friendly Orange Glow: The Untold Story of the PLATO System and the Dawn of Cyberculture by Brian Dear. Out now from Vintage Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Contrary to what Silicon Valley would like you to believe, the rise of social computingusing computers to connect people and enable them to interact, collaborate, and communicatenot only happened long before the personal computer era even got underway, but it happened far from California. The PLATO computer system, launched in 1960 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was designed to be a platform for online learning, but by the early 1970s it had evolved into something much more, thanks to a growing, enthusiastic user community, many of whom were high school and college students. Within one 12-month stretch between 197374, PLATOs users created online message forums, chat rooms, graphical multiplayer games, instant messaging, email, and even early forms of emoji. Why have these early innovationswhich disrupt the generally accepted computer history timelinebeen largely forgotten? The fact is, they were not forgotten. The world simply did not pay attention in the first place. Despite the enthusiasm of PLATOs user community, who viewed the system as a revolution in collaboration, communication, and productivity, the creators and marketers of PLATO insisted on positioning the system as an educational, not general, solution. As a result, historians, the media, and the tech industry dismissed PLATO as not being of any consequence. PLATO became the computer revolution that the world ignored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two Illinois graduate students, Valarie Lamont and Stuart Umpleby, explored ways that PLATO might be used beyond education and instead as a digital public commons for civic discussion. By 1972, the two managed to scrounge up a grant of $26,110 from the National Science Foundation to investigate the use of PLATO to create a new mass communications medium for the discussion of long range community planning. The purpose of the research, Umpleby explained in a press release, will be to find the most effective ways of presenting issues on the new medium. We will also try to determine whether patterns of communication and methods of making community decisions change as a result of the availability of the new communications medium. Advertisement By March 1973 Umpleby was penning articles in local papers, advocating for the community use of PLATO, fearing that soon the system was going to be swallowed up by corporations. Try to think how you would like this system to be used, he wrote. In a few years PLATO is going to be big. But so far the majority of programs in the computer are just normal course materialthere doesnt seem to be any movement toward general citizen use. As this new federally funded resource comes into existence citizens should challenge any trend toward exclusive use. It should be a public resource. We must compete for a say in its use and set an early precedent of using it to serve our interests as members of the community. Advertisement What started out as a fairly factual post suddenly veered into a long set of citations linking the Watergate scandal to the JFK assassination. He soon figured out a new way to set this precedent. Earlier in 1973 Umpleby started experimenting with a simple conferencing program on PLATO called Discuss that enabled people to post up to 10 lines of text as a message, which others could then read and, if they chose to, respond to with their own one- to 10-line messages. If you needed more than 10 lines to make your statement, you had to post the first 10 lines in a message, then reply to your own message with another, and so on. While other groups of PLATO users were discovering and quickly becoming addicted to live-chat applications, Umpleby was more interested in message boards. Live chat was synchronousyou literally had to be there, participating with the other participants in real time. Message boards, forums, conferencing systems were asynchronousyou could post your thoughts at 2 a.m. and not expect, nor care, when others would eventually see them, let alone post replies. Forums such as Facebook, Twitter, and email work the same today. Advertisement The ARPANETthe precursor to todays internetalso had a message board program called FORUM, but content could not be shared with PLATO, and thus, participants in the two systems did not see messages posted on the other system. By 1973 the ARPA network and PLATO network reached sites all over the country, but the networks remained isolated from each other, one of the great tragedies in PLATOs history. PLATO would remain separate from the technical trajectory of todays internet until the 1990s, when later generations of the system finally were accessible through personal computers, but by then it was too late. Advertisement Umpleby, savvy to PR and maximum coverage, offered to transfer, by hand if necessary, postings from PLATOs Discuss over into FORUM, so ARPA users would see them there. Likewise, hed retype FORUM postings into PLATOs Discuss. There was a labor-intensive connection, he says. It was just an offhand proposal, and it was assuming very low traffic. Back in those days there were many systems and they didnt overlap much, it was not at all like the current [internet]. Advertisement Then came Watergate. In the summer and fall of 1973, the Watergate scandal was the national preoccupation. It would also become the first cyber community preoccupation. New, ever-more-shocking revelations emerged each day, and on Oct. 20, 1973, a date that quickly became known in the media as the Saturday Night Massacre, Umpleby opened up a new topic in Discuss at 10:58 p.m.: A news bulletin tonight reported that Nixon had fired Special Prosecutor Cox. Attorney General Richardson resigned. Deputy Attorney General Ruckelshaus then became acting attorney general. Nixon gave Ruckelshaus an order which he refused, so Nixon then fired Ruckelshaus. That made the solicitor general the acting attorney general. These events seem certain to produce a serious move for impeachment in the House with the only reservation being the war in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Then, what started out as a fairly factual opening statement suddenly veered in a different direction. Umpleby continued with a series of paragraphs offering a long set of citations linking the Watergate scandal to the JFK assassination. He finished with a question: What do the participants in this discussion think about all of this: the firing of Cox, the chances of impeachment, and the possibility of connections between Watergate and political assassinations? Umplebys post was no different, in format if not in content, from any typical online message board posting over the past 40 years. Except in 1973, this kind of computer-mediated group conversation was exotic and new. Very few people in the world had any idea what it would mean to have a discussion with other people online on a computer. Yet even at the very dawn of computer conferencing, conspiracy theories were alive and kicking. Advertisement A variety of PLATO users, mostly students working at or around the PLATO laboratory called CERL at the University of Illinois, read Umplebys post and responded into the night and the next day. The firing of Cox was a bad move, said John David Eisenberg in the first response that night. Any connection of Watergate and political assassinations is at best very tenuous and, quite frankly, a highly dangerous item of discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Umpleby was back the next day, asking Eisenberg, How do you mean dangerous? Surely not knowing what is going on is more dangerous than knowing. And so it went the rest of the day and into the night, with more postings about Nixon and Watergate and impeachmentthe first online message board debate about a national event unfolding in real time. Advertisement Umpleby also decided to see how he could use PLATO and ARPANET not just to debate the issues, but to accelerate the impeachment process by consolidating the political power of geographically separate activist groups. With PLATO and ARPANET, he imagined reaching hundreds, perhaps in time thousands of people. Online was the inevitable future for activism. The Undergraduate Student Association on the Urbana campus is engaging in a major effort to lobby Congress in favor of impeachment, Umpleby posted in Discuss on Monday, Oct. 22. They have been circulating petitions in the student union, dorms, etc. They have set up tables where students can write letters to their congressmen. What are other campuses doing on impeachment? Would people on other campuses please tell your student government and student press that these programs exist and can be used to coordinate actions if necessary or to pass around bright ideas. Advertisement Advertisement It didnt take long before someone in ARPAs office at the Pentagon came across the FORUM postings on ARPANETafter all, it was funding not only ARPANET itself, but also this experimental FORUM project. Nor did it take long for word to cross the Potomac and reach the people in Nixons besieged White House. It was right around this time that the White House was making efforts, on Nixons orders, to cancel Federal Communications Commission applications by Washington Postowned television stations in retaliation for their reporting of Watergate. This was not a good time for Nixons people to learn of talk of impeachment and political mobilization going on over the wires of some Defense Departmentfunded computer network. This was an era when activism on college campuses was taken very seriously: Buildings were often occupied, demonstrations often turned violent, campuses were sometimes completely shut down, and sometimes people were killed, as at Kent State and Jackson State just a few years earlier. Advertisement It is certainly possible to imagine that some of these concerns might have entered the minds of the government ofcials. If the Nixon administration had no misgivings about abusing its governmental power to go after activists and the Washington Post for its coverage of Watergate, it does not require a stretch of imagination to see how itd have no problem shutting down obscure, government-funded computer networks over which anti-Nixon opinions were being expressed. The White Houses reaction to this is significant in that this may be the first time in history (and certainly not the last) that a government threatened to shut down people communicating over a computer network because it did not like what they were saying. Advertisement Advertisement It didnt take long for both the National Science Foundation and the Pentagon to track down and call Don Bitzer, the founder of PLATO and director of CERL. The NSF called Bitzer to tell him that its funding of PLATO had been threatened by the White House and soon afterward, Bitzer learned funding for ARPANET was threatened as well. He found himself reassuring a Pentagon official that he was aware that it might seem like there was a PLATO effort to bring down the head of the executive branch but that he would make sure that the education-only standards of PLATO were being observed. Bitzer asked Umpleby to add a disclaimer to the opening screen users would see as they entered Discuss. That night a page was added: Advertisement PLATO in its present implementation within the University of Illinois is essentially an extension of the classroom. While discussion of current topics is as legitimate on PLATO as in the classroom, it is not permissible in the classroom or on PLATO to organize political mobilization. For this reason, CERL cannot at this time permit the use of the PLATO system for organizing political activities. The next day, Saturday, Nov. 3, Umpleby updated the Discuss participants with more news: Advertisement The situation is apparently more serious than I thought yesterday afternoon. The Institute for the Futures program forum on the ARPA network is no longer available. Continuation of their work seems to be endangered. It is hard to believe that a few comments in one program could cause such a reaction. What is also interesting, however, is that apparently on the basis of only one comment, the Pentagon understood the importance of computer-based communications media. Months and even years of talking and attempting to persuade social scientists had produced at best indifference. Such differences in reaction testify far more eloquently than a scientific article why those who are the establishment are there and why social science has been so ineffective. Advertisement Participants were quick to thank Bitzer for stepping in and taking a stand. Professor Bitzer deserves considerable praise for allowing programs like this to exist, said one user. The response to Pentagon suggestions by other University of Illinois administrators would have almost certainly been to simply delete the program to avoid a hassle, especially one with a funding agency. The trouble for Umpleby, however, was not over yet. He happened to mention in passing to a friend a little bit of a flap with the Pentagon a few months ago, who mentioned the story to a reporter at Businessweek. An article titled No Computer Talk on Impeachment appeared in Businessweek on March 16, 1974: Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon is picking a fight with top universities by refusing to let its Advanced Research Projects Agency computer network be used for a study of impeachment. The network, located at civilian campuses but funded by the Pentagon, is being adapted to provide a nationwide teleconferencing system. By using a designated code number, scholars could tap in at any time to contribute data and ideas to an ongoing conference on almost any subject. Some subjects apparently are taboo. Political science professor Stuart Umpleby of the University of Illinois says that the contractor for the network, Institute for the Future, turned him down when he proposed a study of impeachment and now is barring him from any access. They were just scared theyd lose the contract and knuckled under to anything the Pentagon said, he charges. Advertisement In 1973, the Nixon administration came this close to killing not only the PLATO project but the ARPANET as well, simply because people were using these networks to talk politicsa politics that the White House did not agree with. Even in the earliest days of online communities, the threat of online censorship was real and tangible. Nearly 50 years later, practically everyone in the world is communicating over computer networks, living the online life that PLATO users pioneered. Long before Apple and Microsoft were founded, decades before America Online and the web existed, the worldwide PLATO communitywhich remained larger than the entire ARPANET user community into the early 1980sthrived on a platform that most personal computer users would not begin to recognize until the 1990s, its users already hard at work trying to figure out how to take advantage this strange new public resource without breaking civilization in the process. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Climate change keeps challenging our understanding of, well, everything. Carolyn Merchant and Bill McKibben famously argued that our quaint ideas of nature are dead. But nature was only one of climate changes early victims. Other deceased include rationality and, in smaller terms, the way we use language. But theres one thing that climate change should kill: the act of God. This isnt a theological discussion; the term has actual legal meaning. Act of God provisions protect parties from being held responsible for unpredictable and unpreventable circumstances, usually extreme acts of weather like hurricanes, earthquakes, and lightning. They get written into insurance policies, business contracts, and foundational American environmental legislation like the Clean Water Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. Advertisement Broadly, two criteria qualify an event as an act of God: 1) No human agency could have stopped the event, and 2) no human agency could have exercised due care to prevent or avoid the events effects. In other words, acts of God must be unpredictable, and their damage must be unpreventable. On that basis alone, the act of God is nearly obsolete, or at least it should be. While specific weather events such as hurricanes or fires may seem to be acts of God, our growing knowledge of climate systems challenges any vision of weather divorced from human activity. Humans meddle with the climate, which meddles with weather, and the two cant be disentangled. Advertisement Advertisement But legislators havent yet caught on. Theyre stuck with a centuries-old precedent built on outdated understandings of nature. While no one person can be held legally responsible for causing a specific hurricane, its just wrong to say that weather events are uncaused or unpreventable by human activityaka human agency. We cant prevent all weather, but human action could have prevented the cataclysmic droughts, fires, and floods that lurk in the near future. The public now knows who triggers the growing spate of hurricanes, floods, and extinctions, and it is not God. Scientists have been warning the public about human-caused climate change for decades. In fact, the act of Gods obsolescence is just one symptom of a deeper disease. Our legal and intellectual frameworks have not kept pace with our understanding of the climate. Advertisement The act of Gods history illustrates how ill-prepared we are for the pivotal restructuring of thought necessary to understand climate change. The term first slipped into the British legal framework roughly 400 years ago, nearing the outset of the Industrial Revolution and, depending on whom you ask, the Anthropocene, the geologic era when humans became the globes dominant environmental agent. Advertisement Legal scholar Denis Binder has outlined the litigious history of the act of God. It does not, despite its name, have much to say about God. Even in the 1500s, the invocation of God in the act of God was a little loose. Rather, the act of God exists only to explain what the more common act of man cannot. Binder cites Lord Mansfield, one of the early shapers of British common law, who defined the act of God simply as something in opposition to the act of man rather than the will of the divine. Courts in the 16th through 18th centuries mostly referenced acts of God in connection to common carriers, the businessmen who shipped merchants goods. When common carrier ships caught fire, sunk in storms, or lost goods to unforeseeable circumstances, early courts had to decide whether the carrier should be held liable for the loss of property, or whether the loss of property resulted from an act of God. Advertisement Those early cases set precedents for the act of God in explicit opposition to the act of man. Acts of man, when injurious, demand consequences. Murder begets incarceration. Negligence begets fines. These are acts of men. But when human minds cannot trace an injury backward to negligence or cause, the legal system needs a scapegoat. It blames God. Advertisement In the 19th century, courts began applying act of God defenses to environmental negligence cases. Binder traces the early environmental negligence defense to the illustrative but hotly contested 19th-century case Nichols v. Marsland. The central problem of Nichols v. Marsland feels preternaturally modern: A private landowner dammed a stream to create a personal water feature. A strong storm surged. The dams failed, washing away four public bridges. Witnesses described the storm as worse than any in public memory, which informed the jurys decision that the storm constituted an unpredictable vis major, an act of God, releasing the landowner from liability (until the trial judge overturned the decision). Building on that unseemly origin, the act of God grew into a common defense against negligence or liability. Advertisement The United States inherited the act of God from the British tradition, adapting it into key environmental legislation. In American environmental law, the act of God protects companies from liability when their activities unavoidably pollute or degrade the land. Companies that spill oil off American coasts, for instance, can avoid the cost of cleanup by successfully proving the spill resulted from an act of God. Getting rid of the distinction wouldnt necessarily change who is held responsible for disastersat least in court. Its already almost impossible for companies to shed their liability using an act of God defense. As professor Laurencia Fasoyiro has argued, to successfully invoke the act of God defense one must show that: the act of God was unanticipated; the act of God was a grave natural disaster of an exceptional, inevitable, and irresistible character; the act of God was the sole cause of the disaster; and the violation resulting from the act of God could not have been prevented by exercise of due care or foresight. Even before modern understandings of climate systems, that was a near-insurmountable burden of proof. In fact, Clifford J. Villa, a former Environmental Protection Agency attorney turned legal scholar, surveyed the history of American environmental law and found that the number of reported [legal] cases where the act of God defense had prevailed against environmental liability, under all statutes and all federal circuits, was exactly zero. Villas article Is the Act of God Dead? reveals that companies do not regularly escape liability from ecological disasters via the act of God. Advertisement Purging the act of God would begin dismantling a legal system that often obstructs, rather than facilitates, climate justice. Despite the act of Gods poor record in court, Villa persuasively argues that the provision plays a key function in the environmental liability landscapein corporate and state agency decision-making. To Villa, the act of God ensures that agencies like the EPA focus their limited resources pursuing the worst environmental actors. He asks his readers to imagine heading the EPA after a massive earthquake: Between two industrial facilities that appear as likely sources of oil spills, if one facility has a sterling maintenance record and the other has a notorious history of maintenance failures, which facility would you be more likely to pursue? The act of God defense pushes the EPAs gazeand scarce resourcesto the worse company, an argument that assumes that the EPA is depleted in both manpower and funding. Likewise, Villa argues that companies will pre-emptively limit their liability prior to disasters, knowing that the act of God defense only applies if the defendant proves due care. In Villas telling, the act of God provides a viable and valuable incentive for the exercise of due care in order to save lives and protect property and the environment from the foreseeable impacts of natural disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But companies and legislators do not understand what due care looks like in the age of climate change. Villas approach overlooks the extent to which our knowledge about the climate renders the act of God an obsolete, even dangerous instrument. No, we cannot blame specific partieseven the companies most responsible for climate changefor isolated acts of weather. But we cant say that the weather was uncaused, unpreventable, or unpredictable either. The fossil fuel industry is not just responsible for the pollution after the storm; the industry bears some responsibility for the severity of the storm, too. The legal system should not preserve laws that protect polluters from the disastrous, macroscopic consequences of their actions. Purging the act of God would begin dismantling a legal system that often obstructs, rather than facilitates, climate justice. Just as the Great Depression fueled a new set of financial regulations, the climate crisis demands an overhaul of environmental legislation. Yes, current climate activists are making headway with lawsuits against the federal government. But lawsuits only work within existing legal frameworks. They navigate the unequal distributions of power written into law, while legal precedents dictate the response to unprecedented crises. For instance, the New York state case against Exxon Mobil presents climate justice as a power play between the already rich. The states case accuses Exxon Mobil of defrauding shareholders, with the implication that Exxon Mobil can knowingly poison the planet while lying to the public, but the real crimethe one most prosecutable by the governmentis misleading investors. The public needs more legal tools to attribute blame and responsibility within the complex systems of climate change. Nixing the act of God, even if its rarely used at this point, is a small but pertinent place to start. Advertisement Advertisement The act of God relies on a view of nature separate from humanity. For an act of God defense to make sense, nature must be a closed system uninfluenced by human activity. But climate science challenges the closed-system model. Human activity may not determine specific weather events, but humans have certainly increased the frequency and intensity of weather patterns. The act of Gods artificial distinction between human and nature does not hold. The danger becomes clear when we look at the act of God in the public imagination. As a rhetorical maneuver, it nearly always runs cover for the powerful and the culpable. Consider Taylor Energy, the oil company responsible for an oil spill that has been active in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Ivan in 2004. As Darryl Fears of the Washington Post reports, it threatens to become the largest American oil spill ever. It would take that mantle from BPs Deepwater Horizon disaster, which drew far more media attention than this ongoing catastrophe. Taylor Energy argued in a 2016 Q&A that the oil spill should legally be considered an act of God, given that the spill resulted from a hurricane. That flimsy defense came from company president William Pecue, then Taylor Energys last remaining employee. Advertisement Advertisement Pecue drew ire and ridicule from across the country, but his defense of Taylor Energy perfectly captures the hollowness and hypocrisy of the act of God. As long as it remains a legal definition, those most liable for our global catastrophe can reach for it as a crude defense. To be clear, the act of God is just one of many legal concepts that need updating because of climate change. As Brad Allenby and Daniel Sarewitz have argued in Slate, the essence of the Anthropocene is not really about humanitys planetary-scale impact, but about the beginnings of a radical destabilization of the core human ideas and institutions that made this impact possible. The act of God is one such idea. Dealing with climate change will require more than just changing human behavior. We need to rewrite our laws and rethink our relationship to the Earth as well. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Today marks the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump tweeting that his Nuclear Button is much bigger & more powerful than Kim Jong-uns. That was in response to the North Korean leader warning in his 2018 New Years address that the United States should be aware that the nuclear button is on my office desk all the time. Its almost hard to remember now that the prospect of nuclear conflict between the United States and North Korea seemed very real and imminent a year ago. At the dawning of this new year, were in a much different place. In his 2019 New Years address, Kim affirmed that he is ready to meet the US president again anytime, to which Trump responded, I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, maybe things havent changed so much. A New York Times headline today suggests that Trump and Kim are back at square 1. After all, despite the historic meeting in June between the two leaders in Singapore, North Korea has not dismantled its nuclear program. In fact, analysts believe it is still building weapons and expanding facilities related to the program. Negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have been intermittent and tense, with few signs of any potential for a breakthrough on either the nuclear issue or on North Koreas main aim: a peace treaty formally ending the 195053 Korean War. Kims speech this year wasnt all sunshine. It also included the threat, which Trump seems to have decided to gloss over, that if the U.S. continues to unilaterally enforce something upon us and persists in imposing sanctions and pressure against our Republic, we may be compelled to find a new way for defending the sovereignty of the country and the supreme interests of the state and for achieving peace and stability of the Korean peninsula. He didnt elaborate on what this new way might be, but its consistent with North Koreas long history of vague and empty threats of violence. Advertisement Advertisement By any normal criteria, including his own during his first year in office, Trumps outreach to North Korea has been a failure. Kims weapons are still a threat to his neighbors anddepending on the questionable reliability of his long-range missilespossibly the United States as well. And the U.S. has far less leverage over him than it did a year ago. While U.S. and international sanctions remain in place, pressure on other countries to implement them has dropped off dramatically. Enforcement of sanctions from North Koreas key trading partners, China and Russia, reportedly is particularly lax. Trumps remarkable feat, intentional or not, has been in getting the U.S. public to accept North Korea as a de facto nuclear power. But in multiple ways, tensions have eased over the past year. Despite the wariness of U.S. officials, South Korea and North Korea have taken major steps toward normalizing relations, including pulling troops back from the Demilitarized Zone and reconnecting road and rail links. (While Trumps treatment of South Korea has often been dismissive, bordering on abusive, Trumps desire for a victory has given President Moon Jae-in space to pursue this rapprochement that he might not have had amid a more conventional administration in Washington.) And Kim has stood by his pledge not to test any more long-range missiles or bombs. The last major test was in November 2017. This has, at the very least, kept North Koreas nukes out of the headlines and reduced the number of flashpoint incidents that could escalate to an all-out conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Trump often argues that hes the only one who could have reached this deal with Kim. And in a way, hes right, though it has little to do with his negotiating skill. Its hard to imagine a President Hillary Clinton or a President Jeb Bush selling the public and Congress on a deal that allows Kim to keep his nuclear arsenal and loosens sanctions enforcement in exchange for nothing more than halting the provocative missile tests and a few symbolic gestures. No other president would have declared victory after such meaningless concessions from Kim. No other president would have met with Kim in the first place. But on the other hand, its unlikely that any other president would have had any better luck in inducing Kim to give up his weapons without launching a war that could have killed millions. (A President Lindsey Graham would have been just fine with the latter scenario, Bob Woodwards reporting suggests.) Advertisement Nuclear weapons technology is older than color television, and at this point, any country that really wants nukes and is willing to endure the resulting sanctions and international opprobrium probably can develop them. North Korea wants the status that countries like Israel, Pakistan, and India have attained, possessing arsenals that are in violation of international norms but generally treated as facts of life that no one can do much about. Trumps remarkable feat, intentional or not, has been in getting the U.S. public to accept North Korea as a de facto nuclear power. Advertisement For most of this past year, it seemed like this con would be unsustainable. Sooner or later, Trump would become so frustrated with the lack of progress toward denuclearization that the name-calling and threats would begin again, so the argument goes. But this may underestimate Trumps ability to gaslight his supporters, his refusal to concede defeat, and everyone elses disinterest in upsetting a relatively stable status quo. Advertisement Trumps North Korea diplomacy was always less about North Korea than his domestic audience. As my colleague Will Saletan astutely noted shortly after the Singapore meeting, the deal was a con, and youre the mark. He simply declared the North Korea nuclear crisis to be over and then continued to act as if that was the case, repeatedly praising Kim for his friendship and dismissing the lack of progress on the nuclear issue as minor snags that would be worked out in time. His critics may grumble about him taking credit for a nuclear breakthrough that never happened, but Trumps sales job was helped by the months of fire and fury and big button tweets. The current state of affairs is hardly ideal, but no one really wants to go back to how things were before Singapore. On the 12th day of the partial government shutdown, stopgap measures meant to keep federal agencies running, employees paid, and countless government operations holding on through the holidays are starting to run out. On Wednesday, the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, free attractions popular among tourists visiting D.C., closed to the public. (In Washington, as BuzzFeed reporter Zoe Tillman pointed out on Twitter, the Marriage Bureau at the D.C. Superior Court, funded by federal appropriations, is also closed, meaning no one can get a marriage license in the district.) Advertisement Elsewhere in the country, the effects of the shutdown on recreation will likely extend beyond the shutdown. In national parks, where employees have closed facilities but not barred entry, the accumulation of human waste around now-abandoned toilets and on paths has created a health hazard that has driven some residents living near the parks to volunteer their time cleaning bathrooms and collecting garbage, according to the Washington Post. Yosemite National Park has closed off two campgrounds and a popular redwood grove for public safety, as visitors have been using the side of the road to relieve themselves, the Los Angeles Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Facilities arent the only problem for some people looking to take a holiday vacation. Some essential personnel canceled trips to be able to hold things together during the shutdown. And for thousands of other federal employees, finances became a sudden concern. There are an estimated 800,000 workers feeling the impact of the shutdown, according to ABC News. About 420,000 of those workers are working under the promise of being paid retroactively, but the remaining have been furloughed. Advertisement Those affected work for nine federal departments and dozens of other, smaller agencies that had to close. While most of the military remains funded, the Coast Guard, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, is not. The Coast Guard announced on Friday it could provide emergency payments on Monday to its 42,000 active-duty service members for work in December, but it could not guarantee a paycheck in January. And the shutdown doesnt just worry federal employees. The Interior Departments Indian Affairs bureau provides funding for federal employees to assist with basic services, including health clinics, food pantries, law enforcement, road maintenance, and education. With the shutdown, tribes are losing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars per day. The New York Times reported that on the Navajo Nation, unplowed roads have trapped people in their homes and left them unable to make the trip to buy water, groceries, or medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Less troubling on the individual level but still of concern in the long term are the regulatory efforts that could become hampered by the shutdown. The Federal Trade Commission ran out of funding on Friday, meaning all of its investigations not related to mergers will be suspended. Thats of note because it includes the FTCs monthslong investigation of Facebook and the Cambridge Analytica data scandal. As former FTC officials told the Post, the delays could place the FTC in a weaker position as it faces off against Facebook. Lawmakers are already criticizing the FTC for moving too slowly in its investigation. Next to go is the Federal Communications Commission, which is set to end most of its operations on Thursday. It will no longer be able to operate licensing services for broadcast companies, enforce consumer-protection measures, test and approve new devices, and respond to consumer complaints. More than 80 percent of its workers will be furloughed. Given that President Trump said on Wednesday that the shutdown will last as long as it takes, Americans should prepare for things to get worse. Listen to Sagarika Ghose: Get More of The Good Fight Slate Plus members get extended, ad-free versions of our podcastsand much more. Sign up today. Join Slate Plus Subscribe to The Good Fight Copy this link and add it in your podcast app. copy link copied! For detailed instructions, see our Slate Plus podcasts page. In this episode of the Good Fight, Yascha Mounk talks to Sagarika Ghose, author of Why I Am a Liberal, about the populist threat to liberal democracy in India, the prospects of defeating Narendra Modi, and why liberalism has relevance beyond the West. Email: thegoodfight@newamerica.org Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk This podcast was made in collaboration with New America. Podcast production by John T. Williams. For understandable reasons, namely the recriminatory and seemingly never-ending bitterness that some supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have toward each other regarding the 2016 Democratic primary, there is a running joke/observation online about how the 2020 primary, which is expected to involve many more candidates and which has basically already begun with Elizabeth Warrens announcement that shes forming a presidential exploratory committee, is going to be hell on earth that will make us all want to gouge out our own eyes and then pour hot bleach into the raw, bleeding sockets. Advertisement This is a fair observation in the context of the flame war between certain highly online Democrats and their more radical socialist-leaning counterparts over exTexas Rep. Beto ORourke and Vermont Sen. Sanders, two potential 2020 candidates. In nearly unseating Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, ORourke demonstrated a kind of optimistic charisma that has built buzz among well-connected Dems who see him as a potential Obama-style candidate. The buzz provoked a (respectful!) critique of his cautious policy positions by leftist writer Elizabeth Bruenig in the Washington Post, which then blew up into accusations that Sanders 2016 supporters are cultishly trying to kill the candidacy of anyone who could challenge him in 2020, which has broadened into a fight over whether Obama was a good president. Its a sensitive subject among liberals/leftists/Democrats/Social Democrats, obviously, and it gets people worked up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But! Theres a lot about 2020 that any liberal/leftist/Democrat/Social Democrat should feel good about, or at least very interested in. Warrens exploratory committee announcement video presages a candidacy that will promote concrete and aggressive plans to control corporate misbehavior and promote fair economic competitionone that will give primary voters an alternative not just to the more limited technocratic approaches of your Obamas and Clintons but also to the more overtly socialist responses to rigged economic conditions advocated by Sanders. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker (whos been widely presumed to have been planning a run for president since, like, he was born) has proposed a system of universal, federally funded savings accounts that my colleague Jordan Weissmann has described as the closest any presidential contender has come to endorsing a reparations-style plan for closing the racial wealth gap. Bookers proposal will likely be among several that put a crucial question at the forefront of voters minds: whether efforts to mitigate economic inequality should explicitly address race. Advertisement A number of potential candidates have already signed on to the concept of a Green New Deal, a climate changeoriented idea that is vague and expansive at present and whose details/costs/benefits will by necessity be litigated in a competitive primary. The same can also be said of Medicare for all, another concept that voters like but whose exact meaning in a general election and/or legislative context still needs to be worked out. And prospective candidates including Booker, California Sen. Kamala Harris, and Warren have released what are effectively opening-bid plans to start a conversation about the national shortage of affordable housing. Advertisement As my colleague Joshua Keating has written, Sanders and Warren are pushing for a human rightsoriented reconsideration of Democratic foreign policy that could potentially upset the decadeslong D.C. consensus that has made the U.S. complicit in atrocities like the Saudi-created famine in Yemen. Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, another prospective candidate, has also been effective in using political theater tactics to keep the issue of Yemen in the public eye (which, incidentally, is something hes also done well on the subject of gun violence). Advertisement In sum, the various crises of our plutocratic, corrupt, dumb, and bad era have already inspired potential Democratic nominees to tie themselves to a number of really ambitious, substantive ideas across a range of issues. Even the less positive and less constructive storylines that will play out in the primarylike the harsh attacks that front-runner Joe Biden is going to take for his history of support for bank deregulation and mass incarceration policies, or the lingering controversy over New York senator and potential candidate Kirsten Gillibrands role in Al Frankens resignationpoint to how deeply liberal politicians believe that their voters are interested in a more aggressive Democratic Party paradigm. For Gods sake, the guy whos currently being stereotyped as the 2020 establishment/centrist shill candidate, ORourke, made his name during his Senate campaign by not accepting corporate PAC contributions and defending Colin Kaepernick (in Texas)! Advertisement Advertisement Will there be assholes online getting in circular arguments and making inappropriate personal attacks on the integrity and intelligence of anyone who supports the wrong candidate(s)? Of course! There always will be assholes. Always, always, always. If theres one thing I know, its that there are always going to be some big assholes in the mix. But we dont have to let online wankers define the discourse around what is shaping up as the most ideologically significant Democratic primary in at least a generation. All we need to do is pay attention to what the candidates themselves are talking about and remember that social media apps come with a mute button. Its officially 2019, which means its time to talk about 2020or more specifically, who could win the Democratic nomination and the right to take on Donald Trump in the general election. Several dozen Democrats have already emerged as potential challengers, with Elizabeth Warren getting a head start on everyone else by announcing her candidacy on New Years Eve. And while not all of the other rumored candidates will jump into the race, the party is preparing for the likelihood of so many contenders that they wont all fit on the debate stage at once. Advertisement Although it is way too early to predict who will prevail in what is shaping up to be a long and messy primary, its not too early to consider which of the could-be candidates would enter the race with the wind at their backs. Early buzz doesnt guarantee electoral success, but it certainly helps. Consider: All but one of the major-party nominees in the past quarter-century were polling inside the Top 5 at this point in their nominating cycles, according to a CNN analysis of post-midterm polling averages. The sole exception is Donald Trump, though that was because politicos and pundits were slow to take him seriously given his previous PR stunts; he found significant support once pollsters belatedly began to include him in their list of options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will a random Democrat emerge from nowhere like Trump did? Perhaps! Could some other Democrat go from the polling gutter in 2018 to front-runner status in 2019? Possibly! But lets start the conversation by looking at those men and women who have expressed serious interest in running for president and have earned a significant amount of support in national polling to datewhich Im defining as having polled at 3 percent or higher in multiple major post-midterm surveys, a cutoff that corresponds, roughly, with the typical margin of error in most polls. That admittedly unscientific criteria produces seven White House hopefuls who enter the new year with a head start on what could become a historically crowded primary field. Joe Biden Strengths: Before his two terms as vice president, Biden spent 36 years in the Senate, including stints as chairman of the Foreign Relations and Judiciary committees. He has a working-class brand that can appeal to the Rust Belt and has plenty of Obama nostalgia to appeal to the Democratic base. Polling this far out tells us far more about a politicians national name recognition than anything else, but its still better to be on top than at the bottom, and the former veep has led most major polls taken in the past year. With support in the mid-20s to low-30s, Biden wouldnt be the prohibitive favorite that Hillary Clinton was when she entered in the mid-60s almost four years ago, but hed still begin the race as the clear front-runner. Advertisement Advertisement Liabilities: Biden has never been the strongest campaigner: His first White House run ended in a plagiarism scandal and his second included a tone-deaf description of the man who would become the nations first black president as articulate and bright and clean. Even Biden admits hes a gaffe machine. Hell also have to contend with his opposition to school integration in the 1970s, his vote for the 1994 crime bill, and his mishandling of the Anita Hill hearings. Even his Obama cred would have its limits with the left, given where the party has moved in the past two years. He would have to answer for his old bosss use of drones, failure to close Guantanamo Bay, and decision not to prosecute big banks and other bad actors in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. And it remains an open question how hell be received by his partys rank and file, many of whom are clamoring for a candidate who, unlike Biden, passes progressive litmus tests on Medicare for all and a minimum wage increase and who has the lived experience of anyone but an old white dude. Bernie Sanders Strengths: The senator from Vermonttechnically an independenthas arguably had a bigger impact on the Democratic Party the past two years than anyone else, pulling it left on a host of policy issues, including Medicare for all and the minimum wage. And remarkably, his favorability rating has held relatively steadyand well above waterduring that time, no small feat for someone whose name the right uses as shorthand for Big Government. He hasnt stood pat, either, recently showing renewed interest in taking the lead on climate change, an issue that got short shrift during the 2016 primary but that looks to become a fault line in 2020. He wont be the only unapologetic progressive running this time around, but his bona fides wont be in doubt. He easily won last years Democracy for America straw poll, a sign that a significant slice of the grassroots left remains in his corner. Advertisement Advertisement Liabilities: Sanders is still beloved by his base, but hes not exactly picking up where he left off in 2016, when he came far closer to winning the nomination than even he thought possible. He finished the primary season polling in the mid-40s, but hes spent most of the past year in the high teens, a worrisome development for a candidate who has remained in the spotlight. 2020 will come with new problems: He wont be able to count on the support of anybody-but-Clinton types who might not have agreed with him on policy but felt they had no other credible choice last time. And hell have plenty of competition from the progressive wing of the party, many of whom offer the same policy promises in new packaging. See also: old white dude. Elizabeth Warren Strengths: The Massachusetts senator was the lefts first choice to challenge Clinton last time around, and she remains one of the partys biggest stars. Like Sanders, shes an economic populist; unlike Sanders, shes a proud member of the Democratic Party, making her far more palatable to the establishment that pushed Clinton to the nomination. Warren can also make a compelling case for why its time for a female president, a message she began delivering more forcefully after Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed: I watched powerful men helping a powerful man make it to an even more powerful position. The former Harvard Law School professor has also been working hard to expand her policy portfolio, including a recent well-received speech on foreign policy, a topic on which she seems eager to distinguish herself from Sanders. Advertisement Advertisement Liabilities: Warrens lost at least a little bit of her luster since the left did its best to draft her into the race two years ago. Sanders rise has come, at least partially, at her expense. Shes failed to crack double digits in any major poll this year, a troubling sign for someone with her profile. She was baited into releasing a DNA test to prove her Native American ancestry, which didnt do her any favors. And like Biden and Sanders, shed be in her 70s by the time Election Day rolls around, a potential turnoff for those in the party calling for generational change. Beto ORourke Strengths: No one has more momentum heading into 2019 than ORourke, who proved a magnet for money, celebrity endorsements, and fawning magazine profiles during his ultimately unsuccessful challenge to Sen. Ted Cruz in Texas in the midterms. At 46, Beto is young but not too young. As a three-term congressman, he has experience in Washington but not enough to be branded a swamp creature. Hes charismatic online and IRL, and his rejection of labels allows some voters to see in him whatever they want, be it a moderate congressman whos willing to reach across the aisle or a fiery progressive uninterested in playing it safe at the expense of saying what needs to be said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liabilities: A backbencher with no marque legislative achievements to his name, he hasby farthe least impressive professional resume of any of the most-buzzed-about candidates. He says he doesnt know if hes a progressive, a self-assessment the left is starting to agree with. Already, could-be presidential hopeful Beto is being put under the microscope in ways that Senate candidate Beto was not, with the left taking issue with what was a rather centrist voting record in the U.S. House. His lack of policy specificsincluding his intentionally vague support of universal health carewas an asset against Cruz in 2018, but it might not fly in 2020 when his Democratic rivals are offering specifics. Kamala Harris Strengths: The first-term California senator has fared surprisingly well in early polls given shes a relative newcomer to the national stageshe tends to run even with, and occasionally ahead of, Warren, for instance. As a woman of colorshes the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mothershe offers the kind of lived experience that helped Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley become breakout stars of the midterms. Shes been a leader on immigration, a staunch defender of Planned Parenthood, and a frequent critic of the criminal justice system, and she talks frankly about race and immigration in both the past and the present tense. (We are a nation of immigrants. Unless you are Native American or your people were kidnapped and placed on a slave ship, your people are immigrants.) And as a former state attorney general, shes particularly well-equipped to hit Trump on everything from corruption to the Constitution. She also could get a boost in her delegate-rich backyard now that California has moved up its Democratic primary to early March. Advertisement Advertisement Liabilities: Her roots as a prosecutor could make things difficult for her in a party that has grown increasingly critical of the criminal justice system, and civil rights advocates and other progressive activists have already complained that she was too cautious and/or too calculating while a district attorney in San Francisco and, later, state attorney general. As AG, she refused to prosecute or even seriously investigate Steve Mnuchins former company, OneWest, for potentially illegal foreclosures, something the left has never forgiven her for. And while being a woman of color may help her stand out in a crowded field without many, shell nonetheless be running against racist and misogynistic headwinds that are sadly still present in this country. Cory Booker Strengths: The New Jersey senator likes to talk about things like civic grace and courageous empathy. His inclusive brand of politics may remind voters of Obama and will definitely mark a stark contrast to Trump. He can deliver a strong stump speech and has a knack for social media. And liberals will find a lot to love in his policy platform, which includes support for marijuana legalization, criminal justice reform, a federal jobs guarantee, and Medicare for all. While Booker isnt yet attracting the same national attention as the big names on the list, Democratic activists appear ready to give him a long look, offering him a potential launching pad in places like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Liabilities: Bookers earnestness and soaring rhetoric will rub some people the wrong way, as will his efforts to grab the spotlighttwo qualities on full display in his I am Spartacus moment during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings. Hes also a friend of Wall Street and high finance, which he made clear back in 2012 when he defended Mitt Romneys work at Bain Capital and urged Democrats to stop attacking private equity. More recently, he voted against Sanders-sponsored legislation that would have created a reserve fund to allow Americans to buy cheap prescription drugs from Canada, a vote that he drew considerable heat for from the left. Amy Klobuchar Strengths: The Minnesota senator squeaks onto this listshe hasnt exceeded 3 percent in any major national poll to datebut she saw her national profile grow considerably last year. Previously, her name was more likely to be found on lists of potential VP picks, but now shes seen by some, including Rachel Maddow, as better suited for the top of the ticket. Klobuchar won her third term in November by 24 points in a state that Trump lost by just one point in 2016, allowing her to tout an ability to win back the kind of Midwestern swing voters who proved crucial to Trumps victory last time around. She bills herself as a mild-mannered pragmatist willing to reach across the aisle, which could help her stand out in a field full of fiery progressives and combative #resistance types. And she doesnt shy away from confrontation despite the Midwestern Nice vibe, as she demonstrated with her I have no drinking problem, judge clash with Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing. Liabilities: The flip side of being a pragmatist is that you can look like youre playing small ball while everyone else is swinging for the fences. Minnesota Republicans deride her as the senator of small things for her focus on things like banning lead in toys and improving swimming pool safety. But perhaps her biggest vulnerability is on big-ticket issues like health care, where she has stopped short of backing Medicare for all, which her critics on the left see as evidence that shes not willing to think big on the issues that matter most. Those are just seven of the Democrats who could mount a credible primary campaign this year and next. Plenty more are eager to try. Despite their low polling numbers now, youre going to hear more about Kirsten Gillibrand and Sherrod Brown and Julian Castro (who recently launched his exploratory committee). A national newcomer like Andrew Gillum or Stacey Abrams could make a splash should they decide to get in. Democrats with a lower national profile but without a recent electoral loss on their record could also attract the spotlight, be it Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti or Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. And there are those who could bankroll their own campaigns to consider: former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, environmental activist Tom Steyer, and former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, among them. The only thing that would truly be a surprise in 2019 is if there were no surprises. But the seven on this short list can reasonably expect one thing, should they decide to run: Their early popularity will provide an initial platform to make their case directly to the Democratic base. The other could-be candidates wont necessarily have that luxury. Their immediate concern, then, wont be how their pitch will be received but whether enough primary voters will even be able to hear it over the competing noise. Jerry Falwell Jr. endorsed Donald Trump early, before the 2016 Iowa caucus, and in the years since, hes become one of the presidents most ardent evangelical defenders. The Liberty University president blamed a Republican establishment conspiracy for the leak of the Access Hollywood tapes and appeared on CNN to assure viewers that Trump was a changed man. He later praised the presidents response to the racist rally in Charlottesville, said Trump wouldnt need to apologize publicly for any extramarital affairs, and defended family separation at the border as tough love. In photographs with the president, Falwell often strikes Trumps signature thumbs-up pose. Advertisement For a Falwell valentine to Trump to make news in 2019, in other words, it has to be something big. And on New Years Day, the Washington Post ran an interview with Falwell that delivered. Falwell speculated that it may be immoral for other evangelical leaders to not support Trump. He said the midterm elections somehow proved the American people are happy with the direction the country is headed. And he also offered one of the tidiest articulations of the contortions that evangelical Trump supporters have had to make in order to stand by their man: Advertisement Advertisement Theres two kingdoms. Theres the earthly kingdom and the heavenly kingdom. In the heavenly kingdom the responsibility is to treat others as youd like to be treated. In the earthly kingdom, the responsibility is to choose leaders who will do whats best for your country. Think about it. Why have Americans been able to do more to help people in need around the world than any other country in history? Its because of free enterprise, freedom, ingenuity, entrepreneurism and wealth. A poor person never gave anyone a job. A poor person never gave anybody charity, not of any real volume. Its just common sense to me. Advertisement Falwells dismissal of the poor was quickly pilloried by critics, some of whom observed that Jesus pointedly praised the small offering of a poor widow in contrast to the donations of the rich. Others noted that low-income communities have massive collective purchasing power and thatuntil recently, anywayit was their spending that drove the American economy. Like most of Trumps evangelical supporters, Falwell has never tried to claim that Trump is a good person. But its helpful to see his argument for why that doesnt matter. The idea of dividing Gods sovereignty into two kingdoms comes from the 16th-century reformer Martin Luther, and it generally refers to a kind of separation between church and state: the idea that spiritual righteousness and civil righteousness are two different things, as economist Lyman Stone put it last year in a helpful essay titled Two Kingdom Theology in the Trump Era. In more extreme versions, however, the doctrine is used to dismiss the prospect that individual morality is relevant to the ruling of the state. As Falwell put it, Jesus never told Caesar how to run Rome. And its a distortion, he said, to imagine that the country as a whole should love its neighbors and help the poor just because Jesus told individuals to do so. Some interpreters have used the doctrines renewed popularity as evidence that Luther paved the way for Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Tyler Huckabee, an editor at Relevant magazine, pointed out that Falwells willingness to cleave the personal and the political puts him at odds with his own institution. Liberty University, founded by Falwells televangelist father, has a mission statement that promotes a commitment to the Christian life, one of personal integrity, sensitivity to the needs of others, social responsibility and active communication of the Christian faith. Thats boilerplate evangelical language, and it implies a kind of natural blending of the spiritual and the political that is hard to square with Falwells breezy dismissal of the importance of morality in the public square. At one point, reporter Joe Heim asked Falwell whether there is anything Trump could do that would endanger his support from Falwell and other evangelical leaders. He answered, simply, No. His explanation was a textbook piece of circular reasoning: Trump wants whats best for the country, therefore anything he does is good for the country. Theres something almost sad about seeing this kind of idolatry articulated so clearly. In a kind of backhanded insult to his supporters, Trump himself once said that he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody without losing his base. Its rare to see a prominent supporter essentially admit that this was true. In Slates annual Movie Club, film critic Dana Stevens emails with fellow criticsthis year, K. Austin Collins, Amy Nicholson, and Bilge Ebiriabout the year in cinema. Read the first entry here. Dear friends, Have you ever felt like a maniac? Because thats how I felt just now as I Googled How to use an Italian pressthe only kind of coffee press my grandmother ownsin order to make coffee at 9:30 p.m. to power through watching more movies. (Just watched: Miami Vice for the umpteenth time, The Devil Is a Woman for the first timewowza.) Im about to ship myself back to New York, where Ill be stuck watching films on a much humbler TV than my grandmothers. Im not exactly stressed out about that, however, becauseconfession timeI love watching films at home. I vastly prefer it. Dont worry, I still went to see Roma in a theater. More on that in a second. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im a critic with access to screenings, but like everyone else, I still see films in theaters on my own dime (and for a while there, thanks to MoviePass), in part because I think seeing movies with everyone else, and not holding myself aloft from the culture of moviegoing, is part of the job. And, yeah, because Im a geek. Like other cinephiles in cities and towns with active arthouse theaters, campus screenings, or vibrant local film festivals, Im a fiend for a great print, particularly of a film that isnt readily available to stream online, but even for films that are. I jumped at the chance to see a personal print of Michael Manns Heat in Brooklyn a couple of summers ago. Why? I own Heat on Blu-ray and iTunes and watch it all the time (twice in 2018 alone!). But I went to see it because of the people. I wanted to feed off of the energy of the other hundred-odd Mann stans who, like me, could have seen Heat anytime, anywhere, but chose to be right there, shoulder to shoulder. I wanted what defenders of the theatrical presentation keep calling the collective experience, which is real, and its chemical, and its very human. Advertisement Advertisement A great sound system helps, too, and a craftsman like Michael Mann no doubt has this in mind. Alfonso Cuaron is another such craftsman. So why dont I care if people saw Roma in a theater? Again, at the risk of sounding like a maniac, Ive had to give my own ambivalence on this subject a lot of thought. An immediately obvious reason is the cynical one: Netflix barely gives its first respected Oscar ploy a proper theatrical release, and is mostly concerned with appearing serious to the right awards voters. It isnt out of concern for the filmmakers. It isnt out of some commitment to getting the best possible version of the film in front of the most people; if it was, wed eventually have a chance to buy Roma on Blu-ray, which is certifiably superior to even the best streaming experience. Netflix is throwing us all a bone, unabashedly supplying targeted markets with expensively overhauled sound systems for the voters, critics, and others who matterwhich excludes most people. Advertisement What sometimes gets under my skin regarding You must see Roma in a theater discourse is that it reveals a grave lack of confidence in the films power beyond its medium. It feels completely ahistoricalin part because it seems to treat the culture of movies like its strictly a culture of movie-going, great screens and sound systems and perfectly rapt attention. As if we dont all know better! As if private home viewing, television edits with bad aspect ratios and too many commercial breaks, low-res torrents, VHSes, bootlegs, loud coughers, crying babies, candy unwrappers, and boredom arent all equally fundamental to the history of how weve all, always, been watching movies. Advertisement I first saw 2001: A Space Odyssey on VHS. I saw it again, a decade later, after torrenting a copy on my computer; and again, several times, on a good television, via both iTunes and Blu-ray. By the time I saw it on 70mm, with my eardrums practically bleeding, it was my 10th time seeing it. Ive seen it with my phone out in my hand; Ive seen it with a drunk stoner providing unwelcome live commentary throughout; Ive seen it in a theater that was near-religious in its silence. The films utter greatness was apparent every single time: If anything, each method clarified something new about the film. I could watch the movie on mute on a crowded train, and thatd still be true. Advertisement What I hear the Roma discourse saying is that Cuarons film benefits from seeing it in ideal conditions. So does every movie, probably. But weve never, as a society, watched films in what we now consider to be perfect conditions. And yet the greatness of great films has somehow still persisted. And movies, overall, have survived because of this, not despite it. I think back to movie-watching scenes in Fellini movies, with people getting up in their seats near-constantly, or arriving late, leaving early, hooking up, throwing popcorn. These are the experiences that Fellini reconstructs in his films with love and devotion. They are what made him fall in love with movieseven as they were not the ideal conditions for watching those movies. Advertisement Advertisement Or what about my own childhood, seeing movies in predominantly black and lower-middle-class (read: talkative, participatory, even rowdy) audiences? In case it wasnt clear: I do believe theres a class discussion to be had here, less in the way weve been having it online (i.e., arguing that demanding people see Roma in theaters is inherently classist) than by pointing out that the ideal theatrical experience is, itself, a class fantasy, and that were wrongly touting it as an aesthetic necessity. Its not bad or evil, and neither are the people who support it. But its certainly socially and historically specific, and critics should really think about that. Movies are better off not being sanctified. And theaters should not be treated like museums of the singular, ideal, increasingly boutique moviegoing experience. Earlier this year, Dianne Wiest took to Madison Square Park to perform Beckettdressed as a rock. Classical music proliferates in subway stations as much as in concert halls. These are high art forms that have learned to thrive far beyond their aesthetically ideal settings. Why are we so protective of movies, of all things? I want movies to live at large, mucked up and passed around via whatever new technologies we can come up with to watch them, just as mobile and lightweight and available to us as books and music continue to be. I say this as someone who brought a CD case full of Blu-rays with me for the holiday, which is a funny mix of being mobile and, insofar as Im beholden to physical media, old-fashioned. The last 10 years have shown us that something so aesthetically monolithic as a Hollywood epic can be seen on something so small as a phoneor even made on one! I want us to see the value in that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even ifheres the kickerI dont entirely see the value in Roma itself. Frequently beautiful, incredibly accomplished, very sincere, but I felt like Cuaron re-created Mexico in the 70s so fully that even his childhood understanding of his maids personal life got reproduced thereinresulting in a characterization thats bookish and juvenile, rather than alert and alive. Can it hold up under any viewing conditions? As someone who frequently pulls out his phone to revisit Sandra Bullock getting catapulted into space in Cuarons previous film, Gravitya see this in a theater film if ever there were oneI cant say I am especially anxious. Outside the theater you will miss out on the finer aspects of Romas sound design, undoubtedly. You will miss out on the sense of scale. But scale and lush sound are not all that Romas handsome design communicatesand if they are, the films got bigger issues, to my mind, than how you watch it. Advertisement Im wary of dismissing Romawhich, to Danas question, is a lesson Ive learned from asking too many friends what they thought of Barry Jenkins If Beale Street Could Talk and hearing them say what Ive been saying about Roma: It left me cold. Thats a tough reaction for me to make sense of, honestly, regarding a film that cuts to the heart, not only of James Baldwins wonderful novel and the social and historical anxieties it so beautifully details, but of American melodrama. On the other hand: The finest melodramas are not always critically appreciated in their day. This is a lesson Ive learned from the work of Douglas Sirk. And Beale Street starts the way Sirks films often didwith a slow, gorgeous swoop through trees toward a tactile, colorful social world, abetted by a rapturous swell of music. This movie is, in every way I can think of, as much a technical accomplishment as Roma, if not more. How do I get more people to give it a look? How about this for an opening line: You should see it in a theater. Kameron Read the previous entry. Read the next entry. Netflix is facing criticism after the streaming giant blocked an episode of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj at the demands of the Saudi Arabian government. The episode criticizes Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman, urged the U.S. to reconsider its longstanding support of the country, and called out Saudi Arabia for the death of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Netflix removed the episode from its service in Saudi Arabia last week after receiving a takedown request from the Saudi governments Communications and Information Technology Commission. Advertisement The request cited Saudi Arabias anti-cybercrime laws, which prohibit the production, preparation, transmission or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals and privacy on the internet. In a statement to NPR, a Netflix spokesperson said, We strongly support artistic freedom and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal requestand to comply with local law. Advertisement Advertisement The episode is still available on the streaming service outside of Saudi Arabia, and according to the Financial Times, the episode can be viewed in Saudi Arabia on Patriot Acts YouTube channel. Just a few months ago, Mohammed bin Salman, MBS, was hailed as the reformer the Arab world needed, says Minhaj in the episode, but the revelations about Khashoggis killing have shattered that image. It blows my mind that it took the killing of a Washington Post journalist for everyone to understand hes not a reformera fact that Minhaj added was of no surprise to every Muslim person he knows. Now would be a good time to reassess our relationship with Saudi Arabia. And I mean that as a Muslim, and as an American, Minhaj says. Still, many companies including Snap, Uber, and Lyft have accepted major investments from Saudi Arabia. Netflix plans to release its first original Arabic-language production, Jinn, later this year. In Slates annual Movie Club, film critic Dana Stevens emails with fellow criticsthis year, K. Austin Collins, Amy Nicholson, and Bilge Ebiriabout the year in cinema. Read the first entry here. Greetings, my dudes Inspired by Kams confession that hed happily watch 2001 reflected off a spoon, Ill admit that I like to drive four neighborhoods across L.A. to a sticky, sloped-floor movie theater with cheap hotdogs and low standards. No one cares if I swing my legs over the next row (Im, like, a total monster), and no one depends on the film itself to do all the entertaining. Behold: the collective experience. Theres an agreement to fill in the gaps with extra laughs, groans, gasps, and conversations, both with the characters onscreen, and sometimes on the phone with whoever. Once, a woman offered to fistfight when I asked her to hang up during the silent opening of Wall*E. For Thursday midnight clunkers that dont screen for critics, its as ideal a setting as a Fabuloso-scented isolation tank is for Roma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since I do a couple of film review shows on Friday morning radio, I spend many Thursday nights watching forgettable films to scare people into seeing somethinganythingelse. Im, like, a total martyr. As good as everyone claims horror films were in 2018, there was still a lot of that dark-room-creepy-doll-jump-scare crap, the movies that are more about hammering your nervous system than engaging your brain. Anyone else lured into seeing Winchester by the false promise of goth Helen Mirren? Or Slenderman, which was basically just a montage of GIFs occasionally interrupted by a goofy Jack Skellington linguini creature? Two films dont make a trend, but Im curious where else sensory-deprivation horror can go after see-no-evil Bird Box, in which Sandra Bullock does battle wearing a blindfold, and hear-no-evil A Quiet Place, whose smart hook got drowned out by narrative quibbles. Why did John Krasinskis character get progressively dopier until he became the kind of clueless dad most often seen in commercials asking his wife how to use a mop? I get that Krasinski worships his wife, Emily Bluntwho wouldnt?!but as much as I dug her silent birth scene, I couldnt get past the dorky monsters who just looked like something a stoner doodled in geometry. Advertisement Advertisement Let me admit my bias: I am not scared of ghosts, demons, dolls, zombies, or CG creatures with six rungs of teeth. I am scared of people. (Im, like, a total misanthrope.) Give me a crazed lunatic over any supernatural creation. To me, Suspiria would be more terrifying if the ballerina coven merely wished they were witches. Tilda Swintons violent sacrifices would get a twist of futility. All those lovely young limbs snapped for nothing (which is also how Suspiria haterz think of the film). Lately, I grit my teeth whenever a film shifts from mortal to mystical. Hereditary had a terrific, human-grounded first half, and when debut writer-director Ari Aster smacked us with that plot turn, I nearly stood up to applaud his brazenness. But the movie spun into silliness when Toni Collette climbed on the ceiling. I havent forgiven the script for veering toward the bizarre-banal, but Ill see every film Aster goes on to make. Advertisement So yes, I admired that David Gordon Greens Halloween had the guts to delete nine interim sequels and make Michael Myers human again. Or at least, human for now, depending on what excuse Blumhouse cooks up to resurrect him again. By erasing Halloween 2, Green and co-writer Danny McBride scrapped four decades of dynastic intrigue about Michael hunting his sister, Jamie Lee Curtis Laurie Strode, to return to John Carpenters original vision of Michael Myers as a random, relentless serial killer. Advertisement Carpenter was scared of humans, too. Researching my eight-episode podcast miniseries Halloween Unmasked, I learned that he was scarred by growing up in the South during the civil rights era. His high school friends would shoot guns at black families porches, yet still thought of themselves as the heroes. Carpenter began to think that leafy, superficially lovely suburbs were as nightmarish as any creepy old castle, and he built Haddonfield, IllinoisMyers hometownon that dread. When your neighbors wear white masks, no one is safe. Advertisement David Gordon Greens childhood, however, was on the vanguard of modern trauma. In the early 90s, Green was a sophomore in suburban Texas when his classmate shot himself at school. Back then, the death was so shocking it inspired the Pearl Jam music video Jeremy. Today, theres a crisis of unstable young boys who shouldnt get near a weapon. Theres even a bitter quip in Greens Halloween about how a couple of people getting killed with a knife is not that big of a deal, by modern standards. When I asked Green why his sequel quadrupled the originals body count, he said we live in a post-Columbine world. Even Michael Myers has to try harder to make headlines. Advertisement Advertisement Greens Halloween was a great, big, buttery tub of popcorn. I had a blast. But hes serious about sticking up for communities who endure both the initial bloodshed and the medias morbid interest. On the press circuit, Jamie Lee Curtis touted Laurie Strode as a #MeToo survivor. Trueyet I was also touched by Greens empathy for Haddonfields teen boys. Slashers get so fixated on final girls that the guys are basically walking boners. But Green made his young men flawed, sensitive individuals who break as many gender norms as do his warrior women. One dude happily wears a dress and high heels to the high school danceand once Greens past the comedy beat, the guy becomes an even more irresistible date. Say yes to the dressit just might save your life. Advertisement This Columbine talk has us dangerously poised to dive into Natalie Portmans school-shooting-survivor-turned-popstar flick, Vox Lux. But first, Bilge, we both tangled with Assassination Nation, a gonzo and, to me, dissatisfying thriller about four girls who become feminist vigilantes when their gossipy town goes violently insane. You felt it captures a certain anxiety that is very much of the moment. As we head into whats likely to be a tumultuous 2019, are you in the mood for more films that poke the bear, or would you rather have a soothing balm like First Mana film you liked way way more than I did, which zipped past the political chaos of the 60s to remind us that even when the country felt like it was falling apart, Americans could still be united by a big dream? Stabbingly yours, A Read the previous entry. Read the next entry. Historically, Americans have been, by actual measurement, the most optimistic people on earth. This I attribute to the fact that every American, with the exceptions being those whose ancestors were here when Christopher Columbus arrived and those whose ancestors were brought here against their will in chains, is either herself an immigrant or the direct lineal descendant of immigrants. To be an immigrant -- to leave friends, family and familiar surroundings to strike out across the seas to live in a foreign place among people you have never before seen, to learn a language you may have never even heard -- is an act of enormous courage. But to be an American immigrant is also a statement of profound optimism that here, in this miraculous place, we are free to seek to make our lives and the lives of those who follow us better and brighter. Thinking about powerlessness is also important for understanding the backlash against immigration. There is good reason to be horrified at the xenophobia and racism underlying Trump's cruel policies toward immigrants and refugees. Opposing what Trump is doing is a moral imperative. But there is nothing new (or necessarily indecent) about citizens saying that nations have a right to control their borders and to decide what levels of immigration they want to accept at any given time. In truth, almost all of Trump's critics believe this, and proposals for immigration reform that have advanced in Congress have always provided for border security and set limits of some kind on immigration flows. The challenge for the left and for all advocates of humane immigration policies is to move the debate from angry abstractions about "open borders" and toward a practical engagement with basic questions: What level of immigration is optimal at this moment for the nation as a whole? What will it take to reach a consensus for creating a path toward citizenship for immigrants who are here illegally? And how do we build a stronger civic culture that acknowledges the rights but also the duties of the native born and immigrants alike? For a variety of reasons I prefer to defend patriotism rather than nationalism. But words aside, friends of liberal democracy need to accept that worrying about the decay of national sovereignty does not automatically make someone a reactionary. And they should insist at the same time that American patriotism and the defense of constitutional democracy are one and the same. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sioux City Maryjo E. Drury, 65, of Sioux City, died unexpectedly Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at a Sioux City hospital. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com. Maryjo, the daughter of Charles J. and Mona J. (Zeihm) Drury, was born on March 8, 1953, in Omaha. At an early age, Maryjo's family moved to Sioux City when her dad got stationed here. She graduated from Heelan High School. Following high school, she attended courses at Western Iowa Tech Community College to become a dental assistant. Maryjo made her home in Sioux City and worked in the dental offices of Dr. Malone and later Dr. Knopik until her retirement. Maryjo was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and active in a sewing guild. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, reading, and driving family and friends to their appointments. "We are excited to kick off 2019 with a visit from Senator Warren. As Iowans, we have the privilege to speak with presidential candidates as a first step in determining our nation's future. Whomever wins the caucus, the eventual nomination and presidency, it started in Iowa," Dumkrieger said. The Storm Lake event will be held at 12:45 p.m. Saturday at Our Place Community Center, 110 East Third St. Warren is a populist fighter and favorite target of Trump. The Democratic field could include nearly two dozen candidates. Warren is the most prominent Democrat so far to make moves toward candidacy, although others such as U.S. Rep. John Delaney of Maryland, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell of California and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro held events in Siouxland in 2018. Delaney, who has already announced his candidacy, has stopped in the state more than 20 times, including several trips to Sioux City. Swalwell is a native of Sac City, Iowa. Others looking to run include first-tier contenders such as U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Kamala Harris of California, and Cory Booker of New Jersey. Copyright 2018 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 1 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 LE MARS, Iowa -- A Sioux City woman has pleaded not guilty to charges connected to a December bank robbery in Le Mars. Karen Merrick, 35, entered her written pleas Dec. 26 in Plymouth County District Court to single counts of second-degree robbery, first-degree theft, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit felony theft, accessory after the fact and eluding or attempting to elude law enforcement. A trial date has not been set. Merrick is charged with aiding and abetting Phillip White in the Dec. 12 robbery of Iowa State Bank, 301 Plymouth St. NW. Witnesses reported seeing a man enter the bank and then leaving it and getting into a U-Haul van driven by a woman. Merrick is charged with driving the van and leading law enforcement officers on a pursuit out of Le Mars and onto county roads before officers were able to flatten the van's tires and bring it to a stop. White, 32, of Sioux City, is accused of robbing the bank and faces charges of second-degree robbery, first-degree theft, conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit felony theft. He has not yet entered a plea. Police said that all money stolen from the bank was recovered from the van. The amount taken was not disclosed. Copyright 2018 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- A woman out on bond while awaiting sentencing for helping steal a vehicle was arrested Tuesday and charged with stealing an SUV. Jessica Ott, 30, was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on a charge of first-degree theft. A complaint filed in the case said that Ott is a transient living in Sioux City. A complaint filed in a separate case listed a Blencoe, Iowa, address. According to court documents, Ott took a 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan between 9:30 a.m. and 11:55 a.m. Tuesday from the parking lot of Hy-Vee, 3301 Gordon Drive. Police stopped her in the vehicle in the 600 block of Floyd Boulevard. Ott is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 25 in Woodbury County District Court after pleading guilty last month to second-degree theft for the Oct. 3 theft of car keys from a lockbox in the Mercy Medical Center emergency room. She and an accomplice used the keys to steal a car from the valet parking lot and were arrested later in South Sioux City inside the stolen vehicle. Ott bonded out of the Woodbury County Jail after her guilty plea, but prosecutors have filed for a bond revocation because Ott twice failed to show up for meetings with an Iowa Department of Corrections official who was to supervise her release. Copyright 2018 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 1 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. FORT DODGE, Iowa -- Authorities have identified a Siouxland man killed Monday in an officer-involved shooting in Webster County. Matthew Hurley, 45, of Wall Lake, Iowa, was found dead in his vehicle after exchanging gunfire with authorities responding to a call of a domestic disturbance just outside Fort Dodge. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation identified the officers involved in the shooting as Iowa State Patrol Sgt. Aaron Schmidt and Calhoun County Sheriff's Deputy Chase Goodman. A deputy responded to the domestic call shortly after 10 p.m. Monday and observed a vehicle matching the description of one given to dispatchers. The vehicle did not stop and led authorities on a pursuit that started outside Fort Dodge and ended near the intersection of Iowa Highway 175 and Oak Avenue in rural Webster County. The Webster County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that gun shots were fired from the vehicle during the pursuit, and officers returned fire. The vehicle drove out into a field and came to a stop. After securing the area, officers approached the vehicle and found Hurley dead inside. The incident remains under investigation pending an autopsy and toxicology and laboratory testing, the DCI said in a news release. Copyright 2018 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Also, China defreezes video game licensing, and Bill Gates nuclear energy venture is forced to abandon Chinas deal Gojek extends ride-hailing service covering entire Singapore starting from today [Press Release] In an official statement shared yesterday, Gojek has announced that it will extend its ride-hailing service covering the whole area of Singapore effective today, January 2, 2019. Users now can ride with Gojek anywhere in the country. Gojek said that the island-wide rollout is the continuation of the apps beta phase in partnership with DBS/POSB Bank customers, who were prioritised users of the app. Reported by The Strait Times, Gojek allows dynamic pricing on its apps just before new years eve, letting the price for its service increase or decrease based on demand for its ride-hailing services in the country. In Singapore, the moniker of the iconic green company has omitted its dash between the word Go and Jek, becomes known for Gojek. China finally stops the freeze on video game licensing [Bloomberg] Nearing the new years eve, China finally lifts the ban on video game licensing, approving 80 new video game titles for the first batch of granted licenses. The licenses were granted by the media regulator, putting a stop at the nine-month-long freeze. However, the list showed mostly local video-game publishers and doesnt include names of giants like Tencent Holdings Ltd. or Netease Inc. The approvals notice was posted by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television online. Also Read: Indonesian startup Helmad turns your two-wheeler helmet into a moving billboard The move by the country in 2018 to freeze approval process for new games significantly threw big names like Tencent off of its profit scoring. It is said to experience loss for about US$200 billion off its market value. Singapore prepares for cyber attacks with a bug bounty program [Tech Barrista] Singapores agency for public sector digital transformation, GovTech, and Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) have agreed to work alongside HackerOne in developing a second strategic bug bounty program. Story continues Bug Bounties offer experts in the field a chance at monetary rewards (the bounty) for reporting valid vulnerabilities to GovTech. This results in a wider testing field, so to speak, with the aim towards strengthening cyber defences. The bug bounty will be run over a period of three weeks from December 2018 to January 2019 with the goal of finding security flaws in five public-facing government systems and websites. The initiative is part of the governments movement towards building a secure and resilient Smart Nation. Bill Gates nuclear energy venture is forced to abandon Chinas deal [Reuters] TerraPower LLC, Bill Gates nuclear energy venture, is forced to look for a new partner for its early-stage technology trials. This happened after the new U.S. rules that keeps with a broader plan by the Trump administration to limit Chinas ability to access U.S-made technologies back in October. Initially, TerraPower reached an agreement with state-owned China National Nuclear Corp in 2017 to build an experimental nuclear reactor in south of Beijing. Not long after that, Gates published an essay late last week that TerraPower is unlikely to follow through on its plans because the company has found it too restrictive to allow the reactor prototype to be built domestically. Also Read: Mobile-focussed recruitment platform GrabJobs raises US$930K The trials of its technology is designed to use depleted uranium as fuel for nuclear reactors in a bid to improve safety and costs. The post Todays top tech news, January 2: Go-Jek to cover entire Singapore with ride-hailing service appeared first on e27. Japan's Emperor Akihito delivered his final New Year's address Wednesday before his abdication later this year, telling a record turnout of well-wishers that he was praying for peace. The Imperial Palace provisionally said some 154,800 people had flocked to the royal residence for a final chance to see the 85-year-old royal deliver his traditional annual greeting. It was the largest number of visitors to the palace for his New Year speech since he ascended to the throne in 1989. The emperor appeared seven times at the balcony -- up from five originally scheduled -- as he "strongly" wanted more people to attend after seeing the vast number of well-wishers still gathered outside the palace in the afternoon, a palace spokesman said. He will become the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around two centuries when he steps down from the throne on April 30, ending his three-decade reign. "Happy New Year. I'm sincerely glad to celebrate the new year together with you under the clear sky," he told the crowd, many waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai", meaning "long live". "I hope this year will be a good year for as many people as possible," the soft-spoken Akihito said in a dark suit, flanked by Empress Michiko and other family members. "I pray for the peace and happiness of the people of our country and the world," he added. Some in the morning crowd yelled "Thank you very much" as the emperor waved, while others sang the national anthem. One woman in the front row shed tears as she looked up at the balcony. "I came here with my mother to imprint his last appearance as emperor in our memories," said Yume Nishimura, a university student, as she waited in a long queue to enter the palace. "I want to tell him we appreciate his hard work for the country," she told AFP. Kazuo Iwasaki, a 68-year-old pensioner, said: "I hope he will be able to spend his post-retirement years in a healthy and relaxing manner with Empress Michiko." - Pacifist views - Akihito shocked the country in 2016 when he signalled his desire to take a back seat, citing his age and health problems. His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, is set to take the Chrysanthemum Throne a day after his father's abdication, continuing the rule of the world's oldest imperial family. The status of the emperor is sensitive in Japan given its 20th-century history of war waged in the name of Akihito's father Hirohito, who died in 1989. Akihito has keenly embraced the more modern role as a symbol of the state -- imposed after World War II ended. Previous emperors including his father had been treated as semi-divine. The palace, surrounded by stone walls and mossy moats, is opened to the public twice a year -- on the emperor's birthday and the second day of New Year -- for the royal family to greet well-wishers. In a rare emotional address to mark his 85th birthday last month, Akihito pointed to the "countless lives" lost in the war. "It gives me deep comfort that the Heisei Era (his reign) is coming to an end, free of war in Japan," he said in a press statement. Akihito has used his speeches and travels to express his strong pacifist views, which are sharply at odds with the aggressive expansionism Japan pursued under his father's rule. The emperor has also worked to bring the royal household closer to the people and frequently visited the disadvantaged and families hit by natural disasters. Taiwan's unification with the mainland is "inevitable", President Xi Jinping said Wednesday, warning against any efforts to promote the island's independence and saying China would not renounce the option of using military force to bring it into the fold. Xi's comments provoked a swift rebuke from Taipei, where President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan's people would never willingly give up the kind of democratic freedoms unseen on the mainland. China still sees democratic Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949. "China must and will be united... which is an inevitable requirement for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people in the new era," Xi said in a speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of a message sent to Taiwan in 1979, in which Beijing called for unification and an end to military confrontation. "We make no promise to give up the use of military force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means" against Taiwanese separatist activities and "outside forces" that interfere with reunification, he said. In his speech, Xi described unification under a "one country, two systems" approach that would "safeguard the interests and well-being of Taiwanese compatriots". Taiwan considers itself a sovereign state, with its own currency, political and judicial systems, but has never declared formal independence from the mainland. - 'Suspicion' - Relations have been strained since the 2016 election of President Tsai, who has refused to acknowledge Beijing's stance that the island is part of "one China". "Democratic values are cherished by the Taiwanese people, it's their way of life," Tsai told reporters in a press conference arranged in response to Xi's speech. She also accused Beijing of provocations that strained people's "emotional connection" to the mainland such as "buying off" Taiwan's few diplomatic allies and increased military drills near the island. Taiwan's foreign ministry released a terser response. "If the Chinese government cannot treat its own people kindly, cannot guarantee human rights and will not let its own people vote... then Taiwanese will look at China's intent with suspicion," it said. Though Xi's speech takes a strong stance against Taiwanese separatists and pushes for reunification, it is aimed mostly at domestic audiences, analysts say. "It's rather empty and doesn't have any new points except that cross-strait unification would not affect the interests of other countries," said Fan Shih-ping, political analyst at National Taiwan Normal University, adding that Xi's words may also be intended for the US. In 2018, the US sent multiple ships through the Taiwan Strait - which China considers its territory but the US and others see as international waters open to all -- infuriating Beijing. Washington remains Taipei's most powerful unofficial ally and its main arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. Xi's speech is likely to be "very poorly received," by the US, said Jean-Pierre Cabestan, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, who studies Chinese foreign policy. -'One country, two systems'- To accommodate differences in Taiwan's political system and civil society, China has proposed adopting the "one country, two systems" policy, which was implemented in Hong Kong after the British handed the city back to China in 1997. But some say the erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong sets a negative precedent for Taiwan. "They (China) are gobbling up Hong Kong, not just politically but culturally and economically too", Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmaker, told AFP. "It's so obvious that they're trying to assimilate Hong Kong into wider mainland China in every way. How would any Taiwanese think that's going to work for them?" Last October, tens of thousands of Taiwan independence campaigners took to the streets in the first large-scale protest calling for an outright independence vote since the island first became a democracy more than 20 years ago. But some in Taiwan say worsening relations with Beijing have harmed business, as cuts to pensions and a reduction in public holidays compound frustrations over a stagnant economy where salaries have not kept up with the rise in cost of living. Last year, President Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party suffered a massive defeat in mid-term polls, causing Tsai to resign as party leader, while the main opposition Kuomintang, which oversaw an unprecedented thaw with Beijing before Tsai took office in 2016, made gains. Somalia's government has ordered the UN top envoy to the troubled country to leave, accusing him of "deliberately interfering with the country's sovereignty." The order comes days after the official, Nicholas Haysom, raised concerns at the action of Somalia's UN-backed security services in recent violence that left several people dead. "The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Nicholas Haysom, is no longer welcome in Somalia and cannot operate in the country," the foreign ministry said in a statement late Tuesday. There was no immediate reaction from the UN mission in Somalia. Somalia's security forces used force to put down three days of demonstrations in the southwestern town of Baidoa on December 13-15, with at least 15 people killed and 300 people arrested, according to the UN. Protesters were angry at the arrest of Muktar Robow, a former Islamist leader who was vying for the post of regional presidency of South West State. Robow, who defected from the jihadist Al-Shabaab movement in 2017, was detained by the government accused of seeking to "undermine stability", and flown to the capital Mogadishu. Robow's run for office exposed the tensions between Somalia's federal states, which want greater autonomy from a national administration keen to safeguard its central powers. - Aid suspended - The UN mission in Somalia is tasked with supporting peace efforts and the strengthening of government institutions in the Horn of Africa nation, which was left ruined by decades of civil war. As part of that, the UN supports police officers and soldiers, including with stipend salary payments, logistics, uniforms and training. Haysom wrote to the Somali government on December 30, requesting details of the legal basis of the arrest of Robow, as well as calling for investigations into the deaths in the protests following his detention. The envoy's letter said UN support to security fores must comply with the strict rules of its human rights police, and urged the government to ensure "appropriate action is taken to hold any perpetrators, including commanding officers, accountable." The UN had reviewed a recent video recording of the police commissioner in South West State, in which the commander warned of shooting in the bottom anyone who protested without permission, Haysom said. Haysom's letter also attached an annexed note from the European Union, Britain and Germany in which they announced the suspension of their aid to South West State. The trio called for a meeting with security officials to discuss, among other issues, "how to improve police conduct and respect for human rights." The UN mission in Somalia faces frequent attacks. On Tuesday, three people were wounded including two UN staff members when gunmen fired a barrage of mortars into the main UN base in Mogadishu. The Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate fighting to overthrow the internationally backed government, claimed responsibility for the attack. Haysom, a South African lawyer and experienced diplomat who was previously the UN special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, was appointed to the post in Somalia in September 2018. One of the top priorities in the Singapore governments new year list: mend the rocky relationship with Malaysia. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, as well as Minister of Finance (and possibly the next prime minister) Heng Swee Keat, went all the way to Putrajaya, Malaysia on new years eve just to convey a message to Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Plans are now set for the foreign ministers as well as transport ministers from each country to meet soon to settle the brewing conflict over territorial spaces. Malaysias Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and Singapores Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan will meet in Singapore on Jan 8. The dispute Singapore and Malaysia have locked horns over the past month and all over the issues of territorial waters and airspace. In December last year, Malaysias Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that the country wants to reclaim its delegated airspace taking issue about Seletar Airports landing procedures that could require planes to fly over Pasir Gudang in southern Johor. Malaysia has protested the flight paths, calling it a violation of Malaysias sovereignty and an intrusion of Malaysias sovereign airspace. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia has even established a permanent Restricted Area over Pasir Gudang, claiming it was for the purpose of military activities. Then theres the matter of territorial waters. Last month, Singapore protested strongly against Malaysia expanding its Johor Bahru port limits, which has seen Malaysian vessels intruding into Singapores territorial waters off Tuas. Malaysia disagreed that the altered Johor Port Limits infringed on Singapores territorial waters off Tuas, emphasizing that its government vessels were simply patrolling its own territorial waters. Calmly and constructively In his New Year message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hopes that Singaporeans can work together to keep relations with Malaysia stable and live in peace and friendship with neighbors. Despite some bumps over the High-Speed Rail project and the price of Johor water, PM Lee expressed his governments commitment to maintain a constructive relationship with Malaysias new government. Story continues We will deal with all these matters calmly and constructively. Singapore and Malaysia must manage specific problems, however difficult, while preserving the overall relationship, he said. The way to do so is through equality and mutual respect, upholding international commitments and the rule of law. Older Singaporeans will remember that this is how we dealt with previous rough patches in bilateral relations. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This article, Singapore and Malaysia ministers to meet this month to settle maritime and airspace territorial quarrel, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. For more Coconuts stories, you can download our app, sign up for our newsletters, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Qatar Airways takes 5 per cent stake in China Southern Airlines in sign that Beijing is encouraging more foreign investment Qatar Airways has grabbed a stake in Chinas biggest airline, in a sign that Beijing is encouraging more foreign investment while shaking up state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The Doha-based carrier announced on Wednesday it had acquired certain A and H shares in China Southern Airlines for an undisclosed sum on December 28 last year, giving it a 5 per cent stake in the Guangzhou-based company and cementing its interests in the second biggest aviation market in the world. In recent years, Qatar Airways has built up significant stakes in foreign carriers. The Gulf carrier, fully owned by the Qatari government, already has a 9.99 per cent stake in Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific Airways and in a number of others including a 20 per cent stake in British Airways parent International Airlines Group, 10 per cent in South American carrier Latam and 49 per cent of Air Italy. This is another product of the central governments support for SOE mixed ownership. Chinese carriers want airline partners that will offer more than cash and code-shares, said Hong Kong-based aviation analyst Will Horton. What Chinese airlines want is to learn from experience and have airline contacts they can call on for help from the mundane to the big-level thinking. China Southern is growing its hub, carrying passengers from Europe and the United States to Australia via Guangzhou and attempting to act as a key stopover for international flights into mainland China. The airline is plotting major expansion, thanks to extra capacity built in Guangzhou and after it moves to its new home in Beijing when Daxing Airport opens later in the year. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said the acquisition pointed to seeking closer cooperation and a longer-term relationship beyond the stake transaction. There are opportunities for us to work together and build a long-term relationship in ways that would bring benefits to customers of both airlines, Al Baker said, noting Chinas domestic travel market was important to have a foothold in. Story continues China Southerns parent company, an SOE, is ultimately overseen by Beijings State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. In 2017, American Airlines, the worlds biggest carrier, paid US$200 million (HK$1.5 billion) to take a 2.76 per cent stake in China Southern. The share purchase in China Southern could have potential implications for the shaping of airline alliances. Qatar Airways is a dissatisfied member of the Oneworld alliance and the Guangzhou carrier is seen as the next member of this group. Qatar Airways, along with other airline interests, could exert more influence should China Southern join as a member. This article Qatar Airways takes 5 per cent stake in China Southern Airlines in sign that Beijing is encouraging more foreign investment first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. Lawyers for South Korean victims of Tokyo's wartime forced labour have sought the seizure of a Japanese steelmaker's assets, they said Wednesday. The two neighbours are both democracies, market economies and US allies, but their relationship is heavily coloured by historical and territorial issues, largely stemming from Tokyo's brutal 1910-45 colonial rule over the Korean peninsula. According to official Seoul data, around 780,000 Koreans were conscripted into forced labour by Japan during the 35-year occupation, not including the women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese troops. After a 21-year legal battle, four South Korean plaintiffs -- only one of whom is still alive -- won a ruling from the country's Supreme Court in October that Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal (NSSM) should pay each of them 100 million won ($89,000). They said they were forced to work at its steel mills between 1941 and 1943. The ruling drew the ire of Tokyo, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe describing the decision as "impossible". Japan says all historical compensation issues were settled under the 1965 treaty that re-established diplomatic relations and included a reparations package of about $800 million in grants and cheap loans. NSSM had failed to comply with the ruling, the victims' lawyers said in a statement to AFP, so they sought a court order Monday for the seizure of its shares in PNR, a joint venture with South Korean steelmaker Posco. The Japanese steelmaker had displayed an "inhumane attitude and indifference" to the court order, the lawyers said, adding the victims had been seeking justice "for more than 70 years". NSSM is estimated to own 2.34 million shares in Pohang-based PNR, worth 11 billion won, according to Yonhap news agency. The conditions for a possible visit to Iraq by Pope Francis have not yet been met, the Vatican number two said on Wednesday, citing concerns about the possibility of a terrorist attack targeting the pontiff. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, told the Catholic TV channel TV2000 that "the problem of terrorism has not been resolved". Parolin spoke about the security situation after visiting the troubled country, saying a papal trip to Iraq imposed a "minimum of conditions" that "are not currently met". Discussing terrorism, he said the Iraqi authorities confirmed that "the roots of this phenomenon are still present". Iraq has been a battleground for competing forces, including the jihadist Islamic State group, since the US-led ouster of President Saddam Hussein in 2003. Francis, 81, has made boosting ties between Christianity and Islam a cornerstone of his papacy. He will visit Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates in February and Morocco in March. Parolin told Vatican News on Friday that the pontiff wants to visit Iraq: "It would certainly be a great encouragement to Iraqis in the difficulties they still have to face." The pope has already visited several Muslim countries, including Turkey in 2014, Azerbaijan in 2016 and Egypt in 2017. Pope Francis moved quickly after his election in 2013 to make overtures to Jews and Muslims, inviting two old friends from Buenos Aires -- a rabbi and a Muslim professor -- on a trip to the Middle East where he condemned religious hatred. Australia's decision to strip a suspected Islamic State fighter of citizenship was thrown into doubt Wednesday, after it emerged he was not a dual citizen as once believed. Neil Prakash is accused of being a member of the jihadist group, and was named late last month as the 12th Australian dual-national to lose their passport over terrorism links. But authorities in Fiji told local media that Prakash was not in fact a Fijian as Australian authorities believed, prompting questions about the legality of the Australian government's move. Australian law allows citizenship to be revoked only if that person is a dual citizen. Prakash -- a suspected senior recruiter for IS who has been linked to terror plots to kill Australians -- is currently facing charges in Turkey of joining the organisation. Fiji's Immigration Department director, Nemani Vuniwaqa told the Fiji Sun that "Neil Prakash has not been or is a Fijian citizen. He was born in Australia and has acquired Australian Citizenship since birth." He is thought to be eligible for Fijian citizenship through his parents, but "he has not entered the country nor applied for citizenship," Vuniwaqa was quoted as saying. The revelation was embarrassing for Australian home affairs minister Peter Dutton, who was accused of incompetence by the opposition Labor Party. "At a minimum he needs to fulfil the basic responsibilities of his job and talk to the Fijian Government to get the facts, something he should have done before chasing headlines," the Labor Party said in a statement. Dutton indicated that the decision to revoke Prakash's citizenship still stood and was taken in consultation with "several government departments" "The Government has been in close contact with the Government of Fiji since Mr Prakash was determined to have lost his citizenship," Dutton said. "Australia will continue our close cooperation with Fiji on this issue and the many other areas of mutual interest," he said in a statement. But the decision now appears certain to face further legal scrutiny, with debate centring on whether eligibility to hold another passport is enough to revoke Australian citizenship. Australia is also a party to a decades-old UN convention on stateless persons. By Alison Bevege SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's attempt to strip citizenship from an alleged recruiter for Islamic State has been thrown into doubt after Fiji reportedly said he was not one of its citizens. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said on Saturday that the country was much safer after the government revoked Neil Prakash's Australian citizenship. Canberra believes Prakash -- who is wanted over an alleged plot to behead a Melbourne police officer -- is a dual national as his father was Fijian. A person with such dual status can be stripped of their Australian citizenship if they engage in terrorism-related conduct, and Islamic State was declared a terrorist organisation in 2016 for this purpose. The government cannot revoke single Australian citizenship as that would leave a person stateless. However, Fiji's Immigration Department director Nemani Vuniwaqa said Prakash was not one of its citizens, the Fiji Sun newspaper reported on Tuesday. "Neil Prakash has not been or is a Fijian citizen. He was born in Australia and has acquired Australian citizenship since birth," he was quoted as saying. "The Department has searched the Immigration system and confirms that he has not entered the country nor applied for citizenship since birth."If Prakash does not hold dual status, the way could potentially be opened for a legal challenge against the Australian government as he may be legally entitled to retain his citizenship. The Home Affairs Department on Tuesday was unable to officially confirm whether or not Prakash was a Fijian citizen. "A person may only lose their Australian citizenship under the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 if they are a national or citizen of a country other than Australia," a departmental spokesperson said via email."Australia is committed to upholding our international legal obligations, including our obligation not to render a person stateless." Prakash has been in Turkey on trial for charges relating to being a member of Islamic State since being caught there in October 2016 after leaving Islamic State-controlled territory. Canberra is seeking his extradition pending the outcome of his trial and any jail term he serves in Turkey. If later convicted in Australia, he would also serve time there. (Reporting by Alison Bevege; Editing by Kim Coghill) The Singapore Motorshow is back for the fifth year in a row at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center from January 10 to 13, 2019. Beyond showcasing the latest cars and technologies, Singapores largest annual motoring event will entertain visitors with a variety of activities and be a fun-filled family experience. The Singapore Motorshow 2019 will showcase 31 automotive brands displaying more than 100 cars, and it will be held across Levels 3 and 4 of the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center. It is presented by the Motor Traders Association of Singapore (MTA) in partnership with Mediacorp. Visitors can look forward to offerings from new participants like Alpine, Ducati, and Jeep, as well as other familiar participants from past Motorshows. In addition, there will be exhibitors showcasing automotive accessories, lifestyle products and services for attendees to experience. Singapore Motorshow In our fifth consecutive year, we are glad we still continue to attract new partners and brands on board. With more than 25 brands launching new models this year, there will be a lot more to see and experience for all who attend. To add to the excitement, we are giving out a Subaru Impreza 2.0 i-S five-door as the grand prize for the lucky draw. As with all editions of the Motorshow, visitors can expect new products, great activities and even better giveaways, said Glenn Tan, president of MTA. Irene Lim, Mediacorp chief customer officer said, We are proud to partner with Motor Traders Association of Singapore (MTA) in presenting the Singapore Motorshow 2019 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. In January 2019, car enthusiasts will be in for a treat and literally spoilt for choice as they get to preview 31 automotive brands, new model launches and stunt performances. Therell be a Mediacorp booth where the public can meet their favorite Mediacorp artistes and deejays. It will be a fun-filled outing for the entire family. Story continues Singapore Motorshow Sponsored by Subaru, three-time Guinness World Record holder and British precision driver, Russ Swift, will also be back by popular demand to showcase his driving skills. Visitors will be entertained throughout the 45-minute shows, which take place at least four times a day; except for the final day of the Motorshow, which will only have three shows. Tickets are free-of-charge and will be given out on a first come, first served basis. The Singapore Motorshow 2019 is presented by the Motor Traders Association of Singapore (MTA), in partnership with Mediacorp and in collaboration with official sponsors AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd (Official Insurer), HL Bank (Official Bank) and Shell (Official Automotive Lubricants & Fuel). The Singapore Motorshow 2019 is also supported by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). For more information on the Singapore Motorshow 2019, visit www.motorshow.com.sg. The post 2019 Singapore Motorshow Promises An Automotive Extravaganza appeared first on Carmudi Philippines. SINGAPORE (Dec 31): Rayner Loi was taken aback when the mother of a boy he was mentoring teared up while thanking him for taking her son to dinner. Loi then realised the boy would have gone to bed hungry otherwise. She told me how much it meant to her and her son because on most days, she couldnt afford to put dinner on the table, says Loi. I walked away from that feeling a great sense of injustice because around that time, I had also read about Singapores food waste situation. I also found out, through my own research, that one in 10 people about 10% suffer from food insecurity [in Singapore]. Loi was inspired to start a business to tackle the problem. His initial idea was to purchase leftover food from restaurants at the end of the day to redistribute to the needy. But he had to change his concept after encountering tremendous difficulty in getting the business off the ground. When I spoke to restaurants, I realised they werent really interested. They saw it as too much of a hassle and it just didnt make sense for them It was very, very challenging, Loi rues. Now 24, Loi is the CEO and co-founder of Good For Food, a start-up that aims to help commercial kitchens reduce food cost and waste through big data analytics. His encounter with the boy is particularly poignant when viewed against the backdrop of the lifestyle of the ultra-rich depicted in Crazy Rich Asians, the 2018 hit movie set in Singapore. It is this gaping inequality between the haves and have-nots that has been at the centre of a raging conversation in Singapore this past year. And it will likely continue to be so in 2019 and beyond. Falling through the cracks The wave was set in motion at the start of 2018 when associate professor Teo You Yenn, head of sociology at Nanyang Technological University, launched her bestselling book, This Is What Inequality Looks Like. After speaking to more than 200 people from low-income families, Teo wrote about the day-to-day challenges that were holding them and their children back. Story continues The book came soon after the release of the results of a nationwide survey by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) in partnership with the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), which asked some 3,000 Singapore citizens and permanent residents about the nature of their social ties. Released at the end of December 2017, the survey found that social class boundaries tended to be more salient than gender, racial and religious boundaries in Singapore. Researchers behind the survey said more effort could be made to encourage Singaporeans from different school backgrounds and housing types to mix. Many Singaporeans care about the problems of poverty and inequality, have aspirations toward greater equality and are interested in knowing more about how to think about these issues, Teo is quoted as saying in an interview. All of us have a stake in thinking about and discussing what we want to see in our society. Instead of seeing the poor in Singapore as merely people who have fallen through the cracks, Teo urged a careful consideration of how policies that have benefited others could be systemically working against this group. And her advice reached the ears of the politicians. During the first parliamentary sessions of 2018, both the IPS survey and Teos book on inequality were cited several times as members debated the governments spending plans for the financial year. Proceedings included an impassioned speech by then-Nominated Member of Parliament Kuik Shiao-Yin, who urged her fellow MPs to take action. Inequality is a deeply emotional issue for young Singaporeans. I dare say its one of the biggest issues they care about. Now is the time to really go talk to the next generation of Singapore taxpayers before 2021 hits, and listen to what matters to them, Kuik said in her budget speech on Feb 28. The gravity of the national conversation on social inequality was not lost on Singapores political leaders. In his speech during the debate on the Presidents address on May 16, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the city state must ensure there are no rigid class distinctions or barriers that keep good people down and outlined government efforts to support social mobility and meritocracy, such as keeping the education system open. Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung weighed in, pointing out that Singapores belief in meritocracy and public policies such as home ownership and universal access to good general education have led to greater social mobility than in other developed nations. Ong noted that 14% of young Singaporeans whose parents were in the lowest income quintile while they were growing up have managed to move up to the top quintile. This compares well against the 7.5% in the US, 9% in the UK and 11.7% in Denmark. Low- and middle-income families continue to experience real income growth and social mobility, Ong said in parliament on May 15. The social inequality debate reignited in October with Regardless of Class, a documentary on Channel NewsAsia hosted by Senior Minister of State Dr Janil Puthucheary. The piece featured struggling families, security guards who are abused by condo residents and a discussion among students from various academic streams who with painful honesty talked about how they perceived each other. In the same month, ambassador-at-large professor Tommy Koh advocated a minimum wage policy in Singapore at IPS 30th anniversary conference. I think the current income disruption of Singapore is a moral disgrace, he said. Mr Lee Kuan Yew envisaged an income distribution which resembles an olive Today, our income distribution resembles a pear. Koh reiterated his stance at a roundtable in November, which included Temasek Holdings chairman and former labour chief and cabinet minister Lim Boon Heng, and National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general Zainal Sapari. Singapore is too unequal. Im embarrassed by being ranked by the UN as the second-most unequal society. Lets try to make Singapore a more equal society, said Koh at the event. My dream is, I want a Singapore that is prosperous, just and equitable. I want a Singapore in which every working man and woman can live in dignity. Inequality debate to rage on Going into 2019, conversations on social inequality are expected to continue as, ironically, more people become better off. Singapore has passed the phase where most people feel they are doing better than before, and living the Singapore Dream, says associate professor Tan Ern Ser, a sociologist at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He adds such concerns were unlikely to have been so high on the national agenda in earlier decades. The late 1970s and early 1980s was sort of a golden age for Singapore, Tan says. [It was] a time when people felt that they were doing better than before and better than their parents, and meritocracy was therefore working well, and inequality didnt matter much. Tan believes that some of the social inequality issues that could emerge over 2019 include the continual disruption of the economy, wage stagnation, job loss and reemployment of seniors. And, with the general election widely expected to be called in 2019, he expects some of these issues to become hot-button topics. To help alleviate the challenges of social mobility, Tan says youth in Singapore must be given the opportunities and resources to overcome what they lack in terms of economic, social and cultural capital. This will prevent the entrenchment of poverty and low income, and facilitate [the] upward mobility of young Singaporeans, regardless of social background, he adds. Most importantly, we need to have a vibrant economy with sufficient jobs that pay decent wages. Generally, inequality evokes strong emotions. For the media, income inequality is an attention-grabbing headline, says associate professor Nitin Pangarkar, NUS Business School. Since it is an issue that evokes strong emotions, it will continue to be in focus. Media spotlight will make it an even bigger issue. Still, Pangarkar says the key concern for policymakers should not be whether Singapore devolves into a nation with a class divide. The most important things to look at, he explains, are whether there is equal opportunity and mobility across classes. According to data provided by the Singapore government, there is a good deal of mobility across classes, Pangarkar says. In Singapore, regardless of class, people have access to universal basics such as education, healthcare, housing, et cetera. That is a much better situation than in many other countries. On the other hand, Pangarsar notes that level of inequality tends to be higher in cities. It is also an entrepreneurship-driven economy, where there are spectacular successes and catastrophic failures, leading to inequality, he says. You cannot do much about this other than building a safety net such as unemployment insurance, a social security type of scheme, et cetera. If you do more, it will blunt entrepreneurship. In my view, all that the government should do is to facilitate equal opportunity and provide a safety net, Pangasar adds. Most countries implementing aggressive policies to equalise income have suffered from poor overall economic performance. Some, such as Sweden, are already rethinking these policies. Sumit Agarwal, a Low Tuck Kwong Distinguished Professor at NUS Business School, agrees. He points out that Singapore already has value-added taxes and redistributive policies such as tax benefits for marginalised sub-groups including single mothers and the elderly. And while Agarwal agrees with the idea of a minimum wage to create a safety net and help low-income workers from falling below the poverty line, he warns of the displacement effect this might have for smaller businesses. He suggests studying the impact that Singapores Progressive Wage Model has had on both workers and businesses in the cleaning, security and landscape sectors to see if it can be replicated in all other industries. I dont think anybody has looked at the data and what is happening in terms of profitability for businesses, and what its doing for the workers, he says. While Agarwal acknowledges that there are inequality issues, he suggests that part of the unhappiness driving the conversations on the ground might be due to a perception problem. The most important part, he says, is looking at the anxiety levels of people in terms of cost of living, instead of the actual cost of living itself. To illustrate, Agarwal says an average Singaporean who lives in an HDB apartment in the heartlands could be shocked at how high prices have risen when he goes for dinner in town. But when he looks around the restaurant, he thinks to himself: Other people can afford this, which means its just me. That is not to say there are no inequality issues, Agarwal says. But some of it is real, and some of it is perception. The challenge for Singapore, then, is to figure out what the real issues are and how to solve them. This story appears in The Edge Singapore (Issue 863, week of Dec 31) which is on sale now. Subscribe here Reuters Of the top 10 stocks trending on trading-focused social media site Stocktwits, vaccine developers Novavax Inc and Vaxart Inc were in the third and fourth spots, respectively, with message volume on Vaxart up 9.7% and nearly 97% of them reflecting a positive sentiment. Shares of Novavax jumped 10.3% in premarket trading as the company also reported late-stage data from a U.S.-based clinical trial showing its vaccine was more than 90% effective against COVID-19 across a variety of variants of the virus. Individual traders on forums such Reddit's WallStreetBets have acted in concert this year to bid up shares of heavily shorted stocks, triggering a phenomenon known as a "short squeeze", which pushes up stock prices even more. Investing.com - Asian equities slid in afternoon trade on Wednesday, with Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index plunging 3%, as weaker-than-expected Caixin PMI data dampened investor sentiment. The Caixin Manufacturing PMI fell to 49.7 in December from 50.2 last month, marking the first contraction since May 2017. A reading below 50 signals contraction. The reading confirmed a trend seen in the official PMI that was reported on Monday, which showed a drop to 49.4 in December. The Caixin/Markit survey focuses mostly on smaller businesses, filling a niche that isn't covered by the official data. "Even more eye-catching was that 'new orders' in both PMIs fell from expansion in November to contraction in December," said analysts at ING. "This confirms our view that the economy is weak and that stimulus needs to arrive quickly." The Shanghai Composite and the Shenzhen Component both fell 1.2% by 1:50 AM ET (06:50 GMT). Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd (HK:3333) received some focus on Wednesday in Asia after a local newspaper reported that the company raised rents of its centre in Wan Chai by 321% to boost the estimated value of the property. The estimated value of the China Evergrande Centre stood at HK$22.5 billion ($2.87 billion), up nearly 80% from the price the company paid to acquire the building from Chinese Estates Holdings in 2015, Ming Pao reported. U.S.-China trade dispute returned to focus as U.S. President Donald Trump said this week that talks between the two countries are progressing well. However, the Peoples Daily, Chinas state-owned newspaper, said on Wednesday that Beijing has not given in, is not giving in, and will never give in in matters related to core national interests. "Regardless of the development of Sino-U.S. relations, China's strategic choice to deepen reform and opening is unswerving, and we are committed to doing our own thing", the article said. Meanwhile, South Koreas KOSPI fell 1.5%. North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un warned that he would take a new path in nuclear talks if the U.S. didnt relax economic sanctions. Story continues I am willing to sit with the U.S. president any time in the future and will strive to produce outcomes that would be welcomed by the international community, said Kim. However, if the United States does not deliver its promise and misjudge our peoples patience, making unilateral demands to continue sanctions and put pressure on us, we will have no choice but to seek a new path to protect the countrys independence, interests and peace on the Korean Peninsula, he added. Down under, Australias ASX 200 closed 1.6% lower. Japans Nikkei 225 is closed for a holiday. In other news, Trump suggested he is willing to make a deal to end a government shutdown, according to reports on Wednesday. Border Security and the Wall thing and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Lets make a deal? the President said on Twitter. Parts of the government have now been shut for 11 days, affecting 9 of the 15 federal departments, dozens of agencies, and hundreds of thousands of workers, according to reports. Related Articles Cisco Rises 3% Stocks - Wall Street Soars on 'Patient' Powell, Strong Jobs Data Medtronic Rises 3% " " Forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu discusses a diagram of his autopsy of Stephon Clark who was killed by two Sacramento police officers in 2018. Clark's family requested an independent autopsy. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images To hear the alleged witnesses tell it, Peter Howseley had been fatally assaulted. The year was 1690 and Howseley was a Londoner who perished under contentious circumstances. Some urbanites swore they saw two men bludgeoning him over the head with a sword and a cane. He reportedly died from his injuries less than a month later. Ordinarily, this kind of testimony would be damning. However, when a team of doctors and surgeons were told to examine Howsley's skull, they found no evidence of cranial trauma. Instead, the experts concluded that his death was natural and "nonviolent." Advertisement Autopsies have been around since ancient times, but in Howseley's day, they were still relatively uncommon. After three centuries of medical progress however, they became routine procedures in many parts of the world. In the United States, inspecting dead bodies to (hopefully) figure out how their owners died is the domain of forensic pathologists, medical examiners and coroners. Movie makers love to dramatize the work in gory scenes replete with blood-soaked bullet removals. Yet there are aspects of posthumous examinations that don't appear on the silver screen very often. Autopsies involve unglamorous chores like poop extraction a task that doesn't exactly make for great cinema. And you might be shocked to learn just how much they can cost, especially when Uncle Sam won't pick up the tab. From twice-dissected bodies to incriminating french fries, here are some lesser-known facts about autopsies. Editors note: Jerry Brown and Dan Walters arrived in Sacramento at the same time in 1975. Brown was a new governor and Walters was a reporter at the Sacramento Union. More than any other journalist, Walters has followed Browns career since then. This is the third installment in a four-part series detailing his inside look at the politician. Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson have written a number of books on antiques. Do you have an item youd like to know more about? Contact them at Joe Rosson, 2504 Seymour Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917, or email them at treasures@knology.net. If youd like your question to be considered for their column, please include a high-resolution photo of the subject, which must be in focus, with your inquiry. The European Union has been desperately trying to implement a plan to get tech companies that generate billions of dollars online to pay more taxes. But with a plan to impose a bloc-wide tax regulation on digital companies beginning to flounder, some countries are abandoning a global solution and pushing their own national schemes. One such country is Austria, which has now jumped into the bandwagon and vowed to tax tech giants in a move similar to Frances recently announced GAFA tax on Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon. On Saturday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced plans to impose taxes on large internet companies with the basic framework of the scheme to be unveiled during a government summit in early January. Its feared that Kurzs proposal could become reality as early as 2020. EU Tax Deal Near Collapse The European Commission estimates that internet companies get away with a breezy 8-9-percent corporate tax rate for profits generated within the EU compared to 23 percent average for traditional companies within the bloc. Some pay nothing at all. France was the first European country to moot the idea of a regional digital tax when it proposed a comprehensive digital service tax (DST) that would cover all 28 EU member states. Ireland, The Czech Republic and several Nordic countries, however, shot down the idea, arguing that it would exacerbate EU-US trade relations. Ireland is a famous corporate tax haven that has managed to woo many tech companies and American multinationals due to its remarkably low tax rates. Irelands headline tax rate of 12.5 percent is already low even by EU standardsthe four percent effective tax rate (ETR) paid by foreign multinationals on global profits shifted to the country via its global network of bilateral tax treaties is among the lowest anywhere in the world. Related: Japan Regains Bitcoin Crown As Yen Trading Volume Soars Other EU members are looking out after their own interests, too. Germany, for its part, wants an OECD-backed global deal but is open to a 2020 EU tax deal as long as it does not affect carmakers (Germany is the worlds largest car exporter accounting for 21.3 percent of total exports). And just like Ireland, Sweden wont put pen on paper until the proposed deal is anchored on a global tax framework. Vienna, Paris Want More Money The aim of Vienna and Paris is simpleto collect digital taxes from companies like Facebook, Google and Amazon that generate huge profits online but hardly pay any taxes on them. With a regional deal looking increasingly unlikely, member states are now hatching their own initiatives to collect digital taxes. Once again, France is leading the new charge, and might start collecting internet taxes as early as Jan. 2019. In early December, the countrys Economy Minister, Bruno Le Maire, said France was willing to give the EU until March 2019 to come up with a comprehensive deal to tax US internet giants. But just 10 days later, he changed tact and said the country was imposing its own tax on the large internet and technology companies starting Jan. 1 due to difficulties in implementing an EU-wide levy. Le Maire reckons the new tax will raise 500 million ($570 million) in its first year. Its not clear how much tax rate France or Austria will levy, though it might not be far from the three percent that France and Germany had earlier proposed as an alternative plan at a meeting with EU finance ministers. Lets just say that companies like Facebook and Google will likely be happier giving up three percent of their EU profits than having to comply with the blocs recently enacted and extremely harsh private data laws aka GDPR. By Alex Kimani for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com At 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, the temperature was 16.7 degrees, the sky was partly cloudy and the collector had some snow and ice. Official weather reporting for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by chemistry professor Jennifer Johnson and faithful volunteer students takes place every day the Bitterroot College is open. "It is neat to be involved and to be tracking climate change and how it affects us specifically, not only with temperature but also with precipitation," Johnson said. "I think it is an important thing and it is a nice thing we can involve students with because it is active research. Johnson manages the weather station that is one of 941 in Montana out of 33,691 nationwide for the National Weather Service under the United States Department of Commerce. Every day at 11 a.m., plus or minus 15 minutes, the weather station team records weather observations, maximum and minimum temperatures, then collects and measures precipitation and for the past 24-hours. Snow falls into the precipitation gathering cylinder, then it is melted, poured in to a rain gage, measured and reported in to a log book. Student volunteers from any field of study assist in the project. RAPID CITY | The Black Hills were darkened on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, with the passing of Barbara Davis. Originally from Rapid City, SD, Barbara moved to El Paso with her husband in the mid-1970s. She is survived by her son, Andy, who moved to San Diego where he now makes his home with his wife Tanya. She also is survived by her two sisters, Rebecca Jones of Rapid City, and Paul and Deborah Hight of Sturgis; and her two brothers, Lenny Swanson and Steven and Lisa, all of Rapid City; six nieces and nephews, Jessica Smith, Helena, MT, Nychole Reilly, Tuscon, AZ, Danielle Kapelle, Madison, SD, and Paul and Hollie Hight, Sturgis. Barbara was preceded in death by her significant other, Merle Southern; her parents, Leonard and Stella Swanson; and her nephew, Samuel Hight. A graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso, she opened Quick Claimers Medical Billing, Inc. in 2003. The business is still thriving, proudly employing and contributing to the business community. Barbara contributed her volunteer efforts and hard work to heighten and better all aspects of her community. Hikers included locals as well as tourists who were visiting the Black Hills. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Wearing their matching green parkas, Gail and Jeff Harkey didn't have to travel far to the park, which borders their ranch. "(I wanted) to get out and do something. I've been a couch potato for the past week," Gail, a 62-year-old sales representative, said with a laugh. "It is a bit cold but as long as the wind isn't blowing, I'm ready to hike." Gina Lindsey and her husband, Casey, brought their five children to the hike while visiting the area from Bennington, Neb. "We thought this would be a good (hike) since it's guided and (we could) get to see the wildlife maybe," she said. Trinity Lindsey, 8, said she hopes to see deer while her brother Jesse, 6, said he wants to see bison. Trinity said children shouldn't be afraid to hike in the cold as long as they wear layers. "You should go out, just wear a lot of stuff, so you can see cool creatures," she said. "We think (hiking is) important and fun and we want to get them outside all the time," Gina said. The Rapid City man who surrendered after repeatedly shooting his gun during a four-hour standoff Tuesday on Racine Street was booked into the Pennington County Jail on 50 charges, according to the Rapid City Police Department. Jordan Wounded Face, 30, was initially charged by police with 42 counts of recklessly firing a gun, six counts of firing a gun at an occupied structure, aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, and ingesting a non-alcoholic substance in order to become intoxicated. "The actions of Mr. Wounded Face put innocent members of our community and local law enforcement into great risk as he fired bullets into the neighborhood and at officers," Assistant Chief Don Hedrick said in a news release. "Law enforcement is often the point of intervention for individuals in crisis and we recognize the need to work with the criminal justice system to encourage Wounded Face to get the mental health services he needs. It was remarkable that responding law enforcement officers were able to safely subdue an active shooter without him being seriously injured or killed." The standoff began around 9:30 a.m. when Wounded Face's mother requested a welfare check since she was concerned about her son making "scary statements," Hedrick said. When police arrived and contacted Wounded Face through a window, Hedrick said, he fired two shots. Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} GRAND ISLAND, Neb. | Officials haven't decided what will happen to the buildings on the Grand Island Veterans Home campus after residents are transferred to their new home in Kearney in January. Gov. Pete Ricketts announced in 2015 the state would return the current 640-acre (259-hectare) site to the city of Grand Island in two phases. The first phase in 2016 included turning over most of the land that held recreation areas and crop fields. The second phase includes the rest of the property. On it sits the veterans home buildings and a cemetery. The city hasn't completed its plans for the property yet. "We haven't signed the dotted line saying we will take these buildings," Grand Island City Administrator Marlan Ferguson told The Grand Island Independent. "It's expensive for the upkeep, and we are figuring out what we want to do with them. There are some options we have there, and various veterans groups have been involved." The Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs will maintain control of the campus until all equipment is removed from the buildings. The state Department of Administrative Services then will assume control and deal with the city, Ferguson said. Only about 8,800 of the required 20,000 additional trees were planted in 2018 through county soil conservation districts due to several factors, including equipment and staffing issues, difficulties finding willing landowners and poor planting conditions, according to Perennial Environmental Services, which ETP hired to handle the work. A soil conservation district in one of the seven counties refused to participate at all because it didn't feel any of the 15 tree species identified in the settlement agreement were suitable for the county. The agreement allows for the work to continue into 2019 if there are problems with the tree supply "or other market conditions." Soil conservation districts in six counties have committed to planting about 16,800 more trees in 2019, for a total of more than 25,500, according to Perennial Environmental Services. PSC officials weren't available Monday for comment on whether the state thinks ETP is justified in prolonging the plantings into the new year. Under the agreement, ETP also was directed to develop an industry handbook on properly handling pipeline route adjustments and to conduct training. In return, the PSC didn't require the company to admit wrongdoing and scrapped a proposed $15,000 penalty. The agency has the power to levy up to $200,000 in fines. Bender in December detailed training that he said surpassed what was required during the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in May, the North Dakota Petroleum Council annual meeting in September, and the Colorado Oil and Gas Association annual meeting in November. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 The weasels spent nearly three weeks in the county, much of it on the Table south of Chadron where some estimated up to 100 inches of snow fell. One family said that the weasel crewmen were the first outsiders they had seen in 30 days. When the weasel crew reached the Bob and Ruby Soester farm 15 miles east of Crawford on Feb. 7, they found 86 dozen eggs piled on the kitchen floor in every type of basket and container. The incident even made the Denver Post. Lola Soester Garner of Crawford, then a seven-year-old, remembers that when the family finally did go to town to sell the eggs and get supplies, they got stuck and had to be pulled out by a neighbor. Following the weasels was Operation Haylift, organized by the Chadron Jaycees. A total of 1,854 bales of hay were dropped from C-47 transport planes to starving livestock on 29 ranches in the Chadron area. The Chadron Milling Co. reported distributing the equivalent of 22 railroad carloads of livestock feed in January before running out of oats and barley until new shipments arrived by rail. Then came the bulldozers. The Hesser Construction Co. of Greeley, Colo., had 15 bulldozers working out of Chadron to go with those from the Army. Eight more bulldozers operated out of Crawford. Dear Iowans, I am writing to request your support of a charismatic and progressive Democratic Texan for president in 2020, Beto ORourke. As you may know, he surprised everyone by his successful fundraising, without PAC or special interest money, by the enthusiasm he generated and by coming close to unseating Sen. Ted Cruz in a supposedly "deep-red" state. I live in Jefferson County, one of the counties he carried. When he visited here, as he visited all 254 counties, people were captivated by his sincerity, intelligence and commitment to principles and actions that will benefit the American people. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren from deep blue Massachusetts will take her 2020 presidential exploratory campaign this weekend to western Iowa, where the latest election results suggest the regions deep red politics may be fading. And she made key political hires in Iowa on Wednesday, signaling her intention to mount a strong campaign in the lead-off caucus state. On the second-term senators first visit to Iowa since a 2014 campaign appearance with then-U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, she is set for a Friday visit to Council Bluffs and Saturday visits to Sioux City, Storm Lake and Des Moines. Other than Des Moines, those are areas President Donald Trump carried handily in 2016. His margins in Pottawattamie, Woodbury and Buena Vista counties were 22, 20 and 25 percentage points, respectively. However, in 2018, Republican U.S. Rep. David Young carried Pottawattamie County where Council Bluffs is located by only 49 to 48 percent, losing the district overall to Democrat Cindy Axne. And Republican U.S. Rep. Steve King carried Buena Vista County (Storm Lake) 49 to 48 percent, but lost to Democrat J.D. Scholten 45 to 53 percent in Woodbury (Sioux City). King won the overall district. After the ceremony, Maxwell said he is anxious to visit with the county's various offices. Currently a North Scott School Board member, he plans "to take the year to see how both (offices) look" and determine if time allows him to serve on both as allowed under Iowa law. "I've got a lot of learning to do. I ran on fiscal responsibility. I don't want to spend more than we have." Croken, who also plans to familiarize himself with the county's operations, said he wants to push immediately for more transparency. "I ran on a platform of greater accountability, more communication and transparency. Of these, I think transparency will be the first order of business I raise..." Kinzer said he is excited "to continue to serve Scott County and find more ways to enhance the services that are out there." He plans to launch discussions about changing the county board meeting times to make it more convenient for more residents to attend. Love 0 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. In recent weeks, Mayor Frank Klipsch cast a vision of a one-stop-shop for juveniles to be screened for services before entering the court system. He also described it as a place entire families would get help. The citys report doesnt say how much theyll ask the state to chip in. But city officials have said some of the money could come from Davenports budget or private donations, too. Traffic cameras Davenport wants to be able to collect fines for traffic camera violations in cases when the ticketed person has not contested the charge, a suggestion that comes a few months after the states Supreme Court ruled cities couldnt do so without putting each case through the court system. This ruling significantly damages the integrity of the traffic system by providing the easiest method for violators to avoid penalties for running red lights or speeding on Davenport streets; they must simply do nothing, the citys report says. The citys request comes after a dramatic year for traffic cameras in Iowa. The Iowa Supreme Court also found in April that the Iowa Department of Transportation didnt have authority to turn off or remove cameras. "The response of the Quad-Cities to having Women Lead Change in the region has been a huge push for us to take this step," she said. "We recognize and believe we're doing good work, but it really solidified our feelings when we arrived in the Quad-Cities and built on the tremendous work of Women's Connection. I'll always be grateful to the Quad-Cities for welcoming us." In addition to a new River Drive office in Davenport, the organization's growth over the years has led to more staff being hired on. She said WLC now has seven staff members, including Director of Events Deanna Woodall, who is overseeing the Quad-City region. "Since our inception, we've used a third-party logistics organization for event planning, which is a very large line item," O'Donnell said. "We've gotten to the point where we can now have that in-house, so it's allowed us to allocate resources for a director of events and an events coordinator. That's also opened up the opportunity for new programming." She said WLC is seeking grant funding to continue to add staff in the Quad-Cities, including a regional manager. Piece by piece, the Quad-Cities' first Portillo's restaurant is taking shape. Last month, construction crews began placing concrete to build the exterior of the restaurant on 53rd Street in Davenport, across from Costco Wholesale. Developer William Torchia said the Chicago-style hot dog and Italian beef restaurant should open by June. "We've made significant progress this winter, moving a lot of dirt and demolishing all of the houses," Torchia said. "We're doing everything to make this happen, and it's coming along really well. We'll end up with five commercial lots on the site, and Portillo's will be kind of the center of development." Portillo's is the first business to enter the construction phase. The other businesses in the retail development would open later in 2019, he said. While other tenants are not yet finalized, he said the fast-food chain Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers will likely open next door. And, he's working on attracting a bank to the site. "We're hoping to get the bank deal signed soon, and we're working on some other stuff as we speak," he said. "It's not far enough along to announce anything. We hope by spring we'll have all five lots committed to." SILVIS Surrounded by reporters, cameras and photographers, sweet baby Axel Ivan Winterbottom squeaked in his sleep in his father's arms. Axel, the infant son of Bob Winterbottom and India Danay, of Milan, was the first Quad-Cities baby born in 2019, arriving at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday a couple of weeks ahead of schedule. He weighed in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces, and was 19 inches long at Genesis Medical Center, Silvis. It started off at 10 a.m. (Monday), actually, his mother said. I came in for a stress test and my blood pressure was up high, and so the doctor just recommended that we induce and get the ball rolling. And a few hours later, here he is. Danay was due Jan. 14. But he wanted to come meet us, she said. He's pretty perfect, honestly, for being a couple weeks early. It all happened so fast, Danay said. Labor and delivery was very fast. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, she said, adding that she was just going with the flow. The couple got into their room about five hours after her appointment, around 3 p.m., Winterbottom said, and then they started to induce her. 38 minutes ago | June 14th, 2021 7:00 AM Why Your Retirement Calculator Might Not Tell the Whole Story I got to thinking about the retirement calculators that automatically pop up when I check my retirement account balances. In my case, I always get a message that says, "You are XX% on track toward your retirement goals." When you check out an online calculator, you can use them, but remember that a retirement calculator could miss the boat So whats the common thread in all these events? They all center on men behaving badly. Of course, bad behavior isnt limited to men. For example, four of the six state lawmakers convicted of bribery in recent years were women. Kate McClure was complicit in a plot to scam GoFundMe donors in the name of Johnny Bobbitt. Still, women generally dont wreak the kind of lasting and widespread damage or death that men do, and did last year. As we look back on 2018, we have to wonder: What is wrong with men? The armchair diagnosis is that the assumed dominance of (mostly white) men in society has been threatened like never before: Their earning power, their political power, their very value is being threatened. The problem is they still have plenty of power to hurt and damage. Its up to men themselves to recognize that the systems they inhabit government, military, society itself dont work anymore. They dont work for women, they dont work for people of color, they dont work for children. And frankly, the systems dont work for men, either. Nutrients like phosphorous can lead to harmful algal blooms, which is what happened in Cossayuna Lake this summer. It was one of three water bodies in Saratoga and Washington counties to have a confirmed toxic bloom. The other two this year included Saratoga Lake and Summit Lake. Toxic algal blooms are also known as cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria is a naturally occurring, photosynthesizing bacteria that sometimes produces toxins called microcystin and anatoxin. Both are bad for human health, and when detected at high levels can cause beach closures. Aldrich said the district is planning a workshop on harmful algal blooms at the end of March, which will be open to the public. Lewis said these erosion control projects are also important considering the increased number of intense storms in the region, which is in part due to climate change. You overbuild a little bit with the assumption that the amount of rainfall and the intensity of rainfall is going to increase over the next couple of decades, Lewis said. We want to make sure every project we do doesnt fail because of that. In addition to the coalitions grant from the state, the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District received $65,200 that Lieberum said will supply materials for its hydroseeding program that performs routine maintenance for area towns. Reporter Gwendolyn Craig can be reached at (518) 742-3238 or gcraig@poststar.com. Follow her on Twitter @gwendolynnn1. Love 0 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. FORT EDWARD A Vermont man who impregnated a 13-year-old girl in Whitehall several years ago has pleaded guilty to a statutory rape count and is headed to state prison. Robert W. Richardson, 22, of Castleton, pleaded guilty to second-degree rape, a felony, for a sexual relationship with the girl that led to her giving birth to a child in 2015. The charge does not allege he physically forced the girl to have sex, but was brought because she was too young to legally consent. Under the terms of a plea deal, Richardson likely faces a sentence of 2 years in state prison and 9 years on parole when sentenced Jan. 25 by Washington County Judge Kelly McKeighan. He was arrested last fall, after an investigation that initially led to charges against him in Vermont. The girl and a family member initially told police that she was impregnated when Richardson forcibly raped her at a party in Rutland, Vermont. A DNA test had determined he was the father of the child. But as a rape case filed in Vermont neared trial last year, the girl acknowledged the sex was not forced, and that it occurred in Washington County, officials said. Authorities said Richardson knew the girl was 13 when he had a sexual relationship with her. SCHROON A house of worship was destroyed Wednesday by a fire that brought firefighters from two counties in an effort to contain the blaze. The Schroon Lake Community Church, located at 1086-1088 Route 9, at the corner of South Avenue in the hamlet of Schroon Lake, was engulfed in flames at about 3:15 p.m. The building houses a church and parsonage. Heavy flames were reported, and smoke was visible from miles away. A neighboring building appeared to have suffered some exterior damage as well. Photos and videos posted on social media showed extensive damage to the building, with flames shooting out of the large windows and through the roof of the church. A large crowd watched from north and south of the church in the nearby business district on Main Street. One witness, Tonya Whitford Condon, wrote on Facebook that intense heat could be felt downtown. Firefighters from Schroon Lake, North Hudson, Chilson, Pottersville, Horicon, Chestertown and Ticonderoga were summoned, and were on scene into the evening. There was no word on injuries or a possible cause of the fire as of early evening. Part of Route 9 was closed, between Cedar Hill Road and Hoffman Road, by the fire response. 1. Yes. Its important to address the problem before it gets worse. A bond is needed. 2. Yes. Its fine, as long as the bond isnt too large. The city doesnt need more debt. 3. No. A bond issue would just put the problem back on the taxpayers. Not acceptable. 4. No. Certificates of obligation, targeting the worst roads, would be a better choice. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say without knowing the details of what a bond would entail. Vote View Results Warren County sheriffs Lt. Steve Stockdale said it was determined no traffic tickets were warranted either, as the driver of the van reported that a vehicle turned abruptly in front of him and he had to take evasive action. The state Department of Health investigated and found numerous violations of state law and procedures. Among the violations was a failure to use a three-point safety harness for a resident in a wheelchair, lack of a policy for transporting residents in the van and lack of evidence of any training for transporting residents. A transport aide who was one of two Warren Center staff members in the van told investigators that she tried to put a harness on Bovair, but it would not fit. The Sheriffs Office investigator showed it would have fit around the resident in the wheelchair, and he was able to demonstrate this, according to the Department of Health report. The Department of Health and the company that operates the nursing home, Centers Health Care, agreed to a $10,000 fine for the violations. The federal government imposed $7,023 in penalties. Centers Health Care bought the home from Warren County at the end of 2015. A spokesman for Centers said the company had no comment on the matter as of Wednesday. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 5 Angry 9 The lagoon tank at The Deep, one of the participating aquariums. Credit: Bangor University Pioneering new techniques will enable leading aquarium visitor attractions to breed their own tropical fish, following a new collaboration. The larvae of many tropical fish species are so small, that they are invisible to the naked eye, and their food source is even more microscopic. This makes captive breeding of these fish challenging. But aquaculture experts at Bangor University believe that they can help the aquarium industry to develop techniques to rear their own coral reef fish from captive larvae. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), The Deep and SEA LIFE, three of the UK's leading aquariums are working with Bangor University's School of Ocean Sciences to develop ways of breeding and farming coral reef fish. This collaboration is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government's SMARTExpertise programme. Concern over the sustainability of wild collection is the driver for the aquarium sector to search for sustainable alternatives in order to reduce the ecological impact of the trade on the world's coral reefs. Brian Zimmerman, Chief Curator at ZSL, explained their position: "We no longer purchase wild collected reef fishes; our fish are either bred on site or purchased captive bred elsewhere. There are recent efforts to try and supply an increasing number of captive bred species and the list of those available gets longer every year. However, the techniques for breeding marine fishes are complex and different for every species. Progress in mastering new species is slow and takes considerable investment to achieve marketable numbers reliably. Conversely, however, demand is high as aquariums start to question the sustainability of their stock acquisitions more carefully and to seek out captive bred fish for display." The young of tropical fish species amphiprion. Credit: Bangor University The new project, SustaiNable Aquariums Project (SNAP) aims to increase the number and diversity of sustainably and ethically produced coral reef fish species for the aquarium community, and improve the global sustainability of the trade in coral reef fish. An initial 20 tropical reef species, popular in aquariums but which have not yet been successfully captive-bred are the initial focus of the project. These include species of butterflyfish, rabbitfish, wrasse and tangs. Working hand in hand with the aquariums, who will supply the larvae, the scientists will develop new or improved hatchery production techniques, and technology and extend biological knowledge. If successful, the project could lead to the first commercial hatchery for these species in Europe, based in Wales, supplying aquariums and hobbyists across the continent. As Tom Galley, part of the research team at Bangor University explained: "Fish developed in hatcheries are widely recognised as having advantages over their wild collected counterparts, such as being pre-adapted to life in captivity. However, for this to become a reality a significant amount of work is required." Setting up an egg collector in The Deeps Lagoon of Light exhibit. Credit: Nick Jones Nick Jones, from Bangor University, also part of the research team on the project explained: "The difficulty in rearing the majority of coral reef fish lies in the small size of their delicate larvae, a poor understanding of appropriate larval rearing environments, plus the lack of suitably sized and nutritious larval food items. These are issues we hope to resolve during the three year project." Jean-Denis Hibbitt, Breeding and Positive Change Programmes Coordinator at SEA LIFE's Conservation, Welfare and Engagement Department said: "SEA LIFE works to ensure that all our animals come from ethical and traceable sources. Many of our animals come from our global breeding programmes as well the rehoming of animals that cannot care for themselves. Those animals that do come from external suppliers must pass through our stringent supplier accreditation process. However, the live trade of reef fish, particularly for the ornamental hobbyist market is a large industry and its future sustainability is uncertain. We are already working in this area, however, this project is set to make a significant impact by providing us and others with sustainably reared specimens." Graham Hill, Head of Animal Care and Research at Hull's The Deep said: "It is crucial that zoos, aquariums and academics pursue pioneering work to advance our understanding of marine sh species. This collaborative breeding project brings together our collective expertise to develop the necessary skills and techniques to push marine sh breeding and rearing forward. The project will have a direct impact on developing a better understanding of the breeding cycles of commonly kept species in aquariums, and has the potential to reduce the removal of animals from wild populations and establish a scientically based foundation for a more sustainable industry." Explore further Keeping captive-bred fish has gotten easier Panels are loaded onto X-Calibur in preparation for launch from McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Credit: Dana Braun Washington University in St. Louis announced that its X-Calibur instrument, a telescope that measures the polarization of X-rays arriving from distant neutron stars, black holes and other exotic celestial bodies, launched today from McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The telescope is carried aloft on a helium balloon intended to reach an altitude of 130,000 feet. At this height, X-Calibur will travel at nearly four times the cruising altitude of commercial airliners, and above 99 percent of the Earth's atmosphere. "Our prime observation target will be Vela X-1, a neutron star in binary orbit with a supergiant star," said Henric Krawczynski, professor of physics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University. The team hopes to gain new insights into how neutron stars and black holes in a binary orbit with stars grow by gobbling up stellar matter. Researchers will combine observations from the balloon-borne X-Calibur with simultaneous measurements from three existing, space-based satellites. "The results from these different observatories will be combined to constrain the physical conditions close to the neutron star, and thus to use Vela X-1 as a laboratory to test the behavior of matter and magnetic fields in truly extreme conditions," Krawczynski said. X-Calibur will need to spend at least eight days aloft to gather enough data for scientists to consider it a success. During this time, the balloon is expected to make a single revolution around the Antarctic continent. If conditions permit, X-Calibur may be flown for additional days. The harsh environment around McMurdo Station, Antarctica, prior to attempts to launch X-Calibur by a team of Washington University researchers. Credit: Fabian Kislat X-Calibur is designed to measure the polarizationor, roughly, the orientation of the electric fieldof incoming X-rays from binary systems. Researchers hope to use the Vela X-1 observations to reveal how neutron stars accelerate particles to high energies. The observations furthermore will test two of the most important theories in modern physics under extreme conditions: quantum electrodynamics and general relativity. Quantum electrodynamics predicts that the quantum vacuum close to magnetized neutron stars exhibits birefringent propertiesthat is, it affects X-rays in a similar way as birefringent crystals such as sapphires or quartz affect optical light. The theory of general relativity describes the trajectories of the X-rays close to the neutron stars where the extreme mass of the neutron stars almost curves spacetime into a knot. Explore further Cosmic ray telescope launches from Antarctica A new analysis of African dust reveals the Sahara swung between green and desert conditions every 20,000 years, in sync with changes in the Earths tilt. Credit: Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Sahara desert is one of the harshest, most inhospitable places on the planet, covering much of North Africa in some 3.6 million square miles of rock and windswept dunes. But it wasn't always so desolate and parched. Primitive rock paintings and fossils excavated from the region suggest that the Sahara was once a relatively verdant oasis, where human settlements and a diversity of plants and animals thrived. Now researchers at MIT have analyzed dust deposited off the coast of west Africa over the last 240,000 years, and found that the Sahara, and North Africa in general, has swung between wet and dry climates every 20,000 years. They say that this climatic pendulum is mainly driven by changes to the Earth's axis as the planet orbits the sun, which in turn affect the distribution of sunlight between seasonsevery 20,000 years, the Earth swings from more sunlight in summer to less, and back again. For North Africa, it is likely that, when the Earth is tilted to receive maximum summer sunlight with each orbit around the sun, this increased solar flux intensifies the region's monsoon activity, which in turn makes for a wetter, "greener" Sahara. When the planet's axis swings toward an angle that reduces the amount of incoming summer sunlight, monsoon activity weakens, producing a drier climate similar to what we see today. "Our results suggest the story of North African climate is dominantly this 20,000-year beat, going back and forth between a green and dry Sahara," says David McGee, an associate professor in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. "We feel this is a useful time series to examine in order to understand the history of the Sahara desert and what times could have been good for humans to settle the Sahara desert and cross it to disperse out of Africa, versus times that would be inhospitable like today." McGee and his colleagues have published their results today in Science Advances. A puzzling pattern Each year, winds from the northeast sweep up hundreds of millions of tons of Saharan dust, depositing much of this sediment into the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa. Layers of this dust, built up over hundreds of thousands of years, can serve as a geologic chronicle of North Africa's climate history: Layers thick with dust may indicate arid periods, whereas those containing less dust may signal wetter eras. Scientists have analyzed sediment cores dug up from the ocean bottom off the coast of West Africa, for clues to the Sahara's climate history. These cores contain layers of ancient sediment deposited over millions of years. Each layer can contain traces of Saharan dust as well as the remains of life forms, such as the tiny shells of plankton. Past analyses of these sediment cores have unearthed a puzzling pattern: It would appear that the Sahara shifts between wet and dry periods every 100,000 yearsa geologic beat that scientists have linked to the Earth's ice age cycles, which seem to also come and go every 100,000 years. Layers with a larger fraction of dust seem to coincide with periods when the Earth is covered in ice, whereas less dusty layers appear during interglacial periods, such as today, when ice has largely receded. But McGee says this interpretation of the sediment cores chafes against climate models, which show that Saharan climate should be driven by the region's monsoon season, the strength of which is determined by the tilt of the Earth's axis and the amount of sunlight that can fuel monsoons in the summer. "We were puzzled by the fact that this 20,000-year beat of local summer insolation seems like it should be the dominant thing controlling monsoon strength, and yet in dust records you see ice age cycles of 100,000 years," McGee says. Beats in sync To get to the bottom of this contradiction, the researchers used their own techniques to analyze a sediment core obtained off the coast of West Africa by colleagues from the University of Bordeauxwhich was drilled only a few kilometers from cores in which others had previously identified a 100,000-year pattern. The researchers, led by first author Charlotte Skonieczny, a former MIT postdoc and now a professor at Paris-Sud University, examined layers of sediment deposited over the last 240,000 years. They analyzed each layer for traces of dust and measured the concentrations of a rare isotope of thorium, to determine how rapidly dust was accumulating on the seafloor. Thorium is produced at a constant rate in the ocean by very small amounts of radioactive uranium dissolved in seawater, and it quickly attaches itself to sinking sediments. As a result, scientists can use the concentration of thorium in the sediments to determine how quickly dust and other sediments were accumulating on the seafloor in the past: During times of slow accumulation, thorium is more concentrated, while at times of rapid accumulation, thorium is diluted. The pattern that emerged was very different from what others had found in the same sediment cores. "What we found was that some of the peaks of dust in the cores were due to increases in dust deposition in the ocean, but other peaks were simply because of carbonate dissolution and the fact that during ice ages, in this region of the ocean, the ocean was more acidic and corrosive to calcium carbonate," McGee says. "It might look like there's more dust deposited in the ocean, when really, there isn't." Once the researchers removed this confounding effect, they found that what emerged was primarily a new "beat," in which the Sahara vacillated between wet and dry climates every 20,000 years, in sync with the region's monsoon activity and the periodic tilting of the Earth. "We can now produce a record that sees through the biases of these older records, and so doing, tells a different story," McGee says. "We've assumed that ice ages have been the key thing in making the Sahara dry versus wet. Now we show that it's primarily these cyclic changes in Earth's orbit that have driven wet versus dry periods. It seems like such an impenetrable, inhospitable landscape, and yet it's come and gone many times, and shifted between grasslands and a much wetter environment, and back to dry climates, even over the last quarter million years." Explore further Scientists find huge reduction in African dust plume led to more Saharan monsoons 11,000 years ago More information: "Monsoon-driven Saharan dust variability over the past 240,000 years" Science Advances (2019). Journal information: Science Advances "Monsoon-driven Saharan dust variability over the past 240,000 years"(2019). advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaav1887 Fig. 1. (a) Illustration of a surface plasmon propagating along a graphene sheet. (b) Time dependence of the graphene carrier density. (c) Dispersion diagram showing the frequency transformation of the initial plasmon when the carrier density decreases. Credit: Lobachevsky University The transition from electronic integrated circuits to faster, more energy-efficient and interference-free optical circuits is one of the most important goals in the development of photon technologies. Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are already used today for transmitting and processing signals in optical networks and communication systems, including, for example, I/O multiplexers of optical signals and microchips with an integrated semiconductor laser, a modulator and a light amplifier. However, today PICs are mostly used in combination with electronic circuits, while purely photonic devices are not yet competitive. One of the challenges in creating PICs is the complexity of manufacturing various devices (waveguide couplers, power dividers, amplifiers, modulators, lasers and detectors on a single microchip), since they require different materials. The main materials used in existing PICs are semiconductors (indium phosphate, gallium arsenide, silicon), electro-optical crystals (lithium niobate), as well as various types of glass. In order to increase the speed of PICs in controlling light flux, researchers are searching for new materials with high optical nonlinearity. Among promising materials, one can name, in particular, microwaveguides based on the newly discovered material, graphene (a layer of carbon atoms one atom thick), in which charge carrier concentrations can be effectively controlled using optical pumping or applied bias voltage. According to Mikhail Bakunov, head of the UNN General Physics Department, recent theoretical and experimental work shows the possibility of superfast (involving times of several light field periods) carrier concentration changes in graphene, which opens up possibilities for manipulating the amplitude and frequency of light waves (plasmons) directed by the graphene surface. "The development of physical models for the description of electromagnetic processes in nonstationary graphene is of great practical importance. It causes an increased interest on the part of researchers. One of the results of research in 2018 was the prediction in a number of papers of the possibility to enhance (increase the energy) of plasmons by changing the carrier concentration in graphene, which is certainly attractive for creating new devices," says Mikhail Bakunov. Alexei Maslov, associate professor at the UNN General Physics Department, says, "Our study is aimed at developing the physical principles of ultrafast photon control in integrated microchips, in other words, at improving the performance of microcircuits and microchips used in microelectronics and nanoelectronics." Researchers of the UNN General Physics Department have developed a theory for the conversion of light waves propagating over the surface of graphene (a layer of carbon atoms one atom thick), when the concentration of electrons in graphene changes over time. In contrast to previous research, the interaction of electrons with the light field is precisely taken into account. One of the results of the study was to rule out the previously predicted possibility of amplifying light waves by changing the concentration of electrons. Thus, the work of UNN scientists gives a new look at the dynamics of waves in non-stationary microwaveguides, thereby contributing to the development of PICs. Research results have been published in Optica. More information: A. V. Maslov et al, Temporal scattering of a graphene plasmon by a rapid carrier density decrease, Optica (2018). Journal information: Optica A. V. Maslov et al, Temporal scattering of a graphene plasmon by a rapid carrier density decrease,(2018). DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.5.001508 Provided by Lobachevsky University Photo of the central region of the Milky Way. Credit: UCLA SETI Group/Yuri Beletsky, Carnegie Las Campanas Observatory In 1961, famed astronomer Frank Drake created a formula for estimating the number of extraterrestrial intelligences (ETIs) that could exist within our galaxy. Known as the "Drake Equation," this formula demonstrated that even by the most conservative estimates, our galaxy was likely to host at least a few advanced civilizations at any given time. About a decade later, NASA officially kicked of its search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) program. These efforts have experienced a major infusion of interest in recent decades thanks to the discovery of thousands of extrasolar planets. To address the possibility that life may exist out there, scientists are also relying on sophisticated tools to search for telltale indicators of biological processes (aka. biosignatures) and technological activity (technosignatures), which could indicate not only life but advanced intelligence. To address the growing interest in this field, NASA hosted the NASA Technosignatures Workshop back in September. The purpose of this workshop was to assess the current state of technosignature research, where the most promising avenues lay, and where advances can be made. Recently, the workshop's report was released, which contained all their findings and recommendations for the future of this field. This workshop emerged as a result of the Congress House Appropriations Bill that was passed in April 2018, wherein NASA was directed to begin supporting the scientific search for technosignatures as part of their larger search for extraterrestrial life. The event brought scientists and principle investigators together from various fields at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, while many more participated via Adobe Connect. During the three-and-a-half-day workshop, numerous presentations were made that addressed many relevant topics. These included different types of technosignatures, the radio search for extraterrestial intelligence (SETI), solar system SETI, megastructures, data mining, and optical and near-infrared light (NIL) searches. As per the House Appropriations Bill, the outcomes of the workshop were compiled into a report that was submitted on Nov. 28th, 2018. Ultimately, the purpose of the workshop was four-fold: Define the current state of the technosignature field. What experiments have occurred? What is the state-of-the-art for technosignature detection? What limits do we currently have on technosignatures? Understand the advances coming near-term in the technosignature field. What assets are in place that can be applied to the search for technosignatures? What planned and funded projects will advance the state-of-the-art in future years, and what is the nature of that advancement? Understand the future potential of the technosignature field. What new surveys, new instruments, technology development, new data-mining algorithms, new theory and modeling, etc., would be important for future advances in the field? What role can NASA partnerships with the private sector and philanthropic organizations play in advancing our understanding of the technosignatures field? Artists impression of a sunset seen from the surface of an Earth-like exoplanet. Credit: ESO/L. Calcada The report begins by providing background info on the hunt for technosignatures and offering a definition of the term. For this, the authors cite Jill Tarter, one of the foremost leaders in the field of SETI research and the person who coined the term itself. In addition to being the director of the Center for SETI Research (part of the SETI Institute) for 35 years, she was also the project scientist for NASA's SETI program before it was cancelled in 1993. As she indicated in 2007 article, titled "The evolution of life in the Universe: are we alone?": "If we can find technosignatures evidence of some technology that modifies its environment in ways that are detectable then we will be permitted to infer the existence, at least at some time, of intelligent technologists. As with biosignatures, it is not possible to enumerate all the potential technosignatures of technology- as-we-don't-yet-know-it, but we can define systematic search strategies for equivalents of some 21st century terrestrial technologies." In other words, technosignatures are what we humans would recognize as signs of technologically-advanced activity. The best-known example is radio signals, which SETI researchers have spent the past few decades searching for. But there are many others signatures that have not been explored fully, and more are being conceived of all the time. These include laser emissions, which could be used for optical communications or as a means of propulsion; signs of megastructures, which some believed were the reason behind the mysterious dimming of Tabby's Star; or an atmosphere full of carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs, and other known pollutants (to take a page from our own book). When it comes to looking for biosignatures, scientists are limited by the fact that there is only one planet that we know of that supports life: Earth. But the challenges extend far beyond to include issues of funding and . As Jason Wright an associate professor at PSU and the Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds (CEHW) and one of the authors on the report told Universe Today via email: "The technical challenges are many. What sorts of technosignatures would an extraterrestrial technological species generate? Which of those are detectable? How will we know if we have found one? If we find it, how can we be sure it's a sign of technology and not something unexpected but natural?" In this respect, planets are considered to be "potentially habitable" based on whether or not they are "Earth-like." In much the same way, the hunt for technosignatures is limited to technologies that we know are feasible. However, there are also some key differences between technosignatures and biosignatures. As they explain, many proposed advanced technologies are either "self-luminous" (i.e. lasers or radiowaves) or involve the manipulation of energy from bright natural sources (i.e. Dyson Spheres and other megastructures around stars). There is also the possibility that technosignatures will be widely distributed because the species in question may have spread their civilization to neighboring star systems and even galaxies. As Wright explained, there are many types of technosignatures, the most commonly sought-out of which is a radio signal: "These have many advantages: they are obviously artificial, they are one of the cheapest and easiest ways to transmit information over long distances, they don't require any extrapolation in technology from ours to generate, and we can detect even quite weak signals at interstellar distances. Other common technosignatures are laserseither pulses or continuous beamswhich have many of the same advantages. Both technosignatures were proposed almost 50 years ago, and most of the work done on technosignatures so far has been looking for them." For each of these signatures, it is therefore necessary to establish upper limits, so that scientists know exactly what not to look for. "When you search for something and don't find it, you have to carefully document exactly what signals you have proven don't exist," said Wright. "Something like: no signals stronger than some level, at some time, within some range of certain stars, narrower than some bandwidth, within some range of frequencies." The report then addresses what the upper limits of detection are for each technosignature and what current method and technology exists to search for them. To put this in perspective, they quote from a 2005 study by Chyba and Hand: "Astrophysicists spent decades studying and searching for black holes before accumulating today's compelling evidence that they exist. The same can be said for the search for room-temperature superconductors, proton decay, violations of special relativity, or for that matter the Higgs boson. Indeed, much of the most important and exciting research in astronomy and physics is concerned exactly with the study of objects or phenomena whose existence has not been demonstratedand that may, in fact, turn out not to exist. In this sense astrobiology merely confronts what is a familiar, even commonplace situation in many of its sister sciences." In other words, future progress in this field will consist of developing ways to hunt for possible technosignatures and determining in what form these signatures cannot be ruled out as natural phenomena. They begin by considering the extensive work that has been done in the field of radio astronomy. When it comes right down to it, only a extremely narrowband astronomical radio source could be said to have an artificial origin, since broadband radio transmissions are a common occurrence in our galaxy. As a result, SETI researchers have conducted surveys that looked for both continuous wave and pulse radio sources that could not be explained by natural phenomena. A good example of this is the famous "WOW." signal that was detected on August 15th, 1977, by astronomer Jerry R. Ehman using the Big Ear radio telescope at Ohio State University. In the course of surveying the Sagittarius constellation, near the M55 globular cluster, the telescope noted a sudden jump in radio transmissions. Unfortunately, multiple follow-up surveys were unable to find any further indications of radio signals from this source. This and other examples characterize the painstaking and difficult work that comes with searching for radio wave technosignatures, which has been characterized as looking for a needle in the "cosmic haystack". Examples of existing survey instruments and methods include the SETI Institute's Allen Telescope Array, the Arecibo Observatory, the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the Parkes Telescope, and the Very Large Array (VLA), the SETI@home project and Breakthrough Listen. But given that the volume of space that has been searched for both continuous and pulsed radio searches, the current upper limits on radio wave signatures are quite weak. Similarly, optical and near-infrared light (NIL) signals also need to be compressed in terms of frequency and time in order to be considered artificial in origin. Here, examples include the Near-Infrared Optical SETI (NIROSETI) instrument, the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS), the Near-Earth Object Wide-field Survey Explorer (NEOWISE), and the Keck/High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES). When it comes to looking for megastructures (such as Dyson spheres), astronomers focus on both waste heat from stars and dips in their luminosity (obscurations). In the case of the former, surveys have been conducted that looked for excess infrared energy coming from nearby stars. This could be seen as an indication that starlight is being captured by technology (such as solar panels). A team of astronomers from UCLA searched for technosignatures in the Kepler field data. Credit: Danielle Futselaar Consistent with the laws of thermodynamics, some of this energy would be radiated away as "waste" heat. In the case of the latter, obscurations have been studied using data from the Kepler and K2 missions to see if they could indicate the presence of massive orbiting structures in the same way that they were used to confirm planetary transits and the existence of exoplanets. Similarly, surveys have been conducted of other galaxies using the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) and Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) to look for signs of obscurations. Other ongoing searches are being conducted with the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) and the Vanishing & Appearing Sources during a Century of Observations (VASCO). The report also addresses technosignatures that may exist in our very own solar system. Here, the case of 'Oumuamua is raised. According to recent studies, it is possible that this object is actually alien probe, and that thousands of such objects could exist in the solar system (some of which could be studied in the near future). There have even been attempts to find evidence of past civilizations here on Earth though chemical and industrial technosignatures, similar to how such indicators on an extra-solar planet could be considered evidence of an advanced civilization. Another possibility is the existence of space -based alien artifacts or "bottled messages." These could take the form of spacecraft that contain messages similar to the "Pioneer Plaque" of the Pioneer 10 and 11 missions, or the golden record of the Voyager 1 and 2 missions. Ultimately, the upper limits on these technosignatures vary, and no attempts to find any have succeeded so far. However, as they go on to note, there are considerable opportunities for future technosignature detection thanks to the development of next-generation instruments, refined search methods and lucrative partnerships. These will allow for greater sensitivity when looking for examples of communications technology, as well as signs of chemical and industrial signatures thanks to the ability to directly image exoplanets. Examples include ground-based instruments like the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), and the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). There are also existing space-based instruments, including the recently-retired Kepler mission (whose data is still leading to valuable discoveries), the Gaia mission, and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Space-based projects that are currently under development include the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), and PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) missions. These instrument, combined with improved software and data-sharing methods are expected to yield new and exciting results in the not-too-distant future. But as Wright summarized, the thing that will make the biggest difference is a lot of time and patience: "Despite being 50 years old, SETI (or, if you like, searches for technosignatures) is in many ways still in its infancy. There has not been very much searching compared to searches for other things (dark matter, black holes, microbial life, etc.) because of the historical lack of funding; there hasn't even been that much quantitative, foundational work about what technosignatures to search for. Most of the work so far has been people thinking about what work they would do if they had funding. Hopefully, we'll soon be able to start putting those ideas into practice." After a half-century, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence has still found no evidence of intelligent life beyond our solar system i.e. Fermi's famous question, "Where is everybody?", still holds. But that's the good thing about the Fermi Paradox, you only have to resolve it once. All humanity needs is to find a single example, and the equally time-honored question, "Are we alone?," will finally be answered. The final report, "NASA and the Search for Technosignatures", was compiled by Jason Wright and Dawn Gelino an associate professor at PSU and the Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds (CEHW) and a researcher with the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI), respectively. Monarch butterfly. Credit: Pat Davis Arguably, one of the world's most famous insects, the monarch butterfly, is currently experiencing dire problems with its migration in eastern North America. Fewer and fewer monarchs are successfully reaching their overwintering destinations, and scientists aren't sure why. Because of this, the need for research on the migration has never been more urgent. New research published in De Gruyter's Open Access journal Animal Migration, aims to help with this effort. The dwindling numbers of overwintering monarchs in the mountains of central Mexico have been the subject of debate among researchers, with some arguing it reflects a large-scale drop in numbers of breeding adults, while others point to increasingly perilous migration as the cause. Now, a new research study "Alternate migration strategies of eastern monarch butterflies revealed by stable isotopes" led by Dr. Hannah Vander Zanden, from the University of Florida, throws another potential explanation into the mixmaybe the monarchs are simply travelling elsewhere to overwinter, like to the balmy coast of southern Florida. Dr. Vander Zanden and her team captured and examined monarchs that wintered in South Florida, using a special analytical technique that can pinpoint where the monarchs came from based on a sample of their wing or body tissue. Amazingly, they discovered that half of the monarchs sampled appeared to originate from the American Midwest, which is typically thought to represent the core breeding range of the eastern population. For years, researchers assumed that monarchs from this region only travel to the mountainous region of Mexico each fall. But, this new discovery means that at least some of the Midwestern monarchs are choosing not to fly to Mexico after all, and instead they appear to fly in nearly the opposite direction until they reach southern Florida. "Previous research had suggested that some migrating monarchs may wind up in southern Florida if they become waylaid by strong westerly winds, but this evidence makes it seem like they purposely travelled to this location," says Andy Davis, noted expert in monarch migration from University of Georgia and editor of the journal. This discovery could bear on the issue of the shrinking overwintering population in Mexico, especially if more of these "alternative" overwintering locations are found. This research was recently published along with four other studies that focused on monarch migration, in a themed collection in the journal. "Collectively, these studies demonstrate that we still have so much to learn about this phase of the monarch life cycle in North America. And, given the issues facing the migration itself, this work couldn't come at a better time," said Davis. Explore further First monarch butterflies arrive at Mexico wintering area More information: Hannah B. Vander Zanden et al, Alternate migration strategies of eastern monarch butterflies revealed by stable isotopes, Animal Migration (2018). Hannah B. Vander Zanden et al, Alternate migration strategies of eastern monarch butterflies revealed by stable isotopes,(2018). DOI: 10.1515/ami-2018-0006 Provided by De Gruyter In this file photo, Montana University System Regents Professor John Priscu takes a Niskin bottle water sampler to a lab at an Antarctic field site for anaysis. Priscu, a polar scientist in MSU's College of Agriculture, is once again in the Antarctic, this time looking for living organisms in Mercer Subglacial Lake, located 4,000 feet below the Antarctic ice sheet. Credit: JT Thomas Renowned Montana State University polar scientist John Priscu and a team of researchers from more than a dozen universities will begin the new year hunting for microbes and other living specimens in a lake far beneath the surface of the Antarctic ice sheet. The expedition, known as SALSA (Subglacial Antarctic Lakes Scientific Access), is highlighted in "The Hunt for Life Below Antarctic Ice," a story written by Douglas Fox in the Dec. 12 issue of Nature, an international science journal. In the article, Fox shares details of the Priscu-led search for microorganisms and other living specimens that live in the dark waters of Mercer Subglacial Lake. The lake, which measures nearly 62 square miles, was discovered more than a decade ago through satellite images but has never before been explored. Priscu is among 45 scientists, drillers and support staff who make up the expedition team. In Antarctica, about 370 miles from the South Pole, the team will spend the next few weeks working together to drill 4,000 feet to the bottom of the ice sheet that covers Mercer. Once through, they will collect water and mud samples that they hope will be teeming with living organisms. A Dec. 24 post on the SALSA field blog describes drilling preparations, laboratory set-up, a successful initial drone flight and equipment testing underway at the Mercer Subglacial Lake campsite. This is the second such expedition for Priscu, a Montana University System Regents Professor in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences in MSU's College of Agriculture who studies the microbial ecology of Antarctic ecosystems. In 2013, he and other MSU researchers published the discovery of microscopic life in Subglacial Lake Whillans in the journal Nature and received worldwide attention. It was named one of the top science stories of 2013 by Discover magazine. Fox writes that the scientists leading the project hope that the Lake Mercer ecosystems will shed light on what kind of life can survive in such remote regions and serve as an on-Earth comparison for habitats deep inside Mars or on the ice-covered moons of Jupiter and Saturn. While Mercer will be the second subglacial lake that humans have sampled directly, Fox wrote, it will be the first time scientists will use a remote vehicle to roam beneath the ice sheet, which leads the scientists to wonder if the submersible's three video cameras might capture images of animals that live in the dark water. "We don't know what's going to be there," Priscu said in the story. "That's what makes it so much fun." More information: Douglas Fox. The hunt for life below Antarctic ice, Nature (2018). Douglas Fox. The hunt for life below Antarctic ice,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/d41586-018-07669-3 The SALSA field blog can be found at: salsa-antarctica.org/blog/ Journal information: Nature Anup Ojha is a reporter for The Kathmandu Post primarily covering social issues and human interest stories. Before moving to the social beat, Ojha covered arts and culture for the Post for four years. Members of the Brookhaven National Laboratory team with the completed magnet assemblies for the CBETA project. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory When it comes to particle accelerators, magnets are one key to success. Powerful magnetic fields keep particle beams "on track" as they're ramped up to higher energy, crashed into collisions for physics experiments, or delivered to patients to zap tumors. Innovative magnets have the potential to improve all these applications. That's one aim of the Cornell-Brookhaven "Energy-Recovery Linac" Test Accelerator, or CBETA, under construction at Cornell University and funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). CBETA relies on a beamline made of cutting-edge magnets designed by physicists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory that can carry four beams at very different energies at the same time. "Scientists and engineers in Brookhaven's Collider-Accelerator Department (C-AD) just completed the production and assembly of 216 exceptional quality fixed-field, alternating gradient, permanent magnets for this projectan important milestone," said C-AD Chair Thomas Roser, who oversees the Lab's contributions to CBETA. The novel magnet design, developed by Brookhaven physicist Stephen Brooks and C-AD engineer George Mahler, has a fixed magnetic field that varies in strength at different points within each circular magnet's aperture. "Instead of having to ramp up the magnetic field to accommodate beams of different energies, beams with different energies simply find their own 'sweet spot' within the aperture," said Brooks. The result: Beams at four different energies can pass through a single beamline simultaneously. In CBETA, a chain of these magnets strung together like beads on a necklace will form what's called a return loop that repeatedly delivers bunches of electrons to a linear accelerator (linac). Four trips through the superconducting radiofrequency cavities of the linac will ramp up the electrons' energy, and another four will ramp them down so the energy stored in the beam can be recovered and reused for the next round of acceleration. "The bunches at different energies are all together in the return loop, with alternating magnetic fields keeping them oscillating along their individual paths, but then they merge and enter the linac sequentially," explained C-AD chief mechanical engineer Joseph Tuozzolo. "As one bunch goes through and gets accelerated, another bunch gets decelerated and the energy recovered from the deceleration can accelerate the next bunch." Even when the beams are used for experiments, the energy recovery is expected to be close to 99.9 percent, making this "superconducting energy recovery linac (ERL)" a potential game changer in terms of efficiency. New bunches of near-light-speed electrons are brought up to the maximum energy every microsecond, so fresh beams are always available for experiments. That's one of the big advantages of using permanent magnets. Electromagnets, which require electricity to change the strength of the magnetic field, would never be able to ramp up fast enough, he explained. Using permanent fixed field magnets that require no electricitylike the magnets that stick to your refrigerator, only much strongeravoids that problem and reduces the energy/cost required to run the accelerator. To prepare the magnets for CBETA, the Brookhaven team started with high-quality permanent magnet assemblies produced by KYMA, a magnet manufacturing company, based on the design developed by Brooks and Mahler. C-AD's Tuozzolo organized and led the procurement effort with KYMA and the acquisition of the other components for the return loop. Engineers in Brookhaven's Superconducting Magnet Division took precise measurements of each magnet's field strength and used a magnetic field correction system developed and built by Brooks to fine-tune the fields to achieve the precision needed for CBETA. Mahler then led the assembly of the finished magnets onto girder plates that will hold them in perfect alignment in the finished accelerator, while C-AD engineer Robert Michnoff led the effort to build and test electronics for beam position monitors that will track particle paths through the beamline. "Brookhaven's CBETA team reached the goals of this milestone nine days earlier than scheduled thanks to the work of extremely dedicated people performing multiple magnetic measurements and magnet surveys over many long work days," Roser said. The Brookhaven-assembled components are now en route to Cornell for the final accelerator assembly. The CBETA team will begin commissioning the accelerator in March 2019, running it through the first steps toward full functionality. The technologies developed for CBETA could revolutionize accelerator science with multiple potential applications, the team says. For example, such an ERL would be an efficient way to accelerate and reuse beams of electrons to cool beams of heavy ions at a proposed future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) being considered by the DOE Office of Nuclear Physics. The peak energy CBETA expects to achieve in its electron beam would be a perfect match for extracting excess heat from ion beams to keep the ions tightly buncheda requirement for maximizing particle interactions in a collider. The innovative magnet technology developed for CBETA could also be used in accelerators that produce medical isotopes, etch computer chips at ever-smaller scales, or deliver high-energy proton or particle beams to precisely target tumors. Beam-delivery systems made of small-scale permanent magnets could dramatically reduce the cost of particle-beam cancer-therapy accelerators, potentially making this promising treatment more widely available. "It's exciting to be part of a project that has so many possibilities for basic science and for society," Brooks said. Explore further Energy-efficient accelerator was 50 years in the making Male tooth-billed hummingbirds, Androdon aequatorialis, native to Colombia, have hooked bill tips and backward facing teeth that UC Berkeley researchers suggest are well-suited for fighting other males but less adapted to sipping nectar. Credit: Kristiina Hurme Most hummingbirds have bills and tongues exquisitely designed to slip inside a flower, lap up nectar and squeeze every last drop of precious sugar water from their tongue to fuel their frenetic lifestyle. But in the tropics of South America, University of California, Berkeley, scientists are finding that some male hummers have traded efficient feeding for bills that are better at stabbing and plucking other hummingbirds as they fend off rivals for food and mates. The males' weaponized bills are good not only for pulling feathers and pinching skin, but also wrestling their rivals away from prime feeding spots. Using high-speed video cameras, the researchers have for the first time captured hummingbird fencing and feeding strategies in slow motion to document the various ways the birds use their bills to fight and the trade-offs they accept when choosing fighting over feeding prowess. "We understand hummingbirds' lives as being all about drinking efficiently from flowers, but then suddenly we see these weird morphologiesstiff bills, hooks and serrations like teeththat don't make any sense in terms of nectar collection efficiency," said Alejandro Rico-Guevara, a Miller Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley and the lead scientist on the project. "Looking at these bizarre bill tips, you would never expect that they're from a hummingbird or that they would be useful to squeeze the tongue." Straighter bills are better for poking, which may explain why in some species females have curved bills to sip inside the curved bells of flowers but the males' beaks are less curved. This has sometimes forced the males to feed on different flowers than the females, ones more adapted to a straighter beak. "It is all about feeding efficiency in flowers versus proficiency in fighting," he said. Rico-Guevara acknowledged that hummingbirds have long been known as fierce fightersthey even attack hawks, owls and other birds if they perceive a threatbut the fights happen so fast that scientists haven't been able to see the actual outcome. Sparkling violetear (Colibri coruscans) and Brown violetear (Colibri delphinae) displaying their neck-side feathers, so called "ears", trying to dissuade each other from using their bill weapons: strongly serrated bill edges and dagger-like tips. Credit:Cristian Irian, Finca Colibri Gorriazul, Colombia. "Because it happens so fast and they fly away, you can't track them," he said. "But also, people haven't actually looked at the details of the beaks. We are making connections between how feisty they are, the beak morphology behind that and what that implies for their competitiveness." Rico-Guevara is the lead author of a paper describing how the shape of the bill affects hummingbird feeding and fighting strategies in the January 2019 issue of the journal Integrative Organismal Biology. Nectar fuels their lives Rico-Guevara has been photographing and videotaping hummingbirds for more than a decade, often in the lush forests of his native Colombia, to understand how they have adapted to specialized niches. Some hummers, for example, feed on only one type of flower, a result of the flower and bird having evolved together. In some cases, a bird's beak won't fit in any other flower, while that flower's feeding tube is shaped so that no other birds' beak can slide in to get the nectar efficiently. This relationship provides a secure source of foodnectarfor the bird and a guaranteed pollinator for the plant. In the new paper, Rico-Guevara describes what he has discovered to date about the exquisite beak design that most hummingbirds, including North American hummers, have evolved for feeding, and the unique features of hummingbirds' forked tongues. He has shown, for instance, that their tongues are able to change shape quickly without an internal muscle, allowing them to pump and trap nectar without spending any additional energy: another stunning example of their efficiency, he said. "Extracting nectar is what fuels their lives," he said. As a result, they have developed "very flexible bills with very soft edges, soft, blunt bill tips that are concave, like a couple of spoons, that perfectly match the tongue to squeeze out the last drop of nectar. All of these traits make a good seal between the tongue tips that actually enhances the efficiency of nectar extraction." Yet in the tropics, including Colombia, Brazil, Peru and Costa Rica, males of many species don't fit this picture. Instead, they have stiff bills with a hard, conical, dagger-like tip, often hooked, plus rear-facing serrations like the teeth of a comb. High-speed video shows that the stiff, hard-tipped bill is ideal for poking other birds, while the hooked tip and serrations are a perfect way to snatch a feather or two. The males' wings are also adapted to be more aerodynamicfor in-flight fightsthan are female wings. Hummingbirds' bills are well adapted to sipping nectar, but in some species, males have weaponized bills that seem to sacrifice sipping prowess for fighting prowess. Is there a tradeoff? Credit: Roxanne Makasdjian and Stephen McNally, UC Berkeley. Footage by Kristiina Hurme, Finca Colibri Gorriazul, Colombia The weaponized bills of these males are unsuited to efficient nectar sipping, however, Rico-Guevara said, though he does not yet have data on how much less efficient their bills are because of these types of serrations and a hooked tip. The evolution of these unusual bills in tropical hummingbirds appears to be a result of increased competition. Elsewhere in the Americas, three or four hummingbird species may compete with one another in a given habitat; in the tropics, there could be 15. "We have discovered that these traits may be related to a different kind of strategy: instead of feeding on a particular flower shape very well, some birds try to exclude everybody from a patch of flowers, even though they can't feed as well on them as hummingbirds without bill weapons," Rico-Guevara said. "If you are good enough at keeping your competitors away, then it doesn't matter how well you use the resources in the flowers you are defending, you have them all to yourself." Not all fighters use their bills to protect their food. Others use their bills primarily to out-fence males competing for females at gathering places called leks. "A lek is like a singles bar, a place where many males get together and sing, sing, sing all the time," Rico-Guevara said. "The females go to these small spaces in the forest and pick a male to mate with. If you can get a seat at that bar, it is going to give you the opportunity to reproduce. So they don't fight for access to resources, like in the territorial species, but they actually fight for an opportunity to reproduce. And in the brief moments when there is no fighting, they go to feed on different flowers." He and his colleagues are continuing to study the adaptations that accompany hummingbirds' feeding and mating strategies in Colombia and elsewhere in Latin America, including why females and many other males, who also occasionally fight one another, have not weaponized their bills. Explore further Male hummingbirds use beaks when fighting to stab at their opponents' throats More information: A Rico-Guevara et al, Shifting Paradigms in the Mechanics of Nectar Extraction and Hummingbird Bill Morphology, Integrative Organismal Biology (2019). A Rico-Guevara et al, Shifting Paradigms in the Mechanics of Nectar Extraction and Hummingbird Bill Morphology,(2019). DOI: 10.1093/iob/oby006 The more a company's board is independent from management, the less likely it will become entangled in corporate misconduct, according to new findings, from a meta-analysis of 135 studies, published in The Journal of Management. The site of independence also matters. Independence on the audit committee particularly shelters firms from misconduct, researchers found. At the same time, accepted levels of corruption in countries where firms are located can overpower the effects of board independence on misconduct. The study is the first to evaluate the link between board independence and misconduct worldwide, and to compare the effectiveness of three different "sites" of independence: the board overall, the audit committee and CEO-chair separation, said Corinne Post, professor of management at Lehigh University. Post co-authored the paper "Board Independence and Corporate Misconduct: A Cross-National Meta-Analysis" with Andrew Ward of Lehigh University and lead authors Francois Neville of McMaster University and Kris Byron of Georgia State University. The study is the first to meta-analyze the relationship between board independence and misconduct. "Examining board independence in relation to misconduct is important, given the far-reaching negative consequences of misconduct," the researchers said. "Corporate misconduct damages firm reputation, increases employee turnover, harms customers and other stakeholders, and ultimately incurs losses for shareholders." Independence to curb misconduct Board independence is a commonly offered solution to curbing corporate misconduct. In the wake of the global financial crisis and high-profile corporate scandals at firms such as Siemens, Enron, Toshiba, Olympus and WorldCom, practitioners and policy makers have looked to increased board independence as a governance mechanism to deter misconduct. A lack of board independence is considered a key contributing factor to the Volkswagen emissions scandal. Thus, many countries have adopted rules about board independence. For example, India, Hungary, Korea and the United States require that boards be primarily composed of independent directors, and Japan requires companies with no independent directors to justify why appointing one is not appropriate. Other countries, however, such as New Zealand and Luxembourg, have minimal or no independence requirements. The notion that board independence is synonymous with good governance and can help curb corporate misconduct reflects an established view that independent directors are better positioned to impartially and dispassionately monitor firm managers and their policies and to curb any opportunistic management behavior. "Overall, independent directors, as compared to inside or affiliated directors, are expected to be more vigilant in their efforts to identify and snuff out corporate misconduct because, compared to inside or affiliated directors, they are more able to focus on the firm's operational, financial and strategic irregularities and more motivated to monitor and curb misconduct to protect their personal reputations," the researchers said. Increasingly, however, some scholars are questioning whether board independence is an adequate solution to the problem of corporate misconduct. For example, barriers such as outside job demands and norms of deference can prevent independent directors from being effective monitors. "Because the empirical evidence is mixed, we set out to draw on the universe of studies and available data to settle the question," Post said. The researchers identified all existing studies on board independence and organizational misconduct, conducting a meta-analysis of 135 studies representing almost 80,000 firms in more than 20 countries. First global meta-analysis of board independence For the study, researchers define corporate misconduct as activities or actions that organizational members engage in to deceive or swindle investors or other key stakeholders, including acts that violate laws or regulations or that are legal but are considered morally wrong. Examples include accounting fraud, regulator violations, actions resulting in class action lawsuits, and anti-competitive actions such as monopoly, conspiracy or price-fixing. Independence refers to directors who have no substantive relationship with the firm as employees or in any other capacity beyond their role on the board. The researchers looked at different variants of board independence, such as independent directors on the whole board, independent directors on the audit committee, and the chair role being independent of the CEO role. The researchers found that the independence of a board as a whole was more likely to correlate to less corporate misconduct, as was a structure in which the firm CEO and board chair positions were separate. The strongest correlation among the variants of board independence was the audit committee, primarily tasked with overseeing financial reporting processes, regulatory compliance and risk management, suggesting that it has the greatest potential to curb wrongdoing, Post said. The effect of an independent audit committee was associated with less misconduct across all of the countries studied, regardless of corruption level. However, the extent to which board independence and CEO-chair separation may curb misconduct depends on the country's institutions. "These governance mechanisms appear less capable of preventing misconduct in countries with high corruption norms," said Post, who was surprised at the extent to which corruption norms can overpower the board independence-misconduct reduction link. The researchers also found that while board independence is often touted as enabling higher firm performance, the board independence-misconduct relationship was about twice as large as the relationship others have found between board independence and firm performance. "Our findings on the influence of audit committee independence in reducing corporate misconduct offer an initial demonstration of the potentially wide-ranging influence of important board committees (such as audit, compensation or nominating committees) over firm behavior and performance," Post said. Another takeaway is to consider the country context when discussing governance. The popular governance practice of increasing board independence must both account for the manner in which independence is implemented and consider the powerful influence of firms' broader societal context to clearly understand its effect, the researchers observed. "We demonstrate that the governance mechanism of board independence cannot function effectively across the globe if corruption is endemic in certain countries or regions," Post said. The findings may inform practice and contribute to policy discussions about tightening board independence requirements, Post said. Explore further How companies can restore trust after CEO misconduct More information: Francois Neville et al, Board Independence and Corporate Misconduct: A Cross-National Meta-Analysis, Journal of Management (2018). Journal information: Journal of Management Francois Neville et al, Board Independence and Corporate Misconduct: A Cross-National Meta-Analysis,(2018). DOI: 10.1177/0149206318801999 The Asian date mussel found in UK waters. Credit: University of Portsmouth An Asian mussel named after a British naval officer has found its way to Britain and is making itself at home on southern beaches, according to new research. Peter Barfield, a marine scientist at the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Marine Sciences, is the first to publish confirmation that the Asian date mussel has made a home in British waters. The small, fragile mussel is considered edible in China. Its native range stretches from Siberia to Singapore. In addition to British waters, it has also been found in The Netherlands. Peter said: "After the initial finding of a single mussel on the beach near Titchfield Haven, in the Solent, a year ago, there's clear evidence now it is living and feeding on the south coast. "It's listed on invasive species databases as 'one to watch out for', but whether it thrives here or causes problems for British native species depends on a wide range of factors. "It would be prudent to keep an eye on it." The Asian date mussel, or Arcuatula senhousia, was first found in China, and was described in 1842 by William Benson. It is believed he named it after Sir Humphrey Fleming Senhouse, a British naval officer who died in Hong Kong in 1841 during the infamous Opium War between Britain and China. Credit: University of Portsmouth It is coloured olive and brown, and it can be distinguished from British native mussels by zig-zag markings on the shell. In UK waters, it has been found living in soft sediment and it is known to also attach to hard substrates, such as other shells beneath the sea and up to the high water mark. Until this year, the previous closest known sighting of the mussel was in the Bay of Biscay in 2009. Peter said: "If that population had slowly made its way northwards, it's reasonable to assume it would have been spotted somewhere, by someone. That no sightings have been recorded does suggest those found in British waters may have been transported here via, for example, shipping." Creatures known to prey upon the mussel include sea birds, fish, crustaceans and snails. Explore further How to save endangered freshwater pearl mussel? FILE - In this Monday, July 11, 2016 filer, Pope Francis greets Paloma Garcia Ovejero, right, and Greg Burke at the Vatican. The Vatican spokesman, Greg Burke, and his deputy resigned suddenly Monday, Dec. 31, 2018 amid an overhaul of the Vatican's communications operations that coincides with a troubled period in Pope Francis' papacy. In a tweet, Burke said he and his deputy, Paloma Garcia Ovejero, had resigned effective Jan. 1. (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP) VATICAN CITY (AP) The Vatican spokesman, Greg Burke, and his deputy resigned abruptly Monday amid an overhaul of the Vatican's communications operations and a crisis period in Pope Francis' papacy. The departures of Burke and his deputy, Paloma Garcia Ovejero, signaled that the problems associated with Francis' reform of the Vatican bureaucracy had come to a head, and at a very bad time: The pope is struggling to address a global sex abuse and cover-up scandal that threatens his own legacy. Francis nevertheless accepted the resignations, which take effect Tuesday, the Vatican said in a statement. He named a longtime member of the Vatican's communications operations, Alessandro Gisotti, as an interim replacement for Burke. "At this time of transition in Vatican communications, we think it's best the Holy Father is completely free to assemble a new team," Burke tweeted. "New Year, New Adventures." Burke stressed that he and Garcia prayed about the decision "for months and we're very much at peace with it." Both thanked the pope. "One stage is ending. Thank you for these two and a half years," Garcia tweeted. The pope recently overhauled the Vatican's media operations for the second time by ousting the longtime editor of the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, and naming a new director of editorial content for all Vatican media, Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli. Burke's statement on Twitter that the immediate resignations were months in the making suggested they were not over the recent appointments but a reflection of more deep-seated institutional problems. The resignations appeared to take the new team by surprise, though the job of Vatican spokesman is notoriously difficult given the feudal nature of the Vatican, its reflexive tendency toward secrecy and the occasional skepticism of journalists. The head of Vatican communications, Paolo Ruffini, said he respected Burke and Garcia's decision. He praised their professionalism and said he had full confidence in Gisotti, who was a longtime journalist with Vatican Radio and more recently worked as the Vatican's head of social media. Story continues "The year ahead is full of important appointments that will require maximum communications efforts," Ruffini said in a statement. The comment might have referred to a high-stakes summit on preventing clergy sex abuse that Francis convened for February, as well as the pope's foreign trips planned for 2019: Panama, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bulgaria and Macedonia in the first half of the year, and rumored trips to Madagascar and Japan in the second half. Francis still faces continued fallout from the clergy abuse scandal, in Chile, the United States and beyond. The next year will likely see the outcome of a canonical investigation of ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who has been accused of sexually abusing minors and adult seminarians in the United States, as well as the results of the Vatican's investigation of McCarrick's rise through church ranks. Longtime Vatican watcher Rocco Palmo tweeted that the standard rule in crisis communications is "you don't leave in the middle of the storm but ride it out. "To lose both the Vatican's top press hands (both quite devout) in mid-scandal appears to signal that something has become professionally untenable," Palmo tweeted. Burke was a Fox TV correspondent in Rome when he was hired as a communications adviser for the Vatican's secretariat of state in 2012. At the time, the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI had suffered a series of communications blunders, and it was thought that Burke could provide guidance. In 2015, Burke was named deputy spokesman under the Rev. Federico Lombardi, an Italian Jesuit. When Lombardi retired in 2016, Burke became main spokesman and was joined by Garcia, the first woman to ever hold the position of deputy. Garcia had been the Vatican correspondent for the Cadena Cope, the Spanish broadcaster. The two had internationalized the media operations, organizing unofficial briefings with visiting prelates, providing background information and streamlining communications with journalists during foreign trips. After China's President Xi Jinping warned Wednesday that the unification of China and Taiwan was "inevitable", with the use of military force remaining an option, here are key dates in relations between the island and mainland: - 1949: separation - Mao Zedong's communists take power in Beijing in October 1949 after defeating Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang (KMT) nationalists in a civil war. The KMT flee to the island of Taiwan and form their own government in Taipei in December, cutting off contacts with mainland China. In 1950 Taiwan becomes an ally of the United States, which is at war with Communist China in Korea. It deploys a fleet in the Taiwan Strait between the two to protect its ally from possible attack from the mainland. - 1971: Beijing gets UN nod - In October 1971 Beijing takes over China's seat at the United Nations, previously held by Taipei. In 1979 the United States establishes diplomatic relations with China but also commits to assist the defence of Taiwan. It backs the policy of "one China", with Beijing as the legitimate government, but establishes trade and military ties with Taipei. - 1987-2016: fragile reconciliation - In late 1987 Taiwan residents are for the first time permitted to visit China, allowing families to reunite and leading to a boom in trade. In 1991 Taiwan lifts emergency rule, unilaterally ending a state of war with China. The first direct talks between the two sides are held in Singapore two years later. But in 1995 Beijing suspends talks in protest at a visit by Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui to the United States. In 1996 China tests missiles off Taiwan to deter voters in the island's first democratic presidential election. In 2000 elections the KMT loses power in Taiwan for the first time and over the next five years trade links between the two sides improve, first by sea and then via air. In March 2005 Beijing adopts a law which makes secession by Taiwan illegal at the risk of military action. In April there is the first meeting since 1949 of the leaders of the KMT and Communist Party of China. In 2008 Taiwan and China resume high-level talks after the KMT's Ma Ying-jeou is elected president on a Beijing-friendly platform. In 2010 they sign a sweeping Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement; in 2014 they hold the first government-to-government talks since separation. In 2015 the leaders of both sides meet in Singapore, shaking hands and waving enthusiastically to a huge press throng but refraining from any joint statement. - 2016: End of the honeymoon - In January 2016 opposition candidate Tsai Ing-wen, from the traditionally pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, wins presidential elections. The day of her inauguration in May, China cautions that peace would be "impossible" if she makes any moves to formally break away. In June China suspends all communications with Taiwan after the island's new government fails to acknowledge the concept that there is only "one China". In December 2016 president-elect Donald Trump breaks with decades of US diplomatic policy by speaking directly, by telephone, with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. In 2017 Trump's administration approves $1.3 billion worth of arms sales to Taiwan. In March 2018 the United States adopts a law reinforcing ties with Taiwan, again infuriating China. THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has removed over 650,000 campaign materials all over Metro Manila.NCRPO Director Major General Guillermo Eleazar urged the candidates to also do their JAPAN remained the top provider of official development assistance (ODA) to the Philippines as of September, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) reported. Its loans and grants stood at US$5.98 billion, accounting for 41.20 percent of the countrys total active ODA portfolio. It was followed by the World Bank with $3.13 billion (21.56 percent) and the Asian Development Bank with $2.24 billion (15.44 percent). In fourth place is the United States, with total active ODA amounting to $807 million (5.56 percent). It was followed by Korea with $660 million in loans and grants (4.55 percent). Other ODA providers are Australia, the United Nations System, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), France, EU, China, Germany, Opec Fund for International Development (OFID), Italy, Canada, Spain and New Zealand. The total net commitment of the countrys active ODA portfolio as of September 2018, based on the data generated in December 2018, reached $14.5 billion, with total grants amounting to $2.22 billion and total loans amounting to $12.28 billion. One of the notable projects financed by Japan is the first phase of the Metro Manila Subway Project, which comprises the construction of a 25.3-kilometer subway. The subway will run from Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City to Taguig, with an extension to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The governments of the Philippines and Japan signed the P50-billion loan agreement for the Metro Manila Subway Project in March 16. The project is expected to break ground this month. As we assess 2018, we look at our development partners full of appreciation and gratitude. They have been constantly beside us in our efforts to pursue much-needed reforms, and both social and physical infrastructures to reach our goals, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said. Pernia said the government must take the lead in ensuring these projects create lasting change in the lives of Filipinos. (PR) THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is eyeing China and Europe for foreign travel missions this year.Antonio Chiu, CCCI president, said that with Chinas aggressive stance in building more THE Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is eyeing China and Europe for foreign travel missions this year. Antonio Chiu, CCCI president, said that with Chinas aggressive stance in building more bridges for trade in the Philippines, it continues to be a favorite market for businesses. China is more aggressive now coming to the Philippines but we just have to be selective. It cannot be just an open market, said Chiu, honorary consul of the Slovak Republic, said. For Chiu, different businesses from China should be allowed in the Philippines but the country should strike a balance for the market to remain open to local competition. With the loans and grants China has pledged to the Philippines, Chiu said it shows the economic powerhouse is focusing on establishing relations. China has also been focusing in the Philippines in so far as loans and grants are concerned, which is its promise to the Philippines. Some of them still have to be implemented, he said. The chamber is also open to the possibility of foreign trade missions to Europe to tap the business potential in the area. There are so many possibilities but it really depends on our member companies, on what their interests are. There are so many places in the world that we havent (visited) to promote trade, he said. As Cebu enjoyed continued investments both foreign and local investors, Chiu said they guide these investors in terms of the provinces economic environment. The CCCI president said most of the foreign investors contact them for business matching. When there are foreign delegations that come here they also call on the chamber. We tell them what to expect in Cebu, what we have to offer and, in some cases, they request for business matching. So we also arrange it, he said. CCCI sent a delegation to the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) last Nov. 5 to Nov. 10 and participated in meetings with Chinese companies during the five-day expo. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported US$124 million worth of sales generated by Philippine companies during the CIIE. (JOB) Trumps border wall is at a standstill, his infrastructure plan never got off the ground, and many other policy initiatives are in disarray. But one area where the Trump administration has been ruthlessly effective has been in promoting the interests of the energy industry. His federal agencies have succeeded in gutting a long list of environmental regulations affecting drilling and mining companies. Two-years in and the regulatory climate for oil, gas and coal companies is a lot friendlier than it used to be. The New York Times did a lengthy investigation looking at the on-the-ground effects of the Trump environmental rollback bonanza. The EPA and the Department of Interior are the two main agencies responsible for the dramatic loosening of environmental regulations. Together their rule changes have touched nearly every aspect of environmental protection, including air pollution caused by power plants and the oil and gas industry, water pollution caused by coal mines, and toxic chemicals and pesticides used by farmers nationwide, the New York Times wrote. By the NYTs count, there have been 78 federal environmental regulations that have either been undone or are in the process of being rolled back by the Trump administration. A dozen more were initially forced through, but federal courts reinstated them, ruling that the Trump administrations efforts were not legal. The NYT estimates that 9 federal environmental regulations related to air pollution were rolled back, and a dozen more are in the works. About 10 rules were directly related to drilling and extraction, with six more pending. All told, the Trump administrations environmental rollbacks could lead to at least 80,000 extra deaths per decade and cause respiratory problems for more than one million people, according to a separate analysis conducted by researchers from Harvard, the NYT concluded. Some experts think even those heavy numbers are underestimating the ultimate impact. Related: Will Exxon Greenlight This Huge LNG Project? The list of regulations tossed into the dust bin are too long to catalog here, but a few stand out, particularly as it relates to oil and gas. The EPA scrapped the requirement for oil and gas companies to report methane emissions, while also partially repealing limits on methane, including venting and flaring. The NYT noted that an estimated 3 billion cubic feet of natural gas is vented or flared in North Dakota each month, a volume that could heat 600,000 homes. The Trump administration has also tried to actively promote more oil and gas exploration, using several mechanisms. Interior gutted rules on royalty rates for oil and gas leases on federal lands, which allows the industry to get away with paying very little to the federal government, critics say. The agency rescinded water pollution regulations for fracking on federal and Indian lands, and it also changed the well control and blowout preventer regulations that were tightened aver the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. Interior has accelerated the pace of offshore oil auctions and reduced royalty rates to attract more companies to jump in. In early December, the Trump administration moved to tear up protections for the sage grouse, which would effectively open up around 9 million acres for oil and gas drilling in the American West. It has given the greenlight to seismic testing on the Atlantic Coast, a precursor to offshore oil and gas drilling. As part of the 2017 tax cut plan, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is also now open to drilling. Around the same time, Interior severely curtailed the size of Bears Ears National Monument, another effort to open up land in Utah for drilling and mining. Related: The New Oil Order One of the most significant efforts is the plan by the EPA and the Transportation Department to weaken fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks. By some estimates, the move could lead to increased oil demand by somewhere between 200,000 and 600,000 bpd by 2030. On December 28, just days ago, the EPA proposed to weaken limits on emissions of mercury and other toxic air pollutants from power plants, arguing that they were too costly. These are just a handful of the nearly 80 regulations undone or potentially undone. Trump may have his hands tied with new legislation now that the Democrats have taken control of the U.S. House of Representatives. But his federal agencies continue to speedily carry out their work to weaken environmental standards across the board, handing victory after victory to oil and gas interests. This will likely persist for at least the next two years. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Iraqs oil exports jumped in December compared to November, as exports from the southern ports at Basra hit a record high and exports from the northern Kirkuk fields increased after a slow tentative resumption in November following a year-long hiatus. In December 2018, Iraqs oil exports averaged 3.726 million bpd, compared to 3.372 million bpd of exports in November, when exports had reached a seven-month low due to bad weather at the southern ports. Iraqs oil exports from the Basra terminals averaged 3.63 million bpd in Decembera record high and up from the average exports of 3.363 million bpd in the previous month, Reuters quoted Iraqs oil ministry as saying in a statement on Wednesday. Exports of the federal government from the oil fields in Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean surged to 99,000 bpd in December from an average 8,716 bpd in November, according to the Iraqi oil ministry. In the middle of November, Iraq resumed oil exports from the Kirkuk province, a year after it had stopped oil flows from the area due to a dispute with the Kurdistan region. Around 300,000 bpd of crude oil previously pumped and exported in the Kirkuk province to Ceyhan were shut in when the Iraqi federal government moved in October 2017 to take control over the oil fields in Kirkuk from Kurdish forces after the semi-autonomous region held a referendum that Baghdad didnt recognize. However, the only export outlet of the Kirkuk oil is the oil pipeline of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Iraq and the KRG reached a deal on Baghdad using the pipeline for federal government exports. Related: The New Oil Order Iraqs exports from the Kirkuk oil fields will remain restricted at between 80,000 bpd and 90,000 bpd, because most of the crude oil is being sent to local refineries in northern Iraq, Oil Minister Thamir Ghadhban said last week. OPECs second-biggest producer Iraq increased exports in December just ahead of the new round of the OPEC/non-OPEC production cuts which began in January and aim to clear the new oil glut and lift the price of oil which tumbled to one-year lows over the past two months. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilpirce.com: More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Right concept, wrong approach Export subsidies and import control measures are inadequate to beat the trade deficit Iran is closer to achieving self-sufficiency in gasoline by raising its national production capacity to more than 100 million liters daily, Iranian media report. The increase will come from a capacity increase at the Persian Gulf Star refinery on the Persian Gulf, which is fed condensate from the giant South Pars gas field that Iran shares with Qatar. The Persian Gulf Star began operation in 2017, with a production capacity of 12 million liters of gasoline and diesel daily. Two expansion phases later, the refinery has a daily capacity of 360,000 barrels daily of condensate and 36 million liters of gasoline per day. The facility, billed to be the biggest condensate refinery in the Middle East, will, according to local media, immunize Iran from the grave effects of U.S. sanctions as it will enable it to export high-value products, which are in high demand especially in Asia. Iran is also investing in another refinery, Nagapattnam, located in India and operated by an Indian company. India is a key market for Iran, especially amid the sanctions, which would explain Tehrans efforts to make its Indian buyers happy. The Economic Times reported earlier today Iran will shoulder a portion of the US$4-billion investment necessary to boost the facilitys annual processing capacity to nine million tons of crude. The operator of the Nagapattnam refinery is Chennai Petroleum. Speaking of India and its crude oil purchase arrangements with Iran amid U.S. sanctions, Indian media reported this week the government has exempted all payments for Iranian crude oil from taxes. The payments would be made in rupees to bank accounts in an Indian bank and although such transfers are subject to a 40-percent tax, these will be an exception. In exchange, according to the government, the National Iranian Oil Company, which will be the receiver of the payments, undertakes to not carry out any activity in India other than receiving the payments for the crude oil imports. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil prices have regained significant ground since the Christmas Eve meltdown, and there is potential for higher prices in the weeks ahead. Trying to guess what will happen next with oil is foolish, but several trends and upcoming events could pave the way for a tightening up of the oil market. As we close out the year, December could potentially go down as the low point in the latest price cycle. To start with, the OPEC+ cuts take effect at the start of January, and in reality, even if the group does not reach the promised 1.2 million barrels per day (mb/d) right away this week (it surely wont), the reductions have been likely underway for some weeks. By some counts, OPEC production fell more than 800,000 bpd in December, most of which came from Saudi Arabia. So, we start the New Year with big reductions in supply. The cuts will not balance the market right away, and there is disagreement from analysts over whether or not the size of the reductions is ultimately sufficient. At a minimum, the group may need to extend the cuts through the end of 2019 instead of letting them expire in June. But top OPEC officials have already signaled that they are willing to do that. The second reason that the oil market may have bottomed out is that the waivers on Iran sanctions are set to expire in May. The latest data from Reuters shows that the volume of imports by Asian countries of Iranian crude hit a low in December at 664,800 bpd, down 12.7 percent from a year earlier. However, countries such as South Korea and Japan have indicated that, with waivers from the U.S. Treasury in hand, they could buy more oil from Iran beginning in January. Thus, Iran may not necessarily play a bullish role in the oil market right off of the bat, but the waivers are set to expire in May. The Trump administration will probably be far less lenient this time around, and it will have a looser oil market giving it a stronger hand compared to late October/early November. Estimates vary, but Iran is expected to lose a significant portion of its oil exports, which, combined with the OPEC+ cuts, could go a long way in erasing the surplus. Related: Looking Back On A Wild Year For Oil Prices Third, U.S. shale could finally undershoot growth expectations. This factor is admittedly speculative, but the crash in oil prices likely pushed a lot of shale drillers back into unprofitable territory. While many companies boast of low breakeven prices, around a quarter of them arent profitable unless oil trades above $65 per barrel. At a minimum, plans for new rigs and new drilling could be scrapped. And indeed, there are early signs that is already happening. But if WTI lingers in the $40s for a while longer, there will surely be more severe revisions to 2019 drilling plans. The EIA says the U.S. will add 1.2 mb/d of fresh supply in 2019. To the extent that the shale industry fails to deliver on this expectation, it will act to tighten up the market. Another reason why the oil market could rebound from current levels is that there are few areas of significant supply growth outside of the U.S., and hardly any that could surprise on the upside. Canada and Brazil could add barrels onto the market, but not even close to anything that is expected from the U.S. In fact, if there are supply surprises, the unexpected event is much more likely to be an outage. Nigeria has an election in 2019, which could spark unrest and put supply at risk. Production from Libya, as always, is fragile. Libyas production rebound in 2018 was impressive, but the gains are easily reversible. Venezuelas decline is much more certain. The discussion up to this point has been all about supply. But, arguably, the oil market narrative in 2019 could be dominated much more by demand. Signs of strain on the global economy are piling up by the day. Stock markets have been rocked by volatility, the Feds rate tightening has rattled confidence and increased the cost of debt around the world while also shaking emerging market currencies, and an economic slowdown appears underway in China. Related: Wall Street Sees Oil Price Recovery In 2019 Just this week, data shows that Chinas manufacturing purchasing managers index dropped to 49.4 in December, the weakest since early 2016. What is clear is that the global synchronized growth story that propelled risk assets higher has come to the end of its current run, Singapore-based Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. said in an economic outlook, as reported by Bloomberg. In China, a further growth deceleration remains on the cards. Forecasts from the EIA, IEA and other major energy watchers have demand growth at relatively strong levels, albeit slightly weaker than 2018. Any faltering in the global economy could more than outweigh the array of supply-side factors that could tighten up the market. Time will tell. Most major investment banks on Wall Street see oil prices rebounding relatively strongly in 2019. Despite sharp downward revisions, bank analysts see Brent averaging in the $60s-$70s, which could require a rather significant rally given todays prices. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The field of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers will get even more crowded going forward. U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil said Monday that it, along with project partners in Mozambique's Area 4 concession, had secured LNG off-take commitments for the Rovuma LNG project. This will lead to the all-important final investment decision (FID) in 2019, with production to begin in 2024. An FID is needed for capex intensive LNG projects before they can go forward to the funding then construction stages. Partners in the Area 4 exploration and production concession in northern Mozambique include Mozambique Rovuma Venture, a joint venture (JV) between ExxonMobil, Italian-based energy giant Eni and Chinese state-run CNPC for a combined 70 percent share; along with Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos, South Korea's KOGAS and Portugal's Galp with a 10 percent share each, respectively. Exxon Mobil said in a statement that LNG off-take commitments, secured from "affiliated buyer entities of the partners," are "subject to the conclusion of fully-termed agreements, which will be finalized and initialed in the next weeks, and the approval of the government of Mozambique. "These commitments are an important step forward for the Rovuma LNG project and provide a solid foundation for securing project financing," Massimo Mantovani, Eni's chief gas and LNG marketing and power officer added in a statement. Swimming in gas The Area 4 block contains deep water gas resources of 65 trillion cubic feet (tcf), and will be developed through the Coral FLNG and Area 4 onshore LNG projects. Exxon Mobil will operate the two onshore LNG projects, while Eni will continue to operate Coral LNG and upstream development. Each LNG production train will have a capacity of 7.6 million metric tons per annum (mtpa), for a total of 15.2 mtpa, making it one of the larger LNG production facilities. Related: $70 Oil Could Be Right Around The Corner There are a number of significant developments from Exxon Mobils disclosure. Currently, Mozambique has its first LNG export project, a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project, under construction and due to become operational by 2022, with the ExxonMobil project and another led by Texas-based oil company Anadarko planning FIDs for 2019. These two mega projects have an estimated combined cost of some $55 bn and would bring 28 mtpa of liquefaction capacity on stream by 2025, Paul Eardley-Taylor, head of oil and gas for Southern Africa at Johannesburg-based Standard Bank, said in November. These three projects will have an estimated liquefaction capacity of 32 mtpa, placing Mozambique just behind Malaysia as one of the worlds top LNG exporters, while Qatar, Australia, the U.S. and Russia will lead the group of global LNG producers into the next decade. Mozambiques gas quandary The problem, however, for Mozambique is not dissimilar from other developing countries that discovered vast oil or natural resources and quickly became rich, while not having diversified their economy enough to insulate against what is known as the oil curse or resource curse. Ironically, under such a scenario, these countries tend to experience less economic growth, less democracy, and even worse development outcomes in the long-term than those with fewer natural resources. In essence, the oil curse can best be described as the consequences of oil or resource wealth for poorly governed states. This dynamic has played out in whole or in part in Nigeria, Angola, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Chad, Sudan and other countries, while Mozambique could easily join their ranks. The country has already been teetering on the brink of a major sovereign debt default, which has caused political, economic and security problems. Related: India Makes Breakthrough In Biofuel Development Mozambique's debt quandary came about a decade after international creditors wrote off more than $6 bn worth of bad loans. Moreover, just two-and-a-half years ago the Mozambique government disclosed previously hidden government debt of another $1 bn. A DW report said in August that as Mozambiques hidden debt scandal continues, groups are pushing for the secret loans triggered by the financial crisis, to be declared illegal. The report added that Mozambiques economic woes were brought on by secret loans that were backed by the county's finance minister without parliamentary approval, which is required by the constitution. Going forward Mozambique's LNG development comes as a shift develops in global LNG markets, one that will see the current supply overhang of the super-cooled fuel pivot from a glut to one of undersupply, likely by the mid part of the next decade, if not earlier. Much of this is attributed to exorbitant LNG and gas demand growth in several regions, including the Middle East, South Asia (namely Pakistan, Bangladesh and India), EU members that are trying to diversify their gas dependency away from decades of Russian piped gas market dominance, Southeast Asia (Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia), and mostly China, whose gas demand is setting records as the country turns to gas to offset record high air pollution levels in its major urban centers. Per government mandate, at least 10 percent of Chinas energy mix has to be comprised of natural gas, with further earmarks set for 2030 and beyond. The trick for Mozambique is to both avoid the so-called resource curse as well as paying off massive debt while ensuring that gas revenue and the benefits of its gas boon can be beneficial not just to government coffers and foreign oil majors but to the countrys nearly 30 million population, most which are impoverished. If history is any indication of the future, Mozambique will have its hands full trying to not join the long line of countries falling victim to the ill-fated oil curse. By Tim Daiss for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Escape Room Director: Adam Robitel OP Note: Robitel made The Taking of Deborah Logan, which I really liked, so I'm looking forward to this. The Hole in the Ground Director: Lee Cronin OP Note: This Irish horror film is set to debut at Sundance this year and is the director's debut. In the Tall Grass Director: Vincenzo Natali OP Note: Natali directed Cube and Splice so I'm DEFINITELY looking forward to this! Body at Brighton Rock Director: Roxanne Benjamin OP Note: Benjamin's section in Southbound was probably my favorite out of that anthology. This is her debut feature. Rabid Directors: Jen Soska, Sylvia Soska OP Note: This is a remake of Cronenberg's classic. The Soska sisters made American Mary and have done a bunch of short films. @HauntedMeg at Bloody Disgusting put together a comprehensive list of upcoming horror releases. Here are 5, do check out the full list! (I purposely left out the more obvious movies, like Jordan Peele's upcoming.)Six strangers find themselves in circumstances beyond their control, and must use their wits to survive.Trying to escape her broken past, Sarah O'Neill is building a new life on the fringes of a backwood rural town with her young son Chris. A terrifying encounter with a mysterious neighbour shatters her fragile security, throwing Sarah into a spiralling nightmare of paranoia and mistrust, as she tries to uncover if the disturbing changes in her little boy are connected to an ominous sinkhole buried deep in the forest that borders their home.Brother and sister are driving through Kansas during their road trip. Suddenly, they hear calls for help coming. They stop to investigate and get lost in field of tall grass.A park ranger spends the night guarding a potential crime scene on a remote mountain trail.What happens when you realize that to achieve your dreams you have to live a nightmare? Rose is a quiet, demure, unassuming woman in her looks and actions. Her dream is to become a famous designer in the fashion world, but a terrible accident leaves Rose scarred beyond recognition. She seeks out a radical untested stem cell treatment. The treatment is nothing short of a miracle and wallflower Rose turns into the belle of the ball. It all seems to good to be true. She is now everything she wanted to be. But everything in life comes at a price and this new found perfect life is no exception. 'Supergirl' star Amy Jackson is engaged to multi-millionaire George Panayiotou. The British actress and the son of British tycoon Andreas Panayiotou - who have been dating since 2015 - announced their engagement in a sweet post on Instagram, whilst on a romantic getaway in the Southern Province in Zambia, Southern Africa. Alongside a picture of the pair embracing with a stunning waterfall in the background and Amy's impressive diamond ring on display, the actress - who previously dated soap star Ryan Thomas in 2014 - wrote: "1st January 2019 - The start of our new adventure in life I love you. Thankyou for making me the happiest girl in the world (sic)" Before landing the role of Imra Ardeen in The CW superhero TV series, Amy made a name for herself in Indian films, with her first role in AL Vijay's Tamil film 'Madrasapattinam' in 2010. She continues to act in films in languages including Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada. Prior to launching her acting career, Amy was a model from the age of 16 and won Miss Teen World in 2009. Amy hasn't had it easy when it comes to her love life. Her boxer ex-boyfriend Joe Selkirk pleaded guilty to assaulting her in 2013. However, Amy previously admitted it hadn't put her off relationships and only made her stronger. She said: "It transformed me as a person. It made me not want to rely on anybody. It turned me into a strong and independent woman, who could take care of myself and my mother and people who relied on me. If love comes it's nice but I want none of this crappy attachment. After experiences like that, I didn't want it anymore." Asked her experiences have made her cautious, she replied: "I still believe in love. I can't wait to fall in love some day. I like the feeling of being in love. I'm a hopeless romantic. But there comes a point where you realise what you deserve and what you want. Love isn't always happy and lovely, it can be painful sometimes. It's nice to be away from love for a while and focus on different emotions and what else one wants in life." LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have found that a strain of cholera causing an epidemic in Yemen the worst in recorded history came from eastern Africa and was probably borne into Yemen by migrants. Using genomic sequencing techniques, researchers at Britain's Wellcome Sanger Institute and France's Institut Pasteur also said they should now be better able to estimate the risk of future cholera outbreaks in regions like Yemen, giving health authorities more time to intervene. "Knowing how cholera moves globally gives us the opportunity to better prepare for future outbreaks," said Nick Thomson, a professor at Sanger and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who co-led the work. Nearly four years of war between a Saudi-led coalition and the Iranian-aligned Houthi group have crippled healthcare and sanitation systems in Yemen, where some 1.2 million suspected cholera cases have been reported since 2017, with 2,515 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in October that the outbreak is accelerating again with roughly 10,000 suspected cases now reported per week, double the average rate for the first eight months of 2018. To explore the origins of the outbreak, Sanger and Pasteur team sequenced the genomes of cholera bacteria samples collected in Yemen and nearby areas. They included samples from a Yemeni refugee center on the Saudi Arabia-Yemen border and 74 other cholera samples from South Asia, the Middle East and eastern and central Africa. The team, whose findings were published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, then compared these sequences to a global collection of more than 1,000 cholera samples and found that the strain causing the Yemen epidemic is related to one first seen in 2012 in South Asia that has spread globally. However, the Yemeni strain did not arrive directly from South Asia, the scientists found, but was circulating and causing outbreaks in eastern Africa in 2013-14, prior to appearing in Yemen in 2016. "Genomics enabled us to discover that the strain of cholera behind the devastating and ongoing epidemic in Yemen is likely linked to the migration of people from eastern Africa into Yemen," said Thomson. He added, however, that from the samples available, the team was not able to pinpoint exactly which countries in eastern Africa the strain had come from. (Reporting by Kate Kelland; Editing by Mark Heinrich) By Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) - China reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control but will strive to achieve peaceful "reunification" with the self-ruled island that has a bright future under any future Chinese rule, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday. Taiwan is China's most sensitive issue and is claimed by Beijing as its sacred territory. Xi has stepped up pressure on the democratic island since Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party became president in 2016. Tsai rejected Xi's call and instead urged China to embrace democracy. Xi has set great personal store in resolving what the Communist Party calls the "Taiwan issue", holding a landmark meeting with then Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou in Singapore in late 2015, just before Tsai was elected. Xi spoke at Beijing's Great Hall of the People on the 40th anniversary of a landmark Taiwan policy statement. He said "reunification" must come under a one-China principle that accepts Taiwan as part of China, anathema to supporters of Taiwan independence, adding that the "one country, two systems" model of autonomy, with which China governs Hong Kong, was the best way for Taiwan. China translates the word "tong yi" as "reunification", but it can also be translated as "unification", a term in English preferred by supporters of Taiwan independence who point out the Communist government has never ruled Taiwan and so it cannot be "reunified". The vast majority of Taiwan's people are clearly aware that Taiwan independence would lead to a "grave disaster", Xi told an audience that included Taiwan business people and senior party officials. "Chinese people don't attack other Chinese people. We are willing to use the greatest sincerity and expend the greatest hard work to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification," Xi said. "We do not promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option to use all necessary measures" to achieve this goal and prevent Taiwan independence, he said. This, though, was aimed at foreign forces who sought to interfere and the tiny minority of Taiwan independence forces and their activities, Xi said without elaborating in what was likely a reference to the United States, Taiwan's strongest backer. Speaking to reporters, Tsai said Taiwan would never accept "one country, two systems" and was proud of its democratic way of life. "The vast majority in Taiwan resolutely oppose 'one country, two systems', This is the 'Taiwan consensus'," she said. "We call on China to bravely step forward for democracy, for only by doing so can it truly understand the people of Taiwan's thinking and insistence." Xi reiterated that China was willing to talk with any party in Taiwan to push the political process - stalled by China since Tsai took office - as long as they accept the "one China" principle. Underscoring China's nervousness about U.S. support in particular for Taiwan, U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed into law the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act, which reaffirms the U.S. commitment to Taiwan, including arms sales. 'LASTING PEACE' Xi sought to reassure people in Taiwan that there was nothing to fear from Chinese rule, even though most people there have shown no interest in being run by autocratic Beijing. "After peaceful reunification, Taiwan will have lasting peace and the people will enjoy good and prosperous lives. With the great motherland's support, Taiwan compatriots' welfare will be even better, their development space will be even greater," Xi said. Tsai, who says she wants to maintain the status quo with China, said on Tuesday China must use peaceful means to resolve its differences with Taiwan and respect its democratic values. Beijing has regularly sent military aircraft and ships to circle the island on drills in the past few years and has heaped pressure on the island internationally, including whittling down its few remaining diplomatic allies. Taiwan is gearing up for presidential elections in a year. Tsai's party suffered stinging losses to the China-friendly Kuomintang in mayoral and local elections in November. Xi was speaking on the anniversary of the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan" on Jan. 1, 1979, when China declared an end to what had been routine artillery bombardment of Taiwan-controlled offshore islands and offered to open up communication between the two sides. However, the offer was rebuffed by Taiwan's then-president Chiang Ching-kuo, who in April that year came out with a "three nos" policy of no contact, no compromise and no negotiation with China. Chiang only relaxed that in 1987, allowing people in Taiwan to visit China for family reunions. His father, Chiang Kai-shek, fled with defeated Nationalist forces to Taiwan in December 1949 after losing a civil war to the Communists. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee; Writing by Michael Martina; Editing by Paul Tait and Nick Macfie) Reuters Taiwan will be a "force for good" and continue to seek even greater international support, the presidential office said, after the Chinese-claimed island won unprecedented backing from the Group of Seven of major democracies. The G7 leaders on Sunday scolded China over human rights in Xinjiang, called for Hong Kong to keep a high degree of autonomy and underscored the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan presidential office spokesman Xavier Chang said this was the first time the G7 leaders' communique has stressed the importance of peace and stability in the strait and first time since its founding there was "content friendly to Taiwan", expressing deep thanks for the support. Jeanne Calment, who died in August 1997 at the age of 122, may not have been the oldest person to have ever lived after all (Picture: AP Photo/File) When Jeanne Calment died in August 1997 at 122, she was recorded as the oldest person who had ever lived. But now its been suggested that she may have faked her age and was actually 23 years younger. According to research published on ResearchGate, the real Jeanne Calment actually died in 1934 and her daughter Yvonne assumed her identity to avoid inheritance tax. That would mean that the record of 122 years and 164 days recorded by Guinness World Records when Calment died in Arles, France, in 1997 is actually invalid. Research suggests that Jeanne Calments had actually assumed her identity to avoid inheritance tax (Picture: AP Photo/File) Evidence collected by Russian researchers Nicolai Zak and Valeri Novoselov reportedly include an identity card issued to Jeanne in the 1930s. The researchers also suggested that Jeannes refusal to turn over most of her personal papers to the local archive, instead destroying them, meant the family had something to hide. MORE: Most Android apps are sending data to Facebook even if you dont have an account MORE: Transport secretary Chris Grayling blames unions for disgraceful 3.1% rail fares increase In an interview, Novoselov reportedly suggested that the relationship between Yvonne Calments husband, Joseph Charles Frederic Billot, and Jeanne also supported his theory. But the theory that Jeanne Calments age had been faked has apparently been dismissed by the French gerontologist who helped validate her age when she died. Jean-Marie Robine, who quizzed Calment after she claimed she was born in 1875, told the National Post: All of this is incredibly shaky and rests on nothing. Do you have any idea how many people would have needed to lie? Robine said. Nipped in the bid Security needs to be considered while awarding contracts to foreign companies Withers and K&L Gates have each merged with Singapore law firms, granting both further reach into Asia. Withers has combined with Singapore's KhattarWong following a three-year formal law alliance (FLA) with the local firm, creating a new entity called Withers KhattarWong. The pair allied in 2015, with Withers absorbing all KhattarWong's partners at the time. The newly combined outfit now has 90 lawyers in the city-state. Withers' chief executive Margaret Robertson said the merger underscores Withers' commitment to Singapore and the region, and its belief in the immense opportunities arising from the growing wealth and business environment in Asia-Pacific. Withers KhattarWong will focus on private client, tax, restructuring and insolvency, dispute resolution, investment funds, real estate, and hotels and hospitality work. Meanwhile, US firm K&L Gates has combined with Singapore law firm Straits Law Practice, after receiving regulatory approval for the merger last year. The outfits have formed K&L Gates Straits Law, with the merger also completing yesterday (1 January). Straits consists of 17 legal directors, with the new entity giving K&L Gates 90 lawyers in the region. Under the FLA regime, which has been in place since 2000, foreign firms are allowed to enter a best-friend relationship with a Singaporean law firm while both sides remain legally distinct; but only the Singaporean firm is allowed to advise on a range of restricted practice areas such as litigation and conveyancing. The FLA structure has been favoured by many foreign firms as it grants access to Singaporean law practice, especially court proceedings, without a full financial merger. Other firms that operate in Singapore under an FLA licence include Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith Freehills, Ashurst, CMS, Reed Smith, Watson Farley & Williams, Stephenson Harwood and Holman Fenwick Willan. Windstream Holdings, Inc. WIN recently announced that it has monetized the legacy EarthLink consumer Internet business to reduce capital expenditure and focus on core operations. The business was sold for $330 million in cash to Trive Capital a Dallas-based private equity firm. The divested business offers Internet access, online back-up, managed web design, web hosting and various email services to more than 600,000 customers throughout the United States. Windstream had acquired this business when it merged with EarthLink in February 2017, in an all-stock deal valued at $1.1 billion. Although it benefited from EarthLinks expanded national fiber footprint and enhanced products and services, the company presently considers it a non-core business. The strategic divestment was part of the long-term policy of the company to focus on its core network offerings. At the same time, Windstream is seeking diversification from legacy telecom services to more business, enterprise and wholesale opportunities. To this end, Windstream has made a significant financial investment to upgrade its network and product portfolio, including significant advances in software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) capabilities and a new Cloud Core architecture. In addition, Windstream is realigning its wireless network toward a software-centric model to meet increasing business demands and customer needs. The company is transforming its product portfolio and network in an attempt to enhance customer experience. The service provider claimed that customers from different sectors like regional banking, healthcare, retail and manufacturing purchased its SD-WAN service. The launch of a multi-featured SD-WAN solution and its cloud-to-cloud disaster recovery management solutions should rake in considerable profits. The companys focus on improving sales, cutting costs and pricing initiatives are commendable. Investments made in data center and fiber expansion will likely offer further impetus for revenue growth in the coming quarters. Expansion of its metro fiber network business in newer areas and its aim to extend the deployment of G.fast technologies over traditional copper telephone wires bode well. Windstream is also focusing on optimizing its last mile network and in turn cut costs. However, over the past year, the stock has recorded an average loss of 76.5% compared with 9.3% decline for the industry. Wireless competition has resulted in a reduction in the companys access lines, and has led to pricing pressure in the industry. As wireless carriers continue to expand and improve their network coverage while lowering their prices, some customers have chosen to stop using traditional wireline phone service and instead rely solely on wireless service. This trend is expected to persist, affecting the number of served access lines at Windstream. Story continues Moreover, Windstream remains under pressure from losses in the wholesale business. These, in particular, include diminishing access lines, lower switched access rates and fewer minutes of usage. The company expects wholesale revenues to improve, albeit at a slower pace. Additionally, Windstreams carrier transport business faces pressure as the telecom operators demand smaller amounts of copper-based dedicated circuits to transfer data traffic between different points within their network. The asset sale is perhaps a strategy to stem the losses and improve liquidity to boost its share price performance. It remains to be seen what 2019 has in store for this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. Some better-ranked stocks in the same space are United States Cellular Corporation USM, Sprint Corporation S and T-Mobile US, Inc. TMUS, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. United States Cellular surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average positive earnings surprise being 108.1%. Sprint has long-term earnings growth expectation of 19.6%. It has surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average positive earnings surprise being 320.8%. T-Mobile has long-term earnings growth expectation of 6%. It has surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, the average positive earnings surprise being 13.2%. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 Sprint Corporation (S) : Free Stock Analysis Report Windstream Holdings, Inc. (WIN) : Free Stock Analysis Report T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) : Free Stock Analysis Report United States Cellular Corporation (USM) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Big tobacco firm Philip Morris International (PM) may have seen shares tumble more than 35% in 2018, but thats not stopping analysts from expecting big things from the company in 2019. Citing the rising popularity of the companys newest smoking cessation device, iQOS, and its effectiveness in getting smokers to switch, Piper Jaffray reiterated its Overweight rating and $110 price target that represents a more than 60% upside for the international seller of Marlboro cigarettes. We consider [Philip Morris Internationals] strong underlying core earnings growth and incremental iQOS earnings to be attractive, Piper Jaffray Senior Research analyst Michael Lavery wrote in a year-end note. We believe iQOS expectations in Japan look achievable, and we believe Russia is an under appreciated opportunity. Of course, shifting to reduced harm tobacco products like e-cigarettes has long been the goal of Philip Morris CEO Andre Calantzopoulos. Hes directed more than $4 billion in research and development into IQOS, which is still awaiting U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval before it can be sold in the U.S. In the meantime, sales have been impressive in Japan and Russia, despite limited marketing, Lavery noted. The Juul threat Domestically, sister company Altria Group (MO) has seen e-cigarette sales increase steadily over the past few years. That growth has contributed to an accelerated decline in traditional cigarette sales. Altrias cigarette sales by volume dropped 4.2% in the last nine months of 2018 compared to the historical 3%-4% decline. That downward trend played a role in Altrias decision to invest $12.8 billion in e-cigarette category leader Juul Labs, which accounts for about 75% of all U.S. e-cig sales, according to Nielsen data. Even though Altria has agreed to sell Philip Morris iQOS device in the U.S. pending FDA approval, Altria CEO Howard Willard admitted on an investor call announcing the Juul investment that he was growing impatient waiting for the iQOS go ahead. Story continues A man breathes vape from an e-cigarette at a vape shop. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Calantzopoulos told Yahoo Finance in the wake of the deal that he was not concerned with Altrias investment in a competing brand and doubt it will have a negative impact on iQOS sales in the U.S. if approval is granted in 2019. I think there is enough room in the market for both products, e-vapor products and heated tobacco products like iQOS, he said. The e-vapor category in the U.S. today is estimated around 8% of total nicotine consumption, there is another 92% of people smoking today to switch and I think there is room for everybody. Wells Fargo analyst Bonnie Herzog agreed in a note following the deals announcement, predicting the two products could appeal to two different types of old and young smokers. As such, she also reiterated her Outperform rating and $100 price target for Philip Morris. We believe [Philip Morris International] should be a core holding... in 2019 and encourage investors to accumulate shares ahead of the next positive catalyst which is the FDAs PMTA approval of iQOS, she wrote, adding that considerably better margins on the companys device compared with its traditional cigarettes would help drive profit growth moving forward. Zack Guzman is a senior writer and on-air reporter covering entrepreneurship, startups, and breaking news at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Twitter @zGuz. Read more: Juul surpasses Facebook as fastest startup to reach decacorn status How Juul became the FDAs latest target Joe Camel illustrator: E-cig maker Juuls marketing seems more egregious Equifax Inc. EFX is striving to enhance and strengthen cybersecurity globally. The company has significantly increased investment in technology to revive from the 2017 cyberattack and bring back customers confidence. With expected long-term earnings per share (EPS) growth rate of 7.2% and a market cap of $11.2 billion, it seems to be a stock that investors should retain in their portfolios now. Factors That Bode Well for Equifax Equifax deploys advanced statistical techniques along with proprietary tools to analyze all available data and create customized insights, decision-making solutions as well as processing services. This helps customers understand, manage as well as protect clients information and make more informed financial decisions. Product innovation and continued investments in expansion of Ignite analytics and linking platforms globally are top priorities for Equifax and part of its technology transformation endeavor. We believe that the companys recently developed AI-enabled Advanced Model Engine will enhance Ignite to collaborate with customers. We believe that a solid product portfolio and understanding of the sector will keep Equifax stay competitive. Equifax, Inc. Revenue (TTM) Equifax, Inc. Revenue (TTM) | Equifax, Inc. Quote Acquisitions are a key growth catalyst for Equifax. The company is continuously acquiring and investing in companies on a global scale to supplement the core business, strengthen market share and increase geographic presence. The recent buyout of DataX has added alternative credit and payment data, analytics and identity solutions for underbanked consumers to Equifax core credit database. This enables Equifax to expand borrowing options for the underbanked population in installment loan, rent-to-own and lease-to-own markets. Other benefits from DataX include credit reporting, ID verification, bank account verification and custom risk services. JLR Inc., acquired by Equifax Canada in December 2018, is likely to strengthen its foothold in the Canadian mortgage industry. Story continues Equifax is active on the partnership font to reinforce Cyber security. The recent collaboration with World Economic Forum's Centre for Cybersecurity is aimed at sharing best practices to predict and identify potential cyber threats as well as strengthen global cybersecurity. The company has also partnered with Better Identity Coalition to find solutions for enhanced and more secured identity verification beyond the Social Security Number. Moreover, the company is undertaking efforts to leverage Atlanta for the Advancement of Security (ATLAS) to boost assistance for a better identity solution. Equifax joined forces with Oplogic, a provider of CRM solutions for automotive dealerships, to enable auto dealers detect fraud. Final Words The cyber breach has heavily tarnished the brand image, reputation and credibility of Equifax. The company is bearing the brunt of higher costs as it has increased spending on technology post the incident. However, we believe that synergies from acquisitions along with continued general consumer credit activity, product innovation, initiatives to boost enterprise growth and efficient business executions will fuel growth in the long run. Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider Equifax currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Some better-ranked stocks in the broader Zacks Business Services sector are Waste Connections WCN, Republic Services RSG and Navigant Consulting NCI, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Long-term expected EPS (three to five years) growth rates for Waste Connections, Republic Services and Navigant are 10.7%, 11.7% and 13.5%, respectively. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 Equifax, Inc. (EFX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NCI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research President Donald Trump likes to say and tweet the term collusion a lot. An advanced Twitter search throws up dozens of instances over the last two years in which Trump has posted the word to deny that his campaign team colluded with Russia during the 2016 presidential election. So, its possibly no surprise that Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, has included it on its 44th annual Banished Word List for 2019. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. One contributor said we all need to collude on getting rid of this word. The OTUS family of acronyms such as POTUS and FLOTUS to refer to the president and first lady also featured, and were dubbed overused and useless. Other terms included wheelhouse, wrap my head around, ghosting, yeet, eschew and thought leader. The university describes the list as being firmly tongue in cheek. It invites people to suggest terms to be banished throughout the year, before whittling them down to its 18 non-favorites in December. Check out the full list here. Related Coverage Donald Trump Gets Fact-Checked By Reporter Right To His Face, Walks Away Barack Obama Issues Battle Cry With First Twitter Post Of 2019 Jim Carrey's Gross Donald Trump Cartoon May Put You Off Your Food Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Erica Cole is proof of the old adage that necessity is the mother of invention. A senior at the University of Iowa, Cole, 22, came back to Iowa City different for the fall semester. The chemistry major had lost her leg in a car accident in May while visiting Colorado. University of Iowa student Erica Cole poses for a photo on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, inside the Pappajohn Business Building in Iowa City. The building houses the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center where Cole worked to begin her new business. Months later, with the support of UI's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and various business-pitching competitions at the university, the Cedar Rapids resident started her own business called No Limbits. Cole's idea was simple: with 3D printers, make custom and affordable covers for prosthetic limbs. A cover sized like a leg can look more natural under clothing. Or, customers can take Cole's cover as example. She made herself one that makes the prosthetic look like a stained-glass window: silver-framing dotted with reflective slivers or purple, red, green, yellow and turquoise. University of Iowa student Erica Cole poses for a photo on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, inside the Pappajohn Business Building in Iowa City. The building houses the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center where Cole worked to begin her new business. "The questions from people stopped being, 'How did you lose your leg?' to, 'That's so cool, how did you get that?" Cole said. "That shift really helped me through my healing process because being pulled back to that moment of the accident every day was tiring." Kimm Harris, a lecturer at the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC), and a leader of the Iowa Startup Games, urged Cole to participate in various business pitching competitions at UI last semester to share her idea for No Limbits. Harris said she could see Cole's passion for the project." We all have ideas, we walk around with them and then see someone do it and say Gosh, I should have done something.' Erica is that person who takes her ideas and sees them through," Harris said. On Nov. 13 and 14, Cole participated in the JPEC's Rose Francis Elevator Pitch Competition, where individuals or teams pitch business ideas to judges. She won first place on day one and day two of the competition, earning a $10,000 and $2,500 in cash prizes for her new business. Weeks later, she won the three-day Fall 2018 Iowa Startup Games, a weekend competition that featured competition between 50 students. Cole was awarded $1,000 for No Limbits. Story continues She's truly, truly remarkable. I think when people see what Erica has done, it helps others a lot," Harris said. The idea of starting her own business was not something Cole had even dreamed about before she got a prosthetic leg, but she did already have the entrepreneurial drive and knowledge-base to do so. More: Girl Scout cookies return and new this year, gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip More: 7 smart ways to save money, cut expenses from your budget in 2019 More: After 3 years of price increases, gas is getting cheaper in 2019 For years, Cole has worked as a costumer as a side hustle of sorts. Working with fabrics and the thermoplastic worbla to design Renaissance fair costumes and cosplay outfits for others, she knew the ins and outs of design. As a chemistry major heading to graduate school at Colorado State to study radiochemistry, she knew how to do research and think of innovative ways to solve problems. She approached life without her left leg in a similar way. When she got her prosthetic leg in September, Cole set out to solve the problems she was having with her new limb. She learned to walk again. She had been a ballroom dancer, so she set out to dance again. "I like seeing the look on peoples faces when I come onto the dance floor," Cole said. But it was the reaction of others that would keep her reflecting back on the car accident. Since health insurance didn't cover anything except the functional prosthetic, it was clear she was wearing one even while wearing pants because she didn't have anything filling out her pant leg. "I kept getting these strange looks and questions when people noticed I was wearing a prosthetic leg, Cole said. "Checking out in the grocery store, the clerk would ask what was wrong with my leg. A barista at a coffee shop would say, 'Looks like you have a hitch in your step.' It wasn't easy." Cole took her costuming skills and went to work. She heat-formed a piece of plastic around her right leg to get the sizing right. She then decided to do something colorful with the cover and made the stained glass design "because that's cool," she said. Working with Beratek Industries of Cedar Rapids and its 3D printer, she was able to get her own, custom-designed, inexpensive prosthetic leg cover. Before all of this, Cole had never been a part of programs at JPEC. When Harris and Cole first met, Harris urged her to compete in their fall semester IdeaStorm Week, where people from across campus and ideas nonprofits, artistic projects, health initiatives and product services can come and take a basic business idea they have, give a 30-second pitch and get some feedback in a casual environment in early October. "Of course Erica won that. She blew us away," Harris said. "She had not done anything here before and look what she did." That began Cole's roller coaster of a semester at UI, where she won competition after competition. "I cant think of a better confidence boost that that," Cole said. "It meant the world to me that people had the confidence in me, especially as someone who doesn't have a business background. Harris said examples like Cole are why they make events like IdeaStorm and pitch competitions open to everyone at UI, whether they are taking business classes or not. "People that are close to a problem really know the problem. They are in a really good position to have solutions, whether they're in business school or not," Harris said. Erica is a an amazing example for us. We can all learn from her. We dont have to have a devastating accident to be aware, to observe, to listen to people and what they need. The money will be a serious boost to Cole and No Limbits. She said with the money, she'll be able to finish prototyping by the end of January and hopes to get a 3D printer around the same time. If all goes according to plan, she'll be able to launch the website for her business where people can order designs in mid-March. Then she'll take her products to conferences that specializes in prosthetic and medical equipment. Even when she graduates UI, Cole will have support from JPEC and UI. Harris said that graduates can get additional support for up to a year after graduating. The school also tries to connect alumni who may be in a similar field. "None of us entrepreneurs did it on our own. Its not the case," Harris said. "I would just encourage more people to be like Erica and reach out if they have idea. You dont really have anything to lose. As for Cole and her business, her mantra about its future and her graduate studies is simple: "I'm just going to see how it grows." "People have done everything to cove the prosthetics. I've talked to people who were duct taping a pool noodle to their leg to fill it out a bit. A lady sent me a photo of her leg wrapped in Christmas lights," Cole said. "People want to customize, take ownership of their prosthetic. I just want to help them do that." Reach Zach Berg 319-887-5412, zberg@press-citizen.com or follow him on Twitter at @ZacharyBerg. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: University of Iowa student starts business to make custom prosthetic limb covers 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). Well use ROE to examine United Company RUSAL Plc (HKG:486), by way of a worked example. Over the last twelve months United Company RUSAL has recorded a ROE of 37%. That means that for every HK$1 worth of shareholders equity, it generated HK$0.37 in profit. View our latest analysis for United Company RUSAL How Do I Calculate ROE? The formula for ROE is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders Equity Or for United Company RUSAL: 37% = 1989 US$5.3b (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2018.) Its easy to understand the net profit part of that equation, but shareholders equity requires further explanation. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. The easiest way to calculate shareholders equity is to subtract the companys total liabilities from the total assets. What Does ROE Mean? Return on Equity measures a companys profitability against the profit it has kept for the business (plus any capital injections). The return is the profit over the last twelve months. That means that the higher the ROE, the more profitable the company is. So, all else equal, investors should like a high ROE. That means it can be interesting to compare the ROE of different companies. Does United Company RUSAL Have A Good ROE? Arguably the easiest way to assess companys ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, United Company RUSAL has a better ROE than the average (12%) in the Metals and Mining industry. SEHK:486 Last Perf January 2nd 19 That is a good sign. In my book, a high ROE almost always warrants a closer look. For example you might check if insiders are buying shares. Story continues Why You Should Consider Debt When Looking At ROE Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow 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 required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders equity. That will make the ROE look better than if no debt was used. United Company RUSALs Debt And Its 37% ROE Its worth noting the significant use of debt by United Company RUSAL, leading to its debt to equity ratio of 1.58. I think the ROE is impressive, but it would have been assisted by the use of debt. Investors should think carefully about how a company might perform if it was unable to borrow so easily, because credit markets do change over time. But Its Just One Metric Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. 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 ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. But note: United Company RUSAL 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. Dave Majumdar Security, Shall we find out? Ultimate Air Battle: America's F-15C Eagle vs. Russia's Deadly Su-57 (Who Wins?) Key point: If the Su-57s survive the initial AMRAAM volley, the surviving F-15Cs would be at somewhat of disadvantage against the extraordinarily maneuverable Russian fighters. The venerable Boeing F-15C Eagle has long been hailed as the worlds greatest air superiority fighter given its lopsided combat record of 104 kills to zero losses, however, the aging jet is likely near the end of its operational life. Nonetheless, it remains a potent fighter even as it likely heads toward retirement. (This first appeared last May.) The U.S. Air Force is deferring planned upgrades to the Eaglesuch as the addition of new electronic warfare systemsuntil it decides if it wants to keep the increasingly aged airframe. Indeed, as the Air Force has discovered, the F-15C will need an extensive airframe overhaul and structural modifications to remain in service past the mid-2020s. In all likelihood, given that the Congress has refused to allow the service to retire the A-10 Warthog, the Air Force will have little choice but to divest itself of the F-15C to free up funding for more pressing projects. The F-15E Strike Eagle interdictor aircraft, though, will remain in service indefinitely. Recommended: The Worlds Most Secretive Nuclear Weapons Program. Recommended: The Fatal Flaw That Could Take Down an F-22 or F-35. Recommended: Smith & Wesson's .44 Magnum Revolver: Why You Should Fear the 'Dirty Harry' Gun. However, for the time being, the F-15C makes up about half of the Air Forces air superiority fleet because the service received less than half of the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptors that it required. Eventually, the Air Force hopes to develop a new Penetrating Counter Air platform to supersede both the F-15C and the F-22 in the 2030s as Russia and China increasingly field new fifth generation fighters such as the Sukhoi Su-57 PAK-FA. Story continues The Su-57especially once it receives its new second stage engineswill be a handful for any fourth generation fighter given its combination of speed, maneuverability, stealth and electronic warfare capability. However, the U.S. Air Force does have a plan to defeat enemy stealth aircraft and a counter is already in the works. The answer lies in the long-wave infrared spectrum, which the current generation of stealth aircraft are not designed to suppress. Nor does any countermeasure currently exist to suppress detection at long range by a long-wave infrared sensor that could be retrofitted to existing airframes. It is likely that engineers could in the future devise measures to hide from a long wave infrared sensor, but the airframe would likely have to be designed from the outset to incorporate those technologies. Lockheed Martin is currently developing the Legion pod, which will afford the F-15C a long wave Infrared Search and Track (IRST) capability. Lockheed Martin expects to produce more than 130 Legion pods, which are equipped with the company's IRST21 infrared sensor and advanced data processing capabilities to provide long-range detection and tracking of airborne threats in radar-denied environments. Boeing, which serves as the U.S. Air Force's prime contractor, is expected to award Lockheed Martin an engineering, manufacturing, development and production contract for the Legion pod sometime this year. "With a rapid delivery schedule and unmatched sensing capabilities, Legion Pod will immediately enhance our warfighters' operations and address a passive attack capability gap," Paul Lemmo, vice president of Fire Control/Special Operations Forces Contractor Logistics Support Services at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said last year. "Our proven partnerships with Boeing, including on our U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F IRST21 and international F-15 IRST products, will ensure successful execution of the F-15C Legion Pod program for the U.S. Air Force." The U.S. Navy and industry officials have previously told The National Interest that long-wave IRSTespecially when combined with high-speed data networkingcould generate a weapons quality track against a stealth aircraft. That track would only get more precise with multiple IRST-equipped aircraft sharing data amongst themselves. Its the Navys primary counter-stealth capability, one industry official had said. Equipped with the Legion pod, the F-15C would easily negate any stealth advantage that the Su-57 offers. Once the Eagle has spotted the Su-57, it would also be able to bring to bear its immensely powerful Raytheon AN/APG-63(v)3 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with a focused scanand likely acquire the Russian jet that way too. Either way, the F-15C would be able to generate a weapons quality track on the Su-57 and engage it with its long-range Raytheon AIM-120D AMRAAM missiles. Close in at the merge, if the Su-57s survive the initial AMRAAM volley, the surviving F-15Cs would be at somewhat of disadvantage against the extraordinarily maneuverable Russian fighters. However, the F-15C community has a lot of practice flying against the extremely maneuverable F-22s, and while they are disadvantaged, Eagle pilots do win dogfights against the Raptor on some occasions. Moreover, with the addition of the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System and the Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder, the F-15C has excellent high off boresight capabilitythe ability for the pilot to shoot in the direction his head is pointedas does the Su-57, which more often than not results in a mutual kill as numerous training exercises have shown. At the end of the day, if it were not for the maintenance and sustainment costs coupled with the need to pay from structural repairs, it would likely be worth it to keep the F-15C in service. However, given the age of the airframe and the continually evolving threat, it is more prudent for the Air Force to invest in next generation capabilities such as the PCAespecially since Congress will not let the service rid itself of the A-10. Something has to give and it looks like the F-15Cs time has come. Dave Majumdar is the former defense editor for the National Interest. Read full article The women entering the temple (AP) Two women secretly entered a flashpoint Hindu temple after an Indian Supreme Court decision to overturn a centuries-old ban on women aged between 10 and 50. The women entered the hilltop temple in Kerala, southern India, just before dawn under police protection and left undetected, officials said. They are the first women to enter the Sabarimala temple since the ban was lifted. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Priests later purified the temple, which does not permit menstruating women inside. The two women were named by Indian media as Bindu and Kanaka Durga, and had tried to enter the temple last month but were stopped by protesters supporting the ban. Today two women have entered the shrine. We had given a standing order to the police to provide all possible protection to any woman who wants to enter the temple, said Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan. One of the women, Bindu described the journey to a local television station the pair had to undertake to reach the temple early in the morning. We reached Pampa, the main entry point to the temple at 1.30 a.m. and sought police protection to enter the temple, she said. We walked two hours, entered the temple around 3.30 a.m. and did the darshan, the woman said, referring to a ritual of standing in front of the temples Hindu image. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The visit comes as millions of women have formed a human chain in Kerala to support womens rights. The women formed a human chain of 380 miles long across the length of the state. The Womens Wall rally was backed by the government. The temple row has been a flashpoint which has been rumbling since September, following the courts decision. Millions of women formed a human chain to support equality in the wake of the temple decision (AP) M T Ramesh, the head of the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) in Kerala denounced the visit as a conspiracy. On 22 January, the supreme court will hear a petition challenging the ruling, which could see the decision overturned. -Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK- Donald Trump has asked whether Mitt Romney is a 'flake' after the former Republican presidential candidate and incoming Utah senator criticised him in a scathing op-ed. In an article for The Washington Post, Mr Romney said the US presidents words and actions have caused dismay around the world," and said Mr Trump has not risen to the mantle of the office. In a tweet on Wednesday morning, Mr Trump hit back. "Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not," he wrote. "Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didnt. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!" While responding to criticism with an insult is a typical move for Mr Trump, he exercised more restraint than he has in previous clashes with the establishment Republican. During Mr Trumps 2016 election campaign, Mr Romney described him as a fraud, who was playing the American public for suckers. Mr Trump responded by saying Mr Romney had choked like a dog in his 2012 election effort which he lost to Barack Obama. Read more Mitt Romney criticises Trump's character in scathing attack op-ed Since then, a fragile peace appeared to have been struck between the two. Following his 2016 victory, Mr Trump reportedly considered asking Mr Romney to be his secretary of state. In February, Mr Trump endorsed Mr Romneys run for a senate seat for Utah, which was ultimately successful. Mr Romney's article may be an attempt to establish himself as an independently minded Republican who will not be a slavish supporter of the president, as he prepares to be sworn in on Thursday. He said he will "speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions. In the article, he also cited statistics showing Mr Trump's unpopularity abroad, noting that during Mr Obama's presidency, "84 per cent of people in Germany, Britain, France, Canada and Sweden believed the American president would do the right thing in world affairs. One year later that had fallen to 16 per cent. Story continues Mr Romney has previously taken the side of the media, which has been repeatedly attacked by a president who popularised the term 'fake news'. The media is essential to our republic, to our freedom, to the cause of freedom abroad, and to our national security. It is very much our friend, Mr Romney wrote in an essay in November. GOP chairman Ronna McDaniel sided with Mr Trump on Wednesday morning, tweeting: "POTUS is attacked and obstructed by the MSM media and Democrats 24/7. For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack Donald Trump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive." NAC Airbus deal: House sub-committee recommends action against sitting minister, two former ministers, 3 secretaries and NAC general manager The sub-committee under the Parliament Accounts Committee (PAC) has concluded that Rs 4.3 billion was embezzled while procuring two wide-body aircrafts for the Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC). By Jeff Mason and David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had received a "great" letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and would probably meet him again in the not-too-distant future as part of efforts to persuade him to give up his nuclear weapons. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump defended stuttering U.S. negotiations with Kim, saying that if it had not been for his administration "you'd be having a nice big fat war in Asia." He reiterated that there was no hurry. "I'm not in any rush. I don't have to rush. All I know is there's no rockets, theres no testing," he said, referring to North Korea's nuclear and missile tests that have been halted since the second half of 2017. Trump said he had watched coverage of Kim's New Year speech on the U.S. Public Broadcasting Service. "They said that in Chairman Kims speech he really wants to get together, he wants to denuclearize and a lot of good things are happening," Trump said. "They really do want to do something. Now, does that mean its going to be done? Who knows? A deal's a deal, you never know, but I tell you, we've established a very good relationship with North Korea." "We'll probably now have another meeting. He'd like to meet, I'd like to meet," Trump said. "We'll set that up, we'll be setting that up in the not-too-distant future." Kim vowed to work toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula when he met with Trump for the first time at a summit in Singapore in June, but there has been little concrete progress since. Kim said in a nationally televised New Year address on Tuesday that he was ready to meet again with Trump anytime, but warned he may take a "new path" if U.S. sanctions and pressure against the country continued. Trump, who in 2017 threatened to rain "fire and fury like the world has never seen" on North Korea because of the threat its nuclear weapons and missiles posed to the United States, said a world war had been averted. "That was going to be a war - there could have been a World War Three to be honest with you ... And instead, we have somebody who I really think wants to get on to economic development and making a lot of success and money, frankly, for his country." Trump said North Korea had "tremendous" potential, and added: "We'll help them out too." On Monday, South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported that Kim had sent a message to Trump regarding the stalled nuclear talks. The report did not include details about the "letter-like" communication. Trump told reporters on Wednesday the letter was "great" and that he would love to read it out loud, but did not do so. Trump has said previously that a second summit with Kim was likely in January or February, though he wrote on Twitter last month that he was "in no hurry." In his address on Tuesday, Kim said denuclearization was his "firm will" and North Korea had "declared at home and abroad that we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them." However, he warned that North Korea might be "compelled to explore a new path" to defend its sovereignty if the United States "seeks to force something upon us unilaterally ... and remains unchanged in its sanctions and pressure." In spite of Trump's words, Kim's comments have fueled doubts over whether North Korea intends to give up a nuclear weapons program it has long considered essential to its security. Analysts said Kim's message sent clear signals that North Korea, which has sought acceptance as a "responsible" nuclear power, was willing to stay in talks with Washington and Seoul this year - but on its own terms. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made several trips to Pyongyang last year but the two sides have yet to reschedule an abruptly canceled November meeting between him and senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol aimed at paving the way for a second summit. As well as demanding a lifting of sanctions, Pyongyang has been seeking an official end to the 1950-1953 Korean War in response to its initial, unilateral steps that have included dismantling its only known nuclear testing site and a key missile engine facility. U.S. officials have said the extent of initial North Korean steps was not confirmed and could be easily reversed. Washington has halted some large-scale military exercises with South Korea to aid negotiations, but has called for strict global sanctions enforcement until North Korea's full, verifiable denuclearization. (Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Susan Heavey and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and James Dalgleish) The love-hate relationship between President Trump and Mitt Romney took another turn Wednesday when Trump fired back at Romney, the incoming Utah senator, over a Washington Post op-ed that asserted The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December. Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? Trump tweeted, apparently a punning reference to retiring Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, a long-standing Trump critic. I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didnt. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN. Ronna Romney McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee and Mitt Romneys niece, criticized her uncle in a follow-up tweet. POTUS is attacked and obstructed by the MSM media and Democrats 24/7, she wrote. For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realDonaldTrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive. Donald Trump and Mitt Romney (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: AP) Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, lost the 2012 presidential election to Barack Obama, who received 332 electoral votes to Romneys 206. Obama also won the popular vote, 51.1 percent to 47.2 percent. In 2016, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the Electoral College 304 to 227 to win the presidency, but Clinton won the popular vote 48.2 percent to Trumps 46.1 percent. Still, Romney is thought to be among a handful of Republicans, including Flake and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who could challenge Trump for the 2020 GOP nomination. But in a Wednesday interview with CNN, Romney said he has no intention of seeking the presidency again, despite his distaste for Trumps behavior. Well, over the course of the last two years, I have put out a number of statements that relate to things that were of great concern to me, Romney told host Jake Tapper. The Charlottesville response by the president was something that gave me great concern. The support for Roy Moore in the Senate race was something I was very, very concerned about. His attack on the media. Story continues Asked whether such incidents should have given him pause about accepting Trumps endorsement in his Senate race, Romney again put distance between himself and the president. He was endorsing me; I wasnt endorsing him, Romney said. Romney who once called Trump a fraud and opposed his nomination was a candidate for secretary of state during the transition. Speaking to reporters before a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said that if Romney had fought as hard against Obama as he did against him, he would have won the election. In his op-ed posted online Tuesday night, Romney blasted Trumps character and expressed dismay over the departure of Defense Secretary James Mattis and chief of staff John Kelly. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable, Romney wrote. And it is in this province where the incumbents shortfall has been most glaring. Romney said he had hoped Trump would rise to the occasion but that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office. President-elect Donald Trump and Mitt Romney, Nov. 19, 2016. (Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP) The Trump-Romney relationship dates back to 2012, when Trump endorsed the then Republican presidential contender at a press conference in Las Vegas. Mitt is tough, hes smart, hes sharp, hes not going to allow bad things to continue to happen to this country that we all love, Trump said at the time. In 2016, Romney did not return the favor, calling then candidate Trump a fraud. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud, Romney said in March of that year. His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. After the election, they patched things up, with Romney meeting with Trump several times about joining the then president-elects Cabinet. (Trump ultimately picked Rex Tillerson as his first secretary of state.) And last year, Trump endorsed Romney in the Utah Senate race. Mitts a straight shooter, Trump said in June. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday that he had "essentially" fired Jim Mattis, even though the former Pentagon chief had pointedly quit his post over multiple disagreements. During a rambling monologue to White House journalists at the start of a cabinet meeting, Trump lashed out at his former defense secretary even as his replacement, Patrick Shanahan, sat at the president's side. "What's (Mattis) done for me? How has he done in Afghanistan?" Trump said, lamenting the ongoing Afghan security crisis and the amount America spends in the war-torn nation. "I'm not happy with what (Mattis has) done in Afghanistan and I shouldn't be happy," Trump said. "I wish him well. I hope he does well. But as you know, President Obama fired him and essentially so did I. I want results." It is common for Trump to turn on former staffers and make demeaning remarks after they've left their post, but the criticism of Mattis is notable as Trump had often touted his admiration for the man he called "Mad Dog Mattis." Mattis, a former Marine general, was head of Central Command when Obama fired him in 2013 over his hawkish views on Iran. Mattis resigned December 20, after Trump stunned the US establishment by ordering a full troop withdrawal from Syria. In his stinging resignation letter, Mattis made little attempt to hide his disagreements 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." Trump, who received multiple draft deferments during the Vietnam War, also said he thought he "would have been a good general." WASHINGTON U.S. diplomats will be able to visit detained American businessman Paul Whelan in Russia on Wednesday and the Trump administration will demand his release if the charges against him are unfounded, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. "We are hopeful within the next hours we'll get consular access to see him and get a chance to learn more," Pompeo told reporters during a trip to Brazil. "We've made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges, come to understand what it is he's been accused of and if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return." Russian officials arrested Whelan, a 48-year-old Michigan security executive and ex-Marine, on Monday and charged him with espionage. The Russian Federal Security Service said its investigation into Whelan was ongoing but he could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of spying. Whelan's family has said the charges are baseless. "I just cant see him breaking laws in America, let alone going to a country that might be more difficult to navigate if he broke the law, and certainly not breaking a law of espionage," his twin brother, David Whelan, told the Detroit Free Press. David Whelan, who now lives in Canada, said they grew up in the Ann Arbor area. He said Paul Whelan served a couple of tours in Iraq with the Marines and then worked as a police officer. He is not married and does not have children, David Whelan said. Paul Whelan is now director of global security for automotive component supplier BorgWarner, based in Michigan. David Whelan described his brother as "a very kind person. He's very generous with his time; he's funny. He's a gregarious sort of person." In a statement released Tuesday, family members said Paul Whelan traveled to Moscow to attend a friend's wedding. They contacted the State Department, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and congressional offices after not hearing from him. Story continues "We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," the statement says. Whelan's arrest comes amid increased tensions between the U.S. and Russia. Last month, Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as an agent for the Kremlin and agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors. She has been in jail since her arrest in July. The Kremlin has denied that Butina is a spy. In November, President Donald Trump canceled a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing Russia's seizure of three Ukrainian ships and their crew members. Contributing: John Bacon, Kristen Jordan Shamus and JC Reindl. More: Twin brother of Novi man accused of spying in Russia: He's innocent More: American Paul Whelan was in Russia for wedding, not to spy, family says This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump administration seeks access to American Paul Whelan amid questions about his detention London (AFP) - A man, a woman and a police officer were being treated for knife injuries, police said Monday, after a stabbing at a railway station in the British city of Manchester. Witness Sam Clack, 38, a BBC radio producer, said he heard the suspect shouting "Allah" before and during the attack. He quoted the suspect as saying: "As long as you keep bombing other countries this sort of shit is going to keep happening." The attack took place at Manchester Victoria station in the northwest English city on New Year's Eve. The suspect has been arrested. British Transport Police said in a statement that two members of the public and one of its officers was being treated for their injuries. "Officers are attending Manchester Victoria station following reports of a man wielding a knife," the statement said, adding that the call was received at 8:52pm (2052 GMT). "A man has been detained and two members of the public, a man and a woman have been taken to hospital with knife injuries. "A BTP officer is also receiving treatment for a stab wound to the shoulder." Transport police said officers remained at the scene along with colleagues from the Greater Manchester police force and the ambulance service. Clack said: "I just heard this most blood curdling scream and looked down the platform. "He came towards me. I looked down and saw he had a kitchen knife with a black handle with a good 12 inch (30-centimetre) blade. "It was just fear, pure fear." Clack said police officers used a stun gun and pepper spray before, "six or seven" officers jumped on the man. Clack said he heard the alleged knifeman shouting "Allah" during the attack. He added: "He shouted it before, he shouted it during it -- 'Allah'." "The guy, his exact words were, he said, 'As long as you keep bombing other countries, this sort of shit is going to keep happening'." TC PipeLines, LP TCP was a big mover last session, as the company saw its shares rise more than 5% on the day. The move came on solid volume too with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This breaks the recent trend of the company, as the stock is now trading above the volatile price range of $27.27 to $31.17 in the past one-month time frame. The company has seen one positive estimate revision in the past few weeks, while its Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter has also moved higher over the past few weeks, suggesting that more solid trading could be ahead for TC PipeLines. So make sure to keep an eye on this stock going forward to see if this recent jump can turn into more strength down the road. TC PipeLines currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) while its Earnings ESP is negative. TC PipeLines, LP Price TC PipeLines, LP Price | TC PipeLines, LP Quote A better-ranked stock in the Oil and Gas - Production Pipeline - MLP industry is Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. SHLX, which currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Is TCP going up? Or down? Predict to see what others think: Up or Down The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. (SHLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report TC PipeLines, LP (TCP) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Taiwanese treasure their autonomy from China, the leader of the self-governing island said Tuesday, warning city and county officials to be open about and exercise caution in any dialogue with the Chinese. President Tsai Ing-wen's remarks come after major gains by a Beijing-friendly opposition party in local elections in late November. "The election results absolutely don't mean Taiwan's basic public opinion wants us to give up our self-rule," she said in an 11-minute New Year's address at the presidential office. "And they absolutely don't mean that the Taiwanese people want us to give ground on our autonomy." China and Taiwan have been governed separately since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists lost to Mao Zedong's Communists. The Nationalists rebased their government to Taiwan, but China insists that the two sides must eventually unite, by force if necessary. The Nationalist Party, which in recent years has favored closer ties with Beijing, won 15 of 22 major seats in the local elections, reversing an advantage held by Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party. Tsai takes a more guarded view toward relations with China. "What's really needed between the two sides is a practical understanding of the differences between values, beliefs and lifestyles," she said. China resents Tsai for declining to recognize its condition for dialogue: that each side sees itself as part of one China. Beijing has sent military aircraft near the island, squeezed Taiwan's foreign diplomacy and scaled back Taiwan-bound group tourism. A New Year's statement from the Chinese official in charge of Taiwan affairs accused Tsai's party of obstruction and deliberate provocation. "The broad masses of Taiwan compatriots are strongly dissatisfied with the hostility caused by the DPP authorities across the Taiwan Strait," Liu Jieyi, the director of the Taiwan Affairs Office, said, referring to Tsai's party by its acronym. Story continues "To achieve the complete reunification of the motherland and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the common aspiration of all Chinese people," he said in a message published in an official magazine. Experts say that China will likely offer economic incentives to Taiwanese cities and counties where officials take pro-Beijing views. Tsai warned officials against any reliance on "vague political preconditions" or "forced submission of secret passwords," a reference to giving away secrets. "We don't oppose normal cross-strait exchanges, and even more we don't oppose city-to-city exchanges," she said. "However, exchanges across the strait need to be healthy and they need to be normal." Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to give a speech Wednesday aimed at Taiwan on the 40th anniversary of the "Message to Compatriots in Taiwan," a pro-unification statement from China that called for steps to end the isolation between the two rivals. Tsai would probably condemn any local official talking privately with Xi, said Shane Lee, political scientist at Chang Jung Christian University in Taiwan. "She thinks that's not only immoral but even illegal, because foreign affairs are the power of the central government, not the local government," Lee said. Lo Chih-cheng, who heads the international department of the Democratic Progressive Party, said Tsai cannot do more with China, because Beijing would credit any progress to the Nationalists. She will do nothing radical to provoke China, but some voters are looking for more action, he said in an early December interview. "People enjoy the status quo, but it's not enough to win the elections," Lo said. Tsai also announced that her government was introducing a three-year plan to attract Taiwanese investors home from China, where some face import tariffs raised by Washington in the U.S.-China trade dispute. She said that Taiwan wants China to share data on an outbreak of African swine fever. Taiwanese officials are on alert against any infection on their island, which lies 160 kilometers (100 miles) across the Taiwan Strait. ___ Associated Press researcher Henry Hou in Beijing contributed to this story. Damascus (AFP) - The Syrian regime said Wednesday hundreds of Kurdish fighters had withdrawn from Manbij near the border with Turkey, days after the Kurds appealed to Damascus for support against a threatened Turkish offensive. "A convoy of units of Kurdish fighters comprised of more than 30 vehicles left the region of Manbij, heading towards the eastern bank of the Euphrates River," the defence ministry said online. "The information (we have) indicates that nearly 400 Kurdish fighters have left Manbij so far." The People's Protection Units (YPG), the main Kurdish militia in Syria, last week invited regime forces to deploy to the key city following a shock announcement that American troops would leave the country. The YPG seized Manbij from the Islamic State group in 2016 and US forces have continued to support the Kurdish fighters in their battle against the jihadists. President Donald Trump's surprise announcement last month of a swift US withdrawal has left Kurdish fighters exposed to a planned military operation against them by Turkey. The YPG is the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an Arab-Kurdish alliance which in recent months has been battling Islamic State militants near the Iraqi border. The Syrian defence ministry released a video showing a long convoy of 4x4 vehicles and white pick-ups carrying fighters in combat fatigues and displaying the YPG flag. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said the fighters who withdrew from Manbij on Wednesday were not YPG fighters but belonged to other militias within the SDF. Munich Airport tipped to be appointed consultant for Gautam Buddha International Airport The government has decided to appoint Germanys Munich Airport to provide consultancy services for the operational readiness and airport transfer (ORAT) operation of Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa. A storm poised to unleash rain and mountain snow across the western United States this weekend will be the start of an unsettled pattern lasting into next week. Through Friday, the most impactful weather across the West will remain focused on Washington state, where rain will continue to soak coastal areas while snow levels lower in the mountains. A bit of wintry mix can lead to slippery travel in central and eastern Washington on Thursday. The storm track will shift southward this weekend, allowing areas of heavy rain and mountain snow to move into California on Saturday, according to AccuWeather Long-Range Meteorologist Max Vido. WCoastRain Rain will return to San Francisco, Redding and Sacramento on Saturday and perhaps as far south as Los Angeles and San Diego on Saturday night and Sunday. Motorists should be wary of reduced visibility as well as slippery roads due to rain mixing with oil residue. This includes along stretches of interstates 5 and 80. While most of the rain will target California, steadier rain could reach Portland, Oregon, and Seattle by the end of the weekend. Vido anticipates the north-central Sierra to pick up a heavy accumulation of snow with this storm. This includes I-80's Donner Pass, where drivers should anticipate slow and slippery travel this weekend. Download the free AccuWeather app to see exactly when rain or snow will begin in your area this weekend. "An extended Pacific jet stream will direct frequent bouts of heavy rain into north-central California and the Northwest next week," Vido said. The next round of heavy precipitation may focus on Northern California and the Northwest states at the beginning of next week. Yet another storm can crash onshore by the middle of next week. This storm may bring the chance for rain back to Southern California. The potential for widespread flooding will increase with each successive storm, according to Vido. In addition, fluctuating snow levels with each storm can lead to a heightened risk of avalanches in the high terrain. As the soil becomes increasingly saturated, any gusty winds accompanying the storms can heighten the risk of downed trees and power lines. AccuWeather meteorologists will continue to provide more details on the upcoming storms in the days ahead. Jack Shepherd has won the right to appeal his six-year prison sentence even though he is on the run (Picture: PA) A killer who let a woman drown on a first date in a speedboat tragedy has won the right to appeal his conviction despite being on the run. Jack Shepherd, 31, was convicted of manslaughter last July and jailed for six years over the death of Charlotte Brown, 24, after his boat flipped over at high speed on the River Thames in London. Shepherd, who skipped his trial, was drunk at the time and had not maintained his boat, which had no lifejackets to hand. He has not served one day of his sentence because he absconded before the start of his trial at the Old Bailey. However, he was able to instruct his lawyers to lodge papers at the Court of Appeal. He is believed to have fled somewhere abroad. Miss Browns father, Graham, 55, said Shepherds appeal was incredible, absurd and disgusting. He told the Daily Mail: We all know what happened on the Thames and at the trial, but hes still sticking two fingers up. We thought this absurd appeal would be thrown out immediately. Shepherd skipped his trial and is believed to have fled the country (Picture: PA) We dont know when the court date is yet, but Ill be going to it for sure. The idea that he could get his sentence reduced while hes still on the run is incredible. Mr Brown he will raise the issue during a planned meeting with home secretary Sajid Javid in a few weeks. MORE: Police investigate after frenzied hounds kill fox in front garden during hunt MORE: Sajid Javid accused of acting like Donald Trump by whipping up Channel migrant crisis Ill also be asking why Shepherd is still at large, what resources are being put into finding him, and whether representations are being made to countries where he may be, he added. The trial heard that Shepherd, from Exeter, called for help for himself but did not say Miss Brown, from Clacton, Essex, was in the water after his boat capsized during the couples first date in December 2015. It had crashed near Wandsworth Bridge after speeding past the Houses of Parliament at more than double the 12-knot limit. Miss Brown died after being pulled unconscious from the river. Shepherd was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence. Story continues Charlotte Brown was killed after the speedboat capsized on the River Thames (Picture: PA) Mr Brown said police had revealed Shepherd is in hiding abroad but would give no further information. He said: They told us initially that hed flown to Georgia, but I think that was a red herring hed told relatives and associates so theyd tell the police. It says a lot about the legal system that his legal team can be working to get him an appeal, but dont seem so good at telling him to hand himself in, or revealing his whereabouts. Its disgusting. Theres no shadow of doubt in my mind that he must have people supporting him. How could he live abroad for six months without any income? Hes getting help from somebody. Some people know where he is and have chosen not to say. Shepherd married his fiancee two months after killing Miss Brown, who he was dating behind her back. It was reported that she is raising their child alone. According to the European Convention on Human Rights, being on the run from justice is no bar to mounting an appeal. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been criticised for politicising the capitals impressive New Year fireworks display. The riverside display saw the London Eye lit up to resemble the EU flag, while the soundtrack to accompany the display celebrated Europes finest musical artists. The words London is open were spoken in seven languages as the capital welcomed in 2019, including in English by Mr Khan. The move has seen the Mayor of London come under fire, with some accusing him of disrespect and others saying it was inappropriate. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen accused Mr Khan of a betrayal of democracy, telling The Sun: Its low, its very low to politicise what is an international public event Its a betrayal of democracy and its what we have come to expect from a very poor mayor of London. MORE: Year in Review 2018: top news events MORE: 10-year-old child detained after landing on Kent beach Former MEP Roger Helmer drew a comparison with the Falklands War, tweeting: While the UK is locked in negotiations with Brussels, Sadiq Khan chooses to display the other sides flag on the London Eye. Would he have shown an Argentinian flag during the Falklands war? And broadcaster and columnist Julia Hartley-Brewer hit out at the mayor, tweeting: Are you bloody kidding me? You put the EU flag on the London Eye on New Years Eve? WTAF? This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. But Mr Khan has defended his decision, tweeting: Our spectacular #LondonNYE fireworks showed that whatever the outcome of Brexit #LondonIsOpen to business, talent, ideas & creativity and why London really is the greatest city in the world. He told Sky News: Here in London we have more than a million Londoners who are EU citizens and we should reflect on that. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. He added: One of the things which upset many, many Londoners and many people across our country and in Europe is the tone and language used by politicians in Westminster, giving the impression were insular, inward looking, not welcoming to Europeans. Mr Khan said the fireworks display was about showing that the UK is open-minded, outward looking, pluralistic and would celebrate diversity. FILE PHOTO: Mitt Romney arrives at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala (Met Gala) to celebrate the opening of Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., May 7, 2018. REUTERS/Carlo Curt Mills Politics, Americas The senator-elects clearly-timed New Years Night op-ed throws down the gauntlet as hes set to be sworn in this week. Romney Rings In the New YearAttacking Trump So it begins, a former senior White House official emailed Tuesday night, in reference to Senator-elect Mitt Romneys striking op-ed published in the Washington Post on New Years Night. It begins. The Romney op-ed is ostensibly about character. The president has not risen to the mantle of the office, Donald Trumps predecessor as GOP standard-bearer wrote. But whats most revealing is that the lede, and the crux of his argument, is in opposition to President Donald Trumps December foreign policy moves-- moves that have shaken the establishment, and thrilled elements of the presidents base, as well as long-time critics of the Washington consensus. Romney, set to be sworn in later this week along with a new, oppositional and Democratically-controlled House of Representatives, decried the deep descent of December. 2018 closed out with President Trump parting ways with his establishment-darling Defense secretary, James Mattis, and initiating pull-outs and partial pull-backs in Afghanistan and Syria, respectively. Mattis told U.S. military personnel upon his departure New Years Eve to keep the faith in our country and hold fast. Romney largely uses criticisms of Trump's character flaws as a jumping off point to oppose the parts of the president's agenda that differ from Mitt's GOP, said W. James Antle III, editor of the American Conservative. But for some critics of this president, as well as those concerned about the ongoing Robert S. Mueller-led independent investigation into the presidents campaign, the Romney op-ed was an opening salvo in what could be prove to a ruinous year for this president. Former aides fret that Trumps moves to challenge establishment orthodoxy on foreign policy could be the bridge too far that finally spell Trumps doom. Can't do it this way, the former senior administration official has told me. Plays into hands of the never-Trumpers for a reason. Story continues Indeed, neoconservative emcee Robert Kagan and Kerry State Department alumnus Antony Blinken also teamed up for a searing op-ed in the Post this holiday weekend, arguing Trumps America First foreign policy is driving the U.S. into a ditch. But others reacted that Romney isnt president for a reason. The truth is [Mitt Romney] lacked the ability to save this nation, said Brad Parscale, Trumps pugilistic 2020 campaign chief, soon after the publishing Tuesday night on the 2012 Republican presidential nominee. The president has saved it, Parscale said. Jealousy is a drink best served warm and Romney just proved it. Benedict Arnold is a poor model to follow on your way into the US Senate, Ret. Col. Douglas Macgregor, whos been considered by the administration for national security advisor in the past, told me. Macgregor, a favorite of Fox host Tucker Carlson, full-throatedly backs the withdrawals from Afghanistan and Syria, seeing the manuevers as in the national interest. For those who seek a course correction in U.S. foreign policy, Trumps December was a shocking, needed breath of fresh air. Piling on was the more mainline Fox commentariat, with prominent personality Dan Bongino remarking: This guy is hard to take. With everything going on in the country right now Mitt swears in and right away he hits the POTUS. Few of us are surprised though, we all knew Mitt to be a world-class opportunist. And Romney is now going in the opposite direction of his states senior senator, Mike Lee, who favors many of the White Houses recent foreign policy moves. Libertarian-leaning and a close ally of Trump whisperer Rand Paul, Lee, who previously distanced himself from Trumps politics, recently signaled that he will back the president for re-election. What is clear is that doubts about Romneys new role in the U.S. Senate are dissipating. Romney, who was briefly considered by this president for secretary of State, will be loathe to work tightly with the administration. In the op-ed, Romney lamented the departure of most of the appointees he admired: his early appointments of Rex Tillerson, Jeff Sessions, Nikki Haley, Gary Cohn, H.R. McMaster, Kelly and Mattis were encouraging. All, of course, are now gone from this White House. With this gauntlet thrown, Romney positions himself as the heir to a troika of Trump Senate criticsthe retiring Ben Sasse and Jeff Flake, and the late John McCain. Never a dull day in Trumps Washington. Curt Mills is the foreign-affairs reporter at the National Interest, where he covers the State Department, National Security Council and the Trump Presidency. Image: Reuters Read full article Washington (AFP) - Incoming Senator Mitt Romney said Wednesday he was unsure who to endorse for the White House in 2020, saying he would consider "the alternatives" to Donald Trump, whose presidency he said is falling short. The comments on CNN came hours after the 2012 Republican presidential candidate published a scathing op-ed targeting Trump, saying he "has not risen to the mantle of the office" and his actions have alienated America's allies. Concerning the endorsement, Romney said "I think it's early to make that decision and I want to see what the alternatives are." As a senator, he vowed to "vote with my conscience," even if it meant going against Trump and his party. But Romney -- who is preparing to take up his seat in the new Congress -- shut down any notion that he was considering another presidential bid, saying "I've had that experience." "And, by the way, I acknowledge the president was successful. And I was not." Romney's earlier comments seemed to suggest he is positioning himself to take over the role of Jeff Flake, a departing senator who was a vocal critic of Trump. "With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable," Romney wrote in his op-ed piece in The Washington Post on Tuesday. "And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring." He added that Trump's actions had caused "dismay around the world" and alienated traditional allies in Europe. The US leader responded the next morning in a relatively restrained tweet. "Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not," he wrote. "Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn't. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN." Story continues - White House in 'deep descent' - It is the latest twist in a relationship that has run hot and cold for years. Romney called presidential candidate Trump a fraud and a phony in 2016 -- but last year, he thanked Trump for his endorsement as Romney ran for a senate seat from Utah. In the op-ed piece, Romney noted he had not supported Trump as the Republican Party's nominee in 2016. Romney said he had hoped the Trump campaign would refrain from name-calling and had not. He welcomed Trump's initial inclusion of steady-hand figures in his cabinet like James Mattis as defense secretary and John Kelly as chief of staff. "But, on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office," Romney wrote. The incoming senator said that last month -- when Trump abruptly announced he was pulling US troops out of Syria, and Mattis resigned in protest -- was particularly disturbing. "The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December," Romney wrote. Romney said he will treat Trump as he would any president, either in or outside his party. "I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault," he wrote. "But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions." Mitt Romney (Photo: Kim Raff/Bloomberg via Getty Images) WASHINGTON It is possible to read too much into Mitt Romneys attention-grabbing editorial takedown of President Trump this week, but it is also possible to read too little. Romney enters Washington as a newly elected U.S. senator from Utah in a unique position. He is a Republican former governor of a liberal state, the Republican nominee for president in 2012 and a statesman in an era of disruption who has publicly opposed Trump but then also softened his criticisms. Romneys Washington Post op-ed, in which he declared that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office, immediately set off a round of speculation that Romney might be positioning himself to challenge Trump for the presidency in the 2020 Republican primary. And there is no question that Romneys entrance has increased the possibility of such a scenario. If Trump is vulnerable to a primary challenge, Romneys aggressive move has made him an obvious candidate to mount one. But its also true that this is getting laughably ahead of where things are right now. Todays hyper-charged political landscape often makes a mockery of conventional wisdom and long-range planning. In an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper on Wednesday, Romney said, I havent decided who Im going to endorse in 2020. I want to see what the alternatives are. Asked if he might be a candidate, he said, No. You may have heard, I ran before. There are a number of things that would have to happen for Romney to be in a credible position to run. The best thing he can do is focus on the current moment and let circumstances play out. It helps in this case that he does not seem to need to run again for president. And there are things we do know about the impact of Romneys op-ed that help illuminate why he did it. It was an act of both aggression and commitment. Romneys inner circle is adamant that the GOPs 2012 nominee wont run for president again. Of course, that can be both an accurate snapshot of Romneys state of mind today, and can also be subject to change. Story continues Romneys essay was a marker, a stake in the ground, as one Romney adviser said. Romney stepped forward to claim the mantle of a Republican Party leader who is willing to speak out, forcefully and prominently, against Trump. President-elect Trump with Mitt Romney after a meeting at Trump International Golf Club in New Jersey, Nov. 19, 2016. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Mitt Romney, with this op-ed, has now emerged as the most important Republican voice against Donald Trump and he has the institutional influence to make it matter, Pete Wehner, a White House adviser to former President George W. Bush, told me. Romneys timing is impeccable. Special counsel Robert Mueller is expected to release the findings of his investigation into Trumps campaign and administration very soon. If that report is incriminating enough to trigger serious consideration in the Republican-controlled Senate about voting in favor of impeachment, Romney would be a key voice in that debate. In that scenario, if Trump were to go down, the GOP would be without a leader, and Romney would be an obvious choice to fill the void. Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who will leave office this month and who ran for president in 2016, is also angling for that role if the opportunity presents itself. But Romneys op-ed was also an act of commitment in that he has now locked himself into an adversarial relationship with Trump, rather than giving himself room to accommodate the president. Romney has limited his own flexibility and narrowed the potential roads he could travel in Trumps Washington. Romney has guaranteed that every time Trump does something controversial, there will be pressure on Romney to speak up. And on controversial legislation, there will be an expectation that Romney buck the White House if he disagrees. One of the biggest knocks against Romney in the past has been that he lacks core convictions and is too willing to make decisions based on political expediency. One Romney adviser cast his op-ed as speaking his mind as he believes he was elected to do, even if its not the best thing for him politically. There is some risk to Romneys decision, but there are also political pressures that argue in favor of this approach. The most obvious one is that Romney represents a state that is among the most unfriendly to Trump among conservative-leaning states in the country. Wehner, who has also been a prominent critic of the Trump presidency, said that Romney is a man of decency and integrity but also noted that theres no political disincentive for him to give voice to that decency and integrity. Romney, the governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007, is popular in his new adopted home state of Utah. He is arguably Americas most famous Mormon, and Utah is where the Church of Latter Day Saints was born and is headquartered. In large part because of the Mormon churchs own experience with religious persecution, many Mormons have never viewed Trumps charged comments about racial and religious minorities favorably. A November voter survey found that 64 percent of Utahs voters wanted Romney to stand up to Trump. In light of all that, Romney is more than willing to accept the incoming fire of Donald Trump, Wehner said. That backlash came quite predictably on Wednesday in the form of an early morning tweet that was factually questionable. I won big, and [Romney] didnt, Trump tweeted. Mitt Romney after winning a Utah Senate seat, Nov. 6, 2018. (Photo: George Frey/Getty Images) _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Raytheon Companys RTN Missile Systems (MS) unit recently won a contract to manufacture land-based Phalanx weapon system. Work related to the deal is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 27, 2023. The contract, valued at $205.2 million, was awarded by the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL. Significance of Phalanx Weapon System The Phalanx weapon system is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled, radar-guided gun that can destroy anti-ship missiles and other close-in threats on land as well as sea. On land, as part of the U.S. Armys counter-rocket, artillery and mortar systems, it detects and destroys incoming rounds. It also helps provide early warning of attacks. Phalanx combines a proven 20 mm M61A1 Gatling gun, firing M-246 or M-940 self-destruct rounds at a selectable rate of 3,000 or 4,500 shots per minute. It also includes advanced search and track Ku-band radar featuring closed-loop spotting technology to provide autonomous target detection and engagement. It can be interfaced with a multitude of sensors and systems designed to provide an overarching protection umbrella of sites on the ground. What Favors Raytheon? Raytheon is one of the best-positioned large-cap defense players, courtesy of non-platform-centric focus. The company is heavily investing in technological upgrades that boosted growth. The companys MS division recorded third-quarter 2018 net sales of $2,082 million, up 7% from the year-ago quarters tally. Moreover, the company witnessed an increase in its order backlog of 8.9% year over year to a new record backlog of approximately $41.6 billion in the third quarter of 2018. In recent times, increasing geographical tensions has boosted the demand for missile defensesystems. In June 2018, the U.S. Senate approved the fiscal 2019 defense budget worth $717 billion, up 5% from the initial fiscal 2018 budget. We believe that Raytheon, being one of the prominent defense contractors, will benefit from the budget decision and similar contracts that will boost growth in the MS segment. Story continues Other companies from the same space like Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings AJRD, AAR Corp. AIR and AeroVironment, Inc. AVAV are also expected to gain significantly from the upward budget revision. Zacks Rank & Price Movement Raytheon currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The stock has declined 18.6% in the past 12 months, compared with the industrys decline of 4.0%. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 AAR Corp. (AIR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (AJRD) : Free Stock Analysis Report AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) : Free Stock Analysis Report Raytheon Company (RTN) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The costly ticket was for a train to Gatwick (PA) A rail passenger had a shock when she tried to buy a ticket from London Bridge to Gatwick and was told it would cost 10,000. Lucy Watson was on her way to the Sussex airport for a short break with family when she tried to buy a ticket from a machine for the 49-mile trip. The London-based management consultant was shocked to be offered a price of 10,000 steep, even given the latest annual price rises for train travellers. As well as the 10,000 ticket, Lucy was offered a ticket for 11. Unsurprisingly, she chose the second option. Ticket to Gatwick, that will be 10,000 (Lucy Watson/@shesgonestella) I was rushing for a flight, said Lucy, 28. So (I) just bought the 11 one and ran so didnt tell anyone as I assumed it was just an error with that specific machine. The incident happened earlier on Wednesday. Lucy was buying a ticket before heading to Ireland to visit her mother. She took a photograph of the 10,000 option and then posted it on social media. So far, it has been retweeted almost 100 times. Among those who responded to Lucy online, were those who who compared the ticket price to the latest rail fare increases and one person who asked if she would get to keep the train afterwards. Protesters complain about train price rises outside Kings Cross (PA) The machine glitch apparently hit other passengers as well, who were also asked to make the payment by card only. The machines mistake came as a political row erupted about the cost of rail travel in the UK after an average increase of 3.1% in train fares was announced for England and Wales for 2019, and 3% in Scotland. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said on Wednesday that unions were responsible for the increases. A rail campaign group described the latest fares rise as another kick in the wallet for passengers. Opposition parties have blamed the government for the price rises. -Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK- Man held with a sub-machine gun Police arrested a man in possession of a weapon at Golbazaar Municipality-4 in Siraha district on Tuesday. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday that the U.S. is prepared to demand the immediate return of a former Marine who was detained in Russia on Friday as soon as it learns more about the charges against him. The prisoner, Paul Whelan, the global security chief for an auto-parts supplier in Michigan, was detained Friday on espionage charges while attending a wedding in Moscow, which he ended up missing due to his arrest. Earlier in the day, he took wedding guests to visit the Kremlin museums, but then lost contact with those who knew him. With respect to Mr. Whelan, whos being held, we are hopeful within the next hours well get consular access to see him and get a chance to learn more, Pompeo told reporters during a visit to Brazil to meet with the countrys new foreign minister. We have made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is hes been accused of and if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return. The Russian Federal Security Service said Monday that Whelan, 48, was arrested taking part in an espionage operation. We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected, Whelans family said in a statement. The former U.S. Marine served several tours in Iraq and had visited Russia on more than one previous occasion, his brother, David Whelan, said. Russias obligations under the Vienna Convention require them to provide consular access. We have requested this access and expect Russian authorities to provide it. Due to privacy considerations, we have no additional information to provide at this time, said a statement from the State Department. The charges against Whelan carry a prison sentence of ten to 20 years. Police were mocked after releasing an e-fit (left) that bore a striking resemblance to the Grim Reaper (SWNS/Getty) E-fits can sometimes be laughable or puzzling but a police force has now released one that is a little alarming. Leicestershire Police issued the image of a suspected robber who looks more than a little like Death himself the Grim Reaper. The suspect is said to have attacked a woman while wearing what appeared to be a sinister black cloak over his head. Officers are hunting the man in connection with a robbery of a woman outside a house in Springfield Close, Broughton Astley, Leics. The woman arrived at the property at around 1.15am on October 29 when she was grabbed by a man who demanded cash. The thug fled the scene when he realised the victim had no money but she suffered minor injuries. Cops are hunting the man in connection with a robbery of a woman outside a house in Leicester (SWNS) After police issued the e-fit, social media users compared the image to the Grim Reaper, while others joked it looked like the Scottish Widows advert. Writing on Facebook, Scott Johnson said: Looks like police hunting for black cloak wearing robber, last seen holding a Scythe. Also goes by the name Death. Do not approach. A Twitter user posted: Watch out residents in Leicestershire. Scottish Widows robbing women! MORE: Female student dies after 500ft fall during New Years Day climb on Ben Nevis MORE: A VERY happy new year! UK ticket-holder scoops 115m EuroMillions jackpot Detective Constable Stephanie Burnham said: We have been carrying out full enquiries into this incident and are now releasing this image as part of these ongoing enquiries. If you recognise the person described in the e-fit image please make contact as we believe this person could help us with our enquiries. Anyone with any other information regarding the incident who has not yet made contact with us should also get in touch. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Mergers, mental health awareness, the rise of the Big Four and Brexit advice law firms leaders have a lot to deal with in the coming year. Here, some of the industrys biggest names outline their biggest hopes, fears and expectations to Legal Week. Gideon Moore, managing partner, Linklaters "No prediction for 2019 can fail to mention Brexit its a moving beast and its hard to tell how things will look next week, let alone in the next year. But there is no denying that this will dominate a lot of activity in 2019 as businesses throughout Europe try and navigate their way through this new landscape. "Its not the only significant global event that will occur, though. Although China and the US have said they will push forward with trade negotiations, investors will be watching closely to see if the two nations can resolve their differences. Brexit is not the only significant global event that will occur "Against this backdrop, our focus will be on servicing our clients and providing legal certainty in this changing world. Part of our strategy and key to providing excellent client service will be our ability to embrace new ideas, technologies and tools to help us challenge the present and shape the future. Spotting game-changing innovations, encouraging ideas as to how we sustain and grow our business and support incremental innovation will be a big part of this." Simon Levine, global co-CEO, DLA Piper "The market will be an unsettled one going forward, and I think it will be disrupted in two ways. Firstly, politically, because clearly the Brexit situation needs to play out to whatever conclusion it eventually reaches. That lack of a conclusion so far is making people feel uncertain. That may play into the political situation which will play into our clients and lawyers. "The second thing is the growing influence of innovation and technology on the law. Its a very exciting place for those law firms happy to invest in it the world is changing and we need to evolve to meet these changes. Story continues Something the legal industry needs to be thinking about more is the mental health of the people working within it "As a firm, you cant do anything about the political landscape its beyond your control. But were all here to do business, and if you can focus on working collaboratively you can move beyond the political uncertainties. Something the legal industry also needs to be thinking about more is the mental health of the people working within it, and it needs to get serious about that if it wants to retain great people and attract talented graduates." Sally Davies, London senior partner, Mayer Brown I believe there is a real need for more optimism in the UK. We have all grown weary of Brexit and our politicians need to start pulling together, stop biting at each others heels and think about how ridiculous they look on the global stage. The world economy remains strong and if we are to capitalise on that in the UK we need to go into 2019 with a real sense of purpose about our standing in the world. "Businesses will continue to tackle some of the big issues they have been facing in 2018; cyberattacks, regulatory pressure and over-leveraged financial positions will continue to dominate the landscape in 2019. However, I am confident that UK plc will prevail. We have access to the best talent in the world; our challenge is to provide that talent with the platform to flourish a responsibility all leaders across the UK should embrace. "The sector will continue to have an obsession with technology and AI areas I see as evolutionary not revolutionary. I believe we will see a rise in the relationship management model being adopted by some of the banks, in terms of how law firms interact with their clients. If we see a downturn post-Brexit, firms will need to be very focused on the actions they need to take. Contingency planning should be top of everyones list in 2019. Jeremy Cohen, UK and Middle East CEO, Dentons I think everyone is more cautious about 2019 "2018 has been a standout year. Banking and finance has been strong, real estate has been strong, transactions have been stronger than anticipated. But in all fairness, I think everyones more cautious about 2019. No ones got a crystal ball, but thats definitely the sentiment. "There's a lot of volatility in the stockmarket at the moment, and there's a general sense that people are waiting to see what happens in 2019. "Weve had a lot of demand for regulatory advice and trade advice. After the summer holidays, the volume of enquiries has really intensified. Its clearly Brexit-related, but not only Brexit. Regulatory has been a space thats been growing for some time. "With Brexit, you can imagine there will be a lot more work overall. For us, the volume of enquiries from non-EU clients is really increasing as Brexit reaches the final stages. "For clients, Id say the efficiency and value agenda is only intensifying. One of our core focuses will be responding to that, either through using technology and demonstrating to clients how that brings value in practice, smart resourcing, project management or anything else. Its an agenda well be very, very focused on." Lee Ranson, co-CEO, Eversheds Sutherland "The latter part of 2018 suggested that potentially difficult economic conditions may lie ahead. Despite the legal sector growing faster than the economy, transactional markets may face more challenging conditions if the UK becomes less attractive to outside investments. The big four have made it clear they will be providing a high-tech offering to accelerate their growth plans "Growth in legal technology continues to gather pace. The 'big four' have also made it clear they will be providing a high-tech offering to accelerate their growth plans. We expect to see a notable change in the pace of implementation of new client technology during the next 12 months, with our priority to be to meet our clients' changing needs. "Staffing models will rapidly change over the next year, due to the huge drive towards a flexible and agile workforce that can be both bulked up and scaled back depending on external factors. As the post-millennial generation start their careers, law firms will need to evolve and adapt to incorporate their desire for greater mobility. There will also be an increased focus on diversity and inclusion within the sector. "Past predictions regarding more mergers have not materialised, due primarily to the sector performing so well. If next year brings harder economic conditions, then there will inevitably be a drive to consolidate in order to reduce costs and create economies of scale. The industry will continue to become more fragmented between those law firms that are truly global and those that are niche." Melissa Butler, London managing partner, White & Case "The ongoing war for talent and the need to recruit, retain and develop the best people lawyers at all stages of their careers and across the professional support spectrum remains one of the legal industrys fiercest battlegrounds and most enduring themes, and something we expect will continue to dominate the discussion in 2019. At White & Case, its undoubtedly one of the keys to our ongoing success." Ben Tidswell, chairman, Ashurst "Market demands will continue to put pressure on firms to transform their business and operating models, focusing on maximising efficiency and using tech and other innovative means to meet client needs. "Managing a broad and diverse risk exposure in light of the international reach of our clients will continue to be a key theme. A strong focus on cyber resilience and security will remain a critical area of focus for firms and their clients. "If there is a hard Brexit and a recession ensues, that will obviously impact the UK market. "The industry will also continue to keep an eye on the activities of alternative service providers. "It is likely that we will see more domestic mergers in the UK and US in response to market pressure. The more interesting question is whether there will more international mergers between premium firms, which is quite possible. The more interesting question is whether there will more international mergers between premium firms, which is quite possible "The legal sector is seeing a number of new roles and new careers emerging in order to meet evolving client demand. Ensuring, therefore, that firms have the right mix of skills and expertise will remain a clear priority. The shift we have seen from business services functions supporting the network to being involved directly in the front-line delivery of legal services will continue. "We will certainly see even more emphasis on building greater flexibility and ways of working into career structures. Mental health and wellbeing will continue to dominate agendas and we all need to redouble efforts to address diversity beyond gender." Jeremy Hoyland, managing partner, Simmons & Simmons "The word of the moment really is uncertainty. Its so difficult to anticipate whats going to happen next. Im continuing to plan on the basis that were going to see a hard Brexit. Were planning for the worst but hoping for the best. I think thats the only approach you can take at the moment, as there are just so many risks to everything. "Between now and the end of March, were going to see continued work on Brexit planning for many of our larger clients. Well also continue to win new Brexit mandates as organisations work through their processes and change advisers. Thats going to continue and maybe even ramp up in the first quarter. I think well see fewer transactions due to nervousness around the exchange rate, which may see a depressed Q1 "I think that well see fewer transactions due to nervousness around the exchange rate, which may see a depressed Q1. If there is a Brexit deal announced in mid-February, I believe therell be a bounce in the exchange rates and positivity. If the worst happens, I think there will be a long cool-down period, lasting well into summer. Its all hard to predict. "We will continue to invest in our non-UK business, and weve been rebalancing our strategy for a while. Our Dublin office is an important development for us and remains at the top of my priority list. "Well be increasing the amount of cross-border work we do and our investment in technology to improve service quality, speed and reliability. Lots of time and attention has gone into that, and those remain my priorities for the first part of the year." David Higgins, London co-managing partner, Kirkland & Ellis "From a private equity market perspective, I think it will be another strong year for the sector despite Brexit, as the fundamentals of doing deals are still strong. Lots of equity has been raised and is coming into the market, which means the necessary dry powder is there, as are the debt markets for larger deals. I think these fundamentals should be a driver of activity. "You could see some UK sectors softening, such as retail, and we expect to see more opportunities in that area from a restructuring perspective, but hopefully we will not see a pan-market downturn like we saw in 2007-08. Were expecting there to be more European sponsors looking at US deals as there are lots of targets in the US for large-cap deals, as well as seeing a lot more crossover European/US transactions. "The priority for Kirkland is to maintain our focus on clients and the market. We will continue to grow the business and execute on our growth strategy." Charles Martin, senior partner, Macfarlanes "The outlook for markets and the economy looks pretty choppy, particularly in the UK as Brexit uncertainties continue. In any event we may be due for a cyclical downturn. However, it is by no means clear that law firms wont be busy even in a marked downturn. The big question mark is political change and uncertainty "Companies need to transact strategically to respond to structural change and disruption in their markets. Private equity houses are flush with cash and will see a softening in prices as an opportunity to buy. Litigation has continued to be buoyant and may well become even more so. Downturns tend to produce investigations and restructuring, so we can expect more there too. "The big question mark is political change and uncertainty, which could of course blow quite a chilling wind through everything." David Patient, managing partner, Travers Smith "Were really in the hands of our politicians at the moment. Any certainty that they can bring to the table as to the deal we will exit the EU with, assuming we do, would be welcome news for most people. Were getting very close to that backstop now and anything they can do to bring certainty will be good news. Im quite optimistic that, assuming the politicians can come up with something, there will be plenty of opportunities as we move through the remainder of 2019. "As the environment becomes more challenging, I expect to see an increase in disputes work. If we have a downturn, as was the case post-Lehman, people will no doubt be looking at whatever complex financial instruments have been flavour of the month. More positively, we have a number of practice areas that are more likely to be Brexit-proof, such as restructuring, pensions, derivatives and structured products and, of course, immigration, that I expect to see perform strongly. One of the biggest concerns we all have is the threat to our business through cyber attacks "Luckily I don't have too much trouble sleeping, but one of the biggest concerns we all have is the threat to our business through cyberattacks. Weve seen an increase in traffic towards us in terms of 'phishing' and 'whaling', personal targeted attacks on partners, and attempts to get people to engage with scammers over email. Its a dangerous world out there." Tom Thesing, London managing partner, Sidley Austin "My expectation is that with market uncertainty creating a challenging time, particularly in light of some difficult global activity, it will probably lead to a global economic slowdown in the second quarter. This will create challenges for some businesses and opportunities for others. "At Sidley, we would expect to see more work in restructurings and more distressed investment opportunities. Other sectors that we expect will remain robust are life sciences and technology as both spaces have been very active, so I think we will continue to see that leading the way. We also expect to see increased work in financial services, where some of the distresses will play out differently." Alex Chadwick, London managing partner, Baker McKenzie "This year, we saw the big four make some bold moves as they continue to try and make inroads into the legal sector. Their success will largely depend on their ability to attract top-tier talent and we could see some interesting lateral hiring announcements over the next 12 months. "While the accountancy firms seek to enter the legal market, I expect most law firms will also be examining their own business models and how they can offer their clients more holistic business and legal advice. We've seen this in action in our own London tax practice, which combines the expertise of tax advisers, accountants, economists and lawyers to offer clients the full breadth of international tax planning advice. Legal tech startups will continue to play an increasingly important role "We also saw some huge advances in legal tech last year, as the legal sector and its clients continued to realise the benefits of investment in technology and innovation. This is only set to increase in 2019 as the battle for legal tech wages on and the technology itself becomes increasingly sophisticated. Startups will continue to play an increasingly important role here. "Lastly, I think further consolidation in the legal sector is inevitable but I think it will be mostly concentrated in the US where most law firms are trying to get a stronger foothold." MANILA/TEL AVIV (Reuters) - The Philippines has requested permission for its flag carrier [PHL.UL] to overfly Saudi Arabia en route to Israel, the company president said, seeking to become the second airline to win such rights after a decades-long ban by Riyadh. Should Philippine Airlines get an overflight permit, which would save on flight time and costs, it could launch direct service to Tel Aviv within six months, airline president Jaime Bautista said on Wednesday. "The Civil Aeronautics Board wrote to Saudi authorities asking for overflight (rights)," Bautista told Reuters. "A letter was sent in October." Last March, Saudi Arabia opened its airspace for the first time to a commercial flight to Israel for an Air India route between New Delhi and Tel Aviv. Saudi Arabia does not recognize Israel and the move ended a 70-year-old ban, marking a diplomatic shift as Israel attempts to reach out to Gulf Arab states that share its concern over Iran's regional activities. There is no indication any Israeli airline will be granted similar rights. Israels flag carrier El Al, which must take more circuitous paths to avoid Saudi Arabia, has asked the International Air Transport Association, an airline industry lobby group, to help it gain access to Saudi airspace. Direct Philippines-Israel flights would be welcomed by the thousands of Filipinos employed as careworkers in Israel, and tourists heading in either direction. The number of tourists visiting Israel from the Philippines rose by 61 percent in 2017, and tourism in the other direction rose by 42 percent in 2016. Philippines' Department of Transportation Undersecretary Antonio Tamayo told reporters last month that his country has landing rights as far as Israel is concerned. "This is the result of the visit of the (Philippines) president to Israel (in September)," he said. Failure to secure a permit from Saudi Arabia would add more than an hour to the flight time, he said. Officials at Israel's Tourism and Transportation ministries were not immediately available for comment. (Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales in Manila, Tova Cohen in Tel Aviv and Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem; Editing by Mark Heinrich) Left to right: Doug Meal, Michelle Visser, Heather Egan Sussman, and Seth Harrington. There's a new Big Law player in Boston as Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has announced it's opening an office there with several key hires from Ropes & Grays cybersecurity and data practice. Joining Orrick in its new home in Boston are Doug Meal and Heather Egan Sussman, co-leads of Ropes & Grays privacy and data security practice. At Orrick, Meal will head the cyber and privacy litigation and enforcement practice while Sussman will co-lead the cyber and privacy advisory practice along with Aravind Swaminathan, who joined Orrick in 2015 from DLA Piper. Also joining the duo in Orricks new Boston office is longtime Ropes & Gray partner Seth Harrington, while partner Michelle Visser will join the firm in its San Francisco office. With its newest additions, Orrick now has an 11-partner team dedicated to all aspects of the cyber and privacy work essential for clients' data protection and innovation strategies, said Orrick chair Mitch Zuklie. "Cyber was the thing that most drove us to Boston," Zuklie said. "And its entirely client driven." In conversations with clients, the firm found their legal needs weren't adequately being met in the areas of data privacy and cybersecurity, Zuklie said. And while he noted that the firm already has a strong team working on the advisory side of matters, Meal and his team bring experience on the enforcement litigation front critical to clients. Orrick really gets what clients are looking for, and were really excited to build that and build around that in Boston, said Sussman, who will serve as leader of Orricks new office. Boston is a growing tech market and Orrick is a really important tech firm. Over the years, Meal and Sussman, who joined Ropes & Gray in 2015 after 15 years at McDermott Will & Emery, built a core team, and the two work closely on data, privacy and cybersecurity matters for a variety of high-profile clients. But as Meal approached Ropes & Grays mandatory retirement age, the team began looking for a new home. As the process unwound, what became really important was to look for a firm that would be a good place, not just for me personally, but a good place for the practice that Sussman and I lead, said Meal, who was named litigator of the week by The American Lawyer in 2018 for his representation of LabMD in its petition to the U.S. Court of Appeals that resulted in the first-ever court decision overturning an FTC cybersecurity action. Despite having conversations with some of Big Laws newest entrants into the Boston legal market, the duo agreed the best place for them was Orrick, Meal added. It was an opportunity to combine our practice with their already substantial practice and build ... the pre-eminent privacy and cybersecurity practice, not just in the United States, but globally, Meal said. Ahead of Meals departure, Ropes & Gray announced in mid-December that Rohan Massey, who co-led the privacy and cybersecurity practice from London, and litigation partner Mark Szpak would lead the team, which provides counsel on privacy and cybersecurity issues to investment companies and public companies across the globe. Over the last several years, Boston has become a hub of innovation, with entrepreneurs capitalizing on the city's budding life sciences, health care, biotechnology and technology sectors. But Zuklie maintains that Orrick's move to Boston was not geographic, but rather sector driven. "We always think about a new market with a question of where we can build top-tier destination practices in areas that are critical to tech, energy and infrastructure, and finance," Zuklie said. "So Boston is clearly a market that makes sense for Orrick in terms of our strength in tech and innovation." The firm plans to add several partners in the coming months, Zuklie said, noting that there will be six additional attorneys joining Meal and his team from Ropes & Gray. Orrick is just the latest top Am Law firm to set up shop in Boston over the last year. Kirkland & Ellis, Hogan Lovells, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and, most recently, Arent Fox have all moved to Boston looking to snatch up not only the legal work from its budding industries but also its top legal talent. "The real competition is over the legal talent in the city and who attracts the legal talent," said Meal. "If you attract the legal talent, the work will flow." In an increasingly competitive marketplace, Meal is confident about Orrick's chances of success in Boston. Everything about Orrick, at least as it applied to us, was head and shoulders above the other firms, frankly, Meal said. So the fact that Orrick was able to recruit us makes me feel good about Orrick winning way more than its fair share of those talent competitions going forward. On the lookout for a Sector - Energy fund? Starting with Oppenheimer SteelPath MLP Income A (MLPDX) should not be a possibility at this time. MLPDX has a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), which is based on nine forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. Objective Zacks categorizes MLPDX as Sector - Energy, a segment packed with options. Sector - Energy mutual funds encompass a wide range of vastly changing and vitally important industries throughout this massive global sector. Oil and gas comprise the bulk of the exposure here, and carbon-based fuels are going to be the majority of assets in these funds. However, clean energy is starting to pick up steam. History of Fund/Manager Oppenheimer is based in Denver, CO, and is the manager of MLPDX. The Oppenheimer SteelPath MLP Income A made its debut in April of 2010 and MLPDX has managed to accumulate roughly $1.31 billion in assets, as of the most recently available information. The fund is currently managed by Stuart Cartner who has been in charge of the fund since April of 2010. Performance Investors naturally seek funds with strong performance. MLPDX has a 5-year annualized total return of -4.21% and is in the top third among its category peers. If you're interested in shorter time frames, do not dismiss looking at the fund's 3-year annualized total return of -1.08%, which places it in the middle third during this time-frame. When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. Compared to the category average of 11.48%, the standard deviation of MLPDX over the past three years is 20.87%. The standard deviation of the fund over the past 5 years is 18.4% compared to the category average of 11.58%. This makes the fund more volatile than its peers over the past half-decade. Risk Factors It's always important to be aware of the downsides to any future investment, so one should not discount the risks that come with this segment. Story continues Investors should not forget about beta, an important way to measure a mutual fund's risk compared to the market as a whole. MLPDX has a 5-year beta of 1.08, which means it is likely to be more volatile than the market average. Because alpha represents a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark, which is the S&P 500 in this case, one should pay attention to this metric as well. The fund has produced a negative alpha over the past 5 years of -13.59, which shows that managers in this portfolio find it difficult to pick securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns. Expenses As competition heats up in the mutual fund market, costs become increasingly important. Compared to its otherwise identical counterpart, a low-cost product will be an outperformer, all other things being equal. Thus, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is vital for investors. In terms of fees, MLPDX is a load fund. It has an expense ratio of 1.39% compared to the category average of 1.48%. MLPDX is actually cheaper than its peers when you consider factors like cost. Investors should also note that the minimum initial investment for the product is $1,000 and that each subsequent investment has no minimum amount. Bottom Line Overall, Oppenheimer SteelPath MLP Income A ( MLPDX ) has a low Zacks Mutual Fund rank, and in conjunction with its comparatively strong performance, worse downside risk, and lower fees, Oppenheimer SteelPath MLP Income A ( MLPDX ) looks like a somewhat weak choice for investors right now. Don't stop here for your research on Sector - Energy funds. We also have plenty more on our site in order to help you find the best possible fund for your portfolio. Make sure to check out www.zacks.com/funds/mutual-funds for more information about the world of funds, and feel free to compare MLPDX to its peers as well for additional information. If you are more of a stock investor, make sure to also check out our Zacks Rank, and our full suite of tools we have available for novice and professional investors alike. 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 Get Your Free (MLPDX): Fund Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. If youre interested in Peking University Resources (Holdings) Company Limited (HKG:618), then you might want to consider its beta (a measure of share price volatility) in order to understand how the stock could impact your portfolio. Volatility is considered to be a measure of risk in modern finance theory. Investors may think of volatility as falling into two main categories. First, we have company specific volatility, which is the price gyrations of an individual stock. Holding at least 8 stocks can reduce this kind of risk across a portfolio. The other type, which cannot be diversified away, is the volatility of the entire market. Every stock in the market is exposed to this volatility, which is linked to the fact that stocks prices are correlated in an efficient market. Some stocks are more sensitive to general market forces than others. Some investors use beta as a measure of how much a certain stock is impacted by market risk (volatility). While we should keep in mind that Warren Buffett has cautioned that Volatility is far from synonymous with risk, beta is still a useful factor to consider. To make good use of it you must first know that the beta of the overall market is one. Any stock with a beta of greater than one is considered more volatile than the market, while those with a beta below one are either less volatile or poorly correlated with the market. View our latest analysis for Peking University Resources (Holdings) What 618s beta value tells investors Given that it has a beta of 0.84, we can surmise that the Peking University Resources (Holdings) share price has not been strongly impacted by broader market volatility (over the last 5 years). If history is a good guide, owning the stock should help ensure that your portfolio is not overly sensitive to market volatility. Beta is worth considering, but its also important to consider whether Peking University Resources (Holdings) is growing earnings and revenue. You can take a look for yourself, below. Story continues SEHK:618 Income Statement Export January 2nd 19 Could 618s size cause it to be more volatile? With a market capitalisation of HK$1.7b, Peking University Resources (Holdings) is a very small company by global standards. It is quite likely to be unknown to most investors. It is not unusual for very small companies to have a low beta value, especially if only low volumes of shares are traded. Even when they are traded more actively, the share price is often more susceptible to company specific developments than overall market volatility. What this means for you: Since Peking University Resources (Holdings) is not heavily influenced by market moves, its share price is probably far more dependend on company specific developments. It could pay to take a closer look at metrics such as revenue growth, earnings growth, and debt. In order to fully understand whether 618 is a good investment for you, we also need to consider important company-specific fundamentals such as Peking University Resources (Holdings)s financial health and performance track record. I urge you to continue your research by taking a look at the following: Financial Health: Are 618s operations financially sustainable? Balance sheets can be hard to analyze, which is why weve done it for you. Check out our financial health checks here. Past Track Record: Has 618 been consistently performing well irrespective of the ups and downs in the market? Go into more detail in the past performance analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of 618s historicals for more clarity. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore 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. Aircraft purchase: Lawmakers call for joint investigation committee Lawmakers on Tuesday seconded the proposition of Nepali Congress MP Amresh Kumar Singh on forming a joint parliamentary committee to probe into alleged irregularities in the purchase of two Airbus A-330 jets by Nepal Airlines Corporation. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Tuesday he hopes to extend his high-stakes nuclear summitry with President Donald Trump into 2019, but also warned Washington not to test North Koreans' patience with sanctions and pressure. During his televised New Year's speech, Kim said he's ready to meet with Trump at any time to produce an outcome "welcomed by the international community." However, he said the North will be forced to take a different path if the United States "continues to break its promises and misjudges the patience of our people by unilaterally demanding certain things and pushes ahead with sanctions and pressure." Kim also said the United States should continue to halt its joint military exercises with ally South Korea and not deploy strategic military assets to the South. He also made a nationalistic call urging for stronger inter-Korean cooperation and said the North is ready to resume operations at a jointly run factory park in the North Korean border town of Kaesong and restart South Korean tours to the North's Diamond Mountain resort. Neither of those is possible for South Korea unless sanctions are removed. Some analysts say North Korea has been trying to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul while putting the larger burden of action on the United States. Pyongyang over the past months has accused Washington of failing to take corresponding measures following the North's unilateral dismantlement of a nuclear testing ground and suspension of nuclear and long-range missile tests. Washington and Pyongyang are trying to arrange a second summit between Trump and Kim, who met in Singapore on June 12. "If the United States takes sincere measures and corresponding action to our leading and pre-emptive efforts, then (U.S.-North Korea) relations will advance at a fast and excellent pace through the process of implementing (such) definite and groundbreaking measures," said Kim, who delivered the speech sitting on a leather chair, wearing a black suit and gray-blue tie. Story continues "It is the unwavering position of our party and the republic's government and my firm will that the two countries as declared in the June 12 joint statement ... take steps to establish a permanent and stable peace regime and push toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," he said. "Therefore, we have already declared domestically and internationally and took various actions showing our commitment that we will no further create or test nuclear weapons and will not use or spread them." Adam Mount, a senior analyst at the Federation of American Scientists, said Kim appears to be hinting at an agreement that falls short of a full disarmament, but could still represent a major limitation of the North Korean threat a cap that essentially freezes the North's rudimentary nuclear capability from growing or advancing further. In exchange, the United States would have to offer major inducements, including sanctions relief. "U.S. negotiators should move decisively in the new year to find out how far Kim is willing to go toward a verified cap on his arsenal. Discussions on reducing or eliminating that arsenal come later," Mount said in an email. However, Kim's statement could prove problematic if there's ongoing evidence the North's nuclear and missile facilities continue to run. Private analysts have accused North Korea of continuing nuclear and missile development, citing details from commercial satellite imagery. "Over the last year, signs of continued work on the arsenal were alarming but not duplicitous, because there was never a commitment to stop those activities," Mount said. "That may no longer be true, raising the risk that the White House feels cheated rather than just stonewalled." Kim's speech also points toward a difficult year for the U.S.-South Korean alliance with their military cooperation coming under pressure from Pyongyang, Seoul's process for inter-Korean engagement, and Washington's current inability to reach an agreement on cost-sharing for the U.S. military presence in South Korea. It will be critical for the allies to develop a firmer policy as it's clear the issue of joint drills is coming to a head, Mount said. In the speech, Kim hailed the results of the North's diplomatic activities in 2018, including his three meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Kim said an inter-Korean military agreement reached in their last summit in September to reduce conventional military threats was "realistically a non-aggression declaration." Kim also emphasized the development of the North Korean economy and, without elaborating, mentioned nuclear power as part of the country's plans to boost electricity production. South Korea's government in a statement welcomed what it described as Kim's commitment toward peace and said Seoul plans to work closely with the international community for the denuclearization of the peninsula while also advancing inter-Korean relations to an "irreversible level." North Korean leaders traditionally use New Year's statements to issue major policy goals for the year ahead. Kim used his New Year's speech a year ago to start a newfound diplomatic approach with Seoul and Washington, which led to his meetings with Moon and Trump. Kim also met three times with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which boosted his leverage by reintroducing Beijing Pyongyang's main ally as a major player in the diplomatic process to resolve the nuclear standoff. But nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang have stalled in recent months as they struggle with the sequencing of North Korea's disarmament and the removal of U.S.-led sanctions against the North. The North has also bristled at U.S. demands to provide a detailed account of nuclear and missile facilities that would be inspected and dismantled under a potential deal. The hardening stalemate has fueled doubts on whether Kim will ever voluntarily relinquish the nuclear weapons and missiles he may see as his strongest guarantee of survival. In his meetings with Trump and Moon, Kim signed vague statements calling for the "complete denuclearization" of the Korean Peninsula without describing when and how it would occur. But North Korea for decades has been pushing a concept of denuclearization that bears no resemblance to the American definition, with Pyongyang vowing to pursue nuclear development until the United States removes its troops and the nuclear umbrella defending South Korea and Japan. The North used a blunt statement last month to reiterate its traditional stance on denuclearization, saying it will never unilaterally give up its weapons unless Washington removes what Pyongyang describes as a nuclear threat. The statement jarred with Seoul's claim that Kim is genuinely interested in negotiating away his nukes and suggested that the North will potentially demand the United States withdraw or significantly reduce the 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea, a major sticking point in any disarmament deal. Washington and Pyongyang have yet to reschedule a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and senior North Korean officials after the North canceled it at the last minute in November. There are views that North Korea wants a quick second summit because it thinks it can win major concessions from Trump that they probably couldn't from lower-level U.S. officials, who are more adamant about the North committing to inspections and verification. Police outside the Grosvenor House Suites in Park Lane, London after a security guard was stabbed to death (PA) A security guard who was stabbed to death while trying to stop gatecrashers storming into a party had come to London for a better life, his girlfriend said. The 33-year-old, named in reports as Tudor Simionov, was working outside the private event in Park Lane in the capitals West End when he was attacked at around 5.30am on January 1. His girlfriend Madalina Anghel told the Evening Standard: Right now I cant think about him in the past. He was my future husband and we came to London from Romania for a better life. I cant explain in words how much pain I am in. Two of his colleagues, aged 29 and 37, were also stabbed during the fight, as was a 29-year-old woman. Their injuries were not life-threatening. Scotland Yard said that two other men, aged 37 and 29, and a 29-year-old woman were also stabbed in the incident on Park Lane (PA) The incident was one of two New Years Day knife attacks to hit the capital, which also saw a woman killed in Camberwell. The woman, named in reports as 33-year-old Charlotte Huggins, was found with stab wounds at a residential address in Camberwell, south London. She died at 4.50am. Detectives are also investigating a shooting at a nightclub in Hackney, east London, in which a woman was shot in the leg. MORE: Elderly woman injured after car reverses into Dudley house during mass NYE brawl MORE: A VERY happy new year! UK ticket-holder scoops 115m EuroMillions jackpot Mr Simionovs killing took place some 200 yards from Grosvenor House Suites. The hotel said in a statement: Police reported that they were called to an incident on Park Lane on Tuesday 1 January. The incident did not happen at Grosvenor House Suites and the hotel, its guests and staff were unaffected. The hotel is fully operational. A woman in her early 30s was stabbed to death in the early hours of the morning in a house in Camberwell (SWNS) The Mets Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge said: The incident took place outside a venue that was hosting a private party. I would like to hear from anyone who was present at that event and witnessed this incident. A number of witnesses have already been spoken to, but it is clear many others who were present are yet to be traced, some of whom may have captured the attack on their mobile phones. Story continues It appears the deceased and the two injured males were working as security staff for the party. They were attacked by a group of males who were outside trying to enter the venue. Forensic investigators in a property in Park Lane following the stabbings (PA) The female was also attacked as she assisted the security staff in closing the front door of the premises. This shocking incident happened just hours into a New Year, the area was particularly busy with people out celebrating and making their way home from various parties and organised events. A 34-year-old man was initially arrested at the scene of the killing in Camberwell on suspicion of attempted murder and has been bailed until mid-January. Tributes were paid near the scene of the first murder in the capital in 2019 (SWNS) Scotland Yard said officers were also called to shooting at a nightclub in Kingsland Road, Hackney, at around 5am. Paramedics treated the victim, who is believed to be aged in her mid-20s, for a leg wound. She was then taken to hospital and her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. No arrests have been made. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Here are the companies the Yahoo Finance team is watching for you today. Netflix is dealing with some pressure. The stock's getting squeezed after analysts at Sun Trust slashed their price target to $355 a share. They also expect subscriber growth to slow in the 4th quarter. A different story for shoemaker Crocs, now getting a big upgrade. Susquehanna just raised its price target to $31 a share and upgraded the stock to positive, from neutral. The clogs are becoming fashionable again thanks in part to a collaboration with Post Malone. Google just got FCC approval for a new motion sensor. The device uses radar to allow touchless control of all sorts of devices. The goal is to make it easier for people with mobility or speech issues to use devices that might otherwise be voice controlled. Omega Healthcare Investors is buying Medequities Realty Trust. Omega finances nursing homes and senior living facilities, while Medequities invests in other healthcare properties. Omega's CEO says the deal will help diversify their portfolio when it closes later this year. Tesla is cutting the price of some models after sales in the 4th quarter fell short. It delivered some 90,000 vehicles to end the year, less than expected. That's despite Elon Musk's push to deliver thousands of cars just ahead of a tax credit coming to an end. The company does say it will begin making deliveries to China and Europe next month. Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday he would not resign if indicted on corruption charges, as police continue to investigate several cases involving him ahead of April polls. Netanyahu said he would not step down "in the event of being summoned for a hearing by the prosecutor general before the elections", a necessary step ahead of being formally charged. The veteran premier was speaking in a press conference streamed online from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, where he is on an official visit. Netanyahu would not be required to resign if charged in any of the three cases of alleged corruption, but he would likely face intense political pressure to do so. "I have no intention of resigning, firstly because there will be nothing (to come from the probes), secondly because the law does not oblige me to do so," Netanyahu said in Rio. "That would be a serious breach of Israeli democracy," he added. The attorney general's decision on indictments is expected in the coming months and analysts say Netanyahu's decision to call early elections was a deft manoeuvre to fight any charges with a fresh mandate. The premier denies all charges and polls show his Likud party is likely to win the April 9 polls. In their most recent move, police recommended Netanyahu be indicted over regulatory benefits allegedly granted to telecoms firm Bezeq in exchange for positive coverage from a related media company. According to Israel media reports, there is enough evidence on the case to charge him with corruption. In February, investigators recommended he be indicted in two other cases. In one, allegations against Netanyahu include seeking a secret deal with the publisher of Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot to ensure positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited the circulation of a rival publication. Another probe involves suspicions the premier and his family received luxury gifts from wealthy individuals in exchange for financial or personal favours. Alexandra Pelosi, the daughter of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was hesitant to discuss her mother Wednesday on CNNs New Day with Alison Camerota and John Berman. But when she did, she was very candid. Berman asked Alexandra how her mother approaches meetings with President Trump and how she feels about the Democratic politician becoming Speaker of the House for a second time. Shell cut your head off and you wont even know youre bleeding. Thats all you need to know about her, Alexandra said. No one ever won betting against Nancy Pelosi. Shes persevered. Youve got to give her credit. No matter what you think of her, you have to give her credit. Think about all those presidents shes endured, right? The Bushes, the Clintons. Shes been through it all. Alexandra, a political reporter and documentary filmmaker, said its her mothers experience through the decades that will help her during the current government shutdown and negotiations with Trump. Shes been around. This is not her first rodeo, as your friend George Bush would say. She knows what shes doing, Alexandra said. And that should make you sleep at night, knowing that at least somebody in this town knows what theyre doing. She continued to reflect on her mothers tenure and what the future holds. When Nancy Pelosi came to town, it was a boys club. That was 30 years ago, a boys club, Alexandra said. Look around tomorrow. It will be a whole new America. You are going to see something so magical that you have not seen before. New Day airs weekdays at 6 a.m. on CNN. Check out what some witches are saying about President Trumps use of the term witch hunt: Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or leave your comments below. Thierry Dosogne/Getty Images January 2, 2019 A mom from Wisconsin is asking other parents to be more vigilant about toys that could quickly become a life-threatening health hazard for their kids. Jennifer White told her Facebook followers that she felt "guilty AF and horrible" sharing details of the incident over the holidays, but she didn't "want another child to go through" the same thing. White explained that her son Beck broke open a magnetic building piece toy and swallowed 13 tiny magnets, ultimately needing surgery to remove part of her sons colon, intestines and appendix. "If you have little ones or chewers these are dangerous, and were removing them from our home," she wrote. "Dogs could also break these open too." White told FOX6 News that it was on Christmas Eve that she noticed the 4-year-old "wasn't feeling very well." "I thought he had caught the flu, White said. He did start to vomit and it was a very dark color and at that point we knew that there was something going on. Beck was operated on at Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa. There, doctors told White that the magnets created holes and an infection in his intestines. The magnets appear to be stacked on top of one another," White explained. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Thankfully, on December 27, White shared a positive update: "Never in all of my life have I had the support and unbelievable generosity of so many people. Im still in complete awe. Beck is doing well and mostly sleeping which is good cause it will be easier to rid the infection in his stomach. When we left for Milwaukee I left with my purse and my jacket. His stay will be at minimum four days and our family is over an hour away." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns pediatricians and parents about magnetic toys, which, if ingested, can cause serious and life-threatening damage to the digestive system. Symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. There are multiple brands that sell toys similar to the one that Beck swallowed, so it's important for parents to take this warning into consideration when it comes to any magnetic toy. I dont want another mother or father to go through this. It was such a simple toy, White told FOX6. We had made sure that he was old enough, the age on the box, I chewed it myself. It sounds crazy but I have special needs children and sometimes you need to go a little extra and I did those things to make sure If you have them in your home make sure you know when theyre being played with, dont let the kids have them by themselves." To open the New Year, newly minted senator Mitt Romney (R., Utah) unleashed a broadside against President Trump in the pages of the Washington Post. The piece hit a bevy of familiar notes: Trumps lack of character, his vacillating policy preferences, his inability to unite Americans within a meaningful social fabric and worse, his unwillingness to try. The bottom line, for Romney: Trump has not risen to the mantle of the office. The essay, in truth, reads like the opener of a presidential campaign. Its a stock speech replete with broad recommendations on policy (more strength in foreign policy, a call to repair our fiscal foundation) and ersatz optimism (I remain optimistic about our future . . . noble instincts live in the hearts of Americans). Romney states that Americans will eschew the politics of anger and fear if they are summoned to the responsibility by leaders in homes, in churches, in schools, in businesses, in government. Presumably, Romney considers himself such a possible leader. If not, the entire op-ed raises the question: What do you want us to do about it, senator? By declaring Trump unfit for his office, Romney immediately forces a choice: Should he back Trump in 2020, or challenge him? Should Republicans be pushed to choose between an incumbent president and a person of more character and consistent conservative conviction and would a primary effort actually effectuate that choice? The answer to the second question is pretty obviously no, barring impeachable activity on Trumps part. Heres how an actual primary campaign against Trump from Romney or anyone else would play out. The primarying candidate would declare him- or herself superior in character to Trump (which would probably be true), a better representative of conservatism than Trump (which could be true in theory but probably wouldnt be true in policy terms), and a more likely 2020 victor (which would likely be false). On the first count, Republican voters would look the other way just as they did in 2016, having learned the lesson that character doesnt matter ironically enough, from 2012 Mitt Romney, whose sterling character plus five bucks bought him a cup of coffee in that election cycle. Story continues On the second count, Republican voters would have to decide whether to throw out a sitting president responsible for, among other things, the seating of two Supreme Court justices and another 83 Article III judges; a massive tax cut; a systematic dismantlement of regulations, including the repeal of the individual mandate under Obamacare and the destruction of the Obama administrations absurd Title IX standards; the formation of an anti-Iranian alliance among Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia; the movement of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem; the rebuilding of the American military; criminal-justice reform (a policy libertarians certainly favor); and a booming economy (thus far). Trump has governed far more conservatively than expected. On the final count, Republican voters would be asked to believe that Trump is unelectable. Of course, thats the same argument some of us made in 2016, when he then proceeded to beat Hillary Clinton. Its highly unlikely primary voters will find that contention convincing in light of 2016, no matter what the polls say. And theyd be particularly unlikely to think that someone like Romney a two-time presidential loser (once in the primaries, once in the general) widely considered to have run a milquetoast campaign would perform better than Trump. A primary challenge would fail miserably and not for terrible reasons. But herein lies the true danger of such a challenge, and of Romneys foolish strategy: Such a challenge allows the political Left to portray any support for Trumps policies or electability as an endorsement of his character. The media, who despise conservatism altogether, would immediately declare a primary challenge a contest between the Spirit of True Conservatism a Conservatism for which they would surely discover a short-lived Strange New Respect and the Trumpist Movement. That would be a dramatically debauched reading of the situation, but it would undoubtedly become a highly useful narrative for enemies of conservatism. It would relegate conservatism to the outer fringes with Trumps inevitable primary victory. So, whats Romney doing with his op-ed? Nothing useful. In fact, hes doing something seriously counterproductive. If Senator Romney wants to sound off against Trumps excesses and character flaws, he should by all means do so in response to Trumps tweets or statements or actions. But by forcing a Love Trump or Leave Trump choice on Republicans, hes actually doing the work of both the most ardent Trumpists and the most viciously antagonistic members of the Democratic party and the media. Microsoft MSFT has introduced Surface Go tablet in India exclusively through Bengaluru, India-based e-commerce company, Flipkart. Recently, the company commenced shipping of the device, with prices ranging from INR 38,599 to INR 50,999. The different variants of the new tablet series come with storage capacity of 64 GB and 128 GB, with 4 GB and 8 GB RAM, respectively. Notably, Surface Go was introduced by Microsoft in a bid to explore the low-priced tablet market to take on Apples budget iPads, and Alphabets lower-priced Chromebook. The company had unveiled Surface Go device around Jul 10, 2018 which was made available in early August, with prices ranging from $399 to $549 in the United States. We believe that availability of Surface Go in India will position the company well to capitalize on the emerging EdTech market. Furthermore, the enhanced security and performance features hold promise in the growing enterprise market in the country. Microsoft is likely to benefit from the competitive pricing of its Surface Go device. The latest Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 with 64 GB capacity is priced approximately at INR 57,900. Microsoft Corporation Revenue (TTM) Microsoft Corporation Revenue (TTM) | Microsoft Corporation Quote In the words of Country General Manager, Consumer & Devices at Microsoft India, Priyadarshi Mohapatra, Globally and in India, its encouraging to see the rapidly growing Surface community in both consumer and enterprise. Enhanced Security & Performance Features Hold Key The compact Surface Go features a 10-inch screen and weighs 522 grams (or 1.15 pounds), lighter than its prevailing Surface counterparts. Further, the latest series is equipped with Intels INTC processor and graphic chips. Additionally, the device has a decent nine hour battery life and canfunction with optional keyboard, mouse and Surface Pen 2. Surface Gos Windows Hello facial recognition option feature for logging-in and Windows 10 S mode, makes it a compelling option. Story continues In a bid to enhance security and performance, users can utilize Microsoft Store appsincluding Microsoft Edge to browse safely. Enterprises may avail Windows 10 Proto safeguard business infrastructure with robust security features. Windows Autopilot enables users to configure Surface Go from the cloud, in turn simplifying the IT processes a great deal. Growing EdTech Market in India: Key Catalyst India is witnessing demographic dividends, implying more and more people, students and professionals alike are undertaking smart courses in order to improve knowledge base to gain a competitive edge in their careers. This phenomenon has convinced analysts of the immense growth prospects of the burgeoning EdTech industry in India. Reducing internet costs and increasing internet penetration in the country are other notable factors favoring the growth prospects of EdTech industry. In fact, a research report from Google and KPMG estimates India's online education industry to grow eight-fold to reach $1.96 billion by 2021. Further, the study projects paid users in EdTech to grow six times from 1.6 million in 2016 to 9.6 million in 2021. Enemys Enemy an Ally? One important point to note in this latest development is that Microsoft selected Flipkarts e-commerce platform to launch Surface Go in India. Notably, Amazon AMZN and Flipkart are the two major players in Indian e-commerce market. Additionally, Walmart WMT acquired a 77% stake in Flipkart. Microsoft Azure directly competes with Amazons cloud platform Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the cloud market. Walmart which competes with Amazon in the retail and e-commerce market has selected Azure cloud platform. When we join the loose ends, it makes sense to say that my enemy's enemy is my friend. Our Take Microsoft is well poised to benefit from robust adoption of Surface Go on the back of improving EdTech and enterprise scenario in India. We believe the availability of Surface Go will aid the company in bolstering competitive strength in the direct consumer market, primarily in EdTech market in India. Notably, Surface revenues increased 14% (same at cc) in first-quarter fiscal 2019 on a year-over-year basis on the back of strong performance of the latest editions Surface Book 2 and Surface Go. Moreover, Microsoft Surface series of devices have registered considerable double-digit growth in India in this year, as per Priyadarshi Mohapatras statement to IANS. The incremental sales from India will eventually benefit the top line. Zacks Rank Microsoft carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Walmart Inc. (WMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Intel Corporation (INTC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research House panel scrambles to table medical education bill as KC threatens hunger strike As Dr Govinda KC has threatened to start another hunger strike over the delay in the tabling of Medical Education Bill in Parliament, Investigators work at the scene on Metrolink Platform B at Victoria Station - London News Pictures Ltd The family of the suspect in the stabbings at Manchester Victoria Station on New Year's Eve has released a statement after he was been detained under the Mental Health Act. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were seriously injured, their families and friends," the statement read. "We are also eternally grateful for the swift response from the emergency services and the comfort given to those affected by fellow Mancunians and citizens. "The GMP [sic] have informed us that our family member is currently detained under the Mental Health Act and is being treated by specialist medical staff. "We are acutely aware that many, including within the media, may well have many questions to ask us. However, we have been informed by the GMP that there is an active ongoing, terrorist investigation and as such we are limited in what we can say at this stage. "It is important that the police investigations take its course and any reports and articles avoid any assumptions, speculations and generalisations. "We do not wish to make any further comment at this time." Police said the 25-year-old man arrested over the stabbings has been detained under the Mental Health Act on Tuesday evening after being assessed by medical staff. This comes after a police sergeant stabbed in the incident was praised for showing incredible bravery to prevent a suspected terrorist from rampaging through a train station just yards from the scene of the Manchester Arena suicide bombing. A couple in their 50s were seriously injured in the frenzied and random New Years Eve attack on a platform at Manchester Victoria Metrolink station. The police officer, who is in his 30s, was also wounded as he and three colleagues rushed to the scene after hearing a blood curdling scream. Police said that a terrorism investigation into the incident "remains ongoing". Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, on Tuesday said the attack had been deliberately staged close to the site of the Manchester Arena bombing, which killed 22 people in 2017. Story continues Police chiefs and politicians praised the officers actions in putting themselves at risk to save the couple and prevent the man, who was dressed in black, marauding through the station just before 9pm. He had been heard shouting Isil-inspired slogans during the attack and after his initial arrest on suspicion of attempted murder. Asst Chief Constable Sean OCallaghan from British Transport Police said: I am incredibly proud of the four officers who were immediately on scene last night, detaining a man who was wielding a knife. They were fearless, running towards danger and preventing further harm coming to passengers. The suspect, aged 25, was caught on video shouting Allahu akbar meaning God is great in Arabic as he was ushered into the back of a police van following his arrest. Witnesses said he was heard to scream: Long live the Caliphate in possible reference to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil), while another claimed he shouted: As long as you keep bombing other countries, this sort of s---- is going to keep happening. A house in Cheetham Hill, north Manchester thought to be his last known address was searched yesterday by counter-terrorism police. Neighbours suggested the suspect was of Somali-origin and was thought to have lived in the Netherlands before moving to the UK about 10 to 15 years ago. One neighbour said his mother, who has five children, was a nurse while his brother worked at Manchester airport. A police source said the suspect was refusing to cooperate and detectives were working to establish his identity. He is believed to have acted alone, In a statement Greater Manchester Police, said on Tuesday evening: "The 25 year old man arrested on 31 January 2018 following the incident at Manchester Victoria Station has been assessed by specialist medical staff and detained under the Mental Health Act. "The Counter Terrorism investigation remains ongoing." "There is nothing to suggest the involvement of other people in this attack, but confirming this remains a main priority for the investigation." A house in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, which was raided as part of the investigation Credit: Pat Hurst/PA The attack took place at a tram station that forms part of the complex that includes the Manchester Arena, where in May 2017, Salman Abedi, an Isil supporter, blew himself up killing 23 people, more than half of them children, as they left an Ariana Grande concert. Mr Burnham told The Telegraph: This attack has brought back some very painful memories for everyone involved, particularly given how close it was to the Manchester Arena, which appears to have been deliberate.But the city is strong, united and resilient and the way the incident was dealt with by the emergency services and others was exemplary. Video footage from the scene shows the man pinned to the ground by police. He was thought to have carried two knives, one of which appeared to be a foot-long kitchen knife. In the days before the New Years Eve attack, Isil had urged its followers to carry out a knife attack in the UK. The British Transport Police officers had been patrolling the adjacent Victoria train station when they rushed to help the couple from Manchester who suffered multiple stab wounds. They used a Taser stun gun and Captor gel, an irritant designed to incapacitate suspects, in arresting the man. The woman was stabbed in the face suffering a significant injury to her forehead while the man was wounded in the stomach. They are expected to remain in hospital for some time while the officer stabbed in the shoulder was discharged on Tuesday morning. Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: My thoughts are with the couple who are still being treated in hospital for their serious injuries and with the brave British Transport Police officer who was also stabbed during the attack. We are treating this as a terrorist investigation which is being led by counter terrorism officers with support from Greater Manchester Police. The sun sets behind the Houses of Parliament in Westminster London, Britain. Photo: REUTERS/Toby Melville The London housing market is being pummelled due to stretched affordability, numerous changes to stamp duty, and Brexit uncertainty, according to UBS. The Swiss investment bank published the third edition of its London residential monitor note, based on analysis of over 100,000 listings on residential property websites, on Wednesday. The analysis found that London sellers are increasingly being forced to cut their asking prices as properties sit on the market for longer. Price reductions and levels of discount have continued to worsen across almost all central London boroughs, with the share of properties in the capital listed at a reduced rate now at 39%. That is an increase from less than 20% in 2016. READ MORE: This chart shows how badly house prices are faring in central London boroughs UBS data shows the most expensive London properties are the ones taking longest to sell and seeing the biggest discounts. Source: UBS UBSs data shows that a clear trend is that more expensive properties are taking the longest to sell and are offering the biggest discounts. In particular, the average number of days Kensington & Chelsea properties sit on market has increased and average price listings are now over 4% lower than historic averages in the borough. Kensington & Chelsea properties have the highest average asking prices in London and listings in the area now spend the longest time on the market. However, Outer London boroughs, especially North East, have also seen a jump in the number of properties reduced, while South West remains the weakest. The London housing market remains weak, UBS analyst Osmaan Malik and his team wrote. Stretched affordability, high levels of supply at prime price points and numerous changes to stamp duty have all taken their toll at a time when Brexit uncertainties linger. READ MORE: 2019 may be year of improving not moving for UK housing market In past cycles, a London downturn has preempted a wider loss of momentum and decline in consumer confidence. The Bank of England appears to think this time may be different, as the capital is more exposed than the national market to stamp duty changes and is more likely to be impacted by the departure of European Union nationals. Story continues Uncertainty surrounding the Brexit deal has weighed heavily on the real estate industry since 2016, with land values in prime central London tanking by almost 20%, according to recent data from estate agency Knight Frank. Economists believe house price growth across the UK will be slow in the upcoming year, with Britains official exit from the EU widely being considered the most important influencing factor on property prices across the county. READ MORE: The best time to buy a house in 2019 Lockheed Martin Corp.s LMT business unit Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) has secured a contract from the U.S. Navy for modification of a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursable contract. The company will provide 41 electronic Consolidated Automated Support Systems (eCASS). As per the terms, Lockheed Martin will provide for eCASS-related equipment, kits and test sets in support of various Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Departments, Fleet Readiness Centers, Aircraft Carriers and L- Class Ships. Valued at $109 million, this contract was awarded by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, NJ. The company plans to utilize fiscal 2019 aircraft procurement (Navy), and 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds to complete work under this deal by December 2021. More on eCASS Per Lockheed Martins management, eCASS is the workhorse for avionics repair across the Naval Aviation Enterprise. It has been designed to help sailors and marines troubleshoot and repair aircraft assemblies at sea or ashore, and return the avionics to operational service without much delay. Based on Lockheed Martins LM-STAR commercial automated testing system, eCASS facilitates technology insertion and long-term supportability, while maximizing interoperability and portability in external systems. Whats Working in Favor of Lockheed Martin? In recent times, military helicopters have gained significant traction in the U.S. aerospace-defense market on advancements and integration of new tactical, logistical and other important features. Some of these developments have been pioneered by Lockheed Martin, paving the way for a slew of key helicopter-related contracts. During third-quarter 2018, revenues at Lockheed Martins RMS business increased 14.4% year over year, partially driven by higher volume of sales for its Sikorsky helicopter programs. We can therefore expect Lockheed Martins RMS unit to generate similar top-line growth in the days ahead based on a consistent flow of order from Pentagon. Price Movement Lockheed Martins stock has declined 18.5% in the past 12 months compared with the industrys fall of 8.2%. The underperformance may have been caused by the intense competition the company faces in the aerospace-defense space for its broad portfolio of products and services, both domestically as well as internationally. Story continues Zacks Rank & Other Key Picks Lockheed Martin currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). A few other top-ranked stocks in the same sector are Esterline Technologies Corporation ESL, American Outdoor Brands Corporation AOBC and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. KTOS. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Esterline Technologies carries a Zacks Rank #1. It delivered average positive surprise of 22.93% in the last four reported quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2019 earnings has moved 1.7% north to $4.81 in the past 30 days. American Outdoor Brands carries a Zacks Rank #2. It delivered average positive surprise of 64.88% in the last four reported quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2019 earnings has risen 9% to 73 cents in the past 30 days. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions carries a Zacks Rank #2. It delivered average positive surprise of 98.41% in the last four reported quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings has moved 5% up to 21 cents in the past 30 days. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Esterline Technologies Corporation (ESL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) : Free Stock Analysis Report American Outdoor Brands Corporation (AOBC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Legal tech enthusiasts are likely to greet 2019 with a degree of excitement. After all, every new year brings yet another opportunity for new technology advancements. But for many law firms and legal departments, the focus in 2019 will remain on tried and true technologies like workflow automation, collaborative tools and pricing analytics. These may not be as flashy or disruptive as emerging technologies like blockchain, but they are vital in helping the industry adapt to a market demanding tighter budgets and more transparency. Overall, the continuous push by those in legal services to become more price-conscious and efficient will remain the driving force behind their legal tech investments this year. Still, many legal departments and law firms may continue to adopt technologies at different speeds, and sometimes with little forethought of integration. So like years past, 2019 will also be another test of whether law firms and their clients can work closer together than ever before. The View from In-House For many legal departments, the demands of 2019 will not be much different from recent years: Do more work with less resources. The scope of work in many legal functions has increased, and the amount of work various legal teams are tasked with has increased, with not significant increases in their budgets or headcount, says Sowmyan Sam Ranganathan, senior director of information governance and legal ops at pharmaceutical company AbbVie and chair of the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) legal operations group. Facing such belt-tightening, legal departments are striving to elicit efficiencies by learning skills like project management and, equally as important, leveraging legal technology. Ranganathan says that for many this year, such technology will likely include contract management and workflow automation products. But there are other platforms corporate legal teams are eyeing to streamline their operations as well. Melanie Margolin, general counsel at industrial manufacturing company Wabash National Corp., notes that her team is focused more on creating efficiencies by deploying collaboration platforms. She says her department is looking at investing in Microsoft Teams or a similar product where we can have an ongoing conversation in one place instead of going back and forth in email. The department is also planning to move its document management system to a cloud-based platform to allow its lawyers to work more collectively. We want to be able to edit and collaborate more freely, Margolin says. For Camden Hillas, senior corporate counsel at workflow automation company Nintex, the focus is on using technology to empower her team to keep up with current legal and regulatory knowledge. Her department is eyeing research platforms that can help it stay on top of specific practice areas such as intellectual property. The goal, she explains, is to minimize the amount of work that an attorney has to do to sort of monitor certain trends. She adds that to stay on top of all relevant legal knowledge, legal departments can either spend their own internal resources or spend it on outside counselneither of which are appealing from a cost perspective. But if there are ways to leverage technology to do that, that is really appealing. Tech for Survival Replacing outside counsel with technology is never welcome news to law firms. But in 2019, there are ways firms are planning to use technology to respond toand survivecorporate clients hunt for efficiencies. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, for instance, has a history of developing its own proprietary legal tech, and is now hoping to be a technology provider to corporate legal departments looking to streamline their operations. Kathryn DeBord, Bryan Caves global chief innovation officer, says the firms focus in 2019 is on enhancing its Crosslite platform, a customizable data management and analytics tool for clients. The platform is a key component of the firms newly launched legal operations consultancy division, Cantilever. Though originally developed around 15 years ago, Crosslite is constantly evolving to respond to new client needs. In 2019, DeBord says that Bryan Cave is specifically looking at integrating the platform with artificial intelligence technology from Kira, HighQ and Neota Logic. In addition, the firm will also look to become a leaner operation itself. DeBord notes there is a particular focus on bringing in automated drafting tools and technology that just on a very basic level allows us to have a seamless workflow and a highly collaborative process. Another firm with a history of tech investment, Baker Donelson, is taking a different track in 2019: Its looking to tech vendors to help make sense of the litigation data it holds, all with an aim of providing corporate clients with useful data analytics, says David Rueff, Baker Donelsons legal project manager. He explains that the firm wants to gather more information about outcomes like how a particular judge will rule, or the type of strategies an opposing counsel will likely use, to help better inform clients legal strategies. Baker Donelson is also looking to provide more comprehensive legal spend information to clients over the coming months. Specifically, the firm is planning to integrate historical data into its budgeting systems so its attorneys can compare the budgets theyre developing to prior matters to more accurately forecasts client fees, Rueff says. This year, providing clients with more pricing information will similarly be a big focus for Miami-based litigation firm Mark Migdal & Hayden, which is looking at developing proprietary budgeting software. Etan Mark, partner at Mark Migdal & Hayden, says such technology will help his firm stay competitive. It is much more of a buyers market right now for legal work and fee predictability is a huge element of managing client expectations. What the Other Side Wants Law firms focus on budgeting solutions should come as music to their in-house clients ears. But many want legal departments and their firms to go further and look to e-billing solutions as well in 2019. Nintexs Hillas notes, There are a number of improvements in billing software that makes the invoice process significantly easier. One of our outside counsel, which is a smaller firm, went to a more automated platform, and frankly the experience is significantly better than receiving paper. In addition to billing, AbbVies Ranganathan believes that legal departments will also want outside counsel to implement shared knowledge and document management in 2019. He says it can be challenging to manage the knowledge between a legal department and the law firm that is working with you effectively. Emails are an inefficient way to share information back and forth. Wabash Nationals Margolin agrees, saying that in the coming months, her legal department will push outside counsel to be more collaborative. We are going to ask our law firms to create intranet sites that we can share with them, or actually that they can share with us, so that all the projects, cases and matters we are working on with the outside firm are linked together. Coincidentally, such collaborative knowledge and document management is also what law firms want from their corporate clients. When asked what technology a legal department should have, Mark Migdals Mark was unequivocal: To me its shared document managementthe biggest nightmare for a small law firm is when their corporate counsel records are a disaster. Thats not fun for us. One of the things I love is when my corporate clients have a system where their documents are maintained, a place where the documents can also be shared, he says. To be sure, Baker Donelsons Rueff notes that many legal departments are getting up to speed in this area: We are seeing more clients implement their own matter management systems that better enable them to track progress on their cases, track spend on their cases. But the same time, Rueff says Baker Donelson is also trying to get our attorneys to do a better job of managing their cases using the firms own case management system. So what happens in many cases is you have lawyer staff who are required to update two systems. What Rueff hopes to see more of in 2019 is better integration between client and law firm systems. He envisions a situation where we are able to use our case management platform inside the firm to manage our cases, but then we provide the data clients need through a format that is similar to e-billing exchangeswhere we provide them with a data file that is specified by their outside counsel guidelines. There is a good chance such integration across legal offices will come to fruition. Legal technology investments, after all, rarely happen in a vacuum. Its not about technology for technologys sake, its about how we can do our job better, Rueff says. And in the coming months, many want the focus to be on using technology collectively, and in ways that complement each other, instead of creating more hours of rote data entry. The only question is, will 2019 be the year it all comes together? DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) The Latest on elections in Bangladesh (all times local): 2:20 a.m. Representatives for the U.N. secretary-general are calling for restraint in Bangladesh after contested election results stirred violence. The spokesman's office for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says in a statement Monday that it encourages both the coalition led Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party and an opposition alliance address complains peacefully and legally. It condemns violence against candidates and voters as unacceptable. Hasina's ruling alliance won virtually every parliamentary seat in the general election, giving her a third consecutive term. The opposition rejected the outcome and demanded a new vote. More than a dozen people were killed in election-related violence Sunday. The election campaign was dogged by allegations of the arrest and jailing of thousands of Hasina's opponents. ___ 9:30 p.m. A day after winning a record fourth term in power, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is trumpeting her accomplishments and dismissing opposition claims that the vote was rigged. Official results released Monday say Hasina's ruling alliance won virtually every parliamentary seat in the general election, giving her a third consecutive term despite opposition allegations of intimidation. Hasina earlier served a single term. Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed says the coalition led by Hasina's Awami League party won 288 out of 300 seats in Sunday's polls. The opposition alliance led by prominent lawyer Kamal Hossain won only seven seats. The opposition rejected the outcome, with Hossain demanding a new election be held under the authority of a "nonpartisan government." Chief Election Commissioner K.M. Nurul Huda ruled out any revote, saying there were no reports of large irregularities. Unsurprisingly, the workplace has become more complicated for both American employees and employers as they both grapple with finding balance in the chaotic world. Normal concerns like leave policies and marijuana use have been joined by cybersecurity and the threat of violence as the top concerns for employers in 2019, according to a new XpertHR survey of over 800 human resource professionals across the U.S. Employers that want to retain their skilled staff are turning their attention to new challenges in 2019. Nearly half of respondents (45%) viewed "preparing for and responding to an active shooter or workplace violence incident as very or extremely challenging." This includes how to handle everything from an active shooter situation to threats of violence including stalking in a domestic violence situation. Employees sitting in a meeting while laughing Employee safety is a key concern for employers. Image Source: Getty Images. "The best way to address a threat of workplace violence is to actively prepare employees and supervisors," said Beth Zoller, the XpertHR Legal Editor in a press release. "Put policies in place for visitor safety, workplace violence prevention, domestic violence, and ban weapons from the workplace, to the extent permissible by state law." Employers should also conduct a safety/security audit to gauge their own preparedness and to identify areas that need strengthening. In addition, Zoller added, companies should "background screen applicants, look out for any red flags indicating potentially violent behaviors and create a zero-tolerance workplace violence prevention program." What else are employers concerned about? Marijuana has become a hairy workplace issue, as it has become legal for medical uses in 30 states and for recreational purposes in 10. This changing legal landscape forces companies to create policies about a substance that while legal -- and in some places sanctioned by doctors -- can still impair employees. Story continues While some of these concerns are similar to ones regarding alcohol use at work, there's an added layer of complexity with marijuana because federal law still considers it an illegal Schedule I controlled substance, while states are going their own way. About 41% of the employers surveyed said "managing the conflict of federal and state marijuana laws" is a challenge, while 34% "are challenged by maintaining a drug-free workplace in light of changing laws." Respondents also expressed a number of concerns in the areas of cybersecurity -- specifically when it comes to protecting employee privacy and confidential data. Respondents ranked their level of concern over various cybersecurity challenges: Preventing cyber breaches and data security (51%). Managing mobile devices/wearable technology and the internet of things (41%). Managing the use of technology and social media while at work (39%). Protecting employee information from data breaches (31%). In addition, nearly half (47%) of employers surveyed expressed concern over challenges created by "tracking and complying with rapidly changing leave laws across states." A similar amount (46%) had the same issue with local leave laws and 41% "viewed determining what federal, state and local leave law requirements apply to specific employee situations as challenging." Survey respondents are also worried about finding high-quality applicants (64%), ensuring that employees have the right skills (52%), and creating a succession plan (50%). "Our survey found that HR professionals are struggling to find balance in all areas and felt overburdened by numerous and often confusing regulations while attempting to meet organizational and employee needs," said Zoller. What can employers do? Employers should remain vigilant and increase their active strategies to help employees as it relates to these concerns. That's especially true when it comes to workplace violence and cybersecurity. Those are areas where outside experts should be consulted and efforts to protect employees must be ongoing. Employee leave remains difficult, as rules are changing in some places and state and local laws can be different. In that case, employers need to err on the side of liberal interpretation. No company ever got in trouble for offering a more generous leave policy than the law calls for. Marijuana, however, is a less clear issue. In addition to federal and state laws not matching, there are legitimate workplace safety issues to consider. An office worker who comes to work high may not be a danger to others, but a truck driver or security guard who does could very well pose a significant safety concern. In this case, there's no definite answer and the best a company can do is to have a clear policy that's communicated to employees. Ideally, any policy would focus on creating a safe workplace following rules similar to the ones that apply when employees take any other legal drug (a truck driver generally can't come to work when on medication that makes you drowsy). That's not easy -- as there's plenty of grey area -- but it's a needed starting point. More From The Motley Fool The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Regulators in the Philippines have deferred the issuance of final rules on initial coin offerings to mid-January, the Philippine Star reports. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Philippines had been expected to issue the ICO regulations by the end of last year but this has now been postponed to an unconfirmed date. The deferment came after various stakeholders requested more time to enable them to familiarize themselves with the draft ICO regulations. Public comments will continue to be received by the regulator till mid this month. The draft rules were initially released by the Securities and Exchange Commission last year in August. This has been signaled more than seven months earlier by the regulator, as CCN reported at the beginning of 2018. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. At the time, the commissioner of the SEC, Emilio Aquino, indicated that the rules were being drafted with a view of protecting investors from fraud while ensuring that they dont hamper innovation. Registration Requirement Among other requirements, the draft rules require that firms conducting initial coin offerings must register with the SEC before the commencement of the pre-sale. Additionally, the draft rules require all ICOs conducted by Philippine firms or within the country to be assessed by the SEC with a view of determining whether they are security tokens: If it [the SEC] finds that the tokens are indeed security tokens, and unless the ICO falls under the exemptions from registration provided under the rules or conducted exclusively through crowdfunding portals under the proposed rules for crowdfunding, the issuer must register the security tokens (registration proper) before the start of the pre-sale. The draft rules also require Filipino firms conducting ICOs to incorporate while foreign companies must maintain a branch office in the Southeast Asian country. Escrow Agreement With the SECs draft rules aimed at protecting investors, the regulator also intends to ensure that proceeds from an initial coin offering are kept with an independent escrow agent. According to the SEC, the Escrow Agreement should ensure that withdrawal of the ICO proceeds only happens upon the fulfillment of two conditions: Story continues (1) that the said proceeds shall be withdrawn only upon the presentation of the Issuers work progress report, and (2) that the Escrow Agent will return the said proceeds to the investors in case the soft cap of the project is not reached or in a pro rata basis in case the project is abandoned by the issuer before completion. Featured image from Shutterstock. The post Issuance of Final ICO Regulations in the Philippines Postponed by Market Regulator appeared first on CCN. House panel endorses Rana as chief justice Despite serious allegations over his judgments in various capacities in the past, lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously approved the recommendation of Cholendra Shumsher Rana as the chief justice. Paul Whelan, a U.S. citizen detained in Russia for suspected spying, in a photo provided by the Whelan family on Jan. 1, 2019. (Photo: Courtesy of Whelan family via Reuters) WASHINGTON Sometime between Christmas and New Years Eve, Russian domestic security officials arrested Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine who works in corporate security, accusing the American of embarking on a spy mission. Its a charge that several former intelligence officers who spoke with Yahoo News found highly unlikely. I think its quite clear this is not an American intelligence operation but rather further evidence of a Russian influence campaign directed against the West, said Steven Hall, a former senior CIA official who managed intelligence operations in Eurasia and is an expert in Russia. Whelans family, including his twin brother, have vehemently denied the Russian accusations in the media, explaining that Whelan was in town for a friends wedding. A State Department spokesperson said U.S. Ambassador John Huntsman visited Whelan on Wednesday in detention and expressed his support for Mr. Whelan and offered the Embassys assistance. Due to privacy considerations for Mr. Whelan and his family, we have nothing further at this time, the spokesperson added. Little is known about the case or why Russian authorities were interested in Whelan, who is employed as the corporate security director for automotive company BorgWarner in Michigan. He is also the owner of a Michigan-based firearms distributor, Kingsmead Arsenal, according to public records. Whelan posted a photo of himself at a conference hosted by the State Departments Overseas Security Advisory Council in August 2018 on his Russian social media page, as well as other photos of his travels around the world, his political opinions and frequent celebrations of holidays in the United States; Canada, where he was born; and Russia. His Twitter and Instagram pages, both of which feature the Canadian flag, are set to private. However, Whelan, who was a frequent presence on Russian social media site Vkontakte for the last decade, is almost certainly not affiliated with U.S. intelligence services, current and former intelligence officials told Yahoo News. Story continues Among other parts of his history that make him an unlikely spy, Whelan received a bad conduct discharge from the Marines after being convicted by a military court of larceny, dereliction of duty, making a false official statement, and using someone elses social security number, according to documents from the special court-martial proceeding in 2008. If Whelan was an intelligence officer, he likely would have been operating undercover, rather than in an official capacity, suggested former and current intelligence officials who spoke with Yahoo News. Intelligence officers abroad operate under one type of cover or another. The two most common types of cover are official cover and nonofficial cover, or NOC, explained one current private security expert with experience in Russian affairs. Intelligence officials who do not work out of the embassy or have diplomatic immunity and titles are often called NOCs (pronounced knocks). NOCs cannot rely on the same protections that official cover officers are entitled to, such as diplomatic immunity, the expert continued. One famous example of a former U.S. NOC was Valerie Plame, whose identity was leaked by members of the George W. Bush administration. One current Western intelligence official focused on Russia said that although the source had no information on Whelan or his background prior to the arrest, it was unlikely that the United States would send someone, particularly with Whelans background, to operate in Russia without diplomatic immunity. His very public affection for Russian culture and his travels to Russia would likely make him a subject of interest to Russian intelligence services for many years, making him a poor candidate for an under-the-radar covert operation. According to John Sipher, a former CIA Clandestine Services officer and Russia expert, the CIA very rarely uses people with no official cover identities in Russia because it is difficult to protect and manage them there. We know how good [the Russians] are and how easy it is to run double agents, he told Yahoo News. We only run a few premier cases with the best tradecraft we can muster this is not something we would do, he continued. Instead, experts say, the arrest is likely a Kremlin ploy to force the United States to the negotiating table, particularly as Russian national Maria Butina, who recently pleaded guilty to being a foreign agent, awaits sentencing. U.S. officials at the highest level have discussed a spy swap for Butina in the past, according to one former intelligence official familiar with the matter. However, those discussions didnt extend to a formal process, and they were aimed at securing Russian sources recruited by the United States who may have been arrested in Moscow But in this case, neither Butina nor Whelan appears to fit the bill for the typical spy exchanges that have happened in the past. (In 2010, the United States traded Russian sleeper agents arrested in the U.S. in exchange for multiple alleged double agents for the West, including Sergei Skripal, the former Russian official who was poisoned by a nerve agent in England over the summer.) One source familiar with Butinas case told Yahoo that everyone seems to think that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to trade Whelan for Butina, but I havent heard that anyone that matters thinks that. If it happens, its not a spy swap, because [Whelan] didnt do anything, said Dan Hoffman, a former CIA officer with expertise in Russia. Putin would like to call it that, but its twisted KBG reciprocity. Regardless, even if a swap doesnt happen, the arrest has propaganda value for Putin. The Russian media have been openly suggesting arresting Americans in a tit for tat for Butina for some time so even if they dont achieve a swap they probably figure they win propaganda points, said Bill Harlow, a former CIA spokesman. Putin appears to be sending a clear message on this front to the U.S. that he can also detain U.S. citizens for meddling, said Rob Dannenberg, the onetime head of global security for Goldman Sachs and a former senior CIA officer. Hall, the former CIA senior officer, says Russias targeting of Whelan, who works in security and has a military background, may be more about internal propaganda aimed at Russians. In Russia, he says average Russians read security in someones professional background as intelligence and for Russia, anytime any military career pops up, they think of him as a spy, he said. But even Whelans friends and acquaintances in Russia, many of whom he has spoken to online over the years and has met in person occasionally, dont think hes a spy. Paul has a strong sense of friendship toward everything linked to Russia. He is a Russophile I dont know what to think, but I dont believe he is a spy, one contact told Yahoo News, requesting anonymity to discuss the ongoing, sensitive case from Russia. Another contact, who hadnt seen Whelan in person for many years, said Paul was friendly, polite, educated and easygoing and only found out Whelan was in Moscow when the two exchanged Christmas greetings. I believe he was fascinated with Russia and its culture, the contact told Yahoo News. I find it hard to believe he is a spy. Read more from Yahoo News: See our 2018 year-end features >>> We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. On the other hand, wed be remiss not to mention that insider sales have been known to precede tough periods for a business. So before you buy or sell Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:VAC), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling. 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, rules govern insider transactions, and certain disclosures are required. We would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing. But equally, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. 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. View our latest analysis for Marriott Vacations Worldwide The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Marriott Vacations Worldwide Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Independent Director Charles Andrews for US$505k worth of shares, at about US$79.17 per share. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price. Its very possible they regret the purchase, but its more likely they are bullish about the company. We generally consider it a positive if insiders have been buying on market, even above the current price. In the last twelve months insiders purchased 22.35k shares for US$2.0m. On the other hand they divested 1.25k shares, for US$183k. Overall, Marriott Vacations Worldwide insiders were net buyers last year. Their average price was about US$90.44. These transactions suggest that insiders have considered the current price of US$69.61 attractive. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! Story continues NYSE:VAC Insider Trading January 2nd 19 Marriott Vacations Worldwide is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying. Marriott Vacations Worldwide Insiders Bought Stock Recently Its good to see that Marriott Vacations Worldwide insiders have made notable investments in the companys shares. Not only was there no selling that we can see, but they collectively bought US$1.2m worth of shares. This could be interpreted as suggesting a positive outlook. Insider Ownership of Marriott Vacations Worldwide For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Its great to see that Marriott Vacations Worldwide insiders own 6.6% of the company, worth about US$217m. I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders. So What Do The Marriott Vacations Worldwide Insider Transactions Indicate? The recent insider purchases are heartening. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. Once you factor in the high insider ownership, it certainly seems like insiders are positive about Marriott Vacations Worldwide. Nice! Of course, the future is what matters most. So if you are interested in Marriott Vacations Worldwide, you should check out this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. 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. 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). By way of learning-by-doing, well look at ROE to gain a better understanding of Impact Healthcare REIT PLC (LON:IHR). Our data shows Impact Healthcare REIT has a return on equity of 6.9% for the last year. One way to conceptualize this, is that for each 1 of shareholders equity it has, the company made 0.069 in profit. Check out our latest analysis for Impact Healthcare REIT How Do I Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for ROE is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders Equity Or for Impact Healthcare REIT: 6.9% = 13.592001 UK196m (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 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. You can calculate shareholders equity by subtracting the companys total liabilities from its total assets. What Does Return On Equity Signify? ROE measures a companys profitability against the profit it retains, and any outside investments. The return is the amount earned after tax 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 Impact Healthcare REIT 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. You can see in the graphic below that Impact Healthcare REIT has an ROE that is fairly close to the average for the REITs industry (8.4%). Story continues LSE:IHR Last Perf January 2nd 19 Thats not overly surprising. ROE doesnt tell us if the share price is low, but it can inform us to the nature of the business. For those looking for a bargain, other factors may be more important. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). How Does Debt Impact ROE? 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 case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking. Combining Impact Healthcare REITs Debt And Its 6.9% Return On Equity Impact Healthcare REIT has a debt to equity ratio of 0.12, which is far from excessive. Im not impressed with its ROE, but the debt levels are not too high, indicating the business has decent prospects. Careful use of debt to boost returns is often very good for shareholders. However, it could reduce the companys ability to take advantage of future opportunities. In Summary Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. 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 ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. So I think it may be worth checking this free this detailed graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow . Of course Impact Healthcare REIT may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have 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. Graham Page was convicted of assaulting his wife after saving her from suicide (Picture: SWNS) A man who saved his wife from suicide by dragging her from her car has been convicted of assault. Graham Page, 46, from Redland, Bristol, pulled his wife Alexandra from her car after finding her inside drunk and hysterical. He had discovered a suicide note she had left in their home and gone to save her. However, Bristol Magistrates Court heard that he cuffed her on the head after pulling her from the car, then dragged her along the ground by her clothes to get her home. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order of 100 hours unpaid work and told to pay an 85 victim surcharge and 85 costs. Page had pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife in the incident, which took place on December 14. After the hearing, Page said: Im a little bit gutted. Obviously, it got way out of hand and it really was a minor thing. It was a difficult situation. I did what was necessary at the time and I wish it had been different. MORE: Police investigate after frenzied hounds kill fox in front garden during hunt MORE: Sajid Javid accused of acting like Donald Trump by whipping up Channel migrant crisis I dont know if Id do exactly the same. I like to know I learn from my mistakes, to be honest. I think it has been a bit harsh that Ive got a criminal record for this. Michael Collins, prosecuting, said Page pulled his wife of four years from her car and conceded he cuffed her to the head when she was hysterical. The case was heard at Bristol Magistrates Court (Picture: PA0 He then dragged her by her clothes to get her home after she fell to the ground, the court heard. Mike Wynter, defending, said police spoke to Mrs Page after the incident and she had no facial injuries. Mr Wynter said: A suicide note was left by her at her address. This clearly concerned my client when he saw her in the vehicle. He said Page could have been justified in pulling her from the car to prevent her from drink driving and seriously harming herself. But he accepted Page had no lawful excuse in cuffing her or dragging her. Story continues Mr Wynter said the couple are working on their relationship. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK Share price of Horizon Pharma Inc. HZNP has increased 28.3% in the past year, against the industrys decline of 24.6%. Horizons strategy is to transform into a balanced, diversified, sustainable-growth biopharmaceutical company, predominantly focused on rare disease medicines. The company has been focused on expanding its orphan drug business, as evidenced by its long-range plan, wherein the orphan business is expected to constitute approximately 60% of net sales in 2020. Meanwhile, the company has been quite active on the acquisition front. In May 2015, Horizon acquired Hyperion in a deal valued at about $1.1 billion and added a couple of UCD drugs like Ravicti and Buphenyl/Ammonaps to its portfolio. The FDA approved a supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for Ravicti to expand the age range, for chronic management of urea cycle disorders (UCD) in patients, to two months and older from two years and older, in April 2017. In December 2018, the FDA approved an sNDA to expand the age range for Ravicti Oral Liquid to include infants younger than two months, living with a UCD. Also, in January 2016, Horizon acquired Crealta for approximately $540 million in cash. The acquisition added Krystexxa and Migergot to its portfolio. Krystexxa is the first and only FDA-approved medicine for chronic refractory gout. Sales of Krystexxa increased 56% year over year in the first nine months of 2018. In addition, Krystexxa has a long patent life running through 2027. Meanwhile, to evaluate the safety and efficacy related to the immunogenicity profile of Krystexxa, two investigator-initiated studies TRIPLE and RECIPE are currently enrolling patients. Horizon initiated a new company-sponsored immunomodulation MIRROR study with Krystexxa in September 2018 to continue exploring a broader clinical profile of the drug. The study will evaluate the impact of adding methotrexate to Krystexxa to enhance the patient response rate. The company expects to begin enrolling patients into the adapted protocol in the second quarter of 2019. Story continues Earlier in 2017, the company acquired River Vision, thereby adding the latters biologic candidate teprotumumab in late-stage development for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). The company completed enrollment in phase III confirmatory clinical study, OPTIC, evaluating teprotumumab for the treatment of TED in September 2018.Top-line data from the study is expected in the second quarter of 2019. Horizon Pharma is pursuing two development programs HZN-003 and PASylated uricase technology for next-generation biologics for uncontrolled gout. These programs are expected to support and sustain the companys market leadership in the said indication. The company is also working to expand the label of Actimmune, which is approved for the treatment of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and severe malignant osteopetrosis (SMO). The company has collaborated with the Fox Chase Cancer Center to evaluate Actimmune in combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb Companys BMY Opdivo in a phase I dosing study for the treatment of kidney and bladder cancer. The National Cancer Institute is evaluating Actimmune in combination with Merck & Cos MRK Keytruda in phase II study to treat cutaneous t-cell lymphoma patients. A dose ranging study is evaluating Actimmune in combination with Bristol-Myers Taxol, and Roches RHHBY Herceptin and Perjeta in a certain type of advanced breast cancer. Horizon Pharma Public Limited Company Price Horizon Pharma Public Limited Company Price | Horizon Pharma Public Limited Company Quote Zacks Rank Horizon Pharma currently carries a Zacks Rank#3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Roche Holding AG (RHHBY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Horizon Pharma Public Limited Company (HZNP) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Brasilia (AFP) - Honduras on Tuesday discussed with Israel and the United States moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a controversial initiative that follows similar gestures by Washington, officials said. In a meeting with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, "it was agreed to strengthen political relations and coordinate cooperation on development in Honduras," read a joint statement by Honduras, Israel and the US. "They also agreed to pursue a plan of action, which includes meetings in their three respective capitals, to advance in the process of the decision to open embassies in both Tegucigalpa and Jerusalem." The meeting took place in Brasilia on the sidelines of the presidential inauguration of new Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Last year, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move its embassy there. Months later, Guatemala followed suit. Bolsonaro said during his presidential campaign that he would switch Brazil's embassy but without offering details. The Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, but Israel asserts that all of Jerusalem is its capital and is keen to see foreign embassies move there to bolster that claim. Most countries, however, back Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to settle Jerusalem's status as part of a wider peace deal. Brazil's meat producers are worried that an embassy move could threaten $1 billion in exports to Arab countries. Krishana Prasain is a business reporter for The Kathmandu Post covering markets. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2018, she spent 3 years in New Business Age magazine covering business. The Independent The main purpose is to make sure that knowing what happened, why it happened, how it happened, we can put in place whats necessary to prevent it from happening again or at least to mitigate the next outbreak, Sec. Blinken told CBS on Sunday about the new inquiry Police used Google Maps to trace the propertys boundaries (Picture: PA) A Google Maps blunder meant police in Australia didnt find a mans body until 18 months after he went missing. Darrell Simon, 46, was last seen at his partners home 50 miles west of Brisbane in November 2014. Although police searched his rural property in Laidley Creek West, Queensland, at the time, his remains were not found until May 2016, the BBC reported. This was because search teams had used incorrect data gathered from Google Maps that only led them to cover half of the property. Police in Queensland failed to locate the mans body (Picture: PA) Mr Simons death was ruled a suicide. In his report, completed last month, Queensland deputy state coroner John Lock said: The fact the ground search was conducted over only half the property was very regretful and should not have happened. He wrote that the delay in finding Mr Simons body had compounded the grief felt by his family and friends, particularly his father. MORE: Police investigate after frenzied hounds kill fox in front garden during hunt MORE: Sajid Javid accused of acting like Donald Trump by whipping up Channel migrant crisis Mr Lock said the wait had also fuelled speculation that Mr Simon had been the victim of foul play. The report said: One wonders if Darrells body was found during the first police search whether such unhelpful and at times clearly defamatory and untruthful speculation would have even surfaced. A coroner said Google Maps was less helpful in the search than other tools available to police (Picture: PA) However, Mr Lock did acknowledge that thick vegetation might still have prevented the body from being found had a proper search taken place. Mr Simons body was eventually found by the propertys new owners after vegetation was cleared and a period of drought. The report by the coroner said that Google Maps was less helpful when establishing the boundaries of the property than other tools that were available to police. It recommended that police be ordered to use GPS and mapping data when conducting future searches, as well as improving their links with search volunteers. The coroner was told Queensland police have already started to address both recommendations. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK The start of the new year doesn't just mean parties, champagne toasts and resolutions. It's now Girl Scout cookie season! The annual tradition officially kicks off on Wednesday, and those pint-sized, green-sashed saleswomen have a new cookie in their 2019 line-up to wow you with. Say hello to Caramel Chocolate Chip. The new chewy treat, first announced in August, is made with semi-sweet chocolate chips, caramel and a hint of sea salt, according to the Girl Scouts. The last cookie to be introduced was the Smore for the 2017 sales season, though it actually debuted in 2016 on National Smores Day, also known as Aug. 10. More: Sausage fans, beware: Close to 12,000 pounds recalled due to possible metal bits inside More: Why now is the perfect time to look over your IRAs, 401(k)s and other retirement accounts More: So you just got a new 4K TV. Now, what to watch? Here are some suggestions The Caramel Chocolate Chip cookie also has the added advantage of being gluten-free. The Girl Scouts first introduced gluten-free cookies nationally in 2015. The price of a box of cookies is set locally by each of the 112 Girl Scout councils. A single serving, comprising three Caramel Chocolate Chip cookies, has 170 calories, 12 grams of sugar and eight grams of fat. Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, cookie customers help fund life-changing Girl Scout experiences while building the next generation of female entrepreneurs, Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Sylvia Acevedo said in a statement. And because all Girl Scout Cookie proceeds stay local to power year-round troop projects and activities, when you buy Girl Scout Cookies, you are making an investment in girls and in your local community." Traditional favorites include Thin Mints, Do-si-dos, Samoas and Trefoils. To buy the cookies, download the Girl Scout Cookie Finder app or go to www.girlscoutcookies.org and type in your ZIP code. Some Girl Scout councils also sell online. The iconic cookies have landed in the national spotlight twice in the last couple months of 2018. Story continues In December, a report from the Pentagon inspector general revealed that an Air Force brigadier general was rebuked for selling Girl Scout cookies at the office and asking a subordinate to get the cookie boxes from a car and display them on the front desk of the office. And the month before, Congresswoman-elect Abigail Spanberger of Virginias 7th Congressional District -- and one of her daughter's troop leaders -- drew attention when she questioned whether it was ethical for her to still sell cookies. Cookie sales have been part of Girl Scouts history for over a century. The Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma, baked their own cookies and sold them in their high school cafeteria as a service project in 1917, according to the Girl Scouts website. Other troops followed suit and 1934 saw the first commercially-baked cookies go on sale. Follow USA TODAY reporter Zlati Meyer on Twitter: @ZlatiMeyer This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Girl Scout cookies return and new this year, gluten-free Caramel Chocolate Chip The way Britain watches porn is about to change (Getty) The way we use the internet could be about to change radically, with governments cracking down on porn and privacy and the misuse of copyrighted material. From April, porn users in Britain will be asked to prove they are 18 and this winter, the government is set to outline new safety laws for social media. An EU crackdown on the use of copyrighted material could also have a large impact on sites such as YouTube. Social media regulation Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg (getty) The Government is set to publish a white paper in the winter that will outline new online safety laws. A deadline to speed up the removal of harmful content on social media is among the legislative measures being considered by the Government in a bid to protect young people, minister for Digital Margot James told the Science and Technology Committee in November. The idea came from Germanys approach, which compels social networking sites to remove illegal content within 24 hours of it being reported, or face fines. Age restrictions for porn Access to pornography is another area the Government hopes to protect children from in 2019, with new age restrictions on porn websites set to arrive by Easter. Tighter controls have been pushed back multiple times since the introduction of the 2017 Digital Economy Act. One of the options being considered is issuing young people with a unique online ID, likened to a digital passport. MORE: Police investigate after frenzied hounds kill fox in front garden during hunt MORE: Sajid Javid accused of acting like Donald Trump by whipping up Channel migrant crisis Digital copyright The way music, memes and news articles are shared online could be affected by a new digital copyright law proposal from the EU. YouTube has warned that viewers across the EU could be cut off from videos as a result of the controversial Article 13 copyright directive, which would force big tech firms to take responsibility for the copyright status of material posted by users. Members of the European Parliament backed an overhaul to the current law in September, leaving each EU member state to make the final decision in a vote scheduled for January 2019. Story continues Right to be forgotten The so-called right to be forgotten could be rolled out further in 2019, with the European Court of Justice set to make a decision early in the year. The right to be forgotten came about in 2014, after Spaniard Mario Costeja complained that out-of-date information about his financial circumstances should be taken down from Googles search engine. The ruling only applied to the companys local sites in the EU, meaning other versions such as its American site Google.com, could still show the links. Europes top court will now decide whether Google and others like it, such as Bing and Yahoo, should apply the right to be forgotten on all versions of its sites. Storyful Passengers on board a Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta helped to subdue an unruly passenger who was reportedly trying to open the aircrafts door mid-air and who caused the flight to be diverted to Oklahoma City on June 11.Footage recorded by passenger Steve Denton shows air stewards and passengers struggling with someone as an aggravated male voice is heard.Another passenger said a man had tried to open the planes door mid-flight. The passenger, Benjamin Curlee, said a person made an announcement asking passengers to take their seats and get ready to put on their oxygen masks. He also said this person was an off-duty flight attendant, though this claim has not been verified or corroborated. The passenger added that the planes pilot then called for all able-bodied men to come to the front of the plane because there was an emergency, but before he could reach the front of the plane, the situation was resolved.Thanks to the crew and passengers of Delta Flight 1730 (LAX to ATL) who assisted in detaining an unruly passenger as the flight diverted to Oklahoma City (OKC). The aircraft landed without incident and the passenger was removed by law enforcement. We apologize to our customers for the delay and any additional inconvenience this caused, a Delta spokesperson said in a statement to Storyful. Credit: Steve Denton via Storyful More than two dozen of Sen. Bernie Sanders former campaign staffers have signed a letter asking to meet with the Vermont Senator to discuss the issue of sexual harassment and violence on the 2016 campaign as Sanders eyes a potential 2020 run. The letter, which was obtained by Politico, said that 2016 campaign staffers have been talking in recent weeks about the untenable and dangerous dynamic that developed during our campaign. The letter also references a predatory culture during Sanders unsuccessful 2016 Democratic primary run. The letter does not detail any specific incidents or identify anyone suspected of wrongdoing. Nor does it imply that Sanders himself was involved in any of the incidents. The signers said that they hope to meet in person with Sanders and senior staff members to discuss the issue and to come up with a gold-standard harassment policy to make future campaigns safer. The signers range from former campaign organizers to some of the former campaigns top officials, Politico reported. Some of the signers told Politico they intend to join Sanders potential 2020 run, while others said they do not. The letter said that the signers aims are to release a statement from Sanders and Jeff Weaver, the Senators 2016 campaign manager, about issues during the campaign; to set up policies procedures for the campaign to deal with future sexual harassment; and the hiring of diverse leadership to pre-empt the possibility of replicating the predatory culture from the first presidential campaign. Sanders political committee, Friends of Bernie Sanders, responded to the letter in a statement sent to TIME. The committee thanked the signers for their willingness to engage in this incredibly important discussion and said that they have a right to approach the committee in a private way. The committee also acknowledged that there had been a number of HR actions taken during the 2016 campaign, and that the campaigns responses had ranged from providing employees with counseling to immediate termination. Story continues The committee added that the 2018 Senate campaign had put in place more robust policies and processes after consulting with an outside firm. These procedures included a third party toll free hotline for reporting incidents outside the structure of the campaign and requiring all staff and volunteers to undergo training as part of the on boarding process. The letter from former staffers concluded, Harassment of any kind is intolerable. Hearing the experiences and thoughts of individuals who worked on Bernies 2016 campaign is a vital part of our commitment to work within our progressive community to improve the lives of all people. And thats why we will continue to examine these policies and processes, with feedback welcome, and will make any necessary changes, as we continue our work to build a world based on social, racial and economic justice. Friends of Bernie Sanders did not respond to an inquiry about whether he intends to meet with the former staffers. The letter echoed claims during the 2016 campaign that some of the Senators supporters fostered a culture of toxic masculinity around the campaign particularly on Twitter and Reddit. Some Sanders supporters became notorious for bombarding Hilary Clintons campaign supporters with sexist and racist remarks. Both Clinton and Sanders campaigns also faced allegations that staffers faced sexual harassment on the trail. The statement also comes after a year in which nine members of Congress were forced to resigned after facing sexual harassment claims stemming from the #MeToo movement. Weil Gotshal & Manges and Slaughter and May have taken the lead roles on the sale of a majority share in Gatwick Airport worth 2.9bn, which comes just weeks after the airport's activities were disrupted for three days due to drone activity. Weil Gotshal is advising the buyer, airport operator Vinci Airports, on the transaction with a team headed up by private equity partner Marco Compagnoni. Vinci operates 45 airports in 12 countries. Slaughter and May is advising current co-owner of the airport, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), and its co-investors on the deal. GIP will continue to run the airport alongside new owners Vinci. The Slaughters team was led by corporate partners Murray Cox and Mike Corbett and included tax partner William Watson, real estate partner Jane Edwarde, financing partner Robert Byk and pensions partner Charles Cameron. Slaughters previously advised GIP on the fund's acquisition of Gatwick in 2009 and also on the disposal of London City Airport in 2014. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is also involved on the latest transaction. Head of tax Vincent Daniel-Mayeur and tax partner Jill Gatehouse are advising Vinci on tax and structuring aspects of the deal. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019. Airport deals have provided a string of mandates to City legal advisers in the last year. In June, Linklaters and Baker McKenzie picked up roles on Cerberus Capital Managements 1.2bn (1.05bn) acquisition of airport services company Worldwide Flight Services. And last November, Allen & Overy and US firm Goodwin Procter advised on the 220m sale of Leeds Bradford Airport by private equity house Bridgepoint Capital to rival AMP Capital. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The fatality rate on passenger jet aircraft worldwide jumped in 2018 after airlines recorded zero accident deaths on passenger jets in the prior year, according to a Dutch consulting firm and an aviation safety group. Dutch aviation consulting firm To70 and the Aviation Safety Network both reported on Tuesday there were more than 500 deaths stemming from passenger airline crashes in 2018, but emphasized that fatal crashes remain rare. To70 estimated that the fatal accident rate for large commercial passenger flights at 0.36 per million flights, or one fatal accident for every 3 million flights. That is up from 2017's 0.06 per million flight rate and above the most recent five-year average of 0.24 per million flights. There were 13 deaths in 2017 in two fatal crashes worldwide, but both were on regional turboprop aircraft. Over the last two decades, aviation deaths around the world have been falling. As recently as 2005, there were 1,015 deaths aboard commercial passenger flights worldwide, the Aviation Safety Network said. Despite the increase, 2018 was still the third safest year ever in terms of the number of fatal accidents and the ninth safest measured by deaths, the Aviation Safety Network said. "If the accident rate had remained the same as ten years ago, there would have been 39 fatal accidents last year," Aviation Safety Network's chief executive, Harro Ranter, said in a statement. "This shows the enormous progress in terms of safety in the past two decades." On Oct. 29, a Lion Air-operated Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed into the Java Sea after takeoff from Jakarta, killing 189. In May, a Cubana flight of a Boeing 737-201 crashed just outside Havana airport, killing 112 people. In March, 51 of 71 on board died after a US-Bangla Airlines plane crashed on landing at Nepals international airport. In February, a plane operated by Saratov Airlines crashed in Russia after taking off from Stepanovskoye, killing all 71 people aboard, while the same month an Aseman Airlines flight crashed into a mountain in Iran, killing 66 people onboard. The United States suffered its first accident death involving a U.S. airline since 2009 in April, when a fan blade on a Southwest Airlines Co Boeing 737s jet engine broke apart in flight, shattering a window and nearly sucking a woman out of the plane. (Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis) MOSCOW/NEW YORK, Jan 1 (Reuters) - A retired U.S. Marine detained by Russia on spying charges was visiting Moscow for a wedding and is innocent, his family said on Tuesday. Paul Whelan was staying with the wedding party for a fellow former Marine at the Metropol hotel in Moscow when his brother David Whelan learned on Monday that he had been detained. "His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," his family said in a statement released on Twitter on Tuesday. Russia's FSB state security service said the American had been detained on Friday, but it gave no details of the nature of his alleged espionage activities. Under Russian law, espionage can carry between 10 and 20 years in prison. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. A U.S. State Department representative said Russia had notified it that a U.S. citizen had been detained and it expected Moscow to provide consular access to see him. "Russias obligations under the Vienna Convention require them to provide consular access. We have requested this access and expect Russian authorities to provide it," the representative said, without providing details of the identity of the American or the reasons behind his detention. David Whelan declined to comment on his brothers work status at the time of his arrest and whether his brother lived in Novi, Michigan, as address records indicate. BorgWarner, a Michigan-based automotive parts supplier, said Whelan is the "companys director, global security. He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan and at other company locations around the world." Russia's relations with the United States plummeted when Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, and Washington and Western allies have imposed a broad range of sanctions on Russian officials, companies and banks. Earlier this month, Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty in a U.S. court to a conspiracy charge in a deal with prosecutors, and admitted to working with a top Russian official to infiltrate American conservative activist groups and politicians as an agent for Moscow. (Reporting by Barbara Goldberg in New York; Editing by Diane Craft) Madhukar Upadhya is a watershed person, who writes about the rising tensions between a flourishing society and sustaining natural resources, including the emerging challenges of managing climate crisis. Geraint Thomas of Eversheds Sutherland. Credit: Wales News Service. An Eversheds Sutherland partner has been found dead shortly after being accused of inappropriate behavior at a firm holiday party. Retail finance partner Geraint Thomas, who worked in the law firms London and Cardiff offices, was accused of behaving inappropriately toward two female colleagues at the firm's Christmas party. He was informed about the complaints on Dec. 17 at the firm's London headquarters, and was found dead the next day at the bottom of the Southerndown cliffs on the Welsh coast, near Bridgend. He had been a partner at the firm since 2003, advising clients including HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide, Morgan Stanley and Aviva on issues such as consumer credit and mortgage regulation. He was also part of the firm's Brexit advisory team. A police spokesman said, "South Wales Police is investigating the sudden death of a 47-year-old man from Cardiff who was discovered at Southerndown. The death is not being treated as suspicious. Next of kin have been informed and a file of evidence is being prepared for HM Coroner." An inquest into Thomas' death was opened and adjourned at Pontypridd Coroner's Court on Christmas Eve, pending further investigation. An inquest is scheduled to take place on April 4. Eversheds Sutherland staff have been given access to a specialist counselor following the news. "Our sincere sympathies and thoughts are with Geraint's wife, family and friends at this exceptionally difficult time," CEO Lee Ranson said. "Many of Geraint's colleagues have also been deeply affected by this tragic news. We are working with everyone to ensure they have appropriate, professional support in the coming weeks and months. Massachusetts senator releases video to announce widely expected run as Trump says he would love to run against her Elizabeth Warren said in the video: Working families today face a lot tougher path than my family did. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/AP Senator Elizabeth Warren jumped into the race for president on Monday, announcing she is forming an exploratory committee for 2020. Im in this fight all the way, she said on Monday afternoon. The Massachusetts Democrat, known for her critiques of big banks and corporations, became the first major candidate to declare her intentions with a video posted online on New Years Eve. Americas middle class is under attack, she said. How did we get here? Billionaires and big corporations decided they wanted more of the pie and they enlisted politicians to cut them a fatter slice. Warren, 69, is entering what is likely to be a crowded Democratic primary field seeking to take on Donald Trump. Those considering bids include a slew of fellow senators such as Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand and Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, the former vice-president, and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. In her four and a half minute announcement video, Warren stressed the economic populist message that has brought her to national prominence. She mixed old family photos with charts showing the declining middle-class share of income and the gap between black and white household wealth, and discussed her upbringing in Oklahoma and her familys struggle to make ends meet after her father had a heart attack that left him unable to work. Working families today face a lot tougher path than my family did, she said. Our governments supposed to work for all of us, but instead it has become a tool for the wealthy and well-connected. Warren did not mention Trump by name in the video, but it showed images of him along with allies Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon and Fox News personalities Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity. The video says: The whole scam is propped up by an echo chamber of fear and hate designed to distract and divide us people who will do or say anything to hang on to power. Story continues This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Warren, a former law professor, gained prominence for her critique of Wall Street after the 2008 financial crash, and proposed what became the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She ran for the Senate in 2012, defeating incumbent Republican Scott Brown. As a senator, she has proposed legislation to overhaul the way corporations operate, requiring them to obtain government charters to operate and consider their publics interests rather than just those of their shareholders. She gained fans for standing up to Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell on the Senate floor, turning his admonishment of her Nevertheless, she persisted into a slogan. But Warren has suffered significant missteps as well, and become a favorite target for conservative critics who paint her as the the epitome of the east coast, academic liberal elite they often disparage. She drew criticism for the release of a DNA test intended to prove her Native American heritage, which offended some Native American groups and led to doubts about her political acumen. The Cherokee nation secretary of state, Chuck Hoskin Jr, called her move inappropriate and wrong and said: Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage. She is also a favorite target of Trump, whose taunts calling her Pocahontas prompted the DNA test. He has also labeled her Goofy Elizabeth Warren. Commenting on Warrens 2020 announcement in an interview with Fox News, set to air late on New Years Eve, Trump said he would love to run against her. So, well see how she does. I wish her well, I hope she does well. Even in her heavily Democratic home state, Warren is a polarizing figure. The editorial board of the Boston Globe, noting that she won re-election with fewer votes than Republican Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker, encouraged her not to run for president. Those are warning signs from the voters who know her best, the paper wrote. While Warren is an effective and impactful senator with an important voice nationally, she has become a divisive figure. A unifying voice is what the country needs now after the polarizing politics of Donald Trump. At a press conference Monday afternoon near her Cambridge home where she was joined by her husband and dog, Warren brushed off concerns she could be too polarizing to be elected. When we show not just tell, but show what Democrats can get out there and make happen, I think thats how we win, she said. The problem weve got right now in Washington is that works great for those whove got money to buy influence, and Im fighting against that, and you bet thats going to make a lot of people unhappy. Forming an exploratory committee will allow Warren to begin raising money for the presidential campaign. In past campaigns, she has had success raising small-dollar donations. Trump has said he would welcome a run against Warren. I hope shes running for president, because I think shed be very easy, he said in October. I hope that she is running. I do not think shed be difficult at all. Shell destroy the country. Shell make our country into Venezuela. Among progressive groups, reaction on Monday was positive. Senator Elizabeth Warrens formal entrance into the 2020 race for president today helps launch what we believe will be a vibrant discussion of bold, inclusive populist ideas in the Democratic primary, and we look forward to the wide array of progressive candidates that we expect to join her in it in the year ahead, said Charles Chamberlain, the Democracy for America executive director. The Hague (AFP) - The Netherlands announced Wednesday it was prepared to welcome some of the 32 migrants waiting to disembark from a Dutch-flagged vessel in the Mediterranean, if other countries did the same. "The Netherlands has indicated a readiness to possibly take in a proportional number of migrants who are on board Sea-Watch 3, on condition that other European countries do the same," said security and justice ministry spokesman Lennart Wegewijs. The Dutch had at first joined Italy, Malta and Spain in refusing to accept the migrants who were rescued on December 22 by Sea-Watch 3, which is operated by a German charity. "Negotiations coordinated by the European Commission are underway between the different European countries," Wegewijs told AFP. "We are seeking a solution to this situation." The 32 migrants who were plucked from a makeshift boat in international waters, include three young children, three unaccompanied adolescents and four women from Nigeria, Libya and Ivory Coast. In Berlin, a government spokesman said Saturday that Germany would only accept some of the 32 if other European countries also agreed to do so. Spanish coastguards reported Wednesday they had rescued 325 migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean over the first two days of the new year. The news comes just days after a charity rescue vessel carrying 311 mainly African migrants plucked off the coast of Libya docked in Spain, ending a traumatic journey which saw them spend Christmas at sea. With Italian ports closed to migrants by the Rome government since June, Spain has become a leading destination. A spokeswoman for Spain's coastguards told AFP they had rescued 111 migrants on Tuesday. She added 214 more were saved on Wednesday, and coastguards were searching for another boat in distress. More than 1,300 migrants died trying to reach Italy or Malta via the central Mediterranean last year, according to the International Organization for Migration. FILE PHOTO: A Syrian army soldier stands next to a Syrian flag in Umm al-Mayazen, in the countryside near Deraa, Syria, July 10, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki/File Photo Seth J. Frantzman Security, Middle East The window of opportunity to address the crisis in Syria is closing amid a barrage of contradictory U.S. statements and the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Drawdown Diplomacy: Trump's U.S. Envoy to Syria Faces New Challenges and Opportunities The United States is preparing to withdraw troops from Syria, which would be an unprecedented setback for U.S. policy. Just a few days ago U.S. envoy James Jeffrey described Syria as relatively peaceful and noted that the lull in tension provided the United States with a brief opportunity for diplomacy to work its magic. Jeffrey, the Special Representative for Syria Engagement, is entering his fifth month on the job as Washingtons main problem solver for Syriaparticularly the unprecedented role that the United States is playing in eastern Syria. A few days prior to Jeffreys public musings over peace and diplomacy in Syria, President Donald Trump called Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to try to prevent Turkey from launching an offensive into eastern Syriaone that would create a major crisis with key Kurdish partner forces. It is possible to examine the changing Washington policy in eastern Syria by concentrating specifically on Jeffreys developing role. For example, Jeffrey, speaking at the Atlantic Council recently, sought to articulate how the United States is balancing its relations with Turkey amid Ankaras accusations that the United States is working the terrorists in Syria. He pointed to the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), a key component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as the Syrian version of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on December 18 that Ankara would not allow a terror corridor to be established along its border. Fifteen thousand Syrian rebels that had originally signed on to oppose the Bashar al-Assad regime now say that they would back a Turkish offensive into eastern Syria where U.S. forces are present. Jeffrey said that the SDF, like some of the United States previous partners, who opposed Saddam Hussein in Iraq, is a tactical and transactional relationship. His description of the relationship indicates that the United States might have a temporary partnership with forces in Syria that have played the major role in defeating ISIS. If the United States walks away from that partnership, then it could appear as if it is betraying a group that helped it to destroy ISIS, which would harm the already strained image of the United States in the Middle East region. Story continues Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tapped Jeffrey, a thirty-five-year-old veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service, in August and asked him to lead U.S. diplomatic efforts in Syria. Jeffrey was ambassador to Iraq from 2010 to 2012 and and ambassador to Turkey 2008 to 2010, so he has unique knowledge of the region and its leaders. Jeffrey was tasked with addressing the growing U.S. commitment to eastern Syria and ensuring that the region is stabilized once the Islamic State has been defeated. Such an undertaking would involve working with Syrias neighbors and promoting peace as envisioned by the Geneva peace process and UN Resolution 2254. The appointment appeared to bifurcate the work that the United States was doing in Syria. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition against ISIS Brett McGurk would continue his work on the anti-ISIS agenda and concentrate on Iraq while Jeffrey took up more of the Syria portfolio. This came in the context of the September 11 launch of the final phase of Operation Roundup, which aimed to defeat ISIS in the Euphrates valley around Hajin. The operation cost ISIS control of most of Hajina success that was hailed by the media in the second week of December. Jeffrey will work closely with the under secretary of state for political affairs, once confirmed, as well as the Near Eastern and European bureaus on this issue. Given all the countries and the issues involved, from terrorism to refugees, these matters obviously cut across geographic bureaus, and therefore this requires a high level of coordination, said State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert. The problem with Americas Syria policy is that it has too many different agendas and some of them are contradictory. For instance, the Trump administration wants to stabilize eastern Syria after ISIS has been defeated. That would require training local security forces. These forces are linked to the SDF, which Turkey has described as a terror army. Turkey vowed to crush these stabilization forces in January 2018 on the eve of Ankaras offensive into Afrin and remove the YPG from the border. Afrin, a Kurdish region in northwest Syria where the United States is not present, was a test case for Ankara and provided valuable experience that will help it to accomplish its goals in eastern Syria. Jeffrey had to immediately juggle these threats while focusing on the role of Russia and Iran in Syria. He travelled to Israel and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with whom he discussed the importance of maintaining Israels security while countering Irans destabilizing activity throughout the region. Then he and Joel Rayburn, Israels deputy assistant secretary of state for Levant affairs and special envoy for Syria, visited Jordan and Turkey. In September the State Department was trying to prevent a Syrian regime offensive in Idlib that could create a wave of refugees flooding into Turkey. Turkey signed a deal in mid-September with Russia to prevent the offensive. As part of the deal, extremists in Idlib would withdraw heavy weapons and Turkey would increase its presence. Problem solved, for Turkey. In Ankara the American diplomats underscored the importance of continued U.S.-Turkish cooperation in resolving the Syrian conflict in a manner consistent with UNSCR 2254, according to a statement by the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey. Jeffrey spelled out U.S. opposition to the Syrian regimes threats against Idlib. He commended the Turkish Government and people for their continued compassion for those affected by the Syrian conflict, according to the statement. But Jeffrey appears to have missed an opportunity to discuss eastern Syria. In late October he travelled to Manbij in northern Syria and met the local SDF-linked military council. The United States has conducted patrols around Manbij to prevent any escalation with Turkey or Syrian rebel groups. This came as Saudi Arabia sent its first $100 million of support for stabilization in Syria. At the same time U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel said U.S.-Turkish joint military patrols would begin around Manbij. Turkey appeared to hope these joint patrols would be a prelude to greater Turkish involvement. What were looking for is the enduring defeat of ISIS, a reinvigorated and irreversible political process in Syria led by the Syrian people and facilitated by the UN, and de-escalation of the conflict that will include all Iranian-commanded forces departing from the entirety of Syria, Jeffrey said in Washington in November. He also indicated that the United States saw its mission against ISIS as indirectly supporting other goals, and that affecting Irans malign activities was one of them. Washington has been describing a growing strategy in eastern Syria based on military and economic tools. On getting Iran out, that is basically part of a process. Its not a military goal of the United States, its not a mission of U.S. military forces; rather, we see this as the outcome of process that would end the internal conflict and provide guarantees to the Syrian people and the neighbors towards their security, he said. Jeffrey said there were now three strategic goals in Syria. We dont see why it is in the interest of anyone to have Iranian forces, particularly power-projection forceslong-range missiles and other systems that can threaten other countriespresent in Syria if we have resolved the underlying conflict. And its our job to convince everybody, including the Russians, that thats the best way to secure a peaceful result and stability and security, not just in Syria but in the region, and well keep on working until we achieve that. The crises in December between the United States and Turkey developed out of a growing collision course between Washington and Ankara over eastern Turkey. Erdogan asserted that there was no longer a threat from ISIS while the United States and its SDF partners continued fighting ISIS in Hajin. Turkey has shelled the border area and the SDF has said it will halt operations if the United States cannot prevent Turkey from shelling SDF and YPG positions. To placate Turkey, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer announced a $5 million bounty for the leader of the PKK, Murat Karayilan and multi-million dollar bounties for two other leaders. Jeffrey also said that the PYD, the political wing of the YPG, was the Syrian branch of the PKK. Jeffrey was intimately aware of past U.S. cooperation with Turkey, providing Ankara with actionable real-time intelligence to strike at the PKK in the past. So he understood Ankaras concerns and emphasized the importance of Turkish-American cooperation. But Washington has not found a formula to deter Turkeys actions. This occurred in the context of the U.S. administration being distracted by other issues, either the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, or the midterm elections and their aftermath. Ankara appears laser-focused on Syria, perhaps for its own populist reasons, while Washington is distracted. Turkish officials say eastern Syria and the YPG top the agenda. Meanwhile Turkey is also working with Iran and Russia to discuss a constitution committee for Syriawhile not including the United States. Jeffrey openly opposed the Turkey-Iran-Russia track and called on the trio of countries should pull the plug on their Astana process. Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was nonplussed and said that the U.S. views were very unfortunate. The U.S. envoy travelled to Turkey under this cloud where he discussed cooperation with Turkey and issues facing the Syrian diaspora and the necessity for a Syrian-led and -owned political process under U.N. Security Council resolution 2254, the State Department said. Four days later Erdogan warned that Turkey would launch an operation in eastern Syria and return it to its true owners. Trump had to call Erdogan to prevent the operation from happening. It raised tensions with the U.S.-led coalition as well. Turkey postponed its operation, but it continues to push on other fronts. Ankara is meeting with Iran and Russia, two countries that oppose the U.S. presence in Syria, to discuss a Syrian constitution. Washington keeps saying that the Geneva track is the only way forward, but none of the other major players in Syria are siding with the United States on this track. Instead they are siding with each other. These three countries increasingly have more in common in opposing the U.S. role in the Middle East. This is clear with the warming relations between Turkey and Russia, which has included an offer from Ankara to purchase the S-400 missile system and work on a gas pipeline. Turkish and Iranian officials show this warmth publicly. They did so at the recent Doha Forum; and Turkey got an exemption from Iran sanctions. Americas partners, the Syrian Kurds and other members of the SDF, feel isolated. The United States has set up observation posts along the Syrian border with Turkey and suggested manning them with the Syrian Kurdish Peshmerga who live in Iraq. Theoretically, these Peshmerga would serve as a kind of buffer between the YPG and Turkey. Still, Turkeys media continues to accuse the United States of working with terrorists. Washington had plans to stabilize eastern Syria. It also wanted to leverage its presence to push Iran out of Syria. Unfortunately, the Turkish partner the United States thought would oppose the Syrian regime and its Russian and Iranian allies is the partner that most opposes the U.S. role in eastern Syria. Turkeys assertion that the ISIS is not a threat and its desire to invade the area must be taken seriously. Turkeys two other major military operations in Syria, Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch in Afrin, were designed to frustrate and expel the YPG. Turkey might not have troops in northern Syria today if it were not for that issue. Additionally, Turkey has been trying to get the Syrian rebels to focus on fighting the YPG by describing the rebel groups, which mostly consist of Sunni-Arabs, as the true owners and promising that refugees will be able to return to eastern Syria after a successful operation. This is Turkeys way of distracting the Syrian opposition from its war with Assad and refocusing its attention on the United States and its partners. Erdogan promised to hand over Afrin to its true owners in January 2018. He made a similar promise about Manbij in March. This is now the rhetoric for eastern Syria. It should be noted that Turkey, Iran and Russia have outmaneuvered the United States on the issue of Syrias constitutional committee. Washington was excluded from essential meetings, such as the one in Geneva on December 19. The trio has expressed optimism about moving forward. That means Americas local Syrian partners have been frozen out of discussions about the future of eastern Syria. Jeffrey has indicated that the SDF and other parties in eastern Syria should play a role in the fabric of the future Syrian state; but if the United States and its partners are not at the same table with Russia, Turkey, or Iran when discussing the future of Syria, then how can Americas Syrian partners be a part of the process? Also problematic is a pending withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. This drawdown plan will undermine confidence in U.S. policy, and it will harm U.S. partners in eastern Syria who helped America defeat ISIS. This illustrates how the U.S. State Department has failed to pursue a consistent and confident strategy in concert with the Pentagon and White House Thus, the window of opportunity to address the crisis in Syria is closing amid a barrage of contradictory U.S. statements. Trump administration officials have said that they see a chance for diplomacy amid the winding down of the war with ISIS. But for the United States to make diplomacy work, it has to assert its goals in Syria. Trying to balance too many agendas has led to one crisis after another. Seth J. Frantzman is a Jerusalem-based journalist who holds a PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the executive director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis and a writing fellow at Middle East Forum. He is writing a book on the Middle East after ISIS. Follow him on Twitter at @sfrantzman . Image: Reuters Read full article If you own shares in William Lyon Homes (NYSE:WLH) then its worth thinking about how it contributes to the volatility of your portfolio, overall. In finance, Beta is a measure of volatility. Volatility is considered to be a measure of risk in modern finance theory. Investors may think of volatility as falling into two main categories. The first type is company specific volatility. Investors use diversification across uncorrelated stocks to reduce this kind of price volatility across the portfolio. The second sort is caused by the natural volatility of markets, overall. For example, certain macroeconomic events will impact (virtually) all stocks on the market. Some stocks see their prices move in concert with the market. Others tend towards stronger, gentler or unrelated price movements. Beta is a widely used metric to measure a stocks exposure to market risk (volatility). Before we go on, its worth noting that Warren Buffett pointed out in his 2014 letter to shareholders that volatility is far from synonymous with risk. Having said that, beta can still be rather useful. The first thing to understand about beta is that the beta of the overall market is one. Any stock with a beta of greater than one is considered more volatile than the market, while those with a beta below one are either less volatile or poorly correlated with the market. View our latest analysis for William Lyon Homes What WLHs beta value tells investors Zooming in on William Lyon Homes, we see it has a five year beta of 1.52. This is above 1, so historically its share price has been influenced by the broader volatility of the stock market the market. If the past is any guide, we would expect that William Lyon Homes shares will rise quicker than the markets in times of optimism, but fall faster in times of pessimism. Many would argue that beta is useful in position sizing, but fundamental metrics such as revenue and earnings are more important overall. You can see William Lyon Homess revenue and earnings in the image below. Story continues NYSE:WLH Income Statement Export January 2nd 19 Could WLHs size cause it to be more volatile? William Lyon Homes is a noticeably small company, with a market capitalisation of US$408m. Most companies this size are not always actively traded. Relatively few investors can influence the price of a smaller company, compared to a large company. This could explain the high beta value, in this case. What this means for you: Since William Lyon Homes tends to moves up when the market is going up, and down when its going down, potential investors may wish to reflect on the overall market, when considering the stock. In order to fully understand whether WLH is a good investment for you, we also need to consider important company-specific fundamentals such as William Lyon Homess financial health and performance track record. I urge you to continue your research by taking a look at the following: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for WLHs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for WLHs outlook. Past Track Record: Has WLH been consistently performing well irrespective of the ups and downs in the market? Go into more detail in the past performance analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of WLHs historicals for more clarity. Other Interesting Stocks: Its worth checking to see how WLH measures up against other companies on valuation. You could start with this free list of prospective options. 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 own shares in Tamilnadu Telecommunications Limited (NSE:TNTELE) then its worth thinking about how it contributes to the volatility of your portfolio, overall. In finance, Beta is a measure of volatility. Volatility is considered to be a measure of risk in modern finance theory. Investors may think of volatility as falling into two main categories. The first category is company specific volatility. This can be dealt with by limiting your exposure to any particular stock. The second type is the broader market volatility, which you cannot diversify away, since it arises from macroeconomic factors which directly affects all the stocks on the market. Some stocks mimic the volatility of the market quite closely, while others demonstrate muted, exagerrated or uncorrelated price movements. Beta can be a useful tool to understand how much a stock is influenced by market risk (volatility). However, Warren Buffett said volatility is far from synonymous with risk in his 2014 letter to investors. So, while useful, beta is not the only metric to consider. To use beta as an investor, you must first understand that the overall market has a beta of one. Any stock with a beta of greater than one is considered more volatile than the market, while those with a beta below one are either less volatile or poorly correlated with the market. Check out our latest analysis for Tamilnadu Telecommunications What we can learn from TNTELEs beta value With a beta of 0.97, (which is quite close to 1) the share price of Tamilnadu Telecommunications has historically been about as voltile as the broader market. If the future looks like the past, we could therefore consider it likely that the stock price will experience share price volatility that is roughly similar to the overall market. Share price volatility is well worth considering, but most long term investors consider the history of revenue and earnings growth to be more important. Take a look at how Tamilnadu Telecommunications fares in that regard, below. Story continues NSEI:TNTELE Income Statement Export January 2nd 19 How does TNTELEs size impact its beta? With a market capitalisation of 74m, Tamilnadu Telecommunications is a very small company by global standards. It is quite likely to be unknown to most investors. It doesnt take much money to really move the share price of a company as small as this one. That makes it somewhat unusual that it has a beta value so close to the overall market. What this means for you: It is probable that there is a link between the share price of Tamilnadu Telecommunications and the broader market, since it has a beta value quite close to one. However, long term investors are generally well served by looking past market volatility and focussing on the underlying development of the business. If thats your game, metrics such as revenue, earnings and cash flow will be more useful. In order to fully understand whether TNTELE is a good investment for you, we also need to consider important company-specific fundamentals such as Tamilnadu Telecommunicationss financial health and performance track record. I urge you to continue your research by taking a look at the following: Financial Health: Are TNTELEs operations financially sustainable? Balance sheets can be hard to analyze, which is why weve done it for you. Check out our financial health checks here. Past Track Record: Has TNTELE been consistently performing well irrespective of the ups and downs in the market? Go into more detail in the past performance analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of TNTELEs historicals for more clarity. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore 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. MRC Global Inc. (NYSE:MRC), which is in the trade distributors business, and is based in United States, received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the NYSE over the last few months, increasing to $19.1 at one point, and dropping to the lows of $11.82. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether MRC Globals current trading price of $12.24 reflective of the actual value of the small-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at MRC Globals outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. Check out our latest analysis for MRC Global Whats the opportunity in MRC Global? Good news, investors! MRC Global is still a bargain right now. According to my valuation, the intrinsic value for the stock is $17.79, which is above what the market is valuing the company at the moment. This indicates a potential opportunity to buy low. Although, there may be another chance to buy again in the future. This is because MRC Globals beta (a measure of share price volatility) is high, meaning its price movements will be exaggerated relative to the rest of the market. If the market is bearish, the companys shares will likely fall by more than the rest of the market, providing a prime buying opportunity. What does the future of MRC Global look like? NYSE:MRC Future Profit January 2nd 19 Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. With profit expected to more than double over the next couple of years, the future seems bright for MRC Global. It looks like higher cash flow is on the cards for the stock, which should feed into a higher share valuation. Story continues What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? Since MRC is currently undervalued, it may be a great time to accumulate more of your holdings in the stock. With a positive outlook on the horizon, it seems like this growth has not yet been fully factored into the share price. However, there are also other factors such as financial health to consider, which could explain the current undervaluation. Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on MRC for a while, now might be the time to enter the stock. Its prosperous future outlook isnt fully reflected in the current share price yet, which means its not too late to buy MRC. But before you make any investment decisions, consider other factors such as the track record of its management team, in order to make a well-informed investment decision. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on MRC Global. You can find everything you need to know about MRC Global in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in MRC Global, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. 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. Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - The former head of German exchange operator Deutsche Boerse has agreed to pay 4.75 million euros ($5.4 million) to end a probe into suspected insider trading, prosecutors said Wednesday. Frankfurt prosecutors opened the case against Carsten Kengeter in 2016 over his purchases of shares in Deutsche Boerse two months before a merger plan with the London Stock Exchange was unveiled, an announcement which sent their share prices shooting upwards. "The proceedings against the former CEO of Deutsche Boerse and the Deutsche Boerse company, as co-accused in the case, are now closed," the Frankfurt prosecutor's office said in a statement. The payment does not constitute an admission of guilt by Kengeter, who has repeatedly maintained his innocense. Likewise, Deutsche Boerse maintains the allegations were unfounded, but decided not to appeal 10.5 million euros in fines over the case. The 4.75 million euros that Kengeter agreed to pay corresponds to the value of the shares purchased by him in December 2015 as well as others received as part of his compensation package. Prosecutors suspected Kengeter had discussed a possible merger with the London Stock Exchange executives months previously. Kengeter stepped down at the end of 2017 due to the probe. The merger between Deutsche Boerse and the London Stock Exchange was blocked in 2017 by EU regulators over competition concerns. I cant dance, but I can pack, Adam Claude said of packing meals with new bride Chara Juneau and their charity hall wedding. (Photo: Courtesy of Feed My Starving Children) A couple tying the knot in Minnesota decided to forgo a fancy reception hall and even skip their first dance, instead opting to spend their New Years Eve nuptials packing meals for hungry kids at the charity that brought them together and their 70 guests followed suit. Chara Juneau and Adam Claude have spent many date nights and even Valentines Day at their favorite charity organization, Feed My Starving Children in Cn Rapids, Minn., Claude told Yahoo Lifestyle. So it was very fitting that their wedding would take place there too but surprisingly, the idea didnt occur to them until Judy Watke, the organizations director of development and a close friend of the couple, suggested it in passing. We thought, Wait a second, thats not a bad idea,' Claude said, noting that Watke knew an engagement was looming. I had the ring already, he said. Though Claude and Juneau were in no hurry, the stars just started to align. First, Claude bid and to his surprise easily won a trip to the Virgin Islands at a charity auction in November. We thought, This would make a great honeymoon, but the trip was for early January, so wed have to push it back a few months to make it a honeymoon. Claude and Juneau exchanged vows in front of 70 loved ones, who then joined them in packing meals for kids. (Photo: Courtesy of Feed My Starving Children) Thats when Juneau suggested the two just head to the courthouse for a shotgun wedding and leave the honeymoon trip as is. The spontaneous planning quickly led back to the proposal of a wedding at Feed My Starving Childrens headquarters and eventually, the scenario made too much sense for the pair to pass up. We asked [Watke], Were you serious when you said we could have our wedding there? and she said, Absolutely, this would be amazing. Itd be you!' Claude and Juneau then ran the idea by their friends and family to make sure it wasnt ridiculous, he joked, and they said it would be awesome, and theyre on board. Claude told Yahoo Lifestyle the philanthropic wedding meshed with the couples financial sensibilities, too. The whole thing cost very little money, he said. I didnt want to start our lives in debt. It was a great way to generate money rather than spending thousands of dollars, we could raise thousands of dollars. Story continues And thats how the wedding went from low-key affair to full-blown charity event. Claude set up a wedding fundraiser called Lets Feed Kids, where he set a lofty goal of $1,000,000 and the couple has already raised more than $100,000 and counting. But the day itself was where the action happened. After exchanging vows in front of their guests, the couple pulled on hairnets and started sealing and packing meals that are scheduled to be delivered to starving children in Sierra Leone. Their guests joined in, and together, the entire party prepared 22,000 meals, which will feed 60 kids for a year. The guests even took time out to playfully form a ladle arch for the newlyweds to pass through a venue-appropriate tweak on tradition. Guests formed a ladle arch for the newlyweds. (Photo: Courtesy of Feed My Starving Children) Like many love stories, Claude and Juneaus marriage almost never happened. Claude, an IT consultant, had been living in Minnesota, happily organizing meal-packing events at Feed My Starving Children when Juneau, a wedding photographer, moved there from Seattle to be closer to her family in 2017. Twice a year, hed launch a big event with more than 150 volunteers at the Cn Rapids location where the pair would eventually wed. Claude told Yahoo Lifestyle that Juneau was invited by their mutual friend on Facebook to more than one meal-packing event, but continued to decline because she wanted to be available for her sister, who was pregnant. She told me to keep inviting her, though, Claude said. But fate intervened, and the pair finally met while attending the same church. I didnt know we went to same church, Claude said, but he was glad he recognized her from her Facebook photos. From there we started hanging out, he said, noting that the Feed My Starving Children charity may not have been where they met, but its how we met. Claude told Yahoo Lifestyle that the whole point of the wedding was for the couple to remain low-key while putting the focus others in need but clearly that backfired, he joked. That said, hes happy to now be receiving funds from anonymous donors who were touched by the wedding story. FMSC uses donations given by people (like you) to fund meal ingredients, where volunteers (like me) hand-pack meals, he wrote on the fundraising page. The meals are delivered to areas that are in desperate need of food. For Claude and Juneau, the entire series of events has been a whirlwind. Within 24 hours we accepted an offer on a house and got married, he said, noting that the couple was closing on their new house on Wednesday, and would be jetting off on their honeymoon not long after. No doubt the couple will be visiting their charity stomping grounds soon after returning to real life but for now, suffice to say theyve earned their time in the sun. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Bangkok (AFP) - An elaborate three-day coronation ceremony for Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn will be held in early May, more than two and half years after the death of his revered father Bhumibol Adulyadej. The 66-year-old ascended the throne following his father's death in October 2016, which ended a tumultuous seven-decade reign over the Southeast Asian kingdom marked by coups and rounds of violent street protests. Maha Vajiralongkorn, formally known as Rama X of the Chakri dynasty, has since dramatically reorganised palace affairs. He has bolstered his own security detail and granted himself personal stewardship of the crown's multi-billion dollar assets, which include swathes of prime real estate and major investments in banks and companies. Thailand's monarchy -- one of the world's richest -- is shielded from criticism by a harsh royal defamation law punishing any transgressors with up to 15 years per charge. It is also butressed by the conservative, ultra-royalist army which has ruled Thailand since seizing power in 2014, banning protests and political rallies, but which has pledged to restore elections early this year. In a televised announcement, the Royal Household Bureau said the coronation will take place between May 4 and 6. "It's a suitable time to hold the coronation in accordance to the tradition and for national celebration and joy of the people," the bureau said. The "coronation ceremony" will be held on May 4 with an audience granted to "the royal family, privy councillors and cabinet members", it explained. The following day a ceremony will "bestow the royal name" according to traditions governing the monarchy, then on May 6 the king will hold a "grand audience" with members of the public and diplomats. - Thais to vote - This year is poised to be pivotal for Thailand. The country is also set to hold elections, with the junta teasing the date of Febuary 24. Story continues If polls are held then, it would be just shy of five years since the junta -- led by army chief turned premier Prayut Chan-O-Cha -- seized power from the elected civilian government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The junta, which portrays itself as the defender of the monarchy, says it toppled her government to end corruption under successive civilian administrations. Its critics say it acted only to push out the Shinawatra clan, led by Yingluck's older brother, the billionaire and ex-premier Thaksin, and uproot their political networks. Despite two coups and multiple legal challenges the family and its affiliates have won every Thai general election since 2001, relying on support from the poor but populous north and northeast. It is not clear whether the Shinawatras' support is still as strong as it was, with the military-linked parties successfully luring over some their erstwhile allies. Thaksin, booted from office by 2006 coup, has lived in self-exile for a decade over a corruption conviction. Yingluck joined her brother in self-exile in 2017 to avoid jail for criminal negligence linked to a rice subsidy scheme aimed at her base. The military has written a new constitution that experts say dilutes the power of elected governments and embeds its role in politics and policy for the next 20 years. A fully-appointed senate and a reduction in the number of lower house seats is expected to offset any strong electoral showing by the Shinawatras and their allies. Prayut is widely tipped to return as the country's next premier. He needs the endorsement of just 126 lower house legislators plus the junta-appointed senate. Frank discussion of Thailand's monarchy is off-limits in Thailand, where all Thai-based media must self-censor to avoid falling foul of the broadly interpreted lese majeste laws. Convictions under the law soared during the initial years of military rule but have eased since Maha Vajiralongkorn ascended to the throne, with charges in several high-profile cases also dropped. Dr KC puts off protest plan Senior orthopedic surgeon at the Maharajgunj-based Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) Govinda KC has postponed his planned hunger strike till January 9. On Dec 31, we issued an updated research report on Copart, Inc. CPRT. The Dallas, TX-based provider of online vehicle auctioning platform is adding auction locations, both organically and inorganically, to improve its network of facilities and drive sales. From the beginning of 2018 till Oct 31, the company opened 6 locations across Europe and the United States apart from acquiring companies with existing locations. Sufficient auction locations aid Copart to add more cars in inventories and sell those at auctions, thus, driving the companys revenues. Further, the company sees good growth opportunities in the European market, majorly across Germany and Western Europe. This impelled Copart to invest and add or open locations on this continent. In first-quarter fiscal 2019, it added six locations in Germany. During the same time frame, the company had fifteen locations in the United Kingdom. These locations are expected to aid the companys growth in Europes competitive marketplace as well as drive its top line. Copart, Inc. Price and Consensus Copart, Inc. Price and Consensus | Copart, Inc. Quote In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, Coparts earnings and revenues surpassed their respective Zacks Consensus Estimate. The companys global unit sales rose 4.1% year over year, with the United States contributing a positive 2.4% and international unit contributing 14.3%. Internationally, growth was driven by the United Kingdom and Germany. However, too much presence in international markets makes the company vulnerable to foreign currency fluctuations and country-specific policy threats. During the first quarter, Coparts year-over-year revenue growth was partly offset by the strength of the U.S. dollar in comparison with the pound and Brazilian real. The companys general and administrative expenses witnessed 13.1% year-over-year rise to $44.5 million. Out of the total amount, growth initiatives in the United States cost $37.3 million while internationally, Europes business expansion cost $1.5 million. Additionally, over the past year, three hurricanes have increased average cost per vehicle for Copart. Continuous rise in expenses might hamper the companys profit margin. In the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Coparts earnings in fiscal 2019 has edged down 0.5%. Further, over the past three months, shares of the company have lost 9.4% compared with the industrys decline of 11%. Story continues The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Stocks to Consider Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are Fox Factory Holding Corporation FOXF, CarGurus, Inc. CARG, and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company CTB, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Fox Factory has an expected long-term growth rate of 5%. Share price of the company has increased 20.1% in the past six months. CarGurus has an expected long-term growth rate of 5%. Shares of the company have gained 13% in the past year. Cooper Tire has an expected long-term growth rate of 4%. Over the past six months, shares of the company have gained 22.2%. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 Fox Factory Holding Corp. (FOXF) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (CTB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Copart, Inc. (CPRT) : Free Stock Analysis Report CarGurus, Inc. (CARG) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research DENVER (AP) A Colorado man was charged Monday with murder and solicitation to commit murder in the death of his missing fiancee as police try to find out what happened to the mother of his child. Patrick Frazee is accused of trying to find someone to kill Kelsey Berreth three times between September and November and causing her death on or around Thanksgiving, according to a charging document. Berreth was last seen Thanksgiving Day on a grocery store surveillance video with the couple's 1-year-old daughter, and Frazee said the two met that day to exchange their child. The girl is staying with her mother's family, and authorities have not said if they have found Berreth's body. Frazee, 32, was told in court that he is charged with first-degree murder and three counts of solicitation to commit first-degree murder. No details were provided about who else may have been involved in Berreth's death. Fourth Judicial District Attorney Dan May declined to say whether the three soliticiation charges mean investigators believe Frazee tried to get three people to kill Berreth, a flight instructor. When Frazee was arrested Dec. 21, police said more arrests were possible, but they have not announced any. They have said the evidence suggests Berreth was killed at her home in Woodland Park, a mountain town near Colorado Springs, and that her cellphone was tracked to Gooding, Idaho, three days after Thanksgiving. The Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office in Idaho said last week that the FBI and Colorado authorities asked the agency and police in the city of Twin Falls, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of Gooding, to help prepare and serve "several search warrants" and process some evidence in the case. The sheriff's office didn't provide details about the searches or the evidence. The document detailing the evidence for Frazee's arrest is sealed. His lawyers are expected to get a copy of it Monday but are not allowed to discuss it with him until a judge decides if they can. A hearing is set for Friday. May said prosecutors have kept the information secret at the request of investigators, who are still tracking down leads and trying to interview people. Frazee did not speak in court and is not expected to enter a plea until after evidence is scheduled to be presented at a Jan. 29 hearing. Chinas Change 4 spacecraft to attempt historic landing on dark side of moon (Getty) A Chinese spacecraft is moving into a planned orbit to become the first-ever spacecraft to land on the mysterious dark side of the moon. Our moon is tidally locked to Earth, which means that it rotates at the same rate it orbits our planet so one side is never visible from Earth. No spacecraft has ever landed successfully on the dark side but the Change-4 probe is now preparing for the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon, Chinas Xinhua news agency said. China National Space Administration has not said when the landing will occur, but its expected to happen by January 3. MORE: Police investigate after frenzied hounds kill fox in front garden during hunt MORE: Sajid Javid accused of acting like Donald Trump by whipping up Channel migrant crisis China launched the Change-4 probe earlier this month, carried by a Long March-3B rocket. It includes a lander and a rover to explore the surface of the moon. Xinhua said that the probe had entered an elliptical lunar orbit at 08.55 Beijing time, which brought it at its closest point just 15 kilometres away from the surface of the moon. The Change-4 first entered a lunar orbit on Dec. 12. The tasks of the Change-4 include astronomical observation, surveying the moons terrain, landform and mineral composition, and measuring the neutron radiation and neutral atoms to study the environment on the far side of the moon. J. Michael Cole Security, Asia We take a look. A Chinese Invasion of Taiwan: What Happens? Who Wins? Key point: "In the end, absent a U.S. and Japanese commitment to intervene in the early stages of an attempted PLA invasion of Taiwan, there is only a slim likelihood that the Taiwanese military would be able to defeat its opponent in the conventional sense of the term." A consensus seems to have developed among a large number of defense analysts in recent years arguing that despite the balance of power having shifted in Chinas favor, Beijing has no intention to use its military to invade Taiwan and thus resolve the Taiwan question once and for all. Doing so would be too costly, some argue, while others contend that Beijing can accomplish unification by creating enough economic dependence and incentives to convince Taiwanese over time of the inevitability of a reunited China. (This first appeared in 2015.) Although these factors certainly militate against the desire to go to war over the island-nation, we cannot altogether discount the probability that the Chinese military would be called into action, especially if the rationale for launching an attack were framed in terms of a defensive warChina being forced to take action because of changing and untenable circumstances in its environment. Therefore, despite the relatively low probability of war in the Taiwan Strait in the immediate future, Taipei cannot afford to be complacent and must actively pursue an effective defense strategy. The first component of such a strategy is for Taipei to clearly define what the mission is, and just as importantly, what victory would look like. Given the quantitative and qualitative differences that exist between the two militaries, it is clear by now that victory for Taiwan can no longer be defined in maximalist terms: the total destruction of enemy forces. (Recommended: Japan's Master Plan to Defeat China in a War) Story continues Moreover, Taiwan does not have the means, nor does the intent, to take the fight to China to annihilate Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) forces stationed on Chinese territory. Therefore, with a fewand importantexceptions that will be discussed below, the military area of operations in a war scenario would be the Taiwan Strait, and in a full invasion, the Taiwan side of the median line that divides the Strait. Of course there are many different scenarios in which the PLA could be activated to pressure Taiwan, not all of them involving an all-out assault to invade the island. The PLA Navy (PLAN) and Air Force (PLAAF), for example, can be used to blockade Taiwan, while the Second Artillery Corps could be called upon to launch decapitation missile attacks against the Taiwanese leadership and other key targets across Taiwan, such as radar sites, airstrips, naval bases, and its C4ISR architecture. In all those scenarios, Taiwan would be forced to adopt a purely defensive posture. The hardening and dispersal of targets, as well as improved air defense capabilities, are part of that strategy and what the Taiwanese military has prepared for over the years. The key in such limited scenarios will be to lower the chances that China would achieve its objectives. Under current conditions, Taiwan arguably has sufficient resources and the right strategies in place to address those limited contingencies. If true, this would mean that those options are off the table for China, therefore forcing it to either abandon the idea that force can be used to coerce Taipei, or to escalate. The logic behind ensuring that Fortress Taiwan has the wherewithal to defend itself against limited attacks is that the more Beijing has to escalate, the greater the dilemma it faces as pressuresdomestic and internationalagainst such use of force, and therefore the potential costs of unleashing it, would be much more severe. Still, there are contexts in which the dynamics that militate against full invasion would lose momentum. Chinese military literature is replete with references to defensive war and variations on that theme. Such language would be critical if it became necessary for the Beijing leadership to rationalize a decision to use total force to achieve its objectives. In such scenarios, China would position itself not as the aggressor, but rather as the victim, forced by external circumstances to go on the offensive, however begrudgingly, to protect its vital or core interests. Recommended: Why No Commander Wants to Take On a Spike Missile Recommended: What Will the Sixth-Generation Jet Fighter Look Like? Recommended: Imagine a U.S. Air Force That Never Built the B-52 Bomber In other words, a change in context would leave the leadership with only two choices: capitulation or battle to defend the integrity of the Chinese territory. A declaration of de jure independence by Taiwan would certainly prompt such a response, with lawsthe Anti-Secession Law forcing Beijing to respond. China could also feel compelled to act if it deemed that political instability on the island were such that it threatened the safety of Chinese compatriotsin other words, Beijing could use its own Crimea model to justify massive use of force (humanitarian in this case) to occupy Taiwan. It would therefore be incautious to rule out any possibility that China would use maximum force (short of the nuclear option) to attack Taiwan, to believe that rational calculations of costs versus benefits will prevail under any and all circumstances. Even if the probability is remote, it still exists. And given the trends within Taiwanese society which make unification with China less and less appealing, it is not entirely infeasible that a decade from now the Chinese leadership could decide it has to take military actionagain for purely defensive purposeslest splittists (of course aided by the CIA and other agencies bent on subjugating China) threaten to tear apart one China and inspire other groups within its territory to move in a similar direction. So what could Taiwan do to ward off a PLA invasion? Since the Taiwanese military cannot hope to defeat the PLA in a conventional battlefield, and given that Taipei has no assurances that allies such as the United States and Japan would intervene on its side, its best defense is to ensure that China does not launch such an aggression in the first place. In other words, Taiwan must substantially increase the costs of invasionreal and perceivedby promising unacceptable amounts of pain to the PLA, the leadership in Beijing, and the Chinese population. Logically, this implies building up its capabilities to counter an amphibious assault through a combination of naval and aerial assets, as well as anti-armor rockets, missile batteries, artillery, mobile special forces units, and a well-trained and equipped reserve, to saturate the beaches with lead and create a kill zone for advancing PLA forces. Ensuring the survival of its air force and navy assets following saturation bombing by the Second Artillery in the initial phase of major hostilities would also be important, as those would also be necessary to counter PLA transport vessels ferrying troops across the Taiwan Strait. However, such a passive, or porcupine defense strategy would probably not be enough to deter Beijing. Consequently, a second aspect of Taiwans plans to inflict unacceptable pain on China must explore more offensive options. It has already begun doing so, with the production and deployment of Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM), naval suppression kits, and standoff air-to-ground missiles (cluster bombs, anti-radiation) capable of disabling airfields as well as missile and radar sites in China. The deployment and dispersal of larger quantities of road-mobile or naval LACM launchers would also make it more difficult for the PLA to locate and destroy all of them and thus increase the potency of Taiwans counterstrike capabilities, especially if their range were increased (Taiwan should nevertheless keep the moral high ground by promising it would only use such assets against military targets). To maximize the impact of its counterforce capabilities, Taiwan would also have to improve its ability to pinpoint targets through greater investment in radar and satellite technologyand ensure redundancy, as those would also likely be targeted by the PLA in the initial phase of a conflict. Greater human intelligence assets inside China, as well as the ability to conduct sabotage against key military (and economic) sites, would complement the offensive aspect of Taiwans defense strategy. Other options include armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and a larger fleet of submarines with conventional LACM capability. All of this is contingent on a political decision to invest more on defense than Taiwan does at present. Beyond kinetic strategies, several asymmetrical options are also available to Taiwan to maximize the pain of a PLA invasion, with the ultimate goal of deterring such action. On the political side, Taipei should redouble its efforts in political warfare. The first aim of this strategy should be to counter similar operations by China , which have succeeded in undermining morale in the Taiwanese military while encouraging the perception abroad that Taiwan is an unreliable security partner, or that unification is inevitable or even desirable. The second leg of a more active political warfare strategy would be to convince Beijing that Taiwans alliesthe United States., and possibly Japanwould act quickly should the PLA attempt an invasion of Taiwan. In other words, Beijing should not longer be kept guessing whether the United States would enter a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, especially at a time when Washingtons commitment to the regionand to Taiwan more specificallyis in serious doubt. Strategic ambiguity, which has served as a cornerstone of Washingtons policy in the Taiwan Strait since the conclusion of the Korean War, should be abandoned and replaced by a series of well advertised tripwires or red lines that, if crossed, would prompt a response by the U.S. military. Tokyo is also ripe for closer cooperation with Taiwan, and as such, political warfare that plays up the possibility of joint efforts between the two countries could be of great assistance to Taiwan. The more Beijing is convinced that the United States., and possibly Japan, would intervene in the Taiwan Strait, the greater will be its reluctance to launch operations that would spark such a response, as their entry in a conflict would substantially increase the costs of an invasion while diminishing the likelihood of a quick low-cost resolution on Beijings terms. Elsewhere, Taiwanese lobbyists and the Taiwanese diaspora could make more effective use of the islands assetsa vibrant liberal democracy and an important economyto encourage the international community to adopt a more vocal line in its opposition to the resolution of the Taiwan question by military or coercive means. Convincing Beijing that the international community would not countenance use of forceand would slap painful economic sanctions should it decide to do sowould contribute to Taipeis deterrent. Helping visitors to Taiwan better understand the nature and preciousness of its unique society, and encouraging them to be more proactive in their home countries convincing their representatives to take a more principled stance on Taiwan could go a long way. Existing programs under Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs could serve as a basis for such efforts; increasing contact via other departmentse.g., creating more exchange programs for foreign military personnel to undergo language training in Taiwanshould also be explored. Additionally, taishang, the Taiwanese who operate businesses in China and who played a crucial role in helping develop the Chinese economy over the decades, could also threaten to cease their operations or pull out altogether if the PLA were activated in the Strait. Though happy to make money in China, most taishang (including the many who vote for the KMT) remain proud Taiwanese who do not want to see their home country devastated by war. Their possible role as a pressure point against Beijing should not be underestimated. One last area where Taiwan could do more to deter Beijing is in cyber warfare, or electronic sabotage. Using intelligence assets in China (closer contact between the two societies works both ways and doesnt only create opportunities for China), Taiwan could identify and select civilian and military targets for retaliation, with the aim of severely disrupting Chinas ability to operate normally should it launch an attack against the island. The banking and high-tech sectors would be likely targets. On the military side, promising to degrade, or perhaps even disable, Chinas nuclear deterrenteven if momentarily or knocking out its air defense systems, thus exposing China to USAF bombing runs, would be enough to make Beijing think twice about launching an invasion. In all those efforts, Taiwan would need to strike a balance between signaling its intent and capability to launch disruptive attacks of that naturein other words, for deterrence to work, Beijing must be convinced that the threat is realand the need to protect itself against Chinese espionage which could undermine those efforts. In the end, absent a U.S. and Japanese commitment to intervene in the early stages of an attempted PLA invasion of Taiwan, there is only a slim likelihood that the Taiwanese military would be able to defeat its opponent in the conventional sense of the term. The force disparity between the two sides has simply become too wide. As such, under prevailing circumstances, the only way that Taiwan can defeat China is to make sure that the PLA is never used to attack Taiwan. Deterrence, therefore, is its most credible asset, and one which it can put to much better use. Read full article Washington (AFP) - Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan's first full day at the Pentagon's helm was overshadowed Wednesday when President Donald Trump attacked his predecessor Jim Mattis. Shanahan, who took the Pentagon's top spot January 1 after serving as deputy defense secretary, was thrust onto the world stage when Mattis quit last month amid long-running disagreements with President Donald Trump. During televised remarks ahead of his first cabinet meeting of 2019, Trump claimed he had "essentially fired" Mattis, even though the former Pentagon chief had pointedly quit his post over multiple disagreements. "I'm not happy with what (Mattis has) done in Afghanistan and I shouldn't be happy," Trump said, as Shanahan sat by his side. "I wish him well. I hope he does well. But as you know, President Obama fired him and essentially so did I. I want results." Mattis, a former Marine general, was head of US Central Command when Obama fired him in 2013 over his hawkish views on Iran. While it is common for Trump to turn on former staffers and make demeaning remarks after they've left their post, the Mattis criticism is notable as Trump had often touted his admiration for the man he called "Mad Dog Mattis." The drama came after Shanahan sought to lay out his priorities for America's massive defense department and how he intends to deal with an urgent list of geopolitical to-dos, including the US withdrawal from Syria. - China, China, China - Soon after arriving at the Pentagon, Shanahan told colleagues to focus on the National Defense Strategy, a Mattis-era review that highlights "Great Power competition" with Russia and China. "In 2019, the National Defense Strategy remains our guide. America's military strength remains our focus," Shanahan said in a New Year's message on Twitter. A defense official added that Shanahan had told colleagues a major concern would be China. Story continues "While we are focused on ongoing operations, Acting Secretary Shanahan told the team to remember: China, China, China," the official said. The US accuses Beijing of an ongoing pattern of military and economic espionage, and has criticized China's ambitious "Belt and Road" trade and infrastructure initiative as being a form of economic coercion. Shanahan must oversee the pace at which the US pulls some 2,200 troops out of Syria, following the president's decision to exit the war-torn country. Last month, Trump declared victory over the Islamic State group in Syria and claimed the jihadists had been beaten "badly," even though they still number in the thousands. He has since backpedaled and suggested more of a phased timeline for the withdrawal. "We're withdrawing," Trump said, adding it would happen "over a period of time." At another point, Trump told Shanahan he wanted him to classify various reports, presumably including those detailing the security crisis in Afghanistan. "For these reports to be given out and essentially given out to the enemy, that's insane," Trump told Shanahan. "I don't want it to happen anymore Mr Secretary, you understand that." According to US officials, Trump is also mulling a 50 percent drawdown in Afghanistan -- another momentous move that has left lawmakers and international allies fearing for what comes next. - Recused from Boeing matters - Little known outside business and Washington circles, Shanahan takes the world stage at a time of tumultuous changes and unpredictable foreign policy moves under Trump. Shanahan, 56, did not serve in the military and before but serving as deputy defense secretary he spent more than 30 years at Boeing. While Shanahan has not always had day-to-day involvement in thorny geopolitical issues like Syria, officials say he is ready to tackle them and previously filled in for Mattis when he was traveling. Despite a lack of foreign policy or military experience, Shanahan's executive and technical knowledge made him well suited for the Pentagon's number two position, which focuses more on the Defense Department's business side. But some critics have questioned whether a man with deep industry ties should be running the Pentagon. At his confirmation hearing to be deputy, the late senator John McCain said a lack of detail in some of Shanahan's foreign policy answers was "almost insulting," and he expressed concerns that putting a former defense executive in the Pentagon could be akin to putting a fox "back in to the henhouse." Lieutenant Colonel Joe Buccino, Shanahan's spokesman, said he had recused himself from any matters involving Boeing. Also Wednesday, Shanahan announced that the Pentagon's comptroller, David Norquist, will perform the duties of deputy secretary of defense. Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech on Taiwan on Wednesday - REUTERS Beijing will not rule out the use of force to ensure the unshakable historic task of its complete reunification with Taiwan, Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, said on Wednesday, warning that independence for the island would bring profound disaster. China must and will be united, which is an inevitable requirement for the historical rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era, President Xi told a gathering at Beijings Great Hall of the People, to mark the 40th anniversary of a key Beijing policy statement when it sought to improve ties with Taipei. China wont attack Chinese people. We are willing to use the greatest sincerity and expend the greatest hard work to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification, Mr Xi said. But he added: We do not promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option to use all necessary measures to achieve this goal and prevent Taiwan independence. The threat was aimed at foreign forces seeking to interfere and advocates of Taiwanese independence, the president said, in what has been perceived to be a reference to the United States, Taiwans strongest backer. "No one and no party can change the fact that Taiwan is part of China," he said. Mr Xi sought to reassure the Taiwanese that "peaceful reunification" would bring them "good and prosperous lives", even though the majority would prefer to have good relations with China without being ruled by Beijing. The Chinese leader also urged young Taiwanese to look into the mainland for economic opportunities, in an appeal bound to trouble Taipei, which has long accused Beijing of fueling a brain drain of its best talent. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen urged China to respect Taiwanese democracy in her own speech on Tuesday Credit: Chiang Ying-ying/AP Responding to Mr Xi's remarks, Tsai Ing-wen, the Taiwanese president, said "we are willing to sit down and talk" but only if Taiwan was represented by its own government. She also rejected the concept of "one country, two systems" favoured by China. Story continues Ms Tsai had already preempted President Xis address with her own speech on Tuesday, in which she emphasised Taiwans commitment to democracy and called on Beijing to seek peaceful means to solve their differences. Taiwan rejects Chinas territorial claims. As a result, Beijing has tried in recent years to undermine Taiwanese sovereignty and has stepped up pressure on the international community to exclude Taipei from global forums. Meanwhile, Taiwan operates like any other democratic nation with its own government, currency, military and foreign policy and the majority of citizens identify as Taiwanese. President Tsai, who Beijing has regarded with suspicion since her election in 2016, issued her own strongly-worded messages to China on Tuesday, accusing the Chinese of taking advantage of Taiwans openness and of threatening its national security. What the two sides of the strait really need is a pragmatic understanding of the fundamental differences in the values we espouse, our lifestyles, and our political systems, she said. President Xi delivered his address at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Credit: Andrea Verdelli/Getty Images "I am calling on China that it must face the reality of the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan); it must respect the commitment of the 23 million people of Taiwan to freedom and democracy; it must handle cross-strait differences peacefully, on a basis of equality, she said. Chinese Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in December of 1949 after losing a civil war to the Communists. Since then the two sides have enjoyed close business, cultural and personal links while Taiwan has increasingly asserted its own identity and rejected the prospect of rule from Beijing. Victor Gao, a commentator on Chinas state broadcaster, said the landmark speech could be seen as a major turning point in cross-strait relations, leading to the start of political dialogue about a peaceful unification. We will see how this process unfolds in the coming months and years, to create miracles for both sides of the straits, he said. However, President Xis stern overtures received a muted response in Taiwan, where the population has become accustomed to threats from Beijing. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The level of interest in Taiwan about this speech is indicative, pointed out Samson Ellis, the Bloomberg chief in Taipei on his Twitter account. Only one news channel took it live, no sign of it on Yahoo news or Liberty Times, and on Apple Daily and UDN websites, it's below stories on the argument between Cabinet & Kaohsiung on promoting tourism to the city. Meanwhile, China's military is to strengthen its training and preparation for war, its official newspaper said on Tuesday. "Drilling soldiers and war preparations are the fundamental jobs and work focus of our military, and at no time should we allow any slack in these areas," wrote the PLA Daily, later translated by the South China Morning Post. "We should be well prepared for all directions of military struggle and comprehensively improve troops' combat rseponse in emergencies...to ensure we can meet the challenge and win when there is a situation. The fire is being treated as possible murder (PA) Police have launched a murder investigation after three people died in a Lincolnshire house fire. Fire investigators are still examining the scene after the blaze in the village of Kirton, near Boston, at around 3am on Tuesday. Officers confirmed the victims were a woman, aged 27, and two men, one aged 24 and another aged 32. The families have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Six people have been killed and 16 injured in a train accident on a bridge between two Danish islands. The victims were on a passenger train that was involved in the incident along with a freight train believed to be carrying beer. The crash happened on the Storebaelt bridge which links the central islands of Zealand and Funen at around 8am on Wednesday. A lottery ticket holder has come forward to scoop the 115m jackpot in Tuesdays EuroMillions draw. Operator Camelot confirmed the person has claimed the prize and got their new year off to an incredible start. The player, who has yet to be identified, has just become the fourth biggest winner in UK history by winning the entire 114,969,775.70 jackpot, according to the National Lottery. A further 10 players have also pocketed 1 million each in the New Years Day draw. It was the New Years Eve travel sale that appeared to be too good to be true: business and first-class flights on Cathay Pacific from Vietnam to New York for $675 (534), rather than the standard $16,000. It turned out to be a ticketing error, but now the airline promised to honour the sale. The South China Morning Post has tracked down 11 passengers who collectively bought 18 first and business-class tickets at the discounted prices. They paid a total of 21,700 for flights that should have cost 540,000. General Leia will appear in Star Wars Episode IX Carrie Fishers brother has seen the footage of his sister that will be used in Star Wars Episode IX. Todd Fisher recently appeared on Good Morning America and spoke of what he had seen of the late actress as her Star Wars character General Leia. Theres a lot of minutes of footage, Fisher said. I dont mean just outtakes. This is unused, new content that could be woven into the storyline. Thats whats going to give everybody such a great kick. Its going to look like it was meant to be. Like it was shot yesterday. Todd Fisher is the brother of Carrie FIsher and son of Debbie Reynolds Were not allowed to talk about the details of anything, but were thrilled at whats been done, he added. Fisher first reprised her role as Leia in Star Wars: The Force Awakens for JJ Abrams and returned in Rian Johnsons The Last Jedi but sadly died in 2016 before the film was released. Abrams is back in the directors chair for Episode IX and has said they worked hard to give the actress the send off she deserves. We desperately loved Carrie Fisher, Abrams said in an official statement. Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga without her eluded us. Carrie Fishers brother praises new Star Wars scenes We were never going to recast or use a CG character. With the support and blessing from her daughter, Billie, we have found a way to honour Carries legacy and role as Leia in Episode IX by using unseen footage we shot together in Episode VII. Both Han Solo and Luke Skywalker were killed off in the two previous Star Wars films though it is unconfirmed if that is the same ending expected for Leia. Lando Calrissian is said to be back for the next film with Billy Dee Williams reprising his original role. Star Wars Episode IX is expected in cinemas on 20 December READ MORE 21 movies directed by women out in 2019 Comedians defend Tiffany Haddish Netflix pulls Patriot Act episode critical of Saudi Arabia After looking at Carl Zeiss Meditec AGs (ETR:AFX) latest earnings announcement (30 September 2018), I found it useful to revisit the companys performance in the past couple of years and assess this against the most recent figures. As a long term investor, I pay close attention to earnings trend, rather than the figures published at one point in time. I also compare against an industry benchmark to check whether Carl Zeiss Meditecs performance has been impacted by industry movements. In this article I briefly touch on my key findings. See our latest analysis for Carl Zeiss Meditec Was AFXs recent earnings decline indicative of a tough track record? AFXs trailing twelve-month earnings (from 30 September 2018) of 126m has declined by -5.9% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, this one-year growth rate has been lower than its average earnings growth rate over the past 5 years of 13%, indicating the rate at which AFX is growing has slowed down. Why could this be happening? Well, lets look at whats going on with margins and if the entire industry is facing the same headwind. XTRA:AFX Income Statement Export January 2nd 19 In terms of returns from investment, Carl Zeiss Meditec has fallen short of achieving a 20% return on equity (ROE), recording 9.6% instead. However, its return on assets (ROA) of 7.7% exceeds the DE Medical Equipment industry of 6.1%, indicating Carl Zeiss Meditec has used its assets more efficiently. Though, its return on capital (ROC), which also accounts for Carl Zeiss Meditecs debt level, has declined over the past 3 years from 14% to 14%. What does this mean? Though Carl Zeiss Meditecs past data is helpful, it is only one aspect of my investment thesis. Companies that are profitable, but have capricious earnings, can have many factors impacting its business. I recommend you continue to research Carl Zeiss Meditec to get a more holistic view of the stock by looking at: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for AFXs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for AFXs outlook. Financial Health: Are AFXs operations financially sustainable? Balance sheets can be hard to analyze, which is why weve done it for you. Check out our financial health checks here. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore our free list of these great stocks here. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the trailing twelve months from 30 September 2018. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. 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. 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. TOKYO (AP) A minivan slammed into pedestrians early Tuesday on a street where people had gathered for New Year's festivities in downtown Tokyo, injuring eight people, police said. The suspect, 21, Kazuhiro Kusakabe, was arrested and being questioned, Tokyo Metropolitan Police said on customary condition of anonymity. He is suspected of intentionally trying to kill people by driving the small vehicle through the street. NHK TV footage showed a small van with the entire front end smashed and officers and ambulance workers rushing to the scene. A ninth person was injured after Kusakabe got out of the car and punched him, police said. His condition was not immediately known. A large tank filled with kerosene was found in the car, police said. The suspect appeared to have planned to set his car on fire, Mainichi newspaper and other Japanese media reported. Police declined to comment on the reports, saying such possible motives were still under investigation. The crash occurred early Tuesday on Takeshita Dori, a road well known to tourists and pop culture and fashion fans that runs right by Meiji Shrine in Harajuku, Shibuya ward. Every New Year's Eve, the train line that includes Harajuku station runs all night, for people welcoming the new year with a shrine visit. Japan is a relatively crime free nation with strict gun-control laws. In 2008, a man drove his car into a crowd in the popular Akihabara electronic-shopping district, got off and went on a stabbing spree with a knife. Seven people were killed. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yurikageyama/?hl=en The cannabis industry is blazing. Adult recreational cannabis has hit the shelves in California and Canada, on top of already legalized dispensaries in Colorado, Washington and Oregon. In the midterms, voters in Michigan provided another win for recreational use. But that doesnt mean legal issues in the space are going away. While recreational cannabis is legal (to gift) in the U.S. capital, its still illegal on a federal level. And in January 2018, then U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions lifted an Obama-era policy that prevented federal authorities from cracking down on marijuana sales in states with legalized weeda bad sign for the industry. A burgeoning market with the potential for billions in revenue combined with competing federal and state laws over the growth, sale and use of cannabis has created legal uncertainty with high stakesa recipe for an interesting, and challenging, in-house role. Anybody that has the misconception that this kind of in-house position is a 9 to 5 position is severely mistaken, says Chris Fotopoulos, chief legal officer of Verano Holdings, a Chicago-based cannabis industry company thats on its way to going public, and expanding within the U.S. Verano is one of many cannabis companies that hired in-house counsel as the industry blossomed. Fotopoulos began working with medical marijuana cultivator Ataraxia, which later became part of Verano, as outside counsel during his time as an associate at Brotschul Potts, helping the company apply for a license to cultivate cannabis in the state of Illinois. After that, Verano began seeking licenses in other states. As Verano began to grow and discuss going public, its legal needs demanded a full-time focus. Fotopoulos was brought on board as the companys first chief legal officer. Many of the still small group of in-house cannabis lawyers got their start in the industry in a similar way. Joseph Segilia, the general counsel of Terra Tech Corp., worked as outside counsel for the Irvine, California-based company before moving in-house as its first legal leader in 2016. He was a partner at Robinson Brog Leinwand Greene Genovese & Gluck when he began his outside counsel work for Terra Tech. I worked for Terra Tech before they hired me. Thats how I met the company, by representing them at my previous law firm. Ive run into other people who have done the same thing. ... That tends to be the most common, Segilia says. But its not the only way lawyers have moved to a corporate counsel role in the cannabis industry. Others have switched into in-house roles with little to no cannabis law experience, bringing skills from other industries instead. Vertical Companies in-house corporate counsel Elyse Kaplan joined the Agoura Hills, California-based company, which cultivates and distributes cannabis and related products, in May 2018. Its her first time in a corporate counsel role, coming to Vertical after more than a year with the Immigration Law Offices of Hadley Bajramovic. The fast pace and constant change of immigration laws helped prepare her for her current role, she says, despite the differences between the areas. The adaptability, because both are very much in constant change, and both are very, I think, political, she says. And so being able to kind of navigate such a politically charged field has really helped me. It also gave her the communication skills needed to deal with regulators and build strong relationships with people outside the organization. Andrea Ambrose Lobato, the head of legal and compliance at San Francisco-based Eaze, also came to cannabis from another highly regulated industry. Prior to her current role at Eaze, a tech startup that allows users to get cannabis delivered from local dispensaries and drivers, she was in the complicated, fast-paced ridesharing industry. Lobato spent more than three years at Lyft Inc., first as policy counsel and then director of regulatory compliance. When she started at Lyft in 2014 there were few ridesharing-specific regulations in place. I was able to kind of grow with the industry and help shape those regulations and implement those regulations at Lyft on a national basis, Lobato says. And I think there are a lot of similarities and a lot of differences between these two experiences, but I do think that being in an industry that is kind of watching the laws unfold as were building the business, is like being on a rocketship and building the rocketship at the same time. And that experience, I think, really prepared me for the accelerated ride that is cannabis. Lobato moved to Eaze in November 2017, when the company began to build out most of its legal team. The legalization of recreational cannabis sale in California was on the horizon, and she says Eaze was looking to hire in-house lawyers who could focus on the coming regulatory changes. For many in-house cannabis lawyers, dealing with changing and challenging regulations around advertising, distribution and other aspects of the business has been the main focus. For others, mergers and acquisitions, plans to go public or real estate deals have drawn a large amount of legal time. Legal recruiter Gigi Birchfield, the managing partner of Major, Lindsey & Africas Los Angeles office and co-global practice leader for its in-house practice group, says shes seen a demand for cannabis industry in-house lawyers who have experience with regulatorsfrom any U.S. agencyas well as lawyers who have worked with consumers. It is a consumer product, Birchfield says, adding that lawyers with experience even in non-regulated industries selling products have skills that could translate well to the cannabis space. Lobato says that, from her experience at Eaze, lawyers with experience as in-house or outside counsel at companies in regulated industries is a critical factor in hires. Given how quickly this industry is developing, there arent a lot of people out there who have extensive legal cannabis experience, so thats really not a requirement at all, she says. Ideal candidates would have been in other developing regulatory spaces and would have a regulatory background working with business stakeholders on those developing regulations. For Segilia and Fotopoulos, one standout factor for in-house candidates would be a knowledge of mergers and acquisitions, as a growing number of deals take place in the cannabis industry. Terra Tech is public, and Segilia says much of his time is currently spent on reporting requirements. As more companies go public, as Fotopoulos plans to do, Segilia hypothesizes that more will take on in-house teams who can sift through the legal legwork to make it happen. While Segilia is currently the only in-house lawyer at Terra Tech, he says that the company has debated adding another hire. At the moment, he says, that role would likely be for a generalist who could help the company on a number of legal needs. I think when companies start to get to a certain size ... probably, within a year or two for some of the larger companies, it will make sense to start building out legal departments with maybe a real estate person, an intellectual property person, and employment personsort of reflecting an in-house legal department at any midsize company, Segilia says. Its not uncommon for cannabis companies to have a legal team on the smaller side. But some have expanded beyond one or two lawyers. As of October 2018, Eazes legal team had six people who work on general legal matters but also have their own specialized areas, according to Lobato. Jasmine Roberts, senior counsel at Irvine, California-based Weedmaps, says her legal team has evolved to the point where in-house roles are specialized. Her main role is as corporate counsel, focusing on business-related legal affairs, corporate governance and contracts, while others on the team focus on compliance or regulations. Prior to her role at Weedmaps, a platform that allows users to find cannabis dispensaries near them, Roberts was a corporate associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson, developing experience in M&A and corporate matters. She says her previous experience with tax law has also been useful. While the team still occasionally overlaps, the generalized nature of responsibilities for in-house lawyers she found when joining Weedmaps in March 2017 has been changed to more specific roles. As we grew, it shifted from being a need for bodies to a need for expertise, Roberts says. There are companies on the other end of the in-house development spectrum. For smaller-sized players in the cannabis industry, or those not ready for a full in-house team, outside counsel have sometimes taken the general counsel role. Nicole Howell Neubert, a partner and founder of women-owned cannabis business and regulatory firm Clark Neubert, serves as the outside counsel for a number of cannabis industry companies. She has been practicing cannabis law for five years. Many clients shes worked with are seeking counsel who can help on a number of issues, and have general experience. Theyre also looking for guidance on what comes next in an uncertain industry. Thats where having deep experience in cannabis law is crucial, she says. Having that context is just particularly helpful because it orients the client because theres so much ambiguity still, Howell Neubert says. Theres still a lot of gray and a lot of, What are the regulators going to do about this? And I think having that longer view, you have a little bit better sense of what the main concerns are and where things are probably headed. Crystal balls dont work very well right now, but I think it helps to have that background and that experience, of before things were regulated. We often see insiders buying up shares in companies that perform well over the long term. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of examples of share prices declining precipitously after insiders have sold shares. So well take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Greencore Group plc (LON:GNC). What Is Insider Buying? It is perfectly legal for company insiders, including board members, to buy and sell stock in a company. However, rules govern insider transactions, and certain disclosures are required. 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 Greencore Group The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Greencore Group In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Chairman of the Group Executive Board Patrick Coveney bought UK87k worth of shares at a price of UK1.28 per share. We do like to see buying, but this purchase was at a lower price. The purchase might not be the best indicator of confidence in the current valuation. In the last twelve months insiders paid UK290k for 218.38k shares purchased. Overall, Greencore Group insiders were net buyers last year. The average buy price was around UK1.33. It is certainly positive to see that insiders have invested their own money in the company. However, we do note that they were buying at significantly lower prices than todays share price. The chart below shows insider transactions over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! LSE:GNC Insider Trading January 2nd 19 I will like Greencore Group better if I see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying. Story continues Does Greencore Group 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. I reckon its a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Greencore Group insiders own about UK8.9m worth of shares (which is 0.7% of the company). This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. What Might The Insider Transactions At Greencore Group Tell Us? The fact that there have been no Greencore Group insider transactions recently certainly doesnt bother us. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Wed like to see bigger individual holdings. However, we dont see anything to make us think Greencore Group insiders are doubting the company. Therefore, you should should definitely take a look at this FREE report showing analyst forecasts for Greencore Group. Of course Greencore Group may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality 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. Singapore (AFP) - Britain can still punch above its weight globally even after it exits the European Union (EU), Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Wednesday ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote at home. Although Britain is neither a superpower nor in possession of an empire, the country still has the military might, economic muscle and diplomatic connections to play a major role in world affairs, Hunt said in Singapore. Britons in a 2016 referendum voted to leave the EU, a political and economic partnership that currently has 28 members, triggering months of tortuous negotiations that have left the country bitterly divided. Parliament is due to debate Britain's withdrawal from the EU -- called Brexit -- next week ahead of a key vote the following week, as the country prepares to leave the bloc on March 29. Amid doubts over whether the deal will have enough backing, Prime Minister Theresa May used her New Year's message to rally support. In a speech outlining Britain's global role after Brexit, Hunt said his country would remain an influential global player independent of the EU, even as he warned that failure to reach a deal would "cause disruption that could last some time". While Britain should not overestimate its strength, it should not underestimate it either, he said at a diplomatic forum organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). "We are not a superpower and we do not have an empire," he said. "But we do have the fifth biggest economy in the world, the second biggest military budget in NATO, the third biggest overseas aid budget, one of the two largest financial centres, highly effective intelligence services and a world class diplomatic network, including permanent membership of the UN Security Council." Hunt said post-Brexit Britain could learn from Singapore's economic model, especially the tiny city-state's long-term investment in education, infrastructure and the push to forge trade ties spanning the world. Story continues He added that Britain was open to talks on a free trade agreement with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and would establish a mission at the ASEAN headquarters in Jakarta later this year "to enable those discussions to happen on a more coordinated basis". He said Britain was also keen to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an 11-nation free trade pact that US President Donald Trump pulled out of, but which includes such countries as Australia, Japan, Canada and Mexico. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said Britain would be welcome to join the accord with "open arms" after leaving the EU. "We absolutely are open to both of those... which I think would be a very big opportunity," said Hunt, who will visit Malaysia after leaving Singapore. Tim Huxley, executive director for Asia at IISS, said the immediate challenge facing post-Brexit Britain concerned its ability to create a network of trade and economic links with other nations "as rapidly as possible". "If any country can exit the EU and not only survive but also prosper and prosper in security, I think the UK can," Huxley told AFP. Bookmakers are offering odds on TWO General Elections this year (Picture: REUTERS/Eddie Keogh/File Photo) Britons have grown use to political turbulence and it looks like 2019 is going to be no different, with bookies offering odds on not one but two general elections this year. Among its political odds for 2019, Ladbrokes offered odds of 33/1 that there will be two or more elections this year. It is also revealed that the chances one general election are 6/4, while odds that Theresa May will be replaced as Prime Minister were put at 1/2. The odds of the UK leaving the EU with no deal before April 1 are at 3/1, with odds of 5/4 for a new referendum. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Jeremy Corbyns future is in as much doubt as Mrs Mays, with odds at 2/1 for him to be replaced as Labour leader, though Ladbrokes is also offering 4/1 that he will become Prime Minister this year. And when it comes to politics across the pond, the bookmakers put the odds of Donald Trump to be replaced as US President at 3/1. MORE: Elderly woman injured after car reverses into Dudley house during mass NYE brawl MORE: Sadiq Khan criticised for bringing Brexit debate into Londons New Years Eve fireworks display Odds of a UK General Election AND a Brexit referendum were put at 6/1, while it offered 4/1 on the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats all replacing their leaders this year. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Odds of David Cameron joining the UK Cabinet were put at 25/1 while Nigel Farage becoming an MP was given odds of 25/1. La Paz (AFP) - Public sector doctors in Bolivia announced a 48-hour strike on Wednesday in response to a government move to make healthcare free for all. "Our goal is to register 5.8 million people in Bolivia," said Adolfo Zarate, the program's spokesman, in a statement sent to AFP. Doctors working in public hospitals responded by announcing they would down tools on Thursday and Friday. According to the health ministry, some 5.8 million of Bolivia's 11 million population do not have health insurance but will be given access to free services once the registration period is completed in the next three months. Diseases and illnesses covered by the universal healthcare system will include Parkinson's, child cancer, diabetes, pneumonia, flu and dental problems. The health ministry said the program will have a budget of around 1.6 million bolivianos (about $230 million) but Erwin Viruez, president of Bolivia's professional medical college, said that won't be enough. "We're going to need one billion dollars, at least, but this won't be enough to guarantee universal health care," he said. "We don't have any supplies, there aren't enough beds." President Evo Morales has called on striking doctors to engage in dialogue. The Boeing Company BA recently secured a $400-million contract to provide recurring and non-recurring engineering services to B-1 and B-52 aircraft. The contract was awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, OK. Work related to the deal will be performed in Tinker Air Force Base, OK, Edwards Air Force Base, CA, Barksdale Air Force Base, LA, and Oklahoma City, OK, and is expected to get completed by Dec 31, 2019. Advantages of Boeings B-1 & B-52 Bomber Boeing's B-1 is a long-range, multi-mission, supersonic conventional bomber, which is equipped to carry eight air-launched cruise missiles or 24 SRAMs alongside carrying up to 24 nuclear bombs or 84 500-pound conventional bombs. The Boeing B-52 primarily provides the U.S. military with immediate nuclear and conventional global strike capabilities. Due to its high mission-capable rate, large payload, long range, persistence and ability to employ both nuclear and conventional precision standoff weapons, the B-52 continues to be a critical contributor to the U.S. National Security Strategy. What Favors Boeing? As Boeings key forte lies in the manufacturing of combat-proven aircraft, the company has inevitably secured large number of contracts from the Pentagon for long. The recent contract win is again one such example. Also, in recent times, Boeings various aerospace programs along with its vast portfolio of associated services are witnessing rapid rise in demand, due to the geopolitical uncertainties looming worldwide. Such growing demand bodes well for the companys growth, going ahead. Furthermore, midway last year, the U.S. Senate approved the fiscal 2019 defense budget provisioning for major war fighting investments worth $21.7 billion for aircraft. Such proposed inclusions reflect solid growth prospects for Boeing's Defense, Space & Security Segment (BDS) segment, which, in turn, are likely to boost the profit margin. This, inevitably, will increase demand for the companys various technical services, pivotal for upgrading military aircraft. Additionally, such proposed inclusions reflect solid growth prospects for the BDS segment. Price Performance Shares of Boeing have gained about 8.6% in a year, against the industrys decline of 7.7%. The outperformance was primarily led by significant demand for the companys military jets across the globe and robust long-term demand for its commercial aircraft. Story continues Zacks Rank & Other Stocks to Consider Boeing currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). A few top-ranked companies in the same sector are AeroVironment, Inc. AVAV, Teledyne Technologies Incorporated TDY and Lockheed Martin Corporation LMT. While AeroVironment and Teledyne Technologies sport a Zacks Rank #1, Lockheed Martin carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. AeroVironment came up with average positive earnings surprise of 257.01% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has increased 33.3% to $1.48 in the past 90 days. Teledyne Technologies came up with average positive earnings surprise of 12.92% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has increased 5.26% to $9.00 in the past 90 days. Lockheed Martin delivered average positive earnings surprise of 13.92% in the last four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 earnings has moved up 2.74% to $19.49 in the past 90 days. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 The Boeing Company (BA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Every once in a while, a commodity comes along that captures the hearts of Wall Street. Today, that commodity is lithium. It's one of the critical metals in the manufacture of batteries and is expected to be a critical component for the electrification of vehicles and for making intermittent renewable energy such as wind and solar a 24/7 power option. Most lithium demand forecasts are enough to make investors salivate, and it has many clamoring to invest in lithium miners. Albemarle (NYSE: ALB) is the world's largest lithium supplier, but it has significant business in other minerals. By contrast, Livent (NYSE: LTHM) is a recent spin-off that generates more than 85% of its business from lithium. Both positions -- market leader or specialist -- have their advantages, but let's take a look to see which one is the best investment today. Lithium evaporation pond. Image source: Getty Images. It's good to be the king Albemarle is the undisputed leader in the production of lithium carbonate. This is the type of lithium that's produced in evaporation ponds and is the particular base mineral most commonly used to make lithium for batteries. What's perhaps more impressive than its current market-leading position is the company's plan to expand further. Between now and 2021, Albemarle intends to more than double its production of lithium to 165,000 tons per year, and further expansions are in the design phase that could push that number to 265,000 tons per year. According to Albemarle's market projections, total lithium demand for electric vehicles will reach 800,000 tons per year by 2025. So there is ample room for all these expansion projects in the lithium market and Albemarle will still have considerable market share. On top of its lithium investments, Albemarle is a major producer of bromine specialty products and specialty catalysts. These two businesses don't have the growth prospects of lithium. However, Albemarle sees them as high-margin cash flow-generating businesses that have very different end markets than batteries and should help provide capital to expand its lithium offerings. Story continues The one downside to investing in Albemarle today is that the stock isn't cheap. Even though it declined more than 30% in 2018, it still trades for about 24 times earnings. That's a hefty valuation for a mining business that's so intimately tied to commodity prices, even one with such large growth plans. Getting focused All three of the world's largest lithium producers weren't pure-play investments, until No. 3 producer FMC decided to spin off its lithium business into Livent. All of its mineral extraction involves lithium, and about 88% of it is considered performance lithium that can be used in batteries, specialty greases, and other advanced material applications. Livent doesn't have the high rates of production as Albemarle, but what it does have is a high-quality grade material that can be used in these specialty applications to generate high margins. Even though the company's current production of 21,000 tons per year pales in comparison with Albemarle's, its plan to ramp production up to 60,000 tons per year by 2025 is close to triple its current production and could result in better bottom-line growth. The largest concern with a pure-play investment is how much its prospects can swing with the price of the commodity. Livent mitigates some of that volatility through long-term takeaway contracts with customers such as automotive manufacturers and battery suppliers. However, no contract is sacrosanct, and most are on two- to three-year terms. If we were to see a significant decline in the price of lithium, then Livent's business could suffer even more than others with exposure to other minerals and end markets. ALB Chart ALB data by YCharts In times of uncertainty, there's safety in diversity It's becoming more apparent by the day that battery demand is going to go through the roof in the coming years. Electric vehicles by 2040 will represent more than 50% of all purchased passenger vehicles. Even if these projections are ambitious, demand for lithium will grow immensely over the next decade, and there's a great opportunity for growth in this industry. The challenge for investors is that lithium is a commodity product and there are billions of dollars of capital getting pushed into this business to expand production. That probably means this industry will go through multiple waves of over- and under-supply that will make prices swing wildly. If prices aren't high enough to support an ambitious capital spending program, it could derail a company quickly. So for investors, it's always handy for a business to have enough diversity to see it through tougher times. So even though Albemarle's stock is a bit on the expensive side, there is some added certainty with its bromine and specialty catalyst businesses that it can handle the extreme volatility we're likely to experience in the lithium business over the next several years. More From The Motley Fool Tyler Crowe has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. ketamine success depression Layla Galantin had hit rock bottom. A high school secretary in Martinsburg, West Virginia, the 51-year-old had battled debilitating depression since her early twenties. Yet over the last few years, the profound sadness that left her feeling hopeless and unable to get out of bed had become much worse. She had begun self-medicating with alcohol and had even attempted suicide. "I tried every prescription drug out there, and the side effects were intolerable," she says. "I was in therapy, but because my depression was the result of a chemical imbalance, it didn't help." Psych experts point out that depression affects more than 16 million Americans, and 45 percent of them experience the treatment-resistant kind Galantin was battling. "I felt guilty for my depressionI had no reason to be depressed. I was embarrassed and filled with shame about my suicide attempt. It was an awful place to be." Learn more about the 9 types of depression you didn't know you could have. Then one evening, Galantin saw a news segment about ketamine infusions, a new treatment that can rapidly lift treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine is an anesthetic that also has an illicit reputation as a party drug, thanks to its hallucinogenic effects. Patients typically get ketamine for depression through an IV or a nasal mist about once a week, according to WebMD. As Galantin researched it, she saw the potentialfinallyfor relief from her debilitating illness. "In the week before I made an appointment for a consultation about ketamine, I couldn't get out of bed to go to work to a job I love. I couldn't go with my husband to pick up our son from the airport. That's just not me," she says. These are the 8 hidden signs of depression everyone should know. Galantin met with Brian Lerner, MD, at Actify Neurotherapies and began ketamine infusions shortly after. The results were undeniable. "It worked immediately. As soon as I finished the first infusion, I felt better and like I finally found something that worked," says Galantin. The positive improvements snowballed, and Galantin began making other positive life changes as well. She started putting a greater effort into her self-care, turning to healthier eating habits and exercise. "My brain is healed, and I don't want anything to compromise that." She returned to Dr. Lerner's office for a total of seven infusions over 14 weeks. Her last infusion was in July 2018, and she continues to monitor her need for more. Ketamine for depression is not yet approved by the FDA, and studies to determine its effectiveness and side effects are ongoing. However, in cases like Galantin's, the results are life-changing. "I won't hesitate at all to go back," she tells Reader's Digest. "No one is ever cured of depression, but I have the tools in place to manage it." Next, watch out for the 10 silent signs you might need antidepressants. Clearing banks allowed to make electronic transfers Individual investors can now settle their share transactions online with the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) allowing clearing banks to operate the electronic transfer system from Tuesday. Stock traders can now use the full-fledged online trading platform, freeing them from having to visit their brokering companies. San Francisco (AFP) - Apple cut its revenue outlook for the latest quarter Wednesday, citing steeper-than-expected "economic deceleration" in China and emerging markets. The rare revenue warnings from Apple suggested weaker-than-anticipated sales of iPhones and other gadgetry, in part because of trade frictions between Washington and Beijing. Apple shares slid some 7.6 percent in after-hours trade on the news. The company slashed its revenue guidance for the first fiscal quarter of 2019, ended December 29, to $84 billion -- sharply lower than analyst forecasts averaging $91 billion. "While we anticipated some challenges in key emerging markets, we did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deceleration, particularly in Greater China," Apple chief executive Tim Cook said in a letter to investors. "We believe the economic environment in China has been further impacted by rising trade tensions with the United States." Apple breaks down its revenues into a "Greater China" that includes the People's Republic of China as well as Taiwan. Cook said other factors will also pull down Apple's revenue, including the timing of its iPhone launches last year and a strong dollar that means lower revenues when converted to US currency. Apple also cited supply "constraints" for some products, including its latest Apple Watch and iPad Pro. The update suggested a disappointing figure for iPhone sales, the key driver of revenue and profit for the California tech giant. "While Greater China and other emerging markets accounted for the vast majority of the year-over-year iPhone revenue decline, in some developed markets, iPhone upgrades also were not as strong as we thought they would be," the statement said. "While macroeconomic challenges in some markets were a key contributor to this trend, we believe there are other factors broadly impacting our iPhone performance, including consumers adapting to a world with fewer carrier subsidies, US dollar strength-related price increases and some customers taking advantage of significantly reduced pricing for iPhone battery replacements." Story continues Apple has been seeking to diversify its revenue stream in the face of a largely saturated global smartphone market, with new products and services. Cook said there were some bright spots for Apple in some parts of the world and that the company expects "all-time revenue records in several developed countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and (South) Korea." He added that Apple was performing well in a few emerging markets and could see record revenues in Malaysia, Mexico, Poland and Vietnam. Reportedly, Apple AAPL is collaborating with Sony Corporation SNE to deploy 3D cameras on iPhone XI in a bid to revive dwindling iPhone sales globally. The company plans to leverage Sonys long-range 3D Camera based on Time of Flight (ToF) technology. This move is expected to enhance iPhones photography, security and gaming features, which will help in luring more customers. Further, it will enable users to precisely map objects in 3D and focus on every part of the picture up to five meters. Moreover, it can also be used to track objects in the dark. Sonys 3D camera boasts reliability and consistency. The new camera will be accompanied with a few sensors, which will shrink the notch. Moreover, this collaboration is expected to give Apple a competitive edge and boost user confidence as a 3D map of the users face makes hacking extremely difficult. Notably, the new camera will also be used for Augmented reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences to boost user engagement level. Players can make gestures to manipulate the gaming environment, fight or cast a spell. Apple Inc. Price and Consensus Apple Inc. Price and Consensus | Apple Inc. Quote Can New Features Bolster iPhone Sales? Lower demand for its new iPhones has, reportedly, compelled the company to cut production targets. Total iPhone unit sales of 46.89 million in the last reported quarter were flat year over year. Notably, the companys soft sales forecast of $89-$93 billion for first-quarter fiscal 2019 reflects weak iPhone unit shipment in the holiday season. Moreover, sluggish demand has forced many of its suppliers like Lumentum LITE and Cirrus Logic CRUS to lower their outlook. It was also expected that Trump would impose a 10% import duty on iPhones and laptops imported from China, adding to Apples woes. However, a 90-day temporary truce has been called by both the countries. Notably, iPhone has been blamed for increasing the trade imbalance between the United States and China. However, we believe that adding new features may just not be enough to drive sales. Reducing Dependence on iPhones Apples excessive dependence on iPhone is a risk to overall growth and the company needs to look for newer avenues to boost revenues. The company has started penetrating the healthcare market and is gaining traction with Apple Watch by making clinically relevant health information available to users. Apple Watch 4 promises ECG capabilities, enabling users to obtain a 30-second ECG reading for more insight into their health. Apple has been on a spending spree to scoop up original TV and film content for supporting its streaming service launch and reducing its iPhone dependence. In 2018, the company planned to spend $1 billion on original programming and is expected to spend $4.2 billion by 2022. Apples upcoming streaming service is expected to increase the share of service revenues, which has emerged as the new cash cow for the company over the last few quarters. Apple currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 Sony Corporation (SNE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Apple Inc. (AAPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Lumentum Holdings Inc. (LITE) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Harvard Law School professor Vicki Jackson will serve as the 2019 president of the Association of American Law Schools. Photo: Association of American Law Schools The mood might be downright jovial this week when more than 2,200 legal academics convene in New Orleans for the Association of American Law School's annual meetingand not just due to Bourbon Street libations. Unlike recent meetings, when the law professors grappled with why students were staying away in droves, this year educators can contemplate whether 2018's eight-percent increase in law school applicants means the legal academy's fortunes have turned. Law.com caught up with Harvard law professor Vicki Jackson, who will assume the associations 2019 presidency, to discuss her goals for the coming year and law schools prospects. Her answers have been edited for length and clarity. Why do you think more people are interested in legal education right now? Im guessing that its a multifactor phenomenon. I think many of the incoming students who I have gotten to know see going to law school as a way to be effective agents for change. Its probably only part of the picture, but an important part. What is the state of legal education today? It seems like a year of transition. On the whole, I think the state of legal education is excellent. I want to talk about two aspects. First, we have thankfully seen rising interest. The applicant pool rose something like 8 percent, and enrollment rose something like 3 percent. These are both, I think, very good figures. Schools are proceeding in a prudent way in responding to that interest. My second point is about the tremendous state of innovation, public service, and pro bono work that is going on in law schools across the country. This phenomenon is not limited to any one segment of institutions of legal education in this country. I see a wealth of innovation and commitment to pro bono work that reflects the immense change that legal education has undergone since I was in law school, which was the mid-1970s. What is your presidential theme for the upcoming year? My theme is something I care a lot about. Pillars of Democracy: Law, Representation, and Knowledge. I want to talk about the central role of lawyers in building and sustaining American constitutional democracy. From the founding, when there were a whole lot of lawyers at the Constitutional Convention and in the first Congress, through to the present time when you continue to see large numbers of lawyers serving in Congress, as president, and when you look at state governments. The three pillars I want to talk about: law, elections and a fair system of representation and what I call knowledge institutions, all face an array of challenges. They all need work from lawyers and law faculty to move forward in a healthy way in the future. Are you trying to inspire the legal academy to become more involved? If so, what role should it play? I think an area weas facultyshould be thinking about both in our scholarship and in teaching our students, is how we think more holistically about the ecology of elections. One example about elections and representation has to do with the amount of time we as law professors spend in our research and teaching on judging. I think we do a really intense job of describing normative goals for judges. We have different theories. We disagree with each other. But behind that, there is a commitment to the ideal that we should be developing normative standards by which to evaluate the work of judges. But when it comes to other constitutional actorselected representatives, the president, the state governors, the state legislatorswe have had much less to say about how to evaluate their work. That seems to be an area that would benefit from more scholarly work and more engagement with our students. What do you see as some of the other highlights of the annual meeting? There are some terrific programs not to miss. The first is the opening plenary session Thursday morning. Its called Building Bridges, which is also the theme of this years meeting, selected by Dean Wendy Perdue of the University of Richmond. The opening session will be Dean Perdue and Edwin Cameron, who is a world-renowned Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa. They will be having a discussion around his work over this lifetime against Apartheid and for human rights and the rule of law. The second program I would not want to miss is a program on law and reconciliation, which is also Thursday morning. It will explore legal processes that involve healing, forgiveness and community restoration. It has some wonderful speakers on it and is being moderated by the former dean of Harvard Law School, Martha Minow. Theres a panel Saturday on criminal justice reform and a number of panels on sexual harassment. Theres a panel called, #MeToo: The Court, the Academy and Law Firms. That should be quite interesting because it goes across spaces that are often discussed separately. What do you see as the role of the AALS? I think the role is primarily to help our member schools achieve excellence in their scholarship and teaching, and in how their institutions function. I see us as having a supportive role. The annual meeting is a major way of facilitating connections between new scholars, older scholars and scholars working in different fields. Its also a way to improve our understanding about teaching and about where our student are. I see the annual meeting as, in a sense, emblematic of our commitment to helping our members do what it is they value doing. I also think there is a role for the AALS is doing a couple other things. One is the efforts past presidents and AALS Executive Director Judith Areen have made to find and develop common ground between the academy and the practicing bar and the bench. This is an important initiative. A second aspect of that is building connections to the rest of higher education. Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg (Getty) Facebook hoovers up data from most Android apps even if users are not logged in to Facebook, or dont have an account. Privacy International tested 34 popular Android apps and found that two-thirds send data to Facebook as soon as they are launched. It makes no difference if people are logged out of Facebook, or dont have an account. The data transmitted is used to build up advertising profiles, Privacy International said but could build up detailed information on private matters such as health or religion, the privacy group said. Privacy International said, We found that at least 61 percent of apps we tested automatically transfer data to Facebook the moment a user opens the app. This happens whether people have a Facebook account or not, or whether they are logged into Facebook or not. MORE: Police investigate after frenzied hounds kill fox in front garden during hunt MORE: Sajid Javid accused of acting like Donald Trump by whipping up Channel migrant crisis The primary purpose of advertising IDs, such as the Google advertising ID (or Apples equivalent, the IDFA) is to allow advertisers to link data about user behavior from different apps and web browsing into a comprehensive profile. If combined, data from different apps can paint a fine-grained and intimate picture of peoples activities, interests, behaviors and routines, some of which can reveal special category data, including information about peoples health or religion. A Facebook spokesperson told Yahoo News, Facebooks SDK tool means that developers can choose to collect app events automatically, to not collect them at all, or to delay collecting them until consent is obtained, depending on their particular circumstances. We also require developers to ensure they have an appropriate legal basis to collect and process users information. Finally, we provide guidance to developers on how to comply with our requirements in this regard. Facebooks collection of information is clearly explained in our Data Policy and Cookies Policy. We ensure that these policies are accessible from each page on Facebook, and that users can access and read these policies when they sign up to Facebook or during updates to these policies. Story continues German security experts MobilSicher last month tested apps including Pregnancy+ and MigraineBuddy, Bible+ and Muslim Pro were collecting information and transmitting it to Facebook. The apps all use Facebooks Software Developer Kit (SDK), which allows developers to use Facebooks analytics service. A B-2 Spirit in action - Getty America's military body in charge of its nuclear weapons has apologised for a New Year's tweet joking it was always ready to "drop" a bomb when needed. US Strategic Command, which is responsible for American cyber capabilities, missile defence and nuclear capabilities, tweeted that the tradition in New York was to drop the "big ball" in Times Square during the New Year countdown. "If ever needed, we are ready to drop something much, much bigger," it said. "Watch to the end!" it added, along with a video of B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers dropping some very large conventional bombs and the flashing words STEALTH, READY, and LETHAL. The video concludes with two bombs released from a plane, followed by several massive explosions. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The post was soon deleted before the agency tweeted: "Our previous NYE tweet was in poor taste & does not reflect our values. We apologise. We are dedicated to the security of America & allies." A spokesman said the video showed test footage of non-nuclear bombs. "This post, which has since been deleted, was part of our Year in Review series meant to feature our command priorities: strategic deterrence, decisive response and combat-ready force," a spokesman told NBC News. "It was a repost from earlier in the year, dropping a pair of conventional Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOP) at a test range in the United States." It is not the first time this year an arm of the US military has had to apologise for a tweet. During a social media frenzy about the "yanny" and "laurel" audio clip, the US Air Force tweeted that the Taliban would have preferred to hear either word over gunfire. They later apologised and deleted the tweet. Wall Street may have seen a Santa Claus rally by the end of last year, but that wasnt enough to salvage a disappointing year. Investors appetite for riskier assets like stocks took a beating in 2018, with the major bourses seeing the worst year since 2008. Few market pundits could predict such neck-breaking market gyrations in 2018 after an unusually calm 2017. From the U.S.-China trade dispute to slow economic and earnings growth, everything only added to the chaos. The fears that gripped markets in 2018 may continue to reflect in volatile price swings this year. Thus, in order to safeguard your portfolio, investing in dividend aristocrats seems prudent. After all, these stocks provide higher total returns with lower volatility. But, before we select the stocks let us look at the risks that have sent shivers down investors spines of late Political Shakiness Though market bulls hope for progress in U.S.-China trade negotiations, tensions loom large. President Trump continues to threaten a tariff increase on billions of dollars worth of Chinese commodities if China fails to address U.S. demands on economic and political issues. Lest we forget, such tariffs will be paid by American companies and they will invariably pass the cost onto consumers, who account for two-third of U.S. GDP. By the way, Trumps warnings to lessen the power of the Fed Chair also raise concern. Investors may not like a hawkish Fed, but they certainly want peace and consistency, and threatening the Fed Chair is not inducing any calm. Amid all these, an U.S. government shutdown is set to stretch this year due to a deadlock between the White House and lawmakers over the Presidents intention of securing financing for a wall on the border with Mexico. At the same time, dysfunction in the United Kingdom has thrown investors for a loop. No one knows what will be the impact of Brexit. In fact, if it rolls out on Mar 29 without a deal, it will most certainly hurt the global economy. Story continues Global Economic Slowdown in the Cards Thanks to the tax cuts and a solid labor market, the U.S. economy expanded at an annual rate of 4.2% and 3.4% in the second and third quarter of last year. But, the Fed officials now expect growth to moderate over the next couple of years. Fed officials expect the pace of the economic expansion to slow down to 2.3% this year. The worlds second-largest economy, China, saw the weakest economic growth last year. And this year looks even worse. Chinas Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for December dropped to 49.7 from 50.2 in November. This dismal reading on factory output raised concerns over a possible slowdown this year. Brexit, in the meanwhile, could surely rock Britain this year. Thus, threats of a global economic slowdown raised doubts over the longevity of the bull market. Slower Earnings Growth Earnings growth, in the meantime, is expected to moderate primarily due to an increase in labor and material costs pinching profit margins. Moreover, corporate profits got a boost last year due to the tax cuts, especially at the beginning of the year. However, its effects have started to wear off, and growth in 2019 doesnt look much promising. U.S. dollar has been rising for quite some time now. The US Dollar Index is up nearly 5% this year, hurting profits of Americas multinational companies. This is because a strong dollar certainly makes U.S. products more expensive abroad, dampening overseas sales. Time to Buy Dividend Aristocrats: 5 Solid Picks With things not looking too favorable for the stock market at the start of the year, its prudent to invest in dividend aristocrats for risk-adjusted returns. These stocks have a solid financial structure and healthy underlying fundamentals. They also outperform other dividend payers on better quality business. Hence, we have selected five dividend aristocrats to boost your returns. Such stocks also possess a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The favorable Zacks Rank should help these stocks gain further this year and beyond as well. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. McCormick & Company, Incorporated MKC manufactures, markets, and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavorful products to the food industry. The company has increased its dividend payments for 31 consecutive years. It has a dividend yield of 1.6%, while its five-year average dividend yield is 1.9%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has increased 0.2% in the past 60 days. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company ADM procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients. The company has raised its dividend payments for more than 25 successive years. It has a dividend yield of 3.3%, while its five-year average dividend yield is 2.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has moved up 2.3% in the past 60 days. W.W. Grainger, Inc. GWW distributes maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies; and other related products and services that are used by businesses and institutions. The company has bumped up its dividend payments for 46 consecutive years. It has a dividend yield of 1.9%, while its five-year average dividend yield is 2%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has increased 0.3% in the past 90 days. Walmart Inc. WMT engages in the retail and wholesale operations. The companys first dividend was 5 cents a share, paid in 1974. It has consistently raised its dividend each year. It has a dividend yield of 2.2%, while its five-year average dividend yield is 2.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has increased 0.4% in the past 60 days. Cintas Corporation CTAS provides corporate identity uniforms and related business services. It has raised its dividend 34 years in a row. It has a dividend yield of 1.2%, while its five-year average dividend yield is 1.1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings has increased 1.4% in the past 60 days. The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce ""the world's first trillionaires,"" but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 McCormick & Company, Incorporated (MKC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cintas Corporation (CTAS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Walmart Inc. (WMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) : Free Stock Analysis Report W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Paper with The Freedom of Information Act FOIA on a table Want a preview of next years trends in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and responses? Heres a hint: Topics in the public consciousness tend to play a big role. As 2019 approaches, keep an eye on the increased scrutiny of public officials and government agencies business conduct, slow responses to FOIA filings, and a growing awareness of privacy and cybersecurity topics when planning your departments resources to prepare or respond to FOIA requests. This follows the experience of 2017 and 2018, when legal news and trends bore a strong resemblance to one another. Increasingly, all news is national, with news out of D.C. and big corporations dominating legal headlines. Here are three tends to look for in 2019: 1. Expect increased scrutiny on public officials and government agencies business conduct. Beyond the details of Robert Muellers headline-dominating investigation, a growing body of case law, including three District Court opinions, have solidified the nature of responsiveness under FOIA. Summers v. Department of Justiceaddressed scrutiny of public officials appointment calendars and business correspondence, and how the court defines responsive search terms. Bagwell v. Department of Justiceexamined the variety of names commonly used to refer to the responding party, and illustrated how agencies must be prepared to search based on common parlance, in addition to official nomenclature. Together, the Summers and Bagwell cases have changed the FOIA request standard. Government agencies must conduct defensible searches and show that they have made a good faith effort to respond. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper cited both Summers and Bagwell in an October 2018 ruling which said, FOIA requests are not a game of Battleship. The requester should not have to score a direct hit on the records sought based on the precise phrasing of his request. The good news is that machine learning technology can help government agencies handle FOIA requests. The case of Government Accountability Project v. U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security provided stronger standing for FOIA suits and an expectation of responding in good faith. 2. Citizens and departments working with teams with a high volume of FOIA requests should expect a slow response and backlog for FOIA responses to be fulfilled. The Washington Post reported that between October 2016 and September 2017, the US Department of Interior received a total of 8,014 FOIA requests. The EPA received 11,493 FOIA requests between October 1, 2016, and September 30, 2017. Assuming the rate of filings remains comparable, government agencies will be stretched to respond effectively and in a timely manner. The issues discussed in Government Accountability Project v. U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security highlight the challenges some agencies have been encountering responding in a defensible manner. Court and legal resources taken up by immigration suits in which the Department of Justice is named have intensified the backlog, along with legal talent leaving the DOJ. 3. Expect that privacy and cybersecurity issues will increasingly be a topic of interest for citizens and organizations filing FOIA requests. The rise of privacy regulation and fines for cybersecurity breaches have increasingly brought these issues into the public consciousness. Examples include the EUs General Data Protection Regulation, which went into effect May 25. In the United States, the new California Consumer Privacy Act, A.B. 375, California Senate Bill No. 327, the Ohio Data Protection Act (DPA), and Colorados Protections for Consumer Data Privacy Act (PCDPA) demonstrate how states are examining these issues. The U.S. Congress is exploring new federal regulation to protect data privacy, and hacks and data leaks like Marriott, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and the easily-preventable Equifax leak have raised awareness of these issues. Many citizens have a greater awareness of best practices for privacy and cybersecurity from the education provided by consumer technology companies, and the heightened trainings and tools offered in corporate work environments. Be sure to take into account the current backlog and strain on government agencies legal teams as you plan for 2019. Whether your department is planning or responding to FOIA requests, your ability to manage these and the case law precedents in these areas will make a difference in legal operations. Jon Kerry-Tyerman is Vice President of Business Development & Intelligence for Everlaw. Previously, he served as a Senior Director in the Innovation practice at LexisNexis, where he chaired the Digital Culture Task Force. Jon served over eight years as a Professor of Law at the University of San Francisco, where he worked in the Internet and Intellectual Property Justice Clinic. New year, new movies. 2019 has got a stellar list of releases coming to cinema and there is a decent number with female director at the helm. From period dramas to documentaries, black comedies to animations, here are 21 to save the date for this year. An Impossible Love Dir: Catherine Corsini Release date: 4 January Synopsis: Based on the book by controversial French novelist Christine Angot, the film is set in 1950s rural France about a female office worker falls for a bourgeois man who gets her pregnant but refuses to marry her because of her social class. Over ten years we see her fight to have her daughter recognised by her father and the consequences of that. RBG Dir: Julie Cohen, Betsy West Release date: 4 January Synopsis: A look back at the exceptional career of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and how she overcame gender discrimination to fight against it and become a leading voice in America as well as an unexpected pop culture icon. Nina Dir: Olga Cahjdas Release date: 11 January Synopsis: A teacher in her mid-30s and struggling to conceive finds the perfect surrogate candidate but ends up falling in love with her. Mary Queen of Scots Dir: Josie Rourke Release date: 18 January Synopsis: This period drama follows Mary Stuart as she returns to Scotland to take her rightful throne and in doing so causes friction with Queen Elizabeth I and the men who would seek to control them. London Unplugged Dir: Natalia Casali, Rosanna Lowe, Gaelle Mourre, Kaki Wong, Layke Anderson, Nick Cohen, Mitchell Crawford, Andreas Heger-Bratterud, Ben Jacobson Release date: 28 April Synopsis: This anthology film is about modern Londoners and comprised of ten shorts from a talent pool of emerging filmmakers that explore themes of isolation, asylum, unmanageable rents and identity. Destroyer Destroyer stars Nicole Kidman Dir: Karyn Kusama Release date: 25 January Synopsis: LAPD detective Erin Bell (Nicole Kidman) went undercover with a gang as a young cop but it led to tragic consequences. Years later, the gangs leader reemerges and she must reconnect with past members in order to reckon with her past demons. Story continues On Her Shoulders Dir: Alexandria Bombach Release date: 25 January Synopsis: This documentary follows Nadia Murad, a young woman who survived the 2014 genocide of the Yazidis in Northern Iraq and escaped the hands of ISIS, and her journey into advocacy and fame, all the while, trying to live a normal life. Can You Ever Forgive Me Melissa McCarthy plays real-life journalist and biographer Lee Israel who begins forging literary letters to pay her rent and ends up being wanted by the FBI. Dir: Marielle Heller Release date: 1 February Synopsis: Based on the true story of Lee Israel, a journalist and biographer who, after getting fired and unable to pay her rent, begins forging and selling literary letters. With the help of her friend Jack, the pairs deception becomes increasingly lucrative but soon the FBI is alerted to their scheme. On the Basis of Sex Armie Hammer as Marty Ginsburg and Felicity Jones as Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dir: Mimi Leder Release date: 8 February Synopsis: This biographical drama centres on Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a struggling attorney and new mother in the face of gender discrimination takes on a tax case with her husband that could change the face of equal rights legislation. Capernaum Capernaum review: Cannes winner is an import that leaves a bruise Dir: Nadine Labaki Release date: 22 February Synopsis: A young, hardened boy sues his negligent parents for bringing him into the world after committing a violent crime and being sentenced to five years in jail. It won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Rhythm Section Rhythm Section stars Blake Lively Dir: Reed Morano Release date: 22 February Synopsis: Based on the novel of the same name, the film centres on Stephanie Patrick, a woman who assumes a new identity to track down those responsible for the death of her family in a plane crash that she was meant to be on. What They Had Dir: Elizabeth Chomko Release date: 1 March Synopsis: This family drama centres on a woman who returns to her family home in Chicago, at the request of her brother, as their mothers health begins to deteriorate and she continues to lose her memory, though their father doesnt want to put his wife into a care home. Captain Marvel Dir: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck Release date: 7 March Synopsis: Set in the 90s, Carol Danvers is a pilot who is given superhuman powers by an alien race called the Kree and joins their intergalactic force, but when she returns to Earth she must team up with a young Nick Fury to stop a rival alien threat from taking over the world. The Kindergarten Teacher Netflixs The Kindergarten Teacher stars Maggie Gyllenhaal Dir: Sara Colangelo Release date: 8 March Synopsis: A kindergarten teacher discovers one of her five-year-old students has considerable creative promise but goes to inappropriate lengths to nurture his talent. Out Of Blue Out Of Blue stars Patricia Clarkson Dir: Carol Morley Release date: 22 March Synopsis: A veteran New Orleans police officer investigates the murder of a renowned astrophysicist and black hole expert, Jennifer Rockwell, who is found shot to death in her observatory. As she investigates deeper into the case shes forced to question her own personal history and understanding of reality. Little Tina Gordon Chism (centre right) writes and direct the film Dir: Tina Gordon Chism Release date: 12 April Synopsis: Based on an idea by Black-ish star Marsai Martin, the film centres on a woman who gets to relive the life of her younger self when adulthood becomes too stressful to bear. Breakthrough DIr: Roxann Dawson Release date: 17 May Synopsis: This Christian drama is based on the true story of a St Louis teenager who miraculously recovers after falling through an icy lake and having no pulse for nearly 45 minutes. His parents believe their faith in God is what brought him back. The Sun is Also a Star The Sun is Also a Star stars Charles Melton and Yara Shahidi Dir: Ry Russo-Young Release date: 9 August Synopsis: Based on the novel of the same name, by Everything Everything writer Nicola Yoon, the film centres on a teen girl who falls in love during a tumultuous moment in her familys life. Charlies Angels Charlies Angels reboot is directed by Elizbeth Banks Dir: Elizabeth Banks Release date: 25 October Synopsis: This reboot starring Kirsten Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinski centres on three highly-trained private investigators who work for the mysterious Charlie. Frozen 2 Frozen 2 sees the return of Anna and Elsa Dir: Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck Release date: 22 November Synopsis: Plot details havent been revealed but the original voice cast including Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad will be back as well as new cast members Sterlink K. Brown and Evan Rachel Wood. READ MORE Comedians defend Tiffany Haddish Netflix pulls Patriot Act episode critical of Saudi Arabia Is Mary Poppins a Time Lord? Holocaust survivors liberated from Auschwitz concentration The killing only stopped when there was no one left to murder. From August to October 1942, 1.2 million Jews were slain in the Nazi death camps, an almost inconceivable 15,000 people per day, a new study suggests. This is more than previously calculated, and is a rate that surpasses recent genocides such as the one that occurred in Rwanda in 1994. In fact, roughly 25 percent of all Holocaust victims were murdered from August to October 1942, which was quite likely the deadliest three months in human history as the German killing machine was at its most lethal. Study lead author Lewi Stone, a mathematical biologist from Tel Aviv University and Australia's RMIT University, used railway transportation records to reach his conclusions. The special trains that transported the victims were kept on strict time schedules, of which the Germans had detailed records of each trip. Overall, some 480 train trips were made from 393 separate Polish towns, destined for death camps such as Belzec, Sobibor and Treblinka. The purpose of those three was strictly for mass murder, unlike camps such as Auschwitz, which also served as forced labor camps. Apart from very few exceptions, victims who were transported to the death camps were rapidly murdered upon arrival in the gas chambers, thus giving the system perfected by the Nazis all the characteristics of an automated assembly line, Stone told Newsweek. Stone estimates that the Nazis murder campaign could have continued at this pace had there been more victims still living in German-occupied Poland. Instead, the murder rate tapered off in November 1942 as a result of there being essentially "no one left to kill," Stone said. He also said the numbers show the Nazis focused genocide with the goal of obliterating the entire Jewish people of occupied Poland in as short as time possible, mostly within three months," according to Newsweek. And compared to the 1994 Rwanda genocide, which has been suggested as the most intense genocide of the 20th century, the murder rate during those three months of the Holocaust was 83 percent higher. The study, "Quantifying the Holocaust: Hyperintense kill rates during the Nazi genocide," was published Wednesday in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 15,000 murders a day: August-October 1942 were the Holocaust's deadliest months Don't buy them for safety. Many dividend investors like the security that comes from regular payouts from their stocks. Not only does this provide a steady stream of cash, it can also fuel significant outperformance in your portfolio -- that is, share appreciation in the stocks plus the dividend payments. However, don't be fooled into thinking a stock is safer because it pays a dividend. Even stocks with a substantial payday could be terrible investments if they fall so quickly the dividends can't cover losses. Check out these 10 struggling S&P 500 dividend payers that were among the worst performers in 2018. They are cautionary tales of what kind of dividend investment to avoid in 2019. Halliburton Co. (ticker: HAL) With oil about $45 a barrel at the end of 2018 after reaching $76 earlier in the year, many energy stocks have taken it on the chin. Oil field service stock Halliburton has been hit harder than most. As a contractor for many big oil companies, it is the target of cutbacks when crude prices slump and there's less incentive to drill aggressively. The yield is decent on this dividend payer, but with a massive decline in the last year and current trends in oil prices not looking good, HAL stock seems shaky and risky given the broader market volatility. YTD performance: -47 percent Current yield: 2.7 percent Unum Group (UNM) Life insurance giant Unum is a seemingly stable dividend stock, with distributions fueled by policyholder premiums. But a surprising revelation in May about the performance of its long-term care division spooked many investors and shares fell 15 percent in a single session. Wall Street was largely in a wait-and-see mode across summer and fall, but recent turmoil caused many to stop waiting on UNM and prompted fresh declines. It's tough to believe in any stock when the market goes haywire, but it's even harder to trust a stock like Unum that dumped bad numbers on unsuspecting investors. Story continues YTD performance: -47 percent Current yield: 3.6 percent Cimarex Energy Co. (XEC) This is another troubled energy stock but in a different way. Cimarex is a mid-sized fracking firm that specializes in production from shale fields. As growth rates peak and energy prices roll back, investors put pressure on stocks like XEC. Cimarex thought it had a way to show Wall Street it was on the upswing with a massive $1.6 billion bid for competitor Resolute Energy in November. But falling energy prices, the rising cost of borrowing to finance the bid and general bearish sentiment have conspired to make that deal look like an ill-timed boondoggle. YTD performance: -50 percent Current yield: 1.2 percent Affiliated Managers Group (AMG) Affiliated Managers is an investment firm focused on providing asset management services to institutional clients and high net-worth individuals. But in the age of low-cost index funds, it's increasingly difficult to justify high-priced managers, and competition for clients is fierce. AMG is the umbrella company over a smattering of hedge funds, private equity firms and other similar ventures. Its largest shareholders are institutions like Vanguard or Blackrock, but that's a double-edged sword as these big guys have been reluctant to keep buying. The absence of other investor interest has led to a steady but substantial decline in shares. YTD performance: -52 percent Current yield: 1.2 percent Perrigo Co. (PRGO) Ireland-based generic pharmaceuticals company Perrigo is indeed an S&P 500 component. That's because of a 2013 tax inversion where this company, which still does the vast majority of sales in the U.S., acquired Irish firm Elan and moved its headquarters there mostly on paper in what it thought was a clever move to win a smaller tax bill. Unfortunately, even Ireland's tax man is difficult to please. In December, PRGO was slapped with a $1.9 billion bill relating to prior drug sales. Shares had already been soft this year but that massive tax claim pushed them even lower. YTD performance: -55 percent Current yield: 1.9 percent Western Digital Corp. (WDC) In the age of mobile devices, hard disk drive manufacturers like Western Digital have been challenged. But above-average dividends, better-than-expected demand and proactive cost-cutting have managed to keep these tech stocks reasonably relevant the last few years. Sadly, margins steadily declined in 2018 and revenue has seemingly plateaued -- a bad combination for 2019's profit outlook. Market volatility and general uncertainty about a cyclical slowdown in tech spending has also added fuel to the fire, and investors have found plenty of reasons to sell WDC stock steadily in 2018. YTD performance: -55 percent Current yield: 5.4 percent Invesco Ltd. (IVZ) Invesco is the brand behind several exchange-traded funds, including Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) that is a mainstay of investors interested in large-cap tech stocks. But, tech has suffered in 2018 and Invesco's flagship ETF has fallen out of favor. While it has other offerings, none are nearly as popular as the low-cost index funds offered by larger firms like Vanguard or Fidelity. And with market volatility, it's hard to bank on IVZ gathering up more assets -- making it very hard to believe in, despite an incredible dividend yield. YTD performance: -55 percent Current yield: 7.2 percent L Brands (LB) E-commerce made things bad for retailer L Brands, parent of Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works. Then, in its Q3 earnings report in November, LB posted profits that were roughly half what they were a year ago. That prompted another drop that has made LB one of the worst performers in the S&P 500. Many investors continue to hang on because of the dividend, but considering full-year 2018 earnings should come in at $2.70 per share and dividend payouts will hit $2.40 per share, there's reason to worry the dividend may be at risk of a cut. YTD performance: -56 percent Current yield: 9.4 percent General Electric Co. (GE) Even causal investors should know about GE's troubles that include three dividend cuts since the financial crisis and a share price that has cratered from over $30 at the end of 2016 to about $7 at present. It's important to note that the pain seems to be far from over, however, with the company steadily setting new 52-week lows this year and showing continued downside momentum. Before you start believing GE is a bargain that is oversold, its history shows this stock has a habit of surprising Wall Street with just how bad its performance can be. YTD performance: -59 percent Current yield: 0.5 percent Delphi Technologies (DLPH) Speaking of stock that can surprise with terrible performance, Delphi is worth noting for its dramatic numbers. In October 2017, its CEO quit after less than a year and the engine parts manufacturer lowered its profit outlook soon after. At the same time, a general slowdown in auto sales created a stiff headwind to performance that would have been hard to counter even in the best of times. Compounding the pain is that DLPH was spun out of a larger auto parts firm, leaving the company fewer business lines to fall back on in tough times. YTD performance: -74 percent Current yield: 4.8 percent The Worst S&P 500 Dividend Stocks of 2018 To recap, here are 10 of the worst S&P 500 dividend stocks in 2018: -- Halliburton Co. (HAL) -- Unum Group (UNM) -- Cimarex Energy Co. (XEC) -- Affiliated Managers Group (AMG) -- Perrigo Co. (PRGO) -- Western Digital Corp. (WDC) -- Invesco Ltd. (IVZ) -- L Brands (LB) -- General Electric Co. (GE) -- Delphi Technologies (DLPH) China's Xi threatens Taiwan with force but also seeks peaceful 'reunification' China reserves the right to use force to bring Taiwan under its control but will strive to achieve peaceful reunification with the self-ruled island that has a bright future under any future Chinese rule, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday. 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His uncle, who was a physician, introduced him to the miracles of the operating room and, fascinated by surgery, a young Lamelas never doubted he would grow up to be a doctor working with his hands. Its been my dream since I was a child, he said. The dream of that young Cuban-American refugee child came true. Lamelas is a world-renowned expert in various forms of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, having pioneered a series of techniques known as the Miami Method. A surgeon for 29 years, Lamelas has performed more than 16,000 cardiac surgeries 7,000 of those minimally invasive and trained close to 1,000 fellow physicians. He is also the only surgeon in the world who uses a minimally invasive method not splitting the sternum to get to the heart to replace an ascending aorta. Now Lamelas has returned to Miami, where he began his medical career back in 1990. After two years at the Baylor College of Medicine, he felt he had accomplished what he had set out to do in Texas. Whats more, the possibility of leaving a legacy in his adopted hometown, as chief of cardiothoracic surgery at the well-respected University of Miami Health System, was immensely attractive. A university setting, he said, allows you to commit fully to innovation. Ive always been interested in clinical research as well as contributing to the field of cardiac surgery. Now, in addition to seeing patients, he is able to share his knowledge with cardiac surgeons in training as a professor of surgery at the Miller School of Medicine. Currently, most of the physicians he has trained are already working in the field. Its important to learn early, he said. Surgery is like a language. Its better if you learn it when youre starting out, and the more you perform surgery, the more your skills improve. Lamelas outstanding clinical skills, outcomes and innovation in cardiac surgery, are welcome in an already strong department, said Dr. Edward Abraham, executive vice president for health affairs and CEO of UHealth. His arrival at UHealth strengthens our luminary program in cardiovascular disease. Because of his expertise, we expect that patients will not only come from South Florida for surgery but also nationally and internationally. Having Dr. Lamelas as chief of cardiothoracic surgery at UHealth establishes us as the preeminent center for cardiovascular disease in South Florida, and as one of the truly elite institutions in the country. For Lamelas, the journey to preeminence was not without its obstacles. In early 1963, when he was only two years old, his family fled Cuba to the United States on a Red Cross boat that also carried a handful of Bay of Pigs political prisoners. The elder Lamelas, educated as a pharmacist, had been a successful business owner with a string of department stores on the island, but by the time the family, including two grandmothers, landed in South Florida, the Lamelas family had lost everything. Like so many other Cuban exiles, they were processed at the Freedom Tower on Biscayne Boulevard and his father was forced to take on a series of menial jobs to survive. To make ends meet, the family shared a home with other families and when a younger brother was born in the U.S., the infant slept in a dresser drawer. Eventually, the Lamelas family moved to New York, where his father worked first in the grocery business and then bought a delicatessen in Corona, New York. By the time he was in high school, they would move to West Palm Beach, Florida. Like so many other Cubans, we had a very hard beginning, he recalls. Its inconceivable to me now what my parents went through. Yet, it was that hard beginning that instilled in him a strong work ethic and inspired him to pursue higher education. His parents repeatedly reminded him that while a dictatorship could confiscate physical wealth, knowledge and a college degree would prove to be both more useful and portable. I learned early on the value of education, he said. No matter where you are, no one can take that from you. You carry it with you, always. Even now, he admits to being obsessed with cardiac surgery. Aside from exercising on an elliptical, I dont really have any hobbies. I think about it [surgery] day and night. I compete only with myself, not with anybody else. I aim to improve my surgical skills and techniques on a daily basis. His brothers also learned those lessons. His eldest sibling became an emergency room physician and created the South Florida-based MD Now Urgent Care Centers, which he sold to a private equity firm last year. His younger brother is a businessman, too. Unable to afford a U.S. program, Lamelas eventually attended medical school in the Dominican Republic and completed his general surgery residency at The Brooklyn Hospital Center and then his cardiovascular and thoracic surgery residency at The State University of New York Health Science Center, also in Brooklyn, where he would spend seven years. He never wavered from his lifelong commitment to cardiac surgery. The results with cardiac surgery are pretty immediate, he said. You perform a big operation on a very sick patient and there is immediate gratification because the patient improves rapidly. A devotee of painting and sculpture, he also saw surgery as an art as well as a science. In 1990, Lamelas headed south to Miami to launch his practice, but after 13 years he wanted to try something different. I wanted to do something that would make a difference. I was doing other kinds of [cardiac] surgery, but I was very interested in what they were doing with minimally invasive techniques in other fields. In traditional cardiac surgery (open heart surgery), the chest is opened and the heart is stopped while a machine does the pumping as the surgeon operates. A hospital stay of several days is required and recovery can take months. In the minimally invasive procedure that Lamelas helped pioneer and perfect, an incision less than two-inches is made on the right side of the patients chest between the ribs less than the size of a finger, as Lamelas puts it and, using special instruments that he helped to create and patent, access is gained to the heart. This minimally invasive approach enables most patients to go home in about three days, with less tissue trauma, scarring, and pain. Risk of infection is also lower and healing is quicker. Over the years, Lamelas has developed a series of repair-and-replacement valve techniques that he has dubbed the Miami Method. When asked how he came up with the name, he laughed. I wanted the city to get credit. After several medical device companies shrugged off his request, he worked with a patient, who was an engineer, to develop special operating tools now used around the world. He began by operating only on the aortic and mitral valve and expanded the minimally invasive techniques to double and triple valve surgery, ascending aortic surgery, tumor removal, and even congenital cardiac defects. The Miami Method, he said, is unique because, I dont utilize only one technique, because there are no two valves that are exactly alike. In Miami, there is potential for even more innovation. Ive always believed South Florida should have a pillar cardiac surgery program within an academic institution, he said, and I truly believe that my drive and motivation along with the support of the University of Miami will make that happen. Bomjans supporters press against ashram cases probe As police look into complaints against the controversial ascetic Ram Bahadur Bomjan for disappearing at least four persons from his ashrams, the Bodhi Shrawan Dharma Sangha is building pressure on the government not to bring him to justice. Armenia official's spokesperson has no comment on controversial phone talk Armenia acting premier on snap parliamentary election day: June 20 is the day for God to speak Armenia acting PM tells children at campaign meeting to chant along with the crowd "I have the honor" bloc representative considers coalition with "Armenia" bloc real Tesla to resume selling cars for bitcoins when the cryptocurrency goes green Biden's visit and NATO summit will cause inconveniences to residents of Brussels 8 people hospitalized in Texas after car hitting race spectators Armenia acting PM continues making unjust accusations against Armenian Church, says Holy Etchmiadzin Interior minister: We thank Russia for mediation efforts to stabilize situation in Artsakh (PHOTOS) Etchmiadzin residents greet Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan with chants, doves being released into sky Armenia acting PM: Times of "velvet" are coming to an end Another captive Armenian gets 20-year prison sentence in Azerbaijan Ombudsman: Armenia government should urgently apply to ECHR with interstate complaint Armenia Ararat Province governor mobilizes everyone to attend acting PM's campaign meeting Red Cross chief responds to Armenia Presidents letter Armenia ex-PM supports 2nd President Robert Kocharyan in snap parliamentary election Electoral Rights Watch: Armenia ruling party engages kids in its election campaign (PHOTOS) 41 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia SIPRI reports growth in global nuclear arsenals Bitcoin goes up 10% Biden has been preparing for meeting with Putin for 50 years, Psaki says Coronavirus general symptoms change over time Experts calculate wealth of Queen Elizabeth II Armenia ombudsman: Necessary to stop myopic development of agenda of mutual insult, swearing in public sphere US teen kills 4-year-old child Armenia acting official, city mayors controversial phone talk going viral on Internet Armenia Central Electoral Commission makes decisions on registration of acting PM and ruling party Armenia acting PM holds march in Yerevan district, warns those involved in electoral fraud about consequences "I Have the Honor" bloc leader on Armenia acting PM posting photo of returned POWs Biden says US-Russia relations at low point but were not looking for conflict Armenia 2nd President: I'm certain about opportunities for retrieval of Karabakh's Hadrut Serzh Sargsyan: It's impossible to live normally and be protected in this region without a combat-ready army OSCE/ODIHR presents report on pre-election period in Armenia Armenia ruling Civil Contract Party being campaigned on official page of Vedi Medical Center Armenia 2nd President: We need to punish the authorities, but not with a hammer Who is ripping posters of "Armenia" bloc? Armenia 2nd President states time limits for increasing combat-readiness and recovery of losses "I Have the Honor" bloc: Armenian Public Television's actions show that bloc's rating is growing Erdogan to raise White House's recognition of Armenian Genocide during meeting with Biden Armenia 3rd President visits St. Mary's Church in Gavar after campaign meetings (PHOTOS) Fire breaks out in village of Armenia's Ararat Province Court rules to allow "Armenia" bloc's rally to end at 9 p.m. Armenia 3rd President holds meetings in Gegharkunik Province Armenia Elections Oversight Committee member addresses letter to OSCE/ODIHR regarding Pashinyan's statements Armenia acting PM receives steel hammer as a gift, refers to it as a 'steel mandate' Armenia 2nd President recommends setting up Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Armenia 2nd President: It is necessary to either ban offices of Soros or set tight restrictions Armenian Public Television and "I Have the Honor" bloc apply to Ombudsman regarding video broadcasting Armenia acting PM: Today there are army generals who have served for over 20 years, but have no apartments Australia, UK and US agree on cooperation Armenia Ombudsman's representatives hold personal talks with 15 Armenian POWs "I Have the Honor" bloc says Armenian authorities might allocate nearly $1.5 mln for electoral bribes "I Have the Honor" bloc: Mass media report that conspiratorial junta is delaying return of Armenian POWs Putin on upcoming meeting with Biden, says it is necessary to establish direct dialogue OSCE Chairperson-in-Office welcomes return of 15 Armenian POWs Georgia MFA: Tbilisi worked for return of Armenian soldiers for 2-3 months Armenia ex-official: Sectors of country's roads will be transferred to Azerbaijan, according to current authorities Armenia Armed Forces' General Staff ex-chief: War won't break out, Azerbaijani army is currently weakened Iran's interior minister: Country's presidential election will be held in full security atmosphere Armenia acting PM to citizens: Opposition was mourning and weeping after return of 15 Armenian POWs Armenia confirms 39 new COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths Armenia 3rd President: I declare that there was no talk about enclaves during my administration Armenia MOD: 2 residents of Syunik Province disoriented, find themselves in Azerbaijani territory Russian MFA Spokesperson on return of 15 Armenian POWs Armenia Central Electoral Commission grants motion to deprive MP candidate of liberty Members of "Armenia" bloc light candles at Haghpat Monastery after campaigning EU President: I applaud Azerbaijans & Armenias parallel humanitarian gestures Georgia is ready to participate in settlement of humanitarian issues between Baku and Yerevan Aliyev: If Armenia wants peace, they should start negotiations with us on delimitation Kocharyan intends to turn government dachas into rehab center Baku says it handed over 15 POWs to Armenia in exchange for map of minefields Nikol Pashinyan shares photo of Armenian POWs returning home Eight more remains found in Artsakh search operations Saturday Armenia MOD refutes reports on deployment of Turkey army units in Sev Lake region Armenia MP candidate charged with bribery is remanded in custody Armenia acting PM on border situation: Our Russian partners have come, looked at areas where they can be deployed Armenia acting premier: This election battle has already turned into class struggle 20 Afghanistan security force members killed in clashes with Taliban Armenia acting PM supporters give kids instructions in Gegharkunik Province village Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: We reject vendettas Armenia ex-President Serzh Sargsyan pays tribute to late PM Andranik Margaryan Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: Maybe 2018 evens would not have happened if they had kept level of education Bright Armenia Party MP: Our prime ministerial candidate is Edmon Marukyan Armenia former President Kocharyan: I want to be proud of my homeland One person on Armenia ruling party electoral list also has Iran citizenship, his registration is declared invalid Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Boris Johnson on Queens Birthday Armenia ex-President Kocharyan in Spitak town, pays tribute to victims of 1988 earthquake Acting premier: Corrupt clergymen discredit Armenian Apostolic Church, traditional values Armenia, Georgia customs officials meet at Bagratashen border checkpoint One new case of coronavirus reported in Artsakh Armenia acting deputy PM signs new decision Sarkissian to Putin: Armenian-Russian cooperation is developing confidently in all directions 8 dead in China factory chemical leak Putin notes differences between "outsider" Trump, "career man" Biden 88 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia President: Karabakh has always underscored Russia's invaluable place, role in our region Security Council chief: We have had Russias support in Artsakh for centuries Pashinyan to Putin: I am convinced that Armenian-Russian interstate relations will continue to develop Armenias Pashinyan congratulates Mishustin on Russia Day Newspaper: Armenia criminal authorities take neutral position in current electoral process Locals reportedly assaulted a group of Bhutanese truckers at Ampati in Garo Hills of Meghalaya recently. According to a delayed report, the truckers were legally transporting boulders to Bangladesh via Meghalaya. A police complaint has been filed in this regard by seven Butanese nationals identified as Tashi Phuntsho, Kinley Wangchuk, Karma Norbu, Uma Tamang, Thimley Dorji, Suresh Guraj and Nidup, according to The Shillong Times. According to police quoting the FIR stated that on December 28 last year, the truckers were on their way to Dalu Land Customs Station in West Garo Hills exporting boulders from Gelophu in Bhutan to Bangladesh via Meghalaya as per agreement on trade, commerce and transit between the Government of India and Government of Bhutan. However, on reaching Tura, they lost their way and went towards Ampati and around 3:30 pm on that day they were detained by some unidentified people who took them to an undisclosed location and assaulted them. All works, including roads, blacktopping works and bridges, on the 150-kilometre Haa Samtse secondary national highway in Bhutan are expected to be complete by June. The Chief Engineer from the Department of Roads (DoR) of Thimphu division, Chador Gyeltshen, said only the blacktopping works are left now, adding that the works have been awarded to five different contractors. We expect them to complete the work on time and it has been delayed due to weather conditions at different places, he told Business Bhutan. The highway starts from Jyenkana in Samar Gewog in Haa and passes through the Tegola peak and then to Khamena and Sangbeykha Dungkhag. The highway is also estimated to reduce the distance between Haa and Samtse by over 120kms, besides connecting the two remote Gewogs of Sangbeykha and Gakiling of Haa. According to the Chief Engineer, all formation cutting/ first cutting works have been completed and around 85% of base course (layers below blacktopping layer) and 30% of blacktopping works have been completed. Road construction from both Haa and Samtse in Bhutan is being undertaken by the DoR. He added that as it always snows and rains at Tegola, it is muddy everywhere and becomes difficult to continue the work. Still, the works are continued to complete the project on time. The secondary national highway is expected to bring development to remote gewogs and business will boom for the farmers growing oranges and cardamom, he said. Haa- Samtse secondary national highway is estimated to cost around Nu1.9bn. The highway was expected to be completed by 2018. The 150-kilometer highway comprises 75km of secondary highway, 25km of gewog centre road and 50km of farm road. Commander Carliss R. Such, USNR (Ret.), writes an open letter to President Trump concerning the death of an 8-year-old in the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol on Christmas Day (Dec. 28). To untangle the whole net of incomprehension woven by Commander Such seems like a job for Thomas Aquinas or Peter Canisius. Ill address only a few salient points. Commander Such appears to labor under the misapprehension that the Holy Family, fleeing into Egypt, were refugees. They werent. A refugee flees from one country into another. When the Holy Family fled into Egypt, all the lands around the Mediterranean were one big country. Perhaps Commander Such has heard of it. We call it the Roman Empire. Bible readers will understand this concept from the Acts of the Apostles, in which St. Paul travels all over the Mediterranean and never encounters a single border agent. Most of the people illegally crossing our southern border arent refugees, either. Members of the current caravans have admitted as much: theyre mostly economic migrants. There may be a sprinkling of actual refugees among them, but there is also more than a sprinkling of gang members and human traffickers. One current caravan was offered asylum and employment in Mexico. But several U.S. states offer superior welfare benefits, so the caravan pressed on. That also means addressing the negative consequences of progressive policies that Californians have shown they support. We have to make sure that small businesses get through the increase in the minimum wage successfully, Pastor adds. (The statewide minimum wage rises Jan. 1 to $11 an hour for employers with fewer than 26 workers and $12 for bigger employers, on its way to $15 in 2023 for small employers and in 2022 for all others.) While California communities observe sanctuary principles to resist allowing their law enforcement departments to help immigration authorities enforce federal law in the face of administration claims that undocumented immigrants bring crime, we have to make sure our communities are safe. Pastor observes that California demographics point to the destiny of the U.S. as a whole; its status as a majority-minority state that is, nonwhites as the majority was first documented in the 2000 census. Further demographic challenges in which California will again lead the nation lie ahead, chiefly the aging of the population. The percentage of residents 65 and over will rise to 26% in 2060 from about 12% now. That will require much more of a caring economy, Pastor says, with more family leave and better treatment of care workers. The lawsuit said that Napa police Officer Garrett Wade was dispatched to visit the apartment where Kayleigh lived in January 2014. He was advised that Warner had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and Kayleigh was in danger, according to the lawsuit. Wade, a mandated reporter, did not investigate further, report suspected child abuse or serve a warrant, according to the lawsuit. Later that month, Wade was again dispatched to the east Napa apartment after the childs grandmother, Robin Slusher, said Kayleigh was in the presence of illegal drug use, being denied food and possibly abused, according to the lawsuit. Wade and Officer Dominic DeGuilio visited the apartment and found that Kayleighs face was bruised and she appeared sick, malnourished and distressed. Her mother said she had the flu and took her into the bathroom. She asked the officers to leave and they left, according to the lawsuit. Wade told Robin Slusher that he would keep an eye on the apartment, but did not return before Kayleighs death, according to the lawsuit. It looks to me like he will be working toward universal coverage as opposed to a single payer health care system, the Yucca Valley assemblyman said in a statement. Although vocally supportive of single-payer, Newsom has also acknowledged the obstacles and suggested that reducing health care costs and expanding insurance coverage could lay the groundwork for such a system. Whether or not Newsom pursues a single-payer plan, hell still need to work with the federal government, which funds the bulk of the states health programs. OLeary brings substantial experience at that level, having served as a top aide to Hillary Clinton. Matosantos, meanwhile, has an extensive state-level resume. The former California finance director helped lead health care negotiations among Republican Gov. Schwarzenegger, legislative Democrats and competing interest groups. That required both political savvy and policy expertise, Wright said. Not everyone can do that, he said. Matosantos, who once worked for the Senate Health Committee, will serve as liaison between Newsom and the state agencies and departments he oversees. U.K. resident Geraldine Warner published a book in October 2017 titled Protest Knits to combine social commentary with her passion for knitted textiles. Fifteen projects using a crochet hook or knitting needles are highlighted in the paperback that includes patterns for items such as anarchist socks, political pin cushions, protest scarfs and, of course, the infamous pussy hat! Napa resident Evelyn Zlomke, a nurse educator by profession, is also an activist and an avid knitter since age 12. Shes knitted pink pussy hats for the past two Womens Marches, as gifts for speakers and special guests including Rep. Mike Thompson, and taught others how to knit them as well. After the last local Womens March on Jan. 20, 2018, Zlomke came up with the #365 Hats Project. She decided to knit a hat a day until the third annual March, taking place in downtown Napa on Jan. 19. When it was first conceived, she said, I realized I could knit one hat in an hour, and thats a commitment I could keep. Even if I get behind, I can get ahead. When I visited the Zlomke house a few weeks ago, 13 large boxes of completed hats, all with those familiar pussycat ears, were waiting to be unpacked and stacked on the dining room table for photographing. Only 19 were left to knit before the year-end deadline. We are lucky that wine can start a conversation off on the right foot. If the word wine is in the first few sentences of an introduction, it is a real icebreaker in a good way. When meeting new people the conversation eventually gets around to what do you do? It is always the killer question that determines whether or not anyone is going to chat with you. Anyone who has ever been unemployed knows what a dagger in the heart the question can be. Not long ago we were lucky to be invited to a fancy dinner party. In attendance were brain surgeons, astronauts, politicians and financiers. Or at least thats what I heard in the blur of introductions. But when I announced that my family owns a vineyard and winery no one else mattered. All the conversation turned to wine, and me. If I were a clown in the circus I dont know if I could have attracted more attention. The group agreed I am lucky. Right. And if we judge success by things that didn't happen, we should also credit Kelly for avoiding a zombie apocalypse. Kelly served his country honorably for decades. But there's nothing courageous in announcing, on the way out the door, that he didn't agree with many awful things Trump did on his watch. There was, once, a good argument that qualified people, by taking administration jobs, could temper Trump's worst instincts. But it turned out Trump was not to be tempered. Those who disagreed with the madness had an obligation to resign, or at least to speak out not to wash their hands of responsibility after the fact. Don't blame Rex Tillerson. The ousted secretary of state recently told Bob Schieffer of CBS News he reined in Trump by saying "you can't do it that way. It violates the law. It violates a treaty." Don't blame Jim Mattis. The former defense secretary waited until resigning to publicly state his disagreements with Trump over NATO, "malign actors" such as Russia and "treating allies with respect." Don't blame Reince Priebus. Trump's first chief of staff spoke up about Trump's chaos after he was ousted, telling author Chris Whipple: "Take everything you've heard and multiply it by 50." Search and rescue crews continued their search on Tuesday afternoon for a 3-year-old boy who fell into the Musselshell River early Monday afternoon. Musselshell County Undersheriff Shawn Lesnik said crews were down on the river all day on Tuesday, drilling through ice and using cameras to scope areas that rescuers couldn't reach. "It's devastating," Lesnik said. "When I went home last night I gave my little boy a hug for a really long time." Personnel from the Yellowstone County Sheriff's office and Roundup's volunteer fire department have been aiding the search. Billings-based US Water Rescue/MT Dive Tech were also on the scene to help search under the ice. Searchers also brought in a cadaver dog on Tuesday to help. "I can't thank these guys enough," Lesnik said. The whole community has rallied around the family and the search-and-rescue teams, Lesnik said. The local Catholic church brought food Tuesday afternoon to the teams searching the river. "It's unbelievable," he said. A former Hi-Line undersheriff now faces a second felony after prosecutors say he sexually abused a second teen, starting when she was 14 and often in his patrol vehicle. Luke Strommen, born in 1977, was charged in December in Valley County District Court with sexual intercourse without consent. Strommen has yet to make an initial appearance on the charge. Also pending against him is one count of sexual abuse of children. Strommen had sex with the teen dozens of times between 2009 and 2011, beginning when she was 14, charges allege. The new allegations surfaced in November, a month after Strommen was charged with offenses related to the first alleged victim. The girl, who occasionally babysat for Strommen and his family, estimated the two had sex 50 times over the two-year span, charges allege. She said the majority of encounters took place inside Strommens patrol vehicle, which he had parked outside of his friends home in a remote area of Valley County. Strommen began to sexually abuse the teen at the same time he began training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in 2009, charges state. Montanans are hunters not all, but twice the national average. Hunting puts food on our tables, keeps us in elk fit condition, surrounds us in beauty, and leaves us feeling vital. Im always pleased when a non-hunting friend asks if I would take them or their child out. It happens often. Montana is also serious about fair chase hunting. Fair chase recognizes that, at this point, we have the technology to kill too easily and that the object of hunting is not just to take an animal. Hunting should be hard. It should occur in wild places at distances where an animals acute senses come into play and defeat the hunter more often than not. Our hunters feel new technologies should be limited; indeed, about half the worlds finest traditional bowyers live here. As chronic wasting disease crosses our borders, its worth noting that we outlawed game farms and wildlife feeding long ago. The results here are opportunity, abundance, quality experiences and long seasons that are the envy of hunters internationally. Montanans can introduce kids and friends to hunting with pride; we can explain our ethics to non-hunters with clarity. Introduction In just 50 years, almost a million Jews, whose communities stretch back up to 3,000 years, have been 'ethnically cleansed' from 10 Arab countries. These refugees outnumber the Palestinian refugees two to one, but their narrative has all but been ignored. Unlike Palestinian refugees, they fled not war, but systematic persecution. Seen in this light, Israel, where some 50 percent of the Jewish population descend from these refugees and are now full citizens, is the legitimate expression of the self-determination of an oppressed indigenous, Middle Eastern people. This website is dedicated to preserving the memory of the near-extinct Jewish communities, which can never return to what and where they once were - even if they wanted to. It will attempt to pass on the stories of the Jewish refugees and their current struggle for recognition and restitution. Awareness of the injustice done to these Jews can only advance the cause of peace and reconciliation. (Iran: once an ally of Israel, the Islamic Republic of Iran is now an implacable enemy and numbers of Iranian Jews have fallen drastically from 80,000 to 20,000 since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Their plight - and that of all other communities threatened by Islamism - does therefore fall within the scope of this blog.) Though Stapleton's time in the Secretary of State's office has been marked by several high-profile controversies, he has defended his actions and points to what he says are efficiencies he's found to better serve business customers, including moving all business filings online. In 2017 we made the decision to go digital. There was some resistance and nobody in the country had done it fully but we did and a lot of other states look at us, Stapleton said. Were now reaping the benefit of incredibly satisfied customers. We just dont get the complaints; we used to get dozens of them. Last year, the Secretary of State's office sent out a voter guide to 470,000 voters statewide with an error. Stapleton awarded a $265,000 contract to fix the problem to a friend's print shop in Billings, saying it was the only business that could get the project done on time and the office was threatened with lawsuits over the mistake. Im not going to say I wouldnt make a mistake if elected governor, Stapleton said Wednesday. If Im the governor of Montana Id probably make one mistake a month. Ive never been in an organization that doesnt make mistakes. If youre trying to please everyone, you should not run for governor. If youre trying to make the world better, you should not run for office. Governor-elect Ron DeSantis. JOE RAEDLE, GETTY IMAGES Governor-elect Ron DeSantis has tapped Simone Marstiller, a former judge, state agency head and lobbyist, to lead the Department of Juvenile Justice arguably one of the state's most troubled agencies in the past. The Department has had an interim secretary, Tim Niermann, since August 28. The former secretary, Christina K. Daly, stepped down last summer after a tumultuous tenure that featured juvenile justice reforms but also the questionable deaths of several youths in state custody. The Miami Herald published an investigation in October 2017 that also revealed some DJJ staffers ignored beatings or offered pastries as bribes for beatdowns of detainees. Marstiller grew up in St. Petersburg and was a judge in the First District Court of Appeal for six years, according to a news release from the DeSantis transition team. In 2001, she was named assistant general counsel to Gov. Jeb Bush, and has served in various high-up state government roles, including secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and deputy attorney general. Since 2017, Marstiller has worked at Gunster, Yoakley, Stewart, P.A, a corporate law and consulting firm. State records show that last year, she registered to lobby Florida's executive branch for Associated Industries of Florida, a business group supported by prominent special interests such as U.S. Sugar and Florida Power & Light. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Researchers have long known that sick children can affect a company's bottom line, as employees are distracted or have to take time off to care for their children. Far less is known about the impact a parent's work life has on their children's health. In a paper published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, researchers report that children's health is less likely to be negatively affected when their parents feel a sense of control over their work lives. "If you can decide how you are going to do your job, rather than having that imposed on you, it is better for children," said co-author Christiane Spitzmueller, professor of industrial organizational psychology at the University of Houston. The good news, she said, is that there are things organizations can do to provide employees with that sense of control. In addition to Spitzmueller, who also is managing director of the Center for ADVANCING UH Faculty Success, authors include first author Eugene Agboifo Ohu of the Lagos Business School in Lagos, Nigeria; Jing Zhang of California State University-San Bernadino; Candice L. Thomas of St. Louis University; Anne Osezua of the Institute for Work and Family Integration; and Jia Yu of the University of Houston. The researchers collected data from both parents and children in Lagos, Nigeria, targeting one group of low-income families and a second group of more affluent families. Teenage children from both groups were surveyed at their schools and asked to assess their own health. Spitzmueller said the researchers expect their findings to be applicable in the United States, as the more affluent families had education levels, incomes and expectations of family life that are similar to those in western nations. While the low-income group included people living in dire poverty, she noted that their responses did not differ markedly from those of the wealthier group. "Economic resources were not as much of a buffer as we would have thought," she said. Instead, feelings of autonomy in the workplace accounted for the difference between families where the parents' work-family conflicts played out in health problems for the children and those whose children fared better. The researchers look at so-called "self-regulatory resources," or the amount of self-control parents bring to parenting, including the ability to act in a more reflective manner. "If a parent has too many stressors, it reduces your self-control," Spitzmueller said. Parental self-control was linked to better health outcomes for children. In other words, how we parent when we experience high levels of stress is probably fundamentally different from how we parent when we are coping well. "At lower levels of job autonomy," the researchers wrote, "employees likely have to rely more on self-regulatory resources to compensate for the impact of limited control over one's job on one's personal life. At higher levels of job autonomy, freedom and more decision-making opportunities are likely to motivate the person to engage; however, self-regulatory resources would be less needed." The impact was most pronounced when job demands are high and job autonomy is low, and Spitzmueller said that allows for potential interventions and policies to address the issue. Some are relatively simple, including teaching parents to take a few minutes to recharge before plunging from the workplace into parenthood. Practicing mindfulness, Spitzmueller said, can allow parents to "replenish their resources." Businesses and organizations can play a role, as well. Although the researchers say their findings are just the start of understanding how parental stressors affect children's well-being, they also encourage workplace interventions aimed at promoting job autonomy. Managers and supervisors can be trained to more effectively deal with their employees and to encourage a greater sense of autonomy, Spitzmueller said. Researchers from the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute have uncovered a cause of declining motor function and increase frailty in C. elegans. Credit: U-M Life Sciences Institute, Stephanie King Research from the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute has uncovered a cause of declining motor function and increased frailty in tiny aging wormsand a way to slow it down. The findings, scheduled to publish Jan. 2 in Science Advances, identify a molecule that can be targeted to improve motor function and indicate that similar pathways may be at play in aging mammals as well. As humans and animals age, our motor functions progressively deteriorate. Millimeter-long roundworms called nematodes exhibit aging patterns remarkably similar to those of other animals, and they only live about three weeks, making them an ideal model system for studying aging. "We previously observed that as worms age, they gradually lose physiological functions," said Shawn Xu, professor at the LSI and senior study author. "Sometime around the middle of their adulthood, their motor function begins to decline. But what causes that decline?" To better understand how the interactions between cells changed as worms aged, Xu and his colleagues investigated the junctions where motor neurons communicate with muscle tissue. They identified a molecule called SLO-1 (for "slowpoke potassium channel family member 1") that acts as a regulator for these communications. The molecule dampens neurons' activity, slowing down the signals from neurons to muscle tissue and reducing motor function. The researchers manipulated SLO-1, first using genetic tools and then using a drug called paxilline. In both cases, they observed two major effects in the roundworms. Not only did they maintain better motor function later in life, they also lived longer than normal roundworms. "It's not necessarily ideal to have a longer lifespan without improvements in health or strength," said Xu, who is also a professor of molecular and integrative physiology at the U-M Medical School. "But we found that the interventions improved both parametersthese worms are healthier and they live longer." Perhaps more surprisingly, the timing of the interventions drastically changed the effects on both motor function and lifespan. When SLO-1 was manipulated early in the worms' life, it had no effect on lifespan and in fact had a detrimental effect on motor function in young worms. But when the activity of SLO-1 was blocked in mid-adulthood, both motor function and lifespan improved. Because the SLO-1 channel is preserved across many species, Xu hopes these findings will encourage others to examine its role in aging in other model organisms. "Studying aging in organisms with longer lifespans is a major investment," he said. "But now we have identified a molecular target, a potential site and specific timing, which should facilitate further investigation." The researchers next hope to determine the importance of the SLO-1 channel in early development in the worms and also to better understand the mechanisms through which it affects lifespan. Explore further Lessons from the worm: How the elderly can live an active life More information: G. Li el al., "Genetic and pharmacological interventions in the aging motor nervous system slow motor aging and extend life span in C. elegans," Science Advances (2018). advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/1/eaau5041 Journal information: Science Advances G. Li el al., "Genetic and pharmacological interventions in the aging motor nervous system slow motor aging and extend life span in C. elegans,"(2018). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau5041 Scanning electron microscope image of Vibrio cholerae. Credit: Wikipedia The most likely source of the cholera epidemic in Yemen has been discovered by scientists. Through the use of genomic sequencing, scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Institut Pasteur estimate the strain of cholera causing the current outbreak in Yementhe worst cholera outbreak in recorded historycame from Eastern Africa and entered Yemen with the migration of people in and out of the region. The results, published today (2 January) in Nature show that genomic data and technologies can enable researchers to estimate the risk of future cholera outbreaks in regions like the Yemen and ultimately be used to better target interventions. Yemen is facing the worst epidemic of cholera since records began. The disease has affected over 1 million people and caused almost 2,500 deaths. The United Nations estimate that 16 million of the 29 million people in Yemen lack access to safe water and basic sanitation. The population in Yemen has experienced two outbreaks of cholera; the first occurred between September 2016 and April 2017, and the second began later in April 2017 and has since resulted in more than 1 million suspected cases. To understand the nature of the strain of bacteria behind these devastating cholera outbreaks, researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Institut Pasteur and their collaborators sequenced the genomes of Vibrio cholerae from cholera samples collected in Yemen and nearby regions. The team sequenced 42 V. cholerae samples from both Yemen outbreaks. To do this samples were collected in Yemen itself and from a Yemeni refugee centre on the Saudi Arabia-Yemen border, along with 74 other cholera samples from South Asia, the Middle East and Eastern and Central Africa. Researchers compared these genomic sequences to a global collection of over 1000 cholera samples from the current and ongoing pandemic, known as the seventh cholera pandemic, which began in the 1960s and is caused by a single lineage of V. cholerae, called 7PET. Scientists discovered that the cholera strain causing the Yemen epidemic is related to a strain first seen in 2012 in South Asia that has spread globally, but the Yemeni strain did not arrive directly from South Asia or the Middle East. This particular cholera strain was circulating and causing outbreaks in Eastern Africa between 2013 and 2014, prior to appearing in Yemen in 2016. Professor Nick Thomson, from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "Genomics enabled us to discover that the strain of cholera behind the devastating and ongoing epidemic in Yemen is likely linked to the migration of people from Eastern Africa into Yemen. Knowing how cholera moves globally gives us the opportunity to better prepare for future outbreaks. This information can help inform strategies for more targeted interventions with the ultimate aim of reducing the impact of future epidemics." Dr. Francois-Xavier Weill, Head of the Institut Pasteur's Enteric Bacterial Pathogens Unit, said: "Genomic analysis continues to show its power to provide a high resolution, detailed view of the bacteria that causes cholera, Vibrio cholerae, which is critical to tackling this devastating disease. Like the other major cholera outbreaks around the world, we discovered that the atypical strain of bacteria behind the Yemeni cholera epidemic is linked to the single lineage called 7PET, which is responsible for the current and ongoing global pandemic. This potentially enables us to focus our research and direct interventions towards this particular lineage of Vibrio cholerae to greater effect." Contrary to previous theories that the two outbreaks of cholera in Yemen were caused by two different strains, this study revealed they were caused by the same strain of the Vibrio cholerae bacterium that entered the Yemen in 2016. While most strains of cholera that are causing epidemics are resistant to many antibiotics, the team discovered the unusual finding that the Yemeni cholera strain was susceptible to many of these antibiotics. Dr. Daryl Domman, a visiting scientist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, now based at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the United States, said: "Surprisingly, we discovered the cholera strain causing the Yemen outbreaks is less resistant to antibiotics than related strains. The strain causing the Yemeni cholera epidemic has deleted four genes responsible for resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics, making itself more vulnerable to treatment." Dr. Marie-Laure Quilici, a scientist in the Institut Pasteur's Enteric Bacterial Pathogens Unit and Head of the National Reference Center for Vibrios and Cholera, said: "This study illustrates again the key role of genomic microbial surveillance and cross-border collaborations in understanding global cholera spread. All countries need to be aware of this and act accordingly if they are to achieve the targets set by WHO's Global Task Force on Cholera Control, which aims to reduce the cholera death toll by 90 per cent by the year 2030." Explore further UN warns of a possible new cholera epidemic in Yemen More information: Francois-Xavier Weill et al, Genomic insights into the 20162017 cholera epidemic in Yemen, Nature (2018). Journal information: Nature Francois-Xavier Weill et al, Genomic insights into the 20162017 cholera epidemic in Yemen,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0818-3 Credit: CC0 Public Domain A research team led by scientists at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health report on a new method to help health officials control outbreaks of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, a life-threatening antibiotic-resistant infection often seen in hospitals. The researchers are the first to reveal the invisible dynamics governing the spread of these outbreaks and demonstrate a new, more effective method to prevent their spread. Findings are published in the journal eLife. The research team developed a computer model of MRSA outbreaks using more than 2 million admission records from 66 hospitals in Stockholm County, Sweden, representing a period of six years. Their model recreated outbreaks of the most prevalent MRSA strain, UK EMRSA-15, which is present in 16 countries worldwide, including the United States. Adapting statistical techniques used in weather forecasting, the model simulates two connected dynamics at the individual scale: transmission within hospitals and infections imported from the community. Information on when and where patients were admitted and discharged and who was diagnosed for MRSA is used to reveal a group of "stealth colonizers"individuals who are infectious but whose status is invisible. The model-inference system estimated as many as 400 asymptomatic MRSA cases per month in the Swedish hospitals, and that up to 61 percent of MRSA infections diagnosed in the hospital setting were imported from the community. More than revealing hidden transmission dynamics, the new MRSA simulation method calculates the chances each patient might get infected. The researchers tested the value of these probabilities by simulating an intervention that provides treatment to high-risk patients. They found their targeted intervention was better at controlling an outbreak than current practices, which involve either treating patients who have spent the most time in hospital, treating patients with the most contacts in hospital, or using contact tracing to treat those patients who were exposed to a patient testing positive for the infection. The targeted intervention provided a 50 percent further reduction in infections and 80 percent further reduction in colonized patients. "Compared with traditional intervention strategies that may overlook a considerable number of invisible colonized patients, this new model-inference system can identify a pivotal group for treatment, namely individuals who may otherwise transmit MRSA asymptomatically," says first author Sen Pei, a postdoctoral research scientist in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Columbia Mailman School. The researchers first validated their inference method using virtual outbreaks generated with the computer model. Unlike records from the hospital, where only infections are observed, this model-generated outbreak "observes" all outbreak characteristics (e.g., the number of "stealth" colonized patients). They then used the simulated observations of infection as input for their model-inference method and were able to reliably estimate the hidden dynamics of the virtual outbreak, including rates of MRSA importation from the community and numbers of colonized patients. These findings confirmed the validity of the approach and motivated its application to the Swedish hospital data. The researchers say they plan on applying their system to to other antimicrobial resistant pathogens and in settings with a higher burden of disease. "Our method provides a powerful and cost-effective way for hospitals and public health officials to contain outbreaks of MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant infections as they become increasingly common," says senior author Jeffrey Shaman, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia Mailman. Explore further Treatment for MRSA no longer more costly than for susceptible Staph aureus infections More information: Sen Pei et al, Inference and control of the nosocomial transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, eLife (2018). Journal information: eLife Sen Pei et al, Inference and control of the nosocomial transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,(2018). DOI: 10.7554/eLife.40977 When expectant parents learn their child will be born with Down syndrome, they invariably have questions about what this diagnosis will mean for their son or daughter and for the rest of their family. When will their child be able to walk, to speak clearly, to care for most basic needs? Will he or she be able to hold a job, to live or travel independently? A new study from investigators at MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) and colleagues in the Netherlands is providing answers to some of those questions. "More and more parents are opting for prenatal testing during their pregnancies, and if they learn about a diagnosis of Down syndrome, they want to know real-life answers to such questions," says Brian Skotko, MD, MPP, the Emma Campbell Endowed Chair on Down Syndrome at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), director of the MGH Down Syndrome Program, and senior author of the study published online in American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A. "Contrary to some public beliefs, people with Down syndrome never stop learning, and functional skills can still be attained and improved well into adulthood." While several previous studies have looked at the development of specific skills by people with Down syndrome, most of them have been small, and several were based in countries where limited support services can restrict the potential of children with Down syndrome. The current study combines the results of surveys taken of more than 2,600 families in the U.S. and the Netherlands. The U.S. survey, sent in 2008 and 2009 to families involved with six nonprofit Down syndrome organizations across the country, asked parents to rank their child's functional abilities in 11 areaswalking, eating, speaking, grooming/personal hygiene, reading, writing, preparing meals, working at a job, going on dates, traveling independently and living independently. They were also asked whether their child had significant health problems or educational/learning difficulties. The same questionnairewith some subtle differences due to translation from English into Dutchwas administered online in mid-2016 to families recruited through the Dutch Down Syndrome Foundation. For both groups, the ages of the family members with Down syndrome ranged from under 5 to over 40, with the largest numbers in the youngest age groups. From the standpoint of major functional milestones, the results indicated that most people with Down syndrome in the U.S. could walk by 25 months of age, speak reasonably well by age 12 years, maintain personal hygiene by 13 and work independently by 20. By the age of 31, 49 percent were reading reasonably well, 46 percent could write reasonably well, 34 percent were living independently, and around 30 percent could travel independently. Dutch parents reported largely similar results. In both groups, learning challenges were reported more often than were health problems, and reports of serious health problems in individuals with Down syndrome increased as they grew older. An associate professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, Skotko explains, "Once a child with Down syndrome is born, parents frequently want to know how well their son or daughter is developing. Now we have guidepostsbased on the responses of thousands of parentsthat can help clinicians know when children may be falling behind their peers with Down syndrome and, when necessary, refer parents to additional supports, resources and therapies." He also notes that recent advances in social, educational and medical supports for people with Down syndrome should lead to even greater improvement in the acquisition of functional skills. Skotko adds, "Here in the U.S., there have been 'wrongful birth' and 'wrongful life' lawsuits filed either by parents of children with Down syndrome or on behalf of the children themselves, claiming that parents were not given information allowing them to terminate a pregnancy or that the child is living a life of suffering. These headline-grabbing lawsuits center around basic questions, such as what a person with Down syndrome can reasonably be expected to achieve. Such discussions should be centered around accurate information, rather than wild, outdated speculation, and we hope our research will help give clearer answers to those questions." Explore further Study finds positive attitudes prevail within families of people with Down syndrome More information: Gert de Graaf et al, Parents' perceptions of functional abilities in people with Down syndrome, American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A (2018). Journal information: American Journal of Medical Genetics Gert de Graaf et al, Parents' perceptions of functional abilities in people with Down syndrome,(2018). DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61004 Adults with cerebral palsy have a higher risk of developing depression and anxiety than their peers without the condition, a new study in the journal JAMA Neurology reports. A team of researchers led by Dr. Kimberley Smith from the University of Surrey and Dr. Jennifer Ryan from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, funded by Brunel University London, investigated the mental health of those with cerebral palsy and compared it with peers of a similar age, sex and socioeconomic status, who were not sufferers. Intellectual difficulties, which can affect many with the condition, were also examined to determine if they have an impact on the development of depression and anxiety. Relatively little is known about the mental health of adults with cerebral palsy as it is often considered to affect only children, despite many living with the condition into adulthood. Researchers examined up to 28 years of UK primary care data of 1,700 adults aged 18 or older with cerebral palsy, and 5,115 adults who did not have the condition. Researchers found that the risk of depression was 28 percent higher and the risk of anxiety was 40 percent higher among adults with cerebral palsy who have intellectual difficulties compared to those without the condition. For those who had cerebral palsy but did not have an intellectual disability, the possibility of developing depression and anxiety increased further. The risk of depression was 44 percent higher and the risk of anxiety was 55 percent higher in adults with cerebral palsy who didn't have an intellectual disability, in contrast to their peers. Lead author Dr. Kimberley Smith, Lecturer in Health Psychology at the University of Surrey, said: "More needs to be done to understand why those with cerebral palsy have a greater risk of developing depression and anxiety. "People with cerebral palsy face unique challenges as they age which could be linked to anxiety and depression. This study has allowed us to define the issue; the next step will be to better understand why it happens so we can develop targeted mental health interventions for this population." Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects muscle control and movement and is usually caused by an injury to the brain before, during or after birth. Latest figures from Scope, the national disability charity, has shown that cerebral palsy affects about one in every 400 children in the UK. It is anticipated by 2031 there will be a threefold increase in the number of people with cerebral palsy over the age of 65. "These findings support the need to consider cerebral palsy as a lifelong condition and to identify and address mental health problems among people with cerebral palsy alongside physical health problems," said Dr. Jennifer Ryan, study co-author and StAR Research Lecturer at RCSI. "Despite historically being considered a paediatric condition, the majority of with cerebral palsy live well into adulthood, and many adults with cerebral palsy experience a worsening of impairments, including a decline in mobility. We hope that the findings of the study will help accelerate a response to adults with cerebral palsy who report inadequate provision of coordinated health services worldwide." Explore further Gene disruption signals cerebral palsy and autism link More information: Kimberley J. Smith et al. Risk of Depression and Anxiety in Adults With Cerebral Palsy, JAMA Neurology (2018). Journal information: Archives of Neurology Kimberley J. Smith et al. Risk of Depression and Anxiety in Adults With Cerebral Palsy,(2018). DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.4147 (HealthDay)College students face a much higher risk for the deadly bacterial infection meningitis B, a new analysis shows. Investigators from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that students who were aged 18 to 24 were 3.5 times more likely to contract meningitis B than their peers who were not in school. The research team, led by Dr. Sarah Mbaeyi from the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said the finding highlights the urgent need to ensure that all students get vaccinated against the disease before they head off to a university. "Meningitis B is an uncommon but potentially deadly bacterial infection that leads to inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord," explained Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. A meningitis B infection may "also may lead to meningococcal sepsis, or bacteria invading the bloodstream," added Glatter, who was not part of the study. "The combination of these factors can make it lethal in less than 24 hours." The latest findings essentially confirm long-standing fears about college-related vulnerabilities, given that "the bacteria that leads to meningitis B lives in the nose and throat and can be spread by close contact from coughing, sneezing or kissing," Glatter noted. "The truth is that health care professionals have always been concerned about the heightened risk of meningitis among college students living in close quarters together and sharing drinks and utensils," he explained. That thought was seconded by Dr. Lucila Marquez, an assistant professor of pediatrics in the section of pediatric infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, in Houston. She said that "college freshmen living in residence halls were previously known to have an increased risk for other forms of meningococcal disease." When the meningitis B vaccine first became available in 2015, college students were not recognized as a high-risk group and not recommended for routine vaccination. But "it's important for college attendees to be vaccinated, because vaccination is the only reliable means of preventing devastating meningococcal disease," said Marquez, who co-authored an editorial that accompanied the study. Vaccination could help protect both the 10 percent to 15 percent of meningitis B patients who ultimately die from their infection, and those who survive the disease only to endure serious long-term health consequences. Given that over one-third of meningitis infections occur among young Americans aged 16 to 23, Marquez stressed that parents "should feel confident that MenB vaccines are safe." During their investigation, Mbaeyi and her team identified 166 cases of some form of meningococcal disease (including B, C and Y infections) between 2014 and 2016 among Americans aged 18 to 24. Of those, 83 were college students. Among the student group, more than three-quarters of the infections were meningitis B, the investigators found. This compared with less than 40 percent of the meningitis cases cited among non-college patients. The findings were published in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics. Still, Glatter observed that the overall risk for contracting meningitis B remains "low," even among college students. The CDC concurs, noting that in 2016 there was a total of about 370 cases of all forms of meningococcal disease across all age groups in the United States. However, "the reality is that we need to better inform parents and health care providers about the importance of vaccinating college students against this potentially deadly illness," said Glatter. "It's simply not worth taking the risk, even in light of the low prevalence of this disease." Explore further Doctors not talking about newer meningitis vaccine More information: Lucila Marquez, M.D., MPH, assistant professor, pediatrics, section of pediatric infectious diseases, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, and associate medical director, infection control and prevention, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston; Robert Glatter, M.D., emergency physician, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; January 2019, Pediatrics Lucila Marquez, M.D., MPH, assistant professor, pediatrics, section of pediatric infectious diseases, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, and associate medical director, infection control and prevention, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston; Robert Glatter, M.D., emergency physician, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; January 2019, There's more on meningococcal disease at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Journal information: Pediatrics Copyright 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. [I]n order to avoid confusion of the publicthe Respondents will use the mark "Habitat International" [ or its translation into Hebrew A.B ] in their advertising materials but may use the mark "habitat" on the actual marketed products. The Appellants may continue using the mark "habitat" [ or its translation into Hebrew A.B ]. whatever that meansAB whatever that meansAB ...[T]he owner of the foreign mark is prevented from effectively expanding its business to the domestic jurisdiction under its own mark. The defendant's interest's on the other hand, cannot be given great weight if its objective is to prevent the foreign trademark's owner's into the domestic jurisdiction; to extract ransom from the foreign when it does enter the domestic market; or to trade on the international reputation of the foreign trademark" (F.M. Mostert, "Famous and Well-Known Marks: An International Analysis" (1997)). As some Kat readers may recall, more than a year ago, IPKat reported that the District Court of Tel Aviv ruled that the mark HABITAT, registered in Israel more than 40 years ago by a local furniture and houseware retailer, should be cancelled on the ground that it had been registered in bad faith. At the same time, the District Court also ruled that both Habitat Israel and Habitat International can nevertheless use the mark HABITAT in Israel in parallel. As further reported, this ruling was appealed by Habitat Israel to the Israeli Supreme Court. On December 17, 2018, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, agreeing with the District Court's analysis of bad faith registration of the mark HABITAT in the 1970s.Before we delve into the Supreme Court's ruling, here is a short recap of the facts: Appellant no. 2, Mr. Abraham Majerowicz, opened a furniture store in Israel in 1972 under the name "Habitat". In 1976, Mr. Majerowicz sought to register the mark HABITAT in Israel but he had to first overcome Habitat International's then-existing registered mark in Israel. He therefore filed and prevailed in a non-use cancellation proceeding. Since then and until 2016, Mr. Majerowicz and appellant no. 1, Habitat Israel (as its licensee), exclusively used the mark HABITAT in Israel.On or about 2016, Habitat International decided to enter the Israeli market and Mr. Majerowicz in turn sought a preliminary injunction on the ground of anticipatory infringement. Habitat International counter-claimed that Habitat Israel and Mr. Majerowicz should be enjoined from using Habitat International's well-known mark and that the registration of the HABITAT mark should be cancelled on the ground of bad faith. The Israeli Supreme Court's ruling touches mostly on the issue of bad faith and only briefly notes (at the very end of the ruling) that the parties will nevertheless be permitted to make concurrent use of the mark, ruling that--It seems to this blogger that the Supreme Court chose to quickly sidestep the issue of likelihood of confusion by means of a briefly stated form of concurrent use, and to conclude with a paragraph that is somewhat perplexing. How does the addition of the generic word International in the respondents advertising but not on their products avoid confusion?Turning to the issue of bad faith registration, the Supreme Court ruled that although the ground of cancellation of a mark due to bad faith registration was explicitly added to the Trademarks Ordinance (New Version), 1972, only in 1999 as part of Israel's adoption of the TRIPS Agreement, this addition was separate and distinct from the concept of a well-known mark that had also been introduced into the legislation (similar to the treatment of both notions in the European Directive 2008/95/EC and the UK Trade Marks Act 1994). Therefore, in considering whether a mark was registered in bad faith in Israel, such mark need not be well-known in Israel.Furthermore, the Supreme Court noted that even where there is no use of an international mark [] in Israel, the local registration may have been made in bad faith if the mark had already gained "international goodwill" [] . In this respect, the Supreme Court seems to rely on Habitat International's then-existing branches in several countries worldwide but, most notably, it gave weight to Mr. Majerowicz's personal knowledge of the mark HABITAT prior to seeking registration.In doing so, the Supreme Court rejected the result of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in, 900 F.2d 1565 (Fed. Cir. 1990), brought by the appellants, citing the criticism to this decision by the noted commentator Frederick Mostert , who argued that--: But the Supreme Court neither further analyzes Mostert's assertion nor explains why it, and not the approach taken incase, should apply to the case at hand. In this respect, in Person's, only seven months had passed between Mr. Christmans (the respondent) initial operation in the US and Person's Co. preparations for entrance into the US market. On the other hand, in the Habitat case, almost 40 years have passed since Habitat Israel registered the mark HABITAT in Israel (and continuously used it since then) and until Habitat International sought to enter the Israeli market.At least, it seems to this blogger that the Supreme Court owed a more substantial explanation for adopting the view of a commentator, as learned as Mr. Mostert is, over that of a judicial decision of a specialist appellant jurisdiction (albeit a foreign one).Picture on the upper right is by Michelle Lai Lai and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share ALikwe 2.0 Generic license Democrats might want to think about whether Trump would come back and demand more funding once whatever they allot runs out. And, as we have argued before, can we afford to build a wall when our deficit continues to increase? Isnt that just as dangerous as the threat of illegal immigrants crossing our border like they have been doing for years? What would happen if our creditors decide to demand repayment? The answer there is both hypothetical and complicated. The point, however, is pretty simple: Unless there is an imminent threat, we cant afford to build walls that are ineffective just to please the presidents fans. Better to save the money and invest it in our future than to waste it on something that looks good in front of the cameras. Dont look now, but were in the midst of another progressive political uprising thats been coalescing since about 2010. And, ever since Bernie Sanders showed the way with his barrier-busting run in 2016, this movement has been steadily expanding, maturing and gaining electoral strength. Indeed, in Novembers congressional, state and local elections, hundreds of the plutocracys servile officeholders were defenestrated by progressive forces and some promising new voices for the people were added. Why should congress critters, lobbyists and other political elites have monopoly control of the public agenda control that allows them to refuse to introduce, debate and vote on much less pass measures that are crucially important to the larger public? A way around them is the dual democratic process of initiative and referendum. When a state or local legislative body obstinately ignores the peoples will, the initiative process allows grassroots citizens to step in and put a law up for a direct vote by the people. On the other hand, when a legislature passes a special interest law the people oppose, the referendum process lets citizens put it on the ballot, giving voters a chance to veto it. Both processes require a prescribed number of registered voters in a particular jurisdiction to sign petitions to put any of their wants and needs on the ballot, and bingo! Their measures will be there for a popular vote at the next election. It lets rank-and-file citizens bypass the middlemen, mitigating the power of increasingly autocratic and plutocratic elites. TWIN FALLS The Twin Falls Police Department and City Council are kicking off the New Year with the formal swearing-in of five new officers. The city on Wednesday will recognized the new officers who will be attending the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training Basic Patrol Academy, Session No. 194, beginning Monday. Additionally, the police department will formally recognize four employees who have been promoted to corporal through a competitive process. Sandy is survived by; her son Brent Williams and his two daughters, Laynee and Jayda of Shoshone; her daughter, Amy Averitte and her son, Bane of Tennessee; her sister, Brenda (Larry) Rice of Twin Falls; her brothers, Frank (Lou) Fuqua of Shoshone and Brad (Sandy) Fuqua of Nampa; and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Bart B.J. whom she mourned for since his tragic death; and her parents, grandparents and many aunts and uncles. In celebration of her life there will be a memorial service to be held at the Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding in the Spring of 2019. The family would like to thank Oak Creek for their loving kind care. Sandy sent this poem to her niece at college. Wherever we go and whatever we do, let us live with this remembrance in our heartsthat we are family. What we give to one another comes full circle, may we always be the best of friends; May we always be one anothers rainbow on a cloudy day; as we have been yesterday and today to each other. TWIN FALLS The Magic Valley Arts Council, Idaho Humanities Council and Independent Television Service will host a new Indie Lens Pop-up free film screening. Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World will run at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9 in the Sligar Auditorium of the Twin Falls Center for the Arts, 195 River Vista Place. A moderated discussion will follow the film. Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World tells the story of a profoundly essential and, until now, missing chapter in the history of American music the indigenous influence. Featuring music icons Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, Jesse Ed Davis, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Robbie Robertson and others, this film shows how these talented native musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives. Film viewers can enjoy a free slice of pizza at 6 p.m. Each additional slice will cost $1. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Now that the Trump administration has moved to ban bump stocks, lawsuits are underway. Congress should cut them off by passing an overdue legislative ban. Bump stocks give legal semiautomatic firearms the functionality of illegal machine guns. They used to be a niche product among gun enthusiasts. Then the shooter in the Las Vegas massacre used them to maximize his rate of fire and the carnage. He killed 58 people and wounded nearly 500. Suddenly, everyone knew about bump stocks. Federal law bans fully automatic weapons but allows Americans to purchase semiautomatic ones. In practice, that means a shooter must pull the trigger each time he wants to fire a round with a legal gun. The speed of ones finger limits how fast a weapon can fire. Bump stocks are a workaround. They use the recoil of the weapon to bump it off the shooters shoulder and back against the trigger finger after every shot. Squeeze once and release leaden fury until you let go or run out of rounds. MILWAUKEE They say whats good for the goose is good for the gander, but when it comes to public records, the state Legislature doesnt seem to believe in this principle. In Wisconsin, cities, police and fire departments, state agencies and even the governors office are required to retain public records and make these available to the public. For example, emails generated by staff in the Department of Justice must be retained for three years from the date of creation and then transferred to the Wisconsin Historical Society or UW-Madison archives. For most of our states history, these rules also applied to those who wrote the laws. But decades ago, when it wrote the law, the Legislature decided to exempt itself from having to retain most records. This exemption means the states 99 representatives and 33 senators can simply destroy or delete records in their possession that they would like to shield from public scrutiny. No one wants people getting sick from their drinking water, Abbott said. Its possible that faulty septic systems are causing some portion of the contamination, or that wells need to be upgraded. Before the study is completed in 2020, researchers plan to investigate a variety of factors that could contribute to contamination, Bradbury said. For example, in the southwest part of the state at least some of the soil is composed of clay, which can slow the downward flow of pollutants. The clay areas need to be better mapped to understand the extent to which they may protect drinking water, Bradbury said. The shallow bedrock and thin soils in southwest Wisconsin make this a vulnerable setting from the standpoint of groundwater contamination, Bradbury said. Now that were beginning to get some solid data sets we can begin to compare the results to physical parameters such as bedrock depth, soil type, and well construction in order to determine the most important factors controlling well vulnerability, he said. [Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify two items in the sixth paragraph. The original said research links "the malady" to health risks in adults but should have said "high nitrate consumption." Also, while diabetes is one of the risks, the link has not been as well established as thyroid disease and cancer.] Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. School funding Evers promised to give schools an additional $1.4 billion in the next state budget. Republicans say thats unrealistic. That sets up the likelihood that the Legislature will write its own budget, but Evers maintains strong veto power that he can use to get it back closer to what he wants. That could force a compromise. Medicaid expansion Evers promised to accept $180 million in federal funding to expand Medicaid coverage for about 75,000 more poor people. But the move would require legislative approval. Fitzgerald said it was too soon to rule it out but Vos said in October it wont happen. Evers plans to count on the money in his first state budget, forcing the GOP to find other revenue sources or make cuts if they wont accept the money. Taxes Evers wants to all but wipe out a manufacturing and agriculture tax credit that Walker and Republicans enacted. Evers proposal would save $300 million, which he would use to cover an income tax cut. Republicans want to keep the credit. Fitzgerald said Senate Republicans are always open to cutting taxes but they wont raise other ones to do it. Prisons A Lake Mills Fire Department captain was killed Monday after he stopped at the scene of a crash on the Beltline and was struck by another vehicle, Monona police said. A vehicle crashed on eastbound Highway 12 near the Yahara River bridge at 6:51 p.m., police said. A second car stopped to assist at the scene, and the driver of the second car was struck by a third vehicle before officers arrived to help with the initial crash. Lake Mills city attorney Daniel Drescher confirmed the driver of the second car was Lake Mills Fire Department Capt. Christopher Truman. Truman, 46, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital where he died, the Dane County Medical Examiners Office said. Police said the driver of the third vehicle, Samuel Patrick Cremers, was arrested on tentative charges of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and causing injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle. On Tuesday night the Lake Mills Fire Department shared a message from the family of the driver Truman was helping. Beginning a brand new year often warrants resolutions, some remaining private while others are meant to be shared with others. Possessing a long time passion for olive oil I recently paid a visit to The Oilerie, 2824 Prairie Lakes Drive, Suite 102, Sun Prairie, and met owner Lori Hackman. My own olive oil knowledge began as a child. I remember the deep, large, rectangular tin of olive oil my father purchased often at DiSalvos Market in the old Greenbush neighborhood and used every night for the salad he made and served before supper. Entering Hackmans Oilerie stirred the past with so much more than ever imagined. It all began in 2003 when Amy Jo and Curt Campbell visited Krakow, Poland, for Easter and visited a small boutique where bulk olive oil was sold in small bottles. Six months later, after returning home to Fish Creek, in Door County, they opened a cottage where bottled extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars were sold. There are now Oilerie stores in nine cities across the country from Oregon to Texas and South Carolina. BURLINGTON The Burlington Liars Club has announced its 2018 winners for Lie of the Year, carrying on a tradition 88 years in the making. The authors of the winning lies are all from Wisconsin, with the winner being from Janesville. The winning lie was: I got my DNA tested by Ancestry and found out that Im 116 German Shepard. Chuck Goldstein, who said he is retired and having fun, has been submitting a lie of the year candidate to the Liars Club for about 10 years. I just think its great fun for people who like to have fun, said Goldstein, 67, who is retired from Johnson Bank in Janesville. I always say, You shouldnt let the truth get in the way of a good story. This is the first year Goldstein won lie of the year and he considers it a lifetime achievement award. One of Goldsteins relatives sent in DNA to Ancestry and that was the genesis of his lie, he said. One of his favorite lies from the past was about the Packers: Im always jealous of my brother-in-law who lives in Michigan. He is an hour ahead of us and he knows the final score of the Packers game before I do. This regard for the land and for the conservation ethic that preserves and strengthens it makes Cole an ideal fit to head the DNR, an essential state agency that takes as its mission a charge: To protect and enhance our natural resources: our air, land and water; our wildlife, fish and forests and the ecosystems that sustain all life. To provide a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities. To ensure the right of all people to use and enjoy these resources in their work and leisure. To work with people to understand each others views and to carry out the public will. And in this partnership consider the future and generations to follow. Evers chose well. So how could anyone have a problem with putting an able and experienced forester in charge of an agency that was neglected and undermined during the past eight years, as politicians who cared more about campaign money than the environment sought to tip the balance in favor of out-of-state interests that saw Wisconsins countryside merely as a place to exploit? Many Republicans, including Walker, hailed the pick. To claim that killing public unions and crippling those in the private sector with a so-called right-to-work law were big contributors to Wisconsin's recovery is nonsense. Most states didn't resort to onerous attacks on workers and their turnaround has been just as good, if not better, than Wisconsin's. The Badger State now ranks 27th among the states in business growth and the state of its economy is also 27th in other words, about the middle of the pack. Only a couple of weeks ago, Walker pointed to a new study showing that the tax burden on Wisconsin citizens has fallen to its lowest point in 50 years. It is now at 10.5 percent of a taxpayer's income, dropping from 10.6 the year before. Neighboring Minnesota, which has continually outperformed Wisconsin in recent years, still ranks among the highest in burdening its taxpayers, all of which shows that states can lower tax burdens simply by cutting taxes and then squeezing services. Kansas did just that under now-departed Gov. Sam Brownback. Its citizens saved big money on taxes, but the schools, for one, have imploded. It isn't as severe as Kansas, but under Walker, Wisconsin too has regressed the past eight years. Some Wisconsin Republican leaders are harrumphing over Gov.-elect Tony Evers' initial Cabinet appointees, complaining that too many are from Milwaukee and Madison and, in the case of Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, miffed that no one consulted him, points out Political Environment blogger James Rowen. He notes, however, how quickly they've forgotten that their own leader, Scott Walker, had four of his Cabinet members oppose him for re-election. Blogging Blue's Ed Heinzelman has a suggestion to help end the deadlock over Donald Trump's beautiful wall at the Mexican border. Since Trump has indicated it doesn't need to be called a wall, Heinzelman says that perhaps we should build a white picket fence instead. Ola Lisowski of the Bradley Foundation-supported MacIver Institute blogs on Right Wisconsin that as Scott Walker leaves, Wisconsin's overall tax burden has fallen to a near 50-year low and the state has ended its fiscal year with a surplus. Walker gets the credit, she says. Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers' priorities for the state of Wisconsin haven't changed much since he was elected in November. Education, health care and transportation top the list as he prepares to craft a budget to send to the Republican-led state Legislature. But after a series of listening sessions in Green Bay, Wausau, La Crosse and Milwaukee and one in Superior led by Lt. Gov.-elect Mandela Barnes Evers has a heightened focus on the state's corrections system as he prepares to be sworn in on Jan. 7. "The whole issue of corrections is something that came up a lot, no matter where we were. I think people would expect that would be a Milwaukee issue, but its an issue across the state, and that ties to so many other things," Evers said in an interview Wednesday. "Were not going to solve that problem through this next budget, but at least I think we can put some building blocks in place." Noting that Republican former Gov. Tommy Thompson has in recent months become a vocal advocate for prison reform, Evers said he's hopeful he can find bipartisan support to reassess the state's approach to criminal justice. Asked if he still thinks it's realistic to reduce the state's prison population by half, he said "certainly, reducing it is." The governor-elect has appointed U.S. Marshal Kevin Carr, a 30-year veteran of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, to lead the Department of Corrections. Both Carr and Evers have pointed to the bipartisan federal passage of a criminal justice reform bill as a sign that similar efforts could be made in Wisconsin. Early this year, Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed into law a plan that will close the Lincoln Hills youth corrections facility by 2021 and send most youth offenders to facilities overseen by counties throughout the state. The law, passed with bipartisan support, followed years of allegations of inmate abuse and unsafe working conditions. Evers said Wednesday the law might not have allocated enough funding to accomplish its goals. "That's an issue I think is an ongoing one, and I look forward to having a Corrections secretary in place so we can finalize that," he said. Evers said his administration will request an extension to delay introduction of his budget proposal, but he plans to release a spending plan for the 2019-21 biennium by late February or early March. That plan will include a 10 percent increase in funding for K-12 schools, as prescribed in the budget request he submitted to Walker in September as state superintendent of Public Instruction. Evers' K-12 budget will include an additional $1.4 billion for schools, including $606 million in new funding for special education programs. It also dedicates an additional $58 million to mental health programs, and an additional $41 million for bilingual-bicultural programs. Under Evers' plan, two-thirds of public school funding would come from the state budget. Medicaid expansion, tax changes The budget Evers submits to the Legislature will also include a proposal to accept federal money to expand Medicaid, something Republicans have firmly resisted under Walker's leadership. According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, accepting the expansion would bring in about $180 million per year in federal funding. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has said as long as Republicans control the Legislature, it will "never" be approved. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, told reporters late last month he doesn't see Republicans supporting the proposal, but that he didn't want to be "presumptuous and rule it out." He walked that statement back in a radio interview the next day. Fitzgerald also said last month that he has heard "serious concerns" from Republican senators with Evers' choice for transportation secretary, Wisconsin Transportation Development Association executive director Craig Thompson, due to Thompson's lobbying history. "Gov.-elect Evers would be better served by nominating someone who worked in a less controversial role during previous policy debates," Fitzgerald said. All of Evers' Cabinet appointees are subject to confirmation by the state Senate, where Republicans will hold a 19-14 majority in the new year. Evers said he believes Thompson will be confirmed. "I dont think they can argue that hes not a capable, competent person, and he knows transportation policy well," Evers said. "Hes been on both sides of the aisle. He brings people together. All of those things are exactly what you want in a transportation secretary, especially in this time when we need to find some common ground, so I think at the end of the day people will understand that and will approve him." Evers' budget will include a 10 percent income tax cut for low- and middle-income individuals and families while scaling back the state's manufacturing and agriculture tax credit, which reduces the state income tax for manufacturers and agricultural producers. He campaigned on both proposals. Challenges raised by lame-duck legislation Asked what would signify a successful term for him when he looks back four years from now, Evers said it's important that he can say his administration "operated in civility and respect and we did not pit people against each other." "That would be a huge step in the right direction, but I also think we will have made some significant gains in making sure our schools are strong, making sure we have a good transportation system and we have adequate and affordable health care," Evers said. "Will we get everything we want? There will be setbacks, Im sure, but at the end of four years we certainly will be there." Evers will take office in the shadow of a lame-duck session that stripped away some of his powers and placed new limits on early voting. Walker, signing the bills, argued they "do nothing to fundamentally diminish executive authority. The bottom line is the new governor will continue to be one of the most powerful chief executives in the country." "Everything in the lame-duck session was disappointing," Evers said, adding that he expects outside organizations will sue the state to undo the legislation, but he and his team haven't made any decisions regarding legal action. Portions of the lame-duck bills related to voting are being challenged by the liberal One Wisconsin Institute and the National Redistricting Foundation. Evers said he was particularly disappointed by provisions of the lame-duck laws that will give legislators increased influence over the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and give the WEDC board, not the governor, the authority to appoint the quasi-public job creation agency's CEO. The governor's power to appoint a CEO will be restored in September 2019. Evers had previously announced plans to dissolve the agency and return to a fully public economic development model. "It hampers my ability to lead on economic development, so were going to need to work around it," Evers said of the law. "Were continuing to do that, reaching out to business leaders in the state directly to see how they would like WEDC to look going forward." Republicans who supported the lame-duck laws said their goal was to ensure balance is maintained among all branches of government and to prevent Evers from undoing their policy achievements from the last eight years through executive orders. Evers said he expects to issue some executive orders early in his term, but he doesn't think they will be "anything thats challenging to the Legislature's authority." "I think we can establish good working relationships," Evers said of the Legislature's Republican leaders. "We need to collectively understand we had an election on Nov. 6, people made it very clear what their priorities are. I think once we collectively understand that, were going to be able to find common ground. No matter what the temperature of the dialogue is, if its really hot or not, that doesnt make any difference to me. Were going to be doing things to solve problems that exist in this state. Robin Vos and Scott Fitzgerald want to have good public schools, good roads and good health care for the people of Wisconsin. We just have to find a way to do it. I think we can." Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. During his gubernatorial campaign, Tony Evers would often say, "What's best for kids is what's best for our state." He said "holy mackerel" a lot, too, but that's another story. The state superintendent of public instruction and Democratic governor-elect will put the spotlight on children during the events scheduled to celebrate his Jan. 7 inauguration. In the days leading up to the ceremony in the state Capitol where Evers and Lt. Gov.-elect Mandela Barnes will be sworn into office, the Evers team will hold three "kids' galas" in Madison, Milwaukee and Madison. The children's events will feature "face painting, a DJ, bubbles, balloon twisting, and much more," according to promotions. Single tickets are available for $5 each, with a set for a family of four available for $15. Children age two and under can attend for free. Performers at the Madison kids' gala 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Jan. 5 include the James C. Wright Middle School Music String Scholars and DJ Nick Nice. Tickets include admission to the Madison Children's Museum. He is perhaps best known for his photo of a salmon leaping directly into the mouth of a bear. He also took a well-known photo of three polar bears hanging out, one lying on his back as though watching TV. Mangelsen won the prestigious BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 1994, largely for a photo of a polar bear walking across a vast sheet of ice as an arctic fox trots beside the bear. Asked if there are photos that hes missed or blown, he said: There are thousands that got away. And asked if hes ever lost a camera, he said many hes driven over cameras and seen them disappear in bodies of water. Others just seemed to slip away. Mangelsen, who grew up in Grand Island, Ogallala and Omaha, will turn 73 on Jan. 6. He has close to 20 of these exhibits planned in cities across the country, but Omaha had the first. Besides an Omaha gallery at 1115 Harney St., Mangelsen has galleries in California, Colorado, Illinois, Utah and Wyoming. He intends to get back to Africa and India. He said his energy and ambition to shoot great nature photos remain. I think I have quite a bit, God willing. His friend, researcher and writer Jane Goodall, keeps going in her mid-80s, still testifying about the importance of the natural world. Mangelsen said: Shes my inspiration. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Ronald Reagan The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive. Albert Einstein If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack. Winston Churchill It isnt so much that liberals are ignorant. Its just that they know so many things that arent so. With integrity nothing else counts; Without integrity nothing else counts. Winston Churchill Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself. Harvey S. Firestone It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office. H. L. Menken Referenda insure all have a voice in land use decisions. U.S. Supreme Court Listen carefully to first criticism of your work. Note just what it is about your work the critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping. Jean Cocteau We're sorry, but Newspapers.com doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. You will need to enable Javascript by changing your browser settings. Learn how to enable it. RYDE Transit - Public Transportation is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule a ride in Dawson County or Lexington call 308-324-3670. Public Transportation is easy to ride and open to everyone. PUBLIC LIBRARies The Lexington Public Library will will re-open on Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 9:00 a.m. The Lexington Public Librarys Novel Stitchers meets on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m. If you enjoy stitching--knitting, crocheting, quilting, cross stitch, needlepoint, or have another portable stitching project--join us at the library for two hours of stitching and visiting. We will meet on Thursday, Jan. 3 and Tuesdays, Jan. 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Library Board Room. We would love to have you join us. Lap Sit/Storytime for children, age birth to five years, meets at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays beginning Jan. 9. Each Lap Sit/Storytime offers an educational experience for children with stories, songs, activities, and simple crafts. This program is offered every Wednesday, when Lexington Schools are in session Many high school students in the United States get hands-on training in construction skills by building real houses. One such program was created for construction and design students in Waterloo, Iowa. The students have already received training in many areas of house construction. They have put up walls, built windows and doors and completed some wiring. The project is run by the Waterloo Career Center. The center offers students different programs designed to prepare them for careers in technical fields. Students from the Waterloo Community School District recently took part in construction training that centered on the skill of masonry work done with stone, brick or concrete materials. The students spent five days at their school learning from experienced workers from the Masonry Institute of Iowa, a professional organization. The workers taught the students how to mix mortar and build walls with bricks and blocks. One of the goals for the students was to build a pier a solid support built to hold vertical pressure. It usually goes out from land and into water. The students moved the mortar onto pieces of wood and then added bricks and blocks to form walls. Hunter Pierce was one of the students taking part. He told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier newspaper that using the right amount of material is a very important part of the process. You put a lot of mortar there so you have a lot of contact, just so in a couple years it doesnt fall apart, he said. Chris Busch helped oversee the students efforts. He told the newspaper that learning such skills will help the students be able to build their own solid structures later in their careers. Busch said that, in this kind of hands-on setting, students can learn exactly how much mortar is needed to create a safe wall. He explained that the right mortar level for the students pier project should be about one centimeter. The students started the pier by putting five blocks in place. They finished the project by putting bricks and mortar on the outside to complete the look. As the students worked, Busch offered them an important piece of advice. He told the students to be sure to use a leveling tool to check that the wall stands straight and level. Its funits something to do, West High student Nathan Elliott told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. He added that this kind of learning is much better than sitting at a computer. I like the hands-on stuff, he said. Other students also said they liked this method of learning. Some said it got them excited about future careers in construction. These are the kinds of comments Chris Busch likes to hear during his training activities at schools. This is basically part of our recruitment, he said. However, he knows that no matter how good their training experience is, not every student will end up working in masonry. Busch adds that bringing the program into schools is an important way to find the next generation of workers. This is great having a whole week in here to present masonry to kids, he said. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press and Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Quiz - US High School Students Learn Construction by Building Homes Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story construction n. the act or process of building something mortar n. mixture of substances used between bricks or stones to keep them together brick n. small, hard block of baked clay that is used to build structures beam n. long, thick piece of wood, metal, or concrete that is used to support weight in a building or other structure recruitment n. the act of trying to convince someone to work for a company or join an organization Two women have entered a Hindu temple for the first time since a ban was lifted on female visitors between the ages of 10 and 50. The women entered the Sabarimala temple in the southern state of Kerala on Wednesday. The move led to large protests across the state. The longtime ban barred women or girls of menstruating age from entering the temple, which draws millions of visitors each year. Some Hindus consider menstruating women to be impure. Indias Supreme Court ordered a lifting of the ban in September. But despite the ruling, opponents and conservatives continued to block women aged 10 to 50 from entering. A local police spokesperson said officers walked with the two women Wednesday to provide protection during their visit. The Reuters news service reported that a police official said officers also guarded the homes of the women after they left the temple. Police were also prepared to go with other women who wanted to enter the temple, the official said. Protests broke out in several places in Kerala state after the women entered the temple. The police spokesperson said demonstrators blocked several roads and threw rocks at officers. He added that police fired tear gas in an effort to stop violence. There were no immediate reports of injuries. Police officials said they were preparing for more demonstrations on Thursday because several political and Hindu groups have called for a strike to protest the womens entry. On Tuesday, millions of women in Kerala joined hands to form a human link that stretched more than 600 kilometers. The act was a showing of support of gender equality. The Communist Party of India, the ruling party in Kerala state, said about 5.5 million women took part. On Wednesday, hundreds of women in Mumbai, Indias financial capital, also formed a human chain to express support for the women in Kerala. The Supreme Court has agreed to re-examine its decision to lift the ban, after numerous legal challenges were brought against it. Opponents of the ruling have argued that decisions made by the temples religious leaders are protected by Indias constitution. They also note that women of all ages can worship at other Hindu temples. The Kerala state government has sought to permit women to enter the Sabarimala temple. But the position has drawn criticism from other political parties. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis BJP party opposes the Supreme Courts decision. Modi told Indias ANI news service that he felt the temple issue was more about religious tradition than gender equality. He noted that there are also temples that bar men from entering. Im Anna Matteo. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story temple n. building where people in some religions go to pray or worship menstruation n. of or relating to the flow of blood that comes from a woman's body each month gender n. the state of being male or female challenge n. an expression of disagreement with ideas, rules or authority worship v. to show respect and love for God by praying or attending religious services Scientists say images from NASAs spacecraft New Horizons show a snowman-like object in the cold, icy part of our solar system. The snowman, named Ultima Thule, orbits an area known as the Kuiper Belt. The area has hundreds of thousands of objects that could hold the keys to understanding the beginning of our solar system. Jeff Moore leads the New Horizons geology team. He said the spacecraft is like a time machine, taking us back to the birth of the solar system. Early images show that Ultima Thule is about 31 kilometers by 19 kilometers. Alan Stern, the lead investigator for the mission, said, Its two completely different objects that are now joined together. Ultima Thule likely formed as a rotating cloud of small, icy objects started to combine. Over time, two larger objects remained and slowly joined together in what scientists called contact binary. The mission team named the larger object Ultima and the smaller one Thule. In the early hours of January 1, the New Horizons spacecraft flew by Ultima Thule. The fly-by took place at 05:33 UTC. But the signal to confirm the spacecrafts location did not reach Earth until 10 hours later. When New Horizons left Earth in 2006, scientists did not even know about Ultima Thules existence. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine congratulated NASA's New Horizons team, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the Southwest Research Institute for making history. He said, In addition to being the first to explore Pluto, today New Horizons flew by the most distant object ever visited by a spacecraft and became the first to directly explore an object that holds remnants from the birth of our solar system. The spacecraft will continue sending images and other data over the next 20 months. The New Horizons team is already pushing for another flyby in the 2020s while the spacecraft systems are still working. I'm Jonathan Evans. Hai Do wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story binary - adj. relating to or consisting of two things or parts location - n. a place or position Chinese President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that independence for Taiwan is against history, and that no political party can stop the path toward reunification. In a policy speech centered on Taiwan, Xi said, We are willing to create a vast space for peaceful reunification, but we will never leave any room for any sort of Taiwan independence separatist activities. Taiwans leader rejected Xis call just hours later. President Tsai Ing-wen said her self-governing island of 23 million people would never accept the one country, two systems plan that China proposes. She said, China must face the fact of the existence of Taiwan, Republic of China, and not deny the system of a democratic country that has been commonly built up by the Taiwanese people. Taiwan split from China in a civil war that brought the Communist Party to power in China in 1949. The opposing Nationalists set up their own government on the island about 160 kilometers off the Chinese mainland. Xi proposed talks between the two sides to work out a systematic arrangement for the peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship. Tsai said Taiwan is willing to talk, but it must be with the approval of the Taiwanese people. Tsai has gone against the wishes of the Communist Party by refusing to support the one-country, two systems plan. Xi said going against the one China principle will result in tension and turbulence. Xi also said that China has the right to use force if necessary to answer interference by outside forces and what he called an extremely small number of Taiwanese separatists. The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story strait - n. a narrow passage of water that connects two large bodies of water turbulence - n. a state of confusion, violence, or disorder Black Girl Magic Sworn into Office in Houston HOUSTON (AP) Black Girl Magic has met the bench with the swearing-in of 17 African-American female judges in the Houston area. The 17 women all won races in last years election to be judges in various Harris County courts. Their Black Girl Magic campaign debuted over the summer with a viral photo that featured the 17 women and two other sitting Harris County judges inside a courtroom. The women were sworn in on Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT Those behind the campaign say it was part of an effort to broaden the diversity of the Houston areas judiciary and ensure that more African-Americans and other minorities can bring their backgrounds and life experiences to the bench and better reflect the diversity of the nations fourth-largest city. 5 surprising ways that hearing loss can really hurt you People who have difficulty hearing often believe they have an explanation, and Ed Kocher has heard many of them over the years. A spouse is always mumbling. The sound system at church is bad. They make all these different excuses because they dont want to admit they have a problem, says Kocher, a certified audioprosthologist and founder of Advanced Tech Hearing Aid Centers. If that sounds like you or someone you know youre not alone. A national study by researchers at the University of Michigan found that 29 percent of people in their 50s suffer from hearing loss. That number jumps to 45 percent for those in their 60s, nearly 70 percent for people in their 70s and almost 90 percent for those in their 80s. Age, exposure to noise, medical conditions such as diabetes and sleep apnea, and a variety of medications can all contribute to hearing loss. But despite its prevalence, few who suffer from hearing loss do anything about it. Of the 28.8 million U.S. adults who could benefit from using hearing aids, only 30 percent of those 70 and older use them. For those ages 20-69, that figure is significantly lower, at 16 percent, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Kocher notes that it generally takes an average of seven years from the time people notice symptoms of hearing loss until they actually seek professional help. Why? For some, its vanity. For others, its denial. And sometimes its simply viewed as an unavoidable and not-very-serious side effect of aging. Theres no pain involved, so theres no urgency, Kocher says. But, he says, there should be. The consequences of ignoring hearing loss go far beyond a few misunderstood conversations or a worn-out volume button on the TV remote. They can even be life-threatening. Among them: Depression: Hearing loss affects the ability to listen to people and fully participate in everyday activities. When they start having hearing loss, people stop going to places and doing things they used to like to do, Kocher says. Maybe a person likes to go to bingo, but now they can no longer hear the bingo numbers being called. They isolate themselves. Lifespan: Studies show that adults with untreated hearing loss have a shorter lifespan than those who treat their hearing problems. Balance: Even mild hearing loss can triple your fall risk, and every additional 10 decibels of hearing loss increases that risk by 1.4 times, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and National Institute on Aging. Cognitive decline: A related study from the same team found that untreated hearing loss speeds up age-related cognitive decline by as much as 30-40 percent. Some possible explanations include social isolation and the fact that the brain may be expending too much energy on processing sound at the expense of memory and thinking. Dementia: Adults with mild untreated hearing loss are twice as likely to develop dementia. Those with severe hearing loss are five times as likely to develop dementia, the study found. Some signs you may be suffering from hearing loss include: Constantly asking people to repeat themselves. Always feeling as if others are mumbling or speaking too fast so that you cant hear and understand all the words. Turning up the volume on the TV to the point where it annoys others. Speaking louder because you have difficulty hearing the sound of your own voice. Having been repeatedly exposed to loud noises. Next to aging, noise is the most prevalent cause of hearing loss, Kocher says. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.1 billion young people between the ages of 12 and 35 are at risk of hearing loss to due recreational exposure to noise. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in its analysis of a recent health survey, reported that nearly a quarter of adults ages 20-69 had hearing test results suggesting noise-induced hearing loss. Kocher recommends adults have their hearing checked annually by a professional after the age of 50 to determine if hearing loss is present and what is the best course of action should a hearing loss be confirmed. Hearing aids are available in a wide range of prices and models. Although actual hearing loss will not progress any faster without hearing aids, your ability to distinguish speech will. The more your ears become accustomed to not hearing sounds, the weaker the part of the brain that processes those sounds will become from lack of use. If you dont use it, you lose it, Kocher says. Advanced Tech Hearing Aid Centers is located at 1887 Lititz Pike, Lancaster. For more information on hearing loss, and a complimentary hearing screening and consultation, visit www.adtechctrs.com or call 717-560-5023. For a chance to win a free hearing aid, click here. Major educational initiatives launched in 2018 underscore Gov. Tom Wolfs commitment to a more holistic approach for evaluating student and school success, one that relies less on test scores and focuses more on developing the skills students need to be college, career and community ready. The Pennsylvania Department of Education thanks students and their parents, public officials, school administrators and the commonwealths dedicated educators for helping us as we chart a new course in education policy. Parents and teachers across the commonwealth have made it clear that there is too much standardized testing. In response, testing time was reduced this spring for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment for students in third through eighth grades, providing more critical time for learning. Wolf also signed a new law that updates high school graduation requirements, giving students several options beyond testing to demonstrate what they have learned and that they are ready to graduate from high school to start a career or continue their education. Parents, educators and communities said we need a better way to evaluate schools with a broader set of measurements. As part of the state plan under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, the department launched the Future Ready PA Index (futurereadypa.org), the Wolf administrations new public-facing, one-stop location for comprehensive information and data on student and school success. Developed with input from thousands of stakeholders, the tool uses a dashboard approach to present school-level data and provide parents with a more comprehensive look at how schools are educating all students. For students to succeed, the commonwealth must continue to increase and retain the number of qualified school leaders serving our public schools. In 2018, 73 superintendents and charter school directors graduated from the departments innovative Superintendents Academy, a two-year professional development program. The second and third cohorts are currently underway. Students must feel safe in school and parents confident that their children are protected. In 2018, Wolf created the Pennsylvania School Safety Task Force, of which I am a member. The task force released recommendations on how the state, community and school officials should work collaboratively with each other and students and families to use all the tools at their disposal to prevent school-based violence. In addition, the state is investing $60 million to help communities protect students and secure schools. Over the next decade, seven in 10 new jobs in Pennsylvania will require workers to use a computer. In November, Gov. Wolf launched the next phase of his PAsmart initiative, providing $20 million to increase access to science, technology, engineering, math and computer science education, with an emphasis on girls, minorities and other underserved students. Pennsylvania now ranks second in the country for investments in K-12 STEM and computer science. In December, the department unveiled Pennsylvanias new school improvement strategy, which designates schools in need of more support. The schools will receive a variety of supports tailored to their unique needs. Ultimately, this extra support will create a more successful learning environment for students. Through these initiatives, Pennsylvania is building a broader, fairer, and more meaningful portrait of school and student progress and success, and were honoring our states equity commitments by helping to ensure that every student in the commonwealth gets the education he or she needs to be successful. Pedro A. Rivera has been the Pennsylvania Secretary of Education since 2015. He lives in Lancaster and previously served as the superintendent of the School District of Lancaster. East Hempfield Township police is investigating an incident in which a vehicle crashed into a utility pole in front of Villa Nova West on Columbia Avenue shortly before midnight Monday. One person was temporarily trapped inside the vehicle and transported to Lancaster General Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said. The roadway was closed for about two hours following the crash, which occurred at 11:53 p.m., police said. No injuries were reported inside the restaurant. Anyone with information regarding the crash is asked to call Officer Christopher Keen at 717-898-3103 or to submit a tip through the department's CrimeWatch website. Manheim Township police charged an 18-year-old man and his girlfriend after they say the pair attacked an officer at the scene of a New Years Eve car crash. Police said Joshua J. Luciano, 18, head-butted and tried to choke the officer, who was treated for minor injuries at Lancaster General Hospital and released. Luciano, of Lancaster city, has been at Lancaster County Prison since Monday after he was unable to post $150,000 bail. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and aggravated harassment by a prisoner; one count each of strangulation, corruption of minors and simple assault; and three counts of harassment. His 17-year-old girlfriend was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and harassment. She was taken to the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center, police said. According to police, Luciano and his girlfriend punched an officer who was investigating the early afternoon crash in the 1400 block of Harrisburg Pike. Luicano was one of the drivers involved in the two-car crash, which happened near the United States Postal Service building, police said. The police officer was on scene for about an hour when Luicano became uncooperative around 2:22 p.m., according to police. The second driver involved in the crash and a passing motorist witnessed the alleged attack and assisted the officer, who was able to call for backup, police said. Luciano continued to fight with officers, spitting on them and kicking them on the way to the police station, police said. His preliminary hearing is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11 before Magisterial District Judge David P. Miller. Officers from three jurisdictions responded to the incident. LAist only exists with reader support. If you're in a position to give, your donation powers our reporters and keeps us independent. Our reporting is free for everyone, but its not free to make. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Not too long ago, it was fairly rare for California cities to elect council members based on separate districts rather than competing citywide. But now, a rapid shift is underway. This past November, 57 cities across California changed how they elected city councils, switching for the first time to elect council members by distinct geographic districts. Many are located in Southern California. "If you haven't been paying attention, we're actually in the middle of a revolution in local governance in California," said Kati Phillips, a spokeswoman for California Common Cause, a nonprofit that's helped some cities organize independent citizen panels to draw up new council districts that previously were often created by politicians. Here's how district elections work: Instead of picking representatives to represent the entire city, known as at-large elections, cities that switch to district elections slice the city into geographic areas. Council members are then elected to represent just the designated neighborhoods near where they live. The shift means changes for residents who live in those cities, and even more cities are likely to change to district elections soon. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? The changes are due in large part to legal challenges based on the California Voting Rights Act of 2001. The law protects people of color against voting systems that limit their political voice and seeks to allow minority voters more representatives of their choice. The argument? Citywide or at-large elections tend to produce councils that fail to represent all neighborhoods -- particularly disadvantaged ones. Some councils overseeing cities with diverse populations were led by all-white members, or included several city council members who lived in the same affluent part of the city. "In a lot of cases, these [California Voting Rights Act] lawsuits are responding to a real, just startling lack of representation in local government, and they're just demanding that the status quo can't remain," Phillips said. Some of the lawsuits have been brought by attorneys like Malibu lawyer Kevin Shenkman, whose aggressive tactics include threatening to sue cities. Legal costs can soar into the millions of dollars. WHERE IS THIS HAPPENING? Over 100 of California's approximately 480 cities currently use district elections for their city councils. Costa Mesa was among the cities that made the switch from at-large elections for the first time in 2018. Voters there elected three Latino council members, the first time Latinos had been elected to the council in the city's history. More than a third of Costa Mesa's residents are Latino. Though the job of council member is officially nonpartisan, 23-year-old Manuel Chavez is a Democrat. His election was part of a blue wave that flipped the Costa Mesa council to a majority Democratic panel. It was a big shift for a body that voted last spring to oppose California's sanctuary state law after a heated debate between anti-immigrant backers of the resolution waving American flags and those opposed to it. "It gives us a chance to have a voice, a bigger voice than we would have before," Chavez said of the city's district elections. Manuel Chavez, 23, is among three new Latino city council members in Costa Mesa. Until this year, no Latinos had ever been elected to the city's council. (Mary Plummer/LAist) Palm Springs is set to transition to districts in November 2019. The desert city is already notable as the first city in the country with an all-LGBT council. But Council member Lisa Middleton said there's more work to do. In a city where Latinos make up more than a quarter of the population, every sitting council member is white. "In the 80 years that we have been a city, we've elected one African-American and one Latino to our city council. That is it for individuals of color," she said. Middleton hopes the switch to district elections will redistribute some of the city's political power. Not all cities are making the shift peacefully. Santa Monica has been fighting a voting rights act lawsuit since 2016, essentially arguing that it doesn't need it. Santa Monica Mayor Gleam Davis points out the city is just 8.3 square miles, and she says it lacks many challenges faced by other large cities. "We are one community. There are certainly issues that affect one neighborhood more than another. But one of the great things about Santa Monica is that we all figure that we're in this together," she said. Davis also points out voters in Santa Monica have twice rejected measures calling for the city to switch to district elections. WHAT CHANGES HAVE COME ABOUT SO FAR? The changes brought on by the California Voting Rights Act thus far have been modest. Of the 57 newly districted cities in 2018, 25 increased representation for minority groups. That's fewer than half of the cities, points out Robb Korinke with the bipartisan public affairs consulting firm GrassrootsLab. The firm has been tracking local government elections for about a decade. "It's really in the last two years that this extremely large volume .... of cities have been moving to districts," Korinke said, adding that close to three-quarters of cities with districts have drawn those up within the last two years. Korinke says the number of cities making the shift to district elections will continue to grow. He anticipates about a third of all cities in California will soon hold district elections. ARE CITY COUNCILS THE ONLY GOVERNING BODY AFFECTED? No. School boards and some other governing bodies like community college districts are making the switch to district elections as well, often prompted by similar lawsuits. Some big cities like Los Angeles, San Diego and Long Beach have long held district elections. Now, medium-sized and smaller cities are increasingly making the move away from at-large districts. WHAT'S THE COST TO TAXPAYERS? Since lawsuits are driving a lot of the change, the cost is largely dependent on how the governing body chooses to respond. Back in 2015, the city of Palmdale agreed to pay out $4.5 million plus interest to lawyers of three minority residents who sued the city. The city ultimately agreed to the settlement after years of legal battles. In Palm Springs, the final defense-related costs will be about $30,000 paid to the plaintiff's counsel, according to Middleton, the council member. The sum is far less than the city likely would have paid trying to fight the legal challenge. WHAT ARE THE DOWNSIDES? California's city governments are incredibly diverse in size, demographics and many other factors. Some argue that district elections make a lot more sense in certain locations than others. One negative consequence of moving to district elections: when residents vote by districts, passing controversial initiatives that might benefit an entire city becomes harder. Individual districts may oppose housing for the homeless located in their neighborhoods, for example. In less populated cities, a candidate could potentially win with a very small number of votes in district elections. And, under district elections, elected officials can be ousted a lot easier than in a citywide election because a recall election takes far fewer votes and less community organizing. HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? District elections tend to lower the barrier to participating in local politics. Depending on what stage in the process your city is in, you could help determine district maps or even consider running for office yourself. Reaching out to city officials is one good place to start, if you are interested in getting involved. The League of California Cities maintains this online database of city contacts across California. You can hear the full audio version of this story here. Hey, thanks. You read the entire story. And we love you for that. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you, not advertisers. We don't have paywalls, but we do have payments (aka bills). So if you love independent, local journalism, join us. Let's make the world a better place, together. Donate now. James Mattis resignation letter laid bare the frightening future of national security under President Donald Trump. The defense secretary made it clear that he could no longer serve a president who betrays our friends and bows to our adversaries. The last straw was Trumps green light to Turkey to massacre our Syrian Kurdish allies. But what finally drove Mattis out was not just Trumps callous indifference toward Americas friends. It was also the way Trump has turned foreign policy-making into a one-man show based on personal whim or self-aggrandizement. The last significant foreign policy brake on the self-styled genius in the White House will now be gone. Americans better hunker down for 2019 because Trumps stunning decision on Syria highlights every dangerous component of his policymaking approach. Consider them one by one: Trumps foreign policy process has become so chaotic it is almost nonexistent. Trump suddenly tweeted the news that 2,000 U.S. forces would leave Syria within weeks without prior consultation with any of his team not the Pentagon, not his secretary of state, not his national security adviser, not his commanders, not Congress, not NATO allies fighting alongside us in Syria, not the Kurds. Some reviewers have accused Plomin of being a genetic determinist that is, putting too much emphasis on genes as the drivers of our futures. In the introduction to the book, he does indeed say that genetic testing could provide a sort of crystal ball. But in our conversation, he said genetic tests (and family members) show us a future that might be not a future that must be. You might have a high risk of becoming an alcoholic, and knowing that might make you more conscious about avoiding this outcome. He said he had a high risk of becoming overweight, and that he is indeed somewhat overweight and has fought the battle of the bulge for years. But he doesnt think that means he cant achieve a healthy weight. Plomin has also studied twins and the similarities between monozygotic, or identical, twins. They share almost identical DNA and usually look quite similar, but of course they are unique individuals. That was strikingly illustrated in the recently released documentary Three Identical Strangers, about monozygotic triplets separated in infancy and reunited at 19. The three young men looked alike, had the same smile and the same gestures, but (spoiler alert) one was much more troubled than the other two and eventually killed himself. He also noted that while it would be good if more people could get vocational education it would also be good if even more could go to college. On average, all degrees in all fields from all colleges generate an annual return between 9 percent and 16 percent, and this return is supplemented by additional benefits to health, happiness and the quality of life. How could anyone think we need fewer college graduates? That is a lifetime advantage, however, and not an immediate return. So, critics who want fewer college degrees need to think differently, he says. They focus almost entirely on the price of college and on the salaries students might earn in their first jobs. That is a mistake.... The idea that we would be better off with fewer college graduates is a short-term swindle, a swindle that would cheat Americas young people, weaken the nations economy, and undermine our future. We need to have the confidence to invest in our young people and to ensure that a college education is accessible and affordable for students from all backgrounds and financial circumstances. Orla believed in the benefits of college education, and, now, so do I. Wisconsin needs to reinvest in its public universities and make college more affordable. - Communist leader Joma Sison said that their principal work for 2019 is to oust the Duterte regime - He said that President Rodrigo Duterte is not serious about pursuing peace talks with the communist rebels - However, Sison said that they are still open with having peace negotiations with the government PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Founder of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and Chief Political Consultant of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Joma Sison said through a lengthy Facebook post that the communist rebels are working on the ouster plot of President Rodrigo Duterte this 2019 as it is their principal work. KAMI learned that the NDFP is still open for peace talks with the government even after President Duterte ended his peace negotiations with the communist rebels and accused them of attacking the government troops during the peace talks. "The NDFP is authorized to be open to peace negotiations with the current and prospective regime of the reactionary government but its principal work now is to work for the ouster of the Duterte regime," said Sison as reported by ABS-CBN News. Sison also stated that this 2019, the Philippines will suffer more socioeconomic and political crisis under the Duterte regime by imposing higher taxes to the citizens. The Filipino people expect that this year, 2019, the socioeconomic and political crisis of the ruling system will worsen and that the Duterte regime will not solve or soften but will even aggravate the crisis by imposing heavier taxes and causing the prices of basic goods and services to rise further and to use the tax revenues and public debt to feed bureaucratic corruption and raise spending for the military and police in order to carry out his terrorist all-out war aimed at suppressing the revolutionary movement of the people, Sison stated. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! In a report by CNN Philippines, the armed wing of CCP, the New Peoples Army will be launching more attacks against the government due to the extension of martial law in Mindanao. Sison also said that President Duterte is not really serious about the peace negotiations. In a previous report by KAMI, an alleged former member of CCP had called out the NPA for its deceit and lies. A certain Ka Danny exposed the alleged truth behind the communist rebels and criticized Sison as head of the communist group. POPULAR: Read more news about President Duterte! Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Guess what, it's our special edition of the tricky questions challenge, in which you will find lots of Christmas songs and joyous laughter! Merry Christmas everyone from the whole HumanMeter team on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel! Source: Kami.com.ph - Archbishop Socrates Villegas mad an open letter for his godson - In the letter, he mentioned about the anti-Christs - He said that anti-Christs are those who call God stupid PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Known as a Church leader in the Philippines, Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas spoke about the so called Anti-Christ in his New Year message. KAMI learned that Villegas expressed his concerned through an open letter to his godson, Seth. You are subjected to so much vulgarity and violence that I fear you might catch the wrong values which can ruin your future as a good Filipino and as a good child of God, said Villegas in a report by Inquirer. According to the Archbishop, the anti-Christs are those who set bad example to children. Do not listen to him who tells you it is useless to go to Church and attend Mass. Whoever teaches you that is anti-Christ and there are many of them, including those who look at it is a joke. They are not for Christ. They are against Christ, Villegas stated as reported by Manila Bulletin. They who call God stupid is anti-Christ. Pray for these people but do not imitate them. Respect them as elders but do not follow their bad example, the Archbishop added. Villegas also mentioned about making fun of women and joking about rape. Do not laugh when older men make fun of women. That is vulgar and if you laugh or imitate them, you become vulgar yourself. Rape is not a joke. Immodesty is not laughing matter. Respect girls and women always. You have no excuse to abuse women especially the poor women, Villegas said. Never call people names nor use cuss words even as expressions. Dirty words that come out of your mouthfoul language, lies, gossips, slander, malicious jokesmake you crass and ungentlemanly. Shameless crass people use such dirty words. Do not imitate. They are anti-God; they cannot be honorable, he 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! Villegas also encouraged his godson to be loyal to the Catholic Church. We are not spotless like angels but in our weaknesses, God still uses us for His mission. Walang silbi? Yes we are but if we are able to do anything good at all, all is because of Gods mercy. In mocking priests and bishops, you do what anti-Christs do. Be a loyal son of the Catholic Church, he said. Villegas did not mention any name. However, in a previous report by KAMI, President Rodrigo Duterte has made a controversial remark about calling God stupid. Later on, KAMI also reported that the President said members of Catholic Church should not go to church and pay for these idiots. Instead, people should build a chapel at their own house and pray there. Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Guess what, it's our special edition of the tricky questions challenge, in which you will find lots of Christmas songs and joyous laughter! Merry Christmas everyone from the whole HumanMeter team on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel! Source: Kami.com.ph The State Departments commentary on Tuesday stood in apparent contrast to President Donald Trumps announcement in December that American troops would soon be withdrawing from Syria, following what he characterized as victory over the Sunni militant Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The announcement was met with anxiety by a number of US allies, and Israeli officials quickly reported that they would be stepping up their own efforts to prevent the spread of Iranian influence and the further proliferation of Shiite militant groups backed by Tehran. In the wake of this reaction, Tuesdays statements by Pompeo and Palladino may have been aimed at providing reassurance and clarifying the forthcoming reorientation of US strategy. Such statements may play an important role at a time when media outlets and experts on regional affairs are still issuing warnings about the potential consequences of an abrupt or unconditional withdrawal of American forces. The Algemeiner issued one such warning on Tuesday, reiterating that the US presidents announcement may be regarded by Tehran as a green light to build a new war machine in the region. The article explained that Israel has already launched strikes on Syrian territory in response to the perceived proliferation of Iranian arms, including missiles already used by Hamas and other enemies of the Jewish state. The Algemeiner also noted that as the influence of Iran and its local proxies has grown, Syria has become an increasingly reliable conduit for the smuggling of Iranian arms to militant groups in other countries, particularly to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Up to this point, Iran-backed Syrian militants have been counterbalanced to some degree by rebel groups that fought against both ISIL and the Syrian dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad. Naturally, some of these groups enjoyed US backing, and the mission of American troops in Syria was to provide them with support and training. And although rebel coalitions have been largely destroyed by the Syrian military and its Iranian and Russian allies, Kurdish forces have remained a strong force in the nations affairs. The Algemeiner points to the future of Syrian Kurds as a particularly concerning topic in the wake of Trumps withdrawal announcement. Specifically, it notes that Iranian officials and their proxies in both Syria and Iraq have reached out to the Kurds, who expect to come under serious threat from Turkey once they lose US support. The article describes this outreach as an expression of an Iranian intention to fill a vacuum created by the withdrawal of foreign forces that have lately challenged Tehrans efforts to effectively take over Syria and extend Tehrans Shiite crescent of influence to the shores of the Mediterranean. As evidenced by the recent commentary of Iraqi militia leaders on the Syrian situation, many of the concerns about Iranian influence over Syria apply to Iraq as well. With this in mind, the head of Israeli military intelligence commented upon Irans growing influence at a conference on Monday and underscored Israels concern that the Shiite majority in Iraq could continue to trend toward support of the Iranian theocracy and its regional interests. Reuters quoted Major General Tamir Hayman as saying Iran may see Iraq as a convenient theater for entrenchment, similar to what they did in Syria, especially if Trump follows through on disengaging from the region. Hayman called particular attention to the efforts of Irans foreign expeditionary force, the Quds Force, which handles Irans regional proxies and may encounter less obstacles to that project if US strategy shifts toward lesser confrontation of the Islamic Republic. Reuters added that as in Syria, Iran has provided ballistic missiles to Iraqi allies, and would likely escalate such activities in presence of fewer obstacles. On the other hand, a direct military presence in the region is not the only means by which the Trump administration has sought to confront the Islamic Republic. And even putting aside the State Departments assurances regarding support for the direct presence of allies, the White Houses larger strategy appears to remain unchanged. Whats more, according to one report by Kurdistan 24, the administrations imposition of wide-ranging sanctions on Iran and its business partners may be having the effect of reducing the regimes influence in Iraq and elsewhere, at least where economics are concerned. The report quoted Heshmatullah Falahatpisha, the head of the Iranian parliaments national security and foreign policy commission, as saying that Irans place is empty in Baghdads bazaars and the Islamic Republics balance sheet of financial transactions with its neighbor is negative. This supposed dwindling of influence was attributed both to the effects of US sanctions and to competition in both the economic and political spheres from Irans regional competitors, including some of those that are seeking reassurance from the State Department, such as Saudi Arabia. While the efforts of the Quds Force have helped Iran to secure a strong foothold in Iraqs government and military infrastructure, Falahatpishas commentary suggests that Saudi Arabia and Turkey are making much greater inroads economically. The Iranian lawmaker went on to suggest that this trend could threaten Irans overall influence. Whatever we have sacrificed in the political and military areas, he said, would be virtually lost if Iranian entities lost their place of prominence in the Iraqi economy. But even if economic sanctions and the efforts of US allies in the region succeed in undermining Irans influence of Iraq, it is reasonable to assume that much broader challenges will remain. Tehrans efforts to expand its influence throughout the Middle East are ongoing and appear to be increasingly broad-ranging, as well as increasingly brazen. The Telegraph pointed out on Tuesday that Tehran had effectively stopped denying the activities it has long been accused of undertaking in Afghanistan. Although Tehran and the Taliban represent opposing sides of the Muslim sectarian divide, and although they have been directly at odds with each other in the past, there have been numerous reports in recent years of Iranian officials holding meetings with Taliban leaders in the interest of establishing a partnership aimed at driving American forces out of the region. These reports were effectively confirmed on Monday following a visit to Tehran by a Taliban designation, which described the relevant meeting as a discussion of Afghanistans post-occupation situation. The Iranian government confirmed the meeting, which the Telegraph said would be viewed with concern by hawks in Washington, who fear that Trumps planned withdrawal of troops from Syria and Afghanistan will cede regional influence to Iran. Regardless of the effects of such talks on Irans long-term regional influence, their short-term promotion serves the regimes propaganda interests, which have been backed up in recent weeks by boastful commentary on a supposed upsurge in Iranian military development and readiness. Reuters reported on Tuesday that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps had announced plans to equip small, fast-attack boats with stealth technology and new missile launchers. Although there was no clear sign of Irans progress toward fulfilling this promise, this will presumably be of little consequence to enemies of the United States who share Irans vision of a regional resistance axis. And until Irans regional influence is effectively obstructed, those entities can be expected to take Irans military boasts at face value, as well deriving inspiration from the likes of Mohammad Baqeri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, who said Monday that Iran has a powerful, elite, and modern military presence and that the withdrawal of American forces from Syria represented a humiliating defeat for the global superpower. The Vatican blocked US bishops from taking measures to address the clergy sex abuse scandal because US church leaders didn't discuss the legally problematic proposals with the Holy See enough beforehand, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press. The 11 November letter from the Vatican's Cardinal Marc Ouellet provides the primary reason that Rome balked at the measures that were to be voted on by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops at its 12 to 14 November meeting. The blocked vote stunned abuse survivors and other Catholics who were demanding action from US bishops to address clergy sex abuse and cover-up. Ouellet's letter undermines the version of events provided by the conference president, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo. It could also provide fodder for questions during a spiritual retreat of US bishops, dedicated to the abuse crisis, that opens on Wednesday, 2 January, in Chicago. Also Read: Pope Removes From Cabinet Two Cardinals Named in Abuse Scandal They may want to know why, as Ouellet noted in the letter, the draft proposals only arrived at the Vatican on 8 November, four days before the US bishops' meeting began. While the Vatican is known for its slow pace, even the speediest bureaucracy would have found it difficult to review and sign off on sensitive legal documents in that time. Considering the nature and scope of the documents being proposed by the (conference), I believe it would have been beneficial to have allowed for more time to consult with this and other congregations with competence over the ministry and discipline of bishops, Ouellet wrote to DiNardo. Main Goal of US Bishops' Fall Meeting Was to Approve a Code of Conduct for Bishops Such back-and-forth, he wrote, would have allowed the documents to "properly mature." The main goal of the US bishops' fall meeting had been to approve a code of conduct for bishops and create a lay-led commission to receive complaints against them. The measures were a crisis response to the scandal over ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, a once-senior American cleric who is now accused of molesting minors and adults, and new revelations of old sex abuse cases in Pennsylvania. Story continues DiNardo stunned the bishops when he opened the assembly on 12 November by announcing that "at the insistence of the Holy See" the bishops would not be voting on the measures after all. He said the Vatican wanted them to delay a vote until after Pope Francis hosts a global summit in February on preventing sex abuse by priests. While DiNardo blamed the Vatican, the letter from Ouellet suggests that the Vatican thought DiNardo had tried to pull a fast one by intentionally withholding legally problematic texts until the last minute. It is not surprising that Rome wanted a say in crafting the text, given the Holy See has exclusive authority to investigate and discipline problem bishops. Also Read: Turn Yourself In: Pope Tells Priests Guilty of Sexual Abuse "While fully aware that a bishops' conference enjoys a rightful autonomy ... to discuss and eventually approve measures that are within the conference's powers, the conference's work must always be integrated within the hierarchical structure and universal law of the church," Ouellet wrote. DiNardo Responds to Letter Obtained by The Associated Press In a statement on Tuesday, 1 January, to AP, DiNardo characterized the dispute as a misunderstanding. He said he assumed the Vatican would have had a chance to "review and offer adjustments" to the measures after the US bishops approved them, not before. He insisted that US bishops were not trying to appropriate Vatican powers for themselves. It is now clear there were different expectations on the bishops conferences part and Romes part that may have affected the understanding of these proposals, DiNardo said in a statement. From our perspective, they were designed to stop short of where the authority of the Holy See began. The US strategy, it seems, was to avoid drawn-out negotiations before the vote so the US bishops could present the Vatican with documents after the fact. Legally speaking, the US bishops didn't need Vatican approval prior to the vote. But since the Holy See would have to approve the proposals afterward for them to become binding, consultation on the text was necessary and strategically wise to do so beforehand, said Nicholas Cafardi, a US canon lawyer. Also Read: Why The Catholic Church Is Its Own Worst Enemy in India Today DiNardo, in his statement to the AP, said he had shared the "content and direction" of the proposals with multiple Vatican offices in October and drafted the final text after encountering no opposition. "We had not planned, nor had the Holy See made a request, to share the texts prior to the body of bishops having had an opportunity to amend them," he said. During a 12 November press conference, DiNardo was asked when the Vatican was actually consulted about the measures. He replied the texts were finalized 30 October and that the delay in finishing them might have been a problem. "So it's not surprising, on one level, that people would be catching their breath, perhaps even in Rome," he told reporters. DiNardo also acknowledged, when pressed by a reporter, that the texts themselves had some legal problems, though he downplayed the severity of them. In his statement to AP, DiNardo said he had told Ouellet that failing to vote on the texts "would prove a great disappointment to the faithful, who were expecting their bishops to take just action. Though there were canonical precisions mentioned, the emphasis seemed to be on delaying votes and not wanting to get ahead of the (pope's) February meeting of episcopal conference presidents," he said. Also Read: Scandals Have Outraged and Driven People Away, Admits Pope Francis Ouellet did indeed cite the February meeting in his letter, saying any document "should incorporate the input and fruits of the college of bishops' work of common discernment." But the February summit was announced on 13 September. If that were the primary reason for Ouellet's demand to scrap the US vote, he could have communicated that to DiNardo a lot sooner. Instead, as the 12 November deadline loomed for the start of the US meeting and still no text proposals had arrived in Rome, Ouellet wrote DiNardo an initial warning on 6 November not to vote. Five days later, in his 11 November letter, Ouellet reaffirmed that decision after having finally read the text. That also undermined DiNardo's claim to have only received the request to delay the vote the night before the meeting began. (Published in an arrangement with Associated Press) . Read more on World by The Quint.RSS & BJPs Nehru-Netaji Cosplay: Irony Dies a Thousand DeathsLatest News: 15 Killed, 20 Missing in Indonesia Landslide . Read more on World by The Quint. Reactions poured in from several quarters as news trickled in on Wednesday, 2 January, that two women below the age of 50 had created history by becoming the first to enter Sabarimala temple. Scriptwriter and activist Deedi Damodaran welcomed the entry of the two women three months after the Supreme Court permitted women of all ages to enter the Ayyappa temple. She said, History will be obliged to Kanaka and Bindu for proving that the Constitution is something that really exists. They have done it by risking their life, daring to face the consequences. We all are obliged to them. The entry of Bindu and Kanakadurga, who had both attempted to enter the temple in December but were barred by protesters, comes a day after the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government organised the Womens Wall campaign to raise awareness about their stance in the Sabarimala issue besides reinforcing the states commitment to renaissance values and improving the status of women in society. The Womens Wall, saw lakhs of women participate in the human chain that stretched from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Also Read: Sabarimala Shut for Purification After Two Women Entered to Pray Govt Was Waiting to See Success of Womens Wall Writer CS Chandrika said, "Personally what I feel is that the government was waiting to see the if the Women's Wall was a success or not. The government was waiting to gain support system through the Women's Wall, lakhs of women who participated in the Wall will be obliged to Kanaka and Bindu, " No other news would be as happy as this for the New Year. Now it wont be easy for the RSS and the BJP to create trouble in the issue. Though some statements from Kadakampally Surendran (Devaswom Board Minister) could have been avoided, the Chief Minister had been very guarded, firm and mature in handling and finally implementing the verdict, she added. Heard that women entered Sabarimala. If it is true, it's not just the start of a New Year but of a new era, said writer Sethu. Story continues "I have been thrilled, so much of happiness and excitement. I have goosebumps, what a happy news to welcome a new year. On Tuesday we built the Women's Wall, it indeed turned out to be a fort. Even before we finish building the fort we have done it. I have been watching these two women, Bindu and Kanaka for the courage they have, for their determination. They have preserved the self-esteem of women," said writer S Saradakutty. Also Read: Sabarimala Row: Kerala Women Form Human Wall for Gender Equality Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also received a word of praise. "The presence of mind of the Chief Minister should be appreciated, he thought wisely, created the apt environment, done it without any sensation, very peacefully," she added. (This article was first published on The News Minute and has been republished with permission.) . Read more on India by The Quint.RSS & BJPs Nehru-Netaji Cosplay: Irony Dies a Thousand DeathsTriple Talaq Bill in RS Today, Rahul to Speak on Rafale in LS . Read more on India by The Quint. Dubai [UAE], Jan 2 (ANI): Kagiso Rabada, who finished as number one on the 2018 ICC Test bowlers rankings, on Wednesday said when South Africa play against India, his side is the best. Given how well Indian quicks had done in South Africa and England in 2018 and against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rabada was quoted by ICC as saying: "People will have their opinion." "But obviously, when we play we believe we are the best. The Indians are a good attack; everyone here experienced it when they came down to South Africa. But when we play against them, we will believe we are the best - you have to," he added. Rabada also said that his hunger to improve has not diminished. "There are obviously a few goals I would like to achieve and the team as well. Just to improve on what I feel I could have done better last year. There are always things you want to improve on. You never really arrive, ever." "I am always looking for places to improve on. But at the same time, I have learnt to acknowledge my strengths and realise that things won't come so quickly. You have to look at the minor battles," Rabada concluded. (ANI) Two women who were on their way to the Sabarimala temple were stopped by protesters at Neelimala in Kerala on Wednesday, 16 January. On 8 January, the Kerala High Court had said that the state government should be able to identify those with a hidden agenda who intended to disrupt peace at the shrine. (Get live updates on the Sabarimala row here.) On 2 January, two women Bindu and Kanakadurga had entered the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple to offer prayers The shrine was closed for purification rituals hours after the women entered the shrine On 28 September 2018, the Supreme Court had lifted the ban on the entry of women of menstruating age (between 10-50) at the Sabarimala temple Both BJP as well as Congress workers have been protesting against the verdict Cong, BJP Hit out at CPI(M)-Led LDF Govt for 'Lying in the Affidavit' Strongly reacting to the CPI(M)-led LDF governments submission of an affidavit in the apex court, the main opposition Congress and the BJP hit out at the state government, alleging it was lying in the affidavit, PTI reported. BJP state President P S Sreedharan Pillai termed the government's submission as "the biggest lie of the century." "In case if anyone had visited the temple, they should have come openly. Everything should have been done in a transparent manner. The CPI(M) and the government had failed in the Sabarimala issue and this was an attempt to hide it. They are fooling people," Pillai told PTI. The Congress also trained its guns on the LDF government, saying the state administration had became "a laughing stock after submitting erroneous and misguiding affidavit." "This submission of wrong affidavit has brought shame to the state. The Chief Minister was responsible for this," PTI quoted KPCC President Mullappally Ramachandran as saying. Controversy Erupts over Kerala Govt's Affidavit in Supreme Court Controversy erupted in Kerala after the CPI(M)-led LDF government on Friday, 18 January, submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court claiming 51 women in menstrual age entered the Sabarimala temple during the ongoing annual pilgrimage season. Story continues The BJP, the Sabarimala Karma Samiti and the Pandalam royal family, associated with the Lord Ayyappa temple, came down heavily on the state government saying there were discrepancies in the age of the women devotees mentioned in the affidavit. 7,564 women had registered online for visiting the hill-top shrine. As per the virtual 'queue' facility reports, 51 women between the age group of 10-50 have visited the temple. However, we don't know whether all of them have managed to reach the Sannidhanam (temple complex) and offered prayers or not," news agency PTI quoted Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran as saying in Thiruvananthapuram. Two Women Stopped by Protesters at Neelimala Two women below the age of 50, Reshma Nishanth and Shanila Satheesh, who attempted to make the trek to Sabarimala temple early Wednesday morning, were stopped by protesters at the hill. Nisha and Shanila were among the three women who organised the press conference in Kochi in November 2018, to express their wish to visit the Sabarimala temple. Reshma and Shanila reached Neelimala along with seven other men in their team. However, around 4.30 am, they were stopped by protesters. Due to the growing protests, they were forced to stop their trek despite heavy police protection. After almost 3 to 4 hours of protests, the two women and others were taken to the Pamba police control room. As the duo were being escorted in the police vehicles, a few protesters were seen running behind the vehicle, heckling and booing at them. (TNM) Facebook Collective Claims Dalit Activist Offered Prayers at Sabarimala A Facebook collective called Navothana Keralam Sabarimalayilekku, which when translated reads as Renaissance Kerala towards Sabarimala, which says it supports the entry of women of all ages into the shrine, has released videos reportedly showing a 36-year-old Dalit activist named Manju offering prayers at the temple on Tuesday, 8 January, The Indian Express reported. The videos reportedly show Manju reaching the shrine at about 7.30 am on Tuesday morning. State Govt Should Identify Those with 'Hidden Agenda': Kerala HC The Kerala High Court on Tuesday, 8 January, observed that Sabarimala is meant for devotees and stated that the state government should be able to identify those with a hidden agenda who intend to ruin the peace at the shrine. The court added that if the government was not able to control the law and order situation at the temple, outside agencies too could be brought in for help, The News Minute reported. Elephant Tramples Sabarimala Pilgrim to Death A Sabarimala pilgrim was trampled to death by a wild elephant in a forest area, 60 km from Kottayam on Wednesday, 9 January, police said. Paramasivam, 35, from Salem in Tamil Nadu was attacked by the jumbo as he along with his seven-year-old son and 13 others, were going to the Lord Ayyappa shrine through the forest route from Erumely to Pamba at around 1 am. While others managed to flee the spot, Paramasivam, who was said to be carrying his son on his shoulder, could not. His son managed to escape. Six from Tamil Nadu, on Way to Vavar Mosque, Held Palakkad Six people, including three women, who wanted to visit the famed Vavar mosque at Erumeli near the Sabarimala temple, have been arrested on charges of trying to create animosity between religious groups, police said on Tuesday, reported PTI. All the six, said to be members of the Hindu Makkal Katchi, hail from Tamil Nadu and wanted to visit the vavar mosque, which is related to the Sabarimala pilgrimage, they said. Daughter of Woman Who Tried to Enter Sabarimala Denied School Admission On 22 October, Bindu Thankam Kalyani tried to enter Sabarimala. She was unsuccessful, as protesters surrounded her and chased her. Ever since, the Dalit activist has had to face constant harassment, and was even evicted from her rented house. Now, Bindus 11-year-old daughter has been denied admission in a school after protests outside the said institution. On Monday Bindus daughter was denied admission at Vidya Vanam Higher Secondary School at Anaikatti in Tamil Nadu, owing to the protests from local residents. Vidya Vanam which is on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border had agreed to give her admission earlier, but refused on Monday. Journalist Wears Black Veil to Protest at BJP Press Conference Photojournalist Jayamohan Thampy, who was beaten up by a right-wing hartal supporter on Thursday, 3 January in Kollam, tied a black cloth over his mouth at a press conference held by BJP general secretary K Surendran on Monday, 7 January, The News Minute reported. Kerala High Court Bans Flash Hartals In the backdrop of violence over Sabarimala temple, he Kerala High Court on Monday passed an order banning flash hartals, The News Minute reported. The Court has held that any group that wishes to call for a hartal should declare it seven days prior and any citizen can approach the court, challenging the hartal during the seven-day notice period. The order was passed by a division bench of Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar on a Public Interest Litigation(PIL) filed by the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 10 Devotees Killed in Road Accident Ten residents of Andhra Pradesh were killed in a road accident in Tamil Nadu, while returning after worshiping Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala, The News Minute reported. The accident took place on the Thirumayam bypass road in Pudukottai district. 14 devotees from Andhra Pradesh were travelling in a white van on the bypass road when a container lorry from the opposite direction, allegedly came into the wrong side of the road and smashed into the vehicle. Reports state that seven devotees died on the spot while three others succumbed to their injuries at the Pudukottai government hospital. 10 Sabarimala Pilgrims From Telangana Killed in Road Accident in Tamil Nadu Ten Sabarimala pilgrims from Telangana died in a road accident near Thirumayam town in Pudukottai district of central Tamil Nadu on Sunday after their vehicle collided head-on with a lorry. Five others have sustained grievous injuries, a senior police officer told PTI, adding that some of the deceased were in their early twenties or early thirties. "The incident happened at around 3 pm when the tempo in which the Sabarimala pilgrims were travelling from Karaikudi to Pudukottai collided with a lorry that was coming from the opposite direction," ta police officer told PTI. No Violence Other than the One Created by RSS, BJP: Vijayan Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Sunday that he will not be cowed down by threats of "constitutional consequences" for Sabarimala violence. Vijayan asked the BJP national leadership to instruct its cadre in Kerala to stop creating violence in the state. "The state has a constitutional duty to implement the Supreme Court order. There is no violence other than the ones created by the RSS, BJP and the Sangh Parivar. And now they are threatening the state with constitutional consequences." - Pinarayi Vijayan said in a Facebook post The chief minister's post came on a day Union minister Smriti Irani alleged that the CPI(M)-led LDF government was arresting BJP workers for raising their voice against the state. Cong Slams BJP for 'Instigating Violence' in Kerala The Congress on Sunday accused the BJP of instigating violence in Kerala over the Sabarimala issue and blamed the CPI(M) government for failing to maintain law and order in the state. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also said the BJP government should bring a law that marries the rights of women of Kerala to the long-held traditions of society there. Attacking the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala for allegedly "failing" to protect law and order in the state and the BJP for allegedly fomenting trouble, the Congress said the law was necessary to find a solution to the problem. Over 5,700 People Arrested in Sabarimala Violence At least 5,769 people have been arrested in connection with the Sabarimala violence across Kerala and 1,869 cases have been registered, reported PTI. In Pathnamthitta district, where the Sabarimala temple is located, 267 cases have been registered and 677 people arrested so far. While in Palakkad, 283 cases have been registered so far and 764 persons arrested, in Kannur district, where crude bombs were hurled at the house of Thalassery MLA AM Shamseer and BJP leader and MP V Muraleedharan, 225 cases have been booked and 394 arrested so far. When Kerala CM Gives One-Sided Statement, It Flares up the Situation: RS Rathore Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore told ANI, The law and order situation in Kerala is very alarming, just 2 days ago there was an attack on the house of BJP MP V Muralidharan Ji, when the CM of Kerala gives a one-sided statement it flares up the situation. Over 3,000 Persons Arrested At least 3,178 persons have been arrested in connection with the Sabarimala violence across Kerala. A total of 1,286 cases registered against 37,979 persons. UN Encourages All to Respect the Law In the background of a series of violent incidents in Kerala over the Sabarimala issue, the UN has said that the body encourages all to respect the rule of law. The UN Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary General, told, As you know, this is an issue on which the Supreme Court of India has commented. So, we will leave the matter in the hands of the rule of law authorities in India. Of course, we want all parties to respect the rule of law, and you're aware of the UN's position and its fundamental position on the rights on equal rights of all people. When asked by a reporter that not allowing women to enter the temple is a violation of human rights, given the Supreme Court verdict, he reiterated that the UN "obviously" encourages all to respect the laws of the country, reported Money Control. CM Pinarayi Vijayan Slams Congress for Stand on Sabarimala Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan slammed Congress for their stand on the Sabarimala issue. The national leadership of Congress has objected to the stand taken by KPCC and Ramesh Chennithala. Even the attempt by UDF MPs to meet the Prime Minister seeking an ordinance on Sabarimala has been thwarted by the AICC leadership, he said, reported The Times Of India. Earlier, some leaders had threatened self-immolation if women entered Sabarimala. I dont know what they are saying now. Nobody should go to such extremes, he added. "They want to form a new front in state like the way they did in 1991. Congress, IUML and BJP are having an unholy nexus like the one they had earlier." - Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Chief minister to The Times Of India Prohibitory Orders Imposed in Two Regions of Kozhikode The Kozhikode rural police have imposed prohibitory orders in Perambra and Vadakara in Kozhikode district for five days from Friday. This was imposed to regulate public assembly and post-hartal violence, reported The News Minute. The prohibitory orders will restrain the political groups from organizing public gatherings and open protest programmes and thereby calming down the situation, reported The Times Of India. Police have also banned use of placards, publicity material, display of posters. Country Bombs Hurled at House of BJP Leader Country bombs were hurled at the ancestral house of BJP MP C Muraleedharan at the Erinjoli area in Thalassery. Muraleedharans house was attacked by unidentified men who came in a vehicle, hurled country bombs at the house and left, reported The News Minute. No one was injured. Bombs Hurled at Houses of Left Leaders in Kerala Violence erupted across Kerala on Friday night with bombs hurled at the house of Thalassery MLA and CPI(M) leader AN Shamseer among other places. Unidentified persons riding a bike hurled a bomb at Shamseer's house at Madapeedikayil near Thalassery in Kannur district of northern Kerala at around 10.15 pm, police told PTI. This was an RSS conspiracy to instigate violence in the state. They intend to create violence and destroy the peaceful atmosphere of the state, Shamseer told media. The attack happened when the Left leader was attending a peace meeting organised at Thalassery after widespread violence had hit the state following the hartal declared by right-wing groups over the entry of women in Sabarimala. Kamal Haasan Blames Right Wing for Inciting Violence Actor-politician Kamal Haasan has squarely blamed the right-wing for "inciting" violence in Kerala after Hindu fringe groups ran riot in Kerala on Thursday over entry of two women into the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala. "Violence has been incited by the right wing," the veteran actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief said. BJP-RSS Mounted 'Surgical Strike' on Kerala: Agnivesh Social activist Swami Agnivesh today slammed the BJP-RSS for the violent protests unleashed by it in Kerala against the entry of young women into the Sabarimala Temple and said the Sangh forces had mounted a "surgical strike" on the state. He congratulated Bindhu and Kanakadurga, the women in their forties, who had offered prayers at the Ayyappa shrine on 2 January scripting history, saying that the duo had raised the banner for womens liberation and empowerment for all oppressed women in the country. Explanation Sought on 'Purification' Rituals From Chief Priest Devaswom Board seeks an explanation within 15 days from chief priest of Sabarimala Temple for the "purification" rituals carried out after two women in their early 40's entered the temple on 2 January. Sec 144 Imposed in Nedumangad, Valiyamala Police Station Limits Section 144, prohibiting assembly of more than four people in an area, has been imposed in Nedumangad and Valiyamala police station limits in Thiruvananthapuram for three days. Prohibitory Orders Imposed in Palakkad Town in Kerala Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Palakkad town and Manjeswaram Taluk of Kasargod district in northern Kerala on late Thursday night after widespread protest erupted over the entry of two women in their menstrual age in to Sabarimala temple. Palakkad District Collector D Balamurali issued the order for Palakkad Town after considering the reports filed by various officials including the district police chief. "Prohibitory order has been imposed till 6 PM today after considering the tense situation prevailing in the town. We have called for an all-party meeting at 4 pm. Further decisions will be taken after that meeting," Balamurali said. 1,369 People Arrested About 1,369 people have been arrested, 717 taken into preventive detention in connection with protest violence over the issue of entry of women into Sabarimala temple, reported ANI. Over 800 cases were registered by Friday, 4 January, over the incidents of violence in Kerala. Congress Wants Peace in Sabarimala: KC Venugopal in LS Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Congress MP KC Venugopal said that his party wanted a solution to Sabarimala and that the government was promoting violence in the state, reported ANI. Two CPI(M) Workers Arrested Two CPI(M) workers were arrested on Friday, 4 January, under sections 302 and 307 for the death of Sabarimala Karma Samiti worker Chandran Unnithan at Pandalam, reported ANI. Thrissur Police Arrest Three SDPI Workers The Thrissur Police on Friday, 4 January, arrested three SDPI workers in connection with the attack on BJP workers a day earlier, reported ANI. Did Sri Lankan Woman Enter Sabarimala? She Says No Uncertainty prevails over whether a 46-year-old Sri Lankan woman entered the Sabarimala shrine and worshipped the deity on Thursday, 3 January. Though multiple reports quoted police sources saying that the woman did enter the shrine, she herself has denied this. The woman, identified as Sasikala, daughter of Asok Kumaran reached Sabarimala on Thursday night with her family. The Hindu and The Times of India reported that the woman, accompanied by plain-clothed police officers, had prayed at the temple and then returned to Pamba. Read full story here. Around 745 People Arrested, 628 in Preventive Custody As many as 745 persons were arrested, while 628 others had been taken into preventive custody in connection with the violent incidents on Thursday, 3 January, reported The Indian Express. Sonia Gandhi Stops Congress MPs' Black Band Protest After Congress MPs wore black arm bands to to Lok Sabha chamber to protest women's entry in Sabarimala, the former Congress president Sonia Gandhi asked them to not proceed with it. Gandhi said that the party stands for "gender equality and women's rights" and told the MPs that they can conitnue their protests in Kerala as part of local politics, but it should not happen at national level, reported The Indian Express. Section 144 Imposed in Palakkad Section 144 imposed in Palakkad as a "volatile situation has arisen" in the municipal area "where large scale violent" activities took place. Ayyappa Devotees Stage Demos in Hyderabad on Sabarimala Issue Groups of devotees of Lord Ayyappa held demonstrations Thursday, 3 January, in different parts of the city in protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, as reported by news agency PTI. Holding placards that read "Save Sabarimala", the protesting devotees took out a rally in Saidabad area here and squatted on the road. They raised slogans against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and later also burnt his effigy. NSS in Kerala Demands Ordinance to Protect Temple Tradition The Nair Service Society (NSS), a caste organisation in Kerala, has urged the Central government to issue an ordinance to protect Sabarimala's traditions, according to News18. Kerala CM Lashes out at BJP, RSS for Violence During Hartal Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Thursday, 3 January, lashed out at BJP and RSS, accusing them of unleashing violence during the hartal over the Sabarimala women's entry issue, saying it was a 'conspiracy for political gains' and would be dealt with strongly, as reported by news agency PTI. He also said that devotees at the temple never had any issue with women visiting the shrine and all the violence that started hours after their visit was a "conspiracy for political gain by the RSS". KSRTC Bus Services to Kerala Resumed Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services to Kerala have been resumed, reports ANI. Kerala Guv Asks CM to Provide Report on Attacks Governor P Sathasivam has asked Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to provide a report on the incidents of violence across the state on Thursday, 3 January. The governor said he had sought an urgent law and order report from the CM on incidents of violence and destruction of private and public property in Kerala. "I appeal to all sections of people to maintain calm and peace," ANI quoted him as saying. Over 200 Arrested For 'Attacks' During Hartal 266 persons have been arrested and 334 are in precautionary detention in connection with the attacks during hartal called by various organisations over women entry in the temple, news agency ANI reported. Modi Reveals Communal Mindset: CPI-M Prime Minister Narendra Modi has revealed his "communal mindset" by taking different lines on gender equality on the issues of triple talaq and women's entry into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, the CPI-M was quoted as saying by news agency IANS. An editorial in the CPI-M journal 'People's Democracy' hailed the Women's Wall, a 1 January protest in which over 5.5 million women created a 620 km-chain from Kerala's Kasargode to Thiruvananthapuram in support of gender equality. "On the day the Women's Wall came up, Modi sought to justify the BJP-RSS stand on Sabarimala," the Communist Party of India-Marxist said. Youth Congress Members Detained by Police in Kochi Youth Congress members protesting outside the IG office over Sabarimala row were detained by police in Kochi on Thursday, 3 January, ANI reported. Fresh Violence Breaks Out in Palakkad According to The News Minute, fresh violence erupted between BJP, LDF workers and the police in Palakkad. An incident of stone-pelting was reported when LDF workers were marching towards the BJP office in the area. Police reportedly used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Hindu Outfit Members Vandalise Kerala Bhavan in Chennai A gang of at least eight to ten people on Wednesday, 2 January, vandalised a hotel belonging to the Kerala Tourism Department in Chennai, according to The News Minute. The miscreants, members of Hindu Munnani, entered the premises and smashed the window panes of the building. The police said six Hindu Munnani members were arrested on charges of criminal intimidation among other things. AIDWA Objects to 'Purification' Ritual After Women's Entry into Temple The All India Democratic Women's Association has expressed strong objection to the 'purification' rituals carried out by the priests after two women of menstruating age visited the Sabarimala temple, calling it "demeaning" as it projects women as "impure" and "unclean", as reported by PTI. 60 Protesters Held in Tn over Women's Entry into Sabarimala Sixty workers of a Tamil Nadu-based fringe Hindu outfit were arrested for trying to stage a 'rail-roko' on Thursday in protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age group into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, police said, as reported by PTI. The Hindu Makkal Katchi activists were prevented from staging the protest at a railway station in Coimbatore, the police said. Fifteen members of the Bharatiya Janata Party lawyers' wing here burnt a portrait of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. They raised slogans against him for failing to maintain the shrine's "sanctity". I Am Not Afraid of BJP, Says Woman Journalist A Day After Assault Shajila Ali Fathima, a journalist with Kairali TV, had said on Wednesday, 2 January, that she was not afraid of the BJP, reported by Newslaundry. She said, "I will continue to cover BJP demonstrations... Perhaps these people don't like seeing women in public." Shajila was allegedly assaulted by BJP protesters in Thiruvanathapuram on Tuesday, 1 January, while covering protests against the entry of women in Sabarimala. Three BJP Workers Injured Three BJP workers injured at Vadanappally in Thrissur district during clashes with Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) workers, reported ANI. No Urgent Hearing On Plea Against Sabrimala "Purification": SC The Supreme Court refused to accord urgent hearing to a contempt petition moved by a lawyers' group against Sabarimala temple authorities for closing the shrine after women's entry. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SK Kaul said that the contempt petition will be heard along with the pending review petitions against the apex court verdict, which had allowed women of all age groups to enter the Sabarimala temple. Advocate PV Dinesh, appearing for Indian Young Lawyers Association, told the bench that in violation of the SC verdict, temple authorities had closed the shrine on Wednesday, 2 January, for purification purposes after two women had entered the sanctum sanctorum. Protesting Provocative Action by Kerala Govt: Shashi Tharoor Thiruvanantapuram MP and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor slammed the CPI(M)-led Kerala government for provocative action on Sabarimala and the BJP for violence and vandalism. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Cameraperson Allegedly Attacked by BJP Workers Asianet cameraperson Biju was allegedly attacked by BJP workers during protest over Sabarimala temple. BJP Workers Hold Protest March Sabarimala Karma Samiti and BJP workers hold protest march in Pandalam over the issue of entry of women to Sabarimala temple. Kerala People Not Against Women Entering Sabarimala: CM Vijayan Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said at a press conference that the Kerala government had followed the Supreme Court order in providing protection to the women who had entered the Sabarimala temple, and that the people of Kerala were not against women entering the shrine. "It is the governments responsibility to give protection to women. The government has fulfilled this constitutional responsibility. Sangh Parivar is trying to make Sabarimala into a clash zone." - Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala CM He claimed that the BJP's call for hartal (protests) was based on fake news. The women were not given any special treatment or taken in a helicopter. They were just given police protection. We followed the SC order and provided security to both the ladies, they were not given any special preference. They did not face any opposition. When they reached Sabarimala, they conducted rituals with other devotees, said Vijayan. He added that the devotees who were present at the temple had helped and provided the women with all the necessary arrangements. For hours after their visit, there was no violence or protest. This just shows that the people of Kerala are not against women going to Sabarimala, said Vijayan. The chief minister asserted that he was "forced to intervene to prevent any further clashes or violence. We will take strict action against any violent protesters, Vijayan said addressing the media. Two CPI(M) Workers Held For Unnithan's Death Two CPI(M) workers were arrested in connection with the killing of Sabarimala Karma Samithi worker Chandran Unnithan, on Thursday, 3 January. He was reportedly stoned to death while taking out an anti-government protest following the entry of two women to the temple, reported ANI. KSRTC Stops Bus Operations to Kerala The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has stopped its bus operations to Kerala for the day in view of the hartal called by various organisations over womens entry into Sabarimala temple, reported ANI. UDF Observes 'Black Day' The United Democratic Front (UDF) observed a 'black day' in the state in connection with Sabarimala temple women entry issue. Man Injured During Sabarimala Clashes, Dies A 55-year-old Sabarimala Karma Samiti worker, Chandran Unnithan, who was injured on 2 January, in a clash between CPI(M) and BJP workers, in Pandalam, has succumbed to his injuries, reported ANI on Thursday, 3 January. Police investigation into the death is reportedly underway. Traders, Tourism Firms Vow to Boycott Hartal Traders and tourism firms on vowed to boycott state-wide hartal on Thursday, 3 January, by Hindu outfits, reported The Indian Express. Over 200 Police Personnel Deployed After Attack on Kerala Tourism House Over 200 police personnel were deployed at 30 Kerala government establishments after an attack on Kerala guest house by suspected Hindutwa groups. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Air India Requests Passengers to Schedule Travel Plan Amid Protests Air India said, as reported by ANI, the protests at several locations in Kerala may affect passengers travelling from Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode. The airline has requested passengers are requested to schedule their travel plans to/from airports accordingly. Daylight Rape on Hindu People, Says Union Minister Hegde Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde, in an interview to ANI, said that the Kerala government has entirely failed. It is totally daylight rape on Hindu people. He also said that law and order is a state subject and the situation should have been handled better, The chief minister's prejudice, rather than the Leftist prejudice, is causing complete confusion in Kerala. The Supreme Court has given the direction, I totally agree with that. But since law and order is a state subject, it should have seen how it can be managed diplomatically without hurting the faith of the masses. Women Should Enter Sabarimala Openly, Not Secretly: CPI The Communist Party of India (CPI) appeared to disapprove of two women of menstruating age group entering the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala "secretly" on Wednesday and said it should have been done "openly". "Generally, we want women's entry (into the Sabarimala shrine), but we don't want something secretly to be done. It is to be done openly, everybody should accept, that's our view," CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said. "It's good that according to the Supreme Court judgement, some women could enter it (the shrine)," he said. Protests Turn Violent in Vadakara, Kozhikode and Malappuram Protesters set fire to boards in Vadakara, leading to the detention of protesters after a protest turned violent, after they were asked to disperse, reported The News Minute. BJP and Yuva Morcha protesters in Kozhikode also congregated outside the office of the District Police Chief. The protesters set fire to a rubber tyre and flex boards before being cleared from the area for obstructing public pathways. A protest in Malappuram also saw protesters setting fire to rubber tyres. Angered by Women's Entry in Sabarimala, Protesters Resort to Stone-Throwing Protests in other locations in Kerala also saw sporadic stone-throwing and clashes with the police. In many locations, protesters stopped journalists from recording visuals and carrying out their work. BJP cadres marched to the event, and forcibly shut shops on the way. They also attacked a KSRTC bus that was coming from Chitoor by throwing stones. According to media reports, police had to resort to many rounds of lathi-charge against the protesters from both BJP and Sabarimala Karma Samithi. Will Face Wrath of Lord Ayyappa: Cong, BJP Tell Kerala CM Opposition Congress and the BJP lashed out at the CPI(M)-led LDF government and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after two women in their 40s entered the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said the entry of the women into the shrine "hurt" the sentiments of devotees and it shows the headstrong attitude of the chief minister to take women of the traditionally "barred" age group to the temple. "Who took them to the temple just after the women's wall? They were absconding for many days after their first attempt to trek the hill on 24 December. It's clear that the women were under police protection. Police acted on behalf of CM's direction. This was a result of the obstinate attitude of the chief minister," Chennithala told reporters here. Protests Break Out in Kerala, Women Journalists Attacked Several journalists have been attacked thus far by protesters at the protest location outside Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. Journalists on the ground also report that protesters seem to be looking out for any women journalists in order to direct their attacks towards them, forcing women journalists to take extreme measures to carry out their work, reported The News Minute. Kairali TVs cameraperson Shajila Alifathima was attacked by protesters, while Peethambaran Payyeri of the Deccan Chronicle was attacked and had his camera destroyed. Also Read: No Devotee Troubled Us: One of the 2 Women Who Entered Sabarimala Sabarimala Karma Samithi Calls Day-Long Hartal in Kerala on Thursday Hours after two women under the age of 50 managed to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple in the early hours of Wednesday, 2 January, the Sabarimala Karma Samithi and Ayyappa Karma Samithi have called for a day-long hartal in the state. The statewide bandh will be observed from 6 am to 6 pm on Thursday, 3 January, Sabarimala Karma Samithi member Rahul Easwar confirmed. Every Woman Has Right to Worship: CPI(M) Leader Brinda Karat Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said that every woman has the right to worship at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala. On two women in their 40s entering the shrine and offering prayers in the early hours of Wednesday, the party's politburo member said the LDF government in the state is implementing the Supreme Court judgment. "Every woman has the right to worship if they so wish," Karat told PTI. "(The) two women wanted to worship and they were enabled to do so and given the security required by the Kerala government," the CPI(M) leader said. Activist Trupti Desai Hails Young Women's Entry Social activist Trupti Desai has hailed the entry of two women in their mid forties into the Lord Aayyappa hill shrine in Kerala's Sabarimala, saying it is a "victory of equality". Desai was forced to return from the Kochi airport when she arrived to offer prayers at Sabarimala with six young women, following "nama japam" (chanting of Ayyappa hymns) protests by devotees and right wing outfits for 13 hours on November 16. Desai said she was happy to hear that two women in their forties had managed to reach the 'sannidhanam' (temple complex) and offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa and congratulated their effort. BJP Women Protest Outside Secretariat Five BJP Mahila Morcha members are protesting against two women entering the Sabarimala on Wednesday. They were stopped from entering the state secretariat by police in Thiruvananthapuram. Devotees Did Not Create any Issue: Kanakadurga Kanakadurga, one of the women who entered Sabarimala, said that the devotees did not create any hurdles for them. Speaking to The Quint, Kanakadurga said: During the entire time, not a single issue was created by any of the devotees there. No violence. We also worshipped along with the other devotees. After a good worship, we have returned. When we reached Pamban river, we needed police protection and that was provided to us, said Kanakadurga. Trupti Desai Hails Two Women Who Entered Sabarimala Our Responsibility to Ensure Safety: Kerala DGP Kerala DGP Lokanath Behera said that it was the responsibility of police to provide protection to those who visited the Sabarimala temple. Verifying the age and other details is not our responsibility, said the DGP, speaking to ANI. Security Tightened Outside Bindu's Residence Security has been tightened in outside Bindus residence in Koyilandy. The house is locked and Bindu's husband Hariharan and their seven-year-old daughter are away, reported Manorama News. Sabarimala Shut for 'Purification' The sanctum sanctorum of the Sabarimala temple in Kerala was shut for purification rituals after two women entered the temple in the earlier in the day. The sanctum sanctorum was closed at 10.30 am, as opposed to 1 pm when it is usually shut, reported The News Minute. While there is a pooja that is held at 12.40 pm usually, all priests have exited the sanctum sanctorum with the maelshanti (chief priest) going to the Thantris room, the report said. Women Entered Sabarimala, Confirms Vijayan Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that women devotees entered Sabarimala temple, reported News18. Condemn Govt, Police Conspiracy: Easwar Rahul Easwar tweeted that he condemned the Kerala government, alleging police conspiracy in allowing the two women to enter Sabarimala. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Women Reportedly Offered Prayers at 3:45 AM The two women devotees, Bindu and Kanakdurga, entered and offered prayers at the Sabarimala temple at 3.45am on 2 January, reported ANI. The women, reportedly in their 40s, were accompanied by police personnel. They had earlier tried to enter the temple in December 2018, but were stopped due to massive protests, reported ANI. . Read more on India by The Quint.RSS & BJPs Nehru-Netaji Cosplay: Irony Dies a Thousand DeathsUnited India Rally Today: Opposition Leaders Arrive in Kolkata . Read more on India by The Quint. Lucknow, December 31: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has threatened to pull out of the Congress-led coalition governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan if cases filed against "innocents" in connection to the April 2 Bharat Bandh is not withdrawn. The party has appealed the Congress high command to act on their plea immediately. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: Congress Government Suspends Payment of Pension to MISA Detainees A statement released by the BSP reads, "We demand that cases filed by the then BJP government in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan during the 'Bharat band' held on 2nd April, 2018 for SC/ST Act 1989 and reservation in promotion of government workers to be withdrawn. If these demands are not met, we'll reconsider our decision to give outside support to Congress." Akhilesh Yadav-Mayawati Alliance: Very Soon It Will Be in Front of You, Says Samajwadi Chief. On December 12, Mayawati-led party extended its support to the Congress in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan to help the party form the government in both states. Also Read | Rajasthan Cabinet's Only Muslim Minister Shale Mohammad Prays at Shiva Temple In the 230-member strong Legislative Assembly of Madhya Pradesh, BJP -- that ruled the state for 15 years, trailed marginally at 109, while the Samajwadi Party (SP) won 1 seat and Mayawati's BSP bagged two seats. On the other hand, Independents won four seats all over the state. Meanwhile, in the 199-seat Assembly of Rajasthan, the Congress again bagged 99 seats to dethrone the Vasundhara Raje led BJP which won 73 seats. The CPI-M won two seats, BSP six, Independents 13 and others six. Mayawati's threat to pull out of MP and Rajasthan governments comes in the backdrop of reports claiming that the BSP, along with the Samajwadi Party, is planning to form a mahagathbandhan in Uttar Pradesh without the Congress. (With ANI inputs) Dark skies were threatening rain over an Iraqi Kurdistan village, but one woman refused to budge from outside a house where two girls were at risk of female genital mutilation. "I know you're home! I just want to talk," called out Kurdistan Rasul, 35, a pink headscarf forming a sort of halo around her plump features. For many, she is an angel: an Iraqi Kurdish activist with the non-profit WADI on a crusade to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM). FGM, in which a girl or woman's genitals are cut or removed, was once extremely common in the Kurdish region, but WADI's campaigning has chipped away at the practice. Also Read: Two Kurdish Soldiers Killed After Drone Attack by ISIS in Iraq Rasul, who herself was cut at a young age, is helping to eradicate FGM in the village of Sharboty Saghira, east of regional capital Arbil. She has visited 25 times, challenging its imam on perceptions FGM is mandated by Islam and warning midwives about infections and emotional trauma. That morning, she used the mosque's minaret to vaguely invite villagers to discuss their health. When eight women entered the mosque, she patiently described FGM's dangers. Also Read: Turkish Helicopter Shot down by Kurdish Militia in Syria: Erdogan At the end, a thin woman approached Rasul and said her neighbour was planning to mutilate her two toddlers. That sent Rasul clambering up the muddy pathway to the house, first knocking then frantically demanding to be allowed in. But the door remained shut. "We are changing people's convictions. That's why it's so hard," Rasul told AFP, reluctantly walking away. FGM appears to have been practiced for decades in Iraqs Kurdish region, usually known for more progressive stances on womens rights. Victims are usually between four and five years old but are impacted for years by bleeding, extremely reduced sexual sensitivity, tearing during childbirth, and depression. The procedure can prove fatal, with some girls dying from blood loss or infection. Story continues After years of campaigning, Kurdish authorities banned FGM under a 2011 domestic violence law, slapping perpetrators with up to three years in prison and a roughly USD 80,000 fine. The numbers have dropped steadily since. In 2014, a UN children's agency (UNICEF) survey found 58.5 per cent of women in the Kurdish region had been mutilated. This year, UNICEF found a lower rate: 37.5 per cent of girls aged 15-49 in the Kurdish region had undergone FGM. It compares with less than one percent across the rest of Iraq, which has no FGM legislation. "She cut me, I was hurt and cried," said Shukriyeh, 61, of the day her mother mutilated her more than 50 years ago. "I was just a child. How could I be angry at my mother?" Shukriyeh's six daughters, the youngest of whom is 26, have all been cut too. But with so much campaigning against FGM, they have declined to do the same to their girls. Years ago, 38-year-old Zeinab allowed female relatives to cut her eldest daughter, then three. "I was so scared that I stayed far away and came to wash her after they cut her," she recalled, squirming. After WADIs sessions, she protected her other two daughters from mutilation. Also Read: 39 Indians Abducted By ISIS in 2014 Shot Dead: Kurdish Officials "At the time I accepted (it), but now I wouldn't. Yes, I regret it. But what can I do now?" Rasul told AFP it was hard to combat a form of gender-based violence that women themselves practiced. "Young men and women agree FGM should stop. But after we leave a village, older women talk to them and tell them: 'be careful, that NGO wants to spread problems,'" she said. UNICEFs 2014 survey found 75 per cent of women saw their own mothers as the most supportive of cutting. "I tell these women: this is violence that you're carrying out with your own hands -- women against women," said Rasul. That proximity has also made FGM victims less likely to seek justice. The 2011 law isnt being used because girls wont file a complaint against their mothers or fathers, said Parwin Hassan, who heads the Kurdish Regional Governments anti-FGM unit. Hassan has wanted to work on the issue since she narrowly escaped it: her mother pulled her away from their midwife after a last-minute change of heart. "I've been working on women's issues since 1991, but this is the most painful for me. That's why I promised to eradicate it completely," she told AFP. She said Kurdish authorities would unveil a strategy next year to strengthen the 2011 law and carry out more awareness campaigns. And for its part, the UN expects it can better fight FGM in 2019, partly due to the reduced threat posed by the Islamic State group. After IS emerged in 2014, UN agencies scrambled to deal with displaced families and combat operations, said UNICEF gender-based violence specialist Ivana Chapcakova. "Now that the acute emergency is over, we can regroup to have that final push towards making FGM a thing of the past everywhere in Iraq," she told AFP. (Published in an arrangement with PTI.) . Read more on World by The Quint.RSS & BJPs Nehru-Netaji Cosplay: Irony Dies a Thousand DeathsTriple Talaq Bill in RS Today, Rahul to Speak on Rafale in LS . Read more on World by The Quint. New Delhi: The government is set to renew its push for the triple talaq bill in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, after a united opposition disrupted the proceedings of winter session two days ago. Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will table the The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018. The bill to ban instant and oral divorce prevalent in India's Muslim community faces a tough floor as the NDA government lacks majority in Rajya Sabha. The Upper House has seen regular disruptions since the beginning of this winter session leading to early adjournments, sometimes within minutes of the beginning of its proceedings. A united opposition led by the Congress stuck to its demand that the draft law be sent to a select committee for scrutiny, saying the Rajya Sabha is not a "rubber stamp", even as the government pressed for a discussion on the triple talaq bill on Monday. The government accused the opposition of running away from discussion and playing politics over the issue which was important for ensuring rights to married Muslim women. Amid a stalemate between the government and the opposition over the issue, the House failed to transact any significant business and was adjourned two days ago. Congress President Rahul Gandhi said in Parliament that the party has already made its stand clear on the triple talaq bill. In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition in the House Ghulam Nabi Azad said the bill was very crucial and requires further scrutiny and claimed that more than half of the members belonging to several parties have demanded that the bill be sent to a select committee. He accused the government of breaking the tradition of sending bills to select committees for scrutiny before they become a law. Derek O Brien of the TMC said all opposition parties have unanimously decided that this bill must be sent to the select committee. He along with other opposition members later moved a resolution for sending the bill to the select committee, which will be taken up in the House on Wednesday as the same has been accepted by the Rajya Sabha secretary general. Story continues Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the government was ready for a discussion on the issue and accused the Congress of creating hurdles in the passage of the legislation. He said the Congress has already supported the bill in the Lok Sabha earlier. "The Congress and other parties are only playing politics on this issue which is very important for ensuring the rights of married Muslim women," he said. Hitting back, the deputy leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma, said, "It is the government which is doing politics. Nobody is opposing the bill. Let there be legislative scrutiny". "The government is misleading the people. If the bill has been passed without legislative scrutiny in the Lok Sabha then it should not be passed here without referring to select committee. The Rajya Sabha is not a rubber stamp," he said. Responding to this, Prasad said, "This bill is very important. We want to discuss it here and are ready to listen to any suggestion. Even after bringing the ordinance, there have been incidents of triple talaq till yesterday (Sunday). It is a question of gender equality...We want to discuss and pass the bill." Deputy Chairman Harivansh said, "I want to run the House. We have agreed for a holiday on Tuesday. The members should allow the House to function today (Monday)." As members continued to create uproar, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the House for the day till Wednesday. Goel later accused the opposition of running away from the debate and said they will again attempt to get the bill passed in Rajya Sabha. Thee BJP ally, the JD(U) may also not support the triple talaq bill if it is put to vote, sources said. The party has five members in the Rajya Sabha and is ready for a discussion even on the opposition's resolution. Government is committed for gender justice to Muslim women and will again bring the bill in the upper house. The Congress opposition to the bill has also exposed its stand, as the party had earlier supported the bill and is now opposing it, said Goel. Earlier BJD's Prasanna Acharya said whatever judgement SC has given, their party agrees with that and the bill should be passed, but certain defects in the bill should be removed. "We want that the Bill should be passed as early as possible, but after corrections," he said. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on two weeks agao. Earlier, the House was adjourned twice during the day with an adjournment in the morning following protests by the AIADMK members over the Cauvery issue. The House also saw another brief adjournment of 15 minutes in the afternoon soon after the triple talaq bill was tabled. BEIJING (Reuters) - The social media accounts and messaging apps of a Canadian businessman detained in China have been active since he was arrested in December on suspicion of being engaged in activity that endangered China's security. Michael Spavor was shown as being "active" on Viber, an instant messaging app blocked in China, as recently as early on Wednesday, a screenshot of his online status viewed by Reuters showed. Spavor was also shown as being on Facebook and Instagram in late December, after his arrest, according to screenshots shared by a person on his social media network on condition of anonymity. Although Spavor's accounts showed he was logged on, he did not post anything. It was not possible to tell if it was Spavor who logged on or someone else. None of his friends have had any direct contact with him, despite the accounts being active, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. China's Ministry of State Security has no publicly available contact details, and could not be reached for comment. Facebook and Instagram are also banned in China, making Spavor's access to those accounts particularly unusual while he is being detained on suspicion of being a threat to state security. To circumvent bans on various social media platforms, many foreigners in China log on to virtual private networks (VPNs) or sign up for a data-roaming service before leaving home. Spavor and another Canadian, Michael Kovrig, were detained after Canadian police arrested Huawei Technologies Co's chief financial officer on Dec. 1 at the request of the United States. China has given only vague details of why they have detained the two Canadians, saying they are suspected of engaging in activities that endangered security. The government has not drawn a direct link to Meng's arrest. Canada has said the detentions are unacceptable. Canadian diplomats have seen both men at least once since they were detained. It is not known when Spavor was arrested. China disclosed his detention on Dec. 13. (Reporting by Ryan Woo; Editing by Robert Birsel) 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. This time of year, we all like to embrace family and friends as we celebrate Christmas and the New Years holidays. We host parties and celebrations that are warm and welcoming. These things are good and healthy, and we should continue to keep up our family traditions and celebrations. However, I would like for you to consider adding to your holiday festivities by also embracing the immigrants within your local communities. How do you do that? I will leave it up to you to decide how, but the why is what I want to focus on. Walk in their shoes If I place myself in the shoes of a dairy worker who emigrated from a Central American country to the U.S., I dont have to look very far within most news cycles to hear how I am not wanted or not welcomed here in America. Obviously, that is not the belief of most of the readers of this article, as we within the dairy industry know the value of these hardworking, family-oriented immigrants that have helped to make the U.S. dairy industry the best in the world. Their value of our immigrant workforce is undeniable, and for the dairy industry in Idaho, the existing workforce is too valuable to negotiate away. These newcomers need to hear and see that we support them as much as or more than they hear from others that they are unwelcome . . . especially this time of year when many of them are separated from family during the holidays. Secondarily, how do we communicate that message of support to the politicians who continue to fail to see what is so obvious to all of us? I would argue that we need to do a better job of embracing the immigrant community and do it in a public way so that politicians see, by our actions, that we support these important members of our communities. Arguments based in economics and logic have failed to yield the results we need in Washington, D.C., so maybe strengthening ties between our immigrant communities and the businesses that rely on them will move the needle in the right direction. Take action One way the Idaho Dairymens Association (IDA) is working to lead with our actions is by supporting an immigration legal services program in Idaho called Familias Unidas. Familias Unidas is part of the Community Council of Idaho that supports our immigrant communities in many ways. IDA is partnering with them by providing $60,000 in funding to support the program. In return, all dairy workers and their immediate family in Idaho are eligible for a free-of-charge consultation from Familias Unidas. To learn more about the Community Council of Idaho, please visit: https://communitycouncilofidaho.org/. For more information on IDAs partnership with Familias Unidas, please visit: www.idahodairymens.org/requestvouchers. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2018 December 31, 2018 | Technics RS-M255X top High-End Tape Deck : : -------------------- -- Hi-Fi ---- ---- ---- ---- -- -- -- -- ---- D ---- BD/DVD/LD ---- - ---- , ---- ---- -- -- -- -- : 1 () AK AL AS AZ AR CA CO CT DE DC FL GA GU HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA PR RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VI VA WA WV WI WY Spencer Platt/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- As part of the federal government remains closed this week, more people are feeling the impacts around the country. Federal employees and contractors say they are worried about money or the delays the shutdown could cause their work. Businesses say shuttered federal agencies cause delays. And tourists in Washington were met by locked doors instead of access to museums. Here are some of the stories from people who say they have been impacted by the government shutdown. No Love Potion Number Wine? Winery owners in Ohio said they're worried they could lose business if a Valentine's Day-themed wine can't be approved by federal agencies. Benfield Wines was set to release Love Potion Number Wine and sell it online, but they need the government to approve the label. Owner Robert Benfield told ABC News affiliate WTVG they won't be able to put it out in time because of the shutdown. National Mall vendors see far fewer customers "We're a small business. This is what we rely on and it's a big deal. I don't think sometimes they think about those things when they make decisions that effect us on the lower end of things," Julia Benfield told the station. It was midday on Wednesday and still she had made no sales. Jung, 58, has worked for nearly 20 years shuttling between different tourist destinations in the nations capital selling sweatshirts, snow globes with the presidential seal and decorative plates adorned with the U.S. Capitol. Even though winter is a slow time for tourism in the District, the government shutdown and subsequent closing of all 17 of the citys Smithsonian museums, which are world-class and free to the public, had drawn business to a halt, said Jung, who asked to only use her first name to protect her business. This is particularly slow. This is winter break, Jung, gesturing to the fellow vendors on an abnormally quiet block of 15th street just outside the White House. Everybodys concerned about this situation, she said. Jung has been following the news in hopes of more details on when the government will reopen, she said, and remains unsure on the politics surrounding the shutdown specifically President Donald Trumps border wall, which the president has demanded funding for despite push-back from Democrats. As an American citizen, Jung said, she understands the need for border security. But shes also a Christian, she said, and feels sympathy for people who want a basic life. DC couples have to wait to make it official Betrothed couples in the Washington, DC-area posted they were unable to get marriage licenses during the shutdown. The marriage bureau in the Capital is part of the DC Superior Court system, which is funded through congressional appropriations like much of the city's budget. The DC court website says the Marriage Bureau and some other offices are closed during the shutdown, though court hearings and the clerk's office is open. One couple that got married over the holiday posted they "can't call it official" until the government reopens. Contract workers go without pay Around the country people whose salaries are paid with government contracts are sent home without pay during a shutdown. Unlike government employees who can get back pay approved by Congress, these federal contractors are paid through private companies and have no recourse from the time they're out of work. Julie Burr, an administrative assistant for the Department of Transportation in Kansas City, said she doesn't expect any compensation for the time she's been out of work during the shutdown and that she can't even get paid for the two weeks before it started because there's no one to process her time sheet. "I'm just trying to take one day at a time honestly," Burr said in a phone interview Tuesday. "I keep turning on the news and think maybe today's the day something will happen." She said she's taken extra shifts in her side job as a seasonal employee at Barnes and Noble but it only makes up 25 percent of what her normal pay would be and she's had to ask for an extension on her rent payment, which was due on the first of the month. "I'm a single mom ... we aren't a two income family or anything. It's just me, and I'm kind of trying to make things meet and if it comes to the point of selling items in the house I'll do that," she said. Tourists left out in the cold The shutdown caught some tourists by surprise. ABC News spoke to over a dozen tourists who found themselves unable to go to Smithsonian landmarks on Wednesday. Nicklas Skar, a Swedish native, came to Washington on Tuesday night with his daughter. He said they planned to go to the Smithsonian on Wednesday morning in the last remaining hours before the end of the shutdown. "We came down here for just a couple of days to visit the Smithsonian's and a lot of other stuff as well, so of course its a disappointment," he said. Skar like many tourists said they found themselves adjusting plans and standing on the outside looking into the empty, dark windows of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and other Lost time to plan environmental cleanups Loreen Targos, an EPA scientist and steward for her local union chapter, said environmental cleanup or protection projects will be delayed because of the shutdown. She said EPA staff can't meet with partners to design projects to clean up environmental contamination or prevent future environmental problems. "When we lose weeks like this we have to catch up and there's just huge delays in projects, and taking them into the next year or after," Targos said in a phone interview Monday, adding that it's impossible to know the extent of the impact until long after the shutdown ends. She said all Americans are hurt with projects intended to protect health and the environment are delayed, but it will be impossible to know the impacts until long after the shutdown ends. Targos said she and other EPA workers are passionate about protecting Americans from environmental issues before it becomes a problem, and because of the shutdown they're unable to do that. "People feel like 'I don't know how this impacts me,' that's because we were doing our job," she said. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. CALGARY, Alberta and ATLANTA, Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eguana Technologies (TSX.V: EGT) (OTCQB: EGTYF) and Hannah Solar are pleased to announce the companies have partnered to bring residential and commercial energy storage systems to home and business owners in Georgia and South Carolina. Renewable energy has taken off throughout the Southeast and consumers want cost-effective, intelligent systems that can be easily integrated with new or existing solar PV arrays, said Joseph Waybright, VP of Sales of Hannah Solar. Our early efforts have already delivered multiple residential sales where homeowners are looking to power essential loads for an extended period of time. The Evolve system allows our customers to easily expand their storage capacity from 13kWh to 26kWh to 39kWh at a very competitive price point. The Evolve residential energy storage system allows new or existing residential solar customers to store excess solar power generation for use in the evening, maximizing their solar investment. In the event of a power outage, the Evolve system will keep the solar PV system operating ensuring that power is available to support essential loads. The Evolve system coupled with solar PV is a low-cost, perpetual backup power source while offering various advanced energy management controls, an integrated user interface, and an extended product warranty. We are confident that our proven, outdoor rated, AC Coupled energy storage systems will allow Hannah to win more solar PV business while assisting home and business owners to reduce energy costs, prepare for power outages and become more energy independent, said Livio Filice, Director of Residential Sales, North America. First residential installations are currently planned near the Georgia Alabama border with additional installations planned in throughout Q1. Hannah has placed opening orders of approximately 500KWh of residential storage systems to ensure availability throughout 2019. Hannah Solar, an Eguana-certified installer, is expected to complete their first group of Evolve energy storage systems in late January with installations continuing throughout 2019. In addition, the companies plan to collaborate on bringing the Elevate commercial energy storage system to business owners looking to reduce demand charges in Georgia and other select markets. Evolve Home Energy Storage Systems Evolve is a fully-integrated residential energy storage system that includes the companys proprietary power electronics system, LG Chem low-voltage battery modules, and a comprehensive user interface. The system is rated at 5KW AC output with a modular battery design based on a 6.5 kWh battery, which is scalable from 13 to 39kWh in storage capacity. The NEMA 3R wall-mounted package is suitable for indoor and outdoor installations. The package is backed by a 10-year standard warranty. The Evolve supports grid-connected solar self-consumption, time of use, and backup power. It is now available in the United States and in Caribbean markets, with certification standards matching UL1741, Californias Rule 21, and Hawaiis Rule 14H. Interested parties may contact: Eguana Technologies Livio Filice Director of Residential Sales, North America Livio.Filice@EguanaTech.com +1.905.929.7522 Hannah Solar Joseph Waybright Vice President of Sales Joseph.Waybright@HannahSolar.com +1.404.884.1919 About Hannah Solar Hannah Solar is a full service solar integrator dedicated to providing the very best in engineering, products, installation and operations & maintenance of solar arrays, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, storage systems and Generac backup generators. Our team is comprised of NABCEP certified solar experts, licensed master electricians in GA, AL, MS, NC, SC, & TN, project management professionals, business development managers, designers and installersworking together to serve our clients as a reliable and experienced resource in sustainable energy integration. About Eguana Technologies Inc. Based in Calgary, Alberta Canada, Eguana Technologies (EGT: TSX.V) (OTCQB: EGTYF) designs and manufactures high performance residential and commercial energy storage systems. Eguana has two decades of experience delivering grid edge power electronics for fuel cell, photovoltaic and battery applications, and delivers proven, durable, high quality solutions from its high capacity manufacturing facilities in Europe and North America. With thousands of its proprietary energy storage inverters deployed in the European and North American markets, Eguana is one of the leading suppliers of power controls for solar self-consumption, grid services and demand charge applications at the grid edge. To learn more, visit www.EguanaTech.com or follow us on Twitter @EguanaTech Company Inquiries Justin Holland CEO, Eguana Technologies Inc. +1.416.728.7635 Justin.Holland@EguanaTech.com Forward Looking Information The reader is advised that some of the information herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning assigned by National Instruments 51-102 and other relevant securities legislation. In particular, we include: statements pertaining to the value of our power controls to the energy storage market and statements concerning the use of proceeds and the Company's ability to obtain necessary approvals from the TSX Venture Exchange. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and involves a number of risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or future events or developments, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date hereof. Readers are also directed to the Risk Factors section of the Companys most recent audited Financial Statements which may be found on its website or at sedar.com. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained herein to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. 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. GARNER, N.C., Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CloudJumper , a leading provider of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Workspace as a Service (WaaS) and Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solutions, today announced accelerated growth throughout Canada in partnership with IT solution provider, TNG, a Toronto-based cloud solution provider. According to IDC Canada, Canadian companies are going to be spending more than $16-billion this year on digital transformation technologies and services, which is about 20 percent higher than the year before.1 Business leaders are making this move to take their enterprises to the next level by employing digital technologies that provide new ways of operating and growing. Established in 1994, TNG has supported some of the largest organizations with their strategic cloud roadmap planning, migration & on-going support. The company leverages CloudJumper Cloud Workspace Management Suite (CWMS) software to deliver Cloud Workspace solutions with infrastructure hosted in Canadian datacenters for customers throughout Canada. Business customers that use TNGs cloud-based workspace solutions cite the exceptional access and flexibility they receive, for greater business productivity and greatly simplified IT management. As many organizations in Canada look to implement the advanced systems that come with digitally transformative IT, TNG supports these efforts with solutions that improve agility, efficiency, and cost control, said Ben Perry, Director of Cloud Consulting, TNG. CloudJumper has been a critical part of our efforts in this area as we transition customers from on-premises computing to Canadian cloud infrastructure. Companies making this transition have seen a wholesale reduction in their IT costs, while benefitting from anytime, anywhere access to their desktops, applications and data using their preferred device. CloudJumper CWMS software is a complete cloud-based platform for Desktop as a Service (DaaS), Workspace as a Service (WaaS), and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) delivery, providing unprecedented ease of management and access to the productivity tools needed to run businesses in the cloud. CWMS delivers an integrated online experience that unifies business applications and corporate file systems using a full-featured Microsoft Windows desktop from anywhere, across any device. IT administrators retain complete control, security and auditability of their IT infrastructure for compliance through an intuitive browser-based management system that reduces support costs, increases service quality and improves responsiveness. As analysts have forecasted and as TNG has demonstrated, digital transformation addresses IT challenges on many levels. We are proud to be at the forefront of this trend as it has become one of the major revenue drivers for IT solution providers today, said JD Helms, president of CloudJumper. We are pleased to hear about TNGs continued successes in the Canadian market and look forward to supporting their efforts in 2019 and beyond. For additional information on CloudJumper or the Cloud Workspace Management Suite, please visit: https://cloudjumper.com/contact/ For more information about TNGs Canadian based Cloud solution, please contact sales@tng.ca or 1.416.583.2052. Imagine the freedom that comes with. Tweet This: @CloudTng Expands Digital Transformation Leadership in Canada Through Partnership with @CloudJumperWaaS - http://bit.ly/1Ufno9F Resources: Contact CloudJumper today to schedule a product demonstration at: http://cloudjumper.com/contact/ Follow CloudJumper on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/CloudJumperWaaS Visit CloudJumper at: http://www.cloudjumper.com About CloudJumper CloudJumper is a leading software and services company in the Cloud Workspace and RDS enablement markets. CloudJumper Partners can select either CloudJumpers full-service Cloud Workspace platform, or roll their own platform using CloudJumpers award winning Cloud Workspace Management Suite (CWMS) software. CWMS automates delivery of hosted Windows desktops, application services, and Microsoft workloads. It allows IT service managers to deliver app streaming, VDI, DaaS and WaaS with minimal labor, lower costs, and faster delivery times. CWMS is supported in Azure, Google Compute, AWS, and most private clouds. It includes Cloud Resource App (CRA) - a zero-downtime, in-place automated upgrade from existing XenApp & XenDesktop implementations. For more information, visit About CloudJumper or call us at 844.645.6789. 1 IDC, Worldwide Semiannual Digital Transformation Spending Guide, August 7, 2018 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP. (Azincourt or the Company) (TSX.V: AAZ, OTC: AZURF), is pleased to announce it has entered into a letter of intent with an arms-length third-party (the Investor) to provide funding of $750,000 towards the Companys ongoing winter work program at the East Preston Uranium Project (the Project), located in the southwestern Athabasca basin in Saskatchewan, Canada. In consideration for providing funding of at least $750,000 towards development of the project, prior to March 31, 2019, the Investor will earn a ten percent beneficial interest in the Project. Following the Investor earning such an interest, the Company will have the right to redeem the interest from the Investor in consideration for a payment of $750,000 which will be satisfied through the issuance of common shares of the Company based upon the last closing price of the Companys shares on the TSX Venture Exchange immediately prior to the exercise of the right. The redemption right will be exercisable for a period of thirty days following the Investor earning an interest in the Project. This LOI represents a structurally beneficial financing mechanism that ensures our ongoing work at East Preston is fully-funded, which would satisfy the second year earn-in requirements of the current joint-venture agreement, said president & CEO, Alex Klenman. As an advanced uranium exploration project in the most prolific uranium district in the world, drill testing East Preston is a top priority for Azincourt. Given the positive nature of the work to date, the location and quality of companies working in the area, and the awakening uranium market in general, East Preston provides a unique and compelling risk-reward scenario, continued Mr. Klenman. The Company is currently working to earn a 70% interest in the Project as part of a joint venture with Skyharbour Resources Ltd. and Clean Commodities Corp. The acquisition of any interest in the Project by the Investor is subject to the terms of that joint venture and is dependent upon the Company earning an interest in the Project. The interest to be acquired by the Investor will be contributed entirely by the Company and will ultimately reduce the Companys interest in the Project by a corresponding amount. Completion of the transaction contemplated by the letter of intent remains subject to a number of conditions, including the successful completion of a due diligence review of the Project, negotiation of definitive documentation and approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The transaction is also subject to the approval of Skyharbour Resources Ltd. and Clean Commodities Corp., the Companys partners in the development of the Project. The transaction cannot proceed, and no funding will be provided, until these conditions are either satisfied or waived. There can be no guarantee that the transaction will proceed as planned. The Company will provide additional information regarding the transaction as soon as it becomes available. About Azincourt Energy Corp. Azincourt Energy is a Canadian-based resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration and development of alternative energy/fuel projects, including uranium, lithium, and other critical clean energy elements. The Company is currently active at its joint venture lithium exploration projects in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, Manitoba, Canada, its East Preston and Patterson Lake North uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, and its 100% owned Escalera Group uranium-lithium project located on the Picotani Plateau in southeastern Peru. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP. Alex Klenman Alex Klenman, President & CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release includes forward-looking statements, including forecasts, estimates, expectations and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Azincourt. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information represents managements best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. For further information please contact: Alex Klenman, President & CEO Tel: 604-638-8063 info@azincourtenergy.com Azincourt Energy Corp. 1430 800 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6C 2V6 2019 -- we made it. I feel like we just fought our way through the last wave of enemies to the final boss with zero lives left and only a quarter bottle of mana potion we bought from a disreputable rogue in a tavern. Bring it! This is a video of a Finnish youth cutting a hole in a frozen lake, then jumping off a 35-foot cliff into said hole, leading at least one blogger to speculate they don't have video games in Finland, or they do but it gets so cold in the winter that the controller buttons stick making them too frustrating to play. There's just no other excuse for this sort of behavior. Keep going for the whole video while I surround myself with space heaters and try to rise from the ashes of my winter coat. Thanks to Cliff S, who agrees there's nothing worse than jumping into a hole in a frozen lake then getting disoriented and not being able to find the hole out because then you die and your Youtube video wasn't really going to get that many hits anyways. Along the Divide: 'Scene and herd,' from MoTown to LoDo Bike lanes and the homeless. These issues, and perhaps a few others, will likely dominate election discourse beginning today. Jacob Patrick Ind, 41, who was sentenced to life in prison after the 1992 murders of his mother and stepfather in Woodland Park, could again walk free under a deal with prosecutors. Ind pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree murder in the deaths of Frank and Pamela Kermode averting a retrial in which he was expected to argue that he attacked the pair in self-defense after extensive abuse. Midnight on New Years Eve can be a nail-biter. Not for those whose backsides become one with their couches, as they watch the televised version of the glittery ball drop in New York City, but for those who patiently wait outside in the frigid December air or hover inside at their windows, eyes glued to Pikes Peak. Would the AdAmAn Club once again succeed at setting off the fireworks waiting for them at the top of the mountain, after spending two days struggling through sleet, snow, ice and wind to ring in the New Year with ephemeral constellations of light? They would and they did. It was lots of fun, said the clubs president Dan Stuart. The first day was pleasant. We hiked to Barr Camp and spent the night. The second days weather report was more challenging. The two-day adventure began Sunday, with all of the hikers arriving at Barr Camp, where they spend the night every year. In the morning, four of them turned back, due to a variety of reasons, but the remaining 28 set out to tangle with the mountain in below-zero temperatures. After hiking through falling snow throughout the day, one hiker began to have difficulty and the pack broke into a couple of groups to help support him to the top. The first group reached the summit around 3:30 p.m. Monday and the second arrived 30 minutes later; Stuart estimates the wind chill was about 30 below. Hes hard-pressed to say whether it was colder than past years but believes the wind wasnt as strong as predicted. It was that last mile that posed the greatest challenge to the longtime hiker, as he navigated the hip-deep snow after a long day, and the sun dipped behind the mountain. Encountering a few bighorn sheep, probably the third such occurrence during his club tenure, helped mitigate the grueling physical challenge. That, and his affection for Mother Nature. Thats why we go, he said. Hes only missed a couple of hikes in his 27 years of membership. We like being outside. This years hike was dedicated to former club member Sean ODonnell, who died in May. His wife and and two of his sons joined the group at the summit to remember the 83rd AdAmAn member and his contributions to the club. Contact the writer: 636-0270 The Colorado General Assemblys 120-day session launches Friday as emboldened Democrats prepare to take complete control of state government. Voters in November handed the party the majority in both chambers and elected Democrats to every statewide office on the ballot. Democratic lawmakers have promised theyll pursue an ambitious agenda on everything from health care and climate change to affordable housing and education funding. And theyll have an ally in Jared Polis, the incoming Democratic governor, who campaigned on his own self-described bold plans. Meanwhile, Republicans, who held a one-seat majority in the Senate for the previous four years, are cautioning Democrats against overreach, while privately hoping their political foes go too far, since the Democrats lost the Senate in 2014 after pushing progressive policies while they controlled the legislature and governors office. But the byword among Democrats lately has been resurrection, as liberals lick their chops at the chance to pass legislation that ran aground in recent years in the Republican Senate. Democratic lawmakers are hopeful theyll be able to pass longstanding proposals to establish paid family and medical leave for workers and ban conversion therapy aimed at changing the sexual orientation of LGBTQ youth. Likewise, a so-called red flag bill was thwarted last year by some Senate Republicans but is guaranteed to return this session. It would allow judges to order the temporary seizure of firearms from people deemed at risk to themselves or others. Its been decades since either party in swing-state Colorado has held as lopsided a majority as House Democrats will enjoy when their 41 members are seated in January, just three seats shy of a super-majority. (Republicans counted 41 members in the 65-seat House after the 1994 and 1996 elections, but Democrats have to look back all the way to the aftermath of the 1964 LBJ landslide to find that many House members in their corner.) Democrats will hold 19 of the 35 seats in the Senate after defeating two incumbents on their way to winning all five of the most-contested races in the chamber in November. Both parties say itll be a priority to figure out how to pay for billions of dollars in backlogged transportation needs. Legislators are also set to decide how to spend roughly $1 billion in unanticipated additional revenue for the fiscal year, with both K-12 and higher education advocates arguing for a share. Looming over everything, however, is the possibility Colorados booming economy could hit a rough patch the country is long overdue for a downturn if not a full-blown recession, economists say. That increases pressure on the General Assembly to add money to the states rainy-day fund. Outgoing Gov. John Hickenlooper sought to bolster the reserve fund, but budget experts suggest theres still room to grow the fund. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. High 92F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A clear sky. Low 63F. SSE winds shifting to N at 10 to 15 mph. There were more than 3,000 drive-offs reported to the police in Northern Ireland in just one year, with only 37 successful prosecutions, and the true level of forecourt crime is higher still according to the PRA. The crime figures were disclosed by the Belfast Telegraph after a Freedom of Information Request, and show that in the 12 months to June 3,151 forecourt thefts were reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), with petrol and diesel worth 32,565 taken. But PRA chairman Brian Madderson, told the newspaper the true figures should be much higher, and said many retailers were put off reporting incidents. He said: I have held several meetings with the PSNI over the past year on the issue. The figures reported seem very low to me and I can only think that a lot of retailers are not bothering to report incidents as they feel there is little police interest or little likelihood of a successful prosecution. With only 37 prosecutions, this could be because retailers are not in a position to provide evidence or that the police are not bothering to progress to court. In the summer of 2016 the PSNI shelved a scheme to make petrol station owners responsible for tracing drivers who do not pay, after a storm of criticism. Letters were sent to petrol stations in two districts Lisburn and Castlereagh, and Ards and North Down in July notifying them of the change, and saying it would come into effect at the start of August. Police said research showed up to 85% of drive-offs are genuine mistakes that do not require their input. PSNI superintendent Brian Kee said the PSNI recognised the impact of making off without paying for fuel. But he added: We also recognise that this particular demand on policing is largely preventable and, as with any organisation, our resources are finite. The routine attendance of police at all drive-offs, and particularly at those where a crime is not suspected, has in the past placed a substantial but preventable burden on local police resourcing and budget. Where there is evidence that a crime has been committed, police investigate. Actor Nishant Singh Malkani is mostly busy with 'Guddan Tumse Na Ho Paega,' but he says that when he isn't shooting for the show, he likes to cook something new. He and his co-star Rehaan Roy recently turned chefs on the set of the show. While Nishant decided to hone his baking skills, Rehaan wanted to keep it simple and desi so, he opted for bhajiyas. "Working in the television industry...actors hardly get time for themselves. And whenever I get some time off, I always make it a point to cook something new and give it to my co-stars," Nishant said in a statement. "Since it's the festive season, I decided to bake a cake. I looked online for simple recipes and DIY videos. I not only learned baking, but also impressed my friends and co-stars with some yummy cake. It was definitely a rewarding experience for me," he added. Rehaan shared that as a child, he always watched his mother cook and learned basic cooking in the process. "When Nishant came up with this idea of organising a little treat on set, I got really excited and we managed to whip up some delicious food," he said. (Bloomberg) -- Yidai, an online peer-to-peer lending intermediary, is the latest to exit the business as China reins in its $176 billion experiment with this riskier form of financing. The company set up a committee to start refunding its lenders after months of losses, Yidai said in statements over the extended holiday weekend. It has about 32,000 lenders with an outstanding principal balance of 4 billion yuan ($581 million), and expects to repay them in three-to-five years. Yidai, which received investment from SB China Capital (SBCVC) in 2014, also said shareholders and executives arent allowed to leave the country. Chinese leaders are dramatically shrinking a market that spawned the nations biggest Ponzi scheme, protests in major cities, and life-altering losses for thousands of savers. Authorities are planning to wind down small- and medium-sized P2P lending platforms nationwide, people with knowledge of the matter had earlier said. Tougher regulations and rising bankruptcies have spooked investors, and lending on those online platforms has plummeted, according to data from Rong360.com, a provider of information about financing and loan products. Analysts from China International Capital Corp. said they expect the number of P2P lenders to contract to fewer than 200 in three years time. The move is in line with President Xi Jinpings broader crackdown on shadow banking. In China, P2P platforms comprise one of the riskiest and least regulated slices of the system. The lack of oversight allowed for world-beating growth, with outstanding P2P loans ballooning from almost nothing in 2012 to 1.22 trillion yuan in December 2017. (Corrects investor name in third paragraph.) To contact the reporter on this story: Jeanette Rodrigues in Mumbai at jrodrigues26@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sam Mamudi at smamudi@bloomberg.net, Jeanette Rodrigues, Arijit Ghosh For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- The top-performing Taiwanese fund manager for the past year is pushing deeper into technology in 2019 as the island looks set to benefit from trade tensions. Makers of chips, lenses and other components of smartphones are likely to offer high growth opportunities this year, Corrina Xiao of Allianz Global Investors Taiwan said in an interview. Her biggest investment as of the end of November was Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the exclusive maker of iPhone processors. Tensions between President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping has hit confidence in Taiwans technology sector as its companies weigh the future of manufacturing bases on the mainland. Xiao said the U.S. pressure will work to level the playing field with China and open up opportunities for local businesses as they relocate. Taiwan companies are relatively small, and they are nimble and flexible and they can move their facilities back to Taiwan or to Southeast Asia very fast, she said. After the adjustments, Taiwan will be a market with good potential. Xiaos is one of two Allianz Global Investors Taiwan funds that were the only ones to deliver a positive return for 2018 out of 44 Taiwan-domiciled asset pools surpassing NT$1 billion ($33 million), and that invest at least half their assets locally, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Xiaos fund gained more than 3 percent -- the best of all 44 -- compared with a decline of about 9 percent for the benchmark Taiex index. I really like what Trump is doing. What he is pushing for is fair and just, especially for Taiwan, Xiao said in the Dec. 21 interview at Bloombergs Taipei office. Taiwanese companies have been hurt because their Chinese rivals have been receiving a lot of subsidies from the Chinese government. The playground has been very unfair in the context of free trade. Xiao has NT$3.73 billion of assets under management, with NT$3.31 billion in the Allianz Global Investors Taiwan Fund and the rest in the Allianz Global Investors Taiwan Intelligence Trends Fund. Story continues While she didnt name the specific companies she is looking at, Xiao did say she wanted to increase her stake in Taiwans semiconductor sector by the end of June. According to Allianz Global Investors Taiwans website, she had 8.76 percent of her fund in TSMC at the end of November, making the contract chipmaker her biggest investment. Xiaos next four largest holdings were Formosa Plastics Corp., Taiwan Cement Corp., Faraday Technology Corp. and Largan Precision Co. as of the end of November, according to Allianz data. I am optimistic about Taiwans semiconductor and tech stocks because human beings are constantly chasing faster speed and better power efficiency, and these can only be achieved with advanced semiconductor process technology, she said. Xiaos performance in 2018 was underpinned by a decision to quit stakes in Taiwanese parts suppliers for traditional carmakers at the end of the third quarter, as her team predicted they would be among the first hit by the trade war. Other winning moves included a stake in Yageo Corp., a maker of resistors that rose 8.3 percent last year, as well as Walsin Technology Corp., a maker of ceramic electronic components that surged 47 percent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. But she kept investments in the electric car sector, a decision now she regrets. We felt in the long run, electric cars will see their penetration rate grow even if the whole car market shrinks. Looking back, we see that electric carmakers have also been affected. To contact the reporters on this story: Debby Wu in Taipei at dwu278@bloomberg.net;Cindy Wang in Taipei at hwang61@bloomberg.net;Shin Pei in New York at spei@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Robert Fenner at rfenner@bloomberg.net, Edwin Chan For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. This item is available in full to subscribers. Attention subscribers We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription. If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here. Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing. Royal Dutch Shell plc RDS.A recently got rid of all its properties in New Zealand, following the completion of $578-million divestment of its oil and gas assets to OMV, an Austrian integrated oil and gas company. The divestment was announced in March 2018 and received green signal from the New Zealand Commerce Commission in August. Markedly, the company operated in the country for more than a century. About the Assets The offloaded properties incorporate Maui and Pohokura fields, Tank Farm units, along with Shells stake in the Great South Basin venture. The employees working in the assets are now expected to work for OMV. With respective operating interests of 48% and 83.75%, Shell was the operator in the Maui and Pohokura fields, off the Taranaki coast, which supported 70% of New Zealands natural gas demand. The company had been conducting exploratory drillings in the undeveloped Great South Basin. Divestment Rationale The divestment is in line with the companys move to simplify its upstream portfolio. The divestment also follows Shells 2016-2018 disposition targets of $30 billion that included offloading Canadian oil sands assets, as well as operations in Gabon, Australia and U.K. North Sea. Notably, on Nov 30, 2018, the company sold its upstream project in Ireland for $1.3 billion. Price Performance Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, Shells stock has lost 14.4% in the past year compared with 14.3% fall of the industry it belongs to. Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider Shell currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors interested in the energy sector can opt for some better ranked stocks as given below: Calgary, Canada-based Gran Tierra Energy Inc. GTE is an international oil and gas exploration and production company. Its bottom line for 2018 is expected to surge more than 300% year over year. The company delivered a positive average earnings surprise of 24% in the trailing four quarters. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Story continues Houston, TX-based Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. SHLX is a midstream energy company. For 2019, its bottom line, which has witnessed three upside revisions over the past 60 days, is expected to grow 27.7% year over year. The company currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. Obsidian Energy Ltd. OBE is a Calgary, Canada-based exploration and production company. Its bottom line for 2019 is expected to surge more than 80% year over year. The company currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early. See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >> 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 Shell Midstream Partners, L.P. (SHLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (GTE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A) : Free Stock Analysis Report Obsidian Energy (OBE) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. 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 shareholders might well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO). What Is Insider Buying? It is perfectly legal for company insiders, including board members, to buy and sell stock in a company. However, such insiders must disclose their trading activities, and not trade on inside information. Insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing. 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. Check out our latest analysis for AGCO AGCO Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider sale was by Senior VP & GM of Asia Gary Collar for US$197k worth of shares, at about US$66.90 per share. So we know that an insider sold shares at around the present share price of US$54.68. They might be selling for a variety of reasons, but its hard to argue this is a bullish sign. We usually pause to reflect on the potential that a stock has a high valuation, if insiders have been selling at around the current price. We note that in the last year insiders divested 11.17k shares for a total of US$703k. In total, AGCO insiders sold more than they bought over the last year. They sold for an average price of about US$62.98. Its not particularly great to see insiders were selling shares around current prices. But we dont put too much weight on the insider selling, since sellers could have personal reasons. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! Story continues NYSE:AGCO Insider Trading January 1st 19 For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Insiders at AGCO Have Sold Stock Recently The last three months saw significant insider selling at AGCO. In total, Gary Collar sold US$117k worth of shares in that time, and we didnt record any purchases whatsoever. In light of this its hard to argue that all the directors think that the shares are a bargain. Does AGCO Boast High Insider Ownership? Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon its a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. AGCO insiders own about US$66m worth of shares (which is 1.5% of the company). This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. So What Do The AGCO Insider Transactions Indicate? An insider sold stock recently, but they havent been buying. And there werent any purchases to give us comfort, over the last year. But it is good to see that AGCO is growing earnings. While insiders do own shares, they dont own a heap, and they have been selling. Wed think twice before buying! If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future. 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. (Adds detail, background) DUBAI/BEIJING, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Qatar Airways has acquired a 5 percent stake in China Southern Airlines, the state-owned Gulf carrier said on Wednesday, in a move to gain access to the fast-growing mainland Chinese market. Qatar Airways also owns a 20 percent stake in British Airways-parent International Consolidated Airlines Group , 10 percent of South America's LATAM Airlines Group SA , 49 percent of Italy's Meridiana and 9.99 percent stake in Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific. Qatar's flagship airline has sought new partners and routes after it was blocked last year from flying to the lucrative markets of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates because of restrictions imposed by those countries. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, imposed a political and economic boycott on Qatar since June 2017, accusing it of supporting terrorism, which Doha denies. China Southern in a separate statement said Qatar Airways may consider increasing its stake in the airline in the next 12 months. Qatar had no previous investment in the Chinese airline. Qatar Airways is the second foreign carrier that has a stake in China Southern, after American Airlines. The Chinese carrier left the Skyteam airline alliance at the start of the year. There are opportunities for "us to work together and build a long term relationship in ways that would bring benefits to customers of both airlines," said Qatar Airways' Chief Executive Akbar al-Baker. Ajith K, director of Asia transport at UOB Kay Hian, said given that China Southern is the biggest competitor of Cathay Pacific in Greater China, this deal could strengthen the China Southern's position at the Hong-Kong carrier's expense. "Why Qatar is doing, seems to me, one of course is to gain access to the Chinese market. Secondly it's probably that they are hedging against their bet given they own almost 10 percent in Cathay Pacific." (Reporting by Asma Alsharif and Saeed Azhar in Dubai and Stella Qiu in Beijing; editing by Louise Heavens) Request Follows a Decade of Declining Natural Gas Prices PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NW Natural, a subsidiary of Northwest Natural Holding Company (NWN), on Dec. 31, 2018 filed for a 12.6% base rate increase with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) to recover increased operating costs and investments in its distribution system since 2008. Average residential rates in Washington have actually dropped nearly 40% in the last 10 years due to declining natural gas prices, and customers there just received a 7.2% bill reduction on Nov. 1, 2018. Over that same time, Washington has become the fastest growing portion of our service territory, and weve invested $58.7 million to strengthen the system and support growth, said David H. Anderson, president and CEO of NW Natural. The decision to file this rate case was carefully considered and is a necessary step in our regulatory process to recover costs and continue serving these communities. In addition, NW Natural proposes the benefits of federal tax reform related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) be returned to Washington customers. This would result in a 2.4% reduction to customer rates for the first two years after the rate case. If approved, the new rates would result in approximately $5.19 more a month for the average Washington residential customer using 56 therms. The typical commercial customer using 234 therms per month would see an average monthly bill increase of approximately $16.53. NW Naturals filing will be reviewed by the WUTC and other stakeholders. The process could take up to 11 months with new rates likely effective Dec. 1, 2019. NW Natural serves approximately 84,000 customers in Southwest Washington. About NW Natural NW Natural provides natural gas service to approximately two million people in more than 140 communities through 740,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. It consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. NW Natural is a subsidiary of Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NWN) (NW Holdings), which is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and owns NW Natural, NW Natural Water Company, and other business interests and activities. NW Natural is currently constructing a 2.5 Bcf regulated gas storage expansion of its 16 Bcf facility in Oregon to support renewables. NW Natural Holdings' subsidiaries own and operate 31 Bcf of underground gas storage capacity. NW Natural Water provides water distribution service to more than 22,000 people through 7,350 connections. To date, NW Natural Water has acquired four water distribution systems with one additional acquisition pending. Upon closing the transaction, cumulatively, NW Natural Water will serve nearly 42,000 people through 16,750 connections in the Pacific Northwest with total investments of approximately $67 million. Story continues Forward-Looking Statements This report, and other presentations made by NW Holdings and NW Natural from time to time, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as anticipates, intends, plans, seeks, believes, estimates, expects and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the following: plans, objectives, goals, strategies, assumptions, estimates, expectations, expenses, future events, investments, customer growth, financial results, financial position, revenue requirement, return on equity, rate base, recovery of pension expense and pension balancing account, treatment of historical TCJA amounts, asset management sharing, targeted capital structure, cost of capital, revenues and earnings, performance, decoupling, environmental remediation expense and recovery, timing or effects of future regulatory proceedings or future regulatory approvals, and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed by reference to the factors described in Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors, and Part II, Item 7 and Item 7A Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk in Northwest Natural Gas Companys most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by subsequent filed reports, and in Part I, Items 2 and 3 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, and Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in such companys and NW Holdings quarterly reports filed thereafter. All forward-looking statements made in this report and all subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of NW Natural Holdings, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the company to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Investor Contact: Nikki Sparley, 503-721-2530, n1s@nwnatural.com Media Contact: Melissa Moore, 503-220-2436, msm@nwnatural.com Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala - Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between - Arrivals - New York City, U.S. - 01/05/17 - Comedian Hasan Minhaj. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (Reuters) - Netflix withdrew an episode of the comedy show "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" from its Internet streaming service in Saudi Arabia after officials of the kingdom complained, the company said on Wednesday. The episode of the news-comedy program in question criticized the country over the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year at the kingdom's consulate in Turkey. Amnesty International denounced "Saudi Arabia's censorship of Netflix" as "further proof of a relentless crackdown on freedom of expression". Khashoggi had been an outspoken critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country's de facto ruler. The kingdom has since acknowledged publicly that the columnist, who was a permanent U.S. resident, died in its custody. "We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal demand from the government -- and to comply with local law," a Netflix spokesperson said. "This demand was consistent with Saudi law and so we have removed it in Saudi only," the spokesperson said, adding that the move "doesn't mean we agree with these laws". Saudi officials were not immediately available for comment. In the episode, first aired in the United States in October, Minhaj said, "Now would be a good time to reassess our relationship with Saudi Arabia. And I mean that as a Muslim and as an American." He also criticized the kingdom for its involvement in the Yemen war and described it as being autocratic. The Netflix spokesperson added that the Saudi government had not asked the company to remove the clips from YouTube, and it had not done so. "The authorities have previously used anti cyber-crime laws to silence dissidents, creating an environment of fear for those who dare to speak up in Saudi Arabia," Amnesty's Middle East director of campaigns Samah Hadid said. "By bowing to the Saudi Arabian authorities demands, Netflix is in danger of facilitating the Kingdoms zero-tolerance policy on freedom of expression and assisting the authorities in denying peoples right to freely access information," Hadid said in a statement. (Reporting by Rich McKay; additional reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Editing by Robert Birsel, William Maclean) It is not uncommon to see companies perform well in the years after insiders buy shares. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of examples of share prices declining precipitously after insiders have sold shares. So shareholders might well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in Cranswick plc (LON:CWK). What Is Insider Selling? 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, such insiders must disclose their trading activities, and not trade on inside information. We dont think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But equally, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. 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. View our latest analysis for Cranswick Cranswick Insider Transactions Over The Last Year Group Finance Director & Executive Director Mark Bottomley made the biggest insider sale in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for UK589k worth of shares at a price of UK32.35 each. That means that an insider was selling shares at around the current price of UK26.32. They could have a variety of motivations for selling, but its still not particularly encouraging to see. Arguably, insider selling at around current prices should give us reason to reflect on whether the stock is fully valued at the moment. Notably Mark Bottomley was also the biggest buyer, having purchased UK80k worth of shares. In total, Cranswick insiders sold more than they bought over the last year. They sold for an average price of about UK32.75. Its not ideal to see that insiders have sold at around the current price. But we dont put too much weight on the insider selling, since sellers could have personal reasons. 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! Story continues LSE:CWK Insider Trading January 2nd 19 If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Does Cranswick 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. Cranswick insiders own 1.3% of the company, currently worth about UK17m based on the recent share price. This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders. So What Does This Data Suggest About Cranswick Insiders? The fact that there have been no Cranswick insider transactions recently certainly doesnt bother us. Our analysis of Cranswick insider transactions leaves us cautious. But its good to see that insiders own shares in the company. Of course, the future is what matters most. So if you are interested in Cranswick, you should check out this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. But note: Cranswick 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. By John Vandermosten, CFA OTC:GOVX We visited with GeoVax (GOVX) management at their facilities in Smyrna, Georgia to review their key programs and identify the expected path forward for the company. Over the last few years, GeoVax has expanded from a single program developing an HIV vaccine to a platform company that is using its modified vaccinia Ankara virus-like particles (MVA-VLP) technology to address a broad portfolio of hemorrhagic fevers, hepatitis viruses, malaria and cancer. GeoVax Pipeline View Exhibit I GeoVaxs most advanced program is a vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Clade B, which has completed a Phase IIa trial. This lead candidate, designated GOVX-B11, is expected to participate in a short Phase I trial in the near term to further evaluate safety and immunogenicity. Following favorable results from this Phase I, the company will pursue additional funding from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to support a large Phase IIb efficacy trial. A successful Phase IIb would open the door for negotiations with large pharma and provide a registrational pathway, an exit strategy and potentially eventual commercialization. While traversing the government grant process for HIV development, the company continues to advance on other fronts. It has developed a number of collaborations and partnerships with others in the space to advance vaccines for Ebola, Marburg, Sudan, Lassa and Zika viruses. GeoVax is also developing treatments for hepatitis B, malaria, human papillomavirus and cancer. Managements strategy is to validate and demonstrate broad application of the companys MVA-VLP platform. GeoVaxs MVA-VLP can address many common weaknesses in the vaccine class as it uses non-infectious virus-like particles that closely resemble VLPs generated in vivo within vaccinated patients. The MVA-VLP vaccines can provide full and durable protection after one inoculation and elicit antibody and T-cell responses. It is not able to replicate in mammalian cells, contributing to the safety profile. We will provide a short summary of the companys most exciting programs and highlight partners and collaborators contributions to development efforts. Based on our conversations with management, we see the Ebola, Zika, HBV and immuno-oncology efforts as most exciting. With sufficient funding and luck, these programs can also be mechanisms for investors to monetize their investment in GeoVax and provide capital for further pipeline development. The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which was identified in August 2018, is one of the larger and more frightening surges in the disease. As of late December, there were almost 600 cases and over 350 deaths so from the hemorrhagic fever. Mercks Ebola vaccine, V920, is being deployed in a ring vaccination approach. However, attempts to prevent the spread of the outbreak with vaccine administration have been hampered by violence and vaccine shortage, the latter of which has been exacerbated by long lead production times. Success of the current vaccine is also uncertain as it is not yet approved and is being used under a humanitarian exemption and has mild to moderate adverse side effects as well as other shortcomings that can potentially be addressed by an MVA-VLP. GeoVax believes that its Ebola program (GEO-EM01) is the closest of the preclinical candidates to advance to Phase I human trials. The MVA-VLP based vaccine distinguishes itself with an absence of serious adverse side effects and improved stability in room temperature storage; two features that would improve upon the product now being used in the DRC. Concerns over the current expanding outbreak may provide the impetus for additional grants, funding and interest in advancing the GEO-EM01 to the proof of concept stage where it can be transferred to big pharma for registrational trials and potential approval. Zika (GEO-ZM02) is another appealing program that may soon enter into clinical trials. A vaccine is badly needed in South America and throughout the tropical zone as the mosquito-borne virus has spread throughout Brazil in 2015 and after. Zika was declared a Public Health Emergency by the WHO in 2016, bringing increased attention to the significance of the outbreak. While the disease is usually not fatal, if it is contracted in a pregnant woman it can cause microcephaly and other brain malformations in babies. GeoVax was granted an NIH award for Zika vaccine development for preclinical testing in non-human primates in preparation for human clinical trials. The grant amount will total $300,000 and is funding a second year of the Zika program which has already shown 100% single-dose protection in a mouse model. The Zika program is an attractive one for global pharma as a successful vaccine would be able to address the large population that lives in the tropical and even subtropical zones of the globe where there have been observed cases. With the NIH grant and a potential addition of a partner, the program could advance to the proof-of-concept stage in the next few years. Following proof-of-concept, we expect a partner would assume development and provide an upfront payment, milestones and eventual royalty to GeoVax as the Zika vaccine moves towards commercialization. We see an attractive program as we anticipate that a vaccine that will protect a mothers unborn child from severe birth defects will be in high demand in the affected regions. Global Risk of Zika View Exhibit II We think the immuno-oncology therapeutic vaccine GEO-CM01 is another exciting program that GeoVax is developing which could advance at an accelerated pace. Immuno-oncology is a rapidly expanding approach to treating cancer and can help address second leading cause of death in the US. Despite breakthroughs in cancer treatment in the last decades, many of the leading therapies only cure a minority1 of the patients that are given the therapy. Additionally, many successful cancer approaches are comprised of several drugs that attack the disease from multiple directions. There are a number of expedited pathways available for cancer drugs and pricing in this area is favorable. Vaccines can play a role with other immunotherapies in addressing cancer and success with GEO-CM01 is bound to attract attention from large pharma if early clinical trials demonstrate safety and efficacy. GeoVax is working with multiple collaborators on the immuno-oncology program which is focused on an abnormal form of the cell surface-associated Mucin 1 (MUC1) protein and other tumor associated antigens (TAA). The collaborators include the University of Pittsburgh, ViaMune, Leidos and Vaxeal. Below we highlight the key partners for development of GEO-CM01 and the scope of the relationship. GEO-CM01 Collaborators View Exhibit III With numerous opportunities to pursue TAA targets, we anticipate GeoVax will see success in the clinic in the near term. There is high demand from well-funded potential partners if GeoVax can advance its GEO-CM01 candidate to a point where it has demonstrated safety and efficacy. Strong pricing is available for immuno-oncology candidates in the $100,000+ per treatment range, especially if they dramatically increase the effectiveness when used in combination with other standards of care. This differentiating factor for a therapeutic vaccine suggests attractive value realization when passed to a partner for eventual registration studies. GeoVax has expanded its pipeline, its platform and its opportunity set in the last several years, moving from an HIV-focused company to a platform company that is leveraging its MVA-VLP property to develop a portfolio of vaccines that can be used in both preventative and therapeutic settings. While still at an early stage, the company is working with many collaborators and is a favored candidate for government funding for its programs. We anticipate that GeoVax can advance its portfolio candidates to the Phase II proof of concept stage, which is an attractive point to transfer to a big pharma partner for registrational trials, approval and commercialization. SUBSCRIBE TO ZACKS SMALL CAP RESEARCH to receive our articles and reports emailed directly to you each morning. Please visit our website for additional information on Zacks SCR. DISCLOSURE: Zacks SCR has received compensation from the issuer directly or from an investor relations consulting firm, engaged by the issuer, for providing research coverage for a period of no less than one year. Research articles, as seen here, are part of the service Zacks provides and Zacks receives quarterly payments totaling a maximum fee of $30,000 annually for these services. Full Disclaimer HERE. __________________________________________ 1 For example, PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors eliminate cancer in 20% of the addressable population, leaving 80% in need of other therapy. (Scott Mulhauser is the founder of Aperture Strategies, the former chief of staff at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the Export-Import Bank of the U.S., and a former senior advisor to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee. The opinions expressed are his own.) By Scott Mulhauser Jan 2 (Reuters) - As U.S. and Chinese delegations prepare for upcoming trade talks in Beijing, the two countries disputes over tariffs and trade are rattling markets, businesses, governments, consumers and workers across the globe. All of this corrosive uncertainty was entirely predictable and explains why Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping failed to reach an agreement when they met at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires in November. Elaborate negotiations take tenacity, expertise and planning. They also take time. There are certainly real challenges in the U.S.-China relationship. And virtually all progress Washington makes with its Chinese counterparts has come from an intense series of talks. At one point in the negotiations to allow U.S. beef access into Chinese markets, for example, the battle was down to experts debating a final letter whether or not to include the letter s at the end of the word cow to determine traceability requirements for American cattle. But this approach works. From these agreements and countless other negotiations, clear lessons emerge. Here are some of them: PLAN: Negotiations like these require intense preparation. They require input from experts on the region and the issues and forethought on which of a wide array of options your side would like to resolve, knowing that most will be cast aside and the focus will ultimately center on a handful of true priorities. During a 2014 visit between Presidents Barack Obama and Xi, this planning resulted in agreements on everything from climate to trade to visa validity and more. KNOW WHERE YOULL GO AND WHERE YOU WONT: Chinese negotiators come to these discussions immensely well-prepped, with clear knowledge of where they might give and where they wont. Their American counterparts typically do as well. To not do so is to lose before you walk through the door. Story continues By drawing firm lines on freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, freedom of the press and more, the United States has long made clear where defined boundaries exist. Its when and where the give exists elsewhere that it gets more interesting. FIND LEVERAGE: When Chinese economic espionage spiked in 2015, Washington threatened sanctions ahead of a U.S. summit with Xi. Rather than face those sanctions and the prospect of a challenging state visit, China sent a special envoy from the Communist Partys central committee ahead of that visit as it scrambled to undo the damage done. Like Trumps tariffs or not, they have provided the U.S. president with leverage. Whether or not that leverage will yield enduring outcomes depends on what he does with it. USE THAT LEVERAGE: Those cyber negotiations yielded a U.S.-China accord that not only still stands, but reduced cyber incursions dramatically in the years that followed. It was the fear of these sanctions and an underwhelming state visit plus intense negotiations that drove the U.S. success. Some of those same fears exist now. DETAILS MATTER: This is where experts on the National Security Council and agencies like the State Department matter most. From human rights and civil society concerns on through market access and intellectual property, negotiators can exploit vagaries to deny or delay for months and even years if they dont want to comply without specific terms and dates. It took pushing up against too many non-specific promises by Chinese officials claiming well soon be dining on American beef for that beef access to finally happen, and even longer to secure approval to sell U.S. biotech. A World Trade Organization decision and countless pushes finally got U.S. credit cards accepted into Chinese markets last year. PUSH BOUNDARIES, BUT TAKE YES FOR AN ANSWER: When its clear, after extensive back and forth, that you can make progress and theres no more yield, bank the win. Negotiations to encourage China to join the Paris climate accords took months of envoys flying back and forth before Beijing finally set real emissions targets and stuck to them. While it wasnt everything the U.S. side sought, Chinas agreement was a stunning development that led other countries to announce emissions reductions and join the agreement as well. Trumps approach counters a number of these lessons. He appears to engage in little substantive pre-negotiation planning beyond the stagecraft and has repeatedly squandered his final say leverage by trying to solve longstanding crises without the necessary preparation, details or experts on hand to help seal the deal. That discordant approach is how the Trump administration ended up with a series of purported wins from China that are mainly rehashed promises. Its why the president bargained for another shot at a Qualcomm-NXP merger that was dead for months and even the companies involved dont want to revive. And it results in announcements made, clarified, backtracked and more. The U.S.-China relationship faces real problems. But it takes knowing the issues and the potential outcomes, and the substantive engagement of policy experts, for U.S. negotiators to get real yield. Instead, Americans have been left with a myriad of unanswered questions on issues like auto tariffs and what will happen when the 90-day truce deadline expires in March. Trump was encouraged by his call with Xi in recent days, tweeting that big progress is being made. Xis message was more tempered, saying both sides had been working hard to reach consensus and that he hoped they will meet each other halfway. The financial world, the global markets and U.S. political allies not to mention the American public crave both progress and certainty. In Buenos Aires, Washington and Beijing set a 90-day window to resolve the tariff issue. But much like when the clock began ticking, without a plan going into these negotiations, there wont be real outcomes emerging from them. The United States can and should do better. (By Scott Mulhauser) (Bloomberg) -- Columbia University economics professor Jeffrey Sachs closed his Twitter account after he was criticized in the past few weeks for accusing the U.S. of hypocrisy in seeking the extradition of a senior Huawei Technologies Co. executive for alleged sanctions violations. I am enjoying the time saved from being off of Twitter," Sachs said by email Wednesday without directly addressing why he shut his account. As for Huawei, I hope that cooler heads prevail in the U.S. to stop the provocative actions vis-a-vis China. Sachs, who is director of Columbias Center for Sustainable Development, had more than 260,000 followers on Twitter. His Dec. 11 article was published a little more than a week after Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver at the request of U.S. authorities seeking her extradition for allegedly violating sanctions against Iran. Sachs described the arrest as part of efforts to contain China, writing that though several U.S. companies had been fined for violating sanctions, none of their executives were arrested. The article prompted rebukes on Twitter, including from Asia Society senior fellow Isaac Stone Fish, who tweeted that Sachs had contributed to a foreward for a Huawei position paper. He questioned if Sachs had been paid by Huawei for that work, and if so, whether it should have been disclosed. No, I was not paid, Sachs said in an email reply to that question. (Adds Sachs comment in final paragraph.) To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Kevin Hamlin in Beijing at khamlin@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jeffrey Black at jblack25@bloomberg.net, John Liu, Fion Li For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. NEW YORK, Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP announces that class action lawsuits have commenced on behalf of shareholders of the following publicly-traded companies. Shareholders interested in serving as lead plaintiff have until the deadlines listed to petition the court and further details about the cases can be found at the links provided. There is no cost or obligation to you. Ternium S.A. (TX) Class Period: May 1, 2014 - November 27, 2018 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: January 28, 2019 Join the action: https://www.zlk.com/pslra-1/ternium-s-a-loss-form?wire=3 About the lawsuit: During the class period, Ternium S.A. allegedly made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Defendant Paolo Rocca, Terniums Chairman, knew that one of his companys executives paid cash to government officials from 2009 to 2012 to expedite compensation payments for the sale of Terniums Sidor unit; (2) this conduct would lead Rocca to be charged in a graft scheme and subject Ternium, its affiliates, and/or its executives to heightened governmental scrutiny; and (3) as a result, Terniums public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. On November 27, 2018, Bloomberg reported that Rocca was indicted for his role in a graft scheme. According to the article, The judge charged Rocca after the Argentine billionaire testified that one of his companys executives paid an undisclosed amount of cash to government officials in monthly installments from 2009 to 2012. The officials were allegedly working for then-President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchners administration to speed up a compensation payment from Venezuelas Hugo Chavez for the nationalization of Sidor, a unit that had been seized by Venezuela. Roccas group was compensated with $1.95 billion for the unit. To learn more about the Ternium S.A. class action contact jlevi@levikorsinsky.com . Tenaris S.A. (TS) Class Period: May 1, 2014 - November 27, 2018 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: February 11, 2019 Join the action: https://www.zlk.com/pslra-1/tenaris-s-a-loss-form?wire=3 Story continues About the lawsuit: Tenaris S.A. allegedly made materially false and/or misleading statements during the class period and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Tenariss CEO and Chairman, Paolo Rocca, knew that one of his companys executives paid cash to government officials from 2009 to 2012 to expedite compensation payments for the sale of Sidor; (2) this conduct would lead to Rocca being charged in a graft scheme, and subject Tenaris, its affiliates, and/or executives to heightened governmental scrutiny; and (3) as a result, Tenariss public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To learn more about the Tenaris S.A. class action contact jlevi@levikorsinsky.com . Cheetah Mobile Inc. (CMCM) Class Period: April 26, 2017 - November 27, 2018 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: January 29, 2019 Join the action: https://www.zlk.com/pslra-1/cheetah-mobile-inc-loss-form?wire=3 About the lawsuit: Cheetah Mobile Inc. allegedly made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Cheetah Mobiles apps had undisclosed imbedded features which tracked when users downloaded new apps; (2) Cheetah Mobile used this data to inappropriately claim credit for having caused the downloads; (3) the foregoing features, when discovered, would foreseeably subject Cheetah Mobiles apps to removal from the Google Play store; (4) accordingly, Cheetah Mobiles revenues during the relevant period were in part the product of improper conduct and thus unsustainable; and (5) as a result, Cheetah Mobiles public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. To learn more about the Cheetah Mobile Inc. class action contact jlevi@levikorsinsky.com . CURO Group Holdings Corp. (CURO) Class Period: July 31, 2018 - October 24, 2018 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: February 4, 2019 Join the action: https://www.zlk.com/pslra-1/curo-group-holdings-corp-loss-form?wire=3 The complaint alleges that throughout the class period Defendants materially misrepresented to investors the deleterious effect that the up-front loan loss provisioning in connection with a transition of its Canadian inventory to Open-Ended loans was having on the Companys financial performance and 2018 full-year Company guidance. Because CUROs Open-End Loans had a materially lower lending yield than the Single-Pay Products, and the portfolio of Open-End Loans was still immature and unseasoned, the up-front loan loss provisioning for these loans was far greater than publicly revealed (and the yield far lower). This caused the Company to materially overstate its 2018 projected financial results, including CUROs adjusted EBITDA, net revenue and operating earnings. To learn more about the CURO Group Holdings Corp. class action contact jlevi@levikorsinsky.com . Rome is expected to join President Xi Jinping's massive $1 trillion 'Belt and Road' infrastructure project Rome is expected to join President Xi Jinping's massive $1 trillion 'Belt and Road' infrastructure project (AFP Photo/FRED DUFOUR) China will continue market reforms and open its doors to the world in the face of a challenging geopolitical landscape, President Xi Jinping pledged Monday in a New Year speech. Xi said that in 2018 -- 40 years since the transformation led by Deng Xiaoping -- the country had enacted "systematic, holistic and reconstructive reforms of the party and state institutions". "The pace of our reform will not stagnate, and the open door will only grow bigger and bigger," he said in a speech broadcast by the state-run CCTV. China recently marked the anniversary of the momentous policy shift agreed at a Communist Party gathering on December 18, 1978 under late paramount leader Deng, who is considered the architect of the country's opening up to the world. Xi said on Monday that China had welcomed many "new and old friends" to the country, hosting several international forums this year. "My colleagues and I visited five continents... had extensive exchanges with leaders of various countries, consolidated friendship, enhanced trust, and expanded our circle of friends," he said. Touching on geopolitics, Xi said the world is in an unprecedented situation under the toughest conditions in a century. "No matter how the international situation changes, China's confidence and determination to safeguard national sovereignty and security will not change," he said. "China's sincerity and goodwill to maintain world peace and promote common development will not change." China has been locked in a bruising trade war with the United States and is also facing a slowing domestic economy. Washington and Beijing have imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on more than $300 billion worth of goods, and the trade conflict has spooked markets worldwide. But both countries on December 1 agreed to a 90-day truce after Xi met with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina. 2019 will also see China celebrating 70 years since its founding as a nation. "Seventy years of challenges, 70 years of wind and rain," Xi said. "Along the way, the Chinese people have become self-reliant and hard-working, creating a Chinese miracle that has attracted worldwide attention." 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 China Shanshui Cement Group Limited (HKG:691). Over the last twelve months China Shanshui Cement Group has recorded a ROE of 29%. Another way to think of that is that for every HK$1 worth of equity in the company, it was able to earn HK$0.29. See our latest analysis for China Shanshui Cement Group How Do I Calculate ROE? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders Equity Or for China Shanshui Cement Group: 29% = 1396.278 CN4.7b (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2018.) Most readers would understand what net profit is, but its worth explaining the concept of shareholders equity. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. The easiest way to calculate shareholders equity is to subtract the companys total liabilities from the total assets. 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. That means that the higher the ROE, the more profitable the company is. So, all else equal, investors should like a high ROE. Clearly, then, one can use ROE to compare different companies. Does China Shanshui Cement Group 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. The limitation of this approach is that some companies are quite different from others, even within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, China Shanshui Cement Group has a better ROE than the average (11%) in the Basic Materials industry. SEHK:691 Last Perf January 2nd 19 Thats what I like to see. We think a high ROE, alone, is usually enough to justify further research into a company. For example, I often check if insiders have been buying shares . Story continues How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity? Most companies need money from somewhere to grow their profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the first and second cases, the ROE will reflect this use of cash for investment in the business. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders equity. That will make the ROE look better than if no debt was used. China Shanshui Cement Groups Debt And Its 29% ROE China Shanshui Cement Group clearly uses a significant amount debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 2.81. I think the ROE is impressive, but it would have been assisted by the use of debt. Investors should think carefully about how a company might perform if it was unable to borrow so easily, because credit markets do change over time. But Its Just One Metric Return on equity is one way we can compare the business quality of different companies. Companies that can achieve high returns on equity without too much debt are generally of good quality. All else being equal, a higher ROE is better. But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. Check the past profit growth by China Shanshui Cement Group by looking at this visualization of past earnings, revenue and cash flow. But note: China Shanshui Cement 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. (Bloomberg) -- Sign up for China Rising, a new weekly dispatch on where China stands now and where it's going next. Apple Inc. plunged to its lowest price in a year-and-a-half after the company cut its revenue outlook for the first time in almost two decades, citing weaker demand in China. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said sales will be about $84 billion in the quarter ended Dec. 29, down from earlier estimates of $89 billion to $93 billion. Apple posted sales of $88.3 billion in the fiscal first quarter a year earlier, so the new forecast would mean Apple is reporting a holiday quarter slowdown for the first time since Cook became CEO in 2011. Apple shares fell 10 percent to $142.19, the biggest drop in almost six years, in New York Thursday. The revenue revision, which came late Wednesday, led markets lower around the world and also triggered a slump for Asian suppliers and a wave of lower price targets from Wall Street. The announcement, made in a letter from Cook to investors, comes after weeks of signals from inside Apple and its supply chain indicating the Cupertino, California-based company is struggling to sell the latest iPhones released in September. The flagship product earns Apple about two-thirds of its revenue, and allows the company to generate more money from attached products like Apple Watches, AirPods, and services like Apple Music. Tim Cooks Letter to Shareholders About Sales Slowdown: Full TextRead Tim Cooks Memo to Employees About iPhone Sales Slowdown While we anticipated some challenges in key emerging markets, we did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deceleration, particularly in Greater China, Cook wrote. Greater China, a region that includes the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, accounted for most of the revenue shortfall, but iPhone upgrades also werent as strong as the company anticipated in some developed markets, Cook said. Suppliers in Europe and Asia slumped on the news. Several key Apple suppliers overseas had cut their revenue estimates during the past few months, suggesting something was amiss. In November, the company said it would stop reporting unit sales of iPhones, iPads and Macs beginning in fiscal 2019. That sparked concern Apple wanted to avoid disclosing weak growth numbers. Apples stock had fallen 32 percent from an October peak to its close of $157.92 Wednesday amid growing concerns about the iPhone. Story continues In December, Bloomberg News reported the company was facing a fire drill to boost iPhone sales. That led Apple to aggressively market the iPhone XR on its website for $449, about $300 less than its official sticker price. The deal required customers to trade in an iPhone 7 Plus, a high-end handset from two years earlier. Still, the market seemed to be caught off guard. We were surprised about the magnitude of the miss and the negative impact of China demand for iPhones, wrote Citigroup Global Markets Inc. analyst Jim Suva. At least six Wall Street firms, including BTIG and RBC, lowered their share price forecasts by more than 15 percent after Cooks letter. Cook said the new iPhone models were released earlier than the flagship iPhone X last year, which created a difficult year-over-year comparison. The iPhone X launched in November 2017, while the iPhone XS and XS Max were released in September. Cook also noted supply constraints to new models of the Apple Watch, iPad Pro and AirPods. IPhone upgrades also were not as strong as we thought they would be, he said, meaning the sales of new models to current customers replacing their old phones. The CEO attributed much of the companys shortfall in its outlook to struggles in China that he pinned on the economy and rising trade tensions with the U.S. As the climate of mounting uncertainty weighed on financial markets, the effects appeared to reach consumers as well, with traffic to our retail stores and our channel partners in China declining as the quarter progressed, Cook said. Apple isnt the only company facing difficulties in a slowing Chinese economy and escalating trade tensions. FedEx Corp., Starbucks Corp., Tiffany & Co. and Daimler AG are also finding it harder to sell their wares in the worlds second-largest economy. There are likely many others, too, that will be forced to announce lower-than-expected earnings, according to the chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Its not going to be just Apple, CEA chairman Kevin Hassett said in an interview on CNN. There are a heck of a lot of U.S. companies that have sales in China that are going to be watching their earnings being downgraded next year until we get a deal with China. The timing of Apples announcement blaming its shortcomings partly on President Donald Trumps trade war with China may increase pressure on American officials to ease the tensions quickly. Mid-level officials from the Trump administration are scheduled to travel to Beijing for talks early next week. While iPhone revenue accounted for the forecast cut, Apples other product categories, including the iPad and services, grew a combined 19 percent year-over-year, he said. Services generated $10.8 billion in revenue for the quarter -- a 27 percent increase from a year earlier. Apples decision to cut its sales outlook, isnt a huge shock at this point, said Shannon Cross of Cross Research. It will be interesting to see how Apple shares react if theres a China trade agreement. (Updates with closing shares in third paragraph; Earlier version corrected spelling of BTIG in 11th paragraph.) --With assistance from Jenny Leonard and Stefan Nicola. To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Gurman in San Francisco at mgurman1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tom Giles at tgiles5@bloomberg.net, Molly Schuetz, Andrew Pollack For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Vietnam has first AI-powered products VietNamNet Bridge - Ki-Ki, the first Vietnam-made chatbot, was presented at Zalo AI Summit 2018 in late December 2018, where Vietnams AI community showed optimistic signs about the development of AI (artificial intelligence) in the country. Ki-Ki is developed by Zalo Chatbots are now the focus of the AI wave. Japan, for example, has seen the launch of a series of chatbots under the form of smart speakers manufactured by technology giants such as LINE, Google and Amazon. The launch of Ki-Ki shows Vietnamese capability of catching up with the AI wave. Ki-Ki is developed by Zalo. Vuong Quang Khai from VNG, the company which develops Zalo, said it had defined the AI development path it needs to follow, on which chatbot and big data are two major parts. Ki-Ki will be a tool used for new research in the AI field with an ambition to create sophisticated AI products for Vietnamese. At present, the chatbot can carry out basic operations such as turning on music, reading news, sending messages, checking weather information and searching for knowledge. Ki-Ki can understand Vietnamese language with accents of northern, central and southern regions. At present, the chatbot can carry out basic operations such as turning on music, reading news, sending messages, checking weather information and searching for knowledge. Ki-Ki can understand Vietnamese language with accents of northern, central and southern regions. It is expected that Ki-Ki will be integrated into hardware devices such as smart loudspeakers, developed into voice-based searching engine, and integrated into Zalos existing products such as Zing MP3, Zalo and Baomoi. However, Ki-Ki is still in an Alpha phase and it needs more effort to develop a chatbot for Vietnamese. To obtain that goal, Zalo, like any technology firm, needs to have qualified staff. This remains a big challenge. Dr Bach Hung Nguyen from Machine Intelligence Technology Lab, Alibaba, said continued learning is a must. Chinese engineers, for example, can create a new product based on technology that Google makes public two weeks before. Nguyen was a member of HoloLens project at Microsoft. Panel speakers at Zalo AI Summit 2018 said now is the right time for Vietnam to begin R&D on AI. Chinese labor costs have increased rapidly in recent years. Multi-national countries are shifting investment to neighboring countries, including Vietnam. This will lead to an increase in labor costs in Vietnam in the future. The country will not be able to catch up with the world if it begins R&D when labor costs increase. A report says AI will make up $15.7 trillion in the global economy. From 2020, the global GDP will grow more rapidly than the previous period thanks to AI. In Vietnam, AI is being used in apps such as face-identification technology cameras, smartphone chatbots, self-propelling vehicles, and nano robots. RELATED NEWS Online marketing powered by chatbots The three musketeers of Viet chatbots Kim Chi New Delhi: Just a day after in response to North Koreas Kim Jong Un warning of considering a change of approach as the US maintains pressure over it, Pres Donald Trump tweeted that he looks forward to meeting with the North Korean supremo. Worth mention here Kim Jong Un in his New Year address said that he wants good ties with the US but he might mull over the change in approach if Washington maintains its sanctions. Responding to Kims speech, Trump stated in a tweet: I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential. "Kim Jong Un says North Korea will not make or test nuclear weapons or give them to others - and he is ready to meet President Trump anytime." PBS News Hour," US Pres wrote on Twitter. After 12 months of diplomatic rapprochement, Kim stated on Tuesday that if the US does not keep its vow made in front of the whole world... and insists on sanctions and pressures on our republic may be left with no option but to think about a new way to defend the sovereignty and interests. It is noted that Kim was referring to his summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June, when he stated he had "fruitful talks" and "exchanged constructive ideas". Jair Bolsonaro has taken oath as Brazil's President on Tuesday in a ceremony at Brazil's National Congress Building. He addressed a joint session of Congress minutes post taking the oath of office, Bolsonaro, a former Army captain and admirer of the country's 1964-1985 military dictatorship, pleaded to adhere to democratic norms. He stated his government would be guided by the promises he made to Brazilian voters fed up with graft, high levels of aggressive crime and a still-sputtering economy. Bolsonaro is now 63 old and he was a seven-term fringe congressman who rode a wave of anti-establishment fury to became Brazil's first far-right president since a military dictatorship gave way to civilian ruling three decades ago. Worth mention here Bolsonaro plans to realign Brazil worldwide, moving away from developing nation allies and closer to the policies of Western leaders, mainly U.S. President Donald Trump, who sent Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to his swearing in. It is a clear sign of that diplomatic shift, Bolsonaro plans to move the Brazilian embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with Brazil's traditional support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian matter. He was supported massively by conservative sectors of Brazil, including Christian evangelical churches. Bolsonaro would block moves to legalize abortion beyond even the current limited exceptions and remove sex education from public schools, opposing what he calls "cultural Marxism" introduced by current leftist governments. Nagpur: A Maharashtra-based forensic medicine professor has submitted a report to the Medical Council of India (MCI) seeking removal of the "virginity test" from the medical curriculum, claiming it had no scientific basis. Dr Indrajit Khandekar, professor of forensic medicine at Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (MGIMS) in Maharashtra's Sewagram, has prepared a detailed report highlighting the unscientific basis of the "virginity test," reasons for seeking its removal from the syllabus and how it violates human rights and leads to gender discrimination. Khandekar said he submitted copies of the report to the MCI, Union ministries of health as well as women and child development and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Registrar Dr K D Chavhan on December 26. The "virginity test" is an examination of female genitalia to determine whether a woman or girl has had vaginal intercourse. In rape cases this is done to identify whether the victim was habitual to sexual intercourse or not, he said. In his report, Khandekar stresses that the "virginity test" is not a useful clinical tool and can be physically, psychologically and socially distressing for the examinee. According to the report, the test cannot give decisive evidence of vaginal intercourse or any other sexual history. Dr Khandekar stated that due to the inclusion of the test in the medical syllabus of the MCI, almost all the textbooks of forensic medicine, that are part of the MBBS course, include its details, signs and medico-legal aspects. Some textbooks even give details about "false virgin" and "true virgin", he said, adding that none of them quote any scientific literature or study to support their statements. None of these textbooks have laid down anything for virginity test for males, he added. Khandekar said the "virginity test" should be removed immediately from the medical curriculum as it created a wrong impression in the minds of doctors, general public and even courts that it is scientific. Thiruvananthapuram: Social activist Trupti Desai on Wednesday hailed the entry of two women in their mid forties into the Lord Aayyappa hill shrine in Sabarimala, saying it is a "victory of equality". Desai was forced to return from the Kochi airport when she arrived to offer prayers at Sabarimala with six young women, following "nama japam" (chanting of Ayyappa hymns) protests by devotees and right wing outfits for 13 hours on November 16. The Bhumata Brigade founder said she was happy to hear that two women in their forties had managed to reach the 'sannidhanam' (temple complex) and offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa and congratulated their effort. "This is a big victory for our agitation. It is a victory of equality. This is a good beginning for women in the new year", Desai told PTI from Pune. "Those against women's entry had openly thrown a challenge that no women in the 10-50 age group will be able to reach the 'sannidhanam'. Their agitation has now failed", the right to pray campaigner said. She said that temple authorities should allow women of all age groups to offer prayers at the Ayyappa shrine. Young women who have done online booking should also be allowed to go to the shrine and pray there, she said. "Today is a historic day for us. During the mandala puja season, many women were stopped. There was a tense atmosphere in Sabarimala", she said. Trupti Desai said she would not be able to visit the shrine before January 20 when it closes as there was a heavy rush of pilgrims and due to her prior programmes, but added that she would go there the next time it reopens. Desai, who had spearheaded the campaign for women to be allowed into various religious places, including the Shani Shingnapur temple, the Haji Ali Dargah, the Mahalakshmi Temple and the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, had sought protection to reach Sabarimala and had sent an e-mail to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking security. The two women entered the Ayyappa temple early Wednesday and offered prayers. Confirming their entry, the chief minister told reporters "it is a fact that the women have entered the temple". Despite the Supreme Court's verdict on September 28 last year, permitting women in the 10-50 age group, no children or young women in the 'barred' group were able to offer prayers at the shrine following frenzied protests by a section of devotees and some right wing outfits. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday suggested any decision on an ordinance on Ram temple in Ayodhya can happen only after the completion of the judicial process but asserted that the government was ready to make all efforts to fulfil its responsibility. Modi's comments came amid heightened demands by Hindutava organisations, including the RSS, for an ordinance for an early construction of the temple. "Let the judicial process take its own course. Don't weigh it in political terms. Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process is over, whatever be our responsibility as government, we are ready to make all efforts," the PM said during an interview, broadcast by several TV channels. Reacting to the comments, the RSS said people expect the Modi government to fulfil its promise of building the Ram temple within its tenure as the BJP was elected to power in 2014 for committing to all possible efforts to do so. The government's term will end in May. The RSS also described Modi's remarks as a 'positive step' towards the construction of the Ram temple, saying it was in line with a resolution passed by the BJP in 1989 in Palampur in which the saffron party had committed to the construction either through mutual consultation or an enabling legislation. However, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut reacted sharply, wondering 'whether law is bigger than lord Ram.' Drawing a parallel with the triple talaq case, Modi said an ordinance came only after the Supreme Court order. He also accused the Congress of delaying the judicial process in the Ram temple case through its lawyers. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on January 4. Modi also answered a wide-range of issues, including on opposition's efforts to form a grand alliance to take on the BJP in 2019 elections, rumblings within the NDA, the 'Modi magic', Urjit Patel's resignation as RBI governor, demonetisation, mob lynching and BJP's defeat in three Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh. Amid criticism that the surgical strike failed to check Pakistan's support for terrorism, the PM asserted that it would be a 'big mistake' to think that Pakistan will mend its ways after just 'one war'. "Pakistan will never improve on the basis of one war. That nation will still take some time to improve. All PMs of India, across all parties never opposed dialogue with Pakistan," he said. "But, can we hear anything in the midst of bombs? Today, terror supporting Pakistan is isolated," Modi said. Rejecting opposition charges that his government was anti-farmer, the PM said,"There is a small segment of farmers who take loans from banks. A majority of them take loans from money lenders. When governments make such announcements, those farmers do not become beneficiaries of waivers. The farmers who are dying are out of the purview of such schemes." On the opposition charge, Patel was forced to quit as the central bank head, Modi said he had been requesting to be relieved for six-seven months due to personal reasons and these requests were made even in writing. While Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala termed it as, "bereft of ground reality, 'jumlas' (rhetoric) galore, Modiji's interview looks like a parody", his party colleague and former Union minister Anand Sharma alleged that it was "fixed". "Nation suffers - DeMo, Gabbar Singh Tax (GST), bank frauds, black money, Rs 15 lakh in every account, corruption in Rafale deal, price rise, national security imperilled, farm distress, and 'acche din'," Surjewala said. In his counter-offensive, BJP's spokesperson Nalin Kohli said, "It is a comprehensive, detailed and candid interview in which the PM has spoken on a wide range of issues that have been in the media space for some time. This interview completely demolishes the motivated agenda of opposition parties and vested interests that seek to malign the sterling performance of his government." Read more: Latest India news Sabarimala/Thiruvananthapuram: Cloaked in black veils and shrouded in early morning darkness, two women of menstruating age group on Wednesday stepped into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, breaking a centuries-old tradition defying dire threats. The development sparked violent protests across Kerala by the BJP and Hindu right-wing outfits, with the state secretariat turning into a veritable war zone for nearly five hours as the ruling CPI(M) and workers of the saffron party clashed, pelting each other with stones. Police used water canons and burst teargas shells to bring the situation under control. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's effigy was burnt at Malappuram and four activists of the BJP's Mahila Morcha were arrested when they forced their way close to the chief minister's office in the secretariat complex. The two dauntless women, Kanakadurga and Bindu, aged 44 and 42, stepped into the hallowed precincts guarded by police three months after the Supreme Court's historic judgement lifting the ban on entry of girls and women between 10 and 50 years of age into the shrine of Lord Ayyappa, its "eternally celibate" deity. The duo, draped in black and their faces covered in veils, entered the temple at 3:38 am, a day after over 35 lakh women stood shoulder-to-shoulder across the national highways in Kerala, creating a 620 km-long human 'wall' from the northern end of Kasaragod to the southern tip in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the state-sponsored initiative to uphold gender equality. As the news spread like wildfire from the hill shrine, protests erupted at several places, with Hindu right-wing activists blocking highways and forcing closure of shops and markets. Protests erupted in various parts of state. Photo from Malappuram The ruling CPI(M)'s offices were vandalised at several places causing tension, police said. State-owned KSRTC buses were damaged at Konni and Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta district, where the temple is located, besides several other places. Devaswom Board offices attached to temples across the state were also locked up. Several policemen were injured in the violence. Kanakadurga and Bindu were whisked away from the temple by police soon after Darshan. Mediapersons were also attacked by BJP activists in front of the secretariat, officials said. Sabarimala Karma Samithi, an umbrella organisation of various pro-Hindutva groups, spearheading protests against the Supreme Court's September 28 verdict, and Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad (AHP), have called a state-wide shutdown on Thursday. The Congress-led UDF said it would observe a "black day". Fed up with the frequent shut-downs in Kerala, quite a few trade bodies and merchant organisations have decided to defy the call and keep their establishments open. Soon after some local TV news channels aired visuals of the two women trekking to the hilltop temple, Chief Minister Piranayi Vijayan, whose Left Front government is weathering a storm of protests by hardline Ayyappa devotees over his determination to enforce the apex court verdict, announced they had indeed offered prayers at the shrine. "Earlier, women were not able to enter the temple due to certain hurdles. They may have entered the shrine today because they would not have faced any issues. It is a fact that the women have entered Sabarimala. Police have given them security," a visibly pleased Piranayi said. The development did not go down well with the temple authorities, with the head priest ordering devotees out of the premises and closing doors to the sanctum sanctorum. He performed a "purification" ritual for an hour before the doors were opened again. Protesters block roads in Kasaragod The women were whisked away from the temple by police soon after 'darshan'. They were brought to Pathanamthitta from where they left for an undisclosed destination, officials said. Police contingents have been posted at the residences of Bindu, a college lecturer and CPI(ML) activist from Kozhikode district's Koyilandy, and Kanakadurga, a civil supplies department employee from Angadipuram in Malappuram. Scores of women had made valiant attempts to visit the shrine since the Supreme Court verdict but were forced to retreat, menaced by hardline Ayyappa devotees. Bindu later said the duo faced no protests from Ayyappa devotees, either during the climb or while offering prayers. "Unlike in the past, there were no 'namajapa' (devotees chanting Ayyappa mantras) protests when we climbed the hills this morning. Only devotees were there and they did not stop us or stage any protests. Police offered us protection from Pamba, the foothhills," she told a TV channel. She said they wore the attire meant for women for Ayyappa 'darshan'. Nobody knows exactly when girls and women of reproductive age were forbidden from offering prayers at Sabarimala, but according to a 19th-century British survey report the ban was in place even 200 years ago. The informal restriction had got legal ratification and acceptance following a Kerala High Court judgement in 1991. Soon after the two doughty women made history, black flags were shown to Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran at Guruvayur and Health minister K K Shylaja at Kannur by the BJP and its youth wing activists. Holding Ayyappa portraits and chanting hymns to the Lord, protesters marched through the streets at several places including Kochi, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. Reacting to the entry of the two women into the temple, leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala said it showed the "headstrong attitude" of the chief minister. BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai said the CPI(M)-led government had "betrayed" the sentiments of Ayyappa devotees. Women's rights activist Trupti Desai, the leader of Bhumata Brigade who led the campaign for women to be allowed to offer prayers in Maharashtra's Shani Shingnapur temple, Haji Ali Dargah, Mahalakshmi temple and Trimbakeshwar Shiva temple, hailed the courage of the two women. "This is a big victory for our agitation. A victory of equality...This is a good beginning for women in the new year," Desai said. Kozhikode: The entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple was the climax of the political drama in the name of renaissance wall, said Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Mullappally Ramachandran. The planning and operation was led directly by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Mullappally alleged in a statement. The state government had decided about the young women's entry, once they started planning for the Women's Wall. The Congress had stated from the beginning that it was a political conspiracy, and that became obvious now. The CPM, BJP and RSS are turning Kerala into a battle field. They are turning Sabarimala into another Ayodhya. The chief minister is trying to divert public attention from real issues. The government failed in dealing with the post-flood situation and rehabilitation. The Sabarimala issue is again alive at a time when the Congress is planning agitation with farmers and common people who suffered due to the flood. The chief minister will go to any extent for political mileage. Believers and minority communities should understand this from the Sabarimala issue, he said. Sabarimala: After two Keralite women, both in 40s, entered the Lord Ayyappa Temple in Sabarimala in the wee hours of Wednesday, protests erupted in various parts of the state. A Sabarimala Karma Samithi worker, Chandran Unnithan, was killed in stone pelting allegedly by CPM workers in Pandalam. Road blockades and intense protests were reported from Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Kozhikode and Alappuzha. Clashes were reported outside the Secretariat, where the agitators burned tyres and shouted slogans against the Kerala Chief Minister. After CPM-BJP workers hurled stones at each other, police burst tear gas shells to disperse the agitators. However, the protesters refused to back down. Four women, who breached the security and entered the premises, were detained. Road blockades were reported from various parts of the state. Protesters blocked MC Road in Chengannur and Mavellikara in Alappuzha. While vehicles were vandalised at Mala and Kodungalloor in Thrissur, BJP-RSS-Sabarimala Karma Samithi workers forced owners to shut shop in Kottarakara. Huge protests were reported in Kasaragod. Kanakadurga from Angadipuram in Malappuram and Bindu from Koyilandy in Kozhikode visited Sabarimala temple on Wednesday. The Sabarimala Karma Samiti has announced a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Kerala on Thursday. The BJP said it will back the strike and observe a two-day protest in the state. The UDF has also said it would observe black day Thursday. The All-Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti, a major merchants' body, said it would not cooperate with Thursday's shutdown. Several exams scheduled for Thursday have been postponed. Holding Ayyappa portraits and chanting hymns, protesters marched through the streets at several places including Kochi, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. Black flags were shown to Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran at Guruvayur and Health minister K K Shylaja at Kannur by the BJP and its youth wing activists. Protesters allegedly attacked police and media personnel in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. CM confirms women's entry Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed that - Kanakadurga (44) from Angadipuram in Malappuram and Bindu (42) from Koyilandy in Kozhikode - entered the temple. Pinarayi said in a televised news conference that the two women, who had previously tried but failed to enter the temple because their way was blocked by devotees, faced no obstruction on Wednesday. The women reportedly arrived at Pamba around 1 am Wednesday and entered temple around 3.30 am. This is the first time that women in the banned age group of 10-50 entered Sabarimala after the Supreme Court allowed women of all groups to enter the shrine. Videos circulating on social media showed the women, wearing the traditional black dress with their head covered, entering the temple. Bindu and Kanakadurga were whisked away to an undisclosed location. Bindu later said the duo faced no protests from Ayyappa devotees, either during the climb or while offering prayers. "Unlike in the past, there were no Namajapa protests when we climbed the hills this morning. Only devotees were there and they did not stop us or stage any protests. Police offered us protection from Pamba, the foothhills," she told a TV channel. She said they wore the attire meant for women for Ayyappa darshan. The two women had attempted to visit the Sabarimala shrine December 24. They were forced to abandon the trip after protests erupted. They had on Tuesday again sought security to enter the temple. The police had reportedly not arranged any special security cover for the women. A large posse of police personnel have been deployed in front of the house of Bindu in Koyilandy. The house is locked and Bindu's husband Hariharan and their seven-year-old daughter are away. Bindu is also a CPI(ML) activist. Kanakadurga's house in Angadippuram is also under tight security. Protesters burn tyres in Kozhikode Temple shut for one hour for purification rituals Soon after the CM confirmed the women's claims, tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru after holding discussions with temple officials decided to shut the temple for Shudikalasam (purification rituals). The temple was reopened after one hour. CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told media that the two women have entered the shrine as per the apex court order and the closure of the shrine was against the law of the land. "People should accept the development as a reality," Kodiyeri said. Leader of opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala said CM Pinarayi and the state government were challenging the people of Kerala by allowing two activists to enter the shrine. He alleged a conspiracy that hurt the sentiments of the believers behind the government's move to give protection to the two women. Bindu and Kanakadurga were whisked away to an undisclosed location. BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai said the Pinarayi-led government will have to pay a hefty price for its atheist stance. He said the wounds in the believers' minds will never heal. He likened Pinarayi to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who implemented the Jizya tax on non-Muslim subjects. Ayyappa Dharma Sena president Rahul Easwar, who has been opposing the Supreme Court verdict, blamed the Kerala Police for protecting the women. Protesters blocked traffic in several parts of the state. Meanwhile, BJP MP Udit Raj welcomed the young women's entry at Sabarimala. "How can women be deemed as impure when they give birth to men? God is omnipresent, his presence is felt everywhere - even outside the temple. As per the Constitution, both men and women are equal," he said. Raj is also the National Chairman of the All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations. Protesters blocked MC Road in Chengannur. Activist Trupti Desai, the leader of Bhumata Brigade who led the campaign for women to be allowed to offer prayers in Maharashtra's Shani Shingnapur temple, Haji Ali Dargah, Mahalakshmi temple and Trimbakeshwar Shiva temple, hailed the courage of the two women. The Supreme Court had on September 28 allowed women of all age groups to enter the temple, lifting a centuries-old ban. The right-wing outfits had protested the government's move to implement the verdict. Though around a dozen women, in the 10-50 age group, had attempted to visit the temple under police protection, they had to abandon the trip after protests erupted. Read more: latest Sabarimala news Kochi: Trial proceedings in the abduction bid on a senior female actress eight years ago, in which Sunil Kumar, aka 'Pulsar' Suni, is the main accused, began at the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court here on Tuesday. Suni is also the prime accused in the sensational abduction and assault of a popular young Malayalam actress, a case in which leading actor Dileep was arraigned as the eighth accused. The attempt to abduct the senior actress was allegedly made by a gang led by Suni on January 5, 2011, when she arrived in Kochi to act in a movie produced by Johny Sagarika. At the time of the incident, Suni was serving as Johnnys driver. Suni had conspired with others to abduct a young actress, but the plan went awry after they abducted another senior artiste by mistake from near the Ernakulam South railway station. When senior actress alighted at the station, Suni allegedly phoned the actress from the producers office and told her that she would be taken to a hotel at Kundannoor. The intention was to blackmail the actress after having recorded a nude video of hers. The gang had also targeted an upcoming actress who accompanied the senior woman. However, the abduction bid failed after the producer, who was unaware of Sunis vicious motives, assigned another task to him on the same day. The actress was picked by Sunis accomplices from the railway station. When the vehicle took a detour, she sensed trouble and contacted her husband, also a noted producer, over phone. He, in turn, passed on the information to the producer of the film and the police. Three persons had been arrested in connection with the incident. The examination of Johny Sagarika in the case has been completed. The woman filed a complaint only after Suni emerged as the prime suspect in the 2017 abduction and sexual harassment case. Sabarimala: CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has slammed the chief priest of the Lord Ayyappa temple here for shutting down the sanctum sanctorum following the entry of two women into the shrine. Kodiyeri on Wednesday told reporters here that Tantri Kandararu Rajeevaru's decision to shut down the temple and conduct purification rituals was in violation of the Supreme Court verdict that lifted the ban on women of 10-50 age group from entering the temple. Kodiyeri said those who were bound to implement the apex court order were violating it. He said the Supreme Court and the Travancore Devaswom Board should examine the Tantri's decision. See infographic on Sabarimala temple He also urged an experts' panel appointed by the Kerala High Court to look into the affairs in the temple to review the Tantri's action. The government's stance is that women who wish to visit the temple should not be stopped. Now, two women have managed to enter the temple. We should accept the fact as it is and move forward. It should be examined why the Tantri took a provocative stance, he said. Two women in their forties, Bindu and Kanakadurga, on Wednesday claimed to have prayed at the temple in the wee hours of the day. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed the news later. Leader of opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala said CM Pinarayi and Kerala government were challenging the people of Kerala by allowing two activists to enter the shrine. He alleged a conspiracy that hurt the sentiments of the believers behind the government's move to give protection to the two women. BJP state president P S Sreedharan Pillai said the Pinarayi-led government will have to pay a hefty price for its atheist stance. He said the wounds in the believers' minds will never heal. He likened Pinarayi to Mughal emperor Aurangzeb who implemented the Jizya tax on non-Muslim subjects. BJP leader M T Ramesh said his party will support the "Nama Japam" (chanting of Ayyappa prayers) protest to be undertaken by the devotees across the state in the next two days. "CPI(M) agenda is clear now. They want women to enter the temple. For the first time in the history the temple has been closed due to breaking of tradition. The chief minister is responsible for this," Ramesh said. Ayyappa Dharma Sena president Rahul Easwar, who has been opposing the Supreme Court verdict, blamed the Kerala Police for protecting the women. It's absolute shame that police secretly did all these. Why are they scared? Whom are they scared of? Why they have to do things in secret? He asked. He also asserted that he would continue to fight for justice. The women's entry to the temple won't affect our case in Supreme Court and we will fight and we will win too, he said. Kozhikode: A lot has changed in the life of Sajeesh Parambath in between the two New Years, 2018 and 2019. The memories of a dreadful year gone by are still fresh, but he does not want to give up, for he has two little children to raise in the absence of his wife Lini P, who had succumbed to Nipah fever last year on May 20. The dreadful disease had raged for a brief while in parts of Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in northern Kerala, claiming more than a dozen lives, including that of Lini, a nurse at the Perambra taluk hospital. With Lini gone, her husband, who returned from the Middle East, took up the care of their two children Sidhaarth, 2, and Rithul, 4. In a compassionate gesture, the Kerala government had offered a clerical job for Sajeesh at the nearby primary health centre at Chembanoda as he preferred to stay back, leaving his job in Bahrain. Rithul is in the UKG now and Siddharth is yet to commence his education. Three weeks after her death, Rithul could adjust to the reality. He now tells the people who visits our home that Amma is no more, but Siddharth, I don't know. Maybe he forgot her presence and got closer to me that everyday he waits for me to return from work and wants me for everything, Sajeesh said. Sajeesh recently joined as a clerc in the state government's health department. Early days together Lini and Sajeesh married in 2012 after a brief courtship. They met for the first time in Kannur where both were working Sajeesh at a private firm and Lini at a hospital. They had met through Sajeesh's friend, who was Lini's cousin. That was a time he was seeking marriage proposals, and they exchanged phone numbers and got closer. Two months after meeting her, Sajeesh informed his family at Vadakara. Lini's father Nanu had died a year ago and she was the only earning member for mother Radha and two sisters Liji and Libi. The families happily agreed to the marriage and they got married in April 2012. After marriage, Lini worked at a private hospital in Kozhikode and quit after giving birth to their first child. After a break, she joined the Aids Control Society at Vadakara, a Central government undertaking, as a nurse-cum-counsellor. After their second child was born in 2016, she started working at the Perambra taluk hospital. Sajeesh, meanwhile, left for Bahrain. The final days Lini worked there for nearly one and a half years. After I moved to Bahrain, we used to video call almost everyday and on May 16, she said, she was having a slight fever. Then I told her to consult any nearby physician. She consulted doctors at the same hospital where she worked and was admitted for one-and-a-half days. However, the fever persisted. Though her temperature had reached 130 degree she did not look tired when we saw each other on video call, Sajeesh remembered. On May 17, the hospital asked to shift her to Government Medical College Hospital. On the way to MCH, she was taken to another private hospital and the presence of the Nipah virus was almost confirmed by then. Lini, understanding the situation, sent her mother Radha back home. Her sister's husband and one cousin accompanied her to the MCH. On the next day, she was shifted to the Chest Hospital and Sajeesh started from Bahrain on May 19. He landed on May 20, early morning. I talked to the doctor in charge. She could talk then. She held my hand and talked. At that time three or four patients were there and three of them were unconscious. Since she was conscious and talking, I was hopeful. Her oxygen level was also normal. Lini's mother is epileptic and she was also brought to the medical college in between. So the family members were literally moving from one hospital to the other. By around 6 pm, Nipah fever was confirmed and patients were cleared from the hospital. By 12.15 am, she breathed her last, he recalled. Coping with loss A job in homeland was a relief for the young man, so that he could take care of the children better, but taking care of them during day was a bother. At Sajeesh's house at Vadakara, only his father is present. So, he decided to stay at Lini's house, where her sisters also lived with their children. Rithul is the eldest of them. He plays and grows together with his three cousins one is the son of Lini's elder sister and the other two - a boy and a girl - of her youngest sister. I was the first son-in-law to the family. I am thankful to Lini's sisters for taking care of my children without making them feel the void created by their mother's absence, Sajeesh said. The World Health Organisation had paid tribute to Lini. In a tweet, WHO'S Health Workforce Director Jim Campbell had said: "Remember them, lest we forget: Razan al-Najjar (Gaza); Lini Puthussery (India); Salome Karwah (Liberia)." Thiruvananthapuram: State police chief Loknath Behera has warned of severe action if protestors unleash violence and obstruct road traffic on hartal day. The Sabarimala Karma Samiti has called for a hartal on Thursday to protest the entry of two women below the age of 50 in the hill shrine on Wednesday. Legal steps would be initiated against those who destroy public property and the cost of the damage would be recovered from their bank accounts or property, director general of police Behera said. The DGP has issued instructions to all district police chiefs to ensure normalcy. If attempts are made by anyone to force shops and other establishments to down shutters, they will be immediately arrested. Agitators set tryes on fire in Kozhikode. Shops which remain open will be given security. Cases will be registered against people indulging in violence. Attacks against life and property have to be prevented, the DGP told the officers. Other instructions given by the State Police Chief to district-level officials include providing security to government offices, KSEB and other institutions as well as KSRTC buses and private buses which conduct services. Steps will be taken to ensure smooth functioning of courts. Police pickets and patrolling will be on full swing. Range IGs and Zonal ADGPs also have been directed to keenly watch the developments and intervene if necessary. Chengannur: The Archeology Department has confirmed that the Megalithic tombs recently discovered at Puliyoor near here are the rarest of its kind in Kerala and could be as old as 2,500 years. A team led by Pazhassi Raja Museum director K Krishnaraj, who is also Thiruvananthapuram field assistant with the Archeology Department, visited the spot and investigated the area the other day. The ancient tombs of Megalithic Age were spotted at Karimanikkathu Mala on the northern side of Chengannur block panchayat by Rajeev Puliyoor, a folklore researcher and teacher of BEd College, Elanthoor. According to Krishnaraj, the Megalithic burial monument falls under the stone circle category and is vividly distinct in its geometric structure, size and the way it has been laid. This discovery sheds light to the fact that Puliyoor did play a prominent place in the Iron Age phase of Kerala history. The monument is believed to be at least 2,500 years old. Though the tombstone can be classified as a variety of 'menhir', it essential to subject the structure to a detailed examination, said Krishnaraj. It has been found that some standing stones are missing in between, which when filled would assume the shape of circle stone structure. Circle stones of this big size are rarely found in Kerala. The whole formation assumes a triangular shape with the distance between the stones 6.35 m, their perpendicular height 6.35 m and hypotenuse 8.45 m. If the missing liths are filled to complete a circular pattern the measurement will again be 6.35 m. The archeologists are not ready to rule out the presence of ancient monumental remains underneath the central portion of the circle. The authorities are planning to conduct carbon dating at the spot with the permission of the land owner and will also explore the possibility of unearthing weapons. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said on Monday that China and the United States need to build their futures together, for themselves and for humanity at large, Xinhua reports. Beijing and Washington formally established their diplomatic ties on Jan. 1, 1979. "The 40th anniversary of this relationship is a testament to the ability of countries with different histories, cultures and political systems to work together for the greater good," Carter wrote in an article published in the Washington Post. The normalization of the bilateral ties led to an era distinguished by peace in East Asia and the Pacific region, the 94-year-old said. "China's spectacular economic growth, in conjunction with its continuing integration with the much larger U.S. economy, has enabled the two countries to become engines of global prosperity," Carter added. Carter also pointed out that the United States and China should continue to work together at global issues like the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, counter-terrorism, environmental and climate change, and promoting development in Africa in particular. Carter noted that the leaders of the two countries "must bring new vision, courage and ingenuity to new challenges and opportunities." "I believe they (the leaders) also must accept our conviction that the United States and China need to build their futures together, for themselves and for humanity at large," he added. Carter served as the 39th U.S. president from 1977-1981. Patrick Shanahan officially took over the Pentagon on Tuesday as acting U.S. secretary of defense, Xinhua reports. "Under the direction of President Trump, the Department of Defense remains focused on safeguarding our nation," Shanahan said in a statement released on New Year's Day. "As acting secretary of defense, I now look forward to working with President Trump to carry out his vision alongside strong leaders including the service secretaries, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the combatant commanders, and senior personnel in the Office of the Secretary of Defense," he said. He spokes highly of his predecessor, Jim Mattis, saying that "it has been a privilege to serve as his deputy secretary." Mattis announced resignation on Dec. 20 over policy disagreements with Trump, including whether to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. The 68-year-old former Marine Corps general had planned to leave at the end of February but Trump named Shanahan as the acting Pentagon chief before Christmas, forcing Mattis out earlier. In his farewell memo Monday, Mattis encouraged all Pentagon employees to "keep the faith and hold fast." Shanahan, 56, became deputy secretary of defense in July 2017. The former longtime Boeing executive reportedly has strong relationships with both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence but is set to face questions over his lack of foreign policy or government experience. The Pentagon also has Charles Summers as new spokesperson on Tuesday, a day after spokeswoman Dana White announced her departure. South Korean plaintiffs in a World War Two forced labor court case against Japans Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp have applied to seize some of Nippon Steels Korean assets, their lawyers said on Wednesday, Trend reports referring to Reuters. The application for the asset seizure, if approved by the court, could further strain South Koreas already frosty bilateral relations with Japan over the issue. Japan denounced a South Korean Supreme Court ruling in October that Nippon Steel should pay 100 million won ($90,500) to each of four South Koreans to compensate them for suffering forced labor during the war. The Japanese government said all wartime reparations were dealt with in a 1965 treaty that had normalized ties between the two neighbors. The South Korean plaintiffs applied to a district court on Dec. 31 for the seizure of Nippon Steels shares in a Korea-based joint venture with steelmaker POSCO. We express strong regret for Nippon Steels careless and inhumane attitude, which has not shown any willingness to carry out the ruling for the plaintiffs, who have fought to remedy the violation of their rights for some 70 years, the lawyers said in a statement. Nippon Steel owns a 30 percent stake in POSCO-Nippon Steel RHF Joint Venture, known as PNR, and its 2.34 million shares are worth about 11 billion won ($9.83 million), South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported earlier on Wednesday. The lawyers did not say how much the plaintiffs sought from the seizure. A spokeswoman for Daegu District Court confirmed that the application for asset seizure had been submitted. Repeated calls to Nippon Steels office went unanswered. Wednesday is a holiday for most businesses in Japan. Nippon Steel called it extremely regrettable at the time of the ruling but said it would review the decision carefully while considering further steps. POSCO declined to comment. South Korean plaintiffs that won similar cases in Koreas top court against Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd are also considering applying for seizure of the companys assets, such as patent rights, in the country, South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo reported citing an unnamed representative lawyer. Mitsubishi Heavys main number went unanswered, and an automatic voice message said the companys office was closed until January 7th. A German court has issued an arrest warrant for a driver suspected of intentionally ramming his car into pedestrians in the cities of Bottrop and Essen, the prosecutor's and police statement said Wednesday, Trend reported citing Sputnik. "In the afternoon (01.01), the Essen public prosecutor's office requested a district court to issue an arrest warrant for a 50-year-old German from Essen who is suspected of several attempted murders. In the evening, the judge issued an arrest warrant for the suspect. He ploughed his car into crowds of people in Bottrop and Essen on the New Year's eve. As a result, according to the latest data, eight people sustained injuries, one of them is in serious condition," a joint statement by the Essen public prosecutor's office and police of the cities of Recklinghausen and Muenster said. According to the police, all people targeted in the attack are either foreigners or those of foreign descent, including Syrian and Afghan nationals, as well as a German citizen of Turkish origin. The statement comes after, on Tuesday, the police reported that at least four had been injured in the incident. According to the police, they are suspecting xenophobic motives behind the ramming, and also have information that the attacker might have some mental issues. On the New Year's night, the driver, 50, repeatedly tried to plough his Mercedes car into passers-by in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia first in Bottrop, then in Essen. The driver was detained. Britains transport minister has defended awarding a 14 million-pound ($18 million) contract for shipping goods after Brexit to a new ferry company that owns no ships, Trend reports referring to Reuters. The government last week awarded three contracts to charter extra ferries to ease congestion if the United Kingdom fails to secure a trade deal before leaving the European Union in March. The smallest contract was won by Seaborne Freight, a British business that has never previously operated a ferry route, raising concerns about whether the new service would be ready. I make no apologies for supporting a new British business, Transport Minister Chris Grayling told BBC radio on Wednesday. We have looked very carefully at this business. We have put in place a tight contract to make sure they can deliver for us. He added that he believed channel ports would be able to operate normally in all Brexit circumstances. But the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU on March 29, and the risk of a no-deal Brexit is growing a nightmarish prospect for many businesses, which are now planning for an economic shock. Extra ships will be needed to work new routes across the Channel if the main terminals of Calais in France and Dover and Folkestone in Britain are clogged by customs checks. Currently, Britains membership of the EU means that trucks drive smoothly through border checks within the bloc. But in a no-deal Brexit, even a few minutes delay at customs for each truck could mean vehicles backed up at ports and queued on feeder roads on both sides of the Channel. To ease a potential backlog, the government has awarded Seaborne Freight a contract to operate freight ferries from Ramsgate to the Belgian port of Ostend. Asked how the government knew the company could run an effective service, Grayling said officials had carried out due diligence on the company. The decision to use the port of Ramsgate, he said, was not something that we have plucked from thin air. Grayling, who campaigned for Brexit before Britains EU referendum, also said that Britain would be able to cope with a no-deal Brexit, saying he was confident that it would not cause problems at British ports. I am expecting the channel ports to operate normally in all Brexit circumstances Grayling said. I am confident that will happen. ($1 = 0.7863 pounds) Cotton buds account for about 9% of waste found on Italian beaches an average of about 60 sticks per beach. Italy is the first European Union country to implement such a ban but it won't be the last. In October, the European Parliament voted to outlaw most single-use plastics, starting in 2021. Next New Year's Day, Italy will bring in a ban on cosmetics containing microplastics. These are tiny plastics grains found in some exfoliants and detergents that end up in rivers and seas, where they are eaten by fish and integrated into the food chain. Brussels has warned that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish, if nothing is done. Lebanons President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri are determined to form a government, state news agency NNA quoted Hariri as saying after they met on Tuesday evening, Trend reports referring to Reuters. Lebanon has been without a government since an election almost eight months ago, as its rival parties have jostled over the allocation of cabinet positions, further unsettling the countrys fragile economy. Only one difficulty remains in the process and Hariri and Aoun are working to solve it, Hariri added. A breakthrough to create a national unity government in line with Lebanons sectarian power-sharing system seemed close last month, but did not work out and the impasse resumed. However, Hariri said on Sunday he still believed the government would form early in the new year. Lebanon has the worlds third-highest level of debt to GDP and Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil said on Sunday it faces an economic crisis that he warned could turn into a financial one. Hariri has pledged to carry out economic reforms that could unlock billions of dollars of international investment in Lebanese power, transport and data infrastructure, aimed at boosting the economy after years of weak growth. The International Monetary Fund has stressed the importance of Lebanon putting its debt on a sustainable footing, while bond yields and the cost of insuring against Lebanese sovereign debt have shown signs of stress in recent months. Russian military servicemen have delivered New Year gifts from the authorities of the Moscow Region to 200 children from low-income families in Syrias Aleppo Governorate and the inhabited community of Muran, Pavel Matreninsky, a spokesman for the Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides, told reporters, Trend reports referring to TASS. "We have brought New Year gifts from the Moscow Region for children in an inhabited community in Aleppo Governorate, including various sweets - gingerbread, candy, cookies and jams," he said. Adults received food packages and bread. According to Matreninsky, another humanitarian operation was held in one of Aleppos schools where children were able to attend a concert and see a Father Frost and other fairy-tale characters. A UN compound was shelled Tuesday in Mogadishu and two UN staff members were injured. UN Special Representative Nicholas Haysom has strongly condemned the attack which "may amount to a violation of international humanitarian law", Sputnik reports. The Somali Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday that UN Special Representative Nicholas Haysom had become a 'persona non-grata,' indicating that he was no longer welcome in the country. "Somali notifies UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres that the United Nations envoy Nicholas Haysom is persona non-grata in the country and cannot operate," the statement said, quoted by the Garowe Online newspaper. The ministry accused the envoy of meddling in the country's sovereign affairs and "blatantly violating protocols." Haysom has been occupying the post of the UN special envoy for Somalia since September 2018. The French Foreign Ministry expressed concern on Wednesday over the situation in Mali, where almost 40 civilians were killed by attackers in the central Mopti region, which neighbors Burkina Faso, Trend reported citing Sputnik. "France is concerned at the increase in murders and serious crime perpetrated against civilians in central Mali over the last few months, which reached a new peak yesterday, with dozens of fatalities France calls for a strong response on the part of the Malian authorities in order to ensure that these crimes are immediately investigated and that their perpetrators are prosecuted and punished," the French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement. Bamako must ensure the disarmament of all militant groups, the ministry noted. The ministry's comments follow Tuesday media reports citing Malian authorities, that armed men have killed 37 Fulani civilians in a night raid. This is yet another case of clashes between the Dogon hunters and the largely nomadic Fula ethnic group Mali currently suffers from chronic instability and simmering ethnic conflicts. There are about 20 ethnic groups, some members of which are reportedly affiliated with global terrorist organizations. At the same time, violence rocks neighbouring Burkina Faso, where at least 13 people were killed in an armed attack, media reported earlier in the day. Tehran, Iran, Jan. 2 Trend: Irans mining and mineral industries had the highest share of the countrys exports to Turkey worth more than $400 million in the past eight months of Iranian year (started March 21, 2018). During the past eight months, Irans mining and mineral products had a 45 percent share of exports to Turkey, Trend reports citing IRNA. Irans customs statistics show export of 441,311 tons of mining and mineral products to Turkey worth over $404.6 million. The exports included various types of stones and related products, ferrosilicon, ceramic products, bricks, tiles, alumina powder, coal and coke, zinc, lead, cement, chromium and molybdenum, steel and related products, metals, gemstones, copper, nickel and other products. During the past eight months, Irans import of mining and mineral products from Turkey was 12 percent of all imports. Trade between the two countries during past 10 months of 2018 was more than $8.2 billion. Tehran, Iran, Jan. 2 Trend: Director of the National Iranian Carpet Center says that a bartering mechanism has been designed to maintain the export markets for handmade carpets. In a mechanism designed to barter carpets with imported goods, exporting countries to Iran will get carpets, Fereshteh Dastpak said referring to US sanctions, Trend reports citing IRNA. Countries such as China could potentially be customers of Iran's handmade carpets and enter the carpet bartering system, she continued. Pointing to the US sanctions against Iran and the suspension of carpet exports to that country, she says, Given the US market has always been the destination for 30 percent of Irans handmade carpets, with the help of NGOs, we are seeking to lift the carpet sanctions. Last year, 5,400 tons of Iranian handmade carpets worth $425 million were exported. The United States is the largest handmade carpet market in the world; last year, it imported $126 million worth carpets. Germany, Lebanon, Britain and Japan are the most important export markets for Iranian handmade carpets after the US. Tehran, Iran, Jan. 2 Trend: A member of Iranian parliament criticized the governments three-month limit for exporters to return the foreign currency earned from exports to NIMA. Returning export revenue takes from one to five months, Vali-Allah Dadashi told Trend. The merchants of the region work using credits with each other and the governments three-month limit damages the business relations. He went on to say that the government should think about another solution for this issue, so that the exporters do not see any hindrance and do not lose their credibility. Businessmen who have not entered their currency to the NIMA system are likely to face problems. I believe the government should increase the time limit for returning the currency to more than three months in order to maximize the satisfaction of our traders, said Dadashi. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan.2 By Huseyn Valiyev - Trend: An interactive map of the Baku Metro will be available for users of Android devices at the beginning of 2019, the project manager Shamkhal Bayramov told Trend. He said the mobile application is primarily intended for tourists and guests of Baku. "The interface will be in Russian, Azerbaijani and English," he noted. "Users of the mobile application will be able to choose the best route by specifying the starting and final points of their trip. Information about the arrival time of the train and the length of the route will be available." Work is also underway to improve the online BakuBus guide, he added. The online application allows tracking the movement of buses on the map of Baku in real time, Bayramov said. Users of this application can plan trips, choose a bus route and get information about which bus runs the specified route, he added. "At the beginning of next year, the application will have additional new functions," he said. "For example, it will be possible to get information about the distance between the bus stop and the arriving bus. It will also be possible to choose the best route by specifying the starting and final points of trip." Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 2 By Sara Israfilbayova - Trend: Azerikimya Production Union, a part of Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, plans to increase production by 35-40 percent this year, SOCAR told Trend. The company said that over 337,000 tons of such products as polyethylene, ethylene, propylene, liquid and heavy pyrolysis resin, butane-butylene fraction and absolute isopropyl alcohol were produced in 2018. The company added that in 2018, products of the Azerikimya were exported to such countries as Turkey, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, China, Poland, the Czech Republic, Vietnam, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Lithuania. "Speaking about the possibilities of expanding the geography of supplies in 2019, we must take into account the fact that since September 2018, propylene is no longer exported, but transferred to SOCAR Polymer for the production of polypropylene," SOCAR said. In addition, a part of ethylene, starting from January 2019, will also be sent to SOCAR Polymer as a raw material for the production of low-density polyethylene, the company noted. "Thus, in 2019, a significant decrease is expected in export volumes of products directly by Azerikimya, because some of the products will serve as raw materials for the new plants of SOCAR Polymer, and they, in turn, will export more valuable products of advanced processing cycle, such as polypropylene and low pressure polyethylene (of high density)," SOCAR said. SOCAR is the sole producer of petroleum products in Azerbaijan owning over 370 filling stations in Georgia, Ukraine, Romania and Switzerland. It is also a co-owner of the largest Turkish petrochemical complex Petkim. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan.2 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Hungary may provide opportunities for sale of traditional Azerbaijani goods in Europe, Hungarian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Viktor Szederkenyi told Trend. "Hungary may help Azerbaijani business to enter the European Union (EU) market, namely, to provide an opportunity for creating enterprises, investment opportunities, as well as the market for sale of traditional Azerbaijani goods," said the ambassador. He pointed out that Hungary offers for Azerbaijan new technologies and ready-made solutions in transportation, in urban planning, power supply, in the field of agricultural processing and the food industry. "Recently weve started a joint agricultural project in Xizi region: we build a modern greenhouse complex with financial support of EXIM Bank Hungary," said the envoy. Further, Szederkenyi said that Azerbaijan is the major foreign trade partner of Hungary in the South Caucasus region. "But nevertheless the current level of the mutual trade turnover does not reflect neither the potential of our economic cooperation nor the both strategic and friendly nature of our bilateral political relationship." He noted that the bilateral trade turnover grew by 8% percent and stood at $47 million in 2017, as compared to 2016. "In the first eight month of the year 2018 the positive tendencies continued: the Hungarian export increased by 34 percent and reached $42 million. The main positions of Hungarian export are: the well-known pharmaceuticals, HELL energy drinks, agrarian products and technologies, machines and equipment, food items," said the envoy. In order to boost the bilateral trade, Hungary believes that the two countries should improve the economic cooperation in the most promising sectors, which have been identified as priorities: agriculture and food industry, the development of infrastructure, energy sector, cooperation in water industry, ICT sector, transport and logistics, and the sphere of tourism. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 2 Trend: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolence to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. I was deeply saddened by the news of a tragedy that happened in Magnitogorsk, Ilham Aliyev said in his letter. On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to you, families and loved ones of those who died and the whole people of Russia, and wish those injured swiftest possible recovery. Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 2 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 46 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Jan. 2, Trend reports. The Armenian armed forces were using heavy machine guns. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Reuters has surveyed 32 economists and analysts to find out what are their predictions for oil prices in 2019 and it seems that no one expects to see more expensive oil, at least for a while. The experts believe North Sea Brent will hover around $70 a barrel in 2019, which is close to the 2018 average. Currently Brent is trading at $54. So, it will take time for oil to climb back to $70 a barrel, if favorable conditions prevail. For a while at least, Brent oil will trade lower than the $70 target analysts have set for 2019. But other types of oil usually trade lower than Brent, so countries such as Iran will sell their oil much cheaper. In the sanctions environment, Iran has to give further discounts to customers, which will cut into its revenues. The main reason for the lackluster price outlook is oversupply, fueled by U.S. production and the expectation of global economic slowdown reducing demand. President Donald Trump has been lobbying for lower prices, asking Saudi Arabia to help keep oil cheap. But at the same time, his sanctions on Irans oil reduced supplies by at least a million barrels per day. This played a role in higher prices in October and November, but then the market noticed an actual abundance of crude in early December and prices tumbled. Iran could lose more oil exports if the U.S. had not given sanctions waivers to several friendly countries, such as India and Japan. But these waivers might come to an end and maybe another half a million barrels a day might be taken off the table, helping prices go up a bit. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers including Russia, known collectively as OPEC+, agreed in December to cut production by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) to try to drain global crude inventories and support prices. But the cuts have not gone into effect yet and prices have fallen more than 15 percent since the announcement. "The market had largely priced in renewed production cuts from OPEC. As a result, we expect prices to sink if OPEC or Russia diverge from their production quotas notably," said Cailin Birch, an analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit told Reuters. "We expect the cuts to be renewed in April, when the deal comes up for review, as higher output from the U.S. and weakening global demand require continued restraint." Oil prices have fallen more than 40 percent from multi-year highs reached in early October on concerns about the impact of a trade dispute between the United States and China on global economic growth and demand for oil. Another potential headwind next year is slowing consumption. Many analysts project demand growth of a little over 1 million bpd in 2019, compared with an increase of 1.54 million bpd in 2018, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Meanwhile, U.S. shale oil output growth is expected to remain robust, adding to supply. The United States surpassed Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world's biggest oil producer in 2018, with overall U.S. crude production climbing to a record 11.7 million bpd. Overall, this is not a rosy picture for Iran, already suffering from deep economic crisis, compounded by U.S. sanctions, which have impacted the countrys banking ties with the world and its non-oil trade. With reporting by Reuters A member of parliaments education commission says that a bus which crashed on December 25, killing 9 university students and injuring 28 others did not have technical inspection and was a salvage vehicle. The bus crashed happened on the sprawling hilly campus of Tehran's Azad university. In the wake of the accident students held consecutive days of protests demanding the resignation of university's top officials., including the head of its board of trustees, who is a top advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Some protests still continue. Mirhemayat Mirzadeh, quoting university officials that the universitys contract with the company, which leased the vehicle, specified that all buses must be Mercedes Benz or Scania, but this was an old Iranian made bus. Mirzadeh further disclosed that the driver had multiple driving violations and had received warnings. Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Mesbah Yazdi, a top Shiite cleric and the spiritual father of Iran's hardliner conservatives, says the Islamic Republic's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is aware that Iranians are evading religious teachings and turning to secularism. In an extensive interview with hardline weekly "9 Day," in late December, Mesbah tried to explain why the ideals promised by clerics at the onset of Iran's Islamic revolution some 40 years ago have not materialized. These promises included political freedom, equality and economic progress. While Mesbah appears to be pessimistic about the future of the Islamic Republic as it is, in an article published on Radio Farda's Persian website, prominent Iranian analyst Akbar Ganji has compared Mesbahs views to Khamenei's insistence that Iranians have been increasingly embracing Islamic teachings. On why the Islamic Republic's ideals have failed to materialize, Mesbah says "All ideals are not supposed to materialize in this world which is a place to test different ideas," stressing that "Ideals did not materialize even at the time of the prophet." Indeed, he sounds more like a biblical Christian who scorns materialism and believes that this world is a temporary station on the way to a higher existence. Ganji says Mesbah must have forgotten Khomeini and other clerics' promises about Islam being "a guideline for man from birth to death." Iran not to be another Japan or US Mesbah says it is a mistake for Iran to follow the example of Japan and the Unites States to focus on economic progress. Islam is not there to bring about development, he said. "It is there to bring about eternal happiness." Ganji challenges Mesbah's statement and says it contradicts Khamenei's position about the importance of the economy and his order that calls on state officials to invest all of their energy on improving the economy. Mesbah in his interview says that Khamenei's idea is pragmatic. "If he does not say that he wants to improve people's economic situation, Marxists might take advantage and hijack the economy mantle. You already see Marxist ideas becoming popular at Tehran's universities including Islamic schools." Mesbah had also said in a December 27 speech to women that the reason why Khamenei attaches importance to the economy is that "in most countries economic inequality has made Marxism popular." "This could have happened in Iran too if Ayatollah Khamenei did not control the situation by hijacking Marxists' slogans." Ganji concludes that, "So, Khamenei is not concerned about people's livelihood. He is concerned winning against political rivals." The youth evading religious teachings According to Ganji, while Khamenei says today's youths are more religious than the generation who was active in the 1979 Islamic revolution, Mesbah is seriously concerned that young Iranians are turning away from Islam. The people and university professors ask, What if we do not wish to go to heaven? Can we say we have nothing to do with heaven and hell and Islam? And what about freedom and human rights? Didn't you say freedom will come with the Islamic Republic? What if I don't want to be a Muslim?" said Mesbah. Mesbah warned that "every regime official is trying to improve the economic situation like Marxists and liberals based on Khamenei's words, and in the meantime, our spiritual values are being destroyed." According to Ganji, contrary to Khamenei's ideas, Mesbah says that in young Iranians' minds, "religious teachings and values are fading out and are being replaced by freedom, democracy, human rights, progress and technology. This threatens the future of the Islamic revolution. One day we open our eyes and see that we have lost the revolution." Khamenei is aware of the situation Mesbah says Khamenei is aware that the next generation wants a Western-style democracy even if they have to forget about religion, adding that nevertheless, Khamenei makes decisions based on pragmatism and "we should simply obey what he says." Mesbah named pluralism and secularism as the two biggest threats against Islam, adding that most intellectuals say that religion is not necessary for man's life. "We see traces of secularism even among the country's top officials. This is the case even in the seminaries." Elsewhere in the interview, Mesbah said: "Our officials chants slogans saying the U.S. cannot do anything to us. What do we have to help us stand against America? Officials say they want to bring prices down, but what they really want to do is compromising with the U.S. They say to Americans, we give you this concession and you lift that sanction." According to Ganji, Mesbah as "the Islamic Republic's most prominent ideologue" is saying that the country's situation is "critical." When he looks deep into the society, "he does not see anything left from Islam, as if secularism has encompassed the entire regime, and Khamenei is going ahead in the same direction driven by pragmatism." Iran's Guardian Council has for the second time rejected a bill against funding terrorism, Fars news agency reported on January 1. The bill is one of a collection of four pieces of legislation against money laundering and funding terrorism Iran's Parliament (Majles) has approved to meet the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international body working to ensure countries and financial institutions have the right mechanisms to prevent corrupt dealings. Majles ratifications need to be approved by the Guardian Council, a watchdog that makes sure laws are consistent with Iran's constitution and Shiite religious rules. It is not clear what exactly is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's position on the final adoption of these laws. He clearly controls the Guardian Council, but is it his wish to reject the bills, or he does not want to make any decision and the Council members also do not want to be responsible in the matter. The Guardian Council has said that the Majles has resolved only two of the 22 problems concerning the anti-terror-financing bill, which is said to be the most important one of the four FATF requirements. The Council has so far approved only one of the other bills and rejected the other three. Now the Expediency Council, as the final arbiter between the Majles and Guardian Council has to pass a verdict on the three remaining bills. A quick decision by the Expediency Council is essential for Iran as FATF's deadline ends in less than two months. The Council's new chief, Sadeq Amoli Larijani, was appointed on December 30, after a one year state of lull while its former chairman was in his death bed. An influential Expediency Council member, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, has said in an interview with the administration-owned Iran newspaper that the Expediency Council might complete its review of the legislation next week. Bahonr added that in his opinion the Expediency Council will approve the remaining FATF bills. At least two other Expediency Council members, conservative Ahmad Tavakoli, and reformist Majid Ansari have also opined that the council will approve the bills. The three members expressed optimism about the approval of the bills while previously a committee at the council had said there were "flaws" in the bills. The speaker of Iran's parliament, Ali Larijani, has said that European banks, as well as some banks in "friendly countries," possibly meaning Russia and China, have withheld their cooperation with Iran waiting to see if Tehran will meet the FATF requirements. President Hassan Rouhani has also said that Iran's banking transactions will cost 20% more if the FATF bills are not ratified in time. Hardliners who oppose Iran joining the FATF have said that they fear approving the bills against money laundering and funding terrorism will prevent Iran from extending financial assistance to groups such as HAMAS and the Lebanese Hezbollah. The bills' supporters say its opponents in fact fear transparency and anti-corruption campaigns. The ratification by the Majles includes a clause that says the Islamic Republic does not recognize groups committed to "legitimate defense" as terrorists. In October 2018, the FATF temporarily suspended counter-measures against Iran and has taken it out of its blacklist until February and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Tehran to ratify the anti-corruption bills before the February 2019 deadline. For Iran, access to finance has become particularly pressing since the United States walked out of a 2015 nuclear deal in May 2018 and began reimposing sanctions. The other parties to the deal -- Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia -- have sought to salvage the agreement and maintain trade with Iran, but have demanded that it accedes to the FATF. A conservative cleric who was involved in extra-judicial killings of political prisoners in the late 1980s in Iran did not deny reports that he might be appointed to head the Islamic Republics all-powerful Judiciary. Ebrahim Raisi (pronounced ra-isi) who ran against current president Hassan Rouhani in the 2017 presidential elections is considered a person who is trusted by the countrys Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Irans judicial branch of government is directly under the control of the Supreme Leader and acts as a bulwark against critics and opponents of the regime, not hesitating to arrest activists and journalists, conduct closed-door trials and hand out long prison terms. When asked by Khabar Online news website about reports of his impending appointment, Raisi answered, Ask those who have published the news. Khamenei last week appointed the current head of the Judiciary as the chairman of a powerful conservative watchdog and his seat at the judicial branch is now open. The head of the Judiciary is appointed directly by the Supreme Leader for a five-year term, which can be renewed. The current chief judge, Ayatollah Amoli Larijani who is moving to his new job, is already nearing the end of his second five-year term. Raisi has had a long tenure himself as a judge and that is when he was involved in decisions related to the mass murder of political opponents in prisons in 1988. Apart from his record as a judge, he is seen as a conservative, even a hardliner politician who ran in the presidential elections and some critics argue that he cannot head the Judiciary as a disinterested person. He clearly belongs to one faction in the Islamic Republic politics. Khamenei appointed him as the Superintendent of the Holy Shrine in Mashad, a lucrative and powerful position, which he still holds. Raisis father-in-law, a notoriously hardline ayatollah himself, is the Friday Prayer Leader of the city. Surprisingly, a senior advisor to Rouhani has voiced support for Raiss possible appointment, praising him as an experienced judge and manager. Kyiv's Solomiansky District Court on December 26, 2018, in part satisfied a complaint by a person, whose identity has not been reveled in the Unified State Register of Court Decisions, against the actions of National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) employees regarding the issue of entering into the register information about administrative offences violated by top government officials. The court refused to oblige the NABU employee, whose job it is to enter information about pretrial investigations into the register, to enter information regarding the Ukrainian president's alleged violation of Article 364 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, as noted "in the statement about committing a crime (under Article 214 of Ukraine's Criminal Code) No. 3246-zz from December 7, 2018, filed by PERSON1, received by NABU on December 12, 2018." Judge Vitaliy Ukrayinets obliged the NABU official no later than 24 hours after receiving a copy of the decision to enter into the registry the information regarding Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko and three other persons, who were noted in the same statement of December 7, about an alleged offence. Police have announced they detained two so-called "Stalkers" in Prypiat, a ghost town, after they had infiltrated the Chornobyl nuclear power station's Exclusion Zone with the aim of enjoying "extreme tourism" on New Year's Eve. "A 24-year-old male resident of Lviv region and a 33-year-old female resident of Zhytomyr region were apprehended. They told police they wanted to greet the New Year in a strange atmosphere, and so they violated the law," the press center of Kyiv region's National Police said on Wednesday. The pair were issued administrative fines under Article 46-1 (violation of requirements of the radiation safety regime in areas affected by radioactive contamination) of Ukraine's Code of Administrative Offenses. They face penalties of 20 to 30 non-taxable minimum incomes (from UAH 340 to 510 UAH). The case was sent to Kyiv region's Slavutych City Court for adjudication. "Police discovered and detained 196 stalkers in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone in 2018," the police press service said. The term stalker originated in Arkady and Boris Strugatsky's 1971 science fiction novel, Roadside Picnic, in which alien invaders have left dangerous artifacts in areas known as Zones. The stalkers infiltrate these highly-regulated Zones to steal and sell the objects on the black market. The story was later adapted into Andrey Tarkovsky's film, Stalker. Slovakia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajcak whose country has taken over the one-year chairmanship of the OSCE will pay a visit to Ukraine in two weeks and will travel to Donbas on a visit, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has said. "Congratulations to Slovakia and my good friend Miroslav Lajcak for assuming the 2019 OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office! Wishing Slovakia to be a guardian of OSCE values and principles, blatantly violated by Russia. Looking forward to welcoming Miroslav in Ukraine in two weeks, we will go to Donbas together," Klimkin wrote in a tweet on Twitter on January 2. As earlier reported, Slovakia started its one-year chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on January 1, 2019. Thus, for the next 12 months, Slovakian Foreign Minister Lajcak will serve as the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. According to media reports, Lajcak said earlier that during Slovakia's chairmanship of the OSCE "Ukraine will be our primary priority" and promised to pay his first official visit abroad in his new capacity in early 2019. The regional government of Extremadura, in western Spain, has used the term useless to describe railway authorities after 163 passengers were stranded in the middle of a field on New Years Day. The train had departed from Badajoz at 5.18pm on Tuesday with Madrid as its final destination. But a malfunction in Merida forced the passengers to get off and board a second train. We in Extremadura have often been told that we are stuck at the bottom in this country, yet I never wanted to believe it. But yesterday I believed Javier Granado, passenger There were two trains to choose from at the Merida station, and apparently railway authorities decided to put the passengers on the older one, which also broke down soon later twice. As a result, travelers finally arrived in Madrid at 3.40am on January 2, feeling cold, tired and angry. Renfe, the train operator, has issued an apology and announced an internal investigation. But authorities in Extremadura, a region that has long complained about poor railway infrastructure compared with the rest of the country, are not appeased. I demand answers, explanations and specific action from the government, said regional premier Guillermo Fernandez Vara of the Socialist Party (PSOE) in a tweet. A technician working to get the train running again. Jose Maria Rivero The problem is that somebody insisted on continuing to Madrid with that old train, added Jose Gonzalez, the regional chief of transportation. If Renfe lacks the ability to manage transportation in the region, we kindly ask them to stop doing it. I dont want to go too far, but it they are useless... Constant trouble After passengers were taken off the first train in Merida and transferred to the second one, they arrived at the station of Navalmoral de la Mata at 9.30pm, where this second train remained motionless for nearly an hour. A technician was called in to fix a glitch, and the train got moving again only to break down once more just a few minutes later in the middle of the countryside. Passengers were left in the dark and cold until 1.15am on Wednesday, when another train showed up to tow them back to Navalmoral. From there, passengers were offered three buses to Madrid or a spot on a third train. Passengers arrived at Atocha station in Madrid at around 3.40am. There were no taxis, it was 2C, and nobody showed the least concern for us, according to one passengers Twitter post. We in Extremadura have often been told that we are stuck at the bottom in this country, yet I never wanted to believe it. But yesterday I believed, says Javier Granado, 33. The journalist Borja Negrete, who was on board, posted a video on social media showing people in the dark. 2019 begins like 2018 for the people of Extremadura, as the most forgotten region of Spain, he wrote. This is not the first such incident involving trains in Extremadura, home to some of the poorest municipalities in Spain. On October 13, one of the trains heading for Madrid actually ran out of fuel. In a country crisscrossed by the high-speed AVE train, Extremadura is the exception. The trip from Badajoz to Madrid takes six hours and 37 minutes if it is on time, while the same journey is just four hours by car. The Talgo train, which is back on track after eight years, is slightly faster, covering the distance in five hours and eight minutes. Moreover, theres only one single-track line serving two directions, so at some stage one train has to stop on the siding to let the other train go by. The IAG group has a problem: if the United Kingdom leaves the European Union in March without a Brexit deal, airlines that are not over 50% controlled by EU nationals will lose their flying rights within the bloc. Iberia, which is 100% owned by IAG, could be affected by a no-deal Brexit. But according to business sources, the parent company thinks it can prove to EU authorities that Iberia is in fact over 50% controlled by the Spanish business group El Corte Ingles, known primarily for its department stores. And that makes it Spanish. We are convinced that we will comply with all applicable norms over ownership and control IAG spokeswoman The Spanish executive has been mediating to help convince the European Commission that Iberia is Spanish, although neither the government nor company officials have provided any public details about the effort. In the meantime, IAG holds that there is no problem. We are convinced that we will comply with all applicable norms over ownership and control, both in the UK and in the EU, after Brexit, said a company spokeswoman. A spokesperson for the Spanish Public Works Ministry said that we are convinced that Iberia is a Spanish company, and we are also convinced that, if necessary, the company will make the required adjustments to ensure it complies with European norms. El Corte Ingles controls over 50% of voting rights in Iberia. Pablo Monge There was a first attempt to prove that IAG, which controls 100% of Iberia and Vueling, as well as owning British Airways and Aer Lingus, is itself mostly in European hands. But the numbers do not add up: 21.4% of IAG is controlled by Qatar Airways, 5.26% by the US fund Europacific Growth, and the rest is shared out among minority stakeholders and shareholders who operate in the Madrid and London stock exchanges. The Garanair strategy The second line of defense involves claiming that Iberia is Spanish because it is headquartered in Spain, and also because the former Spanish flag carrier is mostly controlled by a very Spanish company: El Corte Ingles. IAG is basing this claim on the complex corporate structure that was set up in 2011 to facilitate the merger between Iberia and British Airways. While there have been a few important changes since then, the political rights remain in Spanish hands. Iberia has two kinds of owners: at the time of the merger, in order to guarantee the companys Spanishness, Iberia became 100% owned by a company called Ib Opco, where voting rights and economic rights were decoupled. All the economic rights went to IAG, while the voting rights were split between IAG (49.9%) and Garanair (50.01%). Today, Garanair is wholly owned by El Corte Ingles. The Spanish executive has been mediating to help convince the European Commission that Iberia is Spanish Garanair has no economic rights over Iberia, and is itself nearly worthless (its 7,000 shares are worth one euro). It was created in 2010, has one administrator Jorge Pont Sanchez, an executive at El Corte Ingles and one employee, according to business register records. As for Vueling, which is owned by Iberia, the parent company figures that if it can prove the latters Spanish nationality, both airlines will be protected. The question now is whether the European Commission will accept that Iberia is a EU company considering that all economic rights over it are in the hands of the British IAG. Whether El Corte Ingles has any real power over the airline is a matter of debate; Jorge Pont, a Corte Ingles executive, is also the vice-president of Iberia. Lufthansa and Air France, which are IAGs competitors and would like to take over its European business, will almost certainly object if the EU accepts the argument that political rights over Iberia make it a Spanish company. Rescued immigrants reaching Almeria on December 27. Carlos Barba / EFE The year 2018 has set a new record in Spain for migrant arrivals by sea. The number of deaths in the Mediterranean has also reached a new high. According to the International Organization for Migration (OIM), 57,250 people managed to complete the journey to Spain across the Mediterranean between the beginning of the year and December 26. That is an average of nearly 160 arrivals a day. Spain has become main gateway into Europe for irregular immigration from Africa, far surpassing Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta This number does not include the 300 migrants who arrived in Algeciras on December 28 aboard the Open Arms humanitarian ship. This year, the Open Arms and another rescue vessel named the Aquarius brought 452 and 630 migrants to Spain, respectively. The total for 2018 is much higher than the 39,180 arrivals registered in 2006, when there was a spike in the number of boats landing on Spanish coasts, most notably in the Canary Islands. At the time, the wave of arrivals was dubbed the cayuco crisis, after the makeshift vessels used by the migrants. Fatalities Another 769 people died or went missing on the journey across the western Mediterranean last year, more than three times the figure for 2017, according to the IOM. So far, the new year is showing a similar trend: Spanish rescue services assisted 111 people traveling on three boats in the early hours of January 1. A rescue worker with a baby aboard the Aquarius humanitarian ship. Oscar Corral The more than 57,000 arrivals in 2018 represent around half of all undocumented migrants who made the Mediterranean crossing in 2018. According to the IOM, 113,145 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea through December 19. This makes Spain the main gateway into Europe for irregular immigration from Africa, far surpassing Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta. The closed-port policies introduced by Malta and Italy, together with the agreement between the EU and Turkey, has made Spain the most attractive option, if not the safest. Last year marked a record in deaths and missing migrants, 769, a significant rise from the previous high of 631 in 2014, according to IOM data. Amparo Gonzalez, of the state-funded scientific research agency CSIC, says that many of the 57,000-plus migrants who are mainly from Morocco, Guinea and Mali will not settle down in Spain. Between and third and half of them either go elsewhere, or get deported to their home countries because they are from Algeria or Morocco. Those who dont are from sub-Saharan Africa, and they are a minority, she says, blaming media coverage for a widespread perception that all of Africa wants to come to Spain. Gonzalez notes that, by comparison, there were 31,996 migrants from Venezuela in the first half of the year alone, according to records kept by the national statistics agency INE. The analyst Javier Aparicio Maydeu believes that the trend will continue until Europe manages to agree on a shared immigration policy. But this is an election year in Spain and in the EU, meaning that any changes will be put on hold. In 2018, Ukraine allocated a record UAH 170 billion from the state budget for defense, which allowed intensifying rearmament efforts, financing the development of new types of weapons. Combined with the use of foreign arms and hardware, this strengthened Ukraine's defense capabilities in countering Russian aggression. The past year for Ukraine has become significant for enhancing security and defense. The record volume of defense spending at UAH 170 billion has largely contributed to this year's success stories. A significant part of the funds went on covering running costs and supporting combat capabilities of the Army, while a significant UAH 20 billion was spent on the purchase of new weapons and military equipment. Ukraine's defense companies have used the money rather effectively, making excellent groundwork for future breakthroughs in several important areas at once. One of the priorities for modernization and rearmament was continued work on the creation of the Missile Shield, which could be a significant deterrent to Putin's unpredictable and aggressive Russia. Realizing the importance of protecting the country's coastline, Ukraine in December successfully conducted tests of the coastal anti-ship missile complex "Neptun" (Neptune), capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 280 km. According to defense minister Stepan Poltorak, the completion of this weapon's development is one of the top priorities on the ministry's agenda. It must be mobile and have an opportunity to maneuver. We will thus be able to raise the level [of deterrence] and possibilities for preserving territorial integrity and our coastline intact, the minister stressed. In the spring of 2018, the Vilkha (Alder) artillery rocket system was successfully tested, which led to a decision to start serial production and accept the complex for service. Being a modernized version of the Smerch complex, the Vilkha boasts a strike range of about 70 km, allowing each of the rockets to be assigned a separate target. This is in line with the concept of modern warfare, where a smaller amount of ammunition destroys more targets. The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade stated that the implementation of the Vilkha ARS project and the launch of its mass production lines cost nearly UAH 1 billion. Progres Research and Production Complex last year announced readiness to begin tests and subsequent production of Kvitnyk (Flowerbed) 152mm precision-guided munitions, capable of a bulls-eye hit at a distance of up to 20 km. Director of Defense Express Information and Consulting Company, Serhiy Zgurets, emphasized an important fact that Ukraine does not focus on creating just a certain type of weapon, rather opting for developing new arms for various firing lines. We have a maximum range of a Neptun missile of up to 280 km, Vilkha is 70 km, then cannon artillery starts operating, like Kvitnyk that can hit targets at an up to 20 km range. Thus, at each firing line, we're creating our own weapon, the expert told UNIAN. He added that another important result of 2018 was the active work of the Pivdenne Design Bureau on creating the Sapsan operational tactical complex, which can wipe out targets at up to 500 km. The testing of various parts of the new system is underway. Armored capacities In addition to the successful testing of various missile systems, the past year proved to be productive for the armored cluster of the state-owned Ukroboronprom Concern, whose enterprises handed over more than a 1,000 units of equipment and weapons to the Army both new and modernized. One of the main tasks of last year was to expand the production of hulls for BTR-3 and BTR-4 aromred personnel carriers, since previously, production of these machines was tied to one private company the Lozovskyi Forge-echanical Plant. Now this limitation has been overcome, and work has begun on mastering the production of hulls at defense enterprises in Kharkiv and Kyiv. Throughout the year, the Malyshev Plant, Morozov Design Bureau, and Kyiv Armored Plant reported on the creation of the first experimental hulls for APCs in question. In addition, in 2018, defense companies continued developing completely new combat vehicles and modernizing existing models through the introduction of new technologies. The Morozov Design Bureau in Kharkiv is developing a new BMP-U infantry fighting vehicle, which in the future could replace the BMP-1 and BMP-2. Kyiv Armored Plant began testing the T-72AMT main battle tank with enhanced new generation Nizh (Knife) dynamic protection armor, modern aiming complex and observation means. Mykolayiv Armored Plant presented the Mangust (Mongoose) combat reconnaissance vehicle. Developing combat aviation and air defense means In 2018, defense enterprises stepped up efforts to restore aircraft and e-warfare equipment, extending their life period all to enhance the country's air shield. In early August, Serhiy Drozdov, Ukraine's Air Force Commander, reported that since the beginning of the year almost three dozen repaired and modernized aircraft had filed up the national fleet of military aircraft. As of the end of the year, Ukraine's aviation enterprises that are part of Ukroboronprom transferred some 50 aircraft and helicopters to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It's the Su-27, MiG-29, Su-25, Su-24, An-26, Il-76 and L-39 aircraft, as well as the Mi-24, Mi-14 and Mi-8 helicopters. "We also have MiG-29 jets and heavy Su-27 fighters, they will also need to be replaced, because, according to my estimates, we have two or three years to decide what to do with the aircraft fleet, said Serhiy Zgurets. At the same time, the expert added that the Ministry of Defense and the Command of the Air Force had already decided on the requirements for the aircraft, which will be the basis of Ukraine's aviation fleet. This will not be the fifth generation fighter, it will be the aircraft we can afford, and now we need to decide how we will move along this path, he said. As for the development of air defense forces, in 2018, the efforts of the Kyiv-based Luch and Radioniks companies modernized the S-125M air defense system. All elements of this complex have been upgraded, including missiles. Strengthening e-warfare tools Boosting the potential of Ukrainian signals intelligence and electronic warfare goes in several directions, in particular, the number of unmanned vehicles in the army is increasing to improve the accuracy of artillery strikes, as well as to enhance the effectiveness of various types of forces. Last year, Ukraine's defenders accepted for service at least seven dozen unmanned aerial vehicles of various types. And now, experts say Army commanders will face the task of learning how to use the new equipment most effectively. In 2018, the Ukrainian army and navy actively developed the capabilities of modern communications systems. In particular, the military received American radio stations Falcon III by Harris, as well as Turkish army radio stations capable of operating in the conditions of electronic countermeasures. Last year, the new 3D mobile radars and radar artillery reconnaissance complex Zoopark-2 produced by the Iskra scientific-production facility were added to the list. Last year, the updated ground mobile radar P-18 Malakhit was also presented. The Infozakhyst private enterprise created the Plastun systems, which monitor the enemys communications and promptly process the intercepted data. In 2018, the same company continued testing its newly-made Khortytsia-M SIGINT system, able to conduct complex radio monitoring on the ground. What is important is that the military leadership demonstrates an understanding of the need to develop own electronic warfare equipment to confront Russia. We are still following the path of creating complexes for combating drones in the electronic warfare format, but unfortunately this is not enough, so we need to create more powerful e-warfare complexes. Here, I think, one can apply the positive experience of private companies, said Zgurets. These were the main developments of the past year in the defense area. If we consider that the financial possibilities of the state budget of Ukraine and the state enterprises of the industry are quite limited, a lot has been done indeed. And this groundwork gives hope that the coming year will bring a lot of positive news, and our country will significantly strengthen its defenses and develop new military equipment, which will give new opportunities to our defenders and interest foreign partners. As for the plans for 2019, at the meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, its Secretary, Oleksandr Turchynov, called the priority task creating missile and rocket systems, which would strengthen defenses of the country's coastline. "Prospective developments and production of weapons and military equipment, heavy howitzer artillery, air defense and communications, armored vehicles will be supported, while production of ammunition and shells will be expanded," Turchynov said, adding that all new weapons and military equipment must meet NATO standards. Dmytro Shvarts If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Payment terminals, ATMs in Ukraine to offer forex services The National Bank introduced new rules for foreign exchange transactions. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter What do you think about our new website? Share your opinion Poroshenko: Ukraine-EU trade grows by 40% in past three years The FTA with the EU has received new powerful impetus due to the PEM Convention. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukraine sees almost 25% reduction in natural gas imports in 2018 Last year, Ukraine bought over 60% of gas from Slovakia. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter An exhibition on Saigons Nguyen Hue walking street goes back to 1698, connecting the past with the present. Students from Ho Chi Minh City Open University at the photo exhibition "320 years Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City - Where aspiration rises high" on Nguyen Hue Street. The exhibition, which opened December 28, 2018, will remain open until January 8, 2019. More than 100 photographs document the growth of urban Saigon from the time of Nguyen Huu Canh who founded Saigon in 1698. A high-ranking general in the second half of the 17th century, Nguyen Huu Canh's military expeditions into the Mekong Delta placed the region firmly under Vietnamese administrative control. The exhibition showcases many aspects of Saigonese life, including pottery making, traditional markets, ports, schools, urban movements, and other developments. An image of migrants exploring and settling on the soil of Saigon - Gia Dinh (a former province of South Vietnam that encircles Saigon) as street vendors. In the early days of reclaiming the land, people had to fight with wild beasts to survive. Tigers were a particular threat. Rudimentary defenses were built to protect against forays by wild animals. The Saigon Port was built in a deep-water area where large vessels of the day could be accommodated, facilitating international trade and travel, establishing links with cities and people from other countries. The Ben Thanh Market was inaugurated in 1914 near a train station. At the beginning, the place was called New Market to distinguish it from the Old Market located near the banks of Ben Nghe River, also in District 1. The market was and is still Saigon's main commercial center, where many large merchants converged. Ben Thanh was frequently visited by locals and residents from other provinces. A outdoor classroom, with folded hands signifying obedience and respect for elders. Saigons contact with Western European culture strengthened from the 19th century but traditional practices retained national identity. A Saigon woman serves tea to guests circa 1930. A "tuong" troupe in Saigon in 1930. Tuong is a Vietnamese operatic art form. Experts have pointed out that tuong, or hat boi in the South is representative of the countrys history of expansion. It celebrates the elements of Cham music in the south, adopting certain singing styles, particularly in expressing melancholy and related emotions. Later on, the art incorporated the high-pitched singing voices of the Hua community to express cheerful tones. After reunification in 1975, efforts were made to remove illiteracy across all age groups. A rice harvest by Cooperative No.3 in Thoi Tam Thon Commune, Hoc Mon District. Agriculture has been a mainstay for the Vietnamese economy for centuries. Four killed, 16 injured as truck crashes into motorbikes in Vietnam Police and curious residents are at the scene where a truck crashed into multiple motorbikes in Long An Province Wednesday. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Nam At least four people died and 16 others were seriously injured in southern Long An Province Wednesday after a truck slammed into motorbikes. At 3.30 p.m. the container truck was traveling on National Highway 1A when its driver lost control and rammed at least 20 motorbikes waiting at the traffic lights at the Binh Nhut crossroads in Ben Luc District, around 60 kilometers southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Many of the motorbikes were dragged for over 150 meters before the truck came to a halt. Some were broken in half. "It was horrifying," an eyewitness said. Three people died on the spot, one died in hospital while 16 others remained hospitalized. The truck driver, Pham Thanh Hieu, 32, fled the scene after the accident. Preliminary investigation indicated that he had tried to speed past the traffic light before it turned red. Three people died when this truck rammed 20 motorbikes at a traffic signal in Long An Wednesday. Photo by VnExpress/Hoang Nam The police are continuing their investigation. At 5:15 p.m. traffic was still blocked on the highway. During the four-day New Year holiday 136 accidents were recorded, in which 111 people died around Vietnam and another 54 were injured, according to the Traffic Police Department. This was a significant increase in fatalities from last year, when 67 died in three days. On average, one person dies every hour in road accidents in Vietnam. The country targets reducing road accident deaths to below 20 a day, or 7,300 a year. More trees to fall as Hanoi brings out ax again for road widening Hanoi's road expansion project will involve removing nearly 500 trees along the To Lich River on Lang Street. Photo by VnExpress/Ba Do Hanoi is widening a number of roads to ease the worsening congestion, and it involves felling scores of trees. The VND125-billion ($5.3 million) task is expected to finish before the Lunar New Year next month. Under the project, 371 trees on Lang Street near the city center will be moved and 105 others chopped down. The work began Tuesday and is expected to take a months time, expected to cost more than VND64 billion ($2.7 million). Some locals said they have been familiar with the canopy, and losing it would be a regret. Most of the trees to be chopped or moved are of flowering species: giant crape-myrtle, blackboard tree, royal poinciana, and African mahogany. Their trunks are less than 30 centimeters (12 inches) in diameter. A tree to be moved is numbered. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy The project will also involve narrowing the median on Pham Hung and Khuat Duy Tien streets in Tu Liem District, as well as Nghiem Xuan Yen and Nguyen Xien in Hoang Mai District. In 2017 some 1,000 trees had been felled to widen part of Pham Van Dong Street in Tu Liem District. The Administration of Technical Infrastructure under the Ministry of Construction said in a 2017 report that Vietnams biggest cities had only two to three square meters of green area per person. That is a third or less than what the World Health Organization has recommended for a healthy urban life. A majority of fresh graduates in Vietnam are interested in starting their own business. Photo courtesy of Pham Khanh Linh An increasing number of young Vietnamese are taking the startup route, willing to take risks and wait for rewards. Pham Khanh Linh seemed to be all set on a rewarding career, finding a job at global financial firm Goldman Sachs after graduating from the Cambridge University. But she quit the job in less than a year. Instead of pursuing a corporate employee path, the 25-year-old decided to return to Vietnam and start her own business, which she did last year. She said her ambition is to make a difference in her country. "I didnt feel like I could make a difference with a corporate job. I wanted to influence more people," she told VnExpress International. Linh is the founder and CEO of Logivan, a logistics service which optimizes trucks routes and reduces their empty load return rates. She came up with the idea after observing that about 60-70 percent of truck drivers in Vietnam go back to their base with empty trunks, because they cannot be connected with potential customers. "I saw a big problem for the logistics sector in Vietnam, but also an opportunity to make an impact." Linh is one among an increasing number of aspiring entrepreneurs in Vietnam who are seeking to make a difference with startups in a country that is encouraging young people to start their own businesses. Le Anh Tien is another. While many of Tiens friends at the University of Science and Technology in the central city of Da Nang began a quest for a stable corporate career immediately after graduation, he demurred. Tien joined with two other partners to found Chatbot Vietnam last year, a startup which provides solutions for businesses on Facebook Messenger to answer customers questions and help them order a product without the need for a customer service officer. With 13 employees, the 28-year-old plans to expand the service to Indonesia and the Philippines next year. "There are investors who are interested, but I havent said yes to them. Im waiting for someone who could offer me a million-dollar investment." About 75 percent of fresh graduates in Vietnam are interested in starting their own business, according to a recent survey by Navigos Search, a leading provider of executive search services in Vietnam. Fifty-two percent of them have never attempted a startup before but want to in the near future, while 22 percent of them have attempted at least once, said the survey, which polled 1,600 graduates with less than two years working experience. Nguyen Phuong Mai, managing director of Navigos Search, said that Vietnam is seeing a young generation of entrepreneurs who are determined to pursue the startup path. "These young people have a strong entrepreneurship spirit. We can observe this spirit in large companies, and even in our own," she told VnExpress International. Supporting environment What motivates these people to start up is the support from the government and local companies in recent years, Mai added. At the Youth Startups Forum 2018 in Hanoi last November, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the Vietnamese government is willing to make changes in regulations to facilitate timely funding for startups. "We need a breakthrough innovation in policies from government bodies to help startups succeed with their ideas," he told the forum, which attracted 300 entrepreneurs from across the country. Investment funds are also ready to pour cash and back aspiring young entrepreneurs. In August, Linhs Logivan, dubbed "Uber for trucks," received an investment from the Vietnamese fund VinaCapital Ventures, which has set aside $100 million to invest in technology startups. Singapore-based Ethos Partners and Singapore-based Insignia Venture Partners have also invested in the startup, bringing the total investment that Logivan has raised in the second round to $1.75 million, after raising $600,000 for the first round in March. In early December, Logivan became one of four winners of Pitch@Palace Global 3.0, a platform hosted by the Duke of York to accelerate the work of international entrepreneurs. Linh became the only Vietnamese representative to win the Entrepreneur of the Year title in a competition of 23 entrepreneurs from countries like Australia, China, Hungary and Singapore and the U.K. Tiens startup, Chatbot Vietnam, also received financial support of $30,000 last year from Amazon and Facebook in the FbStart program, which is designed to assist mobile startups in their early stage. Another reason why more young people, aging from 26 to 35 years old, want to open startups is a desire to make an impact in their own country, said Mai of Navigos Search. Although there are a high number of young people who found a startup because they want to be successful and rich, Navigos surveys show that other popular reasons are "wanting to be a boss" and "wanting to have a personal value on the market," she said. Inevitable failures The number of Vietnamese startups successful in attracting investment has been increasing in recent years, reaching 92 in 2017, a 45 percent increase over 2016, according to the Topica Founder Institute, which organizes an annual program that trains and connects startups with potential investors. The total value of the deals was $291 million in 2017, up 42 percent from 2016, the institute said. However, challenges are unavoidable for the new companies. Mai said that with a large number of people attempting startups, venture funds can only select a small number, leaving the rest to their own devices. The lack of funds is a vital challenge to startups. "80-90 percent of startups fail in the early stages because they dont have enough funding to move on to the expansion stage," Phan Hoang Lan, head of the Financial Planning Division under the Ministry of Science and Technology's Market Development Department, said at a forum earlier. Mai added that most startups also fail because young leaders, no matter how passionate, lack the skills to manage a new company as well as the capability to create a complete product that is well-received by the market. Tiens knows this struggle too well. His previous startup, a service which connects laborers with potential workplaces, could not continue due to a lack of funds. Other projects have also failed because the team members werent on the same page. But the failures are not in vain. Tiens goal to pursue his own dream seems to have been partly achieved when Chatbot Vietnam became one of the top five companies in the Startup Viet 2018 competition organized by VnExpress in November. It also received a prize from Grab Venture, an innovation arm of ride-hailing firm aimed at supporting Southeast Asias startups. "Every time my startup fails, I learn something which I could never have known without the failures. Starting a business helps me become more versatile and complete." "If this startup fails, Ill do another. I still have a couple of ideas left," he said. FastGo is the first Vietnamese ride-hailing service to expand to another country. Photo by Reuters FastGo, Vietnams first ride-hailing service, has kicked off operations in Myanmar as part of its Southeast Asia expansion plans. Its joint venture with Myanmarese conglomerate Asia Sun Group began offering services on December 28. CEO Nguyen Huu Tuat said at the launch that Myanmar is a promising market with the e-commerce, travel and retail sectors all growing rapidly. With a population of 50 million, transport demand in the country is expected to rise, he said. FastGo targets major cities and provinces and expects to sign up two million users and 100,000 drivers. It pursues the same business model as in Vietnam, only taking a fixed service cost from drivers and not commissions on each ride and guaranteeing them higher fares during rush hour and bad weather. It allows users to tip drivers, and offers a priority service for certain customers. Tuat said FastGo has tied up with Asia Sun because the group has experience in various sectors, deep pockets and an understanding of the local market and culture. He expected the venture to benefit Myanmars digital economy. FastGo was launched in Vietnam last June and now has over 40,000 partner drivers in 10 provinces and cities. It aims to be more than just a ride hailing app, offering other services such as food delivery. FastGo Vietnam Joint Stock Company was established in April 2018 with its headquarters in Hanoi. The company belongs to a wide network of services provided by Nextech, a leading tech firm in Vietnam. The Nikkei Asian Review reported that the company hopes to make its service available in 20 cities in Vietnam and five other Southeast Asian markets, including the Philippines, Cambodia and Thailand, by the end of 2019. Bangladesh: China eager to invest in fisheries, IT January 02,2019 | Source: MENAFN China has expressed its eagerness in investing in fisheries, information technology (IT), agro-processing sectors and other sectors in Bangladesh. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Zuo, said many Chinese companies are eager to invest in different sectors in Bangladesh, including fisheries, agro-processing, footwear, processed food and ready-made garment. The envoy was speaking at a discussion meeting hosted by Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on December 6, where he stated that Bangladesh will get priority in Chinese investment. The envoy said once the central banks of two countries agree in principle, then China will be able to invest in economic development of Bangladesh. Khandaker Shiper Ahmed, President, SCCI at a discussion programme urged the Chinese envoy to attract Chinese companies to invest in agro-processing industry, tourism and in planned Hi-Tech Park in Sylhet. The Chinese delegation from the Chinese embassy led by the ambassador earlier visited Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory, the biggest fertiliser factory in Fenchuganj, Sylhet. The factory is one of the best examples of bilateral technical cooperation, which has hi-tech eco-friendly equipment to produce fertilisers, the envoy remarked. SCCI president said that Bangladesh has established special economic zone in different places and direct investment and joint investment with Chinese entrepreneurs will significantly boost economy of the country to attain the Middle Income Status by 2021, the 50th anniversary of independence. Pakistan: Gwadar fishermen call off strike after successful negotiations by Behram Baloch January 02,2019 | Source: Dawn The protesting fishermen of the port city of Gwadar on Sunday called off their month-long strike after successful negotiations with officials of the provincial government and the Gwadar Port Authority. Official sources said that Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Mir Dostain Khan Jamaldini and the provincial government officials held negotiations with Fishermen Alliance leader Khuda-i-Dad Wajo in a protest camp where a large number of fishermen were present. Mr Jamaldini and Additional Deputy Commissioner Anis Ahmed Gorgage said that demands of the fishermen were justified and informed the protesting fishermen that the government had accepted their all demands. They said Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani had ordered the Gwadar Port Authority to construct a jetty in Gwadar. Among the fishermens demands included their access to the sea for fishing at the eastern side of Gwadar coast. They were of the view that with the construction of Eastbay Expressway fishermen would be denied their access up to the sea where they had been fishing for decades. We want protection of our centuries-old livelihood, Mr Wajo said while announcing to call off the strike. However, he said, if implementation on the demands was not begun within a month the fishermen would again launch a protest. Provincial Minister for Information Zahoor Buledi, MNA from Gwadar Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, Senator Kohda Babar and MPA of the area Hamal Kalmati have played an important role in the success of negotiations. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram The Torch is a weekly newsletter from the Committee to Protect Journalists that brings you the latest press freedom and journalist safety news from around the world. Subscribe here. Dear All, Happy New Year! Firstly, allow me to wish you the very best for 2019. I wanted to take this opportunity to write to you at the beginning of the year, so we could look back at 2018 and see where we are. Since the summers newsletter, I wish I could be more upbeat, but it is hard. Where do I start? The situation for journalists around the world continues to be so grim. In December, the Committee to Protect Journalists annual prison census found that a staggering 251 journalists are in jail worldwide. Violence poses a real threat to the ability of journalists to carry out their work. Indeed, the number of journalists murdered in reprisal for their work nearly doubled in 2018 to what it was in 2017, according to CPJ research. Impunity still underpins most cases. Murders of journalists in Malta, Slovakia, and Bulgaria have raised serious questions about journalist safety in the EU, and even the risk of impunity in EU Member States. There has been no real progress in the prosecution of the three suspects arrested in relation to the 2017 murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. CPJ joined an international press freedom mission to Malta in October to mark the first anniversary of her murder. Our meetings with the authorities signalled that they are not actively investigating who planned and commissioned the killing, in addition to prosecuting those who carried it out. Full justice on the case still seems elusive. Read my account in the EU Observer here. There was room for cautious optimism in Slovakia following the arrests in September of four suspects in relation to the February murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova. On 6 December, Peter Bardy, the editor of Aktuality.sk (Jans former employer), told CPJ and other press freedom organizations: I am sure that the authorities will find all those responsible. However, at CPJ, we believe that continued international attention is still vital. A working group has been set up to revise the national Press Act in Slovakia and could pose a significant moment to strengthen legislation to protect journalists. EU officials should track this. Not one more journalist should ever be killed in Slovakia, and the time to lay the foundation for this is now. The European Parliaments Rule of Law Monitoring Group has been following national investigations in both Slovakia and Malta, and is publishing their findings and recommendations shortly. These could set the basis for future advocacy. There have been positive statements from senior EU officials, including President Juncker in his State of the Union Address. EU institutions need to continue to recognize the role that journalists play in uncovering corruption, holding governments to account, and protecting EU interests. These words were echoed by Romanian journalist Attila Biro from the Rise Project when he explained his work in Bulgaria to the European Parliament on November 21. He and other local journalists have worked to uncover GP Gate, an alleged scam involving state embezzlement of hundreds of millions of EU funds to Bulgaria. Their research led to their temporary detention by the authorities. Viktoria Marinova had also covered their investigations in her reporting shortly before her murder on October 6. CPJ is continuing to monitor if national investigations pursue all potential leads, not just the criminal trial of the one suspect arrested in relation to the case. In the EU, unacceptable verbal attacks on the press by officials from Member States, including Czech President Milos Zeman and former Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, created hostile environments for working journalists. Around the world, political leaders who should defend press freedom instead vilify journalists and undermine the role of the media. Nowhere was this more obvious than in Turkey. The European Union continued to remain restricted in its ability to effectively challenge its regional partner who remained the worlds worst jailer of journalists. Stronger criticism is needed to address the abysmal situation facing the press. Journalists in jail, or forced into silence, need to know they do not just have allies in Brussels, but also critics who will defend them. The EU can still play an important role in defending press freedom worldwide. After years of prevaricating, the European Parliament finally voted to start infringement procedures against Hungary, after Prime Minister Orbans repression of critical voices went one step too far. Many countries around the world retained dire press freedom records. CPJ continues to urge EU leaders to uphold their commitments and be an international beacon for journalists at risk wherever they are. In 2018, CPJ helped mobilize officials to take action and made statements on Iran, Mexico, Ukraine, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Ecuador, amongst others. Outside of EU institutions, we continued to work as part of the Council of Europe Journalist Safety Platform. CPJ has been working closely with the Platform to develop joint advocacy initiatives, including raising the profile of the Platform at the Committee of Ministers, and coordinating the future publication of a 2018 annual report. In November, CPJ also obtained observer status within the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society, and we are looking forward to making useful contributions to the group. Once again, thanks for your support of CPJs work and allow me to wish you the best for 2019. Best regards, Tom Gibson EU Representative Committee to Protect Journalists Twitter: @at_tgibson Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Do you have an Amazon Alexa-enabled device? Enable CPJ's flash briefing skill to stay up to date with the latest press freedom news from around the world. WEDNESDAY, Jan. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- College students face a much higher risk for the deadly bacterial infection meningitis B, a new analysis shows. Investigators from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that students who were aged 18 to 24 were 3.5 times more likely to contract meningitis B than their peers who were not in school. The research team, led by Dr. Sarah Mbaeyi from the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said the finding highlights the urgent need to ensure that all students get vaccinated against the disease before they head off to a university. "Meningitis B is an uncommon but potentially deadly bacterial infection that leads to inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord," explained Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician with Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. A meningitis B infection may "also may lead to meningococcal sepsis, or bacteria invading the bloodstream," added Glatter, who was not part of the study. "The combination of these factors can make it lethal in less than 24 hours." The latest findings essentially confirm long-standing fears about college-related vulnerabilities, given that "the bacteria that leads to meningitis B lives in the nose and throat and can be spread by close contact from coughing, sneezing or kissing," Glatter noted. "The truth is that health care professionals have always been concerned about the heightened risk of meningitis among college students living in close quarters together and sharing drinks and utensils," he explained. That thought was seconded by Dr. Lucila Marquez, an assistant professor of pediatrics in the section of pediatric infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, in Houston. She said that "college freshmen living in residence halls were previously known to have an increased risk for other forms of meningococcal disease." When the meningitis B vaccine first became available in 2015, college students were not recognized as a high-risk group and not recommended for routine vaccination. But "it's important for college attendees to be vaccinated, because vaccination is the only reliable means of preventing devastating meningococcal disease," said Marquez, who co-authored an editorial that accompanied the study. Vaccination could help protect both the 10 percent to 15 percent of meningitis B patients who ultimately die from their infection, and those who survive the disease only to endure serious long-term health consequences. Given that over one-third of meningitis infections occur among young Americans aged 16 to 23, Marquez stressed that parents "should feel confident that MenB vaccines are safe." During their investigation, Mbaeyi and her team identified 166 cases of some form of meningococcal disease (including B, C and Y infections) between 2014 and 2016 among Americans aged 18 to 24. Of those, 83 were college students. Among the student group, more than three-quarters of the infections were meningitis B, the investigators found. This compared with less than 40 percent of the meningitis cases cited among non-college patients. The findings were published in the January issue of the journal Pediatrics. Still, Glatter observed that the overall risk for contracting meningitis B remains "low," even among college students. The CDC concurs, noting that in 2016 there was a total of about 370 cases of all forms of meningococcal disease across all age groups in the United States. However, "the reality is that we need to better inform parents and health care providers about the importance of vaccinating college students against this potentially deadly illness," said Glatter. "It's simply not worth taking the risk, even in light of the low prevalence of this disease." More information There's more on meningococcal disease at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are two words to describe Las 6 Provincias LHB complex and unique. If you like a flavor profile with plenty of nuances and twists and turns, this is going to be the cigar for you. Flavor-wise, its different than anything Ive had out of Espinosa Cigars. Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano 2000 Binder: Nicaraguan Filler: Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: San Lotano Toro: 6 x 54 (Box Pressed) Price: $16.50 Review: Las 6 Provincias LHB by Espinosa Cigars (9/20/18) Appearances on Countdown (By Year/Company): (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) Coming in at #6 is the Las 6 Provincias LHB by Espinosa Cigars. This is the first cigar of a new line introduced by Espinosa Cigars in 2018. Las 6 Provincias is a line that is intended to pay homage to the pre-Castro era in Cuba. The name Las 6 Provincias means six provinces and it refers to the six provinces that existed prior to the takeover of Cuba by Fidel Castro. There are six planned releases of Las 6 Provinces with each having a unique blend, size, and associated artwork. The first one is called LHB and it pays homage to the La Habana province. The project was spearheaded by Erik Espinosa Jr, the son of company founder Erik Espinosa. The blend was worked on by Hector Alfonso Sr. at AJ Fernandezs San Lotano factory. Fernandez acquired the facility almost two years ago. At $16.50, the Las 6 Provincias LHB is Espinosa Cigars most premium offering to date. The Las 6 Provincias LHB secures Espinosa Cigars a spot on the Cigar Coop Countdown for a record-tying sixth consecutive year. It is also the first cigar out of the San Lotano factory to land on a Countdown. The blend for Las 6 Provincias LHB consists of a Habano 2000 wrapper grown in Ecuador over Nicaraguan binder and filler. The LHB comes in one size a 6 x 54 box-pressed Toro. There are two packaging options a standard ten-count box and a unique limited edition 20-count swing box. The Las 6 Provincias LHB delivers a highly complex flavor profile. Along the way, there are notes of coffee, natural tobacco, chocolate, red pepper, cedar, mineral, earth, and bakers spice. Its a cigar that starts out medium strength Las 6 Provincias is a home run by Espinosa Cigars. It brings the total package of great flavor, lots of complexity, and excellent construction. It stands as one of the companys best releases to date. For details of the 2018 Cigar of the Year Countdown, see our 2018 criteria. Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted. Photo - A snippet of the art work Emerging young writers Once again the annual Basil Sellers Young Writer Art work by Tronson du Coudray has been received by Mr Basil Sellers AM. This is the sixth such art work. The 2018 annual young writer art work is titled Emerging Young Writers The top photo of this article shows a snippet of the art work illustrating how the colour peering through demonstrating the emerging nature of this new era of young writers. The below photo is the full painting. Photo - Tronson du Coudrays art - Emerging young writers The six Tronson du Coudray art works 2013 - Young writers 2014 - Writers Block 2015 - Young writers making a splash 2016 - Young writers spilt ideas 2017 - Young writers slicing thru 2018 - Emerging young writers Photo - Tronson du Coudrays art from 2013 Young writers Basil Sellers Young Writers Established in 2009, the young writers fall under Press Service International. Christian Today publishes the young writers. Basil Sellers Press Service International web site functions like a data base for all the young writers along with the home page listing the daily article links to Christian Today. This is fed daily to Australian and New Zealand Christian media along with a host of others keen to read the latest young writer contributions. The last column 2019 Archives lists all the articles in a listed format in year groups and the CV sites lists each young writers articles. It has enormous appeal across the international divides with an astonishing visitor rate and many use it as their Christian media input. Photo - Tronson du Coudrays art from 2015 Young writers making a splash Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand. Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh. blogspot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work. . ..Pundicity/..01 January '19..When Jordanian Minister of State for Media Affairs Jumana Ghunaimat was photographed several days ago cheerfully stepping on an image of the Israeli flag at a trade union complex in Amman, she sent a clear and unmistakable message of hostility and contempt for the Jewish state.In doing so, Ghunaimat was adding insole to injury, providing a stark glimpse of the rising tide of hatred and invective that has been swelling across the border in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.Indeed, for far too long, the unelected Jordanian monarchy has been treated with kid gloves by Israel and much of the international community, which is fearful of what might replace it were the regime to collapse. But in light of Jordan's increasing bellicosity, it is time to take a much tougher line with our neighbor to the east and demand an end to the enmity.No less telling than Ghunaimat's contemptible act of disrespect was the mealymouthed statement issued by Jordan's Foreign Ministry after Israel submitted a formal protest regarding the incident.Rather than offering an apology, the ministry spokesman issued a laconic statement merely saying that "Jordan respects the peace agreement with Israel."It is unclear whether he did so with a straight face. After all, if Jordanian government officials do not respect Israel or its national symbols, then to what extent can they be said to truly respect the peace agreement itself?This episode is just the latest in a string of troubling Jordanian actions, all of which paint a sordid picture of just how far the Jordanian regime is sinking into anti-Israel extremism.Just two weeks ago, when Palestinian terrorists carried out a series of attacks which included the murder of two Israeli soldiers and a newborn baby, Jordanian King Abdullah II inexplicably chose to blame Israel, castigating Jerusalem for undertaking efforts to hunt down the perpetrators."His majesty," the Jordanian Petra news agency reported, "stressed the necessity that the international community bears its responsibilities regarding the Israeli escalation and exert all forms of pressure on Israel to halt these measures that will only lead to more violence."Needless to say, Abdullah neglected to offer any condemnation of Palestinian terrorism or the murder of Israeli innocents.Incredibly, the Jordanian monarch's tone-deaf response to anti-Israel violence came shortly after one of his own citizens carried out a terrorist attack in Eilat on November 30, when Taher Halef, brandishing a hammer, sought to bludgeon two Israeli divers to death. Halef was arrested after severely wounding the two men, and has been indicted on several counts of attempted murder along with participating in a terrorist conspiracy.At the end of October, in yet another example of brazen rancor, Jordan stunned observers in the region when it declared that it had decided unilaterally to cancel certain clauses in the 1994 peace treaty with Israel that allowed Israeli farmers to lease land for agricultural use in two locations along the border. That is hardly the action of a neighbor that is striving to build bonds of peace.The fact is that malice toward Israel and Jews is also something that appears regularly in Jordanian media and civil discourse. As the US State Department's 2017 annual report on international religious freedom noted concerning Jordan, "Editorial cartoons, articles, and postings on social media continued to present negative images of Jews and to conflate anti-Israel sentiment with antisemitic sentiment. The government continued not to take action with regard to antisemitic material appearing in the media, despite laws that prohibit such material."HENCE, EVEN though Jordan has formally been at peace with the Jewish state for more than two decades, it appears that our neighbor to the east is shamelessly fomenting antisemitic and anti-Zionist sentiment with little regard for the potentially dire consequences.This cannot be allowed to continue. With all due respect for Jordan's so-called "moderating" role in the region, the regime's actions appear to be anything from moderate and threaten to add fuel to an already combustible situation.Fortunately, both Israel and the US have leverage with Amman. Washington provided Jordan with $1.3 billion in aid in 2017, and the Jewish state provides the parched kingdom with 50 million cubic meters of desperately needed water annually.So both in terms of the pocketbook and the pipes, Jordan is reliant on American and Israeli largesse to keep its autocratic rulers afloat. Now more than ever would be a good time to employ these tools to pressure the Jordanian regime to start acting more like a friend, and less like a foe.Otherwise, there is little reason to continue pouring liquids and liquidity into a country that tramples on its commitments, both literally and figuratively. About Visit Jamaica is the online marketing platform for the Jamaica Tourist Board, providing information on accommodations, dining, events and attractions. The country is a popular vacation spot for travelers, with so much to offer. Tourists can stay in hotels, bed and breakfasts, or villas in Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, or Negril, among others. Aside from its crystal blue beaches, Jamaica has natural waterfalls and historic sites for tourists to explore. Jamaica is a land rich in culture, and this culture is not just reflected by the people but also by the cuisine. Jamaica is famous for its jerk chicken and fresh produce, something every traveler should experience. (This December 17 story has been refiled to fix typographic error in paragraph 44) By Ju-min Park and Hyunjoo Jin SEOUL (Reuters) - When Choi Ba-da pitched his car-sharing firm Luxi to Hyundai Motor officials in 2017, he told them there would be no future for South Korea's top automaker if it failed to embrace emerging technologies. His pitch worked: Hyundai agreed to buy a 12 percent stake in Luxi for $5 million, its first investment in a car-sharing firm as it joined rivals in the race for new-age transportation. But about six months later, Hyundai sold its stake after thousands of angry taxi drivers, worried about their jobs, threatened to boycott Hyundai cars, Choi told Reuters. Hyundai officials say they were also wary of laws limiting car sharing in South Korea. Hyundai's breakup with Luxi illustrates how rigid regulations, strong labour unions and a risk-averse culture among South Korea's giant family run conglomerates, or chaebol, have hindered the growth of start-ups in Asia's fourth-largest economy. President Moon Jae-in's administration says the country's decades-old growth model, powered by a handful of large exporters such as Hyundai and Samsung, has reached its limit in the face of Chinese competition and rising labour costs. To offset slowing growth in sectors such as autos, ships and chips, it created a new ministry for start-ups last year and has boosted funding to cultivate new technologies. (GRAPHIC: No Uber, No Airbnb: South Korea strangles startup - https://tmsnrt.rs/2PwwoYL) But the government has been too slow to remove cumbersome regulations for start-ups, wary of upending the country's economic order or upsetting powerful labour unions, according to interviews with a dozen entrepreneurs, investors and executives. That has left South Korea surprisingly resistant to disruptive technologies despite its tech-savvy image, they say. "After agonising, Hyundai officials told me that they had to go slow with the service, before eventually pulling out," Choi told Reuters. "But how on earth can a startup go slow?" In a statement to Reuters, Hyundai said it sold its stake in Luxi as the investment "did not fit a business model the company pursued", without elaborating. Hyundai's chief innovation officer Youngcho Chi also said South Korean restrictions on ride-sharing to unspecified "commuting hours" as one reason and said the automaker had concluded that Luxi was not going to work out. Instead, Hyundai pumped $275 million into Singaporean ride-hailing firm Grab this year. MOST STARTUPS ILLEGAL Hyundai and Samsung say they invest in both local and overseas startups. Close to the company's headquarters, South Korean startups are easier to communicate with, Hyundai said. Samsung told Reuters it has been running a startup support programme for five years to raise local entrepreneurs. Still, some say chaebol are moving too slowly. "The Korean success has been built on a fast-follower strategy, but Chinese rivals are catching up very fast," said Hwang Sungjae, a co-founder of Fluenty, a South Korean artificial intelligence startup acquired by Samsung Electronics last year. "Companies now have no choice but to innovate and work with start-ups, but they are not investing quickly enough." "I think Korean companies are at a great risk of falling behind." Regulations are another challenge. South Korean laws would entirely or partially block about 70 percent of the worlds top 100 startups by investment size from bringing their services to the country, according to joint research by Google Campus Seoul and the Asan Nanum Foundation. Those include giants Airbnb, Uber, and China's Ant Financial. In February, top South Korean mobile messaging operator Kakao Corp bought Luxi for $25 million, but it remains stymied by carpooling regulations, and has yet to launch amid fierce protests from taxi drivers. One protesting taxi driver set himself on fire and died last week, and unionised drivers say they plan a huge rally this week. Kakao said it pushed back the launch schedule of its carpool service in the wake of the suicide. South Korea's transport ministry declined to comment. Regulations also prohibit venture capital funds from investing in financial, real estate, accommodation and restaurant sectors in South Korea. The government has proposed a new law to lift those restrictions, but a senior government official acknowledged it would be neither easy nor quick. "The bottom line is that we have to move toward innovation, but it takes a lot of time and is a difficult process to mediate existing interests, the government official at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups told Reuters. Realistically, we cant simply ignore existing interests. Theres no clear answer." He declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. 'ARE YOU DREAMING?' Many Korean ventures are focused on applications that would only apply locally, making them a hard sell for global companies, a Samsung Electronics executive told Reuters, asking not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to media. Since 2016, Samsung Electronics has acquired minority stakes in nine startups, only one based in South Korea, according to corporate research firm CEO Score. Hyundai Motor has invested a total 85 billion won ($75.11 million) worth of minority stakes in 15 foreign startups over the last three years, compared to 28 billion won spent on five local ventures over the same period, CEO Score said. San Francisco-based venture fund 500 Startups, one of the early investors in Grab, said it had looked at Korean ride-sharing firms for a possible investment, but decided against it because of legal restrictions. "The regulatory environment hasn't been favourable to the investors like us," Jeffrey Lim, who heads 500 Startups's Korea office, told Reuters. There were, however, Korean industries offering interesting opportunities, such as pop music, online games, and cosmetics, Lim said. 500 Startups has invested 6.5 billion won in 30 South Korean firms since 2015, including radio app Spoon which is now available in Southeast Asia and Japan. Other established foreign rivals have also backed South Korean start-ups despite the challenges. Japan's Softbank has invested in more than 20 tech companies in South Korea since 2012, according to venture capital data provider CB Insights, including a $2 billion stake in online retailer Coupang in November. South Korean startup Viva Republica, which operates money transfer app Toss, last week raised $80 million from U.S. investors including Kleiner Perkins and Ribbit Fund, valuing it at $1.2 billion. Korean conglomerates' tendency to avoid risk and shun outside partnerships makes them slower than foreign rivals to adapt to fast changing technologies, said Rhee Moo-weon, a management professor at Seoul-based Yonsei University, who advises Samsung, Hyundai and the South Korean government. In 2003, Samsung missed the opportunity to acquire the then small maker of the Android smartphone operating system, just two weeks before Google bought it for $50 million plus incentives, according to a 2013 book by Fred Vogelstein "Dogfight: How Apple and Google Went to War and Started a Revolution". When Android creator Andy Rubin pitched his firm to Samsung, a Samsung executive told him, "Are you dreaming? You and what army are going to go and create this? You have six people. Are you high?," according to the book. Samsung said it could not confirm the content of the book. (GRAPHIC: South Korea falls behind in product innovation - https://tmsnrt.rs/2Sb6EUd) THINK OUTSIDE KOREA As cash-rich conglomerates remain reluctant buyers, only 3 percent of South Korean startups were able to recoup their investments through trade sales in 2017, according to the Korean Venture Capital Association. That leaves IPOs as one of a few exit options, but it takes about 12 years for South Korean startups to go public - "an eternity" compared to Silicon Valley where it typically takes six to seven years, according to consulting firm McKinsey & Co. Only last year, South Korea introduced the so-called "Tesla listing rule" which allows loss-making startups to list on its junior, tech heavy Kosdaq market. It's named after the U.S. electric carmaker that remains loss-making eight years after going public in 2010, but is worth $63 billion. So far, only e-commerce platform Cafe24 Corp has used the Tesla rule to go public. Since its February listing, its shares have risen 25 percent. South Korean entrepreneurs say there is a long way to go. Government officials are trying to meet every stakeholder's demands in a way that doesnt lead to a solution," said Seo Seung-woo, a professor and entrepreneur who moved his self-driving start-up to Silicon Valley last year. I say, dont think about doing a startup in South Korea. Think outside Korea." (Reporting by Ju-min Park and Hyunjoo Jin; Additional reporting by Heekyong Yang; Editing by Soyoung Kim and Lincoln Feast.) SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's government is confident it has grounds to strip an alleged Islamic State recruiter of citizenship, a minister said on Wednesday, as questions arose over whether doing so could be illegal and leave the man stateless. The case highlights the problems many governments face as they consider what action to take against people who have traveled abroad, often to the Middle East, to join militant groups. Under Australian law, a person can only be stripped of their citizenship if they are dual citizens, thereby preventing people from being made stateless. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said Melbourne-born Neil Prakash, who is imprisoned in Turkey, was a dual citizen as he also has Fijian citizenship,. Prakash ceased to be an Australian "by virtue of his actions in fighting for Islamic State from May 2016", and he had been notified of the decision in December, Dutton said. "The advice to the government based on all the intricate detail and fact of this particular matter is that Mr Prakash is, by operation of law, a citizen of Fiji," Dutton told reporters in Brisbane. "The other point to make is that Mr Prakash is sitting in a Turkish jail at the moment ... Prakash is not coming anywhere near our part of the world any time soon." Prakash has been in Turkey on trial for charges relating to being a member of the Islamic State militant group since being caught there in October 2016. Australia believes Prakash is a dual national because his father was Fijian. However, Fiji's director of immigration, Nemani Vuniwaqa, told Reuters in a Facebook message that Prakash was not Fijian, which could complicate the Australian government's bid to strip him of his citizenship. Prakash can challenge the Australian government's decision, Dutton said, and he could be entitled to retain his citizenship if he does not hold dual-citizenship status. The government wrongly reported in 2016, based on U.S. intelligence, that Prakash had been killed in an air strike in Mosul, Iraq. The government said he had appeared in Islamic State videos and magazines and had actively recruited Australian men, women and children, and encouraged acts of terrorism He is also wanted in Australia over terrorism-related activities including a suspected plot to behead a police officer, though an Australian push for his extradition was rejected by Turkey in July. A spokesman for the Fijian prime minister could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. (Reporting by Swati Pandey; Additional reporting by Tom Westbrook and Alison Bevege; Editing by Paul Tait, Robert Birsel) On the first working day of 2019, Canadas richest chief executives will have made what an average worker earns in a year by 11:33 a.m., a new study found. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives looked at the 100 highest-paid CEOs of companies listed on the S&P/TSX Composite Index. The left-leaning think tanks annual report found they raked in $10 million on average in 2017, the most recent year with available data. Thats 197 times more than the average worker. The compensation figure is slightly less than the year before, when they made $10.4 million. This years average is still the second-highest since we began keeping track, wrote the reports author, David Macdonald. Hudsons Bay Co. (HBC.TO) Interim CEO and Executive Chairman Richard Baker topped the ranking, followed by Magna International Inc. (MGA) CEO Donald Walker, and Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (CP.TO) President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Creel. Bakers total compensation amounted to $54,847,131, bolstered by a $37,247,123 share-based award. Walker made $26,436,899, and Creel brought home $20,105,600. Meanwhile, the average worker saw their pay jump by 2.1 per cent to $50,759 in 2017, from $49,738 the previous year. The bump dwarfed the dismal 0.5 per cent increase in 2016, but Macdonald notes the increase was surprisingly low given the current tightness in the labour market. This supposedly more competitive job market is not yielding markedly higher average wages, and ordinary workers arent gaining on CEOs, he wrote. The CEO-to-average-worker pay gap has been a consistent reminder that there is immense wealth circulating through the economy its simply not making its way into the hands of the average worker. Unlike average workers, the overwhelming bulk of executive compensation comes in the form of bonuses, not wages. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives said 77 per cent of total pay for the richest CEOs was variable pay, defined as bonuses including cash, stock and options to buy stock. Story continues One third of CEO pay was found to be bonus cash tied to the companys stock price. Hudsons Bay shares tumbled 14.48 per cent in 2017. Magna and CP Rail both surged 27.92 per cent and 20.84 per cent, respectively. Macdonald noted that stock-options were back in vogue in 2017 after falling out of favour since 2014. Its a trend he said could be due to the Liberal governments 2015 campaign promise to examine related tax policy. That proposal has lost steam and no substantive action has been taken on it since the election, Macdonald wrote. With their preferential tax treatment now firmly set in place, the popularity of stock options among CEOs seems to have returned they climbed from 15 per cent to 25 per cent of CEO pay between 2016 and 2017. Macdonald warns that while bonus-heavy pay tied to stock performance is meant to keep executives accountable to shareholders, it may also see long-term growth priorities sacrificed to fuel short-term gains. With Canadian stocks now held on average for less than a year, linking CEO pay to shareholders interests could easily be destructive to a companys long-term interests amidst such high stock turnover, he wrote. There is a strong incentive to forego long-term investments that may depress present-day profits in favour of short-term decisions, like underinvestment, that will boost current profits and stock prices. 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News / National by Staff reporter Get latest news by email: Subscribe CONSTRUCTION of new sewer ponds in Plumtree Town to cater for the George Silundika suburb has been stopped after the local authority failed to pay the contractor.The suburb, whose houses were constructed under the Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle project, had no proper sewer reticulation since 2005, with residents resorting to open defecations, exposing themselves to waterborne diseases.Gate Engineering, which won the tender to build the ponds, has abandoned the project after the town fathers failed to pay it, resulting in its employees going for 10 months without wages.The project, which was commissioned in September 2017, was also supposed to take on board the over 708 houses being constructed under a ZB Bank facility.Residents accused council management of misplaced priorities and misuse of funds and were now calling for the government to do a forensic audit of the local authority's books.They accused council of buying luxury vehicles at the expense of public health.Plumtree council chairperson Fanisani Dube refused to comment."I could be in the know of what's happening, but I am not allowed to release any information to the Press," Dube said.But Plumtree Combined Residents and Development Association (PCRADA) chairperson Richard Khumalo yesterday confirmed that the project had stalled after council failed to pay the contractor."I have been there and spoke to the people who are manning the place. They told me the project was abandoned five months ago due to non-payment by council. As PCRADA, this is troubling us because it means the ponds may be washed away during this rainy season, translating to a loss of public funds, while leaving residents are exposed to a health hazard," Khumalo said.He blamed poor management and misplaced priorities coupled with corruption for the problems facing the town council."Our local authority should maximise on the effectiveness of revenue collection through securing great value guarding against fraud, waste and corruption. They also should be concerned about the public health safety at the expense of purchasing luxurious vehicles," Khumalo said. News / National by Staff reporter Get latest news by email: Subscribe MASHONALAND West Senator Sikelela Gumpo (Zanu PF) has called on government to declare Kariba a special economic zone, saying the town has the potential to earn foreign currency, as well as open up employment opportunities.Gumpo recently introduced the motion in Senate, also calling on government to construct a new airport in the town, which he said was critical for the revival of tourism in the town."I am also concerned by the decline in the wild animal population, which is a major tourist attraction in the resort town," he said."Government should expeditiously provide financial resources for the construction of the new airport in Kariba, control the movement of wild animals and poaching activities, and designate Kariba town as a special economic zone in order to unlock its great potential."Gumpo said even the fishing industry in the area was facing many challenges, resulting in lack of growth for the town."The fishing industry was booming at one stage and all that has become a thing of the past. One of the reasons is that it has not been given adequate attention that is required to make it continue to play an important role in the support of the economy of the country."He said a lot of hotels, lodges and other tourist facilities in Kariba closed, rendering thousands of people jobless."The closure of Kariba Airport that followed made the already bad situation worse. Dialogue on the matter was initiated between government and stakeholders, but it did not succeed because of poor communication and funding."The proposed airport development was initiated in 1993, feasibility studies were carried out, and costing was done and completed. However, this project later became a victim of the sanctions 10 years later because the project could not be started on time, hence, nothing has been done on this project up to date," he said.Gumpo said at one time, Kariba Airport, together with Buffalo Range, was on the government priority list of proposed airport redevelopment, but without any reasons given, the Kariba project was suddenly abandoned."The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry need to explain this matter," he said."The animal population around Kariba is slowly, but surely disappearing. These animals are the source of tourism and something needs to be done to arrest this decline sooner or later. Kariba used to receive 150 000 tourists annually in 1998, but the numbers have declined drastically," he said.Another Mashonaland West Senator Joseph Chirongoma (Zanu PF) said boating activities, and game hunting in Nyaminyami need to be revived. News / National by Staff reporter Get latest news by email: Subscribe President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday promised that 2019 would be a much better year for Zimbabweans, pinning economic revival on the growth of tourism and new mining projects."I am confident that the year ahead holds promise of better for our nation, all built on the strong foundation we have already laid for economic recovery and growth. We have to increase output across a whole range of minerals we have in the country while expanding both domestic and foreign investment for greater value addition and beneficiation," he said in his New Year'smessage.Mnangagwa said 2019 would witness a surge in resource mobilisation for technological advancement as well as a revival of the manufacturing sector, which has been operating below capacity for decades."Many housing projects and related infrastructure are planned for the coming year. With elections now behind us, time has now come to refocus on improving our economy in order to improve livelihoods and the general welfare for our citizens," he said .Mnangagwa also listed the rehabilitation of the county's highways as his major target for 2019, the upgrading of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to a world-class airport, completion of various projects in the energy sector and devolution."Fellow Zimbabweans, the year ahead must, thus, mark a turning point," he envisaged.Since Mnangagwa won last year's presidential polls on July 30, the country has been on an economic tailspin characterised by massive price hikes and shortages of basic commodities, as well as a serious liquidity crunch, while more companies have closed, with thousands now out of jobs.The government is currently grappling with a month-long strike by junior doctors, which has resulted in most patients being turned away at public health institutions, while teachers have also threatened a crippling industrial action when schools open next Tuesday to protest for better salaries and working conditions.Meanwhile, some Zimbabweans yesterday remained hopeful that the situation in the country would improve this year, as they supported efforts for dialogue between the two major political parties in the country, Zanu PF and the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC."We are suffering in Zimbabwe because of politics. What I want to see in 2019 is Zanu PF and MDC having dialogue so that we can see the improvement in the lives of Zimbabweans," Tendai Chewu, a Harare retailer, said.Sharon Mutingazi said that it was her dream to see prices of basic commodities going down."It's getting harder and harder for us every day because we do not have the money to buy basic commodities. Prices have gone up so much that we are not sure what to do with our children who are going back to school (soon)," she saidMcDonald Chikadzi, also from the capital, said: "I want to see Parliament passing Bills that build the nation, not just making noise in the august House. Electoral reforms must be implemented and Bills that curb corruption in the country must be introduced." News / National by Staff reporter Get latest news by email: Subscribe TEACHERS yesterday warned that a strike was inevitable when schools open next week unless the government act fast to meet their demands to raise salaries from the current $500 to $3 000 per month among other demands.Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general, Raymond Majongwe told NewsDay that they were still waiting for a positive response to their petition, which they presented to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at a meeting last month."Schools will not open if the demands we put forward to the government are not met. What they should understand is that I represent the teachers and this is what they are saying. They (teachers) don't have the money to even report for duty," Majongwe said."Prices of basic goods have gone up, bus fares have gone up and the salaries have not gone up. Government should act fast before schools open."In the petition presented to Mnangagwa, teachers also said they wanted payment for invigilating Grade Seven examinations as well as the introduction of special teacher allowances among many other demands.According to Majongwe, Mnangagwa pledged to look into the issues before making a formal response.Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Teachers Association chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu said the 3 000 teachers which government want to employ were too few considering that at least 20 000 new educators were needed to fill the existing gaps."Teachers must be employed as this is the right thing to do, but the figure is too low. There is very little excitement about this figure. We have a shortage of 19 000 teachers who need to be replaced according to the new curriculum. The pupil to teacher ratio is at 1:70 and sometimes goes up to 1: 101 in worst case scenarios. If we look at the budget it was not increased and is at a standstill,'' Ndlovu said.He said the teacher to pupil ratio must be reduced to 1:25 at infant, 1:30 at junior level.The government on Monday announced that it will from tomorrow up to Thursday recruit 3 000 teachers in a bid to improve the teacher to pupil ratio as it moves to enhance the quality of education in schools. News / National by Staff reporter Get latest news by email: Subscribe Some artisanal miners are feared dead after a mine shaft they were working in in Shurugwi collapsed at the weekend.The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at Wonderer Mine, one of the oldest mines in Shurugwi, where over 300 artisanal miners were reportedly working underground when the shaft started giving in.When our news crew visited the mine on Sunday, hundreds of artisanal miners who escaped the collapse were still trying to find their fellow miners. Officials from the Ministry of Mines were also at the scene but ruled out any rescue possibilities."We were here yesterday trying to map the way forward but given the manner in which the mine collapsed, there is no way those who are underground can be rescued. "The only option is to find ways of retrieving the bodies if there are any," said an official who declined to be named referring this reporter to Provincial Mines director Engineer Malcom Mazemo for an official comment.Some artisanal miners interviewed said some of their colleagues were missing."There were over 300 of us working underground in groups of six or seven. In my group we were seven but there are only five who came out," said Mr Simon Ngazi one of the artisanal miners.Mr Ngazi said they were working under a tunnel nicknamed "Wafa Wafa" when they realised the mine was collapsing."It was so bad, some were falling and collapsing due to stampede and panic. Some were hit by boulders and I want to believe there are many people who are still trapped underground," he said.Another artisanal miner, Mr Fanuel Ndlovu who sustained head injuries as they stampeded out of the mine said they were missing one of their colleagues."We were taking turns to blast so one of our colleagues who was doing the blasting at the time the mine collapsed is still missing," he said.Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Miners' Federation spokesperson Mr Dosman Mangisi described the incident as unfortunate. He urged artisanal miners to always make sure they adhere to safety measures before embarking on their mining activities. News / National by Staff reporter Get latest news by email: Subscribe The negotiations between health workers and Government yesterday failed to lure striking doctors back to work as they insisted on their demands despite the employer offering to review their allowances in the first quarter of the year.Government had offered to review health workers' allowances in April 2019 together with those of the rest of the other civil servants. It also assured the health workers that the remaining $6 million vehicle loan scheme coupled with a duty free facility would be availed by end of day yesterday. However, the duty free facility would only benefit those who would have accessed the loan facility."We are not happy at all with this arrangement. We had asked for a duty free facility to cater for all our members, Government wants to provide it only to those who will benefit from the vehicle loan scheme only," said ZHDA in a statement released last night after the bipartite negotiating forum.Government also promised to avail $10 million for creation of 402 new posts for the entire health sector, committed to continue improving the drug and equipment situation in hospitals and said working hours were still under evaluation and standardisation.It also said the proposed contracts for incoming junior resident medical officers would be done in consultations with all relevant stakeholders. However, the doctors refused to take up the offers arguing that it was a bad one. The doctors have since resolved to meet on Wednesday in preparation for a massive demonstration scheduled to take place on January 4 in a bid to exert more pressure on Government to act on their grievances."For the whole month, the Health Services Board (HSB) has invested all its energy on dragging ZDHA to court and firing our members," read part of the statement."They completely forgot to answer matters raised by doctors for the whole month. They have shown no sense of urgency at all in restoring normalcy in hospitals."According to ZHDA, Government assured them that $2,2 million worth of medicines were stored at the National Pharmaceutical Company and in the process of being distributed to different Government hospitals. It also said funds for hospital equipment had also been availed but the situation in hospitals would take time to improve. On salaries, the ZHDA said Government reiterated that it was not feasible to pay them in United States dollars since 99 percent of its revenue was in RTGS."We have repeatedly asked the Ministry of Health and Child Care to honour the collective bargaining agreement by paying 100 percent of our salaries in foreign currency as agreed. The Government continues to ignore our call citing a litany of excuses," said ZHDA.Earlier on, the junior doctors' bid to have their urgent application seeking leave to appeal against the Labour Court ruling declaring their strike illegal flopped.The Labour Court ruled that the application was not urgent. Their lawyer, Mr Munyaradzi Gwisai, yesterday confirmed the Court's latest decision."We went to Labour Court today seeking leave to appeal in an application that was brought under a certificate of urgency. The Court deemed our application not urgent enough and it will now be brought to court as a normal court application meaning that it will have to join the queue," said Mr Gwisai. News / National by Staff reporter Get latest news by email: Subscribe The Department of Immigration and other border agencies have arrested a 30-year-old man believed to be part of a syndicate using fake immigration and customs stamps to clear travellers and goods between Zimbabwe and South Africa.Trust Dhliwayo of Dulivhadzimo suburb in Beitbridge is the second suspect to be arrested in as many weeks. He was arrested in an early morning raid at his house after he had endorsed the immigrations and customs stamps for seven Zimbabweans travelling from South Africa on Saturday evening.Sources close to the investigations said Dhliwayo was found with six fake immigration stamps (South Africa Immigration), one fake (South African Customs), four fake Zimbabwe Immigration stamps, two Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) stamps, four fake South African Permits, one fake Zimbabwe Defensive Driver's Licence, three ink pads and two ink bottles."He has since been handed over to the police," said the source.Dhliwayo becomes the second suspect to be arrested after opening an illegal immigration office at the border, following the arrest of one Munyaradzi Shope last week while clearing travellers using a fake immigration stamp from his Toyota Fun Cargo.The Department of Immigration has deployed a Regional Compliance and Enforcement Unit to deal with issues of child smuggling, rent-seeking activities and irregular migration at the country's and Sadc's busiest inland port.The Assistant Regional Immigration officer in charge of Beitbridge Mr Nqobile Ncube said; "We are not backing down, let all those involved in this racket be warned. Their days are numbered."We are working with other border agencies to put an end to this vice."These abet criminal activities and cause loss of revenue to the State. They 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 children are invloved. He said they had come up with a number of strategies to deal with the rackets clearing people using fake immigration and customs stamps."Dhliwayo was arrested after we intercepted some of his clients. The matter is now under police investigations," he said.The Chronicle is reliably informed that citizens of the two countries most of whom are 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 use of fake immigration stamps has become an eternal headache for the two governments' border authorities. Over 20 people have been arrested while over 60 fake immigration stamps were recovered by security agencies at Beitbridge over the last 12 months.Under South Africa's immigration laws, Zimbabweans are allowed a stay of not more than 90 days in that country per year. However, immigration officers at the border are reluctant to give Zimbabweans more days in that country.This has seen some syndicates exploiting an opportunity to award people 90 days per single entry, for a fee. They charge anything between R1 500 and R2 500 depending on the period one has overstayed in either Zimbabwe or South Africa. News / National by Staff reporter Get latest news by email: Subscribe Seven people died in road traffic accidents in Bulawayo and Masvingo yesterday while 56 others were injured in the two accidents.Two people died on the spot while 37 others were injured when a Blue Horizon bus they were travelling in lost control and veered off the road before it overturned near Cement Siding on the outskirts of Bulawayo yesterday afternoon.In Masvingo five people died, two on the spot and 19 others including four children, were injured when a commuter omnibus they were travelling in burst a front tyre near Great Zimbabwe University, Mashava campus turnoff. The bus which overturned about 15 kilometres from Bulawayo, was coming from Harare.The injured were rushed to United Bulawayo Hospitals and Mpilo Central Hospital by ambulances and private cars. A sombre atmosphere engulfed the scene as the police and Fire Brigade crews removed trapped bodies of two women who died on the spot after sustaining head injuries.Bulawayo acting Chief Fire Officer Mr Linos Phiri confirmed the death of two people on the spot. "Thirty seven people were injured while two died on the spot. The injured were rushed to UBH and Mpilo Central Hospital by ambulances and private cars."There are two little girls whose parents are unknown who are in the custody of the police and we suspect they are children of the two dead women or one of them," said Mr Phiri. He said they suspect the driver was speeding on a slippery road."That road is very slippery, if its drizzling drivers must exercise caution. Many buses have overturned on that road," said Mr Phiri.A young boy aged about nine years is said to have witnessed his mother breathe her last. Still in shock and confusion, the young boy had to look around for his mother's belongings and only managed to take her wallet from the scores of bags that had been put together by police for collection by the survivors. He was later rushed to hospital in an ambulance with other injured passengers."We only saw the bus swerving from side to side from Chibuku brewery until it overturned near us here. A woman who was driving in the opposite direction is lucky to be alive as it encroached onto her lane and she had to swerve to the extreme left to avoid a head-on collision," said a vendor who operates outside McDonald bricks premises.A survivor from the bus said she suspects that the bus driver was sleeping.In an interview with The Chronicle, the bus driver Mr Kenius Garwe (50) said the accident was caused by the slippery road. The Masvingo accident occurred at the 35km peg along Masvingo-Mbalabala Road at around 10AM yesterday. News / National by Staff reporter Get latest news by email: Subscribe MDC-Alliance says it will this year embark on mass action to remove President Mnangagwa and his Government from power in order to effect the regime change agenda bankrolled by some Western nations.The party's deputy treasurer Mr Charlton Hwende yesterday sensationally claimed on his Twitter handle that his party will this year, roll out mass action against President Mnangagwa.The development confirms reports by The Herald last week that the opposition is working with local non-governmental organisations and some Western countries to unseat the constitutionally elected Government."2019 is the year of rolling mass action against the illegal regime of @edmnangagwa," said Hwende."We voted for @nelsonchamisa and we must be prepared like the thousands of gallant Liberation struggle heroes to die defending our right to choose the President of our Choice #2019ChamisamuOffice ."The Herald reported that six Western nationals have been working with local non-governmental organisations to fight what they claim is "a crisis of legitimacy" following President Mnangagwa's victory in the July 30 harmonised elections.Six foreigners, some of whom have already been identified, reportedly convened a week-long workshop at a private lodge in Harare earlier this month. They came up with strategies to incite Zimbabweans to revolt against President Mnangagwa and the Zanu-PF Government to force a unity Government with opposition political parties or to set up a transitional authority.The workshop was reportedly coordinated by Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe chairperson Mr Rashid Mahiya and a committee member, Mr Pride Mukono and ran from December 3 to 7 under the theme: "The Crisis of Legitimacy in Zimbabwe."More than 80 people drawn from 40 civil society organisations affiliated to the Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe attended the workshop. The six regime change strategists from the United States, Germany, Spain and Switzerland facilitated the workshop at which the NGOs were assured of more funding if they displayed maturity in organising their programmes as one entity.The foreigners who attended the meeting included Ms Nora Rafaeil, an American, Gerald Ordway (Spain) and Martina Zapf (Switzerland) while delegates who attended the workshop were drawn from various civil society organisations known to be aligned to the MDC- Alliance.The workshop claimed that the elections which saw President Mnangagwa thumping his main challenger, MDC Alliance's Nelson Chamisa, and Zanu-PF winning the parliamentary polls by a two thirds majority, were rigged.Mr Chamisa rejected the election results and took the matter to the Constitutional Court where the application was thrown out with costs for lack of merit. The rigging claims are despite overwhelming endorsement of the elections by all credible observers except those from the West who have maintained sanctions on Zimbabwe since the turn of the millennium over its land reform.The workshop adopted resolutions to bring "civil society under one tent" to address the so-called legitimacy crisis and to organise protests like what happened in 2007 under the "Save Zimbabwe Campaign" which turned violent. However, some twitter handlers dismissed Hwende statement as hogwash and accused him and his party of being part of Western dummies.One Kubvara tweeted: "The reason why MDC will never take office in this country is because they are not nationalistic in nature. They are western surrogates who do not even share same views with the rural folk. Ask Trump anokuudzai Chokwadi (Ask Trump he'll tell you the truth)."Another twitter user only identified as Ralph said Hwende's twitter handle confirmed reports that his party was working with foreigners to push for regime change agenda. "Don't you by any chance think you are strongly enforcing the story which said there were six agents from EU (European Union) to assist in the subversion of the current regime riding on the same strong statement of illegitimacy and all? Munenge murikushanda nevekunze zveshuwa mkoma (It seems like you are working with external forces my brother)," said Ralph answering to Hwende's utterances.Said Zim/Tartan Terror: "The most corrupt thing is the MDC backing sanctions, sanctions don't affect the rich it's the ordinary people in the street in Zimbabwe that suffer, voters from all parties, MDC voters included." News / National by Staff reporter Get latest news by email: Subscribe WAR veterans here have distanced themselves from the recent protest held by a group of people claiming to be ex-freedom fighters, saying they are fully behind President Mnangagwa's leadership.A group of people claiming to be war veterans recently demonstrated against the Head of State and have since been disowned by the national liberation fighters' executive and other provincial chapters.In a solidarity message, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) provincial chairman Tendeukai Chinooneka reaffirmed the executive's unwavering support to President Mnangagwa for his efforts to turn around the economy which include programmes like Command Agriculture. He said his executive was behind the Zanu-PF First Secretary, Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, and Head of State and Government on his effort to propel the nation to an upper-middle income economy by 2030."We want to distance ourselves from the group that went to the State House demonstrating against our patron and President."As Masvingo chapter, we are not aware of the protestors' motive and we do not share the same ideology with them," said Chinooneka.He said the ZNLWA Masvingo chapter was joining all progressive citizens of Zimbabwe in affirming unwavering support to President Mnangagwa. He hailed the Head of State for helping the country graduate from a basket case scenario where people depended on food handouts from non Government actors through the introduction of effective food security programmes."Our country had been a perennial basket case since we were now depending on food assistance from non-governmental organisations to such an extent that it had become a normal way of life for our people to queue for food handouts year-in and out." News / National by News24 Get latest news by email: Subscribe A case of defeating the ends of justice has been opened against Prophet Shepherd Bushiri's Enlightened Christian Gathering Church following a stampede that claimed the lives of three women in Pretoria on Friday night, police say.The case was opened at Pretoria West SAPS on Sunday, Police spokesperson Captain Augustinah Selepe said."The charge is added based on the fact that police have established that the deceased where (classified) dead at the church premises and the incident was not reported to the police," Selepe said.She said the bodies were removed from the church premises and taken to a private mortuary called Red Ford Mortuary.Meanwhile, the church is pushing ahead with its "Crossover Night" New Year's Eve event, despite the stampede. The church said that arrangements for Monday night's event were in the final stages.Police have been unable to identify the three women who died, and they have appealed for assistance in finding their next of kin.Selepe said that the attempted identification of the three women had started at 10:00. She previously told News24 that police had only heard about the stampede on Saturday afternoon, and that officers were immediately dispatched to the scene.The church is situated at the Tshwane Events Centre in Pretoria. According to Selepe, the police believe that a thunderstorm prompted members of the congregation to push each other as they panicked, leading to the stampede. The service began around 20:00 on Friday.Meanwhile, Bushiri's lawyer, Terrance Baloyi of Baloyi Ntsako Attorneys, earlier told News24 that those who were injured had been transported from hospital and provided with accommodation and catering. "As we speak, those who are remaining are about 10. We gave them accommodation at Pretoria Protea Hotel," he said. News / National by Mandla Ndlovu Get latest news by email: Subscribe Exiled Former G40 Kingpin Professor Jonathan Moyo has attacked telecommunications Guru Strive Masiyiwa for attacking Human Rights Watch Director Dewa Mavhinga.Mavhinga's crime was questioning Strive masiyiwa's wife Tsitsi on why she said some people calling for justice are paid and not genuine.Said Professor Moyo, "One need not hold a brief for Dewa Mavhinga to realise how shocking, outrageous and unacceptable it is for Strive Masiyiwa to accuse Dewa of cyberbullying his wife; and top that by peddling his crap accusation on the Internet while name dropping, in the hope of costing Dewa his job."Masiyiwa had posted on Facebook that, "I would like to thank all those friends like Trevor Ncube, who have stood up for my wife whilst she was being cyber bullied, shouted down and stalked on platforms like Twitter."Sadly one of the foremost bullies is a Zimbabwean who works for an international organization that is highly respected for its work on human rights. It's founder, now 95 is a close family friend. I hope my human rights friend is happy now that he has stopped her from using Twitter. Maybe now he and others like him will stop this pathetic misogyny."What about the rights of women like my wife to also express an opinion?"Strive Masiyiwa and his wife were recently put to task by Twitter users on their acquisition of Econet and their stance on sanctions.The pair responded by closing their Twitter accounts, a move which people saw as cowardice and guilty on the billionaire pair.Recently businessman Mutumwa Mawere has been releasing information which suggests that Masiyiwa has been involved in tax evasion and funding politicians in Zimbabwe. Masiyiwa has responded by threatening Mawere with a US$ 20 million lawsuit. News / National by Mandla Ndlovu 2019 is the year of rolling mass action against the illegal regime of @edmnangagwa. We voted for @nelsonchamisa and we must be prepared like the thousands of gallant Liberation struggle heroes to die defending our right to chose the President of our Choice #2019ChamisamuOffice Chalton Hwende (MP) (@hwende) December 31, 2018 Get latest news by email: Subscribe The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has called upon its members to engage in mass action in 2019 and to be courageous enough to die in defense of MDC leader Nelson Chamisa.The call was made by the radical MDC Deputy Treasurer General Charlton Hwende on Monday."2019 is the year of rolling mass action against the illegal regime of Emmerson Mnangagwa." Hwende said. "We voted for Nelson Chamisa and we must be prepared like the thousands of gallant Liberation struggle heroes to die defending our right to chose the President of our Choice."MDC has always been accused of having a violent wing of their Yoth Assembly called the Vanguard but Chamisa claimed to have dissolved the structure.Hwende further insisted that Chamisa won the elections and the results are available at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission servers."We must stop Election manipulation. Some few people voted for Mnangagwa we accept that but the results on ZEC Server clearly shows that Chamisa won the Presidential Elections."MDC has been calling for President Mnangagwa to come for dialogue but ZANU PF Secretary for legal affairs Paul Mangwana has insisted that ZANU PF will only talk to MDC when Chamisa comes knocking at the door."The big brother will not go to the younger brother. It is the other way round. We have always been open. We will talk to Zimbabweans who think they have something to offer. We are open, but we will not accost them to talk," Mangwana said. Netflix removed an episode of the program "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" in Saudi Arabia because the royal family didn't like its coverage of the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The streaming media service said it was warned that the program violated Saudi Arabia's "anti-cybercrime law," which forbids content "impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy." Via NBC News: In the episode which has been available since October, Minhaj criticizes Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who has been blamed by the U.S. Senate for being responsible for Khashoggi's death in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last year. "It blows my mind that it took the killing of a Washington Post journalist for everyone to go, 'Oh, I guess he's really not a reformer,'" Minhaj said, referring to the royal who is widely known as MBS. "Meanwhile, every Muslim person you know was like, 'Yeah, no s, he's the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.'" In 1963 Attorney General Robert Kennedy prosecuted Eros magazine publisher Ralph Ginzburg for violating federal obscenity laws when Eros ran 8-pages of photos of a naked black man and naked white woman embracing each other (see page 72 of the fourth and final issue of Eros). After a long trial, which went to the Supreme Court, Ginzburg was found guilty and in 1972 was sent to federal prison. He was released on parole eight months later. (Arthur Miller said of the conviction, a man is going to prison for publishing and advertising stuff a few years ago that today would hardly raise an eyebrow in your dentist's office.") In 1964, during his legal battles, Ginzburg launched a quarterly social commentary journal called fact:, and it was a masterpiece of design and content. Bringing to mind the best of Esquire, Rolling Stone, Spy, and The Realist, fact: was "dedicated to the proposition that a great magazine, in its quest for truth, will dare to defy not only Convention, not only Big Business, not only the Church and the State, but also if necessary its readers." (From the introduction to 1967's The Best of Fact, by Warren Boroson). The first issue had a delicious takedown of Time magazine, the titan of news magazines in 1964, with quotes from dozens of intellectual luminaries attesting to Time's treacherousness, propensity to lie, and prejudices (P.G. Wodehouse: "Time is about the most inaccurate magazine in existence."). The first issue also ran an Madison avenue advertising executive's "sojourns in heaven and hell while experimenting with peyote, belladonna, and marijuana," a profile of American Nazi Party founder George Lincoln Rockwell (titled "The Man Who Thinks Goldwater is a Communist"), a piece examining "The Sexual Symbolism of Christmas," and an essay by Bertrand Russell on the inadequacy of the nuclear test ban treaty. In later issues, author Robert Anton Wilson became one of fact:'s editors. After fact: folded in 1967, Ginzburg launched Avant Garde, a magazine "exuberantly dedicated to the future." Ginzburg died in 2006. The entire 22-issue run of fact: is here You can see all 4 issues of Eros here. And the Avant Garde archive (14 issues) is here. All three titles were art directed by Herb Lubalin (1918-1981). When the Border Patrol is at the non entry border points receiving the border crossers or capturing them for processing they are aiding in the illegal migration to the US. The Border Patrol either holds them for their court date or releases them into the US interior. Obviously those that trek to the US border to cross at non entry points know this. You can see why the increase in border crossings with the current law that is to be followed. Trump is trying catch and hold but does not have the housing facilities to hold this enormous amount of border crossers. A border barrier at the most easily crossing points along the border is the best option. Newport Event: Orcas Connected to Oregon Coast Watersheds Published 01/01/2019 at 4:43 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Newport, Oregon) - Here's something youve probably never considered: there is a connection between Oregon coast watersheds and Orcas. On January 10 you can learn how at a unique talk given in Newport by Oregon whale expert Colleen Weiler. The MidCoast Watersheds Council invites the public to attend this presentation on killer whales, conservation efforts on their behalf, and how all this works into regional ecology. The talk takes place at 6:30 p.m., held in room 205 (upstairs) at the Newport Visual Arts Center at Nye Beach, 777 NW Beach Dr., Refreshments will be served. Killer whales, also known as Orcas, are perhaps the most widely recognized type of whale in the world. With their distinctive black-and-white coloring, tall dorsal fins, and reputation as top predators, most people know what an orca is and how they live or do we? There is a lot more happening beneath the waves than first meets the eye. Weiler said Orcas arent just the wolves of the sea. They live in incredibly close family groups, have lifespans similar to ours, and are one of the best examples of culture in non-human society. The critically endangered Southern Resident orca community, a unique population that lives off the west coast of the U.S. and Canada, faces threats from fundamental changes to their ecosystem, most vitally the decline of salmon throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. How are these orcas connected to Oregon, and why are healthy rivers and watersheds essential for their continued survival? Weiler is the Rekos Fellow for Orca Conservation at Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC). Her work is to identify effective conservation strategies and protective measures for orca populations around the world, primarily focused on orca populations of the Eastern North Pacific and especially the critically endangered Southern Resident orca community. WDC works globally through campaigns, lobbying, advising governments, conservation and field projects, educational outreach, legal advocacy, and more to develop science-based, ecosystem-wide solutions for protection and recovery of orcas. Colleen earned a Master of Science in Marine Resource Management from Oregon State University and has been active in the marine mammal field for over a decade, in a variety of roles from rescue and rehabilitation to fieldwork, policy, and conservation. She has lived and worked in Oregon for 11 years, after giving up on ever seeing a whale in the Great Lakes of her home state of Michigan. A MidCoast Watersheds Council Board meeting will follow the presentation and refreshment break. Agenda: Financial report, Restoration Report, Technical Team report, Administrative Team report and action items. Call (541) 265-9195 for more information. Lodgings in Newport - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours. More Orcas below: Also see: Agate Beach Motel. 10 beachfront units looking over the waves and Yaquina Head; 1940's vintage motel w/ modern amenities. Many pet friendly units. Exquisite speicals, but they change quickly. 75 NW Gilbert Way. Newport, Oregon. 541-265-8746. www.agatebeachmotel.com Inn at Nye Beach. Stunning views of Nye Beach, ocean. Breakfast room service, direct beach access, full balconies, an elevator (and wheelchair accessible) and complimentary on-site parking. Sundeck, fireplaces. Jacuzzi suite. Weekly wine social. 729 NW Coast St. Newport, Oregon. 541.265.2477. 800.480.2477. www.innatnyebeach.com More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Zimbabwe?s President Emmerson Mnangagwa cut short his annual vacation Wednesday to try to resolve an impasse with doctors who have been on strike for a month, a government spokesman said. Hundreds of junior doctors in public hospitals across Zimbabwe withdrew their services in November demanding salaries in US dollars. They have also called for an increase in on-call allowances and improvements to equipment and drug supplies. "The president has had to cut short his annual leave in order to play an oversight role in the negotiations," the Information Ministry Permanent Secretary Nick Mangwana told AFP. Negotiations have so far hit a brick wall with the government insisting it has no capacity to pay salaries in US dollars. The government last week said it had suspended 530 striking doctors but later made an about-turn to pave the way for fresh talks. Mangwana said that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who has been in charge while Mnangagwa was on leave, "is in constant contact with the president regarding the negotiations". The doctors have vowed to continue with the strike. "Until our demands are addressed, our position remains the same," Mthabisi Bhebhe, secretary-general of the Hospital Doctors? Association told AFP. "The issues remain the same as we presented them to the (health) ministry last year. "We want decent remuneration. With the current salaries ... it?s very hard to pay rent and it's not enough to buy groceries to last a month." Specialist doctors on Wednesday joined in the strike saying they have been "overwhelmed by the workload" and feared compromising theirs and patients' safety. They said they also shared similar grievances as junior doctors. State hospitals cater for the majority of Zimbabweans who cannot afford private hospitals. Zimbabwe?s economy has been on a downturn for more than a decade with shortages of cash, high unemployment and the government battling to pay its workers. Mnangagwa, who took over from long-time ruler Robert Mugabe and won a disputed election in July last year, pledged to revive the country?s moribund economy and mend fences with its former allies in the west following years of international isolation. But the country was thrown into panic after Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube introduced a two percent tax on all electronic transactions as part of new measures to increase revenue. Shortages of basic commodities resurfaced and prices shot up. Pharmacies were also hit, with some running out of essential drugs for chronic conditions such as diabetes. Mnangagwa, who took over from long-time ruler Robert Mugabe and won a disputed election in July last year, pledged to revive the country?s moribund economy and mend fences with its former allies in the west following years of international isolation The United States is expecting to quickly get consular access to a former Marine arrested in Russia for alleged spying to learn more about the charges, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday. "If the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return," Pompeo told reporters while on a visit to Brazil, where he was attending the inauguration of that country's new government. Russia's FSB security service said Monday it had detained the American, who he said was "carrying out an act of espionage." The man was identified as Paul Whelan, 48, a former Marine now employed as director of global security at US-based automotive components supplier BorgWarner. Whelan's family said he was visiting Moscow to attend a wedding and denied he was a spy. Pompeo said in Brasilia: "We are hopeful within the next hours we will get consular access to see him and get a chance to learn more." He added that "we have made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is he has been accused of." "If the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return," Mike Pompeo told reporters while on a visit to Brazil, where he was attending the inauguration of that country's new government US President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered a rather stark take on the situation in war-wracked Syria, summing it up in two words -- "sand and death" -- while remaining vague about the timing of the withdrawal of US troops. "So Syria was lost long ago. It was lost long ago. And besides that, I don't want -- we're talking about sand and death. That's what we're talking about," Trump said during a cabinet meeting. "We're not talking about vast wealth. We're talking about sand and death." On when US forces would leave Syria, Trump said: "I don't want to be in Syria forever." But after saying troops would come home right away, and that the Islamic State group was defeated, he didn't give any specific timetable. "I never said we are getting out overnight," Trump said. "Oh, we're withdrawing," he added, saying only that it would happen "over a period of time." On Monday, the Republican president said the United States was "slowly sending" troops home -- a markedly different tone than he used in his initial announcement of a withdrawal on December 19. "Our boys, our young women, our men -- they're all coming back and they're coming back now," he said in a video message that day. The United States has about 2,000 troops -- most of them special forces -- deployed in northern Syria to fight IS and reinforce anti-jihadist forces. Top-ranking US military officials had repeatedly warned against a hasty retreat from Syria, which they say could leave the door open in Syria to allies of President Bashar al-Assad -- notably Russia and Iran. Trump's defense secretary Jim Mattis resigned over the decision to leave Syria, as did the administration's special envoy to the anti-IS coalition, Brett McGurk. US President Donald Trump described the situation in Syria in one phrase: "sand and death" The US ambassador to Russia on Wednesday met an American ex-Marine accused of espionage whose detention has sparked the latest rift between the countries. Ambassador Jon Huntsman met Paul Whelan at the Lefortovo prison in Moscow and afterwards spoke to his family by telephone, the US State Department said. "Ambassador Huntsman expressed his support for Mr Whelan and offered the embassy's assistance," a State Department spokesperson said. The United States has been cautious in its public comments on the case, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying earlier Wednesday that Washington was trying to learn more about the situation. "If the detention is not appropriate, we will demand his immediate return," Pompeo told reporters while on a visit to Brazil. The consular visit took place five days after the 48-year-old Whelan was detained in Moscow. The Russian foreign ministry also confirmed that the United States was granted consular access. Whelan faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty, according to the ministry. He was arrested "while carrying out an act of espionage", Russia's FSB domestic security service said. His family has denied he is a spy, saying he was visiting Moscow to attend a wedding. Born in Canada, Whelan is director of international security for BorgWarner, a car parts manufacturer headquartered near Detroit, his brother David Whelan has told several US media outlets. His arrest came after President Vladimir Putin accused Western nations of using espionage cases to try to undermine an increasingly powerful Russia. US intelligence services have accused Moscow of interfering in the 2016 presidential election. US Special Counsel Robert Mueller has charged 25 Russians -- including members of the GRU military intelligence service -- and three Russian companies for that alleged interference, but they have not been arrested. In December, Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty in a federal court in Washington to acting as an illegal foreign agent. Butina faces up to six months in prison, followed by likely deportation. Russia has allowed US consular officials to visit an American ex-Marine arrested in Moscow on accusations of espionage The French government sought on Wednesday to downplay fears that workers will be left out of pocket as the country transitions to a pay-as-you-earn tax system that could fan the flames of a revolt over spending power. After years of delays, France on January 1 ditched a system whereby residents file income tax returns based on the previous year's earnings, replacing it with a system where the state deducts the taxes directly from people's salaries or pensions each month. Opinion polls show the French broadly supporting the change but the shift presents risks for President Emmanuel Macron, not least that workers may feel poorer when they receive their new net pay -- even if they will no longer have to save up to pay their taxes three times a year. Any glitches in the new system which could see taxpayers pay more than they bargained for could further infuriate the "yellow vest" anti-government protesters who have been demonstrating around the country since mid-November over Macron's fiscal policies, which they see as skewed towards the rich. Visiting a tax query call centre in the northern city of Amiens, Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin attempted to assure the French that the change would be painless. "Taxation at source is like the mobile phone. In a month's time we'll be wondering how we ever managed without it," he said, calling it a "big step forward for the French". He attempted to silence the doomsayers, noting that so far there was no sign of the much-prophesied chaos and that the number of queries received by the call centre were on a par with an average month. - 93 million letters - The shift to a pay-as-you-earn system was adopted by the Socialist government of Macron's predecessor Francois Hollande, but is only now being implemented, after some dithering by Macron on the issue. To prepare the French for the change the government has sent 93 million letters and emails explaining the new system. The move, which will only affect the 43 percent of households liable for income tax, brings France in line with most Western countries but comes at a critical juncture for the Macron. Over the past six weeks, "yellow vest" demonstrators -- so-called after the high-visibility jackets they wear -- have repeatedly clashed with police in Paris and other big cities, plunging Macron's presidency into crisis. The "yellow vest" movement began in rural France over fuel taxes and quickly ballooned into a wider revolt against the 41-year-old president's pro-business policies and perceived arrogance by low-paid workers and pensioners. In mid-December, he attempted to calm the rebellion by backtracking on a planned increase in anti-pollution fuel taxes. He also announced 10 billion euros ($11.4 billion) in tax breaks and income support for the low-paid and retirees, setting back his deficit-reduction drive in the process. Since then the protests have appeared to lose steam. In his New Year's address to the nation on Monday, Macron vowed to resume his reforms programme in 2019, including trimming the sprawling public sector and shaking up the unemployment and pension systems, all potential political minefields. In his New Year's address, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to resume his reforms programme in 2019, including trimming the sprawling public sector and shaking up the unemployment and pension systems Demonstrators hold placards reading "Macron is the president of the rich" and "Let's go get Macron" during a visit to a tax centre in the northern French city of Amiens by the budget minister French Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin has sought to assure the public that the change to the tax system will be painless Protesters known as "Yellow vests" (gilets jaunes) have staged a number of demonstrations throughout the country in recent weeks From January 1 this year taxes will be collected from source in France The president of Italy's national health research organisation on Wednesday said he had been driven to resign due the "anti-scientific" policies of the country's populist government including efforts to undermine confidence in vital vaccinations. Professor Walter Ricciardi of the National Health Institute (ISS) said an aversion to evidence-based policy among the coalition of Italy's far-right League and anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) put public health at risk. "Representatives of the government have endorsed unscientific or frankly anti-scientific positions on many issues," he said in an interview with the Corriere della Sera daily. "It's clear that when the deputy prime minister says that he, as a father, believes there are too many obligatory, useless and dangerous vaccines, that's not just unscientific, it's anti-scientific," he said in reference to League head Matteo Salvini. In 2017 Italy's centre-left government made it compulsory for children in pre-school education to be vaccinated against 10 diseases, including measles, tetanus and polio. The Five Star Movement, then in opposition, led a charge against the law, saying it amounted to a gift to pharmaceutical companies, while the League played on discredited claims that vaccinations can cause autism. The parties came power last year by forming a coalition government. In the interview Ricciardi listed a wide array of areas in which he accused government policy-makers of ignoring the facts. "Saying repeatedly that migrants carry diseases is groundless and... forces (the institute) to self-censure in order not to contradict the political line," he said. Ricciardi said the government's insistence that waste-to-energy plants were obsolete was "nonsensical", and a law that eases restrictions on the use of contaminated soils in farming was "a decision taken without evaluating the impact on health". "And yet these are issues that are decisive for public health," he said. "All this reminds me of Donald Trump's recommendation to the US National Health Institute to no longer use the term 'evidence-based'. "It's an approach taken by populists, who have great difficulty in interacting with science," Ricciardi added. The 2017 vaccination push was adopted in order to fight back against a drop in the number of people being vaccinated that had taken coverage below the 95 percent limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In December the coalition shocked the Italian scientific community by sacking the entire board of the committee of technical and scientific experts who advise the government on health policy. Professor Walter Ricciardi of the National Health Institute (ISS) said an aversion to evidence-based policy in Italy's government put public health at risk A group of horrified mates have shared the heart-stopping moment their small fishing boat was circled by a giant great white shark. The fishermen were enjoying a morning of angling off the coast of South Australias Yorke Peninsula on Tuesday when a dark shadow from the 4.5m predator appeared in the water below. Nail-biting footage of their encounter reveals the extent of their close call. The giant great white shark came a little too close for comfort for the fishermen. Source: 7News Oh my god! Holy s***! Look at the size of that thing. Oh my god, one terrified mate can be heard shouting. Dont f***** fall overboard boys, another declares. Jack Berry, one of the men on the boat, said the inquisitive shark circled their vessel for five painstaking minutes. Jack Berry explained the men on the boat found it difficult to keep their cool. Source: 7News When the 4.5m predator began swimming into the side of the boat, the anglers knew they had to retreat. Source: 7News Already petrified, the group were sent into panic mode when the shark began nudging into their boat. It was at this point the group decided enough was enough and to head back to the shore at Balgowan. While the group were left shaken by their ordeal, they eventually were able to see the funny side and have a fishermans tale to last them a lifetime. It was a pretty good day, Mr Berry admitted eventually. Novak Djokovic took just 55 minutes to claim his first win of 2019, brushing aside Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-2 in the Qatar Open first round on Tuesday. The world number one showed he was intent on taking his form from last season into the new year with a totally dominant display against the Bosnian world number 47. "It's fantastic to be back and to start off the tournament like I have done makes me very confident and very happy," said the Serb. He added: "Results-wise and time-wise it did look quite comfortable (but) I don't think it's nice and fair to say it's easy because I have respect for Dzumhur." Djokovic, who has won the last two Grand Slams -- at Wimbledon and the US Open to take his majors total to 14 -- completed the match in under an hour by predictably converting his first match point. The 31-year-old, who has made it clear he wants to match or better Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slams, was untroubled throughout. Djokovic said he hoped that news of his comfortable victory in Doha "travels" to his rivals around the world. "You do follow, especially what your top rivals are doing, who are they playing, watch highlights," he said. Djokovic's record in Doha is now 13 wins and just one defeat and his path to a potential third title in four years -- playing in Qatar is an established part of his warm-up for the Australian Open -- was helped by results elsewhere as the two other highest ranking seeds were defeated at the first hurdle. Austria's Dominic Thiem, the number two seed, was surprisingly beaten by the world number 55, France's Pierre Hugues-Herbert, 6-3, 7-5 in the last match on Tuesday. And Djokovic's Doha stroll on centre court followed a high quality match between veteran Stan Wawrinka and rising star Karen Khachanov. The Swiss three-time Grand Slam winner won 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 to claim a notable scalp against the powerful Russian. Khachanov, the third seed, finished last season ranked at a career-time high of number 11 and was the man who ended Djokovic's 22-match winning streak in Paris. He is many people's tip to push through and challenge the established stars. However, Khachanov had no answer to an inspired Wawrinka, currently ranked 66th in the world, as he returns from a serious knee injury. "Today was a great match, a great level," said Wawrinka, who has suffered an injury-plagued last two seasons. Wawrinka and Djokovic could meet at the semi-final stage in Doha. Another player returning from injury, Belgium's David Goffin, the sixth seed, was beaten by Lithuanian qualifier Ricardis Berankis, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). Happy new year's day for Novak Djokovic as he beats Damir Dzumhur in the first round of the Qatar Open Picture-postcard Tanjung Lesung was a cornerstone of Indonesia's bid to supercharge its tourism industry, boasting palm-fringed beaches, a towering volcano in the middle of turquoise waters and a rainforest sanctuary for endangered Javan rhinos. But the beachside town now lies in ruins, pummelled by a deadly tsunami that has raised fresh questions about disaster preparedness and the future of a multi-billion-dollar push to replicate Bali's success across the Southeast Asian archipelago. The shattered community was hosting a pop concert when the waves crashed ashore last month, at night and without warning. Several members of the Indonesian band Seventeen and more than 100 others at the Tanjung Lesung Beach Hotel were killed -- about a quarter of those who died in the volcano-triggered tsunami. A clutch of other area hotels was also devastated, with beachside cottages flattened and debris -- chairs, tables and the band's audio equipment -- scattered everywhere. Tourism minister Arief Yahya, who ordered that the town be rebuilt in six months, brushed aside concerns sparked by the tsunami -- which was triggered by a sudden eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano. "Disasters can happen anywhere in Indonesia," he told AFP during a recent visit there. "We need to have (tsunami) early warning systems, especially in tourist destinations. We're going to make that happen." But some are less convinced, especially since disaster monitors became aware of the killer waves after they had already smashed into the coastline along western Java and southern Sumatra. - Blockbuster Bali - "It's going to be even more difficult to promote (the area), especially now that buildings are destroyed and the volcano is more active," said Tedjo Iskandar, a Jakarta-based travel analyst. About 42 percent of Indonesia's 14 million foreign tourists headed to the popular resort island of Bali last year, giving a $17 billion boost to Southeast Asia's biggest economy. The government picked Tanjung Lesung and nine other locations as part of its "10 New Balis" strategy, a plan unveiled in 2016 with an eye to courting Chinese, Singaporean and other investors as its pushes to hit 20 million tourists annually. The list includes ancient Buddhist and Hindu temples, tropical islands near Jakarta, the Mount Bromo volcano in eastern Java, and a national park that is home to Komodo dragons -- the world's biggest lizard. But the killer tsunami has dealt a blow to plans to pump some $4 billion into Tanjung Lesung. And it is not the only spot in the government's tourism plan to suffer a disaster -- natural or man-made -- that could scare away tourists. Lombok, next to Bali, was rocked by earthquakes in the summer that killed more than 500 and sparked a mass exodus of foreigners from the tropical paradise. That was weeks after Lake Toba on Sumatra island -- also on the "New Bali" list -- was the scene of a ferry accident that left almost 200 people missing or dead. - Caught off guard - In May, Indonesia's second-biggest city Surabaya was hit by suicide bombings carried about by Islamist extremists, while Bali was rocked as the Mount Agung blew its top at the end of 2017. The volcano is 75 kilometres (45 miles) away from tourist areas and the eruption posed little danger to visitors, but it still left hundreds of thousands stranded as flights were cancelled. Indonesia's upbeat tourism numbers plunged in the second half of 2018 after the Lombok quakes, a quake-tsunami disaster on Sulawesi island that killed thousands, and a Lion Air plane crash in October which killed all 189 people on board. Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth, straddling the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide. And the frequent disasters it has suffered recently have highlighted the country's woeful state of preparedness. Early warning systems in the city of Palu on Sulawesi -- and elsewhere -- had not been working since 2012 because of budget shortfalls and bureaucratic bungling. In the latest disaster in the Sunda Strait, Indonesian monitors initially said there was no tsunami threat at all. They were later forced to issue a correction and an apology, pointing to a lack of early warning systems for the high death toll. Jakarta's tourism push may still have a chance, but only if it gets serious about safety, said I Ketut Ardana, head of the Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies' Bali office. "The (government) needs to better inform locals and tourists so they're prepared when a disaster strikes," he said. Last month's killer tsunami has dealt a serious blow to plans to pump billions of dollars into Tanjung Lesung Several members of the band Seventeen and more than 100 others were killed by the tsunami at the Tanjung Lesung Beach Hotel Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan's first full day at the Pentagon's helm was overshadowed Wednesday when President Donald Trump attacked his predecessor Jim Mattis. Shanahan, who took the Pentagon's top spot January 1 after serving as deputy defense secretary, was thrust onto the world stage when Mattis quit last month amid long-running disagreements with President Donald Trump. During televised remarks ahead of his first cabinet meeting of 2019, Trump claimed he had "essentially fired" Mattis, even though the former Pentagon chief had pointedly quit his post over multiple disagreements. "I'm not happy with what (Mattis has) done in Afghanistan and I shouldn't be happy," Trump said, as Shanahan sat by his side. "I wish him well. I hope he does well. But as you know, President Obama fired him and essentially so did I. I want results." Mattis, a former Marine general, was head of US Central Command when Obama fired him in 2013 over his hawkish views on Iran. While it is common for Trump to turn on former staffers and make demeaning remarks after they've left their post, the Mattis criticism is notable as Trump had often touted his admiration for the man he called "Mad Dog Mattis." The drama came after Shanahan sought to lay out his priorities for America's massive defense department and how he intends to deal with an urgent list of geopolitical to-dos, including the US withdrawal from Syria. - China, China, China - Soon after arriving at the Pentagon, Shanahan told colleagues to focus on the National Defense Strategy, a Mattis-era review that highlights "Great Power competition" with Russia and China. "In 2019, the National Defense Strategy remains our guide. America's military strength remains our focus," Shanahan said in a New Year's message on Twitter. A defense official added that Shanahan had told colleagues a major concern would be China. "While we are focused on ongoing operations, Acting Secretary Shanahan told the team to remember: China, China, China," the official said. The US accuses Beijing of an ongoing pattern of military and economic espionage, and has criticized China's ambitious "Belt and Road" trade and infrastructure initiative as being a form of economic coercion. Shanahan must oversee the pace at which the US pulls some 2,200 troops out of Syria, following the president's decision to exit the war-torn country. Last month, Trump declared victory over the Islamic State group in Syria and claimed the jihadists had been beaten "badly," even though they still number in the thousands. He has since backpedaled and suggested more of a phased timeline for the withdrawal. "We're withdrawing," Trump said, adding it would happen "over a period of time." At another point, Trump told Shanahan he wanted him to classify various reports, presumably including those detailing the security crisis in Afghanistan. "For these reports to be given out and essentially given out to the enemy, that's insane," Trump told Shanahan. "I don't want it to happen anymore Mr Secretary, you understand that." According to US officials, Trump is also mulling a 50 percent drawdown in Afghanistan -- another momentous move that has left lawmakers and international allies fearing for what comes next. - Recused from Boeing matters - Little known outside business and Washington circles, Shanahan takes the world stage at a time of tumultuous changes and unpredictable foreign policy moves under Trump. Shanahan, 56, did not serve in the military and before but serving as deputy defense secretary he spent more than 30 years at Boeing. While Shanahan has not always had day-to-day involvement in thorny geopolitical issues like Syria, officials say he is ready to tackle them and previously filled in for Mattis when he was traveling. Despite a lack of foreign policy or military experience, Shanahan's executive and technical knowledge made him well suited for the Pentagon's number two position, which focuses more on the Defense Department's business side. But some critics have questioned whether a man with deep industry ties should be running the Pentagon. At his confirmation hearing to be deputy, the late senator John McCain said a lack of detail in some of Shanahan's foreign policy answers was "almost insulting," and he expressed concerns that putting a former defense executive in the Pentagon could be akin to putting a fox "back in to the henhouse." Lieutenant Colonel Joe Buccino, Shanahan's spokesman, said he had recused himself from any matters involving Boeing. Also Wednesday, Shanahan announced that the Pentagon's comptroller, David Norquist, will perform the duties of deputy secretary of defense. Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan arrives at the Pentagon for his first day on the job on January 2, 2019 Bopha should be in school but instead toils seven days a week in a searing brick kiln on the outskirts of Phnom Penh -- a 14-year-old trapped in debt bondage in a boom industry preying on the poverty of Cambodia's farmers. Unpredictable weather linked to climate change is laying waste to Cambodian fields. Saddled with debt from failed harvests, tens of thousands of farmers are turning to brick factories, where owners pay off their bills in exchange for labour. The factories feed a surging construction sector, with high-rises cropping up around the capital Phnom Penh and beyond as money -- much of it from China -- pours in. But for the farmers who shape and bake the clay bricks, Cambodia's newfound urban prosperity has passed them by. "I'm not going to school, I'm trying to help pay back the $4,000 that we owe, even if it will take years," Bopha told AFP, as she loaded clay blocks on to a cart. "For 10,000 bricks transported, we receive $7.50." Cambodian labour law prohibits those aged 12-15 from working if the job is hazardous or interferes with their education. Yet Bopha works all week with her family. They were driven into the industry two years ago after drought ruined their rice harvest, leaving them with no way of paying back money they borrowed to plant crops. A factory owner took over the debt and they went to work in the kilns about an hour's drive from the capital. There, a dirt road leading to the sprawling facility is lined with hundreds of kilns resembling small pyramids. Bopha and her family are likely to be trapped for years as they try to clear their debts, in what campaigners warn amounts to modern-day slavery. Like most workers interviewed for this article they asked that their full names not be used for fear of losing their jobs. The University of London said in an October study that brick factories in Cambodia were creating a "multi-generational workforce of adults and children trapped in debt bondage -? one of the most prevalent forms of modern slavery in the world". And the link between climate change and debt bondage is stark, explains Naly Pilorge, head of Cambodian rights NGO Licadho. "Many industries around the world employ climate refugees," she said. "But what is unique in the brick factories in Cambodia is that the vast majority of workers are imprisoned in debt bondage." Compensation is not enough to pay off debts quickly, and the workers become virtual prisoners of owners who do not let them leave until they pay what they owe -- with some living there indefinitely. - 'They ignore their rights' - Sov will soon be able to take a two-day holiday to return to her village in Stung Treng province in the north. But her husband and children must stay at the factory. "The boss is afraid we will run away without paying," she said, standing in a maze of bricks. She started working at the factory two decades ago with a debt of $2,500. Now, at 57, she owes double that due to medical treatments and the cost of raising her children. "I will have to leave this debt to my children," she said. Many workers have persistent health problems because of the smokey kilns, where men and women graft without gloves and masks. Complaints about respiratory or skin diseases, headaches and nosebleeds are common. Dim Phally, 31, works in Thmey village with her husband. They have two kids. When they went to borrow money, they were told by the brick factory owner to sign a document and pose for a photo holding the funds. The contract says they have to pay back double if they try to escape. She still owes $1,500. "I hope I can repay the owner and leave this place," she said. Kiln workers have little recourse if abuses occur. Sok Kin, president of the Building and Wood Workers Trade Union of Cambodia, said bosses can be violent, but he cannot recall a case where any were prosecuted. As for the workers, "they don't understand their rights and are afraid of losing their jobs". He called for a minimum wage to be established and a nationwide campaign to raise awareness among the workers of their rights. The government has repeatedly said it will investigate the situation. The Ministry of Labour did not respond to a request for comment. Owners of multiple brick factories declined to speak with AFP. Many workers do not see things changing soon. "If we can repay the debt, we leave," said Phan Heng, 33, while taking a break. "And if we cannot repay it, we stay and work until our kids grow up and can help us." A Cambodian labourer stokes a kiln at a brick factory on the outskirts of Phnom Penh Saddled with debt from failed harvests, tens of thousands of farmers are turning to work in brick factories The University of London said in an October study that brick factories in Cambodia were creating a 'workforce of adults and children trapped in debt bondage -? one of the most prevalent forms of modern slavery in the world' Campaigners have called for a minimum wage to be established to protect the brick workers The factories feed a surging construction sector, with high-rises cropping up around the capital Phnom Penh and beyond as money -- much of it from China -- pours in Many workers have persistent health problems because of the smokey kilns, where men and women graft without gloves and masks. Complaints about respiratory or skin diseases, headaches and nosebleeds are common Many of the workers are trapped for years as they try to clear their debts Investing.com - Asian stocks traded lower in morning trade on Wednesday after China and North Korea issued warnings to U.S. President Donald Trump. The Peoples Daily, Chinas state-owned newspaper, said on Wednesday that Beijing has not given in, is not giving in, and will never give in in matters related to core national interests. China and U.S. are currently in discussions to negotiate a deal to end their trade disputes. Trump noted earlier that talks are progressing well. However, "regardless of the development of Sino-U.S. relations, China's strategic choice to deepen reform and opening is unswerving, and we are committed to doing our own thing", the Peoples Daily said. The news came one day after Chinese President Xi Jinping called for cooperation with the United States. The Shanghai Composite was down 1.0% by 8:52 PM ET (01:52 GMT). It ended the 2018 trading year at 2,493.90, approximately 24.6% lower than its final close of 2017. The Shenzhen Compositeslipped 0.7%. Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index plunged nearly 2.7%. It notched a decline of 13.6% for 2018. Meanwhile, South Koreas KOSPI fell 0.8%. North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un warned that he would take a new path in nuclear talks if the U.S. didnt relax economic sanctions. I am willing to sit with the U.S. president any time in the future and will strive to produce outcomes that would be welcomed by the international community, said Kim. However, if the United States does not deliver its promise and misjudge our peoples patience, making unilateral demands to continue sanctions and put pressure on us, we will have no choice but to seek a new path to protect the countrys independence, interests and peace on the Korean Peninsula, he added. Down under, Australias ASX 200 traded 1.1% lower. Japans Nikkei 225 is closed for a holiday. In other news, Trump invited the top congressional leaders from both parties to a White House briefing and suggested he is willing to make a deal to end a government shutdown. Story continues Border Security and the Wall thing and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Lets make a deal?, the President said on twitter. Parts of the government have now been shut for 11 days, affecting 9 of the 15 federal departments, dozens of agencies, and hundreds of thousands of workers, according to reports. Related Articles Cisco Rises 3% Stocks - Wall Street Soars on 'Patient' Powell, Strong Jobs Data Medtronic Rises 3% In terms of numbers of those killed, it was the largest attack in recent years. It is contested whether the 16 construction workers were unarmed civilians or members of the security forces but the event on 2 December 2018 marked a departure from the predominantly peaceful, political struggle for independence developed since 2000. MELBOURNE - The killing of construction workers in Nduga, and the Indonesian security forces subsequent military operations, impact quite differently on the politics of the PapuaIndonesia conflict. Over the past two decades, the narrative of human rights abuses by the Indonesian security forces in Papua has been one of the most effective strategies of the independence movement, both within Indonesia and in international diplomacy. The killing of the construction workers weakens this narrative. The military operations since the killings in early December fall into the more familiar pattern of security force operations against the pro-independence groups and the communities in which they live. The construction team attacked in early December was engaged in President Joko Widodos signature infrastructure development project of the Trans Papua Road. The targeting of this project was not a coincidence. It represented Indonesias development program in Papua and the militarys involvement therein. Lukas Enembe, the recently re-elected Governor of Papua, understood the armed pro-independence groups in Nduga associated the road building project with the military, seeing it as part of the campaign against them. Following the killing of the construction workers, President Jokowi ordered the military and police to seek out and destroy the armed resistance in the remote and poverty-stricken highland district of Nduga. The president had previously identified Nduga as the focus and motivation of his commitment to develop Indonesias poorest province. He affirmed the killings will not deter him from the commitment to develop Papua. The killings of the construction workers and the military operations against the armed resistance highlight the cycle of violence that has characterised Indonesias administration of Papua. While there has been a cycle of violence, in military terms, the conflict between the armed pro-independence groups and the Indonesian security forces is highly asymmetrical, with the overwhelming predominance of military capacity being with the Indonesian security forces. The military are crucial in the maintenance of Indonesian control of Papua, its governance and development strategies. John Martinkus and Mark Davis reported in The Saturday Paper that the Indonesian military were conducting a major military operation including the use of what appeared to be white phosphorus bombs, chemical weapons banned under international law. The Indonesian department of foreign affairs has vigorously denied this accusation: The allegation highlighted by the said media is totally baseless, non-factual, and gravely misleading. Indonesia possesses no chemical weapons. An independent military authority consulted for this article considered that the victims burns discussed and Illustrated in The Saturday Paper article and in photographs circulated on social media are consistent with the use of white phosphorus bombs. He also questioned the explanation by the military spokesman in Papua that, because these bombs are used over long distances and cause widespread devastation, the destruction would have been greater than depicted in the photographs. The same military spokesman confirmed the grenades in the photographs from Nduga were of the type used by the Indonesian military. Colonel Muhammad Aidis statement to the Papua-based media provided insights into the difficulties the military confronted in its operations in Nduga. It is difficult to distinguish the armed criminals the pro-independence fighters in the militarys terminology from ordinary members of the community. Few people have identity papers in Nduga. An armed criminal, he argued, could be dressed up as a local government official, member of the local council or a human rights activist. The military operations in Nduga have served to unite and mobilise different segments of the Papuan elite elected politicians, community, human rights and church leaders and the independence activists against Indonesia. The on-going operations in Nduga have stirred up the collective traumatic memories of earlier military operations, especially those in 1977 and in 1996, and have galvanised hostility in Papuan society against the military. It should be noted that President Jokowis rival in this years election, former General Prabowo Subianto, earnt his reputation for human rights abuse in the 1996 campaign in neighbouring Mapnduma. Governor Lukas Enembe urged President Jokowi to withdraw Indonesias military and police forces from the district of Nduga, so that Papuans could celebrate Christmas in peace. Enembe publicly recognised the demand for Independence was long-standing and needed to be addressed by the Indonesian government. Lukas Enembes call for the security forces to be withdrawn from Nduga has the support of the Provincial Parliament. The governor and parliament also decided to establish an investigation team of the parliament, churches and community leaders. The governors appeal was also supported by a Coalition of 41 civil society organisations, including the major human rights groups, in Papua. Papuan church leaders go further than the governor and parliament to support the demand made by the pro-independence groups for the government to hold a dialogue to resolve the conflict in Papua. The churches do not support the killing of the construction workers, but they do endorse an international dialogue with the involvement of the UN. Dr Benny Giay, the head of the Kingmi Church, which has significant congregations in Nduga, respects President Jokowis endeavours in Papua, but asserts that these do not address Papuas basic needs. We want the resolution of all the problems in Papua from 1962 to 2018, including the various forms of violence and human rights abuses that have not been resolved until now, he said. Few of the pro-independence groups support the killing of the construction workers, but the demand for an international dialogue with the involvement of the UN is an objective that unites the churches and civil society leaders with the independence activists. While the governors call for the withdrawal of the security forces from Nduga was strongly supported by civil society, it was rejected by the military command in Papua. A spokesman for the military command, Colonel Muhammad Aidi, argued that the governor, as the representative of the central government and the Indonesian state, has responsibilities to defend rather than oppose national policy. The governor had sought to ban the security forces from conducting what the military considered its duty to protect society and defend the unity of the state. Through the militarys prism, the governor was viewed as a spokesman for the Papuan independence struggle. Enembe was caught awkwardly between the opposing pressures of his constituents, who expected him to protect them against the abuses of security forces, and the provincial military leadership, who asserted that the governors principal duty was to defend national policy and the nation state. As these events continue to unfold it is too early to anticipate whether the killing of the construction workers and the subsequent military operations can act as a circuit breaker for the cycle of violence and the national policy impasse on Papua. In the middle of Indonesias presidential election campaign, it is naive to imagine that governor Enembes appeal to withdraw the security forces from Nduga could lead to the sort of substantial withdrawal of Indonesian security forces from Papua that helped bring about peace in Indonesias other intractible regional conflict in Aceh. Richard Chauvel is an academic in the Asia Institute of The University of Melbourne Dan Crawford | January 2, 2019 8:03 am by Joseph Joyce Global Networks and Financial Instability The ten-year anniversary of the global financial crisis has brought a range of analyses of the current stability of the financial system (see, for example, here). Most agree that the banking sector is more robust now due to increased capital, less leverage, more prudent balance sheets and better regulation. But systemic risk is an inherent feature of finance, and a disturbance in one area can quickly spread to others through global networks. The growth of financial markets and institutions during the 1990s and 2000s benefitted many, including those in emerging market economies that became integrated with world markets during this period. But the large-scale extension of credit to the housing sector led to property bubbles in the U.S., as well as in Ireland and Spain. The development of financial instruments such as mortgage backed securities (MBS), collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), and credit default swaps (CDS) were supposed to spread the risk of lenders in order to mitigate the impact of a negative price shock. However, these instruments and the extension of credit to subprime borrowers increased the vulnerability of financial institutions to reversals in the housing markets. Risk increased in a non-linear fashion as balance sheets became highly leveraged, and national regulators simply did not understand the nature and scale of these risks. The holdings of assets across borders amplified the impact of the disruption of the U.S. financial markets once housing prices fell. European banks that had borrowed dollars in order to participate in the U.S. MBS markets found themselves exposed when dollar funding was no longer available. The gross flows of money between the U.S. and Europe increased the ties between their institutions and increased the fragility of their financial markets. It took the the establishment of swap networks between the Federal Reserve and European central banks to provide the necessary dollar funding. John Kay has written about the inability to recognize and minimize systemic risk in financial systems in Other Peoples Money: The Real Business of Finance. He draws from engineers the lesson that stability and resilience requires conscious and systematic simplification, modularity, which enables failures to be contained, and redundancy, which allows failed elements to be by-passed. None of these featuressimplification, modularity, redundancycharacterized the financial system as is had developed in 2008. Similarly, Ian Goldin of Oxford University and Chris Kutarna examined the impact of rising financial complexity on the stability of financial systems in the period leading up to the crisis: Cumulative connective and developmental forces produced a global financial system that was suddenly far bigger and more complex than just a decade before. This made the new hazards harder to see and simultaneously spread the dangers more widelyto workers, pensioners, and companies worldwide. Goldin and Mike Marithasan of KU Leuven also looked at the impact of increasing complexity on financial systems in The Butterfly Defect: How Globalization Creates Systemic Risks, and What to Do About It. They use Iceland as an example of how complex financial relationships were constructed with virtually no understanding of the consequences if they unraveled. They draw several lessons for dealing with a more complex financial networks. These include global oversight by regulators using systemic analysis, and the use of simple rules such as leverage ratios rather than complex regulations. The Basel III regulatory regime follows this advice in a number of areas. But the basic vulnerability of financial networks remains. Yevgeniya Korniyenko, Manasa Patnam, Rita Maria del Rio-Chanon and Mason A. Porter have analyzed the interconnectedness of the global financial system in an IMF working paper, Evolution of the Global Financial Network and Contagion: A New Approach. They use a multilayer network framework with data on foreign direct investment, portfolio equity and debt and bank loans over the period 2008-15 to analyze the global financial network. The authors compare the networks for the years 2009 and 2015, and report which countries are systematically important in the networks. They find that the U.S. and the U.K. appear at the top of these rankings in both of the selected years, although the cross-border holdings of U.S. financial institutions has increased over time while those of the U.K.s institutions fell. China has moved up in the rankings, as have other Asian countries such as Singapore and South Korea. The authors conclude that The global financial network remains most susceptible to shocks coming from large central countriesand countries with large financial systems (namely, the USA and the UK) A decade after the global crisis, the possibility of the rapid propagation of a financial shock remains. There is more resiliency in those parts of the financial system that failed in 2008, but the current most vulnerable areas may not be identified until there is a new crisis. Policymakers who ignore this reality will be tripped up when the next shock occurs, and they will learn that The past is not dead. Its not even past. [Fotogaleria??] Asi fue el recorrido del presidente Vizcarra hacia el @congresoperu para entregar el decreto que declara en emergencia a la @FiscaliaPeru https://t.co/YXHwVzhsh8 pic.twitter.com/bD0rBZqj7q Marcha en apoyo a los fiscales Rafael Vela y Jose Domingo Perez, ratificados en sus cargos esta tarde. Ciudadanos se encuentran en la Plaza de Armas https://t.co/vLT5T70GcA Video: @BraianReynaG pic.twitter.com/cnC7vr5J9j First of all, with regard to Chavarry's claim that the above-mentioned prosecutor has not submitted the information of the cases under investigation, Vela rejected such version and on the contrary affirmed he has scrupulously delivered the required data. "The information we have denied is the one expressly determined by law such as collaboration agreements , which should be reserved by law. Therefore, we cannot inform the Attorney General or someone without legitimacy about them," he said in a press conference. As for the criticism Jose Domingo Perez was subjected to, Vela recalled the Public Ministry's internal control body has permanently filed the investigations against him. "So, the Attorney General is not recognizing the point of view of legality in consideration of Public Ministry's decentralized internal control bodies," he commented. Vela remarked that Chavarry has justified his decision to remove them with vague and imprecise arguments as he speaks of information requirements that he has allegedly brought up, but he does not mention any of them. "We are going to answer this, and that's why we say the decision he made is illegal," he indicated. Finally, with respect to an alleged overexposure of Perez, Vela explained that as a member of the Public Ministry, he speaks through the institution's online platform, via the streaming service Justicia TV, owned by the Judiciary. Therefore, the institution guarantees his public appearances. Attorney General Pedro Chavarry removed Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez from the Lava Jato case on New Year's Eve. The decision set off street protests in Peru , bringing members of political and human rights groups, former ministers, politicians, and the general public together. (END) CCR/RMB/MVB Loading... Prosecutor Rafael Vela labeled as false the arguments set forth by the Public Ministry's head Pedro Chavarry to justify his removal and that of Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez from the Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group.Publicado: 2/1/2019 El presidente @MartinVizcarraC, junto al primer ministro y ministro de @MinjusDH_Peru, presento al @CongresoPeru el proyecto de ley que declara en emergencia el Ministerio Publico. pic.twitter.com/OKpdHpd5GX President Vizcarra said he would meet with Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva and Justice Minister Vicente Zeballos to discuss the issue, and the outcome of such discussion would be communicated right after the meeting. The Peruvian leader remarked that all citizens have to work to combat corruption, adding the Executive has made a decision about it and the population is aware of that. President Vizcarra commented he had previously called his Brazilian counterpart to express congratulations and apologize for leaving earlier than planned. Presidente @MartinVizcarraC : Exhorto al Congreso a tratarlo con el caracter de urgencia que el caso requiere, para no tener que llegar a una Cuestion de Confianza. pic.twitter.com/LzcQmjlEje Presidente @MartinVizcarraC: Hoy mas que nunca necesitamos de una ciudadania mas vigilante y comprometida con nuestro pais. Tengo la conviccion que, si permanecemos unidos y actuamos juntos por el bien del Peru, saldremos ganadores en esta lucha. pic.twitter.com/wwpDnHXwPq News 13 dead, 16 wounded in South Sudan clashes Lakes state is awash with illegal guns in the hands of the civil population. Several attempts by state authorities to disarm civilians have not borne fruits, leading to casualties on both civilians and soldiers. Something at the Staten Island University Hospital seems to be sickening the staff, and while initial clues pointed to mold in the maternity ward, hospital officials say numerous tests indicate perfectly safe air quality. Still, since September, 53 employees have reported a slew of alarming symptoms that the administration can't explain. "Every time I go in [to work at the maternity ward], and I have been there six times since this started, I get sick," nurse Robyn Jacobs told the NY Daily News. "I get these headaches, my glands swell, sore throat, scratchy throat, and I lose my voice. And then I get a tightness in my chest like an allergic reaction." "Across the board it has varied from eyes burning, headaches, nausea, ... throat soreness, the metal taste in the mouth," Dawn Cardello, a 31-year maternity ward employee at SIUH, told SI Live. "Those are the basic symptoms." Another nurse, Gina D'Agostino-Saia, added that "pretty much all of the staff members, everyone that works there, [have] complained about something." D'Agostino-Saia said she had to make a pit stop in the emergency room on one occasion, when she couldn't shake a relentless itchy feeling that left her scratching incessantly. The hospital has moved newborns to a backup unit, but so far, no patients have attested to any of the ailments staff have developed. Yet after complaints began rolling in this fall, the facility undertook "extensive air monitoring quality testing," Executive Director Brahim Ardolic, MD, explained in a statement. At the time, they detected moderately abnormal mold levels, about the same as you might find outside. Officials attributed the elevation to water-borne mold found behind a sink wall, and took steps to treat the area. That doesn't seem to have resolved the problem, though. According to Ardolic, Northwell Health's industrial hygienist, as well as "certified outside agencies," have conducted a total of 30 independent environmental tests, none of which have turned up any risk factors. Earlier this month, monitoring detected that surgical gasesspecifically, sevoflurane and nitrous oxidewere present in the maternity ward, but allegedly, not at levels significant enough to damage a person's health. "Since at their highest levels, sevoflurane detections were less than 1 percent of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) recommended workplace exposure limits and nitrous oxide levels were less than a tenth of the guideline, and pose no risk to patients, staff, or visitors," Ardolic said. Still, the hospital says that it will continue to keep tabs on the situation, although no gas leaks have been detected so far. Ardolic says that the administration has been in regular communication with staff and union representatives, but some nurses remain skeptical. "On 9/11, they said the levels are safe and look at what happened," Jacobs told the Daily News. "I won't go to work anymore until this is cleared upbecause I don't want to keep getting myself sick." Hospital officials are unsure what more they can do, but Ardolic told the Daily News that moving the entire maternity warda solution some nurses have been pushing for, fearing that whatever's making them sick might also endanger their patientsisn't up for debate at the moment. "I understand where the fear and concern comes from, I totally get it, and we're not trying to minimize anyone's concerns," he said. "We can't move patients and a floor and take those types of risks without having some justification for doing that." Although they're not constant, people continue to experience symptoms, and administrators are stumped. "The reality is no one quite knows why they got sick in the first place," hospital spokesperson Terry Lynam told Gothamist in an email. "No patients or visitors have reported any health issues and all air testing results have come back clean," he added. "Bottom line is the there is no air quality issue." Alfonso Cuaron's ode to his upbringing in 1970s Mexico, Roma, has been receiving raves since its release last fall, and is now winning accolades as films are in the middle of awards season. While it is being released by Netflix and is already available on the streaming platform, you should really see it in a theater. And the Film Society of Lincoln Center is presenting, for the first time in New York, the 70mm version of the film on Friday. (Here's what you need to know about 70mm.) Manohla Dargis, a film critic for the NY Times, wrote in her review, "Cuaron served as the director of photography for Roma, and his work here is astonishing. He shot the movie in black-and-white, large-format digital, creating images that have extraordinary clarity, detail and tonality, with entire rainbows of gray, black and white." As Vox's Alissa Wilkinson pointed out, "Roma was shot in a format that enhanced its visual aspects in particular... The richness of an image shot on this format is hard to match, and hard to explain; the closest comparison I can think of is that its the difference between listening to a cassette recording of a symphony and high-definition audio." When the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August, Cuaron himself said, "Obviously, the ideal situation would be a theater on a big screen... [But] the important thing is that the film has an impact ... This film exists and therefore I am very grateful to Netflix because they have allowed me to work in this way." ROMA by @alfonsocuaron is a stunning film. Manages to both intimate, personal, but yet on a sweeping scale. A most engrossingly detailed study of a family and a time, an immersive experience I wanted to dive back into as soon as it finished. Demands to be seen on the big screen. pic.twitter.com/jPvpHCHLsi edgarwright (@edgarwright) October 14, 2018 In addition to Roma, the Film Society of Lincoln Center is showing other Cuaron films as part of a "Complete Cuaron" series, including his debut, Solo con tu pareja; his first Hollywood film, A Little Princess; his breakthrough, Y tu mama tambien (Cuaron will be doing a Q&A before the January 8 screening); his contribution to the Harry Potter-verse, Harry Potter and the Prince of Azkaban; and his prescient adaptation of Children of Men. And Gravity will be screened in 3D! The "Complete Cuaron" runs from January 4 through January 8 at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. A former high-ranking cop accused of trading police favors for lavish giftsincluding cash, diamonds, and airplane sex with a prostitutewas found not guilty on Wednesday. Following a trial that lasted nearly two months, a Manhattan federal jury cleared James Grant, the retired commanding officer of the Upper East Side's 19th Precinct, of all charges. But co-defendant Jeremy Reichberg, a powerful member of Borough Parks Orthodox community and prominent backer of Mayor Bill de Blasio, was found guilty of several bribery and conspiracy charges. Grant reportedly teared up as the verdict was delivered, then turned to console Reichberg, a long-time friend. "You'll be okay," he said. According to federal prosecutors, Reichberg and his ex-partner Jona Rechnitza disgraced developer turned cooperating witness for the governmentspent the last decade showering at least a dozen police officers with bribes to cultivate them as allies. In addition to cash and jewelry, the pair reportedly arranged for high-ranking cops, including Grant, to have sex with a prostitute dressed as a flight attendant during a free trip to Las Vegas. The duo also furnished trips for NYPD members to Israel, Los Angeles, and Miami, where there were "hookers everywhere," according to Rechnitz. The other allegedly compromised NYPD officials, including former Chief of Department Philip Banks III and Deputy Inspector Stephen McAllister, were not charged. Banks, who once posed in uniform next to Reichberg and Rechnitz during a trip to Jerusalem, spoke out for the first time this week, proclaiming his innocence in a third-person blog post published by NYPD Confidential. Norman Seabrook, the former president of the New York Citys correction officers union, who also attended that trip to Israel, was found guilty on conspiracy and bribery charges in August. Wednesday's split verdict is the latest public corruption case in which a briber is found guilty, while the recipient of the kickback is deemed innocent. Both Rechnitz and restaurateur Harendra Singh have previously pled guilty for buying access to the de Blasio administration, despite the fact that charges were never brought against the mayor. As the Times has noted, the primary reason for the head-scratching disparity rests with a 2016 Supreme Court ruling, which significantly raised the bar for proving that public officials are guilty of taking bribes. In a statement, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said that his office had "respect" for the jury's determination that Grant was not guilty. He added, "Jeremy Reichberg orchestrated a years-long bribery scheme that led to tens of thousands of dollars in benefits being provided to a select group of NYPD officers to provide Reichberg with a private, paid police force. These illegal acts clearly undermine the mission of the NYPD and leave the citizens of New York City poorer, and Reichbergs subsequent attempt to hide evidence of his scheme from law enforcement cannot be tolerated." Reichberg's sentencing is scheduled for April 4th. Governor Andrew Cuomo greeted the New Year and his third term with a familiar message: New York on his watch will welcome immigrants, defend minorities and women, build public infrastructure, reform Albany and improve the business climate. And perhaps most of all, Cuomo said in an inaugural address on Ellis Island, state government will do everything it can to counter the messages and policies of the countrys most prominent New Yorker, President Donald Trump. "When they write the history books and ask what did we doin the face of anger and division, when people were disillusioned, Cuomo said, let New York's answer be that in this defining moment we brought healing and light and hope and progress and action. It was an evening of stagecraft and symbolism, with hundreds of VIPs and journalists filling the Great Historic Hall, below parallel rows of flags proclaiming E Pluribus Unum and Excelsior, the state motto, which means "Ever Upward," with an implicit exclamation point. Cuomo has repeatedly and emphatically said he has no intention of joining the race for the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2020. But the timing and location of the inauguration raised eyebrows and the dominance of national themes, in particular his extended anti-POTUS broadside, is likely to resuscitate the speculation dampened by Cuomos may-God-strike-me-dead denial of presidential ambition during an election campaign debate in August. And before Cuomos formal swearing-in, he was introduced by a five-minute video on a half-dozen large-screen TVs around the hall. It bore an uncanny resemblance to a campaign ad. Cuomos media staff produced the segment with the help of various luminaries who piled on the praise. New York has become a beacon for the nation, as Andrew has passed marriage equality, raised the minimum wage and enacted common-sense gun laws Bill Clinton says. This is exactly the image progressive leadership believes in and delivers on, Hillary Clinton adds. Also positively assessing Cuomos career from the 1980s to the present were Charlie Rangel, David Dinkins, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Al Gore, Kirsten Gillibrand and various inner-circle Cuomo loyalists And then the main event began: Cuomos 30-minute inauguration speech. Even by Cuomo standards, the patriotic and progressive declarations came fast, furious and fortissimo. "Let New York say that the federal government may shut itself down, but it will never extinguish the Statue of Liberty's torch or erase the words of her poem, he said. It is New York's duty, it is New York's destiny, once again, to bring the light that leads the way through the darkness. Political infighting and stalled agendas have bedeviled the third terms of the three New York governors who have won them in the past six decades: George Pataki, Nelson Rockefeller and Cuomos father, Mario Cuomo. Andrew Cuomo is determined to keep his administration on track and avoid the derailing they suffered in years nine through twelve. He goes into the term with something his predecessors lacked: strong, friendly majorities in both the State Senate and Assembly. "Our new legislature is now governed by Democrats, Cuomo said. We will not repeat the mistakes of the past. He said New York will show the nation the way forward and upward by passing the most progressive agenda in state history. This justice agenda, he said, would include ending the cash bail system, creating a green New Deal, passing an Equal Rights Amendment and Reproductive Health Act, tightening firearms regulations, repairing the transportation system, reforming campaign finance and allowing early voting. "New Yorkers are smart. They know there is no magic wand, he said. My father used to say, We don't need ideas that sound good, but rather ideas that are good and sound. New Yorkers know the difference between rhetoric and results." It sometimes feels as though every square inch of New York City has been smothered in aggressive and enervating consumer messaging. The delivery apps are borderline sociopathic. Times Square is an increasingly pixelated sensory assault wrapped in millennial pink misogyny. Nearly ten thousand digital video displays will soon plaster the subway, in case your commute didn't already resemble a Black Mirror episode. And those are just the land ads. For the last few months, New Yorkers have reported a massive LED billboard floating through Manhattan's near-shore waters. On both sides of the island, the boat has been spotted hauling a double-sided, 60-foot screen blaring high-definition digital ads for a range of productsHeineken, private helicopter trips, and the Walking Dead among them. According to industry experts, it's the first time that a watercraft dedicated to advertising has taken up station on the city's rivers. "It's disgusting," said Marcy Benstock, director of the Clean Air Campaign and the Open Rivers Project. "People go to the river to contemplate, to do yoga or meditate or just relax. Then this giant billboard comes alongwhat a nightmare!" FFS. Is nothing sacred?! Now, NYC has a barge with a huge ass LED display?! pic.twitter.com/L0na2VrVIV noel hidalgo {space monkey} (@noneck) October 10, 2018 The barge belongs to Ballyhoo Media, a startup that bills itself as a "water-based multi-media company changing the landscape of outdoor advertising." It arrived in October, and drew the immediate ire of New Yorkers concerned that the city's shoreline had become yet another venue for invasive marketing. On Reddit, a frustrated attorney mounted a campaign urging residents to file 311 complaints against the eyesore. Others have suggested torpedoing the vessel with slingshots or airsoft guns. So far, the city has been slow to respond to the novel advertising strategy, despite the fact that the company would appear to be in blatant violation of local zoning rules"no moving or stationary advertising sign shall be displayed on a vessel plying waterways adjacent to Commercial Districts and within view from an arterial highway." Under state navigation law, jurisdiction of vessels operating within 1,500 feet of the shoreline would fall to the local legislative body. Asked about the LED barges in early November, a spokesperson for the Department of City Planning told Gothamist that they are "working with other relevant agencies to determine how to best address this practice." We've followed up several times since then, but the agency has refused to say whether there are plans to take action against the company. The Mayor's Office did not respond to our inquiries, while a spokesperson for City Council Speaker Corey Johnson declined to comment. "It doesn't add up that you can have a zoning resolution that says no billboards in New York waters, and no New York City agency is going to respond," the attorney leading the online Ballyhoo opposition, who requested anonymity, told Gothamist. "How can you let one of the few natural spaces we have left be turned into a new Times Square?" Reached by phone, Ballyhoo founder and CEO Adam Shapiro told Gothamist that city officials haven't contacted him, and asserted that they couldn't do anything about the billboards anyway. "The code that's written for New York City basically ends at the end of the pier lines, so we're outside of that specific enforcement," he said. But according to Jim Lane, an environmental attorney who also does personal injury work, the company's argument doesn't hold up to scrutiny. "Of course New York law applies even on federal property, as long as it doesn't conflict with a federal law," he said. A person caught stealing on the Circle Line, for example, would not require a federal case to be brought to justicethey'd be arrested by local law enforcement. "If we assume the correctness of the pro-billboard argument, we arrive at ridiculous conclusions. This is a reason to reject the argument." Pressed about the legality of his business model, Shapiro noted that "the city of Miami initially challenged us, and we're still operating there today." Indeed, the only other existing Ballyhoo barge debuted in South Beach last year, and was swiftly deemed a nuisance by local residents. Miami officials pledged to outlaw the waterfront advertising, but found that the relevant city law pertains only to Biscayne Bay. Beach Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez has vowed to continue fighting the company, and reportedly suggested that Ballyhoo "might have better luck up North." (Thanks, Kristen!!!) (Jen Carlson / Gothamist) For now, Shapiro says that the contentious billboard will continue making its daily voyages around New York Citybeginning on the west side near the Intrepid, traveling past the southern tip of Manhattan, and ending at Roosevelt Island. He said the company didn't have current plans to add more boats in New York, but will likely expand to other cities. The backlash to the barge, and the possibility of copycat companies transforming the city's tranquil waterfront as we know it, doesn't bother him. "We're seen by millions of people every day, and we can't expect everyone to like us," Shapiro said. "I've never once thought in my own personal view that this disrupts my peace." CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quorum Information Technologies Inc. (TSX Venture: QIS) ("Quorum" or the "Corporation") announced today that it has completed the arm's-length acquisition (the "Transaction") of Oasis Auto Complete Systems Limited (Oasis) pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated January 2, 2019 (the "Agreement") between Quorum and Oasis. Headquartered in London, Ontario, Canada, with automotive dealership customers across Ontario, Oasis develops, implements and supports its Auto Complete Dealership Management System (DMS) and Advantage Showroom system for both franchised (or OEM) and independent automotive dealerships. The key strategic reasons for this transaction include: The Transaction expands the new combined Corporations scale and footprint in the automotive dealership software space. Oasis has 66 dealership rooftops and $1.0 million in annual SaaS revenue. That increases Quorums combined dealership rooftop count to over 920 rooftops including Oasis, DealerMine, XSellerator DMS and Autovance. When including Oasis and DealerMine, Quorums combined Q3 FY2018 total revenues would have been $6.9 million, with $5.0 million or 72% of total revenue as SaaS revenue. The Oasis team has deep industry experience and contacts, and will be joining Quorum. The Oasis Advantage Showroom sales product will be the basis of a new system targeted at the Independent dealership market. The Independent market in Canada is larger than the Franchised (OEM) dealer market at over 7,800 rooftops (according to IBISWorld). Quorum expects some economies of scale in the areas of industry events/memberships, government financing/programs, general and administrative expenses and OEM relationships/programs across the combined entity. Maury Marks, Quorums President and CEO stated, We are thrilled to welcome Oasis and its team to the Quorum family. Oasis, under Scott Savages and Keith Gublers (co-owners of Oasis) leadership, has a proven track record of developing software for the North American retail automotive market. Scott, Keith and the Oasis team will remain in place to manage the business from London, Ontario. We are delighted with the strong Oasis brand in the automotive retail market in Ontario and the companys reputation among their dealership customers. Scott Savage commented, On behalf of the team at Oasis we are very excited to join Quorum and the resulting opportunities for our staff and our customers. The combined companies will be able to accelerate the growth of our newer Advantage product line, as well. For Oasis franchised dealership clients, the companies plan to build a seamless conversion process that will include being able to use the Advantage Showroom system in conjunction with the fixed operations and accounting capability in Quorums DMS, XSellerator. Each franchised dealership using the Oasis DMS should speak with their Oasis representative for more details. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Corporation will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Oasis for consideration comprised of a combination of $485,000 in cash and $100,000 in Quorum shares (156,250 shares valued at $0.64 per share based on a 30-day volume weighted average price) and a $600,000, two year additional compensation earn out provision. About Quorum Quorum is a North American company focused on developing, marketing, implementing and supporting its portfolio of software and services for automotive dealerships that includes: XSellerator, a Dealership Management System (DMS) that automates, integrates and streamlines key processes across departments in a dealership, and emphasises revenue generation and customer satisfaction. DealerMine, a sales and service Customer Relationship Management system and Business Development Center services that drives revenue into the critical sales and service departments in a dealership. Autovance, a sales desking system that increases sales department gross margins and improves customer satisfaction for dealerships. Quorum Information Technologies Inc. is traded on the Toronto Venture Exchange (TSX-V) under the symbol. For additional information please go to www.QuorumDMS.com . Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking information. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements with respect to the anticipated timing of closing of the Transaction, the Corporations plans to integrate DealerMine with the operations of Quorum and managements expectations of the effect of the Transaction on Quorums operations, financial performance and strategic position in certain market segments. Material assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include market and industry conditions affecting Quorums operations, the successful integration of DealerMines products, employees and customers with Quorum, and the successful execution of Quorums strategic initiatives involving DealerMine. Although the Corporation believes that the material assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed this release and neither accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. PDF available: http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/bd4b5382-9ca3-4158-b01f-d68271ac7291 NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (KSF) and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until February 19, 2019 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Allergan plc. (NYSE: AGN), if they purchased the Companys shares between February 24, 2017, and December 19, 2018, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. What You May Do If you purchased shares of Allergan and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-agn/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by February 19, 2019. About the Lawsuit Allergan and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On December 19, 2018, the Company announced that it had halted the sale of its textured breast implants in the European market following a compulsory recall request from the French regulatory authority, Agence Nationale de Securite du Medicament, after the products CE Mark certification expired, amid concerns of a link to a rare form of cancer. On this news, the price of Allergans shares plummeted. The case is Cook v. Allergan Plc et al, No. 18-cv- 12089. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com . Contact: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Albuquerque, NM and San Diego, CA, Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exagen, a leader in rheumatology testing, today announced that it has extended its agreement with GSK, one of the worlds leading healthcare companies, to raise awareness of the importance of timely diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common form of lupus. At the center of the program are the proprietary AVISE laboratory tests, which can facilitate early diagnosis and management of SLE, a complex, incurable autoimmune disease. The details of the agreement are confidential. This agreement follows one that Exagen and GSK entered into last year and will continue to support the shared goal of helping SLE patients shorten time to their diagnosis, which is nearly six years on average, and to facilitate improved patient outcomes. Ron Rocca, President and CEO of Exagen shared, Were pleased to continue working with GSK, which demonstrates our ability to collaborate with major pharmaceutical companies in a shared commitment to improve patients lives. Having access to advanced testing like AVISE can support diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of challenging conditions like SLE. About Exagens AVISE laboratory tests AVISE Connective Tissue Disease (CTD) is a diagnostic test which supports care providers with an accurate assessment of critical biomarkers in patients suspected of SLE or rheumatic conditions with similar symptoms. AVISE CTD uniquely incorporates biologically-relevant CB-CAPs (Cell-Bound Complement Activation Products) into a proprietary algorithm that is associated with the likelihood for the presence of SLE. This amounts to a convenient test for the differential diagnosis of SLE with demonstrated performance of 80% sensitivity and 86% specificity. CB-CAPs provide 22% higher sensitivity for SLE compared to standard complement measures C3 or C4 alone The AVISE CTD test offers 48% greater sensitivity than traditional anti-dsDNA alone Utilization of AVISE CTD has the potential to increase the timeliness and accuracy of SLE diagnosis AVISE SLE Monitor is a unique combination of six biomarkers that provides important data to assist physicians anytime they assess the condition of a patient with SLE. This test employs proprietary assays including erythrocyte-bound C4d (EC4d) and platelet-bound C4d (PC4d) along with other key markers which have demonstrated significant correlation to SLE disease activity. AVISE SLE Monitor gives the treating care provider an accurate glimpse into the serologic measures of disease activity allowing for a more complete picture of how well a patients condition is being managed. About Cell-Bound Complement Activation Products (CB-CAPs) CB-CAPs (EC4d, BC4d, & PC4d) are stable biomarkers of complement activation. Exagen measures deposits resulting from activation of the complement system using flow cytometry to quantify C4d which is covalently bound to circulating cells including erythrocytes, B cells, and platelets. About Exagen Exagen is a commercial stage life science company that is patient-focused and discovery driven. We serve patients and healthcare providers in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of autoimmune conditions. By leveraging our patented and validated technologies we help address the underlying cause of a patients symptoms and guide their journey to improved health. For more information visit, www.exagen.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, or Instagram. About GSK GSK A science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com/about-us. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FIREWEED ZINC LTD. (Fireweed or the Company) (TSXV: FWZ) is pleased to provide a year-end review of its 2018 results and work program on the Macmillan Pass Zinc Project in Yukon, Canada. Highlights for 2018* In January 2018, Fireweed published new expanded Mineral Resources making it the largest undeveloped zinc and lead resource in the world held by a junior company with 11.2 Mt at 9.6% ZnEq Indicated plus 39.5 Mt at 10.0% ZnEq Inferred for the combined Tom and Jason deposits. In May, Fireweed published a Preliminary Economic Assessment with robust economics including an after-tax NPV (8%) of C$448M and IRR of 24%. Drilling in 2018 confirmed and expanded on historic drill results with a number of holes intersecting notably higher grades than projected from historic data. Highlights include drill hole TS18-005 which intersected 12.61% Zinc, 16.40% Lead and 221 g/t Silver over a true width of 12.73 metres. Other wide, high-grade intersections are compiled in the tables below. Extensive geophysical ground gravity and passive seismic surveys, geochemical sampling and geological mapping were carried out to identify additional high priority targets for exploration. Results and exploration targets outlined will be released when interpretation work is complete. The identified high priority targets will be included in planning for the 2019 summer drill campaign. In early 2018, Fireweed exercised its option and became 100% owner of the Tom and Jason claims and associated deposits and assets. Later in 2018, Fireweed consolidated the Macmillan Pass Zinc District with the purchase and options on several blocks of adjacent claims expanding its land position from 219 square kilometres to 544 square kilometres (210 square miles). In early 2018, Fireweed closed a $12.5 million financing. * See 2018 Fireweed news releases for details and background information. CEO Statement After reviewing these year-end results, Fireweed CEO Brandon Macdonald stated It has been another busy year of great accomplishments for Fireweed. In January we published new Mineral Resources which establish Tom and Jason as the largest undeveloped zinc and lead resource in the world held by a junior company. In May we published the results of a PEA study which show the project to have robust economics. These were followed by another successful season of drilling which returned many wide intersections of high-grade mineralization at Tom West and Tom East. We also drilled our first holes on the historic End Zone which returned impressive intersections not yet included in the Mineral Resource. Beyond the technical work, we consolidated the Macmillan Pass Zinc District with the acquisition of additional claim blocks which more than doubled our land position to 544 square kilometres. This expansion included the purchase of the Nidd claims with which Fireweed now owns all four known large zinc systems in the district. Plans for another active season in 2019 will be finalized after we complete the compilation and interpretation of the results from the 2018 program. I want to personally thank our dedicated and hard-working team for all their great work in 2018 and thank our First Nations partners for their support, guidance and valuable contributions. We all look forward to another year of major accomplishments in 2019. 2018 Mineral Resources Report Based on the 2017 drill results along with the historic core re-sampling results and compilation of historic data, the Company announced new NI43-101 compliant mineral resources in January 2018 which were substantially larger than historically reported resources. The base case resources were: Table 1: Base Case Mineral Resource Estimate (at NSR cutoff grade of $65 CAD) Category Tonnes (Mt) ZnEq % Zn % Pb % Ag g/t B lbs Zn B lbs Pb MOz Ag Indicated 11.21 9.61 6.59 2.48 21.33 1.63 0.61 7.69 Inferred 39.47 10.00 5.84 3.14 38.15 5.08 2.73 48.41 Details and supporting information are provided in the NI43-101 Technical Report posted on www.sedar.com and in the Companys news release, both dated January 10, 2018. Preliminary Economic Assessment Report On May 23, 2018, the Company announced the positive results of an independent NI43-101-compliant Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Tom and Jason deposits prepared by JDS Energy and Mining, Inc. (JDS) with work on tailings and water by Knight Piesold Consulting, both of Vancouver, Canada, utilizing the 2018 mineral resources above. Production and Economic Highlights: Long mine life and large-scale production: 18-year mine life with 32.7 Mt of mineralization mined at 4,900 tonne-per-day average processing rate. 1.54 Mt of Zinc, 0.88 Mt of Lead, and 37 Moz of Silver in concentrate shipped. Average yearly contained-metal production of 85 kt Zinc, 48 kt Lead and 2 Moz Silver. Robust economics using metals prices of $1.21/lb Zn, $0.98/lb Pb, and $16.80/oz Ag: Pre-Tax NPV at 8% of $779M CAD and IRR of 32%. After-Tax NPV at 8% of $448M CAD and IRR of 24%. Manageable CAPEX and rapid payback: Pre-production CAPEX of $404M CAD. (including $105M CAD allocated to the Canol Road / Yukon Highway 6 road upgrade) Payback period of 4 years. Starter-pits on Tom West and Jason Main zones reduce up-front capital. Significant Upside Numerous opportunities for significant economic improvement. Known zones remain open for expansion, including into high-grade areas. Highly prospective and large land package untested with modern exploration methods. Details and supporting information are provided in the NI43-101 compliant PEA Technical Report dated July 6, 2018 (effective date May 23, 2018) posted on www.sedar.com and in the Companys news release dated May 23, 2018. 2018 Drilling Results of 2018 drilling on step out and infill holes were exceptional and were often higher grade than historic data indicated. Compiled drill results from the 2018 program as published in news releases, were as follows: TOM EAST ZONE DRILL RESULTS Hole No. From To Interval Estimated True Width Zinc Lead Silver (metres) (metres) (metres) (metres)2 (%) (%) (g/t) TS18-004 312.15 328.56 16.41 5.0-12.3 21.14 13.55 242.8 Including: 319.00 327.70 8.70 2.6-6.5 23.88 19.42 332.9 Including: 319.00 322.00 3.00 1.0-2.3 35.66 18.49 312.7 Including: 326.15 327.70 1.55 0.5-1.2 15.67 35.65 542.1 TS18-010 296.00 306.32 10.32 10.16 8.11 6.31 82.0 Including: 302.00 306.32 4.32 4.25 16.57 11.43 151.0 TOM WEST ZONE DRILL RESULTS Hole No. From To Interval Estimated True Width Zinc Lead Silver (metres) (metres) (metres) (metres) (%) (%) (g/t) TS18-001 No zone intersected. Intersected fault where zone was projected3. TS18-002 562.25 577.60 15.35 12.57 4.33 0.14 1.3 TS18-003 180.90 181.70 0.80 0.56 39.00 20.06 319.0 TS18-005 167.32 188.00 20.68 12.73 12.61 16.40 221.0 TS18-006 No zone intersected. Intersected fault where zone was projected3. TS18-007 26.41 28.95 2.54 2.24 8.96 2.23 10.2 TS18-008 208.00 257.58 49.58 29.14 9.65 8.21 80.0 TS18-009 Intersected fault where zone was projected. TS18-011 44.90 65.85 20.95 13.47 9.18 3.73 12.0 Including: 57.40 65.85 8.45 5.43 12.15 6.12 24.0 TS18-012 228.80 278.00 49.20 28.22 8.43 3.23 35.5 Including: 264.00 277.00 13.00 7.46 13.51 6.26 110.4 TS18-013 Exploration hole on geophysical target. No zone intersected. TS18-014 142.30 158.50 16.20 12.41 7.98 13.27 166.5 Including: 146.50 157.60 11.10 8.50 9.75 17.41 221.6 Including: 146.50 149.50 3.00 2.30 23.76 8.38 149.9 Including: 151.50 155.50 4.00 3.06 2.78 27.59 310.7 In 2018, Fireweed drilled its first holes on a third significant zinc-lead zone, the End Zone and returned better results than indicated in historical data. End Zone was not included in the property mineral resources or the PEA published earlier in the year because of the limited historical data. Results from the 2018 drilling at End Zone were as follows: END ZONE DRILL RESULTS Hole No. From To Interval Estimated True Width Zinc Lead Silver (metres) (metres) (metres) (metres) (%) (%) (g/t) EZ18-001 51.87 64.03 12.16 8.60 4.56 17.34 144.6 Including: 53.94 58.22 4.28 3.03 7.52 24.74 223.4 EZ18-002 49.07 64.74 15.67 11.08 4.78 10.17 87.0 Including: 52.23 62.77 10.54 7.58 5.47 12.53 106.6 Including: 56.10 62.77 6.67 4.88 4.40 14.98 123.0 EZ18-003 160.00 166.12 6.12 3.06 0.18 1.56 16.8 EZ18-004 45.00 53.92 8.92 6.83 1.98 11.24 78.3 Including: 45.84 49.80 3.96 3.03 4.19 15.61 114.7 EZ18-005 No significant intersection on exploration target west of End Zone Notes to drill hole tables: Maps and sections of these drill holes are available on the Fireweed website at www.FireweedZinc.com . True Width is estimated from the company's current understanding of the orientation of the mineralized bodies in the area of the drill intersections and will be refined when the final geological model is completed. A historic 1990 drill hole intersected a wide section of the Tom West Zone (14.1% Zn across 14.6m) on the other side of this fault at depth. These 2018 drill holes will allow precise location of this fault in planning future drilling of the Tom West Zone on the other side of this fault. One drill hole was attempted at Jason South in 2018 but no zone was intersected as the drill hole passed between two projected zones in a fault. Details on these drill intersections and assay methods can be found in recent Fireweed news releases. In addition, core from 2018 was logged for geomechanical characteristics prior to sampling to aid in future mine planning and engineering. Field Work Field work in 2018 began with geophysical surveying and geochemical sampling orientation grids in the Tom, Jason and End Zone areas to optimize exploration methodologies. This test work demonstrated that geophysical ground gravity surveying complemented with passive seismic, and geochemical B/C horizon and soil gas hydrocarbon soil sampling, all guided by geological mapping and modern exploration concepts, are effective techniques to detect zinc-lead-silver mineralization in the district and efficiently focus targets for drilling. Over the balance of the field season, large gravity and soil sampling grids were completed complemented by geological mapping. Currently, interpretation of the results of the mapping, geochemistry and geophysics work from the 2018 field season are being carried out toward identifying high priority areas for exploration toward future new discoveries. Results and exploration targets outlined will be released when interpretation work is complete. In total, a crew of about 40 persons were in camp in 2018 carrying out the drilling and field work program. During the summer the camp was expanded from a 20-person camp to a 50-person camp with a new septic system, additional trailers and facilities, and a renewed permit valid until 2028 to allow for expanded drilling and exploration activities in the future. Consolidation of the Macmillan Pass Zinc District During 2018, Fireweed exercised the Tom and Jason option and acquired several adjacent claim blocks to consolidate the Macmillan Pass Zinc District under Fireweeds name and expand the Macmillan Pass Project land position from 219 km2 to 544 km2. In February 2018, Fireweed exercised its option and acquired 100% interest in the claims which host the Tom and Jason deposits. In March 2018, Fireweed optioned a number of adjacent claim blocks (MAC, MC, MP, Jerry, BR and NS) which cover exploration targets in the district where previous work identified zinc, lead and silver geochemical anomalies in critical host geology. In November 2018, Fireweed purchased 100% interest in the Nidd claims covering part of the Fertile Corridor of highly prospective geology on the northwest extension of the Tom-Jason-End Zone stratigraphy, including the Boundary Zone which is the fourth large known zinc zone in the district. Descriptions of these properties and details of the agreements are in recent Fireweed news releases and MD&As available at www.sedar.com and on the Company website at www.FireweedZinc.com . Future Plans Plans for an active 2019 exploration program will include drilling of further step out holes, drilling of new exploration targets defined in 2018 and field work toward development of additional exploration targets on the expanded property. Details of 2019 work plans will be announced when the interpretation of 2018 field work is completed and budgets are approved. Drill results in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Gilles Dessureau, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and a Qualified Person as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43101. Other technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Brandon Macdonald, P.Geo, CEO and a Qualified Person as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43101. About Fireweed Zinc Ltd. (TSXV: FWZ): Fireweed Zinc is a public mineral exploration company focused on zinc and managed by a veteran team of mining industry professionals. The Company is advancing its large 544 km2 Macmillan Pass Project in Yukon, Canada, which is host to the 100% owned Tom and Jason zinc-lead-silver deposits with recently announced Mineral Resources and a PEA economic study (see Fireweed news releases dated January 10, 2018, and May 23, 2018, respectively, and reports filed on www.sedar.com for details) as well as the Boundary Zone and End Zone which have significant zinc-lead-silver mineralization drilled but not yet classified as mineral resources. The project also includes option agreements on large blocks of adjacent claims (MAC, MC, MP, Jerry, BR and NS) which cover exploration targets in the district where previous work identified zinc, lead and silver geochemical anomalies in critical host geology. Additional information about Fireweed Zinc and its Macmillan Pass Zinc Project can be found on the Companys website at www.FireweedZinc.com and at www.sedar.com . ON BEHALF OF FIREWEED ZINC LTD. Brandon Macdonald CEO & Director 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. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company and the Macmillan Pass Project that are based on the beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including but not limited to, without limitations, exploration and development risks, expenditure and financing requirements, general economic conditions, changes in financial markets, the ability to properly and efficiently staff the Companys operations, the sufficiency of working capital and funding for continued operations, title matters, First Nations relations, operating hazards, political and economic factors, competitive factors, metal prices, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulations and oversight, permitting, seasonality and weather, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events. Additional risks are set out in the Companys prospectus dated May 9, 2017, and filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Should any one or more risks or uncertainties materialize or change, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and forward-looking statements may vary materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forwardlooking information, except as required by law. Contact: Brandon Macdonald T.604.646.8361 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2386799c-ae24-46eb-996c-98b7df3d78a0 SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 02, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857) has opened registration for its VOICE 2019 Developer Conference and announced the full keynote speaker line up for the U.S. program. The conference will be held in two new locations Scottsdale, Arizona on May 14-15 and Singapore on May 23 under the unifying theme Measure the Connected World and Everything in It SM. As in past years, the focus of VOICE will continue to be the learning and networking opportunities offered through technical sessions, kiosk showcases, keynote speeches, the partners exposition and social events. U.S. Keynote Speakers The second day of VOICE in Scottsdale will begin with a keynote speech by Dr. Wally Rhines, CEO emeritus of Mentor, a Siemens business, whose innovative electronic design automation (EDA) products and solutions help engineers conquer IC design challenges. Dr. Rhines is a recognized spokesperson for the semiconductor and EDA industries. Dr. Hugh Herr, professor and leader of MITs Center for Extreme Bionics, will follow with his keynote address on The New Era of Extreme Bionics. Dr. Herr is not just developing smarter, more capable bionic limbs, he is redefining human potential and designing a world in which technology erases disability. For additional information about both U.S. keynote speakers, visit https://voice.advantest.com/keynotes/. Attending VOICE 2019 Online registration is now open at https://voice.advantest.com/register. For the event in the U.S., a 20-percent early registration discount is offered through March 8. Group discounts are also available; email mktgcomms@advantest.com for details. For the VOICE Singapore event, email mktgcomms@advantest.com for more information. Registered VOICE 2019 attendees are encouraged to make their hotel arrangements early. The deadline for reservations at the Boulders Resort & Spa in Scottsdale is April 10. For additional hotel information for both locations and to make reservations, visit the VOICE website at https://voice.advantest.com/hotel-reservations. Sponsoring VOICE 2019 For companies interested in supporting VOICE 2019, a limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available for both locations. Contact Amy Gold at amy.gold@advantest.com or visit https://voice.advantest.com /opportunities to find out more. Connect on Social Media Follow #VOICE2019 on Twitter and @Advantest_ATE. About VOICE 2019 Developer Conference Managed by a steering committee of volunteer representatives from Advantest and its customers, VOICE is the leading conference for the growing international community of users and strategic partners involved with Advantests V93000 and T2000 SoC test platforms as well as Advantest memory testers, handlers and test cell solutions. The conference offers a unique opportunity to take part in making semiconductor testing operations as efficient and cost-effective as possible. Attendees gain and share valuable insights, build long-lasting relationships and learn whats new about Advantest test equipment, handlers and applications. About Advantest Corporation A world-class technology company, Advantest is the leading producer of automatic test equipment (ATE) for the semiconductor industry and a premier manufacturer of measuring instruments used in the design and production of electronic instruments and systems. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also focuses on R&D for emerging markets that benefit from advancements in nanotech and terahertz technologies, and has introduced multi-vision metrology scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing, as well as a groundbreaking 3D imaging and analysis tools. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its first subsidiary in 1982, in the USA, and now has subsidiaries worldwide. More information is available at www.advantest.com. ADVANTEST CORPORATION 3061 Zanker Road San Jose, CA 95134, USA Judy Davies Judy.davies@advantest.com This is a big change I noticed in 2018: automatic categorization of text is a tool that companies are using whenever they can. Let me be specific, because AI means a lot of things to a lot of people. Im talking about taking a database with short freeform text fields and automatically tagging them according to a tagged sample corpus. Im not talking about text synthesis, anything to do with speech, automatic chat, question answering, or Alexa Skills. Example: two companies Because Im NY-based, I meet a lot of e-commerce B2B startups. This year I had a weird deja vu moment where a company that was about to launch in 2018 had almost identical DNA to a 2016 company. Almost identical. Similar B2B positioning (shopping cart plugin), similar set of skills on the founding team, but with one addition: the 2018 company has a founding data scientist and will do the labor-intensive step of their onboarding by machine. This will give them a faster bridge to self-serve. Onboarding was the thorniest part of the funnel for the 2016 company (not unusual in this sector). It was labor intensive, buggy and slow. The complex on-boarding process delayed their implementation of self-serve which in theory increased their cost of customer acquisition. The 2018 company is launching with text classification in their toolbox. Everyone in the company will have to embrace these tools, in the same way that everyone has some awareness of databases now. And their competition will need to get up this curve in order to stay competitive. Not clear to me what changed Weve had some of the building blocks for this kind of text processing for decades, including the stats tools and the training corpuses. Does deep learning help? I dont know but at minimum it helps by delivering sexy headlines that keep AI in the news, which in turn convinces business stakeholders this is something they can get behind. It wasnt magic before and its not magic now; the output of these algorithms still requires some amount of quality control and manual inspection. But business leaders are now willing to admit that the old manual way of doing things also had drawbacks. Availability of big data is one claim people make but this feels like medium data to me. The input data for these classification projects is typically on the scale of the companys existing business, and the categorization task is something theyre doing by hand now. For example, coding medical claims: the insurance company has hundreds of thousands of these that theyve done by hand or with a hand-coded classifier. Investor appetite for ML-based companies probably has some impact here. Now that were using these techniques they dont feel high tech, they feel like we could have been doing them for years, and I think thats what its suppose to feel like when a technology becomes mainstream. In a sense this is the continuation of the software-ization of the service industry. In-person to phone banks to internet to mobile each of these steps has been about consumer access to new kinds of terminals, not just companies figuring out how to sell books online. Speech and conversation Speech interfaces, especially conversational speech, feel not there yet for now. Alexa is bad because its not conversational enough. I dont have one but while housesitting I got to enjoy conversations like alexa lamp off / which lamp / list lamps / I dont know how to do that. Alexa also witnessed a crime and violated the GDPR while trying to comply with the GDPR, so its been a busy year. I was fascinated and disturbed by the duplex conversation agent demo G posted on their blog this summer. The machine learned a guess and check conversational pattern that will be familiar to anybody whos tried to schedule an appointment over a shaky connection. If this is the future, yikes. When the machine was uncertain (which was frequently), it defaulted to browbeating the poor phone clerk with uptalk. I hope they add the operator command. Duplex feels like an extension of the gig economy; this is about college grads not wanting to waste their time negotiating with grunts. The tech is cool, the social impact troubling. The synthesis side of AI (vs recognition / classification) feels generally fraught. Watch for the phantom earring. Career questions As a working programmer, should you drop everything and learn NLP now? Will there still be systems programmers in 2 years? People are still making money writing COBOL so probably, but who wants to be writing COBOL (figuratively or otherwise). The part of the question I cant answer is how big is the job pool, how long will the bubble last and how much expertise do you need to get more money than you make now? Grad students are getting snapped up by big tech & hedge funds but if you wanted to go to grad school, youd probably be there already. For myself, Im learning the basic techniques because they feel core to my industry skillset. Im staying open to chances to apply them and to work with experts. Im not even at the midpoint of my career and want to stay ahead of the curve. In August 2018, Dudka, a Ukrainian prisoner kept in occupied Simferopol, had some heart issues Open source Tatyana Moskalkova, the Russian Ombudsman, informed her Ukrainian colleague Lyudmyla Denisova that the Ukrainian political prisoner Volodymyr Dudka, kept in occupied Crimea, is under medical observation, he receives all necessary medicine, as Denisova wrote on Facebook. Finally, Tatyana Moskalkova responded to my request on health condition of Volodmyr Dudka, who is being kept in Simferopol prison The Russian Ombudsman noted that his condition is satisfactory. Volodymyr is under medical observation due to some chronic diseases he has, he is also being examined, he receives all necessary medicine, Denisova noted. According to her, the Advisor of the Russian President, the Chairman of the Council on development of civil society and human rights Mykhail Fedotov confirms this information. And again, we have not received any official document which would confirm this, the Ukrainian Ombudsman stressed. Dudka was arrested in November 2016 in Crimea along with Dmytro Shtyblikov and Oleksiy Bessarabov. The FSB detained another so-called "Ukrainian saboteurs" who allegedly were planning sabotage on strategic sites of the occupied Crimea in Sevastopol on November 9. The detainees are allegedly members of the terrorist group of Ukraines Defense Ministry Intelligence Service. Related video: The foreigners who work in the Czech Republic sent 1,8 billion euro to their native countries and it is for 17% more than in 2017 Czech Republic, flag Open source The Ukrainian labor migrants sent to Ukraine 600 million euro as Radio Prague reported citing Czech Statistics Department. The foreigners who work in the Czech Republic sent 1,8 billion euro to their native countries and it is for 17% more than in 2017. The third part of this sum, 600 million euro was sent to Ukraine. The citizens of Slovakia are at the second place after Ukrainians with 22,5% from the whole sum of the money transfrr and Germans occupied the third place with 2,3%. In their turn, the Czechs who work abroad sent 3.2 billion euro to home and it is for 9% more than in 2017. The majority of the transfers took place from Germany (1,49 billion) and Austria (540 million). Earlier we reported that a possible drain of the Ukrainian workers from Poland to Germany might negatively affect the Polish economy, the Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers of the Republic informed. Besides, it was reported that there are two million Ukrainians in Poland, who work for the Polish economy and 40,000 students from Ukraine are studying in Polish universities. The Ukrainian court has already implemented all conditions necessary for the extradition Open source The law enforcers of Switzerland have detained Ukrainian Denys Pashchenko under suspicion of kidnapping of ex-mayor of Kherson Volodymyr Saldo in the Dominican Republic as Ukrainian News reported citing the materials of the court. It is stated that the Ukrainian police hold an investigation of the kidnapping and forcible keeping of Saldo in the Dominican Republic. It is established that he came there on June 20, 2016, at the invitation of his friend, businessman Pashchenko. The holding of the negotiations with the potential partners in business became the pretext for the meeting. On June 21, 2016, ex-mayor of Kherson was deprived of his liberty at one of the houses in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic and he could not freely negotiate and move. Then Pashchenko took possession of the property of the victim, particularly his iPhone 6. It is reported that Pashchenko sent the messages, with photo and video information on the deprivation of his liberty to an assistant of Saldo from this phone. He expressed the threats on the murder of ex-mayor in the case the property amounted $2 million is not passed to him. The people close to Saldo agreed to pass the property in such amount. In July 2016, the assistance of Saldo had flown 2011 Audi A7, which costs $50,000 from Kherson to Kyiv and passed it to Pashchenko. Then the relatives of Saldo re-registered one-room apartment in Kherson, which costs $2,230 and land plot square 0,09 ha, which costs $3,200 and land plot square 0,1 ha, which costs $3,600. Moreover, the perpetrator got 2016 Volvo XC90, which costs $50,000 in August 2016. Totally, Pashchenko sustained material damage by criminal actions in the sum of almost $122,000. On March 1, 2017, the businessman was notified about suspicion in absentia. Pashchenko was put on the wanted list on March 6, 2017, and on the international wanted list on November 1, 2018. In December 2018, the National Bureau of Interpol in Switzerland informed the Ukrainian police about the arrest of wanted Ukrainian Pashchenko. Ukraine is obliged to prepare and sent all necessary materials on the request of extradition of the suspect up to January 3, 2019. The Ukrainian court has already implemented all conditions necessary for the extradition and chose the restrictive measure in the form of the arrest for the suspect in absentia. In August 2016, ex-mayor of Kherson Saldo claimed to be kidnapped in the Dominican Republic and was detained for 50 days; he called Denys Pashchenko contractor. In his turn, the businessman did not plead guilty and stated that he was kidnapped by Saldo, who was arrested by police and convicted in the Dominican Republic. On April 24, 2018, brother of Denys Pashchenko was shot dead in the downtown of Kherson. The community of the Temple of the Holy Martyr Paraskeva from Skybyn village became the first local Orthodox community to join the united local Orthodox Church Open source The religious community of the Temple of the Holy Martyr Paraskeva from Skybyn village, Cherkasy region, became the first local Orthodox community to join the united local Orthodox Church. A local outlet reported that this is the first documented fact of transition from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP) to the united local Orthodox Church of Ukraine. There are some 2,000 residents in Skybyn village; most of them belong to the congregation of the Temple of the Holy Martyr Paraskeva. 'The community made the decision of transition, without waiting for the official ceremony of granting Tomos to Ukraine, which is slated for January 6 in Constantinople... Everybody who was present on the church gathering upheld the option to leave UOC MP', the article says. For the time being, the services will be performed in the Old Slavic language; next year, they will be conducted in Ukrainian as well, which is the demand of the churchgoers. Another three villages in the same district are preparing documents to be transferred, the medium reported. The data necessary for the development of the plans of the managing of the river basins and navy strategy will be received thanks to a new monitoring Open source A new order of the carrying of the state monitoring of the waters approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has come into force since January 1, 2019. The order meets the directives of EU and will help to get more information about the state of waters in Ukraine as the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine reported. From now on, the monitoring of water in Ukraine will take place in accordance with the European standards. The new order removes the duplication of the functions between different subjects of monitoring, provides a clear procedure and systematic approach to the monitoring of the surface, ground and sea waters, Mykola Kuzio, the Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine on Euro-integration reported. He noted that the data necessary for the development of the plans of the managing of the river basins and navy strategy will be received thanks to new monitoring. EU project Support of Ukraine in the approximation of the EU legislation in the environment sphere (APENA) and EU project Environmental monitoring in the Black Sea (EMBLAS) joined to the development of the order. According to the ministry, a new system of the monitoring of water provides the next points clear division or responsibilities between organization, which measure the rates without duplication of the authorities; extended lists of the biologic, hydromorphological, chemical and physical and chemical indicators for the monitoring implemented six-year cycle of monitoring implementation of the classification of state of the waters: five classes of ecological state and two classes of chemical state; increase of the number of points of monitoring of the waters from a few hundreds up to a few thousands. Earlier we reported that Ukraine faces problems with central drinking water supply. He went to Moscow to attend a wedding when he suddenly disappeared Paul Whelan, U.S. ex-marine. who was arrested in Moscow EPA Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that the U.S. hoped to access a former Marine arrested in Russia on espionage charges, as The Guardian reported. Paul Whelan, who is head of global security for a Michigan-based auto parts supplier, was arrested on Friday. In announcing the arrest three days later, the Russian Federal Security Service said he was caught during an espionage operation, but it gave no details, the news agency reported. He went to Moscow to attend a wedding when he suddenly disappeared. Pompeo, speaking in Brazil, said the US is hopeful within the next hours well get consular access to see him and get a chance to learn more, The Guardian informs. The U.S. State Secretary stated that the U.S. made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges and come to understand what it is hes been accused of and if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return. It was also noted that his family were deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak will be the chairman of the organization over the next 12 months On January 1, 2019, Slovakia assumed the year-long presidency in the OSCE, which incorporates 57 member countries from Europe, North America and Central Asia. Interfax news agency reported that on Tuesday. Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak will be the chairman of the organization over the next 12 months. He previously stated that over this period, 'Ukraine would be the main priority' and promised he would visit Ukraine during his first foreign visit in this office. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin tweeted that he would be glad to welcome Lajcak already in two weeks; 'we'll go to Donbas together', the diplomat wrote. Earlier, he said Slovakia would focus on the issues related to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the aggression in Donbas during its presidency at the OSCE. He explained the decision by the fact that the recent actions of the Russian Federation near the Kerch Strait escalated the problem and increased the risk of the destabilization in the region. The input into the crisis in Ukraine and around it, which includes the illegal annexation of Crimea, undermines the principles of the OSCE, and it will be the focus of our presidency at the organization, Lajcak emphasized, not mentioning Russia directly, but hinting at it. 'We arent going to be a member of an organization that deliberately acts against us', - Israeli ambassador Danny Danon Israeli flag Open source Israel has left the composition of the UNESCO, the UN authority for education, science and culture. The Times of Israel reported that on Wednesday, quoting Israeli ambassador in the UN, Danny Danon. UNESCO is a body that continually rewrites history, including by erasing the Jewish connection to Jerusalem, Israels Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said, commenting on the issue. It is corrupted and manipulated by Israels enemies, and continually singles out the only Jewish state for condemnation. We are not going to be a member of an organization that deliberately acts against us. The U.S. simultaneously made the similar decision to leave the UN; it took effect on December 31, while Israel's decision entered into force on January 1. Earlier, the city hall of the Ukrainian capital stated its plans to develop the scientific documentation, which provides for including Kyiv's main street, Khreshchatyk, into the UNESCO World Heritage list. The administration is supposed to spend three years and USD 60,000 on the project. Kyiv city hall also plans to buy out the monuments of cultural heritage and return them to the communal ownership. Germany and its Armed Forces, Bundeswehr, assumed the chairmanship in the NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF). Deutsche Welle reported that, quoting German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen. The German official claimed that by assuming this leadership, Germany makes a sizeable contribution to the entire Alliance's security. Von der Leyen admitted that Bundeswehr's new role is another quite important impetus for the comprehensive modernization of the country's armed forces. The NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force was created in the first half of 2015, as the response to the Russian aggression in Ukraine. This force makes an important component of the NATO strategy to deter Russia. The advance teams of the VJTF are supposed to be deployed in any destination necessary over the 72 hours-long-period. The presidency in NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force lasts for one year. In 2018, the leadership belonged to Italy. In 2020, it will be handed over to Poland. Open source The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) blocked the destructive activities of Belarus citizen Pavlo Karnazytsky, who distributed anti-Ukrainian propaganda on the territory of our country, reads the message of the SBU on Facebook. The personnel of the service established that the foreigner, who lived in Ukraine illegally, was sharing fake information. In particular, during speeches on some television channels, he questioned the internationally recognized evidence of the presence of troops of the aggressor country in the temporarily occupied territories of our state, the SBU stated. It is noted that Karnazytsky has repeatedly published anti-Ukrainian posts on the media sources controlled by DNR and LNR terrorist organizations. Related: SBU blocks 300 Internet sources used by Russia against Ukraine On January 2, 2019, he was forcibly returned back to Belarus with the prohibition to enter Ukraine for three years. SBU Chairman Vasyl Hrytsak claimed that after the introduction of restrictions on the entry of Russian citizens into Ukraine, the special services of the Russian Federation are increasingly attracting foreigners to the provocations. The activity of such propagandists paid by Russia constitutes a threat not only to the national interests of Ukraine but also contradicts the legislation of their origin country, the head of the SBU said. The Law on amendments to Article 282 of Russias Criminal Code makes so-called actions aimed at inciting enmity or hatred initially an administrative, rather than a criminal, offence. The Code of Administrative Offences will now have a new Article 20.3.1, also on such alleged incitement. Instead of criminal liability, however, a first offence will be punishable by a fine from 10 to 20 thousand roubles, up to 100 hours of community work or up to 15 days imprisonment (administrative arrest). Such incitement would only be deemed a criminal offence if there was a repeat charge in the space of a year Amendments have been made to one of Russias notorious extremism charges used in many political prosecutions in Russian-occupied Crimea. It remains to be seen whether it has a major impact, but in principle it should stop people facing criminal charges and being placed on Russias List of Terrorists and Extremists for a single reposted text or picture on social media. The Law on amendments to Article 282 of Russias Criminal Code makes so-called actions aimed at inciting enmity or hatred initially an administrative, rather than a criminal, offence. The Code of Administrative Offences will now have a new Article 20.3.1, also on such alleged incitement. Instead of criminal liability, however, a first offence will be punishable by a fine from 10 to 20 thousand roubles, up to 100 hours of community work or up to 15 days imprisonment (administrative arrest). Such incitement would only be deemed a criminal offence if there was a repeat charge in the space of a year. The amendment was proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, possibly because of the unfavourable press coverage in Russia and abroad over absurd cases where people faced criminal prosecution for a once-off reposted or posted text or image. The law will change only the severity of the punishment, not the huge scope for abuse of such prosecutions. A number of cases which either have, or have not, been seen as inciting enmity elicit bemusement. Russias FSB has, for example, failed to find incitement in a video made by Russian fascist ideologue Aleksandr Dugin saying that all Ukrainians should be killed, There were also no repercussions in March 2016, when the Deputy Speaker of Russias State Duma Vladimir Zhirinovsky stated on Russian TV that terrorist attacks will take place throughout Europe. And that is in our interests. Let them all perish and die. What are you waiting for? Lets do it ourselves. In February 2016, Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video on Instagram showing opposition leader Mikhail Kasyanov directly under a snipers vision. The chilling message read: Kasyanov has arrived in Strasbourg for money for the Russian opposition. Who hasnt understood, will understand. The video was later removed, but due to Instagrams standards, not because of any fear of prosecution. The occupation regime in Crimea is just as specific in what it deems incitement. This does not include the pronouncements on Facebook and similar from Andrei Nikiforov, whose lack of specialist knowledge is no impediment to his providing expert assessments in political trial. Nikiforovs post which called for all rabid Ukrainians to be killed was only removed after a formal complaint from a Ukrainian activist, and there is nothing to suggest that the prosecutor took any measures at all. The tolerance towards the above and other examples of incitement is in marked contrast to other cases where Crimean Tatars or other Ukrainians in occupied Crimea have been charged under Article 282, including several who have already been convicted. Emil Minasov was sentenced in July 2017 to one year and three months imprisonment for supposed incitement to enmity on Facebook, with the posts and reposts having been critical of Russias annexation of Crimea. Larisa Kitaiska was convicted on 26 December 2017 of incitement in connection with supposedly Russophobic posts on Facebook, and given a two-year suspended sentence. The 55-year-old businesswoman and former Maidan activist had left Crimea after Russias invasion and had been living in Kyiv where she never concealed her opposition to Russian occupation. She was detained by the FSB on July 18, 2016, with a search carried out of her home in Yalta. Although not held in custody, she was forced to sign an undertaking not to leave Yalta. There are several cases now underway on charges under Article 282. Ismail Ramazanov was brutally beaten up and then held in custody for six months, charged under Article 282 of incitement to enmity against Russians over supposedly extremist comments on the Zello Internet radio which is banned in Russia. Elina Mamedova is also presently facing the same criminal charges of incitement over three social media reposts from 2014 and 2015 from a pro-Ukrainian VKontakte page. Mamedova points out that people kill, knock people down at pedestrian crossings and get acquitted, and here she could get five years for a repost. She rejects the charge of inciting hatred towards Russians, and stresses that her reposts were against those people who came onto the territory of my country Ukraine, with weapons, and with the help of murder and violence, imposed their order here. Gulsum Alieva, 21-year-old Crimean Solidarity activist and the daughter of recognized political prisoner Muslim Aliev, is facing criminal charges under Article 282 over a text that purports to be a quote from the Russian philosopher Ivan Ilyin, whom Putin is known to have praised. The words about Russia in the supposed quote are already unflattering, however at the top and bottom, in a different colour are the words Russia is a country of moral monsters and (at the bottom) Death to Russian occupiers! This was simply a reposted text, with Alieva adding no comment from herself. Oleksandr Sedov from the Crimean Human Rights Group believes that a review could be sought in the above two cases and others, still under of the convictions, given the change in the qualification of a first-time incitement charge. It is certainly to be hoped that this will be the case. The difference in criminal prosecution is not only the severity of the sentence but also the fact that people who have not been convicted of any crime are still placed on Russias notorious List of Terrorists and Extremists, with this bringing serious restrictions on, for example, their ability to access their own bank account(s). The problem is, however, that other similar charges can, and have been brought in analogous cases, and these have not changed. Yevhen Karakashev, for example, is facing charges not only under Article 282 1, but also under 205.2 2 (public calls to terrorism), although the latter charge seems as dubious as the accusation of incitement. He has been imprisoned since February 1, 2018 and has been recognized as a political prisoner by the Memorial Human Rights Centre. Another Ukrainian activist persecuted for expressing his pro-Ukrainian position on social media, is Ihor Movenko who received a two-year suspended sentence (initially a real sentence, but reduced at appeal level). In his case, this may well have been in reprisal for his attempts to get the police officer who savagely attacked him prosecuted. The point here, however, is that the charge was under public calls to extremist activities which remains unchanged by the new law. Given the will to persecute activists and others refusing to be cowered into silence, this law while, undoubtedly, welcome, may be of limited effect. Read the original text here. The implementation of the regulations of the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean convention between Ukraine and the European Union has begun on January 1, 2019, as the Ministry of Economic Development reported. The implementation of the Regional convention on the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of the origin will increase the profit for the national exporters and extend their possibilities. They will be able to use the principle of the diagonal cumulation of products origin, which is used between the partakers of the Convention if there are the regimes of the free trade between them. In practice, the implementation of the regulations of the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean convention means that the Ukrainian producer will be able to purchase the raw material and components from one of the sides participating in the Convention and export the ready production to another partaker of the Convention without payment of the tax or discounted rate of tax. It will promote the opening of new production capacity, greater use of the productive capacity, attraction to the regional and international chains of the creation of value added, the message said. At the moment, 25 sides participate in the Convention, particularly: EU, EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), Albany, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Kosovo, Macedonia, Morocco, Moldova, Palestine, Serbia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Faroe Islands and Montenegro. Ukraine has concluded the agreements on the Free Trade Area with the EU, EFTA, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova and Montenegro. It prepares for the signing of the agreement on the Free Trade Area with Israel. The negotiations on the concluding of the Free Trade Area between Turkey and Ukraine continue. In December 2018, the regulator took five measures towards five banks for the violation of legislation in the area of financial monitoring Open source The National Bank of Ukraine penalized Sberbank of Russia for USD 3,4 million for the repeated commitment of risky activity in the financial monitoring area totaling more than USD 108 million, reports the press office of the regulator. So, after receiving the preliminary act of verification of the NBU, in which the bank carried out risky activities totaling more than one billion hryvnias, which in particular consisted in issuing cash from corporate clients accounts, the bank did not stop such activities, it changed the cash withdrawal scheme and increased the volume of transactions containing signs that may be associated with the legalization of criminal incomes and the implementation of fictitious entrepreneurship, the National bank reported. Related: Ukrgasbank receives $17 million of trade finance from European Bank In addition, the regulator issued Sberbank written warning for violation of the requirements for identification of customers - public figures; for failure to identify financial transactions subject to mandatory financial monitoring; non-observance of the procedure for providing information to a specially authorized body and violation of the procedure for suspending financial operations. The Russian occupant forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions in combat area three times One soldier of Ukraine's government forces deceased in action in Donbas combat area. Another two sustained wounds in combat, the HQ of the Joint Forces Operation reported. The Russian occupant forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions in combat area three times. Once, they used the Minsk-banned weapon, namely the 82 mm mortar. The mines landed in Hnutove, Donetsk region. In Vilny farmstead and Novotoshkivske, in Luhansk region, the enemy opened fire from BMP-1, grenade launchers and small arms. One enemy trooper was killed and four were wounded. No attacks were observed since midnight of January 2. Earlier, Serhiy Nayev, the Commanding Chief of the Joint Forces Operation said that since late April 2018, the Ukrainian military has eliminated 450 Russian militants. According to our intelligence, since the Joint Forces Operation began, the enemy sustained 450 fatalities; some 850 were injured. Besides, 28 items military vehicles were destroyed, he stated. New Delhi: India and Pakistan on Tuesday exchanged their lists of nuclear installations, according to an agreement signed in 1988. "India and Pakistan today exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack Against Nuclear Installations between India and Pakistan," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. "The agreement, which was signed on December 31, 1988, and entered into force on January 27, 1991, provides, inter alia, that the two countries inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the agreement on the first of January of every calendar year," it stated. This is the 28th consecutive exchange of such lists between the two South Asian nuclear powers, the first one having been done on January 1, 1992. Brazil: Far-right congressman Jair Bolsonaro has been sworn in as Brazil`s new President and he promised to build a "society without discrimination or division". The 63-year-old former army captain in his inaugural speech on Tuesday talked about a "national pact" to free Brazil of corruption, crime and economic mismanagement, the BBC reported on Wednesday. After being sworn in front of the Congress, Bolsonaro went on to the Planalto Palace where the outgoing President, Michel Temer, handed over the presidential sash. Speaking afterwards, he said Brazil would "start to free itself of socialism" and "political correctness". US President Donald Trump commended him for his speech, saying the US was "with" him. Among the foreign guests at the inauguration were US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Bolsonaro won the presidential election by a wide margin against Fernando Haddad of the left-wing Workers Party on October 28, 2018. Despite portraying himself as a political outsider during his campaign, Bolsonaro served seven terms in Brazil`s lower house of Congress, the Chamber of Deputies, before being elected President. He has been a member of several political parties but is currently in the Social Liberal Party. Like most of Bollywood biggies, Katrina Kaif too decided to welcome the New Year, with her near and dear ones, away from Bollywood. The actress, who rang in the new year with her family members in her hometown London, did something unexpected and shared it with her fans on social media. Katrina has been sharing her videos and photos from her holiday in which she seems to be having the best of her time. In a video, the actress is seen going for a swim with her sisters in the freezing English channel where the water temperature is zero degrees. Can't believe? Check it out yourself. "Happy first new year day. location - the English Channel water temp-0 degrees Lessons for the new year - best to swim in sea in the summer months. 2 - listen to ur elders ( esp about swimming in the sea only in summer months ). 3 - never envy others , everyone has there own struggles , we are all in this together . 4 - try to keep your mind where your body is , not ahead of it or behind it ," The caption with the video read. Check out the exciting video and picture here: In a separate picture, we see all three beautiful women, wrapped in a white robe, sitting on the beach. A day ago, Katrina shared yet another picture where she was dressed in a red outfit, with a glittery hat placed on her head. the shared a goodbye message to 2018 with her fans. On the work front, Katrina was last seen in 'Zero', and her role won her several accolades. She is currently busy with Ali Abbas Zafar's 'Bharat' opposite Salman Khan. Shillong: On the 21st day of the ongoing rescue operation, the divers of Indian Navy and NDRF are preparing to enter the Meghalaya coal mine, where 15 miners are trapped, to gauge the water level. Sharing details about the ongoing rescue operation, the officials said that efforts are on to install high-powered submersible pumps to drain out water from interconnected shafts. According to officials, the divers will measure the water level again to take a call on resuming search and rescue operation for the trapped diggers. Speaking to PTI, operation spokesperson R Susngi said that so far only one of the 10 pumps brought by a team from Odisha is in use in a nearby abandoned mine. "We expect a high powered pump from Coal India be put to use later today. Till now, a lot of preparation is going on," Susngi said. Divers from Navy and the NDRF will go inside the main shaft, where the disaster occurred on December 13, to measure afresh the water level to take a call on resuming search and rescue operation, Susngi said giving details of the operation. The exercise will be undertaken to ascertain if the abandoned mine is connected with the 370-foot-deep mine in which the 15 miners were trapped, Susngi said. Meanwhile, other five pumps with similar power and functions from Coal India Ltd (CIL) are on the way by road from their various centres across the country. On Tuesday, water level had gone down by six inches in a nearby shaft but when Navy and NDRF divers went inside the main shaft they found that it was not connected with the rat-hole mine and hence water level remained unchanged to conduct the search and rescue operation. With search and the rescue operation not making much headway, no contact has been established with the trapped miners even after 21 days of the disaster. It is still not clear whether they have access to food or water. Fifteen miners are trapped inside a 370-foot-deep illegal coal mine in East Jaintia Hills district since December 13 after water from a nearby river gushed in, puncturing the mine wall. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear on Thursday a plea seeking urgent steps to rescue 15 miners who have been trapped inside an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya since December 13. The matter was mentioned on Wednesday for urgent listing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SK Kaul which agreed to hear the matter on Thursday. The PIL, filed by advocate Aditya N Prasad, also sought a direction to the Centre and other authorities concerned to prepare a standard operating procedure (SOP) for rescue operations in "mines and other similar conditions". The plea, filed through advocate Astha Sharma, sought directions to the Centre and the state to utilise the services of the technical wing of the Indian Armed Forces - the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force - in the operation immediately to rescue the 15 miners. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: Shares of crisis-hit Jet Airways closed over 6 percent down after following news that it had defaulted on loan repayment to banks. The stock of the full service carrier declined 6.16 percent to Rs 263.75 on BSE. On NSE, shares of the company fell 6.89 percent to Rs 261.45. The company has been grappling with financial woes for quite some time now and has been making delayed salary payments to staff. "Payment of interest and principal installment due to the consortium of Indian banks (led by State Bank of India) on December 31, 2018, has been delayed due to temporary cashflow mismatch," the company said in a regulatory filing. The company has engaged with them (banks) in relation to the same, Jet Airways added. The carrier has posted three consecutive quarterly losses of over Rs 1,000 crore each since March 2018. Rating agency Icra has also downgraded its ratings on the airline's long-term and short-term fund facilities. With Agency Inputs NEW DELHI: In a blistering attack on the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah on Wednesday said that 'Vande Mataram' was not sung at the state secretariat just to please a "particular community" and asked whether it was done at the behest of party president Rahul Gandhi. The BJP chief made these allegations in a Facebook post in which he claimed that the Congress government was turning Madhya Pradesh - the "heart of Hindustan" - into a centre of its "appeasement" politics. A row had erupted after it came to fore that 'Vande Mataram' was not sung at the state secretariat on Tuesday, the first working day of the month, a tradition that was followed by the previous BJP government for nearly 15 years. "I want to ask Congress national president Rahul Gandhi whether the insult of Vande Mataram is his decision. Rahul Gandhi should clear his stand before the people of the country on the unfortunate decision by the Congress government," Shah sought to know in the Facebook post. Driving his point home, the BJP chief said that 'Vande Mataram' does not belong to any particular community and, instead, it is a symbol of the sacrifice made by lakhs of warriors who laid down their lives for the freedom of India. "And its insult just to please a particular community is very sad, shameful and disrespect of the country's freedom," Shah said. Earlier in the day, former chief minister Shivraj Chouhan also attacked the Kamal Nath government and said that he and all other BJP MLAs will sing 'Vande Mataram' on the first day of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Session if the Congress government does not restore the practice at the secretariat. Nath, however, said the practice of singing 'Vande Mataram' on the first working day of every month was being discontinued for the time being and that his government has decided to implement it in "naya swaroop" (new form). "We have not taken this decision under any agenda nor are we opposed to singing 'Vande Mataram'. It is deeply rooted in our hearts and we have sung it from time-to-time. We will start it again but in a different form," Nath said in a statement. He also criticised those who were trying to politicise the issue. "I condemn those who do politics in the name of either temple or Vande Mataram. We are bringing it (Vande Mataram) in a new form and I will make an announcement on it within a day or two," the chief minister said. (With PTI Inputs) NEW DELHI: Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde courted a fresh controversy on Wednesday when he said that the entry of women in the revered Sabarimala temple in Kerala is akin to a daylight rape on Hindus. Hegde also blamed the state government led by Chief Minister Pinnarayi Vijayan for the poor law and order situation in the state, which, he said, was arising due to Kerala CM's prejudice. ''The law and order in Kerala is the state governments failure and the ongoing protests over women's entry in Sabarimala a "daylight rape on the Hindus," he said. Hegde said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans "prejudice is creating confusion among the people". The minister said that even though the Supreme Court has given its directions in the Sabarimala issue, the onus to maintain the law and order situation in Kerala rests with the state government. "The Kerala government should have managed the situation without hurting the faith of the masses. But the state government entirely failed. Its daylight rape on the Hindu people,'' he said while talking to news agency ANI. Click here to watch what Hegde said on the ongoing Sabarimala temple row. #WATCH Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde on #Sabarimala row says, "Kerala govt entirely failed. Its totally daylight rape on Hindu people." pic.twitter.com/brKdVApSZ8 ANI (@ANI) 2 January 2019 The extremely critical remarks from the BJP leader came at a time when several right-wing Hindu bodies and political parties, including BJP and Congress, are opposing the women's entry into the temple. Nearly three months after the Supreme Court allowed women of all ages to worship at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, two women entered the hilltop shrine on Wednesday defying the age-old tradition, which bars the women of menstrual age (between 12-50) from entering the temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. Two women devotees, below the age of 50 years, entered the Sabarimala temple early on Wednesday morning. Bindu, 44, from Perinthalmanna and Kanaka Durga, 42, from Kannur, began their climb towards the abode of Lord Ayyappa at midnight and reached the shrine only after 3.45 AM on Wednesday. Following their entry, the chief priest decided to close the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in order to perform the 'purification' ceremony. The temple was reopened shortly after that. Clashes and protests also erupted in various parts of Kerala on Wednesday against the entry of two women in their forties into the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, police said. BJP workers waved black flags at Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran in Guruvayur where he had gone to attend a function. Health Minister KK Shylaja also had to face the ire of activists of the Yuva Morcha, the party's youth wing at Kannur, who showed black flags. The protesters were removed by the police. BJP workers also took out a protest march in the state capital. In Kasaragod, they blocked traffic on the national highway. Kerala has been on the edge since the Supreme Court, on September 28, permitted women in the age group of 10-50 to offer prayers at the shrine. Many women have previously attempted to enter the Sabarimala but were forced to give in to the frenzied protests by devotees and right-wing outfits. New Delhi: Pakistan on Wednesday violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Indian troops are heavily retaliating. On Tuesday too, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire in Poonch, targetting forward positions. However, no casualty or injury was reported. The incident of ceasefire violation on Tuesday came barely days after Pakistani Rangers violated ceasefire in the Karmara area of Poonch district. The intermittent firing continued for hours on December 23. On December 21, two Army personnel lost their lives during a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Keran sector of Kupwara. New Delhi: Welcoming the new year turned unfortunate for a woman at a Delhi farmhouse when she was hit by a bullet - fired reportedly in celebration - at a farmhouse in Delhi. The shot was fired by former JDU MLA Raju Singh who was the host of the party at the farmhouse registered in his mother's name. The woman - Archana and her husband Vikas Gupta had gone to Raju's farmhouse in Fathehpurberi on December 31 evening to celebrate the new year along with many other guests. Vikas and Gupta were friends. It is reported that minutes before midnight, Raju pulled out a gun and fired a couple of rounds in the air in celebration - one hitting Archana's head. According to the police complaint filed by Vikas, Archana fell to the ground immediately and blood began flowing from her head. She was rushed to Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj immediately where her medical condition remains grave. (Also read: Two rifles, 800 rounds of bullet recovered from farmhouse) Vikas then filed a police complaint and a case has been registered against Raju who is absconding. While cops have launched a manhunt for him, the CCTV footages from the area are also being scanned for clues. What is shocking though is that there were a number of guests at the party but no one is willing to speak to the cops about the incident. ANI update: Cops say they have recovered 2 rifles and 800 rounds of bullets from the farmhouse. Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Puri constituency in Odisha? According to senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pradip Purohit, there is 90 per cent possibility of the Prime Minister contesting from the seat in Odisha. A final decision on the same, however, is yet to be taken by the partys Parliamentary board. According to reports, a proposal in this regard was given by the Odisha BJP unit to Prime Minister Modi in October 2018 itself. Speaking to mediapersons on Wednesday, senior Odisha lawmaker Purohit said, One cannot rule out the prime minister contesting from Puri. There is 90 per cent possibility of the PM contesting from Puri seatThe prime minister loves the people of Odisha and has an attachment with Puri. Therefore, he may prefer this seat for the next elections. The sentiments was echoed by Puri district president of the BJP, Prabhanjan Mohapatra, who said that the central leadership of the party had been taking stock of situation in the area on a regular basis. BJP's Puri district president Prabhanjan Mohapatra said: "I think Modi will contest from Puri Lok Sabha seat. This is because the central BJP leadership has been taking stock of the situation of the area on regular basis." Notably, in October 2018, senior BJP leaders, including Dharmendra Pradhan and Smriti Irani, had held discussions in Odisha about the possible candidature of Prime Minister during Lok Sabha elections 2019 from Puri. If Prime Minister Modi decides to contest the election from Puri, he will be the second sitting Prime Minister to test his political fortune from Odisha. In 1996, the then Prime Minister, PV Narasimha Rao had contested the Lok Sabha elections from Berhampur in Odisha and won the same. During the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Modi was elected from Varanasi, where Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal had contested against him. The Congress had fielded local leader Ajay Rai. The incident of "Vande Mataram" not being sung on the first working day of January at Madhya Pradesh secretariat has triggered a debate between the Congress and BJP in the state. Singing of the national song in the Mantralaya or secretariat on the first working day of every month has been the norm since the time of erstwhile Shivraj Singh Chouhan government of the BJP. Speaking on the incident, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said that the order "has been put on hold". The CM said that a decision has been taken to implement the order in a new form. He also asked if those who don't recite the Vande Mataram are not patriots. "The order to recite Vande Mataram in the Secretariat on the first day of the month has been put on hold. A decision has been taken to implement the order in a new form. Those who do not recite Vande Mataram are not patriots?" said the CM. Speaking on the order, former chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, "It's a mantra that instills a sense of patriotism and so the BJP government had decided that we'll start weekly cabinet meetings with it and that it'll be sung at Vallabh Bhavan (Secretariat) on the first day of every month." "It's unfortunate that Congress ended this tradition. I demand Congress government to reintroduce this and if they don't do it, I will sing Vande Mataram with patriots at Vallabh Bhavan. I've decided that I will sing Vande Mataram in the premises at 11 am on January 6," added Chouhan. The state unit BJP spokesman Rajneesh Agrawal tweeted that the rendition of Vande Mataram is organised by the state general administration department (GAD), a portfolio held by Chief Minister Kamal Nath. "Has it been on his direction? He (Nath) has recently said that he does not care for criticism. Is there going to be a ban on 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' chant (sic)," he tweeted. When contacted by news agency PTI, state Congress spokesman Bhupendra Gupta sought to play down the incident, saying the CM is out of the station. He said the rendition of Vande Mataram couldn't take place as SR Mohanty took charge as Chief Secretary Tuesday, implying that officials remained busy. "Why the BJP is creating a fuss over it? If it (Vande Mataram) was not sung today, its rendition will take place tomorrow or later. Nothing much should be read into this," the Congress leader said. with inputs from PTI Shillong: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescuers and Odisha firefighters on Tuesday began dewatering the coal mine in their bid to rescue 15 coal miners trapped in Meghalaya`s East Jaintia Hills district, an official said. The fate of the miners, who are trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Ksan village, about 130 from Meghalaya`s capital Shillong, for the last 20 days still remains unknown. The dewatering of the coal mine resumed nine days after the district administration temporarily suspended the pumping out of the water on Saturday last week following the two 25 horsepower pumps, which were pressed into service became ineffective. "The Odisha firemen have pumped out water from an abandoned coal mine located about 500 metres of the main shaft, where the 15 miners are trapped," Rescue Operations Spokesperson, R Susngi, said. "Indian Navy divers along with the NRDF went down inside the main shaft at 4:30 pm to check the water level under the main shaft and reported that the water level did not recede at all," he said. Susngi said the Odisha firefighters will continue dewatering the coal mine on Wednesday to determine the water level at the main shaft. On Monday, Indian Navy divers had located a wooden structure, coal lying beneath and one rathole with coal at its mouth inside the flooded mine. They had requested for dewatering the flooded mine so that the divers could dive to the bottom of the 370-feet-coal pit. "We are hopeful that we can drain out more water after high-capacity submersible pumps - that can pump out 500 gallon of water per minute - of Coal India Limited has reached the site. High-capacity pumps of Kirloskar Brothers Limited are also expected to reach the site by Wednesday," Susngi said. The accident inside the illegal coal pit on December 13 was of significance, especially because the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had ordered an interim ban on "rat-hole" coal mining in the state effective April 17, 2014. Chief Minster Conrad Sangma had promised that "appropriate action will be taken at appropriate time against the people who are involved in the illegal mining and this is not acceptable to us." The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court challenging the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order of re-opening the Sterlite copper smelter plant in Tuticorin. The NGT had on December 15 set aside Tamil Nadu governments order for closure of Sterlite plant and further directed Vedanta Limited to spend Rs 100 crore over a period of three years for welfare activities in the area. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami had said that his government will challenge NGT's verdict in Supreme Court on the Sterlite issue. The NGT had directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to pass fresh order of renewal of consent. According to the court, closure of the Sterlite plant was unjustifiable. At least thirteen people had died during the police firing on May 22 and 23 after protests, demanding closure of the Vedanta group's Sterlite Copper plant in Tuticorin over pollution concerns, turned violent. Days after the death of the protesters, the Tamil Nadu government in May itself had ordered the closure of the plant. Soon after the issuance of the Government Order (GO), top Tuticorin district officials had sealed the copper smelter unit premises and pasted the order at the main gate. Chief Minister EK Palaniswami had then told reporters in Chennai that the "plant has been permanently closed". Asked what he had to say to the people of Tuticorin, he said, "Peace has returned to the town and it must continue, and people should cooperate with the government. Their demand has been fulfilled by Amma's government." Reacting to the closure, Vedanta Ltd had termed the move by Tamil Nadu government as "unfortunate", adding that it would decide the future course of action after studying the development. "Closure of Sterlite Copper plant is an unfortunate development, especially since, we have operated the plant for over 22 years in most transparent and sustainable way, contributing to the Tuticorin and state's socio-economic development. We will study the development and decide on the future course of action," Vedanta Ltd had said in a statement. NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday suspended 26 All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) lawmakers for continuously coming to the Well of the House and obstructing house proceedings. The MPs have been suspended for five sittings. The AIADMK members trooped into the Well of the House and raised slogans demanding justice. The Tamil Nadu parties are protesting against the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka on Cauvery, claiming that it will affect farmers in their state. Speaking on the suspension, AIADMK leader M Thambidurai said, Now elections are coming, so BJP wants to get some seats there, that is why they gave approval to Karnataka for Mekedatu dam project. Protesting is our democratic right, there has been no response from the government. The Rajya Sabha proceedings also witnessing repeated adjournments following sloganeering by Tamil Naidu members with Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu asking several AIADMK and DMK members to withdraw from the House. With the proceedings resuming at 2 p.m. after several adjournments, Naidu identified the agitating members by their names and asked them to withdraw from the House for the day, and adjourned the House for 15 minutes. The members identified and asked to leave include DMK`s Kanimozhi and Tiruchi Siva, and the AIADMK`s A. Navaneethakrishnan, Vijila Sathyananth and K. Selvaraj. The Lok Sabha proceeding also witnessed some heated exchange between Congress and BJP, both trading charges over Rafale fighter jets. With agency inputs Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday accused Congress of fabricating facts and said that no discussion regarding the Rafale deal ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting. "The audio clip released by the Congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting," Parrikar tweeted. The audio clip released by the congress party is a desperate attempt to fabricate facts after their lies were exposed by the recent Supreme Court verdict on Rafale. No such discussion ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting. Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) January 2, 2019 The Congress, earlier in the day, released an audio clip of Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane claiming that Parrikar has 'all the files related to Rafale deal in his bedroom'. Following this, Rane claimed that the audio tape is doctored and that he never made any reference to Rafale deal or any documents. Hitting back at Congress, Rane added that the grand old party is trying to create miscommunication between the cabinet and CM Parrikar. He has also asked for a criminal investigation into this. This had come shortly after Congress demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Parrikar's purported claim that he had a file on Rafale 'lying in his bedroom' and asked if this was the reason why a joint parliamentary committee probe was not being ordered. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala came out with a conversation purportedly between Goa minister Vishwajit Rane and another person. Rane purportedly can be heard saying that during a Goa cabinet meeting last week Parrikar stated he had an entire file and all documents relating to the Rafale deal lying in his bedroom, Surjewala claimed, playing the conversation for the media outside Parliament. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday dared Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a one-on-one debate on the issue of Rafale fighter jets deal. Addressing a press conference after the debate in Parliament over Rafale, the Congress chief said that Prime Minister Modi did not have the guts to face him. According to Rahul Gandhi, the Supreme Court never said that there should be no Joint Parliamentary Committee or investigation into the Rafale fighter jets deal between India and France. When asked if the Congress would probe the deal if voted to power in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the party chief said, We will definitely investigate the Rafale deal. Rahul Gandhi also used the opportunity to hit out at Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who led the government offensive during Rafale debate in Lok Sabha, saying he has a habit of repeatedly lying. Jaitley has a habit of repeatedly lying; his defence on Rafale deal in Parliament was hollow...If prices of Rafale jets were brought down as claimed by Jaitley why did we not buy 126 aircraft or more, said the Congress president. Though he referred to Rafale as a good aircraft, the Congress chief added, what we are saying is that the PM has changed the deal to benefit Anil Ambani. The Gandhi scion also questioned as to why the deal was defended in Parliament by Jaitley and not Prime Minister Modi or Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, "who were the decision makers in Rafale deal". This came after Jaitley, during his speech in Lok Sabha earlier on Wednesday, lashed out at Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress chief did not have a basic understanding of what a combat aircraft is. Jaitley further made reference to the opposition attack over selection of Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence as an offset partner for Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale jets, saying, I feel sad that the Congress president does not know what an offset partner is. New Delhi: Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane on Wednesday wrote to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar regarding the audio tape released by Congress on Rafale issue. Demanding a thorough inquiry into the matter, the Goa minister claimed that he never had any discussion on this subject with anyone. "This is doctored audio and I have never had any discussion on this subject with anyone. There should be a thorough inquiry in this matter," Rane said. Goa Minister Vishwajit P Rane writes to Goa CM Manohar Parrikar in regard with the audio tape released by Congress on Rafale, states, "This is a doctored audio & I have never had any discussion on this subject with anyone. there should be a thorough inquiry in this matter" pic.twitter.com/OVHkYOHtfz ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 Taking to Twitter, Parrikar too denied of having any such conversation with Rane. The Goa CM accused Congress of fabricating facts and said that no discussion regarding the Rafale deal ever came up during Cabinet or any other meeting. The Congress, earlier in the day, released an audio clip of Rane claiming that Parrikar has 'all the files related to Rafale deal in his bedroom'. Following this, Rane claimed that the audio tape is doctored and that he never made any reference to Rafale deal or any documents. Hitting back at Congress, Rane added that the grand old party is trying to create miscommunication between the cabinet and CM Parrikar. He has also asked for a criminal investigation into this. This had come shortly after Congress demanded answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Parrikar's purported claim that he had a file on Rafale 'lying in his bedroom' and asked if this was the reason why a joint parliamentary committee probe was not being ordered. New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi's attempts to corner the government over the Rafale deal using a controversial tape recording fell flat after he did not authenticate the audio clipping. While the BJP has already labelled it a doctored tape, the Congress president attempted to brazen it out in Parliament by trying to play it. In the tape, according to Congress, a Goa minister says that CM Manohar Parrikar has all the files related to the Rafale deal in his bedroom. It is a charge which has been condemned and countered by Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane, the Goa minister, and the BJP. "He (Rahul Gandhi) cannot just stand up and play a recording in Parliament. He has lied to the nation from here once before," said union minister Arun Jaitley as he asked speaker Sumitra Mahajan to disallow playing of the tape. "There is a proper procedure for such things and the tape needs to be authenticated." Jaitley also accused Congress of manufacturing false tapes. "Some people have a natural dislike for truth. The country is disappointed with the points raised by Rahul. He does not even have the courage to authenticate the tape he wants to play here." He also said that Congress was once headed by great personalities but is currently under someone who 'does not have the basic understanding of what a combat aircraft is.' "Congress only understands money, has no understanding of national security issues." (Also read: People laughing at us, image of Parliament hit, says Venkaiah Naidu) When the speaker asked Rahul if he was ready to give his authentication of the tape in writing, he accused the government of being scared of the audio and attempted to read its transcript. This too was disallowd even as BJP leaders cried foul and termed the tape - and its content - as false, malicious and doctored. Meanwhile, some opposition members were strongly rebuked by the speaker for flying paper planes when Jaitley was speaking. This is hardly the first time that Congress has attempted to attack BJP over the Rafale deal - each time being rebuked by the government. Even the Supreme Court has said that there is no need for an investigation into the deal while Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa has rued the politics being played over jets that are sorely needed for India's security. The government and the Congress on Wednesday traded charges over Rafale fighter jets deal in the Lok Sabha, as the House debated the issue. While Congress president Rahul Gandhi made an attempt to corner the government with a controversial audio clip, wherein Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane claimed that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has 'all the files related to Rafale deal in his bedroom', Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the Gandhi family, accusing them of compromising national security. The war of words led to an uproar in the House. Here are the highlights of the Rafale debate in Lok Sabha: # LS adjourned for the day after Speaker suspends several protesting members for five sittings. # The government is misleading every institution, and the government is misusing the Supreme Court as well, alleged Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Jayadev Galla. # If the government is honest, why is the government not agreeing on JPC, asks Shiv Sena. # Qatar bought these aircraft at a much cheaper price, propriety and procedure questions still exist, and we have a right to ask questions, says BJD. # This deal deserves transperancy and people of India should know what went behind the deal, says BJD. # BJD MP Kalikesh Singh Deo says Parliament has all the right to question government on Rafale deal. He says, "No one is doubting the need of the aircraft, but we cannot have a deal marred under questions." # Why is the Defence Minister not speaking on Rafale issue, asks Trinamool Congress. # Why a newcomer and a private company was given offset contract, asks Trinamool Congress. # If there was so much hurry to get Rafale, why did Prime Minister Modi take one year and four months to finalises a deal of which the previous government had completed the basic procedures, says TMC leader Saugata Roy. # Prime Minister does not have the courage to face the opposition, he is hiding behind Arun Jaitley. Modi is like Meghnad, says TMC leader Saugata Roy. # Prof Saugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress speaks on Rafale issue, says the NDA government, which is in majority, had to borrow a member from Rajya Sabha (Arun Jaitley) to speak on the issue. And that too when that member of Rajya Sabha is not even the Defence Minister. # There can be no JPC at all on Rafale issue.When Supreme Court has expressed satisfaction over the issue, there is no need for a JPC, says Jaitley. # HAL informed the previous UPA government that they needed 2.7 times more manpower than Dassault Aviation to manufacture Rafale jet, it would not have been fair for the defence forces to wait for that long, says Jaitley. # I feel sad that the Congress president does not know what an offset partner is, says Jaitley. # The Supreme Court also received details about the pricing of aircraft and they felt that there was no need for them to interfere in the issue. The details satisfied the conscience of the court, but not the electoral needs of the Congress party, says Jaitley. # The cost of weaponised aircraft was 20% less than that agreed under the UPA government, that of the basic aircraft was 9% lesser, says Jaitley. # Even Supreme Court has said that it is satisfied with the procurement process of Rafale. The difference between the pricing is because of the price of just the basic aircraft and that of weaponised aircraft, says Arun Jaitley. # Some people have a natural dislike for truth. The country is disappointed with the points raised by Rahul. He does not even have the courage to authenticate the tape he wants to play here, said Arun Jaitley. # Finance Minister Jaitley says that Congress was once headed by great personalities but is currently under someone who 'does not have the basic understanding of what a combat aircraft is.' "Congress only understands money, has no understanding of national security issues," he added. Fresh intelligence reports have suggested that Pakistans ISI is sending terror operatives of Jaish-e-Mohammad to carry out attack on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. According to intel inputs, the ISI has already sent a close accomplice of JeM chief Masood Azhar, Abdul Rashid Gazi, to India. Sources in security establishments told Zee News that Gazi, along with two other terrorists, infiltrated into the Indian territory in December 2018 itself. They further said that Gazi and his associates are most likely in Pulwama in south Kashmir currently. According to the sources, Gazi was trained at terror camp in Afghanistan and he was involved in carrying out several attacks in the country in association with Taliban. He is believed to be a trainer of the JeM and is also considered an IED expert. JeM chief Masood Azhar has reportedly given him the responsibility to recruit new terrorists and prepare them to carry out terror attacks. Notably, there is a sense of panic among terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir following the launch of Operation all-out by Indian security forces. The terror outfits are also facing scarcity of arms and ammunition, and hence they are making plans of getting hold of the weaponry in possession of security personnel. Meanwhile, intelligence agency sources said that Pakistan-based terror groups are planning to carry out 'Samundari Jihad' (sea-borne jihad) against India. This was revealed by Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir in Parliament. Significant movement of Pakistan defence and security forces has also been observed along the Line of Control (LoC). Intelligence agencies have said that Border Action Team (BAT) of the Pakistan Army can carry out attacks on bunkers of the Indian forces. New Delhi: Terror-groups based in Pakistan may be devising a strategy to enter India using the sea route. This is what the Home Ministry informed Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, citing inputs from Indian intelligence agencies. The Home Ministry said that intelligence reports suspect that terrorists across the border are planning to target key locations in India by entering the country through the sea in a possibly covert operation. It is also suspected that Pakistani forces are helping terrorist organisations with their plans. Terrorists - aided by their handlers in Pakistan - had used the sea route before carrying out the dastardly attacks in Mumbai in 2008. Ten Lashkar terrorists had reached the Indian coast in speed boats. Following the attacks, India decided to strengthen its patrolling all around its vast coastline making a sea-borne attack extremely difficult for terrorists who are now reportedly - and desperately - hunting for loopholes. Apart from exploring the sea route for their nefarious designs against India, terrorist groups are also active across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). Intelligence agencies, according to the Home Ministry, have noticed an increased movement across LoC in recent times and that Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT) may be planning attacks on Indian Army bunkers. Surveillance reports point to the possibility of close to 25 SSG commandos from Pakistani Army to join terrorists in attacking India's forward post. One such attempt was thwarted by the Indian Army on Monday with two Pakistani soldiers gunned down. According to a Defence Ministry official, at least five attempts have been made by BAT to enter Indian territory. After attempts in Naugam, Poonch, Tangdhar and Keran sector of J&K, the Pakistani forces may have set their eyes on an intrusion in the Krishna Ghati sector. Intelligence reports suggest that the movement of personnel across KG sector in PoK has increased in recent times and that as many as six Lashkar operatives may have joined ranks with Pakistani forces here. New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent a notice to the Bihar government over reports that a patient from the burns ward at a hospital in Vaishali district was allegedly thrown out by a staffer to a place used to dump garbage. The NHRC in a statement Tuesday said that it issued a notice to the Bihar chief secretary, seeking a report, along with the present health status of the patient, within four weeks. "The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that a patient from the burns ward of the Hajipur Sadar Hospital in Bihar's Vaishali district was allegedly thrown out by a ward boy to a place where garbage is dumped. The picture of the patient lying on the waste has also been carried," the rights panel said. Reportedly, he was referred to that hospital by Lal Ganj Referral Hospital for treatment, it said. "The commission has observed that the contents of the news reports, if true, amount to human rights violation of the patient. The right to health and proper medical care is one of the basic human rights. Even if the patient himself went out and collapsed, the incident indicates negligence on the part of the ward attendants and nursing staff of the hospital, as he could not be noticed for a long time," the statement said. According to the media reports carried on December 30, the medical superintendent of the hospital has said that "strict action" will be taken against the ward attendant. The district magistrate of Vaishali has ordered an investigation in the case, the NHRC said. "Reportedly, the CCTV footage shows that the patient collapsed while he himself was going out of the ward. Once, the patient was noticed, he was again taken to the ward where he is under treatment," the rights panel said. New Delhi: India is estimated to have welcomed 18 per cent of the total babies born globally on January 1, 2019, UNICEF said on Tuesday. According to the UNICEF, 69,944 babies were expected to be born on the New Year Day out of 3,95,072 babies likely to be born across the world. As per UNICEF, globally over half of these births are estimated to taken place in seven countries, along with India like China (44,940), Nigeria (25,685), Pakistan (15,112), Indonesia (13,256), the US (11,086), Democratic Republic of Congo (10,053), and Bangladesh (8,428). Sydney was set to greet an estimated 168 babies, followed by Tokyo (310), Beijing (605), Madrid (166) and finally, New York (317). Fiji in the Pacific was likely to deliver 2019`s first baby and the US its last. "This New Year Day, let`s all make a resolution to fulfill every right of every girl and boy, starting with the right to survive. We can save millions of babies if we invest in training and equipping local health workers so that every newborn is born into a safe pair of hands," said Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF India Representative, said. The Sabarimala shrine will be shut for an hour for purification rituals after two women of menstruating age entered the temple on Wednesday. In a first, two women below the age of 50 entered the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala in Kerala. This comes after more than two months of the September 28 Supreme Court verdict lifting the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine. The apex court had ruled that women of all ages will be allowed to enter the temple to offer prayers. Traditionally, girls and women in the menstruating age group of 10-50 years are barred at the shrine. #WATCH Two women devotees Bindu and Kanakdurga entered & offered prayers at Kerala's #SabarimalaTemple at 3.45am today pic.twitter.com/hXDWcUTVXA ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2019 The women devotees, Bindu and Kanakdurga, entered and offered prayers at 3.45 am, according to news agency ANI. The women in their 40s were accompanied by police personnel, added ANI. They had tried to visit Sabarimala Temple in December 2018 but failed amidst massive protests. Speaking on the incident, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed the news. He said, "We had issued standing orders to police to provide all possible protection to any woman who wants to enter the temple." A video posted by news agency ANI shows the two women wearing black dresses and hurrying towards the shrine. Chantings and prayers can be heard in the premises of the temple. Protests were held against the state government's decision to implement the SC verdict. Over a dozen women made unsuccessful bids to offer prayers. The BJP and the Congress-led UDF have been up in arms against the manner in which the Kerala government led by Pinarayi Vijayan has been 'trying to use the apex court verdict to dilute the traditions of the temple'. The CPI, the key partner in the CPI-M led LDF, said there was an attempt to "politicise" the Supreme Court order on Sabarimala. BJP supporter Kollam Thulashi allegedly said that women on the banned age group should be ripped in half. The protests led to violence in the area forcing the police to impose restrictions and prohibitory orders and arrest dozens of people. The entry of women comes a day after over 35 lakh women stood shoulder-to-shoulder across the national highways in Kerala, creating a 620 km-long human 'wall' from the northern end of Kasaragod to the southern tip on Tuesday as part of a state-sponsored initiative to uphold gender equality. On Tuesday, women from various walks of life -- writers, athletes, actors, politicians and techies, government officials and homemakers -- stood across the highways crisscrossing through the 14 districts in the state as the event commenced at 4 pm. Expressing solidarity, thousands of men also lined up parallel forming a second human 'wall'. The 'Women's wall' was conceived in the backdrop of frenzied protests witnessed in the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala after the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the Supreme Court verdict, allowing all women to pray at the Ayyappa shrine. New Delhi: Two rifles and 800 rounds of bullets have been recovered from a farmhouse in the capital where a celebratory firing had left a woman severely injured. The shots were reportedly fired by former JDU politician Raju Singh. Cops said on Wednesday that the rifles and ammunition were recovered from the farmhouse which belongs to Raju's mother. The hunt for Raju is still on. Raju, a former MLA, had organised a party on new year's eve which was also attended by Vikas Gupta and his wife. Close to midnight, Raju allegedly fired shots in the air but one of the bullets hit Archana, Gupta's wife. She was rushed to Fortis Hospital in Vasant Kunj where her condition is extremely serious. Gupta then lodged a police complaint, forcing Raju to flee. A manhunt has been launched by the cops while CCTV footages are being scanned. Other guests at the farmhouse have been approached as part of the investigation process but most have reportedly refused to comment. NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday accused Congress party and the Gandhi family of only understanding money, not issues related to national security. "Some people and families understand the arithmetic of money but cannot comprehend issues of national security, he said, adding that Congress was once headed by great personalities but is currently under someone who 'does not have the basic understanding of what a combat aircraft is.' Making a veiled reference to Ottavio Quattrocchi to attack Congress leadership, Jaitley said, When he was young, he was playing in the lap of a certain 'Q'." There is a speciality about UPA in decision making that is if the aircraft being selected is not the one whose commerce you have dealt with then delay the transaction, make it impossible." There are some people who have natural dislike for truth, said the FM. During the Lok Sabha proceedings on Wednesday, Congress attempted to corner the BJP government over the Rafale deal using a controversial tape recording. However, the attempt failed after Congress could not authenticate the audio clipping. Calling the audio clip a doctored tape, Jaitley said, He (Rahul Gandhi) cannot just stand up and play a recording in Parliament. He has lied to the nation from here once before. There is a proper procedure for such things and the tape needs to be authenticated." Wednesday's Lok Sabha proceeding once again witnessed an uproar over Rafale issue. "Even the Supreme Court has said that it is satisfied with the procurement process of Rafale. The difference between the pricing is because of the price of just the basic aircraft and that of weaponised aircraft. "The cost of weaponised aircraft was 20% less than that agreed under the UPA government, that of the basic aircraft was 9% lesser," said Jaitley. "The Supreme Court also received details about the pricing of aircraft and they felt that there was no need for them to interfere in the issue. The details satisfied the conscience of the court, but not the electoral needs of the Congress party," added the senior BJP leader. Accusing the Congress chief of lying to the nation and concocting conversations on Rafale, Jaitley added, On the last occasion, he (Rahul Gandhi) manufactured a conversation between him and the former French President. Today, he repeats the same. Today, he tried to produce a tap but he is too scared to authenticate it. If the fingers point at you in AugustaWestland, National Herald and Bofors, then it is a bit too much. But today, they have the audacity to raise an allegation against us, he added. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party accusing it of misusing the CBI to frame BJP chief Amit Shah in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case. The Chief Minister also demanded Congress president Rahul Gandhi to apologise for his party's actions. He said Shah has been cleared by the court in the case and it had said there is no evidence against him. Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, the CM accused the Congress of misusing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2010 to frame the BJP leader and the then Gujarat minister Shah. "Rahul Gandhi should now apologise before the people of the country," he said A special CBI judge had acquitted all the accused in the encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh on December 22, 2018. Shah, who was the minister of state for home in Gujarat at that time, was arrested briefly in 2010 in the case before being discharged in December 2014. NEW DELHI: BJP's estranged NDA ally Shiv Sena on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for saying that any action on the Ram temple will be taken only the legal hurdles get over. Commentating on PM Modi's statement, senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that if the PM finally says that nothing can be done since the matter is in court then what was the need for the bloodshed on the Ram temple issue. Speaking to ANI, the Sena MP said, ''We dont need the PM to tell us that the matter is in court. If that's what we wanted, what was the need for the movement?'' Driving his point home, Raut said, ''hundreds of karsevaks were martyred, there were bomb blasts in Mumbai, riots. It was a genocide on Ram temples name, whos responsible? You (BJP) formed the government on this issue, dont forget that.'' S Raut: We dont need PM to tell us that matter is in court. If that's what we wanted, what was the need for the movement? Karsevaks martyred, bomb blasts in Mumbai, riots; it was genocide on Ram temples name, whos responsible? You formed govt on this issue, dont forget that. pic.twitter.com/phgEKxoa5d ANI (@ANI) 2 January 2019 The extremely critical comments from the Maharashtra-based party came a day after PM Modi said that his government can take a decision on an ordinance for the Ram temple's construction only after the judicial process is over. Commenting on that, the Shiv Sena said that "Lord Ram is not bigger than the law". The Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP, has been demanding an ordinance to pave the way for the temple's construction in Ayodhya, arguing that the matter has been dragging in courts for decades. "The Supreme Court has said (hearing on the) Ram Mandir is not an urgent matter. PM Modi also did not say anything different. I congratulate him for making his position clear on the matter. ...(The PM says) Will not bring an ordinance for the Ram temple. The constitutional meaning of this is that Lord Ram is not bigger than the law," Sanjay Raut said in a tweet. In an interview to ANI, PM Modi was asked about the demand by Hindutva groups for an ordinance for a Ram temple in Ayodhya. To this, PM Modi said, "Let the judicial process take its own course. Don't weigh it in political terms. Let the judicial process be over. After the judicial process is over, whatever be our responsibility as a government, we are ready to make all efforts," he said. In the recent times, the Shiv Sena has hardened its stand over the Ram temple issue. Addressing a rally in Pandharpur in Maharashtra's Solapur district last month, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had asked BJP allies to clear their stand on the Ram temple issue. In November, the Sena chief had visited Ayodhya and demanded an ordinance to resolve the issue. (With Agency Inputs) NEW DELHI: Amid stiff resistance to the Triple Talaq Bill, which awaits clearance from Rajya Sabha, the Narendra Modi government on Wednesday said that it was receptive about any "constructive suggestions'' by the Opposition on the controversial bill. The response came from Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad when questioned as to why the NDA government was not accepting the Opposition demand to refer the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 to a Select Committee of Parliament for scrutiny. "Our decision will be decided on the floor of the House when I speak there. We have already improved a lot of things. A Select Committee is important, but the plight of victim women is equally important. I would appeal to the MPs to listen to their plight," Prasad said. "We have no ego in...But the thing is that whatever is needed to be improved has been done. If they (Opposition) have a constructive suggestion, they can give us. We are open to considering them. But they did not give any suggestion in the Lok Sabha," he added. During the discussion on the Bill in Lok Sabha, the Opposition, and even the fence sitters such as the AIADMK and BJD, unanimously demanded that the Bill be referred to a joint committee for scrutiny. The government did not yield to the demand and got the Bill passed after a four-hour debate. When the Bill came up for discussion and passage in Rajya Sabha on December 31, the Opposition pressed for voting on the Bill whether it should be sent to a select committee of the House. The voting could not take place due to din and subsequent adjournment. Slamming the main opposition party Congress, Prasad said, "From Shah Bano to Shayara Bano, the Congress party`s attitude has been the same. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is a woman herself. I would appeal the party should think of the victim women." In view of stiff resistance to the bill, PM Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that Triple Talaq is a matter of gender equality while referring to a question on the entry of women in Kerala's Sabarimala temple, which, he said, was related to age-old tradition. Talking to ANI, Prime Minister tried to clear the air on BJP`s apparent contradiction in its stand on the controversial Triple Talaq Ordinance and the ban on entry of women between the age group of (10-50 years) in the Sabarimala Temple by saying the Ordinance against Triple Talaq was brought keeping in mind gender equality and social justice and it should not be seen as interference in religious issues. "Triple Talaq Ordinance was brought after Supreme Court verdict. We have said in our BJP manifesto that a solution would be found to this issue under the Constitution," Prime Minister Modi said. "Most Islamic countries have banned Triple Talaq. So it is not a matter of religion or faith. Even in Pakistan, Triple Talaq is banned. So it is an issue of gender equality, a matter of social justice. It is not an issue of faith. So keep the two separate," the PM said. Amid a walkout by some opposition parties, the Triple Talaq Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with the support of 245 votes against 11 on December 27, 2018. The Triple Talaq Bill makes the practice of instant divorce among Muslims a criminal offence with a provision of three-year jail term for the erring husband. New Delhi: The women wing of All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) on Tuesday criticised the Triple Talaq Bill, which is likely to be tabled in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, stating that the "ill-drafted legislation gives a false sense of women empowerment". The Triple Talaq Bill makes the practice of instant divorce among Muslims a criminal offence with a provision of three-year jail term for the erring husband. The bill was passed in Lok Sabha with the support of 245 votes against 11 on December 27. Claiming that the bill will break marriages and that it is not going to help the Muslim women in any way, AIMPLB Women Wing Chief Organiser Dr Asma Zohra told ANI, "We oppose and condemn Triple Talaq Bill which is likely to be tabled for the second time in Rajya Sabha tomorrow (Wednesday). The ill-drafted bill may break marriages rather than empowering women. The government has not taken the stakeholders into consideration and brought this bill with communal intention. The marriage is a civil contract in Muslims and the bill is not going to help the Muslim women in any way."Zohra further criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not replying to AIMPLB president Maulana Rabe Hasani Nadvi`s letter regarding the loopholes in the bill. "Rather than this bill, there are several burning issues in our country that seek attention. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister has no courtesy to reply to a letter from the representative of 20 crore Muslim population. The government cannot take us for granted. We just cannot sit idle when a fundamental right is infringed upon by some bill, we have a right to religious freedom that`s why our voice needs to be heard," she added. Claiming that the bill is totally against the law of this country, Zohra said, "The Muslim Women Bill 2018 has been brought with a purpose of empowering Muslim but the sections of bill defeat its very purpose. If the bill gets passed, it is going to break the institution of marriage and it`s going to create a divide in the family. The civil contract of marriage will turn into a criminal offence at the time of divorce. It is totally against the law of this country." She also asked Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad how a Muslim woman will earn her livelihood if her husband is jailed. "What Muslim women are going to get from the bill if a man is jailed who will earn bread for the family? What about the maintenance of the family, children education and their health. The entire community will get affected by this bill," she questioned.Zohra further asked the Centre to place the bill before a select committee for scrutiny. New Delhi: The Government of India is currently engaged with Washington for the extradition of US-based individuals for their alleged role in the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) visited the US on December 13-15, 2018, for discussion with the American authorities. This was revealed by Minister of State (MoS) in the Ministry of External Affairs Gen VK Singh in the Parliament. ''The Govt has engaged with relevant US authorities, under terms of the India-US Extradition Treaty of 1997, for the extradition of the US-based individuals for their role in the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai,'' Gen VK Singh said. MoS MEA VK Singh's reply in Lok Sabha: Govt has engaged with relevant U.S. authorities, under terms of the India-U.S. Extradition Treaty of 1997, for extradition of U.S based individuals for their role in the 26/11 terrorist attack in Mumbai. ANI (@ANI) 2 January 2019 "'The United States has expressed its commitment towards working with its international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the 26/11/2008 Mumbai attack," Gen Singh told the lawmakers in Parliament. It may be noted that during the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on September 6, 2018, both sides called on Pakistan to bring to justice expeditiously the perpetrators of the Mumbai, Pathankot, Uri, and other cross-border terror attacks. American citizen and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative David Headley who conspired in plotting the 26/11 terror attacks is currently lodged in a US jail. He had scouted targets for the attacks in Mumbai for LeT and visited the city 5 times between 2007-2008. In 2013, he was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison. In 2010, the US had given NIA access to Headley for questioning. The accused Tahawwur Rana was acquitted of plotting the 26/11 terror attacks but the court said that he did provide material support to LeT. Hyderabad: In a unique initiative - called "Women on Wheels" - by the Hyderabad Police, female police officers will now be patrolling the streets to prevent crime against women. Elaborating about the newly-launched initiative, Hyderabad Additional Commissioner (Crime and SIT) Shika Goel told news agency ANI, "The main purpose of launching `Women on Wheels` was to empower women - including our women constables. As the number of women constables is increasing in the police force, it is very essential to mainstream them so that they can perform all the duties like male constables. The women who are now joining forces are very capable and confident of doing all the duties. They have also started realising that they are not less than male cops and capable of performing every task." Twenty teams of women constables will be patrolling on two-wheelers in 17 sub-division in Hyderabad. On a daily basis, the women officers will be attending to about 100 call and will try to prevent crime and build community relationships. For this, women constables have been provided with a two-month training in driving skills, unarmed combat and technological initiatives, the Additional Commissioner added. Expressing happiness over the initiative, police constable Bushra told ANI, "Normally, male cops do patrolling and it is for the first time that female officers will be on patrolling duty. This is something, which makes us extremely happy with a feeling that we are not less than men." New Delhi: The government Wednesday gave out the 6-croreth free cooking gas (LPG) connection under Pradhan MantriUjjwalaYojana (PMUY). Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu handed over papers for an LPG connection under the PMUY to Jasmina Khatoon from Shivpark, Khanpur in the national capital. PMUY was launched on May 1, 2016, with a target to give 5 crore connections by March 2019. The target was later raised to 8 crore connections by 2021 and now envisages giving all households a connection. Under the scheme, the government provides a subsidy of Rs 1,600 to state-owned fuel retailers for every free LPG gas connection that they give to poor households. This subsidy is intended to cover the security fee for the cylinder and the fitting charges. Speaking on the occasion, Naidu termed the scheme as revolution in peaceful manner. He congratulated all the stakeholders in achieving the target, well before the schedule. There are 22639 LPG distributorships at industry level as on December 2018. With a view to strengthen the LPG distribution infrastructure, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have plans to add 835 distributors by March, 2019 across the country. To make LPG affordable to poor families, OMCs have introduced 5 Kg refill option to Ujjwala beneficiaries where in Ujjwala beneficiary can swap 14.2 Kg cylinder with 5 Kg refill and vice versa. 1,33,869 numbers of beneficiaries have taken advantage of this scheme as on December 2018. The OMCs have also given loan recovery deferment upto six refills or one year with effect from April 18 for the PMUY beneficiaries who have availed loan facility for hotplate or first refill or both. The Indian Railways is set to begin the commercial run of Indias fastest train, Train 18, before the commencement of Kumbh Mela on January 14. News agency PTI quoted sources as saying that the train will also be used to ferry delegates of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 24 from Kumbh Mela in Allahabad to New Delhi for Republic Day event. The news agency had earlier reported that Train 18 would run at a curtailed speed of 130 kmph. Notably, the train has a potential to run at a speed of up to 200 kmph. However, a final date for the launch of the train is yet to be decided as the Indian Railways is awaiting a go-ahead from the Prime Ministers Office for the same. The train is slated to be flagged off by Narendra Modi and would run between New Delhi and the Prime Ministers Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi. Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday inspected rake of Train 18, but refrained from confirming a date for the launch. It will begin service soon, said Goyal. A video of the trail run of Train 18 was recently shared on microblogging site Twitter by Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal wherein the train was seen running at a speed of 180 kmph. The trial confirmed that Train 18 was the fastest train in india. According to PTI, the Chief Commissioner Railway Safety (CCRS) has given the go-ahead to run the train at a maximum speed of 160 kmph but 20 conditions have been imposed, including fencing along the tracks. For maximum speed of 130 kmph, the CCRS has suggested fencing at vulnerable points to avoid any accident. Facility and key features of Train 18 The fully air-conditioned train will have 16 chair-car type coaches out of which two will be executive chair cars and 14 non-executive chair cars. The executive chair can seat 56 passengers, while the non executive chairs will be able to accommodate 78 passengers. The train with a Swanky interior and world-class facility boasts a host of passenger friendly amenities which include inter-connected fully sealed gangways, automatic doors with retractable footsteps, onboard Wi-Fi and infotainment, GPS-based passenger information system, modular toilets with bio-vacuum systems, halogen free rubber-on-rubber flooring, rotational seats which can be aligned in the direction of travel (available only in the executive class), roller blinds and diffused LED lighting, and disabled-friendly toilets. New Delhi: Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming film 'The Accidental Prime Minister', on Wednesday claimed that the trailer of the film is not easily available on YouTube. Anupam, who has impersonated former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Vijay Ratnakar Gutte's directorial film, took to Twitter to share a concern with YouTube India, sparking another debate surrounding the controversial film. The veteran actor complained that according to fan news that has reached him on Twitter, the trailer of 'The Accidental Prime Minister' is not available as the first result on YouTube. He also said that let alone the first, the trailer not even available on the 50th position as well. "Dear YouTube, I am getting messages and calls that in parts of our country if you type, trailer of 'The Accidental Prime Minister', it is either not appearing or at 50th position. We were trending at No. 1 yesterday. Please help," Anupam wrote on Twitter today. Well, we found Anupam's concern to be valid as the film trailer remained unavailable on the first page of YouTube while one can see several interviews regarding the film to be present. The trailer only emerges on the top if the person types, 'The Accidental Prime Minister' official trailer'. Even since the makers have released the trailer of the film, the project has been dogged by controversies. 'The Accidental Prime Minister` also features actors Akshaye Khanna as Sanjaya Baru, German-born actress Suzanne Bernert as Sonia Gandhi and Arjun Mathur as Rahul Gandhi. The film is scheduled to release on January 11, 2019. New Delhi: Actress Mouni Roy, who made a debut in Bollywood with Reema Kagti's 'Gold', is all geared up for her next project, titled 'Made In China'. The film is directed by Mikhil Musale and produced by Dinesh Vijan and also features talented actor Rajkummar Rao. It is a story of a journey of a struggling Gujarati businessman and how he becomes a successful entrepreneur. On Monday, Mouni unveiled the look of his co-star Rajkummar from the film on Twitter, writing, "This 2019 will bring you a journey of its kind. #MadeInChina in cinemas on August 30th, 2019. Happy New Year!" In the photo, Rao is seen wearing a brown coat over a blue shirt-pant as he takes a stroll in China. Take a look at the post below: This is the first time Mouni and Rajkummar will be seen sharing big screen together. The shooting of the film had concluded in November last year and the 'Naagin' actress will be seen as the feisty wife of Rajkummar. The film also features Sumeet Vyas of 'Veere Di Wedding' fame as a baddie. The film also features Boman Irani and Amyra Dastur in key roles. 'Made In China' was initially scheduled to release on August 15, 2019; however, the release date has been pushed to August 30, 2019. Earlier talking about the film, Dinesh Vijan told Mumbai Mirror, "The story of a struggling but ambitious businessman is so relatable and Raj and Mouni have distinct looks that are true to the films fabric." Apart from 'Made In China', Rajkummar will also be seen in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga' with Sonam and Anil Kapoor, and 'Mental Hai Kya with Kangana Ranaut. Patna: A Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of former Bihar Minister Manju Verma in connection with an Arms Act case which cropped up in course of a CBI probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal. On November 20, the former Bihar Minister surrendered before a Begusarai court which then sent her to one-day police remand. She was evading arrest in the Arms Act case which cropped up in course of a CBI probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home sex scandal. She was earlier proclaimed an "absconder" by the court which also ordered for attaching her properties. Following this, Bihar Police attached her Begusarai residence after she went missing following the investigation. Manju Verma and her husband Chandrashekhar Verma were booked under the Arms Act at Cheria Bariyarpur police station in Begusarai following the recovery of a huge cache of arms ammunition from their residence. The recovery of the arms and ammunition was made during a raid at her residence by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team probing the alleged Muzaffarpur shelter home rape-murder and sexual abuse case involving over 30 minor girls. She was forced to resign as the minister for social welfare from the Nitish Kumar government following reports that her husband had close links with Brajesh Thakur, prime accused in the Muzaffarpur case. Verma's husband had surrendered before a court on October 29. The former minister was recently suspended by the Janata Dal United (JDU) from the primary membership of the party. New Delhi: Ford Indias combined domestic wholesales and exports in December reached 24,420 vehicles compared to 29,795 vehicles in the same month last year. Domestic wholesales in December stood at 5,840 vehicles as against 5,087 units in the same month last year. Exports recorded 18,580 vehicles compared to 24,708 units in December 2017, the company said. Ford added that for the calendar year 2018, Ford outpaced the industry with double-digit growth in domestic wholesales. Domestic vehicle despatches in the past year stood at 97,804 units, up 12% from 87,588 units in 2017. Combined domestic wholesale and exports in the calendar year 2018 grew to 265,714 units from 262,784 units in 2017. Domestic wholesales in 2018 were also the highest ever in Ford Indias history. Despite headwinds due to regulatory and economic changes in India and export markets, we are confident of keeping the momentum in 2019. In India, we are confident of growing better than the industry and bringing many more customers to the Ford fold to experience the promise of transparency and differentiated experience, said Anurag Mehrotra, president and MD, Ford India AMARAVATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday tore into the Chandrababu Naidu government, accusing it of indulging in scams and making friends with a "wicked" Congress while reaffirming his government's commitment to the welfare of Andhra Pradesh. He blasted the ruling Telugu Desam Party for not remaining committed to its own ideology, and spreading "blatant lies" against the Centre. PM Modi was addressing BJP workers from Kakinada, Narsapuram, Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, and Vizianagaram Lok Sabha constituencies through video conferencing as part of the 'Mera Booth Sabse Mazboot' initiative to strengthen the party organisation at the grassroots level ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year. "Late NT Rama Rao, who founded the TDP to promote the interests of Telugu people and to safeguard Telugu pride, always addressed Congress as 'dushta' (wicked). "And today, those in power are treating it as 'dost' (friend) Congress. Do they want to say that NTR was wrong?" PM Modi said, launching a scathing attack on Naidu. The TDP was part of the BJP-led NDA till a few months ago but walked out of the alliance over the Centre's refusal to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh. He said everyone saw what happened to the "grand alliance" in Telangana in the recent assembly elections. The TDP had forged a four-party alliance with the Congress, CPI and the Telangana Jana Samithi for the polls. "They were totally rejected by the people. The same is going to happen in AP," the prime minister said. When party workers from Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram referred to the "mischievous campaign" against the Centre by the Naidu government, Modi noted that truth was the biggest weapon that could dispel such falsehood. "When lies are spread all around...Government machinery completely misused to spread falsehood...Then the biggest weapon will only be the truth. Truth, truth and only truth can defeat the tsunami of lies," PM Modi asserted. "I am aware of what is going on in AP. I understand your pain. Do you expect the (TDP) government to go and tell people that they have not been able to fulfill any of their promises? They will naturally blame Modi," he said. Had the TDP government done some work, it could have talked about it. But since it had nothing to show to the people, it only spoke "lies and indulged in scams", the prime minister said, lashing out at the former alliance partner. Listing out what his government had done for the state in the last four years, the prime minister said close to Rs 20,000 crore was released as a resource gap and revenue deficit funding. He said if the state government claimed it did not receive the money, then into whose pockets it had gone. Over Rs 1,000 crore was released for the development of seven backward districts but the state government was not able to provide utilization certificates on time, he claimed, wanting to know why the funds were not utilized for the welfare of people. The Polavaram irrigation scheme, he said, was declared a national project with 100 percent central government funding. "We have so far released around Rs 7,000 crore for Polavaram. The state government was keen to be the executor of the work. We also accepted that. If CAG reports are to be believed, the state government has turned out to be inefficient in execution. Why are they not able to execute this project properly," he said. The Prime Minister said at least 10 educational institutions of national importance like AIIMS, IIT, IIM, NIT, IIIT, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy, Indian Institute of Science and Research, Central University and Tribal University were sanctioned and started in Andhra Pradesh. No state in the history of India ever got as many institutions as Andhra Pradesh had in the last four years, he said, adding no previous central government did so much for the state. "It does not matter what propaganda is spread against us. Our commitment to the people of AP is unshakeable. It becomes even stronger when such lies are spread," Modi asserted, and asked party workers to convince people about how those in power in the state were spreading "blatant lies". Stiri pe aceeasi tema - ClusterPower, a hybrid cloud services provider announced, that it will build near Craiova the largest data centre in Romania and one of the largest in Europe. ClusterPower will create a one-stop-shop artificial intelligence infrastructure, following an initial investment of RON 172 million (E36 million), - Romania's National COVID-19 Vaccination Coordination Committee (CNCAV) has reported that in the last 24 hours, 41,554 doses of vaccine were administered, of which 28,383 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, 2,648 of the Moderna vaccine, 1,413 of the AstraZeneca vaccine and 9,110 of the Johnson & Johnson - Prime Minister Florin Citu contradicted on Thursday some scenarios according to which Romania's public debt will increase as a result of the fact that the country will borrow 15 billion euros under its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), insisting that the loans are intended for investment, - At end-April 2021, deposits of non-government resident customers advanced by 0.6 percent month on month to RON 433,339.5 million and the annual growth rate was 14.5 percent (10.9 percent in real terms), according to data released by the National Bank of Romania (BNR) on Thursday, agerpres reports. - Aradul si Timisoara poate ca nu s-au iubit niciodata, dar s-au respectat reciproc. Fiecare dintre cele doua orase sustine ca a gazduit primul meci de fotbal disputat in Romania. Fiecare se declara campion al provinciei (UTA are doar ea 6 titluri, urbea de pe Bega are 10: 6 Chinezul, 4 Ripensia). Fiecare - OMV Petrom has invested last year approximately 6 million Euro in order to support over 60 social projects, according to the company's sustainability report, sent on Wednesday. "Support for communities and relevant projects for Romania. OMV Petrom constantly evaluates the challenges which the communities - The executive has adopted a memorandum for signing the fourth order form of vaccines against COVID-19, produced by the BioNTech/Pfizer company, for a quantity of 4.2 million optional doses, 300,000 of them reaching Romania in the second trimester of this year, the Prime Minister Florin Citu announced - Romania's representative in the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Executive Committee, Alexandru Rafila, says there are no suspicions that the reopening of schools has led to an increase in the number of infections with the novel coronavirus, in Romania, according to AGERPRES. "There are no Doua vesti bune pentru economie! Dar si doua rele Productia industriala a crescut in primele patru luni iar investitiile straine au trecut de la minus la 2 miliarde in perioada ianuarie-aprilie 2021. In schimb, deficitul de cont curent s-a dublat si datoria externa a crescut cu un miliard de euro. Avem astfel de a face cu doua vesti bune pentru [citeste mai departe] Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-03 05:29:18|Editor: ZX Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's Interior Ministry on Wednesday reiterated calmness of the security situations across the country, official SUNA news agency reported. "The law guarantees the right to peacefully demonstrate upon approval of concerned authorities, without causing sedition, chaos, or instability to the country," Musa Mohamed Ali Madibo, state minister at Sudan's Interior Ministry, was quoted as saying. He urged the citizens to help stop those who target the country's security and stability. Madibo noted that specialized committees have been formed since the eruption of protests across the country, pointing out that the committees have started assessing the casualties and the damage to public and private properties. Since Dec. 19 last year, various areas in Sudan, including the capital Khartoum, have been witnessing popular protests over deteriorating economic conditions and price hikes of basic commodities. According to government statistics, 19 people have been killed during the protests. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-03 05:29:18|Editor: ZX Video Player Close LISBON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's public debt rose by 400 million euros in November last year, compared to the previous month, reaching a new record of 251.48 billion euros, according to the data released by the Bank of Portugal on Wednesday. The Portugal's central bank said that loans and debt emissions essentially contributed to the increase in the month. However, Portugal's public debt is expected to be lower in December as Portuguese Finance Minister Mario Centeno announced on Dec. 10 that Portugal repaid remaining 4.7 billion euros of loans to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after early repayments. The minister also said that the government maintains the objectives for 2018 and 2019 to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 121.2 percent and 118.5 percent, respectively. Portugal is expected to pay all the loans to IMF by 2024 after it signed a 78-billion-euro bailout agreement with the European Union, the IMF and the European Central Bank in May 2011. The debt-ridden country made a clean exit from the bailout program after three years of harsh austerity measures. Portugal has been on the track of slow economic recovery since 2014 with considerable drop in unemployment rate. (1 euro = 1.13 U.S. dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-03 03:49:03|Editor: ZX Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha on Wednesday called for international training for Libyan security personnel. Bashagha made his remarks during a meeting with the Charge d'Affaires of the British Embassy to Libya Andrew Allen, in the Libyan capital Tripoli, where the two officials discussed mutual security cooperation. According to a statement issued by the ministry, Bashagha stressed the importance of Britain's logistic and security support for the Libyan government, and stressed the need for "direct international support through training of security personnel and capacity building of the ministry." The British diplomat confirmed Britain's willingness to support the Libyan government politically and economically, and addressed all the challenges in the region and in Libya particularly, the statement said. Libyan security services struggle to improve security conditions in the country, particularly in the capital Tripoli. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-03 03:08:58|Editor: ZX Video Player Close PARIS/MOSCOW, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed the Syrian settlement and Ukraine-related issues over the phone on Wednesday. The Kremlin said in a statement that the two presidents examined the problems of the Syrian settlement in detail, primarily in the context of a four-party agreement on the formation of a constitutional committee. Putin, Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to set up a Syrian constitutional committee during a summit on Oct. 27 in Istanbul. In a statement released by the French Presidency, Macron said France's priority in Syria was the fight against terrorism with a view to eradicating the terrorist group ISIS and countering any resurgence of terrorism in the region. "This fight is not over and continues on the ground as part of the international coalition," the French presidency said. Macron also said France remains committed to a political settlement of the Syrian issue in the framework of the UN Security Council Resolution 2254, the only possible way of stability, protection civilian populations and peace, according to the French statement. On the Ukraine issue, Macron welcomed the agreement reached on Dec. 27, 2018 for a recommitment to the ceasefire and called for its full and lasting respect, according to the French presidency statement. The Kremlin said the two presidents exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis, taking into account what had happened in the Kerch Strait on Nov. 25. Moscow-Kiev tensions flared up after Russia shot at and seized three Ukrainian naval ships attempting to sail through the Kerch Strait from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, alleging that they had intruded into Russian territorial waters. However, the Ukrainian government insisted that it had informed the Russian side beforehand and has arranged lawyers to defend the captured sailors. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-03 01:48:48|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's state security arrested Wednesday a network of four Syrians belonging to the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, local media reported. The network, which was operating between Mount Lebanon Governorate and North Governorate, was in direct contact with leaders from the terrorist group, according to local news agency Lebanon 24. The four Syrians were sent to judicial bodies for investigations and further legal procedures. This is not the first time that Lebanon's security arrests suspects working with IS. A Syrian national suspected of working with IS to carry out terrorist attacks was arrested in Sept. 2018, in Lebanon. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 23:58:21|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- On an annual average in 2018, roughly 44.8 million people were employed in Germany, the highest such number since the reunification in 1991, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) announced on Wednesday. According to first provisional calculations, the number of persons in employment went up by 1.3 percent, or 562,000, year on year. Germany has witnessed a 13-year period of an increasing number of people in paid positions. According to Destasis, a "higher labor force participation" of the German population as well as the "immigration of foreign workers" has offset negative demographic effects of an aging German population. "The increase in the number of people in employment in Germany is remarkable in view of the demographic development. In many areas, it is difficult to fill jobs because there is a shortage of labor. A large proportion of the new jobs are filled by foreign workers," Oliver Holtemoeller, vice president of the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH), told Xinhua on Wednesday. In 2018, the service sector provided the highest share of new paid positions and employed 384,000 or 1.2 percent more compared with a year earlier. Broken down further, the biggest absolute employment gains were recorded for public services, education and health services with 190,000 additional persons in employment, followed by trade, transport, accommodation and food services and business services. While the number of employees in Germany has increased to over 40 million for the first time in 2018, the number of self-employed including family workers decreased by 76,000, or 1.8 percent, to 4.22 million in the same period. A decrease in the number of self-employed people was last recorded in 2003 in Germany. "The shortage on the labor market is gradually being reflected in higher wage increases," Holtemoeller added. The IWH expert predicts that wage increases and a slowdown of the global economy will "slow the growth in employment" in Germany. "In just a few years time, demographic changes will be so severe that a decline in the number of people in employment can be expected in the medium term. However, this also depends on how strong immigration to Germany will continue to be," according to Holtemoeller. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 23:48:16|Editor: yan Video Player Close OSLO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- A recent survey showed that a majority of Norwegians support oil and gas exploration in the country, Western Europe's biggest oil and gas producer, newspaper Klassekampen reported Wednesday. A majority of 59 percent want Norway to look for more oil and gas, while 34 percent want to end the exploration and seven percent say they do not know, according to the survey conducted by research company Sentio Research. But the situation is opposite among citizens of the country's capital city Oslo, where 49 percent believe it is right to stop the search for new oil and gas deposits while 44 percent want to continue. "Oslo is completely different than the rest of the country," said Karl Eirik Schjott-Pedersen, CEO of the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association. Schjott-Pedersen emphasized necessity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing and storing carbon dioxide instead of ceasing oil and gas industry activities. Kari Elisabeth Kaski, Social Left party representative in the Norwegian parliament, expressed concern about the Norwegian economy, if it continues as before. "The climate does not tolerate that we get more oil and gas," she said. On the other hand, Marius Holm from environmental foundation Zero showed no surprise with the research results. People are more positive about oil and gas exploration in western Norway, where they are closer to both workplaces and value creation, but oil industry may face an uncertain future, Holm told Klassekampen. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 23:43:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech at a gathering held Wednesday in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. The speech is a comprehensive review of the breakthroughs in the cross-Strait relations over the past 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, especially after the peaceful reunification principle was implemented, and an exposition of major policies and decisions for China's peaceful reunification during its national rejuvenation. It will therefore serve as a guidance to the work regarding the cross-Strait relations. On Jan. 1, 1979, the National People's Congress Standing Committee issued the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, a declaration of the mainland's policy for peaceful reunification, calling for an end to the division and promoting visits, cross-Strait transportation, postal services and economic exchanges. Since 1949, the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people have always taken it as a historic task to resolve the Taiwan question and realize China's complete reunification. Over the past 40 years of the reform and opening-up, the mainland has always been resolutely upholding the principle of peaceful reunification and steadfastly promoting cross-Strait exchanges in all areas. As proved by the cross-Strait relation development, the fact that compatriots across the Strait are all Chinese who share natural kinship and national identity can never be changed by anyone or any force. The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder, which brought China the historical trauma of national division that the Chinese nation has yet completely healed from. With an invincible force growing within the Chinese nation, the Chinese people on both sides of the Strait should make joint efforts to realize the Chinese dream. "The Taiwan question will definitely end with national rejuvenation," said Xi in his speech delivered at the gathering. The principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" have proved to be the best path to achieve the goal of national reunification. Through dialogues and cooperation based on the 1992 Consensus and the opposition to "Taiwan independence," as well as discussions to seek solutions under the "one country, two systems" principle, the Chinese people across the Strait will certainly end the political division, bring lasting peace to the Taiwan Strait and realize national reunification early. The one-China principle is the political foundation of cross-Strait relations. Standing firm in safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the mainland will resolutely defeat any form of separatist attempts and acts for "Taiwan independence" as well as oppose the interference of external forces in the Taiwan Strait. The mainland is willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification. It is the mainland's kindness and promise to deepen the integrated development across the Taiwan Strait and share its development opportunities with the Taiwan compatriots, whose well-being will be improved backed by the powerful motherland. The Chinese people on both sides of the Strait can find their roots and where they belong to in the Chinese culture. Forty years on, the Taiwan compatriots and all other Chinese people should be inspired to support and seek national rejuvenation in an active manner. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 23:38:13|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- China will introduce measures to upgrade its comprehensive bonded zones in line with advanced international standards to promote trade and investment facilitation, sustain steady growth in foreign trade and investment, and nurture new competitive advantages, the State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang decided on Wednesday. The Chinese government places high importance on the development of the comprehensive bonded zones and other forms of special customs supervision areas. Premier Li Keqiang repeatedly called for efforts to expand and upgrade opening-up, substantively enhance trade facilitation and improve the business climate for overseas investors. In the first three quarters of 2018, the imports and exports in China's special customs supervision areas, comprehensive bonded zones included, reached 3.668 trillion yuan (535 billion U.S. dollars), up by 11.8 percent year-on-year and accounting for 16.5 percent of the country's total foreign trade in the same period. These special areas have also attracted investment from many leading global manufacturers and created over two million jobs. "The comprehensive bonded zones have served as a window in China's opening-up. Their special and important role in sustaining the steady growth of foreign trade and investment must be fully harnessed. We should also encourage these zones to actively expand the domestic market," Li said. The Wednesday meeting decided on a number of supportive measures for these zones. More efforts will be made to facilitate the domestic sales by companies in the zones. The general taxpayer status of VAT will be piloted in the comprehensive bonded zones. Processing and manufacturing companies in the zones will be permitted to undertake outsourced processing businesses from outside the zones of the mainland market. No application for the automatic import license will be required for the selling of products made in the zones, such as cell phones and auto parts, on the domestic market. Meanwhile, research and development (R&D), and innovation will be spurred. All goods and items that companies in the zones import for R&D purposes will be exempted from import licensing, except for those prohibited for border entry. The bonded and other policies will be employed in a holistic way to support the R&D and innovation institutions in the zones. Newly established R&D and processing companies in the zones, once evaluated as having met relevant standards, will immediately be granted the highest credit rating. Logistics will also be facilitated. In the course of corporate production and operation, any eligible item entering the comprehensive bonded zones and the bonded goods in transfer from one zone to another will be exempted from customs clearance procedures. The comprehensive bonded zones in ports that allow whole-vehicle import will be permitted to undertake bonded storage, display and other businesses. New forms of business will be developed. Companies in the zones will be allowed to undertake high-tech, high-value-added bonded test, global maintenance and re-manufacturing businesses that meet environmental requirements. International services outsourcing will be supported to boost cross-border trade in services. The policies for retail imports under cross-border e-commerce will be fully adopted in the comprehensive bonded zones in due course. Qualified comprehensive bonded zones will receive support to conduct bonded futures delivery. The comprehensive bonded zones will be supported in taking the lead in applying the experience gained in the pilot free trade zones to realize the integrated upgrading of all special customs supervision areas. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 23:33:11|Editor: yan Video Player Close VILNIUS, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania (LRTK), the country's broadcasting regulatory body, initiated law amendments aimed at immediate cancelling of TV programs if they pose threat to national security, local media reported Wednesday. "As we will have three elections this year and a referendum, LRTK proposed to have a safeguard and react immediately in cases if somebody would try to interfere the elections or the referendum," Mantas Martisius, head of LRTK, was quoted as saying by local media. According to the amendments of the Law on the Provision of Information to the Public proposed by the commission and registered by a group of members of Lithuania's parliament, LRTK would be given the right to stop television programs within 72 hours without a court decision, if the broadcasted information posed threat to national security. "There are significant gaps in current Lithuanian legislation which does not provide efficient measures to effectively combat disinformation or other information that threatens national security in the public sphere," the group of lawmakers said in their explanatory notes to the proposed amendments. The amendments are linked to the EU's Audiovisual Media Services Directive and includes so-called procedure of immediate reaction. "The Lithuania's aim is to react as fast as possible in the cases of information attacks," Martisius said. Currently television programs in Lithuania can be stopped by corresponding court's decision, while programs broadcasted by Europe-registered TV channels can be cancelled only after 3 infringement alerts within a previous year. According to the head of LRTK, in both cases procedures were too long to be able to respond quickly to attempts to interfere election process. Elections to municipal councils, presidential election and elections to the European Parliament will be held in Lithuania this year. A referendum on dual citizenship will be held on May 12 and 26 alongside the presidential election. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 23:18:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOSCOW, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russian land forces plan to participate in seven joint exercises this year with foreign armies, the defense ministry said in a press release Wednesday. Russian troops will demonstrate their skills in Egypt, India, Mongolia and Tajikistan, where they will participate in the Friendship Arrow 2019, Indra 2019, Selenga 2019 and Unbreakable Brotherhood 2019 drills. Russia-Laos joint exercises will be held for the first time, according to the ministry. Also, the units of Russia's Southern Military District will host servicemen from Algeria and Pakistan at their training grounds, it said. These maneuvers will be peacekeeping-oriented and the participants will also practice fighting against illegal armed formations, the ministry said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 23:03:03|Editor: yan Video Player Close KIEV, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian Armed Forces last year received about 50 planes and helicopters modernized by national enterprises, the country's state defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom said in a statement on Wednesday. Ukroboronprom, which unites more than 130 enterprises from Ukraine's defense industry, said that the supplies included Su-27 and MiG-29 fighter jets, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-24 strike and reconnaissance planes, An-26 and Il-76 transport planes, as well as Mi-24, Mi-14 and Mi-8 helicopters. During the modernization, the aerial vehicles were upgraded with new radar systems, protection complexes, means of control and registration, as well as other equipment, it said. Ukraine's defense industry has witnessed significant growth since 2014, when an armed conflict began in the country's eastern Donbas region. Local experts estimate that since 2014, Ukroboronprom has supplied the Ukrainian armed forces with more than 20,000 units of new and modernized weapons and military equipment, including armored vehicles, planes, helicopters, air defense systems, artillery systems and missiles. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 22:58:02|Editor: ZX Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The African Union's top envoy in Somalia on Wednesday condemned the attack on the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) base camp in Mogadishu on Tuesday. Francisco Madeira, special representative of the chairperson of the African Union Commission for Somalia, said the attack by al-Shabab militants, which failed to hit its intended target, is another proof that the militants have no regard for the sanctity of human life. "They (militants) insist on scuttling the progress so far achieved in restoring peace and security in the country," Madeira said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. Seven mortar shells were fired on Tuesday targeting the AMISOM base camp, but all of them failed to hit the intended target. Two United Nations staff members and a contractor were injured during the indirect attack on Tuesday after the seven mortars landed inside the UN compound. The terrorist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 22:58:01|Editor: yan Video Player Close BUDAPEST, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The minimal wage of Hungarian workers will increase by 8 percent to 149,000 forints (528 U.S dollars) from 2019, according to official sources here on Wednesday. "The minimum wage will increase by 8 percent in 2019," according to Minister of Finance Mihaly Varga, quoted by the official website of the Hungarian government. The minister said that with this significant rise in minimum wages -- the same as in the past few years, a major increase in salaries in 2019 will be possible in the country which will further improve the financial situation of Hungarian families. Varga stressed that along with pay rises, employment was also continuously rising: the number of those in employment was now above 4.5 million. The minister also added that an increase of an additional 8 percent will follow in 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 22:37:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOSCOW, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron discussed the Syrian settlement and Ukraine-related issues over the phone on Wednesday. The two presidents examined the problems of the Syrian settlement in detail, primarily in the context of a four-party agreement on the formation of a constitutional committee, the Kremlin said. Putin, Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to set up a Syrian constitutional committee during a summit on Oct. 27 in Istanbul. During Wednesday's phone call, Putin and Macron also exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis, taking into account what had happened in the Kerch Strait on Nov. 25, according to the Kremlin. Moscow-Kiev tensions flared up after Russia shot at and seized three Ukrainian naval ships attempting to sail through the Kerch Strait from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, alleging that they had intruded into Russian territorial waters. However, the Ukrainian government insisted that it had informed the Russian side beforehand and has arranged lawyers to defend the captured sailors. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 22:17:52|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ATHENS, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Greece raised on Wednesday 1.625 billion euros (1.85 billion U.S. dollars) in the first treasury bills auction conducted in 2019, the country's Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) announced. The six-month treasury bills were sold at 0.9 percent yield, unchanged from the previous similar auction held on Dec. 5, 2018, according to the e-mailed PDMA press release. The debt-ridden country has conducted a monthly treasury bill auction program to cover maturing debts and meet its financing needs since it was shut out of international capital markets in 2010, in parallel to the international rescue programs. On Aug. 20, 2018, Greece exited the eight-year bailout and is set to return the markets in coming months, according to Greek finance ministry officials. (1 euro=1.14 U.S. dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 21:57:50|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- China said on Wednesday it hoped that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States would respect and accommodate each other's reasonable concerns to achieve progress in the denuclearization of and establishing a peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula in the new year. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang made the comments at a routine press conference when responding to a reporter's question on the New Year's speech by top leader of the DPRK Kim Jong Un. Kim said Tuesday that he would push forward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and was ready to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at any time. "We hope the DPRK and the U.S. will respect and accommodate each other's reasonable concerns, and make positive progress in advancing the denuclearization of and establishing a peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula in the new year," Lu said. "China will continue to play its role in this regard." China encourages and supports further talks between the DPRK and the U.S. and hopes for positive results, Lu said. He said that important and positive changes took place in the situation on the Korean Peninsula, peninsula issue was back to the track of dialogue and negotiation, and relations between the DPRK and the Republic of Korea (ROK) witnessed all-round improvement over the past year. "China recognizes the measures taken by the DPRK for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, supports DPRK's stance to further stick to denuclearization and peace talks," Lu said. "China supports the DPRK and the U.S. as well as the DPRK and the ROK in continuing their good interaction and showing goodwill, consolidating mutual trust and improving relations, so as to advance the denuclearization and political settlement of the peninsula issue." On Dec. 30 last year, Kim sent a letter to ROK President Moon Jae-in, showing his willingness to visit Seoul. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 21:52:49|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping's speech Wednesday set the course for the work on Taiwan affairs in the new era, said Liu Jieyi, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addressed a gathering marking the 40th anniversary of the Chinese mainland's Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. His speech will unite all Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan, to work together for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, national rejuvenation and peaceful reunification of the motherland, Liu said in an interview with Xinhua. The speech will help Taiwan compatriots have a better understanding that the future of Taiwan lies in national reunification, he said. Xi made major proposals on how to uphold the principle of "one country, two systems" and to realize peaceful reunification, which set the direction, basic strategies and main tasks of the work on Taiwan affairs in the future, he said. "We have stronger capacity and better conditions to advance the process of peaceful reunification," he said. Noting that people from Taiwan will take part in, contribute to and benefit from the national rejuvenation, Liu pledged that the mainland will try its best to help people in Taiwan realize their aspirations, particularly young people who want to pursue their dreams in the mainland. He also stressed that the resolve and ability of the Chinese government and people to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity should not be underestimated. "We believe that Chinese people's cause to oppose 'Taiwan independence' and realize national reunification will receive more understanding and support from the international community," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 21:32:46|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close HANGZHOU, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- One person was confirmed dead and 10 remained missing after a Taiwan cargo ship sank off the coast of Zhejiang Province on the Chinese mainland early Wednesday morning, according to local maritime rescue authorities. The cargo ship, with 15 people on board, sank at around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday around 90 nautical miles off the coast of Yuhuan of Zhejiang's Taizhou city, according to the provincial maritime search and rescue center. Five people have been rescued so far, with one dead. The 80-meter-long ship named "London" departed from the city of Kaohsiung with 14 Myanmar crew members and one from Taiwan. The local emergency response center has sent ships to search for the missing. An investigation is underway. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 21:17:42|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MANILA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine security authorities downplayed the travel alert reissued on Wednesday by Britain which warned its citizens against possible terror attacks in southern Philippines. "The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups," Britain said in a travel advisory on Wednesday. The travel advisory was originally issued on Dec. 27, 2018, a few days before an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at the entrance of a shopping mall in Cotabato City on the last day of 2018, killing two people and injured more than 30 others. Another IED was found at the same mall and the authorities carried out a controlled explosion. Britain reissued the travel alert on Jan. 2. According to Britain, around 150,000 British nationals visit the Philippines every year. However, the Philippine defense and military officials sought to downplay the advisory issued by Britain. Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the British advisory is "an automatic and default warning of the governments to their nationals like we also do when these things happen in other countries." "It is normal and ordinary. We hear about these advisories all the time," Lorenzana added. Asked if the defense and military establishments have information if a similar attack is imminent, Lorenzana said "No, we don't have indications that there will be other bombings." Chief Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Benjamin Madrigal said it is the prerogative of Britain to issue the advisory "to look after the welfare of their nationals." "On our part, we are enhancing our security measures to prevent a repeat of that incident," Madrigal said. Nevertheless, Madrigal stressed the need to be vigilant, urging people to report suspicious activities to the military. Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin said in a tweet message that the advisory is a "fair warning." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 21:12:41|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Two Indian women on Wednesday made history by entering inside prominent Hindu shrine Sabarimala in the southern state of Kerala, officials said. The duo managed to enter the shrine before daybreak, thereby becoming the first to do so after India's top court in September last year struck down decades-old ban on entry of women of menstrual age (defined as between 10-50 years) inside the shrine. The court order saw series of protests and blocking of women's passage to the temple for months together. Following their entry the temple was shut down for ritual "purification" briefly and later reopened for devotees. "The 40-year-old Bindu Ammini and 39-year-old Kanaka Durga, entered the temple of Lord Ayyappa around dawn," an official said. "They paid obeisance at the temple for a few minutes." The two women were accompanied by policemen in plain clothes to enter the temple. Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters the women's entry inside the temple was a historic moment. On Tuesday, hundreds of thousands women from across Kerala lined up to form a 620 km human chain called "women wall" in a bid to uphold gender equality and renaissance values. While most Hindu temples allow women to enter as long as they are not menstruating, however, Sabarimala temple does not allow women in a broad age group of 10-50 years to enter at all. The hilltop shrine remains open only for 127 days in a year and can only be accessed through a difficult forest terrain. The hardline groups view the court ruling as an attack on Hindu values. File photo shows a container is unloaded from a ship in Mombasa Port, Mombasa, Kenya, Jan. 10, 2017. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo) ADDIS ABABA, Jan.2 (Xinhua) -- The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) on Monday said that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement is one of Africa's milestone trade policy that would serve as an impetus towards transforming Africa's future development. "The AfCFTA is one of the milestone trade policy developments in Africa which is expected to change the way Africa does trade and catalyze transformation in a way trade policy has not done before," the ECA said in a statement on Monday. Noting the vital significance of continental free trade agreement, ECA also urged its member countries to commit themselves through the inclusion of the major pillars of the agreement in their national policies, which the ECA stressed as "crucial for the successful implementation" of the AfCFTA. "Africa is set for massive transformation as more countries are expected to sign-up and ratify the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in 2019," ECA's statement quoted David Luke, African Trade Policy Center Coordinator at the ECA as saying. Luke, who recently led an ECA delegation to the Intra-African Trade Fair that was held in Cairo, Egypt, said "intra-African trade, free trade and investments catalyzed by the AfCFTA will without doubt transform the African continent." "Getting the AfCFTA right will depend on getting the level of ambition that we have as a continent," he added. Last week, an official at the African Union (AU) told Xinhua that encouraging progress has been gained in the implementation of the AfCFTA. As the regional body drives efforts toward realizing the AfCFTA, AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry Albert M. Muchanga told Xinhua that major efforts are underway to achieve an integrated African market of about 1.2 billion people. A total of 49 of the AU's 55 member states have so far signed the AfCFTA agreement, and 13 countries have ratified it, while 12 others are in advanced stages of obtaining parliamentary approval for ratification, according to the AU. A minimum of 22 ratifications are required for the AfCFTA to come into force. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 21:02:38|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close NANNING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- An international train connecting China's Nanning City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with Vietnam's Hanoi has recorded over 400,000 passenger trips over the past 10 years. As a measure catering to China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, the train was launched on Jan. 1, 2009, for exchange between China and ASEAN. The train has seen an average annual growth of 20 percent in passenger trips during the past 10 years, according to China Railway Nanning Group. The rail route stretches 396 kilometers, and a single journey takes about 12 hours. The train is staffed with attendants who can speak Vietnamese and English and it offers a broadcasting service both in Chinese and Vietnamese. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 20:22:32|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MADRID, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Four people were injured on Wednesday morning in a tram accident in Barcelona, Spain, according to local rescue services. The accident happened during the morning rush hour when the tram crashed at the Sant Adria station in the north of the city. The tram was covering the service on line 4 of the Barcelona tram system when it failed to brake correctly and collided with the buffers at the end of the line, according to the Civil Protection Agency. Three other people are also reported to have suffered slight injuries. The Barcelona tram network tweeted that the Sant Adria station has been closed and an investigation into the accident is underway. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 20:22:32|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- A total of 8,158 crime cases were recorded across Mongolia during the New Year's celebrations on Dec. 17 to Jan. 1, of which 1,110 were related to domestic violence, the country's National Police Agency said Wednesday. The total crimes reported in the past two weeks decreased by more than 10 percent from the same period of the previous year, but cases of domestic violence increased by 30 percent, according to the police agency. A total of 10,100 law enforcement officers were deployed to maintain public order across the country during the New Year's celebrations. In recent years, domestic violence has been increasing in Mongolia, which experts have attributed to rising alcohol consumption and financial problems. A recent study by the National Statistical Office showed that one in three Mongolian women has experienced certain kinds of violence in her lifetime. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 20:17:32|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Photo taken on Jan. 2, 2019 shows the scene of a train collision accident over a bridge near Nyborg, Denmark. Six people were killed and 16 others injured in a train accident over a bridge linking two of Denmark's main islands on Wednesday morning, according to reports by the Swedish Television. A tarpaulin on a freight train was blown off by strong wind and hit a high-speed passenger train going in the opposite direction on the Great Belt Bridge, prompting it to brake suddenly. All the victims were passengers on the commuter train going from the city of Odense, on the central Danish island of Fyn, to the capital city of Copenhagen when the accident took place about 7:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT). (Xinhua/Qu Ran) STOCKHOLM, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed and 16 others injured in a train accident over a bridge linking two of Denmark's main islands on Wednesday morning, according to reports by the Swedish Television. A tarpaulin on a freight train was blown off by strong wind and hit a high-speed passenger train going in the opposite direction on the Great Belt Bridge, prompting it to brake suddenly. All the victims were passengers on the commuter train going from the city of Odense, on the central Danish island of Fyn, to the capital city of Copenhagen when the accident took place about 7:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT). Images from inside the train showed broken glass and damages. The local hospital in Odense has launched a crisis response and an evacuation center has been set up at the west end of the bridge, reports said. Police said it was difficult for emergency vehicles to arrive at the scene and asked the public to make room for emergency services on their way to the road-and-rail bridge. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 20:12:31|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CAIRO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Egypt condemned on Wednesday the stabbing of three people, including a police officer, in a Manchester railway station on New Year's Eve. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, stressed "support for the British government and people in face of all kinds of violence, extremism and terrorism." Egypt renewed its calls on the international community to intensify efforts in face of terrorism, the statement added. The stabbing of the three people at Manchester railway station on Monday night was being treated as terror related, British police said Tuesday. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after the incident. The three victims were taken to a nearby hospital in a serious but not life-threatening condition. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 20:07:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RAMALLAH, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat Wednesday urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to start an official investigation into Israeli settlement in the Palestinian territories. "The ICC must open an official investigation into settlements and Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories," Erekat told the official Palestinian Radio Station, describing 2018 as a year that "witnessed a destruction of humanitarian and ethical values with the continuation of occupation and settlements." He added that the Palestinian leadership will continue to use its right in the UN Security Council and other international organization to combat the Israeli settlement and push the efforts of the UN Human Rights Council to announce the blacklist of companies that deal with settlements. A statement of the Palestinian Foreign Ministry accused the United States of "full bias and adoption of Israeli colonial expansionist policies that has encouraged the ruling right wing to advance its Judaizing projects in Palestine." Israeli settlement activity, deemed illegal by most world powers and under the international law, is considered one of the thorniest issues that hindered the peace talks between Palestinians and Israeli. It continues to be one of the main issues of disagreement since the stop of the peace talks in 2014. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 19:57:28|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a message of condolences to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on the gas explosion in a residential building in the city of Magnitogorsk, Russia. In the message, Xi said he is shocked to learn about the gas explosion which caused severe casualties and property loss. "On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in my own name, I would like to express my sorrow for the loss of life and extend my deep condolences to the families of the victims as well as the injured," Xi said. Noting that the rescue operation is undergoing at this moment, Xi said: "I believe that under the strong leadership of Mr. President, this accident will be properly handled." On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent a message of condolences to his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, conveying his deep sorrow for the victims and sincere condolences to their families. A total of 14 bodies were recovered so far after the gas explosion. Dozens remain unaccounted for, as rescue operations are still under way in wake of the new year eve accident in the city 1,400 km east of Moscow. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 17:52:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, Jan.2 (Xinhua) -- The following are news highlights in South African major media outlets on Wednesday. -- Manuel Chang, former minister of finance in Mozambique, appeared in a South African court on Tuesday facing charges of wire fraud, money laundering and securities fraud.(Independent Online) -- Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato maintains that there was no racial discrimination in the Clifton beach incident in which beachgoers were asked to vacate the Beach. (Eyewitness News) -- International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said on Tuesday that it's unacceptable for South Africans to be involved in activities that destabilize other countries.(South African Broadcasting Corporation) Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 17:47:09|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close VIENNA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has paid particular tribute to the European Union (EU) during his New Year's speech to the nation on Tuesday, calling the bloc the "best idea we have ever had." The most important reason for a united Europe is that there is never another war and peace stays, Van der Bellen said in the televised speech. Europe has learned from the past and has come together to ensure freedom for all, he said. He argued that those who think countries can go alone are mistaken, adding that he hopes that no young people would have to experience such a thing. The upcoming European Parliament elections in May will provide people with the opportunity to continue to vote for the EU, particularly in understanding that a united Europe is the reason that freedom is so natural for us today, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 17:42:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LUSAKA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The following are news highlights in Zambia's major media outlets on Wednesday. -- Zambian President Edgar Lungu has urged citizens to treat mental health conditions with the same vigor they are fighting diseases like HIV/AIDS.(Times of Zambia) -- Zambia spends about 350 million U.S. dollars annually to import commingled oil the country's energy regulator has said. The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) said on average the government imports six to seven cargoes of feedstock per year with each containing between 90,000 and 100,000 tons. (Zambia Daily Mail) -- Zambian truck drivers will now fetch fuel from the Mozambican port of Beira because the situation in Tanzania has proved to be a hurdled. Benson Tembo, secretary-general of the Petroleum Transporters Association of Zambia said the government should immediately direct all supplies of fuel to the Port of Beira as a retaliatory move following the decision by Tanzania authorities to reduce the carrying capacity. (Daily Nation) -- Zambia's electoral body says it is looking forward to greater collaborations and support from stakeholders and the people of Zambia to deliver a better and inclusive electoral process. (The Mast) Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 17:17:06|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 2, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said China must be and will be reunified, as he addressed a gathering in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chinese mainland's Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. "It is a historical conclusion drawn over the 70 years of the development of cross-Strait relations, and a must for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Speaking at the Great Hall of the People, Xi called for joint efforts across the Taiwan Strait to advance peaceful national reunification. The long-standing political differences can not be dragged on generation after generation, Xi said. The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder and has lasted for 70 years. Xi said since 1949 the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people have always unwaveringly taken resolving the Taiwan question to realize China's complete reunification as a historic task. He expressed confidence that the Taiwan question will definitely end with national rejuvenation. BEST APPROACH On Jan. 1, 1979, the National People's Congress Standing Committee issued the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. It was considered a declaration of the mainland's policy for peaceful reunification. Halt to military confrontations was proposed. Visits, cross-Strait transportation, postal services and economic and cultural exchanges were promoted. A page on cross-Strait relations has been turned. On Wednesday, Xi raised a five-point proposal for peaceful reunification. He said the principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" are the best approach to realizing national reunification. He proposed that the mainland and Taiwan conduct democratic consultation on cross-Strait relations and the future of the nation, and establish institutional arrangement for peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. He said on the basis of ensuring China's sovereignty, security and interests of development, the social system and way of life in Taiwan will be fully respected, and the private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots will be fully protected after peaceful reunification is realized. The president pledged "utmost sincerity and greatest efforts" for the prospect of peaceful reunification and said Taiwan will be guaranteed lasting peace after reunification. "We are all of the same family," Xi said. While stressing that the "Chinese don't fight Chinese," Xi said, "We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means." This targets only the interference of external forces and the very small number of "Taiwan independence" separatists and their activities, he added. IRRESISTIBLE TREND "'Taiwan independence' goes against the trend of history and will lead to a dead end," Xi said. The president said achieving the country's greatness, national rejuvenation and cross-Strait reunification is the trend of history, which can never be blocked by anyone or any force. The peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait situations and the progress of cross-Strait relations are the tide of the time that can never be stopped by anyone or any force, he said. Liu Jieyi, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, noted the strengthened political, economic, cultural, personnel exchanges over the decades. Between 1988 and 2018, 134 million cross-Strait visits were logged; two-way trade reached 2.6 trillion U.S. dollars; and the mainland has been Taiwan's largest market and top investment destination outside the island, Liu said. In his speech, Xi said the future of Taiwan lies in national reunification. "We sincerely hope all the compatriots in Taiwan treasure peace as much as they treasure their own eyes, and pursue national reunification as much as they pursue happiness." NO INTERFERENCE FROM OUTSIDE Xi said the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and allows no external interference. The Chinese people's affairs should be decided by the Chinese people, Xi said, stressing that the Taiwan question concerns China's core interests and the national bond of the Chinese people. China's reunification does not harm any country's legitimate interests, including their economic interests in Taiwan, Xi said, adding that it will only bring more development opportunities to other countries. Over the 70 years, more and more countries and peoples have understood and supported China's cause of reunification, the president noted. Wednesday's gathering was attended by Li Zhanshu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, presided over the event. Wang said Xi's speech demonstrated the historical trend of cross-Strait relations and called for joint efforts to forge ahead for the peaceful national reunification. Chen Ching-lung, a 54-year-old hotel operator in Xiamen, Fujian Province, followed Xi's speech, which was broadcast live by China Media Group and on Xinhua News Agency's website (xinhuanet.com). A veteran who was once stationed in Kinmen, Chen joined the influx of Taiwan compatriots who found bristle business chances on the mainland. "The direction of peaceful development is totally correct," he said. "What the two sides should do is to mitigate differences and enhance their communications." Hsueh Ching-te, another Taiwan compatriot who runs a business in Fujian, said he looks forward to complete reunification so that "all Chinese people will live in peace, prosperity and with dignity." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 17:07:05|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close COPENHAGEN, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Several people were killed in a train accident in Denmark on Wednesday, local media quoted the police as saying. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 16:52:03|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- China and the United States should continue to serve the fundamental and common interests of the two peoples as the two sides develop future-oriented China-U.S. relations, said Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai on Tuesday. Cui, in his article published in USA Today, highlighted the importance of the steady growth of bilateral ties, which he said is indispensable to the success of our two countries and the world, "as air and water is to lives." FAR GREATER COMMON INTERESTS Beijing and Washington formally established their diplomatic ties on Jan. 1, 1979, which has not only served the interests of two countries, but also engendered far-reaching significance to regional and global development. "For 40 years, we have not only achieved a mutually-beneficial balance, which allows both of our societies to 'win' together, we have also created favorable conditions for world peace and development," said the Chinese ambassador. According to Cui, the two countries have made great strides in coordinating efforts on regional hotspot issues, as well as addressing global challenges, through collaboration in international forums including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Group of 20(G20), and the United Nations. As the world has changed tremendously in the past four decades, it comes as no surprise that China and the United States will have disagreements from time to time, many of which cannot be resolved overnight, said Cui. The diplomatic veteran stressed that although the disagreements are inevitable, they are still manageable as "the basic elements of the relationship remain unchanged," including the shared interests of peoples for a better life, and the need for combined efforts to address major global challenges. "We have far greater common interests than differences and disagreements. In such an environment, cooperation is the only right choice," Cui said. The progress of China-U.S. ties in the past 40 years is nothing but staggering, far exceeding most people's expectations. Bilateral trade grew from a negligible 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in the late 1970s to over 580 billion dollars in 2017, while the stock of two-way investment rose from practically nil to more than 230 billion dollars. Cui also pointed out that the political foundation of the biliteral relationship must remain unchanged. "Our two sides need to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, abide by the China-U.S. Joint Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and two other joint communiques, and remain firmly committed to the one-China principle," he said. "The steady growth of China-U.S. relations is indispensable to the success of our two countries and the world, as air and water is to lives. It would be irresponsible and detrimental for us to 'decouple' or become isolated from each other," the ambassador said. CROSSROADS IN HISTORY Noting that the China-U.S. relationship has once again come to a crossroads in history in this new international context, Cui believed the bilateral relations "should continue to be defined by our two peoples, who are looking to us with high expectations as we look forward to the next 40 years." "Their aspirations are to benefit more from our relations. These shared interests will rise above 'political correctness' and the 'differences' between our two countries," the ambassador said. "China and the United States benefit the most from our cooperation. We should avoid the entrapments of rivalry, which only holds both of us back," Cui said. Also on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump exchanged congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations, during which the two top leaders voiced hope to promote cooperative and constructive U.S.-China relations in the coming years. "With the guidance of our presidents, we must seize the hour, seize the day, advancing China-U.S. relations centered on coordination, cooperation and stability," the senior diplomat said. The China-U.S. relationship is like a tower built on the solid foundation of common interests. And this foundation has remained as strong as ever, weathering every storm over the past 40 years, he said. "It is our common historical responsibility to pass a steady China-U.S. relationship full of opportunities on to our future generations," Cui added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 16:52:02|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close GUIYANG, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Guizhou Province has issued a regulation to blacklist companies and individuals who fail to pay migrant workers, local human resource authorities have said. The wage defaulters will be subject to various restrictions and put on a blacklist, according to the regulation released last week by the provincial human resources and social security department. The blacklisted employers will be named online, banned to attend bidding for government purchase and restricted to acquire any land supply from the government. Individuals on the blacklist, if filed by the court, will be prohibited from high-end consumption and non-necessities of life and work, such as purchasing air tickets, first-class train seats or vehicles that are not for business purposes. Migrant workers -- usually low-paid manual laborers -- often have to start chasing unpaid wages ahead of Lunar New Year after a whole year of hard work, because some companies are found reducing or withholding payment, prompting governments at all levels to take measures to help workers get their paychecks more easily. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 16:11:55|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Top nuclear envoys of South Korea and the United States on Wednesday held phone talks over the New Year's speech by Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Seoul's foreign ministry said. Lee Do-hoon, South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, talked over phone with Stephen Biegun, U.S. special representative for DPRK policy, for about 30 minutes. During the phone talks, Lee and Biegun assessed the DPRK leader's New Year address, in which Kim said he would go toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and was ready to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at any time. Lee and Biegun shared information on recent contact between Pyongyang and Washington, according to the Seoul ministry. Based on it, the two nuclear envoys discussed ways to pursue the denuclearized Korean Peninsula and build peace regime, while scheduling the future working-group meeting between Seoul and Washington. The last working-group meeting was held in Seoul last month. The working group was launched in November to regularly communicate on DPRK issues. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 16:06:53|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TOKYO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- In his final New Year's address from the throne on Wednesday, Japan's Emperor Akihito expressed his ongoing hopes for world peace, with a record number of visitors and well-wishes expected to visit the Imperial Palace throughout the day. "I hope this year will be a good year for as many people as possible. At the beginning of the year, I pray for the peace and happiness of the people of our country and the world," Japan's emperor said. Akihito, 85, in a rare nationally-televised address in Aug. 2016, expressed his desire to relinquish his duties as emperor owing to concerns about his age, health and ability to carry out his formal duties. No living emperor in Japan has abdicated the throne in around 200 years. On Dec. 23, to mark his last birthday on the throne, Emperor Akihito said he felt relieved that his reign is coming to an end. He went on to say that during his reign as Japan's honorary monarch, he was also happy that he has not seen his country at war and that it is extremely important to keep educating younger people about Japan's true wartime history. "It gives my deep comfort that the Heisei era is coming to an end, free of war in Japan. It is important not to forget that countless lives were lost in World War II and that the peace and prosperity of postwar Japan was built upon the numerous sacrifices and tireless efforts made by the Japanese people, and to pass on this history accurately to those born after the war," said the emperor. Japan observed the 73rd anniversary of its surrender in World War II on Aug. 15 of 2018, with a number of events held nationwide throughout the day to reflect on the annual occasion and to pray for peace. Emperor Akihito, in his final address on the issue since his ascension in 1989, spoke, as always, with a conciliatory tone and of the remorse he felt for the war and how the ravages of war should never be repeated. "Looking back on the long period of post-war peace, reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse, I earnestly hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated," Akihito, whose duties have taken him to many countries that were brutalized by Japan to try and heal the wounds and pray for the lives lost. "Together with all of our people, I now pay my heartfelt tribute to all those who lost their lives in the war, both on the battlefields and elsewhere, and pray for world peace and for the continuing development of our country," Japan's emperor said. On Dec. 21, Japan's Cabinet approved a record-high 101.46 trillion yen (913 billion U.S. dollars) budget plan for fiscal 2019. The budget comprises expenditures including a total of 14.4 billion yen (130 million U.S. dollars) allocated to activities related to the abdication of Emperor Akihito and the ascension of Crown Prince Naruhito to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1. The expense has been a polarizing topic in society, with some taxpayers averse to having to foot the bill for such a lavish ceremony and peripherals, while others seem happy to keep up with Japan's long-held tradition. On Tuesday, a government source also confirmed that the new "genko," which means "era name" will be signed off by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on April 1. Abe is slated to inform the public on Friday in detail about the arrangement for the era change during a press conference on the matter, sources with knowledge of the mater said. The current era is called "Heisei," which means "achieving peace." The current era began on Jan. 8, 1989 following the death of Emperor Showa, better known as Emperor Hirohito, the father of Emperor Akihito, who will abdicate the Chrysanthemum Throne. While modern Japan tends to use the Gregorian calendar, a new era name is important for Japanese people as it will hold a particular meaning. The new era name will also have to be used on official documents. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 16:41:42|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Staff members serve tax payers at the Fengze Street taxation hall of the Quanzhou tax bureau in Quanzhou City, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 13, 2018. The 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) held the third plenary session in November, 2013. In the five years since then, China's reform momentum had been particularly strong as the CPC decided to advance reform in all aspects during the meeting. Since the third plenary session, Chinese President Xi Jinping has presided over at least 45 high-profile meetings on advancing reforms, during which 400 documents and 1,932 reform plans have been launched. As a result, China's reform has been expanded from the economic field to a broad sphere including administrative management, culture, society, ecological conservation, Party building, and the military. (Xinhua/Song Weiwei) Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 14:01:28|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Residents ride past a billboard on a street in Havana, Cuba, Dec. 29, 2018. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez) HAVANA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cuba ushers in the New Year by commemorating the 60th anniversary of its revolution on Tuesday, as the country updates its economic model and continues on the socialist path. Celebrations took place in Santiago de Cuba, about 900 km east of Havana. The city is considered the cradle of the revolution as it is the place where Fidel Castro began his struggle in 1953. Miguel Diaz-Canel, who was elected president in April 2018, has vowed to continue the revolution carried out by Fidel and Raul while implementing socio-economic reforms. "The Cuban Revolution is invincible, develops and will endure. 2018 has been of hard work for our people who, with courage and nobility, have continued to lead our process," said Diaz-Canel recently in a message posted on Twitter. On this day in 1959 and after three years of guerrilla war, the army led by Fidel Castro took over the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba after it took control of many important provinces in the country, causing dictator Fulgencio Batista to flee. Along with other revolutionaries, Fidel Castro immediately began to change the Cuban society as his socialist movement enjoyed widespread popularity. The government introduced a wide range of progressive social reforms to provide equality for black Cubans and greater rights for women, and to improve communication infrastructure, medical facilities, health, housing, and education. Sixty years later, Cubans are pride of their country's universal healthcare, free education, basic food items and security for all citizens. "Thanks to the revolution, we live in peace," said Luis Palmar, a 48-year-old state worker, adding that Cubans now have free health care and education, and their basic needs are met despite the U.S. economic blockade. The island has been able to partially rebound from the economic crisis in the 1990s. It is opening up to foreign investment, tourism, the private sector and has approved some market-oriented reforms. Over the past two decades Havana has continued to diversify its political and economic relations with the continent and the world, becoming a key diplomatic player in the region. "As any other country, we have good things and bad. But Cuba has shown the world for six decades that it's possible to build a socialist nation with sovereignty and independence," said Mireya Chacon, a 56-year-old state worker. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 13:51:26|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least five Afghan soldiers were killed and six others wounded after Taliban militants attacked an army camp in Maywand district of southern Kandahar province Tuesday night, a local official said Wednesday. "Afghan National Army personnel repelled Taliban militants armed with guns and rocket propelled grenades after the militants stormed the camp outside the district center overnight," a local official told Xinhua anonymously. He said several militants were also killed and wounded during the gun battle, but their number could not be exactly specified as the militants evacuated their casualties after the fighting. Mohammad Yahya, a spokesman of army Corps 205 Attal based in southern region, confirmed the clashes and the casualties of the army, saying further details would be shared with the media later in the day. Security situation has been improving in Kandahar, the former stronghold of Taliban, over the past months, as security forces have conducted search and cordon operations across the province. But militants still attack government interests in the province. The Afghan security forces have suffered increasing casualties since the beginning of 2015 when Afghan soldiers and police assumed full responsibilities of security from U.S. and NATO troops. About 15 Afghan security force members were killed and nearly 40 others wounded during clashes elsewhere in the country in the past three days. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 13:51:26|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- A train float unexpectedly caught fire during the 130th Rose Parade on Tuesday and brought the tournament to a brief halt. Though fire fighters put out the flames in a timely manner, the float named Harmony Through Union exited the parade due to mechanic malfunction. Authorities evacuated everyone riding the float and no one was injured. It is the first time in nearly two decades that a float has to exit the Rose Parade due to a fire, which is the most renown celebration event on New Year's Day in the west coast consisting of flower-covered floats, marching bands, and equestrian units. The stuck float was sponsored by Chinese American Heritage Foundation (CAHF), a non-profit organization in Boston, along with the Chinese community in Southern California, to honor Chinese labors building the U.S. First Transcontinental Railroad. "The presence of Harmony Through Union float is to pay respect to Chinese labors for their contributions in building the First Transcontinental Railroad," Wilson Lee, the founder of CAHF, has told Xinhua earlier. "Though the Chinese accounted for a large of number of railroad workers, they could not be found in history books and pictures," he said, adding that he founded CAHF in order to celebrate the rich history of Chinese Americans' contributions to the American spirit. According to Lee, his ancestors came to the United States in 1865 to work on the railroad. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the completion of the 1,912-mile-long First Transcontinental Railroad. Lee's campaign to raise the public awareness of the contributions made by the early immigrants from China also gained the support from Union Pacific Railroad. Despite Tuesday's unlucky accident, Lee planed to take part in the 2020 Rose Parade again. He said the next float would be designed to honor the Chinese American WWII veterans. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Chinese American World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act on Dec. 20, 2018, which has been signed by President Donald Trump, to recognize the dedicated service of the over 20,000 Chinese American veterans of World War II and collectively award them the Congressional Gold Medal. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 13:26:18|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close CARACAS, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- International sanctions against Venezuela cost the South American country 20 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, President Nicolas Maduro said on Tuesday. In an interview with Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet, released by the Ministry of Popular Power for Communication and Information, Maduro said that "they are colossal, multimillion-dollar losses ...They prevent us from buying products worldwide: food, medicine, inputs." Venezuela's weak economy is suffering from a financial embargo and beyond, Maduro added, "It is a true persecution ... a persecution of bank accounts, of Venezuela's businesses around the world, of trade, of purchases." The president said that Venezuela has the capacity to overcome the obstacles, thanks to the abundant natural resources, and the country's efforts to raise its output of oil, gold, diamonds, coltan, iron and steel. The only way for Venezuela to withstand the political and economic persecution is "by producing riches," said Maduro. The United States has imposed several sanctions on Venezuela, including prohibiting transactions of Venezuela's digital currency and a ban on gold import from the South American country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 12:56:14|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The central bank of Mongolia purchased a total of 22 tons of gold from legal entities and individuals in 2018, up 9.5 percent from the previous year, according to a statement issued on Wednesday. It means that the bank almost reached its goal. The Bank of Mongolia, which bought 20.01 tons of gold in 2017, had set a target to increase its gold purchases by at least 10 percent in 2018. The bank attributed the growth to a five-month campaign called "National Gold to the Fund of Treasures," as well as the establishment of two precious metal testing laboratories respectively in the northern province of Darkhan-Uul and the southwestern province of Bayankhongor. The campaign launched in May encouraged gold miners and individuals to sell gold to banks. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 12:56:14|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least five Afghan soldiers were killed and six others wounded after Taliban militants attacked an army camp in Maywand district of southern Kandahar province Tuesday night, a local official said Wednesday. The photo shows Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (R) receives an interview with Xinhua in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Oct. 11, 2016. (Xinhua/Lin Hao) DHAKA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 300 newly elected members of Bangladesh's parliament will take oath on Jan. 3, a government official said on Tuesday. The Election Commission will publish the final results of Sunday's general elections within a day or two in a government gazette before the swearing-in of the newly-elected members of the parliament, said Bangladeshi Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, also president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, an ally of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ruling Grand Alliance. Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League gained a stunning majority in the elections, winning 259 out 298 parliament seats, followed by its key ally, former President HM Ershad's Jatiya Party with 20 seats in the election marred by violence which left at least 17 people dead. Ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party said five of its leaders who were elected in the 11th parliamentary polls will not take oath as the major opposition party has rejected the results, alleging various irregularities. Meanwhile, Hasina's ruling Bangladesh Awami League will form its new cabinet before Jan. 10, according to the party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader. Quader, also the country's road transport and bridges minister, told journalists on Tuesday that preparations were underway to form the new government with Hasina as the prime minister. Her second straight five-year term of the longest serving Bangladeshi prime minister will end this month. Hasina is set to serve a record fourth term in office. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 12:31:09|Editor: zh Video Player Close CANBERRA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Australians are the top targets of international investment scams based in the Philippines, a report has warned. Ken Gamble, executive chairman of Internet Fraud Watchdog (IFW) Global, has conducted an investigation into the investment scams, finding that they have been set up by 150 Australians, Canadians, Americans and Britons using the Philippines as a base. The scams, which start with a cold call, involve companies claiming to be real reputable financial advisory firms seeking investment in discounted shares. Gamble said the scale of the problem was being underestimated by Australian authorities because of victims' reluctance to report the crimes. "Thousands of Australians are being called and a lot of them are converted into clients," he told News Corp Australia on Wednesday. "There would be hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars of unreported fraud," Gamble added. In one case, he said they were targeting just Aussies and they completely Australianized the scam. "Your average, honest everyday Aussie is falling for it. They're getting these high-pressure cold calls that say, 'You can invest your money. This is much better interest than the banks'." According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Australians lost 340 million Australian dollars to scams in 2017, up 13 percent from 2016. Gamble said the figure would continue to rise now that international scammers had "come to the realisation that Aussie cops are never going to go after them." "Australia is the No. 1 target country. They've got call centers ringing people all over Australia on a daily basis." Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 12:06:03|Editor: zh Video Player Close SYDNEY, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Despite being known as Australia's crankiest crocodile, the five-meter saltwater giant Elvis had a very happy 53rd birthday on Wednesday, celebrating the occasion with an epic feast. "We gave Elvis the best possible treat ever -- which for crocs is a quarter of a cow!" head of reptiles at the Australian Reptile Park Daniel Rumsey said. "As superior hunters, this type of food provides excellent enrichment for him," Rumsey added. "He thinks that he just grabbed a large prey item, dragged it in the water and drowned it then ripped off a piece." "Once Elvis grabbed the carcass there was no letting go!" With visitors to the zoo looking on in awe of the half-ton beast's power, Elvis performed the crocodile's signature move, the death roll, to rip apart the meat before handlers scurried out of the enclosure. Known for his temper, Elvis garnered world attention back in 2011 after he tried to eat a zookeeper's lawnmower. Native to Australia's northern states, saltwater crocodiles were considered endangered and at the brink of extinction, but thanks to Australian conservation efforts and facilities like the Australian Reptile Park, population numbers have made a full recovery. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 11:51:01|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- David Skorton, head of the U.S. Smithsonian Institution, said he remains optimistic about the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States in the future. The secretary and chief of the prestigious U.S. cultural and research institution made the remarks in a recent interview with Xinhua at the headquarters of the Smithsonian Institution, which is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. COOPERATION WITH CHINA The institution's work with China dates back to 1972 when two giant pandas came to the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC. But even before that, scientists from the institution's National Zoo and the National Museum of Natural History had begun carrying out scientific research in China. A prominent part of the Smithsonian's cooperation with China lies in the fields of anthropology, archeology and cultural history, Skorton said. "These are areas that we're very strong at, so these are areas that we tend to focus on, because China is such an ancient civilization and affected so much thinking around the world to this day, we think that interacting about those cultural matters is very, very important," he said. "I believe that our partners in China also find it very useful to work with our scientists," he added. "China is a place of great, great interest for us and many partnerships." "What I can tell you is this, our Smithsonian continues to be very active in China," he said. "You'll be very impressed about how many things that we have been doing and are doing right now and there are more things being planned." PANDAS TIES Soon after then U.S. President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972, Beijing sent the U.S. National Zoo, which is under the Smithsonian, two pandas as gifts. Currently, the two sides have been working together on the research of panda's landscapes and wildlife interactions, conservation, and comparative medicine and disease susceptibility. Three other zoos in the United States currently have pandas on loan from China, namely in San Diego, Atlanta, and Memphis, but the National Zoo's panda program is the oldest. Skorton was exhilarated about the pandas living in the Zoo. "The pandas are an area of great public interest throughout the United States," he said. "But especially in Washington ... every time something happens, like a panda becomes pregnant or a panda gives birth, it's the biggest news in Washington." "Everybody is very happy. But in addition to the jocular happy aspect of that, the pandas also act as a bridge between our cultures," he added. "Because our veterinarians and scientists are working on an endangered species and we've had relationship for years and years with Chinese counterparts and formed a fabulous scientific collaboration," he said. "That's what makes it work, the people-to-people exchange," he said. CULTURAL BONDS The years after China's reform and opening up of the late 1970s have seen frequent and wide-ranging cooperation between the Smithsonian and its Chinese counterparts. "I have many good friends in China, some are in the higher education community, some in the science community. And I've had the honor of visiting the Chinese Academy of Sciences and many other aspects of the cultural scene in China," he said. "Very admirable work going on and very good advancements throughout the world of knowledge in science, in art and in the humanities," he added. Skorton noted that "we continue to be very interested in working with Chinese colleagues and in doing studies together where we can do partnerships together." "Cultural institutions continue to want to work together. I continue to think about my colleagues and friends in China as colleagues and friends. I believe they feel the same way toward me and toward the Smithsonian Institution," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 11:15:57|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents shoot tear gas Tuesday to deter about 150 migrants attempting to breach the U.S.-Mexico border fence into California. The local NBC 7 news channel reported that roughly 150 migrants who attempted to climb over or crawl under the U.S.-Mexico border fence into California clashed with CBP agents early New Year's Day shortly after a group of 45 migrants were discovered by the agents. The migrants threw rocks over the fence at CBP officers while the latter fought back with smoke, pepper spray and tear gas, the report said. However, a volunteer group based in San Diego, a Southern California city along the border, told Xinhua that rubber bullets were used by CBP agents in the clash. These migrants were "attacked by gas and rubber bullets," said Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels, adding that "rock throwing is not endorsed" by his non-profit organization which advocates human rights, humane immigration reform and social justice. The San Diego City News Service cited CBP officials' words as reporting that the tear gas was fired because some migrants on the Mexican side threw rock at agents to prevent them from helping children, who were being passed over the concertina wire. "No agents witnessed any of the migrants at the fence line, including children, experiencing effects of the chemical agents, which were targeted at the rock throwers further away," CBP said. Reports said several teenagers were put over the fence's barbed wire in heavy jackets and blankets and 25 migrants, including two teenagers, were detained. Morones said he felt outraged after a similar violent incident happened again. "Last month two children died in border patrol custody, last month they fired tear gas at women and children and several were injured. Last night they did it again," he told Xinhua. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 11:10:55|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday spoke by phone with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, discussing bilateral ties and regional stability. The two leaders pledged to strengthen ties, particularly in terms of countering terrorism and regional stability, according to a readout provided by a senior Trump administration official. They also discussed efforts to advance religious freedom in Egypt, added the official, who was on the condition of anonymity. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 11:00:52|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close MOSCOW, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed after a minibus burst into flames in Russia's Magnitogorsk, local news reported Wednesday. The accident took place on Tuesday night not far from a residential block that withnesses a building collapse on Monday. The collapse has left at least nine people dead and 30 more missing. "At the crossing of Karl Marx Street and Pravda Street in Magnitogorsk, a Gazel car with three people (all adults) inside had caught fire ... There were two gas cylinders in the car," Sputnik news agency quoted a statement released by the press service of the Chelyaabinsk Region's governor. Local interior department said the cause of the fire was the malfunction of the gas equipment. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 10:55:50|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Raul Castro, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba delivers a speech at a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of Cuba's revolution victory at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery in Santiago De Cuba, Cuba, Jan. 1, 2019. Raul Castro on Tuesday reiterated the willingness of his nation to coexist in peace with the United States despite their political differences. "We have the willingness to coexist in a civilized, peaceful, respectful and mutually beneficial way with the United States," Castro said here in a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of Cuba's revolution. "Cuba is ready to meet the confrontation with the U.S., which we do not wish, and we expect that the balanced minds in the U.S. government will put a stop to it," Castro said. (Xinhua/Stringer) SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua)-- Raul Castro, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, on Tuesday reiterated the willingness of his nation to coexist in peace with the United States despite their political differences. "We have the willingness to coexist in a civilized, peaceful, respectful and mutually beneficial way with the United States," Castro said here in a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of Cuba's revolution victory. Castro recalled the economic blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba in 1962, which caused 4,321 billion U.S. dollars in losses to the country. The Cuban leader said that some elite groups in Washington have bet on imposing more sanctions against Havana while presenting the country as the "source of all evil in the region." "Cuba is ready to meet the confrontation with the U.S., which we do not wish, and we expect that the balanced minds in the U.S. government will put a stop to it," Castro said. The ceremony was held at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, the resting place of several Cuban historic figures, including Fidel Castro, the founding father of the Cuban revolution, who died in 2016 at the age of 90. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 10:55:49|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder, and will definitely end with national rejuvenation, President Xi Jinping said Wednesday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when delivering a speech at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. The Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should make joint efforts to seek national reunification, Xi said. The future of Taiwan lies in national reunification and the wellbeing of Taiwan compatriots is linked to national rejuvenation, Xi said. "Peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is the correct road to maintaining cross-Strait peace, promoting cross-Strait common development, and benefiting compatriots on both sides of the Strait." Peaceful development of cross-Strait relations should be pushed forward, maintained and shared by compatriots on both sides of the Strait, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 10:50:46|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- The mayor of a small town in Mexico's southern state of Oaxaca was gunned down less than two hours after taking office, local prosecutors said Tuesday. Alejandro Aparicio, mayor of Tlaxiaco, and at least five other officials were attacked while touring the town. Aparicio, a member of Mexico's ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena), later died from his wounds. The others are receiving treatment, and one is in serious condition. "I vigorously condemn the attack against the mayor of Tlaxiaco. I have requested an exhaustive investigation by the prosecutor general and he informs me that he has already arrested the probable murderer," said the Governor of Oaxaca Alejandro Murat via Twitter. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 10:50:45|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping highlighted the breakthrough progress made in the cross-Strait relations since 1949, at a gathering on Wednesday to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Chinese mainland's Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. Over the 70 years, estrangement between the mainland and Taiwan was ended in line with the common will of compatriots across the Strait, and Taiwan compatriots have made great contributions to the reform and opening-up in the mainland, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. During the seven decades, the mainland and Taiwan reached the 1992 Consensus based on the one-China principle, and the political exchanges across the Strait have reached new heights, Xi said. Over the 70 years, the basic principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" were established, and the basic policy of upholding "one country, two systems" and advancing the national reunification was laid out, according to Xi. He continued that more and more countries and peoples have understood and supported the cause of the reunification of China over the 70 years. Furthermore, over the 70 years, a series of major victories in the battles against "Taiwan independence" and separatists have been achieved, Xi said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 10:50:44|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday stressed that achieving the country's greatness, national rejuvenation and cross-Strait reunification is the trend of history, which can never be blocked by anyone or any force. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. The historical and legal facts, that Taiwan is part of China and the two sides across Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China, can never be altered by anyone or any force, said Xi. The fact that compatriots across the Strait are all Chinese who share natural kinship and national identity can never be changed by anyone or any force, Xi added. The peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait situations and the progress of cross-Strait relations are the tide of the time that can never be stopped by anyone or any force, said Xi. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 10:45:42|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Since 1949, the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese government and the Chinese people have always unwaveringly taken resolving the Taiwan question to realize China's complete reunification as a historic task, President Xi Jinping said. Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks Wednesday at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 10:05:36|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- World leaders reviewed the year of 2018 and looked ahead to the coming 2019 in their New Year's speeches, expecting brighter prospects for their countries as well as the international community. PUTIN: TIES WITH CHINA, U.S. In his New Year greeting message, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the "comprehensive trust-based partnership" between Russia and China, saying that effective joint work of the two sides will continue in the coming year. Putin also underlined that Russia-U.S. relations are of great importance for global security and stability, reaffirming Russia's readiness to resume dialogue with the United States. KIM JONG UN: DENUCLEARIZATION IN PENINSULA The top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong Un stressed his determination to establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and seek "complete denuclearization" only if the United States takes corresponding measures. "I am always ready to sit down again with the U.S. president at any time and will make efforts to produce an outcome that the international community would welcome," Kim said in his New Year speech. MERKEL: "GLOBAL SOLUTIONS" AT UN German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed in her New Year speech that Germany wanted to take on more responsibilities and solve problems of climate change, the regulation of migration and fight against terrorism as the country will occupy a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in the coming two years. As for Brexit, Merkel emphasized that Germany "want to maintain a close partnership with Britain" despite its withdrawal from the European Union. MAY: BRITAIN CAN TURN A CORNER IN 2019 British Prime Minister Theresa May appealed to the House of Commons to vote for her Brexit deal in her New Year video message as she failed to reach any consensus with EU leaders during negotiations in the Christmas period. The prime minister said that the country can "start a new chapter with optimism and hope" and British people should "put our differences aside and move forward together." MACRON: TRUTH, DIGNITY, HOPE French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed wishes for truth, dignity and hope for 2019 to French people in his traditional end-of-year address. Macron expressed wishes for "listening, dialogue, humility." He also underlined that it will be necessary to be more responsive to ensure the rights of everyone in society. The president finally expressed his wishes for hope, especially with the action launched by the government for "our schools, our universities, for learning and work-study programs." ABE: TIES WITH CHINA, DOMESTIC CHALLENGES Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in his New Year speech that Japan will usher in a new era in its ties with China in the new year. The prime minister also promised to deal with Japan's low birthrate and aging population, with a free public pre-school education program set to take effect in October for all children aged between three and five. LOPEZ OBRADOR: A NATIONAL REBIRTH In his New Year's Eve message, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador promised "to root out" corruption and bring about a national "rebirth." "With a good government, which is what was missing, we are going to accomplish the rebirth of our country. There is going to be progress with justice," said Lopez Obrador, calling on Mexicans to welcome 2019 "with optimism." (Xinhua reporters Liao Bingqing in Moscow, Jiang Yaping in Pyongyang, Ye Shan, Jiang Qiaomei and Wang Kejia in Tokyo also contributed to the story.) Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 09:35:30|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close JAKARTA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian disaster authorities have raised the death toll from landslides hitting Indonesia's West Java province on Monday to 15, with 20 other people still missing, a government official said. Three villagers were injured when the natural disaster devastated Sinaresmi village of Sukabumi district, spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said late Tuesday night. Rescuers were trying to recover the victims which are believed to be buried by soil and rocks along with 30 houses in the village, he said. However, the spokesman said, rescuers faced the threat of another landslides during their relief mission. "Four other small scale landslides occurred. The loose soil texture and unstable earth conditions have endangered the rescuers particularly when rains fall," Sutopo told Xinhua. One of the two heavy machinery equipment has arrived at the scene to help the search and rescue mission, he added. A total of 63 villagers survived the landslides and were taking shelters in safer places, according to the spokesman. Heavy downpours were blamed for the deadly disaster striking at 17:00 p.m. Jakarta time Monday. Indonesia is frequently stricken by landslides and flash floods during the rain season. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 07:50:14|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Army captain-turned-politician Jair Bolsonaro took office as Brazil's 38th president on Tuesday, promising to "restore order" and reduce the state's role in economy. The new president was sworn in at a ceremony in Brasilia amid the highest security ever for a presidential inauguration in the largest and most populous nation in Latin America. Bolsonaro was stabbed and severely injured during the campaign, undergoing surgery, with more surgical intervention planned. Since then, security around him has been significantly increased. Anti-aircraft laser-guided missiles were mobilized and thousands of officers were involved in the security effort. The inauguration crowd, which the government estimated to number some 115,000 people, was not allowed to get too close to the presidential palace. Protocol calls for the Brazilian president to make two speeches, one in Congress and one to the people. In his speech to lawmakers, Bolsonaro said he was determined to fight corruption, crime and "ideological submission." "I want to take this opportunity to call on each congress member to help me in the mission to restore and rebuild our nation, freeing it from corruption, crime ... and ideological submission," he said. "The government will not spend more than it takes in," he added. In his speech to the general public, he highlighted his concerns about crime, for which he received applause. Bolsonaro has always taken a pro-gun stance and said last week that he will relax gun laws to allow anyone without a police record to own a gun. "Our concern is the safety of good citizens, and the guarantee of property and self-defense. Our commitment is to value and support the work of all security forces," he said. First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro also addressed the people, delivering her speech in sign language. The first lady, who is involved in a campaign to promote the inclusion of people with hearing disabilities, said deaf people will not be forgotten by her husband's administration. Several foreign leaders attended the presidential inauguration ceremony, including Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the presidents of Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and Honduras. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 07:43:04|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Tourists view black-headed gulls at Haigeng dam in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 1, 2019. Migratory black-headed gulls became an attraction for tourists during the New Year holiday. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 01:49:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- An estimated 395,072 babies will be born around the world on New Year's Day 2019, with a quarter in South Asia alone, read a statement Tuesday by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). "As the clock strikes midnight, Sydney will greet an estimated 168 babies, followed by 310 in Tokyo, 605 in Beijing, 166 in Madrid and finally, 317 in New York," said UNICEF, adding that Fiji in the Pacific will most likely deliver 2019's first baby. India, with an addition of nearly 70,000 babies, tops the list of countries with the most births on the New Year's Day, followed by China (nearly 45,000) and Nigeria (about 25,000). The United States will see around 11,000 births. Over the past three decades, the world has seen "remarkable progress" in child survival, cutting the number of children worldwide who die before their fifth birthday by more than half, according to the statement. "But there has been slower progress for newborns. Babies dying in the first month account for 47 percent of all deaths among children under five," said UNICEF, adding that around 1 million babies died the day they were born in 2017, and 2.5 million in just their first month of life. Among those children, most died from preventable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections like sepsis and pneumonia, said UNICEF. UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Charlotte Petri Gornitzka urged the international community to invest in training and equipping local health workers in order to boost the survival rate of newborn. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 00:54:18|Editor: yan Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- A training center of local security forces was attacked by militants in southwestern Pakistan's Balochistan province, leaving at least eight people including four security personnel and four militants killed, the Pakistan Army said in a statement on Tuesday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said that the militants attempted to enter a residential area of paramilitary troops Frontier Corps' training center in Loralai area in the province and were stopped at the main gate by security forces with exchanges of firings. "The valiant and timely action of security forces denied entry of terrorists into residential area which would have resulted in more number of casualties," said the ISPR. During the firing, three militants were gunned down by the security forces. Another militant blew himself up when he was cornered by the troops during a clearance operation. Two soldiers were also injured in the attack and were shifted to hospital. No group or individual has claimed the attack yet. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-02 00:39:17|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed after a boat capsized Monday night in Tana Lake in Ethiopia's northern Amhara regional state, state media reported on Tuesday. It was not clear how many people were aboard the boat, which also carried goods, Amhara Mass Media Agency (AMMA) said. Police blamed overloading for the tragedy, AMMA said. Rescue crew are searching for possible survivors and retrieving drown victims on Ethiopia's largest lake, police said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-01 20:23:20|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Students experience grinding Chinese herbal medicine at Neiqiu hospital of traditional Chinese medicine in Neiqiu County, north China's Hebei Province, Oct. 21, 2018. China's primary and middle schools have been urged to improve education for all-around student development, according to a directive issued by authorities. Jointly issued by the Ministry of Education and other eight agencies, the circular asked schools to offer courses that are in accord with the national syllabus in terms of their quantity and quality. The enhancement of courses' difficulty levels and speed at random and in disregard of the curriculum is prohibited, according to the circular. Primary and junior middle schools are not allowed to set up any "key class" or classes that consist mainly of students selected for their high academic scores or excellent performance, which usually receive better faculty, equipment or more funds than other classes, it added. Primary schools are also warned not to organize any examinations where the students' results would largely decide what middle schools they can be admitted to. The circular also said first and second graders in primary schools should not be given any written homework, and regarding the daily homework load for third to sixth graders, it should not take more than 60 minutes to finish, and for junior middle school students, not more than 90 minutes.(Xinhua/Mu Yu) BEIJING, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's primary and middle schools have been urged to improve education for all-around student development, according to a directive issued by authorities. Jointly issued by the Ministry of Education and other eight agencies, the circular asked schools to offer courses that are in accord with the national syllabus in terms of their quantity and quality. The enhancement of courses' difficulty levels and speed at random and in disregard of the curriculum is prohibited, according to the circular. Primary and junior middle schools are not allowed to set up any "key class" or classes that consist mainly of students selected for their high academic scores or excellent performance, which usually receive better faculty, equipment or more funds than other classes, it added. Primary schools are also warned not to organize any examinations where the students' results would largely decide what middle schools they can be admitted to. The circular also said first and second graders in primary schools should not be given any written homework, and regarding the daily homework load for third to sixth graders, it should not take more than 60 minutes to finish, and for junior middle school students, not more than 90 minutes. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - January is Move Over Awareness month and in Florida moving over when you see stopped emergency cars is the law. Officer Damon Miller with the Tallahassee Police Department spoke with WTXL about the details of the law. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission is moving ahead with their recommendations aimed at protecting students here in Florida. WTXL's Jada Williams was live Wednesday morning with a breakdown of the findings that will be presented before state officials Wednesday. The commission is presenting their work to keep students safe to Florida Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission was created to make recommendations after the February 14 mass shooting at the school. In December the commission met to analyze a findings report and make recommendations for school safety. The draft report says there were numerous lapses in security ahead of the mass shooting in Parkland that killed 17 people. These include unlocked doors and entrances at the school, along with sheriff's deputies who failed to quickly confront the attacker. The report suggests various ways to strengthen safety in Florida schools, including limiting entry and exit points, restricting visitors on campus during school hours, and keeping classroom doors locked. The meeting starts at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The alleged school shooter, Nikolas Cruz, is awaiting trial and could face the death penalty if convicted in the case. VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) - A man has been arrested after police say he brought in the new year by breaking into eight different cars. The Valdosta Police Department was called to the 2100 block of White Oak Drive on New Year's Eve. The caller told them that around 10:45 p.m., he was walking his pet in the area when he noticed several pieces of property laying in the front yard of a home. The caller also saw a nearby car with the door left open, so he called police thinking that the items in the yard were recently stolen from the car. When police officers responded to the area, they searched the area and eventually found a man that matched the description the caller gave them. Police say an investigation revealed the the man, identified as 32-year-old Jeremy Rhodes, had broken into multiple vehicles and stole items from them. In total, police connected Rhodes to eight different car break-ins in the area. Rhodes was taken into custody and transported to the Lowndes County Jail for eight felony counts of theft by entering auto. VPD says more charges may be forthcoming they continue to investigate similar cases in the surrounding area. (WTXL) - You could be paying more for your next online order in Georgia. A new law that took effect Tuesday adds the state sales tax to online orders. Zach Logan gives us a look at how the new tax will help the state with lost revenue. Lawmakers say it's about creating fair competition. Why would customers buy a product in store when they can buy the same exact item in front of their computer and avoid the sales tax? Those with the state say they've been waiting several years to make this change. Take a look at the new internet sales tax for purchases made in Georgia. The law states online retailers that bring in at least $250,000 in sales or complete 200 individual sales transactions must collect a state sales tax. Or they must send out tax due notices to their customers who have spent more than 500 dollars on their websites. The state says with online shopping becoming so popular, state and local governments are missing out on much needed revenue generated by the sales tax. By creating this new law, the state expects to see an additional $500 million to $600 million a year. "The tax revenue goes into the general fund. It will generate a whole lot locally. People forget that the fifth sales tax penny reduces property taxes. If that gets eaten into because people aren't paying the sales tax, then there's no other way to get it then through property tax." In order to keep the competition fair in other fields, lawmakers say they're also considering implementing taxes on ride share services and temporary vacation rentals. Now don't get too comfortable with this new tax. Like any new law, lawmakers are expected to make some changes to it during this upcoming legislative session which begins on January 14. COOK COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL) - A man has been arrested after a local sheriff's office employee was found dead on New Year's Eve. On New Year's Eve, the GBIs Douglas Regional Office received a request from the Adel Police Department to assist with a missing person investigation. Around 9:30 a.m. that day, the Adel Police Department had gotten a 911 report from a family member that Kimberly Williams, 45, of Adel was missing from her home. After a search, Kimberly's body was found near Lavind Street in Adel. Officials say her body will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy. Kimberly's husband, 40-year-old Anthony Jerome Williams, was arrested in connection with her death. He has been charged with one count of malice murder, one count of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault FVA, and one count of concealing a death. Williams was transported to the Cook County Jail. The GBI is still investigating Kimberly's death. "Mrs. Kimberly Williams was an employee at the Cook County Sheriffs Office," the Adel Police Department wrote on Facebook. "Sheriff Doug Hanks and all the members of the Cook County Sheriffs office as well as all local law enforcement officers and the public mourn the loss of Mrs. Kimberly Williams." TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A new bill that would make it illegal for local governments to tear down public monuments, including those honoring Confederate soldiers, is making its way through the Florida Senate. House Bill 97, titled the Soldiers and Heroes Monuments and Memorials Protection Act, was filed by Republican State Rep. Mike Hill of Pensacola for the upcoming 2019 legislative season. It was filed on Dec. 12 and is being co-introduced by Anthony Sabatini, another Republican state representative. The bill would protect all monuments honoring U.S. soldiers, military organizations, armed conflicts, and law enforcement officers built on public property on or after March 22, 1822. In an interview with Miami New Times, Hill said that the bill goes beyond just Confederate monuments, saying the remembrances have educational value. "It will not change any person's life today by tearing down a Confederate monument or tearing down a statue or tearing down a cross," Hill told the Miami New Times. "It will not change any person's life by doing that. What it will do is prevent someone from learning the history of why it was there in the first place." He told Fox and Friends that the bill also protects first responders and astronauts, saying that left-wing politics seek to "divide and destroy" the nation by deleting history. Under the bill, the memorial in question can only be altered "to accommodate construction, repair, or improvements to the remembrance." If the remembrance is moved, it most be moved to a location of "equal prominence as the original location." If the bill is passed, it would make it a third degree felony to damage or deface a memorial. The bill would also protect road names, historical flags, schools, parks and other things designated as military memorials. According to Miami New Times, Hill, who's also an Air Force veteran, is the first African-American representative elected from the Florida Panhandle since the Civil War. To read the full bill, click here. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Financial expert Ruthellen Caldwell joined Second Cup on Wednesday to tell us how to keep our wallets in good shape in 2019. Caldwell, who works at First Florida Credit Union, spoke with WTXL ABC 27 Sunrise Anchor Christine Souders. When people think of New Year's Resolutions, they often think of their physical health such as going to the gym more and eating better. But it is also crucial to consider your financial health. The new year is an excellent time to reflect on your finances and create actionable goals that are tailored to your situation. Caldwell stressed that point on Wednesday. Vicious and sustained attack after being asked for a chip while walking home from night out This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 2nd, 2019 North Wales Police are appealing for information following a serious assault in Wrexham that occurred in the early hours of New Years Eve. As we reported on Monday, the serious assault took place on Sunday 30th December. Police today have given further detail saying Jade Daniels spent the evening socialising in Wrexham town. At the time, Jade who is 4ft 11ins tall, of slight build with dark hair, was wearing a green Calvin Klein T shirt, white ripped jeans and black flat ankle boots. At some time before 1:30am on the morning of 31st December Jade made her way to Abbot Street and entered a fast food takeaway before walking towards home along Charles Street and Holt Road. While on Holt Road, near the intersection with Montgomery Road, a man, who Jade describes as white with dark hair and a dark beard, approached her and asked her for a chip. A female, believed to be in his company and described as having long dark hair, then hit him before attacking Jade and causing serious injuries, particularly to her face. At this time there appears to be no motive for this womans actions, but both the woman and the man may have been in Jades company for some minutes before the attack took place. Following the assault Jade made her way home on foot before seeking medical attention later in the morning. Officers were notified of the incident in the early afternoon and a team of detectives immediately assigned to the investigation. DCI Gary Kelly said; This kind of attack on a lone female late at night is thankfully a rare occurrence in Wrexham and it is one that we take very seriously. We are working with Jade and her family to do all that we can to identify the exact circumstances and those responsible. I am appealing for anyone who may have seen Jade in the company of a couple from 1.am on New Years Eve in the vicinity of Brook Street, Charles Street and Holt Road to contact my team. This was a vicious and sustained attack on an innocent and vulnerable young woman. Those responsible must be identified and I would urge any motorists and taxi drivers who were in the Holt Road area at the time and who may have dash cam footage, to make contact with us. I would also ask anyone with information not to bother Jade or her family at this difficult time, but to contact Detective Sergeant Andrew Hughes at Wrexham CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting reference W185648. Part of farm where council evicted tenant could be used for log processing business This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jan 2nd, 2019 Part of a former tenant farm on the outskirts of Wrexham could be used to house a log processing business. In 2016, Wrexham Council took a farmer to court in order to evict him from Woodlands Farm in Bronington. Paul Martin said he was left devastated after being asked to leave his home of more than a decade. The authority has previously discussed the possibility of using the land for a solar energy project. However, an application has now been entered to convert a Dutch barn on the site into a premises to create firewood. Plans to extend the building have been backed for approval by planning officers in Wrexham. In a report, Lawrence Isted, head of environment and planning said: The land was formerly a tenanted council farm but was allowed to deteriorate such that the buildings, farmhouse and yards are in an advanced state of disrepair. The applicants are proposing to use part of the existing farm premises as a firewood processing business with a modest extension to the Dutch barn. The owners will live in the existing farmhouse and relocate the log processing business to Woodlands Farm. The business consists of purchasing locally sourced sustainable timber and using an electric processor to cut and split imported timber into logs ready for the wood stove market. The business would mainly employ the couple behind the application, who are named as Mr and Mrs Roberts, and their son. The planning document states that they would occasionally take on two more staff members on a freelance basis The new building will be used for log storage ready for distribution. The proposals have been backed for approval despite objections from five neighbouring residents. Their concerns include the potential impact of noise and extra traffic generated by the property. In response, Mr Isted said: Whilst I appreciate concerns raised by residents living in the area, the design and access statement indicates that overall vehicle movements at the site will be less than that previously experienced by the existing farm. It is stated that the dairy farm had daily milk tanker collections, feed lorries and daily on-site tractor movements. With regard to the current proposal it is stated that raw timber to the site will normally be by a 26-ton lorry, averaging six deliveries per month. The councils public protection department have requested a planning condition to ensure noise generated by the proposal does not exceed the pre-existing background level by more than five A-weighted decibels at any time. The plans will be discussed by members of Wrexham Councils planning committee on Monday 7 January. By Liam Randall BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme). President Xi Jinping on Wednesday stressed that achieving the country's greatness, national rejuvenation and cross-Strait reunification is the trend of history, which can never be blocked by anyone or any force. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. The historical and legal facts, that Taiwan is part of China and the two sides across Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China, can never be altered by anyone or any force, said Xi. The fact that compatriots across the Strait are all Chinese who share natural kinship and national identity can never be changed by anyone or any force, Xi added. The peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait situations and the progress of cross-Strait relations are the tide of the time that can never be stopped by anyone or any force, said Xi. (Source: Xinhua) FILE - In this May 1, 2018, file photo, Rev. Franklin Graham speaks during an interview about his latest book in New York. Facebook has apologized for temporarily banning North Carolina evangelist Franklin Graham from its platform over a 2016 post about the states bathroom bill. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File) PHOTO:AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File Facebook Apologizes for Banning Franklin Graham By The Associated Press ASHEVILLE - Facebook has apologized for temporarily banning North Carolina evangelist Franklin Graham from its platform over a 2016 post about the state's "bathroom bill." The Asheville Citizen Times reports Facebook apologized to Graham on Sunday. Graham, the son of the late Rev. Billy Graham, said last week that platform banned him for 24 hours in December, saying the post violated community hate speech standards. Graham said the post focused on the now-repealed House Bill 2, which required transgender people to often use restrooms matching their birth certificates. Graham said his post was about Bruce Springsteen canceling a concert over the bill and "backward progress." Graham said in the post that "a nation embracing sin and bowing at the feet of godless secularism and political correctness is not progress." ___ Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, http://www.citizen-times.com Section of Caldwell County Road Closed Thursday By West Kentucky Star Staff CALDWELL COUNTY - A crew plans to close a section of KY 276/Blackhawk Road in Caldwell County on Thursday.The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says the road will be closed just east of the KY 139 intersection, in the southern tip of Caldwell County to allow a cross drain to be replaced.The roadway is expected to close at around 8 a.m., and is expected to reopen to traffic by 3 p.m. There will be no marked detour. Domestic Call Leads to Arrest of Couple By West Kentucky Star Staff HICKMAN - Two people were arrested Friday in Fulton County after a reported domestic disturbance.According to the Fulton County Sheriff's Department, a deputy responded to the call in the lower bottoms near Hickman. His investigation at the scene determined that the disturbance began over drug activity, and he was given permission to search the home.Deputies say 8.36 ounces of marijuana was found along with 13.4 ounces of marijuana butter.The people at the home, 36-year-old Michael Warren and 38-year-old Amanda Warren, were arrested for assault 4th degree (domestic violence) and trafficking in marijuana between 8 ounces and 5 pounds. Police Seek Help to Identify SUV Used in Thefts By West Kentucky Star Staff MCCRACKEN COUNTY - The McCracken County Sheriffs Department is asking for the publics assistance in locating and identifying a vehicle that was used in a theft of items, which included a handgun.On Friday, December 28th just before 7:00 am, the vehicle, which appears to be a light colored, late model Ford Explorer, was spotted on Gunner Drive. The vehicle stopped and two individuals got out. The suspects went through several neighborhood vehicles and took contents. Of the items taken, a Ruger pistol was included. Both suspects were wearing hooded sweatshirts with the hoods up at the time of the theft.The vehicle was last observed on Highway 286, traveling west toward Ballard County.Sheriffs detectives are currently looking at video surveillance from the neighborhood, trying to identify the vehicle.If anyone has any information on this vehicle, or the occupants, please contact the McCracken County Sheriffs Department, or your local law enforcement agency. The McCracken County Sheriffs Department can be reached at 270-444-4719. The Arab League will hold its Economic Summit on 19 and 20 2019 in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. This could be the occasion for the Syrian Arab Republic to be readmitted to the Arab League. Syria had been excluded from the Arab League because it violated its by-laws in November 2011. However, Damascus has indicated that it was for the Organization to rule on whether Syria should be readmitted and not for Syria to plead for its reintegration. Lively debates took place within the League to rule on how Syria could be admitted again and if President Bashar al-Assad could participate in the Summit. Thereafter, the Organizations officials have the order to refrain from mentioning the exclusion of Damascus and its replacement by a phantom pro-US government in exile but to refer to the whole matter as its suspension. Andolu, the official Turkish press agency, has published a map that reveals the military bases of the French troops in Syria. From the beginning of the 2005 Anglo Saxon operation against Syria, in particular from the beginning of the military operations against the Syrian Arab Republic in 2011, France has been hoping to re-establish a mandate over its former colony. This plan had been clearly articulated by President Francois Hollande during a trip to the United Nations Headquarters in New York. According to the map above, published by the Turkish agency on 28 December 2018, France has nine secret military bases in Syria. One of these is in the governorate of Aleppo, in north Manbij. Now, the pro-US Kurds have just appealed to Damascus to fight on their side against the Turkish army. Currently the Syrian troops are taking control of the region, fighting on the side of the pro-US Kurds. Very soon, the French soldiers are going to be encircled by their former allies. From 2014 2016, the city of Manbij, in the governorate of Aleppo, has been occupied by Daesh. It has been freed by pro-US Kurds supported by the International Coalition. In June 2018, the US entrusted the management of the city to the Military Council of Manbij and organized common patrols there with Turkey. Although they are seeking libertarian communalism of the US anarchist Murray Bookchin, the authorities of Manbij have implemented a policy of the forced Kurdization of the city. Even though the population was initially only a quarter Kurd, teaching in Arabic was prohibited. The Arabs, the Assyrians and the Tcherkess were largely discriminated against and looted. Following the announcement that US Troops would be pulled out of Syria, Turkey planned a military operation against pro-US Kurds. The latter had first appealed to France to help them but as they had not obtained from France the help they requested, they appealed to Damascus. The pro-US Kurds had asked for Syrian troops to be deployed first at Manbij, then throughout the North East of Syria, above the Euphrates. However the Turkmen have expressed their desire to be set free from the dictatorship of the pro-US Kurds, not by Syria but by Turkey. On 28 December 2018, the Syrian Arab Army entered Manbij and hoisted the flag of the Syrian Arab Republic. On Christmas Day, Tsahal has managed to strike a land target in Damascus. And how? By using two passenger planes flying over Lebanon as shields for their bombings. Both the Syrian and the Russian etats majors confirmed this at the same time. Syria would not have been able to strike down the Israeli bomber planes without putting the lives of the passengers on the civil flights in danger. An analogous event occurred on 17 September 2018 with a Russian military observation plane. In Beirut, the Lebanese Minister for Public Works, Youssef Fenianos, has confirmed that they had escaped a genuine catastrophe. Israel had fired 16 made in the US GBU-39 bombs with laser guidance, from 6 F-16 airplanes. Two had struck their targets: Hezbollah officials who were boarding a special plane to attend a funeral in Iran and a Syrian military complex. Penetrating Lebanese airspace illegally and using civil planes as shields constitute serious violations of international law. Christmas Day (2018): Tsahal managed to bomb a target in Syria despite new anti-air protection. This is the second time that the aeronautical military is operating in Syria following the deployment of the S-300 missiles, state-of-the-art missiles and the coordination system: Polyana D4M1. The Israeli planes fired missiles from Lebabons air space in the direction of an airport in the capital of Syria, just as the city was celebrating the birth of Christ for the first time since the end of the war. The anti-air protection destroyed several missiles but at least one succeeded in striking its target: personalities who were climbing on board an official Iranian plane to go to a funeral in Teheran. It is likely that three of them were injured in addition to three Syrian soldiers. The issue is knowing how Tsahal was able to fire despite the new system of anti-air protection and the what role Russia has played. Throughout the seven years of war, Israel has claimed that it did not interfere in Syrias internal affairs. Meanwhile the Syrian Arab Republic charged it with providing air support to the jihadists and to equipping them with arms. Last week, Tsahal acknowledged that it has proceeded to more than 250 bombings during the third quarter of 2018, that is, at least 2.7 per day. (Jan. 2, 2019) Thousands of Roadrunners will return to campus today to witness a fresh look in the new year. Over winter break, crews were busy installing new signage across the UTSA Main and Downtown Campuses to signify the start of UTSAs 50th anniversary celebration. A giant banner now hangs from the Bauerle Road Garage on the Main Campus. Bold orange and blue pole banners featuring a 1969 and 2019, a big 5-0 and an image of the Rowdy statue line campus walkways on the Main and Downtown Campuses. To encourage the San Antonio community to join UTSA in its 50th anniversary, colorful 50th billboards will soon be displayed across the city and flags will be hung on poles along San Antonio streets. UTSA will officially turn 50 on June 5, 2019. To commemorate the historic milestone, the university has a yearlong celebration planned that includes a slate of exciting activities and events. The university encourages students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends to join the celebration by raising awareness of UTSAs 50th anniversary on social media. Members of the Roadrunner community should take photos or videos of themselves in front of UTSA 50th banners and billboards, post those photos on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn channels, and bring the posts to North Paseo Building 5.102 to receive a free t-shirt. One t-shirt will be provided per person per post while supplies last. Members of the Roadrunner community are also encouraged to share their memories with UTSA. Stories, photos and video may be submitted online, and the best memories will be featured on a 50th anniversary website set to launch on January 14. Texas Governor Preston Smith signs HB 42 in a 1969 ceremony at the Alamo, officially founding UTSA. Texas Governor Preston Smith signs HB 42 in a 1969 ceremony at the Alamo, officially founding UTSA. UTSAs 50th anniversary website will also be packed full of archival photos, videos and stories depicting UTSAs first 50 years and serving as a sneak peek of whats to come. It will also include an extensive timeline featuring interesting facts about the university and a list of signature events for members of the San Antonio community who want to celebrate UTSAs birthday. Founded by the 61st Texas Legislature on June 5, 1969, UTSA was commissioned as a university of the first class. Until UTSA was established, San Antonio was the only major city in the nation not served by a public university. Leaders, legislators and the public knew that if San Antonio was to achieve its full potential, a nationally recognized research university was needed to offer a comprehensive array of courses and degrees. Today, UTSA offers nearly 160 bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees to more than 32,000 students through nine colleges and The Graduate School. The university has internationally respected academic programs, award-winning faculty and sophisticated science, technology and recreational facilities, along with recognized arts and humanities programs and diverse, dynamic student life. Increasingly, UTSA is recognized as a leader in higher education and research. The university is ranked among the top 400 universities in the world and one of the top four young universities in the nation, according to Times Higher Education. As an intellectual and creative resource center and a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property for Texas and beyond, UTSA is committed to becoming an urban serving discovery enterprise that provides access to educational excellence and prepares leaders for the global environment. (Jan. 2, 2019) -- As UTSA prepares to begin a new semester, it welcomes three new vice presidents to its Senior Leadership Team. Myron Anderson, UTSAs founding vice president for inclusive excellence, begins in his UTSA role today. Veronica Mendez, vice president for business affairs, and Kendra Ketchum, founding vice president for information management and technology, will begin their roles on January 6 and 7, respectively. As the founding Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, Anderson will serve as a leadership anchor, helping UTSA shape policies, set goals and provide strategic direction for the journey toward improving the campus climate for underrepresented groups. He joins UTSA from Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver), where he served in various roles beginning in 2004 and most recently served as the Associate to the President for Diversity. He brings to UTSA more than 25 years of professional experience in higher education, including time as a faculty member conducting research in education technology. At MSU Denver, Anderson developed an inclusive campus, and articulated and resolved campus climate, diversity and inclusion issues. He also identified campus climate trends and was responsible for developing a strategic vision across all academic and administrative units to establish strategies for resolution of campus climate issues. Mendez was the vice chancellor and chief financial officer at the University of California, Merced, and she joins UTSA with 16 years of experience in higher education. Throughout her career, she has provided leadership in finance, human resources, institutional research, and strategic and business intelligence initiatives. At UTSA, Mendez will provide oversight and stewardship of the universitys financial resources while working closely as a member of the UTSA Senior Leadership Team to advance UTSA vision to become a student success exemplar and nationally competitive research university. Her initial priorities will include oversight of UTSAs transition to a new budget model, which will help the university create a strong foundation for fiscal health while laying the groundwork for growth and innovation. Ketchum joins UTSA from the University of North Texas System, where she served as the chief technology officer for the IT Shared Services department and led a team of 120 service management, infrastructure operations, data center operations and telecommunications professionals. Throughout her 25-year career, she has made remarkable advancements by focusing on the development of high-performing teams and partnerships to solve institutional and academic challenges with technology, including modernizing infrastructure and service delivery. She has also worked to increase staff development. As UTSAs founding vice president for information management and technology, Ketchum will transcend the traditional information technology model and drive the overall IT strategy and transformation of the university. New Delhi, Dec 28 (UNI) The visiting Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, who arrived here on a three-day visit, will hold important round of talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi here on Friday. His visit takes place during the Golden Jubilee year of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries. On his first visit to India, since taking charge last month, the new Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering on his arrival on Thursday was received by Union Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla. Sources said a host of issues, including Bhutan's 12th five-year development plan, is likely to figure at the talks prominently, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale called on the visiting dignitary here on Thursday, MEA sources said. The Ministry of External Affairs has said that 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. "Time-tested relationship. Dr Lotay Tshering PM Bhutan received warmly by MoS Finance on arrival in Delhi for a 3-day State Visit at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi. India-Bhutan celebrate 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year," MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted after Bhutanese leader's arrival here. The visiting dignitary will also call on President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu and Power Minister R K Singh will also call on the Bhutanese leader, sources said. UNI DEVN AR 0942 Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Business & Economy It is upto GST Council to decide when GST can be levied on petroleum products: Govt If the petrol and diesel prices are brought under GST, the price of petrol can come down to Rs 38.1 per litre in Delhi New Delhi: The Modi Government on Wednesday told the Parliament that only the GST Council can decide when Goods and Services Tax or GST can be levied on petroleum products. "Article 279A (5) of the Constitution provides that Goods and Services Tax Council shall recommend the date on which goods and services tax shall be levied on petroleum crude, high speed diesel, motor spirit, natural gas and aviation turbine fuel", Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha Wednesday. "Thus while, petroleum products are constitutionally included under GST, the date on which GST shall be levied on such goods, shall be as per the decision of the GST Council. As per the section 9(2) of the CGST Act, inclusion of all excluded petroleum products, including petrol and diesel in GST will require recommendation of the GST Council", he added. The prices of petroleum products in the country are benchmarked to international product prices. Generally, the prices of sensitive petroleum products in the country are higher/lower than other countries due to various factors, including prevailing tax regime and subsidy compensations by the respective Governments, the minister said. "All the States and Union Territories (UT) with Legislature are represented in the GST Council by their Minister-in-charge of Finance or Taxation or any other Minister nominated by the State/UT. Any decision regarding levy of GST on petroleum products has to be decided as per recommendation of the GST Council", he reiterated. Prices of petrol and diesel in India are manifold because of heavy taxes imposed by the central and state governments. Demand to bring petrol and diesel under GST has been constantly being raised and it was also supported by the petroleum minister. "We have to have a rational tax management. Both the state and union governments have to come to this consensus that petroleum products must come under the GST mechanism", Pradhan had said in September 2017. According to data released by the Indian Oil Corporation, the fuel costs only Rs 26.65 at the refineries. Dealers get a litre of petrol at Rs 30.70. But, petrol is sold at Rs 70.39 a litre in Delhi. This means Rs 39.41 is charged as tax component and dealer's commission on every litre of petrol sold in the national capital. Analysts calculate that if the petrol and diesel prices are brought under GST, the price of petrol can come down to Rs 38.1 per litre in Delhi. As for diesel, its current price in Delhi is Rs 58.72 per litre. At 12 per cent GST, diesel will sell at Rs 36.65 in the national capital. For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App . Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Education & Career Jamia Millia Islamia Faculty Member Awarded Dutch Fellowship Upon completion of the course Dr. Khan will be granted a Post Graduate Diploma certificate by the Erasmus University New Delhi: Dr. Nisar Khan, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia has been awarded the highly competitive Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) fellowship by the Netherlands Government to attend the International Course on Urban Development in the year 2019. The course is conducted by Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University at Rotterdam. "The OKP fellowship is awarded through highly competitive selection procedure to the Urban Professionals to train them for imparting professional and pedagogical changes in their countries", Jamia Millia islamia (JMI) said. "The fellowship awarded to Dr. Khan covers the entire cost of attending the course of 3 month duration including the tuition fees of Euro 5,95., Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered separately", the varsity said. Nasir Khan is teaching at the Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics for more than twelve years and is involved in the teaching, research and consultancy activities. He has been instrumental in the start and development of M.Arch. Urban Regeneration program at JMI which is a unique program offered by the university in the entire south Asia. Dr. Nisar expressed pleasure on receiving the fellowship and mentioned that it will help him in augmenting and sharing his knowledge on multiple urban issues in the globally renowned IHS which has been awarded with UN-Habitat scroll of honour in 2007 for urban studies. He hopes to enhance his teaching and professional capacity thorough the Dutch experience. "After completion of the course Dr. Khan will be granted a Post Graduate Diploma certificate by the Erasmus University which is ranked 72 globally by Times Higher Education(THE) ranking", the university said. For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App . Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. As per 'The GCC Outbound Travel Market', a report prepared by UNWTO and ETC with the support of Value Retail, per-capita international tourism spending from the GCC was 6.5 times higher than the global average last year, with expenditure estimated to be more than $60 billion. Emphasising on the potential of outbound travel from the Middle East, the seventh Annual Mice Arabia and Luxury Travel (Malt) Congress 2019, the regions exclusive business platform, will bring the world of outbound business and luxury travel from the Middle East under one roof. Given the potential of the increasing travellers and disposable income from the Middle East, Halal tourism is clearly a growing market segment. It has become imperative for the hospitality industry to adapt to changing halal requirements to meet their needs to attract these travellers. By 2020, the number of Halal traveller numbers is projected to grow to 150-156 million, with Amadeus projecting a collective spend of $200 billion. According to an Allied Market Research report, the global luxury travel market may garner up to $1,154 billion by 2022. Changing trends in the outbound luxury travel and tourism now include a great demand for new experiential travel and exotic destinations, in sync with the changing role of travellers into adventurers. GCC travellers are increasingly giving more preference to engaging leisure with business while exploring new exciting and affordable destinations. Alina Drutman, managing partner, DMW Travel said, Mice travel trends are dynamically changing and countries like Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia have now become the top destinations for their luxurious stay offerings while being great hosts to business needs. Additionally, these destinations have been preferred for its close proximity to language and cultural similarities. Exploring emerging markets is a top trend witnessed from the Middle East region, Ravshan Turakulov, CEO Silk Road Destination, Central Asia Tours Incoming Agency, said. Uzbekistan is emerging as a top destination as Middle East buyers are continually looking to invest in new economies and offer new destinations as options for their Mice and Luxury travel requirements. Mice travel is not just restricted to the meetings and events but to provide employees family vacation as well. The Mice industry is one of the fastest growing segments in the travel sector generating millions of dollars in revenue every year. Offering Poland as an emerging market for Mice, Agnieszka Borowska, managing director, Visit Poland DMC, said: We are seeing an upward trend in Poland for corporate leisure travellers. We expect a high growth in the number of tourists from the Middle East visiting Poland demanding luxury accommodations. Security, family friendly locations, comfort, direct flights, and more flexible pricing options allow Poland to be one of the preferred destinations, he added. Attendees at the Malt Congress include high calibre industry professionals, government policymakers, senior decision makers and Mice and luxury suppliers from different regions such as Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS, Uzbekistan and Poland, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan along with Mice buyers and specialists from the top GCC companies. The future of Mice travel can also be summed up as personalisation being the key trend. The desire for greater personalisation, individualisation and face-to-face contact is on the rise, creating challenges and great potential at the same time for event planners and venue operators. Vittorio Marsiglio, CEO, Intercontinental Travel Company, We have seen 7 per cent increase in the number of travellers from Arabia. This, we learn is a great result of customer satisfaction, through the high standard quality of chosen services, the personalisation (a unique selection of tailor-made offers), its experience and the deep knowledge of the products we are keen to offer. Visa-free travel also becomes very important to attract GCC travellers, as they factor in this aspect while planning their itinerary. Commenting on the Congress, Sidh NC, director, OnA International, said: As the Middle East sees a surge in outbound travel, there is more emphasis to recognise the importance of Mice and making Mice friendly destination offerings and unique experiences available. As Middle East buyers are continually on the lookout for new destinations and novel experiences, this year the key highlight at the seventh Annual Mice Arabia & Luxury Travel Congress will be to explore new destinations as well as address local, regional and global trends and challenges in the Mice and luxury travel sector. The Malt congress is touted as the global meeting point of influencers from the world of conferences, meetings, incentives, events, business and luxury travel who gather for two intensive days of making connections, learning, innovation and networking. Building on the tremendous potential of the growing outbound travel and luxury travel market in the Middle East region, the seventh annual Malt Congress will focus on driving business success, benefiting from all year-round opportunities to making connections, exploring trends and technologies from around the world and deep dive into every aspect of travel. - TradeArabia News Service Bahrain will be hosting 10 more lavish weddings in the coming months, with thousands of visitors from different parts of India set to arrive between January and March, said a report in Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication. To read further, visit GDNonline.com. The Dar Al Ber Society, a charitable organisation based in Dubai, UAE, said it has completed the work on the Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Kenya, which has been built at an investment of Dh3.59 million ($977,245). An official delegation from the society, which included Abdulkareem Jaafar Al Hassan, Director of Orphans and Families Support at the Society, and Ali Abdullah Al Shehhi, Director of Ras Al Khaimah Branch of the Society, officially handed over the keys to the hospital, which will enable UAE citizens to access health services while working in or visiting Kenya. The delegation also held a meeting with the Governor of Kissomo Province, upon his invitation to take over the hospital, whose four-year construction was funded by the society, said the statement from Dar Al Ber Society. Speaking on the occasion, Omran Mohammed Abdullah, the head of the Charity Projects division of the society, said that the hospital, which will begin operations this year, has four floors and includes specialist medical wards and facilities while noting that the societys 14 projects in Kenya were inspected by its team. "The visit included a meeting with students, teachers and orphans who are supported by the society, to assess their needs and living conditions, as well as with members of the societys two charity partners in Kenya, to discuss future cooperation," he added.-TradeArabia News Service MBABANE - Incarcerated police officer Lucky Obama Matsenjwa has been placed in solitary confinement. Not only has he been isolated from other prisoners but warders at the Manzini Remand Centre are reported to have also heavily assaulted him. According to Matsenjwa, there was also a clandestine move to kill him while in prison. So serious is the situation that Matsenjwa has now filed an urgent application seeking the courts intervention and/or protection before he could be killed by the warders while in custody. Matsenjwa, who stands accused of having a hand in the death of another law enforcer, Mduduzi Schaza Matsebula, has since taken the Commissioner General of His Majestys Correctional Services, Isaiah Mzuthini Ntshangase, to court. He is seeking an order directing Ntshangase and/or his subordinates to remove him from solitary confinement with immediate effect and place him in any holding cell within the Zakhele Remand Centre. In his application, which has been filed under a certificate of urgency, Matsenjwa is further praying for an order interdicting the warders from assaulting him while still under their custody. Matsenjwa wants the court to also interdict the warders from threatening him with death. The accused is also praying for an order directing police officers based at the Manzini Police Station to attend to him at Zakhele Remand Centre to obtain statements that would lead to the arrest of the Correctional officers. Narrating events leading to him being isolated from other prisoners, Matsenjwa stated that on December 17, 2018 around noon, he was removed from the cell he had been detained in at Zakhele Remand Centre. He said the senior officer who carried out his removal from the cell was King Maseko. Reasons I was taken to a cell where I was put under solitary confinement. I was not given reasons for the removal. At around 8pm on December 17, 2018; officers came to where I was detained and heavily assaulted me, submitted Matsenjwa. According to Matsenjwa, the officers were using batons to assault him. He told the court that during the assault he screamed inyandzelayo. Matsenjwa explained that while he was screaming, some inmates from the other cells nearby started shouting at the officers, saying they could hear that he was being assaulted. He alleged that the officers then ceased assaulting him. MBABANE The Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) is concerned that the new government is mum regarding the health crisis faced by the country. The President of SWADNU, Bheki Mamba, said in light of the myriad challenges experienced in the countrys public health centres, government was mum on what was the next move. This, he said, was unbecoming of the current government. Noteworthy is that the 11th Parliament has just completed about 50 days in office. Mamba said his comparison between the former government led by deceased Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini and the current one emanated from the fact that the previous premier and or his government engaged them on the status of health care in the country. Failed Its unfortunate that since assuming office, the new government has failed to engage us on the current health crisis in the country. There is no medication in hospitals and some of the equipment is dysfunctional, Mamba said. The unionist said the contemporary state of affairs in public health facilities left them wondering what would happen to the public. As a matter of fact, the president said the current state of affairs in hospitals was not good for patients as there was no hope for them. A patient with burn wounds needs to be taken to an incubator which assists them to avoid infection; however, currently the incubator is dysfunctional. They cant even be afforded antibiotics to stop any infection, he noted. Mamba said in light of this, patients who could survive their ailments ended up dying. He said it was impossible for members of his cadre to work. He said despite their week-long protest action against government in September, there was still no medication in hospitals. Worth noting is that while the unionist had changed tune and claimed the Barnabas-led government was better, they (SWADNU) once petitioned the premier and delivered the petition at Hospital Hill where it was received by the Principal Secretary to Cabinet, Victor Nxumalo. Also, the union was vocal that the then minister Sibongile Simelane was a globe-trotter and neglected the ministry. At various instances, the executive of the organisation was at loggerheads with the ex-minister over the health crisis. MBABANE - The Swaziland National Provident Fund (SNPF) would have lost E29 661.31 had it not been for the vigilance of a senior manager of the company. The money was almost paid to Timothy Mfanasibili Maziya, after he filed a fraudulent claimed to the company. According to the evidence of Micah Nkabinde, the Manager Operations of the company, Maziya filed the fraudulent claim with intent to get his disability grant. Nkabinde submitted that through proper scrutiny, it appeared that a medical report confirming Maziyas disability was not authentic. Nkabinde informed the court that the company established during the investigations that Dr Ernest Austin never worked in any of the government hospitals in the country. Austin was the doctor who confirmed Maziyas disability in the report which was filed as part of evidence. Uncertainties He said the uncertainties in the doctors report resulted in the company reporting the matter to the police for further investigations. Appearing for his trial at the Mbabane Magistrates Court, Maziya pleaded guilty to the charge. He informed the court that he was tempted to defraud the company after he overheard his friends discussing about the claims. According to Maziya, his friends were successful through the fraudulent means. One of my colleagues informed me about short-cuts to claim the disability grant. He then connected me to a certain Mavuso, who has a connection with a doctor who processes the medical reports. He told me that the doctor charges E1 500 for the medical report, he said. He told the court that he obtained the medical report from Mavuso after three months. He informed the court that he only paid E800 for the fraudulent report. Maziya said as he made a follow-up at SNPF, a female employee pleaded with him to be patient as the claim was still being processed. On one fateful day, he said the female employee gave him her superiors cellphone number. He said a few days later, he received a call and the caller informed him that the doctor who confirmed his chronic illness was nowhere to be found at the Mbabane Government Hospital. Maziya said he was then invited by a police officer to the Mbabane Police Station. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. 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. Middle class Canadians will have more money in their pockets in 2019 Posted Wednesday, January 2, 2019 4:28 am Last month Clark Public Utilities commissioners elected Nancy Barnes as the board president. Jane Van Dyke will take over vice presidential duties and Jim Malinowski will assume secretarial responsibilities for 2019. The Clark Public Utilities board, responsible for setting policy and overseeing operations for the customer-owned electric, water and generating systems, is comprised of three elected commissioners. Commissioners serve six-year terms and election years are staggered to occur every two years. Each member represents one of three districts, areas which are determined by census and adopted every ten years. The most recent redistricting took place in 2012. Clark Public Utilities board of commissioners meets regularly on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. or during pre-scheduled special meetings. Meetings are held at the downtown utility office, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, and are open to the public. Posted Wednesday, January 2, 2019 2:05 am The Washington State Legislature will re-convene as a full government body Jan. 14. The Reflector sent out a list of questions to local lawmakers to get an idea of what their goals are and how they plan to address locally-pertinent issues. Editors notes: Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity; Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, did not submit answers by press deadline; some lawmakers did not complete the entire questionnaire; some of Rep. Vicki Krafts answers were gleaned from a submitted news release. 17th Legislative District Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver Committees: Ranking member: Financial Institutions, Economic Development and Trade (new committee) Law and Justice Ways and Means What are your top priorities for this legislative session? My priorities are first and foremost trying to halt any new tax increases, such as a new state income tax (on capital gains) or a carbon tax. State government is already collecting far more revenue than expected through the taxes it already imposes. I fear our states employers will have to be on the defense this year and Im hoping to head off any overly burdensome regulations that hinder growth and prosperity. I will continue to try and convince the majority party how important the proposed reduction of the manufacturing (business and occupation) tax rate is to that industry. We approved a reduction in 2017, but the governor vetoed it. Manufacturing is the one sector of our economy that is lagging, and taxing non-aerospace manufacturers at the same lower rate as those involved in aerospace should help turn that around. Are you planning on sponsoring any specific bills? I have several new bills in the works: A tweak to the Growth Management Act that allows for public safety to be equally considered with environmental matters concerning sewer and sanitation. This will be important in the continuation of the use of rural lands, especially as it relates to freight rail-dependent uses. A bill to allow Community and Technical Colleges the ability to hire their own law-enforcement officers if they choose. At this point, they are not allowed the same options for protection to accomplish campus safety as all other public schools in Washington. A bill dealing with real-time notification and electronic monitoring if a perpetrator gets too close to a victim of domestic violence. I have several other bills that are not quite ready, but Im working through them now. State Growth Management Act: Is there anything in the current law you would like to see changed? Conversely, is there anything of note you want to keep the status quo in the Act? The GMA has now been in effect for 27 years. There are 13 points in the act that are supposed to be equally applied. However, the environmental area of it has outweighed all of the other factors. The GMAs provisions about economic development need to be given at least the same amount of weight as the environmental part. I have a few bills that will address much-needed changes to the GMA, but needless to say, any improvements proposed will be incremental at best, if they are to have any hope of passing and being signed into law. Local taxpayers were hit hard with new property levies last year. Given its a budgetary session in 2019, what do you feel deserves more statewide funding and what could use a little less? Theres good news coming for local taxpayers, as the bipartisan approach to K-12 funding we agreed upon will mean smaller property-tax bills in 2019 in most parts of our state. Im aware that some school districts will need to figure out ways to sustain the employment contracts they recently negotiated, but the answer is not for districts to pursue permission to start raising local property taxes again or for the next state budget to include funding for bailouts. The treatment of mental health is an issue that is pervasive throughout Washington and has been sidelined for too long. We need more funding and attention focused on that now that the question about fully funding public education (raised by the McCleary court ruling) is behind us, an opinion shared by the state Supreme Court. Last year the Legislature tried to rush through a bill that to many would have hindered transparency within state government. What steps can or will you take in order to promote transparency and trust between Olympia and the taxpaying public? We need to find a way to address questions about government transparency, and build on the trust that I think exists already, yet still be able to protect the sensitive issues our constituents often bring up. Last years bill, had it not been vetoed, would have achieved a higher level of transparency that didnt exist previously. And as long as our staff is allowed to fulfill requests for records, the way staff members do elsewhere in government, I think we can find a good compromise with those who are raising questions about access. A task force that met during the interim has put recommendations on the table, and I look forward to discussing what theyve come up with. One of the biggest concerns among locals is keeping a particular aesthetic in Clark County while still pursuing economic avenues that promote or keep the regions independence. Is there anything at the state level that can be done in order to maintain a balance between rural charm and more urban, industrial development? Most of our rural citizens have to travel outside of their community, often to Oregon, to get to their jobs. We owe it to Clark County residents to find ways to increase economic opportunities where they both live and play. Knowing that transportation infrastructure can be critical to attracting employers, I sponsored the 2017 law which encourages our states short-line railroads to operate as intended, locally and across Washington. I understand that some may wonder whether rural charm and new economic opportunities can co-exist peacefully, but I am also hesitant to look too much to state government for help in addressing that concern. I still believe its possible to work locally to encourage business development that is agreeable from a rural perspective something that would be a win for all. Rep. Vicki Kraft, R-Vancouver Committees: Ranking member: Local Government Appropriations Education What are your top priorities for this legislative session? Reducing business and occupation taxes on small businesses and the frequency of tax filing. Explore options for a third bridge connector between Vancouver and Portland to address congestion relief on the I-5 corridor without requiring mass transit/light rail. Target sex traffickers by increasing fines against those who sexually exploit minors. I expect it will be a busy 105-day session in Olympia, especially as we create a new two-year budget. My goals are to ensure fiscal responsibility, protect our taxpayers, do what we can to foster and not harm economic growth for our small businesses, reduce traffic congestion, and ensure safety for families. State Growth Management Act: Is there anything in the current law you would like to see changed? Conversely, is there anything of note you want to keep the status quo in the Act? Regarding the Growth Management Act, we need to look at various reforms including: Minimizing development regulations, such as the stormwater permitting requirements. These burdensome steps and regulations result in additional costs to developers which in turn increases the price of housing, whether its a single mother looking to rent an apartment or the first-time homebuyer. These additional costs end up being passed on to the residents. We need to make it easier for buyers and renters to afford a home. Reviewing UGB/Urban Growth Boundary requirements. There needs to be additional flexibility in the boundaries, while still protecting our rural communities. Lack of the supply of land in many counties, including Clark County, has made it difficult for developers to build new homes or housing units. Some easing of boundary requirements will increase the amount of available land for development and help lower housing costs. Ensuring the Growth Management Act board is reflective of the expertise needed to understand and address the unique issues GMA requires. Last year the Legislature tried to rush through a bill that to many would have hindered transparency within state government. What steps can or will you take in order to promote transparency and trust between Olympia and the taxpaying public? In 2018, I voted no on the Legislative Public Records Act because the legislative process was not transparent enough, especially on an issue this significant for our constituents. I will continue to promote transparency and accountability. 18th Legislative District Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center Minority whip for 2019-2020 Committees: Health Care Ways and Means Rules Environment and Tourism What are your top priorities for this legislative session? Theres still work to do in the K-12 arena, specifically support of special-education programs, and a list of things in the health care category, like the opioid epidemic, and improving services for people with mental illnesses. For Clark County specifically, I am looking to address how the states Growth Management Act prevents our county from getting its fair share of funding from the state. Of the five legislative districts that include portions of Clark County, only the 18th District encompasses part or all of every city in the county. I expect that will lead to some important requests for community-level funding via the states capital budget (which is separate from the operating and transportation budgets). As a member of the Ways and Means committee, Im in a good position to field those. More broadly, I definitely want to keep spending and tax rates under control and be a voice of reason when it comes to a new state operating budget. State government has a record amount of money in reserve and an unexpectedly large amount of tax revenue coming in. Even so, we already see the governor and legislators from his party calling for new taxes, including a state income tax. Its as though there can never be enough money to spend. Are you planning on sponsoring any specific bills? Im expecting to introduce a slew of bills that are related to issues brought to me by constituents. The majority of these are going to be adjustments to existing laws. And theres at least one brand-new law I plan to pursue: Naming Sasquatch as the official state cryptid. You may recall this idea came to me from a young boy in our district, and was the subject of a bill in 2017. I realize some grown ups might question whether a Sasquatch bill is a good use of lawmakers time, but to me its a great way for children to learn about the process of governing and engaging in their government. State Growth Management Act: Is there anything in the current law you would like to see changed? Conversely, is there anything of note you want to keep the status quo in the Act? When the GMA was adopted in 1990, Clark Countys population was around 238,000. Last year the state estimated our population at 471,000 just about double. As more people have come into the county, the conflicts that trace back to the GMA have grown too. In 2018 as a member of the Senate budget committee, I helped secure money to have the Ruckelshaus Center (a non-partisan public-policy organization administered and hosted by Washington State University and University of Washington) take a long, close look at whats working and whats not when it comes to the GMA. The idea is to come up with a road map that will allow the Legislature to make informed decisions going forward. The recommendations from the Ruckelshaus Center are due later in 2019; in the meantime, I want to have conversations about things like how GMA affects funding for Clark County, and who provides services (like utilities) to property, and permitting. When 30 to 40 percent of the cost of building a new home is for permits alone, you start wondering whether its about managing growth or prohibiting growth. And although Clark County doesnt have Seattles level of homelessness, there is a direct connection between the GMA, the supply of affordable housing and the number of homeless people in our state. Local taxpayers were hit hard with new property levies this year. Given its a budgetary session in 2019, what do you feel deserves more statewide funding and what could use a little less? First of all, local taxpayers are supposed to see their school-related property taxes drop in 2019. Thats because a new limit on local levies, which was one of the major changes Democrats and Republicans approved in 2017 to modernize the states school-funding system, is to take effect. As for budget priorities, I expect well see new investments in special education programs and mental health services. I also expect calls for more money to go elsewhere within our public school system, despite the fact that the past five years brought an additional $13 billion for basic education the greatest infusion of K-12 funding in state history. State spending per student has nearly doubled, putting Washington on track to rank fifth in the nation in that category next year; theres been an unprecedented increase in the number of teachers and for the first time in 35 years, spending on K-12 accounts for more than 50 percent of the budget. Those are things to keep in mind when the governor and others talk about undoing the constitutionally-based school-funding changes I helped to negotiate, and allowing property taxes to start climbing again. Last year the Legislature tried to rush through a bill that to many would have hindered transparency within state government. What steps can or will you take in order to promote transparency and trust between Olympia and the taxpaying public? As I understand it, legislation is expected to come forward from the recommendations made by the group of legislators and news media representatives who were meeting in recent months to discuss questions about transparency. Ill study any such proposal closely to see if it represents progress, and if so Id anticipate supporting it. One of the biggest concerns among locals is keeping a particular aesthetic in Clark County while still pursuing economic avenues that promote or keep the regions independence. Is there anything at the state level that can be done in order to maintain a balance between rural charm and more urban, industrial development? First, lets appreciate how other counties in our state are less able to attract new residents and new employers than Clark County, and might wish they were in a position to be concerned about how much growth is too much growth. That said, we all detest sprawl but we also value property rights. The challenge is to thread that needle, so that people arent constantly running into some non-conforming situation when they want to do something with their land. I know growth is an emotional and complicated topic, but at the end of the day I think this is the real question: To what extent do we want decisions about growth in Clark County made in Olympia, as opposed to having the decisions made here in Clark County? To me the states role is to make sure communities have a range of tools, and options, and from there the responsibility for keeping a particular aesthetic belongs to the locals. Rep. Larry Hoff, R-Vancouver Committees: Assistant ranking: Consumer Protection/Business Appropriations Labor and Workplace Standards What are your top priorities for this legislative session? My top priorities will always involve being an advocate for small businesses and the hard working citizens of the 18th Legislative District. Coupled with that global objective, our regional transportation system obviously needs attention. Are you planning on sponsoring any specific bills? Our Governor and his supporters have proposed new ways to separate us from more of our hard earned money. On top of the bills I will be initiating, I will be spending a significant amount of time simply protecting our citizens from additional taxing proposals while searching for ways to cut the cost of government. In addition, I am currently working on an issue involving local landowners, another concerning the protection of personal information and yet another that involves changes benefiting the fundraising ability of non-profit organizations. State Growth Management Act: Is there anything in the current law you would like to see changed? Conversely, is there anything of note you want to keep the status quo in the Act? The GMA should absolutely be part of the focus for our next legislative session. The Act is several decades old and would benefit from a complete review. I believe that more local flexibility would enhance the GMA process while protecting the personality of our county and the objectives of our citizens. Local taxpayers were hit hard with new property levies this year. Given its a budgetary session in 2019, what do you feel deserves more statewide funding and what could use a little less? Our states mental health system is in need of attention. Currently, Western State Hospital has been federally decertified which results in the loss of $53 million in federal funding. The continued care of our states patients, regaining appropriate certification, and identifying ongoing solutions to these challenges should be a top priority. Last year the Legislature tried to rush through a bill that to many would have hindered transparency within state government. What steps can or will you take in order to promote transparency and trust between Olympia and the taxpaying public? Short of legal and ethical prohibitions, including constituent confidentiality, my legislative actions will be completely open, transparent and available for public review. One of the biggest concerns among locals is keeping a particular aesthetic in Clark County while still pursuing economic avenues that promote or keep the regions independence. Is there anything at the state level that can be done in order to maintain a balance between rural charm and more urban, industrial development? Our county is blessed with the natural beauty of our rural personality while being poised for growth in our urban communities. It is imperative that we continue to honor that balance. Securing more local flexibility, involvement and control within the GMA will lend to balancing the growth of our communities while working to maintain the excellence of our rural areas. Rep. Brandon Vick, R-Felida Committees: Ranking member: Consumer Protections and Business Commerce and Gaming Finance (tax policy) What are your top priorities for this legislative session? Every year, I start with the very simple goal of finishing the legislative session on time, with a budget that lives within its means and does not impose any additional burdens on the people of Washington state. Beyond that, I plan to focus my efforts in a number of areas. One area of focus would be on addressing the affordability of housing by making common-sense adjustments to the Growth Management Act. A minor step forward in this area would allow for detached Accessory Dwelling Units in the unincorporated areas of a county. Another focus of mine will be to continue to fight for a quality education for our highly capable students. Education is not a one-size fits all system, and we need to do a better job of serving those students who exist outside of the standard parameters. Lastly, I regret that we will probably be busy on the Finance Committee this year. Despite record revenues, there have already been proposals made for a capital gains income tax, a carbon tax fee, an increase in the B&O tax, and several others. The states coffers are overflowing, and it is time to begin to prepare for the next downturn. With excess revenues coming through the door, there really is no need to raise taxes to fund the required services of the state government. I plan to aggressively advocate for a responsible budget that does not raise taxes, and maintains our promise to lower property taxes in 2019. Are you planning on sponsoring any specific bills? I have several bills in the works for 2019. Most of them have to do with my priorities that were outlined in the previous question. I will have legislation that allows counties to zone for detached accessory dwelling units. I will build on successful legislation from last year that provides for a more robust and accessible system of education for our highly capable students. I will continue with education from last year that seeks to clarify that local governments are not allowed to impose an income tax. In addition, I am working on a bill that would provide Washington citizens with a property tax rebate (or kicker) when the state takes in excess revenue. There will be more issues on my plate as the session moves on, but this is a good sampling of what I have been working on in the interim. State Growth Management Act: Is there anything in the current law you would like to see changed? Conversely, is there anything of note you want to keep the status quo in the Act? The simple goal of the GMA was to force urbanization around the state, while maintaining open spaces for generations to come. While the goal of maintaining open spaces is both responsible and noble, there is no doubt that the citizens of the state of Washington have suffered because of this law. The GMA has tied the hands of counties when it comes to responsibly growing their populations. As a result, we have seen a rapid increase in the cost of housing in many parts of our state. Some of the increases are natural as we live in a great part of the world, but the GMA has artificially limited the supply of land on which to build housing. As long as we have the GMA in its current form, there will be no sub-$300K housing in Clark County. My personal opinion is that the counties know best how to responsibly grow their population. Open space is very important, but there is no real advantage having state bureaucrats make those decisions for us. I no longer see a need for the GMA, but understand that politics will likely force it to stay in some shape or form. The less restrictive that we can make it, the better it will be. Local taxpayers were hit hard with new property levies this year. Given its a budgetary session in 2019, what do you feel deserves more statewide funding and what could use a little less? The local taxpayers are due for a break, and I intend to fight hard to keep the promises that have been made to lower their property tax burden. The question of what needs more versus what needs less is appropriate, but also a bit simplistic. In the what needs more camp is funding for mental health, and mental health crisis beds/facilities. This is a simple fact that we will have to face as we are facing another court decision that went against the state. Even without the court decision, this is an appropriate area for the legislature to be focusing on. When it comes to cutting from the budget, I believe that the most impactful and immediate course of action is to find more efficient ways to deliver government services. At times it seems as though the goal of state government is to add employees and systems just for the sake of doing so. I believe wholeheartedly that we can not only condense the systems and processes that are in place through technology, but that we can better contract with private enterprise to deliver services faster, cheaper, and with a higher standard of responsibility and rigor. These actions would save the taxpayer tremendously. Last year the Legislature tried to rush through a bill that to many would have hindered transparency within state government. What steps can or will you take in order to promote transparency and trust between Olympia and the taxpaying public? I am of the opinion that information is knowledge, and that the citizens should be able to thoroughly observe the actions of their elected officials. I do not sit on the task force that is dealing with the public records issue, but have opined the above sentiments to the work-group. I believe that my constituents have the right to expect a certain amount of privacy in their communications with me, some of which are covered by other parts of the law, but that a public servants actions and activities should be accessible to the general public. One of the biggest concerns among locals is keeping a particular aesthetic in Clark County while still pursuing economic avenues that promote or keep the regions independence. Is there anything at the state level that can be done in order to maintain a balance between rural charm and more urban, industrial development? There may in fact be something that could be done at the state level, but my advice would be to steer as far away from that option as possible. The fact of the matter is that the people who live in our communities best understand these intricacies. You and I have the ability to go and talk to our city and county councilors, and make our opinions heard as to how our communities should grow and maintain balance. This same level of influence would not be available if a state bureaucracy were in charge of setting the standards, and those individuals would surely not be able to fully grasp the needs, wants, and desires of our neighborhoods. Keeping these decisions local is the best course of action. 20th Legislative District Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia Committees: Ranking member: Ways and Means Labor and Commerce Financial Institutions Economic Development and Trade What are your top priorities for this legislative session? Improve mental health care and treatment. In 2019 we need to make the investments and policy changes necessary to correct our states failure to provide effective mental health treatment and care. Funding or policy changes alone will not solve these problems and patients and taxpayers must know that more money is tied to a long-term plan, clear goals, and accountability. After watching managerial malpractice at Western State Hospital result in the loss of $53 million in federal funding, I join many members of the public in demanding the executive branch better utilize mental health resources provided by the Legislature. Given the scale of the problem already at crisis levels and the time it takes to build, site, and staff mental health facilities we need to take major steps during the 2019 session. Provide ample and accessible special education funding. In recent years, the Legislature has made significant progress by resuming its role as sole provider for basic education. But there is more we must do to ensure the state is paying the right amount of the cost to provide a high-quality education to all special education students. We also must remove existing barriers for school districts to receive the funds they need for especially high-needs students. This is very important in communities with many small school districts, like in Southwest Washington, where meeting the important needs of some students can have an have a major impact on a districts overall budget and cannot be absorbed by a larger student population. Reject calls for billions of dollars in higher taxes. The governor proposed raising state taxes by $5.4 billion per two-year budget and advocated for a $2.1 billion increase in local education property taxes. This comes at a time when the state budget is already set to grow by 9 percent without new taxes, by using the billions of dollars already coming into the state due to strong economic growth. It is clear we can fund our priorities without raising taxes on Washington residents and employers. Are you planning on sponsoring any specific bills? I am still working with community members, stakeholders, and staff on specific legislation addressing a variety of issues including mental health treatment, flood protection, special education, financial sustainability, tax reduction, and more. Once these are finalized over the next few months I will submit these bills for consideration by the full Legislature. Also, as the ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, much of my work goes into advocating for the best use of existing revenue and building a sustainable operating budget without adding additional taxes. State Growth Management Act: Is there anything in the current law you would like to see changed? Conversely, is there anything of note you want to keep the status quo in the Act? Reforms to the states Growth Management Act, ranging from very small to comprehensive, have been discussed quite a bit in recent years with little action. As with any law that is more than 25 years old, I agree we should revisit it to see if the intended goals are being met and if not, make necessary changes. This is especially important given the many changes in our state since 1990. While theres no perfect way to address it, I am open to a range of options that would help us increase our statewide housing supply to meet the needs of our 2019 and future population, while still protecting rural lands and activities. I would also like to implement reforms that provide more predictability for builders in order to reduce the cost of constructing housing and job centers. Bureaucratic delays, duplicative regulations, extended approval processes, and the use of excessive legal challenges by some to stop important economic development projects make it more expensive and difficult to build housing and create jobs. Local taxpayers were hit hard with new property levies this year. Given its a budgetary session in 2019, what do you feel deserves more statewide funding and what could use a little less? Washington state is going through a significant transition in how we pay for public schools, including the use of education property tax levies. In 2017, the Legislature passed a bipartisan overhaul that transitioned our state from an overreliance on local levies to a more equitable system. Because of negotiations with legislative Democrats this meant an increase in the state education property tax rate in 2018 before local levies are capped in 2019. The long term result of this plan is that more than 70 percent of state residents are already slated to see a net education property tax reduction beginning in 2019. While this property tax reform will serve Washington well in the long term due to more equitable school funding and tax rates, I remain disappointed we did not take advantage of our strong economic growth to avoid the one-year increase in property taxes. I believe the one-year increase in property taxes was unnecessary and I sponsored legislation to prevent it. The investments we made in education already put us on track to significantly increase overall investments in schools this year, but there are smaller areas like special education that still need to be addressed. Additionally, mental health treatment and the facilities to provide care will also need more statewide funding in the upcoming years. I will also be working on ways to have the state make more investments in flood protection and water projects that are important to our 20th District community. There are hundreds of areas inside the operating budget, which will likely exceed $50 billion dollars for the 2019-21 budget cycle, where we can bend the cost curve and demand better efficiency from our state government. This will require tedious, long term study of our current budget and agency proposals, but is necessary to ensure we maximize the use of taxpayer dollars. I remain hopeful that the current Senate and House majorities will be open to the careful preparation process we have used over the last three biennium to build a sustainable budget that does not require additional taxes. Last year the Legislature tried to rush through a bill that to many would have hindered transparency within state government. What steps can or will you take in order to promote transparency and trust between Olympia and the taxpaying public? The bill passed during the 2018 legislative session, which was subsequently vetoed by the governor, followed a 2017 lawsuit by a coalition of media members attempting to determine if state legislators were subject to the Public Records Act. For decades, legal counsel for the Legislature advised members of the Senate and House they were not subject to the requirements originally passed by voters in 1972. However, a 2018 superior court ruling indicated that lawmakers are subject to the requirements and the case is currently under appeal to the state Supreme Court. Members of the media the plaintiffs are currently in the process of filing briefs with the Court after which representatives of the Legislature the defendant will have a chance to respond. Once that process is complete, the state Supreme Court will set a date to hear oral arguments before ultimately deciding the outcome. While I believe the bill we passed defining what records would be made publicly available was better than the existing practice of providing nothing, I share the publics concern that the process which Senate Republicans had no control over was incredibly flawed. Regardless of the outcome of the court case, residents of our state made it clear they want their state lawmakers to be more transparent. As an elected representative, I respect the will of the voters and during this interim have worked on ways to make my own office more transparent, whether it be by releasing my legislative calendar monthly or providing other records upon request. While its out of my individual control following a change in the Senate Majority ahead of the last session, it is not clear that the Legislature will take any steps until the court case has been resolved. One of the biggest concerns among locals is keeping a particular aesthetic in Clark County while still pursuing economic avenues that promote or keep the regions independence. Is there anything at the state level that can be done in order to maintain a balance between rural charm and more urban, industrial development? I do not believe there is a legislative solution to this challenge. On principle I believe the best we can do is provide as much local authority as possible and in doing so allow local governments the flexibility to build the type of community their citizens desire. Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama Committees: Ranking member: Finance Agriculture and Natural Resources Transportation What are your top priorities for this legislative session? Balance the operating budget with existing revenues. Fight against any new or increased taxes on individuals, families, and employers. Protect natural resources industries. Expand manufacturing jobs. Explore options for local transportation solutions. Are you planning on sponsoring any specific bills? Yes. I am in the process of working with my policy staff on ideas and bill-drafting. Please stay tuned. State Growth Management Act: Is there anything in the current law you would like to see changed? Conversely, is there anything of note you want to keep the status quo in the Act? I am hoping the majority party is open to reforming the Growth Management Act in meaningful ways. Its long overdue. We have seen implementation problems with the GMA, as some try to prevent growth rather than manage growth. This has prevented rural economic development and affordable housing in many areas of our state. I plan to work with my colleagues to improve economic development in rural areas and protect private property rights. Local taxpayers were hit hard with new property levies this year. Given its a budgetary session in 2019, what do you feel deserves more statewide funding and what could use a little less? The good news is, local levies are scheduled to drop in 2019 to offset the increase in the state levy. Our mental health system, special education, and wildfire prevention and response deserve more funding in the operating budget. As for reductions, we should go line-by-line in the operating budget to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of state programs and services. The results of this effort should guide our budget-reduction decisions. Last year the Legislature tried to rush through a bill that to many would have hindered transparency within state government. What steps can or will you take in order to promote transparency and trust between Olympia and the taxpaying public? My door is always open to meet with constituents. I try to respond to every phone call, email and letter I receive from those I represent. Anyone can sign up for my email updates, watch my video updates or listen to my radio appearances on my legislative website. TVW (our states equivalent to C-SPAN) offers comprehensive coverage of committee hearings, House and Senate floor action, and other activities involving the Legislature. The Legislatures website also offers all kinds of information related to the House and Senate, laws and agency rules, bill information, agendas and schedules, committees, legislative agencies, and civic education. There are many windows into our citizen Legislature. I voted for a bill last year that would have required state lawmakers to provide their calendars, communications with lobbyists and final disciplinary actions taken by the Legislature. The governor vetoed it. I will carefully consider any open-records legislation that comes before me next year. Im committed to more transparency, without sacrificing constituent privacy. One of the biggest concerns among locals is keeping a particular aesthetic in Clark County while still pursuing economic avenues that promote or keep the regions independence. Is there anything at the state level that can be done in order to maintain a balance between rural charm and more urban, industrial development? I believe diversifying Clark Countys economy and creating new jobs continue to be important goals. I also understand why its important to preserve the rural charm of the region. Ultimately, its up to local governments and local leaders with direct input from residents to find the right balance. The Legislature and state agencies should help enable not create barriers for these local decisions. One way to preserve the rural charm of Clark County and other areas of our state is to allow private landowners to continue to farm and manage timber and not regulate them out of their ability to do so. Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis Committees: Ranking member: House Capital Budget Committee House Environment and Energy Health Care and Wellness What are your top priorities for this legislative session? Are you planning on sponsoring any specific bills? There is a well-known digital divide between rural and urban areas when it comes to broadband access. We need to eliminate the gap. For the upcoming 2019 session, Im drafting a bill that would help rural areas get better internet connectivity, more capacity and better speeds. For residents living in rural regions, this would help meet a crucial need. Faster broadband also benefits businesses, enabling them to grow and create more jobs for our communities. Democrats want a cost-increasing, job-killing carbon tax. Individuals and families shouldnt be forced to bear the burden of our states clean energy future. Im drafting a solution, similar to last years House Bill 2283, that offers a carrot instead of a hammer. Instead of forcing businesses to pay even more in taxes, my proposal provides incentives for reducing carbon emissions. It encourages investments in carbon reduction including electric vehicle charging stations and forest health management. All new energy resources and production would need to be 100 percent clean. It also would keep energy and utility costs low. Finally, Im continuing to focus on finding solutions for water: how to store it, where we use it, and how to prevent flooding. State Growth Management Act: Is there anything in the current law you would like to see changed? Conversely, is there anything of note you want to keep the status quo in the Act? Id like to see a bill approved that allows counties with a population of less than 150,000 to be able to opt-out of the state Growth Management Act. Local taxpayers were hit hard with new property levies this year. Given its a budgetary session in 2019, what do you feel deserves more statewide funding and what could use a little less? Despite record revenue collections, the governor is asking for $3.7 billion in new taxes. Instead of taking more money from hard working individuals and families, we should be looking at a way to give them a break on their property taxes. Next, before approving any other appropriations, the Legislature should be required to pass a K-12 education budget. The concept is simple, but effective. By funding education first, its elevated to the highest priority in the budget process ensuring it gets properly funded each budget cycle. Finally, there needs to be a better commitment to quality and broadened access to frontline mental health services. We need to make significant investments into mental healthcare and community facilities. One of the biggest concerns among locals is keeping a particular aesthetic in Clark County while still pursuing economic avenues that promote or keep the regions independence. Is there anything at the state level that can be done in order to maintain a balance between rural charm and more urban, industrial development? Its true, urban area growth is encroaching on more rural areas of Clark County. While we need to protect this beautiful region, nothing dampens the aesthetic charm more than not being able to work and provide for your family. People need family-wage jobs. Although some people may disagree with me, I believe we can diversify and grow the economy while still pursuing best practices in caring for the environment and protecting our rural way of life. Posted Wednesday, January 2, 2019 4:42 am Workforce Southwest Washington (WSW) is seeking companies to host tables at the Youth Employment Summit (YES) on March 19 at the Clark County Event Center. The YES event is an opportunity for companies to engage with their future workforce, promote their company, industry and job opportunities. It provides high school-aged individuals an opportunity to explore careers in the regions high-growth, high-demand industries and find first jobs. More than 600 students are expected from school districts in Clark and Cowlitz counties. Registration is free. Companies have three opportunities to participate: Host a table Healthcare, tech, manufacturing and construction companies can host a table to share information about their company, types of education/training needed and open jobs, answer questions and provide hands-on demonstrations or activities. Assistance is available for employers that need help designing an activity. Hire a student Businesses in any industry are needed to hire students, particularly 16- and 18-year-olds. Work experience is critical to a students future success in the workforce. Be a sponsor Local businesses can be a featured sponsor of the event. For sponsorship opportunities, registration and more information, contact Darcy Hoffman, Director of Business Services at Workforce Southwest Washington, at dhoffman@workforcesw.org or 360-608-4949. Posted Wednesday, January 2, 2019 3:07 am Susan Saul knows the Green River valley better than most. In 1980, she led a group of about 20 people on a hike through the valley into the old-growth forest of Douglas fir and western red cedar just north of Mount St. Helens. Saul, then the co-chair of the Mount St. Helens Protective Association, was trying to rally support for conservation as timber companies left bare hillsides on the neighboring slopes and mining operations prospected the valley for copper ore. She wanted people to see that the valley, with its wild river and ancient trees, had more value than the resources that could be extracted from its land. The hike she led on May 10, 1980, was part of her efforts to convince people that the land around Mount St. Helens should be set aside for conservation. One week later, St. Helens erupted. Much of the Green River valley was decimated, like so much of the surrounding area, but some swaths of the valley protected by high surrounding peaks remained untouched. The eruption springboarded efforts to protect Mount St. Helens. In 1982, thanks to the advocacy of Saul and others, the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was created, the land set aside for perpetual preservation. The monument was a huge victory for Saul and everyone who had been working toward that goal since long before the eruption had thrust St. Helens into the national spotlight. It didnt come without a sacrifice, however. Theres a bite out of the monument, said Saul. President Ronald Reagan heard mineral claims valued at $10 million existed near the mountain, and conservationists believed he would veto the monument altogether if the mining rights werent preserved. In order to get the mountain protected, they drew a boundary that narrowed at the top, carving out the land with the existing mineral claims. Thats where the Green River emerges from the monument, flowing north into the unprotected area before returning to protected lands to the west. For a few miles, it flows through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, leaving decisions about its use up to federal bureaucrats. It was a sacrifice to get the monument created, Saul said. They took it out in order to get Reagan to sign the bill. Thats how one of the last un-logged forests near Mount St. Helens, and a key part of the origin story of its preservation, came to miss out on the protective status that surrounds much of the mountain. Now, more than 35 years after the creation of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Saul fears that omission could have serious consequences. On Dec. 3, the Bureau of Land Management announced that it would allow a Canadian mining company to begin exploratory drilling on 900 acres in the Green River valley, bounded to the south and west by the monument. The company, Ascot Resources, believes the valley may be rich in copper, and the prospecting operation will allow them to find out. Ascots proposal calls for drilling 63 boreholes of 2 to 3 inches in diameter from 23 drill pads on the site. The BLM determined that exploratory drilling would not have a significant effect on the environment, giving Ascot the go-ahead to start looking for copper. While conservationists cringe, local officials are decidedly less unsettled by the development. In economically hard-hit Lewis and Skamania counties, the prospect of a mine means the potential for jobs and more money for the cash-strapped county coffers. With rural counties struggling to make ends meet amid shrinking revenue especially given the loss of timber dollars and rising costs and state-mandated expenditures, officials are hard-pressed to turn their noses up at any company looking to operate in the region. Hopefully theyll let (Ascot) proceed, said Lewis County commissioner-elect Gary Stamper, who has long followed the potential mine just south of his district (Stamper has stepped down for the final month of his first term so he can begin collecting his school pension, before returning to office for his second term in January). If they get to the point where they do some mining, it will for sure be an economic provider. Commissioner Edna Fund is also eager to see if Ascot is able to turn up any copper. Id like to have the process done, so we know what were dealing with, she said. The drilling will give us information that we dont have right now. Both commissioners stressed that they also want to see the environment protected, and they wont favor any mining plan that would decimate the forest or the waterway. They trust the feds if copper is found to make that eventual decision with care. I feel pretty confident that the results that we get will be truly factual, said Fund. We dont want anything to damage the environment. Id like to see what is the current way of getting it done, and still being environmentally sensitive. According to the BLM, thats just the sort of consideration they plan to make. For now, theyve only been tasked with deciding if the exploratory phase not an actual mining operation will harm the environment. The prospecting permits dont grant the company the right to do whatever they want, said BLM public affairs staffer Michael Campbell. That is not the decision thats being made today. Thats the decision thats many years down the road. We cant just let a company go out and mine for whatever they want, wherever they want. Even getting to the exploratory phase has been a years-long battle, one that has played out among mountains of paperwork and court cases for more than a decade. According to a timeline provided by the Cascade Forest Conservancy one of the lead opponents of the project the BLM in 2008 denied the lease application of the company that held the mining rights prior to Ascot, following a strong show of public opposition. After Ascot purchased the rights, though, it was able to conduct exploratory drilling in 2010, before the Conservancy stepped in to demand a full environmental review before prospecting could begin. That forced Ascot to amend its permit application, which was approved by USFS and the BLM in 2012. The Conservancy appealed that decision, and in 2014 a judge ruled that the agencies prospecting permits were illegal. That sent Ascot back to the drawing board on a new permit application, which has been working its way through the bureaucracy since 2015. Earlier this year, the Forest Service opted to give BLM the authorization to approve the project, a decision the agency has now signed off on. The decision comes after years of intensive environmental review, the results of which confirm the prospecting activities will have no significant impact on the environment, Ascot said in a statement praising the BLMs approval. An Ascot spokeswoman did not respond to multiple requests to speak on the record. The Ascot statement also says that its proposal has the support of local residents and elected officials throughout the region, which paints an incomplete picture at best. Locally, the project is opposed by groups of mountain bikers, fishermen, birders, horseback riders and paddlers all part of a coalition of about 30 groups listed on the Cascade Forest Conservancys website. That opposition also includes regional outdoors clubs, national conservation groups and outdoor industry manufacturers. The Green River is a really important resource for spawning habitat downstream, said Steve Jones, conservation chairman of the Clark-Skamania Flyfishers. The basic concern is that a mine in this area would jeopardize the water source. (The mine would be) on an uphill slope that all drains toward the Green. Theres not a way to develop that area that doesnt pollute the Green. Jones noted that the Green River feeds into the Toutle River, which then empties into the Cowlitz all of which are hotbeds for Southwest Washington anglers. Whats upstream comes downstream, he said. That concern led the city of Kelso, which pulls its drinking water from the Cowlitz River, to pass a resolution in 2016 opposing the proposal. Longview did the same in 2008. According to the Cascade Forest Conservancy, more than 50,000 people have registered public comment opposing the development in its various stages over the years. On the federal level, Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray have consistently voiced their objection to the drilling. Opening the door to drilling at the edge of Mount St. Helens is a short-sighted decision that undervalues the important benefits these public spaces offer both to our booming recreation economy and to families who come from near and far to enjoy their beauty, Cantwell said in a statement. Murray called the BLMs sign-off the wrong decision, adding: Washingtonians know the immeasurable value of natural treasures like Mount St. Helens and the Green River as well as the inherent danger of exposing them to the harmful effects of mining and I will not stop working to ensure this area is protected for future generations. Democrats arent the only ones with qualms about the proposal. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, sent a statement expressing her concern. This proposal has faced significant opposition and tens of thousands of public comments voicing concern over its impacts over the years, she said. Additionally, residents of our region have expressed their fears with me of how it might limit their access to our treasured mountain and potentially damage its beauty and resources. Ascot Inc. faces a difficult challenge in convincing the permitting agencies that a mine on Mt. St. Helens wont significantly impact those who recreate on this monument, and our way of life. For these reasons, I have real concerns with this project and will continue to closely monitor it while it remains in the legal process. While Ascot has held the mining rights near the Green River since 2010, another group is pointing out its link to the land goes back much longer. The entire Mount St. Helens area is a very important traditional cultural location for the tribe, said Cowlitz Tribal Chairman Bill Iyall. The tribe has used that area for 10,000 years. We are opposed to any kind of mining in the Monument area. Iyall said the tribe is concerned that the proposal could devastate the environment and limit recreation in the area, and its going to seek out every avenue it can to block it from moving forward. The widespread opposition is due to a host of concerns, with both the exploratory drilling phase and what it could mean for the future. The Ascot proposal would involve reactivating old roads to bring heavy equipment into the area. According to Saul, the valley is often used by hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and hunters. Its got quite a lot of diverse recreational interests that would be affected by this proposal, she said. When another company conducted exploratory drilling nearby in the 1970s, she said, campers heard the noise all night from as far as three miles away. The fluids used to lubricate those drills, she added, have the potential to spill into the river or its tributaries. Matt Little, the executive director of the Cascade Forest Conservancy, said the prospecting will have a drastic impact on the valley. Youll have 24/7 truck traffic and nonstop noise, he said. That valleys pretty steep and beautiful. Its pristine. Were talking about solitude and places to get away which would be completely ruined. Theyre drilling within 100 feet of the river and its tributaries, and they use some pretty nasty chemicals in the drilling itself. What really has opponents scared, though, is what will happen if copper is found. The feds and Ascot have stressed that the current decision only allows them to to search for minerals. Any mine proposal would be subject to its own environmental review. But many have a hard time believing the government would allow Ascot to look for copper if it had no intention of allowing it to extract the resource. To say that this couldnt lead there is not true at all, Jones said. Once a claim is actually proven, it is very hard to stop mine development. Allowing Ascot to look for copper, Saul added, will make it very difficult to prohibit mining if the resource is found. The proponents claim, Were only drilling these little drill holes that are the size of a Campbells Soup can, she said. This is a slippery slope opening up the future of an open pit mine. That possibility, of an open pit mine gouged out of the mountainside, is a frightening prospect for advocates who want to keep the valley as it is. Photos from federal permitting documents show the exploration site spanning a forest-covered slope, edging down to where the Green River cuts through the valley. Little said the most likely way to extract a resource like copper in an area like that would be an open pit mine, leaving the landscape barren. More concerning is that a mine of that nature could store the toxic sludge left over from the withdrawal process in a tailings pond, which would be held back by an earthen dam. Breaches at other tailings ponds have caused numerous environmental disasters around the world. The crazy part of this decision is that they are basically giving a green light for a project like this in a very active earthquake zone in the shadow of a volcano, Little said. Those toxic lakes will surely fail over time. According to the BLMs Campbell, its premature to raise alarms about an open pit mine. Its too early to say, he said. Theres different ways which you can get at resources. Its ultimately going to depend on what they find Its really going to depend on what the company comes back to us with as to even whether well allow them to move forward with a plan of operations. Aside from the environmental concerns, the valleys defenders say conservation is worth pursuing for its own sake, whether or not theres high-value copper in the area or extraction poses a threat. Many point to the fact that some of the land in the drilling zone was obtained through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which carries the explicit purpose of outdoor recreation. The intent of the land was for public enjoyment, but also for protection of the environment, said Iyall, the Cowlitz Tribe chairman. Originally, it was set aside for that. The potential for the mining that might come about there and the history that always goes along with mining operations that history has always been damaging to the environment. This is an important recreational property that would be lost to the public and to the wildlife. Little echoed that argument. The lands were acquired to protect conservation values and for backcountry recreation, he said. We know for certain that a full-scale mine would be counter to those purposes, and even the exploratory stages that were just permitted would violate that. Jones, who represents the fly fishing group, argued that the economic value of the outdoor recreation in the valley likely already outweighs what would be gained with a mine. Earlier this year, Forest Service district ranger Gar Abbas said the exploratory drilling phase would represent about 12 jobs, many of which would be workers already on the Ascot payroll, not locals. Ascot has avoided giving job estimates for either the prospecting phase or a mine. Still, the prospect of large-scale employment just south of East Lewis County where the decline of the timber industry has left towns economically hard-hit remains an enticing prospect, even if details are vague. It would definitely be an opportunity for good, high-paying jobs, said Stamper, the former and future East County commissioner. That would definitely be a real boom. Though the mine itself is in Skamania County, the companys operations would have to funnel through Randle to get into the National Forest. Stamper said that could bring a ripple effect to local hardware stores, rental properties and other businesses. That optimism is what Little and drilling opponents are trying to counter. He acknowledged the jobs argument is a strong one in rural communities, saying he was focused on convincing commissioners in Lewis and Skamania Counties that a mine will not be the economic provider it claims to be. Dont chase after ghost jobs, he said. The decision announced by the BLM earlier this month is now subject to a 30-day appeal period. Little said the Conservancy and its allies are looking at a number of pathways to stall the drilling. One of those possibilities is a bill in Congress to remove the land from mineral development. A similar move to protect the Methow Valley in North Central Washington has recently picked up momentum. Given its success fighting past development in court, the Conservancy could pursue that option as well. You pretty much have a legal route and a political route, Little said. We will be pursuing both routes. Nearly 40 years after she first led hikers into the Green River valley to promote its protection, Saul is still speaking up for the areas conservation. That hike was part of building an advocacy base for the Green River, she said. One of the things we realized we needed to do was get more people up here. Today, that base of support seems to be in place. Conservationists, sportsmen, tribal leaders and politicians have all piped up to defend the valley. Whether those voices will outweigh the economic hopes of others in the region, or a companys promise of development, remains to be seen. Posted Wednesday, January 2, 2019 2:58 am A few weeks before he asked her to marry him, Nick Stolberg promised to his soon to be wife Nikki that they would live abroad for at least a year. He agreed because he had already purchased the ring, Nikki said during a phone call with The Reflector. He thought by the time I was done with college I would be ready to settle down and have a normal life. He didnt think he would have to fulfill that promise. More than eight years after moving from Ridgefield to Haiti, working at two orphanages and starting their own farm called New Roots Haiti, that promise Nick made to Nikki has turned into a lifelong commitment. I was very passionate about this when we started it; Im a hundred times more passionate about it now. Just seeing how this farm has jump-started the economy and created sustainable jobs for these people has been really huge, Nick said. My mission is to work with these men and women and help them become better parents, better spouses and better community members, he added. Alot of the people working for us are transitioning into leadership roles in the community and in the church, and I think thats really awesome. New Roots Haiti is located in the village of Chiron, 45 miles away from the city of Cap Haitien. The Stolbergs have 13 full-time and eight part-time employees working on their 13-acre farm. They built a butcher shop at the end of 2017 and deliver chickens all over Cap Haitien. Nikki has seen an incredible change in their village since New Roots opened. Parents are able to enroll their children in higher quality schools. People are starting their own small businesses with the money they earned from working on the farm. Providing this type of empowerment was what Nikki and Nick dreamed of while working at the Children of the Promise orphanage for the first five years they lived in Haiti. They saw so many desperate mothers who didnt want to put their children up for adoption but didnt have the means to take care of them. Im a mom of four children and I cant imagine not being able to provide for their needs or having to choose which one of them got to eat that day, Nikki said. Just giving these people the power to take that burden off of themselves so they can be the moms and dads they wish to be is just so amazing. I cant imagine us doing anything else. Weve been here for more than eight years. Its just home, she added. We love what were doing. We love who we work with. Our crew is phenomenal and has become part of our family. The decision to move to Haiti didnt sit well with Nicks parents, Mark and Karen Stolberg, or Nikkis mother, Kia Cole. My reaction to the news when Nick and Nikki told me they were selling or giving away everything they owed to move to Haiti was not what they had hoped for, and looking back, it was a very selfish reaction, Cole recalled. As a mother, I was fearful for them. But who am I to say where they should or should not go if that is where God has led them. So letting go and accepting their decision was many months in the making. After watching New Roots expand in its first two years, they know their son and daughter are making the right choice. Mark Stolberg said many of the older houses in Haiti were woven together with sticks and mud, but now there are new homes popping up that are made out of concrete blocks. The people have more hope. Theyre actually making that kind of change, Mark said. And then that change provides them with a way of avoiding those situations where they would have to take their child to the orphanage. Thats exactly what (Nick and Nikki) wanted. I could not be more proud of Nick and Nikki for their dedication to making a real difference in people lives, Cole said. It is a huge sacrifice to leave your family, friends, your jobs and comfortable way of living to go to a third world country, one of the poorest at that, to put others before yourselves. They have made more sacrifices and have had to go through so much, but continue to persevere, because serving others in where their heart is at. Nick never regrets the day he decided to embrace this adventure with Nikki. When we moved to Haiti, we sold our cars. We told our family a year, but I kind of knew in the back of my mind that it was going to be a lot longer, Nick said. Its not just a one-year thing. If we really wanted to make a true impact in peoples lives, it needed to be a much longer commitment. Nikki is thankful for the support from back home. New Roots has received close to $50,000 in donations since their Giving Tuesday fundraiser started Nov. 27, 2018. Those donations have come from members of the Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene and people all over the United States and Canada. Youre never too small to make a difference. Were just two kids from Ridgefield, Nikki said. Thank you to everybody for believing in us and this crazy vision and helping it come to life. It takes a village. We couldnt do it without each and every person thats alongside us. Spot the falling prices and you are likely to see the FTSE100 index move downward. This is exactly how commodity markets operate and there are several factors that can affect it. There are also some major currency pairs that tend to be affected by inflation Both POTUS meaning President of the United States and FLOTUS meaning First Lady are banished (AP) Michigans Lake Superior State University is featuring those phrases in its latest List of Words Banished from the Queens English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness. The 2018 list was compiled by the university from nominations submitted from across the globe with more than 3,000 votes submitted online. Ghosting is a term used to describe the ending of a relationship with a person suddenly and without explanation, while optics means the way something is perceived, particularly in politics. Other words to have worked their way onto the list include collusion particularly after US president Donald Trump denied there was any between his campaign and Russia as well as wheelhouse and in the books. One of the more versatile entries is yeet, which can be used to express excitement, but is also a type of dance or a taunt.On the politics front, Most important election of our time and OTUS acronyms such as POTUS for President of the United States made the list. The acronyms that have found their way onto cable news shows date back to the late 19th century, when POTUS and SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) were used as telegraph codes, according to Merriam-Webster. FLOTUS, for the first lady, first appeared in the 1980s. Previous lists have caused controversy, as some members of the public were upset at the 2002 inclusion of 9-11, which received thousands of votes for banishment, University spokesman John Shibley said. It was deemed by nominators as too much (of) a shorthand for the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, but people misunderstood and thought the school was thumbing our noses at 9/11, he said. Mr Shibley said that with the rise of social media and ever-more-divisive politics, people have even shorter fuses, which means he and his colleagues tread carefully. Hopefully (it) helps diffuse some of the animus out there not by laughing at ourselves, but by laughing at how language sometimes backs us into some absurdly funny corners, he said. Here is the full list of words nominated for banishment by Lake Superior University: Wheelhouse In the books Wrap my head around Platform Collusion OTUS family of acronyms (such as POTUS, FLOTUS, SCOTUS) Ghosting Yeet Litigate Grapple Eschew Crusty Optics Legally drunk Thought leader Unpack Importantly Accoutrements Most important election of our time . 800 . .- . , , ... Many creative folk say that art is in their blood. For Jordan Eagles, blood is in his art. The native New York artist considers blood not simply as a color in his palette or an artistic tool, but as a precious, universal life force. "Mostly, I work with abstraction with blood and resin," Eagles said. "Half the work I do is with animal blood, and the other part of my work is with blood donated from individuals in the LGBT community." The handsome Eagles uses it to create art that is not only provocative but also meaningful in a social and political way. "Back in 1998, I started really questioning the connection between body and spirit," Eagles said, "which led me to using blood in my work." Currently, the talented gay artist has two works exhibiting in New York. "Blood Mirror" is a dynamic sculpture using layers of blood encased in resin to create a beautiful, if eerie, work that reflects the viewer's own image. It was created in two phases across 2014 and 2016, using the blood of 59 gay, bisexual, and transgender men of varying ages and backgrounds. The inspiration behind the work was to tell of the hypocrisy of the United States government's stigmatizing and discriminatory blood ban. In 1983, in an early response to the AIDS crisis, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented a lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men. More than 30 years later, in December 2015, the FDA updated its policy to allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood, but only if they are celibate for a full year. There is no celibacy requirement for heterosexuals, regardless of their risk for contracting HIV. A 2014 study by the University of California-Los Angeles law school found that lifting the ban completely could save up to a million lives annually. "To have a policy that tells me that I have to be celibate for one year before my blood is worthy of being donated is ridiculous," Jordan, who is HIV negative and on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), said. "This is a project that could not have been done without the participation and collaboration of a lot of people," Jordan explained. "Aside from the blood donors themselves -- obviously, it couldn't have been done without the blood donors! -- we needed a medical supervisor and a medical technician." The entire artistic process was documented by filmmaker Leo Herrera, who interviewed the donors and documented the process of preserving the vital fluid. The films were also scored by The Carry Nation (DJ Will and DJ Nita). "The four of us would get together and have really intense brainstorming sessions, discussing the issues and figure out the kinds of blood donors we would need to tell the story." They decided on the men who could best tell the story from the beginning of the AIDS crisis to the blood ban. Specifically, they wanted men who sleep with men that could best highlight the hypocrisy of the issues. "We thought, 'Wouldn't it be great to find someone from Africa, because the AIDS crisis is still happening there?'" Eagles said. "And, 'Wouldn't it be great to find a set of identical twins where one of them is gay, so their DNA is the same, but they're treated differently?'" He continued, "I wanted to find a gay priest, someone who could talk about the spirituality of blood. I knew I wanted someone who was in the military, because they can spill blood on the battlefield, but they can't even donate blood to save lives." "Blood Mirror" has been exhibited at American University in Washington, D.C., Trinity Wall Street in New York City, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. Currently, it's on display as part of the Museum of the City of New York's Germ City: Microbes and the Metropolis exhibition. Another dynamic work by Eagles now being seen in New York is "Jesus, Christie's," on view at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art. For this piece, Jordan was sparked by Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi." Last year, the painting was sold for $450 million, making it the most expensive artwork in history. Eagles decided to take the image of the da Vinci work from the Christie's auction catalogue and pair it with test tubes of donated blood from people living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load, long-term HIV survivors, and activists. "I wanted to address how society way too often prioritizes and values objects versus human lives," Eagles said. "You know, when you start to think about the irony that the images of a likeness of Jesus Christ, who actually wanted to help cure the sick and the needy, and then this money is being spent on an image of him! It really begs the question of how we choose to prioritize things in our society." Jordan continued, "The idea of the blood of Jesus being shed on the cross for the sins of all man, I view that as the world's greatest blood donation, and it connects to the work that I do about donation policy." "Jesus, Christie's" juxtaposing the image of Christ with the medical vials of blood shows two philosophies of what constitutes a savior. "Many people picture the savior of the world like [in the da Vinci painting] 'Salvador Mundi.' And in another way, science becomes like a savior of the world." Jordan explains, "for example, here's a blood donor who is a long-term survivor [of HIV]. 30 years ago, this person was fighting for his life. Here we are now in 2018, and this individual is totally undetectable and healthy and living a thriving life as an older gay man. I mean, it's pretty remarkable. I actually think, in a way, it's a miracle." "Jesus, Christie's" will be on display at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art through January 13, 2019. "Blood Mirror" will be on display at the Museum of the City of New York through April 28, 2019. For more information on Jordan Eagles and his art, visit his website. Letter to the Editor The efforts been renewed to bond for a new school. . Let me state the problem Everybody, including me, wants a new school, nobody wants to ... Last week, four esteemed women in the world of yacht design spoke to us about how their love of the industry led them to found bespoke firms. This week, they shed light on how they have experienced the journey to the top of an arguably male-dominated industry. Laura Pomponi is able to look back over her illustrious career and say with a considerable degree of certainty that being a female in yachting means that you have to try that much harder. For her, it is not a question of whether or not the industry is male-dominated, but of how best to tackle this truism. She attributes her success to her experience in other male-dominated remits, as well as a large dose of perseverance: There is a specific male attitude which is prevalent, Laura tells us, it was not easy to find my way, but with competence and courage, I am getting there. The only female product designer to graduate in her year, Adriana is all too aware of the skewed representation of women in the sector. For her, being a woman in design is about bringing something to the table that men do not: I am proud to bring a female perspective to a male dominated domain, she says. Although women may excel at different things, Adriana is keen to convey the validity of both contributions: Gender does not make a difference in terms of design talent.The ultimate nod of recognition is when the owner is thrilled by the outcome. Adriana is also eager not to drive a wedge into the industry, claiming that the best results are achieved when the whole team is empowered. Camaraderie is conducive to achieving the overarching aim of adding more beauty, harmony and happiness to those who own and work on yachts, she argues. For Adriana, there is little place for gender-based scrutiny in an industry that requires such a measure of collaboration. This is a sentiment echoed by Sabrina, who claims some advantage in being a woman in superyacht design, arguing that men rely on our feminine touch to make their yachts as harmonious and comfortable as possible. The idea that women have something new and distinct to offer yacht interiors and exteriors is clearly a prevailing one, compounded by Sabrinas assertion that it is also easier for us to understand women's habits on board and how to furnish accordingly! When asked about the male-dominated nature of yacht design, Danielas response is refreshingly matter-of-fact: Which industry is not? I do not focus on this fact, I just get on with my work. Echoing Adrianas sentiments about the collaborative nature of the design industry, Daniela espouses an egalitarian worldview that rejects divisive discourse, saying Whether my colleagues are male or female doesnt matter, as most of them are incredibly talented and fun to work with. Although she concedes that at times it can be challenging, Daniela feels that she is suitably thick-skinned to to withstand potentially disadvantageous workplace conditions, having started her career in investment banking. The determination of these women is inspiring. None of them are contesting the male-orientation of their chosen work, and yet none bemoan this state of affairs. Instead, Adriana, Sabrina, Daniela and Laura seem to agree on the point that perseverance will eventually see time-honed biases dissipate completely. Next week, in our final installment of Women in Yachting, we speak to female yacht builders about their industry experiences. Kathryn Hunter as Timon. Photo by Simon Annand Gold, talking sense and mirth: Steve Sutherland reviews Timon of Athens on at the RSC Swan Theatre, until 22nd February Theres a neat symmetry to the RSC at the moment. Whether by fortuitous accident or clever design, A Christmas Carols running in the main theatre a show, of course, about a grumpy miser who mends his ways to become a big-hearted benefactor. Meanwhile, in The Swan, theres Timon Of Athens, the exact mirror opposite, a play about a gaudy philanthropist who winds up a ranting misanthrope. And both, happily, are brilliant. Timon is one of Shakespeares least popular plays. Boffins reckon it may have been a collaboration with another playwright, the satirist Thomas Middleton, and they like to point out some uneven text as evidence. Its seldom been performed since it was written around 1605 and those who view it as a dress rehearsal for the more famous King Lear may have a point. But now, in the creative hands of Simon Godwin, one of the RSCs more adventurous directors his recent African Hamlet is justly renowned its finally yielding up its own considerable merits. The storys pretty straightforward: Timons rich as stink and revels in bestowing expensive gifts and lavish banquets upon her so-called friends, pathetically addicted to the control and attendant feel-good factor her benevolence breeds. The time comes, though, when her coffers run dry and once she hurtles hedonistically into bankruptcy, the Tudor equivalent of Barclays and the NatWest come a-knocking for the debt. When she attempts to elicit financial aid from her clique, they are to a man and woman suddenly comically reluctant to cough up the readies. Enraged, she decamps to a wood outside Athens and goes full-on Lear bonkers, delivering some of the Bards most vicious speeches as she rails against the ungratefulness of all mankind. Then she accepts death and dies. The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noted that we have been referring to Timon as she. This is not a typo. Our protagonist is party to one of the RSCs more successful gender swaps and is played fantastically by Kathryn Hunter. Much was made recently of Jude Owusus bravura performance as Tamburlaine and the good news here is for those who like a proper full-on thesp, Ms Hunters Timon is his match in every word and gesture. Physically tiny, she looks misleadingly frail, like one of those fledglings fallen too soon from the nest. But boy, can she curse and bellow, and she goes from delighted to disgusted, simpering to snarling, riches literally to rags majestically and convincingly, her facial expressions a force all of their own. She is such a triumph that we feel pity for her pain even though her stupid pomp and vanity brought it all upon herself. Very good too is Nia Gwynne as the cynical philosopher Apemantus. She plays him in a Smiths t-shirt with all the haughty archness of Morrissey in his 80s prime. The perceived friendship group are fun too a shallow, foppish bunch the lot of em. Not quite so convincing are the rebel army. Theyre decked out in the yellow of the recent Parisian rioters, but all the clenched fist sloganeering and placard waving is a bit cliched and half-hearted. Still, why nit-pick? The production is gorgeously opulent, and the freeze-frame slo-mo effects impressively cinematic enough to distract from the annoyance of the Greek chorus device which endlessly, needlessly comments on whats going on. Its saucy timing for the RSC to stage Timon right here right now, such a lurid examination of the complex and needy psychology of the altruist bang in the midst of this jolly season of giving. It brought to mind some coverage of a politician at a food bank a week or two back. He was making a very public big deal about contributing some soup cans in a bid to enhance his charitable standing whereas, in reality, it was an obscenely orchestrated, callously calculated act, just serving to illustrate how he and his self-serving sort now consider it entirely legitimate that, in 2018, we live in such a divided society that folks are too poor to fend for themselves. Tackle the roots of the problem and endanger his privilege? Nah, lets go for the photo opp! Its often said that money is the root of all evil. Its also said that money makes the world go round. Both, it seems to me, are probably true and the Great God Gold is currently spinning our globe ever more enthusiastically anti-clockwise, back in time to the darkest of ages. Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. Kathmandu, January 2 Nepal is preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding with Japan so as to facilitate the employment of Nepali workers there. As communications between the two governments progressed, the Tokyo government has sent a draft of agreement to Kathmandu seeking feedback of Nepal government, according to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security. The source informs that the Tokyo government has told Kathmandu that it has selected Nepal as a source country for foreign workers, and presented its ideas about their recruitment and migration. Nepal has just begun studying the document and it will present its opinions on the issue during a bilateral meeting of the officials to be held in Kathmandu after two weeks, the source informs. A technical team consisting of labour officials will arrive in Kathmandu after few days for the meeting. Recently, the Japanese government has announced a new policy on the recruitment of foreign workers. Optimization Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should? Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools. Kim warns N. Korea could consider change of tack Seoul (AFP) Jan 01, 2019 North Korea could consider a change of approach if the US maintains its sanctions on the nuclear-armed country, leader Kim Jong Un warned in his New Year speech Tuesday after 12 months of diplomatic rapprochement. "If the US does not keep its promise made in front of the whole world... and insists on sanctions and pressures on our republic," Kim said, "we may be left with no choice but to consider a new way to safeguard our sovereignty and interests". Kim was referring to his summit with US Pres ... read more Trump says received 'great' letter from N. Korea's Kim Washington, Jan 2 (AFP) Jan 02, 2019 US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he had received a "great letter" from Kim Jong Un, after the North Korean leader warned Pyongyang may change its approach to nuclear talks if Washington persists with sanctions. "I just got a great letter from Kim Jong Un," Trump told a cabinet meeting, reiterating that he still expected to hold a second summit with the North Korean leader, after the pair signed a pledge on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in Singapore last June. "We really established a very good relationship," Trump said. "We'll probably have another meeting." Trump has cast his first summit with Kim as a major diplomatic victory, and on Wednesday repeated his claim that there would be a "big fat war in Asia" had they not sat down to talk. But progress has stalled since the Singapore summit with the two sides disagreeing over the meaning of their vaguely-worded declaration, and the pace of US-North Korean negotiations has slowed, with meetings and visits cancelled at short notice. Speculation about a second Trump-Kim summit has meanwhile ebbed and flowed, with the US president saying that he hoped it would take place early this year. In a brief tweet on Tuesday, Trump said he "look(s) forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!" The North is demanding relief from multiple sanctions imposed over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and has condemned US insistence on its nuclear disarmament as "gangster-like." In his New Year speech Kim called for the sanctions to be eased, saying that the North had declared "we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them," and urged the US to take "corresponding practical actions." Culminating in late 2017, the North has carried out six atomic blasts and launched rockets capable of reaching the entire US mainland, but has now carried out no such tests for more than a year. Kapilvastu, January 2 As many as two dozen migratory birds have been found dead in Jagadishpur Reservoir of Kapilvastu district in southwestern Nepal. Officials have suspected that some poachers killed the birds as 18 birds were found dead on Sunday morning. Six others were recovered in the evening in the same day. Lalit Gurung, a member of the Jagadishpur Lake Management Forum, says the racketeers might have poisoned the birds, and left in the lake the ones which they could not carry along with them. Locals also support the suspicion of officials. Chairman of the Kapilvastu Municipality Ward 9, Shiva Wagle, says he has drawn the attention of local security officials to increasing threats to the wildlife. The artificial lake has also been featured on the List of Wetlands of International Importance (the Ramsar List) since 2003. Total 118 species of birds, eight amphibians and three reptiles inhabit the 157 hectare area in the reservoir. Hundreds of migratory birds come to this place in the winter every year. Conditions for papal visit to Iraq 'not yet met': Vatican Vatican City, Jan 2 (AFP) Jan 02, 2019 The conditions for a possible visit to Iraq by Pope Francis have not yet been met, the Vatican number two said on Wednesday, citing concerns about the possibility of a terrorist attack targeting the pontiff. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, told the Catholic TV channel TV2000 that "the problem of terrorism has not been resolved". Parolin spoke about the security situation after visiting the troubled country, saying a papal trip to Iraq imposed a "minimum of conditions" that "are not currently met". Discussing terrorism, he said the Iraqi authorities confirmed that "the roots of this phenomenon are still present". Iraq has been a battleground for competing forces, including the jihadist Islamic State group, since the US-led ouster of President Saddam Hussein in 2003. Francis, 81, has made boosting ties between Christianity and Islam a cornerstone of his papacy. He will visit Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates in February and Morocco in March. Parolin told Vatican News on Friday that the pontiff wants to visit Iraq: "It would certainly be a great encouragement to Iraqis in the difficulties they still have to face." The pope has already visited several Muslim countries, including Turkey in 2014, Azerbaijan in 2016 and Egypt in 2017. Pope Francis moved quickly after his election in 2013 to make overtures to Jews and Muslims, inviting two old friends from Buenos Aires -- a rabbi and a Muslim professor -- on a trip to the Middle East where he condemned religious hatred. Trump 'looks forward' to new meeting with N.Korea's Kim Washington, Jan 2 (AFP) Jan 02, 2019 President Donald Trump is looking forward to another summit with Kim Jong Un, he said Tuesday, after the North Korean leader warned Pyongyang could change its approach to nuclear talks if Washington persists with sanctions. "I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!" Trump said in a brief tweet. The two leaders made global headlines with an unprecedented summit in Singapore in June, where they signed a vaguely-worded pledge on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. But progress has since stalled with the two sides disagreeing over what the declaration means, and the pace of US-North Korean negotiations has slowed, with meetings and visits cancelled at short notice. The North is demanding relief from the multiple sanctions imposed on it over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and has condemned US insistence on its nuclear disarmament as "gangster-like." Speculation of a second Trump-Kim summit has ebbed and flowed, with the US president saying that he hoped it would take place early this year. But a proposed visit by Kim to Seoul before the end of December did not materialize. Culminating in late 2017, the North has carried out six atomic blasts and launched rockets capable of reaching the entire US mainland, but has now carried out no such tests for more than a year. In his New Year speech Kim called for the sanctions to be eased, saying that the North had declared "we would neither make and test nuclear weapons any longer nor use and proliferate them," and urged the US to take "corresponding practical actions." If Washington instead continues with the measures, he added, "we may be compelled to find a new way for defending the sovereignty of the country and the supreme interests of the state." He was willing to meet Trump at any time, he said. Kim's remarks were "apparently designed to revive the momentum of the negotiations," South Korea's centrist Hankook Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial Wednesday. But he was also "signalling that he would never be pushed around", it added. Joshua Pollack of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies tweeted that Kim was insisting "the onus is now on the US to deliver". "The bottom line: Kim remains dug into the same positions on nuclear diplomacy he has occupied over the last six months," he added. - Leather armchair - Kim delivered his speech sitting in a leather armchair in a book-lined office with a patterned blue carpet, presented as being at the headquarters of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. Large paintings of Kim's predecessors, his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung, looked on and a white phone lay on the side table next to Kim's chair. It was a marked departure from previous New Year speeches -- always a key moment in the North Korean political calendar -- which Kim has usually delivered much more formally, standing at a podium. One thing that was different from past speeches by the North Korean leader was that it was "a relaxed, indoor setting, with him sitting in a comfortable chair rather than standing and speaking in a huge square," the Korea Times said. "It seems North Korea was once again trying to establish a new identity as a normal country on the global stage and distance itself from the image of the impoverished authoritarian state that the rest of the world associates it with." - Southern comfort - Kim dedicated most of his 30-minute speech to calls to shore up the nation's moribund economy and curb chronic power shortage -- a goal impossible to achieve without lifting of the sanctions. South Korea -- a key US ally in Asia and the North's capitalist neighbor -- praised Kim's speech, calling it a reaffirmation of Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearisation. Seoul and Washington have at times pursued divergent approaches to the Pyongyang, with the South pushing cross-border co-operation projects, including connecting railways and roads across the heavily-fortified border and upgrading the North's tattered infrastructure. But such plans also require some of the sanctions to be lifted. The South's dovish President Moon Jae-in, who played a role of peace broker between the two mercurial leaders, met Kim three times last year -- twice at the border truce village of Panmunjom and once in Pyongyang. Kim sent Moon a message on Sunday, vowing to meet him "frequently" to discuss denuclearisation. Trump says looks forward to new meeting with N.Korea's Kim Washington, Jan 2 (AFP) Jan 02, 2019 President Donald Trump said Tuesday he looked forward to another summit with Kim Jong Un, a day after the North Korean leader warned Pyongyang could take a different approach to nuclear talks if US economic sanctions persist. "I also look forward to meeting with Chairman Kim who realizes so well that North Korea possesses great economic potential!" Trump said in a brief tweet. The US leader made his comment after citing news coverage of Kim's New Year remark that the North had declared it would neither make nor test nuclear weapons any longer, or proliferate them. At a summit with Trump in Singapore in June, the two signed a vaguely worded pledge on denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. But progress has since stalled with Pyongyang and Washington arguing over what that means. Trump has previously said that he hoped to have a second meeting with Kim early this year. But the North is demanding relief from the multiple sanctions over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and has condemned US insistence on its nuclear disarmament as "gangster-like." Kim, in his New Year speech, said that if the US continues with sanctions "we may be compelled to find a new way for defending the sovereignty of the country and the supreme interests of the state." He added he was willing to meet Trump at any time and would seek "to obtain without fail results which can be welcomed by the international community." Ex-Marine arrested in Moscow for 'spying' is innocent, family says Washington, Jan 2 (AFP) Jan 02, 2019 An American ex-Marine arrested in Moscow for alleged espionage is innocent, his family said Tuesday. The detention of Paul Whelan marked the latest in a series of espionage cases between Russia and the West. "We have read reports of the arrest in Moscow of Paul Whelan, our son and brother," said a statement posted on Twitter by David Whelan, who said he is the brother of Paul. "Paul is a retired Marine and was visiting Moscow to attend a wedding," it continued, adding that he stopped being in communication with his family on Friday, "which was very much out of character for him even when he was traveling." The family added they learned of the arrest through the media on Monday morning and had been in touch with US lawmakers, as well as the State Department. "We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected," the statement said. Russia's FSB domestic security service said the American was arrested on Friday "while carrying out an act of espionage." A criminal case had been opened under Article 276 of the Russian Criminal Code which allows for prison sentences of up to 20 years, the FSB said in a statement. Whelan's employer, US-based automotive components supplier BorgWarner, said that he is the firm's director of global security. "He is responsible for overseeing security at our facilities in Auburn Hills, Michigan and at other company locations around the world," the company said in a statement, adding it has been in contact with relevant US authorities "in order to help our employee and the US government." - A Russian held in US - Born 48 years ago in Canada, Whelan had gone to Moscow for the marriage of a fellow ex-Marine with a Russian woman, his brother David told US media. Speaking to Canada's CBC News, David Whelan said "there's no chance" the Russian accusations against his brother are accurate. "Paul has a law enforcement background. He is a Marine. He has worked in corporate security, and he is very aware of both the rule of law and the risks of traveling in countries that may have risks to travelers," the brother said. "There's no chance that he would have taken those sorts of risks while on a trip to Moscow, let alone to break any law but to break the espionage act." The US State Department said Monday it had been formally notified by Russia's foreign ministry and was seeking access to the detained American. "Russia's obligations under the Vienna Convention require them to provide consular access. We have requested this access and expect Russian authorities to provide it," the State Department said. "There is apparently a window of about 72 hours which has to pass before anybody can see Paul and that time hasn't passed as of today," Whelan's brother told CBC. "So we are hoping tomorrow that we will hear about Paul's condition and his well-being." The arrest came after President Vladimir Putin accused Western nations of using espionage cases to try to undermine an increasingly powerful Russia. US intelligence services have accused Moscow of interfering in the 2016 presidential election. Special Counsel Robert Mueller has charged 25 Russians -- including members of the GRU military intelligence -- and three Russian companies for that alleged interference but they have not been arrested. In December, Russian national Maria Butina pleaded guilty in a Federal Court in Washington to acting as an illegal foreign agent. Butina faces up to six months in prison, followed by likely deportation. Israel to open new Red Sea airport in January Jerusalem, Jan 1 (AFP) Jan 01, 2019 Israel plans to inaugurate a new international airport in the south of the country near the Red Sea later this month, the transport minister announced Tuesday. The Ramon airport will begin with only domestic flights before gradually moving toward full operation, Transport Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. The inauguration ceremony will be held on January 21 with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in attendance. Initially domestic flights will be operated by the Arkia and Israir carriers. A timeframe was not given for when the airport will be fully operational. Construction costs for the airport have been put at 1.7 billion shekels ($455 million, 395 million euros). Work got underway in 2013 but original specifications for the project were revised to allow for upgrades. The airport will be some 18 kilometres (11 miles) from the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat and near the Jordanian port of Aqaba. Its website says that it will be able to initially handle up to two million passengers annually, but will be able to expand to a capacity of 4.2 million by 2030. It will replace Ovda airport, some 60 kilometres away from Eilat, and will be able to serve as an alternative to Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv during times of emergency. The new airport is named after Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut who died in the crash of the space shuttle Columbia. NASA speeds toward historic flyby of faraway world, Ultima Thule Tampa, Jan 1 (AFP) Jan 01, 2019 NASA counted down Monday to a historic flyby of the farthest, and quite possibly the oldest, cosmic body ever explored by humankind -- a tiny, distant world called Ultima Thule -- in the hopes of learning more about how planets took shape. The US space agency planned to ring in the New Year with a live online broadcast to mark the spacecraft's zoom past the mysterious object located about four billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) away in a dark and frigid region of space known as the Kuiper Belt. The flyby at 12:33 am Tuesday (0533 GMT) will take place about a billion miles beyond Pluto, which was until now the most faraway world ever visited up close by a spacecraft. Real-time video of the actual flyby is impossible, since it takes more than six hours for a signal sent from Earth to reach the spaceship, named New Horizons, and another six hours for the response to arrive. A solo track recorded by legendary Queen guitarist Brian May -- who also holds an advanced degree in astrophysics -- was set to be released just after midnight to accompany a video simulation as NASA commentators describe the close pass. The live broadcast can be followed at www.nasa.gov/nasalive. Hurtling through space at a speed of 32,000 miles per hour, the spacecraft aims to make its closest approach within 2,200 miles of the surface of Ultima Thule. Alan Stern, the lead planetary scientist on the New Horizons mission, told reporters that Ultima Thule is unique because it is a relic from the early days of the solar system and could provide answers about the origins of other planets. "The object is in such a deep freeze that it is perfectly preserved from its original formation," he said. "Everything we are going to learn about Ultima -- from its composition to its geology to how it was originally assembled, whether it has satellites and an atmosphere and those kinds of things -- are going to teach us about the original formation conditions of objects in the solar system." But the encounter itself is risky, and if the spacecraft were to collide with a speck of space debris as small as a grain of rice, it could be destroyed instantly, mission managers warned. For that reason, Stern said he and his colleagues are "on pins and needles to see how this turns out." The first signal back to Earth should come about 10 hours after the flyby, around 9:45 am (1445 GMT). Only then will NASA know if New Horizons survived the close pass. - What does it look like? - Scientists are not sure what Ultima Thule (pronounced TOO-lee) looks like -- whether it is cratered or smooth, or even if it is a single object or a cluster. It was discovered in 2014 with the help of the Hubble Space Telescope, and is believed to be 12-20 miles in size. A blurred and pixelated image released Monday, taken from 1.2 million miles away, has intrigued scientists because it appears to show an elongated blob, not a round space rock. Even clearer images should be in hand over the next three days. Scientists decided to study it with New Horizons after the spaceship, which launched in 2006, completed its main mission of flying by Pluto in 2015, returning the most detailed images ever taken of the dwarf planet. Seven instruments on board will record high-resolution images and gather data about its size and composition. Every 20 minutes, the spacecraft's cameras and infrared imagers are capturing shots of the space rock, "so as it rotates and we get closer we will get good data on all parts of it as we approach," said John Spencer, a scientist with the Southwest Research Institute. The flyby will be fast, at a speed of nine miles per second. Stern said the goal is to take images of Ultima that are three times the resolution the team had for Pluto. - Frontier of planetary science - Ultima Thule is named for a mythical, far-northern island in medieval literature and cartography, according to NASA. Project scientist Hal Weaver of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory said humans didn't even know the Kuiper Belt -- a vast ring of relics from the formation days of the solar system -- existed until the 1990s. "This is the frontier of planetary science," said Weaver. "We finally have reached the outskirts of the solar system, these things that have been there since the beginning and have hardly changed -- we think. We will find out." In an editorial in The New York Times, Stern recalled that December 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the first time humans ever explored another world, when US astronauts orbited the Moon aboard Apollo 8. "New Horizons will continue in that legacy," Stern wrote. "As you celebrate New Year's Day, cast an eye upward and think for a moment about the amazing things our country and our species can do when we set our minds to it." ksh/oh THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY Celebrate New Year by Running the Track From:Shine | 2019-01-01 17:29 About 10,000 runners took part in a race at the Shanghai International Circuit in Jiading District on Tuesday to celebrate the New Year. Some 6,000 runners competed in the single lap race which is 5.4 kilometers, while another 4,000 took part in a 21.6-kilometer four-lap run. 4 Photos|View Slide Show Dong Jun / SHINE The race titled Run the Track was first held in Shanghai in 2015 and inspired by the informal races held at Formula One circuits around the world in which drivers, team members and marshals compete. About 200 families with children aged from 5 to 10 also enjoyed the New Year run on Tuesday as a parent-child carnival was held at the circuit for the first time this year. 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Musicians of the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra gave a special concert with local visually impaired artists on Sunday in Hong Kong Plaza, Huangpu District. Themed "Love with Music", this annual charity event was organized by the foundation and American consumer goods maker Amway and has been running for almost a decade. Every year the two organizations invited musicians from different countries to perform in Shanghai for the kids who need help. The brief concert given by five chief musicians of the orchestra took place in Hong Kong Plaza with some other music performances provided by visually impaired artists from a local art troupe and the mentally retarded from a "Sunshine Home," a nursing house for these people, in Huaihai Neighborhood. The Turkish musicians brought Turkish March and Canon and Gigue in D, while the local artists performed an acapella"My Stage" and played guitar with singing "The Brightest Star in the Night Sky." The two sides had an ensemble of Songs of the Wanderers as well. Bulent Evcil, manager of the orchestra and also the flute player, told Shanghai Daily that its the first time for their orchestra to visit Shanghai. But for himself, who once came here five years ago, its the second time. "We did this for charity and for these children. We are proud of doing this and we feel very happy," said Evcil. He said the orchestra is touring now in China and they have already had six concerts in the country. Ozgecan Gunoz, concertmaster of the orchestra who had never been here before, said she got moved by the performance with the visually impaired people. "Music itself is naturally about love, peace, and everything," said Gunoz. She said the music education is very hard and they have spent many years on that. For these people, they didnt have such a chance but music is inside them. According to Ma Cheng, a 14-year-old teen boy with vision disorder who played the ensemble with Turkish musicians, it's his first time to play with foreign musicians and mix Chinese stringed instrument erhu with Western ones. "We didnt have a rehearsal before we are on stage and I felt very nervous at the beginning of the performance. But it turned out to be a good one," he told Shanghai Daily. I have been learning erhu for more than six years. This event is very special for us because it provides us a great opportunity to show our talents. He wishes he can have more chances to cooperate with foreign groups and even one day play erhu overseas. The organizer of the concert said this event is a platform for special groups, especially the handicapped. These people also have artistic talents. They need a platform to show that and be recognized by the society," said Liao Ying, director of Amway's South China public affairs. "So we provide a platform for them to play with foreign musicians, which can enhance their confidence and help them to be integrated into society." Jiang Xiaowei / SHINE Musicians of the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra give a special concert with local visually impaired artists on Sunday in Hong Kong Plaza, Huangpu District. Ti Gong Ozgecan Gunoz, the concertmaster of the orchestra interacts with the audience on Sunday. Ti GongTi Gong Musicians of the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra give a special concert with local visual impaired artists on Sunday in Hong Kong Plaza, Huangpu District. To mark the centennial of the March 1 Movement against Japanese colonial rule in Korea, the state of New York will designate a memorial day for female independence fighter Yu Gwan-sun. The Korean American Association of Greater New York said Monday that the New York State Senate and Assembly will adopt a resolution designating a memorial day to commemorate her life, at a meeting on Jan. 14. One of the four sponsors, Ron Kim, is the only Korean-American state lawmaker. Veteran actress Neetu Kapoor on Tuesday took to social media and shared a perfect family dinner photograph which saw Alia having quality time with Ranbir and his father Rishi Kapoor, also an actor. Raazi actress Alia Bhatt celebrated New Year's Eve with beau Ranbir Kapoor and his family. Alia, Ranbir, Rishi and Neetu were also joined by Riddhima Kapoor, her husband Bharat Sahni and daughter Samara for the celebration. As Rishi is currently undergoing a medical treatment here, wife Neetu wished for "good health" and hopes "Cancer to be only zodiac sign". "Happy 2019, no resolutions, only wishes this year! Less pollution traffic! Hope in future, cancer is only a zodiac sign. No hatred, less poverty, loads of love togetherness happiness and most important good health," Neetu captioned the photograph. The Chandni actor also wished his fans a very "happy new year" on Twitter. Riddhima, sister of Ranbir, also shared photographs and videos from the celebration on Instagram in which Ranbir and Alia can be seen having fun time with each other. On the work front, both the actors will be seen sharing screen space in Ayan Mukerji's upcoming film Brahmastra. Modi said that Patel had expressed his desire to resign owing to "personal reasons". Modi also signalled that Patel had expressed this desire in the past 6 months before finally resigning. This was the Prime Minister's first interaction published in the new year. "The governor himself requested (to resign) because of personal reasons. I am revealing for the first time, he was telling me about this for the past six-seven months before his resignation. He gave it in writing. He wrote to me personally," Modi said during the interaction. The Prime Minister also clarified that there was no force on the Governor to resign. He also denied political pressures for the governor to step down. He also added, "I acknowledge that Patel did a good job as RBI governor." Stressing that institutions like CBI and judiciary are paramount to his government, the Prime Minister stressed that the opposition Congress party has no right to criticise the BJP by saying that the government weakened such institutions in the country. Here is a video of the interaction: A section of the media speculated that Patel's resignation may have been owing to differences with the government. Although Patel had not been quite vocal of the government's various policies, the media believed that there were differences over handling of the RBI's reserves and a host of other policy-related issues. Notable among these were also tweaking the RBI's Prompt-Corrective Action (PCA) plan to enable NPA-rich banks to lend to the businesses. Invocation of Section 7, a never before used RBI act that allows the government to issue directions to the RBI was also one among the issues. The Finance Ministry on Tuesday said a total of 72.44 lakh GSTR-3B returns were filed till December 31, up from 69.6 lakh filed in November, bringing in Rs 16,442 crore as Central GST (CGST), Rs 22,459 crore as State GST (SGST), Rs 47,936 crore as Integrated GST (IGST) and Rs 7,888 crore as Cess. New Delhi: Revenue collection under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) fell for the second straight month to Rs 94,726 crore in December from Rs 97,637 crore collected in November despite a rise in the number of tax returns filed. The revenue collected in December relates to transactions made in November. The GST collections had breached the Rs 1-lakh crore-mark in October (for September) when it stood at Rs 1,00,710 crore, after which it slided to Rs 97,637 crore in November (for October). The revenue collection is expected to slide further in coming months as the GST Council in its December 22 meeting decided to cut tax on 17 items and six services including computer monitors, TV screens, video games, lithium-ion power banks, retreaded tyres, wheelchairs and cinema tickets. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said after the meeting that the tax cuts would have a revenue impact of Rs 5,500 crore for the full fiscal. The new reduced rates come into effect from Tuesday. "The government has settled Rs 18,409 crore to CGST and Rs 14,793 crore to SGST from IGST as regular settlement. Further, Rs 18,000 crore has been settled from the balance IGST available with the Centre on provisional basis in the ratio of 50:50 between the Centre and the states," a Finance Ministry statement said. "The total revenue earned by the Central government and the state governments after regular settlement in the month of December is Rs 43,851 crore for CGST and Rs 46,252 crore for the SGST," it added. In a speech that was marked by shouting from ruling party benches, Gandhi sought to play a purported recording of a conversation of a Goa Minister on the issue that triggered heated exchanges between Congress and BJP members in the Lok Sabha. New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday stepped up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, saying the entire country was "pointing fingers" at him and demanded that a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) must probe the deal to bring out the truth. Initiating a debate on the controversial deal for acquiring fighter jets from France, he attacked Modi on the "process, pricing and patronage" and said "there are many holes in the Rafale story". "I thought `daal me kuch kala hai but puri daal hi kali hai' (I thought there was some wrongdoing but nothing is right). We demand JPC (Joint Parliamentary Committee). It will bring out the truth. Modiji bypased processes, contract was snatched from HAL. A JPC is needed," he said. Gandhi was seeking to dismiss Modi's statement in a television interview on Tuesday in which he said the allegations in the Rafale deal were not directed at him personally but was against the government. "He (Modi) was looking tired, nervous (in the interview). He said no one has pointed fingers at me but the whole country is pointing fingers at him," Gandhi said. Gandhi said a news report had said that that in Defence Ministry's file notings, it had been stated that "PM Modi shouldn't interfere in Rafale deal's negotiation". "Modi must also answer on this," he said. Gandhi accused Modi of bypassing procedures to award an offset contract to a private entity after agreeing to a three-time hike in the price per aircraft and reducing the number of planes to be bought. Referring to the Supreme Court verdict which rejected pleas seeking a probe into the Rafale deal and said the apex court had said a probe was not in its jurisdiction and had not said that there should not be a JPC or a parliamentary probe. Pandemonium broke out when Gandhi took out his mobile phone and wanted to play the recorded conversation of a Goa minister amidst stiff opposition from the ruling benches, including Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who alleged that after concocting French President Emmanuel Macron on the issue of price, Gandhi was now trying to play a conversation which he knew was false. As shouting continued, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked Gandhi to authenticate the purported conversation and sternly told him not to play any recording. "They are so afraid. I will not play the tape and if it pleases you but...," he said adding he would read from the taped conversation. Jaitley interjected to say that Gandhi knew it was false and was refusing to authenticate it. "You know it is false," Jaitley told Gandhi. "Because he knows it is false... he lies repeatedly." The Minister also referred to Gandhi's statement on Macron and said it too was false and fabricated. The Speaker adjourned the House briefly as the two sides were locked in heated exchanges. Resuming his speech, Gandhi quoted the Goa minister as saying that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has all the files and notings on Rafale deal. "Goa CM has said that I have Rafale files at my home. It has been authenticated by a cabinet minister in Goa who belongs to the BJP," he said. Pointing to Modi's absence from the House, Gandhi said: "PM is hiding behind AIADMK MPs. He is hiding in his room." Gandhi said the Indian Air Force (IAF) wanted 126 fighter jets but the Modi government agreed to purchase only 36 planes from France. "Who changed the requirement of Air Force from 126 to 36 in the new deal? The excuse given to purchase 36 aircraft was that they were needed urgently. Why has not a single aircraft landed on our soil till now?" he asked. Gandhi alleged that the "entire procedure was bypassed" and the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said he had "no idea" about the new deal. He said the UPA had negotiated price of Rs 526 crore per aircraft and was to procure 126 fighter jets but when Modi went to France and met then French President Francois Hollande, a new deal was done and the price went up to Rs 1,600 crore per aircraft. "Why did the price go from Rs 526 crore to Rs 1,600 crore?" He alleged that Hollande had stated that contract was taken away from HAL and the offsets contract was given to a private entity at the behest of Modi. "Is it a fact that the new price was objected to by Defence Ministry officials? Is there a objection to the new price?" He said HAL had been making aircraft for the past 70 years and had vast experience in making combat jets also. "HAL has tremendous record, it is the future of aviation in the country and gives thousands of jobs. Why was the contract taken away from HAL," he asked. He alleged that Modi put Rs 30,000 crore in the pocket of an individual and claimed that the private entity had brought land from money given by Dassault Aviation, the maker of Rafale fighter jet. The Congress leader said that French President Emmanuel Macron had told him that pricing of aircraft can be disclosed. He said Modi, during an earlier 90-minute speech in the Lok Sabha, had touched Rafale only for five minutes and not answered questions posed to him. GM Korea has cut the prices of its major models by up to W3 million from the first day of the New Year, a spokesman for the automaker said on Tuesday (US$1=W1,114). The automaker said it is lowering the list prices, not offering temporary discounts. The prices of the Equinox midsize SUV are now W32.13 million for the LT version and W35.39 million for the premier version, down W1.9 million and W3 million, respectively. The Impala large sedan costs W2 million less at between W33.5 million and W42.88 million, depending on options. The Trax compact SUV begins at W17.92 million for the base LT version, down W300,000, while the premier version rose W840,000 to W22.42 million. The prices of the Spark subcompact fell W500,000 to W13.05 million for the LT version and W150,000 to W14.55 million for the premier version. GM is also offering discounts for customers who replace cars that are more than seven years old with new ones this month -- W500,000 on the Malibu sedan and W1 million on the Trax. Press Release January 2, 2019 De Lima sponsors Senate proposal regulating public solicitation Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has recommended the approval of a measure that seeks to better regulate the practice of public solicitation in the country and ensure that proceeds raised are utilized for the intended purpose. De Lima, chair of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, has reported out Senate Bill (SB) No. 2111, also referred to as the "Public Solicitation Act," seeking to repeal the 40-year-old Act. No. 4075, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1564, otherwise known as the Solicitation Permit Law. The proposed Public Solicitation Act also includes salient features related to the issuance of temporary solicitation permits to individuals or organizations needing aid during calamities or disasters. "This bill ultimately seeks to protect the welfare of the general public by ensuring that proceeds raised for the benefit of the vulnerable and our disadvantaged countrymen will rightfully be translated to beneficial programs that will help their causes," she said. According to De Lima, reported abuses in the conduct of public solicitation spurred the need to revisit the Solicitation Permit Law to protect the citizenry from exploitation by scrupulous individuals. Notably, SB No. 2111 is a substitution of SB No. 2014 which De Lima herself authored, with inputs from House Bill No. 5342, introduced by Representatives Josephine Ramirez-Sato, Ma. Lourdes R. Aggabao, and Christina Roa-Puno, among others. Under SB No. 2111, solicitors are required to secure a solicitation permit either from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), or the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), and comply with several requirements before conducting a solicitation. "All solicitation permits issued by the DSWD, the PSWDO, the CSWDO, or the MSWDO shall be valid only on the approved date of coverage which in no case shall exceed one year within the specified city, municipality, region, or areas in the Philippines," part of the measure read. In times of natural or human-induced calamities or disasters and the intended beneficiaries of the public solicitation are in disaster-stricken areas, the measure proposed that a temporary solicitation permit may be issued to the applicant also upon submission of a duly accomplished application form as provided by the Act. To ensure that enough funds will be utilized entirely for projects or programs for the targeted beneficiaries, the measure proposed that not more than thirty percent of the total proceeds from the fund-raising activity of any individual, organization, or agency shall be expended for administrative cost. Likewise, the public may inquire from the DSWD or concerned LSWDO - who have the authority to file a complaint in the appropriate court any violation of the provisions of SB No. 2111 -whether a public solicitation activity is legitimate or not. "The DSWD, the PSWDO, [as with] the CSWDO, or the MSWDO shall, in the exercise of their regulatory powers, verify the authenticity of the report submitted by conducting spot monitoring or reviewing of the book of accounts of the concerned individual, organization, or agency," the measure noted. "Likewise, the DSWD is granted visitorial powers to ensure that the soliciting individuals and organizations are legitimate and that funds solicited are properly utilized," it added. Lamprell is one of the joint venture partners in IMI has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to build a pair of jack-up rigs collaboratively with IMI for a client of the Saudi yard. The rigs will be built to Schedule G requirements for operation in Saudi waters. Most of the fabrication work for the rig newbuilds will be carried at Lamprells yard in the UAE with the shipbuilder carrying out around 15% of the work in Saudi Arabia. This is a significant step forward for the Saudi maritime yard. Following Lamprell's recent announcement regarding its ascension to Saudi Aramco's long term agreement programme, this is a further demonstration of the importance of the Saudi Arabian market to our strategic aspirations, said Christopher MacDonald, ceo of Lamprell. The developing relationship between IMI and Lamprell will continue to be enhanced as we construct these rigs and we are excited by the opportunity to collaborate with them on such an innovative and important project." Read more: Lamprell and Boskalis chosen for Saudi Aramco contractor programme IMI is a $5.2bn mega-yard project at Ras Al Khair on the Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia, 70% jointly owned by Saudi Aramco (50.1%) and its most important tonnage provider Bahri (19.9%), the remainder belonging to UAE-based rig builder Lamprell (20%) and shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) (10%) of Korea. The new facility, due to come on stream in phases between 2019 and 2021, will have four zones for activities covering the maintenance, repair and overhaul of rigs and ships; the construction of offshore support vessels OSVs; the building of merchant vessels; and the fabrication of jack-up rigs. Jacques Vandermeiren, ceo of Antwerp Port Authority, highlighted that the port is already far beyond its optimum capacity limits in the terminals below the locks, with serious consequences for efficiency. We therefore continue to insist that additional container capacity below the locks is urgently needed. The port of Antwerp is doing very well, which is good news for the economy. But it is also very important to keep up this impetus and to build the necessary capacity as soon as possible, Vandermeiren said. The port authority has forecast growth of 5.1% in 2018 compared to 2017. The expected total freight volume in 2018 comes to 235m tonnes, a new record, with growth in all types of cargo. The large expansion in container freight continues, reaching 11m teu, up 5.5% year-on-year. Liquid and solid bulk are up by respectively 4.5% to 76.5m tonnes and 5% to 12.8m tonnes, while breakbulk has experienced growth of 1.8% to 15.6m tonnes. In addition, last year saw international players in the chemical industry including Borealis, INEOS, Nippon, Sea-Mol and Oiltanking/AGT brought a wave of investment to the port, amounting to more than EUR2bn ($2.3bn). But to keep growing in a sustainable way, we together with the whole port community must strain every effort to meet the challenges facing us today. The port of the future must have enough capacity and be accessible, sustainable, smart and secure to remain attractive for investors, Vandermeiren said. He added that a recent draft version of the Preference Decree for creation of additional container capacity represents a breakthrough. The capacity expansion work has to carefully consider nautical and operational issues in order to make it feasible and attractive for operators while limiting environmental impact. Over the next three years, Antwerp Port Authority will also invest no less than EUR35m in innovative sustainability projects such as making cold ironing systems available, promotion of alternative fuels like LNG and hydrogen, and installation of hydroturbine in sea locks to generate electricity from water power. Antwerp port is also looking to assume a pioneering role in digital transformation, with an aim of installing a digital nervous system covering the entire port with smart cameras, sensors, drones, among others, to give full monitoring. Data is being made transparent and available to all players in the supply chain thanks to NxtPort, the data platform for the port that was set up nearly two years ago. The move is to part of a continued integration of shipbuilding and repair assets under the arm of China Merchants Group. Currently, Jinling Shipyard has 39 ships order in hand while Jiangdong Shipyard has four ships order. Jinling Shipyard, Jiangdong Shipyard, Qingshan Shipyard and Yichang Shipyard, owned by Sinotrans-CSC Shipbuilding Industry, were the four major shipbuilding facilities of Sinotrans-CSC. Qingshan shipyard delivered its last ship in 2018 and exited the shipbuilding market; Yichang Shipyard has also suspended operations, while Jinling and Jiangdong are the two active shipyards of Sinotrans-CSC Shipbuilding Industry. Sinotrans-CSC Shipbuilding Industry was merged into China Merchants Group as a part of the overall integration progress between China Merchants Group and Sinotrans-CSC. CMIH, headquartered in Hong Kong, is in charge of industry asset management for the China Merchants Group. CMIH is one of the fastest-growing offshore equipment builder and ship repair yard in China. The company owns three production bases include Haimen base in Jiangsu, Mazhou Island in Shenzhen and Yiu Lian in Hong Kong. A serious fire was reported by the Master of the Shoei Kisen Kaisha owned and managed, 2009-built car carrier on New Years Eve 1,800 nm northwest of Oahu, with an intention to abandon ship. The vessel is operated as part of Mitsui OSK Lines, MOL Auto Carrier Express (ACE) fleet. Read the latest update: Search called off for last missing seafarer Sincerity Ace, four found but unresponsive USCG Photos and Video - Sincerity Ace fire and rescue operation The US Coast Guard (USCG) and five merchant vessels in the area came to the rescue and 16 crew members from the Sincerity Ace were rescued. We are thankful for the assistance the crews of these merchant vessels have given us during this event significantly reducing possible response time, said Lt. Duane Zitta, Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu. Their quick actions provided for the rescue of 16 members of the crew who would otherwise still be in the water and are continuing to aid us. The search continues for two missing crew members while three other seafarers spotted in the water are feared dead. Three of the five missing mariners reportedly were located but remain in the water as they are unresponsive and unable to grab onto life-saving equipment to be brought aboard, the USCG said. Search efforts are focused on the two remaining potential survivors in a search area of 5,832 nm sq. A spokesman for the owner and manager said: "The company would like to express their gratitude to the Coast Guard and the crews of the 5 Good Samaritan vessels, Green Lake, SM Eagle, Venus Spirit, New Century 1 and Genco Augustus for assisting our crew. Our thoughts and prayers are with the crew and their loved ones during this difficult time." Meanwhile the vessel is adrift on the high seas and is still on fire. The owners of the Sincerity Ace are coordinating with the merchant vessels for the transport of the rescued mariners, USCG said. A salvage plan is being formalized and commercial tugs have been dispatched by the company. The spokesman for the owner and manager said cause of the fire was unknown at this time, but they would manager would work closely with all appropriate authorities to try and determine a cause. The partial U.S. government shutdown is in its 11th day at the dawn of 2019, with lawmakers and President Donald Trump still at odds over his demand for money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. Democrats in the House of Representatives say that when they assume control of the chamber on Thursday, they plan to quickly approve legislation to reopen the quarter of government operations that have been closed since Dec. 22, although passage in the Senate is uncertain. The Democrats' spending plan includes no money for Trump's border wall, which the U.S. leader derided in a New Year's Day Twitter comment. Later in the day, Trump invited top congressional leaders, both Republicans and Democrats, to the White House on Wednesday for a briefing on border security. But it was unclear whether that could lead to breaking the stalemate over his wall proposal he contends would thwart illegal immigration. Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have observed a warped disk around a recently-formed protostar. In the Solar System, the orbits of the four inner planets, the asteroid belt, and the gas giants are within a few degrees of the same plane. This plane is also very close to the plane of the Suns equator. Recent studies have revealed that the orbital planes of extrasolar planets are not always aligned with one another or with the equatorial plane of the central star. One explanation for this is that some of the planets might have been affected by collisions with giant planets and/or companion stars. However, the possibility remained that such planets were born in a warped protostellar disk. Recently, images of protoplanetary disks have in fact showed such warping. But it was still unclear how early this happened. Now, a team of astronomers from the RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research and Chiba University in Japan has discovered that IRAS 04368+2557 an infant protostar embedded within the molecular cloud L1527 at a distance of 447 light-years hosts an edge-on disk with two misaligned parts. The inner and outer parts of the disk have slightly different orbital planes, connected at 40 to 60 AU (astronomical units) from IRAS 04368+2557, but the disk has point symmetry with respect to the position of the protostar. This observation shows that it is conceivable that the misalignment of planetary orbits can be caused by a warp structure formed in the earliest stages of planetary formation, said team leader Dr. Nami Sakai, a researcher at the RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research. We will have to investigate more systems to find out if this is a common phenomenon or not. The remaining question is what caused the warping of the disk, she said. One possibility is that irregularities in the flow of gas and dust in the protostellar cloud are still preserved and manifest themselves as the warped disk. A second possibility is that the magnetic field of the protostar is in a different plane from the rotational plane of the disk, and that the inner disk is being pulled into a different plane from the rest of the disk by the magnetic field. We plan further work to determine which is responsible for the warping of the disk. The research is published in the journal Nature. _____ Nami Sakai et al. A warped disk around an infant protostar. Nature, published online December 31, 2018; doi: 10.1038/s41586-018-0819-2 New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/02/2019 -- The latest research report on the triisopropanolamine (tipa) (cas 122-20-3) market for the forecast period, 2018 - 2025 is involved in screening the business environment and the companies operating in the triisopropanolamine (tipa) (cas 122-20-3) industry. Importantly, the research sheds a lot of light on their winning strategies to help stakeholders, business owners, and field marketing executives stay ahead in the competition. Besides, the industry is thoroughly weighed upon on the basis of the total revenue generated as well as the output/volume produced year after year. Other aspects including but not limited to the market drivers, key opportunities and probable restraints are thoroughly assessed during the study. 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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 New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/02/2019 -- The latest market intelligence study on Motorcycle Carburetor market applies the best of both primary and secondary research techniques to bring to light the growth rate of the Motorcycle Carburetor market for the forecast period, 2018 - 2025. The comprehensive study covers hard to find facts about the market landscape as well as its growth prospects in the years to come. Most importantly, the research report includes vital statistics about the major vendors occupying a strong foothold in this industry. Besides this, in order to calculate the market share, the study takes a closer look at the selling price of the product across different regions. Download Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/sample-enquiry-form/27152 In market segmentation by manufacturers, the report covers the following companies- Zhejiang Ruixing, Fuding Huayi, Zhanjiang Deni, Keihin Group, Kunfu Group, Fuding Youli, Walbro, Zhejiang Kinzo, Mikuni, TK Carburettor, Zhejiang Ruili, Ruian Sunshine In market segmentation by geographical regions, the report has analysed the following regions- - 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 market segmentation by types of Motorcycle Carburetor Market, the report covers- - Diaphragm Carburetor - Float-Feed Carburetor In market segmentation by applications of Motorcycle Carburetor Market, the report covers the following uses- - Motorcycle - Scooter - Step-Through - Scooter Buy Full Report@ https://www.marketexpertz.com/checkout-form/27152 The study explores in details about the recent trend fast gaining momentum in Motorcycle Carburetor industry due to factors including but not limited to growing customer preference and a sudden rise in their spending capacity. Aspects attributed to the gross margin, profit, supply chain management and product value and their considerable impact on the development of the Motorcycle Carburetor market during the forecast period, 2018 - 2025 is carefully scrutinized during the research. The research provides answers to the following key questions: - What is the estimated size of the Motorcycle Carburetor market for the forecast period, 2018 - 2025? What will be the growth rate of the industry during the estimated period? - What are the prominent driving forces likely to impact the progress of the industry across different regions? - Who are the major market players occupying a strong foothold in the Motorcycle Carburetor market? What are the winning strategies adopted by them to stay ahead in the competition? - What are the potential opportunities for the Motorcycle Carburetor market for the forecast period, 2018 - 2025? - What are the key trends expected to shape the development of the industry over the coming years? - What are the key restraints and challenges likely to hinder the growth of the Motorcycle Carburetor market worldwide? Key points from TOC: Chapter 7 Profile of Leading Motorcycle Carburetor Players 7.1 Zhejiang Ruixing 7.1.1 Company Snapshot 7.1.2 Product/Business Offered 7.1.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share) 7.1.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis 7.2 Fuding Huayi 7.3 Zhanjiang Deni 7.4 Keihin Group 7.5 Kunfu Group 7.6 Fuding Youli 7.7 Walbro 7.8 Zhejiang Kinzo 7.9 Mikuni 7.10 TK Carburettor 7.11 Zhejiang Ruili 7.12 Ruian Sunshine Continue Read full report description @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/industry-overview/motorcycle-carburetor-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 New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/02/2019 -- The analytical study is proposed to provide immense clarity on the market size, share and growth rate across different regions. The profound knowledge and extensive examination of the trends from the yesteryear and future aims at offering the stakeholders, product owners, and marketing personnel a competitive edge over others operating in the Methylisobutylketone market for the forecast period, 2018 - 2025. The major players covered in this report - Celanese - Shell - Dow - Arkema - Solvay - Mitsui Chemicals - B. Enterprises - Antares Chem Private Limited - Triveni Chemicals - Arrow Fine Chemicals Get the Sample Copy of Report@ https://www.marketexpertz.com/sample-enquiry-form/27207 Extensive data on market segmentation The Methylisobutylketone report divides the market of potential buyers into different groups, or segments/sub segments, based on various characteristics. The segments and sub segments identified contain buyer who are expected to respond or react similarly to certain products and services. The report further finds out consumers who share traits including similar expectations, interests, geography and needs. The segmentation sheds light on how some customers are likely to purchase a product or service than others to enable marketers allocate their focus as well as resource. 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.) Market split by Type, can be divided into: - Isopropyl Alcohol (Raw Material) - Acetone (Raw Material) Market split by Application, can be divided into: - Medicine - Cosmetics - Others Ask for discount on the report @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/discount-enquiry-form/27207 Understanding the market size The size of the Methylisobutylketone market is viewed in terms of the Share of Market, Total Available Market as well as Served Available Market. Not only does the study present the combined revenue for a particular market but also the market size for a specific geographic region. Analysis of percentage or the size of the Total Available Market based on the type of product, technology, regional constraints and others form an important part of the Methylisobutylketone report. Knowing the trends influencing the industry performance Stakeholders, marketing executives and business owners planning to refer a market research report can use this study to design their offerings and understand how competitors attract their potential customers and manage their supply and distribution channels. When tracking the trends researchers have made a conscious effort to analyze and interpret the consumer behaviour. Besides, the research helps product owners to understand the changes in culture, target market as well as brands so they can draw the attention of the potential customers more effectively. Our trend analysts look for the crucial connection between consumer trends, behaviour and values, to provide context for the sectors, demographics and global themes that matter to you. Buy This Report @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/checkout-form/27207 Key Points From TOC Chapter 7 Profile of Leading Methylisobutylketone Players 7.1 Celanese 7.1.1 Company Snapshot 7.1.2 Product/Business Offered 7.1.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share) 7.1.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis 7.2 Shell 7.3 Dow 7.4 Arkema 7.5 Solvay 7.6 Mitsui Chemicals 7.7 A. B. Enterprises 7.8 Antares Chem Private Limited 7.9 Triveni Chemicals 7.10 Arrow Fine Chemicals Continue 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: https://www.marketexpertz.com Direct Line: +1-800-819-3052 E-mail: sales@marketexpertz.com News: https://www.marketexpertz.com/market-news Malaga, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/02/2019 -- Classic Lift Australia is one of the fastest growing companies based in Australia. For many years, the company has been offering quality and affordable motorbike and car lifts to both the local and regional market. The company avails a wide variety of lifts such as Two Post Lifts, Parking Lifts, Scissors Lifts, Single Post Lifts, and many other products for their customers to choose. The local and regional authorities have certified and approved the products and services offered by the company to meet the set industrial safety and quality standards. Therefore, one can rely on their services. While speaking at an industrial exhibition organized in Sydney, the company's spokesperson said, "At Classic Lift Australia, we are driven by the passion for offering quality and affordable lifts. We have invested in extensive research and state of the art technology, which enables us to come up with quality products in the market. Those looking for Motorbike Lifts and car lifts can rely on us. We provide the top-quality products at a budget-friendly price. Our prices are the most competitive in the market given our cost-effective mode of stock acquisition and service delivery." Classic Lift Australia is not just an ordinary company. For many years, the company has been offering quality lifts in the market. The company assures their customers strength, safety, and quality in every product they offer in the market. Their heavy-duty lifts are made to last longer. Their car lifts are designed to make work easier while inspecting the underside of a vehicle. For instance, the 2 Post Car Hoist availed by the company is stronger and stable assuring the user safety while inspecting their vehicle. On the reason why one should opt for their products and services, the company's spokesperson added, "Classic Lift Australia offers a wide variety of lifts through collaboration with some of the leading manufacturing companies in the region. Some of our products come with up to 3-years warranty giving our customers peace of mind whenever they shop for our products. Those looking for car stackers, specialty lifts, and other accessories can rely on us. We are just a phone call away. You can visit our website or contact our customer care team for timely delivery of Workshop Hoist to your doorstep." The company has employed committed customer care team who attends to all their customers courteously. One can place their orders for their products and expect on-time feedback from their customer care team. The company values their customer care team and seeks to improve their products and services to meet the dynamics of the market. About Classic Lift Australia Classic Lift Australia is a private manufacturer, distributor, and supplier of quality and affordable light and heavy duty lifts for the motor-vehicle industry. For more information about 4 Post Hoist and other accessories, visit their website or contact their customer care team. Contact details Company name: Classic Lift Australia Branch Address 1: 1/14 Industry St, Malaga, WA 6090, Australia Branch Address 2: 3/53 Lara Way, Campbellfield Melbourne 3061 Tel: 1800 951 022 (Toll Free) Email: sales@classiclift.com.au Contact page: https://www.classiclift.com.au/contact-us/ Website: https://www.classiclift.com.au New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/02/2019 -- A new market assessment report on Concrete Sealer market brings to light a detailed statistics on the dramatic shift in the competitive landscape and business environment of the Concrete Sealer market for the forecast period 2018 - 2025. The comprehensive study offers an overview of the current state of development of the business as well as predicts the course of progress across different regions. A large number of factors including the major driving forces, threats and opportunities are taken into account to present an analytical picture of the industry portrayed in the report. Request for Sample Report @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/sample-enquiry-form/27166 Scope of the Report: The study is a professional probe into the revenue generated and capacity estimates for the Concrete Sealer market for the forecast period 2018 - 2025 empower the business owners to maintain a competitive edge over their rivals. The research further examines and provides data on the market by type, application and geography interspersed with illustrations and other graphical representations. The market analysis not only determines the attractiveness of the industry but also the evolving challenges and opportunities and their association with the weaknesses and strengths of prominent market leaders. Other factors taken into consideration when studying the industry include profitability, manufacturing capability, distribution channels and industry cost structure and major success factors. Enquiry about Report@ https://www.marketexpertz.com/make-enquiry-form/27166 Leading players of Concrete Sealer including: Prosoco, Evonik, BASF, SealSource, AmeriPolish, LYTHIC, W. R. MEADOWS, Larsen, KreteTek Industries, Kimbol Sealer, Stone Technologies, LATICRETE International, Nutech Paint, NewLook, Euclid Chemical, Henry Company, Chem Tec, Mapei, Nanofront, Suzhou Jinrun, Guangzhou Ontop Building Material Market split by Type, can be divided into: - Silicate Sealers - Silane Siloxane Sealers - Acrylics Sealers - Epoxy Sealers - Other Market split by Application, can be divided into: - Commercial Areas - Factories - Other Market split by Sales Channel, can be divided into: - Direct Channel - Distribution Channel 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.) Understanding the market size The study segments the complete Concrete Sealer market on the basis of different application, end-use, end-user, and production capability. From a business standpoint, the industry has been thoroughly examined across various countries located in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and others. The size of the industry for the forecast period 2018 - 2025 is evaluated on the basis of current sales figures and past financial report can be used to forecast the future sales. Purchase Report@ https://www.marketexpertz.com/checkout-form/27166 A quick look at the industry trends and opportunities In addition, the study probes into the major factors such as import and export status, consumption volume, supply chain management, production capability and spending power to help business owners, stakeholders as well as field marketing executives zero in on profitable business strategies and stay competitive. A thorough analysis of intense competition among the top performers and strategies that have enabled them to occupy a strong foothold in the Concrete Sealer market makes the report a valuable resource for product owners exploring new avenues. All the vital information is presented through charts, graphs and tables and can be refereed for an industry specific presentation. Knowing the trends influencing the industry performance The report segments the Concrete Sealer market on the basis of geography, end-user, end-use, product application, type, share, growth rate and size to reveal where the industry will be in the coming years. The researchers assessing the industry have included the details about the recent decisions and events such acquisition and mergers, collaborations, product launch and investments. Important decisions connected with such events come handy for business owners when positioning their brands in the global market and finalizing the marketing strategies. Browse Full RD with TOC of This Report @ https://www.marketexpertz.com/industry-overview/concrete-sealer-market The research provides answers to the following key questions: - What is the expected growth rate of the Concrete Sealer market? What will be the market size for the forecast period, 2018 - 2025? - What are the major driving forces responsible for transforming the trajectory of the industry? - Who are major vendors dominating the Concrete Sealer industry across different regions? What are their winning strategies to stay ahead in the competition? - What are the market trends business owners can rely upon in the coming years? - What are the threats and challenges expected to restrict the progress of the industry across different countries? - What are the key opportunities that business owners can bank on for the forecast period, 2018 - 2025? Key point from table of content: Chapter 7 Profile of Leading Concrete Sealer Players 7.1 Curecrete Distribution(Ashford Formula and RetroPlate) 7.1.1 Company Snapshot 7.1.2 Product/Business Offered 7.1.3 Business Performance (Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share) 7.1.4 Strategy and SWOT Analysis 7.2 Prosoco 7.3 Evonik 7.4 BASF 7.5 SealSource 7.6 AmeriPolish 7.7 LYTHIC 7.8 W. R. MEADOWS 7.9 Larsen 7.10 KreteTek Industries 7.11 Kimbol Sealer 7.12 Stone Technologies 7.13 LATICRETE International 7.14 Nutech Paint 7.15 NewLook 7.16 Euclid Chemical Continue 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 Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen says China must accept Taiwan's status as a self-ruled island. In a New Year's Day address from her office, President Tsai said China had to "respect the insistence of 23 million people for freedom and democracy," and for both sides to face the reality that there are fundamental differences between their "values and lifestyles" and political systems. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have been strained since Tsai, the leader of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, took office in 2016 and refused to accept the concept of China and Taiwan joined together as one China. 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 Padres have promoted Erik Greupner to president of business operations, the team announced Wednesday. Greupner had been serving as the chief operating officer and handling day-to-day management of business operations since team President Mike Dee and the Padres parted in October 2016. Greupner originally joined the organization in December 2010 as a senior vice president (general counsel). Before joining the Padres, Greupner worked for Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, an international law firm. He earned his Juris Doctor degree magna cum laude from the USD School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College in Illinois. Greupner currently serves as the chairman of the advisory board of trustees of Rady Childrens Hospital Foundation and on the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerces board of directors. Executive Chairman Ron Fowler and General Partner Peter Seidler issued a statement with the news of Greupners promotion: Advertisement Erik has been instrumental in the growth of our business since joining the Padres over eight years ago. He set the standard for operational excellence within the organization and has delivered tangible results off the field. We look forward to an exciting new chapter for our business operations under Eriks leadership. Padres Videos On Now Padres pitcher Chris Paddack on start vs. Mariners and possibility of making rotation On Now Meet the Padres: Ian Kinsler 5:18 On Now Catching up with Padres OF Franmil Reyes 5:18 On Now Meet The Padres: Greg Garcia 5:11 On Now Catching up with Padres reliever Craig Stammen 5:33 On Now Meet the Padres: Logan Allen 6:23 On Now Meet The Padres: Manny Machado 9:08 On Now Meet The Padres: Chris Paddack 5:08 On Now Three things that stood out from Machado's first day with the Padres 1:53 On Now Padres manager Andy Green on Machado joining his roster jeff.sanders@sduniontribune.com; Twitter: @sdutSanders California has never had a governor like Jerry Brown. He is one of only a handful to hold the office in his 30s and he retires as its oldest ever occupant, at age 80. With his departure, its finally time to look at Browns long legacy: successes, failures and incomplete efforts for history to judge. Tune in to a discussion on Gov. Jerry Browns legacy below. When Browns second eight-year stint began in January 2011 after a 28-year break, Californians frustration with state government was immense. His two predecessors, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gray Davis, had decent starts but grew less effective as time wore on. In 2010, the relationship between Schwarzenegger and Democratic legislative leaders was so dysfunctional they missed a deadline to adopt a state budget by more than three months. Advertisement Gov. Jerry Browns long legacy During the stalemate, columnist Dan Walters wrote in The Sacramento Bee that Californias governance is utterly broken and needs a top-to-bottom overhaul. He called California a global laughingstock and labeled its economic future at serious risk unless it deals with its myriad political issues. Eight years later, that description doesnt fit the Golden State at all, and Brown deserves much of the credit. The $27 billion deficit he inherited is projected to become a budget surplus of $14.8 billion and a rainy-day fund of $14.5 billion, according to the Legislative Analysts Office. These gains were fueled by a booming economy that more than the turnaround of any other state helped lift the United States out of the Great Recession, and in some ways, its possible to look at this resurgence and consider Brown lucky. Certainly, the passage of Proposition 25 in November 2010 just before he was sworn in allowed state budgets to be passed with simple majority votes instead of the previous two-thirds requirement and removed a huge annual headache. And the economys growth can hardly be tied to specific moves by the governor or the Legislature. But by a wide margin, Brown deserves more credit than any other single person for Californias revival in his second go-around as governor. His first great accomplishment was restoring the sense that the state was governable that the political will existed to address major problems. His second great accomplishment righting the states finances was inextricably linked to his first. To drive home his concerns over spending, Brown vetoed the state budget in 2011, a nearly unprecedented event. Then he spent seven more years demanding Democrats be prudent to limit the fiscal carnage when the inevitable next recession hit. This was in huge contrast to Schwarzenegger and Davis, who were willing to spend revenue windfalls without thinking about future implications. Unlike those two feats, Browns third great accomplishment should draw thanks not just from Californians, but from people all around the world. Its his commitment to having the Golden State lead the way in Earths existential struggle with climate change caused by the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Brown fought for and won a renewal of the states cap-and-trade program until 2030 to limit industrial polluters. He signed laws committing California to have 45 percent less use of petroleum by 2030 and committing the state to have 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045. He also signed an executive order setting a state goal of complete carbon neutrality by 2045. A Vox analysis said this was historys most ambitious climate target. Such policy commitments make the Paris Agreement of 2015, which won the support of more than 190 nations, seem like less of an amazing achievement. With global temperatures at record levels, ice diminishing in the Arctic, Antarctica and Greenland, and oceans rising and becoming both warmer and more acidified, the evidence is overwhelming that climate change is putting the world at risk. But Brown didnt just raise alarms; he responded with concrete, bold measures in the hopes of inspiring other leaders, and he traveled internationally as a call to action to prevent irreversible climate change. The standard statement about the politics of climate change is that the future doesnt have a constituency, that its hard for politicians to make hard choices when those choices are going to have bad effects now and the benefits are in the future, UC Davis historian Kathryn Olmsted told Governing magazine. Its unusual to have someone like Brown to think about the future. Advertisement It shouldnt be. And just maybe, because of the example of Jerry Brown, such long-range thinking and planning will become the norm and a global disaster will be avoided. The biggest part of Browns legacy could be the future. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a gathering to commemorate the 40th anniversary of issuing Message to Compatriots in Taiwan, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 2, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Tao) BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday said China must be and will be reunified, as he addressed a gathering in Beijing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chinese mainland's Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. "It is a historical conclusion drawn over the 70 years of the development of cross-Strait relations, and a must for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the new era," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Speaking at the Great Hall of the People, Xi called for joint efforts across the Taiwan Strait to advance peaceful national reunification. The long-standing political differences can not be dragged on generation after generation, Xi said. The Taiwan question originated from national weakness and disorder and has lasted for 70 years. Xi said since 1949 the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people have always unwaveringly taken resolving the Taiwan question to realize China's complete reunification as a historic task. He expressed confidence that the Taiwan question will definitely end with national rejuvenation. BEST APPROACH On Jan. 1, 1979, the National People's Congress Standing Committee issued the Message to Compatriots in Taiwan. It was considered a declaration of the mainland's policy for peaceful reunification. Halt to military confrontations was proposed. Visits, cross-Strait transportation, postal services and economic and cultural exchanges were promoted. A page on cross-Strait relations has been turned. On Wednesday, Xi raised a five-point proposal for peaceful reunification. He said the principles of "peaceful reunification" and "one country, two systems" are the best approach to realizing national reunification. He proposed that the mainland and Taiwan conduct democratic consultation on cross-Strait relations and the future of the nation, and establish institutional arrangement for peaceful development of cross-Strait relations. He said on the basis of ensuring China's sovereignty, security and interests of development, the social system and way of life in Taiwan will be fully respected, and the private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots will be fully protected after peaceful reunification is realized. The president pledged "utmost sincerity and greatest efforts" for the prospect of peaceful reunification and said Taiwan will be guaranteed lasting peace after reunification. "We are all of the same family," Xi said. While stressing that the "Chinese don't fight Chinese," Xi said, "We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means." This targets only the interference of external forces and the very small number of "Taiwan independence" separatists and their activities, he added. IRRESISTIBLE TREND "'Taiwan independence' goes against the trend of history and will lead to a dead end," Xi said. The president said achieving the country's greatness, national rejuvenation and cross-Strait reunification is the trend of history, which can never be blocked by anyone or any force. The peaceful and stable development of cross-Strait situations and the progress of cross-Strait relations are the tide of the time that can never be stopped by anyone or any force, he said. Liu Jieyi, head of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, noted the strengthened political, economic, cultural, personnel exchanges over the decades. Between 1988 and 2018, 134 million cross-Strait visits were logged; two-way trade reached 2.6 trillion U.S. dollars; and the mainland has been Taiwan's largest market and top investment destination outside the island, Liu said. In his speech, Xi said the future of Taiwan lies in national reunification. "We sincerely hope all the compatriots in Taiwan treasure peace as much as they treasure their own eyes, and pursue national reunification as much as they pursue happiness." NO INTERFERENCE FROM OUTSIDE Xi said the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and allows no external interference. The Chinese people's affairs should be decided by the Chinese people, Xi said, stressing that the Taiwan question concerns China's core interests and the national bond of the Chinese people. China's reunification does not harm any country's legitimate interests, including their economic interests in Taiwan, Xi said, adding that it will only bring more development opportunities to other countries. Over the 70 years, more and more countries and peoples have understood and supported China's cause of reunification, the president noted. Wednesday's gathering was attended by Li Zhanshu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, presided over the event. Wang said Xi's speech demonstrated the historical trend of cross-Strait relations and called for joint efforts to forge ahead for the peaceful national reunification. Chen Ching-lung, a 54-year-old hotel operator in Xiamen, Fujian Province, followed Xi's speech, which was broadcast live by China Media Group and on Xinhua News Agency's website (xinhuanet.com). A veteran who was once stationed in Kinmen, Chen joined the influx of Taiwan compatriots who found bristle business chances on the mainland. "The direction of peaceful development is totally correct," he said. "What the two sides should do is to mitigate differences and enhance their communications." Hsueh Ching-te, another Taiwan compatriot who runs a business in Fujian, said he looks forward to complete reunification so that "all Chinese people will live in peace, prosperity and with dignity." I hear Chinese elites claiming that Americans are conducting an evil conspiracy to destabilize China. I hear prominent Americans, disappointed that China has not become a democracy, claiming that China poses a threat to the American way of life. U.S. government reports declare that China is dedicated to challenging U.S. supremacy, and that it is planning to drive the United States out of Asia and reduce its influence in other countries around the world. If top government officials embrace these dangerous notions, a modern Cold War between our two nations is not inconceivable. At this sensitive moment, misperceptions, miscalculations and failure to follow carefully defined rules of engagement in areas such as the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea could escalate into military conflict, creating a worldwide catastrophe. The U.S. imposition of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, and Chinas retaliatory tariffs, contribute to the deteriorating relationship, hurting both countries. The 90-day pause in further escalation of tariffs, agreed to at the Group of 20 summit in Argentina, offers the possibility of reaching a permanent agreement on U.S.-China trade. What can we do to build on this progress and repair the U.S.-China relationship? Advertisement First, the United Stateslong-standing complaints about trade imbalances, intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers, and unfair barriers to U.S. investments and business operations in China must be addressed quickly and effectively. Neither country should use national security as an excuse to obstruct the others legitimate commercial activities. China needs competition for its economy to innovate and grow; pursuing a fair and reciprocal relationship is the only way for both countries to remain economically strong. Second, Americans must acknowledge that, just as China has no right to interfere in U.S. affairs, we have no inherent right to dictate to China how to govern its people or choose its leaders. Chinas achievements in sustaining economic growth, alleviating abject poverty and providing developmental assistance to other countries need to be celebrated. At the same time, we cannot ignore its deficiencies in internet censorship, policies toward minorities and religious restrictions which should be recorded and criticized. This balanced approach is key to ensuring that the United States and China continue to work together toward solving some of the most intractable global problems. Despite current tensions on other issues, Chinese support has been essential in our ongoing efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. Beijing also could offer crucial help in post-conflict reconstruction in the Middle East and Africa, countering terrorism and extremism, and mediating other international disputes. The United States should return to the Paris climate accord and work with China on environmental and climate-change issues, as the epic struggle against global warming requires active participation from both nations. But I believe the easiest route to bilateral cooperation lies in Africa. Both countries are already heavily involved there in fighting disease, building infrastructure and keeping peace sometimes cooperatively. Yet each nation has accused the other of economic exploitation or political manipulation. Africans like billions of other people around the world do not want to be forced to choose a side. Instead, they welcome the synergy that comes from pooling resources, sharing expertise and designing complementary aid programs. By working together with Africans, the United States and China would also be helping themselves overcome distrust and rebuild this vital relationship. In 1979, Deng Xiaoping and I knew we were advancing the cause of peace. While todays leaders face a different world, the cause of peace remains just as important. Leaders must bring new vision, courage and ingenuity to new challenges and opportunities, but I believe they also must accept our conviction that the United States and China need to build their futures together, for themselves and for humanity at large. Blame sanctuary laws for officers murder Re California police officers death renewing sanctuary law fight (Dec. 30): On the front page and many pages thereafter, we have to go through myriad poor immigrant photos and stories. It isnt until we get to page 18 that we finally get to a story about an illegal aliens arrest for murder of a police officer and the subsequent police criticism of Californias sanctuary laws. Whats most interesting about the saga is that the very raison detre for sanctuary laws, supposedly that illegals will not be afraid to come forward to aid police, is shown to be a scam when two other illegals were arrested for allegedly aiding the alleged murderers flight from justice. Lets see a front-page story analyzing the true impact on the body politic of sanctuary laws. Susan Page Advertisement Bankers Hill The murder of police Officer Ronil Singh by an illegal immigrant is yet another horrific consequence of California sanctuary laws. This tragedy was 100 percent preventable. The false narrative/facade that neighborhoods are safer is worn-out political talking points. Unbiased law enforcement disagrees. Politicians and local administers who support such sanctuaries have blood on their hands that cannot be washed off by political spin. When will we come to our senses? Wayne Bostic San Carlos Wheres proof migrants will avoid the police? Re California police officers death renewing sanctuary law fight (Dec. 30): It is inaccurate for state Sen. Kevin de Leon to claim that discussing the negative impact of sanctuary laws will cause illegal migrants not to report crimes. Advertisement The relationship between the public and law enforcement when reporting a crime is noncustodial contact. Law enforcement wants to help and is disinclined to inquire of immigration status; likewise during brief detention, normally a traffic stop. Also, there are protections given to any crime victim. When a person is detained for further questioning or under arrest are when officers may be required to discover an immigration status. Sheriffs from around the country have denounced the claim that illegal migrants will not come forward to report crime in nonsanctuary jurisdictions. Law enforcement has the absolute right, at its discretion, to inquire about immigration status without having any reasonable suspicion, which was granted in Muehler v. Mena, a 2005 unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision. Ted Hilton Advertisement San Diego Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. Re Black market a growing threat to legal California marijuana industry (Dec. 27): Black-market marijuana has transmogrified over a handful of years from a public health menace to a threat to government revenue. Other than pricing government-sanctioned cannabis to compete with the decades-old underground economy, incoming Gov. Gavin Newsoms only routes to realizing his anticipated windfall will be focusing police priorities on tax code enforcement or running pro-pot ad campaigns. Restoring with minimal strings a freedom that was curtailed for dubious reasons might have made sense. The state has a duty to intervene in behaviors that pose a threat to public safety, such as driving motor vehicles while intoxicated. The public also has an interest in ensuring that children are given the best chance to become educated with clear minds, and to develop critical thinking skills. But giving the state a vested interest in promoting an activity that it arguably should not encourage was a mistake, without rational or moral foundation. David R. Voth Advertisement South Park Letters and commentary policy The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy. You can email letters@sduniontribune.com or leave a comment below. Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. In 2012, upset with the difficulty that the California High-Speed Rail Authority was having in finding investors for its then-$68 billion bullet-train project, supporters of the project applauded when veteran transportation executive Jeff Morales replaced authority CEO Roelof van Ark. Morales left in 2017 after never finding investors or fixing the rail authoritys management problems. His replacement, veteran transportation executive Brian Kelly, has fared no better. A brutal November state audit of the now-$77 billion project blamed billions of dollars in cost overruns on the premature launch of the first segment in the Central Valley. That led Assembly Transportation Committee leader Jim Frazier, D-Discovery Bay, to call for the ouster of rail authority board chair Dan Richard. Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom said on Dec. 7 that he was assessing the stewardship of the rail authority. So maybe after Newsom takes office, California will see new veteran transportation executives brought in as rail authority CEO and board chair. Or maybe state leaders finally will have an epiphany and realize that the greatest transportation executive in history cant salvage a project built on fraud. That fraud: In November 2008, state voters were persuaded to back Proposition 1A, which provided $9.95 billion in start-up funds for the then-$45 billion project with promises that it would be easy to come up with additional funds from private investors. But in real time, the rail authority knew that was not true. In spring 2008, authority officials sought to gauge interest from private companies in funding or jointly developing the bullet train. In an indefensible decision, the authority did not disclose until after the election that potential investors wanted the state government to share the risks to their participation. Translation: If the project didnt meet revenue or ridership goals, the state government would provide subsidies to its private investor/partner. Such subsidies are banned by Proposition 1A. Advertisement In 2010, a Legislative Analysts Office report hammered home how big an obstacle this was to the project ever getting built. The LAOs wisdom has been confirmed over and over again. Its now been 122 months since Proposition 1A passed without a single serious report of private investor interest. Now even though the project has shrunk in scope, funding is running out. Besides the Proposition 1A funds and $3.5 billion in grants from the Obama administration, the only source of new money is the projects 25 percent share of the states cap-and-trade pollution permit auctions, which generate roughly $750 million a year. And when the core funds are gone, theres no reason to believe the rail authority will be able to complete a viable, potentially successful Central Valley to Silicon Valley link much less secure the $50 billion or more it needs to build a Los Angeles to San Francisco link. If the chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee or the next governor think this immense gap can be fixed with new leadership, then they are part of the bullet-train problem. If private investors balked over the subsidy issue in 2008, the chaotic project now more than 11 years behind schedule is even less appealing now. Its time for a new era of candor and honesty about the Grand Canyon-sized hole in the bullet-trains business plan. Its time for truth to prevail. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion After a 79-year-old woman was raped in her own home, genetic genealogist CeCe Moore had to work fast. The assailant was still out there. Her mind raced. I have got to find him now, before he re-offends, she thought. I felt like it was a life-or-death situation. Police had asked her to identify the rapist in the April attack in St. George, Utah. The idea was to plug his DNA into a public database and find his family tree. Maybe then they could deduce his name. Advertisement I was sweating, Moore said. I felt like I was battling to get to the other side of a dark jungle just to solve that. Moore and her team quickly provided a name. Police soon arrested a suspect. Moore a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Penasquitos is one of the biggest names in genetic genealogy, which made national headlines in 2018 as a tool to help identify rapists and murderers, most famously the suspected Golden State Killer. Moore is recognizable from the PBS documentary show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. in which she assists the Harvard scholar to dig into the ancestry of celebrities and notables. Shes also become a notable star in her own right, and an expert on solving cases for people trying to figure out who their parents are. TV viewers may remember her work featured on ABCs 20/20 in 2016, in which she helped three people who each had been abandoned in Los Angeles as newborns, umbilical cords still attached, in the 1980s. The three, it turned out, were related. She figured out who their birth mother was. Moore recently joined Virginia-based Parabon NanoLabs to lead its forensic genealogy unit. In September, the company issued a statement that it had solved 10 cases in the first 100 days of the new service. The field of genetic genealogy itself had a breakout year in 2018. Advertisement The method made its big-stage debut as a crime-solving tool in April with the announcement that it had been used to catch the suspected Golden State Killer, so named for a crime spree that included more than 50 rapes and at least 13 murders throughout California from 1974 to 1986. Heres how it works: Police upload DNA from a crime scene into a public repository of DNA profiles, in hopes that the evidence shares plenty of markers with whats already in the database. If there is enough of a family connection between the crime scene DNA samples and a profile in the database, an expert genetic genealogist like Moore might shake a name out of the family tree. Moore has had success in more than two dozen cases thus far. This is really just the beginning of genetic genealogy and law enforcement, Moore said last month. I knew the potential all along. I knew this was coming for a long time. Advertisement A highly scientific tip Moore had long wanted to help police. But she had ethical concerns. She had long urged several people to upload their raw DNA information to the public database. But now that police were using that database, she didnt feel it was OK for her to help them mine a database rich with profiles she had told people to upload. I had a lot of sleepless nights, she said, because I wanted to help law enforcement. I wanted to stop these criminals. I wanted to help save lives. Then the Golden State case cracked by genealogist Barbara Rae-Venter took law enforcements new use of genetic genealogy out of the shadows. It made national news. Advertisement It became widely understood that police were using the public database. Once that information was in the public consciousness, Moore felt it was OK to help with police use the database. Once it was all out on the open, there was no reason for me not to do it anymore, Moore said. It really resolved it for me. So that was a gift. Moore said that, in all the cases she has worked on, only once did the name she provided to police match someone already on their list of suspects. Police dont run out and make arrests based solely on the names genealogists provide. Once they have a name, the investigation continues. Advertisement Really, we are just giving them a highly scientific tip, Moore said. In Carlsbad, that kind of tip solved a cold case. Finding a Carlsbad killer Rae-Venter, the genetic genealogist who cracked the Golden State case, is retired after a career as a patent attorney. This new line of work is a hobby, she told the Union-Tribune in November. Her hobby helped provide some answers for a Carlsbad family, who had lost a daughter to a killer on Valentines Day 2007. Advertisement Jodine Serrin, 39, was developmentally disabled but highly functioning, and lived in an apartment not far from her parents home. Nearly 12 years ago, the Serrins stopped by that apartment and found their daughter in her bed, unclothed and beaten to death. Jodine Serrin was killed in her Carlsbad condominium in 2008. Earlier this year police, who had crime scene DNA, turned to a genetic genealogist, who provided them with the name of a suspect. (Photo courtesy Carlsbad Police Department) After a suspect in the Golden State Killer case was identified, Carlsbad police turned to genetic genealogists including Rae-Venter and Moores team at Parabon NanoLabs for help on the local case. They took the DNA data from the crime scene and traced it to an Oceanside man as the most likely assailant. Moore said they were able to provide police with his name. The suspect, who was 38 at the time of Serrins death, took his own life in 2011. Advertisement Before the work of the genealogists on the case, detectives did not have somebody to look at as a potential suspect, Carlsbad police Lt. Greg Koran said in November. Its the first known local case solved using genetic genealogy. Other local cases The revelation that cases could be solved by combining family trees and science has swept through law enforcement. Chula Vista police have tried it, in hopes of solving the 1989 slaying of Helen Roscoe, who was stabbed to death during a robbery. Advertisement Roscoe had been getting out of her car near her apartment, keys still in hand, when she was attacked. Her purse was taken. Helen Roscoe (Courtesy photo) Police believe a cap found in her car belonged to her killer. Years later, it was swabbed for DNA and run in the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, which is the national DNA database. No match. Several years later, authorities ran the DNA in a criminal database again, this time looking to see whether they could match it to a relative who may have committed a crime. Its known as a familial DNA search. Again, nothing. Advertisement After the Golden State Killer case, Chula Vista police saw a new possibility in genetic genealogy. They spent $1,500 to give it a try. Unfortunately, it didnt yield any results, police Capt. Phil Collum said. But we are continuing to explore the technology as it develops. Other local departments are also aware of its potential. San Diego police are using it, homicide Lt. Matt Dobbs said, although he did not specify any cases. And it doesnt have to be a cold case, Dobbs said. Active investigations are fair game. Advertisement But to use it, Dobbs said, detectives must have exhausted all other leads. The Sheriffs Department said its cold-case detectives and crime lab specialists are confident that there are cases that would be suitable for the use of a genealogical approach. As for which cases might make the list, the Sheriffs Department doesnt yet have a policy, but Sheriff Bill Gore is supportive of the genealogical approach, where applicable, a department spokeswoman said. Teasing out a killers name Do-it-yourself genetic testing has become popular over the last few years. Companies like Ancestry or 23 and Me offer kits that can be ordered online. Users swab the inside of a cheek and seal the swab in a tube, then mail it in to the company for testing. Advertisement Those companies then provide a DNA profile. The consumer sites do not upload DNA information into the public databases, and do not work with police. But customers, if they choose, can upload their DNA profile to a public database GEDmatch, created by citizen scientists, is the biggest. Once uploaded, people can search for relatives who share parts of their genetic profile. Advertisement Uploading the DNA profiles also puts the information into a pool that police can access. GEDmatchs terms of service make it clear that police are allowed to do so. The terms also state that police can only use the DNA database to solve violent crimes such as rape or murder. Investigators search find a connection to a close-enough relative a third cousins genes will do. Once a connection is made, an expert genetic genealogist may be able to tease out the identity of the person who left DNA at the crime scene. That means building out family trees, working backwards through genealogical records to find ancestors of the customers who share genes with a criminal suspect. A third-cousin match, for example, means the two people share a great-great-grandparent. Advertisement So first, they have to figure out who that great-great-grandparent is. Once they have that, genealogists build a family tree to find other descendants of that shared ancestor. There are limitations, of course. Although it is growing particularly after the Golden State case the database at GEDmatch has only about 1.2 million profiles. Also, Moore said, most of the people who have uploaded their DNA data to GEDmatch are people of European descent. That affects the kinds of people whose family members can be traced. We are much more likely to ID these old white guys who were getting away with this for 20, 30 years, Moore told the crowd of genealogists in Mission Valley during a conference in early December. Advertisement What about privacy? But for all its fans, genetic genealogy is still very new as a forensic tool. There is no formal training or certification for this job. Its not yet courtroom-tested. Its controversial. And then there are concerns about privacy and civil rights. Earlier this year, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union wrote an article first published in the Washington Post, then later on the ACLU website arguing that uploading DNA from a crime scene into a public database might have violated the privacy rights of Golden State Killer suspect Joseph DAngelo. The attorney, Vera Eidelman, wrote that submitting DNA for testing means giving away genetic material of family members including those not yet born. Advertisement Eidelman also noted that even if DAngelo is found guilty, the penalties for such crimes do not typically entail releasing a persons entire genetic makeup. People may not be so troubled by such an intrusion when it comes to a serial killer, she wrote, but imagine the implications of using this technique for shoplifters or trespassers. None of the arrests in DNA genetic genealogy cases throughout the country have made it to trial, but at least one ended with a guilty plea. In an Indiana courtroom last month, a man admitted he had abducted, raped and killed an 8-year-old Fort Wayne girl named April Tinsley in 1988. John D. Miller was sentenced to 80 years in prison. Advertisement Moore and the team she leads at Parabon NanoLabs had identified him. There wont be Golden State Killers Since the Golden State case freed her to work with police, Moore has helped solve more than two dozen cases, including two in which the suspect was still active. Those are the priority. They are going to go to the head of the list of the 100 or so cases that we have waiting, Moore said. If we can save a life or keep a woman from being raped, it will be worth it. And that was why she had sleepless nights while working to identify a suspect in the rape of the 79-year-old woman in Utah. Advertisement If it starts being used earlier in the investigations, there wont be Golden State Killers, Moore said. There wont be long career criminals, because we are going to catch them much faster. teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Advertisement Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT UPDATES: 3:30 p.m.: This story was updated to clarify that third cousins share great-great-grandparents. San Diego officials are proposing major zoning changes near new trolley stations along Morena Boulevard that would allow 10-story housing projects and revamp much of the street grid between Interstate 5 and the University of San Diego. The goal is helping solve the citys severe lack of housing with dense projects along a new trolley line connecting Old Town and the University of California San Diego thats expected to begin operations in 2021. The proposal, called the Morena Corridor Specific Plan, also includes new protected paths for bicyclists and pedestrians, an artisan district, a linear park along Tecolote Road, wider sidewalks, public plazas and urban greens. The plan covers a 280-acre area that follows the path of the new trolley line in Clairemont and Linda Vista, then extends east to include the existing Linda Vista/Moreno trolley station on the green line. Advertisement The two new trolley stations included in the plan will be located where Morena Boulevard crosses Clairemont Drive and where Morena Boulevard crosses Tecolote. By creating a significantly revamped growth blueprint for the area over the next 20 to 30 years, the plan aims to transform a mostly blighted, auto-oriented industrial area into a vibrant and dense trolley-oriented village. Supporters say the plan will serve as a model for transit-oriented development in San Diego, which helps solve the housing shortage without the urban sprawl that worsens pollution, climate change and traffic congestion. Critics, including many nearby residents, say the dense housing in the plan would damage the character of the area, worsen traffic congestion and block views of Mission Bay from houses in Overlook Heights and Bay Park. They also contend the plan overestimates how many residents will use the trolley instead of vehicles and fails to require that a significant portion of the new housing be restricted for people with low incomes. The plan would increase the height limit in the specific plan area from 45 feet up to 65 feet near the existing Linda Vista/Moreno trolley station and up to 100 feet near the Tecolote station. Those higher height limits would allow dense housing projects and increase the number of housing units in the area from just under 1,000 to just over 7,000. Advertisement Meanwhile, the square footage of commercial and industrial development in the area would shrink, from 2.9 million to 2.5 million. The proposal is similar in nature to a new growth blueprint city officials are proposing for the area surrounding the Balboa Avenue station on the new trolley line. That plan aims to transform the northeast corner of Pacific Beach from an auto-oriented commercial corridor into a dense residential village. The San Diego City Council is expected to consider both plans for approval in 2019. Advertisement A recent report by the San Diego Housing Commission concluded that rezoning residential areas within a half-mile radius of transit will be the largest single tool in providing additional housing in San Diego. The report also noted that such housing is more likely to include units affordable to low-income and moderate-income families than development in other locations. The San Diego Planning Commission says the city needs dense projects along the new trolley line if officials hope to secure federal money for future trolley projects. In October, commissioners complained that the first major housing project proposed along the new trolley line isnt dense enough because the developer is proposing 150 condos instead of a potential 300. Advertisement Residents who oppose lifting the height limit praised the project as a model for how the city can allow dense middle-class housing without destroying neighborhood character or ignoring the concerns of residents. The project, which the City Council is scheduled to approve on Jan. 8, would replace a decaying recreational vehicle park on the east side of Morena Boulevard near Frankfort Street and Tonopah Avenue. The residents, many of whom are part of a group called Raise the Balloon, successfully lobbied the Linda Vista Community Planning Group to raise a significant series of objections to the Morena Corridor Specific Plan. In addition to concerns about bay views, traffic and the lack of income-restricted housing, the planning group raised concerns about parking, how the city will pay for infrastructure upgrades needed to support the new housing and plans to shrink Morena Boulevard from four lanes to three. Advertisement They also complained that city officials appear to have completely disregarded their comments during a series of public meetings dating back nearly three years. The plan is so at odds with the community input as to strongly suggest that the Planning Department had a predetermined outcome and the collaborate process was so much checking the box of public participation, said Howard Wayne, chairman of a planning group subcommittee focused on the plan. The planning group also complained that the plan would gentrify Linda Vista, which they contend has long been a working class neighborhood, and make it unaffordable for many of the people now living there. Noli Zosa, chairman of the planning group, said by phone on Friday that the increase in the height limit is the main concern raised by residents, primarily residents in Overlook Heights and Bay Park worried about their loss of bay views. Advertisement Its a hard crowd to please, partly because they are concerned about their property values, he said, adding that as many as 200 angry residents sometimes attend planning group meetings focused on height limits. They are organized and vocal and they are very concerned about the density and the height. Zosa said there is nearly unanimous support for revamping the street grid. That would include establishing a more traditional grid pattern by aligning public streets or private drives with Vega, Dorcas, and Buenos Avenues at West Morena Boulevard. The plan would also extend Knoxville and Sherman Streets to Morena Boulevard and extend Morena to Linda Vista Road. Advertisement In addition, several Y shaped intersections would be reconfigured as T shaped intersections, and a few existing streets would be eliminated by new developments. david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick Paul Whelan, the U.S. citizen detained in Russia on espionage charges, is a former Marine who had traveled to Moscow for a fellow Marines wedding, the mans family said Tuesday, alleging that he is being wrongly held. We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being, Whelans family said in a statement provided to the media by his twin brother, David. His innocence is undoubted, and we trust that his rights will be respected. Whelans family said it had contacted the U.S. State Department and other federal officials for help after learning of his Friday arrest from news reports Monday, and the family expected U.S. officials to visit Whelan, who works in Michigan, within three days. Trump administration officials have remained relatively quiet about Whelans detention, amid concerns about possible Russian retaliation for the ongoing U.S. investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Advertisement A State Department spokesperson, declining to be identified, said in a statement to The Times that Russias Foreign Ministry had formally notified U.S.officials of Whelans arrest and that the U.S. expected Russian authorities to provide access to Whelan in detention. Due to privacy considerations, we have no additional information to provide at this time, the spokesperson wrote in an email. David Whelan did not respond to requests for an interview. Critics of Russia have seized on the arrest as a possible Cold War-style tit-for-tat emerging at a tenuous time for the Trump administration, which faces the ongoing Russia investigation by special counsel Robert S. Mueller III as well as a House of Representatives about to transition to Democratic control. While President Trump has struck a friendly tone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. investigators working for Mueller have secured federal indictments against more than a dozen Russians for alleged election interference to aid Trumps 2016 campaign. One Russian citizen in the U.S., Maria Butina, has pleaded guilty to working as an unregistered foreign agent on behalf of the Russian government while infiltrating conservative groups such as the National Rifle Assn. Whelans arrest looks increasingly like a hostage situation, tweeted British financier and Putin critic Bill Browder, whose attorney, Sergei Magnitsky, died under suspicious circumstances in Russian custody. (In July, Putin offered to assist Muellers investigation if Russian officials, in return, were allowed to investigate Browder.) All foreign travelers to Russia should beware that anything could happen. The US government should intervene decisively in this case. According to details first reported by the Daily Beast, Whelan works as a director of global security and investigations for BorgWarner, an automotive components manufacturer in Michigan. He reportedly previously worked as a police officer and sheriffs deputy in Michigan and took military leave to serve in the Iraq war in 2003. Whelan appeared to have a fondness for Russia andfor Trump, according toa social media profile under his name on VKontakte, a service popular in Russia. On the day of Trumps inauguration in 2017, he posted: GOD SAVE PRESIDENT TRUMP!! Advertisement Whelan visited Russia for the first time more than a decade ago, according to an archived version of a personal website that has since been removed. Having grown up during the Cold War, it was a dream of mine to visit Russia and meet some of the sneaky Russians who had kept the western world at bay for so long!! the website said, adding that Whelan befriended several Russians on his trip, including a man named Maxim who worked for the Russian army. We have stayed in touch with one another and have shared many interesting stories and experiences, the website said. The Russian people were very polite and kind to a stranger who didnt speak the language and spent a lot of time wandering around the Metro without a clue as to where he was going!! Special correspondent Sabra Ayres in Paris contributed to this report. Advertisement matt.pearce@latimes.com Matt Pearce is a national reporter for The Times. Follow him on Twitter at @mattdpearce. More national headlines China seeks the peaceful unification of Taiwan but will not rule out the threat of military action, President Xi Jinping said Wednesday as he described the annexation of the self-ruling U.S. ally as an enduring ambition and an inevitable outcome of Chinas rise. In one of his most significant addresses on Taiwan since taking power, Xi reiterated an appeal to the 23 million citizens of the island democracy: If Taiwan submits to Chinese rule, he said, it would enjoy lasting peace and its own system of governance under a one country, two systems model, much like Hong Kong after the former British colony was returned to China. Different systems are not an obstacle to unification, and even less are they an excuse for separatism, Xi said. The private property, religious beliefs and legitimate rights and interests of our Taiwanese compatriots will be fully assured. While Xi eschewed deploying some of his most bellicose language about Taiwan - he has in the past called on China to be prepared to fight bloody battles for every single inch of its territory - the Chinese leader was nonetheless unyielding as he laced his speech with threats of military force and warnings aimed at the Trump administration, which has shown support for Taipei by selling arms and dispatching U.S. warships to nearby waters. Advertisement Foreign interference is intolerable, Xi said, adding that Beijing will not promise to renounce the use of force. Since entering office in 2012, Xi has made clear that taking back Taiwan would be the crowning achievement in his vision to restore Chinas place as a great power. Backed by a U.S. defense agreement, Taiwan has been a de facto independent country since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, but China considers it a breakaway province. Today, the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait remains one of the most heavily militarized flash points in the world. Following the 2016 election of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen - who has declined to affirm a decades-old agreement accepting Taiwan as part of China and who has repeatedly asked Beijing to treat Taiwan on equal footing - China mounted an all-out campaign to undermine her party domestically and her country on the international stage. In the past two years, China has cut direct talks with Taipei, stripped Taiwan of its diplomatic allies and flown bombers and dispatched navy vessels around the island in displays of force. Xi laid out conditions Wednesday for resuming dialogue, saying Tsai must be the one to yield first on the so-called one-China principle. Its a very rigid position Xi is articulating without any flexibility, any intention to meet Tsai Ing-wen halfway, said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Hes saying theres only one way for unification to be peaceful, and thats his way. At the same time, Xi appeared to temper his speech by saying that China offered economic opportunities for Taiwan and by making an appeal to shared ancestry. China, he said, does not attack Chinese people. After peaceful reunification, Taiwan will have lasting peace, and the people will enjoy good and prosperous lives, Xi said. With the great motherlands support, Taiwan compatriots welfare will be even better; their development space will be even greater. All told, the speech amounted to a more balanced tack at a juncture when Taiwan is gearing up for a presidential election, and mainland officials - and Taiwanese politicians - see an opportunity to press their case. Advertisement In November, Tsais party, which leans toward declaring formal independence and is anathema to the mainland government, lost in nationwide local elections, a development that Beijing cheered as a signal that Taiwanese voters rejected her anti-China stance. Preempting Xis anticipated speech by a day, Tsai said in a defiant New Years Day address that her loss at the polls in November had nothing to do with Taiwanese voters willingness to abandon our sovereignty, and she accused China of interfering in Taiwans election. After Xis speech, Tsai again urged China to respect Taiwans commitment to freedom and democracy and treat it as an equal. I call on China to bravely take steps toward democracy, so they can truly understand the people of Taiwan, she said in a statement posted to her Twitter account. Advertisement It is unclear whether Xis reiteration of the one country, two systems promise will sway hearts and minds in Taiwan. Hong Kong, which Xi offered as a model of semiautonomy, has been racked by political divisions and street protests precisely over the growing perception that Beijing has reneged on its promise of one country, two systems, as its influence is increasingly felt in local politics, elections, courts and media. Tang Yonghong, of Xiamen Universitys Taiwan Research Institute, said Xis promise of semiautonomy was a way to pressure Taiwans leader - whoever that will be - to accept the one-China principle. National rejuvenation - a Xi catchphrase for returning China to its former glory - remains the biggest overall goal for the current Chinese leadership, and unifying Taiwan may be seen as part of that projects road map, Tang said. Once the mainland starts to see the Taiwan issue as a stumbling block in the process, it will not hesitate to remove that block, he said. Advertisement This story was originally reported in The Washington Post. A group of about 150 migrants attempted to breach a San Diego border fence on New Years, and some began throwing rocks at responding U.S. border agents who deployed pepper spray and tear gas on the crowd, authorities said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the group was attempting to climb over and under the San Diego border fence. When agents and officers responded, about 45 migrants turned back to Mexico, according to the agency. Some migrants began throwing rocks over the fence at agents and officers, according to the agency. Several teenagers, wrapped in heavy jackets, blankets and rubber mats were put over the concertina wire. Border Patrol agents witnessed members of the group attempting to lift toddler-sized children up and over the concertina wire and (have) difficulty accomplishing the task in a safe manner, a news release from U.S. authorities states. Advertisement The news release does not say what time the incident occurred, and a follow-up question was not immediately answered. Migrants interviewed in Tijuana said the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Tuesday. The Customs and Border Protection release said agents and officers deployed smoke, pepper spray and CS gas to address the rock throwers, who they said were assaulting border agents and also risking the safety of migrants who had already made it onto the U.S. side. The gases caused people to stop throwing rocks and flee, CBP said. The agency apprehended 25 people, including two minors, the release said. Jose Alexander, center, who took his 4-year-old son to the border wall and witnessed tear gas being fired early on New Years Day, speaks to other migrants outside El Barretal shelter. (Sam Hodgson / San Diego Union-Tribune) I dont like that type of violence of people throwing rocks, said Silvio Sierra of Honduras, one of the migrants who approached the border and turned back amid the gas. We dont like that type of violence of throwing rocks. The majority of people came in peace. Our intent was to walk up peacefully. Regarding the tear gas, he said, It was very strong. It was everywhere. People were crying. Women and children too. The gas was everywhere. Several migrants from the group that rushed the border said they have been growing frustrated in recent weeks waiting in El Barretal shelter with conflicting and shifting information about how the U.S. immigration process is supposed to work. They said the majority in the group planned to peacefully approach U.S. immigration authorities at the border and throw themselves at their mercy. Advertisement Such a rush of the border has been discussed for several days. Plans to make the effort on Christmas Eve did not materialize. The thing about it is, you dont want to be illegal but you are already illegal, Sierra said. So they tell you to take a number. You ask for a number and wait in line for an opportunity. But theres so many people in line, you arent getting through. If you walk up and ask for asylum, they say you are in the wrong place. You tell me what are we supposed to do? Jose Alexander of El Salvador said he headed to the border with his four-year-old son and witnessed the tear gas fired across the border. He said he didnt see anyone throwing rocks, a sentiment echoed by many migrants interviewed on Tuesday. My son is still scared today, Alexander said. We were a little farther back in the group. As soon as I heard the first shot, I scooped him up and ran back. He was really scared. Advertisement Authorities also used tear gas on Nov. 25 during a similar rush on the border. Although some women and children said they were affected by the gas, officials said it was only targeted at rock-throwers in that instance as well. President Donald Trump said at the time it was a very minor form of the tear gas itself that he assured was very safe. The migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have come to seek asylum from violence and other unrest in their native countries. They set out on foot in October, and eventually used buses and other means to arrive in Tijuana, awaiting U.S. processing. Their presence has been portrayed as an invasion by Trump and and a human rights crisis by others. They have been routed from one shelter to another, and many have decided to return to their homelands or stay in Mexico, where new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is more welcoming than Trump. U.S. authorities are not the only ones who have used tear gas on the Central America migrants. Two suspects tossed tear gas canisters into the El Barretal shelter as migrants were settling into bed on Dec. 18. Late Tuesday, Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Katie Waldman issued a statement on the incident. Advertisement Once again we have had a violent mob of migrants attempt to enter the United States illegally by attacking our agents with projectiles, the statement said. As has happened before - in this and previous administrations - our personnel used the minimum force necessary to defend themselves, defend our border, and restore order. The agents involved should be applauded for handling the situation with no reported injuries to the attackers. Enrique Morones, founder of the immigrant aid group Border Angels, released a statement as well. Last night Border Patrol again tear gassed and shot (rubber bullets) at migrants including women and children, the statement said. After women and children were shot at, some migrants threw rocks to protect women and children. We ask for an independent investigation of these hostile acts by Border Patrol towards migrant children and adults. Border Patrol leadership needs to be changed. Misrepresentation of the facts, violence and death at the border is unacceptable and criminal. Juan Carlos Caballero Jones said he participated in Tuesdays rush on the border. He said he made it past the border fence and hid in the brush as agents searched nearby. Advertisement When they passed me, I moved another inch or so, and then I stayed still, he said. They walked right past me but didnt find me. He said he hid in silence holding his breath for 5 minutes. Eventually, Caballero was discovered by the lights from an overhead helicopter, he said. Juan Carlos Caballero Jones, who witnessed tear gas being fired at the border early New Years Day, poses for a portrait outside the El Barretal shelter in the Mariano Matamoros neighborhood of Tijuana, Mexico. (Sam Hodgson / San Diego Union-Tribune) Advertisement I was just starting to think I was free. He said he was the only one caught in the spotlight of the helicopter and unsure if the agents were going to use some type of force to stop him. I was so nervous my whole body was shaking, he said. He said agents from the ground returned, and took him into custody and walked him back into the Mexico side. Advertisement I was so close, he sighed. But I am going to try again on another day. UPDATES: 5 p.m. This story was updated with interviews from migrants involved in the rush on the border. Advertisement 7:30 p.m. This story was updated with a statement from Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Katie Waldman. 8 p.m. This story was updated with a statement from Enrique Morones, founder of the immigrant aid group Border Angels. The Tri-City Healthcare Districts decision to close its psychiatric units last year was initially viewed as a local action with implications for patients in coastal North County. But what looked like a relatively isolated event quickly proved to be an unintentional turning point for the regions emergency mental health system. Though the Oceanside hospitals 28 behavioral health beds represented less than 10 percent of the countys total inventory, their impending loss launched a mad scramble to take up the slack, highlighting the fragility of a network operating closer to capacity than anyone would like. The Tri-City boards decision created an urgency to address long-simmering issues in the behavioral health world, forcing hospitals, law enforcement and government to start taking public action on problems that many had been discussing behind the scenes for years, planting the seeds this fall for major changes expected to bloom in 2019 and beyond. Advertisement Especially where UC San Diego and Palomar Health are concerned, this new sense of urgency has brokered real changes that many say could turn out to be beneficial for the estimated 167,000 people across the region who, according to a recent study from the California Health Care Foundation, can be expected to experience serious mental illness in San Diego County each year. Already, the countys Behavioral Health Services department, which is responsible for making sure that patients with Medi-Cal coverage get the mental health services they need, has committed to increasing reimbursement rates for hospitals. And the departments recent pact with UC San Diego Health has the university agreeing to collaborate on operation of the countys mental health hospital in San Diego, a move expected to free up nearly $50 million in mental health funding that can be plowed back into services countywide. Patricia Maysent, CEO of UC San Diego Health, said that Tri-Citys action exposed issues of long-term viability that were going concerns at several local providers. The TCMC decision added urgency because it made very public the impending crisis, Maysent said in an email. That crisis, as highlighted in The San Diego Union-Tribunes coverage in July, involved the potential loss of more than 100 psychiatric beds at Tri-City, Palomar Health, UCSD and Scripps due to aging facilities that must be replaced in order to comply with state seismic guidelines or for other reasons. While there is a new spirit of cooperation among many different organizations around mental health services, services are currently stretched tighter than ever in North County since Tri-City shut down on Oct. 2. Advertisement According to county records, 113 Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista residents had been admitted at other facilities throughout the county from Sept. 22 to Dec. 10. Palomar Medical Center Escondido and the county psychiatric hospital in San Diego have received the largest number of patients living in the Tri-City Healthcare District with 27 each. Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital and Scripps Mercy Hospital, both in San Diego, have each admitted 16 patients living in Tri-Citys core service area. Those numbers, just a bit more than 100 patients in a 79-day span, might not seem like much. But admissions, noted Diane Hansen, chief executive officer of Palomar Health, misses the influx of patients seen in emergency rooms. Palomar Medical Center Escondido, she said, has seen an average increase of 20 psychiatric patients per day in its emergency room. Because the health systems behavioral health and crisis stabilization units have been operating at capacity, the increased number of emergency patients is backing things up significantly. Our average length of stay, as a result, has increased about 40 percent. At Escondido, its now up to 16 hours, Hansen said. Her organization, the executive said, has reached out to the county for additional funding to hire more psychiatric specialists of all types. Advertisement We need additional psychiatric techs within the emergency departments; we need additional psychology coverage from our physicians; we need additional sitters throughout the house to make sure were keeping these patients safe while theyre waiting for placement, Hansen said. And, she said, plans are in the works to convert one of the hospitals emergency pods to exclusively serve behavioral health patients. Doing so, Hansen said, could allow psychiatric treatment to start sooner after each patient receives an initial psychiatric assessment. Now, she said, patients often must wait for a bed to open up in a unit outside the hospital before they can get the treatment they need. Its clear, she said, that Palomars emergency room will continue to struggle to serve patients from outside its main inland North County service area until a longer-term solution is arrived at. But its clear, she added, that Tri-Citys closure is pushing mental health services in a direction that could end up being better for everyone. Provided funding help is available from the county, she said Palomar is open to building a stand-alone mental health hospital with up to 120 beds on land it owns just south of Palomar Medical Centers main parking lot. Advertisement A new, purpose-built facility, she noted, would be better designed and equipped to treat patients with psychiatric needs from throughout North County. And having a larger number of patients in one place could also make staffing easier at a time when the entire industry is struggling to find enough psychiatrists and other specialists to see an increasing number of patients. Why is Palomar willing to step up and meet a need that others have walked away from? Honestly, I dont know that we have a choice, Hansen said. I think we have to do something innovative in North County. If we are going to do this population justice, I think we have to do something in a bigger, more holistic way than maybe we have in the past. She said Palomar hopes to be able to build the structure within two to three years, though many approvals that are not yet in place would be necessary to make that timeline real. Advertisement Alfredo Aguirre, director of Behavioral Health Services for the county, confirmed by email Friday that the county is indeed working with Palomar on many different approaches to bolstering psychiatric services just as it is with many others around the county. No specifics were available on when the county is likely to move forward in partnership with Palomar, but Michael Bagby, president of the North County Coastal chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness, applauded the notion that Palomar is willing to take on the work. That would motivate me to do damn near anything to help them, Bagby said. Tri-City, however, remains a bit of a mystery. Aguirre said in October that his department was working toward an arrangement where the county would contract with Tri-City to open a crisis stabilization center inside the building on the hospitals Oceanside campus that used to house its now-shuttered mental health units. Advertisement The newly-reconstituted unit would be run under county contract by Exodus Recovery and is to open next year, but an update on that resource and its anticipated delivery date were not available on a short holiday week. Tri-City officials did not respond to requests for comment on their place in the regions changing mental health landscape nor to say whether they have or will approve the proposed lease deal with the county. Health Playlist On Now Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 On Now Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak On Now San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A On Now Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service On Now Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings On Now Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? On Now Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 On Now 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 On Now EpiPen recall expands On Now Kids can add years to your life Advertisement paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1850 Twitter: @paulsisson MACAO, Jan. 2 (ChinaMil) According to the news released by the PLA Macao Garrison on Tuesday, Senior Colonel Xu Liangcai was appointed as the Commander of the PLA Macao Garrison according to an order signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also chairman of Chinas Central Military Commission (CMC). Before taking up his new position, Senior Colonel Xu Liangcai was Director of Operations Bureau of the Joint Staff Department of the Southern Theater Command under the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). Lieutenant General Yuan Yubai, Commander of the PLA Southern Theater Command, came to Macao and announced the appointment. Senior Colonel Xu said that he will work closely with Political Commissar Zhou Wugang to lead all the officers and soldiers of the PLA Macao Garrison to comprehensively and accurately implement the great policy of one country, two systems and respect and support the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region in administering the region in accordance with law. "We will fulfill our defense duties strictly in accordance with the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China and the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Garrisoning the Macao Special Administrative Region and other laws and regulations," Xu stressed. "At the same time, we will continue to carry forward the fine tradition of loving Macao and its people, firmly guard every inch of national territory, and make new and greater contributions to maintaining long-term prosperity and stability of Macao," said Xu. The money that students raise for school clubs, dances and other student activities is apparently in some danger of being lost or improperly collected and spent. As school districts published their annual audit reports recently, one of the most common problems flagged by those reports is a lack of proper accounting controls for Associated Student Body, or ASB, funds. San Diego Unified School Districts annual audit explained how multiple schools lacked proper approval for ASB spending and made late deposits. Those findings were a slice of a larger internal audit of ASB funds the school district finalized in July, in which 17 out of 24 district schools were found to have commingled staff social funds with ASB funds in the same bank account. Thats not supposed to happen, but similar problems have repeatedly surfaced in the districts internal audits for years. Advertisement In June 2017, an internal audit of ASB funds in 10 San Diego Unified elementary schools found $62,396 of ASB money that was not properly documented and $60,103 that was not properly spent. Three of those schools used ASB money to pay for staff meals and snacks, school maintenance and other costs that are supposed to be covered by the school. In April 2016, another internal audit of Clark Middle Schools ASB found that $2,560 of cash collected from merchandise sales was stolen or lost over a four-month period. Internal audits have found that ASB funds have been used to pay for maintenance of the school website, teacher training, cork boards for posting students schoolwork and staff socials, even though ASB funds are raised by students and are supposed to only be used for the benefit of students. ASB money also sometimes gets rolled over year to year repeatedly without being spent, meaning students are paying money that goes to pay for activities of children in later years instead of their own activities. They get rolled over into the next year and the next year, said County Treasurer Dan McAllister, chair of San Diego Unifieds audit and finance committee. A backlog in monies builds up over time and that, to me, is not right. ASB internal controls was the only area in which San Diego Unified has had problems identified by an audit for each of the past nine school years. When schools lack internal controls, it makes it easier for funds to be misappropriated or embezzled. One of the larger ASB investigations in recent years was completed by the San Diego County Grand Jury in 2010. It found that School of Creative and Performing Arts staff took all the students ASB money and used it for instruction-related equipment and supplies and gifts and a party for staff. The essence, for the school and other schools within the district, involves the mismanagement and misuse of ASB funds and the failure to implement district mandated internal financial controls for ASB funds, the 2010 report read. Advertisement The problems are not limited to San Diego Unified. In Sweetwater Union Highs annual audit released recently and in the districts previous two annual audits, auditors noted schools issues with failing to keep inventory of student store merchandise, deposit receipts in a timely manner and obtain proper approval for disbursing ASB cash. Every school district has issues with ASB, McAllister said. Even if school districts implement training or set extensive rules for handling ASB funds, these problems end up persisting partly because of turnover of ASB officers, principals and school assistants, auditors for San Diego Unified have noted. A 2017 San Diego Unified internal audit also noted that elementary school ASB funds are especially at risk because there was a lack of ASB training and elementary school ASB accounts are not used often. The decentralized nature of having many individual school ASB organizations within a school district likely contributes to the issue. Auditors have recommended to school districts that they hold more frequent, district-wide training and develop ASB funding reference guides for elementary schools. Advertisement Previously Kristen Taketa Email: kristen.taketa@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @Kristen_Taketa A recent report about international companies expanding to Tijuana was a year-end bright spot for a region troubled by a humanitarian migrant crisis and border-wall politics. Lets hope for more good news because those concerns arent likely to go away soon and may become even worse. There is no New Year turning of the page on these or other vital problems that tend to get overshadowed by polarized disputes over immigration and barriers that dominate border discussions. Large sewage spills from south of the border into San Diego County are continuing to occur as they have for decades. Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina has regularly sounded the alarm, but its largely a federal problem and attracting Washingtons attention hasnt been easy. Meanwhile, Tijuanas murder rate has skyrocketed. More than 2,500 homicides in 2018 set a record for the city, up from 1,744 the year before. Much of this violence is the result of battles over control of the street drug trade. The general population and visitors whether migrants or Americans may not be typical targets, but theyre not immune. Teens from San Diego and young migrants who arrived with the caravan from Central America have been recent victims. Advertisement Add that to long border-crossing waits and the caravan crisis, and the incentive to avoid heading south of the border unless you have to grows. And the latter, if not the former, may become an even bigger problem. The Christmas week brought word that another, larger caravan of migrants from Central America could be on the way soon. That news was confounding, given the grim reality experienced by thousands of recent migrants stymied by the U.S. asylum process, while Tijuana struggles to provide them shelter and services. And an attempt by 150 migrants to rush and breach the border on New Years eve and the tear gas response by U.S. border agents suggests a similar incident in November may not have been a one-off event. Some of the migrants threw rocks at the agents, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Against this backdrop is evidence that Tijuanas economy is booming. Some industries, particularly those operating maquiladora factories, have thousands of job openings to fill. Companies have made a coordinated effort to recruit some of the newcomers. That job surge is being enhanced by firms from China expanding to Tijuana, according to a report by the Union-Tribunes Gustavo Solis. This is happening in a larger economic context that could have unforeseen consequences for Pacific Rim trade, which may impact San Diego, the entire West Coast and beyond. Tijuana officials told Solis the more recent interest of companies coming to their city is the result of President Donald Trumps trade war with China and the tariffs imposed. Job opportunities in Tijuana are not going to do away with the generations-old desire of people wanting to come to the United States, particularly from Mexico and Central America. For many years, it seems as though everyone has said they want a logical, comprehensive immigration solution in the U.S., though there are conflicting ideas about what that would look like. Most agree the current system is a mess. Its hard to imagine consensus developing in this hyper-partisan atmosphere that frames the issue. Other than Trumps demand for expanded border wall funding which he has shut down the government to get the president has not been clear about what he wants in terms of a broader policy. Frankly, if congressional Democrats gave Trump everything he wanted which clearly isnt going to happen that wouldnt likely stop the dispute. Combating illegal immigration, with the wall as the centerpiece, has been Trumps political North Star, helping propel him to the presidency and stoking his rallies whenever he mentions it. With the 2020 presidential election already beginning, he wont abandon a campaign issue so embraced by his base. All of this pretty much guarantees San Diego will be in the thick of it at least through 2020. Trumps repeated threat to close the southwestern border leaves people jittery on both sides. Such a move would cause a huge disruption to the $1.6 billion in daily cross-border trade, not to mention upending the lives of people who work, shop and go to school in their neighboring country. Advertisement Amid the high-voltage politics surrounding Trumps wall, its easy for the rest of the country even Californians to forget the San Diego region already has a fortified border barrier consisting of multi-layered fences in some parts. Areas with lesser structures were already scheduled to be bolstered regardless of whether Trumps proposed wall comes to pass. Trump and his allies have at various times backed away from using the term wall. The president famously suggested what he wants could be called steel slats, which is almost how you could describe a portion of the tall fence in Jacumba Hot Springs. The wall has become a metaphor for border security, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who noted that Democrats in the past have backed funding aimed at reducing illegal immigration, including money for fences. And what were talking about is a physical barrier that makes sense. Graham was derided in some corners about the notion of governing by metaphor. But perhaps semantical jiu jitsu will be the way out of this thing. After he lost his green card following a felony conviction and was deported to Mexico, Sergio Angel Martinez Lopez thought he would never come back to the U.S. That changed this summer after his wife was killed in a spray of bullets in a drive-by shooting, according to news reports. Martinez decided to flee with their son, not quite 2. When he asked for asylum in October at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, border officials told him that he would have to be separated from the younger Sergio but assured Martinez that his son would soon be united with Martinezs mother in Jacksonville, Fla. More than two months later, the toddler is still in the federal governments custody in Texas, Martinez said. Advertisement Locked inside Otay Mesa Detention Center, Martinez, 32, said he feels like hes still being punished for the life he lived when he was younger, a lifestyle he said he left behind in the U.S. If theyd focused on why I came to ask for asylum, I dont think theyd have the heart to separate me and the baby, he said. Martinez originally came to the U.S. from Tijuana with his family when he was in elementary school, moving to Jacksonville. By his late teens, he was getting into trouble, with criminal charges related to drugs and alcohol. Then police found a gun in the car he was driving, according to immigration officials, court records and Martinez himself. Martinez maintains that the gun was his friends, but it didnt matter. He served a prison sentence and was transferred to immigration custody and deported in September 2014. He returned to his hometown of Tijuana and got a job at a call center. There he met Glenda Siboney Gaona Zamora and fell in love. Martinez was living with Gaona and two children one was hers from a previous relationship in Sanchez Taboada, one of Tijuanas most violent neighborhoods, when they became targets of threats because of an incident that began outside their home between police and a driver, Martinez said. The incident escalated when police entered the home, searching for a gun that wasnt there. Police eventually told the family to move for their own safety. Advertisement The couple hid in a hotel until they found a new place in El Refugio, a neighborhood in eastern Tijuana. Martinez thought it was far enough away, but less than two weeks later, someone sprayed bullets at the family car while his wife was driving. Somehow, Martinez and the two children emerged unscathed, but Gaona was badly hurt. He managed to get her to a hospital, where she died that afternoon. Martinez went into hiding again, frequently switching hotels if he felt someone was watching him. He received a message with a photo of his bullet-ridden car warning him about what would come next. Advertisement He decided to apply for asylum and waited in the six-week line at the San Ysidro Port of Entry to ask the U.S. for protection. I wouldve never went if I had known they would take my baby away, Martinez said. When asked why Martinez was separated from his child, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said its officers werent involved and deferred to Customs and Border Protection, which did not respond to a request for comment because of the ongoing government shutdown. Though a San Diego federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reunify families, court rulings so far have made exceptions for parents with serious criminal histories. Advertisement Immigration officials have separated parents from their children if the parents have enough of a criminal history that officials do not believe they can release them. Under a court ruling, children may not be held indefinitely in immigration custody. They must be released within 20 days. With news of two children dying in immigration custody in recent weeks, Martinez is especially concerned. He calls every day to the facility in Texas that is housing his son to ask whether his mothers application to sponsor the boy has been processed. Hes had one video call with his son since they were separated, though hes requested several more. Martinezs normally talkative and playful toddler didnt say much as he looked at his father on the screen. Advertisement I could see in his face that he was mad at me, Martinez said. Me and him were really close even when his mom was alive. His son spent his second birthday in custody. Unaccompanied children, and those who are separated from their parents at the border, end up in custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement until social workers can find and approve family members living in the U.S. to sponsor them. The average amount of time a child spends in custody has almost doubled in the past two years, growing from 34 days two years ago to 60 days more recently, according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services. Advertisement Advocates have attributed at least some of this lag to a change in policy last year requiring all adults living in the potential sponsors home to submit fingerprints that may be shared with ICE, the agency responsible for deportations. The Department of Health and Human Services ended that policy in mid-December, acknowledging that it had affected how long children stayed in custody. Martinezs mother, Maria Niskanen, is saving money to be able to take care of the younger Sergio when he is finally released. Martinezs younger brother, Anthony Niskanen, 25, said he helped her with the paperwork and said the entire household completed the fingerprinting process weeks ago. They dont know how much longer it will take. Advertisement He has listened to his mothers weekly video chats with the younger Sergio. I can tell that the baby is confused. He lost his mom, and now he lost his dad, Niskanen said. I think theyre taking care of him. I just dont think hes happy. For Martinez, the hardest part is not knowing what will happen next. He passed an interview with an asylum officer, the first step in the process to be able to stay in the U.S., but he hasnt found an attorney to help him with the immigration court case. What he wants more than anything is to be back with his son. He left two children behind in Jacksonville when he was deported. Advertisement I already missed out on two kids lives, Martinez said. I cant miss out on three of them. Morrissey writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Just after 3 a.m. on April 7, Matthew Gioia pressed the accelerator of his white Hyundai Elantra, leading Carlsbad police on a one-mile pursuit that reached speeds of 80 mph before the car crashed. Gioias arrest would have been an otherwise routine skirmish between police and a motorist if not for what happened when he went to court a month later. There, he was among the first defendants to test a new controversial state law that allows people with certain mental illnesses to go into a pretrial diversion program, receive treatment and ultimately erase the charges against them. Gioia was charged with felony evading police, and his lawyer George Gedulin sought the treatment option. In court papers, the attorney said Goia had an extensive mental health history, was a diagnosed schizophrenic and was receiving treatment at a Carlsbad facility. I think this case was exactly the kind of case the law was written for, Gedulin said in an recent interview. Advertisement Prosecutors opposed the motion and argued Gioia should not be given diversion, but San Diego Superior Court Judge Harry Elias disagreed. Gioia is now in treatment and ordered to report regularly back to the judge to see whether he is complying with his treatment. The mental health diversion law, AB 1810, was slipped inside a massive budget trailer bill, stuffed with other provisions, that was passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on June 27. The law is intended to steer people with mental health conditions into treatment and away from jail or prison. It gives judges discretion to order defendants into a pretrial diversion program for treatment instead of prosecution. If the persons mental health treatment is ultimately deemed successful the diversion can last up to two years then all charges will be dropped. If at any time the judge determines the treatment isnt working, the criminal case can start again. The law was hailed as a breakthrough by advocates for the mentally ill and criminal justice reformers, but drew fierce and ongoing opposition from law enforcement and prosecutors. Gioias is one of only two cases in San Diego in which diversion has been granted both by Elias. In 17 other cases, petitions by defendants arrested for crimes ranging from residential burglary to vandalism have been turned down, according to Assist. Dist. Atty. David Greenberg. In December, the 4th District Court of Appeal issued a ruling that added a new wrinkle to the debate in the case of Patrick Woldmskel, who was convicted of multiple felony charges of domestic violence, assault, false imprisonment and dissuading a witness. He was sentenced to 29 years in prison in September 2017. The court upheld the conviction but sent the case back down for a re-sentencing, reasoning that Woldmskel should be given a mental health diversion hearing. While the law was passed after he was convicted, the court said it could be applied retroactively in this case. Last week, the state Supreme Court decided it would also step into the issue. The court accepted a case decided in Orange County in September that said the law could be applied retroactively to cases that were not yet final. That means it would apply to defendants such as Woldmskel who was convicted but is still appealing and potentially thousands of others others who were charged before the law became effective and whose cases are still in the pipeline. Advertisement Greenberg said Woldmskel had argued at his sentencing hearing that he had a mental illness, but Superior Court Judge David M. Gill apparently was not persuaded to lessen his punishment. While it is unclear what will happen at a second hearing, the appeals court noted that if Gill decides Woldmskel is eligible for diversion and he successfully completes a program, the charges would be dropped. The ruling cant be cited as precedent in other cases and applies now only to Woldmskel. Yet that possible outcome of charges being dropped is the kind of scenario that fueled opposition to the law. In its initial form, the diversion law said anyone charged with a crime was eligible. After a sustained outcry from law enforcement, the Legislature amended the law and said certain crimes were not eligible for pretrial diversion, including murder, manslaughter, rape and child sexual abuse. We may see more of those, Greenberg said, referring to cases in which the law is applied retroactively. That could open many cases up for a diversion hearing. Advertisement We always said this law is way too broad, he said. And this is an exact example of that. This decision is one of the consequences of the legislation. San Diego prosecutors have opposed pretrial mental health diversion in every case in which it has been sought. A review of some of those cases shows the district attorneys office contends the law is unconstitutional on a variety of grounds, including that it is too vague and violates victims constitutional rights. In court papers in each case, the prosecutors call the law a dangerous change to the manner in which criminals with mental health diagnoses are treated in the criminal justice system. And they also argue that defendants may have a qualifying mental disorder but lack a specific plan for treatment which should disqualify them from diversion. For the most part, those arguments seem to be winning. Advertisement For example, James Haider was arrested in June on a misdemeanor vandalism charge for hurling a rock through the window of a Massage Envy store in Mission Valley in September 2016. Haider has a long history of mental health problems, court records said, and has a diagnosis of schizophrenic disorder. At the time of the incident, he was living at a board-and-care facility but had stopped taking his medications. He was agitated and hearing voices, court records say. Defense lawyers submitted a psychiatric report detailing his mental illness, but prosecutors countered that he had not credibly demonstrated that he would respond well to treatment. After a hearing, a judge denied diversion the court records dont spell out why and Haider ended up pleading guilty, getting sentenced to time already served in jail and placed on three years probation. Gedulin, Gioias lawyer, said he was able to present a detailed plan of treatment, and had a doctor testify about the diversion program and did not simply present diagnostic records showing his client was mentally ill and willing to get treatment. Advertisement Most people are submitting statements of diagnoses, and thats it, he said. Moran writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. A group of about 150 migrants attempted to breach a San Diego border fence on New Years Eve, and some began throwing rocks at responding U.S. border agents, who deployed pepper spray and tear gas on the crowd, authorities said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the group was attempting to climb over and under the San Diego border fence. When agents and officers responded, about 45 migrants turned back to Mexico, according to the agency. But some migrants began throwing rocks over the fence at agents and officers, according to the agency. Several teenagers, wrapped in heavy jackets, blankets and rubber mats, were put over the concertina wire. Border Patrol agents witnessed members of the group attempt to lift toddler-sized children up and over the concertina wire and [have] difficulty accomplishing the task in a safe manner, a news release from U.S. authorities states. Advertisement The release does not say what time the incident occurred, and a follow-up question was not immediately answered. The Customs and Border Protection release said agents and officers deployed smoke, pepper spray and CS gas, a kind of tear gas, to address the rock throwers, who they said were assaulting border agents and risking the safety of migrants who had already made it onto the U.S. side. The gases caused people to stop throwing rocks and flee, CBP said. The agency apprehended 25 people, including two minors, the release said. I dont like that type of violence of people throwing rocks, said Silvio Sierra of Honduras, one of the migrants who approached the border and turned back amid the gas. We dont like that type of violence of throwing rocks. The majority of people came in peace. Our intent was to walk up peacefully. Regarding the tear gas, he said, It was very strong. It was everywhere. People were crying. Women and children, too. The gas was everywhere. Several migrants from the group that rushed the border said they had grown frustrated by weeks of waiting at El Barretal shelter with conflicting and shifting information about how the U.S. immigration process is supposed to work. They said the majority in the group planned to peacefully approach U.S. immigration authorities at the border and throw themselves at their mercy. Juan Carlos Caballero Jones, who witnessed tear gas being fired at the border early New Years Day, poses for a portrait outside the El Barretal shelter in the Mariano Matamoros neighborhood of Tijuana. (Sam Hodgson / San Diego Union-Tribune) Advertisement Such a rush of the border had been discussed for several days. Plans to make the effort on Christmas Eve did not materialize. The thing about it is, you dont want to be illegal but you are already illegal, Sierra said. So they tell you to take a number. You ask for a number and wait in line for an opportunity. But theres so many people in line, you arent getting through. If you walk up and ask for asylum, they say you are in the wrong place. You tell me, what are we supposed to do? Jose Alexander of El Salvador said he headed to the border with his 4-year-old son and witnessed the tear gas firing. He said he didnt see anyone throwing rocks, a sentiment echoed by many migrants interviewed Tuesday. My son is still scared, Alexander said. We were a little farther back in the group. As soon as I heard the first shot, I scooped him up and ran back. He was really scared. Advertisement Authorities also used tear gas Nov. 25 during a similar rush on the border. Although some women and children said they were affected by the gas, officials said it was targeted only at rock-throwers in that instance as well. President Trump at the time said it was a very minor form of the tear gas itself that he assured was very safe. The migrants from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have come to seek asylum from violence and other unrest in their native countries. They set out on foot in October, eventually using buses and other means to arrive in Tijuana, where they have been awaiting U.S. processing. Their presence has been portrayed as an invasion by Trump and as a human-rights crisis by others. They have been routed from one shelter to another, and many have decided to return to their homelands or stay in Mexico, where new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is more welcoming than Trump. U.S. authorities are not the only ones who have used tear gas on the Central America migrants. Two suspects tossed tear gas canisters into the El Barretal shelter as migrants were settling into bed on Dec. 18. Advertisement Juan Carlos Caballero Jones said he participated in Tuesdays rush on the border. He said he made it past the border fence and hid in the brush as agents searched nearby. When they passed me, I moved another inch or so, and then I stayed still, he said. They walked right past me but didnt find me. Eventually, Caballero was discovered by the lights from a helicopter, he said: I was just starting to think I was free. He said he was the only one caught in the spotlight of the helicopter and was unsure whether the agents would use some type of force to stop him. Advertisement I was so nervous my whole body was shaking, he said. He said agents on the ground returned, took him into custody and walked him back into Mexico. I was so close, he said with a sigh. But I am going to try again on another day. Fry writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. As homicides in Mexico reached unprecedented levels in 2018, Tijuana registered its highest numbers on record. The citys year closed with more than 2,500 killings, and there was no sign of any slowdown. Seven victims were killed on Saturday, and another three on Sunday, according to figures from the Baja California Attorney Generals Office. On Monday, the last day of the year, the death toll was again seven, bringing the years unofficial total to 2,506. The days first crime was reported at 7:30 a.m. in Valle Verde, where a 25-year-old man was shot dead. The last killing of the year was reported at 11:30 p.m., near the Tijuana airport, in a neighborhood known as Colonia 70-76, where an unknown male victim was found shot in the back. While the numbers are higher than ever, law enforcement authorities say most of the homicides are targeted and linked to the lucrative neighborhood drug trade, as dealers fight over street corners. Primarily at stake is the citys methamphetamine market, and to a lesser degree heroin sales, they say. Advertisement From what were seeing, its definitely the street sales in Tijuana that theyre struggling over, said Bo Morris, Special Agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The tally puts Tijuana, with a population of more than 1.8 million, in the unenviable position of being one of Mexicos most violent cities. The tally for 2018 surpassed the previous years record 1,744 homicides by more than 40 percent. Many of the victims are unidentified, and their deaths go unsolved, as witnesses are reluctant to cooperate with state investigators overwhelmed with the sheer numbers of cases. This is a business dominated by young men whose strategy is to use violence against their competition, said Jaime Arredondo, a scholar at the British Colombia Centre on Substance Use and a former Mexican government official who has researched the local market, known as narcomenudeo, and policing in Tijuana. Youve got to remember that this was an election year, and in an election year, things are a little bit more hot, said Arredondo, who co-authored a report earlier this year on drug violence in Tijuana as part of the University of San Diegos Justice in Mexico Project. At Tijuanas General Hospital, the violence has been depleting the blood supply. This year, we have been in crisis, said Dr. Yolanda Ibarra, who heads the hospitals blood bank. Efforts to save shooting victims require large amounts of blood, she said; and while some are saved, others are not. Fortunately nobody has died for lack of blood, but they consume enormous amounts, said Ibarra, who has made calls for blood donations in recent days. Advertisement Tijuanas location on the California border has long made it a coveted region for drug trafficking organizations a staging area to smuggle illicit drugs to the United States. But increasingly, as the border has grown harder to penetrate, a domestic market has developed in Tijuana. Overall control of the Tijuana plaza in recent years has been split between two main groups, the long dominant Sinaloa Cartel and the newer Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, a group of traffickers from central Mexico that has been been gaining territory across the country. But the drug underworld is one of continually shifting allegiances. And an alliance in Tijuana between members of the CJNG and remnants of the once-ruling Arellano Felix Organization is now fraying, according to a Mexican law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity. There are also reports of infighting among low-level members of the CJNG itself, he said. Experts say that it is the lack of control of the upper echelons that has led to disarray and violence at the bottom of the pyramid. Those at the bottom are fighting others at the bottom, said Victor Clark, a human rights activist and longtime observer of the regions drug trafficking trends. Advertisement These dynamics have been playing out in recent years largely in outlying areas of the city, but also near the U.S. border in the citys Zona Norte. To visit these hardscrabble working class areas is to see a Tijuana that is a far cry from its prosperous neighborhoods with restaurants, trendy breweries, upscale medical offices and a boom of high-rise condominiums. The situation has put pressure on the administration of Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum, who ends his three-year term this year. There is no political will, there is no decision on the part of the mayor to confront crime, said Roberto Quijano, a Tijuana corporate attorney and the only political independent on the Tijuana City Council. Nobody knows where were going. At Tijuana police headquarters on Monday, the citys top public safety official, Marco Antonio Sotomayor, defended the actions of his 2,200-member police department during an end-of-the-year news conference. Weve had unprecedented operational results, but we understand that these have not been sufficient to offer the results that Tijuanenses are looking for, he said. But the origin of this problem is multifaceted and should not just rest on the Tijuana police. One strategy over the coming year will be to build up the strength of policing in the most violent sections of the city. Our main goal is to reduce homicides through different operational strategies, Sotomayor said. Advertisement A group of 120 cadets set to graduate from the police academy next month will be assigned districts in eastern Tijuana, Sotomayor said. Sotomayor is also placing hope on a proposal by Mexicos new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, to create a National Guard, a measure that would require a reform to Mexicos constitution and congressional approval. The president, who is expected to visit Tijuana on Sunday, wants Mexicos military to head the force a notion that has drawn fierce criticism from human rights advocates and others who say this will only lead to abuses. Several organizations have warned that this is the wrong way to go, that this is not what was promised during the political campaign, said Arredondo. We have not really put our focus on the prosecutors, on researching crimes, and giving the technical capacity to people so they can do their jobs. Advertisement But Sotomayor said the militarys backing already has been key for Tijuana police officers confronting heavily armed drug suspects, and is an important temporary measure. At this time we need the armed forces, to give us support against organized crime, Sotomayor said. Another factor in reducing crime is prevention, but funds set aside for those effort have dried up, said Victor Clark, the human rights activist and an adjunct professor at San Diego State University. Under Mexicos previous president, Enrique Pena Nieto, Baja California was left without federal support, for prevention, he said. And the city governments budget is limited to $40,000. Juan Manuel Hernandez, the head of the Citizens Public Safety Commission, a statewide advisory group, says lack of collaboration among the various law enforcement agencies has weakened efforts to fight crime and drug sales. In Baja California, I think the authorities are totally lost, said Hernandez. State prosecutors are overwhelmed with the situation, they cannot handle the cases being presented, he said. Advertisement We should focus on what the federal government is doing, thats our hope. sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com @sandradibble With the start of the new year, the U.S. Navy will no longer authorize commanders to punish low-ranking sailors with punishments of bread and water, ending a tradition that hearkens back to the days of wooden sailing vessels, broadside cannons and flogging. Ship captains have broad authority to dole out punishment at sea. They can place sailors on restriction, give them extra duty, lower their pay grade and take half their paychecks for up to two months. Until the change, a ship captain also had the option to confine sailors at the rank of E-3 or below to the ships brig for up to three days and feed them only bread and water. Tim Druck, who served as a nuclear machinist mate on board the carrier Enterprise in the 1990s, said he was given three days of bread and water in 1998. Advertisement While sailors have to be medically cleared before going on bread and water, Druck said there were other indignities that accompanied his sentence. Going to the brig is a really demeaning experience, Druck said by telephone from his home in Louisville, Kentucky. The barber shaved my head. You have to be strip-searched. Druck said he was given his sentence because he was already on restriction due to another non-judicial punishment when he fell asleep and missed muster, something that all-but guarantees harsher punishment for sailors. At first, you might be hungry, so you order eight or 10 slices of bread, he said. By the end of the second day, youre just trying to make it through. Druck described his strategy for getting by on bread and water in a post on the question and answer website Quora in 2016. (Y)ou get creative you make bread sandwiches and bread tacos and bread rolls and everything you can think of to make it not bread, he said in the post. Navy instructions described bread and water as being on par with solitary confinement, because the sailors would not be authorized to exercise or interact with anyone but their guards. Druck said this was the worst part of his ordeal. Advertisement Its sensory deprivation its pretty bad, he said. I would consider that cruel and unusual. Until the mid-19th century, flogging was the preferred form of discipline on a Navy ship at sea, according to the U.S. Naval Institute. Misbehaving sailors were whipped across their back with a multi-pronged whip called a cat o nine tails. Congress put an end to that in 1862, which is when bread and water came into favor. In 2015, a Pentagon review recommended Congress make several changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the laws that govern U.S. military personnel. Advertisement Among them was ending bread and water. Congress approved the changes, which went into effect Jan. 1. Druck, who said he thought the punishment was archaic, said he thought one problem was with the authority granted to ship captains. (Bread and waters) application is uneven, he said. Its too much power for captains to have. They dont have to explain their decisions. A 2017 Navy Times report on how the over-use of the punishment by the captain of the guided-missile cruiser Shiloh poisoned morale on board. On the Shiloh, stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, sailors were sent to the brig on bread and water for infractions such as underage drinking and missing curfew. Advertisement The Navy did not respond to emails and phone calls for comment on this story. A Pentagon spokeswoman also declined to comment. Contact Andrew Dyer via email or Twitter. The family of an American citizen on a hunger strike in an Egyptian prison is urging Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo to use his upcoming Cairo trip to press for the mans release before its too late. Moustafa Kassem, a 53-year-old auto parts dealer from Long Island, N.Y., has been consuming only liquids since he was sentenced Sept. 8 in a mass trial with more than 700 defendants to 15 years in prison over a protest he says he had nothing to do with. The Egyptian American dual citizen, who has been in prison since showing his U.S. passport during a security crackdown in 2013, has decided that either he goes out free or he goes out in a box, said his brother-in-law, Mustafa Ahmed. Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had raised Kassems case with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi before the sentencing. With the clock now ticking on Kassems health, his family and legal team are urgently looking to Pompeo to push harder for Kassems freedom when he visits Egypt this month. Advertisement He has been losing weight and now his hair is falling out from the lack of nutrition, said Kassems U.S.-based lawyer, Praveen Madhiraju. Even the prison doctors say that he has passed the point where his hunger strike will seriously affect his health. Kassems sister in New York said his family attempted to talk him out of the strike. We tried to persuade him to eat, but he refused, said Eman Kassem. Hes determined that if authorities are not going to release him, then hes going to stay like that until, God forbid, he just dies, she said. Ahmed alleges that prison officials are endangering Kassem, who has Type 2 diabetes, by allowing him only fruit juices and not vegetable juices in an attempt to pressure him to end the hunger strike. Kassem was arrested Aug. 14, 2013, after security forces broke up a protesters camp in Rabaa al Adawiya Square. The protesters were supporting the countrys first democratically elected president, the Muslim Brotherhoods Mohamed Morsi, who had been overthrown by the army six weeks earlier with popular support. Human Rights Watch estimated that at least 817 people were killed when security forces raided the camp. Kassem maintained that he was never part of the protest. He had been in Egypt to visit family and had gone to a shopping mall two miles from the square to change currency before flying back to the U.S., said his brother-in-law, who was with him at the time. When the men returned to their car more than an hour later, they found that the chaos had spread. When the pair were asked for identification, Kassem handed over his U.S. passport; army officers then beat him and arrested him, according to Ahmed. Kassem was tried alongside hundreds, predominantly supporters of the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood, in a high-profile case that Amnesty International called a grotesque parody of justice. Seventy-five of the 739 defendants, including senior leaders of the group, were given the death penalty. Advertisement Kassems legal team is continuing its efforts to get him released, said his lawyer Madhiraju. His appeal is pending, but that could take months if not years to work itsway through the legal system. Moustafa probably does not have that long. Weve also sent a communication through the U.N. special procedures to try and get additional outside attention on his case, Madhiraju said, referring to the United Nations system employing human rights experts. Kassem applied more than a year ago to renounce his Egyptian citizenship, on the advice of his legal team and the State Department, but his request has yet to be granted, his brother-in-law said. Another Egyptian American prisoner, Mohamed Soltan, was deported to the U.S. in 2015 after renouncing his Egyptian citizenship; a presidential decree, issued the year before, allows for foreign nationals accused of or convicted of crimes to be deported. Advertisement The U.S. government has increased its engagement with Egypt over Kassem in recent months but hasnt used the leverage it has at its disposal, said Madhiraju. The day before Kassem was sentenced, the State Department notified Congress that Pompeo had signed a national security waiver to release $1.2 billion in military aid to Egypt. The department said that it had serious concerns about the human rights situation in Egypt but that cooperation with the country was crucial to U.S. national security. President Trump hosted Sisi in the White House in 2017, saying the leader had done a fantastic job; in April, Trump congratulated Sisi on winning a landslide election that many critics considered a sham. My sense is that under the Trump administration the U.S. government has consistently raised Kassems case but that the administration is unwilling to threaten the overall bilateral relationship if Kassem is not released, said Andrew Miller, deputy director for policy at the Project on Middle East Democracy and former director for Egypt military issues at the National Security Council from 2014 to 2017. Advertisement With Kassem now on hunger strike, he said, his case has become more urgent and will hopefully attract more attention from both the administration and Congress. Miller said he expected Pompeo to use his Cairo visit to directly raise Kassems plight with Sisi. It is important for the administration to continue broaching his status with the Egyptian government because a failure to do so would signal that the U.S. government is not actually that interested in his fate, he said. In response to questions about whether Pompeo would bring up Kassems case in his Cairo visit, a State Department representative said: We are deeply concerned.... Hes a U.S. citizen. His case has been raised repeatedly with the Egyptian government. Kassem is aware of Pompeos upcoming trip, his sister said, and despite his deteriorating health, the father of two retains hope of being freed. Advertisement But, Eman Kassem said, hes in a very dangerous situation. Islam is a special correspondent. Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday warned Taiwan that independence would be disastrous and both sides must work for reunification, calling for political negotiations to achieve this. Speaking in the Great Hall of the People, Xi said China would strive for peaceful reunification but would not rule out force to recover the island it sees as an errant province. We are willing to create broad space for peaceful reunification, but will leave no room for any form of separatist activities. We make no promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option of taking all necessary means, Xi said. China and Taiwan have been governed separately since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, when Chiang Kai-sheks Nationalists lost to Mao Tse-tungs Communists. The fleeing Nationalists moved their government to Taiwan, but China insists that the two sides must eventually unite, by force if necessary. Advertisement Xis comments were a rebuttal to the Taiwanese president, Tsai Ing-wen, who on Tuesday called on China to respect Taiwans existence and the democratic heritage of her 23-million population. In her annual New Years speech in Taipei, she called on China to face squarely the reality of the existence of Taiwan, adding that Beijing must respect the insistence of 23 million people on freedom and democracy, and must use peaceful, on-parity means to handle our differences. President Tsai said Chinese respect for Taiwans existence and democracy formed the most basic and most key foundation for the positive development of relations between Taiwan and China. But Xis speech Wednesday underscored the gulf between the governments when he said nobody could change the fact that Taiwan was part of China and warned that all Taiwanese people must recognize that independence would be a profound disaster. Its a legal fact that both sides of the strait belong to one China, and cannot be changed by anyone or any force, he said. However, he softened his rhetoric from a speech last March when he declared China would never cede one inch of its territory and was ready to fight a bloody battle against its enemies. He warned Wednesday that foreign interference in the matter would be unacceptable. The speech marked the 40th anniversary of the commencement of communications between China and Taiwan after decades of hostility. Responding to Xis speech Wednesday, Tsai reiterated that she does not accept the one-China principle. Her election in 2016 and subsequent repudiation of the one-China principle led to a sharp deterioration in relations, as Beijing cut dialogue and exchanges with the island. It has also conducted military maneuvers near the island and scaled back mainland group tourism to Taiwan. Advertisement In recent times China has also issued warnings foreign companies, including airlines, that failed to recognize its one-China policy for example, by including Taiwan in drop-down menus listing nations on their websites. U.S. and other foreign airlines fell into line with Chinas demands, rather than risk losing access to routes into China. With Taiwans presidential election due in 2020, China has piled pressure on Tsai since the party suffered losses in November city and local government elections, when the opposition Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang which advocates closer ties with China picked up support, winning 15 of 22 local seats. China portrayed the result as indicating a strong will in Taiwan for better relations with the mainland although analysts say the results were partly due to disapproval of Tsais economic reforms. Tsai said Tuesday the results absolutely do not mean that grass-roots public opinion in Taiwan favors abandoning our sovereignty, nor do they mean that the people want to make concessions regarding Taiwanese identity. Advertisement Xis speech aimed to entice young Taiwanese with the hopes of joining Chinas economic advance, saying reunification would bring the island great benefits. He promised that China would respect private assets, religions, beliefs and legitimate rights. He held out the Hong Kong model of governance one country, two systems under which Hong Kong retains its own democratic system and laws for at least 50 years. Critics have accused China of encroaching on Hong Kongs freedom of speech and laws in recent years. Tsai said the islands greatest current challenge is Chinas use of Taiwans open democratic system to interfere in its affairs, a claim China denies, and suggested that both sides try to understand each other better. Whats really needed between the two sides is a practical understanding of the differences between values, beliefs and lifestyles, she said. An opinion poll in September by the Taiwan Public Opinion Research Foundation indicated Taiwanese support for independence had waned from 51.2% in 2016 to 36.2%. In March the level had been 38%. Support for unification with the mainland was lower, at 26.1%, while 23.2% supported the status quo. Advertisement Mainland China and Taiwan have close business, cultural and family ties. A June survey by the same group marked the first time that more Taiwanese had a good impression of China than those with a negative view, 49% compared to 44%. Raymond Wu, managing director of Taipei-based political risk consultancy e-telligence, said there was a lack of trust between the two governments, meaning negotiations on the islands status were unlikely. With the current situation between China and Taiwan, I dont think there is that foundation of trust for any kind of in-depth discussion or debate on these issues, Wu said. In her speech Tuesday, Tsai warned local officials against exchanges with Beijing based on vague prerequisites. Advertisement Those remarks were largely aimed at warning any of Taiwans opposition party mayors and county magistrates who talk with Chinese officials on their own, said Shane Lee, political scientist with Chang Jung Christian University in Taiwan. Special correspondent Jennings reported from Taiwan. robyn.dixon@latimes.com Twitter: @RobynDixon_LAT When shoppers come into Brother Bennos Thrift Shop and look up, theyll see huge paintings of faces. The poster-size portraits show the faces of homeless men and women who have come to the Oceanside store on Mission Avenue for help maybe a meal, perhaps some clothing or a chance to rebuild their lives. One of the paintings in The Homeless have faces display at Brother Bennos Thrift Shop in Oceanside (Linda McIntosh) The 10 paintings hanging from the ceiling are part of the stores The Homeless have Faces display. It helps give a face to the people Brother Bennos is helping, said thrift store manager Michelle Hoppe. And it brings awareness about who the homeless are they are people like you and me. Advertisement The exhibit was created by 340 seventh- and eighth-grade students from Roosevelt Middle School led by their art teacher Roxane Rollins, who has been teaching at the school for 25 years. Each portrait in the mural project was done by a different art class coordinated by Rollins, art teacher Shannon Brayshaw and student teacher Martha Guy. The project grew out of Rollins homeless outreach efforts with students, decorating bags and filling them with socks and necessities, including hats knitted by Rollins 82-year old mom, who is fighting cancer. As part of the Winter Warmth Outreach Project, she and her students collected donations of winter clothing such as thermals, gloves and hats to give to Brother Bennos. Rollins wanted to show students who the people are who receive the donations. So she came down to the nonprofits main center on Production Avenue early one morning when breakfast is served and asked guests permission to take their pictures. I had more men volunteer than women, because the women wanted to fix themselves up for the photo so theyd look nice, but then some didnt come back for the photo, Rollins said. Rollins brought the photos back and students made huge grid drawings based on the photos. Each 5-by-4-foot drawing consists of about 80 six-inch squares that students worked on separately. Some were done in shades of black and white with acrylic paint while others were painted in colorful hues. The Homeless Have Faces art display at the Brother Bennos thrift shop in Oceanside. (Linda McIntosh) For the students, seeing the faces created empathy, Rollins said. Students volunteered to come in during their lunch break to work on the art and make sure the grids fit together and aligned properly. They also brought in more donations for Brother Bennos. Advertisement Im hoping people will see the faces and see that homeless people are real people; they used to have lives like us, but fell into hard times. It is powerful, Rollins said. Helen Parsons, a longtime brother Bennos volunteer and board member, heard about the paintings and suggested hanging them up at Brother Bennos. They were up at the main center for awhile and then Parsons hung them up at the thrift store so shoppers and folks bringing donations could see the faces of some of the people being helped through the money raised at the store. Some people seem to dehumanize these homeless souls, Parsons said. They think that because we at Brother Bennos give them a hand up, we are encouraging their homelessness. Just the opposite is true. We have taken many off the street and helped them get back on their feet. Since the nonprofit opened 35 years ago as a soup kitchen run by the late Harold and Kay Kutler, it has served 4.3 million meals and provided clothing, shelter, showers and other services with the help of volunteers along with running a 12-step recovery program and seven recovery houses in the Oceanside area. Advertisement Parsons favorite reaction to the exhibit was from a young man who came into the thrift store looking for a sweatshirt. He looked up and said, Hey! Thats me! The folks featured on the artwork are excited and proud of the exhibit, Parsons said. Some people shopping here have told me the exhibit has opened their eyes, said Robin Lamar, assistant thrift store manager. Theyve driven by homeless people, but they never took time to look in their faces. They see the loneliness and discouragement in these portraits and it hits them in the heart. The thrift store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 3955 Mission Ave. Call (760) 967-7505; visit brotherbenno.org. The goal of an education program begun in 2017 by the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy is simple: bring children to nature and sow within them the seed of curiosity. I think most people that have fallen in love with the environment and interacted with the environment can trace that back to something in their childhood, said Ana Lutz, the conservancys education manager. We want to provide those experiences that will last a lifetime for them so they can carry that feeling through their lives. The conservancy believes its difficult to care about something if you dont experience and you dont love it. The conservancy is a fundraising and support nonprofit dedicated to preserving, protecting and sharing the natural and cultural resources of the San Dieguito River Valley, which stretches from Volcan Mountain near Julian to the Del Mar coastline. Advertisement When we are gone, who is going to take care of this? Trish Boaz, the executive director of the conservancy asks. We need to have future stewards. The educational programs begun in 2017 are aimed at children of all ages and walks of life. Nearly 1,000 kids have already taken part in at least one of the programs and the conservancy has plans to increase those numbers dramatically in the years to come. The programs focus both on the more rural, pristine parts of the watershed as well as the more urbanized areas where a trail might run through a canyon surrounded by homes. Its really special when you can fall in love with nature when its surrounded by society and urbanization and people, Boaz said. You can find nature in these urbanized areas. We can teach them not to give up hope. There are small little pockets hiding under our faces. The conservancy works with various school and community groups and recently won grants from the San Diego Foundation and the county allowing it to buy two vans that can transport 26 children. Some of the education programs are structured and designed to fill in gaps in school science curriculums. Others are looser programs with the basic aim of exposing kids to the environment, often in conjunction with other nonprofit groups. A few examples: The Watershed Explorers program encompasses many activities, from hiking in the mountains to horseback riding. Lutz said one is called Micro Climate on a Macro Scale where kids will visit five different areas and look at their micro-climates and habitat within the locations and how theyre going to be affected by climate change. Advertisement A program for the smallest children, called A Pollinators Paradise, will teach kindergarten through second-grade students about Monarch butterflies. For high schoolers, the Coastal Wetlands Field Ecology Project takes students to the San Dieguito Lagoon where they will learn about the importance of wetlands and become involved in the conservation of the watershed. It asks students to research, carry out field-ecology studies, and gather and analyze data to address the complex issue of development and its impacts on the natural environment based on the following scenario: A developer wants to build a water park and hotel adjacent to the San Dieguito Lagoon. Based on field-ecology studies conducted on the project site, do you support the development of the site (and if so, with what mitigation measures) or should it be preserved to protect its natural resources? Other programs call for watercolor painting at the San Dieguito Lagoon, the Del Dios Gorge near the Lake Hodges dam, and along Del Mars North Beach. Advertisement Camping and hiking trips are planned. There are programs for home-schooling groups, inner-city schools and schools, both public and private, in the more affluent areas of coastal North County. The conservancy has created a 5-year education strategic plan modeled after the Encinitas Creek Conservancy plan. It started in July 2018 and is now in its first year. The plan will include 75 percent of participating schools within the river watershed and 25 percent from other parts of the county. The education manager for The Escondido Creek Conservancy, Simon Breen, said the conservancy also sought help from them in creating their education strategy. We know that SDRVCs new Education Strategic Plan will help elevate environmental education in the region, resulting in more people becoming enchanted by nature and working to protect it, Breen said. Advertisement For more information visit www.sdrvc.orgor call 858-755-6956. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones Painted on a prominent wall at Viasats latest headquarters expansion is the phrase, There is always a better way. Its the engineering mantra for the Carlsbad satellite Internet and defense communications firm perhaps best known for powering in-flight Wi-Fi for American Airlines, JetBlue, United Airlines and government VIP aircraft. The theme has spread beyond Viasats engineering department. It served as the linchpin concept for the company when designing and building its new East campus the first phase of which debuted for employees this month. We kind of adopted that for facilities, said Bob Rota, a vice president for buildings and security at Viasat. The architectural design was inspired by a number of factors, which included making the space about our employees first, as well as adding an element of the unexpected. Advertisement The first phase of the expansion project added 180,000 square feet in two buildings and a parking structure. The second phase, which is expected to open in February, will add an additional 173,000 square feet, with more parking garages. The campus expansion is being driven by the companys growth. Revenue increased 24 percent for the first six months of Viasats current fiscal year to $956 million. The company owns three satellites and has a long-term lease on another. With its most recent ViaSat-2 satellite, it can deliver up to 100 megabits per second speeds to customers significantly faster than other Internet options outside the reach of cable. Viasat is building three more satellites each with one terabit of capacity that will give it massive bandwidth in orbit. (A terabit equals 1,000 gigabits.) The new satellites will enable even faster speeds and expand Viasats footprint globally. The first is set to launch in late 2020. Founded in 1986, Viasat has been at its current Carlsbad location since 1999. Two years ago, it added the 198,000-square-foot North campus on 14 acres. It is the home of Viasats in-flight Wi-Fi business. Sections of fuselages of a Boeing 737 and Gulfstream 4 are on display to demonstrate its technology. The new East campus expansion sits on 23 acres and brings Viasats total space in Carlsbad to 1.1 million square feet in 17 buildings. The company employs more than 2,500 workers in Carlsbad today and nearly 5,500 globally. To get around the sprawling campus, Viasat provides about 100 beach cruiser bicycles for employees. New East campus buildings feature planked walkways to mimic an ocean pier. Surfboards hang on walls. Beach themed murals from local artists are featured all aimed to reflect the vibe of North County. Advertisement In an era where tech companies increasingly rely on workplace amenities to attract talent, Viasat designed a 4 acre outdoor plaza with hammocks, couches, TV screens and Internet connectivity at its new East campus. Indoor conference rooms adjacent to the plaza have receding glass walls creating large indoor/outdoor meeting spaces. Years ago we did not have the outdoor amenities we have now, said Rota. People say its for millennials. But all employees use it. The campus also has a 10,000 square-foot atrium, cafes, putting greens, collaborate work spaces, food stations with separate daily menus even a jungle themed work area thats part of an effort to deliver elements of surprise. Chief Executive Mark Dankberg said amenities arent necessarily a requirement in the arms race to attract top tech talent. Advertisement But the perks do help not only in recruiting but also with retention. We have had very low turnover historically, and that is a big advantage for us, said Dankberg. People do very complicated things. They learn a lot over time, so retention is a big deal for us. They also help workers feel appreciated, said Dankberg. I feel people work really hard, he said. When we launch new satellites, or we bring out new products, I think the level of commitment is really high. So to me, it all sort of goes together. You want a good place to work. They spend a lot of time here. We want them to feel like it is a good place to spend time. Advertisement The new campus was also designed with energy efficiency in mind though the company did not seek the green building Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification. Thirty-three percent of roof space has solar panels, which the company expects to help offset energy usage. The campus qualified for San Diego Gas & Electrics Savings by Design program. The expanded campus represents a global Viasat from our people and culture to our technology and services, said Rick Baldridge, company president and chief operating officer. With more than eight hours a day spent in the office, we wanted to create an environment that was casual, comfortable and encouraged our team to be inspired. Advertisement Business mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com; Twitter:@TechDiego Advertisement 760-529-4973 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) In California, inmates typically are granted parole by doing good deeds or showing they have been rehabilitated by becoming pastors, drug counselors or youth advocates. For Walter "Earlonne" Woods, the path to freedom was podcasting. Woods, 47, was recently released from San Quentin State Prison after California Gov. Jerry Brown commuted his 31-years-to-life sentence for attempted armed robbery. Brown cited Woods' leadership in helping other inmates and his work at "Ear Hustle," a podcast he co-hosts and co-produces that documents everyday life inside the prison. Woods has since been hired as a full-time producer for the often funny and at times heart-wrenching podcast, which has been a smashing success since its launch in 2017. The show's roughly 30 episodes have been downloaded 20 million times by fans all over the world. Listeners have praised "Ear Hustle" online as "eye-opening" and "incredibly humanizing." For Woods, one of the most meaningful reviews came from the governor's office when they called with the good news. "The one thing that the lady said, you know, she told me, 'We love the podcast in this office,'" Woods told The Associated Press of the commutation call from Brown's office. "I don't know if the governor listens, but people in his office listen. People really like what we do." During their podcast, Woods and fellow creator and outside co-host, prison volunteer Nigel Poor, give listeners a peek into the hardships and small joys of men incarcerated at the medium-security facility. In interviews with the hosts, inmates discuss struggles such as finding a compatible cellmate to share a 5- by 10-foot (1.5- by 3-meter) cell, share why they take care of frogs or black widow spiders as if they were pets, or describe the impact of solitary confinement or being on death row. Woods, an affable man with a quick smile and a sharp sense of humor, helps listeners understand prison life, while Poor brings an outsider's perspective, asking insightful questions that at times push inmates to reflect on what put them behind bars. The podcast offers listeners an intimate look into lives society doesn't spend much time thinking about, said Woods, who spent 21 years behind bars. "People get to see the car chases. They get to see the trial. But they don't know what happens after you get to prison," Woods said. "We've been able to really humanize people, and people realize that those in prison are just people who made dumb decisions." Brown agreed, and in his commutation letter, issued the day before Thanksgiving, the governor said Woods "has clearly shown that he is no longer the man he was when he committed this crime." "He has set a positive example for his peers and, through his podcast, has shared meaningful stories from those inside prison," Brown wrote. The podcast project started after Poor, a San Francisco Bay Area artist who has volunteered at San Quentin since 2011, approached Woods. In 2016, Poor saw Public Radio Exchange's Radiotopia network was sponsoring a podcast talent contest, and she asked Lt. Sam Robinson, San Quentin's spokesman, for permission to enter. Another co-creator, Antwan Williams, who is serving 15 years for armed robbery, came on board to do its sound design. Their pitch beat more than 1,500 contestants from 53 countries, and they received the backing of a group of radio professionals, Poor said. "Everyone was shocked when we won, especially the prison. Lt. Robinson told me he let us enter because he never thought we would win," she said, laughing. "Ear Hustle," eavesdropping, in prison slang has found international success, with fans sending cards and letters from as far as New Zealand, Qatar in the Middle East, and Mauritius in East Africa. The free show also can be accessed in prisons throughout California and the United Kingdom. New episodes are posted every couple of weeks. Julie Shapiro, Radiotopia executive producer, describes the podcast as a "roller coaster of emotions" that challenges what people understand about life in prison. "People don't expect to have something in common with those telling their stories from prison, but the details of their lives resonate with listeners because they hear these men encounter daily life in some of the same ways that we do," Shapiro said. The outpouring of love and appreciation for the show has grown since Woods announced on a Nov. 24 episode that Brown commuted his sentence. The first thing Woods did after walking through the prison gates on Nov. 30 was take in the view of the San Francisco Bay and of the ocean "as far as the eye can see." An episode featured his first moments as a free man. Since then, he's been noticing new styles, like women everywhere in yoga pants, and people walking through the streets with their heads bowed. He quickly realized they were looking at their smartphones, which didn't exist when he started his sentence in 1997. Woods has also spent time people-watching at a high-end department store, visited Disneyland and recently made eggs for the first time in two decades. The fourth season of "Ear Hustle," which will be released this summer, will feature stories of his re-entry to society and interviews with other inmates released after long sentences. He and Poor also plan to visit maximum-security prisons and tell the stories of prisoners there. "There's a lot of people that's in there that should be out," Woods said. "I created a podcast, but I'm not the exception." What better way to kick off the festive season, and to say farewell to 2018, than with a big village community clean up! That was the mindset last week as the urban village of Vaiusu conducted a clean-up, which involved the clearing of all plastics and non-biodegradable litter in the area leaving their surroundings looking spotless and appealing as they prepare to welcome the New Year. The clean up, which was organized by the village community with the assistance of ProGreen Samoa, was attended by hordes of community members, ProGreen Samoa members, and a Conservation International Samoa representative. Its great to see villages like Vaiusu taking initiative and organizing community cleans ups, says Leanne Moananu, from ProGreen (a youth run non government organization focused on environment conservation work). We at ProGreen, through the activities we carry out, hope to challenge and motivate people to take initiative within their own communities to help maintain a clean and green environment for all, and we are delighted to hear that Vaiusu had taken up this challenge. I believe the cleanup also opened up more eyes to the issues of plastic pollution in villages and our country as a whole. Majority of the rubbish we cleaned up were single-use plastic bottles, food packages, cups etc. Its one of our goals to work with others to encourage people to say no to single-use plastics and explore reusable alternative in order to combat this problem. We hope that this event will motivate other communities to do the same. Ms. Moananu also added that the event was a great success with the community showing much interest in making this an ongoing village activity. According to one of the clean-up event organizers, who is also a Vaiusu community member, Antonia Mavaega Mala, the idea came about when she saw one of ProGreens Facebook posts showing a recent clean-up event. She explained that when she saw the post, she commented saying that this would be good for their village to do considering all the rubbish lying on the side of the village road. With the Vaiusu village divided into four sub-groups which are named after the four gospels Mark, Luke, Matthew, and John Antonia added that organizing the clean-up wasnt too hard seeing that her sub-group, Luke, was already gathered together for various church events. And at the end of the day, the clean-up became a great success with the village left a little bit cleaner and greener than before. The turnout was amazing, especially with the little kids also pitching in to help out. We thought that since its our first clean-up, we will start small but it turned out great, Antonia shared. If we teach our children young and make them aware of the effects of plastic pollution, while also teach them to do their part by picking up plastic litter, then it will gradually become a good lasting habit for them. Change can start with something small. If we all start off by keeping our own backyards clean then it will be easier for us to make the transition into cleaning up our communities as a whole and then gradually expanding even more. Antonia urgesSamoa to get behind the Governments move to ban single-use plastics and support it so that further down the line, Samoa will become less reliant on plastics. Right now it (plastics) seems like a necessity but we dont think about how this is affecting our environment, she said. We have become too accustomed to going to the store where we are handed plastic bags only for it to be thrown out when we get home. We can do better than that. Community members present at the clean-up were also given 50 tote reusable shopping bags by the ProGreen team at the end of the event. The bags were donated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and were given to help encourage community members to say no to plastic bags next time they go to the store. And with Samoa officially banning single-use plastic bags and plastic straws next month (January, 2019), exploring some great alternatives such a as the various reusable shopping bags available at stores, bamboo straws, papaya stem straws, reusable steal straws, and/or even paper straws (as opposed to plastic ones) will go a long way towards Samoas plastic-free goal. Its super important we start limiting our plastic consumption and mainstreaming the use of alternatives, says Schannel van Dijken, Program Director from Conservation International Samoa. Its also very encouraging to see communities and organizations working together on cleanups and raising awareness about waste. Its a step in the right direction towards changing our behaviors. At the end of the day, we really want to be doing less clean ups, which is like taking waste and rubbish from one site and transporting it to another (usually the rubbish tip). The key is to move our behavior and to be thinking and living by the 5 Rs around waste Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Return (Tetee, Faaitiitia,Toe Faaaoga ma Toe Faafoi). Refuse: Show that you are not willing to do something (e.g. refuse a single use plastic bag). Reduce: Use fewer materials or make waste material smaller. Reuse: Use materials more than once. Recycle: Change or adapt the material for a new use. Return: Some organic materials could be returned to nature in form of compost; bottles can be returned to be refilled. This is something we all need work together to mainstream in our everyday lives as we welcome the New Year. So, just like Vaiusu Village, lets all do our part in keeping our island paradise clean as we venture into a more clean and green 2019 together. Conservation International Samoa together with all our partners and the ProGreen team would also like to wish Samoa a happy, green and prosperous New Year. The village of Sataua, Savaii welcomed 20 new matai title holders last week at the Maota Sogasoga. Nine received the Fesili title while nine others were conferred the Tuisataua title. One person was bestowed the Manuseuga title while another was bestowed the Faataua title. Here are some of the new title holders. As the clock struck midnight and 2018 disappeared into the night, Apias waterfront burst into colour. The worlds first fireworks to herald in the New Year began with a bang, and the seawall was packed with onlookers of all ages. The fireworks, which will become an annual New Years Eve event, were preceded by an address by the Prime Minister, who said Samoas place on the international dateline makes the fireworks fitting. In celebration of the New Year; and Samoa being the first country in the World to usher in, the very first dawn of the new year ever since we shifted the International Dateline to stay permanently between Samoa and American Samoa therefore, it is fitting that Samoa put on a display of fireworks to herald in 2019, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sailele Malielegaoi said. The fireworks lasted a full 30 minutes. While for some, turning to their cell phones around the 20 minute mark it may have been too long, the faces upturned towards the sky showed it may have been too short. Around the world, other displays followed suit. In New Zealand, bringing in the new year just an hour later than Samoa, the fireworks from Aucklands Skytower garnered international attention, with Stuff.co.nz reporting two Indian newspapers and media giants CNN and BBC covering the display. In England, London major Sadiq Khan drew controversy with his fireworks display, which featured a blue London Eye below golden sparkles in the colours of European Union Flag. The Guardian reports Mr Khan also tweeted afterwards, saying: Our 1 million EU citizens are Londoners, they make a huge contribution, and no matter the outcome of Brexit, they will always be welcome. In the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai, the Burj Khalifa was the centre of a fireworks display and light show, a special treat for anyone around the tallest building in the world, towering at 828 meters. Sadly, the celebrations also caused injury and in some cases, death. The Associated Press reports a 17 year old boy died in Berlin trying to light a powerful firework, and two people died in similar cases in the Netherlands. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi used his New Years Eve address in part to thank Samoa and its friends in developing the nation. In a year overwhelmed with concerns about national debt levels, no time was wasted in acknowledging the projects behind the numbers. We continue to see upgraded infrastructural developments, institutional building, and increasing opportunities for building capacities, he said. We have seen the completion of the airport terminal buildings, and the Apia Ports extension phase, providing greater berthing space for vessels. Tuilaepa made special mention of people to people linkages, in workshops and attachments around the world for Samoan people to upskill and develop, and of the Tui Samoa Cable. We have secured the necessary infrastructure for improved connectivity, but we must not detract from the importance of cybersecurity considerations. In particular, Tuilaepa thanked Australia, China, European Union, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States and multilateral financial institutions and organizations; the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations and its Agencies, and the Pacific C.R.O.P (council of regional organisations) agencies. But the development efforts were happening here at home too, and Tuilaepa took time to honour farmers and exporters putting Samoa on the market map. At this juncture, I wish to make special mention, of all our farmers, in particular, those operating at the commercial level, who have promoted the resurgence of production and export of bananas, and the resumption of taro exports to American Samoa, he said. 2018, which Radio New Zealand called when the world discovered the Pacific was a busy year for the international community, each paying Samoa and its neighbours new attentions. This year Britain announced it would open a British High Commission in Apia in 2019, New Zealand announced a Pacific Reset in funding and attention to the Pacific, and Australia launched a billion dollar Pacific Step Up. On this and other developments, Tuilaepa said the rapid unfolding of a changing geopolitical landscape in the Pacific region, has not changed the Pacifics determination to protect itself. While individual countries, have had to carefully assess, the benefits of development cooperation bilaterally, they have also been resolute, in driving what is best delivered regionally, such as the management of fisheries and marine resources and climate change, under the aegis of the Blue Pacific platform. The discovery of little fire ants, known as Wasmannia auropunctata, in American Samoa has put a temporary stop to importing of planting materials from around the Pacific. The Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment has advised the public to be especially vigilant and to report any sightings of the ants. Import permits for fresh flowers, nursery stocks and other planting materials have been temporarily suspended, and all incoming cargo from American Samoa, Hawaii, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Guam, Wallis and Futuna, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands will be sprayed with low-toxic insect sprays at all entry points in Samoa. The public, especially those travelling between American Samoa and the Independent State of Samoa are therefore advised to please adhere to precautionary measures to avoid the Little Fire Ant from entering Samoas borders, the ministry announcement reads. The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (S.P.R.E.P) is working with M.N.R.E and M.A.F to prevent the little fire ant from arriving in Samoa. The species is one of Hawaiis most notable invasive species. According to the Pacific Invasive Ant Toolkit, the little fire ant will look like a little orange dot to the average person, as they are very small. Also knows as the electric ant, they nest indoors as well as outside, and their sting causes a painful, itchy rash which is worse for children than adults. Infestations of little fire ants can make harvesting crops and removing the infestation near impossible due to the stinging, and can cause blindness, or tropical keratopathy in livestock. They spread quickly because their nests are easily moved by the wind, or by movement of waste where they often nest, the Toolkit reports. According to early research, matters re worse in agricultural and forestry land. In 1994, it was reported that: W. auropunctata commonly shows extreme population explosions and is capable under some circumstances of wiping out entire ant faunas over large areas ... forming in many places a living blanket of ants that kill and eat nearly all other ants in their path. The Ministries urge the public if they see any suspicious ants to please call M.A.F 20924 or 7767305 or M.N.R.E 67200 or 7538881. The New Year has started on a sad note for students and teachers at Vailoa Primary School. A fire ripped through the building yesterday morning, consuming all the classrooms and what was inside. The Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (F.E.S.A) responded quickly but couldnt do much. Fonima Laban, who lives across the road from the school, told the Samoa Observer their family was woken by the fire and they contacted F.E.S.A. immediately. Her niece, Foini Faraimo, explained that the strong soot permeating the air had woken their family. The skies were clouded with smoke and we could see the fire from our house, Foini said. She said it was too late for any of the villagers and neighbors to do anything because the fire had already spread. They could only wait for the fire services to arrive. F.E.S.A. prevented the fire from spreading to the school hall and the office building. But all classrooms were completely destroyed. I am just grateful no lives were lost and that the fire services were able to stop the fire from spreading, she said. With school soon to be starting again, Foini said she feels for the students. We just moved here to my auntys place and my children were going to attend Vailoa Primary school this year because it is much closer, she said. Now with the fire, they will still attend school in Vaitele. It was not possible to get an official comment from F.E.S.A. about what started the fire. A new year comes with a new role for the man who has been in charge of the Samoa Airports Authority (S.A.A.) for the past years. Magele Hoe Viali is the new Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (M.W.T.I.). Magele, who was on his third term as C.E.O. of S.A.A., takes over the role from Afamasaga Sua Pou Onesemo, whose contract was terminated by the Public Service Commission (P.S.C) last year. Magele declined to comment when he was contacted. But the Samoa Observer confirmed the appointment with a high-ranking source within the Ministry. Magele, during his tenure at S.A.A. was instrumental in the World Bank infrastructural improvement project and the Chinese Government funded airport terminal project which is still ongoing. The C.E.O. of M.W.T.I. is mandated to advise the Minister on the development of an efficient Transport policy for Samoa; to undertake research into all aspects of transportation, including the economics of transport; to advise the Minister on investment in transport, with particular reference to priorities for Government and other expenditure. The functions cover all forms of transport whether by land, sea or air. The transport specific functions of the M.W.T.I. are legislated under the: Ministry of Works Act 2002 Land Transport Authority Act 2007 Civil Aviation Act 1998 Shipping Act 1998 Samoas International Obligations: International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAD) and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Conventions, and other Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements. Furthermore, the MW.T.I. regulates civil aviation activities and air transport operations.Regulates all operational activities and transportation associated with marine and shipping in Samoa. Monitors and regulates all Land Transport Services to ensure safe, efficient and effective national road networks in Samoa. Provides the highest quality transport and infrastructure sector strategic policy, advice and plans to the MWTI and government in a timely manner. Manages building permits and contracts for government building construction, and does inspections of building construction. Regulates civil aviation activities and air transport operations. Magele was educated at Samoa College from 1975-1978. He went on to receive his qualifications as an Air Traffic Controller from New Zealand in 1981. He later obtained his Management qualifications from Massey University in 1998 and the University of New England in 2006. Magele has been a public servant for 38 years. Dear Editor, Re: P.M. Person of the Year Whilst that may be so it is rather difficult to ascertain whether he can be comparable to anyone else since he has been the only PM Samoa has had for the past two decades. Two things come to mind: 1, the ultimate stable government is one in which there has been no changes in the political status quo for the past two decades. 2. It reveals that Samoans are politically compliant and docile there has never been any politically adversarial political party to form a truly powerful opposition to contest political elections every general election cycle. Samoa has the ultimate elective dictatorship or rather a near to autocratic rule by the Prime Minister and his Cabinet Ministers with very, very feeble checks and balances from the Samoan Parliament, the Judiciary and the externalized executive branch outside of the PM and his Cabinet and H.R.P.P. caucus Cabal. Samoa has been blessed with this sense of political stability it has been beneficial for those who wielded power at the expense of those who are obviously disempowered. Most notably the members from flimsy opposition parties and Independence MPs and their respective constituencies. Samoans have become inured with the unfettered elective dictatorship by the Human Rights Protection Party for over three decades that non-parliamentary dissent political organisations have been forged through the use of social media sources and the social sourced momentum has been sourced from externalised sources outside of Samoa and the direct political processes of the Parliamentary democracy. Dissension groups have arisen on social media whose political narrative is very, very narrow like a one issue political movements which lack comprehensive potency such as the S.S.I.G. and O.L.P. whose primary source of political momentum stems primarily from the dissension against the L.T.R.A. 2008 legislation and nothing more. When you have a one issue political movement, like the Australian Greens Party you will lose momentum very easily when you are asked basic house keeping issues such as economic and fiscal management of government, foreign trade, foreign policy, immigration issues, balance of payment reconciliation policies, local infrastructural developments, road and transport infrastructures, housing, education, health, economic stimuli, employment and business incentives and foreign investment incentives. When a multilayered governance issues arise the one issue political movements have no legs to walk on and fall into the wayside in political impetus. It is for this reason that the tried and tested will remain in power, hence, the H.R.P.P. have remains unchallenged for so long...Aua ua Masani i mea faigata a le faiga malo. It is for this reason most Samoans will defer these responsibilities to the status quo system unless something drastic fails or something drastic changes the circumstances of the Samoan way of life to warrant a dramatic power shift to a Johnny come lately. Until then the present status quo remains stoic and constant. Dissenting political parties must energise something that is more dynamic and instead of re-inventing the wheel, youd much rather improve something or follow an ideology which is more dynamic in improving the development of Samoa moving forward. The only ideological foundation which may be rigorous enough to challenge the seemingly ultra conservative status quo would have to be a more lassiz faire and more utlilitarian or liberal political party that is not conservative but a much more liberal ideological outlook than a introverted conservative government. Perhaps a real Human Rights Party which manifestly enshrines the liberal ideological principle of liberalism would challenge the conservative party structure of the H.R.P.P. Because in truth the H.R.P.P is manifestly the Conservative party and any opposition party would have to represent a liberal party. That is unless Samoa suddenly industrialises themselves then a proletariat political party may form a Samoan Labor Party, but Samoa is still pre-industrialised and agrarian and a workers movement would be ludicrous to forge in Samoa. Samoa will remain a lassiz faire and mercantilist economy and will remain a liberal democracy perpetually. But, if you want to create a healthy adversarial democracy it is much more healthier to change governments from ultra nationalist and conservative right to liberal right from time to time. That would make for a healthy democracy otherwise we will fall into the present elective dictatorship or even worse a autocracy where one powerful man controls the country unchecked by his fellow parliamentarians let alone by the enfranchised citizenry who have blindly kept him in power at every general election. Timoteo Tufuga TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) U.S. authorities fired tear gas into Mexico during the first hours of the new year to repel about 150 migrants who tried to breach the border fence in Tijuana. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement later Tuesday that the gas was used to target rock throwers apart from the migrants who were trying to cross. "No agents witnessed any of the migrants at the fence line, including children, experiencing effects of the chemical agents, which were targeted at the rock throwers further away," the statement said. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three volleys of gas launched onto the Mexican side of the border near Tijuana's beach that affected the migrants, including women and children, as well as journalists. The AP saw rocks thrown only after U.S. agents fired the tear gas. The agency said agents saw "toddler sized children" being passed over concertina wire with difficulty. It said its agents could not assist the children because of the rocks being thrown. Agents responded with smoke, pepper spray and tear gas, it said. The AP journalist also saw plastic pellets fired by U.S. agents. The agency said 25 migrants were detained while others crawled back into Mexico through a hole under the fence. Customs and Border Protection said that under its use of force policy the incident would be reviewed by its Office of Professional Responsibility. Migrants who spoke with AP said they arrived in Tijuana last month with the caravan from Honduras. The caravan, which left Honduras in mid-October, grew to more than 6,000 members during its month-and-a-half trek north. It has been a constant target of President Donald Trump, who referred to it frequently in the run-up to U.S. mid-term elections in November. Many of the migrants are waiting in Tijuana for a chance to apply for asylum in the U.S., but there was a backlog before the caravan's arrival and the wait is expected to be many months. Others have found jobs in Mexico and tried to settle there. In a previous incident, U.S. agents launched tear gas across the border after some migrants tried to breach the border following a peaceful march in Tijuana on Nov. 26. Hundreds of migrants who were downwind of the gas were affected. Trump is currently locked in a fight with congressional Democrats over funding for the border wall that he wants to build. The stalemate has led to a partial government shutdown. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Tuesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remraks on construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya as "positive" and hoped that his government will fulfil its promise during this tenure. In a series of tweets, RSS's Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale said: "Today's Prime Minister's remarks on the construction of Ram temple seems to be a positive step. And the Prime Minister remembering his promise of constructing temple in his interview is in line with the 1989 BJP resolution in its Palampur Convention." "In its resolution, the BJP had said that to construct the temple in Ayodhya it will try its best by either consulting or by bringing an enabling legislation," he said recalling the 1989 resolution where the BJP said that it shall discuss the matter with all the stakeholders. Reminding Modi of his party's poll promise, Hosabale said: "Under the leadership of Modi, the BJP in its 2014 poll manifesto has promised to construct a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya under the constitutional ambit. The people believed the promises made by the BJP and gave it a huge mandate." "People of India expect the government to fulfil the promise within its tenure," he added. His remarks came soon after Modi in his interview said that an ordinance on Ram temple will be considered only after legal process gets over. The demand for construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya gained momentum late last year with the BJP's ideological mentor the RSS, VHP and the NDA allies demanded the government to bring a law for the construction of temple. By SA Commercial Prop News Listed property still had safe haven qualities, says Andrea Taverna-Turisan, SA Reit Association marketing committee chair. The prospects for 2019 SA's listed property sector are definitely a lot more promising than 2018, industry analysts told SA Commercial Prop News. South Africa's REIT sector is expected to produce double-digit total returns to investors this year. Analysts are confident that the listed property sector will make a sharp recovery in 2019, saying the sectors offshore exposure, as well what looks like the start of a recovery of consumer confidence in SA, could support it. They are forecasting that the FTSE/JSE SA Listed Property Index (Sapy) should deliver double-digit total returns in 2019. The index includes the top 20 liquid real estate companies by market capitalisation with a primary listing on the JSE and has lost close to 26% in 2018 so far. Fund managers said the recovery should take place barring any severe shocks to economic growth such as any potential fallout at struggling national retailer Edcon, which occupies significant space in most shopping centres. Catalyst Fund Managers expects performance from REITs in 2019 to be marked by positive total returns from the REIT sector, largely driven by its current forward income yield and capital returns based on growth in income. Commenting on the 2019 outlook, Mvula Seroto, an investment analyst at Catalyst Fund Managers, said his group expects the REIT sector to deliver total returns in line with the historical annualised 10-year total return of 14%. The Sapy includes mostly real estate investment trusts (Reits) which have to by definition pay out the majority of their income as dividends on a regular basis. Wynand Smit, a real estate analyst said while economic conditions were not expected to improve rapidly in the short term, there a number of factors which would make listed property a worthy investment compared with other equities as well as bonds. The South African economy officially exited the recession after reporting 2.2% GDP growth for the third quarter of 2018. A survey of economists by Bloomberg forecast growth of 0.7% total growth in 2018 and 1.5% in 2019. We expect listed property to deliver a total return, made up of share price movement plus distributions, of roughly 13% to 14% per year over the long term, said Smit. One event which would wreak havoc for property would be if the Edcon group was forced to shut all its stores and retrench thousands of workers. Garreth Elston, of Reitway Global, said the closure of Edcon would be extremely negative for Reits that have exposure to the company. Howard Penny, of Capricorn Fund Managers, said 2019 had to be a better year in terms of listed propertys total returns. Many property stocks were trading at high dividend yields which suggested their share prices were set to rally as the companies continued with their everyday business, he said. SA Reit Association marketing committee chair, Andrea Taverna-Turisan, said listed property still had safe haven qualities. Investors and analysts should know with reasonable certainty what to expect from an investment in the Reit sector in 2019 because South African property funds had relatively predictable earnings, he said. SA Reits are exposed to the best commercial properties in SA and, in some instances, offshore. Their property income is underpinned by lease agreements with tenants in these property assets. Rentals are contracted and most escalate at a predetermined rate annually, around 6.5% to 8% in the current domestic market, he said. The last time the SA Listed Property Index (Sapy) suffered a negative return was during the subprime crisis in 2008, when the sector lost about 4.47%. The fall in the Sapy was triggered by allegations of insider trading and share price manipulation against the Resilient stable of companies, which includes Resilient, Fortress, Greenbay and Nepi Rockcastle. The SA REIT Association represents South Africas R330 billion listed REIT sector. Its members comprise all the countrys listed REITs. Since its inception in 2013, when REIT legislation was introduced in South Africa, one of SA REITs goals has been driving transparent, clear and comparable financial reporting for the sector. The SA REIT Best Practice Recommendations (BPR) was first published in 2016. The association is currently updating the document in a move that builds on the sectors track record of driving best practice for investors. It expects to share its progress with the market early in 2019. Human Rights, Tourism, ministers discuss losses tourism sector due to Saudi-led aggression [02/January/2019] SANAA, Jan 2 (Saba) - Minister of Human Rights Alia Abdul Latif and Minister of Tourism Nasser Baqzouz discussed Wednesday the damages and losses suffered by the tourism sector as a result of the brutal US-saudi- aggression against the country. The meeting dealt with the criminal acts committed by the forces of the Aggression Coalition against the tourist and archaeological sites, which represent a cultural and historical resource. The meeting stressed o on the necessity to punish the criminal for violating international law, international criminal law and the laws of UNESCO. It pointed to the negative results due to these acts which caused losses and damage to the tourism sector and antiquities; as it represents a vital source of the state budget, and a tourist destination, global and historical. Amal/AA saba Following the strong upward move seen on Monday, treasuries saw some further upside during the first trading day of 2019 on Wednesday. Bond prices gave back ground after an initial jump by remained in positive territory throughout the day. As a result, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its price, fell by 2.5 basis points to 2.661 percent. The ten-year yield climbed off its intraday low of 2.649 percent but still ended the session at its lowest closing level in eleven months. Treasuries continued to benefit from their appeal as a safe haven as concerns about the global resurfaced following the release of a report showing a contraction in Chinese manufacturing activity in the month of December. The report said the Caixin/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers' index edged down to 49.7 in December from 50.2 in November. The reading below 50 indicated the first contraction in nineteen months. Iris Pang, Greater China Economist at ING, noted the disappointing manufacturing data comes on the heels of reports showing an annual drop in industrial profits and softer retail sales growth. "We believe that the data reflect that not only has the trade war damaged growth in the export sector. It has also hurt export-related supply chain companies and in turn, domestic demand," Pang said. "If domestic demand is not supported by fiscal stimulus quickly, then further weakening will pose a risk to job security," she added. "That could create a vicious downwards cycle." The ongoing government shutdown in the U.S. also contributed to the appeal of bonds amid news President Donald Trump has invited congressional leaders to a meeting this afternoon. The meeting comes as the partial government shutdown has entered its twelfth day due to an impasse over funding for Trump's controversial border wall. Democrats are due to take control of the House on Thursday and intend to move forward with plans to reopen the government without providing funding for the wall, although the White House has called the plan a "non-starter." In remarks to reporters ahead of the meeting, Trump indicated the partial government shutdown will continue for "as long as it takes," standing by his demand for $5 billion for the border wall. The meeting is not expected to result in a major breakthrough in negotiations, with a Capitol Hill source telling CNN the meeting "appears to be more of a White House stunt than serious attempt to have a discussion." Trading on Thursday may be impacted by reaction to U.S. reports on private sector employment, weekly jobless claims and manufacturing activity. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis With the partial government shutdown entering its twelfth day, President Donald Trump has invited congressional leaders to the White House for a meeting Wednesday afternoon. The meeting would be the first between Trump and top Republican and Democratic lawmakers since the shutdown began on December 22nd. The invitees are said to include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and incoming House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and incoming House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., have also reportedly been invited. A report from Fox News said the meeting will be held in the White House Situation Room in an effort to underscore the urgency of addressing problems at the U.S. border with Mexico. The meeting comes as lawmakers remain at an impasse over the issue of funding for Trump's controversial border wall. Democrats are due to take control of the House on Thursday and intend to move forward with plans to reopen the government without providing funding for the wall. House Democrats are likely to pass legislation that includes six full-year appropriations bills as well as a continuing resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security until February 8th. The legislation would provide $1.3 billion for border security, well below the $5 billion that Trump has demanded for construction of the wall. The White House has rejected the legislation, however, with White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders calling the plan a "non-starter." "Speaker Designate Nancy Pelosi released a plan that will not re-open the government because it fails to secure the border and puts the needs of other countries above the needs of our own citizens," Sanders said in a statement. McConnell has previously indicated the Senate will not vote on legislation that does not have the support of the president. In a joint statement on Monday, Pelosi and Schumer said McConnell and Senate Republicans would be complicit with Trump in continuing the shutdown if they refuse to support the bill. "It would be the height of irresponsibility and political cynicism for Senate Republicans to now reject the same legislation they have already supported," Pelosi and Schumer said. They added, "Once the Senate passes this legislation and puts us on a path to reopening government, the President must come to his senses and immediately sign it into law." Trump has claimed there cannot be "real border security" without a wall but suggested he is willing to make a deal with Democrats. "Border Security and the Wall 'thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?" Trump said in a post on Twitter on Tuesday. Trump promised throughout his presidential campaign that Mexico would pay for the border wall and now claims the wall would be funded through a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada. "Mexico is paying for the Wall through the new USMCA Trade Deal. Much of the Wall has already been fully renovated or built. We have done a lot of work," Trump tweeted on Wednesday. He added, "$5.6 Billion Dollars that House has approved is very little in comparison to the benefits of National Security. Quick payback!" For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News Online video streaming giant Netflix Inc. (NFLX) plans to name Activision Blizzard Inc.'s (ATVI) financial chief Spencer Neumann as its new chief financial officer, reports said. Neumann succeeds David Wells, who announced in August his plans to step down after 14 years at Netflix and focus on philanthropy. The move comes as Netflix plans to produce more of its own films and television series. Meanwhile, Activision Blizzard said in a separate statement that it has terminated Spencer Neumann's employment for cause unrelated to the video game company's financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures. Activision Blizzard has re-appointed Dennis Durkin as its new CFO with immediate effect, reprising the role he held from March 2012 to May 2017. Meanwhile, media reports also indicate that Netflix has pulled an episode of "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj" in Saudi Arabia last week after it received a complaint from the kingdom. The second episode of the comedy show reportedly focused on Saudi Arabia following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi regime, and also included criticism of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Netflix decided to remove the episode, entitled "Saudi Arabia", after it received a legal request from the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission as the episode allegedly violated the kingdom's anti-cybercrime law. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Canadian shares look headed for a weak opening on Wednesday, tracking lower futures, weak crude oil prices and the sell-off in Asian and European amid mounting worries about outlook for global economic growth. The political uncertainty in the U.S. due to the ongoing partial shutdown in the U.S., which is into its 12th day today, and worries about U.S.-China trade dispute will continue to weigh on sentiment. Materials shares may move up, tracking higher gold prices. The market will also react to the IHS Markit Canada Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' index reading, which is due at 9:30 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, a recent tweet from U.S. President Donald Trump suggests the government shutdown may not end anytime soon. According to reports, the Congress is set to reconvene later in the day. Trump has reportedly invited Democrats to a meeting at the White House. However, it remains to be seen if the Democratic congressional leaders will take part in the meeting. On Monday, the benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index ended up 100.86 points, or 0.71%, at 14,322.86, extending gains to a fourth successive session. The index shed about 12% in 2018. In company news, Equitable Group Inc. (EQB.TO) has completed its previously announced acquisition of Bennington Financial Services Corp., a profitable and growing privately owned company serving the brokered equipment leasing market in Canada. Aphria Inc. (APHA.TO) today announced that its Colombian subsidiary, Colcanna SAS has signed an exclusive agreement with the Federacion Medica Colombiana to jointly develop an academic curriculum on the medicinal use of cannabis. Asian stocks tumbled on Wednesday as a contraction in China's manufacturing sector due to ongoing trade friction with the U.S. weighed on sentiment. Markets were also impacted by the U.S. government shutdown, which entered its 12th day. Data released by Market showed, China's manufacturing activity contracted for the first time in nineteen months in December. The Caixin/Markit manufacturing PMI dropped to 49.7 in the month, from 50.2 in November. European markets were declining sharply, tracking weak Asian markets. In economic news from Eurozone, data showed eurozone manufacturing PMI stood at 51.4 in December, down from November's 51.8 and the lowest since February 2016. Meanwhile, the U.K. PMI extended its upbeat momentum in the month to hit a six-month high at 54.2. In Germany, employment grew to a record high in 2018 despite a slowdown in the , preliminary figures from the Federal Statistical Office showed.S With no trace of a workable plan, the government shutdown in the U.S. entered its 12th day, and U.S. stock futures were moving lower this morning. On the economic front, a report on manufacturing activity in the U.S. for the month of December is due at 9:45 AM ET. The Institute of Supply Management's manufacturing survey for December is due for release at 10 AM ET. In commodities, crude oil futures for February were declining by $0.66, or 1.44%, at $44.75 a barrel. Natural gas futures for February were up $0.018, or 0.61%, at $2.958 per million btu. Gold futures for February were up $6.05, or 0.47%, at $1,287.35 an ounce. Silver futures for March were declining $0.067, or 0.43%, at $15.473 an ounce, while Copper futures for March were down $0.014, or 0.55%, at $2.617 per pound. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Electric utility Dominion Energy, Inc. (D) and SCANA Corp. (SCG) said Wednesday that they have completed their proposed merger, benefiting customers and communities in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Dominion Energy noted that the combination expands its operations in Georgia and the Carolinas, where the company had already operated an electric utility serving 120,000 customer accounts in northeastern North Carolina, a 1,500-mile interstate pipeline principally in South Carolina, and nearly 1,000 megawatts of gas, hydro and solar generating capacity in all three states. Thomas Farrell, II, chairman, president and chief executive officer, said, "Dominion Energy is pleased to add SCANA's fast-growing, high-performing Southeastern businesses to our 18-state footprint. Together, we are committed to providing safe, dependable, affordable and clean energy to the communities served by SCANA and to maintaining its excellent record of reliability and customer service." At the merger's completion, each SCANA share was converted into 0.6690 shares of newly issued Dominion Energy common stock. The conversion resulted in a transaction value of about $6.8 billion, in addition to the assumption of approximately $6.6 billion in existing consolidated SCANA net debt. SCANA said its last declared dividend of 12.37 cents per share of common stock is being paid today to SCANA shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 10, 2018. SCANA will be a first-tier, wholly owned subsidiary of Dominion Energy. Its operating companies - including South Carolina Electric & Gas Company or SCE&G, Public Service Company of North Carolina, Incorporated or PSNC Energy, and SCANA Energy Marketing, Inc. or SEMI - and its services company will be managed by a new operating segment, the Southeast Energy Group. SCANA Corp. common stock has ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Bakkt, the crypto currency exchange startup owned by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), raised $182.5 million to build its global digital assets platform and bitcoin futures product. Baktt CEO Kelly Loeffler said the company completed its first round of funding from 12 partners and investors, which included Boston Consulting Group, Galaxy Digital, Goldfinch Partners, ICE, Pantera Capital, Protocol Ventures and M12, which is Microsoft's venture capital fund. Baktt is already collaborating with companies like Starbucks. The company is awaiting approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission for the trading, clearing and warehousing of the Bakkt Bitcoin (USD) Daily Futures Contract. Once CFTC grants it a regulatory approval, Baktt will become the industry's first institutional grade regulated exchange. In a separate announcement Monday, Bakkt's parent firm ICE Futures U.S., Inc. disclosed that its planned bitcoin futures market has been delayed again. "Following consultation with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, ICE expects to provide an updated launch timeline in early 2019, for the trading, clearing and warehousing of the Bakkt Bitcoin (USD) Daily Futures Contract," ICE said in a statement. The launch had previously been set for January 24, but it will be amended pursuant to the CFTC's process and timeline. The Bakkt Bitcoin Daily Futures Contract is a physically-settled daily futures contract for bitcoin held in Bakkt Warehouse, and will be cleared by ICE Clear US, Inc. Each futures contract calls for delivery of one bitcoin held in Bakkt Warehouse, and will trade in U.S. dollar terms. One daily contract will be listed for trading each exchange day. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The Villages, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/02/2019 --Given the increase in health care cost and other associated costs, health insurance is tailored to cover a range of hospitalization costs. It helps one pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and preventive care. The benefits of health insurance policies are many. It indemnifies one for unexpected financial expenses that arise from an array of medical conditions. With over 35 years of experience in health and life insurance, Mid Florida Agency is pleased to offer quality health insurance in Mount Dora and Belleview, Florida. Unlike other policies, this insurance policy can be taken for anyone between 5 to 60 years of age, provided; the proposers is more than 18 years old. The policy covers an array of situations, excluding the company's own set of restrictions. As a policyholder, one is entitled to most of the following benefits irrespective of the vendor, and the benefits include cashless transactions in case of hospitalization across a network of medical facilities, pre and post hospitalization across a network of medical facilities, maternity and newborn care, laboratory services, and more. Health insurance is indispensable when it comes to ensuring financial protection to an individual and his or her family in case of any eventuality. Given this range of benefits, it is necessary to compare and opt for one that serves one's purpose in particular as against popular market trends. At Mid Florida Agency, the agents are knowledgeable and highly trained in explaining the benefits of the policies available to them. They will review and compare one's plan to be able to offer better coverage and lower premiums to the clients and their employees. They also provide a presentation on individual health plans either in a group session or one-to-one. For more information on Medicare advantage in Ocala and The Villages, Florida, visit http://www.healthinsflorida.com/medicare-supplements-plans. About Mid-Florida Agencies Mid-Florida Agencies is an insurance agency that offers clients with the best insurance policies at the most reasonable price. Spokane Valley, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/02/2019 --There is a reason why fences are necessary for properties. They not only demarcate the limit of one's property but are also crucial for the safety and security of the homeowners. That is when it comes to putting up fences; one needs to get a good company that has been around for years at this job. Many homeowners do not consider giving a fence around the property, or if the fence starts wearing out, they don't bother getting it replaced. That should, however, not be the case at any time. Installing fences in Cheney and Spokane Washington is not a choice, but there are many reasons why it should be considered as mandatory in today's times. According to the installers working with Inland Home Improvements, installing fences is a wise decision. There are more reasons than one for installing fences, points out the experienced installers from Inland Home Improvements. They point out that fences can help one to enjoy better security. Since crime rates are on a high, there is always a need to secure the property. The fence can act as a deterrent to intruders and trespassers along with animals if one lives in an area which is prone to the grazing of animals, both domestic and wild. Moreover, a boundary of the property is also crucial. Fences help to define the property accurately from the neighbors so to avoid any confusion or dispute later. Apart from offering and installing high-quality fences, Inland Home Improvements is also a competent name for dealing with any issues related to a roof in Cheney and Liberty Lake Washington. Their roofers consistently exceed the expectations of local homeowners because they are passionate professionals that take what they do personally. This company has grown to become the largest roofing manufacturer in North America. Call Inland Home Improvements at 509-444-0123 for more details. About Inland Home Improvements, Inc. Inland Home Improvements, Inc. began in 1999. Since then, we have become a leading trusted name in windows, siding and roofing installation. The American Flag Symbolizes Our Values Many of us put up our American Flags during Memorial Day weekend in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting the sovereignty... Letters to the Editor Gateway Tunnel To The Editor: Advocates for the new $11.6 billion Hudson River Gateway Tunnel should be concerned by what New York Governor Andrew Cuomo... Friday, Dec. 14, marked the fifth anniversary for CW Fudge Factory in Matlacha. The candy store is owned by Carlos Gomez and William Tidball. The decision to open a candy store was made after many trips through Matlacha, Tidball said. Theres plenty of art in Matlacha but no edible art. After a lot of consideration, we decided to open a candy store. Not boxed candy we purchase and resell but homemade fudge. Originally from Pittsburgh Tidballs grandparents and parents had spent many seasons on Pine Island for over 30 years. Before opening the store in 2013, Tidball and Gomez had been traveling from their jobs in Orlando to Pine island on weekends. Every Friday night around midnight we would be driving through Matlacha to our home in Bokeelia, Gomez said. Then late Sunday afternoon driving back to Orlando where we would work another week so we could afford to come back. One day we thought Wouldnt it be great to live here full time? So we started to try to figure out how we could make that happen. Tidball was working for Universal Studios and Gomez was working for a bank in Orlando. The original idea was to open a cupcake store but at that time the islands already had a cupcake store so the decision was made to create a candy store in Matlacha, Tidball said. Tidball knew a friend that was in the candy manufacturing business and that friend offered lessons on how to make homemade fudge. My friend taught me everything I needed to know about making candy and fudge and dipping stuff, and tempering chocolates, Tidball said. Gomez stayed with his job in Orlando for about 8 months as one potential candy store location after another fell through. Then one morning we were having breakfast next door (The Perfect Cup), and this location became available, Tidball said. We wrote a check and the rest is history. Each year, Gomez and Tidball present a Live Nativity during the holidays. Were blessed that the community has supported us all these years, Tidball said. Every day Im amazed at how we touch peoples lives through candy therapy. The Nativity is our way of giving back to the community. There are people who have no place to go so they can come here on Christmas Eve, enjoy some hot chocolate and enjoy a presentation of the nativity. Matlacha resident Ljubinka Jandrich said, You guys are the best and a great addition for the island, we love having you here, especially since its only a two minute walk from my house. Gomez and Tidball have expanded their line a lot since they opened five years ago. Were very happy with where the store is today, Tidball said. The only things were thinking about changing is were considering enlarging the kitchen to meet the increasing demand. With over 1,300 square feet of space, Tidball and Gomez offer more than 200 types of fudge and a wide range of gifts many specific to Pine Island and Matlacha. We also have gift baskets, Gomez said. Sampling is easy as there are always a dozen or so flavors on hand: Chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate Walnut, Red Velvet Cake, Salted Nut Roll, Snickers, Mint Chocolate Swirl and many more. CW Fudge Factory is at 4548 Pine Island Road, N.W., (across the street from the Post Office). Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 239-283-9911 for additional information. Making far-off commitments is sometimes a struggle, but last-minute planning comes with its own drawback: All the good stuff might be gone. Less than a week into 2019, several windows of opportunity have already closed. The TLA sold out shows for queer-pop up-and-comer King Princess and for EDM DJ/multi-instrumentalist Gryffin. Same goes for poet-turned-rapper Noname at Union Transfer and country duo Brothers Osborne at the Fillmore. Not one, but two David Bowie-themed performances by Philly drag-queen favorite Martha Graham Cracker went like hotcakes at LEtage. A pasta-making class at Amis? Gone. The Office trivia night is booked solid at Round Guys Brewings subterranean space in Lansdale. And at East Passyunks Yoga Hive Philly, theres no room left to do yoga with baby alpacas, baby goats, or baby pigs. (A few tickets to March 16s pig yoga still remain.) In the spirit of planning ahead, here are six January events you should put on the calendar while you still can. Wu-Tang Clan After their first Philly show since 2011 sold out in two days, the Staten Island rappers who recently had a New York City intersection named in their honor added a second set, on Jan. 24. 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24. Franklin Music Hall, 421 N. 7th St. $100 and up. bowerypresents.com/shows/franklin-music-hall Science After Hours: Winter Is Coming The Franklin Institute taps into our insatiable thirst for Game of Thrones with its latest edition of Science After Hours. With medieval-inspired presentations on dragons, poison, blood, and disaster-free weddings, the GoT theme dovetails with the museums Vikings exhibit, which will be open (as will a cash bar). The West Philadelphia Orchestra also provides a Balkan-music backdrop for the event. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22. Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St. $25. tickets.fi.edu Bibliococktails: Walt Whitman Bicentennial Fitler Squares rare-book/rowhouse museum, the Rosenbach, relocates to Art in the Age for this months edition of Bibliococktails, its literature-and-libations series. Januarys event celebrates the 200th birthday of Walt Whitman, who spent his twilight years in Camden, crossing the river frequently to give lectures or visit friends. Enjoy two cocktails crafted in honor of the poet, as well as light refreshments, Whitman-themed trivia and a discussion of his work. 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11. Art in the Age, 116 N. 3rd St. $25. rosenbach.org/events Cheese and Beer Pairing Fishtowns Evil Genius brewery observes National Cheese Day with four cheeses and four 5-ounce pours of colorfully named small-batch beers, presented by brewer Matt Lally. 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20. Evil Genius Beer Company, 1727 N. Front St. $25 and $40. 215-425-6820. evilgeniusbeer.com An Artist Must Take Sides: Gentrification in Philadelphia Chester native and Philly-area educator Christopher Rogers facilitates this discussion of the relationships between education, arts, and gentrification, including the practice of artwashing, a term for the practice of capitalizing on artists to raise real estate values. While the initial session at the Paul Robeson House filled up, a second discussion will be held later the same day. Spots are first come, first served, at West Phillys Blackwell Library. 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11. Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library, 125 S. 52nd St. Free. 215-685-7433. freelibrary.org Never-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki documentary Often called the Walt Disney of Japan, 77-year-old Hayao Miyazaki has founded an animation studio, produced 14 manga works, written 23 films, and directed 22 films, including Japans top-grossing movie, the Academy Award-winning Spirited Away. Never-Ending Man follows the prolific artist in retirement, as he ventures into the unknown territory of CGI animation. Japanophiles have two chances to catch this 70-minute documentary, but take note: The Jan. 11 show is nearly sold-out. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 11, and Friday, Jan. 18. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St. $12. 267-519-9651. philamoca.org WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump fired back at incoming senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, on Wednesday, urging him to be a "TEAM player" hours after the publication of a scathing commentary in which Romney said Trump has not risen to the job. Romney also drew flak from Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee - and his niece. "Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful," Trump said in a tweet. "I won big, and he didn't. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!" Trump questioned whether Romney, who lost the 2012 presidential election, would now seek to play a similar role as the retiring Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., among the few GOP lawmakers who have frequently criticized Trump's actions. "Question will be, is he a Flake?" Trump said of Romney. "I hope not." In a later tweet, McDaniel called her uncle's commentary "disappointing and unproductive." "POTUS is attacked and obstructed by the [mainstream] media and Democrats 24/7," she said. "For an incoming Republican freshman senator to attack @realDonaldTrump as their first act feeds into what the Democrats and media want and is disappointing and unproductive." Until last year, McDaniel had billed herself professionally as Ronna Romney McDaniel. But the former chairwoman of the Michigan GOP dropped her maiden name from most official RNC communications after a request by Trump. The reactions of Trump and McDaniel followed the publication of an commentary penned by Romney in advance of his swearing-in Thursday as Utah's junior senator. In the piece, published online Tuesday night by The Washington Post, Romney said Trump's "most glaring" shortfall has been in shaping the character of the nation. Romney said he would support Trump policies with which he agrees, but he also pledged to speak out "against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions." "After he became the nominee, I hoped his campaign would refrain from resentment and name-calling. It did not," Romney wrote. "When he won the election, I hoped he would rise to the occasion. His early appointments . . . were encouraging. But, on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office." In 2016, Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, was a prominent "Never Trumper," calling his fellow Republican a "phony, a fraud." He adopted a more nuanced view as a candidate for Senate last year, speaking favorably of Trump's actions on taxes and judicial appointments, among others, but saying he did not consider the president a role model for his grandchildren. Despite Romney's harsh criticism of Trump during the 2016 election cycle, Trump considered Romney for secretary of state but passed him over for Rex Tillerson. And in February, Trump threw his support behind Romney's Senate bid, writing on Twitter that he would be a "worthy successor" to retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, whom Trump had urged to run for another term. Trump allies had already taken aim at Romney before the president's tweets on Wednesday morning. "The truth is @MittRomney lacked the ability to save this nation," Trump's 2020 campaign manager, Brad Parscale, wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night, adding that "@realDonaldTrump has saved it." Parscale suggested that Romney's op-ed was motivated by jealousy. During an appearance on Fox News early Wednesday, David Bossie, a senior Trump campaign aide in 2016, said he feared that Romney was positioning himself to be a potent Trump critic in the Senate. Bossie cited other Republican senators who have spoken out against Trump - Flake, Bob Corker of Tennessee and the late John McCain of Arizona - and said Romney has the potential to play those roles "all in one guy." Later Wednesday morning, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., also weighed in. Like other Big Government Republicans who never liked Reagan, Mitt Romney wants to signal how virtuous he is in comparison to the President, Rand said in a Twitter post. Well, Im most concerned and pleased with the actual conservative reform agenda @realDonaldTrump has achieved. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has received a letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and will be setting up a meeting with Kim "in the not-too-distant future" to restart talks about the North's nuclear programs. "He'd like to meet. I'd like to meet," Trump said as he held up the letter during a Cabinet meeting. Earlier in the day, Trump tweeted: "Kim Jong Un says North Korea will not make or test nuclear weapons, or give them to others & he is ready to meet President Trump anytime." Kim has met several times with the leader of South Korea and attended a summit in Singapore with Trump in June. Kim has signed vague statements pledging a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, but has not described how and when that might occur. In a New Year's message, Kim hinted at a possible cap on nuclear weapons production if the U.S. took equivalent steps. He did not elaborate. He also stood by his commitment on denuclearization, which does not mean the unilateral ridding of the North's arsenal. Both areas need to be further clarified in negotiations. Kim sees such weapons as a valuable deterrent to a possible U.S. military strike. He also believes his weapons put him in a position of strength from which he can make demands and extract concessions. The message he is conveying to Trump is for the American leader to start addressing his concerns about security and easing sanctions or the North Korean will have no choice but to try a different, less-friendly approach. Kim is warning that he will be able to make a case to China, Russia and possibly even South Korea that if the situation deteriorates, Washington will be to blame. During the Cabinet meeting, Trump lamented that he's not been given enough credit for opening a dialogue with North Korea. Trump said his engagement with North Korea helped stave off what he said "could have been World War III." But he and Kim spent most of 2017 exchanging personal insults and war threats before agreeing to their meeting in Singapore. "You know, frankly, if this administration didn't take place, if another administration came in instead of this administration ... you'd be at war right now," he told reporters. "You'd be having a nice, big fat war in Asia. And it wouldn't be pleasant." Before Trump took office, the United States engaged in four major negotiations with North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs, stretching from the mid-1990s to about 2012. All were aimed at getting North Korea to halt or disable its nuclear missile programs in exchange for economic and diplomatic concessions. Trump also said North Korea has tremendous economic potential so he looked forward to meeting again with Kim. Well set that up, he said. Well be setting that up in the not too distant future. Among the many tragedies taking place in the nearly four-year conflict in Yemen including the thousands of lives lost, the impoverishment to near-starvation of its people and the ruin of its fragile economy is the plunder of the countrys valuable and precious ancient cultural heritage by organized criminals and violent extremists. This all-too-familiar story underscores an urgent need for the Treasury Department to use its existing sanctions regime to close the U.S. art market to Yemeni blood antiquities. Historically, Yemen was a meeting ground for some of the earliest contacts and trade between East and West and a crossroads of the ancient incense and spice routes. As home to the legendary Queen of Sheba, stories about the treasures to be found in Yemens markets and the independence of its people were passed across generations, along with a famed tradition of silver design. Much of this rich history survived for millennia, as Yemen is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites and national museums that house priceless artifacts. While media coverage has closely followed the fighting around some of these historic places and collections, it has sadly ignored that this history is being stripped for sale to foreign buyers. Yemen has warned the United Nations and the world of this illicit trade, presenting evidence that al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Houthi rebels are taking a page from the Islamic State playbook by arming their cause with the plunder and sale of Yemens ancient treasures. Three major museums the Taiz National Museum, the Aden National Museum, and the National Museum of Zinjibar have been pillaged and largely cleared of their collections. International experts have corroborated these reports, including archaeologists on the ground, the International Council of Museums, and the U.N. Panel of Experts on Yemen. There is good reason to believe that the United States is a destination for pillaged Yemeni artifacts, because it remains the largest art market in the world. Research by the Antiquities Coalition demonstrates that, over the past decade, the United States has imported more than $8 million worth of declared art and antiquities from Yemen. There is reason to suspect that the total is much higher. While it is impossible to know the true scale of the illicit trade, it is distressingly familiar, as plunderers across the region have seen museums and ancient sites as opportunities to raise easy money. Despite Washingtons growing awareness of the terrorist financing threat from cultural racketeering, U.S. markets remain wide open to conflict antiquities from Yemen. In other countries, the State Department has used available diplomatic tools to negotiate bilateral agreements to close U.S. markets to illegally imported antiquities. Congress has also taken legislative action to sanction efforts to import illicit pieces from Iraq and Syria. But U.S. inaction in Yemen raises the likelihood that American collectors and institutions are helping sustain the countrys violent conflict through apparently legal purchases of stolen artifacts. The United Nations, with support from the international community including the United States, is engaged in humanitarian efforts and delicate negotiations to bring about a political solution to Yemens conflict in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2216 and other established terms of reference. In the meantime, the Treasury Department should use its authorities to issue an emergency executive order adding Yemeni antiquities to the list of sanctioned items prevented from import to the United States. Such action would enjoy broad support in Congress and should be a regular feature of efforts to the end the conflict in Yemen. The United States is leading the fight against terrorism, violent extremism, and organized crime around the world, and it also has a proud tradition of safeguarding the worlds cultural treasures during times of conflict. But it can do so much more to help Yemen today. Lets start by saving its history. Deborah Lehr is founder and chair of the Antiquities Coalition. Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak is Yemens ambassador to the United States and permanent representative of Yemen to the United Nations. When risky romaine lettuce, faulty air bags, and dangerous toys threaten our safety, public and private authorities spring into action to take these perils off the market. But protective action is not so fast when it comes to our most basic need of all: water. Many of us in communities dotting the country learned from concerned neighbors and recent news accounts that our drinking water is contaminated with human-made perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Collectively called PFAS, these chemicals have been tentatively linked to cancer, high cholesterol, and other medical problems. Previously, we were blissfully unaware that chemicals from firefighting foams used at nearby military bases had leaked into our water supply for decades. We drank up the good life, not realizing the water was toxic. Now that we are facing this multifaceted mess, it is incumbent upon regulatory authorities to set an enforceable PFAS standard that protects the drinking public that is, everyone. Vulnerable and hardy populations, children and adults, Republicans and Democrats alike all consume water. READ MORE: N.J. is first state to regulate toxic PFNAs in drinking water In my neck of the woods in Upper Dublin, just north of Philadelphia, PFAS can be traced to the military facilities in neighboring townships. Earlier this month, a pilot project revealed above-average levels of PFAS in the bloodstreams of randomly sampled residents of Horsham, Warminster, and Warrington. At a public meeting to explain the test results, the Pennsylvania Department of Health stressed that much is unknown about the adverse health effects of PFAS and will remain that way until larger-scale studies are conducted. My neighborhoods water provider dealing with this unwelcome souvenir from the Department of Defense is Aqua Pennsylvania. Amid public pressure, the company has begun the time-and-money-consuming process of installing heavy-duty filters on its most tainted systems. Yet no law currently requires Aqua Pennsylvania or any other utility to rid these wells of PFAS. In 2016, the federal Environmental Protection Agency put forth a health advisory limit of 70 parts per trillion in the drinking water a mere guideline. But even if that de facto standard for exposure to an exceptionally durable class of chemicals had regulatory teeth, it has run into sharp criticism from the scientific community. A number of scientists, along with lawyers, environmental stewards, politicians, and residents, clamor for mandatory PFAS removal down to thresholds as low as the gold standard of zero tolerance, referred to as non-detect. Indeed, a recent study by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) showed that the EPA safety boundary is anything but. The ATSDR recommended drawing the line at a level roughly seven to ten times lower than the EPAs suggestion. This potential public relations nightmare, as one White House staffer described the report, was so damning that the White House, EPA, and DOD initially tried to prevent its publication. In the absence of a national maximum contaminant level, more and more states are starting to lay down their own laws. Some like New Jersey, which outpaced the EPA by establishing a stricter standard for one of the most toxic PFAS compounds are in the vanguard, while others, like Pennsylvania, have largely been treading water. Pennsylvania has yet to pass legislation on PFAS. so hopes turn toward the overdue PFAS Action Team, which was convened by the governor in September and held its first public meeting in November. Ideally, the team will place standard-setting at the top of its agenda. With the science still emerging, it is not clear where PFAS falls on the spectrum from concerning to catastrophic. What is clear is that the federal government, along with state counterparts, needs to speed up its efforts. As comforting as it is that the EPA hosted a national leadership summit on PFAS last May and visited a few of the hardest-hit communities including Horsham over the summer, the pace of progress appears to be lagging. The agency promised a PFAS management plan by the end of 2018. But year-end came and went, and the EPA missed its own deadline. Informed residents are in no mood to wait. These emboldened activists demand answers at public meetings, contact their representatives, and travel to Harrisburg all in the valiant effort to advocate for clean water. Some customers are employing self-help measures, but those come at a cost. In my community, more residents are buying bottled water, and a few have even installed a home filtration system costing $1,500 or more. But plenty either cannot or choose not to take on those financial burdens. And many still have no inkling that they are in hot water. This water contamination problem is not unique to Upper Dublin. Nobody in the hundreds of affected communities nationwide wants to decipher reports, explore legal options such as class action lawsuits or payments in escrow, test their water and blood, or await the scary results of long-term research pending anecdotal reports of illnesses. All that residents actually want is to drink safe water. For that to happen, government officials must act with alacrity to set a compulsory and scientifically sound PFAS standard. Until then, awash in contaminants, we will navigate troubled waters. Jan Zauzmer is an opinion writer who drinks PFAS-contaminated water in Upper Dublin Township. @JanZauzmer In a recent online town-hall meeting, Gov. Tom Wolf tweeted that Pennsylvanians should seriously consider legalizing recreational marijuana, and I rolled my eyes. Its not that marijuana is as deadly as cocaine or heroin. Its not. Nor is marijuana simply a recreational drug. Clearly, it has numerous therapeutic applications. My issue with the legalization of marijuana a drug that generates $40 billion annually in legal and illegal sales nationwide is quite simple. Legalizing marijuana will likely mean the same thing in Pennsylvania it has meant in other states. That is, people of color will get to legally smoke marijuana, but the bulk of the estimated $581 million in annual state marijuana revenue would go to white organizations instead of the black and brown entrepreneurs who made marijuana a multibillion-dollar enterprise. Thats because legalizing marijuana is the same kind of economic bait and switch that America has always pulled on people of color. Blacks create an industry that has value whether through legal or illegal means and white folks change the rules, change the language, and change the perception in order to bring about a change in ownership. Thats gangster, and its frighteningly effective. In an industry thats just a few years old, most estimates say just 1 percent of those who hold licenses to legally sell marijuana are black. Thats no accident. The industry is structured that way. In many of the states where marijuana is now legal, those with felony drug convictions are banned from securing licenses to sell the drug legally. Not coincidentally, most of those with felony drug convictions are black or brown. Also not coincidentally, those with felony drug convictions are also those with the most expertise in selling marijuana. The remedy for that inequity is to allow a few blacks to gather the crumbs from the masters table. In cities like Oakland, for example, there are minority set-asides that make it possible for a few black people to break through the states ban on giving licenses to those with felony drug convictions. And when Pennsylvania handed out licenses to grow medical marijuana last year, the state said it gave significant weight to whether minorities were part of the companies executives or managers. So why are blacks still frozen out of the industry? Unfortunately, it takes about $250,000 to start a marijuana dispensary, and since opening such a dispensary is still illegal according to federal law, prospective dispensary owners cant get bank loans to take care of up-front costs. That means you need to have at least a quarter of a million dollars lying around just to get started. Since black families hold about $5.04 in wealth for every $100 held by white families, thats not realistic for most of us. Do you think marijuana should be legalized? Share your thoughts at opinion@philly.com. Please include your full name, location (neighborhood or town) and contact info. Some answers may appear in the Inquirer and on Philly.com. But when laws and access to capital dont get it done, there are those in the industry who are willing to speak up to make sure they dont have to compete with the mostly black and brown people who have felony drug convictions. Consider what happened in Massachusetts when changes in the laws were proposed to allow people with former felony drug convictions to get licenses to legally sell marijuana. Robert Mayerson, CEO of a medical-marijuana provider called Patriot Care, wrote a letter to the Massachusetts Public Health Council urging that the government continue to freeze out those who demonstrated the interest and willingness to ignore state and federal drug laws. Meanwhile, every company currently involved in selling legal marijuana is ignoring the law, since marijuana remains illegal on the federal level. In essence, I see Pennsylvania doing whats been done in nearly every state where marijuana has been legalized. Black and brown people who smoke marijuana recreationally will get the opportunity to do so without fear of being arrested. They will get to forget if even for a few hours at a time that we live in an age where racism is on the rise, where racial inequality is widely accepted, and where black lives remain in danger. But the real economic benefit of marijuana legalization will go to white people, even as black dreams continue to go up in smoke. Solomon Jones is the author of 10 books. Listen to him weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon on Praise 107.9 FM. Email him at sj@solomonjones.com. On Twitter at @solomonjones1 My name is Darrel Young. I am a black, American, male Mummer. Yes, I am a Mummer, and a proud member of the Finnegans New Years Brigade for the last two years. In the 2019 Mummers Parade, I happily accepted a prominent role in my clubs theme. I portrayed Jay-Z, another black American, in a skit that poked fun at Mayor Kenney. Most of us remember the situation involving the mayors cancellation of the Made in America concert. After Jay-Z intervened, Kenney reversed his decision. There was a political cartoon that showed Jay-Z walking a dog on a leash with Kenney as the dog. It was political satire. It painted the mayor as Jay-Zs lapdog. READ MORE: Philly City Council president inaccurately accuses Mummers troupe of wearing blackface City Council President Darrell L. Clarke issued a news release that says that our skit brought shame and embarrassment to the City of Philadelphia and that our skit involved a blackface Jay-Z walking a long-nosed Mayor Kenney like a dog. Clarke claimed that our good-natured skit was offensive, racist, and not even a little bit amusing. None of that is true. Here, we portrayed a prominent black celebrity treating the mayor as his lapdog. First: There was no blackface involved. I am black. Second: Mayor Kenney was portrayed by a white man with a Pinocchio nose. Third: It absolutely was not racist. Fourth: It was satirical criticism of our mayor (who happens to be white) caving to pressure from Jay-Z (who happens to be black). Fifth: The city, including Mayor Kenneys Office, was aware of and did not object to the skit. The fact that the Mayors Office never objected says great things about Kenney. He gets it. A primary purpose of Mummers is to poke fun at our elected leaders, and, given the backlash, this obviously worked. Id love to see more people of color get involved in Mummers. I have a lot of fun, and its a great Philadelphia tradition. It is bad enough that our nation is plagued with a president who constantly lies in order to fan the flames of racism for his own political gain. Please dont let that happen here in Philadelphia. Darrel Young has lived in Philadelphia for more than a decade and has been a Mummer for two years. HARRISBURG A special election will be held on March 12 to fill the vacant seat of former state Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, legislative officials announced Wednesday. Brown, a West Philadelphia Democrat, was convicted last fall of bribery and other crimes. She was reelected to another two-year term in the November election, but resigned after being sentenced to probation last month. Under the Pennsylvania Constitution, those convicted of felony crimes such as bribery are ineligible to serve in the state legislature. The citys Democratic and Republican committees will select the candidate whose name will appear on the ballot, officials said. Whoever wins the seat can serve until November 2020, when Browns term would have expired. The special election for Browns seat will be one of two held that day. Another special election will occur for the Lackawanna County seat of the late state Rep. Sid Kavulich, also a Democrat. A ShopRite store in West Philadelphia will close in March, its owner announced Wednesday, placing blame on Philadelphias tax on soda and other sweetened beverages for a 23 percent loss in sales that has made the store unprofitable. This store is closing because of Jim Kenneys beverage tax, Jeff Brown, president and CEO of Browns Superstores Inc., said in an interview Wednesday morning as workers hung banners announcing the store will close it doors. Brown said the store, near the edge of the city at 67th Street and Haverford Avenue, has experienced a drop in overall sales since the beverage tax went into effect and has been running at a net annual loss of more than $1 million. The announcement amounts to the latest attack on the citys 1.5-cent-per-ounce beverage tax that went into effect two years ago. Brown is broadcasting his reasons for closing the store with a large banner declaring it a result of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax." The tax, Mayor Kenneys signature legislation, funds pre-K; community schools; and improvements to parks, recreation centers, and libraries. It also comes at the start of an election year; Kenney will have to defend the levy as he seeks a second term, and super PACs on both sides of the issue could pour money into the mayoral and City Council races. In 2016 Philadelphia became the first major U.S. city to enact a tax on soda, and two years after taking effect, the tax remains controversial and closely watched by other cities. Several other cities have enacted similar taxes since Philadelphia passed its version. Kenneys administration has defended the tax as a means of fighting poverty by investing in Philadelphias children and attacked the beverage industry for pouring millions of dollars into opposing it. It is no surprise that Mr. Brown has decided to scapegoat the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, but neither he nor the beverage industry have yet to present any evidence that the tax has had any impact on sales, Mike Dunn, a spokesperson for Kenney, wrote in an emailed statement. Dunn pointed to an ongoing study by researchers at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University that released its first findings last year and found that while Philadelphia supermarket sales have been declining since 2014, the tax did not appear to intensify that trend. Brown owns seven ShopRite and Fresh Grocer stores in Philadelphia, and five more in surrounding communities. He opened several of his stores in food deserts or neighborhoods with inadequate access to affordable or healthy food and earned the praise of former President Barack Obama for doing so. Brown has embraced progressive policies at his stores, such as hiring ex-offenders. Brown said his other stores have also experienced drops in sales since the tax went into effect, but the losses have been greatest at the Haverford Avenue store because it is blocks away from the city border, where customers can choose to shop to avoid the tax. The store had $30.5 million in annual sales in 2016, the year before the tax went into effect, Brown said. In 2018, total sales were $23.4 million. Declines in sales of taxed beverages account for 3 to 4 percent of the sales loss, Brown said, suggesting that the rest comes from customers' decisions to purchase all of their groceries outside of the city due to the tax. While a Fresh Grocer, owned by Brown, and an Aldi supermarket have opened near the Haverford Avenue Shoprite in the last few years, Brown said those stores did not cut into business. Brown said he told the stores 111 employees about the closing in a meeting Wednesday morning, and informed them that they can remain employed with his company and will be transferred to one of his other stores in the region. While Brown has not laid off employees since the tax took effect, he says that he has lost about 200 to turnover that he has chosen not to refill. Even though employees at the closing ShopRite can keep their jobs, he said the positions will eventually be eliminated as other employees leave. Brown said his company will also offer free rides via the ride-sharing app Lyft to the next closest store, two miles away at 52nd and Parkside, for customers affected by the stores closing. The Haverford Avenue ShopRite has been open for nearly 30 years; Brown bought it in 2005 from a different owner who was going out of business. Without the store, Brown said the surrounding area will become a food desert. I built these stores to help people live healthier, longer lives, Brown said. This is taking a success and destroying it. Kenneys office noted that several grocery stores and markets have opened in the city since the tax went into effect and that wage tax revenues in sectors most affected by the tax remain strong. ShopRites website also advertises hundreds of open jobs at stores in Philadelphia, Dunn noted. (Brown said that the openings are due to employee turnover.) Because the tax is levied on beverage distributors rather than retailers or customers, Kenneys administration has also insisted that passing it down to customers is optional. The soda companies, the bottlers, and the beverage industry at-large are multibillion-dollar companies," Dunn said. "They dont have a need to pass this tax on. They can pass on a portion of it, or they can cover the cost themselves. Brown said his decision to close the store was not political, calling it coincidental that he made the announcement at the start of an election year for the mayor and City Council. But Im not shy about the fact that I think we need a different mayor," he said, calling Kenney stubborn for sticking by the tax. The mayors office shot back at Brown: "We are always concerned when a retailer is struggling, said Dunns statement, with a link to an article about Browns purchase of a pricey home near Rittenhouse Square. Kenneys office also criticized the beverage industrys rhetoric against the tax and highlighted the progress of the programs funded by the levy and noted that the pre-K expansion has created 278 jobs. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the beverage tax in July, ending a long legal battle over its future. City officials say they will begin spending revenue from the tax that had been reserved during the legal fight. The city issued its first bond in November for Rebuild, Kenneys program to renovate parks, libraries, and recreation centers. Previously touted as a $500 million program, Budget Director Anna Adams said in December that the total spending is uncertain, as revenue from the beverage tax and market conditions will determine how much money the city can borrow. The tax has also raised less revenue than initially expected. The city decreased its projections by about 15 percent last year in response, and scaled back the number of community schools and pre-K seats it will fund. The tax is expected to raise $78 million in the current fiscal year. To date, the city has opened 11 community schools and 2,250 city-funded pre-K seats. Plans call for 5,500 pre-K seats and 20 community schools by fiscal year 2023. Yet the tax remains under attack from opponents like Brown, who claim that it hurts businesses and has led to loss of jobs. In a November op-ed in the Inquirer, a group of black clergy called on City Council to end the tax. Council passed a resolution in December sponsored by Councilman Allan Domb that calls for a hearing to review whether the tax is achieving its goals and to analyze potential solutions to stabilize beverage tax funding for critical investments. Meet Pete Schiavo, a hemostasis tech at Pennsylvania Hospital who manually applies pressure to the femoral artery in patients' groins, or the radial artery in patients' wrists, after heart procedures to aid in clotting. Name game: I have a lot of names: Petey Pressure, The Groin Guy, Crusher, and Pain in the Ass Pete because some people say I push so hard they can feel it in their derriere. Weeble wobble: Schiavo has been in two motorcycle accidents and was told hed never walk again. But the 5-foot-2, 219-pound Schiavo proved everyone wrong: Weebles wobble, we dont fall down," he said. Nobody ever warns the patients at Pennsylvania Hospital about Pete Schiavo, The Groin Crusher. The first time most people meet Schiavo, theyve just come out of a coronary procedure and hes explaining that after the catheters are pulled out of their femoral artery, hes going to apply pressure to their groin for 20 to 40 minutes to aid in clotting. Awkward! Or it would be, if it was anyone else but Schiavo, a gregarious, emotional, wisecracking guy who is all South Philly, even if he lives over the bridge in Jersey now. Schiavo, 52, was so overwhelmed to learn that reader Sandy Kuritzky, whose husbands groin he crushed earlier this year, nominated him for this series that he wept tears of joy several times during his interview. I know he doesnt remember me or my husband because he has his hands on so many groins, Kuritzky said. But Petes attitude with his patients and their caregivers is so upbeat and friendly and caring and funny that it makes a stressful time less stressful and difficult. Patients and their families dont forget the way Schiavo touches them physically and emotionally. Hes won awards, had money donated in his name, and gets stopped all the time by former patients who want to buy him drinks or dinner. Im holding someones groin for 20 minutes, they tend to remember me and nobody else, Schiavo said. I tell them: I can promise you two things when Im done: Youll never forget my name or my face. And they never do. MORE WE THE PEOPLE: Forensic scientist Antoinette T. Campbell helps bust crimes and stereotypes Patients such as Patricia Walters, 73, of South Philly, are completely taken with Schiavo and his sense of humor. What youre doing is really crazy! Walters said to Schiavo. You put your whole heart and soul and your whole body into this. You have a gift and talent thats unique. Schiavo, who held Walters' hand throughout his visit, gave her a big hug. I couldnt have been more privileged to hold your groin, he said. Schiavo estimates he has crushed well over 10,000 groins, without even a sweat during his 15 years at Pennsylvania Hospital. Hes learned that a three-finger method works best because if you use your whole hand youll fatigue out in minutes, he said. At 5 feet, 2 inches, Schiavo sometimes needs a step stool to stand above patients as he applies pressure for 20 to 40 minutes. But Schiavo is no stranger to pressure. He grew up at "Nint and Jackson in South Philly and graduated from West Catholic High before joining the Navy. He spent six years in the service, during which he ran computers on anti-submarine aircraft, saw conflict in Libya, and was put in gator-infested swamps for survival training. My training taught me situational awareness and attention to detail, which helps me in this job today," Schiavo said. "If Im not attentive to detail here, somebody is going to die. MORE WE THE PEOPLE: For 35 years, Anthony Rodriguez, the doorman at the Logan Hotel, has had a window into Philly. After the Navy, Schiavo became a welder at a General Electric plant in Southwest Philly. When four of his colleagues died of heart attacks at the plant in a short period of time, GE offered to put employees through EMT and paramedic school so they might be able to aid their colleagues in the future. Schiavo raised his hand. After training, he began moonlighting as a critical-care technician and volunteered with his local ambulance company. After the GE plant closed, Schiavo was hired at Pennsylvania Hospital the nations first hospital where he worked as a critical-care tech for three years before his current position opened up. Within days, he knew it was the perfect job for him. This fit me like a glove, this was like the missing piece of the puzzle for me, he said. Schiavos wife of 29 years is a nurse at Pennsylvania Hospital and the couple have two adult daughters. On his down time, Schiavo likes to make his own wine, cook, and fish downashore. It takes too much energy to be miserable, its just easier to be happy, Schiavo said, of his indomitably positive spirit. Im the party guy. Im that guy Im all about la dolce vita the sweet life. I love eating, drinking, and partying, when Im not working, of course. Want more We the People? An imprecise metaphor may sound like a trivial matter. But figurative language deployed by a flamboyant and controversial judge more than a decade ago is now the basis for legal challenges by a dozen or more Philadelphians convicted of murder. Federal judges have already ordered new trials for two of them, and a third case is being negotiated to avert a similar outcome. Now, its up to the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office to decide how vigorously to fight those and any other cases overturned on the same grounds: jury instructions given by then-Common Pleas Court Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes that even the D.A. now concedes were unconstitutional. Following a strongly worded opinion from federal Judge Gerald McHugh calling her instruction deficient, the D.A.'s office said it would no longer defend the instruction putting itself in a tactically difficult position that may open the door for even more reversals. Now, the office is fighting to contain the fallout. Wed have scores dozens, potentially you know, I mean, McHughs opinion is a recipe for relief in every one of these cases, the D.A.'s federal litigation supervisor, Max Cooper Kaufman, said during arguments in federal court in May 2018, according to transcripts. It began with the case of Basil Brooks, who was convicted of the 2005 slaying of Derrick Jones, shot dead on the street in West Philadelphia. The evidence against Brooks was, by all accounts, thin: primarily, the testimony of a single eyewitness who could not pick Brooks out of a photo array, who was high on Xanax at the time the crime occurred, and who faced pending criminal charges that were dismissed for lack of prosecution shortly after he implicated Brooks. As the trial concluded, Hughes charged the jury with assessing whether Brooks was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. To assist them, she conjured a metaphor: If you were told by your precious ones physician that they had a life-threatening condition and that the only known protocol or the best protocol for that condition was an experimental surgery, youre very likely going to ask for a second opinion. Anyone would ask questions, do research, she explained but at some point you have to decide: If you go forward, its not because you have moved beyond all doubt. There are no guarantees. If you go forward, it is because you have moved beyond all reasonable doubt. Daniel Silverman, a lawyer hired by Brooks to comb through his case for errors, believed hed found one in that instruction and filed a habeas petition seeking relief in federal court. The United States Supreme Court has unanimously held that upping the ante in that regard violates the due process clause of the 14th Amendment, he said recently. In August 2017, McHugh, of the U.S. District Court for Pennsylvanias Eastern District, agreed. Considering that example of a terminally ill loved one, McHugh wrote, What level of doubt would need to exist before a juror would deny them a chance at life? Necessarily, one would need profound, if not overwhelming, doubt. The District Attorneys Office filed notice it would appeal McHughs decision. But after Larry Krasner was elected, it withdrew the appeal, which, if denied, could have led to a precedent-setting ruling. Its position now appears to be that the instruction was improper but not to the point of voiding all relevant convictions. Still, it is no mere technicality, said Shari Seidman Diamond, an expert on jury instruction and a professor at Northwestern Universitys Pritzker School of Law. The whole system of criminal prosecution is based on the notion that we wont convict somebody of an offense unless it is beyond a reasonable doubt and, by that, we mean that the evidence has to be extremely strong. She called the instruction Hughes gave objectionable. By likening convicting the defendant to securing lifesaving treatment for a loved one, Diamond said, She kind of loaded the dice in favor of convicting. By this analogy, you sure are going to want to convict, and you should never create in the jurors the sense they want to convict. While judges have discretion in how they advise juries, many jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania, publish suggested standard jury instructions. Diamond prefers the instruction that U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg proposed in a 1994 opinion: Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you firmly convinced of the defendants guilt. Hughes, a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, was known for her unrestrained speech from the bench. In 2000, D.A Lynne Abraham unsuccessfully attempted to have her removed from the trial of a 13-year-old girl charged with murder, after Hughes made clear she thought the case belonged in juvenile court, telling the girl she had a gorgeous smile and promising to try to have pizza delivered to her in jail. Hughes resigned her post in 2011 for a job leading the regional office of the Red Cross an announcement that came just one day after a searing opinion from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court removing her from a death-penalty case and chastising her for ordering a court reporter to strike from the transcript her comments about the defendant, whom she had called vile during a 2008 hearing. The high court called the redaction a reprehensible breach of conduct. At the time, Hughes explained, I told the [court reporter] to [remove] words that are less than judicial, because Im Southern and I say words like 'flipping or sucker. Reached by phone, Hughes said that, when it came to the reasonable doubt instruction, she had selected her words carefully. In each case she added the hypothetical scenario to standard, approved language. She did not recall when she first began using the analogy, but remembered it was developed in collaboration with lawyers in response to a question from a jury. She found the language so effective that she stuck with it in case after case. The lawyers liked it, it withstood appeals, and the jury seemed to get greater clarity out of it, Hughes said. She disagreed that likening convicting a defendant to procuring lifesaving treatment for a loved one loaded the dice. She said, What the instruction says is, Be responsible. Think about it as seriously as you would think about a decision youre making for someone you care about. Indeed, though lawyers have repeatedly challenged Hughes' jury instructions, which she gave in as many as 50 cases, according to one advocate judges have upheld it on at least seven occasions in state and federal courts, by the D.A.'s count. One lawyer, Samuel Stretton, objected to it multiple times in the case of Roy Johnson, who shot and killed a man named James Lockett in West Philadelphia in 1997. Johnson claimed the shooting was in self-defense, but he was charged with first-degree murder. After two juries were unable to reach a verdict, a third, in Hughes' courtroom, convicted him of voluntary manslaughter. Stretton said the instruction was clearly problematic. It goes fundamentally to the fairness of the trial, he said. But he was not surprised that the Superior Court rejected his appeal. Ive always felt that the Superior Court at times is so overwhelmed that they cant adequately address many of these cases. Now, federal judges are, in some cases, rethinking the issue. Earlier last year, a magistrate judge recommended the court find that, in the case of Anthony Corbin, the jury instruction though perhaps not perfect was, on the whole, acceptable. Corbin, who was convicted of shooting a courier at a check-cashing place in West Philadelphia in 2003, objected to that recommendation based on the D.A.'s subsequent statements agreeing the instruction was flawed. The case is awaiting a final decision from a U.S. District Court judge. Now, the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office is arguing that in many cases the instruction, problematic or not, is beside the point and that the guilty verdicts should stand. In October, the office outlined its position in a letter agreeing to vacate the conviction of Kalif Gant, who is serving a 40- to 80-year sentence for the fatal shooting of Christopher Jones in North Philadelphia. The D.A.O. is assessing each case on an individualized, case-by-case basis," the letter noted. "While the D.A.O. will not be arguing in any of these matters that the instruction is constitutionally proper, it may be raising other arguments in opposition to relief, depending on the particular circumstances. Those determinations could be based on arguments that the jury instructions were not prejudicial for example, in a slam-dunk conviction where the judges words likely did not tip the scales. In other cases, where the instruction was not challenged at trial and during appeals, the D.A is arguing the issue cannot be raised now for procedural reasons. A D.A spokesperson declined to comment beyond what was said in the court filings. For now, Gant and Brooks are back in Common Pleas Court and could stand trial again unless they can reach agreements with the D.A Negotiations are also underway in the case of Armel Baxter, who was convicted of shooting Demond Brown in Nicetown in 2007. According to court filings, the evidence presented against him hinged on the conflicting testimony of two eyewitnesses, along with corroborating testimony from a woman who was using 45 Xanax a day, admitted to hallucinating the day of the shooting, was held for 30 hours by police before implicating Baxter, and received immunity to testify. Meanwhile, the D.A is adamantly opposing other cases, such as those of Tyrique Jackson, convicted of killing Sterling Almond, a cameraman working on a rap video, over a beef about insulting lyrics, and Robert McDowell, who was convicted with another man of murdering Damien Holloway and then, in order to tie up loose ends," executing 15-year-old witness Timothy Clark. In both cases, the D.A argues that the evidence to convict was overwhelming and that the petitions, therefore, are baseless. In each, it concluded in filings, No relief is due. This story has been corrected to reflect the status of Anthony Corbins case. Call it the Mummers controversy that wasnt. City Council President Darrell L. Clarke on Wednesday morning denounced what he called a display of bigotry and intolerance during Tuesdays Mummers Parade, because of what he claimed was a use of blackface by one comic club that included a character portraying rapper-turned-music mogul Jay-Z. This annual New Years celebration has once again brought shame and embarrassment to the city of Philadelphia, Clarke said in a statement from his office. Two problems there: The Mummer portraying Jay-Z was black. And he wasnt wearing blackface. Mayor Jim Kenneys office, in a statement about 90 minutes later, said the Finnegan New Years Brigade Comic Club submitted its concept in advance of the parade, presenting to both the city and Mummers organization that the performer portraying Jay-Z would be an African American male and would not be dressed in blackface. Clarkes office then revised his statement to say that many people who saw the skit thought it included blackface. Whatever the truth is of yesterdays performance if the individual portraying Jay-Z is in fact a member of this brigade, for instance people of color know minstrelsy when we see it, the revised statement said. Darrel Young, the Mummer who portrayed Jay-Z, pushed back, saying the skit absolutely was not racist. It is bad enough that our nation is plagued with a president who constantly lies in order to fan the flames of racism, Young wrote in a letter to the Inquirer and Daily News. Please dont let that happen here in Philadelphia. Earlier Wednesday, a Twitter account attributed to Finnegan had suggested that Clarke needs a new camera. The parade skit in question re-created a July 2018 cartoon by Signe Wilkinson, editorial cartoonist for the Inquirer and Daily News, that showed Jay-Z walking a dog with Kenneys face on the Ben Franklin Parkway. That was prompted by a dispute in 2018 between Kenney and Jay-Z about whether the rap superstars Made in America Festival would be moved to a new location in 2019 after being staged on the Parkway since 2012. Kenney, who had proposed a move, then backtracked on that position. In the parade, a Finnegan Mummer wearing a large fake nose was walked on a leash by another Mummer wearing a jacket emblazoned with the name Jay-Z. Kenney has been known to joke about his sizable proboscis. Some Mummers in the club walked Broad Street carrying poster-size copies of Wilkinsons cartoon, doctored to add signs that said Finnegan N.Y.B. Making Mummery Great Again! and Made In America! Finnegan Captain Mike Inemer, who played Kenney in the skit, said Clarke made the issue about race, not his club, since they were poking fun at Kenney, not Jay-Z. I heard hes not backing down, Inemer said of Clarke. Thats crazy. Kenney, who grew up in South Philadelphia in the heart of Mummery, is a former member of the Jokers Fancy Brigade. The parade has a history of controversial and, at times, racist skits that prompted a review of performances in Kenneys first year in office. From the beginning of the Kenney administration, the city and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations have provided the Mummers with extensive consultation and training on diversity, inclusion, and cultural appropriation to prevent racist and bigoted performances from being part of the parade, Kenneys staff said in Wednesdays statement. THE PARENTS: Katie ODwyer, 36, and Mark ODwyer, 36, of Roxborough THE KIDS: Daniel Mulhern, 2; Abigail Grace, born October 9, 2018 THEIR NAMES: Mulhern was the last name of Marks beloved grandfather; Abigail struck them as classic, and beautiful and Irish, Katie says. Seventeen times, the answer was no. No, youre not pregnant not according to the test stick, the fertility clinic, the blood work, the body. Not pregnant, despite six months of trying on their own, rounds of testing (her uterus, his sperm), an official diagnosis of infertility, four cycles of intrauterine inseminations and a round of IVF. Katie, who as a child used to run from any pediatrician with a syringe in his hand, had learned to give herself daily injections. Mark crunched the numbers: How many tries would their retirement savings buy them? After the first failed IVF cycle, that was the moment I thought: This might not actually happen. We might never have kids on our own, Katie recalls. I remember crying to Mark: This is so draining emotionally. I dont know how many rounds I have in me. I thought about it differently, Mark says. How much do we have in savings? Can we remortgage our house? I felt, come hell or high water, were going to have a kid. When the phone call came they were visiting Marks long-estranged father and his wife for the weekend Katie knew from the nurses tone, even before she uttered a word. I said, Is this a chemical pregnancy? She said, No, honey, your numbers are high. But there was still that fear: Is this going to happen? I think of infertility and this pregnancy as holding my breath, and then exhaling. They were overdue for positive news in their lives. Theyd been together since 2007, when a mutual friend set up Mark (eager: hed seen her Facebook picture) and Katie (wary: shed never been on a blind date) for a foursome dinner at Bertuccis. The next day, he messaged to ask for her number. I remember saying to a friend, I keep trying to figure out what his game is, Katie recalls. But there was no game. Hes direct and up-front. I was really attracted to that. Both were interested in psychology shes now a therapist working with adolescents, and he oversees outpatient mental health services. Both valued their Christian faith. And both yearned, in forming a family, for a redo of the circumstances in which they were raised. Mark grew up apart from his father, and Katies family was marred by alcoholism. What excited me a lot was to have the opportunity to have the family I wanted that I didnt really have growing up, Katie says. They were engaged within six months and married the following summer. Katie surprised Mark by arranging for Harry Kalas, the former Phillies announcer, to record the introductions as they and their wedding party strode into the reception. Mark is a fervent Phillies fan; the home team won that years World Series. 2008 was a good year, he says. The following year, Katies parents stunned her by getting divorced. Three years later, Marks beloved grandfather a surrogate father, really died. It was a lot of grief that could have torn us apart, but instead drew us closer, Katie says. The double sorrow also made them feel it was time for something good to happen. But news of the pregnancy and the fact that the baby was a boy triggered other worries, especially for Mark. I remember a lot of anxiety: Can I be a father to a boy? Am I going to be able to parent him and mentor him and do the things youre supposed to do? When they went to Lankenau Medical Center on April 1 Katie was having contractions about five minutes apart a doctor dismissed them as really bad cramps and sent her home. I felt like she was saying, Youre not tough. I took that as a challenge. Katie labored at home a restless night, a contraction-filled day, a walk around the block during which she kept gasping, I can talk through this pain. By the time they returned to the hospital at 10:30 p.m., she was fully dilated. He popped out at 2:30 a.m., so healthy and perfect, she says. I remember this tiny, little, frail person, this little baby, just wailing. For Mark, it was a moment of realization: Heres our family. That was the first really positive, huge thing that had happened since wed gotten married. The first weeks were tense Danny had a tongue-tie and torticollis, a stiff neck caused by positioning in the womb. Feedings took an excruciating 90 minutes; Katie wobbled, sleep-starved, through the days. Still, he was my little miracle. I still felt so amazed that I got to be a mother to this tiny baby I was in awe that he was really there. Two frozen embryos remained after their previous IVF cycles; they hoped for a sibling, not too far apart from Danny in age. But after the transfer, on the day Katie was scheduled for blood work to determine whether she was pregnant, she began to bleed. She wept in the car all the way to the clinic, where a nurse said, I dont want to get your hopes up, but sometimes these things happen and people are still pregnant. I was basically grieving, Katie says. The home pregnancy test was negative. Then I get the call: Youre pregnant. I said, What?!? This time, Katie let her contractions be a signal to head to the hospital sooner; still, she was fully dilated by the time they arrived. The nurse said, This baby is here. If you just push, she will come out in 15 minutes. I said, You promise? When Katie thinks about their journey to parenthood, words like perseverance and thankfulness come to mind. I have this awe and this humility around the idea that [parenthood] is not a given. But it is a gift. Even though hard stuff happens, says Mark, that stuff can be redeemed. WASHINGTON - U.S. Embassy officials in Moscow on Wednesday were given permission to meet with Paul Whelan, an American arrested last week after being accused of visiting Russia on a "spy mission." No details were immediately available of the meeting, which came shortly after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said they expected to have consular access to Whelan "within the next hours." A few hours later, the Foreign Ministry told Russian media that access had been granted on Wednesday afternoon in Moscow. It was not clear how long the visit lasted, or what his condition is. "The family received a notification from the State Department today that consular access was granted today," said a person familiar with the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case. Whelan's first visit by U.S. Embassy officials came six days after he was arrested, which exceeds the 72-hour time frame laid out in the Vienna Convention. Speaking to reporters in Brasilia, where he attended the inauguration of the new president, Pompeo also said the United States will demand Whelan's release if it is determined his arrest was unjust. "We've made clear to the Russians our expectation that we will learn more about the charges, come to understand what it is he's been accused of and if the detention is not appropriate we will demand his immediate return," he said. Whelan, a 48-year-old former Marine, was in Moscow last week for the wedding of a fellow Marine on Dec. 28, his family has said, the same day he was detained by Russia's domestic security service. "We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being," his family said in a statement. "His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected." Whelan is the corporate security director for BorgWarner, an automotive parts supplier based in Auburn Hills, Mich. He has visited the country several times and is said to speak passable Russian. Russian officials announced his arrest on Monday, and the ensuing news accounts provided his family's first notice of what had happened to him. Relations between the United States and Russia have deteriorated over a series of events, from its aggression toward Ukraine to Russian interference in elections in the United States and other democracies around the world. The arrest of Maria Butina, who confessed to being a Russian agent, has raised suspicions that Whelan's detention is payback or an attempt to arrange a prisoner swap. If convicted, Whelan could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Morello reported from Washington, Ferris-Rotman reported from Moscow. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) The commission investigating a shooting massacre at a Florida high school unanimously approved its initial findings and recommendations Wednesday, including a controversial proposal that teachers who volunteer and undergo training be allowed to carry guns. The 15-member Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commissions 446-page report details what members believe happened before, during, and after the Feb. 14 shooting attack that left 14 students and three staff members dead and 17 wounded. The report, which the commission sent to Gov. Rick Scott, incoming governor Ron DeSantis, and the Legislature, is also critical of the Broward County sheriffs deputies who failed to confront suspect Nikolas Cruz, and of Sheriff Scott Israel, whose office did not at the time have a policy requiring them to rush the three-story freshman building where the shooting happened. Israels critics hope the report will result in DeSantis suspending Israel shortly after the new governor takes office Tuesday. Israel has said that he has done nothing to warrant his removal. The report also details failures in the county school districts security program that members believe allowed Cruz, a former student known to have serious emotional and behavioral problems, to enter campus while carrying an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle in a bag. Even since the shooting, not all Florida school districts and campuses have been taking security seriously, the report says, noting that several districts have been slow to complete mandated reviews of their safety plans and procedures. "Safety and security accountability is lacking in schools, and that accountability is paramount for effective change if we expect a different result in the future than what occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas," the report says. Among the panel's chief findings and recommendations: State law should be changed to allow teachers who pass an intense training program and background check to carry concealed weapons on campus. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, the panels chairman, argued last month for the change, saying teachers are often the ones who have the best chance to stop a school shooting quickly. Under a law passed after the shooting, districts can elect to arm non-classroom employees such as principals, other administrators, custodians and librarians who undergo training. The only teachers allowed to arm themselves are current or former police officers, active military members or Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructors. Thirteen of the states 67 districts arm non-teaching employees, mostly in rural parts of the state. The state teachers union and PTA oppose the proposal to arm teachers. They argue that adding more armed people will make campuses more dangerous and say teachers should not also be acting as armed guards. Deputy Scot Peterson, the longtime school resource officer assigned to Stoneman Douglas, was derelict in his duty by not entering the freshman building and confronting Cruz. Video shows Peterson drawing his gun and taking cover outside the building. He retired shortly after the shooting and has denied wrongdoing. The report also criticizes other deputies who failed to enter the building during the shooting, but praises officers from the Coral Springs Police Department who quickly ran inside. The report says Israel is partly to blame by eliminating a requirement that his deputies confront active shooters, in direct contrast with current law enforcement practices. Israel told the commission he did not want his deputies engaging in suicide missions. He has since changed the policy again, however, to require deputies to confront shooters. Neither Stoneman Douglas nor the Broward School District had clear procedures for locking down classrooms during a shooting, which led to a three-minute delay in classrooms being shut and left students and staff vulnerable to being shot. The commission includes law enforcement, education, and mental health professionals from around the state, a legislator, and the fathers of two slain students. Cruz, now 20, has pleaded not guilty to the shooting, but his lawyers say he would plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) Just after people raised their glasses to ring in the New Year, about 150 migrants gathered at a section of border wall in Tijuana to try to cross into the United States, many of them asylum seekers fed up with waiting months to have their claims processed. On the other side, U.S. Border Patrol agents wearing camouflage and night-vision goggles and carrying assault-style rifles yelled, "Get back!" in Spanish. American activists accompanying the migrants shouted at agents in English not to fire tear gas because children were present. Several migrants tried to climb the corrugated metal wall, prompting agents to fire the first volley of tear gas. When migrants approached the wall again, authorities fired a second round and then a third. The migrants fled, screaming, crying and coughing. One mother was hysterical after briefly losing her children in the thick smoke and darkness. It was the second time in a little over a month that U.S. authorities fired tear gas into Mexico. The action drew sharp criticism from politicians and activists on both sides of the border and raised questions about the use of force against migrants. President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended the actions. Tuesday's confrontation showed that "people tried to charge the border and couldn't," Trump said at a Cabinet meeting at the White House. He described the border as being "like a sieve" and noted that the tear gas was "flying" overnight to deter the migrants and added that it's "very tough" to keep immigrants out. Trump was making his case for $5.6 billion from Congress for a wall at the border and vowing that the partial government shutdown now in its 12th day will last "as long as it takes" to get the money. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said tear gas, pepper spray, and smoke were used to target rock throwers, not the migrants who were trying to cross. It said agents could not help small children who were being passed over the concertina wire from getting hurt because of the rocks being thrown. Several teenagers, wrapped in heavy jackets, blankets and rubber mats, were also put over the concertina wire. An Associated Press photographer saw rocks thrown only after U.S. agents fired the tear gas. Customs and Border Protection said the incident would be reviewed to ensure compliance with the agency's use-of-force policy. The agency said 25 migrants were detained while others crawled back into Mexico through a hole under the fence. An AP photographer saw migrants put their hands up or behind their heads once they crossed the border as agents approached. Since a caravan of Central Americans arrived in Tijuana last month after walking, hitchhiking and taking buses across Mexico, apprehensions in the San Diego sector have jumped. Agents are now detaining about 150 migrants a day, compared with about 105 daily in 2018, authorities said. Many of the migrants are waiting in Tijuana for a chance to apply for asylum in the U.S., but there was a backlog of more than 3,000 names before the caravan's arrival. A few have found jobs in Mexico and tried to settle there. But thousands are still camped in a concert hall in Tijuana, growing increasingly frustrated at the long wait to apply for asylum. On Nov. 26, U.S. agents launched tear gas across the border after some migrants tried to breach the border following a peaceful march in Tijuana. The march was to demand U.S. authorities accelerate the asylum process at official border crossings. U.S. officials are processing fewer than 100 claims a day at the San Diego crossing, the nation's busiest. Use of force by Customs and Border Protection has declined from a high during the 2013 budget year, when firearms were used 45 times compared with 14 times during the first 11 months of 2018, government statistics show. Since then officers have been trained to use less lethal methods such as batons, pepper spray and tear gas. The data includes Border Patrol agents who patrol between the ports of entry and officers who police border crossings. The latest figures, which do not include this month's incidents, also show a dramatic drop in the use of less-lethal methods compared with 2013. Associated Press Writer Colleen Long contributed to this article. Philadelphia police on Wednesday charged a 15-year-old girl with murder after she allegedly placed her newborn son in the trash in a North Philadelphia street. The girl, Jani Morris, of West Lehigh Avenue, was arrested after the infants body was discovered Monday night, police said. She was charged with murder, endangering welfare, and related offenses. Police originally said they had been contacted Monday night by a woman who told them she found a baby that had been placed in a dumpster by her daughters friend in the Swampoodle section of the city. Both the woman and the baby were taken to Temple University Hospital, where the infant was pronounced dead at 10:37 p.m., according to police. A resident of the neighborhood, Diane Byrd, said in an interview Wednesday that she had been walking outside her rowhouse en route to church for midnight Mass on Monday when she ran into a woman frantically looking for help. She stopped in the street and was saying could someone help her find this baby, her daughter put it in the trash, Byrd recalled, standing on her doorstep in the 2700 block of North Judson Street. Byrd said the woman was checking trash bags along the sidewalk there was no dumpster, she said and ripped open a garbage bag and found her newborn grandson. Byrd said she ran over when the woman screamed, and saw the baby. The infant, she said, had been wrapped in plastic shopping bags before being placed in the larger bag. Ive seen stuff like that on TV, but never a fetus in the trash," Byrd said. "Ive never seen a baby in the trash like that. It was dead. It wasnt moving or anything. When Byrd saw the dead child, she said, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, she recalled. Byrd said she didnt know the woman or her daughter. We dont know when she did it," Byrd added. We dont know how she did it. Byrd said she and four or five neighbors stood with the teens mother for a minute. She was screaming, Byrd said. And then she put the baby in the backseat of her car. They tried calling police, Byrd said, but couldnt get through. The teens mother told them that she had to go find the nearest police station and drove off. And then Byrd went to church. Its just sad," said Byrd, who said she has lived on the block most of her life. The mother, she said, is "just a baby herself. But she still should have had enough common sense to not do that. There are plenty of people who have kids young. I had mine young. The teens mother has been cooperating in the investigation, according to Capt. Sekou Kinebrew, spokesperson for the department. Its a tragic set of circumstances all around, he said. In October 2016, I discovered a lump on my left testicle. After some prodding from my fiancee, I called a primary-care doctor. Within two weeks, I was sitting in a urologist's office, expecting bad news. He got right to the point. So I am going to be straight with you. You have testicular cancer. Is this something I get a second opinion on? I asked. I was only 25. I couldnt believe I really had cancer, especially this kind of cancer. In most cases, I tell my patients to get a second opinion. In your case, we dont have time, he replied. So whats next? I asked. Surgery. We need to remove the affected testicle immediately. We can probably get you in tomorrow. I told him I needed some time to think. After all, I had become rather attached to my testicles over the last 25 years. More accurately, they were attached to me. Like most guys, I considered them a manifestation of my manhood, and losing half of that seemed impossible. I cried when I got home -- one of only two times I would cry throughout my entire cancer journey. Realizing that I would truly be crazy if I kept my rogue testicle as it slowly killed me, I agreed to have the surgery two days later. Quickly, after a successful procedure, I learned that the most difficult thing about the whole procedure was talking about it. Think of how often a guy in his 20s uses the word balls. If you are taking charge of life, you grab it by the balls. You chickened out? You have no balls. Guys casually mention balls all the time, but ignore their testicular health. I was beginning to realize that, while jokes are socially acceptable, having serious conversations about testicular health somehow is not. Initially, I hesitated in telling people that I was now more aerodynamic below the belt, because I didnt want them to think I was less of a man. I knew my own initial reaction shows how much men don't want to talk about anything that might make them seem less "manly." I also knew my story might help change this potentially deadly narrative. I began telling my friends and family about my newly minted half-sack status. There were jokes -- including my 87-year-old grandfather sending me a Wiffle ball in the mail to help replace what I was missing -- and comparisons to Lance Armstrong, who needed the same surgery. But, the conversations eventually led where I wanted them to go. Men asked about how to do a self-exam. Women reported that they would be paying more careful attention to their significant others testicles. In one case, a friend said that he would make it a date night with his husband. Emboldened by my close friends reactions, I wanted to take the story to a larger audience, to get more men talking about their health. I decided to start a testicular cancer awareness blog, A Ballsy Sense of Tumor. Despite a blog name that seems to put it all out there, at first I thought of writing about having cancer, and not specifying where my cancer was. As I thought it through, I realized that I was still perpetuating a harmful narrative: hiding a health problem to maintain a sense of being a man. So I decided to bare all and share with the world that I was now the Amazing Uniballer. (Note to Hollywood: Feel free to co-opt the character for the next Avengers movie.) I havent looked back since the day I pushed publish on that first blog post. My initial fears proved groundless most people said I was more manly for being so open about this hard topic. Now in remission for nearly two years, Ive written more than 150 articles on mens health for my own blog and other publications. Its my mission to make sure that the ball isnt dropped on this vital topic. As I close out here, I ask a simple favor Lets work together to spread light where the sun dont shine. Justin Birckbichler is a mens health advocate and cancer survivor. See his work and contact him through aballsysenseoftumor.com. This guest column appears through our partnership with Inspire, an Arlington, Va., company with condition-specific online support communities for more than a million patients and caregivers. New year, new restaurants. As we start 2019, I run down a few dozen of the projects now in the works. Also this week, I share one of my favorite pizzerias in the area and revisit a classic South Philadelphia bar that happens to be a popular destination among vegans and vegetarians. If you need food news, click here and follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Email tips, suggestions, and questions here. If someone forwarded you this newsletter and you like what youre reading, sign up here to get it free every week. Michael Klein Where well be eating this year The restaurant boom continues, it's safe to say, and the Philly region should see at least four dozen newcomers this year. There may be fewer openings this year and maybe a few more closings than last year, but overall I see further growth. On the radar for mid-2019 is a branch of Jean-Georges from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, overlooking Center City from the Four Seasons on the 59th floor of the Comcast Technology Center, with a lounge one floor above. Greg Vernick is the chef behind Vernick Fish on the ground floor. Michael Schulson has a 40-seat steak house called Alpen Rose opening soon next to Double Knot on 13th Street near Sansom. Theres The Post, a beer hall in University City packed with arcade games about to open. Crunchikn, the poultry palace from Ocean City, N.J., is setting up at 212 S. 11th St. this month. The fire-ravaged Bridget Foys at Second and South and The Little Lion at Third and Chestnut are being rebuilt for fall openings. And there will three dining options at the new Fashion District Philadelphia (the old Gallery). I have the rundown here. Stay tuned. This Weeks Opening Nemi | Port Richmond Chefs Jasper Alivia and Jesus Garcia and manager Alejandro Fuentes are behind this Mexican bar-restaurant, in a soft-opening phase at 2636 E. Ann St. This Weeks Closings Biga | Bryn Mawr Ownership squabbles sank this popular pizzeria, which closed Dec. 29. Zinc | Center City Olivier de Saint Martins French bistro closed New Years Day after 15 years at 246 S. 11th St. He still owns the nearby Caribou Cafe. Where were snacking Kawaii Kitty Cafe, 759 S. Fourth St. There's all kinds of sweetness at this Queen Village storefront for young and old. First, there's the pink-hued front room, where for $11 an hour customers can reserve one-on-one time with adoptable cats from the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society that frolic on the furniture. It's a fun outing for kids ages 5 and older. Then there's the cafe in back, walled off from the cat room and available for walk-ins, that serves all kinds of coffee, tea, cold beverages, and sweet stuff such as lattes with cat faces drawn on the foam and a particularly artistic unicorn hot chocolate ($7.25) with a sugar-rush-inducing topping of sprinkles, marshmallows, and whipped cream. Open Tuesday to Sunday, typically from 11 a.m. Where were eating Chestnut Hill Brewing Co., Market at the Fareway, 8221 Germantown Ave. Pizza and beer, that time-tested combo, gets a fresh take at the hands of Nick Gunderson and wife Lindsey Pete at the Market at the Fareway, a collection of food stands in the old Chestnut Hill Farmer's Market. They in fact have three stands: a counter with a big-bellied wood-fired brick oven for 11 varieties of 12-inch Neapolitan pizza, a microbrewery across the aisle turning out eight varieties of beer, and an ordering counter next to the communal seating area. A Shake It Out chocolate stout or a Motra (a West Coast IPA), each $6.50, are just right with one of my favorite pizzas in the region: the Trenton Napoli ($11), a cheese-on-the-bottom round pie with mozzarella, Parmesan, red sauce, and just enough garlic. Such upside-down pizzas are usually found at the conventional deck-oven pizzerias that don't bother with Neapolitan pies. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. South Philadelphia Tap Room, 1509 Mifflin St. Fourteen interesting beers on tap, plus five dozen in bottles. John Longacre's cheery-vibed classic corner bar, which just marked its 15th anniversary in South Philly, goes one better: the kitchen spikes the tomato soup with Yuengling lager for a grown-up taste. The grilled-cheese sandwich it's paired with ($11) is stuffed with a creamy combo of sharp provolone, local smoked Cheddar, and American cheeses. You can get oysters at the bar, a righteous lamb picadillo empanada, mussels, wings, and even wild boar tacos, but the menu happens to be a dream for vegans and vegetarians, from the "veggplant parm" sandwich and vegan mac and cheese to the fried PB&J for dessert. And while I generally scoff at kitchens that choose to make their own ketchup when Heinz is superior, SPTR's version is solid which means you also must order the fries. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Dining Notes Is this South Philly distilled into a single bar? Grumpy's Tavern has one of the first liquor licenses ever issued in Philadelphia and, owner Joe DeSimone claims, the last-ever smoking variance. 2018 was a year of stellar dining in Philadelphia, and critic Craig LaBan believes some stars deserve a curtain call. Check out his awards, including restaurant and chef of the year. Craig LaBans Q&A does not appear this week. CNN anchor Don Lemon is know for the alcohol-heavy New Years Eve broadcasts he co-hosts alongside Brooke Baldwin in New Orleans. While ringing in the new year in 2017, Lemon downed shots while having his ear pierced. In 2018, he sucked the head of a boiled crawfish handed to him by a stranger. His annual liquor-fuel antics have earned the Baton Rouge native the yearly hashtag #DrunkDonLemon. This time around, the one-time NBC10 reporter thought he spotted an ex-girlfriend named Michelle in the crowd at The Spotted Cat in the French Quarter during CNNs live New Years coverage. I used to date her, Lemon said, waving to the woman in the crowd. Oh my god! Mom, if you are watching at home, do you remember Michelle?" "Are you serious? Baldwin responded. And she's just randomly in the crowd at the Spotted Cat?" As it turns out, the woman wasnt Michelle from the openly gay anchors past it was actually Caresse Jackman, a reporter for WWL-TV, the CBS affiliate in New Orleans. Jackman explained the strange mix-up on Eyewitness News Tuesday night. No, I am not Don Lemons ex-girlfriend, Jackson said, explaining that she was just hanging out at the Spotted Cat with several co-workers when she made eye contact with the CNN anchor and began waving. Im like, Hey, Don Lemon. Hey, how are you doing? I did not know he was saying to Brooke Baldwin that I was his ex-girlfriend from college, Jackson said. Natalie Shepard, my colleague, texted me and said, Did you know Don Lemon called you his ex-girlfriend Michelle from college? I was like, What in the world?! Jackman said her phone has been blowing up since Monday night, but she has yet to hear from Lemon. It has been crazy, Jackson said. What can you do but laugh? In addition to mixing up Jackman with a former flame, Lemon spent the evening singing, dancing, and cradling puppies while downing copious amount of alcohol. Everyone wants to see Don Lemon get lady lit! Baldwin joked. Im not drunk, but whatever, Lemon said. So listen, do you like Mexico? At what was dubbed an informational meeting Wednesday night about Decembers racial incidents that roiled the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, educators and community leaders offered little new information but instead used the forum to call for healing and for more skepticism about social media postings. Our community has been shaken," district Superintendent Lisa Palmer said of the incidents that prompted a student walkout at Strath Haven High School last month. Ours is a community that prides itself in being respectful and inclusive. There is a lot of misinformation and half-truths on social media. Many of the more than 300 people who crowded into Strath Havens auditorium hoping for more specific information about the racist letters that authorities said four girls from the high school left at four Swarthmore homes on Dec. 15, or the connection with a picture of two youths in Ku Klux Klan-style hoods that circulated on social media, left the meeting disappointed. I thought of it as very healing, but I thought it left a lot of questions, said Laurel G. Barnes, a parent of two juniors at Strath Haven. I think everybody came hoping for more information. Attendees werent allowed to speak or ask questions at the meeting, but were asked to write down their questions or email them and Palmer promised the district would attempt to answer them later on its website. Based on the volatility that exists in our community at this time and the anger I see on social media and emails I did not think there should be an open forum, the superintendent told the crowd. Nether Providence Police Chief David Splain told the meeting cursory details of the investigation, although he did reveal that police believe the KKK-style photo was taken on Halloween and not at the time of the letter drop, without elaborating on the significance. He said that the Delaware County District Attorneys office took over the case on Dec. 20 and assigned 10 detectives to the probe. Theyve taken over the case, its ongoing and Ive told you what I can tell you, Splain said. The meeting was the first public opportunity for the Delaware County community to discuss the incidents. The controversy was triggered when four families in Swarthmore received letters on their doorsteps that at least according to versions later posted on social media praised President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, and told the recipients to leave the United States, claiming: There is now a law against filthy nutheads like yourself living in our country. The KKK-style photo circulated among Strath Haven students on social media immediately after the Dec. 15 letter drops. Swarthmore Police Chief Brian Craig has said that four female students from Strath Haven had apologized for the letter to the families who received them. Earlier on Wednesday, attorney Bryan Lentz, a former state representative, came forward as representing the families of the girls. He said that initial news reports and district statements about the incident had created a number of misconceptions. He said the intent of the letters was not racist and that its recipients were also white. He also said the girls have been receiving threats. Also on Wednesday, one of the letter recipients, Swarthmore resident Joe Wendel, came forward to say that he and two other families who received the note are white and that he felt the incident had been blown out of proportion. In announcing Wednesday nights meeting, schools chief Palmer created some unusual ground rules barring photography or taping of the meeting and stating that questions from the crowd would not be answered in real time. In addition to school officials and police, the meeting was attended by state and local leaders of the NAACP who echoed Palmers message to keep a healthy skepticism and verify postings on social media before getting worked up about them. We want the community to feel the process is playing out in a fair way for all people, said James Mason of the Media Area NAACP. Andrew Spengler, 18-year-old senior and student council president at Strath Haven, said the mood in the school has improved since the initial anger that prompted the December walkout. After winter break, people are more regulated with their emotions, Spengler said, and people are channeling their emotions into positive things. He added that he believed the letters were a combination of immaturity, ignorance and not realizing the impact. Elizabeth A. Lee-Holmes, who graduated from Strath Haven in 1976, said that for someone who does not know exactly what happened, you would have liked for them to tell you what happened at the outset of the meeting. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Wednesdays meeting had been announced by Superintendent Lisa Palmer with little advance notice on Jan. 1. Palmer had notified the community about the meeting in a Dec. 21 email. Philadelphia City Council members want to sell you a warranty. District council members have signed letters to residents promoting a private companys financial product: a water- and sewer-line warranty from American Water Resources (AWR), a subsidiary of the Camden-based utility giant American Water. The letters bear the citys official seal and a City Hall address, and stem from a new public-private partnership between American Water Resources and the Philadelphia Energy Authority. The arrangement allows the company to use the authoritys logo and Water Departments customer mailing list to market protection plans to Philadelphia homeowners, according to the contract. In exchange, the authority gets 20 percent of the sales revenue plus an annual payment of $100,000, funds that will support staffing costs and programs at the authority, said Emily Schapira, the authoritys executive director. The authority, which was formed in 2010 to address energy affordability and sustainability, is expecting $500,000 annually from the concessions payment starting in November 2019. In addition, American Water Resources will set aside $25,000 per year to pay for service line repairs for poor residents Council members and authority officials note the deal offers discounted protection plans to city homeowners who could otherwise be on the hook for expensive service-line repairs. You could be left having to pay a bill costing thousands of dollars, said one letter signed by 1st District Councilman Mark Squilla. By enrolling in AWRs protection program, you can take the responsibility of paying for service line repairs off your shoulders. The letter, paid for by AWR, did not disclose the financial benefits for the authority. All 10 district council members signed letters to residents, Schapira said. In a statement, American Water Resources president Eric Palm said Philadelphia City Council and Energy Authority logos were used to allay any concerns about the legitimacy of the program and American Water Resources as the provider. Philadelphia residents received educational postcards and letters detailing their responsibility for service line repairs, if issues should arise, from their city council member, Palm said. The official-looking letters from City Hall that advertise a private companys warranty have made some residents wary. I dont know why councilmen would promote this product, said Jonathan Kleinbard, a retired vice president at the University of Chicago who lives in Society Hill. Its probably an unnecessary insurance, so its an added cost to the homeowner. Its actually not insurance at all, and therefore not regulated by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, a department spokesperson said. The product is considered a home service warranty that covers repair and replacement costs resulting from normal wear and usage. Proponents of the program note that homeowners are responsible for the maintenance of water and sewer lines that run underneath their land. Homeowners insurance policies typically dont cover these costs, experts said. Whats more, the city has an old housing stock with aging pipes and a large impoverished population that may struggle to pay for repairs. You have homes here that were built in the 1880s moving up to homes built in the 1950s. And in each of these periods there were different materials used, different construction methods, and different lengths of time these pipes would last, said Howard Neukrug, former city water commissioner. Its a good time in the history of the city to recognize theres going to be a lot of issues with the water and sewer pipes." In Philadelphia, costs for water- and sewer-line repairs can reach $3,500, with full sewer-line replacement potentially costing upwards of $6,000, according to AWR. The Energy Authority secured a monthly rate of $7.98 for both water and sewer protection as part of the partnership, lower than the $12.49 previously charged by AWR, which serves roughly 20,000 Philadelphia households. There is at least one other company that offers the service in the area. HomeServe, based in the United Kingdom, typically charges $5 to $6 a month for water-line coverage and $10 to $12 per month for sewer-line protection. The company serves 11,000 city homeowners, a company spokesperson said. HomeServe also bid for the Energy Authority contract but offered more expensive monthly rates for consumers and 10 percent sales commission for the authority. There are no deductibles or service fees and no limit to the amount the company will pay for repairs, according to AWRs terms of service. The warranty covers problems that are the subject of a Water Department notice of defect. There is a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. This was an instance where there is no other way of consumers to get this level of consumer protection and this affordable of a price other than for government to step in and create this public-private partnership, Schapira said. Consumer experts say home service contracts are, generally, not always smart investments. Home service contracts and other types of extended warranties can have many gotchas, relying on contract fine print to deny coverage for almost any reason, said Margot Gilman, money editor for Consumer Reports. She said consumers should consider saving the money they would pay monthly for warranties. If something needs repair or maintenance, pay for it with the money you saved, without having to negotiate any fine-print limitations or other nonsense, she said. The terms and conditions for the AWR protection plans include a long list of restrictions. For example, the company wont repair any damage caused by you, a third party, natural disasters, or by improper design or installation. The company also wont allow consumers to hire their own contractors. (The agreement with the authority requires AWR to hire local and diverse contractors.) American Water Resources would not disclose what percentage of its customers file claims for repairs or replacements. The Water Department also offers its own option to homeowners: a zero-interest loan for customers who receive a notice of defect and need repair work, or for customers replacing water-service lines made of lead, a department spokesperson said. The departments Homeowner Emergency Loan Program (HELP) provided roughly 1,200 loans during fiscal 2017 for repairs of private water and sewer service lines, out of 480,000 customers. Consumer advocate Lance Haver said the Water Department should take responsibility for the lateral lines and not force homeowners to pay for the repairs. Unlike every other utility, including cable, the Water Department says the home owner is responsible for infrastructure the home owner does not have access to, cannot examine, and for which there is no appropriate up keep, Haver wrote in an email. Schapira said the authoritys partnership with AWR will provide energy benefits by helping reduce wasted water through leaky lateral lines. The severity of that problem is unclear. The Water Department said it is difficult to quantify how much pre-revenue, pumped-and-treated water is lost through private service lines. Councilman At-Large Derek Green, who pushed for bringing the program to Philadelphia, said he heard about the idea from the National League of Cities, an advocacy group that serves the interests of 19,000 cities, towns, and villages across the nation. The public-private partnership is not unusual. Hundreds of cities around the country, including Cleveland, San Diego, and Phoenix, have similar deals with home service companies, according to the National League of Cities. The marketing of some of those warranties has drawn scrutiny. In San Diego, some residents were so suspicious when they saw their citys logo on advertisements that they assumed it was a scam. In Dallas, the city council canceled a contract with Canonsburg, Pa.-based Service Line Warranties just two months after it allowed the use of its letterhead in mailers, citing residents' concerns with the use of the citys name and logo by outside vendors." Memphis residents complained about a similar deal last year and werent sure if the mailings were legitimate. In Philadelphia, the program appears to have been successful so far. AWR said it had roughly 3,700 customers in the city before the partnership. It has signed up 17,000 more since the program launched in October. Helena Konanz is flanked by her daughter Zoe and husband Adam after announcing Thursday that she was seeking the federal Conservative nomination in the next election. Deputy National Youth Organizer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ruth Dela Seddoh has sternly warned the naysayers in her party not to impede the progress of the party in their quest to liberate Ghanaians from the clueless Akufo-Addo government. According to her, the youth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are hungry for power as they are poised and charged to return NDC to power come 2020 and so any force, person and group of persons trying to impede their progress will be fiercely resisted, taking a cue from their founders positive defiance mantra. She bemoaned the bad blood which has taken the centre stage of the NDC, reminding her party folks not to forget how the 31st December Revolution brought together people with diverse opinions and ideas to form National Democratic Congress (NDC) and restored the deteriorated economy in the 4th Republic. For many of us who are young, the economy was running in negatives. People had to be in long queues for kenkey, don't touch me soap etc. Kalabule was the order of the day. Within the shortest time, the PNDC restored Ghana's economy to normalcy through sweeping economic reforms, notably, The Economic Recovery Programme. The PNDC laid the foundation stone for the 4th Republic and the gains thereof can be largely attributed to the 31st December Revolution. That history must not be lost on anyone. It is the revolution that gave birth to the National Democratic Congress; a congress of diverse ideas, opinions and people but united with a purpose. Today, the situation is not the same. There is so much internal rancor, disrespect for leadership, name calling and character assassination. We recorded our worse defeat ever in 2016 and it seems we haven't gotten over it yet, the earlier we do and prepare for the task ahead of us, the better for us and the future of the masses, she bemoaned. The NDC Deputy National Youth Organizer however urged the rank and file of NDC to consider the interest and welfare of the masses as a social democratic party guided by the principles of probity, accountability and social justice. In all circumstances, the interest and welfare of the masses is always supreme in our considerations. Somehow, we faltered somewhere along the line, human became Zeus, with no listening ears and disregard for our youth and party hierarchy. To our flag bearer aspirants, the youth want to hear more from you, we want to know what is in stock for us. Whilst at it, be kindly reminded that we are in an internal contest, we are in this together, power in 2020 is our prime interest and we urge you all, don't divide us, unite us, don't use us, but partner us. To our founder and leader of the revolution, Sir, many of us, the youth take serious inspiration from your ideals of probity, transparency, accountability, integrity and social justice. Your unparalleled leadership qualities of promoting grassroots participatory democracy will continue to guide us even as we wrestle for power in 2020. Addressing the 37th anniversary of the 31st December Revolution, Ruth Dela Seddoh extended the warning to the newly appointed Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Naana Mensah to work for Ghanaians in spite of her political affiliation to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). To the naysayers, I would like to issue a stern warning to you that the youth of NDC are hungry for power. We are more than poised and charged to return NDC to power come 2020. Any force, person or group of persons who try to impede our progress will be fiercely resisted and we take a cue from our founder's, "POSITIVE DEFIANCE" mantra. I would like to end by alerting the newly appointed EC chairperson, we know your political affiliation, we are watching you closely. You were appointed by an NPP government, but you must work for Ghanaians. Stop leading us to a funeral parlour. Let me re-echo to you that any attempt to gerrymander election 2020 would be met with a hot chase, madam chairperson, beware! Touching on Akufo-Addos administration, Ruth Dela Seddoh said the current happenings in Ghana is not what were promised to Ghanaians as corruption is at the highest peak, prices of petroleum products are skyrocketing, prices of foodstuffs and other consumables are the highest in many years as well as poor performance of the Cedi among other Currencies. We now have a family and friends league of a government with so much cluelessness in the system. Tax rates are high and so much youth unemployment making us sit on a keg of gun-powder. Our market women are suffering, our drivers are suffering and our business men are suffering whilst banks are collapsing. We don't have the luxury of time, lets get together, win political power and fix the system, it is possible! Ghanaians deserve better and we can do it better for them, she charged. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The two main political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are set for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency by-elections following the successful election of candidates by the two parties to contest in the by-election slated for January 31, 2019. The Electoral Commission (EC) has set Thursday, January 10 to Saturday, January 12, 2019, to receive nominations for the by-election while pegging the filing fee at GH10,000. It has also announced that nominations will be received at the Ayawaso District Office of the commission between the hours of 9:00 am and 12 noon and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on each day. Lydia Alhassan elected In a primary held on Saturday, December 29, 2018, one of the widows of Emmanuel Kyeremateng Agyarko, Madam Lydia S. Alhassan, was elected to represent the NPP. She secured 441 votes to beat four other contenders, including a deputy Communications Director of the NPP, Mame Yaa Aboagye, who polled 76 votes, Ato William 131 votes, Victoria Esinam Odei, one vote and Samuel Owusu Amankwa 19 votes. Responding to the victory, Madam Alhassan dedicated the victory to her late husband who was the Member of Parliament for the area and died suddenly in November 2018. We did it together, this victory is not only for Lydia but for the five of us (contenders). I will like to dedicate it to our late MP E.K. Agyarko ... we are in this together, let us go out there and retain the seat. NDC elects Delali Brempong Meanwhile, the opposition NDC has elected Delali Kwasi Brempong to represent the party in the upcoming by-election. Mr Brempong is the same candidate who represented the NDC in the 2016 parliamentary election and lost to the deceased, Agyarko of the NPP. At last Saturday's primary organised by the NDC to select a candidate, Mr Brempong polled 415 out of the 724 total votes. He beat Selassie Agbo and Ekow Acquah who got 115 and 190 votes respectively. Dumelo vrs former Prez Kufuors son Earlier, Ghanaian actor John Dumelo, had picked nomination forms for the contest but failed to submit it. That was after a deputy National Communications Director of the governing NPP, Mame Yaa Aboagye, had told the Daily Graphic that Mr Dumelos decision to pull out from the contest had come at the heels of a revelation that he could not contest the Ayawaso West Wuogon seat in the Greater Accra Region because he was not a registered voter in the constituency. But explaining the decision to pull out, Mr Dumelo said the NDC in the Hohoe Constituency, his hometown in the Volta Region, wanted him to run for the MP slot although he would not say if he had decided to do so and when. A few days later, Rev. Edward Agyekum Kufuor, also an actor and son of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, withdrew from the NPP by-election. The Ayawaso West Wuogon seat became vacant following the death of Kyeremateng Agyarko, who died at the age of 60 on Wednesday, November 21, 2018. He will be buried on January 26, 2019 at Odumase-Krobo, his hometown. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Reverend Dr. Emmanuel Kwabla Amey, the Clerk of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, has asked Christians to seek the presence of God in their endeavours in 2019. He said the presence of God opened best opportunities to man because it was only God that could change difficult situations in the lives of men. Reverend Amey said this when he delivered the end of year sermon at the Dela Cathedral in Ho on the theme: A fresh start". He said though difficult times would come, those who diligently sought the face of the Lord would overcome. Rev Amey also said it was imperative for Christians to wait on God to see His miraculous work in their lives, because the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie, though it tarries, wait for it because it will surely come, it will not tarry". He said those who waited on the Lord would renew their strength and not be put to shame because God was faithful in His word. Reverend Amey said even though life in its totality had given man the opportunity to forge ahead in his struggles, it was important for man to avail himself to God to be able to arrive at the best destination. He urged Christians to seek for higher advancement in all spheres of life, saying, any individual who fails to seek advancement will not be making any meaningful progress in life. Intercessory prayers were made for the nation, the President, his Vice, ministers and traditional leaders among others. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Defence Ministry will this afternoon deploy troops to contain the tensions in the Northern Regional district of Chereponi. This is after two persons were reported dead and several others injured after a Tuesday morning clash between Anufuls and Konkombas over a piece of land at Naduni, a farming community in the district. Indications from the District Security Council (DISEC) officer, Tahidu Abdul Razak are that the soldiers will be airlifted from the Tamale airport to the community later on Wednesday. There is already increased security presence from a joint police-military team. But Mr. Razak indicated that the situation had escalated with reports of gunfire on Wednesday morning and more houses being set on fire. This morning, Kokokombas have come to burn another six houses around Naburukunu, which is also in the district. The military is at the scene but we called for more reinforcements and the minister told me they have released 30But Mr. Razak indicated that the situation had escalated with reports of gunfire on Wednesday morning and more houses being set on fire. This morning, Kokokombas have come to burn another six houses around Naburukunu, which is also in the district. The military is at the scene but we called for more reinforcements and the minister told me they have released 30 more soldiers to come, Mr. Razak said to Citi News. more soldiers to come, Mr. Razak said to Citi News. The clash was reportedly triggered by suspicions that some Chekosi had attacked some Konkombas with stones, which resulted in a confrontation. Some of the injured and are currently receiving treatment at the Chereponi health center. Other casualties were also sent to the Saboba health center for treatment. In June 2018, there was a similar clash in that community which led to the death of two Konkombas. Source: citi 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 Police in Tema are expected to arraign before court today the suspect who killed the Senior Pastor of the Tema Community Four Assemblies of God Church, Rev. David Nabegmado. The suspect, Francis Nabegmado stabbed Rev. David Nabegmado who is his uncle multiple times in his office on the church premises on Sunday while he was preparing to deliver a sermon. The pastor was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his stab wounds before he could be attended to. The suspect has confessed to the crime but has justified same, claiming the pastor had targeted him for rituals, a claim the family has vehemently denied. Speaking on behalf of the family on Monday 31st December 2018, Dan Makandan urged the public to disregard what he described as an erroneous impression created by the suspect in the viral video after his arrest. The Nabegmado family dissociates itself alleged statements made by Francis Nabegmado. Rev. David Nabegmado is a genuine man of God who is humble and down to earth. He was an asset not only to the family but to the Church and Ghana as a whole. The family is deeply saddened by the events and request the public to disregard all statements made to tarnish the personality of an accomplished man of God. The family affirms that Rev. David Nabegmado is not an idol worshiper but a genuine man of God and we plead with the public to respect the moment the family and the church is going through and allow them the space to grieve the genuine man of God and the accomplishment of Gods work that hes done for the country as a whole. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Council of Gonja Chiefs in the Greater Accra Region headed by Chief Alhaji Omaru Yakubu Kanyiti has applauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the creation of the Ministry for Inner City and Zongo Development and the initiation of social policies like the Free Senior High School. The Council said this when they paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Inner City and Zongo Development, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid. The group also highlighted some concerns in Zongo communities which they said include high unemployment among the youth, high crime rate, low tertiary education and vocational training, and assured the Minister of their support and collaboration to change the narrative. Dr Abdul-Hamid on his part thanked the Council for the visit. He paid tribute to the founders of the Gonja Kingdom, especially on their role in the spread of Islam in Ghana. He used the occasion to highlight the need for peace and harmony within Zongo communities and told the gathering that from 2019, the policy of the Ministry will be mainly on education and human development in the Zongo and inner-city communities. Dr Abdul-Hamid said with proper education and human capacity development, the majority of the challenges in the said communities will be reduced. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Kantanka Technological Centre of Excellence (KTCE), a subsidiary of the Kantanka Group of Companies, has made another technological breakthrough in its operations with the launch of an advanced armoured vehicle fixed with a laser rangefinder. The launch took place at the 38th annual Technology Exhibition of the Kantanka Group in Accra last Sunday, during which an array of products manufactured by KTCE, which is located at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region, were on display. They included military weapons, exoskeletons, saloon cars, a customised limousine, a V8 engine block and stabilisers. Also on display were foodstuffs, including species of plantain, yam and cocoyam planted with organic fertiliser. The exhibition, which was on the theme: Advancing the frontiers of science, creativity and technology through religion to transform society, was graced by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and other dignitaries, including the Senior Minister, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo; the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng; Members of Parliament, representatives of the various security agencies and traditional leaders. The excitement at the venue intensified when one of the V8 vehicles, christened Kantanka Otumfuo, ceased to move after its driver drank an alcoholic beverage moments before entering the vehicle. Addressing the gathering, Otumfuo Osei Tutu pledged his commitment to collaborate with the Founder and Leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission and brain behind the Kantanka Group, Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo, to establish a technical school in the Ashanti Region. The school, he explained, would help sustain Apostle Safos wonderful works to benefit generations to come and contribute immensely to the development of science, technology and creativity in the country. While describing the celebrated inventor as a wonderful personality whose works were beyond comprehension, the Asantehene expressed concern about the lack of interest by the state and academic institutions to tap into Apostle Safos developmental agenda. He said he was committed to changing the narrative. The works of Apostle Kwadwo Safo go beyond science. Every year, he comes out with mysterious inventions, yet we have not bothered to go to him to seek explanation as to how he goes about his inventions. There is something special in him that we must tap and that moment is now, the Asantehene, who purchased two Kantanka pick-ups at the event, said. He called on the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and all scientists in the country to take urgent steps to consult Apostle Safo for some explanation on how he came up with his creations in a bid to broaden knowledge in science and creativity in the country. Otumfuo Osei Tutu encouraged Apostle Safo to persist in his hard work, in spite of the limited support offered him by the state. He also encouraged the citizenry to prioritise the purchase of made-in-Ghana products if we really want to end the cycle of economic hardships that have bedevilled the country. Change the curriculum When he took the microphone, Apostle Safo expressed dissatisfaction with the theoretical nature of the curricula applied in schools in the country. 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 United Bank for Africa (Ghana) Limited, a subsidiary of UBA Plc, which has footprints in 20 African countries and in New York, Paris and London, has announced the appointment of a renowned and experienced banker Mr. Isong A. Udom as UBA Ghanas new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. His appointment takes effect from January 1, 2019 after a successful approval by Bank of Ghana (BoG). Isong Udom replaces Mrs. Abiola Bawuah, who has been elevated to take up a new role as the Regional Chief Executive Officer, UBA West Africa 1 to help drive the Groups vision to be the undisputed leading and dominant financial services institution in Africa Commenting on the appointment, Mrs. Bawuah said We are indeed privileged to have Isong take full role for the leadership and growth of UBA Ghana. He comes with a lot of experience and knowledge of the industry. Isong has a deserved, enviable experience and track record in banking with key strengths in Corporate and Commercial Banking, spanning about three (3) decades across various countries in West and Central Africa. We have a tremendous opportunity to grow the business further and to exceed the expectations of our customers. We will support him and complement his strong leadership and ambitious drive to change the face of banking in Ghana. We are thrilled to have Isong on board, Mrs Bawuah added. After graduating as the best student in his faculty, with a BSc. (Hons) in Management Studies (Banking and Finance) from the University of Calabar, Isong Udom attended a vast series of training at the renowned Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, Euromoney at Surrey, UK and CIBS, Istanbul, Turkey. Before his appointment as MD/CEO of Ghana, he served as Deputy Managing Director of UBA, Cameroon from 2011, where his hard work and dedication to excellence earned him the position of MD/CEO of UBA, Cameroon in 2014. Prior to this, he had worked in many capacities within United Bank for Africa Plc. where he had a brief stint as MD/CEO of UBA Guinea as well as being the Relationship Director Corporate Bank, Regional Director Mainland Bank, Divisional Head of Export & Agric Lagos and many more. About United Bank for Africa United Bank for Africa (Ghana) Limited (herein referred to as UBA Ghana) is a subsidiary of UBA Plc, which has footprints in 20 African countries and also in New York, Paris and London. The presence of UBA in the banking industry in Ghana over the last decade has galvanized banking onto a higher performance level, where competition and innovation in responding to the needs of the customer have become the driving force of the industry. UBA's world class customer driven innovations have earned the confidence of the Ghanaian public as it continues to provide banking services to a wide variety of customers. Through the UBA Foundation, the CSR arm of the bank, UBA has committed to the socio-economic betterment of the communities in which the Bank operates, focusing on development in the areas of Environment, Education, Economic Empowerment and Special Projects. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Mothers work harder than anyone in the world, so it's fitting that Mister Wallace adopted the identity of a Cool Mom for their newest album of the same name. The Chicago-based rapper's drive is relentless, and rare in the way they channel their energy to also amplify the voices of artists around them. Like a mom, Wallace is admittedly nothing without their family, and co-founded a music label Futurehood that pools together resources to help support their daughters and, on a larger scale, build stronger community. "People have said to me, 'You met me when I was homeless, and now I have a role in your crew, and a job, and housing, and funds, and income," Wallace says. "That's when I know I'm doing the right thing." When I sit down with Wallace, they're hunched over a laptop prepping songs for an early evening DJ set at the Ace Hotel in Chicago's West Loop. Their weave a caramel blonde, ringlet fantasy that's wrapped into a head scarf and perfectly embodies Cool Mom is somehow flawlessly intact, which is a feat considering they'd been out performing and partying well past sunrise the night prior at Futurehood & Friends. And this is just two of three gigs Wallace has booked in a 24-hour period; after spinning the Ace's High Tea, a cocktail party hosted by local performer Darling, Wallace will move Uptown to DJ at Jackhammer until, again, early morning. But being Mister Wallace, Chicago's unofficial Cool Mom, is now a full-time job something they've made a top priority this year. "Do I ever feel tired?" Wallace ponders, their bright eyes framed by bags that answer my question without needing words. "Well, does a mother ever feel tired? Like, all of the time. But I can't imagine wasting a day. You only have 365 days a year, so you make the most of it. I mean, if it kills me, it kills me. Get rich or die trying." -- As part of Red Bull Music Festival Chicago, Futurehood & Friends was, in many ways, the climax of Wallace's maternal efforts thus far. The event presented a diverse showcase of the city's most talented musicians, DJs and parties, from 15-year-old breakout rap star Kidd Kenn to ferocious transgender emcee KC Ortiz and Drag Race alum The Vixen. Wallace transformed the Wicker Park venue into a slick space ship, imagining a future where QTPOC bodies are not merely assimilated into society, but fully dominating the ranks. Performers danced around a control deck on stage, while videos of stars sent the audience through galaxies. Naturally, Wallace was the evening's last performer, and kept themselves hidden until finally slinking onto stage with two backup dancers for their grand reveal. "My mother taught me that," Wallace says. "You never let the girls see you before the anticipation. Then you can really channel the energy and focus on world-building, fantasy creation." They pause, and begins softly singing Veruca Salt's infamous brat anthem, "I Want It Now," from Willy Wonka. "I want the world, I want the whole world." They laugh, but Wallace isn't joking they do want the world. On stage, Wallace dressed as Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century, a femme icon of the future who saves her space station by stopping a terroristic computer virus. With sparkly, silver bike shorts and a metallic puffer jacket, Chicago's Cool Mom set an unapologetic example for their daughters performing jointless splits and strutting in heels while also making space for them to independently thrive. "When people don't have someone telling them that they're good, they spiral. Their mental stability becomes off-kilter, and it's hard to produce [work] and sustain yourself," Wallace says of their maternal role in the community." So I try to create space for that to change room for people to feel validated and confirmed in their identities, because they're growing and evolving just like I am, and have always been. I've always been a natural leader and I don't want to be on top of anybody, but I do think that I have been able to build something positive by placing myself there. It's kind of like a service role, being a spokesmom for the kids." -- Wallace has been a performer throughout their life, and always dreaming of their contributions to society with high impact. In 2005, the artist pursued one of our nation's most prized titles at the time: becoming an American Idol winner. "Season Five. It was my senior year in high school," Wallace says. "I was up there singing 'Rock With You' by Michael Jackson for 30 seconds, but didn't even get past the first round. And when that didn't happen for me, and I saw all these talented people in the stadium sleeping in line, waiting to do this I was like, Oh my God, I'm never going to be a star. So I started working in retail and became a retail cunt." Fame, however, is relative and Wallace learned they could still be a star, just on a stage much smaller than American Idol's. They created a queer rap collective called Banjee Report alongside DJ/producers aCeboombaP (real name: Anthony Pabey) and Hijo Prodigo (real name: Justin Mitchell), both of whom co-launched Futurehood in 2016, as well. "I really thought that because I didn't get on American Idol, or because I didn't come from a family like the Knowles or the Jacksons that I wasn't going to become that girl," Wallace says. "Now, I know that I am that girl. I just have to create that moment for myself, and it's been easier to do that by creating moments for others." Wallace's 2016 Faggot EP, released through Futurehood, was their first official solo effort, and helped further etch the rapper's name into underground queer history. This project also birthed Wallace's two biggest tracks to date, "It Girl" and "Whoremoan," both of which were given music video treatments and produced by Chicago-based Jeremiah Meece. Above bubbly, ballroom-infused beats that build with the same tireless tenacity of Wallace, they assert themselves with a cocky flow. "Have you seen me in the magazine?" Wallace flaunts on "It Girl," and "Whoremoan" sees them tempting, "Damn this skin so soft/ Cashmere pussy soft/ You want to taste my milk? Lick lick lick." Around that time, Wallace was living and working in New York a big step for an artist who was born in Chicago and established a reliable, cult following in that same city. While Faggot was an impressive debut effort, and revered within certain queer circles, the EP wasn't as successful as Wallace had hoped it'd be. I ask if Wallace has ever felt like they don't get the attention they deserve a loaded question for any artist who's dedicated their entire life to their craft. "[Faggot] didn't do the thing that I thought it might have," they admit. "I wanted to tell myself that it was because the verse wasn't good enough or because I didn't put enough money into it. And things really started to slow down for me; I got really down on myself, and I didn't really have any gigs. So I definitely did feel that at one point, but I eventually stopped caring when I came out to Chicago and all these people I didn't even know were like, 'I listen to your music all the time; Spotify told me about you; you're big in the South.' It kind of woke me up, and it's what had me get up today and work eight hours after twirling for an hour on stage last night." -- Now, Wallace lives back in Chicago a cultural mecca that they describe as a "portal and a connection to the universe." They also argues that it's realer than New York "because it's not about the cameras here. It's not about wanting to be in an industry. It's about wanting to be alive because you could easily lose your life." Living in New York, Wallace says they grew further from what matters most "I missed my mom, I missed my brother, I missed my family and friends" and realized he needed to prioritize things differently. "I had to come back to Chicago before there was any kind of blowing up that was supposed to happen," Wallace says. Having lived on Chicago's North Side for a long time, Wallace decided they wanted to surround themselves with a Black neighborhood and relocated to the "vibrant" South Shore, where they've been working for the past two years on their new eight-track album, Cool Mom. However, the majority of their latest project was finished within the last few months, "taking that express bus, number six, through downtown on the phone, writing her little raps," Wallace says. They reunited with Jeremiah Meece to help develop the album, but Wallace's brother also produced two of the tracks. "Faggot was kind of my 'FU, I'm me,' and Cool Mom is so like, 'I love everybody.'" On "Heavy Heat," Wallace takes on different characters, oscillating between the perspective of a young queer kid ("Mama, they been calling me a faggot") and Cool Mom ("Be who you are [...] baby, use your voice"). The rapper invites Petty (of Petty Butter) and Eric Donte onto "Salad," which continues the album's maternal through-line. "Cool Mom in the kitchen, yeah she whipping it up," Wallace boasts above aggressive production. "Here We Go" is Wallace at their absolute best, as they powers through the track with unwavering confidence. "Here we go again/ I'm about to win/ Snatching tens," he repeats. Cool Mom closes with Wallace calling out all their "daughters, sisters, and mothers," many by name. "Plot twist, a faggot in the cockpit/ We gone, go put your shoes on," they rap as an open invitation to their family. Related | Petty Butter Skincare Empowers the QTPOC Community "It's kind of a time capsule of where I've been, where I am, and what I want," Wallace says of Cool Mom. And what they want is quite ambitious. Through Futurehood and their own solo efforts, Wallace says their goals extend well beyond making music. "I want to go to schools, I want to feed the homeless, I want to build media platforms and festivals and create healing," they say. "I'm a holistic type of person; the party and the fun and the glamour is great, but you have to have a place of rest in order to achieve those dreams." U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States would get out of Syria "over a period of time" and wants to protect the U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters in the country as Washington draws down troops. Trump did not provide a timetable for the planned military exit from Syria, which he announced last month against the advice of top national security aides and without consulting lawmakers or U.S. allies participating in anti-Islamic State operations. The decision prompted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to resign. During a Cabinet meeting at the White House in front of reporters, Trump said he had never discussed a reported four-month timetable for the withdrawal of 2,000 American troops stationed in Syria amid a battle against Islamic State militants. In recent days, Trump appeared to back off from any hasty pullout and stressed that the operation would be slow. "We're slowly sending our troops back home to be with their families, while at the same time fighting Isis [Islamic State] remnants," he said on Twitter on Monday. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he came out of a lunch with Trump feeling reassured about the Syria policy. Graham told reporters that Trump was committed to making sure Turkey did not clash with the Kurdish YPG forces once U.S. troops leave Syria, and was assuring the NATO ally that it would have a buffer zone in the region to help protect its own interests. Turkey views the YPG as a branch of its own Kurdish separatist movement and is threatening to launch an offensive against the group, igniting fears of significant civilian casualties. U.S. commanders planning the U.S. withdrawal are recommending that YPG fighters battling Islamic State be allowed to keep U.S.-supplied weapons, according to U.S. officials. That proposal would likely anger Turkey, where Trumps national security adviser, John Bolton, is expected to hold talks this week. Short link: Last year wrapped up with an event that many feel will be the beginning of fundamental change that will impact Syria throughout 2019, with the start of steps to rehabilitate the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad among the Arab countries. The UAE and Bahrain reopened their embassies in Damascus and restarted flights to Syria in steps that some believe are intended to pave the way for readmitting the Syrian regime to the Arab League at the 30th Arab Summit in Tunisia in March 2019. On 16 December, Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir visited Damascus aboard a Russian plane and met with Al-Assad. The two men agreed to find new approaches for Arab action based on respecting national sovereignty and not interfering in the domestic affairs of Arab countries. Although Al-Bashir is the subject of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, he is facing serious political and economic troubles at home, and carries little real weight in the wider Arab world, his visit had key political implications since it was the first by an Arab president since the start of the Syrian Revolution in 2011. The Russian Foreign Ministry praised the visit, hoping it would contribute to restoring relations between the Arab countries and Syria and reinstate Syrias membership of the Arab League. Egypts intelligence agency revealed this month that a meeting had taken place between Ali Mamluk, director of the Syrian National Security Bureau, and Egypts head of intelligence, Abbas Kamel, in Cairo. The Syrian news agency said the two sides had discussed a variety of issues of common interest, including political, security and anti-terrorism matters. Mamluks visit is significant due to Egypts membership of the four-way alliance with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain directed at Qatar, and Cairo may be spearheading the position of these countries towards the Syrian regime. A few days earlier, the first direct flight from Damascus to Tunis touched down after a seven-year hiatus. This was followed by statements by Jordans King Abdullah II on 23 December that our relations with Syria will be restored to where they were in the past preceded by the re-opening of the Nasib border crossing between Jordan and Syria in mid-October. Hossam Zaki, deputy secretary-general of the Arab League, told a news conference on 24 December that there could be a change regarding the Syrian regimes membership of the League. There are discussions among member states on this matter, Zaki said, adding that a decision could be taken at the Arab Economic Summit in Beirut at the end of January. The Arab League suspended Syrias membership of the regional grouping because the regime had not met its commitments to the Arab action plan for resolving the Syrian crisis or protecting Syrian civilians. It introduced political and economic sanctions against Syria and called for the withdrawal of Arab ambassadors from Damascus at the end of 2011. Some Lebanese figures close to the Syrian regime and Iran are lobbying for Al-Assad to be invited to the economic summit in Beirut, though this has been countered by resistance to normalising relations between Lebanon and the Syrian regime. Tempers are rising between the two camps, and they could lead to clashes threatening the Lebanese government. The UAE and Bahrain justified their moving closer to Al-Assad and restoring diplomatic relations with Syria by pointing to the need to offset Iranian hegemony, protect Syria from regional interference and help maintain the countrys unity and sovereignty. The Syrian opposition has rejected what it calls these frail excuses for re-establishing diplomatic relations with the regime, especially since the Iranian and Russian interference on behalf of Al-Assad has meant taking control of the regimes policies and military outlook. The US and the Europeans have said that it would be premature to readmit Syria to the Arab League before a genuine political transitional process takes place. After his recent decision to withdraw from Syria, US President Donald Trump asked Saudi Arabia to pay for the cost of rebuilding Syria instead of the US, apparently rescinding his previous demand for a political transition. The Syrian regime is being promoted on several planes, and it is likely that the Arabs will lean towards restoring relations with it. Todays individual steps could be followed by further efforts on a larger basis. The Syrian opposition says that the Syrian peoples demands for freedom, democracy and social justice should not be ignored by the Arab countries. It says that the regime has destroyed 40 per cent of Syrias infrastructure, caused the death of one million Syrians and contributed to the destitution of ten million Syrians overseas. The regime must change before the Arab countries re-establish links with it, the opposition says, adding that it will have less incentive to do so if the Arab countries re-introduce Damascus to the Arab League. *A version of this article appears in print in the 3 January, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Rehabilitating the Syrian regime Short link: Mamatas Morose The Congress victory in three states seems to have shattered Mamatas dream of being projected as PM candidate from the coalition of opposition parties Asim Kumar Mitra The day on which the results of five state assemblies were out Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, was extremely morose. One should keep in mind that on that very day she had left for New Delhi to attend a meeting of opposition party leaders to chalk out plans and programmes to oust the BJP-led NDA-government at the Centre. The reason for her sadness was that the Congress had unexpectedly (for her) got a large number of seats in the election which gave the Congress the coveted chance to form government in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Mamata Banerjee It simply meant that the Congress would assume the leaders seat of the opposition parties and Mamata would be nowhere in the picture or in other words her importance would be reduced to a great extent if not reduced to nil. Not only that her chances of becoming Prime Minister of the coalition of opposition parties would be simply shattered. This was the reason why Mamata had skipped the next meeting of the opposition leaders on the plea of some other prior engagements. So she went back to Kolkata. Whereas initially Mamatas first reaction to the election results was the countdown for the last days of the BJP defeat had just started. But then she did not hide her sentiment against the Congress party, especially against its leader Rahul Gandhi. She had stopped expressing her sentiments against BJP in strong words which was her regular habit. Instead Rahul had become her first target of criticism. Mamata fears that now Congress may lead the opposition and she would be nowhere in the picture So, it seemed politically Mamata was taking towards different route. For Bengal, this is the season for cultural activities. Hence, Mamata kept herself busy in cultural activities. Immediately after coming back from New Delhi, she had presided over the government sponsored four-day musical programme. In this programme she had given out awards to Bengals vocal music queen Sandhya Mukhopadhyay, Shaan and Arijit Singh. She had declared that musical soirees are being organised in all the districts of the state and these would be yearly events. The Chief Minister had asked all district authorities to organise Block Level musical conferences and she had made it a point to be present at all such conferences. These conferences have been utilised as part of her vote bank politics. Another significant development in her shifting-character was noticed as if she had totally forgotten her vehemently anti-BJP stance. After the results of assembly elections were out Mamata became very much soft towards the BJP as observed by the state political observers. After coming back from New Delhi, she had not expressed any concern about the proposed Rath Yatra. But after showing such a magnanimous attitude all of a sudden she had abruptly changed her mood and started abusing BJP and declared that the state government would never give BJP the permission to take out their proposed Rath Yatra. BJP on their part had declared that they would approach the court of law to get the required permission. Again Rath Yatra would be hanging in uncertainty. Syrias Kurds were among those most shocked by the decision of US President Donald Trump to withdraw US forces from Syria at the end of last year, though their disarray was echoed among many in the Syrian opposition and some in the US government and military. The Kurds control swaths of territory in northern Syria and form the Syrian Democratic Forces affiliated to the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that Turkey categorises as a terrorist group. They entirely depend on US support for protection against Turkey and the Syrian opposition that they have fought against throughout the Syrian Revolution. Without the US backing, the Kurdish militias would not have survived in the face of the enemies of the Kurds, whether Turkey, the armed Syrian opposition or the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group. Some US officials also criticised Trumps decision to withdraw, describing it as a great victory for IS, Iran, [Syrian President] Bashar Al-Assad and Russia, adding that it could make it more difficult to find partners to confront radical Islam. Members of Congress condemned what they called a rushed decision that does not serve US interests and undermines its credibility with allies in the Middle East a reference to the US abandoning the Kurdish militias fighting in northern Syria. The Kurds viewed the sudden US decision as a stab in the back and a betrayal of the thousands of fighters who have died for the cause. They then decided to switch sides and embrace the Syrian regime, surrendering their positions to regime forces in response to threats from Turkey and the Syrian opposition. A spokeswoman for the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units, a Kurdish militia, said these troops and the regime were one family. The Syrian army announced its troops had taken back control of the town of Manbij from the Kurds upon the latters request and raised the Syrian flag there. Russia, Iran and the Al-Assad regime have all welcomed the US decision to withdraw, viewing it as a victory for their policies. However, regime forces have not in fact entered Manbij, and according to local residents the regime and the Kurds simply contrived a ruse whereby the Kurds raised the Syrian flag over military installations for propaganda purposes. Some Kurdish sources said the US decision to withdraw and its deal with Turkey would allow regime troops to deploy on the frontline between the Kurds and the Turkish troops in northern Syria to separate the two sides under Russian supervision. Flags would be raised on government buildings in Manbij, they said, but without the presence of regime forces or actual military control. Trump said his decision was intended to protect the lives of US soldiers in a war that did not concern them and to cut the material costs of the war for the US forces in Syria. However, not a single US soldier has been killed in Syria, and there are only 2,200 US personnel in Syria, far fewer than the 15,000 in Iraq. The cost of the US presence in Syria is also paid for by the Arab Gulf countries. The US decision seems more likely to be related to Turkey. Statements by Turkish officials prior to Trumps announcement showed Turkeys intention to take the war east of the Euphrates River in order to dismantle separatist Kurdish groups and push them back from the Turkish border. The US responded at the time by saying that its partnership with the Kurds was temporary and was a military and not a political alliance, hinting that the US would soon abandon its Kurdish clients. Several US statements noted that Washingtons relationship with Ankara was a strategic one, especially since both countries are key members of the NATO alliance. The US announced the timeframe for withdrawing US troops from Syria would be 60 to 100 days, but that state department personnel would be removed immediately from the country. Many Syrians believe that the US decision will not be applied verbatim or will be modified to keep some forces, especially in eastern Syria, to fight IS remnants on the border with Iraq and block Iranian expansion. The US will only withdraw from north and northeastern Syria, such sources say, leaving these areas to be policed by Turkey. This will still create a new reality on the ground, however, and impose new alliances that could lead to open-ended battles that serve the Syrian regime and Russia. The opposition believes Al-Assad and his allies will benefit most from Trumps decision because they will be able to take back a large part of the country in the north as they did in the south when the US abandoned the opposition Free Syrian Army (FSA) after a deal with Russia. Southern Syria was handed over to the regime without bloodshed due to an unfair deal that resulted in the relocation of fighters from the south to the north, leaving the south open to the Russians and the regime. The new decision will see the surrender of areas under the control of the armed Syrian opposition, with the blessing of the US and under the auspices of Russia. Turkey will likely insist on continuing its fight against the Kurds, aiming to take control of the area and expel the Kurdish militias to protect its borders. Israel is also concerned about Trumps decision, the consensus among Israeli commentators being that it is a slap in the face for Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu while rewarding Russia and Iran which are Al-Assads partners in the war. There is concern that Irans Al-Quds Brigade will try to take advantage of the US withdrawal to infiltrate regime forces in northern Syria and guarantee that the arms corridor from Iran to Syria via Iraq remains open. In recent years, relations between the separatist Kurds and Iran have warmed, and it is possible they will form an alliance. Some Arab sources say that Trumps decision was preceded by talks with Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. As a result, Russia will rein in the Lebanese Shia group Hizbullah, a client of Iran in Syria, in return for the US withdrawal while allowing Israel to attack Iranian targets in Syria. Turkey is continuing its negotiations with Russia, with a military intelligence delegation visiting Moscow this week to develop understandings about the fate of areas under Kurdish control. It is likely Turkey will impose its terms since it is a US ally, and it has presented itself as warring against terrorist groups such as IS, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, the Al-Nusra Front associated with Al-Qaeda and Kurdish groups it lists as terrorists. Many believe the US decision to depart from Syria is a green light for Iran to become more involved in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, facilitating the rehabilitation of Al-Assad on the world stage. It crowns Russia as the sole superpower in the Middle East and will allow it to breathe a sigh of relief though this will come at the expense of a greater Iranian presence in Syria. The US may well come to regret leaving the Syrian arena before guaranteeing a political solution. The decision raises the question of whether the US will leave Syria for good, not only for the sake of its interests but also for those of its allies in the Middle East, among them Israel. *A version of this article appears in print in the 3 January, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: US withdraws from Syria Short link: Somalia has kicked out the country's top United Nations official in a decision likely to harm relations with foreign powers backing government attempts to restore stability after decades of turmoil. The government accused Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary-General, of interfering with internal affairs. Haysom raised questions in a Dec. 30 letter about the involvement of U.N.-supported Somali security forces in the arrest of a former militant of the Islamist al Shabaab group who was blocked from running in a recent regional election. Haysom "is not required and cannot work in this country", the foreign affairs ministry said. "He openly breached the appropriate conduct of the U.N. office in Somalia," said the statement late on Tuesday, which effectively makes the South African persona non grata. There was no immediate comment from the U.N. mission which also supports an African Union peacekeeping force fighting al Shabaab. Haysom's letter to the interior security minister expressed concern over the government's handling of the arrest of former Shabaab leader Mukhtar Robow and subsequent unrest last month. At least 15 civilians were killed and around 300 people detained, most of them children, when protests erupted after Robow's arrest in the southern city of Baidoa, according to the U.N. letter. The government said Robow was arrested on suspicion that he had brought militants and weapons back to Baidoa, the capital of South West region where he tried to contest for president in last month's election. His arrest sparked clashes between militiamen loyal to Robow and Somali forces. Ethiopian security forces, who are part of an African Union peacekeeping force, were also involved. Al Shabaab has sought for over a decade to topple the central government and implement its strict version of Islamic law. It was driven out of the capital in 2011 but maintains a foothold in some regions including South West. Robow renounced violence and recognised federal authority in 2017. n the letter, Haysom asked the minister to explain the legal basis for Robow's arrest. He also asked what action had been taken to investigate the deaths during the demonstrations in Baidoa following the arrest. The U.N. letter also contained an annexed letter from the European Union, Germany and Britain announcing the suspension of their support to the police in South West state due to their conduct during last month's election. Haysom also detailed the U.N. support to the Somali police force and the South West regional police which includes the payment of stipends to the police. The United Nations is a major backer of Somalia, a country that has lacked strong central government since 1991. The government's decision over Haysom could intensify a confrontation between Mogadishu and the semi-autonomous regions. Short link: Australia's government is confident it has grounds to strip an alleged Islamic State recruiter of citizenship, a minister said on Wednesday, as questions arose over whether doing so could be illegal and leave the man stateless. The case highlights the problems many governments face as they consider what action to take against people who have travelled abroad, often to the Middle East, to join militant groups. Under Australian law, a person can only be stripped of their citizenship if they are dual citizens, thereby preventing people from being made stateless. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said Melbourne-born Neil Prakash, who is imprisoned in Turkey, was a dual citizen as he also has Fijian citizenship,. Prakash ceased to be an Australian "by virtue of his actions in fighting for Islamic State from May 2016", and he had been notified of the decision in December, Dutton said. "The advice to the government based on all the intricate detail and fact of this particular matter is that Mr Prakash is, by operation of law, a citizen of Fiji," Dutton told reporters in Brisbane. "The other point to make is that Mr Prakash is sitting in a Turkish jail at the moment ... Prakash is not coming anywhere near our part of the world any time soon." Prakash has been in Turkey on trial for charges relating to being a member of the Islamic State militant group since being caught there in October 2016. Australia believes Prakash is a dual national because his father was Fijian. However, Fiji's director of immigration, Nemani Vuniwaqa, told Reuters in a Facebook message that Prakash was not Fijian, which could complicate the Australian government's bid to strip him of his citizenship. Prakash can challenge the Australian government's decision, Dutton said, and he could be entitled to retain his citizenship if he does not hold dual-citizenship status. The government wrongly reported in 2016, based on U.S. intelligence, that Prakash had been killed in an air strike in Mosul, Iraq. The government said he had appeared in Islamic State videos and magazines and had actively recruited Australian men, women and children, and encouraged acts of terrorism He is also wanted in Australia over terrorism-related activities including a suspected plot to behead a police officer, though an Australian push for his extradition was rejected by Turkey in July. A spokesman for the Fijian prime minister could not be reached for comment on Wednesday. Short link: Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called on Wednesday for coordination between state institutions and civil society to launch a nation-wide initiative called 'A Decent Life' to help the country's needy in 2019. The president made the call in a small statement released on his social media accounts, where he praised "the Egyptian citizen" as the hero of 2018. El-Sisi said that the people of Egypt "fought the battles of survival and building" and made selfless sacrifice, bearing the burden of economic reforms to ensure a better future for upcoming generations." Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali said on Wednesday that the new initiative, which will launch on Thursday, aims to provide job opportunities and develop infrastructure. Minister Wali also said that a meeting will be held on Thursday with the 10 biggest NGOs in Egypt to discuss the initiative, adding that the ministry has prepared a map outlining the challenges and identifying the target demographics. Search Keywords: Short link: Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. The year is expected to see significant political developments in Egypt. Several politicians and analysts have argued in recent weeks that a number of long-awaited reforms need to be passed in 2019. These, they argue, should come ahead of parliamentary elections in 2020 and presidential polls in 2022. Amr Hashem Rabie, an Al-Ahram political analyst, told Al-Ahram Weekly that there are strong signals that Egypts 2014 constitution will be amended in 2019. First, Rabie said, the Cairo Court of Urgent Matters is currently deliberating a case filed by a number of lawyers asking that parliament move to amend the constitution to allow the president to assume office for an unlimited period of time. Article 140 of the current constitution states that the president cannot run for more than two terms or eight years in office. They want to change this to be open-ended so that the president can be re-elected several times, Rabie explained. Moreover, Rabie said, several politicians have suggested that Article 140 be amended to increase the presidential term from four years to six. There is ongoing debate in official circles that the constitution should be amended in 2019 on the grounds that it was drafted to serve a short transitional period, and now it is high time to make it serve Egypts political ends in the long run. Osama Heikal, head of parliaments Media and Culture Committee, told reporters that a number of constitutional amendments are urgently needed. We have to amend Article 140 to give the president, and not the current president, Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi in particular, the chance to stay in office for a longer period so that he can have time to implement development programmes, Heikal said, adding that the current four-year term is too short for any elected president to achieve any significant policies or introduce political reforms. A term of four years is good for a country like America, a superpower with political stability and an economic powerhouse, but in Egypt the matter differs as the country is still badly in need of a long period of political stability and consistent economic reforms, Heikal added. Heikal, a former information minister and head of the Egyptian Media Production City, said other constitutional amendments are also needed. For example, he said the defunct Shura Council should be recreated to pave the way for the return of the bicameral system. It was a big mistake that under leftist pressure the Constituent Assembly which drafted the 2014 constitution decided to revoke the old Shura Council, Heikal said, adding that a single parliament with an unprecedented number of 596 MPs like the current one has proved to be ineffective and rather toothless. On a similar note, Yasser Rizk, editor of the daily Al-Akhbar, said in an article, The long-awaited year of political reform published on 29 December, that the current 2014 constitution was drafted to serve just a transitional period. Now that this period is over, Egypt is badly in need of an overhaul of the current constitution, Rizk said, adding that out of a total of 247 articles, at least 15 per cent of the current 2014 constitution needs to be amended. Article 140 should be changed to increase the presidential term to six years to allow President Al-Sisi to stay in office beyond 2022, Rizk said, adding that in such a case, some may suggest that the amendments will be mainly tailored to serve President Al-Sisi. I say that this could be correct, but who said constitutions are drafted in a void or in isolation of the surrounding conditions? In 2022, if President Al-Sisi leaves office as the current constitution stipulates, Egypt could face an uncertain future, Rizk warned, adding that Egypt could still face a dark future if the presidential term was increased to six years but only after 2022. Rizk suggested that if constitutional amendments aiming to increase the presidential term to six years to allow Al-Sisi to stay in power beyond 2022 face resistance, a new article be drafted to state that at the end of 2022, an entity he called the Council for the Protection of the State and the (anti-Muslim Brotherhood) 30 June Revolution be created to take over for a transitional period of five years. This proposed council would be headed by Al-Sisi in his capacity as the founder of the 30 June political system, and includes as members the pre and post-Sisi presidents, speaker of parliament, prime minister, head of the Constitutional Court, minister of defence, chief of intelligence, and heads of the councils for women, media and human rights affairs, Rizk said. This council will make sure that elected presidents after 2022 observe the principles of the 30 June 2013 Revolution and the 3 July statement which Al-Sisi delivered on the eve Mohamed Morsi was removed from office, Rizk stressed. This way we will make sure that Islamist fanatics and religious extremists will not be able to hold power in Egypt and that the post-Sisi presidents will be keen to observe the 30 June Revolution and its rejection of any religious rule, and that there will finally be a smooth transfer of power, Rizk said. Rizk proposed that Article 200 dealing with the role of the Armed Forces, be amended to state that one of its great objectives and roles will be to make sure that the principles of the 30 June Revolution are observed, and that it acts as the guardian over the implementation of the principles of the revolution as well as the 3 July statement. Mustafa Bakri, an independent MP and editor of the weekly Al-Osbou, told the Weekly that there is no doubt that the 2014 constitution was drafted under heavy international pressure and extortion by the Muslim Brotherhood. Bakri cited Article 140 as an example. He said it was drafted to stipulate that the presidents term in office does not exceed four years, simply because the 2012 constitution, drafted by the Muslim Brotherhood and its Salafi allies, included this stipulation, and also to send a message to the West, particularly the US, that Egypt is moving towards a liberal democracy in which an elected president with limited terms in office is a major feature. Article 241 on transitional justice was also drafted mainly to open the door to some kind of reconciliation with the Brotherhood. This article also came as a result of outside pressure, Bakri said, explaining that it is clear that there will never be any kind of reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood and because this violates the principles of the 30 June Revolution which is an enemy of this group. On another note, Bakri argued that articles 18, 19, 21 and 23 stipulating that the government spend a certain percentage of the gross domestic product per annum on healthcare, education, university education and scientific research respectively should be revoked. These articles proved to be unrealistic as the government has not been unable to implement them since 2014, a fact which made the constitution ink on paper, Bakri said. Shawki Al-Sayed, a former MP and an expert on constitutional law, argued in a recent article in Al-Ahram that articles 146 and 147, which make it highly difficult to introduce major or minor cabinet reshuffles, should also be revoked, adding that other articles preventing independent MPs from joining political parties also proved detrimental and should be reconsidered or annulled. Rizk said the constitutions articles regulating the performance of the media should also be reconsidered. These articles which stipulate that three institutions be tasked with supervising the media and press in Egypt were equally detrimental, Rizk said, believing they made the media and the press in Egypt too weak, so must be amended in favour of creating a single supervisory institution. Bakri and Heikal agreed there was a need for the post of minister of information, revoked in 2013, be reinstated. The last four years showed that the post is necessary to respond to hostile foreign media attacks and coordinate with local press organisations on how to energise Egypts media, Bakri said. I think that the parliamentary majority should move in the coming period to form specialised groups which will be taking charge of amending the constitution in 2019, Rizk said. *A version of this article appears in print in the 3 January, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Constitutional amendments ahead? Search Keywords: Short link: The Lee County Arts Center of North Fort Myers ended its first full year of operation some accomplishments. It held several art walks and got its 501 c 3 designation, which will allow it to raise money easier. However, a lack of membership and facility has hampered the growth of the organization, something the groups board hopes to fix in the new year. Becoming a 501 c 3 was the biggest obstacle to hurdle, said Mark Lipton, secretary and spokesperson for the organization. Once that happened, the money started coming in. About $6,000 was raised in 2018, which could be used for a co-op for different artists. Different artists could display their wares, sell them, and make it like a mini-gallery, Lipton said. It could be paintings or pottery. Its a great model for people to develop things. We can really use an office so we can hold classes and have a venue for artists to display their work, have music for people to enjoy, said Maryanne Howard, president of the arts center. The Art Walks at Hancock Bridge Square Shopping Center showed some promise when the first one debuted at the end of July. However, attendance wasnt as good as hoped for at the location, and thoughts of perhaps moving in there did not move forward. The coming year brings new hope. The Art Walks will take place at Merchants Crossing Shopping Center, which is better located and has greater occupancy as well as some empty places where the Arts Center may find a home. Lipton said he has spoken with management at the plaza, as well as County Commissioner Brian Hamman about the possibility of renting an office. Were moving toward finding a location. We would also like to be a clearinghouse for people to come to and find out where their particular art-related activities are, Lipton said, adding that groups website will have a calendar to show whats coming up. I would like to be at Merchants Crossing. Its a more central location, has more stores, restaurants, and people are coming and going there, Howard said. They do a craft show, car shows weekly, and it has received money from the county to upgrade there. It could be a home for us. As far as membership, it could be better, though it ended the year with Lee County Insurance becoming a business member, with a general member and an artist also joining. Howard said she hopes to drive membership in 2019. The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, John Gbor, on Tuesday called on all Nigerians to shun the next level being promised by the present administration, describing it as next level of incompetence and tyranny.He promised to deliver good governance to Nigerians if elected in February.Gbor made his position known in his New Year message to Nigerians made available to journalists by the Director of Strategic Communication of his campaign organisation, Mike Angel.He said his covenant with the people was to build a new Nigeria together where no one and no place would be left behind.He said, I implore you all to go to the new year with hope. I implore you all to take back the Nigerian spirit lost 74 years ago. I implore you all to vote for me as your President in February and all APGA contestants nationwide.They promise you next level of incompetence and tyranny, I promise you competence, courage, character and poverty-reducing good governance.They condone insecurity and impunity, I promise security of life and property, justice, equality, harmony and food security.They fan the ember of hate and violence, Gbor sows the seeds of love and peace. They victimise Nigerian workers with wringing wretched wage, I promise real living wage in the midst of plenty.They leave our youths to roam the streets without job and value, I promise to create jobs for the youth, women and physically challenged people by setting an agency to that effect in the Presidency, through data mining with utmost urgency. The spiritual leader of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, has disclosed that 2019 elections will shock ... The spiritual leader of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, His Holiness Olumba Olumba Obu, has disclosed that 2019 elections will shock both Nigerians and the world. Olumba, however, stated that the shock will not bring about panic but that God had already restored peace in Nigeria. In his New Year message at his church headquarters in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, the clergyman called on Nigerians to live in peace, forgive each other, care for one another and persist in doing good only. Olumba warned against killings and political violence in 2019, adding that immediate recompense will frequently be the lots of many. He said: The general elections in Nigeria holding from next month hold surprises and will shock Nigerians and the entire world. But the children of God have no need to panic. God the Father has restore peace all over Nigeria. The Nigerian Airforce has announced that one of its helicopter providing air support to troops engaging terrorists in Damasak, Borno Stat... NIGERIAN AIR FORCE HELICOPTER LOST IN COMBAT A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Helicopter was lost in combat while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno State. Nigerian Air Force (@NigAirForce) January 2, 2019 The Nigerian Airforce has announced that one of its helicopter providing air support to troops engaging terrorists in Damasak, Borno State is missing.Ibikunle Daramola, Air Commodore Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, made this known in a series of tweet posted on the official twitter handle of the Nigerian Airforce.According to Daramola, the helicopter was lost in combat while providing close air support to troops.He said, A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Helicopter was lost in combat while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion at Damasak in Northern Borno State.The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East. The incident, occurred about 7:45 pm today, 2 January 2019. Details of the cause of the crash are still scanty.As soon as the details of the crash are known, they will be made available to the public. Fiery Catholic Priest and the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), Reverend Fr. Ejike Mbaka, yesterday urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buharis second term bid in order to continue with his good works.A president that is fighting corruption need to be supported, Mbaka said as he delivered his New Year Prophetic message to Nigerians.The Catholic cleric, however, predicted that the country would face an unimaginable difficulty in 2019 and therefore charged Nigerians to brace up to the situation.He also called for serious prayers for the country.While praying for the country and her leaders, the outspoken Catholic priest enjoined Nigerians to support President Buhari to continue the fight against corruption, noting that the Catholic Church supports the fight against corruption hence it is sustained prayers against bribery and corruption.He said: We pray for President Muhammadu Buhari; he is a man who understands the situation. Since Nigeria started, we have never experienced a president that has agricultural programmes like him. Its like calling somebody a thief in the media but you are not a thief.For 16 years, the road from Anambra to Enugu was over-grown with weeds but within four years the road is being reconstructed and the same way they are doing it to Umuahia. This one that remembered us may God bless him. Since he has remembered us may God remember him. In short, it shall be well with him.Four years doesnt mean eight years; he has finished his four years, I pray for peaceful transition that he may complete his remaining four years. He will hand over to a better person, may the Lord keep him. When he was sick, he was almost dead and we said prayer and God granted him healing. God knows the purpose for allowing him to be alive; if God doesnt want him, he could have died.Because the remaining four years is constitutionally sacrosanct, no matter what happens. After the four years, he must hand over. We dont want to continue another eight years of probability. Remember he was sick and now healed. Under three years, we are comparing somebodys three years to 16 years of some group. Say if it is you. A primary three pupil is asked to come and seat exam with PhD, check it and even the child is doing very well.We pray that God will protect him from those who said if he doesnt change he must be changed. The issue of Fulani herdsmen they said have killed everybody has stopped. Nobody is hearing about the bandits anymore; the man has changed. The roads that were not going has started going. A lot of things are happening now which nobody knows. May the lord protect Buhari; it shall be well with our president. May the Lord bless his workers (the good ones) and may the Lord give Buhari courage when he comeback again he will fire them, he said.He also rallied support for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State in their bid to go for second term.It shall be well with you. His name is wealth reach home may God bless him. I will not greet everyone without praying for our governor and friend, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. We bless God for him. Enugu has never seen it like this, for first time in the history of Enugu The Black Axe and Vikings are not fighting, only a man like him that can do it. In his time Chief Nwodo and Ken Nnamani are friends; in his time Fidelis Okoro and Nwodos are not fighting. While he is developing Nsukka; he is developing Awgu, Udi, Nkanu; its impact is everywhere.He said that Enugu State is in the hands of God; he believes in God and we have to hand him over to God because Enugu is in peace. There is no other state in this country that can have this kind of peace. The governor has united leaders of different denominations; he doesnt discriminate, no community is marginalised, he loves the youth. Generations will not forget you. Adoration Ministry will not forget you. Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, says the state is under siege by bandits, armed robbers and kidnappers. He said this during the... Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina, says the state is under siege by bandits, armed robbers and kidnappers. He said this during the opening ceremony of an extra-ordinary security meeting. Masari charged security operatives to step up the efforts in making the safe for residents. The citizens are on daily basis being harassed by bandits and kidnappers that are on rampage in the state, he said. The Katsina government organised this one-day joint security and stakeholders meeting to proffer solutions to the states current insecurity challenge. Our state is currently under serious siege by armed robbers, kidnappers and armed bandits who arrest rural people at the grassroots at will and demand ransom, which if not paid, they kill their victims. The people of Katsina in the 34 local governments now sleep with one eye closed and the other opened. Our state is in a dangerous situation. Travellers are afraid of being stopped on the highway and arrested by kidnappers who demand ransom. Masari said the situation is so bad that some thieves stole some electrical equipment near the Government House at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) in Katsina. I am calling on all stakeholders to come out with solutions that will assist the security agencies to discharge their duties, he said Soldiers, policemen, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies attended the meeting. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected Mathew Kukahs initiative to train almajiri children. Kukah, bishop of the Catholic d... The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected Mathew Kukahs initiative to train almajiri children. Kukah, bishop of the Catholic diocese of Sokoto state, had disclosed his plans to train 10 million almajiri children in the north. Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, MURIC described Kukahs proposal as a ploy for modern colonialism and a potential time bomb. The group cautioned Muslims elders against accepting the idea, saying they should empower people of the same faith to cater for almajiri children. We cannot pretend to be so naive as to entrust our Muslim children to the hands of Christian gospellers. As far as we are concerned, Kukahs almajiri dream is a Trojan horse, the statement read. We all agree that something must be done about the almajiri children. We can welcome ideas from everyone but the implementation must be in the hands of Muslims in the region.We cannot pretend to be so naive as to entrust our Muslim children to the hands of Christian gospellers. As far as we are concerned, Kukahs almajiri dream is a Trojan horse, the statement read. The devil we know is still better than the one we do not know and we expect Rev. Kukah to know better. Can any Christian community allow an Islamic organization to take their children away just like that? Whatever the situation may be, we wish to caution Northern Muslims, particularly the elders, never to allow it to happen. Instead of allowing Christian missionaries to seize this kind of initiative, Northern Muslims should empower available Muslim NGOs to cater for almajiri children. We therefore advise state governments in the region to rearrange their priorities and concentrate on the education and welfare of almajiri children. The group questioned why a foreign donor would be interested in funding a project targeted at Muslim children since they are known for their preference for supporting Christian-oriented non-governmental organisations (NGOs). while the reverend father and the donors monitor how the funds are used. It advised Kukah to gain the confidence of northern Muslim by allowing Muslim NGOs to implement the projectwhile the reverend father and the donors monitor how the funds are used. Is Rev. Kukah telling us that he prefers to alleviate poverty among Muslims to doing same among Christians? Are there no poverty stricken children in the Christian majority Middle Belt particularly in Benue and Plateau? Why cant he take his project there? MURIC asked. Another question has to do with funding. Who will fund this gigantic project? Our guess is that the fund will come (or has come) from one of those foreign donors. This raises another major concern. Incidentally, Western donors are known for their preference for supporting Christian-oriented non-governmental organizations (NGOs). They dish out huge amounts of money to non-Muslim NGOs while Islamic organizations get pittance, and that is if they get anything at all. That is not to say we are blaming them. We have no moral right to do so. But we have every right to stand up against Kukahs almajiri initiative and question the rationale behind a foreign donor or donors funding a project targeted at Muslim children particularly if the project is to be executed by a Christian organization. This project is repulsive. It has the tendency to portray Muslims as a bunch of unintelligent, irresponsible and carefree people. We cannot allow such a misleading impression to remain just like that. Muslims are responsible people, idealistic, pious, self-satisfied and integrity-loaded. We caution foreign donors to desist from exploiting our predicament. We invite foreign donors who are genuinely interested in helping the almajiris to do so through Muslim NGOs. Mr. Peter Obi, the Vice Presidential candidate of PDP has joined the debate on national minimum wage and submitted the need for states to determine what they pay their workers based on their realities.Minimum wage doesnt have to be universal, he said on Politics Today, a programme of ChannelsTV.I dont believe that somebody in Lagos should earn the same thing as somebody who is in, maybe, Anambra State or somebody in Maiduguri.He, however, stressed that it was important to have a federal minimum wage which is the product of proper talks with labour.If elected, Obi who is the running mate of Atiku Abubakar for the forthcoming Presidential election said: We will sit down with labour to find a constructive and acceptable decision.His views on the matter are not new.During his tenure as governor of Anambra State, he had expressed them.I argued that every state is not the same. I said every state is not the same; every state wont pay the same, he said.What is ideal for him is that: There has to be a federal minimum, then each state, working within this minimum, can decide where they should go. That is what is obtainable all over the world.Asked what amount he thinks should be a minimum, he stressed that it would be determined at a meeting with labour, if his party wins the election.I can tell you this you know what we are saying here I am sure we will be able to come out with what is acceptable because I know we will sit down and discuss this constructively with the labour.Mr Obi, who condemned the Federal Governments borrowing plan, argued that the amount spent on infrastructure did not correspond with the level of borrowing.He rubbished claims that the PDPs campaign was not working, insisting that such claims were part of efforts to divert attention from the real issues.The issue in this campaign is about millions of unemployment campaign, he said, adding, We have millions of Nigerians who dont know where the next meal will come from.Citing the ongoing ASUU strike, which has grounded academic activities in universities, adequate attention was not being paid to critical issues in the country.The Nigerian civil service is considered bloated and inefficient by many, but Mr Obi is confident that an administration led by him and Atiku can turn it around without much trouble.You can make it work; you can make it to be productive, he said of the civil service.There is nothing about being overbloated. Yes, there might be issues but you can make it work. You can decide to make every worker, every employee to be productive. Egypt's now largest mosque, Al-Fattah Al-Alim, is getting the final touches after being fully constructed and furnished in preparation for an official opening this month by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. The mosque can hold more than 17,000 worshipers and is one of the largest mosques in the world. The mosque has been constructed by the new Middle Ring Road in the New Administrative Capital and consists of a 6,325m2 prayer yard and a 6,700m2 external prayer yard. The mosque has five main entrances as well as and a prayer hall for women. It also has four secondary domes with a diameter of 12.5m, a height of 10m, as well as four 92m-high minarets. Nearly 1,000 workers contributed to the construction of the mosque, which has been built in the Islamic Fatimid architecture style. Al-Fattah Al-Alim will serve as the official site for state services involving religious ceremonies. The New Administrative Capital is also now home to Egypt's largest church, the Nativity of Christ, which was partially opened and where Christmas mass was held in 2018 with the attendance of President El-Sisi. Search Keywords: Short link: Following the call to rename the Federal University of Technology Akure, after the late former President Sheu Shagari, the alumni of the institution have kicked against the call, saying it might mar the brand of the institution.It was gathered that after the death of Shagari, there have been calls from some quarters, that the former President be immortalised by naming one of the federal universities, established during his administration between 1979 to 1983, after him.Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, the President of the FUTA Alumni Association, Olaitan Adesomoju, appealed to the Federal Government to disregard the suggestion that Shagari be immortalised by renaming FUTA after him.According to the alumni president, a name change for FUTA would do more harm than good to the institution, which he said, had over the years created an international brand for itself with the name FUTA.Adesomoju said, the focus for the institution should be how its infrastructural and academic advancement would be uplifted by the Federal Government, stressing that aside FUTA, one of the other institutions established in various parts of the country by Shagari could be renamed after him.He said, Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), in his tribute to the late Alhaji Shehu Shagari with the title Name Federal University of Technology, Akure after Shagari published in several National daily newspapers.We, the entire members of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Alumni Association worldwide, view this as a personal opinion or a mere suggestion from Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), whom most of us refer to as a father.After extensive consultation and discussions with alumni members globally, we wish to state clearly that the overwhelming majority vehemently oppose any name change to our great alma mater.It is of note that the Federal University of Technology, Akure was not the only University established by an act of parliament during Alhaji Shehu Shagaris regime, at least six other Federal University of Technology were established. Furthermore, FUTA is an established professional brand that is globally respected for technological innovations.FUTA has also developed several domestic and international collaborations with other leading institutions. These advances and relationship would be marred in an identity crisis by changing its established brand name on the whim of an individual.Evidence abounds that previous name changes for purposes of immortalization have done a lot of damage to institutions of higher learning than good and there is nowhere in the world that institutions of higher learning over five years old are abruptly renamed after the demise of a leader. For example, Harvard and Oxford have kept the same name since their creation and establishment; these brands are globally respected and identifiable.Adesomoju, however, advised the Federal Government that rather than renaming the institution after Shagari, it should consider building a world-class infrastructure like science laboratories, lecture theatre, or any other infrastructure that will last for a long time in FUTA and name it after the late former president.This will help resolve some of the challenges we have on our campus rather than compounding them with a name change. We hereby plead with the Federal Government to allow the brand FUTA to remain in the name of posterity and peace. the alumni president urged. The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has asked Nigerians to appreciate the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari and re-elect him in the 2019 polls.He said aside from strides in the agricultural sector, Buhari had built foundation for growth and safety nets for the masses.Tinubu said voting for the All Progressives Congress would move the country forward.The former Lagos governor, who spoke in his New Year message, urged Nigerians to perform their civic duties by voting with the best interest of the country at heart.He said, The nation is on the verge of an election to determine our collective fate, we can either choose to continue forward or return to the old ways that held us back for so long. Just as 2018 must turn into 2019, we must also continue to move forward.Let us recognise that which has been done this past year. President Buhari has built a foundation for sustainable growth and development, a path for a better future. President Buhari has brought transparency and accountability to the government business.The Buhari administration has trained people that they may acquire a livelihood. It has empowered those who wish to start businesses and employ others. It has helped farmers become more productive so that they may earn more money while better feeding the nation. Tunde Bakare, the serving overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, says President Muhammadu Buhari did not appoint ministers for six months... Tunde Bakare, the serving overseer of the Latter Rain Assembly, says President Muhammadu Buhari did not appoint ministers for six months because there was no money to pay them. In an interview aired in Calgary, Canada on Tuesday, the fiery preacher criticised Buharis appointment of some square pegs in round holes stating the minister of budget, and national planning as an example. In Nigeria, what I have found out is we put square pegs in round holes, and round pegs in square holes. For example, the person in charge of budget and planning is a lawyer, Bakare said. What experience has he gotten other than federal character. You can begin to look at each ministry the same way, and the civil service that is supposed to be the memory bank of government, theyve promoted mediocrity In Britain, in America, they go to Oxford, they go to Yale, they go to Harvard, and attract the best brains into civil service to formulate policies. 25 years down the road, we take the relics of society, the dropouts and we bring them in, and we expect to outperform those who have invested in those critical sectors of human capital development. A support group for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari, Buhari/Osibanjo Mandate Group, BOMG, Wednesday said there is no love lost between the president and Igbo people.This was disclosed by South East coordinator of the group, Chief Chukwudi Ezenyi while speaking with newsmen at the zonal office of the group in Nnewi, Anambra State.He said that the rate at which the present administration of President Buhari is attending to infrastructures in Igboland shows that the president is not by any means an enemy of Ndigbo but a friend.Chief Ezenyi flanked by his executive council said the Onitsha-Enugu-PortHacourt road became a death trap for the sixteen years that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was in control of the nation.The second Niger Bridge has become issue for electioneering campaign for every succeeding administration before the advent of the government of President Buhari who has committed so much resources to the bridge which would give a respite to travelers in Igboland.President Buhari has done so well not minding that his performance is not being showcased because of his style of not making noise about what he is doing.The war against corruption is a successful one, before he came on board, corruption has been institutionalized, but Buhari has many opportunities to illegally enrich himself but decided to stay clean.The opponents of President Buhari always accuse him that the corruption war is one-sided but I always reply them that it is better to start the war somewhere if not Nigeria would collapse.Chief Ezenyi pointed out that the mandate of his group is to showcase the achievements of President Buhari and his government in the South East and by so doing educate the Igbo on the need to be wise politically.He expressed optimism that the less than five percent votes recorded by Buhari in the last presidential election will improve to nothing less than forty percent by the time the group is through with it assignment. The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ahead of its Fridays meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission, has said that its ongoing seven-week strike is in the national interest.The National President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, who stated this in response to the call on the union to call off the strike, said nobody had the monopoly of national interest.He added that the strike would not be called off until the Federal Government acceded to the lecturers demands.There have been calls on ASUU to end the strike in the interest of the nation and to enable university students and the National Youth Service Corps members to work as ad hoc electoral officers during the February and March general elections.As a result of the strike, many public universities have not rounded off the 2018/2019 session, thus their final year students have not gone for the NYSC.The calls for the suspension of the strike became heightened last week when INEC raised the alarm that the face-off between the Federal Government and ASUU constituted a serious threat to the 2019 general elections.The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, had pleaded with ASUU to suspend the strike in national interest and for the sake of democracy.He had said the commission had convened a consultative meeting involving its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, national commissioners and ASUU leadership on January 4 (Friday) concerning the ongoing strike.According to him, the meeting would focus principally on the issue of the role and involvement of ASUU members in the 2019 general elections.Okoye said, The national interest, the interest of our democracy and the reputation of Nigeria demand the immediate resolution of the issues that led to the strike and we so urge. It is next to impossibility for members of the NYSC to provide all the ad hoc staff needs and requirements of the commission and over 70 per cent of the ad hoc staff requirement in some states of the federation is drawn from students of federal tertiary institutions.Hence, the lingering strike by ASUU will no doubt have serious impacts on the preparations for the conduct of the 2019 elections. We therefore call on ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria to quickly and genuinely resolve the lingering impasse that has led to uncertainty in the education sector.But while confirming the invitation of INEC to the meeting, Ogunyemi said ASUU did not declare the strike with INEC, adding, It is what they (INEC) will tell us that will inform our response.He said, Well, INEC has requested for a meeting. The INEC chairman has contacted us and we are willing to oblige them. So our own procedure is that since they have requested for a meeting, we will listen to them. It is what they will tell us that will inform our response. First of all, we didnt declare the strike with INEC.On the call that ASUU should end the strike in the national interest, Ogunyemi asked, Did you know that our strike is also in the national interest because we want to produce better graduates that can serve INEC better and serve Nigeria better? We want them to have better citizens that can understand the electoral process better. We want to give quality education that would curb all electoral malpractices.The ASUU president explained that all the goals he mentioned could only be achieved through the provision of qualitative education, which he said, informed the unions strike.He stated, So, it is only by insisting on the best quality of education that we can achieve all those things. Nobody has the monopoly of national interest. ASUU has national interest at heart in going on this strike. It is not about national interest sentiment. It is about what we are willing to do about our demands.Im sure the demand to call off the strike in the national interest cannot be the only grounds for the meeting and I dont want to preempt the meeting. It is when we listen to INEC that we will know what to tell them. If I preempt that meeting, it will seem as if I am not a patriot.Ogunyemi, who described ASUU members as patriots, said, We have national interest at heart in doing what we are doing and INEC also appreciates that. We appreciate INEC as much as INEC appreciates us. We will meet them and rub minds, whatever the two parties will need to do, we shall do. The protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may soon be called off. The Minister of Labour and Employ... The protracted strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may soon be called off. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, gave the hint in Onitsha, Anambra State, while speaking to reporters. Ngige revealed that funds had been provided to meet most of the demands of the union. He said the Federal Government would make necessary efforts to ensure that the strike comes to an end this January. According to Ngige, the issues that made ASUU to embark on strike were based on agreement which the union entered into with the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which the administration failed to implement before President Muhammadu Buhari took over power. The army says it is working with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to declare Perry Brimah, a Nigerian in dias... The army says it is working with the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to declare Perry Brimah, a Nigerian in diaspora, wanted for alleged fraud. Brimah, a columnist, has consistently spoken on the plight of the soldiers combating Boko Haram insurgents in the north-east. He launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to provide food for the soldiers in that part of the country. Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, Sani Usman, spokesman of the army, said the campaign by Brimah is fraudulent. Usman said Brimah embarked on the venture ostensibly to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, especially the international community to fund subversive activities and personal lifestyle. The criminal is using the following contact points for the fund raising, https://www.gofundme.com/feed-nigerian-soldiers/info @ ENDS.ng Tel: +1-929-427-5305; Whatsapp: +234-903-420-3031, he said. We wish to state that the Nigerian soldiers deployed to the north-east or elsewhere, neither lack logistics nor food as the fraudster wants unsuspecting members of the public to believe. The Nigerian army never faltered in providing necessary logistics to troops to the extent of providing extras, especially during festive periods. The army spokesman said there is nowhere in the world that troops are fed through donations. He said there are no complaints of lack of food or starvation from soldiers. Whoever believes and fall victim to this criminal act does so at his or her own risk, he said. Recall there was a trending video of soldiers begging for food and sleep in classrooms over lack of accommodation. soldiers begging for food and sleep in classrooms over lack of accommodation. Lanre Issa-Onilu, spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says 2018 was tough for the ruling party because it confronted m... Lanre Issa-Onilu, spokesman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says 2018 was tough for the ruling party because it confronted monsters. In a statement on Tuesday, Issa-Onilu said some monsters had found their way into the APC during the merger in 2014 but defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after inflicting damages to the party. He said the defectors from the party constituted themselves as a stumbling-block for the APC administration using their vantage position in government. The APC spokesman alleged that Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP, paid huge amount of money to con men in Dubai who posed as strategists to discredit President Muhammadu Buhari and leaders of the party ahead of the 2019 general election. The year 2018 was significant in many ways. Importantly, we witnessed in this past year the shameful attempt by the political predators to launch themselves back into reckoning, the statement read. Those who were roundly rejected by Nigerians in 2015 for their grievous crimes of corruption, impunity, and maladministration once again struggled to rise up from the dungeon the people of this country had dumped them. They were fierce and reckless in their wicked attempt to return to power to continue their primitive appropriation of our commonwealth for themselves and their immediate family. The actions from these elements who have raped our nation for close to two decades were disruptive to the course of progress being vigorously pursued by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. The year 2018 particularly was a tough year for the APC government as we had to confront the monsters who have found their way into the ruling party during the merger in 2014, pretending to have cured themselves of their insatiable greed and callous selfish disposition. Predictably, the forces of evil finally gravitated towards themselves and are now ensconced in their wicked nest, called the PDP. Unfortunately, they did a lot of damage to our determined efforts in the last three and half years, by constituting themselves into a stumbling-block, using their vantage position in government in conjunction with their associates outside of government who have been deploying their ill-gotten wealth to pervert justice, create a state of insecurity, propagate falsehood and promote dissent. It was a callous strategy design to pull the wool over the eyes of the people of this country. Issa-Onilu said the country is leaving behind the years of the locusts under the PDP as the president is laying a solid foundation for a prosperous future. It is obvious that the PDP has found itself in a fix. Many in the leadership of the main opposition party are finding it difficult to identify with a character like Atiku and many of the charlatans running the PDP campaign are unsellable, the statement read. As the ruling party on a rescue mission, we call on all well-meaning people of this country to keep the faith with this administration. The graphs are on the positive upward swing. President Buhari is laying a solid foundation for a prosperous future. We must endure and be steadfast. We have already turned the corner, leaving behind the years of the locusts under the PDP. We are headed towards a future that guarantees stability, economic buoyancy, world class infrastructure, reward for hard work and for honesty, and the security of our nation. PDP remains our collective national vomit. We shall never go back to it. The head of Egypt's Meteorological Authority Ahmed Abdel-Aal said that windy weather is expected to continue in Egypt on Thursday. Abdel-Aal warned people with respiratory diseases to avoid direct exposure to the weather to avoid a shortage in breath. Winds carrying sand and dust are expected in the northern half of the country, leading to low visibility and cold temperatures, Abdel-Aal said. He also warned of turbulent maritime navigation in the Mediterranean. The Meteorological Authority has said that extremely cold weather is expected along the countrys northern coast on Thursday. The EMA said expected temperatures for Thursday are: Cairo: 17 at High, 11 at Low Alexandria: 17 at High, 8 at Low North Sinai: 19 at High, 9 at Low South Sinai: 22 at High, 14 at Low North Upper Egypt: 17 at High, 7 at Low Short link: The First High Criminal Court has jailed an Asian national for three years for attacking a Bahraini man, which caused permanent disabilities in the victim. According to court details, the victim had hired the Asian to carry a few sacks of onions to his house from the Central Market. A quarrel erupted between the two which led to a fistfight. The Asian pushed the Bahraini man and he fell hitting his head on the ground, the Prosecutors said. The victim was severely injured; he still remains in a coma and his limbs had to be amputated because of the injuries. The accused was charged with attacking the Bahraini man with an intention to cause him harm. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the stabbing attack that took place at the train station in the City of Manchester, United Kingdom, resulting in the injury of a number of people. The Ministry affirms the Kingdom of Bahrains solidarity with the United Kingdom in countering terrorism and violence. It also reiterates the Kingdoms firm stance in rejecting extremism and terrorism in all their forms and manifestations, regardless of their causes and motives, a statement issued by the ministry said. Police are treating a stabbing in Manchester as a terror attack, after arresting a 25-year-old man and raiding a house in the north of the city. On New Years Eve, three people, including a police officer, were stabbed by a man. British Transport Police (BTP) said a 25-year-old man had been arrested and added there was nothing to suggest a wider threat. In a statement, BTP said they received a call shortly before 9 pm on New Years Eve. On Tuesday morning, the Greater Manchester Police force confirmed that they were still treating the stabbing as a terror investigation. Police also raided a house in Cheetham Hill, North Manchester in relation to the investigation. Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, of Greater Manchester Police, added: I know that the events of last night will have affected many people and caused concern. Al-Azhar's Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb paid a visit on Wednesday to the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo to offer tidings to Pope Tawadros II on the occasion of the Coptic Orthodox Christmas on 7 January. El-Tayeb was accompanied by top clergymen and youth from Al-Azhar institution, the country's highest Islamic Sunni authority. El-Tayeb congratulated the pope on the opening of the new cathedral in the New Administrative Capital, and stressed that the feelings of compassion and the exchange of visits between Muslims and Christians are in accordance with the teachings of Islam, which urge followers to communicate with their fellow countrymen. Tawadros II expressed his sincere appreciation for the visit, pointing out that mutual love and compassion between Muslims and Christians is "God's grace to the Egyptian people." The pope said that the teachings of Jesus Christ call for spreading love, joy, and peace, which the visit by Al-Azhar's Grand Imam to the Cathedral brings to the Egyptian people. 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. Short link: Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here Click here to get the full weekly calendar of events or subscribe to our weekly email newsletter. (Newser) When it comes to people killed by human hands, it's likely "the deadliest three months in human history," as USA Today puts it. That would be August through October 1942, according to a new peer-reviewed study. Researchers used detailed train transportation records to estimate 1.47 million Jews were murdered over the roughly 100-day period. That's about 25% of all victims of the six-year World War II. In the study published in Science Advances, the researchers write that Operation Reinhard, which ran from 1942 to 1943 with the intention of killing all the Jews in German-occupied Poland, "was the largest single murder campaign of the Holocaust," with 1.7 million victims, chiefly killed at the Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka death camps. But "the tempo, kill rates, and spatial dynamics of these events were poorly documented." story continues below Lead author and mathematical biologist Lewi Stone of Tel Aviv University and RMIT University found that during the three months in question, there were 480 train trips to Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka, which, unlike Auschwitz, did not have a forced-labor element and whose sole purpose was murder. Using surviving historical records and details from postwar trials, they estimated the number of Jews on each transport to arrive at their total. "That the massacre occurred in such a short timeframe ... ensured the Jewish people did not have a chance," Stone tells Newsweek. The study provides a detailed comparison between this kill rate and that of the Rwandan genocide of 1994, which has been upheld as the 20th century's "most intense" genocide; an estimated 800,000 Tutsis were slaughtered over 100 days. Per Stone's data, the Nazi kill rate was 83% higher. "It's a juxtaposition that serves to highlight the extremity of the Nazis' crimes, but which comes at the risk of diverting focus from the fact that genocide is deeply evil regardless of scale," observes Popular Mechanics. (A mysterious link to Anne Frank was found in Sobibor.) (Newser) It was just a matter of time before President Trump responded to Utah Sen.-elect Mitt Romney's very public rebuke, and Wednesday morning brings our answer, per the Hill. The president tweeted, "Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake?," referring to outgoing Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, known for his own criticism of Trump. "I hope not," Trump continued in his tweet. "Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn't. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!" story continues below Although Romney's opinion piece gave the president props for certain policy initiatives, it took him to task for his "glaring" shortcomings, particularly in regard to "presidential leadership in qualities of character." Whether Romney responds to Trump remains to be seen: In his op-ed, he noted, "I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault." (Last summer, Romney predicted Trump would be "reelected solidly.") (Newser) Good Samaritan ships rescued 16 sailors after a cargo ship caught fire New Year's Evebut four others are still in the water, another is missing, and the burning car carrier is still adrift. The Coast Guard says the Sincerity Ace, which was en route from Japan to Hawaii, was 1,800 nautical miles northwest of Oahu when it caught fire Monday, forcing the 21-person Filipino crew to abandon ship, the AP reports. The ship was in a remote part of the Pacific out of the range of rescue helicopters, but merchant vessels, including other car carriers, responded to distress calls. The US Navy is assisting with search efforts, but authorities say it would take days for a rescue ship from Honolulu to reach the area. story continues below Coast Guard spokeswoman Chief Petty Officer Sara Muir tells the New York Daily News that four mariners have been spotted "unresponsive" in the water. She says the sailors in the water are being tossed about by 17-foot waves and have not grabbed safety equipment thrown to them. She says nearby boats have very high decks and crew members can't reach the water safely. Their medical condition is unknown, she says, but hypothermia is a major concern. "Theyre not able to reach that safety equipment," she says of the sailors. And at this time we dont have another way to reach them." She says vessels and a US military aircraft are searching for the remaining crew member over an area of 6,711 square miles. (Read more cargo ships stories.) (Newser) Jair Bolsonaro was sworn in as Brazil's president Tuesday, taking the reins of Latin America's largest and most populous nation with promises to overhaul myriad aspects of daily life and put an end to business-as-usual governing. For the far-right former army captain, the New Year's Day inauguration was the culmination of a journey from a marginalized and even ridiculed congressman to a leader who many Brazilians hope can combat endemic corruption as well as violence that routinely gives the nation the dubious distinction of being world leader in total homicides, the AP reports. story continues below A fan of President Trump, the 63-year-old rose to power on an anti-corruption and pro-gun agenda that energized conservatives and hard-right supporters after four consecutive presidential election wins by the left-leaning Workers' Party. "Congratulations to President @jairbolsonaro who just made a great inauguration speech," Trump tweeted. "The U.S.A. is with you!" After taking the oath of office, Bolsonaro spoke to thousands of supporters, promising to "free Brazil" from socialism. He stopped at one point, pulled out a Brazilian flag and wildly waved it. "Our flag will never be red," he said, a reference to communism. "Our flag will only be red if blood is needed to keep it green and yellow." (Environmentalists warn that deforestation could surge under Bolsonaro.) (Newser) American authorities fired tear gas across the border into Mexico during a dangerous and chaotic situation in the early hours of 2019, officals say. Customs and Border Protection officials say agents used pepper spray and tear gas early Tuesday as a group of around 150 migrants tried to get overand underthe border fence between Tijuana and San Diego, the New York Times reports. The agency says it saw members of the group try "to lift toddler-sized children up and over the concertina wire." It says it fired the gas after migrants began throwing rocks over the fence at officers. Agency spokesman Andrew Meehan says that after rocks were involved, it became "an issue of safety for the officers and frankly safety of the migrants." story continues below "No agents witnessed any of the migrants at the fence line, including children, experiencing effects of the chemical agents, which were targeted at the rock throwers further away," the agency said in a statement. An AP photographer, however, has a conflicting version of events. The photographer says three volleys of tear gas were fired, affecting women, childrenand journalists. The photographer did not see rocks being thrown until after CBP agents had fired tear gas. The agency says after the tear gas was fired, most of the migrants fled the area. Around 25 migrants who made it across the border, including two teenagers, were detained. (Tear gas was deployed in the same area in November after migrants tried to breach the fence.) (Newser) Netflix is being accused of bowing to the demands of "thin-skinned Saudi royals" after making an episode of an American comedian's show unavailable in the kingdom. In the episode of Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Act, the Muslim comedian strongly criticizes crown prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and other issues, the Guardian reports. The Saudis "said he left the consulate safely, then they used a body double to make it seem like he was alive," Minhaj, a former Daily Show correspondent, says in the pulled episode. "At one point they were saying he died in a fist fight, Jackie Chan-style. They went through so many explanations. The only one they didn't say was that Khashoggi died in a free solo rock-climbing accident." story continues below Netflix said in a statement that it still strongly supports "artistic freedom worldwide," and it only pulled the Minhaj episode after it received a "valid legal request" from Saudi authorities. A Netflix spokesman tells CNN that the episode, which had been available in the kingdom since October, was only taken down after the service's lawyers determined that it had contravened local laws. A Human Rights Watch spokesperson says Netflix's promises to support artistic freedom are hollow if it bows to officials who "believe in no freedom for their citizensnot artistic, not political, not comedic." The episode is still available in the US and other regions. (Minhaj was the featured speaker at the 2017 White House Correspondents' Dinner, where he said President Trump can't take a joke.) (Newser) President Trump invited congressional leaders from each chamber to a White House briefing on border security Wednesday as the partial government shutdown wore on over funding for a border wall, with Trump tweeting: "Let's make a deal?" The briefing will happen the day before the Democrats take control of the House, but the exact agenda isn't immediately clear, according to a person with knowledge of the briefing who was not authorized to speak publicly about the issue and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. The invite comes after House Democrats released their plan to re-open the government without approving money for a border wall. The latest: story continues below They unveiled two bills: one bill to temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levelswith $1.3 billion for border security, far less than the $5 billion Trump has said he wants for the wallthrough Feb. 8 as talks continue. The second would fund the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Housing and Urban Development, and others closed by the partial shutdown. It would provide money through the remainder of the fiscal year, to Sept. 30. Democrats under Pelosi were all but certain to swiftly approve the package in two separate votes Thursday. They will take place after the election of a new House speaker, a contest Pelosi is expected to win as leader of the new House majority. Whether the Republican-led Senate, under Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, would consider the Democratic billsor if Trump would sign either into lawis unclear. McConnell spokesman Donald Stewart said Senate Republicans would not take action without Trump's backing. Even if only symbolic, the passage of the bills in the House would put fresh pressure on the president. At the same time, administration officials said Trump was in no rush for a resolution to the impasse. Trump spent the weekend saying that Democrats should return to Washington to negotiate, firing off Twitter taunts. On Tuesday morning, after tweeting a New Year's message to "EVERYONE INCLUDING THE HATERS AND THE FAKE NEWS MEDIA," Trump tweeted, "The Democrats, much as I suspected, have allocated no money for a new Wall. So imaginative! The problem is, without a Wall there can be no real Border Security." But he seemed to shift tactics later in the day, appealing to Pelosi, who is expected to take over as speaker when the new Congress convenes. "Border Security and the Wall 'thing' and Shutdown is not where Nancy Pelosi wanted to start her tenure as Speaker! Let's make a deal?" he tweeted. (Read more government shutdown stories.) Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed efforts to restore stability in the Middle East with US President Donald Trump in a phone call late on Tuesday, a spokesman for the Egyptian presidency said. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and boost military and counterterrorism cooperation, spokesman Bassam Rady said. They also discussed Egypt's efforts in fighting terrorism, and the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation with the United States to support these efforts, he added. Short link: Get the news faster. Tap to install our app. Access Newser even faster. Click here to install our app on your desktop. Jackson, Cobb, others awarded as the best of 2020 by Chamber Roxeann Cobb received Volunteer of the Year honors and her Four E Youth Organization was touted as Civic Organization of the Year during the Washington-Wilkes Chamber of Commerce annual Community... Council meeting Friday to hear complaint against councilmen The City of Washington will hold a special called meeting Friday to consider the recent ethics complaint filed by Mayor Bill deGolian against Councilmen Nathaniel Cullars and Maceo Mahoney. The... Drowning in private pool June 1 appears accidental A drowning which occurred Tuesday evening, June 1, in a private pool in the 600 block of Spring Street in Washington is currently considered accidental according to the Wilkes County... Champaign, IL (61820) Today Plentiful sunshine. High near 85F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. Low near 60F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. My Favorite Quotes Recent Quotes Portfolio Summary Your most recently viewed tickers will automatically show up here if you type a ticker in the Get Quotes box on the top of the page. Located in South Australia, the University of Adelaide is known as the cradle of Australian Nobel Prize winners. Since its foundation in 1874, it has produced five Nobel Prize winners from different disciplines, accounting for one-third of all Nobel Prize winners in Australia. I think there is a spirit of innovation that Adelaide has always fostered, and that is what you need to get a Nobel Prize, Professor Peter Rathjen, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide, said proudly. Professor Peter Rathjenthe Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide in the interview (People's Daily Online Lansudan Luo) Graduating from the University of Adelaide, Professor Rathjen went to the University of Oxford after receiving a Rhodes scholarship. After he finished his Ph.D. degree, he returned to work at the University of Adelaide for 16 years. Before working as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, Professor Rathjen worked at the University of Melbourne and the University of Tasmania. Back at this familiar campus, he says he feels like he has come home. My father came to the University of Adelaide to get a degree in Agricultural Science and spent fifty years working at the University of Adelaide. So a lot of my childhood was spent in the agricultural faculty, he said. My four brothers and sisters all came to the University of Adelaide, and all studied Biology. We went around my parents house on Wednesday evenings for dinner, that wasnt really a dinner, it was more like a conference. All of those links are here in this university, and for me, that makes it very special. It makes me particularly passionate about what it is that the University of Adelaide can do for the state of South Australia. The University of Adelaide has produced five Nobel Prize winners, one-third of Australia's total. Professor Rathjen said he's proud of that statistic. Amongst them is the man who is commonly voted the most important human being of the twentieth century. That was Howard Florey, who discovered penicillin and thus helped to create antibiotics. His research is thought to have saved about two hundred million lives so far. It's an extraordinary contribution that he made to the world and that we made to the world because he went to medical school here at the University of Adelaide before he went to Oxford University. Professor Peter Rathjen talks with international students from China (People's Daily Online Lansudan Luo) South Australia was always a state that was interested in education. It was always a state that was prepared to take a risk. Adelaide University was the second university in the world and the first university in Australia to admit women to study. We've got a record of innovation in all areas. The University of Adelaide has a long history and rich academic achievements, but also attaches great importance to international exchanges. Professor Rathjen believes that the exchange of international students is an excellent way to connect countries and enhance mutual understanding. We must all learn how to get on and how to interact with each other, and the best way to do that is by studying together. We respect different cultures, different values, and different ethnicities. International student exchange is one way that Australian students can learn about the rest of the world. Currently, the University has about 8,000 international students, among which 4,000 are Chinese students. We would like to increase that number. We've got scholarships out there to help international students to come to us by shouldering some of the cost, Professor Rathjen said. Apart from attracting Chinese students, the University of Adelaide has been working closely with Chinese universities like Tsinghua University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Professor Rathjen hopes that the University of Adelaide can develop a stronger and more stable partnership with universities and research institutions in China. Professor Rathjen first came to China in 2011, and its culture left a deep impression on him, leading him to visit many times. I love China, and I love Chinese people. I love everything about the country. It's been fascinating to watch China grow, as there has been so much investment in infrastructure. We can see the growth of your universities, and China is becoming a very cosmopolitan place. That's been quite a surprise because that's happened very quickly. During Christmas in 2017, Professor Rathjen and his family traveled to Western China for an in-depth tour of Chinese culture and history along the ancient Chinese Silk Road. I'm very interested in history and culture. The Silk Road is where so much human history has been written. We started at Xian, and we went to Dunhuang, Urumchi, Turpan, Kashgar, around the western part of China. Along the entire route, we learned about Buddhism, trading, the history of China and how it has coped with western provinces. Professor Peter Rathjen introduces the university to People's Daily Online(People's Daily Online Lansudan Luo) In recent years, education and scientific research in China have also developed rapidly, and Professor Rathjen hopes to see an increase in Western exchanges with China. China has gone from being almost invisible in scientific research to last year being publishing the most publications of any country in the world and increasingly improving the quality of its publications. Many great Chinese researchers are also doing great research in Australian, American and British institutions, he said, adding that at the same time, the world has seen the rise of great Chinese institutions. "China used to have very few universities in the world's top five hundred. Now, China has universities in the top hundred. Thats because China continues to invest in them. The ancient Silk Road promoted transportation, trade and cultural exchanges between ancient China and foreign countries. Now, the Belt and Road Initiative has opened a new chapter for China. China is reconnecting through those ancient trade routes and engaging with the world. Now in China, you see real confidence, and it's based on the fact that you're making progress economically. You're making progress with education, and you're making progress with trade. I've seen Chinese people now standing with confidence on the world stage, as equals, as they should. It's the emergence of a nation that has great pride in the past, but great confidence in where it's going to go in the future. (Peoples Daily Online/ Lansudan Luo) By Express News Service VELLORE: Family members of 25-year-old, P Venkatesan who was allegedly killed in Poland, on Tuesday submitted a petition at the Vellore Collector office, seeking help from the government to bring his body to his native village at Sambasivapuram of Kavanur in Vellore district. The inconsolable family members sought the government to help bring Venkatesans body, as they couldnt bear the expenses. Venkatesan was living in Warsaw, Poland. As usual, we were expecting his call on December 23 (Sunday). While we used to talk to him regularly over phone, last Sunday we didn't receive his phone call. Though, we tried to call him, there was no response. We became anxious, and contacted Chennai-based MKS consultancy, through which his application was processed, on Monday morning. By Monday evening, the agency informed us that Venkatesan was allegedly killed at his residence, Pichandi, a relative of Venkatesan, told Express. Venkatesan, a graduate in EEE Diploma, had gone to Poland on November 4, 2018 to join as a Maintenance worker at Bristo & Co. He got married to V Kalaiselvi (23) five years ago, and had a four-year-old son. After the death of Venkatesan 's father, Pazhani, his mother, Manonmaniam, looked after the family, said Pichandi. In her petition, Kalaiselvi mentioned that her husbands death had brought grief upon the family. She had appealed the government to bring Venkatesans body to his native village in her petition. When Express contacted Vellore collector S A Raman, he said, The district administration has begun the process to bring Venkatesans body to his hometown in Vellore. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Issues pertaining to farmers and youths are likely to dominate political discourse in 2019 as Assembly elections in Odisha are scheduled to be held along with Lok Sabha polls. Though BJD, BJP and Congress will remain the main contenders during the Assembly polls, possibilities of formation of regional parties cannot be ruled out altogether. Two senior leaders, Bijay Mohapatra and Dilip Ray are yet to make their future course of action public, though it was expected that a decision will be taken by the two leaders after the latters return to Odisha from overseas visit. As Ray has now returned to Odisha, it is expected that he and Mohapatra will take a decision on their future course of action soon. Sources said the two leaders are thinking of a platform other than BJD and Congress, though nothing has been finalised as yet. Though Rays joining BJD had been cleared, there seems to be opposition for Mohapatra from a section of the ruling party. Senior leader Damodar Rout had teamed up with former Union Minister and chief of Samatakranti Party Braja Kishore Tripathy after he was expelled from BJD and had announced a new political party - Biju Samatakranti Dal. The proposed coalition was, however, short lived and Routs plans to launch a crusade against corruption received a jolt following differences with Tripathy. However, on Tuesday, the former minister hinted at floating a new political outfit. We have decided to float a new party with a new name in 2019 and I have that confidence. The new party will become an alternative to the present ruling dispensation, he said. Besides, former MP Baijayant Panda is yet to make anything clear about his future course of action. Panda had said discussions are on whether he will support any party or others will support him in fighting evils like crime against women, unemployment and corruption in Odisha. Congress and BJD have, however, downplayed the impact of such political formations. Let alone regional, two major national parties including BJP and Congress are also not in a position to give a fight to BJD, BJD spokesperson, Sasmit Patra said. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik said regional parties have a very short life span in Odisha. (People's Daily Online/He Zhuoyan) On Dec. 28, students from over 40 countries and regions attended the first ever Emerging Markets Youth (Y30) Forum in Beijing. Student representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and nine other countries spoke at the event, discussing the Emerging 30 (E30) indicator system used for emerging market countries and their own countries in regards to development results, looming challenges and future prospects. E30 countries account for nearly two-thirds of the world's population, almost half of the worlds land area, and one-third of the global economy. During the event, Hu Biliang, Executive Dean of the Belt and Road School of Beijing Normal University, made it clear that young people from E30 countries are the main driving force for the development of this new international platform and solving current global issues, noting, "Poverty, anti-globalization, unilateralism, protectionism, and terrorism have always been problems that the world needs to solve. Young people are the leaders of their future countries. A new, objective system, fit for international recognition According to the Emerging Markets Institute, an emerging market is a country that has some characteristics of a developed market, but does not yet satisfy standards to be termed a developed market. These guidelines and indicators are used for capital to invest in countries with market potentiality. Hu Biliang (People's Daily Online/He Zhuoyan) However, as the current concept of an emerging market country is vaguely defined and has little connection with reality, EMI launched a new indicator system for emerging market countries on Dec. 15, 2018. Hu emphasized that the core values of the system are to remain scientific, objective and impartial. Using theories of development economics, we constructed a comprehensive indicator system using five factors: total size of a countrys economy, institutional environment, economic growth, socio-economic structure, and development impetus, he explained. By removing subjective factors, every country is on a level playing field. Deepening international cooperation through BRI links Hu highlighted the importance of international cooperation and shared governance during the forum, noting, Its imperative for young people to think about cooperation, and we need to identify common ground for us to work together. The ultimate goal of the Belt and Road Initiative, like this forum, is to build up a shared future of humankind. No country should face discrimination." Samuel Korsah, from Ghana, agreed with Hu on cooperation between countries. He said that developing countries like Ghana would have better opportunities thanks to the E30 indicator system, boosting the economy through exportation and attracting more investment. Ogudu Harrison from Nigeria echoed Korsah, adding that he wants to see more events like the Y30 forum, which could help his country maintain a stable economy after years of poverty and uncertainty. Strengthening exchanges and cooperation between young people in these countries will provide support and promote future development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and help promote South-South cooperation. Andrew Korantegn noted, The youth are the future. Its [the Y30 Forum] the right opportunity to learn how to cooperate to find a way that works for various economies. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: There was little headway on Wednesday in the ongoing operation by multiple agencies, led by the Indian Navy and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), to rescue at least 15 miners who have remained trapped inside a 380 feet deep illegal rat-hole coalmine in East Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya since December 13 and are feared dead. According to official sources, the level of water at the old shaft, which is located a few yards from the main shaft, was reduced by 16 inches following pumping by the Odisha Fire Service. The abandoned old shaft and the main shaft are interconnected underground. [READ HERE] The level of water in the main shaft is said to be in excess of 150 feet and the visibility is poor. The agencies such as Navy, NDRF, Coal India and State Disaster Response Force are working towards bringing it down to 30 meters. READ: SC agrees to hear plea seeking urgent steps for rescue of trapped Meghalaya miners The (Odisha) Fire Service personnel brought down the level of water by 16.4 inches between 10:30 am and 5:10 pm (on Wednesday). Coal India Limited is preparing to put a 100 HP submersible pump that can discharge higher volume of water. Navy divers can work after the water in the main shaft goes down to a manageable level, the sources said. At least 20 miners had entered the coalmine on December 13. Later, five managed to escape the flood inside the pit. One Saheb Ali, who is among the five survivors, claimed 22 miners, not 20, entered the mine that day. He said the trapped miners should be dead by now. An estimated 44,940 babies were born in China on New Years Day, accounting for 11 percent of the worlds total, according to a report released by UNICEF on 1 Jan. 2019. China welcomed in the second largest number of newborns worldwide, with India topping the list with an estimated 69,944 children born on January 1st. This year, UNICEF calls for all nations to meet the basic human rights of these babies to be healthy and survive, with Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, declaring This New Year Day, lets all make a resolution to fulfill every right of every child, starting with the right to survive. In 2017, about 1 million babies died on the day they were born, while 2.5 million died in their first month. Most of these children died from preventable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections like sepsis and pneumonia. Gornitzka stressed that millions of babies could be saved worldwide if countries invest in training and equip local health workers correctly so that every birth is clean and safe. In China, the child mortality rate has dropped significantly in recent years, with China Daily reporting that the figure fell to 6.8 per thousand in 2017 compared with 7.5 per thousand the previous year. In an official guideline, titled Healthy China 2030, the country outlined plans to further reduce the infant mortality rate to five per thousand by 2030. China has made enormous progress on reducing the number of mothers and children dying by increasing access to high-quality primary health care across the country. However, newborn deaths, which account for about 50 percent of all deaths among children under five years, are still a challenge. UNICEF has worked and will continue to work in partnership with the Government of China to ensure every birth occurs with skilled birth attendance, ending preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths and making sure no child dies from a preventable cause, said Dr. Douglas Noble, UNICEF Deputy Representative to China. This January 1st, around one-fifth of all babies were born in the East Asia and Pacific region. As the world welcomed in 2019, Sydney greeted an estimated 168 babies, followed by 310 in Tokyo and 605 in Beijing. Over 2,000 Dudous, or traditional Chinese bodices, are currently being housed in the Gaos Family Mansion on a bustling snack street in Xian, thepaper.cn reported on Jan. 2. Collector Zhang Yi has always been fascinated by ancient silk fabrics, influenced by her mother from an early age. The Dudou reflects the daily life of Chinese women throughout history, as various patterns embroidered on the diamond-shaped piece of fabric such as flowers and butterflies express their hope for a better life. Dudous were most commonly made for women or babies, and are quite fragile and easily worn out, thus making them difficult to collect. Zhang noted that it was difficult to find pieces when she started to collect this type of embroidery, but she believes her collection can shed a light on ancient Chinese craftmanship, and bring people from the past and present closer together. (Photo/thepaper.cn) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Duck Productions Ltd.Queen guitarist Brian May started the New Year with a big bang, so to speak, by releasing his first solo single in more than 20 years, "New Horizons (Ultima Thule Mix)," a song that celebrates the ongoing mission of NASA's New Horizons space probe. The track was officially released on New Year's Day, and was given its premiere just after midnight ET at the New Horizons Mission Operations Center in Laurel, Maryland, timed to coincide with the probe's flyby of Ultima Thule, an object in the Kuiper (pr: like Viper) Belt in the outer reaches of our solar system. May, who has a doctorate in astrophysics and has been involved in the New Horizons project for years, was in attendance at the control center when the probe made what is considered the most distant flyby of an object by a spacecraft in history -- about 4 billion miles from Earth. May co-wrote "New Horizons" with award-winning lyricist Don Black, and produced the track, which also features contributions from longtime Meat Loaf drummer John Miceli. The song includes an audio clip of a congratulatory message that the late Stephen Hawking gave to the mission's scientists when the New Horizons probe passed by the dwarf planet of Pluto in 2015. "This project has energized me in a new way. For me, it's been an exciting challenge to bring two sides of my life together -- astronomy and music," says May. "To me, [the New Horizons mission] epitomizes the human spirit's unceasing desire to understand the Universe we inhabit." You can check out an animated video for the song at Queen's official YouTube channel. The clip features an animated depiction of the probe's journey through the solar system and past various planets, moons and other interplanetary objects. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.